Posts

Posted on

Jesus is Lord

[The Glory Unveiled]

For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath. [ Matthew 12:8 NIV]

Today’s century church is daily in the valley of the temptation of a seductive world. While the wise virgin church tries so hard to teach the truth. There are those who try to do it without first showing the world, the Lord of the truth they teach. Many are in the habit because they feel they don’t want to burden the intellectual society with too much religious words. They argue that the people can be corrected or changed without necessarily mentioning the Lord behind the change they preach. And slowly but steadily, the church is loving the ways of the world more than they love the Lord. Consequently, this cancer is reflecting in every thing around us, from every industrial product to our television shows and the internet space. Unfortunately, because of this deception the masses are being fed, many more in the church are trying to reform society with the ideals that the world is selling to them. But the truth is, we can’t reform society with the teachings of the Lord without the Lord of the teachings. And since Jesus will not save any man He cannot command, He will not reform any society that does not know Him. Good moral teachings do not change people. It is the authority of Jesus forged from a relationship with Him that brings about the changes. The Lord Jesus is coming back to set His earthly kingdom and the requirement to enter this kingdom is perfection, which starts from salvation. This salvation identity card is given to anyone who believes in Jesus and accepts His lordship. The Lord Jesus is not only Lord to some people or in certain situations and certain days. He is Lord over all things forever. It is our recognition and acknowledgment of His Lordship that brings the change the church preaches. Is Jesus lord over everything in your life?

Prayer_Bead: Lord Jesus, thank you for your Lordship over me. Thank you for the change you’re causing in and around me.

Wisdom_Quote: Society cannot be transformed with the teachings of the Lord without the Lord of the teachings.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

Posted on

The Believer’s ecosystem

[The Glory Unveiled]

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. [ Galatians 5:16 NIV ]

The Christian is in the world but not of the world. They are in the world but are supposed to live in an ecosystem that separates them from the stains of the world. This ecosystem is a life that is lived in absolute submission to Jesus by walking side by side with the Spirit of God. But two people cannot walk except they agreed to do so. No one can walk by the Holy Spirit except they have agreed with Him, in spirit and in truth. “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24). The scripture shows us how to agree with the Spirt of God in order to relate with Him. It is by moving in agreement with Him—in spirit and in truth. Without the Spirit and Truth, we cannot agree with God. To walk with the Holy Spirit; to come into agreement with Him, we need to come into truth and spirit. The truth cleanses us and His Spirit clothes us to look like Him so that we will be able to fellowship with Him. Walking with the Holy Spirit is not an automatic reality for every one who claims to know the Lord, it is the result of a conscious, time tested, and spirit enabled journey. It takes maturity to walk with the Holy Spirit. It is that maturity that helps the believer not to gratify the desires of the flesh. “The mature children of God are those who are moved by the impulses of the Holy Spirit.” (‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭14‬ ‭TPT‬‬). The believer who lives in this ecosystem is not moved by their sight or by the facts of their world but by the impulses of the Spirit. Walking by the Spirit is a culture in which some people live, and where the world’s culture cannot touch them. Be led by the Holy Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Prayer_Bead: Father, thank you for the grace to walk by your Spirit. Guide me to worship You in spirit and in truth.

Wisdom_Quote: The flesh is as powerful as you distance yourself from the Spirit of God.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

Posted on

Start with agreement

[The Glory Unveiled]

“Two people will not walk together unless they have agreed to do so.” ‭‭[ Amos‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬ ‭ERV‬‬ ]

So many people want to walk with other people who have not agreed to walk with them. Inevitably, they discover along their journey that they are not headed the same destination, and then part ways. But if such people had agreed from the onset, they would have saved themselves loads of pain and suffering. Unfortunately, many times, many people assume that the other person understand them or are going where they are headed without properly agreeing or finding out their end goal. Agreement is very important if anything will grow from one level to the other and be sustained through a long period of time. Usually, agreements happen when there is clarity of purpose and that purpose is communicated in a manner that well understood and not misconstrued. To move forward, to excel, or to succeed in any field requires planning. Hence, without proper planning, no two people can move together even if they already have the desire to do so. Every future is birthed in the labour ward of agreement between parties. Nothing with a future can be sustained except there is agreement. In other words, nothing long lasting happens independently. Human relationships are intended to last through our stay on earth, hence the need for agreement. Agreement is like yoking two oxen together. Without the yoke [the reason for agreement], both oxen will go separate ways. And so, for the parties in a relationship not to head to separate directions, agreement is necessary before they set out. A husband and his wife can only head towards a predetermined goal except they had first agreed and brought themselves under the yoke of that agreement. Don’t assume, find out and be sure of your destinations.

Prayer_Bead: Father, thank you for this eternal truth. Help me to agree with anyone You have intended for me to walk with. Let them agree with me too. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: Assumption is the reason why two people heading to a place arrive at different locations.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

Posted on

Weak and victorious

[The Glory Unveiled]

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” [ ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭26‬ ‭ESV‬‬ ]

Humanity is inherently frail, and this fragility becomes evident in all our actions. Sin and iniquity result from our human weakness, which is manifested through a feeble will. Jesus once remarked about his disciples, noting that their spirits were willing but their flesh was weak (Matthew 26:41). Abraham portrayed himself, and by extension, all of humanity, as mere dust and ashes (Genesis 18:28). This vulnerability also becomes apparent in the brevity of our lives on Earth. We exist for a brief span, then are called back to our heavenly home. Yet, during our time here, we have the potential to live as if our weaknesses have been overcome, enabling us to exhibit strength despite our inherent frailty. This transformation can only occur through the intervention of the Holy Spirit in our prayers. Prayer serves as the direct conduit for believers to reach the heart of God. Through prayer, we gain access to the blessings and provisions allotted to us. We have the ability to translate and manifest spiritual truths into tangible realities. It is evident that the Holy Spirit aids us, but He does so specifically in our weaknesses. Scripture affirms that the Holy Spirit assists us in our moments of weakness. If you find yourself not receiving the Holy Spirit’s assistance, it may be because you have not acknowledged your own weaknesses. This divine help is designed for times of vulnerability and for those who acknowledge their own weaknesses. One common manifestation of human frailty is “ignorance.” For example, not knowing what to pray for constitutes a weakness rooted in ignorance. However, the Holy Spirit is ready to assist anyone who relies on Him. When God intervenes, His perfection surpasses any familiar experience. We all possess weaknesses; do not conceal them, but embrace them and trust in the Holy Spirit to enable you to rise above and transcend the limitations of those weaknesses. Do not allow your weaknesses to define you; instead, let the Spirit of God define your identity.

Prayer_Bead: Helper and Redeemer, Lover and Friend, thank you for helping me in my weaknesses so that the strength of Jesus can be revealed in me. Amen.

Wisdom_Quote: Rise above your weakness in the beautiful embrace of the Holy Ghost.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

Posted on

Sharpened by Christ

[The Glory Unveiled]

“It takes a grinding wheel to sharpen a blade, and so one person sharpens the character of another.” [ ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27‬:‭17‬ ‭TPT‬‬ ]

A wise man once said that a flock of sheep led by a lion soon becomes a pride of lions but a pride of lions led by a sheep soon becomes a flock of sheep. This statement is a statement of influence, and it so agrees with what the Bible says in our anchor text above. Blades are sharpened with grinding wheels or with other sharpening tools. Nothing is sharpened by itself. In like manner, character is sharpened by people. Our association with people rubs off their character on us. A person begins to behave like another person when they stick with them for sometime. It always takes someone to sharpen another’s character and skills. No individual person is sharpened by themselves but by their surroundings. This is a call to be careful with the things and people we surround ourselves with. People can become anyone they associate with even if they don’t want to be like them. The only determiner is an association with another person. Our character is sharpened when we come into contact with other people. Hence, we must be selective and intentional about our association. But even though iron sharpens iron, for the believer, they are sharpened by beholding the face of Jesus. We are sharpened as we behold His blazing face. Our transfiguration and transformation happen when we come into face to face fellowship with the Spirit of Christ. This sharpening by fellowship with the Lord is translated in our communion with one another. But the question is, who or what is sharpening your character?

Prayer_Bead: Father God, thank you for the wonderful grace of knowing that my associations influence my character. Please help me to associate with the right people and with your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

Wisdom_Quote: Jesus is the mirror image the believer strives to look like.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

Posted on

Clarity of vision

[The Glory Unveiled]

“When there is no clear prophetic vision, people quickly wander astray. But when you follow the revelation of the Word, heaven’s bliss fills your soul.” [ ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭29‬:‭18‬ ‭TPT‬‬ ]

Anytime there is any kind of movement, it is always towards a goal, a target. Nothing and no one moves towards nothing. Motion is only possible where there is clarity of vision. Where there is no vision, there cannot be a meaningful movement. This is why many destinies are pinned down; they have no clear prophetic vision. Many dreams are shuttered because many people are unwilling to chart a new course for self discovery. They prefer to be handed over the blueprint for their lives by someone who looks like them, rather than searching them out themselves. The result is a mass production of replicas of one person. Where there is no vision, a mission is impossible. If the goal is not in view then it is out of reach. The NIV puts our anchor text this way, “where there is no revelation [vision], people cast off restraints.” To “cast off restraint” means to abandon self-control or to act without limitations or inhibitions. It implies letting go of the thing that guides you or ignoring discipline in one’s behavior, often resulting in impulsive or unrestrained actions. The casualty is that, such lives become shadows of what could have been a good thing. A life without a leash unleashes the horrors of mediocrity. To avoid wandering astray, we must follow the revelation of God’s word, sustained by His grace. Before you begin to move towards any agenda or goals, be certain to have a clear vision of what it is you are chasing. It is the clarity of the vision that energizes and empowers your walk. Without a clear vision, you will soon stray from your end goal. The bliss of heaven fills our souls and equips us with the vigor to keep going where there is a revelation from God to guide our activities. Don’t chase anything, whether it is a relationship, a business, a project or a course until the vision is clear.

Prayer_Bead: The Great I AM, thank you for your plans for my life. Order my steps in your word, Lord. Keep me from the distractions of starting anything without a clear vision. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: Vision is the brush that paints the picture of your future.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

Posted on

The strategy of God’s presence

[The Glory Unveiled]

And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. [ Luke 5:5 KJV ]

Peter and his had toiled all night at sea but caught nothing. They were experts in the fishing industry. They understood the terrain very well. But then, on this fateful night, they caught nothing. Experience is good but there is something more advantageous than having mere experience. It is the strategy of having God’s presence. This strategy works in and out of season. And so, what Peter needed that day was the presence of God and not technical knowledge or skills. Not every challenge needs the push and pull of mental strength. Some challenges only need the presence of God to be fixed. When Peter said they had toiled all night, but caught nothing, he meant they had tried every possible combination of ideas and strategies known to fishermen but it didn’t work. They tried every other options they could find. But what they didn’t know was that, the solution was not hidden in different strategies. You see, familiarity with routines creates a sense of dependence on activities and skills alone. The solutions to the challenges you face are not encrypted in the many things you could do. Rather, they are hidden in the instructions received in the presence of God. Like Peter and his colleagues, many of us have toiled all year round but have nothing to show for it. But if we will abandon our expertise and depend on the instructions of God in His presence, we will equally have the kind of testimony that Peter and his colleagues had afterwards. Diligently search for the present revelation and instruction from the Lord and obey them promptly.

Prayer_Bead: Great Monarch of Zion, thank you for the grace to learn this truth. Help me to trust the word of your presence rather than my skills.

Wisdom_Quote: Skills and experience cannot beat the voice of God.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

Posted on

How many times did you hear?

[The Glory Unveiled]

God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. [ Psalms 62:11 KJV ]

If you checked, you would discover that very few people ask God for anything. And fewer people ask for a confirmation of what is claimed to have been said by God. David, the author of the Psalms above is known to always seek confirmation on any matter. No wonder he was a wise king. From his youth, he was known to always seek a second opinion. For instance, when he came to visit his brothers on the battlefield and discovered his nation needed a man to face Goliath and that there was a prize for the man who conquered Goliath, he asked twice. (See 1 Samuel 17:27;30). Whenever he faced an army he will always enquired of God to be sure God was leading him there. And often, he enquired twice. When the Amalekites burned his city and took his wives, he didn’t impulsively chase after the Amalekites even though the lives of his wives were at stake and his properties were taken. He waited on God. He sought for confirmation before he pursued the enemy. (See 1 Samuel 30:8). The natural response to such a situation would be to chase after the enemy without thinking twice about it. But that style is the reason why many people are frustrated and upset with their lives. Nothing is what it is at face value. Many things only have the appearance of what we may think or desire, but not exactly those things in themselves. God speaks once, but we can hear Him twice if we ask for confirmation of what He had said. Don’t assume what you think God said is what God said. Ask again. Seek clarity, confirm it.

Prayer_Bead: God of Wonders, thank you for the wonder of your personality. Help me to always seek confirmation on every matter so that I will not be deceived.

Wisdom_Quote: You cannot be too sure, confirm what you heard.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

Posted on

Avoid distractions

[The Glory Unveiled]

The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the LORD. [ Joshua 9:14 NIV ]

God had informed Israel not to ally themselves with countries that were close to them, such countries were supposed to be destroyed as they pose a threat to Israel. The Gibeonites who were close neighbours to Israel however, came to form an alliance pretending to have come from a far away country. This was after they heard what the Israelites had done to Jericho and Ai (verses 3 & 4). From fear that they would be destroyed like the other close nations to Israel, they decided to deal craftily with the Israelites. Now, the Israelites were not distracted or deceived because the Gibeonites were more crafty. They were distracted because they did not discern nor seek God’s opinion on the matter (verse 14). The fact that they had been given a template—an instruction on what to do—was not enough to make decisions without the involvement of God when He could be reached. God does not look on the outward [appearance] to make judgements. God looks beyond the exterior to examine motives and hearts. Appearances can be deceptive. And because as humans (mere observers) it is impossible to tell the motives of people, we need to consult God to avoid distractions. The Israelites judged the Gibeonites by their appearances, and they were misled. In making any decisions that matter to your destiny and wellbeing, decisions such as marital decisions, among others, consult God even if you have a pattern or an inkling of what you want. Stay alert and lean not on your own understanding. Lean on the perspective of God through His word and guidance. Be discerning, be willing to listen to God rather than to your eyes and ears, and you will not be distracted.

Prayer_Bead: Dear Lord, thank you for your truth, help me to stay alert. Keep me from distractions. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: Leaning on God kicks deceptions and distractions away.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

Posted on

A great gain

[The Glory Unveiled]

But godliness with contentment is great gain. [ 1 Timothy 6:6 NIV ]

In a world of many alternatives, discontentment is the reason why many people don’t live to see the things they chase after. The availability or abundance of something is not a license to abuse them. It is rather a call to manage and protect them from going extinct or harming us. Take for instance, our water bodies or green vegetations. We abuse them because we think we have them in abundance and now, see the struggles we face. Their extinction and destruction is posing as a threat to humanity. If only we were content with what we had and managed it, the story of the world would have been different. The deception of social media and the illusionary lifestyles displayed by many celebrities on these platforms have made some discontent with what they have and could afford or manage. Their appetites are insatiable, their desires like an endless pit. They go on and on, gathering for themselves what they will not live to enjoy. The Bible says “godliness with contentment is great gain.” Godliness without contentment is a great loss and a waste of time. The seed of discontentment is sown by lust and pride, and bears the fruit of instability. This instability has robbed many of privileges reserved for those who are content in God. This is why discontentment has become the shovel that digs the grave of many people and the scissors that cuts short destinies that could revolutionize our world. You can gain or lose, the choice is yours to make, but to gain, you need to be content. The world and everything in it does not satisfy. Only by leaning on Jesus and trusting Him for everything can you find peace; the great gain of contentment.

Prayer_Bead: Lord Jesus, our Redeemer and strength, thank you for all the things you have entrusted to me. Help me to be content. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: Godliness with contentment is great gain.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.