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!

DAY 23 - Morning

Theme: BUILDING A SAFE HOME
Creating a Marriage Where Love, Respect and Peace Can Grow

Reflection
Respect Is a Language of Love

Good morning,
Love without respect eventually becomes painful.
You can love someone and still speak to them in a way that wounds their dignity.
Respect means remembering that your spouse is not your opponent.
It means refusing to insult, embarrass, belittle or humiliate them—even when you disagree.
A disagreement should never become permission to destroy someone's dignity.
In many Ghanaian homes, people may tolerate harsh words during an argument because "we are married."
But marriage is precisely where our words should become more careful.

God's Word
"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." — Romans 12:10

Today's Love Action
Give your spouse one sincere compliment today, preferably about a quality beyond physical appearance.

Let's Talk
What does respect look like in everyday married life?

Prayer
Lord, teach us to honour one another even when we disagree. Let respect become part of the language of our home. Amen.

From The Counselor's Chair
Never use intimacy as permission for disrespect. Familiarity should increase tenderness, not reduce it.

Marriage Nugget
"The person closest to your heart should never become the easiest person to disrespect."

Remember
In marriage, it is not about winning the argument; it is about winning each other's hearts.

DAY 22 - Morning

Theme: LOVE THAT CHOOSES: Making Daily Decisions That Strengthens The Marriage

Reflection
Make Your Home a Safe Place

Good Morning!
Home should be more than the place where we sleep.
It should be a place where the heart can rest.
A husband should be able to come home without wondering whether every mistake will become a source of criticism.
A wife should be able to express herself without fearing ridicule.
Children should know that disagreement does not mean the family has stopped loving them.
A safe home doesn't mean there are no disagreements.
It means people can disagree without destroying one another.
In a Christ-centred marriage, love should create an atmosphere where both husband and wife can say:
"I am safe to be honest here."

God's Word
"Let your gentleness be evident to all." — Philippians 4:5
Today's Love Action
Ask your spouse:
"What can I do to make our home feel even safer and more peaceful for you?"
Listen without becoming defensive.

Let's Talk
What makes a home emotionally safe?

Prayer
Lord, make our home a place of peace, honesty, respect and grace. Help us never use each other's weaknesses as weapons. Amen.

From The Counselor's Chair
A healthy marriage is not one where nobody gets hurt. It is one where hurt can be discussed without fear and repaired with grace.

Marriage Nugget
"A peaceful home is built when love becomes stronger than fear."

Remember
In marriage, it is not about winning the argument; it is about winning each other's hearts.

Brenda Walsh Ministries
When Life Suddenly Changes.

Everything in your life could be going along quite smoothly when, all of a sudden, your life is changed in an instant! It could be a phone call, an email, text, or knock at the door that changes your life forever. Perhaps a spouse announces they want a divorce, you receive a grim diagnosis, a best friend betrays you, a loved one dies, or a hundred other reasons. No matter what devastating loss you are dealt, how you pick up the pieces makes a huge difference in how you live the rest of your life. Some become bitter and angry, while others sink in a deep depression, and still others walk around numb as if they are in a soundproof bubble, not able to experience life – only watch it pass them by. None of these scenarios will give you the abundant life that God wants you to have. Although it is heartbreaking to experience pain and loss, please know that God can heal your broken heart and give you His gift of joy! The Bible says in Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” With Jesus, you can face each day with renewed hope, knowing He loves you with an everlasting love. When your life suddenly changes, don’t allow the devil to separate you from Jesus! Put your trust in God, knowing you are in His plan; He will never leave you or forsake you, and He will give you strength and courage to face each day – and be a shining light for Him! Text: Deuteronomy 31:6, Jeremiah 29:11, Joshua 1:9, Psalm 9:10, Revelation 21:4

DAY 21- Morning

Theme: LOVE THAT CHOOSES: Making Daily Decisions That Strengthens The Marriage

Reflection
Love Is a Daily Choice

Good morning,
We have spent this week talking about choosing love.
Choosing your spouse.
Choosing trust.
Choosing appreciation.
Choosing friendship.
Choosing romance.
Choosing forgiveness.
These are not merely feelings.
They are decisions.
There will be days when love feels effortless.
There will also be days when love requires discipline.
On those days, remember your covenant.
Remember God's grace.
Remember why you began.
And remember that Christ calls us to love—not only when it is convenient, but as a reflection of His own love for us.

God's Word
"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." — Colossians 3:14

Today's Love Action
Tell your spouse:
"I choose you, and I choose to keep growing with you."
Then pray together for your marriage.

Let's Talk
Which choice has made the greatest difference in your marriage this week?

Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for teaching us that love is more than a feeling. Help us choose faithfulness, kindness, friendship, forgiveness and joy every day. May our marriage reflect Your covenant love. Amen.

From The Counselor's Chair
The couples who build lasting marriages are not necessarily those who never struggle. They are those who keep returning to the decision to love.

Marriage Nugget
"Feelings may begin the journey, but faithful choices help love endure."

Remember
In marriage, it is not about winning the argument; it is about winning each other's hearts

Day 19 - Evening

Theme: LOVE THAT CHOOSES: Making Daily Decisions That Strengthens The Marriage.

Reflection
Before bed, look at your spouse and remember the person you once couldn't wait to see.
That person is still there.
Keep discovering them.

God's Word
"I have found the one my heart loves." — Song of Solomon 3:4

Heart Check
Am I still intentionally expressing affection to my spouse?

Prayer
Lord, renew tenderness and affection in our marriage. Amen.

Marriage Nugget
"Don't stop courting the person you married."

Remember
In marriage, it is not about winning the argument; it is about winning each other's hearts.

DAY 19 - Morning

Theme: LOVE THAT CHOOSES: Making Daily Decisions That Strengthens The Marriage

Reflection
Keep Romance Alive

Good morning,
Romance does not have to disappear because marriage becomes older.
It may change.
When there are young children, romance may look like sharing a quiet cup of tea after the children sleep.
When money is tight, it may be taking a walk together instead of going to an expensive restaurant.
When schedules are demanding, it may be a loving message during the day.
Romance is not about how much you spend.
It is about intentional affection.
Never become so familiar with your spouse that you stop making them feel special.

God's Word
"Let him lead me to the banquet hall, and let his banner over me be love." — Song of Solomon 2:4

Today's Love Action
Do one small romantic thing for your spouse today.
A note.
A message.
A hug.
A favourite meal.
A compliment.

Let's Talk
What simple romantic gesture makes you feel loved?

Prayer
Lord, keep affection alive in our marriage. Help us express love in ways that speak meaningfully to each other's hearts. Amen.

From The Counselor's Chair:
Romance is not childish. It is one of the ways married couples continue saying, "You are still special to me."

Marriage Nugget
"Don't stop courting the person you married."

Remember
In marriage, it is not about winning the argument; it is about winning each other's hearts.

This thought has been sitting with me for a while now.
And every time I think about it, I somehow become even more convinced.
I genuinely don't think you can afford to follow Jesus and ignore emotional intelligence.
Notice I didn't say every Christian is emotionally intelligent.

They're not.

We've all met Christians who can quote Scripture for hours but cannot apologize.

Who can discern "spirits" in every room but cannot discern that the person sitting beside them is tired, grieving or afraid.

Who know how to pray, but don't know how to listen.

Who know how to correct, but don't know how to restore.

And I don't say that to judge anybody.

I say it because I think we've accidentally separated two things that Jesus never separated.

We've treated spiritual maturity and emotional maturity like they are different journeys.

I don't think they are.

Actually...

I don't think they can be.

Because who exactly are you becoming if you're becoming like Christ?

Think about Jesus for a second.

And no, not just what He taught.

But the way He related to people.

That's the part that keeps arresting me.

He didn't speak to everyone the same way.

To some people, He asked questions.

To others, He sat and listened.

Sometimes He challenged.

Sometimes He comforted.

Sometimes He walked away.

Sometimes He stayed.

He knew when Peter needed correction.

He knew when Peter needed breakfast by the sea.

He stood in front of a woman caught in adultery and somehow managed to hold both compassion and truth in the same conversation.

How?

He wasn't just spiritually deep.

He understood people.

He understood timing.

He understood emotions.

He understood that the same truth can heal one person and crush another depending on how and when it's delivered.

And I think that's where a lot of us struggle.

We've become so committed to saying the right thing...

that we've forgotten to ask whether this is the right moment.

Sometimes the truth is right.

The timing isn't.

Sometimes the words are biblical.

The posture isn't.

Sometimes we're so eager to "speak the truth" that we forget Scripture didn't stop there.

It says to speak the truth in love.

Love changes how truth sounds.

I've also noticed something else.

A lot of us think emotional intelligence means having deep conversations.

Or using words like "boundaries" and "attachment styles."

No.

Sometimes emotional intelligence is much simpler than that.

It's noticing that your friend has gone unusually quiet.

It's realizing someone is angry but the anger isn't the real emotion.

It's apologizing without adding, "But you also..."

It's knowing when your spouse doesn't need another solution. They need to know they're not carrying the weight alone.

It's recognizing that the person who keeps interrupting everyone may not be proud. They may simply be desperate to be heard.

It's asking one more question instead of making one more assumption.

You know what I find interesting?

Paul spent so much of the New Testament teaching people how to relate.

Be kind.

Bear with one another.

Forgive one another.

Encourage one another.

Be patient.

Be gentle.

Those aren't just spiritual instructions.

They're relational ones.

And relationships are where emotional intelligence is tested.

Not during prayer meetings.

During disagreement.

During disappointment.

During correction.

During marriage.

During leadership.

During friendship.

During ordinary Tuesday afternoons when someone says something that hurts your feelings.

That's where you find out whether you've just learnt Scripture...

or whether Scripture has started reshaping you.

Because following Jesus should change more than your prayer life.

It should change how safe people feel around you.

How you handle conflict.

How quickly you assume the worst.

How you carry people's weaknesses.

How you respond when you're misunderstood.

How you hold both conviction and compassion without sacrificing either.

If ten years with Jesus has made me more knowledgeable but less patient...

something is wrong.

If I've learnt how to preach but not how to apologize...

something is wrong.

If I know every spiritual principle but cannot sit with someone's grief without trying to fix it immediately...

something is wrong.

I honestly think we've admired gifting more than we've admired Christlikeness.

And they're not the same thing.

You can be gifted and still be emotionally immature.

You can be anointed and still wound people with your words.

You can lead thousands and still not know how to love the person sitting across from you.

That should bother us.

Because the goal of Christianity has never been to know more about Jesus.

It's to become more like Him.

And every time I read the Gospels, I don't just see a man full of power.

I see a man who noticed people.

Who made space for questions.

Who wasn't intimidated by tears.

Who wasn't threatened by people's emotions.

Who could tell the hardest truths without making people feel unseen.

The more I think about it, the less I believe emotional intelligence is optional for the Christian.

Not because it's trendy or because psychology says it's important.

But because every step towards Christ should also be a step towards becoming more patient, more gentle, more aware, more compassionate, more self-controlled.

More human in the way heaven intended.

Maybe that's what emotional intelligence looks like in the Kingdom.

And not becoming better at reading people so you can manage them.

But becoming so formed by Christ...

that people consistently experience His heart when they encounter yours.

Day 17 - Evening

Theme: LOVE THAT CHOOSES: Making Daily Decisions That Strengthens The Marriage.

Reflection
Tonight, think of something your spouse did today that blessed you.
Don't let the day end without saying thank you.

God's Word
"Give thanks in all circumstances." — 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Heart Check
Did I appreciate my spouse today or simply expect them to serve me?

Prayer
Lord, make gratitude a natural language in our home. Amen.

Marriage Nugget
"Appreciation turns ordinary acts of love into treasured memories."

Remember
In marriage, it is not about winning the argument; it is about winning each other's hearts

Day 16 - Evening

Theme: LOVE THAT CHOOSES: Making Daily Decisions That Strengthens The Marriage

Reflection
Think about the promises you make.

Good evening,
Are your words becoming more dependable or less dependable?

God's Word
"The integrity of the upright guides them." — Proverbs 11:3

Heart Check
Can my spouse safely depend on my word?

Prayer
Lord, strengthen our integrity and make our marriage a safe place for trust. Amen.

Marriage Nugget
"Trust grows quietly through consistent faithfulness."

Remember
In marriage, it is not about winning the argument; it is about winning each other's hearts.