Good morning, brethren. 1. Morning devotion for today. MD.i. 😀🎀💝🎁🌺🌹 MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY TUESDAY JULY 28, 2O26. "YOUR MISSION: TO SERVE" 'The gospel…of which I, Paul, have become a servant.’   Colossians 1:23 NIV WHO AM I? What’s my calling? The apostle Paul, who considered himself ‘…not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles’ (2 Corinthians 11:5 NAS), answers simply: ‘I am Paul. My role is serving. I am a servant to the gospel and the body of Christ.’ Certain people in the early church tried to determine which of the apostles were the greatest. Some claimed Paul and others Apollos. But Paul challenged them, ‘What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe…’ (1 Corinthians 3:5 NIV). Whatever your calling, be it pastor of a megachurch or a lay member, you’re no more—and no less—than a servant. In God’s kingdom class distinctions don’t count. ‘There is neither Jew nor Greek…slave nor free man…male nor female…you are all one in Christ Jesus’ (Galatians 3:28 NAS). We’re servants called to do the will of God, wherever He appoints us to serve. And that’s a good thing! In being a servant there’s relief from ‘the pressure to perform’. No one has the right to judge you except your Master. ‘Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls…’ (Romans 14:4 NAS). We should be concerned about what pleases God, not people. He alone can evaluate our service. Jesus came to serve His Father, saying, ‘…I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me’ (John 5:30). And He has also sent you to do God’s will, promising that, ‘…If any man serve me, him will my Father honour’ (John 12:26). Bible In A Year: Lev 24:17-22; Deut15:7-11; Matt 5:38-48. Courtesy: Grace So Amazing Foundation 🌹🎀 *To partner with us, kindly refer to page 9 of the hard copy edition or simply send us a WhatsApp message/call on +2348128000068.*🌷🎀💝🌹. MD.ii. [27/07, 10:01 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS) TUESDAY 28TH JULY, 2026``` *A BURNING JUDGMENT* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️⚠️‼️🛑⚖️🧣⛰️🔥🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:MICAH 1:1-7```📜📜 🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"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" (MICAH 1:4).*_ *For as long as anyone can remember, Mount Wingen in Australia has been burning, with an acrid smell of sulphur in the fumes issuing from cracks along its summit. Australia's Aboriginal inhabitants had known about this burning mountain for many years before the European settlers reached the area. But soon after they came, this spectacle attracted scientific attention. It was initially thought to be a volcano or pseudo-volcano. But _Burning Mountain_ is not a volcano, Australia being fortunate in not having any volcanoes still active today. Instead, it was discovered that within Mt Wingen is a layer of coal that is burning, having been set alight by natural means.* *Like this Australian burning mountain, the Lord promised to turn the high places upon the earth into a burning mountain, in a planned blistering judgment, delivered through Prophet Micah. Micah was chosen as a mouthpiece of the Lord, to condemn the sins of the children of Israel in his day. He predicted swift judgment that will ignite the mountains of the land with fire, which will cascade dangerously into the valleys, like a waterfall. Samaria, which at one time was the capital city of the corrupt northern kingdom of Israel, will be ploughed like the fields and the graven images, representing the idolatry of the people shall be burned with fire. Worthy of note here is God's promise to sustain these judgements until Israel repents.* *Micah, like many other prophets in the Bible, was largely ignored by the sinning Israelites. Israel's protracted stubbornness dates back to their days in Egypt. When eventually, they were rescued from slavery through the supernatural hands of Jehovah, they refused to show appreciable gratitude. Interestingly, the messages of the various prophets sent to them from the onset struck a similar chord. They warned about impending judgment for Israel's sins. It is amazing that Israel could ignore prophets after prophets delivering the same messages until the predicted punishment occurred. Even their long stay in captivity in Babylon did not produce a consistent fruit of repentance in them.* *God expects sinners to repent and turn to Him immediately after hearing the gospel. It is sheer foolishness to engage in the habit condemned in today's text. Sinners must be persuaded and compelled, though in love, to turn decisively from sin and obtain God's free salvation. Those who blatantly refuse this offer of redemption after repeated admonitions are doomed to face His fiery judgment in eternity.* ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*It is neither bravery nor wisdom, but self-destruct to remain adamant to God's warnings.*_ 📜📜```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *EXODUS 39-40*📜📜 A Burning Judgment https://dailymanna.app// *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 208: THE GREAT JUDGMENT MORNING; GHS 207: THERE'S A GREAT DAY COMING; AND GHS 205: HAVE YOU COUNTED THE COST?* *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#DailyManna28thJuly2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [27/07, 10:01 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*HIGHER EVERYD🅰️Y: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_ ✍🏽👩🏻‍💼🌻 🍇🙏🏽🛰🚀🔬📚 ```TUESDAY 28TH JULY, 2026``` *DON'T FIT IN, STAND OUT* 🎚️📓📖🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:MATTHEW 5:14-16```📜📜 📖``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (ROMANS 12:2).*_ *A popular adage says, "The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently." This explains the possible negative effects of peer pressure on youths.* *In today's world, there are pressures from unconverted friends in our schools and neighbourhoods to conform to trends in fashion, fit in with a group, adhere to societal expectations, gossip or engage in activities that don't align with practical Christian values. As Christians, we should be distinct and shining amid a dark world.* *The metaphor "a city that is set upon a hill cannot be hid" reminds us that our lives should be distinct, yet not isolated. Beyond that, we must not shy away from letting others know the source of our transformation, Christ, the Saviour of the world.* *Standing out attracts persecution, derogatory remarks and denials or deprivations. Yet, we must stand out and be separate from the world and its sinful fashions, obscenity and ungodliness. Only those who suffer with Christ will reign with Him.* 💬 ```QUOTE:``` _*We should be distinct and shining.*_ 🏆 ```CHALLENGE:``` _*Stand out for Jesus.*_ 🙏🏽🙏🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Lord, make me a bright light in this dark world.*_ Don't Fit In, Stand Out https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#HigherEveryday28thJuly2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [27/07, 10:01 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣6️⃣)*_ 🙇🏼🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼‍♂️ ```TUESDAY 28TH JULY, 2026``` *OUR PERFECT EXAMPLE* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️✝️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```HEBREWS 12:1-3```📜📜 🕔📚🖋️🚻😁🎼🏆🍉🪴🌈💻 🔑📖 ```Key Verse:``` _*"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2).*_ 📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖 One of the major activities students engage in on Fridays in Bright High School is impromptu speech. Each student in the group for that day is given a chance to pick a random topic and speak on it for five (5) minutes. When it was the turn of Rhoda to speak, it was on the topic *"My Example".* She said, an example or examplar can be someone you know personally, such as a family member, teacher, mentor; or someone you admire from afar, who inspires one to become a better version of himself or herself through his or her achievements and positive qualities. Rhoda further established that her mom is her example because she is a woman of integrity, empathy, resilience and humility. Everybody clapped for her when she was done. Whilst it is not out of place to make some people our examples, it is also very essential to note that Jesus is our Ultimate and Perfect Example. This is because He is the embodiment of all that is good. Humans are limited in wisdom, power and strength. *Circumstances could make man derail or fail to keep up with the standards we once admired in them, but Jesus remains the same in His selfless love, humility, integrity, honesty, forgiveness and faithfulness. Fix your gaze on Him, and be determined to walk in His steps.* 🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥 ```🅿️rayer:``` _*Dear Lord, help me to focus on You as my Perfect Example for life.*_ 🙏🏽 ```📖 Further Reading:``` *1 Timothy 4:12* Our Perfect Example https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#SincereMilk28thJuly2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [27/07, 10:01 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA* TUESDAY, 28TH JULY, 2026. *INESCAPABLE AND INEXCUSABLE JUDGMENT* *TEXT:* MICAH 1:1-7 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. *Timeless Truth:*_"For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God. And if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?"_ (1 Peter 4:17). *INTRODUCTION* Criminals generally don't factor the possibility and reality of being caught, convicted and condemned at the point of crime or its conception. If they do, many would have avoided the crime. Sinners must always live in the consciousness of inescapable and inexcusable judgment that will always follow their evil actions. *"Judgment must begin at the house of God"* is a clear warning to saints too that they must not live carelessly as if they will not be accountable for all their actions. The prophecy of Micah came during a period of spiritual decline in both Samaria and Judah. Though God had repeatedly warned His people through His prophets, they persisted in idolatry, injustice, and rebellion. Micah's message reveals that God's judgment is neither accidental nor impulsive; it is the righteous response of a holy God to persistent sin. No nation, church or individual can escape divine judgment when they continually reject God's mercy. Yet the warning itself is evidence of God's desire for repentance before punishment falls. *1. Divine Alarm at Sins* a. Micah, by the Spirit of God, begins by declaring the Word of the Lord and calling all people to listen. *"Hear all ye people; hearken"*. His message will be of no use except the audience takes time to listen. Israel got into the spiritual mess as a result of not hearkening to the voice of God and would only be delivered by hearkening to the Word of God. A heart that is void of the Word of God will be void of the righteousness of God. The more the Word of God dwells in the heart with fervency, the more the fear of God and the more the righteousness in the heart. God was alarmed at the sins of Israel and Judah. Northern Israel, with Samaria as the headquarters, had unbroken chain of evil rulers. Judah, with her capital as Jerusalem enjoyed godly rulers, but at this particular time, her ruler, Ahaz was ungodly. God was alarmed as to how deep and far they had gone in their horrible sins. He summons the whole earth as witnesses because sin is never hidden from His all-seeing eyes. His alarm is not merely emotional, but judicial. Before God judges, He speaks. His warnings are expressions of His mercy, giving sinners the opportunity to repent. Ignoring God's voice only increases one's accountability. b. In this modern time, sin has grown in bounds and boundaries with different modern names for different horrible sins. New sins are being invented in every culture and race. The verdict of God is ever the same to all sinners. *"Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."* (Romans 1:32). *Question* Am I responding promptly to God's warnings through His Word and the conviction of the Holy Spirit or am I treating His warnings lightly? *2. Definite Arrival of Sufferings* a. God is portrayed as coming down from His holy dwelling to execute judgment. *"Behold the LORD cometh forth out of his place"*. His arrival is heralded by supernatural disequilibrium of the forces of nature. The mountains melt and valleys split before His majestic presence, showing that no power can withstand Him. His judgment is irresistible. Samaria, once proud and prosperous, would become a heap of ruins because of her persistent idolatry. *"And I will discover the foundations thereof"*. All its mighty structures would be levelled down to the ground. Every idol would be destroyed and every ill-gotten gain consumed. All this came to pass about 28 years after the prophecy in BC 722 when Assyria invaded Samaria and carried all the ten tribes captives. b. Divine judgment may seem delayed, but it always arrives at God's appointed time. Those who refuse repentance will eventually, experience the consequences of their rebellion. Nobody enjoys the sufferings of judgment whenever it comes. There is also the final eternal judgment for the unrepentant into the Lake of fire. When the trumpet sound of repentance is blowing, only fools ignore it. *Question* Am I relying on God's mercy while neglecting genuine repentance, forgetting that His judgment will surely come upon unrepentant sin? *3. Description of Annoying Sacrilege* The breakdown of the judgment further shows the nature of their sins that annoyed God to condemn them. Micah clearly identifies the root cause of Israel's calamity: transgression and idolatry. *"For the transgression of Jacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel"*. Sin, of any form is always annoying to God. God hates sin with perfect hatred. The religion that condones, excuse or justify sin is not of God. Samaria and Jerusalem had abandoned wholehearted devotion to God and embraced practices that dishonoured His covenant. Their cities were shamelessly filled with graven images including all forms of idols. In addition, they had many temple harlots that engaged in immorality with the worshippers. Sacrilege is offensive because it replaces God's glory with human desires and false worship. Anything that occupies God's rightful place in our hearts becomes an idol. God demands exclusive worship and complete loyalty from His people. Sin, of any form or shape, is defiling, dangerous, destructive and damnable. Eternal regrets always follow a lack of repentance. *Question* Is there anything in my life that has taken God's rightful place and become an idol in my heart? *Prayer Points* 1.Lord, give me a tender heart that quickly responds to Your warnings and turns away from every sinful path 🙏. 2.Father, deliver me from every form of idolatry, compromise and hidden rebellion against Your will 🙏. 3.Help me by the Holy Spirit, to always work in the consciousness and reality of judgment to come and to always have reverential fear of You 🙏. 4.Lord, put Your fear in the heart of Your children and help them to live daily in holiness, obedience and unwavering devotion until the coming of Christ. *HYMN:* Let Him In. *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* EXODUS 39-40. 2. Morning Prayer for today. MP.i. Morning Prayer Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. ⏤ Psalm 55:22 We are stronger than we know, as we draw on His grace. ⏤ Eugene Peterson Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we come to You in prayer through Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ. You have invited us to come to You, and we come boldly to Your throne of grace to find mercy and help in our time of need. Grant us Your peace and accept us graciously. We are sorry for our sins, which have grieved You. We offer no excuse and won't try to make our sins seem less serious than they are. We simply confess them and ask You to forgive us. We have burdens to carry. Some of them are heavy, and it feels like we can't bear them. But we remember Your promise that if we cast our burdens on You, You will sustain us. So we cast our burdens on You. We don't ask that You take them away from us, for it may be that we need to continue bearing them. So we ask for the grace to keep carrying our burdens, and we trust Your promise to give us the strength to sustain us as we walk under them with faith and confidence. Help us not to faint and fall under the load, but enable us to walk upright, helped by Your sustaining grace. Teach us to do Your will. Your will is always the best thing for us, the only good thing we can do. Going against Your will grieves You and harms our own lives. Show us Your will, day by day, step by step—what You would have us do. Then teach us to DO Your will. Incline our hearts to Your commandments. Then help us to obey them. It’s not easy for us to do this with our weak hearts, but help us today to do only the things that please You. We ask this in Jesus' precious name. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/23/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

Today's #photo: one of the most astounding #waterfalls I've ever been blessed to photograph: https://wp.me/p2ccTX-37B #NotAI #canada #nature #photography (Click/tap the link or picture and get a link to see the waterfall in glorious winter.)

My calling to serve the Lord. When I was 16, I went camping outside the city with my younger brother and six other friends. But we went against our mother's wishes, who strongly opposed our going out for three days. Eventually, our father gave permission and the money, and we set off. The first evening, we were in the dark forest chatting and drinking cognac and wine. After a while, everyone was tired and almost all went to sleep in their tents. But two stayed outside because there wasn't enough room for them in the two shacks. They rekindled the fire, which had already gone out. Suddenly, I couldn't hear their voices anymore. I heard strange whispers, and when I poked my head out to check what was happening, I saw a man in a balaclava with a gun and two others with their heads covered, carrying a large knife and a flashlight. He ordered us to leave the tents. They ransacked all our belongings. They took everything of value. One of them wanted to kill us. We had a tough time. At that moment, shivering with cold and fear, I prayed to God: may they take everything except our lives. If I had escaped with my brother alive, I would have tried to change my way of life. I didn't know exactly how, but I would have tried to figure out how. Those men had already left, threatening to shoot us if we had looked at them as they fled. Early the next morning, we bathed in the waterfall, chatted for a while, and then left. I remained traumatized for a week by what had happened. It only ended when I accepted Jesus. I did so at an evangelistic campaign at my friend's house, who was also camping with me. He had already converted three days earlier at his own house, too. And on the evening of May 9, 1997, I raised my hand and accepted Jesus. Almost 29 years have passed, but what happened remains very clear in my memory. It was the turning point that made all the difference in my life. Soli Deo Gloriam!

Today's #photo: such lush beauty at this #rainforest waterfall: https://wp.me/p2ccTX-2P6 #NotAI #nature #photography (Click/tap the link or picture to see the entire scene.)

WASH OVER ME (David Ruis) When the tears are falling And the leaves blow across my mind When the waves are breaking And the sun is hard to find Wash over me, wash over me, ‘til I can’t take any more Come wash over me, wash over me, ‘til I can’t take any more When the deep is calling And the waterfall’s my home When I’m all but drowning And I’m treading on my own I cry a silent prayer that comes out of me, it’s a mystery Come wash over me, wash over me, ‘til I can’t take any more I dream that my voice is heard in the secret place Where I bare my face Come wash over me wash over me, ‘til I can’t take any more

Daily devotion for March 7th Out Of The Darkness But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13 A South American Indian told the missionary who led him to Christ. When I was living in the jungle, we never knew a day without fear. When we woke up in the morning, we were afraid. When we went out of our houses, we were afraid. When we walked along the river, we were afraid. We saw an evil spirit in every stone and tree and waterfall. And when night fell, fear came into our huts and slept with us all night long. That is what paganism is. And this is what the world is returning to. All around us, as Christian truth begins to fade, this pagan darkness settles upon the land. How thankful it ought to make our hearts that God has called us out of such darkness! Without the instruction of those who came to know God and then brought the message to us, we would have been nothing but pagans. Without any light in our darkness other than the natural light that came from our inner being, indicating that there is a God somewhere, we would be living like that still. But now, having once been far off, we have been brought near by the blood of Christ. It isn't merely the death of Christ. Paul says that it is the blood of Christ. It is significant that he uses that term. Death, of course, is not always bloody. You can die without losing your blood. The Scriptures sometimes speak of the death of Christ and more often of the cross of Christ. But still more often they speak of the blood of Christ. Many don't like this today. They don't like to think of the cross or of the death of Jesus as being bloody. But God emphasizes it because blood is always a sign of violence. You see, the death of Jesus was not just a simple passing away—dying of old age on a comfortable bed. No, it was a violent death, a bloody, gory, ugly, revolting scene—a man hanging torn and wretched upon a cross with blood streaming down His sides. God wants us to remember that violent death, because violence is the ultimate result of paganism. It is the final expression of a godless society. Cruelty arises immediately when love and truth disappear from society. And God is reminding us that when humanity had done its worst, had sunk to its lowest, had vented its anger in the utter wretchedness and violence and blood of the cross, His love reached down to that very place and, utilizing that violent act, began to redeem, to call back those who were far off and bring them near—in the blood of Christ. And in the blood of Jesus, all the advantages the Jews had were conferred upon the Gentiles. Ignorant, pagan, darkened, foolish, struggling, hopeless—nevertheless, they had just as much access to God in the blood of Christ as any Jew ever had with his temple, his law, his priesthood, and his sacrifice. By this the apostle is trying to emphasize to us the exceedingly amazing wonder of the grace of God, which laid all these liabilities aside and reached out to us and found us just as we were and brought us near by the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. What a gift to give thanks for! Father, I thank You that I have been delivered from the darkness and brought near to You by the precious blood of Your Son.

ARE YOU DRIFTING? Text: Hebrews 2:1–4 "Two young men were fishing above a low dam on a river near their hometown. As they were concentrating on catching fish, they were unaware that they had drifted until they were not far from the water flowing over the dam. When they realized their situation, the current near the dam had become too powerful for them to keep their boat from going over. Below the dam the water was dashing with strong force over great boulders and through crevices in the rocks. Caught by the swirling waters under the rocks, they never came to the surface. After days of relentless searching, the divers finally found one body, and then, a few days later, the other." The danger of drifting is not limited to the physical realm... Hebrews 2:1 Sadly, it is not uncommon for Christians to drift toward destruction! I. THINGS WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT DRIFTING A. DRIFTING REQUIRES NO EFFORT... 1. Just stop oaring or tracking against the wind, and a boater will begin to drift 2. The same is true for the Christian, which is why we are told: "We must give the more earnest heed..." - Hebrews 2:1 B. IT IS AN UNCONSCIOUS PROCESS... 1. It is possible to drift unaware a. In a boat, or undercurrents are often unnoticeable from the surface b. In a plane, the wind or gravitational forces move the plane without you realizing it 2. The same is true in the spiritual realm a. Many individual Christians have slowly drifted away b. Many churches have gradually drifted into error only one day to find themselves far removed from the Scriptures C. WE NEVER DRIFT UPSTREAM OR AGAINST THE TIDE... 1. Faithfulness to the Lord is like oaring upstream 2. You must constantly be "adding to your faith..." - 2 Pe 1:5 3. You must continue to grow - 2 Pe 3:18 The moment you stop growing, you start going backwards or downwards D. THE SPEED DOWNSTREAM INCREASES... 1. The dangers increase with the speed of the drift a. When we can hear the noise of the waterfall, it is already too late b. When we lose sight of land, it is more difficult to discern that we are drifting 2. As we move farther and farther from the Lord, we care less and less about what we do E. IT IS DANGEROUS TO OTHERS... 1. A ship, just drifting, is a hazard to all other vessels at sea 2. Parents who are just drifting, will soon loose golden opportunities to teach their children - Ep 6:4 3. Many are tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine - Ep 4:14 F. IT ENDS IN SHIPWRECK... 1. A boat adrift will crash on the rocks or go over the falls 2. For those who drift spiritually through their own neglect, there shall be no escape from a just punishment - He 2:1-3 II. COMMON SIGNS OF DRIFTING A. DIMINISHING DESIRE TO STUDY GOD'S WORD AND PRAY... 1. The Bible is a unique book - a source of information not found anywhere else. When one loses their desire to study God's word, they are drifting! 2. Prayer is a wonderful blessing - an avenue to communicate with God! When the Christian prays less and less, he is drifting more and more! B. DIMINISHING DESIRE TO BE WITH GOD'S PEOPLE 1. This includes attending services to worship God a. If we no longer rejoice in the worship of God in the presence of brethren, we are drifting! 2. Fellowship with God's people extends beyond the services of the church a. We are to be concerned with edifying one another - Ro 14:19 When a Christian prefers the companionship of people of the world, rather than fellow Christians, he is drifting toward the rocks of spiritual destruction! C. DIMINISHING DESIRE TO SHARE THE GOSPEL... 1. When one obeys the gospel, he knows God has blotted out his sins, made him a new creature in Christ, and he wants to tell the world about Jesus 2. When a Christian no longer has the desire to take the message of salvation to others, he is drifting! D. INCREASING THRILL OVER THINGS OF THE WORLD... 1. Such as greater thrill over worldly honors; a. The apostle John warns us against the love of the world and the things in the world - 1 Jn 2:15-17 2. Such as increasing enjoyment in worldly pleasures a. Paul described some who were "lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God" - 2 Ti 3:4 b. If we reach the point when we find more pleasure in some worldly activity than meeting with others to worship God, we definitely are spiritually adrift! III. REMEDIES AGAINST DRIFTING A. KEEP ROWING... 1. Spiritually speaking, this involves diligence - 2 Pe 1:10 2. It also means to keep abounding in our Christian graces 3. There is no place for "retirement" in living the life of a Christian B. WATCH OUT FOR UNDERCURRENTS... 1. We must always be on guard for undercurrent of temptation 2. For we have a fleshly nature which wages war against the soul C. EXPECT TO GO AGAINST THE TIDE... 1. There are many tides to sweep us away a. Popularity, peer pressure, the praise of others b. Modernism, skepticism, humanism c. false doctrines of all kinds d. Liberalism and worldliness in the church - probably the greatest enemies of the church in our lifetime e. Neglect -- indifference, apathy, lack of interest and concern 2. If one drifts along with the majority, he certainty will be lost CONCLUSION 1. Brethren, are we drifting? a. The danger is real, we would be foolish to say otherwise b. Many have drifted away from the Lord, we would be arrogant to say it could not happen to us! 2. Are there signs of drifting in your life? Honestly ask yourself: a. Is my desire to study God's word and pray diminishing? b. Is my desire to be with God's people not what it has been in the past?

The river runs gently over the rocks. The cool water is inviting. It beckons, “Come.” At first I step into the shallows. The water rushes softly over my ankles. There is no fear here. I can still feel the riverbed beneath my feet. A voice calls, “Come deeper.” I step out in faith. The water rises to my waist. I feel the current now and instinctively dig my feet in to hold my ground. I trust but I also brace myself. Again the voice whispers, “Come.” I hesitate. I am not a strong swimmer. I have reached the edge of my comfort. The shore is close. I could easily turn back to what feels safe and steady. Then the voice speaks more clearly: “Do you trust in your own strength, or in Me? I will keep you. I will not let you go.” Slowly, I loosen my footing. The river lifts me. My feet no longer touch the ground. The current carries me. At first there is fear the swirl of water, the loss of control. But then I begin to see beauty I could never have seen while standing still. The river takes me through places I could not have reached on my own. Ahead, a waterfall appears. It is beautiful, but it looks dangerous. I can choose to turn back or continue to trust. The waters grow rough at times. I feel as though I might go under. Yet each time, a steady hand guides me through the turbulence and into stillness again. I learn something in the deeper waters: I was never meant to fight the river. I was meant to trust the One who commands it. Even when I feel alone. Even when I think I am drifting by myself. I am held. And I am never let go. “I wrote this during a season of learning to trust God in deeper waters. I don’t know what you’re walking through right now, but maybe this will remind you that you are held too.”

When someone speaks in an unknown tongue, they are speaking mysteries to God and are also edified themselves. It’s a private, spirit-to-Spirit conversation. It’s not a performance or a way to look spiritual or to pray longer, as some claim, or a status symbol. It’s about the natural, genuine, Spirit-filled life that starts in secret with God and overflows to bless everyone around you. It builds up the person praying; like a direct spiritual nutrient for your own soul. Faith is strengthened, love more fully inhabits our heart, and a deep peace is ministered to us, which then overflows. You become a stronger, kinder, more patient person around others. That’s how personal building indirectly builds the community. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and God fills your cup in those secret places. That’s the heart of it. This leads us to the exact nerve of the issue: the difference between receiving a spiritual deposit and gaining spiritual understanding of that deposit. It’s the gap between the transaction and the translation. Here’s how it works, plain and simple: You can be in that deep, private prayer, swept up in the Spirit; groans, mysteries, a waterfall of spiritual language you don't intellectually grasp. In that moment, your spirit is being fortified, charged, “built up.” God is filling your cup at a deep, foundational level you can’t even see. But if you walk away from that moment and someone asks, “What did God say? What did you receive? How are you different?” and you have no answer (not because it’s a secret, but because you have no interpreted understanding of it), then you are carrying a sealed package. You know it’s valuable, but you don’t know what’s inside or who it’s for. This is why Paul, right in the middle of this discussion, gives this direct instruction: “Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the ability to interpret” (1Cor. 14:13). Don’t let the transaction end with just the private charge. Pray for the translation. Pray that your mind can catch up with what your spirit has received. Because love needs a bridge to cross over. Love requires understanding to be useful. If God has stirred your spirit with a burden for comfort, but you don’t gain the understanding to speak a comforting word, how does the body feel that comfort? If He has charged you with a mystery about His power, but you can’t translate it into a testimony of His faithfulness, how does the church gain strength? What good is a charge or a burden you can’t understand? How does that fully build you up? Without that interpreted understanding, it is very hard to “pour out” in a directed, purposeful way. You might “leak” a general sense of peace or passion, but the specific, targeted, building-up work that Paul is talking about (the work that fixes a broken place, confirms a truth, or lifts a specific burden) requires the Spirit’s work to move from your spirit, through your understanding, and out into the common language of the family. So the beautiful, complete picture looks like this: 1. Private Prayer (Tongues): Spirit-to-Spirit transaction. Your cup is filled. You are built up, strengthened at the root. 2. Prayer for Interpretation: “Lord, help me understand what you've just done. Give me the meaning of this mystery for me, and for us.” 3. Translation to Understanding: The deposit becomes insight. The charge becomes a message. The sealed package is opened. 4. Communal Edification: Now you can pour out with purpose. You can bring the vegetables from your garden to the family table, knowing what they are and how they nourish. When this happens, you are not just sounding spiritual. You are being a conduit. The river flows from the throne, through your spirit, through your renewed mind, and out your lips as clear, life-giving water for others. That is the goal. That is how the private mystery builds the public house. The building of yourself must lead to an understanding you can share, or the family, the church, misses out on the gift. Script.ref. 1Cor.14:2, 4, 1Cor.14:13, 1Cor.14:14-15, 1Cor.14:26 #JesusTok #ChristianTikTok #FaithTalk #GodFirst #BibleVerse

```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` ```DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS) THURSDAY 8TH JANUARY, 2026``` *ANCHOR OF FAITH* 📖📓🎚️⚓🫵🏽🙋🏾‍♂️🙋🏾‍♀️🧎🏾🧎🏾‍♀️🙏🏾 📜📜```TEXT:HEBREWS 6:16-20```📜📜 🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil" (HEBREWS 6:19).*_ *The mighty Niagara River plummets some 180 feet at the _American and Horseshoe Falls._ Before the falls, there are violent, turbulent rapids. Further upstream, however, where the river's current flows more gently, boats are able to navigate. Just before the Well and River empties into the Niagara, a pedestrian walkway spans the river. Posted on this bridge's pylons is a sign for all boaters: "Do you have an anchor?" followed by, "Do you know how to use it?" Child of God, do you know that Jesus is your Anchor in the storms of life?* *Paul the apostle, in our text, utilises the metaphor of an anchor in describing the dangerous waves and vicissitudes of life from which the believer flees to hide in Christ. He likened life without Christ, to the chilling reality of a drowning soul, or a quick descent of a boat into a ditch or a waterfall, without any anchor in place to hold it in times of storm. The result would be assured death of its passengers. If not for the provision made whereby our souls, like a boat, can be anchored in Christ, where it is safe from all storms and winds, no other mechanism can be trusted to save us. He reinforced, in stronger terms, the dependability and integrity of this pillar of salvation provided by the person and personality of Christ Himself, who is the Guarantor of the new covenant.* *Life is not a bed of roses. Sometimes, storms arise, with proven capacity to draw anyone who is not anchored to something strong and reliable. People are easily depressed because there is nothing solid to hold them in place. This has led to an increased suicide rate caused by the ignorance of the fact that the soul needs to be anchored in Christ, to withstand life's challenges. Just anchoring our souls in the Saviour guarantees better results than simply going for a rehab, practicing transcendental meditations or relying on mind building techniques. More commitment to the tenets and rituals of religion alone, also, hasn't helped much. Religion becomes an empty shell, when Christ, the Anchor of the soul is absent. Mere adherence to a set of rules, performing pilgrimages, and our good works, are inadequate to hold us up when real challenges comes.* *The urgent call here, is for all to come to Christ and find rest, peace and security. He alone has what it takes to hold us together, defend and protect us in times of needs; and preserve the soul into an everlasting life in His eternal kingdom.* ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*If Christ is your anchor, you need not fear the roughest storms.*_ 📜📜```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *MATTHEW 17-19*📜📜 Anchor Of Faith https://dailymanna.app// *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 21: WILL YOUR ANCHOR HOLD?; GHS 30: I'VE ANCHORED IN JESUS; AND GHS 2: COME UNTO ME* *TXD @THEXDEVOTIONALS on Twitter* *#DailyManna8thJanuary2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/@THEXDEVOTIONALS