Category: Gospel

[The Glory Unveiled]

“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. ( Ephesians 4:26-27 )

The will of man is a complex matrix who can fathom it? It’s a vast ocean what can encompass its breadth? There are so many things we do by the dictates of our will, yet attribute to the actions of external forces. One of such things is being angry or loving someone. The scripture says we should not sin when angry. It further explains that anger becomes sin when forgiveness is not released (in time). Anything that makes us angry for a long time–until the sun goes down–is sin and it gives the devil grounds to carry out his schemes. If the Bible says we should not let the sun go down on our anger, then that makes anger a choice. Anger is a choice we make; we decide whether to let the anger remain for a long time, or whether to forgive our offenders immediately they offend us. The scripture actually says, “in your anger do not sin”…”in your anger”. Sometimes we feel that when we are angry we lose control of our will and senses and so we cannot control what happens around us. We allow ourselves to do whatever we want to do and them when the anger dies down we are filled with remorse. While others try to justify their actions with the fact that when they were angry they couldn’t control what they said or did. But the truth from God’s word says that anger is a choice. We can choose how long we want to be angry or even if we want to be angry in the first place. Choose not to be angry.

Prayer_Bead: Father of Love, thank you for your love for me and your forgiveness. Draw me closer to you and give me a heart that forgives easily as you strengthen my will.

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[The Glory Unveiled]

But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. ( Deuteronomy 8:18 )

It seem quite easy to forget when we are comfortable and self-sufficient. When the Israelite were in captivity in Egypt, they cried out to God very often and so intensely that their cry went up to God in heaven. And then God had to send help to them, a deliverer. God through the deliverer delivered them from servitude and slavery. Now on their way to the land of freedom, most of them forgot their past; how helpless and hopeless they had been. They had forgotten how they were so poor they had no property of their own. They had forgotten that the graciousness of God towards them was actually no effort of theirs. It was the covenant promise of God that was taking its own course. Here in the chapter above, the Lord was cautioning his people and reminding them of the necessity to always remember that it is He (God) who gives them the ability to make wealth. God is saying to us today, through His words to the Israelites that we should not think that we are responsible for the good we have in our lives, particularly our wealth. Our “own” ingenuity is actually the workings of the grace of God. The ideas and abilities that bring monetary value are given to us by God as a confirmation of His covenants. If it is good, then it is God’s.

Prayer_Bead: God of all creations, thank you for giving me the ability to make wealth and to prosper. Teach me not to trust in myself or my efforts.

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[The Glory Unveiled]

The LORD appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live. ( Genesis 26:2 )

Anytime God told us not to do something, it was meant for our protection, goodness and joy. The laws of the old covenant as numerous as they were, was given to protect God’s people and to usher them into the blessing. The blessing was promised Abraham and his lineage but the blessing came with conditions. Later in Deuteronomy, the prophet and leader, Moses had reiterated the need to adhere to the commands of God. He had mentioned a long list of blessings that would come upon the people but he continously stressed the need to obey. The enjoyment of the blessings promised was dependent on the obedience to the commands. So here in Genesis, Isaac was in a foreign land which was experiencing famine. He thought, everyone is leaving the country to seek greener pastures, he would also go. But the word of God came to him that he should not leave the famine. In that same land of lack God would bless him and make his name great. Now, in the verses that proceeded, he read that Isaac became so blessed and wealthy that the people feared him. But what would have happened if he had disobeyed? What would have happened if he had gone to Egypt for greener pastures? Certainly he wouldn’t have experienced the success we read about. Spiritual instructions are consequential. We must always endeavor to obey them if we would enjoy the promises they carry.

Prayer_Bead: Loving Father, thank you for the grace to know your commands and to obey them. Help me to “live” where you want me to live.

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[The Glory Unveiled]

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them–yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. ( 1 Corinthians 15:10 )

The grace of God is dimensional. It is multidimensional in nature and expression. So the grace of God towards one person is seen and expressed as kindness. In another person it is seen as teaching, yet another gives expression to it in singing. The abilities and attributes of God are dispensed to us in and by His grace. Without the grace of God, the life of God cannot be harnessed and demonstrated to the world. The grace of God is like a stabilizer or an electronic fuse. It is that which regulates the amount of divine life we can take and express. So that if anyone has the grace of God available to them, it should be evident in their lives and abilities. The grace of God has an effect and this effect is seen where the grace is. If we have the grace of God, the effects in our lives will be seen by everyone. Apostle Paul was literally “the last” apostle of the early church but when the grace of God was made available to him, he became more outstanding and hardworking than those who were before him. In his own words, he worked harder than his colleagues and the works he did were carried out by the supply of grace. Let us not take God’s grace for granted. When we come into contact with the grace of God for anything, the distinction must show for the world to see. How? We must begin to do what the grace is released for. Whether or not we had enough exposure in that field. We must let the grace of God work in us by opening up to it.

Prayer_Bead: Father in Heaven, thank you for your grace made available to me in Christ Jesus. As I open up to you, may the grace work in me, outstanding wonders to the praise of your name.

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[The Glory Unveiled]

But the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD! His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained. ( 1 Samuel 5:4)

The Philistines had defeated the Israelite in a battle and they ceased the ark of the LORD. They took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod where they had a temple for their god, Dagon. In Ashdod, they kept the ark of the LORD in the same temple with Dagon. The next morning, Dagon was displaced by the presence of God and it fell on its face. On the second morning, it fell on its face again but this time it lost its limbs. This account is a photographic interpretation of what happens when the power of God collides with the power of darkness. Lock up darkness and light in a room and you’d find out that only the light will remain. Anything in our lives that seem to have been captured by the devil will remain in captivity unless it encounters the power of God. Any addictions that are difficult to break are only difficult to break because the Holy presence of God has not been introduced. The presence of God banishes the presence of the devil. Anything in our lives that contradicts the word of God is free to express itself as long as the presence of God is absent in our lives. To drive darkness away, you don’t need a broom. All you need is the presence of light. When light comes, there is no negotiations or whatsoever with darkness. If there is a “Dagon” in our lives that has persistently troubled us, it is time to introduce the presence of the Holy Spirit. That experience will end abruptly to the glory of God.

Prayer_Bead: Mighty God, Spirit of the Father, thank you for your residence in my life. I pray that anything trying to share your glory in my life loses its existence. In Jesus’ name.

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[The Glory Unveiled]

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. ( Proverbs 29:18 )

Vision is very important as it guides mission and paves the way to reach the desired destiny. Without vision, the passion and sense of dedication to a particular mission is lost. Vision gives sight and direction to the purposes of a person or groups, without which the people walk in darkness. Imagine going somewhere with your eyes closed and at night too. What are the chances of reaching that intended destination? We would agree that it is close to zero. Without a sense of direction and purpose, no journey is headed for its destination as it would have no destination. To the man or woman who is determined to accomplish a particular task, vision is that which keeps them going regardless of the obstacles that may come their way. Until one identifies their purpose and the accompanying vision that would get them there, they would not experience that happiness and satisfaction for having to live. Knowing and pursuing vision or purpose is the one thing that makes any life meaningful and desirous. Any leadership or institution without a sense of vision is leading its followers to destruction. It is like the blind leading the blind and the Bible says both of them would fall into a ditch. The law of God, like a vision, guides our conduct and ways of life. Leading us far from destructions. Let us catch the purpose for our lives and pursue its vision by asking the Father and creator of all things.

Prayer_Bead: Father of creation, thank you for my life and my life’s assignment. Guide me through your word to discover it in order to maximize my calling.

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[The Glory Unveiled]

We live by faith, not by sight. ( 2 Corinthians 5:7 )

In our world today where almost every information is graphically communicated and served at the speed of light, it is difficult to convince people without giving them something for their eyes. Social media with all of its alluring tendencies has heightened our appetite for seeing things. We want to see what’s new. We want to see who said what and when. Debates and arguments are valued on the strength of what is seen rather than what is believed. Today, if you say a famous person bought a new car, for instance, without a picture of it, you may as well be seen as telling lies. Many people are unwilling to settle for unseen promises and wishes. The popular saying goes, “why make wishes when you can have sandwiches?” But contrary to the world’s culture and trends, the unseen world appreciates reality on the scales of faith rather than sight. So that in translation, the seen realities are sustained by what is unseen rather than what is seen. What we see can mislead us because it is susceptible to change and many unstable factors. But once faith is awakened, stability is guaranteed. As believers we only have one way of living; by faith. We cannot live any other way. So that living outside the boundaries of faith means we are not living at all. For us, to truly live means we must exercise faith in every and all things. It also means that we are alive because of faith, without faith, we are as good as dead. Our every existence hangs on the unseen promises of God rather than the laws of nature or Isaac Newton’s.

Prayer_Bead: Shepherd of my soul, thank you for your word to me. Please help my unbelief that I may live the real life ordained for me.

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[The Glory Unveiled]

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. ( Psalms 34:7 )

The second book of Kings chapter 6, verses 15-17 paints a graphic picture of today’s devotional scripture. Elisha and his servant (probably Gehazi) had been surrounded by the King of Aram’s army in a city. In that moment, it appeared to the servant that they were trapped and that they were out numbered by the forces against them. But when the eye of the servant was opened, he saw that angels encamped round about them. And the angelic beings on their side were more than all the armies of Aram (see 2 Kings 6:16). The angels of God are ready to come to the defense of anyone who fears the Lord. Today’s Psalm is also the voice over of what happens when men, instead of Angels surround us. Saul had been looking for David to kill. He had pursued him almost everywhere. But in the opening verses of 1 Samuel 26, the tables turned; David found Saul, the man who wanted him dead. Saul was lying in his camp, surrounded by a sleeping army. Every man around him was asleep including Saul, the General Overseer and King himself. This account shows what happens when men instead of angels encamp about a person. Human strength will fail them because they may watch but they would only watch in vain. Saul’s army were around him, no disputing that, but they were asleep. They could not see whether or not someone was coming to kill their master and leader. But Elisha trusted in the Lord and He delivered him. When we also trust in the Lord, He would deliver us from visible and invisible forces. He would keep even the hair of our head from harm. We’re the King’s kids. Not just any mere King but the King of all Kings. He will deliver us from all harm.

Prayer_Bead: Daddy Lord, thank you for the services of angels. Teach me your ways, that I may continually reverence you as I ought.

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[The Glory Unveiled]

“Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” ( John 5:7 )

The question which prompted this response—in the preceeding verse—is not in any way suggestive of a helper. Jesus had just asked an invalid whether he wanted to get well? [Our focal verse was his response]. He said he had no one to help him. In this life, everything is dependent on something or someone. In 1 Corinthians 11:11, the apostle Paul says that man is not independent of woman nor is woman independent of man. They all need one another. The invalid at the pool in our devotional text, like any one of us was also not independent of other people, he needed help which unfortunately didn’t come for him for thirty eight years. You see, even though the solution to his problem was just close by, he couldn’t reach it because he needed help to reach the solution. It was not good for Adam to be alone, God said, “I will make a help mate suitable for him”. If the first Adam (man) needed someone to help him, [Eve] and the second Adam, our Lord Jesus was helped with the cross to golgotha, then we all need help. Even though the water of favour may be stirred, we need help to engage it. The stirring symbolizes the moment or opportunity for divine intervention. But when that moment comes, sometimes we still need help. For the invalid, Jesus showed up and that day was the end of his predicament. May Jesus show up for us in every crisis.

Prayer_Bead: Jehovah Jireh, the LORD my provider. Send help to me on every side.

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