[The Glory Unveiled]
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” ( John 11:25-26 NIV )
The apostle Paul prayed, “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10). Paul understood something profound about the resurrection power of Christ and longed to experience it. He desired to encounter that power. He also recognized that resurrection is only activated in the presence of death and suffering. The one who believes in Jesus lives, even though they die. Death is not the end of existence. For some, death serves as a doorway into another reality. The same apostle wrote in Romans 8:36 that he was “killed all day long” for the sake of other believers. He lived daily as if dying to himself. Jesus also instructed those who wish to follow Him to take up their cross (embrace death), deny themselves, and follow Him. Death becomes an avenue, an instrument through which the resurrection power of Christ is experienced and shared. If we live by believing in Christ Jesus, we will never die (in terms of losing our relevance and ability to replicate ourselves spiritually). When Jesus lived on earth, believing in our heavenly Father, He multiplied Himself through many others. As a result, after He died and rose again to be with the Father, many “Jesuses” remained—His products. The same is expected of us. What would you want to know more than anything else? Paul made it clear that his deepest desire was to know Christ, and he pursued this with everything in him. When Jesus spoke to Martha, the sister of Lazarus, saying, “I am the resurrection and the life,” He was demonstrating that with Him, there is no loss. If she had Jesus, she could not truly lose anything, even when it seemed lost. If you have the Resurrection and the Life on your side, you have everything you could ever want.
Prayer_Bead: Lord Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life, I believe in you for my life and its sustenance. Let your name be glorified in me.
Wisdom_Quote: Death is a gateway to a new beginning.
#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.
Victory over Sin and Death
[The Glory Unveiled]
But we thank God for giving us the victory as conquerors through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. [ 1 Corinthians 15:57 TPT ]
Different battles require different kinds of ammunition. However, victory is not achieved solely through skill or weaponry. Victory is, in essence, a certificate we receive—either because we won something ourselves or because someone else won it on our behalf. For us, victory comes because someone else did the work. Victory over sin and death was utterly impossible through human strength or strategies. When we sinned, we fell short of the glory of God—His nature and attributes, which empower a victorious life. By falling from that glory, we were reduced to a purely human existence. Yet, the love of God refused to abandon us. God conquered sin and death so that we might have freedom and enter His rest. Until sin and death are dealt with, humanity cannot truly experience freedom. Our current state is the direct result of sin, and restoration can only come when sin is permanently eradicated. Imagine not taking an exam yet having the top student’s results credited to you. Similarly, God assigned Jesus’ victory to us. Through Jesus, we are victorious over sin and death. Victory over sin is essential for walking with God. Without it, we cannot consistently walk in fellowship with Him. This is why God took the initiative to address the problem on our behalf. While we did not physically hang on the cross to conquer sin and death, Jesus did, granting us His victory through faith. This is why our hearts should overflow with gratitude to God.
Prayer_Bead: Heavenly Father , thank you for the victory you have given me as a conqueror through Christ Jesus.
Wisdom_Quote: We ride triumphantly on Jesus’ victory parade.
#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.
The cost of discipleship
[The Glory Unveiled]
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. [ Luke 9:23 NIV ]
There is a price tag on everything in life. Nothing comes to us without a price being paid, whether by ourselves or someone else. Whether we realize it or not, the price must be paid for something to manifest. Until it is paid, the desired outcome or pursuit will not be delivered. In the verse of scripture above, the Lord Jesus tells His followers about the price required to follow Him. We know that unless this price is paid, the reward cannot be obtained. This means no one can truly be a disciple of Jesus without meeting the cost attached to discipleship. There are no alternatives or negotiations—no room for bargains. Jesus does not stop anyone from becoming His disciple; it is the price tag that distinguishes those who choose to follow from those who do not. The individual who desires to be His disciple must resolve to pay the price in full. Only then can they partake in the benefits of being His disciple. The Lord reveals deeply intimate things about Himself to His disciples. Secrets that others are not privy to are shared with them. While the price is great, so is the reward. There is so much more to being a disciple than simply being born again. There is a deeper journey to pursue and greater treasures in Christ, but these are accessible only to those who pay the price in full. Have you made the decision to follow Jesus by paying?
Prayer_Bead: Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for the privilege to join your family. Now, help me to walk with you faithfully.
Wisdom_Quote: There is a price tag to everything worthwhile.
#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.
Food for the matured
[The Glory Unveiled]
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. [ Hebrews 5:14 NIV ]
Babies do not start eating solid food from the moment they are born. Initially, they are fed milk and then gradually weaned off it. Solid food is introduced little by little until they can eat it without any difficulty. Similarly, the writer of Hebrews explains that the solid food of God’s Word—the deeper truths—is meant for the mature. These individuals have reached maturity through their consistent use of this solid food. The more they consume it, the more they are equipped to distinguish between good and evil. Through constant practice, their senses are trained to discern between what is right and wrong. No one becomes an expert at anything by doing it occasionally. A mature believer is someone who continually feeds on the solid food of God’s Word. Through consistent practice, they are able to discern things without necessarily experiencing them. In contrast, a baby believer encounters trouble and falls into it because they lack the ability to distinguish what is harmful to their spiritual health. Believers develop their spiritual senses through practice. No one automatically knows what they need to know without learning. This principle applies to believers as well. We must continually nourish our souls with the knowledge of Christ, meditating on God’s Word day and night until we become one with it.
Prayer_Bead: Heavenly Father, thank you for drawing me into the experience of the word.
Wisdom_Quote: Solid food is for the mature.
#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.
Diligence with Christ.
[The Glory Unveiled]
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, [ Colossians 2:6 NIV ]
Consistency is the hallmark of champions. Nobody is celebrated for starting something but failing to finish it. Likewise, no one is called an expert unless they are known for practicing and achieving results in the area attributed to them. Many people think they are believers simply because they once believed. However, it is not enough to acknowledge Jesus as your Lord and Savior on paper. Is He also your Shepherd? Are you walking with Him daily? The reality is that we enter into union with Jesus when we diligently continue in our walk with Him. No one accepts Christ and instantly comes into complete union (oneness) with Him. It requires journeying with Him to understand His heart and align with His will. Moses, the prophet of God, was an Israelite like any other ordinary Israelite. He studied the basic doctrines as they all did. However, he was set apart when he began walking with God. As he deliberately journeyed with God into the deep secrets of His will, Moses came to know more than anyone else. This did not happen merely because he chose to accept God as his Savior and then became passive. He made a conscious effort to walk with God. This effort is reflected in our actions and words—the choices we make that draw others away from sin. As we are drawn deeper into union with Christ, we reach a point where it becomes difficult to distinguish between Christ and ourselves. This is when we and others can say we are in union with Christ.
Prayer_Bead: Father, thank you for the grace to continue walking with you diligently until I’m lost in You.
Wisdom_Quote: Consistency is the trademark of champions
#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.