Trust God with your steps, He is able to direct your path.

Share this with someone who needs encouragement to trust God's leading.

#Psalm3723 #OrderedSteps #GodsGuidance #TrustGod #WalkByFaith #GodsDirection #FaithJourney #FaithInChrist #ChristianLiving #Lordsbook

AYAC 2026 | Day 2: HOUR OF VISITATION| WORD SESSION 1

Message Title: *Next Levels Mentality is Critical*

Ministering: *Pastor Steve Ogah*

Every next levels experience begins with next levels mentality.

Mentality connotes your mindset, your way, or pattern of thinking. - Pro. 4:18

Your mentality defines your reality. You cannot move in life beyond your mentality.

*Dimensions of Mentality You Need as a Believer:*

1. You must understand that God's Word is the spiritual mirror that reveals who you are in God's perspective. - James 1:22, 25

- If you want to know what God says concerning you, the Word is the mirror.

2. By redemption you are ordained for continuous progress until Christ comes. - Pro. 4:18

- Stagnation is not God's plan for you, He has ordained that the path of His children shines bright.

3. You are ordained to enjoy a from glory to glory adventure in life. - 2 Cor. 3:18

*As a child of God, you are ordained:*

1. A pace-setter and a trailblazer. - Matt. 5:13-16

2. A greater potential than all Old Testament saints lies in you. - Matt. 12:42

3. To reign on the earth as kings and priests. - Rev. 5:9-10

*Forces Behind Next Levels Mentality:*

- Vision. - Jer. 1:5
- Access to divine secrets. - Job 29:4
- The anointing. - Acts 2:1-6, 14-21

The Story Behind the Hymns.
THE STORY BEHIND " COURAGE, BROTHER, DO NOT STUMBLE "

“Courage, Brother, Do Not Stumble” is a hymn of encouragement, faith and perseverance, reminding believers to keep moving forward even when the road ahead appears difficult.

The words were written by Norman Macleod (1812–1872), a Scottish minister, writer and prominent figure in the Church of Scotland. Macleod was known for communicating Christian faith in a warm and practical way, and this hymn reflects that approach by presenting the Christian journey as a difficult road that must nevertheless be travelled with courage and trust in God.

The opening words immediately establish the hymn’s message:

“Courage, brother! do not stumble,
Though thy path be dark as night;
There’s a star to guide the humble;
Trust in God, and do the right.”

Rather than promising that life will always be easy, the hymn acknowledges darkness, difficulty and uncertainty. Its answer is not fear, but faith: keep going, remain humble, trust God and continue doing what is right.

The hymn became especially memorable through its stirring musical setting, associated with Arthur Sullivan, the celebrated English composer best known for his collaboration with W. S. Gilbert. Sullivan’s tune gave Macleod’s words a strong and memorable character that helped the hymn find a lasting place in Christian hymnody.

At its heart, “Courage, Brother, Do Not Stumble” is a call to perseverance. It speaks to anyone who feels discouraged, reminding them that difficult circumstances do not mean that God has abandoned them. The believer is encouraged to walk faithfully, even when the destination cannot yet be clearly seen.

The hymn remains a beautiful reminder that courage is not the absence of hardship. It is the decision to continue trusting God and doing what is right despite hardship.

August 19
“WHO GOD IS TO ME”
MY SHEPHERD
Psalm 23:1 (LLV) —
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Perhaps
no picture
of God
is more familiar
than this one.
A shepherd.
And perhaps
because it is
so familiar,
we can read
the words
without stopping
to consider
what David
was actually saying.
“The LORD
is my shepherd.”
David knew
what being
a shepherd
required.
A shepherd
did not simply
point the sheep
toward a pasture
and walk away.
He stayed
with them.
He knew
where water
could be found.
He searched
for safe pasture.
He watched
for danger.
He tended
the injured.
He searched
for the wandering.
And when darkness
came,
the shepherd
was still there.
So when David
called the LORD
his Shepherd,
he was saying
something deeply
personal.
God
knows me.
God
leads me.
God
watches over me.
God
provides
what I need.
And God
stays
with me.
Then David adds:
“I shall
not want.”
That does not mean
we will receive
everything
we desire.
The sheep
does not choose
the pasture.
The shepherd
does.
The sheep
does not know
where tomorrow's water
will come from.
The shepherd
does.
“I shall not want”
is therefore
not a promise
that life
will contain
everything
we wish for.
It is
a declaration
of trust.
My Shepherd
knows
what I need.
There will be
green pastures.
There will also be
dark valleys.
There will be
still waters.
There may also be
enemies.
David will tell us
all of that
before the psalm
is finished.
But through
every changing scene,
one thing
does not change.
The Shepherd.
Perhaps
that is why
David begins
there.
Before the pasture.
Before the water.
Before the valley.
Before the table.
Before the overflowing cup.
The LORD
is my shepherd.
Everything else
in Psalm 23
rests upon
that truth.
A new beginning does not need to know everything about the road ahead:
I only need to know that my Shepherd knows the way.
Reflection: Am I trusting my Shepherd to know what I truly need, even when His path or His provision looks different from what I expected?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for being my Shepherd. Thank You for knowing me personally, providing for me faithfully, watching over me carefully, and never abandoning me along the way. When I cannot see what lies ahead, help me trust that You can. Teach me to follow Your leading and rest in the assurance that my Shepherd knows exactly what I need. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Trust God completely, surrender your plans, and let Him direct your path.

Share this with someone who needs encouragement to trust God's direction.

#Proverbs356 #TrustInTheLord #GodsGuidance #DirectMyPath #TrustGod #SeekGod #FaithOverFear #FaithInChrist #ChristianLiving #Lordsbook

I built an audience of over 8,000 people who trusted me with their tech journey, real transitions, real results, real proof.
I shared roadmaps, resources, opportunities and practical advice, and most importantly, I saw people actually use them to make progress.

Then one day, it was gone. Facebook dißbled the account without warning.

I could have quit. Instead, I'm starting again this time, smarter.

A little about me:

I have a degree in Industrial Chemistry, I'm pursuing a degree in Cybersecurity, I'm currently pursuing a professional certification with Google PWAN, and I'm also the founder of PornBlock.

But honestly, the credentials aren't what I'm most proud of.

I'm proud of the 2,000+ beginners I've helped with tech roadmaps, people who came to me confused about where to start, what to learn and how to move from.

And that's why I don't believe in telling everyone to learn the same skill.
Someone might be better suited for UI/UX.
Someone else might thrive in Cybersecurity, Data Analysis, Software Development, Digital Marketing, Product Design or another path entirely.

My job is to help beginners understand their options, choose a realistic path and know what to do next.

I also wrote Win the Job Toolkit — a practical guide for beginners who are tired of applying without knowing what they're doing wrong. It covers things like building a stronger CV, preparing for interviews, positioning yourself properly and understanding how to pursue remote and freelance opportunities.

I'm not starting again with nothing.
I'm starting again with everything I've learned along the way.

And if you're trying to figure out your own path into tech, you're welcome to be my friend.
If you knew me before and wondering where I went, follow me now or you might not see my profile again.

Doing the Proverbs 4 Walk

We make multiple decisions each day, and that's why we need to learn to do the Proverbs 4 Walk.

"We're always making a decision to give up something that we value less for something we value more." Paul Richard, President, Consumer Financial Education Institute

Have you noticed grocery stores put staples like milk and eggs at the back so we have to go through the store to get them?

To avoid temptation, we can go prepared with a list and keep our eyes straight ahead instead of glancing at the aisles of temptation along the way.

Satan employs this tactic too. He lines our life path with costly choices and distractions: immoral sex, selfishness, fear, anger, resentment, envy, etc.

He'd like to divert, delay, or derail us, making us spend all we have before we reach YHWH's goals for our lives.

To avoid temptation, we can do the Proverbs 4 walk: "Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet.…" Proverbs 4:25-26

What are some practical ways you walk in the Proverbs 4 path?

Some helpful truths about temptation:

YHWH always provides a way out. Let’s take it!

1 Corinthians 10:13: "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And YHWH is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."

It’s all a matter of whom we submit to, YHWH or Satan.

James 4:7: "Submit yourselves, then, to YHWH. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

When we give in to temptation, we have no one to blame but ourselves.

James 1:14: "Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away."

Pilgrims of God

I was wandering the desert
Lost without hope for now I roam
Crushed beneath the pressure
Wanting a place I could call home
I was drowning in my sorrow
Up to my kneck in sin
Looking for somebody
Who I respect- a friend
I was desperate for a treasure
Never bought and can't be sold
But stuck inside a prison
And the devil had a hold
I couldn't see my way out
And I was just about to fold
Till then heard of a savior
Who purchased every soul
He promised life in heaven
I knew I could not say no
Many of us were called there
Only a few of us would go
I left behind the old life
And stepped into the light
The darkness wasnt happy
so it scuffled and tried to fight
I held onto the rugged cross
Grappled to it with all my might
Took a little bit of time
And the darkness left my sight
I passed up all the lost souls
I tried to grab them if I could
I talked about the gospel
As I knew a Christian should
I saw them as did Jesus
In the valley on a slope
Up top of God's mountain
I tossed down to them a rope
The flames of hell roared higher
Nearly devoured some to nought
I rejoiced to all the heavens
About the few of them I caught
The angels played a trumpet
A couple instruments with strings
I heard the choir bellow
Out a hymnal they did sing
See heaven is the treasure
The Holy Ghost bestow a ring
Some claimed to know all mysteries
yet still slow to know a thing
And didnt know the calling
So quickly fell from Grace
Dont buy into this life of sin
Nor after riches niether chase
Dont forfeit to hell your precious soul
For if so your life you waste
Just call out now to Jesus
Bow your head and seek his face
He loves you very much
This world is but a bitter taste
see Jesus is enough
He knows your every hurt....
And carries all your sorrow
Ask for His safety here and now
For you may not see tomorrow
Listen to the preachers words
Of life beyond the veil
Take heed to travel down this path
Forsake the broken trail
And you will live in glory of the Father
you should know
That Jesus has a plan for you
And your eternal soul

By Clifton Wagner
Gospel Poetry Foundation

THE MONEY’S MIND
The Economic Way of the Lord

By Omodolapo Ogunye

What if the way out of an economic wilderness is not first a financial instrument, but a Person?

We often approach economic difficulty through the language of money: capital, debt, investment, employment, markets, policy and opportunity.

But the revelation of the Body of the Word gives us another starting point.

The Body of the Word is the way of the Lord.

Revelation 1 describes the feet of the Son of God as being “like bronze glowing in a furnace.” The imagery speaks of something firm, refined and established—a way.

Isaiah 40:4 declares:

“The rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.”

The Word is therefore not merely something to believe.

The Word is a way to walk.

And this way has an economic and financial dimension.

THE MONEY IS THE WORD

Song of Solomon 5:11 gives us another dimension of the Body of the Word:

“His head is purest gold.”

Gold is a language of value, wealth and monetary significance. Yet Scripture uses gold to describe the Person of the Beloved—the Word.

This is the foundation of The Money’s Mind:

The Money is a Person.
The Money is the Word.
The Money has a Mind.

The economic question therefore becomes larger than how to acquire money.

What is the economic way of the Word?

How does the Word navigate an economy?

How does the Word respond to economic difficulty?

How does the Word create a way where there appears to be no way?

THE WAY THROUGH THE WILDERNESS

Isaiah 43:19 records the declaration:

“I am making a way in the desert.”

A desert represents an environment in which productivity appears constrained—a place where resources seem scarce, opportunities seem limited and progress becomes difficult.

There can be financial deserts.

There can be economic deserts.

There can be national economic wildernesses.

But the revelation is that a desert does not have to be the final destination.

God says, “I am making a way in the desert.”

A way in the desert becomes a way out of the desert.

This is where the economic way of the Lord becomes significant.

The Body of the Word, as the aggressive hunger of the Father, is presented as the pathway through economic environments—even environments marked by difficulty, uncertainty and apparent impossibility.

The answer is not simply to escape the economy.

It is to discover the way of God within it.

THE WAY IS ALSO A VOICE

Isaiah 30:21 provides another dimension:

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”

The economic way of the Lord is therefore not merely a path.

It is a voice.

This is crucial because economic environments require judgment.

There are multiple opportunities.

Multiple markets.

Multiple investments.

Multiple business models.

Multiple directions.

The challenge is not always finding an opportunity.

Sometimes the challenge is knowing which way to walk.

The Word becomes a lamp.

Psalm 119:105 says:

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

The economic implication is profound:

You need economic sight before you need economic movement.

And the quality of your movement depends upon what you are capable of hearing.

WHAT YOU CRAVE, YOU LEARN TO HEAR

There is a principle embedded in this revelation: craving affects hearing.

What you continually desire begins to shape what you recognise.

If your deepest hunger is merely for money, you may become increasingly sensitive to opportunities for money while remaining insensitive to the wisdom required to carry it.

But if your hunger is for the Body of the Word, your capacity to recognise the voice of the Word begins to develop.

This changes the meaning of financial intelligence.

Financial intelligence is not merely knowing how money works.

It is knowing which way to walk with money.

It is knowing what to build.

What to avoid.

What to pursue.

What to preserve.

What to multiply.

What to abandon.

And, ultimately, what voice to follow.

THE ECONOMIC WAY OF THE LORD

The Body of the Word is described as burnished bronze.

The Body of the Word is described through blazing fire.

The Body of the Word is described in economic language through gold, riches, honor and enduring wealth.

When these revelations are brought together, a larger proposition emerges:

The Body of the Word, as the aggressive hunger of the Father, is the economic and financial way of the Lord.

This way is relevant to the individual, the enterprise and the nation.

It speaks to economic environments.

It speaks to financial decisions.

It speaks to productivity.

It speaks to wealth creation.

It speaks to the movement of the Father within the economies of nations.

And it speaks particularly to those seasons when the economy looks like a desert.

The desert may be real.

The difficulty may be real.

The financial pressure may be real.

But the absence of an obvious path does not mean there is no path.

The Word is the Way.

THE MONEY’S MIND

This is why The Money’s Mind is not simply about making money.

It is about discovering the Mind behind the Money.

The Money is the Word.

The Word has a Mind.

And the Mind of the Word reveals a way of seeing, thinking, creating, stewarding and navigating economic life.

So when you encounter an economic wilderness, the first question should not simply be:

“How do I get out?”

Ask:

“What is the way of the Lord here?”

And then:

“What is the voice saying: This is the way; walk in it?”

Because a way is being made.

Even in the desert.

The Body of the Word is the economic and financial way of the Lord.

The Money is the Word.

The Money has a Mind.

And the Mind of the Word knows the way.

Omodolapo Ogunye

THE MONEY’S MIND

The Body of the Word as Finance & Economics

The Kitchen
shows.acast.com/the-kitchen

Guidelines for living.
August 18th, 2026

3 Steps to Finding a New Direction.

This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” But you said, “We will not walk in it.” Jeremiah 6:16



Jeremiah the prophet was a man who needs to be rediscovered today. The circumstances surrounding his life and world have so many parallels to life today. How so? Well, for one thing, instability had gripped the world. Jeremiah’s beloved nation was about to be chewed up by the powerful tiger of Babylon. Social structures were failing too. Families were being torn apart; truth and morality had been sacrificed in the process. The priesthood had become politicized. No wonder Jeremiah seemed out of sync with his day—an old prophet who castigated the moral and spiritual decline. No wonder he was publicly scorned and privately castigated.

There is a text in the book which bears his name which needs to be emblazoned on the conscience of every parent: God expects more, something more of His children, than that which satisfies the world.

God spoke to Jeremiah, here’s what He said, “Stand at the crossroads and look; [and] ask for the old paths, [and] ask where the good way is, and walk in it” (Jeremiah 6:16). There were three parts to that advice: First, go back to the crossroads, back to the place where you took the wrong path, and look. God is saying, “Hey, you’ve been down the wrong road. You’ve learned that it didn’t bring you the peace or contentment. Now stand there—mentally speaking—take a look down the narrow road, the one that seemed to be less exciting, and realize it was here you went wrong.

Let’s stop for a moment. Is it ever too late to acknowledge that you went wrong? You may think so, but in reality, it is not. A thief on the cross, seeing his life ebb away minute by minute, came to that place; he cried out, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He went back to the crossroads and took the right path. Before you go back to the crossroads—that fork in the road where you went wrong—you must stop what you’re doing and mentally look back. Often, we think, “It’s too late for me.” Not so, friend. Coming to the end of the year is a time for reflection and to go back if you missed the right path.

Step number two in this process is this: “Ask for the old paths where the good way is.” In reality, prayer is asking. It is saying, “God, I went wrong. You know that, and now I admit it. I don’t want the future to be a rerun of the mistakes of the past. Forgive me, show me the right way to go.” Israel had missed God, and in spite of their waywardness, God promised to help them if they would only come back to Him. He said, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3). God will do the same for you as well.

Step number three in this process of finding the right direction is this: When you have found the good way, “walk in it.” This is a matter of simple obedience, of putting your feet in a straight line in the direction you know God wants you to go. And with that simple step of obedience comes a great promise. God said, “you will find rest for your soul.”

God did not force them, He invited them. Sadly, Israel rejected God’s invitation. Don’t do it, friend. Going back to the fork in the road requires courage and humility.



Resource Reading: Jeremiah 6:1-30