ALL SCRIPTURE IS INSPIRED BY GOD

2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

Recently, a friend of mine who isn't a Christian said he was very worried about me. I asked him why? He said your obsession with this book called the Bible. You seem to believe everything you read. Don't get me wrong it's a lovely story and in fact a rather interesting collection of fascination stories. Yes for me that's all it is just like any other history or poetry book. For my friend, the Bible is mainly a collection of stories, fables, myths and merely human imagination of who God is and what He represented. That really saddens me because,  there are so many people out there who think the same. Not saying that, I have even come across some Christians who don't completely believe everything the Bible says. Especially if it isn't in line with their human thoughts or in line with their own selfish desires. The Bible is been taken out of context in generations past and still is even in some churches today as I write.

As Believers, we need to understand the Bible is God's inspired Word. Just like today's main scripture says, "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right." The scripture is God-breathed, inspired and trustworthy for teaching us how to live a Christ centred life as children of God. It is also our safeguard against false teaching and our standard for testing everything else that claims to be true. One of the many places where we can get all confused is on the Internet, facebook and you tube.

The Bible does not contradict never! If you ever feel something doesn't quiet agree with the other spend time with in studying the word and ask the Holy Spirit for revelations and if possible ask your Pastor, church leader or someone who is alittle more matured in their faith than you are. God desires to reveal His truth to us through His word in order to equip us to live for Him and in correcting, teaching us what is right and true. The Bible is our only weapon against the lies of the enemy and in discovering God's truth in accordance to living a life worthy of our faith in Christ Jesus. I want to encourage us all not to live a cheap Christian life of not knowing what the word of God says concerning our lives, thus making us cheap victims and preys for the devil. Remember even Satan knows the Bible more than you and I and didn't hesitate to tempt the Son of God when he thought He was in a vulnerable state after fasting for 40 days and 40 nights. Spend time to know God's truth and His promise concerning your live and future. And become confident in your faith and walk with Him. It is our only source of hope!


Reflections:
How much time do you spend in reading and studying God's word?

Do you read it everyday?

Power verses:
The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.--Deuteronomy 29:29

This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.-- Joshua 1:8

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.-- Psalm 1:2

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you shall be no priest to me: seeing you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.-- Hosea 4:6

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,--Proverbs 3:1

"And you know that the Scriptures cannot be altered...." John 10:35

2011 By Enyonam Gbekle. All rights reserved.

GOD GIVES REST

Psalm 127:2
It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.

My mother worked so hard.  She hardly took time off  for relaxation that finally stroke had to. This is a woman who like to do everything for herself, a real perfectionist. If she wasn't doing it, she had to supervise it. I remember very clearly in 1983 as if it was just yesterday; that very faithful morning when my mother was getting ready for church and for the very first time something happened that will change all of our lives for good. She couldn't tie her tiny string on her Kaba a sort of African attire wore by many African women mainly for church services, for special and causal occasions. Prior to this day, she had been to see Dr Phillip two weeks before and he said to take sometime off work if not she is likely to have a stroke. She was giving some medication and was asked to come back after a week. You know what she did? She didn't go back to the doctor because she felt a lot better and didn't think the needed to neither to take time off work to rest as she was directed by her doctor. To cut the long story short two weeks after she went to see the doctor, she was strike down with a stroke.

I was twelve years old and very heart broken none of my older sisters or anyone in my family knew anything about this illness or had any experiences of anyone ever having it. I remember as time went on we realised we had to treat her as though everything was normal so wouldn't be depressed. I recall joking with her saying all the holidays and rest you refused to take, God is using this period to give you a first class vacation and I only pray and hope you will for once just trust Him enough to let Him be in control and enjoy this rest and relaxtion graciously. She just smiled, don't get me wrong my mother was a woman of faith, serious and a very good Christian. But you see the trouble is a lot of us Christians are like my mother was, women and men of faith yet we just find it so difficult to trust Him with absolutely everything just enough to set aside time for rest. Most times we don't even know we are doing it, it's usually a subconscious thing.

Rest is so important that God even made it a commandment. When we life our lives completely and solely dependant on our human efforts to the extent of neglecting rest we are implying we don't trust God enough.  God is not against our human effort or hard work. Rather He cares and loves us so much that He wants to gives us rest  from all the labouring we do to keep up His work, our families and communities because we need spiritual refreshment and adequate times of rest from time to time. Be careful to maintain a balance life by entrusting your businesses, jobs, family lives and give God the chance to give you that rest you so need from time to time to take your mind off the million and one things you are so occupy with.

Reflections:
Are you like many other Christians using work as a cover-up for your inability to trust God?

Power verses:
"Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust,..."--Psalm 40:4

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.--Jeremiah 17:7

"You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety."-- Job 11:18

2011 By Enyonam Gbekle. All rights reserved.

SUDDEN DEAFNESS

John 10:27
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:



My Pastor told us a story about a big time business woman who was going on a very important business conference. As she was getting ready to leave home for the airport, she heard God's voice clearly telling her not to go. She wasn't very sure what she heard the first time since this trip was extremely important to her and didn't understand why God will tell her not to go. The voice was even more intense now than the second time so she decided to pray and in the process fell asleep. When she woke up, she saw on the news the same plane she was suppose to be on had crashed just a few minutes after take off and there were no survivors. She immediately started thanking the Lord for delivering and saving her, then realised what she heard was indeed the voice of God. As they were taking inventory of the passengers on the plane, they realised one person didn't board the plane. This made headline news and the reporters were very eager to find out why she didn't board the plane since she was going for a very important business meeting and wanted to know whether it was just a lucky a escape. They finally caught up with her at her residence and she told them how God told her not to board that plane. The news reporter said how can your God be so mean as to allowing all these people to die and saving just you. The lady's answer was God is always speaking to us, it depends on who is listening!

I know from my own experience how in the past I have ignored the voice of God on numerous occasions and in the end paying severely for my disobedience. One of sister's on facebook by the name Joy calls it "sudden deafness."  We suddenly become deaf when He speaks because it is not in line with what we want or expect. Clearly stated, God speaks and we have the ability to hear and be guided by Him. Jesus said many times , let him who has ears to hear, let him hear. The key here is obedience!


Reflections:
Do you have ears to hear?


Do you know the voice of the Lord?

Tell the Lord that you want to know His voice. The more time we spend with someone the better we understand them. Spend time with the Lord today, He wants to speak to you.



Power verses:
I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.-- John 10:16

"As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me," declares the LORD, "so will your name and descendants endure.--Isaiah 66:22

At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes," says the LORD.-- Zephaniah 3:20


2011 By Enyonam Gbekle. All rights reserved.

DO YOU NEED WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE?

Colossians 2:2

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom is hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.


The Bible tells us that if we seek we will find. Do you need wisdom and knowledge? If so, then look for them. Where are we to find these two much-needed treasures? God is the source of everything. In Christ we will find everything that we need, but we must seek through prayer and through living a life dedicated to God first. The Bible says: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33

Consider taking some extra time in prayer today seeking God concerning His will and purposes for your life. You will find everything you need in Him, but you must seek first the Kingdom of God to find things like wisdom and knowledge.


Power verses:
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.-- Ephesians 1:7

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.-- Ephesians 1:18

He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.--Matthew 13:11

2011 By Enyonam Gbekle. All rights reserved.

DON'T PUT YOUR CONFIDENCE IN POWERFUL PEOPLE

Psalm 146:3
Don't put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there


Today's verse couldn't be any clearer, "Don't put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there."  I don't know what challenge you are facing today? Or what mountain is ahead of you today? However, one thing I know and very certain of is, no body can save you and I. No matter their social status and  financial standing, they are inadequate and  a false hope even to themselves.

I came to encourage you to put your trust and hope in the one living God;  The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."- Zephaniah 3:17  What else could be more assuring and so comforting to know the created of the universe Himself - Jehovah takes delight in you and not only that but will also quiet you with His love. Look up to the Lord today, the author and finisher of your faith, for in Him alone lies our hope and salvation. He has promised never to leave you nor forsake, all you have to do is to put your trust and hope in Him.

Reflections:
Look back on all the times you have been let down by people you thought could help you and  how they betrayed your confidence? Remember the many people you know and have come in contact with that, money, social status, position in either work or government has failed to deliver them in their darkest hour and time of need.


Powerful verses:
The LORD is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid?--Psalm 27:1

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me--Psalm 23:4

If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.--Daniel 3:17

But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD."--Jonah 2:9

2011 By Enyonam Gbekle. All rights reserved.

WE ARE MADE BLAMELESS

Colossians 1:22
Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.


None of us is good enough to save ourselves. It doesn't matter your social statues, how much money you have or how well respected you are in your community. For us to live eternally with Christ, it depends solely on the grace of God. I have heard, seen and listened to some Christians judge others and criticised them so harshly as though they were above reproach or without sin. Forgetting so soon how they were only saved and made blameless purely by the grace of God. Today's scripture and verse tells us even though we have all sinned repeated over and over again, God has reconciled us to Himself through Christ's death making us blameless and without any fault. Wow, what a privilege!

God sees the things we are doing right rather than the things we are doing wrong. God is on our side. He has good things in store for those who love Him. His goodness extends toward us His children in great measure. The only way for us to remain blameless before God, is to put our trust and confidence in Jesus Christ. He alone is qualified, to reconcile us through death in the physical body for the forgiveness of our sins making us right and blameless before God. When God forgives our sins, our record is wiped clean and is as though we have never sinned.


Reflections:
Is there anything you have done that is weighing you down? Take it Jesus in prayer today and ask for forgiveness.  It doesn't matter what it is or how bad or serious it may seem, He sees everything you do and is only interested in your repentant  heart.


Power verses:
But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,' declares the LORD, 'because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.'-- Jeremiah 30:17

"I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.--Isaiah 42:25

who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases-- Psalm 103:3

You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you--Psalm 86:5

You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. Selah-- Psalm 85:2

2011 By Enyonam Gbekle. All rights reserved.

CELEBRATION OF LOVE

1 John 4:8 (New Living Translation)
But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.


Today is Valentine's Day, a day celebrated by many all over the world and a celebration some Christians deem as nothing but a pagan celebration. One that has been turned into nothing but shallow and selfish by the world we live in. And in turn, has indeed contaminated manys' understanding both young and old of what Love really is or means. The world thinks love is what makes you feel good (emotions), and not forgetting all the Hollywood movies ideas of love; all fluffy, romantic and shallow. When I look around, all I see is how many are prepared and willing to sacrifice moral standards, principles and other's rights in order to obtain such "Love."

The Bible says, "God is love", not Love is God"  in my understanding, this means love isn't a feeling but rather a person, choice and an action. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 tells us God is the source of our love: He loves us enough to sacrifice His Son for us. Jesus is our example of what it really means to love. God's love the source of all human love. In loving us His children, He rekindles a flame in our hearts. In turn we, His children are able to love others the way He loves unconditionally without reservations or any selfishness.

I want each and everyone of us to use today, the worlds celebration of love to reach out to the afflicted, broken hearted, bruised, disappointed in love. By warming their hearts and healing it with God's love through us. Lets show the world how perfect love is; ....Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

Living a lifestyle of love requires we live in God, as Christians lets be the example we are called to be in this fallen and broken world by imparting what is pure, true, trustworthy and loving into our children for they are our future and the next generation of restored hope.  Make a decision to spread God’s love through your life today to as many people as you can. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Reflections:
Take some time today and read the whole chapter of 1 John 4 and 1 Corinthians 13. Also use this opportunity to share with the world what true and real love is by being the light you were called to be through Christ Jesus.


Power verses:
Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away-- 1 Corinthians 13:8

"There is no greater love than to lay down one's life down for one's friends."-- John 15:13

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters-- 1 John 3:16

We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.-- 1 Thessalonians 2:8

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness-- 1 John 2:9

2011 By Enyonam Gbekle. All rights reserved.