Clear Glass Sphere

Made for His Glory Part 1

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When purpose is not known, abuse is inevitable.” — Dr. Myles Munroe. This is a deep statement that requires genuine reflection. God clearly declared:This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise. Isaiah 43:21 (KJV) God didn’t create us for ourselves to fulfill our whims and caprices. We were formed by God for God. Understanding this is what gives life a meaning. Until we live for His divine purpose we are just dying while we live. Living for earthly pleasures will just end us in a mess. But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. 1 Timothy 5:6 (KJV) The best way to live is purely for God’s glory. Like Prophet John we must focus all our energies in ensuring that God gets all the prominence. He must increase, but we must decrease. See John 3:30. God made me for His pleasure. You may not like my dentition or my looks but it matters little. God didn’t make me for you. He made me for Himself and He likes what He made. So stop looking at the mirror and whining about not liking what you see. You were NOT made for yourself. You were made by God for God. For by him were all things created , that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: Colossians 1:16 (KJV) Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created Revelation 4:11(KJV). We were created by God to pleasure Him. So can we stop seeking to pleasure ourselves at the expense of divine purpose? We were made for His Glory. Let’s do all in our ability to capture that impetus. Jesus is Lord!

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Grace that Works Part 2

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Time and time again I hear people sum up grace as unmerited favour. Somehow, I prefer to refer to grace as Divine Favour. This is because though grace is perceived as being gotten irrespective of our status and acts, this is half the truth. Starting from the first mention of grace in the Holy Scriptures, we can observe that something qualifies people for this Divine Grace. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. Genesis 6:8 The proceeding verses explain why Noah stood out of the crowd to enjoy God’s divine favour. These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God Genisis 6:9 KJV. Read that again. He was a just man and He walked with God. There are certain qualities that causes us to attract God’s grace. Noah was a just man. Grace is not just flying in the air aimlessly. God’s grace is poured on all who will meet certain conditions. Time and time again the Bible enjoins us to be lowly, humble and ‘play the least’. This is because it is what engenders God’s Divine Grace in our lives. For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. Psalms 84:11 (KJV) Though He scoffs at the scoffers and scorns the scorners, yet He gives His undeserved favor to the low [in rank], the humble, and the afflicted. Proverbs 3:34 AMP Now in the New Testament, we see over and over again that God reserves His grace to the humble. James 4:6 Amp. But He gives us more and more grace (power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully). That is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty, but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it). 1 Peter 5:5 (KJV) Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. As spelt out in the above verses, other attributes that qualify for Divine Favour (Grace) are humility, uprightness and integrity. Even the act of getting saved requires that we “do” somethings. Really? Yes! First, you must Believe in God, Accept your sinful state and Acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus and Rejoice in the Covenant Exchange of Jesus’ death as payment for your redemption and life. Salvation may indeed be free in Jesus but it wasn’t cheap. We must play our part in Believing and Repentance. Hebrews 12:28-29 (KJV) Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire. As we receive this grace, it is now our duty to let that grace work in us through service and worship. Shalom.

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Grace that Works Part 1

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“At the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.” So, you can’t work to earn grace. It is free and undeserved. Romans 11:5–6 ESV We have established from God’s word that Grace doesn’t excuse our sinful nature and actions. No! Rather grace empowers us to live the holy and sin-free life. It is essential to stress this because a couple of the teachings on grace and faith have been laced with error. Phrases like “God’s grace covers me” are common statements by people daily toying with sin and excusing wickedness. Grace is NOT a license for sin and lust! Our “works” outside of the redemptive work of Christ are filthy rags before God. Isaiah 64:6 (KJV) But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. It is by grace we are saved. It is an act of faith. However, after we come into the faith and are saved the onus is on us to work out that salvation in our lives. Hence why I title this piece, “Grace that Works”. Just like faith which is dead without works according to James 2:20 & 26, grace without appropriation in righteous deeds is simply aweful and has lost its value. Jesus released the woman caught in the act of adultery. He was the sinless one who had the right to stone her and he let her go but not without adding the counsel “Sin No More”. This is Grace that commands work. John 8:11 (KJV) She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. Here we see how grace demands works of righteousness. I do not assume to be an expert on righteousness. Far from it. I have my frailty. I am simply a person helped by God’s grace. Do you have the Holy Spirit? Then Be Ye Holy. Are you cleansed by the Blood of Jesus? Then Let your hands and heart be clean. Are you Christ’s bride awaiting His return? Then keep yourself spotless and pure. Grace appeared to teach us righteousness and holy living so we can do the good works that please God. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:11-14 (KJV) Grace will NOT continue to be effective if we fail to work it out in Holiness. WHAT SHALL we say [to all this]? Are we to remain in sin in order that God’s grace (favor and mercy) may multiply and overflow? Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer? Romans 6:1-2 (AMP) Let’s think on this! Selah.

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The Least in the Kingdom? Part 3

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The Least in the Kingdom? Part 3 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. Luke 7:28 The power of the low place can never be overlooked. Several years ago after sensing God’s call in my life for time ministry, in 1989 I wrote a letter to the beloved R.W. Schambach (a man I have grown to love so much and refer to as my faith mentor from afar) seeking for his counsel and prayers. He replied and amongst many things told me, “stay in the low place, you can never fall from the low place. As God lifts you up, treat your elevation as your new low place. Be the least and God will do great things in and through you”. What a godly word! Humility and a low place disposition will qualify us for God’s mighty acts and elevation. Look at the statement of these three men. Gideon, Saul and Paul. They acknowledged their low place and were in awe of God’s choice despite that. And God did amazing things through them. Gideon:But Gideon replied, “Sir, how can I save Israel? My family is the poorest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least thought of in the entire family!” Judges 6:15 (TLB) Saul:Pardon me, sir, Saul replied. “I’m from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest in Israel, and my family is the least important of all the families of the tribe! You must have the wrong man! ” 1 Samuel 9:21 (TLB) Apostle PaulFor I am the least worthy of all the apostles, and I shouldn’t even be called an apostle at all after the way I treated the church of God. 1 Corinthians 15:9 (TLB) When Saul fell, God asked him why he left the low place – when he didn’t think much of himself. 1 Samuel 15:17 And Samuel told him, “When you didn’t think much of yourself, God made you king of Israel…. Let’s be intentional about our Humility. It is when we are the least in our eyes that God lifts us up. Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, 1 Peter 5:6 Amp. Selah.

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The Least in the Kingdom? Part 2

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The Least in the Kingdom? Part 2 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. Luke 7:28 Being the least ranks high however, how we treat the least matters most to our Lord. The least are the down trodden, the weak, the poor and the less privileged in our world. Going to the rural areas of India with my covenant friend and brother Rev. Rajushalem Vaska was such an humbling experience some years ago. We experienced first hand the joy of ministering to the least. However, while seeking for partnership from fellow ministers someone said to me, “why go to India, they don’t have money to give you, you will just spend for nothing”. This is the reality of our error. Why do we do ministry? Is it so we could amass wealth? Is that why we focus our mission work only in cities and nations with affluence? Let’s reconsider. Jesus said that he will class people as sheep or goats to go into heaven or hell based on how they treated the least of His disciples by visiting, feeding, clothing and quenching their thirst. Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. Matthew 25:45 KJV If you didn’t do it for the least then you didn’t do it for Christ. We must redefine ministry in the light of pleasing the Lord and ministering to the least. Stop chasing after kings, rulers and wealthy men – that counts little in God’s eyes. Let us pursue the purest form of religion which entails giving attention to the least. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:27 KJV It is good to give seeds, gifts and offerings to great people to engender the grace they carry but it is of much more blessing to minister to those who can not repay you, to support rural missions and be part of wiping off the tears from the eyes of the least. Let’s minister to the unreached and unchurched. Consider giving to support our “Mission to India Phase 4” efforts to the unreached people groups in India and to strengthen ministers in the fields. If you are feeling led to, kindly ask me how to partner with us. Selah!

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The Least in the Kingdom? Part 1

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The Least in the Kingdom? Part 1 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. Luke 7:28 Jesus clearly states that the only one who surpasses John the Baptist is he that is the least in God’s kingdom. What an oxymoron? He that is least in God’s kingdom is greater than John whom we just concluded is the Greatest of All Time Prophet. How can the least be greater? Just as we have observed in previous teachings, God doesn’t look as men see or judge as men judge. In Christ’s estimation, the humbler, the greater. The least in God’s kingdom of grace (divine love reaching down to save men) is greater than the greatest in the world of the law (human endeavor to reach out to God). But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV) Both Pride and Humility are only found in the heart and thats where God sets His eyes on. He who must be the head must be he who serves. Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men order their slaves around, and the slaves have no choice but to like it! But among you, the one who serves you best will be your leader. Luke 22:25-26 (Living Bible) The least, the servant or the humble in Christ’s estimation is the greatest. That’s the leader. That’s the Boss. We must become servant leaders if we must gain Christ’s affirmation and promotion. Beloved, to be better or greater than John, we must humble ourselves and pursue the least position. This is what pleases God. Drop all your trophies at His feet, lay low all your titles and achievements and in your patience according to Luke 21:19, possess your soul. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4 (KJV) Whoever exalts himself [with haughtiness and empty pride] shall be humbled (brought low), and whoever humbles himself [whoever has a modest opinion of himself and behaves accordingly] shall be raised to honor. Matthew 23:12 (Amp) Please have a modest opinion of yourself so God can raise you to honor. Irrespective of how men perceive you, God’s estimation is what matters most. May God help us to humble ourselves.

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The Beauty of His Grace Part 2

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The Beauty of His Grace Part 2 What is Grace! The Britannica defines grace this way; Grace, in Christian theology is the spontaneous, unmerited gift of the divine favour in the salvation of sinners, and the divine influence operating in individuals for their regeneration and sanctification. I like that. In grace, God favours the unworthy. While in Mercy God denies us the punishment we deserve, Grace is God granting the blessings we don’t deserve. “At the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.” So, you can’t work to earn grace. It is free and undeserved. Romans 11:5–6 ESV Yes, grace may well be defined as unmerited favour but it is a lot much more. Grace is the power of God for living the Christian life. Grace doesn’t excuse our sinful nature and actions. No! Rather grace empowers us to live life at its fullest and righteousness at its peak. Paul rightly opined that He is able to be who he is and do what he does by grace 1 Cor. 15:10, he was strengthened through his weakness 1 Cor. 12:9 and he received power and influence for obedience 2 Cor. 9:8. Grace is so beautiful. It is by His grace that I am standing in the faith. Oh my – the discouraging things I have noticed even in people that ought to be examples. But irrespective of them, I am strong in the faith by grace. There is so much more grace is. And guess what, it is the free gift of God. All we need do is to receive it. Have you received this great gift?

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The Beauty of His Grace Part 1

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The Beauty of His Grace Part 1 John was unarguably the greatest of all prophets under the old Testament. He was perfected even under the Law. Jesus fulfilled the law. He is the bridge that ended the law and started the grace “movement”. The scriptures through Prophet John describe Him as the one that was full of grace and truth. John 1:14-17 (KJV) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Beyond all the beauties that John possessed Jesus added that the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than him. That’s what grace does. Grace took our frailty, failures, faults, falls and fears, swallowed them up in the cross and set us above this greatest prophet of all time. The Beauty of grace is that without dependence on the finished work of Christ our labours at righteousness and godliness are nothing but junk. You CAN NOT be holy without the enabling power of the grace of God accessible in Christ. Look at what the scriptures says of grace in Galatians 5:4 (KJV) Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; Ephesians 2:8 We are saved by grace and this sets us above John that’s why Jesus said, the least in the Kingdom surpasses John the Baptizer. For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. Luke 7:28 (KJV) Beloved, take a moment to thank God for His immeasurable grace that frees us from sin and it’s consequences. God bless you!

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Let Us Exalt His Name Together

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Let Us Exalt His Name Together Lifting up the name of Jesus must be intentional, collective and unbiased. The Psalmist aptly sang:O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. Psalms 34:3 (KJV) Magnifying and exalting the name of the Lord requires our collective efforts. We must excitedly join the saints whenever they are glorifying our Great God or His Christ. John didn’t mince words when he declared, ‘let Him increase and let me decrease’. In our actions, speeches, motives let’s put all effort out to lift Jesus up. If we don’t He could get even inanimate objects like stones to rise up to exalt him. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. Luke 19:39-40 (KJV) Just like John did publicly and unashamedly we must strive to lift Jesus up at every opportunity life presents to us. Shalom!

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Among Those Born of Women

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Among Those Born of Women What a phrase! This is so heavy. For who is it that wasn’t born of a woman. Obviously, I wouldn’t presume that this included The Master Himself. He was NOT born of a woman but of a virgin girl and the Heavenly Father, right? Since we are all born of women Jesus captured all human life in that phrase. All prophets were born of Women, so in essence Jesus left no major or minor prophets out. John the Baptizer was the G.O.A.T. – The Greatest Of All Time Prophet. For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: ……. Luke 7:28 (KJV) One of the most distinguishing feature in John was his character. John was a true servant of God who sought God’s glory and not his own. He spoke of Jesus with such humility and respect. John 1:27 KJVHe it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose. Wow! John was so humble he didn’t want any glory to himself. The scriptures said he confessed and denied not that He was not Christ, he was not that prophet, he was not Elijah. See John 1 verse 20 and following. All men have pride deeply rooted in them. All men desire the accolades, honour and attention but not John. He just wanted Jesus glorified. I have heard of preachers who angrily leave the pulpit or just wouldn’t preach because they were not properly applauded or called with their complete titles. I wonder where we learnt all that from. Some others will talk to the Holy Spirit as though He was their servant. “Spirit move now to the right”, they will proudly announce. Lord have mercy on us all. John indeed was the most humble of men who should have been the proudest. He promoted Christ and His ministry and even encouraged his followers to go after Jesus. Ministers, can we repent of all attempts to (knowingly or by mistake) act like the bride is ours? The Church (people we are privileged to lead) is not ours. The Bride belongs to the Bridegroom. We are just friends of the Groom. Kindly read what Prophet John said below meditatively and be blessed as we humble ourselves. John 3:28-29 (KJV) Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. The Message Version brings it home so well. Beloved, we as ministers are just His Bestman and we should be content with that privilege. This was what set John apart. You yourselves were there when I made it public that I was not the Messiah but simply the one sent ahead of him to get things ready. The one who gets the bride is, by definition, the bridegroom. And the bridegroom’s friend, his ‘best man’–that’s me–in place at his side where he can hear every word, is genuinely happy. How could he be jealous when he knows that the wedding is finished and the marriage is off to a good start? “That’s why my cup is running over. John 3:28-29 MSG

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