Hello, I would like to share with you the message from 31 août 2026 from “The Good Seed” daily calendar.


Then as He entered a village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said: Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. (Luke 17:12-13)

Quarantine
The virus has struck: now we as a family are in quarantine for two weeks. Inevitably, I think of the men described in Luke 17. They are also in quarantine, suffering from leprosy, a highly contagious disease that was widespread at that time.
 We don’t know how they came together. They are obviously fellow sufferers – outcasts, destitute and desperate.
 But then they hear about Jesus, who is said to perform miracles. They adhere to the “social distancing” rules, but they cry out loudly for mercy – perhaps their last hope.
 When Jesus sees them, He says to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” The priests couldn’t perform miracles, but in the case of healing they were allowed to issue a “certificate of healing”.
 Obediently, the ten lepers set out. What do they have to lose? And then the miracle happens: they feel a change in their bodies. They are healed! Their joy is indescribable. But then the group breaks apart. One of them turns back. He no longer needs to maintain a distance as he is healed. He falls before Jesus and thanks Him for the miracle. From the mouth of the Saviour, he hears the words: “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.” However, Jesus rightfully asks: “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?”
 What about us? Are we healed and cured of our “sin sickness”? If so, are we truly grateful to Him?

Today’s reading: Judges 3:1-11 – 2 Corinthians 3:1-6

**Woe to you, pastors leading the Lord's sheep into the pit**

In Luke 12, Jesus tells the parable of a rich man whose land produced abundantly. And what did he do? He only thought about accumulating: *"I will bestow all my fruits and my goods... soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry"* (Luke 12:18-19). But God interrupted that plan with a sentence that chills the blood: *"Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?"* (v. 20). A man full of material blessings, and completely empty of soul. Rich before men, and destitute before God.

Jesus made the right path clear: *"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you"* (Matthew 6:33). Blessings come as a consequence of seeking God — never as the goal itself. When that order gets reversed, when ministry becomes a means to easy living, something has already gone deeply wrong.

And today, pastor, this word is for you — the one who traded the calling for convenience. You who built your wealth on the tithe of people who barely had enough to eat. You who promised healing, promised deliverance, promised miracles — and charged for it. You who saw the sheep suffering and, instead of caring for it, saw an opportunity for profit. Be careful. Because the same God who told the rich fool "this night thy soul shall be required of thee" will say the same to you, and on that day your imported car, your big house, your well-known name — none of it will defend you.

Remember: you can accumulate wealth, you can steal from the Lord's sheep, you can deceive for years without anyone confronting you here on earth. But no pastor escapes the final sentence. Every sheep lost because of you, every one who gave up on faith because you exploited her instead of shepherding her — her blood cries out, and God has already warned: *"his blood will I require at the watchman's hand"* (Ezekiel 33:6). You won't answer only for your own soul — you'll answer for every life that trusted you and was betrayed.

And the consequence doesn't stop with you. It follows your generation. Your family carries the weight of what you did with what was sacred, because there is no true blessing built on theft, lies, and the exploitation of God's people. What is sown is reaped — and sometimes the one who reaps it is the one you love most.

If you recognized yourself in this message, there's still time. Drop the scheme, drop the offering disguised as faith, drop the pulpit that became a business. Go back to being what God called you to be: a watchman, not a salesman. A shepherd, not a wolf in a robe.

*Remember that the Word of God is a statute.*
Annabel Allu

Daily Devotional
A father to the poor.

I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out. Job 29:16

This was an evidence that Job had righteousness that was after Christ’s order. Through Jesus men may possess a spirit of tender pity toward the needy and distressed.... He descended to the lowest humiliation and was obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, that He might exalt us to be joint heirs with Himself. The whole world was in need of that which Christ alone could give them. He did not withdraw Himself from those who called upon Him for help. He did not do as many now do, say, “I wish they would not trouble me with their affairs. I want to hoard up my means, to invest it in houses and lands.” Jesus, the Majesty of heaven, turned from the splendor of His heavenly home, and in the gracious purpose of His heart He demonstrated the character of God to men throughout the world.

Take away poverty, and we should have no way of understanding the mercy and love of God, no way of knowing the compassionate and sympathetic heavenly Father.

First meet the temporal necessities of the needy and relieve their physical wants and sufferings, and you will then find an open avenue to the heart, where you may plant the good seeds of virtue and religion.

Never does the gospel put on an aspect of greater loveliness than when it is brought to the most needy and destitute regions.... Truth from the Word of God enters the hovel of the peasant and lights up the rude cottages of the poor.... Rays from the Sun of Righteousness bring gladness to the sick and suffering. Angels of God are there.... Those who have been loathed and abandoned are raised through faith and pardon to the dignity of sons and daughters of God.

*****

Christianity is the solace of the poor. [245]

Daily Devotional
Clothe the naked.

I was ... naked, and ye clothed me. Matthew 25:35, 36

Christ ... says, It was I who was hungry and thirsty. It was I who was a stranger. It was I who was sick. It was I who was in prison.... While you crowded your wardrobe with rich apparel, I was destitute. While you pursued your pleasures, I languished in prison.

When you doled out the pittance of bread to the starving poor, when you gave those flimsy garments to shield them from the biting frost, did you remember that you were giving to the Lord of glory? All the days of your life I was near you in the person of these afflicted ones, but you did not seek Me. You would not enter into fellowship with Me.

In the professed Christian world there is enough expended in extravagant display, for jewels and ornaments, to supply the wants of all the hungry and clothe the naked in our towns and cities; and yet these professed followers of the meek and lowly Jesus need not deprive themselves of suitable food or comfortable clothing. What will these church members say when confronted in the day of God by the worthy poor, the afflicted, the widows and fatherless, who have known pinching want for the meager necessities of life, while there was expended by these professed followers of Christ, for superfluous clothing, and needless ornaments expressly forbidden in the Word of God, enough to supply all their wants?

In the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah the work that the people of God are to do in Christ’s lines is clearly set forth. They are to break every yoke, they are to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked.... If they carry out the principles of the law of God in acts of mercy and love, they will represent the character of God to the world, and receive the richest blessings of Heaven. [242]

Daily Devotional
Deal my bread to the hungry.

Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? Isaiah 58:7

What is pure religion? Christ has told us that pure religion is the exercise of pity, sympathy, and love, in the home, in the church, and in the world....

We are to think and care for others who need our love, our tenderness, and care. We should ever remember that we are representatives of Christ, and that we are to share the blessings that He gives, not with those who can recompense us again, but with those who will appreciate the gifts that will supply their temporal and spiritual necessities. Those who give feasts for the purpose of helping those who have but little pleasure, for the purpose of bringing brightness into their dreary lives, for the purpose of relieving their poverty and distress, are acting unselfishly and in harmony with the instruction of Christ.

All around us we see want and suffering. Families are in need of food; little ones are crying for bread. The houses of the poor lack proper furniture and bedding. Many live in mere hovels which are almost destitute of conveniences. The cry of the poor reaches to heaven. God sees; God hears.

The work of gathering in the needy ... is the very work which every church that believes the truth for this time should long since have been doing. We are to show the tender sympathy of the Samaritan in supplying physical necessities, feeding the hungry, bringing the poor that are cast out to our homes, gathering from God every day grace and strength that will enable us to reach to the very depths of human misery and help those who cannot possibly help themselves. In doing this work we have a favorable opportunity to set forth Christ the crucified One. [241]

PROVERB OF THE DAY

(Proverbs 15)

1. A soft answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.

2. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,
But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

3. The eyes of the LORD are in every place,
Keeping watch on the evil and the good.

4. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,
But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

5. A fool despises his father’s instruction,
But he who receives correction is prudent.

6. In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.

7. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge,
But the heart of the fool does not do so.

8. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
But the prayer of the upright is His delight.

9. The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
But He loves him who follows righteousness.

10. Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way,
And he who hates correction will die.

11. Hell and Destruction are before the LORD;
So how much more the hearts of the sons of men.

12. A scoffer does not love one who corrects him,
Nor will he go to the wise.

13. A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance,
But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

14. The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

15.All the days of the afflicted are evil,
But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.

16. Better is a little with the fear of the LORD,
Than great treasure with trouble.

17. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is,
Than a fatted calf with hatred.

18. A wrathful man stirs up strife,
But he who is slow to anger allays contention.

19. The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns,
But the way of the upright is a highway.

20. A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish man despises his mother.

21. Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment,
But a man of understanding walks uprightly.

22. Without counsel, plans go awry,
But in the multitude of counselors they are established.

23. A man has joy by the answer of his mouth,
And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!

24. The way of life winds upward for the wise,
That he may turn away from hell below.

25. The LORD will destroy the house of the proud,
But He will establish the boundary of the widow.

26. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD,
But the words of the pure are pleasant.

27. He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,
But he who hates bribes will live.

28. The heart of the righteous studies how to answer,
But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.

29. The LORD is far from the wicked,
But He hears the prayer of the righteous.

30. The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
And a good report makes the bones healthy.

31. The ear that hears the rebukes of life
Will abide among the wise.

32. He who disdains instruction despises his own soul,
But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.

33. The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom,
And before honor is humility.

PROVERB OF THE DAY

(Proverbs 15)

1. A soft answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.

2. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,
But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

3. The eyes of the LORD are in every place,
Keeping watch on the evil and the good.

4. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,
But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

5. A fool despises his father’s instruction,
But he who receives correction is prudent.

6. In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.

7. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge,
But the heart of the fool does not do so.

8. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
But the prayer of the upright is His delight.

9. The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
But He loves him who follows righteousness.

10. Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way,
And he who hates correction will die.

11. Hell and Destruction are before the LORD;
So how much more the hearts of the sons of men.

12. A scoffer does not love one who corrects him,
Nor will he go to the wise.

13. A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance,
But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

14. The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

15.All the days of the afflicted are evil,
But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.

16. Better is a little with the fear of the LORD,
Than great treasure with trouble.

17. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is,
Than a fatted calf with hatred.

18. A wrathful man stirs up strife,
But he who is slow to anger allays contention.

19. The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns,
But the way of the upright is a highway.

20. A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish man despises his mother.

21. Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment,
But a man of understanding walks uprightly.

22. Without counsel, plans go awry,
But in the multitude of counselors they are established.

23. A man has joy by the answer of his mouth,
And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!

24. The way of life winds upward for the wise,
That he may turn away from hell below.

25. The LORD will destroy the house of the proud,
But He will establish the boundary of the widow.

26. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD,
But the words of the pure are pleasant.

27. He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,
But he who hates bribes will live.

28. The heart of the righteous studies how to answer,
But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.

29. The LORD is far from the wicked,
But He hears the prayer of the righteous.

30. The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
And a good report makes the bones healthy.

31. The ear that hears the rebukes of life
Will abide among the wise.

32. He who disdains instruction despises his own soul,
But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.

33. The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom,
And before honor is humility.

*The Prayer of the Helpless...*

"He will not despise the prayer of the destitute; He will accept their plea" (Psalm 102:16).

Our God is a God who hears prayer. He accepts not only the words we speak when we open our mouths in *distress*, but also the tears we shed as prayer. He blesses us by answering in due time.

The only son of a widow from the town of *Nain* had died. The Scripture tells us that Jesus, seeing the weeping mother's tears, was moved with compassion; He approached, touched the bier, and raised the young man back to life.

Similarly, *Hagar*, who had been sent away with her child, sat at a distance in the wilderness—saying, "I cannot bear to watch the child die"—and wept aloud. This weeping, too, was accepted as prayer in God's presence. God heard the voice of the child.

Even during *difficult times when we cannot pray*, our tears move God to act.

*In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words* (Romans 8:26).

Amen.

DEARLY BELOVED IN CHRIST,*

I come to you with a humble and burdened heart.

In less than *4 days*, by the grace of God, we will begin our *4-day residential camp* for *orphans, destitute and less privileged children* here in Umuchukwu.

I believe in the God of the last minute. But I also believe God works through willing partners.

Please, make yourself available for this great service to humanity. The burden is heavy on me. I know this is my calling, but I cannot do it alone. I am seeking your support and partnership.

This is *Kingdom business, not mine*.
_“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”_ *Matthew 25:40*

Thank you and God bless you richly.
*Rev. Collins Ogbonna*

DEARLY BELOVED IN CHRIST,*

I come to you with a humble and burdened heart.

In less than *4 days*, by the grace of God, we will begin our *4-day residential camp* for *orphans, destitute and less privileged children* here in Umuchukwu.

I believe in the God of the last minute. But I also believe God works through willing partners.

Please, make yourself available for this great service to humanity. The burden is heavy on me. I know this is my calling, but I cannot do it alone. I am seeking your support and partnership.

This is *Kingdom business, not mine*.
_“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”_ *Matthew 25:40*

Thank you and God bless you richly.
*Rev. Collins Ogbonna*