Rev. (Rtd.) Osei Kwabena Nkrahene | Wednesday, August 26, 2026 | Romans 7:21–23 KEY VERSE: “I delight in the law of God… but I see in my members another law waging war…” — Romans 7:22–23 ESV MESSAGE: Earlier in Romans, Paul established that all have fallen short of the glory of God. He also taught that through the finished work of Christ, believers are to consider themselves dead to sin and alive to God, refusing to allow sin to reign in their mortal bodies. Yet as Romans 7 unfolds, the experience Paul describes becomes increasingly frustrating. He knows what God desires, and in his inner being he genuinely delights in God’s Law. It is instructive to note that this delight does not remove the struggle. Paul sees “another law” at work in the members of his body, waging war against the law of his mind. There is a real desire to obey God, yet an opposing force seeks to pull him toward sin. The conflict has therefore moved beyond knowing what is right. Paul describes an active war within, and the result is captivity to the law of sin operating in his members. The issues in this chapter are far from academic. They describe the painful reality of wanting to please God while experiencing the persistent pressure of sin. Such captivity cannot be broken by determination alone. The chains of sin require a stronger Deliverer. The Mighty Warrior, the Lord Jesus Christ, is able to deal with every captivity of sin. Our awareness of the battle should therefore deepen our dependence on Him. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Do not treat your inward struggle with sin lightly. Recognise the battle, bring it honestly to Christ, and depend on Him for strength to obey God. PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, break every captivity of sin in my life. Strengthen my desire to obey You and help me live in the victory You provide. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 238 Jeremiah 46–48 — God Rules Over the Nations DAILY word study: WAGING WAR The expression “waging war” in Romans 7:23 comes from the Greek antistrateuomai, meaning “to make war against,” “fight against,” or “oppose in battle.” Paul describes the struggle with sin as an active conflict. He delights in God’s Law in his inner being, yet another force works against the law of his mind and seeks to bring him into captivity. This shows the seriousness of the inward battle and our need to depend on Christ for strength. Reflect on This Recognise the battle within. Depend on Christ for strength to stand firm.

Rev. (Rtd.) Osei Kwabena Nkrahene | Tuesday, August 25, 2026 | Romans 7:16–20 KEY VERSE: “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.” — Romans 7:18 ESV MESSAGE: The struggle described in Romans 7 is not only about knowing what is right; it also exposes our inability to do what is right by our own strength. In today’s Key Verse, Paul brings three matters clearly before us: the corruption of the flesh, the desire to live according to God’s will, and our complete inability to carry out that desire without divine help. Paul says, “I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.” This is the painful reality of the divided self we considered yesterday. The desire for what is right is present, yet the power to fulfil that desire is lacking. It is instructive to note that sincere intentions alone cannot overcome the force of sin working within us. Human resolve reaches its limit when confronted by indwelling sin. Verse 20 brings the matter into sharper focus. Paul identifies sin dwelling within him as the source of this inability. We therefore cannot rescue ourselves from the power of sin, no matter how determined we may be. Our helplessness should lead us to seek the One who can help us. Only Jesus Christ can provide the grace and power we need to live in obedience to God. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Stop relying on determination alone in the areas where you repeatedly struggle. Bring your helplessness honestly to Christ and depend on Him for strength to obey God. PRAYER: Father God, I confess that I cannot overcome sin by my own strength. Help me depend fully on Jesus Christ for the grace and power I need to live in obedience to You. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 237 Isaiah 29–31 — Trust the Lord Rather Than Human Strength DAILY word study: DWELLS What does Paul mean when he says that nothing good “dwells” in his flesh? The word “dwells” in Romans 7:18 comes from the Greek oikeō, meaning “to live in,” “inhabit,” or “make one’s home in.” Paul describes sin as something deeply present within fallen human nature. His problem is not a lack of desire, because he wants to do what is right. The struggle lies in the power of indwelling sin and his inability to carry out that desire by his own strength. Reflect on This Your weakness should lead you to Christ. Depend on Him for strength to obey God.

Rev. (Rtd.) Osei Kwabena Nkrahene | Monday, August 24, 2026 | Romans 7:14–25 KEY VERSE: “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.”_ — Romans 7:15 ESV MESSAGE: Our previous devotional reflection exposed sin as the real enemy. Paul now takes us deeper into the believer’s inward struggle, describing an experience that was not peculiar to him but is familiar to countless believers. The language changes from the past tense of the preceding verses to the present as he describes a painful conflict within himself. Here, sin appears not only as deceptive but also as forceful and unrelenting. The result is a divided self, caught in terrible inward tension. Paul describes his condition in striking terms: “I am of the flesh, sold under sin.” He knows what is right and desires to do it, yet he discovers another force working against that desire. It is like a person seeking to live on a higher plane while the power of sin continually pulls him towards a lower one. His words expose the weakness of human resolve when confronted by the power of sin. Verse 15 brings this struggle painfully close: “I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” Wanting to do what is right does not by itself give us the power to do it. There are moments when we know what pleases God, genuinely desire it, yet find ourselves struggling to follow through. It is instructive to note that recognising this inability should not lead us to excuses or despair. Knowing the seriousness of our condition should push us to seek help. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Do not hide or excuse the struggle between what you know is right and what you actually do. Bring it honestly to Christ and ask for His help. PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, You know my inward struggles and the weakness of my own resolve. Give me grace to overcome the power of sin and strength to do what pleases You. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 236 Isaiah 25–28 — Trusting the Lord, Our Everlasting Rock Why can our own actions sometimes leave us spiritually perplexed? The Greek word ginōskō, translated “understand” in Romans 7:15, means “to know,” “recognise,” or “understand.” Paul is disturbed by the contradiction he sees within himself. He desires what is right, yet his actions do not consistently follow that desire. His words reveal the painful inward conflict produced by sin and the limits of human resolve. Reflect on This Be honest about the struggles you do not understand. Bring them to Christ and seek His help.

Rev. (Rtd.) Osei Kwabena Nkrahene | Sunday, August 23, 2026 | Romans 7:7–13 KEY VERSE: “Sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness…” — Romans 7:8 ESV MESSAGE: After showing that believers have been released from the Law to serve in the new way of the Spirit, Paul now addresses a question that could easily arise: Is the Law itself sinful? His answer is an emphatic, “By no means!” The Law did not create sin. Rather, it reveals sin. Paul illustrates this from his own experience: “I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet’” (Exodus 20:17). The commandment exposed a sinful inclination that was already present within him. Now we come to the wickedness of sin. The Key Verse explains that sin seized the opportunity provided by the commandment and produced all kinds of covetousness in Paul. Sin takes advantage of what God prohibits and stirs sinful desires within us. Paul uses covetousness as his example, and we should not belittle it. The deeper issue is the deceptive power of sin, which seeks opportunities to work through our sinful inclinations. Sin, therefore, emerges as the enemy. How? Paul tells us in verse 11 that sin seized an opportunity through the commandment, deceived him and through it killed him. It is instructive to note that the Law remains holy, righteous and good. Verse 13 makes clear that it is sin which produces death through what is good, thereby exposing sin for what it truly is. Let us stop blaming God's standard or finding excuses for our disobedience. Sin is the enemy, and Christ has dealt with it. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Identify where sin is seeking an opportunity in your life. Stop making excuses for it, and bring that area under the rule of Christ today. PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, help me to stop finding excuses for sin. Give me grace to recognise its deception and walk in the victory You have won for me. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 234 Isaiah 19–21 — The Lord Rules Over Nations and Their Destinies DAILY word study: OPPORTUNITY The word translated “opportunity” in Romans 7:8 comes from the Greek aphormē, meaning a starting point, base of operations, or occasion from which something can act. Paul describes sin as “seizing an opportunity through the commandment.” Sin seeks a point from which it can operate, producing sinful desires and deception. This is why sin must never be treated lightly or excused. Reflect on This Where might sin be gaining an opportunity in your life? Bring that area under Christ’s rule.

Rev. (Rtd.) Osei Kwabena Nkrahene | Saturday, August 22, 2026 | Romans 7:1–6 KEY VERSE: “While we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions… were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. But now we are released from the law… so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit…” — Romans 7:5-6 ESV MESSAGE: After explaining that believers now belong to the risen Christ, Paul shows what this new relationship means for daily service. Freedom from the Law is not freedom to live for ourselves. It is freedom to serve God in a new way through the Spirit. Paul describes something that may appear paradoxical. While we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions were aroused by the Law and worked in us to bear fruit for death. The problem, as we have already seen, was not with the Law itself. Sin took advantage of what the Law prohibited and stirred within fallen humanity the desire for what was forbidden. Paul will explain this more fully as the chapter progresses. It is instructive to note that these sinful passions were at work in our members and produced fruit for death. The Law could reveal what God required, but our sinful nature could not produce the life that God desired. This takes us back to the human problem with which Paul began this discussion with. Left to ourselves, our passions lead us away from God and ultimately to death. Fortunately, verse 6 begins with the decisive words, “But now.” Through the finished work of Christ, a new era has opened for the believer. We have been released from that which held us captive so that we may serve God “in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.” Our liberation therefore leads to a new way of serving God, with the Holy Spirit working within us and directing our lives. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Depend on the Holy Spirit as you serve God today. Ask Him to shape your desires, choices and obedience according to God’s will. PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for setting me free. Help me to depend on the Holy Spirit and serve God in the new way He has made possible. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 234 Isaiah 19–21 — The Lord Rules Over Nations and Their Destinies DAILY word study: THOUGHT The word “released” in Romans 7:6 comes from the Greek katargeō, meaning “to render inactive,” “to release from,” or “to bring to an end the controlling force of something.” Paul says believers have been released from the Law, having died to what once held them. This release opens the way for a new manner of service. Through Christ, we now serve God “in the new way of the Spirit.” Reflect on This You have been released to serve God in the new way of the Spirit. Depend on the Holy Spirit today.

Rev. (Rtd.) Osei Kwabena Nkrahene | Friday, August 21, 2026 | Romans 7:2–6 KEY VERSE: “Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.” — Romans 7:4 ESV MESSAGE: Paul continues his discussion of freedom from the Law by using the analogy of marriage. He then brings the illustration directly to the believer in verse 4: “Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ.” It is instructive to note that Paul now calls these believers “brothers.” The people he once hated and persecuted have become his brethren, an example of the amazing change that faith in Christ brings. The key point of the verse is that through the body of Christ, believers have died to the Law and now belong to another. That Person is Jesus Christ, whom God raised from the dead. Our relationship with Christ, therefore, involves belonging. Through His death and resurrection, we have been liberated and brought into a new relationship in which we belong to the risen Lord. Let it be stressed that our new relationship with Christ must become evident in the way we live. Paul says that we have been joined to the risen Christ “in order that we may bear fruit for God.” Salvation, therefore, carries a clear implication for Christian living. Our conduct, service and devotion should show that our lives are now given to God and His purposes. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: You belong to Christ. Examine your life today and identify where your relationship with Him should produce greater obedience, service or godly character. Ask Him to help you bear fruit for God in that area. PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, I belong to You. Help me to rededicate my life to You and Your cause. May my conduct, service and devotion bear fruit that pleases and honours God. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 233 Isaiah 16–18 — God Rules Over the Pride of Nations DAILY word study: BELONG TO ANOTHER The expression “belong to another” in Romans 7:4 comes from the Greek ginomai heterō, carrying the sense of becoming or coming to belong to another. Paul says that through Christ, believers have entered a new relationship. We now belong to the risen Christ, and this belonging has a clear purpose: that we may bear fruit for God. Our lives, devotion and service should reflect the One to whom we belong. Reflect on This You belong to Christ. Let that relationship shape the fruit your life produces.

Rev. (Rtd.) Osei Kwabena Nkrahene | Thursday, August 20, 2026 | Romans 7:1–6 KEY VERSE: “The law is binding on a person only as long as he lives.” — Romans 7:1 ESV MESSAGE: After showing us in Romans 6 that believers have been set free from sin’s dominion, Paul now begins a new section in Romans 7. Here, he turns our attention to freedom from the Law and introduces a principle his readers would readily understand: the Law is binding on a person only as long as he lives. This raises an important question as we enter the chapter: Is there something wrong with the Law from which we need to be freed? The Law being discussed is the Mosaic Law, and Paul is not suggesting that there is anything evil about it. Scripture speaks highly of God’s Law, and Paul himself will later stress that “the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good” (Romans 7:12). The Law reveals God’s righteous standard and makes us conscious of sin. The problem, then, is not the Law itself but the human condition on which the Law operates. The Law exposes what sin has done to us, but it cannot give sinful humanity the power to meet God’s righteous demands. As Paul begins to explain our freedom from the Law, he is preparing us to see more clearly why we need the saving work of Christ. The Law shows us what is right, but only Christ can give us the life and strength to walk in God’s will.” FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Do not depend on keeping a code to produce the life God desires. Look to Christ for the strength to live according to God’s will. PRAYER: Father God, help me understand my need for Christ and depend on Him for the strength to live as You want me to. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 232 Isaiah 13–15 — The Lord’s Judgment Against the Nations DAILY word study: BINDING The word translated “binding” comes from the Greek kyrieuō, meaning “to rule over,” “have dominion over,” or “exercise authority over.” In Romans 7:1, Paul uses kyrieuō to describe the Law’s authority over a person during life. His emphasis is on jurisdiction. The Law carries real authority, and Paul begins the chapter by establishing that death changes that relationship. This principle prepares the way for what he will explain as Romans 7 unfolds. Reflect on this: The Law’s authority helps you understand your need for Christ. Depend on Him for the life God desires.

Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | Tuesday, August 11, 2026 | Romans 6:12–14 KEY VERSE: “For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.” — Romans 6:14 NIV MESSAGE: Paul has shown us that those who are united with Christ have died to sin and been raised to live a new life. He has called us not to let sin reign and to offer ourselves to God as instruments of righteousness. Now, in Romans 6:14, Paul gives us a powerful assurance: sin shall no longer have dominion over the believer. We live under grace, where Christ has secured our freedom and the Holy Spirit empowers us to live for God. To be “under the law” is to stand under its righteous demands and condemnation without possessing the power to fulfil those demands perfectly. The law reveals God’s holy standard and exposes our sin. Salvation and transformation come through Jesus Christ. Through grace, God gives forgiveness and new life. We are accepted by Him because Christ has accomplished for us what we could never accomplish for ourselves. Grace also gives us a new position and strength from which to resist sin. It pardons us when we fail, teaches us to live differently, and supplies what we need for a life of holiness. The Holy Spirit works within us, shaping our desires and giving us strength to pursue what pleases God. Grace provides forgiveness, freedom, and power for overcoming sin’s dominion. Romans 6:14 therefore carries both promise and responsibility. The promise is that sin will no longer be our master because we belong to Christ. The responsibility is to live consistently with the freedom He has given us by yielding ourselves to God. Because we have already been accepted through Christ, we can resist sin with confidence in God’s grace and live each day under His rule. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: When temptation comes, remind yourself: “I am under grace.” Christ has given you freedom to resist sin and live for God. Depend on the Holy Spirit and make the choice that reflects the freedom you have received in Christ. PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You that I now live under Your grace through Jesus Christ. Forgive me for the times I have lived as though sin still controls me. Help me to believe and live in the freedom Christ has purchased for me. May Your grace transform my life and make me a faithful reflection of Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 223 Ecclesiastes 1–3 — Seeking Meaning in a Changing World DAILY word study: GRACE The word “grace” is translated from the Greek word charis, meaning “grace,” “favour,” or “kindness freely given.” Grace is God’s undeserved favour given to us through Jesus Christ. It brings forgiveness and new life, and it strengthens us to resist sin and pursue holiness. Living under grace means living from what Christ has accomplished and depending on the Holy Spirit each day. Reflect on this: Where do you need God’s grace to strengthen you today? Depend on the Holy Spirit and let God’s grace shape your response.

Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | Monday, August 10, 2026 | Romans 6:12–14 KEY VERSE: “Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.” — Romans 6:13 NIV MESSAGE: Our last devotional on Romans 6:12 showed us that believers must not allow sin to reign in their mortal bodies. Romans 6:13 now shows us how to respond: we must offer ourselves to God. This verse calls believers to surrender every part of their lives to God and become instruments through which His righteousness is displayed. Paul warns believers not to present any part of themselves as an instrument of wickedness. Our bodies, minds, words, abilities, time, and resources should be placed at God’s disposal for purposes that honour Him. Sin seeks to use our lives for its own purposes, and because we belong to Christ, we must refuse to place ourselves at its disposal. Our confession that Christ is Lord should be reflected in the way we use every part of our lives. Paul also reminds us that we have been “brought from death to life.” We do not offer ourselves to God in order to earn salvation. The believer’s response to God’s grace should be one of grateful surrender. Every part of us belongs to the One who rescued us from spiritual death and gave us new life. Paul then calls us to become instruments of righteousness. An instrument is something placed at someone’s disposal for a particular purpose. God calls us to place our entire lives in His hands so that He can use us to accomplish His righteous purposes. Our hands should serve others, our mouths should speak words that build up, our minds should dwell on what is pleasing to God, and our gifts should be used for His glory. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Take a personal inventory of your life today. Consider your time, thoughts, words, relationships, abilities, finances, and physical body. Ask yourself: “How am I offering these areas of my life to God?” Place each one deliberately in His hands and allow Him to use you for purposes that reflect His righteousness. PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for bringing me from death to life through Jesus Christ. I acknowledge that everything I have and all that I am belong to You. Today, I surrender my mind, my body, my words, my abilities, my time, and my resources to You. Use me as an instrument of righteousness to reflect Your character, serve others, and advance Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 222 Proverbs 28–31 — Wisdom for Righteous Living, Leadership, and Character DAILY word study: INSTRUMENT The word “instrument” is translated from the Greek word hoplon, meaning “tool,” “instrument,” or “weapon” placed at someone’s disposal for a purpose. Paul’s picture is practical. Your hands, words, mind, abilities, time, and resources can become instruments God uses for righteous purposes. When you surrender yourself to Him, ordinary parts of your daily life become available for service, obedience, encouragement, generosity, and work that reflects His character. Reflect on this: What part of your life needs to be more fully placed at God’s disposal today? Offer it to Him and ask Him to use it for His righteous purposes.

Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | Sunday, August 9, 2026 | Romans 6:12–14 KEY VERSE: “Do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.”_ — Romans 6:12 NIV MESSAGE: Paul has established that believers have died with Christ, have been raised to new life, and are no longer slaves to sin. He now moves from who we are in Christ to how we should live because of who we are. Romans 6:12 is therefore a call to active spiritual discipline. Although sin no longer has the right to rule the believer, we must not willingly give it control. Sin must not be allowed to reign. Paul commands us not to let sin rule us. Sin may still be present, but it no longer has the authority it once had over those who belong to Christ. We must therefore refuse to give sin control over our thoughts, desires, attitudes, or actions. The Christian life requires continual surrender to God and a deliberate refusal to allow sin to take the throne. Sin often seeks expression through sinful desires that influence how we use our mortal bodies. Temptation may begin within as these desires press upon our choices. The presence of a desire does not mean we must obey it. Believers have the Holy Spirit, who gives us strength to resist the pull of sin and choose righteousness. We must learn to recognise sinful desires before they become sinful actions. Resisting sin requires deliberate choice. Paul’s command, “Do not let sin reign,” reminds us that Christian living involves active participation. Holiness requires daily surrender and obedience. We submit our thoughts, desires, bodies, and decisions to God, depending on His grace and the power of the Holy Spirit. Every choice that honours Christ shows that sin no longer rules our lives. FEET AND HANDS: Pay attention to the moment when a sinful desire begins to press for control. Name it honestly before God and decide in advance what obedience should look like when that temptation comes again. Depend on the Holy Spirit and act on that decision. Every deliberate choice to obey God allows you to live out the freedom Christ has already given you. PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You that through Jesus Christ, sin is no longer my master. May I never surrender the throne of my heart to sin. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and teach me to submit every part of my life to Your rule. Help me resist sin and choose righteousness each day, so that my life may bring glory to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 221 Proverbs 25–27 — Wisdom for Relationships, Restraint, and Faithful Living DAILY word study: REIGN The word “reign” is translated from the Greek word basileuō, meaning “to rule as king,” “to exercise authority,” or “to govern.” Paul uses the language of rulership. Sin may still tempt the believer, yet it must not be given authority over our thoughts, desires, attitudes, or actions. Through our union with Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, we can refuse sin’s control and submit every part of life to God. Reflect on this: What area of your life is most vulnerable to sin’s influence? Bring it before God today. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you recognise temptation early and choose obedience.

Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | Saturday, August 8, 2026 | Romans 6:8–11 KEY VERSE: “The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.” — Romans 6:10 NIV MESSAGE: Paul has reminded us that Christ’s resurrection guarantees our new life and that death no longer has mastery over Him. He now takes us to the heart of Christ’s finished work. Romans 6:10 declares that Jesus’ death was decisive, complete, and sufficient. He died once for all, and He now lives continually for God. This truth assures us of our salvation and a pattern for how we should live. Christ died to sin once for all. His death on the cross dealt fully and decisively with the penalty and power of sin. The repeated sacrifices of the Old Testament pointed forward to Christ, whose sacrifice was perfect and final. He does not need to die again because His work of redemption is complete. The cross stands as the eternal proof that the price for our sin has been fully paid. Christ’s victory over sin is permanent. Paul says that Christ “died to sin once for all.” Jesus conquered the realm of sin and death decisively. His resurrection demonstrates that the power of sin and death could not hold Him. The victory Christ won is permanent, and those who are united with Him share in the benefits of that victory. Christ now lives to God. Paul declares, “The life He lives, He lives to God.” In His resurrection life, Christ lives forever to God and for His glory. This becomes the pattern for every believer. Since we have been united with Christ, our lives should increasingly be lived for God. His finished work assures us, and His risen life calls us to wholehearted devotion. FEET AND HANDS: If you are carrying guilt over sins you have genuinely confessed, remind yourself that Christ’s work is complete and sufficient. Then ask yourself: “Is my life being lived for God?” Christ died once for all to deal with sin. Because He lives, you are called to live your life wholly for God. PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I thank You for the finished work of Jesus Christ, who died once for all to deal with my sin. Thank You that His sacrifice is complete, His victory is permanent, and His resurrection gives me living hope. Forgive me for the times I have lived for myself rather than for You. Help me to live wholly for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 220 Proverbs 22–24 — Wisdom for Character, Conduct, and Life Choices DAILY word study: ONCE FOR ALL The expression “once for all” is translated from the Greek word ephapax, meaning “once,” “once for all,” or “once and never needing repetition.” Christ’s death dealt decisively with sin. His sacrifice was complete and sufficient, and His victory does not need to be repeated. Because His work is finished, believers can rest in what He has accomplished and live with confidence before God. Reflect on this: Are you still carrying guilt over sins you have genuinely confessed? Remember that Christ’s work is complete. Receive His forgiveness and live today wholly for God.

Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | Friday, August 7, 2026 | Romans 6:8–11 KEY VERSE: “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.” — Romans 6:8–9 NIV MESSAGE: Paul has reminded us that our old self was crucified with Christ and that we are no longer slaves to sin. He now turns our attention to the glorious hope that flows from our union with Christ. The Christian life is centred on the One to whom we are now alive. Because Christ died and rose again, those who belong to Him can live with confidence, hope, and assurance. We have died with Christ and now live with Him. Paul says, “If we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him.” Through faith, we are united with Christ in His death and resurrection. Our old life under sin’s dominion has been put to death, and we have been given new spiritual life in Christ Jesus. To be a Christian is to share in the life of Christ, believe the truth about Him, and live in relationship with Him. Christ’s resurrection guarantees our new life. Paul reminds us that Christ was raised from the dead and can never die again. His resurrection was a decisive victory over death. Because Jesus lives forever, the life He gives to believers is secure. Our hope rests on the finished work and enduring life of our risen Saviour. Death no longer has final authority. Paul declares that death no longer has mastery over Christ. Physical death remains part of our present human experience, yet it cannot hold believers permanently or separate them from Christ. Since we belong to Him, we have a hope that reaches beyond the grave. His resurrection assures us that sin and death will never ultimately defeat those who are in Christ Jesus. This truth gives us courage to face present trials and confidence about the future. We can live today conscious that we are alive to God in Christ and that our eternal destiny is secure in Him. FEET AND HANDS: The only way to overcome death is to believe in Jesus Christ and surrender your life to Him. When you face fear, temptation, disappointment, or uncertainty, remind yourself that you belong to the risen Christ. Let the reality of His resurrection shape the way you face life’s challenges. Walk with faith, hold firmly to hope, and live each day conscious that your life is secure in Him. PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You that I have died with Christ and now have new life in Him. Thank You that Jesus rose from the dead, lives forever, and has conquered the power of death. Keep me conscious of my new identity in Jesus Christ. Give me courage to face life with faith and hope, and lead me to live fully for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 219 Proverbs 19–21 — Wisdom Directs Our Choices and Conduct DAILY word study: LIVE WITH The expression “live with” is translated from the Greek verb syzaō, meaning “to live together with” or “to share life with another.” Through faith, believers are united with Christ in His death and resurrection. Because Jesus lives forever, we now share in His spiritual life and carry the sure hope of living with Him eternally. Reflect on this: How should Christ’s enduring life shape the way you face fear, uncertainty, or discouragement today?