Month: March 2020

[The Glory Unveiled]

He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant–not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. ( 2 Corinthians 3:6 )

We are fit, able, competent and sufficient to administer our priesthood duties–ministration of the gospel–like the priests of the olden temples because of the new covenant. Without sufficient knowledge and inner brokenness, the ministers of the old covenant could not perform their duties. They were not competent because in their administration, the instructions given to them could cause their death if not carried out as stated. But the new covenant brought into effect by the blood of Jesus, makes us confident and fit to share the gospel of salvation without any ambiguity or condemnation. In reading and studying the word of God, we need a discerning spirit in order to catch the spirit of the message. So that we will not be mislead or afflicted by ignorance. The Holy Spirit of God gives life to every word of God. So that without the Spirit of God, every word is just like a loaded gun without the trigger. The same word that did not benefit the people of old because it was not mixed with faith is what brings us life by faith in Christ. Share the gospel of Christ with confidence because you are made a competent minister by Christ.

Prayer_Bead: Father in Heaven, thank you for making me an Ambassador of your kingdom.

#GNews : Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

Then God said [to Abraham], “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” ( Genesis 22 :2 )

Isaac was an extention of Abraham. So for God to request of Abraham to sacrifice Isaac to Him meant Abraham was actually going to sacrifice Himself [alive] to God; he was supposed to be made a type of living sacrifice. The apostle Paul admonishes us to present ourselves as living sacrifices unto the Lord (Romans 12:1). There is the need for sacrificial giving before there is a multiple manifestation of God’s promises. We are tested before we are given testimonies. Even though this moment was probably the hardest for Abraham, it was also a necessary stage for him if he must go beyond being a man who was promised to be father of many nations to actually becoming the father of many nations. It doesn’t really matter what the promises and the prophecies concerning our lives may be. There is a role we need to play in the realization of our true calling and purpose. And if we will go beyond the promise into the manifestations, then we must go beyond making declarations to living the realities of what it means to make sacrifices.

Prayer_Bead: Father in Heaven, help me to freely give to you any and everything you have bestowed to me as a custodian. Make the realities of your promises experiential in my life.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them [Jesus’ disciples], for your accent gives you away.” ( Matthew 26:73 )

[This is a record of when Peter denied Jesus three times]. The statement made by the bystanders in this verse of scripture is very profound. The people in that community could actually tell that Peter had a distinctive manner of expression which was identical to that of Christ. For a person to have their accent changed as a result of associating with someone else meant that such a person is a great influence on them. Our Christian life is actually supposed to be a replica of what played out in this verse. Our accents must introduce us as belonging to Christ wherever we find ourselves. We wouldn’t have to preach any sermons to be identified as Christians if our lives truly mirror the life of Christ. People must see us and know our anchor without having to pull out our church membership card. Until our manner of verbal and attitudinal expressions reflect Christ, we have not truly begun to learn Christ. His admission criteria is for us to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him in submission (Luke9:23). And whenever we obey this instruction, we discover that the nature of Christ is mirrored through us to the world. Let your words be seasoned with salt—Let your words heal, let it empower and encourage. Be a balm to someone.

Prayer_Bead: Dear Lord Jesus, help me to deny myself and take up my cross daily in submission to your Lordship and power. Let my accent and manner of life expose you to the world.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. ( Mark 9:29 )

Everything in this life and the realms yonder, answer to organised systems of operations. Nothing happens haphazardly in an intentional world like ours. There is always a cause and effect at play at all times. All circumstances in our lives also follow in this pattern. There are certain situations that do not seem to conform to norm, in spite of the predictability of events. Like the one in today’s scripture where the disciples couldn’t exorcise a little boy [and then they had to ask Jesus why they couldn’t]. It takes more than just knowing the Lord to handle certain situations. And it takes discernment to know which situation to handle with what mechanism. Life’s drama does not always follow the script of our expectations. Things may just go on autopilot and then there is nothing you can humanly do to change the course of events. In such, circumstances we need to remember the lessons in this scripture which teaches that prayer and fasting are effective when dealing with certain degree of everyday challenges. There is a kind of situation that needs a strategic counter measure to subdue it. And that measure is fasting and prayers.

Prayer_Bead: Merciful Father, help me to discern when to do what and what mechanisms to use to that effect. Awaken my prayer life, Lord.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” ( Esther 4:14 )

Our positions in life are intended to serve as a platform for the benefit of others. But when in position, it is very common to have one’s opinions skewed as a result of that position. The statement in the scripture above was made by Mordecai, Esther’s Uncle. The Jewish tribe was under attack and Esther who was then occupying an “influential” position was called upon to help them. Mordecai explained that she [Esther] was probably in that position at the time because of their predicament but even if Esther refused to help, God could still save them through another person. No one is placed in any position just to occupy those positions; just to be silent and watch the wrong things happen. You are where you are to serve a purpose. And that purpose is to serve others. But when we refuse to carry out the mandate we are positioned to fulfill, God will choose another person to carry it out. Queen Vashti lost her royal position and Esther became Queen. That means anyone could be removed from their positions no matter how highly exalted they may seem. Guard your position by fulfilling your purpose because the only way to guard our positions is by fulfilling our responsibilities.

Prayer_Bead: Father in the name of Jesus, help me to responsibly fulfil my purpose. Teach me to honour my position and show me the needs around me to serve.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God._