Category: Inspiration

[The Glory Unveiled]

When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” [ John 2:3 NIV ]

Every cast in a drama has a part to play to make a complete story. If a character refuses to play their part, it will affect the plot. In life, we have all been assigned certain roles to carry out in displaying the beauty of God’s love story. This story has been playing out for many generations and through many centuries. Everyone who walked the earth had a role to play. But whether or not they embraced their mission and carried it out is another story. In our anchor chapter, we read about a wedding feast where the people had run out of wine. Jesus was in attendance, and so was Mary, his mother. Mary understood that she had a role to play in solving the problem at hand. So, she tells Jesus that the people needed wine. Even though Jesus gave an initial response that was supposed to discourage her, she wasn’t discouraged because she understood that Jesus had a role to play in the matter too. She then went to the servants and instructed them to do whatever Jesus asked them to do. This means the servants also had a role to play in making the new wine. Finally, the master of ceremonies had his part to play, in announcing the glory of what had transpired. Even though he didn’t fully know what had happened (verse 9), he played his part regardless. Reading the account carefully, we discover that everyone played their part so well even though they did not each know what their part had to do with the carrying out of another person’s part. But because everyone did their part without allowing others’ roles to influence them, the end was a beautiful testimony; the choicest wine was made from ordinary water. You have a part to play in the story God is telling through humanity. Don’t abandon your role. Let the world see God’s glory through the story of your life.

Prayer_Bead: Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing me to play a part in your story by your mercy. I yield to your script. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: Everyone has a part in the story of God.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. [ Matthew 25:15 ]

In describing the distribution, activation, and operation of the ministry gifts of the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 12:11 states that God gives these gifts as He pleases. However, in the parable of the talents, we see how diligence can influence what comes to us. Our diligence towards anything in life informs what comes into our hands, so that even from God, we do not just receive things randomly or accidentally. Otherwise, we would all receive the same gifts in the same measure. But we know well that this is not the case. Therefore, there is an invisible factor that influences what God or any person gives us. The master in the parable above gave his servants gifts according to their ability. This means the master didn’t arbitrarily decide to give the one who had five talents five talents, nor the one who received one talent just one. Whatever he gave anyone was decided by their diligence—what the scripture calls “their ability.” Whatever you see in your hand is the voice of your diligence. What your diligence says you’re worth is what it attracts to you. We may be angry at people and institutions, but these people and institutions do not have a say in what comes into our hands. What we have or do not have lies in the power of our diligent work and service. To attract more into our hands, it’s not about how many gifts or talents we have but how well we use what we already have. It is a matter of how well we use those gifts to the best of our abilities. God gave each and every one of us gifts according to our abilities. When we yield results based on our use of these abilities, we receive more from God, sometimes through people. What do you have in your hand presently? Do you want more? If yes, then do more with what you already have.

Prayer_Bead: Heavenly father, thank you for the gifts you have blessed me with. Help me to diligently put them to work, to the praise of your name.

Wisdom_Quote: Diligence is the magnet that attracts supply.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

”So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are. Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life.“ [ Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭23‬ ‭TPT‬‬ ]

Institutions have welfare schemes in place to ensure the well-being of their employees and members. A welfare system is designed to anticipate and provide for needs before they arise so that when such needs do arise, they can be easily addressed. If such care is taken to ensure the well-being of people in institutions, then it is indeed appropriate when the Bible emphasizes the need to pay attention to the well-being of our innermost selves. From our innermost selves flows the course of our lives. The outcomes of our lives are determined by the inputs or investments we make in our innermost selves—the education of our souls. We must guard against every form of undue attachment to things. Anything to which we are excessively attached, and reluctant to relinquish, becomes a god in our lives. These attachments, or idols as they are, will in turn influence every aspect of who we are. This is precisely why we need to establish personal welfare schemes for our souls. We must carefully anticipate and guard against anything that could hinder our relationship with God. Be deliberate in choosing the people you associate with and the friends you spend time with, as they have an impact on your heart. Over time, our hearts can become callous. Instead of associating with those opposed to the teachings of Christ, let us cultivate deep fellowship with the Father through His word. If Eve had remained in the company of Adam or God alone, she likely wouldn’t have succumbed to the temptation she faced. No wonder the scriptures teach that we are tempted when we are lured and enticed by our own desires (James 1:14). Resist the temptation to indulge unguarded emotions.

Prayer_Bead: Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for showing me that my life consist in the things I allow to influence my inner most being. Help me to guard my heart with your word. Amen.

Wisdom_Quote: The affections of the heart affect one’s life.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy [ Luke 1:44 NIV ]

The people and things we associate with greatly influence the outcomes in our lives. We tend to replicate what we absorb. Just as a phosphorescent object emits light after exposure to light, we bring forth what we have beheld. Our environments influence our output. Elizabeth, despite being barren and aged, became pregnant with John the Baptist. When Mary, also carrying a miracle baby, visited her, Elizabeth’s baby leaped for joy upon hearing Mary’s greetings. While Elizabeth may have encountered other women, her baby only reacted to Mary’s presence because Mary carried something that resonated with Elizabeth. In Genesis 30, Jacob applies this concept under the guidance of an angel. He presents a symbol of what he desires the stronger female animals to reproduce, placing it before them when they are in heat. By doing so, he ensures the desired outcome. For believers, the Holy Spirit enables us to bring forth the glorious possibilities within us. It is in His presence that we bear fruit, bringing glory to God. Merely associating with the right people isn’t enough; we require the brooding presence of the Holy Spirit to bring forth transformative results. Foster kingdom-conscious partnerships.

Prayer_Bead: Dear Lord, thank you for the family of believers with whom you surround me. Help me to walk more closely with you because of them. So help me, God.

Wisdom_Quote: A similar anointing and mandates cause a stirring in the soul.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. [ James 1:4 NIV ]

The raw material for creating an enduring disposition to life is trials and challenges. Unfortunately, we have been made to believe that trials and challenges are a sign that God is not with us. Meanwhile, every great person who ever walked the earth faced many trials. The Lord Jesus, our example and mentor, suffered the same things when He walked the earth. He faced many trials, and after perseverance had finished its work in Him, He was “complete”. The testing of our faith is meant to produce perseverance. Trials have a way of releasing in us the grace to persevere. This is why the apostle James admonishes us to count it a good thing when we face trials of many kinds, knowing that their end product is an ability to persevere. The reality is that perseverance has a definite work to do in us. When its work is done, we are made mature and complete. But then, on the contrary, many of us try to skip classes. We do not allow perseverance to finish its work in us. While perseverance is working on us, we run out of patience and leave the class of trials that are meant to mature us. And so, we come out “incomplete” and immature, unable to handle situations that are meant to reveal God’s glory if we persevere. The world is misleading so many who would not gracefully endure the trials that come their way, knowing that God is with them, even through the fires. Don’t be one of those who are deceived. Allow perseverance to finish its work in you.

Prayer_Bead: Heavenly Father, thank you for the grace to go through the trials that are apportioned to me for my maturity. Help me not to skip classes. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: Maturity is the working of perseverance.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

But they soon forgot what he had done
and did not wait for his plan to unfold. [ Psalms 106:13 NIV ]

Humans are prone to forgetfulness. People often forget the changes in their seasons and the kindness shown to them during difficult times. The Israelites experienced a similar phenomenon. The anchor scripture states, “But the Israelites forgot what God had done, and they did not wait for God’s plan to unfold.” They took the lead and moved ahead of God because they had forgotten what He had done for them. Remembering God’s past deeds is crucial for maintaining fresh and stable trust in Him. It’s challenging to trust someone without a proven track record, but easier when there’s a history of trustworthiness. The Israelites forgot the things God had done for them, leaving them with nothing to base their trust on when they needed it most. Consequently, God’s plan couldn’t unfold in their lives. They delayed the plan through their own forgetfulness. His plan for them included a waiting period, necessitating trust. God desired their trust to be firm, grounded in His past actions. Many people’s lives lack the unfolding of God’s plan due to forgetfulness. Forgetting what God has done leads to actions that hinder His plan from coming to fruition. Keeping an active memory of God’s past deeds enables us to trust Him for what He has yet to do. Therefore, it’s essential to patiently await the unfolding of God’s plan for our lives.

Prayer_Bead: Lord who wraps Himself with light as with a garment, makes the clouds His chariot and rides on the wings of the wind, thank you for Your works of old. Repeat them in my life. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: A forgetful person delays their future.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God