CALLING IT BY ITS REAL NAME

MEMORY VERSE: and Isaac dug again the wells of water which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father, for the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham. He called them by the names which his father had called them, Genesis 26:18

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 3, Rom 3, Jer 41, Luke 10

BACKGROUND: The Philistines are a wicked set of people. What could Abraham have done to them to warrant destroying his properties after his death? Out of envy and jealousy they went and covered up the wells he had dug with sand. Isaac dug the wells again and called them by names which his father called them.

ANALYSIS: Isaac could have given the wells new names. No one would have questioned him as to why he did that. But he did that to honor his father. Despite the fact that he dug the wells at a different time and season, he still gave them the old names. Another reason why he gave them the old names was because the old names represented something.

Words are powerful. Names are more powerful. How we describe a thing matters. I remembered as a young school boy I was suspended from school for a week and when I got home, I told my parents that I have been exempted from all school activities for a week. My wise Dad then asked, why? I had no other choice than to tell him I was suspended. I tried to play with words but I was caught. I knew that ‘exempted from school activities’ did not sound as terrible as ‘suspension’. To be suspended from school sounds very bad, but ‘exempted from school activities’ didn’t sound too bad.

Back in the days, sex before marriage or sex outside marriage used to be frowned upon by everyone including unbelievers because of the name that was giving to it. Sex before marriage used to be called fornication and sex outside marriage used to be called adultery. Today it is not so anymore , they call it names like ‘having fun’; ‘ making love’ ; ‘having a nice a time’ ; ‘spending time the night together’. These names have made fornication and adultery acceptable or look not so bad. It sounds ok when you say i made love with that sister but it sounds like a sin when you say I fornicated with that sister. Adultery is adultery and fornication is fornication not having a good time.

Back in the days anyone who partakes or commits a crime is called a criminal. Anyone who stole or robs a bank or do fraud or do credit card fraud or send funny emails with the intention to dupe e.t.c were all referred to as criminals but today it is now called ‘yahoo boys’; ‘sharp boy’; ‘fast boys’; ‘big boys’; ‘town boys’; ‘hustler’ e.t.c . A criminal is a criminal and a thief is a thief. When a woman sells her body for money or favor, it used to be called prostitution but today they call it ‘business’ or ‘runs’. We never used to hear of the word boyfriends or lovers or girlfriends. All we used to hear was fiancé or fiancée. Names can make an unacceptable thing look acceptable.

KEY POINT: No matter what we call it, what is bad is bad. God still frowns at sin regardless of how we describe the sin.

BITTERNESS HINDERS

MEMORY VERSE: Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice, Ephesians 4:31

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 2, Rom 2, Jer 40, Luke 9

BACKGROUND: Between Genesis 21:12 where God told Abraham to hearken to Sarah and send Hagai away to Genesis 22:1-2 where God told Abraham to go and offer his son for a burnt offering on a mountain was a period of over fifteen years. 

ANALYSIS: Isaac was weaned between the age of two and five according to the Jewish culture. Abraham sent Hagai away around the period when Isaac was weaned. Now Isaac was a young adult (between the age of nineteen and twenty five) when the Lord asked Abraham to go and offer him as burnt offering on the mountain. We know Isaac was a young adult because he was old enough to travel on foot for three days with Abraham without his mother. Not only that, the conversation between Abraham and Isaac showed that he was young adult. Besides Isaac was the one who carried the wood for the sacrifice up the mountain.

When you carefully study the bible, you will notice that from Genesis 21:12 to Genesis 22:1-2, Abraham did not hear a single word from God. In other words for a period of over fifteen years Abraham who was a friend of God never heard a word from God. The question is why? Why would God keep silence for such a long period despite his relationship with Abraham? The reason for this is found in Genesis 21:25 -26, Abraham dug a well and the servants of Abimelech violently took it away from him. Instead of the old man (Abraham) to bring the matter before Abimelech, he just kept it inside and bitterness began to grow in him. The old man taught Abimelech was aware of what his servants had done so he began to nurse bitterness against him. It was until later when Abimelech visited him and he raised the subject of the well that he found out that Abimelech did not even know about the evil thing his servants had done. Immediately Abraham settled with Abimelech, Abraham began to hear from God again.

Bitterness is a spiritual poison. It kills one’s spiritual life. Bitterness is in the soul. It blocks one’s spiritual eyes and ears. Hearing from God becomes impossible when there is bitterness inside us. If you have bitterness against anyone please call the fellow and settle right away. For over fifteen years God was looking for an opportunity to speak to Abraham, because his spiritual ears were blocked he could not hear a single word. Immediately he emptied himself of bitterness, his spiritual ears were unblocked and he began to hear from God again. An old man of God found some fliers and began to use it for evangelism. The publishers of these fliers found out that this old man was using their fliers so they took him to court and the whole court procedure stressed this old man out. After the court case the old man began to nurse bitterness against these young men. One day he slept in the Lord and when he got to heaven Jesus told him that no one harboring bitterness is not allowed in the heaven. Out of unusual mercy, the Lord permitted him to return to make amendment.Ephesians 4:31 says let all bitterness be put away from you. Is it really worth it to spend eternity in hell because of a fellow who wronged you? Why not call those you harbor bitterness against and settle.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please rid me of every bitterness today!

BLESSED MEMORY

MEMORY VERSE : the memory of the just is blessed: the name of the wicked shall rot, Proverbs 10:7

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1 Sam 1, Rom 1, Jer 39, Luke 8

BIBLE STUDIES : Acts 9:36 – 42

If the Lord tarries, a day is coming when we will all sleep and not wake up. If the Lord delays His second coming, a day is coming when the alarm clock will go off at 5am as usual and we will not hear not because we overslept but because we slept in the Lord. Brethren a day is coming when the bold will not be able to utter a single word again , when the strong and mighty will not be able to defend himself no more. In that day the king’s subjects will say long live the king and he will not be able to respond with his usual smile. In that day they will call Mr President , and Mr President will not able to respond. In that day the husband will say dear and the wife will not be able to answer, the wife will say honey and the husband will not be able to answer. In that day the word ‘late ‘ will now be added to our names i.e. late Mr A.

In Acts 9 : 36 – 42 Dorcas slept like everyone in Joppa but did not wake up the next morning ; her race on earth had ended. They laid her in the upper chamber and by her was memories of how she spent her time on earth – the widows she had fed ; the people she had helped; the families she had paid for their children’s tuition ; the naked she had clothe; the hungry she had fed ; the homeless she had given accommodation to e.t.c.

In that day when my body and your body will be laid down, what will be the memory beside it? Proverbs 10:7 says the memory of the just is blessed. Sister will it be all the abortion and sugar daddies you had? Bro will it be all the ladies you impregnated and denied it or those you slept with behind your wife ? Manager will it be all the staff you refused to pay their salary in time or those you sacked because they did not play the game ? Supervisor will it be the staffs you victimised? Mr Politician will it be all the money you embezzled – money meant for the community you used for yourself and family? Born again will it be all your neighbors you don’t greet? Anointed man of God will it be the truth you refused to preach because you don’t want offend some sets of members? Mr Police will it be cases of perverted justices? Believers will it be those that backslided because of you.

TO PONDER : Will my memory be a blessed one?

Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus

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.