Wait!

 

When things don’t work out as we expect, we allow other people’s opinion to get in the way.

 

When God told Abraham that he would be a father of many nations, He backed up His promise with a covenant (Genesis 15:8-9). Normally, Abraham should have gone to sleep thereafter. But he didn’t.

By having a child with Hagar, Abraham meddled with the agreement. One could say that Abraham’s decision to have a child with Hagar was an attempt to help God fulfill His word. Although their strategy bore Ishmael, it backfired.

Interestingly, we are like Abraham. Oftentimes, we begin our journey with God, with high hopes and commitment. But when things don’t work out as we expect, we allow doubt and other people’s opinion to get in the way.  Wait on God!

 

Written by Ben Dankaka

The Ishmael “Strategy”

If you’ve ever waited on God, you would understand what Abraham went through.

 

After God reassured Abraham that he would have a son, “Abraham believed the Lord” (Genesis 15:6). But despite Abraham’s faith, the child didn’t come as he grew older.

So, when Abraham’s wife came up with the idea that Abraham should sleep with her maidservant so they can build a dynasty through her, Abraham fell for it. At that time, Abraham was not only concerned with having a son that would inherit his wealth; he also wanted to build a family.

Although the idea came from Sarah, the decision was taken by Abraham. What Abraham did is what usually happens when we let others get in the way of our divine assignment. Stay focused!

 

Written by Ben Dankaka

Backup Strategy

 

Are you trusting God and at the same time worried?

 

God had said to Abraham, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.” Although Abraham heeded God’s call, He didn’t do exactly what God asked him to do because Lot, his nephew went with him (Genesis 13:1-18; Genesis 15:3).

Recall that when God called Abraham, he didn’t have a child of his own. So, he didn’t have an heir even though he was wealthy. Maybe, Abraham took Lot along because he needed to feel safe that his wealth would at least go to his nephew if he eventually died without a child. 

Obviously, Lot had been Abraham’s back up plan - a strategy intended to make him feel secure. But in the end, it turned out to be pointless.

 Are you trusting God and at the same time worried that He might fail you?

 

Written by Ben Dankaka

Unlike his father

 

God will not ask you to do something that will not succeed in the end.

 

Terah, Abraham’s father had initially desired to stay in Canaan. The Bible didn’t tell us that he got that idea from God. On the other hand, Abraham’s decision to move to Canaan was inspired by God (Genesis 12:4-9).

Possibly, if God was the one who asked Terah to move to Canaan, Terah wouldn’t ended his journey in Haran even if he encountered challenges.  Although Abraham faced obstacles along the way, unlike his father, he never gave up because he was following God’s instructions.

If God is asking you to fulfill an assignment, know that He would see you through. God will not ask you to do something that will not succeed in the end. Fear not!

 

Written by Ben Dankaka

Motivation is Key

If God is asking you to embark on a journey with Him, comply.

 

When God called Abraham, He said to him, “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.” (Genesis 12:2-3).

Abraham had to leave his country. But he was consoled by God’s promises. God had chosen him to be the father of many nations, even though he had no child at the time.

God is aware of your needs. If He is asking you to embark on a journey with Him, comply even if it means losing everything you currently have.

 

Written by Ben Dankaka

By Faith

Whatever God tells you to do, do it in faith.

When God asked Abraham to leave his country and his father’s household to a land, He would show him, Abraham obeyed. He complied even though he was already doing well in Haran (Genesis 12:4-5).

Oftentimes, God would visit you when you are comfortable, at a time you are not expecting Him. So, His “call” may seem strange because you would wonder why He is disrupting your peace. You might even be tempted to think the revelation is just a figment of your imagination.

 Whatever God tells you to do, do it in faith.

 

Written by Ben Dankaka

Move!

 

It’s time to do what God wants you to do.

 

God said to Abraham, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you” (Genesis 12:1-4).  And Abraham left. We don’t know how long it took Abraham before he obeyed God’s instructions. But we know that when Abraham got that message, he obeyed.

Possibly like Abraham, you’ve had an encounter with God but then have been in your comfort zone, wondering whether to obey the call or not. You’ve been sitting in that room, thinking you can’t go beyond the limits that others have set for you. It’s time to do what God wants you to do. Move!

 

Written by Ben Dankaka

Beyond Limits

God’s plan might be different from your father’s plans for you.

 

Do you know that Abraham’s father had intended to live in Canaan? (Genesis 11:27-32). But instead of getting to his destination, Terah settled in Haran and died there, leaving behind his family.

Interestingly, Abraham didn’t try to live Haran until God called him. Possibly, after his father’s death, Abraham had decided to remain in Haran. Abraham might have decided to sustain his father’s legacy. Initially, Abraham didn’t try to go beyond his father’s limits. But when God met him, everything changed.

I don’t know what you are going through at the moment. Perhaps, like Abraham, you are trying to be like your father. I want you to know that God’s plan might be different from your father’s plans for you.

Written by Ben Dankaka

Be Unstoppable!

 

Keep your mind focused on your goals.

 

As Jesus went about doing His work, He was often confronted by challenges. Once, some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.” Normally, that statement was enough to put fear into His heart. But Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox, I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.”

Even as the Son of God, Jesus had to face a lot of challenges, including direct confrontation from Satan.  If Satan would have the audacity to attack Jesus, He would do the same thing to anyone.

To overcome the devil, do what Jesus did: Keep your mind focused on your ultimate goal.

 

Written by Ben Dankaka

Trouble in His Presence

Don’t be frightened by storms. God is with you.

One day, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go to the other side of the lake”. Without knowing why, they got into a boat. Then a life-threatening storm came. The disciples were frightened and surprised at the same time. Here was a great storm, bad enough to take their lives. But Jesus lay quietly on the boat, sleeping!

Many of us have found ourselves in similar situations. Perhaps at one time, you were doing something you thought was important to you. Then came Jesus. But after following Him, you’ve now found yourself in what seems like a life-threatening storm. Like the disciples, you are now surprised that while you are being confronted by storms, it seems as if He is sleeping.

I’ve learned that God allows storms so He can test our faith.

 

 

 

Written by Ben Dankaka

Victory without Injuries

 

While we can overcome certain challenges with our willpower, some problems require Heaven’s help.

 

One day as Jesus entered the synagogue, he was suddenly confronted by a demon possessed man, crying aloud. To shut the demon, Jesus commanded it to come out of the man. As is always the case, the demon complied but in the process of leaving, it drew the man on the floor.

Interestingly, even though the evil spirit flung the man, it came out without injuring him. It was a case of victory without injuries.

Life can overwhelm us with tough challenges. While we can overcome certain challenges with our willpower, such victories don’t often come without bruises. Instead of using your own intelligence to address certain problems, sometimes, it is wiser to seek Heaven’s help.

 

Written by Ben Dankaka

The Fruitful Leader

 

Increase your influence by serving others.

Fruit trees are endowed with seeds that produce fruits for the benefit of others. They do not eat their own fruit. Instead, they serve others with it. So, fruit trees fulfill their purpose by serving others.

Like fruit trees, man was created by God to be fruitful. But while we are all gifted, not many of us make it fruitful. That is, we don’t often serve others with it. For example, a person may be gifted in singing, but would never sing for others. When you are the only one who enjoys what your gift produces, then you are not fruitful.

Becoming fruitful is key because it attracts God’s favor. Jesus said, “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit”.

 

Written by Ben Dankaka

Get Ready!

Prepare yourself for the opportunity ahead.

When Jesus was 12 years old, His parents temporarily lost Him after they went to Jerusalem for a Feast. After three days, He was found in the temple, sitting among teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

Notice that Jesus wasn’t found in a farm. Instead, He was seen in a temple – at the very place where He could prepare Himself for His divine assignment.

The importance of preparation cannot be overemphasized. Abraham Lincoln said, “I will study and prepare myself, and someday my chance will come.”

Written by Ben Dankaka

Give Him Back – Part 2

 

 

He transformed fishermen to fishers of men.

You might have noticed that Jesus used the words, “follow me” while He was selecting His disciples. Why does Jesus insist we follow Him?

You see, when we give our lives to Christ, He automatically becomes our Lord. Now the word, “Lord” means Master. It also means Owner. As our Master and Owner, we are expected to follow Him. Therefore, to accept Jesus as our Lord, does not only involve a declaration of our faith in Him. True acceptance happens when we follow Jesus.

But we cannot become true followers of Christ until we stop following others, including ourselves. Jesus wants us to “follow” Him, not because He wants to enslave us but for the reason that He wants to transform our lives.

Written by Ben Dankaka

Give Him Back - Part 1

God wants to teach you.

One day, I closed from work, feeling terribly bad. On my way home, I got some biscuits for my two kids. On reaching home, my kids immediately snatched the biscuits. But just before I relaxed, my daughter (the younger one) returned the biscuits and asked me to open it for her. I quickly did.

Meanwhile, I noticed my older child still struggling to open his own biscuits. When he suddenly realized his younger sister had begun to eat hers, he hurried back to me and cried out, “Daddy, help me!” I laughed and opened his biscuits.

Suddenly, it dawned on me that I had been acting like my son. Instead of acting like my daughter who gave me back the gift so I could help her unwrap it, I was trying to maximize my gifts without God’s help.

Many of us fail to realize that God is a teacher who wants to teach us how to make the best use of the natural gifts He has given us.

 Written by Ben Dankaka