The Sentinel Watch

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 What happens when we treat the Bible as a random collection of freestanding verses? Well, for one thing, as Tyndale House Publishers editor Keith Williams told Christianity Today, “Philippians 4:13 is going to refer to an athletic performance rather than perseverance through need.” For some, “I can do all things” means scoring touchdowns and clearing the bases. To a pastor I once sat under, it meant driving a car without any prior learning or instructions. He told us how he was asked whether he could drive. He replied, “I can do all things through Christ who gave me strength.” With that, he got on the wheel and drove the car. Many students I have tutored over the years have told me that they can pass WAEC through Christ that gives them strength. Some have even gone a long way to tell me how God in fulfillment of Philippians 4:13 gave them answers to exam questions the day before or even right in the exam hall. I can

“For I know the plans I have for you…” Jeremiah 29:11a Jeremiah 29:11 is one of the most misused promises in the whole Bible!” a teacher of mine once proclaimed. I nodded in agreement when I first heard my teacher say that, but to be honest I couldn’t tell you what he meant.  “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV). What’s wrong with applying that to our lives? Here’s how I learned the hard way: I first had the promise of Jeremiah 29 offered to me in a greeting card during a cross over night. Two “Precious Moments”-type figures prayed on the front of a card and on the inside was God’s promise to give me a future and a hope. Naturally, I knew exactly what God’s future and hope meant for a person in my situation: a job. I had already begun looking for work, and the verse from Jeremiah was a boost to my confidence. I spent most of the next year trying to find work. I sent hundreds of em

“My People perish for lack of Knowledge.” Hosea 4:6 I have sat in many a church services, conferences and meetings and heard speakers encourage the audience to seek knowledge because without it, they won’t get ahead in life and will definitely be destroyed.  They used the above mentioned quote in their attempts to motivate the people to pursue education and knowledge. Is there anything wrong in using the above quote to spur people to seek knowledge? Of course not.  A particular verse that comes to mind, still as I listened to motivational speakers talk their listeners into pursuing knowledge is 2 Peter 1:5-6.  I quote, “For this reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self control; and to self control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.” And interestingly, the word knowledge is found in the verses. Hence they teach that if only one can get kno