🕊️ DOMINION DAILY DEVOTION ~ DAY 244 DATE: 1ST SEPTEMBER 2026 TOPIC: BECOMING BEFORE DOING_1 ANCHOR SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 1:26 (NKJV) “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion. Devotional message: The Bible records that God created man in His image and according to His likeness. This means that it is in our becoming like Him, through being conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ, that we are able to function according to His nature and purposes. As we become like Christ, we are positioned to represent Him accurately and function in the authority He has entrusted to us. It is our becoming like Him that positions us to exercise authority over principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness and to function in dominion over creation. You cannot effectively exercise authority over something you are yourself a captive of. Therefore, before we focus on walking in power, healing the sick, casting out demons, and walking in dominion, we must first prioritize becoming like Christ. Many of the things we desire from God are by-products of our becoming. As Christ is formed in us, our character, conduct, authority, and influence begin to reflect Him. Therefore, our greatest pursuit should not merely be what we can do for God, but who we are becoming in Him. In the coming days, we shall continue looking at this series on BECOMING LIKE CHRIST and discover why becoming must come before doing, and why Christlikeness should remain at the centre of our walk with God. God is more interested in who we are becoming than merely what we are doing. As we become like Christ, our authority, influence, character, and works should flow from that transformation. PRAYER Heavenly Father,Conform me to the image of Your Son and let my character, conduct, and life reflect Jesus. May everything that flows through me be a product of what You are doing within me. In Jesus' name, Amen. DAILY BIBLE READING Gen 1:26–28,Rom 8:28–29,2 Cor 3:17–18,Ephe 4:20–24,Gal 4:19 Author : Alfred Wabuko Manyasi Contact : Email : Dominionvoicesminisrty[gmail].com Facebook : Alfred Wabuko Manyasi 🌐 Dominion Daily Devotion, 2026 © Dominion Voices Ministry

TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS SERMON TOPIC: 5 “RELIGIONS” THAT SEEM CHRISTIAN, BUT ARE NOT! Theme Scripture: “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders…” — Matthew 24:24 > Important clarification: This message should not be used to attack people or mock sincere believers. The issue is doctrine—what a movement teaches about Jesus Christ, salvation, Scripture, and the gospel. Some groups may use Christian language while holding beliefs that differ fundamentally from historic biblical Christianity. NOT EVERYTHING THAT SAYS “JESUS” PREACHES JESUS. Church, one of the greatest dangers facing Christianity today is not only atheism. It is deception wearing religious clothing. The greatest danger is not always the person who says, “I don't believe in Jesus.” Sometimes the greater danger is the person who says, “Jesus is Lord,” carries a Bible, talks about prayer, sings Christian songs—but teaches another gospel. Jesus warned us: Matthew 7:15: > “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing…” Notice something: Jesus did not say they would come looking like wolves. They come in sheep's clothing. That means deception can look familiar. It can sound spiritual. It can quote Scripture. It can mention Jesus. It can even perform impressive religious activities. But the question is: WHO IS JESUS TO YOU? Because Christianity is not simply about believing that Jesus existed. It is about believing who Jesus is, what He accomplished on the cross, and how sinners are saved through Him. 1. THE JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES. Jehovah's Witnesses use the Bible extensively and speak about God and Jesus. However, their theology differs fundamentally from historic Christian doctrine. One major difference concerns the identity of Jesus Christ. Historic Christianity teaches that Jesus is truly God, eternally existing with the Father and the Holy Spirit. John 1:1 says: > “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” And John 1:14 identifies the Word: > “And the Word was made flesh…” Jesus is not merely a created messenger. Why does this matter? Because if Jesus is only a created being, then the biblical doctrine of Christ has been fundamentally changed. Colossians 1:16 says concerning Christ: > “For by him were all things created…” If all things were created through Him, Christ cannot simply be another created thing. Spiritual lesson: Do not determine truth by how much Scripture someone quotes. Determine truth by whether their teaching agrees with the whole counsel of Scripture. 2. THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS — LDS/MORMONISM. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints uses the name of Jesus Christ and teaches about God, salvation, prayer and family. But its theology differs substantially from historic Christianity. Among its distinctive teachings are additional scriptures and doctrines concerning God, humanity, Jesus Christ, salvation and eternal destiny. The biblical faith teaches that Scripture is God's authoritative revelation and that the gospel of Christ is not to be replaced by another gospel. Paul warned: Galatians 1:8 > “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” The issue is therefore not merely: “Do they talk about Jesus?” The issue is: “Is the Jesus they preach the Jesus revealed in Scripture?” Paul said: 2 Corinthians 11:4 > “For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus… There can be a different Jesus presented using the same name. 3. CHRISTIAN SCIENCE. Christian Science uses Christian vocabulary and refers to Jesus, God, prayer and healing. But its understanding of fundamental Christian doctrines differs significantly from biblical Christianity. Historic Christianity teaches the reality of sin, the physical incarnation of Christ, His death and bodily resurrection. The Bible says: 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 > “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day…” The resurrection was not merely a spiritual idea. Jesus physically rose from the dead. Thomas was invited to touch the wounds of the risen Christ. Jesus Himself said: Luke 24:39 > “A spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.” Spiritual lesson: Never reduce Christianity to positive thinking, spirituality or personal experience. The Christian faith is grounded in the historical work of Jesus Christ. The cross was real. The blood was real. The resurrection was real. And salvation is real. 4. UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISM Unitarian Universalism is religiously diverse and generally does not require belief in the historic Christian doctrines of the Trinity, the deity of Christ, or salvation through Christ alone. This is important because Christianity is not simply: > “Be a good person, love everybody, and believe in God.” Jesus did not teach that human morality alone could save us. Jesus said: John 14:6 > “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Christianity is fundamentally Christ-centered. Acts 4:12 declares: > “Neither is there salvation in any other…” The danger of religious morality A person can be kind and still be spiritually lost. A person can give to charity and still need salvation. A person can help the poor and still need Christ. Good works are important—but good works do not replace the gospel. Ephesians 2:8–9 says: > “For by grace are ye saved through faith… Not of works…” 5. ONENESS PENTECOSTALISM Here we need to be especially careful. Not everyone who uses the term "Oneness Pentecostal" believes exactly the same thing, but historic Christian churches generally regard Oneness theology as outside orthodox Trinitarian Christianity. Why? Because historic Christianity teaches: One God in three distinct Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19 says: > “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” At Jesus' baptism, we see the Son being baptized, the Spirit descending like a dove, and the Father's voice from heaven. The Father is not the Son. The Son is not the Holy Spirit. Yet there is one God. This is the mystery of the Trinity. Spiritual lesson: We must never reshape God into something easier for our minds to understand. We submit our understanding to God's revelation. THE BIBLICAL CASE STUDY: THE BEREANS. Acts 17:11 gives us one of the greatest examples of spiritual discernment. The Bereans: > “received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Notice they did not blindly accept even Paul's preaching. They searched the Scriptures. That is spiritual maturity. The question is not: > “Who preached it?” The question is: > “Is it biblical?” Not: > “How popular is this teacher?” But: > “Does this teaching agree with Scripture?” Not: > “How many miracles happened?” But: > “Does this exalt the biblical Christ?” 5 TESTS FOR IDENTIFYING FALSE TEACHING. 1. WHAT DOES IT TEACH ABOUT JESUS? Is Jesus truly God? Did He truly become flesh? Did He truly die? Did He physically rise from the dead? Is He the only Savior? 1 John 4:2–3 gives us a serious test concerning the confession of Christ. 2. WHAT DOES IT TEACH ABOUT SALVATION? The biblical gospel says: Ephesians 2:8: > “For by grace are ye saved through faith…” Salvation is not something we purchase with good works. It is God's gift through faith in Christ. 3. WHAT AUTHORITY DOES IT GIVE SCRIPTURE? Whenever a movement says: > “The Bible is not enough; you need our special revelation…” Christians must examine that claim carefully. The Bereans searched the Scriptures. Acts 17:11. 4. DOES IT PREACH ANOTHER GOSPEL? Paul was extremely strong about this. Galatians 1:9: > “If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” There is only one gospel. 5. DOES IT PRODUCE CHRISTLIKE FRUIT? Jesus said: Matthew 7:20 > “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Truth should produce holiness. Grace should produce transformation. The gospel should produce Christlikeness. DEEP SPIRITUAL INSIGHT. The devil does not always need to convince people to stop believing in God. Sometimes he only needs to convince them to believe in a distorted version of God. That is why discernment is essential. Satan quoted Scripture when he tempted Jesus. Matthew 4:6. So the question is not simply: “Does this person quote the Bible?” The question is: “Is the Bible being interpreted correctly and is Christ being faithfully proclaimed?” PRACTICAL ACTION STEPS. 1. READ YOUR BIBLE FOR YOURSELF Do not build your theology entirely on sermons, TikTok videos, Facebook posts or YouTube clips. 2 Timothy 2:15 calls believers to rightly divide the word of truth. 2. KNOW THE FUNDAMENTALS OF CHRISTIAN FAITH Know what the Bible teaches about: God Jesus Christ The Holy Spirit Sin Salvation Grace The resurrection The second coming The authority of Scripture 3. TEST EVERY TEACHING Don't reject something merely because it is unfamiliar. And don't accept something merely because it is popular. Test it by Scripture. 4. DON'T MOCK PEOPLE Our assignment is not to insult people. Our assignment is to speak the truth in love. 2 Timothy 2:24–25 teaches believers to correct those who oppose the truth with gentleness. 5. KEEP YOUR EYES ON CHRIST. The goal of discernment is not to become experts in other people's errors. The goal is to become deeply rooted in Jesus Christ and His Word. QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION. 1. Who do I believe Jesus Christ really is? 2. Do I know the biblical gospel clearly? 3. Can I recognize false teaching when I hear it? 4. Do I read Scripture for myself? 5. Have I allowed popularity to become my standard for truth? 6. Am I following Christ—or merely following a religious personality? 7. Can I defend my faith from Scripture? POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS. 1. Father, give me the spirit of discernment. Help me distinguish truth from error, in Jesus' name. 2. Lord, establish me deeply in Your Word so that I will not be carried away by every doctrine. 3. Father, reveal every false belief operating in my life and lead me into biblical truth. 4. Lord Jesus, help me know You—not merely know about You. 5. Give me wisdom to recognize false teachers without becoming judgmental, arrogant or hateful. 6. Holy Spirit, protect my heart from deception and keep me faithful to the true gospel. 7. Father, make me a faithful teacher of Your Word who will speak truth with love. STRONG CLOSING: DON'T JUST CARRY A BIBLE—KNOW THE CHRIST OF THE BIBLE Beloved, we are living in a generation where information is everywhere but discernment is becoming scarce. Everybody has a microphone. Everybody has an opinion. Everybody can build a platform. Everybody can quote a Bible verse. But not everybody is preaching the gospel. Therefore, don't follow a preacher simply because he is famous. Don't follow a movement because it is popular. Don't follow a religion because it uses Christian language. Follow Jesus Christ. Search the Scriptures. Test every doctrine. Guard your faith. Know the Word. Know the Savior. And when deception comes wearing religious clothing, may the Holy Spirit give you the wisdom to recognize it. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God.” — 1 John 4:1 The question is not merely, “Does it look Christian?” The question is: “Does it faithfully proclaim the Jesus of Scripture and the gospel of grace?” Stand on the Word. Hold fast to Christ. Walk in truth. And never trade biblical truth for religious appearance. Surrender to Jesus by joining a Bible believing Church near you. You can get inspirational ebooks from my selar/Amazon shops below https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1 https://selar.com/m/umoedem https://www.amazon.com/author/umohedembooks https://afrikdp.com/author/9128a016-dd79-4f17-9e60-bf11f65f1a34 CONTACT - WhatsApp +2349024173028, +2349055447540 Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com

✝️ The Goal Isn't Just To Know Jesus—It's To Become Like Him #Faith #Christlikeness #Romans829 #WalkWithJesus #SpiritualGrowth

This thought has been sitting with me for a while now. And every time I think about it, I somehow become even more convinced. I genuinely don't think you can afford to follow Jesus and ignore emotional intelligence. Notice I didn't say every Christian is emotionally intelligent. They're not. We've all met Christians who can quote Scripture for hours but cannot apologize. Who can discern "spirits" in every room but cannot discern that the person sitting beside them is tired, grieving or afraid. Who know how to pray, but don't know how to listen. Who know how to correct, but don't know how to restore. And I don't say that to judge anybody. I say it because I think we've accidentally separated two things that Jesus never separated. We've treated spiritual maturity and emotional maturity like they are different journeys. I don't think they are. Actually... I don't think they can be. Because who exactly are you becoming if you're becoming like Christ? Think about Jesus for a second. And no, not just what He taught. But the way He related to people. That's the part that keeps arresting me. He didn't speak to everyone the same way. To some people, He asked questions. To others, He sat and listened. Sometimes He challenged. Sometimes He comforted. Sometimes He walked away. Sometimes He stayed. He knew when Peter needed correction. He knew when Peter needed breakfast by the sea. He stood in front of a woman caught in adultery and somehow managed to hold both compassion and truth in the same conversation. How? He wasn't just spiritually deep. He understood people. He understood timing. He understood emotions. He understood that the same truth can heal one person and crush another depending on how and when it's delivered. And I think that's where a lot of us struggle. We've become so committed to saying the right thing... that we've forgotten to ask whether this is the right moment. Sometimes the truth is right. The timing isn't. Sometimes the words are biblical. The posture isn't. Sometimes we're so eager to "speak the truth" that we forget Scripture didn't stop there. It says to speak the truth in love. Love changes how truth sounds. I've also noticed something else. A lot of us think emotional intelligence means having deep conversations. Or using words like "boundaries" and "attachment styles." No. Sometimes emotional intelligence is much simpler than that. It's noticing that your friend has gone unusually quiet. It's realizing someone is angry but the anger isn't the real emotion. It's apologizing without adding, "But you also..." It's knowing when your spouse doesn't need another solution. They need to know they're not carrying the weight alone. It's recognizing that the person who keeps interrupting everyone may not be proud. They may simply be desperate to be heard. It's asking one more question instead of making one more assumption. You know what I find interesting? Paul spent so much of the New Testament teaching people how to relate. Be kind. Bear with one another. Forgive one another. Encourage one another. Be patient. Be gentle. Those aren't just spiritual instructions. They're relational ones. And relationships are where emotional intelligence is tested. Not during prayer meetings. During disagreement. During disappointment. During correction. During marriage. During leadership. During friendship. During ordinary Tuesday afternoons when someone says something that hurts your feelings. That's where you find out whether you've just learnt Scripture... or whether Scripture has started reshaping you. Because following Jesus should change more than your prayer life. It should change how safe people feel around you. How you handle conflict. How quickly you assume the worst. How you carry people's weaknesses. How you respond when you're misunderstood. How you hold both conviction and compassion without sacrificing either. If ten years with Jesus has made me more knowledgeable but less patient... something is wrong. If I've learnt how to preach but not how to apologize... something is wrong. If I know every spiritual principle but cannot sit with someone's grief without trying to fix it immediately... something is wrong. I honestly think we've admired gifting more than we've admired Christlikeness. And they're not the same thing. You can be gifted and still be emotionally immature. You can be anointed and still wound people with your words. You can lead thousands and still not know how to love the person sitting across from you. That should bother us. Because the goal of Christianity has never been to know more about Jesus. It's to become more like Him. And every time I read the Gospels, I don't just see a man full of power. I see a man who noticed people. Who made space for questions. Who wasn't intimidated by tears. Who wasn't threatened by people's emotions. Who could tell the hardest truths without making people feel unseen. The more I think about it, the less I believe emotional intelligence is optional for the Christian. Not because it's trendy or because psychology says it's important. But because every step towards Christ should also be a step towards becoming more patient, more gentle, more aware, more compassionate, more self-controlled. More human in the way heaven intended. Maybe that's what emotional intelligence looks like in the Kingdom. And not becoming better at reading people so you can manage them. But becoming so formed by Christ... that people consistently experience His heart when they encounter yours.

Good morning God 12 August 2026 As we continue our meditation on the Sermon on the Mount, we see Jesus teaching His disciples and followers the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus, the King, reveals how citizens of His Kingdom are called to live according to God’s ways and experience the blessings that come from following His will. Today, we focus on another beautiful statement of blessing: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Matthew 5:7). Mercy is one of the important attributes of God revealed throughout Scripture. Understanding who God is helps us understand His character, strengthens our faith, and gives us confidence in the One whom we trust. The Old Testament repeatedly reveals that God is merciful, gracious, compassionate, loving, just, and righteous. Psalm 103:8 declares, “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.” The same God calls His children to reflect His character in the way they live and treat others. As followers of Christ, our goal is to become more like Jesus. Christlikeness means allowing God’s character to be reflected through our words, actions, attitudes, and relationships. Therefore, showing mercy is not simply an outward action; it is evidence of a heart that has been transformed by God’s grace. Jesus concludes this section by saying, “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). Kingdom citizens are called to reflect their Heavenly Father. May we therefore be people who freely extend mercy, forgiveness, compassion, and love to others, remembering the mercy we ourselves have received from God. This is the blessed way of life in the Kingdom of Heaven. May God bless you as you love God and love people.

If I had to offer one piece of sincere advice to Christians, it would be this: Don’t let your relationship with Christ become a routine. Protect it above everything else. It’s possible to attend church regularly, know Scripture, serve in ministry, and still slowly drift from a genuine love for God. Christianity is more than religious activities—it’s a daily relationship with Jesus that transforms how you think, speak, forgive, love, and live. A few practical reminders: * Read the Bible not just to gain knowledge, but to know God better. * Pray consistently, even when you don’t feel like it. * Let your character preach louder than your words. * Forgive quickly and love genuinely, even when it’s difficult. * Stay humble. Spiritual maturity is measured by Christlikeness, not by titles or popularity. * Be faithful in the small things. God often prepares people through quiet obedience before giving them greater responsibility. * Don’t compare your journey with others. God’s timing and purpose for your life are unique. * Share the gospel through both your lifestyle and your words. People should see Jesus in the way you treat them. As the Bible says in Matthew 6:33: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” At the end of life, success won’t ultimately be measured by wealth, influence, or achievements, but by faithfulness to God. Make knowing Christ your highest priority, and let everything else flow from that relationship.

Daily devotion for July 18th God's Vineyard He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:2 Chapters 15 through 17 occurred as the Lord and His disciples were walking on their way to the Garden of Gethsemane. On the way they passed through the vineyards that surrounded the city. Perhaps Jesus stopped in the midst of a vineyard, took a vine, and used it as a means of illustrating to His disciples the great secret He had been seeking to impart to them in His whole discourse there in the upper room, the most fundamental and basic secret of Christian life--I am in the Father, and ... the Father is in me (John 14:10). His beautiful analogy has helped many Christians understand the relationship God wants them to know. When He said, I am the true vine, He did not mean true in contrast with something false, but rather real, genuine, as opposed to the mere copy or symbol. As He held this vine and its branches in His hand, He indicated that this was the copy. He was the true vine from which true life is received. The purpose of this vine is to bring forth fruit. A vineyard is planted not for ornamentation, but to produce grapes, to bear fruit. This is the point our Lord makes in the story. All through this account His emphasis is upon the fruit. So the question arises, What does this fruit stand for in our life? Some people who read this and understand the fruit to be others won to Christ. How that can be deduced from this parable is difficult to understand, because there is nothing in it that suggests that at all. Fruit is that which is produced by the vine and is the natural outflow of the life of the vine. Though it is wonderful when a Christian has the privilege of leading others to Christ, it is no indication of fruitlessness if you never have had this experience. The figure of the vine is used many times in the Scriptures. These disciples would immediately think of several places where it was used. One is in Isaiah 5: The vineyard of the LORD Almighty is the house of Israel (Isaiah 5:7a). Israel was that vine. As Isaiah tells us, God cleared out the rocks in His vineyard and hedged it about. He built a tower; He protected the vineyard and cared for it. He did everything possible to cause it to produce grapes. But when He came into His vineyard and looked for grapes, He found instead sour, tasteless grapes. Isaiah tells us what that represents in verse 7: The vineyard of the LORD Almighty is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the garden of his delight. And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress (Isaiah 5:7). God came looking for justice and righteousness; instead, He found oppression, cruelty, exploitation, and indifference to the needs of others. It is evident from this parable that the fruit that God expects of the vine is moral character or, as described in Galatians, the fruit of the Spirit. The life that is in the vine produces fruit that Paul describes in Galatians 5 as love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control. The fruit, in other words, is Christlikeness. And our Lord is indicating that the very purpose of the vine is to produce such fruit. Lord, teach me to abide in You so that I can bear the fruit of Christlikeness.

Good morning, brethren. 1. Morning devotion for today MD.i. 😀🌺🌹🎁🎀💝 MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY SATURDAY JULY 18, 2026. "LOOKING GOOD, OR DOING GOOD?" '…Jesus…went about doing good…’  Acts 10:38 NKJV THE BIBLE says, ‘God anointed Jesus…with the Holy Spirit and with power, Who went about doing good…’ When you’re led by God’s Spirit, your focus won’t be on looking good, but on doing good. You say, ‘But I’m so busy!’ Nobody was busier than Jesus, yet He always responded to those in need. In Luke chapter 10 He tells of a Jewish traveller who was attacked by a gang and left to die by the road. First a Levite, then a priest passed by. But each had important appointments to keep, so they didn’t stop. Then a Samaritan came along. Now, he had every reason to look the other way, because the Jews and the Samaritans were long-standing enemies. Instead, ‘…He…came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion’ (Luke 10:33 NKJV). Compassion will make you stop and rearrange your priorities. This Samaritan realised that where he was at that moment was more important than his next appointment. What would you have done that day? Do you think you’d have acted like him? How about when God tries to interrupt your inflexible, tightly-organised, written-in-concrete schedule and asks you to make time for someone who’s hurting? Are you willing to forgo your plans and do what He wants? If you’re too busy to reach out to those who are hurting, you’re too busy! You say, ‘But I’m shy around people.’ Then start with the people you know in your local church. ‘Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith’ (Galatians 6:10 NKJV). Bible In A Year: Acts 20-21; Matt 10:21-31; Ps 14; Pro 16:6-7. 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. [17/07, 7:41 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS) SATURDAY 18TH JULY, 2026``` *CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️✝️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:ACTS 8:1-4```📜📜 🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles" (ACTS 8:1).*_ *On its website, _Open Doors International,_ the Christian organisation, published its report on persecution of believers in 2024. The report showed that 4,476 Christians were murdered, 7,679 churches and Christian properties attacked and 4,744 Christians imprisoned across the globe. "In _Open Doors' World Watch List_ top 50 alone, 310 million Christians face very high or extreme levels of persecutions and discriminations for their faith", the report said. Christian persecution is real in our world today.* *The early Church also faced persecution as we read from today's Bible passage. The horrible death of Stephen by public stoning in Acts 7 triggered a wave of serious persecutions led by Saul. While the church was mourning over the death of the young preacher, Saul "...made havok of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison" (Acts 8:3). The believers had no choice but to scatter and flee Jerusalem to safety. The good news though is that the scattering helped them to take the gospel to new locations.* *Jesus warned the disciples to prepare for persecution in their journey of faith. He said, "These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service" (John 16:1, 2). Persecution is normal in the Christian race, but the grace of God is also available to see us through to the end.* *Since we may not be able to avoid persecution, what can we do? We must, like the early Church, develop effective survival strategies. These include prayerfulness, endurance, maintaining a joyful disposition and readiness to spread the gospel anywhere life takes us. We must also raise sound and committed disciples who are ready to labour anywhere and everywhere for the Master.* ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*Sometimes, God uses persecution as a tool for gospel propagation.*_ 📜📜```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *EXODUS 5-7*📜📜 Christian Persecution https://dailymanna.app// *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 78: FAITH OF OUR FATHERS; GHS 91: WHERE HE LEADS ME; GHS 55: ANYWHERE WITH JESUS; AND GHS 88: WHEREVER HE LEADS I'LL GO* *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#DailyManna18thJuly2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [17/07, 7:41 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*HIGHER EVERYD🅰️Y: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_ ✍🏽👩🏻‍💼🌻 🍇🙏🏽🛰🚀🔬📚 ```SATURDAY 18TH JULY, 2026``` *RENEWING YOUR STRENGTH* 🎚️📓📖🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️💪🏽🦅🗣️🙏🏽🙌🏽 📜📜```TEXT:ISAIAH 40:28-31```📜📜 📖``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (ISAIAH 40:31).*_ *Strength renewal in our text is predicated on waiting upon the Lord. For health and healing, man applies, natural, medical or spiritual means. These are aimed at helping man to function well. In life, renewal is the way to go if one wants to function optimally. Some trees shed their leaves seasonally and grow new ones to function better.* *Farmers and wood cutters sharpen their blunting axes or machetes for ease of work. Students have siesta, mid-term breaks and holidays to renew the mind and body for excellent academic work. Also, machines are serviced regularly to prevent breakdown and for proper performance. Christians should follow godly principles for renewal of strength.* *Dear friend, God's word says, "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength." Jehovah gives power and strength. How do we obtain them from Him? By just waiting upon Him. Wait by being silent before Him. Wait by reading and meditating on His word. Wait by praying and worshipping Him. However, sleep, rest, proper eating and exercise are also godly means of strength renewal.* 💬 ```QUOTE:``` _*Jehovah gives power and strength.*_ 🏆 ```CHALLENGE:``` _*Apply biblical methods for renewal of strength.*_ 🙏🏽🙏🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Father, give me strength to finish strong, in Jesus' name.*_ Renewing Your Strength https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#HigherEveryday18thJuly2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [17/07, 7:41 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣6️⃣)*_ 🙇🏼🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼‍♂️ ```SATURDAY 18TH JULY, 2026``` *PREPARE FOR THE RAPTURE* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🗣️🙏🏽🎺⚡✨☁️🙌🏽 📜📜```1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-17```📜📜 🕔📚🖋️🚻😁🎼🏆🍉🪴🌈💻 🔑📖 ```Key Verse:``` _*"Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:17).*_ 📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖 The rapture is the catching away of believers to meet Jesus in the air when the trumpet sounds. It will be a signal of the end of time. Only true friends of Jesus will hear this sound and go to meet Him in the clouds. Those who were friends of Jesus before they died will also hear the sound and rise from their graves to meet Jesus in the clouds. The marriage supper of the Lamb will take place there. Sinners and backsliders will remain on earth to suffer under the reign of the antichrist for seven (7) years. The torment, torture and agony will be much, it would be unbearable. You must endeavour to escape that terrible time because there will be no time for delay, because it is dangerous to do so. *How will you prepare for the rapture?* *- Know yourself as a sinner.* *- Repent of your sins, confess them to God.* *- Ask for forgiveness and cleansing through the blood of Jesus.* *- Invite Jesus into your life as Saviour and Lord.* *Begin to live for Christ by reading your Bible and praying every day. Tell others about Jesus. Live every day in holiness so that you will not miss the rapture.* 🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥 ```🅿️rayer:``` _*Lord, help me to live in readiness for the rapture every day.*_ 🙏🏽 ```📖 Further Reading:``` *Acts 1:9-11* Prepare For The Rapture https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#SincereMilk18thJuly2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [17/07, 7:41 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA* SATURDAY, 18TH JULY, 2026. *CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION: A BLESSING IN DISGUISE* *TEXT:* ACTS 8:1-4. 1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the Church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. 4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. *Timeless Truth:*_"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world"_ (Acts 16:33). *INTRODUCTION* Have you ever experienced a serious persecution before? If no, then you are missing some divine blessings in your life. There is no genuine Christian, living the true Christian life that will not face some persecutions in some shape or form as a result of his faith or profession. Persecution has always been part of the Christian experience. Jesus warned His disciples that the world would hate them because it hated Him first (John 15:18–20). Yet God turns what the enemy intends for destruction into an instrument for purification, expansion and spiritual growth. The persecution that arose after Stephen's martyrdom scattered the believers, but it also spread the gospel beyond Jerusalem. Thus, persecution is never the end of God's work; it is often the beginning of a greater harvest. *1.Persecutions for Perfection* Persecution comes in different forms ranging from ridicule, deprivations, denials of rights, mockery, rejection and more violent despicable attacks from anybody for the sake of Christ. The Word of Christ on persecution is "when" and not "if", showing that every true believer will always experience it. The persecution He is referring to is as a result of living and standing for the truth. *"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven"*. Those who never faced persecution or faced, but dodge it cannot claim to be righteous, but compromisers. They cannot claim to be Christlike, but betrayers of the cause of Christ. Such cannot enter heaven. Jesus further gave explanations on the nature of inescapable persecutions of christians and the blessings on them. *"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake"*. What should be our attitude towards persecutions? Our attitude will bring out or foreclose the blessings. *"Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you"* (Matthew 5:10-12). Persecutions make the believer to be more mature in the faith, help him to separate the wheat from the chaff in his Christian journey and produce Christ's virtue of Christlikeness and Christian perfections. Though it may not be pleasant and the persecutors are deceived to believe that they are achieving their evil objectives, yet God deliberately allowed it for the good of the Christian. Afterall, Jesus also was persecuted. Persecution is the badge of unfeigned and uncompromising faith in Christ. b. *"And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem..."* The early Church had enjoyed remarkable growth, fellowship and miracles. However, God allowed persecution to refine His people and moved them beyond their comfort zone. Spiritual maturity is often forged in the furnace of affliction. Trials expose genuine faith, produce perseverance and deepen dependence upon God (James 1:2–4; Romans 5:3–5). Instead of destroying the Church, persecution strengthened it and fulfilled Christ's command to take the gospel beyond Jerusalem (Acts 1:8). Believers should not interpret persecution as God's abandonment, but as an opportunity for spiritual perfection and greater usefulness in His kingdom. *Question* How have life's difficulties refined your faith and drawn you closer to Christ rather than away from Him? *2.Persecutors without Prudence* a. The persecutors lack wisdom. If satanic hosts and his human agents that they used to cause persecutions were wise, they would not have crucified Jesus and neither would they have persecuted the saints. *"Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory"*. If the Satanic host had known that the death of Stephen would open the door for the spread of the gospel, they would not have kill Stephen. Persecutions are heralds of revivals. *"As for Saul, he made havoc of the church..."* Saul zealously persecuted Christians, believing he was serving God. Religious passion without divine truth can become destructive. b. While godly men buried Stephen with honour, Saul violently entered homes, arrested believers and committed them to prison. His actions remind us that ignorance of God's will, even when clothed in sincerity, can lead to cruelty and injustice. Persecutors often fail to realize that they are resisting God's purposes. Yet God's grace is so abundant that even Saul, the chief persecutor, later became Paul, the great apostle of Christ. This demonstrates that no enemy is beyond God's transforming power. A persecutor is a potential convert when the persecuted learn to pray, praise and practice true Christianity in the midst of persecutions. *Question* Are your convictions producing Christlike compassion or do they encourage harshness and intolerance toward others? *3.Preaching during Persecutions* a. The disciples, including the Apostles, were satisfied with their comfort zone and did not see the need to take the gospel to unreached places. The Lord allowed the persecution to awaken them to His plan and purpose for them which is preaching the gospel. God at times allows persecutions to direct the believer to refocus on His divine purpose for them. *"Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word."* Who scattered them- God or Satan? The scattered believers did not retreat into silence or despair. At times the ignorance of believers makes them blaming Satan when it is God that is actually at work. They, instead, wherever they went, they proclaimed the gospel. Their circumstances changed, but their mission did not. Persecution became the vehicle through which Christianity spread into new territories. b. Faithful believers do not wait for favourable conditions before serving God. Whether in peace or adversity, they remain committed to proclaiming Christ. Difficult seasons often create the greatest opportunities for the gospel to shine. *Question* Do challenges discourage you from witnessing for Christ or do they motivate you to trust Him and proclaim His truth more boldly? *Prayer Points* 1.Father, grant me the grace to remain faithful and steadfast whenever I face persecution for Christ's sake 🙏. 2.Lord, use every trial in my life to perfect my faith, strengthen my character and increase my usefulness in Your kingdom 🙏. 3.Lord, fill me with boldness to preach Your Word faithfully in every circumstance, regardless of hardship or persecution 🙏. 5.Father, turn every opposition against the gospel into an opportunity for greater evangelism and revival🙏 *HYMN:* Hold the fort *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* EXODUS 5-7. 2. Morning Prayer for today. MP.i. Morning Prayer Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. ⏤ James 1:17 In prayer, it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart. ⏤ John Bunyan Our Father, breathe on us and give us a morning blessing. We thank You for keeping us through the night. We thank You for the blessings that came to us even while we slept. As a new day has dawned, may new divine light and peace pour into our lives. Fill our path with gladness. We ask You to provide our daily bread today. We don’t ask for luxury—just for what we need. May Your blessing be on everything we receive. We ask for the strength to do our work so we can earn the food we need. Open our eyes so we can see You as the Giver of all the good things we enjoy. Sometimes we forget that these blessings come from Your hand. We think we’ve gotten them by our own efforts. Show us that every good and perfect gift comes from You, and give us grateful hearts. We want to live cheerfully today. Sometimes we complain and grumble about the little trials that come our way. Forgive us for all our complaining and give us hearts that are always thankful. You’ve promised that You work all things together for good for those who love You. Help us believe this promise, and when we face trials and losses, help us still rejoice, knowing that Your hand will bring good out of every situation. Help us trust You in all things, laying our cares in Your hands and leaving them there without anxiety. You’ve promised to be with us always. Fulfill that promise for us today. We can’t go out into this new day without Your presence. We ask You to walk beside us, giving us Your protection, guidance, and help. We’ve never traveled this path before, and we can’t find the way on our own. We ask all this in Jesus’ precious name. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/13/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

*Today's Prophetic Declaration - Saturday, 4th July, 2026.* 🌟*I Pursue Spiritual Maturity and Christlikeness*🌟 📖 “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” — Matthew 5:48 🔊*Prophetic Declaration:* Today, I declare that I am growing daily in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. By the help of the Holy Spirit, I pursue spiritual maturity and desire to reflect the character of my Heavenly Father in all I do. I declare that I will walk in love, humility, holiness, forgiveness, and obedience. Every attitude, habit, or desire that does not glorify God is being transformed by His grace. My thoughts, words, and actions shall reflect the life of Christ. Today, I receive grace to love even when it is difficult, to forgive as Christ has forgiven me, and to show mercy just as my Heavenly Father is merciful. I reject bitterness, pride, anger, and every work of the flesh, choosing instead to walk in the fruit of the Spirit. I declare that the Lord is perfecting everything that concerns me. He is molding me into the image of Christ, strengthening my faith, and preparing me for every good work. My life shall be a testimony of God's transforming power and amazing grace. Today, I choose to live for the glory of God. I shall shine as a light in the world, influence others through godly living, and fulfill the purpose for which God has called me. By His grace, I will grow in spiritual maturity and become more like Christ each day in Jesus' mighty name. 🔥 ✅*Action Steps for today:* 1️⃣ Thank God for His grace that is transforming your life. 2️⃣ Declare: “Lord, help me to become more like Christ every day.” 3️⃣ Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any area where you need spiritual growth. 4️⃣ Show love, forgiveness, and kindness to someone today. 5️⃣ Read and meditate on God's Word, allowing it to shape your character. 🔥 Today, may the Lord perfect His work in you, strengthen your walk with Him, and help you reflect the character of Christ in all you do. Amen! 🙏📖 Good morning beloved. Happy weekend and do have a blessed day. Shalom! *Remember: Your confession is your possession.* *©️ Postulant C. O. Oyadosu.* _Please share with others, thank you and God bless you 🙏_