Fruitful Living
Dealing with the pressure of time (Final part)
Handle situations patiently to avoid pressure
PLANNING
Planning means we must make decisions – choices that determine our activities and priorities. If we do not, we can be sure that someone else will do our planning for us.
It is amazing to me how many Christians drift through life, making no goals or plans, aimlessly shifting from one place to another.
Emergencies may interrupt their lives for a season, but they soon return to their rudderless ways. All of life and, thus, all of time is a gift from God.
We do not give God a portion of our time; it is all His. We cannot leave God out of any aspect of our existence; we cannot fence Him out of our families or work or play.
SET PRIORITIES
Faithfulness to God begins now in the time dimension. We do not wait until we are with Christ in heaven to become good stewards.
Handling time, therefore, is not so much a matter of time management – finding the right kind of datebook or scheduling format – but of managing ourselves.
That means setting personal priorities. What is more important when you start the day; an extra hour of sleep or an hour alone with the Sovereign Lord of the Universe?
Establishing priorities involves decisions concerning what is most important in light of your relationship to Jesus Christ.
When people are not in church on Sunday, it is not because they do not have transportation. They have prioritised their lives apart from serving and worshipping the living God. Once we consider and arrange our priorities, then we must have the discipline to order our lives according to those guidelines.
DISCIPLINE LIFESTYLE
Discipline is never easy. Time is often wasted because we do not have the discipline to follow our convictions.
If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, then you must cultivate a disciplined lifestyle which is a combination of your genuine hunger for God and a dependence on the power of the Holy Spirit.
He will persevere through us if we give Him our opportunities and our devotion. Our willingness and obedience along with God’s enabling are essential.
The Lord has settled many of our priorities in His Word. We do not have to decide whether to go to church, minister to our family, or serve others, the scriptures clearly underscore their importance.
Once we base our convictions on God’s Word and His principles, the rest of our priorities will come into place in time.
THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS
Think about the life of Jesus. He lived thirty-three years, but thirty of those years were spent growing up and being in a carpenter’s workshop. Ponder that for a moment.
The Son of God, the King of kings, the Prince of Peace quietly, diligently laboured in a small town, hewing, sanding, and shaping pieces of wood. That was His life until the day He laid down His hammer and chisel to begin shaping lives into the image of His Father. Yet that part of His life lasted only three years. During that brief, incredibly short time, He did all the Father asked of Him.
Jesus taught multitudes, but He also had time to have dinner with various people, spending as much time in homes as He did in crowded villages.
He talked with the poor, blind beggars, and hated tax collectors, He visited women at the well and publicans and sinners at meals. What was His secret?
“And in the early morning, while it was still dark, He arose and went out and departed to a lonely place, and was praying there” – Mark 1:35. And after bidding them farewell, He departed to the mountain to pray – Mark 6:46. And it was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God – Luke 6:12. And it came about that while He was praying alone” – Luke 9:18.
TIME ALONE WITH GOD
Jesus had all the pressure of saving a sinful world. He had only three years to fulfill His public ministry; but we never read that Jesus rushed to Bethany or “scurried” to Jerusalem or “dashed” to Nazareth.
His life was always measured to a diving tempo – even in the swirl of a crowd screaming for His crucifixion. The key for Jesus and the key for us to do the will of the Father is spending time alone with Him.
If, for Jesus, prayer could not be substituted, how can we think there will be another route for us? When we get alone with our Father, the peace and quiet of the Holy Spirit settles us and assures us. He saturates our hearts with the Lord’s presence and stills our minds with His calm.
There, in the solitude, God speaks through His Word by His Spirit – changing this attitude, convicting us of that sin, compelling us to this action.
WE HAVE GOD’S WISDOM
As we commit our days and resources to the Lord, we have His sure guidance. As we cast our plans and schedules before Him, we have His wisdom.
We look to Him to order our thoughts and direct our steps, not knowing the twists and turns the day will take. The wisest thing we can do to relieve the pressure of time is to spend time alone with the Lord Jesus Christ.
After all, He is the all-knowing, all-wise One who knows our end from our beginning, who knows all about us and our future, and who can orchestrate our days.
ETERNITY WITH CHRIST
We will all give an account one day of how we invested our time on earth. We will spend eternity in one of two places – heaven or hell. If you have not made that decision to spend eternity with Christ, I encourage you now to trust Him for the forgiveness of your sins, believing in Him as the Son of God who died in your place.
Only then will time take on real meaning. If you are a believer, I encourage you to examine your life and establish godly priorities so that you are ruled by Him, not by others, then commit to spending quality time alone with the Lord Jesus Christ each day.”
- By Dr Joyce Aryee, the author
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.
“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.
“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.
“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!”
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
Fruitful Living
Institution of Marriage in Islam (Pt.2)
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).
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.
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).
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
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.
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