• Three Angels Broadcasting Network Devotional.
    Now I Know Why

    By Idalia Dinzey

    September 1st, 2026

    “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” John 12:34

    Can TV programs really affect the mind of a child and change the course of their life? I can answer that question with an experience from my childhood.

    I was somewhere between seven and eight years of age, and it was Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Puerto Rico. I was home with my three brothers as we watched a movie on TV called, Jesus of Nazareth. I remember watching the portrayal of Jesus’ life —how He became man to help us learn about our Heavenly Father, and how He was betrayed by one of His disciples who delivered Him into His enemy’s hands. Judas believed and knew that Jesus could put a stop to everything and get away…but He didn’t!

    As I watched, the movie took a painful turn, and suddenly, Jesus was being beaten! It was so heartbreaking that I ran to the screen and hugged it!

    “Oh Jesus, why?” I wept, even as my brothers yelled at me to get out of the way so they could watch. They didn’t understand what was happening inside of me. I ran to my room and sobbed into my pillow, “Why did you let them do that to you Jesus? Why? Why? Why?”

    I still cry as I read, hear, or watch anything about Christ’s ultimate sacrifice; but I no longer ask why, because I know why. And I’ve never let go that memory, and for a good reason. What I watched decades ago has remained in my heart and fueled my desire to teach our children about their salvation at an early age.

    I thank God for a mother who brought us up to love the Lord and be of service to Him. And I certainly never thought I’d be working with a television network that explains the “why’s” of Jesus to children, as well as adults. I know there are children whose parents don’t speak English, Spanish or Portuguese – the languages on 3ABN English and 3ABN Latino networks. But they are increasingly being taught English as an international language, and we shouldn’t underestimate the influence they’ll have as they translate our programs for their families.

    Television and radio can change lives for the good, and Bible truths bring about a sure change for the best! I’m so thankful for all who take a stand in supporting Jesus’ coming to our world to draw all men to Him. Our children and our homes have been blessed because of you!
    Three Angels Broadcasting Network Devotional. Now I Know Why By Idalia Dinzey September 1st, 2026 “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” John 12:34 Can TV programs really affect the mind of a child and change the course of their life? I can answer that question with an experience from my childhood. I was somewhere between seven and eight years of age, and it was Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Puerto Rico. I was home with my three brothers as we watched a movie on TV called, Jesus of Nazareth. I remember watching the portrayal of Jesus’ life —how He became man to help us learn about our Heavenly Father, and how He was betrayed by one of His disciples who delivered Him into His enemy’s hands. Judas believed and knew that Jesus could put a stop to everything and get away…but He didn’t! As I watched, the movie took a painful turn, and suddenly, Jesus was being beaten! It was so heartbreaking that I ran to the screen and hugged it! “Oh Jesus, why?” I wept, even as my brothers yelled at me to get out of the way so they could watch. They didn’t understand what was happening inside of me. I ran to my room and sobbed into my pillow, “Why did you let them do that to you Jesus? Why? Why? Why?” I still cry as I read, hear, or watch anything about Christ’s ultimate sacrifice; but I no longer ask why, because I know why. And I’ve never let go that memory, and for a good reason. What I watched decades ago has remained in my heart and fueled my desire to teach our children about their salvation at an early age. I thank God for a mother who brought us up to love the Lord and be of service to Him. And I certainly never thought I’d be working with a television network that explains the “why’s” of Jesus to children, as well as adults. I know there are children whose parents don’t speak English, Spanish or Portuguese – the languages on 3ABN English and 3ABN Latino networks. But they are increasingly being taught English as an international language, and we shouldn’t underestimate the influence they’ll have as they translate our programs for their families. Television and radio can change lives for the good, and Bible truths bring about a sure change for the best! I’m so thankful for all who take a stand in supporting Jesus’ coming to our world to draw all men to Him. Our children and our homes have been blessed because of you!
    0 Commentaires 0 Parts 19 Vue
  • TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS:

    SERMON TOPIC:

    6 SIGNS SOMEONE ISN’T REALLY CHRISTIAN.

    “A Christian by Name, or a Christian by Nature?”

    Text:

    Matthew 7:21–23; 2 Corinthians 13:5; 1 John 2:3–6

    NOT EVERYONE WHO SAYS “LORD” KNOWS THE LORD.
    There is a dangerous assumption in Christianity today:
    “If someone goes to church, carries a Bible, posts Bible verses, sings worship songs, or calls Jesus ‘Lord,’ then that person must be a Christian.”
    But Jesus warned us that this is not always true.
    > “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 7:2
    That statement should make every one of us pause.
    Jesus did not say, “Not everyone who attends church.”
    He said, “Not everyone who says, ‘Lord, Lord.’”
    This means it is possible to have Christian language without Christian life.
    It is possible to have a Bible in your hand but not have Christ in your heart.
    It is possible to be active in church but inactive in obedience.
    It is possible to know Christian songs without knowing Christ.
    And therefore, the question today is not:
    “Do people think I am a Christian?”
    The question is:
    “Does my life give evidence that I truly belong to Christ?”
    This message is not designed to judge other people. It is a mirror before it becomes a weapon.
    Before you examine your neighbor, examine yourself.

    LOOK AT THE 6 SIGNS:-

    1. THEY HAVE NO GENUINE DESIRE TO OBEY CHRIST.
    A genuine Christian is not perfect, but there is a genuine desire to please God.
    Jesus said:
    > “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” — John 14:15
    Obedience does not save us; Christ saves us.
    But genuine salvation produces a desire to obey the One who saved us.
    Someone may say:
    > “Jesus is my Lord.”
    But if Jesus is truly Lord, He must have authority over your decisions.
    You cannot continually say:
    “Jesus is Lord,”
    while your lifestyle says:
    “I am my own lord.”
    Important distinction
    A true Christian can fall into sin.
    But there is a difference between:
    falling into sin and building your life around sin.
    There is a difference between:
    > “Lord, I have failed. Forgive me.”
    and:
    > “I know it is wrong, but I don't care.”
    The first demonstrates repentance.
    The second demonstrates rebellion.
    2. THEY HAVE NO EVIDENCE OF SPIRITUAL FRUIT.
    Jesus said:
    > “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” — Matthew 7:16
    Notice that Jesus did not say:
    “You shall know them by their clothes.”
    He did not say:
    “You shall know them by their church attendance.”
    He said:
    “By their fruits.”
    What is growing in your life?
    Is there increasing love?
    Is there increasing patience?
    Is there forgiveness?
    Is there humility?
    Is there self-control?
    Is there compassion?
    Is there holiness?
    Galatians 5:22–23 describes the fruit of the Spirit.

    A genuine Christian should show evidence of spiritual transformation.
    Not perfection.
    Transformation.
    If someone has been claiming Christ for years but there is absolutely no evidence of Christlike character, that should lead to serious self-examination.
    3. THEY LOVE THE WORLD MORE THAN THEY LOVE GOD.
    1 John 2:15 says:
    > “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.”
    The Bible is not saying Christians cannot enjoy God's creation, work hard, have possessions, or live normal lives.
    The warning is about worldliness becoming the master of the heart.
    When money becomes more important than righteousness...
    When popularity becomes more important than holiness...
    When sexual pleasure becomes more important than obedience...
    When social media approval becomes more important than God's approval...
    When material possessions become our identity...
    Something is wrong.
    Jesus asked:
    > “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” — Mark 8:36
    A Christian lives in the world, but the world must not live in the Christian's heart.
    4. THEY HAVE NO LOVE FOR OTHER BELIEVERS.
    This is one of the strongest biblical tests.
    1 John 3:14 says:
    > “He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.”
    Christianity is not merely about loving God with our lips.
    It also affects how we treat people.
    You cannot continually hate everyone, refuse forgiveness, enjoy destroying people's reputations, and then claim that your relationship with Christ is healthy.
    Jesus said:
    > “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” — John 13:35
    Love does not mean allowing people to abuse you.
    Love does not mean approving everything people do.
    Love means treating people with the character of Christ.
    Ask yourself:
    How do I treat people who cannot benefit me?
    How do I treat those who disagree with me?
    How do I respond when someone succeeds?
    Can I forgive?
    Can I apologize?
    Can I celebrate another person's progress?
    Because sometimes the greatest evidence of Christianity is not what happens inside the church building, but how we behave outside it.
    5. THEY ONLY FOLLOW JESUS WHEN IT IS CONVENIENT.
    Some people want Jesus as Savior but refuse Him as Lord.
    They want:
    Blessing without obedience.
    Breakthrough without discipline.
    Promises without repentance.
    Heaven without holiness.
    The crown without the cross.
    But Jesus said:
    > “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” — Luke 9:23
    Following Christ will sometimes cost you something.
    It may cost you a relationship.
    It may cost you an opportunity.
    It may cost you popularity.
    It may cost you comfort.
    It may require you to say:
    “No.”
    when everybody else is saying:
    “Yes.”
    A genuine disciple does not follow Jesus only when following Him is profitable.
    Real Christianity is tested when obedience becomes costly.
    6. THEY HAVE CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE BUT NO PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST.
    This may be the most frightening sign.
    A person can know about Jesus without actually knowing Jesus.
    You can memorize Scripture.
    You can preach sermons.
    You can sing worship songs.
    You can teach Sunday school.
    You can even perform religious activities.
    And still have a heart far from God.
    Jesus said in Matthew 7:23:
    > “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
    Those are terrifying words.
    Notice something:
    Jesus did not say:
    “You never knew about Me.”
    He said:
    “I never knew you.”
    Christianity is not merely information about Christ.
    It is relationship with Christ.
    You can know the Bible and not obey the Author.
    You can know Christian vocabulary and not know the Savior.
    You can sit in church every Sunday and still be spiritually lost.

    BIBLICAL CASE STUDY:

    JUDAS ISCARIOT

    One of the most sobering examples is Judas.
    Judas walked with Jesus.
    He heard Jesus teach.
    He witnessed miracles.
    He was among the disciples.
    He participated in ministry.
    Yet his heart was not surrendered to Christ.
    Eventually, he betrayed Jesus.
    This teaches us something uncomfortable:
    Being close to Christian activity does not automatically mean being close to Christ.
    You can be around the fire and still be cold inside.
    You can be around worship and still have an unconverted heart.
    You can be around pastors and still need salvation.
    You can be a church worker and still need Jesus.
    Therefore, don't ask:
    “How long have I been in church?”
    Ask:
    “Has Christ truly transformed my life?”

    A DEEP SPIRITUAL TRUTH.

    Salvation is not proven by perfection; it is evidenced by transformation.
    The Christian life is not:
    > “I never make mistakes.”
    It is:
    > “I no longer want to remain the person I used to be.”
    When Christ enters a person's life, something begins to change.
    Their desires begin to change.
    Their priorities begin to change.
    Their relationships begin to change.
    Their attitude toward sin begins to change.
    Their hunger for God's Word begins to change.
    Their response to correction begins to change.
    Their heart begins to change.
    That is the work of grace.

    PRACTICAL ACTION STEPS.

    1. Examine yourself
    Paul says:
    > “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith.” — 2 Corinthians 13:5
    Don't only examine your neighbor.
    Examine yourself.
    2. Repent where necessary
    Don't defend what God is asking you to surrender.
    If the Holy Spirit reveals something, repent.
    3. Return to God's Word
    Don't build your Christianity around social media quotes.
    Build it around Scripture.
    Read it.
    Study it.
    Believe it.
    Practice it.
    4. Develop a genuine prayer life
    Prayer is not merely asking God for things.
    Prayer is relationship.
    Talk to God.
    Listen to God.
    Seek His will.
    5. Look for spiritual fruit
    Ask:
    “Am I becoming more like Christ?”
    Not:
    “Am I better than someone else?”
    6. Make Jesus Lord, not merely Savior
    Don't only ask Jesus to rescue you from hell.
    Ask Him to rule your heart.

    QUESTIONS FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION.

    1. If someone watched my life for 30 days, would they see evidence of Christ?
    2. Do I obey God only when obedience benefits me?
    3. What fruit of the Spirit is growing in my life?
    4. How do I treat people who cannot reward me?
    5. Have I genuinely repented of my sins, or have I simply learned Christian language?
    6. Do I know Jesus personally, or do I only know about Him?

    POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS

    1. Prayer of Examination
    Father, search my heart and reveal anything in me that is not pleasing to You.
    2. Prayer of Repentance
    Lord Jesus, wherever I have lived in disobedience, forgive me and give me grace to turn completely back to You.
    3. Prayer for Transformation
    Holy Spirit, transform my character and produce Your fruit in my life.
    4. Prayer for Genuine Faith
    Father, remove every form of hypocrisy from my life. Let my Christianity be genuine, not merely outward.
    5. Prayer for Love
    Lord, give me grace to love people sincerely, forgive quickly, and represent Christ correctly.
    6. Prayer for Perseverance
    Jesus, when following You becomes difficult, give me strength not to turn back.
    7. Prayer for Spiritual Hunger
    Lord, give me a deeper hunger for Your Word, prayer, holiness, and Your presence.

    STRONG CLOSING:

    DON'T JUST WEAR THE NAME—CARRY THE NATURE.

    Church, the greatest question is not:
    “Am I called a Christian?”
    The greatest question is:
    “Does Christ truly live in me?”
    Don't be satisfied because your name is on a church register.
    Don't be satisfied because you have a Bible.
    Don't be satisfied because you attend Christian programs.
    Don't be satisfied because you can quote Scripture.
    Don't be satisfied because people call you “Brother” or “Sister.”
    Make sure you know Jesus.
    If you have drifted, come back.
    If you have been pretending, repent.
    If your faith has become merely religious, return to Christ.

    If you have never truly surrendered your life to Jesus, today is the day to surrender.
    Because one day, every religious mask will fall.
    Every title will disappear.
    Every reputation will disappear.
    Every earthly achievement will disappear.
    And we will stand before Christ.
    So let our prayer be:
    > “Lord Jesus, make me a genuine Christian—not merely a Christian by name, but a Christian by nature, character, faith, obedience, and love.”
    Don't just carry the Bible.
    Live the Bible.
    Don't just talk about Jesus.
    Follow Jesus.
    Don't just wear the name Christian.
    Let Christ be seen in you.
    May our lives preach the Gospel even when our mouths are silent. In Jesus' mighty name. Amen.

    Accept Jesus Christ today by joining a Bible believing Church near you
    You can get inspirational ebooks from my selar/Amazon shops below

    https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1

    https://selar.com/m/umoedem

    https://www.amazon.com/author/umohedembooks

    https://afrikdp.com/author/9128a016-dd79-4f17-9e60-bf11f65f1a34

    CONTACT - WhatsApp +2349024173027, +2349055447540

    Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com
    TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS: SERMON TOPIC: 6 SIGNS SOMEONE ISN’T REALLY CHRISTIAN. “A Christian by Name, or a Christian by Nature?” Text: Matthew 7:21–23; 2 Corinthians 13:5; 1 John 2:3–6 🔥 NOT EVERYONE WHO SAYS “LORD” KNOWS THE LORD. There is a dangerous assumption in Christianity today: “If someone goes to church, carries a Bible, posts Bible verses, sings worship songs, or calls Jesus ‘Lord,’ then that person must be a Christian.” But Jesus warned us that this is not always true. > “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 7:2 That statement should make every one of us pause. Jesus did not say, “Not everyone who attends church.” He said, “Not everyone who says, ‘Lord, Lord.’” This means it is possible to have Christian language without Christian life. It is possible to have a Bible in your hand but not have Christ in your heart. It is possible to be active in church but inactive in obedience. It is possible to know Christian songs without knowing Christ. And therefore, the question today is not: “Do people think I am a Christian?” The question is: “Does my life give evidence that I truly belong to Christ?” This message is not designed to judge other people. It is a mirror before it becomes a weapon. Before you examine your neighbor, examine yourself. LOOK AT THE 6 SIGNS:- 1. THEY HAVE NO GENUINE DESIRE TO OBEY CHRIST. A genuine Christian is not perfect, but there is a genuine desire to please God. Jesus said: > “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” — John 14:15 Obedience does not save us; Christ saves us. But genuine salvation produces a desire to obey the One who saved us. Someone may say: > “Jesus is my Lord.” But if Jesus is truly Lord, He must have authority over your decisions. You cannot continually say: “Jesus is Lord,” while your lifestyle says: “I am my own lord.” Important distinction A true Christian can fall into sin. But there is a difference between: falling into sin and building your life around sin. There is a difference between: > “Lord, I have failed. Forgive me.” and: > “I know it is wrong, but I don't care.” The first demonstrates repentance. The second demonstrates rebellion. 2. THEY HAVE NO EVIDENCE OF SPIRITUAL FRUIT. Jesus said: > “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” — Matthew 7:16 Notice that Jesus did not say: “You shall know them by their clothes.” He did not say: “You shall know them by their church attendance.” He said: “By their fruits.” What is growing in your life? Is there increasing love? Is there increasing patience? Is there forgiveness? Is there humility? Is there self-control? Is there compassion? Is there holiness? Galatians 5:22–23 describes the fruit of the Spirit. A genuine Christian should show evidence of spiritual transformation. Not perfection. Transformation. If someone has been claiming Christ for years but there is absolutely no evidence of Christlike character, that should lead to serious self-examination. 3. THEY LOVE THE WORLD MORE THAN THEY LOVE GOD. 1 John 2:15 says: > “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.” The Bible is not saying Christians cannot enjoy God's creation, work hard, have possessions, or live normal lives. The warning is about worldliness becoming the master of the heart. When money becomes more important than righteousness... When popularity becomes more important than holiness... When sexual pleasure becomes more important than obedience... When social media approval becomes more important than God's approval... When material possessions become our identity... Something is wrong. Jesus asked: > “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” — Mark 8:36 A Christian lives in the world, but the world must not live in the Christian's heart. 4. THEY HAVE NO LOVE FOR OTHER BELIEVERS. This is one of the strongest biblical tests. 1 John 3:14 says: > “He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” Christianity is not merely about loving God with our lips. It also affects how we treat people. You cannot continually hate everyone, refuse forgiveness, enjoy destroying people's reputations, and then claim that your relationship with Christ is healthy. Jesus said: > “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” — John 13:35 Love does not mean allowing people to abuse you. Love does not mean approving everything people do. Love means treating people with the character of Christ. Ask yourself: How do I treat people who cannot benefit me? How do I treat those who disagree with me? How do I respond when someone succeeds? Can I forgive? Can I apologize? Can I celebrate another person's progress? Because sometimes the greatest evidence of Christianity is not what happens inside the church building, but how we behave outside it. 5. THEY ONLY FOLLOW JESUS WHEN IT IS CONVENIENT. Some people want Jesus as Savior but refuse Him as Lord. They want: Blessing without obedience. Breakthrough without discipline. Promises without repentance. Heaven without holiness. The crown without the cross. But Jesus said: > “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” — Luke 9:23 Following Christ will sometimes cost you something. It may cost you a relationship. It may cost you an opportunity. It may cost you popularity. It may cost you comfort. It may require you to say: “No.” when everybody else is saying: “Yes.” A genuine disciple does not follow Jesus only when following Him is profitable. Real Christianity is tested when obedience becomes costly. 6. THEY HAVE CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE BUT NO PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST. This may be the most frightening sign. A person can know about Jesus without actually knowing Jesus. You can memorize Scripture. You can preach sermons. You can sing worship songs. You can teach Sunday school. You can even perform religious activities. And still have a heart far from God. Jesus said in Matthew 7:23: > “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Those are terrifying words. Notice something: Jesus did not say: “You never knew about Me.” He said: “I never knew you.” Christianity is not merely information about Christ. It is relationship with Christ. You can know the Bible and not obey the Author. You can know Christian vocabulary and not know the Savior. You can sit in church every Sunday and still be spiritually lost. 📖 BIBLICAL CASE STUDY: JUDAS ISCARIOT One of the most sobering examples is Judas. Judas walked with Jesus. He heard Jesus teach. He witnessed miracles. He was among the disciples. He participated in ministry. Yet his heart was not surrendered to Christ. Eventually, he betrayed Jesus. This teaches us something uncomfortable: Being close to Christian activity does not automatically mean being close to Christ. You can be around the fire and still be cold inside. You can be around worship and still have an unconverted heart. You can be around pastors and still need salvation. You can be a church worker and still need Jesus. Therefore, don't ask: “How long have I been in church?” Ask: “Has Christ truly transformed my life?” 🔥 A DEEP SPIRITUAL TRUTH. Salvation is not proven by perfection; it is evidenced by transformation. The Christian life is not: > “I never make mistakes.” It is: > “I no longer want to remain the person I used to be.” When Christ enters a person's life, something begins to change. Their desires begin to change. Their priorities begin to change. Their relationships begin to change. Their attitude toward sin begins to change. Their hunger for God's Word begins to change. Their response to correction begins to change. Their heart begins to change. That is the work of grace. 🛠️ PRACTICAL ACTION STEPS. 1. Examine yourself Paul says: > “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith.” — 2 Corinthians 13:5 Don't only examine your neighbor. Examine yourself. 2. Repent where necessary Don't defend what God is asking you to surrender. If the Holy Spirit reveals something, repent. 3. Return to God's Word Don't build your Christianity around social media quotes. Build it around Scripture. Read it. Study it. Believe it. Practice it. 4. Develop a genuine prayer life Prayer is not merely asking God for things. Prayer is relationship. Talk to God. Listen to God. Seek His will. 5. Look for spiritual fruit Ask: “Am I becoming more like Christ?” Not: “Am I better than someone else?” 6. Make Jesus Lord, not merely Savior Don't only ask Jesus to rescue you from hell. Ask Him to rule your heart. 🤔 QUESTIONS FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION. 1. If someone watched my life for 30 days, would they see evidence of Christ? 2. Do I obey God only when obedience benefits me? 3. What fruit of the Spirit is growing in my life? 4. How do I treat people who cannot reward me? 5. Have I genuinely repented of my sins, or have I simply learned Christian language? 6. Do I know Jesus personally, or do I only know about Him? 🙏 POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS 1. Prayer of Examination Father, search my heart and reveal anything in me that is not pleasing to You. 2. Prayer of Repentance Lord Jesus, wherever I have lived in disobedience, forgive me and give me grace to turn completely back to You. 3. Prayer for Transformation Holy Spirit, transform my character and produce Your fruit in my life. 4. Prayer for Genuine Faith Father, remove every form of hypocrisy from my life. Let my Christianity be genuine, not merely outward. 5. Prayer for Love Lord, give me grace to love people sincerely, forgive quickly, and represent Christ correctly. 6. Prayer for Perseverance Jesus, when following You becomes difficult, give me strength not to turn back. 7. Prayer for Spiritual Hunger Lord, give me a deeper hunger for Your Word, prayer, holiness, and Your presence. 🔥 STRONG CLOSING: DON'T JUST WEAR THE NAME—CARRY THE NATURE. Church, the greatest question is not: “Am I called a Christian?” The greatest question is: “Does Christ truly live in me?” Don't be satisfied because your name is on a church register. Don't be satisfied because you have a Bible. Don't be satisfied because you attend Christian programs. Don't be satisfied because you can quote Scripture. Don't be satisfied because people call you “Brother” or “Sister.” Make sure you know Jesus. If you have drifted, come back. If you have been pretending, repent. If your faith has become merely religious, return to Christ. If you have never truly surrendered your life to Jesus, today is the day to surrender. Because one day, every religious mask will fall. Every title will disappear. Every reputation will disappear. Every earthly achievement will disappear. And we will stand before Christ. So let our prayer be: > “Lord Jesus, make me a genuine Christian—not merely a Christian by name, but a Christian by nature, character, faith, obedience, and love.” Don't just carry the Bible. Live the Bible. Don't just talk about Jesus. Follow Jesus. Don't just wear the name Christian. Let Christ be seen in you. May our lives preach the Gospel even when our mouths are silent. In Jesus' mighty name. Amen. Accept Jesus Christ today by joining a Bible believing Church near you You can get inspirational ebooks from my selar/Amazon shops below https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1 https://selar.com/m/umoedem https://www.amazon.com/author/umohedembooks https://afrikdp.com/author/9128a016-dd79-4f17-9e60-bf11f65f1a34 CONTACT - WhatsApp +2349024173027, +2349055447540 Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com
    0 Commentaires 0 Parts 11 Vue
  • SERVING GOD'S PURPOSE

    “Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there every day. But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns.” —Luke 22:53

    One of the most maddening moments in the Garden of Gethsemane came when Jesus’ enemies finally arrived to arrest Him. Leading the way was Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed the Lord. According to Luke 22:47, “Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss” (NLT).

    The obvious question is “Why?” Judas Iscariot had followed Jesus for three years. He had listened to the Lord’s teachings. He had witnessed miracle after miracle. He had watched Jesus expose the hypocrisy of the very people he conspired with to betray Him.

    So, why did Judas do it? The closest we get to an answer in Scripture is Luke 22:3, which says, “Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot” (NLT).

    But that only leads to another obvious question. Why does God allow Satan to exist? In Job 1:7, Satan says, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on” (NLT). But he’s not a passive observer. He’s looking for trouble. He’s looking for lives to ruin. He’s looking for saints to stumble.

    So, why does God allow him to carry on? Why doesn’t the Lord just take him out, as He could in a nanosecond? You might be surprised to learn that Satan, in his own twisted way, serves the purposes of God.

    Consider how he unwittingly played a major role in the cross of Christ. In his enduring hatred for God’s Son, Satan thought it would be a great idea to have Jesus betrayed, arrested, beaten within an inch of His life, and then crucified and put to death on a Roman cross.

    Everything went according to Satan’s plan. As Jesus told the mob who came to apprehend Him, “But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns” (Luke 22:53 NLT).

    The power of darkness did indeed reign that day, and Satan’s plan succeeded. But so did the plan of God. What the evil one didn’t realize was that it was God’s plan all along that the Messiah would die for the sins of the world. In the prophecy of Isaiah, we’re told, “It was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer” (Isaiah 53:10 NIV).

    Unaware that he was making the biggest blunder since his rebellion against God, Satan played into the plan and purpose of God when, in his rage and hatred, he prompted Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (see Zechariah 11:12–13).

    Satan’s “best shot” against God and the people of God was the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. And in that act, he not only unwittingly sealed his own doom, but he also opened the door for Jesus to offer redemption and salvation to the whole world.

    Remember, then, if you hold on to God and trust Him through the dark times, Satan’s best shots against you also will end up working for your good—and God’s glory.

    God bless you!

    SERVING GOD'S PURPOSE “Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there every day. But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns.” —Luke 22:53 One of the most maddening moments in the Garden of Gethsemane came when Jesus’ enemies finally arrived to arrest Him. Leading the way was Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed the Lord. According to Luke 22:47, “Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss” (NLT). The obvious question is “Why?” Judas Iscariot had followed Jesus for three years. He had listened to the Lord’s teachings. He had witnessed miracle after miracle. He had watched Jesus expose the hypocrisy of the very people he conspired with to betray Him. So, why did Judas do it? The closest we get to an answer in Scripture is Luke 22:3, which says, “Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot” (NLT). But that only leads to another obvious question. Why does God allow Satan to exist? In Job 1:7, Satan says, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on” (NLT). But he’s not a passive observer. He’s looking for trouble. He’s looking for lives to ruin. He’s looking for saints to stumble. So, why does God allow him to carry on? Why doesn’t the Lord just take him out, as He could in a nanosecond? You might be surprised to learn that Satan, in his own twisted way, serves the purposes of God. Consider how he unwittingly played a major role in the cross of Christ. In his enduring hatred for God’s Son, Satan thought it would be a great idea to have Jesus betrayed, arrested, beaten within an inch of His life, and then crucified and put to death on a Roman cross. Everything went according to Satan’s plan. As Jesus told the mob who came to apprehend Him, “But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns” (Luke 22:53 NLT). The power of darkness did indeed reign that day, and Satan’s plan succeeded. But so did the plan of God. What the evil one didn’t realize was that it was God’s plan all along that the Messiah would die for the sins of the world. In the prophecy of Isaiah, we’re told, “It was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer” (Isaiah 53:10 NIV). Unaware that he was making the biggest blunder since his rebellion against God, Satan played into the plan and purpose of God when, in his rage and hatred, he prompted Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (see Zechariah 11:12–13). Satan’s “best shot” against God and the people of God was the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. And in that act, he not only unwittingly sealed his own doom, but he also opened the door for Jesus to offer redemption and salvation to the whole world. Remember, then, if you hold on to God and trust Him through the dark times, Satan’s best shots against you also will end up working for your good—and God’s glory. God bless you!
    0 Commentaires 0 Parts 12 Vue
  • OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

    DATE: FRIDAY 28TH AUGUST 2026

    TOPIC: REFUEL, RECHARGE, RELOAD, PART 2

    MEMORIZE:
    "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost," Jude 1:20 (KJV)

    BIBLE READING: MARK 14:32-50
    32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.

    33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

    34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

    35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.

    36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

    37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?

    38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

    39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.

    40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.

    41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

    42 Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.

    43 And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

    44 And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.

    45 And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.

    46 And they laid their hands on him, and took him.

    47 And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

    48 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?

    49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.

    50 And they all forsook him, and fled.

    MESSAGE:
    Yesterday, I mentioned that you should recharge your spiritual energy whenever you feel a hunger in your spirit. This is very important; however, you should also continue to refuel your spiritual energy even when you don't feel a spiritual hunger so that you can be prepared ahead of any emergency. This is what I refer to as 'extra oil'. Extra oil is the reservoir of prayers and fasting that you have previously done and the Bible verses you have memorised that will come in handy when you are suddenly faced with a challenge. That is why you should always pray, fast, and study the word of God more than you think is necessary, because on days when you need a quick spiritual surge of power, it is from the reservoir that you have built that you will quickly recharge your energy.

    For example, temptations can arise on a day when you are not fully charged, and you will need strength to resist them. It is from your extra oil that the strength will come. Likewise, if danger suddenly shows up or disaster strikes, you will need to switch to a war mode quickly, and that can only happen when you have a reservoir of oil in you. In such moments, you can start by speaking in tongues. As you speak in tongues, you will draw from the extra oil in your reservoir, and before long, you will feel a surge of power, and then you will be able to solve the problem at hand. However, nothing will happen if there is no extra oil in your reservoir, even if you speak vehemently in tongues when facing a disaster.

    Child of God, nobody prepares for war on a battlefield. Oftentimes, commanders and soldiers plan their battle strategies long before wars break out. In Matthew 26:36-44, the Bible recounts how Jesus spent time praying earnestly in the Garden of Gethsemane before he was arrested. While He prayed, His disciples slept; therefore, when challenges arose, they had no extra oil to draw from, so they fled. Peter denied Jesus, and all the other disciples fainted on the day of adversity because their strength was small (Proverbs 24:10).

    Beloved, pray more than you think is necessary before the day of adversity comes. Prayer is never a waste. Speak in tongues often, and spend ample time in God's presence so that when the day of adversity comes, you will have more than enough extra oil to draw strength from.

    PRAYER POINT:
    Father, please help me to immerse myself in prayer and give myself to the study of Your word daily.

    BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR:
    EZEKIEL 16 - 17

    AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

    HYMNAL 12 - ONWARD, CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS!
    1. Onward, Christian soldiers! Marching as to war,
    Looking unto Jesus,
    Who is gone before;
    Christ, the Royal Master,
    Leads against the foe;
    Forward into battle,
    See His banners go.

    CHORUS
    Onward, Christian soldiers!
    Marching as to war,
    Looking unto Jesus,
    Who is gone before.

    2. At the name of Jesus
    Satan's host doth Ilee; On then, Christian soldiers On to victory! Hell's foundations quiver At the shout of praise: Brothers, lift your voices,
    Loud your anthems raise.

    3. Like a mighty army
    Moves the Church of God: Brothers, we are treading
    Where the saints have trod.
    We are not divided, All one body we One in hope and doctrine, One in charity.

    4. Crowns and thrones may
    perish Kingdoms rise and wane; But the Church of Jesus
    Constant will remain: Gates of hell can never 'Gainst that church prevail; We have Christ's own promise And that cannot fail.

    5. Onward then, ye people,
    Join our happy throng;
    Blend with ours your voices
    In the triumph song: "Glory, praise and honour, Unto Christ the King", - This, through countless ages, Men and angels sing.


    ‎PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL
    FRIDAY, 28TH AUGUST, 2026

    REFUEL, RECHARGE, RELOAD II

    ‎PRAYER POINTS

    1.Father, thank You for the infilling of Your Holy Spirit on me. Thank You for satisfying me with Your word, to encourage and to strengthen at all times.

    2.Father, please help me to continually refuel, recharge, and reload my spiritual energy in preparation ahead of any emergency, in Jesus' name.

    3.Father, please help me never to come to a point where I feel too full to refuel my spiritual energy rather, let my life continually enjoy spiritual supply of energy, in Jesus' name.

    4.Father, please may I never run out of extra oil in my walk with You, help me to fill my spiritual tank with Your word, prayers and fasting such that my reservoir will overflow at all times, in Jesus' name.

    5.Father, please help me not to relent in the place of studying the word, intensive prayers and continuous fasting such that when I am faced with challenges, i can emerge more than a conqueror, in Jesus' name.

    6.Father, please give me strength to resist the devil and to overcome in times of temptations, in Jesus' name.

    7.Father, please help me to regularly engage myself in spiritual exercises that will keep me battle ready in the days of adversity, in Jesus' name.

    8.Father, please help me not to sleep nor slumber when I ought to watch and pray so I won't faint or flee in the day of adversity, in Jesus' name.

    9.Father, please help me to pray more than necessary, immerse me in the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and help me to spend ample time in Your presence daily, in Jesus' name.

    10.Father, please help me to immerse myself in prayers and myself to the study of Your word daily, in Jesus' name.

    11.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye.

    Please help him never to be disconnected from prayers and the study of Your word daily, in Jesus' name. Bless his children (biological and spiritual). Help him to continue to produce sons and daughters to Your glory, in Jesus name

    ‎12.Father, please bless Your son that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, with wisdom and favour. Answer all his prayers beyond measure, and all those who have been broadcasting them, in Jesus' name.

    ‎13.Father, please let every challenge and temptations, hindrance and obstacles of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus name.

    ‎14.Your personal petitions.
    ‎(Philippians 4:6)

    ‎15.In Jesus name I pray.
    ‎(John 14:13-14; 15:16)

    #GodBlessOurNation

    These prayers have no expiry dates! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus name.
    OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: FRIDAY 28TH AUGUST 2026 TOPIC: REFUEL, RECHARGE, RELOAD, PART 2 MEMORIZE: "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost," Jude 1:20 (KJV) BIBLE READING: MARK 14:32-50 32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. 33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; 34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. 35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. 37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? 38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. 39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. 40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. 41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand. 43 And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely. 45 And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him. 46 And they laid their hands on him, and took him. 47 And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 48 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me? 49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled. 50 And they all forsook him, and fled. MESSAGE: Yesterday, I mentioned that you should recharge your spiritual energy whenever you feel a hunger in your spirit. This is very important; however, you should also continue to refuel your spiritual energy even when you don't feel a spiritual hunger so that you can be prepared ahead of any emergency. This is what I refer to as 'extra oil'. Extra oil is the reservoir of prayers and fasting that you have previously done and the Bible verses you have memorised that will come in handy when you are suddenly faced with a challenge. That is why you should always pray, fast, and study the word of God more than you think is necessary, because on days when you need a quick spiritual surge of power, it is from the reservoir that you have built that you will quickly recharge your energy. For example, temptations can arise on a day when you are not fully charged, and you will need strength to resist them. It is from your extra oil that the strength will come. Likewise, if danger suddenly shows up or disaster strikes, you will need to switch to a war mode quickly, and that can only happen when you have a reservoir of oil in you. In such moments, you can start by speaking in tongues. As you speak in tongues, you will draw from the extra oil in your reservoir, and before long, you will feel a surge of power, and then you will be able to solve the problem at hand. However, nothing will happen if there is no extra oil in your reservoir, even if you speak vehemently in tongues when facing a disaster. Child of God, nobody prepares for war on a battlefield. Oftentimes, commanders and soldiers plan their battle strategies long before wars break out. In Matthew 26:36-44, the Bible recounts how Jesus spent time praying earnestly in the Garden of Gethsemane before he was arrested. While He prayed, His disciples slept; therefore, when challenges arose, they had no extra oil to draw from, so they fled. Peter denied Jesus, and all the other disciples fainted on the day of adversity because their strength was small (Proverbs 24:10). Beloved, pray more than you think is necessary before the day of adversity comes. Prayer is never a waste. Speak in tongues often, and spend ample time in God's presence so that when the day of adversity comes, you will have more than enough extra oil to draw strength from. PRAYER POINT: Father, please help me to immerse myself in prayer and give myself to the study of Your word daily. BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: EZEKIEL 16 - 17 AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE HYMNAL 12 - ONWARD, CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS! 1. Onward, Christian soldiers! Marching as to war, Looking unto Jesus, Who is gone before; Christ, the Royal Master, Leads against the foe; Forward into battle, See His banners go. CHORUS Onward, Christian soldiers! Marching as to war, Looking unto Jesus, Who is gone before. 2. At the name of Jesus Satan's host doth Ilee; On then, Christian soldiers On to victory! Hell's foundations quiver At the shout of praise: Brothers, lift your voices, Loud your anthems raise. 3. Like a mighty army Moves the Church of God: Brothers, we are treading Where the saints have trod. We are not divided, All one body we One in hope and doctrine, One in charity. 4. Crowns and thrones may perish Kingdoms rise and wane; But the Church of Jesus Constant will remain: Gates of hell can never 'Gainst that church prevail; We have Christ's own promise And that cannot fail. 5. Onward then, ye people, Join our happy throng; Blend with ours your voices In the triumph song: "Glory, praise and honour, Unto Christ the King", - This, through countless ages, Men and angels sing. ‎PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FRIDAY, 28TH AUGUST, 2026 REFUEL, RECHARGE, RELOAD II ‎ ‎PRAYER POINTS ‎ 1.Father, thank You for the infilling of Your Holy Spirit on me. Thank You for satisfying me with Your word, to encourage and to strengthen at all times. 2.Father, please help me to continually refuel, recharge, and reload my spiritual energy in preparation ahead of any emergency, in Jesus' name. 3.Father, please help me never to come to a point where I feel too full to refuel my spiritual energy rather, let my life continually enjoy spiritual supply of energy, in Jesus' name. 4.Father, please may I never run out of extra oil in my walk with You, help me to fill my spiritual tank with Your word, prayers and fasting such that my reservoir will overflow at all times, in Jesus' name. 5.Father, please help me not to relent in the place of studying the word, intensive prayers and continuous fasting such that when I am faced with challenges, i can emerge more than a conqueror, in Jesus' name. 6.Father, please give me strength to resist the devil and to overcome in times of temptations, in Jesus' name. 7.Father, please help me to regularly engage myself in spiritual exercises that will keep me battle ready in the days of adversity, in Jesus' name. 8.Father, please help me not to sleep nor slumber when I ought to watch and pray so I won't faint or flee in the day of adversity, in Jesus' name. 9.Father, please help me to pray more than necessary, immerse me in the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and help me to spend ample time in Your presence daily, in Jesus' name. 10.Father, please help me to immerse myself in prayers and myself to the study of Your word daily, in Jesus' name. 11.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye. ‎ Please help him never to be disconnected from prayers and the study of Your word daily, in Jesus' name. Bless his children (biological and spiritual). Help him to continue to produce sons and daughters to Your glory, in Jesus name ‎ ‎12.Father, please bless Your son that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, with wisdom and favour. Answer all his prayers beyond measure, and all those who have been broadcasting them, in Jesus' name. ‎ ‎13.Father, please let every challenge and temptations, hindrance and obstacles of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus name. ‎ ‎14.Your personal petitions. ‎(Philippians 4:6) ‎ ‎15.In Jesus name I pray. ‎(John 14:13-14; 15:16) ‎ #GodBlessOurNation These prayers have no expiry dates! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus name.
    0 Commentaires 0 Parts 30 Vue
  • LOST IN THE CHURCH

    [BEING LOST IN CHURCH]

    Part Eight

    The Name of Jesus

    There are many things that are closely associated with the Lord Jesus, and some have even been given His great name. However, people need to understand that these things are not Jesus Himself. Therefore, building one's faith upon such things or worshipping them can be a great deception.

    Being close to the Lord, or even being called by His great name, does not necessarily mean that something is worthy of our worship. This means that a person can become lost before the Lord—or even become lost in church.

    Satan spent all his time in the presence of the Lord, enjoying His glory, beauty, and blessings; nevertheless, he fell. Judas Iscariot was privileged to eat at the Lord's table. He heard the profound wisdom and extraordinary words that the prophets of old longed to hear; yet he also perished. This happened because they gave created things the place that belonged to the Lord.

    The name of Jesus is an extraordinary gift given to the true Church throughout the world for salvation. However, we must understand that Satan has also been permitted to use that very same name on earth for evil purposes and destruction.

    Therefore, the Church must be extremely careful. Not everyone who mentions the name of Jesus Christ, or identifies themselves by that name, is from God.

    Not everyone who calls themselves a Christian is truly a Christian in their heart.

    Not every institution that bears the name of the Lord has come from God.

    One of the greatest things I have observed in this world is that the Lord Himself can bless an institution, a church, a person, or a thing without actually dwelling in it. And that is one of the saddest dangers!

    Remember Ishmael, the son of Abraham. God blessed him even though he was not the one through whom God's covenant purpose would be fulfilled.

    > Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!” Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.”
    Genesis 17:18–20



    And concerning Ishmael, Scripture clearly says that the son of the slave woman will never share the inheritance with the son of the free woman. Read Galatians 4:30.

    The meaning here is that the Lord blessed a person who would nevertheless not inherit eternal life together with the children of God through the covenant represented by Isaac.

    My brothers and sisters, among the most frightening forms of deception taking place in the Church in these last days is the misuse of the name of Jesus.

    If a person cannot discern the spirit behind every minister who comes before them, then they are already in serious danger.

    > “For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.”
    Matthew 24:5



    One of the difficult statements in the Bible that I thought I understood well—but which took me many years to understand properly—is this statement in Matthew 24:5.

    For a long time, I thought those false ministers would come in His name claiming that they themselves were Christ. But that is not necessarily what the Lord meant.

    The correct meaning is that these false ministers would come in His name while openly acknowledging that He—Jesus—is the Christ. They would not necessarily claim to be Christ themselves.

    In simple terms, these false ministers would come into the world confessing that Jesus is Lord and Savior, and they would use the name of Jesus in their ministries, yet they would actually be agents of Satan.

    Do you see how dangerous that is?

    What makes it even worse is that we have often interpreted this Scripture incorrectly. But the Lord said, “many will come.”

    He did not say a few would come. He said many.

    And notice that He did not say these people would belong to only one particular category—such as prophets, apostles, or miracle workers. Therefore, we should understand that He was warning about many different kinds of ministers: prophets, apostles, teachers, pastors, evangelists, miracle workers and those who do not perform miracles; those leading large churches and those leading small churches, and so on.

    I say this because there has been a deception among people who think they only need to fear miracle workers, false prophets, large-church leaders, or apostles.

    But beloved, let me tell you something: in my experience, one of the greatest forms of deception I have seen in the Church is being under a false pastor.

    And may God help me as I say this!

    Deception does not exist in only one place. Everyone can be prepared for a particular kind of deception—according to what they believe, what they understand, and what they are looking for.

    There is no weapon that is always used from a distance. Scripture says:

    > “A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.”
    Matthew 10:36



    If you fear today's miracles, false prophets, apostles of anointing oil, and similar things, you are certainly right to be cautious. But understand this: those may be weapons that are too distant for someone like you.

    Satan, who is full of cunning and deception, a master of lies and the father of much deception, may never use such obvious weapons to trap someone like you.

    Instead, he may send you a false pastor who performs no miracles at all, someone whose ministry perfectly matches your beliefs, so that you can trust him completely.

    Then you may gradually be fed false teachings that have no life—teachings that have an outward appearance of godliness and reverence for God, yet are built upon false wisdom that contradicts the power and priorities of the Holy Spirit.

    That, my brother and sister, is where you can truly become lost.

    Also understand clearly that the false ministers I am speaking about can be of two kinds.

    There are those who have consciously made an agreement with Satan and therefore know exactly what they are doing.

    And there are those who do not even realize that they are false ministers. They themselves have been deceived by false teachings. They are also products of false teachers.

    Many of these are the religious leaders of our time—the Pharisees of the Pharisees of this generation.

    And these can be among the most dangerous people, because they were the very kind of religious leaders who even participated in the rejection and crucifixion of the Lord.

    Therefore, submitting yourself blindly to such ministers is a truly frightening thing.

    May Almighty God have mercy on us all.

    Amen!

    #ToBeContinued...

    Mwl. Ernest Nyalula
    +255752057664

    #LostInTheChurch #Discernment #ChristianFaith #TruthOfTheGospel #JesusChrist #SpiritualDiscernment #BiblicalTruth #Christianity #FalseTeaching #KnowTheWord
    LOST IN THE CHURCH [BEING LOST IN CHURCH] Part Eight The Name of Jesus There are many things that are closely associated with the Lord Jesus, and some have even been given His great name. However, people need to understand that these things are not Jesus Himself. Therefore, building one's faith upon such things or worshipping them can be a great deception. Being close to the Lord, or even being called by His great name, does not necessarily mean that something is worthy of our worship. This means that a person can become lost before the Lord—or even become lost in church. Satan spent all his time in the presence of the Lord, enjoying His glory, beauty, and blessings; nevertheless, he fell. Judas Iscariot was privileged to eat at the Lord's table. He heard the profound wisdom and extraordinary words that the prophets of old longed to hear; yet he also perished. This happened because they gave created things the place that belonged to the Lord. The name of Jesus is an extraordinary gift given to the true Church throughout the world for salvation. However, we must understand that Satan has also been permitted to use that very same name on earth for evil purposes and destruction. Therefore, the Church must be extremely careful. Not everyone who mentions the name of Jesus Christ, or identifies themselves by that name, is from God. Not everyone who calls themselves a Christian is truly a Christian in their heart. Not every institution that bears the name of the Lord has come from God. One of the greatest things I have observed in this world is that the Lord Himself can bless an institution, a church, a person, or a thing without actually dwelling in it. And that is one of the saddest dangers! Remember Ishmael, the son of Abraham. God blessed him even though he was not the one through whom God's covenant purpose would be fulfilled. > Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!” Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.” Genesis 17:18–20 And concerning Ishmael, Scripture clearly says that the son of the slave woman will never share the inheritance with the son of the free woman. Read Galatians 4:30. The meaning here is that the Lord blessed a person who would nevertheless not inherit eternal life together with the children of God through the covenant represented by Isaac. My brothers and sisters, among the most frightening forms of deception taking place in the Church in these last days is the misuse of the name of Jesus. If a person cannot discern the spirit behind every minister who comes before them, then they are already in serious danger. > “For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.” Matthew 24:5 One of the difficult statements in the Bible that I thought I understood well—but which took me many years to understand properly—is this statement in Matthew 24:5. For a long time, I thought those false ministers would come in His name claiming that they themselves were Christ. But that is not necessarily what the Lord meant. The correct meaning is that these false ministers would come in His name while openly acknowledging that He—Jesus—is the Christ. They would not necessarily claim to be Christ themselves. In simple terms, these false ministers would come into the world confessing that Jesus is Lord and Savior, and they would use the name of Jesus in their ministries, yet they would actually be agents of Satan. Do you see how dangerous that is? What makes it even worse is that we have often interpreted this Scripture incorrectly. But the Lord said, “many will come.” He did not say a few would come. He said many. And notice that He did not say these people would belong to only one particular category—such as prophets, apostles, or miracle workers. Therefore, we should understand that He was warning about many different kinds of ministers: prophets, apostles, teachers, pastors, evangelists, miracle workers and those who do not perform miracles; those leading large churches and those leading small churches, and so on. I say this because there has been a deception among people who think they only need to fear miracle workers, false prophets, large-church leaders, or apostles. But beloved, let me tell you something: in my experience, one of the greatest forms of deception I have seen in the Church is being under a false pastor. And may God help me as I say this! Deception does not exist in only one place. Everyone can be prepared for a particular kind of deception—according to what they believe, what they understand, and what they are looking for. There is no weapon that is always used from a distance. Scripture says: > “A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.” Matthew 10:36 If you fear today's miracles, false prophets, apostles of anointing oil, and similar things, you are certainly right to be cautious. But understand this: those may be weapons that are too distant for someone like you. Satan, who is full of cunning and deception, a master of lies and the father of much deception, may never use such obvious weapons to trap someone like you. Instead, he may send you a false pastor who performs no miracles at all, someone whose ministry perfectly matches your beliefs, so that you can trust him completely. Then you may gradually be fed false teachings that have no life—teachings that have an outward appearance of godliness and reverence for God, yet are built upon false wisdom that contradicts the power and priorities of the Holy Spirit. That, my brother and sister, is where you can truly become lost. Also understand clearly that the false ministers I am speaking about can be of two kinds. There are those who have consciously made an agreement with Satan and therefore know exactly what they are doing. And there are those who do not even realize that they are false ministers. They themselves have been deceived by false teachings. They are also products of false teachers. Many of these are the religious leaders of our time—the Pharisees of the Pharisees of this generation. And these can be among the most dangerous people, because they were the very kind of religious leaders who even participated in the rejection and crucifixion of the Lord. Therefore, submitting yourself blindly to such ministers is a truly frightening thing. May Almighty God have mercy on us all. Amen! #ToBeContinued... Mwl. Ernest Nyalula +255752057664 #LostInTheChurch #Discernment #ChristianFaith #TruthOfTheGospel #JesusChrist #SpiritualDiscernment #BiblicalTruth #Christianity #FalseTeaching #KnowTheWord
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  • TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS:

    SERMON TOPIC:

    THE MOST DANGEROUS BELIEVERS ARE NOT THOSE WHO LEAVE THE CHURCH.

    Theme:
    Examining the danger of remaining around the things of God while the heart is far from God
    Scripture: Matthew 7:21–23; Revelation 3:1–3; Luke 18:9–14


    Church, let me begin with a statement that may shock you:
    The most dangerous believer is not always the one who leaves the church. Sometimes, it is the one who remains in the church but leaves Christ in the heart.
    Some people leave the church physically, and everybody notices.
    But there are others who remain in the congregation, sing the songs, carry the Bible, attend services, shout “Amen,” give offerings, quote Scriptures—and yet their hearts have slowly moved away from God.
    They have not left the building, but they have left the Presence.

    Jesus warned us that there would be people who would say, “Lord, Lord,” and yet He would say, “I never knew you.” — Matthew 7:23.
    This means church attendance is not the same thing as spiritual transformation.
    You can sit in church and still be far from God.
    You can know Christian language and not know Christ.
    You can serve in a department and secretly serve your flesh.
    You can have a title without having a testimony.
    The question is not merely:
    “Am I in church?”
    The deeper question is:
    “Is Christ truly ruling my life?”

    KEY BIBLE VERSES.

    1. Matthew 7:21–23 — “Lord, Lord”
    Jesus said:
    «“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven…”»
    Notice something frightening: these people called Jesus “Lord.”
    They knew the language of faith.
    They even claimed to have done mighty works.
    Yet Jesus said, “I never knew you.”

    Spiritual lesson:
    It is possible to be familiar with the things of God without having a genuine relationship with God.
    Church activity cannot replace spiritual intimacy.
    2. Revelation 3:1 — “You have a name that you are alive”
    Jesus told the church at Sardis:
    «“Thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.”»
    What a frightening diagnosis!
    The church had a reputation for being alive, but Jesus saw something different.
    People saw activity.
    Jesus saw the heart.
    People saw the appearance.
    Jesus saw the condition.
    Spiritual lesson:
    God is more interested in who you are privately than who you appear to be publicly.
    3. Isaiah 29:13
    «“This people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me; but have removed their heart far from me.”»
    Their lips were close.
    Their hearts were far away.
    This is the danger of religious appearance without genuine surrender.

    5 TYPES OF DANGEROUS BELIEVERS

    1. THE BELIEVER WHO KNOWS SCRIPTURE BUT REFUSES TO OBEY IT
    There is a difference between knowing God's Word and living God's Word.
    James 1:22 says:
    «“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only…”»
    Some believers can explain forgiveness but refuse to forgive.
    They can preach holiness but live carelessly.
    They can quote Scripture but manipulate people.
    They know what God says, but they have decided to obey themselves.

    Deep insight:

    Information without transformation can produce religious pride.
    The devil does not necessarily fear a Christian who knows many Bible verses.
    He fears the Christian who believes, obeys, and lives the Word.
    2. THE BELIEVER WHO HAS A FORM OF GODLINESS BUT NO POWER
    2 Timothy 3:5 speaks about people:
    «“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.”»
    A form is an outward appearance.
    It looks right.
    It sounds right.
    But something is missing inside.
    You can dress like a Christian.
    Talk like a Christian.
    Post Christian messages.
    Attend Christian programs.
    And still refuse to surrender your character to Christ.
    Ask yourself:
    What happens to my Christianity when nobody is watching?
    That is where genuine Christianity is tested.
    Your secret life is a better measurement of your spiritual condition than your public reputation.
    3. THE BELIEVER WHO HAS BECOME COMFORTABLE WITH SIN
    One of the most dangerous conditions is not falling into sin accidentally.
    It is becoming comfortable with sin deliberately.
    The believer begins by saying:
    «“It is only once.”»
    Then:
    «“Everybody is doing it.”»
    Then:
    «“God understands.”»
    Eventually, the conscience becomes quiet.
    Romans 6:1–2 warns against continuing in sin because grace abounds.

    Deep spiritual truth:

    Grace is not permission to remain in sin. Grace is God's power to bring us out of sin.
    If something is destroying your relationship with God, don't defend it.
    Repent from it.
    4. THE BELIEVER WHO LOVES THE CHURCH BUT DOES NOT LOVE CHRIST
    This may sound strange, but it happens.
    Someone can love:
    - The choir
    - The pastor
    - The church building
    - Christian conferences
    - Christian music
    - Christian social media
    - Christian friendships
    …but fail to love Jesus with all their heart.
    Jesus told the church at Ephesus:
    «“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” — Revelation 2:4»
    They were working.
    They were enduring.
    They were doctrinally discerning.
    But they had lost their first love.
    Important lesson:
    You can be busy doing things for Jesus while becoming distant from Jesus.
    Don't allow ministry to replace relationship.
    Don't allow your assignment to replace intimacy.
    Don't allow the work of God to become more important than the God of the work.
    5. THE BELIEVER WHO REFUSES CORRECTION
    A dangerous believer is one who cannot be corrected.
    When the pastor preaches against something they are doing, they become angry.
    When a mature Christian warns them, they say:
    «“Don't judge me.”»
    When Scripture confronts their lifestyle, they look for another interpretation.
    Proverbs 12:1 says:
    «“Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.”»
    Spiritual maturity means:
    I am willing to be corrected because I want to become more like Christ.
    A person who cannot receive correction will eventually become a prisoner of their own deception.

    BIBLICAL CASE STUDY:

    JUDAS ISCARIOT

    Judas is one of the most sobering examples in Scripture.
    Judas walked with Jesus.
    He heard Jesus teach.
    He witnessed miracles.
    He traveled with the disciples.
    He was part of the ministry.
    He was close enough to Jesus to call Him Master.
    Yet Judas eventually betrayed Him.
    This teaches us something frightening:
    Being close to spiritual things does not automatically mean your heart belongs to God.
    You can be around anointed people and remain unchanged.
    You can witness miracles and still struggle with unbelief.
    You can carry a Bible and still carry bitterness.
    You can occupy a position and lose your spiritual condition.
    But there is hope.
    Peter also failed Jesus.
    The difference was that Peter returned in repentance.
    Judas allowed his failure to lead him into destruction.
    Failure does not have to be the end of your story. Repentance can become the beginning of restoration.

    PRACTICAL ACTION STEPS

    1. EXAMINE YOUR HEART
    Psalm 139:23–24:
    «“Search me, O God, and know my heart…”»
    Don't only ask, “What is wrong with others?”
    Ask:
    “Lord, what needs to change in me?”
    2. RETURN TO YOUR FIRST LOVE
    If prayer has become a duty, return.
    If Bible reading has become routine, return.
    If worship has become performance, return.
    If your passion for Christ has disappeared, return.
    3. STOP JUSTIFYING WHAT GOD IS ASKING YOU TO REPENT OF
    Don't rename sin.
    Don't call disobedience “weakness.”
    Don't call compromise “wisdom.”
    Don't call rebellion “freedom.”
    When God reveals something, respond with repentance.
    4. PRACTICE PRIVATE CHRISTIANITY
    Pray when nobody is watching.
    Read the Word when nobody is applauding.
    Give when nobody knows.
    Forgive when nobody forces you.
    Serve when nobody celebrates you.
    What you do privately reveals what you truly value.
    5. STAY TEACHABLE
    Allow God's Word to correct you.
    Allow mature believers to challenge you.
    Allow the Holy Spirit to convict you.
    A heart that can still be corrected is a heart that can still be transformed.

    DEEP SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS

    1. PROXIMITY TO HOLY THINGS DOES NOT GUARANTEE HOLINESS.
    Judas was close to Jesus physically, but his heart was not surrendered.
    2. RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY CAN HIDE SPIRITUAL DECLINE.
    A person can become busier in church while becoming colder toward God.
    3. GOD LOOKS BEYOND THE PLATFORM.
    People may see your preaching.
    God sees your private life.
    People hear your words.
    God knows your motives.
    4. THE GREATEST DANGER IS SELF-DECEPTION.
    A sinner who knows he is lost may seek help.
    But someone who is lost and believes he is spiritually healthy may never seek rescue.
    5. JESUS DOES NOT ONLY WANT YOUR CHURCH ATTENDANCE.
    He wants your heart.
    He wants your character.
    He wants your obedience.
    He wants your entire life.

    QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

    1. Am I following Jesus or merely following Christian activities?
    2. Does my private life agree with my public confession?
    3. Is there any sin I have become comfortable with?
    4. Can I receive correction without becoming offended?
    5. Have I lost my first love for Christ?
    6. Am I more concerned about what people think about me than what God thinks about me?
    7. If Jesus examined my heart today, what would He find?

    POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS

    1.
    Father, search my heart and expose everything in me that is not pleasing to You, in Jesus' name.
    2.
    Lord Jesus, deliver me from religious appearance without spiritual reality.
    3.
    Father, restore my first love for You. Let my passion for Christ become stronger again.
    4.
    Lord, give me grace to obey Your Word, not merely hear it.
    5.
    Every spirit of hypocrisy and self-deception, be broken over my life, in Jesus' name.
    6.
    Father, give me a heart that receives correction and grows in wisdom.
    7.
    Lord, let my private life and public testimony agree.
    8.
    Holy Spirit, create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me.
    9.
    Father, keep me faithful to Christ until the end of my journey.

    CALL TO ACTION

    Beloved, don't leave this message thinking about another believer.
    Think about yourself.
    Don't ask:
    «“Who in my church needs to hear this?”»
    Ask:
    «“Lord, what are You saying to me?”»
    The goal of Christianity is not simply to remain in church.
    The goal is to remain in Christ.
    Jesus said in John 15:4:
    «“Abide in me, and I in you.”»
    Don't just carry the name Christian.
    Carry Christ in your heart.
    Don't just attend church.
    Become the church wherever you go.
    Don't just quote the Word.
    Live the Word.
    Don't just raise your hands in worship.
    Surrender your heart in obedience.
    And don't wait until you stand before Jesus to discover that you were close to church but far from Christ.

    TODAY, RETURN TO JESUS.
    Return to your first love.
    Return to prayer.
    Return to the Word.
    Return to holiness.
    Return to obedience.
    Return to genuine fellowship with Christ.
    The greatest question is not, “Did I attend church?”
    It is:
    “DOES JESUS TRULY KNOW ME?”
    May we never be believers who merely look alive.
    May we be believers who are truly alive in Christ.
    In Jesus' mighty name. Amen.

    FINAL DECLARATION

    I will not merely look like a Christian; I will live for Christ.
    I will not only hear God's Word; I will obey it.
    I will not hide behind religious activity; I will pursue genuine relationship with Jesus.
    My heart belongs to Christ, my life belongs to Christ, and my future belongs to Christ.
    In Jesus' name. Amen.

    Give your life to Jesus by joining a Bible believing Church.
    You can get inspirational ebooks from my sela/Amazon shops below

    https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1

    https://selar.com/m/umoedem

    https://www.amazon.com/author/umohedembooks

    https://afrikdp.com/author/umohedem-9128

    CONTACT - WhatsApp +2349024173027, +2349055447540

    Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com
    TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS: SERMON TOPIC: THE MOST DANGEROUS BELIEVERS ARE NOT THOSE WHO LEAVE THE CHURCH. Theme: Examining the danger of remaining around the things of God while the heart is far from God Scripture: Matthew 7:21–23; Revelation 3:1–3; Luke 18:9–14 Church, let me begin with a statement that may shock you: The most dangerous believer is not always the one who leaves the church. Sometimes, it is the one who remains in the church but leaves Christ in the heart. Some people leave the church physically, and everybody notices. But there are others who remain in the congregation, sing the songs, carry the Bible, attend services, shout “Amen,” give offerings, quote Scriptures—and yet their hearts have slowly moved away from God. They have not left the building, but they have left the Presence. Jesus warned us that there would be people who would say, “Lord, Lord,” and yet He would say, “I never knew you.” — Matthew 7:23. This means church attendance is not the same thing as spiritual transformation. You can sit in church and still be far from God. You can know Christian language and not know Christ. You can serve in a department and secretly serve your flesh. You can have a title without having a testimony. The question is not merely: “Am I in church?” The deeper question is: “Is Christ truly ruling my life?” KEY BIBLE VERSES. 1. Matthew 7:21–23 — “Lord, Lord” Jesus said: «“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven…”» Notice something frightening: these people called Jesus “Lord.” They knew the language of faith. They even claimed to have done mighty works. Yet Jesus said, “I never knew you.” Spiritual lesson: It is possible to be familiar with the things of God without having a genuine relationship with God. Church activity cannot replace spiritual intimacy. 2. Revelation 3:1 — “You have a name that you are alive” Jesus told the church at Sardis: «“Thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.”» What a frightening diagnosis! The church had a reputation for being alive, but Jesus saw something different. People saw activity. Jesus saw the heart. People saw the appearance. Jesus saw the condition. Spiritual lesson: God is more interested in who you are privately than who you appear to be publicly. 3. Isaiah 29:13 «“This people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me; but have removed their heart far from me.”» Their lips were close. Their hearts were far away. This is the danger of religious appearance without genuine surrender. 5 TYPES OF DANGEROUS BELIEVERS 1. THE BELIEVER WHO KNOWS SCRIPTURE BUT REFUSES TO OBEY IT There is a difference between knowing God's Word and living God's Word. James 1:22 says: «“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only…”» Some believers can explain forgiveness but refuse to forgive. They can preach holiness but live carelessly. They can quote Scripture but manipulate people. They know what God says, but they have decided to obey themselves. Deep insight: Information without transformation can produce religious pride. The devil does not necessarily fear a Christian who knows many Bible verses. He fears the Christian who believes, obeys, and lives the Word. 2. THE BELIEVER WHO HAS A FORM OF GODLINESS BUT NO POWER 2 Timothy 3:5 speaks about people: «“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.”» A form is an outward appearance. It looks right. It sounds right. But something is missing inside. You can dress like a Christian. Talk like a Christian. Post Christian messages. Attend Christian programs. And still refuse to surrender your character to Christ. Ask yourself: What happens to my Christianity when nobody is watching? That is where genuine Christianity is tested. Your secret life is a better measurement of your spiritual condition than your public reputation. 3. THE BELIEVER WHO HAS BECOME COMFORTABLE WITH SIN One of the most dangerous conditions is not falling into sin accidentally. It is becoming comfortable with sin deliberately. The believer begins by saying: «“It is only once.”» Then: «“Everybody is doing it.”» Then: «“God understands.”» Eventually, the conscience becomes quiet. Romans 6:1–2 warns against continuing in sin because grace abounds. Deep spiritual truth: Grace is not permission to remain in sin. Grace is God's power to bring us out of sin. If something is destroying your relationship with God, don't defend it. Repent from it. 4. THE BELIEVER WHO LOVES THE CHURCH BUT DOES NOT LOVE CHRIST This may sound strange, but it happens. Someone can love: - The choir - The pastor - The church building - Christian conferences - Christian music - Christian social media - Christian friendships …but fail to love Jesus with all their heart. Jesus told the church at Ephesus: «“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” — Revelation 2:4» They were working. They were enduring. They were doctrinally discerning. But they had lost their first love. Important lesson: You can be busy doing things for Jesus while becoming distant from Jesus. Don't allow ministry to replace relationship. Don't allow your assignment to replace intimacy. Don't allow the work of God to become more important than the God of the work. 5. THE BELIEVER WHO REFUSES CORRECTION A dangerous believer is one who cannot be corrected. When the pastor preaches against something they are doing, they become angry. When a mature Christian warns them, they say: «“Don't judge me.”» When Scripture confronts their lifestyle, they look for another interpretation. Proverbs 12:1 says: «“Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.”» Spiritual maturity means: I am willing to be corrected because I want to become more like Christ. A person who cannot receive correction will eventually become a prisoner of their own deception. BIBLICAL CASE STUDY: JUDAS ISCARIOT Judas is one of the most sobering examples in Scripture. Judas walked with Jesus. He heard Jesus teach. He witnessed miracles. He traveled with the disciples. He was part of the ministry. He was close enough to Jesus to call Him Master. Yet Judas eventually betrayed Him. This teaches us something frightening: Being close to spiritual things does not automatically mean your heart belongs to God. You can be around anointed people and remain unchanged. You can witness miracles and still struggle with unbelief. You can carry a Bible and still carry bitterness. You can occupy a position and lose your spiritual condition. But there is hope. Peter also failed Jesus. The difference was that Peter returned in repentance. Judas allowed his failure to lead him into destruction. Failure does not have to be the end of your story. Repentance can become the beginning of restoration. PRACTICAL ACTION STEPS 1. EXAMINE YOUR HEART Psalm 139:23–24: «“Search me, O God, and know my heart…”» Don't only ask, “What is wrong with others?” Ask: “Lord, what needs to change in me?” 2. RETURN TO YOUR FIRST LOVE If prayer has become a duty, return. If Bible reading has become routine, return. If worship has become performance, return. If your passion for Christ has disappeared, return. 3. STOP JUSTIFYING WHAT GOD IS ASKING YOU TO REPENT OF Don't rename sin. Don't call disobedience “weakness.” Don't call compromise “wisdom.” Don't call rebellion “freedom.” When God reveals something, respond with repentance. 4. PRACTICE PRIVATE CHRISTIANITY Pray when nobody is watching. Read the Word when nobody is applauding. Give when nobody knows. Forgive when nobody forces you. Serve when nobody celebrates you. What you do privately reveals what you truly value. 5. STAY TEACHABLE Allow God's Word to correct you. Allow mature believers to challenge you. Allow the Holy Spirit to convict you. A heart that can still be corrected is a heart that can still be transformed. DEEP SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS 1. PROXIMITY TO HOLY THINGS DOES NOT GUARANTEE HOLINESS. Judas was close to Jesus physically, but his heart was not surrendered. 2. RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY CAN HIDE SPIRITUAL DECLINE. A person can become busier in church while becoming colder toward God. 3. GOD LOOKS BEYOND THE PLATFORM. People may see your preaching. God sees your private life. People hear your words. God knows your motives. 4. THE GREATEST DANGER IS SELF-DECEPTION. A sinner who knows he is lost may seek help. But someone who is lost and believes he is spiritually healthy may never seek rescue. 5. JESUS DOES NOT ONLY WANT YOUR CHURCH ATTENDANCE. He wants your heart. He wants your character. He wants your obedience. He wants your entire life. QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION 1. Am I following Jesus or merely following Christian activities? 2. Does my private life agree with my public confession? 3. Is there any sin I have become comfortable with? 4. Can I receive correction without becoming offended? 5. Have I lost my first love for Christ? 6. Am I more concerned about what people think about me than what God thinks about me? 7. If Jesus examined my heart today, what would He find? POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS 1. Father, search my heart and expose everything in me that is not pleasing to You, in Jesus' name. 2. Lord Jesus, deliver me from religious appearance without spiritual reality. 3. Father, restore my first love for You. Let my passion for Christ become stronger again. 4. Lord, give me grace to obey Your Word, not merely hear it. 5. Every spirit of hypocrisy and self-deception, be broken over my life, in Jesus' name. 6. Father, give me a heart that receives correction and grows in wisdom. 7. Lord, let my private life and public testimony agree. 8. Holy Spirit, create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. 9. Father, keep me faithful to Christ until the end of my journey. CALL TO ACTION Beloved, don't leave this message thinking about another believer. Think about yourself. Don't ask: «“Who in my church needs to hear this?”» Ask: «“Lord, what are You saying to me?”» The goal of Christianity is not simply to remain in church. The goal is to remain in Christ. Jesus said in John 15:4: «“Abide in me, and I in you.”» Don't just carry the name Christian. Carry Christ in your heart. Don't just attend church. Become the church wherever you go. Don't just quote the Word. Live the Word. Don't just raise your hands in worship. Surrender your heart in obedience. And don't wait until you stand before Jesus to discover that you were close to church but far from Christ. TODAY, RETURN TO JESUS. Return to your first love. Return to prayer. Return to the Word. Return to holiness. Return to obedience. Return to genuine fellowship with Christ. The greatest question is not, “Did I attend church?” It is: “DOES JESUS TRULY KNOW ME?” May we never be believers who merely look alive. May we be believers who are truly alive in Christ. In Jesus' mighty name. Amen. FINAL DECLARATION I will not merely look like a Christian; I will live for Christ. I will not only hear God's Word; I will obey it. I will not hide behind religious activity; I will pursue genuine relationship with Jesus. My heart belongs to Christ, my life belongs to Christ, and my future belongs to Christ. In Jesus' name. Amen. Give your life to Jesus by joining a Bible believing Church. You can get inspirational ebooks from my sela/Amazon shops below https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1 https://selar.com/m/umoedem https://www.amazon.com/author/umohedembooks https://afrikdp.com/author/umohedem-9128 CONTACT - WhatsApp +2349024173027, +2349055447540 Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com
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  • Good morning, brethren.
    1. Morning devotion for today.

    MD.i. MORNING TEA
    THE WORD FOR TODAY
    WEDNESDAY AUGUST 19, 2026.
    "TRUST YOUR BIBLE, IT'S TRUE!"

    ‘…that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled...’ Matthew 26:56 NIV

    THE DEATH, burial and resurrection of Jesus fulfilled no less than twenty-nine different Old Testament prophecies. The odds of that happening are virtually impossible! Mathematician Peter Stoner explains it this way: ‘If you were to cover the state of Texas two feet deep in pound coins, then on one, place a mark. What is the probability that a blindfolded person could, on their first attempt, select that coin? That’s the likelihood of just eight prophecies being fulfilled in one lifetime. And Jesus fulfilled twenty-nine of them in one day!’ Let’s look at some of the prophecies He fulfilled: 1) ‘…They pierced My hands and… feet’ (Psalms 22:16 NKJV). 2) ‘They divide my garments…and…cast lots’ (Psalms 22:18 NKJV). 3) ‘…in that day…I will make the sun go down at noon, and…darken the earth in…daylight’ (Amos 8:9 NKJV). Jesus predicted both His death and His resurrection. He told His critics, ‘…“Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”…the temple he had spoken of was his body’ (John 2:19-21 NIV). Jesus orchestrated every event, including Judas’ betrayal, the high priest’s hypocrisy, and Peter’s denial. Why? ‘That the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.’ So you can trust your Bible because it’s true. And something else is true too. God is ‘…able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…’ (Ephesians 3:20 NIV). Note the words ‘immeasurably more.’ What seems impossible to you at the moment, is all in a day’s work for Him. So start trusting Him to work on your behalf.

    Bible In A Year: Gal 4-6, Matt 19:1-14, Ps 119:113-120, Pro 18:10-12. 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. [18/08, 9:45 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA*

    WEDNESDAY, 19TH AUGUST, 2026.

    *THE PRICE OF DWELLING TOGETHER IN LOVE AND UNITY*

    *TEXT:* GENESIS 33:5-15.

    5 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant.
    6 Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children, and they bowed themselves.
    7 And Leah also with her children came near, and bowed themselves: and after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves.
    8 And he said, What meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And he said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord.
    9 And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself.
    10 And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.
    11 Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it.
    12 And he said, Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before thee.
    13 And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die.
    14 Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir.
    15 And Esau said, Let me now leave with thee some of the folk that are with me. And he said, What needeth it? let me find grace in the sight of my lord.

    *Timeless Truth:*
    _"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"_ (Psalm 133:1).

    *INTRODUCTION*

    Love and unity are the indispensable catalysts of human relationships that make life worthwhile. Without these two graces, life ceases to have meaning and will breed heartaches, emotional troubles, bitter enmity and rivalries, anguish of the soul and all sorts of relational problems. The fulfilment and joy of natural and spiritual families, communities, nations etc rest on love and unity. *"Behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity"*. Satan's delight is to fuel relational problems and thereby make the earth another hell for relations. When the foundation of happy relationship and co-existence is destroyed, what shall the righteous do? The foundation of a happy and united family life of Isaac was broken and it had its toll on the children. Parental disunity and favoritism led to bitter rivalry between Esau and Jacob. The result was not a sweet experience for each member of the family. After 20 years of separation between the children, the need for peace and unity, so as to end the ugly experience became imperative. They must be commended that they did not die in that situation. They allowed God and let go of their differences. What can we learn from them about how to build the broken walls and foundation of life and unity among brethren? Read on.

    *1. Bridge the Communication Gap*

    a. The main reason Jesus came to pay the ultimate price of redemption is to break the communication barrier between man and God due to sin. Once that barrier is broken, it will be possible to break the communication barrier among fellow brethren. The fact that Jesus paid this price underscores the importance of love and unity among brethren. No man can claim to be godly without conscious and deliberate commitment to living in peace and love with fellow brethren and neighbours. A graceless person will be content with disunity and loveless relationships while true grace makes true reconciliation possible. Jacob initiated it and this shows he had grace. He first settled the problem in the spiritual realm by wrestling with God on a lonely night at Jabbok. His personal encounter with God first changed his life, blew his ego to the wind of heaven, brought a deep transformation into his life and melted his hardened heart of deception. The change must start with you. The godly who desires to live at peace and pleases God must be ready to pray through until his heart is melted with the grace to forgive, forget and fall into the love of God. Ego or self is often the main problem that must bow in order to live at peace and unity.
    b. For the first time after 20 years, Jacob opted to take the lead by asking for a face to face meeting with his estranged brother and bridge the communication gap. *"And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee?"*. Take the godly initiative and step: bridge the Communication Gap. Sink all your pride, anger, hatred, bitterness and desire for revenge at the cross and take the initiative. Unknown to him, Esau, though a violent man, secretly desired peace too. It only takes one to bell the cat. Surprisingly, the God of peace that had broken Jacob at the altar of prayer and grace had also dealt with Esau too. Broken communication became mended. *"And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant"*. In bringing peace to a troubled or broken relationship, there may be the need to bring a third party that is respected by both sides and has the wisdom and grace to mend relationships.

    *Question*

    Are you willing to please and bridge the communication gap with someone? How do you want to demonstrate your willingness?

    *2. Bind Your Character with Grace*

    a. Jacob had trained all his wives and children on how to show respect and give honour to the one who had been hurt and might be breathing out revenge and anger. It was not the time prove who was wrong or right. In reconciliation, self defence is minimized. *"Why do ye not rather accept wrong? Why not rather let yourselves suffer wrong and be deprived of what is your due? Why do you not rather take wrong?"* (1Corinthians 6:7). The crucified saint will be willing to accept blame even when he is not convinced that he is wrong for the sake of peace. This is where grace is also needed. *"Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children, and they bowed themselves"*. All the people with Jacob went humbly and bowed to their Daddy's brother. Jacob had depoisoned the hearts of his people so that they could sincerely give the needed and expected honour to Esau. The peaceful person will not be a hypocritical person who will pretend to seek for peace and unity and privately he will be poisoning the hearts of others.
    b. Humility is an essential part of living in love and unity and building again love and unity in a broken relationship. Many apologies, though may be simple, have a way of healing hurt hearts and broken bones and barriers in relationships. It takes humility to bend when the other person is standing on his points which may even be wrong and unacceptable altogether. *"The fruit of peace is shown by them which make peace"*. *"Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called the children of GOD"*.

    *Question*

    Are you willing to pay the price of love and unity so that your life receives the immeasurable blessings of obedience to God or you still want to stick to your gun and end up in perdition?

    *3. Bless Your Companion With Gifts*

    God paid the price of reconciliation with man by giving us the gift of Jesus Christ and all other spiritual and earthly gifts and blessings. True reconciliation must also be sealed up with exchange and acceptance of godly and helpful gifts. Jacob was smart to have prepared gifts for Esau ahead of their encounter. In fact, at first, Esau wanted to wisely reject the gifts. If he had refused, then know that the problem was only solved superficially. *"And he said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord"*. The Scripture says, *"A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men"* (Proverbs 18:16). It is not how much that is affordable, but the heart of love and reconciliation that is behind it. Jacob insisted that the gift should be taken though Esau himself was well to do. *"Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it"*. Look at the choice of words of wisdom and humility of Jacob. He was not using words that will fuel the ember of hatred, but words that will calm down nerves. *"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger"* (Proverbs 15:1). Apart from exchanging and acceptance of gifts and visits, true reconciliation will also be manifested by willingness to walk together and experience godly partnership. *"And he said, Let us take our journey, and let us go"*.

    *Question*

    How genuine was your previous reconciliation with others?

    *Prayer Points*

    1.Father, examine my heart, expose and remove all tendencies in me contrary to abiding in love and unity .
    2.Lord, give me a definite life changing encounter like Jacob that will make me full of grace to initiate and advance peace and love in my family, church and community .
    3.Make me a peacemaker and promoter of reconciliation among people .
    4.Lord, visit all families with broken relationships and help all to open up to true communication and reconciliations .

    *HYMN:* Let love be among us

    *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* JOB 38-42.
    [18/08, 9:45 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS)

    WEDNESDAY 19TH AUGUST, 2026```


    *ENDURING RECONCILIATION* 🫵🏽🏽‍🏽‍🏽🏽‍🏽

    ```TEXT:GENESIS 33:5-15```

    ```KEY VERSE:``` _*"And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant" (GENESIS 33:5).*_

    *After the horrific genocide in 1994, Rwanda focused heavily on national reconciliation. The Gacaca Courts, a system of community-based justice, allowed perpetrators of the genocide to confess their crimes and ask for forgiveness, while victims could voice their suffering. The emphasis on unity and a shared vision for rebuilding the country contributed to Rwanda's remarkable recovery and the avoidance of further ethnic conflict. Although there are ongoing challenges, the national narrative of "unity and reconciliation" has continued to play a central role in Rwanda's politics and society.*

    *Jacob had lived for years under the shadow of a broken relationship with his brother, Esau. Their past was filled with deceit, betrayal, and conflict. Having stolen Esau's birth right and blessing, the resultant rift was so deep that Esau had vowed to kill Jacob. After years of separation, Jacob now had to face Esau, but with trepidation and fear of retribution. However, what ensued was a stunning picture of grace and a lasting reconciliation, with no record of relapse into hostilities.*

    *Their reconciliation must have been mutual. That "... Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept" showed his willingness to forgive Jacob and let go of his anger and bitterness, and the pain of the past - a rare display of grace. On the other hand, Jacob exemplifies a posture of humility. His bowing before Esau, offering gifts of homage, and acknowledging his wrongs demonstrate the humility required for true reconciliation.*

    *We are called to the same grace and reconciliation that Jacob and Esau experienced. Perhaps there are areas where we need to humble ourselves and seek forgiveness. We are called to extend grace, even when the hurt is deep.*

    ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*Reconciliation draws the curtain on a dark past and opens a door for a brighter future.*_

    ```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *JOB 39-42*


    Enduring Reconciliation
    https://dailymanna.app//

    *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 232: BLEST BE THE TIE THAT BINDS; GHS 117: SHOW A LITTLE BIT OF LOVE AND KINDNESS; AND GHS 75: THE CHURCH'S IS ONE FOUNDATION*

    *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter*
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    *#GCK*
    *#WorshipNuggets*
    *#BibleNuggets*
    *#LeadershipNuggets*
    *#RevivalNuggets*
    *#CrusadeNuggets*
    https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS]
    [18/08, 9:45 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY```

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

    ✍🏽🏻‍ 🏽🛰

    ```WEDNESDAY 19TH AUGUST, 2026```

    *SNUB SATAN* 🫵🏽🏽‍🏽‍🫷🏽🏽🏽‍🏽

    ```TEXT:JAMES 4:4-8```

    ``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (JAMES 4:7).*_

    *The end of all things draws nearer and nearer every day. This should make us think deeply about the imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and the impending punishment that would be unleashed on sinners who have chosen to remain adamant and unrepentant now.*

    *The signs of the last days are visible - increased wickedness all over the world, surging compromise of faith among believers, and so on. The devil is out there like a roaring lion looking for those he could devour. Would you snub him or fall into his snares?*

    *Beloved, the time we are in now calls for patience and perseverance. Some have given up already because they have fallen into the hands of the devil by believing it is impossible to maintain their faith considering the pressure associated with this perilous time.*

    *Friend, please hold on to the faith, snub the devil, and keep marching forward. Remember that Lot's wife missed a blissful eternity because she could not snub Satan and resist the temptation of looking back. On the other hand, the young Joseph snubbed Satan by resisting Potiphar's wife's invitation to sin.*

    ```QUOTE:``` _*Lot's wife missed a blissful eternity.*_

    ```CHALLENGE:``` _*Stand firm and snub the devil.*_

    🏽🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Lord, help me to hold on to the faith.*_


    Snub Satan
    https://dailymanna.app//

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    https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS]
    [18/08, 9:45 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY```

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

    🏼🏼🏼🏼🏼‍

    ```WEDNESDAY 19TH AUGUST, 2026```

    *JOHN'S TESTIMONY ABOUT JESUS* 🫵🏽🏽‍🏽‍🏽🏽‍🏽

    ```JOHN 1:29-34```



    ```Key Verse:``` _*"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).*_



    The Bible refers to John the Baptist as the forerunner who came to prepare the way for the Lord. Though John was born before Jesus, he was not greater than Jesus. In fact, John himself declared that someone greater than him would come after, and he was not even qualified to untie his shoe latchet.

    This is to show the high esteem in which John rightly placed Jesus. John proclaimed the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the world. He told the people that Jesus was before him, meaning that Jesus had been before the time of creation.

    John was baptizing people in River Jordan, and it was he who also baptized Jesus Christ. John did not know Jesus, but the Holy Spirit descended and stayed on Christ at His baptism. He diverted attention away from himself, and made men to see Jesus Christ as *"...the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."*

    *Do you know Jesus? Can you point to Him that He is your Friend, Saviour and Lord? If your answer is No, then surrender your life to Him, repent and ask Him to forgive you all your sins. Tell Him to be your Friend and tell others about Him everywhere you go.*



    ```rayer:``` _*Lord Jesus, please take away my sins and make me Your friend today.*_ 🏽

    ``` Further Reading:``` *Matthew 3:1-12*


    John's Testimony About Jesus
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    2. Morning Prayer for today.

    MP.i. Morning Prayer

    Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but Manikya Kumar one thing [I do,] forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. ⏤ Philippians 3:13-14

    Prayer is the acid test of devotion. ⏤ Samuel Chadwick

    O Lord, You’ve taught us through Your apostle to forget what lies behind and to reach forward to what lies ahead. Give us the grace to let go of the past and press on toward the goal of our high calling. Help us to cast aside every weight and the sins that so easily trip us up, and to run with endurance the race set before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

    This world pulls us back, holding us from aspiring heavenward. May we have the strength to resist these earthly temptations and instead be drawn toward the blessings of a heavenly life. Help us to live more and more for the things that are unseen and eternal. Earthly things, though sweet and beautiful, are temporary—like flowers that are fragrant today but wilted tomorrow. May these fleeting blessings remind us of You and turn our thoughts to You. Let us not rest in these temporary joys or build our hopes on them. Instead, teach us to rest in You and build our hopes on the enduring rock of Your eternity. Then, no matter what earthly disaster or loss comes our way, we will be safe and secure in You, our unchanging God.

    As we step into the world today, fill our hearts with thoughts of Your love and grace. Go before us, lead us, and help us follow You wherever You guide. Give us wisdom to respond rightly in every situation. Grant us courage to face difficulties and overcome obstacles. And give us gentle hearts so we may be a blessing to others. We ask all this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

    https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/45/morning

    #taptapstudio
    #youdevotion.
    Good morning, brethren. 1. Morning devotion for today. MD.i. 😀🌺🌹🎁🎀💝 MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY WEDNESDAY AUGUST 19, 2026. "TRUST YOUR BIBLE, IT'S TRUE!" ‘…that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled...’ Matthew 26:56 NIV THE DEATH, burial and resurrection of Jesus fulfilled no less than twenty-nine different Old Testament prophecies. The odds of that happening are virtually impossible! Mathematician Peter Stoner explains it this way: ‘If you were to cover the state of Texas two feet deep in pound coins, then on one, place a mark. What is the probability that a blindfolded person could, on their first attempt, select that coin? That’s the likelihood of just eight prophecies being fulfilled in one lifetime. And Jesus fulfilled twenty-nine of them in one day!’ Let’s look at some of the prophecies He fulfilled: 1) ‘…They pierced My hands and… feet’ (Psalms 22:16 NKJV). 2) ‘They divide my garments…and…cast lots’ (Psalms 22:18 NKJV). 3) ‘…in that day…I will make the sun go down at noon, and…darken the earth in…daylight’ (Amos 8:9 NKJV). Jesus predicted both His death and His resurrection. He told His critics, ‘…“Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”…the temple he had spoken of was his body’ (John 2:19-21 NIV). Jesus orchestrated every event, including Judas’ betrayal, the high priest’s hypocrisy, and Peter’s denial. Why? ‘That the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.’ So you can trust your Bible because it’s true. And something else is true too. God is ‘…able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…’ (Ephesians 3:20 NIV). Note the words ‘immeasurably more.’ What seems impossible to you at the moment, is all in a day’s work for Him. So start trusting Him to work on your behalf. Bible In A Year: Gal 4-6, Matt 19:1-14, Ps 119:113-120, Pro 18:10-12. 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. [18/08, 9:45 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA* WEDNESDAY, 19TH AUGUST, 2026. *THE PRICE OF DWELLING TOGETHER IN LOVE AND UNITY* *TEXT:* GENESIS 33:5-15. 5 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant. 6 Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children, and they bowed themselves. 7 And Leah also with her children came near, and bowed themselves: and after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves. 8 And he said, What meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And he said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord. 9 And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself. 10 And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me. 11 Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it. 12 And he said, Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before thee. 13 And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die. 14 Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir. 15 And Esau said, Let me now leave with thee some of the folk that are with me. And he said, What needeth it? let me find grace in the sight of my lord. *Timeless Truth:* _"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"_ (Psalm 133:1). *INTRODUCTION* Love and unity are the indispensable catalysts of human relationships that make life worthwhile. Without these two graces, life ceases to have meaning and will breed heartaches, emotional troubles, bitter enmity and rivalries, anguish of the soul and all sorts of relational problems. The fulfilment and joy of natural and spiritual families, communities, nations etc rest on love and unity. *"Behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity"*. Satan's delight is to fuel relational problems and thereby make the earth another hell for relations. When the foundation of happy relationship and co-existence is destroyed, what shall the righteous do? The foundation of a happy and united family life of Isaac was broken and it had its toll on the children. Parental disunity and favoritism led to bitter rivalry between Esau and Jacob. The result was not a sweet experience for each member of the family. After 20 years of separation between the children, the need for peace and unity, so as to end the ugly experience became imperative. They must be commended that they did not die in that situation. They allowed God and let go of their differences. What can we learn from them about how to build the broken walls and foundation of life and unity among brethren? Read on. *1. Bridge the Communication Gap* a. The main reason Jesus came to pay the ultimate price of redemption is to break the communication barrier between man and God due to sin. Once that barrier is broken, it will be possible to break the communication barrier among fellow brethren. The fact that Jesus paid this price underscores the importance of love and unity among brethren. No man can claim to be godly without conscious and deliberate commitment to living in peace and love with fellow brethren and neighbours. A graceless person will be content with disunity and loveless relationships while true grace makes true reconciliation possible. Jacob initiated it and this shows he had grace. He first settled the problem in the spiritual realm by wrestling with God on a lonely night at Jabbok. His personal encounter with God first changed his life, blew his ego to the wind of heaven, brought a deep transformation into his life and melted his hardened heart of deception. The change must start with you. The godly who desires to live at peace and pleases God must be ready to pray through until his heart is melted with the grace to forgive, forget and fall into the love of God. Ego or self is often the main problem that must bow in order to live at peace and unity. b. For the first time after 20 years, Jacob opted to take the lead by asking for a face to face meeting with his estranged brother and bridge the communication gap. *"And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee?"*. Take the godly initiative and step: bridge the Communication Gap. Sink all your pride, anger, hatred, bitterness and desire for revenge at the cross and take the initiative. Unknown to him, Esau, though a violent man, secretly desired peace too. It only takes one to bell the cat. Surprisingly, the God of peace that had broken Jacob at the altar of prayer and grace had also dealt with Esau too. Broken communication became mended. *"And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant"*. In bringing peace to a troubled or broken relationship, there may be the need to bring a third party that is respected by both sides and has the wisdom and grace to mend relationships. *Question* Are you willing to please and bridge the communication gap with someone? How do you want to demonstrate your willingness? *2. Bind Your Character with Grace* a. Jacob had trained all his wives and children on how to show respect and give honour to the one who had been hurt and might be breathing out revenge and anger. It was not the time prove who was wrong or right. In reconciliation, self defence is minimized. *"Why do ye not rather accept wrong? Why not rather let yourselves suffer wrong and be deprived of what is your due? Why do you not rather take wrong?"* (1Corinthians 6:7). The crucified saint will be willing to accept blame even when he is not convinced that he is wrong for the sake of peace. This is where grace is also needed. *"Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children, and they bowed themselves"*. All the people with Jacob went humbly and bowed to their Daddy's brother. Jacob had depoisoned the hearts of his people so that they could sincerely give the needed and expected honour to Esau. The peaceful person will not be a hypocritical person who will pretend to seek for peace and unity and privately he will be poisoning the hearts of others. b. Humility is an essential part of living in love and unity and building again love and unity in a broken relationship. Many apologies, though may be simple, have a way of healing hurt hearts and broken bones and barriers in relationships. It takes humility to bend when the other person is standing on his points which may even be wrong and unacceptable altogether. *"The fruit of peace is shown by them which make peace"*. *"Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called the children of GOD"*. *Question* Are you willing to pay the price of love and unity so that your life receives the immeasurable blessings of obedience to God or you still want to stick to your gun and end up in perdition? *3. Bless Your Companion With Gifts* God paid the price of reconciliation with man by giving us the gift of Jesus Christ and all other spiritual and earthly gifts and blessings. True reconciliation must also be sealed up with exchange and acceptance of godly and helpful gifts. Jacob was smart to have prepared gifts for Esau ahead of their encounter. In fact, at first, Esau wanted to wisely reject the gifts. If he had refused, then know that the problem was only solved superficially. *"And he said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord"*. The Scripture says, *"A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men"* (Proverbs 18:16). It is not how much that is affordable, but the heart of love and reconciliation that is behind it. Jacob insisted that the gift should be taken though Esau himself was well to do. *"Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it"*. Look at the choice of words of wisdom and humility of Jacob. He was not using words that will fuel the ember of hatred, but words that will calm down nerves. *"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger"* (Proverbs 15:1). Apart from exchanging and acceptance of gifts and visits, true reconciliation will also be manifested by willingness to walk together and experience godly partnership. *"And he said, Let us take our journey, and let us go"*. *Question* How genuine was your previous reconciliation with others? *Prayer Points* 1.Father, examine my heart, expose and remove all tendencies in me contrary to abiding in love and unity 🙏. 2.Lord, give me a definite life changing encounter like Jacob that will make me full of grace to initiate and advance peace and love in my family, church and community 🙏. 3.Make me a peacemaker and promoter of reconciliation among people 🙏. 4.Lord, visit all families with broken relationships and help all to open up to true communication and reconciliations 🙏. *HYMN:* Let love be among us *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* JOB 38-42. [18/08, 9:45 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS) WEDNESDAY 19TH AUGUST, 2026``` *ENDURING RECONCILIATION* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️👥🫂🤝🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:GENESIS 33:5-15```📜📜 🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant" (GENESIS 33:5).*_ *After the horrific genocide in 1994, Rwanda focused heavily on national reconciliation. The Gacaca Courts, a system of community-based justice, allowed perpetrators of the genocide to confess their crimes and ask for forgiveness, while victims could voice their suffering. The emphasis on unity and a shared vision for rebuilding the country contributed to Rwanda's remarkable recovery and the avoidance of further ethnic conflict. Although there are ongoing challenges, the national narrative of "unity and reconciliation" has continued to play a central role in Rwanda's politics and society.* *Jacob had lived for years under the shadow of a broken relationship with his brother, Esau. Their past was filled with deceit, betrayal, and conflict. Having stolen Esau's birth right and blessing, the resultant rift was so deep that Esau had vowed to kill Jacob. After years of separation, Jacob now had to face Esau, but with trepidation and fear of retribution. However, what ensued was a stunning picture of grace and a lasting reconciliation, with no record of relapse into hostilities.* *Their reconciliation must have been mutual. That "... Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept" showed his willingness to forgive Jacob and let go of his anger and bitterness, and the pain of the past - a rare display of grace. On the other hand, Jacob exemplifies a posture of humility. His bowing before Esau, offering gifts of homage, and acknowledging his wrongs demonstrate the humility required for true reconciliation.* *We are called to the same grace and reconciliation that Jacob and Esau experienced. Perhaps there are areas where we need to humble ourselves and seek forgiveness. We are called to extend grace, even when the hurt is deep.* ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*Reconciliation draws the curtain on a dark past and opens a door for a brighter future.*_ 📜📜```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *JOB 39-42*📜📜 Enduring Reconciliation https://dailymanna.app// *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 232: BLEST BE THE TIE THAT BINDS; GHS 117: SHOW A LITTLE BIT OF LOVE AND KINDNESS; AND GHS 75: THE CHURCH'S IS ONE FOUNDATION* *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#DailyManna19thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [18/08, 9:45 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*HIGHER EVERYD🅰️Y: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_ ✍🏽👩🏻‍💼🌻 🍇🙏🏽🛰🚀🔬📚 ```WEDNESDAY 19TH AUGUST, 2026``` *SNUB SATAN* 🎚️📓📖🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️👿👺❌🫷🏽🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:JAMES 4:4-8```📜📜 📖``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (JAMES 4:7).*_ *The end of all things draws nearer and nearer every day. This should make us think deeply about the imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and the impending punishment that would be unleashed on sinners who have chosen to remain adamant and unrepentant now.* *The signs of the last days are visible - increased wickedness all over the world, surging compromise of faith among believers, and so on. The devil is out there like a roaring lion looking for those he could devour. Would you snub him or fall into his snares?* *Beloved, the time we are in now calls for patience and perseverance. Some have given up already because they have fallen into the hands of the devil by believing it is impossible to maintain their faith considering the pressure associated with this perilous time.* *Friend, please hold on to the faith, snub the devil, and keep marching forward. Remember that Lot's wife missed a blissful eternity because she could not snub Satan and resist the temptation of looking back. On the other hand, the young Joseph snubbed Satan by resisting Potiphar's wife's invitation to sin.* 💬 ```QUOTE:``` _*Lot's wife missed a blissful eternity.*_ 🏆 ```CHALLENGE:``` _*Stand firm and snub the devil.*_ 🙏🏽🙏🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Lord, help me to hold on to the faith.*_ Snub Satan https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#HigherEveryday19thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [18/08, 9:45 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣6️⃣)*_ 🙇🏼🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼‍♂️ ```WEDNESDAY 19TH AUGUST, 2026``` *JOHN'S TESTIMONY ABOUT JESUS* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️✝️🗣️📢📣🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```JOHN 1:29-34```📜📜 🕔📚🖋️🚻😁🎼🏆🍉🪴🌈💻 🔑📖 ```Key Verse:``` _*"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).*_ 📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖 The Bible refers to John the Baptist as the forerunner who came to prepare the way for the Lord. Though John was born before Jesus, he was not greater than Jesus. In fact, John himself declared that someone greater than him would come after, and he was not even qualified to untie his shoe latchet. This is to show the high esteem in which John rightly placed Jesus. John proclaimed the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the world. He told the people that Jesus was before him, meaning that Jesus had been before the time of creation. John was baptizing people in River Jordan, and it was he who also baptized Jesus Christ. John did not know Jesus, but the Holy Spirit descended and stayed on Christ at His baptism. He diverted attention away from himself, and made men to see Jesus Christ as *"...the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."* *Do you know Jesus? Can you point to Him that He is your Friend, Saviour and Lord? If your answer is No, then surrender your life to Him, repent and ask Him to forgive you all your sins. Tell Him to be your Friend and tell others about Him everywhere you go.* 🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥 ```🅿️rayer:``` _*Lord Jesus, please take away my sins and make me Your friend today.*_ 🙏🏽 ```📖 Further Reading:``` *Matthew 3:1-12* John's Testimony About Jesus https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#SincereMilk19thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS]. 2. Morning Prayer for today. MP.i. Morning Prayer Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do,] forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. ⏤ Philippians 3:13-14 Prayer is the acid test of devotion. ⏤ Samuel Chadwick O Lord, You’ve taught us through Your apostle to forget what lies behind and to reach forward to what lies ahead. Give us the grace to let go of the past and press on toward the goal of our high calling. Help us to cast aside every weight and the sins that so easily trip us up, and to run with endurance the race set before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. This world pulls us back, holding us from aspiring heavenward. May we have the strength to resist these earthly temptations and instead be drawn toward the blessings of a heavenly life. Help us to live more and more for the things that are unseen and eternal. Earthly things, though sweet and beautiful, are temporary—like flowers that are fragrant today but wilted tomorrow. May these fleeting blessings remind us of You and turn our thoughts to You. Let us not rest in these temporary joys or build our hopes on them. Instead, teach us to rest in You and build our hopes on the enduring rock of Your eternity. Then, no matter what earthly disaster or loss comes our way, we will be safe and secure in You, our unchanging God. As we step into the world today, fill our hearts with thoughts of Your love and grace. Go before us, lead us, and help us follow You wherever You guide. Give us wisdom to respond rightly in every situation. Grant us courage to face difficulties and overcome obstacles. And give us gentle hearts so we may be a blessing to others. We ask all this in the name of Jesus. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/45/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.
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  • So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”

    Luke 4:22 ɴᴋᴊᴠ

    The Son of God begins His public ministry by teaching the Word of God in the Jewish synagogues. One example is in Nazareth. When He preaches there, the people are at first amazed at His wisdom and the words of grace He speaks to them. But it only takes a few minutes before the mood changes and they start to get angry with Him. Why? Because His words are not only pleasant but also seasoned with salt. That is why they suddenly say, “‘Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?’ So they were offended at Him” (Mk. 6:3).

    How does He deal with the fact that people think so disdainfully of Him and see in Him nothing more than a common carpenter? Is He upset by their behavior? Not at all. Instead, He calmly presents to them a sad but true principle: it is written that Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house” (Mk. 6:4). He does not threaten them with judgment or rebuke them harshly.

    Instead, He accepts with meekness from the hand of God the rejection He experiences from these people, before whose eyes He had lived for so long. With this attitude of heart, He simply moves on through the surrounding villages and continues His ministry. Even today, it is not uncommon for a servant of the Lord to be more appreciated in another place and country than at home, where they have been known from an early age and where they may be misjudged or met with envy and jealousy.

    Philip Svetlik


    Mighty King, with glory crowned,
    Rightful Heir and Lord of all:Once rejected, scorned, disowned,
    E’en by those Thou cam’st to call.


    Richard Holden


    https://gbv-online.org/calendar/773/date/2026-08-19
    So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?” Luke 4:22 ɴᴋᴊᴠ The Son of God begins His public ministry by teaching the Word of God in the Jewish synagogues. One example is in Nazareth. When He preaches there, the people are at first amazed at His wisdom and the words of grace He speaks to them. But it only takes a few minutes before the mood changes and they start to get angry with Him. Why? Because His words are not only pleasant but also seasoned with salt. That is why they suddenly say, “‘Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?’ So they were offended at Him” (Mk. 6:3). How does He deal with the fact that people think so disdainfully of Him and see in Him nothing more than a common carpenter? Is He upset by their behavior? Not at all. Instead, He calmly presents to them a sad but true principle: it is written that Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house” (Mk. 6:4). He does not threaten them with judgment or rebuke them harshly. Instead, He accepts with meekness from the hand of God the rejection He experiences from these people, before whose eyes He had lived for so long. With this attitude of heart, He simply moves on through the surrounding villages and continues His ministry. Even today, it is not uncommon for a servant of the Lord to be more appreciated in another place and country than at home, where they have been known from an early age and where they may be misjudged or met with envy and jealousy. Philip Svetlik Mighty King, with glory crowned, Rightful Heir and Lord of all:Once rejected, scorned, disowned, E’en by those Thou cam’st to call. Richard Holden https://gbv-online.org/calendar/773/date/2026-08-19
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  • Dear Father,

    In discussing the life of Jesus, I am first occupied with His purpose on earth and then with the miracles He performed. It is so easy to sum up His entire life in redemption and the working of miracles while not paying attention to His heart. Jesus was perhaps the Man who experienced the greatest disappointment in His dealings with people, yet because of His divinity, we often pay less attention to His humanity. Perhaps the deepest hurt is borne by the strongest hearts and still goes unnoticed. After all, no one goes seeking the weakness in strength.

    When Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples, went with the high priest and soldiers to betray Jesus, the Scripture says, “Judas came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.” Jesus knew He was being betrayed, yet He called him “friend.” If it were not Jesus, I would assume it was a sarcastic word. But it wasn’t. In one word, Jesus revealed the state of His own heart, creating a new pattern for friendship: "Your act of betrayal may have changed you, but it hasn’t changed me."

    This is very profound because I respond to changing times in my relationships, not just outwardly, but also inwardly. I get hurt, I withdraw myself, I experience disgust, and one thing I would never do is call a betrayer a friend! But perhaps Jesus teaches us to guard our hearts. Perhaps because disappointments may change a man faster than resolutions. Perhaps this is His way of saying, “You can be hurt and still not be changed.” But how many of us bear so much hurt that we do not even recognize ourselves anymore? Father, what is the state of our hearts?

    Translations:
    Slide 1: English
    Slide 2: French
    Slide 3: Bengali
    Slide 4: Hindi
    Slide 5: Urdu
    Slide 6: Portuguese

    #LettertoGod
    #friendship
    #hurts
    #weakness
    #disciplesofJesus
    Dear Father, In discussing the life of Jesus, I am first occupied with His purpose on earth and then with the miracles He performed. It is so easy to sum up His entire life in redemption and the working of miracles while not paying attention to His heart. Jesus was perhaps the Man who experienced the greatest disappointment in His dealings with people, yet because of His divinity, we often pay less attention to His humanity. Perhaps the deepest hurt is borne by the strongest hearts and still goes unnoticed. After all, no one goes seeking the weakness in strength. When Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples, went with the high priest and soldiers to betray Jesus, the Scripture says, “Judas came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.” Jesus knew He was being betrayed, yet He called him “friend.” If it were not Jesus, I would assume it was a sarcastic word. But it wasn’t. In one word, Jesus revealed the state of His own heart, creating a new pattern for friendship: "Your act of betrayal may have changed you, but it hasn’t changed me." This is very profound because I respond to changing times in my relationships, not just outwardly, but also inwardly. I get hurt, I withdraw myself, I experience disgust, and one thing I would never do is call a betrayer a friend! But perhaps Jesus teaches us to guard our hearts. Perhaps because disappointments may change a man faster than resolutions. Perhaps this is His way of saying, “You can be hurt and still not be changed.” But how many of us bear so much hurt that we do not even recognize ourselves anymore? Father, what is the state of our hearts? Translations: Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6: Portuguese #LettertoGod #friendship #hurts #weakness #disciplesofJesus
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    0 Commentaires 2 Parts 461 Vue
  • Dear Father,

    In discussing the life of Jesus, I am first occupied with His purpose on earth and then with the miracles He performed. It is so easy to sum up His entire life in redemption and the working of miracles while not paying attention to His heart. Jesus was perhaps the Man who experienced the greatest disappointment in His dealings with people, yet because of His divinity, we often pay less attention to His humanity. Perhaps the deepest hurt is borne by the strongest hearts and still goes unnoticed. After all, no one goes seeking the weakness in strength.

    When Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples, went with the high priest and soldiers to betray Jesus, the Scripture says, “Judas came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.” Jesus knew He was being betrayed, yet He called him “friend.” If it were not Jesus, I would assume it was a sarcastic word. But it wasn’t. In one word, Jesus revealed the state of His own heart, creating a new pattern for friendship: "Your act of betrayal may have changed you, but it hasn’t changed me."

    This is very profound because I respond to changing times in my relationships, not just outwardly, but also inwardly. I get hurt, I withdraw myself, I experience disgust, and one thing I would never do is call a betrayer a friend! But perhaps Jesus teaches us to guard our hearts. Perhaps because disappointments may change a man faster than resolutions. Perhaps this is His way of saying, “You can be hurt and still not be changed.” But how many of us bear so much hurt that we do not even recognize ourselves anymore? Father, what is the state of our hearts?

    Translations:
    Slide 1: English
    Slide 2: French
    Slide 3: Bengali
    Slide 4: Hindi
    Slide 5: Urdu
    Slide 6: Portuguese

    #LettertoGod
    #friendship
    #hurts
    #weakness
    #disciplesofJesus
    Dear Father, In discussing the life of Jesus, I am first occupied with His purpose on earth and then with the miracles He performed. It is so easy to sum up His entire life in redemption and the working of miracles while not paying attention to His heart. Jesus was perhaps the Man who experienced the greatest disappointment in His dealings with people, yet because of His divinity, we often pay less attention to His humanity. Perhaps the deepest hurt is borne by the strongest hearts and still goes unnoticed. After all, no one goes seeking the weakness in strength. When Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples, went with the high priest and soldiers to betray Jesus, the Scripture says, “Judas came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.” Jesus knew He was being betrayed, yet He called him “friend.” If it were not Jesus, I would assume it was a sarcastic word. But it wasn’t. In one word, Jesus revealed the state of His own heart, creating a new pattern for friendship: "Your act of betrayal may have changed you, but it hasn’t changed me." This is very profound because I respond to changing times in my relationships, not just outwardly, but also inwardly. I get hurt, I withdraw myself, I experience disgust, and one thing I would never do is call a betrayer a friend! But perhaps Jesus teaches us to guard our hearts. Perhaps because disappointments may change a man faster than resolutions. Perhaps this is His way of saying, “You can be hurt and still not be changed.” But how many of us bear so much hurt that we do not even recognize ourselves anymore? Father, what is the state of our hearts? Translations: Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6: Portuguese #LettertoGod #friendship #hurts #weakness #disciplesofJesus
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