Grace and Glory ministries

September 4, 2024

Telling Jesus to go away?

Mark 5:15-17 "When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region."_ - NIV

Jesus went with His disciples across the lake to the area of Gerasenes. He delivered a demon possessed man living a horrible life in the tombs. When the demons left him and entered the pigs, the man was delivered and became whole again. The people from the town came to witness what had happened, and seeing the mad man now normal, and hearing about the drowning pigs, they instead were afraid of Jesus and pleaded with Him to go away!

A saviour, healer, hope giver, deliverer had come to them. It would be a celebration and an opportunity to bring all their problems to Him. But they told Him to go away from them. Why? They probably feared what more of their concealed things Jesus might reveal if they let Him in. They didn’t think about how many more could be healed, delivered and the blessings He would leave behind in their land. It was now about what they wanted to protect from him, than what good he could bring to them! He doesn’t intrude if you reject Him.

Such is what many do in their lives to Jesus. Fully aware of what He could do when He comes into one’s life, they instead refuse to let Him in for fear of challenging their evil ways. They prefer darkness to light. The Samaritans pleaded with Jesus to stay more days with them(John 4). The Garesenes pleaded with Him to go away. Whatever we tell Him, to stay or go away, He does that. When He knocks at the door of your heart, what will you do? Allow Him in or send Him away? I pray you let Him in._

Revelation 3:20  "Listen! I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them, and they will eat with me."_

Shalom children of God.

September 4, 2024

Significance of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus (v)**Born into a living hope!

1 Peter 1:3-5 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade..."_ NIV

The death and resurrection of Jesus is the sole reason for authenticity of the Christian faith. No other political or religious human leader in history made and fulfilled their claims like Jesus did. This sets Him apart as truly God, the Saviour and Lord. It gives us a strong basis for the gospel we have believed and preach. It is not a hoax. Even Satan can’t deny it, but only thrives by deception. Peter says Jesus resurrection gives us a LIVING hope.

Every human being has hope in something or someone. But some hopes fail. Hope in the resurrected Jesus is sure hope. It means whatever else He promised He can do. We are heirs of God, joint heirs with Christ with a promise of an inheritance kept in heaven for us who believe. We can be sure of this hope. It will never fade, spoil or perish. It is a blessed assurance we can rely on, a hope that will not disappoint.

Paul said if there is no resurrection, then our hope of eternal life is shattered. Even the gospel we preach and our faith is useless. We would rather eat and drink because it all ends here in this broken evil world when we die. So the resurrection is the heart of our faith. Praise be to God indeed that we have been born into a living hope. Rejoice exceedingly that you have in you Jesus Who died and rose again, conquered death and gave us life eternal. We too shall rise up with Him. Hallelujah!_

1 Corinthians 15:14-15, 19 "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised... If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied."_

Shalom children of God.

September 4, 2024

Significance of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus (iv)**Risen and Forever Victorious!

Revelation 1:18 "I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades."_ - NIV

Death is the number one cause of fear to humanity regardless of status. Men have done all they can through technological and medical advancement to reduce, slow or avoid it, but they have failed. Jesus here makes a statement that sets Him apart as Lord from any religious, political, social or revolutionary leader in the history of the world. He was dead, but now alive forever and ever, never to die again. He conquered and has power over death. This is what gives credibility to His claims as the Savior, Lord of lords and King of kings like no other.

Everyone wants to follow a leader they believe is authentic, powerful enough to withstand the forces that resist them and to deliver them to where they desire. That gives followers security. Powerful men, promising all sorts of things to their followers, have come and gone. Some of their followers have been left stranded. When Jesus mentioned these to His disciples, He meant to give them assurance that what and Whom they had believed is not shaky. It was real and would stand the test of all time to eternity. It will never be challenged by any other.

Friends, Jesus is alive. He is forever victorious over the devil and his demons and schemes, over death and the fears of the after life. His victory is victory for those who put their trust in Him. He is not only with us in the journey of life, but lives in us as well. Victory is certain and is ours in His name. Our Lord triumphantly rose and is gloriously alive. Walk with your head high. Hallelujah!_

Romans 8:37 "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."_

Shalom children of God.

Happy Easter

September 4, 2024

Significance of the death and resurrection of Jesus (R) (iii)**Eternal life available to ALL

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."_ - NIV

When man fell from God’s Glory, he lost eternal life. Sin entered the human race, and with it death. Death was not in God’s original plan. As part of restoring God’s original intention for man, Jesus took the place of man the sinner, died so that man should not die again. This eternally significant transaction was completed on the cross and sealed when Jesus rose again, having defeated and disarmed the devil forever. He took the keys of death and hades (Rev 1:18).

Death is separation. It comes in three forms: spiritual death (for those who have not recieved Jesus and be born again), physical death (when our souls and spirits leave the body) and eternal/second death (forever separated from God in hell). Those who recieve Jesus are saved from spiritual death and the second death. Those who reject Him suffer all the three, now and later into eternity. You can have life by choosing Jesus as Savior and Lord.

Eternal life is the God kind of life. It’s life as God originally intended for man before the fall. It’s the fullness of life(covering every aspect of life) that Jesus said He came to give us (John 10:10). And whosoever believes in Him has crossed from death to life(John 5:24). Eternal life begins at that moment and goes on into eternity in heaven. This life is now available for ALL whosoever believe in Him. I earnestly invite anyone who has not recieved Jesus into their lives to do so now!_

Romans 6:22-23 "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."_

Shalom children of God.

September 4, 2024

Significance of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus (R) (ii)**Reconciled with access to God

Luke 23:44-45 "It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two."_ - NIV

When Jesus died, these remarkable occurances happened; the sun stopped shining for 3hours and the curtain separating the holy place and holy of holies in the temple tore into two. The holy of holies housed the ark of the covenant (representing God’s presence) and only the high priest was allowed to visit there once every year. This meant access to God was limited under the old covenant. When Jesus died, that access was opened to all. The seperating curtain was torn. Now anyone can access God by the blood and the name of Jesus. We are His and accepted. Hallelujah!

Jesus’ blood reconciled man with God. Sin was the barrier, and created enemity between man and God, but Jesus’ blood and death took care of the sins of man. Now, even the vilest offender who truly believes, is cleansed and justified before a holy God. Reconciliation means renewed fellowship, no condemnation, and being at peace with God as He originally intended at creation. We can now boldly come before God by our faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross, not fearing that He will reject or condemn us.

Dear friends, in Christ we are at peace with God. We have freedom of expression and can experience His love to the fullest. We are His beloved children and He delights in our communion with Him. Do not allow the deception of the devil make you think like an alien to God your Father. Praise be to God. _

Romans 5:1-2 "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God."

Shalom children of God. Happy Easter

September 4, 2024

Significance of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus (R) (i)**The Forgiveness of Our Sins

Matthew 26:28 "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."_ - NIV

These were the words of Jesus to His disciples as they ate the last supper together before His arrest, torture and death. Symbolically, He gave them to drink from one cup, to represent the blood He was going to shed. The purpose of the blood was forgiveness of sin. Prior to that, the old covenant required that for people’s sins to be forgiven, the blood of animals was used for atonement. But Jesus was now shedding His own blood for the once and for all forgiveness of all people’s sins in covenant for all generations to come.

Blood is life. For it to be poured out, a part or whole life of an animal or human being is lost. When Jesus shed His blood for our sins, He literally laid down His life for us. No such price, of the magnitude of the life of the Son of God, would be paid if God didn’t place so much value in us! He loved and valued us too much to leave us lost in our sins. He gave His best, to redeem His best. We are His best.

The price for forgiveness of sin was fully paid. But God doesn’t impose it on us. He expects us to acknowledge this great gesture of His limitless love and respond by recieving His forgiveness through repentance of sin. He calls us to Himself. How can we fail to respond to such immeasurable love?! To you precious one who has not recieved Jesus, He calls today. Do not harden your heart to His tender mercies. You can recieve Him now wherever you are by faith. His blood washes away sin so that we are justified before God. Blessed be His great name! _

1 Peter:3.18 "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God..._"

Shalom children of God. Happy Easter

September 4, 2024

Take risks, step out by faith!

1 Samuel 14:6 "Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”_ - NIV

Israel was in an awkward situation. The philistines in their thousands had come to attack. King Saul wasn’t prepared. They had no weapons except Saul and Jonathan. His army greatly panicked and went into hiding. It was a sure defeat in waiting for them. But Jonathan and his armor bearer decided to take a huge risk by showing themselves up to their enemies and trusting God to save Israel through them. Just the two of them with God against multitudes! And great victory came.

Sometimes we have to step out in faith and venture into what we believe is in God’s will against the odds. If Jonathan had not trusted God and taken that step without the knowledge of his father Saul, the whole nation would have suffered defeat. If we are to wait for all factors to be favorable before we launch out, we might wait indefinitely. Afew with God is unmatched. As Jonathan noted, God can safe with a few or with many. Nothing can hinder Him.

But for this to happen, one has to take a step and act. Peter could not have walked on water until he stepped out. The Red sea and Jordan river parted when Israel stepped on them. The lepers couldnt have seen a miraculous provision if they didnt risk their lives. We may never know what God can accomplish in and through us until we overcome fear, take the steps and then see God act. So many are frozen and paralyzed with fear. Dreams and projects have died as a result. If you know what needs to be done is in God’s will and time, take a step. You lose nothing by trying it out._

Luke 1:37 "For with God nothing shall be impossible."_

Shalom children of God

September 4, 2024

Righteous anger

Mark 3:5 "He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored."_ -NIV

Anger is an emotion that every human has. It is provoked by things we are not happy with. God gets angry too. We read of this throughout the Bible. It was, and is always directed against evil in its different forms. Jesus exhibited anger a number of times against those who deliberately twisted and sought to overturn the truth to promote evil. Mark reports how distressed He was at the stubborn hearts of the religious people to belief, insisting that He should not heal on the sabbath.

What angers us is important to identify. Some anger is in defense of ones ego and pride, towards acts of injustice, or out of personal frustration of sorts. As God’s people, we identify with His emotions. What pleases or angers Him should likewise please or anger us. The more we choose to live for Him, the more our hearts are aligned to His. We hate evil and rejoice in righteousness, truth and justice.

Anger, if not controlled and properly channelled, can be destructive. The devil takes advantage of it to cause us to sin. This is why the Bible says we should be angry but not sin. There is need for self control. But if channelled to righteous causes, anger can be a driving force to make things right, fight injustice and promote good. Many transformational changes in society have been ignited by anger at the bad state of affairs which drove the agents of change to take action. _

Ephesians 4:26-27 “In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold."_

Shalom children of God.

September 4, 2024

Now I understand!

Genesis 45:5,7 "And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you... But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance."_ - NIV

His brothers were jealousy of the love their father had for Joseph. They stripped him of his beautiful coat, attempted to kill him, threw him in a dry pit, sold him to Egypt, he is resold in Egypt to Portphar. Falsely accused, he is dumped in prison. By divine providence, he interprets Pharaoh’s troubling dream and he is made prime minister in Egypt. He is cut off from the love of his father.

Twenty two years later, his brothers come to buy food from him. They bow down in fulfillment of Joseph’s dream that had brought him trouble with them. Joseph has now understood the purpose of the bitter troubles his brothers subjected him to. He understands it was a divine arrangement to safe them. He asks them not to be distressed with themselves or to fear he would revenge on them. Instead, he was sent by God ahead of them, to safe them.

This was written for our learning too. Many bitter troubles and challenges come our way orchestrated by the devil through others. But never do they fail God’s predetermined purposes for us. Instead, it only helps to serve and fulfil them. Our greatest benefit from these circumstances of life is when we come to understand the bigger picture, the greater purpose, the divine hand in all these sometimes very perplexing situations of life.

Whether started by God or the devil, or selfish people, or our own mistakes, all things work together for good to those called according to God’s purpose. Hang in there. It will become clearer with time. God means well. Soon the treasure will emerge out of the rubble of pain and tears. Then you will say, ‘Now I understand!’_

Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."_Shalom children of God.

September 4, 2024

Put your house in order!

Isaiah 38:1 "In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.”_

King Hezekiah was sick. God sent prophet Isaiah to alert him to put his house in order because he was going to die. Hezekiah prayed and God added him 15 years. Eventually he still died. Many like the part of additional years in this scripture, but we would do well to consider the alert to prepare for physical death. Death came to man as a result of the fall. Except for those who will be taken alive when Jesus returns, all the rest of us will face physical death.

The reality is that we are temporary in this world. Whether one lives to be hundred or less, we shall all go. And none of us knows exactly when and how this will happen. Hezekiah was one of the few whom God alerted in advance to put his house in order before he died. The biggest question then becomes how prepared we are to face our Creator! The best preparation is to give our lives to Christ and purposefully live for Him.

Unfortunately, some behave as if all we live for is the here and now. Our lives are in the hands of God Who created us and set the days we are to live in this world. All our lives on earth is an opportunity to prepare for eternity and to meet our God. At the consummation of all things, when our life in this world comes to an end, will you rejoice that you lived to honor and please God? Or will you eternally regret that you wasted your life on things that don’t matter? Prepare to meet your God!(Amos 4:12)._

Hebrews 9:27 "Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment..."_Shalom children of God.

Daily Devotionals

Telling Jesus to go away?

Significance of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus (v)**Born into a living hope!

Significance of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus (iv)**Risen and Forever Victorious!

Significance of the death and resurrection of Jesus (R) (iii)**Eternal life available to ALL

Significance of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus (R) (ii)**Reconciled with access to God

Significance of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus (R) (i)**The Forgiveness of Our Sins

Take risks, step out by faith!

Righteous anger

Now I understand!

Put your house in order!

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