SERMON SEGMENT: "Shed Clear Light of Christ About Football & Its Fans" Key Texts: Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, Colossians 3:23, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Galatians 5:16-17, Hebrews 12:1-2 --- INTRO Church, the Lord is speaking to us in this last age. Hebrews 1:2 We must be careful what we pattern our lives after. Because our sanctification is delicate. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 — “For this is the will of God, your sanctification.” Tonight let’s talk about football and its fans — not to condemn people, but to shed the clear light of Christ on it. Ephesians 5:13 — “But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible.” 1. THE WARNING: DON'T BE PATTERNED BY THE WORLD Romans 12:2 — “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Football itself is just a game. But the spirit around football and its fan culture often carries: Pride - Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction” Injustice - cheating, bribes, violence, curses on other teams Flesh desires - gambling, drunkenness, lust, idolatry of players, spending hours that should be for God 1 John 2:15-16 — “Do not love the world or the things in the world... For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father.” Warning to Christians and non-Christians: If our mind, thoughts, and actions are shaped more by football rivalry than by the Spirit, we are being conformed, not transformed. And “no one should think eternal life inheritance in an unclean life.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 — “neither the sexually immoral... nor thieves... will inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:21 — “those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Our sanctification needs the shield of the Spirit and guidance, or it gets corrupted and compromised. Ephesians 6:16 2. THE BALANCE: DISCIPLINE FROM THE BIBLE, NOT FROM THE WORLD Some will say: “But Paul used sports!” Yes. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 — “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” Paul is not telling us to go play football. He’s using the discipline of athletes to teach us spiritual discipline: Focus. Training. Self-control. Running to win an imperishable crown. Hebrews 12:1 — “let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus.” The world trains the body for 90 minutes. We must train the spirit for eternity. Colossians 3:23 — “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” If you play football, play unto the Lord. With integrity. Without pride. Without cursing. Without idolatry. If you are a fan, fan unto the Lord. With a renewed mind. 3. THE TEST: DOES IT HELP OR HINDER YOUR SALVATION? We are to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” — Philippians 2:12 Not earn it. But keep it clean, not corrupted. Ask yourself 3 questions before the game and after the game: Does this make Jesus increase in me, or decrease? John 3:30 Does this renew my mind, or fill it with pride, hate, and flesh? Romans 12:2 Can I do this and still be pure and blameless before God? 1 Peter 1:15-16 If football causes you to miss prayer, to gossip, to gamble, to hate, to be drunk — then it has become an idol. 1 Corinthians 10:14 — “Flee from idolatry.” 4. APPLICATION: HOW TO ENGAGE WITH A RENEWED MIND Awaken - See the spirit behind the culture. Don’t be blind. Proverbs 29:18 Renew - Let the Spirit transform your thoughts about competition, winning, and identity. Romans 12:2 Obey - If the Spirit says “turn it off, come pray,” obey. John 14:23 Purify - Guard your eyes, your mouth, your time. Psalm 119:9 CLOSING WORD Brothers and sisters, football is not the enemy. The flesh is.

SERMON SEGMENT: "Shed Clear Light of Christ About Football & Its Fans" Key Texts: Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, Colossians 3:23, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Galatians 5:16-17, Hebrews 12:1-2 --- INTRO Church, the Lord is speaking to us in this last age. Hebrews 1:2 We must be careful what we pattern our lives after. Because our sanctification is delicate. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 — “For this is the will of God, your sanctification.” Tonight let’s talk about football and its fans — not to condemn people, but to shed the clear light of Christ on it. Ephesians 5:13 — “But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible.” 1. THE WARNING: DON'T BE PATTERNED BY THE WORLD Romans 12:2 — “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Football itself is just a game. But the spirit around football and its fan culture often carries: Pride - Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction” Injustice - cheating, bribes, violence, curses on other teams Flesh desires - gambling, drunkenness, lust, idolatry of players, spending hours that should be for God 1 John 2:15-16 — “Do not love the world or the things in the world... For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father.” Warning to Christians and non-Christians: If our mind, thoughts, and actions are shaped more by football rivalry than by the Spirit, we are being conformed, not transformed. And “no one should think eternal life inheritance in an unclean life.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 — “neither the sexually immoral... nor thieves... will inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:21 — “those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Our sanctification needs the shield of the Spirit and guidance, or it gets corrupted and compromised. Ephesians 6:16 2. THE BALANCE: DISCIPLINE FROM THE BIBLE, NOT FROM THE WORLD Some will say: “But Paul used sports!” Yes. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 — “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” Paul is not telling us to go play football. He’s using the discipline of athletes to teach us spiritual discipline: Focus. Training. Self-control. Running to win an imperishable crown. Hebrews 12:1 — “let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus.” The world trains the body for 90 minutes. We must train the spirit for eternity. Colossians 3:23 — “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” If you play football, play unto the Lord. With integrity. Without pride. Without cursing. Without idolatry. If you are a fan, fan unto the Lord. With a renewed mind. 3. THE TEST: DOES IT HELP OR HINDER YOUR SALVATION? We are to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” — Philippians 2:12 Not earn it. But keep it clean, not corrupted. Ask yourself 3 questions before the game and after the game: Does this make Jesus increase in me, or decrease? John 3:30 Does this renew my mind, or fill it with pride, hate, and flesh? Romans 12:2 Can I do this and still be pure and blameless before God? 1 Peter 1:15-16 If football causes you to miss prayer, to gossip, to gamble, to hate, to be drunk — then it has become an idol. 1 Corinthians 10:14 — “Flee from idolatry.” 4. APPLICATION: HOW TO ENGAGE WITH A RENEWED MIND Awaken - See the spirit behind the culture. Don’t be blind. Proverbs 29:18 Renew - Let the Spirit transform your thoughts about competition, winning, and identity. Romans 12:2 Obey - If the Spirit says “turn it off, come pray,” obey. John 14:23 Purify - Guard your eyes, your mouth, your time. Psalm 119:9 CLOSING WORD Brothers and sisters, football is not the enemy. The flesh is.

19-08-2026 Guard Your Heart With His Word Psalm 119:9 (AMP) “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping watch on himself and keeping his life in accordance with Your word [conforming his life to Your precepts].” In a world filled with distractions, opinions, temptations, and voices competing for our attention, God gives us a simple but powerful answer: stay close to His Word. Psalm 119:9 reminds us that purity isn't simply about avoiding the wrong things. It is about intentionally choosing to let God's Word shape the way we think, speak, act, and live. Our hearts are constantly being influenced by what we watch, listen to, read, and allow into our minds. That's why we cannot afford to treat God's Word as something we only turn to when life gets difficult. His Word is meant to guide us every day. When God's Word becomes our standard, it helps us recognize what doesn't belong in our lives. When temptation comes, His truth gives us something stronger to stand on. When we're confused, His Word gives direction. When we're discouraged, His promises remind us who God is. You don't have to be perfect to live a life that honors God. You simply need a heart that is willing to listen, obey, and continually return to Him. 💭 Ask yourself today: What am I allowing to influence my heart and decisions more than God's Word? Maybe today is the day to put down the things that are pulling you away from God and pick up His Word again. Let Scripture become louder than fear, temptation, comparison, and the opinions of others. 🙏 Prayer Father, thank You for giving me Your Word to guide and protect me. Help me to guard my heart and be intentional about what I allow into my life. Give me wisdom to recognize what is not pleasing to You and strength to walk away from it. Let Your Word transform my thoughts, shape my character, and direct my steps. When I am tempted or uncertain, remind me of Your truth. Help me to live a life that reflects You—not perfectly, but faithfully. In Jesus' name, Amen. ❤️ ✨ Today's Reminder What you continually put into your heart will eventually influence the way you live. Fill your heart with God's Word, and let His truth lead your life. 📌 “Lord, let Your Word be the standard I live by, not the world around me.”

TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS: SERMON TOPIC: WHEN TRUTH MEETS GRACE. Main Text: John 1:14, 17 «“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us... full of grace and truth.” — John 1:14» «“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” — John 1:17» TWO SIDES OF THE CROSS. There are two dangerous extremes in Christianity. One says, “Tell people the truth, no matter how you hurt them.” The other says, “Just show them love; don't confront anything.” But Jesus did something greater. Jesus was full of grace AND truth. Truth without grace can become harshness. Grace without truth can become compromise. Truth tells us what is wrong. Grace shows us that we can be made right. Truth exposes the wound; grace brings healing to the wound. Truth says, “You have sinned.” Grace says, “There is forgiveness.” Truth says, “You must change.” Grace says, “God will help you change.” Truth reveals our condition. Grace reveals God's compassion. That is what happens when truth meets grace. 1. TRUTH REVEALS WHAT GRACE COMES TO HEAL John 8:32 — “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Truth is not always comfortable, but it is necessary. A doctor cannot treat a sickness that the patient refuses to acknowledge. In the same way, we cannot experience spiritual transformation while continually denying our spiritual condition. The Word of God tells us: - If we are living in sin, truth calls it sin. - If we are walking in bitterness, truth exposes it. - If pride is controlling us, truth confronts it. - If unforgiveness has taken root, truth reveals it. But God does not reveal our condition to destroy us. He reveals it so that His grace can transform us. Spiritual Insight Conviction is not rejection. When the Holy Spirit shows you something that needs to change, He is not saying, “I have abandoned you.” He is saying, “I love you too much to leave you like this.” 2. GRACE DOES NOT CANCEL TRUTH. One of the greatest misunderstandings about grace is that grace means God does not care about our behavior. That is not biblical. Romans 6:1–2 asks: «“Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.”» Grace does not give us permission to remain in sin. Grace gives us power to overcome sin. A person who truly encounters grace does not say: «“Because God forgives me, I can do whatever I want.”» Instead, he says: «“Because God has forgiven me, I want to live differently.”» Grace does not lower God's standard. Grace gives us the strength to pursue God's standard. 3. TRUTH WITHOUT LOVE CAN PUSH PEOPLE AWAY Ephesians 4:15 teaches us to speak the truth in love. Notice that Scripture does not say: “Speak truth anyhow.” It says: “Speak the truth in love.” There are people who are correct in what they say but wrong in how they say it. You can win an argument and lose a soul. You can prove someone wrong and still fail to show them Christ. Jesus never compromised truth, but He also never treated broken people as worthless. Biblical Example: The Woman Caught in Adultery Read John 8:1–11. The religious leaders brought a woman caught in adultery before Jesus. They wanted judgment. Jesus gave her something greater than condemnation—an opportunity for transformation. He did not say: «“What you did doesn't matter.”» Neither did He say: «“You are hopeless.”» Jesus told her: “Go, and sin no more.” That is truth and grace working together. Grace did not approve her sin. Grace gave her a future beyond her sin. 4. JESUS IS THE PERFECT MEETING POINT OF TRUTH AND GRACE John 1:14 says Jesus was: «“full of grace and truth.”» Not half grace and half truth. Full of grace. Full of truth. Jesus could look at Zacchaeus and say, “Come down.” Then He could enter his house and bring salvation. Jesus could confront Peter's failure and still restore Peter to ministry. Jesus could confront Thomas's doubt and still invite him closer. Jesus could confront Saul's persecution of the Church and transform him into Paul, a powerful apostle. This is the Gospel: God does not ignore our brokenness, but neither does He abandon us because of it. At the cross, truth and grace met. Truth declared: Sin must be judged. Grace declared: God Himself will provide the sacrifice. And Jesus became that sacrifice. 5. WE MUST LEARN TO LIVE WITH BOTH TRUTH AND GRACE As Christians, we must become people who carry both. In our homes Tell your children the truth, but correct them with love. In the church Teach holiness, but never make struggling people feel that restoration is impossible. In relationships Be honest, but do not use honesty as an excuse for cruelty. On social media Stand for biblical truth, but do not become known for insulting people. In evangelism Tell people about sin, judgment, repentance and holiness—but also tell them about the mercy, forgiveness and salvation found in Jesus Christ. The goal is not merely to expose people. The goal is to lead people to Christ. REAL-LIFE PICTURE: THE MIRROR AND THE SOAP Imagine someone standing before a mirror with a dirty face. The mirror shows the dirt. But the mirror cannot wash the face. That is what truth does. Truth shows us who we are and where we have fallen. But then grace comes like water and soap. Grace says: “You don't have to remain this way.” The mirror is necessary. The washing is necessary. Truth and grace belong together. DEEP SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS 1. Truth without grace produces condemnation. People may know they are wrong but believe they are beyond redemption. 2. Grace without truth produces deception. People may feel comfortable while continuing in destructive patterns. 3. Truth brings conviction; grace brings restoration. The Holy Spirit exposes sin so that Christ can restore the sinner. 4. Grace is not God's approval of our past. Grace is God's invitation into a transformed future. 5. Mature Christianity knows how to confront without destroying. Spiritual maturity is not merely knowing Scripture. It is knowing how to apply Scripture with the character of Christ. PRACTICAL ACTION STEPS This week: 1. Allow God's truth to examine you. Read Psalm 139:23–24 and ask God to reveal areas that need correction. 2. Stop using grace as an excuse. Identify one habit or attitude that God is calling you to surrender. 3. Correct someone with love. If confrontation is necessary, pray first. Speak truth without humiliation. 4. Forgive someone who has failed you. Remember the grace you have received from God. 5. Share the Gospel with someone. Tell them both the truth about sin and the good news of salvation through Christ. 6. Examine your social media behavior. Before posting or commenting, ask: “Am I representing Christ, or am I merely trying to win an argument?” QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION 1. Do I usually emphasize truth while neglecting grace? 2. Do I use grace as an excuse to tolerate sin? 3. Can people see the character of Christ in the way I correct them? 4. Is there an area of my life where God is asking me to change? 5. Have I received God's grace personally, or am I only talking about it? 6. Who needs truth from me today? 7. Who needs grace from me today? POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS 1. Father, give me the courage to accept Your truth, even when it confronts me. 2. Lord Jesus, deliver me from every attitude that uses grace as an excuse for sin. 3. Holy Spirit, teach me to speak the truth in love. 4. Father, heal every area of my life that Your truth has exposed. 5. Lord, give me grace to forgive those who have hurt me. 6. Father, remove pride, bitterness, hypocrisy and self-righteousness from my heart. 7. Lord Jesus, make my life a testimony of both holiness and compassion. 8. Let everyone who encounters me encounter something of the character of Christ. 9. Father, give me wisdom to know when to confront, when to correct, when to forgive and when to remain silent. 10. Lord, let Your truth set me free and let Your grace transform me completely. COME TO JESUS Perhaps truth has exposed something in your life today. Do not run from it. Run to Jesus. Maybe you have failed. Grace is still available. Maybe you have wandered away. Grace is calling you home. Maybe you have been hiding behind religious activity while your heart is far from God. Truth is calling you back. Maybe you have been using grace to justify what God has asked you to surrender. Truth is calling you to repentance. And perhaps you have been condemning yourself because of your past. Grace is telling you that your story is not over. At Calvary, truth and grace met. Your sin was serious enough to require the cross. But God's love was great enough to provide the cross. So today, do not choose between truth and grace. Receive both. Let truth correct you. Let grace restore you. Let truth make you honest. Let grace make you humble. Let truth lead you to repentance. Let grace lead you into restoration. And above everything else— LET JESUS CHRIST BE THE PLACE WHERE TRUTH AND GRACE MEET IN YOUR LIFE. FINAL DECLARATION “I will not run from God's truth, and I will not abuse God's grace. I will walk in truth, live by grace, speak the truth in love, and become more like Jesus every day. 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 selar/Amazon shops below https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1 https://selar.com/m/umoedem https://www.amazon.com/author/umohedembooks https://afrikdp.com/author/umohedem-9128 CONTACT - WhatsApp +2349024173027, +2349055447540 Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com Join our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/share/1HZA5cQsuy/

🌟 Our Mission at Vision House Publishers ✝️ At Vision House Publishers, LLC, our mission is clear: we aim to encourage our community to pursue a life of purpose and to foster hope and healing for nations everywhere. We believe in the transformative power of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and we are dedicated to spreading this message through our publications. Our books and magazines are thoughtfully crafted to inspire, uplift, and guide readers on their faith journeys. By sharing stories of hope, faith, and purpose, we seek to make a positive impact on individuals and communities, helping them to discover their God-given potential. Join us in our mission to spread the gospel and transform lives through the power of the written word. Together, we can make a difference and bring healing and hope to a world in need. ✨ Thank you for being part of our journey! 🌐 Visit our website: visionhousepublishers.com #VisionHousePublishers #Mission #HopeAndHealing #SpreadTheGospel

💖 God can transform your heart and give you a new spirit to follow Him. 📲 Share this with someone who needs hope for a fresh start. #Ezekiel362627 #NewHeart #NewSpirit #GodTransforms #HeartTransformation #SpiritualRenewal #HolySpirit #FaithInChrist #ChristianLiving #Lordsbook

Daily Bible Lesson. THE HIDDEN POWER OF SALT IN THE BIBLE: WHY GOD USED SALT SO OFTEN Have you ever wondered why salt appears over and over again in the Bible? It was never just a seasoning. From Genesis to the New Testament, salt carried deep spiritual meaning. It represented purity, preservation, faithfulness, covenant, wisdom, and even judgment. Let's explore what God was teaching through salt. 1. ELISHA USED SALT TO HEAL THE WATERS OF JERICHO 📖 2 Kings 2:19–22 After Elijah was taken to heaven, Elisha arrived in Jericho. The people said: «"The city is pleasant, but the water is bad and the land is unproductive."» God instructed Elisha: «"Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it."» Elisha threw the salt into the spring and declared: «"Thus says the LORD, 'I have healed these waters; from now on neither death nor miscarriage shall come from them.'" (2 Kings 2:21)» Immediately the waters became pure. Notice something important. The miracle was not in the salt. The salt was simply an act of obedience through which God demonstrated His power. Spiritual meaning: God can cleanse what sin has poisoned. He can restore what seemed permanently ruined. When God speaks, even bitter waters become life-giving. 2. EVERY GRAIN OFFERING HAD TO INCLUDE SALT 📖 Leviticus 2:13 God commanded Israel: «"Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings."» Why? Because salt preserves. It resists corruption. It symbolized that Israel's worship should never become spiritually corrupt. Spiritual meaning: God desires worship that remains pure, faithful, and sincere. Our devotion should not spoil with compromise. 3. GOD ESTABLISHED A "COVENANT OF SALT" 📖 Numbers 18:19 God told Aaron: «"It is a covenant of salt forever before the LORD."» Again in: 📖 2 Chronicles 13:5 God declared that He gave David the kingdom by a covenant of salt forever. In the ancient world, salt was valuable and enduring. A covenant sealed with salt symbolized permanence, loyalty, and faithfulness. Spiritual meaning: God does not abandon His promises. What He establishes, He is faithful to keep. 4. JESUS CALLED BELIEVERS "THE SALT OF THE EARTH" 📖 Matthew 5:13 Jesus said: «"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?"» Salt preserves food from decay. Likewise, believers are called to preserve truth in a corrupt world. We are meant to influence the world—not be influenced by it. Spiritual meaning: Christians should slow the spread of moral decay by living holy lives, speaking truth, and reflecting Christ's character. 5. JESUS SAID TO HAVE SALT IN YOURSELVES 📖 Mark 9:50 Jesus taught: «"Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness... Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with one another."» This points to inward spiritual character. Spiritual meaning: God desires hearts marked by wisdom, humility, holiness, and peace. 6. PAUL COMPARED OUR WORDS TO SALT 📖 Colossians 4:6 Paul wrote: «"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt."» Our words should preserve life, bring wisdom, and point people toward Christ. Instead of spreading bitterness, believers should speak words that heal, encourage, and build others up. 7. SALT WAS ALSO A SIGN OF JUDGMENT The Bible also uses salt to represent desolation when people reject God. After the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah: 📖 Genesis 19:26 Lot's wife looked back in disobedience and became a pillar of salt. Her story stands as a warning against longing for the sinful life God has called us to leave behind. Later, Scripture describes lands under God's judgment as barren and covered with salt. 📖 Deuteronomy 29:23 📖 Judges 9:45 These passages show that the same symbol could represent either blessing or judgment, depending on humanity's response to God. WHAT DOES SALT REPRESENT IN THE BIBLE? Salt symbolizes: • Purity • Preservation • Faithfulness • God's everlasting covenant • Holiness • Wisdom • Gracious speech • Healing through God's power • A warning against corruption and disobedience THE GREATEST LESSON Salt itself has no supernatural power. The Bible never teaches that salt possesses mystical or magical abilities. Whenever God used salt, it was because He chose it as a symbol or as part of an act of obedience. The power was always God's—not the salt. Today, God still heals bitter lives. He restores broken families. He renews weary hearts. He preserves those who remain faithful to Him. The same God who healed the waters of Jericho is still able to transform what seems impossible.

Anthony Ijere is a contemporary Nigerian Christian author, novelist, teacher, and spiritual mentor dedicated to inspiring believers through the power of the written word. Based in Ahoada, Rivers State, Nigeria, he is passionate about raising a generation of young people who understand their identity, discover their purpose, and walk boldly in God's divine plan for their lives. Through deep biblical insight and engaging storytelling, Anthony combines spiritual teaching with practical life application, making complex truths simple, relatable, and transformational. His writings focus on themes such as destiny, prayer, spiritual warfare, obedience, personal transformation, Christian character, revival, and purpose driven living. His unique blend of narrative creativity and devotional teaching has made his works impactful among young believers seeking direction, growth, and spiritual stability. Anthony's ministry is strongly centered on youth revival and spiritual awakening. He believes that many destinies are lost through distraction, wrong influences, fear, compromise, ignorance, and lack of spiritual direction. Through books, teachings, and mentorship, he seeks to help believers break destructive cycles, renew their minds, and align themselves with God's original purpose. Inspired by the teachings and ministries of seasoned servants of God, including Apostle Joshua Selman and other notable Christian voices, Anthony writes with a burden to awaken spiritual hunger, strengthen faith, and stir believers toward deeper intimacy with God. His messages consistently emphasize holiness, surrender, prayer, discipline, and total dependence on the Holy Spirit. Beyond writing, Anthony actively encourages and mentors young people within local communities, helping them cultivate prayer lives, leadership qualities, godly values, and kingdom minded vision. His passion is not only to inform minds but also to transform lives and raise believers who will influence their generation for Christ. As the founder and voice behind projects such as IGNITE Youth Revival Magazine, Anthony Ijere continues to challenge young people to rise above limitations, reject mediocrity, and pursue destinies that glorify God. His writings are marked by clarity, conviction, spiritual depth, and a sincere desire to see believers walk in excellence and fulfill their divine assignments. Through every page he writes, Anthony carries a singular mission: to inspire revival, ignite purpose, and leave a lasting spiritual legacy that points hearts back to Jesus Christ.

LOST IN THE CHURCH: [BEING LOST IN CHURCH] Part Five Measuring Holiness There has been a great deception among many people who assume that holiness is measured by comparing a person’s good deeds with their bad deeds. When the scale of good deeds appears to outweigh the bad, they conclude that the person is holy. In this way, many have continued to measure Christianity by looking at what they have done and what they have not done. This kind of holiness focuses heavily on measuring sin according to the “Don’ts” found in Scripture. And this has become the interpretation of religion throughout history. It has continued to damage the Church and has contributed to leading many people to hell. Holiness or sin is not merely an action—not simply what a person does or does not do—but a condition of the heart. God is deeply concerned with the condition of our hearts. Actions are only the results of what is already inside the heart. Many have measured holiness by good deeds, yet the Lord does not look at things in that way. He looks at the spirit or intention behind every action, examining the manner and motive with which it was done. Therefore, the Lord is not simply looking for people who perform good deeds on earth, but for people who do what is right! There is a great difference between doing a good thing and doing the right thing. Sometimes the right thing may appear to be evil in the eyes of people. When the Lord commanded Israel to destroy the nations of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, as stated in Deuteronomy 20:17, could the world have called Him good? Yet we know without doubt that the Lord was doing what was right, because He does not make mistakes, and His works are always without error. Understand that sin is a condition of the heart, and there is One who examines the deepest intentions of the heart. A person can perform good deeds with an evil motive, while another can perform something that appears bad with a good intention. Therefore, it is very easy for a person to be deceived if they place their confidence in goodness or in their works. Indeed, evil kills; however, goodness can be responsible for deceiving and destroying even more people in the world than evil itself. One of Satan’s most powerful weapons for bringing destruction into the world comes through what appears to be good. There is hardly a greater deception Satan can use than coming to us dressed as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14 Because sin is a condition of the heart, a person can be a murderer even if they have never physically killed anyone. Likewise, someone can be an adulterer before God even if they have never slept with a woman. For example, even if a lemon tree refuses to produce fruit, perhaps in an attempt to hide its nature, it cannot change and become a mango tree. We cannot remove sin from within ourselves by keeping the Law or by trying to be good. We must be transformed in our hearts as we hold firmly to the Cross. Otherwise, even if a person never commits an outward act of sin, that does not necessarily mean they are without guilt. Remember: even if a lemon tree does not produce fruit, that does not mean it will be counted as an orange tree. Circumcision of the Heart Essentially, there is no action a person can perform that can change their inner nature. Things such as religion and the Law can change the outward appearance, but they cannot transform the inner person. Christianity does not begin from the outside and move inward; rather, it begins from within and moves outward. Therefore, through religion, the Law, happiness, habits, the desire for praise, and so forth, it is entirely possible for a person to do good outwardly while not actually being good in their heart. That is why the Lord used circumcision as an illustration of removing the outward covering of hypocrisy, so that what is inside would correspond with what is outside. This was the foundation of the circumcision commanded by the Lord in the house of Israel, when He instructed them to circumcise the foreskin of their bodies. And was this not a prophecy concerning the circumcision of the heart in our present age, when we look to Christ, as it is written in Philippians 3:3: > “For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh.” If you are in church and have not been born again, understand that your nature has not been transformed. Therefore, even if you pretend to do good, fast extensively, keep all the Laws, observe all the ancient festivals, new moons, or Sabbaths, understand that hell awaits you! And these are words of truth. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. Amen! #ToBeContinued... Mwl. Ernest Nyalula #LostInTheChurch #CircumcisionOfTheHeart #TrueHoliness #BornAgain #HeartTransformation #ChristAlone #GraceAndTruth #Christianity #FaithInChrist #TheGospel #JesusChrist #KingdomOfGod #LordBook #SpiritualGrowth #TruthOfTheGospel🙏

✨ Let God renew your mind and transform your life. 📲 Share this with someone who needs encouragement to let God change their perspective. #Romans122 #RenewYourMind #TransformedByGod #GodsWill #FaithInChrist #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianLiving #WalkByFaith #LiveForGod #Lordsbook