Love: The Heart of it All

February is a month full of reminders of love—thanks to Valentine's Day. Everywhere we turn, we see messages of romantic love, friendship, and kindness. But as Christians, we’re called to reflect on a deeper, more lasting love—the kind of love that flows from God and shapes every part of our lives. In Galatians 5:22-23, we read about the fruit of the Spirit, and at the heart of that fruit is love. But did you know that when we dig deeper into these verses, we see that love is the root, and all the other virtues flow from it? This month, let’s take a closer look at how love defines the fruit of the Spirit and how it shapes our relationships with God and others.

When reading the Bible, it's important to consider how the text was originally written and how it has been translated over time. In the early stages of the Bible’s history, especially with the scrolls and manuscripts, there were no chapters or verses as we have them today. The Bible was written in continuous scrolls, and later, scholars and translators added chapter and verse numbers, along with punctuation, to help people read and understand it more easily. However, these changes—like punctuation—can sometimes shift how we interpret a passage.

Take Galatians 5:22-23, for example. It says:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."

If we read this as "the fruit of the Spirit is love: joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control", with the punctuation breaking it down like this, it reveals something powerful: Love is the central fruit, and the other qualities—joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are all different expressions or facets of that one fruit, love.

This interpretation unlocks a deeper understanding: love is the root, and all the other virtues stem from it. It's not that the Spirit produces nine separate fruits, but rather one fruit with many aspects. This interpretation connects with biblical intertextuality, meaning that this passage is linked to other parts of Scripture where love is described and explained in more detail.

For example, 1 John 4:7-8 says:

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love."

This tells us that love is foundational to our relationship with God. It also shows us that God Himself is the source of all love. Love is not just a feeling or an action—it is the essence of God’s nature, and when we live according to the Spirit, we are reflecting that love in the world.

Additionally, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 provides a well-known description of love:

"Love is patient, love is kind; it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

This passage from 1 Corinthians expands on what love looks like in action. It shows that love is not just a feeling, but a choice and a way of living. It is patient, kind, humble, and forgiving. This list closely mirrors the virtues in Galatians 5:22-23, where we see how love in the form of patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control is meant to shape how we interact with others.

So, in a broader theological and scholarly context, these passages together teach us that love is the central fruit of the Spirit. It is the defining characteristic of a believer's life. Love is not just one thing among many, but the very source from which all other Christian virtues flow. When we live in the Spirit, we reflect God's love in the world—both in our actions and in our character.

By recognizing this, we understand that the Christian life isn’t just about obeying rules or living with certain traits. It’s about allowing God’s love to fill our hearts and overflow into every part of our lives, making us more like Christ. This idea is not only consistent with the teachings of Paul in Galatians but also aligns with the broader biblical message found in 1 John and 1 Corinthians.

While the chapters, verses, and punctuation were added later to help with reading and understanding, we must always be mindful that these changes can sometimes influence how we interpret the text. Reading Galatians 5:22-23 with the understanding that love is the root and the other virtues are its expressions can enrich our understanding of how the Holy Spirit works in our lives and points us to the deeper biblical truths about love found throughout Scripture.

As we reflect on the true meaning of love this February, let’s challenge ourselves to live out the fruit of the Spirit in our daily lives. Share this post with a friend, or take a moment to meditate on how God’s love is moving in your heart. How can you allow the love of God to shape your actions, your patience, your kindness, and even your self-control? Let’s make this month not just about celebrating love, but about growing in the love that reflects Christ to the world around us.

The Lord is Flexing His Strong Hand!

 God is about to "flex" on His enemies, and when He does, it will be through His full-grown sons—those who have matured in their faith, as outlined in Romans 8. These are not children in the sense of immaturity but individuals who have fully embraced their inheritance as heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. Through these mature believers, God is going to display His power, sovereignty, and authority in ways that will shake the earth and bring glory to His name. He has given us dominion, delegated authority, and a responsibility to bring His kingdom to earth.

Romans 8:19-21 says, “For the earnest expectation of creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.” This passage shows that creation itself is eagerly waiting for these full-grown sons of God—mature believers—to step into their full authority and manifest God’s power in the world. When God moves, He will do so through His people—those who walk in the dominion He gave all of humanity from the beginning (Genesis 1:28). While God will primarily work through His children, He will also use assets and allies who may not be followers of Christ. We have been given authority over all the works of His hands, and God is about to demonstrate that authority through His sons, assets, and allies in a way that will be undeniable.

God’s “flex” isn’t just about displaying raw power or an outpouring of glory for spectacle’s sake. It is a declaration of His victory over His enemies: the sinful flesh that keeps people bound, the backslidden believers who have strayed, the unbelievers who reject Jesus and His salvation, the corrupt leaders who mislead God’s people, the forces of darkness, and the corrupt systems of this world. God is about to move in such a way that His children will exercise the dominion He has already given us, and as they do, the enemies of God will be dethroned, defamed, and brought to shame.

Let’s start by addressing the flesh—the sinful nature that still holds sway in many believers' lives. Isaiah 53:10-12 speaks of how Jesus bore our sins so that we might be healed. Through His children, God is bringing deliverance, healing, and restoration to His people. When God moves, He will empower His children to overcome sin, break free from addictions, and live in the freedom that Jesus purchased for us on the cross.

Next, God’s "flex" will also deal with the backslidden believer—the one who has strayed from His ways. Psalm 32:10-11 says, “Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him.” God desires for His people to return to Him, and He will use His children to call the backslidden to repentance, bringing healing and restoration to those who have wandered. The power of the Holy Spirit will flow through believers, reviving those who have fallen away and calling them back to their first love in Christ.

Now let’s turn to the unbelievers—those who reject Jesus and His salvation. God desires that none should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). In Isaiah 9:18-21, we see a world in rebellion against God, but God is moving to bring His light to those in darkness. Through His children, God will use the church to preach the gospel, heal the sick, raise the dead, restore the marginalized and disenfranchised, cast out demons, teach, train, and equip people groups, and transform systems, structures, territories, and regions. The victory over sin and unbelief will be made visible as God works through His people, calling all who will receive to repentance and faith in Christ.

God is also about to address the corrupt leaders and false teachers. Ephesians 5:11 tells us to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” God is raising up His children to expose falsehoods and remove leaders who have misled His people. These leaders will be held accountable, and their influence will be dismantled. God’s judgment will remove those who have corrupted His people and misrepresented His kingdom.

Let’s now turn to the forces of darkness—Satan and the demonic powers that have wreaked havoc in the world. Colossians 2:15 says, “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” Through the cross, Jesus already defeated the powers of darkness, and now He is about to put that victory on display through His children. We, as His people, are called to walk in the authority He has delegated to us. When we exercise this authority, the devil and his demons will be publicly exposed as the defeated enemies they are.

Finally, God is about to deal with the corrupt systems of this world—governments, institutions, and structures that oppose His kingdom. Micah 1:3-5 speaks of God’s judgment coming upon the earth to remove these corrupt powers, and in Ephesians 6:12, we are reminded that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. God has given us the power to confront these systems of darkness. As His children, we are called to stand firm in the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20) and enforce God’s rule on earth. When God moves, His power will work through His people to dismantle the structures of sin and oppression.

God is about to display His glory in a mighty way, but He’s not doing it alone. He is doing it through His full-grown sons—His witnesses—those who have been entrusted with dominion and authority. As joint heirs with Christ, we share in His victory and are called to manifest His power on earth. Through us, God will defeat His enemies, restore His people, and establish His kingdom. When God moves, His glory will fill the earth, and His children will rise up to demonstrate that He is the true King, the Most High, and the Lord of all.

God is Still on the Throne !!

Hear me. This is not a political post. This is a theological post  about how we see God. And let me  warn you. It's a bit "fussy" because I'm upset! 

I'm appalled by the number of black and brown preachers down playing the sovereignty and providential care of my all- powerful,  all-knowing, ever-present God Who is the God of the Bible because 47 is occupying the Whitehouse. 

Call out the slithering, sleazy, skanky politicians without downplaying my God. 

I heard one say black and brown people CANNOT flourish under certain administrations. Where?! Really?! Last I checked,  my God is the God of impossibilities. And sir we cast down those word curses in the name of Jesus!

Prophets of Old: "My God can do anything. He's the God who answers by fire. In fact, let me show you. Pour water on the offering. Soak it again. Soak it a third time. Now let me pray according to the word, my encounters and my relationship with Yahweh.  Lord let it be known that You're God and I'm Your servant. Let the people's heart be turned to You." And God answered by fire! 

"Prophets" of Today: "Theoretically, my God can do anything. He's the God who answered by fire in those days. He CAN open doors, provide and protect His people. But sometimes He needs a little help to bless black and brown people who have been oppressed and marginalized. Black and brown people, first   you've got to earn five degrees and have the alphabet soup behind your names. Then there must be affirmative action and DEI programs in place. And finally, there must be a liberal administration in office. Now let me pray according to cultural norms, political climate, and my emotions. Lord, if you're listening let it be known that we can achieve anything  with self-determination,  favorable laws, and the right political climate. I'm the voice of culture, reason,  and logic. Let the people's heart be turned to their political idols." 

Tuh! May God answer by fire in a like manner to the "prophets" of today to consume every idol we've erected in our hearts and minds. 

No political party is my Savior or Hope. No politician is my God. Sir, believe what you want to believe politically. Vote as you please. But what you're not going to do is attempt to defame my God with your twisted theological perspective.

God is faithful! He has a track record of keeping His word. There are examples from both the Old and New Testaments where God took care of His people despite wicked political leaders! Let's walk it out...

1. Exodus – Pharaoh's Oppression (Exodus 1-14)

• Leader: Pharaoh, who enslaved the Israelites.
• God’s Intervention: Despite Pharaoh's cruelty, God raised up Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery. God performed miracles, including the 10 plagues and the parting of the Red Sea, ensuring the Israelites' escape.

2. Daniel in the Lion's Den (Daniel 6)

• Leader: King Darius, who was manipulated by jealous officials to decree that anyone who prayed to God would be thrown into the lion’s den.
• God’s Intervention: Daniel, a faithful servant of God, was miraculously saved from the lions. This act of deliverance led to Darius issuing a decree that all his subjects should fear the God of Daniel.

3. The Three Hebrew Boys (Daniel 3)

• Leader: King Nebuchadnezzar, who ordered everyone to worship a golden image.
• God’s Intervention: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship the idol and were thrown into a fiery furnace. God protected them, and they emerged unharmed, leading Nebuchadnezzar to acknowledge God's power.

4. God Provides for Elijah During Ahab’s Reign (1 Kings 17)

• Leader: King Ahab, one of the most wicked kings in Israel, who led the nation into idolatry.
• God’s Intervention: During a time of severe drought and famine, God provided for Elijah through ravens that brought him food and later through a widow in Zarephath, demonstrating God’s provision despite Ahab’s idolatry.

5. God Protects the Israelites Under the Leadership of Jeroboam (1 Kings 12)

• Leader: King Jeroboam, who led Israel into idol worship.
• God’s Intervention: Even though Jeroboam led the nation into sin, God sent prophets, including Ahijah, to warn the people and remind them of His covenant, showing that He would protect His people despite the wickedness of their leader.

6. Joseph’s Rise in Egypt (Genesis 41)

• Leader: Pharaoh, who did not know Joseph’s God.
• God’s Intervention: Despite Pharaoh’s lack of faith, God used Joseph, an enslaved man, to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams and provide for Egypt and the surrounding nations during a severe famine. God preserved His people, Israel, through Joseph’s rise to power.

7. The Deliverance of the Israelites from the Hands of King Manasseh (2 Kings 21)

• Leader: King Manasseh, known for his extreme idolatry and wickedness.
• God’s Intervention: Even though Manasseh’s reign was one of the most corrupt, God eventually allowed repentance in the nation, and later the reforms of King Josiah led to the restoration of true worship.

8. The Early Church under Persecution (Acts 8)

• Leader: Various Roman authorities who persecuted the early Christians (e.g., Emperor Nero).
• God’s Intervention: Despite intense persecution, the church spread throughout the Roman Empire. Persecution led to the scattering of Christians, which in turn led to the further spread of the Gospel.

9. God Protects the Israelites During the Reign of Queen Athaliah (2 Kings 11)

• Leader: Queen Athaliah, a wicked ruler who sought to wipe out the royal family.
• God’s Intervention: God preserved young Joash, the rightful heir to the throne, by using the high priest Jehoiada to protect him. Joash eventually became king and restored proper worship in Israel.

10. Jesus' Birth During Herod’s Reign (Matthew 2)

• Leader: King Herod, who ordered the massacre of all male children under two in Bethlehem.
• God’s Intervention: God warned Joseph in a dream to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus, thus protecting the Christ child from Herod’s decree. God ensured the safety of His Son despite Herod’s evil intentions.

In each of these instances, God protected, provided, and made a way for His people even when wicked leaders were in power, showing His sovereignty and faithfulness.

There are modern-day examples that further highlight how, in the midst of oppression and wicked political leadership, God continues to provide protection, hope, and a pathway for healing and deliverance. These include: 

1. The Huguenots in France (16th Century)

• Leader: King Charles IX and other French monarchs, who led violent campaigns against the Huguenots (French Protestants).

• God’s Intervention: Despite the horrific St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre in 1572, where thousands of Huguenots were killed, many were miraculously protected. God provided a means of escape for those who fled France, allowing the Huguenot movement to spread and influence religious reform across Europe.

2. The Jews Under Nazi Rule (World War II)

• Leader: Adolf Hitler, who orchestrated the systematic genocide of six million Jews during the Holocaust.

• God’s Intervention: Despite the horrific persecution, many Jews experienced miraculous escapes, survival, and protection. Christian individuals and groups, like the Ten Boom family in Holland, risked their lives to save Jews. The resilience of the Jewish people and the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany exemplify God's providence even in the darkest of times.

3. Africans Enslaved in the Americas (17th-19th Century)

• Leader: European colonial powers and American plantation owners who enslaved millions of Africans.

• God’s Intervention: In the midst of unimaginable suffering, God used the faith of African slaves to create a powerful Christian witness. The spirituals, which became a source of strength and hope, along with movements like the Great Awakening, led many enslaved people to faith in Christ. God also worked through abolitionists, both black and white, to bring about the end of slavery in the United States and other parts of the world.

4. The Rwandan Genocide (1994)

• Leader: The Hutu-led government of Rwanda, which orchestrated the mass killing of Tutsis and moderate Hutus, leading to the deaths of approximately 800,000 people in a matter of months.

• God’s Intervention: Amidst the violence, many individuals and churches risked their lives to protect Tutsis, often hiding them in plain sight. For instance, some Rwandan churches provided refuge for the persecuted, and stories emerged of miraculous survivals where entire families were spared due to divine intervention. In the aftermath of the genocide, efforts toward reconciliation and peace were also seen as part of God’s redemptive work, with many turning to faith for healing.

5. The Fall of Apartheid in South Africa (1990s)

• Leader: The apartheid regime led by the National Party government, which enforced institutionalized racial segregation and oppression against non-white South Africans.

• God’s Intervention: Despite decades of injustice and violence, God worked through Christian leaders like Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, and many others who were committed to nonviolent resistance and forgiveness. The end of apartheid was seen as a miraculous shift, as negotiations for a peaceful transition were orchestrated despite the deep-seated tensions. Many South Africans attributed the peaceful dismantling of apartheid to God’s providence and the power of reconciliation grounded in Christian faith.

A City on a Hill

As the founder of Beacon Executive Leadership Institute, I've served in Learning and Development for nearly 30 years. My area of expertise is Leadership and Executive Development. I earned a Doctorate in Adult Education with a specialization in Adult, Community, and Higher Education Administration. As an Ordained Itinerant Elder in a Methodist denomination with global presence, I've served in full-time ministry on staff at a local assembly and am affirmed as a Five-fold Ministry Gift in the Body of Christ. Teaching is one of my primary spiritual gifts along with prophecy and administration (governance, not helps).

One of the things I've observed over the past three decades is private and public sector organizations are intentional about Leadership and Executive Development. This is rarely the case in faith-based organizations or the Church. 

Over the years, many of the leaders I've encountered with the greatest skills gaps in leadership competencies were Spirit-filled, anointed, could quote the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, operated in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and had the heart of the Father towards the people they served. They had good intentions but had not been trained and equipped to lead!  They operated in the power and authority of Christ, had the character and nature of Christ, but lacked the wisdom  of Christ in certain instances especially as it relates to leading and developing others. They simply didn't have the leadership competencies to lead well!  

Sometimes we think character, gifts, graces and anointing are enough  to effectively serve as five-fold ministry gifts or faith-based marketplace leaders. Or we think theological education in Seminary or Bible School training along with character, gifts, graces and anointing are sufficient. But neither is true. Leaders need character, gifts, graces, anointing AND leadership competencies to lead well. The competencies can be caught and taught. 

In the Body of Christ we need to be more intentional about training and equipping leaders to lead! The Holy Spirit guides us in Truth. There are principles which are found in Scriptures.  Spiritual sons and daughters glean from their fathers, mothers, and mentors. And we must systematically TEACH leadership competencies in five realms:

1. Lead From Within. This is self-governance in partnership with Holy Spirit and the grace of God. It includes skills such as resilience, interpersonal skills, self-awareness, and problem solving. 

2. Lead Projects. Includes skills such as project management,  goal setting, accountability,  and decision-making. 

3. Lead Teams. Includes skills such as influencing, managing conflict, emotional intelligence, and developing others. 

4. Lead Programs. Includes skills such as financial management, innovation, and partnership. 

5. Lead Organizations. Includes skills such as vision, strategic planning, and systems thinking. 

I'm the Founder and Chief Learning Officer of  Beacon Executive Leadership Institute. The mission of Beacon is to train and equip leaders- particularly five-fold ministry gifts and faith-based  marketplace  leaders to lead well!

Beacon engages tools such as leadership development workshops, executive coaching, transformational speaking, organizational consulting, and validated, research-based assessments (e.g. 360, DISC, Emotional Intelligence, CliftonStrenths, etc.) to train and equip leaders- particularly five-fold ministry gifts and faith-based marketplace leaders to lead with purpose, proficiency, and passion!- Dr. Lyn C. Inah 

Where is the Love?

What's on my mind?- Relationships between men and women.  Not just romantically. But in business, ministry and in the community- particularly among Believers.

Women, I know "all [your] life you've had to fight [sexism, misogyny,  discrimination, abuse etc]" but every man is not a chauvinistic hater. You don't have to be so rude and defensive to everyone with a penis. You don't have to compete with him. You don't have to  prove yourself to anyone except the Lord. The word says study  to show yourself approved unto GOD! (2 Timothy 2:15)

Please keep in mind, you don't have to defer to every man just because he's a man. The ONLY man who automatically gets your deference is YOUR husband. You don't have to shrink back into false humility and false meekness to cater to inflated egos.  Blessed are the peace MAKERS- not status quo keepers. 

Sometimes you have to disturb the status quo so that things come into alignment with godly standards. But be careful. Don't react defensively  as a trauma response to abuse. Go with God, in the character and nature of God with the wisdom of God as you speak the truth in love.

Men, God blessed humanity- male and female to be fruitful, multiply, and have dominion in the earth.  (Gen 1:27-28) You're not the head of every woman. Just your wife. (Ephesians  5:22) Unless there's  some other established line of authority, you and everyone else- including women, owe each other the same level of honor and respect- honor all humanity, love sisters and brothers in Christ,  respect leadership offices [without regard to the  gender of the person who occupies the office].(1 Peter 2:17)

I sometimes sit back and discern  the hearts of men toward women and watch the actions of women toward men, and I'm troubled- deeply!😪 Where is the love? 🙏🏾  That's what's on my mind right now- love and mutual respect and admiration among men and women of God.

Look to God and Live!

Some of you have gone through a season of trials and tribulations that has literally caused you to curse God and die!  And the worst part is you don't even know it.  How? You may ask. 

One aspect of cursing someone is to say that a person is without significance. Some of us have made our issues larger than the God we claim to trust, obey and serve.  By focusing on the challenges rather than focusing on God some have begun to doubt, waiver, and lose your zeal for the things of God.  Your worship life, prayer life, word life are all declining. 

You are literally DYING spiritually! God is not at the center of your thoughts, emotions and devotion.  You've made God insignificant in the matter.   I have been there. In fact, if I am really honest with myself I am in  a place of asking God for God's grace to recenter and refocus my attention on Him rather than what has been going on around me for the past four or five years. Its been  challenging to say the least. But God! God us faithful. 

When challenges arise, one of best things we can do as one man of God advised me is to "Move forward with God!"   Remember, God is sovereign.  Whatever you're going through God allowed it.  If you die and you're in Jesus, you will go home to be with the Lord.  That's a win!  If you live through it, God is with you in the fire.  God causes all things to work together for your good.  That's a win! James said we should consider it pure JOY when we go through trials and tribulations!  

Look for the God factor even in the midst of the trial.  You, your trials, and tribulations are present in the fire.  Look for the fourth One in the fire! When trouble comes, don't do as Job's wife advised him to do by cursing God and dying.  Do as a wise woman of God- The Rev. Dr. Marguerite Dorothy Doctor, told me when we suffered the loss of our son in 2020- "Look to God and live!"  I didn't FULLY understand what she was TRULY saying in that moment.  But her words had spirt and life in them and I was encouraged.  Those words stirred something within me. 

When trouble comes- Look to GOD and LIVE!!

In All Things...

We Give God Thanks 

This is a picture taken April 7 on our dad's 84th  and last birthday celebration on this side of eternity. We surprised him. He was upset that he wasn't "properly dressed" but  had on "work" clothes (his words). Zoom in. Look at that smile. Priceless! On October 4, he was birthed back into eternity. We celebrated his home going celebration October 14 which was dad's first born son's birthday. 

On the morning of his home going celebration, I woke up with excitement. God didn't disappoint. It was a beautiful day. The Funeral Service  wasn't somber or sad. It was a celebration of a life well-lived. 

At the homegoing celebration, I didn't shed  a tear as I stood to talk about dad's life, love and legacy. Dad was a sound Believer. He lived to see great great grandchildren. His hair was white- not gray. There was no mixture of black and white. 

Dad wasn't taken from us. Near the  end of his days while in a sound mind, he made healthcare choices which demonstrated he truly believed that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Dad was ready to go home and be with the Lord. Before taking his leave, he made sure he gave a charge to his sons to take care of our mom who was his bride  of 58 years. Dad passed peacefully at home, surrounded by family. He released his blessings upon us in his last days in the earth. 

We bless God for grace, comfort, peace, joy and strength. Thanks to family and friends for traveling to be present with us.  Some traveled for  hours and hours to visit for a few hours and then turned around to drive back home to attend to other duties. Thanks to family and friends for prayers, words of comfort , flowers, cards, and bereavement gifts. Love is an action word! We thank God for the love we've received during this time of bereavement.