Category: Uncategorized

Written By Ben Dankaka

To be spiritually alive, you have to do the work all by yourself.

One day, Jesus asked a young man to become His disciple. But the man said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus then replied, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” Clearly, Jesus wasn’t only referring to physical death. Although the young man’s father was physically dead, those who would bury him weren’t. But Jesus spoke as if they were also dead. So by that statement, Jesus wanted us to know that one could be alive and still be dead at the same time. In other words, a person may not be physically dead but could be spiritually dead.

As Christians, it is important for us recognize the need to stay alive, spiritually. You can be physically strong but if you are not spiritually strong, then you are as dead as the people Jesus was referring to. While you can inherit a healthy body from your parents, you can’t inherit a spirit filled life from anyone. To be spiritually alive, you have to do the work all by yourself. Don’t be like those who spend their whole life investing in the things of the flesh. Today, invite the Holy Spirit into your life.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me the ability to build my spiritual life. Amen.

REFERENCES/FURTHER STUDY: Matthew 8:18-22; Isaiah 43:8

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

Written By Ben Dankaka

We should not only believe in what Jesus did, but should also believe in what He said.

Most times, we think of ourselves as humans who are incapable of becoming saints. Instead of thinking of ourselves as “little Christs”, we prefer to think of ourselves as imperfect people. Somehow, we’ve been conditioned to think that only heavenly beings are perfect. So when we fail to live the life that God expects of us, we blame it on our human nature. But Jesus himself disagrees because He said to His disciples, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect”. We should not only believe in what Jesus did, but should also believe in what He said.

The main reason why we are incapable of living perfect lives is because, most times, we live our lives without the influence of the Holy Spirit. We cannot be as perfect as our heavenly father if we depend on our flesh. If the Holy Spirit isn’t the one influencing you, there’s no way you can be perfect.  Paul said, “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires”

Prayer: Holy Spirit, come into my life and be my guardian. Amen.

REFERENCES/FURTHER STUDY: Matthew 5:48; Romans 6:5-6; 1 Corinthians 6:17

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

Written By Ben Dankaka

You can’t get into God’s kingdom by playing the victim card.

One day, an old man, named Nicodemus paid Jesus a surprise visit at night. Clearly, he didn’t want his colleagues to know he was visiting Jesus because they were opposed to His teachings. As they talked, Jesus said to Nicodemus, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” At first, Nicodemus was confused. But Jesus further explained, “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” That is, just as our bodies are birth by “men”, our spirit has to be birth by the Holy Spirit.

It is important for us to realize that the process of becoming “born again” is for the purpose of entering God’s kingdom. The only time Jesus mentioned “born again” was in reference to God’s kingdom. Also, realize that becoming “born again” has to do with spiritual rebirth. You don’t become born again because you heard a powerful sermon that made you emotional. Its okay to feel emotional after a sermon but you can’t get into God’s kingdom by playing the victim card. The gates to God’s kingdom can only be opened for you when you are renewed by God’s Spirit.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, reborn my spirit. Amen.

REFERENCES/FURTHER STUDY: John 3:1-21

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

Written By Ben Dankaka

He is your Father.

If you can understand the ideal relationship between parents and their children, you would understand how your relationship with God should be. One time, Jesus told his disciples that “anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Jesus was not only speaking about the need for us to believe in Him in the same way that children often believe in the “impossible”. Beyond that, Jesus wanted His disciples to adopt a childlike attitude as they relate with God. Just as children depend on their parents, we too are required to depend on God.

If children do not worry over what they would eat and wear because it is provided by their parents, why should we worry over those things when we are also children before God? If children would submit to their parent’s will, why shouldn’t we also submit to God’s will? The quality of your relationship with God is determined by your willingness to act like a child. Always think of God as your Father because God’s ultimate desire is NOT for you to act as His slave but for you to be able to call Him, “Abba! Father!”

Prayer: Dear Jesus, teach me how to act like a child. Amen.

REFERENCES/FURTHER STUDY: Mark 10:13-16; 1 Peter 1:3-5

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

Written By Ben Dankaka

It’s our responsibility to help those who are troubled.

Our failure to help others isn’t caused by a lack of concern. Generally, we often feel pity for the needy. We are all born with the ability to show empathy to our fellow humans. Although we naturally feel pity for those who are troubled, most times, we do not realize that it is our responsibility to help them. On the day that Jesus looked at the crowd and noticed they were “harassed” and “helpless”, the scripture likened the crowd to a flock of “sheep without a shepherd.”

Jesus blamed the condition of the crowd to the absence of individuals who would not only be sympathetic but would take the initiative and help the people through effective leadership. So Jesus advised His disciples to “ask the Lord of the harvest, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Therefore, it is largely our responsibility to help those who are troubled. That is, the task of working in the harvest field isn’t God’s job. It’s our responsibility. As long as we do not ask God to use us as workers, we would always have helpless and harassed people around us. Today, ask God to make you a worker of the harvest.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, send workers to the harvest field. Amen.

REFERENCES/FURTHER STUDY: Matthew 9:35-38

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

Written By Benjamin Dankaka

The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

One day, Jesus went through towns and villages, teaching and healing diseases. Then He took a good look at the crowd and had compassion on them because they looked harassed, like sheep without a shepherd. At that moment, Jesus felt a strong desire to do more for the people. Although Jesus had pity on the people, he didn’t think of their miserable situation as a problem that was beyond repair. Instead, He saw it as a great opportunity. As Jesus observed the miserable crowd, He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.”

Notice that Jesus called the pitiable situation, “harvest”. He viewed it as a job opportunity and not as a problem. What do you see whenever you move on the streets of your city? Do you see those with worried faces or you don’t even notice? At every given time, the streets are made up of people who carry different expressions. Some carry plain or jovial faces; others have serious or worried expressions. What goes through your mind as you notice those worried faces? Today, as you notice those who appear to be restless and harassed, think of ways you can help out.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, make me a helper to other people. Amen.

REFERENCES/FURTHER STUDY: Matthew 9:35-37

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

Written By Ben Dankaka

Just as it is important to walk with God, it is also important to work with Him.

Walking with God literally means to take every step as directed by God. To walk with God, you will have to spend a large amount of your time studying the scriptures, praying and meditating until you and God become intimate friends. If you truly walk with God, you will become a godly person. You can’t relate with God and not think and act like Him. But just as it is important to walk with God, it is also important to work with Him. While we can walk with God through a relationship, we can also work with God by functioning through Him.

Working with God occurs when we function as “employees” of His Kingdom. You see, God isn’t only interested in walking with you; He wants you to work for Him. God doesn’t just want to have a relationship with you; He wants to help you make better impact through His kingdom culture. When Jesus met Simon Peter and his brother, Andrew, He said to them, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” These were fishermen who only knew how to catch fish, but when they met Jesus they became world changers. Work with God!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I want to work with you. Amen.

REFERENCES/FURTHER STUDY: Matthew 4:19; Matthew 5:13-16

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

Written By Benjamin Dankaka

If that dream means so much to you, you will have to let go of some things.

Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Although, this parable is intended to make us recognize the worth of the kingdom of heaven, it also illustrates the kind of attitude that is required of anyone who wants to achieve anything worthwhile. The “merchant” GAVE UP EVERYTHING for the sake of heaven. In other words, the merchant let go every other endeavor that might stop him from achieving his ultimate goal of making heaven.

Until you commit yourself to a single cause, you will never become an outstanding leader. Think of all the great leaders that have impacted our world – They are single-minded. For instance, when people talk about Nelson Mandela, the one thing that goes through their minds is the man’s fight against apartheid even though he was a lawyer. What makes great leaders exceptional isn’t really their profession but what they do with their lives. I don’t know what you need to give up. But if that dream means so much to you, you will have to let go of some things. Be single-minded!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me the courage to stay focused. Amen.

REFERENCES/FURTHER STUDY: Luke 21:19; Matthew 14:44-46

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

Written By Ben Dankaka

Don’t suffer for the wrong reasons.

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. He didn’t mean we would all have to live and die in the same way He did. 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 the cross of Christ isn’t just any kind of misery. You see, 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 suffer for your principles. So we should not assume that every problem in our lives is a sign that we are carrying the cross. The daily cross that Jesus meant can only come when we walk with Him. Are you having troubles because of your faith or is your suffering 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: 1 Peter 4:12-19; Luke 9:23-27; Matthew 5:10-11

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

Written By Ben Dankaka

God asked him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

After winning the prayer contest against the prophets of Baal, Elijah inspired a revival. When the Israelites saw how God responded to Elijah’s sacrifice they immediately repented. Elijah had seized that moment and ordered the killing of the prophets of Baal. Moments later, just as Elijah had prophesied, Israel had a heavy rain, after over three years of drought. But just as Elijah was about to celebrate, he found himself, once again in the wilderness, when he received a death threat from Jezebel. While he was on exile, Elijah became depressed and even prayed that God would take his own life. But as he rested in a cave, God asked him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Possibly, God asked that question because Elijah wasn’t supposed to run away from his country, even though he was threatened by Jezebel. Perhaps, you’ve found yourself in a similar situation. You’ve spent your energy on a cause. But instead of recognition, you’ve been rejected and misunderstood. You are now at a point where you are beginning to doubt and question your convictions. Unless if God tells you to quit, stay there. Oftentimes, God wants us to confront challenges, not to run from it.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me the strength to overcome. Amen.

REFERENCES/FURTHER STUDY: 1 Kings 18:38-46; 19:1-9

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