tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29150171180871154712024-03-12T20:13:09.013-07:00In Christ AloneThat God is glorified through the passionate love for Jesus Christ. Winning souls and changing lives.Kwenda Kwendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04918330342633716402noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2915017118087115471.post-71966307085332832732017-10-26T03:44:00.000-07:002017-10-26T03:46:36.181-07:00THE USE OF ANOINTING OIL<div class="MsoNormal">
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The issue of anointing oil has
become very complicated. Should we use anointing oil? Is there such thing as
anointing oil? How must it be used? Will God answer prayers which are not
accompanied by anointing oil? I will seek to answer some of those questions in
this article. <o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">First of all, I would like to
give a brief explanation of the word anoint and how it is used in different
passages and books of the Bible. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew words for
anoint are masah, misha, masiah and suk. The first two words, masah and misha
have to do with rubbing oil on someone or something especially for the purpose
of consecrating or sanctifying. Here are a few verses in which they are used.
"You shall take the anointing oil and pour it on his head and anoint
him" Exd 29:7. You will notice that the words anointing and anoint in this
verse are the same. The word for anointing is misha and the word for anoint is
masah. Whenever these two words are used in the Old Testament they are used to
mean smearing oil on someone or something for the purpose of sanctifying them
or setting them apart. So you see it being used in the consecration of people
who have been set apart by God for a specific purpose. This also included the
sanctifying of the things in the temple and the people who served in the
temple, the priests. (Exd 28:41) You also see it used in the setting apart of
Kings, anointing them into their offices (1 Sam 16:13). These two words are
verbs. There is some action involved whenever they are pronounced. <o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The other word masiah is a noun.
It is more of a title. This is where we get the English word messiah. Sometimes
it is read as anointed or you read statements like the anointed one. In 1 Sam
26: 9 we see David using the word on Saul. It reads, " But David said to
Abishai, " Do not destroy him, for who can put his hand against the LORD'S
anointed and be guiltless" So the word anointed (masiah) is used as a noun
to mean a chosen one or the chosen one. It comes out as a title and not a verb
or the act of anointing (misha). <o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The other word used for anointing
in the Old Testament is the word "suk". This has nothing to do with
consecration or sanctifying. It only means to oil or to apply oil or to smear,
the same way we apply lotion to the body. We see it used In 2 Sam 14:2. It
reads, " And Joab sent to Tekoa and brought from there a wise woman and
said to her" Pretend to be a mourner and put on the mourning garments. Do
not anoint yourself with oil but behave like a woman who has been mourning many
days for the dead." You can also read Daniel 10:3. You will notice the
word anoint is used to mean applying or smearing without any attachment to
sanctity. So these are the four words for anoint which are used in the Old
Testament. <o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">In the New Testament there are
two main words used in the Greek for anoint or anointed. The first one is Chrio
and the other one is aleipho. Chrio is equivalent to the Old Testament Hebrew
words masah, misha and masiah. It has to do with consecrating or setting apart
something or someone for holy use. For example in Luke 4:18 the Bible says,
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim
good news to the poor..." And in Acts 10:38 it says, "How God
anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power." In 2 Corinthians
1:21 we are told, "And it is God who has established us with you in
Christ, and has anointed us." What you will notice about the word chrio is
that it is mostly used to refer to the anointing of Jesus Christ. In other
words, Jesus is the chosen one of God. He is the only who has been chosen by
God to save sinners. Only Jesus has the authority and power to save. He is
actually the promised messiah (masiah/ anointed one) of the Old Testament who
was to come. <o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">When the word chrio is used, the
other thing you will notice is that there is usually reference to the Holy
Spirit. This setting apart or consecration is not a work of man. It is the work
of God. No wonder the Holy Spirit is usually involved. <o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The other word used for anoint in
the New Testament is the word aleipho. This has nothing to do with
consecration. It is the equivalent of The Hebrew word suk in the Old Testament.
It means to apply or smear something with oil, to oil something. Same way
someone applies lotion to his body. There is no spiritual connection attached
to it. In John 12:3 It says, “Mary, therefore, took a pound of very expensive
ointment and made pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet
with her hair…” What Mary did here was simply to apply oil to Jesus’ feet. Her
applying of oil is what the Bible refers to as anoint in that verse. It has nothing
to do with setting apart or consecration and nothing to do with the Holy
Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">So is there such a thing as
anointing oil? Well, there was anointing oil in the time of the Priests and
Kings. Anointing oil was something made in a particular way with particular
ingredients for a particular purpose. Here is a passage in which God instructs
Moses on how to make this oil. <o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">22 The
LORD said to Moses, 23“Take the finest spices: of liquid myrrh 500 shekels, and
of sweet-smelling cinnamon half as much, that is, 250, and 250 of aromatic
cane, and 24 500 of cassia, according to the shekels of the sanctuary, and a
hin of olive oil. 25 And you shall make of these a sacred anointing oil blended
as by the perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil. 26 With it you shall
anoint the tent of meeting and the ark of the testimony, 27 and the table and
all its utensils, and the lamp stand and its utensils, and the altar of
incense, and the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils and the basin
and its stand. You shall consecrate them, that they may be most holy. Whatever
touches them will become holy. 30 You shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and
consecrate them, that they may serve me as priest. 31 And you shall say to the
people of Israel, ‘This shall be my holy anointing oil throughout your
generations. 32 It shall not be poured on the body of an ordinary person, and
you shall make no other like in composition. It is holy, and it shall be holy
to you. 33 Whoever compounds any like it or whoever puts any of it on an
outsider shall be cut off from his people.” Exodus 30:22-33.<o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">This passage will help us greatly
to get to our concerns for today’s use of anointing oil.<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">So first of all, if we must use
anointing oil today, we must make it according to the way it is prescribed in
the above verse. There should not be anything lacking in it.<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The second thing we need to take
note of is that this was a prescription which was given to Moses for a
particular purpose. This oil was for the consecration or making holy or setting
apart of the priests, the tabernacle and the utensils in the tabernacle. Read
through the passage from verse 26 to 29.<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The third issue you note is that
no one else was to use this oil except the priests. The oil was not to be used
on any ordinary person. It was strictly for the priest and for the tent of
meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">So when you look at the use of
the anointing oil today, what do you make of it? The first question is,
“Whoever is using that oil, where is he getting it from?” Where in this world are
they making such kind of oil? Secondly,
if it is there then why is it being used on ordinary people, people who are not
priests. As far as I am concerned, it was meant for the priest and the tent of
meeting. By the way, the office of the priest has been done away with. The
Apostle John says in the book of Revelation that “You have made them a kingdom
and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth” Rev 5:10. Christians
do not need priests today. We are a royal priesthood to our God. We can freely
pray anywhere and at anytime to our God. The office of priests was fulfilled in
Jesus Christ. No wonder when Jesus died on the cross the veil in the temple was
torn in two signifying that the way into the holy of holies was now free to all
through Jesus Christ. There would be no more temple activities<o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The verse that many use to
support the use of anointing oil is James 5:14. The verse says, “Is anyone
among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray
over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” When you read this
verse upfront, you immediately think that the Bible is talking about anointing
oil. However, reading carefully shows you that it is not talking about
anointing oil. The verse is saying, “Anointing him with oil” It is not saying,
“Anointing him with anointing oil.” Remember we said that there are two words
used in the Greek for anoint. There is Chrio and aleipho. Chrio means to
consecrate and to set apart while aleipho simply means to smear or apply. You
will note that the word used for anoint in James is the word aleipho, to smear
or apply. It has nothing to do with setting apart or consecrating. It is just
the same way we apply lotion on the body. You find some passages in the New
Testament talking about anointing someone with oil. Never will you find it
talking about anointing someone with anointing oil. Here are a few passages,”<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> </span></em><em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who
were sick and healed them.” Mark
6:13. <o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “You did not anoint my head with oil but she
anointed my feet with perfume.” Luke 7:46<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“ And he
came and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him
on his own beast…” Luke 10:34<o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></em></div>
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">So
you see that it is just normal oil and not anointing oil. All of the above
passages are talking about applying the body or body part with oil. This was
most likely Olive Oil which was </span></em><em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">common among the Jews. Anointing
oil was something different as we have seen from the passage in Exodus.
Anointing oil was not made anywhere else and was only used by the priests and in
the tent of meeting.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span></em>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">So the passage in James was
addressing a totally different matter. It was not talking about anointing oil
and so do the other passages in the New Testament. The passage in James was
talking about a different context with different situations. The believers in
James’ writing were passing through difficult times. Some of them were being
beaten by their masters. So they would come with wounds to the elders. So
instead of just praying for them, the elders were to be practical by applying
on the believer olive oil which acts like a medicine on the wounds. In other
words, the elders were to trust God for healing through prayer but also use the
required medicine. Olive oil works well for wounds. No wonder you see the Good
Samaritan using oil on the man who was wounded” Luke 10:34. You see also the
apostles using oil as they were praying for healing among the sick. Mark 6:13. So
in short, let the elders not just pray when someone is sick. Let them advise
the patient to go for medical checkup and keep on praying as the medicine is
taken. It doesn’t mean every time someone is sick you must use anointing oil.
It does not mean that for God to answer a prayer there must be anointing oil.<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The most worrying thing about
today’s so called anointing oil is that it is not just oil but many other
things have been anointed and we don’t know who it is who has anointed them. We
have anointing water, anointed underwear, anointed pens, anointed this and
that. Where in the Bible do you see those things? They are nowhere to be seen.
What you do see is a plea for believers to be very prayerful. In fact when you
read the context of James chapter 5, the context is prayer. James is pleading
for believers to be very prayerful. It is through prayer that we see God doing
great things in the believer’s life.<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
Kwenda Kwendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04918330342633716402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2915017118087115471.post-87375524633498143842015-09-22T07:01:00.000-07:002015-09-22T07:02:15.979-07:00SATURDAY OR SUNDAY? Which is the day of Worship?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">SATURDAY OR SUNDAY? </b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Which
is the day of Worship?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #141823; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">The aim of this article is to help
anyone understand what the Bible teaches on this subject. Everything written is
based on what the Scriptures teach. Reading all the Bible references which have
been quoted will be the best way to get a clear understanding of what the
article is teaching. So let your Bible be on your side as you read.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #141823; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Some people worship on a Sunday while
others worship on a Saturday. There is a lot of debate across the globe as
which day God has given for worship. Those who worship on a Saturday say, “God
has not given a direct command anywhere in the Bible that we should stop
worshipping on the seventh day and start worshipping on Sunday.” They go on to
say that God blessed the seventh day which is a Saturday and sanctified (made
it holy) it and that the observance of the Sabbath is even among the Ten
Commandments. None of the commandments have changed so why would anyone change
the seventh day Sabbath to the first day when you cannot change the other
commandments?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand those
who worship on a Sunday say the early Church worshipped on the first day of the
week which is a Sunday. They do it in honor of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus
rose from the dead on the first day of the week and his disciples began to meet
on the first day of the week in his honour (John 20:1,8; Acts 2:7; 1 Corinth
16:2) (Read the verses). This day, became known as the Lord’s Day (Rev 1:10)
Read the verse. “That’s the reason we worship on a Sunday,” so goes the
argument. So who is right? When should we worship?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzq6Zyfh6JsV2yS_G2sdtvVnlxkZaJn0tSJTUHOqi1PevclZrEAoJYWmnXPL9j3jkBoCsJKrixXM4ZpRkvzb04lpv_XWttzefgvEUyASoGo33A0dSKHrOPOr8Tvi01uozMCrGsWGhJ9tU/s1600/Worship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzq6Zyfh6JsV2yS_G2sdtvVnlxkZaJn0tSJTUHOqi1PevclZrEAoJYWmnXPL9j3jkBoCsJKrixXM4ZpRkvzb04lpv_XWttzefgvEUyASoGo33A0dSKHrOPOr8Tvi01uozMCrGsWGhJ9tU/s320/Worship.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #141823; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Where then does the problem come in?
How do we deal with the issue of Saturday and Sunday?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #141823; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">The finest way to answer this
question is to ask ourselves "What does the word Sabbath mean?" When
you carefully examine the Scriptures, Sabbath does not mean Sunday or Saturday
or Seventh day. In Leviticus 23:26-32 (Read it), God calls the Day of
Atonement, which took place on the tenth day of the Seventh month, a Sabbath
day. If the word Sabbath means “seventh day” then why would God call the Day of
Atonement, which happened on the tenth day, a Sabbath? This is proof that Sabbath
does not mean seventh day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why would God
call it a Sabbath if the day was the tenth day of the month and not the seventh
day? God made days. He never gave the days names to say that the first day will
be called Sunday or the Seventh day will called Saturday. I am yet to see in
the Bible where it says “Saturday the seventh day of the week or Monday the
second day of the week.” These are human decisions made to help with the
managing of time. What you see instead from the Bible is that as God was
creating the earth there was the first day, second day, third day, fourth day,
fifth day, Sixth day and Seventh day. There is nothing like Monday, Tuesday and
Wednesday.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #141823; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">The other thing is that when God
created the universe, he rested on the seventh day and made it holy. Our
question then is, what does the Bible mean when it says, “God rested?” Does it
mean God got tired? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think so. If
God got tired then he would cease to be God. Our God does not grow weary (Isa
40:28). Read the verse. The word rest means God was satisfied with his
creation. I remember some time during my bachelorhood; I was so hungry that I
stopped working. I decided to cook myself a meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took my time. I boiled the chicken and dip
fried it. I cut up the vegetables in their rightful size, cooked them, then
prepared the soup and it was not long before the meal was set. I ate and had my
fill and afterwards sat back and said to myself, “That was really good.” At
that time, I “rested” from the cooking. I was not tired but was appreciating
the goodness of the food. I was pleased with what I cooked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is what God did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the Bible says God rested it means he
was satisfied or pleased with his creation. God was enjoying what he created.
No wonder the word rest comes after the Bible says that all that God created
was very good. If we say that God was tired then we are insulting him. We are
saying he is not all powerful. We are saying he is like human beings who get
tired. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So Sabbath does not mean seventh
day or Saturday. It means a day of rest. It means a day when we can enjoy God
in a restful way, a day when we adore him as the only one through whom we can
find true satisfaction. This day must be different from all other days. This
day must be a day that will be similar to the way God looked at his creation
and was fully satisfied. In the same way, when we gather on that day for
worship, we should do so as an expression of our satisfaction in God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the issue is not about Sunday or Saturday.
It is about finding and expressing our spiritual satisfaction in God (finding
our rest in God). Christians are commanded to meet regularly for fellowship
(Heb 10:24-25, Acts 20:7) Read. That’s why there needs to be a day set aside
when people are not working so that everyone can meet for fellowship. So apart
from enjoying God in a restful way Christians must meet in order to fellowship (enjoy
each others company), break bread and pray together.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #141823; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">After all that has been said, our
question then is “Where can we find spiritual rest?” Remember we said that we
must enjoy God in a restful way. So how do we do that without focusing on
Saturday or Sunday? Is there anything that God has revealed in his word which
can bring us spiritual satisfaction? I believe there is someone who gives us
spiritual rest. Jesus does that. He is the one who said, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give
you rest. Take my yoke and learn from me... I will give you rest for your souls,"</i>
Matt 11:28-29 (Read it). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it should
not be about Sunday or Saturday but about honoring the Lord Jesus Christ who
shed his blood for our sins. We honor him by submitting to his Lordship. We
repent of our sins and he in turn gives us a new life. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we honor the Son, we honor the Father
also. So, if you enjoy God in a restful way on a Saturday then go ahead. If it’s
on a Sunday then go ahead. However, we need to be sure that we have found
spiritual rest in Christ because God will not ask you whether you worshipped on
a Saturday or a Sunday. That is not what will get you into heaven. Nonetheless,
be assured that he will ask you what you did with the blood which his Son shed
for you on cross. Paul says in Romans that, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“One
person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days
alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes
the day, observes it in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God…”
Romans 14:5-6.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #141823; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">After all that we have talked about
we must remember that the apostles did not gather for worship on the Seventh
day. If you read through the Scriptures, you will never find the apostles
giving commands for people to worship on the Sabbath or Seventh Day. Read
through Matthew to Revelation you won't find it. In fact what you see is Jesus
together with the apostles condemning observance of the Sabbath because it
burdened people instead of drawing them closer to God. The apostles talk more
about worshiping on the first day of the week than observing the Sabbath.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #141823; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Let me state also that worship is not
reserved for a day. We must worship God every day. When we read our Bible in
the morning or evening and pray to God we are worshiping. When we present our
bodies as living sacrifices as Paul says, we worship God in a reasonable way. Amen.</span></div>
Kwenda Kwendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04918330342633716402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2915017118087115471.post-27107998769265591622015-05-18T03:17:00.000-07:002015-09-02T08:27:11.510-07:00Marry Your Best Friend<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Teenage life is full of dreams. One of the things
that fill the mind of a teenager is career prospects. Young people dream of special careers. You
never find any one adolescent hoping to become a garden boy or a plumber.
They point out celebrities. “I want to be like that one,” they say.
Another interesting topic of discussion during this phase of life is marriage.
What kind of a lady will I marry? What will she look like? Will the man who marries me cook for me? Will he be opening doors for me before I come out of the car
or enter a room? We all asked these questions at some point. The truth is that you should not be looking for someone who will open doors for you. You do not need
someone who will be helping you sweep the house. If that's what you want then hire a maid or a servant. What you need is a companion
suitable for you. You need a best friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1eibGHLEoObt22kbaGskjvwYzqRJKXrDbDlSrd-j1diOo3aqKTwfPMllG1I7LhOO9SBEhgXqCwqyQZSZPbZKGyBJccD5MKizq7Hobh69FrjgChvCsIc1TsejDcGGvYUavkOsq82cGRnA/s1600/untitled-57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1eibGHLEoObt22kbaGskjvwYzqRJKXrDbDlSrd-j1diOo3aqKTwfPMllG1I7LhOO9SBEhgXqCwqyQZSZPbZKGyBJccD5MKizq7Hobh69FrjgChvCsIc1TsejDcGGvYUavkOsq82cGRnA/s320/untitled-57.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On a magnet,
the positive attracts the negative. In like manner, God designed men to be
attracted to women and vice versa because they are different. Yes, different but equal. There is a friend,
scripture tells us, who sticks closer than a brother. It makes it even better
when you have a best friend who is also your husband or wife. A best friend will tell you when he is upset.
A best friend will tell you when your hair looks shaggy or your make up is too
much. A best friend will rejoice with you when you succeed. A best friend
always wants the best for you. A best friend wants to spend time with you. A
best friend will love you sincerely. A best friend will gently rebuke you when
necessary. A best friend will be kind to you. A best friend will respect you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When God said let me make for Adam a companion
suitable for him, he was creating a best friend for Adam. He was creating someone
who would be attracted to Adam. God was
creating someone who would support Adam in his God given tasks. If she is your
best friend, she will respect you. You don’t have to plead for her submission. If
he is your best friend he will seek the best for you. He will protect and
provide for you. You don’t have to ask him to open doors for you as you get
into your car. He will do it because he cares. He is your best friend. If she
is your best friend she will see to it that she helps you in your calling.
Remember she is your best friend. She will stick closer than a brother.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If he is your best friend then you will agree with him at
least on doctrinal grounds. It may not be everything but most of it. Amos asks
a rhetoric question when he says, “Can two walk together unless they are
agreed?” (Amos 3:3). Your best friend must agree with your personality. Your
best friend will accept your flaws and seek to help you in them. Your best
friend should be friends with someone greater and special. He should be friends with Jesus. Marry your
best friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Kwenda Kwendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04918330342633716402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2915017118087115471.post-49739967700918858242015-01-29T02:10:00.000-08:002015-01-29T02:10:19.346-08:00 My Idol Pastor<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When Pastor
X is preaching, the auditorium is filled to capacity but when Pastor Y is on the Pulpit, the
Church building is almost empty. Why is it so? Could it be that Pastor Y is not
articulate? Or is it that Pastor Y has not been to Bible College? Or maybe
Pastor Y is only five years in the ministry? What could be the problem behind
this reality which tearing the Churches? Note that I am not referring to
health and wealth kind of preaching. I know that has its effects as well. In
fact, it has done more harm. However, I am talking about sound expository
preaching coming from sound doctrine. Why do we have people making choices as to which preacher they will listen to? My conclusion is that there is a
particular sin which has blinded believers from appreciating other preachers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I know that
going to Bible school has a lot of advantages and many people who preach well
can tell you that they have been greatly assisted by the studies they have gone
through on individual level or university level. I can testify that I was
helped to a great extend. Paul tells Timothy to study in order to show himself approved.
Bible school is like pouring gasoline on fire. The person already has the
passion to preach and adding knowledge to it makes the passion more visible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I know also
that people are gifted differently. There are some who are more gifted than
others. I can sing and so can many other people but I cannot compare my singing
to some people I know. When they sing, it’s just out of this world. I say,
“Wow, that is so good. My heart has been warmed.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I know also
that some preachers have little dependence on the help of the Holy Spirit. Some
also have lives that are morally wrong. God surely will not be pleased and
later on work in such a life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">However, a lack or an absence of these things is not the only reason people shun to go to Church when Pastor Y takes up the pulpit. I noticed something that is encroaching into the Church. It is
the sin of idolatry. Believers have made certain preachers to be their gods.
They have said to themselves, “I can only be taught by Pastor X and he is the
only one who can speak the truth.” The Church no longer holds the Scriptures
with high esteem. People have become greater than the Scriptures. The
Scriptures are not seen as God’s very word. It’s like that book title, “When
God is small and people are BIG.” What we should know is that God can use
anyone despite the level of giftedness. It is because we have told our minds
and hearts that only preacher X is good enough. We don’t say it but we live it.
This is a deadly sin. It is such sins that have led to people forsaking the
assembling of believers together. The Church at Corinth was going through these
difficulties of choosing which preacher to listen to. This is what Paul tells
them: “What then is Appollos? What then is Paul? Servants through whom you
believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Appollos watered, but God
gave the growth…for we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s
building” 1 Corinth 3:5-9. In chapter four verse 1 he says, “This is how one
should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">God can use
anyone. If only we can cease to idolize certain preachers, we would see the
work of God in the preaching of others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Kwenda Kwendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04918330342633716402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2915017118087115471.post-7747583978016259492014-11-28T09:57:00.001-08:002014-12-01T10:27:11.578-08:00THE MOST ABUSED AND MISUSED PHRASES PART 1<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">On the African
soil we have so many ways in which people conduct funerals. It is also evident
that some countries outside Africa have a unique way in which they conduct
funerals. In recent years I have observed that some African countries are
slowly conforming to the western culture of handling funerals. Nevertheless,
there is one phrase that I keep hearing and seeing from people in Africa and
from those in the other parts of the world when people lose a loved one. Sometimes
I wonder why someone would make such a statement. Maybe its failure to
understand what death really is.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRHyux2A2oRmaam9dtZI-Xh_goMkLKTkTRSDukfS0zdpCuTXjhgJZjYQ8d7uAgrji46vIDRr9ELvC8IWxrECNkOHAMUQBgleLE5TnUXB90ttwoPl-9P1MU_EVn1bvs9n-eufBWczFHr0/s1600/Funerals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRHyux2A2oRmaam9dtZI-Xh_goMkLKTkTRSDukfS0zdpCuTXjhgJZjYQ8d7uAgrji46vIDRr9ELvC8IWxrECNkOHAMUQBgleLE5TnUXB90ttwoPl-9P1MU_EVn1bvs9n-eufBWczFHr0/s1600/Funerals.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Before I can
state this most abused phrase during these emotional moments, let me try and
unpack the meaning and definition of death. Death is the separation of the soul
from the body. One example I can give to support this definition is the death
of Christ. Remember when Jesus was dying? The Bible says in John 19:30 that “When
Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his
head and gave up his spirit.” So you notice that Jesus died and gave up his
spirit. In other words, his body was separated from his spirit when he died. I
could site many other passages but that verse should do for now. Not only is
death separation of the soul from the body but it is also separation of man
from God. Remember when Adam sinned against God? He was at that time separated
from God. Sin separated him from God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The other
thing I must mention before stating one of the most tortured phrases is the destiny of those
who have died. It is clear from the Scriptures that when people die without
having repented of their sins in faith towards Christ then their destination is
hell. Hell is the place where they will spend eternity. A good example for this
is the story of Lazarus and the Rich man. I am sure you know that story well.
Lazarus ends up in Abraham’s bosom while the rich man ends up in the place of
torment, a picture of hell. Why will such people end up in hell? Because they are
Adam’s descendants and Adam, remember, died (was separated from God) because of
sin. And in the story of Lazarus and the
rich man we have a good picture of someone who is separated from God. Each one
of us is Adam’s descendant and we are destined to die and go to hell if we are
not saved through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">So here is
my question now. If what I have said above is true and makes sense then why do
people say, “May his soul rest in eternal peace,” during a funeral, when they
do not even know whether that person was saved? This is abusing the phrase. In
fact it is torturing the phrase. How can someone who lived in sin, cursed
God and denied the Lord Jesus Christ even to his death ever rest in eternal
peace? How? For all I know as the Bible says is that, “There is no rest, says
the LORD, for the wicked” Isaiah 48:22. Could this be an African phrase or
something from the western culture or Europe? Or is it just some people trying
to be kind?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Kwenda Kwendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04918330342633716402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2915017118087115471.post-80989936114212805002014-11-13T08:45:00.002-08:002014-11-13T08:45:16.526-08:00DON’T DESPISE THEM<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The human
mind in its sinful nature is framed in such a way that it considers certain
creatures and realities of life to be more important than others, more powerful
than others, more intelligent than others and even more beautiful than others.
Strictly speaking, it is true. There are certain realities that surpass others
when there is a comparison. There are those who are more gifted than others.
That’s a fact. There are those who are more beautiful than others. It’s a
reality. However, when these comparisons become more important than the eyes
through which God sees human beings then notice the red light flashing. The
light is a warning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">King David
was the youngest of his brothers and so was Joseph who was only followed by
Benjamin. Moses was rejected by the Israelites. Rahab was a prostitute. Ruth
was an outcast among God’s chosen people. Hannah bore Samuel after years of
being barren. Our Lord was the son of a
carpenter. He lived in Nazareth. There are a lot other people I can mention.
When you go through the lives of these people as you read Bible history, you
wouldn’t tell from the beginning that they would have achieved anything in
future. David, the last born of seven sons, became King. In Jewish tradition
being the last born meant you were the least of all according to the birthright
rule. That is why Joseph’s brothers even
hated him more when he told them of his dream which seemed to suggest that they
(his brothers) would in future be his servants. This reality came to pass. Do
you see that in the eyes of man these people were less important, less gifted,
not courageous, proud, cursed and despised? Being barren was not something that
was easily accepted in those days. It was believed to be a curse. So you can
imagine what Hannah was going through and what the people thought of her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Why does God
do this? Isn’t he the all powerful God and God of all wisdom? Shouldn’t the
people he chooses to use display power. Listen to what he says in 1 Corinthians
1:27-29; <b><i>“But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God
chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and
despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things
that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.</i>”<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">We are human
and at times we will fall into the trap of considering others to be inferior. However, </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">we have no clue what God has in
store for them. What shall we do then? How can we better the situation?
Firstly, we must pray that God shows us the best way to assist and accommodate
such people. That is what Samuel did when he chose David to be King. He sought
the LORD’S approval even though he was looking at the outward appearance of
David’s brothers. God told him they were not the ones. Secondly, be a channel
of blessing for such people. When you have prayed and God answers which I am
sure he will, find ways of helping such people. Talk to them. Pray with them.
Thirdly, God makes everything beautiful in its time. That building which looks
so ugly when the foundation is being laid may be a different site when you see
a copy of the finished architectural design. Fortunately it is God who has the
finished product so we should not judge and change anything. Fanny Crosby, a
hymn writer, became blind 6 weeks after her birth. Who would have known that
she would write more than 6000 hymns which we still enjoy to date? Hymns like “to
God be the glory” and “Blessed assurance.” Have you noticed the way blind people are treated
in some places? What about the deaf, the
lame, the gay and lesbians, the mentally sick, the introverts and the weak. It’s
heart breaking. Let it not be so with you dear one. Let your love be</span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">genuine.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Kwenda Kwendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04918330342633716402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2915017118087115471.post-27594259360334774672014-10-23T04:29:00.000-07:002015-10-15T10:47:05.382-07:00WHEN MY PHONE AND IPAD WENT OFF<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">God makes
everything beautiful in its time. This is what the Bible tells us. I wouldn’t
agree more to the truth of those words when I see the new technology that has
come in. We have a variety of gadgets all over the world. Some are touch
screens, some wireless, still some are priceless. These tools assist us with so
much. They make work easier. Communication is at the tip of our fingers to a
people who are 20,000 kilometers or 24 hours away. But something priceless happened
to me when my phone and I pad went off. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am Steven.
I have the highest level of accounting qualification. I have one of the best jobs and you know what
I mean when I say that. My bank account gets me whatever I want. I have all
types of technological gadgets. I get one whenever I want to. I am one of the
first to have the new release of any type, Blackberry, iphone, Samsung Galaxy and
you can mention it. My life is so busy and I don’t know what I would do without
these gadgets. I didn’t realize what would hit me when my phone and ipad would
go off.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">With the
help of technology I talk to my family on facebook and watsapp using my ipad
and iphone. I don’t have time to see them face to face. My work is too busy. Whenever
I get home I am so tired and everyone is already fast asleep. But one day my
phone and Ipad went off.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don’t have
to worry about Church or any Church activity. I can download sermons with my
ipad. I will see the photos on facebook of which people were present. Sometimes
when the Pastor is preaching I can attend to my watsapp messages and visit
facebook sites without hesitation. After all I can listen to it later. It’s
recorded. But one day my phone and ipad went off.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">My closest
relationships, the relations with those people I love the most are not a
bother. When I am with them I don’t bother to spend time and listen to them
speak and have real meaningful fellowship. You know why? I can catch up with
them on skype. I don’t have to bother to visit them. And when they say they
want to come home sometime in the year, I simply say, “or we can do a video
conference?” But one day, my phone and I pad went off.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">When my
gadgets went off, I went home and found my brothers and Sisters in the lounge. I
joined in the conversation. We talked and laughed. The humor, facial expression
and gestures which I rarely notice were visible. The way my young Sister laughs
made me realize that we have the same Father. You can rarely tell such
wonderful life experiences when all you see is “Lol, lolest and rotfl” on
your phone. I thought to myself, “this is awesome. ” In fact I got into a very intimate
conversation with my Sister and I was so disturbed when she got up almost every
other minute to respond to her facebook notifications and watsapp alerts. On
Sunday I went to Church. Yes, when my phone and Ipad went off. I sat on the pew
and the song leader led us into a hymn. For the first time after years of
emotional absence I sang the song with insight and my soul was revived. The coordination
of the voices as the choir sang made me taste heaven. And when the Pastor
brought the sermon to our ears, it was like ice on the cake. After all, I had
no messages to respond to or to worry about. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">You see, I
realized when my gadgets went off that I was being self centered. Without
noticing I became an island. I wanted attention but didn’t give others the
attention they deserved. I wanted God to listen to me when I pray but I wasn’t ready
to give him my all in my devotions and Church participation. You know why? It’s
because my phone and I pad took all the energies. I almost lost touch with my
God, friends and all those who mean so much to me. Unfortunately, many are
still living in it. God brought me back to reality and I will not make my phone
and ipad my idol. I will discipline my
body and bring it under subjection, lest when I preach to others I myself
should be disqualified.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Kwenda Kwendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04918330342633716402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2915017118087115471.post-72824977076997251292014-08-20T04:47:00.000-07:002014-08-20T11:22:02.482-07:00Wolves in Sheep's clothing<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">He told me
there was a wolf in the building but I </span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">couldn't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> see it. Now that my eyes have
been opened I've seen the beast. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I went into that 500 million dollar building every
week and wondered how a wolf could be found in such a place; projectors beaming
to walls, flat screen TV’s everywhere, loud contemporary gospel music, a ten
member choir dressed in blue and one vocalist leading them. It was amazing. I
told myself this was the place to be. This only comes second to the best of Cinemas.
I wondered where the wolf sat because everyone should be able to notice the
flesh tearing animal but alas everyone was in frenzy, others screaming on top
of their voices while others fell to the ground. “Could the wolf be the one
causing this?” I thought to myself.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Every time
after the service I walked home with a mind full of thoughts. What did my
beloved friend Steve mean when he said there is a wolf in that place? I sat on
my bed and read through the verse he gave to me. It read, <i>“Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but
inward are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruit…”</i> (Matt
7:15). I sat back and reasoned to myself. I flipped through other pages of
Scripture to see if there was any other passage that talked about such kind of
prophets. Instead I found one which talked about the good shepherd. It said that
the good Shepherd goes before his sheep and the sheep follow him because they
know his voice (John 10:4). This got me really confused. On one hand there are
wolves in sheep’s clothing and on the other there is a shepherd whom the sheep
follow. The former actually says you will know them by their fruit. I wondered
what fruit this was.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">One day, when
journalist Banda read the news, I was perplexed as he mentioned that a </span><span style="background: white; color: #141823; line-height: 115%;">certain bishop who was accused of defiling 9
girls had committed suicide. Not too long ago I read in another place that a
certain Pastor had commanded his congregation to feed on grass</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">. As if not enough I saw another
Pastor telling his congregation not to take any medication whenever they fell
sick. My heart sunk. “Surely, the world
is coming to an end,” I thought.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">“Oh now I
see.” It finally clicked. I </span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">couldn't</span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"> help but weep. I finally realized what Steve meant when he said there was a
wolf in our Church. It was the man who stood preaching God’s word and called
himself a “man of God.” His life was exactly what I saw from the three Pastors I
read about in the media. The Scriptures then all connected together. The false
prophets pretend to be God’s shepherd when in actual sense they are not. That
is why Jesus calls them wolves. However, the true Shepherds are those who will
preach and teach the Bible and lead people to the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
Their lives are a pattern you would want to imitate. They lead people to Christ
by the way they preach and live the gospel. Many who listen to the false
teachers and continue to follow them are most likely not Christ’s sheep because
if they were, they would hear the voice of the stranger and run away from him and at the same time they
would hear the voice of Jesus as he spoke through his under shepherds and would follow him. Are you following a wolf or
the chief shepherd</span>? </span></div>
Kwenda Kwendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04918330342633716402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2915017118087115471.post-9267631328658563452014-06-27T00:01:00.000-07:002014-06-29T08:41:21.633-07:00You are like Luis Suarez<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If someone slaps
you for no reason you will probably get upset. You will get really angry. If he
does it a second time you will wonder what it is of him. If he does it a third time,
you will think he is mentally disturbed and probably take serious measures
against him. Next time you know he is somewhere close you will make sure you
spot him and avoid close contact. This has been the routine of Luis Suarez, Uruguay
and Liverpool striker. He is now popularly known for biting other players. He has bitten three players so far in his career and some people are saying its probably not the last time. Do you know that we are all like him? You ask, “How?”
Well, let’s reason together. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">There are
certain </span></span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">offences</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> that we all have done to someone once, twice, thrice and even
more than thrice. Some people make those </span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">offences</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> every day. They continue to insult,
mock and even slap that individual every day. You say, “I don’t do that.” Yes
you do. We all do.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Have you
ever thought about your daily routines in relation to God? You sin against God
daily. You mock him. You say you love him but many times you have chosen things
of the world for him. You say, “I will be pure,” but yet again you find
yourself touching and looking at dirty things. You haven’t done it once or
twice but more than this and I am sure you will do it again. God forbid that it
should be so. The interesting part is the character of the one we offend. Can you
imagine we do all kinds of things against him and he does not retaliate? He
still forgives us. When we do it the fifteenth time, God doesn’t say, “OK this
guy us mentally disturbed.” No. It is at this moment that he lavishes his grace
upon us. It’s only that we are so engrossed in sin and ungratefulness that we
do not see it. We slap God for no reason. We slap him a second time and he
still doesn’t act. We do it again and again and again but still he doesn’t act.
What do you call this? It is grace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhul45rVOGS1i8INGcDAAaBGodHx9UcQaKiFzjz69uc7DlAl4fqO2452DBmHA5MBqWfJTP8MMsix1y7-_Q74nOBYr2AESmleUBzjonIM0s0sBnt2ybo9no79Q-tbqLsKS2muufZcLi6mCc/s1600/Suarez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhul45rVOGS1i8INGcDAAaBGodHx9UcQaKiFzjz69uc7DlAl4fqO2452DBmHA5MBqWfJTP8MMsix1y7-_Q74nOBYr2AESmleUBzjonIM0s0sBnt2ybo9no79Q-tbqLsKS2muufZcLi6mCc/s1600/Suarez.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uruguay striker Luis Suarez </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The only
difference with the Christian and none Christian is that the Christian is
helped by this same grace of God to become better by the day. None Christians,
however, wonder further and further away from it. They do not see it. There are
some people who are still wondering away from God’s grace. Come back to him. You
are living in guilt, fear and sorrow because you are rejecting this grace of
God. For those who are in Christ, remember that song, the song that reminds you
of the goodness of God's grace? Yes, that one. Sing it and let it remind you of
how indebted you are to the grace of God. Let it draw you closer to him. Pray often and
thank God for his grace towards you. Shall we continue to sin that grace may
abound? God forbid<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Kwenda Kwendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04918330342633716402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2915017118087115471.post-12373376902673531222014-06-06T08:16:00.001-07:002014-06-06T08:16:57.296-07:00SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE: Will Celebrities go to heaven?<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><i>Rather, speaking the truth in love we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. Ephesians 4:15</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">When truth
is known, passion is usually expressed. It is a fact that as Christians we have the
knowledge of the truth about Jesus Christ. It is the presence of this intimate
and relational knowledge that keeps our hearts burning for Jesus. We can’t stop
loving him because we know that he first loved us. We have come to know that he
loves us and therefore we express this truth by being passionate about his will
and glory. This is why Paul says, “for the love of Christ controls us…” 2
Corinth 5:14. There is nothing more comforting than to know that I am living in
truth. If there is one thing that is so fearful to live under, it is ignorance
about things that are close to your heart. Someone will not join a religion if
he is not convinced that it is true. If he does it’s probably for a wrong
reason. Why do I say all this? It is the nature of our speech. Sometimes our
speech as Christians is ignorant, it lacks love and this can be destructive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycG7cS-trRs5l1VdfLYyU7zcc3I9YnZwOwgGHqYy3o2bJesNfUHqLiE5T_9dsl5d-CUq2aSNk08oLBq398saCeZb6baOfndHegklsfWcJdYEObFtHnCIMH2AnB6NnjtQdMFHfUYJe2ts/s1600/Ronaldo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycG7cS-trRs5l1VdfLYyU7zcc3I9YnZwOwgGHqYy3o2bJesNfUHqLiE5T_9dsl5d-CUq2aSNk08oLBq398saCeZb6baOfndHegklsfWcJdYEObFtHnCIMH2AnB6NnjtQdMFHfUYJe2ts/s1600/Ronaldo.jpg" height="128" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Christiano Ronaldo</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">Notice the
phrase first says, “Speak…” Speech is part of our life. We speak every day. We
talk to friends, parents, workmates and many others. So the Bible </span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">doesn't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> ask
us to be quiet but encourages us to do what we are expected to do. We must
speak. Secondly, we are told what we
should speak. We should speak the truth. Whenever we speak we should speak the
truth. Thirdly, the speech must be in love. When we speak truth it should be
because we love that person. We want to show how much we love them by telling
them the truth. We love them and tell them the truth because we want them to become more like Jesus Christ. However, many times you get the opposite of this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">You will
find some Pastors lying to their members because they don’t want to lose their
job or because they don’t want to look irresponsible. Some parents lie to their
children or vice versa because they don’t want to accept a weakness. This
actually has caused more harm than good. Usually the truth eventually comes out
and things become sour. There are many of us who haven’t told the truth about
heaven to our beloved brothers and sisters. Still some have not told the truth
about hell to those close to them. Nevertheless, we know that these realities are
real. One day the truth will be revealed. It will be too late. Woe to you who
told people that getting to heaven is through good works. You lied because it’s
not the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvntrQVJH39xY2tcode7rJuK9t5oSWQvAx5TB2aNaUNKbNHooOw-2bWv4hR0PzT9x9qZEN6sx_PE5PUA9pWggRlj2Sn2Zp-YeOKj2JiMCOZgnaZOLyy3dH6H-HBgG26sngsOdhdplKlRo/s1600/terminator-arnold-schwarzenegger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvntrQVJH39xY2tcode7rJuK9t5oSWQvAx5TB2aNaUNKbNHooOw-2bWv4hR0PzT9x9qZEN6sx_PE5PUA9pWggRlj2Sn2Zp-YeOKj2JiMCOZgnaZOLyy3dH6H-HBgG26sngsOdhdplKlRo/s1600/terminator-arnold-schwarzenegger.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Arnold Schwarzenegger</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">I love
sport, particularly soccer. The game is entertaining no doubt about that. The
players have become heroes and celebrities to many. You see people nick naming
themselves after the name of the player they like. Clothes, shoes, Billboard
adverts and many other things are covered with images of these men and women.
Sad to say others have idolized them. However, one thing is very clear. If all
these men and women are to die without Christ then hell will be their destiny.
This realization really breaks my heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9TN9mOmRjIITVQUDQjEEzbJZJgPLN3tCqAgM4pE_VY6m7NRmAcHQCKei9qY2V4q-WLSlDO3zPoIyN1Lk6Q6EdRgaMeBdKeLcTVoHZMbZMyfc9OxMZb-mGoioKL61DYg4Mu707Iw3Umg/s1600/williams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9TN9mOmRjIITVQUDQjEEzbJZJgPLN3tCqAgM4pE_VY6m7NRmAcHQCKei9qY2V4q-WLSlDO3zPoIyN1Lk6Q6EdRgaMeBdKeLcTVoHZMbZMyfc9OxMZb-mGoioKL61DYg4Mu707Iw3Umg/s1600/williams.jpg" height="158" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Serena Williams</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">The Bible
says, “Love your </span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">neighbour</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> as you love yourself.” The </span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">neighbour</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> is every other person. Speaking
the truth in love therefore means that we tell people like them (celebrities) that
faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven. Yes we should because they are also our </span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">neighbours</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">.
Jesus is the truth (John 14:6). If you love someone, tell them the truth even
if it hurts. It will surely hurt someone if you tell them they will perish in
hell if they don’t believe in Christ. But that is simple truth. The reason many
people will not hear our plea is because the speech is not out</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"> of love. We
speak at times as though we are the judge. People notice it and don’t want
anything to do with what we say even though it is the truth. Speak the truth in love. I will be first one
to acknowledge that there are times I have spoken that way and I repent. You
too can do the same. It would be such a wonderful thing if all Christians can
be praying for these men and women. The 2014 world cup is just around the corner.
Before the games on the world’s biggest stage begin, someone please get this
message out to those players. Tell them I love them as my </span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">neighbours</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> and that
their life will soon come to an end. However, Jesus stands to save all those who put their faith in him for the forgiveness of sin and assurance of eternal
life.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibq1oXQtHzaLji6NvyTLNmtJo81Nw37YzOtKzP94t62w79c2DOyKhBcpzYzLPLcfZPAz5ScVyOXw5OqIOok0BaOp3RxGZFmkX8buPg9oOFbpNoLoB_gWvDrJxmufKbXV_Hk5_mvsUVqFc/s1600/JackieChan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibq1oXQtHzaLji6NvyTLNmtJo81Nw37YzOtKzP94t62w79c2DOyKhBcpzYzLPLcfZPAz5ScVyOXw5OqIOok0BaOp3RxGZFmkX8buPg9oOFbpNoLoB_gWvDrJxmufKbXV_Hk5_mvsUVqFc/s1600/JackieChan.jpg" height="200" width="181" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Jackie Chan</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">So then what’s
the answer, will celebrities go to heaven? If they acknowledge their sins, repent
by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and God creating a new life in them then yes,
they will go to heaven. However, they cannot know about way to heaven if you
and I don’t tell them in love that there is forgiveness of sins in Christ
Jesus.<span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Kwenda Kwendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04918330342633716402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2915017118087115471.post-73896773508520773502014-04-15T00:24:00.000-07:002014-04-15T00:24:06.712-07:00Stop watching that Movie<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One day I
sat to watch a movie called fireproof. As a young man like many young people, I
had a different view of marriage.
Nevertheless, this movie helped me greatly in that it brought to reality
the journey of a biblical marriage. While some movies are aimed at helping
people to be trained in a particular area others are meant to entertain. However,
I believe movies that tell Bible narratives in as much as they would be
entertaining must give only biblical information and nothing more. Failure to
do so will result in stricter judgment for the producers and all those who
promote them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwu8FmMlXo18e3wZ6P9pRBejEDL900wxRSFVZpuUz2YMJjCjdswbjYTuH9JTJgY-kAM2Tes7G2hyotrWylDfGMQuccPyn-8M63FrTZhXOiFc3KYGWfA19_ghFRgoOmG7Nxh73d7nawfw0/s1600/Noah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwu8FmMlXo18e3wZ6P9pRBejEDL900wxRSFVZpuUz2YMJjCjdswbjYTuH9JTJgY-kAM2Tes7G2hyotrWylDfGMQuccPyn-8M63FrTZhXOiFc3KYGWfA19_ghFRgoOmG7Nxh73d7nawfw0/s1600/Noah.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Let me
explain this a little more. James 3:1
says, <i>“Not many of you should become
teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with
greater strictness.”</i> In Galatians 1:8 it says, <i>“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel
contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.”</i> How does this relate to movies of Bible
stories? A movie can inform and teach.
Just like I was able to be taught and informed by fireproof. The Bible
narratives like the story of Joseph and that of Samson teach us many things
about God and how he related with the people at that time. It is from some of
these that we know God’s character, God’s will, God’s attributes and so on and
so forth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So then if
movies can teach and inform then they should teach or speak nothing else apart
from what the Bible has revealed. For example nowhere in the Bible does it
indicate that Joseph kissed Portiphars wife before he left his coat in her
arms. So a movie that will show such a scene will be “teaching another gospel.”
It will actually be adding to the Bible information that is not there. And I am
sure you know what Revelation 22:18 says about people who do such.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How then
will it bring stricter judgment? It will bring stricter judgment because the
one who teaches will be judged with stricter judgment and that is what Bible narratives do, they teach. So God will have stricter judgment the producers of the movie and the ones
who promote that movie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Kwenda Kwendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04918330342633716402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2915017118087115471.post-89176443611728710742014-04-03T01:03:00.000-07:002014-04-03T01:03:23.272-07:00Marry her the right way: Part 2<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the first blog I was arguing that the groom should at least be able to find the
bride waiting for him and not the other way round and I got some helpful
responses. One of them was that the waiting being referred to as we wait for
Christ is different from the waiting in the hall when the groom is waiting for
the bride. The other comment was that the passage in the Bible where Christ is being
referred to as the groom is just an illustration. There were also comments that
the waiting on the man’s side is closely related to how Adam got Eve. It was
God who brought Eve to Adam and not the other way round. Adam had to wait for
God to bring Eve so that is why the man waits for the bride. When you look at
all the responses, they have meaning. One person gave a reason that while
marriage is a picture of Christ and the Church the wedding ceremony is no</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">t.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">My response
then would be that if we are only considering Adam and not Christ then Adam’s
argument stands. However, if we are considering Christ as well then we have
some things to think about. If a couple is going to wed and have the picture of
Christ and Church in mind, I believe it would be good for them to depict the pattern
of the marriage supper of the lamb where Christ comes to take his bride away. The
two should at least meet in the middle just as Christ will meet the Church in
the sky. <i>"For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and the with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord"</i>(1 Thes 4:16-17).</span> <span style="line-height: 115%;">This
should be done in order to show the world what our marriages as Christians
point to. I believe every genuine Christian wedding must point to Christ and
the Church which many already do. This is for obvious reasons.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">It’s true that the wedding ceremony is not
marriage but I believe it is a step into marriage. Meeting the Lord in the sky
is a step into the marriage supper of the Lamb just like engagement/courtship
is not marriage but it is a step into marriage. I believe we as a church are in
the engagement period. So we cannot say why do we have to meet the Lord in the
sky? The answer is because that’s what the Bible says and you cannot change it.
You will have to make that step before you get to the marriage. Same way we
should not say why do we have to depict the image of Christ and Church? Is it really necessary? The
answer is obvious. It’s because it’s a Christian wedding and that’s what
Christian weddings should do. We also cannot say why did the Lord have to
betroth us and not take us into the marriage supper directly? It is obvious
isn’t it? So meeting the Lord in the sky is a step into the great marriage. If
it’s a step into the marriage and its going to happen then our weddings must portray that. If the man and woman are going to wed and decide to follow this
pattern then it must be done the right way. By the way it does not mean if you
decide not to then you will not go to heaven or you will be sinning or your marriage will fail. This
is not what gets us to heaven or what makes successful marriages. It’s about showing
one of the steps into the marriage the same way Christ and the Church will make
one of the steps into the great marriage by meeting in the sky. And if Christ
will meet us in the air then we must also represent that in the wedding by having
the bride and the groom meet somewhere in the middle. The groom takes the bride
from the bride's Father and off they go to into marriage. The groom must not just stand
like a statue waiting for the bride to come. At least this is not what Christ
will do. He will come from somewhere and we will see him and then he will wait for us. If we think this act is less
significant then we also </span><span style="line-height: 27.600000381469727px;">shouldn't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> consider courtship and engagements to be
important because they are only steps into marriage. In as much as they are significant steps into marriage they are not marriage. And if you do consider
them to be less important then you may as well consider your “engagement” to
Christ to be less important. We also </span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">shouldn't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> worry if courtships and
engagements are not there since what is important is the marriage. We should
just go straight into the marriage. I rest my case.</span></span>Kwenda Kwendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04918330342633716402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2915017118087115471.post-52993445009149485232014-04-01T03:11:00.001-07:002014-04-01T03:21:31.611-07:00Marry her the right way<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Weddings are
one of the most celebrated events in Churches and families. It is obvious
because they are beautiful events. When you walk into a wedding ceremony, especially
in the Christian context, you notice the groom, his best man and the other men
on one side waiting for</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rjhyZSClcczjxbhRMTYsOPDdZrIKwQsYFdQJUfge5V5McFLaHe6_krEZOsWldCbtms3ez3sQQIBC1tk27a6w-4vyjMJCLa4esj3TZpoqaMhemINZjN4Q6kdWJW2_giiQiXRQeksZ2yM/s1600/Wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rjhyZSClcczjxbhRMTYsOPDdZrIKwQsYFdQJUfge5V5McFLaHe6_krEZOsWldCbtms3ez3sQQIBC1tk27a6w-4vyjMJCLa4esj3TZpoqaMhemINZjN4Q6kdWJW2_giiQiXRQeksZ2yM/s1600/Wedding.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> the bride and the bridesmaids. This is usually
beautiful. They all come in their beautiful attires while lovely music is playing.
If you are in Zambia you even hear what we call utupundu coming from especially
older women. It’s just lovely.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">However, in almost
all the weddings I have attended I have noticed one act which has raised a question.
Maybe it’s my lack of understanding or appreciating the way things have been
done or maybe it is just a preference I have. However, when you look at it from
a biblical point of view, I think I have a point which every Christian wedding
must consider putting into practice.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you look
into the Bible carefully you will notice that we are told that Christ is the bridegroom
while we the Church are his bride. Before I pose my question let me give you
some Scripture references. In Philippians 3:20 it says, "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>.”</i> In 1
John 3:2 we are told, “Beloved, we are God's children</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">now, and what we will be</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">has not yet appeared; but we know that</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">when he appears</span><b style="font-size: x-large;"><sup value="[<a href="#fen-ESV-30565a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]"> </sup></b><span style="font-size: large;">we shall be like him, because</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">we shall see him as he is.” You notice that in both
verses and even in many other passages which I have not quoted, there is anticipation
for the coming of Christ. There is a
sense of longing for the groom to come and get his bride. In Philippians 3:20
the phrase that suggests this is “we await a Saviour,” while in 1 John 3:2 it is
the phrase “when he appears.” It is clear then that the Church eagerly awaits
the coming of the bridegroom, Jesus Christ.</span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My question,
then, is that why does the bridegroom in our weddings have to wait for the
bride to come and not the other way round?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This is not
to say that she cannot come into the ceremony alone. She can do that but not
for the groom to be the one waiting for her. I believe for us to give a proper
biblical picture the bride must wait for the groom to appear. She can come in
alone and let all the people stand to welcome her and the like but the groom
must not be there while she arrives. He must find her waiting for him. Maybe my
thinking is wrong. I stand to be corrected. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Kwenda Kwendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04918330342633716402noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2915017118087115471.post-78183286576980102392013-11-29T00:31:00.000-08:002015-09-03T10:46:02.054-07:00What the Flock doesn't know<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They wake at 5 AM, some as early as 3 AM so that they can
first feed their souls with the daily bread and secondly spend hours in prayer
for the flock that is under their care. They plead with God for the sheep. They
want to see the sheep grow to be a Christ-like people. This is the heart of the Pastor which his flock doesn't know.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">They see him smiling. They see him joyous. There are times
when he may be hurting but for the sake of the sheep he wears a gentle face so
as not to scare the sheep away. The flock doesn't know all this.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Oh! Lets go and listen to him thunder,” says one member.
“Yeah, I hope I don’t doze today. I slept really late yesterday,” replies the
other. It’s Sunday. Pastor gives his exposition of God’s Word. Afterwards, he
laughs with several people. Some members follow him to his office and he
welcomes them. There is sweet fellowship with the Pastor for five minutes
before the members leave. “That was a wonderful sermon,” says Mary, a young
convert. However, the amount of time it took to prepare the sermon, the books
and references he had to search for, this, the flock doesn't know.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ting! Ting! “Hello,”answers Pastor Ben. “Hello, Pastor, our Son was involved in a
terrible accident! We don’t know what to do. Is he going to die? Pastor, please
help us. Please!!” The man of God hangs up his phone and quickly leaves the
house. Within fifteen minutes he is in the intensive care unit. He comforts the
broken; he prays for them and reminds them of God’s goodness in all things. Nonetheless,
this man of God they saw walk into the Hospital ten minutes ago left home in
the middle of a very good meal he has not had in long time. It is also a day in
which he rests from his busy schedule. He also was looking forward to an early
night sleep. Many times he has found
himself in this situation. But for the love of Christ he left these God given
pleasures to attend to the sheep. This again, the flock does not know.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">John is angry. Why? He has lost it because his Pastor told
him to end the relationship with his new girlfriend. “He doesn't know her,” grumbled
the young man. “We get along very well. How can he say that she is not a
Christian?” The Pastor has known Mary for a long time before John joined the
Church. He also knows how much of a pretender she can be. His heart is to
protect John but this, John doesn't know.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">“He talks like he is perfect. You should listen to him
preach. He thinks he is an angel,” said James. When the under shepherd is
praying, you would think this is the most wretched man I have ever seen. He
mourns for his own sin. Several times he asks God for forgiveness of his
transgressions. At times he weeps like a baby when he is before the throne of
grace. Sheep like James don’t know this.
</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes you would here statements like, “Some of these
tuma Pastors just want money.” How can you decide to become a Pastor of all
things?” However, the under shepherd being slandered left a Job with a huge
salary in order to respond to God’s call into the ministry. Another had to
battle the fact of living behind his desire to become an engineer. This, the
flock doesn't know.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">What is the point of all this? What am I trying to point out
to us? Some “men of God” are foxes and pretend to love the flock. They do so
with wrong theology and motives. You can see it from the mansions they have
built for themselves, the kind of preaching they present. This can cause the
flock to think otherwise. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">On the other hand, there are under shepherds that seek to do
the Lords will. They are passionate about the Lord’s work. Many times we do not
appreciate the work these men do. We don’t know what they go through just to
see to it that our souls are cared for. Not that we should glorify them but as
members to play our role in making them serve with joy as <i>Hebrews 13:17 states, “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority.
They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that
their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to
you</i>.”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">If you have a Pastor like this let me ask you these questions to
help you see what I mean.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">When was the last time you prayed for your Pastor? Do you
pray for your Pastor? Is he a burden to
you? Do you pray for his sermon preparations and delivery? Do you pray to God
for his protection physically and spiritually? Do you pray for his family? You
and I need to do so every so often. We too will be held accountable for we have
a responsibility to honour such men.</span></div>
Kwenda Kwendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04918330342633716402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2915017118087115471.post-63856490795588518662013-10-16T07:38:00.000-07:002013-11-06T10:38:12.629-08:00Anointing Water<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">I would rather keep quiet than say a word about
certain things but some things cannot be left to spread like fire. I am sure
you have a picture of where this is going. Take a look at the quotation below
taken from hungry generation website.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">“<i>The anointing water came to be through a
revelation from God to the man of God, Prophet TB Joshua…Unfortunately the man
of God cannot be in every country, or visit many places, so God instructed him
to pray for bottles of water and distribute to people all over for healing,
deliverance, and breakthrough. Within the Scriptures, we see clear proof that
God is able to use any medium to express Himself…By praying with the anointing
water, you are setting yourself apart for God’s special attention as you pray in
faith.”</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">When you read the above passage, you would probably
want to know where to get this anointing water because it promises heaven on
earth. But there are a few concerns. My concern about these statements is
twofold. The first is what it undermines. The second is what it promotes. Let
me elaborate.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Firstly, I believe it undermines the Sufficiency of
Scripture, the Sufficiency of a believer’s prayer and the sufficiency of
Christ. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">It undermines the sufficiency of Scripture in
stating that this water came through a revelation from God. Look at this: “All
Scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof,
for correction, and for training in righteousness. That the man of God may be
competent, equipped for every good work” 2 Tim 3:16-17. This verse informs us
that if we need to learn of the God we worship, we must go the Scriptures. If
you want to know God you must go to the Scriptures. They are the ones that
reveal God clearly. If you must rebuke or be rebuked then Scripture will do an
excellent work because it is God who is speaking. The other thing we see is
that anyone who is in error must be corrected by Scripture. Lastly, we see that
Scripture trains. God’s word instructs in righteousness. Spiritual growth will
not take place without consistent reading, listening to and meditating on the
word. This is all in the effort to make believers ready for good work. So
Scripture has God’s full revelation of what he wants us to know. However,
according to the above quote, there is a new revelation called anointing water
which only TB Joshua has received. We don’t need any new revelations from
anyone. God has given us his word and it is his full revelation for us.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">It distorts the Sufficiency of a believer’s prayer
in saying that when you pray with the water you have God’s special attention. “The prayer of a righteous person has great
power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed
fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not
rain on the earth ” James 5:16b-17. Notice it says , “ Elijah was a man with a
nature like ours,” meaning that in as much as he was a prophet of God he was
only human. There is no superiority when it comes to prayer. God can hear
everyone of his children when they pray to him with or without anointing water.
The fact that you are a Christian means you already have God’s special
attention. The Israelites had God’s special attention because they
were God’s chosen nation.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">It undermines the sufficiency of Christ by saying
that praying with TB Joshua’s anointing water will lead to healing, deliverance
and breakthrough because the water acts as the medium. My question is what was
the purpose of Jesus’ death on the cross? Who connects us to God? In Scripture
we are told that “there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and
men, the man Christ Jesus” 1 Tim 2:5. However, according to TB Joshua, there is medium
called anointing water. So you need
Jesus and the anointing water. Yes God used different channels to accomplish
his purposes but that was before Christ came. Many if not all of those things
were pointing to Jesus Christ. Remember the bronze serpent? Jesus says in the
book of John that that serpent was talking about him. Yes, even the manna that
fell from heaven in the wilderness Jesus said that he was that manna. “I am the
living bread that came down from heaven…” John 6:51. At the cross Jesus paid
the penalty for sin and he can save anyone who comes to him in faith. If through
the power of the cross people cannot be delivered then why did Christ die? He
died so that he could deliver us from sin and all forms of darkness. And we are
told that, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new Creation. The old has passed
away; behold the new has come.” 2 Cor 5:17. So what do I need to be delivered
from if I am in Christ? Unless you say Christ does not do a perfect work when
he saves us or that he does not protect his own. In 2 Peter 1:3 we are told that
in his “divine power God has granted to us all things that pertain to life and
godliness…” So what breakthrough are you talking about? Christ is all in all. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Secondly and lastly this water promotes the name of
TB Joshua. The anointing water uplifts no one else but TB Joshua. In fact it is called TB Joshua’s anointing
water. As if not enough the “man of God” also has stickers and prayers named
after him, TB Joshua’s sticker and TB Joshua’s prayer. Wherever you place this
so called sticker, it is said, favor will be upon you. If you are sick and you
listen to his prayer you will be healed instantly. So why are these things
named after him? I believe as servants of Christ our names must decrease while
that of Christ must increase. If we claim to be servants of Christ and our
names are the ones which keep becoming popular instead of Christ then there is
something wrong. Listen to what this true servant said about himself in
comparison to Christ. “He must increase,
but I must decrease” John the Baptist, John 4:30. In fact, when you hear someone talking about
TB Joshua, seldom do you hear how many were led to Christ and even if Christ is
mentioned it is a by the way. It’s like TB Joshua is the Lord while Christ is
the servant.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">What would I say then in summing up everything? Look
at his: “<i>And even if our gospel is veiled
it is veiled only to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this
world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light
of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God”</i> 2 Cor 4:3-4. Based on the above verse you
need to be careful what you believe in. Many are being used by Satan (the god
of this world) to distract people from the truth of the gospel.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
Kwenda Kwendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04918330342633716402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2915017118087115471.post-68618875057297844782013-10-10T07:01:00.000-07:002013-10-10T07:01:47.815-07:00Jesus of Nazareth<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Jesus of
Nazareth: The most amazing and beautiful story ever told, the only one which
can transform a life and the only one which can save sinners. I see this every
time I look into the Scriptures. It has been in existence before the world was
created. It has been told from generation to generation and has never lost its
flavor. It is foolishness to those who are perishing. It is God’s power to
those who are being saved.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Jesus of
Nazareth:<span> </span>If people could read you and
not just the story then they would find true satisfaction. Many focus on the
story but not on your person. Many are moved by the kind of love in the story,
a sacrificial kind of love; One which every man would love to participate in. Only a few see the person who gives that kind of love in the story. James bond and his love
queens cannot compare to this love because bond never dies for those women.
Romeo and Juliet both died and that was the end of the story. Cinderella found
her perfect match but she also died. However, your story, Jesus of Nazareth, leaves forever. It is
one in which you as the groom will leave happily ever after with your bride,
the Church, all those whose sins have been forgiven through faith in you. You
give them eternal life.<span> </span>Oh Jesus, please
help them see this by opening their eyes as you have done mine.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Jesus of
Nazareth: The most thought provoking story ever told, the only story that
reveals the one true God to mankind and the only story in which God dies to
save man. <span> </span>It is the only story that says, "eternal life is a free gift." Many have their thoughts provoked but
they do not believe. It is stumbling block to the Jews. <span></span>It is foolishness to the gentiles.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Oh that many
would read your story with the intention of finding grace. Oh that many
servants would arise to go forth and tell this story to those who have never
heard it. Where are you soldiers of the cross? Where are you? Arise! Arise soldiers! Let's go and tell this beautiful story.</span></span></div>
Kwenda Kwendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04918330342633716402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2915017118087115471.post-28895323457638981922013-09-26T01:47:00.000-07:002013-09-29T11:11:14.645-07:00Now is the time<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“What is troubling you?” asked Mr. X. I grumbled. After
patiently listening to my complaints he said, “When I was your age, I spent so
many years living for myself, seeking self pleasure and self glory. Now that I
am saved and old I wish I was young again. I wasted so many precious years. So
whatever it is Kwenda, serve the Lord. Twenty thirty years from now you will
not regret it.” Deep down my heart I was like, “Lord, take my life and let it
be concentrated Lord to thee. Now is the time to serve you.” But many young
people shy away from this noble task for obvious reasons.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The first observation which hinders this whole heart service
is fear. There is firstly the fear of missing out. As young people we love to
explore. We want to figure out things. We are always asking, “what’s new on
market?” What’s the latest car, phone or
music video? Have you seen this and that? We fear that if we spend time doing
the work of the Lord we will miss out on the latest music, fashion and
games. There is also the fear of losing
the best. We all want the best. No one does anything with the intention of
getting the worst of results. There is a desire to succeed and get the best.
Get the best job, the best car, the best house, the best wife or husband, the
best family and so on and so forth. But the question is this, who gives us the
best of things? Who provides for our needs? Is it not God? The problem is that
the best is defined according to worldly standards. According to the world the
best is that latest phone or car. Some have gone to the extent of saying if you
don’t have that then you are probably not God’s child. God’s children must have
the best of things. Well, Jesus was the son of a carpenter. He, as the Son of
God, chose to be in that form. Did that make him cease to be God’s eternal Son?
No! Instead it was God’s best choice for his Son. For through that, he would
die for people’s sins and rescue them from hell. Do you see the wisdom of God?
There are certain things you may consider useless and without benefit as you
serve God but those same things may actually be God’s best for you. You cannot
see it now but later on you will appreciate it. Ask Job, he will tell you.</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The second observation is love for comfort. “Oh I just want
to be in that Jacuzzi! I want to sleep and wake to find the fridge, the stove
and everything else is in place. I want that 100 inch 4D flat screen on the
wall. I want! I want! I want!!!” Isn’t this a familiar thought pattern? No
distress, no disturbance, no hardships. Many young people love comfort. Many
would say, “I am too young to be allergic to comfort.” Oh poor soul! It was
during captivity in Babylon when Daniel greatly represented the LORD. It was
while David was still a youth that he fought with Goliath and was persecuted by
Saul. Remember Joseph as lad being thrown into the ditch and then sold as a
slave and later in prison for three years? </span></div>
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</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My fellow youths, now is the time to serve the LORD. Why
should you regret having wasted your energy twenty thirty years from now? You
do not have to become a Pastor in order to serve God. That beautiful voice God
has given you use it to glorify his name. That poetic brain can write hymns
that the church will use to sing to their God. If you are sensing the call to
ministry do not be scared. Now is the time! Now…is…the…time!! Remember this only applies if you are already God's child. </span></div>
Kwenda Kwendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04918330342633716402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2915017118087115471.post-50287509628182873042013-09-04T03:52:00.000-07:002013-09-04T03:52:36.454-07:00Missions not divisions<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">There are
some tweeter and face-book profiles which are so edifying especially for a
person in full time ministry.<span> </span>Whenever I
read through them I look forward to the next post. They help me keep my head up
in matters concerning missions, winning the lost to Christ. However, there are
other profiles that just keep you wondering what their goal is. You can sense
that their heart is not missions but divisions. Why is this so?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Well, it is
obvious in the content of the posts. The content is not about how people can be
equipped for ministry. It’s not about the challenges of ministry. It’s not even
about the great commission, winning the lost. All you see is posts about
whether heaven will be on earth or not, whether Israel is the Church or not,
whether a woman can wear slacks or not and whether or not Mr. X is Calvinist or
Fundamentalist. Should we study these things? Absolutely! Should one hold a
view about it? Certainly! Nevertheless, our convictions must not hinder
progress of the gospel for then we will become like a certain book titled “When
God is small and people are BIG.” It’s not like you have special revelation
from God to say, “This is what it should be.” Knowledge is good but if not used
wisely it puffs up as Paul says in 1 Corinthian 8 and can lead to sin. Some people
have gone to the extent of not socializing or partnering in the gospel with
those who hold a different view. Surely, it ought to be about the major things
of Scripture.<span> </span>If someone denies the
deity of Christ and God existing in three persons then he has a very big
problem. It’s likely that he is not saved. If someone does not believe that the
Church is an assembly of believers then surely he needs help and it’s not biblical
to partner with such a one. Do you see what I am pointing out? It’s not the
uncertain things that should hinder missions. In fact if someone who does not
believe in the deity of Christ is not sent then there is no deterring of the
gospel. We will in fact be preserving error from spreading. If you are fully
convinced about a matter in Scripture then hold it to yourself. Don’t let God
hold you accountable because of a view.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I do not see
any reason for someone to deny going into the mission field because the people
sending him Calvinists. The problem is we begin to say, “What will people think
about me? That one, that one and that one will be disappointed with me.” But
look at the greater side. If churches and mission boards were not so critical about
these issues there would be a very big impact. Can you imagine how many Churches
would have been planted? Can you imagine how many regions would be reached with
the gospel? Look at it this way. Here is a young man zealous about winning the
lost to Christ. It is clear he is called into the ministry. On the other hand
there is a missionary board or Church that has been looking for a man to send
to labor in a particular location for years. The young man approaches the board
or Church and he is rejected because he is a Calvinist. Everything else is in
agreement except that he is Calvinist. Isn’t that being dogmatic? Imagine if
David Livingstone was denied the desire to come and minister in Africa because
someone was very particular about a certain view? Do you see what I mean? Not
that we should send any Jim and Jack or not apply wisdom is making those
choices but understand that it’s about missions. It’s about missions, dear
friends not divisions. It’s about winning the lost!</span></span></div>
Kwenda Kwendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04918330342633716402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2915017118087115471.post-7760502728481057772013-05-24T02:32:00.001-07:002013-05-24T03:12:46.443-07:00Homosexuality is an attack on Christ<span style="font-size: large;">It is clear that the first marriage was between Adam and Eve. Oh what a beauty that was as we see it from Scripture when Adam eventually exclaimed, “this is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman for she was taken out of man.” Today we have so many Adams and Steves having their marriages officiated by Sons of the Devil. What makes a marriage by an Isaac and a Misheck so wrong? Is it just the fact that the marriage is between two males? This could be one reason among many. Another could be that it has never been God’s plan. Although there are many other reasons in opposition to this kind of union, the most threatening in this time and age is the attack it has on Jesus Christ.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When Paul is addressing the issue of responsibilities in Ephesians chapter five, he makes the matter very clear at the end of the chapter. Yes the wife must submit and likewise the husband must love. However, you notice he says to the husbands that they must love as Christ loved the Church. Later on at the end of the chapter Paul says, “This is a profound mystery but I am talking about Christ and the Church” Ephesians 5:32.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When two men decide to get married they are saying, “We do not agree with the headship of Christ over the Church. Look around the churches today. What do you see? Is Christ really the head? I am sure you know the answer to that. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The second thing they are saying is, “We are not ready to love as Christ loved the Church.” Those men, Pastors and Priests, officiating gay marriages together with the homosexuals are cowards. The gays are scared to love a woman. They would rather give their love to one who does not need it. We needed and still need the love of Christ because of our nature. In the same way the woman needs the man’s love because of her nature. Giving that love to another man is cowardice and selfishness. Jesus didn’t die for angels he died for sinful men. Men needed his love.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Thirdly, the homosexuals are saying, “we want to show you that Christ and the Church are not real. There is another way of worshiping God. It is not only through Christ.” This is the most dangerous act one can ever find himself in because missing the significance of Jesus is a leeway to hell.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So no one should say, “I am for Christ when he is pro homosexuality.” That would be a very big blue lie. If you are in a Church that is officiating gay marriages then you need to question the sincerity of your Church.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, it may be that the gays and those who support it have never seen things this way. Here is the thing; Jesus is willing to forgive you of your sin. Repent and receive him as Savior. He will create in you a new heart then you too will begin to see things in a different way.</span>Kwenda Kwendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04918330342633716402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2915017118087115471.post-72854532331587598182013-05-08T08:49:00.001-07:002013-06-18T09:44:02.016-07:00Manchester United’s Sir Alex Ferguson Retires. What comes to mind?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Why would I be writing about this man? What significance
does he add to my life? The fact is that what <span style="font-size: large;">Sir Fergie</span> has achieved in his coaching
career cannot be overlooked. I love soccer and in my high school days I craved playing
in the Barclays Premier League but the LORD had other plans. When it comes to success in coaching an English
Premier League Club, no man has done it better than Ferguson. How should a
Christian look at such matters? What comes to mind as child of God? Before I
say what is on my mind let me give you some pointers as to what this man has
achieved. This is courtesy of BBC Sport.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>“The Scot, 71, has won
38 trophies during his reign at Old Trafford … His haul includes 13 league
titles, two champions league crowns, five FA Cups and Four League cups…Ferguson
is the most successful manager in the history of the British game and famously won
a treble in 1999”</i> BBC Sport.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some of the other
trophies include 1 cup winners cup, 1 Fifa club world cup, 1 Uefa super cup, 1
inter-continental Cup and 10 charity shield Cups. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Notice that I am talking about an individual not a club. It
is during his reign as manger that Manchester where able to get all these
trophies. Surely, his career has been successful. Many have already stated that
it will be difficult and almost impossible to outdo his achievement.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFa8OBGkYz6O_df0hH0z4FJFM1WrEfMKkFm3BGGQciHo5A-g1REtO-PVNLPps9ZgtVPRV6euPzmXEWse1ndFyFOwC1OfNw6l-NQ2PnqbRVaT5QIJ97i2-cNkHkyVuP-ULk0zG76ws_hbs/s1600/Fergie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFa8OBGkYz6O_df0hH0z4FJFM1WrEfMKkFm3BGGQciHo5A-g1REtO-PVNLPps9ZgtVPRV6euPzmXEWse1ndFyFOwC1OfNw6l-NQ2PnqbRVaT5QIJ97i2-cNkHkyVuP-ULk0zG76ws_hbs/s320/Fergie.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sir Alex Ferguson</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So then, what is it that comes to mind? It is the question
which we must ask<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>every so called successful person. This question is found
in Mark 8:36-37 and it says, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world
and yet lose his own soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?” Yes,
Sir Fergie has retired with “great success.” No doubt about it. But it is
possible that he may die and go to hell if he is without Christ. It breaks my heart when I think about this.
Not only for Ferguson but for many other so called successful men and women who are
without Christ. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">What shall we say then? Shall we continue to pursue success
when our souls are in danger of experiencing the wrath of God in hell?
Certainly not! God forbid! What should you do then? You must run to Jesus
pleading for your sins to be forgiven and make peace with God. The Christian
must be so eager to take the gospel to the lost that such men (Ferguson, Obama,
Usain Bolt, Lionel Messi, Christiano Ronaldo, Bill Gates etc) can hear it. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One famous preacher once said, “If sinners will be damned,
at least let them leap to hell over our bodies; and if they will perish, let
them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay… If hell
must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions and let
no one go there unwarned or unsprayed for” C.H.Spurgeon. For “How shall they
call on him of whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him
of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone
preaching?” Romans 10:14. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">If you are reading this and you are still living
in your sins please think about the destiny of your own soul. Plead for mercy
from God. Let him wash your sins so that your soul can be assured of a secure
destiny. Amen.</span></span>Kwenda Kwendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04918330342633716402noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2915017118087115471.post-32302898941320412472013-05-03T01:25:00.001-07:002013-05-03T01:25:59.573-07:00They raised their hands<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Evangelist:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">
Jesus died for your sins. He loves you so much he had to leave the splendors of
heaven. Accept him as your savior today! Whoever wants to receive him as Savior
please raise your hand. OK now repeat these words after me. “Lord Jesus. I
accept you as my Savior. Forgive me of my sin. Enter now into my heart. In
Jesus name I pray. Amen.”</span></span></div>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Steve:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">
Pastor that was a good sermon.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Evangelist:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">
Thank you. You know me. I am full of the Spirit. So we had 40 people giving
their lives to the Lord today. The Lord has added 40 to his kingdom.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Steve:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">
Oh, so if someone raises his hand and prays after you then he get’s saved?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Evangelist:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">
Yes. How else can someone become a Christian? They raised their hands and
prayed after me. They are all saved. They are new born babes in Christ. Last
week at the crusade we had 200 giving their lives to the Lord.</span></span></div>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Steve:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">
Pastor, have you read the part which says “…salvation belongs to the LORD in
Jonah 2:9 and the one in Psalm 3:8 which states that “Deliverance comes from
the LORD?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Evangelist:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">
Yes. What about them?</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Steve</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">:
What does that mean, Pastor?</span></span></div>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Evangelist:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">
Well, that is obvious, Steve. It means God is the one who saves.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Steve:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">
If God is the one who saves then how come you believe all those people got
saved?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Evangelist:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">
Steve, you still don’t get it do you? Didn’t you see the faces of those people?
It was clear that they were touched by the message. Some of them were almost
crying. The most convincing part is that they raised their hands and prayed
after me.</span></span></div>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><b>Steve:</b> But shouldn’t we be biblical in
our approach to salvation. If salvation is the Lords then we can’t be sure someone
is saved just because he raised his hand. In John 6:44 Jesus says, “<i>no one can come to me unless the Father who
sent me draws him…”</i> We are also told in Mathew 7: 20 that “you will know
them by their fruit.” Do you also remember the parable of the sower, Pastor?
How that there is seed that falls along the path, rocky places and thorny
bushes? How sure are you that they are saved when you have not seen them bear
fruit? How sure are you that some of the seed did not fall on good soil but on
thorny bushes?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Evangelist:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">
Steve men of God are blessed with power. Our word does not go out in vain. It
comes back with results. We must do all things to get people into the Kingdom
of God.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Steve:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">
When you say, “our word,” I take it you mean God’s word right?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Evangelist:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">
Yes you can say that. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Steve:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">
I know God’s word is powerful and yes we must do all that we can to win souls but
don’t you think as a Church we are being pragmatic? </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Evangelist:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">
Pragmatic? What do you mean by that?</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Steve:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">
It is the idea of doing things just because they bring results. Pragmatism says,
“If something works and bears results then do it.” Anyway, going on further, is
there a verse in the Bible which says when you raise your hand and say a
sinner’s prayer then you will be saved? I think we need to be very careful with
our approach. This is why our Church is being filled with so many goats. Sorry
to use that term but it’s the truth. And by the way Pastor you haven’t answered
my question. I asked you whether you are really sure that your message didn’t
fall on rocky ground or thorny bushes.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Evangelist:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">
Yes I know salvation is the work of God. Only God can save. But how do we leave
people just like that after preaching? We must get them into God’s kingdom.
That is my struggle you see.</span></span></div>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Steve:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">
Pastor your duty is to preach and plead with people to call upon the Savior.
You cannot assure them of salvation just because they raised their hands. If
God is the one who saves and you are guaranteeing them of salvation before
seeing fruit then what you are implying is that you are also God. Preach the
word Pastor and let God germinate the seed which you have planted.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Evangelist:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">
Yes, you are right. Thank you, Steve. You are very right. We must be biblical
about our approach. Sometimes the pressure is too much. And you know there are
others who don’t know about this fact. Why don’t you preach about it next
Sunday? I’ll speak to my elders</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Steve:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">
You are welcome. I am more than willing. By the way the elders are not yours
they are the Lord’s. Hahaha!</span></span></div>
Kwenda Kwendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04918330342633716402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2915017118087115471.post-13722819542622333012013-04-15T00:06:00.000-07:002013-04-15T00:06:00.900-07:00Modern – Day Gospel Music. Part 3: Do not be conformed<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Do not conform to the pattern of
this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be
able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect
will<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>(Romans 12:2).</span></span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Conformity
is the idea of something being pressured so that it changes its original shape.
The catching word is pressured. When you place an egg in your hands and compress
it, it will crush. It breaks and takes a different shape because of the force
you have exerted on it. The pressure that you apply is coming from outside the
egg and not inside. Same applies to the world. The world’s pressures (fame,
power, wealth, success, and acceptance) are outside us. Because of man’s
sinfulness these pressures are a natural attraction. We can then paraphrase by
saying that the gospel artists must not be pressured by the world to change
their shape of music. The world (an organized system that is contrary to God’s
will) has a certain way of doing things which suite them. The world loves
things that are contrary to God’s will because they are not Christ centered. On
the other hand the believer is expected to do things in accordance to God’s
will. When the believer does things to please God, he will be hated by the
world because those things will be Christ centered. Look at this,</span> </span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“</span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">If
you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not
belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the
world hates you”</span></i> </span><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">John 15:19. We can get a principle that we can apply
to music and it is this: if you go and sing in a bar and the world (the
unsaved) are not moved to think about their sin but instead rejoice at the
sound of the music then there is a serious problem. Does the world love or hate
your music? Remember; <i>if you belonged to
the world, it would love you.</i> </span><span> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">When you sing, does the world agree with it and want
more of it? If so, then be assured that you are conforming to the world. It
doesn’t matter whether your aim is to spread the gospel. The fact of the matter
is that you are conforming to the world and doing so is sin. Sharing the gospel
must not be sinful. Remember; <i>do not be
conformed to the pattern of this world.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="woj"><span> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The artist must also
not conform to the pattern of this world by being transformed (becoming more
like Christ). We need again to understand transformation. While conforming is
as a result of pressure from outside, transforming is as a result of pressure from
the inside. The believer gets changed from the inside through the work Holy
Spirit. I remember some few weeks ago I was cooking some maize. Someone once
told me that for it to cook well you need to place a plastic bag on top so that
the vapor does not escape. I pressed the bag on top which fitted well in the
pot and then placed the pot on a heated stove. Within a few minutes the vapor
began to push the bag outward. In my ignorance I tried to push the bag back
into the original form. Honestly, I don’t remember the last time I screamed so
loud. Thank God for the sense of feeling which helped me realize I was going to
burn my hand if had not removed it from the bag. I was defeated. I could not
press the bag downward anymore because of the heat that was inside. This is
exactly what is meant by transformation. I was the world, the plastic bag was another
person and the vapor represented the Holy Spirit. Just like the world, I was
able to press the bag into the shape that I wanted by the force I exerted.
However, to do the same thing a second time with the vapor present was
difficult. It was hard because there was something inside the bag that was
stronger than me and it was pushing the bag outward. In like manner, the Holy
Spirit helps the believer push the pressures of the world away. Notice that the
steam does not just come up. It is produced when heat is applied. Same applies
with transformation. It just doesn’t happen when the believer is idle. You need
to apply the heat. This heat is the word of God. The Holy Spirit transforms the
believer through the abiding and living word of God.</span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <i>“And we all, who with unveiled faces
contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with
ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”</i> 1
Corinthians 3:18. Remember: be transformed.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Based
upon the above analysis, the artist must then be able to ask himself a few
questions: Do I walk in the Spirit? Am I being transformed? Do I understand
God’s word with correct interpretation? If so then how am I using this to
produce music that will not conform to the pattern of the world? Remember that
transformation is the work of the Holy Spirit and since transformation is the
work of the Holy Spirit then only a genuinely converted person is able to
become Christ-like hence not conform to the pattern of the world.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
artist must also be able to know God’s perfect will. He must be able to discern
God’s will. Again discerning spiritual things is not done by ordinary people.
It comes through the aid of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10-15). Proving
God’s will comes as a result of transformation through renewing of the mind.
God’s good, acceptable and perfect will is when one reaches a point where he
says, “I love what I am doing because it is what God wants me to do. His will
for me is good, acceptable and perfect.” And surely, God’s will, is not one
which will conform to the pattern of the world. Remember; Know God’s will. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></div>
Kwenda Kwendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04918330342633716402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2915017118087115471.post-11600870295990098422013-04-03T11:10:00.000-07:002013-12-11T05:39:07.088-08:00Modern-Day Gospel Music. Part 2: Be careful.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Be sure to have read part 1 before reading this. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">In part one I said gospel music must be enjoyed. It
must have words ( a message), tune and beats that will influence someone to be
Christ-like. In this second part what I am about to address is that both the listener
and producer of the music must be very cautious. Cautious about what? You need
to ask questions like: When I am singing, do my music influence people to be
Christ like? Does the music I am listening to help me become godly? Is the
music I am singing pointing people to Christ? Are the Words Christ centered and do they
deliver the gospel in a pure way? Is the message about God clear and accurate? Is
it in accordance to sound doctrine? I am sorry to mention but much of today’s
gospel music does not reach this standard. Why is it so?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Let me address this by looking at the issue of
influence. If you agree that music does have influence and that your music is Christ
centered then how possible is it that a person who is drunk wants to drink more
beer and afterwards commit sexual immorality while you sing or after you sing?
Is this what we call persuading someone to think and act biblically? I don’t
think so. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Someone will say,<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>“It’s still <span style="font-size: large;">OK</span> because Jesus
preached to sinners.” Yes he preached to sinners he did not sing to sinners. The
point where many miss it is comparing singing to preaching. In as much as the
two may contain a similar message, they are very different. When someone is
preaching people listen attentively and don’t do anything else apart from
taking down notes. Preaching again has no melody and beat to it. It is simply a
voice of someone speaking. Music on the
other hand contains words, melody and beat. Music is an art. Someone can be
singing and dancing at the same time. Not so with preaching. Someone can be
singing and at the same time the people in the audience are dancing. Not so
with preaching. Have you ever shared the gospel with someone? Did the person or
people you spoke to dance or sing while you talked? You can’t even think of it
can you? It’s not normal. It would actually be sending you a message that he is
not interested in your words. Remember music is words, tune and or beat. There
is nowhere in Bible where you find Jesus singing to sinners at an Orgy
(Drinking party). It is true we must
preach and share the gospel but we must be careful to do it the right way. Nowhere
in Scripture do you find the apostles sharing the gospel at a drinking party. Paul
in many passages condemns orgies (drinking parties) and tells believers to not
associate themselves with such parties (Galatians 5:21, 1 Corinthian 6:10,
Romans 12:13 and 1 Peter 4:3). Orgies were sinful. Notice he was not condemning
parties but drinking parties. I want you to look carefully at 1 Peter 4:3-4. It
says,<span class="text"> “3 <i>For you have
spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in
debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.</i></span><i> 4 <span class="text">They are surprised that
you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on
you.”</span></i><span class="text"> Notice what comes out in these verses is that
these Christians once lived as pagans but are now changed and have nothing to
do with the past (drinking parties). Not that they could not share the gospel
but that they were to win those who were still living in a pagan lifestyle by
being different. It actually says<i>, “They
are surprised that you do not join them…”</i>
Be careful what you listen to and be also cautious how and where you
sing.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">The other reason modern-day gospel music is not
pointing people to godliness is <i>the motive</i>
for singing. You need to ask yourself, “what is my purpose for singing?” Be sure
that your motive for singing is biblical. We are told that <i>“whether therefore you eat or drink or whatsoever you do, do all to the
glory of God”</i> 1 Corinth 10:31. When you search your heart, can you honestly
say “my aim is to glorify God?” Or is it, “how much money will I make from
this? Or “how popular will I become?” If
the motive is wrong then you are better off not singing. Otherwise you will be
like one who already has his reward because his heart is not right with God.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Lastly, much of today’s
gospel music is sung and produced by people who love the world. They compare
themselves to the world. The believer (singer or not) must not compare himself
to the world. What do I mean by this? The believer must not say “if Christians
can listen to secular music then what’s wrong with singing gospel music at an
orgy?” Remember what I said in my preamble in part one? I mentioned that we are
sinners saved by grace. The fact that a Christian would want to participate in worldly
stuff shows his sinfulness. The fact that you are saved does not mean you are free
from sin. You still have the fallen nature in you so you are prone to wonder. <i>“For by grace you have been saved through
faith…”</i> Eph 2:8. It is possible that you can use the good for evil. You are
not perfect until Christ returns. And many fall into sin because they think too
highly of themselves. So the Christian will find himself falling short but this
is not a leeway to conform to the pattern of the world. What is to conform to world pattern? How can
the Christian (both singer and listener) who love music not conform to the
world? This is what I seek to address in part 3</span></span>Kwenda Kwendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04918330342633716402noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2915017118087115471.post-80657614502098372062013-04-03T04:00:00.000-07:002013-04-03T04:00:01.755-07:00Modern-Day Gospel Music. Part 1: Enjoy the Music<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Music was created by God. It must
be enjoyed. Scripture tells us of men and angels singing to the Lord in heaven
(Rev 5:9). <span> </span>Human beings as well sing.
However, we must remember that we are not like angels. We are fallen creatures,
sinful creatures. We have in us what we call the flesh and the desire of the
flesh is to live contrary to God’s will. Therefore, what is meant for good can
be used by fallen men for evil because of man’s sinfulness. T<span style="font-size: large;">ake, for example food. <span style="font-size: large;">It was <span style="font-size: large;">meant<span style="font-size: large;"></span> for <span style="font-size: large;">our good but <span style="font-size: large;">people abuse <span style="font-size: large;">the <span style="font-size: large;">privilege<span style="font-size: large;"></span> and become gluttons. Same ap<span style="font-size: large;">plies to music. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Music can be so
beautiful that you can even wish you were in heaven. On the other hand it can
lead you into the most sinful acts. In as much as music should be enjoyed, let
us be careful not to sin against God.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> </span>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Before I begin talking about the issue at hand
(Modern-day gospel music) let me address some things about music. The first is
that the Words of the music are important. Words are meant to convey a message.
They are a way of communication just like God the Father was conveying a
message to the world through his Son, who is the Word (John 1:1).<span></span> Yes, it is true that the wording will differ
depending on the language being spoken. Nevertheless, a message is still being
delivered.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Secondly, the tune of the music is equally
significant. This I must mention that it goes with the instrumentals or beats
which accompany the music. Some tunes are touchy (emotion centered). Playing
certain music makes some people emotional. <span> </span>Some melodies are also danceable, they are
accompanied by a danceable beat or instrument. I was in a bus one time and this
song started to play. Within five seconds the lady next to me started tapping
her leg and moving her body. What caused that? It was the music. She suddenly
felt like dancing. Some beats are also noisy and some are sexually enticing.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Thirdly, is that music has the power to influence. Since
music can steer emotions then surely it can influence. I remember some years
back a certain boy (by then) started listening to a kind of music. Before long
his dress code changed. His speech was different. The young lad also changed
his hairstyle. From the look of things he was a “good boy” gone “bad.” Any
person who loves music will agree that music does have influence. <span> </span>I am also reminded of soldiers in the army.
When doing their workouts in preparation for battle or whatever, they sing
certain songs. The songs they sing contain words and tunes which are as if to
say “Go on! Come on, you can do it!” The songs are meant to persuade the
combatants to keep at it. Yes music does influence.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Therefore based upon the above facts, we can
conclude that gospel music must have pure Words, words that are Christ
centered. This is so because the gospel is about the good news of Jesus Christ.
The gospel is about the life, death and resurrection of Christ. He was born in
the flesh, crucified on the cross and rose again in order to save men from
their sin. This is the true gospel. Apart from this everything else is false.<span> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span> </span>Secondly, proper gospel music must have a
tune that will emotionally move someone to Christ or worship of God.<span> </span>When you combine Christ centered words and a
tune (instrument and beats), they must be able to influence someone to think and act biblically
because music does have influence. It must persuade someone to want to live
worthy of the gospel of Christ. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Therefore, enjoy true gospel music. Let it speak
of God’s goodness, love, faithfulness, grace, compassion and so on so forth.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Look out for <span style="font-size: large;">part two!!</span></span> </span></span></div>
Kwenda Kwendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04918330342633716402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2915017118087115471.post-38384333288589065812013-03-18T12:49:00.000-07:002013-03-18T12:49:06.569-07:00Man of God or Man of Gold?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Are some of the
Preachers and Pastors really men of God? I would rather call some of them “men
of gold” rather than “men of God.” There is a difference with the “men of God”
in the Bible and those for today. What is the difference?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The “man of gold”
does not care whether he rightly interprets God’s word or if people are being
led the way God has stipulated in his word. All that he is concerned about is
that his bag of gold should keep increasing because that is his calling, to acquire
wealth. So he will not rebuke, correct or instruct in righteousness. He tells
the people what they desire to hear. He says, “You are blessed in your family,
you are blessed at your work place, you are blessed in your bank accounts” and
so on and so forth. Many are times they get a portion of Scripture and use it
to suit their message. They take the passage out of context. The following is
an example of what you hear in their sermons:<i> </i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>“The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 8:9 that
…Jesus became poor so that through his poverty you might become rich. So this
means each one of you is blessed. Hallelujah Church, Hallelujah!! Hehehe! You
see when you are blessed, you are blessed. Hehehe! This suit I am wearing I
just got straight from Italy. Look at your neighbor and say Italy! Hehehe! Hallelujah.
People say we cannot preach in Jeans but I wear my suits with Jeans. Look at
your neighbor and say Jeans. Hehehe! Hallelujah.”</i> <i>This weekend I spent some time watching some soccer on my new LG flat
screen. Oh, you should see the size of that screen. It is massive. I am a
supporter of Real Madrid and we worn actually. Those are rich teams for men
like me. Everyone say real Madrid! Hallelujah! But there is this team called Liverpool
which has gone bankrupt and I think they need the “man of Gold” to go and pray
for their deliverance amen? Look at your neighbor and say Liverpool. Hehehe,
Hallelujah!</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is how the
whole the sermon goes. Tell me, why do I have to look at my neighbor and say
all those things? What has my Spiritual life got to do with the suit and
television of the “man of gold”?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebSV8oBPlUudz25GJKNO485Vye7r6TRGxCc5YxCYAAk8fYr3poyG-nuvLJcBQdsYla794j5djK64G-lXbLXgPOKyg5S5VKtYp4G89rjnkkDJVuaKcNFbpPBXWN4H_ObW_Jny3VF7ssXY/s1600/Man+of+gold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebSV8oBPlUudz25GJKNO485Vye7r6TRGxCc5YxCYAAk8fYr3poyG-nuvLJcBQdsYla794j5djK64G-lXbLXgPOKyg5S5VKtYp4G89rjnkkDJVuaKcNFbpPBXWN4H_ObW_Jny3VF7ssXY/s320/Man+of+gold.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Man of gold walks away after telling congregation to sow the seed</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">On the other hand, the “Man of God”
is very careful the way he handles himself, God’s word and the people he has
been entrusted with.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span>Moses is the only one called the man of God in
the first five books of the Bible (Deut 33:1), the angel of the Lord who
appeared to Samson’s Mother in Judges 13:6,8, Samuel in 1 Sam 9:6,7,8,10, David
in Nehemiah 12:24, Elijah in 1 Kings 17:18 and Elisha in 2Kings 4:7 just to
mention a few. Most of these men were leaders, prophets and messengers. We can then
conclude that the “man of God” was a representative of God. There are two major
roles which fitted the men who were given this title. First is that they spoke,
proclaimed and taught God’s word. Secondly, they led people based on God’s
command and guidance. Think of Moses, think of Samuel, think of David, Think of
Elijah and Elisha. These men represented God in their messages and leadership.
Even the title itself is very clear. He is “a man of God. God is the one in
control and the man is only a vessel. </span></span></div>
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</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A man of God will correct,
instruct, rebuke and even chastise his sheep if there is sin present. This is
what Moses would do with the people of Israel. His desire is to see to it that
he accomplishes his God given task. He cares for his people. He loves his
people. He will speak and preach nothing else but God’s Word. Even when the
audience only wants to hear that which is appealing to their ears, the man of
God preaches God’s Word. When the flock wants to be led in a worldly way, the
man of God goes back to the Bible and searches to find how God desires his
people to be led. He will make sure the flock is led Biblically. The following
is an example of a sermon from a Man of God. “John 3:36 says, “<span class="text"><i>Whoever believes in the Son
has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s
wrath remains on them.”</i> </span></span></span></div>
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</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i>“Based upon this verse and many other like
verses in Scripture, eternal life comes through faith in Christ. Apart from
Jesus there is no other means of salvation. Everyone stands condemned before
God because of sin. There is none righteous no not one so says Romans 3:10.
Everyone who is without Christ will test God’s full wrath in hell. Notice it
says “whoever rejects.” In other words whoever does not believe that Christ has
the power to deliver from the bondage of sin will not see life. What life? He
will not see eternal life. When he dies, that will be the end of him.<span> </span>Notice next it says, ‘that the wrath of God
remains on him.’ Why is it so? It remains because it has always been there.
Why? <span> </span>It is because of sin. <span> </span>How? God is a just God and will not let sin
God unpunished. So every human being stands condemned because he is a sinner
from birth as David says in Psalm 51:5. So, based on this fact, everyone must
taste the full wrath of God when they burn in hell. Failure to believe in
Christ for salvation does not bring God’s wrath but instead keeps or maintains
God’s wrath which has always been there while faith in Jesus will lift that
wrath of God hence liberating ones soul.” Have you trusted in Jesus? Do you
believe that Jesus can save you from the wrath that is upon you? Come to Jesus
today and let him be you Savior.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text">You notice the
“man of God” has not said anything about his Jeans, cars, blessedness and
whatever else. Not that he does not have them but because he knows his God
given task. He is to preach the truth and the truth is what God has said for
God cannot lie. A listener is able to reason based upon what God says in his
word. He is able to say “I am condemned and will perish in hell if I don’t put
my faith in Christ.” But how does someone know the will of God if all you keep
talking about is your Navara and Range Rover? Will acquiring a Navara save
someone from hell? Will purchasing a ten bedroom mansion teach someone how to
love and forgive others?<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text">The “men of gold”
are after wealth and they will use anything to get it. The reason people don’t
want to go and listen to sound preaching is because they have what the Bible
says, “itching ears.” They want to hear what is appealing to them and for sure
we all want to hear people say good things about us. If someone tells you, “you
will have mansion in two months.”<span> </span>You
will come next week so that he tells you another lie. Who doesn’t want to have
a mansion? We all want a good life. But that is not how it works for everyone.</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text">Be careful not to
become a “man of gold.” You also must be on the lookout not to fall prey to
“men of gold.” No matter how hard the sermon from a “man of God” may seem,
listen and ask God to help you understand and put that into practice. </span></span></span></div>
Kwenda Kwendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04918330342633716402noreply@blogger.com0