Daily Bible Lesson. THE USA IN BIBLE PROPHECY! Rev 13:11 At the height of the papacy's power, its "iron teeth" fell upon Protestant Reformers. WHO PROTESTED THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES UNBIBLICAL TEACHINGS.... Many of those who were not martyred, however, found a means of escape to the New World. Revelation prophesied this exodus in the symbol of a faithful woman, who represents God's true church. This woman, "persecuted" (12:13) by the dragon through papal Rome, fled "into the wilderness" during "a time and times and half a time" (v.14), the same 1,260 years of papal supremacy. Thus, the prey escaped the predator, and the most notable republic in the world was born. In 1776, the United States declared its independence. It established its own rule of law, the Constitution (1787) and the Bill of Rights (1791). By 1798, simultaneous with the head wound to the Roman Church, the nations of Europe recognized the United States as an independent world power, one built on TWO UNIQUE PRINCIPLES REPRESENTED BY the earth beast's two-lamb-like horns: (Rev. 13:11) ... REPUBLICANISM, a government without a king, and PROTESTANTISM, a church without a pope. ( The two lamb like horns in verse 13:11 represented the 2 principles America was founded on..) 1) We were a republican Nation ~ we had a constitution had, had had.... and 2) we were blessed by God for being a Protestant nation) The United States became the standard bearer of freedom of conscience and embodiment of the separation of church and state--all that the Roman Catholic Church was not. THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST!!! But the Bible makes a surprising prediction: AMERICA WILL FALL AWAY FROM ITS FOUNDING PRINCIPLES and advocate for the sea beast, (Papacy) the very power the Founding Fathers resisted. Revelation 13:12-15 has a few key take aways: A. The United States forms "an image to the beast" (Rome) This is not a statue; rather, "an image"is a "representation" or "RESEMBLANCE." Hence, an "image of the beast"(v.15) will be a religiopolitical power that look, speaks, and AND ACTS LIKE THE PAPACY!!! B. The image of the beast will use a combination of deception (v.14) and coercion (v.15) to achieve universal worship of the papacy (vv.12,15). C. The ultimate power behind the transformation of the United States is the dragon, Satan, who extends his "authority" (v.12) from the sea beast to the earth beast (v.4). According to the Bible, the United States will one day LOOK, SPEAK, AND ACT LIKE THE PAPACY. FACT: During the 1,260 years, the little horn "[persecuted] the saints of the Most High" (Daniel 7:25). During this period of papal supremacy, dubbed the Dark Ages, the Catholic Church labeled as heretics those who followed the Word of God over its own doctrines and, sources state, it condemned more than 50 million people to death.

Daily Bible Lesson. THE USA IN BIBLE PROPHECY! Rev 13:11 At the height of the papacy's power, its "iron teeth" fell upon Protestant Reformers. WHO PROTESTED THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES UNBIBLICAL TEACHINGS.... Many of those who were not martyred, however, found a means of escape to the New World. Revelation prophesied this exodus in the symbol of a faithful woman, who represents God's true church. This woman, "persecuted" (12:13) by the dragon through papal Rome, fled "into the wilderness" during "a time and times and half a time" (v.14), the same 1,260 years of papal supremacy. Thus, the prey escaped the predator, and the most notable republic in the world was born. In 1776, the United States declared its independence. It established its own rule of law, the Constitution (1787) and the Bill of Rights (1791). By 1798, simultaneous with the head wound to the Roman Church, the nations of Europe recognized the United States as an independent world power, one built on TWO UNIQUE PRINCIPLES REPRESENTED BY the earth beast's two-lamb-like horns: (Rev. 13:11) ... REPUBLICANISM, a government without a king, and PROTESTANTISM, a church without a pope. ( The two lamb like horns in verse 13:11 represented the 2 principles America was founded on..) 1) We were a republican Nation ~ we had a constitution had, had had.... and 2) we were blessed by God for being a Protestant nation) The United States became the standard bearer of freedom of conscience and embodiment of the separation of church and state--all that the Roman Catholic Church was not. THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST!!! But the Bible makes a surprising prediction: AMERICA WILL FALL AWAY FROM ITS FOUNDING PRINCIPLES and advocate for the sea beast, (Papacy) the very power the Founding Fathers resisted. Revelation 13:12-15 has a few key take aways: A. The United States forms "an image to the beast" (Rome) This is not a statue; rather, "an image"is a "representation" or "RESEMBLANCE." Hence, an "image of the beast"(v.15) will be a religiopolitical power that look, speaks, and AND ACTS LIKE THE PAPACY!!! B. The image of the beast will use a combination of deception (v.14) and coercion (v.15) to achieve universal worship of the papacy (vv.12,15). C. The ultimate power behind the transformation of the United States is the dragon, Satan, who extends his "authority" (v.12) from the sea beast to the earth beast (v.4). According to the Bible, the United States will one day LOOK, SPEAK, AND ACT LIKE THE PAPACY. FACT: During the 1,260 years, the little horn "[persecuted] the saints of the Most High" (Daniel 7:25). During this period of papal supremacy, dubbed the Dark Ages, the Catholic Church labeled as heretics those who followed the Word of God over its own doctrines and, sources state, it condemned more than 50 million people to death.

THE PILGRIMS GUIDE MONDAY AUGUST 17, 2026 THE MIRACULOUS FILLINGS FROM GOD A WORD FROM THE WORD: "And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches. For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts." 2 Kings 3:16-17 KJV. From the context of our foundational Scripture we saw that Jehoshaphat the King of Judah, in alliance with King Jehoram of Israel, were stranded in the wilderness with their troops, who could not find any water as they prepared for war against Edom. They were afraid that severe thirst would kill them and their men even before the fight with Edom. They consulted Elisha the prophet of God who got a word from God for them. What was needed was water, it did not matter whether it will come without rain or without a river providing it. There are miraculous things that will happen for those who know how to seek God and follow His direction. God wants to instruct and direct His children. He says 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.' (Psalm 32:8 ESV). As you listen to Him, He will guide you into outstanding results, even if it requires breaking protocols. PRAYER BULLETS: ABBA Father, thank You for Your promises. Guide me, O Shepherd of my soul into the miraculous, even to the breaking of protocols. FURTHER READING: Isaiah 48:17; Proverbs 3:5-6; Ephesians 3:20. _________________________________________ ©️ Amaobi Nwachukwu 2026. If you're blessed by this, please, do share with others. And if you'll like to partner with us, kindly check page 3 of our hard copy edition or better still send us a WhatsApp message or call on +234 8098421967. #ThePilgrimsGuide.

WHEN FAITH STANDS STILL! Trusting God When You Cannot See the Way Key Scripture: “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD.” — Exodus 14:13 (KJV) Thought Of The Day... There are moments in life when faith means moving forward, but there are also moments when faith means standing still and trusting God to move. Israel experienced one of those moments at the Red Sea. They had finally been delivered from Egypt, but suddenly they found themselves trapped. The Red Sea was in front of them. Pharaoh's army was behind them. Mountains and wilderness surrounded them. From a human perspective, there was nowhere to go. But what looked like a dead end to Israel was actually the place where God was preparing to demonstrate His power. Moses declared: “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD.” — Exodus 14:13 Sometimes God allows us to reach places where our resources, connections, intelligence, money, strength, and plans cannot rescue us. Not because God has abandoned us, but because He is teaching us: “This battle will not be won by your strength. You are going to have to trust Me.” FAITH DOES NOT DENY THE PROBLEM! The Red Sea was real. Pharaoh's army was real. The danger was real. But God was greater than everything Israel was facing. Faith doesn't mean pretending everything is fine. Faith means looking directly at the situation and declaring: “I know what I see, but I also know WHO I trust!” Your situation may involve your family, finances, health, marriage, children, employment, ministry, or an uncertain future. You may not know how God is going to work it out. You may not know when He is going to work it out. But faith says: “Even when I cannot trace God's hand, I will continue trusting His heart.” Proverbs 3:5–6 reminds us: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” DON'T LET FEAR MAKE YOU FORGET WHAT GOD HAS ALREADY DONE! When Pharaoh approached, Israel became afraid. Their fear became so powerful that they temporarily forgot the miracles God had already performed in Egypt. Isn't that sometimes like us? God has brought us through things before. God has opened doors before. God has healed broken situations before. God has provided before. God has protected us before. But when the next Red Sea appears, fear whispers: “What are you going to do now?” Faith responds: “The same God who brought me through THEN is still God RIGHT NOW!” David understood this principle. Before facing Goliath, he remembered how God had already delivered him from the lion and the bear. Yesterday's testimony can become today's ammunition for faith. YOUR RED SEA MAY BECOME YOUR TESTIMONY! God told Moses: “Lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it.” — Exodus 14:16 Then the impossible happened. God made a highway through something that had previously been an obstacle. The Israelites walked across on dry ground. Think about that. God didn't simply remove the problem. He made a pathway through it. Sometimes we pray: “Lord, take this away.” But God may answer: “I'm going to take you THROUGH it, because when you come out, you will know that nobody brought you through but Me.” Isaiah 43:2 declares: “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee.” Notice God said “when,” not “if.” There will be waters. There will be fires. There will be difficult seasons. But there will also be God's presence. WHAT IS BEHIND YOU CANNOT STOP WHAT GOD HAS AHEAD OF YOU! The enemy thought Israel was trapped. Pharaoh probably believed he had them exactly where he wanted them. But Pharaoh didn't realize: God had positioned Israel exactly where HE wanted them. The place that looked like Israel's destruction became the place of their deliverance. That's a word for somebody today: Don't judge your future by what your situation looks like right now. God can turn your Red Sea into a roadway. God can turn your battle into a testimony. God can turn your delay into preparation. God can turn your pain into purpose. God can turn what looked like your ending into your new beginning. KEEP WALKING BY FAITH! Once the sea opened, Israel still had to walk through it. Faith isn't simply believing that God can open the door. Faith is having enough confidence in God to walk through when He opens it. There comes a moment when prayer must be accompanied by obedience. Exodus 14:15 records God saying: “Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.” In other words: You've prayed. You've cried. You've trusted. Now MOVE! There are seasons to stand still and see God's salvation, and there are seasons when God says: “GO FORWARD!” Don't allow fear to keep you standing in a place God has already given you permission to leave. TODAY'S FAITH DECLARATION I will not allow what I see to cancel what God has spoken. I believe that the God who opened the Red Sea is still able to make a way where there appears to be no way. I will not surrender to fear. I will not allow yesterday to imprison tomorrow. I will trust God when I understand Him, and I will trust Him when I don't. My Red Sea will not drown me—it will become part of my testimony! The Lord is with me. The Lord is fighting for me. The Lord is making a way for me. And when God says move— I'M GOING FORWARD BY FAITH! PRAYER... Heavenly Father, in the mighty name of Jesus, thank You for being the God who makes ways where there seem to be no ways. Lord, some of us are standing before situations that look impossible. We see the Red Sea in front of us and trouble behind us, and we don't know which direction to turn. But today, we choose faith over fear. Remind us of every mountain You have already brought us over, every valley You carried us through, every door You opened, and every battle You fought on our behalf. When fear tells us that it's over, remind us that You have the final word. When we cannot see the road ahead, teach us to trust the One who already knows the destination. Give us faith to stand still when You say wait and courage to go forward when You say move. Father, part every Red Sea standing between us and Your purpose. Strengthen every discouraged heart. Restore hope to everyone who feels surrounded. Give peace to those waiting for answers. And when You bring us through, we will not take the credit. We will testify: “The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.” — Psalm 126:3 We believe You are still working. We believe You are still making ways. We believe the same God who delivered Israel is still our God today. In Jesus' mighty name, AMEN! Final Thought... When you cannot see a way forward, don't assume there isn't one. The God who created the sea can also create a road through it. STAND IN FAITH. TRUST GOD. AND WHEN HE SAYS GO—GO FORWARD! Enjoy your Sunday Church Services and God Bless!

Good evening, brethren. 1. Evening devotion for today. ED.i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST* (COCIN DEVOTIONAL) *DATE:* SATURDAY 15TH AUGUST, 2026. *SUB-THEME:* YOUTHS: VESSELS OF GOD'S GRACE. *TOPIC:* BE SANCTIFIED. *TEXT:* 1 THESSALONIANS 4:4-5. 4 Each of you must know how to control his own body in a holy and honorable manner, 5 not with passion and lust like the gentiles who do not know God. 1Co 15:34 Eph 4:18 [Col 3:5] *TOPIC:* BE SANCTIFIED. *THE MESSAGE:* To be sanctified means to be set apart for God's purpose. God is holy (Lev. 20:7), so He calls His people to live in holiness, especially the way they control their bodies. In our reading, believers are urged to practice self-discipline, avoid sexual immorality, live honourably, and not be driven by lust like unbelievers. Sadly, many youths today compromise their sanctification through exposure to immoral content, substance abuse, and other defiling influences. Unwanted pregnancies, abortions, and eloping marriages are rampant. These affect the Christian testimony adversely. God desires pure vessels for His glory. Are you trapped in such vices? Do not give up; God is the God of second chances. Come to Him in repentance and be cleansed. *REFLECTION:* Sanctification is not optional. *PRAYER:* Lord, help me to set myself aside for Your use. 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:* LAMENTATIONS 1-5. ED.ii. THE STRUGGLE TO PRAY "So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me." - Romans 7:21-23 Many people find it difficult to pray because they are struggling. You want to pray, read the Bible and go to the church meeting. You want to obey God and follow Him. But it seems like a battle has started in you. It seems as if there is an inner struggle between the light and the darkness and you do not know what to do. You had such a need to do the abovementioned, but it is as if the evil one is whispering all kinds of wrong things to you. You got up in the morning with the best intentions but a few hours later they are all gone. The struggle between two natures There was a time when the great apostle Paul was also bothered by this: 'For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do — this I keep on doing' (Romans 7:19). There is a law of the flesh which pulls you down and a law of the Spirit which pulls you up. This means that there are still two natures working in your life. It means that the 'old man' has not died yet. It means that the process to Calvary has not yet taken place in you. The 'old man' is still too strong. This struggle must end in your life and Jesus wants to help you with that. You have to go from Romans 7 to Romans 8, which starts with: 'Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.' Only people who desire to live in this new and redeemed life of Romans 8 are able to be real intercessors and prayer warriors. Allow that 'old man' to die like the seed must die first before it bears fruit. https://www.theblessingdevotional.com 2. Evening prayer for today. EP.i. Evening Prayer He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. ⏤ Psalm 91:1-2 God is always trying to give good things to us, but our hands are too full to receive them. ⏤ Augustine of Hippo O God, our Father in Heaven, You have kept us through another week, and now we come to You seeking an evening blessing. We thank You for all that this week has been to us. Your goodness and mercy have been with us every day and every night. You have provided for us daily, just as You provided manna for Your people in the wilderness. You have blessed us with health, with friends, with the comforts of home, and with all the good things You have given us this week. But we haven’t been as faithful in our part. We’ve been forgetful and careless. We haven’t fulfilled all our duties to each other and to our neighbors. We’ve left many things undone that we should have done. Please forgive us and help us to learn from our failures so that we can live holier lives in the coming week. We leave all our work in Your hands. We look forward to Sunday with hope and longing, as we desire to come again to Your house of worship. Our souls thirst for You like dry, barren land thirsts for rain. Please prepare us for Sunday, so that when it comes, we may be ready to receive rich blessings. Keep us through the night. Protect us from all harm. Preserve our bodies from sickness and accidents, and our souls from all kinds of evil. May we rest in peaceful sleep and wake up refreshed. We ask for special protection for our home from fire and any other dangers. We also remember our friends. Please give them a Saturday evening blessing. Hear our evening prayers, bless us, comfort us, strengthen us, and keep us. We ask all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/41/evening #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

SERMON TITLE: "DON'T USE QURAN TO ANSWER QURAN BUT ONLY TRUTH TO ANSWER LIES OF QURAN" Key Warning Text: Proverbs 26:4 “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.” Theme Text: Amos 3:3 “Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?” Truth & Error Cannot Walk Together INTRO: JESUS’ METHOD IN THE WILDERNESS Matthew 4:4,7,10 - Satan quoted scripture-twisted. Jesus never debated him on his terms. He answered 3 times: “IT IS WRITTEN” John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” We don’t go into darkness to fight it. We shine light. --- POINT 1: THE WARNING - PROVERBS 26:4 TO TEACHERS Proverbs 26:4 “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.” What does this mean for teachers today? “DON'T USE QURAN TO ANSWER QURAN” Don’t fight error with error. Don’t use another book to prove another book. The moment a teacher of the Word picks up the enemy’s weapon, they risk “lest you be like him yourself.” 2 Corinthians 4:2 “we refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word” Galatians 5:9 “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.” “BUT ONLY TRUTH TO ANSWER LIES OF QURAN” What is Truth? John 17:17 “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” Ephesians 5:11 “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” Ephesians 6:17 “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Jesus, Peter, Paul never quoted pagan books to win people. They preached “Christ crucified” 1 Cor 1:23 and “It is written”. DIRECT WARNING TO TEACHERS: Brother/Sister, if you are mixing the Bible with other books to "win arguments" or "reach Muslims" — STOP. James 3:1 “we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” Truth and error cannot walk together Amos 3:3. You will corrupt the Gospel Gal 1:8-9. POINT 2: JESUS’ JUDGMENT ON CHURCHES WHO COMPROMISED Revelation 2:14-16 To Pergamum: “you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam... Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.” Balaam’s sin? Compromise and mixing to get God’s people to sin Num 31:16. Jesus says He will WAR against teachers who mix. Revelation 2:5 To Ephesus: “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will remove your lampstand.” You can lose your light as a church if you don’t abide in truth. POINT 3: WE WIN SOULS BY GRACE, NOT BY KNOWLEDGE OR EFFORTS This is why many teachers fall into mixing. They think: “If I master their book, I’ll win them.” Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing” 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 “my message was not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” The 144,000 Rev 14:4-5 overcame by: Blood RED7 🔴 + Testimony + Following the Lamb + No lie in their mouth. God saves. John 6:44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” Our job: Faithfully preach the Word. The Spirit GREEN7 🌱 convicts. POINT 4: HOW TO ANSWER LIES - 3 BIBLICAL STEPS ANSWER WITH SCRIPTURE ONLY 2 Tim 3:16-17 - “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable” Example: Lie - “Jesus didn’t die.” Truth - Isaiah 53:5, 1 Cor 15:3-4 EXPOSE, DON’T EMBRACE Eph 5:11 - Shine light on the lie. Don’t study it to quote it. SPEAK TRUTH IN LOVE Eph 4:15, 2 Tim 2:24-25 - Goal is repentance, not winning. CONCLUSION + ALTAR CALL: 2 Corinthians 4:4 “The god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not” Only the Gospel can open eyes 2 Cor 4:6. 3 COMMANDS FOR TEACHERS: STOP - Stop using error to fight error. Prov 26:4 REPENT - If you have compromised. Rev 2:5, 2:16 ABIDE - “If you abide in my word, you

"DON'T MIX GOSPEL WITH QURAN." TRUTH & ERROR CAN'T WALK TOGETHER! Sermon Title: "Let the Light Shine: Preaching in Truth, Not in Mixture" Text: John 1:5, 2 Corinthians 4:4, 2 Corinthians 6:14, John 17:17 Beloved, I want to speak to you today about how we carry the Gospel. The screenshots you shared are a burden for truth. The heart of the message is this: The light of Christ is enough. Do not mix it with darkness. 1. THE BATTLE OF PREACHING: LIGHT VS DARKNESS John 1:5 — “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” We are in a battle. The person in the message said it well: "I see your battle of preaching with unbelievers." But the battle is not won by compromise. It is won by light. Jesus is that Light. When we preach, we are not arguing opinions. We are bringing light into dark places. And John says the darkness has not overcome it. It cannot. It will not. The enemy’s strategy is to blind. 2 Corinthians 4:4 — “The god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.” Satan is called "the father of lies" in John 8:44. His job is to keep people from seeing Christ. So our job as preachers is not to negotiate with darkness. It is to shine brighter. 2. NO FELLOWSHIP BETWEEN LIGHT AND DARKNESS 2 Corinthians 6:14 — “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” The message warns: "avoid to mix gospel with Quran teachings." Why? Because truth and error cannot walk together. Truth sets free - John 8:32 Error confuses - Mixing truth + falsehood creates confusion in yourself and in those who hear you. The apostles never mixed the Gospel with other religions to "make it easier." Acts 4:12 — “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” God of the Bible is enough. His Word is enough. His Spirit is enough to draw men. We don’t need to add to it. Revelation 22:18 warns us not to add or subtract. 3. THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE WORD: OUR ONLY WEAPONS The message asks: "Why can't you only let your preaching be guided by Holy Spirit?" Because the Spirit and the Word never contradict. John 17:17 — “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” John 16:13 — “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” The Holy Spirit does not lead us to dilute the Gospel. He leads us to preach Christ crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2 — “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” The apostles preached in the power of the Spirit, and thousands were saved. They did not need another book. They needed the Name of Jesus. 4. BE ROOTED, OR THE ENEMY WILL DECEIVE The message reminds us of Jesus in the wilderness. Satan quoted scripture too, but twisted it. Matthew 4:1-11 “Satan is cunning and can use scriptures if you are not steadfast in thy faith.” When we add to the Word, we give the enemy ground. Truth + false = false. But when we remain rooted in truth, we overcome him just like Jesus did: "It is written..." Ephesians 6:17 — “...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” That is our only offensive weapon. APPLICATION: 3 CALLS FOR US TODAY Be marked by God: Like Revelation 14:1, let the Father’s Name be on your forehead. Live holy so your preaching has authority. Preach the pure Gospel: Use Scripture only. Let the Holy Spirit do the convincing. John 16:8 Pray for unbelievers: The problem is not that the Bible is weak. The problem is blindness. So we pray 2 Corinthians 4:6 — “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” CLOSING PRAYER Father, sanctify us in Your truth. Your Word is truth. Forgive us for times we tried to help You by adding to Your Word. Fill us with the Holy Spirit so we preach with boldness

Sermon: When You Are Poor, But God Sees You Beloved, I want to talk to you who are counting coins tonight, who lie awake wondering about school fees, rent, and the next meal. The world may pass you by because your pockets are light. But heaven has not passed you by. 1. The Lord is the Helper of the Poor Isaiah 41:17 says, “When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them.” God names Himself in this verse. He does not say “maybe I will help.” He says “I will answer.” He sees the lack. He hears the cry. You are not forgotten. The same God who fed Elijah by the brook and multiplied oil for the widow in Zarephath still provides. Psalm 34:6, “This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.” 2. Be Poor in Spirit, Not Just Poor in Pocket Jesus begins His teaching in Matthew 5:3 with, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Being “poor in spirit” means this: I have nothing to bring to God but my need, and I bring it anyway. It is the place of humility where pride breaks and faith begins. The world measures you by bank balance. God measures you by a heart that depends on Him. Do not let lack of finance make you bitter. Let it make you bow. Because the moment you bow, God lifts. 3. Seek First, and God Will Add Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Jesus knew we worry about food, clothes, and money. So He gives us order. First the Kingdom. First righteousness. First trust. Then He promises, “all these things will be added.” That means God intends to satisfy you in both places: Physical needs: Philippians 4:19, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Spiritual needs: John 6:35, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger.” He does not want you starved in body or in soul. 4. The World May Ignore You, But God Will Not The world often respects titles, influence, and finance. But God has a history of choosing the overlooked. He chose David from the sheepfold. He chose the disciples from the nets. He chose you. James 2:5, “Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom?” Your instability is not your identity. You are an heir. You are seen. You are loved. How Do We Live This Out? Cry out: Like the psalmist, bring your need to God daily. He listens. Seek first: Put prayer, Word, and obedience before panic. Righteousness is your anchor. Trust His provision: Give thanks for today’s bread. Manna came one day at a time. Walk in generosity: Even with little, share. A generous heart is a rich heart before God. Prayer for the Poor and Needy Father, You are the Helper of the poor. You see every need in this room and in every home listening. Forgive us for worrying more than trusting. Teach us to be poor in spirit, fully dependent on You. Meet every physical need, food, rent, school, health, and meet every spiritual need, peace, joy, strength. Satisfy us with Yourself so we lack nothing that truly matters. We believe Your Word: You will supply all our needs in Christ Jesus. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Final Word to Strengthen You Your 40 years in the wilderness may feel long. But God used that season to train Israel in dependence. He will use this season to train you in righteousness too. Do not despise the small beginning. The Lord who fed 5,000 with 5 loaves can do exceedingly abundantly for you. Hold on. Keep seeking. Keep trusting. The Helper of the poor has not forgotten you.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19

TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS: SERMON TOPIC: IS YOUR LIFE A STAGE OR AN ALTAR? Main Text: Romans 12:1 «“Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”» WHAT ARE YOU BUILDING WITH YOUR LIFE? Every day, we stand before an audience. People watch what we do. People listen to what we say. People observe our success, relationships, appearance, ministry and lifestyle. But there is an audience greater than humanity: God. The question is not simply, “What do people think about me?” The deeper question is: “What does God see when He looks at my life?” A stage is where people perform to be seen. An altar is where a person surrenders to God. On a stage, the question is: «“How do I look?”» At an altar, the question is: «“Lord, what do You want from me?”» Many people are living on a stage while believing they are standing at an altar. They pray publicly but disobey privately. They appear spiritual before people but live differently when nobody is watching. They want the applause of men but have lost the approval of God. Today, God is calling us from performance to surrender, from appearance to authenticity, and from the stage to the altar. 1. THE STAGE SEEKS APPLAUSE; THE ALTAR SEEKS GOD'S APPROVAL Jesus warned about religious performance. Matthew 6:1 «“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them.”» Jesus was not condemning good works. He was exposing the wrong motive. You can do the right thing for the wrong reason. You can preach because you want recognition. You can sing because you want applause. You can give because you want people to celebrate you. You can post Scripture because you want people to praise your spirituality. But God looks beyond the action and examines the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 «“Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”» The stage asks: “Who is watching?” The altar asks: “Is God pleased?” A person living at the altar does not need human applause to remain faithful. Spiritual insight: If your Christianity only works when people are watching, you may be performing rather than worshipping. 2. THE STAGE DISPLAYS TALENT; THE ALTAR REVEALS CHARACTER Talent can put you on a platform. Character determines whether you can remain there without destroying yourself. David had musical ability. David had courage. David had leadership ability. But before David stood before kings, he learned to stand before God in the wilderness. The altar develops what the stage cannot produce. The stage can reveal your gift. The altar reveals your heart. A person can be gifted and still lack character. A person can preach powerfully and live carelessly. A person can sing beautifully and still have an uncontrolled heart. A person can be celebrated publicly and be broken privately. That is why God is more interested in who you are becoming than merely what you are doing. Galatians 5:22–23 The fruit of the Spirit includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Notice that Scripture calls these fruit, not performance. Fruit grows from a life connected to God. Ask yourself: What happens to my character when nobody is watching? That question can reveal whether your life is a stage or an altar. 3. THE STAGE WANTS TO RECEIVE; THE ALTAR IS WILLING TO SURRENDER An altar is a place of sacrifice. Romans 12:1 says: «“Present your bodies a living sacrifice…”» God does not merely want your Sunday. He wants your Monday. He does not only want your voice in church. He wants your conversations at home. He does not only want your offering. He wants your heart. He does not only want your public ministry. He wants your private obedience. The stage says: “God, bless what I want to do.” The altar says: “God, I surrender what I want to do to Your will.” That is the difference. Jesus demonstrated this in Gethsemane. Luke 22:42 «“Not my will, but thine, be done.”» That is altar language. Sometimes the greatest worship you can give God is not a song. It is surrender. 4. THE STAGE CAN BE MAINTAINED BY APPEARANCE; THE ALTAR REQUIRES TRUTH A stage can be decorated. An altar cannot hide the condition of the sacrifice. God is calling His people back to authenticity. Psalm 51:6 «“Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts…”» God wants truth in the hidden places. Who are you when the phone is off? Who are you when nobody is applauding? Who are you when you are angry? Who are you when you have money? Who are you when you have power? Who are you when temptation comes? Who are you when nobody can reward you? That is where character is tested. Christianity is not merely about looking holy. It is about becoming holy. 5. GOD DOES NOT WANT A PERFORMANCE; HE WANTS A LIVING SACRIFICE Romans 12:1 gives us the picture clearly: «“Present your bodies a living sacrifice…”» Notice the word living. The Christian life is not a one-time emotional experience. It is daily surrender. Every morning, we should be able to say: “Lord, my life belongs to You.” My plans belong to You. My career belongs to You. My relationships belong to You. My finances belong to You. My gifts belong to You. My body belongs to You. My future belongs to You. That is life on the altar. BIBLICAL CASE STUDY: SAUL AND DAVID Two men were anointed by God. Two men were given opportunities. But their responses to God were different. Saul became increasingly concerned about how he appeared before people. 1 Samuel 15:24 Saul admitted that he feared the people and obeyed their voice. David, despite his failures, repeatedly returned to God with a repentant heart. Psalm 51:10 «“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”» Saul was concerned about his image. David was concerned about his heart. One was more concerned about the stage. The other understood the altar. This does not mean David was perfect. He was not. It means that when confronted by God, David learned to return to Him. STAGE VS ALTAR THE STAGE| THE ALTAR Seeks applause| Seeks God's approval Focuses on appearance| Focuses on character Wants recognition| Wants obedience Performs before people| Surrenders before God Protects image| Pursues holiness Says “Look at me”| Says “Lord, use me” Lives for public approval| Lives for divine purpose PRACTICAL ACTION STEPS 1. Examine your motives Ask: “Why am I doing what I am doing?” 2. Build a private life with God Do not allow your public ministry to become larger than your private relationship with God. 3. Stop living for human applause People can praise you today and criticize you tomorrow. God's approval must become your anchor. 4. Repent where necessary If there are hidden areas of compromise, bring them before God. Do not protect what God is asking you to surrender. 5. Practice obedience when nobody is watching The secret place is where genuine Christianity is developed. 6. Make your whole life worship Your workplace can become worship. Your family life can become worship. Your business can become worship. Your ministry can become worship. Your private decisions can become worship. DEEP SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS 1. God is more interested in your heart than your platform. A bigger platform without a deeper heart can become dangerous. 2. Public success cannot compensate for private failure. You can impress thousands and still grieve God. 3. The altar comes before the platform. Before God uses a person publicly, He often works on that person privately. 4. Your greatest audience is God. People see moments. God sees the entire life. 5. The altar is where ambition dies and purpose is born. Sometimes God must remove our desire to be seen before He can trust us to be used. QUESTIONS FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION 1. Am I living to please God or to impress people? 2. Who am I when nobody is watching? 3. Is my private life consistent with my public confession? 4. Am I more interested in being celebrated or being transformed? 5. What have I refused to surrender to God? 6. Have I allowed social media to become my stage? 7. Is my ministry flowing from intimacy with God or the desire for recognition? 8. If God removed the applause, would I still serve Him? 9. What area of my life needs to return to the altar? 10. Can God trust me with a greater platform? POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS 1. Prayer for a pure heart Father, create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Let my private life please You. 2. Prayer against hypocrisy Lord, deliver me from every form of hypocrisy and spiritual performance. Let my public life agree with my private life. 3. Prayer for genuine surrender Father, I surrender my plans, ambitions, gifts, relationships and future to You. Have Your way in my life. 4. Prayer against the desire for human applause Lord, free me from the bondage of seeking human approval. Teach me to live for Your approval alone. 5. Prayer for character Holy Spirit, develop Christlike character in me. Let my character be greater than my platform. 6. Prayer for usefulness Lord, make my life an instrument in Your hands. Let everything You have placed in me bring glory to Your name. COME DOWN FROM THE STAGE. Perhaps the greatest question today is not: “How many people know me?” It is: “Does God know me?” Not: “How impressive is my life?” But: “How surrendered is my life?” The world says: “Build your platform.” God says: “Build your altar.” The world says: “Make people notice you.” God says: “Let your light shine so that people may glorify your Father.” The stage is temporary. The applause is temporary. Popularity is temporary. Titles are temporary. But what you do for God and who you become in Christ have eternal significance. So today, come down from the stage. Lay down the need to impress. Lay down the need to be celebrated. Lay down the hidden compromise. Lay down the pride. Lay down the fear of people's opinions. Lay down your plans. And say: «“Lord, here I am. My life is Yours.”» FINAL DECLARATION My life will not be a stage for human applause. My life will be an altar for God's glory. My gifts will serve His purpose. My character will reflect Christ. My private life will honor Him. My public life will glorify Him. And everything I am and everything I have will belong to Jesus. Amen. If you have not given your life to Jesus kindly do so by joining a Bible believing Church. 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