[The Glory Unveiled]
“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? [ Luke 15:8 NIV ]
The value we place on things determines the effort and sacrifices we are willing to make for them. If an item can easily be replaced, we are unlikely to bother looking for it when it goes missing. In the scripture verse under consideration, the figurative woman loses one coin out of ten. She doesn’t dismiss its loss, reasoning that she still has nine others. Instead, she implements an elaborate strategy to find what was lost. She employs three techniques in her search. First, she lights a lamp. She recognizes that she cannot see anything in the dark. Even if the coin were right in front of her, she wouldn’t have been able to see it without light. Similarly, many of the things we have lost remain missing simply because there is no light or not enough light. Light is symbolic of the word of God. When the light of God is introduced, illumination occurs. This woman lights a lamp to aid her vision. Next, she sweeps the house. One might wonder about the purpose of this action. Sweeping is intended to gather everything together, allowing whatever lies on the floor to be collected and moved to a specific location. At this stage, the coin might be swept along with unwanted debris, but it is part of the gathered items nonetheless. This is where the third technique comes into play: carefully searching through the collected debris. At this point, she meticulously sifts through the waste, discarding the unwanted and retrieving every useful item. It is during this careful search that she is most likely to find the missing coin. Here, too, she faces a choice: she could rush through the process or take her time and search thoroughly until she finds what she is looking for. Is there anything missing in your life? You need a lamp—God’s word. You need to sweep by studying the scriptures thoroughly and applying their teachings. Finally, you need to take careful, practical steps to do what must be done.
Prayer_Bead: Heavenly Father, thank you for not abandoning me when I sinned and broke your heart. Thank you for sending your Son Jesus after me to save me. Restore every lost glory and blessing in Jesus.
Wisdom_Quote: In the kingdom of God, finding a lamp is the first step to finding what is lost.
#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.
The believer’s receipt
[The Glory Unveiled]
Then Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” [ Luke 18:42 NKJV ]
When you buy from any respectable enterprise, you are issued a receipt—evidence of your purchase. No receipt is issued unless a transaction has taken place. This means that anytime money exchanges hands in a transactional situation, a receipt is expected. If no transaction occurs, no receipt will be issued. In the Kingdom of God, we transact business with faith and receive answers as the receipt. Hence, anytime faith is given [released], answers must be returned as the receipt—evidence of a transaction. The blind man in our anchor verse, who regained his sight, was a man with knowledge about who Jesus was. In the preceding verses, he referred to Jesus as the Son of David, while the onlookers who had physical sight referred to Him as Jesus of Nazareth. This man called upon the mercy of God through Jesus, the Son of David, because he understood the significance of the sure mercies of David. However, his knowledge alone did not restore his sight. Although he had a deep understanding of who Jesus was, knowledge alone did not heal him. But when he added faith to his knowledge, he received his sight. His knowledge activated his faith, which in turn made a demand on the Healer’s gift. When faith made the demand (payment), a receipt had to be issued to him. Thus, he was given the receipt of healing. The receipt of your healing is waiting for the demand of your faith.
Prayer_Bead: Father , thank you for the gift of your Son. I receive the receipt of my faith as I make daily demands of my faith.
Wisdom_Quote: The believer’s receipt for the demand of their faith is miracle.
#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.
Evidence of a New Life.
[The Glory Unveiled]
Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance. [ Matthew 3:8 NKJV ]
The fruit of a tree is evidence of the kind of tree it is, as the fruit cannot be different from the tree. An orange cannot claim it came from a mango tree. Similarly, as believers who have been called from one reality of life into another, we must live in a way that expresses and reflects the image of those who belong to this new life. Sometimes, even without knowing the type of tree, its fruit can give us a clue. In the same way, our “fruit” should reveal who we are and what we stand for. Believers were first called Christians because they behaved like their Master, Jesus. In fact, at one point, the leaders took notice that the disciples had been with Jesus because they lived like Him. In other words, they began to bear fruit like Him (see Acts 11:26 and Acts 4:13). Just as with these early believers, we recognize a person as a believer by their fruits. What convinces others that someone has truly repented is the change visible in their lives afterward. Galatians 5:22-23 speaks about the fruit of the Spirit. These fruits are not gifts handed down to us but the results of our walk with God—His virtues and attributes rubbing off on us. A believer in Jesus is identified by their Christlike fruits. This is how the world is drawn to Jesus: as people see the transformation in our lives, they are inspired and changed by it. Let our walk with Jesus produce fruit worthy of the One we follow.
Prayer_Bead: Father, thank you for the grace to bear Christlike fruit. Transform my world by my fruits. In Jesus name.
Wisdom_Quote: The fruit of a tree is the evidence of its nativity.
#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.
Only Believe
[The Glory Unveiled]
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. [ Mark 11:24 NIV ]
Conviction is the pilot that drives beliefs into the realm of manifestation and boldness is the fragrance of conviction. Wherever there is conviction, boldness follows naturally. Just as goodness and mercy follow the man or woman to whom the Lord is Shepherd, boldness accompanies conviction. The proof that you believe in something lies in your conviction, which is founded on that truth or knowledge. Your convictions become the fence that protects what you believe in. Without conviction, no one can hold on to a belief for long. But with conviction, faith is rooted and grounded. In the world of men, faith is a currency. Just as in commerce, goods are exchanged for money, in the transaction between the Kingdom of men and the Kingdom of God, realities are transacted by faith. Without faith, every spiritual reality is like Canaan in the eyes of Moses. The believer may read about it and see it in the lives of others but not experience it personally. Just as you cannot doubt that money can purchase anything with monetary value, faith can acquire anything with faith value. Our text states that whatever we pray for does not automatically come to pass. What brings it to fruition is our faith—believing that what we ask for is already done. We must believe we have received what we are praying for, even before it manifests, without any doubt. God is able to provide whatever we ask for in prayer, but He will only release what we believe we have already received. Before you pray for anything, do you truly believe you have received it?
Prayer_Bead: Heavenly Father, thank you for your faithfulness and love. I believe that I have received all I ask for in Jesus name.
Wisdom_Quote: Boldness is the fragrance of convictions.
#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.
Life operating systems
[The Glory Unveiled]
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” [ Matthew 4:4 NKJV ]
Everything on earth, whether animate or electronic, operates on a system of instructions—whether habits, ideals, beliefs, codes, culture, or anything else that makes them function. Neither we nor machines operate simply because we are capable; we operate based on codes—codes of conduct or operating system codes. Without these codes, we cannot function properly; we become dysfunctional. Our anchor Scripture says, “Man shall not live by bread alone.” This means that while man may live on bread, there are more important things to live by. Food nourishes the body, and the body hosts our souls and spirits. So, food is important, but it is not the most essential thing to live by. Scripture tells us that the most important thing to live by is every word of God. The word of God is the foundation upon which everything, both visible and invisible, exists. Therefore, we cannot underestimate the role and importance of God’s word in our lives. The word of God has everything needed to sustain us. The world, on the other hand, has much to offer that can ensnare us if we become its slaves. Unfortunately, our bodies—the part of us that needs food to survive—can be enticed by the world’s offerings, whether they are literal food or things that appeal to our bodies, including social media, pleasure, or sin. The world offers things that our flesh desires, and we must always be on guard against such enticements. If we are not to live by bread alone, then we must study the word of God and let our lives operate by it. What is your life operating on?
Prayer_Bead: Father, thank you for teaching me not to live on bread alone. Help me to live on your Word at all times.
Wisdom_Quote: Man shall not live by bread alone.
#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.
Genuine Worship
[The Glory Unveiled]
He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” [ Matthew 26:39 NKJV ]
Worship is an expression of our allegiance to God. It demonstrates what we are willing and ready to let go of because God asks for it. Abraham was willing to let go of his only son, Isaac. That was his true worship. The owner of the donkey’s cult in Matthew 21:2-3 gave it up for the master’s use, that was worship. Esther and Moses were willing to give up their royal positions to serve God’s purpose. Worship is the voice that says, “Not my will, but Thine be done.” It is when we set aside anything that points to us and embrace everything that points to God. When Jesus lay in Gethsemane hours before His crucifixion and said, “Not my will, but Thine be done,” as recorded in our anchor text, He was worshiping. We know how that turned out—His own life had to be lost. He had to die to His will, which was independent of the Father. Every kind of true worship contains an element of death. No wonder the Old Testament worshippers always killed animals; these were symbolic of what worship meant. Romans 12:1 similarly asks us to present ourselves as living sacrifices (a type of death), which it calls our reasonable and acceptable act of worship. When Romans 12:1 instructs us to present ourselves as living sacrifices, it doesn’t limit the presentation to our bodies alone. Some people assume that only our bodies are meant to be sacrificed in holiness, but it’s more than that. Our desires and wants must also be on the table and given up when God calls for it. Are you ready to give up anything the Father needs from you?
Prayer_Bead: Heavenly Father, thank you for showing me the acceptable expression of worship. Help me to die to my will and desires. In Jesus’ name.
Wisdom_Quote: Genuine expression of worship is death to self.
#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God._
The Love of the Father.
[The Glory Unveiled]
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [ 1 John 2:15 NKJV ]
The world is not merely the physical space we inhabit but the society, philosophy, ideals, and customs that shape our lives. Consequently, the world exerts a certain influence on its inhabitants, presenting them with what appeals to their desires. The world offers what our willpower is often too feeble to resist and what our appetite is often too weak to reject. In simple terms, the world offers temptations that can be difficult to refuse. John 3:16 says that God loves the world so much that He gave His only Son for us. The kind of love that God has is shared abroad in our hearts. However, love for the world stifles our love for God, which is why one who loves the world cannot love as the Father does. Jesus came as the embodiment of the Father’s will to teach us how to be children of God. Through His actions, Jesus demonstrated that He did not love the world or the things in it. He showed this by not loving His life so much that He wouldn’t sacrifice it. The willingness to part with one’s life for the sake of others is a powerful expression of love for God. In contrast, some people today take their own lives, not to save others, but without regard for the impact their death will have on others. Yet, the love of God teaches us selflessness—to prioritize the needs of others over our own desires. Practicing this kind of love helps to drive out love for the world and the things in it.
Prayer_Bead: Lord Jesus, thank you for showing me with your life how to love. Help me as I endeavour to imitate you.
Wisdom_Quote: One’s love for God stifles their love for the world.
#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.
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.
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.
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.