DON’T MULTIPLY YOUR SORROWS; SEEK GOD!

DON’T MULTIPLY YOUR SORROWS; SEEK GOD!

“Their Sorrows shall be multiplied (they) that hasten after another god...in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore” – Psalm 16:4, 11 (KJV).

Life and happiness, it is said, are the chief desires of humankind. Every human being thus endeavours to secure his or her life and strives to enjoy it by whatever means possible. Many people, as a result, crave for riches, better education, better job, a dream marriage, pleasures of life, sports, power, and prestige to secure happiness. Such people therefore invest almost all their time and resources daily into these mundane things only to discover again and again that happiness that result from these things are short-lived. Sadly, these mundane things rather multiply the sorrows of those who wrongly seek and crave for them. We wrongfully seek happiness if we seek it outside a relationship with Jesus and our eternal salvation.

A god is anything we prioritise over God’s call to all persons to seek first His kingdom and righteousness through Jesus. It is called obosom among the Akans in Ghana. “Obo” (heart) and “som” (value), in a sense, means something a person values at heart and loyally seeks to worship (spend time with) it for protection, provisions of life and happiness. Today, people prioritise sports, education, jobs, power, marriage and the crave for riches over and above their eternal salvation, relationship with Jesus, and their God-given assignments.

However, true happiness (joy) and pleasure are God-given and eternal. They are not products of human efforts or ingenuity; they are of God! “The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it” – (Proverbs 22:10 (NLT)). This means that God’s blessings are rich in joy and pleasures and are devoid of sorrow. God showers His blessings on persons who seek first His kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:25-34) in whatever they do. Such persons thus make God and His kingdom the basis for whatever they do or seek - education, work, marriage and so forth. God, therefore, takes delight in such persons and satisfy them holistically, both in this life and life after death. Conversely, real happiness and pleasure elude people who forsake God; they multiply their sorrows in this life and in hell!

Richard Obeng Mensah, author of Daily Wisdom

Blog: www.richard-obeng-mensah.blogspot.com

Email: richardobengmensah@gmail.com

THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE 37

THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE 37

   A YEAR JOURNEY INTO EPHESIANS 1

‘In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace’ – Ephesians 1:7.

*WEEK 37:

The riches of His grace is rich in God’s glory and riches – vv. 3, 11, 17-18.

The riches of His grace guarantees the blessedness of the saints – vv. 3-9, 11-14.

The redemption of the saints is in accordance with the riches of His grace because it is a price tag beyond human abilities – vv. 7, 13-14.

The riches of His grace also seeks to demonstrate God’s glory through the saints – vv. 12-14, 15-18.

The riches of His grace redeems both the person and the lost inheritance of unbelievers upon accepting and believing in Christ – vv. 3-7, 13-14, 18.

The riches of His grace is tied to the word of truth – vv. 7, 13-18; Romans 10:17; Ephesians 2:8-9.

                                 

The riches of His grace and the seal of the Holy Spirit are only effective in the lives of the saints – vv. 7, 13-15.

Richard Obeng Mensah, author of Daily Wisdom

Blog: www.richard-obeng-mensah.blogspot.com

Email: richardobengmensah@gmail.com

PUT ON THE WEDDING GARMENT

PUT ON THE WEDDING GARMENT

“...For the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And it was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints” – Revelation 19:7b-8 (KJV).

Wedding is usually characterised by a sense of joy, honour and beauty. It usually involves long and intensive preparation which may be stressful to especially the prospective couple. One aspect of wedding preparation that both the prospective couple and invited guests take much interest in is the garments to wear. While the prospective couple, especially the bride, looks forward to put on their best garment; a number of the invited guests concern themselves with wearing garments that befit the wedding ceremony or its decorative colours. When it comes to weddings, prospective couples and attendees are mindful of the garments they wear.

In Matthew 22:1-14, Jesus narrated a parable that demonstrates the necessity of wearing the right garment for a wedding ceremony. In that parable, a king sent his servants to invite some specific people to attend the wedding ceremony of his son. “...Tell them...I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage” (v.4). Notwithstanding, the said invited guests gave different forms of excuses, spitted the king’s servants and dishonoured the invitation. The king subsequently commanded his servants, “Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage” (v.9). The servants thus gathered as many guests (good and bad) as they could to attend the wedding.  However, when the king came to see the guests, he noticed that one of the guests “had not (put) on a wedding garment” (v.11). Because of this, the king commanded his servants to bind that guest and cast him into “outer darkness,” a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth (hell), which they did.

Why was the king so particular about wedding garments? After all, all he needed was guests who were desirous to attend his son’s wedding ceremony. Besides, the guests who attended the ceremony were gathered from the highways. Perhaps, the man who did not wear a wedding garment did not have enough time to prepare towards the ceremony. However, the fact that that man was the only guest who did not put on a wedding garment may mean that there was a great possibility of getting one if he did what was required. Like the parable of the five foolish virgins, this man probably failed to prepare for the wedding; he just attended it. Whatever might be the case, the king was not just interested in any guest; he needed guests who had their wedding garments on. “For many are called, but few are chosen” (v.14).

The wedding garment in the parable above signifies righteousness and purity of followers of Jesus (Revelation 19:7-9). Purity denotes holiness which demands setting oneself apart unto God and for His use. It also means being different from worldly people, refusing to conform to the standards of this world and conforming only to God’s word (Romans 12:1-2). Holiness also calls for being at peace with God and people (Hebrews 12:14). For Rev. Dr Selwyn Hughes, “...God’s primary concern is that we might become holy...the holier we are the happier we will be.” The guests who attended the wedding did not qualify to attend it because they were only invited after the initial guests dishonoured the wedding invitation. They therefore attended it by God’s grace. All followers of Jesus have been saved just by the grace of God. But that grace requires us to put on the garment of purity and righteousness. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” - Titus 2:11-12.

Like the above parable, God at the end of this age will organise a marriage supper for Jesus and the church which is the bride (Revelation 19:7-9).  Only guests who have the garments of purity on will be called to attend the marriage ceremony. This means that only followers of Jesus (Christians) who continue to walk in purity and righteousness according to God’s word will partake in Jesus’ wedding ceremony, which will crown the end of this age. Have you put on the garment? Remember, those who do not put on the garment will be cast into the hell fire! Be ready for the wedding of the Lamb of God (Jesus). Put on the wedding garment for without holiness no one can see God (Matthew 5:8; Hebrews 12:14).  

Richard Obeng Mensah, author of Daily Wisdom

                                       Blog: www.richard-obeng-mensah.blogspot.com                                   Email: richardobengmensah@gmail.com

THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE 36

THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE 36

   A YEAR JOURNEY INTO EPHESIANS 1

‘In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace’ – Ephesians 1:7.

*WEEK 36:

The riches of His grace make the saints the receiving objects of God’s glory and riches – vv. 6-7, 12, 14,19.

The revelation of the riches of His grace by God to the saints is by virtue of His good pleasure which He has purposed in Himself – vv. 7-9; Luke 12:32.

The riches of His grace is a joyful and glorious experience – vv. 3-7, 12, 15-23.

The redemption in Jesus is inseparably connected to forgiveness through His blood and the riches of His grace; you cannot get one without the others – vv. 3-8.

The tokens of the riches of His grace denote the demonstration of God’s love and mercies towards all those who believe and trust the Lord Jesus Christ for their salvation – vv. 4-7, 13-14, 15-21; John1:12; 3:16; Acts 1:8.

The riches of His grace is a symbolic exchange of the poverty of sinners, who become saints, for the glorious riches in Jesus Christ – vv. 3-7, 11-19.

                                 

The redemption of the saints and their partaking in the riches of His grace are in line with God’s good pleasure – vv. 7-9; Luke 12:32.

Richard Obeng Mensah, author of Daily Wisdom

Blog: www.richard-obeng-mensah.blogspot.com

Email: richardobengmensah@gmail.com

A CHRISTIAN’S RESPOND TO OBNOXIOUS LAWS

A CHRISTIAN’S RESPOND TO OBNOXIOUS LAWS

“But Peter and John answered them, ’You yourselves judge which is right in God’s sight – to obey you or obey God. For we cannot stop speaking of what we ourselves have seen and heard’” – Acts 4:19-20 (Good News Bible).

The choice between either obeying or disobeying human laws that contradict God’s instructions or laws can be a complex and difficult one for many Christians, especially in the face of persecutions. Peter, John, Daniel and the Hebrew boys (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) once faced similar choices and chose to do what is right in God’s sight; baring all consequences. We can draw lessons from their positive attitude.

They sought to do what is right in God’s sight: In Daniel 6, a law was passed in the Persian kingdom prohibiting people from praying, within 30 days, to any deity or human object except to King Darius, the reigning king. Daniel, who was third in power in the kingdom, was the target of this evil and obnoxious law. It sought to prevent him from praying to the God Almighty. The punishment for flouting this law was being cast into a pit filled with lions. Nevertheless, Daniel chose to pray three times daily as had been his custom. Consequently, he was cast into the lions’ den but God delivered him from the lions.

They were also mindful of God’s unchanging character and sovereignty: God is always faithful to His promises but He is also sovereign and does what is right and just. Thus, God does not just answer a prayer because one has prayed according to His promise. He always acts justly and rightly in fulfilling His promises. Therefore, not receiving a desirable answer to one’s prayer does not make God unfaithful. The three Hebrew boys were mindful of God’s character and sovereignty when they said: ‘...O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer you in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace...But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou has set up’ – Daniel 3:16-18 (KJV).  

Always choose to obey God and dare the consequences of disobeying evil and obnoxious laws.

Richard Obeng Mensah, author of Persecutions are Promotions

Blog: www.richard-obeng-mensah.blogspot.com Email: richardobengmensah@gmail.com

THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE 35

THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE 35

A YEAR JOURNEY INTO EPHESIANS 1

‘In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace’ – Ephesians 1:7.

*WEEK 35:

The riches of His grace makes all saints direct beneficiaries of God’s mighty power – vv. 7, 13-14, 19.

The riches of His grace makes the saints ministers of the grace of Jesus to other people – vv. 1-7, 3-17, 15-22.

The riches of His grace is the engine that translates people who surrender to Jesus from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of Jesus – vv. 3-7, 11; Colossians 1:12-14.

The the riches of His grace makes thanksgiving central to intercession for the saints – vv. 3,7, 15-19.

The riches of His grace gives the saints access to all the good treasures in Christ – vv. 3, 7, 10, 22-23.

The riches of His grace is the fulfilment of God’s predetermined purpose to make all persons who surrender to Jesus His adopted children – vv. 5-7, 11-14; John 1:12; 3:16.

                                 

God’s mercies and kindness are embedded in the riches of His grace – v. 7; Eph 2:1-10.

Richard Obeng Mensah, author of Daily Wisdom

Blog: www.richard-obeng-mensah.blogspot.com

Email: richardobengmensah@gmail.com

KEYS TO FRUITFULNESS

KEYS TO FRUITFULNESS

‘...He that abideth in me, I am in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit...Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit...’ – John 15:5. 8 (KJV)

Sin is falling short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). Fruitlessness is a sin because it is an affront to God’s first commandment to humankind (Genesis 1:28). We fall short of God’s glory when we do not bear fruit. The only way to glorify God is bearing much fruit. Fruitfulness denotes fertility which leads to colourful, joyful, glorious and eternal outcomes.

Fruitfulness is both conditional and a choice. Although God has commanded every human being to be fruitful, He still allows each one of us to decide whether to comply with that commandment or not. Fruitfulness is therefore personal and conditional because it is dependent on a person’s decision to obey God. A person bears fruit when he or she chooses to do what God commands - ‘...Be fruitful and multiply’ (Genesis 1:28).

Fruitfulness results from divine and human partnership. It is a partnership among God the Father (the Husbandman-God), God the Son (the Vine-Jesus), and a disciple of Jesus (the branch-a Christian). A branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it abides in a vine. Besides, every branch needs constant pruning to bear much fruit. Similarly, a Christian cannot bear fruit unless he abides in Jesus who is the vine of life. We abide in Jesus by spending quality time with God’s word, meditating on it daily (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:3; John 15:4-8) and applying it into our lives. God prunes (directs and orders) our steps when we apply His word to our lives (Psalm 119:105,130,133) to enable us bear much fruit.

Fruitfulness is for God’s glory; not ours. God should be the focus of our decision and desire to be fruitful. Jesus chose to glorify God while on earth by carrying-out His God-given assignment. We honour God and glorify Him when we discover His purpose for our lives and fulfil it. Our fruitfulness lies in fulfilling our purpose with the aim of honouring God with our lives. God glorifies any person who lives his life to honour Him (John 17:1-6). Be fruitful!

Richard Obeng Mensah, author of Daily Wisdom

                                        Blog: www.richard-obeng-mensah.blogspot.com                                  Email: richardobengmensah@gmail.com