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Priesthood of believers I

[The Glory Unveiled]

You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” [ Revelation 5:10 NIV]


A priest serves as a mediator, a conduit between God and humanity, meant to embody a flawless representation of God in their world.. In the Old Testament, they came from the lineage of Levi by the ordination of God. Conversely, the New Testament emphasizes believers as their own priests, fostering a boldness to approach God’s presence. This responsibility mirrors the boldness expected of Old Testament priests, chosen by God for their obedience and diligence. Hebrews 4:16 invites us to come boldly before the throne of grace as priests who have the task of offering spiritual sacrifices. Apostle Peter describes us as living stones, being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:5). He later describes us as, royal priesthood because the rank of our priesthood stems from the lineage of the King of Kings. Hence we have been made king priests unto our God (Revelation 5:10). In Exodus 19, we see how Moses was the only mediator between the Israelites and God. But then, God wanted to relate with them individually. And so, He asked Moses to summon all the people—guiding them to observe the protocols of His presence—so that He would speak to them directly and not through a mediator. In Isaiah 1:18, God invites believers to Himself, eliminating hindrances through Christ Jesus, thereby allowing unrestricted access to His presence, unlike the Israelites at mount Sinai. Our priesthood is from the order of Christ. Be bold in your priestly duties.

Prayer_Bead: Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for ushering me into the service of priesthood. I commune with the Father without restrictions. Glory to God!

Wisdom_Quote: The believer is his/her own priest.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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The environment of God

[The Glory Unveiled]

When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! [ Luke 15:17 NIV ]

The lost son, famously known as the prodigal son, was lured back into the loving economy of his father by his circumstances. Sometimes, God draws us back into His embrace through the challenges life presents. Certain life obstacles lead us to seek refuge in the secret place, bringing us into the arms of our Father when circumstances chase and attempt to mock us. The prodigal son mirrors every believer who flees from God’s presence, thinking they are stable enough to be independent. Unbeknownst to us, our true existence and sustainability are tied to God; we cannot live fulfilled lives outside His environment. The prodigal son found himself in a predicament that led him to realize he had departed from the source of his needs and comfort. Ultimately, his situation fulfilled its purpose, as he expressed in the next verse that he would return to his father, and he did. Jonah, an Old Testament character, also attempted to move away from God’s position, but soon realized he could not live without God. David asked, “Where can I go from the presence of God? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there” (Psalms 139:7-8). By default, we are dependent on God; there is something in us that cannot live without Him. The farther we move away from God, the messier our conditions of existence become. Perhaps the solution to your present predicament is a return to God. Like the prodigal son, all it takes is a recognition of your separation from God and reconciliation. May God bless your commitment to change.

Prayer_Bead: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the challenges life presents and how you force them to draw me into your loving arms. Help me to be committed to you in all things. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: Life predicaments are God’s bait for drawing us into his presence.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Obedience towards God

[The Glory Unveiled]

To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’ “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. [ Genesis 3:17 NIV ]

When we obey others rather than God, we plunge ourselves into a cycle of fruitless labour and sorrow. God is the maker and giver of all laws. Our adherence to God’s laws demonstrates our respect and loyalty to God, conveying much about His place in our lives. The Lord Jesus says on that day He will say to them, I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’. (Luke 13:27). This is because such people obeyed others rather than God and so, all their labour for the Lord is waste and unrecognized. Many of us, put the voices of other people above the voice of God, echoing the mistake of Adam and Eve—favouring the voice of the serpent over the voice of God. This epitomizes disobedience, placing others’ voices above the authority that established the law. The other thing about disobedience is that it invariably brings consequences, as laws inherently carry punishments for defiance. So that when Adam and Eve disobeyed the command of God, they had to be punished because part of what made the statement a command is the portion of it that carried the consequences for disobedience. Adam obeyed a voice other than the voice of God; the voice of his wife Eve. Eve listenened to a voice other than the voice of her husband, Adam, she listened to the voice of the serpent. The result of their listening to a voice other than the voice that gave them the instructions led to their fruitless toil and sufferings. Your response to the commands of God should have God in view.

Prayer_Bead: Father in heaven, thank you for the grace to obey you in all things. Let your voice be superior to all other voices around me. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: The voice of God is the language of God.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Faith; the nature of God

[The Glory Unveiled]

And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. [ Genesis 22:8 KJV ]

People who understand the attributes of God tend to trust Him more and rely on Him completely. These attributes establish the boundaries of what God is committed to doing and what He is not. They instill confidence in our belief in God’s actions. Abraham’s faith was unparalleled; he promptly obeyed God in all things with unflinching faith. In the chapter of our study, despite obeying God to offer his son as a burnt offering, he was assured that God could provide Himself a lamb. With this assurance, he confidently depended on God. Abraham’s faith didn’t question the integrity of God’s word; he believed because he understood God’s nature. When assuring his son that God would provide a lamb, he was convinced that God would not contradict Himself. Faith recognizes that everything comes from God to humanity, and nothing we have is truly ours. Giving to God is returning what was first given to us. Abraham knew he wouldn’t lose Isaac because Isaac wasn’t his possession to begin with. Faith that acknowledges all things belong to God receives its desires. God will provide whatever He asks of you. Trust Him on your journey, find assurance in His nature and attributes. Your obedient sacrifice will yield abundant blessings.

Prayer_Bead: Almighty God, thank you for showing me your nature and attributes. I trust that you will do everything I trust you for. Help me to remain committed to you. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: God will provide for you because you’re His image bearer.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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The eyes of faith

[The Glory Unveiled]

And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. [ 2 Kings 6:17 NIV ]

Elisha and his servant found themselves encircled by an army sent by the king of Aram. In their physical reality, they were surrounded by a vast army. However, another reality overlapped the initial scene—a second, spiritual reality that proved more potent than the physical one. The servant perceived only the physical side, and he became fearful and weakened in faith as a result. The prophet, on the other hand, saw from both perspectives, primarily engaging the superior angle – the spiritual perspective. The prophet, viewing through the eyes of faith, remained unperturbed, while the servant’s fear stemmed from seeing only the physical side. Seeing with the eyes of faith allows us to diminish the power of physical realities. And so, as the servant began to adopt his master’s perspective, confidence replaced fear. In any situation, recognize that what you see is not the only reality surrounding you. You can view it with the eyes of faith or fear. By insisting on looking through the lens of faith, you will witness the realities of faith overpowering other situational realities. We shape the reality we experience by choosing what to see. May God open our eyes to the realities of faith in every situation in our lives.

Prayer_Bead: Dear heavenly father, thank you for the grace to see with the eyes of faith. I embrace the realities of faith rather than fear. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: Your life mirrors what you see; whether with the eyes of faith or fear.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Heart postures

[The Glory Unveiled]

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. [ Matthew 6:21 NIV ]

Our hearts are drawn to the place of our treasures; the heart always stays with what it treasures. The posture of our hearts mirrors what it treasures. If we treasure the kingdom of God, our hearts will be in the kingdom of God. Scripture records in Matthew 6:33 that we should seek first the kingdom and its righteousness and all other things shall be added. This is so that our hearts will be fixed on the kingdom as one can only truly seek what they treasure. And so, the Lord Jesus is luring our hearts to cleave to the kingdom of God, to treasure it with all our hearts. For if our treasure becomes the kingdom of God, then our hearts will be with the kingdom. And our lives will be lived desiring the things of God; walking in righteousness. Do you realize that you seem to care more about the things you treasure and value as important than those you deem less important? It is the same with spiritual things. Our hearts lie with whatever holds importance to us because there our treasures lie too. If it does not hold any treasures, our hearts will not go after it. The heart is a seeker, chasing after treasures, mining in deep caves where treasures are assured. Wherever you want your heart to be, hide your treasures there and your heart will follow suit. Treasure the word of God and the righteousness of His kingdom, and your heart will follow in the same direction. What do you treasure? It isn’t surprising that your heart cleaves to that thing. Embrace the glory of God’s kingdom as treasure and your heart will no longer wonder.

Prayer_Bead: Treasure of my heart, thank you for luring me into your embrace. Help me to stay with you throughout my journey on earth.

Wisdom_Quote: The heart is a seeker, mining for treasure.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Desperate Times

[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.

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Let your sacrifices speak

[The Glory Unveiled]

“Gather My saints together to Me, Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.” [ Psalms‬ ‭50‬:‭5‬ NKJV‬‬ ]

The life of a believer is perpetually marked by sacrifices. Whatever our Father in heaven is known for becomes our second nature as His children. The entire New Testament rests on one scripture: John 3:16, where God demonstrated His love through sacrifice. The sacrificial giving of His Son paved the way for us to access the kingdom of Heaven. Sacrifices have voices; they are spiritual dictions that dictate what should be. This is why the scripture mentions making covenants with God through sacrifices. Through sacrifices, we can initiate agreements with God. The silent words of our hearts are voiced out by what we are moved and willing to sacrifice. Our sacrifices act as megaphones, announcing our capabilities even if we are not actively doing them. Abraham didnt have to kill his son to prove he could give him up, his sacrifice confirmed the state of his heart. Without saying anything, we can entreat God through our sacrifices to move on our behalf. Dorcas in the book of Acts was a woman who helped people and gave a lot of alms, and Cornelius also gave generously to the poor. What these people have in common is that heaven acted on their behalf without them having to say anything. Their sacrifices became memorials before God, and God could not ignore them (Acts 10:4). Where your voice cannot be heard, your sacrifices will be seen. God sees your acts of kindness and love. Don’t quit in your sacrificial giving, keep at it until it cannot be ignored by heaven.

Prayer_Bead: Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for the grace to walk with you in truth. Help me to make sacrifices when and where I need to. In Jesus name.

Wisdom_Quote: Sacrifices have voices.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Walk with God

[The Glory Unveiled]

Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. [ Genesis 5:24 NIV ]

Jonah was swallowed by a huge fish because he found himself in the fish’s environment. Over time, our surroundings can engulf us, shaping us to reflect their culture when we are part of a community. This aligns with the biblical wisdom in Psalms 1:1-6, emphasizing the importance of avoiding ungodly counsel to avoid destruction. Moses spent forty days and nights in God’s presence, leading to a transformative experience where his appearance mirrored the identity of God. He became a god to Aaron and all of Egypt. Similarly, Enoch, despite living in an environment resistant to God, faithfully walked with Him, resisting societal norms. His close fellowship with God resulted in being taken by God, illustrating the power of unwavering devotion. Emulating Enoch, we should choose to walk faithfully with God, even when our world opposes such a path. Through this commitment, we undergo an inner transformation, becoming inseparable from God, rendering our environment and its elements powerless. Throughout recorded history, those who walked with God experienced profound transformation, ultimately merging into God. Choosing to walk with Him transcends the challenges of seasons and times, granting dominion over adversities. God’s presence accompanies you through both water and fire, ensuring favour in every path taken. May our hearts be filled with a constant love and desire for God, leading to a timeless and unwavering fellowship.

Prayer_Bead: Almighty God, thank you for the privilege to walk with you faithfully. Help me in that regard until I am swallowed up in you. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: A man who walks with God gets swallowed up in God.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Be steadfast in faith

[The Glory Unveiled]

Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. [ 1 Peter 5:9 NIV ]

The enemy is always on the lookout for someone to devour. We must be vigilant and sober-minded, watching out for any possible move of the enemy. And we must be willing and ready to resist him at all times. Even though faith is stirred when hope and anticipation are met with resistance, we must be careful not to give up too soon. Many accounts of faith in the Bible were circumstances and situations that were met with resistance: the Israelites were being chased by the Egyptians, and in front of them was the Red Sea; Hannah was mocked by her rival; the disciples were persecuted by the Sanhedrin. It was usually those resistances that awakened the potent power of their trust in God. Apart from the resistance they faced, they would not have persevered to have what they hoped for. Whatever the enemy throws at you to choke your faith, don’t give in; resist him until there is nothing to throw at you again. The place of faith can be a slippery slope. Hence, it is necessary to stand firm in the faith because victory on the journey of faith is a matter of resisting every form of opposition to our belief. Whatever we believe in is either anchored by our convictions or tied to our confidence in God. Whichever it is will be determined in the face of opposition. When our faith meets resistance, our trust in God should be stronger, as the resistance is rather a signal that something good is in that direction; a breakthrough is coming through. Also, when your faith is met with opposition, remember that other people are going through similar experiences, but they are not giving up, and neither should you. Stand firm in the faith.

Prayer_Bead: Heavenly Father, thank you for this truth about faith. Help me to understand and practice them. Amen.

Wisdom_Quote: The audacity of faith is locked up in the resistance it faces.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.