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.