DBF-001-034 continues with John 2:13. John now moves from the quiet days in Capernaum to Jerusalem at Passover. This verse begins an important change of scene that will reveal Christ’s concern for the holiness of His Father’s house.

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DBF-001-034

Today’s Scripture

John 2:13 (ESV)

“The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.”

Opening the Scriptures

Jesus had spent a few days in Capernaum with His mother, His brothers, and His disciples.

Now John takes us to Jerusalem.

The reason was Passover.

Passover was one of Israel’s great appointed feasts. It looked back to the time when God delivered His people from slavery in Egypt. On that first Passover night, judgment came upon Egypt, while the Israelites were protected according to God’s command concerning the blood of the Passover lamb.

Generation after generation remembered God’s mighty act of deliverance.

Now Jesus Himself was going to Jerusalem for Passover.

John has already introduced Him with the remarkable words of John the Baptist:

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

The full significance of those words has not yet unfolded.

But John is directing our attention toward Christ.

Living God’s Word Today

Passover reminded Israel that deliverance came from God.

That remains an essential truth for us.

Human beings naturally want to contribute something toward their acceptance before God.

We trust our morality.

We remember our good deeds.

We compare ourselves with people whom we consider worse than ourselves.

We may even trust our church attendance, religious service, or knowledge of Scripture.

But none of these things can remove our sin.

Salvation belongs to the Lord.

The Passover pointed backward to God’s deliverance from Egypt, but it also helps us understand the greater deliverance accomplished through Jesus Christ.

The New Testament identifies Christ as our Passover Lamb.

He did what we could never do for ourselves.

He lived without sin.

He willingly went to the cross.

He bore the judgment deserved by sinners.

He rose from the dead.

Our hope before God therefore rests not upon the strength of our religious performance but upon the finished work of Jesus Christ.

This should also produce humility.

We cannot boast about rescuing ourselves.

We cannot look down upon another sinner as though we earned our place before God.

If we are saved, we are recipients of grace.

Jesus was traveling toward Jerusalem.

The disciples could not yet understand everything that Jerusalem would eventually mean.

But the Lamb of God was moving according to His Father’s purpose.

Today, remember where your confidence must rest.

Not in yourself.

Not in your goodness.

Not in your religious activity.

In Christ alone.

Question for Today

What are you trusting in for your acceptance before a holy God?

Respond: “My hope is in Jesus Christ alone.”

Brenda Walsh Ministries
Everlasting Arms of Jesus.

No one “likes” to go through hard times, nor do they wish for a “bad day,” but it is through life’s toughest battles that you’ll receive some of your biggest blessings. Without the hard times, you would never know your need for a Savior. When everything’s going smoothly, you’re focused on the great time you’re having, celebrating with friends, and living “the good life.” But when trouble knocks on your door, it sends you crying for help to the only One who has the power to help you! It is while on your knees that you are humbled and you realize just how much you need God in your life. Through all the heartache and pain, you’ll draw closer to God - listening for His voice, sharing your sorrow, and learning to trust Him fully, knowing He will help you and will do what’s best for you. The Bible says in Psalm 91:14-15, “ ‘Because he loves me,’ says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.’ And in Psalm 34:19, it says, “A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.” Learning “real-life character-changing” lessons doesn’t come from having a boatload of money, lots of friends, or fame. It is when the rent is due, the baby is sick, you lost your job, or your friend betrayed you that you’ll lean on God the most! Leaning on the everlasting arms of Jesus is a great place to be! Text: Psalm 18:2, Psalm 40:1-3, Psalm 9:9, 2 Peter 2:9

Let's talk about it.
YOUR MIND AND HEART NEED GOD’S WORD

Just as a plant cannot grow without water, our mind and heart cannot truly flourish without the Word of God.

Every day, we are surrounded by voices—opinions, distractions, temptations, fears, and worries. What we continually feed our minds will eventually shape our thoughts, and what fills our hearts will eventually influence our words, choices, and actions.

That is why we must intentionally water our lives with God’s Word DAILY.

When you are discouraged, read His promises.
When you are confused, seek His wisdom.
When you are tempted, remember His truth.
When you are afraid, hold on to His Word.
When you are tired, let His presence renew you.

The Bible is not merely a book to display—it is God’s truth to live by. It corrects us when we are wrong, strengthens us when we are weak, guides us when we are lost, and reminds us of who God is when life becomes difficult.

A neglected plant withers.
A heart neglected from God grows cold.
A mind without God’s truth becomes vulnerable to deception.
But a life continually nourished by God’s Word becomes stronger in faith.

Don’t wait until Sunday to hear from God. Open your Bible every day. Pray. Meditate. Listen. Obey.

Water your mind. Water your heart. Water your soul with the Word of God.

Because what you feed daily will eventually grow.

«“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” — Matthew 4:4»

Stay in the Word. Stay in prayer. Stay close to Jesus.

A Nugget of Truth.
THE LAW OF GOD WILL BE THE STANDARD OF JUDGMENT

Christ did not teach His followers to run from the Scriptures. He repeatedly appealed to the Word of God.

Jesus said, “Have ye not read in the scriptures?” (Matthew 21:42). He also declared, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

Paul did the same. He said, “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law” (Romans 3:31). He also taught that “the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good” (Romans 7:12).

The apostles did not teach believers that God’s Law had become meaningless. John wrote, “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments” (1 John 2:3). He further declared, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12).

So why does much of Christianity today suddenly declare that God’s Law is no longer binding?

Could it be because people want Christ without His commandments? Grace without obedience? Faith without transformation?

We must be careful. We cannot reject a commandment simply because we do not want to obey it.

And when the world stands before God in judgment, human opinions will not be the standard.

The Bible says, “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty” (James 2:12).

Ecclesiastes 12:13–14 gives the solemn conclusion:

“Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment.”

Judgment is coming. The question is not, “What does my church say?”

The question is: What has God said?

The Law does not save us. Christ saves us. But the grace that saves us does not teach us to despise the Law of the God who saved us.

When God judges, His Word—not our traditions, preferences, or excuses—will have the final authority.

Do not run from God’s Law because you are uncomfortable with one of its commandments. Search the Scriptures. Test everything by the Word of God.

Christ is our Savior. His Word is our standard. And judgment is certain.

Amazing Love

28 Beleifs # 27
THE MILLENNIUM AND THE END OF SIN

The millennium is the thousand-year reign of Christ with His saints in heaven between the first and second resurrections. During this time the wicked dead will be judged; the earth will be utterly desolate, without living human inhabitants, but occupied by Satan and his angels. At its close Christ with His saints and the Holy City will descend from heaven to earth. The unrighteous dead will then be resurrected, and with Satan and his angels will surround the city; but fire from God will consume them and cleanse the earth. The universe will thus be freed of sin and sinners forever.

Mateo may be the hero of the story. But none of his journeys would happen without Verbum Aeternum.

It rests inside an abandoned church in the mountains of Nicaragua.

Father Tomás watches over it.
Doña Rosa knows about it.
And both seem to understand far more than they're willing to tell Mateo.

At first, Verbum appears to be an enormous, ancient Bible.

But is it?

In today's Behind the Story, we meet the mystery at the heart of Mateo and the Secrets of the Eternal Word.

Who Is Verbum Aeternum?

Read the new post on my blog:
https://www.steverhartwigauthor.com/blog

#ChristianMiddleGrade #BiblicalFiction #ChristianFiction #KidsAdventureBooks

IT'S TIME TO WAKE UP

The message of the prophets in the Old Testament was always calling the people to repentance and to obey God's commands. Because of our fallen nature we are rebellious and stiffnecked.

Even today, we want the benefits of God's grace without accepting any accountability to God. Just as in the days of Isaiah, God's people attempt to replace obedience with ceremony.

God gave the people of Judah a clear message through the prophet Isaiah: Stop making worship a charade. He said, " Come now, let us reason together..... though your sins be like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow". ( Isa. 1, 18).

True fellowship with a holy God requires genuine repentance and obedience. Although there's no rebellion that goes beyond His reach, the remedy has to be His. We must agree with God concerning the enormous gravity of having a form of godliness.

God has graciously offered mercy and grace over a significant period of time and it is time for us to accept it. Today is the day of salvation.

Blessed and praised be Our Lord Jesus Christ!

EVIL DOERS AROUND NATIONS — GOD'S JUDGEMENT OF CORRECTION NOW SUBJECTED ON YOU

1 Pet 4:17 — For time has come for judgment to begin at house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be end of those who do not obey gospel of God?

Hear me, evil doers — workers of iniquity — around nations — altars of darkness — voices — persecutors — lovers of sin.

God has judged His house first — and finished.

You saw Red 7 vision l saw in sky after vanished was first a disciplinary action of suffering , which was subjected on me His house that l had fallen. and I repented as his house of my fall + shame before God & got cleansed by his blood. 1john1:7 & his word in eph5:26-27 which made me pure before God. 1Tim4:5. Thus this discplined me, corrected me & restored holiness back to me— born again — true Israel — Believer not practising sin. His word says in 1peter4:17-18 after this judgement of correction made on His house-- me & done . Now subjected to evil doers now.. thus repent, obey & live pure before God through faith in Christ or refuse will perish in sin.

My hedge was bleached — not removed — to test — to purify.

Job 2:6 — Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life.

I was wounded — motorcycle, dog, flesh torn — but not given to death — Ps 118:18 — Lord chastened me severely, but has not given me over to death.

My faith was tested by fire — 1 Pet 1:7 — but failed NOT — gold came out pure — Job 23:10 — I shall come forth as gold.

Red No.7 means complete — John 19:30 — It is finished. My correction is done.

NOW YOUR TURN — JUDGEMENT OF CORRECTION NOW ON YOU

1 Pet 4:17 — if it begins with us first, what will be end of you?

Because God finished with His house, He now turns to you.

Your judgement of correction is now set — now subjected on you — this is order of God — Ezek 18:30 — Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin.

This is not accident — this is ORDER on you.

And hear warning: This punishment to you will be harsher than that subjected on His house.

Luke 12:47-48 — that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare... shall be beaten with many stripes. For everyone to whom much is given, much will be required.

To His house — bleach hedge — wound — but spare life — to preserve for calling.

To you evil doers — many stripes — because you knew — you built altars — you sent voices — Eph 6:12 — you fought calling that fights Satan — 1 John 3:8 — you persecuted to make calling fail — Rev 12:17 — you knew.

To me — chastening of son — Heb 12:6 — whom Lord loves He chastens.

To you — wrath of judge — Heb 12:8 — if you are without chastening... then you are illegitimate and not sons.

Matt 10:15 — it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in day of judgment than for that city.
Heb 10:29 — Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled Son of God underfoot?

Voices — of evil altars — the motorcycle accident — dog hit in accident— God counted them.

Now unless you repent and live pure before God through faith in Christ, harsher correction falls — disease beyond wound — torment beyond voices — shame beyond nakedness — loss beyond flesh — Ps 11:6 — Upon wicked He will rain coals; fire and brimstone and burning wind shall be portion of their cup.

WHAT GOD DEMANDS NOW:

Repent — Acts 17:30 — God now commands all men everywhere to repent.

Believe in faith — 1 John 1:7 — blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin — 1 Tim 4:5 — sanctified by Word and prayer.

Live pure — Rev 14:4-5 — These are ones not defiled... without fault before throne of God — 1 John 3:9 — whoever born of God does not practice sin.

Be true Israel — not practising sin — Matt 6:33 — seek first Kingdom and His righteousness, and much more shall be added.

IF YOU REFUSE — JUDGEMENT OF DESTRUCTION FOLLOWS

If you refuse to repent now in this correction — judgement of destruction is already appointed.

Prov 11:21 — Though hand join in hand, wicked shall not go unpunished.
1 Pet 4:18 — If righteous one scarcely saved, where will ungodly and sinner appear?
2 Thess 1:8-9 — In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from presence of Lord.
Rev 20:15 — Anyone not found written in Book of Life was cast into lake of fire.
Gal 6:7 — Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; whatever man sows, that he will reap.

*TESTAMENT OF GRACE GLOBAL ASSEMBLY (GRACE REVIVAL CENTRE)*

*LIFELINES DEVOTIONAL FOR THURSDAY,AUGUST 27, 2026*

*TOPIC: RESTORED DOMINION*

*BIBLE VERSE*
“And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”-Genesis 1:28 (KJV)

*MEDITATION*
From the beginning, God created humanity with a mandate of dominion. Genesis 1:28 reveals that dominion was not man's invention but God's gift and responsibility. To have dominion means to exercise responsible authority and stewardship under God's ultimate rule, bringing order, productivity, righteousness, and godly influence into the sphere entrusted to us. Sin, however, damaged humanity's relationship with God and disrupted the proper exercise of this mandate. When Adam disobeyed God, he surrendered himself to sin's power and opened the door to consequences that affected the entire human race (Genesis 3:6–19; Romans 5:12). Believers today can also experience a diminished exercise of their God-given authority when they live in persistent disobedience, surrender to fear, allow destructive habits to control them, or forget their identity and authority in Christ. Dominion is therefore not a license for pride or domination over other people; it is the responsibility to live under God's authority while exercising the authority He has entrusted to us.

The good news is that Christ came to restore what sin had damaged. Jesus declared, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18), and He commissioned His followers to operate under that authority. When His disciples returned from ministry, Jesus told them, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy” (Luke 10:19). Through Christ, believers are no longer required to live as slaves to the dominion of sin, fear, or the devil. Romans 6:14 declares, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” The restoration of dominion therefore begins with understanding what Christ has accomplished. We do not reclaim authority by human strength or spiritual bravado; we receive and exercise our authority through submission to Jesus Christ, whose victory becomes the foundation of our victory.

One of the clearest biblical examples of restored dominion is found in the life of Samson, although his story also warns us about the consequences of careless living. God gave Samson extraordinary strength and a divine assignment, but his repeated compromise eventually weakened his effectiveness and resulted in his capture by the Philistines (Judges 16:19–21). In his final moments, however, Samson turned his heart toward God and cried, “O Lord GOD, remember me” (Judges 16:28). God answered his prayer, and Samson's strength was restored for one final act of deliverance. His story demonstrates that spiritual compromise can severely damage the exercise of what God has entrusted to us, but it also shows that failure does not have to be the end. Restoration begins when we return to God in humility and allow Him to rebuild what disobedience has weakened.

Restoring dominion therefore requires repentance, renewal, and a deliberate return to God's Word. James 4:7 gives a simple but powerful pattern: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Notice that submission to God comes before resistance to the devil. We cannot effectively exercise kingdom authority while deliberately resisting the authority of the King. The believer must therefore confess and forsake sin (1 John 1:9), renew the mind through God's Word (Romans 12:2), strengthen the spirit through prayer, and learn to distinguish God's will from personal ambition. Jesus demonstrated this principle when He resisted Satan in the wilderness by standing upon Scripture (Matthew 4:1–11). Dominion is restored when our lives come back into alignment with the One who gave us the mandate in the first place.

Restored dominion must also be expressed through responsible action and godly influence. Joseph exercised remarkable authority in Egypt, but he did not use his position for selfish domination; he used it to preserve lives during famine (Genesis 41:38–57). Daniel likewise exercised influence in Babylon without abandoning his loyalty to God (Daniel 6:3–5). These men demonstrate that kingdom dominion is not about controlling people but about bringing God's wisdom, righteousness, excellence, and order into the places where He has positioned us. A believer exercises restored dominion when he governs his own appetites, manages his resources wisely, leads his family responsibly, resists destructive influences, serves others, makes righteous decisions, and uses his opportunities to advance God's purposes. Proverbs 16:32 reminds us that ruling one's spirit is greater than conquering a city, showing that genuine dominion begins with self-government.

If you have allowed sin, fear, failure, addiction, discouragement, or spiritual negligence to weaken your sense and exercise of God-given authority, do not accept defeat as your permanent condition. Return to Christ, because He is the source of your authority and the foundation of your restoration. Remember that your dominion does not mean that you will never encounter opposition or hardship; rather, it means that circumstances, sin, fear, and the enemy do not have the final authority over a believer who remains submitted to Christ. Scripture says that God “hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6). Therefore, rise again in the authority Christ has provided, rebuild your spiritual life upon God's Word, walk in obedience, and exercise your influence with humility and wisdom. What has been weakened can be strengthened, what has been surrendered can be reclaimed, and what has been neglected can be rebuilt. Through Christ, the believer can recover the confidence and capacity to live under God's authority and fulfil the dominion mandate for which he was created.

*PRAYER*
Heavenly Father, thank You for the authority and responsibility You have given me through Christ. Restore every area of my life where sin, fear, failure, or disobedience has weakened my dominion. Help me to submit completely to You, stand firmly upon Your Word, resist every work of the enemy, and exercise godly authority with wisdom and humility. Let my life bring order, fruitfulness, righteousness, and glory to Your name. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.

DAY 27 - Morning
Theme: BUILDING A SAFE HOME: Creating a Marriage Where Love, Respect and Peace Can Grow.

Reflection
Protect Your Marriage from Comparison

Good morning,
Social media can make another person's marriage look perfect.
You see the anniversary photograph.
The beautiful dinner.
The holiday.
The new car.
The romantic message.
But you don't see the conversation that happened after the camera was switched off.
Comparison can make you despise the blessings already sitting in your own home.
Your marriage has its own story.
Don't measure your chapter against someone else's highlight reel.

God's Word
"Let us not become conceited or provoke one another, envying each other." — Galatians 5:26

Today's Love Action
Tell your spouse one thing about your marriage that you are grateful for.

Let's Talk
How can comparison quietly damage a marriage?

Prayer
Lord, teach us contentment. Help us celebrate our own journey without envying another couple's journey. Amen.

From The Counselor's Chair
Comparison often makes us blind to blessings because we are too busy measuring what we have against what someone else appears to have.

Marriage Nugget
"Don't compare your real marriage with someone else's edited picture."

Remember
In marriage, it is not about winning the argument; it is about winning each other's hearts.