Seek the Lord While He May Be Found A Message to Church Leaders from Isaiah 55:6 Grace and peace to you from the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who calls us to lead his flock with humility, courage, and unwavering dependence on him. In the demanding work of ministry, where the needs never seem to end and the weight of responsibility can feel heavy on our shoulders, the words of the prophet Isaiah come as both a gentle rebuke and a life-giving invitation: Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. These words are not merely for the congregation we serve but are first and foremost for us who have been entrusted with the sacred task of guiding others. As leaders, our effectiveness does not flow from our strategies, our giftedness, or our experience alone. It flows from a heart that continually seeks the nearness of God. Today we are reminded that the health of our churches rises and falls with the spiritual vitality of those who lead them. The Lord we serve is not distant or indifferent to the challenges we face. He knows the long hours spent in preparation, the difficult conversations in counseling, the disappointments when people drift away, and the quiet battles fought in prayer closets and board meetings. Yet in the midst of it all, he extends this compassionate call to seek him while he may be found. This seeking is not an optional spiritual discipline reserved for seasons of crisis. It is the sustaining rhythm of a leader’s life. When we prioritize the nearness of God above the demands of ministry, we model the very dependence we preach. Our people need to see in us a genuine pursuit of the Lord that goes beyond public platforms and programmed events. They need to witness lives marked by consistent prayer, humble repentance, and joyful reliance on the grace that only comes from spending time in his presence. Consider how easily the busyness of leadership can crowd out this holy pursuit. Meetings multiply, expectations rise, and the urgent often displaces the important. We can find ourselves pouring out from empty wells, leading from memory rather than fresh encounter, and guiding others while our own souls grow weary and distant. But the prophet’s words carry a tender warning wrapped in mercy: seek him while he may be found, call on him while he is near. The opportunity to draw close is not endless. Seasons of dryness can harden into habitual distance if left unaddressed. The nearness of God is a gift we must actively receive, not something we assume will always feel accessible amid the noise. As leaders, we are called to guard our own hearts first, to create space in our schedules for unhurried communion with the One who called us, and to remember that our greatest contribution to the church is not our latest initiative but our ongoing intimacy with Christ. This pursuit of God reshapes how we lead in practical and powerful ways. When we seek the Lord daily, our vision for the church becomes aligned with his purposes rather than our own ambitions. We lead with greater wisdom because we have listened to his voice before speaking to his people. We shepherd with deeper compassion because we have tasted afresh the mercy we extend to others. We make decisions with clearer conviction because we have brought every plan before the throne of grace. In seasons of conflict or decline, we find courage not in our own strength but in the confidence that comes from calling on the God who is near. Our preaching gains fresh fire when it flows from a heart recently warmed by his presence. Our counseling carries real hope when we have first received comfort from the God of all comfort. Our leadership teams function with unity when we have first sought the Lord together in prayer. Let this truth also guard us against the subtle dangers that can undermine our calling. The enemy would love nothing more than for church leaders to become professionals who manage ministry rather than pastors who walk closely with the living God. Pride can creep in when fruit appears, convincing us we can lead on autopilot. Discouragement can settle when results lag, tempting us to rely on human methods over divine power. Fatigue can dull our spiritual senses until seeking the Lord feels like one more item on an already overwhelming list. Against all of this, the invitation stands firm: seek him while he may be found. Make it the priority of your leadership to cultivate a culture where prayer is not the preliminary to ministry but the very heartbeat of it. Gather your teams not only to plan but to seek the Lord’s face. Teach your congregations not only through sermons but through the visible example of leaders who are known for their dependence on God. As you lead, remember that the people entrusted to your care are watching and learning from how you respond to this call. When they see you seeking the Lord with consistency and joy, they are inspired to do the same. When they observe you calling on him in both triumph and trial, they learn that authentic faith is lived out in honest dependence. Your example becomes a powerful testimony that the nearness of God is available to every believer, not just during special services but in the daily grind of following Jesus. In a world that prizes self-sufficiency and quick fixes, your commitment to seeking the Lord while he may be found stands as a countercultural witness to the sufficiency of Christ in all things. Dear leaders, let us renew our commitment today to this foundational practice. Carve out time each day to seek his face without agenda, simply to know him more deeply. Let the Scriptures nourish your soul before they become material for your next message. Let prayer be the first response to every challenge and the continual atmosphere of your leadership. Teach your families and your teams to do the same, creating communities where seeking the Lord is the shared priority rather than a sidelined activity. As you do, you will discover renewed strength for the journey, clearer vision for the future, and a deeper love for the flock that mirrors the heart of the Good Shepherd himself. The Lord is near to every leader who calls on him. He stands ready to refresh the weary, to guide the uncertain, to empower the faithful, and to sustain those who feel they have little left to give. In him we find the wisdom we lack, the patience we need, and the joy that sustains us through every season of ministry. May we lead not from our own limited resources but from the overflow of a life lived in constant pursuit of the God who promises to be found by those who seek him. May the God who called you to shepherd his people grant you grace to seek him with renewed passion, to call on him with unwavering faith, and to lead with the quiet confidence that comes from knowing he is near. To him alone be the glory in our churches and in our lives, now and forever.

From Light Bearer to Prince of Darkness Lucifer’s fall is one of the most sobering realities in all of Scripture. It reveals the danger of pride, the seriousness of rebellion, and the holiness of God. 1. His Original Glory — Created Perfect Lucifer was not created evil. He was created in beauty, wisdom, and splendor. Ezekiel 28:12–15 (NKJV) “You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty… You were the anointed cherub who covers… You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you.” He was “the anointed cherub who covers”—likely positioned near the very throne of God. His name “Lucifer” (Isaiah 14:12) means “light-bearer” or “shining one.” He had everything—position, beauty, privilege, access to God’s presence. And yet… it wasn’t enough. 2. The Birth of Sin — Pride in the Heart Sin did not begin on earth. It began in the heart of a created being. Ezekiel 28:17 (NKJV) “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor…” Isaiah 14:13–14 (NKJV) “For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God… I will be like the Most High.’” Notice the five “I wills.” This is the essence of sin: self-exaltation over submission to God. Lucifer didn’t just want position—he wanted God’s throne. Pride is not a small sin. It is cosmic rebellion. 3. The Fall — Cast Down by God God did not negotiate with rebellion. Isaiah 14:15 (NKJV) “Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit.” Luke 10:18 (NKJV) “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” In a moment, the highest created being fell to the lowest condition. From heaven… to ruin. From light… to darkness. From worship… to warfare against God. 4. His Continued Work — Deceiver of the World Lucifer, now called Satan, continues his rebellion. Revelation 12:9 (NKJV) “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world…” He deceived a third of the angels (Revelation 12:4). He deceived Eve in the garden (Genesis 3). He still deceives today. His strategy has not changed: Question God’s Word Promote self Deny consequences 5. His Final Judgment — Certain and Eternal Satan’s end is already written. Revelation 20:10 (NKJV) “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone… and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” The one who said, “I will ascend” will be brought down forever. God always has the final word. Devotional Application — A Warning and a Call Lucifer’s fall is not just history—it is a warning. Pride is the same poison that still destroys souls today. When a man says, “I don’t need God,” he echoes Lucifer. When a heart exalts self above Christ, it walks the same path. Proverbs 16:18 (NKJV) “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” But here is the glorious contrast: Lucifer said, “I will exalt myself.” Jesus said: Philippians 2:8 (NKJV) “He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Satan fell by pride. Christ conquered through humility. Evangelistic Call There are only two paths: The way of Lucifer — pride, rebellion, destruction The way of Christ — humility, surrender, salvation Sin entered through rebellion. Salvation comes through surrender. James 4:7 (NKJV) “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” If you have never truly submitted your life to Jesus Christ, don’t delay. Pride will damn a soul just as surely as any outward sin. Closing Prayer Lord God Almighty, You alone are holy, righteous, and exalted above all. We see in Lucifer’s fall the danger of pride and the horror of rebellion. Guard our hearts from self-exaltation. Humble us under Your mighty hand. Lord Jesus, thank You for humbling Yourself to the cross to save sinners. Where there is pride in us, break it. Where there is rebellion, bring repentance. Deliver us from the deception of the enemy. If there is anyone reading this who has never truly surrendered to Christ, draw them now. Open their eyes, soften their heart, and lead them to saving faith. We choose Your way—not the way of pride, but the way of the cross. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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#DAILY LIGHT 🚨STOP SCROLLING AND READ THIS. YOUR SPIRITUAL FREEDOM DEPENDS ON IT. Grace and peace to you, Remnant! I am coming to you today with a heavy, holy burden. The Spirit of the Lord is sounding an alarm in the heavenlies, and it is time for the Church to wake up! Too many believers are sitting in the pews, lifting holy hands, yet secretly being tormented, blocked, harassed, and defeated by demonic forces. Why? Because demons cannot just randomly invade your life. They are legalists. They require a legal right—an open door—to enter and wreak havoc. Proverbs 26:2 declares, "Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, so a curse without cause shall not alight." Today, by the authority of God's Word, we are exposing the enemy's playbook. We are putting an indictment on the flesh and the devil. Here are The 7 Legal Doors That Give Demons Access to Your Life—and How to Slam Them Shut Forever! 🚪 DOOR 1: Unforgiveness, Offense, and Bitterness This is the number one gateway for demonic torment in the Body of Christ today. When you refuse to forgive someone who wronged you, you are holding onto deadly poison. The Indictment: Jesus warned us in Matthew 18:34-35 that the unforgiving servant was handed over to the "tormentors" (demons) until he paid his debt. Paul also warns in 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 that we must forgive "lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices." The Reality: Your bitterness is a landing strip for demonic oppression, depression, and physical sickness. 🚪 DOOR 2: Generational Curses and Bloodline Iniquity You may be born again, but if you have not actively renounced the sins of your forefathers, the enemy will try to collect a debt you don't owe! The Indictment: Exodus 34:7 says God visits "the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation." * The Reality: Poverty, chronic diseases, divorce, and premature death that run in your family are not "just genetics." They are familiar spirits operating on the legal ground of unconfessed ancestral sin. You must draw the bloodline of Jesus over your physical bloodline! 🚪 DOOR 3: Ungodly Soul Ties and Sexual Immorality Every time you are intimate with someone, a spiritual cord is formed. If that intimacy is outside the covenant of biblical marriage, you have just opened a massive portal to the demonic. The Indictment: 1 Corinthians 6:16 warns, "Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For 'the two,' He says, 'shall become one flesh.'" The Reality: You can pick up the demons, the depression, the lust, and the heaviness of the people you sleep with. Ungodly soul ties can also be formed through toxic, controlling, or manipulative relationships (even non-sexual ones). 🚪 DOOR 4: The Occult, Witchcraft, and False Religions Many believers are dabbling in the demonic and calling it "entertainment." The Indictment: Deuteronomy 18:10-12 strictly forbids divination, spiritism, and witchcraft, calling them an "abomination to the Lord." The Reality: Reading horoscopes, using tarot cards, consulting psychics, practicing yoga (which is rooted in Hindu deity worship), or keeping occultic objects in your home gives territorial spirits a legal right to occupy your space and your mind. 🚪 DOOR 5: Habitual, Unconfessed Sin and Rebellion Grace is not a license to sin; it is the power to overcome it! Willful, unrepentant sin is an invitation for the devil to take a seat at your table. The Indictment: Ephesians 4:27 tells us, "nor give place [topos: a territory or room] to the devil." 1 Samuel 15:23 declares that "rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft." The Reality: When you know what God's Word says and you willfully choose to live in pride, lying, theft, or secret addiction, you step out from under God's umbrella of protection. 🚪 DOOR 6: Trauma, Debilitating Fear, and Anxiety Fear is the dark counterpart to faith. Just as faith invites God to move, fear invites the devil to move. The Indictment: Job lamented in Job 3:25, "For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me." 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us that God has not given us a spirit of fear—meaning fear is a spirit from the enemy! The Reality: Unhealed trauma and constant anxiety shatter your spiritual defenses, allowing spirits of heaviness, panic, and infirmity to enter. 🚪 DOOR 7: The Power of the Tongue (Self-Cursing) Your words are spiritual containers. You can literally curse your own life and give demons permission to enforce those curses. The Indictment: Proverbs 18:21 declares, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." The Reality: Saying things like, "I'm always sick," "I'll never get out of debt," or "I want to die," gives listening demonic entities the legal right to fulfill those negative prophecies over your life. 🛡️ HOW TO CLOSE THE DOORS AND KEEP THEM SHUT! Hear me by the Spirit: Jesus Christ shed His blood not just to take you to heaven, but to bring heaven to you and set you completely FREE! Here is how you evict the enemy today: REPENT & RENOUNCE: You cannot cast out what you will not confess. Acknowledge your sin, ask God for forgiveness, and verbally renounce the enemy's access. (1 John 1:9) RELEASE FORGIVENESS: Right now, release every person who has hurt you. Say out loud: "Lord, I choose to forgive [Name], and I release them from my judgment. I ask You to heal my heart." (Colossians 3:13) BREAK THE TIES & CURSES: Decree in the name of Jesus that every ungodly soul tie is severed by the sword of the Spirit. Plead the Blood of Jesus over your family line. (Galatians 3:13) FILL THE HOUSE: Matthew 12:43-45 warns that if a demon is cast out but the house (your life) is left empty, seven worse demons will return. You must fill your life with the Word of God, fervent prayer, and the daily baptism of the Holy Spirit! Give the enemy NO ROOM! 🔥 YOUR CALL TO ACTION! 🔥 Are you tired of the devil playing games with your destiny, your finances, your mind, and your family? It is time to draw a line in the sand! 👇 DO THESE 3 THINGS RIGHT NOW: 👇 COMMENT BELOW: Type "I AM CLOSING THE DOORS IN JESUS' NAME!" as a prophetic declaration of your freedom! SHARE THIS BROADCAST: There is someone on your friends list right now who is secretly suicidal, bound by addiction, or dealing with torment. Your share could be the very thing that sets them free! Hit that SHARE button right now! PRAY THIS WITH ME: "Lord Jesus, I repent of every sin, known and unknown. I renounce unforgiveness, generational curses, ungodly soul ties, and every compromise in my life. I wash my mind, body, and spirit in Your precious Blood. Satan, I serve you an eviction notice! You have no more legal rights here. I belong to Jesus Christ! Amen!" If you have never made Jesus the Lord of your life, send this page a direct message right now. We want to pray with you and help you begin your journey of true discipleship. Stand firm, stay in the Word, and keep the doors closed! ⚔️🔥📖 #THE SON OF LIGHT

Proverbs 12:15 The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. We are more than halfway through the month and have already covered so much on the topic of humility. But we still have a few weeks to go and many more verses that we need to explore before finishing up. Today’s verse takes us back into the book of Proverbs where we see the fool being compared to the wise. In this context, the fool would be the prideful person while the wise would be the person who is humble. Though it does not say pride or humble/humility anywhere in the verse, it is strongly implied by the context and that is the interpretation we are going to be using as we explore today’s devotion. The fool is someone who is self-righteous. They trust their own emotions and judgements, following every whim and emotion with bias and stubborn refusal to do anything but what they want. I know many people like this and it is frustrating to try to work with them. They refuse to listen, thinking they know it all and their way is best. (I am sure you are probably thinking of at least one person who you know who is like this so understand what I am saying.) When you have a fool who is determined to do things their way only, refusing to listen and take advice, they usually set themselves up for failure. And usually their self-centered attitude leads them to be morally stubborn as well. They refuse to listen, refuse to accept responsibility, refuse to see themselves as anything but right and victimize themselves if they do not succeed or get their way. This belief leads to blind spots in their lives and ultimately to mistakes and disaster. But the wise listen to advice… What a stark contrast from the self-righteous stubbornness of a fool with the humble teachability of the wise. Wisdom is identified with humility. They recognize their limitations and actively seek the counsel of others because they understand that there is value in listening to others who may have more insight or experience. They seek God and His will for their life rather than relying on themselves, their emotions, or anything else. It is imperative that we understand our natural thoughts are often biased and selfish; therefore, listening to wise counsel is the best way to align ourselves with God's will. Take some time to pray over your life. Identify the influences you have and who you surround yourself with. Are you seeking counsel from mentors, pastors, or Godly leaders of influence? Or are you relying on yourself? I pray that God would show you how to humbly seek the input and counsel of others to accomplish His purpose in your life. #TEENS4JESUS #devotion #dailydevotional #christianteens #DailyBibleVerse

Daily devotion for April 18th Cursed Be The Ground Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it. Genesis 3:17b We must struggle so hard to make a living because the ground has been cursed. Man is reduced to unending toil and sorrow. Work is not the curse given to humans. It is toil that is the curse. If you do not have work to do, you are of all people most miserable. Work is a blessing from God; but hard, grinding, toiling work is the result of the fall. It is sweat, anxiety, and pressure coming constantly upon us to create the endless rat race of life. The second factor that resulted from Adam's failure is death. God said, For dust you are and to dust you will return (Genesis 3:19). Isn't it this sense of death, lurking at the boundaries of life, that gives us a feeling of futility about life? Remember the rich man who built barns and filled them up and then said to himself, Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry. But God said to him, You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you... (Luke 12:19-20). Then he asked this question: Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself? (Luke 12:20). Yes, that is the question death forces us to face. You struggle to amass property, all the good things of life, and then what a sense of futility there is in having to pass them along to somebody else, someone who didn't turn a finger to gain them. Naked we came into the world, and naked we shall leave it. We have nothing that we can take with us but must leave it all behind. We are dust, and to dust we shall return. There is the sentence of God—pain, subjection, toil, and death. Is this the result of our folly for which we must grind our teeth and struggle with all our life, a curse for what Adam did? No, it is not. It only appears to be punishment when we refuse it and resist it or rebel against it. But these things were never intended to be any kind of punishment. They are instead intended to be helps to us, means by which we are reminded of truth, means intended to counteract the subtle pride that the enemy has planted in our race that keeps us imagining all kinds of illusory things—that we are the captain of our fate and the master of our soul; that we are capable of handling and solving all the problems of life—these arrogant pretensions we make. But we are constantly being reminded that these things are not true. Death, pain, toil, and subjection are limits that we cannot escape. They are there constantly to cancel out our egocentric dreams and reduce us to seeing ourselves as we really are. We are dust. We are only human. We are limited, dependent. We cannot go it alone—we desperately need other people, and we desperately need God. The hour of greatest hope in our lives is when our eyes are opened to this basic fact and we say, Lord, I can't make it without you. I need you desperately. Thank You, Lord, for those trials and limitations of life that keep me dependent on You.

TODAY'S MESSAGE SERMON: ARE YOU CELEBRATING EVILS? – STOP IT. Many people no longer fear evil—they applaud it. What once made people ashamed now gets likes, laughter, applause, and promotion. Sin is now entertainment. Wickedness is now celebrated. Deception is called smartness. Immorality is called freedom. Pride is called confidence. But hear this truth: What you celebrate, you empower. What you tolerate, you invite. What you applaud can one day destroy you. God is asking today: Are you celebrating evils? Stop it! Key Bible Verses Isaiah 5:20 > “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil...” This means danger comes when society loses moral direction and starts praising wrong things. Romans 1:32 > “...They not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.” God warns not only against doing evil, but approving evil. Psalm 1:1 > “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly...” Blessing begins when you separate from corrupt influence. 4 Signs You May Be Celebrating Evil 1. When Sin Becomes Entertainment If lies, sexual immorality, mockery, drunkenness, violence, and wickedness entertain you, your conscience is weakening. Many laugh at what heaven weeps over. 2. When Wrong People Become Your Heroes Be careful who you admire. If you celebrate people only for money, fame, or bold rebellion against God, you may be learning darkness. 3. When You Defend What God Condemns Some people say, “Everybody does it.” No. Majority does not make evil right. 4. When You Join Mockery Against the Righteous When people insult holiness, prayer, purity, church, or godly living—and you join them—you are siding with darkness. Biblical Case Study: Herod’s Evil Celebration In Mark 6, Herod celebrated with dancing and pride. In the middle of celebration, he ordered the death of John the Baptist. A party became a platform for wickedness. Not every celebration is blessed. Some celebrations are gateways to destruction. Practical Action Steps 1. Audit what you watch, laugh at, repost, and support. 2. Unfollow voices normalizing evil. 3. Replace toxic content with godly content. 4. Celebrate righteousness, kindness, truth, purity. 5. Ask God to restore your conscience. Deep Spiritual Insight Satan rarely begins with action. He begins with acceptance. First you laugh at sin. Then you tolerate sin. Then you practice sin. Then sin rules you. Stop it early. Questions for Reflection 1. What do I celebrate that displeases God? 2. Have I normalized what once convicted me? 3. Who is influencing my values? 4. Am I helping darkness grow? Powerful Prayer Points 1. Father, cleanse my heart from hidden love for evil. 2. Lord, restore my spiritual sensitivity. 3. Every evil influence around me, break now. 4. Give me courage to stand for righteousness. 5. Let my life celebrate truth and holiness. Closing Call to Action Do not clap for what can curse your future. Do not celebrate what Jesus died to save you from. Today, choose light over darkness, truth over deception, holiness over corruption. If it is evil—stop celebrating it. If you have not given your life to Jesus kindly do so by joining a Bible believing Church. You can get inspirational ebooks from my selar shop below https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1 https://selar.com/m/umoedem CONTACT - WhatsApp +2349024173027, +2349055447540 Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com

Popular Bible Quotations Day 81 March 22 From HNIV Rainbow SB Proverbs 16:18 RSV John Knox Press 1952 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs (XVI) 16:18 Emphasized Rotherham Kregel Pub 1986 <Before grievous injury> pride; And <before a fall> haughtiness of spirit; Proverbs 16:18 CEB Step Stone 2014 Pride comes before disaster, and arrogance before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 Dads God's Word Word Pride precedes a disaster, and an arrogant attitude precedes a fall. Proverbs 16:18 NIV Narrated Chronological Order Harvest House Pub 1984 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 NLT Prayer Guideposts Tyndale 2003 Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.

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."

Good evening, brethren. 1. Evening devotion for today. i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST* (COCIN DEVOTIONAL) *DATE:* FRIDAY 17TH APRIL, 2026. *SUB-THEME:* THE CROSS: CULMINATION OF GRACE. *TOPIC:* GIVES US CONFIDENCE. *TEXT:* HEBREWS 4:14-16. 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone to heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us live our lives consistent with our confession of faith. Heb 3:1 Heb 6:20 Heb 8:1 Heb 9:11 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses. Instead, we have one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet He never sinned. Isa 53:9 2Co 5:21 Phi 2:7 Heb 2:18 1Pe 2:22 1Jn 3:5 [Phi 2:8] [Heb 2:17] 16 So let us keep on coming boldly to the throne of grace, so that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Rom 3:25 *TOPIC:* GIVES US CONFIDENCE. *THE MESSAGE:* Confidence is a feeling of certainty, firm trust, and belief. Today's text encourages believers to have confidence in the supremacy of Jesus Christ as the High Priest. Jesus was tempted in every way while in this life, yet He remained sinless. Having accomplished His mission as the Son of God and ascended into heaven, He now has divine authority and eternal priesthood. He has the ability to understand our struggles, empathise with our weaknesses, and intercede with us. In face of challenges, temptations, insecurity, and persecution, believers are to confidently approach His throne of grace to receive help. Do not give up even at your lowest level of spiritual standing; call upon Jesus. *REFLECTION:* Jesus understands your struggles. *PRAYER:* Lord Jesus, help me to overcome my struggles. Amen. *MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:* COLOSSIANS 2:15. "And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." *TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:* 1 CHRONICLES 11-15. ii. Skip to content Dalily Devotional by Elizabeth Haworth Posted on April 17, 2026 by Editor Stand Fast Christian Applications Store:: Christian devotional App Store; Explore Recommended Christian Books and Devotionals Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom. 1 Kings 2:28 Supreme Test What is the supreme test in the life of a believer? What does God desire of each one of us? Loyalty : Faithfulness. Loyalty to God and loyalty to His children. Faithfulness to God and faithfulness to His children. The Lord is Faithful and True and desires no less from His children. Not faithfulness for a time or for a season but steadfastness right to the finish line. Not loyalty when the going is good or because it suits for the time being, but faithful, devoted, steadfast loyalty right up to the very moment of death. Mighty Man Joab was loyal up to a point. He refrained from disloyalty many times.. but there came a point in his life when he turned away from his Lord to another. Joab stood a great test of loyalty and shunned the worldly promises in many areas. His heart was not turned by the handsome, charismatic Absalom.. but at the end of his fine military career, as one of the best of David’s soldiers. He turned his heart and he simply started to cleave to the cowardly Adonijah. The lusts of the flesh and eye, and the pride of life were shunned at the start, but the prince of this world secured his prey near the conclusion of his career. Be Watchful Keep alert! – for not one of us is immune from disloyalty. Take heed! – “let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” 1Cor. 10:12 Be watchful! – for ye know not the day nor the hour that your Lord cometh. Matt.25:13 Remain Loyal Now These be the names of the mighty men whom David had:- ……and Abishai, the brother of Joab…. and Naharai the Beerothite, and armour bearer to Joab… thirty and seven in all. But Joab, where was Joab? Joab was NOT mentioned among the mighty men of the King. Only a small number of David’s mighty men remained – despite such a prestigious reign – and we too must remain loyal to our Lord – to the end.. Faith and Loyalty “Watch : Stand fast in the faith : Be brave : Be strong.” It takes faith to wait and trust. It takes loyalty to trust to the end. Post navigation Previous PostPrevious Surrendered Proudly powered by WordPress. 2. Evening Prayer for today. i. Evening Prayer Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. ⏤ Psalm 51:10 God does nothing but by prayer, and everything with it. ⏤ John Wesley Our Father, bless us, Your children, as we bow before You now at the close of the day. We haven’t lived as well as we intended when we set out this morning. We thought we would soar like eagles, but instead, we’ve only dragged ourselves along the ground. We thought we wouldn’t forget You for a moment, but somehow we’ve let You slip out of our thoughts many times. Our day, which began so brightly with good intentions and sincere goals, has turned out to be marred and stained. Father, forgive us—and then teach us wisdom from the mistakes and sins of today so that we can make tomorrow a holier day. Help us learn from our own errors so that we don’t repeat them. We bring our day’s work to You. It doesn’t seem like much. We’ve done our best in our various roles—in our jobs and work, in our tasks at home, in school, and in our activities. We’ve tried to be patient and kind to each other within our home. We’ve tried to be good neighbors to those around us. Where we’ve failed in any of these duties, we ask for Your forgiveness and the grace to do better. Bless us now at the end of this day. As we go to rest for the night, please receive us into Your care. If death should come to any of us before morning, receive us into our Father’s house. If we live to see the dawn of a new day, prepare us for its duties. We also pray tonight for those who don’t have the shelter of home and love like we do. Remember the sick and those keeping vigil through the night beside them. Comfort all who are sitting in sorrow and give them strength to accept Your will. We ask for these mercies and favors in Jesus’ name. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/12/evening #taptapstudio #youdevotion.