Emmanuel Afiawari's Inspiration podcast

Fear has no place in the life of a believer because it is not a gift we received from God in our new status in Christ. Jesus has liberated us from the grip of fear, and if you've been set free, then you're free indeed! The bible bears a very overwhelming record of 365 times we're told, "Do not fear." By inference, one dosage per day to cover the entire year. So, when next those scary pictures and...

Fear cripples vision and stops us in our tracks to achieving a goal. It presents false evidences why such goals are unattainable, and disqualifies us even before we try. Fear comes as a whispered suggestion that begins to tear down the fabrics of our faith until it takes a total grip of our minds. It will magnify a non-existent challenge until it becomes a household problem, all aimed at stopping...

It is rare or impossible to find someone who's in shame glow with radiance. Shame stripes us of every glory and dignity we have, takes away our voices and leaves us bowed in defeat. Shame will question the legitimacy of our faith, deflate our hopes and puncture our beliefs, until we start seeing ourselves as not being good enough for anything. Shames could literally stripe us naked for public disg...

There comes no better time than now for believers to look up to God. Things are moving in a fast pace for the worse, it seems, appearing like the noose is tightening harder to sniff life out of us. From political unrest, to economic downturn, and no immediate solution to these problems seem to be on the horizon. Rather, each seem to be spiralling into another and creating multiple ripple effect. W...

Our scripture opens with a provocation to self consciousness by the author that he's fearfully and wonderfully made, but first, he deflected to praise God! My focus is on his acknowledgement. I  must always affirm to myself that I'm  beautiful in and out; that I'm endowed with graces and gifts that stand me out; that I'm not a failure, but a carrier and giver of joy, hope and goodness. I insist th...

Sometimes, life throws us punches that make us doubt whom we are and what we're capable of. When the cloud is darker than you could imagine and there isn't any ray of hope anywhere, you must begin to speak affirmatively to and about yourself. The Psalmist says, "I thank you, God, for making me so mysteriously complex! Everything you do is marvelously breathtaking. It simply amazes me to think abou...

Decisions do not work themselves into actionable processes. You've got to make it happen. Any decision that's not backed up by a corresponding action is an indecision. When the Prodigal Son decided, he arose and went back home. Nothing would have changed had he not made that move. A decision that would produce results must never be left in the realm of wishful thinking. Never! Any decision that wo...

A decision is like an earth tremor or an earthquake; its effect often outlasts the moment with far-reaching consequences. A good decision taken at a wrong time may have more devastating effect than an indecision might produce. Every decision is arrived at by information or by revelation. Information is obtained through perception and study; revelation is obtained by searching the heart of God - it...

Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 9: 26, "Therefore I do not run uncertainly (without definite aim). I do not box like one beating the air and striking without an adversary," suggesting that there're rules of engagements and strategy to this fight. Know these rules, be strategic to win. Identify your enemy, study his (its) strengths and weaknesses and throw your punches to targets, not aimles...

Street fighters do not wait for a chance to fight. They create their own fighting chances themselves, and carry with them an atmospheric attitude of a fighter, so they fight with vest and carefree candour. We need to create a fighting chance for ourselves and for the next generation. We cannot wait... We must create and take a fighting chance at life if we must take hold of the prize that is set b...

The call to repentance is a clarion, passionate call to come up higher, and back to your original position; a call to elevate your thinking pattern, behaviour and overall essence to enable you deliver value that's equal to the graces, gifts,  knowledge, skills, and endowments you've been impacted with. It is a call to a higher consciousness that you've been negligent  to or oblivious of, but one t...

As we approach the first day in August, and the last five months of the year, God would have me speak to us on the need to repent. That is, to turnaway! You'd be totally wrong if you approach this topic from a traditional bias that tends to make you wax defensive that you're not a sinner, nor have you sinned to necessitate a call to repentance. That religiosity! To repent simply means to turn away...

God's assurances and promises are for believers to appropriate. These promises are like precious gemz that needs to be discovered through diligent search. The challenge, however, is we're either too lazy, too unmindful or too distracted and preoccupied with the things that life designed to keep the gemz from us, so we'd not maximise their benefits. Isaiah mentions one of such assurances, "Fear not...

Sometimes, life presents us with unpredictable outcomes that leave us worried, distraught and fearful. The fear of what to do to change the reality staring at us; the fear of uncertainties; fear of the unknown; fear induced by expert opinions and predictions. Our experiences too, lend to the fear and heightened worries. It is in the midst of such emotions that God says assuredly, "I will go before...

Believers must realise that there's only one possible outcome to every challenge we face, and that is, we WIN! Paul tells us that God makes us triumph always in Christ (2 Cor. 2: 14). Even where it appears the enemy is winning, God will orchestrate the events to ultimately work together for our good (Rom. 8: 28). That's why I know it's not a lost case for you. No! It's not hopeless as you might be...

The Woman with the Issue of Blood's interception of the miracle due to Jairius' daughter highlights a unique point that underscores our contemplation today. Jesus was on his way to heal the sick girl when this woman surfaced from nowhere and touched Jesus. She got her instant healing, then some messengers, came and announce the death of the sick child, then asked, "Why trouble the Master any furth...

Some touches and losses leave permanent scars on its victims, and make some people so ashamed, unwanted and insecure. They rob victims of their joy and self-confidence, making some to live in self-imposed isolation. But scars are not to elicit such emotions. Scars doesn't just point to your survival instincts, but also to the faithfulness of God! They testify to the things you survived and overcam...

One very unique trait in parenting is that no matter the pain or discomfort a parent is having, they'd rise in protection and rescue of their dependant child whenever they sense danger around. Sometime, their response is spontaneous, but effective, nonetheless. Their pain or bleeding heart doesn't immobilise them when danger is perceived around their loved ones. Never. Having the above picture ful...

We all have been stung by pain, faced defeat, encountered losses in the past and processed the emotions that follow differently. It is therefore insensitive to make light of anyone's plight in their moment of grieve. Pain is real; its cut, to a varying depth and width, can change the direction of anyone's life. Therefore, deal wisely with anyone going through a pain! However, we must not wear our...

A divine instruction does not only give answers or directives, it tests our obedience and submissiveness to the Almighty and All-knowing God! Like we see in Jesus's feeding of five thousand people, he himself knew what to do (John 6:6), and wasn't going to base his actions on what Philip and others did or failed to do. Although he has everything figured out, your obedience would be tested, often w...

John 2: 5 is instructive as to whether power is released to back up a  divine instruction and what effect it has on us in the long haul or not. "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it." It is repeatedly seen in scriptures that great grace and power flows when we act on the word, giving it the desired effect. A divine instruction with all the possibilities backing it has no effect until you release yo...

Never has the need to get, obey and act on a divine instruction been so crucial as it is today. Like in the story of the wedding in Cana, where the wine ran out early, many of us of ran out of ideas, to govern our lives and advance our causes. The resources available to us seem to be depleting faster then it took to get them, and nothing we ever try seem to yield any results or get us out of the w...

The phrase, "I will make you" in Isaiah 60:15, is very compelling. It speaks not only to the willingness of God but also to His ability. It projects hope to the reciever of the promised - his trajectory is about to change. In a blink of an eye, God is turning your story in a perpetually honourable way; honour will be accorded you where you've been despised, and you'd permanently cause joy to the w...

Isaiah gives a graphic and vivid description of the reality peculiar to many of us: we've been forsaken, hated, and abandoned, for whatever valid or invalid reason as may be given, and this is taking a toll on us. The pain, weight, and confusion of losing desirability is better imagined than experienced. But that has been the reality known to so many for the longest time ever. Moving in circles of...

The Psalmist describes the parameters around which God would bless us: he surrounds us with his favour like a shield. When God's favour gets activated over your life, there're no limits to what you can accomplish; you'd become a reservoir of great ideas and possibilities. Beyond that, you'd find that you've become more likeable and acceptable to others. You'd begin to gain recognition, endorsement...