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Equip & Empower Equipping. Empowering Leaders To Lead the Nations. Equipping, Empowering Disciples...

24/08/2026

AN AWESOME PRIVILEGE, HAVING THE SPIRIT OF GOD IN US...
Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?
- 1 CORINTHIANS 3:16 RSV
The Samaritan woman asked Jesus where people ought to worship God—on Mount Gerizim (where a Samaritan temple once stood) or at the Jewish temple in Jerusalem. Jesus surprised her by saying that the time was soon coming when men would not worship God at either spot but “the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth” (John 4:19–24 RSV).

Indeed, as Stephen later said, “The Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands” (Acts 7:48 NKJV). If God doesn’t dwell in temples built by men, where does he dwell? Jesus promised his disciples that although, up to that time, the Holy Spirit dwelled
with them, he would soon dwell in them (John 14:17).

Paul stated it clearly when he asked Christians, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16 RSV). He further stated, “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you,” and emphasized that that was why we ought to live holy lives (1 Corinthians 6:19 RSV; 2 Corinthians 6:16–17).
What an awesome privilege—to be a temple of the Spirit of God!
- Encouraging Verses of the Bible

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22/08/2026

JESUS OFFERED: ONCE AND FOR ALL TIME...
We are made holy through the sacrifice
of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
- HEBREWS 10:10 NIV
The Son of God became the Lamb of God, the cross became the altar, and we were made holy through the sacrifice Christ made in His body once and for all time.

What needed to be paid was paid. What had to be done was done. Innocent blood was required. Innocent blood was offered, once and for all time. Bury those five words deep in your heart. Once and for
all time.
—MAX LUCADO
He Chose the Nails

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20/08/2026

EVERYTHING ORIGINATED FROM GOD...
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
- GENESIS 1:1 KJV

Sometimes the simplest things are the most profound. The Bible begins with a clear, direct statement of where our universe came from: God. What the Bible doesn’t try to explain is where God Himself comes from.

At the very start, scripture simply assumes His existence. But read a few pages into the Bible, and you’ll find God’s explanation of His own being … kind of. Though it’s tough for the time-bound human mind to understand, God called Himself “I AM” in response to Moses’ question, “What is [Your] name?” (Exodus 3:13–14 KJV).

Those two little words clearly imply existence, and, interestingly, always in the present tense. There was never a time that God wasn’t, and there will never be a time when He won’t be. God simply is.

Scientists and philosophers have debated the origins of the universe and everything in it—including people—for about as long as people have existed in the universe. But the Bible states clearly and simply that everything originated with God. It takes faith to accept that. But it takes a lot more faith to disbelieve!
- Encouraging Bible Verses

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18/08/2026

The Way up Is Down
Matthew 20:21, 25-28
JOURNEY BACK WITH ME for a moment to one of the many scenes that demonstrated just how ordinary Jesus’ disciples were. What makes this account interesting is that mother of two of the disciples. She’s Mrs. Zebedee, wife of a Galilean fisherman and mother of James and John. Her bold request still makes me smile:
In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of
honor next to you, one on your right and the other on
your left.
- M AT T H E W 2 0 : 2 1

Isn’t that typical? Can’t you just picture this bold Jewish mother taking over the meeting and venturing her whopping request? She wanted her sons to have prominent places in the new kingdom startup. Now don’t be too tough on Mama Zebedee. She’s proud of her two sons . . . obviously! Her motive was probably pure. But the occasion presented a teachable moment Jesus used to show what greatness looks like in God’s eyes.

Jesus said:
You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their
people, and officials flaunt their authority over those
under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever
wants to be a leader among you must be your servant,
and whoever wants to be first among you must become
your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be
served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom
for many.
M AT T H E W 2 0 : 2 5 - 2 8

My friend and ministry mentor, the late Howard Hendricks, often said:
The church doesn’t need any more leaders—what the church needs today is followers!” I wholeheartedly agree.

In God’s Kingdom, the way up is always down. Next time you call a
meeting and feel tempted to sit at the head of the boardroom table, consider sitting somewhere in the middle. You’ll not only model Christ’s example of humility, you may create a teaching moment of your own.
- Charles Swindoll, Good Morning Lord...

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It’s not what you do once in a while;it’s what you do day in and day outthat makes a difference.- JENNY CRAIG- Jumpstart...
17/08/2026

It’s not what you do once in a while;
it’s what you do day in and day out
that makes a difference.
- JENNY CRAIG
- Jumpstart Your Leadership
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GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU,,When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, t...
11/08/2026

GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU,,
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
- ISAIAH 43:2 NIV
- Encouraging Verses of the Bible
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09/08/2026

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
- ISAIAH 55:9 RSV
God tells us, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways” (v. 8 RSV), and then goes on to describe the vast difference between the way He thinks and the way we mortals think and between the way He operates and the way people try to work things out.

God reasons and works on such a higher level that He compares it to the heavens, which are immeasurably higher than the earth. God has given us intelligence and common sense, and He intends us to use our brains to think through everyday problems and come up with solutions.

We are not infinitely smart, however, and sometimes the solution to our problems may be different from anything our minds can envision. A good example is Jesus’ command to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44). It runs contrary to normal human logic.

God knows best, and though we may feel certain that God’s way won’t work or even seems downright foolish, we do well to remember that “the foolishness of God is wiser than men” and that compared to God, “the thoughts of the wise are futile” (1 Corinthians 1:25, 3:20 RSV).
- Encouraging Words of the Bible

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06/08/2026

LET US READ AND EXPLORE THE WHOLE BIBLE...
“You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”
- LEVITICUS 19:18 NKJV

Most Christians have never actually read the book of Leviticus. As far as they can see from skimming its pages, it contains endless lists of laws and regulations, tedious, outdated instructions on how to sacrifice animals and stay ritually pure.

The book of Deuteronomy, they feel, is almost as irrelevant to life in the modern world. Yet the two greatest commandments in the Old Testament are found in Leviticus and Deuteronomy.

When a Pharisee asked Jesus, “Which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus didn’t quote any of the well-known Ten Commandments that most of us would have repeated. Instead, he quoted Deuteronomy 6:5 ( NKJV):
“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart.” Jesus then stated emphatically, “This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it.” He then quoted Leviticus 19:18: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:35–40 NKJV).

If the two most important commands in the Law are found in these “dull, dry” books, what else might be found there that can inspire and guide us?

Stray off the beaten path of your scripture reading and explore the remote corners of your Bible. There are wonderful gems hidden there.

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03/08/2026

YOUR SPIRITUAL DNA, YOU BELONG TO GOD...
No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed
remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of
God.
- 1 JOHN 3:9 NIV
The Greek word for “seed” in this verse is none other than sperma. One born of God has his “seed” in him, a spiritual DNA that marks us as belonging to Him. One of these DNA markers changes our awareness of sin.

John repeats his assertion that God’s child will not continue sinning twice more in this epistle (3:6 and 5:18).

Paul talked about the constant tension between knowing what is right yet doing what is wrong (Romans 7:7–25). Only as we live by the Spirit can we put our sinful natures to death (Romans 8).

John also acknowledged this tension—and ultimate victory—when he stated that “everyone [who is] born of God overcomes the world” (1 John 5:4 NIV).

People have always been tempted to claim to know God while doing evil. Back in Jeremiah’s day, people called the Lord Father and friend. Jeremiah said, “This is how you talk, but you do all the evil you can” (Jeremiah 3:5 NIV).

In Christ and by the Spirit, we have overcome the world. May our lives reflect this truth in increasing measure.
- Encouraging Verses of the Bible

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31/07/2026

LET US HEAR JESUS AND FOLLOW HIS LEAD...
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
- JOHN 10:27 NIV

Sheep graze in large flocks. They often spread out finding the best spot for some tasty grass or cool water to drink. They wander down gullies and ruts, oblivious to dangers such as pits or wild animals.

Sheep are not very smart animals. They need someone to watch over them and lead them to the best places.

But sheep do know one thing quite well: the sound of the shepherd’s voice.

They hear him call, even from great distances. His voice directs them back to safety. They know to plead for his help when they get into trouble.

We humans aren’t always smart, either. We get lost as we seek the
glittering attractions of the world. We wander off our spiritual path, distracted by our own desires and ignoring the dangers.

We also have a Good Shepherd to watch over us and gently call us to safety. If we listen, we can hear His voice even when we drift away.

Jesus wants us to hear Him and to follow His path. What will we choose to listen to? The noisy sounds of the world or His soft whisper to join Him?
- Encouraging Verses of the Bible

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