Sola Adeoye

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Wednesday, 20th March, 2024.

*THE VOICE THAT MAKES A CHANGE*

*Luke 3:4*
_As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight._

There are so many voices all over the place these days. Moreover, the internet showcases several voices, many of which are full of deadly poison. But going through the Bible, we can easily discover which among these voices are truly of God.

As you know, the ultimate assignment of Jesus Christ on earth was not to bring us earthly riches or physical blessings. He actually came in order to set mankind free from the bo***ge of sin. *Matthew 1:21* _And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins._

Of course, we would have access to the earthly blessings as we journey through the kingdom, it is not our primary goal. It will then be total act of foolishness for anybody to think that the essence of Jesus's death on the Cross was to bring us the mundane things of life. That is why Paul says in *1 Cor 15:19* _If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable._

Now, if you want to possess the mundane things of life like money, cars, houses etc, there are voices that can probably bring you such. But I want to assure you that, such voices are not in the position to also bring you eternal life. They do not have the capacity!

Our reference scripture, however, enlightens us on the kind of voice that can make a change: an obvious transformation. It is a voice *that cries in the wilderness!* His location, by human assessment, portend "wilderness". He is not the type that mesmerizes with the world, and therefore, not garnished with its ingredients. He has refused to allow the effects of evolution and civilization that the world are celebrating to have place in his life. So, he is as raw as the wilderness.

Jesus gave a clearer illustration while pointing out the differences between the voice *that makes a change* from that *which suits the world.* He said that, those preachers whose presentations are soft and admissible to the world are in king's houses- in "big" positions, "big" titles, "big" honour, ... But they are not recognized by the heavens. *(Matt 11:8-11).*

The true voice that can effect the expected change in the world is not going to be in the "palace". If Moses had remained in the comfort of the palace in Egypt, he would not have been able to effect the emancipation of the Israelites from the land of bo***ge. But he _"forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible."_ *(Heb 11:27).*

I ask God to make you submit yourself for the wilderness experience in order that you might acquire the voice that can make a change in Jesus name.

*Shalom!*

*SOLA ADEOYE*

*COMMUNION TABLE*

Monday, 18th March, 2024.

*THE CROSS: YOUR SYMBOL OF IDENTIFICATION*

*Luke 14:27*
_And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple._

The breed of Christianity that is in vogue these days is the *"Crossless"* one. They identify with Christ only by mouth, company or by nomenclature. Those belonging to any of these aforementioned groups are nothing but jokers!

Whatever else you may be doing for Christ, if it does not involve bearing the Cross, it is not recognized. The Cross is our trademark. And it is our proof of membership; our symbol of identification with Christ.

Everybody has his own Cross. You have yours, and I do have mine. Everybody's Cross is peculiar to him. People might not necessarily be aware of it if you have dropped your Cross at some point. It's a deal between you and the Master. And people might even be applauding your great feats and achievements. But according to our opening scripture, Jesus said, such a person does not belong to Him.

Any Christian so-called, who has no Cross to bear has no pain to endure, no thorn to buffet him, and so is not qualified for Christ's kingdom.

Anytime you have a reason not to do what you are expected to do for Christ, or to go to where you are expected to go for Christ, or to give what you are expected to give, if you succumb to that reason or pressure, then you have forsaken your Cross. And, forsaking your Cross is tantamount to forsaking Christ.

*2 Timothy 2:12*
_If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:_

The best testimony Christ expects from you therefore, is how much you were able to suffer for His sake, yet undeterred. That is your symbol of identification with Christ.

I ask God to give you the courage to stand in times of trials and turbulent in Jesus name.

*Shalom!*

*SOLA ADEOYE*

*COMMUNION TABLE*

Saturday, 16th March, 2024.

*FAITH IN TWO DIMENSIONS*

*1 Corinthians 13:2* _And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing._

There is going to be some shocking discoveries on the judgement day. Those believers who were not patient and careful enough to read the Word of God in-between the lines and interpret it correctly would be disappointed.

The Word of God has neither been equivocal nor ambiguous at differentiatng the requirements for receiving earthly blessings from God from that of reigning with Christ at the end. These are two different things and they entail different yardsticks.

There are several instances in the Bible where people had used faith to perform or receive miracles from God, yet they did not meet up with the standard of seeing Him. Moses had the faith to bring water from the rock, yet his faith was displeasing to God in that he was not qualified to enter into the Promised Land.

According to our opening scripture, you may have faith that is strong enough to remove mountains, but that is not the requirement that makes one to amount to anything before God. There is the need for another dimension of faith that makes you to love God immeasurably and unconditionally.

Therefore beloved, the ability to see visions, perform miracles and pull great crowd of people is not to be mistaken for a life of holiness that only can see God. Do you yet have that faith to live above sin?
*Habakkuk 1:13* _Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?_

I pray that you will be able to strive for a deeper relationship with Christ in Jesus name.

*Shalom!*

*SOLA ADEOYE*

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Tuesday, 5th March, 2024.

*THE IMPERCEPTIBILITY OF GOD'S ABSENCE*

*Judges 16:20*
_And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him._

Acquiring the presence of God in one's life is not a child's play. The demand and sacrifice it entails make the number of people that often qualify highly insignificant. Nevertheless, forfeiting this enviable spiritual attainment can be very cheap- so difficult to find, but very easy to forfeit!

Samson had been quite confident of the infallibility of God's power in his life as a result of various success records in his dossier. But in just one single night, he lost all the proceeds of his longtime Nazarene consecration in the lap of a woman. He sadly lost God! The most shocking thing, however, is that, he did not perceive God's absence. What an insensitivity!

A man can be so mightily filled with God's presence that he might have taken so much of His power. When God later has a cause to depart from him, the man might not be able to perceive it. In the case of Samson when God departed from him, miracles stopped flowing. But in many cases, miracles still continue to flow. And that makes it more dangerous!

Satan has been described in the Bible as being smart at transforming himself as an angel of light *(2 Cor 11:14).* Why does he do so? It is just to keep deceiving the unsuspecting individual into believing that God is still with him.

What many people do not understand is that, miracles do not take place only through men that are on God's side. They can also be performed by those from whom God had departed! Moses was not on God's side when he struck the rock twice. But the water the people needed still flowed miraculously. When God departed from king Saul an evil spirit took over the operation from then. *(1 Sam 16:14).*

In conclusion, we should understand that, even though there are series of hurdles to be crossed, and prices to be paid in order for someone to secure God's presence, God can withdrawn Himself from the person unannounced. What makes the outcome of this failure more grievous is that, the man in question would still continue to jump up and down on the platform and accepting invitations here and there. He would think he is still relevant in God's agenda. Also, the followers would still be "drinking in" the venom springing out from the *strange source* imperceptibly. That is why it is essential that we *regularly examine ourselves* to know whether we are still in the faith or not, as admonished by the Scripture. *(2 Cor 13:5).*

I pray that we shall not trade God's presence for anything else in Jesus name.

*Shalom!*

*Sola Adeoye*

*COMMUNION TABLE*

Monday, 4th March, 2024.

*THE TRUE CONCEPT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS*

*Genesis 15:3-6*
_3. And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir._
_4. And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir._
_5. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be._
_6. And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness._

To continue to argue that, nobody can live above sin is a reflection of distortion of the faith you claim to have in God. The truth is: by the natural capacity, man is frail and fallible. And that is the basis for the necessity of our dependency on God. And that is what is called faith: *believing in a possibility against one's original opinion because it has been spoken by God.* However, to continue to amplify our vulnerability in spite of God's promise of possibility, is nothing but faithlessness.

When Abraham's efforts as a man to produce a child had become moribund at an advanced age of probably eighties, God did not only promise him a child but He also promised to make the number of his children innumerable even as the stars of heaven. Surprisingly, Abraham simply believed this possibility! And the Bible says, _"and he counted it to him for righteousness"._ *(Gen 15:6).*

A any point whereby a "believer" attempts to become skeptical or tries to weigh the possibility of God's promise as a result of the natural limitations being experienced, that believer has blatantly shown how disloyal he is to his God.

The truth is: if we have accepted that He is our God, that shows, we understand that His knowledge and power are limitless and incomprehensible. So, when He now says we should be perfect, we will not hesitate to believe. *(Matt 5:48, 1 Pet 1:15-16).* We will believe, not for who we are, but for who He is.
*Romans 4:21* _And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform._

Therefore, no matter how great the faith you may claim to have in God because you are able to speak in tongues, prophesy and perform miracles, if you do not believe in the possibility of holy living, and surely demonstrate it, you obviously do not have faith at all!

I pray that your faith will not only be in the right proportion but it will also be in the right direction in Jesus name.

*Shalom!*

*Sola Adeoye*

*COMMUNION TABLE*

Sunday, 3rd March, 2024.

*POSSESSING GRACE FOR SERVING A DUAL PURPOSE*

*Psalms 146:5-9*
5 _. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:_
_6. Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:_
_7. Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:_
_8. The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:_
_9. The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down._

In the study of Psychology of Education we understand that, someone who has an impairment of a particular sense organ is usually fortified in the remaining organs to provide for his necessary needs. This indeed is demonstration of God's utmost magnanimity to someone who has deficiency of a kind.

The scripture being considered on our *Communion Table* today establishes the fact that, God usually makes arrangement for the stranger to be protected. He has a system to relieve the fatherless, and a provision for the widow. This now implies that, no matter your own nature of deficiency or handicap, you should not see yourself as being disadvantaged.

That is the same system that takes care of the supposed susceptible animals. If for instance, the animal cannot move fast to be able to escape predators, or is feeble or fragile, God would give such animal a way of adaptation and survival in the ecosystem. Similarly, if you lack certain advantage that other people enjoy, you must understand that, you are not absolutely vulnerable. God would definitely ensure that He reinforces you *by enabling you specially* to augment for the vacuum so created. The same principle applies to a woman whose husband failed in his responsibilities at home, and she has to begin to fend for the family, or a man whose wife refuses to lend a supportive hand in raising the family. Though you know that your spouse has failed in his/her responsibilities, the truth is, God has actually transferred the necessary resources meant for him/her to your custody. So, there should be no cause for regret!

Therefore beloved, do not give room for complaint nor see yourself as being disadvantaged just because you do not have a father, mother, husband or wife. Do not fret because your spouse is shying away from his/her responsibilities to the family or because nature has affected you adversely. You should rather realize that, God has taken the responsibility of empowering you to make you survive the challenge or lack. And at the end of the day, you will be able to achieve what other people that did not face the challenge you faced had achieved. Only ensure that you remain on God's side and stand upon His Words. Do not allow the enemy to deceive you into "buying your way out".

So, learn to focus on God and trust Him to be your succour and help. *Psalms 46:1* _God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble._

I pray that you will be able to discover God more intimately even in that your present predicament in Jesus name.

*Shalom!*

*PRAYER POINT:*
Father Lord, give me the courage to accept my fate, and faith to see Your help at hand in Jesus name.

*Sola Adeoye*

*COMMUNION TABLE*

Thursday, 29th February, 2024.

*YOUR SCARS DETERMINE YOUR STARS*

*Matthew 20:20-22* _20. Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him._
21. _And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom._
_22. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able._

There is going to be a lot of surprises when we get to heaven. Many people that we think will be placed in revered positions might not be there; while some who are least expected will be in high esteem.

This would not be strange to you if you are well conversant with the Bible truths. Going by the revelation depicted from the scene that ensued between Jesus and the two sons of Zebedee in our anchor scripture, we understand that, our positions in heaven would be determined by the number and degree of oppositions we are able to *face and overcome* on earth for the name of Christ.

Jesus said in *Luke 14:27* _And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple._ This means, you had other options that would not entail you undergoing the present pains and afflictions. But you know that those options would make you to lose your stand in Christ. So, your resolve to remain undeterred and undaunted is what is called *carrying your Cross and following Christ.*

Moreover, a person might be able to make a great name on earth; he might have a large congregation and influence. But there is no scriptural evidence that those things would fetch him a great position in heaven. *What would however determine his stars are the number of scars he sustained and was able to successful manage without disappointing the Master.*

I pray that you will be strong and resolute enough to be able to translate all your pains to your spiritual gains in Jesus name.

*Shalom!*

*SOLA ADEOYE*