Thought Nuggets

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Thought Nuggets

COUNT YOUR BLESSONS

BLESSONS (a combination of “Blessings” + “Lessons”) is a word that refers to painful experiences in life which end up being both valuable lessons and blessings. Incredible as it may seem, even our darkest moments will one day become the object of our praise (cf. Rom 5:3-5; 8:28). Challenges in life are like seeds in a fruit. We can count seeds in a fruit, but we cannot count the fruits potentially hidden in a seed. It takes time, reflection, discernment, and faith to appreciate the fruits of BLESSONS concealed in our seeds of challenges. Are you discouraged, thinking all is lost? “Count your BLESSONS, name them one by one; And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done” (Edwin O. Excell). —Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

Thought Nuggets

GOD AND POLITICS

Politics can be dirty, divisive, and destructive. And the outcomes of elections can be shocking, painful, and depressing. But God can work through politics. Amidst the complicated interplay of human interests, raw ambitions, intrigues, and violent impulses, God’s divine hand overrules, shapes, and works through all political activities and outcomes to accomplish His purposes (Daniel 2:20, 21; 4:35). He can work even through ruthless and vain rulers as He pleases (cf. Proverbs 21:1). God doesn’t belong to any one nation, political party, or candidate. He is the “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (Philippians 2:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14; 19:16). That’s why, regardless of outcomes, He is the One who is ultimately and always in control.—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

Thought Nuggets

THE POWER OF IGNORANCE

Ignorance in action is dangerous, especially if the ignorance is willful. Confucius states: “The hardest thing of all is to find a black cat in a dark room, especially if there's no cat.” None is safe when power is in the hands of willful ignorance—i.e., when power is combined with wrong assumptions, half-truths, misrepresentations, bigotry, or conscientious stupidity, or when it is driven by fear, envy, or fanaticism. Alas, ignorance spreads because those who have it take pride in it and zealously share it with those who won't think. Whether political or religious, the power of ignorance is ignorance with power. “Prove all things; hold fast to that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

Thought Nuggets

THE DARK MOMENTS OF LIFE

Without the dark we cannot clearly see the stars. Similarly, the dark moments of adversity often reveal some of life’s most valuable gifts or blessings. What initially comes disguised as painful experiences are often used by God to deepen our spiritual walk and outlook on life. Fyodor Dostoyevsky said it best: “The darker the night, the brighter the stars; the deeper the grief, the closer is God!” Are you wondering about the dark moments in your life? Read the Book of Job, then take comfort in these words by Wintley Phipps: “It is in the quiet crucible of your personal, private sufferings that your noblest dreams are born and God’s greatest gifts are given in compensation for what you’ve been through.”—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

Thought Nuggets

INTENT PRECEDES CONTENT

When it comes to knowing God's plan for our lives, our intent to obey determines whether or not He will reveal the content to us. Why should He disclose who we should marry, career to pursue, truth to follow, or the what, when, & how of a duty to perform, when we have no intention of obeying, or are flouting things He’s already clearly revealed in His Word? Christ’s statement in another context equally applies: “Anyone who wants to do the will of God [INTENT] will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own [CONTENT]” (John 7:17; NLT).  Are you seeking to know God’s will—e.g., an action to take, a choice to make, a journey to undertake, a relationship to forsake or break, etc.? Rest assured, clarity & certainty will come when we commit ahead of time to obeying Him. Intent precedes content (Proverbs 3:3-5).—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

Thought Nuggets

THE COST OF IGNORANCE

Not knowing what we should know can be costly. Ali A. Mufuruki tells what took place in his home country of Tanzania during the colonial era: Some native Africans were using big rough stones to play a local board game. A Canadian geologist, Dr. John Williamson, who knew the stones, sent scouts to nearby villages to buy them for small fees and trinkets. He also got the local chief to sell him the land in the area and quickly secured an exclusive diamond-mining license. “Over its lifetime, the [Mwadui] mine has produced over 19 million carats (3,800 kg) of diamonds worth several times the GDP of my country today and has gone down in history as one of the oldest continuously operating diamond mine in the world” (Mufuruki). “My people perish for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). Africa, do you know?—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

Thought Nuggets

A GOOD NAME

Character outlasts 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, thoughts, and motives—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 God to transform our character, for when character is developed, reputation takes care of itself. Do you want a good name? Don’t fall for reputation; stand for character (Proverbs 22:1; Ecclessiastes 7:1).—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim 

Thought Nuggets

EAGLES IN CHICKENLAND

When Eagles are silent, noise is equated with wisdom, propaganda with truth, and activity with productivity. Regrettably, Eagles in Chickenland are often silent because: they’re tired or feel it’s no use; their voices have been banned; they’re nursing their wounds (whether self-inflicted or by friendly-fire, opportunists, or vicious enemies); they feel it’s not safe (the air, water, & food have been poisoned, & many snares have been laid to entrap them); they’re waiting for a better time. But the cause is too great for Eagles to remain silent! Noise and propaganda will be minimized when knowledge and truth are disseminated, and mindless activity will be exposed when effective and sound efforts are evidenced by their fruits. Eagles must not be silent! They must speak NOW—through their words, actions, and sacrificial service (2 Timothy 4:2-5; Matthew 7:16)—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

Thought Nuggets

LET’S BE REAL!

The Hindu philosopher, Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948), once said of Christians: “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians.” He also remarked: “Oh, I don't reject Christ. I love Christ. It's just that so many of you Christians are so unlike Christ. If Christians would really live according to the teachings of Christ, as found in the Bible, all of India would be Christian today.” How true for the entire world! Christ’s actions synced with His words. “What Christ taught, He lived.... And more than this; what He taught, He was. His words were the expression, not only of His own life experience, but of His own character. Not only did He teach the truth, but He was the truth. It was this that gave His teaching, power” (E.G. White). Want credibility? It’s not what we say, it’s what we do—and are. Let’s be real! (John 13:15; Matthew 5-7.)—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

Thought Nuggets

PLAN AHEAD!

“A mother bird does not begin building her nest on the day she’s in labor.” This Nigerian proverb restates Confucius: “A man who does not plan long ahead will find trouble at his door.” Every great thing requires a plan and good planning, a goal (where we want to go) and concrete strategies (how to get there). Even an omniscient God plans. He had a plan for Creation, a plan of salvation, and a plan for our lives (Genesis 1 & 2; Galatians 4:4; 1 Peter 1:18-21; Ephesians 2:10; Jeremiah 29:11). To fail to plan, is to plan to fail. It’s “like leaping off a precipice & trying to knit yourself a parachute on the way down” (Kelli Jae Baeli). Plan ahead!  Like the mother bird, build your nest before your labor pains begin.—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

Thought Nuggets

LISTEN WITH YOUR TWO EARS

Those who make decisions without listening to both sides of an issue are foolish and dangerous. Often, their judgments are unfair, and their actions encourage gossip and slander. God gave us two ears so we can hear things from ALL directions. One ear would only allow us to determine that a sound exists, but two ears allow us to know where a sound is coming from. Listening with two ears means we must listen to both sides; and must make no hasty judgments. Solomon said: “To answer before listening—that is folly and shame. …[For] the first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him” (Proverbs 18:13, 17; NIV; cf. James 1:19, 20). There are two sides to every issue. Therefore, listen with your two ears.–Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

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