Posts in category: Articles

Christmas remains the most widely celebrated season across the world, cutting across cultures, nations, and belief systems. While its expressions vary—from family gatherings and acts of charity to cultural festivities—the heart of Christmas, for Christians, is the celebration of the incarnation of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world. It is a sacred moment in history when God took on human form, fulfilling prophecy and revealing His redemptive love to humanity. This spiritual foundation gives Christmas a depth that goes far beyond leisure, entertainment, or commercial celebration.

In recent times, however, concerns have grown about the steady secularisation of Christmas. The season is increasingly presented as a generic end-of-year holiday, stripped of its Christ-centred meaning. This concern was strongly echoed by Eric Nyamekye, Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, who cautioned that efforts to redefine Christmas risk disconnecting the celebration from the glory of God and the redemptive significance of Christ’s birth. While Christmas may be enjoyed globally, its spiritual essence must not be diluted among believers.

Within the Church, an emerging challenge is the growing reluctance of some Christians to fully embrace Christmas Conventions. For many, the festive period is viewed primarily as a time for rest, travel, and social engagement, making church gatherings appear inconvenient. While practical realities such as family responsibilities, financial pressures, and exhaustion after a demanding year are valid considerations, they should not eclipse the deeper spiritual purpose of the season.

Historically, Christmas Conventions were not arbitrary additions to the church calendar. In Ghanaian Christian experience, they emerged as redemptive alternatives to traditional year-end rituals that involved sacrifices to ancestral deities. By gathering believers for thanksgiving, worship, and consecration to God, the Church provided a Christ-centred expression of gratitude and dependence on God at the close of the year. Over time, these conventions became spiritually strategic moments for reflection, renewal, and recommitment.

Christmas Conventions continue to serve this vital purpose today. They re-centre the festive season on God, offering believers a sacred space to thank Him for His faithfulness, receive spiritual renewal, and dedicate the coming year into His hands. In an age marked by materialism and distraction, these gatherings stand as a countercultural reminder that Christmas is not merely for festivity, but for worship.
Rediscovering the sacred nature of Christmas Conventions is therefore essential. They preserve the theological depth of Christmas, strengthen communal faith, and realign believers with God’s purposes. By embracing these conventions with understanding and devotion, Christians safeguard both their spiritual heritage and their witness in a world that is watching closely.

Written by Pastor Emmanuel Foster Asamoah, PhD. (Coordinator PCUPGs – Africa; HUM Minister- Achimota Sector)

The Christmas season fills communities with colour, warmth, and goodwill. Homes glow with light, families reunite, and acts of kindness become more visible. Yet beyond the festivities lies the central truth of Christmas: the revelation of God’s immeasurable generosity through the gift of His Son. Christmas is not merely a cultural celebration; it is a divine announcement that God entered human history with a gift of eternal significance.

Scripture captures this truth succinctly: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16). In giving Jesus Christ, God offered not what was convenient or expendable, but what was most precious. This act of giving flowed purely from love, not from humanity’s merit. Christmas therefore reveals a generosity that is sacrificial, intentional, and deeply personal.

The birth of Christ redirects attention from material pursuits to eternal realities. The greatest gifts of Christmas are not found beneath a tree, but in a manger in Bethlehem. Through the incarnation, God provided salvation for the sinner, healing for the broken, guidance for the lost, and hope for a weary world. As the apostle Paul declares, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15). This gift brings peace that endures, reconciliation with God, and life in abundance.

Christmas also unveils the nature of divine generosity. God’s giving is purposeful and transformative. Christ came not as a symbol, but as the answer to humanity’s deepest need. He walked among people, shared in their suffering, and ultimately bore their sins, revealing God’s compassion in tangible form. In Him, the character of God – gracious, merciful, and faithful – was made visible.

In response to such generosity, believers are called to reflect God’s heart in practical ways. Gratitude for God’s gift should inspire lives marked by forgiveness, kindness, service, and generosity. As recipients of grace, Christians are encouraged to share hope, extend love to the vulnerable, and serve others selflessly, demonstrating the Gospel through daily living.

Ultimately, while earthly gifts bring momentary joy, the gift of Christ brings lasting transformation. Christmas reminds the world of a God who drew near, gave Himself, and continues to change lives. As the light that shone in Bethlehem still shines today, may believers embody this message, allowing God’s love to be seen through their words and actions, and making Christmas not only a celebration, but a living testimony of God’s greatest gift.

Written by Elder Forson Adomako (National Youth Leader, CoP Japan – Tokyo City Church)

Common sense is a valuable asset in navigating life’s challenges, but when it comes to understanding God’s ways, it falls short. The Bible warns that the natural mind, with all its logical conclusions and common-sense reasoning, cannot fully grasp spiritual truth (1 Corinthians 2:14).

The knowledge of God is not discovered through intellectual effort or natural reasoning, but revealed through the Spirit of God and received by the human spirit. Jesus Christ is the foundation of true wisdom (Colossians 2:3), and without Him, our thinking becomes unstable, and our moral judgments become confused.

The Bible is full of examples that defy common-sense logic, such as Noah building an ark, Abraham leaving his homeland, and Moses stretching a rod over the Red Sea. These examples show that walking with God requires spiritual obedience, perception, and surrender.

Common sense may guide a person through life, but only Christ guides a person into eternal life. Without Him, sense is incomplete; with Him, sense becomes enlightened. Without Him, the conscience is confused; in Him, the conscience becomes clear.

As Christians, we must allow the Spirit of Christ to interpret truth to our spirit, rather than forcing common sense onto Scripture. The deepest understanding of God comes from the Spirit of God, revealing the mind of God and empowering our walk with Christ.

Jesus Christ is the only way to life, truth, salvation, and a rightly formed conscience. He is the foundation of true wisdom, and without Him, our thinking is clouded, and our moral judgments are confused.

Written by Deacon Abraham Quainoo

If we are being honest, one of the biggest struggles many believers face is overthinking. We can pray about something for weeks, do endless research, and ask everyone for advice, yet still never take a single step. We delay decisions while hoping for “more clarity,” feel anxious even about the smallest choices, and often procrastinate under the noble excuse of “preparation.” That is the sign and reality of analysis paralysis.

Psychologists define analysis paralysis as a state of overthinking decisions to the point where action is never taken. In simple terms, the more you think, the less you do. According to research published in the Harvard Business Review, when people face too many choices or too much information, the brain’s prefrontal cortex (the decision-making center) becomes overwhelmed. Instead of helping us decide better, it triggers decision fatigue — a mental exhaustion that leads to procrastination and inaction.

A 2018 study by psychologists at Cornell University also found that the average person makes over 35,000 decisions per day, and when too many of those decisions are weighed too heavily, it increases stress, anxiety, and the tendency to avoid action altogether.

Now, while this is a well-documented psychological issue, for the believer, analysis paralysis goes beyond the mental level. It becomes a spiritual hindrance — a subtle way the enemy keeps us from walking in our divine calling.

CAUSES OF ANALYSIS PARALYSIS TO THE BELIEVER

FEAR AND THE PRESSURE OF PERFECTION

Psychologists link perfectionism to chronic procrastination and anxiety. But God never asked for perfection; He asked for obedience. As believers, we often live with the pressure of “finding God’s perfect will” for our lives. We ask questions like: What if I choose the wrong career? What if I marry the wrong person? What if I take a wrong step and disappoint God?

We tell ourselves that we are being wise by weighing every option carefully, but deep down, we know that sometimes our “wisdom” is just fear, doubt, and lack of faith. Fear paralyzes us, making us believe that doing nothing is safer than making a mistake. But in reality, indecision itself is a decision — and usually, it is the wrong one. Ecclesiastes 11:4 says it plainly: “If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.” And yet, waiting for perfect conditions is exactly what we do.

INFORMATION OVERLOAD

We live in the digital age. Sermons, podcasts, YouTube videos, TikTok clips, and endless books flood our minds. Ironically, instead of helping us, the overload of voices leaves us more confused. Cognitive scientists call this the “paradox of choice” — when too many options cause paralysis instead of clarity. We chase confirmation after confirmation, longing for absolute certainty, but the more input we get, the more tangled our minds become.

PEER COMPARISON

Social media makes it seem like everyone else has their life figured out. One friend has already started a business, another is engaged, and someone else is studying abroad. Suddenly, you feel behind, and the weight of comparison freezes you. Comparison kills confidence, and hesitation becomes our comfort zone. It shifts our focus from God’s unique process for us to other people’s progress. We start thinking: If I can’t do it perfectly like them, maybe I shouldn’t start at all.

MISUNDERSTOOD SPIRITUALITY

Many young believers mistake faith for inactivity. We believe that “waiting on God” means sitting down until He reveals every single detail of the future. But throughout Scripture, God rarely gave full instructions. Abraham was told to leave his country without even knowing the destination (Hebrews 11:8). True faith is not waiting until everything is clear. It is moving when God says “go,” even if you do not see the whole path.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF OVERTHINKING

The Bible does not use the term “analysis paralysis,” but it gives vivid examples of people stuck between thought and action.

The Israelites at the Red Sea illustrate this perfectly. With the Egyptians chasing them from behind and the sea in front, they panicked, complained, and froze. But God told Moses, “Tell the people to move forward” (Exodus 14:15). Sometimes God’s answer to overthinking is simply move!

Gideon struggled with this too. God called him a mighty warrior, yet he doubted so much that he asked God for repeated signs. While God was patient and graciously confirmed his call, eventually Gideon had to obey in faith, not in certainty (Judges 6).

Jesus’ parable of the talents also warns us about the danger of fear-driven inaction. The servant who buried his talent thought he was being safe, but in God’s eyes, he was wasteful. His inaction cost him dearly (Matthew 25:14–30).

EFFECTS OF ANALYSIS PARALYSIS ON THE BELIEVER

Analysis paralysis feels harmless, but it is spiritually dangerous.

KEEPS US STAGNANT

Faith is like a muscle — it only grows when exercised. If all we ever do is think, pray, and plan without acting, our faith remains weak. James was right when he said in James 2:17, “Faith without works is dead.”

INCREASES OUR ANXIETY AND SELF-DOUBT

Psychologists note that hesitation magnifies fear. The longer we delay, the scarier a decision feels. Simple choices begin to look impossible. We lose peace because we have replaced trust in God with trust in our own reasoning.

WASTES TIME AND OPPORTUNITY

Perhaps the greatest danger is that overthinking robs us of our prime years — the years when we have energy, creativity, and strength to serve God wholeheartedly. We spend them hesitating instead of obeying. Some doors only stay open for a season (kairos), and when we delay too long, we miss them. Obedience delayed today often becomes regret tomorrow.

HOW DO WE BREAK FREE FROM ANALYSIS PARALYSIS?

Breaking free from analysis paralysis is not about rushing decisions carelessly; it is about learning to trust God enough to move.

PRAY, THEN ACT

Pray and seek God early. Prayer is essential, but prayer should lead us toward action, not keep us stuck in hesitation. When Nehemiah prayed about rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls, his prayer pushed him to approach the king with boldness. Prayer and action must go hand in hand.

DECIDE WITH THE LIGHT YOU HAVE

God does not always show the full picture. Abraham did not know his destination, yet he obeyed. Start with what you know and trust God with what you do not. Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1).

EMBRACE MISTAKES AS GROWTH

We must accept mistakes as part of growth. Many of us fear failure so much that we never try. But God is more interested in our faith than our perfection. Peter stepped out of the boat and sank, but at least he walked on water. The others stayed safe and experienced nothing. Mistakes are not final with God; He can redirect and restore.

LET SCRIPTURE GUIDE YOUR CHOICES

God’s Word gives us principles for decision-making. If a decision aligns with biblical truth, it is safe to step out in faith. The Holy Spirit guides us primarily through Scripture, not endless external confirmations.

CONCLUSION

Analysis is wise. Discernment is necessary. But if overthinking keeps us from obeying God, then we are not just being cautious — we are being disobedient. Analysis paralysis feels safe, but it is really a slow suffocation of purpose. As believers, we do not have forever to sit and think; our time and energy are meant to be utilized wisely. So let us be prayerful, but let us also be bold enough to move when God says, “Go.” Because in His Kingdom, delayed obedience is still disobedience.

Written by Deaconess Felicity Asamoah (Abuakwa Area, Asenemaso District, English Assembly)

Introduction

“I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God.” ~ Isaiah 45:5a (NIV)

In a world obsessed with opposites – light versus darkness, good versus evil, love versus hate, humanity has fallen into the trap of believing that even the Almighty has an equal and opposite force. But here stands the most liberating truth ever declared: God has no opposite.

Beyond our comprehension, God still reigns. Go as high or as deep as you like God is already there. He isn’t just one influence among many. He’s the source, the ultimate reality.

The enemy of your soul wants you to believe in a cosmic wrestling match where good and evil are locked in eternal struggle, where God and Satan are somehow equal opponents trading victories. But this is the greatest deception ever sold to mankind. There is no competition.

Biblically, Satan isn’t God’s rival. He’s a created being who rebelled. Evil isn’t God’s equal; it only exists wherever God’s goodness is refused like darkness, which is simply the absence of light. Sin doesn’t rival God’s might; it’s just humanity turning away from His perfect way.

The human mind, limited by finite understanding, sees circumstances and cries “Where is God?” But eternal reality declares a different truth entirely. From heaven’s perspective, there are not two kingdoms at war, there is one Kingdom, eternal and unshakeable, and everything else is temporary rebellion that has already been defeated. They understand that after God permits something, it’s still God who has the final word. When God allows difficulty, it’s still God working all things together for good.

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF SEASONS

The enemy wants you to believe that your current situation is evidence that God has lost control, that evil is winning, that darkness has overcome light. But the truth that will set you free is this: there is no “after God” where God is not still God.

Many believers make the mistake of thinking God is only present in the good times and absent in the difficult ones. They worship Him on the mountaintop and question Him in the valley. They praise Him for the blessing and blame circumstances for the burden. But mature faith recognizes that the same God who sends the sunshine also sends the rain. The same God who opens doors also allows some to close. The same God who provides also allows us to experience need, not because He’s lost control, but because He’s working a plan far greater than our comfort.

After your season of abundance, when the season of scarcity comes, it’s still God. After your season of health, when sickness visits, it’s still God.

After your season of joy, when sorrow knocks at your door, it’s still God orchestrating events for purposes that transcend your immediate understanding.

THE VICTORY THAT’S ALREADY WON

This is what the enemy doesn’t want you to know: the battle is already over. The victory has already been won. The question was already settled at Calvary. Everything you see that looks like opposition to God is simply the death throes of a defeated foe who’s trying to take as many people down with him as possible.

Jesus didn’t come to fight Satan; He came to demonstrate that there was never really a fight. He didn’t come to engage in cosmic warfare. He came to show that God’s authority was never actually challenged, only temporarily ignored by rebellious creation.

When Jesus said “It is finished,” He wasn’t just talking about your salvation. He was announcing the end of the illusion that anything or anyone could truly oppose the will of Almighty God.

CONCLUSION

After your worst day, it’s still God. After your greatest fear materializes, it’s still God. After your deepest disappointment, it’s still God. After your final breath, it’s still God waiting to welcome you home.

The God who was before anything else existed will be after everything else has passed away. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.

And in between all of those moments, in the middle of your confusion, your pain, your questions, and your struggles, it’s still God. Always God. Forever God. Only God.

Written by Derrick Decency Antwi & Prosper Deku (Alumni, Pentecost University)

Mark 8:35 (NIV) declares a profound truth at the heart of discipleship: “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.” In this divine paradox, Jesus presents a call that contradicts human instinct yet leads to true life. While the world urges us to preserve our comfort, protect our interests, and prioritise self, Christ invites His followers into a life of surrender, sacrificial obedience, and bold witness through the power of the Holy Spirit, just as the apostles demonstrated in Acts 4:31. Many desire God’s blessings, peace, and salvation, yet hesitate to lay down personal ambitions, social approval, and convenience for the sake of the gospel, but Jesus makes it clear that anything pursued outside God’s will leads only to loss.

Christ’s commission to His followers is not optional. He saved us not for a life of ease, but to proclaim His message, make disciples, shine His light, and testify of His grace wherever we find ourselves, in accordance with Matthew 28:18–19. Every believer is a messenger of God’s salvation, and one does not need a pulpit or title to fulfil this mandate. Our homes, workplaces, schools, communities, and daily interactions are our mission fields. Refusing to speak about Christ for fear of criticism or discomfort is an attempt to “save” one’s life, yet Jesus warns that such self-preservation leads to eternal loss. True disciples understand that purpose outweighs convenience and that the value of a soul far surpasses the comfort of silence. Losing one’s life for Christ means placing His will above our own, standing for truth despite opposition, offering faithful service wherever God provides opportunity, and laying aside worldly pursuits when they conflict with kingdom priorities.

God needs His people exactly where they are. Your daily life becomes a pulpit, your conduct a sermon, your testimony a message of hope, and your service an act of worship. Christ is not searching for perfect people, but for willing hearts that say, “Here I am, Lord, use me.” The world may urge us to live for ourselves, protect our image, seek comfort, and avoid sacrifice, but Christ calls us to give ourselves away, reflect His nature, carry our cross, and pursue the lost. True life begins with surrender, true success begins with consecration, and true eternity begins when worldly goals are laid at the feet of Christ. In losing your life for Him, you gain the life that truly matters, for life is safest only when placed in the hands of the One who gave His life for you.

Written by Deacon Abraham Quainoo

The word of God is a powerful and transformative force that has the ability to create, build, organize, and bring order to our lives. It is authentic, infallible, sufficient, and undiluted, and has the power to bring situations and circumstances into reality.

In Genesis, we see the power of God’s word on display as He speaks the universe into existence. “AND GOD SAID” is repeated seven times, emphasizing the power and authority of His word. The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, and has the ability to penetrate to the deepest parts of our nature, exposing and judging the thoughts and purposes of our hearts (Hebrews 4:12).

As believers, we are called to stay with the word of God, to feed on it, and to obey it. It is our strength, our guidance, and our light in times of darkness. The word of God has the power to revive our souls, to make us wise, and to give us joy and light (Psalm 19:7-8).

In Ezekiel 37:1-14, we see the prophet Ezekiel prophesying to dry bones, and the word of God bringing life to hopeless and shattered circumstances. This is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of God’s word, and its ability to bring life and hope to our situations.

As Christians, our growth, sustainability, and well-being depend on how much of the word of God we have in us. We must prioritize spending time with the word, studying it, meditating on it, and obeying it. The word of God is our lamp and our light, and it guides us on our journey with God.

Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of the word of God in action. He is the Word made flesh, and He came to show us the way, the truth, and the life. When we feed on the word, we are feeding on Christ, and we are nourished and sustained by His presence.

The word of God is profitable for rebuking, correction, teaching, and training in righteousness, and it equips us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Let us commit to staying with the word, to obeying it, and to living it out in our daily lives. May we be practitioners of the word, and not just hearers only.

May the Lord help us to daily abide by His word, and to be genuine doers of His will. Amen.

Written by Elder David Gyamfi, PIWC West Hills