Small Things Are Great

When I think about the history of the Church, one picture comes to mind—a simple five-step rhythm: Creates – Adam Converses – Abraham Comes – AD Calls – All Collects – All Saints For many years, I was oriented to believe that the Church began in the book of Acts. But when you step back and look at the bigger picture, the Church—if understood as God’s family —was established on the very first day of creation. God created a home and placed His first family member in it: Adam. From there, the story unfolds. Humanity kept falling short. Again and again. And in the middle of that downward spiral, God developed favourites. Several stood out, but Abraham stood tallest. Eventually, God became known as the God of Abraham , and later of his son and grandson. Out of that family came a nation—Israel—named after Jacob, whose new name “Israel” would sound strange to our British-trained ears. It’s like naming your child “Kenya.” But that was his name, and from him came a people. Unfortunately, the fa...

I must confess—this has been one of the hardest letters in the New Testament for me to grasp, and honestly, I still wrestle with it. First of all, it’s too long to be called a letter. Who even writes such a long letter? Who!? Paul just sat there and released over nine thousand words like it was a defense for his master's degree. This thing caused debates for centuries. Some ancient scholars wanted to cut it after chapter 8, others argued, “No, it only makes sense up to chapter 11!” And every time I read Romans afresh, I find myself repenting for something I misunderstood before. Truly, this letter humbles theologians. Then there's the scribe. Eh! Can we take a moment of silence for the scribe—Tertius. That brother suffered willingly. The poor guy must have stopped Paul at least twice with, “Boss, ink imeisha.” Then later, “Nisaidie na maji tafadhali.” and definitely at some point, “Back in five—I need the little room.” I pity and celebrate him. Romans is the one book I’ve writt...

When I first read(pt) this line- “ the dividing wall of hostility ,” in the letter of Paul to the Ephesian Church, my mind quickly goes to the curtain that was torn into two. That's the wrong thoughtline. You see, when God handed Moses the blueprint for the Tabernacle, the design was beautifully simple: Outer Court → Holy Place → Holy of Holies. Three spaces. Two parties. One God. But by the time we get to Jesus’ day, things had evolved… or rather, expanded. Herod the Great—though small in stature, chose to go big and add a few personal touches. He turned the Temple into a massive architectural statement. And with this expansion came something that had NEVER been part of God’s original design: The Court of the Gentiles. This wasn’t some cozy fellowship area; it was a massive outer compound where non-Jews could hang around the worship of Israel’s God—near enough to hear the choir, but far enough to know they were outsiders. 😁 Separating this court from the inner Jewish areas was a...

Now, Acts 18:12 to 19:41 is our transition from the Church in Corinth to the Ephesus Church. This transition is one epic transition that’s all about men… and one woman—well, a goddess—whose claim to fame was that she “fell from heaven” with breasts so wonderful that the whole city bowed to her. You can already tell this story is going to be epic. After 18 months in Corinth, Paul has to say goodbye to that fellowship, go THROUGH Ephesus, then later go TO Ephesus. But before he even packs his bags, one man is beaten up, another one is shaved(it wasn't November?), and a couple tag along with a needle and thread in hand. In his first passing through Ephesus, Paul does nothing much; he simply promises to come back if God wills it. God willed it!👏👏👏👏 But before Paul returns, one of our educated brothers checks into Ephesus and becomes a renowned teacher. His name is Apollos—eloquent, sharp, on fire—but he only knew the gospel up to John the baptizer. That meant he talked about bapt...

As I was going through my notes, I realized that Ephesians is the letter I’ve written about more than any other Pauline letter — and for good reason. It’s tied to one of the most remarkable fellowships in the early church. This was the fellowship Mary, the mother of Jesus, belonged to. It’s where John the Revelator fellowshipped until he was dispatched to the island of Patmos. It’s this very fellowship that urged him to write down his story about Jesus — the Gospel of John — since he was the last living apostle. From Ephesus, he also penned the three letters that bear his name (1st, 2nd, and 3rd John). And because of this same fellowship, Paul’s letters to Timothy were written. Ephesus, therefore, wasn’t just another congregation; it was a thriving, influential body of believers — a nerve center of faith. Even today, the ruins of that church and what’s believed to be the grave of Mary still stand, echoing the legacy of a community that truly embodied the gospel. This time round, as I r...

In the writings of Paul to the Corinthian Church, I came across a line that is short but with so much content. It’s one of those verses you can easily skim past in Paul’s long list of resurrection witnesses — “ Then He appeared to James .” (1 Corinthians 15:7). No thunder, no crowd, no sermon. Just a quiet line about a very personal moment. But think about it. James — Jesus’ younger brother. The one who grew up under the same roof, ate from the same bowl, fetched water from the same well. The one who saw Jesus barefoot, dusty, laughing with neighbors, maybe fixing a broken chair in their family workshop. When people started calling Jesus “the Son of God,” James might have whispered, “ Really? The same guy who borrowed my sandals? ” John 7:5 confirms it — “ For even His brothers did not believe in Him .” James probably whispered to his other brothers, “ Eh, our big brother needs rest. Hii imezidi sasa. ” In fact, Mark 3:21 tells us, “ When His family heard about this, they went to take ...

The Church in Corinth looked like the best fellowship in town — vibrant worship, tongues flying, prophecies booming, gifts on full display. From the outside, you’d think revival had pitched its tent there. But step inside and you’d realize it was also the worst of fellowships. It was like the throne room of God — His presence heavy, yet the devil walked in and out freely. If a new believer asked me whether to join this church, I’d probably say, “Don’t even think about it.” But Paul would disagree. He saw something worth saving. They were a rich church, living in a rich city. Business thrived in Corinth, and their pockets were deep — but their generosity was shallow. They had no problem funding their fellowship, but supporting Paul? Not a chance. Their giving was inward, not outward. The Corinth Canal is a man-made waterway in Greece that cuts through the Isthmus of Corinth to connect the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf. Completed in 1893, this canal separates the Peloponnese peni...

Many wonder why God chose the Jews out of all the nations on earth. Was it favoritism, or something deeper? This reflection traces five moments when God’s anger reshaped humanity — from Adam to Israel — and reveals how, behind every judgment, grace was quietly at work. In Abraham’s story, we find not just the origin of a people, but the heartbeat of God’s plan for all nations.

As we transition from Thessalonians, we shift to Acts 17:11 to 18:17 for contextualization of the letter to the Corinthian Church. The letter begins with this as an opening statement...“ Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother SOSTHENES, to the church of God in Corinth... ” Sosthenes? Who is he and how does he come into play? We first meet him in Acts 18:17: “ Then the crowd there turned on SOSTHENES the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever. ” What an entry! Beaten because of someone else, no one to defend him, not even the authorities. If this scene were dramatized on stage, I can almost imagine the look on Sosthenes’ face — shock turning into disbelief as he realizes the crowd has switched targets. The anger, the rage, the sticks and stones meant for Paul now land squarely on him. A man simply trying to do his job ends up taking blows he didn’t deserve. Let’s get the setting right. Who...

The most outstanding thing about the Thessalonian Church is their growth and their reach. When Paul left them, tough seasons arose around the believers, and he was almost sure that the tempter would get the best of them. However, when he received the report from Timo and Sila (not a Kamba 😅), the man was shocked — they were still standing and spreading like wildfire! This then begs two questions: How were they reached? How did they receive it? Thankfully, Paul tells it all in 1 Thessalonians 1:5–10: “...because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known every...

The early Church did not have the New Testament. They only had the Old Testament (which they called The Scriptures) and the teachings of the apostles. I’m confident the apostles taught far more than they wrote(2 Thess 2:15). In fact, most of what they wrote were responses to questions that came after their teachings had been heard or responses to reports about the fellowships been addressed had reached them. More like a Q&A session after a talk. We’re now looking at 1 & 2 Thessalonians, and here’s what’s happening in the background: Timothy and Silas have just delivered a report to Paul about the Church in Thessaloniki. This maybe happened over a meal or while taking some strong tea in the afternoon. From the report, this was a thriving fellowship — one of those churches any missionary would be proud of. They had received the Word eagerly, kept growing spiritually, and were so evangelistic that the gospel had spread through all of Greece. Paul says he doesn’t even need to trave...

The Church in Philippi wasn’t born in a synagogue(a coming together of at least 10 males under a teacher). It was born by a riverside — in prayer, in simplicity, and in the hands of women. If that doesn’t sound like many of our African fellowships, I don’t know what does. Sometimes the most powerful moves of God begin in circles of praying women who gather not because of titles, but because of hunger. When Paul first arrived in Philippi, he didn’t meet elders or deacons — he met Lydia, a woman of substance and prayer (Acts 16:13–15). She sold purple cloth, the kind that only the wealthy could afford. Yet she used her wealth not to show off, but to serve. Lydia opened her home to the gospel. In many ways, she’s the mother of the Philippian Church. You can tell this church had a woman’s touch. They were generous, thoughtful, and consistent. When Paul was old, tired, and under house arrest in Rome, it was the Philippian believers — probably led by women — who sent him supplies, prayers, a...

I can bet a thousand shillings that no one in Kenya has ever named their child E paphroditus . I wanted to say in Africa, but our brethren from the West are known to be... let’s just say, creative when it comes to naming their own. In my childhood, I once heard a story that stayed with me. During a fellowship gathering, the offering basket went around the congregation. People gave money—notes and coins—one after the other. But when it reached a certain young boy, he had nothing to give. He looked at the basket for a moment, placed it gently on the floor, and stepped into it. When asked what he was doing, he said, “ I’m giving myself to the Lord. ” That was all he had. Epaphroditus was one such boy—though grown. A brother in the fellowship at Philippi, whose heart was full of the same spirit of surrender. News had reached Philippi that Paul, now aged and under house arrest in Rome, needed help. The church gathered supplies for him—food, clothing, perhaps scrolls—and they decided to sen...

In my reading of Galatians, I’m realizing that Paul had a tight relationship with these fellowships. He really loved and respected them. His love is seen in how he calls them “my little children” and in the tone of his writing. Although he uses tough words like “Who bewitched you,” ^LKM, you can still sense affection behind every line. He reminds them of the time when they received him warmly even in his sickness — so warmly that they would have traded their own healthy eyes for his unhealthy ones. That might explain why he says, “See with what large letters I write to you” — That tells you something about their bond. It also explains why Paul, though struggling with poor eyesight, had to personally write this letter—in large letters—rather than dictating it. He wanted them to see his handwriting, to know he still cared and that he was improving. That’s a mark of a true shepherd: love expressed even in weakness. Not as a flex, but as proof that he was improving and still deeply connect...

 If you ask Jesus, “What must I do to enter the Kingdom of God?” His answer is simple and profound: > “ You must be born again. ” That’s it. No long list. No add-ons. Just a new birth — from above. But when you ask religious buddies the same question, you might get a different story. Somehow, “you must be born again” never seems to be enough. They start adding layers: > “You must dress in a certain way.” > “You must speak a certain way.” > “You must follow this ritual, belong to that group, or carry this name.” And before you know it, the simplicity of faith has been buried under the weight of man-made requirements. Laws. Religion has a way of taking what God made light and making it heavy. We no longer are inviting people under the Lordship of Jesus, but rather under our lordship — our rules, our culture, our comfort zones. We call it leadership, but if it can't fit in another fellowship, then it's lordship. This was exactly what was happening in the Galatian fello...

Today, if someone calls you, “Woman!” in English or “mwanamke!” in Swahili, it often lands with sharpness. It sounds like a command or insult — especially in a culture where respect is wrapped in titles: “Madam,” “Teacher,” “Mama So-and-so,” “Doctor,” “Secretary,” “Mwalimu.” We show honor by naming the role or relationship, not merely the person’s gender. Or at least we call them by their preferred name if we know it. As I read the gospels, I noticed how Jesus referred to women as "woman!" including his mother. I felt it was disrespectful but I was wrong. So I went on research mode to find out what was going on back then. I discovered that in the Bible’s world, “woman” was not reduction — it was recognition. It was not “you there!” but more like “ma'am.” In modern ears, the word “woman” often sounds blunt, even disrespectful. Yet in Scripture, it carries layers of beauty, purpose, and dignity — if only we pause long enough to trace its journey from Genesis to the Gospels....

According to the Good News Bible, James concludes his letter with a weighty reminder. He writes, “ Remember this: whoever turns a sinner back from the wrong way will save that sinner’s soul from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins. ” (James 5:20) That verse lingered in my mind longer than most. The word “ REMEMBER ” stood out. It made me wonder — what else did James ask his readers to remember? A little search brought up two others. The first comes earlier in chapter 1: “ Remember this, my dear friends! Everyone must be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. ” The second appears much later, in chapter 5: “ My friends, remember the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Take them as examples of patient endurance under suffering. ” So there we have it — three memories worth keeping alive. One points inward, the other backwards, and the last outward. The first — “Remember this: be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger” — deals with self. ...

At the tail end of Acts 14, we witness a subtle but significant shift in the early Church’s story — the stage begins to tilt toward the writing of James. This shift is occasioned by a report delivered to the fellowship in Antioch (vs27-28). Antioch was no ordinary town. It was a field both fruitful and fiery — the first place believers were nicknamed Christians (Acts 11:26). It was here that Gentiles were first admitted into the fold of Christ, a move so bold it sparked a council in Jerusalem to discuss what many then saw as a monstrosity. To verify this surprising development, the Jerusalem church sent Barnabas, who would later become a close companion of Paul. Traveling from Jerusalem to Antioch took about 15–20 days(with stops every night) — roughly the same as going from Nairobi to Lodwar on foot or by caravan. It was no casual trip. In Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas report back to Antioch, sharing the fruits and trials of their missionary work. Word of this report reached Jerusalem, a...

Back in 2021, we had a wonderful teaching on The Three Hebrew Boys. Seven lessons stood out from that moment: 1. We should not forget who we are. We are in this world but not of it. (John 17) 2. We should not become like those who are of the world. We are a holy nation and a royal priesthood. (1 Peter 2) 3. God is able to help us at every point in our lives — don’t involve Him at the last minute. 4. Sometimes we actually suffer for doing the right thing. 5. We should be a positive influence to our friends. It was Daniel who decided and influenced his three friends. 6. We need friends who can encourage and pray with us — it might just save our lives. 7. We should not take credit for things others contributed to. It was one of those teachings that felt simple yet solid — one that stays with you quietly. This year, I shared those notes with Mwai, the brother who had taught that lesson back then, and his response opened my eyes even more. He said: “ I’ve never forgotten that sermon because...

For many years, I thought Paul was called and appointed by Christ to preach the gospel only to the Gentiles which was occasioned by hearing that he's the one who took the gospel to the uttermost. But this year, it stands out to me that his scope covered the Jews as well. In Acts 9, when God speaks to Ananias concerning Paul, He says: “ This Man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the GENTILES and THEIR KINGS and to the PEOPLE OF ISRAEL. ” These are not just poetic words — they are God’s mission statement for Paul. And as we read through Acts, we see each part of it fulfilled. Paul indeed reaches the Gentiles, their kings, and the people of Israel. It didn’t happen because Paul was extraordinary. No. It all came to pass because God said it, and Paul obeyed . The same applies to every believer — our lives and our kingdom mission unfold because of what God has spoken, not what we try to invent. As we journey through Acts, the thread of God’s faithfulness runs strong. After ...

The book of Acts is the second report from our brother Luke. Inasmuch as others wrote ahead of him, he felt it necessary to put the report in order. Now, what order is this? Were the others disorderly? I wrote about this order a while back — you can read it here : (https://mapstage.blogspot.com/2024/10/lukes-orderliness.html). Luke’s language throughout Luke and Acts leans heavily on legal lingua — he’s building a case, presenting evidence, and drawing conclusions. His goal is to highlight what Jesus presented and what Paul was preaching. That’s why in his opening statement, Luke writes this about Jesus: > “ After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about THE KINGDOM OF GOD .” Acts 1:3 And in his closing statement, he writes this about Paul: > “ For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed THE K...