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How you do it matters

[The Glory Unveiled]

He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not wholeheartedly. [ 2 Chronicles 25:2 NIV ]

The quality of our actions is measured by the level of commitment attached to them. In the considerations of God, all actions are not the same, even if the outcomes seem the same. This means that even though two people may do the same task, one person’s action may differ in merit due to commitment. Cain and Abel both made sacrifices to God. Yes, they made sacrifices, but when God looked at what they had done, one person was more preferred. God considers the attitude of our hearts when we act, so it would seem that we have done something, whether we did it wholeheartedly or not matters to God. Whenever we do anything, it must be done wholeheartedly with full commitment as if we were doing it unto God. As a general rule, if it must be done, it should be done wholeheartedly. Otherwise, you might do it, but it will have no consequences or yield any spiritual impact. How you do anything matters because it suggests how you do everything. If you do it with full commitment, you are sending a signal to God that you can be trusted with more. The parable of the talents affirms this claim. The one who had five invested what he was given and made more. But another person hid the one he had. His attitude towards what he was given speaks about his untrustworthiness. In our anchor text, King Amaziah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord but not wholeheartedly. So, even though he did what was right in God’s eyes, how he did it nullified his efforts. You may do something in the name of God or for God, but unless your heart is fully committed to it, it wouldn’t count.

Prayer_Bead: Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for grace to obey you wholeheartedly. I am fully committed to doing your will in Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: How you do anything tells how you do everything.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Unique Possession

[The Glory Unveiled]

Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, [ Exodus 19:5 NIV]

It is possible to have a favourite among many things of the same kind. Though they may appear equal on the surface, there is often something extra, sometimes infinitesimal, that sets one apart from the rest. Many people will look at the full picture and not recognize the unique attribute that distinguishes this one. The distinguishing characteristic is only unique to the one for whom that particular attribute is important or a favourite. Even among children born of the same parents, some parents have their favourites among them. They seem to be more attached to and caring for their favourite. And many times, the object of that affection or love is known only to the lover. In our anchor Scripture, the Lord shows us how an individual or a nation can become His treasured possession. He gives just one criterion for becoming His unique possession: to fully obey God and keep His covenant. There are those who are in the habit of obeying God partially and partly. But if anyone wants to be God’s treasured possession, they must obey God fully, regardless of other alternatives or reasonable interventions. Yes, you are a child of God, but are you His treasured possession? Do you obey God fully? Do you keep His covenants with you as a person? God loves us, but there is a dimension of intimacy that we ascend to by our choices and actions. Out of the lot, may God single you out for honor through your intentional obedience.

Prayer_Bead: My Father and King, thank you for making me a treasured possession through my obedience. Let your name be glorified in Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: Full obedience gives full access to God’s heart.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Encounter Jesus Christianity

[The Glory Unveiled]

Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. [ Acts 26:16 NIV ]

Your Christian life is a reflection of your encounters with Christ. In other words, your walk with God is a testimony of your encounters with Christ. You can differentiate between two believers: one who has had an encounter with God and another who has never had such encounters. The true Christian life begins on the strength of our encounters. No matter how or what we do for God or in the name of God, without an encounter, that gesture is a waste of our purpose. The Apostle Paul, before his encounter that redefined his relationship with God, pursued believers in the name of God, thinking he was eliminating God’s enemies. However, he was actually persecuting the church, the body of Christ. Then, he encountered Jesus. All this time, he was a believer in God, but until he encountered Jesus, his walk with God didn’t bring glory to God. The same goes for many believers, including those who claim or think they are walking with Jesus, without any real encounters with Him. The strength of our walk with God is sourced from encounters. What exposure have you received from God’s word? Has the Lord Jesus revealed Himself to you through His word and person? If you have not truly met Jesus in His word, then your journey and walk with Him may just be a walk in the park. What you have seen and witnessed of God is the platform on which your true walk with Him is staged. Encounters are the landmarks that guide us back into the loving arms of God when we stray. May God orchestrate an encounter for the next phase of your walk with Him.

Prayer_Bead: Mighty God, thank you for the encounters You have given me. Help me to remain in a loving relationship with you. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: Encounters are spiritual landmarks.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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The testimony

[The Glory Unveiled]

”And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.“ [ I John‬ ‭5‬:‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ ]

God has given a unique gift to the world, and this gift is universally available: eternal life, a life separate and distinct from condemnation and damnation, characterized by perpetual existence with God in joy and glory. Eternal life is essentially the life of God. However, God did not merely bestow this gift upon the world; rather, He concealed it within a package—the personality of His Son, Jesus Christ. The solution to our transient life and the consequences of our actions through Adam and Eve is found in the life of Jesus. Embracing the life of God, which terminates this challenging yet temporary existence, necessitates embracing Jesus. We cannot possess the life of God except through Him. Essentially, to attain the solution God offers—eternal life—we must first have the Son. And this is our testimony: whoever possesses the Son possesses life; conversely, those who do not possess the Son lack life (1 John 5:12). God has concealed His life within His Son and dispenses it through Him. Anyone desiring the life of the Father must encounter and possess the Son; this is non-negotiable. It is impossible to sidestep Christ and still attain the life of God. Any human endeavor outside of Christ is ultimately futile, leading only to further struggle and destruction. Therefore, rather than pursuing life through other people, tokens, or signs, pursue Jesus, for He embodies the life of God.

Prayer_Bead: Heavenly Father, thank you for the package of eternal life. Thank you for your Son Jesus.

Wisdom_Quote: Whoever has the Son has life.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Praying according to God’s will

[The Glory Unveiled]

”Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.“ [ I John‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ ]

One common thing about all children is that they have the habit of constantly asking their parents for things. However, even though they ask constantly, they don’t always receive what they request. There’s something that influences parents to either grant or withhold their children’s requests. And this is not a question of whether they love their kids or not because every parent love their kids. The same is true of our heavenly Father; He doesn’t always grant our requests even though He loves us all. The good news is that He tells us the kind of requests He responds to—those aligned with His will. If our requests align with God’s will, we can be confident that He will grant them. This awareness gives us confidence in prayer, garnishing our faith and helping us depend on God’s faithfulness. Thus, regardless of external circumstances, we remain steadfast, convinced that God will honour His word. This truth should motivate us to discern God’s will in any matter. Praying without knowing God’s will would be futile. Therefore, our first task should be to understand God’s will before presenting our requests to Him. The will of God is synonymous with the word of God; it cannot contradict it. By studying the word of God, we can discern His will and pray accordingly, knowing that God will not only hear us but also answer us. Confidently make your requests known to God, knowing that you are asking according to the will of God.

Prayer_Bead: Father in heaven, thank you for this knowledge. Help me to pray according to your will and your word, in Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: The word of God does not contradict the will of God.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.