𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐌𝐞 ✍️ “𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳; 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘯— 𝘠𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦.” The call to follow Jesus is not casual—it is costly. It is more than a mere invitation; it demands submission. Yet many want the blessing without the burden, the destination without the sacrifice, and the crown without the cross. Whether discipleship feels costly or comfortable, the question is not whether we call ourselves Christians—but whether we have surrendered ourselves to Christ. Jesus declared in 🕮 𝐋𝐮𝐤𝐞 𝟗:𝟐𝟑, “𝘐𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘦, 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘺 𝘩𝘪𝘮𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘶𝘱 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘥𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘦.” He did not promise an easier life but a call to surrender. Denying ourselves means abandoning self-rule for Christ’s authority. Taking up the cross means dying to our will and embracing obedience. This call is non-negotiable, not optional. Think of a prisoner offered freedom, but only if he leaves his chains behind. He cannot cling to his captivity and walk into the sunlight. To follow the Master, we must drop the heavy, rusted chains of our self-will and step into the liberating yoke of His grace. It means His Word and will govern all our concerns. Scripture makes the cost of discipleship unmistakable. Jesus said, “𝘞𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘰𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘦, 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘺 𝘩𝘪𝘮𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘶𝘱 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘦” (𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝟖:𝟑𝟒). Paul declared, “𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵” (𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟐:𝟐𝟎), and reminded believers to “𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦” (𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟏𝟐:𝟏). True discipleship is not merely changing our destination—it is surrendering who holds the steering wheel. Paul counted “𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘦𝘥𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘑𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘴” (𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟑:𝟖). Following Christ demands surrender, not negotiation. Don’t carry a cross with one hand while holding tightly to your old life with the other. Jesus calls us not to add Christianity but to surrender our lives fully. Though the path includes sacrifice, rejection, and suffering, He is worth every step. Christ never asks us to walk a road He refused to walk. He humbled Himself, becoming “𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴” (𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟐:𝟖). He died, was buried, and rose again as the Scriptures declare (𝟏 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟏𝟓:𝟑–𝟒). Our surrender doesn’t earn salvation; Christ’s finished work purchased us. We follow Him not to earn grace, but because His grace has already saved us. What are you still holding that Christ is asking you to surrender? What preference, ambition, comfort, or habit competes with His lordship? You don't need Christ merely to improve your life—you need Him because He is your Lord, worthy of your whole life. Deny yourself. Take up your cross. Follow Him. When Christ is Lord, surrender is not losing—it is finally knowing whom we belong to. 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫: Heavenly Father, forgive us for the times we have wanted Christ without the cost of discipleship. Teach us to deny ourselves, surrender our desires, and follow Jesus faithfully each day. Give us grace to obey when the road is difficult and courage to follow wherever You lead. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. Remember, a dose of God’s Word a day will keep you going all day! 𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐨𝐝... _____________________________________________________ All scripture references were taken from the KJV Bible. Thank you for allowing this ministry to be a part of your day… If my posts speak to your heart, you may be blessed by the full devotional series created for deeper reflection and journaling: 👉 FREE FlipBook Previews: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/ae17998766.html 📚 Also available now on Amazon (Kindle & Paperback) ✨ Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited! https://www.amazon.com/author/dennislastimoso Also, just in case you need a reliable, dedicated online Bible Study Tool, I created one for you. 👉 Try it here for FREE, anytime at your hand: https://www.baptistry.app Your support helps us continue this ministry, edifying the believers around the world. May God bless you more abundantly…

MEL GIBSON’S RESURRECTION EPIC PROMISES TO GO FAR BEYOND THE EMPTY TOMB Mel Gibson has revealed new details about his long-awaited follow-up to the 2004 blockbuster The Passion of the Christ. Titled The Resurrection of the Christ, the biblical epic has been filmed as two full-length movies. Production has now wrapped after 134 days of filming across several locations in Italy. Gibson says the story will be much broader than a simple retelling of Easter morning. The films will reportedly travel beyond Jerusalem into Damascus, Rome, Egypt and the desert, with massive sets constructed to bring the ancient world to life. The project is expected to explore the Resurrection, the spiritual realm and the events surrounding the birth and growth of the early Church. Gibson has described it as a deeply personal mission that he has carried for more than 20 years. A new cast will lead the story, with Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen portraying Jesus. The first film is scheduled for release on 6th May 2027, with the second planned for 25th May 2028 - both dates coinciding with Ascension Day. For Christians, however, the greatest excitement is not merely another biblical film. It is the opportunity for millions of people to once again hear the message at the heart of the Gospel: JESUS CHRIST WAS CRUCIFIED - BUT THE GRAVE COULD NOT HOLD HIM! As with every film inspired by Scripture, viewers should compare what appears on screen with the truth of God’s Word. The power is not found in Hollywood’s interpretation—the power is found in the historical reality that Jesus Christ is risen! 📖 “He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.” —Matthew 28:6 📖 “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day.” —1 Corinthians 15:3–4 THE CROSS WAS NOT THE END THE RESURRECTION CHANGED EVERYTHING ! ( Courtesy: Kevin Evans of facebook )

Good morning, brethren. 1. Morning devotion for today. MD.i. 😀🎀💝🎁🌺🌹MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2O26. "THREE LEVELS OF ATTACK (1)" ‘…command that these stones become bread.’ Matthew 4:3 NKJV THE BIBLE says, ‘…Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil’ (Matthew 4:1 NKJV). This seems to be God’s standard operating procedure. Why? Because He’s a good general; before He puts you into battle He puts you into boot camp. Imagine it: you’re up at dawn, running for miles with a heavy backpack, crawling under barbed wire barriers with bullets whizzing over your head, taking orders from authority figures you don’t know and probably don’t like. But if you pass the test; you get to wear the uniform. On the threshold of His ministry, God led His Son into a situation where He would face three levels of attack. You will face them also. Let’s look at the first one: The attack over the bread. Did Jesus need bread? Yes, He’d been without food for forty days. But He knew that His greatest need was not for natural food but spiritual food. So He told satan, ‘…“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’’ (Matthew 4:4 NKJV). Only when you’re convinced God will take care of all your material needs, will you start putting spiritual things first in your life. Until that happens, you’ll think you have to take care of yourself. As a result, you will walk in fear and not faith. That’s not how God wants you to live. ‘…seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you’ (Matthew 6:33 NKJV). When you worry, you don’t trust God. When you trust God, you don’t have to worry. The choice is yours. Bible In A Year: Lam 3:40-5:22; Matt 20:1-16; Ps 119:129-136; Pro 18:21. Courtesy: Grace So Amazing Foundation 🌹🎀 *To partner with us, kindly refer to page 9 of the hard copy edition or simply send us a WhatsApp message/call on +2348128000068.*🌷🎀💝 🌹. MD.iì. [20/08, 9:54 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA* FRIDAY, 21ST AUGUST, 2026. *WISDOM IN HANDLING THE VAIN TALKERS* *TEXT:* MATTHEW 22:18-22. 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. 22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way. *Timeless Truth:*_"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's"_ (1 Corinthians 6:20). *INTRODUCTION* In human relationships, there are vain talkers who do not hide their intention to disgrace, humiliate, embarrass and insult us. However, most vain talkers are friendly foes with evil intentions, but with a friendly approach. If they are not handled with wisdom, they will mess up, disgrace and embarass the saints and the preachers, thus, making their messages of non effect or impact. Paul the apostle himself with Apostolic anointing encountered such people like Jesus encountered them in the text. *"For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision, Whose mouths must be stopped"* (Titus 1:10,11). Jesus was confronted by people who did not genuinely seek the truth, but wanted to trap Him with their questions. Their outward appearance suggested sincerity, but their hearts were deceptive. Jesus, however, perceived their wicked intentions and responded with divine wisdom. Believers will also encounter vain talkers—people whose words are deceptive, provocative, argumentative or designed to lead others away from truth. We must, therefore, learn from Christ how to respond with spiritual perception, scriptural wisdom and personal conviction. *1. Spiritual and Scriptural Perception* a. Topical Encyclopedia rightly defines spiritual perception as the ability to discern and understand spiritual truths and realities that are not accessible through natural senses or human reasoning alone. It involves a heightened awareness and insight into the spiritual realm, often granted by the Holy Spirit to believers. Spiritual perception by the Holy Spirit, can read into the mind and at times (not in all cases) decipher the motivations and intentions of the heart. It is a lower form of the gift of discernment. They brought the coin with the inscription of Caesar and questioned Jesus on whether it was right to pay taxes to the government. Jesus knew they wanted to rope Him into public controversy that will put Him into trouble with the government of the day. If Jesus said it was right to pay tributes to Caesar, they would use that to paint Jesus as anti-Jewish. If Jesus said it is not right, they would end up putting him at a collision course with the government of the day. Either controversy can be avoided without necessarily doing violence to the truth. He was not a pro-controversy minister on avoidable spiritual or vain conflicts. Many ministers always enjoy being entangled in controversy on things that are non-essentials in the things of the kingdom. Jesus knew their wickedness and said, *“Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?”* Their question was not an innocent request for guidance; it was a trap. Christ could see beyond their words into their motives. Spiritual perception enables believers to distinguish between genuine questions and deceptive arguments. We must not be carried away by eloquent speech, clever reasoning or religious appearance. The Word of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit give us discernment to recognize what is behind seemingly innocent conversations. b. Nehemiah, for example, was given a seemingly innocent and reconciliatory invitation by his adversaries. He knew that it was not of God. *"And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him"*. Believers, especially spiritual leaders, must have enough of scriptural understanding and insight of the truth that will generate spiritual perception by the Holy Spirit. However, there are unscriptural perceptions or incorrect insights in the form of a suspicious spirit that always read negative meanings into the actions of the innocent. This is satanic and ungodly. *Question* Do I have sufficient spiritual discernment to recognize deception and vain arguments when I encounter them? *2. Saints as the Saviour’s Possession* a. Jesus revealed deep spiritual truth to them while answering their question. It is one thing to receive an answer to a genuine question and another thing to be patient enough to get the message in the answer. Jesus asked them to show Him the tribute money and then asked whose image and inscription were upon it. When they answered, *"Caesar’s"* . Jesus declared unto them that though He is the Creator of all, He will not take what belongs to others or even what he has bequeathed to others except He was given voluntarily. The metal used for the coin belongs to God, but it has been given to the king and the use is delegated to powers that be. Jesus would not take the gift back except if the gifted decided to endow it back to the Owner or the Creator. He will not forcefully, stylishly or trickishly take back what He has given to others. This is a deep spiritual message that we can learn from God. Jesus declared, *“Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.”* b. What is the implication of this answer? The coin carried Caesar’s image and therefore must be given to the owner. Also, human beings, including his body, soul and spirit bear the image of God (Genesis 1:26–27), therefore, man must surrender his soul, spirit and body to God to be used at His pleasure being the Owner. Reluctance to give oneself to God, the Owner, is daylight robbery which God the Creator will not even do to those He gave something to. We are owned by God as His possession by Creation and Redemption. Without redemption by Jesus Christ, we are all marked for eternal destruction. *"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's"*. So, our appearance, body, heart and soul must be consciously and deliberately given to the glory of God, joyfully. The language of the responsible creature to his Creator is like what a king said: *"And the king of Israel answered and said, My lord, O king, according to thy saying, I am thine, and all that I have"*. Our spirit, soul, time, possessions and all that we have belong to God and none should be denied Him at any time He needs them. Like Thomas, our response to God whenever He demands sacrifice or anything from us, no matter how precious is *"My Lord and my God"*. It is a language of acknowledgement of His being the Creator. It is a language of appreciation of being the Redeemer. *Question* Since I belong to Christ, am I allowing His image and ownership to determine the way I live? Am I always readily giving Him what His Word demands without hesitation or reluctance? *3. Satisfied without Scripture Personalization* When Jesus answered their question, *“they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.”* They were amazed by His wisdom, but there is no indication that they surrendered their hearts to His truth. They did not bother to apply the truth to their lives and personalized it. It is possible to admire Scripture, appreciate a powerful message and even marvel at divine wisdom without personally applying it. The danger of vain talk is that we may become satisfied with intellectual discussion rather than spiritual transformation. God’s Word must move from our ears to our hearts and from our hearts to our daily conduct. The messages of Christ are so deep that they require constant and continuous reflection and self application in order to get the best from them. It is not how great a message is, but how transforming. *Question* Am I merely impressed by biblical truth or am I personally applying and obeying it? *Prayer Points* 1.Lord, grant me spiritual discernment to recognize deception, hypocrisy and vain arguments 🙏. 2.Father, help me to remember that I belong completely to Christ and to live according to His will 🙏. 3 Lord, deliver me from empty religious knowledge and help me to personalize and practice Your Word 🙏. 4.Father, give us the wisdom of Christ to answer difficult questions with truth, grace, humility and courage. Help us to be doers of your Word and not hearers only 🙏. *HYMN:* Lord speak to me *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* DANIEL 3-5. [20/08, 9:54 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS) FRIDAY 21ST AUGUST, 2026``` *RESPONSIBILITIES OF DUAL CITIZENS* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:MATTHEW 22:18-22```📜📜 🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's" (MATTHEW 22:20, 21).*_ *Kofi Annan, the Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1997 - 2006, is a figure whose life was shaped by the responsibilities of dual citizenship. While Annan was a Ghanaian citizen by birth, his role in international diplomacy required him to balance his connection to his homeland with his responsibility to the global community. In his role in Ghana, he worked to advance the nation's standing on the world stage, often advocating for African issues and the continent's development in the international arena. On the other hand, in his global duty as UN Secretary-General, his role involved diplomacy with countries in conflict, addressing human rights abuses, and working toward humanitarian aid and general global peace.* *In the passage, the Pharisees, who were trying to trap Jesus, posed a question about paying taxes to Caesar. The dilemma they presented seemed unsolvable: if Jesus said it was lawful to pay tax, He could alienate the people, who hated Roman rule. But if He said it was unlawful, He could be accused of stirring insurrection. But Jesus, with His wisdom, cut through the manipulation and answered in a way that transcended their trap. He asked for a coin, a denarius, and asked whose image was on it. "Caesar's," they replied. Then, He gave a profound answer that has echoed through history: "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's."* *Jesus' words highlight that we are citizens of two realms - an earthly kingdom, with earthly responsibilities, and God's kingdom, with eternal responsibilities. While on earth, we are to honour the systems of authority set before us, paying taxes, respecting laws, and fulfilling our civic duties, which are part of our witness to the world. On the other hand, we must always remember that we are made in the likeness of God and, as such, our lives, our hearts, our very being, are His. In all, while our lives may be marked by the needs of the world - job, family, relationships - our ultimate allegiance should lie with God.* ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*A coin has two sides, so do our duties to God and man.*_ 📜📜```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *DANIEL 3-5*📜📜 Responsibilities Of Dual Citizens https://dailymanna.app// *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 89: O JESUS, I HAVE PROMISED; GHS 223: I GAVE MY LIFE FOR THEE; AND GHS 233: STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS* *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#DailyManna21stAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [20/08, 9:54 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*HIGHER EVERYD🅰️Y: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_ ✍🏽👩🏻‍💼🌻 🍇🙏🏽🛰🚀🔬📚 ```FRIDAY 21ST AUGUST, 2026``` *A CHILD WITH A DIFFERENCE* 🎚️📓📖🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️👶🏽👦🏽👨🏽🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:1 SAMUEL 2:22-26```📜📜 📖``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men" (1 SAMUEL 2:26).*_ *Neelakantha Bhanu Prakash, a 26-year-old Indian is referred to as the "world's fastest human calculator." According to the _Limca Book of Records,_ India's equivalent to _Guinness World Records,_ Bhanu's brain processes numbers about 10 times faster than regular brains. He is an exceptional individual with unusual gifts and talents.* *The Biblical young Samuel was one of such children with a difference. He was raised in the house of Prophet Eli with his wayward and corrupt children. Samuel grew up like a lily in the mire without any taint of environmental corruption.* *Samuel did not join the bandwagon of the ruffians, Hophni and Phinehas (Eli's children) among whom he grew up. God called them sons of Belial who knew not the Lord. Because Samuel kept himself from evils around him, he became a priest, prophet and leader for the whole nation of Israel.* *To fulfill God's purpose for your life and make impact in your world, you must be holy and righteous. You are exceptional. You can make a difference in your world.* 💬 ```QUOTE:``` _*You can make a difference.*_ 🏆 ```CHALLENGE:``` _*Make definite impact in your world.*_ 🙏🏽🙏🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Help me Lord, to fulfill Your purpose in life.*_ A Child With A Difference https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#HigherEveryday21stAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [20/08, 9:54 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣6️⃣)*_ 🙇🏼🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼‍♂️ ```FRIDAY 21ST AUGUST, 2026``` *PROFITABLE SERVICE* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽🙌🏽 📜📜```EXODUS 23:25-26```📜📜 🕔📚🖋️🚻😁🎼🏆🍉🪴🌈💻 🔑📖 ```Key Verse:``` _*"And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee" (Exodus 23:25).*_ 📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖 Kingdom work involves the use of our God-given resources, like time, strength, talents and finances, in promoting the kingdom of God. It is a profitable service that attracts rewards on earth and in Heaven. Some of the benefits are outlined below: *(i) Divine Blessings - Provision of food and other needs (Exodus 23:25).* *(ii) Divine Health - Healing and sound health (Exodus 23:25).* *(iii) Long Life - Live long and healthy till old age (Exodus 23:26).* *(iv) Prosperity - God will prosper you in every area of life: academics, career, and material blessings (Job 36:11).* *(v) Honour - Undeserved favour and honour from God. At last, the faithful servant will make it to heaven and live with Jesus forever (John 12:26).* *(vi) Distinction - You will be the head and not the tail. Also, you will have excellent results, and become ten times better (Deuteronomy 28:13).* *(vii) Fulfillment in Life - You will never lack anything that is good. All that you desire shall come to pass (Matthew 6:33).* *It is time to wake up and get involved in kingdom service so that you can get the reward from God.* 🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥 ```🅿️rayer:``` _*May my sacrifice be acceptable unto You oh Lord!*_ 🙏🏽 ```📖 Further Reading:``` *1 Corinthians 4:1-4* Profitable Service https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#SincereMilk21stAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS]. 2. Morning Prayer for today. MP.i. Morning Prayer Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. ⏤ John 8:12 Prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan. ⏤ John Bunyan O God, the source of all truth and grace, You’ve called us out of darkness into Your marvelous light—grant us Your blessing as this new day begins. We ask for Your grace to walk worthy of our high calling, with humility, faith, and hope. May we let our light shine before others so they may see our good works and glorify You. We ask for grace to perform our tasks diligently, to manage our affairs wisely, to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, and to acknowledge You in all our ways. Order our steps in Your word and don’t let sin have any power over us. Give us our daily bread. Provide what we need for this day. Grant us health of body and soundness of mind so that we’re prepared for the duties ahead. Prosper our efforts as long as they align with Your will. If any of our plans don’t fit into Your plan for our lives, we ask that You set them aside, for we don’t want to go against You or do anything that You won’t approve or bless. Restrain us from all excesses, from unwise words, from foolish vanity, and from uncontrolled emotions. Make us thoughtful, serious, and prayerful. O God, You allowed Your only Son to be tempted by the Evil One so that He could support those who are tempted. We ask You to deliver us from the snares and temptations that constantly surround us, and to strengthen us by Your Spirit so that in all things, we may be more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/47/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

Good morning, brethren. 1. Morning devotion for today. MD.i. 😀🎀💝🎁🌺🌹MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2O26. "THREE LEVELS OF ATTACK (1)" ‘…command that these stones become bread.’ Matthew 4:3 NKJV THE BIBLE says, ‘…Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil’ (Matthew 4:1 NKJV). This seems to be God’s standard operating procedure. Why? Because He’s a good general; before He puts you into battle He puts you into boot camp. Imagine it: you’re up at dawn, running for miles with a heavy backpack, crawling under barbed wire barriers with bullets whizzing over your head, taking orders from authority figures you don’t know and probably don’t like. But if you pass the test; you get to wear the uniform. On the threshold of His ministry, God led His Son into a situation where He would face three levels of attack. You will face them also. Let’s look at the first one: The attack over the bread. Did Jesus need bread? Yes, He’d been without food for forty days. But He knew that His greatest need was not for natural food but spiritual food. So He told satan, ‘…“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’’ (Matthew 4:4 NKJV). Only when you’re convinced God will take care of all your material needs, will you start putting spiritual things first in your life. Until that happens, you’ll think you have to take care of yourself. As a result, you will walk in fear and not faith. That’s not how God wants you to live. ‘…seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you’ (Matthew 6:33 NKJV). When you worry, you don’t trust God. When you trust God, you don’t have to worry. The choice is yours. Bible In A Year: Lam 3:40-5:22; Matt 20:1-16; Ps 119:129-136; Pro 18:21. Courtesy: Grace So Amazing Foundation 🌹🎀 *To partner with us, kindly refer to page 9 of the hard copy edition or simply send us a WhatsApp message/call on +2348128000068.*🌷🎀💝 🌹. MD.iì. [20/08, 9:54 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA* FRIDAY, 21ST AUGUST, 2026. *WISDOM IN HANDLING THE VAIN TALKERS* *TEXT:* MATTHEW 22:18-22. 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. 22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way. *Timeless Truth:*_"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's"_ (1 Corinthians 6:20). *INTRODUCTION* In human relationships, there are vain talkers who do not hide their intention to disgrace, humiliate, embarrass and insult us. However, most vain talkers are friendly foes with evil intentions, but with a friendly approach. If they are not handled with wisdom, they will mess up, disgrace and embarass the saints and the preachers, thus, making their messages of non effect or impact. Paul the apostle himself with Apostolic anointing encountered such people like Jesus encountered them in the text. *"For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision, Whose mouths must be stopped"* (Titus 1:10,11). Jesus was confronted by people who did not genuinely seek the truth, but wanted to trap Him with their questions. Their outward appearance suggested sincerity, but their hearts were deceptive. Jesus, however, perceived their wicked intentions and responded with divine wisdom. Believers will also encounter vain talkers—people whose words are deceptive, provocative, argumentative or designed to lead others away from truth. We must, therefore, learn from Christ how to respond with spiritual perception, scriptural wisdom and personal conviction. *1. Spiritual and Scriptural Perception* a. Topical Encyclopedia rightly defines spiritual perception as the ability to discern and understand spiritual truths and realities that are not accessible through natural senses or human reasoning alone. It involves a heightened awareness and insight into the spiritual realm, often granted by the Holy Spirit to believers. Spiritual perception by the Holy Spirit, can read into the mind and at times (not in all cases) decipher the motivations and intentions of the heart. It is a lower form of the gift of discernment. They brought the coin with the inscription of Caesar and questioned Jesus on whether it was right to pay taxes to the government. Jesus knew they wanted to rope Him into public controversy that will put Him into trouble with the government of the day. If Jesus said it was right to pay tributes to Caesar, they would use that to paint Jesus as anti-Jewish. If Jesus said it is not right, they would end up putting him at a collision course with the government of the day. Either controversy can be avoided without necessarily doing violence to the truth. He was not a pro-controversy minister on avoidable spiritual or vain conflicts. Many ministers always enjoy being entangled in controversy on things that are non-essentials in the things of the kingdom. Jesus knew their wickedness and said, *“Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?”* Their question was not an innocent request for guidance; it was a trap. Christ could see beyond their words into their motives. Spiritual perception enables believers to distinguish between genuine questions and deceptive arguments. We must not be carried away by eloquent speech, clever reasoning or religious appearance. The Word of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit give us discernment to recognize what is behind seemingly innocent conversations. b. Nehemiah, for example, was given a seemingly innocent and reconciliatory invitation by his adversaries. He knew that it was not of God. *"And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him"*. Believers, especially spiritual leaders, must have enough of scriptural understanding and insight of the truth that will generate spiritual perception by the Holy Spirit. However, there are unscriptural perceptions or incorrect insights in the form of a suspicious spirit that always read negative meanings into the actions of the innocent. This is satanic and ungodly. *Question* Do I have sufficient spiritual discernment to recognize deception and vain arguments when I encounter them? *2. Saints as the Saviour’s Possession* a. Jesus revealed deep spiritual truth to them while answering their question. It is one thing to receive an answer to a genuine question and another thing to be patient enough to get the message in the answer. Jesus asked them to show Him the tribute money and then asked whose image and inscription were upon it. When they answered, *"Caesar’s"* . Jesus declared unto them that though He is the Creator of all, He will not take what belongs to others or even what he has bequeathed to others except He was given voluntarily. The metal used for the coin belongs to God, but it has been given to the king and the use is delegated to powers that be. Jesus would not take the gift back except if the gifted decided to endow it back to the Owner or the Creator. He will not forcefully, stylishly or trickishly take back what He has given to others. This is a deep spiritual message that we can learn from God. Jesus declared, *“Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.”* b. What is the implication of this answer? The coin carried Caesar’s image and therefore must be given to the owner. Also, human beings, including his body, soul and spirit bear the image of God (Genesis 1:26–27), therefore, man must surrender his soul, spirit and body to God to be used at His pleasure being the Owner. Reluctance to give oneself to God, the Owner, is daylight robbery which God the Creator will not even do to those He gave something to. We are owned by God as His possession by Creation and Redemption. Without redemption by Jesus Christ, we are all marked for eternal destruction. *"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's"*. So, our appearance, body, heart and soul must be consciously and deliberately given to the glory of God, joyfully. The language of the responsible creature to his Creator is like what a king said: *"And the king of Israel answered and said, My lord, O king, according to thy saying, I am thine, and all that I have"*. Our spirit, soul, time, possessions and all that we have belong to God and none should be denied Him at any time He needs them. Like Thomas, our response to God whenever He demands sacrifice or anything from us, no matter how precious is *"My Lord and my God"*. It is a language of acknowledgement of His being the Creator. It is a language of appreciation of being the Redeemer. *Question* Since I belong to Christ, am I allowing His image and ownership to determine the way I live? Am I always readily giving Him what His Word demands without hesitation or reluctance? *3. Satisfied without Scripture Personalization* When Jesus answered their question, *“they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.”* They were amazed by His wisdom, but there is no indication that they surrendered their hearts to His truth. They did not bother to apply the truth to their lives and personalized it. It is possible to admire Scripture, appreciate a powerful message and even marvel at divine wisdom without personally applying it. The danger of vain talk is that we may become satisfied with intellectual discussion rather than spiritual transformation. God’s Word must move from our ears to our hearts and from our hearts to our daily conduct. The messages of Christ are so deep that they require constant and continuous reflection and self application in order to get the best from them. It is not how great a message is, but how transforming. *Question* Am I merely impressed by biblical truth or am I personally applying and obeying it? *Prayer Points* 1.Lord, grant me spiritual discernment to recognize deception, hypocrisy and vain arguments 🙏. 2.Father, help me to remember that I belong completely to Christ and to live according to His will 🙏. 3 Lord, deliver me from empty religious knowledge and help me to personalize and practice Your Word 🙏. 4.Father, give us the wisdom of Christ to answer difficult questions with truth, grace, humility and courage. Help us to be doers of your Word and not hearers only 🙏. *HYMN:* Lord speak to me *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* DANIEL 3-5. [20/08, 9:54 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS) FRIDAY 21ST AUGUST, 2026``` *RESPONSIBILITIES OF DUAL CITIZENS* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:MATTHEW 22:18-22```📜📜 🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's" (MATTHEW 22:20, 21).*_ *Kofi Annan, the Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1997 - 2006, is a figure whose life was shaped by the responsibilities of dual citizenship. While Annan was a Ghanaian citizen by birth, his role in international diplomacy required him to balance his connection to his homeland with his responsibility to the global community. In his role in Ghana, he worked to advance the nation's standing on the world stage, often advocating for African issues and the continent's development in the international arena. On the other hand, in his global duty as UN Secretary-General, his role involved diplomacy with countries in conflict, addressing human rights abuses, and working toward humanitarian aid and general global peace.* *In the passage, the Pharisees, who were trying to trap Jesus, posed a question about paying taxes to Caesar. The dilemma they presented seemed unsolvable: if Jesus said it was lawful to pay tax, He could alienate the people, who hated Roman rule. But if He said it was unlawful, He could be accused of stirring insurrection. But Jesus, with His wisdom, cut through the manipulation and answered in a way that transcended their trap. He asked for a coin, a denarius, and asked whose image was on it. "Caesar's," they replied. Then, He gave a profound answer that has echoed through history: "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's."* *Jesus' words highlight that we are citizens of two realms - an earthly kingdom, with earthly responsibilities, and God's kingdom, with eternal responsibilities. While on earth, we are to honour the systems of authority set before us, paying taxes, respecting laws, and fulfilling our civic duties, which are part of our witness to the world. On the other hand, we must always remember that we are made in the likeness of God and, as such, our lives, our hearts, our very being, are His. In all, while our lives may be marked by the needs of the world - job, family, relationships - our ultimate allegiance should lie with God.* ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*A coin has two sides, so do our duties to God and man.*_ 📜📜```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *DANIEL 3-5*📜📜 Responsibilities Of Dual Citizens https://dailymanna.app// *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 89: O JESUS, I HAVE PROMISED; GHS 223: I GAVE MY LIFE FOR THEE; AND GHS 233: STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS* *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#DailyManna21stAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [20/08, 9:54 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*HIGHER EVERYD🅰️Y: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_ ✍🏽👩🏻‍💼🌻 🍇🙏🏽🛰🚀🔬📚 ```FRIDAY 21ST AUGUST, 2026``` *A CHILD WITH A DIFFERENCE* 🎚️📓📖🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️👶🏽👦🏽👨🏽🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:1 SAMUEL 2:22-26```📜📜 📖``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men" (1 SAMUEL 2:26).*_ *Neelakantha Bhanu Prakash, a 26-year-old Indian is referred to as the "world's fastest human calculator." According to the _Limca Book of Records,_ India's equivalent to _Guinness World Records,_ Bhanu's brain processes numbers about 10 times faster than regular brains. He is an exceptional individual with unusual gifts and talents.* *The Biblical young Samuel was one of such children with a difference. He was raised in the house of Prophet Eli with his wayward and corrupt children. Samuel grew up like a lily in the mire without any taint of environmental corruption.* *Samuel did not join the bandwagon of the ruffians, Hophni and Phinehas (Eli's children) among whom he grew up. God called them sons of Belial who knew not the Lord. Because Samuel kept himself from evils around him, he became a priest, prophet and leader for the whole nation of Israel.* *To fulfill God's purpose for your life and make impact in your world, you must be holy and righteous. You are exceptional. You can make a difference in your world.* 💬 ```QUOTE:``` _*You can make a difference.*_ 🏆 ```CHALLENGE:``` _*Make definite impact in your world.*_ 🙏🏽🙏🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Help me Lord, to fulfill Your purpose in life.*_ A Child With A Difference https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#HigherEveryday21stAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [20/08, 9:54 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣6️⃣)*_ 🙇🏼🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼‍♂️ ```FRIDAY 21ST AUGUST, 2026``` *PROFITABLE SERVICE* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽🙌🏽 📜📜```EXODUS 23:25-26```📜📜 🕔📚🖋️🚻😁🎼🏆🍉🪴🌈💻 🔑📖 ```Key Verse:``` _*"And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee" (Exodus 23:25).*_ 📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖 Kingdom work involves the use of our God-given resources, like time, strength, talents and finances, in promoting the kingdom of God. It is a profitable service that attracts rewards on earth and in Heaven. Some of the benefits are outlined below: *(i) Divine Blessings - Provision of food and other needs (Exodus 23:25).* *(ii) Divine Health - Healing and sound health (Exodus 23:25).* *(iii) Long Life - Live long and healthy till old age (Exodus 23:26).* *(iv) Prosperity - God will prosper you in every area of life: academics, career, and material blessings (Job 36:11).* *(v) Honour - Undeserved favour and honour from God. At last, the faithful servant will make it to heaven and live with Jesus forever (John 12:26).* *(vi) Distinction - You will be the head and not the tail. Also, you will have excellent results, and become ten times better (Deuteronomy 28:13).* *(vii) Fulfillment in Life - You will never lack anything that is good. All that you desire shall come to pass (Matthew 6:33).* *It is time to wake up and get involved in kingdom service so that you can get the reward from God.* 🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥 ```🅿️rayer:``` _*May my sacrifice be acceptable unto You oh Lord!*_ 🙏🏽 ```📖 Further Reading:``` *1 Corinthians 4:1-4* Profitable Service https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#SincereMilk21stAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS]. 2. Morning Prayer for today. MP.i. Morning Prayer Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. ⏤ John 8:12 Prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan. ⏤ John Bunyan O God, the source of all truth and grace, You’ve called us out of darkness into Your marvelous light—grant us Your blessing as this new day begins. We ask for Your grace to walk worthy of our high calling, with humility, faith, and hope. May we let our light shine before others so they may see our good works and glorify You. We ask for grace to perform our tasks diligently, to manage our affairs wisely, to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, and to acknowledge You in all our ways. Order our steps in Your word and don’t let sin have any power over us. Give us our daily bread. Provide what we need for this day. Grant us health of body and soundness of mind so that we’re prepared for the duties ahead. Prosper our efforts as long as they align with Your will. If any of our plans don’t fit into Your plan for our lives, we ask that You set them aside, for we don’t want to go against You or do anything that You won’t approve or bless. Restrain us from all excesses, from unwise words, from foolish vanity, and from uncontrolled emotions. Make us thoughtful, serious, and prayerful. O God, You allowed Your only Son to be tempted by the Evil One so that He could support those who are tempted. We ask You to deliver us from the snares and temptations that constantly surround us, and to strengthen us by Your Spirit so that in all things, we may be more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/47/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

When we fully trust the Lord for everything and everyone in our lives, He will lead and guide us through faith.

PROVERB OF THE DAY (Proverbs 21) 1. The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. 2. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts. 3. To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. 4. A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin. 5. The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty. 6. Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death. 7. The violence of the wicked will destroy them, Because they refuse to do justice. 8. The way of a guilty man is perverse; But as for the pure, his work is right. 9. Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. 10. The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. 11. When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge. 12. The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness. 13. Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard. 14. A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath. 15. It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity. 16. A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead. 17. He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich. 18. The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, And the unfaithful for the upright. 19. Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman. 20. There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it. 21. He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor. 22. A wise man scales the city of the mighty, And brings down the trusted stronghold. 23. Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles. 24. A proud and haughty man— “Scoffer” is his name; He acts with arrogant pride. 25. The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor. 26. He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare. 27. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more when he brings it with wicked intent! 28. A false witness shall perish, But the man who hears him will speak endlessly. 29. A wicked man hardens his face, But as for the upright, he establishes his way. 30. There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the LORD. 31. The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the LORD

Psalm 5:1-12 Give ear to my words, O LORD, Consider my meditation. [2] Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God, For to You I will pray. [3] My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up. [4] For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You. [5] The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity. [6] You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; The LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. [7] But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple. [8] Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; Make Your way straight before my face. [9] For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; Their inward part is destruction; Their throat is an open tomb; They flatter with their tongue. [10] Pronounce them guilty, O God! Let them fall by their own counsels; Cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions, For they have rebelled against You. [11] But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. [12] For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.

THE HARD TRUTH ABOUT THANKFULNESS “So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.” —Luke 14:33 In her remarkable book The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom relates an amazing story about the importance of being thankful. Corrie and her sister Betsie were held in a concentration camp known as Ravensbrück, where they lived in barracks that were plagued by fleas. Fleas were everywhere—in their hair and on their bodies. One day Betsie told Corrie they needed to give thanks for the fleas. Corrie thought Betsie had gone too far. She couldn’t imagine thanking God for fleas. But Betsie insisted, reminding her sister that 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Be thankful in all circumstances” (NLT). Still, Corrie didn’t want to thank God for the fleas. But as it turned out, Corrie and Betsie were trying to reach the other women in their barracks with the message of the gospel, and they had been holding Bible studies. They found out later that because of the fleas, the guards would not go into those barracks, and therefore, the women were able to have their Bible studies. As a result, they had the freedom to minister to numerous women. So, God can use even fleas. If the Bible said, “Be thankful in some circumstances,” I would say, “No problem there!” But it says, “Be thankful in all circumstances.” And that’s not an easy thing to do. Yet it’s necessary because “this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” It’s also beneficial. Our attitude does, in fact, impact our circumstances. Being thankful won’t change events that have occurred, and it won’t prevent trials and suffering from coming our way. But when we lead with a spirit of thankfulness and joy, we change our relationship to our circumstances. We see them in a different light. We see them in the context of the big picture of God’s faithfulness. This isn’t simply a matter of choosing to be a “glass half full” person or to “always look on the bright side of life.” It’s a matter of choosing to see God at work in our lives, no matter how bad our circumstances get. It’s a matter of wrapping ourselves in His presence when life threatens to overwhelm us. It’s a matter of staying in constant contact with Him during trials and never losing sight of the awesome privilege of being able to do so. Maintaining a spirit of thankfulness will not only impact our lives, but it will also impact the lives of others in our orbit. Nothing speaks louder about the life-changing potential of the Christian faith than a believer who remains faithful and thankful when things go bad. First Thessalonians 5:18 doesn’t say we should be thankful for all circumstances, but rather in all circumstances. There are many things that happen that I’m not glad about. But I am glad that, despite the tragedies, God is still on the throne, and He is still in control of all circumstances that surround my life. God bless you!

Give God Control (Proverbs 3:5–6) One of the hardest things to do is let go. We want to control our future. Our plans. Our relationships. Our careers. Our finances. Our reputation. Even the things we pray about. We often tell God what we want and then quietly expect Him to follow our plan. But trusting God means something deeper. It means being willing to say: “Lord, I trust You—even when Your plan is different from mine.” The Bible says: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Notice the instruction: Trust. Not partially. Not only when everything makes sense. With all your heart. Sometimes we struggle to trust God because we want to know exactly what will happen next. But faith doesn't require knowing the entire future. Faith means trusting the One who already knows it. Think about Peter when Jesus called him to step out of the boat. The water was still there. The storm was still around him. But Peter had to decide whether he would trust Jesus enough to take the step. Sometimes God is asking you to take a step before you have all the answers. Maybe you need to start something. Maybe you need to stop something. Maybe you need to forgive. Maybe you need to wait. Maybe you need to surrender a dream. Maybe you need to give God control of a relationship, career decision, or future you have been trying desperately to manage yourself. Surrender doesn't mean giving up on life. It means giving up the illusion that you have to control everything. There are things you can control: Your choices. Your attitude. Your obedience. Your words. Your effort. Your response. But there are also things you cannot control: Other people's decisions. Tomorrow. The economy. Every outcome. Every opportunity. Every circumstance. Trying to control what belongs outside your control will eventually leave you exhausted. So give those things to God. Pray about them. Do your part faithfully. Then trust Him with the results. And remember: Surrender is not weakness. It is an expression of faith. Jesus demonstrated the ultimate example of surrender in the garden of Gethsemane. Facing the cross, He prayed to the Father and submitted to God's will. That obedience brought salvation to humanity. The cross reminds us that God's plan can accomplish something far greater than what we can see in the moment. Maybe you don't understand your current season. Maybe you're asking: “Why is this happening?” Instead of only asking God to change the situation, try asking: “Lord, what are You teaching me through this?” Sometimes God changes the circumstances. Sometimes He changes us. And sometimes He does both. Whatever you're facing today, don't carry it as though everything depends on you. Give God your fears. Give Him your plans. Give Him your mistakes. Give Him your future. Give Him your unanswered questions. And then trust Him one day at a time. You may not know what tomorrow holds. But you know who holds tomorrow. Release what you cannot control and trust the God who can. Today, take a quiet moment and pray: “Lord, I surrender my plans, my fears, and my future to You. Help me trust Your wisdom more than my own understanding. Lead me where You want me to go, and give me the courage to follow. Amen.” What is one thing you've been trying to control that you need to place completely in God's hands? #GiveGodControl #Proverbs3 #TrustGod #SurrenderToGod #FaithOverFear #WalkByFaith #ChristianYouth #JesusSaves #ShareJesus #DailyFaith #Lordsbook #JMSM #KNKA

📌 Today's Readings are from the Book of 2 Kings 19–20 | Galatians 5 📌 👇 Overviews Are Below (PLEASE READ YOUR BIBLE: Overviews Do Not Replace Daily Reading) 👇 2 Kings 19 The Victory That Comes Through Trust 2 Kings 19 continues the crisis that began in the previous chapter. Jerusalem remains surrounded by the mighty Assyrian army, and King Hezekiah faces an enemy far stronger than anything Judah can overcome through military strength alone. Humanly speaking, defeat appears certain. Yet the chapter demonstrates that faith flourishes precisely where human ability reaches its limits. When Hezekiah receives the threatening message from the Assyrian king, he does not respond with panic or political maneuvering. Instead, he enters the house of the Lord, spreads the letter before God, and prays. His response reveals the heart of genuine faith. Rather than focusing on the greatness of the enemy, he fixes his attention on the greatness of God. Hezekiah's prayer is centered on God's glory. He asks the Lord to deliver Jerusalem so that all the nations will know that the Lord alone is God. His concern extends beyond personal survival to the honor of God's name. This becomes the foundation of true biblical prayer—seeking God's glory above personal comfort. God answers through the prophet Isaiah with words of comfort and assurance. The Lord declares that He has heard the prayers of His servant and that Assyria's pride has not gone unnoticed. The enemy may boast of its military power, but it remains completely subject to God's sovereign authority. The Assyrian king is merely an instrument whom God has permitted to accomplish His purposes. That very night, the Lord intervenes without Judah lifting a sword. The Assyrian army is defeated by God's direct action, and the invading king returns home in humiliation before eventually meeting his own end. The impossible victory belongs entirely to the Lord. Judah contributes nothing but trust. The chapter reveals that God's power is never measured by visible circumstances. What appears impossible to people is easily accomplished by the sovereign Lord. Faith does not ignore reality but recognizes that God is greater than every circumstance. Theologically, 2 Kings 19 teaches that prayer is an expression of dependence upon God. It reveals His sovereignty over every nation and demonstrates that His glory is the ultimate purpose behind His acts of deliverance. The chapter also confirms that God's promises are completely trustworthy. This chapter points to Christ, who perfectly trusted the Father in every circumstance and invites believers to cast every burden upon Him. Jesus has already won the ultimate victory over every enemy through His death and resurrection. The battles we face today are approached not from fear but from confidence in the triumph of our risen King. For believers today, 2 Kings 19 reminds us that our first response to overwhelming circumstances should always be prayer. We are called to bring every burden before the Lord, trusting that He remains sovereign over every situation. In Christ, we know that no earthly power can overcome God's eternal purposes. Our confidence rests not in our own strength but in the God who still delivers those who trust Him. 2 Kings 20 Receiving God's Gifts with Humility 2 Kings 20 shifts from a national crisis to a deeply personal one. After witnessing God's miraculous deliverance from Assyria, Hezekiah now faces a life-threatening illness. The chapter reminds us that even faithful believers experience seasons of personal suffering. Victory in one area of life does not exempt anyone from future trials. When Isaiah informs Hezekiah that his life is coming to an end, the king immediately turns to the Lord in prayer. He pours out his heart honestly before God, demonstrating that faith is expressed through humble dependence rather than self-sufficiency. God graciously hears his prayer and extends his life, providing a miraculous sign to confirm His promise. The Lord's compassion toward Hezekiah reveals His willingness to hear the prayers of His people. While God's sovereign purposes remain perfect, He graciously invites His children to bring their requests before Him. Prayer is not an attempt to manipulate God but a privilege of fellowship with Him. Yet the chapter also reveals the subtle danger that often follows blessing. After recovering, Hezekiah receives visitors from Babylon. Instead of directing their attention to God's greatness, he proudly displays all the wealth and treasures of his kingdom. His heart shifts from gratitude to self-confidence. The very blessings God has given become occasions for pride. Isaiah confronts the king and announces that a future generation will experience Babylonian captivity. The seeds of exile are already being planted through misplaced confidence and spiritual complacency. The chapter serves as a reminder that victories and blessings require just as much humility as seasons of hardship. Hezekiah accepts God's word with humility, acknowledging the righteousness of the Lord's judgment. Even in correction, he recognizes God's justice and faithfulness. Theologically, 2 Kings 20 reveals both God's compassion and His holiness. He delights in answering prayer and extending mercy, yet He also opposes pride and calls His people to continual humility. Every blessing is intended to lead us into deeper worship rather than greater self-reliance. This chapter points to Christ, who perfectly demonstrated humility despite possessing all authority and glory. Unlike Hezekiah, Jesus never sought His own honor but always glorified the Father. Through His life, death, and resurrection, believers receive the greatest gift of all—eternal life—and are called to steward that gift with humble gratitude. For believers today, 2 Kings 20 reminds us that every answered prayer and every blessing should deepen our dependence upon God rather than our confidence in ourselves. We are called to receive God's gifts with grateful hearts and use them for His glory. In Christ, we have received blessings far greater than earthly treasures, and our greatest privilege is pointing others not to ourselves but to the Savior whose grace has transformed our lives. Galatians 5 — Standing Firm in the Freedom of the Christ Galatians chapter 5 is one of the clearest New Testament passages describing the freedom believers have in the Christ, the Son of God, and how that freedom is to be lived out. Paul moves from defending the doctrine of justification by faith to explaining its practical application. The redemptive plan does not free believers so they can live for themselves; it frees them to live by the Holy Spirit, reflecting the character of the Christ in every area of life. The chapter begins with a powerful call to stand firm in the freedom that the Christ has secured. The Son of God has broken the chains of sin, legalism, and condemnation. Believers are warned not to return to any system that attempts to earn God's acceptance through human effort. Christian living begins with grace and continues by grace. The redemptive plan is complete in the Christ, leaving nothing for human works to add. Paul explains that attempting to gain righteousness through religious performance separates a person from the very grace they seek to improve upon. Salvation is received entirely through faith in the Christ. Once believers understand this, they are free to serve God from love rather than obligation. The Son of God calls His people into a relationship marked by joyful obedience rather than fearful striving. The chapter then emphasizes that Christian freedom is not permission for selfish living. Freedom has a purpose. Believers are called to serve one another in love because love fulfills the heart of God's commands. The redemptive plan transforms self-centered hearts into servant-hearted people who reflect the compassion and humility of the Christ. Christian living expresses itself through love because the love of the Son of God has first been poured into His people. Paul warns that selfishness, conflict, and division destroy fellowship within the body of Christ. When believers focus on their own desires rather than on loving one another, the unity purchased by the Christ is weakened. The Son of God calls His church to pursue peace, humility, and mutual care as evidence of His transforming work. The chapter then introduces the contrast between the flesh and the Spirit. These two influences are opposed to one another. The flesh naturally pursues selfish desires, while the Holy Spirit leads believers into lives that honor the Christ. Christian living is a continual choice to yield to the Spirit rather than to the old sinful nature. The redemptive plan not only forgives sin but empowers believers to live differently. Paul identifies the works of the flesh as evidence of a life governed by sinful desires. These actions produce brokenness, division, and spiritual death because they flow from humanity apart from the Christ. In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit reveals the character of the Son of God. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are not human achievements but the natural result of a life surrendered to the Holy Spirit. The image of fruit is significant because fruit grows naturally from a healthy relationship with its source. Believers do not manufacture Christlike character through determination alone. As they abide in the Christ and yield to His Spirit, His life becomes visible in them. The redemptive plan produces inward transformation that is demonstrated through outward character. The chapter concludes by reminding believers that those who belong to the Christ have crucified the old way of life. Since they now live by the Spirit, they are called to walk by the Spirit every day. Christian living involves continual dependence upon the Son of God rather than self-reliance. Pride, rivalry, and envy have no place in the life of one who has been transformed by His grace. Throughout Galatians chapter 5, the Christ remains the center of true freedom. He has delivered His people from both the bondage of sin and the burden of legalism. Through His Holy Spirit, He enables them to live lives that display His love and holiness. The redemptive plan is fulfilled as believers increasingly reflect the character of the Son of God. For believers today, this chapter calls us to stand firmly in the freedom the Christ has purchased for us. Christian living is not about earning God's favor but about walking daily in the power of the Holy Spirit. We are reminded to reject both legalism and selfishness, choosing instead to serve others in love and bear the fruit that reflects the life of the Son of God. As we walk by the Spirit, our lives become visible demonstrations of His grace, revealing the beauty of His redemptive plan to the world around us. #DailyBibleReading #OpenYourBible #StudyTheWord #ScriptureForToday #FaithJourney #GodsWord #BibleTime #WalkWithGod