Joel Kwesi Baidoo

No matter how this year has been for you, be grateful that you have seen its end. Let's take stock and celebrate the successes of the year, and pray for a renewed grace to do much better in the coming year. 1 To God be the glory, great things he has done! So loved he the world that he gave us his Son, who yielded his life an atonement for sin, and opened the life-gate that all may go in. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, Let the earth hear his voice! Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the people rejoice! O come to the Father through Jesus the Son and give him the glory, great things he has done! 2 Great things he has taught us, great things he has done, and great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son, but purer and higher and greater will be our joy and our wonder, when Jesus we see. “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.” (Psalm 72:18) Till I come your way again next year, Remain inspired!

"It always protects..." (1 Corinthians 13:7) We are back on our love series. The next feature of love is that it always protects. The Greek word translated as "protect" actually means to have a roof over or to cover. True love does not give undue publicity to the faults and weaknesses of others. Apostle Peter put it this way: "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8) This does not in any way imply condoning sin. The protective nature of love focuses on helping people become better instead of trumpeting their faults. Consider the following two scenarios: A: Someone identifies a fault of yours and goes about discussing it with others. B: Another person discovers this same fault of yours and comes to draw your attention personally, prays with you and refrains from making it a public discussion. Which of these two people will make you feel loved? The second right? Why don't you practise the same with y

You know very well how happy you are when you meet people in your life who genuinely believe in you. Such people inspire you and bring out the best in you. That was the feeling when Peter met Jesus. He initially didn't even consider himself worthy to be close to Him. After Peter saw the miracle of the bountiful catch of the fish at Jesus' direction, his own sinfulness shamed him. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" (Luke 5:8) But Jesus wasn't that kind of man. For many are those who are experts in recognizing the shortfalls and weaknesses of others, but have not the slightest inkling in them to help them up.  "...Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." (Luke 5:10) Jesus saw beyond the weakness of Peter. Today, we can read about all the great works of Peter in the book of Acts because someone believed in him and brought out the best in hi

Leonard Sylvan Peikoff, a Canadian-American philosopher, once wrote an article entitled, “Why Christmas Should Be More Commercial.” He argued that, “It is time to take the Christ out of Christmas, and turn the holiday into a guiltlessly egoistic, pro-reason, this-worldly, commercial celebration.” Peikoff's worldview reflects that of many secular forces that are advertently or inadvertently waging war against the true meaning of Christmas.  In the US, for example, it was President Bush who replaced the term "Merry Christmas" with "Happy holidays" in the standard Christmas card issued by the White House yearly. President Barack Obama followed suit. In all his eight Christmas cards, the word "Christmas" cannot be found. It is not difficult to notice the secularization and commercialization of Christmas today. For many people, it's just about pool parties, night clubbing, street jamming, and the like.  As Christians with the mandate to possess our nati

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified." (Luke 2:8-9) Of all the people in Israel that blessed night of the Saviour's birth, why were shepherds the worthy recipients of the angelic host? The shepherd's work in ancient Israel was characterized by EXTREME dedication and commitment. Mostly, the youngest boy in the family would have to take up the task of shepherding the family's flock. It takes great humility to be a shepherd. One has to be in constant contact with the sheep, enduring and sharing in their dirt and smell. One has to be willing to abandon the comfort of their home and spend the night with the sheep in the field. Shepherds in those days worked both day and night to protect the sheep from predators and thieves. This required a great deal of vigilance and diligence. And while a group of s

"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem." (Matthew 2:1) The religion of the East was heavily characterized by sorcery, magic and divination. Astrology was very popular in the East. It was the norm for kings to have a team of sorcerers and magicians who advise and provide spiritual direction. The Greek word translated as "Magi" or "wise men" (as translated by King James) actually means magicians or sorcerers.  God, in His manifold wisdom and boundless mercies, not wanting anyone to perish in their sins, revealed to sorcerers in their own practice that the Savior has been born.  In fact, God has left a sign in all cultural and religious practices of men that point to Christ. Anyone who can recognize the sign that the Savior of the world has been born, and submit to Him in reverent worship is wise indeed! The gifts presented to the newborn Jesus by the Magi are also instructive and symbo

 #BeInspiredToday 20-12-2022 A Punctuation in History The birth of Jesus has permanently altered the course of history in many ways, including how dates are recorded. The current global standard for the measurement of dates is known as the Gregorian calendar, named after Pope Gregory XIII, under whose tenure it was instituted. Both the Gregorian calendar, and its predecessor - the Julian calendar - are based on the supposed birth date of Jesus Christ. It was Dionysius Exiguus, a Christian monk, who first proposed in the year 525 that dates be recorded in reference to the birth of Jesus Christ, hence the invention of the acronyms BC ("Before Christ") and AD ("Anno Domini" - Latin for "In the year of the Lord"). In relatively recent times, some have tried to change this with the excuse that it is not fair to other religious faiths. But no matter who likes it or not, the birth of Jesus has become a globally accepted reference point for the reckoning of dates.

  #BeInspiredToday 17-10-2022 Write the Vision And the LORD answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. (Habakkuk 2:2-3) A vision is a mental picture of the future. We may not know precisely what is yet to transpire in our lives but our imagination of a desired future is a powerful force that drives our actions today. In the passage above, God tells the prophet Habakkuk why he should write down the vision. Firstly, "so he may run who reads it." Vision inspires us to run. Our vision for the future is a great motivation to put in our maximum efforts today. Secondly, "it will surely come." Our vision gives us hope for the future. George Washington Carver, known in history as the most prominent black scientist of the early 20th century once said, "Where there is no vis

 #BeInspiredToday 13-10-2022 Love is Kind We have already established that love is a nature to be cultivated more than an emotion to be felt (you may recap last week's message on "Love is Patient"). Love is first of all patient, and next, it is kind. "Love is patient, love is kind..." (1 Corinthians 13:4) Someone said, "When I was young I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people." Kindness is a state of the heart that upholds the joy and wellbeing of others. This state of the heart manifests itself in pleasant words and deeds towards people. A kind heart finds it a pleasure to heighten people's joy and lessen their pain. Whatever you do or say with the intention of making someone happy is an act of kindness. It could be passing a genuine compliment, giving a gift, or just being there when needed. It was Lucius Annaeus Seneca who said, "Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness." And Aesop

 #BeInspiredToday 12-10-2022 Reformational Failure There are two types of failure - reformational and deformational, thus, one that reforms and one that deforms. The dividing line is usually one's attitude towards failure. In biblical records, at least two of Jesus' twelve disciples betrayed Him big time - Peter and Judas. Jesus predicted both situations but they still fell into their respective traps. They both regretted their actions but their attitude towards their failure differed.  Peter, after lamenting over his debacle, learnt his lessons, put himself together and moved on with his relationship with Jesus. Judas on the other hand, could hardly get over his misdeed. He could not forgive himself. Instead, he condemned himself to death, taking his own life. When you read the book of Acts and get impressed with the great works of Apostle Peter, you are seeing reformational failure at work. Dear friend, if failure breaks down your door, build another one and keep on going. Be

  #BeInspiredToday 11-10-2022 When God Borrows Your Boat He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. (Luke 5:3) Jesus came to the scene at the lake of Gennesaret at a point where Simon and his partners in the fishing business had toiled all night without a catch. It was a point of frustration and despair. While they were washing their nets despondently, Jesus suddenly shows up with an unusual request: he wants to borrow their boat to preach. "Ah!" Simon might have thought. "While I am thinking about how to put food on the table for my family today, you are here not to offer any immediate help but to borrow my boat to preach?" Well, Simon offered his boat to the Lord. At the end of Jesus' sermon, he directed Simon where to let down his nets for a catch. Simon doubted initially that a preacher could offer any practical solution to a frustrated fisherma

 #BeInspiredToday 10-10-2022 A Fool Does Not Take Advice One of the simplest ways to identify a fool is by studying their attitude towards instruction and correction. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." (Proverbs 1:7) Every successful life is built by wisdom.  By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established. (Proverbs 24:3) The repercussion for shunning instruction and correction is the destruction of one's own life. "The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down." (Proverbs 14:1) When a man is filled with folly, any piece of advice sounds offensive to him. Such a person is preoccupied with defending himself against every corrective feedback that is meant to make him a better person. Life is such that those who are open to good advice prosper, whereas those who remain stiffnecked end up in an undesirable state.  A good advice to you today

 #BeInspiredToday 07-10-2022 I'm Pressing On Johnson Oatman, Jr. (1856-1922) was the author of the hymn, "I'm pressing on the upward way." His father was an accomplished singer and Johnson always enjoyed to hear him sing the hymns of the faith. Johnson's hymn is a reflection of his own life in that it's on record that he wrote over two hundred songs every year and has over three thousand hymns to his credit.  No matter what has transpired in our lives and whatever comes our way, may we find the energy to press on! 1 I’m pressing on the upward way, New heights I’m gaining ev'ry day; Still praying as I’m onward bound, “Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.” Refrain: Lord, lift me up, and let me stand By faith, on heaven’s tableland; A higher plane than I have found, Lord, plant my feet on higher ground. 2 My heart has no desire to stay Where doubts arise and fears dismay; Though some may dwell where these abound, My prayer, my aim, is higher ground. 3 I want

 #BeInspiredToday 06-10-2022 Love is Patient "Love is patient…" (1 Corinthians 13:4) The word love evokes a lot of emotions and stimulates feelings of all kinds. God is love. Therefore, any accurate definition of love can be approximated as a definition of God.  Hence, love is difficult to define but can be described just as God is described by His attributes.  In the thirteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians (the chapter of love), Paul gives us a clear picture of the nature of love. One of the most profound observations about love is that it goes way beyond feelings of ecstacy. It's more of a nature to cultivate. Therefore, to love is to work on yourself. The first attribute of love is patience. No human being is perfect. Different people have different shortcomings. To change one's object of love is simply to change the kind of shortcoming one has to deal with. Without patience, you cannot love your friend, partner, spouse or your children. Without patience, you cannot lo

  #BeInspiredToday 05-10-2022 God Can Surprise You When Isaac blessed Jacob, he sent him to Paddan Aram to the house of his uncle Laban to marry there. On his way, Jacob stopped at a certain point to catch some rest. In a dream, he had a divine encounter where God made great promises to him. When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it." (Genesis 28:16) It was a divine surprise! Jacob was surprised at the encounter he had because he least expected it. I know you are familiar with bible verses about ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened unto you. But there are mysteries of the Spirit - things we cannot explain. Sometimes, God can surprise us with things we have not specifically prayed about, expected or even imagined. Now to Him who is able to do so much more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us. (Ephesians 3:20) However, as it is

  #BeInspiredToday 04-10-2022 You're A Masterpiece The famous Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was a painter, sculptor, architect, writer, anatomist, geologist, astronomer, botanist, inventor, engineer and scientist – the epitome of a Renaissance man. He was widely considered to be one of the greatest artists of all time. His most famous works included ‘the Mona Lisa’, ‘the Last Supper’ and ‘the Vitruvian Man’. If any piece of work produced by Da Vinci can be referred to as a masterpiece that merits special attention, how much more the work produced by the one who made Leonardo Da Vinci? The Mona Lisa, for instance, has spent time with several French leaders. After Da Vinci died, his favorite apprentice was in possession of the painting. It then came into the possession of King Francis I of France, who displayed it in the Palace of Fontainebleau. The  pleasant announcement to you is that you are the product not of Leonardo Da Vinci but the Omnipotent God who is the creator of Leonardo

 #BeInspiredToday 03-10-2022 Your Right to Shelter Today is World Habitat Day. The United Nations’ (UN) World Habitat Day is annually celebrated on the first Monday of October to reflect on the state of human settlements and people’s right to sufficient shelter. It also aims to remind people that they are responsible for the habitat of future next generations. As we remind ourselves of people's right to sufficient shelter here on earth, we must do well to also remind ourselves of the greater importance of securing a comfortable shelter for eternity. Everyone has a right to a shelter in heaven. To claim this right, the way has been specified: Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.(John 14:6) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. (Matthew 6:20) Today, why don't you help someone understand their right to a comfor

  #BeInspiredToday 29-09-2022 Take Away The Stone! Today, let's tap into the faith of Jesus. When He got to the tomb of Lazarus, the first instruction He gave was for the stone at the entrance to be removed. “Take away the stone,” he said...”(John 11:39) The stone represented a conclusion of the issue - an expectation of no return for Lazarus. The stone meant the case was over and done with. Lazarus will not, cannot and should not come back! Jesus therefore attacked the stone first.  The removal of the stone was a strong statement to the mindset of the people. Now that the stone has been removed, the perception that Lazarus' case was over has been challenged, paving way for anything to now happen. "So they took away the stone…" (John 11:41) Jesus then gave the life-giving instruction to Lazarus. When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:43) The dead man came back to life!  Beware of people, with their pessimistic mindset, who p

 #BeInspiredToday 27-09-2022 The One You Love Is Sick Let's face it: some of the most difficult moments of our faith is when bad things happen to good people. It disturbs us to imagine the Omnipotent God allowing a misfortune to befall someone He loves. Such was what happened to Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha. This family has played host to Jesus several times whenever He was in Bethany, and it's on record that Jesus loved Lazarus. So when the latter fell ill, his sisters sent word to Jesus. So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” (John 11:3) To their utter surprise, Jesus did not turn up until Lazarus was dead and buried. Why should Jesus allow the person he loves to fall sick and even die? The answer is in the next verse.  When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4) When God allows the unpleasant to happen to His beloved, we can

  #BeInspiredToday 26-09-2022 You Better Survive Your strength is proved by your ability to survive difficult moments. "If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength!" (Proverbs 24:10) It is said that "A smooth sea does not produce skillful sailors." Spiritually speaking, trying times separate weak from strong Christians. If you are going through any hard period in your life right now, be resolved never to falter by compromising your values or your faith. The wisdom of God's word gives us the strength to survive any and every situation. "A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength." (Proverbs 24:5) Our knowledge of God through His word is the source of our strength. "...but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits." (Daniel 11:32) The crown only comes at the end of the struggle. The glory follows the suffering. As God gives you the strength, you better survive! Remain inspire

 #BeInspiredToday 22-09-2022 The Best of Both Worlds We can indeed have the best of both worlds - this present world and the one hereafter. The key is godliness! "For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come." (1 Timothy 4:8) Physical exercise profits a little, but godliness has value for both this life and for eternity.  The reason why physical exercise profits a little is that it's value is just for this life. But this little profit must not be despised. We must do all that it takes to take good care of our bodies. However, when we practise godliness, we get the best of both worlds.  "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age." (Titus 2:11-12) Godliness teaches us to say NO to substance abuse, i

 #BeInspiredToday 21-09-2022 Find A Reason To Laugh "For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name." (Psalm 33:21) You may not be able to add years to your life but you can add life to your years. Your life is full of blessings if only you can recognize them.  Appreciating your blessings - including the seemingly little ones - is what brings us joy. The happiest person is not the most successful or the richest but the person who has the greatest gratitude for what they have and worries the least over what they are yet to have. Find a reason to laugh because worry does us more harm than good. "A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit." (Proverbs 15:13) Laughter is a symbol of joy, a sign of faith, and a characteristic of hope. It will do you good today and everyday to find a reason to laugh. “He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.” (Job 8:21) Remain inspired!

#BeInspiredToday 19-09-2022 The Hired leader Today, let’s continue with the leadership lessons from Jesus. After referring to Himself as the good shepherd, He went on to describe the opposite of a good shepherd as the hired hand. “The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.” (John 10:12) This is the mentality of bad leadership. A bad leader sees his role merely as a position he occupies. He has simply been hired for the role and doesn’t have a feeling of ownership for the sheep under his care. Such a leader will not bother to go the extra mile. His comfort is his priority and Jesus tells us why in the next verse. “The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep” (John 10:13)  My question to you today is: do you have a sense of ownership over the people you lead? Do you personally care for them and have their best interest

 #BeInspiredToday 16-09-2022 Thy Kingdom Come The hymn "Thy kingdom come O God" was written by Lewis Hensley (1824-1905) as a call for the reign of heavenly peace and justice and for freedom from the 'tyrannies of sin.' As we meditate on the words, let's sing it as a prayer to God for the revival of our love and passion for the divine and the subjugation of every form of evil. 1 Thy kingdom come, O God, thy rule, O Christ, begin; break with thine iron rod the tyrannies of sin. 2 Where is thy reign of peace and purity and love? When shall all hatred cease, as in the realms above? 3 When comes the promised time that war shall be no more, and lust, oppression, crime shall flee thy face before? 4 We pray thee, Lord, arise, and come in thy great might; revive our longing eyes, which languish for thy sight. 5 Men scorn thy sacred name, and wolves devour thy fold; by many deeds of shame we learn that love grows cold. 6 O'er lands both near and far thick darkness broo

  #BeInspiredToday 13-09-2022 Divine Compensation "Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise." (Proverbs 30:24) The animal kingdom is a repertoire of divine wisdom for our learning. Therefore, learning about animals is a great source of wisdom. In the sayings of Agur, son of Jakeh in Proverbs 30, he identifies four animals that are small in size yet have great wisdom. He mentions ants, coneys, locusts and a lizard. For what they lack in size, God has compensated them in wisdom. I have realised something under the sun. Everyone lacks something but has been divinely compensated with something else. The one who identifies and capitalises on what he has been compensated with, happy is he. But the one who always frets over what he lacks, how miserable he is! This divine compensation has been intricately designed by God to make us need each other. No one person is a jack of all trades and a master of all.  This calls for humility and responsibility. No matter how

 #BeInspiredToday 12-09-2022 You Did It For Me Mother Mary Teresa Bojaxhiu (1910 - 1997), honored in the Catholic church as Saint Teresa of Calcutta, was an Albanian-Indian Roman Catholic nun and missionary. She founded the Missionaries of Charity - a religious organization dedicated to helping the poor. Through this, she was able to create programs and initiatives that made her an icon of charity around the world. Today, she is considered one of the greatest humanitarians of the 20th century.  You may not be able to embark on a humanitarian enterprise of a similar magnitude. But in your own small way, in your small corner, you can make a difference in someone’s life. In Matthew 25, Jesus narrated series of parables about the kingdom of God, and in verses 31-46, He made a shocking revelation to His audience that on the Day of Judgement, God will pay particular attention to our attitude towards those who were hungry, thirsty, strangers, the naked, the sick, and prisoners.  On that day,

 #BeInspiredToday 09-09-2022 Abide With Me The hymn "Abide with me" was written by Reverend Henry Francis Lyte in 1847 to a family member along with a tune he composed on the last day he preached to his congregation before going to be with the Lord. Be inspired as you meditate on these last words of a dying priest. 1 Abide with me! fast falls the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide! When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me. 2 Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day; Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away; Change and decay in all around I see; O Thou who changest not, abide with me. 3 Come not in terrors, as the King of kings; But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings: Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea; Come, Friend of sinners, thus abide with me. 4 I need Thy presence every passing hour: What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power? Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and

  #BeInspiredToday 08-09-2022 Don't Forsake Connection Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25) I have personally realized that every biblically-prescribed spiritual exercise has both physical and spiritual benefits. According to a 2018 study by the US organization AARP – which advocates for people as they age – 22 percent of American adults report being socially isolated, either often or always. This is the case all over the world. Additionally, several research works have concurred that people who attended religious services at least once a week were less stressed and lived longer. It is difficult to pinpoint what exactly does the trick. Is it the spiritual nourishment we receive or the connection to the brethren? It could well be these and many more that come with congregational harmony. All we know is that there is great blessing in fellowship. Someo

  #BeInspiredToday 07-09-2022 A False Start In athletics, a false start occurs when an athlete is either slow to take their starting position or leaves before the shot is fired to start the race. The athlete is usually cautioned on the first false start, and upon the second is totally disqualified. Life can be likened to a race, and a false start is akin to starting your day on a bad note. Beginning your day with broken pieces of yesterday is a false start. We must start our day with a renewed awareness of God's love and mercies towards us. We must refresh our consciousness with a new zeal to go for gold. Everyday is a new opportunity to live and not simply exist - an opportunity to glorify God and to bless humanity with our lives. The best actionable advice for preventing a false start is to start your day in God's presence. Feed on His word and seek divine strength for the day. Rid yourself of the ills and failures of yesterday and be poised for a great day today. The steadfa

 #BeInspiredToday 06-09-2022 Build Someone Up Some of the best investments we can make in this life is investment in people. It yields an unending dividend of blessings throughout posterity. One of the most valuable human investments is investment in the confidence of people. We never forget the people who believed in us. Always have eyes that see the best in people.  Johann Wolfgang von GoetheWeimar, the German poet, playwright, novelist, scientist, statesman, and theatre director, regarded as the greatest German literary figure of the modern era, made the following statement: "If you treat an individual as he is, he will remain how he is. But if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be." Don't be disappointed or discouraged even when people don't show gratitude for what you do for them. Someone once said, "People don't appreciate what you do for them until you stop doing it."  Sometim

 #BeInspiredToday 05-09-2022 Do You Want to Get Well? There was at the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem an invalid who had been in his condition for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6) The next verse reveals the mental attitude of the man. “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” (John 5:7) The man was full of crumbling. The lesson here is that lamenting over our problems doesn't solve them. Complaining and pity-partying doesn't get us any far. The question to ask ourselves is, do we want to get well? Do we want to get better results? Do we want to improve the situation?  Thinking about this question instantly switches our mindset from the negative, pessimistic mode to a positive one that is ready to embrace solutions.  After adjustin

 #BeInspiredToday 02-09-2022 It Is Well The hymn "It Is Well" was written by Horatio Spafford, an American lawyer and a businessman.  Horatio and his wife, Anna, had five children. They lost one of them to pneumonia in 1871, and the remaining four drowned after a naval accident in 1873. Mr. Stafford booked the next available ship to meet his grieving wife who had miraculously survived the same accident that took his kids away. When he got to the exact spot where his children had drowned, he was inspired to write the hymn, "It Is Well with My Soul." Be blessed as you meditate on the lyrics. 1 When peace like a river attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot Thou hast taught me to say, “It is well, it is well with my soul!”       It is well with my soul! It is well, it is well with my soul! 2 Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed H

 #BeInspiredToday 01-09-2022 Life is not Flashy One of the fallouts of social media is the false picture that there is an achievable flashy, problem-free, perfect-looking life out there. A life of instant success and back to back elevation of status. Aiming for such a life is like grasping the wind. The end result? Needless frustration. Don't mistake the selective celebration and projection of the upside of life to mean a perfect life that only a blessed few have the privilege to enjoy.  On the contrary, brace yourself for both the peaks and troughs of life. The reality is that everyone is being served their fair share of the vicissitudes of life.  God has not promised us a smooth journey but a glorious arrival. Our comfort is in the fact that no matter what comes our way, our God is with us till the end of the age. He will never leave us nor forsake us. Let your manner of living be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have. For He hath said, “I will never le

#BeInspiredToday 31-08-2022 Bold is Beautiful  For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7) Confidence is a beautiful thing. It is a sign of self acceptance, self respect, and inner strength.  Timidity coerces you to live other people's expectations instead of your own convictions. It goes on to stifle your potential by convincing you to belittle your abilities and ideas. When confidence takes over, you now feel you are good enough to express yourself freely. You no longer fear failure because you are ready to accept it and learn from it. You are suddenly able to resist whatever tries to intimidate you. Confidence doesn't just come. Below, I share three ways: knowledge, integrity, and prayer. There is a saying that "Authority flows from the man who knows." The more you know, the more your confidence grows. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly di

#BeInspiredToday 30-08-2022 Take Care of Yourself "…You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:39) More often, when the Scripture is quoted that we should love our neighbor as ourselves, the emphasis is on the neighbor. Today, I want to turn to the other equally important side of the equation. We have a responsibility to love ourselves. Taking care of ourselves is neither unspiritual nor sinful. Until we care enough to examine our own shortfalls and help ourselves out of them, we can hardly help our neighbor. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? (Matthew 7:3) The Bible teaches that when someone is backsliding and you want to help such a person, you should do so without jeopardizing your own spirituality. Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. (Galatians 6:1) There was a time when the disciples were

 #BeInspiredToday 29-08-2022 Everyone Can Give As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. (1 Peter 4:10) Everyone of us has something to offer. All it takes to give is to have. And as stewards of God's grace, we each have a gift from God - a special ability to do something. Our charge is to serve one another with this gift. No one is 'giftless', therefore no one has nothing to give. The realization of this should make us look deep within and fetch out the good deposits of divinely bestowed potentials and serve our world with it. The more we give of ourselves, the more successful we become, and life becomes more meaningful. The benefit of giving ourselves may not come immediately but it surely will. Do not hold back. Neither doubt your ability to give because everyone can give. Remain inspired!

 #BeInspiredToday 26-08-2022 How Great Thou Art The Christian hymn 'How Great Thou Art' was originally written as a Swedish poem entitled, 'O Store Gud' (O Great God) by Carl Boberg in 1885. It was later translated into Russian, and British missionary Stuart Hine then translated the Russian version into English. May you be drawn in awesome wonder of our great God as you meditate on the lyrics of this hymn. 1. O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder Consider all the works Thy hands have made, I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy pow’r thru-out the universe displayed! Chorus Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee; How great Thou art, how great Thou art! Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee; How great Thou art, how great Thou art! 2. When thru the woods and forest glades I wander And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees, When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze. 3. And when I think that God, His S

 #BeInspiredToday 25-08-2022 Start With Why A TEDx conference happened in 2009, in an inconspicuous room in the Pacific Northwest that seated slightly more than a hundred people. The first speaker of the night was a no-name, law school dropout who’d gone into marketing. And his microphone didn’t even work properly until it was suddenly switched on mid-speech.  But listeners soon realized that there was something captivating about the guy. The room was so silent you could’ve heard a pin drop – the audience was that captivated. At one point, he drew three concentric circles on a whiteboard. In the middle, in big, fat letters, he wrote a single word: “why?” Then he uttered a sentence that he would go on to repeat endlessly throughout not only the talk but also the rest of his life: “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.”  No one realized it at the time, but this would become the third most clicked-on TED talk of all time. The title: “Start with Why – How Great Leaders Insp

 #BeInspiredToday 24-08-2022 Come and See People will always have their perception about you based on your background or status. This influences how they relate to you. It is up to you to either confirm or disprove this perception. It is always your responsibility to disprove every negative perception about you lest they become a tag on you forever. In Jesus' day, there was a prevailing perception about people from the town Nazareth. This perception was so negative that when Philip told Nathaniel that he had found Jesus of Nazareth whom he believed was the Messiah, Nathaniel doubted simply because Jesus was from Nazareth. Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. (John 1:45-46) Philip's response of "Come and see" says a lot about what he had

 #BeInspiredToday 23-08-2022 Create Your Monopoly You don't need to be like everyone else to be successful. In fact, the urge to always fit in is a defeatist mentality that will rob you of your greatest potential. What I mean by 'create your monopoly' is to find your own niche and specialise in it. You are always the best in your own terrain. You begin to struggle when you start looking for acceptance in a terrain that is alien to you. In such an environment, your self confidence suffers and your strength is curtailed. David, when he was going to fight Goliath, refused to wear Saul's armour. He was used to using slings and stones. He decided to stick to his niche and that led to his success. Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. "I cannot go in these," he said to Saul, "because I am not us

#BeInspiredToday 22-08-2022 I'd Rather Be Reading What you think about reading says more about you than about the books. And the books you like says a lot about you. Reading is like eating. The food you eat may not immediately reflect in your height or size. Similarly, you may hardly see the immediate impact of reading but its cumulative effect transforms your life for the better. Dr. Swiss, an American children’s author once said, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” “I kept always two books in my pocket, one to read, one to write in,” said Robert Louis Stevenson (Scottish novelist, poet and travel writer, most noted for writing Treasure Island, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde). Napoléon Bonaparte, the French military and political leader, also said: “Show me a family of readers, and I will show you the people who move the world.” Have a reading habit because you are blessed if you read. "Blessed is

 #BeInspiredToday 19-08-2022 Rock of Ages ‘Rock of Ages’ is a very well-known hymn that was written in 1763 by the Anglican cleric Augustus Toplady and published in 1775. There’s a rumour that Toplady came up with the idea for this hymn after he took shelter from a storm in Burrington Combe in the Mendips in England. It is comforting to know that God Himself is our rock who stands through all ages and seasons. Be blessed by this hymn. 1 Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee; let the water and the blood, from thy wounded side which flowed, be of sin the double cure; save from wrath and make me pure. 2 Not the labors of my hands can fulfill thy law's demands; could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow, all for sin could not atone; thou must save, and thou alone. 3 Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling; naked, come to thee for dress; helpless, look to thee for grace; foul, I to the fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die. 4 While I dr

 #BeInspiredToday 18-08-2022 I Am Not When people are puffed up with pride, they have a hard time admitting what they are not. In fact, they want to be known to have assumed heights above where they really are. The following statement in the book of Isaiah is attributed to the devil: You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High." (Isaiah 14:13-14) Now, contrast this to how John the baptist responded when he was asked whether he was the Messiah. Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ." (John 1:19-20) Humble people have nothing to prove and no one to impress; they are simply content with pleasing God. Proud

 #BeInspiredToday 17-08-2022 The Lost Definition of Patience Patience means more than tolerating what upsets you. Patience actually means trusting the process when it is not yet complete. The difference is significant because the latter definition requires you to have faith in the object of your patience. To be patient with your spouse, for example, implies that you believe in their potential to become who they are meant to be. Therefore what you see as their frailties now is part of their transformation cycle which is not yet over. This faith element makes patience more active than passive. True patience will make us help people to unearth their true potential because we believe in them. When we are truly patient with people, we make them know how much we believe in them despite their present failures and imperfections. We spur them on even when they give up on themselves. Patience in action is therefore a combination of faith and love that refuses to give up on the weaknesses of othe