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Showing posts with the label Self-awareness

An Immediate Solution That Fosters Long-Term Problems

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 Imagine a situation where two siblings have a misunderstanding—a fight. How would you, in the position of an uncle, one of the siblings, or just a neighbor, resolve this issue now? If both parties are at fault, will you ask the younger to accept all the blame and remain silent simply because he or she is younger than the other party? Or will you insist that one should be punished because between the two siblings, one is more financially capable than the other, hence the one with less financial strength should carry all the blame? I am vividly aware of an African tradition that tends to favor eldest children over others: “He or she is your elder; you ought to respect him or her no matter what he or she does.” This principle, in olden days, was considered acceptable and even necessary for maintaining family order. But looking at it closely, you can see a dangerous loophole: the younger must respect the eldest irrespective of the elder's actions. Even if the elder's behavior is ...

Prayer and Action: The Path to Thriving

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The Sacred Symphony: Where Prayer Meets Preparedness A quiet tension exists within many faithful hearts. We observe a perplexing reality: some who never utter a prayer seem to thrive, building lives of comfort and success through shrewd planning, relentless learning, and disciplined action. Meanwhile, others among us pray with fervent sincerity, pouring out our hearts to God, yet our circumstances remain stubbornly unchanged. We plead for breakthrough but remain bound by the same cycles of thought, the same debilitating habits, and the same repeated mistakes. This dissonance can lead to a crisis of faith:  Is prayer ineffective? Or are we misunderstanding its very purpose? The Bible does not resolve this tension by dismissing it; it illuminates it with divine clarity. The truth is found not in choosing between prayer and practical action, but in understanding their sacred, symbiotic relationship. Prayer was never designed to be a substitute for wisdom or effort. It is the essential...

Sexual Desire Knows No Moral Boundaries Without Discipline

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  One of the most uncomfortable truths about human sexuality is also one of the most important: sexual desire does not carry moral intelligence on its own . The sexual organs respond to stimulation, not to ethics, relationships, or sacred boundaries. They do not ask who the person is, what role they occupy in our lives, or whether the desire is right or wrong. They simply react. This is not a moral accusation; it is a biological reality. The moral responsibility lies not in the organs themselves, but in the mind, conscience, and discipline that must govern them. Sexual desire is powerful. It is automatic. And if left untamed, it does not stop itself. Many people mistakenly believe that sexual arousal only responds to what is “appropriate” or socially acceptable. This belief is dangerous because it assumes the body naturally respects boundaries. In reality, the body has no awareness of family ties, moral laws, or sacred relationships . Those boundaries exist in the mind, not in...

Subtle Move

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 Many churches today—well-dressed, well-spoken, and seemingly spiritual—have unknowingly fallen into a dangerous trap. They passionately identify who they believe their enemies are, often pointing fingers at people, groups, or religions, while missing a deeper and far more dangerous truth. Until a believer gains a solid and in-depth understanding of the Word of God, it is impossible to clearly discern who the real enemy is. The Bible tells us plainly in Ephesians 6:12: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Yet, many Christians still wrestle against flesh and blood—against neighbors, coworkers, family members, and strangers—while the true enemy operates quietly in the background. This is one of the enemy’s most subtle moves. People we often label as “enemies” are, in most cases, not enemies at all. They are merely tools—often unaware...

The New Covenant

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  January, the first month of the year, is a season of reflection and direction. It is a time when we ask ourselves important questions: What are my plans for this year? What do I intend to achieve? Where is my life headed? Do you have your plans written down, or are you hoping to drift into success by chance? Surely, repeating the same habits, the same decisions, and the same patterns from last year cannot be the desire of anyone who truly wants growth. Yet, the truth remains: if there is no clear plan, life often recycles itself. A new year without a new direction easily becomes a continuation of the old life. As believers, the beginning of a new year should not only mark a change in calendar, but a renewal of covenant—between us and God, and between us and our purpose. God is always ready to do a new thing, but He expects us to prepare ourselves to receive it. One of the most important questions we must ask ourselves is this: What attitudes, behaviors, and character traits d...

Complaint That Denies God’s Blessing

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 There are times in our Christian journey when our own complaints become a barrier to the blessings God has already prepared for us. Often, we do certain things willingly and joyfully when they benefit us personally, without murmuring or hesitation. Yet, when we are called to extend the same grace, sacrifice, or patience to others, complaints suddenly arise. This attitude, though subtle, can hinder God’s work in our lives. The Bible repeatedly warns us about the danger of complaining. In Philippians 2:14, Scripture says, “Do all things without murmurings and disputings.” This instruction is not casual—it is deliberate. God understands that a complaining heart is rarely a trusting heart, and a heart that does not trust God cannot fully receive His blessings. Let us consider a simple but powerful illustration. There is a lady—let us call her Cynthia for clarity—who earns about ₦2,000 daily from a paid job, with some additional benefits attached. Each time she received her pay, s...

Waiting on God

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  Our case study today focuses on the Jews who were living in exile during the reign of Queen Esther. Their story is a powerful lesson on patience, courage, and trusting God’s timing even in the face of great danger. In Esther chapter 3 , we see how King Ahasuerus promoted Haman and elevated him above all other officials. The king commanded everyone in the land to bow and pay homage to Haman. This command was understandable within the culture of the time, as anyone honored by the king was expected to receive respect and reverence from the people. However, there was one man who refused to bow— Mordecai , a Jew. Mordecai’s refusal was not rooted in pride or rebellion, but in faith. The God he served forbade worship or reverence to any human being. His loyalty to God placed him directly in conflict with Haman’s pride. When Mordecai refused to bow, the matter was reported to Haman. Enraged by Mordecai’s defiance, Haman’s pride turned into deadly hatred. He did not only plot against...

Blessings That Cannot Be Reversed

  Blessings That Cannot Be Reversed By Nasarah Peter Dashe Balak was the king of the Moabites, and when he heard that the Israelites — a people who had come out of Egypt — were moving through the land with great strength and victory, fear overtook him. Israel had defeated nations stronger than Moab, and their fame spread across kingdoms. Balak knew he could not defeat them physically, so he sought a spiritual strategy. He believed that if Israel could be cursed, then they would become weak and easy to conquer. This was why he sent for Balaam. Balaam was known as a man whose words carried spiritual weight. Balak said to him, “He whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.” (Numbers 22:6). Balaam prepared altars and was ready to speak disaster over Israel, but the moment he opened his mouth, blessings came out instead of curses. God Himself took over his tongue. Balaam then declared, “How shall I curse whom God hath not cursed? Or how shall I defy whom the...

Light of the World

  Light of the World By Nasarah Peter Dashe Can you light a candle and then hide it under a cover? Absolutely not — because if you cover it, the purpose of lighting it is defeated. A candle is meant to shine, to be seen, and to drive away darkness . This is exactly what Jesus meant when He called us the light of the world . If you are in Christ, it is mandatory — not optional — to let your light shine so that the world will know whom you believe in. And when you shine, you lead many into the knowledge of Christ. Light in a Dark World Imagine walking through a deep, dark forest with a torchlight in your hand. Will you continue walking in darkness, or will you switch on the light? Of course, you will turn it on. That is how this world is — full of darkness, full of evil, full of confusion. And you, as a believer, are holding a spiritual torchlight. You must turn on the light of the gospel to illuminate others and draw them into the waiting arms of Jesus Christ. When ...

Love: The Christ-Like Nature

  Love: The Christ-Like Nature By Nasarah Peter Dashe Love is a strong, positive emotion — an expression of compassion, goodwill, and genuine concern toward people we cherish unconditionally . Jesus demonstrated this kind of love toward us. “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8 This is the highest form of love. And just as He showed it to us, we are expected to show it to: our brethren in church, our family members, strangers, and even those who have not yet accepted Jesus. The Church of Old — A Model of Christ-like Love In Acts 2:44–47 , we see a powerful picture: Believers continued with one accord They broke bread together They sold their possessions They supported the needy They lived in unity and joy What manner of love is this? No wonder the people of old looked at them and said: “These are Christians — followers of Christ.” Why? Because they displayed the nature of Jesus , which is love. The Commandme...

Spare the Rod and Spoil the Child: A Hidden Mystery in Parenting

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  Spare the Rod and Spoil the Child: A Hidden Mystery in Parenting By Nasarah Peter Dashe There’s an old saying taken from the Bible: “Spare the rod and spoil the child.” Yet today, many parents — blinded by modern opinions — are unknowingly destroying their own children with over-pampering . We live in a generation where some parents equate discipline with wickedness . While trying to be “kind,” they fail to correct, and in the end, that is the true wickedness. A Tale of Two Daughters A woman was being interviewed one day. When asked if anyone lived in her home aside from her nuclear family, she smiled and said yes — her husband’s cousin’s daughter Amanda, aged 15. She explained that Amanda had been living with them for almost seven years, ever since her mother died in an accident. Meanwhile, she had her own daughter, now 12. The interviewer leaned in and asked: “So between Amanda and your daughter, who helps you most with house chores?” Without hesitation, she repli...

Stay Faithful to Your Spouse

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Stay Faithful to Your Spouse By Nasarah Peter Dashe In 2015, a woman shared her painful but powerful story — a story that teaches all married people one thing: when pride enters a marriage, the devil doesn’t need to knock before walking in. She had been a faithful wife to her husband for many years. But one year, Satan took advantage of her anger and ignorance, and her home nearly crumbled. A Fight That Opened the Door It all began early that year — sometime between February and March. A simple disagreement between her and her husband grew into a fierce argument. Words became weapons. Silence replaced laughter. Days turned to weeks, and they could hardly talk to each other again. Meanwhile, her husband’s company had just secured a huge international contract. They were sending selected workers abroad to handle it. The company gave clear instructions: “If you have a wife and children, take them with you. If you’re single, you may take your fiancée.” Her husband was among tho...