*1 Kings 11:1 But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;* From the "God is an Artist 😍" Project: The strange women/men in a married person's life are often the single friends who didpise other singles. Self-control is a skill everyone should have. Don't let your god become immorality. Make your country great again by returning to God's terms. Awake: ”https://youtu.be/al09H0IH2bE?si=vKZgS1hvMMGdewiZ https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BVTDeqZhR/ Jehu: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1B4PDsdXNc/ Proof: https://youtu.be/s0qGt0dspCY?si=5yOdr0bCGgAyjGgl Iran Prophecy: https://youtu.be/3eont1dBolU?si=w0JBBXeD-AgNcH-d Trump Prophecies: https://youtu.be/EhXwbcGSKJ8?si=NWKa0pS7UNLXfljY Media: https://share.google/LXCeKfdMW4JZp2iaA Related Links: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaEsxcI2kNFoEp8VAq3n https://www.facebook.com/share/17mff8ymQK/ https://www.tiktok.com/[shanehanley75]?_r=1&_t=ZS-94g4mk1bA7G*

a true servant can be recognized by his character of doing nothing for himself, FOR everything we do foe ourselves is a step away from the Lord, Every payment we receive that buys things in the world is payment out from the Lord, Every single thing we own is a srumbling block between ghe Lord and us, John the babtest was the purest to walk earth.. the lord said such. john had nothing therefore this is the besr you can be in thr lords eyes

Good morning, brethren. 1. Morning devotion for today. MD.i. 😀🌹🎀🎁💝🌺 MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY THURSDAY AUGUST 20, 2O26. "FREEDOM FROM SEXUAL ADDICTION" ‘…Help us for the glory of your name…’ Psalms 79:9 NLT FOR FIFTEEN years, Mike Cleveland, airline pilot and founder of ‘Setting Captives Free,’ seemed powerless as his addiction to online pornography devastated his life, his marriage and his family. The spiral of lust enslaved him ‘until there wasn’t a moment of his days free from its tortured domination.’ The cycle of prayers for deliverance, followed by repeated indulgence in porn, XXX DVDs, and sex chat-rooms, plunged him deeper into the darkness of despair and He longed to escape the slimy, secluded underworld of secret soul-destroying sin, but every pathetic attempt left him unchanged, unhinged, and uncertain that freedom was possible for him. Mike turned to self-help books, counsellors and friends without success. His repeated disappointment, when every effort failed, led to increasing guilt and self-incrimination. When his wife insisted on a last-ditch visit to see her pastor (all other remedies had been exhausted), the lights in their bleak prison cell suddenly came on. Mike learned that ‘…deliverance belong(s) to the Lord’ (Jonah 2:9 AMP), and its rules are all dictated by Him. Mike’s old motivations for getting clean—‘saving my marriage for my kids’ sake; I’m a Christian, a seminary graduate and preacher’—were full of ‘loopholes and escape clauses’ and produced one botched disaster after another. His pastor taught him that the only viable motivation for getting clean and staying clean was a commitment to glorifying God in all of his decisions, because God delivers the powerless, ‘For the glory of [His] name.’ When Mike learned, ‘…whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God’ (1Corinthians 10:31 NIV), the doors to freedom from years of sexual addiction began to open. Yours can too. Bible In A Year: Lam 1:1 – 3:39, Matt 19:15-30, Ps 119:121-128, Pro 18:13-20. Courtesy : Grace So Amazing Foundation 💝🎀 *To partner with us, kindly refer to page 9 of the hard copy edition or simply send us a WhatsApp message/call on +2348128000068.*🌹🌷🎀💝. MD.ii. [19/08, 8:10 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA* THURSDAY, 20TH AUGUST, 2026. *FROM FAME TO SHAME* *TEXT:* JOSHUA 7:1-6. 7 But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel. 2 And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Bethaven, on the east of Bethel, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai. 3 And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labour thither; for they are but few. 4 So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai. 5 And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water. 6 And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads. *Timeless Truth:*_"A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump"_ (1 Corinthians 5:9). *INTRODUCTION* Israel had just experienced a remarkable victory at Jericho. The intimidating walls had fallen, the people had rejoiced, and Joshua’s leadership had received great honour. *"So the LORD was with Joshua; and his fame was noise throughout all the country"* (Joshua 6:27). Yet, within a short time, that fame turned into shame. It is noteworthy that Israel never lost any battle either under Moses or under Joshua. It was natural for them to think that experience is the best teacher. The text shows clearly the danger of leaning only on experience when it comes to spiritual battles. God must continue to lead and the Word of God must remain final. The text teaches us that yesterday’s victory does not guarantee today’s success when there is hidden disobedience. Sin in the camp can turn triumph into tragedy. God desires not only victorious people, but also holy people. *1. Stealing Cursed Properties* a. *"For the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing"*. A glorious and happy journey suddenly turned sour and sorrowful because of sin. Many great men have also fallen from glory to grass just because of a single sin that became public.One man sinned and the whole nation suffered for it. The army that the whole Canaanites dreaded and could not conquer was conquered by the sin of a single rebel. Obviously, the tempter and demons had a field day. Achan was guilty of stealing what did not belong to him. That was disobedience to one of the ten commandments, *"thou shalt not steal"*. He did not just steal what belonged to his neighbours, which was equally sin, he stole classified materials that God called accursed and those that were to be reserved for God in His sanctuary. He did not feign ignorance when caught, he knew it was forbidden. He went deeper in his sin by hiding it from people until the knock of death became real. God had expressly commanded Israel concerning the devoted things of Jericho. *"And ye shall in any wise keep yourself from accursed thing, lest ye make yourself accursed..."* (Joshua 6:1). Achan secretly took what God had forbidden. He thought since nobody saw it, God could not have seen it either. His private sin produced public consequences: *“the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.”* b. Achan’s action reminds us that what is obtained through disobedience cannot produce lasting blessings. Hidden sin may remain concealed from people, but nothing is hidden from God. The desire for material gain can lead a person from honour to disgrace, from victory to defeat and from fame to shame. Sin will turn fame to shame overnight no matter how long it can be hidden. There are some shame that can never be taken away. Some people's sins are revealed after death and they bring a lot of shame on themselves and their families. The sin of a single person can bring a whole family, church and nation into unlimited ridicule and defeat. *"A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump"*. There must be care and watchfulness against all forms of sins so as to avoid community, church or societal judgment. Partnership and marriage with accursed and demonized people have deadly consequences and should be avoided. *Question* Is there anything in my life that I have acquired or retained contrary to God’s command? *2. Self-Confidence and Pride* a. Israel had so far won all their battles. Jericho had a population of between 1,200 and 3,000 and yet they had to allow God to guide and lead them. As few as they were, the whole army of Israel was involved. The population of Ai was about 12,000. Shouldn't they ask for guidance as usual? They resorted to recommendations of experience without checking up from God. Unconsciously, pride of past successes results in self confidence. The spies returned with confidence, suggesting that only a small force was needed for such a large city. They thought it was their wisdom and might that had earned them a former victory. Their assessment overlooked the most important factor—the presence and favour of God. They trusted their own strength rather than seeking God's direction. Consequently, about three thousand men went to battle and were defeated. b. Success can sometimes produce overconfidence, making us forget that every victory comes from God. *"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will trust the name of the LORD"*. Pride as a result of past victory or success are natural reactions that must be deliberately avoided. Human strength, experience, position, wealth and reputation cannot substitute for dependence upon the Lord. *Question* Am I depending more on my past achievements and personal ability than on God? *3. Supplication with Crying after Defeat* a. The shame and defeat brought Joshua to his knees to do what he should have done before sending 3000 for the battle. If he had prayed, remained spiritually sensitive and heard from God, God would have told him not to proceed on the battle, but to settle the issue on ground first. On the other hand, we must commend Joshua for not being touchy. He could have blamed the spies for underestimating the population of Ai. He could have blamed the defeated soldiers for being careless and not smart enough. Joshua did not do that. He could see abnormality and spiritual implications in the unusual and unexpected defeat. When strange things happen to us contrary to the Word and promise of God, we should learn to see the face of God and hear His Word on the matter. b. Israel’s defeat brought fear, discouragement and deep sorrow. Joshua tore his clothes and fell before the Ark of the LORD with the elders, putting dust upon their heads. His response shows that when God's people experience defeat, they must turn to God in humility and supplication. Prayer should not merely be our response after failure; it should be our posture before every major undertaking. Nevertheless, even in defeat, God can reveal the cause of the problem and lead His people back to restoration. The place of brokenness can become the beginning of renewed obedience. *Question* When I experience failure or defeat, do I genuinely seek God for correction and restoration? *Prayer Points* 1.Lord, give me grace to reject every form of disobedience and to flee from every forbidden thing. Keep me from falling into shame and ridicule 🙏. 2.Father, deliver me from pride, self-confidence and dependence on human strength 🙏. 3.Lord, give me a humble and prayerful heart that seeks Your direction before every decision 🙏. 4.Father, wherever Your children have suffered defeat because of disobedience, expose the root cause, forgive, restore and lead them back to victory 🙏. *HYMN:* Yield Not To Temptation *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* JOB 38-42. [19/08, 8:10 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS) THURSDAY 20TH AUGUST, 2026``` *UNDERESTIMATING SIN'S DEADLINESS* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🖤⚠️‼️🛑❌⚖️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:JOSHUA 7:1-6```📜📜 🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads" (JOSHUA 7:6).*_ *When COVID-19 ran rampant early in 2020, no one could imagine that it would, under twenty-four months, send more than 7.5 million souls to an unprepared eternity while casualties from related causes would be close to 15 million. In its trail were socioeconomic disasters, unemployment, poverty, depression and pervasive suicide. The root cause of the high mortality was the earlier attempts to cover its tracks. An even more dangerous disease - sin - is on the sprawl in our world. It, too, is impossible to keep under wraps because many people do not recognise its deadliness.* *Our text unfolds the folly and tragic story of Achan, his sin and the consequences. Against God's command, he had taken some of the spoils from Jericho. And worse was his attempt to cover up the sin by hiding the stolen spoil under the earth in his tent. The consequence of this was the humiliating, ignominious defeat of Israel at Ai, the death of thirty-six valiant men, and the sombre, ominous shadow of failure cast over the camp of God's chosen people. This disaster in battle, on the path of Joshua, led to humiliation, self-examination, prayer and faith, and finally to victory.* *Joshua embarked on an awfully painful search and recovery. This is the gist of our text. The magnified leader is now mortified, but he refrained from maligning God. Self-emptied, self-humiliated and broken, Joshua's primary concerns were twofold: loss of innocent Israelites and the tender regard for the honour of God's name. He wailed: "O Lord, what will thou do unto thy great name?" He conceded both justice and wisdom to God. Neither did he blame the spies he sent out for furnishing the nation with supposedly inaccurate security reports. Nor did he castigate the soldiers who were defeated in battle for cowardice. Joshua did not underestimate the deadliness of sin. He wisely resorted to the only window left, namely, mercy, as a solution to the present crisis.* *The only option you have when ensnared in sin is a broken and contrite heart. Confession of sins, self-examination, and genuine repentance void of any excuse or alibi, coupled with a commitment to do restitution wherever it is needful, are the indispensable steps to be saved or restored to fellowship and favour with the Lord.* ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*Confessing sin is good, but forsaking sin is much better.*_ 📜📜```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *DANIEL 1-2*📜📜 Underestimating Sin's Deadliness https://dailymanna.app// *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 6: YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION; GHS 246: O BROTHER, LIFE'S JOURNEY BEGINNING; AND GHS 133: OUT OF MY BONDAGE* *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#DailyManna20thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [19/08, 8:10 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*HIGHER EVERYD🅰️Y: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_ ✍🏽👩🏻‍💼🌻 🍇🙏🏽🛰🚀🔬📚 ```THURSDAY 20TH AUGUST, 2026``` *CHRISTIAN CLEANSING* 🎚️📓📖🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🖤🩸🤍🥼🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:ISAIAH 52:1-3```📜📜 📖``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean" (ISAIAH 52:1).*_ *Spiritual check-up should be a routine practice for Christians to maintain sanctity. It is your responsibility to cleanse yourself from all the filthiness that is flying all over your community. It starts by watching physically over what you allow into your life, beginning from the books you read, the movies you watch, the friends you keep, and so on.* *Unclean instruments will make you dirty and unacceptable in the sight of God. God wants His children to cleanse themselves and remain pure because He does not want to lose any of them to the devil and to hell, a place of eternal perdition.* *Beloved, you are the holy city of God and "henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean" (Isaiah 52:1). Consciously pray to God for heart cleansing or sanctification experience where your adamic nature would be uprooted.* *Remember that heaven is for only those who are holy. Trust in God because He "is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 1:24).* 💬 ```QUOTE:``` _*It starts by watching.*_ 🏆 ```CHALLENGE:``` _*Be clean in an unclean generation.*_ 🙏🏽🙏🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Lord, help me to live a clean life.*_ Christian Cleansing https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#HigherEveryday20thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [19/08, 8:10 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣6️⃣)*_ 🙇🏼🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼‍♂️ ```THURSDAY 20TH AUGUST, 2026``` *REASONABLE SERVICE* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```ROMANS 12:1-3```📜📜 🕔📚🖋️🚻😁🎼🏆🍉🪴🌈💻 🔑📖 ```Key Verse:``` _*"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service" (Romans 12:1).*_ 📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖 A child who desires to serve God acceptably must offer unto Him a service that is reasonable. This means something that is of highest quality and standard. A reasonable service involves: *(i) Offering your body as a living sacrifice, free of blemish or stain of sin.* *(ii) Living a holy life.* During the Olympic Games, a lot of athletes represented their countries and won various medals. However, some of them were disqualified for various reasons, such as doping (the unlawful use of drugs to enhance performance). They failed because they did not present their bodies for the competition in the natural form. Our Bible passage encouraged believers to present their bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, and be not conformed to this world in their way of life. Just like the athletes who were disqualified for falling short of the standard expected of them, any child who falls short of God's expectation will surely be disqualified from entering the kingdom of God. *For your service to become reasonable and acceptable to God, you need to genuinely repent of your sins and promise Jesus never to go back to sin anymore. Then you can be assured of eternal life. A service becomes reasonable when it is offered with clean hands and a pure heart.* 🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥 ```🅿️rayer:``` _*Lord, make my service acceptable in your sight.*_ 🙏🏽 ```📖 Further Reading:``` *Romans 12:4-8* Reasonable Service https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#SincereMilk20thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS]. 2. Morning Prayer for today. MP.i. Morning Prayer My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct [my prayer] unto thee, and will look up. ⏤ Psalm 5:3 The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer. ⏤ F.B. Meyer O God, we come to You with nothing but our needs and a meager return of gratitude from our flawed hearts. But we are glad to know that You welcome us even with our needs and sins. Reveal Your love to us so clearly that it kindles our love for You, teaching us to love You more. This morning calls us to praise and thanksgiving. We’ve slept and awakened, preserved and refreshed by Your care. Our lives have been renewed through sleep, and now the sun shines on us again, bringing us joy. Give us a Father’s morning blessing as we step into the duties of this new day. Purify our hearts so that our thoughts and feelings may be pure. Grant us diligence, honesty, truthfulness, and a spirit of service so that we may carry out our tasks in a way that honors Your name. May we learn more and more how to walk with Jesus in the ordinary days, the week-days, so that they too may be brightened by Your grace. Preserve us from foolishness, idle words, and anything that would profane our lives or damage the impression we leave on others. May our daily walk be a living gospel. May we be a blessing to everyone we meet. Keep us from discouraging others. Help us to live in such a way that everyone who knows us will find it easier to be true, holy, and happy. Grant us now a Father’s morning blessing. Then we will be stronger throughout the day, safe amid temptation, and able to live sweetly and for You, through Jesus Christ. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/46/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

DAILY DEVOTION…Thursday August 20, 2026 Colossians 2:6-7…"Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude." Standing Firm in Christ Think about a massive, ancient oak tree. When a violent storm hits, the tree doesn’t topple over. Why? Because underneath the soil lies a hidden, sprawling network of roots that dig deep into the earth, anchoring it firmly to the ground. Paul uses this exact imagery to describe how we are meant to live out our Christian faith. He reminds us that the way we started our journey with Jesus—by simple, humble faith—is the exact same way we must continue it every single day. Spiritual growth isn’t about discovering hidden secrets or chasing after the latest cultural trends; it is about sinking our roots deeper into the person of Jesus Christ. When our roots are firmly planted in His Word, we find the stability we need to survive life's storms. We are "built up" and "established." This means our faith isn't fragile or easily shaken by doubt, unexpected trials, or deceptive philosophies (Ephesians 4:14). Instead, we become strong, steady, and secure in our identity. But Paul adds a beautiful indicator of a healthy, deeply-rooted faith: an overflow of gratitude. A complaining heart is often a sign of shallow roots. When we are constantly pulling nourishment from God's grace, love, and faithfulness, thankfulness naturally bubbles up and pours out of our lives. Gratitude becomes our default response, shifting our focus from what we think we lack to the immense riches we already possess in Christ. Stay grounded in Him today, and let His truth stabilize your soul. 4 Key Spiritual Truths Gleaned from Colossians 2:6-7… 1. The Daily Walk Mirrors the Beginning: The same simple faith and total dependence required for salvation is the exact standard required for daily Christian living (Galatians 3:3). 2. Roots Determine Stability: A believer's capacity to withstand the storms and deceptions of life is directly connected to how deeply they are anchored in Christ (Jeremiah 17:7-8). 3. Growth is Continuous and Structural: Being "built up" is an ongoing, lifelong process where the Holy Spirit aligns every area of our lives to the foundation of Jesus (1 Corinthians 3:11). 4. Gratitude is the Ultimate Health Check: An overflowing heart of thankfulness is the natural, undeniable fruit of a spiritually mature and established faith (1 Thessalonians 5:18). THE BIBLE: God’s Compass For Our Daily Living

𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 ✍️ “𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘳, 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳.” Life’s burdens can feel too heavy to carry alone. Trials, temptations, grief, and tears can weigh down even the strongest believer. We are often taught to handle our problems privately and never show weakness. Yet God never designed His people to walk in isolation. Whether we are hiding our struggles or overlooking someone else’s, the question is not whether burdens exist—but whether we will carry them together. Paul writes in 🕮 𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟔:𝟐, “𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘺𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳'𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘧𝘪𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘸 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵.” The command is simple but weighty. The Christian life is not merely about enduring our own trials; it also calls us to help fellow believers through seasons when their burdens become too heavy. Grace received should become grace extended. A single branch may break under fruit’s weight, but many together can bear much more. So it is with the church. Sometimes we need someone to pray with us, weep with us, encourage us, or lovingly correct us. Some burdens become lighter when they are carried together. Biblical fellowship is not merely sitting beside one another—it is standing with one another. Scripture repeatedly calls us to this kind of compassionate care. We are commanded to “𝘳𝘦𝘫𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘫𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘱” (𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟏𝟐:𝟏𝟓), and to “𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥, 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘬, 𝘣𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘦𝘯” (𝟏 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟓:𝟏𝟒), We are not only called to walk together; but we are called to be a burden-bearer. We are to “𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴” (𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟐:𝟒). Don’t be a spectator tossing water bottles from the stands—enter the race. A simple prayer, timely encouragement, listening ear, or faithful presence can beautifully express Christ’s love. True fellowship means getting our hands dirty in the trenches of another’s grief. Christ carried the burden we could never carry ourselves. Isaiah declared, “𝘚𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘧𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘴” (𝐈𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐚𝐡 𝟓𝟑:𝟒). At Calvary, Jesus bore our sins and suffered in our place. He died for our sins, was buried, and rose again according to the Scriptures (𝟏 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟏𝟓:𝟑–𝟒). We carry one another because our Saviour first carried our greatest burden—our sin. Who around you is carrying something too heavy to bear alone? Have you become so occupied with your own concerns that you no longer notice the hurting beside you? You don't need Christ merely to carry your own burdens—you need Him to teach you how to carry others with His love. Look around. Someone may not need another sermon today—they may need someone willing to carry together. 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫: Heavenly Father, thank You for carrying us through burdens we could never bear alone. Forgive us for overlooking those who are hurting around us. Give us compassionate hearts, willing hands, and faithful spirits to encourage, strengthen, and help one another for the glory of Christ. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. Remember, a dose of God’s Word a day will keep you going all day! 𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐨𝐝... _____________________________________________________ All scripture references were taken from the KJV Bible. Thank you for allowing this ministry to be a part of your day… If my posts speak to your heart, you may be blessed by the full devotional series created for deeper reflection and journaling: 👉 FREE FlipBook Previews: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/ae17998766.html 📚 Also available now on Amazon (Kindle & Paperback) ✨ Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited! https://www.amazon.com/author/dennislastimoso Also, just in case you need a reliable, dedicated online Bible Study Tool, I created one for you. 👉 Try it here for FREE, anytime at your hand: https://www.baptistry.app Your support helps us continue this ministry, edifying the believers around the world. May God bless you more abundantly…

THE VOICE THAT CALMS THE STORM When Jesus Speaks, Chaos Must Obey Key Scriptures: Mark 4:35–41; Psalm 107:28–29; Isaiah 43:2 Life can throw storms our way that feel completely out of our hands. Sometimes these storms rage around us, and other times, they brew within. You might be grappling with financial strain, family issues, disappointment, uncertainty, illness, or even opposition, leaving you to wonder if God is still by your side. The disciples faced a similar tempest while Jesus was right there in the boat with them. As the waves crashed around them, Jesus was peacefully asleep. When they finally woke Him, He simply rebuked the wind and commanded the sea, "Peace, be still." Instantly, the wind died down, and a profound calm settled in (Mark 4:39). The storm was fierce, but the voice of Jesus was even more powerful. The disciples were filled with fear because they were fixated on the storm's magnitude rather than the presence of Jesus in their midst. Often, our biggest struggle isn’t the storm itself but the beliefs it instills in us. Fear whispers, "You're going to drown." Discouragement insists, "There’s no escape." Yet, God’s Word reassures us, "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee" (Isaiah 43:2). Having Jesus with you doesn’t mean you’ll never face storms; it means you’ll never have to face them alone. It’s important to note that Jesus didn’t panic when He encountered the storm. Instead, He spoke directly to it. This shows His authority over situations that seem beyond our control. Psalm 107:29 tells us, "He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still." There are circumstances you can’t change through your own strength, connections, wealth, or intellect, but a single word from Jesus can transform everything. When God speaks, chaos can turn to calm, fear can shift to faith, and what seems impossible can become a powerful tesIf you're caught in a storm today, take a moment to listen for the voice of Jesus. Don’t let the chaos of the storm drown out the Word of God. He’s still whispering, "Peace, be still." The storm might be roaring, but God's voice is even louder. The waves may be crashing, but His authority stands even taller. The night might feel overwhelming, yet His presence is right there with you. Remember, your storm has an expiration date. Keep your faith anchored in Jesus, because the same voice that calmed the sea can soothe your heart, transform your situation, and guide you safely to the other side. Closing Prayer Heavenly Father, we come before You with gratitude, knowing You are the Lord over every storm. When our hearts are heavy and our circumstances feel chaotic, remind us that Jesus is right there in the boat with us. Lord, we ask You to speak Your peace into every storm we face. Calm the tempests of fear, confusion, financial strain, family struggles, disappointment, and uncertainty. Silence every voice that urges us to give up, and let Your Word ring louder than our challenges. Grant us the faith to trust You, even when the waves are crashing around us. Help us remember that while the storm is fleeting, Your presence is everlasting. Lead us safely to the other side, and let every storm we encounter become a testament to Your power and faithfulness. Jesus, speak into our storms today: "Peace, be still!" Let the winds die down, let the waves settle, and let Your peace reign in our hearts. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

THE VOICE THAT CALMS THE STORM When Jesus Speaks, Chaos Must Obey Key Scriptures: Mark 4:35–41; Psalm 107:28–29; Isaiah 43:2 Life can throw storms our way that feel completely out of our hands. Sometimes these storms rage around us, and other times, they brew within. You might be grappling with financial strain, family issues, disappointment, uncertainty, illness, or even opposition, leaving you to wonder if God is still by your side. The disciples faced a similar tempest while Jesus was right there in the boat with them. As the waves crashed around them, Jesus was peacefully asleep. When they finally woke Him, He simply rebuked the wind and commanded the sea, "Peace, be still." Instantly, the wind died down, and a profound calm settled in (Mark 4:39). The storm was fierce, but the voice of Jesus was even more powerful. The disciples were filled with fear because they were fixated on the storm's magnitude rather than the presence of Jesus in their midst. Often, our biggest struggle isn’t the storm itself but the beliefs it instills in us. Fear whispers, "You're going to drown." Discouragement insists, "There’s no escape." Yet, God’s Word reassures us, "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee" (Isaiah 43:2). Having Jesus with you doesn’t mean you’ll never face storms; it means you’ll never have to face them alone. It’s important to note that Jesus didn’t panic when He encountered the storm. Instead, He spoke directly to it. This shows His authority over situations that seem beyond our control. Psalm 107:29 tells us, "He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still." There are circumstances you can’t change through your own strength, connections, wealth, or intellect, but a single word from Jesus can transform everything. When God speaks, chaos can turn to calm, fear can shift to faith, and what seems impossible can become a powerful tesIf you're caught in a storm today, take a moment to listen for the voice of Jesus. Don’t let the chaos of the storm drown out the Word of God. He’s still whispering, "Peace, be still." The storm might be roaring, but God's voice is even louder. The waves may be crashing, but His authority stands even taller. The night might feel overwhelming, yet His presence is right there with you. Remember, your storm has an expiration date. Keep your faith anchored in Jesus, because the same voice that calmed the sea can soothe your heart, transform your situation, and guide you safely to the other side. Closing Prayer Heavenly Father, we come before You with gratitude, knowing You are the Lord over every storm. When our hearts are heavy and our circumstances feel chaotic, remind us that Jesus is right there in the boat with us. Lord, we ask You to speak Your peace into every storm we face. Calm the tempests of fear, confusion, financial strain, family struggles, disappointment, and uncertainty. Silence every voice that urges us to give up, and let Your Word ring louder than our challenges. Grant us the faith to trust You, even when the waves are crashing around us. Help us remember that while the storm is fleeting, Your presence is everlasting. Lead us safely to the other side, and let every storm we encounter become a testament to Your power and faithfulness. Jesus, speak into our storms today: "Peace, be still!" Let the winds die down, let the waves settle, and let Your peace reign in our hearts. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Matthew 6:25-30 ESV [25] “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? [26] Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? [27] And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? [28] And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, [29] yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [30] But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Guidelines for living. August 19th, 2026 God is as Close as Your Need The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1 Anyone who has ever looked up at the stars on a dark night has, at times, been awe-struck by their vastness and the greatness of space, yet only twelve men in all history have been privileged to stand on the moon and look back towards the blue planet, as Earth has described. Standing on the surface of the moon, the Earth is some 229,000 plus miles away, and, according to Jim Irwin, one of the 12 astronauts who saw it from that perspective, the Earth appears to be the size of a walnut. It takes a second and a half for light to reach us from the moon. Accordingly, astronomers refer to heavenly bodies as being light-years away. Now, a light year is the distance it takes light to travel in 365 days at the speed of 186,282 miles per second. Our closest star, excluding the sun, is Alpha Centauri: 26 trillion miles away. It’s five times the sun; it takes 4.5 light years for light to reach us even from the closest star. Very quickly the vastness of God’s creation begins to challenge our minds and comprehension—too great to fathom. So, how can the human mind handle all of this when we are accustomed to measuring distance in terms of miles or kilometers from our home? Now, imagine the thickness of a single sheet of paper and conceptualize that sheet of paper as representing the distance from the Earth to the sun, 93 million miles away. The distance to Alpha Centauri, the closest star, would be represented by the thickness of a stack of paper 71 feet high, or the height of a seven-story building. The diameter of our galaxy alone would be a pile of paper 310 miles high. Again, that’s based on the fact that the thickness of a single sheet of paper would represent the distance between the Earth and the sun. On several occasions, Jim Irwin, one of the 12 astronauts, was our guest at Guidelines. Before I did an interview with him, we had lunch with several friends at a nearby restaurant. While he was away from the table making a phone call, I told the waitress serving us who he was. When Jim came back to the table, the waitress kept peering out of the corner of her eye. But honestly, having experienced what Colonel James Irwin experienced separated him from the masses of humanity who stand on Earth and look up at the moon and the stars. One thing that impressed me about Jim is that his perspective of Earth, as well as of space and God, was different from most people. Why? He’d been there! He saw it from a different perspective, and for him life would never be the same. Robert Louis Stevenson, the poet, put it so beautifully when he wrote, The stars shine over the mountains, The stars shine over the sea, The stars look up to the mighty God, The stars look down on me, The stars shall last for a million years, A million years and a day, But God and I will live and love When the stars have passed away.”1 God is not “out there” somewhere. He’s as close as your need. He will reveal something of that personal care for you as you turn to Him and trust Him. He’s the God who cares, as well as the God, the Creator—which you can discover for yourself. Friend, get to know God. That’s the secret to life. Resource Reading: Psalm 19:1-14

God's Creation,100 / evolution,0 THE UNMISTAKABLE ENGINEERING OF A DRAGONFLY WING At first glance, a dragonfly wing looks like fragile lace stretched across a frame. In reality, it is one of the most sophisticated passive flight control systems ever discovered. Embedded halfway along each wing is a microscopic structure called the nodus. This is not decoration. It is a precision engineered mechanical joint. In modern engineering terms, it functions as a passive aeroelastic control hinge. The nodus divides the wing into inner and outer sections with deliberately different stiffness profiles. At low speeds, the wing behaves as a single rigid surface, maximizing lift and efficiency. As speed increases or turbulence intensifies, aerodynamic forces automatically cause the outer wing section to rotate slightly out of phase with the inner section. This passive motion reduces torsional stress, suppresses destructive flutter, and stabilizes flight without sensors, nerves, or active feedback. The wing adapts instantly, driven purely by physics. What makes this even more extraordinary is the material engineering. The veins surrounding the nodus transition gradually from stiff to compliant in a highly specific pattern. Membrane tension changes across the joint in a way that prevents crack propagation and structural failure. Even after millions of wing beats, the wing does not fatigue catastrophically. Aerospace engineers struggle to achieve this kind of load management and vibration damping even with advanced composites and active control systems. This system cannot be built gradually. A wing that flexes too early loses lift. A wing that flexes too late fails structurally. The nodus only works when its geometry, placement, material gradients, and membrane tensions are all correct at the same time. Partial versions are liabilities, not advantages. This is not trial and error. This is foresight. Scripture says creation was established in wisdom and understanding. When you look closely at structures like the dragonfly nodus, that claim stops sounding poetic and starts sounding precise. This is not accidental elegance. This is engineering written into living tissue from the beginning