Text: This know also, that IN THE LAST DAYS perilous times shall come (2 Timothy 3:1)

Last week, we looked at the prophecy and promise of Joel and Jesus respectively concerning the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the last days and how the Holy Spirit helps us to become more like Christ.

Today, we want to look at Paul’s warning to his son Timothy about we having perilous times in the last days. At least, looking at the strange and almost unexplainable events happening around us should send a signal we are in the last days. Many people believe that, Jesus’ description of end time and His apocalyptic message to John the Beloved as recorded in the Book of Revelation are almost fully fulfilled. Meaning, we are nearer to the end than when we first believed.

In Apostle Paul’s warning, he mentioned things that will cause the perilous times to come and interestingly, we have all sat aloof and have been taken unaware. I personally believe that, the occurrence of the first thing Paul mentioned triggers the other factors to manifest. He said, “…for men shall be lovers of their own selves – selfishness”. Then he went on to mention the fruits of the flesh as the other causes of the perilous times [2 Timothy 3:2-5, Galatians 5:19-21].

My brethren, being self-centered is this cause of all the problems we are facing in the world today. When Jesus is in the centre, everything will be fine. His love will be shared abroad in our hearts and we will learn of His meekness and compassion. We will love and help each other and not only seek for our own interest, but that of others.

Paul admonished Timothy to stick to the sound teachings he received from his grandmother Lois. He added, “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee WISE unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus”.

This world will only become better when such wisdom that comes from the Holy Scriptures is used. I urge you to stand up and make a change in the world with the Word of God.

Finally! I get to serve all the way.

I had heard a lot about the Young People’s Guild of the Presbyterian Church. I admired the way they looked angelic in their uniform whenever they wore it, so free and bonded in love they appeared to be. Their meetings, I heard, was always fun and long awaited. This youth group really made me eager to reach 18, then I could be a part of them. Not that I didn’t enjoy where I was, Junior Youth was amazing. There were always welcoming leaders to counsel you and the school visits was the icing on the cake but the YPGs I’d seen had a way of wetting your appetite with their enticing programs.

In 2017, I prepared together with a group of Junior Youth members for graduation and honestly, I didn’t know exactly what to expect but I was looking forward to awesome moments with this new group.

I attended my first YPG meeting at the Epiphany Congregation, Kaajaano, where I worshipped at the time. I later understood why this youth group received so much hype; our activities ranged from talks to outdoor and indoor games. We had worship sessions, learnt hymns and even had dinners, among many other interesting activities.

Of course, like every organization, there would always be challenges and this group was no different. On several occasions we had members showing up late for meetings and other programs. Poor participation and lack of interest in some outlined program, on the part of members were also some issues we had to deal with but prayers were offered and the necessary strategies were put in place so that we could call these challenges a thing of the past.

It has been 3 years since I joined the YPG and I must say I’ve learnt beaucoup – on faith, health, finance, the Christian walk, and relationships, just to mention a few. I made it a mental note and a commitment to myself when I joined YPG that I won’t just respond ‘Service all the way’ but I would also serve all the way (1 John 3:18 NIV) and God is faithfully helping me to live it.

I humbly suggest that the youth groups in the Presbyterian Church should be enlightened on why and how their presence is an advantage to the church and how it is tied to church growth. 

I hold the belief that if the youth groups in PCG, individuals first, would purpose in their hearts to know His will and to do it, we would make the church unbelievably fortified against division and stagnancy. The Holy Spirit is still very much present and wants to be active in our lives, will we be available?

YPG!!
SERVICE ALL THE WAY!!!

Written by Sis. Ruth Somuah (YPG Member, Victory Congregation, Ashaiman)

Text: Then afterwards [in the last days], I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh
(Joel 2:28)

Come, Holy Spirit, Come!!!

We begin this series by looking at one of the most important prophecies about the last days concerning the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit of God is the life giver and sustainer of the believer (Job 33:4).

Jesus confirmed Joel’s prophecy by promising us (His followers) that He will not leave us as orphans but will send us The Comforter who is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is also our Helper, Teacher and Counsellor (John 16).

Jesus Christ explicitly mentioned in verse 7 of John 16 that, it is to the advantage of the believers that He goes to the Father because if He doesn’t, the Comforter will not come.

This prophecy and promise was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost after Jesus’ ascension. The last words of Christ to the disciples stated clearly what the Holy Spirit will help us to do; “But you will receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be my witnesses… (Acts 1:8).  The empowerment of the Holy Spirit, thus, is primarily for soul winning and discipleship.

In Acts 2, Bible records the actual outpouring of the Holy Spirit; “… and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit – v. 4”.

The Holy Spirit plays an important role to lead us to Christ (1 Corinthians 12:3). He first convicts us of sin, then of God’s righteousness and then of the coming judgment (John 16:8-9).

My purpose today is to remind you of your incapacity without the Holy Spirit. Just as a child below 18 years cannot inherit her/his estates, without the Holy Spirit, you cannot inherit the good things in the Lord. So I will urge you to pray the Spirit’s empowerment.

If you are a Christian, you just need to recognize Him as your Helper. He is always there to help you become more like Christ.

If you are not born again and you are reading this message, there is still hope. The first step is to accept Jesus as your Lord and personal saviour. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit and walk in His awesome guidance and power.

Have a Spirit-filled day!

I was listening to the Matthew West podcast on Friday evening and during the ‘Dadvice’ segment, his dad Rev. West said something that I will never forget. He said, “The Devil knows our Achilles heel.”

If you are a lover of Greek mythology like me, you would have probably watched Troy before and would know Achilles.

Well if you haven’t, here’s the plot of the movie. Achilles was one of the best and handsome soldiers of the Greek army. It was prophesied when he was a child that he will die heroically in battle. Thus, his mother tried to make him immortal by dipping him into a sacred river. This worked, but unfortunately, the water never touched his ankle because that was where his mother held. Eventually, in the Trojan War, he was killed when an arrow hit his heel/ankle. And that’s where we got the idiom, Achilles heel – because that was his weakest spot. A Superman with a weak spot!

One thing the Devil is good at is touching us at the place where it hurts the most (i.e. our weakest spot). Do you need a job? A spouse? Educational needs etc. For Achilles, his heel was his weak point. For me loving animals is. What about you? Job was a wealthy man in every aspect and definitely would take interest in his wealth. Guess where the Devil struck? Yes, everything he had.

When we are going through hard times, the Devil knows this is where it hurts us the most. He will try everything to get us to succumb, just like Achilles succumbed to death in the last two scenes of Troy.
What do we do about our Achilles heel? As Guilders, we need to figure out our Achilles heel and surrender it to God. He is the only one who can confer ‘immortality’ against death by the Devil in every aspect of our life.

We must keep fighting, with everything we have. Knowing the trick the Devil has under his sleeve, we must refuse him with the promises of God. Sometimes it gets hard and overwhelming but God will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Because we have a God who has written our names in His palm (Isaiah 49:16)

Just as Jerusalem is protected by mountains on every side, the LORD protects his people by holding them in his arms now and forever. (Psalm 125:2 CEV)

God didn’t bring us this far just to leave us. The Devil knows our Achilles heel, but we should be anxious for nothing. God’s got us (Philippians 4:6-7)
Will you figure out your Achilles heel and surrender it to God?

Written by: Akosua Kumi Nyarko (Presbytery Publicity Team Member)

The Ashaiman District YPG, affectionately called the “Holy City” will host their 19th Annual District Delegates’ Conference on Saturday, 17th October, 2020 at the Nazareth Congregation, Adjei-Kojo.

This is the first conference since Bro. Daniel Marshall Kporyi took over from Bro. Peter Narh Sewu as District President and it promises to be a strategic meeting after the smooth transition.

The conference seeks to discover the will of God for the District and in obedience to His will to lead the Guild into fuller life and services and also discuss the progress of the Guild.

Each Branch in the District is expected to be represented by the President, Secretary and Financial Secretary.

In attendance will be Reverend Ministers and Presbyters in the District, Presbytery Guild Executive and Council Members and Past District Executives.

We pray for a successful deliberations.

The Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Accra Newtown District Young people’s Guild presents, Precious Women’s conference, a program designed to empower ladies in the District in all facets of life.

Precious Women’s conference was introduced by the Bro Kwesi Nketia-led administration in the year 2018 which was duly accepted by guilders of both gender in the district.

The maiden edition was in 2018 with the theme, “The Purpose driven Woman.” Rev. Mrs. Millicent Sackey, former Minister of Redemption Congregation-Kokomlemle was the resource person for the 2018 edition.

The 2nd edition which was held last year had average participation from guilders. The theme was “Not Easily Broken Virtuous Woman” with Mrs. Hannah Abrahams-Appiah (Geologist, Environmentalist) being the speaker.

This year’s edition promises to be exciting and educative. The District YPG will be hosting Mrs. Felicia Anim-Tetey to encourage female guilders to be women of substance, God fearing, bold and always stand for the truth at all times

The Precious Women’s Conference comes off on Friday, 16th October, 2020 at 6;30pm prompt. The venue is the Presbyterian Church Of Ghana -Gethsemane Congregation, Maamobi.

Our Precious women in the district are the primary focus for this Conference but their foundation (we the men) are already there physically to support them during the Conference.

Special invitation to all especially women to this destiny transforming conference.

Don’t miss it

Written by: Bro. Richard A. Okyere (District Secretary)

Let me tell you a story that can change your life:

The Youth Group I Superintend over has been trying to get Rev. Dr. Erasmus Odonkor for a meeting.

Rev. Odonkor is the immediate past General Secretary of the Bible Society of Ghana and the current District Minister of the Dzorwulu District in the Ga Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana. He was also a Superintendent of the Ga Presbytery YPG and a National YPG President from 1990-1992.

Last week, I got a late notice of his availability but I couldn’t make it because he will only be available for a time which was more than the time it will take me transport from Osu to Station.So I missed him again.

Last night, I got the information that he will be available this morning at 9am and will only have twenty minutes to spare.

This was the moment.

I got to Dzorwulu this morning at 9:02am to meet my colleague youth worker who is the outgoing District President for the Dzorwulu District YPG, Bro. Alex. Let me put all the blame for my two-minute lateness on Kwame from Bolt.

When we got into the meeting with the Rev. Dr. Odonkor, he prayed to begin and customarily asked for our mission even though he knew.

The first few sentences I uttered led Alex to a book cabinet to bring an Oxford Dictionary for us to rule when having “Guild” and “Assembly” together amounted to tautology. No ruling was done.

But being a man vested with history and experience about the work we are doing now, Rev. took us on a journey of the YPG that lasted well over an hour. That was other matters before the Main Business.

The conversation was rich, cutting across all divides of human life.

In this piece however, I want to share just one thing Papa said.

He said, “Work for the Lord.”

He said it with so much fulfilment in his voice.

This is someone who has committed his youthfulness to God and worked for Him.

He quoted Jesus in John 9:4 and I had goosebumps all over.

John 9:4 says, “I must work the works of He who sent me while it is day, for the night is coming when no man can work.”

I don’t know who needs to hear this but the night is drawing nigh!

Wake up and work for the Lord.

Peace!

PS: We are hosting Papa for the October Edition of the #EchoesFromThePast on PCG YPG National Facebook.

Stay tuned.

Written by: Bro. Stanley Toddison (Ga Presbytery YPG Superintendent)

Dear Rainbow Guilders,

Greetings.

As the world marks International Youth Day today, I’m glad to bring to your notice something very important to our lives as Christian youth.

The opportunities for us as millennials are enormous and so are the challenges.

The expectations are justifiable because to whom much is given, much is required.

Recently, I spoke to a Presbyterian minister who told, “We are giving you all the opportunities but we can see anything.”

I tried so hard to show him what we are doing but I stopped because if truly we are doing so much, our actions should speak for themselves.

Today, we have another opportunity to remind ourselves that we are living in perhaps the best days of our life and to remind us of this, let’s read Ecclesiastes 11:9-10, 12:1-8:

11:9-10
9 You who are young, be happy while you are young,
and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things, God will bring you into judgment.

10 So then, banish anxiety from your heart
and cast off the troubles of your body,
for youth and vigor are meaningless.

12:1-8
1 Remember now your Creator
in the days of your youth,
before the days of trouble come
and the years approach when you will say,
“I find no pleasure in them”—
2 before the sun and the light
and the moon and the stars grow dark,
and the clouds return after the rain;
3 when the keepers of the house tremble,
and the strong men stoop,
when the grinders cease because they are few,
and those looking through the windows grow dim;
4 when the doors to the street are closed
and the sound of grinding fades;
when people rise up at the sound of birds,
but all their songs grow faint;
5 when people are afraid of heights
and of dangers in the streets;
when the almond tree blossoms
and the grasshopper drags itself along
and desire no longer is stirred.
Then people go to their eternal home
and mourners go about the streets.

6 Remember him—before the silver cord is severed,
and the golden bowl is broken;
before the pitcher is shattered at the spring,
and the wheel broken at the well,
7 and the dust returns to the ground it came from,
and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

8 “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher.
“Everything is meaningless!”

I pray that, these words from Wise King Solomon will help us all align our youthful life to our divine calling.

Celebrations!!🎉🎉🎉

By: Bro. Stanley Toddison (Ga Presbytery YPG Superintendent)

IYD2020

Youth4GlobalAction

YouthDay

The Youth and Campus Ministry Coordinator of the Ga Presbytery, Rev. Joseph Yaw Asan-Ntow, has applauded youth leaders especially Branch Executives across the Presbytery for their swift response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic on physical meeting.

He made these remarks during the Panel Discussion on the topic “COVID19 And The YPG: Projecting into the Future” which was hosted by the Ga Presbytery YPG on Sunday, 14th June, 2020 on Zoom and Facebook.

Since the Thanksgiving Service of the 2020 Youth and Students’ Week which was held on 15th March, 2020, religious gatherings including YPG meetings have been restricted, with the ban being lifted only this month. Most Guilds at both the Branch and District levels capitalized on social media to keep their meetings running.

Rev. Asan-Ntow showered praises on these leaders who swiftly transited to the digital sphere to overcome the hurdles the ban on religious activities brought on the normal track of the YPG.

He observed the impact of these online activities on participation of members as most branches recorded higher numbers during their online meetings than during their physical meetings.

Additionally, he hailed the youth for championing the digital agenda in their various congregations.

“We also saw that in most cases, it is the YPG members who are pushing their churches to go digital,” Reverend Asan-Ntow said.

He also called on leaders to rise higher above what seems to be the biggest threat to the Guild in recent years.

“It was time to show leadership and our Executives were up for it,” he profoundly admonished.

He also challenged the youth to continue pushing for the agenda for reorganization towards an improved digital Church.

The National Secretariat of the YPG has directed that Branch Guild meetings should only resume on the approval of the respective Congregational Sessions.