Tag: #ChooseChrist

[The Glory Unveiled]

“At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail. ( Job 14:7 )

Forget the former things. Let go of the losses, the pain, the hurts and disappointments. Let them go. Forgive those who cut in on you, dumpened your ambitions. Those who abused you and accused you. Those who cheated you and broke your trust. Forgive then for their ignorance and wickedness. Because until you let go of the past ills, the healing of the future will be hindered. If there is hope for a tree that is cut, then there is more hope for us, no matter what we’ve been through or are going through. Sometimes, the gap between a new beginning and the old is the ability of the mind to let go of the past pains and losses. Do you feel like a tree that is cut down? Are you broken and crushed within? There is hope for you because Christ will not leave you nor forsake you in the middle of a battle or at the centre of the road. He cares too much to abandon you. But will you abandon yourself in self pity and mediocrity? Will you let the cuts from the past cut off your future? Your new shoots are ready to sprout if you let go of the old tree that is now wood. Look to Jesus, forgive the past, embrace the hope of a better future.

Prayer_Bead: My Lord and redeemer, my future and my hope, I surrender my past to you. Heal and restore my present. Thank you for my undistorted future.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled ]

The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: ( Luke 4 :17 )

The purpose of a thing is the reason for its creation. Everything was created with and for a purpose. Our assignment is to uncover that reason which necessitated our creation; that one thing which was set in us for the exhibition of God’s glory. Nobody creates their purpose, they only discover it. The Lord Jesus at the foot of His destiny had to discover His purpose. The scripture says he “found” it, to mean he discovered it. Jesus did not write that portion of the scroll to mean in any way that he ‘created’ what he found. Purpose is not a gamble to be stumbled upon. Its intentionally discovered when we commit to finding it. But until one discovers their purpose—reason for existence—they will just roll on hopelessly in the earth until their scene rolls out. Many who have gone down the path of destiny look back to discover that without purpose, nothing is worth doing or living for. This is the force that demands that we discover what we had been predestined to do. We must unroll our talents and passions to discover that thing or place where we are purposed to glorify God.

Prayer_Bead: Father in Heaven, thank you for my purpose and calling. Help me to discover it as you lead me through the scriptures.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

Then they asked him [the man who had been miraculously healed by Jesus], “What did he [Jesus] do to you? How did He open your eyes?” [ John 9:26 ]

Often we miss the move of God in pursuit of the nitty-gritties that belong to God. The scripture above is an excerpt from a long interaction between the Pharisees and a young man who was born blind but was miraculously healed by Jesus. The Pharisees wanted to know the how of the miracle instead of believing in the who [performer] of it. At times, we try to do the maths, to see how feasible it will be to be blessed of God or healed from an illness. We try to imploy our carnal thinking and philosophies to justify what we want. The reality is that, the secret things belong to God, only the revealed is for us (Deuteronomy 29:29). So that God asked Job whether he knew who marked the earth’s dimensions? (Job 38:5). There are certain realities we cannot comprehend while in this covering of flesh and we must come to terms with such truth. Going the way of the Pharisees in today’s verse of scripture is not wise and humbling. It is a manifestation of pride in the covering of mental acuteness. The “how” belongs to God, we only need to do the “what” while believing in the “who”. This is the reality of faith.

Prayer_Bead: Creator and Sustainer of the world and everything within, increase my faith in you. Teach me to obediently trust you and your processes.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. (1John 3:3 )

There is an awakening of a spiritual hope in us when we learn in an inward way that we shall be like Christ when He appears. There is a hope that impresses upon us a need to purify ourselves with the word of God. Because as He is, so are we [to be] in this world. He is the word of God personified so we must be the word of God personified. If there is anyone in our vicinity who cannot read the word of God for themselves, they should be able to see our lifestyle and see the life of Christ. They should hear us speak and hear the clear voice of Christ. We must purify ourselves with the word of God such that, we cannot be differentiated from the person of Christ. What will draw us to Christ at His appearing is our resemblance of Him–it is our bridal garment of His nature. As long as we remain in the earth, by all means, as long as it depends on us, we must purify ourselves with the pure word of God even as Christ washes the Church by the word. Let the world see a refined you that is in the same nature as Christ. Keep the hope of being like Christ in you.

Prayer_Bead: Lord Jesus, purify me with your word and keep my hope of being one with you alive. Teach me in an inward way to resemble you.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

Always carrying about in the body the liability and exposure to the same putting to death that the Lord Jesus suffered, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown forth by and in our bodies. ( 2 Corinthians 4:10 )

The death of Christ on the cross was an open shame, Galatians 3:13 calls it a curse. It was brutally shameful and painful for our Lord and God to take that position. But unless there was a death, there wasn’t going to be a multiplication of spiritual sons and daughters. When we turn to ourselves in that light, unless we die with Christ and carry about in our bodies, on a daily basis His death, we cannot reflect His life too. Our new life came from His death even as a new corn emerges from the death of another. The glorified life of Jesus is only permitted to be revealed through a vessel that has had dealings with Christ; such dealings in the manner of death. Because without coming to terms with the liability of the flesh and the exposure of the sufferings of Christ in an experiential way, we cannot rise with the illuminating life of Salvation and redemption. We did not only become one with Christ in resurrection but first in His death; a death to sin and ourselves. This daily conscious death to our natural man makes room for the life of the Spirit man to be expressed.

Prayer_Bead: My Father and Lord, let the world see your glory in and through me as I subscribe to daily carrying the dying Jesus in my body.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

Because of faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encompassed for seven days [by the Israelites] [ Hebrews 11:30 ]

Contrary to popular opinions, the wall of Jericho did not fall down to the ground because of the “religious” ritual of going round it for seven days. God was able to pull down the wall even if the wall was not encompassed for seven days. The force that pushed down that great wall was incubated in the loins of faith. The faith of the Israelites were born out of obedience–adherence–to the revealed word of God. The verse of scripture is introduced as “Because of faith….” to mean that the result that was actualized did not come but by and through faith. Faith is the substance of the things we hope to achieve and the evidence we have of what is yet to be. But the Israelites, due to the weakness of their faith were instructed to connect their faith to (put their faith in the acts) what they did. But in the new covenant, we discover that, the real substance was and is in Christ. Everything we desire to have and would have is closed up in Christ. And we reach it by the hand of faith which is given through the knowledge of Christ. Pull down your own version of any Jericho wall with the potent force of faith.

Prayer_Bead: Father Lord, activate my faith receptacles. Help me by the Holy Spirit to trust you beyond the acts and the arts.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God

[The Glory Unveiled]

Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. ( Matthew 22:29)

Accurate knowledge of the scriptures cannot be overemphasised nor undermined because ignorance of the scriptures is dire. In the famous scripture above, we see Jesus tell the Sadducees that they were in error because they did not know the scriptures. Ignorance of the word of God is the underlying reason for failure in a believer’s faith walk. And this goes on to affect other aspects of the believer’s life. The gospel is the power of God (Romans 1 :16). And so ignorance of the gospel means ignorance of the power of God. The absence of God’s power is a carte blanche for error and captivity. Where there is ignorance, darkness is permitted to express itself because ignorance is the breeding place of destruction, corruption and chaos. When Jesus met the Sadducees in the scripture above, their ignorance of the scripture showed Jesus that they were in error and anything else could go wrong with them. Anytime the foundation of God’s word is not properly laid, there is room for error. And errors make room for ineffectiveness and demonic invasion. Study the word of God with the revelation of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer_Bead: Spirit of Truth and revelation, guide me into the truth that liberates. Open my eyes to the mysteries of Christ.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant–not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. ( 2 Corinthians 3:6 )

We are fit, able, competent and sufficient to administer our priesthood duties–ministration of the gospel–like the priests of the olden temples because of the new covenant. Without sufficient knowledge and inner brokenness, the ministers of the old covenant could not perform their duties. They were not competent because in their administration, the instructions given to them could cause their death if not carried out as stated. But the new covenant brought into effect by the blood of Jesus, makes us confident and fit to share the gospel of salvation without any ambiguity or condemnation. In reading and studying the word of God, we need a discerning spirit in order to catch the spirit of the message. So that we will not be mislead or afflicted by ignorance. The Holy Spirit of God gives life to every word of God. So that without the Spirit of God, every word is just like a loaded gun without the trigger. The same word that did not benefit the people of old because it was not mixed with faith is what brings us life by faith in Christ. Share the gospel of Christ with confidence because you are made a competent minister by Christ.

Prayer_Bead: Father in Heaven, thank you for making me an Ambassador of your kingdom.

#GNews : Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

Then God said [to Abraham], “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” ( Genesis 22 :2 )

Isaac was an extention of Abraham. So for God to request of Abraham to sacrifice Isaac to Him meant Abraham was actually going to sacrifice Himself [alive] to God; he was supposed to be made a type of living sacrifice. The apostle Paul admonishes us to present ourselves as living sacrifices unto the Lord (Romans 12:1). There is the need for sacrificial giving before there is a multiple manifestation of God’s promises. We are tested before we are given testimonies. Even though this moment was probably the hardest for Abraham, it was also a necessary stage for him if he must go beyond being a man who was promised to be father of many nations to actually becoming the father of many nations. It doesn’t really matter what the promises and the prophecies concerning our lives may be. There is a role we need to play in the realization of our true calling and purpose. And if we will go beyond the promise into the manifestations, then we must go beyond making declarations to living the realities of what it means to make sacrifices.

Prayer_Bead: Father in Heaven, help me to freely give to you any and everything you have bestowed to me as a custodian. Make the realities of your promises experiential in my life.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.

[The Glory Unveiled]

After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them [Jesus’ disciples], for your accent gives you away.” ( Matthew 26:73 )

[This is a record of when Peter denied Jesus three times]. The statement made by the bystanders in this verse of scripture is very profound. The people in that community could actually tell that Peter had a distinctive manner of expression which was identical to that of Christ. For a person to have their accent changed as a result of associating with someone else meant that such a person is a great influence on them. Our Christian life is actually supposed to be a replica of what played out in this verse. Our accents must introduce us as belonging to Christ wherever we find ourselves. We wouldn’t have to preach any sermons to be identified as Christians if our lives truly mirror the life of Christ. People must see us and know our anchor without having to pull out our church membership card. Until our manner of verbal and attitudinal expressions reflect Christ, we have not truly begun to learn Christ. His admission criteria is for us to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him in submission (Luke9:23). And whenever we obey this instruction, we discover that the nature of Christ is mirrored through us to the world. Let your words be seasoned with salt—Let your words heal, let it empower and encourage. Be a balm to someone.

Prayer_Bead: Dear Lord Jesus, help me to deny myself and take up my cross daily in submission to your Lordship and power. Let my accent and manner of life expose you to the world.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.