A Nugget of Truth.
The most life-changing decisions don't always begin with a major event. Sometimes they start with a whisper, a seemingly harmless idea, or a voice presenting error as the best path. This is what happened to Eve in the Garden of Eden.

The serpent didn't resort to force or reveal its true intentions from the start. It approached with carefully chosen words, sowing doubt about what God had said. Little by little, deception made what was forbidden seem desirable. What began as a conversation ended up becoming a decision that changed the course of human history.

The story of Eve reminds us that deception rarely presents itself openly. It often takes on a convincing appearance, offering paths that seem good while concealing consequences that aren't immediately apparent. That's why the Bible emphasizes the importance of remaining attentive to God's truth, which stands firm above any voice that tries to distort it.

Eve's story remains an invitation to value the wisdom that comes from the Lord and to recognize that His Word continues to be a sure guide in a world where many ideas seek to take the place of truth.

"And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes... she took of its fruit and ate." — Genesis 3:6

Eve's story reminds us that discernment begins when God's truth stands above any appearance.

YOU ARE MORE THAN A CONQUEROR
Key Scriptures: Romans 8:37; 1 John 5:4; Philippians 4:13
Life can throw some tough battles, challenges, and opposition your way, but as a believer in Christ, remember this: you’re not fighting for victory—you’re fighting from a place of victory. Your identity isn’t that of a victim; you’re a victor because Jesus Christ has already triumphed over sin, death, and the forces of darkness. The Bible confidently states, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us" (Romans 8:37). No matter what you’re up against today, the power of God within you is far greater than any obstacle in your path.
Throughout the Scriptures, we see how God granted ordinary people extraordinary victories simply because they placed their trust in Him. Take David, for instance—he took down Goliath with unwavering confidence in the name of the Lord (1 Samuel 17:45–50). Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land because God was right there with him (Joshua 1:5–9). And then there’s Paul, who faced persecution, imprisonment, and all sorts of hardships, yet he remained steadfast because Christ was his strength (2 Corinthians 11:23–28; Philippians 4:13). Their victories weren’t about their own skills; they were all about God’s faithfulness and power working through them.
Whatever battle you’re facing today, don’t give in to fear or discouragement. "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world" (1 John 5:4). The same God who granted victories to His servants in the past is fighting for you right now. Stand firm in your faith, keep trusting in His promises, and move forward with confidence. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13). You are more than a conqueror—not because of your own strength, but because Christ lives in you. Your victory is assured, your future is bright, and your greatest triumph is still on the horizon.
REV. ISHMAEL ASARE BAKAE

lord God I rest my peace to your will.let your will be done in my
life.straighten my path and grant my hearts desires

Commit your plans to God, and trust Him to establish your path.

Share this with someone who needs encouragement to surrender their plans to God.

#Proverbs163 #CommitToGod #TrustGod #GodsGuidance #SurrenderToGod #GodsPlan #FaithInAction #FaithInChrist #ChristianLiving #Lordsbook

Matthew 20:29-34

Sometimes the accounts of healings have one detail that makes us question everything. Here it is His question.

“What do you want Me to do for You?”

Now you would think this question had an obvious answer. It was two blind men calling out to Jesus so loudly the crowd was telling them to shut up. So he turns with this question. Did He Not know?

No. Jesus is wanting them to voice it. They wanted to see. Their only hope of that happening was for Him to notice them and heal them. So they called out, then answered his question. You see, they wanted the healing, but it's at this point in ministry that Jesus has watched the newly healed turn from, Him without an ounce of gratitude.

And now here's two more. Do they desire healing? Or is their concern more eternal in nature? Were these two going to thank Him for the healing or just walk away? Remember the healing of the cripple who was lowered from the rooftop into a house.

That's when Jesus told him that his sins were forgiven before healing him. The more urgent matter for Jesus was this man's soul. When we come before the Lord, we pray for what we desire, not always necessarily what we need.
Do not forget that these men and women allowed their handicap to be their occupation for a lifetime.

Many were aware of the healing happening, few when asked address their need for forgiveness of sin. Jesus asks because the healing led to other issues. These grown adults were incapable of following a traditional career path. They would have to find a way to sustain their existence without relying on begging. And this would cause a financial issue for them.

So what kind of fool would possibly begin to resent being made well? Keep in mind that many of those who were screaming for excitement at the healing were some of the same people who remained silent when Jesus was being crucified.

We do the same thing today when we pray for temporary results. Our prayers should reflect more concern for the people's eternal consequences than for earthly temporal results.

Friday we will interrupt the study on Matthew for a special lesson on the madness occurring today. Be here for “This is Baphomet.”


[29] As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him. [30] And two people who were blind, sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” [31] But the crowd sternly warned them to be quiet; yet they cried out all the more, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” [32] And Jesus stopped and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” [33] They *said to Him, “Lord, we want our eyes to be opened.” [34] Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.

Gods Creation,100 / evolution,0
THE BEETLE THAT NAVIGATES BY THE STARS

Most people would never look twice at a dung beetle. After all, it spends its day rolling balls of animal manure across the ground. Yet hidden inside this tiny insect is a navigation system that continues to amaze scientists.

Dung beetles depend on manure for survival. Many species shape it into a ball and roll it away from the competition before burying it underground as a food source. That sounds simple enough until you realize how they do it.

The beetles push the dung ball backward using their hind legs. Their heads face downward toward the ground. They cannot see where they are going. Yet somehow they travel in remarkably straight lines, avoiding competitors and efficiently reaching their destination.

How do they do this?

Scientists have discovered that dung beetles use the sun as a compass during the day. When the sun is hidden by clouds or directly overhead, they can switch to using wind direction. But one species, the African dung beetle Scarabaeus satyrus, takes things even further.

It navigates by the night sky.

Researchers found that these beetles can orient themselves using the polarized light of the moon and even the faint glow of the Milky Way. Think about that for a moment. A tiny insect, pushing a ball of dung backward across the African landscape, is using the stars to guide its path.

The obvious question is how such a system came to exist.

Evolutionists often argue that the beetle's behavior provides a survival advantage because it helps avoid conflicts with competing beetles. But identifying a benefit is not the same as explaining the origin of the system. Saying a trait is useful does not explain how an insect acquired the ability to process information from the sun, moon, wind, and stars and convert it into successful navigation.

A navigation system requires more than a benefit. It requires sensors, processing mechanisms, behavioral programming, and precise coordination between all of those components.

And the wonders do not stop there.

Dung beetles play an important role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. By burying manure, they recycle nutrients back into the soil. Studies have shown that their activity can increase soil water retention by around 10 percent and dramatically improve plant growth by 280 % during drought conditions. In other words, these tiny insects are helping entire ecosystems thrive.

Australia learned this lesson firsthand.

When millions of cattle were introduced, bush fly populations exploded because the insects bred in the enormous quantities of cow dung scattered across the landscape. Beginning in the 1960s, scientists imported specialized dung beetle species from overseas. The results were extraordinary. Fly numbers dropped by approximately 90 percent as the beetles efficiently buried the manure before the flies could use it.

What many people dismiss as a dirty little insect turned out to be one of the most effective environmental workers on the continent.

The dung beetle reminds us that design is often found in the most unexpected places. Hidden beneath its humble appearance is a sophisticated navigation system capable of using the sun, wind, moon, and even the Milky Way. It performs ecological services that benefit entire landscapes while carrying out tasks most people never notice.

The next time you see a dung beetle, remember that you are looking at far more than an insect rolling a ball of waste. You are looking at a tiny creature equipped with abilities that human engineers still struggle to fully understand.

"O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures." Psalm 104:24

GRACE FOR THE JOURNEY
You Will Not Finish the Journey by Your Strength Alone
Key Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 12:9; Isaiah 40:31; Psalm 23:4; Philippians 1:6
Life is truly a journey, filled with all sorts of seasons—those high peaks and deep valleys, moments of triumph and times of struggle, fresh starts and bittersweet goodbyes. While God doesn’t guarantee that the path will always be smooth, He does promise that His grace will be more than enough for every step you take. When you feel like you’ve hit a wall and can’t go on, it’s in those moments that God’s grace becomes your lifeline. Paul learned this powerful lesson when God reassured him, saying, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9).
There will be times when you might wonder how you’ll get through, but you’ll find that God provides grace one day at a time. Just like the Israelites received their daily manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16:4–5), or how Elijah was given supernatural strength when he was at his lowest (1 Kings 19:5–8). David found his courage in God’s presence while navigating through the valley (Psalm 23:4). God may not lay out everything you’ll need for the next decade right now, but He will certainly equip you with enough grace for today’s challenges, today’s battles, and today’s journey.
Remember, it’s not helpful to compare your journey with someone else’s. Each person has their own unique timeline and purpose. Some seasons will call for patience, while others will demand courage. Some doors will swing open quickly, while others will require you to wait a little longer. But no matter what season you find yourself in, God’s grace is already there waiting for you. Isaiah 40:31 beautifully reminds us that those who wait on the Lord will have their strength renewed. When you’re feeling weak, He’ll lift you up. When you’re feeling lost, He’ll be your guide. And when you stumble, He’ll be right there to help you Keep moving forward. You might not grasp everything that’s happening along the way, but trust in the One who knows where you’re headed. Philippians 1:6 reminds us that the God who started a good work in you will see it through to the end. The path may take longer than you anticipated, but you won’t be walking it alone. Grace will be your support, grace will empower you, grace will guide you, grace will uplift you, and grace will safely lead you to your destination.
Closing Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the grace that has brought us this far. When we feel weak, be our strength. When we’re feeling down, restore our hope. When we’re lost, direct our steps. Provide us with the grace we need for every challenge and task ahead.
Lord, help us to stay strong on this journey. Grant us patience in times of waiting, courage when we need to stand firm, wisdom for our decisions, and faith when the future seems unclear.
We declare that we will persevere. Your grace is more than enough for us. We will keep walking, trusting, believing, and following You until we reach all that You have in store for us.
Grace for today. Grace for tomorrow. Grace for every step. Grace for the whole journey. In the powerful name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

August 20
“WHO GOD IS TO ME”
MY LIGHT
Psalm 27:1 (LLV) —
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Fear
often grows
in darkness.
When we cannot see
what lies
ahead.
When we do not know
what tomorrow
will bring.
When the path
that once seemed clear
suddenly
becomes uncertain.
David knew
those moments.
He knew
what it was
to have enemies.
To face danger.
To wonder
what might happen
next.
Yet David
does not begin
this psalm
by describing
what frightened him.
He begins
by describing
his God.
“The LORD
is my light.”
Light
does not always
show us
the entire road.
Sometimes
it gives us
only enough
to see
the next step.
But that
is enough.
Because our confidence
is not
in how far
we can see.
Our confidence
is in
the One
who sees
everything.
Then David says:
“My salvation.”
The God
who shows
the way
is also
the God
who saves.
And then:
“The strength
of my life.”
God does not
merely stand
at a distance
and point us
toward safety.
He becomes
our strength
along the way.
Then David asks:
“Whom
shall I fear?”
Notice
that he does not say
there is nothing
frightening
in the world.
There certainly was
in David's world.
And there certainly is
in ours.
Faith
does not pretend
danger
doesn't exist.
Faith remembers
that danger
does not get
the final word.
Fear says,
“Look at
what might happen.”
Faith answers,
“Look at
who God is.”
When darkness
surrounds us,
He is
my Light.
When I need
rescuing,
He is
my Salvation.
When I feel
weak,
He is
the Strength
of my life.
Perhaps
we do not need
to know
everything
tomorrow holds.
We only need
enough light
for today.
And we know
the One
who provides it.
A new beginning steps into the light:
I may not see the entire road ahead, but I do not have to fear the darkness when the Lord Himself is my light.
Reflection: What uncertainty am I allowing to frighten me today, and how might it look different if I focused first on who God is rather than what might happen?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for being my light when I cannot see the way ahead. When fear grows in the uncertainty of tomorrow, turn my attention back to You. You are my salvation and the strength of my life. Give me enough light for the next step and enough faith to take it, trusting that You already see the entire road. In Jesus' name, Amen.