TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS: SERMON TOPIC: 🔥SERMON: BE SPIRITUALLY ALERT — EMBER MONTHS ARE HERE. Theme: “Watch and Pray: Finishing the Year Strong in Christ” Key Text: 1 Peter 5:8–9 > “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 🔥 THE YEAR IS NOT OVER YET! Beloved, we have entered the final stretch of the year. The ember months—September, October, November and December—are often associated with celebrations, travelling, weddings, parties, business activities, family gatherings and end-of-year excitement. But as Christians, we must understand something: The end of the year is not a time to become spiritually careless. It is a time to become spiritually alert! Many people become relaxed because they think, “The year is almost over.” But the devil does not take a holiday. Your prayer life must not go on holiday. Your Bible study must not go on holiday. Your holiness must not go on holiday. Your spiritual discernment must not go on holiday. The fact that we are approaching the end of the year does not mean we should lower our spiritual guard. This is the season to watch, pray, discern and finish well! 1. 🛡️ BE SOBER AND VIGILANT. 1 Peter 5:8 Peter says: > “Be sober, be vigilant…” To be sober means to remain spiritually clear-minded. To be vigilant means to remain watchful and alert. A Christian can be physically awake but spiritually asleep. You may attend church and still become spiritually careless. You may carry a Bible and still lose spiritual sensitivity. You may pray yesterday and still need to pray today. The ember months can bring many distractions: Excessive celebrations Ungodly relationships Financial pressure Peer pressure Sexual temptation Substance abuse Unnecessary travelling Reckless spending Internet and social-media distractions Pressure to “make it before the year ends” Do not allow the excitement of the season to silence the voice of the Holy Spirit. 2. 🙏 WATCH AND PRAY Matthew 26:41 > “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation…” Notice that Jesus did not say pray without watching. He said: Watch AND pray. Prayer without spiritual alertness can make us careless. Spiritual alertness without prayer can make us powerless. We need both. During these months, increase your prayer life. Pray concerning: Your family Your children Your marriage Your career Your ministry Your finances Your travels Your relationships Your spiritual life The decisions you will make Do not wait until trouble comes before you begin to pray. Prayer is not only a crisis response; prayer is spiritual preparation. 3. 🕯️ DO NOT LET THE SEASON STEAL YOUR SPIRITUAL FIRE Romans 12:11 > “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord. One danger of the ember months is spiritual fatigue. People become tired and say: > “I have prayed enough this year.” No! You don't retire from your relationship with God because the calendar is approaching December. Your spiritual fire must continue burning. Leviticus 6:13 > “The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.” Your altar must remain alive. Don't let December find you spiritually empty. Keep reading the Word. Keep praying. Keep worshipping. Keep serving. Keep witnessing. Keep forgiving. Keep walking in holiness. 4. ⚠️ BE CAREFUL WITH DECISIONS MADE UNDER PRESSURE. The final months of the year can create tremendous pressure. People begin asking: “What have you achieved this year?” “How much money have you made?” “When are you getting married?” “When will you build your house?” “When will you buy a car?” “What are you doing with your life?” Such questions can create comparison and desperation. And desperation can lead people into wrong decisions. Remember: You do not need to destroy your future because you are trying to impress people before December 31. Psalm 37:7 says: > “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him…” Do not enter a wrong relationship because you are afraid of being single. Do not enter fraudulent business because you want quick money. Do not compromise your faith because you want acceptance. Do not abandon God's principles because you feel behind. God's timing is better than human pressure. 5. 🎯 FINISH THE YEAR STRONG. Philippians 3:13–14 Paul says: > “Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before…” There is still time. Perhaps January did not go as planned. Maybe February brought disappointment. Maybe March brought unexpected challenges. Maybe you made mistakes. Maybe opportunities passed. Maybe you experienced losses. But the year is not over yet. Don't spend the remaining months mourning what went wrong. Ask: > “Lord, what can I still do with the time You have given me?” You can still pray. You can still reconcile. You can still start. You can still learn. You can still serve. You can still evangelize. You can still correct your mistakes. You can still become spiritually stronger. There are still chapters of your story that have not been written. 📖 BIBLICAL CASE STUDY: NEHEMIAH. Consider Nehemiah. When Nehemiah and the people were rebuilding Jerusalem's wall, their enemies attempted to distract and intimidate them. Nehemiah 4:9 > “Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night…” Look at the balance: They prayed AND they watched. They did not say: > “We are praying, so we don't need to be careful.” Neither did they say: > “We are watching, so we don't need God.” They did both. Prayer + Watchfulness = Spiritual Alertness This is a powerful principle for the ember months. Pray as though everything depends on God. Work and watch as though God expects you to be responsible. 💡 DEEP SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS. 1. Not every opportunity is a God-given opportunity. Some opportunities are simply distractions dressed as blessings. Discern before you accept. 2. Not every relationship deserves access to your destiny. Some relationships strengthen your faith. Others weaken it. Watch your associations. 3. The enemy often uses distraction before destruction. He does not always begin with something obviously evil. Sometimes he begins with: > “Just this once.” Then another time. Then another. Eventually, compromise becomes normal. 4. The final months require spiritual discipline, not spiritual panic. Do not wait until December to start asking God to fix everything. Walk with God daily. 5. Your greatest victory may be finishing faithfully. Not everyone who starts well finishes well. Your goal should not simply be: > “I want to end the year wealthy.” Say: > “I want to end the year closer to God, stronger in faith, cleaner in character and faithful to my assignment.” ✅ PRACTICAL ACTION STEPS FOR THE EMBER MONTHS. 1. Establish a daily prayer time. Even if it is 15–30 minutes, be consistent. 2. Read the Bible daily. Don't allow social media to receive more attention than God's Word. 3. Examine your relationships. Ask who is strengthening your faith and who is weakening it. 4. Avoid unnecessary risks. Be wise with travelling, finances, relationships and celebrations. 5. Control your spending. Don't spend January's resources trying to impress people in December. 6. Stay connected to Christian fellowship. Don't isolate yourself spiritually. 7. Practice gratitude. Count your blessings instead of comparing yourself with others. 8. Set spiritual goals. Before the year ends, decide what you want to accomplish spiritually. 9. Reconcile where necessary. Do not carry unnecessary bitterness into another year. 10. Finish what God has entrusted to you. Don't abandon your assignment because the year has been difficult. 🤔 QUESTIONS FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION 1. How spiritually alert am I right now? 2. Has my prayer life become weaker? 3. What distractions are threatening my relationship with God? 4. Are there relationships I need to reconsider? 5. Am I making decisions because of God's leading or because of pressure? 6. What temptation do I need to become more watchful against? 7. What unfinished assignment should I complete before the year ends? 8. If the year ended today, would I be satisfied with my walk with God? 9. What must I stop doing? 10. What must I start doing? 🙏 POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS 1. Prayer for spiritual alertness Father, awaken my spirit and make me sensitive to Your voice. Help me to recognize every distraction and every trap of the enemy. 2. Prayer for protection Lord, preserve me, my family and everyone connected to me throughout these remaining months. Keep us from evil and unnecessary danger. 3. Prayer against temptation Father, strengthen me to say NO to every temptation that can destroy my testimony, destiny and relationship with You. 4. Prayer for divine direction. Lord, guide my decisions. Give me wisdom to know what to accept, what to reject and what to wait for. 5. Prayer against desperation Father, deliver me from the pressure to compete, compare or compromise. Help me to trust Your timing. 6. Prayer for restoration Lord, restore whatever I have lost that is according to Your will, and give me wisdom to recover what can still be recovered. 7. Prayer for finishing well Father, I will not finish this year spiritually empty. Give me grace to finish stronger, wiser, purer and closer to You than I started. 8. Prayer for the family Lord, preserve our families. Let no tragedy, division or destructive influence prevail over our homes. 9. Prayer for purpose Father, help me to complete every assignment You have entrusted to me before the end of this year. 10. Prayer of surrender Lord Jesus, I surrender the remaining months of this year to You. Take control of my life, my plans, my family, my decisions and my future. Let Your will be done in my life. Amen. 🔥 STRONG CLOSING: DON'T SLEEP THROUGH YOUR SEASON! Church, the ember months are here, but God's grace is still available! Don't become careless. Don't become distracted. Don't become desperate. Don't compromise. Don't allow celebrations to replace consecration. Don't allow social pressure to replace God's direction. Don't allow the mistakes of yesterday to destroy the possibilities of tomorrow. WATCH! PRAY! DISCERN! STAND FIRM! FINISH STRONG! The year may be approaching its final months, but your assignment is not finished. Your testimony is not finished. Your purpose is not finished. Your story is not finished. And above all: God is not finished with you! > “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” — Mark 13:33 🔥 MY CHARGE TO YOU: Enter the ember months with prayer. Walk through them with wisdom. Live through them with holiness. Move through them with discernment. And finish them with thanksgiving. Be spiritually alert. Your destiny is too valuable to sleep through your season! In Jesus' name, Amen. Surrender your life to Jesus by joining a Bible believing Church. You can get inspirational ebooks from my selar/amazon shops below https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1 https://selar.com/m/umoedem https://www.amazon.com/author/umohedembooks CONTACT - Whatsapp 2349024173027, +2349055447540 Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥 ✍️ “𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦; 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘪𝘵, 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦.” Starting well is important, but finishing well is essential. A new commitment, a new ministry, or a fresh decision to follow Christ can fill us with zeal. But many begin with excitement and grow weary when the road becomes difficult. Whether we are running with strength or barely taking the next step, the question is not whether we started—but whether we will remain faithful until the end. Near the end of his life, Paul declared in 𝟐 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝟒:𝟕, “𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵, 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦, 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩.” His journey was marked by persecution, imprisonment, rejection, and suffering. Yet he did not measure life by comfort or convenience. By God's grace, Paul finished the course God gave him. He did not quit when the race became difficult. A runner does not receive the crown for leaving the starting line, but for crossing the finish line. So it is with the Christian life. There will be hills that exhaust us, storms that slow us, and voices that tell us to quit. But every faithful step, even when it is weak and unseen, moves us nearer to the finish. Scripture calls us to endurance: “𝘓𝘦𝘵 𝘶𝘴 𝘳𝘶𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘶𝘴” (𝐇𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝟏𝟐:𝟏), while “𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘑𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩” (𝐇𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝟏𝟐:𝟐). We are also commanded, “𝘉𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘦 𝘢 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦” (𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟐:𝟏𝟎). Faithfulness is not measured by one moment of excitement, but by a life that continues to trust and obey Christ. The enemy does not need to make us openly deny Christ if he can simply make us quietly drift away. Don't run like a broken compass—moving constantly but going nowhere. “𝘓𝘦𝘵 𝘶𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨” (𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟔:𝟗). We do not finish by our own strength; we finish by daily dependence upon the Saviour. Before Paul could say, “𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦,” Christ had already finished the work Paul could never do. On the cross, Jesus cried, “𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥” (𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝟏𝟗:𝟑𝟎). He died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures (𝟏 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟏𝟓:𝟑–𝟒). Our faithfulness does not earn salvation; Christ's finished work secures it. Because He finished redemption, we can faithfully finish our race. So where are you in the race today? What has tempted you to slow down, turn aside, or quit? We don't need Christ merely to help us cross the finish line—we need Him because He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. The race may be long. The road may be hard. But the finish is worth the fighting for. Start faithfully. Stay faithfully. Finish well, willingly. 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫: Heavenly Father, thank You for Christ, who finished the work of redemption for us. Forgive us for growing weary and turning toward easier paths. Strengthen us to endure, keep the faith, and serve You faithfully to the end. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. Remember, a dose of God’s Word a day will keep you going all day! 𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐨𝐝... _____________________________________________________ All scripture references were taken from the KJV Bible. Thank you for allowing this ministry to be a part of your day… If my posts speak to your heart, you may be blessed by the full devotional series created for deeper reflection and journaling: 👉 FREE FlipBook Previews: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/ae17998766.html 📚 Also available now on Amazon (Kindle & Paperback) ✨ Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited! https://www.amazon.com/author/dennislastimoso Also, just in case you need a reliable, dedicated online Bible Study Tool, I created one for you. 👉 Try it here for FREE, anytime at your hand: https://www.baptistry.app Your support helps us continue this ministry, edifying the believers around the world. May God bless you more abundantly…

DAILY BREAD FELLOWSHIP DBF-001-038 Today’s Scripture John 2:17 (ESV) “His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’” Opening the Scriptures The disciples had just watched Jesus cleanse the temple. He had driven out the animals, overturned the tables of the money-changers, and commanded the merchants: “Do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” Now something important happens. The disciples remembered Scripture. They recalled words from Psalm 69: “Zeal for your house will consume me.” They were beginning to understand the actions of Jesus through the written Word of God. That is an important pattern for every Christian. They witnessed something extraordinary, but their understanding was not based merely upon what they saw or how they felt about it. Scripture helped them understand what they were seeing. Living God’s Word Today We live in a time when people frequently allow feelings, experiences, traditions, and popular opinions to determine what they believe about God. But Christians have been given something far more reliable. God’s Word. Our experiences must be tested by Scripture. Our traditions must be tested by Scripture. Our church practices must be tested by Scripture. Our personal beliefs must be tested by Scripture. Even teachings delivered from a pulpit must be tested by Scripture. The question is not simply, “Did this move me emotionally?” The question is: “Is it faithful to what God has said?” The disciples remembered Scripture because they had learned Scripture. We cannot remember God’s Word if we never take the time to know it. That should challenge us. The Bible should not remain closed throughout the week and then receive a few minutes of attention on Sunday. We need God’s Word every day. Read it. Study it. Think about it. Remember it. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand it and apply its truth faithfully to your life. There is another important truth in this verse. Jesus possessed a consuming zeal for the honor of His Father. He did not treat worship casually because His Father’s glory mattered to Him. We should examine ourselves accordingly. Have we become casual about things God calls holy? Have we become more concerned about what people think than about what God has said? Have we allowed convenience to replace obedience? True zeal for God is not loud religious excitement. True zeal seeks God’s glory and submits faithfully to God’s Word. The disciples watched Jesus. Then they remembered Scripture. We should learn to do the same. Look at everything through the truth God has revealed in His Word. Question for Today What has the greatest authority over your decisions: your feelings, the opinions of others, or God’s Word? Respond: “God’s Word will guide my life.”

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

Life has a way of teaching you that maturity is not measured by how much you know, but by how well you respond to what you now know. You learn to choose peace over unnecessary battles, purpose over popularity, consistency over excitement, and character over applause. At some point, you stop trying to prove yourself to everyone and simply focus on becoming all that God has called you to be. There is beauty in that journey. One day at a time. One lesson at a time. One step at a time. 🙏🏽 #Perspective #Purpose #Maturity #Grace

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DON'T BE BROUGHT UNDER THE POWER OF ANYTHING There is nothing wrong with enjoying good things. The problem begins when good things begin controlling you. Many of us had favourite biscuits when we were younger. Every time you passed the shop, you bought them. Eventually, the excitement disappeared, you moved on. That is how it should be. Nothing should master you. Whether it is biscuits, soft drinks, noodles or any other habit, learn to stop and ask yourself: "Is this controlling me?" The issue is not whether something is lawful. The issue is whether it has power over you. The Bible says: "All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." (1 Corinthians 6:12) Many unhealthy habits continue simply because people refuse to discipline themselves. People choose convenience over stewardship. Then, years later, they suffer the consequences. Your body is God's gift. Take care of it. Don't keep doing things simply because they are easy. Learn discipline. Learn restraint. Learn to say no. Freedom is not the ability to do whatever you want. Freedom is the ability to refuse anything that tries to master you. If a habit has become your master, break it. Don't negotiate with it. Don't excuse it. Break it for your health. Break it for your future. Break it because you belong to Christ, and nothing but Christ should rule your life. Shalom!

MONDAY 24TH AUGUST 2026 IGNITE YOUTH DEVOTIONAL Topic: Think Before You Decide Bible Reference “The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps.” Proverbs 14:15 (NKJV) A Short Story Daniel was excited when he received a message from an old friend one Monday morning. The friend told him about a business opportunity that could make him a lot of money within a short time. He sent pictures of cars, expensive clothes, and screenshots of people who had supposedly made huge profits from the business. Daniel was immediately interested. “You should join now,” his friend told him. “If you delay, you will miss the opportunity.” Daniel did not have much money, but he was tired of struggling. He had watched other young people make progress while he was still trying to find his feet. He began imagining what he would do with the money if the business worked. He could buy a better phone, support his family, and finally stop asking people for help. That evening, Daniel was ready to transfer his savings. He had already made up his mind when his older brother asked him a simple question. “Have you checked how the business works?” Daniel became quiet. He had not checked anything. He had only listened to his friend and looked at the pictures he had been shown. His brother advised him to slow down and investigate before putting his money into it. Daniel reluctantly agreed. The next day, he searched for information about the company and discovered several complaints from people who had lost money through the same scheme. He also discovered that the pictures his friend had shown him were being used to attract new people. Daniel was disappointed, but he was grateful that he had not acted quickly. That experience taught him a lesson he never forgot. Not every opportunity is from God, and not everything that looks good is good for you. Sometimes wisdom is simply knowing when to stop, ask questions, pray, and think before making a decision. Today's Message Every young person will make important decisions. You will make decisions about your education, career, business, friendships, relationships, marriage, money, ministry, and the kind of person you want to become. Some decisions may look small at first, but they can affect many years of your life. The Bible says that a wise person considers his steps. This means you should not allow excitement, pressure, fear, or the desire to impress people to make your decisions for you. You do not have to say yes simply because everyone around you is saying yes. Some people have entered wrong relationships because they were afraid of being alone. Some have chosen the wrong career because they wanted to impress their friends. Some have lost money because they wanted quick success. Others have made serious mistakes because they acted before asking questions. Faith does not mean refusing to think. God expects you to pray, seek wisdom, examine your options, and make responsible decisions. You can trust God and still do your homework. Before you make an important decision, slow down. Ask yourself what the Bible says about it. Pray about it. Seek advice from mature and trustworthy people. Look at the possible consequences. Do not allow temporary excitement to make a permanent decision for you. A wise decision today can save you from years of regret tomorrow. What To Do Today 1. Think about one important decision you are currently considering and refuse to rush into it. 2. Pray about it and ask God for wisdom and clear direction. 3. Seek advice from someone mature and trustworthy. 4. Consider the possible consequences before you make your final decision. Prayer Lord, give me wisdom to make good decisions. Help me not to be controlled by pressure, fear, excitement, or the desire to please people. Teach me to think carefully, listen to wise counsel, follow Your Word, and choose what will honour You. In Jesus' name, Amen. Daily Challenge Before making any important decision today, stop for a few minutes and ask yourself three questions: Is it right? Is it wise? What could be the result? ©️ Anthony Ijere Christian Author and Revivalist Download Christian Novels by Anthony Ijere at: https://t.me/anthonyijere

MEL GIBSON’S RESURRECTION EPIC PROMISES TO GO FAR BEYOND THE EMPTY TOMB Mel Gibson has revealed new details about his long-awaited follow-up to the 2004 blockbuster The Passion of the Christ. Titled The Resurrection of the Christ, the biblical epic has been filmed as two full-length movies. Production has now wrapped after 134 days of filming across several locations in Italy. Gibson says the story will be much broader than a simple retelling of Easter morning. The films will reportedly travel beyond Jerusalem into Damascus, Rome, Egypt and the desert, with massive sets constructed to bring the ancient world to life. The project is expected to explore the Resurrection, the spiritual realm and the events surrounding the birth and growth of the early Church. Gibson has described it as a deeply personal mission that he has carried for more than 20 years. A new cast will lead the story, with Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen portraying Jesus. The first film is scheduled for release on 6th May 2027, with the second planned for 25th May 2028 - both dates coinciding with Ascension Day. For Christians, however, the greatest excitement is not merely another biblical film. It is the opportunity for millions of people to once again hear the message at the heart of the Gospel: JESUS CHRIST WAS CRUCIFIED - BUT THE GRAVE COULD NOT HOLD HIM! As with every film inspired by Scripture, viewers should compare what appears on screen with the truth of God’s Word. The power is not found in Hollywood’s interpretation—the power is found in the historical reality that Jesus Christ is risen! 📖 “He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.” —Matthew 28:6 📖 “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day.” —1 Corinthians 15:3–4 THE CROSS WAS NOT THE END THE RESURRECTION CHANGED EVERYTHING ! ( Courtesy: Kevin Evans of facebook )

Matthew 20:29-34 Sometimes the accounts of healings have one detail that makes us question everything. Here it is His question. “What do you want Me to do for You?” Now you would think this question had an obvious answer. It was two blind men calling out to Jesus so loudly the crowd was telling them to shut up. So he turns with this question. Did He Not know? No. Jesus is wanting them to voice it. They wanted to see. Their only hope of that happening was for Him to notice them and heal them. So they called out, then answered his question. You see, they wanted the healing, but it's at this point in ministry that Jesus has watched the newly healed turn from, Him without an ounce of gratitude. And now here's two more. Do they desire healing? Or is their concern more eternal in nature? Were these two going to thank Him for the healing or just walk away? Remember the healing of the cripple who was lowered from the rooftop into a house. That's when Jesus told him that his sins were forgiven before healing him. The more urgent matter for Jesus was this man's soul. When we come before the Lord, we pray for what we desire, not always necessarily what we need. Do not forget that these men and women allowed their handicap to be their occupation for a lifetime. Many were aware of the healing happening, few when asked address their need for forgiveness of sin. Jesus asks because the healing led to other issues. These grown adults were incapable of following a traditional career path. They would have to find a way to sustain their existence without relying on begging. And this would cause a financial issue for them. So what kind of fool would possibly begin to resent being made well? Keep in mind that many of those who were screaming for excitement at the healing were some of the same people who remained silent when Jesus was being crucified. We do the same thing today when we pray for temporary results. Our prayers should reflect more concern for the people's eternal consequences than for earthly temporal results. Friday we will interrupt the study on Matthew for a special lesson on the madness occurring today. Be here for “This is Baphomet.” [29] As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him. [30] And two people who were blind, sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” [31] But the crowd sternly warned them to be quiet; yet they cried out all the more, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” [32] And Jesus stopped and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” [33] They *said to Him, “Lord, we want our eyes to be opened.” [34] Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.