Joel Kwesi Baidoo

#BeInspiredToday is a year old today! It's amazing how time flies! When God directed me to share biblical inspirational messages every weekday, I wasn't sure where it was going to lead. But today, the feedback and testimonies have confirmed that it has been a blessing to someone out there, and that is enough reward worth the toil. As I write this message, one particular quote ringing in my mind is what Martin Luther King Jr. said about a century ago: "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." Whatever you're doing by the direction of God, believe in the process and leave the end to God. There's fulfillment in obeying God.  Even if I should stop today, I feel greatly fulfilled to have obeyed God. Be convinced that faithful is He who has begun a good work in us and will bring it to a glorious end. Until then, on and on we go! "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion

"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded." (Hebrews 10:35) Your confidence in the Lord will be richly rewarded. When we are confident in the Lord, we are able to do what pleases Him. The devil is after our confidence in the Lord. His aim is for us to forsake our trust in the Lord. He tempts us with lies, and tries to intimidate us with the pressures and the cares of this life in order for us to throw away our confidence. When we lose our confidence we lose our zeal in doing God's will. At the end, we become ordinary, just like anyone else. Today, God is calling us to hold unto our confidence in Him. We are assured of a rich reward if we do not throw away our confidence. It was Martin Luther who said, "Faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace, so sure and certain that the believer would stake his life on it a thousand times." As the devil constantly attacks your confidence, may you develop a greater resolve to hold fast you

" Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground."  The above profound statement was made by the English author David Icke, and its lesson is in line with a parable Jesus told about the mustard seed. He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches” (Matthew 13:31-32). This exemplifies something that starts as small and significant but, with time, becomes so grand and impactful that it can hardly be unnoticed. Sometimes, all it takes for great things to happen is just patience. No extra efforts, no change of formula, no extra stress, no additional requirements. Just wait! But waiting is not as simple as it sounds. It takes faith and resilience to wait. It even takes courage, especially when waiting means enduring danger a

The great hymn writer Charles Wesley is the author of the following hymn. He wrote it in 1739 to celebrate the first anniversary of his conversion. It was Charles' custom to write a hymn of praise every year to commemorate his spiritual birthday. The first of those hymns seems to be the most popular. May your heart be filled with praise to our great Redeemer as you meditate on these lyrics and reminisce God's goodness in your own life. 1 O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise, the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of his grace! 2 My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim, to spread thro' all the earth abroad the honors of your name. 3 Jesus! the name that charms our fears, that bids our sorrows cease, 'tis music in the sinner's ears, 'tis life and health and peace. 4 He breaks the power of cancelled sin, he sets the prisoner free; his blood can make the foulest clean; his blood availed for me. 5 To God all glory, praise

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." (Matthew 5:5) We are on the third beatitude today. To be meek is to be humble, modest, and submissive. This meekness does not lead to timidity for God has not given us the spirit of fear. Meek is not weak, but a demonstration of divine wisdom. "But the wisdom that is from above is pure, filled with peace, meek and attentive…" (James 3:17) This kind of wisdom that makes one teachable and open to feedback will place a person on a path of constant self improvement. The end result is that they are bound to succeed in life. Some scholars have suggested that the meek shall inherit not this earth but the new one to come. But if wisdom is indeed the principal thing in life and meekness is a manifestation of divine wisdom, then I dare say that the meek shall inherit both this earth and the one hereafter. The humble shall be exalted into high places even in this life. God exalts the humble, and when God lifts you up, no

Today marks the birthday of the first president of the United States of America, George Washington. Born on February 22, 1732 at Westmoreland, Virginia, without any formal education, rose to become the first American president, commander of the Continental Army, and president of the Constitutional Convention. His life inspires us with the lesson that no matter the  privileges we are blessed with or denied of, with diligence and determination we can get to any height at all. There's something more about Washington that I want to focus on - his faith. George was brought up in a Christian home. Both he and his wife, Martha, were devoted members of the Anglican church. It is well known that Martha spent time daily in prayer and George served as a vestryman and churchwarden in his local parish. George is on record to have said, "It is impossible to reason without arriving at a Supreme Being." George also acknowledged God as the ruler of nations when he said, "May we unite

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15) This is a clarion call to every leader. Study to present yourself as one approved by God. God does not honor ignorance. And there's a certain approval that comes from knowledge. The verse above has three key points. The first is that your knowledge proves your credibility. Ignorance undermines your authority. Therefore, the more we study, the more we present ourselves as worthy of our role as leaders. Secondly, we are to study in order not to be ashamed. In other words, what you don't know affects your confidence. Thirdly, we cannot rightly divide the word of truth without diligent study of God's word. The word study in this verse also means to make prompt effort and to be diligent. Gaining a deep understanding of God's word comes by diligence. We must be willing and ready to invest time and effort to read more and read wide

"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands." (2 Timothy 1:6) God's part is to give us gifts; our part is to fan them into flames. In order to have maximum impact in life, we must discover, develop and deploy all our gifts. God has endowed us with both natural and spiritual gifts. Everyone of us is relevant because of the deposit God has made in us. Your advantage in life is in your abilities. The more you utilize your gift, the more relevant and impactful you become. Make a list of all your natural and spiritual gifts, and have a definite plan for fanning each of them into flame.  Let's be challenged by the statement made by Gift Gugu Mona, the award-winning South African poet, philosopher and philanthropist, that, "If you are gifted, use that gift to make an impact." May you fan your gift into flame, and may society be blessed by the fire that you ignite with your abilities. Remain insp

Louisa M. R. Stead, born in England, served as a missionary most part of her adult life in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Based on her experiences in life and ministry, she wrote the following hymn in 1882. May you be inspired as you meditate on the lyrics. 1 'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, and to take him at his word; just to rest upon his promise, and to know, "Thus saith the Lord." Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him! How I've proved him o'er and o'er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust him more! 2 O how sweet to trust in Jesus, just to trust his cleansing blood; and in simple faith to plunge me neath the healing, cleansing flood! 3 Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus, just from sin and self to cease; just from Jesus simply taking life and rest, and joy and peace.  "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him." (Jeremiah 17:7) Remain inspired!

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." (Matthew 5:4) Today, we continue with our series on the Beatitudes. The second of the blessed group of people, as far as the kingdom of God is concerned, are those who mourn. In these Beatitudes, Jesus is trying to help us to view life from God's perspective. Hardly will blessedness be associated with mourning, humanly speaking. But those who walk closely with God will mourn over what God mourns over. It is a mark of deep spirituality to be moved by what moves God. It is an intimacy that knits one's soul to the Holy Spirit to the point of feeling His grief.  David was upset with Goliath who taunted the people of God. Jeremiah mourned over sinful Israel. Jesus wept over Jerusalem, and was worried for God's people because they were like scattered sheep without a shepherd.  What do you mourn over? Are you mournful over perishing souls and the decline of morality? Your nearness to God determines the spiritual

The LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to move forward. (Exodus 14:15)) It was a difficult moment for the people of Israel. They had just been rescued from slavery and en route to the promised land. All of a sudden, their enemies, the Egyptians, were fast approaching with all their horses and chariots.  The people of God were now trapped in between an approaching army and the red sea. What a scary scene! Moses assured the people of victory and trusted God to come through for them. When he turned to God in prayer, His command to Moses was very strong and straightforward: "Tell the sons of Israel to move forward." Whatever the difficult situation you may be facing right now, God instructs you to move forward. Standing still or retreating will not work. The only way out is through. Therefore, move forward. Let your fears and anxieties ignite your faith and courage to press on. Today, God commands you to move forward! Remain inspired!

"Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him." (Psalms 126:5-6) One of the greatest lessons of this life is that whatever you do today is a seed for the future. We must always be mindful of this because when we intentionally sow good seeds today, we will have a rich harvest tomorrow.  Another reason why this reminder is important is that sometimes we can get discouraged and frustrated in sowing. The very nature of sowing means putting in a lot of effort without seeing any immediate sign of success. Working hard and having to wait for a long period for the reward of your work can be very painful even to the point of tears. But God is faithful and His word is sure. If we keep sowing the seeds of good deeds today, a harvest of joy will surely be ours in the near future. I don't know what you may be doing to the glory of God or for the betterment of humanity today,

  A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke. (Proverbs 13:1) A mocker in this context has a deep import. It means more than mere scoffing in that it has been contrasted with wisdom. One of the key differences between wisdom and folly is the ability to listen. To listen means more than to hear. It is the ability to process both what is said and what is not said and apply the key lessons to one's life. The wise realise that the whole of life is a classroom and the lessons of the class do not always come in a structured manner. It takes a discerning heart to pick up the treasures of life and utilise them to their advantage. Listening well also enriches communication and deepens relationships. It is active listening that leads to understanding, and when we first understand people, they are more likely to understand us too. Peter Nulty of Fortune Magazine once said, “Of all the skills of leadership, listening is the most valuable — and one of

When we survey the wondrous cross and behold a love so amazing and divine, we can't but offer our soul, our life and our all to our beloved Saviour. Be blessed by these inspiring words penned by Isaac Watts, a minister of the gospel born in 1674. 1 When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. 2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast save in the death of Christ, my God! All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them through his blood. 3 See, from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down. Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown? 4 Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small. Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all. "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed." (1 Peter 2:24)

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3) Let's start off with the first of all the Beatitudes - blessed is the poor in spirit.  To be poor in spirit is to admit one's own inadequacy without the help of God. It's a spiritual attitude of constant reliance on God for direction, provision, and everything else. It is not the first of the Beatitudes for nothing. It actually sets the stage for a life of true spirituality to be built. The opposite of being poor in spirit is self righteousness. Just as the former draws us closer to God, the latter drives us apart. Dear friend, let's not think of ourselves more highly than we ought to. Instead, let's come before God in humble submission and seek Him always like the deer pants for the waters. For without Him, we are nothing and can do nothing. Blessed indeed are the poor in spirit! "...This is the LORD’s declaration. I will look favorably on this kind of person: one wh

It is credited to Desmond Tutu, the South African bishop and theologian to have once said , "There is only one way to eat an elephant: a bite at a time." I was honestly awed by that statement the first time I came across it. Every great endeavour appears daunting and overwhelming at the beginning. It takes faith and courage to take the first step. And more importantly, it takes wisdom to split the huge task into small chunks and take a bite at a time. Someone put it this way: "The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex, overwhelming tasks into smaller manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one." Do not be discouraged by the length of the distance to cover. Instead, be encouraged that you can arrive by taking a step at a time. You can indeed swallow that elephant! "With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall." (Psalm 18:29) Remain inspired!

"From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force." (Matthew 11:12) Toughness is required in this life. Life will come hard at you to test your resolve and your values. Therefore, you have to be tough. Expecting life to be simple and easy, with your vision being easily achieved, people easily and readily understanding you, and all your efforts working out the way you intended them is an unrealistic expectation in life. On the contrary, life is tough and complex. Therefore, we must equally be tough and complex. Henry Ward Beecher, the nineteenth century American clergyman mostly known for his support for the abolition of slavery, once said, "Men’s best successes come after their disappointments." A tough skin is required to receive all sorts of feedback without breaking down or backing off. A tough mind is required to maintain one's focus in the midst of an avalanche of distractions. A tough, b

Thomas Chisholm, born in Kentucky in 1866, was the author of the hymn "Great is thy faithfulness." Drawing inspiration from Lamentations 3:22-23, Thomas wrote this beautiful hymn. No matter what you may be going through, as you brood over these words, may you be reminded of God's steadfast love and great faithfulness. 1 Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father, there is no shadow of turning with thee. Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not; as thou hast been, thou forever wilt be. Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy hand hath provided. Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me! 2 Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, sun, moon, and stars in their courses above join with all nature in manifold witness to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. 3 Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide, strength for today and bright hope for tomo

"Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them…" (Matthew 5:1-2) Today, we begin a new series that we will continue to explore every Thursday on the beatitudes.  The word Beatitude is from a Latin source which means blessedness. During Jesus' famous sermon on the mount which lasted for three chapters (Matthew 5-7), He made eight conditional promises for certain specific traits of true righteousness.  The Beatitudes constitute the introduction to Jesus' sermon on the mount. Jesus begins each of those statements with "Blessed are," hence the term Beatitudes. Jesus' goal for His long sermon on the mount was to deal with a certain prevalent false spirituality in His day. Most of the Jews were diseased with a sense of self righteousness through the outward observance of the law of Moses. Since Moses received the law on Mount Sinai, Jesus also ascends a mountain to break down the tr

"And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God." (1 Samuel 30:6) David and his men had left their families at Ziklag to be enlisted in a battle between the Philestines and the Israelites. Upon their return, they realised that the Amalekites had attacked Ziklag, burned it and taken all their wives and children captive. This was a big blow to the team. Instead of finding a collective solution to the problem at hand, the people turned against David and started talking about stoning him. He was their leader and they somehow thought he was to blame for the misfortune.  How unreasonable could they be? Did they not consider that the disaster affected them all including David's family? Such is life. Sometimes, you only know how people love you when you're in trouble.  But David did something that we can all lea