WATER TO WINE PART 3

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Gen 40, Mark 10, Job 6, Romans 10

John 2:3 and when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, they have no wine.

Bible studies: John 2:1-11

Immediately the wine finished, the organizers of the party did something interesting; they ran to Jesus. Instead of complaining to God or blaming God or worse still ask God why me? They ran to Jesus. The mistake most of us make when something goes wrong is we begin to apportion blame to people. Apportioning blames never solve problems, it only create enemies. When you blame people all you are doing is destroying the opportunity of God using that fellow to bless you in the future. Even if the individual is actually the cause of the problem, blaming them will not solve it. Many instead of going on their knees to pray begin to blame witches or wizards .Others even take it to another level by making negative confessions. They begin to used words like ‘my life is destroyed’, ‘finally my enemies have caught up with me’, ‘where will I start from’,’ I am in trouble’. Using words like these never solve problems, it only compounds it! Also complaining about our challenges never solves it. Actually the more we talk about it the bigger it becomes. One thing you should never do during challenges is ask God why me? Many even ask God ‘is this how you are going to pay me for all the things I have done for you- my offerings, my services, my this and that?’ This is not a wise thing to do. If you have ever done this before please apologize to Him.

John 2:3 says and when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, they have no wine. From studying this verse you will notice that the people waited for the wine to finish before crying for help. Why wait till the wine finishes before going to Jesus? In 2 Kings 4:1-7 the widow waited until her creditors began to threaten to sell her sons to pay of her debt before running to Elisha. Stop waiting till something happens before you pray. Don’t wait for challenges to come before you fast. Don’t wait for something to go wrong before you start going to church every Sunday or attend mid week services. Start fasting and praying now. Start attending all the services now. Don’t wait a week before the exams before you start praying. If the exam is in four months, start praying about it now. Don’t wait till you begin to have challenges in the family, work or home before you start asking God to uproot every tree He has not planted in your life. Start asking Him to do that now before challenges begin. Don’t wait until you are sick or begin to develop symptoms before you go for medical checkup. Go for check up from time to time so that if there are any concerns you can pray about it early. If you are over the age of forty, make sure you check your blood pressure regularly and do other necessary check up. Don’t wait for high blood pressure symptoms or any other disease related symptoms before you go for medical check –up. Many leave things too late; they rush to God in the last minute expecting God to jump into action. God is always ready to act on our behalf but it is wiser to take things to Him early. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says pray without ceasing. It is not too early to begin to pray about anything, actually the earlier the better.

KEY WORD: Don’t wait till the last minute before you run to God.

WATER TO WINE PART 2

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Gen 39, Mark 9, Job 5, Romans 9

John 2:3 and when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, they have no wine.

Bible studies: John 2:1-11

In part 1 of ‘water to wine’ series, we learnt that water symbolizes challenges and wine symbolizes celebration. Therefore water to wine simply means challenges to celebration. We touched the subject of Christians and alcohol. We also talked about one of the things that needs to be in place for water to turn into wine-for challenges to turn into celebration.

The fact that you love God does not mean there will not be challenges or problems. Problems and challenges are part and parcel of life - believers and non believers. The believer is only at an advantage because right in his boat is the Prince of Peace and a word from Him will still the storm. If anyone tells you that once you give your life to Christ there will not be challenges it is a lie. The bible says that many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him out of them all, Psalm 34:19. Jesus even told His disciples that in the world they will have tribulations but they should be of good cheer because He has overcome the world for them, John 16:33. The Most High God says in Isaiah 43:2 that when you pass though the waters, He will be there. He did not say if you pass through waters, He said when you pass through waters.Jesus was in the boat when a great windstorm arose and the waves began to beat into the boat, Mark 4:35-41. When Jesus is in your boat, there could be storms but be rest assured that the boat will never sink. Jesus was at the wedding in Cana of Galilee and when the wine finished, John 2:1-11. When Jesus is at your wedding or function, the wine may finish but be rest assured that He will provide a better wine in excess. The fact that you have accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior does not exempt you from trials of faith. Several years ago I was about to close from work when the manager called three of us into his office. He told us the department was overstaffed and our services were no longer required. Our contracts were terminated right on the spot ; no notice period was given. Since we were temporary staffs, there was nothing we could do except leave. Today in that same place of work I have been made permanent, received recognitions, been promoted, participated in several recruitment e.t.c. The wine finished on that day but the Lord provided a better wine at the same place work. Whilst serving the Lord in spirit and truth, the enemies may attack and your wine finishes. I want to tell you the God you serve will provide a better wine. In that endeavor of yours, things might go wrong unexpectedly, I want to tell you there is God on the throne and you will not suffer disgrace. Anytime I am facing any challenges, i will tell people please do not pity me because Christ in me is the Hope of glory, Colossians 1:27. The wine may finish one hundred times but I very confident that Jesus will produce a better wine one hundred and one times.

KEYWORD: Challenges are part and parcel of life. When going through any challenges remember Christ in you is the hope of glory not of shame.

WATER TO WINE PART 1

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Gen 38, Mark 8, Job 4, Romans 8

John 2:3 and when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, they have no wine.

Bible studies: John 2:1-11

Water is a symbol of calamities and challenges. Isaiah 43:2 says when thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee. Wine on other wine is a symbol of potency, joy, celebration, bounty, banqueting e.t.c. Isaiah 25:6 says in this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full or marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. The summary of the story in John 2:1-11 is Jesus turned calamities and challenges to joy and celebration.

I have heard many Christians argue that there is nothing wrong in consuming alcohol, after all Jesus turned water to wine. They will round it up with 1 Timothy 5:23 where Paul advises Timothy to take little wine for his stomach problems. In Proverbs 31:4 -5, we see the mother of a King –to- be advising her son that it is not for kings to drink wine ,lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the justice of all the afflicted. One thing I know for sure is that Jesus did not and will never offer wines that will cause people to forget the law and the wine Paul referred to was not the type that helps pervert the justice of all the afflicted. There is nothing wrong in consuming fruit wines but wines containing alcohol even 0.5 percent is not to be touched by believers. Proverbs 23:29 -30 says who hath woe? Who hath sorrow? Who hath contentions? Who hath babbling? Who hath wounds without cause? Who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Proverbs 20:1 says wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise. Isaiah 5:11 says woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! Not only that our body is the temple of the living God not a beer pub or alcohol storage facility. The organizers of the wedding at Cana in Galilee did one very wise thing; they invited Jesus to the wedding. One thing the devil hate is joy. He hates to see celebration and shouts of joy. That is why you would never see the devil around places where they are always shouting Hallelujah! He hates that word with a passion. The wedding planners planned the wedding to the best of their abilities but they still invited Jesus just in case. The One who can turn water into wine is Jesus. He only can turn challenges into celebrations. You may have had it all planned up, you have put measures into place, you have done all that needs to be done, dotted all the I's and crossed all the T's ,despite all that you still need Jesus. He only can keep the devil away or turn situations around. You may have everything in the world; once Jesus is missing you have nothing. Accept Jesus as your personal Lord and savior today and begin to enjoy a life full of celebrations.

KEY WORD: The only One who can turn water to wine is Jesus.

GOD’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE PREGNANT

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Gen 37, Mark 7, Job 3, Rom 7

 

Genesis 16:7 and the angel of the Lord her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.

 

Bible studies: Genesis 16:7-14

 

Every one of us is pregnant . Some are pregnant with babies, ideas for expansions and other good things. In Genesis 16:7-14 is a story we all know. Immediately Hagar became pregnant her conduct and attitude changed towards her mistress - Sarai. Because of her disrespectful behavior, Sarai began to deal with her harshly and at a point she ran away. On her way the angel of the Lord met her and advised her to return to her mistress. She heeded to the voice of the angel and returned home.

 

There are one or two things to learn from this story. Firstly, God acknowledges and appreciates pregnant women. He pays special attention to them, and He expects us all to respect and care for them. It is a shame that in the society we live in today, people do not really appreciate them as they should and I believe there is more we can do when it comes to caring for them. There are some wicked husbands who physically abuse their pregnant wives or neglect them. There are some who will rather sit and watch a pregnant woman stand in the bus. This is bad and it should not be happening. Because of the stress Hagar was going through - a pregnant woman physically running away from her harsh mistress, God had to send an angel from heaven to her rescue. God has the same attitude towards anyone pregnant with ideas or any good thing. God loves serious minded people - people with vision and purpose. He will always go out of His way to send an angel to rescue them in trouble. Secondly, God is interested in what you are carrying. He puts measures into place to ensure that you do not miscarry what is inside you i.e. the baby, ideas, projects e.t.c. Hagar could have easily suffered miscarriage whilst running and the stress she was under would not have help matters. In other to ensure that she does not miscarry the baby, God sent an angel to guide her. God is very much interested in the safe delivery of the baby or ideas. This is why God frowns at abortion. Whether you believe it or not , abortion is the equivalent of murder. People may argue otherwise but according to Leviticus 17:11a , life of the creature is in the blood. The foetus in the womb has blood flowing through it and that is life.If you are reading this message and contemplating abortion , please refrain from it. If you have once had an abortion, please go to God for forgiveness immediately . If you are a guy who has consented to abortion with your partner in the past, please go to God for forgiveness.

 

PRAYER POINT: Father, help me not to miscarry my good plans in 2013!

THE GOD OF PEREZ

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Gen 34, Mark 5, Job 1, Romans 5

Genesis 38:29 and it came to pass, as he drew back his hand , that behold , his brother came out; and she said , How hast thou broken forth? This breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Perez.

Bible studies: Genesis 38:27-30

In our bible studies we read an account of events that took place in a particular labor room. Tamar the daughter in law of Judah was pregnant with twins and was putting to bed. The part of the baby that usually comes out first is the head and then the body. In this case one of the twins put out his hands first. The midwives then tied a scarlet on his wrist indicating he was the firstborn. The boy withdrew his hand and the midwives thought he was going to come out with the head but something shocking happened. The other twin in the womb came out instead. The midwives wondered out that happened? They literally asked the baby how he managed to do that i.e. this breach be upon you! They named him Perez. The other twin with the scarlet on his wrist came out and they called him Zerar.

At the beginning Zerar took the lead by putting out his hands and he was recognized immediately. They put a scarlet thread on his hands (form of an award). The midwives concluded he was the first born. They decided his destiny and put him ahead of his brother. As from that day, Zerar would always come before Perez. When it comes to inheritance, Zerar would get the lion share. When it comes speaking in the family, the opinion of Zerar will supersede that of his brother Perez. At that point, the destiny of Perez was also decided that he would be a follower all his life. Even if he tried, the best he can get is second. The God of Perez moved into action and changed things. Zerar withdrew his hands and Perez came out with the head making him the first born. The life of many can be compared to that of Perez; no one has ever paid attention to them because they felt they are second best. There are many who are unhappy because they consider themselves as been behind in life. They are yet to gain admission into the university while all their friends have all graduated and gotten jobs. They are single while their friends are now married with children. They are still applying for jobs while their friends are getting promotion at work or setting up their business and prospering. It is a bad place to be in life because people will start coming up with funny things. Some will say it is because you are too lazy or you are too proud that’s why you are single.At times people even attribute it to sin .The God of Perez is alive and He will help you in Jesus name. The meaning of Perez is making an opening through constant hammering. Whilst in the womb Perez did not give up. Despite the fact that Zerar had already put out his hands and had been recognized, he continued to make an effort. Perez also means to cause an interruption in a pattern. When you continue to make an effort you cause an interruption in pattern. Perez was a product of persistent effort and trust in the Lord. Psalm 25:3 says no one who trusts in the You will be disgraced. You may be behind today but as far as the God of Perez is concerned, the race is far from over. Keep working and trusting the Lord, I will soon hear your testimony, Amen.

KEY WORD: Perez was a product of persistence and trust in the Lord.

THE HOUSE OF PRAYER

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Gen 35-36, Mark 6, Job 2, Romans 6

Mark 11:17 and he taught, saying unto them, is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations of prayer? But ye have made it a den of thieves.

Bible studies: Mark 11:11-17

In our bible studies we read a very disturbing account of what transpired between Jesus and the church. Jesus the head and the owner of the church visited a temple to fellowship and have a good time with them. Because the visit meant a lot to Him, He got there very early hoping to perform signs and wonders , raise dead situations and marriages , restore lost opportunities , impart them, bless them and most importantly spend the night with them . He came fully prepared having spent quality time in praying and fasting and all that. When He got to the temple, He decided to inspect the temple and what He saw grieved Him greatly. He saw religious ceremonies carried out with no relationship to the Spirit. He saw commercialism, injustice, exploitation, hypocrisy and a disregard for the holiness of His Father. This made Him very sad; no one even acknowledged Him and by the time it was evening He left the church grieving in His heart. Just as He visited the temple, He visits churches today to inspect and bless them but He leaves disappointed. He sees the church turning into a social gathering instead of a spiritual gathering. He sees the church turning into a fashion centre, a place to display wealth and success. He sees a lot of activities that has nothing to do with the Spirit. He sees people fighting to the extent of hurting themselves over church posts; He sees the shepherd interested in what the sheep has to offer rather than feeding the sheep and He returns back to heaven in tears. A young girl died and went to heaven.She described an incident were Jesus was crying over souls going to hell . In her own words, she said “Jesus does not cry like humans, when He cries you can feel it even to His heart!”. She said it is a painful thing to see yet many churches make Him cry every Sunday. He visits many services and while everyone is busying having fun, He is at the back weeping because He is now invisible even in His church i.e. His house.

After the inspection, Jesus left. He returned the next morning and we saw a side of Jesus that I pray that no one will ever see. You see Jesus can be very loving .1 John 4:8 calls Him love. He can also be a consuming fire too. Hebrew 10:31 says it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Three particular activities made Him very angry – buying and selling; money changing and dove selling. There should be no buying and selling inside the church. Outside the church you are free to buy and sell. There should be no money changing, if you need to change money do it before you come into the church. Dove selling is selling of anointing handkerchiefs, apples e.t.c. and it is prohibited in the house of God! No commercial activity should take place inside the church. After throwing out the money changers, dove sellers, He taught them and told them that the church is a house of Prayer. The church is a place for serious business with God not man. It is not avenue to socialize at all. There is nothing wrong chatting with your friends after the service but whilst in the presence of the Most High it is serious business. The centre of attraction in the church should be Jesus not you or me or the pastor.

PRAYER POINT: Father, send revival into all your churches all over the world.

KINGDOM PRINCIPLES Part 1

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Gen 33, Mark 4, Est 9-10, Romans 4

John 12:24 verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

God is a God of principles. Anyone who will experience heaven on earth must be addicted to following God’s principles. Firstly, every word that comes out of the mouth of Jesus needs to be taken seriously. According to John 6:63, the words that He speaks are spirit and life. When Jesus begins a sentence with verily (verily means truly), take that sentence very serious. When He says verily, verily i.e. truly, truly, please pay careful attention to the statement that follows because something of eternal value is about to be released. For example He says in John 3:5 verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and savior and you are yet to be baptized, you better run to your pastor and register for baptismal classes. Today I will be dealing with a principle found in the book of John. The Gospel according to John is filled with so many principles. John 12:24 says verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. How does a farmer turn a grain of corn into several? He plants it. The corn dies and germinate into a corn plant where he can now get enough corn to feed himself and his family. How does a man multiply what is in his hands? by sowing it. Matthew 13:12 says whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. The question is why is it that those who have will have more and out of the little people who don’t have has, it will be taken away? The answer is found in John 12:24. Those who have will have something to sow to bring forth increase and those who do not have will have nothing to sow. The truth is there is no one who does not have anything to sow. You may not have money but you have time. You have the strength to work in the vine yard of God or your mouth to witness.

I have always fancied studying abroad but the resources to do that were not available. My parents were blessed but their yearly earning could not even pay for a term’s school fees talk less paying for my yearly tuition and all that. The Holy Spirit inspired me to go and join the work men working at our church convention ground for free and I did. Six months later I was on the plane to UK to study. Back then I could not give an offering but I gave my time and strength. The Most High God even used this principle. He wanted many sons and daughter so He gave His only Son – Jesus to die. Today the Lord has several children all over the world all because He gave Jesus Christ. John 12:32 says if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. I know of a sister who wanted to get married. While other sisters were busy attending musical concerts, special church programs hosted by different churches with the hope of meeting a godly man, this sister joined all the departments in the church and began to work tirelessly. Within a year or two, the Lord brought her husband and she is happily married. Those attending concerts are still attending concerts.

KEY WORD: Sow what you have , to get what you do not have.