But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.

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. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. - (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

I love Paul’s challenge to Timothy. Paul roots the power of Scripture to make us wise, give us faith, correct, teach, prepare, and equip us in two important places.

Place one: the powerful example of a Spirit-filled mentor or parent.

Place two: the Scriptures, which he describes as holy and inspired (God-breathed or Spirit-inspired).

In other words, people formed by the Spirit and the Spirit of God formed word are the source of the Scripture’s power.

Why would we ever neglect letting the  “sword of the Spirit” be at work in our lives?

Prayer : Almighty God, thank you for speaking to us in words. As I place myself under the guidance of the words of Scripture, dear Father I pray that the Holy Spirit uses them to form me into a person who is increasingly more like Jesus each day. In the name of the Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen.

A student complained to his learned teacher about the difficulties he has to endure in his life. He came from a very poor family and had to look after his home and support his aged and sick parents and his younger siblings by working hard every day after the classes in school while his wealthy class-mates could play and rest without any stress or strain. He was almost exhausted and had even thought about committing suicide.

The wise teacher gave him a carrot and an egg to examine. He was asked to comment on their hardness. He said that the carrot was sufficiently hard that it cannot be crushed by hands. The egg could be easily cracked and the liquid contents would leak out with ease. Then the teacher put the carrot and egg together in a pan, added some water to cover the articles and then boiled the water over the flame.

After some time, the teacher took out the articles from the pan and asked for the comments of the student. The boy observed that the carrot, which was hard earlier, had become very soft after boiling. The egg, on the other hand, became very hard during the boiling. Its contents had solidified and now would not flow out even when the shell is shattered.

The teacher told the boy, “Earlier, you were like the carrot. Your courage and strength of mind were lost when you were exposed to the hard realities of life. You became weak and could be smashed easily.” Next, he displayed the egg and told, “Be like the egg. You are soft and tender by nature, but the adversities of life should make you bolder and stronger. Then you can gain the courage to face any harsh moments with confidence.” He then narrated the biography of successful persons who could overcome the hard times of early life with confidence and earnest efforts.

Bible tells in John 12:24, a grain of wheat remains no more than a single grain unless it is dropped into the ground and dies. If it does die, then it produces many grains.

(This article was submitted to TBTG by our new member ‘Angel’ )

A young girl who was traveling on train for the first time heard that it would have to cross several rivers. She was troubled and fearful as she thought of the water. But each time the train came to a river, a bridge was always there to provide a safe way across. After passing safely over several rivers and stream, the girl settled back in her seat with a sign of relief. Then she turned to her mother and said, “I’m not worried anymore. Somebody has put the bridges for us all the way!”

When we come to deep rivers of trial and the streams of sorrow, we too will find that God in His grace “has put bridges for us all the way.” So we need not fall into hopelessness and anxiety. In delightful though often untraceable ways, He will meet our needs. We can be sure that He will provide a way. Those who have given their situations over to God can exclaim with the psalmist, “The Lord is righteous in all His ways and gracious in all His works…The Lord preserves all who love Him” (Psalm 145: 17, 20).

Lets thank God; For every blessing what He has done and every bridge what he is made to overcome the trials and tribulations in the year 2009, Lets pray; God we come to your throne of Grace and mercy, We come to You seeking Your protection and Your goodness for the entire new year 2010, often harried and driven by life’s pressures and temptations. But we come to You, not demanding, but submitting our self’s to be used for your glory — not just today, but for the rest of my life.

In Jesus we pray. Amen.

(This article was submitted to TBTG by our new member ‘Angel’ )