(This teaching was primarily for Young People)
Rom 8:28 We are assured {and} know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together {and} are [fitting into a plan] for good to {and} for those who love God and are called according to [His] design {and} purpose.
Heb 12:16 That no one may become guilty of sexual vice, or become a profane (godless and sacrilegious) person as Esau did, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.
Heb 12:17 For you understand that later on, when he wanted [to regain title to] his inheritance of the blessing, he was rejected (disqualified and set aside), for he could find no opportunity to repair by repentance [what he had done, no chance to recall the choice he had made], although he sought for it carefully with [bitter] tears.
•If we are to progress in life and achieve, we must seize or utilize every opportunity that we get
•Some opportunities that we miss or neglect may not come anymore
•In the story of the rich man and Lazarus, Abraham told the rich man that he (the rich man) lost his opportunity for salvation when he was on earth and could not get another. The rich man begged for Lazarus to go back to earth and preach to his brothers, Abraham said the brothers should use the opportunity presented by Moses and the prophets, if they fail to use it, they too will die.
•So, we need to be careful and not miss or the opportunities that God gives us, they may not come again
•Esau missed his opportunity and sold his birth right, he tried in vain to regain it again, but could not, he had lost his chance!
Examples Of Opportunities
1)Salvation Opportunity
•Some miss the opportunity for salvation and end up in eternal death
•You get the chance of accepting Christ, you hear the gospel but you keep procrastinating until you die in sin!
•Some accept Christ but later get caught in other silly things and lose their salvation and lose opportunity for eternal life
2)Education / Academic Opportunity
•Some lose opportunity for excelling in their education
•You have somebody taking care of you, paying for all your school needs and you play with that chance.
•When you are / were at school, did you put enough effort to study and being serious? Are you not regretting today that you lost opportunity to excel when you were at school?
•Some realize when it is late that they missed a good opportunity to excel at school but now they have no resources to correct the mistake
•Some dropped out of school when they were pregnant and could not write exams, later when things are bitter in life, they regret
3)Employment Opportunity
•Have you lost opportunity for employment?
•Some lose opportunity by being late, not adequately preparing for interviews, etc
4)Business Opportunity
•Have you lost opportunity for making money or business deal?
5)Giving Opportunity
•Some lose opportunity for giving
•Sometimes God can instruct you to give something having earmarked you for a blessing or reward, if you do not obey, you lose the blessing
6)Ministry / Service Opportunity
•Some miss the call of God for service for simple small things, you miss your destiny in serving God by disobedience
•Saul lost the opportunity to be a king by simple disobeying God’s instruction in war
•You may lose your opportunity by arrogance, some run to ministry prematurely and lose their opportunity
7)Marriage Opportunity
•Some lose the opportunity of keeping themselves virgins till marriage
•You cannot afford to lose your virginity and a testimony in marriage for sleeping for 5 minutes with a man/ woman! You can lose the opportunity for a happy good marriage just for failing to control yourself. Some lose their virginity just months, weeks or days before their marriage!
•Some disobey God, get married to a wrong partner and die prematurely
Conclusion
•I know that there is room for repentance with God and forgiveness
•But there are some opportunities that come once in one’s life and when lost can not be regained again
•If you lose your virginity, you may be forgiven but that can never make you a virgin again
•Some of the opportunities we lose or mistakes we make may cost us our lives
•If you live a promiscuous life, you make get infected with HIV at a young age, lose your opportunity for a happy marriage and die prematurely
•I have seen very good and promising young people die prematurely
•You may miss the opportunity of listening to God and marrying the wring person, marry an HIV career and die prematurely
•I know of good people in church that have died of HIV and you know for sure that they had a destiny to achieve before they die but died prematurely
•You need to seek God will and purpose for your life and not just do things your way
•Sometimes God’s ways may not seem good and wise but His plan is always the best
•Do not lose any opportunity because of ignorance or disobedience
•It is painful to look back and regret because of lost opportunity and bad choices that you made
•It is painful for people to come and say, “we told you” and you know they did!
•There was a time when Moses lost opportunity to got to the promised land, God said because of what you did, you will not get into the promised land. Moses tried to beg God until God said, “Do not mention that to me again” Numbers 20v8-12,
•Let us be careful, let us not abuse God’s grace and opportunities that He gives us
•Utilize every opportunity and not live to regret tomorrow
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
WHAT DO YOU HAVE?
Ex 4:1 AND MOSES answered, But behold, they will not believe me or listen to {and} obey my voice; for they will say, The Lord has not appeared to you.
Ex 4:2 And the Lord said to him, What is that in your hand? And he said, A rod.
Ex 4:3 And He said, Cast it on the ground. And he did so and it became a serpent [the symbol of royal and divine power worn on the crown of the Pharaohs]; and Moses fled from before it.
Ex 4:4 And the Lord said to Moses, Put forth your hand and take it by the tail. And he stretched out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand,
Ex 4:5 [This you shall do, said the Lord] that the elders may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers, of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has indeed appeared to you.
Ex 4:6 The Lord said also to him, Put your hand into your bosom. He put his hand into his bosom, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, as white as snow.
Ex 4:7 [God] said, Put your hand into your bosom again. So he put his hand back into his bosom, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored as the rest of his flesh.
Ex 4:8 [Then God said] If they will not believe you or heed the voice {or} the testimony of the first sign, they may believe the voice {or} the witness of the second sign.
Ex 4:9 But if they will also not believe these two signs or heed your voice, you shall take some water of the river [Nile] and pour it upon the dry land; and the water which you take out of the river [Nile] shall become blood on the dry land.
Ex 4:10 And Moses said to the Lord, O Lord, I am not eloquent {or} a man of words, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and have a heavy {and} awkward tongue.
Ex 4:11 And the Lord said to him, Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the dumb, or the deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Is it not I, the Lord?
Ex 4:12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and will teach you what you shall say.
Ex 4:13 And he said, Oh, my Lord, I pray You, send by the hand of [some other] whom You will [send].
Ex 4:14 Then the anger of the Lord blazed against Moses; He said, Is there not Aaron your brother, the Levite? I know he can speak well. Also, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be overjoyed.
Ex 4:15 You must speak to him and put the words in his mouth; and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you what you shall do.
Ex 4:16 He shall speak for you to the people, acting as a mouthpiece for you, and you shall be as God to him.
Ex 4:17 And you shall take this rod in your hand with which you shall work the signs [that prove I sent you].
Ex 4:18 And Moses went away and, returning to Jethro his father-in-law, said to him, Let me go back, I pray you, to my relatives in Egypt to see whether they are still alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace.
•Many a times we look from outside and far places for answers and solutions when they are within us
•In most cases, the solution and or answer to our problems is in our hearts and in the written Word
•We many a times make pledges that when something happens, we will do such and such a thing
•You need to realize that you cannot do great or major things if you fail to do the little in your ability
•Start from where you are and not wait for something to happen before you do “something”
•If you want to give to the work of the Lord, to the poor or any other good cause, do not wait to accumulate great wealth before you start giving
•Start from where you are, if you can not give from the little you have, you may not give when you get much.
•When it comes to giving, people will think, “I will give or accomplish much when I get a lot of money”
God Does Not Expect What You Do Not Have
•The example of the widow and Elijah, 1Kings 17v8-16
•The example of the widow and Elisha, 2Kings 4v1-5
•The example of Moses and his rod, Exodus 4v2
•The example of the poor widow and Jesus, Luke 21v1-4
•David and the sling, 1Samuel 17v40-51
Start From Where You Are
•What ever dream you have, look at what have and start from there
•You need to take the bold first step and things may fall in place
•Examples:
i)Giving
-start giving from what you have, sometimes it takes a sacrifice
-giving is not giving excess or what you do not need
-giving involves taking a risk, sometimes it is painful to give
-do not wait for a day you will have a million dollars before that start giving
-Many a times there are financial opportunities in church for you to give but some do not utilize them
-Some wish they could have millions of dollars and give to “Big” TV ministries but fail to give the little they have to their local church!
-Start from tithing, weekly Sunday offerings, special offerings and other needs and grow from there.
-You cannot start by giving houses, cars and other major assets when you cannot give the little
ii)Starting business
-For you start a business, do not wait to accumulate a lot of money
-Start from the little you have and grow from there
-I one asked a certain “Indigenous” business man about the secret behind his success, he said “Vision, Taking Risk and Persistence” he did not mention having a lot of cash
-You need faith to start, then the rest will follow
-If you have a dream of starting a business, start from where you are, look at the talents, experience and the ability you have, what assets do you have? What do you have?
-We need to look more on what we have than what we do not have
-You have land to plant vegetables, fruits, etc
-You have a rural home to keep livestock (cattle, chickens, etc)
iii)Getting involved in politics
-start from the little you have / know
-you need to realize that you are the person that can influence change in your nation or political environment
-Look around you and see where you can start, start from the cells, province, etc
-Rise up and do something, in Zimbabwe politics is very risk in the present moment but if we are to have any positive change in our politics, we need people who will rise up and start from where they are
-The current political leaders can not take us where we need to go as a nation, we need young people with vision, insight, courage, intelligence, appreciation of the modern world
-We need to go beyond liberation politics, that we fought for independence is now irrelevant and outdated, that you were beaten by police and suffered as a opposition part is now becoming irrelevant
-Do you see a need to be part of the political leadership? What do you have? Start from there and move on!
iv)Ministry
-Some people thing to be a great man / woman of God, you need to hear a loud voice from heaven, that may or may not happen.
-Start from where you are, what are good at doing, what opportunities are there for you to serve?
-What do you have? What can be your contribution to your local church?
-Do not wait to open your own ministry to start serving God.
-Every or any opportunity given you to positively contribute to the body of Christ seize it. Do not wait to attract large crowds of people and have healing / miracle meetings.
-Start from where you are; what gift or anointing do you have?
-You can start by being a cell leader, usher, singer, deacon, teens or youth leader, associate pastor, etc until you get to where God is calling you to.
v)Increasing your commitment to the things of God
vi)Pursuing any major decision
•Do not wait for conditions to be favorable before you do something
•Start now, take the risk, sometimes what you do may not be making any sense to other people but do it anyway.
•Major achievements are achieved when people acted on simple things and acted against odds.
When There Is Responsibility, There Is the Ability (grace / anointing)
•When God gives you responsibility or vision, he also gives the ability, anointing or grace to accomplish it.
•You may not realize that grace until you step out in faith, obey God and start doing something
•Faith is taking a risk, you may not know what will happen
•Praying for the sick for an example is a step of faith, you do not know what will happen but you step out by faith!
Conclusion
•So, look at yourself, what do you have?
•God is in you, His anointing and ability is in you
•What talents and giftings do you have?
•Start from where you are, do what you can, remain focused on your vision, the rest will follow.
Ex 4:2 And the Lord said to him, What is that in your hand? And he said, A rod.
Ex 4:3 And He said, Cast it on the ground. And he did so and it became a serpent [the symbol of royal and divine power worn on the crown of the Pharaohs]; and Moses fled from before it.
Ex 4:4 And the Lord said to Moses, Put forth your hand and take it by the tail. And he stretched out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand,
Ex 4:5 [This you shall do, said the Lord] that the elders may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers, of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has indeed appeared to you.
Ex 4:6 The Lord said also to him, Put your hand into your bosom. He put his hand into his bosom, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, as white as snow.
Ex 4:7 [God] said, Put your hand into your bosom again. So he put his hand back into his bosom, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored as the rest of his flesh.
Ex 4:8 [Then God said] If they will not believe you or heed the voice {or} the testimony of the first sign, they may believe the voice {or} the witness of the second sign.
Ex 4:9 But if they will also not believe these two signs or heed your voice, you shall take some water of the river [Nile] and pour it upon the dry land; and the water which you take out of the river [Nile] shall become blood on the dry land.
Ex 4:10 And Moses said to the Lord, O Lord, I am not eloquent {or} a man of words, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and have a heavy {and} awkward tongue.
Ex 4:11 And the Lord said to him, Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the dumb, or the deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Is it not I, the Lord?
Ex 4:12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and will teach you what you shall say.
Ex 4:13 And he said, Oh, my Lord, I pray You, send by the hand of [some other] whom You will [send].
Ex 4:14 Then the anger of the Lord blazed against Moses; He said, Is there not Aaron your brother, the Levite? I know he can speak well. Also, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be overjoyed.
Ex 4:15 You must speak to him and put the words in his mouth; and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you what you shall do.
Ex 4:16 He shall speak for you to the people, acting as a mouthpiece for you, and you shall be as God to him.
Ex 4:17 And you shall take this rod in your hand with which you shall work the signs [that prove I sent you].
Ex 4:18 And Moses went away and, returning to Jethro his father-in-law, said to him, Let me go back, I pray you, to my relatives in Egypt to see whether they are still alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace.
•Many a times we look from outside and far places for answers and solutions when they are within us
•In most cases, the solution and or answer to our problems is in our hearts and in the written Word
•We many a times make pledges that when something happens, we will do such and such a thing
•You need to realize that you cannot do great or major things if you fail to do the little in your ability
•Start from where you are and not wait for something to happen before you do “something”
•If you want to give to the work of the Lord, to the poor or any other good cause, do not wait to accumulate great wealth before you start giving
•Start from where you are, if you can not give from the little you have, you may not give when you get much.
•When it comes to giving, people will think, “I will give or accomplish much when I get a lot of money”
God Does Not Expect What You Do Not Have
•The example of the widow and Elijah, 1Kings 17v8-16
•The example of the widow and Elisha, 2Kings 4v1-5
•The example of Moses and his rod, Exodus 4v2
•The example of the poor widow and Jesus, Luke 21v1-4
•David and the sling, 1Samuel 17v40-51
Start From Where You Are
•What ever dream you have, look at what have and start from there
•You need to take the bold first step and things may fall in place
•Examples:
i)Giving
-start giving from what you have, sometimes it takes a sacrifice
-giving is not giving excess or what you do not need
-giving involves taking a risk, sometimes it is painful to give
-do not wait for a day you will have a million dollars before that start giving
-Many a times there are financial opportunities in church for you to give but some do not utilize them
-Some wish they could have millions of dollars and give to “Big” TV ministries but fail to give the little they have to their local church!
-Start from tithing, weekly Sunday offerings, special offerings and other needs and grow from there.
-You cannot start by giving houses, cars and other major assets when you cannot give the little
ii)Starting business
-For you start a business, do not wait to accumulate a lot of money
-Start from the little you have and grow from there
-I one asked a certain “Indigenous” business man about the secret behind his success, he said “Vision, Taking Risk and Persistence” he did not mention having a lot of cash
-You need faith to start, then the rest will follow
-If you have a dream of starting a business, start from where you are, look at the talents, experience and the ability you have, what assets do you have? What do you have?
-We need to look more on what we have than what we do not have
-You have land to plant vegetables, fruits, etc
-You have a rural home to keep livestock (cattle, chickens, etc)
iii)Getting involved in politics
-start from the little you have / know
-you need to realize that you are the person that can influence change in your nation or political environment
-Look around you and see where you can start, start from the cells, province, etc
-Rise up and do something, in Zimbabwe politics is very risk in the present moment but if we are to have any positive change in our politics, we need people who will rise up and start from where they are
-The current political leaders can not take us where we need to go as a nation, we need young people with vision, insight, courage, intelligence, appreciation of the modern world
-We need to go beyond liberation politics, that we fought for independence is now irrelevant and outdated, that you were beaten by police and suffered as a opposition part is now becoming irrelevant
-Do you see a need to be part of the political leadership? What do you have? Start from there and move on!
iv)Ministry
-Some people thing to be a great man / woman of God, you need to hear a loud voice from heaven, that may or may not happen.
-Start from where you are, what are good at doing, what opportunities are there for you to serve?
-What do you have? What can be your contribution to your local church?
-Do not wait to open your own ministry to start serving God.
-Every or any opportunity given you to positively contribute to the body of Christ seize it. Do not wait to attract large crowds of people and have healing / miracle meetings.
-Start from where you are; what gift or anointing do you have?
-You can start by being a cell leader, usher, singer, deacon, teens or youth leader, associate pastor, etc until you get to where God is calling you to.
v)Increasing your commitment to the things of God
vi)Pursuing any major decision
•Do not wait for conditions to be favorable before you do something
•Start now, take the risk, sometimes what you do may not be making any sense to other people but do it anyway.
•Major achievements are achieved when people acted on simple things and acted against odds.
When There Is Responsibility, There Is the Ability (grace / anointing)
•When God gives you responsibility or vision, he also gives the ability, anointing or grace to accomplish it.
•You may not realize that grace until you step out in faith, obey God and start doing something
•Faith is taking a risk, you may not know what will happen
•Praying for the sick for an example is a step of faith, you do not know what will happen but you step out by faith!
Conclusion
•So, look at yourself, what do you have?
•God is in you, His anointing and ability is in you
•What talents and giftings do you have?
•Start from where you are, do what you can, remain focused on your vision, the rest will follow.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Current Zimbabwean Situation & What The Church Can Do
What The Church Can Do In The Current Zimbabwean Situation
As a nation of Zimbabwe, we are in crisis which is now so evident and obvious that even those that were denying it cannot convince anybody otherwise. We are having a political, economical, social, education, health, justice (& human rights) and even spiritual crisis.
That our current political leaders, in government and the opposition have failed us cannot be hidden and denied by any sane and average thinking person. Robert Mugabe, Morgan Tsangirai, Author Mutambara and other political leaders at various levels have failed us. They themselves should honor up and confess that whether directly or indirectly they somehow contributed to the current crisis. The crisis among other things is because of failed leadership, wrong policies, corruption, greediness, selfishness, power hunger, pride, arrogance, political immaturity, political intolerance and strained international relations.
The significance and magnitude of the crisis and sufferings that many Zimbabweans are facing is more than we realize and have seen.
Political. We had elections on March 29 and by now we still do not have a government. There was an agreement for Government of National Unity signed on 11 and 15 September by leaders of the current major political leaders which up to November they have failed to implement. It is amazing that our current political leaders failed to agree on sharing cabinet posts! I cannot describe that in anyway than to say they have failed us. There is political immaturity and intolerance that is all political parties have acknowledged. In a small country like Zimbabwe with probably around 15 million people, we are failing to coexist and grasp diversity in our political views!. Before we were colonized by the British, we were divided, after 1980, we failed again to live together in peace. We all know about the 80’ atrocities up to the 1987 Zanu Pf and Pf Zapu unity accord. From 1999 after the formation of the MDC, there was no peace with Zanu Pf. There has been violence ever since. MDC on its own failed to stand until it split into two parties in less than 8 years. There are other political parties that have been there but have failed to have any meaningful influence. The current political parties and leaders have failed to realize that having a different political view or policy does not make you an enemy. If you refuse something and speak against Zanu Pf, you are labeled being used by the British & Americans, if you disagree with MDC and particularly Tsvangirai, you are labeled a Zanu Pf person. Even Zanu Pf itself seems to be divided, you read in news papers that some are complaining about being marginalized (former Zapu). But if we are to progress and mature in our politics, we need to realize that Zimbabwe and Zimbabwean politics goes far beyond Zanu PF, MDC, Mugabe Tsvangirai and Mutambara. We need political renewal and a new breed of political leaders beyond the current. I do not see the current political leaders taking us far as a nation. Some of them have outlived their political and leadership usefulness. Some are literally too old to be in office! We need fresh, up-to-date and relevant political leaders who will grow beyond blame games, those that will give principled and seasoned policies and not spend time attacking and insulting each other. Leaders who will be servants to the people and not seek personal names. Leaders who will not personalize the struggle and sacrifices they may have made. Leaders who will not say because they suffered or made sacrifices at one point that makes them the ones deserving certain positions or treatment. Leaders who will admit when and where they fail or make mistakes. Leaders who will know the time to get in and out of office or leadership. Leaders who will know when to groom and hand over to successors!
Economy. Our economy has collapsed. We have within few years removed 13 zeros from our currency. Currently our money is “valueless”. Inflation is over 231 million though others predict it is over a trillion. Most of our industries are closed. Many people are jobless. It is said that unemployment is over 80%. Many of those that are employed cannot meet their basic needs. People cannot get their money from the banks. Most people are revalued poor trillionaries, if you add back 13 zeros, I do want to waste time on what the figures will be. Formal shops do not have products. There is not adequate electricity. There is not adequate clean water. Our roads and other infrastructure are run down. We are failing to grow and or produce enough food for ourselves and others. Those who have been entrusted to lead and be custodians of our economy in any level should understand that we do not deserve the mess that they have done to our economy. They should realize that they owe this nation an apology, accountability and admittance of their failure. It is our right as citizens of Zimbabwe that our economy be restored and that the resources in this land be equally accessible to all. It is our right to have competent, transparent and honest people being the custodians of our economy.
Social. It is clear that because of the political, economical and other challenges, our social lives as Zimbabwean has been compromised. We live in fear of many things that include but are not limited to: victimization, poverty and political intolerance. We have lost our social values and care for one another as we used to. We no longer live together, share things together as before. Families are literally separated. Many of our relatives and friends have let the country for various reasons but the major being the crisis in Zimbabwe. You find children being raised by maids or grand parents because parents are in the Diaspora. What kind of society will we be in the next generation without proper parenting? Who will put family values in our children and young generation?
Education. Our education system has also collapsed. This year we can say our schools literally or partly did not offer teaching or proper education. As I write this letter, some schools are not offering any lessons; some boarding schools have sent pupils back home. Teachers were or still on strike or not at work. I wonder what will come out of the exams that are being written! We deserve better for our children and dependants. This year that has been lost by many students will be difficult if not impossible to compensate. Are we saying that it will be like after independence in the 80’s where the education system will start being effective after our leaders find the political solution?
Healthy. Our health system has collapsed. We do not have drugs and other equipment in our health service departments. Most doctors, nurses and other health professionals have left the country. Some are not working or on strike. Those that cannot afford to seek private medical care are left to die. Our medical aid cannot work anymore. We contribute subscriptions to medical aid societies but medical service providers do not want it anymore. I am convinced that we have lost some of our relatives and friends who should not have died but died because of failed medical system. I have a relative of mine who lost a 5 day old baby who was due an operation but the public hospital could not do the operation. The private doctor wanted a certain amount of cash which my relative did not have. I also could not help to raise the cash and the child died!
Justice and Human Rights. We also have a justice system collapse. As I said above, we now live in fear and oppression. We are not free as we ought to as citizens on Zimbabwe. We are not free to express ourselves. We are not free to gather and discuss political views if we exceed a certain number without a police clearance. Even if you want to have a crusade or other public gathering, you need a police clearance! We are not free to express our grievances and censure our leaders. We are not free to march, demonstrate and do petitions to those that are supposed to be our leaders. At this day and age should we be discussing such? As citizens of Zimbabwe we are all equal and should be accorded same protection by our justice system. We are afraid of CIO, war vets, the police, etc. The same people that should be protecting us are the very people we are afraid of. We deserve better than this. We should be free to express ourselves, we should be free to censure those in public office including the president if need be. We should be free to join or start any political party without fear and without any intimidation from anybody. Those that demonstrate and do marches we hear are arrested and beaten. That should stop.
Spiritual. With all the crisis that we are in as a nation, the church is not exempt. All the above affect us as Christians and spiritual or church leaders, because we also eat and drink. The church is faced with temptations for compromise, lack of resources because of economic challenges. The church is also affected by brain drain. The church is also affected by HIV and Aids and current failure in our health system, etc. Above all, we have some confusion in church. There are questions like, should Christians be involved in politics? Should pastors and other church leaders be involved in politics? Should Christians, Pastors and other Church leaders speak against ills and wrongs done by the political leaders and government? How should pastors handle the issue of different political represented in their congregations? What is the role and place of the spiritual leaders in the nation?
The above questions and many more are making some people, Christians and non Christians have confusions about the role and place of the church in the nation. (I will limit my contribution to Christians or Christian leaders because I am a pastor and that is what I know and understand)
In the bible, if you read the books of Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, all the prophets and some of Jesus’ messages in the gospels, you will find that God is not silent about governments and political leaders. Some of the biblical spiritual leaders were also political leaders and government employees. Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon, Daniel are examples of those that were either political leaders or spiritual leaders or both. The prophets in the bible would reprove leaders in Israel and outside that oppressed people or did other wrongs against God or His people. We know of course that some of the prophets who rebuked leaders were jailed, tortured and some killed by those the bible call evil rulers or leaders!
In Zimbabwe, politics has been demonized or made to appear as a non Christian activity that Christians should not be involved in. This has been a misconception that has been brought by ignorant Christians and some political leaders who have made the impression that if you speak against their doings then you are going beyond your duty as a pastor. Some have even told pastors that were speaking against wrong doings to go to politics and leave pastoring! Some political leaders have successfully silenced the church and stopped the spiritual leaders from having a voice in these issues. For the above reasons, for too long the church has been silent on political and government issues.
This is the time to break the silence and tradition and say enough is enough. We cannot keep quite when our political leaders are practicing all sorts of evil and injustice. We cannot keep quite when we bury our flock sometimes premartually. We cannot keep silent when we see and are confronted with the sufferings of our fellow citizens. We cannot keep any more silent when we see the rights of people being taken away from them. We cannot keep silent when we see incompetence, corruption, greediness and failure by our political leaders and custodians of our government. We cannot keep any more silent when we see many orphans and many children whose parents have left them for the Diaspora. We cannot keep silent when we see families disintegrate because of the crisis in our nation. We cannot keep silent when our children and those we lead are not getting their rights to good standard of education. We cannot keep silent when we are forced to go to neighboring countries to look for food and other basic products when we know our nation should produce and provide that. We cannot keep silent when we see the next generation and future of our nation being destroyed and compromised by selfish, short sighted and visionless leaders and policies.
I have heard those who speak against the government and Zanu pf being labeled MDC. I have heard those who speak good about Zanu pf or against MDC being labeled Zanu pf sympathizers. I have heard some “pastors” preach about Robert Mugabe being a “Moses” sent by God to Zimbabwe. I have also heard some “Pastors” saying Morgan Tsvangirai is a “Moses” sent by God to Zimbabwe. I do not subscribe to any of the above. I believe that pastors should be balanced and neutral in regards to preaching about political affiliation because we lead different people from different political parties and we should be fair to all. But that does not mean that when we see wrong we should keep quite.
Yes I believe and advocate for Christians to be involved in politics. I am calling to Christians to pursue political leadership. I am calling for Christians to pursue positions in councils, senate, parliament and even presidency of Zimbabwe. The bible says when the righteous are in authority people rejoice but when the wicked rule, people groan or sigh. We need to go beyond praying for our nation to positively getting involved and influencing the direction of our politics, government and leadership. We need to leave our comfort zone and risk being labeled and called names to stand for the truth. We also need to live right so that those who may want to silence and stop us will not find faulty in us, our lives and what we do.
Collectively as Zimbabwean people we need to work on restoring our lost “pride.” We need to work on restoring and building our nation. We need to work together, pursue nation building. Stand against any form of corruption and anything that will impact negatively to the development of our nation. We need to able to stand up if it means having peaceful marches and petitions let us do so. Sometimes freedom and breakthrough comes with the price. Sometimes the price is loss in many things to even our lives. All the sacrifices are worth paying for the good of our land, future and our children. Ask yourself, “What am I contributing which is positive for building my nation and future of the next generation?” Are you going to passively watch? There are examples of those that refused to be content and accept the status core. We have the likes of Martin Luther King, Joshua Nkomo, Robert Mugabe, Nelson Mandela, Levy Mwanawasa, Barack Obama, Morgan Tsvangirai, etc. The list is long. There are many leaders that stood up and challenged the status core and brought positive change. Some of the people I mentioned above were consistent in standing for the right, some later compromised or changed some are still trying!
What are you going to contribute? Can we count on you?
By Pastor H.
As a nation of Zimbabwe, we are in crisis which is now so evident and obvious that even those that were denying it cannot convince anybody otherwise. We are having a political, economical, social, education, health, justice (& human rights) and even spiritual crisis.
That our current political leaders, in government and the opposition have failed us cannot be hidden and denied by any sane and average thinking person. Robert Mugabe, Morgan Tsangirai, Author Mutambara and other political leaders at various levels have failed us. They themselves should honor up and confess that whether directly or indirectly they somehow contributed to the current crisis. The crisis among other things is because of failed leadership, wrong policies, corruption, greediness, selfishness, power hunger, pride, arrogance, political immaturity, political intolerance and strained international relations.
The significance and magnitude of the crisis and sufferings that many Zimbabweans are facing is more than we realize and have seen.
Political. We had elections on March 29 and by now we still do not have a government. There was an agreement for Government of National Unity signed on 11 and 15 September by leaders of the current major political leaders which up to November they have failed to implement. It is amazing that our current political leaders failed to agree on sharing cabinet posts! I cannot describe that in anyway than to say they have failed us. There is political immaturity and intolerance that is all political parties have acknowledged. In a small country like Zimbabwe with probably around 15 million people, we are failing to coexist and grasp diversity in our political views!. Before we were colonized by the British, we were divided, after 1980, we failed again to live together in peace. We all know about the 80’ atrocities up to the 1987 Zanu Pf and Pf Zapu unity accord. From 1999 after the formation of the MDC, there was no peace with Zanu Pf. There has been violence ever since. MDC on its own failed to stand until it split into two parties in less than 8 years. There are other political parties that have been there but have failed to have any meaningful influence. The current political parties and leaders have failed to realize that having a different political view or policy does not make you an enemy. If you refuse something and speak against Zanu Pf, you are labeled being used by the British & Americans, if you disagree with MDC and particularly Tsvangirai, you are labeled a Zanu Pf person. Even Zanu Pf itself seems to be divided, you read in news papers that some are complaining about being marginalized (former Zapu). But if we are to progress and mature in our politics, we need to realize that Zimbabwe and Zimbabwean politics goes far beyond Zanu PF, MDC, Mugabe Tsvangirai and Mutambara. We need political renewal and a new breed of political leaders beyond the current. I do not see the current political leaders taking us far as a nation. Some of them have outlived their political and leadership usefulness. Some are literally too old to be in office! We need fresh, up-to-date and relevant political leaders who will grow beyond blame games, those that will give principled and seasoned policies and not spend time attacking and insulting each other. Leaders who will be servants to the people and not seek personal names. Leaders who will not personalize the struggle and sacrifices they may have made. Leaders who will not say because they suffered or made sacrifices at one point that makes them the ones deserving certain positions or treatment. Leaders who will admit when and where they fail or make mistakes. Leaders who will know the time to get in and out of office or leadership. Leaders who will know when to groom and hand over to successors!
Economy. Our economy has collapsed. We have within few years removed 13 zeros from our currency. Currently our money is “valueless”. Inflation is over 231 million though others predict it is over a trillion. Most of our industries are closed. Many people are jobless. It is said that unemployment is over 80%. Many of those that are employed cannot meet their basic needs. People cannot get their money from the banks. Most people are revalued poor trillionaries, if you add back 13 zeros, I do want to waste time on what the figures will be. Formal shops do not have products. There is not adequate electricity. There is not adequate clean water. Our roads and other infrastructure are run down. We are failing to grow and or produce enough food for ourselves and others. Those who have been entrusted to lead and be custodians of our economy in any level should understand that we do not deserve the mess that they have done to our economy. They should realize that they owe this nation an apology, accountability and admittance of their failure. It is our right as citizens of Zimbabwe that our economy be restored and that the resources in this land be equally accessible to all. It is our right to have competent, transparent and honest people being the custodians of our economy.
Social. It is clear that because of the political, economical and other challenges, our social lives as Zimbabwean has been compromised. We live in fear of many things that include but are not limited to: victimization, poverty and political intolerance. We have lost our social values and care for one another as we used to. We no longer live together, share things together as before. Families are literally separated. Many of our relatives and friends have let the country for various reasons but the major being the crisis in Zimbabwe. You find children being raised by maids or grand parents because parents are in the Diaspora. What kind of society will we be in the next generation without proper parenting? Who will put family values in our children and young generation?
Education. Our education system has also collapsed. This year we can say our schools literally or partly did not offer teaching or proper education. As I write this letter, some schools are not offering any lessons; some boarding schools have sent pupils back home. Teachers were or still on strike or not at work. I wonder what will come out of the exams that are being written! We deserve better for our children and dependants. This year that has been lost by many students will be difficult if not impossible to compensate. Are we saying that it will be like after independence in the 80’s where the education system will start being effective after our leaders find the political solution?
Healthy. Our health system has collapsed. We do not have drugs and other equipment in our health service departments. Most doctors, nurses and other health professionals have left the country. Some are not working or on strike. Those that cannot afford to seek private medical care are left to die. Our medical aid cannot work anymore. We contribute subscriptions to medical aid societies but medical service providers do not want it anymore. I am convinced that we have lost some of our relatives and friends who should not have died but died because of failed medical system. I have a relative of mine who lost a 5 day old baby who was due an operation but the public hospital could not do the operation. The private doctor wanted a certain amount of cash which my relative did not have. I also could not help to raise the cash and the child died!
Justice and Human Rights. We also have a justice system collapse. As I said above, we now live in fear and oppression. We are not free as we ought to as citizens on Zimbabwe. We are not free to express ourselves. We are not free to gather and discuss political views if we exceed a certain number without a police clearance. Even if you want to have a crusade or other public gathering, you need a police clearance! We are not free to express our grievances and censure our leaders. We are not free to march, demonstrate and do petitions to those that are supposed to be our leaders. At this day and age should we be discussing such? As citizens of Zimbabwe we are all equal and should be accorded same protection by our justice system. We are afraid of CIO, war vets, the police, etc. The same people that should be protecting us are the very people we are afraid of. We deserve better than this. We should be free to express ourselves, we should be free to censure those in public office including the president if need be. We should be free to join or start any political party without fear and without any intimidation from anybody. Those that demonstrate and do marches we hear are arrested and beaten. That should stop.
Spiritual. With all the crisis that we are in as a nation, the church is not exempt. All the above affect us as Christians and spiritual or church leaders, because we also eat and drink. The church is faced with temptations for compromise, lack of resources because of economic challenges. The church is also affected by brain drain. The church is also affected by HIV and Aids and current failure in our health system, etc. Above all, we have some confusion in church. There are questions like, should Christians be involved in politics? Should pastors and other church leaders be involved in politics? Should Christians, Pastors and other Church leaders speak against ills and wrongs done by the political leaders and government? How should pastors handle the issue of different political represented in their congregations? What is the role and place of the spiritual leaders in the nation?
The above questions and many more are making some people, Christians and non Christians have confusions about the role and place of the church in the nation. (I will limit my contribution to Christians or Christian leaders because I am a pastor and that is what I know and understand)
In the bible, if you read the books of Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, all the prophets and some of Jesus’ messages in the gospels, you will find that God is not silent about governments and political leaders. Some of the biblical spiritual leaders were also political leaders and government employees. Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon, Daniel are examples of those that were either political leaders or spiritual leaders or both. The prophets in the bible would reprove leaders in Israel and outside that oppressed people or did other wrongs against God or His people. We know of course that some of the prophets who rebuked leaders were jailed, tortured and some killed by those the bible call evil rulers or leaders!
In Zimbabwe, politics has been demonized or made to appear as a non Christian activity that Christians should not be involved in. This has been a misconception that has been brought by ignorant Christians and some political leaders who have made the impression that if you speak against their doings then you are going beyond your duty as a pastor. Some have even told pastors that were speaking against wrong doings to go to politics and leave pastoring! Some political leaders have successfully silenced the church and stopped the spiritual leaders from having a voice in these issues. For the above reasons, for too long the church has been silent on political and government issues.
This is the time to break the silence and tradition and say enough is enough. We cannot keep quite when our political leaders are practicing all sorts of evil and injustice. We cannot keep quite when we bury our flock sometimes premartually. We cannot keep silent when we see and are confronted with the sufferings of our fellow citizens. We cannot keep any more silent when we see the rights of people being taken away from them. We cannot keep silent when we see incompetence, corruption, greediness and failure by our political leaders and custodians of our government. We cannot keep any more silent when we see many orphans and many children whose parents have left them for the Diaspora. We cannot keep silent when we see families disintegrate because of the crisis in our nation. We cannot keep silent when our children and those we lead are not getting their rights to good standard of education. We cannot keep silent when we are forced to go to neighboring countries to look for food and other basic products when we know our nation should produce and provide that. We cannot keep silent when we see the next generation and future of our nation being destroyed and compromised by selfish, short sighted and visionless leaders and policies.
I have heard those who speak against the government and Zanu pf being labeled MDC. I have heard those who speak good about Zanu pf or against MDC being labeled Zanu pf sympathizers. I have heard some “pastors” preach about Robert Mugabe being a “Moses” sent by God to Zimbabwe. I have also heard some “Pastors” saying Morgan Tsvangirai is a “Moses” sent by God to Zimbabwe. I do not subscribe to any of the above. I believe that pastors should be balanced and neutral in regards to preaching about political affiliation because we lead different people from different political parties and we should be fair to all. But that does not mean that when we see wrong we should keep quite.
Yes I believe and advocate for Christians to be involved in politics. I am calling to Christians to pursue political leadership. I am calling for Christians to pursue positions in councils, senate, parliament and even presidency of Zimbabwe. The bible says when the righteous are in authority people rejoice but when the wicked rule, people groan or sigh. We need to go beyond praying for our nation to positively getting involved and influencing the direction of our politics, government and leadership. We need to leave our comfort zone and risk being labeled and called names to stand for the truth. We also need to live right so that those who may want to silence and stop us will not find faulty in us, our lives and what we do.
Collectively as Zimbabwean people we need to work on restoring our lost “pride.” We need to work on restoring and building our nation. We need to work together, pursue nation building. Stand against any form of corruption and anything that will impact negatively to the development of our nation. We need to able to stand up if it means having peaceful marches and petitions let us do so. Sometimes freedom and breakthrough comes with the price. Sometimes the price is loss in many things to even our lives. All the sacrifices are worth paying for the good of our land, future and our children. Ask yourself, “What am I contributing which is positive for building my nation and future of the next generation?” Are you going to passively watch? There are examples of those that refused to be content and accept the status core. We have the likes of Martin Luther King, Joshua Nkomo, Robert Mugabe, Nelson Mandela, Levy Mwanawasa, Barack Obama, Morgan Tsvangirai, etc. The list is long. There are many leaders that stood up and challenged the status core and brought positive change. Some of the people I mentioned above were consistent in standing for the right, some later compromised or changed some are still trying!
What are you going to contribute? Can we count on you?
By Pastor H.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Excellency
1. What Is Excellency
•Excellency means fineness, brilliance, superiority, distinction, quality & merit. So, when we talk of personal and financial excellency, we mean the above description in our personal & financial lives.
•For one to have excellency, they have to decide to have excellency, they choose to be exceptional. There has to be some shifting or difference in thinking and or attitude.
•Excellency has to do first with one’s attitude or thinking before it manifests in the outside.
•Excellency also starts in one’s spirit but has to go through the decision and or thinking process
•So, you do not wake up one morning with the anointing of excellency, you have to cultivate that attitude or spirit
•Excellency denotes being or doing things in an extra ordinary way, outside the nom.
•Excellency is being outside the ordinary or outside mediocrity!
•For one to pursue excellency, there has to be some conviction in their spirit that they are not ordinary, they have to sense something great in their heart or spirit
•Excellency is worked for, it is not automatic, it is developed.
2. Examples
i) Joseph
Gen 39:2 But the Lord was with Joseph, and he [though a slave] was a successful {and} prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
Gen 39:3 And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all that he did to flourish {and} succeed in his hand.
Gen 39:4 So Joseph pleased [Potiphar] {and} found favor in his sight, and he served him. And [his master] made him supervisor over his house and he put all that he had in his charge.
Gen 39:5 From the time that he made him supervisor in his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the Lord's blessing was on all that he had in the house and in the field.
Gen 39:6 And [Potiphar] left all that he had in Joseph's charge and paid no attention to anything he had except the food he ate. Now Joseph was an attractive person and fine-looking.
Gen 41:38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, Can we find this man's equal, a man in whom is the spirit of God?
Gen 41:39 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, Forasmuch as [your] God has shown you all this, there is nobody as intelligent {and} discreet {and} understanding and wise as you are.
To separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e. (generally) understand.
Attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, skilfull, can skill, teach, think, understand, make to understand, understanding, cause understanding, get understanding, give understanding, have understanding, view, wise, wise man, deal wisely.
•Pharoh says there is none like Joseph in the above qualities, so, Joseph deplayed some excellency!
•As a slave Joseph showed excellency to the point of being promoted “General Manager” in Potipher’s house
•In prison Joseph displayed excellency to the point of being made prison supervisor
•So, it does not matter the conditions or where you are, excellency will be seeing in your life.
•If you have excellency in your life, situations around you cannot change you
•That is why to prosper and succeed in life cannot be stopped by situations.
•Corruption cannot stop the spirit of excellency!
•Joseph was distinguished among the other slaves, prisons and everybody in Egypt
ii) Daniel
Dan 1:8 But Daniel determined in his heart that he would not defile himself by [eating his portion of] the king's rich {and} dainty food or by [drinking] the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might [be allowed] not to defile himself.
Dan 6:3 Then this Daniel was distinguished above the presidents and the satraps because an excellent spirit was in him, and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
Dan 6:4 Then the presidents and satraps sought to find occasion [to bring accusation] against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no occasion or fault, for he was faithful, nor was there any error or fault found in him.
•Daniel was not alone but among many Jews that were taken captives
•He purposed or determined not to defile himself with the king’s food, excellency is a determination
•Excellency saw Daniel being promoted in Babylon
•Also Daniel’s promotion went across all the kings that he served, they all noticed his excellency, if you excellent, your promotion or success will not depend on individuals. Everybody that you interact with will notice. Change of leaders, managers, etc will not deter you if you have the spirit of excellency!
•I have seen people in work environments that gain favor with managers by slandering others, etc, that kind of promotion will not last, with change of management you also go!
•Excellency will preserve you even in adversity, Daniel had plots and mischief plotted against him but he prevailed.
•Even in the Babylonian “University” Daniel showed excellency and was 10 times more intelligent than the rest. (Daniel 1v20)
•I have problems with people who claim excellency and success only in spiritual matters or in church activities but that same excellency does not reflect in their everyday lives!
(For more on Daniel, refer to my notes about Daniel)
iii) Caleb
Num 14:24 But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.
MLB Numbers 14:24 But because My servant Caleb has a different attitude and has wholeheartedly followed Me, I shall allow him to reenter the land on which he once set foot, and it shall always belong to his descendants.
•God says Caleb’s got a different spirit, the other version says, “different attitude”!
•Caleb followed God fully and refused to be like the rest because he had another spirit / attitude, he had the spirit of excellency!
Josh 14:7 Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea to scout out the land. And I brought him a report as it was in my heart.
Josh 14:8 But my brethren who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt; yet I wholly followed the Lord my God.
Josh 14:9 And Moses swore on that day, Surely the land on which your feet have walked shall be an inheritance to you and your children always, because you have wholly followed the Lord my God.
Josh 14:10 And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years since the Lord spoke this word to Moses, while the Israelites wandered in the wilderness; and now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old.
Josh 14:11 Yet I am as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me; as my strength was then, so is my strength now for war and to go out and to come in.
Josh 14:12 So now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke that day. For you heard then how the [giantlike] Anakim were there and that the cities were great and fortified; if the Lord will be with me, I shall drive them out just as the Lord said.
•You do not loose the spirit of excellency because you grow older!
•Excellency will give you confidence and then boldness. It will strengthen your faith. When in sin or deceit, it is difficult to exercise faith,
Ps 137:1 BY THE rivers of Babylon, there we [captives] sat down, yes, we wept when we [earnestly] remembered Zion [the city of our God imprinted on our hearts].
Ps 137:2 On the willow trees in the midst of [Babylon] we hung our harps.
Ps 137:3 For there they who led us captive required of us a song with words, and our tormentors {and} they who wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.
Ps 137:4 How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?
•Israel could not sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land, they hung their harps!
•You also or faith cannot work in a foreign land, lack of excellency will rob you from fully exercising your faith
3. Rewards or results of excellency
i)Prosperity & success
ii)Promotion
iii)Favor
iv)Confidence, boldness & faith efficiency
•Excellency means fineness, brilliance, superiority, distinction, quality & merit. So, when we talk of personal and financial excellency, we mean the above description in our personal & financial lives.
•For one to have excellency, they have to decide to have excellency, they choose to be exceptional. There has to be some shifting or difference in thinking and or attitude.
•Excellency has to do first with one’s attitude or thinking before it manifests in the outside.
•Excellency also starts in one’s spirit but has to go through the decision and or thinking process
•So, you do not wake up one morning with the anointing of excellency, you have to cultivate that attitude or spirit
•Excellency denotes being or doing things in an extra ordinary way, outside the nom.
•Excellency is being outside the ordinary or outside mediocrity!
•For one to pursue excellency, there has to be some conviction in their spirit that they are not ordinary, they have to sense something great in their heart or spirit
•Excellency is worked for, it is not automatic, it is developed.
2. Examples
i) Joseph
Gen 39:2 But the Lord was with Joseph, and he [though a slave] was a successful {and} prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
Gen 39:3 And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all that he did to flourish {and} succeed in his hand.
Gen 39:4 So Joseph pleased [Potiphar] {and} found favor in his sight, and he served him. And [his master] made him supervisor over his house and he put all that he had in his charge.
Gen 39:5 From the time that he made him supervisor in his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the Lord's blessing was on all that he had in the house and in the field.
Gen 39:6 And [Potiphar] left all that he had in Joseph's charge and paid no attention to anything he had except the food he ate. Now Joseph was an attractive person and fine-looking.
Gen 41:38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, Can we find this man's equal, a man in whom is the spirit of God?
Gen 41:39 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, Forasmuch as [your] God has shown you all this, there is nobody as intelligent {and} discreet {and} understanding and wise as you are.
To separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e. (generally) understand.
Attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, skilfull, can skill, teach, think, understand, make to understand, understanding, cause understanding, get understanding, give understanding, have understanding, view, wise, wise man, deal wisely.
•Pharoh says there is none like Joseph in the above qualities, so, Joseph deplayed some excellency!
•As a slave Joseph showed excellency to the point of being promoted “General Manager” in Potipher’s house
•In prison Joseph displayed excellency to the point of being made prison supervisor
•So, it does not matter the conditions or where you are, excellency will be seeing in your life.
•If you have excellency in your life, situations around you cannot change you
•That is why to prosper and succeed in life cannot be stopped by situations.
•Corruption cannot stop the spirit of excellency!
•Joseph was distinguished among the other slaves, prisons and everybody in Egypt
ii) Daniel
Dan 1:8 But Daniel determined in his heart that he would not defile himself by [eating his portion of] the king's rich {and} dainty food or by [drinking] the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might [be allowed] not to defile himself.
Dan 6:3 Then this Daniel was distinguished above the presidents and the satraps because an excellent spirit was in him, and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
Dan 6:4 Then the presidents and satraps sought to find occasion [to bring accusation] against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no occasion or fault, for he was faithful, nor was there any error or fault found in him.
•Daniel was not alone but among many Jews that were taken captives
•He purposed or determined not to defile himself with the king’s food, excellency is a determination
•Excellency saw Daniel being promoted in Babylon
•Also Daniel’s promotion went across all the kings that he served, they all noticed his excellency, if you excellent, your promotion or success will not depend on individuals. Everybody that you interact with will notice. Change of leaders, managers, etc will not deter you if you have the spirit of excellency!
•I have seen people in work environments that gain favor with managers by slandering others, etc, that kind of promotion will not last, with change of management you also go!
•Excellency will preserve you even in adversity, Daniel had plots and mischief plotted against him but he prevailed.
•Even in the Babylonian “University” Daniel showed excellency and was 10 times more intelligent than the rest. (Daniel 1v20)
•I have problems with people who claim excellency and success only in spiritual matters or in church activities but that same excellency does not reflect in their everyday lives!
(For more on Daniel, refer to my notes about Daniel)
iii) Caleb
Num 14:24 But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.
MLB Numbers 14:24 But because My servant Caleb has a different attitude and has wholeheartedly followed Me, I shall allow him to reenter the land on which he once set foot, and it shall always belong to his descendants.
•God says Caleb’s got a different spirit, the other version says, “different attitude”!
•Caleb followed God fully and refused to be like the rest because he had another spirit / attitude, he had the spirit of excellency!
Josh 14:7 Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea to scout out the land. And I brought him a report as it was in my heart.
Josh 14:8 But my brethren who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt; yet I wholly followed the Lord my God.
Josh 14:9 And Moses swore on that day, Surely the land on which your feet have walked shall be an inheritance to you and your children always, because you have wholly followed the Lord my God.
Josh 14:10 And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years since the Lord spoke this word to Moses, while the Israelites wandered in the wilderness; and now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old.
Josh 14:11 Yet I am as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me; as my strength was then, so is my strength now for war and to go out and to come in.
Josh 14:12 So now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke that day. For you heard then how the [giantlike] Anakim were there and that the cities were great and fortified; if the Lord will be with me, I shall drive them out just as the Lord said.
•You do not loose the spirit of excellency because you grow older!
•Excellency will give you confidence and then boldness. It will strengthen your faith. When in sin or deceit, it is difficult to exercise faith,
Ps 137:1 BY THE rivers of Babylon, there we [captives] sat down, yes, we wept when we [earnestly] remembered Zion [the city of our God imprinted on our hearts].
Ps 137:2 On the willow trees in the midst of [Babylon] we hung our harps.
Ps 137:3 For there they who led us captive required of us a song with words, and our tormentors {and} they who wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.
Ps 137:4 How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?
•Israel could not sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land, they hung their harps!
•You also or faith cannot work in a foreign land, lack of excellency will rob you from fully exercising your faith
3. Rewards or results of excellency
i)Prosperity & success
ii)Promotion
iii)Favor
iv)Confidence, boldness & faith efficiency
Thursday, August 7, 2008
You Are In Charge Of Your Destiny
MLB Romans 5:17 For if, through that one person’s transgression, death is king through that person, far more surely will those who receive the overflowing of grace and the gift of righteousness reign as kings in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
Young's Literal Romans 5:17 for if by the offence of the one the death did reign through the one, much more those, who the abundance of the grace and of the free gift of the righteousness are receiving, in life shall reign through the one -- Jesus Christ.
1.We are Kings
•The bible says we shall reign through Christ in life (our domain / sphere of influence)
•A king rules, and is sovereign / have absolute authority in his domain. In the natural, kings (presidents, prime ministers) have dominion or authority in their territories / countries
•No king has legal authority over another country unless granted. That is the reason why many powerful nations have been talking about Zimbabwe but could not do anything because we are a sovereign state. America may talk or advise but cannot invade us. If another state gets into another state without permission, it is invasion or war
•In the same way, we were created kings of the earth, the devil cheated Adam, became the king but Jesus came to restore back the lost kingship, we are now kings in our lives
•As kings, we are sovereign, we have final say, we decree things and they be so
•There is power or authority in the word of the king. Proverbs 16:10 “A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.”
•The king ruleth by his word, what he says, is obeyed. Your words are ruling your life, what you say whether positive or negative rules you.
•So, limits and boundaries are removed by you because God has given you that authority
•Jesus said, “Luke 10:19 Behold, I give to you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
•When Jesus was teaching, there are things that He said I will ask the Father to this or I will do this for you, e.g. about the Holy Spirit He said, “I will pray the Father to send you the Holy Spirit…” But when talking about exercising our kingship rights or authority he did not talk about us praying or Him praying for us, He said “I have given you…” in other words you can now exercise that right.
•Psalms 82:6, “I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High”
•John 10:34 “Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? 35 If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken”
•The bible in says we are gods and Jesus said that scripture cannot be broken, so, we are kings and gods under the sovereign God!
•Job 22:28 “Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.”
2.The Territory
•We have said that a king has a territory that they rule in. So, legally speaking, your territory cannot be unlimited.
•God and us are governed by the Word.
•Psalms 138:2, “I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.”
•God is governed by His word, we are also governed by the Word, our freedom and governance should be within the boundaries of the Word
•Your territory should be within God’s purpose or call for your life, He says “…from … to… shall be your territory…”
•Joshua 1:3 “Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. 5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
•As other kings do not have authority in your domain, you also do not have authority outside your jurisdiction.
3.How To Maximize / Enlarge Your Territory
•Lift up your eyes and see, … that land will I give you
•Genesis 13:14 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward 15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.”
•Genesis 15:5, “And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.”
•Your vision or seeing is very key, it is like before you become great in life, you have to see
•All the people that achieved much in life whether in the bible or in history, they sensed or saw those things before they manifested.
•Joseph dreamt, Moses refused to be called Pharaoh’s grandson, Abraham was asked to see the land that would be inheritance for his children, David sensed his kingship when still a shepherd boy, Jesus sensed his call at the age of 12, Nelson Mandela sensed South Africa’s freedom years before it came to be, Martin Luther King sensed Black American freedom long before it came to pass and even died before it manifested.
•You cannot wake in the morning and have an enlarged territory without sensing or seeing it before!
•2 Corinthians 5:7, “for through faith we walk, not through sight”
4.Stand By Faith Even In Challenges
•2 Corinthians 4:13 “And having the same spirit of the faith, according to that which hath been written, ‘I believed, therefore I did speak;’ we also do believe, therefore also do we speak;
•2 Corinthians 4:18, “we not looking to the things seen, but to the things not seen; for the things seen are temporary, but the things not seen are age-during.”
•Ecclesiastes 11:4, “Whoso is observing the wind soweth not, And whoso is looking on the thick clouds reapeth not.”
•In the midst of all odds and situations that are against you, enlarge your territory and refuse to quit or give up
•When things are against you, that is the time to be strong and hold on!
•Your territory can be but should not be determined by: history / background, Economic situation, present circumstances, natural disabilities, family, education, money, etc
•Your attitude will affect and influence your territory
•Your willingness and obedience needed to enlarge your territory
•God has blessed you, enlarged your territory, yours is to walk in that light / revelation
•2 Peter 1:3, “As all things to us His divine power (the things pertaining unto life and piety) hath given, through the acknowledgement of him who did call us through glory and worthiness, 4 through which to us the most great and precious promises have been given, that through these ye may become partakers of a divine nature, having escaped from the corruption in the world in desires.”
•Ephesians 1:3, “Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who did bless us in every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,”
•We believe and therefore speak, decree a thing and it shall be
•Your responsibility: see, believe, press towards, prepare yourself, seize every opportunity, be aggressive
5.Areas Of Influence / Where Your Territory Will Be Seen
•Education,
•Finances,
•Politics,
•Business,
•Ministry,
•Children
•Let it be evident that your territories are enlarged. When you are successful, everybody will see it
•You are in charge of your destiny, confess and believe the right things, walk in light of the proper revelation of the Word
•Do not spoil your future, live right, do not loose your territory through silly and reckless living.
•Live a holy life, when you sin or miss it, repent, do not stay with known and unconfessed sin.
•You cannot live anyhow, be lazy and expect God to enlarge your territory!
•Live and do things like a king! You are a child of God!
Young's Literal Romans 5:17 for if by the offence of the one the death did reign through the one, much more those, who the abundance of the grace and of the free gift of the righteousness are receiving, in life shall reign through the one -- Jesus Christ.
1.We are Kings
•The bible says we shall reign through Christ in life (our domain / sphere of influence)
•A king rules, and is sovereign / have absolute authority in his domain. In the natural, kings (presidents, prime ministers) have dominion or authority in their territories / countries
•No king has legal authority over another country unless granted. That is the reason why many powerful nations have been talking about Zimbabwe but could not do anything because we are a sovereign state. America may talk or advise but cannot invade us. If another state gets into another state without permission, it is invasion or war
•In the same way, we were created kings of the earth, the devil cheated Adam, became the king but Jesus came to restore back the lost kingship, we are now kings in our lives
•As kings, we are sovereign, we have final say, we decree things and they be so
•There is power or authority in the word of the king. Proverbs 16:10 “A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.”
•The king ruleth by his word, what he says, is obeyed. Your words are ruling your life, what you say whether positive or negative rules you.
•So, limits and boundaries are removed by you because God has given you that authority
•Jesus said, “Luke 10:19 Behold, I give to you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
•When Jesus was teaching, there are things that He said I will ask the Father to this or I will do this for you, e.g. about the Holy Spirit He said, “I will pray the Father to send you the Holy Spirit…” But when talking about exercising our kingship rights or authority he did not talk about us praying or Him praying for us, He said “I have given you…” in other words you can now exercise that right.
•Psalms 82:6, “I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High”
•John 10:34 “Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? 35 If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken”
•The bible in says we are gods and Jesus said that scripture cannot be broken, so, we are kings and gods under the sovereign God!
•Job 22:28 “Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.”
2.The Territory
•We have said that a king has a territory that they rule in. So, legally speaking, your territory cannot be unlimited.
•God and us are governed by the Word.
•Psalms 138:2, “I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.”
•God is governed by His word, we are also governed by the Word, our freedom and governance should be within the boundaries of the Word
•Your territory should be within God’s purpose or call for your life, He says “…from … to… shall be your territory…”
•Joshua 1:3 “Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. 5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
•As other kings do not have authority in your domain, you also do not have authority outside your jurisdiction.
3.How To Maximize / Enlarge Your Territory
•Lift up your eyes and see, … that land will I give you
•Genesis 13:14 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward 15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.”
•Genesis 15:5, “And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.”
•Your vision or seeing is very key, it is like before you become great in life, you have to see
•All the people that achieved much in life whether in the bible or in history, they sensed or saw those things before they manifested.
•Joseph dreamt, Moses refused to be called Pharaoh’s grandson, Abraham was asked to see the land that would be inheritance for his children, David sensed his kingship when still a shepherd boy, Jesus sensed his call at the age of 12, Nelson Mandela sensed South Africa’s freedom years before it came to be, Martin Luther King sensed Black American freedom long before it came to pass and even died before it manifested.
•You cannot wake in the morning and have an enlarged territory without sensing or seeing it before!
•2 Corinthians 5:7, “for through faith we walk, not through sight”
4.Stand By Faith Even In Challenges
•2 Corinthians 4:13 “And having the same spirit of the faith, according to that which hath been written, ‘I believed, therefore I did speak;’ we also do believe, therefore also do we speak;
•2 Corinthians 4:18, “we not looking to the things seen, but to the things not seen; for the things seen are temporary, but the things not seen are age-during.”
•Ecclesiastes 11:4, “Whoso is observing the wind soweth not, And whoso is looking on the thick clouds reapeth not.”
•In the midst of all odds and situations that are against you, enlarge your territory and refuse to quit or give up
•When things are against you, that is the time to be strong and hold on!
•Your territory can be but should not be determined by: history / background, Economic situation, present circumstances, natural disabilities, family, education, money, etc
•Your attitude will affect and influence your territory
•Your willingness and obedience needed to enlarge your territory
•God has blessed you, enlarged your territory, yours is to walk in that light / revelation
•2 Peter 1:3, “As all things to us His divine power (the things pertaining unto life and piety) hath given, through the acknowledgement of him who did call us through glory and worthiness, 4 through which to us the most great and precious promises have been given, that through these ye may become partakers of a divine nature, having escaped from the corruption in the world in desires.”
•Ephesians 1:3, “Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who did bless us in every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,”
•We believe and therefore speak, decree a thing and it shall be
•Your responsibility: see, believe, press towards, prepare yourself, seize every opportunity, be aggressive
5.Areas Of Influence / Where Your Territory Will Be Seen
•Education,
•Finances,
•Politics,
•Business,
•Ministry,
•Children
•Let it be evident that your territories are enlarged. When you are successful, everybody will see it
•You are in charge of your destiny, confess and believe the right things, walk in light of the proper revelation of the Word
•Do not spoil your future, live right, do not loose your territory through silly and reckless living.
•Live a holy life, when you sin or miss it, repent, do not stay with known and unconfessed sin.
•You cannot live anyhow, be lazy and expect God to enlarge your territory!
•Live and do things like a king! You are a child of God!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
MAN AS AMBASSADORS
2 Cor 5:20 So we are Christ's ambassadors, God making His appeal as it were through us. We [as Christ's personal representatives] beg you for His sake to lay hold of the divine favor [now offered you] {and} be reconciled to God.
Gen 18:19 For I have known (chosen, acknowledged) him [as My own], so that he may teach {and} command his children and the sons of his house after him to keep the way of the Lord and to do what is just and righteous, so that the Lord may bring Abraham what He has promised him.
MAN AS AMBASSADORS
• a diplomatic official of the highest rank sent by one country as its long-term representative to another
• an official representative of an organization or movement
• visiting this country as an ambassador for a fund dedicated to saving endangered species
An ambassador is a diplomatic official accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization, to serve as the official representative of his or her own country. In everyday usage it applies to the ranking government representative stationed in a foreign capital. The host country typically allows the ambassador control of specific territory called an embassy, whose territory, staff, and even vehicles are generally afforded diplomatic immunity in the host country.
Among European powers, the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary (French ambassadeur extraordinaire et plénipotentiaire or German außerordentlicher und bevollmächtigter Botschafter) was historically deemed the personal representative of the Sovereign, and the custom of dispatching ambassadors to the head of state rather than the government has persisted.
Ranking below full ambassador are the rank of Envoy, Minister resident and Chargé d'affaires. They represent their government rather than their head of state. For further details, see diplomatic rank.
The formal form of address for an ambassador is generally the form that would be used to address a head of state: "(Your/His/Her) Excellency" followed by name and/or the country represented.
Myles Monroe says Ambassadors enjoy some of the following privileges: payment in their own country currency, their bills paid by the state, do not live according to laws of host country, uses state resources like cars etc,
• Man are leaders in their families
• Man is head of his wife, Christ head of man, God head of Christ
• Today families are in need of leaders
• Society is in need of leaders or true manhood
• Children in the street are a reflection of lack of manhood
• Some of the crime in the society is a reflection of lack of manhood
• Man young man are directionless because of lack of manhood
• Young people need mentors or leaders in the form of true manhood
• Women in homes need man leaders not just males
• Being a man or leader does not mean acting detector in the home!
• Many men because of their failure in leadership and or manhood had used wives and children as scrap goats when confronted by challenges.
How, Where & When Can We Represent Christ
• As ambassadors, man represent Christ in many different ways and places
1. In families, man are ambassadors for Christ. What kind of ambassador are you to your wife? Are you loving and caring? Do you project the love of Christ to your wife? Do you provide security, protection, material things, etc to your wife? If you are ruthless and beat up or abuse your wife, you are a bad ambassador. When your wife looks at you, does she a true reflection of a Christ like man? Do you represent us well as men to your wife?
2. Children. Do you represent Christ well to your children? Do you show love and provide for your children? Or you are a monster at home? Do you laugh and play with your children? Do your children experience love? Do you set an example of a father and man to them? Can they copy you?
3. Workplace. Are you a good ambassador of Christ at your work place? Can unbelievers see Christ through your life? Do you provide an idea of what it is like in the kingdom of God when unbelievers look at you? If you have girl friends and do carpet interviews at the work place, then you are a bad ambassador!
4. Church. At church are you the ambassador of Christ? Do young man at church who did not experience the love of a father feel your love? Can those that did not see or live with their fathers learn from your manhood? Do young women not yet married to desire marriage because of how you treat and show love to your wife?
5. Society. Do you represent Christ well in the society? Do young women where you leave see and respect you as a man or you are always showing interest in them?
• Can those that have never been to church and who do not understand or know anything about God, by looking and observing you have a proper understanding of how and who God is like?
Where are the man (Akuphi Amadoda? Barume Barikupi?)
Num 14:24, “But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.”
Deut 1:36, 38 “Except [Joshua, of course, and] Caleb son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him and to his children I will give the land upon which he has walked, because he has wholly followed the Lord. But Joshua son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall enter there. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.”
• Where are the men?
• Where are the men with true qualities of man hood?
• Where are the men who will leave a good legacy for the next generation to follow?
• Where are the men who will have balance in life, be sober and walk in sound judgment?
• Where are the men who are the true and right ambassadors for Christ?
• As mentioned above, men, we have responsibility for our lives, wives, children, church & society.
• Our place of responsibility will be affected by the way we present ourselves and what we do. Our lives, families, etc are affected by our “ways”.
• There is no magic or “miracle”, we have to do things right according to God’s instructions. Some of the things cannot be “prayed into being” but can happen only in response to our way of life or way we doing things.
• God says “because Caleb has done right, I will give the land and to his children”. What we do will invoke either blessings or curses in our lives and children.
• When God was punishing Korah, Achan, etc, they were being killed with their families.
Josh 7:20-25, “And Achan answered Joshua, In truth, I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel, and this have I done: When I saw among the spoils an attractive mantle from Shinar and two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. Behold, they are hidden in the earth inside my tent, with the silver underneath. So Joshua sent messengers, who ran to the tent, and behold, the spoil was hidden in his tent, with the silver underneath. And they took them from the tent and brought them to Joshua and all the Israelites and laid them out before the Lord. And Joshua and all Israel with him took Achan son of Zerah, and the silver, the garment, the wedge of gold, his sons, his daughters, his oxen, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and all that he had; and they brought them to the Valley of Achor. And Joshua said, Why have you brought trouble on us? The Lord will trouble you this day. And all Israel stoned him and those with him with stones, and afterward burned their bodies with fire.”
• So, we need to be careful about how we live & what we do.
1 Corinthians 11:30-32, “That [careless and unworthy participation] is the reason many of you are weak and sickly, and quite enough of you have fallen into the sleep of death. For if we searchingly examined ourselves [detecting our shortcomings and recognizing our own condition], we should not be judged {and} penalty decreed [by the divine judgment]. But when we [fall short and] are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined {and} chastened, so that we may not [finally] be condemned [to eternal punishment along] with the world.”
• The Word says we need to judge ourselves lest we be judged. As Christians we not exempt to judgment. Judgment can either be here in this life or at the last day.
Rom 2:6-11, “For He will render to every man according to his works [justly, as his deeds deserve]: To those who by patient persistence in well-doing [springing from piety] seek [unseen but sure] glory and honor and [the eternal blessedness of] immortality, He will give eternal life.
Rom 2:8 But for those who are self-seeking {and} self-willed {and} disobedient to the Truth but responsive to wickedness, there will be indignation and wrath. [And] there will be tribulation {and} anguish and calamity {and} constraint for every soul of man who [habitually] does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek (Gentile). But glory and honor and [heart] peace shall be awarded to everyone who [habitually] does good, the Jew first and also the Greek (Gentile). For God shows no partiality [undue favor or unfairness; with Him one man is not different from another]” The Word says “He will give according to our deeds”
• James says we need to live like those that we will be judged.
James 2:12, “So speak and so act as [people should] who are to be judged under the law of liberty [the moral instruction given by Christ, especially about love].” Rom 6:15, “What then [are we to conclude]? Shall we sin because we live not under Law but under God's favor {and} mercy? Certainly not!”
• Being under grace does not mean that we are to live anyhow and do things the way we want. We are under grace so that we do things God’s way. We are given grace to please God and do things His way!
Mal 3:6-10, “For I am the Lord, I do not change; that is why you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed. Even from the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My ordinances and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, How shall we return? Will a man rob {or} defraud God? Yet you rob {and} defraud Me. But you say, In what way do we rob {or} defraud You? [You have withheld your] tithes and offerings. You are cursed with the curse, for you are robbing Me, even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
Hag 1:4-11, “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house [of the Lord] lies in ruins? Now therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways {and} set your mind on what has come to you. You have sown much, but you have reaped little; you eat, but you do not have enough; you drink, but you do not have your fill; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages has earned them to put them in a bag with holes in it. Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways (your previous and present conduct) {and} how you have fared. Go up to the hill country and bring lumber and rebuild [My] house, and I will take pleasure in it and I will be glorified, says the Lord [by accepting it as done for My glory and by displaying My glory in it]. You looked for much [harvest], and behold, it came to little; and even when you brought that home, I blew it away. Why? says the Lord of hosts. Because of My house, which lies waste while you yourselves run each man to his own house [eager to build and adorn it]. Therefore the heavens above you [for your sake] withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its produce. And I have called for a drought upon the land and the hill country, upon the grain, the fresh wine, the oil, upon what the ground brings forth, upon men and cattle, and upon all the [wearisome] toil of [men's] hands.
• Israel had backslidden from God and His ways in Malachi. God says “turn to my ways” and the way they had backslidden was by not tithing and giving offerings to God (‘s work). And because of that they were cursed.
• The way to remove the curse was not prayer but to do the right thing, bring tithes and offerings to God. Many a times we try to “pray things through” instead of obeying God and doing what He instructs us.
• In Haggai the children of Israel were cursed because they were neglecting the house of God. The solution again was to build the Lord’s house not prayer and fasting. (I am not undermining prayer and fasting but these have their place in our lives but will never substitute our living right or doing things God’s way.)
1 Kin 11:6-13, “Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as David his father did. Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abominable idol of Moab, on the hill opposite Jerusalem, and for Molech the abominable idol of the Ammonites. And he did so for all of his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods. And the Lord was angry with Solomon because his heart was turned from the Lord, the God of Israel, Who had appeared to him twice,
1 Kin 11:10 And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods, but he did not do what the Lord commanded. Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, Because you are doing this and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely rend the kingdom from you and will give it to your servant! However, in your days I will not do it, for David your father's sake. But I will rend it out of the hand of your son! However, I will not tear away all the kingdom, but will give one tribe to your son for David My servant's sake and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.”
• David lived right before God though he had his weaknesses. His living right affected his descendants.
• Solomon’s kingdom was established because his father had pleased God. But Solomon failed to maintain the standard. At the end of his life he sinned against God because he did not exercise enough discipline in his marital affairs. And because of that, his son lost the kingdom (10 tribes) to somebody.
• Even with Solomon’s sin God said He would not take the kingdom in Solomon’s days because David had lived right. Solomon inherited a blessing from his father but unfortunately left a curse for his son!
• What you do today, will affect you and those around or after you
Whether spiritually or naturally, we live something for our children and family whether good or bad, blessing or curse. We can choose that by what we do. A godly man will live a good inheritance for his children.
Here are some of the ways, qualities of a man that can be a good foundation and standard to start on:
1. Man must be a worshiper
2. Man must fear God
3. Man must be exemplary
4. Man must be a good leader
5. Man must have a vision
6. Man must be resourceful (to family, church & society)
7. Man must walk in wisdom
8. Man must study the Word
9. Man must be prayerful
10. Man must be faithful / honest
11. Man must walk in integrity
12. Man must be morally clean
13. Man must have self control
14. Man must be courageous
15. Man must be bold
Gen 18:19 For I have known (chosen, acknowledged) him [as My own], so that he may teach {and} command his children and the sons of his house after him to keep the way of the Lord and to do what is just and righteous, so that the Lord may bring Abraham what He has promised him.
MAN AS AMBASSADORS
• a diplomatic official of the highest rank sent by one country as its long-term representative to another
• an official representative of an organization or movement
• visiting this country as an ambassador for a fund dedicated to saving endangered species
An ambassador is a diplomatic official accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization, to serve as the official representative of his or her own country. In everyday usage it applies to the ranking government representative stationed in a foreign capital. The host country typically allows the ambassador control of specific territory called an embassy, whose territory, staff, and even vehicles are generally afforded diplomatic immunity in the host country.
Among European powers, the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary (French ambassadeur extraordinaire et plénipotentiaire or German außerordentlicher und bevollmächtigter Botschafter) was historically deemed the personal representative of the Sovereign, and the custom of dispatching ambassadors to the head of state rather than the government has persisted.
Ranking below full ambassador are the rank of Envoy, Minister resident and Chargé d'affaires. They represent their government rather than their head of state. For further details, see diplomatic rank.
The formal form of address for an ambassador is generally the form that would be used to address a head of state: "(Your/His/Her) Excellency" followed by name and/or the country represented.
Myles Monroe says Ambassadors enjoy some of the following privileges: payment in their own country currency, their bills paid by the state, do not live according to laws of host country, uses state resources like cars etc,
• Man are leaders in their families
• Man is head of his wife, Christ head of man, God head of Christ
• Today families are in need of leaders
• Society is in need of leaders or true manhood
• Children in the street are a reflection of lack of manhood
• Some of the crime in the society is a reflection of lack of manhood
• Man young man are directionless because of lack of manhood
• Young people need mentors or leaders in the form of true manhood
• Women in homes need man leaders not just males
• Being a man or leader does not mean acting detector in the home!
• Many men because of their failure in leadership and or manhood had used wives and children as scrap goats when confronted by challenges.
How, Where & When Can We Represent Christ
• As ambassadors, man represent Christ in many different ways and places
1. In families, man are ambassadors for Christ. What kind of ambassador are you to your wife? Are you loving and caring? Do you project the love of Christ to your wife? Do you provide security, protection, material things, etc to your wife? If you are ruthless and beat up or abuse your wife, you are a bad ambassador. When your wife looks at you, does she a true reflection of a Christ like man? Do you represent us well as men to your wife?
2. Children. Do you represent Christ well to your children? Do you show love and provide for your children? Or you are a monster at home? Do you laugh and play with your children? Do your children experience love? Do you set an example of a father and man to them? Can they copy you?
3. Workplace. Are you a good ambassador of Christ at your work place? Can unbelievers see Christ through your life? Do you provide an idea of what it is like in the kingdom of God when unbelievers look at you? If you have girl friends and do carpet interviews at the work place, then you are a bad ambassador!
4. Church. At church are you the ambassador of Christ? Do young man at church who did not experience the love of a father feel your love? Can those that did not see or live with their fathers learn from your manhood? Do young women not yet married to desire marriage because of how you treat and show love to your wife?
5. Society. Do you represent Christ well in the society? Do young women where you leave see and respect you as a man or you are always showing interest in them?
• Can those that have never been to church and who do not understand or know anything about God, by looking and observing you have a proper understanding of how and who God is like?
Where are the man (Akuphi Amadoda? Barume Barikupi?)
Num 14:24, “But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.”
Deut 1:36, 38 “Except [Joshua, of course, and] Caleb son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him and to his children I will give the land upon which he has walked, because he has wholly followed the Lord. But Joshua son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall enter there. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.”
• Where are the men?
• Where are the men with true qualities of man hood?
• Where are the men who will leave a good legacy for the next generation to follow?
• Where are the men who will have balance in life, be sober and walk in sound judgment?
• Where are the men who are the true and right ambassadors for Christ?
• As mentioned above, men, we have responsibility for our lives, wives, children, church & society.
• Our place of responsibility will be affected by the way we present ourselves and what we do. Our lives, families, etc are affected by our “ways”.
• There is no magic or “miracle”, we have to do things right according to God’s instructions. Some of the things cannot be “prayed into being” but can happen only in response to our way of life or way we doing things.
• God says “because Caleb has done right, I will give the land and to his children”. What we do will invoke either blessings or curses in our lives and children.
• When God was punishing Korah, Achan, etc, they were being killed with their families.
Josh 7:20-25, “And Achan answered Joshua, In truth, I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel, and this have I done: When I saw among the spoils an attractive mantle from Shinar and two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. Behold, they are hidden in the earth inside my tent, with the silver underneath. So Joshua sent messengers, who ran to the tent, and behold, the spoil was hidden in his tent, with the silver underneath. And they took them from the tent and brought them to Joshua and all the Israelites and laid them out before the Lord. And Joshua and all Israel with him took Achan son of Zerah, and the silver, the garment, the wedge of gold, his sons, his daughters, his oxen, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and all that he had; and they brought them to the Valley of Achor. And Joshua said, Why have you brought trouble on us? The Lord will trouble you this day. And all Israel stoned him and those with him with stones, and afterward burned their bodies with fire.”
• So, we need to be careful about how we live & what we do.
1 Corinthians 11:30-32, “That [careless and unworthy participation] is the reason many of you are weak and sickly, and quite enough of you have fallen into the sleep of death. For if we searchingly examined ourselves [detecting our shortcomings and recognizing our own condition], we should not be judged {and} penalty decreed [by the divine judgment]. But when we [fall short and] are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined {and} chastened, so that we may not [finally] be condemned [to eternal punishment along] with the world.”
• The Word says we need to judge ourselves lest we be judged. As Christians we not exempt to judgment. Judgment can either be here in this life or at the last day.
Rom 2:6-11, “For He will render to every man according to his works [justly, as his deeds deserve]: To those who by patient persistence in well-doing [springing from piety] seek [unseen but sure] glory and honor and [the eternal blessedness of] immortality, He will give eternal life.
Rom 2:8 But for those who are self-seeking {and} self-willed {and} disobedient to the Truth but responsive to wickedness, there will be indignation and wrath. [And] there will be tribulation {and} anguish and calamity {and} constraint for every soul of man who [habitually] does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek (Gentile). But glory and honor and [heart] peace shall be awarded to everyone who [habitually] does good, the Jew first and also the Greek (Gentile). For God shows no partiality [undue favor or unfairness; with Him one man is not different from another]” The Word says “He will give according to our deeds”
• James says we need to live like those that we will be judged.
James 2:12, “So speak and so act as [people should] who are to be judged under the law of liberty [the moral instruction given by Christ, especially about love].” Rom 6:15, “What then [are we to conclude]? Shall we sin because we live not under Law but under God's favor {and} mercy? Certainly not!”
• Being under grace does not mean that we are to live anyhow and do things the way we want. We are under grace so that we do things God’s way. We are given grace to please God and do things His way!
Mal 3:6-10, “For I am the Lord, I do not change; that is why you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed. Even from the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My ordinances and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, How shall we return? Will a man rob {or} defraud God? Yet you rob {and} defraud Me. But you say, In what way do we rob {or} defraud You? [You have withheld your] tithes and offerings. You are cursed with the curse, for you are robbing Me, even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
Hag 1:4-11, “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house [of the Lord] lies in ruins? Now therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways {and} set your mind on what has come to you. You have sown much, but you have reaped little; you eat, but you do not have enough; you drink, but you do not have your fill; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages has earned them to put them in a bag with holes in it. Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways (your previous and present conduct) {and} how you have fared. Go up to the hill country and bring lumber and rebuild [My] house, and I will take pleasure in it and I will be glorified, says the Lord [by accepting it as done for My glory and by displaying My glory in it]. You looked for much [harvest], and behold, it came to little; and even when you brought that home, I blew it away. Why? says the Lord of hosts. Because of My house, which lies waste while you yourselves run each man to his own house [eager to build and adorn it]. Therefore the heavens above you [for your sake] withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its produce. And I have called for a drought upon the land and the hill country, upon the grain, the fresh wine, the oil, upon what the ground brings forth, upon men and cattle, and upon all the [wearisome] toil of [men's] hands.
• Israel had backslidden from God and His ways in Malachi. God says “turn to my ways” and the way they had backslidden was by not tithing and giving offerings to God (‘s work). And because of that they were cursed.
• The way to remove the curse was not prayer but to do the right thing, bring tithes and offerings to God. Many a times we try to “pray things through” instead of obeying God and doing what He instructs us.
• In Haggai the children of Israel were cursed because they were neglecting the house of God. The solution again was to build the Lord’s house not prayer and fasting. (I am not undermining prayer and fasting but these have their place in our lives but will never substitute our living right or doing things God’s way.)
1 Kin 11:6-13, “Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as David his father did. Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abominable idol of Moab, on the hill opposite Jerusalem, and for Molech the abominable idol of the Ammonites. And he did so for all of his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods. And the Lord was angry with Solomon because his heart was turned from the Lord, the God of Israel, Who had appeared to him twice,
1 Kin 11:10 And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods, but he did not do what the Lord commanded. Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, Because you are doing this and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely rend the kingdom from you and will give it to your servant! However, in your days I will not do it, for David your father's sake. But I will rend it out of the hand of your son! However, I will not tear away all the kingdom, but will give one tribe to your son for David My servant's sake and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.”
• David lived right before God though he had his weaknesses. His living right affected his descendants.
• Solomon’s kingdom was established because his father had pleased God. But Solomon failed to maintain the standard. At the end of his life he sinned against God because he did not exercise enough discipline in his marital affairs. And because of that, his son lost the kingdom (10 tribes) to somebody.
• Even with Solomon’s sin God said He would not take the kingdom in Solomon’s days because David had lived right. Solomon inherited a blessing from his father but unfortunately left a curse for his son!
• What you do today, will affect you and those around or after you
Whether spiritually or naturally, we live something for our children and family whether good or bad, blessing or curse. We can choose that by what we do. A godly man will live a good inheritance for his children.
Here are some of the ways, qualities of a man that can be a good foundation and standard to start on:
1. Man must be a worshiper
2. Man must fear God
3. Man must be exemplary
4. Man must be a good leader
5. Man must have a vision
6. Man must be resourceful (to family, church & society)
7. Man must walk in wisdom
8. Man must study the Word
9. Man must be prayerful
10. Man must be faithful / honest
11. Man must walk in integrity
12. Man must be morally clean
13. Man must have self control
14. Man must be courageous
15. Man must be bold
Monday, May 5, 2008
GOING THROUGH SITUATIONS
MLB Job 13:15 Although HE SLAY ME, yet I KEEP hoping. Yes, I will MAINTAIN my ways before Him.
KJV-R (Webster) Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
MLB James 1:2 Consider it complete joy, my brothers, when you become involved in all SORTS OF TRIALS,
MLB James 1:3 well aware that the TESTING OF YOUR FAITH brings out steadfastness.
MLB James 1:4 But let steadfastness have full play, so that you may be completed and rounded out with no defects whatever.
MLB 1 Peter 1:6 You rejoice in this, although now for a little while, if it must be, you are DISTRESSED BY VARIOUS TRIALS,
MLB 1 Peter 1:7 so that the testing of your faith, far more precious than perishable gold that is tested by fire, may prove to be for praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed,
MLB 1 Peter 1:8 whom having not seen, you love. In Him you have faith, though now you do not see Him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and heavenly joy,
MLB 1 Peter 1:9 while you obtain the salvation of your souls as the goal of your faith.
1.We Are To Expect Challenges On The Way
•The bible says we will be challenged and confronted by challenges, situation, temptations, etc
•We have not been promised life free or exempt from problems
•Challenges are not proof of sin or wrong doing
•There are times when we suffer for our sins or actions
•We are to expect challenges
•Trials are for our good, they test and perfect our faith
•Sometimes God allows situations to come on us to test us.
•In Jeremiah 18 He says we are the clay and he is the potter. For the potter to make a perfect vessel, there are things that he does to the clay:
i) prepare the clay, beat it to be fine and ready
ii) mix it with water
iii) mould it to the vessel he wants
iv) put it in the sun
v) put it in the fire
vi) test it by knocking
vii) put it on display
•Most people want to be on display which is the last stage but do not want to go through other stages which are not comfortable
2.Jesus Said We will Have Challenges
MLB John 16:33 I have talked over these things with you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you WILL HAVE TROUBLE; but have courage! I have overcome the world.”
MLB John 15:18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me first.
MLB John 15:19 If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world and I have selected you from the world, therefore THE WORLD HATES YOU.
MLB John 15:20 Remember what I said to you: a slave is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me they will persecute you; if they observed My word, they will observe yours;
MLB John 15:21 but they will do all this to you on account of My name, for they do not know the One who sent Me.
MLB Mark 10:29 Jesus said, “I assure you, there is no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields on account of Me and the gospel,
MLB Mark 10:30 but will receive a hundred times over now in this life homes and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, along with persecutions, and in the future age eternal life.
3. Your Attitude / Actions Are Important
MLB 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Under all circumstances give thanks, for such is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
•James says, “Count it all joy…” In other words, “rejoice…”
•The attitude we are to take is that of going through situations rejoicing
•Paul says, “In all things give praise…”
MLB Philippians 4:4 Be joyful in the Lord always; again I say, Rejoice.
MLB Philippians 4:6 Entertain no worry, but under all circumstances let your petitions be made known before God by prayer and pleading along with thanksgiving.
•Jesus said to have peace in the midst of challenges
•So, we need not to fret or blame God or other people
•We need to have peace in Christ, remain steadfast & rejoice in challenges
•When the devil does things or throws challenges on you, what you do will either make or break you.
•You need to realize that you have a challenge and act in the right direction. Do not run around wailing with arms or your head! Be sober, pray if need be and remain calm.
My Example:
In November last year, break pads for my car were almost worn out, I sent the car to the garage to get new pads fitted in. Unfortunately because of the current situation in our country and it being a Japanese car, there was no stock in Zimbabwe. I tried South Africa and they did not have them, the only way was to get new ones made which took time, almost two months. In January I managed to get the new break pads and got the car on the road. After about five days, it broke down again. This time the computer box had burnt out. I had to get a new one ordered from Japan. Because of the long process through different companies, it finally came in April. Unfortunately, they had ordered a wrong type. The car is a Nissan Super Saloon and they ordered an Almera box, it could not work. The order has to be placed again and I do not know how long it will take. In the meantime, at work, I asked for another car that was not being used, after a month, it was taken to be sold. Then I got another one. On the 2nd of April, I had an accident which with somebody car I had borrowed going to Harare, I had to give that person the car I was using. On the 25th of April I had borrowed another car from somebody, the cables got burnt when I was driving to get my wife and new baby from the hospital, the car almost got burnt.
When you have not been walking but driving for 4 years and you start looking for public transport, it is not easy! But I have not been complaining, even when I realize that this could be a challenge. Whether it is God wanting to test or show me something, the devil attacking me or just a coincidence of events, I do not know. What I know is that it is a challenge to me but, I refuse to lose it! I refuse to go around complaining. I know after this situation, I would be a step ahead. I just laugh at times when I these things happen.
4. Endure Or Resist?
•Some of the situations need to be resisted while in some situations we need to endure
•Being persecuted for the gospel is an example of challenges we need to endure Jesus endured the cross
ASV Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of ourfaith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
•Acts 5v40-42, the Apostles endured and rejoiced after being beaten.
MLB Acts 5:40 Persuaded by him, they called in the apostles, had them flogged, warned them not to talk in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
MLB Acts 5:41 Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin happy indeed for being thought worthy to suffer disgrace for His name.
MLB Acts 5:42 They never stopped for a single day to teach and to preach Christ Jesus in the temple and at home.
•Acts 16v20-26. In this case, Paul & Silas were jailed for the gospel they just praised God after being beaten, they endured the beatings.
MLB Acts 16:22 The crowd also joined against them, and the officials, after having them stripped, ordered them flogged;
MLB Acts 16:23 then, after giving them a severe beating, they threw them into prison, charging the jailor to guard them securely.
MLB Acts 16:24 In view of this order he threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
MLB Acts 16:25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
•Examples of challenges we need to resist are poverty, sickness, temptation to sin, etc
5. Trial / Challenges Cannot Be An Excuse
KJV-R (Webster) Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Young's Literal 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation hath taken you -- except human; and God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above what ye are able, but He will make, with the temptation, also the outlet, for your being able to bear it.
Young's Literal 2 Peter 2:9 The Lord hath known to rescue pious ones out of temptation, and unrighteous ones to a day of judgment, being punished, to keep,
•We cannot be excused for failing because of challenges because there is enough grace and provision for our success
•Those that went before us are an example of victory over trouble
•The bible in Hebrews 12v1 says, “we have a cloud of witnesses…”
•All challenges that we may face have happened to somebody before, it does not necessarily start with you, there are some who faced difficult situations more than that which you are going through.
•Some people cry because they missed a meal, did not have bus fare, failed to get a job in 1 year, not married and they are 30 years, have had their parents die, did not get a salary increase, the teacher does not like you, other people are talking about or slandering you, high inflation, ZEC not announcing results, current political environment in Zimbabwe, etc!
•Job, Joseph, David, Hannah, Paul, Lazarus, Jesus, Steven, Peter, etc, went through worse things that you possible have ever experienced
•Despite the challenges they went through, the above never quit or give up, they are a cloud of witnesses to us!
•When you are tempted to give up, ask yourself, did not any of the heroes of faith or examples in the bible (the cloud of witnesses) experience that?
•Somebody once preached about “So that man are without excuse” he was saying at the judgment day, one will come before God and say, “Lord I wanted to serve you but because of poverty I failed”, then from the group, Lazarus will rise and say, “I also was poor, had no food, was eating with dogs, but I never quit my faith”. (Pick other examples from the above list).
6.Victory Is Guaranteed
MLB Philippians 4:13 I have strength for every situation through Him who empowers me.
MLB 1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
MLB 2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, who invariably leads us on triumphantly in Christ and evidences through us in every place the fragrance that results from knowing Him.
MLB Romans 8:37 But in all this we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
• When you are faced with challenges, do not quit
• Learn to hold on, endure and or resist, be steadfast, do not give up, your victory could be near. As children of God, we may seem to be losing but if we stand, victory is certain
• So, it does not matter what happens, never give up or quit, its worthy holding on! Even if things are surrounding you, trouble on every side, even if Zimbabwe does not change for the better, even if we experience worse things than we currently have, even if you starve to death, even if you are killed for political differences, never quit the faith! Nothing is worthy quitting for.
KJV-R (Webster) 2 Corinthians 4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
KJV-R (Webster) 2 Corinthians 4:9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
KJV-R (Webster) 2 Corinthians 4:13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
KJV-R (Webster) 2 Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day
KJV-R (Webster) Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
MLB James 1:2 Consider it complete joy, my brothers, when you become involved in all SORTS OF TRIALS,
MLB James 1:3 well aware that the TESTING OF YOUR FAITH brings out steadfastness.
MLB James 1:4 But let steadfastness have full play, so that you may be completed and rounded out with no defects whatever.
MLB 1 Peter 1:6 You rejoice in this, although now for a little while, if it must be, you are DISTRESSED BY VARIOUS TRIALS,
MLB 1 Peter 1:7 so that the testing of your faith, far more precious than perishable gold that is tested by fire, may prove to be for praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed,
MLB 1 Peter 1:8 whom having not seen, you love. In Him you have faith, though now you do not see Him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and heavenly joy,
MLB 1 Peter 1:9 while you obtain the salvation of your souls as the goal of your faith.
1.We Are To Expect Challenges On The Way
•The bible says we will be challenged and confronted by challenges, situation, temptations, etc
•We have not been promised life free or exempt from problems
•Challenges are not proof of sin or wrong doing
•There are times when we suffer for our sins or actions
•We are to expect challenges
•Trials are for our good, they test and perfect our faith
•Sometimes God allows situations to come on us to test us.
•In Jeremiah 18 He says we are the clay and he is the potter. For the potter to make a perfect vessel, there are things that he does to the clay:
i) prepare the clay, beat it to be fine and ready
ii) mix it with water
iii) mould it to the vessel he wants
iv) put it in the sun
v) put it in the fire
vi) test it by knocking
vii) put it on display
•Most people want to be on display which is the last stage but do not want to go through other stages which are not comfortable
2.Jesus Said We will Have Challenges
MLB John 16:33 I have talked over these things with you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you WILL HAVE TROUBLE; but have courage! I have overcome the world.”
MLB John 15:18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me first.
MLB John 15:19 If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world and I have selected you from the world, therefore THE WORLD HATES YOU.
MLB John 15:20 Remember what I said to you: a slave is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me they will persecute you; if they observed My word, they will observe yours;
MLB John 15:21 but they will do all this to you on account of My name, for they do not know the One who sent Me.
MLB Mark 10:29 Jesus said, “I assure you, there is no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields on account of Me and the gospel,
MLB Mark 10:30 but will receive a hundred times over now in this life homes and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, along with persecutions, and in the future age eternal life.
3. Your Attitude / Actions Are Important
MLB 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Under all circumstances give thanks, for such is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
•James says, “Count it all joy…” In other words, “rejoice…”
•The attitude we are to take is that of going through situations rejoicing
•Paul says, “In all things give praise…”
MLB Philippians 4:4 Be joyful in the Lord always; again I say, Rejoice.
MLB Philippians 4:6 Entertain no worry, but under all circumstances let your petitions be made known before God by prayer and pleading along with thanksgiving.
•Jesus said to have peace in the midst of challenges
•So, we need not to fret or blame God or other people
•We need to have peace in Christ, remain steadfast & rejoice in challenges
•When the devil does things or throws challenges on you, what you do will either make or break you.
•You need to realize that you have a challenge and act in the right direction. Do not run around wailing with arms or your head! Be sober, pray if need be and remain calm.
My Example:
In November last year, break pads for my car were almost worn out, I sent the car to the garage to get new pads fitted in. Unfortunately because of the current situation in our country and it being a Japanese car, there was no stock in Zimbabwe. I tried South Africa and they did not have them, the only way was to get new ones made which took time, almost two months. In January I managed to get the new break pads and got the car on the road. After about five days, it broke down again. This time the computer box had burnt out. I had to get a new one ordered from Japan. Because of the long process through different companies, it finally came in April. Unfortunately, they had ordered a wrong type. The car is a Nissan Super Saloon and they ordered an Almera box, it could not work. The order has to be placed again and I do not know how long it will take. In the meantime, at work, I asked for another car that was not being used, after a month, it was taken to be sold. Then I got another one. On the 2nd of April, I had an accident which with somebody car I had borrowed going to Harare, I had to give that person the car I was using. On the 25th of April I had borrowed another car from somebody, the cables got burnt when I was driving to get my wife and new baby from the hospital, the car almost got burnt.
When you have not been walking but driving for 4 years and you start looking for public transport, it is not easy! But I have not been complaining, even when I realize that this could be a challenge. Whether it is God wanting to test or show me something, the devil attacking me or just a coincidence of events, I do not know. What I know is that it is a challenge to me but, I refuse to lose it! I refuse to go around complaining. I know after this situation, I would be a step ahead. I just laugh at times when I these things happen.
4. Endure Or Resist?
•Some of the situations need to be resisted while in some situations we need to endure
•Being persecuted for the gospel is an example of challenges we need to endure Jesus endured the cross
ASV Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of ourfaith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
•Acts 5v40-42, the Apostles endured and rejoiced after being beaten.
MLB Acts 5:40 Persuaded by him, they called in the apostles, had them flogged, warned them not to talk in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
MLB Acts 5:41 Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin happy indeed for being thought worthy to suffer disgrace for His name.
MLB Acts 5:42 They never stopped for a single day to teach and to preach Christ Jesus in the temple and at home.
•Acts 16v20-26. In this case, Paul & Silas were jailed for the gospel they just praised God after being beaten, they endured the beatings.
MLB Acts 16:22 The crowd also joined against them, and the officials, after having them stripped, ordered them flogged;
MLB Acts 16:23 then, after giving them a severe beating, they threw them into prison, charging the jailor to guard them securely.
MLB Acts 16:24 In view of this order he threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
MLB Acts 16:25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
•Examples of challenges we need to resist are poverty, sickness, temptation to sin, etc
5. Trial / Challenges Cannot Be An Excuse
KJV-R (Webster) Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Young's Literal 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation hath taken you -- except human; and God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above what ye are able, but He will make, with the temptation, also the outlet, for your being able to bear it.
Young's Literal 2 Peter 2:9 The Lord hath known to rescue pious ones out of temptation, and unrighteous ones to a day of judgment, being punished, to keep,
•We cannot be excused for failing because of challenges because there is enough grace and provision for our success
•Those that went before us are an example of victory over trouble
•The bible in Hebrews 12v1 says, “we have a cloud of witnesses…”
•All challenges that we may face have happened to somebody before, it does not necessarily start with you, there are some who faced difficult situations more than that which you are going through.
•Some people cry because they missed a meal, did not have bus fare, failed to get a job in 1 year, not married and they are 30 years, have had their parents die, did not get a salary increase, the teacher does not like you, other people are talking about or slandering you, high inflation, ZEC not announcing results, current political environment in Zimbabwe, etc!
•Job, Joseph, David, Hannah, Paul, Lazarus, Jesus, Steven, Peter, etc, went through worse things that you possible have ever experienced
•Despite the challenges they went through, the above never quit or give up, they are a cloud of witnesses to us!
•When you are tempted to give up, ask yourself, did not any of the heroes of faith or examples in the bible (the cloud of witnesses) experience that?
•Somebody once preached about “So that man are without excuse” he was saying at the judgment day, one will come before God and say, “Lord I wanted to serve you but because of poverty I failed”, then from the group, Lazarus will rise and say, “I also was poor, had no food, was eating with dogs, but I never quit my faith”. (Pick other examples from the above list).
6.Victory Is Guaranteed
MLB Philippians 4:13 I have strength for every situation through Him who empowers me.
MLB 1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
MLB 2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, who invariably leads us on triumphantly in Christ and evidences through us in every place the fragrance that results from knowing Him.
MLB Romans 8:37 But in all this we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
• When you are faced with challenges, do not quit
• Learn to hold on, endure and or resist, be steadfast, do not give up, your victory could be near. As children of God, we may seem to be losing but if we stand, victory is certain
• So, it does not matter what happens, never give up or quit, its worthy holding on! Even if things are surrounding you, trouble on every side, even if Zimbabwe does not change for the better, even if we experience worse things than we currently have, even if you starve to death, even if you are killed for political differences, never quit the faith! Nothing is worthy quitting for.
KJV-R (Webster) 2 Corinthians 4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
KJV-R (Webster) 2 Corinthians 4:9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
KJV-R (Webster) 2 Corinthians 4:13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
KJV-R (Webster) 2 Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day
Friday, April 25, 2008
New born (2nd daughter)
At 1720 hours on the 23rd of April 2008, we recieved our second born Daughter. Chara Histemi.
Chara Histemi Ndlovu, our second (and last) daughter has finally come. She is a wonderful and pretty anointed woman of God. We really praise and thank God for her. She will live to fulfill her destiny and God given purpose. Daddy
Praise be unto the Lord, she is indeed our delight, she brings exceeding joy unto us. She is a cheerful daughter. Praise the Lord! Mammy
This is what others had to say:
1.Hallelua I thought their brother was coming next!
Rev A. Gegana, Lobengula B.I.C.C.)
2.Amhlophe malume. Akula elinye elesindebele? Ogogo ekhaya ke?
(Onias Moyo , Financial Director Innscor Africa ltd)
3.Asengamhlophe bakoNdlovu, lisigcinele imkomo, God bless you.
(Misheck Muleya, Human Resources Director Innscor Africa ltd)
4.Congratulations… Amhlophe… on the arrival of the new angel.
(Nkosiyabo Nyoni, South Africa)
5.Congrats, may she grow to be an Esther of her generation!
(Dr Wedu Ndebele, Praise & Worship Centre)
6.Akabongwe uJehova, for the woman of God.
(Sifelani Ngwenya, friend, Plumtree)
7.Wonderful. Asengamhlophe!
(Mrs Linda Ncube, Lob B.I.C.C.)
8.Amhlophe. I told you she will wait for you. The Lord is good. Hug them all. Good night.
(Mrs Ntombikayise Ngwenya, Botswana.)
9.Congratulations, why did you not give me a hint? Umuzi uyakhula. She has a nice name. Send us pictures on email.
(Mandla Mkhwananzi, friend, USA)
10.The wonderful works of God. Again, he has proved himself to be faithful to us.
(Michael Ndlovu, cousin & friend, Magwegwe North)
11.Wow that’s great man. I can imagine you by Chipo’s side watching the little girl’s arrival on planet earth. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.
(Victor Ncube, friend, BICC Lob)
12.Welcome her with outstretched hands. We thank God for her arrival.
(Juta Tshuma, Innscor Byo HR Officer)
13.Congratulations, happy for you. God bless you all.
(Kuthandakwenkosi Tshuma, Innscor Byo HR Clerk)
14.Congrats, Your family is growing.
(Lifa Ncube, Finance Manager, Innscor Byo – immediate boss)
15.Congratulations, may the Lord bless Chara Histemi so she may grow to be a wise woman of God.
(Sydney Dengu, Innscor Byo, Head Office Accountant)
16.Congratulations on the arrival of your baby daughter. May the Lord richly bless her.
(Obert Masara, Innscor Byo, Fast Foods Area 1 Accountant)
17.Congratulations, May the face of God and the Glory shine upon her forever. Thanks Ndlovu.
(James Sibanda, BICC Lob)
18.Wow blessed be the name of the Lord. Siyambonga owahlatshwayo. We love you.
(Sithuliso & Rejoice Dladla, friends, Rivers Of Life Chruch)
19.Congrats, Amhlophe. May the Lord pour blessing to the newly born. Blessed is the woman who bears many kids to his husband, especially girls.
(NaProud, Cousin, Njube, Byo )
20.Wow, congrats, May the Lord continue to bless and sustain you all. Say hi to Terry
(Mrs (Pastor) Nelly Sinjoki, Praise & Worship Centre, Byo )
21.May God bless and increase you as a family. May Chara be a blessing that will always bring a smile for ever. We love you guys.
(Lovewin Mhlanga, friend, BICC Lob)
22.Congratutulations, amhlophe athe nke, makorokoto! Will keep in touchongratulations, happy for you. God bless you all.
(Pastor Benedict Macebo, BICC South Africa )
23.Amhlophe! Makorokoto! We join you as the family in celebrating a blessing in the Ndlovu's family. We are indeed delighted may God be praised. We pronounce prosperity and God's favour on her, she is a unique girl coming to the world with new and fresh anointing yes to deliver and empty what she owes the world
(Lindani & Loandy Ncube, BICC Lob)
24.CONGRATULATIONS!!! She will make me a cup tea when I come in December...
(Pastor Ernest Moahluli, Rhema South Africa )
25.Jolly good news indeed, we can only bless the Lord for the bundle of joy in our midst surely she will fulfill her purpose and destiny in Jesus matchless name.
Mrs Belinda Moyo, BICC Lob)
26.Wow, mfundisi this is great. Congratulations, we are so thankful to God for the Baby girl. She is going to be a mighty woman of valor who will know how to please, bless and save God all of her life. Pass my message to Mom.
(Pastor Ntombizakhe Moyo, BICC Lob)
27.Thus wonderful, we give praise to the Almighty for such a wonderful blessing (congratulations)
(Ntokozo Moyo, Niece, Magwegwe North, Byo)
28.Hie Mr & Mrs Ndlovu, congratulations on the arrival of Chara Histemi.
(Ngoni & Fadzai Mapako, friends, Byo)
29.Congratulations for that anointed woman of God, its good to know ukuthi abazukulu bayanda. Am blessed to know that God keeps on doing good things.
(Mrs Siziba, BICC Lob)
30.Dear Chara Histemi Ndlovu, just wanted you to know that we welcome your arrival. We are there to stand with you and help you achieve the reason why you came, in you is a great champion that you need to start cultivating. Welcome on board champion of God. Bless your heart; please say congrats to mom and daddy.
(William, Praise & Worship Centre, Byo)
31.Amhlophe!! Makorokoto!!.May GOD'S hand rest upon Chara Histemi as she grows and may He give you and Chipo wisdom to bring up your girls in the fear of the Lord. Be blessed.
(Mrs Khanya. Henderson, )
32.Wow congadulations my dear Brother for the coming of a prophetess, Our generation is trly blessed to have such spiritual giants serving it. Tell Mai Terio not to stop prophesying in the life of this beautiful girl.
(Colleta, South Africa)
33.Congrats on the birth of your second daughter, we say this is the work of the Lord and it marvelous in our eyes. We thank God that even at a time like this she will not lack anything because the hand of the Lord is upon her and all the days of her beautiful life are written in Lords book and we pray that the lord continuously blesses and enlarges your territory. That is powerful you said about your daughter. l love and believe it. Lathi siyalilandela, yikuthi bakithi UMKHULU LUMSEBENZI!
(Desmond & Celani Nyoni, BICC Lob)
34.Congratulations, I heard you were blessed with a baby girl. May she add more happiness and warmth at your home.
(Mrs Nyoni, Byo)
35.Wow! Sengamhlophe for this wonderful gift that God has blessed us with. I believe that now that there are now 2 the God has poured to you parents double grace for raising up children.
(Benedict Jira, BICC Hwange)
36. Evening mum & dad, congratulations for your baby girl. May she grow to be a child of God, a victor and a champion! You are blessed & highly favored.
(Thembelihle Matshazi, BICC Lob)
37. I thank God for my second grand daughter. Showers of blessings on her for the rest of her life. Nickname her "Mafruits"
(NaBuhle BICC Lob)
Chara Histemi Ndlovu, our second (and last) daughter has finally come. She is a wonderful and pretty anointed woman of God. We really praise and thank God for her. She will live to fulfill her destiny and God given purpose. Daddy
Praise be unto the Lord, she is indeed our delight, she brings exceeding joy unto us. She is a cheerful daughter. Praise the Lord! Mammy
This is what others had to say:
1.Hallelua I thought their brother was coming next!
Rev A. Gegana, Lobengula B.I.C.C.)
2.Amhlophe malume. Akula elinye elesindebele? Ogogo ekhaya ke?
(Onias Moyo , Financial Director Innscor Africa ltd)
3.Asengamhlophe bakoNdlovu, lisigcinele imkomo, God bless you.
(Misheck Muleya, Human Resources Director Innscor Africa ltd)
4.Congratulations… Amhlophe… on the arrival of the new angel.
(Nkosiyabo Nyoni, South Africa)
5.Congrats, may she grow to be an Esther of her generation!
(Dr Wedu Ndebele, Praise & Worship Centre)
6.Akabongwe uJehova, for the woman of God.
(Sifelani Ngwenya, friend, Plumtree)
7.Wonderful. Asengamhlophe!
(Mrs Linda Ncube, Lob B.I.C.C.)
8.Amhlophe. I told you she will wait for you. The Lord is good. Hug them all. Good night.
(Mrs Ntombikayise Ngwenya, Botswana.)
9.Congratulations, why did you not give me a hint? Umuzi uyakhula. She has a nice name. Send us pictures on email.
(Mandla Mkhwananzi, friend, USA)
10.The wonderful works of God. Again, he has proved himself to be faithful to us.
(Michael Ndlovu, cousin & friend, Magwegwe North)
11.Wow that’s great man. I can imagine you by Chipo’s side watching the little girl’s arrival on planet earth. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.
(Victor Ncube, friend, BICC Lob)
12.Welcome her with outstretched hands. We thank God for her arrival.
(Juta Tshuma, Innscor Byo HR Officer)
13.Congratulations, happy for you. God bless you all.
(Kuthandakwenkosi Tshuma, Innscor Byo HR Clerk)
14.Congrats, Your family is growing.
(Lifa Ncube, Finance Manager, Innscor Byo – immediate boss)
15.Congratulations, may the Lord bless Chara Histemi so she may grow to be a wise woman of God.
(Sydney Dengu, Innscor Byo, Head Office Accountant)
16.Congratulations on the arrival of your baby daughter. May the Lord richly bless her.
(Obert Masara, Innscor Byo, Fast Foods Area 1 Accountant)
17.Congratulations, May the face of God and the Glory shine upon her forever. Thanks Ndlovu.
(James Sibanda, BICC Lob)
18.Wow blessed be the name of the Lord. Siyambonga owahlatshwayo. We love you.
(Sithuliso & Rejoice Dladla, friends, Rivers Of Life Chruch)
19.Congrats, Amhlophe. May the Lord pour blessing to the newly born. Blessed is the woman who bears many kids to his husband, especially girls.
(NaProud, Cousin, Njube, Byo )
20.Wow, congrats, May the Lord continue to bless and sustain you all. Say hi to Terry
(Mrs (Pastor) Nelly Sinjoki, Praise & Worship Centre, Byo )
21.May God bless and increase you as a family. May Chara be a blessing that will always bring a smile for ever. We love you guys.
(Lovewin Mhlanga, friend, BICC Lob)
22.Congratutulations, amhlophe athe nke, makorokoto! Will keep in touchongratulations, happy for you. God bless you all.
(Pastor Benedict Macebo, BICC South Africa )
23.Amhlophe! Makorokoto! We join you as the family in celebrating a blessing in the Ndlovu's family. We are indeed delighted may God be praised. We pronounce prosperity and God's favour on her, she is a unique girl coming to the world with new and fresh anointing yes to deliver and empty what she owes the world
(Lindani & Loandy Ncube, BICC Lob)
24.CONGRATULATIONS!!! She will make me a cup tea when I come in December...
(Pastor Ernest Moahluli, Rhema South Africa )
25.Jolly good news indeed, we can only bless the Lord for the bundle of joy in our midst surely she will fulfill her purpose and destiny in Jesus matchless name.
Mrs Belinda Moyo, BICC Lob)
26.Wow, mfundisi this is great. Congratulations, we are so thankful to God for the Baby girl. She is going to be a mighty woman of valor who will know how to please, bless and save God all of her life. Pass my message to Mom.
(Pastor Ntombizakhe Moyo, BICC Lob)
27.Thus wonderful, we give praise to the Almighty for such a wonderful blessing (congratulations)
(Ntokozo Moyo, Niece, Magwegwe North, Byo)
28.Hie Mr & Mrs Ndlovu, congratulations on the arrival of Chara Histemi.
(Ngoni & Fadzai Mapako, friends, Byo)
29.Congratulations for that anointed woman of God, its good to know ukuthi abazukulu bayanda. Am blessed to know that God keeps on doing good things.
(Mrs Siziba, BICC Lob)
30.Dear Chara Histemi Ndlovu, just wanted you to know that we welcome your arrival. We are there to stand with you and help you achieve the reason why you came, in you is a great champion that you need to start cultivating. Welcome on board champion of God. Bless your heart; please say congrats to mom and daddy.
(William, Praise & Worship Centre, Byo)
31.Amhlophe!! Makorokoto!!.May GOD'S hand rest upon Chara Histemi as she grows and may He give you and Chipo wisdom to bring up your girls in the fear of the Lord. Be blessed.
(Mrs Khanya. Henderson, )
32.Wow congadulations my dear Brother for the coming of a prophetess, Our generation is trly blessed to have such spiritual giants serving it. Tell Mai Terio not to stop prophesying in the life of this beautiful girl.
(Colleta, South Africa)
33.Congrats on the birth of your second daughter, we say this is the work of the Lord and it marvelous in our eyes. We thank God that even at a time like this she will not lack anything because the hand of the Lord is upon her and all the days of her beautiful life are written in Lords book and we pray that the lord continuously blesses and enlarges your territory. That is powerful you said about your daughter. l love and believe it. Lathi siyalilandela, yikuthi bakithi UMKHULU LUMSEBENZI!
(Desmond & Celani Nyoni, BICC Lob)
34.Congratulations, I heard you were blessed with a baby girl. May she add more happiness and warmth at your home.
(Mrs Nyoni, Byo)
35.Wow! Sengamhlophe for this wonderful gift that God has blessed us with. I believe that now that there are now 2 the God has poured to you parents double grace for raising up children.
(Benedict Jira, BICC Hwange)
36. Evening mum & dad, congratulations for your baby girl. May she grow to be a child of God, a victor and a champion! You are blessed & highly favored.
(Thembelihle Matshazi, BICC Lob)
37. I thank God for my second grand daughter. Showers of blessings on her for the rest of her life. Nickname her "Mafruits"
(NaBuhle BICC Lob)
Thursday, April 24, 2008
1st Born Daughter
At 1700 hours on Sunday January 09, 2005, our first born daughter Tereo Chipo Ndlovu was born.
Messages received from people after the birth of Tereo Chipo Ndlovu (09-01-2005)
1.After a long wait of nine months, she has finally decided to join us. Asengamhlophe!
(Rev A. Gegana, Lobengula B.I.C.C.)
2.Asengamhlophe sekaTereo.
(Onias Moyo , Financial Director Innscor Africa ltd)
3.Asengamhlophe! Give my love to Chipo and the little one. Is it Terio or Teriro?
(Stella Mapenzauswa, Cousin, Harare)
4.Indeed praise God and all thanks to Him.
(Misheck Muleya, Human Resources Director Innscor Africa ltd)
5.Congratulations. Welcome to the party. Now you have strong reason to go home early.
(Nkosiyabo Nyoni, General Manager Bakers Inn)
6.Wow! Praise God. Congrats.
(Dr Wedu Ndebele, Praise & Worship Centre)
7.Congratulations.
(Charity Nelson, Praise & Worship Centre)
8.Thanks be to God for the child, the fruit of your strength love. Make that your queen, plenty food for her to produce more milk for the child.
(Sifelani Ngwenya, friend, Botswana)
9.We grateful. We thank God for it is his doing. Praise His Name.
(Nomathemba Moyo, friend, B.I.C.C.)
10.Makorokoto, Amhlophe, Ngaakudze Mwari. Will phone you.
(Mrs Musengezi, former workmate One Stop Shop, Byo)
11.Amhlophe Ndlovu, siyabong’ iNkosi. We say glory to God.
(Lifa Nkala, Lob B.I.C.C.)
12.Wow… Am so happy for you. Mickey is happy too. God is surely good. Imuli iyakhula. Yikho okuhle. Its so fulfilling to be a parent. Limgcine kuhle, God bless you.
(Sidumiso Tshili, Lob B.I.C.C.
13.Let His Name be glorified, we rejoice with you. May she be a mighty God fearer.
(Thabani Moyo, Lob B.I.C.C.)
14.Amen. Amhlophe, Congratulations!
(Mrs Ncube, Lob B.I.C.C.)
Messages received from people after the birth of Tereo Chipo Ndlovu (09-01-2005)
1.After a long wait of nine months, she has finally decided to join us. Asengamhlophe!
(Rev A. Gegana, Lobengula B.I.C.C.)
2.Asengamhlophe sekaTereo.
(Onias Moyo , Financial Director Innscor Africa ltd)
3.Asengamhlophe! Give my love to Chipo and the little one. Is it Terio or Teriro?
(Stella Mapenzauswa, Cousin, Harare)
4.Indeed praise God and all thanks to Him.
(Misheck Muleya, Human Resources Director Innscor Africa ltd)
5.Congratulations. Welcome to the party. Now you have strong reason to go home early.
(Nkosiyabo Nyoni, General Manager Bakers Inn)
6.Wow! Praise God. Congrats.
(Dr Wedu Ndebele, Praise & Worship Centre)
7.Congratulations.
(Charity Nelson, Praise & Worship Centre)
8.Thanks be to God for the child, the fruit of your strength love. Make that your queen, plenty food for her to produce more milk for the child.
(Sifelani Ngwenya, friend, Botswana)
9.We grateful. We thank God for it is his doing. Praise His Name.
(Nomathemba Moyo, friend, B.I.C.C.)
10.Makorokoto, Amhlophe, Ngaakudze Mwari. Will phone you.
(Mrs Musengezi, former workmate One Stop Shop, Byo)
11.Amhlophe Ndlovu, siyabong’ iNkosi. We say glory to God.
(Lifa Nkala, Lob B.I.C.C.)
12.Wow… Am so happy for you. Mickey is happy too. God is surely good. Imuli iyakhula. Yikho okuhle. Its so fulfilling to be a parent. Limgcine kuhle, God bless you.
(Sidumiso Tshili, Lob B.I.C.C.
13.Let His Name be glorified, we rejoice with you. May she be a mighty God fearer.
(Thabani Moyo, Lob B.I.C.C.)
14.Amen. Amhlophe, Congratulations!
(Mrs Ncube, Lob B.I.C.C.)
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Accident
On the 2nd of April 2008 at about 2055 hours, I was driving from Harare to Bulawayo and was about 30 km before arriving in Bulawayo. I had an accidet where I collided with a 10 tone truck. The car I was driving was severely damaged. By God's grace, favor and protection, I escaped unhurt, without even a scratch. Prase God I savived to tell the story of God's protection. Everybody that has seen the damaged car does not understand how I escaped. All people that attended the scene were shocked to discover that I was not injured. I also do not understand. To tell the truth, that should have been my death scene! I thank God for giving me a chance to continue serving him.
Monday, January 21, 2008
WHAT ARE YOU SEEING?
Jeremiah 1v11-12, “Moreover, the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Jeremiah, what do you see? And I said, I see a branch {or} shoot of an almond tree [the emblem of alertness and activity, blossoming in late winter]. Then said the Lord to me, You have seen well, for I am alert {and} active, watching over My word to perform it.”
2 Kings 6:14-17, “ So [the Syrian king] sent there horses, chariots, and a great army. They came by night and surrounded the city When the servant of the man of God rose early and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was around the city. Elisha's servant said to him, Alas, my master! What shall we do? [Elisha] answered, Fear not; for those with us are more than those with them. Then Elisha prayed, Lord, I pray You, open his eyes that he may see. And the Lord opened the young man's eyes, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”
MLB 1 Corinthians 2:9-12, “But as it is written, “No eye has seen, nor ear has heard, neither has the human heart thought of what God has prepared for those who love Him.” Through the Spirit, however, God has revealed it to us; for the Spirit fathoms everything, even the deep things of God. For among men who knows a person’s thoughts, except the man’s own inner spirit? Similarly, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. And we have received, not the spirit of the world but the Spirit that comes from God, in order that we may know the things which God has freely given us.”
•What is it that you see this year?
•What is it that you see in your life?
•What is it that you see in the remainder of your days here on earth?
Which Specs Are You Putting On?
•We may all be in the same situation but see and or conclude things differently
•It depends on which eyes or specs are you putting or seeing from.
•In the natural, if you put on shades or tinted glasses, you may see things being the color of your glasses. The color or shade of your glasses may distort the color you see on things.
Spiritual vs Natural
•You need to see beyond the natural and into the realm of the spirit
•You need to see in or by the eyes of your spirit
•Do not limit your seeing to the natural realm.
•You need to get your spiritual eyes to be opened.
•Elisha prayed for his servant’s eyes to be opened, the guy was seeing the soldiers coming to attack them but was blind in the spiritual.
•It is possible to be seeing in the natural but blind in the spirit, it is equally possible to be blind in the natural and see in the spirit
•If you restrict yourself to the natural realm or sight, you may miss God and fail to see what God is doing for you in the spirit
•You may be complaining and fail to see what God is doing in the spiritual
•You may not benefit from what you do not see and understand. The servant of Elisha was afraid but the host of angels was with them.
•You may be afraid and miss benefiting from God’s provision around you
Eccl 11:4, “He who observes the wind [and waits for all conditions to be favorable] will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.”
Matt 6:22-23, “The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is sound, your entire body will be full of light. But if your eye is unsound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the very light in you [your conscience] is darkened, how dense is that darkness”
What Do You See In The Midst Of Situation?
Acts 7:55-56, “But he, full of the Holy Spirit {and} controlled by Him, gazed into heaven and saw the glory (the splendor and majesty) of God, and Jesus standing at God's right hand; And he said, Look! I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at God's right hand!”
•Ask God to open your eyes so that you may see what He has for you in 2008 and beyond.
•You may be in the same place and situation with other people but see different things.
•Steven saw heavens opens and the glory of God but the Jews did not see anything
•You can choose what to see and concentrate on, Steven could have chosen to see the Jews that wanted to kill him, but he chose to see the glory!
•In this year, we see different things, politicians, business people, general public, etc, we see different things
•What do you see?
•Train yourself or your eyes to see through situations into God’s glory
•In the current world with wars, floods, hunger, hatred, threat of wars and other negative things, you can chose to see the glory of God.
•In our current world, there is no peace, there is a threat and possibility of a world war, America / Iran/ Russia / Europe are in bitter threats against each other.
•In Africa there is no peace, Kenya, Somalia, DRC, etc there is war. South Africa is seemingly not promising to be stable.
•You need to chose to see the future that God has for you
•Choose to see the promises of God
•Choose to see your destiny and purpose that God has for you
•In Zimbabwe, currently the situation is not good. The natural sight in our country is not good.
•But you can chose to see beyond the current negative sight!
•Our political environment is obviously not good and does not promise to be improving in the natural.
•Some are predicting the Kenya scenario, elections are at hand, in the last general elections we had trouble, but you can chose to see beyond.
•How you see / what you see may determine what will happen to you.
•Let us continue to see the positive and pray God to heal our land despite the negative and evil we see in the natural.
•In the midst of difficulties, corruption, insecurity, uncertainty, hatred, poverty, etc you can see opportunities and victory!
•Is 7:4 “And say to him, Take heed and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted because of these two stumps of smoking firebrands--at the fierce anger of [the Syrian King] Rezin and Syria and of the son of Remaliah [Pekah, usurper of the throne of Israel]. Is 7:9 And the head (the capital) of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son [Pekah]. If you will not believe {and} trust {and} rely [on God and on the words of God's prophet instead of Assyria], surely you will not be established {nor} will you remain.”
•Your being protected, blessed and benefiting from the promises of God depends on how you see. If you do not see or believe what God says, you will not benefit from His Word.
•What do you see about your life?
•What vision drives you?
•Ask God to reveal His plan and opportunities He has given you.
Can There Be Discrimination?
•Ex 14:19-20, “And the Angel of God Who went before the host of Israel moved and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before them and stood behind them, Coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. It was a cloud and darkness to the Egyptians, but it gave light by night to the Israelites; and the one host did not come near the other all night.”
•In the above scripture, what made the difference was where each group was standing, the different standing gave different sights of the same thing!
•The same angel or cloud of God gave the Israelites light and Egyptian darkness. It depended on what angle they were seeing!
•Dan 10:4-12,” On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was on the bank of the great river Hiddekel [which is the Tigris], I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with pure gold of Uphaz. His body also was [a golden luster] like beryl, his face had the appearance of lightning, his eyes were like flaming torches, his arms and his feet like glowing burnished bronze, and the sound of his words was like the noise of a multitude [of people or the roaring of the sea]7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision [of this heavenly being], for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them so that they fled to hide themselves. So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me, for my fresh appearance was turned to pallor; I grew weak {and} faint [with fright]. Then I heard the sound of his words; and when I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in a deep sleep, with my face [sunk] to the ground. And behold, a hand touched me, which set me [unsteadily] upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. And [the angel] said to me, O Daniel, you greatly beloved man, understand the words that I speak to you and stand upright, for to you I am now sent. And while he was saying this word to me, I stood up trembling. Then he said to me, Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind {and} heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come as a consequence of [and in response to] your words.”
•Daniel had been praying and when God came for his answer, he singled him out of the people that were with him.
•Daniel is the only one that heard and saw the glory! Others ran away and hid from the presence of God!
•If you chose to see right, God will reach down for you in the midst of other people.
•When others are murmuring, complaining, and suffering, you can see the glory!
2 Cor 5:7 For we walk by faith [we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, with trust and holy fervor; thus we walk] not by sight {or} appearance.
•When others see evil, gloom and disaster, you can see opportunity and favor
•The current situations cannot stop God’s favor, promises and favor in your life. Your eyes can!
•See yourself in the eyes of God, see yourself in the Word, see yourself in the Spirit.
•You are successful, you are what God says you are, you are triumphant, you are highly favored, you are victorious, you are blessed, you have authority.
Yini oyibonayo? Chi chaurikuona ? What do you see?
2 Kings 6:14-17, “ So [the Syrian king] sent there horses, chariots, and a great army. They came by night and surrounded the city When the servant of the man of God rose early and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was around the city. Elisha's servant said to him, Alas, my master! What shall we do? [Elisha] answered, Fear not; for those with us are more than those with them. Then Elisha prayed, Lord, I pray You, open his eyes that he may see. And the Lord opened the young man's eyes, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”
MLB 1 Corinthians 2:9-12, “But as it is written, “No eye has seen, nor ear has heard, neither has the human heart thought of what God has prepared for those who love Him.” Through the Spirit, however, God has revealed it to us; for the Spirit fathoms everything, even the deep things of God. For among men who knows a person’s thoughts, except the man’s own inner spirit? Similarly, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. And we have received, not the spirit of the world but the Spirit that comes from God, in order that we may know the things which God has freely given us.”
•What is it that you see this year?
•What is it that you see in your life?
•What is it that you see in the remainder of your days here on earth?
Which Specs Are You Putting On?
•We may all be in the same situation but see and or conclude things differently
•It depends on which eyes or specs are you putting or seeing from.
•In the natural, if you put on shades or tinted glasses, you may see things being the color of your glasses. The color or shade of your glasses may distort the color you see on things.
Spiritual vs Natural
•You need to see beyond the natural and into the realm of the spirit
•You need to see in or by the eyes of your spirit
•Do not limit your seeing to the natural realm.
•You need to get your spiritual eyes to be opened.
•Elisha prayed for his servant’s eyes to be opened, the guy was seeing the soldiers coming to attack them but was blind in the spiritual.
•It is possible to be seeing in the natural but blind in the spirit, it is equally possible to be blind in the natural and see in the spirit
•If you restrict yourself to the natural realm or sight, you may miss God and fail to see what God is doing for you in the spirit
•You may be complaining and fail to see what God is doing in the spiritual
•You may not benefit from what you do not see and understand. The servant of Elisha was afraid but the host of angels was with them.
•You may be afraid and miss benefiting from God’s provision around you
Eccl 11:4, “He who observes the wind [and waits for all conditions to be favorable] will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.”
Matt 6:22-23, “The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is sound, your entire body will be full of light. But if your eye is unsound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the very light in you [your conscience] is darkened, how dense is that darkness”
What Do You See In The Midst Of Situation?
Acts 7:55-56, “But he, full of the Holy Spirit {and} controlled by Him, gazed into heaven and saw the glory (the splendor and majesty) of God, and Jesus standing at God's right hand; And he said, Look! I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at God's right hand!”
•Ask God to open your eyes so that you may see what He has for you in 2008 and beyond.
•You may be in the same place and situation with other people but see different things.
•Steven saw heavens opens and the glory of God but the Jews did not see anything
•You can choose what to see and concentrate on, Steven could have chosen to see the Jews that wanted to kill him, but he chose to see the glory!
•In this year, we see different things, politicians, business people, general public, etc, we see different things
•What do you see?
•Train yourself or your eyes to see through situations into God’s glory
•In the current world with wars, floods, hunger, hatred, threat of wars and other negative things, you can chose to see the glory of God.
•In our current world, there is no peace, there is a threat and possibility of a world war, America / Iran/ Russia / Europe are in bitter threats against each other.
•In Africa there is no peace, Kenya, Somalia, DRC, etc there is war. South Africa is seemingly not promising to be stable.
•You need to chose to see the future that God has for you
•Choose to see the promises of God
•Choose to see your destiny and purpose that God has for you
•In Zimbabwe, currently the situation is not good. The natural sight in our country is not good.
•But you can chose to see beyond the current negative sight!
•Our political environment is obviously not good and does not promise to be improving in the natural.
•Some are predicting the Kenya scenario, elections are at hand, in the last general elections we had trouble, but you can chose to see beyond.
•How you see / what you see may determine what will happen to you.
•Let us continue to see the positive and pray God to heal our land despite the negative and evil we see in the natural.
•In the midst of difficulties, corruption, insecurity, uncertainty, hatred, poverty, etc you can see opportunities and victory!
•Is 7:4 “And say to him, Take heed and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted because of these two stumps of smoking firebrands--at the fierce anger of [the Syrian King] Rezin and Syria and of the son of Remaliah [Pekah, usurper of the throne of Israel]. Is 7:9 And the head (the capital) of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son [Pekah]. If you will not believe {and} trust {and} rely [on God and on the words of God's prophet instead of Assyria], surely you will not be established {nor} will you remain.”
•Your being protected, blessed and benefiting from the promises of God depends on how you see. If you do not see or believe what God says, you will not benefit from His Word.
•What do you see about your life?
•What vision drives you?
•Ask God to reveal His plan and opportunities He has given you.
Can There Be Discrimination?
•Ex 14:19-20, “And the Angel of God Who went before the host of Israel moved and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before them and stood behind them, Coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. It was a cloud and darkness to the Egyptians, but it gave light by night to the Israelites; and the one host did not come near the other all night.”
•In the above scripture, what made the difference was where each group was standing, the different standing gave different sights of the same thing!
•The same angel or cloud of God gave the Israelites light and Egyptian darkness. It depended on what angle they were seeing!
•Dan 10:4-12,” On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was on the bank of the great river Hiddekel [which is the Tigris], I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with pure gold of Uphaz. His body also was [a golden luster] like beryl, his face had the appearance of lightning, his eyes were like flaming torches, his arms and his feet like glowing burnished bronze, and the sound of his words was like the noise of a multitude [of people or the roaring of the sea]7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision [of this heavenly being], for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them so that they fled to hide themselves. So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me, for my fresh appearance was turned to pallor; I grew weak {and} faint [with fright]. Then I heard the sound of his words; and when I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in a deep sleep, with my face [sunk] to the ground. And behold, a hand touched me, which set me [unsteadily] upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. And [the angel] said to me, O Daniel, you greatly beloved man, understand the words that I speak to you and stand upright, for to you I am now sent. And while he was saying this word to me, I stood up trembling. Then he said to me, Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind {and} heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come as a consequence of [and in response to] your words.”
•Daniel had been praying and when God came for his answer, he singled him out of the people that were with him.
•Daniel is the only one that heard and saw the glory! Others ran away and hid from the presence of God!
•If you chose to see right, God will reach down for you in the midst of other people.
•When others are murmuring, complaining, and suffering, you can see the glory!
2 Cor 5:7 For we walk by faith [we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, with trust and holy fervor; thus we walk] not by sight {or} appearance.
•When others see evil, gloom and disaster, you can see opportunity and favor
•The current situations cannot stop God’s favor, promises and favor in your life. Your eyes can!
•See yourself in the eyes of God, see yourself in the Word, see yourself in the Spirit.
•You are successful, you are what God says you are, you are triumphant, you are highly favored, you are victorious, you are blessed, you have authority.
Yini oyibonayo? Chi chaurikuona ? What do you see?
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