For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing.
My Pastor quoted this scripture yesterday in church and and for a second it just took me back to the Enyonam I was before the Enyonam I am now 17 months on. I realised how so often we limit and reduce our walk with God to what we can see, enjoy in the now and here. I see so many Christians in church today who are not able to commit even their time to any church activity, support or work simply because if their work and social commitments.
Ironically on my way to church yesterday morning, I met a man on his way to work. I asked him whether he was a Christian and if yes how committed? He's answer was very committed. So I said if you are why aren't you on your way to church instead of work? He's excuse was he works different shifts and rotas and can't control when he is on and off duty. I just told him to pray and ask God to give him favour with his supervisor or who ever is in charge so he wouldn't have to be placed on weekend shifts. We enjoy fellowship with Jesus privately during the week and Sunday’s are the only days we all get together to fellowship as a church family and that shouldn't be compromised for anything at all. He looked at me with surprise as though I had just sworn at him with a little cynical smile on his face. In my heart, I said Lord have mercy on his soul and help him to grow his faith in you Jesus.
I totally understood where he was coming from and why he was thinking the way he did; that saddened me! Because I have been there even though I worked for myself, it was even worse because I will spend most of my weekends bounding with my team and socialising to build a better working and personal relationship outside of the normal work environment. Church was the last thing on my mind and certainly wasn't even on the agenda. My biggest excuse was, still new in England and need to take my time to find a good church that I loved. No I didn't! Making money to live and building a future for me was the only most important thing to me. I worried about everything and anything causing myself to be so stressed that even my GP was beginning to get worried and advised me to either take more time off regularly or change the business I was involved in.
On the 4th of July 2009 when my business went into liquidation, I suddenly realised there was nothing I could have done to make things different even if I tried any harder than I had already done. Honestly for a second I didn't want to live any more and life for me was hopeless. How silly and childish looking back now. But here I am, Jesus came to my rescue and reminded me how precious my life was to Him. And how He paid for my life by being crucified on the cross just so I can have it and live it more in abundance over flowing. At that point I just said; please forgive me for my ignorance and selfishness. And I also said, but Lord my heart is so contaminate, choked and poisoned with the things of this world and I don't think it's possible for me to be what or who you want me to be. Jesus just looked down at me with this really enchanting and tender look in His eyes and said, "For nothing is impossible with God."--Luke 1:37
The rest is what you see now and He has never gone back on His word and He will never do because He is Jehovah Jireh my provider. And my help in present need and He is my Shepherd - JEHOVAH-ROHI. He makes provision for all my needs and I have never gone without lacking in what to eat, wear, live, drink and even gives me so much more that I am also able to bless others.
Reflections:
Today whatever situation you find yourself, I want to encourage you that this God we serve is indeed an everlasting God and His name is EL-OLAM!
Power verses:
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.--Matthew 33:6
Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for--both riches and honor--so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.--1 Kings 3:13
The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.--Proverbs 10:3
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.--1 Timothy 4:8
Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.--Psalm 112:3
2011 By Enyonam Gbekle. All rights reserved.
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