I know this might be a little long but I think you will be blessed and praising God after you read it. 2 Thessalonians 1:5-12 NKJV which is manifest evidence of the righteousness judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our god and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Zechariah 11: "1 Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars. 2 Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage* is come down. 3 There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled. 4 Thus saith the LORD my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter; 5 Whose possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty: and they that sell them say, Blessed be the LORD; for I am rich: and their own shepherds pity them not. 6 For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD: but, lo, I will deliver the men every one into his neighbour's hand, and into the hand of his king: and they shall smite the land, and out of their hand I will not deliver them. 7 And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock. 8 Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me. 9 Then said I, I will not feed you: that that dieth, let it die; and that that is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let the rest eat every one the flesh of another. 10 And I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people. 11 And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the LORD. 12 And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. 13 And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD. 14 Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel. 15 And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd. 16 For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces. 17 Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened."

*TWO MEN GOING TO THE VILLAGE CALLED EMAUSI* Part 1c – *Their Eyes Opened When the Bread Was Broken* https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAU9dB1t90jjJSstw3E Luke 24:14 – They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 – As they discussed these things, Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. Luke 24:30 – When He was at the table with them, He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him, and He disappeared from their sight. 32 – They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” 33 – They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 – Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when He broke the bread. --- Why Were Their Eyes Closed? ▪️ The men were spiritually blind. They spoke of Jesus but did not know Him. Jesus was preached to the blind. This blindness is the very condition Christ came to heal. Sin blinds the heart. Every sinner is spiritually blind. --- The Mission of Christ Luke 4:18–19 – “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Jesus declares: I was sent that the blind may see. He is the Word of God (John 1:1,14; Revelation 19:13). The Word was anointed and sent so that the blind may see. --- Spiritual Blindness 2 Corinthians 4:4 – The god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. This “god of the world” is Satan (John 12:31; 16:11). The blind are known by: - Unbelief in the Word of Christ. - Clinging to false gospels and traditions. - Practicing evil. - Mocking the living God. - Being antichrists, preaching against the truth. --- God’s Love Revealed The two men recognized Jesus when He broke the bread. Luke 24:30–35 shows that the breaking of bread opened their eyes. Compare with Matthew 26:26 – While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is My body.” --- Meaning of the Bread - The blessed bread is righteousness (Acts 3:26). - The bread is His body – the Church (Colossians 1:18). - The Church is the body, the bread, the food that opens blind eyes. When the two men ate the bread, they were enlightened. They ate the Church – the blessed body – and were opened to salvation. --- Jesus the Living Bread John 6:35, 50–51 – “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that anyone may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” --- What Did Jesus Mean? - “I am the Church (the body-bread) living from heaven.” - “I am the Church that gives eternal life.” The two blind men lived when they ate this bread from heaven. Their eyes were opened, they entered the Church, and they knew the living God. Now you too may be among the blind, but if you hear the Word and believe, you will be saved. Amen.🌱 Let’s grow together in faith, wisdom, and grace of JesusChrist. 👉 Click to join our whatsaap Channel now:  https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaEKxaVG3R3exEJg2b1D

✦✦✦ CHRIST TEMPLE ✦✦✦ Date: April 18, 2026 📖 Today’s God’s Promise Subject: A Fragrant Life 📖 “He went to him and kissed him. When Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he blessed him and said, ‘Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed.’” — Genesis 27:27 Dear beloved, When Jacob came near, Isaac recognized the fragrance of his garments. That fragrance was not ordinary—it revealed the blessing of God. A life blessed by God carries a unique fragrance. Just as Jacob had the fragrance of the field, our lives too should spread a spiritual fragrance when we walk in God’s presence. Like the sweet aroma of flowers blooming in the fields of Sharon, our behavior, words, and service should become a pleasing fragrance to God. Those who see our lives should say, “Behold, this life is filled with God’s blessing.” The fragrance of Christ within us should attract those around us. Today, let us examine ourselves— Is our life spreading God’s fragrance, or is it filled with the scent of the world? Let us remain in God’s presence and seek His grace so that our lives may become a sweet aroma… Amen. ✦✦✦ 📞 For prayer, please contact: Dr. N. Balu: +91 8142229661 ✦✦✦

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 ✍️ “𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘤𝘳𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯'𝘴 𝘦𝘢𝘳, 𝘌𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘳.” Unanswered prayers can leave us frustrated, don’t they? Words spoken, yet no visible change—petitions offered, yet no breakthrough. We whisper when we should wrestle; we sigh when we should strive. Whether weary from delay or distracted in prayer, the question is not whether we pray, but whether we pray fervently. 🕮 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝟓:𝟏𝟔 declares, “𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘷𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩.” James writes to suffering believers, reminding them that prayer is not a ritual but to be taken seriously in faith. “𝘌𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭” refers to having adequate prayer producing an effect; “𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵” speaks of eagerness—earnest, with great adoration. This is an alive prayer, not empty words but fueled by faith. Like fire laid upon dry wood, a weak spark quickly dies—but a fervent flame consumes. So, it is with prayer. Cold words fall powerless, but fervent cries rise with force. Prayer is not casual speech—it is spiritual combustion that ascends and avails much before God. Scripture confirms this prevailing power. Elijah prayed, and the heavens withheld rain for three years (𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝟓:𝟏𝟕). He prayed again, and the heavens gave rain. Hannah prayed, and God opened her womb (𝟏 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝟏:𝟏𝟎–𝟐𝟎). Daniel prayed, and heaven moved in the unseen realm (𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐥 𝟏𝟎:𝟏𝟐–𝟏𝟑). Prayer is not passive—it is powerful. God responds to earnest, believing prayer. “𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘦” (𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐚𝐡 𝟑𝟑:𝟑). “𝘈𝘴𝘬, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶” (𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝟕:𝟕). “𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘴𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦, 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘰 𝘪𝘵” (𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝟏𝟒:𝟏𝟒). Like a man knocking at midnight until the door opens, fervent prayer refuses to quit (𝐋𝐮𝐤𝐞 𝟏𝟏:𝟖). It is not loudness, but persistence; not performance, but dependence. The power is not in us—but in the God who hears. Christ secured our access to this prevailing prayer. “𝘏𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦, 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘯, 𝘣𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘑𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘴” (𝐇𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝟏𝟎:𝟏𝟗). Through His finished work, we do not stand at a distance—we draw near with confidence. Our prayers prevail because Christ has opened the way. Will your prayers be cold words or fervent cries? You may speak often yet lack power in prayer. You don’t need Christ just to hear your words—you need Him to make your prayers prevail. Come boldly, pray fervently, and trust the God who answers. 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫: Heavenly Father, teach us to pray with fervency and faith. Set our hearts aflame and make our prayers effectual before You. Guard us from empty words, and draw us into earnest, prevailing prayer. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. Remember, a dose of God’s Word a day will keep you going all day! 𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐨𝐝... _____________________________________________________ All scripture references were taken from the KJV Bible. Thank you for allowing this ministry to be a part of your day… If my posts speak to your heart, you may be blessed by the full devotional series created for deeper reflection and journaling: 👉 FREE FlipBook Previews: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/ae17998766.html 📚 Also available now on Amazon (Kindle & Paperback) ✨ Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited! https://www.amazon.com/author/dennislastimoso Your support helps us continue this ministry, edifying the believers around the world. May God bless you more abundantly…

This Week's Post from China Partnership Editor’s note: This month we are praying for Xiangtan, a Hunan city not far outside of Changsha. Xiangtan church leaders say recent years have brought many ministry challenges: increased persecution and pressure, economic stress, and generally hardened hearts. It’s difficult to evangelize students, and they worry they are losing the next generation. These days, both discipleship and evangelism require intentional relational ministry, and Xiangtan leaders say they must walk with people a long time before they are willing to become open to the gospel. Xiangtan: Ministry Challenges China Partnership: What are some common challenges, fears, and struggles that you and your church encounter as you minister to people in your city? How can we pray for you? First Quality, Then Quantity Brother Hu: How can we build genuine spiritual life among believers? That is an enormous challenge. Hunan people eat spicy food, are blunt, and tend to be “strong in the flesh.” For instance, 15 years ago I was in a park and saw a woman slap her husband’s face, right there in public. In the Xiangtan church today, we have many sisters, but it is difficult for them to lead their husbands or children to receive God’s word, come to church, and be blessed in the Lord. How can we build life, so we live abiding in Christ’s blessing? There must first be quality, then quantity. These days, it’s harder and harder to share the gospel. Some elderly believers at our church have been Christians for more than 30 years. They love God and are willing to give. Their children are successful, but not one is willing to come to church. Another man I know brings his 90-year-old mother to church every week, but he himself does not believe. How can we build life, so we live abiding in Christ’s blessing? There must first be quality, then quantity. It’s as if there is a door that has been shut. We need God to open a door for the gospel. If God does not open that door, our lives won’t grow and our evangelism won’t bear fruit. The key issue is we are losing young people. Old Modes Don’t Work Pastor Li: Our challenges begin with evangelism. We used to share openly, but post-Covid, people are more and more guarded. We used to hand out gospel tracts or small gifts — none of that can be done now. The government doesn’t allow it, and people are more guarded, because there are too many scammers. If you offer someone a small gift, they throw it away because they are afraid. That is the state of society today. Old modes of evangelism don’t work any longer. University ministry is restricted, and the church can’t go on campus. It’s even hard to organize social charity activities for the church, because our church is “illegal.” Right now, we teach believers to let “life influence life” in the sphere God has given us, because our gatherings are hidden and the church’s social influence is smaller. It’s as if there is a door that has been shut. We need God to open a door for the gospel. If God does not open that door, our lives won’t grow and our evangelism won’t bear fruit. We also have to pay attention to the “informant culture” in China. China operates using grid-style management. Oversight works through neighborhoods or local residential communities where people are encouraged to report one another. There are rewards for reporting illegal gatherings – even family gatherings – with too much noise or movement. This means there is immense pressure when we gather, and brothers and sisters feel this. Although believers grew a great deal after our church was persecuted, not everyone is willing to face warnings from society or the government. If school officials or neighborhood committees or the police come to speak with someone, that’s tough. During the first wave of persecution, probably 70 to 80 percent of our church was called in for questioning. That’s a huge challenge. Although believers have grown, there is still fear. People understand the doctrine of suffering for the Lord – but when the moment really comes, there is still a struggle. Fear and Fitting In Brother Yang: The first challenge is government reporting. The second is government propaganda – in schools and workplaces and communities – about “cults.” Many people misunderstand house churches, thinking we are illegal. On top of all this, because Xiangtan is the hometown of a great leader [Mao Zedong], a lot of people think their political stance will seem suspect if they enter our community. Some have strong reactions because of that. In the countryside, where there is a tradition of ancestor worship, people think believing in Jesus means they won’t be able to stay in line with their clan. This makes them unwilling to take this step. “We Have to Walk with Them a Long Time” Brother Tan: These issues are partly because persecution is more intense. Many families are zealous and willing to dedicate themselves to the Lord. But some households have only one believing spouse – in those homes, the unbelieving spouse puts a lot of pressure on the Christian. Because house churches don’t have legal status, our gatherings can be disrupted. Believers who work in public institutions often face pressure, and a lot of ministry can’t go forward. Many young people are depressed… If we just try to reason with them, they are annoyed. It takes a lot of time and energy to build relationships, and we have to walk with them a long time before we can communicate truth. Xiangtan people are full of anxiety because of the economy. They can’t keep up financially, and coming to gatherings can be difficult. Some are so occupied just trying to survive that they have no time or energy to hear the gospel. Students have similar issues. Their culture is online, and it highly values personal entertainment, not social or outdoor activity. It’s hard to enter their world, which has its own circles and highly-stimulating entertainment. When students hear the gospel, it feels too traditional, too old-fashioned. They seek novelty, and tire of things quickly. Students are influenced by post-modernism, and their schools repress them with constant pressure to study hard. Many young people are depressed or emotionally heavy. If we just try to reason with them, they are annoyed. It takes a lot of time and energy to build relationships, and we have to walk with them a long time before we can communicate truth to them. It is not easy. “Love Has Cooled” Sister Jiang: In this age of rampant material desire, people want to eat, drink, and be merry. They don’t have time for Jesus. They just want to have fun, play mahjong, and pursue things that profit them. One woman came to church for a while, but it didn’t seem like her heart ever really came in. She said, “There’s no payoff in going to church – but there is in playing mahjong!” It’s very hard to shepherd and support people. When you evangelize, you have to be constantly attentive, accompanying people, building relationships. That takes a lot of thought and effort. Sometimes people come, but after a while they stop. It’s like the fellowship life of our church does not suit their tastes or fit what they are pursuing. Those who share the gospel can feel discouraged, because it’s getting harder and harder. We need to recognize that life-on-life influence is harder than before. Before, if you handed out a tract, someone might show up. But it’s very difficult now. Even believers have grown cold in heart after the pandemic and the persecution that followed. Love has cooled. What’s more, it’s hard to make money and the economy is sluggish, so some are just focused on earning a living or worrying about finances. Brother Hu, Pastor Li, Brother Yang, Brother Tan, and Sister Jiang are pseudonyms for house church leaders in Xiangtan, Hunan Province.

𝐁𝐨𝐰 𝐓𝐨 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐞 ✍️ “𝘉𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵; 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘣𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦. 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘺, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧-𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦." We are trained to elevate ourselves—to prove our worth, defend our name, and secure our place. We want promotion without humiliation, and blessings without breaking. Even in prayer, pride quietly resists surrender. Whether striving to prove ourselves or hiding behind strength, the question is not whether we appear strong, but whether we are willing to bow low before God. 🕮 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝟒:𝟏𝟎 declares, “𝘏𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘶𝘱.” This is not outward modesty, but inward surrender. To be “𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥” is to stand fully exposed, laying aside self-reliance. God does not raise the self-exalting—He lifts the self-abasing. Prayer is effective when pride is laid down. Like a scale that cannot balance while one side is elevated, the heart cannot receive grace while it exalts itself. “𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘥, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘵𝘩 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘦” (𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝟒:𝟔). Pride blocks the flow of grace; humility opens the way. Scripture ties humility directly to God’s response. “𝘐𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦… 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺” (𝟐 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝟕:𝟏𝟒). “𝘛𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵” (𝐈𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐚𝐡 𝟔𝟔:𝟐). “𝘏𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘎𝘰𝘥” (𝟏 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟓:𝟔). God draws near to the lowly, not the lofty. “𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘖𝘙𝘋 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘵𝘩 𝘶𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘬” (𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝟏𝟒𝟕:6). Like a child who stops striving and reaches upward, humility positions us to receive. “𝘌𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘺𝘦 𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯” (𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝟏𝟖:𝟑). “𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘖𝘙𝘋 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵” (𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝟑𝟒:𝟏𝟖). God does not answer prideful prayers—He answers surrendered hearts. Christ modeled this perfectly: “𝘏𝘦 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘮𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴” (𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟐:𝟖). Because of His finished work, we can bow without fear—knowing the One who stooped to save us will raise us in His time. What pride are you still holding before God? What expectations, demands, or silent insistence that He do things your way? You don’t need Christ just to answer your prayers—you need Him to humble your heart. Today, before you ask for anything, bow. Let your posture teach your soul: He is God, and we are not. 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫: Heavenly Father, we confess our pride and our desire to be seen. Teach us the beauty of the low place and the power of subjection. Strip away our self-sufficiency and let us rest in Your strength alone. Lift us up in Your perfect time and for Your sole glory. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. Remember, a dose of God’s Word a day will keep you going all day! 𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐨𝐝... _____________________________________________________ All scripture references were taken from the KJV Bible. Thank you for allowing this ministry to be a part of your day… If my posts speak to your heart, you may be blessed by the full devotional series created for deeper reflection and journaling: 👉 FREE FlipBook Previews: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/ae17998766.html 📚 Also available now on Amazon (Kindle & Paperback) ✨ Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited! https://www.amazon.com/author/dennislastimoso Your support helps us continue this ministry, edifying the believers around the world. May God bless you more abundantly…

Sermon: Watch, Pray, and Be Ready Author: Will Helton Mark 13:33 — “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” Mark 13:33 is a simple verse, but it carries deep urgency. Jesus speaks with love, but He also speaks with warning. He tells us to take heed, to watch, and to pray, because we do not know the time. We do not know the exact hour of His return. We do not know when certain moments of testing will come. We do not know when life will suddenly change. But because we do not know, we are called to live ready. So many people live spiritually asleep. They go through the motions of life, busy with worries, distracted by pleasure, weighed down by the world, and slowly their hearts drift from God. But Jesus calls His people to a different life. He calls us to be watchful. To watch means to stay awake in the spirit. It means to keep our hearts sensitive to God. It means to not let sin grow comfortable in us. It means to not become dull to truth, careless in faith, or cold in love. The image of the watchman on the wall is powerful. In biblical times, a watchman had to stay alert while others slept. He could not afford to be careless. His eyes had to stay fixed on the horizon. His duty was serious because what he saw, and how faithfully he watched, affected everyone behind the walls. In the same way, believers are called to spiritual alertness. We are not meant to live carelessly. We are meant to stand watch over our hearts, our choices, our homes, and our walk with God. Jesus also said to pray. Watching without prayer can turn into fear, strain, or self-reliance. But watching with prayer keeps us anchored in God. Prayer keeps the soul awake. Prayer keeps the heart soft. Prayer reminds us that readiness is not just about discipline, but about relationship. We stay ready by staying close to the Lord. A praying heart is a listening heart. A praying heart is a guarded heart. A praying heart is a heart that is expecting God. There is something beautiful about the early morning in the spirit. Before the full light appears, there is a quiet hour where darkness is still present, but dawn is beginning to break. That is often how God works in our lives. We may be in a season where everything is not yet clear, where answers have not fully come, where the road ahead feels uncertain. But even there, Jesus says, watch and pray. Stay faithful in the dim light. Stay on your knees while waiting. Keep trusting when the sky is still dark blue and the sun has not fully risen. God is still moving, and His timing is always perfect. The disciples on the hillside, the servant at the door, the lone figure praying at dawn—each of these pictures reminds us of the same truth: faithfulness is often quiet. Readiness is often hidden. Spiritual endurance is built in moments nobody else sees. It is built when you pray and no one applauds. It is built when you resist temptation in secret. It is built when you keep trusting God in silence. It is built when you keep your lamp burning in the night. The faithful servant stands at the doorway with his lamp, ready for his master’s return. He is not panicked. He is not distracted. He is simply ready. That is the posture Jesus wants in us. Not fear, but faithfulness. Not obsession, but obedience. Not anxiety about the future, but steady devotion in the present. Jesus is teaching us that readiness is not about trying to predict the hour. It is about living each day in such a way that if He came today, our hearts would be turned toward Him. The world tells us to live for the moment. Jesus tells us to live prepared. The world tells us to chase comfort. Jesus tells us to stay awake. The world fills our minds with noise, but prayer teaches us how to hear the voice of God again. We do not know when the Lord will move in power, when He will answer a prayer, when He will open a door, when He will call us home, or when Christ will return. But we do know how we are to live while we wait: alert, prayerful, faithful, and surrendered. This verse is not meant to make us afraid. It is meant to make us faithful. Jesus is not trying to trouble His people. He is trying to prepare them. He is saying, “Stay close to Me. Keep your eyes open. Keep your heart awake. Keep praying. Do not drift. Do not sleep through holy moments. Do not let the fire go out.” Today, God is calling us to lift our eyes again. Maybe you have grown tired. Maybe you have become distracted. Maybe your prayer life has grown quiet. Maybe your spiritual watchfulness has faded. But the Lord in His mercy calls you back. He says, watch and pray. Return to the place of dependence. Return to the place of expectation. Return to the place where your heart is listening again. Blessed is the person who is still watching when others have fallen asleep. Blessed is the servant who still has oil in the lamp. Blessed is the believer who still prays in the night and trusts at dawn. And blessed is the one who lives each day ready, because their hope is not in this world, but in the Lord. So let us be people who watch. Let us be people who pray. Let us be people who do not merely speak of faith, but live in readiness. Let our hearts stay turned toward heaven. Let our lives reflect holy expectation. And let us trust that whether in the dark of night or the breaking of dawn, God is faithful, present, and worthy of our constant devotion. Prayer Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your Word that calls us to watch and pray. Thank You for loving us enough to warn us, prepare us, and draw us closer to You. Forgive us for the times we have become spiritually sleepy, distracted, careless, or cold in heart. Forgive us for letting the concerns of life take our eyes off of You. Lord, awaken us again. Stir our hearts to seek You more deeply. Teach us to live with spiritual alertness and holy expectation. Help us to watch over our hearts, our thoughts, our choices, and our walk with You. Keep us from drifting. Keep us from becoming dull to Your voice. Let Your Spirit make us sensitive, faithful, and ready. Father, teach us to pray with sincerity and persistence. In the quiet places, in the late-night hours, in the early morning light, draw us near to You. Let prayer become our strength, our peace, and our lifeline. When we feel weary, strengthen us. When we feel uncertain, steady us. When we feel surrounded by darkness, remind us that Your light is already breaking through. Make us like the faithful watchman, alert and reverent. Make us like the praying disciple, enduring and sincere. Make us like the servant at the door, obedient and ready. Make us like the lone figure on the hill, trusting Your timing even before the full dawn appears. Lord Jesus, keep our lamps burning. Keep our hearts ready. Let us live each day in faith, love, purity, and obedience. And whether You move suddenly, answer unexpectedly, or return at an hour we do not know, may You find us watching, praying, and faithful. We trust You, Lord. We wait for You. We belong to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

A Greeting from Robin Stephen Aldrich ... WELCOME my new Friends and followers to my Page here on Lordsbook.com I personally receive hundreds of Messages, so I regret that I am not able to reply to you as that special and unique individual which of course you are. However despite the limitations of the situation, you are certainly valued. I try not to miss or ignore subsequent messages from Lordsbook friends but sadly may fail from time to time. I am often the second or third person on Lordsbook.com to greet and befriend new members with a range of intentionally Inspirational Christian Posts. I have provided some of our personal details at the left top of my page. ** To review other new members, click on to PHOTOS at the top of your page, and then click onto DIRECTORY at the bottom of your page.** Select USERS from the options and then click onto the box marked >> for the latest new users. You can then EITHER click onto the icon by the person’s name to review their page, and issue a ‘friend invitation’ if you wish, or keep on going backwards from the >> icon to review. In the DIRECTORY section, you may also click onto the Box named 'GROUPS' to see range of options available. ..... Be Blessed by the variety of Posts featured, and feel free to Comment and SHARE any of them. I have provided some of our personal details at the left top of my page. I do not subscribe to Whatsapp or Instagram. My wife and I are elderly and retired and we no longer travel overseas or financially support additional ministries. Sincere Blessings in Jesus Christ, Robin Stephen Aldrich

CONFLICT AND COURAGE. April 17th, 2026 Duty or Desire. Numbers 22 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof. Proverbs 1:25. CC 113.1 In the night season the angel of God came to Balaam with the message, “Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.” ... CC 113.2 A second time Balaam was tested. In response to the solicitations of the ambassadors he professed great conscientiousness and integrity, assuring them that no amount of gold and silver could induce him to go contrary to the will of God. But he longed to comply with the king’s request; and although the will of God had already been definitely made known to him, he urged the messengers to tarry, that he might further inquire of God; as though the Infinite One were a man, to be persuaded. CC 113.3 In the night season the Lord appeared to Balaam and said, “If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.” Thus far the Lord would permit Balaam to follow his own will, because he was determined upon it. He did not seek to do the will of God, but chose his own course, and then endeavored to secure the sanction of the Lord. CC 113.4 There are thousands at the present day who are pursuing a similar course. They would have no difficulty in understanding their duty if it were in harmony with their inclinations. It is plainly set before them in the Bible or is clearly indicated by circumstances and reason. But because these evidences are contrary to their desires and inclinations they frequently set them aside and presume to go to God to learn their duty. With great apparent conscientiousness they pray long and earnestly for light. But God will not be trifled with. He often permits such persons to follow their own desires and to suffer the result.... When one clearly sees a duty, let him not presume to go to God with the prayer that he may be excused from performing it. He should rather, with a humble, submissive spirit, ask for divine strength and wisdom to meet its claims.22 CC 113.5