Category: Gospel

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Mingled with Christ

[The Glory Unveiled]

“For we are mingled with the Messiah, if we will continue unshaken in this confident assurance from the beginning until the end.” [ Hebrews‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬ ‭TPT‬‬ ]

The Christian’s advantage is positional, and this position is conditional. Our advantages are also conditional, signifying that what believers experience as a result of Christ comes with conditions. This ensures that Christ remains the ultimate Lord, fostering unity in Him. It’s crucial not to assume unrestricted freedom, as the One placing you in a position can also remove you from it. Being partakers with Christ requires faithful continuation in our confident assurance, much like a grafted tree is part of another as long as it remains connected. Persistent continuation with the Lord signifies our mingling with Christ, where we’re intimately connected, expressing His essence and life. Our position dictates influence and perception, not as a birthright but as a privilege from submitting to Jesus. However, this positional privilege is precarious for the self-conceited. Hence, the caution that one who thinks they stand must watch lest they fall (1 Corinthians 10:12). This caution is exemplified in Samson’s experience with the anointing on his life. Believing the anointing was at his disposal, he overlooked that access was due to consecration (position). He learned this lesson rather belatedly. Our identity is shaped by where Jesus placed us, a result of His actions. To maintain this, we must submit to the order and obey the One who made it possible.

Prayer_Bead: Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of your Son. Thank you for what I have as a result of His sacrifice. May your name be glorified.

Wisdom_Quote: Our position in God is based on the condition of the sacrifice of the Son.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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A world of mighty things

[The Glory Unveiled]

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. [ Jeremiah 33:3 KJV ]

It may seem that we possess extensive knowledge until tested on it. When one acknowledges their limited knowledge, opportunities for learning and growth arise. Despite walking with God for many years, without calling on Him, He may remain silent, as God doesn’t impose anything. It’s a recognized fact that no individual knows everything. God’s offer to reveal mighty things we don’t know is intriguing, starting with a call. The call precedes everything else. God doesn’t just promise to show mighty things; He instructs us to call on Him first. It is when we call unto Him that we are ushered into the realm of great and mighty things. Interestingly, we often try to grasp God’s promises without seeking Him. The world tends to call on everything else except God, leading to frustrations. While asking, knocking, and seeking are valid approaches, calling upon the Lord surpasses them all. It brings every attribute of God alive in our space, as seen in Adam and Eve’s case, where God came looking for them. Although Adam and Eve didn’t call on God, He still provided for them, obtaining animal skin for their covering. When the Israelites called upon Him, His glory brought manna, defeated the Egyptians, and conquered other nations. Similar results are still achievable today when we call upon Him. Don’t chase the mighty things outside God, it is a futile pursuit. Instead, call desperately unto God with all your heart.

Prayer_Bead: Lord Almighty, hallowed be your name. As we call upon you as our only hope, we thank you that you answer us. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: Years of walking with God does not amount to knowing God.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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What is your profit?

[The Glory Unveiled]

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? [ Matthew 16:26 KJV ]

The entire world, not just a portion is compared to the worth of the soul and the world falls short. The question arises: what else could be given in exchange for a man’s soul? The rhetorical answer is nothing. Nevertheless, many people trade their souls for trivial things. Some settle for less than a piece of the world in exchange for their souls. In a barter trade system, prices aren’t fixed, presenting both opportunities or risks based on one’s marketing skills. A piece of cloth might be bartered for a cow in one market and exchanged for a pair of scissors in another, influenced by needs and the attached value. As believers, understanding the value placed on us through the blood of the eternal Son prevents selling ourselves too cheap, even for two worlds. The Bible is unequivocal about the worth of our souls, surpassing anything this realm offers. Our value shouldn’t diminish. God emphasizes our worth, stating that we’re worth more than many sparrows (Matthew 10:31). It suggests God is intentional about our value, knowing our true worth and discouraging wasting what is precious on mundanity. Like Esau selling his birthright for a bowl of soup, devaluing himself in the eyes of his brother and God, exchanging your soul for anything in this world, even the world itself, leads to a perpetual loss. Your soul has sentimental value to God, beyond purchase—so, don’t attempt to sell it.

Prayer_Bead: Lover and Lord, thank you for the value you placed on my soul. It is worth the blood of your Son. Thank you.

Wisdom_Quote: The human soul has no equal value in this world.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Exhibition of the hidden life

[The Glory Unveiled]

“Your crucifixion with Christ has severed the tie to this life, and now your true life is hidden away in God in Christ.” [ Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬ ‭TPT‬‬ ]

All of humanity was bound to a particular life when we sinned through our ancestors, Adam and Eve. That life became our master and driver, leading us where we would not choose to go. This life compels us against our will because we forfeited our rights to that nature. Satan, the usurper, orchestrated this treacherous swindle, deceiving us by exploiting our desires, lusts, and the things we see, touch, feel, wish, and hope for. Subsequently, we legally surrendered our rights, becoming slaves to the usurper’s world. Freedom from this world comes at a cost—the death on the cross. However, this payment has a consequence, a positive one in my opinion. The consequence is that we become indebted to Christ. In the repayment plan, when we died with Christ, our connection to this world and the old life was severed. Our true life, now our new life, is concealed in Christ Jesus. If our true lives are hidden in Christ, it implies that neither we nor others have any influence over this new life except Jesus. Ironically, we have the freedom to do as we please, yet our new master, the Lord Jesus, demands an allegiance that, without coercion, leads us to honour and obey Him. This is what it truly means to make Him our Lord, as Lord signifies master and owner. If Jesus genuinely owns our lives, we cannot live it our way but His way. Let the world witness that Jesus is the Lord of our lives through the way we live it for Him.

Prayer_Bead: King of kings, thank you for your reign in my life. Help me to yield to you in all things.

Wisdom_Quote: The Lord Jesus is the master of the hidden life.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Did you sweat blood?

[The Glory Unveiled]

“After all, you have not yet reached the point of sweating blood in your opposition to sin.” [ Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭4‬ TPT‬‬ ]

It is a fact that sin has no power over us now as believers, but the influence and culture of sin from our old lives persist. This influence urges us to repeat our past ways and displease God. Hence, there is a need to resist sin. Technically, we are not resisting sin but the influence of the sin nature that used to be in us. In our anchor text, we learn that there are dimensions and levels of resisting sin. The highest level is where you resist the influence of sin until you begin to sweat blood. Unless one has passed that stage of resisting sin, they have no excuses or anything to complain about. This is especially true because the Lord Jesus, our example, encountered such temptation to sin in the garden of Gethsemane but He did not give in. He resisted the temptation to do His own will rather than the will of God, saying, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42). He didn’t give in to the influence of sin but resisted until His sweat bore witness that He will not give in, as recorded in Luke 22:44: “And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” Sin and the devil only flees in the face of staunch resistance. The devil left Jesus after He consistently resisted him during the temptations in Matthew 4. Don’t give in to sin’s influence; put up a fight against it and do not succumb.

Prayer_Bead: Father, thank you for showing me to resist sin’s influence even unto the point of sweating blood. Sin has no dominion over me.

Wisdom_Quote: Sin flees in the face of opposition.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Faith; the believer’s key

[The Glory Unveiled]

“Faith opened the way for the Hebrews to cross the Red Sea as if on dry land, but when the Egyptians tried to cross they were swallowed up and drowned!” ‭‭[ Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭29‬ TPT‬‬ ]

Faith serves as the believer’s essential master key, unlocking various kinds of doors irrespective of the guards or those who hold the keys. As the Egyptian army pursued the Israelites to the Red Sea, unbeknownst to them, the Hebrews possessed the key to open the sea’s door. Lacking this key, the Egyptians faced a closed door, resulting in their drowning. A crucial insight is that if a method succeeds for someone but not for you, it could mean that you haven’t discovered their key. Life responds to specific keys, granting discriminatory access to different doors. Rather than imitating others, seek their keys, allowing you to navigate the same doors unhindered. Learn under their feet if you must. But whatever you do, don’t take a step in their footprints without access to the keys they have. Another valuable piece of advice is to not follow someone’s path unless you possess their keys, access to the secrets they hold. Blindly emulating others can lead to one’s downfall, akin to the fate of the Egyptians who lacked preparation and the right keys. Destinies are not shaped through imitation but crafted with intentional blueprints, which include trusting God, determination, patience, humility, courage and commitment to purpose. Do you possess the believer’s master key? Or are you taking a chance in the trail of someone’s success?

Prayer_Bead: Almighty God, thank you for showing me the way out of many troubles and disturbing challenges.

Wisdom_Quote: Destinies are not forged in the quarry of imitation.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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A walk with God

[The Glory Unveiled]

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. [ Matthew 7:23 KJV ]

Regrettably, many people treat the Christian life lightly, as if it’s something they can manipulate to their advantage, disregarding the foundational pillars and the essence that makes that life possible—a relationship with God. Our walk with God is only possible through a relationship; without it, we cannot truly know God, nor can He know us. The significance of our identification with God lies in its relationship basis, not solely on what we have heard about Him. As Job eloquently puts it, “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.” (Job 42:5). Job’s statement implies that his experience of God differs significantly from what he had heard about Him, and this is a recurring theme in our individual experiences. Our encounters with God diverge from others’ accounts because each experience is unique. Therefore, one cannot genuinely claim to know God solely through another person’s relationship with Him. In Matthew 7:22, the Lord Jesus warns, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” This highlights the misconception that some believe the gifts of God alone identify them with Him. However, God’s gifts can coexist with individuals who lack a continuous, working relationship with Him. Gifts and callings are not revoked once granted. Thus, a gift cannot be the determinant of one’s knowledge of God. The true indicator is a genuine, ongoing relationship with God.

Prayer_Bead: Dear Father, thank you for my ongoing relationship with you. I am changed daily into the image of Christ.

Wisdom_Quote: A gift is not the true reflection of a relationship with God.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Clouds of temptation

[The Glory Unveiled]

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” [ Matthew 26:41 NIV ]

Clouds of temptation gather in specific places for particular assignments. When you notice the temptation cloud forming in the distance, it’s time to watch and pray. Watching and praying serve as the best security measures to anticipate challenges, eliminating potential threats. Temptations do not discriminate based on status, class, or anointing; all individuals face temptation in one way or another. Those who appear untouched by temptations are often those who consistently overcome. For such individuals, sin cannot imprint its stain through temptations. The believer’s primary spiritual defense is sensitivity to the Spirit, providing an early warning system against dangers. Sensitivity to the Spirit equips and prepares one to face any challenges with courage. It also aids in discerning God’s will and mind, ensuring prayers are aligned. A spiritually sensitive person knows when to pray and watch, staying vigilant instead of sleeping when prayer is essential. In case of injuries, our spiritual first aid comes through the prayers of others when we are weak. The flesh’s verdict is evident: the flesh is weak. While the spirit is willing, executing its will always requires the energy of the flesh. Unfortunately, the flesh is the entry point for temptations, emphasizing the importance of avoiding temptation clouds through constant vigilance and prayer.

Prayer_Bead: Father, thank you for teaching me to watch and pray. Help me to stay away from temptation’s breeze.

Wisdom_Quote: It is time to watch and pray when you see the finger of temptation in the clouds.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Temptation’s Red Zones.

[The Glory Unveiled]

And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. [ Genesis 2:16-17 KJV ]

Nothing entices a person into the land of no return like gullibility. Temptations will inevitably arise, but being gullible propels us toward that irreversible place. Lucifer, driven by gullibility, coveted what was not rightfully his and found himself in the land of no return. Similarly, Adam and Eve had the freedom to partake of any tree, except one. Despite the abundance of alternatives, they succumbed to temptation. Joseph, entrusted with everything in his master’s house, except the wife of his master. A temptation is a force that draws us toward the prohibited. In the moment, it may seem like the sole solution to fulfilling our needs, but obtaining it often results in losing everything else. Just like Adam and Eve were tempted and deceived into thinking the forbidden tree was better than the trees they were permitted to eat from, only to learn too late that they lost everything when they chased their appetite. It is prudent to identify and understand what God has deemed off-limits. Our ignorance often leads us to pursue the forbidden. Recognize that God’s restrictions are for our well-being, safeguarding our future. Joseph wisely acknowledged his limitations to Mrs. Potiphar (Genesis 39:9), illustrating that our knowledge of permissible boundaries forms a secure zone. Let us dwell within the boundary of the safe zone God prepared for us in His wisdom.

Prayer_Bead: Almighty God, thank you for teaching me to identify temptation’s red zones. Help me to stay away from what is wrong. In Jesus name. Amen.

Wisdom_Quote: A temptation is a pull or a push towards the one thing you are forbidden to have.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Bringing newfound vision.

[The Glory Unveiled]

He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” [ John 9:25 NIV ]

In the human world, your identity matters less to people than what you do for them. Typically, people are more concerned about what they receive from you than who you are. The blind man healed by Jesus didn’t know doctrines or religious rituals; he lacked knowledge about Jesus. However, he was acutely aware of his blindness, and after encountering Jesus, his restored sight became more significant to him than others’ opinions about Jesus, as clarified in the account. The multitude followed Jesus primarily for food, receiving bread and fish. Yet, beyond sustenance, our capacity to gain enlightenment after an encounter is paramount. Moses’ face radiated after his encounter with God. We must carry such value that people are transformed after meeting us. The lasting impact is not in our name but in the ability of others to see differently after encountering us. Like the blind man who proclaimed, “I was blind, but now I see,” if people can confidently declare newfound vision after meeting us, then the kingdom of God is manifest through us. Jesus asserted to the Pharisees that if He drove out demons (performed miracles) by the Holy Spirit, the kingdom of heaven had come to them (Matthew 12:28). Bring the kingdom of heaven to your world.

Prayer_Bead: Gracious Father, thank you for the privilege to bring the kingdom of heaven to many people. Let your name be glorified.

Wisdom_Quote: In the long run, people only hold on to what you did for them.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.