Month: January 2021

God wants us to enjoy all the nice things of life

Written By Benjamin Dankaka

When Jesus began to teach the disciples about his suffering and death, the disciples became troubled. They couldn’t believe their cherished leader would say such negative things about himself. Peter in particular, seemed deeply troubled. He was so disturbed that he missed the better part of that prophecy. Although Jesus had said He would rise after three days, Peter ignored that part and instead, focused on the rejection, suffering and death. He probably wondered how “pain” and “gain” could ever match up. Possibly, what Peter had expected to hear was that Jesus would be a king. He probably thought that Jesus would establish His kingdom and then appoint his disciples as ministers. Peter didn’t want his beloved master to suffer any pain and suffering. He couldn’t bear the thought of seeing his master in a tomb. What Peter wanted was for Jesus to enjoy a smooth ride to the top.

Peter acted like most of us usually do. Most people like to think of life as easy and blissful, all the time. We think that life should always make way for us. Also, we want our loved ones to succeed, but we do not want them to suffer in the process. For that reason, we prefer to go places where we would be told nice things. We want to hear positive prophesies on how God is going to give us a great job or a beautiful car or house. Truly, God wants us to enjoy all the nice things of life. He also wants us to succeed in whatever we lay our hands to do. But He never promised that we would get all that we desire without hurdles. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me the strength to carry my cross. Amen.

REFERENCES/FURTHER STUDY: Mark 8:31-38

Unless otherwise stated all scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version.

That pain will turn to gain.

Written By Benjamin Dankaka

One day, Jesus began to teach His disciples that He would suffer many things and even be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law. Then He also told them He “must be killed and after three days rise again”. This didn’t go down well with the disciples. They probably wondered why Jesus would predict such a disaster on Himself. Here was a leader who had been doing great things before their very eyes. He had been preaching about this great kingdom of God that they believed will take them to a whole new level. Jesus had not only healed the sick but had raised the dead. Having been convinced that He was sent from God, Jesus was now telling them He would suffer many things and even be killed. Peter, the open minded disciple took Jesus aside and began to rebuke Him. But Jesus rebuked him also.

This story isn’t just talking about the suffering that Jesus had to go through. Most importantly, it also gives us a deep insight into the nature of God’s kingdom. Because, as Jesus rebuked Peter, he said to him, “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” In other words, Jesus made Peter to understand that His imminent suffering and death, was part of God’s plan. It is important for us to realize that God often bring us glory through pain. God would not bring pain and suffering, but He often lets us go through it so as to transform us into the individuals He wants us to be. Jesus’s suffering and death wasn’t for nothing. It was for a glorious purpose. Without the rejection, Jesus wouldn’t have been killed. And without the death, He wouldn’t have risen. Your suffering will produce success!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, turn my suffering to success. Amen.

REFERENCES/FURTHER STUDY: Mark 8:31-38

Unless otherwise stated all scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version.

Don’t suffer for the wrong reasons.

Written By Benjamin Dankaka

One time, Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Clearly, Jesus wasn’t referring to a physical cross. What He actually meant was the “suffering” He was about to go through. Moments before, Jesus had told his disciples that He would suffer many things, including rejection and death on the cross. But Jesus didn’t mean we would all have to live and die in the same way He did. He didn’t mean that everyone who followed Him would be rejected and be hung on the cross. Specifically, Jesus wanted us to know that we will all face our own troubles as Christians. Though we are bound to suffer, Christ assures us that our suffering will not be in vain. Just as He was raised to life, after His suffering, we too will be raised after our suffering.

But it is important for us to note that this suffering isn’t just any kind of misery. Whether we like it or not, life often hits everyone with troubles. You don’t have to be a Christian to face persecution. Even as an unbeliever, you could be rejected for your principles. Even if you are not a Christian, life can hit you with travails. Accidents, diseases, rejections and all other negative events do not affect people according to their religious affiliations. So we should not assume that every problem in our lives is a sign that we are carrying the cross that Jesus talked about. The daily cross that Jesus meant can only come when we give our lives to Him. The suffering you are going through is it as a result of your faithfulness to Christ or is caused by your own foolish acts? Don’t suffer for the wrong reasons.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, may I not suffer for the wrong reasons. Amen.

REFERENCES/FURTHER STUDY: Luke 9:23-27

Unless otherwise stated all scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version.

Just as a lion can be cornered by hyenas, you too can be cornered.

Written By Benjamin Dankaka

As a kid, I was often intrigued by fables of how lions subdued other animals. In those days, I heard people compare heroic individuals to lions. So I grew up believing that lions were the greatest animals in the world. But as I grew up, I discovered that what I learned about lions were somewhat exaggerated. Though lions are truly among the strongest animals, they didn’t always have their way. I recall how stunned I was when I saw a video clip of a lion being cornered by Hyenas. Indeed, lions are endowed with strength, but they don’t always win due to certain circumstances beyond their control. I am sure that is one of the points the psalmist was trying to make when he said, “The lions may grow weak and hungry…” Like lions, we often think of ourselves as bold and strong.

But we fail to realize that life can hit us with some difficulties capable of taking away our strength. Life may come at you with a sudden disaster. You may be hurt by a decision you didn’t know would backfire. Just as a lion can be cornered by hyenas, you too can be taken unawares by some challenges. In such moments, when we are at our weakest point, our ability to bounce back will largely be determined by our relationship with God. When the psalmist stated, “The lions may grow weak and hungry,” he concluded by saying, “but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing”. No matter what you are going through; you can get back on your feet through God’s help. Seek Jesus; He will come through for you. Even if you are a leader, there are times you have to act like a sheep so you can be rescued by the Chief Shepherd.

Prayer: Lord, come into my life and be my Shepherd. Amen.

REFERENCES/FURTHER STUDY: Psalm 34

Unless otherwise stated all scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version.

If you are not persistent, setbacks will make you quit.

Written By Benjamin Dankaka

The leader who eventually gets to his destination is the one who remains consistent. To be persistent actually means to keep at it, all the time. In my work on leadership, I’ve learned that leaders are encouraged to be persistent because of the challenges they are bound to face as they pursue their goals. No matter how anointed you are; you are going to incur obstacles along the way. There will be times you wouldn’t feel like getting up from your bed. If you are not persistent, setbacks will make you quit. But when you constantly pursue your goals on a daily basis, the challenges will surely give way. The little steps you take each day will eventually mount up and force its way, pulling you out of your difficulties.

The apostle Paul knew this leadership principle. In his letter to Timothy, he proudly said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the good faith.” Paul was acknowledging the fact that his journey was a battle, but like a persistent sportsperson, he stayed committed to his cause and eventually won the race. On one occasion, Paul entered a synagogue and consistently preached for three months. Then some people decided to oppose him. But Paul didn’t quit. Instead, He took the disciples who believed in him and went to a different hall where he preached daily for two years, until both the Jews and Greeks in the province of Asia heard the gospel. Jesus also did His work in a persistent way. “Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple”. It wasn’t like Jesus didn’t face problems in His ministry. But He persisted by working every day. To succeed in that leadership position, you have to be willing to do that work every day.

Prayer: Lord, give me the grace to do my work every day. Amen.

REFERENCES/FURTHER STUDY: Acts 19:8-10; Luke 21:37

Unless otherwise stated all scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version.