UNDERSTANDING TERRITORIES

MEMORY VERSE: and Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s. And they marveled at him, Mark 12:17

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1Kgs 22, 1 Thes 5, Dan 4, Ps 45

Mark 12:17 says and Jesus answering said unto them, render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s. And they marveled at him. From this verse we deduce that there are things that belong to Caesar and there are things that belong to God. Taxes belong to Caesar and tithes belong to God. A true believer is faithful in the payment of his taxes to the government. A believer should not defraud the government in taxes or employ schemes to evade tax payment.

In the animal kingdom, knowing one’s territory is an important key for survival. God help any goat that wanders into the territory of hyenas or wolves. The lion is the king of the jungle. He is very strong and bold. As strong and bold as lions are, they never hunt in the river. Firstly, a lion that hunts in the river will die hungry. Operating in an unknown territory leads to suffering and fruitless efforts. Secondly if care is not taken, a lion that hunts in the river may end up becoming lunch for a crocodile. Knowing and understanding your territory is key to your survival in the ministry or business. The whale is the biggest mammal in the world. The whale is so big it can swallow any animal. How come the whale only swims in deep waters? Due to its enormous size, swimming in shallow waters will pose unnecessary challenges for the whale. A fellow who operates in the wrong territory will be exposed to unnecessary challenges.

In the sky birds fly at different altitudes. Small winged birds don’t fly too high because of the wind currents at high altitudes. Operating in an unknown territory is dangerous and it could lead to physical harm. While eagles fly close to the sun, hawks dare not try it; any hawk that flies too close to the sun will be roasted by the heat from the sun. Operating in the wrong territory could cost one his life. This is why it is important to know one’s territory and remain in it. If the Lord has called you to into the teaching ministry, don’t venture into deliverance ministry except you are also called into the ministry too. If your territory is tailoring and fashion design, don’t venture into brick laying or plumbing. Stay where God has established you. That’s where He will use you to touch the world.

ACTION POINT: Pray that the Lord will reveal your territory to you.

Bro Samuel - Reaching the world for Jesus.

FRIENDS OF GOD

MEMORY VERSE: And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, ad it was imputed unto for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God, James 2:23.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deut 3, Ps 85, Isa 31, Rev 1

God works in extremes. It is either He loves a fellow or He hates him. According to Psalm 11:5, the Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. God is love but He hates those who love violence. It is men that do casual friends and close friends. With God, it is either you are His friends or you are not. The Most High God is the best friend any man can have and the worst enemy any man can have. Anyway, who in his right senses would want to be an enemy to the Consuming fire (Hebrew 12:29)?

There is a lot to benefit from been His friend. For example, He shares His secrets with His friends. You may be wondering, does the Lord have secrets? Oh yes, He has secrets and He shares it with them that fear him, Psalm 25:14. In Genesis 15:13-16, we see the Lord sharing secrets of what was going to happen in six hundred years with his friend – Abraham. Asides sharing his plans with His friends, He protects His friends. In Genesis 20:1-14, God personally visited Abimelech and told him he was dead a man for taking the wife of his friend- Abraham. Abimelech was wise, he immediately returned Sarah to Abraham. If need be, He goes out of His way to fulfill the heart desire of His friends. In Exodus 33-34 Moses made a very difficult request to God; he requested to see God. Because they were friends, the Lord arranged it in such a way that Moses saw Him and did not die.

To be friends with God, you need to have strong faith in His timing, His choice, His plans for your life, His decisions, His word e.t.c. Hebrew 11:6 says without faith it is impossible to please God. In Exodus 4:2-4 the Lord told Moses to pick a snake by its tail (the most dangerous part) and he did without asking any question. To be friends with God, you need to carry out his instruction or assignment with speed. When you study Abraham, He carries out God’s instruction within hours, at the latest 24 hours. There are one or two who are yet to carry out the instruction the Lord gave to them years ago. God is not a friend to those who waste time carrying out his instruction.

KEY WORD: God’s friends have faith in His timing, His choice, His plans for their life e.t.c.