The Story Behind the Hymns. THE STORY BEHIND "SOFTLY AND TENDERLY JESUS IS CALLING " “Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling” is one of the best-known Christian invitation hymns, written by American hymn writer and composer Will Lamartine Thompson in 1880. Thompson was born in East Liverpool, Ohio, in 1847 and became a successful songwriter and publisher. Unlike many hymns that emerged from formal church traditions, “Softly and Tenderly” came from Thompson’s personal desire to create a simple song that would appeal directly to people who needed to make a spiritual decision. The hymn’s central message is an invitation: Jesus is calling people to come to Him, return to Him, and receive His mercy. Its gentle words “Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me” gives the song its distinctive character. Rather than using threatening language, Thompson presented the call of Christ as loving, patient and compassionate. One of the most memorable stories associated with the hymn involves evangelist Dwight L. Moody. Thompson reportedly visited Moody when the evangelist was seriously ill. During their meeting, Thompson told him that he had written the hymn and that he hoped it would be useful in Christian ministry. Moody was deeply moved by the song and encouraged its use in evangelistic meetings. After Moody's death in 1899, the hymn became even more widely known through evangelistic campaigns and church services. Over the years, it has been sung at revival meetings, altar calls, funerals and moments of personal reflection. Its enduring appeal lies in its simplicity: a gentle reminder that the invitation to come to Christ is still open. More than 140 years after it was written, “Softly and Tenderly” remains a powerful hymn because its message has not changed — Jesus calls, and the invitation is extended to everyone.

Devotion: Hebrews 4:12 “The word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It cuts all the way through, to where soul and spirit meet, to where joints and marrow come together. It judges the desires and thoughts of the heart.” GNB If you ever had any doubts about the power of God’s Word, then this verse should give you peace of mind. Look at what the author says! The Word of God is like a SWORD! And not just any sword, either, a VERY SHARP, double-edged sword. It cuts through bone and reaches the deepest, darkest corners of your soul. NOTHING can hide from its power. Luke 11:28: “…how happy are those who hear the word of God and obey it!” GNB The message written in the Bible is not meant as superficial entertainment. It holds within its pages a multitude of truths meant just for you. You CANNOT IGNORE it. Once you’ve heard or read the Word of God, it cannot be UNHEARD. Since it cuts deep into your soul. You can be assured that your soul and your mind will keep on reminding you of the truth you’ve heard. Psalm 119:129-130: “Your teachings are wonderful; I obey them with all my heart. The explanation of your teachings gives light and brings wisdom to the ignorant.” GNB Obeying and studying the Word of God would helps you to examine yourself, so that you can seek out the things the Word warns against, should it reside in you. Not only does it identify sin, but it gives the solution. It tells you HOW to overcome that sin. John 17:17: “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” ESV Colossians 3:16: “Christ’s message [His Word] in all its richness must live in your hearts. Teach and instruct each other with all wisdom. Sing psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing to God with thanksgiving in your hearts.” GNB #Hebrews4 #WordofGod #Bible #TrustinGod

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

The Story Behind the Hymns. THE STORY BEHIND "MINE EYES HAVE SEEN THE GLORY OF THE COMING OF THE LORD" Some hymns belong to a church while others become part of the history of a people. “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory of the Coming of the Lord,” widely known as “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” belongs to the second category. Its story is tied to one of the darkest chapters in American history: the Civil War, a conflict that split the United States and claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Slavery stood at the centre of the crisis, and the question of whether a nation could call itself free while millions remained enslaved had become impossible to avoid. In 1861, Julia Ward Howe, a writer, poet and abolitionist, was in Washington, D.C., when she encountered Union troops singing “John Brown’s Body,” a marching song already popular among soldiers. The tune stayed with her. Someone suggested that she write new words for it. She did. According to Howe’s own account, the words came to her in the early hours of the morning. She woke with the opening line in her mind and began writing, afraid that the verses would escape her if she waited for daylight. “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord…” What followed was not a conventional hymn of comfort. Howe wrote with the language of the Old Testament prophets — judgment, wrath, righteousness and redemption. The battlefield became the setting for a larger moral argument. “He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored.” The line was stark and so was the time in which it was written. The hymn was published in the Atlantic Monthly in February 1862. It quickly found an audience among Union supporters and soldiers, giving words to a cause that many believed demanded more than military victory. The fight, in the hymn’s telling, was bound to a moral reckoning. Then came the line that would outlive the war: “His truth is marching on.” Those five words helped turn a Civil War song into an enduring hymn. For soldiers heading into battle, the words could sound like a declaration of faith. For abolitionists, they carried the promise that slavery would not have the final word. For families waiting at home, the hymn gave voice to the uncertainty, grief and conviction that defined the period. Its reach did not end when the guns fell silent. “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” went on to become one of the most recognisable songs in American religious and public life. It has been heard in churches, at memorials, political gatherings, military ceremonies and historic moments across generations. Its power however, lies in more than its stirring melody. It was born at a time when America was asking whether freedom could survive its own contradictions. Julia Ward Howe answered with a poem that placed justice at the centre of the national struggle. More than a century and a half later, the words remain remarkably direct. They remind us that history is not always changed in grand halls or on battlefields. Sometimes it begins in the early hours of the morning, with a writer reaching for a pen before the words disappear. Julia Ward Howe picked up that pen and what she wrote became a song that generations would sing long after the war that inspired it had passed into history. “His truth is marching on.” That is the line that remains. Not simply as music but as a declaration.

Need to know. The claim that Jesus never existed falls apart when the evidence outside the Bible is examined. The New Testament is not the only source that tells us about Jesus of Nazareth. Ancient writers from outside Christianity also wrote about Jesus, His followers, His execution, and the movement that spread in His name. Some were Roman historians. One was a Jewish historian. Others were pagan critics or hostile Jewish sources. They had no reason to help Christianity, yet their writings point back to the same historical person. Tacitus, the Roman historian, records that Christus suffered the death penalty under Pontius Pilate during the reign of Tiberius and that His followers were called Christians. Suetonius records disturbances among the Jews connected with “Chrestus,” while Pliny the Younger describes Christians gathering and singing hymns to Christ “as to a god.” These were not Christian writers defending the Bible. They were outsiders describing the people who followed Jesus. Then there is Josephus, the first-century Jewish historian. Josephus was not a Christian trying to prove that Jesus was the Messiah. Yet when he writes about James, he identifies him as “the brother of Jesus who was called Christ.” That short statement is incredibly important. Josephus does not stop to explain who Jesus was or argue that Jesus really existed. He simply uses Jesus to identify James. Jesus was already a known historical figure, and Josephus refers to Him as “Jesus who was called Christ.” This is one of the clearest pieces of non-Christian evidence for Jesus anywhere in the ancient world. Josephus also refers to Jesus in the famous Testimonium Flavianum, which speaks about Jesus, His ministry, His crucifixion under Pilate, and His followers. Regardless of the later debate over the exact wording of that passage, Josephus’s separate reference to James remains. The evidence is sitting right there in the writings of a first-century Jewish historian: Jesus existed, James was His brother, and Jesus was known as the Christ. The evidence becomes even more powerful when we look at people who opposed Christianity. Celsus, a second-century pagan critic, attacked Christianity and mocked the claims Christians made about Jesus. Yet his attacks assume that Jesus was a real person. His writings preserve traditions about Jesus’ birth, His family, and the miraculous claims made about Him. The Babylonian Talmud also preserves hostile traditions about Jesus, including accusations of sorcery and a tradition that He was executed on the eve of Passover. Mara bar Serapion, a non-Christian Syrian writer, speaks of a wise king of the Jews whose teachings continued after his death—a description that points directly to Jesus. Think about what this means. These sources were not trying to help Christians. Some were trying to discredit them. Yet they still point back to Jesus as a real person. They did not describe Him as a fictional character invented centuries later. They attacked Him, mocked Him, or preserved hostile traditions about Him because there was a real historical figure at the center of the Christian movement. Two other names are often overlooked: Thallus and Phlegon. Their original writings have been lost, but later ancient writers preserved reports about what they wrote. Julius Africanus connects Thallus’s discussion of an unusual darkness with the darkness associated with the crucifixion of Jesus. Phlegon is also reported by later writers as describing an extraordinary darkness and an earthquake during the reign of Tiberius. We do not have the original books of Thallus and Phlegon today, but we do have ancient testimony reporting what they wrote. That matters. These accounts add another layer to the ancient evidence surrounding the death of Jesus. The point is not that these two writers prove every detail of the Gospel accounts by themselves. The point is that even ancient writers outside Christianity were remembered as recording extraordinary events connected with the very time when the New Testament places the crucifixion. Now put all nine witnesses together: Pliny the Younger, Tacitus, Suetonius, Josephus, Celsus, the Talmud, Mara bar Serapion, Thallus, and Phlegon. This is not one Christian writer making one claim. This is a collection of ancient voices coming from different backgrounds and different parts of the Roman world. They point to Jesus, His followers, His execution, His identity as Christ, and the movement that spread in His name. The evidence is overwhelming when viewed as a whole. Jesus was not a mythical character invented hundreds of years after the fact. He was a real first-century Jewish man who gathered followers, was called the Christ, was executed under Pontius Pilate, and left behind a movement that spread throughout the Roman world. The very people who rejected Christianity still left behind evidence that Jesus was a real person. And this destroys the claim that Jesus was simply invented. The question is not whether there is evidence that Jesus existed. There is. The question is why anyone would ignore this substantial body of ancient testimony simply because it is not found in the Bible. Tacitus connects Jesus to Pontius Pilate. Josephus identifies James as the brother of Jesus who was called Christ. Pliny records Christians worshiping Him. Suetonius records disturbances connected with the movement surrounding Him. Celsus attacks the claims made about Him. Jewish tradition preserves hostile accusations against Him. Mara bar Serapion remembers a wise Jewish king whose teachings survived His death. And ancient reports connected with Thallus and Phlegon preserve traditions about extraordinary events surrounding the time of His death. The evidence does not disappear because it comes from outside the Bible. In fact, that is precisely what makes these witnesses so important. They were not writing the New Testament. They were not preaching the Gospel. Some were not even friendly toward Christianity. Yet they still point back to the same historical person. Jesus Christ was not a myth invented by Christians. He was a real man who lived in first-century Judea, gathered followers, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and left behind a movement that changed the world. The historical record does not erase Jesus—it confirms that He was there.

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.

*TODAY'S PROPHETIC DECLARATION - SUNDAY, 30TH AUGUST, 2026.* 🌟*LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN YOU RICHLY*🌟 13th Sunday after Trinity | 5th Sunday & Last Sunday in August 📖 Scripture: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” — Colossians 3:16 (KJV) 🔥*Reflection – Let God's Word Fill Your Life* As we come to the last Sunday of August, Colossians 3:16 gives us a beautiful instruction: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” God's Word should not merely visit our hearts during Sunday worship or morning devotion. It should dwell in us—becoming deeply rooted in our thoughts, decisions, character, conversations, relationships, and daily living. Paul also connects God's Word with wisdom, teaching, encouragement, worship, and thanksgiving. When the Word of Christ fills our hearts, it should overflow into the way we treat others and the way we worship God. As August comes to an end, this is an opportunity to reflect: What has filled my heart this month? Have I allowed God's Word to occupy my heart, or have fear, anxiety, disappointment, anger, and worldly distractions taken too much space? Today, let us make room for Christ's Word again. Let His Word correct you. Let His Word encourage you. Let His Word teach you. Let His Word strengthen you. Let His Word give you wisdom. Let His Word produce worship in you. And as you enter September, don't merely carry memories from August—carry God's Word with you. 🔊*Prophetic Declaration:* Today, I declare that the Word of Christ shall dwell richly in me. God's Word shall become deeply rooted in my heart, mind, character, decisions, and daily life. I declare that the Word of God shall give me wisdom beyond my natural understanding. I shall receive divine guidance for every decision and discernment for every circumstance. I proclaim that my mind shall be filled with truth rather than fear, faith rather than doubt, hope rather than discouragement, and gratitude rather than complaining. Today, I declare that every negative influence competing for control of my heart shall lose its power. I choose to make room for God's Word and allow Christ to shape my thoughts and attitudes. I declare that God's Word shall guide my family, ministry, work, business, studies, relationships, and destiny. Every area of my life shall increasingly come under the influence of His truth. I proclaim that my mouth shall become a source of wisdom, encouragement, correction, comfort, and grace. The words I speak shall build people up rather than tear them down. I declare that God will use me to teach, encourage, counsel, and strengthen others. May the wisdom He gives me become a blessing to my family, church, community, and generation. Today, I receive grace to worship God not only with my lips but with my life. May psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, thanksgiving, and genuine praise continually flow from my heart. I declare that the grace of God shall replace heaviness in my heart with songs of praise. Where there has been sorrow, may God give me renewed strength to worship Him. As this month comes to an end, I declare that I will not carry unnecessary burdens, bitterness, disappointment, or fear into the new month. I release them to God and receive His peace. I proclaim that everything good God has started in my life during August shall continue to grow and produce fruit according to His will. I declare that September shall meet me prepared, spiritually strengthened, wiser, more focused, and more deeply rooted in God's Word. The Word of Christ dwells richly in me. Wisdom fills my heart. Praise fills my mouth. Grace fills my relationships. Faith fills my spirit. And Christ is glorified through my life. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen! 🙏🔥 ✅*Action Steps for today:* 1️⃣ Begin with thanksgiving: Thank God for bringing you safely to the last Sunday of August. 2️⃣ Read Colossians 3:12–17: Meditate especially on verse 16 and ask God to make His Word deeply rooted in you. 3️⃣ Declare: “The Word of Christ dwells richly in me; I am filled with wisdom, grace, faith, and praise.” 4️⃣ Review August: Think about what God has taught you, where He helped you, and what areas of your life still need surrender. 5️⃣ Release the past month: Forgive, let go, and surrender disappointments, failures, worries, and unanswered questions to God. 6️⃣ Fill your heart with Scripture: Choose one Bible verse to carry with you into September and meditate on it regularly. 7️⃣ Encourage someone: Use God's Word to encourage, teach, comfort, or strengthen someone today. 8️⃣ Worship intentionally: Sing a hymn, psalm, or spiritual song and thank God for His faithfulness throughout August. 9️⃣ Pray into September: Commit the new month, your family, ministry, work, business, studies, and plans into God's hands. 🔥*Sunday & Month-End Prayer:* Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your faithfulness throughout the month of August. Thank You for every day You preserved me, every prayer You answered, every battle You brought me through, every lesson You taught me, and every blessing You gave me. As this month comes to an end, I pray that the Word of Christ will dwell richly in me. Let Your Word take deep root in my heart. Let it shape my thoughts, decisions, attitudes, conversations, relationships, and actions. Give me wisdom to live according to Your will. Let Your Word be my guide when I am confused, my encouragement when I am discouraged, my strength when I am weak, and my hope when circumstances are difficult. Lord, make me a blessing to others. Give me words that teach, encourage, comfort, correct, and strengthen. Let my life point people toward Jesus. Fill my heart with worship and thanksgiving. May praise rise from me even when circumstances are not perfect. Give me a heart that recognizes Your goodness every day. As I close the chapter of August, I surrender everything that happened this month into Your hands. I release every disappointment, failure, mistake, worry, unanswered prayer, and painful experience. Thank You for the victories. Thank You for the lessons. Thank You for the preservation. Thank You for the grace. Thank You for bringing me this far. Lord, prepare me for September. Let me enter the new month with renewed strength, greater wisdom, deeper faith, clearer vision, and a stronger commitment to Your Word. Establish the work of my hands. Bless my family. Strengthen my ministry. Prosper my honest endeavors. Guide my studies and decisions. Order my steps and let Your perfect will be accomplished in my life. Let Your Word dwell richly in me, and let my life become a living testimony of Your grace. In Jesus' mighty name. Amen. 🙏🕊️✨ 🌿*Blessing for the Last Sunday of August:* May the Word of Christ dwell richly in your heart and fill you with divine wisdom. May God's Word guide your steps, strengthen your faith, guard your heart, and shape your decisions. As August comes to an end, may the Lord bring completion to everything He has ordained for this month. May every good seed planted during August continue to grow and produce fruit. May God give you grace to leave behind every burden that does not belong in your next season. As you enter September, may you enter with fresh strength, renewed vision, deeper faith, greater wisdom, divine favor, and a heart full of praise. May your family be blessed. May your ministry be fruitful. May your work be established. May your business prosper according to God's will. May your studies yield excellent results. May your relationships be strengthened. May your destiny continue to unfold according to God's purpose. 🌟 The Word will guide you. 📖 Wisdom will lead you. 🕊️ Grace will sustain you. 🔥 Faith will strengthen you. 🙌 Praise will fill your heart. 🌟 13TH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY 🌟 5TH SUNDAY & LAST SUNDAY IN AUGUST 📖 “LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN YOU RICHLY IN ALL WISDOM.” — COLOSSIANS 3:16. As August closes, may God's Word remain alive in you, and as September begins, may you step into a new month filled with His wisdom, grace, peace, favor, and divine direction. Good morning beloved, happy Sunday and do have a blessed, joyful, fruitful, and spiritually refreshing last Sunday of August! 🙏📖🔥🕊️ Shalom! *Remember: Your confession is your possession.* *©️ Postulant C. O. Oyadosu.* _Please share with others, thank you and God bless you 🙏_ For counseling, prayers and partnership or you want to share your testimonies with us; please call or Whatsapp: +2348063128703 Or Email: clementoyadosu[gmail].com

Good morning, brethren. 1. Morning devotion for today. MD.i. 😀🎀💝🎁🌺🌹MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY. SUNDAY AUGUST 30, 2O26. "THERE'S NOBODY LIKE HIM! (5)" ‘The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?...’ Psalms 27:1 NKJV WE ALL need an encounter with the transfigured Christ; the One who is greater than Moses the law giver and Elijah the prophet, and all the other prophets who have ever lived. The One who wears the true crown of the universe, God’s beloved Son. We need to fall on our face and see Him as the Holy One, the Highest One, the Only One. As you do, all your fears, save the fear of Christ Himself, will melt like an ice cube on a summer day. You will agree with David: ‘The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?’ In the book Prince Caspian, there is a great illustration of this. Lucy sees Aslan the lion for the first time in many years. He has changed since their last encounter. His size surprises her, and she tells him as much. ‘Aslan,’ says Lucy, ‘you’re bigger.’ He replies, ‘That is because you are older, little one.’ Lucy says, ‘Not because you are?’ He replies, ‘I am not. But every year you grow, you find me bigger.’ And so it is in our walk with Christ. The longer we serve Him, the greater He becomes. It’s not that He changes, but that we do. We see dimensions, aspects, characteristics we never saw before; increasing and astonishing increments of His purity, power, and uniqueness. Only when we have fallen at His feet in humility and total dependence will He say to us what He said to His disciples on the Mount where He was transfigured: ‘…“Arise, and do not be afraid”’ (Matthew 17:7 NKJV). Bible In A Year: Ezek 20-21, Matt 22:15-22, Ps 111, Pro 19:18-20. 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. [29/08, 10:05 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA* SUNDAY, 30TH AUGUST, 2026 *SEEKING THE BREAD OF LIFE: BEYOND TEMPORARY BLESSINGS* *TEXT:* JOHN 6:24–34 24. When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. 25. And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? 26. Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. 27. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. 28. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29. Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. 30. They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? 31. Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. 32. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. 33. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 34. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. *Timeless Truth:* _But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you _*(Matthew 6:33)*. *INTRODUCTION* In 1997, the world watched as Mother Teresa continued her work among the poor and dying in Calcutta despite having very limited material resources. Her ministry was not built around accumulating possessions, but around serving people and pointing them toward Christ. Her life demonstrated that material needs, though important, cannot by themselves satisfy the deepest needs of the human heart. This truth is reflected in Jesus' encounter with the crowd in John 6. The people had witnessed the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. They had received bread miraculously and when they could no longer find Jesus, they sought for Him. However, Jesus exposed the motive behind their search: *“You seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.”* (John 6:26) They were pursuing Jesus primarily because of what He could give them, rather than because of who He is. Jesus then redirected their attention from temporary bread to eternal nourishment: The passage challenges us to examine our motives: Are we seeking Christ because we love Him or primarily because of what we hope to receive from Him? The crowd came looking for Jesus, but Jesus knew why they were looking for Him. They had eaten the bread, enjoyed the miracle and wanted more. Their problem was not that they wanted bread. Their problem was that they wanted bread without fully recognizing the Bread of Life. This remains a danger for Christians today. We can seek God for: employment, healing, financial breakthrough, academic success, marriage, protection, promotion, material provision and all these things may legitimately be brought before God in prayer. However, if our relationship with Christ is reduced to what He can provide, we have misunderstood discipleship. Jesus is not merely the Provider of bread; He is the Bread of Life. The greatest blessing is not what God places in our hands, but who God places in our hearts. Physical bread sustains the body temporarily. Money can provide comfort temporarily. Success can bring recognition temporarily. Possessions can give pleasure temporarily, but none of these can satisfy the deepest hunger of the human soul. Only Christ can do that. Therefore, we must examine our priorities. Are we spending more time pursuing things than pursuing God? Are we more excited about God's gifts than about God's presence? Do we pray only when we need something or do we desire fellowship with Christ because we love Him? The answer of Jesus is clear: *Do not labour for the food which perisheth, but for the food which endureth to everlasting life.* Let us therefore, seek Christ above possessions, eternal life above temporary success and God's kingdom above worldly satisfaction. When Christ becomes our greatest treasure, we can enjoy God's blessings without allowing those blessings to become our god. The deepest hunger of the human heart can only be satisfied by Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life. *1. The Pursuit of Temporary Satisfaction* a. The crowd crossed the sea looking for Jesus, but their motivation was primarily physical. The people sought diligently for Jesus after discovering that He had left. Seeking Christ is good, but our motives matter. We should seek Jesus not merely for His blessings, but because He is worthy of our love and devotion. b. The crowd had witnessed a miracle and wanted more. They were attracted to what Jesus could do rather than surrendering themselves to who Jesus is. *(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)* (2 Corinthians 5:7) — Miracles can point us toward Christ, but miracles themselves must never become the foundation of our faith. Physical food satisfies temporarily; eventually, we become hungry again. *Questions* (i) What do I pursue most—God Himself or the blessings I hope to receive from Him? (ii) Have material possessions, comfort, success or recognition become more important to me than spiritual growth? *2. The Priority of Eternal Substance* a. Jesus redirected the crowd from physical food toward the nourishment that leads to eternal life. This does not mean Christians should neglect legitimate work or physical responsibilities. Rather, eternal things must have first priority. Our careers, businesses, education and possessions are important, but none should replace our pursuit of God. b. Jesus made it clear that eternal life ultimately comes from God. *For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:* (Ephesians 2:8). We cannot earn salvation through human achievement. When the crowd asked what they should do, Jesus answered: The central response God desires is genuine faith in Jesus Christ. *Questions* (i) Am I investing as much energy in my spiritual life as I invest in my career and material needs? (ii) Am I trusting Christ for salvation or am I depending on my good works and religious activities? *3. The Provision of Sufficient Bread* a. The crowd remembered the manna given to Israel in the wilderness and asked Jesus for a sign. They referred to Moses and the manna: They were focusing on an earlier miracle instead of recognizing the greater One standing before them. Past spiritual experiences are valuable testimonies, but we must continue walking with Christ today. b. Jesus corrected their understanding: *Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.*(John 6:32.) God's provision in the wilderness pointed beyond physical manna to Christ Himself. We can trust God to provide what we genuinely need while remembering that our greatest need is spiritual life in Christ. The crowd responded: *“Lord, give us this bread always.”* Although they still misunderstood, their request provided an opportunity for Jesus to reveal the truth that became explicit in the following verse: *And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst* (John 6:35).Jesus Himself is the ultimate provision for the deepest hunger of the human soul. *Questions* (i) Where do I turn when I experience emotional, spiritual or inner emptiness? (ii) Am I allowing Christ to satisfy my deepest spiritual hunger through His Word and fellowship? *Prayer Points* 1. Lord, help me to seek You above every temporary possession, achievement and earthly ambition.🙏 2. Father, create within me a deeper hunger and thirst for Your Word, Your presence and Your righteousness.🙏 3. Lord, teach me to trust Your provision and to remain content with what You graciously provide.🙏 4. Lord Jesus, draw those who are spiritually empty and searching, to Yourself and help them discover that You alone can give eternal life.🙏 *Hymns:* I’d Rather Have Jesus *THE BIBLE IN ONE* YEAR:ESTHER 1-5 [29/08, 10:05 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS) SUNDAY 30TH AUGUST, 2026``` *SEEKING JESUS RIGHTLY* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️✝️✅🤔🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:JOHN 6:24-34```📜📜 🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed" (JOHN 6:27).*_ *Happiness is a lifetime pursuit, but sadly, it is rarely sought rightly. Youths seek it in alcohol, drugs or pornography and end up in self-destruction. Adults seek it in marriage, money, mansions but end up in unfathomable failure, frustration and great pain. As Solomon makes clear in Ecclesiastes, any earthly thing that you seek to satisfy the inner void is like chasing soap bubbles. You catch one only to have it burst in your hand.* *Our text opens with a narrative about seekers of Jesus. Seeking Jesus is a good thing, but it is not enough. What you seek Him for is more important. The sinner must seek Him for salvation, recognising he is spiritually bankrupt without His gift of salvation. Sadly, the crowd in our text sought Jesus for temporal gratification, not eternal salvation! Jesus saw their motive for seeking Him and punctured their search with a scathing, incisive, yet profoundly true remark: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled".* *The Bible is clear that our ultimate source of happiness and pleasure is God. David wrote, "In thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore". Jesus told the disciples: "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full". We will find fullness of joy and pleasures forever when we seek the Lord rightly.* *Beloved, never seek the Lord for superficial motives. They are a mirage; bubbles that never last. Beyond the bread (healing, deliverance, prosperity and miracles) that Christ gives, seek Him who is the Bread of Life, the Bread from heaven. Be discreet to shun dispensing your life energy on labouring for perishable material things that will never satisfy the imperishable soul. "Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not?" (Isaiah 55:2). He still saves as many as would come to Him for salvation and restores backsliders who truly repent. God does not despise genuine hunger and thirst for righteousness. "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."* ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*It is self-cheating to seek the Lord only for material or temporary blessings.*_ 📜📜```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *ESTHER 1-5*📜📜 Seeking Jesus Rightly https://dailymanna.app// *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 253: MY PORTION FOR EVER; GHS 244: ALL THINGS IN JESUS; AND GHS 77: I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS;* *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#DailyManna30thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [29/08, 10:05 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*HIGHER EVERYD🅰️Y: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_ ✍🏽👩🏻‍💼🌻 🍇🙏🏽🛰🚀🔬📚 ```SUNDAY 30TH AUGUST, 2026``` *IN HIS SECRET PLACE - 2* 🎚️📓📖🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🗣️🙏🏽🙌🏽 📜📜```TEXT:PSALM 91:10-16```📜📜 📖``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways" (PSALM 91:10-11).*_ *In the early hours of February 6, 2023, thousands were confirmed dead in the aftermath of two huge earthquakes in Syria. Baby Aya (meaning miracle in Arabic) was still connected to her mother by her umbilical cord when she was rescued from the rubble during the earthquake disaster in Syria. Her mother, father and all four of her siblings died after the quake hit the town of Jindayris in Syria.* *Aya survived, although she was in such a bad state. She had bumps, bruises, and was cold and barely breathing when she arrived in the hospital. Fortunately, the hospital manager, Khalid Attiah, had a daughter just four months older than she. The wife offered to breastfeed Aya alongside her own daughter. What a divine protection!* *Who would have thought that such a child would still be alive under the debris? God kept her alive in His secret place. The Lord has promised to give His angels charge over you to keep you from calamity. His promises are sure. "The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul" (Psalm 121:7).* 💬 ```QUOTE:``` _*His promises are sure.*_ 🏆 ```CHALLENGE:``` _*He watches over His own.*_ 🙏🏽🙏🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Lord, I hide under Your wings for refuge.*_ In His Secret Place - 2 https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#HigherEveryday30thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [29/08, 10:05 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣6️⃣)*_ 🙇🏼🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼‍♂️ ```SUNDAY 30TH AUGUST, 2026``` *BEARING ONE ANOTHER'S BURDEN* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🤝🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```GALATIANS 6:1-4```📜📜 🕔📚🖋️🚻😁🎼🏆🍉🪴🌈💻 🔑📖 ```Key Verse:``` _*"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2).*_ 📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖 Sometime ago, at a special Olympics event, nine contestants (all physically disabled), assembled at the starting line for a 100-yard race. At the sound of the whistle, they started out all happy and eager to run the race and win. As they were running, one of them stumbled on the track, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry. The other eight heard the boy cry, they slowed down and looked back. Then all of them turned around and went back to the fallen athlete. Lifting him up, they walked together to the finish line. Everyone in the stadium stood to cheer them for several minutes. *This was a practical act of bearing one another's burden. More than winning for ourselves, what matters in this life is helping others to win, even if it means slowing down. A candle loses nothing by lightning another candle.* *The lesson for us here is that we must show love, concern and care for others. God is much interested in how we show love to our neighbours than the number of laurels we gather. The boy or girl next to you is in pain - show love to him or her. When we care for one another, the burden becomes lighter.* 🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥 ```🅿️rayer:``` _*Lord, help me to learn to always give a helping hand to someone in need.*_ 🙏🏽 ```📖 Further Reading:``` *Romans 15:1-3* Bearing One Another's Burden https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#SincereMilk30thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS]. 2. Morning Prayer for today. MP.i. Morning Prayer A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. ⏤ Psalm 122:1 True prayer is not asking God for what we want, but what He wants. ⏤ Wesley L. Duewel Father, as we pause to rest this day with You, the great feverish world keeps throbbing on. May something of Your blessed Sunday peace flow out into this restless world and quiet it. Let this day be a true blessing to all Your people, and may the influence of this day reach far and wide, making its power felt throughout the world. We ask that Your grace be given so that all who worship You today may receive a blessing. Let Your blessing be upon all assemblies that gather for worship and upon all Sunday schools. May there be divine power in the preaching of Your word. May lost sinners be convicted and led to repentance. May Christians be strengthened and encouraged. May those who are sorrowful be comforted. May this day bring new strength and heavenly impulses to children and young people. May our home be blessed and enriched by this day of rest and worship. May Your life from Heaven come down and make our land holier, purer, and sweeter. O God, Your cause on earth sometimes seems to falter. Your church does not always appear to be earnest. The world is earnest; every energy of evil is active. Wicked people are busy in their wickedness, while the followers of Jesus seem to be asleep! Your kingdom does not seem to be advancing among the nations. We pray again, "May Your kingdom come." Pour out Your Spirit upon all who bear the name of Jesus. Ignite revival fires in all parts of the church. We pray for ourselves, that we may be quickened in our spiritual life. Let a blessing be upon Your whole church, and may Your cause receive a divine impulse that will be felt around the world. Revive Your work among Your people. Hear our prayers and give us Your blessing through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/56/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

Good morning, brethren. 1. Morning devotion for today. MD.i. 😀🌹🎀🎁💝🌺 MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY. SATURDAY AUGUST 29, 2O26. "THERE’S NOBODY LIKE HIM! (4)" ‘Let all that I am praise the Lord;...’ Psalms 103:2 NLT THE BIBLE equates God with light, and light with holiness. ‘…God is light; in him there is no darkness at all’ (1 John 1:5 NIV). Paul said that God dwells in ‘…unapproachable light…’ (1 Timothy 6:16 NIV). Scripture refers to Christ ‘…who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners…’ (Hebrews 7:26 NIV). So how should you approach such a God? As you would an auditor when your books don’t balance? Or a dictator who holds the power of life and death? No, Jesus told us to pray, ‘…Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name’ (Matthew 6:9 KJV). There’s your answer! You must come to God as a father who loves you dearly and desires only what is best for you, while always regarding Him with profound reverence. As your awe of God expands, your fears in life will diminish. A big view of God translates into big courage; a small view of God generates no courage at all. A puny God can’t help you when cancer strikes, your family is in trouble, or you’ve no way to pay your bills. A ‘do-me-a-favour’ Jesus may look good stuck on your dashboard, but that image can do nothing for your fears. You need an awesome God, who, while diminishing your ego, enlarges your faith and blows your mind. David wrote: ‘Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things…’ (Psalms 103:2-5 NLT). Bible In A Year: Ezek 16:53-19:14; Matt 22:1-14; Ps 103:13-22; Pro 19:17. 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. [28/08, 9:18 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA* SATURDAY, 29TH AUGUST, 2026. *SUNDRY WORDS OF WISDOM* *TEXT:* PROVERBS 13:18-25. 18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured. 19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil. 20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. 21 Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed. 22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. 23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment. 24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. 25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want. *Timeless Truth:*_"He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed"_ (Proverbs 13:20). *INTRODUCTION* If people are asked how to differentiate a wise person from a foolish person, the answer will differ according to the wisdom or foolishness of individuals giving the answer. Unfortunately, in most cases, the foolish see themselves as wiser than the wise. The successful and rich farmer in Luke 12:19-21 appeared to have had wisdom to make wealth and multiply it. Most people will take such, today as wise and smart, but God called him a fool. So a wise man in the eyes of an earthly person is not necessarily wise as far as the Ancient of Days is concerned. The Word of God is therefore, the most reliable and best literature on true and divinely approved wisdom. It looks at wisdom in the context of eternity and not in the context of ephemeral things of this world. The book of Proverbs contains practical wisdom for victorious and godly living. The text gives us some lectures on what constitutes true wisdom in the sight of God and in the sight of truth loving men. In essence, we can perceive wisdom in a person through his words, ways of life, values, choices and disciplines. *1. Humility in Receiving Instruction* One of the outputs of wisdom is the humility to accept and obey godly instructions. Anyone who claims, by his actions, that he is above instruction must claim to be on the same table of wisdom with the Omniscience God. That will be foolishness. *“Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.”* Refusing godly correction often leads to painful consequences, while accepting rebuke produces growth and honour. A teachable spirit is a mark of wisdom. *Question* How do you respond when godly correction is given to you? Is a proud intelligent or wealthy person wise? *2. The Happiness in Realization of Interest* *“The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul…”* This is well known experientially. There is joy when righteous desires are fulfilled. What if the desire that is accomplished is evil? Is it still sweet to the soul? This is how to differentiate a fool from the wise. For the wise, when evil desires come to pass, they are sad and unhappy. They cannot rest until they go to God for mercy. The fool reacts differently. They are happy at the evil that happens because *"it is abomination for fools to depart from evil"*. They are always right and wise in their own eyes even when they do evil or evil happens. *Question* Do you rejoice when evil desires are accomplished? Do you rejoice when good things happen to others? You can always judge whether you are a fool in the eyes of God or not. *3. The Healthy of Relationship with the Intelligent* *“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”* Our companions influence our character, decisions and future. Walking with wise people, according to Divine definition of wisdom, promotes wisdom, while intimate association with foolish people can bring sorrow. Your peers influence your principles and your principle determines your prudence. Your relationships reform your Character and your character determines your personality. *Question* Are your closest companions helping you to grow in wisdom and godliness? *4. The Harvests of Reward for Involvements* Whatever is sown will be harvested in multiple folds whether good or evil. It is a matter of time. *"Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repaid.”* Nobody should deceive himself that if he sows sin and sows to the flesh he will reap righteousness and spirituality. Those who sow love and goodness will reap the same with their children. Sin has consequences and eventually, catches up with the unrepentant. God, however, watches over the righteous and rewards those who faithfully follow Him. *Question* What are you sowing with your tongue and talents? *5. Having Righteous Inheritance* *“A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children…”* The inheritance can be education, wealth, good spiritual and moral upbringing. A godly inheritance includes more than money and possessions. Faith, integrity, wisdom, good character and the fear of God are treasures that can bless generations. A wise father invests all these good things in the life of the younger generation through any medium possible just like Jesus gave us diver blessings as he departed from the world. *Question* Do you demonstrate wisdom by investing invaluable things to your younger generation through any medium available? *6. The Huge Results of Ignorance* *“Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.”* God can provide abundance through diligent labour. The poor remains poor not because he was made so, but just because he could not till the ground and labour. Furthermore, poor decisions, injustice and lack of wise management may destroy what could have been fruitful. Those who are enjoying bountiful harvests in a godly way are using God's wisdom while those who remain poor should go and learn the wisdom of God. *Question* Are you using the opportunities and resources God has given you with wisdom and good judgment? *7. Home Rulership without Indiscipline* *“He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.”* The rod is not necessarily physical. It may also be psychological, frowns or stern rebukes. Genuine love does not ignore wrongdoing. A child left to himself will be spoilt and become a source of shame to the parents and the society. Schools might be forbidden from spanking, but God expects parents, both natural and spiritual, to enforce discipline lovingly and godly.Godly discipline, exercised with wisdom and love, helps to correct, train and guide children in the right path. *Question* Do you apply wisdom and love in the discipline of the erring both in the Church and the natural family? *8. Divine Recompence according to the Heart* *“The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.”* God knows the needs of His people and is able to provide for them. The righteous learn contentment and dependence upon God, while wickedness ultimately leads to emptiness. *Question* Do you trust God daily as your Provider and seek to live in righteousness before Him? *Prayer Points* 1.Lord, give me a humble and teachable heart that receives godly correction 🙏. 2.Father, surround me with wise and godly companions who will strengthen my faith 🙏. 3.Lord, help me to leave a lasting inheritance of faith, wisdom and godly character for future generations 🙏. 4.Father, grant Your children wisdom to manage opportunities and resources that You have provided them🙏. *HYMN:* Deeper Deeper *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* PHILEMON [28/08, 9:18 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS) SATURDAY 29TH AUGUST, 2026``` *WATCH YOUR DESIRES* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️💓⚠️‼️🛑👁️🧐🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:PROVERBS 13:18-25```📜📜 🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil" (PROVERBS 13:19).*_ *"Some desire is necessary to keep life in motion," said the English writer, moralist and sermonist, Samuel Johnson, "and he whose real wants are supplied, must admit those of fancy." The problem often arises from the nature of the desire people harbour. Most people desire what they do not need, but what serves their fancies. Some are never able to distinguish between the needs they should desire and the wants that serve little purpose.* *King Solomon, the writer of these couplets in the Proverbs, could justifiably claim expertise on the sometimes messy topic of desires. He lived for a time to satisfy his personal desires, to feed his body with whatever he wanted. But in the end, he saw them as vanity, inferring by his conduct that he, who was the wisest of men in his time had succumbed to the cravings of the most foolish people. He therefore, warned of the consequences of rejecting instructions, probably alluding to his action, emphasising that even if the desires of such people were accomplished and seemed "sweet to the soul", at least for a time, it offers no incentive to the foolish person to shun evil conducts. He draws a parallel between those that keep company with wise men, and companions of unwise people. He concludes that sinners are invariably unwise in what truly matters in life, and are therefore unable to bequeath a legacy of inheritance to generations after them. Stressing the destructive nature of poor judgment, the wise preacher also counselled against withholding discipline from children, and affirms that it is an expression of love to ensure that children are brought up well. In the end, this is part of what brings satisfaction to the righteous, as the fruit of his labour.* *It is no doubt, desirable to achieve our goals in life, but we must be careful as not every desire is worth pursuing. Some are so deadly that when you set your heart on them, you may lose the ability to determine what is truly good, and what is dangerous. Often, our desires influence how we justly assess our actions. At such a time, it becomes important whose words we obey, whose advice we accept, and whose friendship we keep. The word of God must under-guard our every action. Any desire that panders more to our ego or serves only our flesh runs counter to God's command. We must focus on what God says, and shun any desire that tends towards pride and vainglory.* ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*Unchecked desires are the fuel that power unhinged conducts.*_ 📜📜```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *PHILEMON*📜📜 Watch Your Desires https://dailymanna.app// *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 6: YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION; GHS 89: O JESUS, I HAVE PROMISED; AND GHS 189: TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY* *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#DailyManna29thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [28/08, 9:19 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*HIGHER EVERYD🅰️Y: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_ ✍🏽👩🏻‍💼🌻 🍇🙏🏽🛰🚀🔬📚 ```SATURDAY 29TH AUGUST, 2026``` *IN HIS SECRET PLACE - 1* 🎚️📓📖🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🗣️🙏🏽🙌🏽 📜📜```TEXT:PSALM 91:1-9```📜📜 📖``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty" (PSALM 91:1).*_ *_World War I_ soldier, Leonard Knight was saved when a pocket Bible which he was carrying in his breast pocket stopped a German bullet from hitting him. Incredibly, Leonard escaped without a scratch, to the glory of God.* *Optimum security can only be found in God. He has the power to secure you and everything that is committed to His hands. No matter how vehement the storm rages, He is willing to protect you beyond this world and preserve you spotless unto life eternal. "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God," Corrie ten Boom posited.* *"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 1:24). Like the chicks find shelter under the wings of mother hen, so you too can dwell in His secret place and enjoy divine security.* *Anyone that chooses God for his/her protection shall be saved and secured from all alarms. Genuine experience of salvation earns you an abode under His wings.* 💬 ```QUOTE:``` _*Salvation earns you an abode.*_ 🏆 ```CHALLENGE:``` _*You are safe in the hollow of His hand.*_ 🙏🏽🙏🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Father, help me to dwell in Your secret place.*_ In His Secret Place - 1 https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#HigherEveryday29thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [28/08, 9:19 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣6️⃣)*_ 🙇🏼🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼‍♂️ ```SATURDAY 29TH AUGUST, 2026``` *ACHAN'S SIN AND CONSEQUENCES* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽⚠️‼️🛑⚖️🔥⚰️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```JOSHUA 7:19-26```📜📜 🕔📚🖋️🚻😁🎼🏆🍉🪴🌈💻 🔑📖 ```Key Verse:``` _*"And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done" (Joshua 7:20).*_ 📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖 As the children of Israel prepared to attack Jericho, the gateway to Canaan land, God commanded them to destroy all the people of Jericho with all their properties, except the vessels of silver, gold, brass and iron which were meant to be used for God's service. They were warned never to take for themselves any property from Jericho. After conquering Jericho, they proceeded to fight against a tiny enemy town called Ai. But in the process, thirty-six men among the Israelites were killed by the men of Ai, and the rest were chased away shamefully and disgraced because one of the men of Israel called Achan disobeyed God's command. This made God not to protect or help them in the battle. Achan fell into a chain of sins by: *(1) Looking at and admiring the Babylonish garment, money and gold.* *(2) Coveting the Babylonish properties.* *(3) Disobeying God's command by stealing the Babylonish properties.* *(4) Trying to cover his sins by secretly hiding the stolen Babylonish properties in his room.* *(5) Influencing his family members to join him in covering up his sins.* *(6) Causing the death of his family and thirty-six men of Israel.* *(7) Causing the anger of God to come upon the Israelites.* Achan's sins could not be hidden from God. He was exposed and disgraced. Himself, his wife and children were all stoned to death and burnt with all their properties including what he stole and attempted to cover up. *At the tail end of every chain of sins is damnation and destruction. But only Jesus has the power to break the chain and set the sinner free through repentance and cleansing in His precious blood. Repent now and be free from the consequences of your sins.* 🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥 ```🅿️rayer:``` _*Dear Lord, give me the grace to keep off from every appearance of sin.*_ 🙏🏽 ```📖 Further Reading:``` *Psalm 9:17* Achan's Sin And Consequences https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#SincereMilk29thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS]. 2. Morning Prayer for today. MP.i. Morning Prayer And whatsoever ye do, do [it] heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; ⏤ Colossians 3:23 The great thing in prayer is to feel that we are putting our supplications into the bosom of omnipotent love. ⏤ Andrew Murray We come into Your presence, O great and glorious God, to begin the day at Your feet. Without Your blessing, we dare not venture into the twisting paths of the world. We desire to do good work today. Keep us from being satisfied with merely fulfilling our duties; may we do even the smallest tasks with excellence, so as to please You. We also desire to live well in our family life. Sometimes we fail to do our best at home. We grow careless, and we do not speak as affectionately as we should. We are less courteous and kind than we might be. We do not always give the best expressions of love to those closest to us. Teach us, Father, to love at home—and to show our love. Preserve us from impatience, irritability, and frustration in our interactions as a home, and give us the spirit of love. We also desire to show love in all our relationships with the world. Give us a generous heart toward our neighbors. Help us to be like Jesus, who, when reviled, did not revile in return—who bore injury and insult with meekness and gentleness. May we have the same patient love that He had. If we suffer wrong from others, may we bear it quietly, without resentment, returning good for evil and kindness for unkindness. May we have the spirit of helpfulness toward all our neighbors. May we be like the Good Samaritan to anyone we find in distress or need. Enable us to carry the love of Jesus to every life we touch. Make us good interpreters of Jesus' divine love and kindness. May our neighbors see in us the holiness of Jesus. Let our day be one of beauty and grace, full of Jesus and full of goodness to others. We ask this in the blessed name of Jesus Christ. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/55/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

The Story Behind the Hymns. THE STORY BEHIND " O LOVE THAT WILL NOT LET ME GO" Some hymns are written with a pen while others seem to come from a wounded heart. “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go” was written in 1882 by George Matheson, a Scottish minister whose life had taken him through blindness, disappointment and deep personal sorrow. When he wrote those words, he was not writing about suffering from a distance. He knew what it meant to watch life change in ways he never expected. Matheson was born in Glasgow in 1842. As a young man, his eyesight began to fail, and he eventually became completely blind. Yet he refused to allow blindness to end his purpose. He studied at the University of Glasgow, entered the ministry and became a respected preacher and writer. His private life also carried a deep wound. Biographical accounts have connected his early heartbreak with the end of an engagement after his eyesight deteriorated. Whatever the precise circumstances, Matheson knew the pain of seeing a future he had hoped for disappear. Then came June 6, 1882. It was his sister's wedding day. While his family attended the celebration, Matheson remained alone at the manse in Ingram, Scotland. It was during that quiet evening that the hymn came to him. Matheson later said he wrote it in about five minutes and made almost no changes afterwards. From that moment of solitude came words that would eventually comfort millions: “O Love that wilt not let me go, I give Thee back the life I owe.” Those words are striking because Matheson was not asking God to give him a life without suffering. He was surrendering the life he had, with all its unanswered questions. He had lost his sight, he had known heartbreak and he could not see what the future held. Yet he could still trust. The hymn moves gently from surrender to faith: “O Joy that seekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to Thee; I trace the rainbow through the rain, And feel the promise is not vain, That morn shall tearless be.” Matheson did not deny the rain but he acknowledged it. He believed that beyond it was a promise worth holding on to and that is what makes the hymn so deeply moving. It speaks to anyone who has ever sat alone with a broken heart, watched a cherished dream disappear or wondered how they would find the strength to face another day. Matheson could not see with his eyes, yet he wrote about a rainbow. He could not see the morning, yet he believed it was coming and perhaps that is simply the miracle at the heart of this hymn: a man living in darkness gave the world words about hope. “O Love that wilt not let me go.” More than 140 years later, those words still carry the same promise. When life becomes too heavy to understand, when the road ahead is hidden and the heart is tired, there remains a love that does not abandon us. A love that holds on. A love that sees us through the rain. A love that will not let us go.