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Guarded hearts.

[The Glory

”Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.“ [ Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭23‬ ‭AMPC‬‬ ]

The outcome of our lives is the result of what we allow into our hearts. This is why we need to give our hearts the utmost priority in this life. The mind is a faculty of the soul. Whatever we become or are becoming in this life is equivalent to the wealth of our hearts. The heart is like an unrestrained river, flowing where it wills, directed only by the obstacles in its way. The heart has a way of wandering and going places, like a bird out of its nest. From this seemingly autonomous member of our body, the issues of life that influence us are brewed. The verse says we should keep and guard our hearts with all vigilance. To keep and guard something with vigilance means that it can be easily lost or corrupted. Our hearts sit at the center of our emotions, and our emotions can influence our lives and lifestyle. However, the things that affect the heart are not always apparent. They are subtle and unassuming, just as the serpent cunningly deceived Eve (2 Corinthians 11:3). The distractions of the heart are countless, hence the need to guard and keep it with vigilance by the word. One moment, Peter was used to communicate the mind of God; the next moment, he was used as the devil’s pawn, all within the space of six verses recorded in the same chapter (Matthew 16:17, 16:23). The heart can be influenced by anything and anyone if it is not guarded. And the outcome of our lives becomes the end product of that influence. Guard your heart with the word of God, against the pirates of life who use the heart as their warehouse. A heart submitted to Jesus is a heart guarded and kept with vigilance, so submit to Jesus if you have not yet done so.

Prayer_Bead: Father in heaven, your name is exalted on earth. Thank you for allowing your word to police my heart. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: A heart submitted to God is a heart guarded and kept with vigilance.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Lasting Freedom

[The Glory Unveiled]

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. [ John 8:36 NIV ]

The Lord Jesus came to set men free from the bondage of the kingdom of darkness. In Luke 4:18, Jesus said He had been anointed to proclaim freedom for the prisoners. In John 8:31 downwards, the Lord Jesus explains to some Jews who had believed Him, what they needed to do to be His disciples and free. This means believing in Jesus does not automatically result in becoming His disciple or freedom from sin. His audience had believed in Him but He still told them to do something to be free. Hence, it is possible to appear to be free but still remain in the bondage of what you thought you were free from. This is also the reason why many believers are still held under the evil thumb of sin, evil addictions and demonic manipulations. They are believers but not yet free. Jesus says that when they hold on to His teachings, then they will know the truth and the truth will set them free (John 8:31-32). Their freedom was embedded in their acquaintance with the truth; when they hold on to the truth. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were set free from slavery because they held on to the promise of God to Abraham—that he will set them free. Our freedom is tied to our obedience to God’s word. In verse 34, Jesus mentions that anyone who sins is a slave to sin. The dominion of sin over a person makes them do its bidding. This is why even the believer can be held in the bondage of sin. But continuing to obey the truth we are exposed to, brings a strong influence of the Spirit of God over every bondage and sets us free. Our safest way out of the struggles and challenges of oppressive behaviours and habits is to continue in the word of God. Continue therefore in the word of God.

Prayer_Bead: Heavenly Father, help me to continue to obey your word in all things. Deliver me from the things that compete for your place in my life. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: Holding on to the word of God is the sure way out of slavery.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Our perfect example

[The Glory Unveiled]

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. [ Hebrews 12:2 KJV ]

Many times, to succeed in various endeavors, we need to look to or imitate those who are successful in those areas. In our walk with God, there is no better example for us to look to than Jesus. His life demonstrated faith as He lived to show us what faith means. Through Him, we could understand what it means to have faith. This is why He is the author of faith. But He is not only the beginning or foundation of faith; He is also the embodiment of it. He is the fullness of it—the finisher. Another thing we learn from Jesus is that He endured the cross. The cross is a symbol of suffering and pain, but Jesus kept His eyes beyond the cross. He was looking at the joy that the cross would bring to the world, converting sinful men to righteous souls before God. This joy of turning hearts to God urged Him on to the death of the cross. To endure the cross, He made deliberate efforts; He despised the shame of the cross. He regarded it as negligible and saw it as worthless in comparison to what was at the end of that suffering. Our perfect example has shown us the way to the throne of God, revealing that the reward system of God is a journey through the highway of the cross. Anyone who would sit with God must first bear the sufferings of the cross, a suffering for the sake of Jesus. In the times we find ourselves, we need to look to Jesus now more than ever before. We need to see Jesus’ pattern to follow, so that we can find green pasture for our souls.

Prayer_Bead: Father, we thank you for giving us a complete example of faith. Help our faith to grow into the stature of Jesus’.

Wisdom_Quote: Jesus is the complete example and fullness of faith.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Preach the gospel.

[The Glory Unveiled]

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. [ Mark 16:15 KJV ]

The Lord Jesus, before He left His disciples, gave them one task: to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He did not say they should go only to the Jews or Gentiles. Instead, He asked them to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. There are certain important truths we must glean from this verse. First, the Lord Jesus sent them to all the world and to every creature. This means the evangelist or believer is not to preach only to those who are idle or not actively involved in anything. They are to preach to people of every race, religion, tribe, and tongue, including those in politics, media, education, and other fields. Additionally, they are to preach just one message: the gospel. No matter how convinced we are about any other opinions or beliefs, the believer has been entrusted with just one message. It is the message of God’s kingdom and eternal salvation. This is the gospel: the message of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and its benefits to those who believe. Pause and ask yourself if you have been honouring the Lord Jesus’ request or if you have been preaching your own message. The only message that is guaranteed to bring results is the gospel. And even though the world is at a place where many are craving a different message, the only message that brings us into the fellowship of life is the gospel. Therefore, let us stop sharing anything other than the gospel and go and preach Jesus.

Prayer_Bead: Father, thank you for the message that brings salvation. I receive boldness and proclaim it to my world. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: The gospel is the vehicle that brings salvation to all souls.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Hidden in love

[The Glory Unveiled]

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” [ Luke 10:27 NIV ]

The question that birthed this response in our anchor scripture is about eternal life. An expert in the law asked what he must do to inherit the kingdom of God. Jesus guided him to the answer, and when he stated the words in our anchor text, Jesus didn’t dismiss his response. Instead, Jesus replied, “You have answered correctly. Do this and you will live.” This brings us to critically observe and understand what it takes to inherit the life of God. Jesus knew He was the way, the truth, and the life, and no one can go to the Father except through Him. However, when the question was asked, He didn’t say, “Just confess that I am Lord and you will inherit eternal life.” This means that confessing Jesus as Lord and Saviour is the outward expression of an inward commitment demonstrated as love. Inheritance is given where there is commitment. The man who gave his servants talents committed more to the one who used it to generate more (Matthew 25:14-29). His effort to see that the talents multiplied shows the posture of his heart and why more can be committed to him. The divine life is committed to us when we demonstrate good stewardship of the transient life, and love is the best way to demonstrate our stewardship of the life we have in the flesh. The life of God we lost in disobedience and so desperately need back is hidden in love. Love is the place where all good and perfect gifts are kept. Eternal life is not far from us; it is in the command to love God with all our hearts and souls, with our minds and strength, and to love our neighbours as ourselves. So, let love lead your life.

Prayer_Bead: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me access to your life through love. Help me to love you and my neighbours. In Jesus’ name.

Wisdom_Quote: Eternal life is hidden in love.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Don’t withdraw, go deeper

[The Glory Unveiled]

Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. [ Luke 5:4 KJV ]

Peter had always been fishing at a particular spot in the lake and had always caught fish. He was so familiar with that part of the lake that he was sure he would always find fish at that spot. But then, the Lord Jesus’ instructions suggested that He knew where the fish were at all times, not because He had prior experience with their whereabouts. Many of us have built altars around certain experiences and encounters and have religiously stayed with them, not wanting to let go so that God could bring us into newer experiences. Peter, at the mountain of transfiguration, after he had seen Moses and Elijah, suggested they should build tents in their honor. He didn’t want a progressive experience; he wanted to freeze the moment and keep returning to it, just as he had been doing with his fishing. God’s intention is for us to grow into the stature of the image of Jesus (Ephesians 4:13). This becoming is the result of not camping on one mountain of experience but using previous encounters and experiences as the stage for newer ones. Peter and the other disciples had wanted to withdraw after toiling all night, but Jesus came with a new revelation: to go deeper into the depths of the lake. He was used to shallow waters, but the thing about shallow waters is that they soon run dry of fish. As believers, we must move from the elementary principles and teachings toward the deeper waters. Let’s not give up, regardless of the pressure mounted on us by the world. Let us launch deep into the heart of our walk with God. There we will be set up for a great draught. Make intentional efforts to know Christ better than you presently know Him.

Prayer_Bead: Heavenly Father, thank you for your interest in the affairs of my life. Help me to launch into deep waters with you. In Jesus name.

Wisdom_Quote: Your fishes have moved to the deeper depths of the lake launch deeper.

# GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Gouge it out

[The Glory Unveiled]

And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell. [ Matthew 18:9 NIV ]

The Lord Jesus advises His listeners to value the safety of their souls even more than the members of their bodies. His advice, though not meant to be taken literally, should not be ignored. Unfortunately, this is the kind of message that is less preached; the message about what we ought to do. Instead of teaching us to put away anything that leads us into disobedience, no matter what they may be, we are given shades to hide them. We have devised means to manage the things that make us fall easily into sin, instead of getting rid of them. The world and its systems have made it comfortable to live with our members that make us stumble. Whatever causes us to stumble is dangerous to our inheritance of the things that are promised to us. We must lose the things that hinder our eternal blessings and reward. Of course, it would be painful to gouge out one’s eyes, but compared to the pain of losing eternal life, losing one’s eyes, leg, or any member of the body is far less painful. The pain Jesus spoke about is figuratively describing the pain of parting with the things we love. Our willingness to part with the things that stagnate our progress is the key to guaranteed success. Eternal life is more valuable than having all the members of our body intact and yet losing the life of God. Many have kept their eyes and hands but lost the life of God in them. For some of us, our eyes or hands are symbolic of the appetites, habits, or desires that lead us away from the path of truth. Samson died because he didn’t cut off his vulnerability towards Delilah. Don’t pamper the things that weaken your resolve for the things of God. Expose them and let them lose their grip over your soul.

Prayer_Bead: Lord Jesus, have mercy upon us. Give us the power to put away the things that make us stumble in our walk with you. In Jesus name. Amen.

Wisdom_Quote: If your legs are leading you to hell, cut them off.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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A worthy example

[The Glory Unveiled]

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. [ John 15:12 KJV ]

The Lord Jesus always taught His disciples, and by extension us, by example. He would only command us to do what He had first demonstrated. By showing us what He asks us to do, we are empowered to follow His commands. He does not require anything of us that He is not willing to do or give Himself. Before God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, God had sacrificed His only begotten Son [Jesus was slain before the foundation of the earth]. God gave to humanity before He required humanity to give. A parable is told of a king who forgave one of his servants who owed him a huge debt. That servant then went and imprisoned another servant who owed him a small debt. When the king heard about his cruel dealings with his fellow servant, he called him, rebuked him, and handed him over to the jailers to be tortured as well (Matthew 18:23-35). This parable illustrates how God wants us to relate to our neighbours. Just as He treats us, God expects us to treat our neighbours, just like the king did with the servant who owed him. If we are forgiven, it is so that we can extend the same kindness to others. If we are loved, it is so that we can love others. Before the Lord Jesus ascended into glory, He gave His disciples a commandment to love one another as He had loved them. This is why it is a commandment; He knows we are able to carry it out, which is why He commanded it. Hence, we cannot afford to disobey, as disobedience would not be due to inability but to wickedness or rebellion.

Prayer_Bead: Lord Jesus, thank you for giving me the ability to love my neighbours as you love me. Help me to practice this culture of love, thereby honouring your commandment.

Wisdom_Quote: Imitators of Jesus are co-heirs of Jesus.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Our entry point

[The Glory Unveiled]

Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. [ 2 Peter 1:4 NIV ]

Our participation in the divine nature hinges on promises. These promises are given through our knowledge of the Son of God—they are in Christ, revealed to us through our intimacy with Him. Hence, our knowledge of the Lord is the bait with which we draw the divine nature. All the blessings and opportunities in God are locked up in our knowledge of Jesus, tied to His promises. The divine nature is so close but only accessible to those who have the promises. Abraham lived such a supernatural life; the divine nature was at work in him because his life was a portrait of the promises of God. His life detailed the purposes of God through the promises made to him and the role he played in it. He was a man who lived by covenants and promises. His entire life revolved around the promises of God. So much so that, at every point, God had a word for him, unlike Lot. The difference between Abraham and Lot was clear. Abraham, as a result of the knowledge he had of God, escaped the corruption of his time caused by evil desires. But Lot, on the other hand, made a choice based on his desires. In the end, he found himself in the heart of ungodliness, tormenting the divine nature in him. The divine nature is a life we can participate in or a life we could wish for. It boils down to accessing knowledge. And whenever that knowledge is gained, the promises made to us translate into the life that God has for us. God is not partial; He is faithful to His every word. And anyone who applies them receives their due reward.

Prayer_Bead: Father, thank you for the promises you have given me through Christ Jesus. I participate actively in them by my knowledge of Him. Amen.

Wisdom_Quote: The divine nature is hidden in Christ.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

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Above all

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. [ 1 Peter 4:8 NIV ]

The phrase “love covers a multitude of sins,” as used by the apostle Peter, describes turning a sinner from their error unto God in the book of James. Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins (Jude 5:20). The sacrifice and demonstration of love for the sinner is the covering you make for their sins—it is the demonstration of our love for them that covers their sins, just as the demonstration of Jesus’ love for humanity covered our multitude of sins. His love became a canopy that shielded us from the painful scorching of sin’s wages—death. When we love those who seem not to deserve love, we cover their sins through our love for them, and God is gracious toward them. In another sense, when we turn a sinner from their evil ways, we have covered (ended) numerous other sins they would have committed if they were not helped. And so, whichever way we look at it, demonstrated love indeed covers a multitude of sins. As you go out today, let someone feel you care about them. Our anchor verse is connected to the earlier verse (7), which speaks about the preparations we need to make for praying as the world draws to an end. But above those preparations, we need to love each other. So, let us drop the theatrics and show genuine love.

Prayer_Bead: Merciful Father, thank you for the love you showed me through your Son. Help me to show the same love to my world through Him. Amen.

Wisdom_Quote: Love covers multitude of sins.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.