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The constraints of purpose.


[The Glory Unveiled]

Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is always ready. [ John 7:6 KJV ]

The purpose of God for our lives reaffirmed by the new life secured for us through Jesus has placed us in a place of intentionality and constraint. We cannot live our lives anyhow even if we wanted to–not in a bad way however. We have been brought into a new community where the will of God becomes our priority. We are governed by a new culture and constitution. The world can choose to go in any direction but we cannot. Our ways are dictated by God. And so, it happened that the household of Jesus were supposed to go to a ceremony–the feast of tabernacles. The other party encouraged Jesus to go at a certain time to which Jesus said the words of our anchor scripture. He was living every minute of His life by the dictates of His Father, whereas the people who were encouraging him to go were living as they pleased. Jesus had a strategic mandate and purpose and the responsibilities of that mandate constrained him to a certain life that others will not commit to. If we are living our lives within the margins of our calling and purposes,  we will also confine ourselves to the boundaries of God’s word. If for any reasons we were living like the other party that encouraged Jesus to go to the function, then may God help us to walk in alignment with our callings and purposes.

Prayer_Bead: Lord of Creation, thank you for the privilege to walk in step with your plans and purposes for me. My life and actions align to your calling upon me. I live a life constrained by the Holy Spirit.

Wisdom_Quote: The new man or woman in Christ lives by the orders of heaven.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Cross examine the package

And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not. [ Genesis 24:21 KJV ]

Many times, many people miss their blessings not because they were not qualified for the blessing but because they could not properly discern the timing of God. Other times, they miss the blessing because they assume wrong. Even though God might have said something at one time does not make it a permanent mark in a stone. And for that, we need to constantly check on the last instruction. We need an updated version of what God said. The servant of Abraham was sent to find a wife for Isaac. He had prayed that God should answer him with a sign. Later when it seem he was answered because the sign came through, he didn’t immediately run for “the answer,” instead he held his peace to examine if what he was seeing was actually what God had sent. You see, we live in a world where counterfeits look like the real deal and so it is expedient that we discern and cross check the offers that are presented to us. Jacob ordered for Rachel but Leah was delivered to him unexpectedly. It may look exactly like what you ordered but it may not be what is delivered. This is why the Scriptures admonish us to be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves. We need the wisdom of God more than ever in our day. So, hold your peace and examine what you are being presented with.

Prayer_Bead: Almighty God, thank you for the privilege to be armed with your word. Help me to be discerning in all things as I walk in wisdom in this deceptive world.

Wisdom_Quote: What you ordered may not always be what is delivered.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Don’t go celebrating yet.


[The Glory Unveiled]

And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. [ 1 Kings 18:41 KJV ]

Many times when we receive a prophetic word or any word of promise from God, we tend to be carried away by the euphoric feeling of it’s fulfillment. Instead of doing something that will bring that word into the tangible realm, most of us do nothing. Once we receive the word, we assume that ends everything. As a matter of fact, things do not work like that. When the word of God comes to us, it is initially in the intangible realm. But when we begin to war with the word, inviting the overshadowing power of God, it becomes tangible. When the prophetic word came to Ahab, that there was the sound of abundance of rain, there was nothing physical in that moment to support that claim. In the next verse it says, Ahab went to eat and drink, trusting that there would be abundant rain indeed. But come with me, on an imaginary journey to see what would have happened if there was no one to pray and ensure that the intangible word becomes real. Obviously, Ahab will celebrate what he was expecting but his eyes will not see it. The word of God came to pass not because Ahab celebrated but because Elijah went to pray. This shows us that, after the word has been received, the first thing to do is to carry the matter back to God in prayer. Pray and demand that what had gone out of the mouth of God will come to pass. And then when that is done, you can go ahead and celebrate it. Yes, the celebration is also important, it is an action of faith that says “I believe that I will have what I am celebrating”. So, before you do what Ahab did, do what Elijah did first. And then we will see the manifestation of every promise.

Prayer_Bead: Everlasting Father, faithful God, thank you for always being true to your word. Help me to pray your promises into manifestation in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Wisdom_Quote.: Until it is settled on the mountain of prayer, it cannot be seen in the valley of manifestation.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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What is your revelation of Jesus?


[The Glory Unveiled]

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. [ Matthew 16:15-16 KJV]

We are at that point where another person’s revelation of God is not enough for our walk with God. Our spiritual experiences should not be shopped from the realities and testimonies of pastors and other men of God. Instead, it should be a report of our own experiences. Many people may have so much to say about who the Lord Jesus is. Many have their say on what it is to know the Lord. But after everything, it boils down to who he is to you as an individual. The Lord Jesus started his question from the general perspective; “who do men say I am?” And then after so many answers were given, he asked the disciples, “but who do you say I am?” You see, it is not about what others say because it is very easy to say what others are saying. Today, so many people are ‘microwaving’ the teachings and sermons of other ministers of the gospel as if it is their personal revelations of the word. It is because that approach is easy, plus it makes you appear before men as someone who had encountered the Lord intimately. But when it comes to the nitty gritty of that outward display, we will discover that it takes more than other people’s experiences to know the Lord. So, like Jesus asked his disciples many years ago, we are also asked, “who is Jesus to you?”

Prayer_Bead: Dear Holy Father, thank you for your love and commitment to always help me to be like Jesus. Take me on a transformational journey to discover Jesus for myself. So help me God.

Wisdom_Quote: Your confidence and faith are directly proportional to your personal understanding and revelation of Jesus.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Wisdom is today’s strategy


[The Glory Unveiled]

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. [ Colossians 4:5 KJV]

Sometimes, in order to do something faster, strength is not required. For instance, you don’t need the strength of the strongest heavy weight champion to travel to America from here or from America to China. This is because, in this situation, strength is not the factor for the successful execution of the task at hand. We can quickly assume that many people fail because of this reality. They try to equip themselves with the right amount of the wrong ingredients and resources they don’t need. Our anchor verse of scripture teaches us that, wisdom is the resource we need for such a time as this. Many people are applying different tricks and strategies, but like our opening scenario, they fail. The Lord Jesus had this to say about the people of the world—the same people our anchor verse is instructing us about —in Luke 16:8, that the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. The Lord Jesus Himself said this! And in the next verse (verse 9), He left us another wisdom nugget to thrive among the people of this world. The one from our anchor verse of scripture says we should walk in wisdom and redeem the time. You see, our opening statement is reinforced. Walking in wisdom will save us time and unnecessary headaches. Walking in wisdom means walking by the guidelines of God. For the fear [reverence] of God, is the beginning of wisdom.

Prayer_Bead: All knowing Father, Omniscient King, thank you for the spirit of wisdom at work in me. Help me to walk by your dictates and guidelines, everyday of my life.

Wisdom_Quote: Your strength cannot pay for what wisdom bought!

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Strategic tragedy


[The Glory Unveiled]

Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. [ Acts 11:20 NIV]

The true purpose of challenges is not known until long after the dust of its distractions are settled. Most times, it is many days or years later. The early church faced persecution from the Jews and other unbelievers. During this persecution, Stephen was stoned to death (Acts 11:19). This unfortunate situation sent most of the church leaders running helter-skelter. In this disorderly dispersion, they went about preaching the gospel wherever they went. Initially, the gospel was centralized; concentrated and confined to one place. But the unfortunate event of Stephen’s death, brought about the spreading of the gospel like wide fire. This event was primarily the reason why the gospel left the concentrated location of the Jews to the Greeks also. Many times, we are faced with challenges that seem to throw us off hook. It makes us feel we have lost it all and there is nothing more we can do. It is at this point that sometimes the devil whispers thoughts of suicide to people. But the truth is that, such tragedies and losses as they may seem are actually, painfully but ironically, pathways for God to do what we never imagine or hope could happen. The church would probably not expand at the time it did if that tragedy had not befallen it. My dear, whatever might have happened until now cannot excuse what God will do. Don’t despair, hope in God. God will bring beauty out of our ashes. Let’s trust His love and Omnipotent power.

Prayer_Bead: Father in heaven, thank you for your mercy and love even if I don’t understand it. Thank you for all that has happened, both the good and the bad. Let your name be glorified in my life.

Wisdom_Quote: Except a seed loses itself to the soil, a tree cannot be born.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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There’s a third option

GLORY NEWS BROADCAST
[The Glory Unveiled]

Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. [ Matthew 1:19 NIV]

Many times, when faced with challenges and situations of life, we usually, out of desperation look for shortcuts and exits rather than true solutions. We tend to avoid making careful decisions by thinking through our options to make good decisions. Just like every other person usually does, Joseph, Mary’s husband to be came to that point where he had to make a very important decision of his life. Unfortunately, out of desperation and the limitations of his options as he thought, he could only come up with two options. Now, he was engaged to be married to Mary but before they could finish the processes involved, he discovered that his wife to be was pregnant. And in their culture, the woman must not be with child before her proper marriage rituals. At this point, after Joseph discovered that Mary was pregnant, he thought he could either inform the authorities for Mary to be publicly disgraced and humiliated or he would divorce her secretly—his two options. But because he loved Mary, he wouldn’t side with his first option but rather fall on the second one. As he contemplated on what to do, the messenger of God came with a third option. And the third option was for him to go ahead and marry Mary. There’s always a third option in every seemingly two way situation. The third option is always with God. So, instead of whining and complaining, let’s consult God from the beginning for His options and opinion on every stressful matter.

Prayer_Bead: Omnipotent Father, Omniscient King, thank you for always making a way where there seem to be no way. Thank you for being my best option in the stress and troubles of life.

GNews: Unveiling the glory of God

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A tangible fellowship

GLORY NEWS BROADCAST
[The Glory Unveiled]

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; [ 1 John 1:1 KJV]

We have become used to hearing and telling stories so much that we assume that every experience in the word of God is a fable. Religion has created a big gulf between the supernatural and the natural, a gulf that suggests that humanity cannot connect with God. And this gulf remains in the understanding of many religious believers who think that what is written in the word is the experience of spirits and humanity has no share in it. But in reality, their experience are for our learning. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope”—Romans 15:4. But the disciples continued to enjoy the fellowship of God that they enjoyed physically with Jesus, even after Jesus went to heaven. It is that same fellowship the apostle John calls us to. He invites us to a tangible fellowship with Jesus. The word of life is a person we can relate with. Every verse of scripture is a communication that can lead us to the heart of the father. Whenever we read or meditate on the scriptures or pray, we must do it with the understanding that we are interacting with a living person. Let’s approach the word of God now with this understanding and we will always find ourselves in a living fellowship.

Prayer_Bead: Loving Father, Holy Spirit, thank you for what you have begun unveiling to me through the word of God. As I study and explore the word, help me to come into deeper intimacy with you.

GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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It’s always “Yes, Lord”


[The Glory Unveiled]

But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. [ Acts 10:14 KJV]

A few verses down from our anchor verse are these words, “Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate” (Acts 10:17). Peter’s doubt of the vision was because he thought it was a test. He had just fasted. The sheets came thrice, and for three times he had denied the Lord; three times Jesus asked if he loved him. All these in the background of his mind, might have made him say “not so Lord”. Even though he acknowledged Him as Lord, he wasn’t ready to disappoint the Him again. He wouldn’t want to fail if it was a test. His actions, were as a result of his past but Jesus had forgiven His past. In fact, Jesus left his past in the past. This time, the Lord had need of him for a different purpose and assignment but Peter’s past will imprison him and interfere with his carrying out that mandate. Many times, in trying to avoid our past from repeating itself, we give it opportunity to hold us back from entering into our future. Peter allowed the past to pierce into his future and that voice of his past became louder in his conscience than the voice of His Lord. He could barely tell if what He saw was actually from the Lord, or whether it was a test or an instruction. But if the Lord is our Lord indeed, we must always say “yes” to Him. Once we are sure it is the Lord, our response should always be “yes, Lord!”

Prayer_Bead: Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for the great privilege to submit to you. Help me to discern your voice and your works in my life. And teach me to always say yes to you.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Seeds are not for the stomach


[The Glory Unveiled]

As surely as the LORD your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.” [ 1 Kings 17:12 NIV]

The Zarephath widow, identified as “she” in our verse of scripture, would do as any person would do—eat her last meal. But you see, there’s something about our last substance. Usually, they are not for us. I mean, they’re not for our stomachs. The last is always a seed and seeds are for the soil. Whenever seeds are eaten, death follows. The widow knew that once she eats the seed, death will knock next on her door. Fortunately, the man of God, Elijah was near by and instructed her on what to do to extend the longevity of her bread and by extension, the continuance of her life. Many people like the widow, in hard times turn to eat [use up] their seed—last item, property or substance they have. But the kingdom principle to follow is to sow it. In the kingdom, little becomes much when little is sown. God, the father had only one son. But he wanted many sons, so he gave away His only son [sow]. And through his death [loss] He got many sons back. Except a seed of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it abides alone but if it dies, it produces many seeds ( John 12:24). When Elijah asked this widow to sow her last meal into his life, it may seem like a wicked thing to ask of a widow but principles have no sentiments. If this widow, had sown the seed into her stomach instead of sowing to God or someone who had the power to allow abundance into her life, she would have had nothing after that last meal. Don’t eat your seed. Sow it.

Prayer_Bead: Mighty God, the Ancient of Days, the great monarch of Zion, thank you for showing me what to do to attract increase of my little substance. Help me not to cling to my seed but to sow it.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.