WANJIKU'S CRY CONTINUES

How was Wanjiku's week? Well, it started with a trip to the market to get supplies for her vegetable kiosk. On getting to the market, she was asked to pay a small ‘fee' to get in. She paid the fee, only to get into the market and find that the items she needed were beyond her budget.

Wanjiku went home after that, where she had left a sick child. She rushed to the local government facility, only to find that the doctors were still on strike.  You see, her child's condition requires that she see a doctor, not a clinical officer. She took her child home and then went to open her vegetable stall. After a few hours of business, some people passed by, demanding a ‘protection' fee from her, and shortly after, a council officer came along asking for the daily ‘fee' (the one that doesn't come with a receipt).

Wanjiku's life sucks. She is being oppressed left, right and centre. What can you, a Christian, do to help her? What can the church do?

1. Protect her from her oppressors

Isaiah 1:17 "Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows." (NLT)

The verse above from Isaiah puts this very clearly – help the oppressed. Stand up for that person in your neighborhood who is being oppressed. For example, people are thrown out of their houses every day by property owners who don't abide by tenancy agreements and take advantage of their tenants' ignorance. Another typical example is that of child abuse and neglect. Why don't you do something about this? Be an instrument of change in your surroundings and be a voice for the voiceless.

Zechariah 7:10 "Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other." (NLT)

Take the verse from Zechariah as a personal challenge. In one's daily dealings, it is very easy to oppress another person without realizing it. Oppression can take place anywhere, from not treating one's domestic workers well, to refusing to pay for goods and services.

Remember, an oppressed person is a stressed person. Give Wanjiku the support she needs.

2. Ask God to deliver Wanjiku from her oppressors.

God hates people who oppress others. The following verse from Proverbs put this clearly:

Proverbs 22:16 "A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end up in poverty." (NLT)

In God's eyes, the person who oppresses poor people will get his just reward, poverty. That's just the way it works in God's economy. He requires that we show love, concern, and respect for everybody, especially those who appear to be struggling in life. 

Christians need to take a prominent role in this area.  As a believer, you need to set an example for your peers, friends, and workmates on how to treat Wanjiku. The church also needs to be more welcoming to people from different walks of life. Pastors, stop focusing on church members who contribute significantly to your church's coffers. Every member of your flock is important.

Psalm 146:7a "He gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry." (NLT)

God's desire is that every person under oppression receives justice. It is the duty of the church to call upon him in prayer, asking for his help as they undertake the task of making Wanjiku's life better.

Christians, you could be Wanjiku's last and only hope. The challenge to you is to find out what you can do within your surroundings to help her out, as you prayerfully seek God for wisdom and resources for the task. As you do so, remember that Wanjiku is precious in the Lord's sight, just like you.

Psalm 9:9 "The LORD is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble." (NLT)

Was this article helpful? Please share it on your social networks. 

Did you miss last week's reflection? Check it out here - The Cry of Wanjiku

Interested in a different topic? Here is one for you - What Makes You Unique?

THE CRY OF WANJIKU

Kenyans all know the name Wanjiku, used as a symbol of the ordinary person. Wanjiku is the standard unit of normalcy, the person for whom the Constitution was crafted, the person being encouraged to vote, the person entitled to fundamental rights.

The question is, how does Wanjiku's life look like at present? First, she can barely afford to buy food because prices have skyrocketed. Secondly, she has no access to clean drinking water for herself and her family because of the drought. Third, she cannot get medical treatment at the local government hospital because of the doctor's strike. Fourth, she can hardly make enough from her vegetable sales at the local market because the spending power of the masses has reduced. On top of all that, Wanjiku has to contend with people around her who think that because she is a low-income earner, she has no voice.

Sadly, Wanjiku's plight is similar to that of many Kenyans. Could it be that her situation is a direct result of poor leadership, bad governance and all-out greed displayed by the leaders around her?

Wanjiku needs a defender. The church of Christ needs to step up and boldly take on this role. How can the Christian make a difference?

1. Be a Voice for Justice

Micah 6:8 "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (NIV)

Being a voice for justice doesn't only mean organizing demonstrations on the streets and getting your name in the local dailies. Though these are great avenues for justice, there are other things you can do in your local community. Have you ever thought to report that den of illicit brews at the edge of your estate? What about that little child left hungry for days as the parents go out carousing? Look around you. People are being treated unjustly all around you. What are you going to do about it?

Isaiah 1:17 "Learn to do right. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of the orphans. Fight for the rights of widows."(NLT)

2. Pray for Justice

Romans 12:19 "Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘I will take revenge, I will pay them back,' says the LORD." (NLT)

Have you ever thought how terrible God's revenge must be? It is far beyond what one could ever imagine and has permanent, far-reaching effects. Why not let him do the job of exacting revenge on Wanjiku's enemies?

God cares as much about Wanjiku as you do, and feels pain when Wanjiku is treated unjustly; he will, however, fight for her only if the church petitions him on her behalf. Somebody has to pray for all the ‘Wanjikus' in this land to receive justice, and that person is you.

Proverbs 21:15 "Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers." (NLT)

God can also change the hearts of those in power to make them see that Wanjiku is who they should be working for, rather than their own bellies.

Proverbs  21:1 "The king's heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases."(NLT)

The hearts of those in leadership are in the hands of the Lord. As a Christian, however, you need to call on the Lord so he can take action.

Friends, the future of this country lies in the hands of the church. Let's assume the responsibility of seeking justice, fighting for justice, and praying for justice, so that our nation will prosper.

In conclusion:

Isaiah 30:18 "Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!" (NIV)

Missed last week's reflection? Check it out here - http://alisonkiriinya.blogspot.co.ke/2017/02/the-christian-at-work.html

Was this article helpful? Please like it on Facebook, Twitter or Google+. You can also share it with your friends and followers.

THE CHRISTIAN AT WORK

Every morning, millions of people leave their homes to go and make a living. The pressure of having to meet daily needs makes it necessary to earn some income. When things get busy, however, it is tempting to forget that God has opened that door for employment or business for a reason. What are God's expectations of you in your workplace or business premises?

1. You are God's representative

Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do or say, do it as  a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving  thanks through him to God the Father.? (NLT)

According to this verse from Colossians, God expects that in everything you do, God must be represented. Think about an ambassador, whose job is to represent the ruler of the country he is from and speak on his behalf.  This envoy does not put forth his own agenda, but that of the person he represents

Similarly, the Christian is God's ambassador in the marketplace. Your peers and colleagues will be looking at you to see how well you represent the Lord, especially in your attitude towards work. The challenge is to be an able and trustworthy ambassador for the Lord.

2. You are God's employee

Everyone who works has an employer, whether one is formally employed, or self-employed. There is, however, a greater master, God, the one who opens the door for income generation in the first place.

Colossians 3:23 "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." (NLT)

When you work for the Lord, and not for men, you get more satisfaction from your task, knowing that you are pleasing Him. After all, the Lord is the one who graciously gives the opportunities to earn an income.

Deuteronomy 8:18a "But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth." (NIV)

3. You are God's example

Not many individuals out there know how to behave with integrity in the marketplace. Aren't you glad, however, that your Father guides you on how to handle yourself? Well, God does so with the aim of making you a shining light that will draw men to him.

Matthew 5:16 "In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."(NLT)

Are there people around you who ask why you conduct your business in a certain way? Do your co-workers ask what drives you to excel in the workplace? Use that opportunity to tell them about Christ, the one who gives you the strength and wisdom to work well.

Being a Christian at work is not just about making money to meet your needs. There is a reason why God has placed you there. Be his representative, employee, and example, and make a difference in the lives of those who surround you in the daily hustle.

Did you miss last week's reflection?  Check it out here. http://alisonkiriinya.blogspot.co.ke/2017/02/what-makes-you-unique.html

WHAT MAKES YOU UNIQUE?

WHAT MAKES YOU UNIQUE?

Everybody knows that he or she is unique in some way. The question is, do you know what makes you different from other people? Have you ever thought that God has a hand in your uniqueness? Listed below are a few points to give some insight on this.

1. Everyone is created in God's image, by God himself.

Genesis 1:27 "So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female he created them." (AMP)

According to the verse above, everybody is created in God's image. Artists will tell you that they get joy from looking at their finished works. This joy comes from the fact that no piece resembles any other; it is unique.

In the same way, God the creator made everyone different so that he could delight in his workmanship. There is, therefore, nobody on the earth who is exactly like you!

Isaiah describes God as the potter and his creation as the clay. No potter will make his pots look the same. There is always a difference, even if it is barely noticeable.

Isaiah 64:8 "Yet, O LORD, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our Potter, And we all are the work of Your hand." (AMP)

2. God knew you before you were born.

Jeremiah 1:5a "I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb," (NLT)

How is it possible for God to have known you before he formed you? Simple. God knew what kind of person he wanted to create, so he came up with the ‘blueprint' before starting the actual formation process.

Psalm 139:16 "You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed." (NLT)

God already knew how each day of your life would turn out before you were born. This truth is very encouraging especially to those who are going through tough times. God knew the hard days would come along, and promises to walk with you through them.

3. God created you for a unique purpose.

Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (NLT)

Look at the words of this verse in another version.

"For we are Gods handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."(NIV)

Now that you know that there is nobody else on this earth like you, wouldn't it be great to know why you were created? Well, God created you to do particular good works, or more accurately, works that only YOU can do.

Prophet Jeremiah, when he received his calling, heard these words from the Lord.

Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." (NIV)

Just as the Lord knew that Jeremiah would be a prophet way before he created him, He knows why he created you. If you aren't sure of your purpose in this life, now would be a good time to seek the Lord's direction on this.

4. God gives everyone different gifts.

In an ant colony, every little ant has a job that it must do for the colony to thrive and survive. Likewise, each person has a job to do, either in the family, workplace, and church or even in society.

1 Peter 4:10 "God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another." (NLT)

Romans 12:6a "In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well." (NLT)

Think about a school. There are teachers to instruct the students, but also other members of staff who ensure that the operations of the school run smoothly. The kitchen staff, cleaners, administrative staff and security team are crucial to the success of the school.

Similarly, each person must make use of their unique gifts for the benefit of the people around them. Each gift has its place, and if used wisely, will bring glory to the Father.

Now that you know how different you are from everyone else, go ahead and celebrate your uniqueness. Utilize the talents God has given you to help someone. Most importantly, live a life that pleases God, one that will make him glad he created you.

Did you miss last week's reflection? Here it is - http://alisonkiriinya.blogspot.co.ke/2017/01/life-lessons-from-ant.html

LIFE LESSONS FROM THE ANT

LIFE LESSONS FROM THE ANT

What's the first thing that crosses your mind when you think of an ant? For most people, the first thought is ‘yuck,' or ‘eek' – because an ant is a pest!

There are, though, some important life lessons one can learn from the ant. First, look at the verses below.

Proverbs 6:6-8 "Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise. Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter." (NLT)

Proverbs 30:24-25 ‘There are four things on the earth that are small but unusually wise. Ants – they aren't strong, but they store up food all summer." (NLT)

A) Ants are self-driven.

That lone ant you see wandering around the house is not doing so aimlessly; it has a mission. It is looking for food, and once it finds it, it will alert the rest of the ants to come and help carry the loot. Now here's the thing – this ant came searching of its own volition; nobody sent it out to look for food.

Many people wait to be shown what to do, how to do it and when to do it. That may be a good approach, but most successful people will tell you that they are self-driven. An inner push drives them to improve themselves, work smart and succeed.

In the same way, the Christian should not wait to be told to develop a deeper relationship with God. The desire to know God should come from within.

B) Ants are committed to the task.

Even without any form of leadership, ants keep working. Interestingly, each ant knows what his or her role is, and it does that task with zeal. Ants intuitively know that the work they do is for the benefit of the ant community.

Your community consists of your family, friends, workplace colleagues and church. In the workplace, you have your role, which is the task that you are hired to do. If you are not committed to your role, the organization cannot run smoothly.

It goes without saying that every Christian should know what he or she is supposed to do for the Lord. Sadly, many believers are clueless on their role in the body of Christ. The church cannot function efficiently unless every member takes up his or her role.

Ask God to show you what he wants you to do, and then be committed to its accomplishment.

C) Ants are wiser than they look.

That tiny, little black insect is a wise creature. It knows that when food is in plenty, it must be stored for seasons when there is none. It also knows how to attract its fellow ants to a lucrative food source.

Ants appear to understand the times and seasons better than people do. How many times have you seen people squander a windfall, rather than invest it? Just like an ant, a wise person should always store up resources during the good times in anticipation of the lean times.

The same applies to the Christian life. When things are going well, use that time to build your relationship with the Lord, so that when bad times come, you have a firm foundation to stand on.

D) Ants are determined to succeed.

Each ant can carry items that weigh twenty times its body weight. Though it is hard work, this ant makes sure it gets the load to the food store. After delivering its payload, it goes back for more! Ants work hard and determine to do a good job.

It's too hard! I can't do this! These words come out of many mouths when given a task that seems too hard to accomplish.  If one adopts the mindset of the ant, however, no task is too difficult to achieve.

Are you feeling as if the Christian life is proving to be more of a challenge than you had imagined? Take heart, periods of discouragement are normal. If you purpose in your heart not to give up, God will give you the strength that you need.

As you start the week, keep the virtues of self-drive, commitment, wisdom and determination close. If you feel like you need a little encouragement, refer to the verse below to keep you going.

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

Did you miss last week's devotion? Check out the link below.
four-simple-lessons-from-psalm-37

HOW TO HELP YOUR PRESCHOOLER SETTLE IN SCHOOL

HOW TO HELP YOUR PRESCHOOLER SETTLE IN SCHOOL

Finally, the time has come for your little angel to join a school. The transition from home to school, however, needs to be managed correctly, so that your child is not stressed.

Below are some hints on how to help your child cope with the first few days in school.

1. Prepare yourselves.

Talk to your child long before to explain the need for going to school, and what happens there. Older siblings can help psyche up your younger child for school. You can also visit a few schools and see which one your baby likes best. Some schools even allow the child to visit for a few hours to get a feel of school life. You can also get reviews of different schools from other parents, as well as tips on how to handle the first few days of school.

2. Organize yourself.

Once you settle on a school, the real work begins. Make a checklist indicating what you need for the first day. Buy whatever you need in advance so that you are not rushing around the day before school opens. Label uniforms, lunch boxes and water bottles in good time. Find out about the transport arrangements and meals. If possible, pay the school fees early to avoid long queues. If you have everything ready by the time school opens, you will have more time to help your child transition into school life.

3. Manage your anxieties.

The parent is usually more anxious about the first days of school than the child is. As a parent, you need to handle your fears so that they do not rub off on the child. Share your worries with your spouse, partner or a close friend. Do not let your child know that you are a bundle of nerves.

4. Give yourselves enough preparation time in the morning.

Your child should enjoy the process of getting ready for school. A mad morning rush puts everybody on edge, and as a result, the child may be stressed. Wake up earlier every morning on school days and prepare your child in a relaxed manner. Give the child time to eat breakfast as you chat. If you need to leave for work before your baby goes to school, give your helper the same instructions.

5. Set a routine.

Children work best when given a routine to follow. Developing a routine for before and after school can work to your advantage. The morning routine should include a specific wake-up time, breakfast and changing clothes in the order that works best for you. Let the after-school routine include a meal, nap, homework, playtime and of course, bedtime.

Note that bedtime should be earlier on school days, because of the earlier wake-up times. Set definite times for going to bed and waking up, bearing in mind that your child needs enough rest after a long day at school.

6. Communicate.

Find out how your child is coping at school. Talk about the teacher, friends, school bus, meals and anything else that relates to school. These conversations help the parent know whether the child is adjusting or not. If your kid does not seem to be handling things well, be there to reassure and support.

Develop a rapport with your child's teacher. If your child has trouble coping, work together with the teacher to make the transition period easier. Remember that your child spends several hours with the teacher daily, and as such, he or she is best placed to know how things are going in school.

7. Be realistic.

Not every child copes well at first. If your baby does not handle change very well, you will notice an increase in tears and toilet accidents. At this point, reassure your child in a loving manner. Ask the teacher for advice on how to handle the sudden changes in your child. If you handle this period correctly, your baby will grow to love school and will be crying for his teacher on the weekends.

Parents, remember that children are different. Treat your baby as an individual. If the process of starting school goes well, you will have a happy child.  Even if there are few hiccups, with your support and encouragement, your child will adjust to the new surroundings in no time. Most importantly, be a loving parent.

All the best!

See the link below for tips on choosing a preschool. http://alisonkiriinya.blogspot.co.ke/2016/10/10-important-points-that-should.html

FOUR SIMPLE LESSONS FROM PSALM 37

FOUR SIMPLE LESSONS FROM PSALM 37

Psalm 37 is one of those psalms that one reads repeatedly. Within this psalm, several pointers stand out that apply to the Christian life. Today's post will highlight four of them.

1. Trust in the Lord.

Psalm 37:3 "Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. "(NLT)

To trust in someone is to believe in his or her reliability, ability or strength. When you believe in God, you are acknowledging that he can do everything that he promises to. His power is incomparable, and he is completely reliable. Why trust in man when you can trust in God?

2. Delight in the Lord.

Psalm 37:4 "Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart." (NIV)

What does it mean to delight in the Lord? To delight in God is to find satisfaction, fulfillment, and peace from your communion with him. You can therefore only delight in God if you spend time in his presence. As you fellowship with him and get to know him better, you will enjoy spending time with him. God desires to have an intimate relationship with every one of his children.

3. Commit everything to the Lord.

Psalm 37:5 "Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you." (NIV)

Committing everything to the Lord means rolling everything over to him, and handing all your heavy burdens to him to carry. God takes our burdens gladly because he has the strength to handle them. Are you unsure about your plans? Is fear of the future weighing you down? Commit your plans to the Lord, and leave their success in his hands.

4. Be still in his presence.

Psalm 37:7a "Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act." (NLT)

Stillness in the presence of God refers to silence, calmness, and quietness. When you sit still and quiet in his presence, you do not fight against him. Instead, you are ready to hear from him, and more importantly, obey him. If you are going through a period of turmoil, take some time away to be still in his presence, and listen to what he has to say to you.

There you go- four truths from Psalm 37!

Have a blessed week!