THOUGHT NUGGET #11
By Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD
FORTUNES OF MISFORTUNE
“Alas, how often we show ingratitude for the gifts of misfortune. How frequently we display little appreciation for sorrow, disappointment, and failure. Wrapped in darkness, delivered with promptness, and greeted by disbelief, misfortunes are the fortunes missed by the proud, careless, and ungrateful. Through them we acquire wisdom, sympathy, humility, and a healthy dependence on God. Tomorrow’s fortunes are enveloped in today’s misfortunes. Let’s redeem this hidden wealth by developing attitudes of gratitude for life’s vicissitudes.”—SKP
Meditations on Philippians 4:4-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 18
(SKP’s Thanksgiving “Song In the Dark”)
THOUGHT NUGGET #10
By Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD
PRAYING OR PRAYED FOR YOU?
“Nowadays, just about everyone says “I’m PRAYING for you”—whether or not they’re godly or mean it. If not an outright lie, the phrase is now a cliché in our verbal and written communications. At best, it’s a declaration of intent—a wish we conveniently forget. In contrast, “I’ve PRAYED for you” is more meaningful, especially when it’s from a godly person we trust. Jesus is trustworthy. He has both PRAYED for us and is PRAYING for us. He’s more than godly. He’s God. His prayers are effective because He’s the Petitioned Petitioner.”—SKP
Meditations on James 5:16; Luke 22:31-34; John 17:6-26
(SKP's “Song in the Dark”)
THOUGHT NUGGET #9
By Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD
CHARACTER & REPUTATION
"Reputation is the celebrity we admire in the mirror. Character is the person who follows us everywhere. Reputation is our public image—what we want others to think. Character is our secret actions, words, and thoughts—what we really are. Mathematically speaking, reputation is character minus the flaws we try to hide. We often mar our character by protecting our reputation, but God builds our character by smashing our reputation. Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to do His transforming work on our character, for when character is developed, reputation takes care of itself."--SKP
Meditations on Proverbs 22:1; Ecclessiastes 7:1
(SkP's “Song in the Dark”)
THOUGHT NUGGET #8
By Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD
A BRAND NEW YESTERDAY
“Yesterday is the foundation upon which we build houses of today and tomorrow. Though we’re able to reside in the homes of today’s challenges and those of tomorrow’s unknowns, often we’re unable to live with yesterday’s regrets. Yesterday represents spilled-milk experiences—lost opportunities, costly mistakes, shipwrecked relationships, lost innocence, and ineffaceable records. But Someone can literally step out of time, journey to our bygone years, and fix yesterday’s broken hopes. Jesus Christ is the same YESTERDAY, today and forever. He alone can give us a brand new yesterday to enable us build our mansions.”—SKP
Meditations on Hebrews 13:8; 2 Corinthians 5:17
(SKP’s “Song in the Dark”)
THOUGHT NUGGET #7
By Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD
ANGUSTA & AUGUSTA
"Per ANGUSTA ad AUGUSTA" is a Latin quote that means "through trials to triumph." (The rhymed Latin words have the same roots as our English words “anguish” and “august” [impressive or eminent]). The quote captures Michael Youssef’s words: “There can be no triumph unless there is a trial. There can be no testimony unless there is a test. There can be no conquest unless there is a conflict.” To those who are currently going through some dark moments, remember that it is only through ANGUSTA that we get to AUGUSTA. No cross, no crown. Your trials are precious gifts. Treasure them!"--SKP
Meditations on Romans 5:3, 4; Hebrews 12:7-11; 2 Corinthians 4:8, 9
(SKP's “Song in the Dark")
THOUGHT NUGGET #6
By Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD
WIDOWS OF PRINCIPLE
“The culture of our times does not, in general, reward unpopular courage—except long after those displaying such courage have passed from the scene. How easy it is to honor the heroes of yesteryear from our safe harbors today! How comfortable it is to marry cowards than to be widows of principled nonconformists! And how secure it is to be sheltered in the shade of apathy than to be burned by the battle for right. To defy today’s culture of silence demands the courage of convictions.”—SKP
Meditations on 1 Kings 21 (“Not for Sale,” p. 17.)
(SKP's “Song in the Dark”)
THOUGHT NUGGET #5
By Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD
CASUALTIES OF SIN
“Sin is a betrayal of trust. As such, it has many casualties, even when repented of. Here’s one: Sin waives our right to be believed, giving falsehood an undeserved platform to legitimize itself. However, with time and through the mercies of God, the voice of the penitent will be heard.” —SKP
Meditations on 2 Samuel 12:13, 14; Psalm 51
(SKP's “Song in the Dark”)
THOUGHT NUGGET #4
By Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD
Success Has No Choice
“We learn almost nothing in victory; but we learn much in defeat,” a football coach once said. I agree. For, when we take time to learn from our mistakes, success has no choice but to fall flat at the feet of failure. Let’s give success no choice. How? graciously accept your defeat; humbly admit your failures; courteously offer no excuses for your faults; willingly accept the consequences of your mistakes; ardently learn from your missteps; and fully surrender your hopes to God’s will. Success wins by falling at the feet of failure. --SKP
Meditations on 1 Corinthians 10:11, 12; Micah 7:8
(SKP’S “Song in the Dark”)
THOUGHT NUGGET #3
By Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD
A Matter of Sequence
Nations “rise and fall,” but the saints “fall and rise!” All other human beings first “live and die,” but Jesus “died and lives.” It’s all a matter of sequence. The fulcrum is He Who was born for the “falling and rising of many.” –SKP
Meditations on Micah 7:8-10, 18, 19; Psalm 37: 23-24; Luke 2:34; Revelation 1:18
(SKP’S “Song in the Dark”)
THOUGHT NUGGET #2
By Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD
FROM THE HOME OF MARTHA & MARY
“It is far more important to spend time WITH Christ than to do things FOR Christ. A quiet moment with the Lord is far more valuable than service for the Lord. The kitchens of life have many important things for us to do, but our most urgent need is receiving Life in the living room of Christ.”—SKP
Meditation on Luke 10:38-42
(SKP’S “Song in the Dark”)
THOUGHT NUGGET #1
By Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD
Today
“Today is the last day of yesterday and the first day of tomorrow. It’s the conclusion to yesterday’s chapter and the introduction to your new book. Why dwell on a written past, when you can write the future today?”—Thanks for all your prayers. God-willing, I will sing again—after learning my "song in the dark.” —SKP
Meditations on Isaiah 43:18
SKP's “Song in the Dark”