Category: Uncategorized

Written By Ben Dankaka

Meditation – Matthew 9:38

Oftentimes, 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. Normally, when we notice those who are in need as we go about our business, we sympathize with them and then move on, hoping their problems will somehow go away. Because we are preoccupied with our problems, we think we are unqualified to help others. So we ignore or abandon those who are troubled, hoping that someone else would help them out. What we fail to realize is that every helper needs help because there’s no one on earth who doesn’t have problems.

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 linked 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 He advised His disciples to “ask the Lord of the harvest, to send out workers into his harvest field.” In other words, Jesus urged his disciples to pray to God so He could send out leaders. 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 9:35-37

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

Written By Ben Dankaka

Meditation – Matthew 9:37

What do you see whenever you move on the streets of your city? Each day as you drive or walk along a busy road, what gets your attention? We may not all be attracted to the same thing. While some are attracted to the buildings and cars, others give their attention to the natural environment. But whatever gets your attention the most; I am convinced that every time you are on a busy street, you habitually notice other people. And as you move past the people, what do you often notice? 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?

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 and helpless, 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.” In other words, He viewed it as a job opportunity and not as a problem. The problem, in the mind of Jesus, wasn’t the people’s condition but the shortage of manpower. 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

Meditation – Matthew 4:19

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Walk with God”. Oftentimes, we use that phrase to describe our relationship with God. Walking with God literally means to take every step as God directs and leads you. So in our attempts to “walk with God” we have to commit ourselves to a daily habit of studying the Bible. To walk with God, you will also have to spend a large amount of your time, 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. The scriptures say, “Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.” (Genesis 5:24). Possibly, because of his walk with God, Enoch became so upright that he couldn’t live among the wicked men of his time.

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 is a process whereby we operate as employees of His vineyard. This happens when we drop aside our personal endeavors in order to fulfill God’s purposes. You see, God isn’t only interested in walking with you; God is also interested in having you 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 5:13-16

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

Written By Ben Dankaka

Meditation – Luke 21:19

Until you commit yourself to a single cause, you will never become an outstanding leader. Great leaders, all over the world are known for doing one thing. Think of all the leaders that have impacted our world the most – They are single-minded. 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. Martin Luther King Jr was a pastor, but he is celebrated as a civil rights activist. So what makes great leaders exceptional isn’t really their profession but what they do with their lives. Whether it is in business, sports or entertainment, it is the same. Jesus, the greatest leader of all time, applied this principle. At one time, He was a carpenter. During that period, He neither preached nor performed miracles. And when He launched His ministry, He quit carpentry and focused on His work of saving the world.

Jesus often emphasized the importance of dedication. One time, He told His disciples that “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 he had for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. In other words, the merchant let go every other endeavor that might stop him from achieving his ultimate goal of making heaven. 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 other things.

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

REFERENCES/FURTHER STUDY: Matthew 14:44-46

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

Written By Ben Dankaka

Meditation – Luke 9:25

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.