Monday,29th December, 2025
Theme: Teach your children to be law abiding
( 1 John 2:3–11, Ps 95, Lk 2:22-35)
Joseph and Mary presented the child Jesus in the temple, according to the Jewish customs. The fact that the first male born child must be presented to the Lord. From his very birth, Mary and Joseph trained Jesus to always follow the law. In fact, this was the same attitude of Jesus when he presented himself to John the Baptist for baptism. John the Baptist protested but Jesus insisted. “Let it be done to fulfil all righteousness.” All through his public ministry, whenever Jesus cured the sick, he also insisted that they follow the laid down procedure in the Jewish law. Jesus was a law abiding citizen. He made his disciples to go and pay tax to fulfill the requirement from every citizen.
We live in a world where people feel that since they are wealthy, powerful or influential, the laws of the land no longer apply to them. We must learn from Mary, and Joseph to follow due process. Don’t get carried away with pride, the higher you become, the humbler you should be.
With the angel’s message pointing to Jesus as God, and all the circumstances surrounding his birth, they could have decided not to go. But because of respect for customs and the laws of the land, they didn’t ignore this important duty.
As parents we must be responsible and teach our children to be likewise. We must make them to adhere to the laid down principles governing the society they live. Laws are made for the good of the society. But some of us fail to train our children to respect and live by them. We have failed as parents to live by them, hence our children are also following our footsteps. Charity they say begins at home. Whatever the child learns from home, that’s what he goes out with.
Jesus respected tradition, meaning customs which has been laid down by his forefathers to guide his people. A Christian must respect the traditions of his people and that of others. If we really want to make impact on the life of the people, then we have to be culturally sensitive. For traditions we are talking about those that are not in conflict with the tenets of the Christian values. But the traditions which are not in union with the Christian faith, must be abandoned. To say tradition doesn’t mean traditional worship. It simply mean the believe and practices which have been laid down for a particular group of people over the years. The understanding must be gotten right.
May God grant us the grace to respect our traditions as well as rules and regulations in our societies. Amen.
Have a Blessed week.
Shalom.🙏🏼🙏🏼
Rev. Fr. Akakpo Matthew.
WORDS OF LIVING WATERS DAILY INSPIRATION
Tuesday,30th December, 2025.
Theme: Never Depart from the House of God
( 1 John 2:12–17, Ps 96, Lk 2:36-40)
The prophetess Anna never departed the temple. She was there worshipping with prayer and fasting night and day. In other words, she dedicated her entire life to worship God. It was this attitude of hers that made her to encounter Jesus and the parents during his presentation. Maybe but for her frequent visit to the temple, she would have missed this opportunity.
Beloved, I don’t think this profound remarks about Anna can be said of us too. Can we boldly also say that we never depart the house of God? How often do we frequent the house of God? David said I was glad when they said unto me let’s go to the house of God (Psalm 122:1). It is only in his house that we can discover everlasting joy and peace in our lives. We can’t find this anywhere. Funeral grounds, weddings, naming ceremonies and other social gatherings can’t grant us this.
But these days, most of us prefer social gatherings to religious activities. Especially our youth, who have become more social and anti-religious. Even priests and pastors are not left out. I have encountered some of them who prefer watching football to leading the people of God in his house. Hence, they will either postpone, cancel or summarize religious activities all in favor of worldly activities.
We must develop this strong desire for things of God. We must be prone to things which will draw us nearer to God. If you are beginning to lose interest in religious activities but easily fall in love with worldly activities,then remember you are losing the touch with your maker. Our preoccupation in this world should always be to be with God. The more we get in touch with him, the more we discover our selves. We need to daily strengthen the bond between us and our maker. We must grow in our relationship with God. As we do so, then we are allowing him to take the center stage in our lives.
Some of us prefer to spend the whole day on social media or with our phones, but we find it difficult even to pray for 5 minutes. Please you are sick spiritually and you need deliverance from God if you are part of such people. It is not normal for a Christian to fall in love with things of the world, but not things of God.
It is also true that some of us are so busy with things of God, but we are not allowing these moments to transform our lives. We are the first to attend church activities and very active in church, but our way of life is not inspiring at all. In fact, we are the reason why some people have stopped going to church. Busy for nothing Christians. We must encounter Jesus in such moments. And if truly we encounter him, our lives should change. People should see this change in us. That is the purpose of getting more in touch with God through these activities.
We need to constantly also pray to deepen our relationship with God. Have you prayed this morning? We need to also constantly read our bibles. Have you read your Bible this morning? Don’t be activity prone and forget to do these important tasks everyday. It will not take you much time to do these exercises. It is good for your soul and your salvation.
May God grant us the grace to always fall in love with activities which will bring us closer to him. Amen.
Have a Blessed day.
Shalom.🙏🏼🙏🏼
Rev. Fr. Matthew Akakpo
Wednesday, 31st December, 2025.
Theme: Beware of the Antichrists
( 1Jn 2:18-21,Ps 96, Jn 1: 1-18)
In the first reading, the apostle John encourages the Christian community to beware of the antichrists. This was a Christian community who have received sound teachings from the apostle, but there were other people who also came to teach to contradict that of the apostle. And this was the reason why he called them antichrists. They can also be referred to as false prophets, because they were giving false teachings.
False prophets are people I refer to as stomach pastors. They are only interested in money and material things, but not about the total wellbeing of their people, not even to talk about salvation. They play on the ignorance and desperation of the people to enrich themselves.
These people have realized that people are going through a lot in life, hence whatever they are asked to do in order to be delivered from such challenges they will not hesitate. Therefore, they are taking undue advantage of such situations and exploiting innocent people.
But we are also part of the problem, because we’re supposed to discern very well before going to such places. By their fruits we are expected to know them as Jesus said. For instance, someone who says he can change into a snake to protect his church members, then you believe in such person as an instrument of God? Why, are we so ignorant about scriptures that we can easily be fooled or follow any weird teaching by anybody? Another will say bring money and I will multiply it for you. And this is in the church not a scam or a lottery center. Then you also see this as a way of God blessing you. Is that what Jesus came to teach us? Is life all about possessions or becoming wealthy in life?
I think we need to wake up and not allow these charlatans to always deceive us and rob us of all our possessions. Some of them after succeeding in draining all our monies then they will now tell you to seek for medical help. But from the beginning this person never saw that you need medical attention. Please let’s shine our eyes and stop being prey to them.
Some of us have sold all our properties and have given it to these people because we are so desperate about our situation.
God truly uses people to intervene in human calamities, therefore some of these pastors are truly called. God is certainly using some people to deliver his people from human sufferings. God is able to do all things. But certainly not through some of these people, who are using the power of the devil to deceive people. These are sheep in wolves skin. Jesus says we should beware of them. They are devils appearing to be angels. Please not everybody holding the bible is God sent okay.
Again, the *pray for *mesyndrome has become too much. You can also pray and God will do something about your situation. Am not discounting the fact that God has raised pastors of his church to minister unto his people. But it is not everything that Father or Pastor pray for me. You can also pray for something to happen, God has given us that power and strength. Acknowledge it and make use of it.
May the Holy Spirit help us to discern well and expose the false prophets among us. Remember by their fruits we shall know them.Amen.
Have a Blessed Day .
Shalom🙏🏼🙏🏼
Rev. Fr. Matthew Akakpo
January 1, 2026. BE GRATEFUL TO GOD FOR A NEW YEAR
(Numbers 6:22-27, Psalm 67, Gal 4:4-7, Luke 2: 16-21)
My dear people of God, the first day of the year gives us the opportunity to celebrate several festive events in the life of the church. First and foremost we celebrate the New Year’s Day, then we think of the circumcision of Jesus which was later dedicated to Mary Mother of God (theotokos), and in 1968 Pope Paul VI chose 1st January as the “World Day of Peace”. I will base my reflection on the fact that we need to be grateful to God for giving us the opportunity to see the light of 2026.
My dear friends, a lot of things have gone on in 2025 which needs much reflection to appreciate how far the Lord has brought us. In the first place, the gift of life alone is the greatest miracle that any of us can think of. Not everyone has gotten this opportunity to enter the New Year. We began 2025 with many people but today they are not among the living. Some are also alive but frankly speaking they are cornered with a lot of health setbacks and other misfortunes. Just visit any of our health centers to confirm this and you will appreciate what God has done for you and your family. Some of us wants to see a building full of money or something so big before we will appreciate what God has done for us.
I know most of us had a lot of aspirations at the beginning of last year but it seems most of them were not realised. This does not prevent us from thanking God because it was His will that has prevailed. We cannot always have our way as people of faith. Our will should be submitted to the will of God. Sometimes because we are limited beings we do not understand his ways. Let us not forget that God’s ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. My brother and my sister, the very things you asked from God, may be if He had granted them to you, you might not have been alive by now. Or it might have brought a lot of calamities upon your life. A man gave a testimony of how he escape death through a plane crash. He slipped at the door of the hotel as he was going to board the plane, and broke his knee. He was very bitter for missing his flight, since he was on his way for an important event. But only for him to watch on the news that the plane he was to board crashed killing all 232 people on board. Friends in Christ, never dislike anything bad that happened to you in the course of 2025, because you may not know the good it may bring to your life later. As scripture says, all things work for good for those who trust in the Lord. Accept everything in good faith and wait on the Lord during this year. God’s time is the best.
We cannot ignore the global economic crisis which has really affected our country so badly. The high cost of living cannot be overlooked. We were all worried with the way the country’s economic situation was heading to. The depreciation of the cedi was a worry to all of us. Of course, it is not totally over yet, but we can appreciate how far the Lord has brought us. But thank God there is a turning around somehow for all of us. We were all wondering how we were going to survive this economic hardship. Especially, with the aspects of feeding, since that is very core for our living. The high rocketing of goods and commodities was very frightening. But you and I can testify to the fact that there was no day we went to bed without eating. And of course, there has been a drastic change in our economic situation. Prices of goods and commodities have reduced drastically.From day one it has been God. Be grateful.
As a country we have to really appreciate what God has done for us with regards to our elections and the fact of a change in government.Many are those who were living in fear and doubt about the unknown future because of the change in government. But today you and I will raise up our hands to thank God abundantly for how far He has brought us, a year after the election. Even though there are still some disputes after a year with regard to some of the results, but we are still enjoying peace. The happy side is that those who are disputing some of these results are seeking redress in the law Court, a sign of growth in our democracy. That is the beauty of our democracy. We all know what election disputes have brought to other nations which space will not allow us to mention. Who are we to be ungrateful to God because our party is not in power? We are indebted to God as a country and we have to accept that. People of God, since the Fourth Republic in 1992, red flags have been raised in one way or the other about each of the elections always by the losing team. Let us protect the peace we are enjoying because others wish they have it. We must unite as a nation to move the country forward because we have only one Ghana. We can have our differences but the bottom line is that we are one people with a common destiny.
The New Year comes with its own resolutions. But my advice is that we should come out with realistic resolutions which are achievable. Just pick some few ones and work on them seriously and I think by the close of the year you will see the difference. But in all, let us allow the will of God to be done in this New Year.
The first reading and the Psalms testify that we need the blessings of God to have a successful year. Let us not forget that, we need His favours and graces during this year, which is also pregnant with issues unknown to us. It is only His grace that will see us to an end successfully. We cannot do it alone without the favours and mercies of God. May the favours and graces of God follow us throughout this year. May His face shine on us and bless us as we journey through another year. Once again,I wish you a Happy and a prosperous New Year. AMEN.
Be grateful to GOD AND HOPEFUL THIS YEAR. OUR GOD IS ALIVE!!!!
REV. FR. Matthew AKAKPO
WORDS OF LIVING WATERS DAILY INSPIRATION
Memorial of Sts Basil and Gregory of Nazianzen
Friday, 2nd January, 2025.
Theme: Give Honour to whom Honour is Due
(1Jn 2:22-28, Ps 98, Jn 1:19 -28)
The Jews sent priests and Levites to John the Baptist to find out whether he was the Christ. They thought he was the one because of the wonders he was doing. But John quickly defused this notion of theirs and told them he was not the one. He proclaimed Jesus as the Promised Messiah to his disciples and the Israelites. He pointed at him as the Lamb of God. In other words, the Savior of the world (Jn 1:29,36). He was only to come and be a forerunner to the Messiah who is Jesus.
John directed the heart of the people to Jesus and not to himself, because he was not the Promised Messiah but rather it is Christ. He didn’t take the glory of the Christ for himself. This is truly a man of humility,who accepted who he was and his level in comparison with Jesus.He could have called himself the Christ, since the people thought he was the one.
This teaches us that God will exalt those who humble themselves. And Jesus will honour those who don’t feel shy to honour him before men. John didn’t shy in honouring Jesus before the people, hence Jesus also didn’t mince his words in honouring him (Matt 11:7-14). And above all he appreciated his ministry as a forerunner of him the Christ. He acknowledged his contribution in preparing the hearts of the people for his coming.
Beloved, our world is gradually losing this important value. Appreciating what people do or honouring those honour is due. It will not take anything away from you. If someone has done better than you acknowledge it, it doesn’t make you less important. If generally and objectively the person is excellent than you in all respect, acknowledge it. Because you can never become that person.That is who he is and how God has created him. You can never change that. Whether you accept it or not, he is still that person with such gifts endowed in him by God. The fact is that God created us differently. Each and everyone is unique. You are also good at something that, that person is not good at. So why bother?
Unfortunately,we tend to rather jealous such people and destroy their reputations. Some of us will never see anything good about some people, because we think they are better than us. The only way to satisfy our ergo is to tarnish their image. Please if you are that type then repent from it. You are only destroying yourself. It’s not even a good Christian spirit. In fact, jealousy is a strong evil force. But if you are also a victim of such negative comments, don’t give in to these detractors. Focus on what you are doing and make good impact on society. Those people are only jealous of you, and they don’t have the courage to admit it. If you give in to their negativity,you have made them triumph over you. Don’t allow them at all. Keep on okay.
May the spirit of God grant us the grace to always appreciate and honour those to whom honour is due. Amen .
Have a Blessed day and once again happy New Year.
Shalom. 🙏🏼🙏🏼
Rev. Fr. Akakpo Matthew
WORDS OF LIVING WATERS DAILY INSPIRATION
Saturday, 3rd January, 2026.
Memorial of The Most Holy Name of Jesus
Theme: Decrease for Jesus to Increase
(1Jn 2:29-3:6, Ps 98, Jn 1:29 -34)
John the Baptist made sure he didn’t draw attention to himself, but to Jesus. And for this he executed it perfectly. He also became who he is because of Jesus. We all talk about John today because of Jesus. But for Jesus,he was nothing. John understood this and made sure all attention and focus was on Jesus. He never took the place of Jesus, because he is not Jesus and can never be he.
Beloved, the kingdom business is all about Jesus. He has invited us to share in his mission of salvation. Therefore, we must always make sure he is the one we proclaim. Jesus must be the focus of whatever we do. We must draw all attention to him. We must project him to the world as the saviour and redeemer.
Unfortunately, some of us tend to project ourselves to the people rather than projecting Christ. Some of our men and women of God have taken the place of Jesus in their churches. They have made their followers to believe that it is by their grace and power, and not that of Christ. They are treated as gods in their churches. They have taken Jesus out of the equation. Their followers now see them as their saviour, redeemer, Messiah and so forth. Meanwhile it is the work of God they are doing and not their work. They have forgotten that they are who they are because of Jesus. We are all sharing in his glory. One man of God onetime said by my grace . Meaning it is no more the grace of God but their own. In other words, he is doing what he is doing through his own power and strength. This is pride to the highest level, and one day I promise you such a person will fall like a big tree.
The temptation is that when you begin to perform great deeds through the power of Christ, the people will begin to focus on you. It is up to you to humble yourself and direct their attention to Jesus. It is important to let them know that it is all about Jesus and not you. Some of us have kept stickers of all these pastors on our cars and others. But we don’t have a sticker of Jesus, the real force behind all the things these people are doing. Without Jesus,they are nothing. Unless those who are using other sources of power.
We are not doing what we are doing because of our own strength, but it is by the grace of God. Hence we don’t have to take the credit to ourselves. Give the glory and credit to Jesus always. That’s why he said when we perform any task we should accept that we are only performing our duty as useless servants. As servants we are to serve the master with all our might. The work is not for us but for somebody. Know that you are only helping his work to continue. It is not your work. In other words, none of us called himself. It is Christ who has called us. Hence project him not yourself.
May the spirit of God grant us the grace to always project Jesus in our line of duty in his vineyard. Amen .
Have a Blessed week.
Shalom. 🙏🏼🙏🏼
Rev. Fr. Matthew Akakpo
