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.

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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.

SPEAKING HIS MIND......

A Wake-Up Call to Every Believer

By Apostle Jeremiah Nyamvura

Scripture Reading: Revelation 3:14-22

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." — Revelation 3:22

DEVOTION: WHEN GOD SPEAKS, THE CHURCH MUST LISTEN

There are moments in history when God does not only want to comfort His people; He wants to correct, awaken, and redirect them. We are living in days where many voices are competing for the attention of believers — the voice of culture, the voice of human wisdom, the voice of materialism, and the voice of personal desires. Yet above all these voices, there is still a voice that must be heard: the voice of God.

God is speaking His mind in these days.

He is calling His people back to prayer.
He is calling His people back to holiness.
He is calling His people back to truth.
He is calling His people back to a genuine relationship with Him.

The greatest danger facing believers today is not only persecution from outside the church, but spiritual blindness within the church. A person can be surrounded by spiritual activities and still lose sensitivity to the voice of God.

Jesus warned the church of Laodicea that they had become lukewarm. They thought they were rich, successful, and in need of nothing, but spiritually they were poor, blind, and naked. This is a powerful warning for our generation: we must never measure spiritual health by outward appearance, popularity, wealth, or human approval.

God is looking for hearts that are surrendered.

A CALL TO WAKE UP

Romans 13:11 says:

"It is time to wake up from your sleep, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed."

This is a divine alarm ringing over the body of Christ. Many believers have become comfortable when they should be watchful. Many have become distracted when they should be focused. Many have become silent when they should be declaring the truth of God.

The enemy does not always destroy faith through open attacks; sometimes he destroys faith through gradual compromise. Little by little, prayer becomes less important. The Word of God becomes less valued. Sin becomes acceptable. The fear of God becomes forgotten.

But today, God is calling His people to arise.

GOD IS RESTORING TRUE WORSHIP

The days we are living in require believers who do not only speak about God but walk with God.

God is not impressed by religious performance without obedience. He is not looking for crowds without commitment. He is not looking for people who only seek His blessings but refuse His correction.

True worship begins when our hearts are completely surrendered to Him.

Jesus said in John 4:23:

"The true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth."

The world needs believers who carry the presence of God. Families need believers who demonstrate Christ-like character. Communities need believers who are examples of righteousness and love.

DO NOT LOSE YOUR SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT

In Matthew 24:24, Jesus warned that deception would increase in the last days. This means every believer must grow in spiritual maturity and discernment.

Not everything that looks spiritual is from God.
Not every voice that mentions God represents God.
Not every opportunity is a divine opportunity.

We must return to the Word of God, because the Word gives us direction, correction, and protection.

A MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH TODAY

Beloved believer, this is the hour to examine your heart.

Ask yourself:

- Am I still passionate about the things of God?
- Has my love for Christ grown stronger or weaker?
- Am I seeking God or only seeking what God can give me?
- Am I living as a light in a dark world?

God is not calling us to fear the days ahead; He is calling us to prepare for them.

A prepared believer will not be shaken by confusion.
A praying believer will not be overcome by fear.
A believer rooted in Christ will stand when everything else is changing.

PRAYER

Father, open our spiritual ears so that we may hear Your voice clearly. Remove every distraction that has taken our attention away from You. Restore our hunger for Your Word, our passion for prayer, and our desire for holiness.

Help us to be faithful witnesses in these last days. Let our lives reflect Christ wherever we go. Wake up Your church and prepare us for the coming of Your Kingdom.

In Jesus Christ's name, Amen.

"The greatest need of this generation is not more noise; it is a people who can hear the voice of God."

— Apostle Jeremiah Nyamvura- Voice in the Wilderness @ Pointing you to Jesus Christ.
+263 772 808 580

Homebase Sunday School Pakistan: We are soul winners. We are hope carriers. We are the generation called to proclaim Jesus Christ to many! . Let us raise a generation of children who are bold in faith, passionate about Jesus, and ready to reach others with the Gospel. Apostle Randall Mitchell

This is a resource for all us believers to use as a way to start conversations with people who need Jesus. Please read and consider how YOU can use it to fulfill Mark 16:15. Thanks.
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NEW PODCAST ALERT

In this episode, we’re talking with Kristen Miele, founder of Sex Ed Reclaimed and a passionate voice for healthy, faith-filled conversations around sexuality.

Visit us online: www.sexedreclaimed.com

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DAILY LEADERSHIP BOOST (DLB)

THURSDAY, 20 AUGUST 2026

HE IS COMING LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT

“For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” 1 Thessalonians 5:2 KJV

Leaders, there is no announcement date on heaven’s calendar.
Jesus is coming like a thief in the night. Sudden. Unexpected. Without warning to the world.

Peter said the day of the Lord will come “as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat.”_ 2 Peter 3:10. That means this world as we know it will end abruptly. And every leader will give account. Romans 14:12 “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”

This truth is not given to scare us. It is given to sober us.
Because when a thief is expected, the wise owner stays awake. Luke 12:39-40 - “And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched... Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.”

The danger for leaders is not unbelief. It is slumber. It is doing Kingdom work with a casual heart. It is building with wood, hay and stubble because we assume we have time. 1 Corinthians 3:13. But the day is approaching like a thief, and it will test every work.

So how do we live when the coming is sudden?

Walk in constant readiness. Not fear, but readiness. Keep short accounts with God. Confess quickly. Forgive quickly. Walk in the light. 1 John 1:7. Let your lamp be full of oil. Matthew 25:4. A thief does not wait for you to get ready. He meets you as you are.

Guard your heart against surprise and sin. The reason people are caught off guard is because they are distracted. Luke 21:34 _“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”_ Watch what you watch. Watch what you feed on. Watch who you follow. A thief enters through open doors.

Stay faithful in your assignment. The faithful servant is the one found _“so doing”_ when the master returns. Matthew 24:46. Keep preaching. Keep serving. Keep praying. Keep building people. Don’t drop your post because the night is long. The trumpet could sound on an ordinary Thursday.

Leaders, our people are watching us. If we are careless, they will be careless. If we are awake, they will be awake. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that day should overtake you as a thief... Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”

We don’t know the day or the hour. Matthew 24:36. But we do know the Master. And He said He is coming. So we live every day like it could be today.

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Prayer For Today
Father, thank You for the warning in Your word. I refuse to be caught sleeping. Wake my spirit. Purify my heart. Help me to walk in readiness every day. Keep me faithful in my assignment, sober in my walk, and passionate for souls. Let the day of the Lord not overtake me as a thief. Prepare me and prepare the people You have given me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today's Declaration
The Lord is coming like a thief in the night and I am ready. I walk in the light. I keep my lamp full. I am faithful in my assignment. I watch and I pray. I will not be overtaken by darkness.

Bible Reading Plan
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 24:42-51, Luke 12:35-40, 2 Peter 3:8-14, Revelation 16:15, Mark 13:32-37

Today’s Action
Leaders, do a “thief audit” today. Ask: “If Jesus came tonight, what would I regret?” Deal with it now. Repent, reconcile, or reset.
Then check one area of your life or ministry that has become casual. Tighten it. Set the standard again.
Teach your team: We don’t live in fear of His coming. We live in faithfulness because of His coming.
Remember: A thief comes without notice. So we live every day with notice in our spirit.

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THE DANGER OF THE CHURCH: REPLACING GOD’S PRESENCE WITH PROGRAMS

Perhaps this is one of the greatest warnings for the Church today. We can become so passionate about the activities of God that we eventually neglect the God of those activities.

We can have:

* prayer programs
* all-night prayer meetings
* conferences
* retreats
* crusades
* church services
* concerts
* evangelistic campaigns
* and much more…

and yet gradually lose our hunger for God.

The program is not bad. But the program must never replace God’s presence.

The Early Church was not simply looking for ways to organize meetings. They were seeking to live with Christ.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.Acts 2:42

And the result?

And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2:47

Notice the order:God transforms people, and then God adds people.

We must therefore ask ourselves:Are we truly seeking the growth of the Church, or are we simply seeking the growth of our gatherings?

LEARN TO EXAMINE THE FOUNDATIONS

Acts 19:40 ultimately pushes us to ask an essential question:What is the foundation of all this?

Test everything. Hold on to what is good.
1 Thessalonians 5:21

A mature believer does not follow blindly.

🏽 *They examine.

🏽 They discern.

🏽They pray.

🏽 They verify.

Then they act.

🏽 Before sharing information, ask: Is it true?

🏽 Before following a movement: Is it biblical?

🏽 Before joining a cause: What are its motives?

🏽 Before accepting a manifestation as coming from God: What fruit does it produce?

🏽 Before seeking an experience: Does it truly draw me closer to Jesus?

Because our ultimate reference should never be an experience.

Our ultimate reference must be the Word of God.

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