Month: November 2023

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Do the needful

[The Glory Unveiled]

“But to remain in my body is more needful and essential for your sake.” [ Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭24‬ ‭AMPC‬‬ ]

Sometimes, we must set aside our desires and preferences and opt for the greater good by making a sacrificial choice. Many individuals enshrined in history’s hall of fame earned their places through such sacrificial decisions. Along our individual journeys, we inevitably reach a juncture demanding a life-altering choice. From that pivotal point, we grapple with the consequences, often paving a new path that unveils our truest potentials and gifts. When the apostle Paul faced the decision of departing to be with the Lord or continuing to live in the flesh, he carefully considered his options. Despite recognizing that leaving might be best for him, he chose to stay for the sake of fellow believers and their needs. He understood that his continued presence would benefit many, and for their well-being, he opted to remain. Life frequently presents us with choices between paths, opinions, and views, each with its implications and consequences. By relinquishing our personal desires and interests, we can accomplish great things in honour of God. Before taking the next step, weigh the cost, consider your options, and choose what brings glory to God, essential for the sake of others. May our lives be dedicated to the well-being of others, lived not only for ourselves but because of the impact it can have on those around us.

Prayer_Bead: Dear Jesus, thank your for helping me to live like you lived, in total service of other people.

Wisdom_Quote: One truly begins to live when they start living for other people.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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You’re not alone

[The Glory Unveiled]

Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. [ 1 Kings 19:18 KJV ]

Elijah reached a point in his life where he believed he was the sole survivor of his kind, thinking that all the other prophets had been killed. “And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away” (1 Kings 19:14). No matter the challenge you face, remember you’re not alone in it; many others share similar experiences. Don’t let complacency hinder you from fulfilling your tasks. Some could have succeeded if they had a sense of community; knowing others faced the same struggles might have prevented them from giving up. To avoid falling into that trap, the word of God assures us of the company of witnesses: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1). God’s instruction is for us to run with perseverance the race marked for us as individuals. It emphasizes shedding hindrances, including the belief that we are alone. The powerful feeling and fear of being alone can deter us from giving our best. Armed with the knowledge that we are not alone, let’s give our best in everything.

Prayer_Bead: God of every season, thank you for the company of your presence and sure word. Amen.

Wisdom_Quote: You are not alone.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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It will end in praise.

[The Glory Unveiled]

“But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,” [ Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ ]

The apostle Paul referred to his imprisonment when he said “the things which happened to me.” In retrospect, he saw it as something that had helped in the furtherance of the gospel.“ The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (Psalms 24:1). God as the owner and manager of the earth is able to use any situation at all to advance His agenda. Unfortunately, we label anything that does not give immediate benefit as bad. But God, who sees the end from the beginning, calls everything good because He is able to make good of every situation, causing even the “bad” to do His bidding. If only we could see as God sees, we would understand that, the negative experiences and events around and in our lives are occasions to further the course and purpose of God in His time. The apostle added that his imprisonment had boosted the confidence of many believers. People will courageously go out in the name of Jesus because Paul was imprisoned but was still preaching about Jesus. His courage gave others courage. In fact, many people became saved because Paul was imprisoned. They had the opportunity to hear the good news in prison. Wherever we find ourselves, we can make impact with the little resources we have. Paul did not fold with the excuse of his predicament. He continued the work of God as if he was actually free. Whatever is happening to you now, can turn for the good of God’s plan for you. Just play your part.

Prayer_Bead: Lord Jesus, thank you for your faithfulness. In every situation, you remain with me. Thank you.

Wisdom_Quote: God is faithful at all times.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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God is working it out

[The Glory Unveiled]

And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. [ Genesis 39:20 KJV ]

The story from which our anchor text is drawn is a frequently discussed narrative—the story of Joseph’s temptation to sleep with Potiphar’s wife. Often, the true meaning and intent behind the events are overlooked due to our familiarity with the texts. Joseph found himself in prison for an act he did not commit. It may seem unjust to be treated so unfairly for something he did not do, leaving him to wonder why his master wouldn’t believe him. Conversely, someone in his position might have succumbed to the temptation for “justifiable reasons.” Had Joseph yielded to the temptation to sleep with his master’s wife, they could have kept it a secret, sparing him from prison. However, envision the potential outcome for Joseph—he would have remained a servant for life. Surprisingly, the prison became God’s strategy for propelling him to the throne of Egypt, making him a prime minister quicker than any alternative path. Honoring God and living within His will allows everything, even seemingly disastrous events, to work for our good. Disappointments serve as God’s appointed tools to elevate us. Although Joseph might have perceived his imprisonment as a disaster and unfair punishment, from God’s perspective, it was intentional for his elevation to the position of prime minister. The prison provided him access to the king of Egypt. If we navigate the challenges the world and its systems throw at us without complaint, trusting and honoring God, we will reach His destination for us even faster.

Prayer_Bead: Omnipresent God, thank you for being with us in every situation. Thank you for your grace to go through everything that is intended to lead us to the top.

Wisdom_Quote: When God is involved, it always leads to glory.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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The cost of knowing Jesus

[The Glory Unveiled]

“To truly know him meant letting go of everything from my past and throwing all my boasting on the garbage heap. It’s all like a pile of manure to me now, so that I may be enriched in the reality of knowing Jesus Christ and embrace him as Lord in all of his greatness.” [ Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬ ‭TPT‬‬ ]

There is always an attitude and an approach to knowledge acquisition. Acquiring knowledge involves letting go of something: ignorance. On the journey of gaining knowledge, letting go of ignorance is a non-negotiable step. In the case of the apostle Paul and his quest to know Jesus, he had to relinquish everything from his past, including boasting and arrogance. Whatever he thought he knew hindered his true understanding of Jesus. So, he had to let go of his preconceived notions. Interestingly, Paul refers to the negative aspects of his past as “manure,” suggesting that even bad experiences and erroneous information can fertilize our new knowledge experiences if we’re willing to release them. A wise inventor once remarked, “The mistakes I made in the past show me ways that something wouldn’t work out.” In our pursuit of the knowledge of God, sincerity is crucial. We must confront truth and reality, acknowledging that what we think we know might impede our true understanding. To grasp what we need to know, we must release what we already know, just as the apostle Paul did. The Holy Spirit assists us in this process if we allow Him since He is the greatest teacher. In Paul’s attempt to know Jesus, he emphasizes the strategy of letting go of the past in verse 13, choosing to forget what’s behind and focus on the future. Following his example can be beneficial in our own pursuit of knowledge.

Prayer_Bead: Omniscient God, thank you for your grace and the privilege of knowing your Son Jesus Christ.

Wisdom_Quote: Forget the past, aim for the future.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.