Month: November 2024

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A call into common union.

[The Glory Unveiled]

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.[ Isaiah 1:18 NKJV ]

What kind of love is this, that God would chase after condemned sinners, beckoning them to come and talk things out? The fatherly and caring nature of God shows that He cares for us more than we could ever care for ourselves. God assures us of forgiveness even before we ask for it. Often, in resolving conflicts, the one who offends takes the initiative to ensure peace. But in the case of humanity and God, even though humanity was in the wrong, God took the initiative ahead of humanity to establish peace. Man made many attempts to return to God but to no avail. When Jesus came to live on earth, it should have been clear to us that, by our own strength, we can do nothing to please God. Unfortunately, to this day, there are still those who try to please God by their own means and merit. Even before Jesus came, the Father called on us to reason with Him. This means we are to see from His perspective that we cannot do it by ourselves. God calls us to understand that only He can change us and make us new. From before the book of Isaiah was written, to the time it was written, and ever since, God has been trying to get us to believe Him and see things from His viewpoint. Today, God is saying, “Come, let’s reason together.” God is inviting us into a union with Himself. Will you answer the call?

Prayer_Bead: Heavenly father, thank you for calling out to me. I am changed as I draw near to you.

Wisdom_Quote: The call of God is a call into common union with Him.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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The choice of following Jesus

[The Glory Unveiled]
And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. [Joshua  24:15 NKJV ]

Every believer needs to understand that there is a choice to be made in following Jesus, and one must consider it carefully before making that choice. The person who will walk with Jesus on this lonely path for the long term is the man or woman who has counted the cost. Only one who has counted the cost and still decides to go with Jesus can go far with Him. It is not enough to say you will walk with Jesus when you see Him multiply bread. The bread may be the center of your decision, and when that bread ceases to come, you might stop following. In John 6, many of Jesus’ followers stopped following Him, so He asked the twelve (His inner circle) in verse 67 if they also wanted to stop following Him. Peter answered on behalf of the twelve, saying, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” The difference between these twelve and the rest of the multitude is that they had counted the cost of following Jesus before deciding to follow Him. Ruth and Orpah, from the book of Ruth, were also in a similar situation. Ruth counted the cost before deciding she would follow her mother-in-law, Naomi. Joshua, in our anchor text, asked the people of Israel to decide whether they would follow God or idols. He told them to count the cost and see if it was wrong to follow the Lord; if so, they should choose whom they would serve. But he and his household would serve the LORD. Today, we have the same opportunity to choose whom we shall serve. But before we decide, we need to understand that following Jesus comes at a cost and has its accompanying blessings.

Prayer_Bead: Father, I thank you for giving me opportunity to come to you through your Son Jesus Christ. I choose this day to be on your side, so help me God.

Wisdom_Quote: There is a dire price to choosing to following Jesus.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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The believer’s police

[The Glory Unveiled]

But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. [ 1 Corinthians 9:27 NIV ]

The apostle Paul was a powerful preacher of the gospel. He traveled around the world, preaching to others about Jesus. Yet, in this verse of scripture, he acknowledged that his own flesh could prevent him from partaking in the very things he preached to others. The realities he spoke of are spiritual, not physical; however, the physical component of a person can deny the spiritual access to heavenly bliss. This means that the physical aspects of our being and the issues associated with them are crucial. Often, as believers, what disqualifies us is the lack of discipline over our bodies. Simply knowing the truth and sharing it with others does not automatically mean we are qualified to partake in the glory of what we share. In fact, the moment anyone begins to share the good news, the world tests them to see if they are worthy of what they preach. This is why discipline is essential for anyone who carries the good news on their lips. A disciple or follower of Jesus is someone who disciplines themselves to follow Him, even when their physical desires resist. This attitude of discipline is what defines and distinguishes a follower of Jesus from a merely professing believer. A believer in Jesus Christ must intentionally bring their body under discipline to avoid disqualification in the end. Remember, if even the apostle Paul needed to discipline his body to avoid being disqualified before God, then discipline is non-negotiable; it is the believer’s police. Embrace discipline as a child of God.

Prayer_Bead: Lord Jesus, I yield my body to you in total obedience. Please help me to be consistent till the end. Amen.

Wisdom_Quote: Discipline is non-negotiable for the believer.

#GNews:Unveiling the glory of God.

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Pray First

[The Glory Unveiled]

But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” [ Luke 22:32 NIV ]

The Lord Jesus made the statement in our anchor verse after He informed Peter, His disciple, that Satan had sought permission to sift him as a farmer sifts wheat. One might think that because Jesus knew what Satan intended to do, He would simply change everything by His power. But He didn’t. Instead, He prayed for Peter. Many times, when we face various challenges, especially those we consider difficult, we tell everyone about them—everyone except our heavenly Father. The fact that Jesus prayed about Satan’s plot to sift the disciples shows that we need to bring everything before God in prayer. God is not only interested in certain aspects of our lives but in every aspect. Prayer should be our first line of action in every situation. We must talk to God about every matter before we speak to anyone else. If only we prayed more, many of our challenges would disappear. Many of the things we struggle with wouldn’t exist if we had taken them to God. Before you complain, have you prayed about it? Before you give up or compromise, have you prayed about it? Prayer is a sign of our dependence on God. It shows that we trust He is able to help us and that we seek His guidance. And while we pray, may our faith not fail, because everything that constitutes our Christian life is linked to our faith, without which we have no life. Be consistent in your prayer life as you live a surrendered life.

Prayer_Bead: Father, thank you for your loving kindness and faithfulness. Help me to be fervent in prayer. So help me, Lord.

Wisdom_Quote: Prayer is a declaration of one’s dependence on God.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Case closed.

[The Glory Unveiled]


So now the case is closed. There remains no accusing voice of condemnation against those who are joined in life-union with Jesus, the Anointed One. [ Romans 8:1 TPT ]

In the legal world, a court case is considered “closed” when the legal proceedings have concluded, and there is a final judgment and resolution. This typically happens when a verdict is rendered, a settlement is reached, a case is dismissed, or all appeals are exhausted. In our case, when humanity was taken to court because of our sin, a provision was made after the final judgment was pronounced. The settlement reached was that humanity must die. Jesus came to take our place and died, bearing the full punishment for our sins so that, through Him, we may have forgiveness and eternal life. Now that Jesus has paid for our sins, the settlement was achieved through His blood. The case is now closed, and there is no accusing voice of condemnation against those who have had their sentence taken on by Jesus. The voice that could legally accuse us of sin and its punishment has been silenced by the loving sacrifice of Jesus. When we enter into a life-union with Jesus, we receive immunity from condemnation and accusations. Any form of accusation or condemnation hurled at a believer in Jesus is unfounded and false. The devil still goes about deceiving innocent and ignorant men and women, just as he did Eve in the garden. This is why we need to equip ourselves with knowledge. We need to understand our position in Christ and the possibilities that the abundant life in Jesus presents. Remember, it is illegal for the devil to condemn you. Don’t buy into his deceptions.

Prayer_Bead: Merciful father, thank you for paying the price for my freedom.

Wisdom_Quote: The believer receives a mark of immunity against condemnation when they come into a life-union with Jesus.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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True Love for God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

True love for God means obeying his commands, and his commands don’t weigh us down as heavy burdens. [ 1 John 5:3 TPT ]

It seems that everyone understands love when it is expressed. The subject of love cuts through almost every field; it spreads its wings over different religions, cultures, and races—love is a universal language. The love of God has been shared in every heart. When Jesus met Peter at the seashore after His resurrection, the only thing He asked Peter was, “Do you love me?” When Peter responded affirmatively, Jesus asked him to feed His sheep and care for His lambs. Though Peter said that he loved Jesus, only by carrying out Jesus’ requests would his claim of love be proven true. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to love. God’s grace, however, empowers us to love. Naturally, it is more difficult to love some people than others. But with the enabling power of God’s grace, we are able to love even those who are “difficult to love.” Scripture says we love God by obeying His commands. Yet, there is always some element of spontaneity in love. If love is true, there must be room for spontaneous expressions and gestures, which can be difficult in relationships defined by rigid rules and regulations. But because God is love, His commands do not crush the spontaneity of love. Our love for God is proven when we obey His commands, and these commands do not hinder the spontaneous expressions of love that we can demonstrate as people who love God. As God Himself demonstrated when He gave His only begotten Son for us, let the world see your love for God.

Prayer_Bead: Heavenly Father, thank you for first demonstrating your love for me so that I could emulate it.

Wisdom_Quote: Love for God is painted with the brush of obedience on the canvas of His commands.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Ambassadors of the news

[The Glory Unveiled]


Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” [ John 20:27 NKJV ]

When the apostle John wrote, “that which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life we declare to you,” he meant it literally. They lived with Jesus, walked with Him, learned from Him, and were transformed by Him so profoundly that they could speak about Him with certainty. One can only write the biography of another if they deeply understand and identify with that person. The disciples of Jesus were given the privilege to make mistakes and question Jesus for as long as they needed. God did not destroy them or turn them into animals or stones because they struggled to believe in the Son of God. In fact, He allowed them so much freedom that one of them dared to say that unless he touched Jesus and put his finger into the nail scars, he would not believe what the other disciples said about Jesus’ resurrection. When Jesus returned, He did not rebuke Thomas; instead, He reached out to him with His nail-pierced hand. Jesus was ready to provide him with proof of His resurrection. As ambassadors of Jesus, we need to carry proof to the world that Jesus died and rose again. We must equip ourselves with the knowledge of God so thoroughly that we can confidently tell others about the sacrifice of Christ. And to those who hear of what Jesus has done and who He is, let us not be unbelieving.

Prayer_Bead: Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for the privilege to represent you in this world. Help me to believe you with all my being.

Wisdom_Quote: The unbelieving believer is an embargo to the spread of the gospel.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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The hope of His calling


[The Glory Unveiled]

I pray that the light of God will illuminate the eyes of your imagination, flooding you with light, until you experience the full revelation of the hope of his calling —that is, the wealth of God’s glorious inheritances that he finds in us, his holy ones! [ Ephesians 1:18 TPT ]

There is a heavenly expectation for our being called into the family of God. Yet, the full revelation of the hope of that calling in our lives is only experienced when we are flooded with light. We are flooded with light when we stay in the presence of God—when the light of God overwhelms our understanding and imagination, and when God’s soothing and peaceful presence calms the cares of this world and drowns out the noise in the silence of His peace. As we enter into this experience, we come to understand the depth of God’s love for us. The hope of God’s calling in our lives is a glorious inheritance deposited within us. However, the reality of this deposit is Christ. God made Him the custodian of all the realities of God, which is why this reality is encountered through our knowledge of God. When we embrace the truth of God’s word, we are equipped with light, and our souls become illuminated, radiating the beauty of God. Whatever God has in store for us, no matter how precious, will only benefit us once we have received adequate knowledge of God. The gifts that God has deposited will only truly benefit the body of Christ and ourselves when we approach these gifts from a position of knowledge rather than mere sentiment and emotion. May the light of God illuminate our minds and hearts so that we can experience the full revelation of the hope of God’s calling.

Prayer_Bead: Father, thank you for the hope of your calling. Let the eyes of my understanding be illuminated with light.

Wisdom_Quote: The word of God is the light of the souls of men.


#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Chosen treasure

[The Glory Unveiled]

But you are God’s chosen treasure —priests who are kings, a spiritual “nation” set apart as God’s devoted ones. He called you out of darkness to experience his marvelous light, and now he claims you as his very own. He did this so that you would broadcast his glorious wonders throughout the world. [ 1 Peter 2:9 TPT ]

There is a purpose for everything under the sun; every action is initiated by a purpose. God called us out of darkness into His marvelous light for a reason. God had a plan for the creation of humanity, and that plan will come to pass regardless of the challenges and confrontations that arise. Often, when we make plans, we also create contingency plans so that if the original plan fails, the secondary plans can take effect. God called us and set us apart to experience His marvelous light. We are His chosen treasure; we are kings who are also priests. This is why we can enter the presence of God as if we were high priests, yet we are also able to make decrees and enforce the will of God as kings. Scripture says we are a spiritual nation set apart. In the Old Testament, God set apart the Israelites to be His special nation. In the same way, God has set us apart as His chosen people to live for Him. When we fulfill our part, God is committed to doing His part for His glory. Now that God has called us out of darkness, let us live as those who have truly been called out of darkness. Let us proclaim and make known to the whole world God’s glorious wonders. We are valuable to God—so valuable that He paid the ultimate price for our redemption. This is why we need to live to the praise of the One who called and saved us.

Prayer_Bead: Father, thank you for your mercy and love. As you have called me out of darkness into light. Help me to showcase your works.

Wisdom_Quote: The purpose of God informs the calling of God.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Be well balanced

[The Glory Unveiled]

Be well balanced and always alert, because your enemy, the devil, roams around incessantly, like a roaring lion looking for its prey to devour. [ 1 Peter 5:8 TPT ]

A lion looking for its prey to devour usually roars to scare the prey out of hiding. Fear has a way of exposing both people and animals. An animal hiding from a lion might run out of its hiding place, hoping to find a more “secure” one. It is this fear of being exposed that actually puts them in danger. This version of the Bible advises us to be well-balanced and always alert. A four-legged table that loses one or two of its legs cannot stand properly because it cannot balance. All four legs have roles in keeping the table stable. To be well-balanced means to have all it takes to succeed or excel at something. It means to have a well-rounded knowledge or skill in a particular area. Why should believers be well-rounded and balanced? In the Garden of Eden, the devil approached Eve through the serpent because he noticed she was not well-rounded and balanced. When the serpent asked Eve if God had said they should not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Eve responded that God said they should not eat or touch the tree. However, God had not actually said they should not touch it. The devil exploited this gap in her understanding. Her response showed that she didn’t have an adequate knowledge of God’s word. The devil roams around, seeking those without sufficient knowledge of God, so that he can deceive them with lies. We are advised to be alert and well-balanced in our knowledge of God, so that the devil will not take us captive due to ignorance.

Prayer_Bead: Mighty Father, thank you for teaching me through your word to be alert and well balanced in all I do.

Wisdom_Quote: The devil comes at believers with age old tactics, go against him with God’s words.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.