Daily Devotion — August 25 | Acts 21:13 (NKJV)

Faith That Counts the Cost

As Paul journeyed toward Jerusalem, fellow believers warned him of the suffering that awaited him. Out of love, they pleaded with him not to go. Yet Paul remained steadfast because he knew God had called him to continue the mission. His devotion to Christ was greater than his fear of suffering or even death.

Paul's response reveals the depth of his commitment. He had surrendered every part of his life to the Lord and was willing to endure hardship if it meant remaining faithful to Jesus. His courage was rooted in his confidence that God's will was worth every sacrifice.

For believers today, this verse reminds us that following Christ may require difficult choices. While God does not promise an easy path, He does promise His presence, strength, and eternal reward. A surrendered heart trusts God's plan even when obedience comes at a personal cost.

Reflection Questions

1. Is there an area of my life that I have not fully surrendered to God?

2. Am I willing to obey Christ even when it is difficult?

3. How can I grow in courage and faithfulness each day?

Prayer

Lord God, thank You for the example of Paul's unwavering faith. Help me to surrender every part of my life to You and to follow Your will with courage and trust. Strengthen me to remain faithful, no matter what challenges may come. In Jesus name Amen.

Practical Application

● Pray for courage to obey God in difficult situations.

● Trust God's plan even when the future is uncertain.

● Encourage someone who is facing trials for their faith.

Takeaway Thought

A heart fully surrendered to Christ finds strength to remain faithful in every circumstance.

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DAY 2
25TH AUGUST 2026
SERVANT OF GOD ARENA, KENYA
MISSION WEEK

*DEFEAT THE ENEMY CALLED GUILT*

There is an enemy called *GUILT* that the devil uses to draw people away from Jesus. He makes you believe that your sins are too great to be forgiven and that you are beyond the reach of God’s mercy.

But the Word of God tells us otherwise.

*Ps.103.3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. (NLT)*

And Hebrews gives us this assurance: when God forgives our sins, He chooses not to remember them anymore (Hebrews 8:12).

Today, God is calling/inviting you to come to Him.

*“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow.” — Isaiah 1:18 (NKJV)*

Do not allow guilt to keep you away from the One who is ready to forgive you. Your past does not have to determine your future when you surrender it to Jesus.

Defeat guilt today. Take a step toward Jesus.

His arms are open, and He is calling you to Himself. He came for you and for me so that we may remain with Him and experience the true rest that this world cannot give.

*Come to Jesus today. There is forgiveness. There is mercy. There is rest.*

Your brother,
Alfred Wabuko Manyasi

COMMUNISTS EXECUTED THEM FOR THEIR FAITH. THEIR HIDDEN BABY SURVIVED IN A RICE BASKET.

John and Betty Stam met at Moody Bible Institute, both individually feeling called to serve as missionaries in China, and married there in 1933 through the China Inland Mission. In September 1934, their daughter Helen Priscilla was born, and just two months later, the young family settled into a new post in Anhui Province, in the small town of Jingde. Two weeks after arriving, Communist soldiers unexpectedly overran the town and took the entire family prisoner.

John wrote a letter to mission headquarters that night, informing them of the Communists' $20,000 ransom demand, knowing full well the mission's strict policy against ever paying ransoms. He closed the letter with the words, "The Lord bless and guide you, and as for us, may God be glorified whether by life or by death." The next morning, the couple was marched to a hill outside the nearby town of Miaoshou to be executed, a Chinese medicine seller who pleaded on his knees for their release, and who was later found to own a Bible and hymnbook, executed alongside them for his own faith.

Before the couple was led away, Betty found a way to hide their three month old daughter, tucking her into a sleeping bag with a change of clothes and money pinned inside her diaper. Two days later, a Chinese evangelist named Dr. Lo found baby Helen alive, concealed her in a rice basket, and carried her to safety, eventually delivering her to Betty's parents, who were still serving as missionaries elsewhere in China. Helen grew up, became a teacher, and raised her own family in the eastern United States. News of the Stams' deaths spread around the world and, in the decades since, has continued to inspire generations of believers to serve overseas despite the risk.

Do you think you could have found the peace John wrote about, in that same letter, facing what he faced?

THAT WAS THEN. THIS IS NOW. BUT WHAT HAPPENED THEN CAN HAPPEN AGAIN.

When we read the book of Acts, we see a church marked by boldness, prayer, sacrifice, biblical conviction, community, mission, and an unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ.

https://patrickryanlewis.com/2026/08/23/that-was-then-this-is-now-but-it-can-happen-again/

The early church wasn't perfect. Scripture openly records its struggles, disagreements, and failures. But there was something unmistakable about those believers:

Christ had the preeminence.
 They feared God more than people.
 They prayed believing God could move.
 They were willing to sacrifice for the gospel.
 They lived with eternity in view.
 They confronted sin while extending grace.
 They cared deeply about reaching people with Jesus.

The question isn't whether we can somehow recreate the first century.
The question is whether we are willing to recover those same spiritual priorities in the twenty-first century.
Before pointing at everything wrong with the church today, we should ask:

Lord, what needs to change in me?

Am I more concerned with God's approval or people's approval?
Am I willing to stand for truth when it costs me something?
Is Jesus truly first in my life?
Do I pray expecting God to work?
Am I more passionate about the gospel than my preferences?
Do I live like eternity is real?

We don't simply need better programs, bigger churches, or newer strategies.

We need Christ-centered churches filled with surrendered people who believe the gospel is true, Jesus is alive, eternity is real, and the mission is worth our lives.

Maybe our prayer needs to become very simple:

Lord, do it again.

Read the full blog and consider what it would look like for the church—and for each of us individually—to recover the passion, courage, holiness, prayer, and mission we see in the book of Acts.

#ChurchRevival #BookOfActs #JesusChrist #ChristianLiving #BiblicalTruth #Faith #Prayer #Repentance #GreatCommission #Gospel #FollowJesus #ChristianChurch #SpiritualRenewal

At Legup Missions, every believer is equipped to make a lasting impact.

Step into action and be a part of God’s mission now

Email us at: kingjesusistruth@gmail.com

To Learn More Visit: www.legupmissions.com

#ReachingCommunitiesChangingLives #LegUpMissions #FaithInAction #CalledAndSent #DiscipleMaking #KingdomWork #LiveForChrist #BeTheLight #GoMakeDisciples #SpiritEmpowered

Inspiration from Scripture

“Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Write all the words which I have spoken to you in a book.’” — Jeremiah 30:2

At Vision House Publishers, we draw great inspiration from this powerful message. We believe in the importance of capturing God’s words and wisdom through writing. Our mission is to provide a platform for authors who wish to share their insights and experiences, spreading the gospel of Christ through the written word.

Every book we publish is an opportunity to communicate hope, truth, and transformation, just as God intended. If you feel called to share your story or message, we are here to help you make that vision a reality.

Let us help you write and publish the words that can impact lives and spread the gospel to all nations!

Visit our website: visionhousepublishers.com

#VisionHousePublishers #Jeremiah30 #WriteItDown #SpreadTheGospel

TEEN MISSIONARIES GET MARRIED AFTER MEETING ON A MISSION TRIP, 24 HOURS LATER THIER LIVES WERE TAKEN.

A Young Christian couple who dedicated their lives to missionary work had just stepped into marriage when their story took a devastating turn.
They met while serving as missionaries in South Africa, both passionate about sharing the Gospel and living out their faith on the mission field.
Their love grew quickly, rooted in their shared calling and devotion to God.
Soon, they were engaged-and believed they were stepping into a lifelong journey of ministry together as husband and wife.
They held a simple courthouse wedding surrounded by close family.
It was a moment of joy, faith, and new beginnings.
But just one day after saying "I do," tragedy struck.
The newlyweds were involved in a fatal car crash, cutting their marriage story down to less than 24 hours.
One passed away at the scene, and the other later died in the hospital from injuries sustained in the crash.
What should have been the start of a lifetime together became a heartbreaking reminder of how fragile life truly is.
Yet even in the sorrow, those who knew them continue to speak of their deep faith and devotion to Jesus.
Their lives may have been short, but their testimony of love for Christ continues to speak.
In the midst of grief, many are reflecting on a deeper biblical truth found in Isaiah 57:1: '
"The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; devout people are taken away, while no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil."

Though their time on earth was brief, their legacy of faith, love for Christ, and missionary devotion continues to speak.

L’Église : développons avec sagesse et amour selon la Parole de Dieu
Texte biblique : Exode 35:29
Culte de la Communauté Lélé – EET N°5, N’Djamena
Dimanche 23 août 2026
Résumé préparé par l’administration et l’équipe de Bagamang Evangelist’s Ministry
Thème
« L’Église, développons-la avec sagesse, amour et selon les standards de la Bible. »
Résumé
Exode 35:29 nous montre que les enfants d’Israël ont apporté volontairement leurs biens et leurs ressources pour contribuer à l’œuvre que Dieu avait confiée à son peuple. Chacun a donné selon son cœur et selon ce qu’il possédait.
Ce passage nous enseigne une vérité fondamentale : le développement de l’Église est une responsabilité collective. L’œuvre de Dieu ne repose pas uniquement sur les pasteurs ou sur quelques personnes. Chaque croyant possède un don, une compétence, une ressource, du temps ou une capacité qu’il peut mettre au service du Royaume de Dieu.
Développer l’Église ne signifie donc pas seulement construire de beaux bâtiments. Il s’agit aussi de développer la foi, l’amour, l’unité, l’éducation chrétienne, la jeunesse, la mission, la solidarité, l’évangélisation et l’utilisation responsable des ressources.
1. Développer avec sagesse
La Bible nous appelle à agir avec intelligence, discernement et bonne gestion. Les ressources consacrées à Dieu doivent être utilisées avec responsabilité, transparence et vision.
La sagesse consiste à ne pas gaspiller ce que Dieu nous confie, mais à l’utiliser pour produire un impact durable.
2. Développer avec amour
Dans Exode 35:29, les dons viennent d’un cœur disposé. Le véritable développement de l’Église doit être motivé par l’amour de Dieu et l’amour du prochain, et non par la recherche de prestige ou d’intérêts personnels.
Ce que nous faisons pour l’Église doit être fait avec un cœur sincère, volontaire et rempli d’amour.
3. Chacun a une part dans l’œuvre
Certains donnent financièrement, d’autres donnent leur temps, leurs compétences, leurs idées, leur travail, leurs prières ou leur disponibilité.
Il ne faut donc pas mépriser la contribution de quelqu’un parce qu’elle paraît petite. Dieu regarde aussi le cœur avec lequel nous donnons.
4. Construire pour les générations futures
Une Église développée avec sagesse pense à demain. Nous devons investir dans les enfants, les jeunes, la formation des responsables, l’évangélisation, les infrastructures et les œuvres sociales.
Notre génération doit laisser une Église plus forte, plus unie, plus mature et mieux organisée à la génération suivante.
Conclusion
Exode 35:29 nous invite à comprendre que l’œuvre de Dieu avance lorsque son peuple accepte de participer volontairement, avec amour, sagesse et responsabilité.
Que chaque membre de la Communauté Lélé – EET N°5 puisse se demander :
« Qu’est-ce que Dieu a placé entre mes mains que je peux consacrer à son œuvre ? »
Ensemble, développons l’Église sans compétition, sans division et sans recherche de gloire personnelle, mais dans l’unité, l’amour, la sagesse, la transparence et la fidélité à la Parole de Dieu.
Que tout ce que nous construisons pour l’Église serve à glorifier Jésus-Christ et à faire avancer son Royaume.
« Que chacun de vous mette au service des autres le don qu’il a reçu. » — 1 Pierre 4:10