Fear is a clever adversary.

When we think of fear, the first things that come to mind are old, decrepit Victorian mansions or abandoned houses fueled by stories of stories of swinging chandeliers or doors that creak open on their own.

Or we might think of less dramatic fears: heights or flying or small spaces.

Unless you’re suffering from one of these or other phobias—or ghosts—it is rather easy to simply discard fear as something other people experience.

But fear is not so simple.

Most often, it sneaks into mind and festers and builds like a bacteria that, if untreated, to infection, sepsis, and even death.

You can try preventative measures to keep it at bay, but bacteria can still get in. And you never know until you’re infected until the symptoms appear.

This is the primary modus operandi of fear.
It sneaks in, debilitates, and even paralyzes.
Ultimately, it renders its victim completely helpless.

This came to light during an unrelated discussion with my wife.

We have been trying to put the finishing touches on my next manuscript, which frankly has been simmering on the backburner over the last several due to life distractions. Currently, it is coming down to fact-checking and formatting endnotes.
It is especially nerve-racking because, unlike my previous book, we chose to self-publish this one. We have to get it right. It is all on us.

It’s been difficult to release the manuscript. We’re haunted by the questions: is there more that can be done? Is the subject even all that relevant anymore? What am I missing?

We check and recheck every detail.

We don’t want to let go and send it into a very cruel world.

We both recognized this paralysis after hearing ourselves begin everything with the phrase: “I’m afraid…”

This realization suddenly made this year make sense.

I have felt a bit off most of the year. I have become more subdued, resigned, troubled. I thought I was hiding it okay until a former (and very discerning) student came up to me recently and asked, “Mr. H., are you sad?”

That simple, innocent question shook me into an awareness. I don’t necessarily think I am depressed, but something is not right.

Since then, between that question and this recent epiphany with my wife, I realized that fear has crept into my life and is now controlling my psyche.

The first part of 2026 has been difficult. Now, I won’t pretend that it was somehow more difficult than others. But it has been tough. The remainder of 2026 has been trying to recover from it.

Last March, within days of the door slamming shut on my wife’s 25-year career, I lost my mom. In a way, I lost her over the last several years as she sank into dementia, but last March her battle ended.

Add this to standard stresses associated with a second semester in a high school, which in and of itself is enough to deplete my tanks. Now I have to tap into mental and emotional resources that don’t exist.

Fast forward to the present and I can see how God was with us in the storm. He gave me mental and emotionally resources, I never knew existed. He took care of us despite a huge income drop and being uninsured for a couple of month. Further, I know that my mom is now thinking more clearly than I could ever dream.

God gets the glory.

However, the enemy used a different tactic to paralyze me. Out of these hardship, fear crept in. And now I realize I am infected with it.
Watching my mom sink into the darkness of dementia, I have become afraid that one day I might suffer from that myself. I am afraid of losing my mind.

Unfortunately, once fear has a foothold, it doesn’t stop there. Fear escalated from fearing dementia to fearing getting old in general.

I am only a few months away from leaving behind my fifties forever. I began to fear getting old.
I fear my body slowing down. Simple things become a little harder. My back, my knees, and feet start to hurt a little more. I have a little more trouble hearing someone in a noisy room. I am doing that weird thing with my glasses when transitioning between reading close up and at a distance. It takes longer to get over a cold. Last July, I turned an ankle in Colorado that still aches today. The thought of not driving because driving in the winter or at night just isn’t worth the risk. I don’t want to give up the things that require the energy I had when I was young. How many summer road trips do I have left? What happens when I can no longer match the energy of a classroom of high school students?

Fear takes that into a whole new direction. I really don’t want to stop teaching. I love the classroom. I love the cycle of the school calendar. But what happens when my body can’t keep up? Can my filters remain strong enough to keep me from saying something mean or stupid? Will I become tiresome, or in the way? Can I keep my teaching style and not turn into a grumpy old stooge? Worse yet, what happens when I become irrelevant?

I have found myself somewhat paralyzed by this fear.

And it has dragged me down.

It has made me “look sad.”

All of this came together with the recent discussion with my wife.

Fear has overtaken me. It has taken control of me.

But is it too late?

Thankfully, no.

The most used phrase in the entirety of scripture is: “do not be afraid.”

However, one important observation that seems to be overlooked is that that phrase is almost always spoken from the supernatural point of view: God to human, Jesus to human, heavenly messenger to human.

From a broader, heavenly perspective to a limited, natural one.

“Do not be afraid.”

I have thought about this constantly since that epiphany I had with my wife.

I should not—must not—live in fear. Not as a child of the King.

But how do you switch fear off? It is not as simple as a light switch.

Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:5: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

The enemy’s game plan is to always whisper thoughts into our head that will trigger fear.

We have to be on guard always. When we get the sense of fear, we must be deliberate and take that thought captive and replace it with truth: “My God is bigger”; “He is my protector and comforter”; “This thought is not coming from him”.

Fear does not sit on the throne, God does. Fear, by definition, is limited, God is infinite. Fear is merely a tool, God is the creator of everything, including us who are made in gis image. Only God can break through the paralysis fear brings and can heal us.

Does that mean those things I fear will never happen? No. They likely will. But however the upcoming years pan out, he is with you, with me.

And whatever the future brings, God is God. And he is good.

Good evening, brethren.
1. Evening devotion for today.

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

*DATE:*
SUNDAY 23RD AUGUST, 2026.

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

*TOPIC:*
PURSUIT OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH.

*TEXT:*
EPHESIANS 4:13-14.
13. until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.

*TOPIC:*
PURSUIT OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH.

*THE MESSAGE:*
The Holy Spirit bestows special gifts on believers to equip and edify them for spiritual maturity. The goal is for believers to attain the "unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God", growing into the fullness of Christ (v. 13). Paul contrasts this maturity with spiritual immaturity (v. 14). Warning against being misled by false teachings and deceptive doctrines. Instead, believers are to speak the truth in love, growing up in every way into Christ, who is the Head of the body. Many, especially the young, are misled by human philosophies. For example, relativism - which teaches that there is no absolute truth, what is true for you may not be true for me. Are you growing in the faith? Maintain a consistent life of Prayer, Bible Study, and Christian Fellowship to grow in maturity.

*REFLECTION:*
Desire spiritual nourishment.

*PRAYER:*
Lord, help me to crave spiritual growth. Amen.

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

*TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:*
EZEKIEL 29-30.

ED.ii. WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?

"Be filled with the Spirit." - Ephesians 5:18

According to the Bible, the Holy Spirit is a Person. Let this message penetrate your mind. When Jesus speaks about the Holy Spirit, Jesus always refers to 'He'. HE is not a thing but a person. We see in the Bible that the Holy Spirit has a mind, emotions and a will. The Holy Spirit speaks. Revelation 2:7 says: 'Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

The Holy Spirit intercedes. Romans 8:26 says: 'The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.'

The Holy Spirit testifies. John 15:26 says: 'The Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father — He will testify about Me.'

The Holy Spirit shows the way. John 16:13 says: 'But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth.'

The Holy Spirit leads. Romans 8:14 says: 'For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.'

The Holy Spirit gives instructions. Acts 16:6 says: '…having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.'

The Holy Spirit appoints. Acts 20:28 says: 'Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.'

The Holy Spirit is also a Person to whom you can lie. Read the history of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11. You can insult (see Hebrews 10:29), blaspheme (see Matthew 12:31) and grieve the Spirit (see Ephesians 4:30).

The Holy Spirit is a Divine Person and is everywhere. Today God still wants to fill His children with His Holy Spirit!


https://www.theblessingdevotional.com

Evening Prayer for today.

EP.i. Evening Prayer

A Psalm of David. The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. ⏤ Psalm 23:1-3

God loves importunate prayer so much that He will not give us much blessing without it. ⏤ Adoniram Judson

O Lord, You are our Shepherd; we will lack nothing. You make us lie down in green pastures and lead us beside still waters. You have been our Shepherd today. We have been in Your pastures as we have read Your word and worshiped with Your people.

We bow at Your throne with grateful hearts at the close of this day. We gather up the precious fragments of this day to carry with us, to feed upon in the days ahead. You have kept our feet from stumbling, our eyes from tears, and our souls from death.

We have walked with Jesus, and our hearts have burned within us as He talked with us along the way.

We ask You to fix deep in our hearts all the good impressions, lessons learned, and influences that have touched our lives today. Too often, we make sincere resolves and promises while our hearts are warmed with love, only to forget them tomorrow. Fix this Sunday's teachings so deeply in our minds that we never lose them. May we be stronger in faith, more earnest in purpose, and more holy in thought and feeling because of our communion with You this day.

Ever-living God, who neither slumbers nor sleeps—take charge of our bodies and souls during the dark hours of the night. Give us refreshing rest and sleep. Let tomorrow be sweet and holy, made so by the blessings of Sunday flowing into it. May we carry the fragrance of this day into the world’s life. And to Him who is able to keep us from falling and to present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God, our Savior, be glory forever and ever. Amen.

https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/49/evening

#taptapstudio
#youdevotion.

In short, the Bible unshakably demonstrates that a plurality of elders oversaw the activity of the early churches. No church in the first century had a single leader. Consequently, the commonly accepted notion of sola pastora (single pastor) is at odds with the New Testament. The Bible knows nothing of a person who stands at the helm of a local church, directs its affairs, preaches to it every Sunday, conducts its baptisms, represents it in the world, officiates its Communion (or Lord’s Supper), blesses civic events, marries the living, and buries the dead. No such person exists in the entire New Testament.

Loving and Gracious in All Things

“There are those people who would say, ‘I’d rather deal with somebody who is rude, antagonistic and sarcastic, but when it really matters, is there for us in the big challenges of life.’

But when one reads the Holy Bible, Old and New Testament, the character of God is such that He expects us not only to be loving and gracious on the big things, but also on the little things. To be loving and gracious only when it really matters, or only when it is convenient, is not the character of Christ. We must be loving and gracious in all things—big and small.”

Christian Character Is Revealed in the Little Things

It is easy to admire someone who stands beside us during a great crisis. Faithfulness in difficult times matters. But Christianity calls us to something deeper.

God does not ask us to love only when the circumstances are serious. He calls us to love in the ordinary moments of everyday life.

Jesus said:

“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.” — Luke 16:10

The little things matter because the little things reveal the heart.

How do we speak when we are irritated?
How do we treat someone who inconveniences us?
How do we respond when someone disagrees with us?
How do we speak about people who aren’t present?

These things may seem insignificant to the world, but they are not insignificant to God.

Love Is Not Selective

Jesus gave His followers a standard far higher than simply being decent when it is convenient:

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you.” — John 13:34

Christ’s love was not reserved for emergencies. It was woven into everything He did.

Paul says:

“Let all your things be done with charity.” — 1 Corinthians 16:14

Notice the word all.

Not some things.

Not the important things.

All things.

Our speech, our attitudes, our reactions and our relationships are all opportunities to reflect Christ.

Paul also says:

“Let your speech be always with grace.” — Colossians 4:6

Always.

Not only when we are preaching.

Not only when we are dealing with someone we love.

Not only when someone is watching.

Always.

Even When People Are Difficult

Christian love is tested most when people are difficult.

Jesus said:

“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you.” — Matthew 5:44

This does not mean Christians must tolerate abuse or refuse to confront wrongdoing. But even when we must establish boundaries or correct someone, we are not permitted to abandon Christlike love.

Proverbs tells us:

“A soft answer turneth away wrath.” — Proverbs 15:1

And Paul commands:

“Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” — Ephesians 4:32

Kindness is not weakness. Grace is not weakness. Forgiveness is not weakness.

These are marks of someone being transformed by Christ.

The Fruit of the Spirit Should Be Seen Every Day

Paul describes the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit:

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” — Galatians 5:22–23

Notice how many of these qualities are revealed in ordinary interactions.

Longsuffering. Gentleness. Goodness. Meekness.

A person may demonstrate extraordinary courage during a crisis and still need the Holy Spirit to teach them patience in everyday life.

Someone may sacrifice greatly for another person and yet continually wound others with their words.

Christianity is not merely about doing great things occasionally. It is about becoming a person whose ordinary life reflects Jesus Christ.

Christ in the Big and the Small

Paul writes:

“Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” — Colossians 3:17

Whatever you do.

That includes the dramatic moments of life—and the mundane ones.

So yes, be the person who stands beside someone when tragedy strikes.

Be the person who answers the call when someone is hurting.

But also:

Be kind when nothing important is happening.

Be patient when you are irritated.

Speak graciously when you could speak harshly.

Forgive the small offenses.

Refuse to return sarcasm with sarcasm and hostility with hostility.

Because the Christian calling is not simply to be loving when “it really matters.”

It is to be loving because Christ lives in us.

Jesus said:

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” — John 13:35

The world should see Christ not only in how we respond to life’s greatest tragedies, but in how we behave on an ordinary Tuesday afternoon.

Love in the big things.

Love in the little things.

Grace in the big things.

Grace in the little things.

Mercy in the big things.

Mercy in the little things.

Because there are no insignificant moments when we are called to represent Jesus Christ.

“Let all that you do be done in love.” — 1 Corinthians 16:14

That is the Christian life: not occasional goodness, but a life increasingly shaped by the character of Christ.

Are you producing fruit—or looking for a throne?

https://patrickryanlewis.com/2026/08/22/the-bramble-king-when-ambition-replaces-faithful-service/

In Judges 9, Jotham tells one of the most striking parables in the Old Testament.

The olive tree was producing something valuable.
The fig tree was producing fruit.
The vine was fulfilling its purpose.
None of them were desperate to rule.
Then came the bramble.
It had little to offer but thorns, yet it was eager to become king.

There is a powerful lesson here for every believer: faithfulness is more important than position, and character matters more than a title.

We live in a world that encourages us to chase recognition, influence, platforms, and authority. But Scripture continually calls us back to something greater—faithfully serving God wherever He has planted us.

Before seeking a bigger platform, be faithful with the one you already have.

Before asking for more influence, steward the influence God has already given you.

Before looking for recognition, ask whether your life is producing fruit.

My latest blog takes a detailed look at Judges 9:7–21 and Jotham’s warning about the “Bramble King.”

Read the full article and consider this question:

Am I more concerned with being important—or being faithful?

#Judges9 #BibleStudy #BiblicalLeadership #ChristianLeadership #Faithfulness #ServantLeadership #ChristianLiving #GodlyCharacter #Humility #BibleTeaching

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

How do you measure your prosperity? Is it by your bank account, or what you drive or live in? Is it by how many friends you have? Is it measured by how many ‘collectables’ you have acquired? What exactly does prosperity look like for you?

Jeremiah 29:11 is everyone’s favorite verse to quote when it comes to times of ‘financial’ struggles. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

The definition of prosper, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is this: (1) to succeed in an enterprise or activity/ especially: to achieve economic success (2) to become strong and flourishing.

I Googled the original Hebrew verbiage and found that prosperous is not a word in the Hebrew language exactly. The word was ‘maschshevot,’ which in modern terms equates to peace, well-being and a positive future.

The enemy is very good at taking God’s word and turning it into something BIGGER for his glory. He dilutes the Word to soften it; he adjusts the meaning of the Word to satisfy popular opinion; he creates a world of his translation of the Word to satisfy the egos of all those who want the easy way. Such as:

Unconditional Love … that does not mean that I love your sin; it means that I love you enough to speak the truth in love, not judgment. The enemy will tell you that I am judging you, when I am not; I am just stating facts so that you can make an informed decision.

Eye for an eye … that is hatred, according to Jesus, who says when someone harms you, turn the other cheek

Prosperity preaching … from this verse … claims that if you ‘give’ to the church, then God will give to you, or rather that if you give to “their” church, God will give to you.

Prosperity and riches. The enemy will hamstring you into believing that God does not love you because you have not ‘given’ enough or that your gift is not good enough. These are all lies. Starting with, God wants you to be financially rich. It is not that God does not want you to be financially rich, but he knows how easily it can distract you from Him. If you are financially rich, then your heart turns to protecting your money instead of worshiping Him who gave you the riches. Prosperity in Jeremiah is speaking of hope, peace, and well-being; not Richie Rich.

I am not a RICH person, but I am better off than many. I have food in my belly, a roof over my head, people around me who love and respect me, a quality vehicle, but most of all … I have love. I have peace. I have joy. I have God. I am one of the most prosperous people I know.

Today I encourage you to find your peace in Him. Worship Him. Praise Him. Embrace Him. Love Him. When you do those things with your whole heart … the world does not seem so hard to deal with. Your eyes are open to so many opportunities for His light and love to shine. This will bring so much joy to your heart that it overflows in abundance to those around you. He knows what the world is like, and He wants you to have His peace and prosperity.

Be blessed.

**But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. – Matthew 6:33

GOD'S PROMISES TO THE DESCENDANTS OF ABRAHAM FULFILLED. A NEW FOUNDATION IN THIS WORLD!!!

https://youtube.com/live/ek2V5lpBLGI How Daniel Chapter 3 depicts one world order mandatory religion is a chilling look at the prophetic parallels between ancient Babylon and our modern society. Nebuchadnezzar enforcing a mandatory state religion by commanding all officials and nations to worship a massive golden statue under threat of death. This golden image of Nebuchadnezzar serves as a blueprint for the future global enforcement of worship and state-controlled ideologies. Watch & Pray!
#Daniel3 #EndTimesProphecy #BibleStudy #OneWorldOrder #BiblicalProphecy
Kindly join Word, Spirit & Prayers at 10 AM West Africa Time.
Blessings!

August 23
“WHO GOD IS TO ME”
MY KEEPER
Psalm 121:5 (LLV) —
“The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade at your right hand.”
There is comfort
in knowing
someone
is watching
over us.
Not watching
to find fault.
Not watching
from a distance.
Watching
because
we matter
to them.
The psalmist says,
“The LORD
is your keeper.”
He guards.
He watches.
He preserves.
He cares.
Earlier
in this psalm,
the writer
looks toward
the hills
and asks,
“Where does
my help
come from?”
His answer
is immediate.
“My help
comes
from the LORD.”
Then he tells us
something remarkable
about this Keeper.
“He who keeps you
will not slumber.”
We grow tired.
God does not.
We become
distracted.
God does not.
We sometimes
fail to see
the danger
ahead.
God does not.
There is never
a moment
when God's attention
wanders
from His children.
But then
the psalmist
makes the picture
even more intimate.
“The LORD
is your shade
at your right hand.”
In the fierce heat
of the ancient world,
shade
was not merely
comfortable.
It could mean
survival.
And shade
cannot protect you
from far away.
It must be
near.
Very near.
The psalmist
could have said
that God
watches us
from heaven.
That would
have been true.
Instead,
he describes
God as shade
beside us.
Close enough
to shelter.
Close enough
to protect.
Close enough
to remain
at our side.
We may not
recognize
every danger
from which
God has protected us.
We may never know
how many paths
were quietly
redirected,
how many doors
remained closed,
or how many circumstances
God used
to keep us
from something
we could not see.
But our confidence
does not depend
upon knowing
everything
God is doing.
It rests
in knowing
who He is.
My Keeper.
The One
who watches
when I sleep.
The One
who sees
what I cannot.
The One
who remains
beside me
through every step
of the journey.
A new beginning rests beneath this promise:
I do not know everything that lies ahead, but my Keeper does—and He never stops watching over me.
Reflection: Can I trust God's watchful care even when I cannot see what He may be protecting me from or how He is guiding my path?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for being my Keeper. Thank You for watching over me when I am awake and when I sleep, when I understand the road ahead and when I do not. Help me trust Your protection even when I cannot see what You are doing. Remind me that You are not distant, but near—my shade at my right hand. Let me walk through today resting in Your faithful care. In Jesus' name, Amen.