ACK St James Parish- Anglican Diocese of Kitale

23/12/2025

GOD WHO KNOWS.
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‎Isaiah 46:9–10 — “I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done.”
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‎1. Introduction:
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‎Before you came to the place of realization of your problem, God already knew its solution.
‎He is the God who knows — nothing surprises Him, nothing confuses Him, and nothing finds Him unprepared. What shocks man has already been settled in the mind of God.
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‎When you discover a problem, you are only arriving at what God had already prepared an answer for. You are never the first to know — God knew before you knew.
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‎2. God’s Knowledge Precedes Our Awareness
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‎- Before Adam hid, God already knew where he was. (Genesis 3:9)
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‎- Before Hagar cried in the wilderness, God had already positioned a well nearby. (Genesis 21:19)
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‎- Before Israel faced the Red Sea, God had already appointed a wind to part the waters. (Exodus 14:21)
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‎- Before Daniel entered the lions’ den, God had already shut their mouths. (Daniel 6:22)
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‎God’s wisdom doesn’t begin when the problem appears — His plan was in motion long before your panic began.
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‎3. God Knows Your Path
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‎Job 23:10 — “But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.”
‎Even when you don’t understand your route, God knows your road. He sees every bend, every valley, and every storm — yet He has already made a way through it.
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‎4. God’s Knowledge Is Redemptive
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‎He doesn’t just know what will happen; He knows how to redeem it.
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‎Joseph’s brothers thought they were ending his dreams, but God knew they were sending him to his destiny.
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‎The cross looked like defeat, but God knew it was victory.
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‎Your pain may look like punishment, but God knows it’s preparation.

‎5. Trusting the God Who Knows
‎‎When you can’t trace Him, trust Him.
‎When you can’t understand the “why,” rest in His “who.”
‎He is El Roi — “the God who sees.” (Genesis 16:13)
‎He is Jehovah Jireh — “the God who provides.”

14/03/2025

Five Ways God Uses Your Problems


“My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees. Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver.”

Psalm 119:71–72 (NLT)

Life is a series of problem-solving opportunities. The problems you face will either defeat you or develop you, depending on how you respond to them.

When most people encounter difficulty, they react impulsively or become resentful. They don’t pause to consider what benefit their problems might bring. As a result, they never see how God wants to use problems for good in their lives.

There are five main ways that God uses the problems in your life. I want you to understand what they are so that, next time you face difficulty, you can be on the lookout for how God is working.

God uses problems to DIRECT you. Sometimes God lights a fire under you to get you moving. Problems can point you in a new direction and motivate you to change. Is God trying to get your attention? As Proverbs 20:30 says, “Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways” (GNT).

God uses problems to INSPECT you. People are like teabags: If you want to know what’s inside them, just drop them into hot water! Has God ever tested your faith with a problem? What did that problem reveal about you? James 1:2-3 says, “When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience” (NCV).

God uses problems to CORRECT you. Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. When you were a child, your parents likely told you not to touch a hot stove. But you probably didn’t actually learn the lesson until you ignored their instruction and were burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something—like health, money, or a relationship—by losing it. That was true for the author of Psalm 119: “My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees. Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver” (Psalm 119:71–72 NLT).

God uses problems to PROTECT you. A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more serious. A few years ago, a friend of mine was fired for refusing to do something unethical that his boss asked him to do. His unemployment was a problem—but it saved him from being convicted and sent to prison a year later when his boss’s actions were uncovered. He was able to say like Joseph did, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” (Genesis 50:20 NIV).

God uses problems to PERFECT you. Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders: “We know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character” (Romans 5:3-4 NLT). God is far more interested in your character than your comfort. Your relationship to God and your character are the only two things you’re going to take with you into eternity.

You’re going to experience difficulties. Everyone does. When you do, remember that you have a choice. You can let those difficulties defeat you. Or you can choose to let God direct, inspect, correct, protect, and perfect you through them!

11/03/2025

God Is Never in a Hurry

Psalm 40:1 (GNT)

“I waited patiently for the LORD's help; then he listened to me and heard my cry.”

God isn’t in a hurry with your spiritual growth. You may think he’s in a hurry, but he’s not. He’s using your current circumstances to develop your character and make you stronger. He’s patient.

Most people, on the other hand, are impatient. Many of our problems are caused by our inability to wait. We get into debt because we don’t know how to delay gratification, buying things we don’t need with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t even like. We buy all we can, can all we get, and then sit on the can.

Some people even get into relationships they shouldn’t because they don’t know how to delay gratification. For instance, they may think, ‘I want companionship now, even if it’s with the wrong person,’ or ‘I want s*x now; I don’t want to wait.’ And their impatience leads to problems.

The good news is that, with prayer, you can recover from problems caused by your impatience. The Bible says, “I waited patiently for the LORD‘s help; then he listened to me and heard my cry” (Psalm 40:1 GNT).

Remember: God is never in a hurry. Did you know there isn’t an example of Jesus running anywhere in the Bible? In fact, it took him three days to go a mile and a half to get to his friend, Lazarus, who was very sick. And by the time Jesus got to him, it was too late—Lazarus had already died.

But Jesus had a bigger plan in mind. He didn’t just want to heal Lazarus—he wanted to raise him from the dead. He wanted to do a miracle. And that’s exactly what happened. Jesus walked up to Lazarus’ tomb, told them to roll the stone away, and said, “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:43 NLT). And Lazarus did!

Sometimes, a situation can get so bad that you feel tempted to take matters into your own hands. But don’t take shortcuts. Instead, trust in God’s perfect timing and expect a miracle! The Bible says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12 NIV).

God already knows what he’s going to do in your life next month, next year, and in the next decade. His timing is perfect, and his plan for your life is good and worth waiting for.

25/02/2025

The Different Types of Grace in the Bible

The concept of grace is central to Christian theology, embodying God’s unmerited love and favor bestowed upon humanity. There are different types of grace highlighted in the Bible, each serving unique roles in the spiritual life and relationship between humans and the divine.
Common Grace

Common grace refers to the grace of God that is given to all of humanity, regardless of their religious beliefs. This type of grace is universally experienced and isn’t dependent on faith. It includes the beauty of nature, moral instincts, and intellectual gifts. The Bible says that God “causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good” highlighting the impartial distribution of common grace.
Free Grace

Free Grace is freely given by God without any prerequisites. It is a gift offered to everyone, emphasizing that salvation is not earned but graciously provided. It is through this grace that individuals can find grace and establish a relationship with God.
Irresistible Grace

In theological discussions, Irresistible Grace refers to the idea that when God extends grace to someone, they cannot resist it. This grace transforms the recipient’s heart, making them more receptive to the Christian message and the Holy Spirit.
Sufficient Grace

“Sufficient grace” embodies the belief that God’s grace is sufficient for salvation and moral living. The phrase “My grace is sufficient for you” from 2 Corinthians communicates that God’s support is all-encompassing, providing strength and sustenance in all situations.
Saving Grace

Saving Grace is the grace that brings salvation to sinners. It is through this grace that individuals are saved from sin and eternal damnation, highlighting the belief that salvation is a freely given gift from God, not something that can be earned through good deeds.
Serving Grace

Serving Grace empowers individuals to serve others effectively. It’s the grace that enables believers to serve God and community selflessly and diligently, using the gifts and talents bestowed upon them. As stated in 1 Peter, believers should “use whatever gift you have received to serve others”.
Sola Gratia

Sola gratia, a Latin phrase, means “grace alone.” It’s a fundamental Christian belief that salvation comes solely through God’s grace, not human effort. This concept is key in Protestant theology, emphasizing God’s role in human salvation.
Actual Grace

What is actual grace? Actual Grace is a theological concept referring to the help that God provides to individuals on a day-to-day basis. It’s a temporary grace given to assist people in acting rightly and avoiding sin, assisting believers in their journey of sanctification.
Preached Grace

Preached Grace is the grace communicated through the preaching and proclamation of God’s word. It is through the preached word that individuals come to understand and receive God’s grace, leading to transformation and salvation.
Enabling Grace

Enabling Grace provides believers with the strength and capability to live righteously and faithfully. It is through this grace that individuals are empowered to overcome sin and live a life pleasing to God.
Sanctifying Grace

Sanctifying Grace is the grace that makes individuals holy. Through this grace, believers are sanctified, set apart, and made holy, aligning their lives and characters with the image and will of God.
Prevenient Grace

Prevenient Grace is the grace that works in individuals before they acknowledge or accept it. It’s the grace that precedes human decision, preparing and enabling them to respond to God’s call of salvation.
Justifying Grace

What is justifying grace? Justifying Grace is the grace that forgives and accepts individuals despite their sins. Through this grace, believers are justified and deemed righteous in the eyes of God, establishing a new relationship with the divine.
Sustaining Grace

Sustaining Grace is the grace that supports and sustains believers through trials and tribulations. It is the grace that strengthens faith and fosters perseverance, enabling believers to endure hardships and maintain their faith.
Provisional Grace

Provisional Grace refers to the grace provided by God to meet the needs of His people. It is the provision and support extended to believers to navigate through life’s challenges and difficulties.
Miraculous Grace

Miraculous Grace is evident in the miraculous signs and wonders that accompany the preaching of the gospel. This grace is manifested in healing, deliverance, and supernatural provision, demonstrating God’s power and love to humanity.
Glorifying Grace

Glorifying Grace is the final grace that believers will experience, leading to glorification in heaven. It is the grace that will ultimately transform and glorify believers, making them perfectly like Christ in the afterlife.
Adopting Grace

Lastly, Adopting Grace refers to the grace through which individuals are adopted into God’s family. Through this grace, believers become children of God, entitled to all the rights and privileges of sonship.

Each of these types of grace plays a crucial role in the Christian understanding and experience of God’s grace, contributing to a comprehensive and multifaceted view of divine favor and love

23/12/2024

The God Who Speaks
God offers us the invaluable privilege of personal communication with Him.

Hebrews 1:1-2

Throughout human history, God has spoken to mankind in various ways. His prophets and apostles were moved by the Holy Spirit to proclaim and write His words (2 Peter 1:21), but His ultimate expression came through the birth of His Son Jesus (Gal. 4:3-5). Through the Holy Spirit, the Lord still communicates to every Christian who listens with an open and receptive heart.

Think about the wonder of having a God who speaks—not a distant deity who gives orders from heaven, but one who actually wants to converse with you! Why would the Lord of all creation choose to come to earth, die on a cross, and provide the Holy Spirit in order to communicate with each of us? Consider that God ...

Loves you.

Desires an intimate relationship with you.

Longs for you to trust Him and for your faith to grow strong as you see the fulfillment of His words.

Wants you to experience all He’s planned for your life—and will guide you to fulfill His purposes.

In the busyness of the Christmas season, it’s easy to take for granted this invaluable privilege of communication with the Lord. Take time this week away from distractions so you can listen to the God who wants to talk with you.

05/12/2024

The Riches of God’s Grace
Because of Christ, we can receive God's choicest gifts.

Ephesians 1:1-8

What would it take for you to consider yourself rich? A large bank account? A fancy car in the garage? You may not be so bold as to answer “yes,” but does your life reflect this attitude? Sadly, many believers are overtaken by the world’s standard of riches and define wealth by how much they possess.

This happens whether one is wealthy or not. For the well-off, the temptation is to see money as the defining characteristic of their life; for the poor, money becomes the be-all-end-all goal of comfort and satisfaction. Greed plagues rich and poor alike.

What many believers fail to realize is that in Christ, we are all rich. Sure, you may have bills to pay, but if you have placed your faith in Jesus, you can boldly acknowledge that God has already poured His richest blessings upon you (Eph. 2:4-7).

Today’s passage says that God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing (v. 3). Did you notice the tense of the verb there? The past tense—“has blessed”—is used, meaning it’s already happened. And He does not give just a little bit here and there; rather, He lavishly pours out His blessings on us.

Look beyond your finances and prayerfully list as many of your blessings as you can.

12/11/2024

Strength Comes With Waiting
Access to God's power is achieved not by moving faster but by going slower.

Isaiah 40:28-31

Exhaustion is a by-product of overcommitted schedules and endless responsibilities. That’s not what our Father wants for us. He offers a radically different mode of living and gives His followers renewed strength.

Those who wait on the Lord are promised His supernatural energy. In fact, Scripture says it will surpass the natural strength and endurance of the young (Isa. 40:29-30). Contrary to what we might think, access to this power is achieved not by moving faster but by going slower—taking the time to focus on God, seek His direction, and ask for His strength to accomplish what He’s calling us to do. There is no earthly explanation for what God is willing and able to achieve in and through a yielded human being. His Holy Spirit is like a powerful and refreshing gust of wind that enables us to soar like eagles (Ps. 103:5).

The next time you are at the point of exhaustion, take some time to focus on the Lord. Are you in step with Him, or have you gone ahead on your own? Align your pace with His, taking the time to rest when He wants you to, and receive the energy He freely offers to those who walk obediently in His will.

08/11/2024

28/10/2024

Claiming a Promise of God
While you're waiting for God to move, ask Him to help you grow in faith, obedience, and patience.
October 24, 2024

2 Peter 1:3-4

God’s promises are precious (2 Pet. 1:4). Not only do they remind us of His personal interest in our life, but they also provide hope and encouragement during difficult times.

Before claiming a promise, we must check ourselves in three areas: faith, obedience, and patience. First, we must trust Jesus as our personal Savior. Next, we must obey God. As discussed in yesterday’s devotion, our obedience or action is required in order to claim conditional promises. Finally, patience is required. God operates on His timetable to accomplish His purposes according to His perfect plan.

At times it may seem as if a divine promise is not being fulfilled. When that is the case, take another look at the biblical passage to be sure it applies to you. Then verify that you have met the necessary conditions. If you are still convinced the promise applies, look a little deeper at your request. Will God be honored when this promise is fulfilled? Will it help you grow spiritually? These additional questions will assist you in claiming a promise.

The Holy Spirit will build our faith through Scripture, provide the strength necessary to obey, and develop in us the fruit of patience. These qualities are necessary and will help us as we look to God to fulfill His promises.

04/10/2024

Expect God to Answer Your Prayers

“If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you . . . If you don’t ask with faith, don’t expect the Lord to give you any solid answer.”

James 1:5-8 (TLB)

God wants to direct you in life, but two things need to line up: You need to ask him for help, and you need to ask with the right attitude. You need to ask him in faith, trusting him to provide the answer.

The Living Bible paraphrases James 1:5-8 this way: “If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you . . . If you don’t ask with faith, don’t expect the Lord to give you any solid answer.”

Have you ever asked God for something while not expecting to get it? God works in your life according to faith. Living by faith means you expect God to answer your prayers.

You expect him to provide the solution and keep his promises. You expect that he wants to accomplish his will through you. And you expect him to provide everything you need to do that.

So often we say, “God, please guide me!” and we walk away without waiting for guidance. We just immediately get to work on the problem. We may say that we want God to give us wisdom and help us make the right decision, but we don’t really expect him to. We think it all depends on us.

But God has promised to give you wisdom—if you wait for it. Wisdom is seeing life from God’s point of view. Wisdom is the ability to make decisions the way God makes decisions.

Think about this: God never makes a bad decision. He never makes a mistake. He says if you trust him and listen to him, he will guide you. But you must first ask in faith.

No matter how you feel and no matter what your life looks like, God is for you and not against you. He is a good God, and you can be confident he is working for your good. You can trust him with your future because he knows better than you do what is best for you.

When this truth becomes the foundation of your prayers, then your prayers will become powerful and passionate and purposeful.

So, what do you want to see God do in your life? What big things do you want to ask of him, believing in his good purpose for you? With God’s goodness as your foundation, what do you expectantly hope he will accomplish through you?

01/10/2024

When God Doesn’t Take the Pain Away

“Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me . . . For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NLT)

The things that I’ve prayed about the most, God has chosen not to remove. But, like Job, I say, “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him” (Job 13:15 NIV).

Even the apostle Paul did not get answers to all of his prayers. In fact, he had what he called a “thorn in the flesh”—a lifelong problem that caused great pain in his life.

Paul wrote, “Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me . . . For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:8-10 NLT).

If God never says “yes” to another prayer in my life, I still owe him the rest of my life, and you do too. He has a better plan, a bigger perspective, and a greater purpose.

What have you been praying about that hasn’t happened? Maybe you want to be married, have a baby, or get that promotion at work. Maybe you’ve asked God to give you something, or maybe you’ve asked him to take away something, like a chronic illness. Maybe you’ve gone through something that makes you feel like it’s the end of the story.

14/08/2024

Why Didn’t I Get What I Asked God For?

“We are sure that [God] hears us if we ask him for anything that is according to his will.”

1 John 5:14 (GNT)

Do you ever wonder if prayer really works? Maybe you’re praying about something and Satan whispers to you, “This is a waste of time. Forget it! Who do you think you are? God is not listening.”

Prayer works because God is in control. The basis of all miracles is God’s sovereignty. Why does he allow one request and not another? Because God is in control. We can trust his wisdom and his goodness.

Ephesians 3:20 says, “God . . . is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes” (TLB).

Prayer can do whatever God can do. His resources are available to you. It’s encouraging to know that things out of your control are not out of God’s. You may not be able to change a situation, but you can pray, and God can change it.

I know what you might be thinking right now: “If I can pray and ask God to change things, and if God is really in control of everything, then why don’t I get everything I ask for?” Good question.

Here are three reasons:

God is not a genie. You don’t just put in a prayer and get whatever you want. Do you give your children everything they ask for? I hope not. You can see the bigger picture for your kids and make decisions accordingly. Think about how much bigger the picture is that God can see!

Sometimes Christians pray in conflict. I’ll give a silly example, but if two Christians are praying during the Super Bowl for different teams to win, who is God going to answer? If God were concerned about the outcome of a football game, he still wouldn’t let both teams win.

But I think the real reason is this:

God knows what’s best, and you don’t. The Bible tells us, “We are sure that [God] hears us if we ask him for anything that is according to his will” (1 John 5:14 GNT).

The attitude of your prayer needs to be: “Lord, this is my prayer request, but your will be done.” That’s what Jesus prayed in Luke 22:42: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (NIV).

Keep on praying, even when it doesn’t turn out like you planned. Remember, God knows what’s best.