• Today's Readings are from the Book of 2 Kings 13–14 | Galatians 2

    Overviews Are Below (PLEASE READ YOUR BIBLE: Overviews Do Not Replace Daily Reading)

    2 Kings 13

    God’s Mercy in the Midst of Decline

    2 Kings 13 unfolds during a period of continued spiritual decline in the northern kingdom of Israel. King Jehoahaz follows the sinful pattern established by Jeroboam, leading the nation away from wholehearted devotion to the Lord. As a result, God allows Syria to oppress Israel, demonstrating once again that persistent disobedience brings painful consequences.

    Yet even in judgment, God's mercy shines through. When Jehoahaz humbles himself and seeks the Lord, God hears his prayer and provides deliverance. Although the nation has repeatedly turned from Him, the Lord responds because of His covenant compassion. He remembers His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and refuses to abandon His people completely.

    The chapter reveals that God's discipline is never intended simply to punish but to bring His people back to Himself. His mercy continues reaching toward them despite their repeated failures.

    The narrative then shifts to the final days of Elisha. As the prophet prepares to leave this world, King Joash visits him seeking guidance. Elisha gives him a symbolic act involving arrows, demonstrating that God is willing to grant victory over Syria. However, when Joash strikes the ground only a few times instead of fully obeying the prophet's instruction, he limits the extent of the victory God intended to give.

    This moment illustrates that faith often determines the measure of our experience of God's blessings. The Lord was willing to grant complete victory, but the king's halfhearted response reflected limited confidence in God's promise.

    Even after Elisha's death, God's power continues to be displayed. A man is restored to life after coming into contact with Elisha's bones, demonstrating that the Lord's power did not end with His servant's earthly ministry. God remains alive and active even after His faithful servants have finished their work.

    Theologically, 2 Kings 13 reveals God's persistent mercy toward undeserving people. It also teaches that God invites wholehearted faith rather than hesitant obedience. The chapter reminds us that God's power never depends upon human personalities but upon His own sovereign presence.

    This chapter points to Christ, whose resurrection power brings eternal life. Unlike Elisha, whose ministry eventually ended, Jesus lives forever. His resurrection power continues transforming lives, offering complete victory over sin and death to all who trust in Him.

    For believers today, 2 Kings 13 reminds us that God remains merciful even when we fail. He invites us to seek Him with wholehearted faith and trust His promises completely. In Christ, we are called to pursue Him without reservation, believing that His power is sufficient for every battle and His grace is greater than every failure.

    2 Kings 14

    The Blessing and Danger of Success

    2 Kings 14 records the reigns of Amaziah in Judah and Jeroboam II in Israel, revealing both the blessings of obedience and the dangers that often accompany success. Amaziah begins his reign by doing what is right in the sight of the Lord, though not with complete devotion like David. His early obedience brings stability and military success as God grants him victory over his enemies.

    However, success gradually gives way to pride. Rather than remaining humble and dependent upon the Lord, Amaziah begins to overestimate his own strength. After experiencing victory, he challenges the northern kingdom to battle. His actions are driven by self-confidence rather than God's direction.

    The king of Israel wisely warns Amaziah against unnecessary conflict, using a parable to expose the danger of pride. Amaziah ignores the warning, proceeds into battle, and suffers a humiliating defeat. Jerusalem is plundered, its walls are broken down, and the king's confidence is shattered. The chapter reminds us that pride often follows success when gratitude and dependence upon God are neglected.
    The narrative then shifts to Jeroboam II, whose reign brings territorial expansion and prosperity to Israel. Surprisingly, God grants these blessings despite the nation's continued spiritual rebellion. His kindness reflects His compassion for a suffering people rather than approval of their sinful practices. The Lord delays judgment because of His mercy, giving the nation additional opportunity to repent.

    Throughout the chapter, God's sovereignty is evident. He raises kingdoms, grants victories, and allows defeats according to His purposes. Human success is never independent of His hand, and earthly prosperity should never be mistaken for spiritual health.

    Theologically, 2 Kings 14 teaches that success becomes dangerous when it produces pride instead of gratitude. It also reveals God's patience and mercy, demonstrating that He often shows kindness even to those who do not deserve it. Yet His blessings should lead people toward repentance rather than greater self-reliance.

    This chapter points to Christ, who perfectly modeled humility despite possessing all authority. Unlike Amaziah, Jesus never allowed success or power to produce pride. Instead, He humbled Himself completely, becoming obedient even to death on the cross. His kingdom is established not through self-exaltation but through perfect submission to the Father's will.

    For believers today, 2 Kings 14 reminds us to remain humble during seasons of blessing and success. Every victory we experience comes from God's gracious hand and should deepen our dependence upon Him rather than increase our confidence in ourselves. In Christ, we are called to walk in humility, giving Him glory for every blessing while continually seeking His wisdom and direction. True greatness is found not in self-exaltation but in faithful obedience to our Lord and King.

    Galatians 2 — Justified by Faith in the Christ Alone

    Galatians chapter 2 continues Paul's defense of the true gospel by showing that the message he preached was fully affirmed by the other apostles and centered completely on the Christ, the Son of God. The chapter confronts one of the greatest dangers facing the early church—the temptation to add human works to the finished work of the Christ. Through both personal testimony and direct confrontation, Paul demonstrates that God's redemptive plan has always been based upon grace received through faith rather than human effort.

    The chapter begins with Paul describing a meeting with the leaders of the church in Jerusalem. Rather than discovering disagreement, they recognized that the same gospel had been entrusted to all of them. The unity they shared was not built upon personal preference or tradition but upon the truth of the Christ. This reminds believers that genuine unity is always centered on the Son of God and His gospel. Christian living flourishes where believers are united around the truth rather than divided by human opinions.

    A significant issue arises concerning attempts to require additional religious practices as necessary for salvation. Paul firmly refuses to compromise because doing so would undermine the freedom believers have received through the Christ. The redemptive plan cannot be improved by human effort. The Son of God has already accomplished everything necessary for salvation through His death and resurrection. To add requirements to His finished work is to diminish the sufficiency of His grace.

    The chapter then records a public confrontation between Paul and Peter. Peter had been living consistently with the truth of the gospel but later withdrew from fellowship with Gentile believers because of fear of criticism. Paul recognized that this behavior communicated a false message about the gospel itself. Christian living requires consistency between what we believe and how we live. The Christ calls His followers to stand for truth even when doing so is difficult.

    This confrontation was never about personal rivalry but about protecting the purity of the gospel. The redemptive plan unites believers from every background into one family through the Son of God. Any behavior that rebuilds barriers which the Christ has removed contradicts the very message of salvation.

    The theological center of the chapter is the declaration that people are justified by faith in the Christ and not by works of the Law. This truth forms the foundation of the Christian life. The Law reveals humanity's need for salvation, but it cannot produce righteousness. Only the Son of God can declare sinners righteous because He alone fulfilled the Law perfectly and bore its penalty on behalf of humanity. Christian living begins with this unshakable foundation of grace.

    Paul then explains that believers have been united with the Christ in His death and now live through His life. The old life centered on self has been crucified, and a new life has begun through faith in the Son of God. This is one of the clearest descriptions of the believer's new identity. The redemptive plan not only forgives sin but creates an entirely new way of living through the power of the Christ.

    The chapter concludes by affirming that if righteousness could be achieved through human effort, the death of the Christ would have been unnecessary. But because salvation comes entirely through God's grace, the cross stands as the complete and sufficient work of the Son of God. Every believer rests securely in what He has accomplished rather than in personal performance.

    Throughout this chapter, the Christ remains the center of everything. He is the source of justification, the foundation of unity, the giver of spiritual life, and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The gospel neither begins with grace and continues through works nor mixes divine grace with human achievement. From beginning to end, salvation is the work of the Son of God.

    For believers today, this chapter calls us to stand firmly upon the truth of the gospel. Christian living is rooted in faith, not performance; in grace, not legalism; and in the finished work of the Christ, not our own efforts. We are reminded that our identity is found entirely in the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself for us. As we live by faith in Him, we experience the freedom, unity, and transformation that His redemptive plan was designed to produce.

    #DailyBibleReading #OpenYourBible #StudyTheWord #ScriptureForToday #FaithJourney #GodsWord #BibleTime #WalkWithGod
    📌 Today's Readings are from the Book of 2 Kings 13–14 | Galatians 2 📌 👇 Overviews Are Below (PLEASE READ YOUR BIBLE: Overviews Do Not Replace Daily Reading) 👇 2 Kings 13 God’s Mercy in the Midst of Decline 2 Kings 13 unfolds during a period of continued spiritual decline in the northern kingdom of Israel. King Jehoahaz follows the sinful pattern established by Jeroboam, leading the nation away from wholehearted devotion to the Lord. As a result, God allows Syria to oppress Israel, demonstrating once again that persistent disobedience brings painful consequences. Yet even in judgment, God's mercy shines through. When Jehoahaz humbles himself and seeks the Lord, God hears his prayer and provides deliverance. Although the nation has repeatedly turned from Him, the Lord responds because of His covenant compassion. He remembers His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and refuses to abandon His people completely. The chapter reveals that God's discipline is never intended simply to punish but to bring His people back to Himself. His mercy continues reaching toward them despite their repeated failures. The narrative then shifts to the final days of Elisha. As the prophet prepares to leave this world, King Joash visits him seeking guidance. Elisha gives him a symbolic act involving arrows, demonstrating that God is willing to grant victory over Syria. However, when Joash strikes the ground only a few times instead of fully obeying the prophet's instruction, he limits the extent of the victory God intended to give. This moment illustrates that faith often determines the measure of our experience of God's blessings. The Lord was willing to grant complete victory, but the king's halfhearted response reflected limited confidence in God's promise. Even after Elisha's death, God's power continues to be displayed. A man is restored to life after coming into contact with Elisha's bones, demonstrating that the Lord's power did not end with His servant's earthly ministry. God remains alive and active even after His faithful servants have finished their work. Theologically, 2 Kings 13 reveals God's persistent mercy toward undeserving people. It also teaches that God invites wholehearted faith rather than hesitant obedience. The chapter reminds us that God's power never depends upon human personalities but upon His own sovereign presence. This chapter points to Christ, whose resurrection power brings eternal life. Unlike Elisha, whose ministry eventually ended, Jesus lives forever. His resurrection power continues transforming lives, offering complete victory over sin and death to all who trust in Him. For believers today, 2 Kings 13 reminds us that God remains merciful even when we fail. He invites us to seek Him with wholehearted faith and trust His promises completely. In Christ, we are called to pursue Him without reservation, believing that His power is sufficient for every battle and His grace is greater than every failure. 2 Kings 14 The Blessing and Danger of Success 2 Kings 14 records the reigns of Amaziah in Judah and Jeroboam II in Israel, revealing both the blessings of obedience and the dangers that often accompany success. Amaziah begins his reign by doing what is right in the sight of the Lord, though not with complete devotion like David. His early obedience brings stability and military success as God grants him victory over his enemies. However, success gradually gives way to pride. Rather than remaining humble and dependent upon the Lord, Amaziah begins to overestimate his own strength. After experiencing victory, he challenges the northern kingdom to battle. His actions are driven by self-confidence rather than God's direction. The king of Israel wisely warns Amaziah against unnecessary conflict, using a parable to expose the danger of pride. Amaziah ignores the warning, proceeds into battle, and suffers a humiliating defeat. Jerusalem is plundered, its walls are broken down, and the king's confidence is shattered. The chapter reminds us that pride often follows success when gratitude and dependence upon God are neglected. The narrative then shifts to Jeroboam II, whose reign brings territorial expansion and prosperity to Israel. Surprisingly, God grants these blessings despite the nation's continued spiritual rebellion. His kindness reflects His compassion for a suffering people rather than approval of their sinful practices. The Lord delays judgment because of His mercy, giving the nation additional opportunity to repent. Throughout the chapter, God's sovereignty is evident. He raises kingdoms, grants victories, and allows defeats according to His purposes. Human success is never independent of His hand, and earthly prosperity should never be mistaken for spiritual health. Theologically, 2 Kings 14 teaches that success becomes dangerous when it produces pride instead of gratitude. It also reveals God's patience and mercy, demonstrating that He often shows kindness even to those who do not deserve it. Yet His blessings should lead people toward repentance rather than greater self-reliance. This chapter points to Christ, who perfectly modeled humility despite possessing all authority. Unlike Amaziah, Jesus never allowed success or power to produce pride. Instead, He humbled Himself completely, becoming obedient even to death on the cross. His kingdom is established not through self-exaltation but through perfect submission to the Father's will. For believers today, 2 Kings 14 reminds us to remain humble during seasons of blessing and success. Every victory we experience comes from God's gracious hand and should deepen our dependence upon Him rather than increase our confidence in ourselves. In Christ, we are called to walk in humility, giving Him glory for every blessing while continually seeking His wisdom and direction. True greatness is found not in self-exaltation but in faithful obedience to our Lord and King. Galatians 2 — Justified by Faith in the Christ Alone Galatians chapter 2 continues Paul's defense of the true gospel by showing that the message he preached was fully affirmed by the other apostles and centered completely on the Christ, the Son of God. The chapter confronts one of the greatest dangers facing the early church—the temptation to add human works to the finished work of the Christ. Through both personal testimony and direct confrontation, Paul demonstrates that God's redemptive plan has always been based upon grace received through faith rather than human effort. The chapter begins with Paul describing a meeting with the leaders of the church in Jerusalem. Rather than discovering disagreement, they recognized that the same gospel had been entrusted to all of them. The unity they shared was not built upon personal preference or tradition but upon the truth of the Christ. This reminds believers that genuine unity is always centered on the Son of God and His gospel. Christian living flourishes where believers are united around the truth rather than divided by human opinions. A significant issue arises concerning attempts to require additional religious practices as necessary for salvation. Paul firmly refuses to compromise because doing so would undermine the freedom believers have received through the Christ. The redemptive plan cannot be improved by human effort. The Son of God has already accomplished everything necessary for salvation through His death and resurrection. To add requirements to His finished work is to diminish the sufficiency of His grace. The chapter then records a public confrontation between Paul and Peter. Peter had been living consistently with the truth of the gospel but later withdrew from fellowship with Gentile believers because of fear of criticism. Paul recognized that this behavior communicated a false message about the gospel itself. Christian living requires consistency between what we believe and how we live. The Christ calls His followers to stand for truth even when doing so is difficult. This confrontation was never about personal rivalry but about protecting the purity of the gospel. The redemptive plan unites believers from every background into one family through the Son of God. Any behavior that rebuilds barriers which the Christ has removed contradicts the very message of salvation. The theological center of the chapter is the declaration that people are justified by faith in the Christ and not by works of the Law. This truth forms the foundation of the Christian life. The Law reveals humanity's need for salvation, but it cannot produce righteousness. Only the Son of God can declare sinners righteous because He alone fulfilled the Law perfectly and bore its penalty on behalf of humanity. Christian living begins with this unshakable foundation of grace. Paul then explains that believers have been united with the Christ in His death and now live through His life. The old life centered on self has been crucified, and a new life has begun through faith in the Son of God. This is one of the clearest descriptions of the believer's new identity. The redemptive plan not only forgives sin but creates an entirely new way of living through the power of the Christ. The chapter concludes by affirming that if righteousness could be achieved through human effort, the death of the Christ would have been unnecessary. But because salvation comes entirely through God's grace, the cross stands as the complete and sufficient work of the Son of God. Every believer rests securely in what He has accomplished rather than in personal performance. Throughout this chapter, the Christ remains the center of everything. He is the source of justification, the foundation of unity, the giver of spiritual life, and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The gospel neither begins with grace and continues through works nor mixes divine grace with human achievement. From beginning to end, salvation is the work of the Son of God. For believers today, this chapter calls us to stand firmly upon the truth of the gospel. Christian living is rooted in faith, not performance; in grace, not legalism; and in the finished work of the Christ, not our own efforts. We are reminded that our identity is found entirely in the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself for us. As we live by faith in Him, we experience the freedom, unity, and transformation that His redemptive plan was designed to produce. #DailyBibleReading #OpenYourBible #StudyTheWord #ScriptureForToday #FaithJourney #GodsWord #BibleTime #WalkWithGod
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  • Work Out Your Own Salvation - Part 1 of 3. Be sure to watch all 3 parts!
    Welcome to another video of Misunderstood Texts of the Bible. This time I am returning to the Epistle of Paul to the Philippians and to the oft mentioned verse “Work out your own salvation...” oh, and with “fear and trembling”.
    This verse is, as is almost always the case, has been pulled out of context to justify the argument that salvation, eternal life, is to be worked for and that salvation is not based on faith by is obtained by works. Well, if you just read this verse, out of context and ignore the rest of Paul’s epistles, then I can see how you can certainly come to this conclusion. The problem is that we cannot ignore the rest of Paul’s epistles on the subject of how salvation is obtained and when scripture seems to contradict scripture we must examine the contradiction much more closely. For God is not double tongued, He doesn’t speak out of both sides of His mouth.
    First, let’s set the matter of how salvation is obtained in Paul’s epistles. Since Paul wrote this verse in Philippians, I will focus on what Paul has to say on this subject. In many of Paul letters, he makes it abundantly clear that salvation/eternal life is a gift from God and is not granted on the basis of works or merit on our part. Let’s see, here’s a few.
    Rom. 3:28, Rom. 4:5, Rom. 6:23, Gal. 2:16, Eph. 2:8-9, Titus 3:5

    #misunderstoodtextofthebible #philippians #salvation #workoutyourownsalvation #faithvsworks #sacredwisdom #godisgood #faith #love #godisgoodallthetime #christian #god #bible #christianity #jesus #jesuschrist

    https://youtube.com/shorts/ADOfK9MzXNk?is=mzqWr25EIL-O6V2L
    Work Out Your Own Salvation - Part 1 of 3. Be sure to watch all 3 parts! Welcome to another video of Misunderstood Texts of the Bible. This time I am returning to the Epistle of Paul to the Philippians and to the oft mentioned verse “Work out your own salvation...” oh, and with “fear and trembling”. This verse is, as is almost always the case, has been pulled out of context to justify the argument that salvation, eternal life, is to be worked for and that salvation is not based on faith by is obtained by works. Well, if you just read this verse, out of context and ignore the rest of Paul’s epistles, then I can see how you can certainly come to this conclusion. The problem is that we cannot ignore the rest of Paul’s epistles on the subject of how salvation is obtained and when scripture seems to contradict scripture we must examine the contradiction much more closely. For God is not double tongued, He doesn’t speak out of both sides of His mouth. First, let’s set the matter of how salvation is obtained in Paul’s epistles. Since Paul wrote this verse in Philippians, I will focus on what Paul has to say on this subject. In many of Paul letters, he makes it abundantly clear that salvation/eternal life is a gift from God and is not granted on the basis of works or merit on our part. Let’s see, here’s a few. Rom. 3:28, Rom. 4:5, Rom. 6:23, Gal. 2:16, Eph. 2:8-9, Titus 3:5 #misunderstoodtextofthebible #philippians #salvation #workoutyourownsalvation #faithvsworks #sacredwisdom #godisgood #faith #love #godisgoodallthetime #christian #god #bible #christianity #jesus #jesuschrist https://youtube.com/shorts/ADOfK9MzXNk?is=mzqWr25EIL-O6V2L
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    Start Delivering in 3 Easy Steps! 🚗📦 Ready to earn on your schedule? Becoming a delivery driver is quick and simple: 1️⃣ Download the TriYum app. 2️⃣ Complete your registration and get approved. 3️⃣ Start accepting deliveries and earn a flat fee for every completed order. Take control of your schedule and deliver when it works for you. 👉 Join TriYum Today: www.triyumapp.com 📲 Download the TriYum App Now: Android: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.triyumhfmg.app&pcampaignid=web_share IOS: apps.apple.com/us/app/triyum/id6757215456 #Triyum #DeliverWithTriyum #FlexibleWork #DeliveryDriver
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  • THE MONEY’S MIND
    The Economic Way of the Lord

    By Omodolapo Ogunye

    What if the way out of an economic wilderness is not first a financial instrument, but a Person?

    We often approach economic difficulty through the language of money: capital, debt, investment, employment, markets, policy and opportunity.

    But the revelation of the Body of the Word gives us another starting point.

    The Body of the Word is the way of the Lord.

    Revelation 1 describes the feet of the Son of God as being “like bronze glowing in a furnace.” The imagery speaks of something firm, refined and established—a way.

    Isaiah 40:4 declares:

    “The rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.”

    The Word is therefore not merely something to believe.

    The Word is a way to walk.

    And this way has an economic and financial dimension.

    THE MONEY IS THE WORD

    Song of Solomon 5:11 gives us another dimension of the Body of the Word:

    “His head is purest gold.”

    Gold is a language of value, wealth and monetary significance. Yet Scripture uses gold to describe the Person of the Beloved—the Word.

    This is the foundation of The Money’s Mind:

    The Money is a Person.
    The Money is the Word.
    The Money has a Mind.

    The economic question therefore becomes larger than how to acquire money.

    What is the economic way of the Word?

    How does the Word navigate an economy?

    How does the Word respond to economic difficulty?

    How does the Word create a way where there appears to be no way?

    THE WAY THROUGH THE WILDERNESS

    Isaiah 43:19 records the declaration:

    “I am making a way in the desert.”

    A desert represents an environment in which productivity appears constrained—a place where resources seem scarce, opportunities seem limited and progress becomes difficult.

    There can be financial deserts.

    There can be economic deserts.

    There can be national economic wildernesses.

    But the revelation is that a desert does not have to be the final destination.

    God says, “I am making a way in the desert.”

    A way in the desert becomes a way out of the desert.

    This is where the economic way of the Lord becomes significant.

    The Body of the Word, as the aggressive hunger of the Father, is presented as the pathway through economic environments—even environments marked by difficulty, uncertainty and apparent impossibility.

    The answer is not simply to escape the economy.

    It is to discover the way of God within it.

    THE WAY IS ALSO A VOICE

    Isaiah 30:21 provides another dimension:

    “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”

    The economic way of the Lord is therefore not merely a path.

    It is a voice.

    This is crucial because economic environments require judgment.

    There are multiple opportunities.

    Multiple markets.

    Multiple investments.

    Multiple business models.

    Multiple directions.

    The challenge is not always finding an opportunity.

    Sometimes the challenge is knowing which way to walk.

    The Word becomes a lamp.

    Psalm 119:105 says:

    “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

    The economic implication is profound:

    You need economic sight before you need economic movement.

    And the quality of your movement depends upon what you are capable of hearing.

    WHAT YOU CRAVE, YOU LEARN TO HEAR

    There is a principle embedded in this revelation: craving affects hearing.

    What you continually desire begins to shape what you recognise.

    If your deepest hunger is merely for money, you may become increasingly sensitive to opportunities for money while remaining insensitive to the wisdom required to carry it.

    But if your hunger is for the Body of the Word, your capacity to recognise the voice of the Word begins to develop.

    This changes the meaning of financial intelligence.

    Financial intelligence is not merely knowing how money works.

    It is knowing which way to walk with money.

    It is knowing what to build.

    What to avoid.

    What to pursue.

    What to preserve.

    What to multiply.

    What to abandon.

    And, ultimately, what voice to follow.

    THE ECONOMIC WAY OF THE LORD

    The Body of the Word is described as burnished bronze.

    The Body of the Word is described through blazing fire.

    The Body of the Word is described in economic language through gold, riches, honor and enduring wealth.

    When these revelations are brought together, a larger proposition emerges:

    The Body of the Word, as the aggressive hunger of the Father, is the economic and financial way of the Lord.

    This way is relevant to the individual, the enterprise and the nation.

    It speaks to economic environments.

    It speaks to financial decisions.

    It speaks to productivity.

    It speaks to wealth creation.

    It speaks to the movement of the Father within the economies of nations.

    And it speaks particularly to those seasons when the economy looks like a desert.

    The desert may be real.

    The difficulty may be real.

    The financial pressure may be real.

    But the absence of an obvious path does not mean there is no path.

    The Word is the Way.

    THE MONEY’S MIND

    This is why The Money’s Mind is not simply about making money.

    It is about discovering the Mind behind the Money.

    The Money is the Word.

    The Word has a Mind.

    And the Mind of the Word reveals a way of seeing, thinking, creating, stewarding and navigating economic life.

    So when you encounter an economic wilderness, the first question should not simply be:

    “How do I get out?”

    Ask:

    “What is the way of the Lord here?”

    And then:

    “What is the voice saying: This is the way; walk in it?”

    Because a way is being made.

    Even in the desert.

    The Body of the Word is the economic and financial way of the Lord.

    The Money is the Word.

    The Money has a Mind.

    And the Mind of the Word knows the way.

    Omodolapo Ogunye

    THE MONEY’S MIND

    The Body of the Word as Finance & Economics

    The Kitchen
    shows.acast.com/the-kitchen
    THE MONEY’S MIND The Economic Way of the Lord By Omodolapo Ogunye What if the way out of an economic wilderness is not first a financial instrument, but a Person? We often approach economic difficulty through the language of money: capital, debt, investment, employment, markets, policy and opportunity. But the revelation of the Body of the Word gives us another starting point. The Body of the Word is the way of the Lord. Revelation 1 describes the feet of the Son of God as being “like bronze glowing in a furnace.” The imagery speaks of something firm, refined and established—a way. Isaiah 40:4 declares: “The rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.” The Word is therefore not merely something to believe. The Word is a way to walk. And this way has an economic and financial dimension. THE MONEY IS THE WORD Song of Solomon 5:11 gives us another dimension of the Body of the Word: “His head is purest gold.” Gold is a language of value, wealth and monetary significance. Yet Scripture uses gold to describe the Person of the Beloved—the Word. This is the foundation of The Money’s Mind: The Money is a Person. The Money is the Word. The Money has a Mind. The economic question therefore becomes larger than how to acquire money. What is the economic way of the Word? How does the Word navigate an economy? How does the Word respond to economic difficulty? How does the Word create a way where there appears to be no way? THE WAY THROUGH THE WILDERNESS Isaiah 43:19 records the declaration: “I am making a way in the desert.” A desert represents an environment in which productivity appears constrained—a place where resources seem scarce, opportunities seem limited and progress becomes difficult. There can be financial deserts. There can be economic deserts. There can be national economic wildernesses. But the revelation is that a desert does not have to be the final destination. God says, “I am making a way in the desert.” A way in the desert becomes a way out of the desert. This is where the economic way of the Lord becomes significant. The Body of the Word, as the aggressive hunger of the Father, is presented as the pathway through economic environments—even environments marked by difficulty, uncertainty and apparent impossibility. The answer is not simply to escape the economy. It is to discover the way of God within it. THE WAY IS ALSO A VOICE Isaiah 30:21 provides another dimension: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” The economic way of the Lord is therefore not merely a path. It is a voice. This is crucial because economic environments require judgment. There are multiple opportunities. Multiple markets. Multiple investments. Multiple business models. Multiple directions. The challenge is not always finding an opportunity. Sometimes the challenge is knowing which way to walk. The Word becomes a lamp. Psalm 119:105 says: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” The economic implication is profound: You need economic sight before you need economic movement. And the quality of your movement depends upon what you are capable of hearing. WHAT YOU CRAVE, YOU LEARN TO HEAR There is a principle embedded in this revelation: craving affects hearing. What you continually desire begins to shape what you recognise. If your deepest hunger is merely for money, you may become increasingly sensitive to opportunities for money while remaining insensitive to the wisdom required to carry it. But if your hunger is for the Body of the Word, your capacity to recognise the voice of the Word begins to develop. This changes the meaning of financial intelligence. Financial intelligence is not merely knowing how money works. It is knowing which way to walk with money. It is knowing what to build. What to avoid. What to pursue. What to preserve. What to multiply. What to abandon. And, ultimately, what voice to follow. THE ECONOMIC WAY OF THE LORD The Body of the Word is described as burnished bronze. The Body of the Word is described through blazing fire. The Body of the Word is described in economic language through gold, riches, honor and enduring wealth. When these revelations are brought together, a larger proposition emerges: The Body of the Word, as the aggressive hunger of the Father, is the economic and financial way of the Lord. This way is relevant to the individual, the enterprise and the nation. It speaks to economic environments. It speaks to financial decisions. It speaks to productivity. It speaks to wealth creation. It speaks to the movement of the Father within the economies of nations. And it speaks particularly to those seasons when the economy looks like a desert. The desert may be real. The difficulty may be real. The financial pressure may be real. But the absence of an obvious path does not mean there is no path. The Word is the Way. THE MONEY’S MIND This is why The Money’s Mind is not simply about making money. It is about discovering the Mind behind the Money. The Money is the Word. The Word has a Mind. And the Mind of the Word reveals a way of seeing, thinking, creating, stewarding and navigating economic life. So when you encounter an economic wilderness, the first question should not simply be: “How do I get out?” Ask: “What is the way of the Lord here?” And then: “What is the voice saying: This is the way; walk in it?” Because a way is being made. Even in the desert. The Body of the Word is the economic and financial way of the Lord. The Money is the Word. The Money has a Mind. And the Mind of the Word knows the way. Omodolapo Ogunye THE MONEY’S MIND The Body of the Word as Finance & Economics The Kitchen shows.acast.com/the-kitchen
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  • Three Angels Broadcasting Network Devotional.
    Lessons From a Bow and Arrow.

    By Bobby Davis

    August 18th, 2026

    “You are great in counsel and mighty in work, for Your eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men.” Jeremiah 32:19

    After growing up in South America, I felt pretty lost as a teenager, when my family returned to the United States. I spoke English, as I do now, but everything else was completely unfamiliar.

    Since I didn’t understand American sports, I looked for something I could get involved with, and for some reason, I chose archery. Before long, I learned all the right techniques and follow-through, but the part I lacked in was experience. Practice does not make perfect, but it does make permanent—so I practiced a lot. I got better, and realized that every single shot had to be carefully executed in order to hit the target.

    I learned many lessons from archery—persistence, the rewards of practice, and patience. But it was much later in life before I was able to see how really valuable those lessons were.

    You see, I’m rather impatient at times—with other people, and with myself. I’m not sure why that is, since my parents are really models of patience that I should have learned from. I remember a time when the big family Christmas present was a garage door opener. How excited I was to unpack the pieces. I spread them all over the garage floor, and tried to follow the directions. However, it seems that it was manufactured in a foreign country, and the directions didn’t make sense. But there were pictures, so I began assembly without actually trying very hard to decipher the written directions. And that didn’t turn out well.

    At times, my father would ask me, “Don’t you think you should do this or that first?” and I would impatiently tell him that I knew what I was doing. That man has the patience of a saint, because not only did he let me try to assemble it, but he also disassembled every piece when I gave up, and started over. Finally, it was done, and we put it up and tried it out. Believe it or not, over 40 years later, that garage door opener still works (although he did have to replace a fuse).

    Sometimes I’m impatient with God. And that archery experience comes back again. Consider these wise words from one of my favorite authors, Oswald Chambers. “A saint's life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer,” he writes. “God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, and He stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says – ‘I cannot stand any more.’

    “God does not heed, He goes on stretching till His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly.”

    Although I’m not much of an archer anymore, I know that if I’m an arrow in the hands of the Master Archer, He will never miss.
    Three Angels Broadcasting Network Devotional. Lessons From a Bow and Arrow. By Bobby Davis August 18th, 2026 “You are great in counsel and mighty in work, for Your eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men.” Jeremiah 32:19 After growing up in South America, I felt pretty lost as a teenager, when my family returned to the United States. I spoke English, as I do now, but everything else was completely unfamiliar. Since I didn’t understand American sports, I looked for something I could get involved with, and for some reason, I chose archery. Before long, I learned all the right techniques and follow-through, but the part I lacked in was experience. Practice does not make perfect, but it does make permanent—so I practiced a lot. I got better, and realized that every single shot had to be carefully executed in order to hit the target. I learned many lessons from archery—persistence, the rewards of practice, and patience. But it was much later in life before I was able to see how really valuable those lessons were. You see, I’m rather impatient at times—with other people, and with myself. I’m not sure why that is, since my parents are really models of patience that I should have learned from. I remember a time when the big family Christmas present was a garage door opener. How excited I was to unpack the pieces. I spread them all over the garage floor, and tried to follow the directions. However, it seems that it was manufactured in a foreign country, and the directions didn’t make sense. But there were pictures, so I began assembly without actually trying very hard to decipher the written directions. And that didn’t turn out well. At times, my father would ask me, “Don’t you think you should do this or that first?” and I would impatiently tell him that I knew what I was doing. That man has the patience of a saint, because not only did he let me try to assemble it, but he also disassembled every piece when I gave up, and started over. Finally, it was done, and we put it up and tried it out. Believe it or not, over 40 years later, that garage door opener still works (although he did have to replace a fuse). Sometimes I’m impatient with God. And that archery experience comes back again. Consider these wise words from one of my favorite authors, Oswald Chambers. “A saint's life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer,” he writes. “God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, and He stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says – ‘I cannot stand any more.’ “God does not heed, He goes on stretching till His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly.” Although I’m not much of an archer anymore, I know that if I’m an arrow in the hands of the Master Archer, He will never miss.
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  • Ellen G. White
    This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. John 15:12.
    What quality is this love? ... A love for the soul that would part with selfish gratifications and practice stern self-denial in order to elevate, ennoble, and sanctify those with whom we associate....God enjoins upon all His followers to bear a living testimony in unmistakable language by their conduct, their dress and conversation, in all the pursuits of life, that the power of true godliness is profitable to all in this life and in the life to come....A cheap Christian character works more harm in the world than the character of a worldling, for professed Christians mislead others by professing to represent Him whose name they assume.....God is love. Whoso dwelleth in God, dwelleth in love. All who have indeed become acquainted ... with the love and tender compassion of our heavenly Father will impart light and joy wherever they may be. Their presence and influence will be to their associates as the fragrance of sweet flowers, because they are linked to God and heaven, and the purity and exalted loveliness of heaven are communicated through them to all that are brought within their influence...You can surround your souls with an atmosphere that will be like zephyrs from the heavenly Eden..[ FLB 235.]
    Ellen G. White This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. John 15:12. What quality is this love? ... A love for the soul that would part with selfish gratifications and practice stern self-denial in order to elevate, ennoble, and sanctify those with whom we associate....God enjoins upon all His followers to bear a living testimony in unmistakable language by their conduct, their dress and conversation, in all the pursuits of life, that the power of true godliness is profitable to all in this life and in the life to come....A cheap Christian character works more harm in the world than the character of a worldling, for professed Christians mislead others by professing to represent Him whose name they assume.....God is love. Whoso dwelleth in God, dwelleth in love. All who have indeed become acquainted ... with the love and tender compassion of our heavenly Father will impart light and joy wherever they may be. Their presence and influence will be to their associates as the fragrance of sweet flowers, because they are linked to God and heaven, and the purity and exalted loveliness of heaven are communicated through them to all that are brought within their influence...You can surround your souls with an atmosphere that will be like zephyrs from the heavenly Eden..[ FLB 235.]
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  • Tu seras béni dans la ville, et tu seras béni dans les champs » Deutéronome 28
    Everything works out for our good. Don't depend on others to be successful, as the Lord has ordered blessings to follow you. God Bless
    Tu seras béni dans la ville, et tu seras béni dans les champs » Deutéronome 28 Everything works out for our good. Don't depend on others to be successful, as the Lord has ordered blessings to follow you. God Bless
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  • How often when life is busy are we asking God for his hand to move- we want the miracle, the breakthrough, the job, the recovery, the house, the healing, the wife/husband and children.

    Family are we coming to God only to see he's hand and miraculous works or are we pursuing the Face of God with a longing for a deeper understanding and relationship with our King.

    Our father wants us to have all things good, but let us not be so distracted by chasing the miracle that we forget to pursue he's face and that intimacy with him.

    Let us pray today that we cry like Moses did to see God's glory.

    May the peace of God be with you all
    How often when life is busy are we asking God for his hand to move- we want the miracle, the breakthrough, the job, the recovery, the house, the healing, the wife/husband and children. Family are we coming to God only to see he's hand and miraculous works or are we pursuing the Face of God with a longing for a deeper understanding and relationship with our King. Our father wants us to have all things good, but let us not be so distracted by chasing the miracle that we forget to pursue he's face and that intimacy with him. Let us pray today that we cry like Moses did to see God's glory. May the peace of God be with you all
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  • THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN IN A CHALLENGING WORLD

    By Pastor Jonathan O. Ubah

    Introduction

    We are living in a world that is changing rapidly. Values are shifting, truth is being questioned, morality is being redefined, and many people are under pressure to compromise their convictions just to fit into society.

    Yet, the Christian is called to live differently.

    Jesus never promised His followers a life without challenges. In fact, He said, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NKJV).

    The Christian life is not a promise of the absence of trouble; it is a promise of God's presence in the midst of trouble. We may walk through difficult seasons, but we do not walk through them alone.

    A challenging world requires Christians who know their God, understand their identity, stand firmly on God's Word, and refuse to allow the darkness around them to extinguish the light within them.

    1. THE CHRISTIAN MUST KNOW WHO HE IS

    One of the greatest dangers in a challenging world is losing your identity.

    The world constantly tells us who we should become, what we should value, what success should look like, and what standards we should follow. But the believer must derive his identity from God, not from society.

    1 Peter 2:9 says:

    «“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people.”»

    You are not merely a product of your environment. You are God's possession.

    When you know who you are in Christ, you will not need the approval of everyone around you to feel valuable.

    Your identity is not determined by your failures, your past, your social status, your possessions, or people's opinions about you.

    You belong to Christ.

    2. THE CHRISTIAN MUST STAND ON GOD'S WORD

    A changing world needs an unchanging standard.

    Psalm 119:105 declares, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

    God's Word gives us direction when culture becomes confusing. It gives us conviction when compromise becomes attractive. It gives us hope when circumstances become discouraging.

    The Christian who neglects Scripture will eventually become vulnerable to the philosophies of the world.

    We must therefore become students of the Word.

    Do not build your life solely on what people say. Build it on what God has said.

    People can change. Circumstances can change. Governments can change. Economies can change. Relationships can change.

    But the Word of our God stands forever.

    3. THE CHRISTIAN MUST REFUSE TO CONFORM

    Romans 12:2 says:

    «“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”»

    There is a difference between living in the world and becoming like the world.

    Jesus prayed for His disciples in John 17:15-16. He did not ask the Father to remove them from the world but to preserve them while they remained in it.

    This means Christianity is not an escape from society. It is a divine assignment within society.

    We are called to influence the world without allowing the world to influence our convictions.

    You can work in a corrupt environment without becoming corrupt.

    You can live among people who compromise without compromising.

    You can be surrounded by darkness and still carry light.

    4. THE CHRISTIAN MUST DEVELOP SPIRITUAL STRENGTH

    A challenging world requires spiritual strength.

    Ephesians 6:10 says, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”

    Our strength does not come merely from personality, education, wealth, connections, or experience.

    There are battles that human strength cannot win.

    Therefore, we must strengthen our relationship with God through prayer, worship, fasting, the study of Scripture, fellowship, and obedience.

    A weak spiritual life makes a believer vulnerable to temptation, fear, discouragement, bitterness, and compromise.

    Prayer is not simply an emergency telephone call to God. Prayer is fellowship with our Father.

    We must learn to seek God not only when we need something from Him but because we desire Him.

    5. THE CHRISTIAN MUST LEARN TO FACE TRIALS WITH FAITH

    Challenges are part of the journey.

    James 1:2-4 teaches believers to count it joy when they face various trials because testing produces patience and spiritual maturity.

    This does not mean that pain is pleasant. It means that God can use difficult seasons to produce something valuable in us.

    Sometimes God changes the situation.

    Sometimes He gives us grace to endure it.

    Sometimes He uses the situation to change us.

    Whatever the case may be, we must refuse to allow adversity to destroy our faith.

    Your trial is not the end of your story.

    The fact that you are going through something does not mean that God has abandoned you.

    David passed through valleys and still testified of God's presence.

    Daniel faced the lions and discovered that God was with him.

    The three Hebrew young men entered the fiery furnace, but they were not alone.

    God remains faithful in the fire.

    6. THE CHRISTIAN MUST GUARD HIS HEART

    Proverbs 4:23 says:

    «“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”»

    The world constantly feeds our hearts with fear, hatred, lust, greed, envy, anger, and materialism.

    If we are not careful, what surrounds us will eventually influence what is within us.

    That is why believers must guard what they watch, what they listen to, what they celebrate, what they meditate upon, and the relationships they cultivate.

    Not everything that is popular is profitable.

    Not everything that is trending is godly.

    Not every opportunity is an assignment from God.

    A Christian must learn to say NO when necessary.

    7. THE CHRISTIAN MUST BE LIGHT IN A DARK WORLD

    Jesus said in Matthew 5:14:

    “You are the light of the world.”

    Notice that Jesus did not say, “You will become light someday.”

    He said, “You are the light.”

    Light has no argument with darkness. It simply shines.

    The world does not necessarily need Christians who shout the loudest; it needs Christians whose lives demonstrate the reality of Christ.

    Your workplace should experience your integrity.

    Your family should experience your love.

    Your community should experience your kindness.

    Your generation should see Christ through your character.

    We preach with our mouths, but we also preach through our lives.

    8. THE CHRISTIAN MUST LOVE PEOPLE IN A HURTING WORLD

    A challenging world is also a hurting world.

    People are carrying wounds that we cannot see. Some are fighting silent battles. Some have lost hope. Some have been disappointed by life, relationships, institutions, and even religion.

    The Christian must therefore become an instrument of God's love.

    Jesus said in John 13:35:

    “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

    Our Christianity must not become merely a collection of religious activities.

    We must love.

    We must forgive.

    We must encourage.

    We must help.

    We must show compassion.

    Sometimes the greatest sermon you will preach is the kindness you show to someone who is hurting.

    9. THE CHRISTIAN MUST KEEP HIS EYES ON ETERNITY

    One of the reasons believers compromise is that they become too attached to temporary things.

    Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 4:18 to focus not merely on the things that are seen, but on the things that are eternal.

    This world is not our final destination.

    Our possessions are temporary.

    Our positions are temporary.

    Our earthly achievements are temporary.

    But eternity is forever.

    Therefore, we must live with eternity in view.

    Do not gain the whole world and lose your soul.

    Do not sacrifice your relationship with God for temporary pleasure.

    Do not exchange eternal treasures for temporary applause.

    10. THE CHRISTIAN MUST NEVER GIVE UP

    Perhaps the greatest testimony in a challenging world is simply refusing to quit.

    Galatians 6:9 says:

    «“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”»

    There may be moments when you feel tired.

    There may be moments when your prayers seem unanswered.

    There may be moments when you wonder whether your faith is worth the struggle.

    But keep going.

    Keep praying.

    Keep believing.

    Keep serving.

    Keep loving.

    Keep trusting God.

    Your present struggle does not cancel God's purpose for your life.

    CONCLUSION

    The life of a Christian in a challenging world is not always easy, but it is possible by the grace of God.

    We are called to live differently—not because we are better than others, but because Christ has called us to represent Him.

    We are called to stand when others fall.

    To shine when others walk in darkness.

    To speak truth when falsehood becomes popular.

    To demonstrate love when hatred increases.

    To maintain faith when circumstances become difficult.

    And to remain faithful until the end.

    Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:16:

    “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

    Beloved, the world may be challenging, but God is still faithful.

    The culture may be changing, but God's Word has not changed.

    The pressure may be increasing, but God's grace is sufficient.

    The darkness may be growing, but your light can still shine.

    Therefore, stand firm.

    Stay prayerful.

    Stay in the Word.

    Stay holy.

    Stay humble.

    Stay faithful.

    And above all, keep your eyes on Jesus.

    PRAYER

    Father, in the name of Jesus, give me the grace to live faithfully in this challenging world. Strengthen my heart when I am weak, guide me when I am confused, preserve me when I am tempted, and help me to remain a light wherever You have planted me. Let my life bring glory to Your name. May I never compromise my faith, abandon my calling, or lose sight of eternity. In Jesus' name, amen.

    — Pastor Jonathan O. Ubah
    #LifeofaChristian
    #PJCares
    THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN IN A CHALLENGING WORLD By Pastor Jonathan O. Ubah Introduction We are living in a world that is changing rapidly. Values are shifting, truth is being questioned, morality is being redefined, and many people are under pressure to compromise their convictions just to fit into society. Yet, the Christian is called to live differently. Jesus never promised His followers a life without challenges. In fact, He said, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NKJV). The Christian life is not a promise of the absence of trouble; it is a promise of God's presence in the midst of trouble. We may walk through difficult seasons, but we do not walk through them alone. A challenging world requires Christians who know their God, understand their identity, stand firmly on God's Word, and refuse to allow the darkness around them to extinguish the light within them. 1. THE CHRISTIAN MUST KNOW WHO HE IS One of the greatest dangers in a challenging world is losing your identity. The world constantly tells us who we should become, what we should value, what success should look like, and what standards we should follow. But the believer must derive his identity from God, not from society. 1 Peter 2:9 says: «“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people.”» You are not merely a product of your environment. You are God's possession. When you know who you are in Christ, you will not need the approval of everyone around you to feel valuable. Your identity is not determined by your failures, your past, your social status, your possessions, or people's opinions about you. You belong to Christ. 2. THE CHRISTIAN MUST STAND ON GOD'S WORD A changing world needs an unchanging standard. Psalm 119:105 declares, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” God's Word gives us direction when culture becomes confusing. It gives us conviction when compromise becomes attractive. It gives us hope when circumstances become discouraging. The Christian who neglects Scripture will eventually become vulnerable to the philosophies of the world. We must therefore become students of the Word. Do not build your life solely on what people say. Build it on what God has said. People can change. Circumstances can change. Governments can change. Economies can change. Relationships can change. But the Word of our God stands forever. 3. THE CHRISTIAN MUST REFUSE TO CONFORM Romans 12:2 says: «“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”» There is a difference between living in the world and becoming like the world. Jesus prayed for His disciples in John 17:15-16. He did not ask the Father to remove them from the world but to preserve them while they remained in it. This means Christianity is not an escape from society. It is a divine assignment within society. We are called to influence the world without allowing the world to influence our convictions. You can work in a corrupt environment without becoming corrupt. You can live among people who compromise without compromising. You can be surrounded by darkness and still carry light. 4. THE CHRISTIAN MUST DEVELOP SPIRITUAL STRENGTH A challenging world requires spiritual strength. Ephesians 6:10 says, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” Our strength does not come merely from personality, education, wealth, connections, or experience. There are battles that human strength cannot win. Therefore, we must strengthen our relationship with God through prayer, worship, fasting, the study of Scripture, fellowship, and obedience. A weak spiritual life makes a believer vulnerable to temptation, fear, discouragement, bitterness, and compromise. Prayer is not simply an emergency telephone call to God. Prayer is fellowship with our Father. We must learn to seek God not only when we need something from Him but because we desire Him. 5. THE CHRISTIAN MUST LEARN TO FACE TRIALS WITH FAITH Challenges are part of the journey. James 1:2-4 teaches believers to count it joy when they face various trials because testing produces patience and spiritual maturity. This does not mean that pain is pleasant. It means that God can use difficult seasons to produce something valuable in us. Sometimes God changes the situation. Sometimes He gives us grace to endure it. Sometimes He uses the situation to change us. Whatever the case may be, we must refuse to allow adversity to destroy our faith. Your trial is not the end of your story. The fact that you are going through something does not mean that God has abandoned you. David passed through valleys and still testified of God's presence. Daniel faced the lions and discovered that God was with him. The three Hebrew young men entered the fiery furnace, but they were not alone. God remains faithful in the fire. 6. THE CHRISTIAN MUST GUARD HIS HEART Proverbs 4:23 says: «“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”» The world constantly feeds our hearts with fear, hatred, lust, greed, envy, anger, and materialism. If we are not careful, what surrounds us will eventually influence what is within us. That is why believers must guard what they watch, what they listen to, what they celebrate, what they meditate upon, and the relationships they cultivate. Not everything that is popular is profitable. Not everything that is trending is godly. Not every opportunity is an assignment from God. A Christian must learn to say NO when necessary. 7. THE CHRISTIAN MUST BE LIGHT IN A DARK WORLD Jesus said in Matthew 5:14: “You are the light of the world.” Notice that Jesus did not say, “You will become light someday.” He said, “You are the light.” Light has no argument with darkness. It simply shines. The world does not necessarily need Christians who shout the loudest; it needs Christians whose lives demonstrate the reality of Christ. Your workplace should experience your integrity. Your family should experience your love. Your community should experience your kindness. Your generation should see Christ through your character. We preach with our mouths, but we also preach through our lives. 8. THE CHRISTIAN MUST LOVE PEOPLE IN A HURTING WORLD A challenging world is also a hurting world. People are carrying wounds that we cannot see. Some are fighting silent battles. Some have lost hope. Some have been disappointed by life, relationships, institutions, and even religion. The Christian must therefore become an instrument of God's love. Jesus said in John 13:35: “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Our Christianity must not become merely a collection of religious activities. We must love. We must forgive. We must encourage. We must help. We must show compassion. Sometimes the greatest sermon you will preach is the kindness you show to someone who is hurting. 9. THE CHRISTIAN MUST KEEP HIS EYES ON ETERNITY One of the reasons believers compromise is that they become too attached to temporary things. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 4:18 to focus not merely on the things that are seen, but on the things that are eternal. This world is not our final destination. Our possessions are temporary. Our positions are temporary. Our earthly achievements are temporary. But eternity is forever. Therefore, we must live with eternity in view. Do not gain the whole world and lose your soul. Do not sacrifice your relationship with God for temporary pleasure. Do not exchange eternal treasures for temporary applause. 10. THE CHRISTIAN MUST NEVER GIVE UP Perhaps the greatest testimony in a challenging world is simply refusing to quit. Galatians 6:9 says: «“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”» There may be moments when you feel tired. There may be moments when your prayers seem unanswered. There may be moments when you wonder whether your faith is worth the struggle. But keep going. Keep praying. Keep believing. Keep serving. Keep loving. Keep trusting God. Your present struggle does not cancel God's purpose for your life. CONCLUSION The life of a Christian in a challenging world is not always easy, but it is possible by the grace of God. We are called to live differently—not because we are better than others, but because Christ has called us to represent Him. We are called to stand when others fall. To shine when others walk in darkness. To speak truth when falsehood becomes popular. To demonstrate love when hatred increases. To maintain faith when circumstances become difficult. And to remain faithful until the end. Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Beloved, the world may be challenging, but God is still faithful. The culture may be changing, but God's Word has not changed. The pressure may be increasing, but God's grace is sufficient. The darkness may be growing, but your light can still shine. Therefore, stand firm. Stay prayerful. Stay in the Word. Stay holy. Stay humble. Stay faithful. And above all, keep your eyes on Jesus. PRAYER Father, in the name of Jesus, give me the grace to live faithfully in this challenging world. Strengthen my heart when I am weak, guide me when I am confused, preserve me when I am tempted, and help me to remain a light wherever You have planted me. Let my life bring glory to Your name. May I never compromise my faith, abandon my calling, or lose sight of eternity. In Jesus' name, amen. — Pastor Jonathan O. Ubah #LifeofaChristian #PJCares
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  • Sermon Title: "FEED MY SHEEP, NOT YOUR AGENDA"
    Key Texts: Ezekiel 34:1-10, John 21:15-17, 1 Peter 5:2-4, Hebrews 12:14, 2 Timothy 4:3-4

    INTRODUCTION
    The Lord is asking the same question today He asked Peter: “Do you love me? Feed my sheep.” John 21:17
    But in this last age, many shepherds have left the sheep to chase the world.
    And many sheep have left holiness to chase prosperity.
    Both are losing the eternal gift.

    1. WARNING TO SHEPHERDS: YOU LEFT THE HEART OF THE LORD
    Ezekiel 34:2-4 — “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed... and you have not sought the lost.”

    God’s heart for His people is:
    Feed them the Word, not opinions
    Heal the broken, not use them
    Seek the lost, not ignore them

    But some shepherds today have “given into the world and its things.”
    Jeremiah 23:1 — “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord.

    Why? Because it’s not sanctified. Ministry without holiness becomes business.
    John 10:13 — The hireling sees the wolf and flees because he cares nothing for the sheep.

    God’s warning: Ezekiel 34:10 — “I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand.”

    2. WARNING TO THE CHURCH: YOU LEFT HOLINESS FOR PROSPERITY
    The message says: “saved church not clinging to holiness bcos jealous, hatred, gossip and not obeying the word... itching ears for prosperity gospel instead of soul eager for sanctification gospel.”

    This is exactly what Paul warned:
    2 Timothy 4:3-4 — “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”

    Holiness is being traded for hype.
    Hebrews 12:14 — “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”

    Signs of a church that left holiness:
    Jealousy and hatred - Galatians 5:19-21 works of the flesh
    Gossip - Proverbs 16:28 separates close friends
    Disobedience to the Word - James 1:22 “be doers of the word”
    Prosperity over the Cross - 1 Peter 2:2 “long for the pure spiritual milk”

    When we chase blessings more than the Blesser, we lose the eternal gift: sanctification and seeing God.

    3. GOD’S CALL BACK: RETURN TO THE SHEPHERD
    1 Peter 5:2-4 — “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you... And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”

    To Shepherds:
    Repent. Return to feeding, not fleecing. Acts 20:28 — “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock.”

    To the Church:
    1 Peter 1:15-16 — “As he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.”
    Holiness is not legalism. It is love. It is being set apart for God.

    Psalm 51:10 — “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

    CLOSING PRAYER
    Father, forgive us.
    Forgive shepherds who fed themselves and left Your sheep. Put back in us the heart of the Lord for Your people.
    Forgive Your church for chasing prosperity and ignoring sanctification. Create in us clean hearts.
    Let us hunger for Your Word, not myths. Let us love holiness, not gossip and jealousy.
    Make us a people ready for Jesus. In His Name, Amen.

    SHEPHERDS AND HOLINESS:

    Message:
    This is a warning and a call. Ezekiel 34: shepherds, return to the heart of the Lord for His people. Don’t feed yourself and leave the sheep.
    Church, Hebrews 12:14 — pursue holiness. Don’t trade sanctification for prosperity. Jealousy, gossip, disobedience
    Sermon Title: "FEED MY SHEEP, NOT YOUR AGENDA" Key Texts: Ezekiel 34:1-10, John 21:15-17, 1 Peter 5:2-4, Hebrews 12:14, 2 Timothy 4:3-4 INTRODUCTION The Lord is asking the same question today He asked Peter: “Do you love me? Feed my sheep.” John 21:17 But in this last age, many shepherds have left the sheep to chase the world. And many sheep have left holiness to chase prosperity. Both are losing the eternal gift. 1. WARNING TO SHEPHERDS: YOU LEFT THE HEART OF THE LORD Ezekiel 34:2-4 — “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed... and you have not sought the lost.” God’s heart for His people is: Feed them the Word, not opinions Heal the broken, not use them Seek the lost, not ignore them But some shepherds today have “given into the world and its things.” Jeremiah 23:1 — “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. Why? Because it’s not sanctified. Ministry without holiness becomes business. John 10:13 — The hireling sees the wolf and flees because he cares nothing for the sheep. God’s warning: Ezekiel 34:10 — “I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand.” 2. WARNING TO THE CHURCH: YOU LEFT HOLINESS FOR PROSPERITY The message says: “saved church not clinging to holiness bcos jealous, hatred, gossip and not obeying the word... itching ears for prosperity gospel instead of soul eager for sanctification gospel.” This is exactly what Paul warned: 2 Timothy 4:3-4 — “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” Holiness is being traded for hype. Hebrews 12:14 — “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” Signs of a church that left holiness: Jealousy and hatred - Galatians 5:19-21 works of the flesh Gossip - Proverbs 16:28 separates close friends Disobedience to the Word - James 1:22 “be doers of the word” Prosperity over the Cross - 1 Peter 2:2 “long for the pure spiritual milk” When we chase blessings more than the Blesser, we lose the eternal gift: sanctification and seeing God. 3. GOD’S CALL BACK: RETURN TO THE SHEPHERD 1 Peter 5:2-4 — “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you... And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” To Shepherds: Repent. Return to feeding, not fleecing. Acts 20:28 — “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock.” To the Church: 1 Peter 1:15-16 — “As he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.” Holiness is not legalism. It is love. It is being set apart for God. Psalm 51:10 — “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” CLOSING PRAYER Father, forgive us. Forgive shepherds who fed themselves and left Your sheep. Put back in us the heart of the Lord for Your people. Forgive Your church for chasing prosperity and ignoring sanctification. Create in us clean hearts. Let us hunger for Your Word, not myths. Let us love holiness, not gossip and jealousy. Make us a people ready for Jesus. In His Name, Amen. SHEPHERDS AND HOLINESS: Message: This is a warning and a call. Ezekiel 34: shepherds, return to the heart of the Lord for His people. Don’t feed yourself and leave the sheep. Church, Hebrews 12:14 — pursue holiness. Don’t trade sanctification for prosperity. Jealousy, gossip, disobedience
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