Month: December 2023

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Stay with Jesus

[The Glory Unveiled]

But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish . He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD. [ Jonah 1:3 NIV ]

Jonah went in the opposite direction of his calling and assignment, finding ready transportation to his desired destination. The scripture indicates that the ship was bound for the port of Tarshish. However, the availability of a ship heading where he wanted to go did not necessarily signify God’s involvement, as later verses reveal God sending a great wind to thwart Jonah’s journey. Believers are meant to live by faith, not solely relying on what is readily available. The mere availability of something during your search doesn’t make it a provision from God. For any provision that appears to come from God, confirmation from God is still necessary. It’s crucial to seek God’s confirmation for what you perceive as the path of wisdom to avoid destruction and death. Attempting to escape from God, as Jonah did, often leads to destruction, even if the alternative promises comfort and peace. The safest place is in the fire if God is present. Therefore, our primary task is to always inquire of God’s presence in every season of our lives. Similar to Jonah and those attempting to escape God, the consequences extend beyond destruction to the loss of resources. Jonah lost his possessions and money, including his transport fare. When we deviate from the center of our lives, our life’s anchor becomes unstable. The Lord Jesus serves as the center and anchor of our lives; hence, we should refrain from running away from Him.

Prayer_Bead: Father in heaven, thank you for being my anchor and my shield. Help me to stay with you throughout life.

Wisdom_Quote: The safest place to be is in fire if God is in that fire.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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God’s love gift

[The Glory Unveiled]

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—[ Ephesians 2:8 NIV ]

Our salvation is solely the result of God’s grace. We did nothing to deserve or earn it; it is a love gift. Like all gifts, you don’t have to do anything to earn it. However, even though it is a gift, you must receive it, and in this case, you must receive it with faith. Without faith, even though the gift is available and free, you cannot have it. Faith is the only hand that can take from God; without it, we cannot receive from Him. The first step to receiving this gift is to look away from ourselves, as salvation does not come from us. Depending on ourselves for what we cannot offer is a futile pursuit. Since salvation cannot come from us, we cannot boast that we attained it ourselves or received it as a reward for something we have done. The truth is that we had countless opportunities to save ourselves from the time of Adam and Eve until the birth of Jesus, but we couldn’t do it ourselves. These opportunities were meant to convince us that we cannot achieve salvation on our own. In the garden of Eden, God made it clear that humans couldn’t clothe themselves with His identity as it was depicted in their attempt to clothe themselves. The man and the woman clothed themselves with leaves, while God made a covering for them out of animal skin. God’s provision was better than what they did for themselves, but they had to accept the gift before it could benefit them. Similarly, we need to receive the gift of salvation, which comes to us by grace, in order to enjoy its benefits.

Prayer_Bead: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the grace that brought me salvation through your Son Jesus Christ.

Wisdom_Quote: Faith is the only hand that can receive from God.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Decide your use

[The Glory Unveiled]

In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. [ 2 Timothy 2:20 NIV ]

There are various types of articles in our homes, each crafted from different materials based on the potter’s default design. Similarly, none of us created ourselves; we didn’t decide how we should be made or where we should be born. We are shaped by God. However, our impact on the world depends on our choices. What we’re made of is not crucial for influencing our world; background isn’t a disadvantage. You can shape your life positively, regardless of where you are. Just like articles in a house, their use depends on cleanliness. According to 2 Timothy 2:21, an item for common use can become “special purpose” through self-cleansing. Whether an article serves a common or special purpose has nothing to do with the material it is made of. Gold can serve common purposes if unclean, while a clean clay article can fulfill a special purpose. The purpose we attract is linked to our cleanliness. Often, we blame life’s situations on others instead of examining our souls for “uncleanliness” affecting our experiences. Our lives are influenced by what happens within us more than external events. External events can only do so much, but what truly drives our lives is what we permit within us. Whether God will use us or not, and for what purpose depends on us. Keep your vessel clean from common use, and your true purpose will surface.

Prayer_Bead: Heavenly Father, thank you for the grace to keep myself clean from common use. Use me for your special purposes. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: Your impact in life is influenced by your choices.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Maintain your saltiness

[The Glory Unveiled]

Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? [ Luke 14:34 NIV ]

The value of salt lies in its saltiness; without it, it serves no purpose. Moreover, once salt loses its saltiness, it cannot be restored. Similarly, as believers, we’re akin to salt, having only one life to fulfill our purpose. Like salt maintaining its saltiness, we must make the most of our lives. Our significance, glory, value, and purpose stem from our saltiness. The world depends on us for this. Losing our saltiness, as the Bible notes in Luke 14:35, results in being discarded. Our earthly assignment is to fear God and follow His commandments, aligning with Jesus’ words to love God wholeheartedly. This way, our saltiness benefits the world, glorifying God. Conversely, succumbing to worldly pleasures renders us ineffective. Sin is the force that depletes our saltiness as believers, corroding the divine nature within us and transforming us into something monstrous. The solution to the sin predicament lies in aligning with the Lord Jesus; in doing so, our saltiness remains intact. Rather than permitting sin to erode your essence, make a resolute choice to stand with Jesus in every aspect of life. Turn away from the distractions and temptations orchestrated by Satan. Firmly declare to sin, “No more!” and affirm to righteousness, “You are my new nature.” Embrace the life exemplified by Jesus and dedicate yourself to living for God. Living for God brings glory and praise to Him. Let us live in a manner that magnifies God through our actions..

Prayer_Bead: Almighty God, thank you for giving me a unique purpose for life. Help me to live out my calling as I embrace righteousness.

Wisdom_Quote: Salt is useful because of its saltiness.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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You are light

[The Glory Unveiled]

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. [ Matthew 5:14 NIV ]

The Lord Jesus was very specific about our identity: we are the light of the world. However, some believers are only the light of their churches and families, not the world. The Lord Jesus didn’t say we are the light of the church but the light of the world. Many believers who act as the light of their churches are not truly shining; they are merely reflecting the light around them through pretense, not emitting their own. They resemble candles or Catholic rosaries, absorbing and emitting light without burning or being lit with a matchstick. Our identity as the light of the “world,” has to do with influencing the cosmos, the world’s systems. We are meant to radiate the light of Christ Jesus in the dark systems of the world. If we’re in the world and there’s no noticeable difference, our light is darkness. In the earthly days of the Lord Jesus Christ, wherever he went, the testimony was that he was different; his light was so bright that it couldn’t be ignored, like a city upon a hill. Our light should make us visible wherever we are. If we abandon our identity as light, we risk being swallowed by the darkness we’re in. Darkness can engulf light if it’s not bright or illuminated. Remember, you are light, so shine. The world must see our light and feel our impact. We must live with the consciousness that we are the world’s light, and the world is always watching. Therefore, we must represent Christ well wherever we find ourselves.

Prayer_Bead: Lord Jesus, thank you for making me the light of the world. Help me not to hide but to shine, to the glory of your name.

Wisdom_Quote: The true light of the world cannot be hidden by darkness.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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The environment of your vision

[The Glory Unveiled]

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. [ Luke 1:41 NIV ]

Mary had never been pregnant, and the baby she carried was prophetic. Similarly, Elizabeth had never experienced pregnancy before, and everything surrounding her pregnancy, just like Mary’s, seemed strange. It seemed impossible, but it was happening. Consequently, they needed to be surrounded by people who were going through similar experiences and could understand them. Mary had to leave her current residence because no one in her immediate community understood what she was going through. The Angel then directed her to someone else facing a similar situation. When Mary greeted Elizabeth, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leapt for joy. This baby symbolized the vision Elizabeth carried for her life. Often, visions perish due to associations, while others thrive and leap forward in the right environments. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit as a result. Being in the right environment energizes and empowers you to fulfill your life’s assignment. Associations can either nurture or kill visions and dreams. You will excel in your calling when you surround yourself with people who share similar assignments, passion, calling, and faith. If you want your vision to leap forward, ensure you are surrounded by the right people.

Prayer_Bead: Father, thank you for showing me the importance of my associations in relation to my life’s assignment. Help me to keep the right company.

Wisdom_Quote: Associations can either nurture or kill visions and dreams.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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The strategy of sin

[The Glory Unveiled]

If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it. [ Genesis 4:7 NIV ]

The strategy of sin is akin to the tactics employed by cavemen of old. When these ancient hunters encountered a herd of animals, they didn’t pursue all the creatures simultaneously; instead, they focused on isolating just one. They relentlessly pursued that solitary animal until capturing it. If they still had energy and time, they would then pursue another. Sin follows a similar pattern, isolating its targets through complacency and pride. When individuals are unaware, they fall into the bottomless pit of death. Before Cain murdered his brother due to resentment towards God’s favour, he received a warning about the agenda of sin. God informed him that sin was at his door, desiring to consume him. Regrettably, Cain didn’t heed the caution, leading to him fulfilling the desires of sin by committing fratricide. Prior to David’s transgression with Bathsheba, he experienced isolation. Despite the customary time for kings to be at war, David remained at home, and sin ensnared his emotions. Sin consistently isolates its victims, leaving them without aid when the pressure of iniquity intensifies. Without the strength to resist, they succumb to sin. When you detect the stench of sin approaching from a mile away, the safest course of action is to seek a community of believers who can support and fortify you when sin comes knocking on your door. Is sin crouching at your door, desiring to consume you?

Prayer_Bead: Father in heaven, thank you for showing me the strategy of sin and what I need to do. Help me to remain in the community of godly men and women at all times.

Wisdom_Quote: Sin isolates its victims.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Team Jesus: The single indicator

[The Glory Unveiled]

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” [ John 13:35 NIV ]

There are specific indicators of our relationship with Christ. In the social world, certain things expose a person’s identity and background. A person’s accent can provide insight into their identity and lineage. For the believer, identification with Christ goes beyond knowing His name or calling upon Him. The Lord Jesus tells us what will make everyone recognize that we were taught by Him and have a relationship with Him. The indicator is a singular behavior. This single behavior functions like a jersey, identifying which team a believer is playing for. Just as a group of people in the same jersey belong to the same team, when we love one another, our love becomes a garment identifying us with Christ and indicating that we belong to His team. God is love, and anyone claiming to relate to Him must be filled with love and exude it. If we love one another, everyone will know that we are sent-out ones of the Messiah. Apart from love, nothing we do communicates to the world that we are related to Christ. People will recognize our connection to Christ through our love life. If we engage in every other activity, manifesting all power gifts and revelational gifts without love, it still means we are not disciples of Christ. Jesus didn’t use “these” to mean many things; He said “this” as a single indicator. Let love guide us to people and allow them to see that we have been with Christ.

Prayer_Bead: Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for showing me the one thing that identifies me with you. Help me to love generously.

Wisdom_Quote: Love is the only thing that identifies the believer as a disciple of Jesus.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Permit your faith

[The Glory Unveiled]

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. [ Luke 1:38 NIV ]

No matter the size of God’s calling and plans for your life, there is a need to start with a response. The journey of faith with God begins with a response. When we say “yes” to God, He makes the resources we need available for the fulfillment and accomplishment of His purpose for us. When Mary said, “may your word to me be fulfilled,” she gave permission to heaven to release the necessary resources and provisions. The statement Mary made here was the reason for the provisions brought to her from the wise men from the East (see Matthew 2:11). That simple statement of acceptance brought resources from the far east to her side of the world. Our relation with God holds the key that opens other doors to us; this relationship begins with a response. So many things are held back from coming to us because we do not give them permission to come to us through our faith confessions. Many times, people confess negative things but expect positive things to happen to them. It doesn’t work like that. Our confessions should be a reflection of our beliefs. When Mary said, it should be done to her according to the word of the Angel, she was saying that she believed the word was possible, and she permits it to come. Maybe God is waiting for your faith response to begin what He said He will do in your life. Expel fear with your confessions and allow the resources and help needed for the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Prayer_Bead: Dear Lord, thank you for your promises. I give permission for the fulfillment of the words you have spoken to me. Help me to yield to you in all things. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: A faith response is the gateway to divine manifestation.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Enlarge your capacity

[The Glory Unveiled]

Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. [ 2 Kings 4:3 KJV ]

The wife of a deceased prophet approached Elisha, seeking help to settle her debts. Elisha inquired about what she possessed, emphasizing the need for a starting point for her breakthrough. In 2 Kings 4:2, Elisha asked, “What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house?” She responded, “Thine handmaid hath not anything in the house, save a pot of oil.” Although Elisha’s question may seem harsh, it aligns with the principle that God multiplies what is available. Just as five loaves and two fishes resulted in five thousand loaves and fishes, the widow needed to present something for multiplication. Elisha advised her to borrow numerous vessels, as her results would reflect her capacity. Borrowing many empty vessels symbolized enlarging her capacity to contain the abundance that would be provided. God calls upon us to expand our capacity to receive His blessings. Fear often hinders individuals from realizing their full potential, leading them to embrace mediocrity. Fear of judgment, fear of the unknown, and fear of failure limit growth. The widow’s courage to overcome fear and borrow vessels allowed her to offset her debts. In our lives, letting go of fear and embracing faith is essential. Taking that daunting step of faith reveals possibilities we might otherwise miss. Just as the widow’s faith led to her breakthrough, overcoming fear can open doors to unforeseen opportunities.

Prayer_Bead: Father, thank you for the opportunity to multiply the little things I have. As I act in faith, I receive the multiplication of my faith.

Wisdom_Quote: Your breakthrough is behind your ocean of fear.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.