Tag: faith

Stepping Into The Reality Of God’s Word Ignites God’s Power

When we understand how the Word of God brings God’s power to life within us, we begin to experience miracles firsthand. The power of the Word is set in motion through belief and obedience.

Moving beyond intellectual recognition of Scripture involves integrating its principles into one’s worldview, decision-making, and daily conduct. When an individual’s actions reflect these values, God’s Spirit contributes to transformation by bringing strength, wisdom, healing, and spiritual authority. Such alignment grants access to spiritual resources, as the activation of divine power is associated with obedience and faith.

When a believer embraces God’s Word and Spirit, the mind is renewed, the heart purified, and the spirit strengthened (Ephesians 4:22-24; Romans 12:1-2). Entering this reality opens the door to divine possibilities and ushers the believer into the realm of God’s Kingdom, where spiritual principles transcends earthly limitations. In this dimension, believers become living channels of God’s power, bearing witness to His goodness, kindness, compassion, and miracles (1 Corinthians 3:9; 1 Corinthians 6:17). From such a life, qualities like courage, resilience, and spiritual authority flow naturally, springing forth as the fruit of walking in harmony with God’s Word and Spirit.

I was invited by a church in Accra to conduct a spiritual revival service. During the third day of the five-day event, the church leadership informed me about a former member who had distanced herself from the congregation following a distressing experience. Her son, who was critically ill, collapsed unexpectedly. She sought assistance from her pastor, located approximately four kilometers away, but learned that he was unavailable due to travel commitments. Consequently, she approached a nearby prophetess for help; however, the child unfortunately passed away while prayers were being offered. This incident led her to feel disillusioned, resulting in her withdrawal from church activities and a diminishing confidence in both Christianity and its ministers.

I helped her explore the Scriptures, teaching her how to use faith and embrace God’s promises. As she experienced miracles, her faith revived, leading her to recommit to Jesus and return to serving the church with new enthusiasm.

God’s Word—A Source of Spiritual Power

While I was guiding her, her younger son, about six years old, fell seriously ill one day. He collapsed just as his older brother had done years before. Recalling my advice that God empowers us through Jesus Christ, she laid hands on her son, prayed for him, and quickly took him to the hospital.

Doctors and nurses tried to help the boy in the emergency room, but he wasn’t responding. When an even more critical patient arrived, the medical staff hurried away to attend to them.

Alone, the woman went to a corner of the ward, knelt down, and prayed earnestly for her son’s life. After a while, she felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up to see a nurse, who told her that the doctor had returned to check on her son. Still praying, she followed the nurse to his bedside.

Eventually, her son began to recover, and after several hours, he felt strong enough to ask to go home, though the doctor insisted on observing him for another day.

News of her prayers and the remarkable recovery spread throughout the hospital. When I visited, several nurses approached me, offering money so I could provide Bibles for them. Later that day, I brought a box of Bibles to the hospital for those who requested one.

Our purpose is to guide people in connecting with the Spirit of God, so they can receive healing and miracles from Jesus directly. Miracles come from Jesus, not us, and are possible through faith in His Name.

I taught the woman to seek her miracle through prayer and faith; she received it when I wasn’t there. Her experience inspired the nurses to buy Bibles. Her son was discharged from the hospital the following day.

Faith enables miracles by aligning our actions with God’s power. Jesus illustrated this in Matthew 9:28–30, emphasizing belief as the foundation for receiving healing. Remember, the outcome of a miracle is based on personal faith, not the actions of the church or pastor.

A woman who had experienced a chronic issue of blood for twelve years believed internally that touching the garment of Jesus would result in her healing. Acting upon this conviction, she reached out and touched His garment. Subsequently, Jesus addressed her, stating, “Daughter, be of good comfort; your faith has made you whole” (Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:43-48).

The woman believed that just touching His garment would heal her. Her faith readied her to receive what she hoped for.

How Faith Works

Faith is a key: when activated in Jesus and God’s Word, it unlocks the Spirit’s power and brings miracles. A key initiates a vehicle’s ignition; similarly, faith engages the mind and motivates behavioral responses. Faith cultivates trust, providing vital energy for life. Faith sharpens the mind and strengthens the inner expectation. It prepares individuals to embrace what they believe, creating openness to receive the fulfillment of that hope. By anchoring thought and spirit in trust, faith aligns the heart with anticipation, enabling the believer to accept and actualize what they expect.

Authority for miracles is rooted in the Name of Jesus, with testimonies of signs and wonders manifesting through faith in His Name. The New Testament consistently affirms that healing and miraculous works are accomplished by invoking the Name of Jesus (Acts 3:6-9; Acts 4:29-30). His Name is presented not merely as a title, but as the divine source of power through which God’s Spirit operates, bringing transformation, restoration, and supernatural intervention.

Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father, (Philippians 2:9-11; ESV).

Build a relationship with God for peace and goodness (Job 22:21-29). Studying brings understanding. Spiritual growth comes from learning and practicing God’s Word.

Faith brings miracles into reality by aligning our trust and actions with God’s power. This unwavering confidence influences our thoughts and reactions, enabling us to accept and internalize truth, which in turn fortifies our beliefs. With such deep assurance, we can receive and witness the transformative power of God’s Word in our lives.

The Word of God releases supernatural transformative power into the realities of everyday life. When His Word becomes living truth within you, the indwelling Spirit of God ushers you into the realm of divine possibilities, where natural limitations give way to the supernatural (Acts 1:8; 1 Samuel 10:6-7). In this dimension, the believer is not only strengthened, but empowered to walk in the fullness of God’s purposes, manifesting His presence and power in practical situations.

Have Faith In God — He Will Make It Happen

Hold fast to your faith in Jesus. Whatever situation you face and whatever burden rests on your heart, trust that God will never fail you.

You may look at your situation and feel as though there is no hope. You may not see or understand how God is working on your behalf, but His purpose will always prevail. He will open the way before you, for He is the ultimate provider who already knows exactly how He will bring His promise to pass in your life. And even when we fail to respond to the promptings of His Spirit, God’s purpose will still prevail.

When you can no longer see a way forward, don’t lose hope. Trust that God will make a way for you. He sees you, He knows what you are facing, and nothing in your life lies beyond His power to restore or redeem.

Elisha told the three kings, “You will not see rain, you will not see the wind, but this valley shall be filled with water. And you and your animals shall drink.” (2 Kings 3:17).

So, even when you don’t fully understand what is happening, God does. Don’t lose hope. Remember that God sees you, He understands every need you carry, and He cares for you deeply.

Do what is right in every situation. God sees what is in your heart, and He honors those who walk in integrity. His ears are always open to the prayers of the righteous (1 Peter 3:12; Psalm 34:15).

God will not fail you; His answer may be delayed, but it will not be denied (Habakkuk 2:3; Luke 18:7). God’s timing may be different, but His faithfulness is sure.

In seasons of waiting upon the Lord, remain steadfast in faithfulness. Joseph exemplified unwavering devotion despite the injustices he endured; he chose righteousness and refused to sin against God, even when wronged. Likewise, David exercised remarkable restraint when presented with opportunities to avenge himself against Saul. Rather than acting out of anger or seeking retribution, he entrusted his cause entirely to the Lord.

Faithful Endurance Is Seen and Rewarded by God

The experiences of Joseph and David illustrate that maintaining perseverance and faithfulness during periods of waiting and uncertainty is acknowledged by God. When we choose integrity in the face of injustice or refrain from seeking our own vindication, we demonstrate trust in God’s perfect timing and justice. The Lord observes our faithfulness during these trials and honors those who persevere, knowing that His answers and rewards come at the right moment and in the right way. In every circumstance, our faithful endurance is recognized by God, whose wisdom and sense of justice are unfailing.

Enduring Faithfulness in Uncertain Times

In the midst of darkness and uncertainty, it is essential to hold firmly to the truth. Even when circumstances appear overwhelming and hope seems distant, remember that God is attentive to every act of faithfulness. He understands the deepest thoughts and intentions within our hearts, and in His perfect wisdom, He will reward those who remain steadfast — choosing the right moment and the right way to do so.

The waiting may sometimes feel prolonged, and the journey can be burdensome. During these times, it is important to pray for the Spirit of God to provide strength and guidance. Seeking His presence brings a renewed sense of patience, comfort, and quiet assurance as you continue to wait upon the Lord.

Trust that God is working behind the scenes, even when you cannot perceive the full picture. His faithfulness is unwavering, and His timing is always perfect. As Scripture reminds us, “For you have the need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what was promised,” (Hebrews 10:36, ESV). Through endurance and unwavering faith, the promises of God will be fulfilled in your life, just as He has declared.

Imitate those who through faith inherited God’s promise (Hebrews 6:12).

Believe in God. Be confident that, in His perfect timing, He will make things happen for you. As the Scripture says, “With God, nothing is impossible,” (Luke 1:37).

Faith Activated In Jesus’ Name Unlocks Spiritual Power

Faith, when activated in Jesus and God’s Word, unlocks spiritual power and actualizes miracles. Faith, therefore, is a spiritual key.

A key starts a vehicle by turning the ignition, just as faith activates our minds and prompts our bodies to respond to motivation. Faith inspires us to be receptive and fosters the trust that gives life energy. It invigorates our thinking and readies us to embrace possibilities.

The authority for miracles, according to Acts 3:16, is attributed to the Name of Jesus rather than rituals. Signs and wonders are reported to occur through faith in His name. The Name of Jesus is identified as the source of healing and miraculous events (Acts 3:6–9; Acts 4:29–30).

David — who was only about 15 to 19 years old — defeated Goliath and helped save Israel. David’s older brothers and the other soldiers, though considered capable, feared Goliath and avoided him, while still holding him in contempt. And it is possible that you may encounter disapproval from others, much like how Joseph’s siblings regarded him. Yet years later, Joseph rose from rejection to become Egypt’s second most powerful leader. God enabled him to rescue several nations from famine, including his siblings who had rejected him.

Faith And Dependence On God Achieve Impossible Goals

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint, (Isaiah 40:29-31; ESV).

Moses demonstrated leadership qualities at age 40, a stage many people find comfortable. He was full of enthusiasm and keen to show his abilities. However, the prevailing spiritual climate was unfavorable, so he escaped to Midian.

Forty years later, at eighty, Moses was called by God to return to Egypt and lead Israel out of bondage. Abraham was called at age 75, proving that age is no barrier to being chosen for important purposes.

The Bible encourages praying for both spiritual and material prosperity, as long as financial gain doesn’t outweigh spiritual priorities. Wealth can help support others and further spiritual goals.

Peter stated, “We have left everything to follow you.” In response, Jesus affirmed that those who make sacrifices for the sake of God’s kingdom will be rewarded abundantly in the present life and will receive eternal life in the future (see Mark 10:28-30; Luke 18:28-30).

Several passages in the Bible refer to promises of prosperity and health afforded to followers. For example, Deuteronomy 28:1-14 enumerates blessings and riches granted to those who earnestly follow God’s guidance, while Deuteronomy 8:18 indicates that God provides individuals with the ability to acquire wealth. Additionally, Proverbs 10:22 and 3 John 1:2 offer assurances regarding both wealth and health. Accordingly, discussing prosperity within a theological context is appropriate when approached with accuracy and adherence to biblical principles.

When we acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the everlasting key to our problems we will hold onto Him to unlock our miracles every time.

A friend once said Jesus is the source of miracles, not the other way around. I agree — studying the Bible shows that Jesus’ Name brings about healing, miracles, and prosperity. Thus, it is incorrect to preach prosperity as the source of Jesus.

Prosperity should not serve as an incentive for individuals to follow Jesus. If it does, their faith may lack sincerity or resilience, and they may discontinue their commitment upon receiving blessings or healing. Similarly, patients typically do not revisit a physician after their recovery is complete.

Jesus first said, “As you go into all the world proclaim the gospel to everyone. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever doesn’t believe will be condemned,” (Mark 16:15-16; ISV). Salvation was first before miracles.

After that He said, “These are the signs that will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak in new languages, and they will pick up snakes with their hands. Even if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; and they’ll place their hands on the sick, and they’ll recover,” (Mark 16:17-18; ISV).

Miracles do not make Jesus. Rather, we find miracles in Jesus, for by His Name the miracles happen, (Acts 3:16).

How Faith Works

How does faith contribute to actualizing miracles? Faith is a firm belief that builds confidence in someone or something. It encourages us to accept and reflect on ideas, making belief stronger. This deep confidence enables us to receive and experience the effects of God’s Word in our lives. Thus, God employs faith to bring about miracles.

So, Jesus asked, “Do you believe I can do this?” They replied, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it unto you.” And their eyes were opened, (Matthew 9:28-30). Belief prepared them for Jesus’ actions, while faith primed their minds and bodies to expect healing. And God watches over His Word (promise) to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12).

A woman who had experienced a chronic issue of blood for twelve years believed internally that touching the garment of Jesus would result in her healing. Acting upon this conviction, she reached out and touched His garment. Subsequently, Jesus addressed her, stating, “Daughter, be of good comfort; your faith has made you whole,” (Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:43-48).

The woman believed that just touching His garment would heal her. Her faith readied her to receive what she hoped for.

Maintain your spiritual union with God

Our spiritual union with God, through Jesus Christ, enables us to have a direct access to God. And God answers our prayers and grants us our requests because we do what is right, (Proverbs 15:29; 1 Peter 3:11-13). Therefore, maintain your spiritual walk with God, (Galatians 5:25) and continue doing what is pleasing in His sight, and God will continue to work miracles in your life (1 John 3:22).

Renew the spirit of your mind to achieve your vision

The mind can visualize what you want to become. The mind can also visualize the challenges that you might encounter as you work towards achieving your vision. Furthermore, your mind might suggest that you could or could not overcome the challenges.  In most cases, the suggestion might be that the challenges are overwhelming, and that you would not overcome them.

But deep inside you the voice of faith would also be telling you that you could achieve your aim. The voice could be telling you, “Don’t give up! Press on! Be resilient! You will achieve your aim!”

Jesus said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes.” (Mark 9:23; KJ2000). “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” (Luke 1:37; KJ2000)

Faith is not just uttering words. Faith is not mere wishful declaration. If you have faith, you work towards your vision. Nothing can convince you to stop. And no matter how many times you fall, you will rise again, because you believe you can make it (Proverbs 24:16; Micah 7:8).

Some people give up when they don’t see how they can succeed. When the journey becomes wearier, and strength drains away, they become discouraged and give up.

The great men and women of history that you admire today were ordinary people. They were like you. Some of them were discouraged by people and almost gave up because of lack of encouragement. But vision and the passion to achieve their aim carried them through. They believed in their vision when others could not see what they saw.

They were not extraordinary people when they began. Their achievements made them become extraordinary people. We learn and grow as we practice. A Buganda proverb says, “By trying often, the monkey learns to jump from the tree.” Your mental rehearsal primes your mind and your body for the execution of what you want to do and what you want to become.

You can actualize your vision if you align your thoughts, emotions and actions. Remember Hebrews 11:1 says faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Faith ignites confidence and spurs the mind to accept what we hear. Faith makes our minds to operate the ability to receive the operation of God’s Word in our lives. Faith creates expectations and motivates us to continue despite challenges.

Research in neuroscience, particularly discovery of neuroplasticity, aligns with the teaching in Ephesians 4:22-24 that we can renew our thinking (our mindset). Studies in neuroscience corroborate Ephesians 4:25-32 that we can change our characteristics and form new habits by feeding the mind with good thoughts.

In Ephesians 4:25-32 we read how we train the mind by feeding the mind with new actions over the old actions and repeating them until they become habits, (replacing the old habits). Neuroscience calls that retraining and reframing the mind. The Bible calls that renewing the spirit of the mind (Ephesians 4:23). Neuroscience explains that when we repeat a new action, new cell-to-cell connection pathways (known in medical language as synapses) take place in the brain.

Whether the repetitions are done covertly in our mental imagery or overtly through actions, the brain recognizes them, and patterns of behaviors are created.

Therefore, the Ephesians 4:25-32 passage tells us to replace the old ways or actions with new and good (or correct) ones. And research in neuroscience confirms that, by repeating the scenario several times, we establish new patterns of thoughts and behaviors.

Thus, Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (ESV)

We are, therefore, transformed by the renewing of the spirit of the mind. We become new personalities by feeding our minds with new thoughts and actions. Repeating them eventually forms new habits and characteristics.

Belief can be positive or negative. If it is positive, it will produce positive results. If it is negative, it will produce negative results. If you believe you can do something, you will get what you want. If you believe you cannot do anything or you can’t achieve your goals, you will not achieve them.

Patience is endurance. Without patience, you cannot endure the challenges and the heartbreaks that confront you. If you believe in what you are doing, though it takes time, you will achieve what you want. Patience, perseverance, persistence, faith, and endurance will take you through to achieve your vision.

But faith without works is dead (James 2:20). As the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead (James 2:26). It simply means that if you think of something, and you act on it, you will eventually become or make it happen. But if you do not act, nothing will happen.

Resist the temptation to give up. Keep on doing it when it feels like quitting. Correct the mistakes when they arise and continue.

Learning a new thing will not come easily. Work diligently against the challenges. The new actions will create patterns of new behaviors in your brain and register them in the mind (the brain). The actions become easier to perform as you repeat them. Repeating them etches them on the brain. These become ingrained as the neurons and the synapses wire together to form behavioral patterns. Anytime signals are sent, the neurons correspond to each other, the synapses engage, and action is performed.

The Bible affirms that you need a strong spirit, an unyielding will, to become successful. Proverbs 18:14 says, “The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit?” (NKJV)

After several repetitions, the pain becomes less and less until you do not feel it anymore. So, discipline your body and make it endure the challenges. You cannot succeed if your mind disagrees with your body. Your mind and body must agree.

Your body acts according to the suggestions of the mind. Wishing and thinking alone will not produce results.

Success may seem slow in coming, but it will surely happen if you persevere and press on. Time appears to go slowly, in fact very slowly, when you need something desperately. Paradoxically, at the same time, the years appear to be flying speedily past you, and you feel you are losing time. It is a dilemma when you are caught in that situation. When years seem to be flying speedily past you while success seems to be taking long in coming.

This takes us to the word ‘willpower’. Willpower is about self-control. Willpower is about endurance. Willpower is about power of the will. Willpower is the ability to resist something in order to attain something else. Jesus said in Matthew 26:41 that the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

By practicing and repeating, we nurture willpower. And while enduring, we must also conform to God’s will and principles. For when we are far from God, the influence of His Spirit is also far from us. Our relationship with the Spirit of God then becomes strained.

Willpower links with your spirit to act. When you pray sincerely and are attentive, you will hear the Voice of God directing you, whether to take to the left or to the right. The Spirit speaks to your spirit, and you hear a word (or voice) saying, “This is the way, walk in it, whenever you turn to the right hand, or whenever you turn to the left.” (Isaiah 30:21; NKJV)

Depending on your relationship with God’s Spirit, you may be close or far from His immediate influence and help. 1 Corinthians 6:17 says, “He that is joined unto the Lord is one Spirit” with God.

The spirit works in or through the mind. Therefore, in Romans 12:2 we are told to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. If you keep repeating the new behaviors, they will eventually be registered on your mind and become automatic behaviors.

You Are Not Alone And You Can Make It

Sometimes, in life, you may feel you are alone, and you feel no one cares about you. However, you are not alone and you can make it. God is with you even when it does not seem so to you.

Waiting for results is not easy. Especially in difficult situations when you are starving for quick response (or help). God assures us that “When we pass through the waters, He will be with us; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow us: when we walk through the fire, we shall not be burned; neither shall the flame scorch us,” (Isaiah 43:2).

Your faith will be tested by negativity, failures, sicknesses and evil. Not by God, but by Satan, to sway you away from God and from victory. Remember Job? God Himself acknowledged Job’s righteousness. Yet Satan tempted Job to make him renounce his faith in God. Even Job’s three friends believed Job was not completely sincere. But Job proved God right by his faithfulness. And God blessed Job for standing firm in his faith.

“If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small,” (Proverbs 24:10; NKJV).

Someone said that God does not promise us a smooth flight, but He promises us a safe landing. (I don’t know who said that, but my experiences make me to agree with the person who said that). No matter how rough the storms you encounter, you will land safely at the harbor. God is in the midst of the winds that stir the storms to prevent the winds from destroying you. If you can see Jesus amid the storms, then you will see that you are actually riding on the shoulders of Jesus who will take you safely to the shore.

Not all the runners in the race make it to the finishing point. And in your endeavors, you, too, may consider giving up when the challenges become too many.

Ecclesiastes 9:11 says, “I returned and saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.”

Someone, referring to this passage in Ecclesiastes 9:11, on “the race is not to the swift,” wrote,“The race is not always to the swift but to those who keep on running.”

We all have time and space to work with the resources that God has bestowed upon us. You may have limited resources, or you may not have the financial and physical resources to begin with at all. But you have the desire to make it in life. Your desire to succeed may be the only resource that you have. And that, though limited, can be the springboard that you can use to launch out and manifest your success.

Many remain the same, without succeeding in life because, though they believe that God is always ready to bless, they give up when the going gets tougher as they climb the ladder of success.

Correct your mistakes and create new plans when you fail. Fight back the feelings of discouragement that get in your way. Though circumstances can make it difficult for you to progress smoothly, circumstances should not make it impossible for you to progress in life.

Some people have risen from grass to grace even when people doubted that they could succeed. Some started with nothing, but they worked hard and saved the little they made and eventually became rich. Some were considered too young or too old, but they proved the skeptics wrong. Though they encountered challenges, discouragements, and delay, they pressed on to achieve their visions.

Circumstances may slow you down, but you can still climb. When you cannot run, you walk. And if you cannot walk, you crawl. And you will still be moving toward your goal.

Many are waiting to get money before they start. Those people are still waiting. And they will continue to wait. Start something now. That will make anyone you want to help you have confidence in you. If you are doing nothing now, how will anyone trust you with money?

Pursue your goal and strive towards excellence. You will eventually succeed. No matter how long it takes you, you will eventually realize your vision. Like Joseph did.

People who persevere accomplish great things.

Success does not come easily. You will encounter challenges and rejections. Even though you pray that you will not encounter them. You may have worked diligently, prayed and believed in what you are doing. You know you are sincere in your endeavors. And you are honest in your dealings with people. Yet sometimes you feel alone and forsaken. You feel rejected by some of the people you place your hope on and only a few believe or help you. Besides, the more you try to convince people, the more you feel that some of them are skeptical about your intentions. And you feel that Jesus knows how sincere you are and why you will succeed.

Despite the fears and challenges, if you believe in yourself, you will achieve your goals. If you have faith in God, and you are diligent in your work, you will rise when you fall, (Micah 7:8), and you will stand among successful people, (Proverbs 22:29).

God knows you well. God will not forsake you. And God will not deny you success, if you are right with Him, (1 John 3:21-22). God promises you that, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you: when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; neither shall the flame scorch you,” (Isaiah 43:12; KJ2000).

Be like the Cushite Joab sent to deliver the victory message to King David, (2 Samuel 18:19-21). After Joab had sent him, Ahimaaz came again to persuade Joab to let him also go. Joab had earlier refused Ahimaaz’s request. But this time, he yielded to Ahimaaz’s pressure and allowed Ahimaaz to also take the message to the King, (2 Samuel 18:22-23).

Ahimaaz was a faster runner than the Cushite. So, though the Cushite took off earlier, Ahimaaz passed him and reached David first with the message. The Cushite knew that Ahimaaz would deliver the message to King David before him. Yet he did not stop running! (Read the whole account in 2 Samuel 18.) People who are well resourced will always be ahead of you. But do not quit the race. God called you, and He has not given up on you.

Ahimaaz reached David first and delivered the message. But when David asked about the fate of Absalom, Ahimaaz had no information. That information was critical to King David. So, the King had to wait for another messenger to bring that information. And when the Cushite eventually arrived, he provided that part of the information. So, though you are still behind, do not stop running. You have an important part to play.

Achievers do not give up. Even when others have passed them and they are left alone, they continue running. When they are in hostile environments, or situations, they do not lose their composure and confidence, and they do not react violently or negatively.

They envision success, no matter the circumstances. They go to sleep thinking of success despite challenges.  Even when they think some people do not believe them, they feed their minds with hope, visions and ideas of success. And they know that there are other people who believe them and will come to their aid. When they fall (or fail), they know it is temporary. They quickly rise and continue running the race.

When they don’t immediately attain their visions, they maintain the confidence that they are still relevant and that they will succeed. They continue renewing their minds to adapt to present situations and environments.

Moses was 40 years old when he first exhibited his vision of leadership qualities. But the environment was not conducive for him then, and he fled to the land of Midian. Forty years later, at the age of eighty (80), God called him and sent him back to Egypt. Fitted for the role that God had for him, even in that advanced age, Moses led the nation of Israel out of bondage. And he led them forty years, with Aaron as the High Priest.

Achievers are constantly transforming themselves into new personalities, allowing God’s Spirit to change them and adapt to the ways of God, (Romans 12:2).

Lack of adequate financial resources make it difficult to get the ideal (or the requisite) tools to work effectively. And so, what may take five years to achieve results may take as long as fifteen (15) years or more for you to obtain optimum success. Often, extended waiting periods delayed my work. You may be compelled to work with substandard tools (or work with tools that were not what you originally hoped for).

You may have limited resources. Or you may not even have resources to begin with at all. Your desire and determination to succeed may be the resources that you have to start with. And though limited, that can be the springboard for you to launch out and manifest success.

God is the one who calls us. Let us focus on Jesus.

God Still Works Miracles Through Us

Knowledge is power! And spiritual knowledge is spiritual power!!

In most religions, the individual goes to the spiritualist, (the mallam (teacher) – mu ‘alim) or the fetish priest, and tells the spiritualist his or her problem (or need). The spiritualist then prays and performs rituals to get the answer or the miracle.

In Christianity, God indwells the individual and performs His miracles through the individual. And so, in emergencies God is always nearby.

Yet sadly, many Christians are not aware of this privilege that God has bestowed upon them. “They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. I have said, ‘You are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. But you shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.” (Psalm 82:5-7; KJ2000).

In John 10:34-35, Jesus referred to this passage.

Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’? If he called them gods, unto whom the Word of God came, and the Scripture cannot be broken; Say you of Him, whom the Father has sanctified, and sent into the world, ‘You blaspheme,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God?’”

Jesus quoted the words literally. He did not water down their meanings. He quoted the words just as the Holy Spirit inspired the Psalmist to say them. The word ‘eloheem’ is used in Psalm 82:6, and ‘theos’ used in the passage in John 10:34. However, the Psalmist clarifies what he says by the statement, “And all of you are children of the most High.” Meaning they are not Almighty God, but children of the Almighty God. So, how are they the children of the Almighty God?

Some words and statements in the Bible are difficult to accept by ordinary human minds. But God chose those words and made those statements. If God intended differently, He would have chosen the appropriate words. Therefore, we do not have the right to reinterpret them to agree with our way of thinking. God is the originator of His words. And they mean what God says. We cannot vary God’s Words and intentions. Otherwise, each of us would then be proffering our own meanings. Then there would be confusion as to who is right.

Peter writes in 2 Peter 1:20-21 that no prophecy in Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation. Because no prophecy ever originated through human decision. Instead, people spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. And in 2 Timothy 3:16 Paul writes that “All Scripture is God-breathed.” Meaning that the Holy Spirit breathed the words into the prophets and the writers. And they wrote or said exactly what they were inspired to write or say. They uttered the words that God intended. So, until God Himself varies the meanings, we have no right to vary the primary meanings of the words we read in the Scriptures.

The Bible advises us to acquaint ourselves with God, thereby good shall come upon us, (Job 22:21-29). We accumulate knowledge by studying. Furthermore, we learn the mysteries of God by delving deeper into the Bible.

The Holy Spirit baptism transforms us into God’s spiritual children, (Mark 1:8; Act 1:5; Romans 8:14-17). Then God’s Spirit infuses our spirits with His Spirit and makes us become one spirit with Him, (1 Corinthians 6:17). Even if this seems difficult to accept by our human minds, we must accept it by faith. Many of the disciples who followed Jesus also found some of His statements difficult to accept, (John 6:60-61).

God’s Spirit, indwelling the individual’s spirit, unites the believer’s spirit with God’s Spirit, and performs the spiritual renewal in the individual’s spirit. The individual is then transformed, and he or she receives empowerment by the Holy Spirit.

But we grieve the Holy Spirit if we indulge in sins and do negative things, (Ephesians 4:30). Therefore, Paul advises us not to quench the Spirit, (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22).

God uses our faith to actuate the miracles He performs in us. Therefore, Jesus asked, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” And they answered, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it unto you.” And their eyes were opened, (Matthew 9:28-30).

Belief prepared their minds to receive what Jesus was about to do. Faith (belief) sent signals to the appropriate parts of their brains to coordinate the appropriate parts of their bodies to receive the anticipated miracle of healing.

A key turns the ignition and makes the engine of a car start. In the same manner faith acts in our minds and makes our bodies respond to motivation. Faith, therefore, motivates our reception and creates the trust that animates our lives, and prepares the body to accept the possibility of something happening.

Power for miracle is in the Name of Jesus, not in rituals, (Acts 3:16). Signs and wonders happen by faith in the Name of Jesus. The name of Jesus is the power that heals and makes miracles happen, (Acts 3:6-9; Acts 4:29-30).

God hears and answers our prayers because we do what is right, (Proverbs 15:29; 1 Peter 3:11-13). Therefore, Paul in Galatians 5:25 admonishes us to maintain our spiritual life with God, and God will continue to work miracles in our lives.

We are Fellow Workers and Co-Healers with God, Part 2

Our union with God, by His Spirit, gives us direct access to God. The individual is connected to God by God’s Spirit. “He that is joined (kollao – to join oneself to, to glue together, etc.,) unto the Lord is one spirit with Him,” (1 Corinthians 6:17). He communicates to the individual through His Spirit. We relate to God and worship Him by the Spirit, (John 4:24; Philippians 3:3). And God gives us dominion (radah, to rule – to dominate) over His creation (Genesis 1:26).

This is not so in other religions. In Christ Jesus, we have a better and direct way to God. The Old Testament covenant contained faults (Hebrews 8:6-9). So, the new was given which made the old obsolete, (Hebrews 8:13).

The Bible advises us to acquaint ourselves with God (Job 22:21). Therefore, cultivate the habit of reading and learning the truth to empower yourself. People who study accumulate knowledge and become enlightened.

The Holy Spirit should have free access to the spirit of the believer. As mentioned earlier, (in Part 1), the human being is a spirit living in the body of flesh. And so, God, in pouring His Spirit upon an individual, is pouring His Spirit upon (into) that individual’s spirit. The human body is, therefore, the temple for both the human spirit and God’s Spirit.

But the person must be open to receiving the Holy Spirit into his or her spirit. Because the Holy Spirit will not force His operation on an individual. The Holy Spirit will work in the person’s spirit if the individual opens and receives the Spirit of God.

Belief (faith) enables us to accept or receive God’s Spirit into our spirit. The 120 disciples first believed, accepted the Holy Spirit, and then prepared themselves as they waited for the actuation of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5). On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit fell upon them. The Spirit actuated the Power of God and enabled them to speak in tongues, (Acts 2:1-4).

The Holy Spirit Himself actuates His power in our spirits. But we must first prepare ourselves and allow for the actuation.

Miracles are manifestations of the Power of the Holy Spirit (God). God’s Spirit, working together with your spirit, (1 Corinthians 6:17) makes them happen. God’s Spirit makes them possible because of your faith in Him. As illustrated earlier, the milk transforms the water. The water does not transform itself. The transforming power, in our case, is the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, Paul asserts categorically that if you connect your spirit to God’s Spirit, you become one spirit with God. God, by His Spirit, indwells you, and your spirit and God’s Spirit become one, (1 Corinthians 6:17).

As stated earlier, this is a hard saying. But delving deeper into the Bible enables us to understand this mystery and truth. Remember that even many of the disciples of Jesus could not accept some of His statements.

When we pray, God’s Spirit synchronizes events and our declarations to make realities occur, (Job 22:28). Your desires become realities (Mark 11:24) because God’s Spirit turns them into realities, (John 14:10).

Being co-workers with God, (and his Spirit indwelling us), we must also live holy lives.

The Transformation

We are transformed by the Holy Spirit working in our spirits, as I illustrated earlier using water and milk. Transformation does not automatically happen just because an individual believes. You must first initiate the process by renewing your mind, changing your mental attitude, and allowing your thoughts and actions to align with God’s will, (Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:22). Discard your former behavior or conduct and be not conformed to the world. If you do not yield your body as an instrument of unrighteousness, (Romans 6:13), the Spirit will work with you to reshape your thoughts and perspectives to align with God’s ways.

The desire and the plan start with you, and God directs your steps, (Proverbs 16:9). So, God helps you to complete what you started, if it agrees with God’s will.

If we believe, but do not allow the actuation of the Spirit, the Holy spirit will not actively be involved in our lives or in our spirits in what we do. We will be acting in the flesh and not in the spirit. Though we may not lose our salvation yet. Even though we are God’s spiritual children, if we do not allow for the actuation of the power of the Spirit in our lives, we will be powerless Christians. We may still be God’s children but spiritually powerless. However, we may drift away from God and eventually may lose our salvation. (Detailed discussion on this in Part 3).

We read in Job 22:21-23 that we will know God, and know how we relate to Him, if we acquaint ourselves with Him. For those who know their God are strong and they accomplish great things, (Daniel 11:32).

The Christian is a member of a holy priesthood offering acceptable spiritual sacrifice to God through Jesus Christ, (1 Peter 2:5). The Christian is an instrument or a channel God uses to perform miracles or answer prayers.

God Works Miracles Through Us.

A church in Accra invited me to hold a spiritual revival for them. Three days into the five-day revival service, the leaders of the church told me about a woman who used to be one of their staunch members but backslid because of an unfortunate occurrence.

Her son was critically ill and at the point of death. She ran to her pastor who lived about five kilometers away only to learn that the pastor had traveled to the northern part of the country.

So, she took her dying child to a prophetess who lived close by her pastor’s home. As the prophetess held the boy praying, the child died.

The woman was angry that God had failed her despite her faith in God and all that she had done for God. She did not understand why God would forsake her and let her son die. She vowed not to go to church again. He faith in Jesus and Christianity died.

I explained to her how God had given her the power in the name of Jesus. I made her understand that while she was running and seeking for someone to pray for her son, she could also have used the name of Jesus to pray and Jesus would have saved her son from dying.

I took her through the pages of the Bible and made her know why and how God had not failed her. The Pastor feeds the congregation the Word and prays for them. The individual must take in the Word and digest it to actualize his or her miracles.

Your faith remains dormant or dead if you do not activate it. When a mother feeds her child, and the child eats and digests what the mother feeds him or her, the child will live and grow. If the child does not eat what the mother feeds him or her, the child will not grow well and may even die.

To help actuate the faith of the individual, Jesus would ask, “You believe that I am able to do this?” And they answered, “Yes, Lord.” Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it unto you,” (Matthew 9:28). In Mark 9:23-28, Jesus said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes.” The father of the child cried, and said with tears, “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.” Jesus rebuked the foul spirit and cast it out of the child.

I taught her to actuate faith and actualize miracles. The woman’s faith was restored, and she became a strong believer in Christ again.

While we seek the help of people who are spiritually elevated, we should also know that God is with us and will hear us when we cry to Him, (Jeremiah 33:3). God has made it possible for the Christian to call upon Him any time in the name of Jesus Christ, (John 14:13-14).

At the time I was visiting her, she had another son, who was about six years old, also sick. I told her that, though she could seek help from me and others, if she also prayed and exercised her faith, God would answer. I taught her to exercise her faith and pray. Miracles started happening in her life. She became more committed to Jesus and resumed her good works for the church.

One day, her other son went into a crisis and collapsed. The boy collapsed in the same manner as the other one had years earlier. But this time, she determined she was not going to let that son go. She remembered that I said God has given us power in the name of Jesus Christ to help us in times of need. She put her hand on the boy and prayed. Afterwards she rushed the boy to the Hospital.

They took the boy to the emergency ward. The doctor and nurses worked to revive him. But the boy was not responding. Then the doctor and the nurses had to rush to a new emergency.

The woman refused to yield. She went to a corner in the ward, kneeled and prayed to God to let her son live. She told God that she was not ready to let that son go.

She felt a hand touch her shoulder. She turned and saw a nurse telling her the doctor had returned to her son. They were hoping the boy would now respond. She stood up and walked with the nurse to the bed, still praying and asking God for the life of her son.

A while later, the boy responded and moved a little. Eventually, he regained full consciousness and opened his eyes. Some hours later the boy was strong and told the mother he wanted to go home. But the doctor said they had to monitor him for at least a day. The following day the boy was discharged from the hospital and his mother took him home.

The woman, like Jabez, (1 Chronicles 4:9-10) realized that she could change the situation by calling upon God to save her son. She prayed like King Hezekiah prayed and asked God to heal him and reverse the death that God had pronounced upon him. God heard him and granted him fifteen years more to live, (2 Kings 20:1-7). The boy grew up and became a young man.

God has given us the power, in the name of Jesus Christ, to change our situations.

Do not say your church is not spiritual. You are a living stone, adding to other living stones building up into God’s spiritual house. Collectively the members are a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices to God, through Jesus Christ. If your Church is not spiritual it is because you are not spiritual.

To be continued…

Change your mental attitude, stop violence, believe in yourself, press on to success

You may stop to rest and then continue the race. But don’t quit the race. You can win. So, persevere to the end and the prize will be yours. No quitting. Focus on the prize and continue running towards the goal.

The transformation

While running to get the prize, show compassion to people you meet. Forgive wrongs done against you. Let God avenge you, for he says, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay…” (Romans 12:19).

Meditate always on what is noble. No lies, no gossiping, no dishonesty, and don’t hate.

In Philippians 4:8 we read,

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (ESV)

God gave us minds so we can make decisions. But our minds degenerated, became corrupted and we glided down into the abyss of hate, murder, lies, fear, and all kinds of evil and negativity.

The Bible tells us to renew our minds by rejecting and discarding all evils. The Bible tells us to feed our minds with love, kindness, and righteous thoughts.

What we feed the mind leads to action. According to neuroscience, actions are performed when neurons connect to send and receive information or instructions. Neurons are cells within the nervous system. They send and receive information within our bodies. And our bodies act per the instructions of the mind. The Psalmist says in Psalm 139:14, “… I am fearfully and wonderfully made,” (ESV).

Neuroscience explains that when information is received, the brain sends the information to the action zone. The neurons interconnect with each other to send the information to the parts of the body where actions are to occur.

The mind is an action center. And our thoughts decide how we feel and act. You cannot succeed if you don’t believe in yourself. You must believe in yourself and act on your beliefs to achieve your vision. Though we cannot get rid of our emotions entirely, we can regulate and control how we react to situations.

Success does not come easily. So, continue running until you receive the prize (1 Corinthians 9:24; Philippians 3:14).

Thoughts have creative power. What goes on in the mind attracts reality. Inventions begin as thoughts in the minds of inventors. If you constantly believe that you will be a winner, and work at it, you will break through adverse circumstances and become a winner.

The body responds to the way we think, feel, and act. Proverbs 23:7 says, “As he thinks in his heart, so is he.”

Faith begins in the mind. And neuroscience explains that there is a special relationship between how our minds work and what kind of results we get. Faith and positive thoughts make us approach life and business with optimism. Faith motivates us to overcome self-limiting beliefs. Faith motivates us and helps us to conquer the challenges in life.

Repeating an action creates a pattern of behavior that is etched in our mind or the brain. The more you practice or perform an act, the more you solidify that action. And habit is formed. In later actions, the body follows the pattern that has been formed.

Faith motivates us to act. When we repeat actions, we train the body to learn to do the actions. Actions become easier by repetitions and eventually become automatic or almost automatic. The actions are then performed with little or no thought at all.

Faith invites the Holy Spirit to work in your spirit and actualize your vision. And you eventually become what you think and do. You become stronger by overcoming obstacles.

Information creates emotions, which in turn leads to action. Your eyes (the sight) and ears (the hearing) pick information for the brain to process. Processing the information leads to action, and action turns into being.

When you do something repeatedly, your body learns to do it better, more easily, and automatically. Your mind and body are now conditioned to work together. Any time information about the action is sensed, your body can subconsciously go into action, without you consciously thinking about it. Our thoughts, therefore, are translated into how we live, how we will succeed, or how we will fail.

The mind turns vision into reality as our thoughts create the emotions to stimulate our desires and actualize the vision. And the brain processes the information we feed it and creates a pattern of behavior.

Jesus said,

22 “Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours,” (Mark 11:22-24; ESV)

You actualize your vision when you put your thoughts into action.

Meditate on God’s love and truthfulness. Believe that God is truthful and will perform what you ask him to do (Numbers 23:19; 2 Timothy 2:13). Learn to be good, kind, honest, and non-violent. The Holy Spirit indwelling you is comfortable with these characteristics and works unhindered in such environment.

The Spirit of God indwelling you transforms your spirit. Milk transforms water by making it become milky or whitish. So also, the Spirit of God indwelling you transforms you spiritually. However, the Holy Spirit cannot transform your spirit if you do not surrender yourself completely and if your spirit is contaminated. Desire God’s Spirit and yield your spirit to God’s Spirit, and God will transform you.

If you surrender to the Holy Spirit, He will direct your spirit. Yield to the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16-17) and He will fill your spirit with His power. He will enable you to speak and act in His power (Acts 1:8; Acts 2;4; Mark 16:17). The Holy Spirit helps us to be loving, kind, and truthful.

Neuroscience teaches that the mind decides how we perceive things and respond to challenges. Furthermore, neuroscience explains that our behaviors are developed through repeated actions. Repeating an action will ingrain it in the brain to become a habit. Ephesians 4:22-24 instructs us to shed off our former conduct, or behavior, and be renewed in the spirit of our mind, by feeding the mind with new information for actions.

The world is a jungle. It is a jungle of confusion, hate, anger, struggles, and all kinds of evil.

However, with God’s Spirit, we can become what we believe. We can make life great for ourselves. But only if we actuate our beliefs and practice God’s principles.

Press on – don’t give up!

Fire for fire ends in ashes.

Abigail Van Buren said, “People who fight fire with fire usually end up with ashes.”

Do not use violence to achieve a purpose. Patience may take the long route. But eventually it achieves success. Proverbs 25:15, “With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone,” (ESV).

And Proverbs 14:29 says,

 “He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, but he who is impulsive exalts folly.”

Mahatma Gandhi said, “Victory attained by violence is tantamount to a defeat, for it is momentary.”

Be tolerant and live peacefully with each other. Romans 12:18 tells us, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (ESV)

Jesus taught us to be peaceful, loving, and forgiving. And Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger,” (ESV).

Nothing can stop you from reaching success if your mind is decided

Failure can be reversed, so don’t let it make you angry. Keep pushing forward towards success.

Some people are upset when they fail in a venture or enterprise. A failure should not mean the end of a venture or enterprise. You can try again and succeed in later attempts.

Nothing can stop you from reaching success if your mind is decided. God defined your destiny before he formed you in your mother’s womb. If you put your faith into action, you will reach the height you envisaged. Despite the hard knocks of life, you can climb the ladder to success. It might take a long time for you to get there because of the lack of finances or some physical conditions you might have. But you will surely get there, even if you must crawl.

Do not stop even when circumstances make you crawl. Keep moving till you reach your goal. “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.” (James 2:26; ESV) Faith will keep you going.

If you believe in your vision, you will work assiduously to make it happen. And God will be by you to confirm his word. (Mark 16:20; Acts 14:3)

Determination and perseverance will decide how you succeed or fail.

Thomas Edison made thousands of attempts when working on the light bulb. Later a journalist asked him how he felt when he failed a thousand times. Edison replied he did not fail a thousand times. Those were 1,000 ways he learned would not work. He said, “The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps.”

Thomas Edison was not upset anytime an attempt proved wrong. He did not lose face. He knew he could try as many times as possible until he got it right. And he did.

In Genesis 4:6-7 we read,

“The LORD said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.’” (ESV)

Cain and Abel were two brothers who presented offerings to God. God respected Abel and his offering but rejected Cain’s offering. Cain was not happy and was angry with his brother. But God told him that he was wrong to be angry or upset. If he did what was right his offering would be accepted.

The bottom line was that Cain did not do what was right to receive a favorable response from God. But instead of addressing the issue, Cain vented his anger on his brother Abel.

It was not Abel who rejected Cain’s offering. God rejected the offering. Therefore, Cain should have directed his anger to God. But he misdirected his anger and vented his anger on Abel.

God told Cain he was wrong to vent his anger on his brother. Besides, he wasn’t even right to be angry at all. God would have responded favorably to him and accepted his offering if he did the right thing. When Thomas Edison made corrections, he eventually got the light bulb right.

Many people express their anger wrongly and aggressively and hurt (mostly) innocent people.

Anger is an emotional response to threats. We may use anger as a defense when attacked, insulted, or mistreated. Some people, however, do not use anger rightly. Like Cain was angry with his brother.

Lack can make some people angry. Lack of money limits people’s ability to do what they want. And some people are angry when they can’t get what they want. Lack of confidence can also make a person believe that he or she cannot achieve his or her ambitions. This may also make some people who think they are stuck in their hole angry and bitter. And make them envy those who are successful.

Certainly, money makes success easy. However, without money, you can still achieve success. Otherwise, we would not hear stories of people rising from “rags to riches.”

You may lack funds now to execute your project or business. That doesn’t mean your vision should perish. It is a temporary failure, not a permanent one.

Have faith in God. You can put it on the back burner for a while. Not because it has lost its importance, but because of the lack of funds. It could take months, and sometimes even years before you might come back to it. But no matter how long it takes, you will come out someday and shine.

Just don’t give up. Your present lack of funds should not be the demise of your vision. Consider it a temporary setback and keep it on the back burner until you can raise funds to continue the project. But your vision stays. A genuine vision should not die. Years that pass may refine, or even redefine it into a new or different project. But the vision should not die. Genuine visions do not die easily.

Violent people express their anger through aggressive behaviors. Non-violent people, on the other hand, control their anger and are non-aggressive when they express their anger. Though they may not like what is done to them, or said about them, they have control over their emotions and so can express their anger without being violent.

Some people become volatile when they are upset. When they don’t achieve a purpose, they lose face, and in their anger, they hurl invectives. They resort to incendiary rhetoric to even the scores or make others feel as bad as they feel. Even those who did not cause their problem are not spared.

Incendiary remarks are the fuel that ignites conflicts. The remarks act like petrol on fire and make the fires of hate and conflict burn intensely.

In their efforts to prove their religions superior, some religious advocates use inflammatory remarks on people who hold contrary views. Some politicians also spew out invectives at each other on radio and television.

Jesus taught us not to be antagonistic or inflammatory.

We can always try again whenever we do not achieve the results. If there are corrections to be made, make them, and try again.

Certain places are notorious for conflicts and are regarded as flash points. Unfortunately, people in such areas use inflammatory speeches instead of toning down their discussions.

Religious militants display confrontational attitudes when advocating their religious doctrines. They are angry and violent when people don’t accept their doctrines. Instead of using persuasive and intelligent discourse, they spew out vituperations against other religions.

Attacking the beliefs of your opponent is not peaceful dialogue. You are pouring fuel onto a fire. And you make people dislike you when you do that.

John Locke, writing in 1689, asserts that, “… true and saving religion consists in the inward persuasion of the mind, without which nothing can be acceptable to God.” And that, “Confiscation of estate, imprisonment, torments,” can never really make people “change the inward judgment that they have framed of things,” (unquote… from “A Letter Concerning Toleration,” page 20, published in Buffalo, New York by Prometheus Books, 1990).

Do Not Use Compulsion.

Religious militants believe that polemics is the right way to prove their religions as the best. They insult and attack other people’s beliefs.

Discuss the essence of your religious beliefs convincingly.

Some people do not know how to present their views convincingly, and so resort to insults. They use physical violence to compel people to accept what they are offering.

Christians, however, have been recommended to emulate Jesus in convincing their listeners. Jesus was not antagonistic and was not violent. He was peaceful. He is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)

As you believe in your opinions and religion so also your opponent believes in his or her opinions and religion. Using force will not make your opponent understand your views. Use persuasion and logic to convince your listeners.

Jesus used logic, wisdom, persuasion, and love to make the Samaritan woman listen to him (John 4:6-42). Paul used the same method when he spoke to the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers at the Areopagus (or Mar’s Hill – Acts 17:22-34). Though some mocked him, many believed him. You may not win all, but you will win some. Those who could not understand his resurrection statement told him he could come again another day to explain that.

You may have the truth, but listeners will not be convinced if you cannot articulate your message wisely. Religious militants and politicians who cannot articulate their views convincingly resort to lies and vituperations. They use violence and aggression to force people to obey or accept.

When politicians use provocative words against their opposers they argue that they are exercising their rights and freedom of speech. Freedom of speech, or the right to free speech does not mean one should use insulting language to express one’s views or disagreements. Use persuasion to speak to the minds of listeners. That will help them to make informed decisions. And they won’t feel they have been coerced to accept your views.

Persuasion, however, must be sincere, without manipulation. You must be able to explain the sincerity of your beliefs.

Anger is a normal emotion that we can use to stop people from doing wrong. Anger becomes a problem and abnormal when it gets out of control and turns violent. Then it becomes destructive.

Do not be angry if things do not go the way you want. Anger by itself does not solve problems. God told Cain, “If you do well you shall be accepted.”

Do not use anger as an excuse to hit a fellow human. Always express your anger positively. Talk about what you don’t like and how you feel you have been wronged. Using the positive method will get you favorable or good responses.

Some people are frustrated and angry because of their physical conditions. Some are even angry with God because of their physical disabilities or because of poverty. They vent their anger on everyone and blame others for their lack or inability to be like others. Envy makes them regard the world and everyone as enemies.

You, too, can become successful if you are determined to be successful.

Physical challenges and lack of finances are not permanent disabilities that should prevent you from excelling or from becoming successful in your endeavors. They will delay your success but can’t stop you. Nothing can stop you from reaching your financial and spiritual goals if you decide in your mind and believe in your heart that you can be successful.

Many successful people you see today were once like you. Some of them labored for other people, doing menial jobs to buy bread for survival. Some lived without food for days. Some slept on the streets, at bus stops, and other open spaces with the sky for their roofs.

Don’t be upset when things don’t happen the way you expect. Don’t lose face when you try and fail to get to the top. Don’t feel humiliated. Defeats or failures are temporary. Let them spur you on to get back on your feet. Don’t be ashamed when you have those temporary failures. You can always spring back onto your feet and continue pursuing your goal (Job 5:19; Proverbs 24:16).

You will surely rebound when you fall because God takes note of what you do.

“For God is not unfair. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other Christians, as you still do.” (Hebrews 6:10; NLT)

Therefore, don’t be angry when things don’t happen as expected. Everything will be all right if you patiently endure. Always do what is right. Faith and perseverance will take you to your goal.

It may take years to reach the top. And the going will be tough and unpleasant. But a sweet ending awaits you.

Some people may not believe in you. And some who believe in you may not be able to aid you. Believe in yourself, be committed to your cause, and do what is right. Friends who believe in you will be praying for you. They might not be able to support you financially, but their prayers will touch God and goodness and mercy will follow you. God, the ultimate provider, will give you the provision.

God cares even when people do not consider you. He knows your heart. He provided for others. He will provide for you, too.

The night may be too long and lonely. But Jesus will always be by your side. He will guide you if you ask him. He will encourage you and lead you to success.

Live an honest life before God. God searches our hearts and gives us what we truly deserve (Jeremiah 17:10; Romans 2:6).

Hebrews 10:35-39

35 “Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. 37 ‘For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. 38 And a righteous person will live by faith. But I will have no pleasure in anyone who turns away.’ 39 But we are not like those who turn their backs on God and seal their fate. We have faith that assures our salvation.” (NLT)

Some people look at their conditions and slump into self-pity. They are convinced that they cannot do anything worthwhile. When help is delayed, they lose hope. But you should not lose hope for God is waiting to help you.

Some people do not even suffer from physical challenges, yet they give up hope and consider themselves incapable when they meet challenges.

God gives strength and ability to the weak and the physically challenged.

The Rev. Dr. Christian Adjei, who has gone to be with the Lord, was my lecturer at the Ghana Christian College and Seminary, now Ghana Christian University. The Rev. Dr. Adjei told me one day in class that I had great potential. I had just given a presentation. After listening to and evaluating my presentation, Rev. Dr. Adjei told me I would achieve great heights and travel internationally if I continued to work assiduously.

I had no financial support. I struggled to feed myself and buy clothing to wear. By the grace of God, the college had absorbed my tuition and lodging fees. That provided some relief. But I still needed to cater for myself in other ways.

Rev. Dr. Adjei himself surmounted physical challenges to rise to the top. He had polio at a tender age and his legs were crippled, compelling him to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

He did not give up on life. He studied assiduously and eventually gained a doctorate. Proverbs 18:14 says, “The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit?”

What the Reverend Dr. Adjei said about me indeed happened. I studied assiduously, gained a scholarship in the United States, and secured degrees up to the Doctoral level. I have lectured in tertiary institutions in Ghana and Singapore. I have given lectures, and academic presentations and preached in the US, and the UK. Other countries I have also been to are France, The Philippines, The Netherlands, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, and Zimbabwe, among others.

Your desire may take time to materialize because you presently lack funds. But Jesus said, “…If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes,” (Mark 9:23).

Keep yearning, thinking, and believing in your heart, wanting to achieve the best. Pull yourself together to do what you want. Your entire personality will pattern itself to the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs of your heart. Your mind and body follow the dictates of your heart. You will achieve your desire according to how strong your heart yearns, and how enthusiastic you are.

Proverbs 23:7 — “… as he thinks in his heart so is he…” People strive hard to get what their hearts yearn for. That is why some, unfortunately, will even kill or use their children, spouses, or relatives, for rituals to gain wealth.

The heart and the mind dictate or influence our passions. The mind conceives the idea and sows it in the heart. It germinates and grows into a strong desire. And the whole human personality is influenced to do what the heart dictates. Use this power that is in you for positive things. Shun the negative.

Be strong in your mind and body. The journey is long, and the lack of funds is hitting you vehemently. But you can do the impossible through Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13).

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