WHEAT AND TARES

MEMORY VERSE: Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles, Matthew 7:16

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ruth 3-4, Acts 28, Jer 38, Luke 7

BIBLE STUDIES: Matthew 13:24- 30

In the early stage of development, wheat and tares look alike. They have the same height, color; respond to the same conditions in the same way. As they grow, it becomes even harder to tell the difference. If care is not taken tares could be taken for wheat and vice and versa. You only know which is which until they mature. At maturity, the wheat has fruits in its head while the tares are filled with little black seeds. Tares are weeds and like any other weeds they are harmful. In elementary agricultural science we learnt that weeds reduce crop yield because they compete for water, nutrients & lights with the real plant. They reduce the value of the land. They are harmful to human beings and animals. Also some harbor insects –pests & disease pathogens e.t.c. 

The field in the parable of the wheat and tares is the church of God. There is a need for the church to be spiritually awake. Because the church of God is asleep, the enemy has sown a lot of tares among the wheat. The enemy has sown a lot of satanic doctrines some of which are it is ok to smoke cigarette because cigarette only destroys the body not the spirit. 1 Cor 6:19-20 says our body belongs to God not us. Destroying the body with alcohol, cigarette, weed, cocaine and so on is demolishing God’s temple. The wheat are the genuine Christians, those who have been washed clean by the blood of the lamb and tares are the look alike. The tares are spiritual weed in the church. Some of them just come to church to look for a husband or a wife. They do not want to be saved but they want to marry a saved brother or sister. We have them everywhere in the church - evangelism team, choir, usher, prayer warrior e.t.c. The fact that a brother is in church does not mean he is a Christian. The fact that a sister is always leading praise and worship every Sunday does not mean she is a Christian. How do you tell the difference between the wheat and tares? By their fruits. 

When the servants of the householder wanted to go and gather the tares from the field, the householder told them not to bother because whilst gathering the tares they might uproot the wheat with them. Asides from the fact that the tares looked just like the wheat, the wheat grew too close to the tares which makes it very difficult to uproot the tares without destroying the wheat. A trained servant could be able to tell the difference between the two but whilst gathering tares, he might uproot the wheat also because of their closeness. This is why heaven minded believers must choose their friends carefully. The day the wicked is going to get punished for his actions, the righteous close to him might partake in it if care is not taken. Proverbs 13:20 says he that walks with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. The fools will get their reward but their companion would not be spared either. The companion of the fools might include one or two not so wise men.

PRAYER POINT: Father , every plant you have not planted in your church please uproot them.

DON’T QUIT

MEMORY VERSE: and let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not, Galatians 6:9

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Josh 3, Ps 126-128, Isa 63, Matt 11

Challenges are part and parcel of life. Been a Christian does not exempt you from challenges. Challenges will come but the good thing about it is that you will overcome them. John 16:33 says these things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. At times challenges may come and push you to the left and to the right; It may shuffle you to this side and that side; It may throw you up and down; it may even beat you blue and black but don’t worry it will not kill you but make you stronger. Psalm 34:20 says He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken. God will ensure that no matter what happens, at the end you will be able to stand and give your testimony.

What we need to do in the midst of challenges is just hold on to God. As far as we hold on to God He will see us through. In the midst of challenges or during the waiting period there will be pressures on both sides to quit believing or quit everything and just do what others do but please don’t quit. Galatians 6:9 says and let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Those who quit don’t win the race. Those who quit don’t testify. Quitters are not celebrated .Quitters are not rewarded. If you want the Lord to reward you with victory please do not quit.

Do not give in to pressure. Pressure to quit only comes when victory is around the corner. The darkest hour of the night is just before the turning of the morning. The pressure to quit is greatest at the moment of breakthrough. If only you know how close you are to your breakthrough you will not quit. In Matthew 4:1-11, the devil waited for Jesus to fast for forty days and night before tempting him with food. The pressure to break your fast is greatest when something is about to happen in the spirit. The closer you are to fulfilling God’s plan for your life, the more the pressure to go in to sin. The closer Joseph was to becoming the prime minister, the more the pressure to fornicate with Portiphar’s wife. When Joseph became very close, the wife of Portiphar grabbed him and said today is today, you must sleep with me. Don’t quit keeping yourself for the husband or wife the Lord is bringing. In the physical it might look as if is nothing is happening, but I can assure you a lot is happening at a very rapid speed in the spiritand that is why the devil is mounting pressure so that you quit and loose what God has in store for you.

PRAYER POINT: Father, give me the grace to hold on.

ARMOUR OF GOD PT 3 – HELMET OF SALVATION

MEMORY VERSE: and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, Ephesians 6:17

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ruth 2, Acts 27, Jer 37, Luke 6

A helmet is a form of protective gear worn to protect the head from injuries. We all know that the head is the most important part of the body. The head contains organs that control and decide the fate of the whole body. In the head you have the mouth, eyes, ears, brain –which is chiefly responsible for making decisions for the whole body. An injury to the head will cause the whole body problems hence the need for a protective gear in battle. Helmets are not worn to show off or because one plans to fall. They are worn not because something will happen but in case something happens. Imagine what will happen if a hammer drops by mistakes on a fellow who is not wearing a helmet in a construction site or something not well secured may falls on him or he trips and falls. If any of these happens without a helmet on, it will be disaster. That is why is it is advisable to wear helmets at all times in construction sites or on motorcycles.

Helmets are to protect against unforeseen calamities. This is why it is good to have a good one or original not a damaged one or fake one. Bible scholars in a bid to explain how David’s stone killed Goliath came up with a lot of stories. Some have said that David aimed at the unprotected skull of Goliath. Others said Goliath took off his helmet to see David because he was so tiny. Immediately Goliath took off his helmet David aimed at his dead. Whatever the school of thought, maybe if the helmet of Goliath had protected the skull securely that stone would not have brought him down. An unsecured helmet or damaged helmet is as good as no helmet.

Helmets are very important because they protect the head. One of the armour of God is the helmet of salvation. We are talking of genuine salvation here, I mean real salvation where old things passes away and all things become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are talking of salvation whereby you can tell people that this and this is what Jesus saved me from. I used to do this and I do it no more, I used to fight but I fight no more ; I used to fornicate but I fornicate no more; I used to sit with several bottles of beers and finished It but I do it no more e.t.c. I am talking of salvation preceded by repentance not remorse. If the head is not protected, any attack from the enemy could lead to death just like we saw in the case of Goliath. If a fellow is not saved, any attack in battle could bring the person down. If a sister is not genuinely saved, I am talking of that salvation whereby your heart is filled with the joy of salvation, an emotional attack to that sister could cause nervous breakdown. If a brother is not genuinely saved, I am talking of that salvation whereby you begin say for me to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21), any form of attack to the brother could hinder his progress.  A fake salvation is as good as no salvation.

PRAYER POINT:  Father please save me completely today

ARMOUR OF GOD PT 2

MEMORY VERSE: But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goest, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes, 1 John 2:11

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ruth 1, Acts 26, Jer 36, Luke 5

Ephesians 6:11 says put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. In part one of these series we defined what an armor is and the uses of an armor. An armor is used to defend one’s self, attack the enemy or plunder the enemy. When we win souls for Christ, we are plundering the kingdom of darkness and bringing out souls that have been condemned to hell back to God. The armor of God is God’s own armor. It is efficient and useful in all kinds of battle – financial , marital , spiritual, physical, emotional e.t.c.

Before we discuss about the parts and components of this armor, we need to know about tools and methods the enemy employs when they want to attack. The enemy has three main objectives – to kill, to steal and to destroy. John 10:10 says the thief does not come except to steal, kill and to destroy. The enemy uses doubts, anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, hatred, adultery, fornication, laziness, masturbation, fear e.t.c. to accomplish these three objectives. When the enemy wants to destroy, kill or steal from a fellow they shoot fiery darts or arrows at the fellow (Ephesians 6:16). If the fellow is not putting on the armor of God or there is a missing part in the armor maybe the fellow is saved but still tells lie, the dart or arrow will hit the fellow and poison is released into the blood stream. For example if the enemy wants to plunge a brother of his spiritual gifts or his destiny or his ability to see and hear spiritually, they shoot the darts of adultery and fornication at the fellow. God help the brother if he is not putting on the whole armor of God. Once poison is released in to the blood, the passion for adultery or fornication starts burning. Once the brother commits adultery or fornicates that’s it. The enemy can now come in to take anything he wants, at what time he wants. Not only that, he can now permit demons to live in the fellow or put the fellow in bondage. I pray that this will never be your portion in Jesus name.

Recently we treated a topic titled ‘You and Your location’. One’s location is very important because been at the wrong place at the wrong time could lead to death. Your location could increase or decrease spiritual attacks. The safest location in the world is found in the secret place of the most High. Psalm 91:1 says he that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. The question is this where is the secret place of the Most High or what does it mean to abide under the shadow of the Almighty? 1 John 4:8 says God is love. To abide under the shadow of the Almighty means to abide or live in love. Love God with your Spirit, soul and body. Love your neighbors as you love yourself. 1 John 2:11 says but he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knowest not whither he goest, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. A fellow who does not love walks in darkness. Darkness is the territory of the devil while light is the territory of God. When a fellow walks in the territory of the enemy, he is prone to more attacks.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please fill my heart with love.

YOU AND YOUR LOCATION

MEMORY VERSE: Psalm 1:1 says blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners nor sits in the seat of the scornful, Psalm 1:1

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Judg 21, Acts 25, Jer 35, Luke 4

Location play a big role in our life. Whether a man will prosper or not will be determined by his location. If Isaac had disobeyed God and went to Egypt, he would have died as a nobody but because he remained where God told him to be, he prospered and became very prosperous (Genesis 26:11-14). Actually he became so great that a whole nation began to envy him. Whether the promise of God will come to fruition in a life or not will be determined by the individual’s location. If Joseph had remained with his father, he would never have become the prime minister in Egypt but one way or the other the Lord took him to Egypt and that plan came to fruition. In Matthew 2:13-14 the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and advised him to flee to Egypt because Herod wanted to kill baby Jesus. If Joseph had disobeyed the angel and remained in Bethlehem, Herod would have killed the baby and Jesus would never have been able to die for the world. I pray that God in one way or the other will change your location to where your destiny will be fulfilled in Jesus name, amen.

Your location will determine your harvest. In Mark 4:1- 20 we see the same seed producing varying results. Those that fell by the wayside were eaten by  birds ; those that fell on the mountain produced a bit of result but it did not last long ; those that fell on good soil brought forth a good harvest. We also noticed that even those that fell on good soil brought forth different returns. Some brought forth returns in thirty; some sixty and others hundred fold.

Your location will determine whether you will have faith or not. The good book says faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God(Romans 10;17). If you are in an area where all they talk about is negative things, your faith will not grow.  But if you are in a place where the undiluted word of God is preached, where people talk about possibilities, your faith will soar. Ultimately your location will determine how you finish your race on earth. Psalm 1:1 says blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners nor sits in the seat of the scornful.  Lot lost all as a result of his location. He came into Sodom and Gomorrah with a lot of servants, sheep, cattles, gold and his family but he left with only his daughters. At the end Lot died a frustrated man because his location corrupted the life of his children. Despite the fact that the girls were virgins, what they saw and heard corrupted their mind .At the end these two girls conceived and hatched a plan to get their dad drunk and lay with him carnally.

PRAYER POINT: Father ,please open my eyes to the location you want me to be.

ARMOUR OF GOD PT 1

MEMORY VERSE: Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, Ephesians 6:11

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Judg 20, Acts 24, Jer 34, Luke 3

An armour is a protective covering worn to prevent injury to the body in battle. Battles could be financial, legal, spiritual, physical, emotional (battle of the mind) e.t.c. An armour is mainly for defense. Anyone who has fought battles or any war veteran will tell you that the best form of defense is attack so an armour would include items to defend oneself, items to attack the enemy, items to disarm the enemy e.t.c. The reason for battle could be for freedom, to recover back what the enemy has stolen, to claim back lost grounds or to kill the enemy at infancy thereby preventing it from growing and causing problem in later life e.t.c. Some of the enemies that needs to be destroyed at infancy are anger, jealousy and all. 

The type of battle you are fighting will determine the type of armour you need. If you are fighting a legal battle in court, you need a good lawyer. It will be absurd to turn up at court with an AK17 and missile launcher to defend yourself in court. The type of enemy you are fighting will also determine the type of armour you require. If you are fighting spiritual enemies, you need prayers not a lawyer or statutes or technical know-how.

You may be wondering i am not fighting with any one; I am a peaceful person, why do I need an armour? I have not offended anyone, why should anyone want to attack me? I am honest and I have never taken what does not belong to me so why should anyone be after me? Matthew 11:12 says from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. The violence referred to here is not physical but spiritual. Ephesians 6:12 says for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. We are talking of the devil and his hosts of fallen angels. The bible calls them spiritual wickedness which means they do not need a reason to attack you. This is why you cannot adopt a soft nature when dealing with spiritual forces. When dealing with humans the bible admonishes us to be gentle, slow to speak, quick to hear e.t.c but when you are dealing with spiritual forces take the most aggressive stance. Because we are at spiritual war we need spiritual armour. Because we are fighting forces invisible to physical eyes, we need an armour that is invisible to physical eyes. To cater for such enemies, the Lord gave us His own personal armour called the armour of God.This armour is guaranteed to give you victory over bitterness, addiction, masturbation, failure, anger, hatred, unforgiveness and all. Because it is God’s own armour it is guaranteed never to fail. Because it is God’s own armour it is guaranteed to work 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The armour of God has never failed and will never fail.

KEY WORD: The armour of God is God’s own armour.

UNTIL LOT LEAVES

MEMORY VERSE: For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point he is guilty of all , James 2:10

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Judg 19, Acts 23, Jer 33, Luke 2

In Genesis 12:1-4, God gave Abram seven promises subject to obedience to three simple instructions. He told him to get out of his country; get out from his family and get out from his father’s house to a land He will show him. In return He promised to make him  a great nation; bless him; make his name great; make him a blessing; bless those who bless him; curse those who curse him and through him all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Abram obeyed all the instructions except the last one - he got out of his country, his family but not fully from his father’s house because he took little Lot (young son of his late brother –Haran) with him. When he arrived at where God told him to go, he was greeted by famine instead of abundance. He ran out of there and went to Egypt with little Lot. In Egypt, Pharaoh took his wife from him but God intervened. He left Egypt for south of Bethel still with Lot (by this time Lot was now a big man). One day fight broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot. That day Abram decided that enough was enough. He told Lot to pick a portion of the land and leave. Immediately Lot left the presence of Abram, God spoke after several years.

Despite the fact that Abram obeyed two out of the three instructions, God did not fulfill the seven promises. God is not looking for those who will obey most of His commandments. He is not satisfied with people who are ready to obey ninety per cent or people who obey nine percent. To the Most High God, obedience to ninety percent of God’s commandments is still classified as incomplete obedience. No wonder the book of Matthew 5:48 says be perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

From time to time, many of us wonder if the words written in the bible are actually true. James 4:7 says Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Many of us have been resisting the devil and instead of the devil to flee, the devil is actually pursuing us in the dreams, why? Malachi 3:9 says bring all the tithes into the storeroom that there may be meat in mine house and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Host, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Many of us have been faithful in the payment of tithes and instead of lending to nations; our financial situation is getting worse by the day, why? The reason for this is incomplete obedience. James 2:10 says for whoever keeps the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. As far as you are still fornicating, you can pay tithe from today till tomorrow the Lord will not open the window of heaven to any fornicator or adulterer. You can join all the groups in the church; as far as you are not merciful forget about mercy. You can be the Sunday school teacher, as far as you are not fully submissive to your husband or authority, you can rebuke the devil all you want instead of fleeing he might even chase you.

POINT: Lot represents incomplete obedience