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ICGC Elites Temple, Kwabenya Balloon Gate, Accra (2026)

26/08/2026

*LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL*
_By Pastor Mensa Otabil_

Wednesday, 26th August 2026

*IT'S TIME FOR GROWTH*

*SCRIPTURE READING:* Isaiah 60

> _A little one shall become a thousand, And a small one a strong nation. I, the Lord, will hasten it in its time._ *Isaiah 60:22*

When we commit ourselves to grow, God transforms us from the little weak people we are into mighty giants who do big things for Him.

Have you ever had this experience? After so many years, you meet a friend from your past — maybe your childhood or teenage years. This is someone who used to bully you and make you feel small and weak. Now, you meet him or her and you wonder whether it's the same person. When you were younger, they seemed big and intimidating but now they appear rather small and frail.

You ask yourself: 'Is it the same person? What happened?' Well, you grew! In your mind, you assumed that no matter how much you grew, they would be bigger than you. Then you realize after meeting him or her that you actually grew bigger. You smile at them and wonder what it was that made you afraid in the first place. We go through that exact experience in both our spiritual and mental lives.

Today, when you look around you, there are so many difficulties that perplex you and make you feel insignificant. When you look at them, they seem so big and impossible to solve. In your mind they seem like problems which will always be with you.

However, as you consistently apply yourself to spiritual growth, in the word of God, something dramatic is taking place that you do not see. You are growing stronger and bigger by the day. Although you may not see it, you are growing spiritually — in your mind, thoughts and understanding.

One day, you will confront the same problems that scared you today, and they will appear small and insignificant. Those issues that you thought you would never be able to overcome will bow before you because of your new-found strength and authority in Christ. So, grow, brother grow. Grow, sister grow.

Let us grow until the little one becomes a thousand, and a small one becomes a mighty nation.

*PRAYER*

_Heavenly Father, you are my strength. Raise me up above every limitation facing me today. In Jesus' name, Amen._

25/08/2026

*LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL* _By Pastor Mensa Otabil_

Tuesday, 25th August 2026

*WHEN I WAS A CHILD*

*SCRIPTURE READING:* 1 Corinthians 13

> _When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things._ *1 Corinthians 13:11*

Learning is in stages. In both our natural and spiritual lives, learning is part of our growth. What we learn at an earlier age helps us to learn new things in our later years. If we do not master the things at a lower level, we cannot grasp the higher things. If we do not master our ABCs, so to speak, we cannot master our spellings.

The Apostle Paul describes three stages of growth.

• *Thinking as a child.* It is cute for children to think and speak like children. We all have instances when we've seen a child play a prank or say something that convulsed us with laughter. A child's combination of innocence, unfiltered thoughts and poorly-formed words can make us marvel at their brilliance. The only reason why we see what the child does as brilliant is because he or she is a child. Similarly, when we are new at learning anything, people may see our mistakes as cute.

*• Becoming a man.* Usually, our bodies grow ahead of our minds. As we add up birthday after birthday, it should dawn on us that we are growing. After blowing the birthday candles and eating the cake, we must recognise the reality of our age. We are no longer whom we used to be. That is something we must come to terms with both physically and spiritually.

*• Putting away childish things.* When we grow, we must change. As a child grows, his or her mistakes will no longer be cute. Parents get worried when childish behaviour continues. The scriptures tell us that as we grow in life, we must put some things away. That means we have to make the effort to stop some patterns of behaviour.

When adults behave like children, they turn people off. Similarly, as we grow in Christ, we must put off spiritual 'babyism'.

*PRAYER*

_Heavenly Father, help me to put away every thought and action that holds me bound to my childish past. In Jesus' name, Amen._

24/08/2026

*LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL*
_By Pastor Mensa Otabil_

Monday, 24th August 2026

*DON'T BE CHILDISH*

*SCRIPTURE READING:* 1 Corinthians 3:1-15

> _And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ._ *1 Corinthians 3:1*

Paul described the Christians in Corinth as babies in Christ. That means although physically they looked like grown-up people, they did not have the maturity to handle serious commitments. Because they were immature, Paul could not speak to them about the deeper things of life.

Though Christ commends us to be childlike in trusting God, He does not want us to be childish in our understanding and actions.

Why did Paul describe the Christians in Corinth as babies?

*• They were showoffs.* Children are major attention seekers. They like to be at the centre of attention; and will do everything to steal recognition from others. They can't understand why it is someone's birthday and not theirs; they will therefore throw tantrums. Unfortunately, many of us never outgrow this inordinate need for attention. Sometimes, on social media, we see people showing off and desperately trying to get the attention of people who care very little about them.

*• They were sectarian.* Paul noted that the Christians in Corinth did not derive their confidence in God and what God had made them. They derived their attention from people they were associated with. Some claimed to belong to Peter, others to Apollos and Paul. If they lived in our age they would be the ones who build their identities around other people's brands. Instead of building their identities on Christ, they fought for their brands.

*• They had squabbles.* As a result of their childish need to showoff and be sectarian, the Corinthian Christians were quarrelsome. They always fought amongst themselves. They did not know how to live peaceably with each other. Like us, they liked to put others down.

If we have these Corinthian traits, we may also be described as babies. Yes, physically, we are grown but in reality, we are children. God does not want us to be childish in understanding. He wants us to mature.

*PRAYER*

_Heavenly Father, help me to outgrow my fears and insecurities. I desire to mature in my walk with you. In Jesus' name, Amen._

23/08/2026

*LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL* _By Pastor Mensa Otabil_

Sunday, 23rd August 2026

*LOOK TO GOD*

*SCRIPTURE READING:* Mark 10:46-52

> _Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!'_ *Mark 10:48*

The devil will always have someone available to tell us why we shouldn't expect to get results when petitioning God. Most people would rather stay with the crowd and not do anything to draw attention to themselves, even if that means not getting their needs met. They will try to make you conform as well. If this man had listened to the crowd, he would not have received his healing.

This blind man is a good example of an active kind of faith. He was not passive in his approach toward healing. He boldly cried out to Jesus for mercy. When the crowd ridiculed him and told him to be quiet, he cried out even louder for mercy.

Many people believe that God can perform the miracle they need but relatively few are willing to actively pursue it until they get results. They are afraid of what others will think of them. This man had his attention focused only on Jesus. Nothing else mattered and that is why he got healed.

An integral part of faith is seeking God only with your whole heart. If we are concerned about what people think in order to gain their approval, we will never take a stand in faith for anything that we might be criticised for. This is one thing that has stopped so many people from receiving from God. You cannot be a 'man-pleaser' and please God at the same time. Satan uses persecution to steal away God's Word and thereby stop our faith.

Don't rest until you become all God wants you to be.

*PRAYER*

_Heavenly Father, help me to look to you alone and seek you with all my heart. In Jesus' name, Amen._

22/08/2026

*LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL*
_By Pastor Mensa Otabil_

Saturday, 22nd August 2026

*DON'T GET TIRED*

*SCRIPTURE READING:* Galatians 6:1-10

> _And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart._ *Galatians 6:9*

Whatever we sow, we reap in due season. Have you had people do something bad and wished they will reap instant judgment? Did you get disappointed that God did not judge them instantly?

*• Due season.* What is the due season? This concept clarifies the principle of sowing and reaping. So when we sow a seed, we don't just reap at any time. We reap in due season. In the same way, when we sow a seed — prayer, good deed or financial — we reap in due season.

The due season is the season when things happen. For example, when I sow corn at the beginning of the planting season, I will reap at the harvest season — from June to August. No matter how urgent my need is, the corn will be harvested at the appointed season for corn.

Similarly, God has appointed seasons for things to happen. A child can pray by faith for a car now, but he needs to reach a season of maturity for God to give him the car. There are offerings that people give today but they need to be in another season for them to receive their reward from the Lord.

*• The fullness of time.* The due season has its fullness of time. Though harvesting takes place at an appointed season, each plant matures slightly differently from others. The season may be right, but each one may have a slightly different fullness of time.

For example, pregnancy takes nine months to birth. However, two women who became pregnant on the same day may go through a full-term pregnancy and deliver on different days. My fullness of time may be slightly different from your fullness of time.

Just trust the Lord that in due season, at the fullness of time, He will reward you and show you His goodness.

*PRAYER*

_Heavenly Father, I thank you that in due season and in the fullness of time, I will receive your promises. In Jesus' name, Amen._

21/08/2026

*LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL* _By Pastor Mensa Otabil_

Friday, 21st August 2026

*BE PATIENT*

*SCRIPTURE READING*: James 5:1-12

> _Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain._ *James 5:7*

The immediate context of this passage is related to the coming of the Lord. James was encouraging the Christians of his time and ours on how to wait for the coming of the Lord Jesus. In encouraging us to wait for the coming of the Lord, James used the analogy of a farmer and how he waits for his harvest.

The Apostle James urged the early Christians to learn from how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth. Just as the farmer waits patiently for his fruit, so must we also wait patiently for the coming of the Lord.

We can apply James' analogy to other areas of our lives. For example, when God makes a promise to us, we must wait for its fulfilment. Similarly, when we start any endeavour, we must learn to work and continue working patiently until we start seeing the fruits of our labour.

Many times, people sow a seed and instantly expect a harvest. But the scriptural principle is that in between seedtime and harvest, there is waiting time. James used the word 'wait' two times. What is 'waiting?' What does it mean to wait?

Waiting. In this passage, waiting is related to patience. What does that mean to us?

*• To remain where you are.* This can be physically staying where you are, mentally staying where you are or spiritually staying where you are. Remaining where you are is not an excuse for laziness or doing nothing and just hoping that everything will be fine. No. It is about taking a positive step in a direction and remaining committed to the direction you're moving in.

That is not all. Waiting also means looking forward to something.

*• To look forward to something.* To have a sense of expectation. To be ready or in preparation for something to happen. This kind of waiting is also called hope. Hope keeps us going when we feel tired. A farmer who has no hope of a harvest cannot wait for the harvest.

*PRAYER*

_Heavenly Father, help me to remain patient and faithful as I work and plow my field. In Jesus' name, Amen._

20/08/2026

*LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL*
_By Pastor Mensa Otabil_

Thursday, 20th August 2026

*HONOUR GOD'S PRINCIPLES*

*SCRIPTURE READING:* Acts 10:30-48

> _But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him._ *Acts 10:35*

God is no respecter of race or nation. His blessings reach beyond racial lines and national boundaries. He is not limited by how a person looks or where they live.

As long as you stay in the will of God for your life, you will find the fullness of life that God wants you to enjoy.

The fact that God is no respecter of persons does not mean that all of us will do the same thing. Life is not the same for everybody though God is the same for everybody. He does not call all of us to do the same thing. His gifts and callings are diverse.

Being diverse or different should not be seen as better or worse. They should only be seen as they are — diverse and different. Some people live in more prosperous nations while others live in more impoverished nations. God takes care of His children who live in prosperous nations as well as His children who live in impoverished nations.

The Lord does not relate to us on the basis of race or nationality but on these two bases.

*• We must fear the Lord.* That means we must honour His laws and principles. God honours those who honour His principles, no matter who they are or where they live. When we honour God's principle of sowing and reaping, we will enjoy the benefits of that principle, no matter who we are or where we live.

*• We must work righteously.* That means to do what is right. Right work produces right results; wrong work produces wrong results. If we work diligently, we will be rewarded, no matter who we are. If we work haphazardly, we will be failures; no matter who we are or where we live.

*PRAYER*

_Heavenly Father, help me to honour your principles and do the right thing at all times and in every place. In Jesus' name, Amen._

19/08/2026

*LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL*
_By Pastor Mensa Otabil_

Wednesday, 19th August 2026

*NO PARTIALITY WITH GOD*

*SCRIPTURE READING:* Acts 10:30-48

> _Then Peter opened his mouth and said: 'In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.'_ *Acts 10:34*

The Apostle Peter made this statement after He had seen the Lord pour out His Holy Spirit on Gentiles just as He did for the Jews. Peter realised that the Jews did not have a spiritual advantage over Gentiles. That was a very radical discovery for a devout Jew who had been brought up to see himself as part of God's chosen race. Yet, in the home of Cornelius — a Gentile — Peter came to the firm conclusion that God does not show partiality.

What Peter discovered that day is still the truth today. God does not play favourites.

We live in a time of big dreams and big projects. God's people are stepping out to do things that were thought impossible years ago. In the midst of all these 'great' achievements, we stand the risk of thinking that only a select group of people can do great things for God.

God does not play favouritism with His children. He does not have favourite children and non-favourite children. He does not have people whose sins He punishes and others whose sins He overlooks. Neither does He have people whom He blesses even if they do the wrong thing and others whom He curses even if they do the right thing. God is not partial.

Any thinking that sees God as partial is not Christian. Throughout the Bible, we see clearly that God does not refrain from pointing out the sins of His people and punishing them if need be. We also see people who were outsiders being brought in to partake of His goodness.

The perception of favouritism can be very destructive of your uniqueness and the special place that God has positioned you in.

The biggest mistake you can ever make is to allow somebody else's achievement to limit what you consider possible. If your high calling is to be the one who teaches young children to read and write, don't look down on your contribution and don't allow any disrespectful comment from anybody to depress you.

Your power in life is directly linked to the place you function in and the commitment you give to the things that the Lord has placed in your care.

*PRAYER*

_Heavenly Father, your goodness towards me is the same to all your children. I am blessed beyond measure. In Jesus' name, Amen._

18/08/2026

*LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL*
_By Pastor Mensa Otabil_

Tuesday, 18th August 2026

*YOU HAVE IT ALL*

*SCRIPTURE READING:* 2 Peter 1:1-11

> _Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue._ *2 Peter 1:2-3*

God will not demand from us that which He has not already given us. He grants us the ability to do the things that He requires of us. So although our challenges may be very tough and intimidating, we are not left helpless and powerless. We have the equipment and the tools to tackle life's many challenges.

To face our challenges, we must know what God has given to us.

*• God has given Himself to us.* The Lord is on our side. His power is available to us to tap into. His grace is sufficient for us. His love for us is unfailing. He does not leave us alone nor abandon us when we get into trouble. In our moments of perplexity, He shows up in power to uphold us and carry us through.

*• God has given us His word.* Through the word of God, we have access to wisdom beyond our years and experience. God speaks to us when we read and study the Bible. He shows us the pitfalls we must avoid and the highway to follow. He shows us the signposts to success and the secrets to a happy life. Wisdom screams from the pages of the Bible and those who listen and apply its lessons to their lives enjoy the benefits of life.

*• God has given us talents.* Within each one of us are rich deposits of talents, gifts and abilities which are waiting to be discovered and deployed. God has fairly distributed to each one of us, the needed gifts to help us make our lives fruitful and useful. We do not work to acquire them. They have been bequeathed to us by a loving God.

*• God is making a way for us.* All around us are great opportunities that the Lord creates for us. From friends and people that assist us, to access to certain domains, He grants us these to pave a way for us. Opportunities sometimes present themselves in garments of challenges. Those who take the challenge and respond to it appropriately, reap the benefits of their diligence.

Why has God placed all these at our disposal? So that we can ably fulfill His will for our lives. You have what it takes and what you need to fulfill God's purposes for your life.

*PRAYER*

_Heavenly Father, you have given me all the things I need in life. Thank you for equipping me for success. In Jesus' name, Amen._

ICGC Elites Temple

26/08/2026

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