Good evening, brethren.
1. Evening devotion for today.

ED.i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST*
(COCIN DEVOTIONAL)

*DATE:*
SUNDAY 23RD AUGUST, 2026.

*SUB-THEME:*
YOUTHS: VESSELS OF GOD’S GRACE.

*TOPIC:*
PURSUIT OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH.

*TEXT:*
EPHESIANS 4:13-14.
13. until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.

*TOPIC:*
PURSUIT OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH.

*THE MESSAGE:*
The Holy Spirit bestows special gifts on believers to equip and edify them for spiritual maturity. The goal is for believers to attain the "unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God", growing into the fullness of Christ (v. 13). Paul contrasts this maturity with spiritual immaturity (v. 14). Warning against being misled by false teachings and deceptive doctrines. Instead, believers are to speak the truth in love, growing up in every way into Christ, who is the Head of the body. Many, especially the young, are misled by human philosophies. For example, relativism - which teaches that there is no absolute truth, what is true for you may not be true for me. Are you growing in the faith? Maintain a consistent life of Prayer, Bible Study, and Christian Fellowship to grow in maturity.

*REFLECTION:*
Desire spiritual nourishment.

*PRAYER:*
Lord, help me to crave spiritual growth. Amen.

*MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:*
2 TIMOTHY 2:21.
"If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be instruments for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master, and prepared to do any good work."

*TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:*
EZEKIEL 29-30.

ED.ii. WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?

"Be filled with the Spirit." - Ephesians 5:18

According to the Bible, the Holy Spirit is a Person. Let this message penetrate your mind. When Jesus speaks about the Holy Spirit, Jesus always refers to 'He'. HE is not a thing but a person. We see in the Bible that the Holy Spirit has a mind, emotions and a will. The Holy Spirit speaks. Revelation 2:7 says: 'Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

The Holy Spirit intercedes. Romans 8:26 says: 'The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.'

The Holy Spirit testifies. John 15:26 says: 'The Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father — He will testify about Me.'

The Holy Spirit shows the way. John 16:13 says: 'But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth.'

The Holy Spirit leads. Romans 8:14 says: 'For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.'

The Holy Spirit gives instructions. Acts 16:6 says: '…having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.'

The Holy Spirit appoints. Acts 20:28 says: 'Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.'

The Holy Spirit is also a Person to whom you can lie. Read the history of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11. You can insult (see Hebrews 10:29), blaspheme (see Matthew 12:31) and grieve the Spirit (see Ephesians 4:30).

The Holy Spirit is a Divine Person and is everywhere. Today God still wants to fill His children with His Holy Spirit!


https://www.theblessingdevotional.com

Evening Prayer for today.

EP.i. Evening Prayer

A Psalm of David. The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. ⏤ Psalm 23:1-3

God loves importunate prayer so much that He will not give us much blessing without it. ⏤ Adoniram Judson

O Lord, You are our Shepherd; we will lack nothing. You make us lie down in green pastures and lead us beside still waters. You have been our Shepherd today. We have been in Your pastures as we have read Your word and worshiped with Your people.

We bow at Your throne with grateful hearts at the close of this day. We gather up the precious fragments of this day to carry with us, to feed upon in the days ahead. You have kept our feet from stumbling, our eyes from tears, and our souls from death.

We have walked with Jesus, and our hearts have burned within us as He talked with us along the way.

We ask You to fix deep in our hearts all the good impressions, lessons learned, and influences that have touched our lives today. Too often, we make sincere resolves and promises while our hearts are warmed with love, only to forget them tomorrow. Fix this Sunday's teachings so deeply in our minds that we never lose them. May we be stronger in faith, more earnest in purpose, and more holy in thought and feeling because of our communion with You this day.

Ever-living God, who neither slumbers nor sleeps—take charge of our bodies and souls during the dark hours of the night. Give us refreshing rest and sleep. Let tomorrow be sweet and holy, made so by the blessings of Sunday flowing into it. May we carry the fragrance of this day into the world’s life. And to Him who is able to keep us from falling and to present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God, our Savior, be glory forever and ever. Amen.

https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/49/evening

#taptapstudio
#youdevotion.

Isaiah 53 is the last of four messianic prophecies in the book of Isaiah known as the “Servant Songs” (chs. 42, 49, 50, 53) because they speak of the ministry, suffering, and exaltation of God’s Servant, the Messiah. Chapter 53 describes the rejection of Jesus (vv. 1-3), His suffering and death in our place (vv. 4-6), His sacrificial death and burial (vv. 7-9), and His resurrection (vv. 10-12).

The New Testament unequivocally applies Isaiah 53 to Christ (see John 12:38; Romans 10:16 [Isaiah 53:1]; Matthew 8:17 [Isaiah 53:4]; 1 Peter 2:22-25 [Isaiah 53:4-9]; Acts 8:32-33 [Isaiah 53:7-8]; Luke 22:37 [Isaiah 53:12]). Peter quoted Isaiah 53:4-9 (1 Peter 2:22-25) to encourage believers in Jesus who were suffering because of their faith (1:6) that Christ also endured unjust suffering. When we put our faith in Jesus—the authentic Son of God—He’ll help us reflect Him in our lives and “follow in his steps” (v. 21).

PROVERB OF THE DAY

(Proverbs 23)

1. When you sit down to eat with a ruler,
Consider carefully what is before you;

2. And put a knife to your throat
If you are a man given to appetite.

3. Do not desire his delicacies,
For they are deceptive food.

4. Do not overwork to be rich;
Because of your own understanding, cease!

5. Will you set your eyes on that which is not?
For riches certainly make themselves wings;
They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.

6. Do not eat the bread of a miser,
Nor desire his delicacies;

7. For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
“Eat and drink!” he says to you,
But his heart is not with you.

8. The morsel you have eaten, you will vomit up,
And waste your pleasant words.

9. Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,
For he will despise the wisdom of your words.

10. Do not remove the ancient landmark,
Nor enter the fields of the fatherless;

11. For their Redeemer is mighty;
He will plead their cause against you.

12. Apply your heart to instruction,
And your ears to words of knowledge.

13. Do not withhold correction from a child,
For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.

14. You shall beat him with a rod,
And deliver his soul from hell.

15. My son, if your heart is wise,
My heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself;

16. Yes, my inmost being will rejoice
When your lips speak right things.

17. Do not let your heart envy sinners,
But be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day;

18. For surely there is a hereafter,
And your hope will not be cut off.

19. Hear, my son, and be wise;
And guide your heart in the way.

20. Do not mix with winebibbers,
Or with gluttonous eaters of meat;

21. For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,
And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.

22. Listen to your father who begot you,
And do not despise your mother when she is old.

23. Buy the truth, and do not sell it,
Also wisdom and instruction and understanding.

24. The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice,
And he who begets a wise child will delight in him.

25. Let your father and your mother be glad,
And let her who bore you rejoice.

26. My son, give me your heart,
And let your eyes observe my ways.

27. For a harlot is a deep pit,
And a seductress is a narrow well.

28. She also lies in wait as for a victim,
And increases the unfaithful among men.

29. Who has woe?
Who has sorrow?
Who has contentions?
Who has complaints?
Who has wounds without cause?
Who has redness of eyes?

30. Those who linger long at the wine,
Those who go in search of mixed wine.

31. Do not look on the wine when it is red,
When it sparkles in the cup,
When it swirls around smoothly;

32. At the last it bites like a serpent,
And stings like a viper.

33. Your eyes will see strange things,
And your heart will utter perverse things.

34. Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,
Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying:

35. “They have struck me, but I was not hurt;
They have beaten me, but I did not feel it.
When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?”

TODAY'S BIBLE READING
Sunday, August 23
OLD TESTAMENT
RUTH 3 — Ruth and Boaz
NEW TESTAMENT
1 JOHN 5 — Faith in the Son of God
Congratulations on completing the book of 1 John! Tomorrow we begin 2 John.
MAJOR PROPHETS
ISAIAH 34 — Judgment Against the Nations
TODAY'S REFLECTION
Ruth 3
Ruth follows Naomi's instructions and approaches Boaz with humility and trust. Boaz responds with integrity, showing the importance of honour, kindness, and doing what is right even when circumstances are difficult.
1 John 5
John emphasizes faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and assures believers of eternal life. Our confidence is not in ourselves but in Christ, and genuine faith produces obedience and love for God.
Isaiah 34
Isaiah describes God's judgment against the nations and reminds us that God's justice is certain. No power can ultimately stand against His righteous purposes.
KEY VERSE
“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”
— 1 John 5:11
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Strengthen our faith and help us to walk in obedience, love, and integrity. Give us the wisdom to trust Your timing, just as Ruth trusted You, and help us remain confident in Your righteous purposes. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.
TODAY'S CHALLENGE
Put your faith into action today. Trust God's timing, walk with integrity, and let your love for Christ be seen through your obedience and the way you treat others.
WE STUDY. WE PRAY. WE OBEY. WE GROW. UNTIL WE ARE TOTALLY TRANSFORMED.

John 1:14 ESV
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

DO YOU KNOW WHO JESUS IS?
Knowing His Name Is Not the Same as Knowing Him!

Key Scripture — Acts 19:14–16 (KJV)
“And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.”

Thought Of The Day...
There is a tremendous difference between knowing about Jesus and actually knowing Jesus.
Acts 19 gives us a powerful and sobering picture of this truth. The seven sons of Sceva had heard about the miracles taking place through the Apostle Paul. They had witnessed or heard reports of demons being cast out and lives being transformed through the name of Jesus.
They saw the results, but they did not understand the relationship behind the results.
They wanted the authority Paul demonstrated without possessing the relationship Paul had.
They attempted to use the name of Jesus almost like a spiritual formula. Earlier in the passage they said:
“We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.”
— Acts 19:13 (KJV)
Notice their language.
They did not say, “Jesus whom we know.”
They said, “Jesus whom Paul preacheth.”
Jesus was Paul's testimony, but He had not become their personal testimony.
And that raises a serious question for every believer:
Do you know Jesus for yourself?
It is possible to grow up in church and still only know about Jesus.
It is possible to know Scripture and still not truly surrender to Jesus.
It is possible to sing about Jesus, preach about Jesus, teach about Jesus, shout about Jesus, and even use the name of Jesus—yet lack a genuine relationship with Him.
Christianity was never intended to be secondhand.
You cannot survive spiritually forever on your mother's relationship with God, your father's prayers, your pastor's anointing, your bishop's revelation, your spouse's faith, or your grandmother's testimony.
Eventually, you must know Him for yourself.
Paul could say:
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings…”
— Philippians 3:10 (KJV)
Paul wasn't satisfied merely knowing facts about Christ. His desire was, “That I may know Him.”
“JESUS I KNOW, AND PAUL I KNOW; BUT WHO ARE YE?”
These may be some of the most sobering words in Acts.
The evil spirit responded:
“Jesus I know.”
There was no confusion in the kingdom of darkness concerning Jesus.
The demons knew exactly who He was.
During Jesus' earthly ministry, an unclean spirit cried:
“I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.”
— Mark 1:24 (KJV)
James gives us another sobering reminder:
“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”
— James 2:19 (KJV)
Simply acknowledging that Jesus exists is not the same as belonging to Him.
But then the spirit said something else:
“Paul I know.”
Why was Paul recognized?
Because Paul's life demonstrated that he belonged to Jesus.
Paul wasn't borrowing somebody else's faith. He had encountered Christ for himself. His authority did not come from merely repeating Jesus' name; it flowed from his relationship with and commission from Jesus.
Then came the devastating question:
“BUT WHO ARE YE?”
In other words, You are using the name, but where is your relationship with the One whose name you are using?
The sons of Sceva discovered that the name of Jesus is not a magical phrase.
There is power in the name of Jesus because of who Jesus is.
Jesus declared:
“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
— Matthew 28:18 (KJV)
His name represents His person, His authority, His victory, His lordship and His kingdom.
We must never reduce the name of Jesus to something we merely shout when we are in trouble. His name belongs to the Savior to whom we surrender our lives.
DO YOU KNOW THE JESUS YOU CALL ON?
Jesus is more than a name mentioned at the end of a prayer.
He is the Son of God.
“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
— Matthew 16:16 (KJV)
He is the Savior.
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
— Luke 19:10 (KJV)
He is the Way to the Father.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
— John 14:6 (KJV)
He is the Resurrection and the Life.
“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”
— John 11:25 (KJV)
He is Lord.
“And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
— Philippians 2:11 (KJV)
The question is not merely, “Have you heard about Him?”
The question is:
Have you trusted Him?
Have you surrendered to Him?
Are you following Him?
Are you walking with Him?
Does your life belong to Him?
YOU CANNOT BORROW SOMEBODY ELSE'S ANOINTING
The sons of Sceva tried to imitate what they saw Paul doing.
But spiritual authority cannot be copied like a technique.
You can imitate someone's preaching style.
You can imitate someone's prayer language.
You can imitate someone's worship.
You can repeat someone's favorite Scriptures.
But you cannot imitate their relationship with God.
Jesus said:
“Abide in me, and I in you… for without me ye can do nothing.”
— John 15:4–5 (KJV)
Our strength comes from abiding in Christ.
The greatest danger is not weakness that drives us toward Jesus. The greater danger is trying to operate spiritually while disconnected from Him.
The seven sons discovered this painfully.
The possessed man “overcame them, and prevailed against them.”
They entered believing they had authority they did not possess and left “naked and wounded.”
There is a warning here:
Never attempt to substitute religious activity for genuine relationship with Christ.
YOUR PRIVATE WALK MATTERS
Before Paul stood publicly in authority, he had privately surrendered his life to Jesus.
Our public Christianity must be supported by a private relationship with God.
Who are you when there is no microphone?
Who are you when there is no congregation?
Who are you when nobody sees you praying?
Who are you when temptation comes?
Who are you when life becomes difficult?
Do you still trust Jesus when there is nobody around to applaud your faith?
Jesus said:
“If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.”
— John 8:31 (KJV)
Real discipleship is demonstrated through continued fellowship, obedience, faith and dependence upon Christ.
KNOW HIM BEFORE THE BATTLE COMES
Don't wait until trouble arrives to try to discover who Jesus is.
Know Him now.
Know Him in prayer.
Know Him through His Word.
Know Him in worship.
Know Him through obedience.
Know Him when everything is going well so that when everything begins falling apart, you already know where your help comes from.
David could face Goliath because David already knew God before Goliath appeared.
Daniel could face the lions because Daniel knew God before he entered the den.
The three Hebrew boys could face the fiery furnace because they knew God before Nebuchadnezzar heated it.
Paul could endure persecution because he knew the Christ for whom he suffered.
And when your day of testing comes, you need more than something somebody told you about Jesus.
You need to be able to declare:
I KNOW HIM FOR MYSELF!
Job said:
“For I know that my redeemer liveth…”
— Job 19:25 (KJV)
There are some storms where somebody else's testimony will not be enough.
You need your own history with God.
You need memories of prayers He answered.
You need moments when His Word carried you.
You need times when you experienced His grace.
You need the confidence to declare:
I know who Jesus is because I have walked with Him for myself!
THE QUESTION STILL STANDS
Acts 19 leaves us with a question that should cause every believer to examine his or her heart:
DO YOU KNOW WHO JESUS IS?
Not just the Jesus your pastor preaches.
Not just the Jesus your parents taught you about.
Not just the Jesus you heard about in Sunday School.
But Jesus Christ for yourself.
And perhaps an even deeper question is:
DOES YOUR LIFE SHOW THAT YOU KNOW HIM?
Jesus said:
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
— John 10:27 (KJV)
Knowing Jesus should produce following Jesus.
Following Jesus should produce obedience.
Obedience should produce transformation.
And transformation should cause our lives to testify that we have been with Jesus.

PRAYER...
Father, in the name of Jesus,
Thank You for revealing Your Son to us. Lord, forgive us for every time we have been satisfied with simply knowing about Jesus instead of developing a deeper relationship with Him.
We don't want secondhand faith. We don't want borrowed convictions. We don't want to depend solely upon somebody else's prayers, testimony or relationship with You.
Lord Jesus, we want to know You for ourselves.
Draw us closer to You. Give us a hunger for Your Word, a desire for prayer, a heart of worship and a spirit willing to obey Your voice.
Search our hearts and remove everything that has created distance between us and You.
Teach us not merely to speak Your name but to honor Your name with the way we live.
When temptation comes, remind us who You are.
When storms arise, remind us who You are.
When fear attacks, remind us who You are.
When the enemy challenges our faith, help us stand firmly upon the authority of Your Word.
May our lives testify that we belong to Jesus Christ.
And Lord, let our greatest desire always be the cry of Paul:
“That I may know him.”
We want to know You more deeply, love You more completely, trust You more confidently, obey You more faithfully, and represent You more boldly.
In the mighty, matchless, powerful name of Jesus Christ, we pray.
Amen.

DECLARATION...
I DECLARE that I will not live on borrowed faith!
I know who Jesus is!
Jesus is my Savior.
Jesus is my Redeemer.
Jesus is my Lord.
Jesus is my Deliverer.
Jesus is my Rock.
Jesus is my Strength.
Jesus is my Hope.
Jesus is my King!
I will seek Him, follow Him, obey Him and grow deeper in my relationship with Him.
I refuse to merely know about Jesus.
I WILL KNOW HIM FOR MYSELF!
And when life asks me, “Do you know who Jesus is?”
My faith, my testimony, my obedience and my life will answer:
YES! I KNOW HIM FOR MYSELF!
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection…” — Philippians 3:10 (KJV)

Enjoy your Sunday Church Services and God Bless!

THE HARD TRUTH ABOUT THE CROSS

“So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.” —Luke 14:33

I heard a story about a couple who visited a jewelry store. As the jeweler showed them various crosses, the woman commented, “I like these, but do you have any without this little man on them?”

That’s what many people want today: a cross without Jesus. They want a cross without any offense—one that will look cool with their outfits. But the hard truth is that if we could travel back in time and see the cross in its original context, we would realize that it was a bloody and vile symbol. It would have been the worst picture imaginable to see someone hanging on a cross.

The Romans chose crucifixion because it was meant to be a slow, torturous way to die. It was designed to humiliate a person. The crucifixions outside Roman cities served as warnings to anyone who would dare oppose the rule of Rome.

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 NLT). In other words, salvation and eternal life can be found only through Him. Many people today object to His words. They see John 14:6 as a statement of exclusivity and narrow-mindedness. But Jesus was simply explaining God’s plan of salvation.

Humankind’s decision to disobey God and pursue sin created an existential crisis with only one solution. To satisfy God’s perfect justice and wrath, a perfect sacrifice had to be offered in our place. Someone who had never sinned had to die in the place of everyone else who had. Only Jesus lived a sinless life. Only He had the power to conquer death. So, only He could save us.

If there had been any other way, do you think that God would have allowed His Son to suffer like that? If there had been any other way that we could have been forgiven, then God surely would have found it.

Jesus Himself prayed, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine” (Matthew 26:39 NLT). He was talking about the cross and the unimaginable suffering that lay ahead. But God did not take it away from Him because there was no other way.

If living a good, moral life could get us to Heaven, then Jesus never would have died for us. But He did die. He had to pay the price for our sin. At the cross, Jesus purchased the salvation of the world.

If you ever were tempted to doubt God’s love for you, even for a moment, then take a long, hard look at the cross. Nails did not hold Jesus to that cross; His love did.

God bless you!

The Cross: Proof of the Greatest Love
Does not St. Paul on every occasion show us that the death [of Christ] is the greatest proof of his love for us? He thus says: “God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8).
Also, for this reason, does not he take pride and yearn all the more, nay, even leap for joy and flutter his wings, as it were, when he writes to the Galatians: “far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal 6:14)? Even Christ himself, who endured these sufferings calls them his Glory (John 17:1)!
And when he wished to show us his love, what did he mention?
His signs or miracles or wonders?
Never! He but laid his cross in the middle saying: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son” (John 3:16).
And so did St Paul say: “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also gave us all things with him?” (Rom 8:32).
And when he exhorts to love, he raises this same type in the middle saying: “Love one another, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (cf. Eph 5:2).
_St. John Chrysostom, Homily on Divine Providence 17:1-7.

#TheCross #DivineLove #Sacrifice #Salvation #GodsLove