Articles & Outlines

Ruth 2:8Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field,neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens.The story of Boaz and Ruth is in the words of Col.2:17 “are a shadow of things to come……After Naomi, Ruth’s mother in law had lost everything and returned to Bethlehem – in poverty; Ruthcame with her having refused to abandon her. In the course of time Ruth had to fend for both of them,therefore she went out to glean of the harvest of farm owner, she ended up in the field of Boaz whohappened to be an extended family member to her late husband. Boaz having learned who she wasbecame particularly generous towards her and advised her to ensure she did not go anywhere else toglean for harvest, suggesting that all she needed he had the capacity to provide, she should rathernot go and mix herself up with other groups of ladies in the community probably because he had notvetted them to ascertain that they are good company (1Cor.15:33).Just as Boaz, Jesus our Saviour says to every Christian, there is nothing you need outside Him. Hepaid the ultimate price to break the hold of Satan and his host over as many as are surrendered theirlives to Him. By His death( and resurrection) He purchased for all, the free gift of life (John 10:10b).Every need you may have has been provided for by Him for example, Healing has been purchased(Is.53:5), Peace ( John14:27), Fruitfulness (2Pet.1:8), Prosperity (3John 1:2), Hope (Col.1:27),Victory over all powers and forces (Col.2:15), Comfort ( John 14:18), Power to do exploits ( John14:12) and overcome obstacles (1John 4:4).He further instructed His own to stay away from anything or anyone that is not of the household offaith, just as Boaz told Ruth to not mingle with lady gleaner outside his field.2Cor.6:17So, come out from among [unbelievers], and separate (sever) yourselves from them, says theLord, and touch not [any] unclean thing; then I will receive you kindly and treat you with favour.Abide here in the Lord and He will make your way prosperous and peaceful, there is no lasting helpor support from any other source than Jesus. No one loves nor cares for you like Him who gave all soyou can have abundant life, He paid the price for your sins and suffered humiliation. pain andrejection so that you will not have to. He purchased for you a great inheritance.Do not allow yourself to be distracted by goings on around you, here in Christ is a sure habitation andpromise of life abundant.1Cor.15:58Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always giveyourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not invain

Mal.4:1-2That time of judgment is coming. It will be like a hot furnace. All the proud people will be punished. All the evil people will burn like straw. At that time they will be like a bush burning in the fire, and there will not be a branch or root left.” This is what the Lord All-Powerful said. “But, for my followers, goodness will shine on you like the rising sun. And it will bring healing power like the sun’s rays. You will be free and happy, like calves freed from their stalls.”The need to answer the question posed by our topic is not only important, it borders on the verge of being existential in nature. It has deeper meaning than it sounds. I was once told the story of a person while attempting to cast out demon got asked the same question by the demon through its host, his response that he was standing beside the demon possessed individual earned him severe beating by the host, he failed to answer the question correctly, whereas the question was “by what authority are you standing“he took the question literally, thus earning himself injury in the process.If you understood where you are standing, then you will be able to what your portion is.While that is one scenario, another way to answer the question is to consider where your standing is with the Lord and what shall be at the end.Your standing will determine to a large extent what the future holds for you.Heb. 9:27“Every human being is appointed to die once, and then to face God’s judgment.”The time of judgement is coming indeed, and what accrues to all is according to their doings, the day will be like a hot furnace burning as it were everything, all the works we worked on earth will be tested by fire, will your own work survive the fire?Not only the works, even the workers as well, depending on each one’s activities while on earth. According to our text, the proud people will be punished, who are the proud? These are they that rebel against the Word of God, who are enticed bythings of the world and swallowed up by greed for what the world can offer, they speak negatives against even what they do not understand and corrupt themselvesthereby, bringing destruction/punishment on themselves.The evil people will burn like straw in the fire at the last days, these are people thatdelight in doing wickedly, completely pulling down everything that is good andgodly. People that cause others to derail in faith. They are the enemies of thecross. Their end will be utter destruction.The their category of people are those who follow/stand with the Lord, these willshine brighter by the day, no wonder Is.40:31 says they shall be renewed instrength ( physical and spiritual), because the glory of God is risen uponthem( Is.60:1). The ones that stand with the Lord shall be happy and blessed bothnow and in the hereafter.Now we know that there are three possible sides to stand, the question to youtherefore again, is where are you standing? Just in case you’re not standing right,the fact you’re reading this is a clear indication that the Lord is still very muchinterested in you and is hereby giving you another opportunity to change yourlocation, so you can enter into His rest, failure to heed this call may prove verycostly in the end. Be wise to be in right standing with the Lord.He is still saying to you today….. Come to me, all of you who are tired and haveheavy loads. I will give you rest.

Matt.21:22Everything you pray for with the fullness of faith you will receive!According to Pro. 30:16, fire never says it is enough, just as fire, faith is an unimaginable force. Faith has been described as the legal tender used for exchange in Heaven, ie to please and get anything from God, faith is the only acceptable means of exchange ( Heb. 11:6).“Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is stillunseen.”Hebrews 11:1The power and the force of faith turned around the hopeless situation in the life of Naaman (2 Kings. 5), who traveled miles just to meet Elisha for the cure of his leprosy, the same force activated in the life of the woman with the issue of blood ( Mk. 5:25-34), brought an end to several years of pain, losses and ridicule. To understand what faith is, we must believe what the scripture says in Jer. 32:27“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?Luke 1:37“For with God nothing shall be impossible.”Faith without a basis is no faith, the force of faith is only activated when we believe. It is only in believing that there shall be a performance of that which we believe, and that , without limit. Regardless of how dire circumstances are with you, God can turn it around in the twinkling of an eye. As long as you are still alive and breathing, God has not finished with you, recall the story of the thief crucified alongside Jesus, whobased on his activities on earth that earned his the death penalty, was a sure candidate of hell, yet he believed that God can still show him mercy, his faith was not disappointed. He made Heaven ( a thief!!!). That is the confidence I have to tell you that all you need for that your situation to be turned right side up is to believe in Jesus, have faith in Him to turn it around for you, and soon you will testify.If you have a mouth to pray, and heart to believe in faith, there is a God in Heaven who answers prayers. The reason why even though you’re a Christian yet your prayers are not answered is because of lack of faith, your caught between unbelief and faith…… you’re double minded. ( Jam. 1:6-8).Whatever you ask God in faith, that you will receive.

Matt.13:25But when everyone was asleep, an enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat and ran away.For a healthy lifestyle, sleep is very important particularly because of its beneficial effects on the human body, such benefits include but not limited to keeping the heart healthy, strengthening the immune system, for emotional and mental wellbeing etc, in spite of all these benefits however, sleep time is the highest point of human vulnerability because all guards are let down.In our memory verse above, Jesus alluded to the fact that while one needs sleep, the period is when the enemy becomes most active against our destinies. In this, Jesus used the issue of sleep to warn Christians that docility in our faith is a weakness that Satan will explore and deeply so.In context, sleep here refers to not doing what ought to be done as and when due, it means being carefree or careless about important issues of life, especially spiritual assignment. It could also mean resting on one’s oars after taking stock of what the one has achieved, thereby blinding the one to the many more grounds to be taken – for example in Joshua 12, the man of God looked at all he had achieved and thought, well I have done brilliantly, however in Chapter 13:1, God was unequivocal incalling him out.“Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed”.In summary, Joshua had been sleeping on duty. The danger of taking a rest before achievement of set objectives is a likely fall into error, probable rejection or untimely end (1Kings 13:1-24).Sleeping on duty can also mean being lazy and unproductive despite huge investment in such life, failing to carry out assigned tasks as should be (the parable of the barren fig tree in Luke 13:6-9). Wha t have you made of the Saviour’s investment in your life?Paul the Apostle is an example of a profitable investment, a man who would not allow his past successes in ministry becloud his sense of passion, enthusiasm and zeal , a very alert individual who was focused on the next phase rather than gloat in any achievement (Phil.3:7-8). The moment a Christian begins to enjoy the company of unbelievers, fails to see what is wrong in covering up sins and excusing sins/unrighteousness, he is sleeping on duty, and it is only a matter of time that the camp ofSatan will take full control of such a life.Pro.6:10-11“Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to lie down and rest”—So your poverty will come like an approaching prowler who walks [slowly, but surely]And your need [will come] like an armed man [making you helpless]”.If you are casual about your salvation and the great commission, you are sleeping on duty, it is time you arose and get to serious work, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.Arise from your sleep now.