Category: Faith

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The voice of faith

[The Glory Unveiled ]

She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” [ Matthew 9:21 NIV ]

The woman with the issue of blood had tried every available solution, every prescription known in her day to no avail. Finally, she reckoned that only Jesus could help her out of her condition. After all was said and done, she realized that only Jesus could help her. And so, she came to that place of decision and she said the words of our anchor verse of scripture to herself. Her reasoning was strange but it gives us an insight into her faith. This was a woman who had been trying alternate medicine and who sought healing from anywhere she could find it, even diabolical sources. And so, before she came to Jesus, she must have done her homework, finding out all the things that Jesus was capable of and had done. She investigated the power of Jesus and was convinced that if only she touched Jesus’ garment, she will be healed. This was why she said emphatically, “I will be healed” even before there was anything to collaborate her faith and confession. We could clearly perceive her attitude from her conviction and confession. Attitude is the expression of one’s mental and physical convictions that influence their actions. We noticed that, she didn’t wait for another person’s confession nor moved because someone else said anything. She moved because she was convinced herself. A lot of the things we seek are hiding from us because we are making our moves based on the convictions of others and not our convictions. Our convictions give a voice to our faith. So, before you make your move, what is your conviction saying?

Prayer_Bead: Dear heavenly father, thank you for the privilege to believe in your Son Jesus. Do in my life what only you can do. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: Conviction is the voice of faith.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Prove it

[The Glory Unveiled]

”By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,” [ Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭17‬ NKJV‬‬ ]

It is not enough to say that we have faith. The presence of faith is not known by confession but by the things we do. It is possible to claim one thing but live a life that contradicts that claim. In scripture, God said now he knows that Abraham believed him or trusts Him. This affirms the fact that our faith in God is only valid by our actions and not merely by our confessions. And so, rather than make a lot of noise about what we believe, our actions convey the true story of faith. . Therefore, the proof that a person believes is evident in their willing obedience. The proof that Abraham believed in the promise of God is evident in his willingness to do whatever God asked him to do, even to the point of sacrificing his only son. Scripture states that Abraham offered Isaac by faith because at the time of offering his son, there was nothing to encourage him to believe that his son would not truly die. By faith, he saw his son as already dead and thus was able to let go of him. Consider that he was promised a son, and now that he had the son, he was asked to sacrifice him. Some may claim they believe in God but would not let go of their son. In such cases, God would say He doesn’t know whether they truly trust Him or not. The proof lies in our willingness to obey God regardless of the requests made. Do a self assessment and see whether you truly believe God or it is just a mouth offering?

Prayer_Bead: Faithful God, thank you for your continuous love for me. Help me to prove by my obedience, that I believe in you. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: Let your obedience validate your confessions.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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The logic of faith

[The Glory Unveiled]

”Abraham’s faith made it logical to him that God could raise Isaac from the dead, and symbolically, that’s exactly what happened.“ [ Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭19‬ ‭TPT‬‬ ]

Faith is not the abandonment of logic to embrace fantasy and wishes, but the firm acknowledgment and embrace of logic derived from an understanding of the person of God. Hence, true faith brings about an understanding that becomes the anchor upon which corresponding action is hinged. The scripture above tells us that Abraham’s faith made it logical for him. Now, a few verses before this verse, verse 3, records that by faith, we understand that the world was formed at the command of God. This means faith brings a certain understanding that only faith can release. No wonder the apostle also teaches that the unspiritual, the man without faith, cannot discern or know things of the Spirit because such things are spiritually discerned (from a place of understanding) (1 Corinthians 2:14). So, Abraham came to trust God so much not to withhold his son from God because he got an understanding from his faith that God was able to raise his son from the dead. Faith helps us to see from the perspective of God, which is the logical side of faith. This is why without faith, it wouldn’t have made sense to Abraham how God who promised him a child now wants that child from him. It would seem to the carnal man as illogical. But then, true faith furnishes us with an understanding that helps us to stand by God through every test and challenge. God is faithful, and He will keep every promise He made to us.

Prayer_Bead: Father, thank you for the understanding and logic that my faith brings. Help me to trust you all the way. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: Faith embraces logic.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Jesus, our example

[The Glory Unveiled ]

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [ Hebrews‬ ‭12‬‬:‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ ]

The Bible says the Lord Jesus is the first Son among many brothers (Romans 8:29), meaning that He is the template for our conduct and lifestyle. We are supposed to learn from our senior brother, Jesus, and God. Usually, when you want to learn a dance step, you need to keep your eyes on the instructor to get everything right; otherwise, you will miss everything. In the case of our faith pattern, the Lord Jesus is our guide, the author, and the one who completes it. Therefore, we cannot have faith or continue to live and grow in faith without Jesus. With that clear understanding, let us carefully examine the Lord Jesus’ style. The scripture says, He was motivated by the joy that was set before Him: the joy a shepherd experiences when he finds his missing sheep, the joy of bringing us back to God. The weight of the joy, which is the reward of his sacrifice, made Him endure the cross with its shame and pain. His gaze was fixed on one thing alone: the joy. And because He didn’t have divided attention, He obtained what He pursued. The same will happen in our lives if we look to Jesus alone and nothing else, and despise the shame and hateful words of people. We will also endure our crosses and have the reward of being with the Father. No matter how difficult it seems, if we can keep our gaze on Jesus, our faith will produce the desired results.

Prayer_Bead: Dear Lord, thank you for being the author and finisher of my faith. Help me to endure the things I need to endure, so help me God.

Wisdom_Quote: The direction of your gaze determines your level of distractions.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Kill your doubts

[The Glory Unveiled]

If God can clothe the fields and meadows with grass and flowers, can he not clothe you as well, O struggling one with so many doubts? (‭‭‭ Luke‬ ‭12‬‬:‭28‬ ‭TPT‬‬)

The presence of our needs does not indicate the absence of God’s ability to provide. The absence of what we wish to experience only confirms a deficiency on our part. Many times in the Bible, we are compared to other categories of people or things to strike a balance between our current experiences and what we ought to experience. When God compares the kind of faith that grants unrestricted access to heaven, He mentions children. This suggests there is wisdom to be gained from observing the attitude of children. The Bible also directs the lazy man to learn wisdom from the ant, another lesson we can derive from comparison. Now, we are posed with a comparative question: If God can clothe the fields and meadows with grass and flowers, can He not also clothe us? Certainly, He can, because by every standard, we are more dear to God than grass and flowers. However, the reason we may not be experiencing this provision is doubt. Faith and fear are instruments that grant permission to celestial beings. Faith permits God and His kingdom, while fear creates room for the devil’s influence. Doubt also signifies a lack of full knowledge or information about something. It is this gap in awareness that undermines our experiences. God is capable of exceeding more than we could ask or think. Yet, doubt can be the one thing that stops Him. Not believing that God is able to provide for our every need, no matter how small, is an insult to His power and thus yields a corresponding result. Don’t wrestle with God’s promises; He is able to fulfill everything He says He will do.

Prayer_Bead: Dear Lord, thank you for your provisions. I believe that you are able to do exceeding, abundantly and far above what I ask, think or imagine.

Wisdom_Quote: Doubt or faith is the gap between your experience and your expectations.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Who is God to you?

[The Glory Unveiled ]

But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. [ Psalms 3:3 KJV ]

The preceding verse of scripture provides an understanding of why this verse begins with “but.” This chapter of Psalms was written when David fled from his son Absalom. In the verse before our anchor verse, he wrote, “many are those who say there is no help for me in God.” And then he quickly adds in this verse, the truth about his situation for which those who think there is no help for him in God are unaware. Here, he ignores the people who rose up against him and focuses on God. David understands that with God alone on his side it wouldn’t matter how many people rise against him. He switches so swiftly implying that the comments of his enemies are irrelevant. He calls God his shield; his shield against the skims of the enemies. He said in verse 6 that he will not be afraid of ten thousand people that stand up against him because of this same understanding. He also calls God his glory because Absalom had wanted to take away his father’s glory. But David knew that his glory is not the material things he owned or the legacy he built. God was his covering and glory. As a result, God was the lifter up of his head. Eventually, God lifted his head over that of his son. God made David known and influential. So, rather than focusing on people and your environment, focus on your God. What is your relationship with God? Is God your shield? Is He your glory and the lifter up of your head? This is what really counts and not the people and situations that seem to choke you. So, turn your attention to God.

Prayer_Bead: Our shield and the lifter up of our heads, thank you for what you have done for us and continue to do for us.

Wisdom_Quote: Your life is the result of your perspective.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Building on our most holy faith

[The Glory Unveiled]

”But you, my delightfully loved friends, constantly and progressively build yourselves up on the foundation of your most holy faith by praying every moment in the Spirit.“ [ ‭‭Jude 1‬:‭20‬ ‭TPT‬‬ ]

The believer’s relationship with God is like an edifice under construction, a continuous and progressive endeavor. Our journey with the Lord aims to transform us into the image of Christ. In 2 Corinthians 3:18, we learn how to enter into union with Jesus: “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” Our experiences and growth are meant to be ever-increasing. We are instructed to build ourselves up on our most holy faith, which encompasses our sacred beliefs—the truths that form the foundation of our faith. The integrity of whatever we build is determined by our most holy faith. Especially now, we need to strengthen ourselves with strong Christian convictions and truths. Fortunately, we are shown how to build on these solid beliefs: by praying in the Holy Spirit. Praying with revelation and in the attitude and power of the Holy Spirit helps preserve our faith. Speaking in the language of the Spirit is a practice that should be maintained at all times. A believer doesn’t pray in the Holy Spirit when they are led; they pray whenever they want to, and they should want to at all times. The apostle stated in 1 Corinthians 14:15 that he would pray with understanding and also in the Spirit, indicating it was a choice he made. Similarly, we can and should make the same choice.

Prayer_Bead: Heavenly father, thank you for the grace to build myself up on the truth I have received. Help me to pray in the Holy Ghost.

Wisdom_Quote: Praying in the Holy Ghost is the mason of our most holy faith.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

*#GNews:* _Unveiling the glory of God._

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Multiplicity of Grace

[The Glory Unveiled]

”Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord“ [ 2 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬ NKJV‬‬ ]

Speaking of grace, the apostle Paul asks if we should continue to sin so that grace may increase, since grace increases where sin abounds (Romans 6:1). Grace is the unmerited provision of God that sustains man in spite of every tangible reason to deny him that provision. The apostle Paul teaches that when we were under the influence of sin, grace increased for us to come to the knowledge of God. But that same grace made us dead to sin because it brought us through the baptism of death with Jesus (Romans 6:3). And so, the apostle Paul reasons that if we died with Christ, we cannot continue to sin (Romans 6:2). There are some believers who think that they need to sin once in a while to increase grace upon their lives. Unfortunately, the grace that is made available because of sin brings you through death so it is no longer available. The grace that is available to the believer is the grace that comes through the knowledge of Jesus Christ. As grace increases for the sinner to come to the cross, grace is multiplied to the believer who has the knowledge of Christ and not from sinning. While we were in the world in our ignorance, sin made grace available to us. But now, grace will be made available and multiplied through the knowledge of the Son of God. It will take knowledge to get more grace and not ignorance and sin. What you know about Jesus is the room that heaven makes for your peace and comfort. How much do you know of Jesus?

Prayer_Bead: Father in heaven, thank you for the provision of grace. Help me to grow in the knowledge of your son Jesus. So that grace may be multiplied to me. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: Grace may increase where sin abounds but it is multiplied where the knowledge of Jesus is.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Unique Possession

[The Glory Unveiled]

Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, [ Exodus 19:5 NIV]

It is possible to have a favourite among many things of the same kind. Though they may appear equal on the surface, there is often something extra, sometimes infinitesimal, that sets one apart from the rest. Many people will look at the full picture and not recognize the unique attribute that distinguishes this one. The distinguishing characteristic is only unique to the one for whom that particular attribute is important or a favourite. Even among children born of the same parents, some parents have their favourites among them. They seem to be more attached to and caring for their favourite. And many times, the object of that affection or love is known only to the lover. In our anchor Scripture, the Lord shows us how an individual or a nation can become His treasured possession. He gives just one criterion for becoming His unique possession: to fully obey God and keep His covenant. There are those who are in the habit of obeying God partially and partly. But if anyone wants to be God’s treasured possession, they must obey God fully, regardless of other alternatives or reasonable interventions. Yes, you are a child of God, but are you His treasured possession? Do you obey God fully? Do you keep His covenants with you as a person? God loves us, but there is a dimension of intimacy that we ascend to by our choices and actions. Out of the lot, may God single you out for honor through your intentional obedience.

Prayer_Bead: My Father and King, thank you for making me a treasured possession through my obedience. Let your name be glorified in Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: Full obedience gives full access to God’s heart.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Praying according to God’s will

[The Glory Unveiled]

”Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.“ [ I John‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ ]

One common thing about all children is that they have the habit of constantly asking their parents for things. However, even though they ask constantly, they don’t always receive what they request. There’s something that influences parents to either grant or withhold their children’s requests. And this is not a question of whether they love their kids or not because every parent love their kids. The same is true of our heavenly Father; He doesn’t always grant our requests even though He loves us all. The good news is that He tells us the kind of requests He responds to—those aligned with His will. If our requests align with God’s will, we can be confident that He will grant them. This awareness gives us confidence in prayer, garnishing our faith and helping us depend on God’s faithfulness. Thus, regardless of external circumstances, we remain steadfast, convinced that God will honour His word. This truth should motivate us to discern God’s will in any matter. Praying without knowing God’s will would be futile. Therefore, our first task should be to understand God’s will before presenting our requests to Him. The will of God is synonymous with the word of God; it cannot contradict it. By studying the word of God, we can discern His will and pray accordingly, knowing that God will not only hear us but also answer us. Confidently make your requests known to God, knowing that you are asking according to the will of God.

Prayer_Bead: Father in heaven, thank you for this knowledge. Help me to pray according to your will and your word, in Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: The word of God does not contradict the will of God.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.