Desperate Times

[The Glory Unveiled]

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. [ Psalms 90:12 KJV ]

If you acknowledge the insufficiency of something, you manage what remains of it. Management is an application of wisdom in the use of resources. The Psalmist suggests that God should teach us to number our days as ignorance of the quantity or value of something incites wastage. We are supposed to number our days because our days on earth are numbered; we are not going to dwell here on earth eternally. We have but few days no matter how many years are in those days. As a result of the brevity of our time on earth, wisdom dictates a certain way of living. To make the most of a scarce resource, there is the need to invite wisdom in your endeavors. A comprehensive understanding of the number of our days will necessitate planning and preparation. Many people live carelessly because they have no idea the numver of their days. If they did, they would live intentionally and make deliberate decisions. This is why most elderly people refrain from youthful behaviours, most of the things young people waste their time on do not excite the elderly becaue they understand they dont have much time to waste. The Lord Jesus applies wisdom in everything He did while He walked the earth because He numbered His days. He lived daily with the urgency of time, He said, “As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work” (John 9:4). With an awareness of the time at hand, let us embrace the wisdom of God to plan and prepare for our responsibilities. Let wisdom guide you through your daily activities.

Prayer_Bead: King of glory, thank you for the practical wisdom. I excel in all I do, to the glory of God. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: Management is the application of wisdom in the use of resources.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

Let your sacrifices speak

[The Glory Unveiled]

“Gather My saints together to Me, Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.” [ Psalms‬ ‭50‬:‭5‬ NKJV‬‬ ]

The life of a believer is perpetually marked by sacrifices. Whatever our Father in heaven is known for becomes our second nature as His children. The entire New Testament rests on one scripture: John 3:16, where God demonstrated His love through sacrifice. The sacrificial giving of His Son paved the way for us to access the kingdom of Heaven. Sacrifices have voices; they are spiritual dictions that dictate what should be. This is why the scripture mentions making covenants with God through sacrifices. Through sacrifices, we can initiate agreements with God. The silent words of our hearts are voiced out by what we are moved and willing to sacrifice. Our sacrifices act as megaphones, announcing our capabilities even if we are not actively doing them. Abraham didnt have to kill his son to prove he could give him up, his sacrifice confirmed the state of his heart. Without saying anything, we can entreat God through our sacrifices to move on our behalf. Dorcas in the book of Acts was a woman who helped people and gave a lot of alms, and Cornelius also gave generously to the poor. What these people have in common is that heaven acted on their behalf without them having to say anything. Their sacrifices became memorials before God, and God could not ignore them (Acts 10:4). Where your voice cannot be heard, your sacrifices will be seen. God sees your acts of kindness and love. Don’t quit in your sacrificial giving, keep at it until it cannot be ignored by heaven.

Prayer_Bead: Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for the grace to walk with you in truth. Help me to make sacrifices when and where I need to. In Jesus name.

Wisdom_Quote: Sacrifices have voices.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

Walk with God

[The Glory Unveiled]

Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. [ Genesis 5:24 NIV ]

Jonah was swallowed by a huge fish because he found himself in the fish’s environment. Over time, our surroundings can engulf us, shaping us to reflect their culture when we are part of a community. This aligns with the biblical wisdom in Psalms 1:1-6, emphasizing the importance of avoiding ungodly counsel to avoid destruction. Moses spent forty days and nights in God’s presence, leading to a transformative experience where his appearance mirrored the identity of God. He became a god to Aaron and all of Egypt. Similarly, Enoch, despite living in an environment resistant to God, faithfully walked with Him, resisting societal norms. His close fellowship with God resulted in being taken by God, illustrating the power of unwavering devotion. Emulating Enoch, we should choose to walk faithfully with God, even when our world opposes such a path. Through this commitment, we undergo an inner transformation, becoming inseparable from God, rendering our environment and its elements powerless. Throughout recorded history, those who walked with God experienced profound transformation, ultimately merging into God. Choosing to walk with Him transcends the challenges of seasons and times, granting dominion over adversities. God’s presence accompanies you through both water and fire, ensuring favour in every path taken. May our hearts be filled with a constant love and desire for God, leading to a timeless and unwavering fellowship.

Prayer_Bead: Almighty God, thank you for the privilege to walk with you faithfully. Help me in that regard until I am swallowed up in you. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: A man who walks with God gets swallowed up in God.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

Be steadfast in faith

[The Glory Unveiled]

Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. [ 1 Peter 5:9 NIV ]

The enemy is always on the lookout for someone to devour. We must be vigilant and sober-minded, watching out for any possible move of the enemy. And we must be willing and ready to resist him at all times. Even though faith is stirred when hope and anticipation are met with resistance, we must be careful not to give up too soon. Many accounts of faith in the Bible were circumstances and situations that were met with resistance: the Israelites were being chased by the Egyptians, and in front of them was the Red Sea; Hannah was mocked by her rival; the disciples were persecuted by the Sanhedrin. It was usually those resistances that awakened the potent power of their trust in God. Apart from the resistance they faced, they would not have persevered to have what they hoped for. Whatever the enemy throws at you to choke your faith, don’t give in; resist him until there is nothing to throw at you again. The place of faith can be a slippery slope. Hence, it is necessary to stand firm in the faith because victory on the journey of faith is a matter of resisting every form of opposition to our belief. Whatever we believe in is either anchored by our convictions or tied to our confidence in God. Whichever it is will be determined in the face of opposition. When our faith meets resistance, our trust in God should be stronger, as the resistance is rather a signal that something good is in that direction; a breakthrough is coming through. Also, when your faith is met with opposition, remember that other people are going through similar experiences, but they are not giving up, and neither should you. Stand firm in the faith.

Prayer_Bead: Heavenly Father, thank you for this truth about faith. Help me to understand and practice them. Amen.

Wisdom_Quote: The audacity of faith is locked up in the resistance it faces.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.