Welcome 2012 - Peace and Many Blessings!

“The reward of righteousness is not the work of our hands but the work of our Lord. Peace is of God…Now if you are of God where is your peace?” E.A Faithson.



We have just come from the spirit of the birth of our Lord Jesus. Still in the mood of celebration the world is yet again being ushered into another milestone called New Year. Interestingly more than a season or event, both Christmas and the New Year carries a strong message. Christmas reminds us of the peace of God whilst the New Year assures us of hope and good things in the year. The still small voice then is... Do not fear…it is well!

With these interesting seasons ushering us into the future, contentions of the year seem to have been graciously taken care of and now we the beneficiaries stand no more in fear or accused except in hope of better times! Time changes, every season has its own situations. All the days are not the same and so are the years. The year 2012 is an important year in the history of our country especially as it ushers us into general elections.

But one may ask, what is the way forward for our peace and development? Surely this is a ransom question that comes with a handsome reward. Our Human life experience teaches us many great lessons and experiences. For instances we know how by ourselves can do many things and also how by our own selves can not do everything.

We are the ones who join to fight for independence, elect leaders and build a nation and also the same ones who join to bring down leaders and break laws. We seem to have so much power in our hands yet we are never are fulfilled by the works of our hands. This reveals how by our human nature we are both strong and weak. It is makes reason therefore saying in these two world or states of life that you can’t eat your cake and have it.

This is where the significance of the spirit of Christmas comes in. On Christmas we learn how Christ won the honour of His God and the respect of world by a selfless sacrifice. By showing the world He loves and care for their need, Jesus gave His life for a ransom. It did not come easy. He did not only tell the people what to do, He did it for us to see! This is it. Until you give your life as a ‘ransom’ sacrifice you can not or better still, do not deserve a handsome reward.

This is truly a message for Ghanaians and for politicians as we prepare to face the times ahead and for elections We often tell others, don’t do this…do that and yet fail to stand up for the same cause. Leaders are often guilty in this blackmail. They try to tell their people what to do or what they will but we don’t have what they have done for us to see.Don’t tell me what to do…do it for me to see! This slogan is quite instructive to our times and situation. Soon politicians will be coming to us campaigning for elections. Needless to say the political temperature is likely to rise.

But the fact still remains that we can’t eat the chicken that lays the egg and still hope or wish to have eggs for breakfast or dinner!Necessity is laid on us; we must all give up something, our pleasure for the destiny of our future and nation. As a nation when we look forward into the year and future, what do we see; do we see a people proud and respectful of each other’s life, a united people where we are each other’s keeper or a nation where we are at each other’s throat?

Research shows that the day a year begins is often the same day the year ends. It is said in the local dialect ‘agro beso a, efre anopa.’ Literally meaning, if the day will end well the early days will show. The way you start will show the way you will end. This is a truism that must guide us into the future. Though we may not all be Christians, we all believe in God.

The inspirations in the Christian song ‘stand up stand up for Jesus, you soldiers of the cross’ may mean more to the consolidation of our cherished peace. On these bases we rewrite the words ‘stand up, stand for peace you soldiers of God.’ To be a soldier is to give up your life for another. No good soldier keeps his life. The Christmas spirit is the way for us to go in our quest for peace.

Rather than engage in divisive tendencies and violent speech and exchanges we must make every effort to engage each other in love and in respect. Our politics, governance, social, religious and developmental life style must have a new focus and reflection.There must be no place or room given to arrogance, pride, greed or selfishness.

Such behavior of people must be strictly condemned without reservation. It is about time we called a spade a spade if we truly desire the best for ourselves, people and country. Our country is of age and we must well behave beyond petty political squabbling and mischief. We are the ones who as one rose, fighting for political independence. Thank goodness we have it; our fight must now be geared towards freedom thus self reliance and maturity.

The people must be the ones who own their economy and control their future rather than focus on other people or politicians to do it or own it for them. We must all work diligently and with a selfless desire to achieve for selves and for others and our country peace and prosperity without putting first our wicked selfish interest. We must look not only for competence and skills in those who seek our mandate but see also in all knowledge and all utterances the manifestation of peace, humility and respect in the life of those who desire to rule us.

Indeed we should all value peace and resolve that only people who offer to give their lives for us truly deserves the handsome reward of our vote and power. Don’t tell me what you can do…show me what you have done! When you sow peace for life there is given to you for a reward peace for peace! Reach out a hand, touch a brother’s hand and shake your hands gently and together say…Peace for peace!

May Ghana rise to give and offer peace that we might find peace in the midst of the year! Que Dieu te benice au Ghana. May God bless you Ghana!

This is it!

‘For consider Him who endured such great affliction of sinful men so that you will not grow weary and loose heart.’ Heb 12:13

Bother let’s all agree that the reason why we leave our brothers behind is this. We are not considering Him. We lack consideration! There is no consideration any more. We have become so selfish everybody is talking about right, right, and right. But in this carnal state and nature of man is the voice: ‘Therefore if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin I will never eat meat again so that I will not cause him to fall.’ 1 Corinth 8:13. 

Can you imagine?  If the exercise of your right or freedom will cause others to fall forsake your right for the faith of others! Ah, what a brother you are sweet Jesus! That you laid down your glory for my shame, death and disgrace! The question we should ask ourselves is in the midst of all these where is the right of God, does God too have right anyway? Of course the right of God is the right of men! Many are wounded and crying, hopeful but helpless not knowing where to go or what to do.

They wonder and ask ‘is it not God who says He has come to save the world, where is He, where is His help and salvation?’ my heart is troubled this day and I want some serious considerations here.  I must confess I am not the best considerate person, in fact I am learning. King David was and a greater considerate is here even Jesus! Well, if Jesus is I am! Halleluiah we are!

Let’s through this spirituality of Jesus provoke ourselves unto selfless love and giving. Let’s come to the level of ours and show them which are weak and dying some help and give them hope. Suddenly I felt a sense of loneliness not one that I experienced at the dawn of my father’s death. The news of his death hit me and my family.

 It was not easy but we will not give the glory to any one, thing or spirit but unto God be the glory! We have to be like our father. He is Jesus! The day was old and still did not feel for food not because did not have enough to eat. I can see beverage and some money on my shelves. I have been gripped into a deep sense of reflection far greater than the fact that my twin brother is going to stay away from me for some time.

Sure we will have the great chance to talk. You see what I mean? There is knitting and there is knitting.  There is one that touches only beyond flesh and blood and other further than the bones and marrows unto the depth of the soul and spirit.  I called my mom and felt the same in her voice. There is not a lost star here but I see God ministering and reawakening something.

There is a sense of emptiness and cry for help and recovery all over the place. Deeply troubled are many souls needing help. Some are even unable to relate to their very situation let alone see their rightful help. O’ how we need each other! Not to joke or to lie to ourselves but to love and understand ourselves.

Bibles say confess your sins one to another. But see how there is none to confess to! See how lack of love and understanding keeps many down with addictions and unending challenges without help. Yes, God is our helper and has by Christ come to save the world. But by whom will that poor man or girl down there find love and the way? Of course by you, you, and you! Show some love, come to the love of others!

Call Back The World To God Now, Don't Wait, Please!

Listen To God's Seasonal Message To The Church And The World -

Church, some of us out of our zeal for happiness have so vainly lived without any wisdom and open mind, limiting our hope and horizon. Just like the world life is all about us, us, and us. Me, me, and me. Others don't matter at all, all that matters is you! If you don't change and die in such selfish life God will ask you of what you did with the abundant life He gave you!

It is not for just pleasure that God gives us the abundant life but for the service of others.-so that we might share with others who do not have the privilege we have! You see, God is not only thinking about your faith but the the faith of others like you, too. Your brothers and sisters in your neighborhood, those on the streets and in the ghettos and across the countries.

This is what Christianity is about. It is an outreach ministry of believers through which lives are reached out with love and compassion and in with power of God! It does not discriminate nor sentimentally operate. It is the spiritual life of God. Jesus at the well with the Samaritan woman revealed the nature of God's love and compassion. You can see Jesus disregard the profanity of an "innocent" woman towards the God of Heaven. Love can not be broken and this is demonstrated by His resolve of Jesus to keep her.

God in His mercy had seen the need of the world and nothing more could turn Him away, not even our sins and iniquities!. This miracle of God's love must be our deepest longing in the ministry and the service of God and not our own selves and sentimentality. Dishonour and mockeries and stuff like that seems to deny the believers right and and respect must not stop us from reaching out out to the world for we are not what the world sees, our true selves and being is He that is in us and not our outward body.

What a glory! Our culture, way of life is different; it is not about who we are neither is about who others are. It is not about gender, colour, culture, race, tribe, language. It is not about ones status, scholarship or background. It is about the Jesus who died for humanity. Is about Jesus Christ who loves us all and calling us to come just us we are; poor or rich, Arabic or Latin ate, English or Hausa. Educated or illiterate, moslem or Jew. A pagan or Ethicist.

He is saying to all "come all ye that are heavy laden and I will give you rest!" We all need rest from our burdens of sin, fear and uncertainties. He is inviting the world to come out from the snares of the Fowler and this task he has committed to those who by grace have seen the light and have benefited of the divine grace of God. This is our charge.

God is depending on us to execute his passion for souls and for the world and is demanding us to work this out with optimum selfless love and rich spiritual understanding. But sadly, many of us have so slaked behind in this divine calling and mandate given to us and in our failure allowed our kinds to die and grope in darkness. We have simply become wicked and left our brothers and sisters behind and like the world following emptiness.

We have ignored their cry for love and attention, condemning them for their sins. We have layed them up in our hearts refusing them space in our hearts, keeping them further under and giving the enemy a strong hold on their souls. Jesus before living the disciples charged them to keep his sheep if they loved Him. Do you love Jesus? Do you really love Him? If you we do lets rise and prove it by our love and compassion for the lost sheep.

They are crying for the love of the father. You are the father! How do you feel about that, being a father to many nations and reaching out to souls with love and compassion, taking care of them? Hmm.. what an an awesome deep feeling of spiritual fatherhood! Father of many nations? Hallelujah! That's a tittle worth desiring and earning. It is more fulfilling than decorations of knighthood or reward of prize! Let's break from the rituals of just going church, praying and looking pious before men, that's not it. It is not what the Christ life and worship is about.

Let's touch base! "if you love me keep my commandment" that's the main point. Our obedience to the Lord. Just praying or going church that not move God! God is moved by them that have His spirit and have faith! The spirit of God is Jesus in action! Be the Jesus in your house and community. Love does not forsake, it keeps. What are you doing to keep God's love and people in His house and in the Lord? The wise of this world is so carefully scheming to capture the imagination of many souls of the world with vain attention and vague promises and they must fail in this evil.

God is depending on you as a city on a hill and the light of the world to bring illumination and inspiration to the world with the power of God in you! God is the hope of ages and generations! And He is calling us to remind the world, tell them that the God of Abraham, Isaac, Moses and Jacob is revealed in our Lord Jesus Christ and everyone who relieve Him has the opportunity of a new life and a changed destiny from slavery to victory! This is the light and hope the world needs to hear and know. Come back people! Choose to move from "Gigal to Bethel" and don't remain in Babylon!

Your Storm is over by your faith! Decide. Redemption is indeed of the Lord. Prophetically we live in defining moments of the end times and the year 2010 and the seasons to come are for those who know the Lord and understand the times. Where those who know and understand will jump over those who do know or seek to know. Where businesses and organizations will fold up for the same reasons. And where political forces and blocs who come by the emotions of the unsuspecting citizenry and the lies of propaganda will suffer the painful loss and reproach of an expectant people and society.

If you don't still believe ask me where the Roman Empire is! All powers and strengths are passing with the times and such is the times! As we celebrate yet another Christmas and enter into new years let us be happy and remember it is not about chicken and tie, cloths and fashion. It is not about boozing and music for your dancing feet. It is even just not about going church, it is about the love of God to mankind. It is not life as usual. It is about love and reconciliation. Don't forget to show some love of God! Peace and many blessings.

The Christian Drummer Boy

Two or three times in my life God in His mercy touched my heart, and twice before my conversion I was under deep conviction. During the American war, I was surgeon in the United States army, and after the battle of Gettysburg there were many hundred wounded soldiers in my hospital, amongst whom were twenty-eight who had been wounded so severely that they required my service at once. Some whose legs had to be amputated, some their arms, and others both their arm and leg.
One of the latter was a boy who had been but three months in the service, and being too young for a soldier had enlisted as a drummer. When my assistant surgeon and one of my stewards wished to administer chloroform, previous to the amputation, he turned his head aside and positively refused to receive it. When the steward told him that it was the doctor's orders, he said, "Send the doctor to me."

When I came to his bedside, I said: "Young man, why do you refuse chloroform? When I found you on the battle-field you were so far gone that I thought it hardly worth while to pick you up; but when you opened those large blue eyes I thought you had a mother somewhere who might, at that moment, be thinking of her boy. I did not want you to die on the field, so ordered you to be brought here; but you have now lost so much blood that you are too weak to endure an operation without chloroform, therefore you had better let me give you some."

He laid his hand on mine, and looking me in the face, said, "Doctor, one Sunday afternoon, in the Sabbath-school, when I was nine and a half years old, I gave my heart to Christ. I learned to trust Him then; I have been trusting Him ever since, and I can trust Him now. He is my strength and my stimulant. He will support me while you amputate my arm and leg."

I then asked him if he would allow me to give him a little brandy. Again he looked me in the face saying, "Doctor, when I was about five years old my mother knelt by my side, with her arm around my neck, and said: 'Charlie, I am now praying to Jesus that you may never know the taste of strong drink; your papa died a drunkard, and went down to a drunkard's grave, and I promised God, if it were His will that you should grow up, that you should warn young men against the bitter cup.'
I am now seventeen years old, but I have never tasted anything stronger than tea and coffee, and as I am, in all probability, about to go into the presence of my God, would you send me there with brandy on my stomach?"

The look that boy gave me I shall never forget. At that time I hated Jesus, but I respected that boy's loyalty to his Savior; and when I saw how he loved and trusted Him to the last, there was something that touched my heart, and I did for that boy what I had never done for any other soldier--I asked him if he wanted to see his chaplain. "Oh! yes, sir," was the answer.When Chaplain R. came, he at once knew the boy from having often met him at the tent prayer-meetings, and taking his hand said: "Well, Charlie, I am sorry to see you in this sad condition."

"Oh, I am all right, sir," he answered. "The doctor offered me chloroform, but I declined it; then he wished to give me brandy, which I also declined; and now, if my Savior calls me, I can go to Him in my right mind.""You may not die, Charlie," said the chaplain;" "but if the Lord should call you away, is there anything I can do for you after you are gone?"

"Chaplain, please put your hand under my pillow and take my little Bible; in it you will find my mother's address; please send it to her, and write a letter, and tell her that since the day I left home I have never let a day pass without reading a portion of God's word, and daily praying that God would bless my dear mother; no matter whether on the march, on the battle-field, or in the hospital."

"Is there anything else I can do for you, my lad?" asked the chaplain. "Yes; please write a letter to the superintendent of the Sands- street Sunday-school, Brooklyn, N.Y., and tell him that the kind words, many prayers, and good advice he gave me I have never forgotten; they have followed me through all the dangers of battle; and now, in my dying hour, I ask my dear Savior to bless my dear old superintendent. That is all."

Turning towards me he said: "Now, doctor, I am ready; and I promise you that I will not even groan while you take off my arm and leg, if you will not offer me chloroform." I promised, but I had not the courage to take the knife in my hand to perform the operation without first going into the next room and taking a little stimulant myself to perform my duty.

While cutting through the flesh, Charlie Coulson never groaned; but when I took the saw to separate the bone, the lad took the corner of his pillow in his mouth, and all that I could hear him utter was: "O Jesus, blessed Jesus! stand by me now." He kept his promise, and never groaned.

That night I could not sleep, for whichever way I turned I saw those soft blue eyes, and when I closed mine the words, "Blessed Jesus, stand by me now," kept ringing in my ears. Between twelve and one o'clock I left my bed and visited the hospital; a thing I had never done before unless specially called, but such was my desire to see that boy. Upon my arrival there I was informed by the night steward that sixteen of the hopeless cases had died, and been carried down to the dead-house. "How is Charlie Coulson, is he among the dead?" I asked."No, sir," answered the steward, "he is sleeping as sweetly as a babe."

When I came up to the bed where he lay, one of the nurses informed me that, about nine o'clock, two members of the Y.M.C.A. came through the hospital to read and sing a hymn. They were accompanied by Chaplain R., who knelt by Charlie Coulson's bed, and offered up a fervent and soul-stirring prayer; after which they sang, while still upon their knees, the sweetest of all hymns, "Jesus, lover of my soul," in which Charlie joined. I could not understand how that boy, who had undergone such excruciating pain, could sing.

Five days after I had amputated that dear boy's arm and leg, he sent for me, and it was from him on that day I heard the first gospel sermon. "Doctor," he said, "my time has come; I do not expect to see another sun rise; but, thank God, I am ready to go; and before I die I desire to thank you with all my heart for your kindness to me. Doctor, you are a Jew, you do not believe in Jesus; will you please stand here and see me die trusting my Savior to the last moment of my life?"

I tried to stay, but I could not; for I had not the courage to stand by and see a Christian boy die rejoicing in the love of that Jesus whom I had been taught to hate, so I hurriedly left the room. about twenty minutes later a steward, who found me sitting in my private office covering my face with my hand, said: "Doctor, Charlie Coulson wishes to see you."

"I have just seen him," I answered, "and I cannot see him again." "But, doctor, he says he must see you once more before he dies."

I now made up my mind to see him, say an endearing word, and let him die; but I was determined that no word of his should influence me in the least so far as his Jesus was concerned. When I entered the hospital I saw he was sinking fast, so I sat down by his bed. Asking me to take his hand, he said: "Doctor, I love you because you are a Jew; the best friend I have found in this world was a Jew."

I asked him who that was. He answered: "Jesus Christ, to whom I want to introduce you before I die; and will you promise me, doctor, that what I am about to say to you, you will never forget?" I promised; and he said: "Five days ago, while you amputated my arm and leg, I prayed to the Lord Jesus Christ to convert your soul."

These words went deep into my heart. I could not understand how, when I was causing him the most intense pain, he could forget all about himself and think of nothing but his Savior and my unconverted soul. All I could say to him was: "Well, my dear boy, you will soon be all right." With these words I left him, and twelve minutes later he fell asleep, "safe in the arms of Jesus."

Hundreds of soldiers died in my hospital during the war; but I only followed one to the grave, and that one was Charlie Coulson, the drummer boy; and I rode three miles to see him buried. I had him dressed in a new uniform, and placed in an officer's coffin, with a United States flag over it.

That boy's dying words made a deep impression upon me. I was rich at that time so far as money is concerned, but I would have given every penny I possessed if I could have felt towards Christ as Charlie did; but that feeling cannot be bought with money. Alas! I soon forgot all about my Christian soldier's little sermon, but I could not forget the boy himself. I now know that at that time I was under deep conviction of sin; but I fought against Christ with all the hatred of an orthodox Jew for nearly ten years, until, finally, the dear boy's prayer was answered, and God converted my soul.

About eighteen months after my conversion, I attended a prayer- meeting one evening in the city of Brooklyn. It was one of those meetings when Christians testify to the lovingkindness of their Savior. After several of them had spoken, an elderly lady arose and said:

"Dear friends, this may be the last time that it is my privilege to testify for Christ. My family physician told me yesterday that my right lung is nearly gone, and my left lung is very much affected; so at the best I have but a short time to be with you; but what is left of me belongs to Jesus. Oh! it is a great joy to know that I shall meet my boy with Jesus in heaven.


My son was not only a soldier for his country, but also a soldier for Christ. He was wounded at the battle of Gettysburg, and fell into the hands of a Jewish doctor, who amputated his arm and leg, but he died five days after the operation. The chaplain of the regiment wrote me a letter, and sent me my boy's Bible. In that letter I was informed that my Charlie in his dying hour sent for that Jewish doctor, and said to him: "Doctor, before I die I wish to tell you that five days ago, while you amputated my arm and leg, I prayed to the Lord Jesus Christ to convert your soul."

When I heard this lady's testimony, I could sit still no longer. I left my seat, crossed the room, and taking her hand, said: "God bless you, my dear sister; your boy's prayer has been heard and answered. I am the Jewish doctor for whom your Charlie prayed, and his Savior is now my Savior."--Dr. M.L.R.
Story from Touching Incidents and Remarkable Answers to Prayer, by Solomon Benjamin Shaw