I started the year off having my church read “The Circle Maker”. After that, we watched the movie “War Room” and then started the “War Room” Bible study series in our men’s and women’s groups. I guess some people think a pastor just randomly chooses certain subjects to teach and preach on. As always, not everybody read the book and not every family came to watch the movie. Not all men or women have come to the Bible study once a month in our groups. However, I knew in my spirit that our church would go to battle this year and that’s exactly what has happened. I am completely heartbroken at some of the things that the enemy has been able to do in the lives of some. Sin and the sowing of discord has tried to get a foot hold in our church and even though some have fallen prey to it, the ones that understood the battle plan are standing with us and remaining strong.
I know we’re not the only church under attack, in fact, I am completely aware that we are living in the last days and we are seeing the scriptures revealed in the lives of many people. It’s happening to people and they don’t even realize it. We have a wonderful church and a strong team of workers, but we know we’re in a battle. I’m asking you to pray for us as we continue to fight. Also, if your church is going through a battle, please let me know who you are, so we can pray specifically for you too. We are the body of Christ and when one suffers, we should all feel the pain.
I’m reminded of when Jesus taught His disciples about the wheat and the tares.
Matthew 13:24-30 (NKJV)
24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;
25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.
26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared.
27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’
28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’
29 But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”
So many things stand out to me in this parable, but notice how the servants came to the owner questioning him about what was growing in the field. In their confusion and lack of understanding, they asked if it was his fault that this was happening. I love the reply of the owner…”AN ENEMY HAS DONE THIS”. Sometimes, as a pastor, that’s all you are able to say. You know in your heart, you had nothing to do with what is coming up and you are confident of the seed you have sown, so for anyone who asks, you have to let them know, “AN ENEMY HAS DONE THIS”. You never know who is going to blame you or the enemy, but don’t ever let them convince you, that it’s your fault.
Then, many of the servants wanted to defend the owner and protect the field by pulling up the tares. However, the owner used wisdom and told them to let the wheat and tares grow together for a season, but when the season is over, only what goes to the barn will be used. The preacher in me is going crazy right now, but I’m just going to let you take it from here. You know how this applies to you, so we must stay encouraged and remain faithful, because the season is going to change. Weeping may endure for the night, but joy is coming in the morning!!!
We are God’s church, built on the rock and the gates of hell, SHALL NOT, CANNOT AND WILL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT!!!
