(long post ahead)

There is a profound lesson I learned when I read this passage of Scripture:

“said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him. And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭14‬-‭15‬, ‭18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This passage takes place during Jesus’ trial. He was falsely accused of many things, yet we know that He was completely innocent. He had no sin. Everything He taught was truth, and everything He did, reflected the will of the Father.

Jesus could have defended Himself. After all, He possessed the very nature of God. He had every power and every right to prove His innocence. Yet He chose to remain silent and willingly submit Himself to the Father’s plan.

Even Pilate declared before the crowd that he could find no fault in Jesus. Herod found no crime worthy of death either. Still, the people refused to listen. Instead, they shouted louder, demanding that Jesus be crucified.

This reminds me of a sobering reality:

Even if God Himself stands before people and speaks the truth, there will still be hearts that choose not to believe. Miracles, truth, and evidence alone cannot change a heart that refuses to surrender.

Then came the moment of decision.

The people were given a choice:

Jesus Christ or Barabbas.

One was completely innocent.

The other was a guilty criminal.

Yet the crowd cried out for Barabbas to be released, while demanding that Jesus be condemned to die.

As I reflected on this, something deeply touched my heart.

I realized that Barabbas is a picture of us.

We are the guilty ones.

We are the sinners.

Yet Jesus took our place.

The punishment that should have fallen upon us was placed upon Him instead.

The Son of God willingly exchanged His freedom for ours.

He left the glory of heaven and humbled Himself to be born in a manger. Though He is the King of kings, He did not come to be served but to serve. He walked among the poor, healed the sick, showed mercy to sinners, comforted the brokenhearted, and lived a life of perfect holiness without sin.

Finally, He gave His life on the cross.

The release of Barabbas beautifully illustrates the Gospel.

Barabbas deserved the cross.

Jesus did not.

Yet Jesus took the cross that belonged to Barabbas.

In the same way, we deserve the punishment for our sins…..eternal separation from God. But Jesus took our place.

(Inangkin Niya ang ating mga kasalanan at pinasan Niya ang kaparusahang nararapat para sa atin upang tayo ay maligtas.)

That is the greatest picture of God’s mercy.

And above all, that is the greatest picture of love.

It was never the nails that kept Jesus on the cross. 🏻

It was His immeasurable, unconditional, and unfailing love for us.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

(HAVE A NICE DAY PIP’z)

The church often bears an uncomfortable resemblance to the dysfunctional family. There is the authoritarian presence of the minister—the professional who knows all of the answers and calls most of the shots—whom few ever challenge either because they don’t dare to or because they feel it would do no good if they did. There is the outward camaraderie and inward loneliness of the congregation. There are the unspoken rules and hidden agendas, the doubts and disagreements that for propriety’s sake are kept more or less under cover. There are people with all sorts of enthusiasms and creativities which are not often enough made use of or even recognized because the tendency is not to rock the boat but to keep on doing things the way they have always been done. -Frederick Buechner

2 Timothy 3:14-15 NET
You, however, must continue in the things you have learned and are confident about. You know who taught you and how from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

“How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.”
Psalm 36:7

“The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”
Psalm 145:9

“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.”
Titus 3:4–5

Three Angels Broadcasting Network Devotional
Love Is In the Little Things

By Yvonne Shelton

August 22nd, 2026

“It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24

I don’t know about you, but as I get older, my memory is getting less sharp. For the past couple of weeks, I’d searched for some bank checks I had ordered. I looked everywhere, and couldn’t find them. I knew I’d ordered them, and some of them had arrived, but I couldn’t find the rest.

I was planning on leaving town, so things were getting down to the wire. But I couldn’t leave without finding out what happened to my checks. So, I prayed. Lord, I know this may seem like a small thing, but I really need to find my checks. Please help me! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Literally, as soon as I said “Amen,” the phone rang. It was my friend, Dee from 3ABN. She said, “I’m here at the post office and they say they have some checks for Magnify Him Publishing. Isn’t that your company? They didn’t want to send them back, but because they’re in your company’s name, they weren’t sure they were yours.”

I couldn’t believe it! I had just prayed about these checks, and the Lord answered my prayer immediately! What a mighty God we serve! What a faithful Father! He was showing me that He hears even the smallest requests. It was such a faith-enhancing moment! I was so taken aback by His timing. Dee just “happened” to be at the post office when I was praying. The postmaster just “happened” to ask her about my checks. As my husband, Danny would ask, “Is that coincidence, or Divine Providence?”

To me, it’s obviously Divine Providence! There is no request too small or too large for God. He is so kind. Isaiah 54:10 says, “For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed….”

Never feel as though He’s too busy to hear you, or that your petition is too insignificant for Him to address. He loves each and every one of us and shows up right on time. He may not always answer immediately, and He may not say yes every time. But He will always do what’s best for His children. He shows us that love is in the little things.

Bible Verse of the Day.
Romans 8:32

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

NKJV.

Need to know.
“Not Every Voice in Your Heart Is the Holy Spirit”

Not every feeling is God’s voice. Our emotions can change, but God’s Word never changes. The Bible warns us plainly:

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” — Jeremiah 17:9 KJV

Sometimes the flesh tells us, “Follow what feels right.” But Scripture says:

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other.” — Galatians 5:17 KJV

The Holy Spirit will never lead you contrary to the Word of God. Therefore, do not measure truth by your emotions—measure your emotions by the truth of Scripture.

Galatians 5:16 says:

“Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”

Feelings change. Circumstances change. People change. But God’s Word remains forever.

So when a voice speaks within you, ask: Does this agree with Scripture? Does this lead me toward obedience, holiness, repentance, and Christ?

“He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.” — Proverbs 28:26 KJV

Do not simply follow what feels right. Follow what God has declared right.

The Advent Truth
If the end times make you anxious, remember the illustration Jesus Himself gave us.

In Matthew 24:8, after describing wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, and turmoil, Jesus said, “All these are the beginning of sorrows.” The word translated “sorrows” carries the idea of birth pains.

Birth pains can be frightening. They intensify. They become more frequent. But they aren't meaningless pain—they are announcing that something is about to be born.

Jesus didn't give Matthew 24 to terrify His people. He gave it so that when these things happen, we would recognize where we are and know that He already saw it coming.

Think about what birth pains mean: the closer the pains come, the closer the arrival.

Yes, this world is groaning. Yes, prophecy is moving toward its fulfillment. But God is also preparing a people to meet Jesus.

And while prophecy moves forward, heaven is not looking for an excuse to shut people out. God is doing everything consistent with His character, His Word, and human freedom to bring people IN.

“The Lord is... not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” — 2 Peter 3:9

Every additional moment is mercy. Every conviction is mercy. Every sermon, Bible study, providential encounter, warning, and invitation to repentance is evidence that heaven is still reaching for souls.

So don't spend the final moments trembling over what Satan is doing.

Look at what Jesus is doing.

The same Christ who told us the birth pains would come also said, “Let not your heart be troubled.” (John 14:1)

Prophecy isn't telling God's children, “Be terrified.”

It's telling us:

Jesus is coming.
Jesus is preparing His people.
Jesus is still saving souls.
And Jesus will not abandon you now.

The birth pains aren't merely telling us that this world is ending.

They're telling us that something infinitely better is almost here.

Daily Bible Lesson.
WE ASK GOD FOR MORE LIGHT—THEN MAKE EXCUSES WHEN HIS LIGHT REQUIRES CHANGE

“Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice.” — 1 Samuel 15:22

We pray:

“Lord, show me Your will.”

Then His light touches something we love—

our time, appetite, appearance, character, location, or tongue—

and suddenly:

“My situation is different.”
“Everyone does it.”
“I'm not convicted.”

Perhaps our greatest problem is not always lack of light.

IT IS THE HUMAN HEART'S AMAZING ABILITY TO EXPLAIN AWAY THE LIGHT IT DOES NOT WANT TO OBEY.

Jesus asks:

“Why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” — Luke 6:46

So here is the question beneath every reform:

ARE WE SEEKING GOD'S WILL—OR ASKING GOD TO APPROVE OURS?

---

① SABBATH REFORM—WHO OWNS YOUR TIME?

THE EXCUSES:

“I have to work.”
“Most Christians worship Sunday.”
“God knows my heart.”

Yes—God knows the heart.

And Jesus says:

“If ye love Me, keep My commandments.” — John 14:15

God's command still reads:

“The seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God.” — Exodus 20:10

Obedience may cost convenience, approval, opportunity—even income.

But faith asks something deeper:

WHAT IS JESUS WORTH?

“We ought to obey God rather than men.” — Acts 5:29

Do not merely argue for the Sabbath.

KNOW THE LORD OF THE SABBATH—and ask Him for faith to walk in His footsteps.

---

② HEALTH REFORM—HAS APPETITE RENAMED ITSELF “NECESSITY”?

THE EXCUSES:

“My body needs it.”
“I've always eaten this way.”
“We're all going to die anyway.”

But this body is not ours to abuse.

“Ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” — 1 Corinthians 6:20

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink… do all to the glory of God.” — 1 Corinthians 10:31

Health reform is not salvation by menu.

It is stewardship of a body purchased by Christ.

Inspiration warns of those who “frame excuses and make necessities which have no existence” while resisting health light. — Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 399

What a warning:

APPETITE IS A TERRIBLE COUNSELOR WHEN ASKED TO JUDGE ITS OWN HABITS.

Stop asking only:

“Do I enjoy it?”

Ask:

“WILL THIS KEEP MY BODY AND MIND FIT FOR CHRIST'S SERVICE?”

---

③ DRESS REFORM—WHO ARE WE TRYING TO PLEASE?

THE EXCUSES:

“It's only fashion.”
“God only looks at the heart.”
“I don't want to look different.”

Yes:

“The LORD looketh on the heart.” — 1 Samuel 16:7

And Scripture also calls for:

“Modest apparel.” — 1 Timothy 2:9

The issue is not ugliness.

Not neglect.

Not a religious uniform.

The question is:

WHO IS SHAPING MY APPEARANCE—CHRIST OR THE WORLD?

Christian dress should reflect modesty, simplicity, health, dignity, and good taste without making self the attraction.

CLOTHING CANNOT SAVE THE HEART—BUT THE MASTER OF THE HEART WILL INFLUENCE THE CLOTHING.

Let your appearance quietly testify:

“I BELONG TO CHRIST.”

---

④ CHARACTER REFORM—“THAT'S JUST HOW I AM.”

Perhaps no excuse protects cherished defects more effectively.

Anger becomes “my personality.”
Pride becomes “confidence.”
Bitterness becomes “what they deserve.”

Then comes the universal shield:

“Nobody is perfect.”

True.

But Jesus never made imperfection an excuse for refusing transformation.

“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 2:5

Christ does not merely forgive us in the old life.

HE BEGINS MAKING US NEW.

“When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.” — Christ's Object Lessons, p. 69

Stop defending your defect with:

“THAT'S WHO I AM.”

Bring it to Jesus:

“LORD, MAKE ME LIKE YOU.”

---

⑤ LOCATION REFORM—WHY DID INSPIRATION CRY, “OUT OF THE CITIES”?

Here excuses become painfully practical:

“My job is here.”
“My children's opportunities are here.”
“I'll move when everything becomes convenient.”

Yet Inspiration repeatedly urged:

“Out of the cities, out of the cities! This is the message the Lord has been giving me.” — Country Living, p. 29

Why?

Not because soil saves souls.

But country surroundings can favor health, simplicity, useful labor, children learning from nature, greater separation from corrupting influences, and preparation for difficult times.

God's first home for humanity was not a congested metropolis.

“The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden.” — Genesis 2:8

Abraham lived as a pilgrim.

Lot “pitched his tent toward Sodom.” — Genesis 13:12

Their stories remind us:

LOCATION CANNOT CONVERT THE HEART—BUT ENVIRONMENT CAN POWERFULLY INFLUENCE IT.

Yet Inspiration also counseled:

“Out of the cities; but not a moment before God would have us go.” — Country Living, p. 26

So the message is not:

PANIC AND RUN.

It is:

PRAY.
PREPARE.
SIMPLIFY.
LEARN.
WATCH PROVIDENCE.
AND WHEN GOD OPENS THE WAY—OBEY.

And remember:

YOU CAN LEAVE BABYLON GEOGRAPHICALLY WHILE BABYLON STILL LIVES IN YOUR HEART.

Christ's first relocation project is:

SELF OFF THE THRONE—CHRIST ON IT.

---

⑥ SPEECH REFORM—CAN A CONVERTED HEART KEEP AN UNCONVERTED TONGUE?

Here the excuses sound innocent:

“I'm only joking.”
“But it's true!”
“I just needed to release my feelings.”

Scripture answers:

“Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting… but rather giving of thanks.” — Ephesians 5:4

“Speak evil of no man.” — Titus 3:2

And instead:

“That which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” — Ephesians 4:29

Imagine that standard:

WORDS THAT MINISTER GRACE.

No gossip.

No slander.

No degrading jesting.

No cutting sarcasm.

No dishonest flattery.

No spreading bitterness from heart to heart.

“Bless, and curse not.” — Romans 12:14

This does not mean hiding wrongdoing.

Jesus rebuked sin.

Nathan confronted David.

Paul corrected churches.

Truth sometimes must hurt before it heals.

But Scripture says:

“Speaking the truth in love.” — Ephesians 4:15

Before speaking, ask:

IS IT TRUE?
IS IT NECESSARY?
IS IT LOVING?
WILL IT BUILD RATHER THAN POISON?
WOULD I SAY IT THIS WAY IN THE VISIBLE PRESENCE OF JESUS?

“Let the law of kindness be upon your lips and the oil of grace in your heart.” — Christ's Object Lessons, p. 337

What a standard:

**TRUTH ON THE LIPS.

GRACE IN THE HEART.**

---

⑦ PERHAPS THE MOST DANGEROUS EXCUSE—“I'M NOT CONVICTED.”

Sometimes that is sincere.

Conscience must never be forced.

But sometimes:

“I'M NOT CONVICTED”

really means:

“I DON'T WANT TO INVESTIGATE THIS DEEPLY ENOUGH TO BECOME CONVICTED.”

Jesus reveals a searching principle:

“If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.” — John 7:17

Notice the order:

WILLINGNESS → UNDERSTANDING → OBEDIENCE.

Before asking,

“Is this really required?”

ask:

“LORD, IF YOUR WORD SHOWS ME THAT I AM WRONG—AM I WILLING TO CHANGE?”

That question exposes whether we want truth—

or merely reassurance.

---

⑧ BUT HERE IS THE DANGER ON THE OTHER SIDE—REFORM WITHOUT CHRIST

Inspiration defines genuine reformation:

“Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices.” — Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 128

Truth must reach:

the calendar,
the kitchen,
the wardrobe,
the temper,
the address,
the tongue,
and the choices nobody sees.

“Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only.” — James 1:22

But never miss this:

REFORMATION WITHOUT CHRIST CAN PRODUCE A PHARISEE.

You can keep Sabbath—

and hate your brother.

Eat perfectly—

and feed on pride.

Dress modestly—

and advertise self-righteousness.

Move to the country—

and take worldliness with you.

Guard your tongue publicly—

while bitterness rules privately.

Jesus did not come merely to rearrange our habits.

HE CAME TO RECREATE OUR HEARTS.

“Without Me ye can do nothing.” — John 15:5

---

THE QUESTION BENEATH EVERY REFORM

When Christ touches your—

TIME—will He be Lord?

APPETITE—will He be Lord?

APPEARANCE—will He be Lord?

CHARACTER—will He be Lord?

LOCATION—will He be Lord?

TONGUE—will He be Lord?

There it is.

DOES JESUS HAVE PERMISSION TO CHANGE EVERYTHING?

“If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” — Luke 9:23

Perhaps we do not need another argument.

Perhaps we need another surrender.

Instead of continually praying:

“LORD, GIVE ME MORE LIGHT,”

perhaps we need to pray:

“LORD, FORGIVE ME FOR RESISTING THE LIGHT I ALREADY HAVE.”

Take my appetite.

Take my pride.

Take my temper.

Take my tongue.

Take my plans.

Take my home.

TAKE MY WHOLE HEART.

“Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” — Acts 9:6

NO MORE EXCUSES.
NO MORE BARGAINING WITH LIGHT.
NO MORE TRYING TO OUTREASON GOD.

CHRIST BEFORE CONVENIENCE.
FAITH BEFORE FEAR.
TRUTH BEFORE TRADITION.
SURRENDER BEFORE SELF.

Because when Jesus truly becomes Lord—

REFORMATION IS NO LONGER SOMETHING GOD MUST FORCE FROM US.

IT BECOMES SOMETHING LOVE IS WILLING TO SURRENDER TO HIM.

28 Beleifs # 22
CHRISTIAN BEHAVIOR

We are called to be a godly people who think, feel, and act in harmony with biblical principles in all aspects of personal and social life. For the Spirit to recreate in us the character of our Lord we involve ourselves only in those things that will produce Christlike purity, health, and joy in our lives. This means that our amusement and entertainment should meet the highest standards of Christian taste and beauty. While recognizing cultural differences, our dress is to be simple, modest, and neat, befitting those whose true beauty does not consist of outward adornment but in the imperishable ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit. It also means that because our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, we are to care for them intelligently. Along with adequate exercise and rest, we are to adopt the most healthful diet possible and abstain from the unclean foods identified in the Scriptures. Since alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and the irresponsible use of drugs and narcotics are harmful to our bodies, we are to abstain from them as well. Instead, we are to engage in whatever brings our thoughts and bodies into the discipline of Christ, who desires our wholesomeness, joy, and goodness.