[The Glory Unveiled]
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. ( 1 Corinthians 15:19 KJV )
Every intentional action is motivated by a vision and a hope that goes beyond immediate desires. Hope is the fuel that keeps humanity moving forward. Anything that gives hope should provide people with a reason, or reasons, to persevere or pursue a course of action. While the degrees of what and why people subscribe to certain things may vary, hope offers a long-term assurance of something greater. The apostle Paul asserts that if our hope in Christ yielded only earthly benefits, then we are, of all people, most to be pitied. Imagine the sacrifices we make as believers and the lifestyle choices we adopt to be Christlike. If, after all these sacrifices and changes, our hope were confined to the limits of this earthly existence, then the reward would not justify the sacrifice. What is sacrificed must pale in comparison to the reward envisioned. This is the essence of why anyone places hope in something. Nobody invests their hope in something that does not promise a meaningful outcome in the future. If our hope in Christ were limited to this life alone, it would be a loss compared to other earthly pursuits one could engage in. However, the reason we hope is undeniable: this hope extends beyond this life into the eternal. This is why we confidently continue pursuing this hope. And it is also why, despite suffering or losses, we are not miserable. The hope we have sustains us, transcending the challenges we face in its pursuit. So, keep this hope alive.
Prayer_Bead: Father, thank you for the hope of my calling. I wait persistently for the full manifestation of your purposes.
Wisdom_Quote: Hope is humanity’s fuel for perseverance.
#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.
Jesus gave Himself for a reason
[The Glory Unveiled]
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. ( Titus 2:14 KJV )
From the eleventh verse of our anchor Scripture, it says that the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. This grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. We are called to look forward to the hope and appearing of Jesus. It is this same Jesus that our anchor verse describes as having given Himself for us. But why did He give Himself up? Was it worth it? Our anchor Scripture aligns with the description of Jesus’ work in the salutation of the apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians, specifically in Galatians 1:4. The Lord Jesus gave Himself for a reason. His purpose was to redeem us from a life of sin and iniquity and to purify us unto Himself. He paid the ultimate price so that we could be set apart for Him, without blemish. If such detail and attention were devoted to our redemption, then it is not something to take lightly or jeopardize. Our redemption is as precious as gold, something to be treasured. The fact that He gave Himself for us, rather than sending an angel, demonstrates the immense value He places on us. We are worth His Son. God values us as much as His only begotten Son. But He also redeemed us for a purpose. If Jesus truly redeemed us, then this redemption should manifest in our lives. We must be peculiar and zealous in our good works for Him. Our peculiarity stems from being called out of what we once were, and our zeal is fueled by our knowledge of Christ and our gratitude to God. May God continually help us in our walk with Him.
Prayer_Bead: Dear Jesus, thank you for your redemption and the blessings you have called me into. I am eternally grateful.
Wisdom_Quote: Jesus redeemed us for an assignment.
#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.
When change is unnecessary
[The Glory Unveiled]
Do not move the ancient landmark
that your fathers have set. ( Proverbs 22:28 ESV)
It is a popular saying that change is the only constant. However, there comes a time when change is unnecessary. Even though change is something we will always encounter, it often arrives when we least want it. Change is like our shadows—we cannot banish them from following us. Even when we wish to escape them, they remain with us. Similarly, change is unavoidable. As a result, we have become so accustomed to change that we often resist keeping things the same for too long. Yet, there are moments when we must avoid change—times when we must consistently pursue a singular course of action. The author of Proverbs, in our anchor Scripture, advises the current generation not to move the ancient landmarks set by their forefathers. Landmarks are established to guide and serve as reference points for navigation. Removing or altering them in the name of change can cause significant problems and misdirection. When generational landmarks are removed, future generations may lose their way in matters of history. There are instances when change is unnecessary, especially in matters that extend beyond our immediate existence and livelihood. In such times, we must disregard fleeting sentiments and unnecessary customs. When change is unwarranted, it is essential not to embrace it. If there is something God wants you to keep at consistently, don’t let go. Don’t change it even if half the world is doing something new. Be a statue if you must but remain insistent on your assignment of giving direction to others. And God will be pleased with you.
Prayer_Bead: Lord Jesus, thank you for the landmarks in my life. Help me not to move them against your will or distort your plans for my life and those around me.
Wisdom_Quote: When change is unnecessary don’t fight it.
#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.
Resurrection and life.
[The Glory Unveiled]
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” ( John 11:25-26 NIV )
The apostle Paul prayed, “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10). Paul understood something profound about the resurrection power of Christ and longed to experience it. He desired to encounter that power. He also recognized that resurrection is only activated in the presence of death and suffering. The one who believes in Jesus lives, even though they die. Death is not the end of existence. For some, death serves as a doorway into another reality. The same apostle wrote in Romans 8:36 that he was “killed all day long” for the sake of other believers. He lived daily as if dying to himself. Jesus also instructed those who wish to follow Him to take up their cross (embrace death), deny themselves, and follow Him. Death becomes an avenue, an instrument through which the resurrection power of Christ is experienced and shared. If we live by believing in Christ Jesus, we will never die (in terms of losing our relevance and ability to replicate ourselves spiritually). When Jesus lived on earth, believing in our heavenly Father, He multiplied Himself through many others. As a result, after He died and rose again to be with the Father, many “Jesuses” remained—His products. The same is expected of us. What would you want to know more than anything else? Paul made it clear that his deepest desire was to know Christ, and he pursued this with everything in him. When Jesus spoke to Martha, the sister of Lazarus, saying, “I am the resurrection and the life,” He was demonstrating that with Him, there is no loss. If she had Jesus, she could not truly lose anything, even when it seemed lost. If you have the Resurrection and the Life on your side, you have everything you could ever want.
Prayer_Bead: Lord Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life, I believe in you for my life and its sustenance. Let your name be glorified in me.
Wisdom_Quote: Death is a gateway to a new beginning.
#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.
The help of God
[The Glory Unveiled]
With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. ( Psalms 18:29 NIV)
Help is needed where there are limitations in human strength and abilities. Since everything on earth and all that is accomplished through human effort is limited, we are in need of help. However, the help of man is often insufficient because all humans are limited. The writer of this verse in Psalms acknowledged that with the help of God, he was able to advance against a troop and scale a wall. He could do the impossible and overcome every hurdle and blockade in his way. Where human ability ends, God’s ability begins, covering all flaws and weaknesses. When the help of God comes, human weaknesses are concealed. A weak and frail man is only weak because he is not helped. When the help of God rests upon a person, the challenges and frustrations associated with humanity disappear. The help of God washed away the stain of human weakness in Moses. Moses was regarded as a god because he had the help of God. Whatever contradicts God’s plan for our lives or challenges His grace and provisions remains only because we rely on our own abilities and strength instead of the help of God. Humanity was created to depend perpetually on God. Relying on one’s own abilities or the help of man is the downfall of many. The arm of flesh always fails, rely on God’s help.
Prayer_Bead: Lord Jesus, thank you for the provision you have made for me in every area of my life. I receive your help daily.
Wisdom_Quote: The help of God conceals the weaknesses of men.
#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.
A walk through fire
[The Glory Unveiled]
Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. ( Acts 28:3 NIV )
Fire is not entirely a bad master, even though it has earned that name through many people’s experiences with it. As a result, whenever we see fire, we are so eager to quench it that we have institutions set up to deal with it. However, fire in its nature is not all that bad. Fire has other wonderful purposes that only fire can fulfill. In the text above, the apostle Paul and other travelers reached a point in their journey where they had to make a fire to warm themselves. Nothing happened when Paul picked up his pile of wood, but as soon as he placed it on the fire, a snake came out because of the heat. The heat of the fire exposed what had been hiding all along. In the same way, God sometimes allows fires into our lives to purify us and reveal things we don’t even know exist. Some of us harbor habits and attitudes that are unwelcome, but we may never discover them until fire is introduced into our lives. The discomfort that fire brings will drive out everything that is not meant to remain in us. For some of us, the fires might be started by people closest to us. At other times, situations and circumstances beyond our control ignite these fires. Our willingness or unwillingness to accept the lessons that these experiences bring is what defines us. The fires and heat in your life are permitted by God for a reason. The fires in our lives are there on assignment. When the same Paul complained of a thorn in his flesh, God, who could have taken it away, didn’t. Instead, He said His grace was sufficient for Paul and that His strength is made perfect in weakness. God didn’t remove the thorn because it was serving a purpose in Paul’s life. So, when we walk through fire, we must understand that God is taking us on an assignment. You will come out with a glorious testimony.
Prayer_Bead: Father, thank you for your love for me. Thank you for the fire you allow into my life to refine me and prepare me for what you are about to do. In Jesus’ name.
Wisdom_Quote: Many life assignments are discovered after taking the walk through fire.
#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.
Victory over Sin and Death
[The Glory Unveiled]
But we thank God for giving us the victory as conquerors through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. [ 1 Corinthians 15:57 TPT ]
Different battles require different kinds of ammunition. However, victory is not achieved solely through skill or weaponry. Victory is, in essence, a certificate we receive—either because we won something ourselves or because someone else won it on our behalf. For us, victory comes because someone else did the work. Victory over sin and death was utterly impossible through human strength or strategies. When we sinned, we fell short of the glory of God—His nature and attributes, which empower a victorious life. By falling from that glory, we were reduced to a purely human existence. Yet, the love of God refused to abandon us. God conquered sin and death so that we might have freedom and enter His rest. Until sin and death are dealt with, humanity cannot truly experience freedom. Our current state is the direct result of sin, and restoration can only come when sin is permanently eradicated. Imagine not taking an exam yet having the top student’s results credited to you. Similarly, God assigned Jesus’ victory to us. Through Jesus, we are victorious over sin and death. Victory over sin is essential for walking with God. Without it, we cannot consistently walk in fellowship with Him. This is why God took the initiative to address the problem on our behalf. While we did not physically hang on the cross to conquer sin and death, Jesus did, granting us His victory through faith. This is why our hearts should overflow with gratitude to God.
Prayer_Bead: Heavenly Father , thank you for the victory you have given me as a conqueror through Christ Jesus.
Wisdom_Quote: We ride triumphantly on Jesus’ victory parade.
#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.
The good we don’t see
[The Glory Unveiled ]
And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” [ John 1:46 NKJV ]
There is so much the ordinary eye cannot perceive. As humans, we do not see the end of things from the beginning—but God does. He sees the end from the beginning and from ancient times what is yet to come (Isaiah 46:10). This is why His counsel always stands. Humans, on the other hand, are limited and make decisions based on the incomplete information they have. As a result, we are often quick to judge people and situations because of our short-sightedness. But because God sees all things and knows all things, His judgments and decrees are perfect. When we feel overwhelmed by our struggles, we tend to give up. We shut every door of hope, thinking there is no help for us. Yet, if we leave the door of hope open, we would learn that the challenges we face often carry some good within them—even if we don’t immediately see it. There is a purpose for everything God permits in our lives. Some of those purposes may not align with our plans or feel good at the moment, but they undoubtedly have an intended purpose. Nathanael once thought that nothing good could come from Nazareth. Yet, in what seemed like insignificance and mess, God hid the Savior in Nazareth. In the crucibles of your struggles and hardships, God has hidden untapped resources—a blessing for many. Jesus endured the suffering of the cross because of the joy set before Him. There is glory ahead of your suffering. Your struggles may become the ladder someone else needs to cross over into joy and peace. Someone’s burdens may be lifted because you endured and overcame in that area. There is good you cannot yet see in what you are going through. Stick with Jesus through it all until your only hope is in Him.
Prayer_Bead: Precious Jesus, thank you for the good you have hidden in my nothingness. Help me to see the good, so that I may have hope. Amen.
Wisdom_Quote: There is good behind everything God permits.
#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.
The cost of discipleship
[The Glory Unveiled]
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. [ Luke 9:23 NIV ]
There is a price tag on everything in life. Nothing comes to us without a price being paid, whether by ourselves or someone else. Whether we realize it or not, the price must be paid for something to manifest. Until it is paid, the desired outcome or pursuit will not be delivered. In the verse of scripture above, the Lord Jesus tells His followers about the price required to follow Him. We know that unless this price is paid, the reward cannot be obtained. This means no one can truly be a disciple of Jesus without meeting the cost attached to discipleship. There are no alternatives or negotiations—no room for bargains. Jesus does not stop anyone from becoming His disciple; it is the price tag that distinguishes those who choose to follow from those who do not. The individual who desires to be His disciple must resolve to pay the price in full. Only then can they partake in the benefits of being His disciple. The Lord reveals deeply intimate things about Himself to His disciples. Secrets that others are not privy to are shared with them. While the price is great, so is the reward. There is so much more to being a disciple than simply being born again. There is a deeper journey to pursue and greater treasures in Christ, but these are accessible only to those who pay the price in full. Have you made the decision to follow Jesus by paying?
Prayer_Bead: Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for the privilege to join your family. Now, help me to walk with you faithfully.
Wisdom_Quote: There is a price tag to everything worthwhile.
#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.
A path for your mind
[The Glory Unveiled]
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. [ Philippians 4:8 NIV ]
The mind can wander into any place and engage with anything when left unchecked. It can be mastered by whatever gains access to it. For an individual to keep their mind in check, they must regulate what they allow it to dwell on. This is why Scripture says, “As a man thinks, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). Our lives cannot stray from the path set by our thoughts. A person goes where their mind goes. Therefore, if you want to go to the right places, your mind must first lead you in that direction. For the mind to do this, a predetermined path must be set for it. The apostle Paul provides guidance by outlining the kinds of things we should think about and allow our minds to engage with. In our anchor text, we see the types of thoughts we should entertain if we want our lives to align with the direction God has defined for us. We have been given a list of things to focus on—a boundary within which we should think and operate. If we stay within these boundaries, our lives will naturally yield a predictably glorious result. The input we allow defines the output we receive. If we desire to live the kind of life Jesus lived on earth, we must think the thoughts Jesus thought. Paul reminds us to “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). So that our lives will be a dominant manifestation of Jesus.
Prayer_Bead: Lord Jesus, thank you for the privilege to access your mind in God’s word. May I be transformed into Your image as I think on your word.
Wisdom_Quote: Every man goes in the direction of their thinking.
#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.