THEME: GETHSEMANE HOUR / ALONE WITH GOD TOPIC: SEPTEMBER MUST FAVOUR ME: I REJECT BACKWARDNESS AND RECEIVE DIVINE ENLARGEMENT Bible Reading: Psalm 5:12, Isaiah 54:2-3, Deuteronomy 28:1-13, Psalm 18:29-32 Recommended Time of Prayer: Between 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm and Between 12:00 midnight to 3:00 am. Pray twice daily. 1. Father, let September favour Dragnet Gospel Int'l Ministries. Enlarge this commission, increase its kingdom impact, and let every righteous effort produce abundant fruit, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 54:2-3) 2. O Lord, let September bring favour, divine connections, open doors, and supernatural advancement to every member of Dragnet Gospel Int'l Ministries, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 5:12) 3. September, hear the word of the Lord: you shall favour me and my household. I shall experience divine enlargement, progress, peace, and fruitful opportunities, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 5:12) 4. I reject every form of backwardness, stagnation, regression, and limitation assigned against my life this month, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 43:18-19) 5. O Lord, enlarge my territory and increase my capacity. Let me enter into opportunities greater than what I have experienced before, in the name of Jesus Christ. (1 Chronicles 4:10) 6. Every power attempting to push my life backward in September, lose your influence over me, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 54:17) 7. Father, let every door You have ordained for my advancement open this month. Let no power shut what You have opened, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 3:8) 8. Every evil pattern of starting a new season with disappointment, loss, or stagnation, be broken from my life, in the name of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17) 9. O Lord, let Your favour distinguish me wherever I go this month. Let the right people, opportunities, and resources locate me according to Your will, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 90:17) 10. Every satanic barrier standing between me and my divine enlargement, be removed by the power of God, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 45:2) 11. Father, bless the work of my hands in September. Let my finances, business, career, farm, investments, and legitimate endeavours experience measurable progress, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Deuteronomy 28:12) 12. I reject every cycle of repeated failure and limitation. I receive grace to advance, increase, and fulfil God's purpose for my life, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 4:13) 13. O Lord, connect me with destiny helpers and righteous relationships that will contribute to the fulfilment of Your purpose for my life, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 68:6) 14. Every devourer assigned to consume my September harvest, be rebuked by the Lord. Let the fruits of my labour be preserved, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Malachi 3:11) 15. Father, let September not carry away any blessing You have ordained for me. Let me receive, preserve, and enjoy the fruits of my labour, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 128:2) 16. Every evil expectation that I will experience backwardness this month, be disappointed. Let my testimony contradict every negative expectation, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 27:2) 17. O Lord, give me wisdom to recognize every divine opportunity and courage to step into every door You open before me, in the name of Jesus Christ. (James 1:5) 18. I declare that September and the months beyond shall be seasons of enlargement, fruitfulness, restoration, and advancement. I shall not go backward, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Joel 2:25) 19. O Lord, preserve and prosper every current supporter and partner of Dragnet Gospel Int'l Ministries. Let September bring them favour, enlargement, fruitful opportunities, financial stability, and advancement, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 20:1-4) 20. Father, let Dragnet Gospel Int'l Ministries experience divine enlargement in every area necessary for soul winning and kingdom advancement. Supply every financial, human, and material resource needed for this assignment, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 4:19) 21. Father, I declare that September must favour me and my household. I reject backwardness, stagnation, regression, failure, and every limitation contrary to Your purpose. I welcome divine enlargement, open doors, favour, fruitful opportunities, restoration, and advancement this month and beyond. Let the work of my hands prosper, let Your goodness distinguish me, and let my life continually move forward according to Your perfect will, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 5:12; Isaiah 54:2-3) TAKE NOTE OF YOUR DREAMS AND HIDE YOUR FEEDBACK For more information/counselling: Email: dragnetgospel[gmail].com WhatsApp: +2348062343560 SHALOM ✋

Warfare Prayers • I lift up my voice and give the Lord Jesus praise for all that He has done. • I stand against the spirit of fear and the attacks that have come into my life since my birth in the name of Jesus. • I reject and destroy every report of fear that the devil is trying to send into my life in the name of Jesus. • I bind and uproot the power of fear in my mind, my thoughts and my heart in the name of Jesus. • I refuse to give in to fear in the name of Jesus. • I declare by the power of the blood of Jesus Christ that no weapon formed against me, nor the devil’s kingdom against me, will ever prosper, in Jesus’ name. • Let the fire of the Holy Spirit fall on the heads of every tormenting spirit of fear in the name of Jesus. • You satanic tormenting devil of fear, loose me and my family and church now in the name of Jesus. • I destroy every demon that is operating or using the spirit of fear against me, against my family and against my church in Jesus’ name. • I declare in the unmatchable name of Jesus Christ that fear shall not be my lot. • I arrest every terror spirit right now in the name of Jesus. • I declare today that no negative report shall dwell in my heart or in my mind. I uproot it in the name of Jesus. • I loose myself, my family and my church from any vibes of a tormenting spirit that the devil has assigned to me. I destroy them with the blood of Jesus. • I bind the spirit of the fear of man in the name of Jesus. • I bind the spirit of the fear of people in the name Jesus. • I bind the spirit of fear that is holding me back from speaking God’s Word, in Jesus’ name. • I declare today that the Lord is my shield in whom I put my trust. I decree that the Lord Jesus Christ is with me, so who can be against me? • I cover myself, my family, my purpose, my destiny and my church in the blood of Jesus Christ. • I cover my heart and mind in the blood of Jesus Christ. • I cover my spirit and soul in the blood of Jesus Christ. • I cover my home, my bedroom, the bed I sleep in and my dreams in the blood of Jesus Christ. • Today I make a declaration that this tormenting spirit of fear will not intimidate me. I release the judgments of God upon his head in Jesus’ name. • Today I confront in the power of the Holy Spirit every demonic tormenting spirit of disease, sickness, oppression, depression, suicide, deception, false imagination and cutting myself. I smite them over their heads with the blood of Jesus Christ, and they will not rise up, again in Jesus’ name. See less

YOU SHALL SPROUT AGAIN. . TEXT: Job 14:7-9. (KJV). "For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant." Other Texts: (Numbers 23:19; Joshua 21:45; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Genesis 21:1–2; Deuteronomy 7:9; Isaiah 55:10–11; Habakkuk 2:3; 1 Kings 8:56.) 🌅 Introduction: There are seasons in life when it appears that everything has come to an end. Dreams seem buried, businesses collapse, ministries become dry, families experience heartbreak, and health fails. The enemy whispers, "It is over." But God declares through Job 14:7, "There is hope." Our God specializes in bringing life out of death, beauty out of ashes, and restoration after devastation. If a tree can sprout again after being cut down, then a child of God can also rise again. No matter how much has been lost, you shall sprout again. I. YOUR SETBACK IS NOT YOUR END. Job 14:7 A tree may be cut down, but its roots remain alive. The enemy may cut down your finances, reputation, relationships, or ministry, but if your roots remain in Christ, your future is secure. Job lost everything, yet God restored him double (Job 42:10-17). Joseph was betrayed, sold into slavery, and imprisoned before becoming governor (Genesis 37; 39-41). Naomi returned to Bethlehem empty, but God filled her again through Ruth (Ruth 1-4). A farmer does not uproot every tree after cutting its branches because he knows that life is still hidden beneath the surface. Likewise, what appears dead to people may still be alive in God's hands. People may write you off, but God has not finished writing your story. 2. THE ROOT DETERMINES THE FUTURE. Job 14:8 "Though the root thereof wax old..." God focuses on the root rather than the branches. The branches represent visible success. The roots represent: Prayer, Faith, Character, Holiness, God's Word A believer with deep roots can recover after any storm. (Psalm 1:3, Jeremiah 17:7-8, Colossians 2:6-7) Never neglect your spiritual roots during difficult seasons. 3. THE SCENT OF WATER BRINGS REVIVAL. Job 14:9 The tree sprouts not because someone pushes it but because it senses water. Throughout Scripture, water represents: The Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39) The Word of God (Ephesians 5:26) God's refreshing presence (Isaiah 44:3) The moment God's presence touches a dry life, restoration begins. Ezekiel's dry bones came alive by God's Spirit (Ezekiel 37:1-14). Samson regained strength when his hair grew again (Judges 16:22). Peter failed terribly, yet Jesus restored him and he became a bold preacher (John 21:15-19). During drought, fields appear lifeless. Yet when rain falls, seeds hidden beneath the soil suddenly germinate. What looked dead was only waiting for the right season. Stay connected to God's presence because one encounter can change everything. 4. GOD RESTORES WHAT SEEMS LOST God is the God of restoration. (Joel 2:25-27, Isaiah 61:7, Psalm 126:1-6) God restores: Lost opportunities, Joy, Peace, Relationships, Ministries, Finances, Health etc. Lazarus came back from the grave (John 11). The Shunammite woman received back her land and possessions (2 Kings 8:1-6). The prodigal son was restored to his father's house (Luke 15:11-24). God's restoration is often greater than what was lost. 5. SPROUTING AGAIN REQUIRES FAITH. Faith sees life where others see death. (Hebrews 11:1, Mark 9:23, Romans 4:17-21) Abraham believed against hope. Sarah conceived in old age. Nothing is impossible with God. Faith keeps believing until God's promise becomes reality. 6. DO NOT DESPISE SMALL BEGINNINGS. When a tree sprouts again, it starts with a small shoot. God often begins restoration in small ways. (Zechariah 4:10, Isaiah 60:22) David moved from shepherd boy to king one step at a time (1 Samuel 16; 2 Samuel 5). Celebrate every sign of progress because God often starts small before doing something great. 7. YOUR TESTIMONY WILL ENCOURAGE OTHERS. When God restores you, your life becomes a testimony. (Psalm 40:1-3, Revelation 12:11) Others who have lost hope will gain courage because of what God has done for you. LESSONS FOR TODAY'S CHRISTIAN Never conclude your life before God has finished His work. Remain rooted in Christ during difficult seasons. Stay in God's presence because revival comes from Him. Believe that restoration is possible even after great loss. Be patient with God's timing. Small beginnings can lead to great breakthroughs. Your restored life will glorify God and strengthen the faith of others. PRACTICAL APPLICATION Ask yourself: Are my spiritual roots still alive? Am I staying close to God through prayer and His Word? Am I trusting God's promises more than my present circumstances? Am I ready to recognize the new beginning God is bringing? Even if life has "cut you down," God can cause you to sprout again. SUMMARY. The enemy may have cut down your dreams, delayed your progress, or shaken your confidence, but he cannot destroy what God has planted. The same God who restored Job, raised Lazarus, revived dry bones, and restored Peter is still at work today. Your current season is not your final chapter. By the power of the Holy Spirit, new life will emerge from what seemed finished. Your joy will return, your calling will flourish, your faith will grow stronger, and your testimony will declare God's faithfulness. Remember God's promise: "For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again..." (Job 14:7, KJV). Declare by faith: I shall sprout again. My hope is alive in Christ. My dry season is coming to an end. God is restoring every area of my life. My latter days shall be greater than my former days. My testimony will bring glory to God. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen. SHALOM. @ Sa’Konzoni Z Juma Pst. Cellphone: +254-724-997-961 E-mail: konzuma243@gmail.com Impact Church Shipala. KMG.-KENYA.

Devotion: Isaiah 40:31 I In our desperation we need to remember that even the demons fear God, so when we walk in the shadow of the Almighty, they cannot touch us. We also should keep in mind that God, while always in attendance at our side, allows us free will. Sometimes it is our very own human choices that bring trouble knocking at our doors and by suffering through difficult times, God can teach us to rely on Him more AND He can use us as witnesses to help others battling their own demons. Friends, we can be powerful vessels for God, if we can see purpose in our pain and if we make the wiser choice of standing firm in faith despite whatever situation may arise. You may wonder how you can receive God’s power so that He can work through you: Micah 3:8: “But as for me, the LORD fills me with his spirit and power, and gives me a sense of justice and the courage to tell the people of Israel what their sins are.” Acts 2:17#: “I will pour out my Spirit on everyone. Your sons and daughters will proclaim my message; your young men will see visions, and your old men will have dreams.” You will indeed soar like an eagle if you receive in the Spirit of God. He will strengthen you in tough times, He will open doors for you to spread His word to the sinful world. Keep the faith, be steadfast and remember, all things in life work together for the glory of God. Now is the time to accept the Lord as your Saviour, for in Him alone lays your victory over your unfulfilled and empty life. Are you ready to choose Him above all earthly riches, all popularity and all status on earth? You see, the only thing that is important to God is your heart, so ask yourself this question: “Who am I striving to impress today? My neighbour, my family, or am I trying to please the Lord.” More reading: Isaiah 30:15; Colossians 1:11; Isaiah 10:13 and 16 #Jeremiah40 #Surrender #TrustGod #Faith

FAITH CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS. 🙏✨ When the journey feels difficult and the road ahead seems uncertain, remember that God has never abandoned you. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:13. His plans are greater than our fears, and His promises give us the courage to move forward. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11. Let us walk by faith, not by fear; trust God’s timing, embrace His purpose, and believe in His grace. May our lives, dreams, and creative work glorify Him. Paul George | FFP Films Productions Director • Screenwriter • Educator

Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 (NIV) ⁹ You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. ¹⁰ So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless. —————————— I think one of the biggest misconceptions people have about this verse is that God is against fun. But when I read it, I see the opposite. This verse acknowledges something beautiful: youth is a gift. It's a season filled with energy, dreams, curiosity, friendships, first experiences, and countless opportunities. It's the season where we create memories we'll laugh about years from now and mistakes we'll hopefully learn from too. God isn't telling us to sit in a corner and wait for life to happen. He tells us to rejoice. To enjoy the season we're in. To appreciate the people around us. To embrace the opportunities in front of us. But He also gives a reminder that hits differently: "Know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment." In other words, enjoy life, but don't forget that your choices matter. Not every opportunity is a good opportunity. Not every trend is worth following. Not every desire deserves to be chased. In a world that constantly says, "Do whatever makes you happy," this verse reminds me to ask a different question: "Will this make me proud of the person I'm becoming?" Because youth isn't just about having fun. It's about building a life. The habits we form today become our character tomorrow. The decisions we make today shape the future version of ourselves. That's why Ecclesiastes 12:1 continues with this reminder: "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth." I think the wisdom still applies to everybody: Enjoy your life. Take the trip. Make the memories. Laugh until your stomach hurts. Love the people around you. But don't lose yourself trying to fit in. Don't trade your values for temporary approval. Don't sacrifice your future for a moment of pleasure. God doesn't want us to waste our youth chasing things that won't last. He wants us to enjoy life while walking closely with Him. So yes, have fun. Make memories. Laugh a lot. But don't forget the One who gave you those moments One day, our youth will become a memory. And when that day comes, I hope we can look back and say: "I didn't spend my youth perfectly, but I spent it meaningfully." Because years from now, I don't just want to remember that I enjoyed my youth. I want to remember that I spent it with Jesus. 🧡

Lifeline Today Sunday August 30 Stay Calm The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm. Exodus 14:14 (NLT) The Almighty has not changed. Whatever we know of Him from the Scriptures, He is still today. God still fights for His own! He has several ways He takes over the battle from any of His beloved and decides His own strategy. One way He fights for you is to trouble your enemy. (Exodus 14:24-25). He will do it by overthrowing every stubborn pursuer of His purpose in your life. Or appear in a dream by night to frighten whoever has taken what rightfully belongs to you and command such to restore to you fully. (Genesis 20:2-7). God can take over the conflict against you by causing your enemy to hear a terrifying noise. (2 Kings 7:5-7). The Syrian army that encamped against Judah fled when God turned the approach of four lepers to sounds of chariots and noise of horses! He can give your enemies dreams that will terrify them. (Judges 7:13-14). He can cause them to destroy each other. (2 Chronicles 20:23-24). Stay calm. The Man of War 'has your back!' This is your day. Wisdom Fountain: "God did not bring you this far to abandon you in deep water. He's not a spectator; He's the navigator." Prayer: My Father, I give You thanks for being my strong tower, my shield, and an ever-present help in times of trouble. When I did not know which way to turn, Your wisdom directed me. When I felt weak, Your strength sustained me. Thank You for fighting battles on my behalf—both the ones I knew about and the ones you shielded me from behind the scenes. Help me to keep trusting You with my whole heart and to walk boldly in the confidence that You never leave me nor forsake me in Jesus' name.

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you. Well, well, well, I slept good last night and this morning I had to tell my husband he was right. Ouch. Last night we all made our plans for today and went to bed. He asked me to lay out clothes for him and I reassured him that I would be up when he got up. Well….I woke up when he opened the door to the bedroom. It was 7. He wanted to leave with our youngest son at 7:30. It was a bit of a rush, but we got it done and I told him he was right. He laughed, and I am sure he marked it in his calendar … I do not admit that often. Haha. So, the kids are going to go have some ‘family’ time this morning. My hubby and our youngest son are going to do some early errands and go to breakfast. I am going to get some me time. I got two hours yesterday, and it looks like I will get a couple more today. Having extra bodies in the house is very nice, in that I have lots of help in the driving arena. So, I don’t always have to go and I can get some recharge time. I looked at one of the writing prompt contests that run weekly and I think that I have a good idea for the contest. I will get my next cup of coffee when everyone leaves and see what God puts to paper. Last night I made a goofy me video with the background music of “I’m just a nobody, trying to tell everybody”. It took a few minutes of figuring out the program, but it came out good. Talking with friends a few times over the last couple of months, I have explained that where I am sitting now is not where I thought I would be. Mind you, I had no idea where I would be, nor did I have grandeur ideas … I had pipe dreams that a bunch of money would miraculously appear and I would be rich without worry … I think most of us have that idea. That never happened, obviously, but what did happen is God gave me a solid work ethic, a job that paid well, and a retirement opportunity that offered me a chance to enjoy my eldering years. Never did I think that I would be a public speaker or an author. Not since 4th grade did I think I would be a teacher. Advocator never was in my thoughts. The one thing that really does not surprise me is that I am an oversized child. My childhood was good, do not misunderstand, but my adult childhood is much funner and funnier. I am truly in tune with my inner child. I really love spending time with my littles and absolutely enjoy making people smile. If you look at your life now … how different is it from what you have envisioned over the years? Are you shocked at where you are? How many different areas have you found you had talent in that you did not know you had talent in? Without changing the struggles or dismissing the struggles … because they are a part of the who, what, when, where and how you are now … what would you change? Many talk about going back to a younger age and knowing what they know now … honestly, I do not want to do anything over again, with one exception…When I was 9, my grandmother invited me to the senior center to have dinner with her … it was family night or something special … I told her yes … then forgot about it. She seemed upset the next day to me and that is the ONLY thing that I would change. What would you change? Or would you change anything? Today I want to encourage you to embrace YOU. Accept the YOU that God has molded you to be. Acknowledge your accomplishments and your talents. Then give thanks to Him who has held your hand through it all. You are perfectly made and specifically designed … do not allow the enemy to tell you any different. Be blessed. **My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul. – Psalm 108:1

TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS: SERMON TOPIC: THERE IS A TIME FOR EVERYONE. Never Humiliate Someone Because of Their Present Condition. TEXTS: Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV) > “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Supporting Scriptures: 1. Psalm 75:6–7 (KJV) > “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.” 2. Ecclesiastes 3:11 (KJV) > “He hath made every thing beautiful in his time.” 3. Galatians 6:9 (KJV) > “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” 4. 1 Peter 5:6 (KJV) > “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.” 🌟 Key Message Your season may not have come yet, but that does not mean God has forgotten you. Someone may be celebrated today while you are waiting. Someone may be ahead of you today while you are struggling. Do not despise yourself, and do not despise others. God has a time for everyone. Your responsibility is to remain faithful, humble, patient, and prepared until your season comes. > “There is a time for you, and there is a time for another person. When your time comes, no one can stop what God has ordained.” TRUE LIFE STORY:- There was once a very wealthy man in a village named Mr. Okon. He was the only very rich man in the community and lived in the state headquarters, and he owned a magnificent and beautifully furnished house in his Village. Whenever Mr. Okon visited the village, people gathered to welcome him. Men, women, and young people would come to pay their respects. One day, during one of his visits, a ten-year-old boy named Godwin came with some of the villagers to greet him. Mr. Okon welcomed the visitors and asked the men and women to sit on his chairs. However, when he saw Godwin, he told him to sit on the floor. According to Mr. Okon, the boy was not clean enough to sit on his expensive chair. Godwin was deeply humiliated. But rather than argue or insult the rich man, he quietly sat on the floor. Years passed. Godwin grew up, went to the university, graduated successfully, and eventually became the Governor of the State. Meanwhile, Mr. Okon had grown very old. With age, he had forgotten many things that had happened in the past. Godwin eventually built a befitting house in the village. Whenever he visited, he arrived with his convoy and was welcomed by the people. One day, Mr. Okon went to visit Governor Godwin along with others. To his greatest surprise, Godwin recognized him immediately. After the greetings, Godwin respectfully approached the elderly man and asked: "Sir, do you recognize me?" Mr. Okon looked at him carefully but could not remember. Godwin smiled and said: "I am Godwin—the little boy you once asked to sit on the floor because you considered me unworthy of sitting on your chair." Suddenly, Mr. Okon's memory returned. He remembered the little boy he had humiliated many years earlier. He was overwhelmed with emotion. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he realized how dramatically life had changed. The boy he considered insignificant had become the Governor, while he had become an elderly man seeking his attention. Godwin could have humiliated him in return. He could have ordered him to sit on the floor. But he chose something greater: He showed him respect. And Mr. Okon learned a lesson he would never forget. MORAL LESSONS 1. Never Look Down on People Because of Their Present Condition You may be looking at someone's beginning, not their destination. Godwin was only a ten-year-old boy when Mr. Okon judged him. He could not see the future that God had prepared for him. Never despise someone because they are poor, young, uneducated, unemployed, struggling, or unknown today. Today's condition is not necessarily tomorrow's position. 2. Treat Everyone With Dignity The way you treat people reveals your character. Wealth, position, education, beauty, influence, and power are temporary. But the dignity you give to another human being reflects the quality of your heart. Jesus taught: «"And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." — Luke 6:31» Treat the cleaner with respect. Treat the child with respect. Treat the poor with respect. Treat the stranger with respect. Treat the person who cannot help you with respect. 3. Life Has Different Seasons There is a season when one person is ahead and another is behind. There is a season when someone is celebrated while another person is struggling. But seasons change. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us that there is a time and season for everything. Therefore, never allow your present success to make you arrogant. The person you are ignoring today may occupy an important position tomorrow. 4. Don't Use Your Position to Humiliate Others Mr. Okon had wealth, and he used his position to make a little boy feel inferior. Having power does not give us permission to make others feel worthless. True greatness is demonstrated by how we treat those who have nothing to offer us. 5. Don't Revenge When God Elevates You This is one of the most powerful lessons in the story. Godwin had every opportunity to embarrass Mr. Okon. Instead, he treated him respectfully. That is maturity. Your elevation should not make you become what once hurt you. When God lifts you, don't use your new position to punish everyone who looked down on you. Let your success speak for itself. 6. Never Forget Where You Came From Success can make people forget the days when they needed help. Never forget the people, places, and experiences that shaped your journey. Stay humble. Remember your beginning. Remember those who helped you. And remember that everything you have today can change tomorrow. A MESSAGE FOR EVERYONE Perhaps you are currently sitting on the "floor" of life. People may not recognize you. People may underestimate you. People may laugh at your dreams. People may look at your present circumstances and conclude that you will never amount to anything. Don't give up. Your present position is not the final chapter of your story. And if you are currently sitting on the "chair" of success, don't become proud. Remember: the chair is temporary. One day, someone else may sit there. So while you are rising, lift others. While you are succeeding, encourage others. While you are influential, protect others. And while you are respected, respect others. FINAL REFLECTION You may be ahead of someone today, but you don't know what tomorrow holds for either of you. Therefore: Be humble when you are up. Be patient when you are down. Be kind when you have power. Be respectful when you have influence. And never humiliate someone because of where they are today. There is a time for you. There is a time for another person. And ultimately, there is a time when God changes the story. Prayer Lord, give me a humble heart. Help me never to despise anyone because of their present condition. Teach me to respect every person, regardless of their status. When You lift me, help me remember where I came from and use my position to bless others. And when I am in a difficult season, give me faith to believe that my story is not over. In Jesus' name, Amen. Give your life to Jesus. Locate 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/umohedem-9128 CONTACT - Whatsapp +2349024173027, +2349024173027

SATURDAY 29TH AUGUST 2026 IGNITE YOUTH DEVOTIONAL Topic: Do Not Give Up on Your Dream Bible Reference Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 (NIV) A Short Story Esther had always loved fashion. Even as a teenager, she enjoyed drawing clothing designs in her notebooks and helping her friends choose what to wear. After completing her education, she decided that she wanted to build a fashion business. She believed that it was something she could become good at and that it could eventually provide a source of income for her and her family. However, the beginning was not easy. Esther did not have enough money to buy all the equipment she wanted. She started with a small sewing machine and worked from a corner of her mother's house. Her first few customers were people she knew, but some of them complained about her work. One customer refused to pay the full amount because she was not satisfied with the finishing. Esther became discouraged. She began to wonder whether she had made a mistake by choosing fashion. She saw other young designers on social media displaying beautiful shops, expensive machines, and large numbers of customers. Compared with them, her business looked very small. One afternoon, after another difficult week, Esther told her friend Sharon that she was thinking about giving up. Sharon listened and then asked her, What if you are not failing? What if you are simply still learning? That question changed Esther's thinking. She realised that she had expected success to come quickly. She had forgotten that every skilled person had once been a beginner. Instead of quitting, Esther began looking for ways to improve. She watched tutorials, asked experienced designers questions, practised every day, and listened carefully to customer complaints. She stopped using other people's success to measure her own progress. The business did not become successful overnight. Esther still had difficult months, but she kept improving. With time, her work became better, her customers became more satisfied, and more people began recommending her. Years later, Esther looked back at the little corner where she had started. She realised that the biggest decision she had made was not buying better equipment or getting her first major customer. It was choosing not to quit when things became difficult. Today's Message Many young people have dreams, but not everyone has the patience to keep working when the dream becomes difficult. You may have a business idea, a career goal, a ministry vision, a desire to write a book, a plan to learn a skill, or a dream of becoming financially independent. You may begin with excitement, but after a few disappointments, you may start wondering whether you should stop. Failure can make you question yourself. Rejection can make you feel unqualified. Slow progress can make you believe that nothing is happening. Seeing other people succeed faster can make you feel like giving up. But slow progress does not mean that your dream is dead. Galatians 6:9 tells us not to become weary in doing good because there is a proper time for harvest. The verse does not promise that everything will happen immediately. It reminds us that persistence matters. Sometimes you are closer to a breakthrough than you realise, but you stop because you become tired. Think about a farmer. After planting a seed, the farmer does not dig it up every morning to check whether it is growing. He waters it, protects it, and gives it time. Growth takes place even when he cannot see it immediately. Your life can be like that. You may be studying today without seeing the result yet. You may be learning a skill without earning much money yet. You may be building a business without having many customers yet. You may be serving God without seeing the impact yet. You may be working on yourself without seeing the changes immediately. Keep going. However, refusing to give up does not mean refusing to change your approach. Sometimes the dream is good, but your method is wrong. If something is not working, learn, adjust, and try again. Ask questions. Improve your skills. Seek advice. Correct your mistakes. Persistence is not stubbornness. Persistence means continuing toward a worthwhile goal while being willing to learn and improve along the way. You also need to stop comparing your beginning with somebody else's middle. You may see someone who has already built a successful business, written several books, established a ministry, or achieved financial stability. Remember that you may not know how many years that person spent learning and struggling before the results became visible. Do not despise your small beginning. Your first business may be small. Your first sermon may be imperfect. Your first book may not sell many copies. Your first job may not be your dream job. Your first attempt at something may fail. That does not mean you should stop. Learn from it and continue. There will be days when you feel motivated and days when you do not. Discipline becomes important when motivation disappears. You cannot build your future based only on how you feel each morning. Some days, you will have to keep working because you have already decided that the goal is worth pursuing. At the same time, remember that not every dream must be pursued forever. If God redirects you, if you discover that your plans are wrong, or if wise counsel shows you that you need to take a different path, be willing to adjust. Giving up on one plan is not the same as giving up on your purpose. What matters is that you continue moving toward the life God wants you to build. Do not let one failure become the final chapter of your story. You may have failed an examination. You may have lost a job. Your business may have failed. Someone may have rejected you. A relationship may have ended. An opportunity may have passed you by. Learn from it. Get up. Pray again. Plan again. Try again. Your present difficulty does not have to determine your final outcome. What To Do Today 1. Write down one important goal you have almost given up on. 2. Identify the main reason you became discouraged and decide what you can do differently. 3. Take one practical step toward that goal today, even if the step is small. 4. Ask a mature and trustworthy person for advice on how you can improve. Prayer Lord, give me strength when I become tired and discouraged. Help me not to abandon the good things You have placed in my heart simply because they are taking time. Give me wisdom to learn from my mistakes, courage to try again, and discipline to keep working. If You need to redirect my plans, help me recognise Your direction. But where You have called me to continue, give me grace not to give up. In Jesus' name, Amen. Daily Challenge Return to one good goal you abandoned because of disappointment and take one practical step toward it today. You may not see the harvest yet, but keep planting, keep learning, keep working, and keep trusting God. ©️ Anthony Ijere Christian Author and Revivalist