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Fruitful Living

Christmas is: Immanuel – God with us (1)

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“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel” – which means, “God with us.” – Matt 1:23 (NIV)

Introduction

God Came Down

Christmas has become a period associated with the hustle and bustle of commercial activities and of festive times – partying, eating and drinking and giving of presents.  Although Christmas is a Christian festival (the name is derived from the first mass celebrated to commemorate the birth of Christ, i.e. Christ Mass) its festiveness is enjoyed by people of all religions although Christians go much further to make it a time to worship God for His great love to mankind which culminated in His coming to earth as man – the man Jesus.  God chose to come among us in order to reveal Himself fully to us.  In that respect, He chose not to come out of the sky as a grown up man but as a baby so that He would totally share our humanity and in doing so, sanctify our humanity by living a sinless life so that we would know that the life He gives us comes with His righteousness.

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The idea of God becoming man is so mind-boggling that many, including those who profess to be Christians, have decided to put it in the realms of fiction or perhaps allegory.  The reason for the finite mind rejecting this concept is understandable.  After all, how can God condescend to become a human, something so lowly.  In the Bible God is described as one with infinite powers of creation and destruction.  Isaiah describes God thus: “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?  Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?  Who has understood the mind of the Lord, or instructed Him as His Counsellor?  Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the right way? Who was it that taught Him knowledge or showed Him the path of understanding?  Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.  Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.”            

– Isaiah 40:12-15 & 28. (NIV)

Man in God’s Image

In this beautiful description of the mighty God is the key to understanding why God would choose to become man.  God’s plan for man is that there would be an intimate relationship between them and that man would exercise God’s authority on earth by ruling over all that God has created. 

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In fact, in fulfilment of this plan, God in creation said: “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” – Genesis 1:26. So God created humans – male and female in His own image and God blessed them and said to them “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it” – Gen. 1:28. (NIV) After creating man, God and man shared intimate fellowship until man decided to reject that fellowship by going his own way – “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD as He was walking in the garden in the cool of the day and they hid from the LORD among the trees of the garden.” –Gen. 3:8. (NIV)

A Father’s Heart

Humans fell into sin through disobedience and became separated from God – “So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken.  After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.” Gen 3:23-24. (NIV)  When sin entered the human race it became manifest in murder (Cain & Abel) vengeful pride, and increasing human wickedness.  Indeed, so great was the wickedness that God was actually grieved that He had created humans – “The Lord saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.  The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.” Gen. 6:5-6 (NIV) and the Lord decided to wipe out the human race and begin again with someone who, in spite of the wickedness around him, remained righteous – Gen 6:7-22. “So the LORD said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth – men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air – for I am grieved that I have made them.”But Noah found favour in the eyes of the LORD.  This is the account of Noah.  Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.  Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth.

Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence.  God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their way.  So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all the people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them.  I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.  So make yourself an ark of cypress wood make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out.  This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high.  Make a roof for it and finish the ark to within 18 inches of the top.  Put a door in the side of the ark and make lower, middle and upper decks.  I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it.  Everything on earth will perish.  But I will establish my covenant with you, and will enter the ark – you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you.  You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you.  Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive.  You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them.

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Noah did everything just as God commanded him.” (NIV)

We all know the story of God raising men and women to speak His word to mankind, to remind them of His love and holiness and to direct mankind in the way of righteousness.  All the while God was waiting for the time when He would reveal Himself fully to mankind so that He would share His life with them and restore them to the original relationship of intimate fellowship.

HYMN- MHB 139

The race that long in darkness pined

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Has seen a glorious Light;

The people dwell in day, who dwelt

In death’s surrounding night.

To hail Thy rise, Thou better Sun,

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The gathering nations come,

Joyous as when the reapers bear

The harvest-treasure home.

To us a Child of Hope is born,

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To us a Son is given;

Him shall the tribes of earth obey,

Him all the hosts of heaven.

His name shall be the prince of peace,

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For everyone adored,

The Wonderful, the Counsellor,

The great and mighty Lord.

His power increasing still shall spread,

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His reign no end shall know:

Justice shall guard His throne above,

And peace abound below.

      John Morison (1750-98)

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                                                   To be continued!

Stay blessed!

For further inquiries please contact us on Tel Nos. 0243588467 or 0268130615

Email:  saltnlightministries@gmail.com

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Website: saltandlightministriesgh.org

By Dr. Joyce Aryee, the author

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Fruitful Living

 Muslim women in leadership, governance and other professional fields (Final part)

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 Though debated, women’s leader­ship is not prohibited in Islam if practiced within Islamic ethics. Muslim women historically influ­enced governance through education, economic power, and advisory roles (Ahmed, 2021). Contemporary Muslim women in public office embody the Qur’anic principle of justice (Qur’an 4:135).

Islam encourages professions that benefit society. Female physicians, gynecologists, and nurses are essential in Muslim societies, ensuring culturally sensitive healthcare (Shaikh, 2015). Similarly, Muslim women in education, media, and business embody the Pro­phetic principle of service to humanity.

The Ghanaian context

In Ghana, Muslim women play a pivotal role in sustaining both families and communities. Beyond managing households, many women assume the role of primary breadwinners, paying school fees, supporting relatives, and financing community projects. Their contributions extend into professional and public life. In academia, Dr Rabi­yatu Armah, an Islamic educationist and lecturer at University of Ghana, has championed girls’ schooling and equal opportunities in religious studies. In politics and governance, Hajia Sami­ra Bawumia, Ghana’s former Second Lady, has promoted literacy, health, and women’s empowerment through nationwide initiatives. In the media, Madam Shamima Muslim, who serves as Deputy Presidential Spokesperson under President John Dramani Maha­ma, stands as a role model for young Muslim journalists. Her career reflects how Muslim women can excel in public communication while upholding modes­ty and Islamic values. These examples affirm that empowering Muslim women in education, media, and governance strengthens both families and national development.

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Education and economic empower­ment

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated: “The best of you are those who are best to their women.” (Tirmidhi, Hadith 1162). Honouring women means enabling them to access education and livelihood. Denying women education contradicts both the Qur’an and Sunnah and weakens the Muslim ummah (Barazangi, 2008).

A call to rethink our attitudes

Muslim societies today must critically re-examine cultural practices that con­tinue to restrict women’s potential and return to Islam’s authentic message. The Qur’an and Sunnah affirm wom­en as not only homemakers but also scholars, professionals, and leaders in society. True empowerment lies in realising the framework Islam already provides.

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The role of Muslim scholars (‘ulama) is crucial. Those trained in Sharia and Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) must guide women in balancing modesty with participation in business, edu­cation, and public service. History offers powerful precedents: Aisha bint Abu Bakr (RA), one of the Proph­et’s wives, transmitted over 2,000 hadiths and was a leading authority in law; and Fatima al-Fihri founded the University of al-Qarawiyyin in Morocco, the world’s oldest existing university. Their legacy demonstrates how knowledge and faith combined to shape civilisations. Equipping today’s Muslim women with similar guidance will strengthen families, uplift communities, and ensure a prosperous ummah.

Conclusion

Islam dignified women at a time when they were devalued, transform­ing them from marginalised figures to partners in faith, family, and society. From Khadijah (RA), who invested her wealth in the Prophet’s mission, to Ai­sha (RA), who transmitted knowledge and shaped Islamic scholarship, wom­en have always stood at the heart of the ummah. The Qur’an enshrined their rights to inheritance, education, economic participation, and spiritual equality (Qur’an 4:7; 33:35).

Equally significant is the role of Muslim women in marriage and family life. The Qur’an describes spouses as “garments for one another” (Qur’an 2:187), highlighting marriage as a bond of comfort and protection. As wives and mothers, Muslim women nurture faith, instill moral discipline in children, and create homes rooted in mercy, patience, and cooperation. This domestic leadership comple­ments their contributions in business, education, health, and governance, ensuring balance in both private and public life.

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Allah reminds us: “For men is a share of what they earn, and for women is a share of what they earn.” (Qur’an 4:32). Empowering women in marriage, education, and work is therefore central to building thriving families, resilient communities, and a strong ummah.

By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, the Author

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Fruitful Living

 Being a channel of truth and holiness (Part 1)

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 “Again Jesus call the crowd to Him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and un­derstand this. Nothing outside a man can make him ‘unclean’ by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him ‘unclean.” – Mark 7:14-16 (NIV)

Introduction

The Lord is really awesome in His wisdom and as Moses said when they were led to cross the Red Sea – “Who is like unto you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” – Exodus 15:11 (KJV)

CHANNEL

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The word channel connotes action – real action because as a verb, it means:

  • to direct
  • to show the way
  • shepherd
  • lead
  • train; among others.

And as a noun it can mean:

  1. a conduit
  2. an access
  3. an artery
  4. a pipeline
  5. a means of.

But the other words I found in the Thesaurus which really thrilled me and gave me a greater understanding of who we are called to be as Christians are meaning of channel as

  1. Advertiser;
  2. Delegate;
  3. Witness;
  4. Narrator;
  5. Go between;
  6. Spokesman,
  7. Communicator;
  8. Publiciser;
  9. Speaker.

Fascinating isn’t it. This reminds us of our calling as stated in Acts 1:8 that we will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes and we will be His witness here on earth – we are to be those through whom others come to know the Lord Jesus Christ. So as I found in the Thesaurus, we are Jesus’ delegates here on earth – we represent Him. We are His spokespersons. His go between when He wants to reach out to people. We are His communicators – we are really the ones who should be on radio each day telling people about the Lord Jesus Christ as the only means of salvation and redemption from sin. Alas, political party communicators seem to have the upper hand because media houses prefer their cacophony and not our soothing but very powerful words that ONLY Jesus saves.

By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee, the author

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