• *Today's daily sermon by Aniedo Chinjika*

    *Tuesday 1 September 2026*

    *Theme: IN HIM*

    *Scripture: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Act 17:28 KJV*

    When I saw this for the first time I was so excited, and I was happy to share it with the whole world, because this is truth. Truth is that which is spiritual and cannot change.

    As a Christian you must understand that Christ is not just a person, he's an environment, just like the garden of Eden, that is why the apostle Paul said if any man be *IN* Christ he is a new creation old things are passed away and the new has come *2 Corinthians 5:17*

    Believer are in the world but, are not of the world, you hail from the kingdom of heaven, that's the more reason your thinking should be different from the rest of the world, in Christ where you belong we see things differently, your reasoning should be different, no wonder the bible said: but you, you have the mind of Christ. *1 Corinthians 2:16.* You ought to understand how Christ reasons, in any situation where you find yourself, ask yourself if Jesus finds himself in this same situation what is he going to do.

    From the scripture we understand that Jesus doesn't play with words, we see in so many occasions how he talked his way out of many situation. Paul said in him we live(dwell always), in him we move and have our being. Powerful! you see why what affect others should not be seen affecting you, because you live in another kingdom, even though your physical body is moving in the physical realm, he said there is an atmosphere you carry around, don't you know your body is the temple of the holy ghost?, finally the apostle paul said: in him we have our being, that means our life comes from him.

    No wonder the Bible also said: if the Spirit of him that raised Christ from the dead dwells in you, he that raised Christ from the dead will quicken your mortal body, your life as a Christian is not dependent on what you eat in the flesh, but where you live in the spirit, that's why you shouldn't be sick, or affected by disease and infirmity of any kind, because the holy ghost is in you, he is called the Spirit of perfection, he will perfect your body!.

    *Prayer: marvelous father, thank you for your word that has become to me a living word, I understand today through your word that I carry your presence everywhere I go, sickness, disease, infirmity and the situation others are going through has no place in me, because I hail from Christ, from this day forward I command your light to shine in my path always. Amen*
    *Today's daily sermon by Aniedo Chinjika* *Tuesday 1 September 2026* *Theme: IN HIM* *Scripture: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Act 17:28 KJV* When I saw this for the first time I was so excited, and I was happy to share it with the whole world, because this is truth. Truth is that which is spiritual and cannot change. As a Christian you must understand that Christ is not just a person, he's an environment, just like the garden of Eden, that is why the apostle Paul said if any man be *IN* Christ he is a new creation old things are passed away and the new has come *2 Corinthians 5:17* Believer are in the world but, are not of the world, you hail from the kingdom of heaven, that's the more reason your thinking should be different from the rest of the world, in Christ where you belong we see things differently, your reasoning should be different, no wonder the bible said: but you, you have the mind of Christ. *1 Corinthians 2:16.* You ought to understand how Christ reasons, in any situation where you find yourself, ask yourself if Jesus finds himself in this same situation what is he going to do. From the scripture we understand that Jesus doesn't play with words, we see in so many occasions how he talked his way out of many situation. Paul said in him we live(dwell always), in him we move and have our being. Powerful! you see why what affect others should not be seen affecting you, because you live in another kingdom, even though your physical body is moving in the physical realm, he said there is an atmosphere you carry around, don't you know your body is the temple of the holy ghost?, finally the apostle paul said: in him we have our being, that means our life comes from him. No wonder the Bible also said: if the Spirit of him that raised Christ from the dead dwells in you, he that raised Christ from the dead will quicken your mortal body, your life as a Christian is not dependent on what you eat in the flesh, but where you live in the spirit, that's why you shouldn't be sick, or affected by disease and infirmity of any kind, because the holy ghost is in you, he is called the Spirit of perfection, he will perfect your body!. *Prayer: marvelous father, thank you for your word that has become to me a living word, I understand today through your word that I carry your presence everywhere I go, sickness, disease, infirmity and the situation others are going through has no place in me, because I hail from Christ, from this day forward I command your light to shine in my path always. Amen*
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  • Good morning, brethren.
    1. Morning devotion for today.

    MD.i. MORNING TEA
    THE WORD FOR TODAY. MONDAY AUGUST 31, 2026.
    "WHAT IS "SUCCESS " FOR YOU?"

    I have glorified You on the earth...’ John 17:4 NKJV

    AT THE end of His life, Jesus was able to pray, ‘I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.’ Jesus didn’t try to compete with John the Baptist or model Himself after some Old Testament prophet. He knew what ‘success’ was for Him. To know what it is for you, you must:
    1) Discern what success really is. When others feel good about you, you’re popular; but when you feel good about yourself, you’re successful. Your life’s highest calling will always create the highest level of joy within you. 2) Before you set goals, pray. ‘In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths’ (Proverbs 3:6 NKJV). It’s not wrong to set goals, it’s just wrong to set them without first consulting God. 3) Stop expecting others to bring you success. Don’t wait for flowers to arrive. God gave you seed; start growing some of your own. ‘Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else’ (Galatians 6:4 NLT). And besides, when you’re less needy you’ll become more attractive to others. 4) Get over yourself—everyone else has. A minister said he was praying one day, ‘Father, why does the devil keep reminding me of my past?’ God replied, ‘Because he’s running low on material!’ Repent, and then move on. God says He will ‘…not remember your sins’ (Isaiah 43:25 NKJV). There’s only one good reason to bring up the past, and that’s to learn from it and grow wiser.

    Bible In A Year: Ezek 22-23, Matt 22:23-33, Ps 142, Pro 19:21-23. 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. [30/08, 9:40 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA*

    MONDAY, 31ST AUGUST, 2026.

    *DANCING AT THE GATES OF HELL*

    *TEXT:* MICAH 2:7-13.

    7 O thou that art named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the LORD straitened? are these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?
    8 Even of late my people is risen up as an enemy: ye pull off the robe with the garment from them that pass by securely as men averse from war.
    9 The women of my people have ye cast out from their pleasant houses; from their children have ye taken away my glory for ever.
    10 Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction.
    11 If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.
    12 I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men.
    13 The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them.

    *Timeless Truth:*_"Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came"_ (Amos 6:1).

    *INTRODUCTION*

    It is dangerous to live carelessly at the edge of spiritual destruction, presuming that God's patience means that His judgment will never come. The people of Israel had become comfortable with sin, oppression and false teachings, yet they still wanted to hear pleasant messages. They were, in effect, dancing at the gates of hell—enjoying temporary pleasures while moving dangerously close to divine judgment. The audience of Micah foreshadows this modern age or last days when the *"people will no longer be able to endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears"* (2 Timothy 4:3). If Israel was severely punished for preferring fables to the sound Word of truth, the people of this age will have a more *"sorer punishments"* in eternal hell fire. Micah's message calls us to examine our hearts, remember the consequences of persistent rebellion and hasten to leave every path that leads to destruction.

    *1. Heart-Probing Questions*

    a. There were some probing questions in the text. *"O house of Jacob, is the Spirit of the LORD straitened [limited]?"*
    The people complained that God's power or patience was too short or that His Spirit should only give good messages instead of warning them about judgment. In the last days too, the same attitude and preference will increasingly continue. *"They shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables"* (2 Timothy 4:4). The sound doctrine of the Word of God will be a heavy burden and unbearable to the religious lovers of pleasure. Many preachers will unfaithfully dilute their messages to suit their audience and make them happy though they will eventually, lead them to destruction and hell.
    They also asked, *"Are these his doings?"*. The people questioned if God was really behind the hard times or the warnings of punishment they were hearing. To them, God is too good to inflict such a heavy judgment. It was not God that was behind their hard times, but their evils. When you do evil, evil will follow and when you do good, good will follow.
    b. God answered their questions. *"Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?"* God answers that His messages are always good and helpful for people who actually, live right and obey Him. Even when the Word of God is a warning judgment, it is equally to do good to those who are rebellious and disobedient for it will turn them from the path of destruction. All the messages of God are good and are intended to do good in the lives of the obedient. Hearing His Word is never a liability if there is love for the truth.
    We must stop blaming God, the Church, our circumstances or other people for the consequences of our disobedience. The probing question is directed at our hearts: Are we walking uprightly before God? A person who rejects God's correction, but expects His blessings is dangerously deceiving himself.

    *Question*

    When God's Word confronts your lifestyle, do you humbly submit to it or resist its correction?

    *2. History of Protracted Quarrel*

    a. The basis of God's quarrel with Israel had always been because of their sins and violence against moral laws. God always gives reasons to justify His judgments so that it is clear to all that people's disobedience is not a matter of ignorance, but a deliberate choice and exercise of their will. Some of their evils were listed. The rebellion of God's people was not a momentary mistake; it had become a prolonged quarrel against God's righteous ways. They rose against others as enemies, robbed the peaceful, oppressed women and drove children away from their inheritance. *"The women of my people have ye cast out from their pleasant places"*. Furthermore, the children were messed up, demoralized and denied basic moral training and discipline that would make them radiate the glory of God. *"From their children have ye taken away my glory for ever"*. Robbery and insecurity of lives and property became a booming trade in the land. *"Ye pull off the robe with the garment from them that pass by securely"*. Worse still, they preferred false prophets who specialize in prophesying ephemeral blessings including wine and strong drink.
    b. Israel had a long history of persistent rebellion despite warnings from the prophets. Sin often begins as a private compromise, but can grow into a lifestyle that damages others. Persistent rebellion against God results in injustice, selfishness and spiritual blindness. Those dancing at the gates of hell may laugh at warnings and celebrate false assurances, but judgment does not disappear because people refuse to hear about it.

    *Question*

    Is there any sinful habit you have allowed to continue for so long that it is now affecting other people?

    *3. Hasten to Permanently Quit*

    God commanded His people to arise and depart because their sinful condition had made their present position spiritually unsafe. Lot was told by the angel to hasten *"while he lingers"* though the fire of hell was almost dropping like rain. He was warned *"escape for thy life"* (Genesis 19:16,17). If he had delayed further, the fire of God would have caught him with all his family members. When God pronounces His judgments on wickedness, the wisest thing to do is to speedily take steps and quit whatever is displeasing to God. *“This is not your rest.”* Though the judgment of God was catching up with them, they still believed their mind and the messages of compromising prophets who promised them *"peace, peace, when there is no peace"*. They were relaxed, unresponsive and continued their lives of pleasure as if the prophet was just wasting his time. Any promised rest or enjoyment in the midst of sin is fake and deceptive. *"Arise ye, and depart, for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction"*. God always remembers mercy in His wrath. He asked them to seek for exile in other countries because the judgment on the land as a result of their evil was irreversible. God's solution against His judgments is always departure from sin and objects of divine rebukes and displeasure. *"Depart ye, depart ye"*.
    b. As characterictic of God, the message ended with hope and restoration for the repentant remnants. God promised to gather His remnant and lead them like a shepherd. After they had suffered in the land of the captivity, "the Breaker" (The Messiah) went before them, opening the way for deliverance and led them back to their land. This will also be repeated in the last days when Messiah will come back to deliver Israel from the hand of their enemies, especially the Antichrist. God does not call us to abandon sin without providing the grace and power to escape it. Christ is our Deliverer, able to break the chains of bondage and lead us into true freedom.
    Do not dance near the gates of hell. Arise, repent and permanently quit every sinful path. Run toward Christ, who alone leads His people safely through the way of life.

    *Question*

    What must you urgently and permanently leave behind in order to walk freely with Christ?

    *Prayer Points*

    1.Lord, search my heart and reveal every area where I have resisted Your Word and correction.
    2.Father, deliver me from every prolonged habit of sin that is destroying my fellowship with You and hurting others.
    3.Lord, give me more love for the truth and give me hatred for all forms of deceptions
    4.Lord Jesus, my Deliverer and Breaker, go before me, break every chain of bondage and lead me into a life of holiness and victory.

    *HYMN:* Have you counted the cost?

    *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* ESTHER 6-10.
    [30/08, 9:40 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS)

    MONDAY 31ST AUGUST, 2026```


    *CAGED IN COMFORT* 🫵🏽🏽‍🏽‍🏽🏽‍🏽

    ```TEXT:MICAH 2:7-13```

    ```KEY VERSE:``` _*"Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction" (MICAH 2:10).*_


    *In 2019, a massive earthquake struck Indonesia, displacing thousands of people. Entire communities were forced to abandon their homes, not because they wanted to, but because the ground beneath them had become unstable. For many, staying behind meant certain destruction. The tragedy was not just in the collapse of buildings but also in the reluctance of some to leave despite clear warnings.*

    *Micah's message to Israel carried a similar urgency. In Micah 2:10, the prophet declares, "Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction." The people of Israel had settled into spiritual complacency, believing that their land and prosperity were secure. Yet, their corruption had made their very dwelling place dangerous. God's warning was clear: comfort without righteousness leads to ruin.*

    *The Israelites had defiled the land with injustice and idolatry. They exploited the poor, perverted justice, and silenced the voices of truth. Yet, they refused to believe that judgment was coming. Their sense of security was false. Micah's call was not just about physical exile but also about a spiritual awakening.*

    *This is a message for our generation. Many cling to lifestyles, habits, or environments that have become spiritually toxic. Some remain in relationships, careers, or ideologies that corrupt their faith. The call to "arise and depart" is not always about physical relocation but about spiritual repositioning. God often calls His people to leave behind what is no longer safe for their souls. When we refuse, destruction follows. Israel's refusal to heed this warning led a life devoid of His presence and peace.*

    *Are there habits, relationships, associations, or mind-sets that you need to leave behind? Spiritual stagnation is as dangerous as physical complacency. When a place, practice, or pursuit no longer aligns with God's will, staying becomes destructive. The believer's true rest is not in earthly security but in God Himself. When He calls us to move, it is always for our preservation. Do not let comfort keep you in a place that has become unfit for your soul.*

    ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*No amount of wealth can buy enduring rest for it only abides in Christ.*_

    ```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *ESTHER 6-10*


    Caged In Comfort
    https://dailymanna.app//

    *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 190: "CALLED UNTO HOLINESS"; GHS 179: HIGHER GROUND; GHS 189: TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY; AND GHS 253: MY PORTION FOR EVER*
    *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter*
    *#DailyManna31stAugust2026*
    *#GCK*
    *#WorshipNuggets*
    *#BibleNuggets*
    *#LeadershipNuggets*
    *#RevivalNuggets*
    *#CrusadeNuggets*
    https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS]
    [30/08, 9:40 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY```

    _*HIGHER EVERYDY: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_

    ✍🏽🏻‍ 🏽🛰

    ```MONDAY 31ST AUGUST, 2026```

    *POWER OF FAITH CONFESSION - 1* 🫵🏽🏽‍🏽‍🏽🏽‍🏽🏽

    ```TEXT:LUKE 7:1-10```

    ``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed" (LUKE 7:7).*_

    *Faith confession is when your spoken word agrees with the written word of God - the Bible. It is saying what God says about your situation. God has said wonderful, life-changing things about His children. When we agree with His word and speak the same thing, the resultant effect is that it brings positive changes in our circumstances - academics, health, career, spiritual life, and standard of living.*

    *Saying what God says about your life brings you to heights you can never dream you could reach. Therefore, speak victory and not defeat. Meditate on the unfailing promises of God. "A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth" (Proverbs 12:14a). Be positive with your words. Negative words attract negative things to you.*

    *Your words will either bring pain or pleasure. Your confession will produce life or death. Your words shape your life. Therefore, choose your words carefully before you utter them. God spoke, "and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast" (Psalm 33:9). In like manner, you possess what you confess because you are created after the image of God.*

    ```QUOTE:``` _*Speak victory and not defeat.*_

    ```CHALLENGE:``` _*Be positive in your confession.*_

    🏽🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Lord, help my decision to always speak positive words.*_



    Power Of Faith Confession - 1
    https://dailymanna.app//

    *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter*
    *#HigherEveryday31stAugust2026*
    *#GCK*
    *#WorshipNuggets*
    *#BibleNuggets*
    *#LeadershipNuggets*
    *#RevivalNuggets*
    *#CrusadeNuggets*
    https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS]
    [30/08, 9:40 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY```

    _*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣)*_

    🏼🏼🏼🏼🏼‍

    ```MONDAY 31ST AUGUST, 2026```

    *THE BLAME GAME* 🫵🏽🏽‍🏽‍🏼🏼🏽🏽‍🏽

    ```GENESIS 3:9-15```



    ```Key Verse:``` _*"And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat" (Genesis 3:12).*_



    God put our first parents in the Garden of Eden to care for it and enjoy all the good things in it. But the devil came and deceived the woman to disobey God, and eventually Adam too disobeyed. When God came down calling for man and asking why they had disobeyed His instruction, the blame game started. Each of them started shifting blame.

    God who is patient and longsuffering asked the woman to explain what happened, she too pushed the blame to the serpent. If they had simply acknowledged their sinfulness and begged for forgiveness, the human race will not be in the mess we are in today. Their disobedience corrupted and made us dirty before God.

    We all inherited the nature of sin and wickedness. This is the reason many children often pass off their wrongdoings to others. Some children, even when caught red-handed, will still blame someone else for their disobedience. *God wants us to be humble enough to accept responsibility for our wrongdoings. Do not shift the blame, repent and ask God to have mercy on you.*



    ```rayer:``` _*Lord, give me the courage to always own up to my disobedience and also repent.*_ 🏽

    ``` Further Reading:``` *1 Samuel 15:10-21*


    The Blame Game
    https://dailymanna.app//

    *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter*
    *#SincereMilk31stAugust2026*
    *#GCK*
    *#WorshipNuggets*
    *#BibleNuggets*
    *#LeadershipNuggets*
    *#RevivalNuggets*
    *#CrusadeNuggets*
    https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS]

    2. Morning Prayer for today.

    MP.i. Morning Prayer

    For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: ⏤ Philippians 3:20

    The men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees. ⏤ E.M. Bounds

    O God, most merciful—bless us this morning. Lay Your hand upon us with a Father’s blessing. May the grace of the Lord Jesus be upon us and in us all day long. Let Your word dwell in our hearts richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing us. May it be so deeply rooted in us that it keeps us from sin. May the power of Your Spirit rest upon us throughout this day, cleansing and purifying our thoughts, feelings, and all our inner life, and compelling us to walk in holiness in all we say and do.

    Please guide us today, O God, and keep us in all our experiences. Guard us from carelessness. Let us not drift away from the holy truths we have been taught, nor from Jesus Christ our Savior. Let us not become entangled in the affairs of this world in a way that causes us to lose any of the sanctity of our lives. Though we are in the world, let us not be of it. Help us to maintain a godly life amid all that is ungodly. May our citizenship always be visibly in Heaven, even though we dwell on this earth. May we be true pilgrims, looking for a city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. Let us not love this world as if we were going to stay in it forever.

    Grant a personal blessing to each one in our family. Our needs are different. Tenderly care for those of us who are weak. Shelter any of us who will be exposed to temptation today, and let us not fall. If any unforeseen trouble or sorrow lies in our path, prepare us for it, that we may not be caught off guard and fall into sin. May we each carry out into the world a power of love and grace that will bless everyone we meet. We ask all this for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

    https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/57/morning

    #taptapstudio
    #youdevotion.
    Good morning, brethren. 1. Morning devotion for today. MD.i. 😀🎀💝🎁🌺🌹MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY. MONDAY AUGUST 31, 2026. "WHAT IS "SUCCESS " FOR YOU?" I have glorified You on the earth...’ John 17:4 NKJV AT THE end of His life, Jesus was able to pray, ‘I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.’ Jesus didn’t try to compete with John the Baptist or model Himself after some Old Testament prophet. He knew what ‘success’ was for Him. To know what it is for you, you must: 1) Discern what success really is. When others feel good about you, you’re popular; but when you feel good about yourself, you’re successful. Your life’s highest calling will always create the highest level of joy within you. 2) Before you set goals, pray. ‘In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths’ (Proverbs 3:6 NKJV). It’s not wrong to set goals, it’s just wrong to set them without first consulting God. 3) Stop expecting others to bring you success. Don’t wait for flowers to arrive. God gave you seed; start growing some of your own. ‘Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else’ (Galatians 6:4 NLT). And besides, when you’re less needy you’ll become more attractive to others. 4) Get over yourself—everyone else has. A minister said he was praying one day, ‘Father, why does the devil keep reminding me of my past?’ God replied, ‘Because he’s running low on material!’ Repent, and then move on. God says He will ‘…not remember your sins’ (Isaiah 43:25 NKJV). There’s only one good reason to bring up the past, and that’s to learn from it and grow wiser. Bible In A Year: Ezek 22-23, Matt 22:23-33, Ps 142, Pro 19:21-23. 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. [30/08, 9:40 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA* MONDAY, 31ST AUGUST, 2026. *DANCING AT THE GATES OF HELL* *TEXT:* MICAH 2:7-13. 7 O thou that art named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the LORD straitened? are these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly? 8 Even of late my people is risen up as an enemy: ye pull off the robe with the garment from them that pass by securely as men averse from war. 9 The women of my people have ye cast out from their pleasant houses; from their children have ye taken away my glory for ever. 10 Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction. 11 If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people. 12 I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men. 13 The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them. *Timeless Truth:*_"Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came"_ (Amos 6:1). *INTRODUCTION* It is dangerous to live carelessly at the edge of spiritual destruction, presuming that God's patience means that His judgment will never come. The people of Israel had become comfortable with sin, oppression and false teachings, yet they still wanted to hear pleasant messages. They were, in effect, dancing at the gates of hell—enjoying temporary pleasures while moving dangerously close to divine judgment. The audience of Micah foreshadows this modern age or last days when the *"people will no longer be able to endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears"* (2 Timothy 4:3). If Israel was severely punished for preferring fables to the sound Word of truth, the people of this age will have a more *"sorer punishments"* in eternal hell fire. Micah's message calls us to examine our hearts, remember the consequences of persistent rebellion and hasten to leave every path that leads to destruction. *1. Heart-Probing Questions* a. There were some probing questions in the text. *"O house of Jacob, is the Spirit of the LORD straitened [limited]?"* The people complained that God's power or patience was too short or that His Spirit should only give good messages instead of warning them about judgment. In the last days too, the same attitude and preference will increasingly continue. *"They shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables"* (2 Timothy 4:4). The sound doctrine of the Word of God will be a heavy burden and unbearable to the religious lovers of pleasure. Many preachers will unfaithfully dilute their messages to suit their audience and make them happy though they will eventually, lead them to destruction and hell. They also asked, *"Are these his doings?"*. The people questioned if God was really behind the hard times or the warnings of punishment they were hearing. To them, God is too good to inflict such a heavy judgment. It was not God that was behind their hard times, but their evils. When you do evil, evil will follow and when you do good, good will follow. b. God answered their questions. *"Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?"* God answers that His messages are always good and helpful for people who actually, live right and obey Him. Even when the Word of God is a warning judgment, it is equally to do good to those who are rebellious and disobedient for it will turn them from the path of destruction. All the messages of God are good and are intended to do good in the lives of the obedient. Hearing His Word is never a liability if there is love for the truth. We must stop blaming God, the Church, our circumstances or other people for the consequences of our disobedience. The probing question is directed at our hearts: Are we walking uprightly before God? A person who rejects God's correction, but expects His blessings is dangerously deceiving himself. *Question* When God's Word confronts your lifestyle, do you humbly submit to it or resist its correction? *2. History of Protracted Quarrel* a. The basis of God's quarrel with Israel had always been because of their sins and violence against moral laws. God always gives reasons to justify His judgments so that it is clear to all that people's disobedience is not a matter of ignorance, but a deliberate choice and exercise of their will. Some of their evils were listed. The rebellion of God's people was not a momentary mistake; it had become a prolonged quarrel against God's righteous ways. They rose against others as enemies, robbed the peaceful, oppressed women and drove children away from their inheritance. *"The women of my people have ye cast out from their pleasant places"*. Furthermore, the children were messed up, demoralized and denied basic moral training and discipline that would make them radiate the glory of God. *"From their children have ye taken away my glory for ever"*. Robbery and insecurity of lives and property became a booming trade in the land. *"Ye pull off the robe with the garment from them that pass by securely"*. Worse still, they preferred false prophets who specialize in prophesying ephemeral blessings including wine and strong drink. b. Israel had a long history of persistent rebellion despite warnings from the prophets. Sin often begins as a private compromise, but can grow into a lifestyle that damages others. Persistent rebellion against God results in injustice, selfishness and spiritual blindness. Those dancing at the gates of hell may laugh at warnings and celebrate false assurances, but judgment does not disappear because people refuse to hear about it. *Question* Is there any sinful habit you have allowed to continue for so long that it is now affecting other people? *3. Hasten to Permanently Quit* God commanded His people to arise and depart because their sinful condition had made their present position spiritually unsafe. Lot was told by the angel to hasten *"while he lingers"* though the fire of hell was almost dropping like rain. He was warned *"escape for thy life"* (Genesis 19:16,17). If he had delayed further, the fire of God would have caught him with all his family members. When God pronounces His judgments on wickedness, the wisest thing to do is to speedily take steps and quit whatever is displeasing to God. *“This is not your rest.”* Though the judgment of God was catching up with them, they still believed their mind and the messages of compromising prophets who promised them *"peace, peace, when there is no peace"*. They were relaxed, unresponsive and continued their lives of pleasure as if the prophet was just wasting his time. Any promised rest or enjoyment in the midst of sin is fake and deceptive. *"Arise ye, and depart, for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction"*. God always remembers mercy in His wrath. He asked them to seek for exile in other countries because the judgment on the land as a result of their evil was irreversible. God's solution against His judgments is always departure from sin and objects of divine rebukes and displeasure. *"Depart ye, depart ye"*. b. As characterictic of God, the message ended with hope and restoration for the repentant remnants. God promised to gather His remnant and lead them like a shepherd. After they had suffered in the land of the captivity, "the Breaker" (The Messiah) went before them, opening the way for deliverance and led them back to their land. This will also be repeated in the last days when Messiah will come back to deliver Israel from the hand of their enemies, especially the Antichrist. God does not call us to abandon sin without providing the grace and power to escape it. Christ is our Deliverer, able to break the chains of bondage and lead us into true freedom. Do not dance near the gates of hell. Arise, repent and permanently quit every sinful path. Run toward Christ, who alone leads His people safely through the way of life. *Question* What must you urgently and permanently leave behind in order to walk freely with Christ? *Prayer Points* 1.Lord, search my heart and reveal every area where I have resisted Your Word and correction🙏. 2.Father, deliver me from every prolonged habit of sin that is destroying my fellowship with You and hurting others🙏. 3.Lord, give me more love for the truth and give me hatred for all forms of deceptions🙏 4.Lord Jesus, my Deliverer and Breaker, go before me, break every chain of bondage and lead me into a life of holiness and victory👆. *HYMN:* Have you counted the cost? *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* ESTHER 6-10. [30/08, 9:40 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS) MONDAY 31ST AUGUST, 2026``` *CAGED IN COMFORT* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️⚠️‼️🛑🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:MICAH 2:7-13```📜📜 🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction" (MICAH 2:10).*_ *In 2019, a massive earthquake struck Indonesia, displacing thousands of people. Entire communities were forced to abandon their homes, not because they wanted to, but because the ground beneath them had become unstable. For many, staying behind meant certain destruction. The tragedy was not just in the collapse of buildings but also in the reluctance of some to leave despite clear warnings.* *Micah's message to Israel carried a similar urgency. In Micah 2:10, the prophet declares, "Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction." The people of Israel had settled into spiritual complacency, believing that their land and prosperity were secure. Yet, their corruption had made their very dwelling place dangerous. God's warning was clear: comfort without righteousness leads to ruin.* *The Israelites had defiled the land with injustice and idolatry. They exploited the poor, perverted justice, and silenced the voices of truth. Yet, they refused to believe that judgment was coming. Their sense of security was false. Micah's call was not just about physical exile but also about a spiritual awakening.* *This is a message for our generation. Many cling to lifestyles, habits, or environments that have become spiritually toxic. Some remain in relationships, careers, or ideologies that corrupt their faith. The call to "arise and depart" is not always about physical relocation but about spiritual repositioning. God often calls His people to leave behind what is no longer safe for their souls. When we refuse, destruction follows. Israel's refusal to heed this warning led a life devoid of His presence and peace.* *Are there habits, relationships, associations, or mind-sets that you need to leave behind? Spiritual stagnation is as dangerous as physical complacency. When a place, practice, or pursuit no longer aligns with God's will, staying becomes destructive. The believer's true rest is not in earthly security but in God Himself. When He calls us to move, it is always for our preservation. Do not let comfort keep you in a place that has become unfit for your soul.* ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*No amount of wealth can buy enduring rest for it only abides in Christ.*_ 📜📜```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *ESTHER 6-10*📜📜 Caged In Comfort https://dailymanna.app// *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 190: "CALLED UNTO HOLINESS"; GHS 179: HIGHER GROUND; GHS 189: TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY; AND GHS 253: MY PORTION FOR EVER* *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#DailyManna31stAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [30/08, 9:40 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*HIGHER EVERYD🅰️Y: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_ ✍🏽👩🏻‍💼🌻 🍇🙏🏽🛰🚀🔬📚 ```MONDAY 31ST AUGUST, 2026``` *POWER OF FAITH CONFESSION - 1* 🎚️📓📖🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🗣️🙏🏽🙌🏽 📜📜```TEXT:LUKE 7:1-10```📜📜 📖``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed" (LUKE 7:7).*_ *Faith confession is when your spoken word agrees with the written word of God - the Bible. It is saying what God says about your situation. God has said wonderful, life-changing things about His children. When we agree with His word and speak the same thing, the resultant effect is that it brings positive changes in our circumstances - academics, health, career, spiritual life, and standard of living.* *Saying what God says about your life brings you to heights you can never dream you could reach. Therefore, speak victory and not defeat. Meditate on the unfailing promises of God. "A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth" (Proverbs 12:14a). Be positive with your words. Negative words attract negative things to you.* *Your words will either bring pain or pleasure. Your confession will produce life or death. Your words shape your life. Therefore, choose your words carefully before you utter them. God spoke, "and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast" (Psalm 33:9). In like manner, you possess what you confess because you are created after the image of God.* 💬 ```QUOTE:``` _*Speak victory and not defeat.*_ 🏆 ```CHALLENGE:``` _*Be positive in your confession.*_ 🙏🏽🙏🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Lord, help my decision to always speak positive words.*_ Power Of Faith Confession - 1 https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#HigherEveryday31stAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [30/08, 9:40 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣6️⃣)*_ 🙇🏼🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼‍♂️ ```MONDAY 31ST AUGUST, 2026``` *THE BLAME GAME* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️👥👉🏼👈🏼❌🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```GENESIS 3:9-15```📜📜 🕔📚🖋️🚻😁🎼🏆🍉🪴🌈💻 🔑📖 ```Key Verse:``` _*"And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat" (Genesis 3:12).*_ 📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖 God put our first parents in the Garden of Eden to care for it and enjoy all the good things in it. But the devil came and deceived the woman to disobey God, and eventually Adam too disobeyed. When God came down calling for man and asking why they had disobeyed His instruction, the blame game started. Each of them started shifting blame. God who is patient and longsuffering asked the woman to explain what happened, she too pushed the blame to the serpent. If they had simply acknowledged their sinfulness and begged for forgiveness, the human race will not be in the mess we are in today. Their disobedience corrupted and made us dirty before God. We all inherited the nature of sin and wickedness. This is the reason many children often pass off their wrongdoings to others. Some children, even when caught red-handed, will still blame someone else for their disobedience. *God wants us to be humble enough to accept responsibility for our wrongdoings. Do not shift the blame, repent and ask God to have mercy on you.* 🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥 ```🅿️rayer:``` _*Lord, give me the courage to always own up to my disobedience and also repent.*_ 🙏🏽 ```📖 Further Reading:``` *1 Samuel 15:10-21* The Blame Game https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#SincereMilk31stAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS]. 2. Morning Prayer for today. MP.i. Morning Prayer For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: ⏤ Philippians 3:20 The men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees. ⏤ E.M. Bounds O God, most merciful—bless us this morning. Lay Your hand upon us with a Father’s blessing. May the grace of the Lord Jesus be upon us and in us all day long. Let Your word dwell in our hearts richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing us. May it be so deeply rooted in us that it keeps us from sin. May the power of Your Spirit rest upon us throughout this day, cleansing and purifying our thoughts, feelings, and all our inner life, and compelling us to walk in holiness in all we say and do. Please guide us today, O God, and keep us in all our experiences. Guard us from carelessness. Let us not drift away from the holy truths we have been taught, nor from Jesus Christ our Savior. Let us not become entangled in the affairs of this world in a way that causes us to lose any of the sanctity of our lives. Though we are in the world, let us not be of it. Help us to maintain a godly life amid all that is ungodly. May our citizenship always be visibly in Heaven, even though we dwell on this earth. May we be true pilgrims, looking for a city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. Let us not love this world as if we were going to stay in it forever. Grant a personal blessing to each one in our family. Our needs are different. Tenderly care for those of us who are weak. Shelter any of us who will be exposed to temptation today, and let us not fall. If any unforeseen trouble or sorrow lies in our path, prepare us for it, that we may not be caught off guard and fall into sin. May we each carry out into the world a power of love and grace that will bless everyone we meet. We ask all this for Jesus’ sake. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/57/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.
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  • Amazing Facts
    Daily Devotionals

    How did the Israelites know how to behave before the Ten Commandments were given?

    August 28th, 2026

    God’s law is eternal. Since sin is the transgression of the law and sin existed before Sinai, then there must have been a law before the time of Moses. In Genesis, you can actually find some of the commandments spoken about before Sinai. For example, see Genesis 35:1–4 for a reference to the first commandment. In addition, it was transmitted orally from person to person.

    However, by the time of Moses, after the people had been in slavery under Egypt, and thereby under the influence of a pagan religion, their memory had been corrupted and diluted. That’s why Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible, so his people would not be confused. Of course, God ultimately wrote the Ten Commandments so there would never have to be any guessing about what’s right and wrong.

    To show this point: Long before Moses wrote the Ten Commandments onto scrolls, God said to Cain, “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door” (Genesis 4:7). The Bible also records, “Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws” (Genesis 26:5). Joseph also knew it was a sin to commit adultery with Potiphar’s wife. He said, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9). He evidently knew adultery was a sin before the Ten Commandments were written. It had been passed on to him, so he knew God’s law.

    Originally, God’s law went from Adam orally, straight out of the garden of Eden, to become part of the oral tradition. Moreover, Adam and Eve were created in the image of God, so they knew their Father’s character, which is revealed in the Ten Commandments. They passed this knowledge to their offspring, but because of man’s failing memory, they eventually had to write it down.
    Amazing Facts Daily Devotionals How did the Israelites know how to behave before the Ten Commandments were given? August 28th, 2026 God’s law is eternal. Since sin is the transgression of the law and sin existed before Sinai, then there must have been a law before the time of Moses. In Genesis, you can actually find some of the commandments spoken about before Sinai. For example, see Genesis 35:1–4 for a reference to the first commandment. In addition, it was transmitted orally from person to person. However, by the time of Moses, after the people had been in slavery under Egypt, and thereby under the influence of a pagan religion, their memory had been corrupted and diluted. That’s why Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible, so his people would not be confused. Of course, God ultimately wrote the Ten Commandments so there would never have to be any guessing about what’s right and wrong. To show this point: Long before Moses wrote the Ten Commandments onto scrolls, God said to Cain, “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door” (Genesis 4:7). The Bible also records, “Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws” (Genesis 26:5). Joseph also knew it was a sin to commit adultery with Potiphar’s wife. He said, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9). He evidently knew adultery was a sin before the Ten Commandments were written. It had been passed on to him, so he knew God’s law. Originally, God’s law went from Adam orally, straight out of the garden of Eden, to become part of the oral tradition. Moreover, Adam and Eve were created in the image of God, so they knew their Father’s character, which is revealed in the Ten Commandments. They passed this knowledge to their offspring, but because of man’s failing memory, they eventually had to write it down.
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  • Amazing Facts
    Daily Devotionals

    What does Isaiah 45:7 mean when it says God creates calamity?
    August 25, 2026
    Read Time: 2 min

    You can couple this verse with the Bible story in which Micaiah the prophet reports that he saw the Lord send a lying spirit to the prophets of Ahab. In these passages and in others, it appears that evil is proceeding from God, yet the Bible says that every good and perfect gift comes from God.

    In the book of Job, you find the key that unlocks this relationship between good and evil and God’s involvement. The devil is asking permission of God to tempt and torment Job. The devil cannot do anything without God allowing it. The Lord must withdraw His protection, He must lift the hedge, and He must pull back His protective forces. In that sense, it appears that God is allowing evil. The Lord is the one who placed the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in Eden. That doesn’t mean the Lord wants us to “eat” evil. It means that He gives us the freedom to choose.

    Sometimes the Lord withdraws His angels that protect us, and in that sense, you could say that He is allowing evil to come. But the book of James tells us that the Lord Himself does not tempt anyone, neither can He be tempted. The devil is an individual being, roaming about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may destroy and devour. God is constantly putting him in check, to the degree of what He allows the devil to do.

    From time to time, the Lord draws back His hand of protection to accomplish some purpose. This is why Paul says, “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able” (1 Corinthians 10:13). So when Isaiah says that evil comes from the Lord, it simply means that the devil can’t do anything unless God allows it in His sovereign plan.

    Key Bible Texts
    I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. (Isaiah 45:7 KJV)
    Amazing Facts Daily Devotionals What does Isaiah 45:7 mean when it says God creates calamity? August 25, 2026 Read Time: 2 min You can couple this verse with the Bible story in which Micaiah the prophet reports that he saw the Lord send a lying spirit to the prophets of Ahab. In these passages and in others, it appears that evil is proceeding from God, yet the Bible says that every good and perfect gift comes from God. In the book of Job, you find the key that unlocks this relationship between good and evil and God’s involvement. The devil is asking permission of God to tempt and torment Job. The devil cannot do anything without God allowing it. The Lord must withdraw His protection, He must lift the hedge, and He must pull back His protective forces. In that sense, it appears that God is allowing evil. The Lord is the one who placed the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in Eden. That doesn’t mean the Lord wants us to “eat” evil. It means that He gives us the freedom to choose. Sometimes the Lord withdraws His angels that protect us, and in that sense, you could say that He is allowing evil to come. But the book of James tells us that the Lord Himself does not tempt anyone, neither can He be tempted. The devil is an individual being, roaming about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may destroy and devour. God is constantly putting him in check, to the degree of what He allows the devil to do. From time to time, the Lord draws back His hand of protection to accomplish some purpose. This is why Paul says, “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able” (1 Corinthians 10:13). So when Isaiah says that evil comes from the Lord, it simply means that the devil can’t do anything unless God allows it in His sovereign plan. Key Bible Texts I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. (Isaiah 45:7 KJV)
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  • WHY DO THE RIGHTEOUS SUFFER? Part 1 of 2.
    I would like to address one of the most puzzling and perplexing problems confronting the Christian today and that is why do the righteous suffer? In order to deal with this adequately, we're going to be looking at the book of Job. We read in Job Chapter 1:1f There was a man in the Land of Oz whose name is Job and that man was perfect and upright and one that feared God and turned away from evil. We continue to read in the book of Job how he lost everything, his family, his property, his possessions, and then lost his health with a loathsome disease. The universal problem of whether or not suffering is a sign of divine displeasure, and thus presupposes sin on the part of the sufferer, is the theme of the book of Job.

    The central problem of the book of Job is the central problem of humanity. Why do men suffer the way they do, and especially, why do the righteous suffer? Why are not godly, righteous, faithful obedient men and women always blessed? Why does it seem many of the ungodly prosper and are never in trouble? A Christian wonders why must I suffer this or that, or why must I go through this trial, or why do I have to experience all of this pain and adversity? I'm a Christian, I study the Bible, I love the Lord. I feel that I'm obedient, so why do I go through such long trials, hardships, and personal attacks? To make things even worse, many times there is no immediate answer and it's a real test of your faith as with Job.

    Is all adversity and suffering the direct result of sin? What is the basis upon which prosperity and adversity, blessing and misfortune, affliction and health happen to people? What is the basis upon which these things are distributed to men in this life? The principal aim of the book of Job is to disprove the popular theory that was held by many of the Jews and it's still popular today, that all suffering is a sign of God's displeasure and presupposes sin on the part of the sufferer. Inseparably related to the problem of suffering is the greater problem of evil and to consider one necessitates the consideration of the other. The problem of evil results from the clear fact that within the world that God created good according to Genesis 1, it was created very good! Within this world that God created good there is much that is now imperfect. It has become a world of suffering, sin, hate, warfare, oppression, evil and death. Now even a superficial observer will note that these two facts present somewhat of a dilemma. On the one hand Genesis 1 shows that God created all things good and he hates evil. On the other hand, we've seen the widespread evil and suffering that's in this world of imperfection. Now how can we explain this: what has happened? Some suggest that either God cannot remove evil nor could he have prevented its entrance into his world.

    Others say God does not will to prevent it and did not will to prevent its entrance into the Garden of Eden. Now the first conclusion will be rejected by all who believe in the Sovereign God of the Bible but neither is the second alternative any help in solving the apparent dilemma. It doesn't give us a satisfactory solution and so believers and Christians have always sought a third alternative to explain the problem of evil in a good universe. Now the book of Job is in reality the source material for a study of some of the most profound theological questions of the Bible- the problem of the righteous suffering adversity and the meaning of the presence of evil in a world God created good. It gives us the source of sickness and adversity. It's not God as some think and is often implied today. It's Satan who is behind the scenes doing this. No book in the Bible gives more insight into the problem of why the righteous suffer and the meaning and purpose of evil in the world. Now we will examine that question.

    There are three basic solutions that have been given to the problem of evil.
    First there's a denial of its existence. We're told all evil is only an illusion. This is fundamentally the doctrinal position of the Christian Scientists. All evil experienced, meaning sin, suffering, pain, and the like are purely subjective, existing only in the mind of the observer. They have no objective reality. Christian science teaches that since God is good, he could not permit evil to exist and therefore evil is not real. Suffering, evil, sin, and Satan and death are the imagination of man's finite mind. They're only an illusion. They have no reality and would disappear if man would by faith and self-discipline deny their existence. Of course, the objections to this hypothesis are almost self-evident.

    Even if this hypothesis were accepted as valid, which it isn't, one is still faced with the question of how the appearance of evil and suffering is to be explained. I mean what's the origin and meaning of the illusion of pain and suffering and death? The illusion of pain and suffering is as real to the sufferer as real pain and suffering. A world in which the majority of its inhabitants are deceived with respect to the presence of suffering needs as much explaining as one in which evil is a genuine reality. It doesn't solve the problem, it only changes the terminology from reality to illusion. The suffering and the evil remain. It is quite obvious that this view is unbiblical and is out of harmony with the facts of experience. I mean Christian Scientists yell just as loudly as anyone else when they mashed their finger with a hammer. They go right on dying like the rest of humanity.

    Another suggested solution is the error is finitism. We're told God's power is limited. The doctrine of the finite God is the solution that we must choose, we are told. The fact that God is not completely good and that he is not omnipotent is an unscriptural attempt to explain the presence of moral and natural evil. The limitation doctrine argues that God made the best kind of world that he could but that even God could not prevent the presence of evil. Finitism, we are told, preserves the goodness of God and recognizes that God is not the source of all things. He is the source of all that is good and He is an opposition to all that is evil. Finitism seems to be a solution to some people.

    But again, this theory is unbiblical. The doctrine of a finite God cannot stand in view of the testimony of Scripture. See Daniel 4:35 Jeremiah 32:17, Matthew 19:26, Romans 9, Job 1 and 2. We're told that God is in control of all events and governments in heaven and earth. Nothing is too hard for God and with God nothing is impossible. As we read Job chapters 1 & 2 we see that Satan had to get God's permission to afflict Job. The concept of an eternal principle of evil against which God is engaged in some cosmic struggle and the outcome of which is by no means certain is platonic dualism pure and simple. It's not Biblical. The doctrine of finitism is no solution at all to the problem but simply a sophisticated shortcut to avoid what appears to be a dilemma. It results from the fallacy that one must either give up the goodness of God or His omnipotence and power since there appears to be an alleged conflict. The only solution seems to be to sacrifice his omnipotence according to this unscriptural view.

    Now a third solution which we believe to be the biblical one, is that a moral world involves the possibility of evil. In a moral universe of free creatures, the possibility of moral development involves the possibility of the entrance of moral evil and its consequences into the world. For example, we see in the narratives of Genesis that God did not intend to compel moral obedience, but that a holy moral character could only be developed by voluntary free choice on Adam's part. Hence, a world without the possibility of disobeying God would not present the necessary means of developing moral character. Adam was not born with a holy moral character, but he was innocent. He was pure, but you're not born with character. This must develop and grow as you respond to the experiences of life. Trials, adversities, and so forth are designed to shape one's character.

    Someone has pointed out that these sufferings sometimes crush the person who experiences it. There are times when the final result is more glorious than would be conceivable in any other kind of universe. Therefore, this view does give us a workable solution to the problem of evil and helps explain the purpose of suffering. It is the suffering of the righteous and the allowance of the entrance of sin into the world. This view involves a possibility of the entrance of evil and also helps explain God's self-imposed limitations. Now those terms are important. We see God is presented in Scripture as omnipotent and all-powerful. But it is also true that, at the moment He created something outside himself, man who is a free moral creature, who could have the power at least temporarily to say no to God, that there was to some degree a self-imposed limitation which God placed upon Himself.

    This does not mean that God has limited His sovereignty, power, or His rule by creating a being in his own image who had the power to rebel against him. But it does mean that God chose to exercise his sovereignty in a universe filled with creatures who could temporarily rebel against that sovereignty. Notice it's only temporary, and so we see a moral world involves the possibility of the entrance and presence of moral evil. This brings us to the basic question that we're going to discuss. The perplexing problem of why the righteous suffer and biblical solutions. It's not unusual that trials and sufferings of the child of God may involve several purposes. We shall explore these next.

    Part 2.) First, we see that trials and sufferings have an educational purpose. We will see from this study that the righteous suffering trial and affliction is not always evidence that they have sinned or evidence that God is displeased with them. There may be some deeper purpose in God allowing it and that is to bring them into conformity to the image of Jesus Christ. Examining these purposes is necessary because the Christian goes through trials and sufferings of many kinds. Therefore, they need to know whether or not these are chastisements, are things to be resisted as from the devil, or if these things are from the hand of God! This way we will not be resisting when we should be submitting so we will benefit from our trials and testings. We mentioned that trials and sufferings have an educational purpose. We see Job's misfortunes and sufferings at first of all as a teaching and educational purpose. We see spiritual wisdom and discernment do not automatically come to the believer but they are gained through the times of hardship and suffering and of trial and testing.

    Job learned the meaning of an abiding faith in God. He received an education along the line of an abiding and steadfast faith. See chapter 13 in verses 15-18. Job said though he slay me yet will I trust him. He came to know what genuine faith was and he was willing to trust God in spite of circumstances and appearances. He came to know in a more meaningful way God as his Redeemer in chapter 19. He has come through a great valley of testing and trial and affliction and there's one thing he says. I don't understand all of this, but I do know my redeemer lives and then he became confident in his future of vindication. We see that in chapter 9 verses 32-35, chapter 16 verse 19, chapter 13 verse 18. He said I know that I will be justified and this suffering of mine is not the result of sin, but I will be vindicated.

    Almost beside himself from grief and suffering, he came into a deeper assurance of a future life beyond the grave and this present world of inequality, injustice, and affliction. He came into a deeper understanding of the sovereignty of God. In chapters 38 to 41 where the Lord addresses him in two discourses of speeches, Job said, I've heard of You in the hearing of the ear and now my eye has seen You. I abhor myself and I repent in dust and in ashes. He said, I lay my hand over my mouth and I'll not speak again. I've spoken once, I've spoken twice but now, he says I'll not speak again. God revealed to him his sovereignty. God doesn't answer job's perplexities or questions. He just reminds him that He is God and that whatever he does is righteous.

    So, the educational purpose and significance of suffering is evident throughout the Bible especially in the book of Job as Job progressively moves from one valley of doubt and mystery to another. Each time climbing to a mountain peak of faith as he conquers his fears and his doubts and he comes to a new understanding and appreciation of the promises of God. The meaning of suffering is first and foremost of all for the express purpose of developing within the heart of the saint the assurance and understanding of his trust in God. In psalm 119 verses 65-72. The psalmist said there that he praises the Lord for afflicting him because then he came to know how to obey the Lord as he should. He said I thank You for the correction of my affliction because now I've come to understand better how to obey your precepts and your law. Our trials and tests, persecutions and the like have an educational purpose.

    When Jesus saves you, he sends you to His school. That is the school of the trial of your faith. Sadly, most Christians have not been taught this. They do not profit from their lessons so they keep taking the same course over and over. This is because they're flunking the tests. They've not been taught to submit to the trials but instead resist them. They think trials are something to be avoided at all costs. The Bible says we are to rejoice in our trials, James 1, because it is working in us the steadfast endurance we need to mature. Jesus told us that trials are to be a cause of rejoicing in Matthew 5, because when we're persecuted he said, rejoice because great is your reward in heaven. We are not to resist these things.

    Again, in Acts 14:22, for we must by much tribulation enter the kingdom of God. If you're trying to get off the pathway of trial and if you're trying to get out of that school, then you are on the wrong path. Realize you will not be able to graduate because you're flunking the course or you become a spiritual dropout from the school of the trial of your faith. Trials and sufferings are designed by God because He loves you and desires to educate you in an abiding faith in knowing that He is able to deliver and protect you keeping you to the end. You come to trust Him in spite of circumstances as Job. You come to the place where you can say though He slay me yet will I trust Him. That doesn't make any sense to your head or your intellect, but if you stay in God's school and learn your lessons as you should, it will make sense to your spirit and to your heart. Trials and sufferings of the believer for righteousness' sake have an educational purpose. Stay in God's school long enough for him to teach you something and you'll find you'll be blessed for it with a mature faith and trust in the plans and purposes of God in your life!

    Part 3.) Next, we see that sometimes sufferings and trials have a punitive purpose. This is the solution, by the way, to the problem suggested by Job's friends. You'll notice this as you read the book and although it is by no means the whole answer, yet it does have its place in the total picture. This is the law of sowing and reaping Galatians 6:7 - for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. There are natural consequences of sin and so sometimes trials and sufferings have a punitive purpose. Punitive means punishment. Some of these things we endure and suffer are because we've not heeded the law of sowing and reaping Galatians 6:7. We see this throughout the Bible that this works for the saint as well as the sinner.

    We have to obey this law. If we don't sow to the Spirit and sow to the flesh, we're going to reap the consequences. We see this in the case of David. He had to reap what he sowed in his sin with Bathsheba. We read the sword never departed from his house, although he did receive forgiveness. We also see this in the New Testament in 1st Corinthians 5 and 1st Corinthians 11. Some of the Christians were not partaking of the communion the Lord's Supper as they should. Therefore, Paul says you don't discern the Lord's body, you're not eating this supper worthily, and therefore some of you are sick and some of you are dying prematurely.

    This is the law of sowing and reaping. For example, if a Christian girl allows herself to get into trouble and becomes pregnant, she may repent of that sin and be forgiven but she'll still suffer the stigma of bearing an illegitimate child. She's still going to suffer the consequences of what she sowed, for whatsoever you sow you reap. Galatians 6:7. So there's no way to get around the fact that you're going to reap what you sow. This is why sometimes we suffer trials and afflictions. We should examine our lives to see whether or not God is judging us because of something we have disobeyed him about or not getting our lives corrected about some matter. Now what's the significance of Job's suffering in relation to the punitive purpose? Remember this is the suggested solution of Job's three friends. The principle upon which all suffering is based they said is this- that suffering is a direct result of sin and a just recompense for it.

    Job's sufferings, they insisted, were a sign of divine displeasure and presupposed sin on his part. Now of course the Bible does set forth this principle. It's the law of sowing and reaping where righteousness will bring prosperity and blessing, disobedience and wickedness will bring adversity. This is a principle set forth throughout the Bible as Deuteronomy 28 which is a good example of that. Psalm 1 is another example. But what of the righteous individual who often is the victim of misfortune and suffering, and why so often do the ungodly seem to prosper? What's the explanation for the suffering of the innocent and the prosperity of the wicked? Was the popular notion that the innocent do not suffer and the wicked are always afflicted contrary to the facts, even as Bildad and Zophar dogmatically insisted it was true? They insisted the principle was immutable and that Job, though outwardly righteous, nevertheless must be guilty of some heinous secret sins.

    Their philosophy was this, that all sin causes suffering. Job is suffering. The conclusion, Job must be a sinner! Job's sufferings, they argue, convict him implicitly of some grave sin and they plead with him to acknowledge it and repent. Job protests his innocence throughout the book and so we still are faced with the perplexing question. Why then is Job suffering? Remember he didn't have chapters 1 and 2 which give us the explanation. He had to endure this experience before the answer came. What then is the explanation for those instances which seemed by the Scriptures, show the moral principle of cause and effect, sowing and reaping, that they could not always be forced into a neat logical system? The laws governing society did not guarantee that in some individual cases the innocent might not suffer and that wickedness might not elude temporary judgment.

    No, throughout the scriptures we see that suffering is not necessarily the direct result of prior sins. This is proven in many passages as Jeremiah 19, Ezekiel 21, Amos chapter 2, In John 9, the case of the blind man, Jesus said this man was not blind because of his parent's sin or his own sin but that God might be glorified in his healing. So, also, in the case of Job, we see he suffered innocently. What the Scriptures do teach is this - that in the light of eternity it is the righteous who will be blessed and the wicked who will suffer. We should not judge too soon. The conclusion is this, suffering and adversity may sometimes be the result of sin and therefore the purpose is punitive, but this is not always the case. Don't follow Job's friends' rigid thinking in condemning someone when you do not have all the facts.

    Part 4.) Sometimes trials and suffering have a disciplinary purpose. There are times afflictions are the chastisements of a loving Father. This is in harmony with Hebrews 12, 1st Corinthians 5, 1st Corinthians 11 and proverbs 3 verses 11-12. Who the Lord loves He chastens. The Scriptures tell us in Job chapter 33, that God speaks to man and the purpose for that is he may withdraw man from his purpose and hide pride from man. He keeps back his soul from the pit and his life from perishing by the sword. He is chastened also with pain upon his bed and the multitude of his bones with strong pain. God chastens his children because he doesn't want His children going on a path of destruction from disobedience to His Word and will for their lives.

    We read in Hebrews 12 that who the Lord loves He chastens and He scourges every son He receives. Job 33 speaks of one form of chastisement being sickness. In Hebrews 12 it doesn't say anything about sickness being a form of chastisement. God has many ways to chasten His children. Sometimes he just withholds his blessings. Testing has a way of humbling man's pride. You see, many of Job's utterances under the weight of his afflictions gave indication that his trials had not yet fully accomplished their purpose. You will see this as you read the book of Job. Job sometimes questions God's purposes and in his questioning of God's purpose and his control of human affairs, it implied that Job knew more than God. Sometimes Christians, under the weight of their trials and afflictions, will cry out to God in such a way and try to use their logic and reason to such an extent that they even question God's wisdom in allowing them the trials and afflictions.
    To be Continued. Edited. Shared.

    God willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.
    ❤️WHY DO THE RIGHTEOUS SUFFER? Part 1 of 2. I would like to address one of the most puzzling and perplexing problems confronting the Christian today and that is why do the righteous suffer? In order to deal with this adequately, we're going to be looking at the book of Job. We read in Job Chapter 1:1f There was a man in the Land of Oz whose name is Job and that man was perfect and upright and one that feared God and turned away from evil. We continue to read in the book of Job how he lost everything, his family, his property, his possessions, and then lost his health with a loathsome disease. The universal problem of whether or not suffering is a sign of divine displeasure, and thus presupposes sin on the part of the sufferer, is the theme of the book of Job. The central problem of the book of Job is the central problem of humanity. Why do men suffer the way they do, and especially, why do the righteous suffer? Why are not godly, righteous, faithful obedient men and women always blessed? Why does it seem many of the ungodly prosper and are never in trouble? A Christian wonders why must I suffer this or that, or why must I go through this trial, or why do I have to experience all of this pain and adversity? I'm a Christian, I study the Bible, I love the Lord. I feel that I'm obedient, so why do I go through such long trials, hardships, and personal attacks? To make things even worse, many times there is no immediate answer and it's a real test of your faith as with Job. Is all adversity and suffering the direct result of sin? What is the basis upon which prosperity and adversity, blessing and misfortune, affliction and health happen to people? What is the basis upon which these things are distributed to men in this life? The principal aim of the book of Job is to disprove the popular theory that was held by many of the Jews and it's still popular today, that all suffering is a sign of God's displeasure and presupposes sin on the part of the sufferer. Inseparably related to the problem of suffering is the greater problem of evil and to consider one necessitates the consideration of the other. The problem of evil results from the clear fact that within the world that God created good according to Genesis 1, it was created very good! Within this world that God created good there is much that is now imperfect. It has become a world of suffering, sin, hate, warfare, oppression, evil and death. Now even a superficial observer will note that these two facts present somewhat of a dilemma. On the one hand Genesis 1 shows that God created all things good and he hates evil. On the other hand, we've seen the widespread evil and suffering that's in this world of imperfection. Now how can we explain this: what has happened? Some suggest that either God cannot remove evil nor could he have prevented its entrance into his world. Others say God does not will to prevent it and did not will to prevent its entrance into the Garden of Eden. Now the first conclusion will be rejected by all who believe in the Sovereign God of the Bible but neither is the second alternative any help in solving the apparent dilemma. It doesn't give us a satisfactory solution and so believers and Christians have always sought a third alternative to explain the problem of evil in a good universe. Now the book of Job is in reality the source material for a study of some of the most profound theological questions of the Bible- the problem of the righteous suffering adversity and the meaning of the presence of evil in a world God created good. It gives us the source of sickness and adversity. It's not God as some think and is often implied today. It's Satan who is behind the scenes doing this. No book in the Bible gives more insight into the problem of why the righteous suffer and the meaning and purpose of evil in the world. Now we will examine that question. There are three basic solutions that have been given to the problem of evil. First there's a denial of its existence. We're told all evil is only an illusion. This is fundamentally the doctrinal position of the Christian Scientists. All evil experienced, meaning sin, suffering, pain, and the like are purely subjective, existing only in the mind of the observer. They have no objective reality. Christian science teaches that since God is good, he could not permit evil to exist and therefore evil is not real. Suffering, evil, sin, and Satan and death are the imagination of man's finite mind. They're only an illusion. They have no reality and would disappear if man would by faith and self-discipline deny their existence. Of course, the objections to this hypothesis are almost self-evident. Even if this hypothesis were accepted as valid, which it isn't, one is still faced with the question of how the appearance of evil and suffering is to be explained. I mean what's the origin and meaning of the illusion of pain and suffering and death? The illusion of pain and suffering is as real to the sufferer as real pain and suffering. A world in which the majority of its inhabitants are deceived with respect to the presence of suffering needs as much explaining as one in which evil is a genuine reality. It doesn't solve the problem, it only changes the terminology from reality to illusion. The suffering and the evil remain. It is quite obvious that this view is unbiblical and is out of harmony with the facts of experience. I mean Christian Scientists yell just as loudly as anyone else when they mashed their finger with a hammer. They go right on dying like the rest of humanity. Another suggested solution is the error is finitism. We're told God's power is limited. The doctrine of the finite God is the solution that we must choose, we are told. The fact that God is not completely good and that he is not omnipotent is an unscriptural attempt to explain the presence of moral and natural evil. The limitation doctrine argues that God made the best kind of world that he could but that even God could not prevent the presence of evil. Finitism, we are told, preserves the goodness of God and recognizes that God is not the source of all things. He is the source of all that is good and He is an opposition to all that is evil. Finitism seems to be a solution to some people. But again, this theory is unbiblical. The doctrine of a finite God cannot stand in view of the testimony of Scripture. See Daniel 4:35 Jeremiah 32:17, Matthew 19:26, Romans 9, Job 1 and 2. We're told that God is in control of all events and governments in heaven and earth. Nothing is too hard for God and with God nothing is impossible. As we read Job chapters 1 & 2 we see that Satan had to get God's permission to afflict Job. The concept of an eternal principle of evil against which God is engaged in some cosmic struggle and the outcome of which is by no means certain is platonic dualism pure and simple. It's not Biblical. The doctrine of finitism is no solution at all to the problem but simply a sophisticated shortcut to avoid what appears to be a dilemma. It results from the fallacy that one must either give up the goodness of God or His omnipotence and power since there appears to be an alleged conflict. The only solution seems to be to sacrifice his omnipotence according to this unscriptural view. Now a third solution which we believe to be the biblical one, is that a moral world involves the possibility of evil. In a moral universe of free creatures, the possibility of moral development involves the possibility of the entrance of moral evil and its consequences into the world. For example, we see in the narratives of Genesis that God did not intend to compel moral obedience, but that a holy moral character could only be developed by voluntary free choice on Adam's part. Hence, a world without the possibility of disobeying God would not present the necessary means of developing moral character. Adam was not born with a holy moral character, but he was innocent. He was pure, but you're not born with character. This must develop and grow as you respond to the experiences of life. Trials, adversities, and so forth are designed to shape one's character. Someone has pointed out that these sufferings sometimes crush the person who experiences it. There are times when the final result is more glorious than would be conceivable in any other kind of universe. Therefore, this view does give us a workable solution to the problem of evil and helps explain the purpose of suffering. It is the suffering of the righteous and the allowance of the entrance of sin into the world. This view involves a possibility of the entrance of evil and also helps explain God's self-imposed limitations. Now those terms are important. We see God is presented in Scripture as omnipotent and all-powerful. But it is also true that, at the moment He created something outside himself, man who is a free moral creature, who could have the power at least temporarily to say no to God, that there was to some degree a self-imposed limitation which God placed upon Himself. This does not mean that God has limited His sovereignty, power, or His rule by creating a being in his own image who had the power to rebel against him. But it does mean that God chose to exercise his sovereignty in a universe filled with creatures who could temporarily rebel against that sovereignty. Notice it's only temporary, and so we see a moral world involves the possibility of the entrance and presence of moral evil. This brings us to the basic question that we're going to discuss. The perplexing problem of why the righteous suffer and biblical solutions. It's not unusual that trials and sufferings of the child of God may involve several purposes. We shall explore these next. Part 2.) First, we see that trials and sufferings have an educational purpose. We will see from this study that the righteous suffering trial and affliction is not always evidence that they have sinned or evidence that God is displeased with them. There may be some deeper purpose in God allowing it and that is to bring them into conformity to the image of Jesus Christ. Examining these purposes is necessary because the Christian goes through trials and sufferings of many kinds. Therefore, they need to know whether or not these are chastisements, are things to be resisted as from the devil, or if these things are from the hand of God! This way we will not be resisting when we should be submitting so we will benefit from our trials and testings. We mentioned that trials and sufferings have an educational purpose. We see Job's misfortunes and sufferings at first of all as a teaching and educational purpose. We see spiritual wisdom and discernment do not automatically come to the believer but they are gained through the times of hardship and suffering and of trial and testing. Job learned the meaning of an abiding faith in God. He received an education along the line of an abiding and steadfast faith. See chapter 13 in verses 15-18. Job said though he slay me yet will I trust him. He came to know what genuine faith was and he was willing to trust God in spite of circumstances and appearances. He came to know in a more meaningful way God as his Redeemer in chapter 19. He has come through a great valley of testing and trial and affliction and there's one thing he says. I don't understand all of this, but I do know my redeemer lives and then he became confident in his future of vindication. We see that in chapter 9 verses 32-35, chapter 16 verse 19, chapter 13 verse 18. He said I know that I will be justified and this suffering of mine is not the result of sin, but I will be vindicated. Almost beside himself from grief and suffering, he came into a deeper assurance of a future life beyond the grave and this present world of inequality, injustice, and affliction. He came into a deeper understanding of the sovereignty of God. In chapters 38 to 41 where the Lord addresses him in two discourses of speeches, Job said, I've heard of You in the hearing of the ear and now my eye has seen You. I abhor myself and I repent in dust and in ashes. He said, I lay my hand over my mouth and I'll not speak again. I've spoken once, I've spoken twice but now, he says I'll not speak again. God revealed to him his sovereignty. God doesn't answer job's perplexities or questions. He just reminds him that He is God and that whatever he does is righteous. So, the educational purpose and significance of suffering is evident throughout the Bible especially in the book of Job as Job progressively moves from one valley of doubt and mystery to another. Each time climbing to a mountain peak of faith as he conquers his fears and his doubts and he comes to a new understanding and appreciation of the promises of God. The meaning of suffering is first and foremost of all for the express purpose of developing within the heart of the saint the assurance and understanding of his trust in God. In psalm 119 verses 65-72. The psalmist said there that he praises the Lord for afflicting him because then he came to know how to obey the Lord as he should. He said I thank You for the correction of my affliction because now I've come to understand better how to obey your precepts and your law. Our trials and tests, persecutions and the like have an educational purpose. When Jesus saves you, he sends you to His school. That is the school of the trial of your faith. Sadly, most Christians have not been taught this. They do not profit from their lessons so they keep taking the same course over and over. This is because they're flunking the tests. They've not been taught to submit to the trials but instead resist them. They think trials are something to be avoided at all costs. The Bible says we are to rejoice in our trials, James 1, because it is working in us the steadfast endurance we need to mature. Jesus told us that trials are to be a cause of rejoicing in Matthew 5, because when we're persecuted he said, rejoice because great is your reward in heaven. We are not to resist these things. Again, in Acts 14:22, for we must by much tribulation enter the kingdom of God. If you're trying to get off the pathway of trial and if you're trying to get out of that school, then you are on the wrong path. Realize you will not be able to graduate because you're flunking the course or you become a spiritual dropout from the school of the trial of your faith. Trials and sufferings are designed by God because He loves you and desires to educate you in an abiding faith in knowing that He is able to deliver and protect you keeping you to the end. You come to trust Him in spite of circumstances as Job. You come to the place where you can say though He slay me yet will I trust Him. That doesn't make any sense to your head or your intellect, but if you stay in God's school and learn your lessons as you should, it will make sense to your spirit and to your heart. Trials and sufferings of the believer for righteousness' sake have an educational purpose. Stay in God's school long enough for him to teach you something and you'll find you'll be blessed for it with a mature faith and trust in the plans and purposes of God in your life! Part 3.) Next, we see that sometimes sufferings and trials have a punitive purpose. This is the solution, by the way, to the problem suggested by Job's friends. You'll notice this as you read the book and although it is by no means the whole answer, yet it does have its place in the total picture. This is the law of sowing and reaping Galatians 6:7 - for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. There are natural consequences of sin and so sometimes trials and sufferings have a punitive purpose. Punitive means punishment. Some of these things we endure and suffer are because we've not heeded the law of sowing and reaping Galatians 6:7. We see this throughout the Bible that this works for the saint as well as the sinner. We have to obey this law. If we don't sow to the Spirit and sow to the flesh, we're going to reap the consequences. We see this in the case of David. He had to reap what he sowed in his sin with Bathsheba. We read the sword never departed from his house, although he did receive forgiveness. We also see this in the New Testament in 1st Corinthians 5 and 1st Corinthians 11. Some of the Christians were not partaking of the communion the Lord's Supper as they should. Therefore, Paul says you don't discern the Lord's body, you're not eating this supper worthily, and therefore some of you are sick and some of you are dying prematurely. This is the law of sowing and reaping. For example, if a Christian girl allows herself to get into trouble and becomes pregnant, she may repent of that sin and be forgiven but she'll still suffer the stigma of bearing an illegitimate child. She's still going to suffer the consequences of what she sowed, for whatsoever you sow you reap. Galatians 6:7. So there's no way to get around the fact that you're going to reap what you sow. This is why sometimes we suffer trials and afflictions. We should examine our lives to see whether or not God is judging us because of something we have disobeyed him about or not getting our lives corrected about some matter. Now what's the significance of Job's suffering in relation to the punitive purpose? Remember this is the suggested solution of Job's three friends. The principle upon which all suffering is based they said is this- that suffering is a direct result of sin and a just recompense for it. Job's sufferings, they insisted, were a sign of divine displeasure and presupposed sin on his part. Now of course the Bible does set forth this principle. It's the law of sowing and reaping where righteousness will bring prosperity and blessing, disobedience and wickedness will bring adversity. This is a principle set forth throughout the Bible as Deuteronomy 28 which is a good example of that. Psalm 1 is another example. But what of the righteous individual who often is the victim of misfortune and suffering, and why so often do the ungodly seem to prosper? What's the explanation for the suffering of the innocent and the prosperity of the wicked? Was the popular notion that the innocent do not suffer and the wicked are always afflicted contrary to the facts, even as Bildad and Zophar dogmatically insisted it was true? They insisted the principle was immutable and that Job, though outwardly righteous, nevertheless must be guilty of some heinous secret sins. Their philosophy was this, that all sin causes suffering. Job is suffering. The conclusion, Job must be a sinner! Job's sufferings, they argue, convict him implicitly of some grave sin and they plead with him to acknowledge it and repent. Job protests his innocence throughout the book and so we still are faced with the perplexing question. Why then is Job suffering? Remember he didn't have chapters 1 and 2 which give us the explanation. He had to endure this experience before the answer came. What then is the explanation for those instances which seemed by the Scriptures, show the moral principle of cause and effect, sowing and reaping, that they could not always be forced into a neat logical system? The laws governing society did not guarantee that in some individual cases the innocent might not suffer and that wickedness might not elude temporary judgment. No, throughout the scriptures we see that suffering is not necessarily the direct result of prior sins. This is proven in many passages as Jeremiah 19, Ezekiel 21, Amos chapter 2, In John 9, the case of the blind man, Jesus said this man was not blind because of his parent's sin or his own sin but that God might be glorified in his healing. So, also, in the case of Job, we see he suffered innocently. What the Scriptures do teach is this - that in the light of eternity it is the righteous who will be blessed and the wicked who will suffer. We should not judge too soon. The conclusion is this, suffering and adversity may sometimes be the result of sin and therefore the purpose is punitive, but this is not always the case. Don't follow Job's friends' rigid thinking in condemning someone when you do not have all the facts. Part 4.) Sometimes trials and suffering have a disciplinary purpose. There are times afflictions are the chastisements of a loving Father. This is in harmony with Hebrews 12, 1st Corinthians 5, 1st Corinthians 11 and proverbs 3 verses 11-12. Who the Lord loves He chastens. The Scriptures tell us in Job chapter 33, that God speaks to man and the purpose for that is he may withdraw man from his purpose and hide pride from man. He keeps back his soul from the pit and his life from perishing by the sword. He is chastened also with pain upon his bed and the multitude of his bones with strong pain. God chastens his children because he doesn't want His children going on a path of destruction from disobedience to His Word and will for their lives. We read in Hebrews 12 that who the Lord loves He chastens and He scourges every son He receives. Job 33 speaks of one form of chastisement being sickness. In Hebrews 12 it doesn't say anything about sickness being a form of chastisement. God has many ways to chasten His children. Sometimes he just withholds his blessings. Testing has a way of humbling man's pride. You see, many of Job's utterances under the weight of his afflictions gave indication that his trials had not yet fully accomplished their purpose. You will see this as you read the book of Job. Job sometimes questions God's purposes and in his questioning of God's purpose and his control of human affairs, it implied that Job knew more than God. Sometimes Christians, under the weight of their trials and afflictions, will cry out to God in such a way and try to use their logic and reason to such an extent that they even question God's wisdom in allowing them the trials and afflictions. To be Continued. Edited. Shared. ❤️ God willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.
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  • This is my very first book to be published soon:

    Preface

    For generations, humanity has accepted without question the idea that Jehovah is the Supreme and Ultimate Being — the beginning and the end of all existence. Religions have been built upon this belief, civilizations shaped by it, and billions have worshipped under its shadow. Yet throughout history, some questions have remained unanswered, buried beneath doctrine, fear, and tradition.

    This book was born from one such question:

    *What if Jehovah Himself is not the Highest Authority?*

    What if beyond the God humanity has known, there exists a Greater Source — a Father above God?

    At first glance, such a suggestion may sound shocking, even offensive to many. But every major discovery in human history began with a question people were afraid to ask. This book does not seek to attack faith, destroy belief, or mock religion. Instead, it seeks to examine Scripture, logic, justice, and the events recorded from the very beginning of human existence with honesty and courage.

    The foundation of this argument begins in the Garden of Eden.

    If Jehovah possessed absolute wisdom, absolute justice, and absolute power as traditionally believed, why was humanity condemned through Adam in a way that affected every generation after him? Why would descendants inherit suffering for a choice they never made? Why would an all-powerful being allow sin to spread endlessly instead of resolving the matter directly with Adam and Eve alone?

    Could it be that the events in Eden reveal limitations, laws, or higher authorities beyond Jehovah Himself?

    Throughout this book, we will explore difficult and uncomfortable questions that many avoid:

    * Was the punishment in Eden truly just?
    * Why does suffering continue despite divine power?
    * Why do Scriptures sometimes hint at beings greater than the God mankind worships?
    * Could the title “God” itself imply authority granted from a higher source?
    * Did Jesus Himself suggest the existence of a reality beyond human understanding of God?

    This work is not written from hatred toward religion, but from a deep desire to search for truth wherever it may lead. Truth has never feared investigation. Only deception demands silence.

    The purpose of this book is not to force conclusions upon the reader, but to invite critical thought, reflection, and fearless examination. Whether one ultimately agrees or disagrees with these ideas, the journey itself may challenge long-held assumptions and open doors to deeper understanding.

    Some readers may reject these pages immediately. Others may find themselves wrestling with questions they have secretly carried for years. Either response is understandable.

    But if there truly exists a Father above God, then perhaps humanity’s understanding of divine reality has only scratched the surface.

    And perhaps the greatest mystery is not whether God exists…

    …but whether God Himself has a Father.
    This is my very first book to be published soon: Preface For generations, humanity has accepted without question the idea that Jehovah is the Supreme and Ultimate Being — the beginning and the end of all existence. Religions have been built upon this belief, civilizations shaped by it, and billions have worshipped under its shadow. Yet throughout history, some questions have remained unanswered, buried beneath doctrine, fear, and tradition. This book was born from one such question: *What if Jehovah Himself is not the Highest Authority?* What if beyond the God humanity has known, there exists a Greater Source — a Father above God? At first glance, such a suggestion may sound shocking, even offensive to many. But every major discovery in human history began with a question people were afraid to ask. This book does not seek to attack faith, destroy belief, or mock religion. Instead, it seeks to examine Scripture, logic, justice, and the events recorded from the very beginning of human existence with honesty and courage. The foundation of this argument begins in the Garden of Eden. If Jehovah possessed absolute wisdom, absolute justice, and absolute power as traditionally believed, why was humanity condemned through Adam in a way that affected every generation after him? Why would descendants inherit suffering for a choice they never made? Why would an all-powerful being allow sin to spread endlessly instead of resolving the matter directly with Adam and Eve alone? Could it be that the events in Eden reveal limitations, laws, or higher authorities beyond Jehovah Himself? Throughout this book, we will explore difficult and uncomfortable questions that many avoid: * Was the punishment in Eden truly just? * Why does suffering continue despite divine power? * Why do Scriptures sometimes hint at beings greater than the God mankind worships? * Could the title “God” itself imply authority granted from a higher source? * Did Jesus Himself suggest the existence of a reality beyond human understanding of God? This work is not written from hatred toward religion, but from a deep desire to search for truth wherever it may lead. Truth has never feared investigation. Only deception demands silence. The purpose of this book is not to force conclusions upon the reader, but to invite critical thought, reflection, and fearless examination. Whether one ultimately agrees or disagrees with these ideas, the journey itself may challenge long-held assumptions and open doors to deeper understanding. Some readers may reject these pages immediately. Others may find themselves wrestling with questions they have secretly carried for years. Either response is understandable. But if there truly exists a Father above God, then perhaps humanity’s understanding of divine reality has only scratched the surface. And perhaps the greatest mystery is not whether God exists… …but whether God Himself has a Father.
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  • EXHOTHÉOBALD

    Theme: « IL N’Y A RIEN DEHORS : CHRIST SUFFIT ! »

    Colossiens 2:9-10

    « Car en lui habite corporellement toute la plénitude de la divinité. Vous avez tout pleinement en lui… »

    Textes complémentaires :
    Jean 15:1-7 ; Philippiens 4:19 ; Psaume 23:1 ; Jean 6:35 ; Colossiens 1:15-20.

    1- L’idée fondamentale

    Le monde nous apprend constamment à chercher ailleurs ce que nous pensons ne pas avoir en nous : bonheur, sécurité, identité, reconnaissance, satisfaction, puissance, avenir…

    Mais l’Évangile nous révèle une vérité extraordinaire :

    En Christ, nous ne sommes pas à la recherche de quelque chose qui nous manque fondamentalement : nous avons trouvé Celui qui suffit.

    Christ ne doit pas être un complément à notre vie.
    Christ doit être le centre, la source et la suffisance de notre vie.



    I. POURQUOI L’HOMME CHERCHE-T-IL DEHORS ?

    Depuis Éden, l’homme est tenté de croire que Dieu ne suffit pas.

    Genèse 3 montre Adam et Ève cherchant quelque chose en dehors de la volonté de Dieu.

    Aujourd’hui encore, nous pouvons chercher :

    * notre identité dans les hommes ;
    * notre valeur dans l’argent ;
    * notre sécurité dans les biens ;
    * notre bonheur dans les plaisirs ;
    * notre reconnaissance dans les réseaux sociaux ;
    * notre avenir dans les relations humaines ;
    * notre puissance dans les positions ;
    * notre satisfaction dans les possessions.

    Le problème n’est pas seulement ce que nous cherchons, mais la source auprès de laquelle nous le cherchons.

    Question au séminaire

    Qu’est-ce que je suis en train de chercher dehors que Christ veut être pour moi ?



    II. CHRIST SUFFIT PARCE QU’IL EST PLEINEMENT DIEU

    Colossiens 2:9 :

    « En lui habite corporellement toute la plénitude de la divinité. »

    Nous ne sommes pas attachés à un simple prophète, à un grand enseignant ou à un modèle moral.

    Jésus-Christ est Dieu manifesté dans la chair.

    C’est pourquoi notre relation avec Lui est suffisante.

    Si Christ est véritablement Dieu, alors :

    * sa Parole suffit ;
    * sa grâce suffit ;
    * sa présence suffit ;
    * son salut suffit ;
    * son amour suffit ;
    * sa puissance suffit.



    III. CHRIST SUFFIT POUR NOTRE SALUT

    Jean 14:6 :

    « Je suis le chemin, la vérité, et la vie. Nul ne vient au Père que par moi. »

    Nous n’avons pas besoin d’ajouter autre chose à l’œuvre de la croix.

    Christ est notre salut.

    Nos œuvres ne nous sauvent pas.

    Notre argent ne nous sauve pas.

    Notre position dans l’Église ne nous sauve pas.

    Notre famille chrétienne ne nous sauve pas.

    Notre ancienneté dans l’Église ne nous sauve pas.

    C’est Christ qui sauve.



    IV. CHRIST SUFFIT POUR NOTRE IDENTITÉ

    Beaucoup de personnes passent leur vie à demander aux autres :

    « Qui suis-je ? Suis-je important ? Suis-je aimé ? Ai-je de la valeur ? »

    Mais en Christ, notre identité ne dépend plus de l’approbation des hommes.

    2 Corinthiens 5:17 :

    « Si quelqu’un est en Christ, il est une nouvelle créature. »

    Je ne suis pas ce que les gens disent de moi.
    Je ne suis pas mon passé.
    Je ne suis pas mes échecs.
    Je ne suis pas mon statut social.
    Je suis ce que Dieu dit de moi en Christ.



    V. CHRIST SUFFIT DANS NOS BESOINS

    Philippiens 4:19 :

    « Et mon Dieu pourvoira à tous vos besoins selon sa richesse, avec gloire, en Jésus-Christ. »

    Attention : dire « Christ suffit » ne signifie pas que nous n’avons besoin de personne.

    Dieu utilise les parents, les amis, l’Église, les frères et sœurs, les professionnels et différentes ressources.

    Mais cela signifie que notre confiance ultime ne doit jamais être placée dans les ressources, mais dans Celui qui les donne.

    Les ressources peuvent manquer.

    Les hommes peuvent abandonner.

    Les portes peuvent se fermer.

    Mais Christ demeure.



    VI. CHRIST SUFFIT DANS LES ÉPREUVES

    Paul dit en Philippiens 4:12 :

    « Je sais vivre dans l’humiliation, et je sais vivre dans l’abondance. »

    Pourquoi ?

    Parce que sa satisfaction ne dépendait pas des circonstances.

    Puis il déclare :

    « Je puis tout par celui qui me fortifie. » — Philippiens 4:13.

    Paul ne dit pas : « Je peux tout parce que j’ai tout. »

    Il dit en substance :

    « Même lorsque je n’ai pas tout, Christ demeure ma force. »

    Voilà la maturité spirituelle :

    Être heureux avec beaucoup parce que Christ est là, et rester debout avec peu parce que Christ est toujours là.



    VII. LE DANGER : AVOIR CHRIST ET CHERCHER ENCORE AILLEURS

    C’est probablement l’un des plus grands défis du chrétien.

    Nous pouvons avoir Jésus et continuer à chercher notre satisfaction ailleurs.

    Nous disons :

    « Jésus me suffit. »

    Mais notre cœur dit parfois :

    « Il me faut aussi l’argent, l’approbation des hommes, la popularité, les plaisirs, les relations, le pouvoir… »

    Le problème n’est pas d’avoir ces choses.

    Le problème commence lorsque ces choses prennent la place de Christ.

    Matthieu 6:33 :

    « Cherchez premièrement le royaume et la justice de Dieu… »



    VIII. « IL N’Y A RIEN DEHORS » : UNE INVITATION À REVENIR À CHRIST

    Jean 6:68 est magnifique.

    Lorsque beaucoup abandonnent Jésus, Pierre lui dit :

    « Seigneur, à qui irions-nous ? Tu as les paroles de la vie éternelle. »

    C’est exactement l’esprit du thème :

    À qui irions-nous ?

    Quand les hommes nous abandonnent : Christ suffit.

    Quand les portes se ferment : Christ suffit.

    Quand les ressources diminuent : Christ suffit.

    Quand notre réputation est attaquée : Christ suffit.

    Quand nous traversons une saison difficile : Christ suffit.

    Quand nous ne comprenons pas ce que Dieu fait : Christ suffit.

    Quand nous avons tout : Christ suffit.

    Quand nous n’avons presque rien : Christ suffit.



    IX. CHRIST NE DOIT PAS ÊTRE NOTRE « DERNIER RECOURS »

    Il faut inverser notre logique.

    Certaines personnes disent :

    « J’ai essayé tout, maintenant je vais essayer Jésus. »

    Mais le chrétien dit :

    « J’ai Jésus ; maintenant je veux vivre tout avec Lui. »

    Christ n’est pas le plan B.

    Christ est le plan de Dieu.

    Il n’est pas une solution parmi plusieurs.

    Il est la solution fondamentale.



    X. CHRIST SUFFIT, MAIS DEMEURONS EN CHRIST

    Jean 15:4 :

    « Demeurez en moi, et je demeurerai en vous. »

    Voilà la conclusion pratique.

    Si Christ suffit, alors demeurons en Christ !

    Demeurons :

    dans sa Parole — Jean 15:7
    dans la prière — 1 Thessaloniciens 5:17
    dans l’obéissance — Jean 15:10
    dans l’amour — Jean 15:9
    dans la foi — Colossiens 2:6-7
    dans la communion — 1 Jean 1:3
    dans la sainteté — 1 Pierre 1:15-16.

    Car le danger n’est pas seulement de découvrir que Christ suffit.

    Le véritable défi est de rester attaché à Celui qui suffit.



    CONCLUSION

    UNE DÉCISION À PRENDRE

    L’exhortation doit conduire chacun à cette confession :

    « Seigneur Jésus, je renonce à chercher en dehors de toi ce que toi seul peux être pour moi. Tu es mon salut, mon identité, ma source, ma force, ma paix, mon espérance et mon avenir. Je ne veux plus simplement avoir Christ dans ma vie ; je veux que Christ soit ma vie. »

    Déclaration finale

    Je n’ai pas besoin de quitter Christ pour trouver la vie.
    Je n’ai pas besoin de chercher ailleurs ce que Christ peut être pour moi.
    Je n’ai pas besoin de remplacer Christ.
    Je n’ai pas besoin d’un autre fondement.
    Je n’ai pas besoin d’une autre source.

    CHRIST SUFFIT !

    Et parce que Christ suffit :

    Je demeure en Christ.
    Je m’enracine en Christ.
    Je me construis en Christ.
    Je me confie en Christ.
    Je marche avec Christ.
    Je sers Christ.
    Et je veux finir ma course avec Christ.

    « À qui irions-nous ? Tu as les paroles de la vie éternelle. » — Jean 6:68


    Théobald MBISSA,Pst
    Formateur Int.
    EXHO🇨🇩THÉOBALD Theme: « IL N’Y A RIEN DEHORS : CHRIST SUFFIT ! » Colossiens 2:9-10 « Car en lui habite corporellement toute la plénitude de la divinité. Vous avez tout pleinement en lui… » Textes complémentaires : Jean 15:1-7 ; Philippiens 4:19 ; Psaume 23:1 ; Jean 6:35 ; Colossiens 1:15-20. 1- L’idée fondamentale Le monde nous apprend constamment à chercher ailleurs ce que nous pensons ne pas avoir en nous : bonheur, sécurité, identité, reconnaissance, satisfaction, puissance, avenir… Mais l’Évangile nous révèle une vérité extraordinaire : En Christ, nous ne sommes pas à la recherche de quelque chose qui nous manque fondamentalement : nous avons trouvé Celui qui suffit. Christ ne doit pas être un complément à notre vie. Christ doit être le centre, la source et la suffisance de notre vie. ⸻ I. POURQUOI L’HOMME CHERCHE-T-IL DEHORS ? Depuis Éden, l’homme est tenté de croire que Dieu ne suffit pas. Genèse 3 montre Adam et Ève cherchant quelque chose en dehors de la volonté de Dieu. Aujourd’hui encore, nous pouvons chercher : * notre identité dans les hommes ; * notre valeur dans l’argent ; * notre sécurité dans les biens ; * notre bonheur dans les plaisirs ; * notre reconnaissance dans les réseaux sociaux ; * notre avenir dans les relations humaines ; * notre puissance dans les positions ; * notre satisfaction dans les possessions. Le problème n’est pas seulement ce que nous cherchons, mais la source auprès de laquelle nous le cherchons. Question au séminaire Qu’est-ce que je suis en train de chercher dehors que Christ veut être pour moi ? ⸻ II. CHRIST SUFFIT PARCE QU’IL EST PLEINEMENT DIEU Colossiens 2:9 : « En lui habite corporellement toute la plénitude de la divinité. » Nous ne sommes pas attachés à un simple prophète, à un grand enseignant ou à un modèle moral. Jésus-Christ est Dieu manifesté dans la chair. C’est pourquoi notre relation avec Lui est suffisante. Si Christ est véritablement Dieu, alors : * sa Parole suffit ; * sa grâce suffit ; * sa présence suffit ; * son salut suffit ; * son amour suffit ; * sa puissance suffit. ⸻ III. CHRIST SUFFIT POUR NOTRE SALUT Jean 14:6 : « Je suis le chemin, la vérité, et la vie. Nul ne vient au Père que par moi. » Nous n’avons pas besoin d’ajouter autre chose à l’œuvre de la croix. Christ est notre salut. Nos œuvres ne nous sauvent pas. Notre argent ne nous sauve pas. Notre position dans l’Église ne nous sauve pas. Notre famille chrétienne ne nous sauve pas. Notre ancienneté dans l’Église ne nous sauve pas. C’est Christ qui sauve. ⸻ IV. CHRIST SUFFIT POUR NOTRE IDENTITÉ Beaucoup de personnes passent leur vie à demander aux autres : « Qui suis-je ? Suis-je important ? Suis-je aimé ? Ai-je de la valeur ? » Mais en Christ, notre identité ne dépend plus de l’approbation des hommes. 2 Corinthiens 5:17 : « Si quelqu’un est en Christ, il est une nouvelle créature. » Je ne suis pas ce que les gens disent de moi. Je ne suis pas mon passé. Je ne suis pas mes échecs. Je ne suis pas mon statut social. Je suis ce que Dieu dit de moi en Christ. ⸻ V. CHRIST SUFFIT DANS NOS BESOINS Philippiens 4:19 : « Et mon Dieu pourvoira à tous vos besoins selon sa richesse, avec gloire, en Jésus-Christ. » Attention : dire « Christ suffit » ne signifie pas que nous n’avons besoin de personne. Dieu utilise les parents, les amis, l’Église, les frères et sœurs, les professionnels et différentes ressources. Mais cela signifie que notre confiance ultime ne doit jamais être placée dans les ressources, mais dans Celui qui les donne. Les ressources peuvent manquer. Les hommes peuvent abandonner. Les portes peuvent se fermer. Mais Christ demeure. ⸻ VI. CHRIST SUFFIT DANS LES ÉPREUVES Paul dit en Philippiens 4:12 : « Je sais vivre dans l’humiliation, et je sais vivre dans l’abondance. » Pourquoi ? Parce que sa satisfaction ne dépendait pas des circonstances. Puis il déclare : « Je puis tout par celui qui me fortifie. » — Philippiens 4:13. Paul ne dit pas : « Je peux tout parce que j’ai tout. » Il dit en substance : « Même lorsque je n’ai pas tout, Christ demeure ma force. » Voilà la maturité spirituelle : Être heureux avec beaucoup parce que Christ est là, et rester debout avec peu parce que Christ est toujours là. ⸻ VII. LE DANGER : AVOIR CHRIST ET CHERCHER ENCORE AILLEURS C’est probablement l’un des plus grands défis du chrétien. Nous pouvons avoir Jésus et continuer à chercher notre satisfaction ailleurs. Nous disons : « Jésus me suffit. » Mais notre cœur dit parfois : « Il me faut aussi l’argent, l’approbation des hommes, la popularité, les plaisirs, les relations, le pouvoir… » Le problème n’est pas d’avoir ces choses. Le problème commence lorsque ces choses prennent la place de Christ. Matthieu 6:33 : « Cherchez premièrement le royaume et la justice de Dieu… » ⸻ VIII. « IL N’Y A RIEN DEHORS » : UNE INVITATION À REVENIR À CHRIST Jean 6:68 est magnifique. Lorsque beaucoup abandonnent Jésus, Pierre lui dit : « Seigneur, à qui irions-nous ? Tu as les paroles de la vie éternelle. » C’est exactement l’esprit du thème : À qui irions-nous ? Quand les hommes nous abandonnent : Christ suffit. Quand les portes se ferment : Christ suffit. Quand les ressources diminuent : Christ suffit. Quand notre réputation est attaquée : Christ suffit. Quand nous traversons une saison difficile : Christ suffit. Quand nous ne comprenons pas ce que Dieu fait : Christ suffit. Quand nous avons tout : Christ suffit. Quand nous n’avons presque rien : Christ suffit. ⸻ IX. CHRIST NE DOIT PAS ÊTRE NOTRE « DERNIER RECOURS » Il faut inverser notre logique. Certaines personnes disent : « J’ai essayé tout, maintenant je vais essayer Jésus. » Mais le chrétien dit : « J’ai Jésus ; maintenant je veux vivre tout avec Lui. » Christ n’est pas le plan B. Christ est le plan de Dieu. Il n’est pas une solution parmi plusieurs. Il est la solution fondamentale. ⸻ X. CHRIST SUFFIT, MAIS DEMEURONS EN CHRIST Jean 15:4 : « Demeurez en moi, et je demeurerai en vous. » Voilà la conclusion pratique. Si Christ suffit, alors demeurons en Christ ! Demeurons : dans sa Parole — Jean 15:7 dans la prière — 1 Thessaloniciens 5:17 dans l’obéissance — Jean 15:10 dans l’amour — Jean 15:9 dans la foi — Colossiens 2:6-7 dans la communion — 1 Jean 1:3 dans la sainteté — 1 Pierre 1:15-16. Car le danger n’est pas seulement de découvrir que Christ suffit. Le véritable défi est de rester attaché à Celui qui suffit. ⸻ CONCLUSION UNE DÉCISION À PRENDRE L’exhortation doit conduire chacun à cette confession : « Seigneur Jésus, je renonce à chercher en dehors de toi ce que toi seul peux être pour moi. Tu es mon salut, mon identité, ma source, ma force, ma paix, mon espérance et mon avenir. Je ne veux plus simplement avoir Christ dans ma vie ; je veux que Christ soit ma vie. » Déclaration finale Je n’ai pas besoin de quitter Christ pour trouver la vie. Je n’ai pas besoin de chercher ailleurs ce que Christ peut être pour moi. Je n’ai pas besoin de remplacer Christ. Je n’ai pas besoin d’un autre fondement. Je n’ai pas besoin d’une autre source. CHRIST SUFFIT ! Et parce que Christ suffit : Je demeure en Christ. Je m’enracine en Christ. Je me construis en Christ. Je me confie en Christ. Je marche avec Christ. Je sers Christ. Et je veux finir ma course avec Christ. « À qui irions-nous ? Tu as les paroles de la vie éternelle. » — Jean 6:68 Théobald MBISSA,Pst Formateur Int.
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  • The new prints have arrived from the printer.

    Purchase a limited edition signed-and-numbered print on eBay:

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/147493886713

    Or purchase a copy of THE SWORD OF EDEN or THE SWORD OF EDEN: SHINOBI graphic novels, and get the new print:

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    The new prints have arrived from the printer. Purchase a limited edition signed-and-numbered print on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/147493886713 Or purchase a copy of THE SWORD OF EDEN or THE SWORD OF EDEN: SHINOBI graphic novels, and get the new print: https://messianiccomicsstore.bigcartel.com/ or… www.theswordofeden.com And... https://www.ebay.com/itm/147065405713 or... https://www.ebay.com/usr/albertnickerson While supplies last! #theswordofeden #theswordofedenshinobi #anactoffaithcomic #comics #graphicnovels #SequentialArt #creatorsrights #selfpublishing #comicbookstore #comicbookstores #Christianbookstore #Christianbookstores #ChristianityandComics #christiancomics #everythingchristian #Trump #Trump2024 #Trump2028 #MakeComicsGreatAgain #JesusMatters
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  • Daily Bible Lesson.
    WE ASK GOD FOR MORE LIGHT—THEN MAKE EXCUSES WHEN HIS LIGHT REQUIRES CHANGE

    “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice.” — 1 Samuel 15:22

    We pray:

    “Lord, show me Your will.”

    Then His light touches something we love—

    our time, appetite, appearance, character, location, or tongue—

    and suddenly:

    “My situation is different.”
    “Everyone does it.”
    “I'm not convicted.”

    Perhaps our greatest problem is not always lack of light.

    IT IS THE HUMAN HEART'S AMAZING ABILITY TO EXPLAIN AWAY THE LIGHT IT DOES NOT WANT TO OBEY.

    Jesus asks:

    “Why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” — Luke 6:46

    So here is the question beneath every reform:

    ARE WE SEEKING GOD'S WILL—OR ASKING GOD TO APPROVE OURS?

    ---

    ① SABBATH REFORM—WHO OWNS YOUR TIME?

    THE EXCUSES:

    “I have to work.”
    “Most Christians worship Sunday.”
    “God knows my heart.”

    Yes—God knows the heart.

    And Jesus says:

    “If ye love Me, keep My commandments.” — John 14:15

    God's command still reads:

    “The seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God.” — Exodus 20:10

    Obedience may cost convenience, approval, opportunity—even income.

    But faith asks something deeper:

    WHAT IS JESUS WORTH?

    “We ought to obey God rather than men.” — Acts 5:29

    Do not merely argue for the Sabbath.

    KNOW THE LORD OF THE SABBATH—and ask Him for faith to walk in His footsteps.

    ---

    ② HEALTH REFORM—HAS APPETITE RENAMED ITSELF “NECESSITY”?

    THE EXCUSES:

    “My body needs it.”
    “I've always eaten this way.”
    “We're all going to die anyway.”

    But this body is not ours to abuse.

    “Ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” — 1 Corinthians 6:20

    “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink… do all to the glory of God.” — 1 Corinthians 10:31

    Health reform is not salvation by menu.

    It is stewardship of a body purchased by Christ.

    Inspiration warns of those who “frame excuses and make necessities which have no existence” while resisting health light. — Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 399

    What a warning:

    APPETITE IS A TERRIBLE COUNSELOR WHEN ASKED TO JUDGE ITS OWN HABITS.

    Stop asking only:

    “Do I enjoy it?”

    Ask:

    “WILL THIS KEEP MY BODY AND MIND FIT FOR CHRIST'S SERVICE?”

    ---

    ③ DRESS REFORM—WHO ARE WE TRYING TO PLEASE?

    THE EXCUSES:

    “It's only fashion.”
    “God only looks at the heart.”
    “I don't want to look different.”

    Yes:

    “The LORD looketh on the heart.” — 1 Samuel 16:7

    And Scripture also calls for:

    “Modest apparel.” — 1 Timothy 2:9

    The issue is not ugliness.

    Not neglect.

    Not a religious uniform.

    The question is:

    WHO IS SHAPING MY APPEARANCE—CHRIST OR THE WORLD?

    Christian dress should reflect modesty, simplicity, health, dignity, and good taste without making self the attraction.

    CLOTHING CANNOT SAVE THE HEART—BUT THE MASTER OF THE HEART WILL INFLUENCE THE CLOTHING.

    Let your appearance quietly testify:

    “I BELONG TO CHRIST.”

    ---

    ④ CHARACTER REFORM—“THAT'S JUST HOW I AM.”

    Perhaps no excuse protects cherished defects more effectively.

    Anger becomes “my personality.”
    Pride becomes “confidence.”
    Bitterness becomes “what they deserve.”

    Then comes the universal shield:

    “Nobody is perfect.”

    True.

    But Jesus never made imperfection an excuse for refusing transformation.

    “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17

    “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 2:5

    Christ does not merely forgive us in the old life.

    HE BEGINS MAKING US NEW.

    “When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.” — Christ's Object Lessons, p. 69

    Stop defending your defect with:

    “THAT'S WHO I AM.”

    Bring it to Jesus:

    “LORD, MAKE ME LIKE YOU.”

    ---

    ⑤ LOCATION REFORM—WHY DID INSPIRATION CRY, “OUT OF THE CITIES”?

    Here excuses become painfully practical:

    “My job is here.”
    “My children's opportunities are here.”
    “I'll move when everything becomes convenient.”

    Yet Inspiration repeatedly urged:

    “Out of the cities, out of the cities! This is the message the Lord has been giving me.” — Country Living, p. 29

    Why?

    Not because soil saves souls.

    But country surroundings can favor health, simplicity, useful labor, children learning from nature, greater separation from corrupting influences, and preparation for difficult times.

    God's first home for humanity was not a congested metropolis.

    “The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden.” — Genesis 2:8

    Abraham lived as a pilgrim.

    Lot “pitched his tent toward Sodom.” — Genesis 13:12

    Their stories remind us:

    LOCATION CANNOT CONVERT THE HEART—BUT ENVIRONMENT CAN POWERFULLY INFLUENCE IT.

    Yet Inspiration also counseled:

    “Out of the cities; but not a moment before God would have us go.” — Country Living, p. 26

    So the message is not:

    PANIC AND RUN.

    It is:

    PRAY.
    PREPARE.
    SIMPLIFY.
    LEARN.
    WATCH PROVIDENCE.
    AND WHEN GOD OPENS THE WAY—OBEY.

    And remember:

    YOU CAN LEAVE BABYLON GEOGRAPHICALLY WHILE BABYLON STILL LIVES IN YOUR HEART.

    Christ's first relocation project is:

    SELF OFF THE THRONE—CHRIST ON IT.

    ---

    ⑥ SPEECH REFORM—CAN A CONVERTED HEART KEEP AN UNCONVERTED TONGUE?

    Here the excuses sound innocent:

    “I'm only joking.”
    “But it's true!”
    “I just needed to release my feelings.”

    Scripture answers:

    “Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting… but rather giving of thanks.” — Ephesians 5:4

    “Speak evil of no man.” — Titus 3:2

    And instead:

    “That which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” — Ephesians 4:29

    Imagine that standard:

    WORDS THAT MINISTER GRACE.

    No gossip.

    No slander.

    No degrading jesting.

    No cutting sarcasm.

    No dishonest flattery.

    No spreading bitterness from heart to heart.

    “Bless, and curse not.” — Romans 12:14

    This does not mean hiding wrongdoing.

    Jesus rebuked sin.

    Nathan confronted David.

    Paul corrected churches.

    Truth sometimes must hurt before it heals.

    But Scripture says:

    “Speaking the truth in love.” — Ephesians 4:15

    Before speaking, ask:

    IS IT TRUE?
    IS IT NECESSARY?
    IS IT LOVING?
    WILL IT BUILD RATHER THAN POISON?
    WOULD I SAY IT THIS WAY IN THE VISIBLE PRESENCE OF JESUS?

    “Let the law of kindness be upon your lips and the oil of grace in your heart.” — Christ's Object Lessons, p. 337

    What a standard:

    **TRUTH ON THE LIPS.

    GRACE IN THE HEART.**

    ---

    ⑦ PERHAPS THE MOST DANGEROUS EXCUSE—“I'M NOT CONVICTED.”

    Sometimes that is sincere.

    Conscience must never be forced.

    But sometimes:

    “I'M NOT CONVICTED”

    really means:

    “I DON'T WANT TO INVESTIGATE THIS DEEPLY ENOUGH TO BECOME CONVICTED.”

    Jesus reveals a searching principle:

    “If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.” — John 7:17

    Notice the order:

    WILLINGNESS → UNDERSTANDING → OBEDIENCE.

    Before asking,

    “Is this really required?”

    ask:

    “LORD, IF YOUR WORD SHOWS ME THAT I AM WRONG—AM I WILLING TO CHANGE?”

    That question exposes whether we want truth—

    or merely reassurance.

    ---

    ⑧ BUT HERE IS THE DANGER ON THE OTHER SIDE—REFORM WITHOUT CHRIST

    Inspiration defines genuine reformation:

    “Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices.” — Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 128

    Truth must reach:

    the calendar,
    the kitchen,
    the wardrobe,
    the temper,
    the address,
    the tongue,
    and the choices nobody sees.

    “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only.” — James 1:22

    But never miss this:

    REFORMATION WITHOUT CHRIST CAN PRODUCE A PHARISEE.

    You can keep Sabbath—

    and hate your brother.

    Eat perfectly—

    and feed on pride.

    Dress modestly—

    and advertise self-righteousness.

    Move to the country—

    and take worldliness with you.

    Guard your tongue publicly—

    while bitterness rules privately.

    Jesus did not come merely to rearrange our habits.

    HE CAME TO RECREATE OUR HEARTS.

    “Without Me ye can do nothing.” — John 15:5

    ---

    THE QUESTION BENEATH EVERY REFORM

    When Christ touches your—

    TIME—will He be Lord?

    APPETITE—will He be Lord?

    APPEARANCE—will He be Lord?

    CHARACTER—will He be Lord?

    LOCATION—will He be Lord?

    TONGUE—will He be Lord?

    There it is.

    DOES JESUS HAVE PERMISSION TO CHANGE EVERYTHING?

    “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” — Luke 9:23

    Perhaps we do not need another argument.

    Perhaps we need another surrender.

    Instead of continually praying:

    “LORD, GIVE ME MORE LIGHT,”

    perhaps we need to pray:

    “LORD, FORGIVE ME FOR RESISTING THE LIGHT I ALREADY HAVE.”

    Take my appetite.

    Take my pride.

    Take my temper.

    Take my tongue.

    Take my plans.

    Take my home.

    TAKE MY WHOLE HEART.

    “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” — Acts 9:6

    NO MORE EXCUSES.
    NO MORE BARGAINING WITH LIGHT.
    NO MORE TRYING TO OUTREASON GOD.

    CHRIST BEFORE CONVENIENCE.
    FAITH BEFORE FEAR.
    TRUTH BEFORE TRADITION.
    SURRENDER BEFORE SELF.

    Because when Jesus truly becomes Lord—

    REFORMATION IS NO LONGER SOMETHING GOD MUST FORCE FROM US.

    IT BECOMES SOMETHING LOVE IS WILLING TO SURRENDER TO HIM.
    Daily Bible Lesson. WE ASK GOD FOR MORE LIGHT—THEN MAKE EXCUSES WHEN HIS LIGHT REQUIRES CHANGE “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice.” — 1 Samuel 15:22 We pray: “Lord, show me Your will.” Then His light touches something we love— our time, appetite, appearance, character, location, or tongue— and suddenly: “My situation is different.” “Everyone does it.” “I'm not convicted.” Perhaps our greatest problem is not always lack of light. IT IS THE HUMAN HEART'S AMAZING ABILITY TO EXPLAIN AWAY THE LIGHT IT DOES NOT WANT TO OBEY. Jesus asks: “Why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” — Luke 6:46 So here is the question beneath every reform: ARE WE SEEKING GOD'S WILL—OR ASKING GOD TO APPROVE OURS? --- ① SABBATH REFORM—WHO OWNS YOUR TIME? THE EXCUSES: “I have to work.” “Most Christians worship Sunday.” “God knows my heart.” Yes—God knows the heart. And Jesus says: “If ye love Me, keep My commandments.” — John 14:15 God's command still reads: “The seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God.” — Exodus 20:10 Obedience may cost convenience, approval, opportunity—even income. But faith asks something deeper: WHAT IS JESUS WORTH? “We ought to obey God rather than men.” — Acts 5:29 Do not merely argue for the Sabbath. KNOW THE LORD OF THE SABBATH—and ask Him for faith to walk in His footsteps. --- ② HEALTH REFORM—HAS APPETITE RENAMED ITSELF “NECESSITY”? THE EXCUSES: “My body needs it.” “I've always eaten this way.” “We're all going to die anyway.” But this body is not ours to abuse. “Ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” — 1 Corinthians 6:20 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink… do all to the glory of God.” — 1 Corinthians 10:31 Health reform is not salvation by menu. It is stewardship of a body purchased by Christ. Inspiration warns of those who “frame excuses and make necessities which have no existence” while resisting health light. — Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 399 What a warning: APPETITE IS A TERRIBLE COUNSELOR WHEN ASKED TO JUDGE ITS OWN HABITS. Stop asking only: “Do I enjoy it?” Ask: “WILL THIS KEEP MY BODY AND MIND FIT FOR CHRIST'S SERVICE?” --- ③ DRESS REFORM—WHO ARE WE TRYING TO PLEASE? THE EXCUSES: “It's only fashion.” “God only looks at the heart.” “I don't want to look different.” Yes: “The LORD looketh on the heart.” — 1 Samuel 16:7 And Scripture also calls for: “Modest apparel.” — 1 Timothy 2:9 The issue is not ugliness. Not neglect. Not a religious uniform. The question is: WHO IS SHAPING MY APPEARANCE—CHRIST OR THE WORLD? Christian dress should reflect modesty, simplicity, health, dignity, and good taste without making self the attraction. CLOTHING CANNOT SAVE THE HEART—BUT THE MASTER OF THE HEART WILL INFLUENCE THE CLOTHING. Let your appearance quietly testify: “I BELONG TO CHRIST.” --- ④ CHARACTER REFORM—“THAT'S JUST HOW I AM.” Perhaps no excuse protects cherished defects more effectively. Anger becomes “my personality.” Pride becomes “confidence.” Bitterness becomes “what they deserve.” Then comes the universal shield: “Nobody is perfect.” True. But Jesus never made imperfection an excuse for refusing transformation. “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 2:5 Christ does not merely forgive us in the old life. HE BEGINS MAKING US NEW. “When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.” — Christ's Object Lessons, p. 69 Stop defending your defect with: “THAT'S WHO I AM.” Bring it to Jesus: “LORD, MAKE ME LIKE YOU.” --- ⑤ LOCATION REFORM—WHY DID INSPIRATION CRY, “OUT OF THE CITIES”? Here excuses become painfully practical: “My job is here.” “My children's opportunities are here.” “I'll move when everything becomes convenient.” Yet Inspiration repeatedly urged: “Out of the cities, out of the cities! This is the message the Lord has been giving me.” — Country Living, p. 29 Why? Not because soil saves souls. But country surroundings can favor health, simplicity, useful labor, children learning from nature, greater separation from corrupting influences, and preparation for difficult times. God's first home for humanity was not a congested metropolis. “The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden.” — Genesis 2:8 Abraham lived as a pilgrim. Lot “pitched his tent toward Sodom.” — Genesis 13:12 Their stories remind us: LOCATION CANNOT CONVERT THE HEART—BUT ENVIRONMENT CAN POWERFULLY INFLUENCE IT. Yet Inspiration also counseled: “Out of the cities; but not a moment before God would have us go.” — Country Living, p. 26 So the message is not: PANIC AND RUN. It is: PRAY. PREPARE. SIMPLIFY. LEARN. WATCH PROVIDENCE. AND WHEN GOD OPENS THE WAY—OBEY. And remember: YOU CAN LEAVE BABYLON GEOGRAPHICALLY WHILE BABYLON STILL LIVES IN YOUR HEART. Christ's first relocation project is: SELF OFF THE THRONE—CHRIST ON IT. --- ⑥ SPEECH REFORM—CAN A CONVERTED HEART KEEP AN UNCONVERTED TONGUE? Here the excuses sound innocent: “I'm only joking.” “But it's true!” “I just needed to release my feelings.” Scripture answers: “Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting… but rather giving of thanks.” — Ephesians 5:4 “Speak evil of no man.” — Titus 3:2 And instead: “That which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” — Ephesians 4:29 Imagine that standard: WORDS THAT MINISTER GRACE. No gossip. No slander. No degrading jesting. No cutting sarcasm. No dishonest flattery. No spreading bitterness from heart to heart. “Bless, and curse not.” — Romans 12:14 This does not mean hiding wrongdoing. Jesus rebuked sin. Nathan confronted David. Paul corrected churches. Truth sometimes must hurt before it heals. But Scripture says: “Speaking the truth in love.” — Ephesians 4:15 Before speaking, ask: IS IT TRUE? IS IT NECESSARY? IS IT LOVING? WILL IT BUILD RATHER THAN POISON? WOULD I SAY IT THIS WAY IN THE VISIBLE PRESENCE OF JESUS? “Let the law of kindness be upon your lips and the oil of grace in your heart.” — Christ's Object Lessons, p. 337 What a standard: **TRUTH ON THE LIPS. GRACE IN THE HEART.** --- ⑦ PERHAPS THE MOST DANGEROUS EXCUSE—“I'M NOT CONVICTED.” Sometimes that is sincere. Conscience must never be forced. But sometimes: “I'M NOT CONVICTED” really means: “I DON'T WANT TO INVESTIGATE THIS DEEPLY ENOUGH TO BECOME CONVICTED.” Jesus reveals a searching principle: “If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.” — John 7:17 Notice the order: WILLINGNESS → UNDERSTANDING → OBEDIENCE. Before asking, “Is this really required?” ask: “LORD, IF YOUR WORD SHOWS ME THAT I AM WRONG—AM I WILLING TO CHANGE?” That question exposes whether we want truth— or merely reassurance. --- ⑧ BUT HERE IS THE DANGER ON THE OTHER SIDE—REFORM WITHOUT CHRIST Inspiration defines genuine reformation: “Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices.” — Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 128 Truth must reach: the calendar, the kitchen, the wardrobe, the temper, the address, the tongue, and the choices nobody sees. “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only.” — James 1:22 But never miss this: REFORMATION WITHOUT CHRIST CAN PRODUCE A PHARISEE. You can keep Sabbath— and hate your brother. Eat perfectly— and feed on pride. Dress modestly— and advertise self-righteousness. Move to the country— and take worldliness with you. Guard your tongue publicly— while bitterness rules privately. Jesus did not come merely to rearrange our habits. HE CAME TO RECREATE OUR HEARTS. “Without Me ye can do nothing.” — John 15:5 --- THE QUESTION BENEATH EVERY REFORM When Christ touches your— TIME—will He be Lord? APPETITE—will He be Lord? APPEARANCE—will He be Lord? CHARACTER—will He be Lord? LOCATION—will He be Lord? TONGUE—will He be Lord? There it is. DOES JESUS HAVE PERMISSION TO CHANGE EVERYTHING? “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” — Luke 9:23 Perhaps we do not need another argument. Perhaps we need another surrender. Instead of continually praying: “LORD, GIVE ME MORE LIGHT,” perhaps we need to pray: “LORD, FORGIVE ME FOR RESISTING THE LIGHT I ALREADY HAVE.” Take my appetite. Take my pride. Take my temper. Take my tongue. Take my plans. Take my home. TAKE MY WHOLE HEART. “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” — Acts 9:6 NO MORE EXCUSES. NO MORE BARGAINING WITH LIGHT. NO MORE TRYING TO OUTREASON GOD. CHRIST BEFORE CONVENIENCE. FAITH BEFORE FEAR. TRUTH BEFORE TRADITION. SURRENDER BEFORE SELF. Because when Jesus truly becomes Lord— REFORMATION IS NO LONGER SOMETHING GOD MUST FORCE FROM US. IT BECOMES SOMETHING LOVE IS WILLING TO SURRENDER TO HIM.
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  • A Nugget of Truth.
    The most life-changing decisions don't always begin with a major event. Sometimes they start with a whisper, a seemingly harmless idea, or a voice presenting error as the best path. This is what happened to Eve in the Garden of Eden.

    The serpent didn't resort to force or reveal its true intentions from the start. It approached with carefully chosen words, sowing doubt about what God had said. Little by little, deception made what was forbidden seem desirable. What began as a conversation ended up becoming a decision that changed the course of human history.

    The story of Eve reminds us that deception rarely presents itself openly. It often takes on a convincing appearance, offering paths that seem good while concealing consequences that aren't immediately apparent. That's why the Bible emphasizes the importance of remaining attentive to God's truth, which stands firm above any voice that tries to distort it.

    Eve's story remains an invitation to value the wisdom that comes from the Lord and to recognize that His Word continues to be a sure guide in a world where many ideas seek to take the place of truth.

    "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes... she took of its fruit and ate." — Genesis 3:6

    Eve's story reminds us that discernment begins when God's truth stands above any appearance.
    A Nugget of Truth. The most life-changing decisions don't always begin with a major event. Sometimes they start with a whisper, a seemingly harmless idea, or a voice presenting error as the best path. This is what happened to Eve in the Garden of Eden. The serpent didn't resort to force or reveal its true intentions from the start. It approached with carefully chosen words, sowing doubt about what God had said. Little by little, deception made what was forbidden seem desirable. What began as a conversation ended up becoming a decision that changed the course of human history. The story of Eve reminds us that deception rarely presents itself openly. It often takes on a convincing appearance, offering paths that seem good while concealing consequences that aren't immediately apparent. That's why the Bible emphasizes the importance of remaining attentive to God's truth, which stands firm above any voice that tries to distort it. Eve's story remains an invitation to value the wisdom that comes from the Lord and to recognize that His Word continues to be a sure guide in a world where many ideas seek to take the place of truth. "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes... she took of its fruit and ate." — Genesis 3:6 Eve's story reminds us that discernment begins when God's truth stands above any appearance.
    0 Commenti 0 condivisioni 8 Views
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