Young Professionals Forum Lesotho

🥖🥖 *DAILY MANNA*

🗓️ *SATURDAY, 18 JULY 2026*

*CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION*

🔑 *KEY VERSE* “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles” (Acts 8:1).

📜📜 *BIBLE READING:* Acts 8: 1 - 4

*MESSAGE*
On its website, Open Doors International, the Christian organisation, published its report on persecution of believers in 2024. The report showed that 4,476 Christians were murdered, 7,679 churches and Christian properties attacked and 4,744 Christians imprisoned across the globe. “In Open Doors’ World Watch List top 50 alone, 310 million Christians face very high or extreme levels of persecutions and discriminations for their faith”, the report said. Christian persecution is real in our world today. The early Church also faced persecution as we read from today’s Bible passage. The horrible death of Stephen by public stoning in Acts 7 triggered a wave of serious persecutions led by Saul. While the church was mourning over the death of the young preacher, Saul “…made havok of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison” (Acts 8:3). The believers had no choice but to scatter and flee Jerusalem to safety. The good news though is that the scattering helped them to take the gospel to new locations. Jesus warned the disciples to prepare for persecution in their journey of faith. He said, “These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service” (John 16:1,2). Persecution is normal in the Christian race, but the grace of God is also available to see us through to the end. Since we may not be able to avoid persecution, what can we do? We must, like the early Church, develop effective survival strategies. These include prayerfulness, endurance, maintaining a joyful disposition and readiness to spread the gospel anywhere life takes us. We must also raise sound and committed disciples who are ready to labour anywhere and everywhere for the Master.

✍️ *THOUGHT FOR THE DAY* Sometimes God uses persecution as a tool for gospel propagation

📖 *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR* Exoda 5-7

*🥖🥖DAILY MANNA*

*🗓️DATE: FRI, JUL 17, 2026*

TOPIC: *OUR PEACE OFFERING*

*🔑KEY VERSE:*
"And the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, which is by the flanks, and the caul above the liver, with the kidneys, it shall be taken away. And the priest shall burn it upon the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire unto the LORD." - (Leviticus 3:10,11).

*📜📜READ:* Leviticus 3:10-13 (KJV)

*MESSAGE:*
The Hebrew word for “peace” shalom represents wholeness and right relationship with God, others, and creation. The peace offering, as a voluntary offering, signifies restored relationship with God. This type of offering is indicative of a voluntary expression of faith, thanksgiving, and gratitude.

Our passage today pertains to the detailed instructions given for the peace offerings. These offerings were important for maintaining a harmonious relationship between an individual and God. Specifically, the passage outlines which parts of the animal are to be removed and offered to the Lord. It also gives us the role of the priests in the exercise. The kidneys and the fat signify the best portions of the sacrifice, which were to be dedicated to God. This act of offering the choicest parts is a form of worship and reverence, recognising God’s supreme authority and generosity.

From that context, it is clear that such offerings were to be made accurately and respectfully. The focal point of burning these parts was to create a “sweet savour unto the LORD,” signifying that the offering was pleasing and acceptable to Him. The prescribed portions for the peace offerings highlight the significance of giving God the best, demonstrating the importance of sacrifice and dedication in worship.

However, while the Old Testament gives us the details of how to make acceptable blood sacrifices, Jesus Christ, in the New Testament, offered up Himself as the Lamb of God who took away our sins on the cross at Calvary. “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us” (Ephesians 2:14). With Jesus as our peace, we need not kill any animal to make peace for our iniquities, but only embrace Him wholeheartedly. Praise the Lord.

*✍️THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:* Any talk about peace that excludes the Prince of Peace is a piece of delusion.

*📖THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:*
Exodus 1-4

🥖🥖 *DAILY MANNA*

🗓️*THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2026*

*HAVE FAITH IN GOD*

🔑 *KEY VERSE:* “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1).

📜📜 *READ* :John 14:1-4

*MESSAGE* :
The song, “Have Faith in God”, was written by Baylus Benjamin McKinney, (1886-1952). It was composed in 1934 during a revival meeting at the First Baptist Church in Muskogee, Oklahoma at a time that the United States was going through the Great Depression. McKinney was deeply moved by the people’s struggles and sufferings and felt a strong desire to offer them a message of hope and encouragement through the song. He wrote, “Have faith in God when your pathway is lonely/He sees and knows all the way you have trod/Never alone are the least of His children/Have faith in God, have faith in God. Have faith in God, He’s on His throne/Have faith in God, He watches o’er His own/He cannot fail, He must prevail/Have faith in God, have faith in God.”

The ministry of Jesus was nearing its end and in the preceding chapter, the Lord had indicated He was going to leave the disciples. The news of His departure must have jolted them and they must have felt unhappy. Jesus was reassuring them of His continuous presence even when they might not see Him any more physically. He wanted them to believe in God and trust Him at all times. He assured them of His return after going away to prepare a heavenly and eternal home for them.

Believers must heed the words of Jesus and be intentional in developing their faith in God and in His word. Economic hardship and political pressures are changing the situation , forcing the children of God to go through tougher times than ever before. Public ridicule of religion is taking its toll on many believers, causing their love to grow cold. Believers must never lose hope in the word of God and His plans for the end times. We must have confidence in the promises of the Lord Jesus to go and prepare a place of abode for faithful saints.

It takes faith in God to enjoy the blessings He has prepared for His children. We have nothing to lose by putting our confidence in the Lord and we have much more still to gain when we look with hope to His coming again to take us home. In these difficult times, it is more compelling to have faith in God.

✍️ *THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:* Every Believer in Christ holds a double assurance policy- this life and hereafter

📖 *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* Genesis 48-50

🥖🥖 *DAILY MANNA*

🗓️ *DATE:* 14 July 2026

*TOPIC*:*WHEN SILENCE IS GOLDEN*

🔑 *KEY VERSE:*
_“And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.”_(Mark 15:3)

📜📜 *READ*: Mark 15:1-5

*MESSAGE:*
In a letter published in the London Evening News on 8 May 1919, an Australian journalist, Edward George Honey, had proposed a respectful silence to remember those who had given their lives in the First World War. This was brought to the attention of King George V and on 7 November 1919, the king issued a proclamation, which called for a two minute silence. “All locomotion should cease, so that, in perfect stillness, the thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the glorious dead.” After the end of the World War II in 1945, Armistice Day became Remembrance Day to include all those who had fallen in the two world wars and other conflicts. Since 1919, on the second Sunday of November, otherwise known as Remembrance Sunday, a two-minute silence has been observed at 11am at war memorials throughout Britain.

Remaining silent is sometimes more valuable than speaking. It suggests that not speaking can be a more effective or beneficial choice than expressing oneself. This is useful, not only to remember the dead, by observing a ‘moment of silence’, but also to reinforce ourselves while facing life’s challenges. Jesus was brought before Pilate by _“the elders and scribes and the whole council”_ bound and humiliated. They wanted Pilate to sentence Him to death. But Jesus chose to keep silent before Pilate, in spite of many baseless accusations levelled against Him. Luke listed some of the allegations they made against Jesus. _“And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King”_ (Luke 23:2). His silence surprised all and even Pilate marvelled.

Jesus chose to be silent in fulfilment of the Scriptures. _“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth…”_ (Isaiah 53:7). His silence was also in line with the plan and programme of God for His life. It was a choice, and a wise one at that, because He trusted the heavenly Father to perfect everything that concerns Him.
Silence is not a sign of stupidity. It is a sign of power that only highly disciplined people can enjoy. Silence allows spiritual warriors to pick their battles and focus on the essentials. Silence was the weapon God used to overcome at the battle of Jericho. God also told Israel to hold their peace and allow Him to fight for them at the crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:14). Let us always learn to observe moments of silence, as we wait on God, and receive instructions to go forward in difficult times.

*THOUGHT FOR THE DAY*:
Silence is never more golden than when it is God-honouring

*BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:*
Genesis 41-44

🥖🥖*DAILY MANNA*

🗓️ *WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 2026*

*TOPIC: POWER OF ATTORNEY*

🔑 *KEY VERSE*: _“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father”_ (John 14:12).

📜📜 *READ*: JOHN 14:12-15

*MESSAGE:*
Reverend K. E. Hagin (1917 – 2003), an American gospel minister, is known for pioneering the Word of Faith movement, following E. W. Kenyon’s footsteps. He recognises believers’ position and authority when he says, “As believers, we have been given the power of attorney to act on behalf of Jesus Christ.” Little wonder his classics and messages on faith have become so popular among believers globally. In his lifetime, he deployed that delegated power of faith to do exploits in the church. His legacy has continued to inspire many believers who draw insights and inspirations from his books and messages.

In our text, Jesus, our Lord and Redeemer, bequeaths His disciples with the authority and power to do what He would have done if He were still on the earth. The believer in Christ is a new creature and has been stripped of the sinful, weak, fearful, and powerless nature, which is replaced with the divine nature. He is not timid but bold because he has the spirit of love (that casts out fear), power, and a sound mind. He has been given the power of attorney.

This is the legal right given by a person to another to act on his behalf. It is an agent or attorney-in-fact’s legal authorisation to act on behalf of his principal.

Prayers in the name of Jesus guarantee undeniable answers because they imply that Christ is praying for us. The Father never denies the Son any request. Believers are heirs of God and are joint-heirs with Christ. We must always approach the throne of grace with absolute confidence. God hears us always as He did whenever Christ prayed. Besides, our Redeemer lives, ever making intercession for us. Aside using His name in prayers, He also gives us authority to do His work and greater things through His name. Now, every child of God should be involved passionately in the preaching of the gospel, healing the sick, curing the diseased, cleansing lepers, raising the dead, delivering the oppressed, and casting out devils in the name of Jesus.

Until you begin to use what you have, you may not fathom the incredible power and authority at your disposal as a child of God. You are not inferior to other believers. The fact is that they take God at His word and reach out in obedience, and, therefore, see results. If you also go out in faith and do what He says, you will see the glory of God.

✍️*THOUGHT FOR THE DAY*:
_If you’ve been given the authority to act on Christ’s behalf, what are you doing with it?_

📖 *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR*: Genesis 24-25