Sycamore Tree

Luke 19:1-6: And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a Sycamore Tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.  And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.

Zacchaeus is a perfect example of a lot of us, he was a chief among his peers and had an outlook of one who all is well with (Rich). But like all humans, we know ourselves more than the way others perceive us. Despite his Chief status, he knew his life was still very empty of something or rather someone really vital. Am sure a lot of people will be hailing him as a 'Don', as a man of timber and caliber and as a role model, but the truth is that in our inner place we know how wrong our fans, friends and colleagues are. 

1Co 2:11  Who ever knows what you're thinking and planning except you yourself? (MSG)

We are the only ones who truly know our inadequacies and struggles. Maybe you are reading this and you realize that the applause you receive from school, work, church is very encouraging about your life, but i will have you ponder and pause.......is that the true reflection of your life. Like Zacchaeus do you feel you aint there yet? Despite his success, he knew he needed Jesus. 

He sought to see Jesus who He was.....despite his reputation, he sought Him. Are you seeking him my brother and sister. Has your reputation or standing in school and at work crucified your search? Is it possible that you are trying but you cant get through? In verse 3 we saw that he could not see Jesus because of the press or the crowd. It is sad that there are lots of things crowding out Jesus in our lives, only because we do not make adequate room for Him in our lives. Our jobs, friends, phones, social media, babies, spouses and even church activities are crowding Him away from being seen. We give more priority to these things than seeking Him for ourselves. 

Some of us say we are still young or lack spiritual stature to seek Him like some do. To you i say "climb the SYCAMORE TREE". It helped Zacchaeus it will help you too. 

A sycamore tree is any thing that helps you see Jesus in the midst of distractions and busy schedules of our lives. It gives you leverage to see Him. For a lot of people their sycamore tree is Church Services. For a lot of believers without it they wont have any relationship with Jesus. Without it a lot of people wont experience Him. I do not mean seeing Jesus physically folks, but i mean church affords a lot of people the opportunity to speak to Him, hear Him, feel Him, fellowship with Him and so on. However some lose that fellowship in church when they become religious and encumbered by many activities like Martha. 

Luke 10:40-42: But Martha [overly occupied and too busy] was distracted with much serving; and she came up to Him and said, Lord, is it nothing to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me [to lend a hand and do her part along with me]! But the Lord replied to her by saying, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; There is need of only one or but a few things. Mary has chosen the good portion [that which is to her advantage], which shall not be taken away from her. (AMP)

Nevertheless, the main point of this post is that I feel the Holy Spirit will like to point out the fact that a lot of people have now turned the Sycamore Tree to the only place where they meet with Jesus. Some folks only worship and pray seriously in church. If service doesn't hold in church for a whole week, their prayer life, study of God's word, praise and worship and seeking His face consciously is suspended for that week.

If you travel from home for a week, will you cease to communicate with your wife and loved ones for that period? How come we do so with God? The sycamore tree has become the only source of our tryst with God. I sense the Lord saying "make amends, create room for me and constantly meet me there, for there is much to discuss".

He awaits you!

God bless you. Shalom.

Do you need Preferences with God?

Men and women are excellent when it comes to setting parameters. And when it comes to the choice of who to marry the stakes are high. Regrettably, those of the Household of Faith set parameters, and worse still those parameters we set, we set to guide God in His choosing for us. We usually say God must give me someone like this and that, who has this and that and so on. We often say those parameters are necessary considering the fact that God knows how we are wired. He did the wiring so we should trust that He'll give us what is in line with our peculiarities. Giving Him structures is a show of lack of Faith at best. 

We feel we need to set these parameters because of our peculiarities. We say we can't marry a reserved person, I must marry a phlegmatic and not a sanguine, I can't marry a slim person, I can't stand dark ladies, I can't marry from a particular State, etc. 

But are all our peculiarities and preferences from God? Is God still not busy trying to refine, cut off and prune some things in our personality? Can we then set parameters for a perfect and all-knowing God based on our imperfect and still revolving personalities and peculiarities? 

I have a friend who six to seven years ago often dated big stature ladies, that was his preference then. He just liked them big. By the time he was set to marry less than two years ago he married a slim sister because his preference had changed. Let us not be ignorant of the fact that we have not even fully discovered ourselves......our likes, dislikes, tastes and preferences because they often change as we grow up. Let us just allow God do the choosing. He knows all about you. What your likes and preferences will be in the future He knows it. He knows the ones that will change and the ones that are fixed. Trust him. He will give you the exact person that will suit you.

Question: A virtuous man or woman who can find? Answer: None but the Lord. 1 Corinthians 2:10. The Spirit Searcheth ALL THINGS ( this is a study on its own). God Bless.

Signboards

Signboards are wonderful things, they show the way and direct people to the right places on their journeys. Signboards or signposts helps those that are lost find their way to their desired destinations but they do not move to such directions themselves. They stay in one place directing people but don't progress. They are bearers of messages that lead people to do the right things but they don't do what they say. Can I ask you a question? Do you practice all that you lead others to do? If you don't, then you are like a signboard. Practising all that you say requires being hard on yourself. And that is a requirement for leadership and life.  As we move on in life's journey our marriages, careers, ministry and relationships it is important that we lead by example and not be like signposts.  Practice what you preach!

Joy Cometh!

Is your life seemingly wrong and trouble filled? It is the path to greatness and the fulfillment of Purpose. Look at it in the light of Joseph's path. Joseph's path was a prerequisite for getting to where he got to & for becoming the source of salvation & preservation of Israel. Your difficult path is a proof of divine purpose and calling. It is usually a training exercise that we need to go through. Daniel's path into slavery was a necessary path for him to become influential and great in Babylon. Examples abound all over scriptures and our present day. Do not despise or become disgruntled by what you face today, embrace it as life courses that you must pass and overcome to get to the top of God's glorious purpose for you. However, this applies to folks who love God and are the called according to His purpose. And we know that ALL things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 KJV). That is a necessary condition. You might want to consider what this scripture means:  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4 NIV) Your present hardship will help to liberate someone tomorrow. Do not forget these lessons, use it for others. Lastly consider this scripture : I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18 NIV) Fret not child of God. Happy days cometh! Joy Cometh!

Guys Relax

I know a lot of us agitate and are worried about finding God's choice of a wife for our lives. I think we should consider some thoughts together. I believe it is as we go ahead doing God's will and going through our normal lives that His choice for us shows forth. A wife is an important provision in the fulfilling of God's purpose for our lives. It is as need arose that Jesus told Peter that there is a need for him to catch fish, and this fish (wife) will be of benefit to both of them (Matthew 17:24-27). In the beginning it was the same, Adam was just busy doing the will of God in the Garden. And God saw the need for a wife for him in order to help with the work given him. And as his service to God continued, God provided the woman. Often times we think are the ones who sees the need for a wife before God, but how wrong we are. He sees the need before we even realise it. So why do we Men agitate for something He sees as a need in our lives and our work for Him. The real issue is that are we tilling the ground for Him. Are we working for Him? Are we doing what He has called us for? Are you presently doing a God-given assignment like Adam? Think about it guys. Are you at the precise location He wants, doing precisely what He wants you to be doing now? If you are not, then you may not be ripe for help (wife) and may not be positioned for God to bring her to you. Make no mistake, God does the bringing (Genesis 2:22- And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and BROUGHT her unto the man.) So guys can you just relax now? Chill! She is going to come. Just be ready. 

Knowledge is not a right

Knowledge is a gift. It is a mercy shown to us. It is not a right, it is a privilege. People die because of things they didn't know. Knowledge should be sought and prayed for. Ignorance is dangerous. Anything we are ignorant of as a potential to harm in varying degrees.
Seek knowledge, your life depends on it.

FALLING FROM GRACE

FALLING FROM GRACE

Is falling from grace such a big deal? You may never fully grasp it if you do not fully understand what GRACE is. A proper revelation of GRACE will show us her value and importance to our lives and walk with the Master.
Grace is any impute of and from God into our lives that ensures we become capable of doing things that are not possible by ourselves. Whatsoever is given by God that makes us capable of living above sin, that makes struggles to cease in lives, ministry, family, e.t.c, and brings God into action in our lives is the Grace of God. It is God's gift to man by which we can serve him acceptable. Heb 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.
It is not possible to serve God without Grace, because any act, service, worship, prayer, ministration, writing, etc, that is not sponsored by grace is sponsored by human energy and that is never acceptable to God. His Glory will He not share with anyone, moreover He always detest anything done by the arm of flesh. Christian virtues like holiness is not about you doing something, it is about God working in you to do His will. Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Any attempt at living right with God with our own determination, will not be acceptable to God and will fail. A MAN WITHOUT GRACE IS A MAN WITHOUT GOD
I noticed that Peter and Paul in all their letters and epistles in the New Testament, in between the first seven verses offered a prayer to God on behalf of their readers or hearers, ''Grace be unto you'' they said. Why? You may say it is only a salutation but i think not, infact i think Heaven knew that for those letters to be unlocked, unfolded, revealed and impart the lives of every reader then there is need for Grace to be on us. No wonder the Word does not unravel itself to the world and those in it for they have fallen short of His Grace. Rom 3:23 everyone has sinned and is far away from God's saving presence. Rom 3:24 But by the free gift of God's grace all are put right with him through Christ Jesus, who sets them free. (Good News Bible)
In the Last book of the bible, the Last chapter and the last verse....God said The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Rev 22:21
It bothers me that the whole bible could end like this. When God was ending scripture and the Bible, He decided to end it with a prayer. And the highest prayer God could come up with for those who would read and follow the bible is,'the GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen'. For us to be able to live according to the Bible, Baba saw that we needed Grace, hence the prayer. Without it the Bible will be "un-live-able".
how is it received then? Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Now having known a bit about what Grace is and it's importance, how can we fall from it? Sin is the principal cause of a man's fall from grace. No matter the height grace as taken you in authority, anointing, gifts, ministry, riches, reputation, education, wisdom, knowledge, popularity, etc, sin can bring you down. It will bring you crashing down hard. The higher you have gone the harder the fall.
Adam, the first man fell into sin. Can you begin to imagine the height he fell from? He was enjoying health, prosperity, no struggles, no pains, absolute command over all living things, etc. To put it simply he was living Heaven on earth. He fell hard. He began to sweat, defecate, get tired, get sick, etc. Things he never experienced before falling from grace and glory. He was left alone to take care of his life by himself. This is what God does to men who fall short of His grace due to sin. You are left to achieve things by your own sweat. Gen 3:19a In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; Is this your experience? You say you are struggling, some say they are hustling; Are you hard-working or working-hard? Hope you know there is a difference. Be sure you have grace. Heb 13:9b For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; I'll like to say to you that if the heart is the centre of all that we do, then it is a good thing that all that we do (our ministry, jobs, family, education, etc.) be established with grace. May the Lord grant us understanding.
Let me give you a real life story of someone I know well who fell from grace. There is this brother who some years ago was given so much grace that he began to experience the tangile presence of God at age eighteen. At the mention of Jesus the presence of God will feel his room so much that he would even carry the presence around as he goes out. On one occasion, he carried the Presence to one of his backsliden friends house and without saying more than a greeting to the friend, the friend fell under a deep conviction of the Spirit and began to cry for his sins. This brother was anointed by God so much that he feels the anointing as if physical oil is being poured on his head, and it flows all the way down from the tip of his head to the sole of his feet. He once prayed for a woman whose two legs where not of the same size and her legs became normal again. Let me not go further on the exploits of grace in the life of this man. But that is not the end of the story, our brother fell. He fell due to a myriad of issues, that culmulated in grievious sins. This was due to academic and financial disappointments, frustration and depression set in, until he began to violate his terms of consecration to the Lord. His prayer altar (quiet time) was gradually abandoned, attendance in christian meetings dropped, familiarity with the word did not help him even when he was counselled to return to the Lord as before. Then things got worse.....anointed brother began to masturbate, prostitute, fornicate and started returning fully to the sins of his youth. He engaged in exhibitionism and every sexual immoral sin imaginable
You are there and you are wondering how can this be, to have known God so intimately And loved him so well and only to end up becoming a pervert? How art the mighty falling! If Judas could betray Jesus and Peter could deny Him thrice, brother don't you think it is just possible for you too to fall from grace? If the apostles who ate with and had known the Master when He was still in the world could fall, then you may not be immuned from falling sir. 1Co 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. You can fall sir. The height that grace has taken you is not an immunity against falling. We must keep growing in grace or else we will fall from it. 2Pe 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Whenever a man stops or pauses the things that ensures his growth, he begins to stagnate and inevitably will backslide. I'll like to tell you dear reader that if you have started violating those early devotions or terms of consecration which saw you grow mightily in the grace and knowledge of our Lord, you have started a nose-dive in your departure from the grace of our Lord. Little little indulgences can ensure your fall from grace. songs of Solomon 2:15:Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines, Ecclesiastes 10:1:Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour., gal 5:9:A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. Have you started skipping quiet time? "It does not matter much" you say. Do you not know that you are sacrificing your appointment before the Throne of Mercy where babes are made men and receive grace for their needs. What can be more pressing brother that you will slaughter this time?
When a man falls from grace, he usually goes really down that restoration sometimes can take time. Our dear brother took 10years to return back to grace and gained nothing in those years of exile from grace. My dear reader, I dont know the state of your life, but you know and Baba knows. Are you falling from Grace? how far gone are you? You need to return to God because Grace is what we need to live above the world and sin. it is that which is necessary for acceptable worship, living and ministry. Bow your Head and return to God with a genuine cry from your heart today and grace will be restored to you.
Are you struggling with sin, especially those once experienced by our brother, write us or call us.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Kunle Adetoba 08023164478