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Navigating life’s journey through obedience

[The Glory Unveiled]

And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of: [ Genesis 26:2 KJV ]

Abraham and Isaac have humility and obedience in common. Abraham moved in obedience to God’s word from his father’s house to the land God showed him. In our anchor chapter, a severe famine struck the land where Isaac resided, leading him to consider going to Egypt for better prospects. However, God instructed him to stay, emphasizing the importance of listening to divine guidance to avoid life’s tragedies. Unfortunately, many individuals neglect seeking God’s opinion, relying solely on their perceived logical thinking. Even among those who seek God’s guidance, disobedience often occurs, possibly due to the seemingly illogical nature of divine instructions. Despite this, God’s guidance consistently works for our well-being. Understanding what to do and when is the key to a victorious life. Genesis 26:12 illustrates Isaac’s obedience, as he sowed in a seemingly unproductive land, reaping a hundredfold blessing in the same year. This success stemmed from being precisely where God intended him to be. Following God’s instructions, even when they appear perplexing, leads to unparalleled results. Walking in the light of divine guidance is crucial for receiving God’s promises, as their fulfillment depends on our obedience to His instructions. Discover what God is communicating to you in the present moment and act on I t.

Prayer_Bead: Kind and gracious Lord, thank you for your guidance and your love. Help me to walk in the light of your leading.

Wisdom_Quote: Walk in the voice of God’s guidance.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Temptation’s Red Zones.

[The Glory Unveiled]

And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. [ Genesis 2:16-17 KJV ]

Nothing entices a person into the land of no return like gullibility. Temptations will inevitably arise, but being gullible propels us toward that irreversible place. Lucifer, driven by gullibility, coveted what was not rightfully his and found himself in the land of no return. Similarly, Adam and Eve had the freedom to partake of any tree, except one. Despite the abundance of alternatives, they succumbed to temptation. Joseph, entrusted with everything in his master’s house, except the wife of his master. A temptation is a force that draws us toward the prohibited. In the moment, it may seem like the sole solution to fulfilling our needs, but obtaining it often results in losing everything else. Just like Adam and Eve were tempted and deceived into thinking the forbidden tree was better than the trees they were permitted to eat from, only to learn too late that they lost everything when they chased their appetite. It is prudent to identify and understand what God has deemed off-limits. Our ignorance often leads us to pursue the forbidden. Recognize that God’s restrictions are for our well-being, safeguarding our future. Joseph wisely acknowledged his limitations to Mrs. Potiphar (Genesis 39:9), illustrating that our knowledge of permissible boundaries forms a secure zone. Let us dwell within the boundary of the safe zone God prepared for us in His wisdom.

Prayer_Bead: Almighty God, thank you for teaching me to identify temptation’s red zones. Help me to stay away from what is wrong. In Jesus name. Amen.

Wisdom_Quote: A temptation is a pull or a push towards the one thing you are forbidden to have.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Mirroring Jesus

[The Glory Unveiled]

“For me to live is Christ [His life in me], and to die is gain [the gain of the glory of eternity].” [ ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭21‬ ‭AMPC‬‬ ]

The believer does not have a life of their own because, technically, every believer is a living dead human. Their old self died with Christ on the cross, and the only person who is legally permitted to live is Christ, who resurrected. This means that our lives become a shadow of the life of Jesus, a reflection of His life. Intentionally, our lives can be a mirror reflection of the life of Jesus. A mirror reflects only the objects in front of it. Similarly, for our lives to mirror Jesus, we must stay close to Him. In other words, the Lord Jesus must be present in our lives if we are to reflect Him to our world. This brings us to the foundation of the Christian faith—the Lord Jesus as Lord in our lives, our lives submitted to Him in all things. The disciples were referred to as the lookalikes of Jesus because they stayed with Him. When we let Jesus live through us, our own lives disappear. Thus, when we let go of what we are, we become what we might be. God’s original picture of us is Christ Jesus. Hence, we become who we are supposed to be when we bear the image of Jesus. And we bear the image of Jesus only when we absorb His identity in our relationship with Him. And in this relationship, we cannot call the shots of our lives anymore. We are merely living out the instructions and desires of another, Jesus Christ. Let Jesus be seen through you (the body He has saved).

Prayer_Bead: Lord of the universe, thank you for the privilege to live your life and manifest your glory.

Wisdom_Quote: You become what you might be when you let go of what you are.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Heart and soul in service

[The Glory Unveiled]

“Put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are doing it for the Lord himself and not merely for others.” [ Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬ ‭TPT‬‬ ]

Our anchor scripture is the formula for achieving great exploits and significant growth. The price for great things is giving your all. When we give our hearts and souls to something, the result is usually remarkable. The greatest results come from anything we do with all of our hearts and souls, but it is more rewarding when we are motivated to do it for the Lord. Love is one of the basic tenets of the Christian faith, and helping people sits at the center of it all. The Lord Jesus exemplified it when He died for us. We have been shown how we ought to do everything: as if we were doing it for the Lord and not for people. Motivated by God, we can put our hearts and souls into whatever we do. Nehemiah was one man who was moved in heart and soul to rebuild the temple and wall of his city. The result was incredible. Nobody could stop him, not even his enemies nor his friends. He succeeded eventually because his heart and soul were into it. The Lord Jesus invested his heart and soul into his assignment, the purpose of his life. The result is the reason we are saved. There is so much we can do in the name of the Lord if we do it with our hearts and souls. “His disciples remembered that it is written: ‘Zeal for your house will consume me’” (John 2:17). Passion is the force that drives potential success into true success. Let passion lead you in the service of God.

Prayer_Bead: Compassionate Father, thank you for your compassion, your grace and your love.

Wisdom_Quote: The true cost of exploit is heart and soul.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Bringing newfound vision.

[The Glory Unveiled]

He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” [ John 9:25 NIV ]

In the human world, your identity matters less to people than what you do for them. Typically, people are more concerned about what they receive from you than who you are. The blind man healed by Jesus didn’t know doctrines or religious rituals; he lacked knowledge about Jesus. However, he was acutely aware of his blindness, and after encountering Jesus, his restored sight became more significant to him than others’ opinions about Jesus, as clarified in the account. The multitude followed Jesus primarily for food, receiving bread and fish. Yet, beyond sustenance, our capacity to gain enlightenment after an encounter is paramount. Moses’ face radiated after his encounter with God. We must carry such value that people are transformed after meeting us. The lasting impact is not in our name but in the ability of others to see differently after encountering us. Like the blind man who proclaimed, “I was blind, but now I see,” if people can confidently declare newfound vision after meeting us, then the kingdom of God is manifest through us. Jesus asserted to the Pharisees that if He drove out demons (performed miracles) by the Holy Spirit, the kingdom of heaven had come to them (Matthew 12:28). Bring the kingdom of heaven to your world.

Prayer_Bead: Gracious Father, thank you for the privilege to bring the kingdom of heaven to many people. Let your name be glorified.

Wisdom_Quote: In the long run, people only hold on to what you did for them.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Do the needful

[The Glory Unveiled]

“But to remain in my body is more needful and essential for your sake.” [ Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭24‬ ‭AMPC‬‬ ]

Sometimes, we must set aside our desires and preferences and opt for the greater good by making a sacrificial choice. Many individuals enshrined in history’s hall of fame earned their places through such sacrificial decisions. Along our individual journeys, we inevitably reach a juncture demanding a life-altering choice. From that pivotal point, we grapple with the consequences, often paving a new path that unveils our truest potentials and gifts. When the apostle Paul faced the decision of departing to be with the Lord or continuing to live in the flesh, he carefully considered his options. Despite recognizing that leaving might be best for him, he chose to stay for the sake of fellow believers and their needs. He understood that his continued presence would benefit many, and for their well-being, he opted to remain. Life frequently presents us with choices between paths, opinions, and views, each with its implications and consequences. By relinquishing our personal desires and interests, we can accomplish great things in honour of God. Before taking the next step, weigh the cost, consider your options, and choose what brings glory to God, essential for the sake of others. May our lives be dedicated to the well-being of others, lived not only for ourselves but because of the impact it can have on those around us.

Prayer_Bead: Dear Jesus, thank your for helping me to live like you lived, in total service of other people.

Wisdom_Quote: One truly begins to live when they start living for other people.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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You’re not alone

[The Glory Unveiled]

Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. [ 1 Kings 19:18 KJV ]

Elijah reached a point in his life where he believed he was the sole survivor of his kind, thinking that all the other prophets had been killed. “And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away” (1 Kings 19:14). No matter the challenge you face, remember you’re not alone in it; many others share similar experiences. Don’t let complacency hinder you from fulfilling your tasks. Some could have succeeded if they had a sense of community; knowing others faced the same struggles might have prevented them from giving up. To avoid falling into that trap, the word of God assures us of the company of witnesses: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1). God’s instruction is for us to run with perseverance the race marked for us as individuals. It emphasizes shedding hindrances, including the belief that we are alone. The powerful feeling and fear of being alone can deter us from giving our best. Armed with the knowledge that we are not alone, let’s give our best in everything.

Prayer_Bead: God of every season, thank you for the company of your presence and sure word. Amen.

Wisdom_Quote: You are not alone.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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It will end in praise.

[The Glory Unveiled]

“But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,” [ Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ ]

The apostle Paul referred to his imprisonment when he said “the things which happened to me.” In retrospect, he saw it as something that had helped in the furtherance of the gospel.“ The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (Psalms 24:1). God as the owner and manager of the earth is able to use any situation at all to advance His agenda. Unfortunately, we label anything that does not give immediate benefit as bad. But God, who sees the end from the beginning, calls everything good because He is able to make good of every situation, causing even the “bad” to do His bidding. If only we could see as God sees, we would understand that, the negative experiences and events around and in our lives are occasions to further the course and purpose of God in His time. The apostle added that his imprisonment had boosted the confidence of many believers. People will courageously go out in the name of Jesus because Paul was imprisoned but was still preaching about Jesus. His courage gave others courage. In fact, many people became saved because Paul was imprisoned. They had the opportunity to hear the good news in prison. Wherever we find ourselves, we can make impact with the little resources we have. Paul did not fold with the excuse of his predicament. He continued the work of God as if he was actually free. Whatever is happening to you now, can turn for the good of God’s plan for you. Just play your part.

Prayer_Bead: Lord Jesus, thank you for your faithfulness. In every situation, you remain with me. Thank you.

Wisdom_Quote: God is faithful at all times.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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God is working it out

[The Glory Unveiled]

And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. [ Genesis 39:20 KJV ]

The story from which our anchor text is drawn is a frequently discussed narrative—the story of Joseph’s temptation to sleep with Potiphar’s wife. Often, the true meaning and intent behind the events are overlooked due to our familiarity with the texts. Joseph found himself in prison for an act he did not commit. It may seem unjust to be treated so unfairly for something he did not do, leaving him to wonder why his master wouldn’t believe him. Conversely, someone in his position might have succumbed to the temptation for “justifiable reasons.” Had Joseph yielded to the temptation to sleep with his master’s wife, they could have kept it a secret, sparing him from prison. However, envision the potential outcome for Joseph—he would have remained a servant for life. Surprisingly, the prison became God’s strategy for propelling him to the throne of Egypt, making him a prime minister quicker than any alternative path. Honoring God and living within His will allows everything, even seemingly disastrous events, to work for our good. Disappointments serve as God’s appointed tools to elevate us. Although Joseph might have perceived his imprisonment as a disaster and unfair punishment, from God’s perspective, it was intentional for his elevation to the position of prime minister. The prison provided him access to the king of Egypt. If we navigate the challenges the world and its systems throw at us without complaint, trusting and honoring God, we will reach His destination for us even faster.

Prayer_Bead: Omnipresent God, thank you for being with us in every situation. Thank you for your grace to go through everything that is intended to lead us to the top.

Wisdom_Quote: When God is involved, it always leads to glory.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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The cost of knowing Jesus

[The Glory Unveiled]

“To truly know him meant letting go of everything from my past and throwing all my boasting on the garbage heap. It’s all like a pile of manure to me now, so that I may be enriched in the reality of knowing Jesus Christ and embrace him as Lord in all of his greatness.” [ Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬ ‭TPT‬‬ ]

There is always an attitude and an approach to knowledge acquisition. Acquiring knowledge involves letting go of something: ignorance. On the journey of gaining knowledge, letting go of ignorance is a non-negotiable step. In the case of the apostle Paul and his quest to know Jesus, he had to relinquish everything from his past, including boasting and arrogance. Whatever he thought he knew hindered his true understanding of Jesus. So, he had to let go of his preconceived notions. Interestingly, Paul refers to the negative aspects of his past as “manure,” suggesting that even bad experiences and erroneous information can fertilize our new knowledge experiences if we’re willing to release them. A wise inventor once remarked, “The mistakes I made in the past show me ways that something wouldn’t work out.” In our pursuit of the knowledge of God, sincerity is crucial. We must confront truth and reality, acknowledging that what we think we know might impede our true understanding. To grasp what we need to know, we must release what we already know, just as the apostle Paul did. The Holy Spirit assists us in this process if we allow Him since He is the greatest teacher. In Paul’s attempt to know Jesus, he emphasizes the strategy of letting go of the past in verse 13, choosing to forget what’s behind and focus on the future. Following his example can be beneficial in our own pursuit of knowledge.

Prayer_Bead: Omniscient God, thank you for your grace and the privilege of knowing your Son Jesus Christ.

Wisdom_Quote: Forget the past, aim for the future.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.