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Good Tree, Good Fruit

Writer's picture: Western Hills FellowshipWestern Hills Fellowship

Good Tree, Good Fruit


Here at the Zephaniah Movement we have kicked off the year of 2024 by celebrating our Founding Bishop Parks’ 93rd birthday. Our Bishop Parks has been a fountain of love, knowledge and most importantly, Holy Ghost filled wisdom. We are honored that we have the privilege to get a real life of example of what it means to serve the Lord with our whole heart. Many of us at church have lost parents and grandparents. So to have Bishop Parks be a part of our village has been truly a godsend. At the Zephaniah Movement she has taught us all she knows about the Lord and has poured an abundance of love into each one of us. While it may be expected for our elders to retire and relax from their years of service, our bishop has continued her work for Christ by always living up to all she knows and passing that knowledge to the next generation. This encouragement and careful consideration when it comes to God’s people is a testament to her love for God. She takes nurturing us and guiding us to God seriously and we’re forever grateful for her work. 


While the words written above are orchestrated by one person, there are many who would stand in agreement with these statements. The good work she has produced is evident by the way in which the Zephaniah Movement is currently run by our Arch Bishop Annette Jenkins. Bishop AJ has devoted her soul to being obedient to God and leading His people. Our congregation has evolved from individuals hurt by the world and its sin to thriving warriors for Christ, helping our fellow man to draw closer to God. These words are not meant to be braggadocious or to put on airs. It is to testify to the earnest work the Lord has done for us and through us. Family, we implore you to open your eyes onto the world and the pitfall it is leading to at this time. While it can be disconcerting trying to find the right church home and trusting the right people, we are here to encourage you to check the fruit that is produced. 


In Matthew 7:15-20 Jesus warns of false prophets and says they will be known by their fruits. A good tree produces good fruit and bad tree produces bad fruit. While this analogy may seem oversimplified and unhelpful with real life situations, we must understand two things.



First, the enemy would love for you to feel overwhelmed by the decisions you have to make concerning your life. So if he can pile worry and unimportant details on you, he will! Second, it will be hard and honestly, almost impossible at times to decipher between good and bad trees. While using the same analogy, what if there were special reading glasses that we could put on that would help us see clearly between the good and the bad? It would save us from a lot of turmoil and make it easier for us to choose better. Wouldn’t that be nice? Well the Lord has already provided this gift to us through the infilling of the Holy Spirit and that is called discernment. Discernment is to understand or know something through the power of the Holy Spirit. We know that our fellow Christians can attest to the power of discernment when it comes to understanding events, people, and situations. God has helped us avoid danger and find solace through the gift of discernment. 


“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart.”- Hebrews 4:12 Let us not forget that digging deep into the word of God will give us the insight on what is good and acceptable to Him and for us. We see in Matthew 4:1-11 satan tempted Jesus by reciting the word of God. However, Jesus knew His Father’s word as well and was able to be victorious against satan. The same method of victory can be applied in our daily lives when it comes to discerning if the people, events and situations we come across are good or bad for us. What does the Word say about this situation? Don’t be afraid to trust God and His word for your life. The expected end for ourselves has to be to make heaven our home. We cannot accomplish that if we fall victim to the enemy, his bad trees and the bad fruit that they produce. Through the infilling of the Holy Spirit, discernment and the reading of the Bible let us be prepared to get the wisdom we need to endure this world until God calls us home. 


Let us leave you with a prayer

Heavenly Father God, we thank You for the opportunity to gain knowledge through your living word. We thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit and for every good fruit that is produced through You. Now Lord, we ask that You heighten our discernment right now. We are living in lawless times and we need every tool from You to not fall into the enemy’s influence. We need You to guide us on the good things of You. There is no way we can live a life of quality without You, God. So in the mighty name of Jesus we implore You to arm Your children with the spiritual gifts necessary to succeed. Wherever we fall short, we ask that You guide us back to You. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

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The Zephaniah Movement, COGI

11501 N. Western Ave

Oklahoma City, OK 73114

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