OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: SUNDAY 23RD AUGUST 2026 TOPIC: PRAY FOR YOUR CHILDREN MEMORIZE: "As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth." Psalm 127:4 (KJV) BIBLE READING: 1 KINGS 1:15-31 15 And Bathsheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king. 16 And Bathsheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou? 17 And she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by the Lord thy God unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne. 18 And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest it not: 19 And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called. 20 And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. 21 Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders. 22 And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in. 23 And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground. 24 And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? 25 For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah. 26 But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called. 27 Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewed it unto thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him? 28 Then king David answered and said, Call me Bathsheba. And she came into the king's presence, and stood before the king. 29 And the king sware, and said, As the Lord liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress, 30 Even as I sware unto thee by the Lord God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day. 31 Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever. MESSAGE: In (1 Kings 1:1-49), one of King David's sons decided to crown himself king by staging a coup to overthrow his father. Solomon's mother was informed of the development, so she went to David and reminded him that he had promised that her son would succeed him as king. That same day, Solomon was crowned king meaning that Israel had three kings on that fateful day: David, Solomon, and the son who decided to make himself king. Solomon might not even have been aware of the events that led to his coronation; however, because his mother rose and entreated the king on his behalf, he was crowned king. There are certain things that children might miss if their parents don't rise to pray for them. A child may not know his or her left from right and may not even be qualified for an exalted position; however, his or her parents' prayers can elevate that child into that position. The authority that parents have over their children, both naturally and spiritually, is great, and they must learn to use it effectively. Any parent who does not pray for his or her child is like a mother hen who watches as a hawk carries her chick away, leaving the chick to fight for itself. The chick lacks sufficient strength to fight a hawk; however, if its mother joins in the fight, it would have a better chance of being saved. If you are a parent, do not keep quiet over your children's destiny so that the devil will not tamper with it. Cry out to God to show your children mercy early in their lives. In Psalm 90:14, Moses prayed that God should satisfy him and the children of Israel early with His mercy so that they would rejoice and be glad all the days of their lives. He knew that the secret to lasting joy and gladness was to start enjoying God's mercy early in life. Beloved, if you are a parent, do not neglect your spiritual responsibility over your children. Like Moses, ask God to show your children His mercy early in their lives. Let your prayers position them for opportunities early in life. Your children will begin to enjoy supernatural favour that some people only get to experience as adults if you pray for them now. I pray that God will shower His mercies over you and your household, in Jesus' name. KEY POINT: Parents should not neglect their spiritual responsibility over their children. BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: LAMENTATIONS 3 - 5 AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE HYMNAL 28 - GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH 1. Guide me, 0 Thou Great Jehovah Pilgrim through this barren land; I am weak, but Thou art mighty, Hold me with Thy powerful hand: Bread of heaven! Bread of heaven! Feed me now and evermore (2ce). 2. Open Thou the crystal fountain, Whence the healing stream doth flow: Let the fiery, cloudy pillar Lead me all my journey through: Song deliverer! Song deliverer! Be Thou still my strength and shield (2ce). 3. If I tread the verge of Jordan, Bid my anxious fears subside: Bear me through the swelling torrent, Land me safe on Canaan's side: Songs of praises! Songs of praises! I will ever give to Thee (2ce). 4. Saviour, come! We long to see thee, long to dwell with thee above and to know in full communion, all the sweetness of Thy love. Come, Lord Jesus! Come, Lord Jesus! Take thy waiting people home (2ce). [22/08, 10:03 pm] +234 806 008 5461: ‎PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL SUNDAY, 23RD AUGUST, 2026 *PRAY FOR YOUR CHILDREN* ‎ 1.Father, thank You for the gift of children. Thank You for Your promise to bless us and make us fruitful, to multiply and to replenish the earth. 2.Father, thank You for Your promise in Your word that none of Your children will be barren. Thank You because You will visit every awaiting couple with children according to Your will. 3.Father, as arrows are in the hands of a mighty man, please empower all Your children to fulfill Your purpose for their lives, in Jesus' name. 4.Father, please help all Your children never to go out of Your plan and purpose for their lives. Help them to patiently wait on Your guidance and commands, in Jesus' name. 5.Father, please help each parent never to fail in their role to pray for their children at all times, in Jesus' name. 6.Father, please help me as a father/mother to command the children You have given me after You, so they won't miss Your purpose in life, in Jesus' name. 7.Father, please help me as a child to my parents not to fail in my role in walking in the godly counsel of my parents, in Jesus' name. 8.Father, please show me and all the children You have given me, Your mercy and favour. Satisfy us early so we can rejoice and be glad all the days of our lives, in Jesus' name. 9.Father, please strengthen all parents to arise in their spiritual responsibility over the children You have given them, and let all their children begin to enjoy supernatural favour, in Jesus' name. 10.Father, please let all the children You have given me bring me joy and shower them and every member of my household with Your mercies, in Jesus' name. 11.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye. ‎ Help him to enjoy the fruits of his labour over his children, in Jesus' name. Bless his children (biological and spiritual). Help him to continue to produce sons and daughters to Your glory, in Jesus name ‎ ‎12.Father, please bless Your son that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, with wisdom and favour. Answer all his prayers beyond measure, and all those who have been broadcasting them, in Jesus' name. ‎ ‎13.Father, please let every challenge and temptations, hindrance and obstacles of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus name. ‎ ‎14.Your personal petitions. ‎(Philippians 4:6) ‎ ‎15.In Jesus name I pray. ‎(John 14:13-14; 15:16) ‎ #GodBlessOurNation *These prayers have no expiry date! Please join us in prayer, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus’ name.[22/08, 7:06 pm] +234 806 008 5461: OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: SUNDAY 23RD AUGUST 2026 TOPIC: PRAY FOR YOUR CHILDREN MEMORIZE: "As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth." Psalm 127:4 (KJV) BIBLE READING: 1 KINGS 1:15-31 15 And Bathsheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king. 16 And Bathsheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou? 17 And she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by the Lord thy God unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne. 18 And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest it not: 19 And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called. 20 And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. 21 Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders. 22 And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in. 23 And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground. 24 And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? 25 For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah. 26 But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called. 27 Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewed it unto thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him? 28 Then king David answered and said, Call me Bathsheba. And she came into the king's presence, and stood before the king. 29 And the king sware, and said, As the Lord liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress, 30 Even as I sware unto thee by the Lord God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day. 31 Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever. MESSAGE: In (1 Kings 1:1-49), one of King David's sons decided to crown himself king by staging a coup to overthrow his father. Solomon's mother was informed of the development, so she went to David and reminded him that he had promised that her son would succeed him as king. That same day, Solomon was crowned king meaning that Israel had three kings on that fateful day: David, Solomon, and the son who decided to make himself king. Solomon might not even have been aware of the events that led to his coronation; however, because his mother rose and entreated the king on his behalf, he was crowned king. There are certain things that children might miss if their parents don't rise to pray for them. A child may not know his or her left from right and may not even be qualified for an exalted position; however, his or her parents' prayers can elevate that child into that position. The authority that parents have over their children, both naturally and spiritually, is great, and they must learn to use it effectively. Any parent who does not pray for his or her child is like a mother hen who watches as a hawk carries her chick away, leaving the chick to fight for itself. The chick lacks sufficient strength to fight a hawk; however, if its mother joins in the fight, it would have a better chance of being saved. If you are a parent, do not keep quiet over your children's destiny so that the devil will not tamper with it. Cry out to God to show your children mercy early in their lives. In Psalm 90:14, Moses prayed that God should satisfy him and the children of Israel early with His mercy so that they would rejoice and be glad all the days of their lives. He knew that the secret to lasting joy and gladness was to start enjoying God's mercy early in life. Beloved, if you are a parent, do not neglect your spiritual responsibility over your children. Like Moses, ask God to show your children His mercy early in their lives. Let your prayers position them for opportunities early in life. Your children will begin to enjoy supernatural favour that some people only get to experience as adults if you pray for them now. I pray that God will shower His mercies over you and your household, in Jesus' name. KEY POINT: Parents should not neglect their spiritual responsibility over their children. BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: LAMENTATIONS 3 - 5 AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE HYMNAL 28 - GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH 1. Guide me, 0 Thou Great Jehovah Pilgrim through this barren land; I am weak, but Thou art mighty, Hold me with Thy powerful hand: Bread of heaven! Bread of heaven! Feed me now and evermore (2ce). 2. Open Thou the crystal fountain, Whence the healing stream doth flow: Let the fiery, cloudy pillar Lead me all my journey through: Song deliverer! Song deliverer! Be Thou still my strength and shield (2ce). 3. If I tread the verge of Jordan, Bid my anxious fears subside: Bear me through the swelling torrent, Land me safe on Canaan's side: Songs of praises! Songs of praises! I will ever give to Thee (2ce). 4. Saviour, come! We long to see thee, long to dwell with thee above and to know in full communion, all the sweetness of Thy love. Come, Lord Jesus! Come, Lord Jesus! Take thy waiting people home (2ce). ‎PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL SUNDAY, 23RD AUGUST, 2026 *PRAY FOR YOUR CHILDREN* ‎ 1.Father, thank You for the gift of children. Thank You for Your promise to bless us and make us fruitful, to multiply and to replenish the earth. 2.Father, thank You for Your promise in Your word that none of Your children will be barren. Thank You because You will visit every awaiting couple with children according to Your will. 3.Father, as arrows are in the hands of a mighty man, please empower all Your children to fulfill Your purpose for their lives, in Jesus' name. 4.Father, please help all Your children never to go out of Your plan and purpose for their lives. Help them to patiently wait on Your guidance and commands, in Jesus' name. 5.Father, please help each parent never to fail in their role to pray for their children at all times, in Jesus' name. 6.Father, please help me as a father/mother to command the children You have given me after You, so they won't miss Your purpose in life, in Jesus' name. 7.Father, please help me as a child to my parents not to fail in my role in walking in the godly counsel of my parents, in Jesus' name. 8.Father, please show me and all the children You have given me, Your mercy and favour. Satisfy us early so we can rejoice and be glad all the days of our lives, in Jesus' name. 9.Father, please strengthen all parents to arise in their spiritual responsibility over the children You have given them, and let all their children begin to enjoy supernatural favour, in Jesus' name. 10.Father, please let all the children You have given me bring me joy and shower them and every member of my household with Your mercies, in Jesus' name. 11.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye. ‎ Help him to enjoy the fruits of his labour over his children, in Jesus' name. Bless his children (biological and spiritual). Help him to continue to produce sons and daughters to Your glory, in Jesus name ‎ ‎12.Father, please bless Your son that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, with wisdom and favour. Answer all his prayers beyond measure, and all those who have been broadcasting them, in Jesus' name. ‎ ‎13.Father, please let every challenge and temptations, hindrance and obstacles of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus name. ‎ ‎14.Your personal petitions. ‎(Philippians 4:6) ‎ ‎15.In Jesus name I pray. ‎(John 14:13-14; 15:16) ‎ #GodBlessOurNation *These prayers have no expiry date! Please join us in prayer, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus’ name.

🌿 Mystical Gardens Tale 🌿 🪑 The Empty Chair Mary had friends, technically she wasn't alone. That was what she always told herself. She had people she could call. People who would answer a message. People she could talk to about the weather, the latest news, or something funny that had happened during the day. What she didn't have was someone to do things with. She wasn't completely alone, but there was a difference between having people she could talk to and having a companion to spend time with. Mary knew there was a difference. She knew it every evening when she came home. She knew it when she made dinner and automatically put two plates on the counter before realizing there was only one person eating. She knew it when something funny happened on television and she turned toward the other side of the couch to share the joke, only to find an empty cushion. She knew it when she poured herself a glass of tea and, without thinking, reached for another glass. Then stopped. There was no one to pour it for. One evening, Mary sat on the couch with her dinner untouched beside her. The television was playing, but she wasn't watching it. Her eyes kept drifting toward the empty chair across the room. It wasn't anything special. Just an old chair with a cushion that had lost some of its shape, but tonight, it seemed to be extra empty. Mary stared at it for a long time. Then she whispered, “I wish somebody was here.” The words surprised her. She had spent years teaching herself not to say things like that. Whenever she admitted she was lonely, someone would remind her that she already had friends. Whenever she said she wanted companionship, someone would tell her she needed to learn to be happy alone. Whenever she complained about having no one to do things with, someone would say, “You just have to get out there.” Mary knew they meant well, but sometimes she wanted more than advice. She wanted someone to sit beside her. Someone to go places with. Someone to call and say, “Want to grab a coffee?” Someone who would watch a terrible movie with her and laugh at how terrible it was. Someone who would notice when she was quiet. Someone who didn't have to be invited because they were already there. Mary leaned back against the couch. “I don't want to be needy,” she whispered. The room offered no answer. The loneliness tightened around her heart. The loneliness engulfed her and tears formed in her eyes. Mary closed her eyes, curled into a fetal ball, and allowed herself to cry. When she opened them again, she wasn't in her living room. She was sitting in a beautiful garden beneath a giant tree. The mystical garden stretched around her in the soft evening light. Flowers moved gently in a breeze she couldn't feel. Somewhere nearby, water trickled over smooth stones. Mary didn't know how she had gotten there, but she wasn't frightened. She had been to this garden before. Some people claimed it was magical. She looked up at the giant tree. “You know why I'm here, don't you?” The leaves rustled. Mary smiled sadly. “I'm so lonely.” The tree remained silent. Mary pulled her knees toward herself. “I know what everyone says. I know I do have people in my life. I do have friends. I know I should be grateful. I really am grateful.” She swallowed. “But I want someone...” The words finally came out. “I want someone to share my life with.” A breeze moved through the branches. Mary looked up. “Can you help me?” The tree did not answer. Mary waited. “Can you find someone for me?” Still nothing. Her smile disappeared. “It's silly, but I thought that since I just appeared here, maybe you had some magic that could help me.” The branches swayed gently. Mary looked away. “Apparently not.” She stood and began walking through the garden. At first, she noticed all the companionship around her. She saw two birds that sat together on a branch. A pair of rabbits chased one another through the flowers. A butterfly rested on another butterfly's wings. Even the bees seemed to have somewhere to go and someone waiting for them. Mary stopped beside the pond. “Even the animals have someone.” Her voice cracked. “And I don't.” She sat beside the water. For a long time, she didn't notice anything different. Then something strange began. The garden seemed to change. Mary watched as a bee landed on a flower. The flower gave it the nectar that it searched for. A bird flew down to the pond where it found a worm in the soft soil and water to quench is thirst. A fruit fell from one of the branches and disappeared into the soil where the seed would grow. Mary watched quietly. She finally began to understand. The garden wasn't showing her perfect lives. This wasn't exactly the companionship she longed for. What it was showing her was a different kind of companionship. It showed her the connections that are made in all life. Little ones. Simple ones. Necessary ones. Then its leaves shimmered and Mary heard a whisper in her heart. "You are not wrong for wanting companionship.'' Mary's eyes filled with tears. People had told her it was good to be independent. They had told her to enjoy her own company. They had told her she didn't need anyone, but nobody had told her that wanting someone beside her wasn't a weakness. Mary rested her hand against the tree. “I don't want someone to rescue me.” The leaves rustled. “I just don't want to do everything alone. I just need a friend to do things with.” The tree remained silent, but somehow Mary understood. There was a difference between being incomplete and being lonely. She could be whole and still want someone to share some of the things in her life with. She could be grateful and still wish for a little companionship. She could love herself and still want someone sitting in the empty chair. Mary wiped her eyes. “Then why can't you find someone for me?” The tree's branches slowly moved toward the ground. One small branch pointed toward the garden gate. Mary frowned. “You want me to leave?” At first she was hurt, but then she understood. The garden couldn't choose another person's heart. It couldn't manufacture friendship. It couldn't make someone walk into her life. It couldn't promise that tomorrow she would meet the person she'd been waiting for. But it could give her somewhere to come back to when the loneliness became too heavy. It could remind her that loneliness wasn't proof that she was forgotten. Companionship had many different forms. Perhaps most importantly, it reminded her not to close her heart simply because she had been disappointed before. Mary stood. The tree's leaves shimmered. “I guess I just stopped trying.” She looked toward the garden gate. “Because every time I tried, I got hurt.” The garden grew very still. Mary took a deep breath. “Maybe I decided it was easier to do things alone, preferring to be lonely than to be hurt. That's not the same thing as being okay, is it?” The tree answered with a gentle shower of golden leaves. Mary laughed through her tears. “No,” she whispered. “It isn't.” When Mary returned home, the television was still playing. The empty chair was still there. Nothing about her house had changed. But Mary had. She looked at the chair. For years, she had thought the empty chair was proof that nobody was coming, no one wanted to be with her. Tonight, she saw it differently. It was simply an empty chair waiting to be filled. The next morning, Mary picked up her phone. She stared at the screen for several minutes. If she wanted a friend, she should make an effort. There was a woman she occasionally talked to. They had always talked easily, but Mary had never asked her to do anything outside their usual conversations. Her finger hovered over the call button. Then she pressed it. “Hi,” Mary said when the woman answered. “I was wondering…” She almost stopped. She fears that the woman would be too busy. That she would think Mary was being strange. But Mary continued. “Would you like to have coffee with me sometime?” There was a pause. Then came the answer. “I'd love to.” Mary smiled. It wasn't a miracle. It wasn't the end of her loneliness. It wasn't the person she had dreamed about finding for a relationship. It was simply coffee and the beginning of a new friendship. Sometimes the beginnings of any kind of relationship are very small. Sometimes they sound like: Would you like to come with me? Would you want to watch a movie? Do you want to get coffee? Would you like to sit here? Mary still visited the garden. She still had lonely evenings. There were still nights when she looked at the empty chair and wished someone were sitting in it, but now she wouldn't allow the loneliness to tightened around her heart. She knew she could ask for simple companionship when she felt lonely and she could always come here for comfort and peace. Wanting someone beside you does not make you weak. Being lonely does not mean you are forgotten. An empty chair is not a threat that no one will ever come. Sometimes… It is simply a chair waiting for a story that hasn't been written yet. Seed from the Garden “God setteth the solitary in families.” — Psalm 68:6 Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two people are better than one because they can help each other up. God sees the lonely places we don't always know how to explain. He doesn't shame us for wanting companionship. While He may not answer that longing in the way or timing we expect, we can trust that our loneliness does not mean we have been forgotten. Sometimes the first step isn't finding the person we've been waiting for. Sometimes it's simply finding the courage to open the door to allow people in. #christianwriter #christianfiction #christianfantasy #stacyfrantz #MysticalGardens

Brenda Walsh Ministries Earnest, Heartfelt Prayer. There are many different types of prayer, and many different ways to pray. Many think pray can only be heard if you are on your knees, but God hears your prayers whether or not you are kneeling, standing, sitting, driving in a car, or taking a shower. He hears prayers spoken aloud, whispered, or completely silent. Some pray out of sheer frustration when having difficulty completing a task, others when hoping for something good to happen, while still others pray with passion in sincere desperation of needing a Savior. God loves for you to talk to Him, and He is interested in every aspect of your life. He hears the trivial prayers such as losing your keys, and He hears your desperate cries for help! But He especially loves to hear earnest, heartfelt prayers that come from a deep desire to grow ever closer to Him. It’s important to be faithful in your prayer life, but it ceases to be “prayer” if is done by habit alone. Don’t make the mistake of thinking prayer is best saved only for bedtime. All too often, at the end of a busy day, tired and exhausted, prayers can end up being mere babble, repetitive and meaningless. Without even realizing it, your mind has drifted to all the things you need to accomplish the next day. It’s good to pray at bedtime, but also pray throughout your day, and find that special time in your schedule - each day - that you give to God... to really talk to Him, sharing your innermost thoughts, dreams, and desires - and don’t forget to praise Him! Text: Psalm 42:2, Psalm 141:2, Genesis 32:26, Matthew 5:6

St. Lawrence He was born in A.D. 225 in a place now in modern day Spain. He was one of the seven Deacons of ancient Rome under Pope Sixtus-II. He gave all the money he had to the poor people. When the Pope Sixtus-II was condemned to death by the Emperor Valerian and when the Pope was led to execution, St. Lawrence followed the Pope. He asked the Pope "Father, where are you going without your deacon". To this the Pope answered him that "in three days you will follow me". After the death of the Pope Sixtus-II, the Prefect of Rome, who was a greedy pagan, ordered Lawrence to bring all the Church's treasures to him. Lawrence asked for three days to bring the treasures to him. He then gathered all the poor and sick people in Rome and brought them before the Prefect and told him they are the treasures of the Church. The Perfect became furious and condemned Lawrence to a slow and cruel death. He was tied on top of an iron grill over a slow fire. This roasted the flesh of Lawrence little by little and led him to a slow and very painful death. Tradition says that he was martyred at San Lorenzo in Panisperna on August 10, 258. Legend says that St Lawrence, while he was roasted on the iron grill told the soldiers that his flesh is now suitably roasted so that it can be eaten by them. Emperor Constantine constructed an Oratory in honor of St. Lawrence. The grill of iron of martyrdom was placed by Pope Pascal-II in the Church of St. Lorenzo in Lucina. He is one of the widely venerated saints of Catholic Church. The Perseid Meteor Shower occurs every year in mid-August on or near San Lawrence feast day, is called by many people as the "Tears of Saint Lawrence". #lawrence #faith #sacrifice #Catolic #trust #meteor #shower #church #death #honor #august #world #treasure

Luke 11:21-22 NLT For when a strong man is fully armed and guards his palace, his possessions are safe— until someone even stronger attacks and overpowers him, strips him of his weapons, and carries off his belongings. Good morning and praise God. I hope you are having a good day. I thank God for you who keeps following my devotions. That gives me the heart to keep typing and sharing what God has put in my heart. Be blessed. At one point of my childhood I had been captured by some strong powers that carried away my peace and mental soundness. We were not so persistent in church going but hymns have always flowed daily from my mother's unwritten hymnbook of singing. I still wonder how she remembers all these lyrics but she has a history of having been once a baptist. I lived under extreme panic and fear. Strange things moved in the dusk on dark village life then. The moon would only make the nightmares more real rather than bring light. This was worsened by stories of ogres and witches that were said to operate in darkness. My primary school teacher would always ask us about where we went to church every Monday. His name was Mr. Gathu from Gatwe Kogi. What was more common were Catholic mass that we attended as primary school children. I had always had this heart of God's word. I would not want to see a Bible paper swiped like a normal paper or burned. I would pick them and put them aside. Then came Lord's Prayer which I began reading before sleeping and this is how the nightmares were slowly subdued. This is how I learned to pray. I learned that there was a person who was might and able to fight this strong evil cloud that had been pushing me to sleepless and panick filled nights. I give you this snippet of my life to remind you of one that you need in your life. It is not all battles that you can win as long as the strong man is still in your presence. I talk to you about Jesus Christ. It is not a story of fables or trial and error. You may have already know that you're followed by powers that wishes you bad in life , powers that waste the time God has given you in this world. We all need Jesus Christ to save us from this strong man. We cannot save ourselves but He is able. The book of Romans teaches us much about salvation but more importantly reminds us how our actions and efforts to please God are futile when we don't have the Son of God as our LORD and Savior. He loves you first so there's nothing else you can do to make Him love you more or less. All you can do is to allow Him shower you with His protection, His guidance, learning form His Word and walking with God. Take a moment and call to Jesus Christ today. Invite Him to fight your battles but of more importance make Him your friend. He alone has life you've always desired. Father, I have seen your salvation from the strong man who binds you children. Release your power LORD upon the life of this person reading this devotion. Break all the chains and shackles in their life and set them free. Let them receive your victory and glorify your holy name. In Jesus name, Amen. Shalom. Shalom.

There is a message on my heart today, and I don't believe it is by accident. I may not know your name. I may not know where you are reading this from. I may not know what your story looks like. But I know one thing... The Holy Spirit is speaking to someone right now. As a Relationship Minister, one of the deepest pains I have encountered is not from broken relationships alone. It is the silent pain of sisters who have waited... and waited... and waited for the man God has prepared for them. I have listened to countless conversations. Conversations filled with hidden tears. Some are in their mid-twenties, fully ready to build a godly home. Some are already in their thirties, wondering why the years keep passing by. Some have never received a serious proposal. Others have received attention from brothers who disappeared halfway. Some keep attracting men who only waste their time. Some have prayed for years. Some have fasted until they had no strength left. Some have attended every wedding with a smile on their faces, only to return home and cry themselves to sleep. Maybe... That sister is you. You celebrate your friends sincerely when they get engaged. You buy them gifts. You dance at their weddings. You pray for them with a genuine heart. But when you get back into your room, you quietly ask God, "Lord... when will it be my turn?" You scroll through social media and another wedding picture appears. Another engagement. Another proposal. Another bridal shower. You smile... Then gently lock your phone because your heart cannot take it anymore. You are beginning to wonder... "Lord, have You forgotten me; My mates are becoming wives. My younger ones are getting married. What exactly am I doing wrong?" Maybe nobody knows how much this has been breaking you. But hear me today... God knows. He sees every silent tear you wiped away before anyone noticed. He hears every prayer you whispered when nobody was listening. He remembers every fasting you have done. He knows every heartbreak you survived. He knows how many times you believed someone was the answer, only to watch everything fall apart. He knows how difficult it is to keep hoping when disappointment has become so familiar. And today... The Lord is saying to you... PEACE... BE STILL. Don't allow fear to speak louder than God's promises. Don't allow your age to become your identity. Don't allow people's questions to become your burden. Because the God you serve has never forgotten your address. The truth is... We often measure life with calendars. But God measures life with purpose. We count years. While God prepares destinies. We watch clocks. But God watches His perfect plan unfold. There is no morning with God. There is no night with Him. There is no January or December in eternity. He is never late. He has never been late. And He will not start with you. The Bible says that He makes everything beautiful in His own time. Not our time. His time. Think about Lazarus. Many people believed Jesus should have arrived before Lazarus died. They thought He delayed. They thought it was over. But when Jesus finally came, it wasn't because He was late. It was because His timing would reveal a greater glory. If He had arrived earlier, Lazarus would have simply been healed. But because He came at God's appointed time... Lazarus was raised from the dead. Sometimes what feels like God's delay is actually God's preparation. You may not understand why your story looks different from everyone else's. But you don't have to understand everything to trust God. Trust His heart. Trust His wisdom. Trust His process. And trust His timing. The husband God has prepared for you will not miss his way. The God who knows where you are also knows where he is. Nothing catches God by surprise. Nothing. Your waiting season is not a sign that God has rejected you. Sometimes it is simply proof that He is writing a testimony that cannot be explained by human effort. So today... Instead of asking, "Lord, why am I still waiting?" Try saying, "Lord, I trust You even while I wait." Tell Him, "Father, strengthen my faith. Help me not to become bitter. Help me not to compare my journey with others. Help me to remain joyful while You prepare what You have prepared for me." And when the waiting becomes heavy... Whisper these simple words... "Lord... I will wait for You." Not because waiting is easy. But because You are faithful. I don't know who this message is for. But I believe with all my heart that someone's testimony is closer than they think. The tears will not last forever. The waiting will not last forever. The questions will not last forever. Your season will change. And when God finally writes your story... No one will remember how long you waited. They will only stand in awe of what God has done. May the Lord strengthen every waiting heart. May He fill every empty place with hope. May He replace every silent tear with joyful laughter. And may your testimony arrive at the exact moment Heaven has appointed. In the mighty name of Jesus. Amen. I am Anthony Chukwuebuka - THE BOO OF THE BOOLESS; Remember that the same God who is making someone else's wedding invitation today is not out of blessings. He is simply writing your chapter on a different page. So please don't close the book because your story hasn't reached its most beautiful chapter yet.

⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️ LESSON ON MODEST APPAREL IN A SHAMELESS WORLD THANKS TO SISTER JANICE NEVELS ⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️ . ⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️ 1 TIMOTHY/TIMOTIYOS 2 {9} In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness ) with good works. This issue stays on my mind continually. I'm posting this knowing that most who read it will get offended. But so be it. It's the Word and we can't tip toe around it as if it's not there. In the above passages, the Apostle Paul is dealing with Gentile converts to the faith. He is instructing them in the manners in which they should conduct themselves. In verses 9 & 10, he is dealing with women. He tells them to adorn themselves in MODEST apparel. So what exactly is modest apparel? I am so grieved over the state of the church. Modesty seems to be a thing of the past. Modest apparel covers and conceals the form of the woman. Tight form-fitting clothing that is cut low or rides to high up the woman or girls legs is NOT modest. It is the responsibility of the woman to conceal her form that she not tempt man to lust after her. Women who profess to be born again should not continue to adorn themselves like the women in the world do. I honestly can not tell the difference between worldly women and church going women. Why you might ask? Because their outward adornment is no different. Paul goes on to say, "with shamefacedness and sobriety". Shamefacedness literally means with down cast eyes. Not walking around prideful with their outward apperance and having wondering eyes. He says, Be sober minded and have self-control over yourself; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but which becometh women professing godliness with good works. These passages simply do not fit the modern christian woman. But if you think about it, it did not fit the women of that day either. If it had, Paul would not be having to deal with the issue. Let me jump back to modest apparel. Years back when Abba started dealing with me on this issue, he opened my eyes and allowed me to see women through the eyes of a man. I know that sounds strange, but it's simply how it happened. Everywhere I went all I could see was women's behinds. I got very frustrated and questions him as to why this was the case. That's when he opened up the above passages to me. YAHWAH allowed me to see just how immodest I was dressing. I felt so ashamed. I went home and cleaned out my closet. The only up side to it at the time was I got to go shopping and pick out all new cloths. I had no idea that the way I was dressing grieved the Holy Spirit. Women, every time you wear something that is formfitting that shows your shape and curves, you are dressed immodest. Shorts=Immodest Pant=Immodest Tight clothing=Immodest Low cut tops= Immodest I suppose you are getting the picture. Give heed to the doctrine of the Apostle Paul. Cover yourselves in modest apparel. Stop placing your focus on the outward woman and focus on the inward woman. I assure you that Miriam, the mother of the Messiah was not prancing around in a pair of shorts or tight pants with colored hair and a ring on every finger with her face all painted up like the canvas of an artist. Prayerfully consider this doctrine that Paul was teaching. When you look in the mirror and you think to yourself, "I look Hot", please, go take a cold shower and then go dress yourself in something that represents women professing godliness. You WILL give an account to Yahwah for every man that you temp with your immodest apparel. Remember, it is you're place to conceal and hid your form. It makes it more difficult for a man to lust if he does not have a visual image set before his eyes. To sleepy to go back and edit. It is what it is. Good-Night All ⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️ FACEBOOK YAHWAH APOSTOLIC MINISTRIES ⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️💧⬛️ .

Have you ever noticed that your hair seems greasy again just a day after washing it? One possible reason could be the temperature of your shower. Your scalp is protected by a thin layer of natural oils (called sebum) that helps keep your skin healthy and your hair moisturized. When you wash your hair with very hot water, it can remove more of those natural oils than your scalp would like. In response, your sebaceous glands may increase oil production to help restore your scalp's protective barrier. For some people, this can make their hair feel oily sooner than expected. If you're struggling with greasy hair, try washing with warm water instead of very hot water, especially when rinsing your scalp. You may find that your hair stays fresher longer while your scalp feels more comfortable. Have you noticed a difference when you use cooler water to wash your hair? Educational purposes only. Individual results may vary. #HairCare #ScalpHealth #HealthyHair #CleanBeauty

Christian greetings to all and sincere love in the name of the Lord Jesus. I humbly request all of you to pray for our country Bangladesh and especially the people of our area. Recently, there have been terrible floods due to heavy rains. Numerous people are living in very inhuman conditions. The homes of many families have been destroyed, many have lost safe shelter to live in. There has also been an acute crisis of food, clean water and necessary medical services. In such difficult times, your sincere prayers and cooperation are very much needed for the affected people. It is very important to provide them with food aid, good medical care and to rebuild and repair the damaged homes. Let us all pray together that the Almighty God will protect them in this difficult time, meet their needs and pave the way for a speedy return to normal life. May the Lord shower his mercy and grace upon everyone. Amen.

TOPIC : *SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH YOUR SPOUSE* MEMORISE : *Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.* *Ecclesiastes 9:9* BIBLE TEXT : *Proverbs 5:15-19* *Good Morning, I am always concerned when I see married couples who don't spend quality time together. Many of such couples spend end the whole day away from each other at work and only come home to sleep at night, then they are off again in the morning. Even on weekends, they either go to work again or attend other engagements without their spouses. This ought not to be so because when you truly love someone, you will always find a way to spend quality time with him or her, and the more time you spend together, the more your love will blossom. Years ago, a woman who was sick confessed to me that she actually didn't want to be healed because when she was hale and hearty, her husband wasn't spending quality time with her. However, now that she was sick, he always returned home immediately after work. Husbands and wives should not abandon their spouses because of work or any other commitment. They must spend quality time with them to build strong bonds. Married couples must also pray together. It is unfortunate that some married couples hardly ever pray together. They may attend prayer meetings, where they spend hours praying with others, but when they return home, they are often too tired to pray together. One way that married couples can maintain strong, loving relationships with one another is by praying together regularly. Prayer strengthens marriage bonds and solidifies the love between a man and his wife. My wife and I have been married for 59 years, and we regularly create time to laugh and have fun together. We are lovers, not just a man and a woman who are living together under one roof. Husbands and wives should play with one another. They shouldn't be so serious that they cannot spend time laughing with their spouses or making them laugh. When laughter is always heard in a home, there will be fewer reasons for friction. Husbands and wives must be intentional about creating time for fun activities with one another that will lighten the atmosphere in their homes and fill it with joy. Lastly, married people should take time to shower their spouses with compliments. They must not take them for granted; instead, they should seek ways to express how special they are and thank them for everything they do. I pray that God will strengthen the relationships between all men and women who are joined in holy matrimony, in Jesus' name. *PRAYER POINT* Today is my lover's birthday. Please join me in asking God to continually strengthen her and multiply His grace and peace in her life.