Category: Inspiration

[The Glory Unveiled]

Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. [ Genesis 39:20 NIV ]

This was not the first time Joseph had been betrayed. His initial encounter with betrayal came from his own brothers, who sold him into slavery. His world seemed shattered. He likely felt his world crumbling, his heart crushing, his hope dashed, his mind wandering. And then, just as it seemed he was delivered from his worst fears and comforted in the house of Potiphar, another darkness came—he was taken to prison. But just as we see stars when it’s dark and rainbows when it rains, Joseph’s story saw a beautiful “rainbow ending.” Many times, the dark seasons of our lives are opportunities in disguise. Joseph’s prison experience was a blessing in disguise because that place gave him access to the government of Egypt—a fate he couldn’t have achieved any other way due to his lack of connections, formal education, and money. Yet, the dark season of his life ushered in the greatest opportunity and blessing he could have ever dreamed of. He was placed in the prison where the king’s prisoners were kept. It was no coincidence because he would later become one of the king’s officials. Even in the dark season of your life, pay attention to the signs on the wall because, even then, your immediate environment may give you a hint about your tomorrow. The most remarkable attribute Joseph displayed is that he never complained. In the heart of his dark season, he depended on God. And when the devil brought what seemed like a ladder to bring him out, he declined. He chose prison over disobeying God’s holy law when he said, “How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9). And teaching us that staying true till the end brings the glory that lies at the end..

Prayer_Bead: King of kings, thank you for your mighty works in my life, even in the dark seasons. May your name be glorified through it all. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: We get stars in the dark.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

Remove the dross from the silver,
and a silversmith can produce a vessel; [ Proverbs 25:4 NIV ]

For the silversmith, the only thing that keeps him from producing beautiful vessels or jewelry is the impurities in the silver. The glory of the silver, namely the beautiful jewelry, is blocked by the dirt in the silver. So, as long as the impurities remain in the silver, the beauty cannot be brought out. The same thing happens to many believers. We have glory hidden within us, concealed by the dirt of unrighteousness. It is only revealed by the purifying works of Jesus’ presence—Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). The gap between your true height and your immediate height is the presence of impurity. For the believer, it may not necessarily be sin but an attitude or behavior that does not align with the revelation of God’s glory through them. And many times, it is disobedience. This is why we are supposed to study the Word of God and be transformed by obeying it. The Word of God creates. God spoke to nothingness, and nothingness gave rise to creation. The Word of God has the creative ability inherent in it. This creative ability recreates our mindset through consistent study and practice. And then we can be made ready for great works. A believer who does not get rid of the things that stand in the way of God’s glory in their lives may soar high but will inevitably fall to the ground as fast as they soar. To the believer who feels that God is not using them or doing anything significant with their lives, it may be that God is waiting for you to remove certain things from your life, such as unprofitable relationships, ungodly activities, and filthy habits. In the end, God will use you to the extent of your availability and readiness.

Prayer_Bead: Mighty Father, thank you for showing me to position myself right in You, so that you can use me for your glory. Help me in Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: Impurity is the death of a beautiful jewelry.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! [ Proverbs 6:6 NIV ]

There is so much wisdom we can glean from our everyday lives and experiences, if only we observe and consider everything around us. The things we see are always speaking to us, if only we pay attention. So much is hidden in plain sight, waiting for the man or woman who would consider them to actually see. In our anchor text, the lazy man is sent on an errand to visit the ant and learn from her ways. Apart from the physical nature and attributes of the ant, its philosophy stands out. Wisdom speaks through many things around us, but these things must intentionally be considered to understand what they’re communicating. Otherwise, wisdom may scream out loud with instructions, but we will not hear it. Wisdom is speaking loudly, but the ear to hear its loud call is observation. “Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?” (Proverbs 8:1). So, it is not a matter of wisdom not speaking to us, but rather a challenge of reception. We are unable to hear because we don’t consider what goes on around us. In Proverbs 24:30-34, the speaker said he observed the farm of a lazy man and he received instruction. He received instruction because he considered it well, and wisdom spoke to him. Consider the ways of the successful, the godly, the faithful, the wealthy, and instruction will speak to you. There is so much we could learn from the world around us because wisdom and understanding walk with the man who carefully considers all things.

Prayer_Bead: All Wise God, thank you for turning my heart into a garden of wisdom. Let the things I consider instruct me, in Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: Wisdom speaks to the enquiring mind.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

“I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead.” [ Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬ ‭TPT‬‬ ]

Success embodies a distinct culture. While failure may be erratic, success is not. Within the unique culture of success, individuals live by a well defined strategies. Consequently, every successful person possesses a driving strategy. Although they may label this driving force differently, ultimately, they are all referring to the same concept. For the apostle Paul, it was the one thing he consistently practiced, compelling his decisions and actions, directing his attention and focus. Paul, renowned for his significant ministerial achievements, earned the accolade, “Paul the least and the last is greater than the eldest and the first,” thanks to his compelling focus. This strategy, underlying all his endeavors, serves as the driving force connecting his determination and work, influencing every stroke of his pen and each ministerial journey. It is the reason prison and death could not deter him from his goals. With a compelling focus on our calling and life’s purpose, nothing in this world can hinder us from achieving our objectives. This strategy draws energy from the future, detaching from past failures and deadweights. The hope and promises of the future become the bullseye. Secure your heart to the future, leaving behind the past, including both victories and successes, to avoid complacency. Maintain your focus on what is yet to be achieved. Do you have a compelling focus yet?

Prayer_Bead: Heavenly Father, thank you for teaching me to have a compelling focus. So that my life can make meaning and impact my world.

Wisdom_Quote: Your compelling focus is your destiny driver.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

Again the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
“My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” [ 1 Samuel 3:6 NIV ]

God is always calling on us, one way or the other. Our inability to hear Him is not an issue of God’s refusal to call to us. It is a matter of not being able to recognize the voice of God when He calls. If not for the guidance of Eli, Samuel would have thought that God never spoke to him or called out to him. It is the same with many of us who feel God does not talk to us. Samuel didn’t know the voice of God and so, he would think that God never spoke to him. God usually speaks in His house. Samuel was in the house of God when God called out to him. And we are the house of God, Bethel, the conduit of God to earth. We are Heaven’s medium of communication and relationship with the earth. As a result of who we are to heaven, we need not only to learn to hear from God but to position ourselves well for the communication to take place. Samuel was positioned right but he didn’t know the voice of God. Both requirements are important for heaven to communicate and for us to hear and respond. Could it be that God is calling out to you, maybe to initiate a relationship but you’re unable to recognize His voice? Could it be that you are not familiar with the beckoning of God? And that you might be going to the wrong people instead of God? God is drawing our attention to Himself today, be still and know that He is God.

Prayer_Bead: Dear Lord, thank you for calling out to me and creating opportunities for me to commune with you.

Wisdom_Quote: God is calling out to you.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. [ Psalms 90:12 KJV ]

If you acknowledge the insufficiency of something, you manage what remains of it. Management is an application of wisdom in the use of resources. The Psalmist suggests that God should teach us to number our days as ignorance of the quantity or value of something incites wastage. We are supposed to number our days because our days on earth are numbered; we are not going to dwell here on earth eternally. We have but few days no matter how many years are in those days. As a result of the brevity of our time on earth, wisdom dictates a certain way of living. To make the most of a scarce resource, there is the need to invite wisdom in your endeavors. A comprehensive understanding of the number of our days will necessitate planning and preparation. Many people live carelessly because they have no idea the numver of their days. If they did, they would live intentionally and make deliberate decisions. This is why most elderly people refrain from youthful behaviours, most of the things young people waste their time on do not excite the elderly becaue they understand they dont have much time to waste. The Lord Jesus applies wisdom in everything He did while He walked the earth because He numbered His days. He lived daily with the urgency of time, He said, “As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work” (John 9:4). With an awareness of the time at hand, let us embrace the wisdom of God to plan and prepare for our responsibilities. Let wisdom guide you through your daily activities.

Prayer_Bead: King of glory, thank you for the practical wisdom. I excel in all I do, to the glory of God. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: Management is the application of wisdom in the use of resources.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. [ 2 Timothy 2:20 NIV ]

There are various types of articles in our homes, each crafted from different materials based on the potter’s default design. Similarly, none of us created ourselves; we didn’t decide how we should be made or where we should be born. We are shaped by God. However, our impact on the world depends on our choices. What we’re made of is not crucial for influencing our world; background isn’t a disadvantage. You can shape your life positively, regardless of where you are. Just like articles in a house, their use depends on cleanliness. According to 2 Timothy 2:21, an item for common use can become “special purpose” through self-cleansing. Whether an article serves a common or special purpose has nothing to do with the material it is made of. Gold can serve common purposes if unclean, while a clean clay article can fulfill a special purpose. The purpose we attract is linked to our cleanliness. Often, we blame life’s situations on others instead of examining our souls for “uncleanliness” affecting our experiences. Our lives are influenced by what happens within us more than external events. External events can only do so much, but what truly drives our lives is what we permit within us. Whether God will use us or not, and for what purpose depends on us. Keep your vessel clean from common use, and your true purpose will surface.

Prayer_Bead: Heavenly Father, thank you for the grace to keep myself clean from common use. Use me for your special purposes. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: Your impact in life is influenced by your choices.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.