Category: Faith

[The Glory Unveiled]

Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” [ 1 John‬ ‭5‬:‭5‬ ‭KJV ]

The Lord Jesus overcame the world, the devil, sin, and the grave, and He has become a symbol of victory for those who believe. We believe from a position of faith, which is the power that triumphs over the world. The world, with everything in it, was called from the unseen realm into the seen realm. The only mechanism that gives us the opportunity to mimic this possibility is our faith. We have the ability to move mountains, stop the mouths of lions, calm storms, halt the sun, tame the flames of fire, and even raise the dead. All these and many more are possible because of faith. Through faith, we reconstruct the visible world with invisible realities. The Lord Jesus left us an example through His life, and we can replicate that life by believing in Him. We overcome the world and its systems through our faith in the system of God, which is Jesus. As 1 John 5:4 (TPT) states, “Every child of God overcomes the world because our faith is the victorious power that triumphs over the world.” The believer’s strength lies in their faith. When Proverbs 24:10 mentions that “the strength of the man who faints on the day of adversity is small,” it emphasizes the importance of faith. We need faith, especially when facing adversities and challenges. Examples like the woman with the issue of blood in Matthew 9:20, the Centurion in Matthew 8:5-10, the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:22-28, and all those who activated their faith in the face of adversity are strong because their minds are set on Jesus, the One who overcame the world. Your victory over the world is bound to your faith in Jesus. Do you want to conquer the world? Turn to Jesus.

Prayer_Bead: Prince of Peace, thank you for the victory you have given me in you.

Wisdom_Quote: Your victory over the world is in your faith.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites. [ Judges 6:13 KJV ]

There is a common notion held by many people that if God is with a person, they are not supposed to experience challenges. However, we can discern from our text above that the presence of challenges is not an indication that God is not with a person, nor is the absence of challenges a sign of God’s presence with someone. So, the fact that God is with you will not always lead to the absence of challenges. In fact, the absence of challenges is not a sign that God is with you; often, the opposite is true. Gideon was a weak, fearful man who struggled with an inferiority complex. In the way he described himself and his need for validation from God regarding what God said He would do, it becomes clear that he didn’t have much faith in himself. Sometimes, challenges reveal the investment of God in us. Until the Midianites taunted the Israelites, Gideon wouldn’t have realized that he had something to offer in the deliverance of his country and people. The presence of challenges in the face of God’s abiding presence is a call to unleash the treasures of God’s mighty deposit of power within you. It is not a confirmation of God’s absence; rather, it is an opportunity to exercise our faith. When the disciples called out to Jesus for help during a storm, Jesus asked them, “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:23-24). Jesus expected them to rebuke the storm because they had the power to do so. Meanwhile, the storms occurred even though Jesus (God) was with them. The storms were not a sign that Jesus wasn’t with them because He was. Instead, it was an opportunity for them to display their God-given power. The next time you face a storm, don’t question like Gideon whether God is with you. Instead, confront your storm with faith and turn the situation around for God’s glory.

Prayer_Bead: Mighty Father, thank you for the deposit of your power in my life. Help me to unleash it in the calming of every storm around me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Wisdom_Quote: Battles are not an announcement of God’s absence in a life.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. [ Psalms 119:105 KJV ]

Light is a seemingly useless commodity for the blind. Despite its role in facilitating unhindered vision and enabling various activities, it remains unappreciable to those without sight. Therefore, while light holds great significance, its value remains elusive to those lacking vision. Just as natural light is futile to the blind, the word of God similarly offers no benefit to the spiritually blind. “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:14). Additionally, in John 14:17, it is explained that the world cannot accept the Spirit because it neither sees nor knows Him. However, believers, who have the Spirit dwelling within them, can comprehend Him. The Holy Spirit embodies the essence of the word of God, which is light. For those ensnared by sin, symbolized by the world, the light of God’s word, which is the Spirit, remains invisible. The word of God underscores the inability of the blind to derive benefit from what they cannot perceive. To truly experience the beauty and blessings of light, the blind must first gain the gift of sight. Jesus came to bestow light upon us while we were in darkness, but He first grants us the ability to perceive this light through our belief in Him. Our faith in Him confers upon us the right to become sons, endowing us with the capacity to see. Consequently, God’s word serves as a lamp to guide our steps and illuminate our path, directing and enlightening our way in a dark world.

Prayer_Bead: Dear Jesus, thank you for giving me the ability to see your Light that brings salvation. I embrace your gift, in Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: God’s word is lamp and light to those who have Jesus.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. [ Romans 8:14 KJV ]

Sonship is an important issue in the kingdom of God because God relates with us as family. And as far as that relationship is concerned, you are either a family or you are not. There is no middle ground. According to the order of God’s eternal plan, even though humanity broke fellowship with God through the disobedience of Adam, we can come back into fellowships with God by believing in His Son Jesus who bore the punishment for our disobedience. Our belief in Jesus becomes a new birth experience, one that puts the Spirit of Christ in us which is also a down payment for our future inheritance. But then, it does not end there, the deposit of the Spirit is only the beginning of our journey into sonship. The scripture says that when we come to that place of being led by the Spirit who dwells in us, then we are sons. The Lord Jesus demonstrated how we come into sonship with His own earthly life. He, though he was equal with the Father, humbled Himself and suffered through obedience. And for Him to obey meant that He allowed Himself to be led by the Holy Spirit. He did not take matters into his hands. He had to learn obedience like an ordinary human, through the things He suffered. We must follow the example of Jesus. And allow ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit as a hen leads her chicks. It is not enough to say we are Christians or we are children of God. Are we being led by the Holy Spirit in our day to day walk with God? Are we daily coming into deeper knowledge of God? Are we abandoning our will for the will of God? And so, are you a son of God? Regardless of your gender in the flesh, are you being led by the Spirit of God?

Prayer_Bead: Dear Lord, thank you for the grace to follow your leading daily. Help me to do away with my will whenever I have to choose between what you want and what I want. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: The Holy Spirit leads only sons.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

“And the God of peace will swiftly pound Satan to a pulp under your feet! And the wonderful favor of our Lord Jesus will surround you.” [ ‭‭Romans‬ ‭16‬:‭20‬ TPT‬‬ ]

This scripture is the result of an action and a lifestyle that God instructs through the Apostle Paul for us to live by: “Be well-informed and wise concerning what is good, avoid evil, and stay pure” (Romans 16:19). The Bible states that this is a swift way that allows God to defeat Satan under our feet. Unfortunately, many people have tried, and some continue to attempt to overcome Satan in ways different from what scripture suggests, and they have been at it for years without results. The Bible provides us with the keys to every situation in its sacred texts. Regrettably, many people have their own ideas and methods. Because the word of God is woven into the very fabric of creation, it is only the word of God that can produce the desired results on Earth. This is why all the theatrics and drama associated with many modern churches do not yield any results. The enemy is only helpless in the presence of a believer who lives by the instructions given above. This is why anyone who is wise and well-informed about good things and stays pure while avoiding evil becomes a nightmare for the devil. It seems that the devil has convinced many people to do anything except the one thing he fears: purity and wisdom. Consequently, we keep ourselves busy with various matters, much like Martha, except the important things. If we obey today’s verse of scripture, we won’t need to take any action to conquer the enemy. Moreover, the wonderful favor of God will surround us when we live in wisdom and purity and stay away from evil. This is God’s remedy to keep the devil perpetually under your feet in this realm.

Prayer_Bead: Great Monarch of Zion, thank you for swiftly pounding Satan to a pulp under my feet as I stay on the corridor of wisdom and purity.

Wisdom_Quote: The world’s method does not work in God’s system.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” [ I Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭57‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ ]

Many of the battles believers face are a waste of time, leading us into the land of futility. Humanity cannot endure battles meant for gods. Even if we were to fight these battles for eternity, we would still experience defeat. Therefore, God, in His wisdom, love, and compassion, has fought every battle for us through His Son. To provide proof of His victory, God has granted us the crown of success. Jesus endured suffering, paid the price for victory over sin, and offered us evidence of His triumph through a transaction of faith. Since we did nothing to earn this victory, we must be cautious not to lose it due to disbelief. God’s method of attributing Jesus’ victory to us is akin to the accounts of certain battles in the Old Testament, such as the Battle of Jehoshaphat, the Battle of Mount Gilead, and the story of the four lepers. In these instances, the Israelites didn’t employ weapons but praised God, causing their enemies to turn on each other. Remarkably, it was proclaimed in the surrounding nations that the Israelites had fought and vanquished their foes, even though they hadn’t engaged in battle. Their victories came through obedience and submission to God (see 2 Chronicles 20:1-30, Judges 7, 2 Kings 7). Beyond these victories, the Lord Jesus has secured the battle that determines the destiny of our souls and the quality of our lives on Earth. He has made the title deed for victory available to anyone who believes that Jesus indeed fought and won their battles. Every race we run, every battle we desire to fight has already been won by Jesus. The gap between us and that victory is faith in His ability. Will you accept what has been offered, or will you labor through it on your own?

Prayer_Bead: Dear Father, thank you for the gift of your Son Jesus and the victory He brings. May your name be praised.

Wisdom_Quote: The victory of the Lord Jesus, is the inheritance of the heirs of God.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. [ 1 Corinthians 3:6 NIV ]

Growth is the expectation of every investment. Every input in our lives is intended to yield a certain result, no matter how small. Unfortunately, we tend to forget the goal of the inputs in our lives or focus on the resource and the middleman rather than the One who provided the resource and the middleman. The believers in Corinth faced the temptation of paying more attention to the middleman rather than the One who produced the end product. There is a temptation to think that the middleman is the reason for the results we have. Many mistake the actions of the Lord for the actions of man and divert God’s glory to humans. The church in Corinth was also ensnared in this deception when they divided between Paul and Apollos. So, the apostle Paul had to draw their attention to the fact that what they [the apostles] did was insignificant unless God provided the increase. Their focus and attention should return to God. Yet, it appears that today’s church is also falling into the temptation of attributing glory to the middleman. Those who most often succumb to this temptation are individuals who have no place in the secret place. People who frequently visit the secret place know the heart of God and His works. They are not carried away by the vessels God uses while God is on the stage. Our relationship with God will not grow from one level to another unless the Lord provides the increase. The Lord provides the increase only when we remain in the soil in which He has planted us, watered by the Spirit of His Word. And this is why our increase does not come from other people, even though it comes through them. Our growth comes from the Lord for His glory and the comfort of other people.

Prayer_Bead: Mighty God, thank you for the privilege to increase in you. I am a blessing to others. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: The increase comes from the Lord.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? [ Romans 2:4 NIV ]

In a world of many conflicting voices, and ungodly advocates of human rights who have no respect for the laws of God, many people mistake God’s tolerance for his acceptance. They think that because God is tolerating their wrong actions and behavior, God approves of what they do. They don’t realize that His forbearance and extravagant kindness is meant to melt their hearts and lead them to repentance. One attribute of God that is very important to our salvation and redemption is that God is merciful. The mercy of God is the platform that tolerates our ignorance and disobedience. God can tolerate or ignore our mistakes for a long time because of His mercy. But the truth about the mercy of God is that God chooses who He will be merciful to. And also, one cannot tell how long God will be merciful to them, only God determines that. And so, it is a risky business to take God’s extravagant kindness for granted. The mercy of God is always a system intended to nurture us and bring us to the place of responsibility. In the moment of mercy, God does not deal with us according to our doings. He shields us from the consequences of our mistakes and treats us as if we had done nothing wrong. So, don’t show contempt for the mercy of God. Don’t be deceived into thinking that God is okay with you because He is quiet about your disobedience. It may be your season of mercy, and it will not last forever. So, put your house in order. Change your ways and practice being responsible because God’s forbearance is intended to lead you to repentance.

Prayer_Bead: Father, thank you for your kindness and forbearance. Please help me to repent from all ungodly ways. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: The forbearance of God is not a declaration of His endorsement.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

“When there is no clear prophetic vision, people quickly wander astray. But when you follow the revelation of the Word, heaven’s bliss fills your soul.” [ ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭29‬:‭18‬ ‭TPT‬‬ ]

Anytime there is any kind of movement, it is always towards a goal, a target. Nothing and no one moves towards nothing. Motion is only possible where there is clarity of vision. Where there is no vision, there cannot be a meaningful movement. This is why many destinies are pinned down; they have no clear prophetic vision. Many dreams are shuttered because many people are unwilling to chart a new course for self discovery. They prefer to be handed over the blueprint for their lives by someone who looks like them, rather than searching them out themselves. The result is a mass production of replicas of one person. Where there is no vision, a mission is impossible. If the goal is not in view then it is out of reach. The NIV puts our anchor text this way, “where there is no revelation [vision], people cast off restraints.” To “cast off restraint” means to abandon self-control or to act without limitations or inhibitions. It implies letting go of the thing that guides you or ignoring discipline in one’s behavior, often resulting in impulsive or unrestrained actions. The casualty is that, such lives become shadows of what could have been a good thing. A life without a leash unleashes the horrors of mediocrity. To avoid wandering astray, we must follow the revelation of God’s word, sustained by His grace. Before you begin to move towards any agenda or goals, be certain to have a clear vision of what it is you are chasing. It is the clarity of the vision that energizes and empowers your walk. Without a clear vision, you will soon stray from your end goal. The bliss of heaven fills our souls and equips us with the vigor to keep going where there is a revelation from God to guide our activities. Don’t chase anything, whether it is a relationship, a business, a project or a course until the vision is clear.

Prayer_Bead: The Great I AM, thank you for your plans for my life. Order my steps in your word, Lord. Keep me from the distractions of starting anything without a clear vision. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: Vision is the brush that paints the picture of your future.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.