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Fruitful Living

7 Steps to take when you feel spiritually dry Final Part

2. Get honest with a few trusted friends (and surround yourself with Godly people).

You might be surprised by how many others have had similar experiences. Not only will a few close friends be able to encourage you or give you some fresh ideas, they will also provide accountability. Discouragement is common in the desert, and having someone check-in with you regularly will help keep you moving in the right direction.

3. Remember that feelings are only a part of any relationship

It’s no different when it comes to your relationship with God. Your feelings, while important, are only part of the picture. When you’re not feeling it, don’t forget that not only have you made a commitment to God – He’s made a commitment to you! And although your feelings indicate otherwise, He’s not going to break His word. He is truly faithful, and He will bring you through any desert. This time is not wasted, and He will use it for some good purpose in your life!

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4. Dig deep into God’s Word.

When you’re in the middle of a dry spell, opening your Bible might seem like a waste of time. In fact, it’s exactly what you need, whether it feels like it makes a difference or not. Here’s a few things that might help:

  • Enlist accountability. Ask someone to check in on you regularly in order to make sure you’re faithful in your daily devotions.
  • Join a Bible study, or start one that challenges and intrigues you. There are so many wonderful studies available-online, with a small group, or individually
  • Refresh regularly. A few little bits of encouragement throughout your day can add up to making a big difference. You could spend some time in the morning with your Bible study, read an encouraging devotion or blog post on lunch break, and wrap your day up with a few more moments of Bible study. Figure out what works for you.

5. Pray.

Ask God to show you if there’s anything that is obstructing your relationship. Ask Him to help you through this tough season. Ask Him to give you endurance, encouragement, and to learn through this time.

6. Memorise Scripture

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Memorise Scripture that speaks to your season of struggle. Here’s one to start with: “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.” (Psalm 34:17-19)

7. Speak truth over yourself.

Similar to memorisation, reminding yourself of the truth is crucial to changing faulty thinking patterns. When you’re tempted to despair that God has left you for good, remind yourself instead that God will never leave you (Isaiah 42:16). When you feel like God’s love for you is gone and over, remind yourself that nothing can separate you from His love (Romans 8:38-39). Identify what you’re wrestling with, and work on replacing lies with truth.

There have been multiple, “dry seasons” in my walk with God – some long, some short. I can tell you, though, that they have always had a purpose, they have always come to an end, and I am utterly convinced that they happen to every believer at some point or another.

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So, if you’re in the Dust Bowl, too…hang in there. Rains in the forecast.

Grace, peace, and we’re in this together,

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Fruitful Living

 Khutba for the blessed month of Ramadan

 Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Aalameen. We begin this Khutba by extolling the greatness of Allah (SWT), the Lord of the worlds, and thanking Him for His in­finite blessings upon us. We praise Him for His mercy and guidance, for allowing us to witness another Ramadan—a sacred month unlike any other.

We send peace and blessings upon His noble messenger, Prophet Muham­mad (SAW), the Seal of the Prophets, his family, his companions, and all those who follow his guidance until the Day of Resurrection.

May Allah make us stead­fast in following the Sunnah of the beloved Prophet Mu­hammad (SAW).

The Blessed Month of Ramadan

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Dear brothers and sisters in Islam, we are on the brink of welcoming Ramadan, a month that Allah (SWT) has uniquely blessed for the Um­mah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Hijri calendar, a month that Allah has made sacred by filling it with mer­cy, forgiveness, and rewards for those who engage in acts of worship.

Importantly, Ramadan is the month in which the Holy Qur’an, the ultimate guidance for humanity, was revealed.

Allah (SWT) says in Surah Al-Baqarah: “The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:185).

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This verse establishes the connection between the Qur’an and Ramadan, reminding us that fasting is not only an act of worship but also an opportunity to reflect upon the guidance of the Qur’an and implement its teachings in our lives.

Additionally, in Surah Ad- Dukhan, Allah (SWT) high­lights the significance of the Qur’an’s revelation during a blessed night:

“Indeed, we sent it [the Qur’an] down during a bless­ed night. Indeed, we were to warn [mankind].

On that night is made dis­tinct every precise matter— [every] matter [proceeding] from us. Indeed, we were to send [a messenger]” (Surah Ad-Dukhan, 44:3–5).

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This ‘blessed night’ is Laylatul Qadr, a night that is better than a thousand months. It is a night when Allah, in His infinite wisdom, decrees the destiny of all creation.

This connection between Ramadan, the Qur’an, and Laylatul Qadr underscores the profound spiritual signifi­cance of this sacred month.

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) also emphasized the link between fasting and the Qur’an, saying: “Fasting and the Qur’an will intercede for a servant on the Day of Judgment. Fasting will say, ‘O my Lord, I prevented him from food and drink during the day, so let me intercede for him.’

And the Qur’an will say, ‘I prevented him from sleeping at night, so let me intercede for him.’ And they will both intercede” (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith 6626).

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The Obligation of Fasting in Ramadan

Fasting in Ramadan is a divine obligation, a duty decreed by Allah upon all Muslims who have reached maturity, are of sound mind, and are physi­cally able. Allah (SWT) says: “O you who have believed, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain Taqwa” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:183).

The goal of fasting, as indicated in this verse, is to cultivate Taqwa—a state of heightened awareness of Al­lah, leading to greater obe­dience and righteousness.

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:

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“Whoever fasts during the month of Ramadan out of faith and seeking its re­ward, all his past sins will be forgiven” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 30, Hadith 1901).

This Hadith further empha­sises the spiritual benefits of fasting, encouraging Muslims to engage in this act of wor­ship with sincerity and hope for Allah’s forgiveness. (To be continued)

The author is the Metro­politan Chief Imam of the Kpone Katamanso Metrop­olis

Email: chiefimaamk­ponekatamanso@gmail.com

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 By Imam Alhaji Saeed

Abdulai,

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Fruitful Living

 How can I learn to trust that God is in control?

 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own under­standing; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Introduction

LIFE often presents uncer­tainties, challenges, and moments of deep frus­tration that leave us ques­tioning if anyone is truly in control. As believers, we are called to trust in the sover­eignty of God, but what does that really mean? How can we confidently rest in the assurance that God governs all things? Before we can fully embrace this truth, we must answer critical ques­tions: Is God truly sovereign? How much control does He actually have? If He is not in complete control, then who or what is? Most important­ly, how can we grow in our trust that He orchestrates everything for His divine purpose? By exploring these questions through the lens of Scripture, we will gain a deeper understanding of God’s supreme authority and find peace in His unshakable rule over all of life’s circum­stances.

Is God Really in Control?

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The concept of God’s control over everything is known as His sovereignty. Nothing gives us greater strength and confidence than understanding this divine truth. God’s sover­eignty means His complete and independent authority over every creature, event, and circumstance at every moment in history. Subject to none, influenced by none, absolutely independent, God does what He pleases, only as He pleases, and always as He pleases. He governs every molecule in the universe, and everything that happens is either caused or allowed by Him for His own perfect purposes.

Isaiah 14:24 affirms this: “The LORD of hosts has sworn, saying, ‘Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, and as I have purposed, so it shall stand.’”

Nothing in life is random or by chance, especially in the lives of believers. God has deliberately resolved to do what He will, and nothing and no one can stand in His way. Isaiah 46:10 further declares, “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My pur­pose will stand, and I will do all that I please.” This is our powerful and purposeful God who is in control of every­thing. Recognizing this truth should bring us great com­fort and alleviate our fears.

To be continued……  

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  • By Rev. Dr Joyce
    Aryee, the author

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