James 2:19 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition You believe that God is one; you do well. So do the demons believe and shudder [in terror and horror such as [a]make a man’s hair stand on end and contract the surface of his skin]!

YOU SHALL SPROUT AGAIN. . TEXT: Job 14:7-9. (KJV). "For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant." Other Texts: (Numbers 23:19; Joshua 21:45; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Genesis 21:1–2; Deuteronomy 7:9; Isaiah 55:10–11; Habakkuk 2:3; 1 Kings 8:56.) 🌅 Introduction: There are seasons in life when it appears that everything has come to an end. Dreams seem buried, businesses collapse, ministries become dry, families experience heartbreak, and health fails. The enemy whispers, "It is over." But God declares through Job 14:7, "There is hope." Our God specializes in bringing life out of death, beauty out of ashes, and restoration after devastation. If a tree can sprout again after being cut down, then a child of God can also rise again. No matter how much has been lost, you shall sprout again. I. YOUR SETBACK IS NOT YOUR END. Job 14:7 A tree may be cut down, but its roots remain alive. The enemy may cut down your finances, reputation, relationships, or ministry, but if your roots remain in Christ, your future is secure. Job lost everything, yet God restored him double (Job 42:10-17). Joseph was betrayed, sold into slavery, and imprisoned before becoming governor (Genesis 37; 39-41). Naomi returned to Bethlehem empty, but God filled her again through Ruth (Ruth 1-4). A farmer does not uproot every tree after cutting its branches because he knows that life is still hidden beneath the surface. Likewise, what appears dead to people may still be alive in God's hands. People may write you off, but God has not finished writing your story. 2. THE ROOT DETERMINES THE FUTURE. Job 14:8 "Though the root thereof wax old..." God focuses on the root rather than the branches. The branches represent visible success. The roots represent: Prayer, Faith, Character, Holiness, God's Word A believer with deep roots can recover after any storm. (Psalm 1:3, Jeremiah 17:7-8, Colossians 2:6-7) Never neglect your spiritual roots during difficult seasons. 3. THE SCENT OF WATER BRINGS REVIVAL. Job 14:9 The tree sprouts not because someone pushes it but because it senses water. Throughout Scripture, water represents: The Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39) The Word of God (Ephesians 5:26) God's refreshing presence (Isaiah 44:3) The moment God's presence touches a dry life, restoration begins. Ezekiel's dry bones came alive by God's Spirit (Ezekiel 37:1-14). Samson regained strength when his hair grew again (Judges 16:22). Peter failed terribly, yet Jesus restored him and he became a bold preacher (John 21:15-19). During drought, fields appear lifeless. Yet when rain falls, seeds hidden beneath the soil suddenly germinate. What looked dead was only waiting for the right season. Stay connected to God's presence because one encounter can change everything. 4. GOD RESTORES WHAT SEEMS LOST God is the God of restoration. (Joel 2:25-27, Isaiah 61:7, Psalm 126:1-6) God restores: Lost opportunities, Joy, Peace, Relationships, Ministries, Finances, Health etc. Lazarus came back from the grave (John 11). The Shunammite woman received back her land and possessions (2 Kings 8:1-6). The prodigal son was restored to his father's house (Luke 15:11-24). God's restoration is often greater than what was lost. 5. SPROUTING AGAIN REQUIRES FAITH. Faith sees life where others see death. (Hebrews 11:1, Mark 9:23, Romans 4:17-21) Abraham believed against hope. Sarah conceived in old age. Nothing is impossible with God. Faith keeps believing until God's promise becomes reality. 6. DO NOT DESPISE SMALL BEGINNINGS. When a tree sprouts again, it starts with a small shoot. God often begins restoration in small ways. (Zechariah 4:10, Isaiah 60:22) David moved from shepherd boy to king one step at a time (1 Samuel 16; 2 Samuel 5). Celebrate every sign of progress because God often starts small before doing something great. 7. YOUR TESTIMONY WILL ENCOURAGE OTHERS. When God restores you, your life becomes a testimony. (Psalm 40:1-3, Revelation 12:11) Others who have lost hope will gain courage because of what God has done for you. LESSONS FOR TODAY'S CHRISTIAN Never conclude your life before God has finished His work. Remain rooted in Christ during difficult seasons. Stay in God's presence because revival comes from Him. Believe that restoration is possible even after great loss. Be patient with God's timing. Small beginnings can lead to great breakthroughs. Your restored life will glorify God and strengthen the faith of others. PRACTICAL APPLICATION Ask yourself: Are my spiritual roots still alive? Am I staying close to God through prayer and His Word? Am I trusting God's promises more than my present circumstances? Am I ready to recognize the new beginning God is bringing? Even if life has "cut you down," God can cause you to sprout again. SUMMARY. The enemy may have cut down your dreams, delayed your progress, or shaken your confidence, but he cannot destroy what God has planted. The same God who restored Job, raised Lazarus, revived dry bones, and restored Peter is still at work today. Your current season is not your final chapter. By the power of the Holy Spirit, new life will emerge from what seemed finished. Your joy will return, your calling will flourish, your faith will grow stronger, and your testimony will declare God's faithfulness. Remember God's promise: "For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again..." (Job 14:7, KJV). Declare by faith: I shall sprout again. My hope is alive in Christ. My dry season is coming to an end. God is restoring every area of my life. My latter days shall be greater than my former days. My testimony will bring glory to God. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen. SHALOM. @ Sa’Konzoni Z Juma Pst. Cellphone: +254-724-997-961 E-mail: konzuma243@gmail.com Impact Church Shipala. KMG.-KENYA.

The Kitchen Newsletter Good day, Welcome to The Kitchen, where we explore, prepare and serve the contents in the Body of the Word as the delicacies of God—to create the form of the Father on the earth, to make the earth in His likeness, and to take charge of the economic destinies of nations for God. Relax, and let's journey through the scriptures to see the Body of the Word. The Word Is More Than Written Letters John's experience on the island of Patmos gives us a remarkable starting point. He turned to see the voice speaking to him, and what he saw was not merely a written sentence or an abstract idea. He saw Jesus Christ—the living Word of God—in the appearance of a man, with a body. John describes His head and hair, His eyes, His feet, His voice, His right hand, His mouth and His face. “His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.” Revelation 1:12–17 This is important. The Word of God is not merely letters printed on pages. The Word is a living Person. And the Body of this living Word is the image of the invisible God. Hebrews tells us: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.” Hebrews 1:3 Paul similarly describes Christ as: “the image of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4 So when we look at the Body of the Word, we are looking at the revelation of the invisible God. The invisible God cannot be seen with ordinary physical eyes. But He has made Himself known through the Body of the Word. That is why Paul says that God has caused light to shine in our hearts: “to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6 The face represents the person. The body gives us the detailed descriptions through which the Person of the Word is revealed. God Is Speaking From the Body of the Word There is another dimension here that I find particularly striking. Jesus does not merely want His Church to know about Him. He wants His Church to know Him. After John saw these things, Jesus said: “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.” Revelation 1:19 And Isaiah declares: “The hand of the LORD will be made known to his servants.” Isaiah 66:14 The Scriptures testify about the Person of the Word. Jesus Himself said: “These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.” John 5:39 Therefore, when Scripture gives us a description of the head, hair, eyes, face, hands, feet or mouth of the Word, we should not dismiss those descriptions as insignificant details. They are invitations to look deeper. The details of the Body of the Word become doors into the knowledge of God. This is why the Holy Spirit is so important. Jesus said concerning the Spirit of Truth: “.....He will take from what is mine and make known to you.” John 16:13–15 And Revelation repeatedly gives us this instruction: “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 2:7 The Spirit takes from Christ and makes Christ known. So the revelation of Scripture concerning the Body of the Word is not merely information. It is what the Spirit is saying to the churches. THE BODY OF THE WORD IS WHITE LIKE WOOL AND SNOW Now let us look at one particular description. John says: “His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow.” Revelation 1:14 Notice that John is describing the head and hair, but the revelation does not have to stop at the head and hair. The description points us toward the description of the whole Person. Daniel saw something remarkably similar: “His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool.” Daniel 7:9 Then the Song of Solomon gives us another description: “His appearance is like Lebanon, choice as the cedars.” Song of Solomon 5:15 Lebanon was known for its majestic mountain ranges and snow. The Scriptures are therefore giving us a consistent picture: whiteness, wool, snow, purity. Isaiah makes the meaning of this imagery particularly clear: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18 White like snow. White like wool. The picture is purity. Cleanliness. Freedom from stain. No defect. No blemish. No corruption. So when we see the Body of the Word described as white like wool and white as snow, we are being brought into a revelation of the purity and holiness of God. The Body of the Word Is the Standard of Purity This has a very practical implication. How do we understand God's standard of purity? We look at the Body of the Word. How do we understand God's holiness? We look at the Body of the Word. How do we understand what it means for something to be clean before God? We look at the Body of the Word. The Body of the Word gives us the picture. The standard is not created by culture. It is not determined by popular opinion. It is not defined by whatever happens to be socially acceptable at the moment. The standard is the Body of the Word. This is why the revelation of the Body of the Word is not merely an interesting theological subject. It confronts the way we think, the way we live, the way we build, the way we govern and even the way we define what is acceptable. If Christ is the image of the invisible God, then our understanding of God must ultimately be brought into alignment with the Body of the Word. The Body of the Word is the purity of God. The Body of the Word is the holiness of God. And pursuing the revelation of the Body of the Word is therefore a pursuit of the holiness of God. The Psalmist says: “Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.” Psalm 96:9 But There Is Something Even More Provocative The same Body that is pure is also food. Jesus said: “I am the bread of life.” John 6:35 And again: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven......and this bread is my flesh” John 6:51 Then He makes the statement even more direct: “For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.” John 6:55 This gives us an extraordinary picture. The Body of the Word is not merely something God wants us to observe. It is food. And if the Body of the Word is white like wool and white as snow, then we can describe it as clean food. The delicacies of God are found in the revelation knowledge of the Body of the Word. The Body of the Word is the food. The detailed descriptions of the Body are the delicacies. The Holy Spirit is the Teacher. And the delicacies of the Father bring us into a deeper knowledge of the Father. The Table of God There is an intriguing Old Testament picture here. God instructed Israel: “Put the bread of the Presence on this table to be before me at all times.” Exodus 25:30 Jesus identifies Himself as the Bread that came down from heaven. The connection is profound: God's table points us toward the Body of the Word as God's food. Even the language of the Song of Solomon gives us another picture: “And at our door is every delicacy, both new and old, that I have stored up for you.” Song of Solomon 7:13 There are dimensions of Christ that we have not yet adequately explored. There are descriptions that we have read without necessarily understanding. There are Scriptures we have quoted without asking what Person they are revealing. And this is where the unfolding of the Word becomes important. “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:130 The Body of the Word can be read. The Body of the Word can be unfolded. And when unfolded, light comes. Not merely intellectual information. Revelation. The knowledge of the Father. The Clean Food of God This also helps us understand the Old Testament distinction between clean and unclean food. Leviticus 11 records God's instructions concerning clean and unclean animals. The animals were not simply a collection of arbitrary dietary regulations. Within the larger biblical pattern, they also point toward deeper realities that find their fulfillment in Christ. The clean animals—including lambs, sheep, goats and bulls—were repeatedly associated with sacrifice and worship. The ultimate reality, however, is Christ - his Body. John the Baptist identifies Him as: “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29 And Jesus declares: “My flesh is real food.” John 6:55 So the shadow points toward the substance. The symbol points toward the Person. The animal points toward the Lamb. The bread points toward the Bread of Life. The descriptions point toward the Body of the Word. The Body of the Word is the clean food of God. And the delicacies contained within that Body are the detailed revelations through which God makes Himself known. What Are We Eating? Perhaps this is the question we should leave with today. What are you feeding your understanding of God with? Opinions? Traditions? Culture? Personal assumptions? Or are you allowing the Scriptures to introduce you to the Person of the Word? Jesus said the Scriptures testify about Him (John 5:39). The Holy Spirit takes what belongs to Christ and makes it known (John 16:13–15). The unfolding of the Word gives light (Psalm 119:130). And Christ is the exact representation of the invisible God (Hebrews 1:3). Therefore, there is a profound invitation before us: Come and feed on the Body of the Word. Look. Read. Unfold. Ask the Holy Spirit to open the Body of the Word to you. Look at the Body of the Word. Look at the descriptions. Look at its purity. Look at its holiness. Look at its beauty. Look at its members. Look at the delicacies contained within it. And perhaps what we have called ordinary words are carrying revelations of the Person of Christ that we have not yet tasted. The Father wants to make Himself known. And He has given us the Body of the Word. The Body of the Word is the image of the invisible God. The Body of the Word is pure. The Body of the Word is holy. The Body of the Word is clean food. And the revelation of that Body is a delicacy prepared for those who are willing to come to the table. Listen to The Kitchen Podcast by Omodolapo Ogunye on Audible, Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts. Please share and spread the Revelation Knowledge of the Body of the Word. celebrating the Body of the Word #foodmoneyshow #bodyoftheword #moneymarket #worldwide #churchonline

Good evening, brethren. 1. Evening devotion for today. ED.i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST* (COCIN DEVOTIONAL) *DATE:* SUNDAY 30TH AUGUST, 2026 *SUB-THEME:* YOUTHS: VESSELS OF GOD’S GRACE. *TOPIC:* BE BRAVE AND COURAGEOUS *TEXT:* 1 SAMUEL 17:23-24, 34-37 23. As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24. Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. 34. But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35. I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.” *TOPIC:* BE BRAVE AND COURAGEOUS *THE MESSAGE:* We often face one challenge or another in life. In this text, Israel was threatened by the giant Philistine Goliath in a battle. No one dared him until the young David showed up. Without fear, he stood before Goliath in confidence, trusting in the Lord who had delivered him from the lions and bears. He believed that the same God had given him victory over the Philistines. We are facing both spiritual and physical threats; ritualists, witches and wizards, and terrorists. We are killed daily with no one to speak in our defence. As young people, we must also be brave, courageous, and firm in our faith as we boldly pursue God's purpose for our lives. As we seek to defend ourselves, faith and prayer must be our watchword first. *REFLECTION:* God has not given us the spirit of fear. *PRAYER:* Lord, help me to be bold to face the challenges of life. Amen. *MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:* 2 TIMOTHY 2:21. "If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be instruments for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master, and prepared to do any good work." *TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:* DANIEL 4-6. ED.ii. PEACE IN THE STORM "As they sailed, He fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke Him, saying: 'Master, Master, we're going to drown'! He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm." - Luke 8:23-24 I think this is a beautiful story. God wants to speak to you today. Many people, children of God also, try to get rid of their problems. This is a good thing. However, the point is that many children of God have the illusion that when their problems are solved, they will be happy and have peace in their hearts. Happy in all circumstances But dear readers, Christians, the living God our Father wants us to be happy even when the circumstances are not as we want them to be. If you allow for your peace and tranquility to depend on circumstances, you will never be happy because there is always a change. This will be the same until your last breath. The apostle Paul gives a list of difficult situations he has experienced in life. Despite all, Paul was more than a conqueror in Jesus, who gave Him the strength to move on. You can also be more than a conqueror in the middle of your storm. Dear readers, do not always try to use all your faith to solve problems. You must learn to use your faith to have peace and tranquility in the storms of life. While the disciples were very concerned and tried to solve their problem, Jesus was sleeping wonderfully. Do not let the storm which is raging outside rage in you. With Jesus you can have peace in all circumstances. https://www.theblessingdevotional.com 2. Evening Prayer for toady. EP.i. Evening Prayer So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it. ⏤ Isaiah 55:11 It is possible to move men, through God, by prayer alone. ⏤ Hudson Taylor We come back this evening, our Father, to continue our prayer for the coming of Your kingdom. The day is past, and the work of Your servants is done. Thousands of ministers have preached Your word, tens of thousands of teachers have taught the children, and in millions of Christian homes, supplications and prayers have been offered. Let not all this work be in vain. May Your Spirit gather up all that has been done for You today and give it Your divine blessing, without which nothing can come of it. Revive Your work in this land and in the world through this Sunday's ministrations. May many of Your children carry new earnestness and zeal into their living and work tomorrow. May the seeds sown in the furrows today take root and grow. Let not the birds gather up and devour what has been sown. Let not the thorns spring up and choke it. Let not the heat of trials scorch the tender growths. May the good seed grow wherever it has been sown, and may abundant harvests wave on thousands of fields. Prosper Your work on the earth. May Your peace rest upon our home tonight. May the gentle Dove descend and spread His white wings over us, sheltering us while we sleep. May holy influences rest upon us from this Sunday, and may its teachings and impressions stay with us throughout the week. Keep each of us from the world's ungodly power. Hold us all near Your heart, in the warmth of Your love, in the strong security of Your grace. May the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God our Father, and the comfort of the Holy Spirit be with us forever. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/56/evening #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

Trumps Hair 5 - The Truth - A Poem https://rumble.com/v74cyfq-trumps-hair-5-the-truth-a-poem.html

1 Peter 3:1-9 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, [2] when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. [3] Do not let your adornment be merely outward-arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel- [4] rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. [5] For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, [6] as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror. [7] Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. [8] Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; [9] not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

Trumps Hair 5 - The Truth - A Poem https://rumble.com/v74cyfq-trumps-hair-5-the-truth-a-poem.html

Dear Father, Today, I pondered the story of Samson. When his hair was shaved and he was tied up by the Philistines. The Scripture says, “Delilah said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.” His words revealed the confidence he had in his ability. If shaking himself was what he had always done to obtain victory, then shaking himself was what he believed he needed to do again. This, I believe, is the subtlety of strength: when the confidence of a man rises in unhealthy proportion to the mastery of his abilities, causing him to believe that his strengths are strong enough to stand even in the absence of discipline and structure, often upholding the mindset that continual victory is sustained by his past record of victory. Apostle Iren advised that we must be people of discipline, even in areas where we are not struggling. This stands out to me because it is easy to think that discipline belongs to areas of weakness, and that with matters of strength, I would simply shake myself. But the very best are not still standing on the strength of their abilities, but on their commitment to the structures that have sustained them. Samson became so accustomed to demonstrating strength that he was careless with the structure You had laid down for his preseveration. And today, I ponder the structures I should uphold but do not, for the sake of mastery in my abilities. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #structures #discipline #selfsufficiency #strength

Martyrdom of John the Baptist St. John the Baptist was the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Elizabeth became pregnant with John in her old age, according to God's plan, which was revealed to Zechariah by the Archangel Gabriel when Zechariah was in the temple. While Elizabeth was pregnant, Holy Mary, the mother of Jesus, visited her and helped her. The name "John" was chosen by God and also announced by the Archangel Gabriel to Zechariah. As a young man, John lived in the desert, wearing clothes made from camel hair and surviving on locusts and honey. He spent his life giving witness to Jesus, declaring that Jesus was the Son of God. John also baptized Jesus and publicly proclaimed that Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus praised John, saying that he was greater than an apostle. John was bold in speaking the truth, even to powerful people, and he openly criticized them for their sins. One example of John’s courage was when he condemned Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, for marrying his brother's wife, Herodias, while his brother Herod Philip I was still alive. Herod Antipas had divorced his first wife, Phasaelis, to be with Herodias, which was unlawful. Herod wanted to kill John but was afraid to because many people believed John was a prophet and a holy man. At a banquet, Herodias' daughter, Salome, performed a dance that greatly pleased Herod Antipas. In his delight, Herod promised to give her anything she asked for, even up to half of his kingdom. At her mother Herodias' urging, Salome asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. Although Herod was reluctant, he had to keep his promise and ordered John's beheading. John was executed at the fortress of Machaerus around 30 to 35 A.D. The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus wrote that Herod's army was later destroyed as divine punishment for the killing of St. John the Baptist. John the Baptist is considered the forerunner of Jesus, sent by God to prepare the way for Christ’s coming. Just as John prepared the way for Jesus' first coming, Christians believe they should prepare themselves for the second coming of Jesus, which will bring the Last Judgment and establish the Kingdom of God. To do this, we must strive to live as true followers of God and His Son, Jesus Christ. #Catholic #trust #death #martyr #John #Christian #

The Kitchen Newsletter Good day, Welcome to The Kitchen, where we explore, prepare and serve the contents in the Body of the Word as the delicacies of God—to create the form of the Father on the earth, to make the earth in His likeness, and to take charge of the economic destinies of nations for God. Relax, and let's journey through the scriptures to see the Body of the Word. The Word Is More Than Written Letters John's experience on the island of Patmos gives us a remarkable starting point. He turned to see the voice speaking to him, and what he saw was not merely a written sentence or an abstract idea. He saw Jesus Christ—the living Word of God—in the appearance of a man, with a body. John describes His head and hair, His eyes, His feet, His voice, His right hand, His mouth and His face. “His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.” Revelation 1:12–17 This is important. The Word of God is not merely letters printed on pages. The Word is a living Person. And the Body of this living Word is the image of the invisible God. Hebrews tells us: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.” Hebrews 1:3 Paul similarly describes Christ as: “the image of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4 So when we look at the Body of the Word, we are looking at the revelation of the invisible God. The invisible God cannot be seen with ordinary physical eyes. But He has made Himself known through the Body of the Word. That is why Paul says that God has caused light to shine in our hearts: “to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6 The face represents the person. The body gives us the detailed descriptions through which the Person of the Word is revealed. God Is Speaking From the Body of the Word There is another dimension here that I find particularly striking. Jesus does not merely want His Church to know about Him. He wants His Church to know Him. After John saw these things, Jesus said: “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.” Revelation 1:19 And Isaiah declares: “The hand of the LORD will be made known to his servants.” Isaiah 66:14 The Scriptures testify about the Person of the Word. Jesus Himself said: “These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.” John 5:39 Therefore, when Scripture gives us a description of the head, hair, eyes, face, hands, feet or mouth of the Word, we should not dismiss those descriptions as insignificant details. They are invitations to look deeper. The details of the Body of the Word become doors into the knowledge of God. This is why the Holy Spirit is so important. Jesus said concerning the Spirit of Truth: “.....He will take from what is mine and make known to you.” John 16:13–15 And Revelation repeatedly gives us this instruction: “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 2:7 The Spirit takes from Christ and makes Christ known. So the revelation of Scripture concerning the Body of the Word is not merely information. It is what the Spirit is saying to the churches. THE BODY OF THE WORD IS WHITE LIKE WOOL AND SNOW Now let us look at one particular description. John says: “His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow.” Revelation 1:14 Notice that John is describing the head and hair, but the revelation does not have to stop at the head and hair. The description points us toward the description of the whole Person. Daniel saw something remarkably similar: “His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool.” Daniel 7:9 Then the Song of Solomon gives us another description: “His appearance is like Lebanon, choice as the cedars.” Song of Solomon 5:15 Lebanon was known for its majestic mountain ranges and snow. The Scriptures are therefore giving us a consistent picture: whiteness, wool, snow, purity. Isaiah makes the meaning of this imagery particularly clear: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18 White like snow. White like wool. The picture is purity. Cleanliness. Freedom from stain. No defect. No blemish. No corruption. So when we see the Body of the Word described as white like wool and white as snow, we are being brought into a revelation of the purity and holiness of God. The Body of the Word Is the Standard of Purity This has a very practical implication. How do we understand God's standard of purity? We look at the Body of the Word. How do we understand God's holiness? We look at the Body of the Word. How do we understand what it means for something to be clean before God? We look at the Body of the Word. The Body of the Word gives us the picture. The standard is not created by culture. It is not determined by popular opinion. It is not defined by whatever happens to be socially acceptable at the moment. The standard is the Body of the Word. This is why the revelation of the Body of the Word is not merely an interesting theological subject. It confronts the way we think, the way we live, the way we build, the way we govern and even the way we define what is acceptable. If Christ is the image of the invisible God, then our understanding of God must ultimately be brought into alignment with the Body of the Word. The Body of the Word is the purity of God. The Body of the Word is the holiness of God. And pursuing the revelation of the Body of the Word is therefore a pursuit of the holiness of God. The Psalmist says: “Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.” Psalm 96:9 But There Is Something Even More Provocative The same Body that is pure is also food. Jesus said: “I am the bread of life.” John 6:35 And again: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven......and this bread is my flesh” John 6:51 Then He makes the statement even more direct: “For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.” John 6:55 This gives us an extraordinary picture. The Body of the Word is not merely something God wants us to observe. It is food. And if the Body of the Word is white like wool and white as snow, then we can describe it as clean food. The delicacies of God are found in the revelation knowledge of the Body of the Word. The Body of the Word is the food. The detailed descriptions of the Body are the delicacies. The Holy Spirit is the Teacher. And the delicacies of the Father bring us into a deeper knowledge of the Father. The Table of God There is an intriguing Old Testament picture here. God instructed Israel: “Put the bread of the Presence on this table to be before me at all times.” Exodus 25:30 Jesus identifies Himself as the Bread that came down from heaven. The connection is profound: God's table points us toward the Body of the Word as God's food. Even the language of the Song of Solomon gives us another picture: “And at our door is every delicacy, both new and old, that I have stored up for you.” Song of Solomon 7:13 There are dimensions of Christ that we have not yet adequately explored. There are descriptions that we have read without necessarily understanding. There are Scriptures we have quoted without asking what Person they are revealing. And this is where the unfolding of the Word becomes important. “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:130 The Body of the Word can be read. The Body of the Word can be unfolded. And when unfolded, light comes. Not merely intellectual information. Revelation. The knowledge of the Father. The Clean Food of God This also helps us understand the Old Testament distinction between clean and unclean food. Leviticus 11 records God's instructions concerning clean and unclean animals. The animals were not simply a collection of arbitrary dietary regulations. Within the larger biblical pattern, they also point toward deeper realities that find their fulfillment in Christ. The clean animals—including lambs, sheep, goats and bulls—were repeatedly associated with sacrifice and worship. The ultimate reality, however, is Christ - his Body. John the Baptist identifies Him as: “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29 And Jesus declares: “My flesh is real food.” John 6:55 So the shadow points toward the substance. The symbol points toward the Person. The animal points toward the Lamb. The bread points toward the Bread of Life. The descriptions point toward the Body of the Word. The Body of the Word is the clean food of God. And the delicacies contained within that Body are the detailed revelations through which God makes Himself known. What Are We Eating? Perhaps this is the question we should leave with today. What are you feeding your understanding of God with? Opinions? Traditions? Culture? Personal assumptions? Or are you allowing the Scriptures to introduce you to the Person of the Word? Jesus said the Scriptures testify about Him (John 5:39). The Holy Spirit takes what belongs to Christ and makes it known (John 16:13–15). The unfolding of the Word gives light (Psalm 119:130). And Christ is the exact representation of the invisible God (Hebrews 1:3). Therefore, there is a profound invitation before us: Come and feed on the Body of the Word. Look. Read. Unfold. Ask the Holy Spirit to open the Body of the Word to you. Look at the Body of the Word. Look at the descriptions. Look at its purity. Look at its holiness. Look at its beauty. Look at its members. Look at the delicacies contained within it. And perhaps what we have called ordinary words are carrying revelations of the Person of Christ that we have not yet tasted. The Father wants to make Himself known. And He has given us the Body of the Word. The Body of the Word is the image of the invisible God. The Body of the Word is pure. The Body of the Word is holy. The Body of the Word is clean food. And the revelation of that Body is a delicacy prepared for those who are willing to come to the table. Listen to The Kitchen Podcast by Omodolapo Ogunye on Audible, Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts. Please share and spread the Revelation Knowledge of the Body of the Word. celebrating the Body of the Word #foodmoneyshow #bodyoftheword #moneymarket #worldwide #churchonline