GNews

[The Glory Unveiled]

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. [ Ecclesiastes 9:11 KJV ]

The wise preacher records his observations for success in this world. He noted that people do not succeed solely because they have an abundance of what they naturally need for success. So, even though strength is necessary for battles, victory does not result solely from strength. Likewise, speed alone does not guarantee victory in a race, nor is a person blessed with food simply because they are wise. From his study, he concluded that no “natural advantage” guarantees success in a particular field. Fortunately, he didn’t leave us in the dark about the factors that influence the outcome for us. One man or woman can be favored while another may not be. One can possess speed, while another may not. One can be wise or strong, but another may be neither strong nor wise. However, when it comes to time and chance, these factors affect all people, regardless of their location, color, religious beliefs, or gender. Time and chance affect all people under the sun. Chance refers to people and places—the people we encounter and the places we find ourselves in or go to. The people we meet in life influence the outcomes of our lives, as do the places we stay or find ourselves in. A chance encounter with someone can be a pivotal moment in a person’s life, and the location you find yourself in can significantly influence what happens to you and the outcomes in your life. The second factor is time, another crucial determinant of success. Seasons and time greatly affect and influence opportunities most of the time. When we stumble upon an idea or encounter an opportunity is as important as the opportunity itself. Time and chance are continuously occurring. Seize the moment, take your chances, and excel in whatever you’re doing.

Prayer_Bead: Almighty Father, thank you for time and chance, as they are always happening to me. I take my chances and I make use of the time I have now. Help me to except to the glory of your name.

Wisdom_Quote: Time and chance are always happening.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

“No one taught me this revelation, for it was given to me directly by the unveiling of Jesus Christ.” [ Galatians‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬ ‭TPT‬‬ ]

The life of Jesus is like a coded package that the recipient needs to decode to grasp its true value. Unfortunately, many people carry the package but never experience the true blessings within it. The seal on this unlimited, encompassing, and wonderful package is the Holy Spirit. The unveiling of Jesus’ life in us becomes possible through the Holy Spirit when we encounter the Word of God. In other words, the revelation of Jesus, which opens us to all the possibilities in God, is granted to us through the unveiling of Jesus. Without Jesus being unveiled in us, we cannot genuinely share Him with others, at least not in His encompassing essence. Unless one encounters the unveiled Jesus, the person they believe they know and witness about will have no impact on their lives or on the lives of those they minister to. In verse 16, Paul states that God unveils His Son in him so that he can reveal Him to the world. The apostle Paul recognized that the unveiling of Jesus in him was for the purpose of enabling others to get to know Jesus for themselves as well. The apostle John expresses it like this, “As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.” (1 John 2:27). The Holy Spirit is the anointing that unveils Jesus to us, infusing His life into ours and transforming our worlds. Is the Lord Jesus being unveiled in your experience with Him as you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you through the Word of God?

Prayer_Bead: Father, thank you for the package of your son and the blessedness of His unveiling in my life.

Wisdom_Quote: Until Jesus is unveiled, the believer cannot be transformed.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. [ Matthew 6:33 NIV ]

The life of the Lord Jesus was the way it was and produced the kind of results it did because of His priorities. His earthly life was filled with numerous accounts of what He did because that’s what God wanted. His life was a reflection of God’s life; He didn’t live a single moment for Himself but lived every minute for God. He emptied Himself to portray God’s life for us. In one instance, He said, “I work because my father works” (John 5:17). He did everything because God was either doing it or instructing Him. It’s no wonder His presence transformed the world. Many of us struggle with our identities and actions. We desire a particular life, but our realities often contradict our wishes. This is mainly because having knowledge of something is distinct from experiencing it. Our experiences shape and define us, whereas mere knowledge or desires don’t guarantee the desired life. You can’t appropriate what you don’t understand, nor can you experience what you keep postponing. Instead of delaying the wonderful experience of a new life, one that perfectly mirrors Jesus, become intentional and prioritize God above everything else. Our priorities carry significant weight and reveal our destination. When Jesus becomes our top priority, His impact becomes a reality. Perhaps the reason it seems that the impact of Jesus isn’t genuine in the lives of many who profess Him is because Jesus isn’t yet their priority. So, is Jesus your priority yet?

Prayer_Bead: Most High God, Compassionate and Loving Father, thank you for the grace to choose you above all else. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: The impact of Jesus becomes reality when He becomes our priority.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

“People who cannot control themselves are like cities without walls to protect them.” [ Proverbs‬ ‭25‬:‭28‬ ERV‬‬ ]

God has granted us the gift of choice and the capacity to control ourselves because it is a necessity. Self-control and discipline serve as the protective barriers for the human soul and body, safeguarding against harm. Just as a city without defensive walls is susceptible to various forms of attacks, lacking self-control and discipline leaves us vulnerable to every kind of assault. The integrity of our defense walls weakens with each small compromise. When compromise becomes a habitual practice, it leads to enslavement. Those who grow accustomed to captivity become compliant and easily submit to the commands and authority of others, even those inferior to them. Initially, they may rebel against the temptations of the devil, but if this rebellion doesn’t yield the desired outcomes, their captivity deepens. This is why many individuals find themselves trapped in challenging situations and come to accept their harsh experiences as fate. In reality, God has not bestowed upon us a spirit of timidity and fear but one of self-control, love, and power (2 Timothy 1:7). The Spirit given by God cultivates self-control and discipline within us, forming a protective barrier for our lives. However, persistent compromise weakens and shatters the protective wall around our souls, exposing us to danger. People who struggle to control themselves were once able to maintain that control until they started making small compromises. Those minor compromises are akin to the “little foxes” that ravage the vineyards of self-control, jeopardizing the flourishing vines (Song of Songs 2:15). Protect your vineyard and give rest to your soul and body.

Prayer_Bead: Shepherd of our souls, thank you for giving us the capacity to protect our flourishing vines.

Wisdom_Quote: Little compromises are the little foxes that break the vine.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” [ Matthew 3:17 NIV ]

God has eyes for just one person, one picture: His only begotten Son. Anything else does not catch His attention. No wonder in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead (Colossians 2:9). Hebrews 11:6 says that without faith in Him, it is impossible to please God. There’s only one identity (personality) that pleases God: His only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. The other sons cannot please Him by their own merits, no matter how well they try. Sin has corrupted them to the core of their souls, so they can do nothing about their relationship with God. Just as Ishmael (son of Abraham) couldn’t have done anything to change how he was perceived as far as the promise is concerned. But for us, there is a way around our predicament. We can clothe ourselves with the identity of our elder brother, the Lord Jesus, and like Jacob, who clothed himself with the identity of his brother, we can receive the status and blessings of our brother as if they were ours, only that they will truly be ours. Now, since God has eyes for just one, we can only get God’s eyes on us when we adorn our bodies with the identity of that One, Jesus. From our anchor text, the mind of God is very clear as far as who pleases Him is concerned. In another place, in Matthew 17, God reaffirmed His decision on who pleases Him. The anchor scripture was God’s proclamation during the baptism event of His Son. As if to make everyone present aware that He had eyes for just one person. And that statement is still true till tomorrow. God has eyes for just one person, His Son Jesus, and everyone who bears the image of His Son. There is no other way to the heart of God except through the image of His Son. Would you say yes to Jesus so that you will become a child who pleases God too?

Prayer_Bead: Father, thank you for finding me in your Son. Help me to remain submitted to Him as you transform me by Him.

Wisdom_Quote: God is well pleased with the Lord Jesus Christ alone.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. [ Genesis 2:15 KJV ]

The statement above, our anchor scripture, suggests that the garden had been created before man was brought into it. Before God entrusts us with our destinies and assignments, He first prepares the stage for executing those assignments. So, if you find yourself on the scene, it’s a communication of your assignment and destiny. The garden was intended to nurture and sustain man. Even though the garden was made to provide for all of man’s needs, he needed to tend to it to ensure a continuous yield. This revelation shows us that even the things that provide for us are supposed to be kept and maintained; otherwise, that supply could be cut off. The garden is only a garden because someone is assigned to keep it in good shape. The supply of many people has been cut because they refuse to maintain their Eden. God has provided the system that should supply for us, but it needs to be maintained. Whatever our gifts are, they are the tools we need to work in our Eden, our place of work. This is why it’s crucial to identify our gifts, talents, and skills and refine them. Our gifts become potent enough to maintain our Eden when we refine them through mentorship, practice, observation, and more. Get busy with your gifts and skills in whichever garden God has placed you to tend. Enter the garden of your assignment and maintain it with the quality of your gifts, skills, and talents. Remember that gardens can be lost, so don’t get too comfortable and don’t relent on your assignment.

Prayer_Bead: Lord Jesus, thank you for your love. Thank you for the skills and gifts you have given me to keep my garden.

Wisdom_Quote: Your garden [assignment] is proof that you have a gift.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.