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Fruitful Living

Christians must lead crusade on proper sanitation practices in communities’

Some Christians displaying proper sanitation practices

Some Christians displaying proper sanitation practices

The Dansoman branch Over­seer of the World Mission Society Church of God (General Pastor, Kim Joo-Che­ol) Mr Kunwoo Song, has urged Christians to lead proper sanita­tion practices in their commu­nities, as ‘cleanliness is next to godliness.’

He said the Church must encourage its members to clean their surroundings very often, because it is the duty of Chris­tians to protect God’s creation, especially the environment.

Mr Song said this last Sunday when the church undertook a clean-up exercise on the Odor­kor-Kasoa highway in Accra.

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It was part of their annual activities in promoting prop­er sanitation practices in the country.

The seven-hour exercise saw hundreds of church members defy the early rains to clear do­mestic waste on the highway.

Mr Song said the church had over the years undertaken such exercises, as a means to spread the teachings on the significance of keeping the environment from filth.

He said it was the responsi­bility of believers of God to pro­tect the environment, stressing that Christians must champion proper sanitation practices in their communities, to even encourage non-believers to do same.

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The Member of Parliament (MP) for Weija-Gbawe constit­uency, Madam Tina Gifty Naa Ayele Mensah, who also led some members of the public to participate in the exercise, ex­pressed gratitude to the Church for organising the event.

She said last Sunday’s clean-up exercise was the second time by the World Mission Society Church of God in the constituen­cy, and urged the public to keep their surroundings clean.

 By Bernard Benghan

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Fruitful Living

 What Does It Mean That God is good? 5 Examples in Everyday Life (FINAL PART)

 “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” – Psalm 34:8

 3. Protecting Us

GOD’S goodness is also evident in how He protects us, both from dangers we see and those we don’t. We’ve all heard stories of people narrowly avoiding accidents or harm because of an unexpected delay or change of plans. This is one of the ways God watches over us.

But His protection also extends to less obvious areas. Think of the workplace drama or gossip that never reaches your ears, the mistakes that could have been much worse, or the opportunities that didn’t work out only to lead to something better. These are all signs of God’s protec­tive hand guiding and shield­ing us. Whether we recognise it or not, God is constantly working behind the scenes, orchestrating events for our good and safeguarding us from harm.

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“The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life.” – Psalm 121:7 (NIV)

4. Speaking to Us through Prayer

One of the clearest ways we experience God’s goodness is through prayer. Prayer is our direct line to God, the way we communicate with Him, share our hearts, and seek His guidance. Through prayer, God reveals His will, gives us peace, and answers our deepest longings, sometimes in ways we don’t expect.

God’s goodness is reflect­ed in how He listens to our prayers. He answers in His perfect timing, whether it’s a “yes,” “no,” or “wait.” Even in His silence, He is working things out for our good, often providing direction through His Word, a feeling of peace, or the wisdom of others.

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“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” – 1 John 5:14 (NIV)

5. Guiding Us

We make countless decisions each day, from the mundane to the life-changing, and in all of it, God is guiding us. His goodness is seen in the way He gently nudges our hearts, gives us wisdom, and leads us down the path He has set for us.

When we take time to pause and seek His guidance, God provides clarity and peace. Whether it’s through the Holy Spirit’s still, small voice or circumstances aligning in our favor, His guidance is always rooted in His goodness. He steers us away from harmful decisions and toward paths that fulfill His purpose for our lives.

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“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 (NIV)

Conclusion

God’s goodness isn’t just an abstract idea or something we acknowledge when good things happen—it’s woven into every moment of our lives. From the breath we take each morning to the pro­tection we often overlook; His goodness surrounds us daily.

The next time you’re tempt­ed to only acknowledge God’s goodness when something monumental happens, take a step back and reflect on the small ways He shows up for you every single day. Whether through His protection, guid­ance, or simply waking you up to live another day, God is constantly demonstrating His goodness. And as Psalm 34:8 reminds us, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!”

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When we recognise these everyday examples, we’ll find that God’s goodness is far greater than we can compre­hend. It’s not limited by our circumstances—it’s a reflec­tion of who He is.

By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee, the author

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Fruitful Living

 Institution of Marriage in Islam (Pt.2)

Imam Abdulai - Author

Imam Abdulai – Author

 Rights and Responsibilities of Hus­band and Wife in Islamic Marriage

Islam defines the roles and respon­sibilities of spouses in a balanced way, emphasising mutual respect and kindness.

The husband is responsible for providing financial support (nafaqah) to his wife and family, as mentioned in the Qur’an: “Men are the pro­tectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means” (Qur’an 4:34).

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A scene from a muslim marriage in Ghana
A scene from a muslim marriage in Ghana

On the other hand, the wife’s pri­mary responsibility is managing the household and caring for the children. However, these roles are not fixed, and Islam encourages cooperation and shared responsibilities, depending on the circumstances of the family.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) advised husbands to treat their wives kindly: “The best among you are those who are best to their wives” (Tir­midhi, 1162).

This underscores the principle of mutual kindness, respect, and care that must be the foundation of every Islamic marriage.

Criteria for Selecting a Spouse in Islam

Islam provides clear guidance on the criteria for selecting a spouse, ensuring that the foundation of the marriage is based on piety, character, and compatibility.

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The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “A woman is married for four reasons: her wealth, her family status, her beauty, and her religion. So marry the one who is religious, may you be blessed!” (Bukhari, 5090; Muslim, 1466).

This hadith further indicates that while wealth, beauty, and family status may be factors in choosing a spouse, the most important consider­ation should be religious commitment. A person who is deeply connected to their faith is more likely to maintain a strong moral character and fulfill their responsibilities in marriage.

For men, the Qur’an provides guidance on selecting a righteous wife:

“So marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one or those your right hand possesses. That is more suitable that you may not in­cline [to injustice]” (Qur’an 4:3).

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This verse emphasises the impor­tance of fairness and justice in mar­riage. While polygamy is permitted in Islam, it is conditioned upon the man’s ability to treat all wives equal­ly, financially, and emotionally.

For women, it is important to seek a husband who exhibits good char­acter and a strong connection to his faith. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) advised: “If a man comes to you and you are satisfied with his religion and character, marry him. If you do not do so, there will be corruption and great evil on earth” (Tirmidhi, 1084).

The emphasis on piety and good character ensure that the couple will be able to support each other in their religious obligations and build a har­monious household.

Sexual Relationship in Islam and Proper Conduct

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In Islam, the sexual relationship between a husband and wife is viewed as an important aspect of marriage that fosters love, intimacy, and emo­tional closeness.

Sexual relations within marriage are not only lawful but encouraged, as long as they are conducted within the ethical boundaries set by Islam. Allah (SWT) says: “Your wives are a place of sowing of seed for you, so come to your place of cultivation, however, you wish and put forth [righteousness] for yourselves. And fear Allah and know that you will meet Him. And give good tidings to the believers” (Qur’an 2:223).

This verse highlights the lawful and permissible nature of sexual intima­cy between married couples. It also emphasises that sexual relationships should be a means of fostering mutual satisfaction, love, and moral growth.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) instructed Muslims to maintain mod­esty and respect in their intimate relations, stressing the importance of mutual pleasure between spouses.

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Regarding sexual intimacy, it is also prohibited for a wife to demand money or gifts before allowing her husband to engage in sexual relations. Islam views this as a form of ex­ploitation and sin. A marital relation­ship must be based on mutual love, respect, and affection rather than material gain.

Prohibition of Sexual Intercourse during Menstruation

Islam has clear guidelines regarding sexual relations during certain times, particularly when a woman is men­struating. The Qur’an prohibits sexual intercourse during menstruation, stating:

 By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, 1BN – Michel Camp

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