Fruitful Living

Applying God’s promises to your life ( Part 2 )

When God gives us a promise, we can be sure He will do what He has said.

It is a matter of demonstrating His character and nature to us. Believing God, trusting God, studying His Word, and applying it to your life are elements of the Christian faith that must work together. God is not going to operate one way one day and then another way the next.

What He tells us in His Word will always line up with His nature and character. God is faithful. Therefore, His Word is trustworthy and His promises are too. He is faithful to keep everyone. Not one promise will fail — ever.

People will say one thing and then go and do something else. Many will be kind and supportive in your presence but later will oppose you. But God never will. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). That is a promise you can claim!

Why does God choose to give promises to you and me? He wants us to learn something about His character.

God is faithful, true, loving, patient, forgiving, kind, and so much more. He gives promises to us so that we will see His nature and learn deeper truths about His character and personal care for us.

You may have a definite need and wonder what God is going to do. You have prayed and asked Him to give you His wisdom. While studying His Word, you find yourself reading the following:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. — Proverbs 3:5-6

Is this a promise you can claim? Absolutely. God is saying, “I’m aware of what you are facing. I know your need. Trust Me, lean on Me and not on your human knowledge, and I will provide all that you need and so much more.” Paul underscores this very thing when he writes,

My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 4:19

GOD IS FAITHFUL

In 1 Thessalonians, he simply tells us,

Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. — 1 Thessalonians 5:24

God is honoured and glorified when we trust Him and when we pray, “Lord, show me in Your Word a promise that I can cling to in this trying time.” There is not a time when God refuses to answer the prayers of His people. He says call to Me and I will hear your voice (Jeremiah 33:3).

He wants to give us hope. All of us are encouraged when we know that someone is pulling for us — someone who wants us to cross the finish line victoriously.

You may be able to think of a time when you did not know whether you were doing the right thing or not. Then someone you admired walked up to you and said, “God has placed you on my heart, and I want you to know that I’m praying for you.”

God wants you to know that He cares for you.

He is cheering for you, and He has a plan for your life. Psalm 62:1–2 says,

My soul waits in silence for God only; from Him is my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.

And Psalm 18:33–36 promises,

He makes my feet like hinds’ feet, and sets me upon my high places. He trains my hands for battle, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, and Your right hand upholds me; and Your gentleness makes me great.

You enlarge my steps under me, and my feet have not slipped.

God is faithful to keep each and every promise. He is all powerful, and we can trust Him to take care of all that concerns us. The prophet Isaiah emphasises His power and majesty:

Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, the One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, not one of them is missing. — Isaiah 40:26

Not only does God take care of the heavens, He personally watches over you and me. Why do people doubt God’s ability? Usually we fail to trust God because we don’t want to lose control over our lives or our circumstances.

This is almost laughable because the God of the universe — the same God who created you and me and who has numbered the stars in the sky and holds each one in its place — certainly has the ability to take care of my life and my problems.

In Lamentations, Jeremiah writes, this I recall to my mind; therefore, I have hope. The LORD’s loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I have hope in Him’. —Lamentations 3:21-24

No matter what your circumstance, God’s Word has a promise of hope waiting for you.

You can try to figure out a way to encourage yourself, or you can say with the psalmist,

But as for me, I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more. — Psalm 71:14

He wants to develop our faith in Him. When we begin to trust God for simple answers to prayer, our faith increases.

The more we read and study His Word, the more aware we become of His ability. One lesson learned at the feet of God builds on another until we have come to a point where we are talking through every decision we need to make with Him.

We also discover that if we ask Him to show us what we should do, He does it! He speaks to us through His Word.

Then, when we meditate on Scripture, we begin to internalise His truth in our hearts. From this point, we express our needs and God responds by giving us insight and wisdom.

He also promises to move in certain ways and provide for the needs we have.

Whatever God calls us to do, He will confirm it in His Word and He also will provide all that we need to accomplish the task.

This is how our faith is built. He opens a door and we step through it. He opens another one, and once again we trust Him because we have learned that He is faithful, not some of the time, but all of the time!

Stay blessed!

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Email: saltnlightministries@gmail.com

Website: saltandlightministriesgh.org

By Dr. Joyce Aryee,the author

Fruitful Living

Qur’anic Evidence on Environmental Responsibility (Part 2)

Allah draws our attention to the divine wisdom in creating the earth and subjugating its resources for human benefit:

“It is He Who created for you all that is on the earth.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:29).

“And He has subjected to you, as from Him, all that is in the heavens and on earth. Behold, in that are signs indeed for those who reflect.” (Surah Al-Jathiyah, 45:13).

These verses affirm that the natural world is a divine gift created for human benefit, but not for reckless exploitation.

The trust (Amaanah) placed upon mankind requires careful and sustainable use, respecting the rights of future generations and all other creatures.

Islam and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 6 – Clean Water

and Sanitation

Clean water and hygiene are essential for life and spiritual purity. Islam obliges ablution (wudu) and cleanliness as part of daily worship.

The preservation of life (Hifz al- Nafs) is one of the five objectives of Shariah, and access to clean water and sanitation plays a key role in achieving it.

SDG 13 – Climate Action

Islam calls for moderation in consumption and energy use. Wastefulness (Israf) is condemned:

“Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils, and the devil is ever ungrateful to his Lord.”

(Surah Al-Isra, 17:27).

Climate change, driven by overuse of fossil fuels and deforestation, threatens life on earth.

Muslims are taught to protect air quality, plant trees, and reduce carbon emissions—principles that resonate with SDG 13.

SDG 14 – Life below water

Oceans and marine ecosystems are under threat from pollution and overfishing. The Prophet warned against contaminating water:

“Do not urinate in stagnant water which people use.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 282).

This Hadith underscores early Islamic environmental regulations aimed at preserving clean water and marine life.

SDG 15 – Life on Land

Islamic teachings are rich in directives for land preservation. Allah warns: “And the earth we have spread out, and placed therein firm mountains and caused to grow therein all kinds of things in due proportion.” (Surah Al-Hijr, 15:19).

Tree felling without cause, soil erosion, and habitat destruction are all contrary to Islamic ethics.

By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, the Author

Fruitful Living

Why Should I forgive others? (Final)

Forgiveness is thenhigher way

Paul acknowledges the gravity of Onesimus’ offense. Legally and ethically, Onesimus had done wrong. Under Roman law, Philemon had every right to punish him. Yet Paul calls him to choose a higher path—grace.

“For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever” (v. 15). Paul reframes the pain of separation as a providential opportunity for lasting unity.

As Christians, we’re invited to see beyond the offense and choose the eternal perspective. Forgiveness isn’t minimising the pain—it’s maximising the grace of God. It’s choosing to imitate Christ, who bore our sin without bitterness.

We are a forgiven people

Years in ministry often reveal a painful pattern: unresolved conflict and an unwillingness to forgive can cripple individuals and entire communities. Families drift. Churches divide. And the gospel is obscured by pride and pain.

Someone said something. Someone got offended. Someone refused to forgive. And so, healing never happened. Every time forgiveness is withheld, the Body of Christ suffers. But when we take steps to reconcile, we bear witness to the redemptive power of the gospel.

Forgiveness is more than an emotional release—it is a spiritual act of obedience. It puts God’s grace on display. It makes visible the invisible love of Christ.

Are you struggling

to forgive ?

Here are five helpful questions to evaluate your heart:

1. Do I feel anger or anxiety when I think about this person?

2. Do I secretly wish for them to suffer as I did?

3. Would I serve or help them if they needed it?

4. Can I sincerely pray for their well-being?

5. Would I be upset if God blessed them?

These questions don’t condemn us—they guide us. They help us identify areas where grace is still needed, where healing is still possible.

CONCLUSION

Forgiveness is one of the most Christlike things we can do. It doesn’t ignore justice—it entrusts it to God. It doesn’t excuse the offense—it acknowledges the cost and chooses love anyway.

Is there a Philemon in your life? Someone you need to forgive? Or are you more like Onesimus—longing to return but unsure if you’ll be received?

Today is a good day to choose grace. For the sake of the gospel, the Church, and your own soul, why not begin the process of forgiveness?

Let’s make this commitment together: By the grace of Christ, I will pursue unity, forgive freely, and live in the freedom that only forgiveness brings.