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Fruitful Living

CHRISTIAN CONDUCT & LIFESTYLE – II

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:13-16.
INTRODUCTION
We continue this week with more teachings on Christ’s Sermon on the Mount. To receive the benefits of God’s kingdom, there are principles and standards by which God expects all Christians to live. We must be guided by God’s purposes and values and not by the ways and values of the world.
SALT OF THE EARTH
Jesus’ followers could easily relate to the properties and benefits of salt as described in Jesus’ metaphor.
1.Salt seasons and flavours food, just as Christians should enhance and favourably influence people and society around them.

  1. Salt is a preservative, just as Christians and the church should resist moral corruption and decay, preserving a godly influence on the culture.
  2. In addition, salt has healing properties, just as Christ’s followers must help bring healing to people who are hurting physically, emotionally and spiritually. Salt also creates thirst, just as Christians – through their good example – should create spiritual thirst or desire in others to know more about God.
    Individual Christians and churches that lose these qualities will become spiritually “lukewarm” (unconcerned, unresponsive, lazy), a condition that suppresses or destroys the activity and power of the Holy Spirit. Without the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, churches will completely lose their effectiveness and will be rejected and “thrown out” by God.
    As a result, these Christians who are not seasoned with salt will be “trampled by men”, which means they will end up giving in to the ways and values of an ungodly society. Taking this path will bring destruction in the end.
    LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE… THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD DEEDS
    In Jesus’ time, people used small clay lamps that burned olive oil drawn up by a wick. As Christians, we should be like these simple lamps, providing light in the spiritually dark conditions of this present world. Our lives should stand out from other people in society in a positive and spiritually enlightening way. After all, genuine faith in Christ cannot be hidden, but will be evident to those around us, many of whom are looking for direction and hope in their lives.
    As Christians, we have the privilege of lighting the way to God by reflecting the life, love and light of His Son, Jesus. This happens not only through words, but often more effectively through actions. In order to truly show people who Jesus is and what He is like, we must follow His example and be among people as ones who serve. “For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.” – Luke 22:27.
    We should actively look for ways to assist others and meet their needs at home, at school, on the job and in every aspect of life. By serving people, we reflect Christ’s humility and show His compassion. We break down barriers of resistance and opposition to the truth of God’s Word and the reality of Jesus’ life-changing power.
    We can serve people through simple acts of kindness and by meeting practical needs. Of course, we must “always be prepared to give an answer” for the reason for our hope and the motivation behind our actions. But many people will not pay attention to the message unless it comes from someone who cares enough to meet their practical needs. For example, there may be times when we must give food for a person’s stomach before we can feed his or her soul. Or perhaps we need to help clean up a neighborhood before we try to help clean up the lives of the people living in that neighborhood. When you work against injustice, share food and clothes, help your family and anyone else who is oppressed, “then your light will rise in the darkness”.
    Through practical service and loving interaction, we open the door to share the blood and true message of Christ. Then we will more likely be able to influence people to consider Christ’s claims, believe His Word and yield their lives to Him.
    Stay blessed!
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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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