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What is your profit?

[The Glory Unveiled]

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? [ Matthew 16:26 KJV ]

The entire world, not just a portion is compared to the worth of the soul and the world falls short. The question arises: what else could be given in exchange for a man’s soul? The rhetorical answer is nothing. Nevertheless, many people trade their souls for trivial things. Some settle for less than a piece of the world in exchange for their souls. In a barter trade system, prices aren’t fixed, presenting both opportunities or risks based on one’s marketing skills. A piece of cloth might be bartered for a cow in one market and exchanged for a pair of scissors in another, influenced by needs and the attached value. As believers, understanding the value placed on us through the blood of the eternal Son prevents selling ourselves too cheap, even for two worlds. The Bible is unequivocal about the worth of our souls, surpassing anything this realm offers. Our value shouldn’t diminish. God emphasizes our worth, stating that we’re worth more than many sparrows (Matthew 10:31). It suggests God is intentional about our value, knowing our true worth and discouraging wasting what is precious on mundanity. Like Esau selling his birthright for a bowl of soup, devaluing himself in the eyes of his brother and God, exchanging your soul for anything in this world, even the world itself, leads to a perpetual loss. Your soul has sentimental value to God, beyond purchase—so, don’t attempt to sell it.

Prayer_Bead: Lover and Lord, thank you for the value you placed on my soul. It is worth the blood of your Son. Thank you.

Wisdom_Quote: The human soul has no equal value in this world.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Exhibition of the hidden life

[The Glory Unveiled]

“Your crucifixion with Christ has severed the tie to this life, and now your true life is hidden away in God in Christ.” [ Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬ ‭TPT‬‬ ]

All of humanity was bound to a particular life when we sinned through our ancestors, Adam and Eve. That life became our master and driver, leading us where we would not choose to go. This life compels us against our will because we forfeited our rights to that nature. Satan, the usurper, orchestrated this treacherous swindle, deceiving us by exploiting our desires, lusts, and the things we see, touch, feel, wish, and hope for. Subsequently, we legally surrendered our rights, becoming slaves to the usurper’s world. Freedom from this world comes at a cost—the death on the cross. However, this payment has a consequence, a positive one in my opinion. The consequence is that we become indebted to Christ. In the repayment plan, when we died with Christ, our connection to this world and the old life was severed. Our true life, now our new life, is concealed in Christ Jesus. If our true lives are hidden in Christ, it implies that neither we nor others have any influence over this new life except Jesus. Ironically, we have the freedom to do as we please, yet our new master, the Lord Jesus, demands an allegiance that, without coercion, leads us to honour and obey Him. This is what it truly means to make Him our Lord, as Lord signifies master and owner. If Jesus genuinely owns our lives, we cannot live it our way but His way. Let the world witness that Jesus is the Lord of our lives through the way we live it for Him.

Prayer_Bead: King of kings, thank you for your reign in my life. Help me to yield to you in all things.

Wisdom_Quote: The Lord Jesus is the master of the hidden life.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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The help of God

[The Glory Unveiled]

“If God’s grace doesn’t help the builders, they will labor in vain to build a house. If God’s mercy doesn’t protect the city, all the sentries will circle it in vain.” [ Psalms‬ ‭127‬:‭1‬ TPT‬‬ ]

It is very easy to attribute the glory of God to things we had no hand in, a mistake arising from being blind to God’s working grace behind the scenes. Nothing in the visible realm is self-sustained; everything in this world relies on something from the invisible realm—the realm of God—to run smoothly. Despite this, we often deceive ourselves into thinking we are the reason for what happens to us. Builders may pride themselves in skills, but their craftsmanship’s efficacy lies not in their skills alone; it is the element of grace that gives purpose to skills, ensuring labour is not in vain. Without grace, every labour is futile—the watchman watches in vain, the farmer plows in vain, even the preacher preaches in vain. God’s grace, like icing on the cake of man’s effort, gives it true beauty and identity. In light of this, it is better to involve God from the project’s beginning to avoid fruitless hassle and empty labour. You can choose to labour in vain or work with God’s grace backing you, but when you do, refrain from taking the glory for yourself. Taking God’s glory is the shortest path to destruction; thus, seek the grace of God before initiating any project, regardless of your skill or experience and then, you can be sure of unquestionable success.

Prayer_Bead: Gracious Father, thank you for your helping grace. Thank you for helping me in every endeavor. Glory to your name.

Wisdom_Quote: Except God is involved, every labour is in vain.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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The only thing that counts

[The Glory Unveiled]

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. [ Galatians 5:6 NIV ]

“The only thing that counts” means exactly that. Numerous distractions vie for our attention and time, but they hold no significance in the grand scheme of things. Love and faith, when combined, work wonders. They form a crucial duo playing a vital role in our redemption. God demonstrated love by sending His Son to atone for our disobedience, bearing our punishment upon Himself. In response, we are called to express faith. Through faith, we consent to spiritual matters, and the outcomes often depend on whether we grant permission or not. Our faith is most powerful when driven by love. Unfortunately, faith can lie dormant when not rooted in love. Love provides purpose and velocity to God’s work. For instance, consider the paralyzed man carried by four friends who, out of love, made a hole in the roof of the house where Jesus was. Touched by their love, Jesus healed the man. When faith intertwines with love, nothing obstructs its path to success. God, being love, approves our endeavors when infused with love. In the life of a believer, faith and love are paramount. Many experiences of believers revolve around faith and love. Without love, their faith confessions and attitudes may be deemed hypocritical. Let love guide our faith, recognizing that, in the believer’s life, the only things that truly count are faith and love.

Prayer_Bead: Heavenly Father, thank you for showing me that the way of faith is love. Help me to love at all times.

Wisdom_Quote: Let love take the lead in your faith pursuit.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Did you sweat blood?

[The Glory Unveiled]

“After all, you have not yet reached the point of sweating blood in your opposition to sin.” [ Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭4‬ TPT‬‬ ]

It is a fact that sin has no power over us now as believers, but the influence and culture of sin from our old lives persist. This influence urges us to repeat our past ways and displease God. Hence, there is a need to resist sin. Technically, we are not resisting sin but the influence of the sin nature that used to be in us. In our anchor text, we learn that there are dimensions and levels of resisting sin. The highest level is where you resist the influence of sin until you begin to sweat blood. Unless one has passed that stage of resisting sin, they have no excuses or anything to complain about. This is especially true because the Lord Jesus, our example, encountered such temptation to sin in the garden of Gethsemane but He did not give in. He resisted the temptation to do His own will rather than the will of God, saying, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42). He didn’t give in to the influence of sin but resisted until His sweat bore witness that He will not give in, as recorded in Luke 22:44: “And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” Sin and the devil only flees in the face of staunch resistance. The devil left Jesus after He consistently resisted him during the temptations in Matthew 4. Don’t give in to sin’s influence; put up a fight against it and do not succumb.

Prayer_Bead: Father, thank you for showing me to resist sin’s influence even unto the point of sweating blood. Sin has no dominion over me.

Wisdom_Quote: Sin flees in the face of opposition.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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The certainty of Faith

[The Glory Unveiled]

He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. [ Hebrews 11:25 NIV ]

Faith is certain, audacious, and true, enduring despite time. Moses made a deliberate choice, not compelled, even when the alternatives were clear. He could have lived as a prince with Pharaoh but, in faith, pursued certainty, dismissing fleeting promises of comfort. A person of faith shapes circumstances through the strong arm of faith, esteeming it more certain than visible reality. Moses didn’t undervalue himself or neglect God’s provisions. The certainty of faith relies on our resolve, convictions, and choices anchored in God’s word. God is always faithful, forming the bedrock of our faith. Faith in action is evident when decisions arise from conviction, not emotions. Sin offers momentary pleasures, while faith ensures the fulfillment of hope. Genuine faith compels choices misunderstood by others, as seen with Noah building an Ark, and Abraham journeying to an unknown land. The people of their day thought they were crazy to believe in something they didn’t yet see. Faith is the foundation to reveal the unseen. In the realm of faith, hopes are visible realities awaiting manifestation. Faith is certain because God is faithful. Follow faith’s certainty in every situation.

Prayer_Bead: Faithful God, thank you for the certainty of faith. Help me to depend on you in all things.

Wisdom_Quote: Faith guarantees delivery of what is hoped for.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Faith; the believer’s key

[The Glory Unveiled]

“Faith opened the way for the Hebrews to cross the Red Sea as if on dry land, but when the Egyptians tried to cross they were swallowed up and drowned!” ‭‭[ Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭29‬ TPT‬‬ ]

Faith serves as the believer’s essential master key, unlocking various kinds of doors irrespective of the guards or those who hold the keys. As the Egyptian army pursued the Israelites to the Red Sea, unbeknownst to them, the Hebrews possessed the key to open the sea’s door. Lacking this key, the Egyptians faced a closed door, resulting in their drowning. A crucial insight is that if a method succeeds for someone but not for you, it could mean that you haven’t discovered their key. Life responds to specific keys, granting discriminatory access to different doors. Rather than imitating others, seek their keys, allowing you to navigate the same doors unhindered. Learn under their feet if you must. But whatever you do, don’t take a step in their footprints without access to the keys they have. Another valuable piece of advice is to not follow someone’s path unless you possess their keys, access to the secrets they hold. Blindly emulating others can lead to one’s downfall, akin to the fate of the Egyptians who lacked preparation and the right keys. Destinies are not shaped through imitation but crafted with intentional blueprints, which include trusting God, determination, patience, humility, courage and commitment to purpose. Do you possess the believer’s master key? Or are you taking a chance in the trail of someone’s success?

Prayer_Bead: Almighty God, thank you for showing me the way out of many troubles and disturbing challenges.

Wisdom_Quote: Destinies are not forged in the quarry of imitation.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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A walk with God

[The Glory Unveiled]

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. [ Matthew 7:23 KJV ]

Regrettably, many people treat the Christian life lightly, as if it’s something they can manipulate to their advantage, disregarding the foundational pillars and the essence that makes that life possible—a relationship with God. Our walk with God is only possible through a relationship; without it, we cannot truly know God, nor can He know us. The significance of our identification with God lies in its relationship basis, not solely on what we have heard about Him. As Job eloquently puts it, “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.” (Job 42:5). Job’s statement implies that his experience of God differs significantly from what he had heard about Him, and this is a recurring theme in our individual experiences. Our encounters with God diverge from others’ accounts because each experience is unique. Therefore, one cannot genuinely claim to know God solely through another person’s relationship with Him. In Matthew 7:22, the Lord Jesus warns, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” This highlights the misconception that some believe the gifts of God alone identify them with Him. However, God’s gifts can coexist with individuals who lack a continuous, working relationship with Him. Gifts and callings are not revoked once granted. Thus, a gift cannot be the determinant of one’s knowledge of God. The true indicator is a genuine, ongoing relationship with God.

Prayer_Bead: Dear Father, thank you for my ongoing relationship with you. I am changed daily into the image of Christ.

Wisdom_Quote: A gift is not the true reflection of a relationship with God.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Clouds of temptation

[The Glory Unveiled]

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” [ Matthew 26:41 NIV ]

Clouds of temptation gather in specific places for particular assignments. When you notice the temptation cloud forming in the distance, it’s time to watch and pray. Watching and praying serve as the best security measures to anticipate challenges, eliminating potential threats. Temptations do not discriminate based on status, class, or anointing; all individuals face temptation in one way or another. Those who appear untouched by temptations are often those who consistently overcome. For such individuals, sin cannot imprint its stain through temptations. The believer’s primary spiritual defense is sensitivity to the Spirit, providing an early warning system against dangers. Sensitivity to the Spirit equips and prepares one to face any challenges with courage. It also aids in discerning God’s will and mind, ensuring prayers are aligned. A spiritually sensitive person knows when to pray and watch, staying vigilant instead of sleeping when prayer is essential. In case of injuries, our spiritual first aid comes through the prayers of others when we are weak. The flesh’s verdict is evident: the flesh is weak. While the spirit is willing, executing its will always requires the energy of the flesh. Unfortunately, the flesh is the entry point for temptations, emphasizing the importance of avoiding temptation clouds through constant vigilance and prayer.

Prayer_Bead: Father, thank you for teaching me to watch and pray. Help me to stay away from temptation’s breeze.

Wisdom_Quote: It is time to watch and pray when you see the finger of temptation in the clouds.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Where did you build

[The Glory Unveiled ]

But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. [ Matthew 7:26 NIV ]

The believer is a practitioner of Jesus. The Christian life is to be practiced. Just as lawyers study and practice law, the believer studies Jesus under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit and practices Him. Reading from verse 24 of our anchor chapter, it seems that two types of houses were described, one built on the rock and the other on the sand. However, there is no mention of the types, suggesting they may look similar. There is no mention of materials or designs, implying the houses might be the same but in different locations. The rains, streams, and winds came against both houses, but the outcome depended on their locations. In matters of destinies, legacies, and any form of advancement, location matters a lot. For example, Abraham would not have become the father of many nations if he had not been at the right location. Every individual faces challenges, and while all believers hear the word of God, scripture says the wise practice what they hear. Practicing the word of God establishes us in Christ, like a house built on the rock. Hearing and not practicing is like building on sand without a firm foundation. And when the smallest wind of destruction comes, it carries the non-practitioner along. Beloved, let us strive to practice the word of God at all costs, building our faith and spiritual lives on the firm Rock, who is Jesus.

Prayer_Bead: Dear Lord, thank you for being the Rock on which I am being built. Help me to always practice the word of God

Wisdom_Quote: Location is a destiny defining factor.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.