Good morning, brethren. 1. Morning devotion for today. MD.i. 😀🎀💝🎁🌺🌹 MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY FRIDAY JULY 24, 2O26. "DON'T LOOSE YOUR COMPASSIONATE EDGE (2)" '…Faith…if it does not have works, is dead.’  James 2:17 NKJV MOTHER TERESA said, ‘The biggest disease today isn’t leprosy or cancer. It’s the feeling of being uncared for, unwanted—of being deserted and alone.’ As a result, she spent her life rescuing sick babies and giving dignity to the dying. Asked why she did it, she replied, ‘Because Jesus did.’ What a great answer! When simultaneous disasters hit different countries around the world, humanitarian organisations say we suffer from ‘donor fatigue’. Let’s add one more: ‘compassion failure.’ Philosopher Miguel de Unamuno wrote, ‘Warmth, warmth, more warmth! For we are dying of cold and not of darkness. It is not the night that kills, but the frost.’ Think about this: of the 1,189 chapters in the Bible, 250 contain the words of the prophets. That’s roughly 25 percent. Half of what they say denounces sin and the other half condemns those who see human suffering and do nothing about it. Yet events that horrified those same prophets take place in our world every day, and we’re immune to them. Like wearing a watch, you get used to it and after a while you don’t even notice it. But the prophets noticed! They never became desensitised to sin—or human suffering. And you mustn’t either. You say, ‘But my main focus at the moment is on building up my faith.’ That’s a good thing; but never forget that ‘Faith by itself, if it does not have works [of compassion], is dead.’ Bible In A Year: Deut 3-4; Matt 12:1-14; Ps 46; Pro 16:20-22. 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. [23/07, 10:32 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` ```DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS) FRIDAY 24TH JULY, 2026``` *DON'T BE A COLLATERAL VICTIM* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️⚠️‼️🛑🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:JOSHUA 12:1-6```📜📜 🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"Now these are the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the river Arnon unto mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east" (JOSHUA 12:1).*_ *There are people who sleep walk into disaster, through either arrogance, pride or sheer hubris. It may be that they had recorded successes in previous battles, or have become famous for their accomplishments. They may deem themselves to be invincible, and either declare a war that's totally unnecessary, or inject themselves into other people's battles. In the end, they become the victims of their ego and exaggerated sense of power and importance.* *This is what happened to the kings of the nations on the east of River Jordan. The children of Israel were on a journey ordered by the Almighty God. They were heading to the land of Canaan, in fulfilment of the promise God made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Their land was not part of Canaan, and therefore, was not intended to be inherited by the Israelites. The inheritance of the Israelites was to be solely Canaan, the land flowing with milk and honey. But on their way, the Israelites encountered nations that had heard about the supernatural work of God in bringing them out of Egypt. Although the Israelites did not declare war against them, these nations, some out of unfounded fear of losing their territory, and others out of envy and hatred against this nation that had a God that can subdue, humble and defeat Egypt, the great world power of the time, took it on themselves to stop Israel from progressing towards their land of promise. One of such kings was Sihon, king of the Amorites, whose nation was mainly a lush vegetation sandwiched by rivers and plain land that was a haven for pastoralists and for other forms of agriculture. The other king was Og, king of Bashan, a land of the remnants of the giants, with similar topography as the land of the Amorites. When they rose against the Israelites, they were roundly defeated, their kingdoms destroyed and their land confiscated by Moses. He subsequently allocated the land to two and half tribes of Israel, which desired to settle there because it was suitable for their vocation as pastoralists. Had those nations stayed out of the way of the Israelites, they would have remained in their land.* *We must be wise and not take on battles that are not ours, whether out of sympathy with other people or to prove that we are powerful. As believers, we have more than enough battles against principalities and powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness in high places, against sin and Satan. The armour Christ has given us is intended to defeat these adversaries. It is not to be wasted on self-imposed battles that do not benefit the kingdom of God. Those who engage in the wrong battles suffer great loss, and live to regret it for the rest of their lives. Let us focus on the assignment Christ has given us, namely, taking the gospel to the world of sinners, and endeavouring to bring as many as are willing, into the kingdom of God.* ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*Those who fight battles without profit, reap rewards without benefits.*_ 📜📜```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *EXODUS 26-29*📜📜 [23/07, 10:32 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*HIGHER EVERYD🅰️Y: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_ ✍🏽👩🏻‍💼🌻 🍇🙏🏽🛰🚀🔬📚 ```FRIDAY 24TH JULY, 2026``` *DIVINE FRESHNESS* 🎚️📓📖🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️✨🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽🙌🏽 📜📜```TEXT:PSALM 1:1-6```📜📜 📖``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper" (PSALM 1:3).*_ *Freshness implies newness of life, originality, and the absence of weakness or death. It is always God's will that His creatures be strong, hale, and hearty. The reverse, however, is the case with many who live in continual weakness, pain, and disability.* *God provides the means of drawing from His life for energy. Still, instead of utilizing the provision, they resort to the use of hard drugs and destructive substances for strength and vitality.* *Our passage for today unveils simple steps for young people to enjoy God's divine freshness. One, they must abstain from the way, walk, and counsel of the wayward and wicked. Two, they should delight in, read and meditate daily on God's word.* *Three, they should appropriate the avalanche of God's blessings and prosperity through prayer and faith. Four, they should not meddle with the ungodly. Friend, the ungodly experience dryness instead of divine freshness. They go through harrowing experiences since they are cut off from God, the source of life and all goodness.* *Would you like to be renewed and transformed? Call on the Lord God, today.* 💬 ```QUOTE:``` _*Freshness implies newness.*_ 🏆 ```CHALLENGE:``` _*Stay rooted in Christ, and never run dry!*_ 🙏🏽🙏🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Jesus, help me to maintain spiritual freshness.*_ [23/07, 10:32 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣6️⃣)*_ 🙇🏼🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼‍♂️ ```FRIDAY 24TH JULY, 2026``` *THE FOOL IN FULL* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️😠😡🫸🏽📓⚠️‼️🛑🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```PSALM 53:1-6```📜📜 🕔📚🖋️🚻😁🎼🏆🍉🪴🌈💻 🔑📖 ```Key Verse:``` _*"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good" (Psalm 53:1).*_ 📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖 An extract from _Merriam Webster_ dictionary goes thus: *"Something is said to be 'in full' when it has come to the highest or the fullest state of degree, when it is at the uttermost extent or when it is complete, especially in details, number, or duration."* The fool in full is the greatest fool that will ever live on earth. He breathes in the air made by God, cultivates the soil created by God, and eats out of the produce thereof, lives in the world God created and enjoys the gift of life given by God, to mention a few; and yet, turns around to say "there is no God." The fool deliberately denies the existence of God despite the many proofs of God's existence. He sees the sun, the moon, the stars, the seas and the uncountable creatures in it, but never pauses to ask: *"Who made the world?"* The things he sees tell him there is God, but in his heart, he refuses to give Him the glory. There is, however, another fool who accepts there is God but refuses to accept His gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. This category of fools claim they can worship the Living God the way they like. They corrupt the way of worshipping Him; worshipping idols, the work of their hands. The fool can never do what is good before God. *You should not be a fool. Believe in the only true God and in Jesus Christ, whom He has sent. Turn away from all corrupt and abominable thoughts and actions. Then you will be saved from the foolishness of this world.* 🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥 ```🅿️rayer:``` _*Thank You Lord, for delivering me from the foolishness of unbelief.*_ 🙏🏽 ```📖 Further Reading:``` *John 17:2, 3* [23/07, 10:33 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA* FRIDAY, 24TH JULY, 2026. *REHEARSAL OF GOD'S FAITHFULNESS* *TEXT:* JOSHUA 12:1-6. 1.Now these are the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the river Arnon unto mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east: 2 Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, and ruled from Aroer, which is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and from the middle of the river, and from half Gilead, even unto the river Jabbok, which is the border of the children of Ammon; 3 And from the plain to the sea of Chinneroth on the east, and unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea on the east, the way to Bethjeshimoth; and from the south, under Ashdothpisgah: 4 And the coast of Og king of Bashan, which was of the remnant of the giants, that dwelt at Ashtaroth and at Edrei, 5 And reigned in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, unto the border of the Geshurites and the Maachathites, and half Gilead, the border of Sihon king of Heshbon. 6 Them did Moses the servant of the LORD and the children of Israel smite: and Moses the servant of the LORD gave it for a possession unto the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh. *Timeless Truth:*_"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits"_ (Psalm 103:2). *INTRODUCTION* From creation, God has been engaged in doing great and new wonders. Some are penned down in the Bible while there are many more that have been experienced by individuals, families, communities and nations since creation of man. The fact that God is immutable guarantees that those miracles can be repeated and increased in greatness and number. One of the greatest ways to strengthen faith is to deliberately rehearse God's faithfulness and meditate on those past wonders of God. Throughout Scripture, God often instructed His people to remember His mighty acts so that they would trust Him for future victories. Israel's conquest of the Amorites under Sihon and the later record of those victories in Joshua remind us that God's past interventions are powerful testimonies of His unfailing covenant. Every believer should cultivate the habit of recalling God's goodness instead of dwelling on past fears or failures. As we recount His faithfulness, our confidence in His promises grows. *1.Arrogant Courting of Battles* Israel peacefully requested passage through the land of Sihon, king of the Amorites, but Sihon arrogantly rejected the request and chose war instead (Numbers 21:21–25). It is the norm in military warfare that you don't fight those who come and prefer peace to war. The worst is to lead them as captives. Sihon had taken pride in defeating Moab and taking her possessions (Numbers 21:26-2). Their victory over Moab was celebrated as it became a song in the land. He was optimistic and emboldened that he could repeat the same feat against Israel. However, he was thoughtless and proud. His pride blinded him to the fact that he was fighting against God's covenant people. It is dangerous and risky to fight against the covenant people of God. The battle ended in complete defeat of Sihon because no human strength can prevail against God's purpose. b. Believers have the domineering power of Jesus Christ to crush every power of the adversaries. However, this is not a license for believers to arrogantly court and tempt the people of darkness to unnecessary warfare. When Herod wanted Jesus to perform some miracles for a show of power, Jesus declined because it was unnecessary (Luke 23:8). When Satan tempted Jesus to jump down from the mountain, Jesus also declined because it was an unnecessary show of power. Believers should avoid unnecessary boasting and fight in the name of the Lord that is borne out of arrogance or pride. Believers should never fear opposition, for God remains the Defender of those who trust Him. At the same time, we must guard against pride, remembering that arrogance always invites destruction. *Question* Am I trusting God's strength in life's battles, or am I relying on human confidence and pride? *2. Appreciative Counting of Blessings* Joshua carefully recorded the kings and their land, whom God had delivered into Israel's hands (Joshua 12:1–5). These verses are more than historical records—they are memorials of divine faithfulness. God's people are encouraged to remember every victory and every answered prayer. Gratitude protects the heart from discouragement and unbelief. When we regularly count our blessings, we discover that God's mercies greatly outweigh our trials. Thanksgiving also prepares us to receive greater blessings from the Lord. As the psalmist puts it, *"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits."* This will take a diligent and deliberate effort like Joshua did when he wrote down and recalled the good wonders of God to himself and to the whole Israel. *Question* How often do I deliberately remember and thank God for His past faithfulness in my life? *3. Additions to Covenant for the Beloved* a. The conquered territories were not part of the promised Canaan inheritance. But Sihon and Og lost their land through their pride and arrogance and those blessings were taken from them and added to the children of Israel (Joshua 12:6). After getting victory, Moses assigned the conquered territory to the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh as their inheritance. God's faithfulness extends beyond victory in battle to the fulfillment of His covenant promises. b. There are several cases where God took away the assigned blessing of the arrogant and added them to the portion of the godly. Reuben and Esau were supposed to have the double blessings of their first born, but they both lost them through carelessness and profanity. Their blessings were added to Judah and Jacob respectively. Jesus warned the Ephesian Church of loss of ministry if they didn't repent from the loss of their first love and the immoral practices of the Nicolaitans(Revelation 2:5). He also warned the Pastor of Philadelphia that if he was not watchful, his crown would be taken from him and be given or added to another person. *"Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown"* (Revelation 3:11). Remember, King Saul lost his crown, which was supposed to be generational, to David. The same with Esau and none of them could get his back. Fight and be watchful to retain and enjoy all your blessings and inheritance assigned to you by God. *Question* Am I very watchful and prayerful in ensuring that my blessings and inheritance are not taken from me and transferred to another person? *Prayer Points* 1.Heavenly Father, help me always remember and celebrate Your faithfulness in every season of my life 🙏. 2.Lord, deliver me from every form of pride, boasting and unnecessary show of power and grant me victory over every battle confronting my faith 🙏. 3.Give me a grateful heart that continually counts Your blessings instead of focusing on life's difficulties. 4.Give Your children grace to be watchful and prayerful and don't allow anyone to take their assigned blessings and inheritance 🙏. *HYMN:* Count Your Blessings *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* EXODUS 26-29. 2. Morning Prayer for today. MP.i. Morning Prayer A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. ⏤ Proverbs 16:9 To pray is to let go and let God take over. ⏤ Philip Yancey O God, our Father, we, Your children, wait for Your blessing before we go out to the work and care of this new day. We thank You for the blessings You gave us in our sleep. You have renewed our strength and restored what yesterday’s toil took from us. We are strong this morning and ready for another day’s work because of the blessings You gave us in our sleep. We consecrate our lives to You for this new day. Take us and use us as You will. We don’t want to make our own plans, for we are too short-sighted and would only plan for present comfort or earthly success. We would rather have You reveal Your plan for our day. It may not be easy, but we know it is wiser and better than our way could ever be, for You see the end from the beginning, and You choose the best things for us. We lay our plans at Your feet and ask You to use them if they are the best, but if not, to set them aside so that Your plan for the day may work unhindered in us. We pray for our neighbors. Some of them are sick. Remember them and grant them healing and restoration. Send them Your comfort in their pain, and let them be richly blessed by the experiences they are going through. Some of our neighbors have gone through sorrows. Heal their broken hearts and give them comfort that will make them stronger to bear their grief, and help them find the blessings You have hidden in their sorrow. Receive us now into Your care for this day; bless us, keep us, and use us as You will. We ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/19/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

🚨🎶❤️‍🔥 I LITERALLY JUST FINISHED THIS SONG… AND IT'S NOT EVEN RELEASED YET! It's called “CLEARING OUT THE CLUTTER” 🔥 And NO… I'm not just talking about cleaning out a closet. 👀 I'm talking about clearing out the people, habits, distractions, hurt, fear, shame, old mindsets and DEAD WEIGHT that keep taking up space God is trying to fill. 🙌✝️ 🎶 “I'M CLEARING OUT THE CLUTTER… MAKING ROOM FOR GOD!” ❤️‍🔥 WHEW. THAT LINE. 😭🔥 Sometimes you've got to stop asking God to add MORE and start asking yourself what needs to GO. 🚪 This one isn't even released yet—I JUST finished it, and I'm giving y'all a FIRST LISTEN! 🎧🔥 👇 TURN IT UP. LISTEN TO THE WORDS. Then come back and tell me: ❤️‍🔥 WHAT ARE YOU CLEARING OUT OF YOUR LIFE? If this song speaks to you, SHARE IT with somebody who's ready to make room for what God has next. 🙌🎶 #ClearingOutTheClutter #MakingRoomForGod #NewMusic #ChristianMusic #Jesus #Faith #LetItGo #FoxxFusionMinistries

Add prayer requests at davidsporch59[gmail].com. Asking Seasoned fasting and prayer warriors for help. Praying for missions and evangelism in Philippines, Uganda, South Africa, Florida, and more.

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

The blessings of the Lord maketh riçh and add no sorrow

My sons had been feeling really uncomfortable with the whole “6-7” chant that has been everywhere for the last year or so. To be honest I was sort proud of how they both quickly stopped doing it when they realised what it meant. Until they both told me off for counting to 7 as I helped one of them with his blanket. Then a young girl at my church told me a friend of hers refuses to say the numbers when counting and I thought to myself ‘this is not right’. God created these numbers and I refuse to let the devil steal my son’s joy for math because a number has 67 somewhere in the digits. So I went to Psalm 67 which has exactly 7 verses and I showed it to my sons. They loved it and we decided we want to claim 6-7 back for God. So that’s what we are trying to do. I have started with Psalm 67:6-7 can anyone add to my list?🙏 #67forGod

PROVERB OF THE DAY (Proverbs 30) 1. The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, his utterance. This man declared to Ithiel—to Ithiel and Ucal: 2 . Surely I am more stupid than any man, And do not have the understanding of a man. 3. I neither learned wisdom Nor have knowledge of the Holy One. 4. Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son’s name, If you know? 5. Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. 6. Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar. 7. Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die): 8. Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches— Feed me with the food allotted to me; 9. Lest I be full and deny You, And say, “Who is the LORD?” Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God. 10. Do not malign a servant to his master, Lest he curse you, and you be found guilty. 11. There is a generation that curses its father, And does not bless its mother. 12. There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, Yet is not washed from its filthiness. 13. There is a generation—oh, how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up. 14. There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, And whose fangs are like knives, To devour the poor from off the earth, And the needy from among men. 15. The leech has two daughters— Give and Give! There are three things that are never satisfied, Four never say, “Enough!”: 16. The grave, The barren womb, The earth that is not satisfied with water— And the fire never says, “Enough!” 17. The eye that mocks his father, And scorns obedience to his mother, The ravens of the valley will pick it out, And the young eagles will eat it. 18. There are three things which. are too wonderful for me, Yes, four which I do not understand: 19. The way of an eagle in the air, The way of a serpent on a rock, The way of a ship in the midst of the sea, And the way of a man with a virgin. 20. This is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth, And says, “I have done no wickedness.” 21. For three things the earth is perturbed, Yes, for four it cannot bear up: 22. For a servant when he reigns, A fool when he is filled with food, 23. A hateful woman when she is married, And a maidservant who succeeds her mistress. 24. There are four things which are little on the earth, But they are exceedingly wise: 25. The ants are a people not strong, Yet they prepare their food in the summer; 26. The rock badgers are a feeble folk, Yet they make their homes in the crags; 27. The locusts have no king, Yet they all advance in ranks; 28. The spider skillfully grasps with its hands, And it is in kings’ palaces. 29. There are three things which are majestic in pace, Yes, four which are stately in walk: 30. A lion, which is mighty among beasts And does not turn away from any; 31 A greyhound, A male goat also, And a king whose troops are with him. 32. If you have been foolish in exalting yourself, Or if you have devised evil, put your hand on your mouth. 33. For as the churning of milk produces butter, And wringing the nose produces blood,So the forcing of wrath produces strife.

PROVERB OF THE DAY (Proverbs 30) 1. The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, his utterance. This man declared to Ithiel—to Ithiel and Ucal: 2 . Surely I am more stupid than any man, And do not have the understanding of a man. 3. I neither learned wisdom Nor have knowledge of the Holy One. 4. Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son’s name, If you know? 5. Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. 6. Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar. 7. Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die): 8. Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches— Feed me with the food allotted to me; 9. Lest I be full and deny You, And say, “Who is the LORD?” Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God. 10. Do not malign a servant to his master, Lest he curse you, and you be found guilty. 11. There is a generation that curses its father, And does not bless its mother. 12. There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, Yet is not washed from its filthiness. 13. There is a generation—oh, how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up. 14. There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, And whose fangs are like knives, To devour the poor from off the earth, And the needy from among men. 15. The leech has two daughters— Give and Give! There are three things that are never satisfied, Four never say, “Enough!”: 16. The grave, The barren womb, The earth that is not satisfied with water— And the fire never says, “Enough!” 17. The eye that mocks his father, And scorns obedience to his mother, The ravens of the valley will pick it out, And the young eagles will eat it. 18. There are three things which. are too wonderful for me, Yes, four which I do not understand: 19. The way of an eagle in the air, The way of a serpent on a rock, The way of a ship in the midst of the sea, And the way of a man with a virgin. 20. This is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth, And says, “I have done no wickedness.” 21. For three things the earth is perturbed, Yes, for four it cannot bear up: 22. For a servant when he reigns, A fool when he is filled with food, 23. A hateful woman when she is married, And a maidservant who succeeds her mistress. 24. There are four things which are little on the earth, But they are exceedingly wise: 25. The ants are a people not strong, Yet they prepare their food in the summer; 26. The rock badgers are a feeble folk, Yet they make their homes in the crags; 27. The locusts have no king, Yet they all advance in ranks; 28. The spider skillfully grasps with its hands, And it is in kings’ palaces. 29. There are three things which are majestic in pace, Yes, four which are stately in walk: 30. A lion, which is mighty among beasts And does not turn away from any; 31 A greyhound, A male goat also, And a king whose troops are with him. 32. If you have been foolish in exalting yourself, Or if you have devised evil, put your hand on your mouth. 33. For as the churning of milk produces butter, And wringing the nose produces blood,So the forcing of wrath produces strife.

WE LIVE FOR THE KINGDOM But Seek Ye First The Kingdom Of God, And His Righteousness; And All These Things Shall Be Added Unto You (Matthew 6:33 KJV). In life, what you live for determines how you live. The Lord Jesus made it clear that your focus isn’t to be on the material things of this world but on the Kingdom. He said in Luke 12:15, “…Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Many worry about material possessions, but you don’t get better by worrying. No one ever did. The Master made this clear when He asked in Luke 12:25, “...which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?” Worry, rather than improve your condition, distracts you from your true calling. That’s why He said don’t be anxious about your life, what you’ll eat, what you’ll drink, or what you’ll wear. You’ve been called to a higher purpose. Your heavenly Father already made everything you require for life and godliness available to you: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). 2 Peter 1:3 says, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness…” 1 Corinthians 3:21 says, “…all things are yours.” Consequently, He tells you what your priority in life should be: seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. That means everywhere you are, be conscious of the Kingdom. In your family, among your friends, in your workplace, in your school, your concern should be: Is the Kingdom of God established here? If it isn’t, you bring it there. Make Christ known, and see to it that men receive and are established in His righteousness. Manifest His righteousness everywhere. This involves seeking what God wants, not what men want. Even when resolving issues amongst people, you don’t look for who’s right or wrong; you establish the righteousness of God. Many struggle and are frustrated in life because they’re seeking their own way, their own satisfaction. But true satisfaction comes from seeking God’s Kingdom and expressing His righteousness. That’s living for the Kingdom.

2 Samuel 15:1-34 1 Some time later, Absalom provided for himself a chariot with horses and fifty men to run ahead of him. 2 He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out and ask, “What city are you from?” And if he replied, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel,” 3 Absalom would say, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king has no deputy to hear you.” 4 And he would add, “If only someone would appoint me judge in the land, then everyone with a grievance or dispute could come to me, and I would give him justice.” 5 Also, when anyone approached to bow down to him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him, and kiss him. 6 Absalom did this to all the Israelites who came to the king for justice. In this way he stole the hearts of the men of Israel. 7...