Don’t Give Up on God (Galatians 6:9) There are moments when you feel tired. Tired of praying. Tired of waiting. Tired of trying. Tired of fighting the same battles. Tired of seeing other people move forward while you seem to be standing still. And sometimes the easiest thought is: “Maybe I should just give up.” But God's Word reminds us: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Read that again: If we do not give up. Following Jesus doesn't mean you will never become tired. Faith doesn't mean you will never experience disappointment. Being a Christian doesn't mean every prayer will be answered immediately. There will be seasons when you have to keep walking even when you cannot see the destination. Think about a farmer. A farmer plants a seed, but doesn't see the harvest immediately. There is a season of waiting. A season of watering. A season of working. A season when nothing seems to be happening above the ground. But beneath the surface, something is happening. Your spiritual life can be like that. You may pray and feel like nothing is changing. You may read God's Word and wonder whether your situation will ever improve. You may serve others without seeing the impact. You may share your faith and wonder whether anyone is listening. Don't assume that nothing is happening simply because you cannot see the results yet. God can be working in ways you don't understand. Your responsibility is to remain faithful. Keep praying. Keep trusting. Keep serving. Keep learning. Keep loving. Keep obeying. Keep sharing Jesus. And when you fall, get back up. Peter failed Jesus. David made serious mistakes. Elijah became discouraged. Moses became frustrated. Many people in Scripture experienced moments of weakness. But their weakness wasn't the end of their story. God's grace met them there. Maybe today you feel like you've failed God too many times. Remember: Failure is not an invitation to run away from God. It is an invitation to return to Him. Confess. Repent. Receive His grace. Get back up. Keep walking. Sometimes perseverance doesn't look dramatic. Sometimes it simply means getting out of bed and praying again. Opening your Bible again. Going to church again. Trying again. Forgiving again. Serving again. Believing again. Taking one more step. And another. And another. You don't have to finish the entire journey today. Just take the next faithful step. There may be people around you who are also struggling silently. Your perseverance can encourage them. When they see you continue trusting God through difficult seasons, they may discover that faith isn't about having a perfect life. It's about having a faithful God. And ultimately, our hope isn't based on our ability to remain strong. Our hope is based on Jesus. He endured rejection. He endured suffering. He endured the cross. And He rose again. Because Christ overcame, we have reason to keep going. So if you're tired today, rest—but don't quit. If you need help, ask for it. If you need prayer, pray. If you need encouragement, reach out to another believer. But don't walk away from God because the road is difficult. The harvest may not be visible yet. Keep sowing. Keep trusting. Keep believing. At the right time, God will bring about what He has planned. Don't give up in the season when you cannot yet see the harvest. God is still working. What is one area of your life where you need to keep trusting God instead of giving up? #DontGiveUp #Galatians69 #Perseverance #KeepTheFaith #TrustGod #FaithOverFear #ChristianYouth #JesusSaves #ShareJesus #DailyFaith #Lordsbook #JMSM #KNKA

Monday, 24th August, 2026 TITLE: "GROW INTO CHRIST: FROM SPIRITUAL INFANCY TO MATURITY" ANCHOR SCRIPTURE(S) Ephesians 4:13–15 (KJV) "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:" 2 Peter 3:18 (KJV) "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." QUOTE TO REFLECT ON "Spiritual maturity is not measured by how long you have been saved, but by how much you have become like Christ." DAY'S REFLECTION Every living thing is expected to grow. A healthy child does not remain a child forever; growth involves increasing in strength, understanding, responsibility, and maturity. The same principle applies to our spiritual lives. Paul says in Ephesians 4:13 that God's purpose is for believers to come "unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." The word "perfect" here carries the idea of being mature or complete. God's desire is not merely that we become churchgoers, but that we grow into mature followers of Christ. Spiritual maturity involves increasing in our faith, knowledge, character, obedience, and love. We should become more like Jesus in how we think, speak, respond to difficulties, forgive others, and treat people. Verse 14 warns us not to remain spiritual children, who are "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine." A spiritually immature person can easily be influenced by every new teaching, popular opinion, emotional experience, or persuasive personality. Without a strong foundation in God's Word, it becomes difficult to distinguish truth from error. But verse 15 gives us the way forward: "speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things." Truth without love can become harsh, while love without truth can become compromise. Christian maturity requires both truth and love, with Christ as our standard. Peter reinforces this in 2 Peter 3:18: "Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." Grace is God's undeserved favour and enabling power. Growing in grace means becoming increasingly dependent on God's grace and allowing it to transform our lives. Growing in knowledge means continually knowing Christ more deeply through Scripture, prayer, obedience, and experience. Life experience teaches us that physical age does not automatically produce maturity. A person can grow older without becoming wiser. Similarly, years of church attendance do not automatically produce spiritual maturity. Growth requires intentional pursuit. Today, ask yourself: Am I growing? Am I more patient than I used to be? More forgiving? More disciplined? More grounded in God's Word? More loving? More like Christ? Do not be satisfied with yesterday's spiritual growth. Keep learning. Keep obeying. Keep growing. Keep becoming more like Jesus. MEDITATION SCRIPTURE(S) Colossians 1:10 (KJV) "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;" Hebrews 5:14 (KJV) "But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." LIFE LESSONS (IMPLICATIONS) 1. God expects every believer to grow spiritually. 2. Spiritual maturity requires knowledge of Christ and obedience to His Word. 3. Immaturity makes us vulnerable to false teaching and deception. 4. Truth must be communicated with love. 5. Spiritual growth requires intentional effort and consistent fellowship with God. 6. The ultimate standard of Christian maturity is Christ Himself. EVERYDAY ACTION Read God's Word, practise what you learn, and consciously choose to respond to people today in a way that reflects Christ. PRAYER Heavenly Father, help me grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Make me spiritually mature, grounded in Your truth, rich in love, and increasingly like Christ. In Jesus' name, Amen. DECLARATION I am growing spiritually. I am grounded in God's Word and established in truth and love. I will not remain spiritually immature or be carried away by false teachings. I am growing in grace and becoming more like Christ every day. Amen. Devotion by Rev. Frank Fabian Aidoo 📞 +233 544 295 158 Follow us on WhatsApp 👇👇👇 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6EpEqHbFV78wOHgv2P

TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS: SERMON TOPIC: HOW CAN YOU PRAY SO THAT GOD HEARS YOU? Main Text: Psalm 66:18–20; 1 John 5:14–15 Supporting Texts: Matthew 6:5–13; James 5:16; Proverbs 15:29; Mark 11:24–25 GOD IS STILL LISTENING. One of the deepest questions a believer can ask is: “When I pray, does God really hear me?” You may have prayed for months and seen no answer. You may have cried in secret, knelt beside your bed, prayed in church, prayed while travelling, prayed when nobody knew what you were going through—and still wondered, “God, are You hearing me?” Here is the good news: God hears prayer. But the Bible also teaches us that there is a way to approach God in prayer. Prayer is not merely talking loudly. Prayer is not using many religious words. Prayer is not trying to manipulate God. Prayer is fellowship with the Father. Jesus said: «“Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” — Matthew 6:8» So the question is not simply, “How much do I pray?” The deeper question is: “How do I position my heart when I pray?” 1. PRAY WITH A SINCERE AND HUMBLE HEART God is not impressed by religious performance. He looks at the heart. Psalm 51:17 says: «“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart…”» David understood something important: God values the condition of the heart more than the appearance of the prayer. You can pray beautiful words with a proud heart and miss the heart of prayer. But you can come before God with tears, weakness, and simple words and experience His presence. Jesus' illustration In Luke 18:9–14, Jesus told the story of two men who went to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee. He boasted about himself. The other was a tax collector. He simply cried: «“God be merciful to me a sinner.” — Luke 18:13» Jesus said the humble man went home justified. Spiritual lesson God is not looking for impressive prayers; He is looking for surrendered hearts. Come to God honestly. If you are hurting, tell Him. If you are confused, tell Him. If you have failed, confess it. If you are afraid, tell Him. Prayer begins when pretending ends. 2. PRAY WITH FAITH James 1:6 says: «“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.”» Faith does not mean that you dictate to God what He must do. Faith means that you trust who God is, even when you do not understand what He is doing. Mark 11:24 says: «“What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”» Faith says: “Father, I believe You are able.” And when the answer does not come immediately: “Father, I still trust You.” Faith does not disappear because the answer is delayed. Remember the three possible answers to prayer: YES — God grants the request. WAIT — God is working, but the timing is different. NO — God knows something you do not know. A “no” from God is not proof that God has abandoned you. Sometimes God's refusal is protection. Sometimes His delay is preparation. Sometimes His silence is developing your spiritual maturity. 3. PRAY ACCORDING TO GOD'S WILL One of the most powerful scriptures on prayer is: «“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.” — 1 John 5:14» Notice the words: “According to His will.” Prayer is not about making God's will submit to ours. Prayer is about bringing our desires into alignment with God's will. Jesus demonstrated this in Gethsemane. He prayed: «“Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” — Luke 22:42» Jesus was facing the cross, yet He surrendered to the Father's will. That is mature prayer. A child may say: “God, give me what I want.” But spiritual maturity says: “God, give me what You know is best.” A powerful prayer to learn: “Lord, if this desire is from You, establish it. If it is not from You, remove it. And if I must wait, give me grace to wait.” 4. DEAL WITH UNFORGIVENESS AND SIN We must be careful here. The Bible does not teach that every unanswered prayer means a person has committed some hidden sin. Job suffered greatly without being guilty of the accusations brought against him. However, Scripture clearly teaches that deliberate, unrepentant sin can affect our relationship and fellowship with God. Psalm 66:18 says: «“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”» And Isaiah 59:2 says: «“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God…”» God is merciful, but we should not treat sin casually. What about unforgiveness? Jesus taught: «“And when ye stand praying, forgive…” — Mark 11:25» You cannot continuously ask God for mercy while deliberately refusing to show mercy to others. Forgiveness does not mean saying that what happened was acceptable. Forgiveness means releasing vengeance into God's hands. Ask yourself: “Is there somebody I need to forgive?” “Is there something God has been asking me to surrender?” “Am I asking God to bless something He has already told me to leave?” 5. PRAY WITH PERSISTENCE Some answers require persistent prayer. Jesus taught this through the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1–8. The purpose of the parable was clear: «“Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” — Luke 18:1» Do not stop praying simply because you have not yet seen the answer. Daniel gives us another powerful example. In Daniel 10, Daniel prayed and fasted. His answer was delayed, but heaven had heard him from the beginning. The angel told him: «“From the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand… thy words were heard.” — Daniel 10:12» Think about that! Daniel was praying on earth while heaven was already responding. The delay did not mean God had ignored him. BIBLICAL CASE STUDY: HANNAH — A WOMAN WHO POURED OUT HER SOUL Hannah's story in 1 Samuel 1 is one of the clearest pictures of persistent prayer. She was deeply troubled because she had no child. She went to the house of the Lord and prayed. She didn't simply perform a religious ritual. She poured out her soul before God. Eli initially misunderstood her. But Hannah kept praying. Eventually, God answered her prayer and gave her Samuel. Her story teaches us: 1. You can bring your deepest pain to God. 2. People may misunderstand your prayer, but God understands your heart. 3. Delay does not mean denial. 4. God can turn tears into testimony. Hannah went into the presence of God carrying sorrow. She came out carrying peace. The circumstances had not immediately changed—but something had changed inside her. That is one of the miracles of prayer. Sometimes prayer changes the situation. Sometimes prayer changes the person going through the situation. And sometimes God does both. WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT GOD "HEARS" PRAYER? When Scripture says God hears prayer, it means far more than God simply detecting our words. It means God attends to, receives, and responds according to His wisdom and will. God hears the prayer of His children. Proverbs 15:29 says: «“The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.”» And James 5:16 declares: «“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”» Your prayer may look small on earth, but it is not small when it reaches heaven. PRACTICAL ACTION STEPS 1. SET A CONSISTENT PRAYER TIME Do not pray only when there is an emergency. Build a prayer life. 2. BEGIN WITH WORSHIP Before presenting your shopping list to God, acknowledge who He is. “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name…” — Matthew 6:9 3. CONFESS YOUR SINS Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart. Psalm 139:23–24 4. PRAY SCRIPTURE Use God's Word as the foundation of your prayers. 5. ASK SPECIFICALLY Instead of only saying, “Lord, bless me,” tell God what you are trusting Him for. 6. LEARN TO LISTEN Prayer is not a one-way conversation. After speaking, become quiet before God. Read Scripture. Pay attention to the convictions and guidance of the Holy Spirit. 7. KEEP A PRAYER JOURNAL Write down your requests. Record dates. Record answers. One day you will look back and realize how many prayers God answered. DEEP SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS 1. God's silence is not necessarily God's absence. You may not hear anything, but God may still be working. 2. Prayer is not primarily about getting things; it is about knowing God. The greatest answer to prayer is not always a possession. Sometimes it is God Himself. 3. Prayer changes the atmosphere of the person praying. You may enter prayer anxious and leave with peace. 4. God's answer may be different from your expectation. Never limit God to one method of answering. 5. The strongest prayer is surrendered prayer. “Lord, have Your way” is one of the deepest expressions of faith. QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION 1. When I pray, am I seeking God's will or only demanding my own will? 2. Is there any known sin I need to confess? 3. Is there someone I need to forgive? 4. Have I stopped praying because my answer is delayed? 5. Do I genuinely trust God when His answer is different from what I expected? 6. Is my prayer life based on relationship with God or only on emergency needs? 7. What prayer have I abandoned that God may be asking me to continue bringing before Him? POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS 1. PRAYER FOR A DEEPER PRAYER LIFE Father, awaken in me a fresh hunger for prayer. Take away spiritual laziness and teach me to seek Your face consistently, in Jesus' name. 2. PRAYER FOR A PURE HEART Lord, search my heart. Reveal anything that is displeasing to You and give me grace to repent and walk in righteousness. 3. PRAYER FOR FAITH Father, increase my faith. When answers are delayed, help me trust You. When I cannot see the way, help me believe that You are still working. 4. PRAYER FOR GOD'S WILL Lord, deliver me from insisting on my own way. Align my desires with Your purpose and give me grace to say, “Your will be done.” 5. PRAYER FOR PERSISTENCE Father, give me strength not to faint in prayer. Help me continue believing until Your appointed time. 6. PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS Lord, give me grace to forgive those who have hurt me. Heal my heart and remove bitterness from my spirit. 7. PRAYER FOR DIVINE ANSWERS Father, concerning every legitimate request I have brought before You, let Your perfect will be established. Open the right doors, close the wrong doors, and lead me according to Your purpose. 8. PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL SENSITIVITY Holy Spirit, teach me to recognize Your voice. Help me distinguish Your leading from my emotions, fears, and human desires. DON'T JUST PRAY—BUILD A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD Beloved, prayer is not a religious emergency button. Prayer is relationship. Do not wait until everything is falling apart before you seek God. Pray when you are happy. Pray when you are confused. Pray when you have money. Pray when you have nothing. Pray when the door opens. Pray when the door closes. Pray when you understand. Pray when you don't understand. And above all, pray with a heart that trusts God. Remember: A delayed answer is not necessarily a denied prayer. God's silence is not necessarily God's absence. God's “no” is not a rejection of you. And God's “wait” is not a waste of your time. There is a God who hears. There is a God who sees. There is a God who knows. There is a God who answers. So keep praying. Keep believing. Keep trusting. Keep walking with God. FINAL DECLARATION I will not give up in prayer. I will not allow delay to destroy my faith. I will seek God's face, not merely His hands. I will surrender my will to His will. I will forgive. I will believe. I will persevere. And I will trust the God who hears me. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen! If you have not given your life to Jesus kindly do so by joining a Bible believing Church. You can get inspirational ebooks from my sela shops below https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1 https://selar com/m/umoedem https://www.amazon.com/author/umohedembooks https://afrikdp.com/author/9128a016-dd79-4f17-9e60-bf11f65f1a34 CONTACT - WhatsApp +2349024173027, +2349055447540 Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com

MONDAY 24TH AUGUST 2026 IGNITE YOUTH DEVOTIONAL Topic: Think Before You Decide Bible Reference “The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps.” Proverbs 14:15 (NKJV) A Short Story Daniel was excited when he received a message from an old friend one Monday morning. The friend told him about a business opportunity that could make him a lot of money within a short time. He sent pictures of cars, expensive clothes, and screenshots of people who had supposedly made huge profits from the business. Daniel was immediately interested. “You should join now,” his friend told him. “If you delay, you will miss the opportunity.” Daniel did not have much money, but he was tired of struggling. He had watched other young people make progress while he was still trying to find his feet. He began imagining what he would do with the money if the business worked. He could buy a better phone, support his family, and finally stop asking people for help. That evening, Daniel was ready to transfer his savings. He had already made up his mind when his older brother asked him a simple question. “Have you checked how the business works?” Daniel became quiet. He had not checked anything. He had only listened to his friend and looked at the pictures he had been shown. His brother advised him to slow down and investigate before putting his money into it. Daniel reluctantly agreed. The next day, he searched for information about the company and discovered several complaints from people who had lost money through the same scheme. He also discovered that the pictures his friend had shown him were being used to attract new people. Daniel was disappointed, but he was grateful that he had not acted quickly. That experience taught him a lesson he never forgot. Not every opportunity is from God, and not everything that looks good is good for you. Sometimes wisdom is simply knowing when to stop, ask questions, pray, and think before making a decision. Today's Message Every young person will make important decisions. You will make decisions about your education, career, business, friendships, relationships, marriage, money, ministry, and the kind of person you want to become. Some decisions may look small at first, but they can affect many years of your life. The Bible says that a wise person considers his steps. This means you should not allow excitement, pressure, fear, or the desire to impress people to make your decisions for you. You do not have to say yes simply because everyone around you is saying yes. Some people have entered wrong relationships because they were afraid of being alone. Some have chosen the wrong career because they wanted to impress their friends. Some have lost money because they wanted quick success. Others have made serious mistakes because they acted before asking questions. Faith does not mean refusing to think. God expects you to pray, seek wisdom, examine your options, and make responsible decisions. You can trust God and still do your homework. Before you make an important decision, slow down. Ask yourself what the Bible says about it. Pray about it. Seek advice from mature and trustworthy people. Look at the possible consequences. Do not allow temporary excitement to make a permanent decision for you. A wise decision today can save you from years of regret tomorrow. What To Do Today 1. Think about one important decision you are currently considering and refuse to rush into it. 2. Pray about it and ask God for wisdom and clear direction. 3. Seek advice from someone mature and trustworthy. 4. Consider the possible consequences before you make your final decision. Prayer Lord, give me wisdom to make good decisions. Help me not to be controlled by pressure, fear, excitement, or the desire to please people. Teach me to think carefully, listen to wise counsel, follow Your Word, and choose what will honour You. In Jesus' name, Amen. Daily Challenge Before making any important decision today, stop for a few minutes and ask yourself three questions: Is it right? Is it wise? What could be the result? ©️ Anthony Ijere Christian Author and Revivalist Download Christian Novels by Anthony Ijere at: https://t.me/anthonyijere

❤️WHY DO THE RIGHTEOUS SUFFER? Part 1 of 2. I would like to address one of the most puzzling and perplexing problems confronting the Christian today and that is why do the righteous suffer? In order to deal with this adequately, we're going to be looking at the book of Job. We read in Job Chapter 1:1f There was a man in the Land of Oz whose name is Job and that man was perfect and upright and one that feared God and turned away from evil. We continue to read in the book of Job how he lost everything, his family, his property, his possessions, and then lost his health with a loathsome disease. The universal problem of whether or not suffering is a sign of divine displeasure, and thus presupposes sin on the part of the sufferer, is the theme of the book of Job. The central problem of the book of Job is the central problem of humanity. Why do men suffer the way they do, and especially, why do the righteous suffer? Why are not godly, righteous, faithful obedient men and women always blessed? Why does it seem many of the ungodly prosper and are never in trouble? A Christian wonders why must I suffer this or that, or why must I go through this trial, or why do I have to experience all of this pain and adversity? I'm a Christian, I study the Bible, I love the Lord. I feel that I'm obedient, so why do I go through such long trials, hardships, and personal attacks? To make things even worse, many times there is no immediate answer and it's a real test of your faith as with Job. Is all adversity and suffering the direct result of sin? What is the basis upon which prosperity and adversity, blessing and misfortune, affliction and health happen to people? What is the basis upon which these things are distributed to men in this life? The principal aim of the book of Job is to disprove the popular theory that was held by many of the Jews and it's still popular today, that all suffering is a sign of God's displeasure and presupposes sin on the part of the sufferer. Inseparably related to the problem of suffering is the greater problem of evil and to consider one necessitates the consideration of the other. The problem of evil results from the clear fact that within the world that God created good according to Genesis 1, it was created very good! Within this world that God created good there is much that is now imperfect. It has become a world of suffering, sin, hate, warfare, oppression, evil and death. Now even a superficial observer will note that these two facts present somewhat of a dilemma. On the one hand Genesis 1 shows that God created all things good and he hates evil. On the other hand, we've seen the widespread evil and suffering that's in this world of imperfection. Now how can we explain this: what has happened? Some suggest that either God cannot remove evil nor could he have prevented its entrance into his world. Others say God does not will to prevent it and did not will to prevent its entrance into the Garden of Eden. Now the first conclusion will be rejected by all who believe in the Sovereign God of the Bible but neither is the second alternative any help in solving the apparent dilemma. It doesn't give us a satisfactory solution and so believers and Christians have always sought a third alternative to explain the problem of evil in a good universe. Now the book of Job is in reality the source material for a study of some of the most profound theological questions of the Bible- the problem of the righteous suffering adversity and the meaning of the presence of evil in a world God created good. It gives us the source of sickness and adversity. It's not God as some think and is often implied today. It's Satan who is behind the scenes doing this. No book in the Bible gives more insight into the problem of why the righteous suffer and the meaning and purpose of evil in the world. Now we will examine that question. There are three basic solutions that have been given to the problem of evil. First there's a denial of its existence. We're told all evil is only an illusion. This is fundamentally the doctrinal position of the Christian Scientists. All evil experienced, meaning sin, suffering, pain, and the like are purely subjective, existing only in the mind of the observer. They have no objective reality. Christian science teaches that since God is good, he could not permit evil to exist and therefore evil is not real. Suffering, evil, sin, and Satan and death are the imagination of man's finite mind. They're only an illusion. They have no reality and would disappear if man would by faith and self-discipline deny their existence. Of course, the objections to this hypothesis are almost self-evident. Even if this hypothesis were accepted as valid, which it isn't, one is still faced with the question of how the appearance of evil and suffering is to be explained. I mean what's the origin and meaning of the illusion of pain and suffering and death? The illusion of pain and suffering is as real to the sufferer as real pain and suffering. A world in which the majority of its inhabitants are deceived with respect to the presence of suffering needs as much explaining as one in which evil is a genuine reality. It doesn't solve the problem, it only changes the terminology from reality to illusion. The suffering and the evil remain. It is quite obvious that this view is unbiblical and is out of harmony with the facts of experience. I mean Christian Scientists yell just as loudly as anyone else when they mashed their finger with a hammer. They go right on dying like the rest of humanity. Another suggested solution is the error is finitism. We're told God's power is limited. The doctrine of the finite God is the solution that we must choose, we are told. The fact that God is not completely good and that he is not omnipotent is an unscriptural attempt to explain the presence of moral and natural evil. The limitation doctrine argues that God made the best kind of world that he could but that even God could not prevent the presence of evil. Finitism, we are told, preserves the goodness of God and recognizes that God is not the source of all things. He is the source of all that is good and He is an opposition to all that is evil. Finitism seems to be a solution to some people. But again, this theory is unbiblical. The doctrine of a finite God cannot stand in view of the testimony of Scripture. See Daniel 4:35 Jeremiah 32:17, Matthew 19:26, Romans 9, Job 1 and 2. We're told that God is in control of all events and governments in heaven and earth. Nothing is too hard for God and with God nothing is impossible. As we read Job chapters 1 & 2 we see that Satan had to get God's permission to afflict Job. The concept of an eternal principle of evil against which God is engaged in some cosmic struggle and the outcome of which is by no means certain is platonic dualism pure and simple. It's not Biblical. The doctrine of finitism is no solution at all to the problem but simply a sophisticated shortcut to avoid what appears to be a dilemma. It results from the fallacy that one must either give up the goodness of God or His omnipotence and power since there appears to be an alleged conflict. The only solution seems to be to sacrifice his omnipotence according to this unscriptural view. Now a third solution which we believe to be the biblical one, is that a moral world involves the possibility of evil. In a moral universe of free creatures, the possibility of moral development involves the possibility of the entrance of moral evil and its consequences into the world. For example, we see in the narratives of Genesis that God did not intend to compel moral obedience, but that a holy moral character could only be developed by voluntary free choice on Adam's part. Hence, a world without the possibility of disobeying God would not present the necessary means of developing moral character. Adam was not born with a holy moral character, but he was innocent. He was pure, but you're not born with character. This must develop and grow as you respond to the experiences of life. Trials, adversities, and so forth are designed to shape one's character. Someone has pointed out that these sufferings sometimes crush the person who experiences it. There are times when the final result is more glorious than would be conceivable in any other kind of universe. Therefore, this view does give us a workable solution to the problem of evil and helps explain the purpose of suffering. It is the suffering of the righteous and the allowance of the entrance of sin into the world. This view involves a possibility of the entrance of evil and also helps explain God's self-imposed limitations. Now those terms are important. We see God is presented in Scripture as omnipotent and all-powerful. But it is also true that, at the moment He created something outside himself, man who is a free moral creature, who could have the power at least temporarily to say no to God, that there was to some degree a self-imposed limitation which God placed upon Himself. This does not mean that God has limited His sovereignty, power, or His rule by creating a being in his own image who had the power to rebel against him. But it does mean that God chose to exercise his sovereignty in a universe filled with creatures who could temporarily rebel against that sovereignty. Notice it's only temporary, and so we see a moral world involves the possibility of the entrance and presence of moral evil. This brings us to the basic question that we're going to discuss. The perplexing problem of why the righteous suffer and biblical solutions. It's not unusual that trials and sufferings of the child of God may involve several purposes. We shall explore these next. Part 2.) First, we see that trials and sufferings have an educational purpose. We will see from this study that the righteous suffering trial and affliction is not always evidence that they have sinned or evidence that God is displeased with them. There may be some deeper purpose in God allowing it and that is to bring them into conformity to the image of Jesus Christ. Examining these purposes is necessary because the Christian goes through trials and sufferings of many kinds. Therefore, they need to know whether or not these are chastisements, are things to be resisted as from the devil, or if these things are from the hand of God! This way we will not be resisting when we should be submitting so we will benefit from our trials and testings. We mentioned that trials and sufferings have an educational purpose. We see Job's misfortunes and sufferings at first of all as a teaching and educational purpose. We see spiritual wisdom and discernment do not automatically come to the believer but they are gained through the times of hardship and suffering and of trial and testing. Job learned the meaning of an abiding faith in God. He received an education along the line of an abiding and steadfast faith. See chapter 13 in verses 15-18. Job said though he slay me yet will I trust him. He came to know what genuine faith was and he was willing to trust God in spite of circumstances and appearances. He came to know in a more meaningful way God as his Redeemer in chapter 19. He has come through a great valley of testing and trial and affliction and there's one thing he says. I don't understand all of this, but I do know my redeemer lives and then he became confident in his future of vindication. We see that in chapter 9 verses 32-35, chapter 16 verse 19, chapter 13 verse 18. He said I know that I will be justified and this suffering of mine is not the result of sin, but I will be vindicated. Almost beside himself from grief and suffering, he came into a deeper assurance of a future life beyond the grave and this present world of inequality, injustice, and affliction. He came into a deeper understanding of the sovereignty of God. In chapters 38 to 41 where the Lord addresses him in two discourses of speeches, Job said, I've heard of You in the hearing of the ear and now my eye has seen You. I abhor myself and I repent in dust and in ashes. He said, I lay my hand over my mouth and I'll not speak again. I've spoken once, I've spoken twice but now, he says I'll not speak again. God revealed to him his sovereignty. God doesn't answer job's perplexities or questions. He just reminds him that He is God and that whatever he does is righteous. So, the educational purpose and significance of suffering is evident throughout the Bible especially in the book of Job as Job progressively moves from one valley of doubt and mystery to another. Each time climbing to a mountain peak of faith as he conquers his fears and his doubts and he comes to a new understanding and appreciation of the promises of God. The meaning of suffering is first and foremost of all for the express purpose of developing within the heart of the saint the assurance and understanding of his trust in God. In psalm 119 verses 65-72. The psalmist said there that he praises the Lord for afflicting him because then he came to know how to obey the Lord as he should. He said I thank You for the correction of my affliction because now I've come to understand better how to obey your precepts and your law. Our trials and tests, persecutions and the like have an educational purpose. When Jesus saves you, he sends you to His school. That is the school of the trial of your faith. Sadly, most Christians have not been taught this. They do not profit from their lessons so they keep taking the same course over and over. This is because they're flunking the tests. They've not been taught to submit to the trials but instead resist them. They think trials are something to be avoided at all costs. The Bible says we are to rejoice in our trials, James 1, because it is working in us the steadfast endurance we need to mature. Jesus told us that trials are to be a cause of rejoicing in Matthew 5, because when we're persecuted he said, rejoice because great is your reward in heaven. We are not to resist these things. Again, in Acts 14:22, for we must by much tribulation enter the kingdom of God. If you're trying to get off the pathway of trial and if you're trying to get out of that school, then you are on the wrong path. Realize you will not be able to graduate because you're flunking the course or you become a spiritual dropout from the school of the trial of your faith. Trials and sufferings are designed by God because He loves you and desires to educate you in an abiding faith in knowing that He is able to deliver and protect you keeping you to the end. You come to trust Him in spite of circumstances as Job. You come to the place where you can say though He slay me yet will I trust Him. That doesn't make any sense to your head or your intellect, but if you stay in God's school and learn your lessons as you should, it will make sense to your spirit and to your heart. Trials and sufferings of the believer for righteousness' sake have an educational purpose. Stay in God's school long enough for him to teach you something and you'll find you'll be blessed for it with a mature faith and trust in the plans and purposes of God in your life! Part 3.) Next, we see that sometimes sufferings and trials have a punitive purpose. This is the solution, by the way, to the problem suggested by Job's friends. You'll notice this as you read the book and although it is by no means the whole answer, yet it does have its place in the total picture. This is the law of sowing and reaping Galatians 6:7 - for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. There are natural consequences of sin and so sometimes trials and sufferings have a punitive purpose. Punitive means punishment. Some of these things we endure and suffer are because we've not heeded the law of sowing and reaping Galatians 6:7. We see this throughout the Bible that this works for the saint as well as the sinner. We have to obey this law. If we don't sow to the Spirit and sow to the flesh, we're going to reap the consequences. We see this in the case of David. He had to reap what he sowed in his sin with Bathsheba. We read the sword never departed from his house, although he did receive forgiveness. We also see this in the New Testament in 1st Corinthians 5 and 1st Corinthians 11. Some of the Christians were not partaking of the communion the Lord's Supper as they should. Therefore, Paul says you don't discern the Lord's body, you're not eating this supper worthily, and therefore some of you are sick and some of you are dying prematurely. This is the law of sowing and reaping. For example, if a Christian girl allows herself to get into trouble and becomes pregnant, she may repent of that sin and be forgiven but she'll still suffer the stigma of bearing an illegitimate child. She's still going to suffer the consequences of what she sowed, for whatsoever you sow you reap. Galatians 6:7. So there's no way to get around the fact that you're going to reap what you sow. This is why sometimes we suffer trials and afflictions. We should examine our lives to see whether or not God is judging us because of something we have disobeyed him about or not getting our lives corrected about some matter. Now what's the significance of Job's suffering in relation to the punitive purpose? Remember this is the suggested solution of Job's three friends. The principle upon which all suffering is based they said is this- that suffering is a direct result of sin and a just recompense for it. Job's sufferings, they insisted, were a sign of divine displeasure and presupposed sin on his part. Now of course the Bible does set forth this principle. It's the law of sowing and reaping where righteousness will bring prosperity and blessing, disobedience and wickedness will bring adversity. This is a principle set forth throughout the Bible as Deuteronomy 28 which is a good example of that. Psalm 1 is another example. But what of the righteous individual who often is the victim of misfortune and suffering, and why so often do the ungodly seem to prosper? What's the explanation for the suffering of the innocent and the prosperity of the wicked? Was the popular notion that the innocent do not suffer and the wicked are always afflicted contrary to the facts, even as Bildad and Zophar dogmatically insisted it was true? They insisted the principle was immutable and that Job, though outwardly righteous, nevertheless must be guilty of some heinous secret sins. Their philosophy was this, that all sin causes suffering. Job is suffering. The conclusion, Job must be a sinner! Job's sufferings, they argue, convict him implicitly of some grave sin and they plead with him to acknowledge it and repent. Job protests his innocence throughout the book and so we still are faced with the perplexing question. Why then is Job suffering? Remember he didn't have chapters 1 and 2 which give us the explanation. He had to endure this experience before the answer came. What then is the explanation for those instances which seemed by the Scriptures, show the moral principle of cause and effect, sowing and reaping, that they could not always be forced into a neat logical system? The laws governing society did not guarantee that in some individual cases the innocent might not suffer and that wickedness might not elude temporary judgment. No, throughout the scriptures we see that suffering is not necessarily the direct result of prior sins. This is proven in many passages as Jeremiah 19, Ezekiel 21, Amos chapter 2, In John 9, the case of the blind man, Jesus said this man was not blind because of his parent's sin or his own sin but that God might be glorified in his healing. So, also, in the case of Job, we see he suffered innocently. What the Scriptures do teach is this - that in the light of eternity it is the righteous who will be blessed and the wicked who will suffer. We should not judge too soon. The conclusion is this, suffering and adversity may sometimes be the result of sin and therefore the purpose is punitive, but this is not always the case. Don't follow Job's friends' rigid thinking in condemning someone when you do not have all the facts. Part 4.) Sometimes trials and suffering have a disciplinary purpose. There are times afflictions are the chastisements of a loving Father. This is in harmony with Hebrews 12, 1st Corinthians 5, 1st Corinthians 11 and proverbs 3 verses 11-12. Who the Lord loves He chastens. The Scriptures tell us in Job chapter 33, that God speaks to man and the purpose for that is he may withdraw man from his purpose and hide pride from man. He keeps back his soul from the pit and his life from perishing by the sword. He is chastened also with pain upon his bed and the multitude of his bones with strong pain. God chastens his children because he doesn't want His children going on a path of destruction from disobedience to His Word and will for their lives. We read in Hebrews 12 that who the Lord loves He chastens and He scourges every son He receives. Job 33 speaks of one form of chastisement being sickness. In Hebrews 12 it doesn't say anything about sickness being a form of chastisement. God has many ways to chasten His children. Sometimes he just withholds his blessings. Testing has a way of humbling man's pride. You see, many of Job's utterances under the weight of his afflictions gave indication that his trials had not yet fully accomplished their purpose. You will see this as you read the book of Job. Job sometimes questions God's purposes and in his questioning of God's purpose and his control of human affairs, it implied that Job knew more than God. Sometimes Christians, under the weight of their trials and afflictions, will cry out to God in such a way and try to use their logic and reason to such an extent that they even question God's wisdom in allowing them the trials and afflictions. To be Continued. Edited. Shared. ❤️ God willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.

A BACK-TO-SCHOOL BLESSING CAN BEGIN WITH YOU ❤️📚 “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and He will reward them for what they have done.” — Proverbs 19:17 As children prepare to return to school, there are many who have the desire to learn but lack the basic requirements they need to begin the term with dignity and hope. I am starting a Back-to-School Children’s Support Campaign to help provide school essentials such as shoes, books, pens, brooms, school supplies and other scholastic materials to children who need a helping hand. 🌍 This is not only for Ugandans. It is an invitation to anyone, anywhere in the world, who believes that every child deserves an opportunity to learn. You may think your contribution is small, but to a child, a pair of shoes can mean confidence, a book can mean opportunity, and a pen can become a tool that writes a brighter future. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me.” — Matthew 19:14 Let us put faith into action. 🙏🏽❤️ If you feel led to give school materials, sponsor a child, contribute financially, or partner with this vision, please INBOX me. Every contribution, big or small, will be received with gratitude and directed toward helping children get ready for school. One child. One opportunity. One act of kindness. One brighter future. May God bless every hand that chooses to give. 🙏🏽 #BackToSchool #SupportAChild #GiveHope #EveryChildDeservesEducation #FaithInAction #Uganda #GivingBack #BeABlessing@

Fear is a clever adversary. When we think of fear, the first things that come to mind are old, decrepit Victorian mansions or abandoned houses fueled by stories of stories of swinging chandeliers or doors that creak open on their own. Or we might think of less dramatic fears: heights or flying or small spaces. Unless you’re suffering from one of these or other phobias—or ghosts—it is rather easy to simply discard fear as something other people experience. But fear is not so simple. Most often, it sneaks into mind and festers and builds like a bacteria that, if untreated, to infection, sepsis, and even death. You can try preventative measures to keep it at bay, but bacteria can still get in. And you never know until you’re infected until the symptoms appear. This is the primary modus operandi of fear. It sneaks in, debilitates, and even paralyzes. Ultimately, it renders its victim completely helpless. This came to light during an unrelated discussion with my wife. We have been trying to put the finishing touches on my next manuscript, which frankly has been simmering on the backburner over the last several due to life distractions. Currently, it is coming down to fact-checking and formatting endnotes. It is especially nerve-racking because, unlike my previous book, we chose to self-publish this one. We have to get it right. It is all on us. It’s been difficult to release the manuscript. We’re haunted by the questions: is there more that can be done? Is the subject even all that relevant anymore? What am I missing? We check and recheck every detail. We don’t want to let go and send it into a very cruel world. We both recognized this paralysis after hearing ourselves begin everything with the phrase: “I’m afraid…” This realization suddenly made this year make sense. I have felt a bit off most of the year. I have become more subdued, resigned, troubled. I thought I was hiding it okay until a former (and very discerning) student came up to me recently and asked, “Mr. H., are you sad?” That simple, innocent question shook me into an awareness. I don’t necessarily think I am depressed, but something is not right. Since then, between that question and this recent epiphany with my wife, I realized that fear has crept into my life and is now controlling my psyche. The first part of 2026 has been difficult. Now, I won’t pretend that it was somehow more difficult than others. But it has been tough. The remainder of 2026 has been trying to recover from it. Last March, within days of the door slamming shut on my wife’s 25-year career, I lost my mom. In a way, I lost her over the last several years as she sank into dementia, but last March her battle ended. Add this to standard stresses associated with a second semester in a high school, which in and of itself is enough to deplete my tanks. Now I have to tap into mental and emotional resources that don’t exist. Fast forward to the present and I can see how God was with us in the storm. He gave me mental and emotionally resources, I never knew existed. He took care of us despite a huge income drop and being uninsured for a couple of month. Further, I know that my mom is now thinking more clearly than I could ever dream. God gets the glory. However, the enemy used a different tactic to paralyze me. Out of these hardship, fear crept in. And now I realize I am infected with it. Watching my mom sink into the darkness of dementia, I have become afraid that one day I might suffer from that myself. I am afraid of losing my mind. Unfortunately, once fear has a foothold, it doesn’t stop there. Fear escalated from fearing dementia to fearing getting old in general. I am only a few months away from leaving behind my fifties forever. I began to fear getting old. I fear my body slowing down. Simple things become a little harder. My back, my knees, and feet start to hurt a little more. I have a little more trouble hearing someone in a noisy room. I am doing that weird thing with my glasses when transitioning between reading close up and at a distance. It takes longer to get over a cold. Last July, I turned an ankle in Colorado that still aches today. The thought of not driving because driving in the winter or at night just isn’t worth the risk. I don’t want to give up the things that require the energy I had when I was young. How many summer road trips do I have left? What happens when I can no longer match the energy of a classroom of high school students? Fear takes that into a whole new direction. I really don’t want to stop teaching. I love the classroom. I love the cycle of the school calendar. But what happens when my body can’t keep up? Can my filters remain strong enough to keep me from saying something mean or stupid? Will I become tiresome, or in the way? Can I keep my teaching style and not turn into a grumpy old stooge? Worse yet, what happens when I become irrelevant? I have found myself somewhat paralyzed by this fear. And it has dragged me down. It has made me “look sad.” All of this came together with the recent discussion with my wife. Fear has overtaken me. It has taken control of me. But is it too late? Thankfully, no. The most used phrase in the entirety of scripture is: “do not be afraid.” However, one important observation that seems to be overlooked is that that phrase is almost always spoken from the supernatural point of view: God to human, Jesus to human, heavenly messenger to human. From a broader, heavenly perspective to a limited, natural one. “Do not be afraid.” I have thought about this constantly since that epiphany I had with my wife. I should not—must not—live in fear. Not as a child of the King. But how do you switch fear off? It is not as simple as a light switch. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:5: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” The enemy’s game plan is to always whisper thoughts into our head that will trigger fear. We have to be on guard always. When we get the sense of fear, we must be deliberate and take that thought captive and replace it with truth: “My God is bigger”; “He is my protector and comforter”; “This thought is not coming from him”. Fear does not sit on the throne, God does. Fear, by definition, is limited, God is infinite. Fear is merely a tool, God is the creator of everything, including us who are made in gis image. Only God can break through the paralysis fear brings and can heal us. Does that mean those things I fear will never happen? No. They likely will. But however the upcoming years pan out, he is with you, with me. And whatever the future brings, God is God. And he is good.

After brushing, you would think your mouth is clean until you have visited the dentist and they brush you themselves. (You are gonna be shocked😏 ) You would think you are righteous or okay until you stand before Jesus. Reckon unto yourselves if you are still in the faith. (2 Cor. 13:5) #fyp

“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened.” — Ephesians 1:18 Through this Bible verse, we can see the power of revelation in the Lord. Our existence has both a physical and spiritual dimension, and faith is connected to what we believe and understand. The Bible says: “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” — Proverbs 23:7 This shows us that what is taking place within a person matters greatly. Your understanding influences how you perceive, believe, and respond to life. Can a dead man think? The physical body may remain, but the Bible presents man as more than merely a physical body. “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” — Ecclesiastes 12:7 There is therefore a deeper dimension to human existence—the spirit and soul. What happens within us is not insignificant. The Bible also says: “For the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” — 2 Corinthians 4:18 This means that what our physical eyes see is not the whole of reality. There is a reality beyond what can be physically observed. That is why revelation is powerful. When God opens your understanding, you begin to perceive what you could not perceive before. “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” — Psalm 119:18 And Jesus said: “Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not?” — Mark 8:18 He was showing that a person can have physical eyes and yet fail to truly see and understand. Faith also operates beyond physical sight: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7 And: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” — Hebrews 11:1 So the question becomes: Can you see where the power lies? The power is not simply in what the physical eyes can see. There is a deeper reality—the revelation of God, which enlightens the understanding. When God opens your understanding, your perception changes. When your perception changes, what you believe can change. And when faith becomes active, it produces action. “Faith without works is dead.” — James 2:26 The process can therefore be understood like this: God reveals → understanding is enlightened → faith receives → faith produces action → life is transformed. This is why Paul prayed: “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling…” — Ephesians 1:18 The revelation is not merely about gaining information. It is about knowing—seeing with an understanding that comes from God. “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God…” — 2 Corinthians 4:6 When God opens the eyes of your understanding, you begin to see beyond the physical realm. You begin to understand what faith sees, what revelation reveals, and what God is showing you. That is where the transformation begins.

Prayer, Prophetic Instructions, and the Obedience That Unlocks Answers The answer to many of our prayers is often obedience to the prophetic word and instructions God gives us, whether they come through the place of prayer or through the ministry of our man of God. There are times when our prayers have already been answered, yet we continue asking God for the same thing. Meanwhile, God is saying, “I have already answered you; now obey the instruction I have given you.” Most of the time, prayer does more than simply ask God for things. Prayer opens our eyes to see what God has already made available to us and strengthens us to obey the instructions He gives us in the place of prayer. God is just and faithful. He is a God who answers prayer. “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). However, we must also understand that not every answer will come directly to us in the way we expect. There are certain answers that may be beyond our present capacity or understanding. In such situations, God may choose to use the ministry of a prophet to bring direction, instruction, or access to what He has prepared for us. Therefore, as you pray, you must also understand and recognize the ministry of a prophet. And when you have prayed and it seems as though the answer is not coming, your prayer should not always be, “Lord, give me what I am asking for.” Sometimes the prayer should be: “Lord, open my eyes to see what I need to see. Give me understanding and direct my path to the right place and the right instruction that will lead me to the answer.” This is the spirit behind Jeremiah 33:3: “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Prayer works. Prayer has never failed. God answers prayer. God has never failed. Sometimes, the answer is not another prayer request, it is an instruction waiting for your obedience.