Month: June 2021

[The Glory Unveiled]

And she said, I will surely go with you; nevertheless, the trip you take will not be for your glory, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh. [ Judges 4:9 ]

The word of prophecy came to Barak through Debora, the prophet that God had handed Sisera, the general of Jabin’s army to Barak (who fought for Israel). But maybe because Barak was not assured by the word of the Lord, he wanted the one who gave the prophecy to go with him to the battlefield—as an insurance of some sort. But then, a different word came through Debora that the glory of the battle was taken from him and given to a woman [who was not even a warrior]. And so, Jael the wife of Heber was handed the army general, Sisera to kill because Barak refused to lay hold on an opportunity presented to him by God (see Judges 4:21). In verse 8, Barak the prophetess had told Debora that he will not go to the battle field unless she goes with him. His trust was not in the word rather in the one who gave the word. And so God denied him what had been promised. The choices we make after the word of God is spoken to us may affect the results we see afterwards. God will not lie about what He declares but He also gave us the ability to operate our choice apart from Him. Whereas we could act in faith, believing whatever He tells us inspite of our ability to make contrary choices. Do not treat prophecies with contempt—1 Thessalonians 5:20. God will not lie, so we must trust every word He speaks.

Prayer_Bead: Everlasting Father, Prince of Princes, thank you for your word spoken to me through prophecies. I believe in your voice and I will honour your word. May I never despise prophecies no matter how trivial they may seem.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

One man of you shall put to flight a thousand, for it is the Lord your God Who fights for you, as He promised you. ( Joshua 23:10 )

The equation above can only be true when God is the constant in it. One man, ordinarily cannot put a thousand people to flight but when God fights for a people, that is possible. There are so many “impossibles” of life with the arm of flesh but leaning on the shoulders of God’s providence and grace, nothing is impossible. This is why when life says no, the believer can say yes! It is written, When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, there is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person.—Job 22:29. When the ability of God comes upon a man, even his/her utterances change too. For instance, when David faced Goliath on the battle field, David lost every ounce of fear in him because the ability of God rested on him. And then he spoke to Goliath as if he had already seen his end. He wasn’t in charge of his utterances when the ability of God took over. And so, he prophesied to Goliath about his end. After the words of our verse of Scripture was spoken to the Israelites by Joshua, he added that they should take careful heed to love the Lord and to obey him. The secret source of their strength and abilities is God. When God is out of the equation, they are doomed to think they can stand their enemies. The same applies to us today, without the Spirit of God, everything about our lives will be a lie. The equalizer of our equation therefore is God, without Him, we have an imbalanced reality.

Prayer_Bead: Capable God, Mighty King, you have in your hands all it takes to do all you say. You train our hands for war and our fingers for battle. You arm us with strength and teach us to leap over walls. Thank you for all your deeds.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the LORD. ( Joshua 9:14 )

The Israelites had entered the Land of Promise with power, conquering the cities that were occupying the place. As a result, the dread of the Israelites came upon the other cities. One city, Gibeon decided out of fear, to form an alliance with the Israelites through deception. The elders did not inquire of God where the people had come from or whether they should form an alliance with them. Instead, they made their conclusions based on the lie they were told by the Gibeonites. These Gibeonites in 2 Samuel 21:1 brought famine to Israel when Saul tried to kill them. Saul was breaking the covenant his forefathers made with the Gibeonites and so the repercussion was three successive years of famine. But some years back, while still in the wilderness, there was an issue regarding some Israelites and the Assembly wanted to react to what had happened without consulting God first on the matter. The leader, Moses told them to wait until he hears from God to know what to do. Moses answered them, “Wait until I find out what the LORD commands concerning you (Numbers 9:8). And because Moses heard from God, they didn’t do what they shouldn’t have done. In our walk with God, it is very safe and burden free to always at all times consult God before we make any moves. Ignoring God on a matter that needs His inputs only leaves us regretting and wishing we could go back to time and change things. Now that we have the opportunity, let us consult God on every issue. When people come into our lives, we must ask God about them and when opportunities come we must consult God. Because sometimes what we see to be what they seem to be, are not what they seem.

Prayer_Bead: Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. May your kingdom come and your will be done in us. Teach us your ways and your will. And may we consult you on every matter.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. ( Galatians 6:8 )

Fundamentally, every farmer sow seeds with the intention to reap more of what they put in the ground. The reason why anyone will sow something is to allow the law of multiplication take effect on that seed. The statement, “sowing to please the flesh” in our text for today, will lead us to the temptation of Eve by the devil through the serpent; Genesis 3:6—When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Sowing to please the flesh means doing or approving of anything that makes the flesh comfortable at the expense of God’s word. When Eve saw that the fruits of the tree were good for food and pleasing to the eyes, she disregarded the command of God and ate it. The flesh is always pleased with lust and pride. And these lead to destruction without compromise. Whatever excites the flesh so as to sin also grieves the Spirit of God and leads to destruction. But on the other hand, investing in things of the Spirit of God leads to reaping eternal life. And we know that without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). So we can only sow to please the Spirit when we act in faith and in obedience to God’s word. The choice is ours then to make, whether to sow to the flesh or to the Spirit.

Prayer_Bead: Dear Lord, thank you for your word sent to guide me into the truth. Help me through the spirit of these words to sow not to the flesh but to the Spirit so that I may reap eternal life.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

If you will listen diligently to the voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all His commandments which I command you this day, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. ( Deuteronomy 28:1 )

This charge was given to the nation of Israel, almost before they crossed the Jordan into the Land of Answered prayers—Canaan, the land of promise. God had named so many good things that would happen to the Israelites and many things He would do for them once they are in Canaan but we would discover quite later that these promises rested on covert conditions. Most times, God will only spell out the good things He would do for them making the conditions implications. Just as baits for fishes have hidden hooks, so the promises of God have hidden conditions that must be met. In our anchor verse of Scripture, God through Moses expressly mentions that “if you will” to tell that what comes after will only be done after a certain condition is met. God was telling them that He will set them above all nations if they obey all His commandments. They will not automatically be set above other nations. Our individual uplifting is tied to the conditions that we meet in our walk with God. A true walk with God is not coincidental, it is well intentioned by the Believer. So, if we want to be set apart for God in these times, then we must obey the Lord in all things; in all things.

Prayer_Bead: Prince of peace, Lord of Lords, you are worthy to receive praise, honour and glory. Thank you for giving me a willing heart to obey you and to live for you.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

So that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the LORD has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it. ( Isaiah 41:20 )

Every act of God right from the Old Testament into the New Testament displayed in the presence of people was intended to make people know and understand that the Almighty is God and there is no other. In this very prophetic book of Isaiah it has been recorded countless times how God is unique and without coequal (Isaiah 45:5, 6, 18, 22; 46:9 etc ). When Elijah met the Baal prophets in 1 Kings 18, it wasn’t about the display of the power of the prophets as it was about the power and uniqueness of the God/god of the prophets. So Elijah made a notable statement while he made his prayer to God on that day, “Answer me, LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” (1 Kings 18:37). Elijah desired that the people will discover that God is God and beside Him, there is no other. Anytime this becomes the sole purpose of a people, God announces His power and glory. God will only do the incredible if it will hallow His name among people. His deeds are always to this end, directly or indirectly to announce that He is the Lord and there is no other like Him. In these days, God is willing to fill the earth with the knowledge of His glory as the waters fill the oceans. And He will do it speedily if we will allow room for Him to show Himself.

Prayer_Bead: Almighty Father, the Lord who is God alone, have your way in our day. Show forth your glory among us and announce your sovereignty. There is no one like you and there never will be. Let the world see your glory, Lord as I make room for you.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” ( John 4:10 )

One afternoon, as Jesus was sitting by a well, a Samaritan woman came to fetch water and Jesus asked her for water. The woman didn’t quite see why Jesus will ask her for water because the Jews and the Samaritans don’t associate. And then Jesus found the occasion to talk to her about eternal life [the gift of God] and the grace that makes it possible. The account of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well is like when Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac his only son. Just as Jesus asked the Samaritan woman for water, God asked Abraham to give His only son [Abraham didn’t oppose the request] and when he was about to give him up, God intervened and gave him a sacrificial lamb instead. Unfortunately, this woman didn’t give the water nor attempt to give it. Jesus would probably have stopped her or taken the water and then given her eternal life (living water) if she had attempted to give Him the water. That not withstanding, Jesus still got through to her. Most times, God will require from us what He has in abundance because He wants to bless us with it. Yes, it seems that God has this principle to bless us with only what we are willing to give out. Joseph gave up the privileges of living in Potiphar’s house and God gave him the privilege of ruling Egypt. What we give out becomes the seed of what we reap. Some demands of God are only baits to lure us to His grace. Don’t reject the grace of God when it comes in the cloths of heavy demands.

Prayer_Bead: Merciful God, Loving Father, thank you for the privilege to be your child and to enjoy the fruit of your grace. Teach me not to reject your grace that is packaged for my glorification.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. ( Colossians 1:16 )

Christ Jesus being the word of God made flesh (John 1:1) is the essence through whom both the visible and the invisible world came about. There is nothing in heaven and under heaven that exists outside Him because all things were created by the Word of God. We will agree that nothing, both visible and invisible is created without introducing the word of God. The next verse [17] says, He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the reason why things are and without Him nothing is. The Father created everything He created through the word of His mouth. Fortunately, we have that creative power in us through Christ Jesus. We have the power of the Word through faith to create and order the course of our lives. We are able to pave way for ourselves and our children and their children’s children after them through the Word of God—Christ. Through Him [Christ] all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made (John 1:3). We can only follow after the template of the Father if we want to have the results of the Father. If this is the case of the Believer who engages the Word of God, then all things are ours indeed (1 Corinthians 3:21). And while we remain in Him, we partake of all the things that are in Him by faith.

Prayer_Bead: Omnipotent Father, Creator of the Universe and all that consist in it, thank you for the opportunity to partake in the blessings of the Word of God and making me a joint heir with Christ.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

Then the anger of the Lord blazed against Moses; He said, Is there not Aaron your brother, the Levite? I know he can speak well. Also, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be overjoyed. ( Exodus 4:14 )

God could and will choose whoever He would choose to do whatever He wants done. We could think of the likes of Jonah and Paul. In this book of Exodus, God decided to choose Moses, a man who had speech problems to lead a nation and to be His spokesperson. God knew about all the weaknesses of Moses and even those Moses didn’t know about himself. He knew the things Moses could do and those He couldn’t do. Moses thought God needed someone who could do what God needed done but actually God didn’t need someone who could do those things. All God needed was someone who would allow God to do what He said He would do through them. In other words, God only needed a receptacle for His acts. A vessel to channel His supernatural acts through. This is why when Moses gave God all the excuses he could find, God mentioned the name of someone whom Moses thought could do the work better—Aaron. God admitted that Aaron could speak well but He decided to choose Moses instead of Aaron for an assignment that Aaron seem naturally gifted for. Whatever God called you for, you are able to do it excellently not because you may be good at it but because God will work through you for His glory. All that God will require is for us to trust and obey Him all the way.

Prayer_Bead: Loving Father, Omniscient and Omnipotent Lord, thank you for calling me out into your kingdom and sending me out as an ambassador of your grace and kindness. Thank you for trusting me with all the responsibilities you trust me with and help me to allow you to do all your works through me.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

But Joshua son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall enter there. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it. ( Deuteronomy 1:38 )

The fuel for most great achievements, most of the time is encouragement. Even though the weight of responsibility has the ability to decelerate the most ambitious man or woman, encouragement helps a lot. Moses was the set man of the leadership of Israel in their historic journey. He had had a lot of encounters with God to know the ways and the desires of God but the people he was leading wearied him so much to the point of disobeying God, something he always preached against. Moses taught the people to always obey God even under very challenging circumstances but at one point the people pushed him to disobey God and then he lost the opportunity to enter the land of Promise ( Numbers 20:12). And so Joshua, Moses’ assistant had to take over the leadership role of Moses but he couldn’t do it without encouragement. With all the things he had seen and experienced, he was afraid he couldn’t do a good job. Hence God instructed Moses to encourage him. What we also need in the heat of challenging situations is the encouragement of God’s word. We have the grace and the ability to do what we are supposed to do but we need the refreshing encouragement of God’s word to actually do them. So stay with the word.

Prayer_Bead: Lord Jesus, thank you for the encouragement of your word. Teach my hands to do what you have given me the ability to do and give me the power to fight the discouragement of fear and doubt.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.