Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you. How is everyone doing today? It is early and eventful in my house. Eventful for old, sleepy people, that is. I made coffee, fixed my husband’s meds, recorded his evening, walked the dog and spent some quality time in the alternative office. Last night I was able to get the middle part of the yard mowed before I lost daylight and today I will finish. Now, normally, my yard is done in one sitting. However, this week, that has not been the case. With borrowing a mower, I had to wait to get it back and because I borrowed it, I did my obligation to his other property first. I could have waited and done mine all in one stint, but I was having fun. Haha. So, I have a question for you. How do you decompress? Do you go for a walk/run? Do you dive into a good story? Is it television and snacks? Is there a hobby that you enjoy that helps reset your thoughts? How do you deal with the day’s events as they unfold and/or when you are thinking about them at the end of the day? For me, obviously, writing is one avenue that I take. Another is mowing—another is music. Of course, there are my phone games … little addictive boogers. Have you considered prayer as a route of decompression? A quick research of how many times it is recorded that Jesus prayed is over 25 times. A finer search shows that He withdrew at least seven times to pray. Meaning that he went away alone to pray. Now, if the Son of God, who came to earth as a human to demonstrate what He wanted us to do, left his pals, his family, his associates to pray and ‘decompress’ with God … don’t you think it might just work for us? Over the years, in order to make prayer sound OVER important, it has been made out that you need to have a large vocabulary of fancy words and beautiful songs of words that float through the air like a cloud. However, if you read about Jesus’ account in Gethsemane … that was not flowery words … that was “Hey Dad, is there another way we can take care of this plan of Yours? If there is, can we do that instead? Hey, but if there isn’t … I understand.” Jesus was on his face, sweating and pouring out his soul to the Father, pleading for a different solution to this problem. He had become very close to His disciples and the weight of what was going to happen fell on him like a ton of bricks. He felt the burden of His assignment in full force. If the Son of man cried out to God on multiple occasions, would it not seem relevant that we would too? The enemy would have us believe that if we cannot ‘fix’ or ‘accomplish’ something on our own, that we are weak and worthless. On the contrary, knowing that we have an avenue to strength and power, and then exercising that invitation to sit with Him, settles us and empowers us to persevere. I have confessed many times on here that my prayer life has not been the best. It is improving, however, and I can physically feel His presence as I calm from the day’s events or as I enter the day’s events. Coming from someone who routinely falls down, prayer has given me such strength to continue to take one step at a time each day. As today unfolds, as the events begin to swallow you whole, as the world tries to dictate your mood, remember that there is One who is always there and willing to listen. Go to Him. Pour out your soul to Him. Cry to Him. Plead with Him. And know that if the answer is not what YOU wanted, that there must be a higher cause. Jesus was not released from his commitment to die on the cross; he accepted it and used it as the way to unlock the doors of death and defeat Satan. What powerful use of your turmoil lies beyond your vision that will help someone in the long run? Release your anguish to the Father and embrace your chosen status, knowing that you were picked to set the tone for someone else in a similar situation. Be blessed. **My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me. Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will. – Matthew 26:38-39

Daily Bible Lesson. IF THE DEAD ARE ALREADY IN HEAVEN OR HELL… WHY IS THE RESURRECTION SO IMPORTANT? 1 Corinthians 15 is one of the clearest chapters in the Bible about the resurrection of the dead. Paul repeatedly points to a future resurrection when Jesus Christ returns. This raises an important question: If the dead are already consciously enjoying heaven—or suffering in hell—immediately after death, why does the Bible place such enormous emphasis on a future resurrection? Let’s examine the biblical picture. 1. THE RESURRECTION IS CONNECTED TO CHRIST'S SECOND COMING “Afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.” — 1 Corinthians 15:23 Paul gives a clear sequence: Christ was raised first. Christ's people are raised at His coming. The resurrection is therefore connected with the Second Coming. “The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” — 1 Corinthians 15:52 This points to a great future resurrection event—not something that happens individually every time a believer dies. 2. THE RESURRECTION IS CENTRAL TO THE CHRISTIAN FAITH Paul does not treat the resurrection as a minor detail. “If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.” — 1 Corinthians 15:14 “If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” — 1 Corinthians 15:17 Paul's message follows this powerful sequence: Christ died Christ was raised Believers will be raised Death will ultimately be destroyed “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” — 1 Corinthians 15:26 3. WHEN DO WE RECEIVE IMMORTALITY? Paul says: “This mortal must put on immortality.” — 1 Corinthians 15:53 Notice the context: immortality is associated with the resurrection. The Bible's emphasis is not simply that a person dies and immediately receives the final reward. Paul directs our attention toward the resurrection, when God's people are changed and receive immortality. The resurrection is not an afterthought—it is central to the Christian hope. 4. THE BIBLE DESCRIBES DEATH AS SLEEP The Bible repeatedly uses sleep as a description of death. Jesus and Lazarus “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth.” — John 11:11 Jesus then made it unmistakably clear: “Lazarus is dead.” — John 11:14 Daniel 12:2 “Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13–16 Paul speaks of those who are asleep and then describes their resurrection when Christ returns. Ecclesiastes 9:5 “The dead know not any thing.” Psalm 146:4 When a person dies, “his thoughts perish.” Together, these passages provide a biblical basis for understanding death as an unconscious state awaiting the resurrection. 5. THE BIBLICAL SEQUENCE BECOMES VERY CLEAR DEATH The person rests in the grave. CHRIST RETURNS The trumpet sounds. THE DEAD IN CHRIST RISE 1 Thessalonians 4:16 THEY ARE CHANGED 1 Corinthians 15:51–53 THEY RECEIVE IMMORTALITY 1 Corinthians 15:53–54 DEATH IS DEFEATED 1 Corinthians 15:54–55 This makes Paul's argument especially powerful: The Christian hope is not merely, “When I die, I go to heaven.” The great biblical hope is: JESUS IS COMING AGAIN! THE DEAD IN CHRIST WILL RISE! 6. WHAT ABOUT PASSAGES THAT SEEM TO TEACH IMMEDIATE LIFE AFTER DEATH? There are passages that Christians interpret differently, including: Luke 23:43 — “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Philippians 1:23 — Paul speaks of departing and being with Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:8 — “Absent from the body… present with the Lord.” These passages should not be ignored. However, Christians who believe in the sleep of death understand these verses alongside the many passages that explicitly describe death as sleep and emphasize the future resurrection. Questions involving punctuation, translation, context, and the meaning of being “with Christ” have contributed to different interpretations. The safest approach is to study the whole Bible rather than build a doctrine on one verse. 7. WHY DOES THE TEACHING OF DEATH AS SLEEP MATTER? It keeps the resurrection central. Paul makes the resurrection absolutely essential to Christian faith. It teaches that immortality is God's gift. “This mortal must put on immortality.” — 1 Corinthians 15:53 It gives greater meaning to the Second Coming. “The dead in Christ shall rise first.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:16 It warns against attempts to communicate with the dead. Deuteronomy 18:10–12; Isaiah 8:19 If the dead are unconscious, claims that deceased relatives are communicating with the living cannot automatically be accepted as genuine communication with the dead. It gives comfort through the resurrection hope. “Sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:13 Why? Because those who have died in Christ will rise again when Jesus returns! THE GREAT BIBLICAL HOPE The ultimate hope of Scripture is not death. It is not the grave. It is not merely an immortal soul escaping the body. The great hope is: JESUS CHRIST'S RETURN THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD THE GIFT OF IMMORTALITY THE DESTRUCTION OF DEATH ETERNAL LIFE WITH CHRIST “This mortal shall have put on immortality… then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” — 1 Corinthians 15:54 IN SHORT If the dead are already enjoying the complete reward of heaven immediately after death, the resurrection remains important—but it raises a significant question: Why does Paul place such extraordinary emphasis on the future resurrection as the moment when the dead are raised, changed, receive immortality, and experience final victory over death? Understanding the biblical teaching of death as sleep makes Paul's argument in 1 Corinthians 15 especially straightforward: The dead are resting. They are awaiting the voice of Christ. Jesus will return. The dead in Christ will awake. They will be changed. Death will be swallowed up in victory. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout… and the dead in Christ shall rise first.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:16 THAT IS THE CHRISTIAN HOPE! Not merely that we die and go somewhere… But that JESUS IS COMING—AND THE DEAD WILL RISE!

THE STRANGERS SHALL FADE AWAY Let’s dive into the meaning behind Psalm 18:45, which states, “The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places.” This verse paints a vivid picture of how God can turn the tables. David faced enemies who seemed invincible, but when God stepped in, their confidence began to crumble. The same God who rescued David is more than capable of shifting the atmosphere in your life. What seems powerful today can lose its grip when God fights for you. The phrase “shall fade away” serves as a reminder that opposition isn’t permanent. People might rise against you, tough situations may challenge you, and foes may seem to have the upper hand, but God has the power to dismantle their plans and confidence. The outcome of the battle isn’t dictated by what you see right now; it’s determined by the God who holds the ultimate authority. When God takes charge, the enemy’s strength starts to diminish. Additionally, the verse mentions they “shall be afraid.” This signifies a divine turnaround: those who sought to instill fear in David ended up being the ones who were afraid. God can flip situations in ways you might never have imagined. What once made you anxious can transform into your story of triumph. So, don’t let fear dictate your life when facing opposition. Place your trust in God, for He is greater than any challenge that stands in your way. The phrase “out of their close places” implies that even the safest hiding spots can’t shield those who oppose God’s plans. What may be concealed from you is never hidden from God. You don’t have to uncover every secret scheme or battle every hidden conflict on your own. God sees what you can’t, and He’s fully capable of revealing, thwarting, and overturning anything that goes against His will. Trust Him to take care of what’s beyond your control. The heart of Psalm 18:45 reveals a powerful truth: divine intervention and reversal. You might start your fight feeling scared, overwhelmed, and unsure, but that doesn’t mean you have to end it that way. God has the ability to transform your fear into bravery, your struggles into stories of triumph, and your battles into victories. Remember, the enemy doesn’t get the last say—God does. So, stand strong, keep your faith, and trust in the Lord, because the same God who rescued David is more than capable of delivering you today.

ANOTHER 5 STAR REVIEW russell tamicka Aug 16, 2026 Interesting book! It’s a bold, unique look at history through a spiritual lens When I first picked up Why The White Man Rules (An Apology) by Nathaniel Leonard Jackson Jr., I wasn't quite sure what I was getting into. The title definitely catches your attention, but it tackles a huge, heavy question: why have Western and European nations held so much global power and wealth throughout history? Instead of giving a standard history lesson or political breakdown, Jackson approaches everything from a completely biblical angle. He argues that Western dominance isn't an accident or a matter of racial superiority, but rather God fulfilling His ancient promises to the lost tribes of Israel. The book is split into eight chapters, and Jackson walks you through his thoughts step by step. Right away in Chapter 1, "The Unsettling Truth," he clears up a big detail: he’s using the word "apology" in the old-school literary sense, meaning a formal defence rather than actually apologising for anything. The middle of the book really digs into scripture. "Promises, Promises...", was the part that kept me reading. Jackson traces the birthright blessings from Abraham, down through Isaac and Jacob, and eventually to Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. He points to passages like Deuteronomy 33, which describes Joseph's descendants as a "fruitful bough" pushed out to the ends of the earth. Seeing how he connects those Old Testament lines about becoming a "great nation" and a "multitude of nations" to the rise of modern Western powers was definitely a perspective I hadn't come across before. Toward the end, in chapters like "Nothing but the Blood" and "The Two Camps," he shifts to the New Testament, looking at how Jesus's sacrifice ties into all of this and asking the reader to focus on spiritual faith rather than worldly drama. Even if you don't agree with every conclusion he draws, Jackson puts a lot of detail into his scripture study. It’s a bold, unique look at history through a spiritual lens that gives you plenty to think about after you put it down.

This is a portion of Scripture that offers comfort and promises God’s abiding presence, strength, and help during times of fear and anxiety, for our God is faithful and righteous. We are commanded "do not be afraid" because we have no reason to worry or fear; all we need to do is place our full trust in our Lord Jesus without hesitation, confident that God is always with us. If you do not know how you will get through the day, God is right there beside you to provide the strength and help needed to overcome whatever you are facing in life. Let us always fix our eyes on what God is doing in our lives; He will surely take away all hardships and fears. God’s promises never change. Yet, we often blame God for the events of our lives, when in reality, we are the ones responsible for remaining stuck in problems so overwhelming that we hardly know what to do. Nevertheless, God’s faithfulness is great and steadfast, for He keeps His promises. God says, "For I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand"—meaning, it is God who holds us. and in this verse It means God offers personal support, divine strength, and active protection so a person will not fall or give in to fear during hard times. God is with us! #GodNeverChange #HeIsFaithfulAndMighty #LordsBook

Charles Spurgeon morning devotional for August 25th His fruit was sweet to my taste." Song of Solomon 2:3 Faith, in the Scripture, is spoken of under the emblem of all the senses. It is sight: "Look unto me and be ye saved." It is hearing: "Hear, and your soul shall live." Faith is smelling: "All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia;" "thy name is as ointment poured forth." Faith is spiritual touch. By this faith the woman came behind and touched the hem of Christ's garment, and by this we handle the things of the good word of life. Faith is equally the spirit's taste. "How sweet are thy words to my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my lips." "Except a man eat my flesh," saith Christ, "and drink my blood, there is no life in him." This "taste" is faith in one of its highest operations. One of the first performances of faith is hearing. We hear the voice of God, not with the outward ear alone, but with the inward ear; we hear it as God's Word, and we believe it to be so; that is the "hearing" of faith. Then our mind looketh upon the truth as it is presented to us; that is to say, we understand it, we perceive its meaning; that is the "seeing" of faith. Next we discover its preciousness; we begin to admire it, and find how fragrant it is; that is faith in its "smell." Then we appropriate the mercies which are prepared for us in Christ; that is faith in its "touch." Hence follow the enjoyments, peace, delight, communion; which are faith in its "taste." Any one of these acts of faith is saving. To hear Christ's voice as the sure voice of God in the soul will save us; but that which gives true enjoyment is the aspect of faith wherein Christ, by holy taste, is received into us, and made, by inward and spiritual apprehension of his sweetness and preciousness, to be the food of our souls. It is then we sit "under his shadow with great delight," and find his fruit sweet to our taste.

✨ Your life has meaning because you were created by God and for God. #Faith #GodsPurpose #CreatedWithPurpose #LifeHasMeaning

"As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." - Proverbs 25:25 KJV. https://www.facebook.com/share/19SLLoJ6ex/ ☆☆☆ If you have ever been so thirsty before, particularly on a very hot afternoon, after a tedious work; then you will appreciate this verse. ☆☆☆ In the same way also, when you are expectant of a miracle, you have probably lost hope, people have written you off; when your testimony now roles in, you will surely appreciate the meaning of *good news.* ☆☆☆ I don't know the kind of good news that you are expecting this morning, but may I decree as follows👇 Your waiting is over, your miracles are here and the good news is being delivered right now. God is set to quench your thirst and satisfy your hunger. Those who have been standing on your way to the top have become the instruments for your lifting. No more limitation because divine help is coming your way. This is your season for good news. Yes, a miracle is coming your way that will gladden your heart. You shall become a sign and a wonder to many. It is done, please be expectant. Happy day Shalom. *Daily prophetic prayers and messages by Pastor, Dr. Olutimehin Isaac.*

LOST IN THE CHURCH [BEING LOST IN CHURCH] Part Eight The Name of Jesus There are many things that are closely associated with the Lord Jesus, and some have even been given His great name. However, people need to understand that these things are not Jesus Himself. Therefore, building one's faith upon such things or worshipping them can be a great deception. Being close to the Lord, or even being called by His great name, does not necessarily mean that something is worthy of our worship. This means that a person can become lost before the Lord—or even become lost in church. Satan spent all his time in the presence of the Lord, enjoying His glory, beauty, and blessings; nevertheless, he fell. Judas Iscariot was privileged to eat at the Lord's table. He heard the profound wisdom and extraordinary words that the prophets of old longed to hear; yet he also perished. This happened because they gave created things the place that belonged to the Lord. The name of Jesus is an extraordinary gift given to the true Church throughout the world for salvation. However, we must understand that Satan has also been permitted to use that very same name on earth for evil purposes and destruction. Therefore, the Church must be extremely careful. Not everyone who mentions the name of Jesus Christ, or identifies themselves by that name, is from God. Not everyone who calls themselves a Christian is truly a Christian in their heart. Not every institution that bears the name of the Lord has come from God. One of the greatest things I have observed in this world is that the Lord Himself can bless an institution, a church, a person, or a thing without actually dwelling in it. And that is one of the saddest dangers! Remember Ishmael, the son of Abraham. God blessed him even though he was not the one through whom God's covenant purpose would be fulfilled. > Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!” Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.” Genesis 17:18–20 And concerning Ishmael, Scripture clearly says that the son of the slave woman will never share the inheritance with the son of the free woman. Read Galatians 4:30. The meaning here is that the Lord blessed a person who would nevertheless not inherit eternal life together with the children of God through the covenant represented by Isaac. My brothers and sisters, among the most frightening forms of deception taking place in the Church in these last days is the misuse of the name of Jesus. If a person cannot discern the spirit behind every minister who comes before them, then they are already in serious danger. > “For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.” Matthew 24:5 One of the difficult statements in the Bible that I thought I understood well—but which took me many years to understand properly—is this statement in Matthew 24:5. For a long time, I thought those false ministers would come in His name claiming that they themselves were Christ. But that is not necessarily what the Lord meant. The correct meaning is that these false ministers would come in His name while openly acknowledging that He—Jesus—is the Christ. They would not necessarily claim to be Christ themselves. In simple terms, these false ministers would come into the world confessing that Jesus is Lord and Savior, and they would use the name of Jesus in their ministries, yet they would actually be agents of Satan. Do you see how dangerous that is? What makes it even worse is that we have often interpreted this Scripture incorrectly. But the Lord said, “many will come.” He did not say a few would come. He said many. And notice that He did not say these people would belong to only one particular category—such as prophets, apostles, or miracle workers. Therefore, we should understand that He was warning about many different kinds of ministers: prophets, apostles, teachers, pastors, evangelists, miracle workers and those who do not perform miracles; those leading large churches and those leading small churches, and so on. I say this because there has been a deception among people who think they only need to fear miracle workers, false prophets, large-church leaders, or apostles. But beloved, let me tell you something: in my experience, one of the greatest forms of deception I have seen in the Church is being under a false pastor. And may God help me as I say this! Deception does not exist in only one place. Everyone can be prepared for a particular kind of deception—according to what they believe, what they understand, and what they are looking for. There is no weapon that is always used from a distance. Scripture says: > “A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.” Matthew 10:36 If you fear today's miracles, false prophets, apostles of anointing oil, and similar things, you are certainly right to be cautious. But understand this: those may be weapons that are too distant for someone like you. Satan, who is full of cunning and deception, a master of lies and the father of much deception, may never use such obvious weapons to trap someone like you. Instead, he may send you a false pastor who performs no miracles at all, someone whose ministry perfectly matches your beliefs, so that you can trust him completely. Then you may gradually be fed false teachings that have no life—teachings that have an outward appearance of godliness and reverence for God, yet are built upon false wisdom that contradicts the power and priorities of the Holy Spirit. That, my brother and sister, is where you can truly become lost. Also understand clearly that the false ministers I am speaking about can be of two kinds. There are those who have consciously made an agreement with Satan and therefore know exactly what they are doing. And there are those who do not even realize that they are false ministers. They themselves have been deceived by false teachings. They are also products of false teachers. Many of these are the religious leaders of our time—the Pharisees of the Pharisees of this generation. And these can be among the most dangerous people, because they were the very kind of religious leaders who even participated in the rejection and crucifixion of the Lord. Therefore, submitting yourself blindly to such ministers is a truly frightening thing. May Almighty God have mercy on us all. Amen! #ToBeContinued... Mwl. Ernest Nyalula +255752057664 #LostInTheChurch #Discernment #ChristianFaith #TruthOfTheGospel #JesusChrist #SpiritualDiscernment #BiblicalTruth #Christianity #FalseTeaching #KnowTheWord

THE MONEY’S MIND The Economic Performance of the Word By Omodolapo Ogunye What if Scripture is not merely a book to be read, but a script containing economic performances waiting to be activated? This question takes us beyond reading Scripture as historical documentation or a collection of spiritual principles. It invites us to see Scripture as a divinely written script containing the intentions and performances of God. Revelation 1 gives us a remarkable description of the Word through His Body: feet like burnished bronze, eyes like blazing fire, a face shining like the sun and a hand holding seven stars. These descriptions reveal the Person of the Word. And some of these descriptions are explicitly economic. Proverbs 3:16 says: “In her left hand are riches and honor.” Song of Solomon 5:11 says: “His head is purest gold.” Gold speaks of value, wealth and monetary significance. Yet Scripture uses gold to describe the Person of the Word. This gives us the foundation of The Money’s Mind: The Money is a Person. The Money is the Word. The Money has a Mind. THE SCRIPTURE IS A SCRIPT 2 Timothy 3:16 says: “All Scripture is God-breathed.” Scripture records what God has done, what He can do and what He intends to do. It is therefore more than historical documentation. It contains divine intentions waiting for performance. Throughout Scripture, we see this pattern: what was spoken becomes what is performed. A prophecy is given. Then it is fulfilled. A promise is declared. Then reality responds. The Scripture therefore functions as a script for the performances of God. THE WORD PRODUCES PERFORMANCE John 5:39 gives us the key: “These are the Scriptures that testify about me.” The Scriptures testify about the Person of the Word. The Body reveals the Person. The Person gives meaning to the Scriptures. The Scriptures carry the performances associated with the Person. This means the Word is not passive. The Word carries performance. And because the Word is economic and financial, the Scriptures can produce economic performances. The question therefore moves beyond: “How does money work?” to: “What does the Word perform economically?” What economic intentions are contained in Scripture? What financial realities does the Word reveal? What can the Word perform in an individual, an enterprise or a nation? THE ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF THE WORD The Body of the Word is described as burnished bronze. It is described through blazing fire. It is described through gold, riches and honor. When these revelations come together, we see: The Body of the Word, as the aggressive hunger of the Father, is the economic and financial way of the Lord. But the revelation goes further. The way produces performance. The Scriptures contain the script. The Body reveals the Person. The Person reveals the Mind. And the Mind reveals what the Word intends to perform. Therefore, we should not read Scripture merely to accumulate information. We should learn to recognise the performances contained in the Word. THE MONEY’S MIND The Money’s Mind is not simply a conversation about wealth. It is an investigation into the economic Mind of the Word. The Money is the Word. The Word has a Mind. And the Mind of the Word carries intentions, wisdom, ways and performances. So perhaps the deeper economic question is not: “How can I make money?” but: “What does the Money intend to perform?” Because when the Money is the Word, understanding the Mind of the Word becomes an economic investigation. The Money has a Mind. And the Mind of the Word carries economic performance. Omodolapo Ogunye The Money’s Mind — The Body of the Word as Finance & Economics