Rev. Tetteh-Annor Larbi | July 26, 2023 | Matthew 22:7-10 KEY VERSE: So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find. Matthew 22:9 (NIV) MESSAGE: Growing up in a footballing community we had times when some top divisional teams came to town to play on the community football pitch. These matches were very hyped and therefore a lot of spectators came to watch. However, the matches were not free to attend and watch, there was a gate fee one had to pay to enter to watch the match. These games were usually played in the late afternoons and were very well attended. We stood behind the crowds from afar since we could not afford the gate fee, and waited for the time when the organizers would allow anybody who wanted to watch to enter, without paying the gate fee. And this was usually a couple of minutes to the end of proceedings. We would joyously rush in to squeeze through the crowds, to catch a glimpse of our favourite player who came from the main league, to come and be guest players in the local teams. Such precious moments they were. Anybody who desired to watch the match at this point even without the gate fee could enter and watch for free. In our reading today, we see a similar situation playing out with the guests at the wedding feast. When the invited guest failed to show up for the feast, the king instructed the servants to go out there and invited just anybody into the feast. Pre-arranged invitations did not matter anymore, all were invited to attend. It had become a “free Gate” situation. Some would call it a free-for-all situation. The king had opened the invitation all everyone, you only had to hear it, accept it and get up and go to the feast. FEET AND HANDS OF THE MESSAGE God has lowered the bar of salvation to a standard that everyone can meet when given the opportunity. Anyone at all could come to God by accepting His message (the invitation) from His sent servants and making that move to come to the feast. We must not deny them the opportunity of hearing the invitation and making that decision whether to attend the wedding feast or not. God is counting on us to send the message to the streets, the highways, byways, houses, and schools, to invite people to the wedding feast; both the good and the bad. Let’s fill up the wedding hall. PRAYER Dear Lord, I want to partner with you to reconcile lost humanity to yourself. Grant me the grace and give me the opportunity to invite someone to the wedding feast today. For your dear name’s sake. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS SHOWERS! BLESSING!!

Rev. Tetteh-Annor Larbi | July 25, 2023 | Matthew 22:7-10 KEY VERSE: The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Matthew 22:7 (NIV) MESSAGE: The title of our devotion today is “Touch not my anointed…” This is borrowed from 1 Chronicle 16:22 and Psalm 105:15. A lot of us are very stereotyped and prejudiced about the use of this phrase and hearing of this piece of scripture. We see it as the excuse of some men of God to try to gag people who want to talk about some of their practices, actions, and inactions. Practices we think are out of taste with what we know and believe. These men of God quickly throw in this phrase when they are confronted about some of their practices. As much as we have the right to challenge these servants of God because of what we think we know should be done, they also have a right to please the king who called and sent them. So I have told people that, before you decide to stand up to want to speak against any servant of God’s actions, you better secure God’s backing first on that matter, otherwise you could land yourself in trouble with God Himself. Our text today, speaks of the king (God) getting furious about the killing of the servants, the ones he sent out to call the invited guests to the wedding feast, and as a result, unleashing His wrath on the murderers and destroying their city. The fact remains that God jealously guards His servants and will come to their defence and even avenge them when they are treated wrongly and in a way that makes them suffer some form of pain or even death. His judgement will come on anyone who maltreats or mistreats the servants He has called and sent out, who are answerable directly and primarily to him and accountable for the various assignments He has sent them out to perform. David knew this fact and therefore did not maltreat King Saul, even though he had the opportunity to do so. Miriam and Aaron had to learn it the hard way after speaking against Moses because he had married a Cushite woman. (Numbers 12:1-15). FEET AND HANDS OF THE MESSAGE Speaking against the servants God has sent to us and set over us, does not please God. Dishonouring and mistreating the servants of God does not honour God. Think about the ways in which we mistreat and maltreat God’s servants today. They are accountable and answerable to God who called and sent them. Let us not shirk our responsibility towards the servants God has sent to us, to serve us with His word, for if we honour them, we honour God Himself who sent them. PRAYER Heavenly Father, I repent of any maltreatment and mistreatment I have contributed to, towards any of your called servants. Help me to honour you by honouring them. For your dear name’s sake. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS SHOWERS! BLESSING!!

Rev. Tetteh-Annor Larbi | July 24, 2023 | Matthew 22:5-6 KEY VERSE: ⁵But they paid no attention and went off-one to his field, another to his business. ⁶The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. Matthew 22:5-6 (NIV) MESSAGE: Our devotional yesterday, explained the characters or players in the parable Jesus gave in Matthew 22:1-5. We are told in today’s text that, the invitees to the wedding feast played lightly on the King’s invitation and gave many excuses not to attend the wedding feast. They also got hold of the servants and treated them badly even to the point of killing some of them. Now that we know who the invitees are, we are tempted to judge the Jewish people of old and those that lived in the early Apostles' days to condemn them quickly Let us not be too quick on that path but ask ourselves some very relevant questions. How do we also treat the servants of God, whom God sends to us with the message of Salvation today? How do we respond to God’s message when it is preached to us by these servants of God? Are we also careless in how we handle the messengers and the message from God? The Jews rejected the messengers of God and their message and even killed some of the messengers. They rejected the message of salvation and killed those God sent to bring that message to them. But are we not doing the same today? Our hearts are hardened when we hear God’s word and sometimes because we do not see eye to eye with the one bringing the message. We sometimes feel like we know better than them, are on a higher social status ladder than them, and are more educated or even older than them. Often, we know the message they are bringing because we have heard it many times and therefore ignore it. These clouds our hearts to receive the message of God through them. FEET AND HANDS OF THE MESSAGE When you hear God’s word, how do you react or respond? What is the state of your heart when the message of God enters? How have you treated the servants of God who carry His invitation to you? What can you do today towards having the right attitude and gratitude for God’s servants and God's message? PRAYER Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I did not treat your servants and your messages with reverence, and help me to accept your messengers and your message as is pleasing to you. For your dear names’ sake. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS SHOWERS! BLESSING!!

Rev. Tetteh-Annor Larbi | July 23, 2023 | Matthew 22:1-4 KEY VERSE: “Then he sent some more servants and said, Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.” Matthew 22:4 (NIV) MESSAGE: In our text today, Jesus likened the kingdom of God to a wedding feast that a king arranged for His son’s marriage. It is one of the many parables that Jesus used to communicate secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven to his hearers. The text in verse 3, presupposes that an invitation had been sent out already and the servants were sent to follow up on the invitees to the wedding. To the disappointment of the king, the invitees were not willing to attend, even though they had received their invitations ahead of time. (Read Rev. 19:6-9 for insights) The king did not relent in persuading them to still make it to the wedding feast, by sending more servants to try and convince the invitees, and by telling them all the preparations that had been made for the feast and the effort that had gone into arranging it. He beckoned them “Come to the wedding” It is worth noting, the king’s efforts to get the invited guest to come to the wedding feast. The characters in this parable are God (the King), Jesus (the son of the King), the Jews (invited guests), the Prophets of old (the first set of servants), the Apostles (the second set of servants) and the message of Salvation (the invitation). FEET AND HANDS OF THE MESSAGE God is sending out His invitation through his servants to you to come to Him. Would you accept the invitation today? Do you know how to accept the invitation? The invitation has an expiry date (it expires when you die) and therefore you must find yours NOW. You can accept the invitation by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour and living for Him and allowing Him to live through you. Have you received your wedding invitation? Cherish it and keep it handy, for you will need it when the time comes. PRAYER Dear Heavenly Father, I believe Jesus is your Son and You sent Him to die for me. I want Him to live through me. Help me to live for Him. Thank you for accepting me to the Wedding Feast. For your dear name’s sake. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | July 22, 2023 | Matthew 21:40-46 KEY VERSE: ⁴³“Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. ⁴⁴Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.” Matthew 21:43-44 (NIV) MESSAGE: In Matthew 21:40-46, Jesus uses a story to address the religious leaders who were rejecting Him as the Messiah. This passage reveals the significance of Jesus as the cornerstone, the foundation upon which God's Kingdom is built. It also emphasizes the danger of rejecting Him, which leads to judgment and loss of blessings. A cornerstone is a foundational stone that determines the alignment and stability of a building. In Ephesians 2:20, Jesus is referred to as the cornerstone, holding together the entire structure of God's household, the Church. He is the unifying force, bringing Jew and Gentile believers together into one body. Jesus' teachings, life, death, and resurrection are the foundational truths upon which our faith rests. We receive countless blessings when we accept Jesus as the cornerstone of our lives. He becomes the solid rock on which we build our faith and hope. Jesus offers forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and the promise of eternal life. Embracing Him as the cornerstone brings us into a living relationship with God, where we experience His love, peace, and guidance. Rejecting Jesus as the cornerstone leads to severe consequences. In the parable of the wicked tenants, the religious leaders' refusal to recognize Jesus as the Messiah resulted in judgment. The privilege of being part of God's Kingdom was taken away from them, and the Kingdom was given to others who would accept Jesus. Similarly, when we reject Jesus, we distance ourselves from the source of life and salvation, choosing a path of separation from God and eternal consequences. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE Do you still reject Jesus as your Saviour? Be careful you are not crushed and broken to pieces. Have you given your life to your Lord? Then ensure that you have firmly established Jesus as the cornerstone of your faith and life. Build your faith on the solid foundation of His teachings and example. Embracing Jesus as the cornerstone allows His grace to flow through us. Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith, and we find unparalleled blessings in Him. But we must also be aware of the dangers of rejecting Him. PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I understand the significance of Jesus as the foundation upon which my faith rests. Help me anchor my life upon His teachings, love, and sacrifice. May I build my life upon the solid rock of His truth, trusting in His guidance and following His example. Grant me the grace to surrender every aspect of my life to Jesus. May He be the centre of my thoughts, my actions, and my desires. Help me to submit my will to Him, knowing that His plans for me are perfect and lead to abundant life. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | July 22, 2023 | Matthew 21:33-39 KEY VERSE: When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit. The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. Matthew. 21:34-35 (NIV) MESSAGE: First, let’s look at the people involved in this parable. We have Jesus who is speaking and the chief priests and the Pharisees, about whom Jesus is speaking. We have the landowner, who is clearly meant to be God the Father and the tenant farmers, who are most likely the religious leaders to whom Jesus was speaking. We have the servants that were sent to the farmers, who are the messengers of God, most likely the prophets of God. Finally, we have the son, who is Jesus. Putting the pieces together we can see that Jesus tells this parable to communicate that God has graciously and patiently been calling the religious leaders of Israel to accept His way. He’s called them to work according to His plan and will to thrive in the kingdom of God, yet they continue to reject His way. The religious leaders rejected God’s way delivered through the prophets, through John the Baptizer, and they rejected His Son Jesus, whom they put to death. Just like the tenant farmers in the parable, they rejected God’s grace and way. The landowner equipped the vineyard with everything necessary for fruitfulness and then entrusted it to the tenants while he went on a journey. The parable portrays the blessings and opportunities God has graciously provided to the people to prepare people for the kingdom of God. However, they became greedy and selfish instead of faithfully yielding the fruits. They mistreated the landowner's servants, rejected their rightful authority, and even killed them. Eventually, they went so far as to kill the landowner's son in an attempt to seize his inheritance. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE This parable serves as a stern warning against taking God's grace for granted. God has blessed us abundantly, granting us life, talents, resources, and opportunities. Just like the tenants in the parable, we are entrusted with these blessings to bear the fruit necessary for the Kingdom of God. It is a reminder that God's grace is not a license for complacency or wickedness but a call to stewardship and faithfulness. It calls us to be faithful stewards of the blessings and opportunities He has graciously given us. Let us not fall into the trap of selfishness and sheer rebellion, for everything we are and have, has been entrusted to us to seek God and His kingdom. PRAYER Dear heavenly Father, I am grateful for the immeasurable grace you have poured upon my life. You have blessed me beyond measure with love, forgiveness, and countless opportunities to serve you. Grant us the wisdom to cherish Your grace, and to respond with gratitude and wholehearted devotion. May we never forget the price you paid for our redemption through the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ. In Jesus' name, we humbly pray. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | July 20, 2023 | Matthew 21:28-32 KEY VERSE: For John came to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him. Matthew 21:32 (NIV) MESSAGE: In Matthew 21:28-32, Jesus tells a parable about a man and his two sons, that carries a message about belief, repentance and doing the right thing. The man was the owner of a vineyard. In the agricultural civilization of Israel, vineyards were commonly family businesses. And in Jesus’s parable, this family was in the vineyard-business. The father asks his two sons to go and work in the vineyard. The first son initially refused, but later regretted his decision and went to work. The second son agreed to go but failed to follow through. Neither son was perfect. Both showed disrespect but their offence was shown in different ways. The first son was disrespectful and noncompliant in his initial response to his father, but he then ended up obeying his father’s request. The second son was deceitful when he feigned respect and signalled an intent to obey his father. He disguised his disrespect with the right words, which made his disobedience more hurtful. After lying to his father, the second son did not do what he promised, while the first son repented his disobedience and did what his father asked him to do. Jesus uses this story to illustrate the attitudes of religious leaders who professed righteousness but did not truly obey God's commands. The key verse (Matthew 21:32), emphasizes that those considered sinful, like tax collectors and prostitutes, who heard the message of repentance, believed in Jesus, and responded positively were entering the kingdom of God before the religious leaders. Repentance involves a genuine change of heart, a turning away from sin, and a turning towards God's will. God, in His grace, welcomes all who repent, regardless of their past mistakes. Jesus' statement about tax collectors and prostitutes entering the kingdom ahead of the religious leaders is a reminder of God's surprising grace. God's love extends to all, and His invitation is open to the broken and the sinful. No one is beyond redemption or excluded from the opportunity to experience God's forgiveness and salvation. True repentance and genuine faith result in a transformed life marked by obedience to God's will. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: As we reflect on Matthew 21:28-32, let us be encouraged to embrace a life of faith in Jesus Christ and firm belief in God's promises, genuine repentance, and a commitment to doing the right thing. May we never fall into the trap of self-righteousness but humbly walk with God, producing fruit that testifies to His transforming work in our hearts. PRAYER: Heavenly Father, grant me Your grace to believe in Your unfailing love and unchanging promises. Fill my heart with genuine repentance and show me the areas of my life where I need to turn away from sin and selfishness. In the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | July 19, 2023 | Matthew 21:18-22 KEY VERSE: Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered. Matthew 21:19 (NIV) MESSAGE: In this passage, we see Jesus perform one of His few destructive miracles. His curse made the fig tree wither away. It is worth noting that the two destructive miracles of Jesus (this and the events that ended in the destruction of the herd of pigs, (Matthew 8:30-32) were not directed towards human beings. As Jesus approached the fig tree, He expected to find fruit, for it was the season for figs. However, upon inspection, the tree was found to be barren, adorned only with leaves. Jesus responded by pronouncing a curse upon the tree, and it withered immediately. The fig tree was created by God to bear fruit and its abundance of leaves gave the impression of vitality and fruitfulness. Its external appearance masked its fruitlessness however, it is vital to remember that external appearances can be deceptive. Similarly, many people today may seem spiritually vibrant, actively involved in religious activities, and appear to have it all together. True spirituality goes beyond mere outward display and necessitates an authentic, inward transformation that bears the fruit of righteousness. God calls us to live fruitful lives. Our purpose is to bring glory to God and to make a positive impact on the world around us. We are designed to bear spiritual fruit. Every genuine fruitfulness begins with faith in Jesus Christ which results in the fruit of repentance. True fruitfulness, therefore, stems from a genuine relationship with Christ and a heart yielded to His work within us. It is from this that the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God works in us to bear spiritual fruit in our lives —love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). As believers, we are called to produce good works, share the Gospel, and make a positive impact on the world around us. The story of the fig tree reminds us to evaluate our lives and ensure that we are fulfilling our God-given purpose, and also serves as a warning against empty religiosity or outward show without genuine spiritual fruit. When we fail to live up to our purpose, when we neglect to bear the fruit of righteousness, we become ineffective and stagnant in our spiritual journey. Fruitlessness leads to a withering of our spiritual vitality and a loss of divine blessing and favour. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Are you bearing the fruit that God expects from you? Are you living purposefully and intentionally, seeking to bring glory to God through your actions, attitudes, and relationships? A lack of fruitfulness indicates a disconnect from the life-giving source, Jesus Christ. It is through our intimate relationship with Him, abiding in His Word and relying on the Holy Spirit, that we find the nourishment and strength to bear fruit._ PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, I thank you for your unfailing love for me. Please help me maintain a genuine relationship with you so that I will be fruitful and live to fulfil the divine purposes of my life. Grant me the grace to bring glory to you through my actions, attitude, and relationships. For Your dear Name’s sake Amen! THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | July 18, 2023 | Matthew 21:24-27 KEY VERSE: ²⁵…..They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ ²⁶But if we say, ‘Of human origin’- we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” Matthew 21:25, 26 (NIV) MESSAGE: The religious leaders raised the question of Jesus’ authority, and He answered by raising the question of their competence to judge such an issue. Their ability to judge John the Baptist and his ministry was a measure of their ability to judge Jesus as well. If the religious authorities rightly answer it, they will already have the correct answer to their question. They answered only after carefully calculating the political consequences of either answer. They didn’t seem interested in answering the question honestly, only cleverly. This showed they were more interested in the opinions of the multitude rather than the will of God. They could not say, ‘Of men,’ because they were cowards and they would not say, ‘Of heaven,’ for they were hypocrites. Jesus' intention was not merely to engage in a debate but to reveal the hearts of the religious leaders. By referring to John, Jesus challenged them to acknowledge the divine origin of John's ministry and, by extension, Jesus' authority. The religious leaders' reluctance to answer exposed their self-interest and lack of genuine faith. Jesus' response reveals His divine wisdom and understanding of the religious leaders' intentions. He demonstrates that true authority is not merely granted by human institutions but originates from God. His authority is not based on human approval or earthly power but originates from His very nature as the second person of the Trinity. As we reflect on this passage, we are reminded that Jesus possesses the ultimate authority as the Son of God. By recognizing and submitting to His authority, we open ourselves to a deeper understanding of His teachings and a closer relationship with Him. In contrast, a heart of obedience recognizes that Jesus' authority requires a response of humility, surrender, and willingness to align our lives with His will. As Christians, we affirm that Jesus' authority extends over all creation, including our lives. Recognizing and submitting to his authority is a fundamental aspect of our faith. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE How do you respond to the authority of Jesus? Do you acknowledge Jesus’ authority and submit to Him with a heart of humility and obedience? As you meditate on Matthew 21:24-27, may you affirm His divine identity, His role as the ultimate source of truth and salvation. Find out what "Truth" thinks before you worry about what people think and you will always find your way through any dilemma. PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I come before you humbly, seeking your grace and guidance. Today, I pray for the sincere desire to trust the authority of your Son, Jesus Christ, and to submit to Him in true obedience. Lord, help me to truly grasp the depth of His divine authority and to surrender my heart to Him completely. Remove any doubts or hesitations that hinder me from fully trusting in His wisdom and sovereignty. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | July 17, 2023 | Matthew 21:23 KEY VERSE: Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?” Matthew 21:23 (NIV) MESSAGE: In His previous visit a day before, Jesus drove out the moneychangers and merchants from the temple courts. Now He returned there to teach, unafraid of the religious leaders. When we think of the extraordinary things Jesus had been doing, we cannot be surprised that the Jewish authorities asked him what right he had to do them. The religious leaders raised the question of Jesus’ authority, and He answered by raising the question of their competence to judge such an issue. The religious leaders of Jesus' time were concerned with maintaining their authority and saw Jesus as a threat to their power and influence. In contrast, Jesus' authority was rooted in his divine nature as the Son of God. From a biblical perspective, the religious leaders failed to recognize that Jesus' authority was derived from his divine nature as the Son of God. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus demonstrates his authority through miracles, his teachings, and his fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies. The religious leaders' failure to acknowledge Jesus' authority reveals their spiritual blindness and resistance to God's revelation in Christ. The religious leaders' refusal to acknowledge Jesus' authority foreshadows their later actions of plotting against him and ultimately crucifying him. This passage serves as a warning against rejecting or resisting the authority of Christ. It reminds us of the grave consequences of opposing God's authority and the importance of responding to Jesus in faith and obedience. In light of this passage, we are called to examine our hearts and motives. We must seek to know and submit to Jesus' authority in our lives, and not be more concerned with maintaining our positions and power. We must be open to the transformative power of Jesus' teachings and willing to align our lives with his divine authority. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE This interaction challenges us to reflect on our response to Jesus' authority. Do we question and doubt his authority, as the religious leaders did, or do we humbly submit to it? It prompts us to examine our hearts and motives, ensuring that we approach Jesus with openness and genuine faith. Jesus' authority calls for a response of surrender and obedience, acknowledging His lordship in our lives. Are we willing to surrender our desires for power and control and humbly accept the teachings of Jesus, even when they challenge our preconceived notions or go against societal expectations? PRAYER: Gracious Lord, I come before You, seeking the grace to acknowledge Jesus' authority. May my heart open wide to His divine sovereignty, and may His teachings guide my every step. Grant me the wisdom to recognize His truth, and the strength to surrender to His loving rule. Help me embrace His authority with humility, that His power may transform my life wholly. With gratitude, I submit to His authority trusting in His guidance and redeeming grace. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | July 16, 2023 | Matthew 21:18-22 KEY VERSE: "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22 (NIV) MESSAGE: In our journey of faith, prayer holds a significant place. Prayer is a divine avenue through which we communicate with our loving Heavenly Father, presenting our joys, concerns, and deepest desires. In Matthew 21:22, Jesus reveals a powerful truth about the effects of faith in prayer. He assures us that whatever we ask in prayer, we will receive if we believe. Faith is the key that unlocks the abundant blessings and answers to our prayers. It is the unwavering confidence in God's goodness, power, and faithfulness. When we approach God in prayer with sincere faith, we demonstrate our trust in His character and His ability to bring about the best outcomes for us. The effects of faith in prayer are profound. As we come before God with unwavering faith, it aligns our hearts and desires with His will. It deepens our dependence on Him, acknowledging that He is the ultimate source of all things. Faith removes doubt and opens the door to miracles, as we surrender our requests to God. However, it's important to understand that having faith in prayer does not mean that we will always receive exactly what we ask for. God, in His infinite wisdom, knows what is truly best for us, even when we may not fully grasp it. Sometimes, His answer to our prayers may be different from our expectations, but it will always be in accordance with His perfect will. Our faith in prayer should also be accompanied by a heart of surrender. We must submit our desires to God, recognizing that His ways are higher than ours. When we truly trust Him, we can confidently pray, "Not my will, but Yours be done." This surrender reflects our faith in God's sovereignty and His ability to work all things together for our good. As we cultivate a lifestyle of faith in prayer, we draw closer to God and deepen our relationship with Him. It becomes a beautiful journey of intimacy and communion, where we experience His love, peace, and guidance. Our faith is strengthened as we witness the faithfulness of God in answering our prayers, even in ways we may not have anticipated. FEET AND HANDS FOR MESSAGE: Let us approach the throne of grace with faith and boldness, knowing that our prayers are not in vain. Let us believe in God's promises and His ability to fulfil them. Our faith in prayer will bring us closer to God and empower us to live lives that reflect His glory. Let us remember that faith in prayer is not a magic formula or a means of manipulating God. It is a posture of the heart that acknowledges God’s sovereignty, trusts in His goodness, and seeks His will above all else. PRAYER Heavenly Father, I thank you that you are the prayer-answering God. Lord, in moments of doubt and uncertainty, help me remember Your faithfulness throughout history and in my own life. May my faith in prayer deepen, and may I continually seek your presence as I journey in faith. Strengthen my belief in Your power to move mountains and to answer my prayers according to Your perfect will. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen! THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | July 15, 2023 | Matthew 21:14-17 KEY VERSE: _But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant._ Matthew 21:15 (NIV). MESSAGE: In this passage, we witness a clash between the religious leaders and the innocent praise of children in the temple courts. Jesus had been performing miraculous healings and displaying His authority, which amazed the crowds. However, instead of rejoicing in the wonderful things they witnessed, the religious leaders responded with indignation. The children were shouting in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David.” The term, Hosanna is simultaneously a declaration of joy and praise as well as a desperate, urgent cry for rescue. It is a Hebrew expression that means “Oh Save us!” and “Praise to the Savior.” The term Son of David was an overt Messianic expression. It came from a divine promise to David as prophesied through Nathan that God would give David a descendant whose throne would be established forever. This forever king was believed by the Jews to be the Messiah. Jesus was a descendant of David (Matthew 1:1) and He was the Messiah (Matthew 1:14). The children practically shouted to Jesus “Messiah save us!” and “Praise to Jesus, our Messiah!” This reminds us that children can have a real relationship with God and spiritual life, yet they will still be children. When they heard what the children were saying about Jesus and saw His wonderful miracles of healing, and how the people were flocking to Him, they became angry. They angrily asked Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” They expected Jesus to deny having heard or understood the Messianic shouts the children were saying, then to try and force Him to publicly reject the Messianic hopes the people were putting on Him. Jesus did not reject the children as they expected. He rejected the priests and scribes instead. He boldly responded in simple truth, yes and asked them a rhetorical question of His own: Have you never read, _‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself’?”_ (Psalm. 8:2). The religious leaders knew the scriptures, but they chose to harden their hearts and ignored the work of God. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: When hearts have chosen to be hard, they can ignore God's work no matter how spectacular it is. What is most scary about this situation is that we often find those people who choose to harden their hearts are often God's people who are trying to defend a position or a tradition and, in the process, miss the work of God. Jesus' ministry is for the lost, last, least, and left out and those who are willing to become the last and the least in his service, change their hearts, and offer their lives to Jesus. When you have nothing to protect and only the grace of God to capture your heart, then it's easy to declare the truth when you see it. Don’t harden your heart to the truth. PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that You would open my heart to the truth of who Jesus is. Remove any doubts or misconceptions that may hinder my understanding of His divine nature and His role as my Savior and Lord. I ask that You reveal Your Son, Jesus, to me personally and profoundly. Help me to grasp the depth of His love, His sacrifice on the cross, and the power of His resurrection. May my life be a living testimony of Your love and grace, shining brightly for others to see. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!