“But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them.” – Matthew 13:29 REFERENCE: MATTHEW 13:24-30 This parable is one of Jesus’ most powerful. The lessons therein are many, but I will focus on ‘prudence.’ Prudence is the ability to manage circumstances with care and thoughtfulness. It is being careful to consider all possible dangers or consequences in a situation. The man in this parable planted good seed (wheat) in his field, and while men slept (became careless and relaxed), his enemy came and sowed tares (some stubborn weed). The wheat, as...
Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? It is like a mustard seed…" – Mark 4:30&31 REFERENCE: MARK 4:30-32 Jesus was a great storyteller, and He told many parables. He used them to teach revolutionary and potent truths that still speak today. A parable is a story told to illustrate some doctrine or moral point, and Jesus told fascinating ones to describe how the kingdom of God functions. A picture speaks louder than a thousand words, and parables are words in picture form. We will be looking...
“Therefore, go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.” – Matthew 22:9 REFERENCE: MATTHEW 22:1-10 God’s heart for His kingdom on earth is that it grows. Any right-thinking entrepreneur starts a venture with the mindset of growth. The desire to grow is God’s nature in us; that is how He ‘wired’ us. After his creation, God commanded man to multiply, fill the earth and subdue it. The King in the parable was not satisfied with a half-filled wedding hall. So, he sent his servants to the streets to bring as many as they found. Why?...
“…and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.” – 1 Peter 3:7b REFERENCE: 1 PETER 3:7-12 Peter here admonishes husbands to be careful and thoughtful of the needs of their wives while honoring them as the weaker sex and partners in receiving God’s blessings. When husbands withhold this honor from their wives, their prayers are sabotaged. This is a roadblock to answers in prayers. Hence, not handling relationships well can become a roadblock to prayers. Let us see more roadblocks that truncate our supplications: o Domestic Discord: If your marriage is not...
“But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me…” – Daniel 10:13a REFERENCE: DANIEL 10:12-14 An angel told Daniel that God had heard his prayer and answered; however, the manifestation was delayed until Angel Michael intervened. This validates God’s word that we are not fighting against humans (flesh and blood), but against spiritual beings, evil rulers of the unseen world, and wicked spirits in the spirit world. This results in: Discouraging Delays: Delay to answered prayers is a usual ploy employed by satan to wear...
My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning? - Psalm 22:1 REFERENCE: PSALMS 22:1-5 David cried out to God. It seemed God was far away and not answering his prayers; He appeared out of reach and inaccessible. You may have realized that your prayers do not always get the desired results. Often God responds, and at other times, heaven seems silent, and your prayers do not prevail. Times like this have discouraged people who have given up on praying or on God....
“It shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear. – Isaiah 65:24 REFERENCE: Isaiah 65:20 - 25 God desires to do great things in our lives. The bible makes us understand that we have God's full attention even before we pray. He is aware of what is in our hearts and is ready to answer even before we speak. It still behooves us as Sons to call on Him. Prayer allows us to align ourselves to God’s will; it opens our spirit man to His will...
“Present your case,” says the Lord. “Bring forth your strong reasons,” says the King of Jacob. – Isaiah 41:21 REFERENCE: Isaiah 41:21-23 God wants to be reasoned with and desires that you present your case before Him in the place of prayer. In the text, God calls you to engage Him in prayer; give Him strong reasons why He should do what you are asking. You can stand before God with the promises of the scriptures, which are strong, trustworthy, and binding. God’s Word is the only case you can present to Him and expect Him to consider. A lawyer...
“Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent, no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” Genesis 41:44 REFERENCE: GENESIS 41:44-49 Joseph was thirty years old when he became a Prince in Egypt, after being given the stamp of approval by Pharoah. Pharoah chose Joseph over his counselors because authority gravitates toward those who solve problems and have the ‘Spirit of God’ in them. If they could not interpret the dream, they could not have resolved the famine. Although a young man, Joseph's age did not matter as...
“You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” – Genesis 41:40 REFERENCE: GENESIS 41:37-45 It was 2 years after the Butler's reinstatement that Joseph was released from the PIT and brought before Pharoah to interpret his dream. In the fulness of time, after 13 years of slavery in Egypt, God created a problem that needed a solution that only Joseph could provide. Though he was quickly taken out of the pit, Joseph took time to shave and...