Fruitful Living
Who I am in Christ (Part 1)
INTRODUCTION:
We are privileged to belong to God’s family, a community with Christ as the founder and foundation. Everyone in this community is related – we are all brothers and sisters, loved equally by God. Our safety and security are in God. If we experience all these joy in relationship with Christ now, how greater will your joy be when He returns and we see Him face to face. Such a hope should motivate us to serve Christ with greater commitment and live the life of Christ here on earth.
IN CHRIST I AM ACCEPTED
- I AM GOD’S CHILD – Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God – John 1:12.
- I AM CHRIST’S FRIEND – I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you – John 15:15
- I HAVE BEEN JUSTIFIED – Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ – Romans 5:1
- I AM UNITED WITH THE LORD, AND I AM ONE SPIRIT WITH HIM – But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with Him in spirit – 1 Corinthians 6:17
- I HAVE BEEN BOUGHT WITH A PRICE, I BELONG TO GOD . You were bought with a price. Therefore, honour God with your body – 1 Corinthians 6:20
- I AM A MEMBER OF CHRIST’S BODY – Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it – 1 Corinthians 12:27
- I AM A SAINT – Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus – Ephesians 1:1
- I AM CHOSEN BY GOD – For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love – Ephesians 1:4
- I HAVE BEEN ADOPTED AS GOD’S CHILD – …He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will.. – Ephesians 1:5
- I HAVE DIRECT ACCESS TO GOD THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT- For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit – Ephesians 2:18
- I HAVE BEEN REDEEMED AND FORGIVEN OF ALL MY SINS – For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins – Colossians 1:13-14
- I AM COMPLETE IN CHRIST – …and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority – Colossians 2:10
IN CHRIST I AM SECURE
- I AM FREE FROM CONDEMNATION – Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death – Romans 8:1-2
- I AM ASSURED THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose – Romans 8:28
- I AM FREE FROM ANY CONDEMNING CHARGES AGAINST ME – What then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all – how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God interceding for us – Romans 8:31-34
- I HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED, ANOINTED AND SEALED BY GOD – Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come – 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 .
- I AM CONFIDENT THAT GOD WILL COMPLETE THE GOOD WORK HE STARTED IN ME – …being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus – Philippians 1:6
To Ponder!
Enjoy Ambrosius, (340-394); translated by Charles Wesley’s (1709-87) hymn in Methodist Hymn Book 33.
- INFINITE God, to Thee we raise
Our hearts in solemn songs of praise;
By all Thy works on earth adored.
We worship Thee, the common Lord;
The everlasting Father own,
And bow our souls before Thy throne.
- Thee all the choir of angels sings
The Lord of hosts, the King of Kings;
Cherubs proclaim Thy praise aloud,
And seraphs shout the Triune God;
And: Holy, holy holy! cry,
Thy glory fills both earth and sky!
- God of the Patriarchal race,
The ancient seers record Thy praise,
The goodly apostolic band
In highest joy and glory stand;
And all the saints and prophets join
To extol Thy majesty divine.
- Head of the martyrs’ noble host,
Of Thee they justly make their boast;
The Church, to earth’s remotest bounds,
Her heavenly Founders’ praise resounds;
And strives, with those around the throne,
To hymn the mystic Three in One.
- Father of endless majesty,
All might and love they render Thee;
Thy true and only Son adore,
The same in dignity and power;
And God the Holy Ghost declare,
The saints’ eternal Comforter.
To be continued!
Stay Blessed!
For further inquiries please contact us on Tel Nos. 0243588467 or 0268130615
Email: saltnlightministries@gmail.com
Website: saltandlightministriesgh.org
By Dr Joyce Aryee
Satan tempts Jesus with the offer of rulership over all the kingdoms of the world, a proposal that Jesus rejects. This could be viewed as an appeal for material wealth, possessions and power.
Jesus’ kingdom in this age is not a worldly kingdom. Throughout His ministry, Jesus would refuse to seek a kingdom for Himself by the worldly methods of compromise, earthly power, political maneuvering, external violence or personal popularity.
Jesus’ kingdom is a spiritual one, established in the hearts of His people, who have also refused to follow the ungodly ways of the world. As a heavenly kingdom,
- It is gained through suffering, self – denial, humility and meekness – the opposite of how worldly people pursue power;
- It requires surrendering ourselves as living and holy sacrifices completely devoted and obedient to God and His purposes; Romans 12:1 – Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
- It involves a battle against Satan, sin, temptation and evil using spiritual weapons. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. – Ephesians 6:10-20.
- It means resisting conformity to the beliefs, behaviours and lifestyles that are common in the world. Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. – 1 John 2:15-17
Satan’s appeal to worship Him was an attempt to get Jesus to take a quick route to a world domination – to avoid the humility and sufferings that would lead to Jesus’ death on the cross. This is to say, the devil was trying to get Jesus to lay aside His entire purpose for coming to earth. Christ’s willingness to face all the difficulties that lay ahead is an example to all believers. He taught us that there are no shortcuts to fulfilling God’s perfect purposes for our lives, no matter how tempting the options may seem.
Stay Blessed!
By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
Preparing for Ramadan through the month of Sha‘ban
THE month of Sha‘ban, which precedes Ramadan, serves as a spiritual training ground. The Prophet (s.a.w.) devoted significant attention to this month, fasting frequently and encouraging heightened acts of worship. ‘Aishah (r.a.) narrated:
“I did not see the Messenger of Allah complete fasting in any month except Ramadan, and I did not see him fast more in any month than in Sha‘ban.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
During Sha‘ban, Muslims are encouraged to:
• Observe optional fasts,
• Increase Qur’anic recitation,
• Engage in charitable deeds (ṣadaqah),
• Strengthen community bonds and service.
These acts gradually condition both the body and soul for the rigours and blessings of Ramadan.
Scholarly guidance and community sensitisation
Across Muslim communities, scholars and religious leaders organise lectures, workshops, sermons, and media engagements to educate the Ummah about Ramadan. These initiatives address:
• The jurisprudence (fiqh) of fasting,
• The obligation to make up missed fasts from previous years,
• The ethical conduct expected during Ramadan,
• The spiritual, social, and health benefits of fasting.
Modern studies have also affirmed that fasting, when properly observed, contributes to improved self-discipline, metabolic balance, and emotional regulation—findings that align with Islamic teachings on moderation and self-control.
The role of parents and families in Ramadan preparation
Preparation begins at home. Parents play a vital role in nurturing a Ramadan-conscious environment by:
• Encouraging children and young adults to try voluntary fasts,
• Training family members to wake up for Tahajjud (night prayers),
• Establishing regular family supplications and Qur’an reading sessions.
Such practices help instill lifelong spiritual habits and strengthen family unity through shared worship.
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai
