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Fruitful Living

Christians advised to choose friends wisely

An Elder of the Church of Pentecost, Malejor As­sembly, George Nkansah has urged Christians to exer­cise discernment in choosing their friends.

In a compelling sermon to the congregation on the theme ‘Who is your friend?’ Elder Nkansah emphasised the impact friends can have on one’s life and distinguish between those who bring pos­itive influences and those who can lead one astray.

Based on the scriptures – 1st Samuel 18: 1-5 and 19:1-4, Elder Nkansah shared with the congregation the enduring friendship between Jonathan and David.

He highlighted the pivot­al moment when Jonathan, aware of Saul’s plot to harm David, warned his friend and urged him to flee.

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This, according to Elder Nkansah, exemplified the essence of true friendship, a bond that transcends mere companionship to encompass support and protection in times of adversity.

Elder Nkansah underscored the negative influence of bad friends, referencing 2nd Samuel 13.

“In this passage, Jonadab’s detrimental impact on Amnon served as a cautionary tale. Instead of steering Amnon away from his misguided intentions towards his sister, Tamar, Jonadab facilitated harmful strategies.”

Elder Nkansah used this example to warn the congre­gation, particularly the youth, against the pitfalls of associ­ating with harmful influences.

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Elder Nkansah urged the youth to be vigilant in choos­ing their friends and recognise the potential for negative influences that could lead them astray.

He emphasised the need for divine guidance to avoid falling into the hands of those who may compromise their values.

Concluding his sermon on a spiritual note, Elder Nkansah extolled Jesus Christ as the ul­timate and unwavering friend every Christian should seek.

Unlike fallible human companions, Jesus, he said, is a confidant who will never disappoint or betray.

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By George Obeng Osei

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Fruitful Living

Cultivating, multivating, maintaining Godly Relationship (Part 2)

Friendships

Friendship is one of the most common forms of relationships, yet it is often undervalued in its potential for spiritual growth and support. Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” A godly friendship is one that transcends conve­nience or superficial interests. It is a bond rooted in mutual respect, encouragement, and accountability.

Jesus modelled godly friend­ship with His disciples, partic­ularly with Peter, James, and John, who formed His inner circle. He shared His heart with them, corrected them when necessary, and entrusted them with His mission.

A godly friendship is one where both individuals push each other closer to God. There is no room for gossip, jealousy, or competition, but rather a mutual commitment to growth, honesty, and support.

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Family Relationships

God places us in families, not by accident, but with purpose. The family is one of the primary places where we are called to live out the principles of godly relationships.

The Bible instructs us in Ephesians 6:1-4 on the impor­tance of honouring our parents and raising our children in the fear of the Lord. In Colossians 3:19, husbands and wives are called to love and respect one another, mirroring the relation­ship between Christ and His church.

Maintaining godly family relationships requires intention­al effort. It’s easy to take our family members for granted, but God calls us to love them deeply, forgive often, and serve each other in humility. The challenges within family life—differences in personality, conflicts, or even misunder­standings—become opportuni­ties to demonstrate patience, forgiveness, and grace.

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Professional Relationships

One of the most overlooked areas where godly relationships can be cultivated is in our pro­fessional lives.

Too often, we compart­mentalise our faith, failing to realize that our interactions in the workplace are opportunities to show Christ to oth­ers. Colossians 3:23-24 instructs us, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as work­ing for the Lord, not for human masters.”

Whether we are em­ployers or employees, we are called to treat those we work with fairly, with integrity and respect.

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This means valuing others not just for what they can contrib­ute to the company, but for who they are as people made in the image of God.

In our professional relationships, we are ambassadors for Christ, and how we conduct ourselves speaks volumes about the faith we profess. These relationships, if culti­vated with the right motives, can lead to opportunities for mentorship, witnessing, and personal growth.

Mentorship

Mentorship is another critical aspect of godly relationships. Throughout Scripture, we see examples of mentoring relation­ships: Moses and Joshua, Elijah and Elisha, Paul and Timothy, and most significantly, Jesus and His disciples.

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Godly mentorship goes beyond simply giving advice or sharing knowledge; it is about investing in the spiritual and personal development of anoth­er person.

A mentor is called to guide, correct, and encourage their mentee, helping them navigate the chal­lenges of life and faith. Mentor­ship is a two-way relationship, where both mentor and mentee grow together in Christ.

Paul’s words to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2 is instructive: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be quali­fied to teach others.”

In other words, godly mentor­ship is not just about the indi­vidual relationship, but about equipping others to carry on the work of the Kingdom.

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To be continued…

  • By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee, the author
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Fruitful Living

‘Allahu As-Samad’

• Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, the Author
• Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, the Author

 Introduction to the Con­cept of As-Samad

Servants of Allah, one of Allah’s most profound names, As-Samad, is mentioned in Surah Al-Ikhlas, where Allah describes His oneness and perfection:

“Say, ‘He is Allah, [Who is] One. Allah, the Eternal Refuge (As-Samad). He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.’” (Qur’an 112:1-4).

The name As-Samad en­compasses the idea of Allah’s absolute independence and self-sufficiency. Ibn Abbas (RA) explained that As-Samad refers to the one to whom all creation turns in times of need, while He Himself is free from any need (Tafsir Ibn Kathir).

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Allah requires no suste­nance, no assistance, and no support in carrying out His plans. Yet all creation—human beings, animals, plants, and even angels—rely entirely on Him for their existence, suste­nance, and success.

Allah’s Independence Demonstrated in Creation

Allah’s independence is evident in the perfection of His creation. He brought the universe into existence with unparalleled mastery. Allah states:

“Indeed, your Lord is Allah, who created the heavens and the earth in six days and then established Himself above the Throne. He manages every affair…” (Qur’an 10:3).

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The heavens, the earth, the mountains, the seas, and every living creature were created without the assis­tance of anyone. Even the most intricate systems—such as the orbiting of planets, the growth of plants, and the functioning of the human body—operate under Allah’s command.

This is further emphasised in another verse:

“To Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatev­er is in the earth. And Allah is free of need, the Praisewor­thy.” (Qur’an 31:26).

Evidence from the Sunnah

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The Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad further emphasis­es Allah’s independence and self-sufficiency. In a powerful hadith qudsi, Allah says:

“O My servants, all of you are astray except for those whom I have guided, so seek guidance from Me, and I shall guide you. O My servants, all of you are hungry except for those whom I have fed, so seek food from Me, and I shall feed you. O My servants, all of you are naked except for those whom I have clothed, so seek clothing from Me, and I shall clothe you.” (Muslim, Hadith 2577).

This hadith reflects Allah’s perfection in fulfilling the needs of creation while re­maining independent and unaffected by those needs. Allah’s perfection in providing is limitless, as reflected in another narration:

“Allah’s Hand is full, and it does not diminish by His con­tinuous giving day and night.” (Bukhari, Hadith 4684).

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Human Dependence on Allah

Unlike Allah, humans are intrinsically dependent on Him for every aspect of their existence. Allah says:

“O mankind, you are those in need of Allah, while Allah is the Free of need, the Praise­worthy.” (Qur’an 35:15).

This dependence is not a weakness but a natural state that reminds us to turn to Al­lah in all matters. The Proph­et Muhammad advised his companions to rely on Allah, saying:

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“If you ask, ask Allah; if you seek help, seek help from Al­lah.” (Tirmidhi, Hadith 2516).

Believers are encouraged to place their trust in Allah, as He alone controls every affair:

“And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose.” (Qur’an 65:3).

By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai,
1BN – Michel Camp

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