Joel Kwesi Baidoo

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience…"  (Galatians 5:22) Today, we explore the fourth component of the fruit of the Spirit - patience. This patience is both toward God and men. Patience towards God is anchored on a complete trust in His sovereignty that shows in one's ability to endure difficult circumstances, waiting for the fulfillment of God's plans in His own timing.  God's ways are not our ways. Therefore it takes both faith and patience to experience the fulfillment of God's plan for our lives. "We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised." (Hebrews 6:12) Consider the lives of Abraham, Joseph, and David, to mention a few. They all received the fulfillment of God's plan for them through patience. Our fast-paced world today espouses shortcuts which lead us out of God's will. In the context of human relations, patience is a toleration of the imp...

"As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work." (John 9:4) Life is full of seasons, and every season comes with its unique set of opportunities with specific timeliness which are not always obvious. If God has laid something on your heart, or you have the opportunity to do something now, do it before the time slips by. Procrastination is not only the thief of time but also the graveyard of intentions. As Henry Ford rightly notes: "You can't build a reputation on what you're going to do." We must bear in mind that how we utilize our time and opportunities determines our fate. We are living in a day where many fruitless endeavors compete for our precious time. We must be deliberate and resolute about deciding what is the productive use of our time. "Making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:16) We must realise that our life's assignment can only be a compl...

To the extent that life teaches us through our experiences, circumstances and interactions, it remains a school - a place to learn and never to graduate. It seems to me that a special class where learning about self and others is more intense is the place called Marriage. As today marks my eighth anniversary in marriage, it's my privilege to share with you eight lessons I have picked up in this class. 1. Acceptance is better than perfection. We must not fall prey to the illusion of perfection. Accept your spouse for who they are. 2. Humility is better than pride. Marriage has a way of stripping us bare, and if we yield to its treatment, it breaks and molds us into better people. Being full of yourself to the extent of having no room to accommodate the ideas and interests of your partner is a recipe for constant misunderstanding.  3. Self control is better than damage control. Self control is the principal sign of maturity. The inability to control oneself will invariably lead to ...

On this day in 1889, the world lost the first African Bishop in the Catholic church, a Nigerian by name Samuel Ajayi Crowther (1809-1891). Crowther was born into slavery but gained his freedom, and became a Christian. He mastered multiple languages including Yoruba, Nupe, Hausa, and Igbo, and translated the Bible into Yoruba. He bridged cultural gaps by incorporating African customs and traditions into Christian worship, making Christianity more relatable to his people. He was a strong advocate for African leadership in the Church, challenging European paternalism and promoting indigenous autonomy. He paved the way for future generations of African church leaders and remains an iconic figure in African Christian history. If Christianity in Africa has come so far today, we cannot ignore the significant contributions of these pioneers. Samuel Ajayi Crowther's remarkable life and legacy must inspire us to the realization that we all have our individual roles to play in fashioning the ...

"Blessed Assurance" is a beloved hymn written by Fanny Crosby in 1873. The story behind it is fascinating: Fanny Crosby, a blind hymn writer, was visiting her friend Phoebe Knapp, who had composed a new melody. Knapp asked Crosby to write lyrics to go with the tune. Crosby was inspired by the melody and wrote the words to "Blessed Assurance" in just a few minutes. Crosby's own life was a testament to her faith. Despite becoming blind at six weeks old, she wrote over 8,000 hymns, including "Jesus Is Tenderly Calling You" and "To God Be the Glory". May you find inspiration as you ponder over these words! 1. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of his spirit, washed in his blood This is my story, this is my song Praising my saviour all the day long 2. Perfect submission, perfect delight, Visions of rapture now burst on my sight, Angels descending, bring from above Echoes...

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” (Galatians 5:22) Peace is a vital aspect of our walk with God and our relationship with people. It's a direct result of allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our lives. Peace is not the absence of challenges, but the presence of God in the midst of them. It is a state of inner calm and tranquility, regardless of circumstances. Life is blissful when you're at peace with God, yourself, and the people around you. This peace transcends all understanding and guards our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7). It serves as a witness to the presence of God, hence giving us divine direction (John 14:26-27). Here are some ways to cultivate peace in your life: Prayer: Talk to God and share your concerns with Him (Philippians 4:6-7). Meditation: Focus on God's Word and promises (Joshua 1:8). Trust: Have faith in God's sovereignty and goodness (Proverbs 3:5-6). Gratitude: Practice thankfulness for what God has done (1 Thessalonians 5:18)....

It is interesting and heartwarming to notice that many modern leadership theories are tilting towards biblical principles. Sig Berg, the Chairman and founder of the Seven Leadership Group, has published a book on leadership this year entitled, The Virtue Proposition . He argues in his book that traditional leadership approaches lack an emphasis on virtues and consistently fail to deliver consistently superior results. He advocates instead for virtuous leadership grounded in love, integrity, truth, excellence, and relationships. Virtuous leaders lead by example, foster a positive and inclusive culture, make decisions based on principles and not personal gain, prioritize the wellbeing of their teams, cultivate trust and transparency, empower others to grow, and leave a lasting positive impact. It is no accident that over ninety percent of the requirements for leadership in Apostle Paul's pastoral letters (the letters to Timothy and Titus) are centered on character. This is the tried ...

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6) Sometimes, when life hits hard and it all looks gloomy, you may wonder how to find the strength to overcome challenges and rise above adversity. We may all find ourselves in such a situation once in a while. But I do hope that you find comfort in God's word to keep you going. Yes, God's will for you is for you to keep going and to keep rising. It's been a while since I wrote a poem, but I hope the one I have written below inspires you with the courage to rise. "When darkness falls and fears arise When the rains of life fall and storms arise And the winds of doubt and fear whisper lies Fear not but let your faith arise For in the depths of your soul, a light shines bright Unto the rope of hope hold tight And climb the mountain of your dreams, into the light As you ascend you conquer your fri...

"Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life." (Proverbs 22:4) An excessive sense of self-importance and self-satisfaction has become the order of the day in our modern world. Far from being seen as objectionable, arrogance and vanity seem to be accepted as the norm. Today, we want to learn about God's special recipe for us to succeed in this life. The ingredients are humility and the fear of God. To be humble is to be willing to learn and grow. It is to avoid a bloated view of one's own importance. Therefore, the humble shall always increase, never thinking to themselves that they have arrived. To fear the Lord is to have a deep reverence for God's wisdom and power. This translates into a respectable relationship with one's neighbors. We demonstrate the fear of God by upholding godly standards and a life of honesty and integrity. With this combination of humility and the fear of God, we are assured wealth, honor and life. Wealth is not j...

Unbelief is an enemy that troubles our faith and hope in Christ. It is doubt that declares our failure before we fail. It kills us before we die. It cripples our potential and renders us powerless. Therefore say unto Unbelief, “Be gone!” May you be strengthened as you meditate on this hymn written by John Newton (the same man who wrote the hymn, Amazing Grace) in 1779. 1. Be gone, unbelief, My saviour is near, And for my relief Will surely appear; By prayer let me wrestle, And He will perform; With Christ in the vessel, I smile at the storm. 2. Though dark be my way, Since He is my Guide, ‘Tis mine to obey, ‘Tis His to provide; Though cisterns be broken, And creatures all fail, The word He has spoken Shall surely prevail 3. His love in time past, Forbids me to think He’ll leave me at last In trouble to sink: While each Ebenezer I have in review Confirms His good pleasure To help me quite through 4. Why should I complain Of want or distress, Temptation or pain? He told me no less; The h...

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy…” (Galatians 5:22) The Dictionary defines joy as “a feeling of extreme happiness or cheerfulness.” The word joy in the Bible verse above is from a Greek root that means “cheerfulness or calm delight.” This cheerfulness is rooted in faith and hangs on hope. It goes beyond a feeling of happiness that comes from the acquisition of properties or the attainment of a higher social status. This calm delight is more intrinsic and survives through the ups and downs of the external circumstances of life. This is not an escape from reality but a certain spiritual health that lightens up a person's countenance irrespective of circumstances.  “A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.” (Proverbs 15:13) Worrying is what steals our joy away because it is an expression of doubt. Someone once said, “Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.” Being gloomy and moody all the time is not...

On this day in the year 1790, the world lost a famous social Philosopher and political economist by name Adam Smith. He was very instrumental in the rise of classical liberalism. His work, “An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations” is considered the first modern work of economics. Although he had a complex view of religion, one of his most important religious statements was to refer to God as the “great Author of our nature.” According to Adam Smith, “the noblest and best principles in human nature — lead us to believe that the great Author of our nature ... will complete the plan which he himself has taught us to begin and establish for us a future state, in which justice and decency are rewarded.” Smith also suggested that people who lack such a belief need not be immoral. We must always remember to rely on and consult this great Author of our nature for direction and wisdom in our daily lives.  “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own...

“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19) We all have two ears and one mouth probably because we are supposed to listen twice as fast and as much as we speak. If your mouth moves faster than your ears then you're in big trouble. Be mindful of what you say when you're either overjoyed or angry. The words that proceed from your mouth can hardly be retrieved. Someone once said “Wisdom is knowing when to speak your mind and when to mind your speech.” The Greek Philosopher Plato also once said, “Wise people speak because they have something to say; fools speak because they have to say something.”  You are at risk of a worthless religion if your tongue lacks restraint. “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.” (James 1:26) A bridle is a headgear with which a horse is directed. The word has come to therefore mean a...

In 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared 15 July as World Youth Skills Day, to celebrate the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship. The Bible is replete with countless examples of the power of identifying and harnessing the potential of the youth. At the time Israel was under Philistine oppression, it was David, a young man in his mid-teens who fought and killed Goliath, the champion of the Philistines. Daniel and his friends were in their teens when they were appointed to work in the palace of the Babylonian King. These young men made a great difference and made their God famous on the land. Esther saved her nation when she was a teenager and a queen. We can also talk about Joseph who was sold into slavery by his brothers at age of 17. He rose to become the second in command in Egypt and saved the whole world from a devastating famine. Jeremiah, at the age of 17 became the entire nation's Prophet. K...

Drawing inspiration from Psalm 42, Martin J. Nystrom, an American musician and songwriter, wrote this hymn in 1982 while embarking on a fast. As you ponder over the lyrics, may you be drawn to the same place of surrender and intense yearning for more of God in your life. 1. As the deer panteth for the waters So my soul panteth after Thee You alone are my heart’s desire And I long to worship you. You alone are my strength and shield To you alone may my spirit yield You alone are my heart’s desire And I long to worship you. 2. I want you more than gold or silver Only you can satisfy You alone are the real joy giver And the apple of my eye. 3. You are my friend and you are my brother Even though you are a King I love you more than any other So much more than anything “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” (Psalm 42:1-2) Remain inspired!

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love…" (Galatians 5:22) It's no accident that the first component of the fruit of the Spirit is love. Love is a deep concern for the wellbeing of others. It is therefore a triumph over selfishness. A loving person does not neglect himself but thinks beyond himself. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.” As Christians, God expects us to cultivate love as a fruit of the Spirit. To cultivate means to work at it; to apply deliberate effort. It comes with intentionality and not by impulse - a decision, not an emotion. The one who loves sometimes may feel so, but the one who loves always has decided so. Love gives. It's a giving of self: one's time, knowledge, ideas, resources, etc. It's a call to invest in the wellbeing of others. A call to sacrifice.  “For God so loved the world that He gave…” (John 3:16) Henry Mi...

On this day in 1962, Telstar 1, the first communications satellite to transmit live television signals and telephone conversations across the Atlantic Ocean, was launched. This ushered the world into a new age in electronic communications. This evidences man's strong desire to stay in touch. Over the years, telecommunication technology has advanced so tremendously that people who are thousands of miles apart can easily establish contact and share information.  Paradoxically, as we progress technologically, we seem to lose the deep connection with the people closest to us. According to the Cross River Therapy, more than half of Americans report feeling lonely. Also, about 3 out of every 5 Americans feel like no one knows them well. This should not surprise us. In our day, it is normal to find members of a family at the dining table spending more time on their phones than with each other. Commuters in the same lane of seats in a bus or train will hardly communicate on a personal leve...