CHRISTIANITY ✝️ TODAY Daily Devotional Companion Title: UNDER GOD’S PLAN, NOT PUSHING YOUR OWN WAY Opening Scripture: Ephesians 1:1 (MSG) – “I, Paul, am under God’s plan as an apostle, a special agent of Christ Jesus, writing to you faithful believers in Ephesus.” Philippians 2:3 (MSG) – “Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead.” CONTEXT & BACKGROUND The Apostle Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians while imprisoned in Rome, yet his opening words declare not a sense of confinement but of divine assignment. He knew who sent him, why he was here, and under whose authority he operated. That knowledge gave him unshakable confidence. Similarly, in his letter to the Philippians, Paul addressed a church that risked internal rivalry and pride. He reminded them that the Kingdom of God runs on a completely different currency: humility, service, and waiting on God’s timing. Together, these two passages form a powerful pair. One speaks of identity – you are under God’s plan. The other speaks of conduct – therefore, don’t push your way to the front. When you truly know you are divinely positioned, you stop striving like the world. AMPLIFIED REFLECTION 1. The Knowledge That Separates You There is a kind of knowledge from God’s Word that lifts a person above their peers. Not intellectual knowledge alone, but revelatory knowledge – a deep, heart-level certainty that you are not an accident, not a wanderer, but a sent one. Paul said, “I am under God’s plan as an apostle.” He didn’t say “I hope so” or “I’m trying to be.” He declared a fact. This knowledge is power because it changes how you walk, talk, work, and wait. Many believers live as orphans in their careers, ministries, and daily labors. They strive, compare, and burn out. But when you know that even your role as a bus driver, cook, teacher, or trader is part of God’s plan, you carry dignity and authority. The world will respond differently to a person who knows they are sent by Heaven. Ask yourself: Do I see my daily work as a divine assignment? Do I speak and act like someone under God’s plan? 2. The Danger of Pushing Your Way to the Front Now comes the warning. Because knowledge of identity can be twisted into pride or impatience. Some believers, knowing they are “under God’s plan,” begin to push, manipulate, and climb over others. They want visibility now. They want the platform now. They want to be known now. But the Kingdom principle is clear: promotion comes only from God (Psalm 75:6). Not from the east, west, or south – meaning not from human connections, strategies, or self-exaltation. When you push your way to the front, you step out of God’s timing. You may even find that God resists you (James 4:6). Why? Because He sees your heart. Are you seeking to build His Kingdom or your own name? Are you willing to help others get ahead, or do you see them as stepping stones? 3. The Beautiful Harmony Here is the harmony of today’s message: You are under God’s plan → so you don’t need to push. Your assignment is secure. Your promotion is already scheduled. Your platform is being prepared behind the scenes. Paul was under God’s plan as an apostle, yet he also said, “I am the least of the apostles… but by the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:9-10). He didn’t push. He labored, but he waited on God’s timing. And God exalted him in due time. You too can rest. Do your work with excellence. Serve others. Honor those ahead of you. Don’t tear down to rise up. Don’t use another person’s platform without blessing. And don’t envy the wicked who seem to succeed by pushing – their end is destruction (Proverbs 24:1). TODAY’S APPLICATION 1. Declare your position – Every morning this week, say aloud: “I am under God’s plan in my work, my family, and my ministry.” 2. Check your motives – Before seeking visibility or promotion, ask: Why do I want this? Does it serve God’s agenda? 3. Help someone else get ahead – Practically, look for one person today whom you can lift, recommend, or encourage without expecting anything in return. 4. Stop comparing – Your path is unique. God’s plan for you does not look like God’s plan for anyone else. PRAYER Father, thank You for the revelation that I am under Your plan. Forgive me for the times I have pushed my way to the front, manipulated, or envied others. Purge my heart of selfish ambition. Help me to rest in Your timing, to serve without striving, and to trust that promotion comes only from You. I declare today: I am under Your plan. I will not push. I will wait on You. In Jesus’ name, Amen. FURTHER BIBLE READING · 1 Corinthians 15:9-11 – Paul’s humility despite his apostleship · 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 – Our identity as ambassadors under God’s plan · Daniel 2:20-22 – God changes times and seasons; He promotes · Psalm 75:1-10 – God is the judge; He lifts one and puts down another WISDOM CAPSULE Proverbs 24:1 (MSG) – “Don’t envy bad people; don’t even want to be around them.” Proverbs 24:6 (MSG) – “Strategic planning is the key to warfare; to win, you need a lot of good counsel.” CLOSING DECLARATION I am under God’s plan. I do not push my way to the front. I put myself aside and help others get ahead. My promotion will come from the Lord – not a day early, not a day late. Hallelujah!

WHY IS YOUR HEART SO SAD? Psalm 42:11 “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!” I was watching a video recently, and the presenter mentioned that loneliness is very real in our world. This was not her topic, but she diverted to make a point. She said that it is a growing trend for humans to form friendships and have emotional connections with robots and even fall in love with them. I knew this before, but it really hit home as she pointed out how loneliness has become a real issue. The Bible said there is nothing new under the sun. Loneliness is always something that humans struggle with. The Psalmists asked himself, “Why is my heart so sad?” Many of you may be asking yourself the same question. You may not even understand why you are constantly sad. I don’t have all the answers as to what may be bothering every person, but I do know that a good portion of people are sad because of lack of fellowship/friendship. God designed us to fellowship, but the world has taught us to close our hearts and push people away. The Bible teaches us forgiveness and reconciliation, but the world says we must not allow our offenders near again. Unfortunately, there are some who are not alone because of choice but because of circumstances. Then there are those surrounded by people yet still lonely. Whatever the reason you find yourself lonely, remember you are never alone. The psalmist said, “I put my hope in God.” God is your hope. He will never leave you. The Psalmist’s perspective is: if I can just find it in myself to praise Him, to hope in Him, this sadness will go away. If we can truly understand that God is always near, sadness will flee from us. Look up and begin to praise Him. There is joy in the presence of the Lord. Why is your heart so sad? Hope in God. Gillian Henriques

Good evening to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you. Today was an early rise and a quick hit the road. First doctor was at 8, and the last was at 1:30. In the midst of times between, we grabbed lunch, went shopping for materials for my book signings and sales, picked up medicine, and then some groceries for dinner. A full day indeed. Finishing up with mushrooms and then cheesecake. Yesterday’s event was fantastic. Good sales. Good friends made. Connections with other opportunities. Seeds planted. And to make it interesting, an exercise program was implemented when the wind caught the canopies. Prolly shoulda staked and weighted. Ooops. Over the last few weeks, I have had my eyes opened to an entirely new world. A world where my focus has never been clearer. It is a bit on the odd side, because I had always thought I knew my path, and maybe I did, but in retrospect, it may have been more duty-bound than insight. Please do not misunderstand, I would not trade my military time or my time at the post office, nor any of the many other jobs that I have held in my lifetime. They each played a serious role in God’s plan for me. The military … gave me a sense of duty, a sense of standard, a sense of family … other than blood, a sense of respect … not only for others, but for myself as well. And oh so much more. The factory … this is where God sent Ms. Linda. A beautiful woman who found Jesus later in life. Fell head over heals in love with Him. Listen to Him and approached me ever so kindly in my darkest moments with my back turned towards Him. Gently reminding me that He had not gone anywhere. He was waiting patiently for me. Ms. Linda had no idea why I had turned my back. Nor did it matter, all that mattered was that her Lord told her I was her target and she obeyed. Also, at the factory, Bobbi. A wild child who cared deeply for her team. She guided me through a very, very dark time. Reminding me … of my self-worth. The struggles with the other jobs, including the 911 operator job in the county where I lost my child, then taking a call from a woman who came home from work to find her husband of over 50 years, I believe, blue in his chair. I had to talk her through the situation while fighting my own battles after loosing my daughter. The strength I found in that moment. Lastly, so far, the post office. Not without its own drama and problems has led me to a life that I could only dream of. With friends that are beyond words. External family members who love unconditionally. Then, also, the post office brought back my love for writing. A story in itself. The last three weeks have been relaxing. Refreshing. Invigorating. Eye-opening. But most of all, rewarding. My husband and I are connecting in ways that we had long time lost, many moons ago. I am able to spend extensive time with my aging mother, on the drop of a dime. My writing is taking off and my ability to meet authors and souls in venues I would not been otherwise… amazing. I do not know what He has in store for me. Frankly, in just the last three weeks, it's indescribable. My schedule is no less busy, just in a different direction. All I can say … is Thank you. Thank you to all the people who have come into my life, spoke love and wisdom, adopted me into your circle, and … when necessary … spoke Truth. One of the hardest things to do … when you truly care for someone, because you do not want them to hurt … but sometimes Truth is what is needed. I have been sincerely blessed. My prayer this evening … is that you all are blessed as well. Good night. ***Everything is permissible-but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible-but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. – 1 Corinthians 10:23-24

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: SUNDAY, APRIL 19TH, 2026 THEME: REVERSING FAILURE AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE MEMORISE: Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; Psalm 30:11 BIBLE READING: LUKE 5:1-10 (KJV) 1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. 3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. 4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. 7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. 9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: 10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. MESSAGE: In today's Bible reading, Peter had fished all night and caught nothing. Even though he toiled throughout the night he had nothing to show for his efforts. However, God turned his failure into an instant success by arranging a divine encounter for him. After hosting Jesus in his boat, he caught so many fishes that his net broke. As he couldn't handle the size of his catch alone, he had to beckon to other fishermen to help him. Instantly, his failure was reversed, and he experienced a great turnaround. When my mother was alive, I used to travel to Ilesha, which was very close to my hometown in western Nigeria, to visit her every two weeks. On one such visit, I was about to eat when a man was brought inside the house. At first glance, I thought he was a madman, based on his appearance. However, I learnt that he was a highly educated man who used to be very wealthy before the enemy attacked him in a very strange way. He had a problem that no doctor on earth could handle. He told me that insects of all kinds usually come out of his body at regular intervals, and he had spent everything he had seeking a solution to this spiritual attack. He had also sold all his clothes and had resorted to wearing rags. Thankfully, God had mercy on him and arranged a divine encounter for him. When he told me his story, I asked him, "Will you give your life to Jesus Christ?" I explained to him that his battle was one that only God could help him win. He gave his life to Jesus Christ, and we prayed a simple prayer before he left. Two weeks after that incident, I went back to llesha to visit my mother as usual. Again, as I sat down to eat, a handsome, well-dressed man walked into the room. As he saw that I could not recognise him, he said, "It seems you don't recognise me." I replied, "I don't think we have ever met." He then responded, "I was the one you prayed for two weeks ago. Look at what God has done in my life in just two weeks!" Beloved, I pray that any cycle of failure in your life will be reversed for good, and you will begin to enjoy cycles of blessings and miracles, in Jesus name. PRAYER POINT: Father, please reverse every cycle of failure in my life for good, in Jesus' name. BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 KINGS 4-5 HYMN 26: THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING 1 There shall be showers of blessing: This is the promise of love; There shall be seasons refreshing, Sent from the Savior above. Refrain: Showers of blessing, Showers of blessing we need: Mercy-drops round us are falling, But for the showers we plead. 2 There shall be showers of blessing, Precious reviving again; Over the hills and the valleys, Sound of abundance of rain. [Refrain] 3 There shall be showers of blessing: Send them upon us, O Lord; Grant to us now a refreshing, Come and now honor Thy Word. [Refrain] 4 There shall be showers of blessing: Oh, that today they might fall, Now as to God we're confessing, Now as on Jesus we call! [Refrain] PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL SUNDAY, 19TH APRIL, 2026 *REVERSING FAILURE* ‎✓Father, I worship and adore You for You are the God that reverse the irreversible. You have never failed, and from generation to generation, You make impossibilities, possible. ‎ ‎✓Father, thank You because You will turn my mourning into dancing again, You will lift my sorrows, and I won't bow in failure again, in Jesus' name. ‎ ‎✓Father, please reverse the irreversible in my life, terminate every experience of labour-loss, and let me have something to show for all the efforts of my past, in Jesus' name. ‎ ‎✓Father, please arrange a divine encounter for me, that will change all my failures into instant success, in Jesus' name. ‎ ‎✓Father, please give me a net-breaking breakthrough that will spill over and me a blessing to everyone around me, in Jesus' name. ‎ ‎✓Father, please reverse my failures, and let me begin to experience great turnaround in every area of my life, in Jesus' name. ‎ ‎✓Father, please reverse every form of failure that my academics, connections, influence and riches could not handle, and grant me lasting divine success, in Jesus' name. ‎ ‎✓Father, please reverse my failures and mockery today, and make me a changed person. Take away my garment of shame, and put on a garment of glory, in Jesus' name. ‎ ‎✓Father, please in Your mercy, arrange a divine encounter for me that will terminate and destroy every battle in my life, in Jesus' name. ‎ ‎✓Father, in the lives of all Your children, please reverse any cycle of failures for good, and let them begin to enjoy cycles of blessings and miracles, in Jesus' name ‎ ‎✓Father, please reverse every cycle of failure in my life for good, in Jesus' name. ‎ ‎✓Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye. ‎ ‎Please, let Your son experience a reverse from failure to great success, blessings and fulfillment in all areas, in Jesus' name. Bless his children (biological and spiritual). Help him to continue to produce sons and daughters to Your glory, in Jesus name. ‎ ‎✓Father, bless Your son that You have been using to prepare these prayer points beyond measure, and all those who have been rebroadcasting them, in Jesus name. ‎ ‎✓Father, please let every challenge, hindrance and obstacle of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus name. ‎ ‎✓Your Personal petitions. ‎(Philippians 4:6) ‎ ‎✓..In Jesus name I pray. ‎(John 14:13-14; 15:16) ‎ Happy Sunday! ‎ #GodBlessOurNation *These prayers have no expiry date! Please join us in prayer, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus’ name.

_Choose to be kind to yourself, and don't give away your joy because of a situation, someone or something._ _Keep your mind set on new opportunities, divine connections and supernational favours. Disengage your mind of self- defeating thoughts._ _You can’t change what’s going on around you until you start changing what’s going on within you. It's your choice to be happy._ _Make up your mind to enjoy your life; to have a blessed, prosperous and victorious life. You may have some challenges, but don't let that change your mind._ _Keep it set on happiness. If you leave your mind in neutral, the wrong thoughts will creep in just by default. It's not what happen to you or what you have or don't have that is important; it's how your mind is arranged and the choices you make that count._

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This Week's Prayer Guide April 12 - This week, pray for the needs of the people of Xiantan. Pray for the church to be a Christlike witness to their friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family members. April 13 - A pastor in Xiangtan speaks about how improved transportation has actually made things difficult for the city’s economy: "Around 2023, the transit connections among Xiangtan, Changsha, and Zhuzhou reopened, creating a half-hour living circle between Xiangtan and the other two cities. This has also led to a great deal of population loss, because Changsha and Zhuzhou have more job opportunities, and many young people are moving in both directions. That has also contributed to Xiangtan’s economic decline, because companies cannot recruit enough workers." Pray for people who will invest in Xiangtan, that it may be a city that flourishes for the good of all its citizens. Pray also for more care for those who are struggling in the poor economy. April 14 - A Xiangtan pastor says, "Campus ministry has shrunk and been restricted. The church cannot enter campuses or communities, and even social charity activities are hard to organize in the church’s name, because we are considered an illegal church and cannot operate in that way." Pray for more creative ways for churches to love and witness to students in the name of Christ. April 15 - A pastor in Xiangtan says, "Schools maintain constant pressure, and students feel they must study hard and are deeply repressed. Many young people have depression and emotional heaviness. When we interact with them, we find that if we only try to reason with them, they feel annoyed. To build relationships takes a great deal of time and energy, and for ministry today that is a huge challenge." Pray for students in Xiangtan who are struggling with depression or who are overwhelmed by school. Pray that the church can be a source of comfort and peace for them, that they will be able to build deep relationships with students and show them the hope of Christ. April 16 - "After the pandemic," says one Xiangtan pastor, "people have become more and more guarded. Before, we could hand out Gospel tracts on the street or give small gifts. Now none of that can really be done. On the one hand, the government restricts it and does not allow it. On the other hand, people are guarded, and there are too many scammers. If you kindly offer someone a small gift, they will throw it away because they are afraid." Pray that the Holy Spirit would overcome the spirit of fear and suspicion in Xiangtan, that the lost would find the hope of Christ. April 17 - "Right now there is an online culture," says one pastor in Xiangtan. "Especially among those born after 2000, the culture places a high value on personal entertainment, while social and outdoor activity have greatly decreased. When we try to reach them, we discover cultural challenges, and they are not willing to participate. It is hard to enter their world. They have their own circles and electronic entertainment, which gives a high level of stimulation to the brain, so when they hear the Gospel, it feels too traditional and too old-fashioned. They also have a desire for novelty and a tendency to tire quickly of things." Pray that the gospel will break through the overemphasis on entertainment, that young people in Xiangtan would be aware of their own deep longings and that in Christ they would find the rest that their restless hearts seek. April 18 - A sister in Xiangtan says, "In this age of rampant material desire, together with the culture of the city, people are especially drawn to eating, drinking, entertainment, and pleasure. They feel they do not have time for Jesus. They want to have fun, play mahjong, and pursue whatever brings profit. Some time ago there was a woman here who actually came to church for a period of time, but her heart never really seemed to come in. She said that going to church brings no payoff, no visible benefit, whereas playing mahjong does, and people drift in those things day after day. It is very hard, really very hard, to shepherd and support them." Pray for gospel depth in Xiangtan, that people would not see the gospel as transactional or expect a worldly "payoff," but would rather be captured by the beauty and goodness of the gospel vision. 4月12日- 本周，请为湘潭百姓的需要祷告。也请为当地教会祷告，愿他们能向自己的朋友、邻舍、同事和家人活出基督的见证。 4月13日- 湘潭的一位牧者谈到，交通改善反而给这座城市的经济带来了困难："大约在2023年前后，湘潭、长沙和株洲之间的交通重新恢复，形成了湘潭与另外两座城市之间的半小时生活圈。这也带来了大量人口流失，因为长沙和株洲有更多工作机会，许多年轻人都往那边流动。这也进一步加剧了湘潭经济的下滑，因为企业招不到足够的工人。" 请为那些愿意投资湘潭的人祷告，使这座城市能够兴旺起来，造福所有市民。也请为那些在低迷经济中挣扎的人祷告，愿他们得到更多关怀和帮助。 4月14日- 湘潭的一位牧者说："校园事工已经缩小，而且受到限制。教会不能进入校园或社区，甚至连以教会名义组织公益活动都很困难，因为我们被视为非法教会，无法那样开展事工。" 请祷告，求神赐给教会更多有智慧、有创意的方法，使他们能奉基督的名去爱学生、向学生作见证。 4月15日- 湘潭的一位牧者说："学校一直给学生很大压力，学生觉得自己必须努力学习，内心被深深压抑。很多年轻人都有抑郁和沉重的情绪。我们与他们接触时发现，如果只是想和他们讲道理，他们会觉得很烦。要建立关系需要花费大量时间和精力，而这正是今天事工中一个很大的挑战。" 请为湘潭那些正经历抑郁，或被学业重担压垮的学生祷告。也请祷告，愿教会能成为他们安慰和平安的来源，能够与学生建立深厚的关系，并向他们显明基督里的盼望。 4月16日- 湘潭的一位牧者说："疫情之后，人变得越来越防备。以前我们还能在街上发福音单张，或者送一些小礼物。现在这些几乎都做不了了。一方面，政府有限制，不允许这样做；另一方面，人心也很防备，而且骗子太多了。你若好意送别人一个小礼物，他们也会因为害怕而把它扔掉。" 请祷告，求圣灵除去湘潭当中惧怕和猜疑的灵，使失丧的人能够找到基督里的盼望。 4月17日- 湘潭的一位牧者说："现在有一种网络文化。特别是在00后当中，这种文化非常强调个人娱乐，而社交和户外活动却大大减少了。当我们尝试接触他们时，会发现有很多文化上的障碍，他们也不愿意参与。很难进入他们的世界。他们有自己的圈子和电子娱乐，而这些给大脑带来很强的刺激，所以当他们听见福音时，会觉得太传统、太老套了。他们也很追求新鲜感，而且很容易对一件事失去兴趣。"请祷告，愿福音突破人们对娱乐的过度看重，使湘潭的年轻人能意识到自己内心深处真正的渴望，并在基督里找到他们躁动之心所寻求的安息。 4月18日- 湘潭的一位姊妹说："在这个物欲横流的时代，再加上这座城市本身的文化，人们特别容易被吃喝、娱乐和享乐吸引。他们觉得自己没有时间给耶稣。他们想要玩乐、打麻将、追求一切能带来利益的事。前段时间，这里有一位女士其实来过教会一段时间，但她的心似乎始终没有真正进来。她说，去教会没有回报、没有看得见的好处，但打麻将却有，人们就这样日复一日地陷在这些事里。要牧养和扶持他们，真的很难，非常难。" 请为湘潭有更深的福音根基祷告，愿人们不要把福音看成一种交换，不期待从中得到属世的"回报"，而是被福音异象中的美善所吸引。

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There's great strength in coming together, in sharing burdens and celebrating triumphs as one. Community isn't just a place; it's a feeling of belonging, a network of support, and a shared journey of faith. As we approach the weekend, let's cherish the connections that uplift us and actively seek to build bridges of understanding and love. Together, we are stronger. #communitylove #fellowship #strongertogether #faithfamily #connections