WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL, 31ST OCTOBER. "THE NAMES OF GOD (PART 2)"

Hello, everyone!

Do you remember the names of God that we looked at last week? Yahweh, Jehovah Rohi and Jehovah Shalom.

This week we will look at two more, Jehovah Rapha and Jehovah Nissi.

Jehovah Rapha  (The Lord who heals)

As the name suggests, the Lord is our healer. 

Exodus 15:26 'He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you.”' (NLT)

The Lord when speaking to the Israelites identified himself as the Lord who heals from all diseases. 

Psalm 103:3 "He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.(NLT)

The Lord has the power to heal all diseases that afflict us.

Isaiah 53:5 " But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed." (NLT)

Isaiah was talking about Jesus here, and the suffering he would endure so that we would be free from the power of sin. Note the order and reasons for his suffering. First was piercing for our rebellion or transgressions (acts of wrongdoing). Next was the crushing for sin, sin that was not his, but ours. After that, he received a beating so we could be whole and at peace with God. Finally, he received a whipping so that we would, in turn, receive healing.

Jesus came to deal with the issue of sin and its effects on our lives. Sin is like a disease that eats each one of us stealthily and silently. Once sin is dealt with in somebody's life, the result is wholeness and peace with God. 

The Lord, therefore, promises us not just physical healing, but spiritual healing as well. Spiritual healing comes through the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross. 

1 Peter 2:24 "He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed." (NLT)

Jehovah Nissi (The Lord Our Banner)

Exodus 17:15 "Moses built an altar and  called it The Lord is my Banner." (NLT)

A banner is a flag that hoisted on a pole by an army. This banner bears symbols that show who the army belongs to, and what the army stands for.

What does it mean, therefore, to have the Lord as your banner? Remember we Christians are all part of the Lord's army.

1. The Lord is in complete control of his army.
2. The Lord leads us into battle and subsequently guides us to success.
3. If the army is under pressure, the Lord sends reinforcements.
4. The army upholds godly values and uses them in the battle.
5. When the army wins the battle, all glory goes to the Lord.
6. The Lord equips and encourages his soldiers.

The next time you're faced with a battle-like situation, remember that the Lord is your banner and has given you victory.

Have a victorious week, and remember you are physically and spiritually healed through Christ!

WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL, 24TH OCTOBER - " THE NAMES OF GOD"

Hello, friends.

I hope you had a blessed week, rejoicing in the redemption that comes through Christ.

This week we deal with the names of God. Did you know that the Bible has several names for God that describe his character, attributes, and power?

This week we will look at a few of these names.

1. Yahweh (YHWH, Jehovah)
Yahweh is the proper name for God. In the Bible times, the Israelites were afraid to say this name because of what it signified. Yahweh refers to presence and immediacy. Yahweh is accessible, present and near to those who call on him for help and deliverance. How do we react to such a holy presence? With awe, fear and adoration.

Exodus 3:14 "God replied to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." Say this to the people of Israel, I AM has sent me to you."

Moses was afraid to speak to the Israelites, so he asked God, "Who should I say has sent me?" God sent Moses to tell the Israelites that Yahweh had sent him and that his presence would be with them.

Are you facing a challenge that appears too hard to handle? Don't be afraid. Call on Yahweh. He will send his presence to be with you.

2. Jehovah Rohi
Jehovah Rohi means The Lord is my Shepherd. The job of a Shepherd is to tend his sheep or his master's sheep. The shepherd takes them to good feeding places, fetches water for them and protects them from danger. They become like his family because he spends most of his time with them.

Jacob referred to God as his shepherd in the verses below.

Genesis 48:15 "May the God before whom my grandfather Abraham and my father, Isaac, walked - the God who has been my shepherd all my life, to this very day..." (NLT)

Jacob acknowledged that God had taken care of him all his life. As our shepherd, God makes sure that we are cared for physically and spiritually.

Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need." (NLT)

David wrote these words as he reflected on his relationship with the Lord. He noted that just as he would do anything for his sheep, God would, in turn, do anything for him.

In John chapter 10 Jesus describes himself as the good shepherd. 

John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep." (NLT)

Jesus gave his life for us, his beloved sheep. He also promises to protect us from danger because we belong to him.

3. Jehovah Shalom
Jehovah-Shalom means the Lord is Peace.  These words first appeared in Old Testament. Gideon saw the Lord's angel face to face, and was sure that he was going to die. He asked the Lord for help. 

Judges 6:23-24a "It is all right," the Lord replied."Do not be afraid. You will not die." And Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and named it Yahweh-Shalom (which means 'the LORD is peace') (NLT)

Gideon was so comforted by this reassurance from the Lord that he built an altar as a reminder that Jehovah was his peace.

Peace is not just the absence of confusion and turmoil. Peace is also the feeling of wholeness and harmony with oneself and others. Ultimate peace comes from God.  

John 14:27 "I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid." (NLT)

When you face difficulties, focus on God. His peace will carry you through.

Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" (NLT)

2 Thessalonians 3:16 "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all." (NLT)

Let the God of peace give you HIS peace. 

May God be Yahweh (accessible and present), Rohi (your shepherd) and Shalom ( your peace) all through this week. Amen.

10 IMPORTANT POINTS THAT SHOULD INFLUENCE YOUR CHOICE OF A PRESCHOOL

The increased population in Thika town has led to an increase in demand for essential services. Top on this list is the demand for good schools. Most parents of young children are wondering where to take their kids, and how to choose the right preschool. Do you fall into this category? Below are some tips that can help you make your decision.

1.       Location of the School

A 3-year-old child should not be travelling long distances to and from school daily. Make sure the preschool you choose is close to home, or easily accessible by car or public transport.

2.       Student Population

Young children need attention, especially those who are still perfecting their social and life skills. Introverted children tend to get lost in a crowd when the numbers are large. Visit the school and see how many children there are in each class, and how many teachers are available to attend to them.

3.       Facilities

The school should have appropriate facilities to deal with its targeted age group. There should be a playground with proper play equipment. The toilets should not be too high or too low. The washbasins should be of an appropriate height. Each class should also have a play area with toys, as young children learn through play.

4.       Staff

There should be trained teachers who have experience in dealing with younger children. They should also be compassionate and caring towards the children. Visit the school and see what the teacher-student ratio is. The school should also have support staff to handle the cleaning, cooking, and other issues related to the running of the school.

5.       Cleanliness

When you walk into the school, does the smell coming from the toilets hit you hard? Health standards of a preschool are a priority. Younger children are yet to master the basics of good hygiene, and are thus more susceptible to infections. Every area of the school, therefore, has to be spotless.

6.       School Hours

Your 3-year-old who is transitioning from home to school should not spend too many hours at school. Parents must clarify the school hours before they enrol their child. Long hours spent in school can be counter-productive for the young child.

7.       Curriculum

Most preschools will use the 8-4-4 system, but the method of delivery in each is different. Get reviews from other parents on how their children are coping at the school. Note that play is an important part of learning at that age. Playtime must be part of the daily timetable.

8.       Transport

Once your child is used to school routine, you may opt to use either school transport or private transport. Make sure that the transporter is reliable and responsible. Get precise details of pick-up and drop-off times and location. Get the phone number of the driver and the caretaker. Note that young children need close supervision when in a bus or van. There must be a caretaker or minder present at all times.

9.       School Fees

Parents want value for their money. If the school you choose costs you an arm and a leg, find out why. Do they have superior services compared to other schools? Do they deliver on their promises? Once again, get reviews from other parents.

10.   Communication

A good school will make sure that the channels of communication are always open to parents. As a parent, you need to feel that if you need to talk to the head of the school or the teachers, they will be ready to listen. Parents need to receive information about term dates and school events promptly. You also need to know that if your child is unwell, or is injured, you will get the information immediately.

Take your time as you hunt for a good preschool. Visit the schools that attract you. Get reviews from other parents. Remember that the first few school years of your child's life are the most important, as they form the foundation of your child's educational journey.

All the best as you make your decision!

WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL,17TH OCTOBER. "REDEMPTION"

Hello, everyone. I hope you had a faith-filled week and that you faced your situations from a position of trust in God and not fear.

This week we look at Redemption. For many of us, this may be a hard word. Let me define it.

To redeem is to buy, pay in full or purchase. Let us take a common example. If your car is clamped by the City Council guys, you need to pay a fee to have the clamp removed. If they tow it to their yard, you need to pay a fee to have it released from there. Once you pay the fee, the car is back in your possession. You have redeemed it.

Jesus Christ has paid the price for our freedom from sin with his blood. As a result, we are no longer facing the wrath of God.

What does the Bible say about redemption?

1 Peter 1:18-19 "For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God." (NLT)

The price that God paid for our freedom was his own beloved Son. His Son had no sin in him, yet he went ahead to pay the price for us.

Romans 3:23-25a "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet God freely and graciously declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin." (NLT)

Though we were sinners, God chose to bring us back to righteousness by sending his Son to pay for our sins. What a sacrifice!

Colossians 1:13-14 "For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins." (NLT)

Why did God redeem us? He did so because he wanted us to be part of the Kingdom of his Son Jesus Christ. He also redeemed us so that he could adopt us into his family by removing the sin that stood in our way. The verse below puts this so well.

Galatians 4:4-5 " But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children." (NLT)

Now that we are redeemed and part of God's family, how should we live?

1 Corinthians 6: 19b-20a "Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God has bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body." (NLT)

God has redeemed each of us so that we can be part of his family. We now belong to him. He, therefore, requires that we live in a way that pleases him, and brings glory to his name.

Dear friends, we have been redeemed with a high price. Let us live in a way that reflects our gratitude and reverence to the one who paid that price for us. 

Romans 12:1 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship. "(NIV)

Have a blessed week!

THE TRUE BEAUTY OF A WOMAN

The 21st-century woman is obsessed with beauty. If you have not noticed this, open your eyes a little wider as you walk along the streets of your hometown. See the brighter lipsticks, the unique hairstyles, the figure-hugging outfits, the shiny jewellery, and lots more. Now, the pursuit of outward beauty is not necessarily a bad thing. Have you ever thought, however, what it would be like to have inner beauty as well?  Wouldn't it be better to be admired for your inner beauty as well as your outward beauty? This verse from Song of Songs puts it so well;

Song of Songs 4:7 "You are altogether beautiful, my darling, beautiful in every way." (NLT)

As a woman, I would certainly want to be called altogether (completely, utterly, entirely, fully) beautiful.

Let us look at a few qualities of inner beauty

1.      Wisdom

Proverbs 14:1 "A wise woman builds her home, a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands." (NLT)

We may ask ourselves, where does the wisdom that a woman needs to build and sustain a home come from?  It comes directly from God himself. All we need to do is ask. King Solomon, just after he had ascended to power, was asked by God what he desired most. His answer as recorded in 1 Kings 3:9 was;

 "Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?"(NLT)

Solomon was granted that wisdom and was the wisest man who ever lived. Why do you think he asked for wisdom and not fame and riches? He realized that to accomplish the task God had given him to do; he needed divine wisdom. Wisdom guides our choices and helps us make the right decisions when in difficult situations. Wisdom helps us manage our affairs in a way that is pleasing to God and men.  Proverbs 31 has some words about a wise woman;

Proverbs 31:26 "When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness." (NLT)

Wisdom is a rare commodity. Women who are wise are therefore considered beautiful and are held in high esteem.

2.      A Gentle and Quiet Spirit

1 Peter 3:4 "You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God." (NLT)

Ask yourself honestly, if someone were to look inside your heart right now, would they find gentleness and quietness, or bitterness and anger? Did you know that what you feel in your heart reflects on your face? The Apostle Paul realized that many of the women at the time were focusing on their outward beauty to hide the true state of their hearts. He was not fooled, however, and saw right through them.

A gentle and quiet spirit is developed at the feet of Jesus, through prayer, reading the Bible, spending time with him and learning from him daily. The woman with this kind of spirit is always at peace because she knows who rules her heart and her life.  As she spends more time with God, she begins to think and act a way that pleases him. With time, the inner beauty begins to radiate outwards, making the woman glow. Haven't you met women who are not physically attractive yet their hearts just seem to draw you to them? There's your answer. The gentle and quiet spirit.

3.      The Fear of the Lord

Proverbs 31:30 "Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last, but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised." (NLT)

Charm, beauty, and fear of the Lord stand out in this verse. Out of the three, it is the fear of the Lord that endures and brings praise to a woman. What does it mean to fear the Lord?

To have a fear of the Lord means to have awe, respect, and reverence for a holy, righteous and just God. If you take the time to know God, you will discover that though he is a loving God, he has set standards of righteousness that he expects us to live by. These standards become apparent to us as we spend quality time in his presence. With time, you learn what pleases him and how to live as he wants you to. Your outward behavior begins to change, and people start to notice. They see the beauty of a woman totally sold to living for God, and praise you for the beautiful woman you have become!

4.      Strength

The word strength does not sound beautiful, does it? Many people believe that beautiful women are frail and dainty. Let us, however, think of strength in terms of firmness, character, determination, tenacity and moral fibre. A strong woman is firm and sticks to her principles. She also takes the time to develop her character by spending time with God and people who can encourage, motivate and build her up. A woman of strength is determined and tenacious in everything she does because she knows that God is her driving force. She will also have strong moral fibre, and is not easily swayed because she knows her position.  The strong woman will do whatever it takes to protect and shield her family from evil. The Proverbs 31 woman was this kind of woman.

Proverbs 31:17 - 18 "She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamps burn late into the night." (NLT)

Proverbs 31:25 "Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; And she smiles at the future [knowing that she and her family are prepared]." (AMP)

A strong woman is, therefore, beautiful, and brings praise to her family. See what they have to say about her below:

Proverbs 31:28-29 ‘Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her:"There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!"' (NLT)

The real beauty of a woman, therefore, is one that you develop from the inside. A truly beautiful woman has all of the qualities listed above, and more because she realizes that her purpose on this earth is not just about her, but about God and his ultimate goal for her life. The inner beauty of a woman draws people to Christ.

Let us all strive to develop this inner beauty that is precious to God.

WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL, 10TH OCTOBER - "ARE YOU AFRAID?"

Fear is something that we all experience from time to time. Many of us fear death, the unknown, snakes, bugs, poverty, and many other things. Personally, I am afraid of failure. 

What is fear?

Fear is an emotion caused by the idea that someone or something is dangerous. It is the feeling of being afraid. 

Our Father has lots to say about fear and being afraid. We need to look at His word to see what he says.

Isaiah 41:10 "Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. " (NLT)

The Lord says we shouldn't be afraid because he is right there. Don't let discouragement pull you down, because he is there to strengthen and help you.

Psalm 56:3 "When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you." (NLT)

God acknowledges our fears and gives a solution. We need to trust in him when we find ourselves feeling afraid.

Psalm 27:1 "The Lord is my light and my salvation - so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?" (NLT)

The Lord is my light, salvation, and fortress. He shows me the way to go, rescues me from danger and protects me from evil. Wow.

Psalm 23:4 "Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me." (NLT)

The dark valley is a place we all pass through at one point in our lives. The Lord promises to be our closest companion when as we walk through it. 

2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (NLT)

Fear doesn't come from God.He, however, acknowledges that we experience it often. God invites us to look to him for strength to overcome our fears. He invites us to receive power, self-discipline, and love from him.

It's normal to be afraid. We, however, need to learn how to handle our fears in a way that gives us peace and gives God glory. 

The next time you feel afraid, remember that God is right there with you. He will direct, protect and strengthen you. You just need to put your trust in him.

Let us end with this verse that summarizes what we've discussed.

Joshua 1:9 " This is my command- be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (NLT)

Have a great week ahead! 

WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL,3RD OCTOBER - WORKING HARD

Hi, everyone. I hope you had a productive week, and that you applied the principles of excellence at your workplace. 

Today we look at a related topic, working hard.

Why is it important to work hard? What does the Bible have to say about this subject?

Proverbs, as always has interesting words.

Proverbs 12:24 "Work hard and become a leader, be lazy and become a slave." (NLT)

Who would you rather be, the leader or the slave?

Proverbs13:4 "Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper." (NLT)

I think the above verse is entirely self-explanatory. If you work hard, you will prosper. There are times, however, when the rewards of hard work take ages to be seen. At this point, you need more than the promise of earthly rewards to keep you going. I like what the following verse has to say about this.

Galatians 6:4 "Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else." (NLT)

The fact that you have done your job or task well should give enough motivation to keep going.

There is another scenario, though. As a Christian, you have an example to set for your co-workers. How do you pull this off when you're doing a job that is hard and doesn't give immediate rewards?

2 Timothy 2:15 "Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth." (NLT)

If you do your work well, God approves, and so do your co-workers. If you then decide to share the Word with them, they will be more receptive.

Titus 2:7 "And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching." (NLT)

Actions speak louder than words. Your work must reflect your beliefs. You should focus on working hard and doing an exemplary job. People will always be on the looking to see how your values hold up under pressure.

Hard work pleases God. Hard work sets a good example for those around us. A Christian is expected to work hard as part of his or her witness. Remember that even if you don't get a reward here on earth, you have an eternal reward waiting for you.

Work hard, and bring glory to God as you do so.

1 Corinthians 10:31 "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (NLT)

I wish you all the best as you do your best to work hard at whatever
God gives you to do this week. Don't forget to rely on God for strength.

Philippians 4:13 "For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." (NLT)

HOW TO CHOOSE A MUSIC SCHOOL FOR YOUR CHILD: 8 CRUCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

The time has come for your little angel to start music lessons. You have noticed the singing in the house, the excitement of seeing a musical instrument, and the enthusiasm when doing musical performances in school. Where do you start, therefore, in your search for a music school? Let us look at a few things you need to consider.

• 1.      Location: The location of the music school is critical. It should be at a place that is easy to access, and near your home. You would not want to get to the school, and your child is too tired to learn or is in a bad mood because of the long trip.

• 2.      Track record of the school: Ask around. Does the school have good reviews? What do other parents and students say about it? Do your homework.

• 3.      Facilities: Does the school have enough teaching rooms? Is there a waiting area? How many instruments does the school offer? Find out if there are practice rooms, and if they are readily available for use.

• 4.      Staff: Find out if the school has qualified tutors. You also need to see if they have experience in handling children, especially the younger ones. Most schools will offer a trial lesson to see if your child will cope with the assigned teacher.

• 5.      Teaching methods: Good teaching methods are very crucial. Every student should be equipped with skills to read and interpret music. Find out if the school focuses on music theory as well as performance, as these go hand in hand. You need to know that your child is being trained to read music, as well as to play the instrument.

• 6.      Performance Opportunities: Performing for an audience is an essential part of the learning process. The student gets to prepare something for an audience, and in the process learns the importance of practice and perfection. A concert also gives the parents and guardians a chance to see how the child is progressing.  Find out if the school provides these opportunities.

• 7.      Lesson Duration and Rates: Make sure you know how long a lesson is, the lesson rates and when payments are due. Note that a younger child has a lower concentration level, and therefore should not have a lesson that lasts more than half an hour. Agree with the teacher on the number of lessons your child will have every week. It is also important to get to know the school's policy on lesson cancellations and the circumstances under which make up lessons are given.

• 8.      Communication: Does the school have an efficient way of communicating with students and their parents? If the teacher is not in, will you get the information in good time? If the lesson time is going to change, will they let you know? Find out what modes of communication the school uses.

Now you are ready to go looking for a music school. All the best!