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

🌐 DAY 3 — UMOH EDEM WEBSITE SUPPORT CAMPAIGN. 🙏 WE HAVE RECEIVED OUR FIRST ₦10,000 SUPPORT! Dear friends, followers, readers, and supporters, Today marks Day 3 of our 14-Day Website Support Campaign, and I am deeply grateful to God and to the first person who has stepped forward to support this vision with ₦10,000. I sincerely appreciate this act of kindness and belief in what we are building. May God bless and replenish you abundantly. 🙏 🎯 OUR GOAL: ₦268,044 📊 CURRENT PROGRESS Target: ₦268,044 Raised: ❤️ ₦10,000 Remaining: ₦258,044 Progress: 3.73% ████░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 3.73% We are only at the beginning, but every journey begins with a step. The vision is to establish: 🌐 WWW.UMOHEDEM.COM A digital home for my: 📚 Books & publications 📖 Biblical teachings 🎙️ Sermons 🙏 Devotionals 🎥 Video teachings 💡 Educational & AI resources 📢 Ministry information and updates ❤️ YOU CAN BE PART OF THIS VISION If you feel led to support, you can contribute ₦1,000, ₦2,000, ₦5,000, ₦10,000, ₦20,000, or any amount you can genuinely afford. If you cannot give financially, please pray and share this campaign. > "Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it." — Habakkuk 2:2 I have written the vision. I am taking the steps. And I believe God will use people to help make it a reality. 💳 SUPPORT DETAILS Bank: Access Bank Account Name: EDEM UMOH EFFIONG Account Number: 1590966697 After payment, kindly send your confirmation privately. 14-DAY CAMPAIGN: 📅 28 August – 10 September 2026 Thank you to everyone who has prayed, shared, encouraged, and supported this vision. We have started. 🙏 ₦10,000 down. ₦258,044 to go. UMOH EDEM Author | Christian Teacher | Evangelist

🙏 THANK YOU, LORD, FOR THE GIFT OF LIFE Good morning, people of God. Good morning, humanity. ❤️ This morning, I want to begin with one simple and powerful word: Thank You, Lord. We do not know why we were born or why God has given us the grace to still be alive today. We did not choose to come into this world. Yet the Supreme Being, the God of Israel, freely gave us the precious gift of life and the breath in our lungs. So, if I were standing where you are today, what would I say? I would simply say: “Lord, thank You for everything.” Thank You for life. Thank You for Your grace. Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the Holy Bible, which teaches us Your truth and gives us strength to believe, hope, and love more deeply each day. Every morning, I ask myself: “Lord, what can I still change in my life so that I can become a better person before You? How can I grow in holiness, humility, love, forgiveness, and truth?” Because walking with God is not simply about talking about God. It is about allowing God to transform the way we live. The Bible reminds us: “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.” — 1 Corinthians 6:19 If my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, how can I despise it? How can I use my life to hurt others, hate, lie, humiliate, or destroy? And Scripture also tells us: “So God created mankind in his own image.” — Genesis 1:27 My brother, my sister, take a moment and think about this: You were created in the image of God. And so was your neighbor. The person you love was created in God's image. The person you struggle to love was also created in God's image. So why should we despise someone whom God created? Why should we hurt someone whose life has value before God? Why should we live in pride when everything we have is ultimately a gift of grace? And there is another truth that should live in our hearts every day: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” — Galatians 2:20 Oh, Lord! If Christ truly lives in me, then my heart should reflect Christ. My words should reflect Christ. My actions should reflect Christ. The way I treat others should reflect Christ. My forgiveness should reflect Christ. My love should reflect Christ. Let us look around us and recognize the greatness of God. The birds of the sky, the trees, the stars, the beauty of creation—all remind us that we are not here by our own power. We are God's creation, standing before our Creator. And yet, God does not treat us according to our failures, our mistakes, or our pride. He continues to give us time. Time to repent. Time to change. Time to forgive. Time to love. Time to return to Him. That is the depth of His grace. God could have turned away from us because of our failures, but He continues to call us. He says, in essence: “Come back to Me. Change your heart. Love one another. Walk in truth.” That is why, people of God, we should never take life for granted. Every breath is a gift. Every morning is a blessing. Every new day is another opportunity to choose love, kindness, forgiveness, and faith. So let us not allow pride, hatred, ignorance, or bitterness to control our lives. Instead, let us ask God for hearts that reflect His character: A humble heart. A compassionate heart. A patient heart. A forgiving heart. A joyful heart. A heart ready to serve and do good. Jesus teaches us: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” — Matthew 22:39 Imagine what our world could look like if we truly lived by these words. Less hatred. Less revenge. Less violence. Less division. Less deception. And more forgiveness. More love. More respect. More kindness. More unity. More peace. More smiles. ❤️ That is a life that truly reflects God. So this morning, I invite you to say with me: 🙏 I was created in the image of God. 🙏 My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. 🙏 It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. And above all, let us pray: “Lord, I recognize that my life is a gift of Your grace. Keep me from pride. Teach me to be humble, to love, to forgive, to serve, and to walk in Your truth. Let my life be a testimony of Your goodness, Your mercy, and Your love.” People of God, let us recognize God's grace while we still have time. May our lives not simply be long, but meaningful, faithful, holy, valuable, and pleasing to God. May God give us the wisdom to understand that every human being is precious in His sight—and therefore, every human being should also be precious in our eyes. Let us choose peace. Let us choose forgiveness. Let us choose love. Let us choose hope. Let us choose to be a blessing to someone today. And let us never forget to smile and be grateful for the beautiful gift of another day. 😊❤️ Lord, thank You for life. Thank You for Your grace. Thank You for Your patience. Thank You for Your love. And above all, thank You because You give us another opportunity today to return to You, to love one another, and to make this world a better place. Amen. 🙏❤️ — Bagamang Bertrand, Evangelist

GLORIOUS SUNDAY SERMON OF 30TH AUGUST 2026 ENJOY THE FULL VIDEO HERE 👇👇👇 https://youtu.be/T62U2yJHrhw?si=l-o4gXx5UDI4_5mz PLEASE WATCH, LIKE, COMMENT AND SUBSCRIBE TO HELP MY CHANNEL GROW. THANKS 🙏 Beautiful people of God, congratulations for making it to the last Sunday of August! We give God all the glory for bringing us this far. Every day we have seen His mercy, His preservation, and His faithfulness. And as we come to the final Sunday of this month, let us not only celebrate how far God has brought us. Let us also ask ourselves a deeper question: If Jesus comes today, am I truly ready? Because the Rapture is real, but Jesus Christ is the real deal. And, that is the message before us today: THE REAL DEAL. LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Word. Open our hearts today and give us understanding. Let Your Word awaken us, examine us, and prepare us for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Above everything else, help us to know Jesus, live in Jesus, and remain in Jesus until the end. In Jesus' mighty name. Amen. LESSON: JOHN 14:1-3, 6 TOPIC: THE REAL DEAL TEXT: For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 (NKJV) INTRODUCTION: Jesus promised that He would come again and receive His people to Himself. Scripture teaches that the Lord will descend, the dead in Christ will rise, and those who are alive and remain will be caught up to meet Him in the air. But the Rapture is not the real deal. Jesus Christ is the real deal. Because without Jesus, there is no Rapture for us. No Jesus, no Rapture! EXPOSITION 1 THE RAPTURE IS REAL: We must first establish this clearly. The Rapture is not a Christian fairy tale. It is not something invented to frighten people. It is part of the hope given to the Church. Jesus said in John 14:3: “I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” Notice something very important. Jesus did not merely say, “I will send somebody for you.” He said: “I will come again.” And Paul gives us the picture in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. He says the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God. The dead in Christ will rise first, and those who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air. That is the Rapture. The word may be debated by people, but the biblical event is clearly described.There will be a resurrection. There will be a catching away. There will be a meeting in the air. And there will be a glorious reunion with the Lord. So, Christian, the Rapture is real. But don't stop there. Because there is something more important than knowing that the Rapture is real. You must know the One who is coming. The Rapture is an event. Jesus is the Person behind the event. The Rapture is a promise. Jesus is the Promiser. The Rapture is the catching away. Jesus is the One we are going to meet. That brings us to the heart of the message. EXPOSITION 2: JESUS CHRIST IS THE REAL DEAL From Genesis to Revelation, the great story of Scripture is pointing us toward God's redemptive work fulfilled in Christ. Jesus is not an addition to Christianity. Jesus is the center of Christianity. Remove Jesus, and Christianity has no foundation. Remove Jesus, and salvation has no meaning. Remove Jesus, and the resurrection has no hope. Remove Jesus, and the Gospel has no message. And remove Jesus from the Rapture... There is no Rapture for you. Jesus said in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Not a way. The way. Not a truth. The truth. Not merely someone who gives life. The life. That is why Jesus is the real deal. He is not an imitation Savior. He is not a religious symbol. He is not merely a great teacher among many teachers. He is the Son of God who came into the world, died for our sins, rose from the dead, and promised to come again. And notice how beautifully the Bible connects the resurrection, the Rapture, and Jesus. Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 4:14 that because Jesus died and rose again, believers have hope concerning those who have died in Christ. Then he proceeds to explain the coming of the Lord and the catching away. Everything points back to Jesus. So don't make the mistake of becoming more interested in escaping the earth than in knowing Christ. Don't become so fascinated by the Rapture that you forget the One who is coming. Don't spend all your time asking: “When will the Rapture happen?” and fail to ask: “Am I truly in Christ?” Because the greatest question is not: “Will there be a Rapture?” The greatest question is: “Will I be ready for Jesus?” EXPOSITION 3: NO JESUS, NO RAPTURE Now we come to the heart of the message. NO JESUS, NO RAPTURE! Let me say it again: NO JESUS, NO RAPTURE! Why? Look at the language of Scripture. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 does not simply say, “the dead shall rise.” It says: “The dead in Christ shall rise first.” That is the key. IN CHRIST. That is the qualification. The issue is not merely whether you attend church. The issue is whether you are in Christ. You may know Christian songs. No Jesus, no Rapture. You may carry a Bible. No Jesus, no Rapture. You may have a church position. No Jesus, no Rapture. You may be called Pastor, Evangelist, Prophet, Reverend or Minister. No Jesus, no Rapture. You may come from a Christian family. No Jesus, no Rapture. You may have been baptized. No Jesus, no Rapture. You may have preached to thousands. No Jesus, no Rapture. Because the Rapture is not a reward for religious appearance. It is the blessed hope of those who belong to Christ Jesus Himself said in Matthew 7:21 that not everyone who says, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven. That should make every one of us examine ourselves. Because there is a difference between knowing about Jesus and knowing Jesus. There is a difference between carrying Christianity and carrying Christ. There is a difference between having a religious identity and having a relationship with Jesus. So, my brother, my sister: Do you have Jesus? Not just religion. Jesus. Not just church. Jesus. Not just the language of Christianity. Jesus. Not just the appearance. Jesus. Because when that trumpet sounds, your title will not catch you up. Your denomination will not catch you up. Your money will not catch you up. Your popularity will not catch you up. Your social-media followers will not catch you up. It is Christ that matters. The Bible says: “The dead in Christ shall rise first.” And those who are alive and remain will be caught up to meet the Lord. So the destination is not even the most important thing. The destination is important because Jesus is there. Heaven is precious because Jesus is there. Eternal life is precious because Jesus is there. The Rapture is glorious because it brings us to Jesus. Therefore: THE RAPTURE IS REAL. BUT JESUS CHRIST IS THE REAL DEAL. NO JESUS, NO RAPTURE! Say it in your heart. NO JESUS, NO RAPTURE! Get Jesus right. Live for Jesus. Walk with Jesus. Remain in Jesus. And when Jesus comes... be ready to meet Him. CONCLUSION JESUS IS THE REAL DEAL 🤝! The message is simple. The Rapture is real. But don't make the Rapture your god. Jesus is the real deal. Don't merely prepare for an event. Prepare to meet a Person. Don't merely look for the trumpet. Look to Jesus. Because NO JESUS, NO RAPTURE. But if you are in Christ, you have the blessed hope that when He comes, you will meet Him in the air and be with Him forever. Jesus is the real deal. PRAYER Lord Jesus, I need You. Forgive my sins, cleanse my heart, and make me truly Yours. Remove every form of hypocrisy, lukewarmness, and false confidence from my life. Help me to remain in You, walk with You, and live ready for Your coming. When the trumpet sounds, may I be found in Christ. May I not miss You. May I not miss eternity. In Jesus' mighty name. Amen. GOODWILL MESSAGE May you never miss Jesus. May your heart remain faithful, your life remain ready, and your faith remain strong until the Lord comes. May you be found in Christ when the trumpet sounds. In Jesus' name, Amen. HAPPY GLORIOUS SUNDAY HAVE AN AMAZING WEEK MM LIKE IT OR NOT! JESUS IS COMING BACK AGAIN SOON!! REPENT AND BE READY FOR HIM!!! 🙋This Powerful message is brought to you With Love from Pastor M O Glorious, CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH , Palace of Mercy, Royal District, Restoration Zone. Damolapa, Laketu, Lucky Fibre, Ikorodu Lagos Nigeria. For prayer or counseling, pls contact us@ 08055646358: 09018952081 or peganmire[gmail].com #TheRealDeal #JesusChrist #RaptureIsReal #NoJesusNoRapture #JesusIsTheRealDeal #InChrist #ChristIsComing #BeReady #ChristianFaith #BlessedHope #JesusIsComingAgain #WatchAndPray #Maranatha #EternalLife

Good evening, brethren. 1. Evening devotion for today. ED.i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST* (COCIN DEVOTIONAL) *DATE:* FRIDAY 28TH AUGUST, 2026. *SUB-THEME:* YOUTHS: VESSELS OF GOD’S GRACE. *TOPIC:* HANDLING RELATIONSHIPS. *TEXT:* PHILIPPIANS 2:3-4. 3 Do not act out of selfish ambition or conceit, but with humility think of others as being better than yourselves. Rom 12:10 1Pe 5:5. 4 Do not be concerned about your own interests, but also be concerned about the interests of others. 1Co 10:24 1Co 13:5 [Exo 23:4]. *TOPIC:* HANDLING RELATIONSHIPS. *THE MESSAGE:* Jesus emptied Himself of His glory, identify with humanity's weakness. Paul urges believers to adopt the humble mindset of Christ in their interactions with others. A genuine relationship should not be driven by selfish ambition or pride but by humility and genuine concern for others. Valuing others above self fosters unity and strengthens bonds within God's family. Sadly, several believers associate with class, members of their profession, and what others have, using that to look down on others. Have you made a good impression on yourself and strained relationships in God's family? Remember, we are all products of grace, no matter who you are or what you have. When you recognise your uniqueness and the worth of others, you avoid pride and treat people with dignity and respect. *REFLECTION:* Treat people as God's creation. *PRAYER:* Lord, help me to treat others as I would be treated. Amen. *MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:* 2 TIMOTHY 2:21. "If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be instruments for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master, and prepared to do any good work." *TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:* EZEKIEL 44-48. ED.ii. DEAL WITH SETBACKS "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him." - Romans 8:28 My older brother John-Henry became seriously ill in 1958 just before the large campaign with Ps. T.L. Osborn was to take place on the Malieveld in The Hague, Holland. He was only two years old and had pleurisy. My parents believed in Divine healing and they also preached about that. They anointed their little boy with oil as the Bible teaches us in James 5 and prayed for healing. My parents prayed and believed that the Lord would heal their little one, but instead he died. It would have been easy for my parents to allow bitterness in their heart and get angry with God. But my parents did not allow this. They were not angry with God. God asked them: 'Do you still believe that I am the Lord, your Healer?' And they said: 'Yes Lord, we still believe that because Your Word says so.' Holland Wonder Campaign Three months later my father stood on stage next to Evangelist T.L. Osborn on the Malieveld, where hundreds of thousands of people came every day. Many, many came to Jesus and many people were healed. My father was appointed by God as the anointed translator for Evangelist Osborn, the servant of God. Stronger through setbacks Nowadays many people respond negatively to setbacks in their lives. They cannot believe that the Lord God can turn nasty situations into something good. Dear Christians, God will use those hard setbacks in your life to bring you to a higher spiritual level. Setbacks make you stronger if you process them properly. You have to be brave and hold on to God's Word through it all. https://www.theblessingdevotional.com 2. Evening Prayer for today. EP.i. Evening Prayer Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth in thee. ⏤ Isaiah 26:3 In prayer, it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart. ⏤ John Bunyan We thank You, our Father in Heaven, for the love that always shines upon us from Your face. We thank You for the quietness and peace that surround us at this evening hour. May the deep peace of Heaven fill our hearts. Teach us the lesson of quietness and confidence, and help us to rest in the assurance of Your love. Our hearts go out in compassion for the world. Lives are degraded and debased. All creation groans and labors in pain together. We long to do something to help this sinning world, to lift it out of its bondage. Show us what we can do. Give us true pity for the lost. May we have something of Jesus’ compassion, who gave His life to redeem the lost. We also think of the world’s sorrow. Everywhere we look, we see grief. Hearts are breaking. Homes are mourning. Teach us to sympathize with the sorrowing everywhere, and help us to do something to lighten the burdens of affliction and to comfort those who are grieving. Accept what we have done today for You. Our work may seem small in human eyes, but to You, nothing is small when it’s done in the name of Jesus. Take our small acts, our gentle deeds, our expressions of sympathy, and use them to make the world holier and sweeter. May they set off influences that will continue forever, spreading from heart to heart. Keep us safe through the hours of unconsciousness. Let no harm befall our home. May our first thought upon waking be of You. Bless us and prepare us for the duties and experiences of the new day. We ask all these favors in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/54/evening #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

I NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO BUILD SOMETHING IMPORTANT! Dear friends, followers, readers and supporters, I am working towards launching my official Author & Ministry Website: 🌐 WWW.UMOHEDEM.COM This website will become a central platform where people can access my: 📚 Books and publications 📖 Biblical teachings 🎙️ Sermons 🙏 Devotionals 🎥 Video teachings 💡 Educational and AI resources 📢 Ministry information and announcements For some time, I have been sharing these resources across different platforms. Now, I want to bring them together in one official digital home that can serve readers and followers around the world. 🎯 MY FUNDRAISING TARGET: ₦268,044 I am launching a 14-DAY WEBSITE SUPPORT CAMPAIGN, running from: 28 August – 10 September 2026 🙏 No amount is too small. You can support with: ₦1,000 ₦2,000 ₦5,000 ₦10,000 ₦20,000 —or any amount you can genuinely afford. If you cannot contribute financially, you can still support this vision by praying and sharing this message. 📊 CURRENT PROGRESS 🎯 Target: ₦268,044 ❤️ Raised: ₦0 🔻 Remaining: ₦268,044 📈 Progress: 0% 📖 "Write the vision, and make it plain..." — Habakkuk 2:2 💳 ACCOUNT DETAILS Bank: Access Bank Account Name: EDEM UMOH EFFIONG Account Number: 1590966697 After making a contribution, kindly send your payment confirmation privately. Please never send your PIN, OTP, password, CVV, or other banking security information to anyone. I will provide regular updates on the progress of this campaign so that everyone can see how far we have gone. Thank you for believing in the vision, supporting my work, and standing with me. UMOH EDEM Author | Christian Teacher | Evangelist 📱 WhatsApp: +2349024173027 / +2349055447540 📧 Email: pastor.umoedem

Écriture 🌍 FUNDING & PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY – DIGITAL EVANGELISM, PEACE & COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION I am pleased to present a project that is very close to my heart: Digital Evangelism, Peace, Education and Community Transformation Initiative, led by Bagamang Evangelist's Ministry in Chad. As a Christian servant and evangelist, my sincere motivation is to use the opportunities and gifts God has given me to serve humanity, share the Gospel, encourage young people, promote peace and reconciliation, and use digital platforms responsibly to spread messages of hope, education and positive values. For some time, I have been using social media to evangelise, educate, encourage and promote peace. However, one major challenge is the lack of appropriate audiovisual equipment to produce high-quality videos, educational programs, interviews and digital awareness content capable of reaching a wider audience. 🎯 Our vision is to establish a sustainable digital media capacity that will allow us to: • Produce quality evangelistic and educational videos • Promote peace, reconciliation and social cohesion • Encourage young people through education and positive values • Promote responsible use of social media and the Internet • Train young people and volunteers in basic digital media skills • Reach communities locally, nationally and internationally through digital platforms The project is planned for 24 months, with an indicative budget of up to AUD 60,000, subject to the official funding requirements and eligibility criteria applicable to Chad. The project can also receive partial financial support, audiovisual equipment, computers, technical training, mentorship, Internet/digital services or other eligible in-kind contributions. Every contribution is valuable and can be adapted to the priorities and capacity of the partner or donor. 🙏🏽 My personal testimony and motivation I am not seeking support simply to acquire equipment. I am seeking partners who believe that digital communication can become a powerful instrument for education, peace, hope and positive transformation. I have continued this work with the limited resources available to me because I believe that what God has placed in our hands should be used to serve others and bring glory to Him. With appropriate tools and partnerships, I believe this work can reach many more people. My academic and professional background includes Christian leadership training at the Christian Leadership Institute in Michigan, USA (2022), a Bachelor's Degree in Humanitarian Project Management, and training in political advisory/public policy in Ghana, together with experience in education, leadership, project management and community engagement. I am therefore open to working with foundations, NGOs, churches, development partners, companies, individual donors and organisations that share this vision. 📌 PROJECT CONTACT Bagamang Baldere Bertrand Founder & Evangelist Bagamang Evangelist's Ministry – Chad 📧 Email: bagamangbertrand[gmail].com 📱 WhatsApp: +235 66 19 40 85 🌐 Platform: Bagamang Evangelist's Ministry 📄 A complete professional project proposal in PDF and Word format is available upon request for interested partners and donors. Together, we can use digital communication to educate, inspire, evangelise, promote peace and contribute to the transformation of communities. 🙏🏽 May God bless every person, organisation and partner who chooses to support positive change and the service of humanity. #FundingOpportunity #DigitalEvangelism #Peacebuilding #CommunityDevelopment #Education #YouthEmpowerment #DigitalTransformation #SocialCohesion #Chad #Africa #NGO #Partnership #ChristianLeadership #Evangelism

GIVING TO GOD: A MATTER OF FAITH, LOVE, AND RESPONSIBILITY Good morning, dear brothers and sisters! 🙏🏾❤️ Every morning that God gives us the breath of life is already a reason to say, “Thank You, Lord!” We should never take life for granted or assume that it is automatic or guaranteed. “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” — Psalm 118:24 The Bible teaches us that giving to God and supporting His work should be done with love, faith, freedom, and a sincere heart—not under pressure or manipulation. 1. GOD LOOKS FIRST AT THE HEART ❤️ Jesus taught that it is not necessarily the amount we give that matters most, but the heart with which we give. In Mark 12:41–44, Jesus observed a poor widow who placed two small coins into the Temple treasury. In the eyes of people, her offering was very small. But Jesus explained that she had given sincerely, according to what she had. This teaches us an important truth: God does not ask a person who has nothing to give what they do not have. He looks at faith, sincerity, and the condition of the heart. 2. THE BIBLE ENCOURAGES GENEROSITY—NOT PRESSURE 2 Corinthians 9:7 says: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” This is a fundamental Christian principle. A pastor, evangelist, or church may honestly explain the needs of the ministry, present projects, and invite people to participate. But no one should manipulate people's consciences by saying, for example: “If you don't give, God will punish you.” Christian generosity should be free, voluntary, joyful, and motivated by love. ❤️ 3. THE TITHE IN THE BIBLE Tithing appears clearly in the Old Testament, particularly in Malachi 3:10, where it was part of Israel's religious system. In the New Testament, Jesus also speaks about tithing, including in Matthew 23:23, while emphasizing the greater matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Therefore, we should never turn the tithe into a tool of pressure or a magical formula for receiving God's blessings. Giving is not buying God's blessing. God is not a businessman, and an offering is not a payment intended to force God to give us something in return. 4. WHAT SHOULD A PERSON DO IF THEY HAVE NOTHING? A person who has very little should never be humiliated because they cannot give financially. They can serve God in many other ways: 🙏🏾 Through prayer ⏰ Through their time 💡 Through their skills 🤝 Through their work 📖 Through evangelism ❤️ Through encouragement 🫂 Through helping others 🏠 Through hospitality 🗣️ Through their testimony Jesus never taught that the value of a Christian depends on how much money they give. Your value before God is not measured by the size of your wallet. ❤️ 5. HOW CAN A MAN OF GOD SUPPORT HIS MINISTRY? This is where we need balance and wisdom. A servant of God can honestly present the needs of his ministry, such as: Evangelism and outreach Renting or building a place of worship Audio and video equipment Transportation Helping widows Supporting orphans Youth programs Community development and other ministry activities Then he can invite those who are able to participate voluntarily and according to their means. The Bible also teaches that those who proclaim the Gospel may receive support through the work they do (1 Corinthians 9:13–14). But a servant of God must also practice transparency and integrity. When donations are received, there should be accountability regarding how the funds are used. Proper records should be maintained, and personal finances should not be carelessly mixed with ministry funds. 6. OUR RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD WIDOWS AND VULNERABLE PEOPLE The Bible places great importance on widows, orphans, the poor, and vulnerable people. James 1:27 reminds us that pure and genuine religion includes caring for orphans and widows in their distress. Therefore, when a church or ministry receives resources, it should not think only about buildings and equipment. It should also ask: “How can we use what God has entrusted to us to help people who are suffering?” 7. AN INVITATION WITHOUT PRESSURE 🙏🏾❤️ To everyone who desires to support a Christian ministry: If God has blessed you with resources and you feel led to support the Gospel, you are welcome to contribute freely and joyfully. You can give financially, materially, through your time, your skills, or your prayers. But if you are personally going through a difficult season and cannot give financially, please do not feel guilty. Your prayers matter. Your encouragement matters. Your presence matters. Your faith matters. Your worth before God does not depend on your ability to give money. ❤️ CONCLUSION Our goal is not to take people's money. Our goal is to serve God, proclaim the Gospel, build a lasting ministry, and bring hope and practical help to people in need. I desire to develop my ministry, reach more people with the Gospel, build a sustainable work, and especially support widows, orphans, and vulnerable people. But I want to do this with truth, integrity, transparency, accountability, and without pressure. To those who are able to support this vision: Thank you for your love, generosity, and partnership. 🙏🏾❤️ To those who cannot give financially: Thank you as well for your prayers, your presence, your encouragement, and your faith. 😊🙏🏾 May everything we do be done with love, transparency, wisdom, and respect, so that God may be glorified. “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” — 2 Corinthians 9:7 🙏🏾❤️ May God bless every family, every donor, every supporter, and every person who serves His work with a sincere heart. IN SUMMARY You can ask people to support your ministry, but present a clear vision, genuine needs, and honest goals. Allow everyone to decide freely. Be accountable for how funds are used, and never make people believe that they will be cursed, rejected by God, or condemned simply because they do not have money to give. That is a healthy, responsible, and biblically defensible way to develop a ministry. 🙏🏾❤️😊 May God bless you all abundantly, and may everything we do bring glory to His name. With love, faith, and a joyful heart. ❤️🙏🏾😊

🔥👑 REJECTED BY MEN, BUT CHOSEN BY GOD! There are seasons when men may overlook you, reject you, or fail to recognize what God has placed inside you. David was not even invited when Samuel came to Jesse’s house. He was out in the sheepfold. 🐑 But while men overlooked him, God had already chosen him! 🔥 In this powerful message, Rev. Uyobong Richard, my spiritual father, mentor and father in the faith, takes us into the depths of 1 Samuel 16, revealing powerful lessons about divine selection, preparation, calling and purpose. And then came a deeply significant moment in my own journey: 🙏🏽🔥 MY ORDINATION AS AN EVANGELIST & APOSTLE OF THE BODY OF CHRIST! A sacred moment of calling, commissioning, consecration and divine assignment, led chiefly by my spiritual father,Rev. Uyobong Richard alongside Bishop Dr. Hope Ekong and other ministers of the Gospel. ❤️‍🔥 The message is simple: You may be overlooked by men, but you are not overlooked by God. You may be rejected by people, but still be chosen by Heaven! 👑🔥 🎥 WATCH THE FULL MESSAGE & ORDINATION: 🔗🖇️https://youtu.be/ZhrsEx_h-LY?si=D7fuGntt3UtJdexLhttps://https://https:// After watching, declare boldly in the comments: 🔥 “I AM CHOSEN BY GOD!” 👑 👍 Like 💬 Comment 📲 Share 🔔 Subscribe to GSIM TV #RejectedByMenChosenByGod #ChosenByGod #Ordination #DivineCalling #1Samuel16 #GSIMTV #TheLordsbook

Good evening, brethren. 1. Evening devotion for today. E.D.i. [27/08, 4:53 am] EBS ZY Nehemiah: *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST* (COCIN DEVOTIONAL) *DATE:* THURSDAY 27TH AUGUST 2026. *SUB-THEME:* YOUTHS: VESSELS OF GOD’S GRACE. *TOPIC:* RIGHTLY CHOOSING A LIFE PARTNER. *PROVERBS 3:5–6.* 5. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding 6. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. *PROVERBS 24:3–4.* 3. By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established. 4. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. *TOPIC:* RIGHTLY CHOOSING A LIFE PARTNER. *THE MESSAGE:* The decision we make today can make or mar us. Today's texts caution us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and to acknowledge Him in all our ways, rather than relying on our understanding. They remind us that a house is built by wisdom and established through understanding. This serves as a compass in decision-making, especially when choosing a life partner. Choosing a life partner is a significant decision that should be guided by God's wisdom rather than personal feelings, physical appearances, or family and cultural influences. Couples to-be must involved God by seeking His will and be willing to obey His directives. Seeking counsel from spiritual leaders is a sign of wisdom, not a sign of weakness. Do not rush into marriage and end up in a separation. Patiently and prayerfully wait on God's timing to author your love story. *REFLECTION:* Only God knows the future; follow His leading. *PRAYER:* Lord, help me to learn to trust in You. Amen. *MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:* 2 TIMOTHY 2:21. "If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be instruments for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master, and prepared to do any good work." *TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:* EZEKIEL 40–43. [27/08, 4:53 am] EBS ZY Nehemiah: *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST* (COCIN DEVOTIONAL) *DATE:* THURSDAY 27TH AUGUST 2026. *SUB-THEME:* YOUTHS: VESSELS OF GOD’S GRACE. *TOPIC:* RIGHTLY CHOOSING A LIFE PARTNER. *PROVERBS 3:5–6.* 5. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding 6. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. *PROVERBS 24:3–4.* 3. By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established. 4. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. *TOPIC:* RIGHTLY CHOOSING A LIFE PARTNER. *THE MESSAGE:* The decision we make today can make or mar us. Today's texts caution us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and to acknowledge Him in all our ways, rather than relying on our understanding. They remind us that a house is built by wisdom and established through understanding. This serves as a compass in decision-making, especially when choosing a life partner. Choosing a life partner is a significant decision that should be guided by God's wisdom rather than personal feelings, physical appearances, or family and cultural influences. Couples to-be must involved God by seeking His will and be willing to obey His directives. Seeking counsel from spiritual leaders is a sign of wisdom, not a sign of weakness. Do not rush into marriage and end up in a separation. Patiently and prayerfully wait on God's timing to author your love story. *REFLECTION:* Only God knows the future; follow His leading. *PRAYER:* Lord, help me to learn to trust in You. Amen. *MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:* 2 TIMOTHY 2:21. "If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be instruments for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master, and prepared to do any good work." *TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:* EZEKIEL 40–43. EP.ii. DEAL WITH SETBACKS "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him." - Romans 8:28 My older brother John-Henry became seriously ill in 1958 just before the large campaign with Ps. T.L. Osborn was to take place on the Malieveld in The Hague, Holland. He was only two years old and had pleurisy. My parents believed in Divine healing and they also preached about that. They anointed their little boy with oil as the Bible teaches us in James 5 and prayed for healing. My parents prayed and believed that the Lord would heal their little one, but instead he died. It would have been easy for my parents to allow bitterness in their heart and get angry with God. But my parents did not allow this. They were not angry with God. God asked them: 'Do you still believe that I am the Lord, your Healer?' And they said: 'Yes Lord, we still believe that because Your Word says so.' Holland Wonder Campaign Three months later my father stood on stage next to Evangelist T.L. Osborn on the Malieveld, where hundreds of thousands of people came every day. Many, many came to Jesus and many people were healed. My father was appointed by God as the anointed translator for Evangelist Osborn, the servant of God. Stronger through setbacks Nowadays many people respond negatively to setbacks in their lives. They cannot believe that the Lord God can turn nasty situations into something good. Dear Christians, God will use those hard setbacks in your life to bring you to a higher spiritual level. Setbacks make you stronger if you process them properly. You have to be brave and hold on to God's Word through it all. https://www.theblessingdevotional.com 2. Evening Prayer for today. EP.i. Evening Prayer This [is] the day [which] the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. ⏤ Psalm 118:24 A day without prayer is a day without blessing, and a life without prayer is a life without power. ⏤ Edwin Harvey O blessed Jesus, whom we love even though we have not seen You, in whom, though we do not see You, we believe and rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory—we come to You at the close of another day. Abide with us, for it is evening, and the day is almost over. The night will be as bright as day if You are with us, for it is never dark where You are. We bring to You the joys of this day. All the happiness we have experienced came from You. Every fragment of beauty we enjoyed was from Your hand. You made the blue skies, the green fields, the lovely flowers, the birds with their sweet songs, and all the beautiful things in this world. You made the children whose voices bring music into our homes. The sunshine is Yours, and the stars are from Your hand. It’s amazing what a beautiful world You have made just to be our home. Our hearts are full of praise as we think of all these things that show Your loving thought for us. We lay our burdens down at Your feet. What we have done today, we bring to You for Your blessing, for no work is complete until it bears Your touch and blessing. Finish what we have begun. Cleanse what our soiled hands have stained. Correct what our clumsiness has marred. If we have neglected any duty, forgive us and show us what it is so that we may still try to do it. Teach us more and more to be thoughtful, watchful, and alert so that we may do what we ought to do, that we may hear the cries of human need from weary hearts around us, calling us to acts of love. May we live ever closer to Jesus, and then we will know what we ought to do. Bless us, Father, for Jesus’ sake. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/53/evening #taptapstudio #youdevotion.