• Psalm 116-118

    I love the LORD! Why? Because He always hears my cries, and He always bottles every tear. This is a song of praise to the Lord Almighty regarding His steadfast love that endureth forever. I needed to read this today! This statement has defeated armies. "I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD." How could I even think to despair with all the works God has done in my own life, resurrected, blood protected and I dare to fear what man can do? I am by no means untouchable, but my LORD fights for me. Whom shall I fear? My God is the Lord of Hosts. I have Him and armies of angels all around, I am not surrounded by the enemy, the enemy is surrounded by my God and His warriors. I'm done with the despair. I have the Holy Spirit. Jesus is in my heart and God is Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent. I have been set free from the chains that lies made, embraced the truth and I won't ever give up or give in, because my God is bigger than my problems.

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    https://youtu.be/njJ7NZMH70M?si=cCWVXXzvXr7uz-m6

    #faith #BibleReading #Psalms
    Psalm 116-118 I love the LORD! Why? Because He always hears my cries, and He always bottles every tear. This is a song of praise to the Lord Almighty regarding His steadfast love that endureth forever. I needed to read this today! This statement has defeated armies. "I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD." How could I even think to despair with all the works God has done in my own life, resurrected, blood protected and I dare to fear what man can do? I am by no means untouchable, but my LORD fights for me. Whom shall I fear? My God is the Lord of Hosts. I have Him and armies of angels all around, I am not surrounded by the enemy, the enemy is surrounded by my God and His warriors. I'm done with the despair. I have the Holy Spirit. Jesus is in my heart and God is Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent. I have been set free from the chains that lies made, embraced the truth and I won't ever give up or give in, because my God is bigger than my problems. (Wanna join these conversations, check out IAOM1.COM) https://youtu.be/njJ7NZMH70M?si=cCWVXXzvXr7uz-m6 #faith #BibleReading #Psalms
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  • MEANING OF SACKCLOTH AND ASHES.

    Sackcloth and ashes originates from biblical texts and is used to symbolize:
    MOURNING,(*Deep sorrow and grief)
    REPENTANCE, (*Desire to change)
    AND HUMILITY.(*Humbled to Father in shame)

    Wearing sackcloth, is uncomfortable and course fabric. Usually made from goats hair. Sitting in ashes were traditional practices during times of great spiritual and physical distress or showing their penance for sins.

    In the Bible, figures such as Job and the people of Israel used sackcloth and ashes to express their sorrow and seek forgiveness from Father. This showed a deep sense of remorse and the desire to turn away from their iniquity.

    These biblical stories of mourning, repentance, and humility show someone who is experiencing regret for transgressions by taking responsibility for their actions, and bowing down to the heavenly Father. Demonstrating the act of being nothing but dirty ashes. Burnt up and consumed with the trials and tribulation of this life.

    REPENTANCE OF NINEVEH
    (Jonah 3:5-6)
    When Jonah prophesies the destruction of Nineveh, the king and the people respond by donning sackcloth and sitting in ashes as a sign of repentance.

    THE PEOPLE OF NINEVEH BELIEVE

    Jonah 3:5-10 KJV

    1 SO THE PEOPLE OF NINEVEH
    Believed God,
    And proclaimed a fast,
    And put on SACKCLOTH,
    From the greatest of them
    Even to the least of them.

    6 FOR WORD CAME
    UNTO THE KING OF NINEVEH,
    And he arose from his throne,
    And he laid his robe from him,
    And covered him with SACKCLOTH,
    And sat in ASHES.

    7 AND HE CAUSED IT TO BE PROCLAIMED
    And published through Nineveh
    By the decree of the king and his nobles,
    Saying, Let neither man nor beast,
    Herd nor flock, taste any thing:
    Let them not feed, nor drink water:

    8 BUT LET MAN AND BEAST
    Be covered with SACKCLOTH,
    And cry mightily unto God:
    Yea, let them turn every one
    From his evil way, and from the violence
    That is in their hands.

    9 WHO CAN TELL IF GOD WILL TURN
    AND REPENT,
    And turn away from his fierce anger,
    That we perish not?

    10 AND GOD SAW THEIR WORKS,
    That they turned from their evil way;
    And God repented of the evil,
    That he had said
    That he would Do unto them;
    And he did it not.

    KING DAVID MOURNS
    (2 Samuel 12:16-17)
    After the death of his child, with Besthsheba, David fasts and mourns, emphasizing humility and sorrow. The child was born through adultery and murder. God did not let it live.

    THE DEATH OF DAVID’S SON

    2 Samuel 12:15-23 KJV

    15 AND NATHAN DEPARTED
    Unto his house.
    And the Lord struck the child
    That Uriah's wife bare unto David,
    And it was very sick.

    16 DAVID THEREFORE BESOUGHT GOD
    For the child;
    And David fasted,
    And went in,
    And lay all night upon the earth.

    17 AND THE ELDERS
    OF HIS HOUSE AROSE,
    And went to him,
    To raise him up from the earth:
    But he would not,
    Neither did he eat bread with them.

    18 AND IT CAME TO PASS
    On the seventh day,
    That the child died.
    And the servants of David
    Feared to tell him that the child was dead:
    For they said, Behold,
    While the child was yet alive,
    We spake unto him,
    And he would not hearken unto our voice:
    How will he then vex himself,
    If we tell him that the child is dead?

    19 BUT WHEN DAVID SAW
    That his servants whispered,
    David perceived that the child was dead:
    Therefore David said unto his servants,
    Is the child dead?
    And they said, He is dead.

    20 THEN DAVID AROSE FROM THE EARTH,
    And washed, and anointed himself,
    And changed his apparel,
    And came into the house of the Lord,
    And worshipped:
    Then he came to his own house;
    And when he required,
    They set bread before him,
    And he did eat.

    21 THEN SAID HIS SERVANTS UNTO HIM,
    What thing is this that thou hast done?
    Thou didst fast and weep for the child,
    While it was alive;
    But when the child was dead,
    Thou didst rise and eat bread.

    22 AND HE SAID,
    While the child was yet alive,
    I fasted and wept:
    For I said,
    Who can tell whether God
    Will be gracious to
    me, that the child may live?

    23 BUT NOW HE IS DEAD,
    Wherefore should I fast?
    Can I bring him back again?
    I shall go to him,
    But he shall not return to me.

    QUEEN ESTHER'S PLEA
    (Esther 4)
    Esther asks the Jews to fast and wear sackcloth as they seek deliverance from impending doom.

    ESTHER AGREES TO HELP THE JEWS

    Esther 4 KJV

    1 WHEN MORDECAI PERCEIVED
    All that was done,
    Mordecai rent his clothes,
    And put on sackcloth with ashes,
    And went out into the midst of the city,
    And cried with a loud and a bitter cry;

    2 AND CAME EVEN
    BEFORE THE KING'S GATE:
    For none might enter into the king's gate
    Clothed with sackcloth.

    3 AND IN EVERY PROVINCE,
    Whithersoever the king's commandment
    And his decree came,
    There was great mourning
    Among the Jews,
    And fasting,
    And weeping,
    And wailing;
    And many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

    4 SO ESTHER'S MAIDS
    And her chamberlains
    Came and told it her.
    Then was the queen exceedingly grieved;
    And she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai,
    And to take away his sackcloth from him:
    But he received it not.

    5 THEN CALLED ESTHER FOR HATACH,
    One of the king's chamberlains,
    Whom he had appointed
    To attend upon her,
    And gave him a commandment
    To Mordecai,
    To know what it was,
    And why it was.

    6 SO HATACH WENT FORTH
    TO MORDECAI
    Unto the street of the city,
    Which was before the king's gate.

    7 AND MORDECAI TOLD HIM OF ALL
    That had happened unto him,
    And of the sum of the money
    That Haman had promised
    To pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews,
    To destroy them.

    8 ALSO HE GAVE HIM THE COPY
    Of the writing of the decree
    That was given at Shushan
    To destroy them,
    To shew it unto Esther,
    And to declare it unto her,
    And to charge her that she should go
    In unto the king,
    To make supplication unto him,
    And to make request before him
    For her people.

    9 AND HATACH CAME
    And told Esther the words of Mordecai.

    10 AGAINST ESTHER
    SPAKE UNTO HATACH,
    And gave him commandment
    Unto Mordecai;

    11 ALL THE KING'S SERVANTS,
    And the people of the king's provinces,
    Do know, that whosoever,
    Whether man or women,
    Shall come unto the king
    Into the inner court,
    Who is not called,
    There is one law of his to put him to death,
    Except such to whom the king
    Shall hold out the golden sceptre,
    That he may live:
    But I have not been called to come in
    Unto the king these thirty days.

    12 AND THEY TOLD TO MORDECAI
    Esther's words.

    13 THEN MORDECAI COMMANDED
    To answer Esther,
    Think not with thyself
    That thou shalt escape
    In the king's house,
    More than all the Jews.

    14 FOR IF THOU ALTOGETHER
    Holdest thy peace at this time,
    Then shall there enlargement
    And deliverance
    Arise to the Jews from another place;
    But thou and thy father's house
    Shall be destroyed:
    And who knoweth whether thou art come
    To the kingdom for such a time as this?

    15 THEN ESTHER BADE THEM
    Return Mordecai this answer,

    16 GO, GATHER TOGETHER ALL THE JEWS
    That are present in Shushan,
    And fast ye for me,
    And neither eat nor drink three days,
    Night or day:
    I also and my maidens will fast likewise;
    And so will I go in unto the king,
    Which is not according to the law:
    And if I perish, I perish.

    17 SO MORDECAI WENT HIS WAY,
    And did according to all
    That Esther had commanded him.

    PROPHET JEREMIAH
    (Jeremiah 6:26)
    Jeremiah calls for mourning in Israel, invoking sackcloth as a sign of sorrow for sin.

    IMPENDING DESTRUCTION FROM THE NORTH

    Jeremiah 6:16-30 KJV

    16 THUS SAITH THE LORD,
    Stand ye in the ways, and see,
    And ask for the old paths,
    Where is the good way, and walk therein,
    And ye shall find rest for your souls.
    But they said,
    We will not walk therein.

    17 ALSO I SET WATCHMEN OVER YOU,
    Saying,
    Hearken to the sound of the trumpet.
    But they said,
    We will not hearken.

    18 THEREFORE HEAR,
    Ye nations, and know,
    O congregation,
    What is among them.

    19 HEARKEN, O EARTH:
    BEHOLD,
    I will bring evil upon this people,
    Even the fruit of their thoughts,
    Because they have not hearkened
    Unto my words, nor to my law,
    But rejected it.

    20 TO WHAT PURPOSE COMETH THERE
    To me incense from Sheba,
    And the sweet cane from a far country?
    Your burnt offerings are not acceptable,
    Nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.

    21 THEREFORE THUS SAITH THE LORD,
    BEHOLD,
    I will lay stumblingblocks
    Before this people,
    And the fathers and the sons together
    Shall fall upon them;
    The neighbour and his friend shall perish.

    22 THUS SAITH THE LORD,
    BEHOLD,
    A people cometh from the north country,
    And a great nation shall be raised
    From the sides of the earth.

    23 THEY SHALL LAY HOLD
    ON BOW AND SPEAR;
    They are cruel, and have no mercy;
    Their voice roareth like the sea;
    And they ride upon horses,
    Set in array as men for war against thee,
    O daughter of Zion.

    24 WE HAVE HEARD THE FAME THEREOF:
    Our hands wax feeble:
    Anguish hath taken hold of us, and pain,
    As of a woman in travail.

    25 GO NOT FORTH INTO THE FIELD,
    Nor walk by the way;
    For the sword of the enemy
    And fear is on every side.

    26 O DAUGHTER OF MY PEOPLE,
    Gird thee with sackcloth,
    And wallow thyself in ashes:
    Make thee mourning, as for an only son,
    Most bitter lamentation:
    For the spoiler shall suddenly
    Come upon us.

    27 I HAVE SET THEE FOR A TOWER
    And a fortress among my people,
    That thou mayest know and try their way.

    28 THEY ARE ALL GRIEVOUS REVOLTERS,
    Walking with slanders:
    They are brass and iron;
    They are all corrupters.

    29 THE BELLOWS ARE BURNED,
    The lead is consumed of the fire;
    The founder melteth in vain:
    For the wicked are not plucked away.

    30 REPROBATE SILVER
    Shall men call them,
    Because the Lord hath rejected them.

    THE ISRAELITES
    (Isaiah 15:3, Micah 1:10)
    Throughout the books of the prophets, sackcloth is often mentioned as part of national mourning or individual repentance.

    JUDGMENT ON ISRAEL AND JUDAH

    Micah 1 KJV

    1 THE WORD OF THE LORD
    That came to Micah
    The Morasthite in the days of Jotham,
    Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah,
    Which he saw concerning Samaria
    And Jerusalem.

    2 HEAR, ALL YE PEOPLE;
    Hearken, O earth,
    And all that therein is:
    And let the Lord God
    Be witness against you,
    The Lord from his holy temple.

    3 FOR, BEHOLD
    The Lord cometh forth
    Out of His place,
    And will come down,
    And tread upon
    The high places of the earth.

    4 AND THE MOUNTAINS
    Shall be molten
    Under him,
    And the valleys shall be cleft,
    As wax before the fire,
    And as the waters that are poured down
    A steep place.

    5 FOR THE TRANSGRESSION
    Of Jacob is all this,
    And for the sins of the house of Israel.
    What is the transgression of Jacob?
    Is it not Samaria?
    And what are the high places of Judah?
    Are they not Jerusalem?

    6 THEREFORE I WILL MAKE SAMARIA
    As an heap of the field,
    And as plantings of a vineyard:
    And I will pour down
    The stones thereof into the valley,
    And I will discover the foundations thereof.

    7 AND ALL THE GRAVEN IMAGES
    THEREOF
    Shall be beaten to pieces,
    And all the hires thereof
    Shall be burned with the fire,
    And all the idols thereof will I lay desolate:
    For she gathered it of the hire of an harlot,
    And they shall return to
    THE HIRE OF AN HARLOT.

    8 THEREFORE I WILL WAIL AND HOWL,
    I will go stripped and naked:
    I will make a wailing like the dragons,
    And mourning as the owls.

    9 FOR HER WOUND IS INCURABLE;
    For it is come unto Judah;
    He is come unto the gate of my people,
    Even to Jerusalem.

    10 DECLARE YE IT NOT AT GATH,
    Weep ye not at all:
    In the house of Aphrah
    Roll thyself in the dust.

    11 PASS YE AWAY,
    Thou inhabitant of Saphir,
    Having thy shame naked:
    The inhabitant of Zaanan came not forth
    In the mourning of Bethezel;
    He shall receive of you his standing.

    12 FOR THE INHABITANT OF MAROTH
    Waited carefully for good:
    But evil came down from the Lord
    Unto the gate of Jerusalem.

    13 O THOU INHABITANT OF LACHISH,
    Vind the chariot to the swift beast:
    She is the beginning of the sin
    To the daughter of Zion:
    For the transgressions of Israel
    Were found in thee.

    14 THEREFORE SHALT THOU GIVE
    Presents to Moreshethgath:
    The houses of Achzib
    Shall be a lie to the kings of Israel.

    15 YET WILL I BRING AN HEIR UNTO THEE,
    O inhabitant of Mareshah:
    He shall come unto Adullam
    THE GLORY OF ISRAEL.

    16 MAKE THEE BALD,
    And poll thee for thy delicate children;
    Enlarge thy baldness as the eagle;
    For they are gone into captivity from thee.

    The significance of sackcloth and ashes in the Bible, demonstrates moments of deep emotional strive and the desire to reconcile with The Father.

    The 2 witnesses come teaching
    sackcloth and ashes.They are described as prophetic figures who proclaim God's message during the end times.

    The Two Witnesses (Revelation 11:3-6)
    As having the power to prophesy for 1,260 days while clothed in sackcloth.(*shortened by Christ in Matthew 24:22-24/ Revelation 9 to 150 days. The 7 years given to Satan was deduced to those 5 months/140 days.
    The 2 Witnesses time was given in days and when shortened to days they are given about a week longer to prepare and warn the house of Isreal.)

    THE TWO WITNESSES

    Revelation 11 KJV

    1 AND THERE WAS GIVEN ME A REED
    Like unto a rod: and the angel stood,
    Saying, Rise, and measure
    The temple of God,
    And the altar,
    And them that worship therein.

    2 BUT THE COURT
    Which is without the temple leave out,
    And measure it not;
    For it is given unto the Gentiles:
    And the holy city shall they tread
    Under foot forty and two months.

    (*Shortened by Christ, Matthew24, to 5 months of Revelation 9, for the elections sake, so they could stand.)

    3 AND I WILL GIVE POWER
    Unto my TWO witnesses,
    And they shall prophesy
    A thousand two hundred
    And threescore days,
    Clothed in sackcloth.(*Repentance)

    4 THESE ARE THE TWO OLIVE TREES,
    And the two candlesticks
    Standing before the God of the earth.

    5 AND IF ANY MAN WILL HURT THEM,
    Fire proceedeth out of their mouth,
    And devoureth their enemies:
    And if any man will hurt them,
    He must in this manner be killed.

    6 THESE HAVE POWER TO SHUT HEAVEN,
    That it rain not
    In the days of their prophecy:
    And have power over waters
    To turn them to blood,
    And to smite the earth with all plagues,
    As often as they will.

    THE WITNESSES KILLED

    7 AND WHEN THEY SHALL HAVE FINISHED
    Their testimony,
    The beast that ascendeth out
    Of the bottomless pit(*Abbadon, Appolyon)
    Shall make war against them,
    And shall overcome them,
    And kill them.

    8 AND THEIR DEAD BODIES
    Shall lie in the street of the great city,
    Which spiritually is called
    Sodom and Egypt,
    Where also our Lord was crucified.

    9 AND THEY OF THE PEOPLE
    And kindreds
    And tongues
    And nations shall see their dead bodies
    Three days and an half,
    And shall not suffer their dead bodies
    To be put in graves.

    10 AND THEY THAT DWELL
    UPON THE EARTH
    Shall rejoice over them,
    And make merry,
    And shall send gifts one to another;
    Because these TWO prophets
    Tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

    THE WITNESSES RESURRECTED

    11 AND AFTER THREE DAYS AND AN HALF
    The spirit of life from God
    Entered into them,
    And they stood upon their feet;
    And great fear fell upon them
    Which saw them.

    12 AND THEY HEARD A GREAT VOICE
    From heaven saying unto them,
    Come up hither.
    And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud;
    And their enemies beheld them.

    13 AND THE SAME HOUR WAS THERE
    A great earthquake,
    And the tenth part of the city fell,
    And in the earthquake
    Were slain of men SEVEN THOUSAND:
    And the remnant
    Were affrighted,
    And gave glory to the God of heaven.

    (*The 7000 fallen angels that take over the government's of the world with their new world order will die forever.)

    14 THE SECOND WOE IS PAST;
    And, behold,
    The third woe cometh quickly.

    Sackcloth is a symbol of humility and sorrow, indicating their role as prophets of repentance in a time of great tribulation of the apostasy of God's people. The sackcloth worn by the Two Witnesses provokes their somber mission, calling for the repentance of the nations and pointing out their eminent demise.

    The 2 serve as messengers of God's judgment, calling people to repentance. They are granted the power to perform miraculous signs, such as shutting the sky to prevent rain and turning waters into blood, emphasizing their authority as God's representatives.

    After their testimony, they are killed, signifying the rejection of their message. Like that of Jesus message they will lay in the street 3 days and half. They are later resurrected and taken up to heaven, symbolizing the ultimate vindication of God's
    MEANING OF SACKCLOTH AND ASHES. Sackcloth and ashes originates from biblical texts and is used to symbolize: MOURNING,(*Deep sorrow and grief) REPENTANCE, (*Desire to change) AND HUMILITY.(*Humbled to Father in shame) Wearing sackcloth, is uncomfortable and course fabric. Usually made from goats hair. Sitting in ashes were traditional practices during times of great spiritual and physical distress or showing their penance for sins. In the Bible, figures such as Job and the people of Israel used sackcloth and ashes to express their sorrow and seek forgiveness from Father. This showed a deep sense of remorse and the desire to turn away from their iniquity. These biblical stories of mourning, repentance, and humility show someone who is experiencing regret for transgressions by taking responsibility for their actions, and bowing down to the heavenly Father. Demonstrating the act of being nothing but dirty ashes. Burnt up and consumed with the trials and tribulation of this life. 👉REPENTANCE OF NINEVEH (Jonah 3:5-6) When Jonah prophesies the destruction of Nineveh, the king and the people respond by donning sackcloth and sitting in ashes as a sign of repentance. 📖THE PEOPLE OF NINEVEH BELIEVE Jonah 3:5-10 KJV 1 SO THE PEOPLE OF NINEVEH Believed God, And proclaimed a fast, And put on SACKCLOTH, From the greatest of them Even to the least of them. 6 FOR WORD CAME UNTO THE KING OF NINEVEH, And he arose from his throne, And he laid his robe from him, And covered him with SACKCLOTH, And sat in ASHES. 7 AND HE CAUSED IT TO BE PROCLAIMED And published through Nineveh By the decree of the king and his nobles, Saying, Let neither man nor beast, Herd nor flock, taste any thing: Let them not feed, nor drink water: 8 BUT LET MAN AND BEAST Be covered with SACKCLOTH, And cry mightily unto God: Yea, let them turn every one From his evil way, and from the violence That is in their hands. 9 WHO CAN TELL IF GOD WILL TURN AND REPENT, And turn away from his fierce anger, That we perish not? 10 AND GOD SAW THEIR WORKS, That they turned from their evil way; And God repented of the evil, That he had said That he would Do unto them; And he did it not. 👉KING DAVID MOURNS (2 Samuel 12:16-17) After the death of his child, with Besthsheba, David fasts and mourns, emphasizing humility and sorrow. The child was born through adultery and murder. God did not let it live. THE DEATH OF DAVID’S SON 2 Samuel 12:15-23 KJV 15 AND NATHAN DEPARTED Unto his house. And the Lord struck the child That Uriah's wife bare unto David, And it was very sick. 16 DAVID THEREFORE BESOUGHT GOD For the child; And David fasted, And went in, And lay all night upon the earth. 17 AND THE ELDERS OF HIS HOUSE AROSE, And went to him, To raise him up from the earth: But he would not, Neither did he eat bread with them. 18 AND IT CAME TO PASS On the seventh day, That the child died. And the servants of David Feared to tell him that the child was dead: For they said, Behold, While the child was yet alive, We spake unto him, And he would not hearken unto our voice: How will he then vex himself, If we tell him that the child is dead? 19 BUT WHEN DAVID SAW That his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: Therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. 20 THEN DAVID AROSE FROM THE EARTH, And washed, and anointed himself, And changed his apparel, And came into the house of the Lord, And worshipped: Then he came to his own house; And when he required, They set bread before him, And he did eat. 21 THEN SAID HIS SERVANTS UNTO HIM, What thing is this that thou hast done? Thou didst fast and weep for the child, While it was alive; But when the child was dead, Thou didst rise and eat bread. 22 AND HE SAID, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: For I said, Who can tell whether God Will be gracious to me, that the child may live? 23 BUT NOW HE IS DEAD, Wherefore should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, But he shall not return to me. 👉QUEEN ESTHER'S PLEA (Esther 4) Esther asks the Jews to fast and wear sackcloth as they seek deliverance from impending doom. ESTHER AGREES TO HELP THE JEWS Esther 4 KJV 1 WHEN MORDECAI PERCEIVED All that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, And put on sackcloth with ashes, And went out into the midst of the city, And cried with a loud and a bitter cry; 2 AND CAME EVEN BEFORE THE KING'S GATE: For none might enter into the king's gate Clothed with sackcloth. 3 AND IN EVERY PROVINCE, Whithersoever the king's commandment And his decree came, There was great mourning Among the Jews, And fasting, And weeping, And wailing; And many lay in sackcloth and ashes. 4 SO ESTHER'S MAIDS And her chamberlains Came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; And she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, And to take away his sackcloth from him: But he received it not. 5 THEN CALLED ESTHER FOR HATACH, One of the king's chamberlains, Whom he had appointed To attend upon her, And gave him a commandment To Mordecai, To know what it was, And why it was. 6 SO HATACH WENT FORTH TO MORDECAI Unto the street of the city, Which was before the king's gate. 7 AND MORDECAI TOLD HIM OF ALL That had happened unto him, And of the sum of the money That Haman had promised To pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, To destroy them. 8 ALSO HE GAVE HIM THE COPY Of the writing of the decree That was given at Shushan To destroy them, To shew it unto Esther, And to declare it unto her, And to charge her that she should go In unto the king, To make supplication unto him, And to make request before him For her people.🤥✡️ 9 AND HATACH CAME And told Esther the words of Mordecai. 10 AGAINST ESTHER SPAKE UNTO HATACH, And gave him commandment Unto Mordecai; 11 ALL THE KING'S SERVANTS, And the people of the king's provinces, Do know, that whosoever, Whether man or women, Shall come unto the king Into the inner court, Who is not called, There is one law of his to put him to death, Except such to whom the king Shall hold out the golden sceptre, That he may live: But I have not been called to come in Unto the king these thirty days. 12 AND THEY TOLD TO MORDECAI Esther's words. 13 THEN MORDECAI COMMANDED To answer Esther, Think not with thyself That thou shalt escape In the king's house, More than all the Jews. 14 FOR IF THOU ALTOGETHER Holdest thy peace at this time, Then shall there enlargement And deliverance Arise to the Jews from another place; But thou and thy father's house Shall be destroyed: And who knoweth whether thou art come To the kingdom for such a time as this? 15 THEN ESTHER BADE THEM Return Mordecai this answer, 16 GO, GATHER TOGETHER ALL THE JEWS That are present in Shushan, And fast ye for me, And neither eat nor drink three days, Night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; And so will I go in unto the king, Which is not according to the law: And if I perish, I perish. 17 SO MORDECAI WENT HIS WAY, And did according to all That Esther had commanded him. 👉PROPHET JEREMIAH (Jeremiah 6:26) Jeremiah calls for mourning in Israel, invoking sackcloth as a sign of sorrow for sin. IMPENDING DESTRUCTION FROM THE NORTH Jeremiah 6:16-30 KJV 16 THUS SAITH THE LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, And ask for the old paths, Where is the good way, and walk therein, And ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. 17 ALSO I SET WATCHMEN OVER YOU, Saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken. 18 THEREFORE HEAR, Ye nations, and know, O congregation, What is among them. 19 HEARKEN, O EARTH: BEHOLD, I will bring evil upon this people, Even the fruit of their thoughts, Because they have not hearkened Unto my words, nor to my law, But rejected it. 20 TO WHAT PURPOSE COMETH THERE To me incense from Sheba, And the sweet cane from a far country? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, Nor your sacrifices sweet unto me. 21 THEREFORE THUS SAITH THE LORD, BEHOLD, I will lay stumblingblocks Before this people, And the fathers and the sons together Shall fall upon them; The neighbour and his friend shall perish. 22 THUS SAITH THE LORD, BEHOLD, A people cometh from the north country, And a great nation shall be raised From the sides of the earth. 23 THEY SHALL LAY HOLD ON BOW AND SPEAR; They are cruel, and have no mercy; Their voice roareth like the sea; And they ride upon horses, Set in array as men for war against thee, O daughter of Zion. 24 WE HAVE HEARD THE FAME THEREOF: Our hands wax feeble: Anguish hath taken hold of us, and pain, As of a woman in travail. 25 GO NOT FORTH INTO THE FIELD, Nor walk by the way; For the sword of the enemy And fear is on every side. 26 O DAUGHTER OF MY PEOPLE, Gird thee with sackcloth, And wallow thyself in ashes: Make thee mourning, as for an only son, Most bitter lamentation: For the spoiler shall suddenly Come upon us. 27 I HAVE SET THEE FOR A TOWER And a fortress among my people, That thou mayest know and try their way. 28 THEY ARE ALL GRIEVOUS REVOLTERS, Walking with slanders: They are brass and iron; They are all corrupters. 29 THE BELLOWS ARE BURNED, The lead is consumed of the fire; The founder melteth in vain: For the wicked are not plucked away. 30 REPROBATE SILVER Shall men call them, Because the Lord hath rejected them. 👉THE ISRAELITES (Isaiah 15:3, Micah 1:10) Throughout the books of the prophets, sackcloth is often mentioned as part of national mourning or individual repentance. JUDGMENT ON ISRAEL AND JUDAH Micah 1 KJV 1 THE WORD OF THE LORD That came to Micah The Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, Which he saw concerning Samaria And Jerusalem. 2 HEAR, ALL YE PEOPLE; Hearken, O earth, And all that therein is: And let the Lord God Be witness against you, The Lord from his holy temple. 3 FOR, BEHOLD The Lord cometh forth Out of His place, And will come down, And tread upon The high places of the earth. 4 AND THE MOUNTAINS Shall be molten Under him, And the valleys shall be cleft, As wax before the fire, And as the waters that are poured down A steep place. 5 FOR THE TRANSGRESSION Of Jacob is all this, And for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? Is it not Samaria? And what are the high places of Judah? Are they not Jerusalem? 6 THEREFORE I WILL MAKE SAMARIA As an heap of the field, And as plantings of a vineyard: And I will pour down The stones thereof into the valley, And I will discover the foundations thereof. 7 AND ALL THE GRAVEN IMAGES THEREOF Shall be beaten to pieces, And all the hires thereof Shall be burned with the fire, And all the idols thereof will I lay desolate: For she gathered it of the hire of an harlot, And they shall return to THE HIRE OF AN HARLOT. 8 THEREFORE I WILL WAIL AND HOWL, I will go stripped and naked: I will make a wailing like the dragons, And mourning as the owls. 9 FOR HER WOUND IS INCURABLE; For it is come unto Judah; He is come unto the gate of my people, Even to Jerusalem. 10 DECLARE YE IT NOT AT GATH, Weep ye not at all: In the house of Aphrah Roll thyself in the dust. 11 PASS YE AWAY, Thou inhabitant of Saphir, Having thy shame naked: The inhabitant of Zaanan came not forth In the mourning of Bethezel; He shall receive of you his standing. 12 FOR THE INHABITANT OF MAROTH Waited carefully for good: But evil came down from the Lord Unto the gate of Jerusalem. 13 O THOU INHABITANT OF LACHISH, Vind the chariot to the swift beast: She is the beginning of the sin To the daughter of Zion: For the transgressions of Israel Were found in thee. 14 THEREFORE SHALT THOU GIVE Presents to Moreshethgath: The houses of Achzib Shall be a lie to the kings of Israel. 15 YET WILL I BRING AN HEIR UNTO THEE, O inhabitant of Mareshah: He shall come unto Adullam THE GLORY OF ISRAEL. 16 MAKE THEE BALD, And poll thee for thy delicate children; Enlarge thy baldness as the eagle; For they are gone into captivity from thee. 🔥The significance of sackcloth and ashes in the Bible, demonstrates moments of deep emotional strive and the desire to reconcile with The Father. 👉The 2 witnesses come teaching sackcloth and ashes.They are described as prophetic figures who proclaim God's message during the end times. The Two Witnesses (Revelation 11:3-6) As having the power to prophesy for 1,260 days while clothed in sackcloth.(*shortened by Christ in Matthew 24:22-24/ Revelation 9 to 150 days. The 7 years given to Satan was deduced to those 5 months/140 days. The 2 Witnesses time was given in days and when shortened to days they are given about a week longer to prepare and warn the house of Isreal.) THE TWO WITNESSES Revelation 11 KJV 1 AND THERE WAS GIVEN ME A REED Like unto a rod: and the angel stood, Saying, Rise, and measure The temple of God, And the altar, And them that worship therein. 2 BUT THE COURT Which is without the temple leave out, And measure it not; For it is given unto the Gentiles: And the holy city shall they tread Under foot forty and two months. (*Shortened by Christ, Matthew24, to 5 months of Revelation 9, for the elections sake, so they could stand.) 3 AND I WILL GIVE POWER Unto my TWO witnesses, And they shall prophesy A thousand two hundred And threescore days, Clothed in sackcloth.(*Repentance) 4 THESE ARE THE TWO OLIVE TREES, And the two candlesticks Standing before the God of the earth. 5 AND IF ANY MAN WILL HURT THEM, Fire proceedeth out of their mouth, And devoureth their enemies: And if any man will hurt them, He must in this manner be killed. 6 THESE HAVE POWER TO SHUT HEAVEN, That it rain not In the days of their prophecy: And have power over waters To turn them to blood, And to smite the earth with all plagues, As often as they will. THE WITNESSES KILLED 7 AND WHEN THEY SHALL HAVE FINISHED Their testimony, The beast that ascendeth out Of the bottomless pit(*Abbadon, Appolyon) Shall make war against them, And shall overcome them, And kill them. 8 AND THEIR DEAD BODIES Shall lie in the street of the great city, Which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, Where also our Lord was crucified. 9 AND THEY OF THE PEOPLE And kindreds And tongues And nations shall see their dead bodies Three days and an half, And shall not suffer their dead bodies To be put in graves. 10 AND THEY THAT DWELL UPON THE EARTH Shall rejoice over them, And make merry, And shall send gifts one to another; Because these TWO prophets Tormented them that dwelt on the earth. THE WITNESSES RESURRECTED 11 AND AFTER THREE DAYS AND AN HALF The spirit of life from God Entered into them, And they stood upon their feet; And great fear fell upon them Which saw them. 12 AND THEY HEARD A GREAT VOICE From heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; And their enemies beheld them. 13 AND THE SAME HOUR WAS THERE A great earthquake, And the tenth part of the city fell, And in the earthquake Were slain of men SEVEN THOUSAND: And the remnant Were affrighted, And gave glory to the God of heaven. (*The 7000 fallen angels that take over the government's of the world with their new world order will die forever.) 14 THE SECOND WOE IS PAST; And, behold, The third woe cometh quickly. 👉Sackcloth is a symbol of humility and sorrow, indicating their role as prophets of repentance in a time of great tribulation of the apostasy of God's people. The sackcloth worn by the Two Witnesses provokes their somber mission, calling for the repentance of the nations and pointing out their eminent demise. The 2 serve as messengers of God's judgment, calling people to repentance. They are granted the power to perform miraculous signs, such as shutting the sky to prevent rain and turning waters into blood, emphasizing their authority as God's representatives. After their testimony, they are killed, signifying the rejection of their message. Like that of Jesus message they will lay in the street 3 days and half. They are later resurrected and taken up to heaven, symbolizing the ultimate vindication of God's
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  • Good evening, brethren.
    1. Evening devotion for today.

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

    *DATE:*
    THURSDAY 20TH AUGUST, 2026

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

    *TOPIC:*
    YOUTHS AS BEARERS OF LIGHT

    *TEXT:*
    EPHESIANS 5:8-13
    8. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light
    9. for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth
    10. and find out what pleases the Lord.
    11. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
    12. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
    13. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.

    *TOPIC:*
    YOUTHS AS BEARERS OF LIGHT

    *THE MESSAGE:*
    Jesus made it clear that He is the light of the world, and whoever following Him will never walk in darkness but have the light of life (Jn. 8:12). Darkness is often synonymous with sin and wickedness. In this text, Paul makes it clear that believers were once in darkness but are now in the light of the Lord. He urges them to live as children of the light and have nothing to do with darkness. Instead, expose it through righteous and truthful deeds that pleases the Lord. Christians are living amidst ungodly people whose behaviours and priorities conflict with the word of God. Will you compromise to belong or stand out as light? As a youth, your life must radiate the light of Christ wherever you are - in school, at work, in business, and in search of a job or a life partner. Is your light shinning? If not, fan it into flame.

    *REFLECTION:*
    Let your light so shine.

    *PRAYER:*
    Father, help me not to hide my light in Jesus' name. Amen.

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

    *TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:*
    EZEKIEL 16-19.

    ED.i. TO SAFE HARBOR

    "Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved. So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away." - Acts 27:31-32

    Paul said this when they were in a big storm on a ship at sea. This shipwreck story is often preached; however, we do not often hear about the lifeboat which belonged to the ship. The workers on the ship wanted to use this boat to secretly get away. They knew that if the ship was tossed against the rocks, they would all perish. Moreover, there were 276 people on board. How do you get them all in one lifeboat? They were cowards and wanted to leave the ship to save their own skin. Paul warned the captain and said: 'If they do not stay on board, you will not be saved.'

    Jesus Christ, the only Lifeboat

    The lifeboat would not offer any chance to survive on the stormy sea where they had been floating for two weeks. Paul knew this. I do not know much about ships, but one thing is certain: when there is a chance for shipwreck, the first question is: 'where is the lifeboat?'

    I have an important question: do we all understand the meaning and importance of a lifeboat when it comes to the salvation of our souls? When your soul is in great need, do you have a lifeboat? Today I want to ask you to investigate the lifeboat before your soul venture on board. For many people their lifeboat is their 'good works.' However, you will not get to heaven with these. There are many leaky lifeboats and people think these will save their souls.

    I would like to convince people through the Holy Spirit to step into the only safe lifeboat which will bring you to heaven. That lifeboat cannot be smashed. The wood comes from the cross on Calvary. Throughout the ages, this Lifeboat brings shipwrecks into safe harbor day and night. This Lifeboat never fails and is big enough for everyone. The only lifeboat that can save your soul is Jesus Christ.

    https://www.theblessingdevotional.com

    2. Good evening prayer for today.

    EP.i. Evening Prayer

    Come unto me, all [ye] that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ⏤ Matthew 11:28

    Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work. ⏤ Oswald Chambers

    O God, You have taught us in Your holy word to cast our burdens upon You, promising that You will sustain us. We come to You this evening with our burdens. You’ve given them to us as gifts, so we know there must be a blessing hidden within each one. Help us to accept our burdens and receive the gifts they carry. Let us not complain or grumble under them, lest we miss the blessings You’ve prepared for us.

    You haven’t promised to take our burdens away, for that would rob us of the blessings You’ve lovingly prepared. But You have promised to sustain us and give us the strength to bear them. So our prayer is that You would give us the grace to accept whatever burdens You’ve placed upon us, to carry whatever crosses You’ve given us, and to bear them after our Savior, trusting in quiet faith.

    At the close of this day, we bring You our sincere gratitude and praise for Your goodness.

    Your love never tires,
    Your patience never runs out,
    Your grace never fails.

    We grieve You with our many sins, our unbelief, and our complaining. Have mercy on us and forgive us for Jesus’ sake.

    Grant us an evening blessing from Your hand. Give us Your peace, strengthen us with Your might, and prepare us for any duty or struggle that lies ahead. Crush Satan under our feet. Jesus, You have overcome the world, and in Your victory, You are our defense and refuge. So we hide in You, as in the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. Bless us for Your name’s sake. Amen.

    https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/46/evening

    #taptapstudio
    #youdevotion.
    Good evening, brethren. 1. Evening devotion for today. ED.i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST* (COCIN DEVOTIONAL) *DATE:* THURSDAY 20TH AUGUST, 2026 *SUB-THEME:* YOUTHS: VESSELS OF GOD’S GRACE. *TOPIC:* YOUTHS AS BEARERS OF LIGHT *TEXT:* EPHESIANS 5:8-13 8. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9. for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth 10. and find out what pleases the Lord. 11. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. *TOPIC:* YOUTHS AS BEARERS OF LIGHT *THE MESSAGE:* Jesus made it clear that He is the light of the world, and whoever following Him will never walk in darkness but have the light of life (Jn. 8:12). Darkness is often synonymous with sin and wickedness. In this text, Paul makes it clear that believers were once in darkness but are now in the light of the Lord. He urges them to live as children of the light and have nothing to do with darkness. Instead, expose it through righteous and truthful deeds that pleases the Lord. Christians are living amidst ungodly people whose behaviours and priorities conflict with the word of God. Will you compromise to belong or stand out as light? As a youth, your life must radiate the light of Christ wherever you are - in school, at work, in business, and in search of a job or a life partner. Is your light shinning? If not, fan it into flame. *REFLECTION:* Let your light so shine. *PRAYER:* Father, help me not to hide my light in Jesus' name. Amen. *MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:* 2 TIMOTHY 2:21. "If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be instruments for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master, and prepared to do any good work." *TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:* EZEKIEL 16-19. ED.i. TO SAFE HARBOR "Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved. So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away." - Acts 27:31-32 Paul said this when they were in a big storm on a ship at sea. This shipwreck story is often preached; however, we do not often hear about the lifeboat which belonged to the ship. The workers on the ship wanted to use this boat to secretly get away. They knew that if the ship was tossed against the rocks, they would all perish. Moreover, there were 276 people on board. How do you get them all in one lifeboat? They were cowards and wanted to leave the ship to save their own skin. Paul warned the captain and said: 'If they do not stay on board, you will not be saved.' Jesus Christ, the only Lifeboat The lifeboat would not offer any chance to survive on the stormy sea where they had been floating for two weeks. Paul knew this. I do not know much about ships, but one thing is certain: when there is a chance for shipwreck, the first question is: 'where is the lifeboat?' I have an important question: do we all understand the meaning and importance of a lifeboat when it comes to the salvation of our souls? When your soul is in great need, do you have a lifeboat? Today I want to ask you to investigate the lifeboat before your soul venture on board. For many people their lifeboat is their 'good works.' However, you will not get to heaven with these. There are many leaky lifeboats and people think these will save their souls. I would like to convince people through the Holy Spirit to step into the only safe lifeboat which will bring you to heaven. That lifeboat cannot be smashed. The wood comes from the cross on Calvary. Throughout the ages, this Lifeboat brings shipwrecks into safe harbor day and night. This Lifeboat never fails and is big enough for everyone. The only lifeboat that can save your soul is Jesus Christ. https://www.theblessingdevotional.com 2. Good evening prayer for today. EP.i. Evening Prayer Come unto me, all [ye] that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ⏤ Matthew 11:28 Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work. ⏤ Oswald Chambers O God, You have taught us in Your holy word to cast our burdens upon You, promising that You will sustain us. We come to You this evening with our burdens. You’ve given them to us as gifts, so we know there must be a blessing hidden within each one. Help us to accept our burdens and receive the gifts they carry. Let us not complain or grumble under them, lest we miss the blessings You’ve prepared for us. You haven’t promised to take our burdens away, for that would rob us of the blessings You’ve lovingly prepared. But You have promised to sustain us and give us the strength to bear them. So our prayer is that You would give us the grace to accept whatever burdens You’ve placed upon us, to carry whatever crosses You’ve given us, and to bear them after our Savior, trusting in quiet faith. At the close of this day, we bring You our sincere gratitude and praise for Your goodness. Your love never tires, Your patience never runs out, Your grace never fails. We grieve You with our many sins, our unbelief, and our complaining. Have mercy on us and forgive us for Jesus’ sake. Grant us an evening blessing from Your hand. Give us Your peace, strengthen us with Your might, and prepare us for any duty or struggle that lies ahead. Crush Satan under our feet. Jesus, You have overcome the world, and in Your victory, You are our defense and refuge. So we hide in You, as in the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. Bless us for Your name’s sake. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/46/evening #taptapstudio #youdevotion.
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  • SHE OFFERED THEM WATER. THEY SENTENCED HER TO DEATH FOR IT.
    Asia Bibi was an illiterate Christian farmhand in Pakistan when, on a sweltering day in 2009, she was sent to fetch water for her fellow farmworkers. Two Muslim women refused to drink from the same container as her, believing it had been made unclean by a Christian's touch. An argument broke out, and days later the women accused Bibi of insulting the Prophet Muhammad, a charge that carries a mandatory death sentence in Pakistan and one she denied from the very beginning.
    Bibi was convicted in 2010 and spent the next eight years on death row, largely in solitary confinement, while her case became one of the most watched in the world. Two Pakistani officials who publicly defended her, provincial governor Salman Taseer and federal minister Shahbaz Bhatti, were both assassinated in 2010 for taking her side. In October 2018, Pakistan's Supreme Court finally overturned her conviction in a landmark ruling, citing serious concerns about the fairness of her original trial. The acquittal triggered days of violent nationwide protests from radical Islamist groups demanding her execution regardless of the court's ruling.
    Even after being declared innocent, Bibi couldn't simply walk free. She spent months in secret protective custody, unable to leave a hidden room, while authorities negotiated her safe exit from the country amid ongoing death threats. She finally left Pakistan in 2019, reunited with her family, and was granted asylum in Canada. She later said simply, "I was accused because of the name of Jesus, and I knew I would be freed because of Jesus."
    Do you think you could have held onto that hope through eight years on death row?
    #AsiaBibi #PersecutedChurch #FaithUnderFire
    SHE OFFERED THEM WATER. THEY SENTENCED HER TO DEATH FOR IT. Asia Bibi was an illiterate Christian farmhand in Pakistan when, on a sweltering day in 2009, she was sent to fetch water for her fellow farmworkers. Two Muslim women refused to drink from the same container as her, believing it had been made unclean by a Christian's touch. An argument broke out, and days later the women accused Bibi of insulting the Prophet Muhammad, a charge that carries a mandatory death sentence in Pakistan and one she denied from the very beginning. Bibi was convicted in 2010 and spent the next eight years on death row, largely in solitary confinement, while her case became one of the most watched in the world. Two Pakistani officials who publicly defended her, provincial governor Salman Taseer and federal minister Shahbaz Bhatti, were both assassinated in 2010 for taking her side. In October 2018, Pakistan's Supreme Court finally overturned her conviction in a landmark ruling, citing serious concerns about the fairness of her original trial. The acquittal triggered days of violent nationwide protests from radical Islamist groups demanding her execution regardless of the court's ruling. Even after being declared innocent, Bibi couldn't simply walk free. She spent months in secret protective custody, unable to leave a hidden room, while authorities negotiated her safe exit from the country amid ongoing death threats. She finally left Pakistan in 2019, reunited with her family, and was granted asylum in Canada. She later said simply, "I was accused because of the name of Jesus, and I knew I would be freed because of Jesus." Do you think you could have held onto that hope through eight years on death row? #AsiaBibi #PersecutedChurch #FaithUnderFire
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  • DAILY LEADERSHIP BOOST (DLB)

    THURSDAY, 20 AUGUST 2026

    HE IS COMING LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT

    “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” 1 Thessalonians 5:2 KJV

    Leaders, there is no announcement date on heaven’s calendar.
    Jesus is coming like a thief in the night. Sudden. Unexpected. Without warning to the world.

    Peter said the day of the Lord will come “as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat.”_ 2 Peter 3:10. That means this world as we know it will end abruptly. And every leader will give account. Romans 14:12 “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”

    This truth is not given to scare us. It is given to sober us.
    Because when a thief is expected, the wise owner stays awake. Luke 12:39-40 - “And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched... Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.”

    The danger for leaders is not unbelief. It is slumber. It is doing Kingdom work with a casual heart. It is building with wood, hay and stubble because we assume we have time. 1 Corinthians 3:13. But the day is approaching like a thief, and it will test every work.

    So how do we live when the coming is sudden?

    Walk in constant readiness. Not fear, but readiness. Keep short accounts with God. Confess quickly. Forgive quickly. Walk in the light. 1 John 1:7. Let your lamp be full of oil. Matthew 25:4. A thief does not wait for you to get ready. He meets you as you are.

    Guard your heart against surprise and sin. The reason people are caught off guard is because they are distracted. Luke 21:34 _“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”_ Watch what you watch. Watch what you feed on. Watch who you follow. A thief enters through open doors.

    Stay faithful in your assignment. The faithful servant is the one found _“so doing”_ when the master returns. Matthew 24:46. Keep preaching. Keep serving. Keep praying. Keep building people. Don’t drop your post because the night is long. The trumpet could sound on an ordinary Thursday.

    Leaders, our people are watching us. If we are careless, they will be careless. If we are awake, they will be awake. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that day should overtake you as a thief... Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”

    We don’t know the day or the hour. Matthew 24:36. But we do know the Master. And He said He is coming. So we live every day like it could be today.

    https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VafVatb11ulKTDXcjL3X

    Prayer For Today
    Father, thank You for the warning in Your word. I refuse to be caught sleeping. Wake my spirit. Purify my heart. Help me to walk in readiness every day. Keep me faithful in my assignment, sober in my walk, and passionate for souls. Let the day of the Lord not overtake me as a thief. Prepare me and prepare the people You have given me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

    Today's Declaration
    The Lord is coming like a thief in the night and I am ready. I walk in the light. I keep my lamp full. I am faithful in my assignment. I watch and I pray. I will not be overtaken by darkness.

    Bible Reading Plan
    1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 24:42-51, Luke 12:35-40, 2 Peter 3:8-14, Revelation 16:15, Mark 13:32-37

    Today’s Action
    Leaders, do a “thief audit” today. Ask: “If Jesus came tonight, what would I regret?” Deal with it now. Repent, reconcile, or reset.
    Then check one area of your life or ministry that has become casual. Tighten it. Set the standard again.
    Teach your team: We don’t live in fear of His coming. We live in faithfulness because of His coming.
    Remember: A thief comes without notice. So we live every day with notice in our spirit.
    DAILY LEADERSHIP BOOST (DLB) THURSDAY, 20 AUGUST 2026 HE IS COMING LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” 1 Thessalonians 5:2 KJV Leaders, there is no announcement date on heaven’s calendar. Jesus is coming like a thief in the night. Sudden. Unexpected. Without warning to the world. Peter said the day of the Lord will come “as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat.”_ 2 Peter 3:10. That means this world as we know it will end abruptly. And every leader will give account. Romans 14:12 “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” This truth is not given to scare us. It is given to sober us. Because when a thief is expected, the wise owner stays awake. Luke 12:39-40 - “And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched... Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” The danger for leaders is not unbelief. It is slumber. It is doing Kingdom work with a casual heart. It is building with wood, hay and stubble because we assume we have time. 1 Corinthians 3:13. But the day is approaching like a thief, and it will test every work. So how do we live when the coming is sudden? Walk in constant readiness. Not fear, but readiness. Keep short accounts with God. Confess quickly. Forgive quickly. Walk in the light. 1 John 1:7. Let your lamp be full of oil. Matthew 25:4. A thief does not wait for you to get ready. He meets you as you are. Guard your heart against surprise and sin. The reason people are caught off guard is because they are distracted. Luke 21:34 _“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”_ Watch what you watch. Watch what you feed on. Watch who you follow. A thief enters through open doors. Stay faithful in your assignment. The faithful servant is the one found _“so doing”_ when the master returns. Matthew 24:46. Keep preaching. Keep serving. Keep praying. Keep building people. Don’t drop your post because the night is long. The trumpet could sound on an ordinary Thursday. Leaders, our people are watching us. If we are careless, they will be careless. If we are awake, they will be awake. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that day should overtake you as a thief... Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” We don’t know the day or the hour. Matthew 24:36. But we do know the Master. And He said He is coming. So we live every day like it could be today. https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VafVatb11ulKTDXcjL3X Prayer For Today Father, thank You for the warning in Your word. I refuse to be caught sleeping. Wake my spirit. Purify my heart. Help me to walk in readiness every day. Keep me faithful in my assignment, sober in my walk, and passionate for souls. Let the day of the Lord not overtake me as a thief. Prepare me and prepare the people You have given me. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Today's Declaration The Lord is coming like a thief in the night and I am ready. I walk in the light. I keep my lamp full. I am faithful in my assignment. I watch and I pray. I will not be overtaken by darkness. Bible Reading Plan 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 24:42-51, Luke 12:35-40, 2 Peter 3:8-14, Revelation 16:15, Mark 13:32-37 Today’s Action Leaders, do a “thief audit” today. Ask: “If Jesus came tonight, what would I regret?” Deal with it now. Repent, reconcile, or reset. Then check one area of your life or ministry that has become casual. Tighten it. Set the standard again. Teach your team: We don’t live in fear of His coming. We live in faithfulness because of His coming. Remember: A thief comes without notice. So we live every day with notice in our spirit.
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  • When we are born again, we are adopted by God. God is a good father, and he would never unadopt his children. He adopts us despite our iniquities, despite our transgressions, despite our ungodlyness, and we stay safe in that same blessed assurance.

    Since we are contained in such a magnificent and incredible grace, we are not, as some people think, encouraged to go out and sin with abandon and live a licentiously loose lifestyle. Quite the opposite, and that is why believers who are not following the direction of the Holy Spirit, which was imparted to them at the moment of belief in Christ as their only source and their only hope of salvation, their conscience convicts them.

    Couple that awful feeling of anxiety and guilt and remorse and regret with the devil whispering in their ears that they are no longer acceptable, and even believers will walk in shame rather than resting in faith knowing their sins are forgiven and their transgressions are forgotten despite the evil they have done or how bad they can become.

    Walk in faith then. Worship the God who saved us and saves us still. Trust him, be dependent upon him, listen to him, and live your life in honor of him. Do these things, not to keep your right standing with God, but because you believe that you already have right standing with God. That's exercising faith in Jesus and what he accomplished at the cross as sufficient for our eternal life.

    #jesuschrist #grace #believe #faith #cross
    When we are born again, we are adopted by God. God is a good father, and he would never unadopt his children. He adopts us despite our iniquities, despite our transgressions, despite our ungodlyness, and we stay safe in that same blessed assurance. Since we are contained in such a magnificent and incredible grace, we are not, as some people think, encouraged to go out and sin with abandon and live a licentiously loose lifestyle. Quite the opposite, and that is why believers who are not following the direction of the Holy Spirit, which was imparted to them at the moment of belief in Christ as their only source and their only hope of salvation, their conscience convicts them. Couple that awful feeling of anxiety and guilt and remorse and regret with the devil whispering in their ears that they are no longer acceptable, and even believers will walk in shame rather than resting in faith knowing their sins are forgiven and their transgressions are forgotten despite the evil they have done or how bad they can become. Walk in faith then. Worship the God who saved us and saves us still. Trust him, be dependent upon him, listen to him, and live your life in honor of him. Do these things, not to keep your right standing with God, but because you believe that you already have right standing with God. That's exercising faith in Jesus and what he accomplished at the cross as sufficient for our eternal life. #jesuschrist #grace #believe #faith #cross
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  • DAILY BREAD FELLOWSHIP
    DBF-001-027
    Today’s Scripture
    John 2:6 (ESV)
    “Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.”
    Opening the Scriptures
    John now draws our attention to something standing nearby at the wedding: six large stone water jars.
    These were not ordinary drinking containers. John specifically tells us that they were connected with Jewish purification practices.
    The jars were large. Together they could hold well over one hundred gallons of water.
    At this point, however, they were simply standing there.
    The servants did not yet know why Jesus would soon direct their attention toward them.
    This detail reminds us of something important when reading Scripture. God often accomplishes His purposes through things that appear completely ordinary.
    The servants saw water jars.
    Jesus knew what He was about to do.
    Living God’s Word Today
    We often think God can use us only when we possess something impressive.
    We may believe we need greater ability, more education, more money, greater influence, or better circumstances before we can serve Him effectively.
    But Scripture repeatedly challenges that thinking.
    God is not limited by what appears small or ordinary to us.
    The question is not whether what we possess seems impressive.
    The question is whether it is available for His purposes.
    Those stone jars could not perform a miracle.
    Neither could the servants.
    The power belonged entirely to Christ.
    That distinction is essential in Christian service.
    Whenever God accomplishes something through our lives, ministries, churches, abilities, or resources, we must never confuse the instrument with the One who supplies the power.
    Christ receives the glory.
    Perhaps you sometimes feel that what you have to offer God is insignificant.
    Do not measure usefulness according to human standards.
    Bring what you have under the authority of Christ.
    Your time can be used by Him.
    Your home can be used by Him.
    Your abilities can be used by Him.
    Your resources can be used by Him.
    Your ordinary conversations can become opportunities to speak truth and demonstrate the love of Christ.
    But never forget: the power is not in us.
    We are servants. Christ is Lord.
    The six stone jars were standing at Cana, ready to be used according to His command.
    The servants would soon discover that ordinary obedience placed them in the service of an extraordinary Savior.
    Our responsibility today remains the same.
    Be available.
    Listen to His Word.
    Obey what He commands.
    And give Christ all the glory for whatever He accomplishes.
    Question for Today:
    Are you willing to place what you have at Christ’s disposal for His purposes?
    Respond: “Lord, use what You have given me for Your glory.”
    DAILY BREAD FELLOWSHIP DBF-001-027 Today’s Scripture John 2:6 (ESV) “Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.” Opening the Scriptures John now draws our attention to something standing nearby at the wedding: six large stone water jars. These were not ordinary drinking containers. John specifically tells us that they were connected with Jewish purification practices. The jars were large. Together they could hold well over one hundred gallons of water. At this point, however, they were simply standing there. The servants did not yet know why Jesus would soon direct their attention toward them. This detail reminds us of something important when reading Scripture. God often accomplishes His purposes through things that appear completely ordinary. The servants saw water jars. Jesus knew what He was about to do. Living God’s Word Today We often think God can use us only when we possess something impressive. We may believe we need greater ability, more education, more money, greater influence, or better circumstances before we can serve Him effectively. But Scripture repeatedly challenges that thinking. God is not limited by what appears small or ordinary to us. The question is not whether what we possess seems impressive. The question is whether it is available for His purposes. Those stone jars could not perform a miracle. Neither could the servants. The power belonged entirely to Christ. That distinction is essential in Christian service. Whenever God accomplishes something through our lives, ministries, churches, abilities, or resources, we must never confuse the instrument with the One who supplies the power. Christ receives the glory. Perhaps you sometimes feel that what you have to offer God is insignificant. Do not measure usefulness according to human standards. Bring what you have under the authority of Christ. Your time can be used by Him. Your home can be used by Him. Your abilities can be used by Him. Your resources can be used by Him. Your ordinary conversations can become opportunities to speak truth and demonstrate the love of Christ. But never forget: the power is not in us. We are servants. Christ is Lord. The six stone jars were standing at Cana, ready to be used according to His command. The servants would soon discover that ordinary obedience placed them in the service of an extraordinary Savior. Our responsibility today remains the same. Be available. Listen to His Word. Obey what He commands. And give Christ all the glory for whatever He accomplishes. Question for Today: Are you willing to place what you have at Christ’s disposal for His purposes? Respond: “Lord, use what You have given me for Your glory.”
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  • LOST IN THE CHURCH:

    [GETTING LOST IN CHURCH]

    Part Seven

    Worshipping the Word of God/Scripture.

    The Word of God, together with the Church, are among the things given to us for the purpose of salvation, to bring people to God, although they themselves are not God. Therefore, I can say that the Word of God is like a signpost pointing us to where Christ is.

    When a person ends up building his life upon the Word of God without going to Jesus Christ, this becomes the foundation of one of the greatest deceptions of religious spirits and idolatry in the Church.

    If you read John chapter five, you will see how the Lord spoke to those who had fallen into this kind of deception:

    > “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” John 5:39–40



    Today, many people have ended up in religious institutions, while others have ended up in Scripture, yet they have never truly come to Jesus to receive life.

    Jesus did not come to establish any religion or bring a system of laws to the world; rather, He came to restore the RELATIONSHIP between humanity and God—the relationship that was lost in Eden. It is within this relationship that salvation and eternal life are found.

    > “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3



    A person can know all the Scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation, and may even teach them with great skill and accuracy, yet never have encountered or truly known the Lord.

    It may be easy for someone to explain things about the Lord based on what they have heard from other people. However, it is completely different to know the Lord personally.

    Jesus is the Way and the Life. There is no way for anyone to come to the Father except through Him. And when He says that He is the Way, many people picture a dusty road, a gravel road, or a paved road. But the Way He is talking about here is a Person.

    To know the way to heaven is to know a Person. And you cannot truly know Him without having a relationship with Him.

    > “Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:23



    It is entirely possible for someone to preach, teach the Word of God, cast out demons, and perform many works of the Kingdom, yet still not know the Lord—and likewise, not be known in Heaven.

    It is easy for a person to build a name for himself and become famous on earth, but it is very different to be known in Heaven.

    Many of the things we glorify on earth are often considered worthless before God. Therefore, it is possible for someone to be well-known in Heaven while having no name or recognition on earth.

    Glorifying the Word More Than the One Who Gave the Word

    There has been a very strange tendency among people to glorify the Word of God more than God Himself, who gave the Word.

    In this way, many people hold on to what God said yesterday against what He is saying today.

    For example, it is possible for God to say “Yes” yesterday concerning a particular matter and say “No” today, according to His will and timing.

    If we have not learned how to walk with the Lord, it is very easy to cling to a dead word, which undoubtedly becomes an idol. In this way, we have many churches today that have died because they continue holding on to a dead word.

    The Apostle Peter is one of the examples in Scripture of someone who almost made such a painful mistake. He resisted the Lord’s command concerning the animals, relying on the earlier word from the same God who had declared those animals unclean.

    However, by His great mercy, the Lord corrected Peter and told him:

    > “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” Acts 10:15



    #ToBeContinued..!

    Mwl. Ernest Nyalula
    WhatsApp: +255 616 609 885

    #LostInTheChurch #JesusChrist #WordOfGod #Christianity #ChristianLife #FaithInChrist #KnowJesus #RelationshipWithGod #BibleTruth #SpiritualGrowth #KingdomOfGod #ChristianTeaching #FaithAndTruth #GodsWord #JesusIsTheWay #ChristianYouth #GospelTruth #WalkWithGod #KnowGod #ToBeContinued
    LOST IN THE CHURCH: [GETTING LOST IN CHURCH] Part Seven Worshipping the Word of God/Scripture. The Word of God, together with the Church, are among the things given to us for the purpose of salvation, to bring people to God, although they themselves are not God. Therefore, I can say that the Word of God is like a signpost pointing us to where Christ is. When a person ends up building his life upon the Word of God without going to Jesus Christ, this becomes the foundation of one of the greatest deceptions of religious spirits and idolatry in the Church. If you read John chapter five, you will see how the Lord spoke to those who had fallen into this kind of deception: > “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” John 5:39–40 Today, many people have ended up in religious institutions, while others have ended up in Scripture, yet they have never truly come to Jesus to receive life. Jesus did not come to establish any religion or bring a system of laws to the world; rather, He came to restore the RELATIONSHIP between humanity and God—the relationship that was lost in Eden. It is within this relationship that salvation and eternal life are found. > “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3 A person can know all the Scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation, and may even teach them with great skill and accuracy, yet never have encountered or truly known the Lord. It may be easy for someone to explain things about the Lord based on what they have heard from other people. However, it is completely different to know the Lord personally. Jesus is the Way and the Life. There is no way for anyone to come to the Father except through Him. And when He says that He is the Way, many people picture a dusty road, a gravel road, or a paved road. But the Way He is talking about here is a Person. To know the way to heaven is to know a Person. And you cannot truly know Him without having a relationship with Him. > “Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:23 It is entirely possible for someone to preach, teach the Word of God, cast out demons, and perform many works of the Kingdom, yet still not know the Lord—and likewise, not be known in Heaven. It is easy for a person to build a name for himself and become famous on earth, but it is very different to be known in Heaven. Many of the things we glorify on earth are often considered worthless before God. Therefore, it is possible for someone to be well-known in Heaven while having no name or recognition on earth. Glorifying the Word More Than the One Who Gave the Word There has been a very strange tendency among people to glorify the Word of God more than God Himself, who gave the Word. In this way, many people hold on to what God said yesterday against what He is saying today. For example, it is possible for God to say “Yes” yesterday concerning a particular matter and say “No” today, according to His will and timing. If we have not learned how to walk with the Lord, it is very easy to cling to a dead word, which undoubtedly becomes an idol. In this way, we have many churches today that have died because they continue holding on to a dead word. The Apostle Peter is one of the examples in Scripture of someone who almost made such a painful mistake. He resisted the Lord’s command concerning the animals, relying on the earlier word from the same God who had declared those animals unclean. However, by His great mercy, the Lord corrected Peter and told him: > “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” Acts 10:15 #ToBeContinued..! Mwl. Ernest Nyalula WhatsApp: +255 616 609 885 #LostInTheChurch #JesusChrist #WordOfGod #Christianity #ChristianLife #FaithInChrist #KnowJesus #RelationshipWithGod #BibleTruth #SpiritualGrowth #KingdomOfGod #ChristianTeaching #FaithAndTruth #GodsWord #JesusIsTheWay #ChristianYouth #GospelTruth #WalkWithGod #KnowGod #ToBeContinued
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  • Matthew 20:29-34

    Sometimes the accounts of healings have one detail that makes us question everything. Here it is His question.

    “What do you want Me to do for You?”

    Now you would think this question had an obvious answer. It was two blind men calling out to Jesus so loudly the crowd was telling them to shut up. So he turns with this question. Did He Not know?

    No. Jesus is wanting them to voice it. They wanted to see. Their only hope of that happening was for Him to notice them and heal them. So they called out, then answered his question. You see, they wanted the healing, but it's at this point in ministry that Jesus has watched the newly healed turn from, Him without an ounce of gratitude.

    And now here's two more. Do they desire healing? Or is their concern more eternal in nature? Were these two going to thank Him for the healing or just walk away? Remember the healing of the cripple who was lowered from the rooftop into a house.

    That's when Jesus told him that his sins were forgiven before healing him. The more urgent matter for Jesus was this man's soul. When we come before the Lord, we pray for what we desire, not always necessarily what we need.
    Do not forget that these men and women allowed their handicap to be their occupation for a lifetime.

    Many were aware of the healing happening, few when asked address their need for forgiveness of sin. Jesus asks because the healing led to other issues. These grown adults were incapable of following a traditional career path. They would have to find a way to sustain their existence without relying on begging. And this would cause a financial issue for them.

    So what kind of fool would possibly begin to resent being made well? Keep in mind that many of those who were screaming for excitement at the healing were some of the same people who remained silent when Jesus was being crucified.

    We do the same thing today when we pray for temporary results. Our prayers should reflect more concern for the people's eternal consequences than for earthly temporal results.

    Friday we will interrupt the study on Matthew for a special lesson on the madness occurring today. Be here for “This is Baphomet.”


    [29] As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him. [30] And two people who were blind, sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” [31] But the crowd sternly warned them to be quiet; yet they cried out all the more, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” [32] And Jesus stopped and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” [33] They *said to Him, “Lord, we want our eyes to be opened.” [34] Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.

    Matthew 20:29-34 Sometimes the accounts of healings have one detail that makes us question everything. Here it is His question. “What do you want Me to do for You?” Now you would think this question had an obvious answer. It was two blind men calling out to Jesus so loudly the crowd was telling them to shut up. So he turns with this question. Did He Not know? No. Jesus is wanting them to voice it. They wanted to see. Their only hope of that happening was for Him to notice them and heal them. So they called out, then answered his question. You see, they wanted the healing, but it's at this point in ministry that Jesus has watched the newly healed turn from, Him without an ounce of gratitude. And now here's two more. Do they desire healing? Or is their concern more eternal in nature? Were these two going to thank Him for the healing or just walk away? Remember the healing of the cripple who was lowered from the rooftop into a house. That's when Jesus told him that his sins were forgiven before healing him. The more urgent matter for Jesus was this man's soul. When we come before the Lord, we pray for what we desire, not always necessarily what we need. Do not forget that these men and women allowed their handicap to be their occupation for a lifetime. Many were aware of the healing happening, few when asked address their need for forgiveness of sin. Jesus asks because the healing led to other issues. These grown adults were incapable of following a traditional career path. They would have to find a way to sustain their existence without relying on begging. And this would cause a financial issue for them. So what kind of fool would possibly begin to resent being made well? Keep in mind that many of those who were screaming for excitement at the healing were some of the same people who remained silent when Jesus was being crucified. We do the same thing today when we pray for temporary results. Our prayers should reflect more concern for the people's eternal consequences than for earthly temporal results. Friday we will interrupt the study on Matthew for a special lesson on the madness occurring today. Be here for “This is Baphomet.” [29] As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him. [30] And two people who were blind, sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” [31] But the crowd sternly warned them to be quiet; yet they cried out all the more, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” [32] And Jesus stopped and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” [33] They *said to Him, “Lord, we want our eyes to be opened.” [34] Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.
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  • Three Angels Broadcasting Network Devotional.
    Sound the Alarm

    By Jenni Poling

    August 19th, 2026

    “Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord is coming, for it is at hand.” Joel 2:1

    To take a stroll in late summer in Southern Illinois is to be treated to a symphony, day or night. The air is filled with the sound of insects, including crickets, katydids, grasshoppers, and cicadas. There is a seemingly endless array of melody and percussion.

    No song is louder than that of the cicada, however. In fact the Australian green grocer cicada is considered one of the loudest insects in the world. Cicadas can produce sounds up to 120 decibels—loud enough to cause permanent hearing loss in humans at close range. The male cicada doesn’t deafen himself, however. He is equipped with the ability to protect his own eardrums by shutting them down while singing.

    So what are these noisy creatures? At first glance, they might appear to be enormous flies, but closer inspection reveals that they have wide-set eyes, short antennae, and membranous wings held close to the sides of their body. The largest cicada—the empress cicada—has a head and body length of 2.8 inches and a wingspan of 8 inches! Another amazing fact about the cicada is that it comes engineered with the first known biomaterial that can kill bacteria. Its wing surfaces are covered with nanoscale-sized spikes that simply tear the bacteria apart.

    Cicadas spend the majority of their life underground, tapping into the roots of trees and emerging for only a few short weeks to mate and lay eggs. There are two major groups of cicadas: the annual and the periodic types. All spend considerable time underground, but the periodic cicada broods are synchronized to emerge all at once every thirteen to seventeen years. And when this happens, it’s quite an event because the sight and sound are tremendous!

    Cicadas like to sing during the daytime, but especially at dawn and dusk. One evening, while we were on one of our walks, it occurred to me that they sounded like so many alarms going off, and that got me thinking. What are alarms used for?

    Well, there are alarm clocks to wake you up. There are also fire alarms, burglar alarms, and car alarms, among others. The message of these alarms is about the same: if you want to avoid trouble, get up, get ready, and get going! I wonder, might there also be some internal alarms going off? Alarms that tell us to shake off our lethargy and observe what is happening around us in the spiritual realm? Is there something that tells us to wake up and be roused to action? Listen, because the alarms may be sounding loudly for you!

    So as you enjoy your evening walks, and if you are in a place where you can hear these “alarms,” think about the message God may be trying to give you. Don’t forget to listen and heed the alarms, trusting God to get you through.
    Three Angels Broadcasting Network Devotional. Sound the Alarm By Jenni Poling August 19th, 2026 “Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord is coming, for it is at hand.” Joel 2:1 To take a stroll in late summer in Southern Illinois is to be treated to a symphony, day or night. The air is filled with the sound of insects, including crickets, katydids, grasshoppers, and cicadas. There is a seemingly endless array of melody and percussion. No song is louder than that of the cicada, however. In fact the Australian green grocer cicada is considered one of the loudest insects in the world. Cicadas can produce sounds up to 120 decibels—loud enough to cause permanent hearing loss in humans at close range. The male cicada doesn’t deafen himself, however. He is equipped with the ability to protect his own eardrums by shutting them down while singing. So what are these noisy creatures? At first glance, they might appear to be enormous flies, but closer inspection reveals that they have wide-set eyes, short antennae, and membranous wings held close to the sides of their body. The largest cicada—the empress cicada—has a head and body length of 2.8 inches and a wingspan of 8 inches! Another amazing fact about the cicada is that it comes engineered with the first known biomaterial that can kill bacteria. Its wing surfaces are covered with nanoscale-sized spikes that simply tear the bacteria apart. Cicadas spend the majority of their life underground, tapping into the roots of trees and emerging for only a few short weeks to mate and lay eggs. There are two major groups of cicadas: the annual and the periodic types. All spend considerable time underground, but the periodic cicada broods are synchronized to emerge all at once every thirteen to seventeen years. And when this happens, it’s quite an event because the sight and sound are tremendous! Cicadas like to sing during the daytime, but especially at dawn and dusk. One evening, while we were on one of our walks, it occurred to me that they sounded like so many alarms going off, and that got me thinking. What are alarms used for? Well, there are alarm clocks to wake you up. There are also fire alarms, burglar alarms, and car alarms, among others. The message of these alarms is about the same: if you want to avoid trouble, get up, get ready, and get going! I wonder, might there also be some internal alarms going off? Alarms that tell us to shake off our lethargy and observe what is happening around us in the spiritual realm? Is there something that tells us to wake up and be roused to action? Listen, because the alarms may be sounding loudly for you! So as you enjoy your evening walks, and if you are in a place where you can hear these “alarms,” think about the message God may be trying to give you. Don’t forget to listen and heed the alarms, trusting God to get you through.
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