A VISION OF HELL

READ: MARK 9:43-48

A brother shares his real life experience. ‘It was during the Nigerian Civil War of the late sixties. The Federal troops came to different places recruiting able-bodied men into the Nigerian Army. They came to my region too and I was interested and willingly signed up. I was put in charge of the weapons. This confined me to the office but I was not satisfied. I desired to go to the battle field to experience war first hand. So I begged my superior officer to let me take up arms to fight for Nigeria. When he could no longer stand my pleas, he gave in.
I jumped up for joy, kitted and marched fearlessly into the battle front. During the exchange of fire, I was badly hit. Before I knew it, I was bleeding and not long after, I began to lose consciousness. My life was gradually leaving me. Some soldiers came near to offer some help. It was of no use as, soon after, I blanked out. A door opened in front of me. I passed through and it shut. I found myself in a very thick darkness that can be felt. It was then it occurred to me I had just died. As I looked ahead, I saw a tiny light some distance away so I struggled through the physical darkness to reach the spot. The light was at the middle of two pathways – one to the left and the other to the right.
As I stood thinking of which way to take, I heard a voice say, “Son, where are you coming from?” I unconsciously replied, ‘I just passed through the earth.’ Then the voice said, “What did you do there?” Immediately like a tape recorder, my mouth began to relay all I did from birth till death. I tried to refrain myself or hide some hideous things I did but my tongue did not cooperate. Then I started weeping as I saw how evil I was.
After this, a big book appeared before me which contained everything I had done. Surprisingly, I read it all even though back in the world I was not educated. Then I heard the verdict, “Take your left”. Immediately, my legs began to carry me fast to the lane that ended up in hell contrary o my will. As I advanced, it got hotter and I began to hear the most grievous screams. There were repeated called for water. Soon I left dried in the heat and began panting for water. Then I got to a place with the sign ‘hell’. My legs were about to launch me in when I heard the same voice, “Son go back and live right.” Suddenly my soul returned to my body and I found myself back on earth.’ Repent now. You may not have another chance.

MEMORIZE: PSALM 9:17 –The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all nations that forget God.

GIVING CAESAR HIS DUE

READ: MATTHEW 22:17-22

The word of wisdom would be necessary when a child of God is faced with enemies who are at a vantage point. An example of this was when some people came to ask Jesus if it was lawful for them to pay tax to Caesar. At the time, the Jews were under Roman rule and none of them liked to be treated as slaves in their own land. They were however compelled to pay tax to the Roman Emperor. If Jesus had said it was lawful to pay tax to Caesar, they would have ruined His evangelistic work by saying He was anti-Jews and a stooge of the Roman government. If He had said it was unlawful to pay tax to Caesar, they would have invited the Roman soldiers to have Him arrested for mobilizing the Jews against tax policies of the Roman government.
Whatever answer He would have given would have been a trap to finish Him. Have you been in such dilemma? What did you do to come out? While His detractors were already applauding themselves that they had caught Him at last, through a word of wisdom, Jesus had a clean escape. He told them; give what belongs to Caesar to Caesar and what belongs to God, to God. Those days, the Jews always cursed Caesar. Therefore, the Jews at that gathering understood this statement to mean that curses should be sent to Caesar. So they were glad He was on their side. The Roman officials were equally happy that He was on their side.
The word of wisdom can manifest in several ways. God could give it to you through an audible voice. He could give it through dreams and visions as in the case of Daniel (Daniel 2:19-23). He could also give it through a prophetic word. It could come through reading the Bible. While working on my PhD dissertation, I read how God parted the Red Sea for the Israelites to cross over. Immediately the word of wisdom came that I should use the theory of the parting of the Red Sea to solve my mathematical problem. When you have the gift of word of wisdom, you will never have to worry over anything again. Ask the Lord for it today.

MEMORIZE: 1 CORINTHIANS 12:31 –But covet earnestly the best gifts; and yet show I to you a more excellent way.

MAKING YOUR HOME

READ: MALACHI 2:14-16

Marriage is ordained by God. God’s purpose for bringing the woman out of the man is for several beautiful reasons, the totality of which is to give the family ‘heaven on earth’. But today, couples desecrate the institution of marriage with reckless abandon. Vows are now taken for granted. Unfaithfulness and extramarital affairs are becoming the order of the day. The divorce dilemma that has rocked many homes in the world is now hitting hard at Christian homes. And the casualty rate is on the rise. In-laws are playing ‘God’ and there is no peace in many homes.
What is going on? Has God made a mistake by introducing marriage? Is there no end to this dilemma? What are the roles of Christian spouses in the home? The questions are a myriad! The truth remains that God designed the family as a blessing. But the reason the home that should be a blessing is becoming a curse today is because of a violation of the guiding principles in the Bible. To have the full benefit of technical products, the user must strictly adhere to the manufacturer operation manual. How can you enjoy marriage if you break the operating instructions? God plans to make the nations by first making the families. Satan also tries to destroy the nations by eroding the value system in families.
Every Christian has a part to play in accomplishing God’s goal. If singles take time to seek God’s choice in marriage, this will help to increase lasting homes. Christian families should wait on God for direction during trying moments. They can also seek counselling from their Spirit-filled counsellors. Couples should strictly follow the biblical guidelines regulating marriage – husbands should love, while wives should submit. You are the hope of the world. Your family should stand out in peace, love, forgiveness and godliness. If your home is broken, there is no hope for the world. You could relate very well with your in-laws. Keep them out of your daily activities but win them over through love, practical care, prayer and forgiveness. Your family was extended through marriage, so that you can legitimately access your in-laws and win them over to Jesus. Other homes may fail but not yours.

MEMORIZE: GENESIS 2:24 –Therefore shall a man leave his father and this mother and shall cleave to his wife and they shall be one flesh.

REPERCUSSIONS OF LIES

READ: REVELATION 21:22-27

“Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.” (Job 4:8).
This world is like a very large farm and everyone in it is a farmer. Everything you think of, do or say is seeds for the farm. The seeds may be good or bad. Once you do something, it means you have sown a seed. Automatically, the law of harvest begins to operate. That seed dies in the ground and begins to bud and grow up as a plant. This plant over time becomes a tree which is firmly rooted to the ground. At a point it begins to bear several fruits, in twos, hundreds or thousands of what was sown. The farmer who planted the seed begins to harvest the fruits of his labour. If it was a good seed, he will reap lots of joy and celebration. But if it was a bad seed, he will have lots of sorrow and anguish. What are you sowing today?
The first repercussion of lies follows the law of harvest. If you tell lies to cheat your boss, for instance, someday, you will be a victim of great loss due to several lies that those under you will contrive. Another result of lies is that there is punishment awaiting every liar (Proverbs 19:5).
Whatever is built on falsehood is built on the sand. Sooner or later, that house will crumble and lead to great loss, shame, disgrace. Proverbs 12:22 says that God hates liars with a passion. In fact, according to Psalm 101:7, He does not want to see them at all. Every liar is fathered by Satan (John 8:44). Each lie leaves a space for you in hell. After booking your eternal reservation in hell, how do you think you can ever make it to Heaven? Today’s reading as well as Revelation 21:8 clearly teach that no liar will enter the Heaven. Heaven is serious business. If you think lies are little, harmless, and do not matter before God, Ananias and Sapphira will tell you they ended their Christian race in hell because of lies. Do something about it today!    

MEMORIZE: JOB 4:8 –Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.

DRYING UP TREES

READ: ISAIAH 39:6-8

Today believers appear not to appreciate the power of God in them. One day, Jesus came into the city of Jerusalem, hungry. Then He saw a fig tree with much leaves so He went there hoping to eat of its fruit He was disappointed seeing no fruit. As a result, He cursed the tree and it dried up (Matthew 21:18-20).
Our passage today says, All flesh is grass. In prophetic parlance, trees may suggest human beings. A tree has the ability to reproduce its kind through its fruits. There are good trees. Believers are compared to trees planted by the rivers of water (Psalm 1:3). There also evil trees. The Lord does not expect us to leave evil trees but to uproot and dry them up with our faith.
“And the Lord said, If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, you might say to this sycamine tree, Be you plucked up by the root, and be you planted in the sea; and it should obey you.” (Luke 17:6).   
“But He answered and said, Every plant, which My heavenly Father has not planted, shall be rooted up.” (Matthew 15:13).
This year every satanic tree planted in your life will dry up to its roots and be cut down in Jesus name. Arise in faith and begin to command every evil tree of familiar spirit operation in your life and family to wither like grass in the field. Begin to uproot every negative plant in your life and business. The truth is that if you are content with the presence of wicked oppressors in your life, it will remain so. For whatsoever you allow shall be allowed. But if you disallow them, it will show in your actions. Jesus did not tolerate that tree. Do not tolerate witches to live with you. If God has clearly revealed that your ward, house help or relative living with you is a witch and they would not yield to deliverance, send them away immediately. Any evil tree you allow will produce several others. What you allow will multiply. What you disallow is on its way to extinction. Are there trees of bitterness, envy and malice in your heart? Take it down today. You can determine what fruit to eat from. The choice is yours.   

MEMORIZE: MATTHEW 15:13 –But He answered and said, Every plant, which My heavenly Father has not planted, shall be rooted up.