Psalm 37:1-9 Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. [2] For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. [3] Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. [4] Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. [5] Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. [6] He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. [7] Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. [8] Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret-it only causes harm. [9] For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth.

Three Angels Broadcasting Network Devotional. The Lord is Near By Vera Malova August 17th, 2026 I was raised in northern Kazakhstan, but when we moved to the town of Bor in 1993, I remember the TV ads for Pastor John Carter’s evangelistic meetings across the Volga River in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. Things weren’t going smoothly at home. My husband often took to the bottle, and my eldest son Sasha had started drinking, too. So I was happy when Sasha began attending those meetings every day. They gave him a Bible, and when Sasha brought it home, I began to read it. By the time I reached the New Testament, I’d realized we weren’t living the way God wanted us to, so I read it again. In the meantime, Sasha was baptized and began inviting me to church. I wanted to support him, but I worked on Saturdays. However, my hands began to ache so badly that I had to go to the hospital and take a break from work. The following Saturday, my son stared at me intently, wondering if I would go to church with him, so I went. I have a habit of looking people in the eye, and I was amazed to see such kind and affectionate eyes. Everyone was glad to see me, and they all smiled, so I continued going to church and soon decided to be baptized. On the day before my baptism, my husband came home from work drunk, hit his head, and stopped breathing. My son gave him CPR, but his breathing stopped as soon as he let up. “Lord, I give my whole family into Your hands!” I cried—and instantly, my husband began breathing again. God literally raised him from the dead! Although two of my children were baptized, my husband would not surrender to the Lord, threatening and calling me ugly names. Once, in a fit of anger, he began choking me. Another time, my children attended a youth group while I stayed home, reading my Bible. My husband came in drunk and said, “Aren’t you going to church, too?” “Yes, I think I will,” I answered. “Then perhaps you’ll also decide to be baptized!” he snorted. When I replied that I’d already been baptized, he grabbed a large Kitchen knife and shouted, “Then your life is over!” His eyes burned with a terrible fire! He lunged at me but suddenly froze in place. He stood there a while, holding the knife and shouting over and over, “You will not live!” Shaking with fear, I closed my eyes tightly and prayed silently for deliverance. Suddenly, I saw a beautiful rainbow in my mind with fiery letters that read, He will not hurt you! Throwing the knife down, my husband fell on the sofa, sobbing. My guardian angel had stood between us and protected me! “For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” Psalm 91:11. As a family, we began praying earnestly for him. My children tried talking to him about God, but he answered, “That’s just how it’s written in your American Bible.” Lena bought him a Russian Orthodox Bible with a cross on it, blessed by Patriarch Alexy II, and as she read texts from her Bible, he read the same text in his; and whether from the Old or New Testament, every text matched word for word! Despite being convinced, my husband continued to drink as our family implored for God’s help. Finally, Sasha asked, “Father, why are you resisting?” He replied, “Okay, I will ask God to help me stop drinking.” He began carrying the Ten Commandments in his pocket and telling his co-workers and friends that they should follow them. He also promised to go to church but never did. Instead, he drank until he lost the feeling in his legs from his knees on down. One morning I woke up joyful. My eyes were shining when I said to him, “You cannot imagine how good you’d feel if you’d quit drinking,” to which he replied, “Then I’ll quit today.” Sadly, that was the day he died from his illness. It’s impossible to live in this world without God because there are problems such as alcoholism that no one else can solve. My son, who led me to God, eventually stopped going to church and began drinking again. But although he got so bad that he started hearing voices, our whole church family prayed for him, and after many years, he came back to the Lord and sobered again. Don’t think that the Lord is somewhere far away. He is right here with you! We all live in debt to the Lord, and a price has been paid for our life. Jesus paid the price for each of our days, each piece of bread we eat, and each breath we take. He paid it with His precious blood! Jeremiah 29:11 and 13 say, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.… And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Seek the Lord, for He is near.

📌 Today's Readings are from the Book of 2 Kings 11–12 | Galatians 1 📌 👇 Overviews Are Below (PLEASE READ YOUR BIBLE: Overviews Do Not Replace Daily Reading) 👇 2 Kings 11 God Preserves His Covenant Promise 2 Kings 11 unfolds during one of the darkest moments in Judah's history. Following the death of King Ahaziah, Athaliah seizes the throne and attempts to eliminate every royal heir from the house of David. Her actions appear to threaten the very covenant God had made with David—that his descendants would continue until the coming of the promised King. Humanly speaking, it seems as though God's redemptive plan is in danger. Yet behind the scenes, God is quietly preserving His promise. Jehosheba courageously rescues the infant Joash and hides him in the temple for six years. While Athaliah believes she has secured her kingdom, God has already protected the rightful heir. The Lord's covenant does not depend upon human power or political stability. He faithfully guards His purposes even when they appear hidden. After six years, the priest Jehoiada carefully organizes the restoration of the kingdom. His leadership is marked by wisdom, patience, and reverence for God's timing. Rather than acting impulsively, he waits until the proper moment to reveal Joash publicly as the rightful king. When Joash is crowned, the people rejoice, and Athaliah's reign comes to an end. The covenant between the Lord, the king, and the people is renewed, and the temple of Baal is destroyed. Worship is restored, and Judah experiences peace because the nation once again acknowledges the Lord as its true King. The chapter demonstrates that God's promises cannot be destroyed by human rebellion. Though evil may appear to triumph for a season, God's covenant purposes always prevail. His faithfulness quietly sustains what human eyes often fail to see. Theologically, 2 Kings 11 reveals God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with David. The preservation of Joash ensures that the Messianic line remains intact. The chapter also highlights the importance of faithful individuals like Jehosheba and Jehoiada, whose quiet obedience becomes part of God's larger redemptive plan. This chapter points directly to Christ. The preservation of David's royal line ultimately leads to Jesus, the promised Son of David whose kingdom will never end. Though many throughout history attempted to destroy God's redemptive plan, the Lord faithfully preserved the line through which the Savior would come. For believers today, 2 Kings 11 reminds us that God is always at work, even when His purposes seem hidden. Evil never has the final word because God's promises are secure. In Christ, we belong to an unshakable kingdom established by God's faithfulness. We are called to remain faithful in our own generation, trusting that God uses ordinary acts of obedience to accomplish extraordinary purposes. 2 Kings 12 Restoring the House of the Lord 2 Kings 12 begins with the early reign of Joash, who comes to the throne under the godly influence of Jehoiada the priest. During these early years, Joash desires to restore the temple, which had been neglected during Athaliah's reign. His concern for the house of the Lord reflects a recognition that true national renewal begins with proper worship. The temple had suffered because God's people had neglected their relationship with Him. Rather than merely repairing a building, Joash seeks to restore the center of Israel's worship. The chapter reminds us that outward restoration should always reflect an inward desire to honor the Lord. As the work begins, practical challenges arise. Initial plans do not move as expected, requiring adjustments in leadership and organization. Eventually, a faithful system is established, allowing the people to give generously and the repairs to proceed with integrity. The workers are described as trustworthy, highlighting the importance of faithfulness in handling what belongs to God. The restoration of the temple becomes a community effort. The people willingly participate because they recognize the value of honoring the Lord. Their generosity demonstrates that worship involves not only words but also faithful stewardship of the resources God provides. Yet the chapter also contains a quiet warning. Although Joash begins well, the high places remain, indicating that complete spiritual reform has not yet taken place. The closing verses reveal political pressures that eventually lead Joash to compromise by using temple treasures to appease an enemy rather than trusting fully in the Lord. His reign ends tragically, reminding us that beginning well does not guarantee finishing well. Theologically, 2 Kings 12 teaches that worship must remain central to the life of God's people. It also demonstrates the importance of faithful stewardship, integrity, and perseverance. Spiritual renewal involves more than repairing outward structures—it requires continual devotion to the Lord. This chapter points to Christ, who is greater than the temple itself. Jesus came not merely to restore a building but to establish God's dwelling among His people through His own body. Through His death and resurrection, believers become the temple of the Holy Spirit, called to live lives that honor God completely. For believers today, 2 Kings 12 reminds us to invest in what has eternal value. Just as the temple required faithful restoration, our hearts continually need renewal through God's Word and Spirit. In Christ, we are called to steward faithfully what God has entrusted to us, serve with integrity, and remain devoted to Him throughout our lives. The goal is not simply to begin our walk with enthusiasm but to finish it with unwavering faithfulness to our Lord and King. Galatians — The Gospel of Grace and Freedom in the Christ The book of Galatians is a passionate defense of the true gospel and a powerful declaration that salvation is found through the Christ, the Son of God, by grace alone through faith alone. Paul writes to churches that had begun to drift from the simplicity of the gospel by adding human works and religious requirements to the finished work of the Christ. Throughout the letter, he calls believers back to the freedom that God has provided through His redemptive plan. The central theme of Galatians is that no one is justified before God by keeping the Law or by human effort. The Law revealed humanity's need for a Savior, but only the Christ could fulfill its righteous requirements. Through His death and resurrection, the Son of God accomplished what no one else could, making salvation available to all who trust in Him. The book repeatedly contrasts life under the Law with life in the Spirit. The Christian life does not begin by grace and continue through human effort. From beginning to end, believers depend upon the grace of the Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. The redemptive plan transforms people from the inside out, producing obedience that flows from love rather than obligation. Another major emphasis is Christian freedom. This freedom is not permission to live selfishly or sinfully but the freedom to love, serve, and obey God without the burden of trying to earn His acceptance. The Son of God has set His people free so they may walk in joyful obedience through the Spirit. The letter also highlights the believer's new identity. Those who belong to the Christ are sons and daughters of God, heirs of His promises, and members of His family. Their standing before God rests entirely upon the finished work of the Son of God. For believers today, Galatians reminds us to guard the purity of the gospel. Christian living is rooted in grace, empowered by the Spirit, and centered on the Christ. We are called to reject every form of legalism, trust completely in the finished work of the Son of God, and walk daily in the freedom He has purchased through His redemptive plan. Galatians 1 — Holding Fast to the True Gospel of the Christ Galatians chapter 1 immediately establishes the urgency of preserving the true gospel. Paul writes with deep concern because the believers were being influenced by teachers who had distorted the message of salvation. Rather than adding to the gospel, these teachings were actually replacing it. From the very beginning, the chapter points believers back to the Christ, the Son of God, as the only source of salvation and the foundation of God's redemptive plan. The chapter opens by emphasizing that Paul's calling and authority did not originate from human appointment but from the Christ Himself. This establishes that the message he proclaimed came directly from God rather than from human tradition. Christian living must always be built upon God's revealed truth rather than popular opinion or religious custom. The Son of God remains the ultimate authority over His Church. Paul quickly expresses astonishment that the Galatian believers were turning away from the grace of the Christ so soon after receiving the gospel. They were not rejecting Christianity altogether but allowing another message to replace the true one. This demonstrates how subtle spiritual deception can be. The redemptive plan is centered entirely on the finished work of the Christ, and anything that adds human merit to salvation undermines the gospel itself. The chapter makes it unmistakably clear that there is only one true gospel. Salvation is found through the Christ alone. No human effort, religious ceremony, or personal achievement can improve upon what the Son of God has already accomplished. Christian living begins with this unchanging truth and continues by resting completely in His grace. Paul also addresses the danger of seeking human approval. Faithful servants of the Christ cannot shape their message to satisfy people. Their calling is to remain faithful to God's truth regardless of opposition. The redemptive plan is too precious to be altered for the sake of acceptance or popularity. The Son of God calls His followers to proclaim the truth with humility and courage. The chapter then recounts Paul's own testimony. Before encountering the Christ, he was devoted to religious tradition and actively opposed the gospel. Yet God intervened by His grace, revealing His Son and transforming Paul's life completely. This testimony demonstrates that salvation is always initiated by God. The redemptive plan is founded upon divine grace, not human seeking. The Christ changes hearts, redirects lives, and calls people into His service. Paul emphasizes that after his conversion, his understanding of the gospel did not come through human instruction but through God's revelation. This highlights the divine origin of the message. Christian living must always remain rooted in the truth revealed through the Son of God rather than shifting with changing cultural ideas. The chapter concludes by showing how Paul's transformed life became a testimony to others. Those who had once feared him because of his persecution of the Church were now glorifying God because of the work of the Christ in his life. This is one of the great evidences of the redemptive plan. The Son of God does not merely forgive sinners—He transforms them into faithful servants whose lives point others to His glory. Throughout Galatians chapter 1, the focus remains fixed upon the grace of the Christ and the unchanging truth of the gospel. The Son of God alone provides salvation, and His finished work is fully sufficient. Every attempt to add to His work ultimately diminishes the glory that belongs to Him alone. For believers today, this chapter calls us to guard the purity of the gospel with humility and conviction. Christian living begins and continues through the grace of the Christ, never through human effort. We are reminded to evaluate every teaching by God's Word, to remain faithful to the truth regardless of cultural pressure, and to trust completely in the finished work of the Son of God. As we hold firmly to the true gospel, our lives become testimonies of His transforming grace and faithful witnesses to His eternal redemptive plan. #DailyBibleReading #OpenYourBible #StudyTheWord #ScriptureForToday #FaithJourney #GodsWord #BibleTime #WalkWithGod

🔥 THE ULTIMATE MANDATE — A NIGHT EVERY MINISTER & WORKER SHOULD NOT MISS! 🔥 Ministry is more than a position—it is a divine assignment, a sacred responsibility, and a call to impact lives. 🙏🏽 Join us for the KADUNA APOSTOLIC IMPACT MINISTERS/WORKERS CONFERENCE — MINISTERS & WORKERS DINNER NIGHT as we gather to fellowship, connect, learn, and be refreshed for greater kingdom impact. 🎯 THEME: THE ULTIMATE MANDATE 📅 Sunday, 16th August 2026 ⏰ 4:00 PM 📍 Christian Evangelical Fellowship of Nations Inc. (CEFN), Victory Line, Kakuri GRA, Kaduna South, Kaduna State 🌟 Featuring: Rev. Sam Alawiye — Convener Rev. Adaji Emanuel — Host Rev. Femi Worship Christy Alabi Ola-Brite This is more than a dinner. It is a divine gathering of people carrying a mandate! 🔥 If you are a pastor, minister, church worker, leader, or kingdom servant, this gathering is for YOU. 👉🏽 Tag a minister or church worker you need to attend with you. 👉🏽 Share this post and invite someone. 👉🏽 Let’s gather, connect and renew our commitment to the Kingdom! 🔥 THE MANDATE IS GREATER. THE TIME IS NOW. #TheUltimateMandate #KadunaApostolicImpact #MinistersAndWorkers #KingdomMandate #ChurchLeaders #Ministry #Kaduna #KingdomImpact #ChristianConference #ApostolicImpact

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you. This month, I have taken a break from doing events in an attempt to sell my books. I have got the giveaway going, but that is all for now. It is funny that in a matter of just a couple of hours, I have September looking pretty solid for different sites. Add to that a couple of new projects in the works. So, while my physical is taking a break while the littles are here, my mind never shuts off. Haha. Today we have an appointment to see the VA lawyer and work on next steps for my hubby’s compensation. I have questions, and supposedly this alternate site has a calmer venue to ask those questions. As the rain falls, yet again today, please pray for those areas that are over drainage capacity and are flooding. My yard is a soggy mess and when I actually get to mow … in six months … we will need a rake to bundle the grass for the horses; however … my little puddles in my yard are nothing compared to those who have been ousted from their homes and businesses. I would encourage you to seek an audience with the Father today, as you should every day; however, today make a special appearance and pray for those who are watching their livelihood wash away in the floods. Pray for the emergency workers who are trying to keep everyone safe. Pray for the linemen who are trying to keep the power on. Pray for those who just happen to be in the wrong place when a road washes away. Pray for those in your community who are struggling with something that you are not aware of. Pray for our government leaders to put Him first and to follow His direction. Today, spend a considerable amount of time in prayer. Let's come together as a church and cover our country. While in the community, randomly stop and help someone … be the church in the physical as well as the spiritual. Today, let us show the world how His church demonstrates His love. Be blessed. **Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” –Matthew 22:37-40

**Why Church Planting in Bangladesh Is Urgent** 🇧🇩✝️ Across Bangladesh, there are still countless villages and communities where people have never heard the Gospel clearly. Many places have no local church, no regular worship, and no spiritual community to nurture new believers. Church planting is not simply about constructing a building—it is about establishing a community of faith where people can encounter Christ, grow as disciples, pray together, and become a witness of God’s love in their own community. A healthy local church brings hope, strengthens families, guides children and young people, and creates lasting transformation. Jesus commanded us, **“Go and make disciples of all nations.”** (Matthew 28:19) One of the most effective ways to fulfill this mission is by planting churches. A local church raises indigenous leaders, disciples new believers, and continues the work of the Gospel from generation to generation. In Bangladesh, church planting is not merely a ministry strategy—it is a Gospel necessity. Every unreached village deserves a faithful witness. Every new believer deserves a spiritual family. Every community deserves the opportunity to hear the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. Let us pray for more laborers, more church planters, and more churches across Bangladesh until every community has access to the Gospel. **“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”** — Matthew 9:37 #ChurchPlanting #Bangladesh #GreatCommission #Gospel #Mission #JesusChrist #Prayer

Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed." — Psalm 82:3 God has called us to be His voice for those unheard, His hands for those unlifted. There is no greater joy than answering that call! When we see a child’s life transformed, we see God’s goodness at work. This is not just our work — it is His work through us. And it is good. 🕊️🌍 But the harvest is great and the workers are few. We cannot meet every need alone. We ask you to join this beautiful work — with your prayers, your gifts, your support of any kind. Every contribution helps us reach one more child, share one more meal, speak one more word of hope. 💛 We need you — in every way. Let’s do this together, for God’s glory and for the children. Thank you, family in Christ! #UpholdTheCause #CalledToServe #KidsHopeCharity #FaithInAction #TogetherForGodsGlory

Ellen G. White The world is a theater; the actors, its inhabitants, are preparing to act their part in the last great drama. With the great masses of mankind there is no unity, except as men confederate to accomplish their selfish purposes. God is looking on. His purposes in regard to His rebellious subjects will be fulfilled. The world has not been given into the hands of men, though God is permitting the elements of confusion and disorder to bear sway for a season. A power from beneath is working to bring about the last great scenes in the drama—Satan coming as Christ, and working with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in those who are binding themselves together in secret societies. Those who are yielding to the passion for confederation are working out the plans of the enemy. The cause will be followed by the effect. Transgression has almost reached its limit. Confusion fills the world, and a great terror is soon to come upon human beings. The end is very near. We who know the truth should be preparing for what is soon to break upon the world as an overwhelming surprise.... Are we as a people asleep? Oh, if the young men and young women in our institutions who are now unready for the Lord’s appearing, unfitted to become members of the Lord’s family, could only discern the signs of the times, what a change would be seen in them! The Lord Jesus is calling for self-denying workers to follow in His footsteps, to walk and work for Him, to lift the cross, and to follow where He leads the way. Many are readily satisfied with offering the Lord trifling acts of service. Their Christianity is feeble. Christ gave Himself for sinners. With what anxiety for the salvation of souls we should be filled as we see human beings perishing in sin! These souls have been bought at an infinite price. The death of the Son of God on Calvary’s cross is the measure of their value. Day by day they are deciding whether they will have eternal life or eternal death! T8.27-29

PROVERB OF THE DAY (Proverbs 10) 1. The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother. 2. Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, But righteousness delivers from death. 3. The LORD will not allow the righteous soul to famish, But He casts away the desire of the wicked. 4. He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich. 5. He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame. 6. Blessings are on the head of the righteous, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked. 7. The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot. 8. The wise in heart will receive commands, But a prating fool will fall. 9. He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known. 10. He who winks with the eye causes trouble, But a prating fool will fall. 11. The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked. 12. Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins. 13. Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, But a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding. 14. Wise people store up knowledge, But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction. 15. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city; The destruction of the poor is their poverty. 16. The labor of the righteous leads to life, The wages of the wicked to sin. 17. He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, But he who refuses correction goes astray. 18. Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool. 19. In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise. 20. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; The heart of the wicked is worth little. 21. The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom. 22. The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it. 23. To do evil is like sport to a fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom. 24. The fear of the wicked will come upon him, And the desire of the righteous will be granted. 25. When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation. 26. As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So is the lazy man to those who send him. 27. The fear of the LORD prolongs days, But the years of the wicked will be shortened. 28. The hope of the righteous will be gladness, But the expectation of the wicked will perish. 29. The way of the LORD is strength for the upright, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity. 30. The righteous will never be removed, But the wicked will not inhabit the earth. 31. The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, But the perverse tongue will be cut out. 32. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, But the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.

THE HARVEST IS WAITING FOR WORKERS 📖 Luke 10:1-2 "After this, the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. He told them, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'" Jesus sends his disciples to proclaim the Kingdom of God. He reveals to them an urgent reality: there are many people ready to receive the message, but few are willing to serve. God is not only looking for spectators of the harvest, but above all, workers. There are lives around us waiting to hear, to be accompanied, taught, and led to Christ. When we look more closely at Jesus' instructions, we find: pray, then go. The mission begins in prayer, but it doesn't end there. Those who sincerely pray for the harvest must also be ready to become the answer to their own prayer. So, don't just ask, "Lord, send someone." Ask also, "Lord, can you send me?" Today, identify at least one person whom God has placed on your heart and take the initiative to encourage them, share Christ with them, or accompany them on their walk with God. The Lord will open our eyes to the harvest around us and make us available, faithful, and courageous workers, ready to be sent wherever He wills. #WorkersOfTheLord🙏🏼 #SpiritAndLife🔥