*TODAY'S PROPHETIC DECLARATION - THURSDAY, 20TH AUGUST, 2026.* 🌟*TAKE HEED WHAT YOU HEAR*🌟 📖 Scripture: “And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.” — Mark 4:24 (KJV) 🔥*Reflection – Be Careful What You Allow Into Your Heart* Jesus teaches us in Mark 4:24 to pay careful attention to what we hear. Not every voice deserves our attention, and not every message deserves a place in our hearts. What we repeatedly hear can influence our thoughts, attitudes, decisions, faith, and ultimately our lives. Therefore, Christ calls us to become intentional listeners—people who listen to God's Word, receive it with faith, and put it into practice. The second part of the verse reminds us that spiritual understanding grows when we faithfully respond to what God has already revealed. When we value God's truth and live by it, He gives us greater understanding and deeper spiritual maturity. Today, let us ask: What voices are shaping my life? Am I listening more to fear or faith? To discouragement or God's promises? To human opinions or the truth of Scripture? 🔊*Prophetic Declaration:* Today, I declare that my ears are attentive to the voice of God. I shall hear His Word with understanding, receive it with faith, and obey it with a willing heart. I declare that every voice of fear, discouragement, confusion, negativity, and deception that seeks to weaken my faith shall not control me. I choose to listen to the voice of truth, wisdom, faith, hope, and righteousness. Today, I receive grace to discern what I should hear and what I should reject. The Holy Spirit shall sharpen my spiritual discernment and protect my heart from influences that are contrary to God's will. I declare that God's Word shall take root deeply within me. It shall shape my thoughts, guide my decisions, influence my relationships, and direct my actions. I proclaim that as I faithfully apply God's Word, greater wisdom and understanding shall be given to me. I shall grow spiritually, mature in faith, and become more effective in fulfilling my God-given purpose. Today, I declare God's wisdom over my family, ministry, work, business, studies, relationships, and destiny. I shall hear the right counsel, recognize the right opportunities, and make decisions that align with God's purpose. I declare that I shall not allow negative words spoken about me to define my identity. My identity is rooted in Christ, and my confidence comes from God's Word. I proclaim that my mouth shall also become a source of life. I will be careful not only about what I hear but also about what I speak. My words shall encourage, strengthen, heal, and point people toward Christ. Today, I receive grace to become a doer of God's Word and not merely a hearer. What God teaches me shall produce visible transformation in my character and conduct. I declare that every good seed of God's Word planted in my heart shall produce fruit. My faith shall grow, my wisdom shall increase, my discernment shall deepen, and my life shall become increasingly fruitful. I will hear God's Word. I will receive God's Word. I will obey God's Word. I will grow through God's Word. And I will become a blessing to others through God's Word. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen! 🙏🔥📖 ✅*Action Steps for today:* 1️⃣ Begin with God's Word: Spend time reading Scripture before filling your mind with social media, news, or other voices. 2️⃣ Read Mark 4:1–25: Meditate especially on Jesus' teaching about hearing and receiving God's Word. 3️⃣ Declare: “I take heed to what I hear. My ears are open to God's truth, and my heart is ready to obey His Word.” 4️⃣ Check your influences: Identify one negative voice, habit, or source of information that has been affecting your faith and reduce its influence. 5️⃣ Speak life: Intentionally encourage at least one person today with words of faith, hope, and love. 6️⃣ Apply what you hear: Ask yourself, “What is God asking me to do with what I have learned?” Then take one practical step. 7️⃣ End with thanksgiving: Thank God for His Word and ask Him for greater wisdom and understanding. 🔥*Prayer:* Heavenly Father, Thank You for giving me Your Word to guide, correct, strengthen, and transform my life. Lord Jesus, help me to take heed to what I hear. Give me discernment to recognize Your voice and wisdom to reject every voice that is contrary to Your truth. Guard my heart from fear, confusion, discouragement, bitterness, gossip, deception, and every negative influence that can weaken my faith. Let Your Word take deep root in my heart. Give me understanding as I read Scripture and grace to put what I learn into practice. Give me wisdom concerning my family, ministry, work, business, studies, relationships, and future. Help me hear the right counsel and make decisions that honor You. Let the words of my mouth also bring life and encouragement to others. Make me a faithful hearer and a committed doer of Your Word. As I faithfully receive and apply Your truth, give me greater wisdom, deeper understanding, stronger faith, and greater spiritual maturity. Lord, open my ears to hear You, my heart to receive You, and my life to obey You. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🕊️ 🌿*Blessing for today:* May the Lord open your spiritual ears to hear His voice clearly. May He give you discernment to recognize truth, wisdom to reject harmful influences, and grace to obey His Word. May God's Word take deep root in your heart and produce abundant fruit in your family, ministry, work, business, studies, relationships, and destiny. May your understanding increase, your faith grow stronger, and your life become a powerful testimony of what happens when God's Word is heard, believed, and obeyed. 📖 May you hear wisely. 🕊️ May you discern accurately. 🔥 May you obey faithfully. 🌱 May you grow continually. ✨ May your life bear much fruit. 🌟 “TAKE HEED WHAT YE HEAR.” — MARK 4:24. Good morning beloved and do have a blessed, discerning, fruitful, and spiritually enriching day🙏 Shalom! *Remember: Your confession is your possession.* *©️ Postulant C. O. Oyadosu.* _Please share with others, thank you and God bless you 🙏_ For counseling, prayers and partnership or you want to share your testimonies with us; please call or Whatsapp: +2348063128703 Or Email: clementoyadosu[gmail].com

TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS: MONITORING OUR CHILDREN IN THIS PERIOD OF AI Main Text: Proverbs 22:6; Proverbs 4:23; 1 Corinthians 15:33; Ephesians 5:15–16 Supporting Scriptures: Deuteronomy 6:6–7; Psalm 101:3; Philippians 4:8; Church, we are raising children in a generation where the greatest influence in a child's life may no longer be the person sitting beside them—it may be the device in their hand! A child can sit quietly in the living room while, through a smartphone, they are exposed to conversations, images, ideas, strangers, misinformation, pornography, violence, manipulation, and values that may be completely contrary to what their parents are teaching them. And now we have Artificial Intelligence—AI. AI can answer questions, write stories, create pictures, tutor students, translate languages, generate videos and help children learn. It can be an incredible tool. But every powerful tool must be accompanied by powerful wisdom. The question is not simply: «"Does my child use AI?"» The deeper question is: «"Who is shaping my child's mind, values, identity and worldview while they use AI?"» We cannot afford to be parents who know where our children sleep but do not know what is shaping their minds. 1. OUR CHILDREN ARE GOD'S RESPONSIBILITY ENTRUSTED TO US Proverbs 22: «"Train up a child in the way he should go..."» Notice that Scripture does not say, "Buy the child a phone and let the internet train them." It says, "Train up a child." Parenting is not merely providing food, clothing, education and accommodation. Parenting is spiritual stewardship. God has entrusted children to parents and guardians for a season. That means we must ask: - What are they watching? - What are they listening to? - Who are they talking to? - What questions are they asking AI? - What answers are they receiving? - What ideas are they beginning to believe? - What kind of people are influencing them online? Short Story Imagine a parent who carefully locks the physical doors of the house every night. The windows are secured. The gate is locked. The children are safe inside. But the same parent gives a child an unrestricted smartphone and never checks what is entering through that digital door. The physical door is locked, but the digital door is wide open. Church, monitoring our children is not necessarily an expression of distrust. It is an expression of responsibility. 2. MONITORING IS NOT THE SAME AS SPYING Some parents say: "I trust my child." That is good. But trust must grow alongside maturity. A five-year-old cannot be given the same level of independence as a seventeen-year-old. The Bible says: Proverbs 4:23 «"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."» If we are commanded to guard our hearts, we should also teach our children how to guard theirs. Monitoring should include: - knowing which apps they use; - understanding the AI tools they access; - discussing what they ask AI; - setting age-appropriate boundaries; - checking privacy settings; - teaching them not to share personal information; - teaching them that AI can be wrong; - teaching them to report disturbing content; - creating an environment where they can tell you what they encounter without fear. The goal is not merely control. The goal is protection, discipleship and preparation. 3. AI CAN BE A TOOL, BUT IT MUST NEVER BECOME A PARENT This is one of the deepest dangers of this generation. A child may begin asking AI questions they are afraid to ask their parents. "Why am I different?" "Why don't people like me?" "What should I do about this relationship?" "Am I ugly?" "What should I believe?" "Why does God allow suffering?" "Should I tell my parents this?" AI may produce an answer instantly. But instant answers are not the same thing as godly wisdom. A machine can generate information. A parent provides relationship. AI can imitate conversation. It cannot replace covenantal love, godly correction, spiritual discernment and the presence of a parent. Our children need to know: «"Before you ask the internet everything, you can come and talk to me."» If our children are afraid to talk to us, they will find somebody—or something—to talk to. 4. TEACH YOUR CHILDREN THAT AI IS NOT GOD This generation needs digital discernment. AI can sound confident and still be wrong. It can generate convincing information without possessing biblical wisdom. Therefore, our children must learn: AI is a tool, not an authority. The Bible says: 1 Thessalonians 5:21 «"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good."» And: Philippians 4:8 «"Whatsoever things are true... honest... just... pure... lovely... of good report... think on these things."» Teach your children to ask: Is it true? Is it biblical? Is it wise? Is it appropriate? What fruit will this produce in my life? This is the difference between merely raising technology users and raising discerning Christians. 5. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THERE IS A CRISIS Many parents only begin monitoring when something has already gone wrong. When grades collapse. When behavior changes. When secrecy increases. When the child becomes addicted to a device. When inappropriate content is discovered. When a relationship becomes dangerous. When the child begins withdrawing from family. Prevention is better than emergency intervention. Deuteronomy 6:6–7 teaches parents to speak God's Word to their children continually—in everyday life. That means discipleship should happen before the crisis. Talk about technology at the dinner table. Talk about online friendships. Talk about pornography. Talk about manipulation. Talk about AI. Talk about identity. Talk about truth. Talk about faith. Talk about temptation. If we make every difficult subject taboo, the internet will become their teacher. 6. MONITOR THEIR SCREEN, BUT ALSO MONITOR THEIR HEART This is where many parents miss the deeper issue. You can monitor screen time and still miss what is happening inside the child. A child may spend only one hour online but be deeply influenced by what they consumed. Therefore, don't only ask: "How long were you online?" Also ask: "What did you learn today?" "What did you see that confused you?" "Did anything online make you afraid?" "Did anyone say something to you that made you uncomfortable?" "What do you think about what you saw?" "What would Jesus say about that?" These questions open the heart. 7. PARENTS MUST BECOME DIGITALLY LITERATE Parents, we cannot say: "I don't understand technology." Our children are growing up in a technological environment. We don't need to know everything. But we must know enough to guide them. Learn the basics of: - AI chatbots; - social media platforms; - privacy settings; - parental controls; - deepfakes and manipulated media; - online scams; - inappropriate content; - AI-generated images and videos; - cyberbullying; - digital footprints. Don't surrender the digital world simply because it is unfamiliar. If our children are learning the technology, parents must learn enough to disciple them within it. 8. THE GREATEST FILTER IS NOT A PARENTAL CONTROL APP—IT IS CHARACTER. Technology can be restricted. But eventually, children grow up. They will have their own devices. They will leave home. They will make their own decisions. So our ultimate goal cannot be: "My child behaves well because I am watching." Our goal must be: "My child chooses what is right even when nobody is watching." That is discipleship. Psalm 101:3 says: «"I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes..."» Teach your children that holiness is not merely about avoiding punishment. Holiness is choosing what honors God. DEEP INSIGHT: THE BATTLE IS FOR THE MIND Church, understand this: The battle of this generation is not merely over devices. It is over attention. Whoever controls a person's attention repeatedly has tremendous influence over that person's thinking. Repeated thoughts shape beliefs. Beliefs influence choices. Choices establish habits. Habits shape character. And character influences destiny. Therefore, when we monitor what our children consume, we are not being unnecessarily strict. We are participating in the protection of their minds. Romans 12:2 says: «"Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind."» AI is not automatically evil. Technology is not automatically evil. But anything powerful without discernment can become destructive. The Christian response is not fear. The Christian response is wisdom. A POWERFUL ILLUSTRATION Imagine giving a child a car. The car is not evil. It can take them to school. It can take them to church. It can take them to the hospital. It can help them serve others. But would a responsible parent hand a young child the keys and say: "Go anywhere you want. I trust you." No. Why? Because power requires maturity. The same principle applies to technology. Access should increase as maturity increases. Freedom should be accompanied by responsibility. REFLECTION Parents, guardians, and the Church, let us examine ourselves. Ask yourself: 1. Do I know what my child does online? 2. Do I know which AI tools my child uses? 3. Have I taught my child how to distinguish truth from misinformation? 4. Can my child talk to me about uncomfortable online experiences? 5. Have I created reasonable digital boundaries in my home? 6. Am I monitoring my child's heart, not just their device? 7. Am I modelling responsible technology use myself? 8. Am I teaching my child God's Word strongly enough that they can stand when I am not there? And perhaps the most important question: «If the world is discipling my child every day through technology, what am I doing every day to disciple my child through God's Word?» THE MESSAGE TO PARENTS Don't be afraid of AI. Understand it. Don't worship technology. Use it wisely. Don't abandon your children to the internet. Walk with them. Don't merely restrict them. Teach them. Don't only monitor their screens. Disciple their hearts. Don't wait for tomorrow. Start today. Because the goal is not to raise children who are technologically backward. The goal is to raise children who are technologically capable, spiritually grounded, morally discerning and deeply rooted in Christ. CLOSING CHARGE Proverbs 22:6 reminds us: «"Train up a child in the way he should go..."» Parents, the world is already training our children. Social media is training them. Entertainment is training them. Algorithms are training them. Friends are training them. And AI can influence them. But God has given parents the assignment of training them too. So let us rise to the responsibility. Let us monitor with wisdom. Let us communicate with love. Let us establish boundaries. Let us learn technology. Let us teach discernment. Let us pray. And above everything else— let us point our children to Jesus Christ. Because technology may shape their environment, but Christ must shape their identity. PRAYER POINTS 1. Prayer for Wisdom Father, give us wisdom to raise our children in this rapidly changing technological generation. Help us know when to permit, when to restrict, when to correct and when to guide, in Jesus' name. Amen. 2. Prayer for Protection Lord, protect our children from harmful content, dangerous relationships, manipulation, exploitation, pornography, cyberbullying and every destructive influence that may come through technology. Amen. 3. Prayer for Discernment Father, give our children the spirit of discernment. Let them recognize deception and distinguish truth from error. Let them not believe everything they see, hear or receive from AI and the internet. Amen. 4. Prayer for Strong Christian Identity Lord Jesus, establish our children in You. Let their identity not be determined by social media, artificial intelligence, peer pressure or worldly standards. Let them know that they are fearfully and wonderfully made by You. Amen. 5. Prayer for Parents Father, strengthen parents and guardians. Give us patience, understanding, courage and wisdom. Help us not to be careless with the souls You have entrusted to us. Amen. 6. Prayer for Communication Lord, make our homes places where children can speak openly without fear. Remove unhealthy secrecy and build trust between parents and children. Amen. 7. Prayer for Digital Wisdom Father, teach our children to use technology for learning, creativity, service and the advancement of Your Kingdom rather than for destruction. Amen. 8. Prayer Against Negative Influence Every influence seeking to pull our children away from Christ, lose your hold, in the name of Jesus. Every voice contrary to God's purpose for their lives, be silenced, in Jesus' name. Amen. 9. Prayer for the Church Lord, help the Church understand this generation and respond with wisdom. Raise Christian parents, teachers, mentors and leaders who will guide young people according to Your Word. Amen. 10. Prayer of Dedication Father, we dedicate our children afresh to You. May they grow in wisdom, stature, favor and the knowledge of Jesus Christ. May technology serve them rather than enslave them. May their minds be guarded, their hearts be pure, their purpose be preserved and their lives bring glory to Your name. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen. FINAL DECLARATION I declare over every child: You will not be a victim of this generation. You will not be controlled by technology. You will not be deceived by falsehood. You will not lose your identity. You will not be destroyed by the influences of this age. Your mind belongs to Christ. Your purpose belongs to God. Your future is in His hands. You will grow in wisdom. You will walk in truth. You will discern good from evil. You will use technology wisely. And in this generation of AI, you will still know, love and serve Jesus Christ! In Jesus' mighty name. Amen! "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." — Joshua 24:15 If you have not given your life to Jesus kindly do so by joining a Bible believing Church. You can get inspirational ebooks from my sela shops below https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1 https://selar.com/m/umoedem https://www.amazon.com/author/umohedembooks

Your environment has a powerful influence on your growth. The people around you, the conversations you entertain, the content you consume, and the spaces you spend time in can either strengthen your spirit, soul, and body or pull you away from growth. In this episode of Growth Academy, discover how to protect your mind, choose your influences wisely, and intentionally build an environment that supports the person you are becoming. In this episode, you'll learn: • How your environment influences your thinking and behavior • Why the people around you matter • How to protect your mind from negative influences • How to create an environment that supports growth • Why protecting your purpose requires intentional choices Continue your growth journey: Explore more resources, connect with us, and access all our platforms through: (https://linktr.ee/coachgrowth) Share this episode with someone who is ready to grow. Stay aligned. Stay consistent. Stay growing. #GrowthAcademy 🌱#CoachGrowth ❤️‍🔥 #PersonalGrowth #SpiritualGrowth #Mindset #Purpose #Discipline #SelfDevelopment #StayGrowing https://open.spotify.com/episode/5z7g9W59gIOpnfVHeWlih2

Good evening to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you. Catawampus. That is my word of the day. Catawampus. It is a beautifully weird word that can be used in a myriad of ways to describe the perfect blend of chaos and dumbness in any given situation. The definition actually is: going badly, awkwardly, or in the wrong direction. Most Mondays are, by definition, catawampus. As you read from last night’s post, mine was extremely catawampus. Today tried to slide sideways but quickly smoothed out. Another vibrant way to describe something going haywire is “off-kilter”. The actual definition of this word is: out of balance. So, if your catawampus is off-kilter … is that good or bad? The purpose of this paper today is to make you laugh with the playfulness of words. We make up words every day depending on how our brains and mouths communicate. Sometimes real words come out; sometimes weird syllables that formulate a weird concoction of letters into a word come out. Most of those situations result in gut-filled laughter and a sense of relief because of the guffaw. What if we approached our off-kilter moments in life in the same manner? Throwing off the stress of the catawampus event and finding the hilarity in the guffaw. If we look, most any stressful situation can find some humor or light, even if it is deemed ‘inappropriate’. Such as, a friend of mine had a falling-out with their dad. They got sick, and when asked if the dad had been notified, I was promptly told no. For whatever the reason, I simply stated that had they called the dad, my friend may have just died on the table, to prove the point that they did not want to speak to him. Dark humor, yes. Somewhat funny in the moment, yes. Appropriate, not really. However, the levity of looking at something bad in a light that can bring a smile … totally worth it. A business deal is heating up. Everyone involved is losing patience. Someone sneezes softly. Another person belts out, “No need to bring in biological warfare.” Inappropriate, yes. Funny, yes. Mowing the yard with my borrowed mower, I missed a stump. Yes, a stump. Did not know or see it there. When the mower locked up and stopped mowing, instantly I saw my retirement check fly out the window. This mower was in my care; I was not careful enough, and instant panic set in … when explaining to the owner, he laughed and said he would like small bills. (FYI the mower was fixable) There are going to be times in life when the situation or circumstance is not good. It is the habit that we have formed to always go dark and negative. That is fine if you only stay there for the moment, but immediately you should be searching for the bright side, the humor, the sarcastic satire. Something that shows you, in your heart, that God is in control and it will all work itself out. Catawampus and off-kilter moments are a part of life. Do not allow them to remain permanent residents in your lane; find that inappropriate giggle line, and give it back to God. You will find that it helps alleviate your stress level and replace it with His love. Be blessed. **Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. – Colossians 3:2

People want the law. It's natural for us. It just seems, to our reasoning, that we need it. We think it might be good for us. We think it's a good medicine. Legalism seems like a pill we should take, but the law is a big pill. In fact, it's too big for us to swallow. "Oh well," our logic comes up with the solution, "I know. I'll cut it up into smaller pieces. Pieces that will still be good for me, but pieces I'm able to take." So, religious people sliced and diced the law up in their pill cutter-like brains and came up with sections that they labeled "civil law," "ceremonial law" and "moral law." God gave the law. All 613 commandments. It was people who cut it up. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘄 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. 𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗽. Even the most legalistic people though think that they don't have to take the ceremonial lump. To them, all they need is the moral part. It only has ten commandments, after all. Oh, maybe they sort through the bigger pieces they sliced off and pick out some other small bits they can take off of one of the big chunks. Some think that they should still abide by the dietary laws, and they decide that they shouldn't eat "unclean foods." Some think they should still honor feast days. Some cut off a little of the regulations for daily living as something they can swallow. The pill of the law brings with it some negative side effects. It causes bitterness and divisiveness and pride. People on the pill of the law can be angry and out of their mouths comes vitriol and disgust, especially to those that disagree with their doctrine. I’m left wondering … where is the fruit of the Spirit demonstrated here? Where at least is Christian love and compassion? Praise God we believers are free and no longer burdened like those under the law. The weight of their own guilt and condemnation causes them to be disgruntled, angry, hostile, and unable to show the love that believers ought to demonstrate. You see? If you're going to take the pill, you need the entire dose... not smaller, more palitable, easier to take sections. If you even miss one crumb of it, you are completely in the wrong and will experience the negative side effects.

Good evening to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you. Today was nothing like I had imagined it would be. Mind you, we did not really have any ‘plans’ for today with the exception of taking the dog to the vet and me helping my brother on the computer. The rest of the day really was not accounted for. HOWEVER … leave it to us to figure out a way to fill out a day without even trying. Started with hubs getting sick last night and I ended up taking the dog to the vet. Missed my turn and had to turn around on a busy highway. On the way home, I was not really in a hurry, just driving and when I pulled up to the house, there was a random car in my driveway… no clue who or why … except it was my brother … right on time. Brain fart 101. Totally forgot he was coming, even though my stepson and I had just discussed it. Get inside to help my brother in a computer/tech assistant nightmare for his new job. 2.5 hours later, we think we figured it out. In the middle of that, we get a notice that hubs needs blood work before his appointment tomorrow…we forgot. No worries, plan to go to the new park on the west side, drop kids off, go to get blood work, pick up lunch, have a picnic in the park, then go home after playing. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. What a funny plan. Dropped kids off, no problem. Get to the lab; they were closed. Then they opened the doors, only to tell us that they were still closed. Stopped and got lunch for the kids, drove to the lab’s second office. Get to that lab only to be told, sorry can’t help you; go to the hospital. By now, hubs is starving … haha … go get a sandwich, then the hospital; he gets labs, and I get a cold sandwich. While at the hospital, get notified that the dog is ready to be picked up … the vet is in the opposite direction of the park, and then meds need to be picked up also; fortunately meds and vet are in the same town. By now it is going on 3 p.m.; no time to go back and play at the park. A completely full day…but wait…I am not done yet; we get home and because it is supposed to rain tomorrow…take advantage of the good day and mow. Finish mowing at 9 pm. All of this because I did not make plans. Haha. But … with all that chaos and nonsense that went along with the chaos, there were plenty of laughs, a few arguments, some severe rolling of the eyes and lots of blessings. Even with the chaos, things got done respectfully; kids got to go to their favorite park and have McDonald's, the dog is now talon-free and clean and we got notified that our appointment was moved up by half an hour. All positives. Just because something does not roll down the hill the way that you think it will or should, does not make it bad or a negative. There were plenty of negative aspects to today, but not one of them overshadowed a millimeter of the positives. Each day we have a choice to make: see the positive or see the negative. If you see the positive, it is a great day; if you see the negative, you have a choice … focus on the negative or look for a positive in or from the negative. If you focus on the negative, you will have a bad day; however, if you look for a positive within the negative or because of the negative, you will have a good day. As you prepare for bed tonight, I urge you to look back on your day and see what kind of day you think you had. Look at each component and how many negatives come to mind first…then how many positives? If you are seeing the negatives over the positives, try realigning your sights so that the positives come to mind first. It makes for a much more peaceful mindset. I will confess that it takes some time and practice, but it can be done. Be blessed and good night. **You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. – Matthew 5:14-15

THE POWER OF THE TONGUE Speak Life • Guard Your Words ANCHOR SCRIPTURE Proverbs 21:23 (KJV) “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.” 1. WORDS HAVE POWER Your words can build or destroy, encourage or hurt, heal or discourage. Think before you speak. 2. GUARD YOUR MOUTH Avoid: Gossip • Lies • Insults • Anger • Negative declarations Proverbs 18:21 (KJV) “Death and life are in the power of the tongue...” 3. SPEAK TO BUILD Ephesians 4:29 (KJV) “...that which is good to the use of edifying...” Before you speak, ask: Is it true? Is it necessary? Will it build? 4. CONTROL YOUR TONGUE When angry—pause. When hurt—don't speak from the wound. When blessed—give thanks. 5. SPEAK FAITH, NOT DEFEAT Don't keep saying: “I can't.” “I'm finished.” Say: “God is my strength.” “I will not give up." “God is with me.” Faith-filled words don't deny reality; they refuse to surrender to defeat. KEY LESSON 1. Think before speaking. 2. Guard your tongue. 3. Speak truth. 4. Build others. 5. Control your anger. 6. Speak life. FINAL CHARGE Your tongue is small, but its impact is great. Don't use your mouth to destroy what you are praying for. Speak wisely. Speak graciously. Speak life. PRAYER Father, help me to control my tongue and use my words wisely. Let my words bring encouragement, healing and hope. Keep me from destructive speech, and let everything I say honour You. In Jesus' name, Amen. Prepared by Rev. Frank Fabian Aidoo +233544295158

God can use dreams for many purposes. Here are four biblical ways He speaks through them. 1 –God Can Impart Through Dreams In 1 Kings 3:5–12, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and invited him to ask for whatever he desired. Solomon asked for an understanding heart so that he could lead God’s people well and distinguish between right and wrong. The Lord was pleased with his request and gave him extraordinary wisdom. Solomon did not merely dream about God—he encountered God in his dream. What happened while he slept resulted in a genuine impartation that affected his waking life. There have been times when I sensed the Holy Spirit’s presence intensely in a dream and then awakened with that same sense of His presence in the room. A dream can become a genuine place of encounter. God can impart wisdom, courage, direction, or spiritual strength through it. 2 –God Can Reveal the Future Through Dreams Genesis 41 records Pharaoh’s troubling dreams and Joseph’s God-given interpretation. The dreams revealed that seven years of prosperity would be followed by seven years of famine. Because God revealed what was coming, Egypt was able to prepare. God can reveal future events through dreams. Sometimes, He may show you something before it happens; at other times, He may confirm what He has already been speaking to your heart. Years ago, at about age ten, I had a dream in which I saw an old man carrying a load in a "Ghana Must Go" bag. I took the load from the old man and walked with him for a distance. At a point , he asked me to put the load down, and when I did, he opened the bag; it was full of Bibles. He gave me one of them and told me to cherish it. He then said he could carry on from that point. He moved a distance away and vanished into thin air. In another dream at a different time, I was given Genesis 17:1–4. In a third dream, a well-built man in a white robe came to me and gave me a briefcase, telling me to guard it well, as everything in it was for me. I opened it and found a Bible and a white handkerchief with a dove drawn at the center, inscribed with the words "Holy Spirit." When I shared these dreams, I was told God would use me. Since then, God has used dreams to show me what lies ahead, what is present, and even what is in the past that needs to be unraveled. 3 –God Can Reveal Important Information After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him it was safe to return to Israel with Mary and Jesus (Matthew 2:19–20). The dream provided the information Joseph needed for a decision in that moment. Daniel also declared, “But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future” (Daniel 2:28, NLT). The Holy Spirit may reveal a missing piece of information, bring clarity to something you have been sensing, or expose a matter that needs prayer. But dreams must never make you paranoid or suspicious of everyone around you. Do not make accusations or major decisions based on a dream alone. Remain discerning, levelheaded, prayerful, and submitted to Scripture. 4 –God Can Warn Through Dreams God may use a dream to warn you about physical danger, spiritual attack, a damaging decision, or a difficult season ahead. Sometimes a warning calls you to act; other times, it simply calls you to pray and prepare. In Genesis 15:12–14, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a terrifying darkness came over him. God warned him that his descendants would be oppressed for 400 years, but He also promised to judge the nation that enslaved them and bring His people out with great wealth. This passage corrects a common misconception: a dream from God will not always feel pleasant. A warning may produce a serious or even troubling emotional response. The presence of a negative emotion does not automatically prove that a dream is not from God. The more important questions are whether the message agrees with Scripture and whether it ultimately leads you toward faith, obedience, prayer, and redemption. God bless you!

Amazing Facts. Daily Devotionals How do you help people who have had negative experiences with the church? August 17th, 2026 In Luke chapter 15, Jesus tells a parable about a missing sheep. In the story, the shepherd searches relentlessly until he finds it. Then he lays it on his shoulders and lovingly carries it back home. The Lord wants us to follow His example and send out search parties to look for the lost sheep among us. These missing sheep are our neighbors, friends, and family who have wandered away from the flock. Here are some specific ways you can help someone who has left the church: First, pray for them. God promises, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). Prayer is powerful. Invite them back! The biggest issue facing former members is how to reconnect with the church. They could be waiting for the invitation, so you can be the one to help them find a path back. In some cases, a friendly phone call or visit might be all that is needed. Remember to treat missing members the way you would want to be treated. Offer a warm, no-pressure invitation. Be loving and nonjudgmental, and leave room for the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts. We should also “receive one another, just as Christ received us” (Romans 15:7). Be prepared to receive with open arms those who return, as the father received the prodigal son (Luke 15:20). The shepherd in Jesus’ story called his friends and neighbors in for a celebration. He told them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!” At the end of the parable, Jesus says, “There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7). Shouldn’t we feel the same way? Imagine how a person would feel if the entire church turned out to celebrate their return! Key Bible Texts And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. (Isaiah 58:12 KJV)

When evil thoughts comes in quickly start to meditate on Gods word. Dont entertain the negative thoughts, replace them with God's word, promises. You will prosper in everything you do! stay in faith.