Joel Kwesi Baidoo

“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, KJV) Sometimes, it’s easy and natural to get perturbed in life. When we are confronted with unexpected challenges such as job loss, loss of a loved one, marital or parental challenges, etc., it’s normal for us to get distressed and even begin to ask ourselves questions such as, “What did I do wrong?”, “Did I not pray enough?”, “Did I not read my Bible enough?”, “Has God forsaken me?” In such times, we crave for comfort and answers from all sorts of sources and all sorts of persons. But I came today to encourage you to be of good cheer because you have a great promise to hang your hope on. The promise is that the Lord your God says He will never leave you nor forsake you! Think about this for a moment… The Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient God has pro...

Many religious leaders have been known for their profound speeches that have melted hearts. Many have been known for signs and wonders. Many have had large following and have influenced multitudes. However, it is at the point of resurrection from the dead that Jesus widens the gap and is divinely distinguished from the rest. All religious gurus, whether they belonged to the BC or AD eras, pale into insignificance at the sight of Jesus’ empty tomb. Resurrection from the dead is therefore one of the chief doctrines of Christianity and the hope of the believer. Below, I present to you six irrefutable and compelling facts about the resurrection of Jesus, adapted from Josh McDowell’s Evidence for the resurrection. 1. THE EMPTY TOMB The disciples of Christ did not go off to Athens or Rome to preach that Christ was raised from the dead. Rather, they went right back to the city of Jerusalem, where, if what they were teaching was false, the falsity would be evident. The empty tomb was...

It takes the persistent sowing of the seeds of good deeds in order to reap a bountiful harvest of a positive change. It's natural to be tempted to give up after trying for a while and seeing no fruits of your efforts. We are also tempted to throw in the towel when we are beset with seeming failure at our first few attempts. Beloved, just know that change takes time and persistence to be fashioned. You will reap the fruit of your labour IF YOU DO NOT GIVE UP! Don't stop doing what you do. Don't stop being who you are. A positive change may be emerging from your blind side. Don't stop! Press on! Press hard! "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)

In our world today, it's easy for us to ignore the needs of the people around us and just focus on our own, selfish ambitions and interests. The reality however is, this selfish mindset shrinks our worth and deprives us of a fulfilling life. It's when we look beyond ourselves, get moved by the needs and welfare and potential joy of others that we find our passion for life, our true calling. Our purpose is for others, not ourselves. The reason for our existence is for the benefit of the world around us. We therefore find true meaning in waking up to this reality. Do what you can to help someone get better; provide that support that can keep somebody going; encourage the faint-hearted; help someone bounce back after failure or misery; help someone to succeed. Someone may just need you! "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the oth...

Mean it or not, your actions and inactions are affecting the next generation either positively or negatively. As the actions of our first parents, Adam and Eve, affected the entire human race, so are ours impacting the future generations. It was Martin Luther King Jr who once said that, "What affects one directly affects all indirectly". That is because our lives on this earth are interwoven, and what one generation does has a spill over effect on the next. We must take conscious steps to make a direct positive impact on our generation, and in so doing posterity will be blessed. You are already affecting generations. Make it intentional. Make it positive.

"There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe."(John 1:6-7) John knew his place and his calling. He knew he was not the light but a witness. He didn't allow anyone to talk him into pretending to be something he was not. If we will also wait upon God for a revelation of our true calling, the reason behind our commissioning into this world, there will be greater progress and less greed and competition in the body of Christ. Let's bear in mind that we will be judged individually in accordance with what God intended as to be and do rather than what others expected of us or what we were able to pretend to be. God will not take delight in we "successfully" accomplishing what He never asked us to do. Knowing your calling is crucial to pleasing the Lord. Know your place! 

GOD'S HOLY OIL IS FOR HIS SERVANTS  "I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him." (Psalm 89:20) If He found, does that mean He searched? Could it be that God is searching for people He could call His servants? If God should search today, can He refer to us as His servants? God specially anoints people He finds to be His servants. There are peculiar characteristics of God's servants. 1. Their ultimate goal is to please God. They are therefore not men-pleasers. Paul is an example. "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Gal 1:10) 2. Servants of God are more concerned about the service they ought to render than the honor they deserve to receive. Jesus offers Himself as an example. "Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for m...