"Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved." Romans 10:1
DESIRE- "...he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." Psalm 37:4
These were serious utterances coming out of the very bottom of Apostle Paul's heart. He meant every word he said and was prepared to die for it. Please for the purposes of this article replace Israel with Africa.
Every beginning of a new year starts with new year resolutions. I was reading an article in one of our daily newspapers and the columnist advised that it is better not to make any so that you are not made to feel guilty at the end of the year for fulfilling none. I choose to make what is not necessarily a resolution but a 2011 desire and prayer. I have a desire to see Africa saved and many people ask me how I shall accomplish it. I tell them that it is a daunting task that only faith in God can enable one achieve. I take comfort in the omnipotence of my God. I get courage in the knowledge that with God all things are possible. My faith is anchored in the promises of a faithful God. I am unshakable because I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.I know it is a battle but I rejoice because it does not belong to me but to God who has never lost a single fight. I can therefore desire, I can entertain spiritual desires in my heart. I tell you that I can not be accused of desiring for anything that glorifies God. I am but a vessel of clay, very weak but with a Mighty God who shall grant me the desires of my heart.The same I believe applies to you. Let us earnestly and openly express our desires this coming year for there is power in the words that we utter. 2011 is the year for the bold in faith.
PRAYER- "...men ought always to pray, and not to faint." Luke 18:1
It is not just a desire that I shall keep to myself. I must pray, I must verbalize my heart's desire before the throne of grace so that I may obtain mercy from the King of kings who seats on the throne. I must have faith because "...without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Hebrew 11:6. By faith I must make the following statement prompted by faith in an awesome God. 2011 is the year of answered prayers. Oops! You are shocked by that? God is going to answer every prayer I make this year and not just mine but yours too. He shall equip you and I for the task. He shall pour a fresh anointing for service on us. He shall surround us with people with a vision for His ministry. His hand of favor shall be upon us. We shall walk through open doors and do that which honors Him. For 365 days of 2011 He shall whisper into our tiny ears, " Fear not" and hold us by His hand. Our discernment shall be sharper and we shall see more than we ordinarily see. He shall grant us wisdom above our years for the task ahead demands it. He is a very very good God.
SALVATION- "...that the world through him might be saved." John 3:17
Having a desire is very important to us in 2011 because it defines our being. Praying should be our lifestyle in 2011 because it gives us the spiritual power to accomplish the desire. The sole goal for these is the salvation of souls. Sinners shall come to the saving knowledge of the savior. We shall call on the Lord in our homes, churches, fellowships and on every platform He gives us to beseech Him to save souls. We shall mention names before Him of friends, relatives, neighbors et al to save. We shall distribute tracts, knock doors, preach in open-air meetings, speak of His saving grace from our pulpits and engage technology and social networks to reach the continent. Salvation of souls is what made Christ leave the Shekinah glory be incarnated and die on the cross of Calvary. All Christians are commissioned to go and make disciples. Going to win souls is an imperative. Africa must be saved.
CONCLUSION
What is your godly desire for 2011? Are you by faith going to verbalize this desire in prayer? Do you know that God has commissioned you for soul winning? God loves you and has a good plan for you in 2011. Let us join hands and do what heaven expects of us in 2011.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
BE WISE THIS CHRISTMAS LIKE THE THREE WOMEN
We thank the Lord for yesterdays Christmas service. Let me explain that we deliberately chose as a church to celebrate early in order to give families time together on Saturday 25th, December.
This year's Christmas was so different from what we are used to. The church was full to capacity and the climax was the sermon on "The Three Wise Women" followed by the salvation of two ladies.During the invitation the altar was full with Christians pouring their hearts out to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. The three wise women challenged our hearts because they were able to acknowledge and accept the Lordship of Jesus before His birth and even led others to Him.
To Elizabeth, Mary was the mother of her LORD. Jesus was Elizabeth's Lord before He was even physical born( incarnated), Elizabeth's focus was what was in Mary's womb and not Mary. (Luke 1:43). Wasn't this woman wise? Wisdom is not found in university papers but in the personal knowledge and relationship with Jesus Christ.
Mary in her magnificat acknowledges Jesus as her savior while still in her womb, she saw the baby in her womb as her Savior and deliverer (Luke 1 : 47).It is very sad that Roman Catholicism has built a Mary cult that has no basis in scripture. Mary accepted the sovereignty of God to use a handmaid of low estate. Mary does not qualify and neither does she ask for any worship. Wisdom is knowing that Jesus is the only Savior ( John 14:6).
Lastly is the wise old woman and prophetess Anna who spoke of Jesus as redeemer in Jerusalem,( Luke 2: 38) she pointed people to Christ thirty years before John the baptist came into the scene and shouted " Behold the lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" John 1:29. Wisdom is directing people to the only available redeemer of mankind the Lord Jesus Christ. The pentecostal church like the Roman Cats have a skewed understand of prophecy and prophets. Let me spare that discussion for another day.
Two Sunday schools classes presented Christmas skits that were well received by the congregation. Several families sung carols in different languages and that is the beauty of our church, the different tribal languages joined together into one body by the blood of Jesus.
We had a sumptuous meal cooked by our own kitchen catering department. We cannot thank God enough for the chapatis, rice, peas, beef, soda and bananas. When we thought the day was ended we were again asked to go back to the church hall and this is where yet another miracle awaited us. At the pulpit were bundles of wheat flour, packets of rice and bottles of one litre quality ( Elianto) cooking oil. Every family left the church with enough foodstuff for the 25th, December. The mood was celebratory in every way. There was an outpouring of thanksgiving and we all broke in prayer on behalf of those whom the Lord had used to make this possible. It was emotional. I asked the church for a photo session in memory of a great birthday party of our One and Only True Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
What a day, what a function and what a great Savior we have!
The wise men went to Jesus, Wise men and women always go to Jesus.
ARE YOU WISE?
This year's Christmas was so different from what we are used to. The church was full to capacity and the climax was the sermon on "The Three Wise Women" followed by the salvation of two ladies.During the invitation the altar was full with Christians pouring their hearts out to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. The three wise women challenged our hearts because they were able to acknowledge and accept the Lordship of Jesus before His birth and even led others to Him.
To Elizabeth, Mary was the mother of her LORD. Jesus was Elizabeth's Lord before He was even physical born( incarnated), Elizabeth's focus was what was in Mary's womb and not Mary. (Luke 1:43). Wasn't this woman wise? Wisdom is not found in university papers but in the personal knowledge and relationship with Jesus Christ.
Mary in her magnificat acknowledges Jesus as her savior while still in her womb, she saw the baby in her womb as her Savior and deliverer (Luke 1 : 47).It is very sad that Roman Catholicism has built a Mary cult that has no basis in scripture. Mary accepted the sovereignty of God to use a handmaid of low estate. Mary does not qualify and neither does she ask for any worship. Wisdom is knowing that Jesus is the only Savior ( John 14:6).
Lastly is the wise old woman and prophetess Anna who spoke of Jesus as redeemer in Jerusalem,( Luke 2: 38) she pointed people to Christ thirty years before John the baptist came into the scene and shouted " Behold the lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" John 1:29. Wisdom is directing people to the only available redeemer of mankind the Lord Jesus Christ. The pentecostal church like the Roman Cats have a skewed understand of prophecy and prophets. Let me spare that discussion for another day.
Two Sunday schools classes presented Christmas skits that were well received by the congregation. Several families sung carols in different languages and that is the beauty of our church, the different tribal languages joined together into one body by the blood of Jesus.
We had a sumptuous meal cooked by our own kitchen catering department. We cannot thank God enough for the chapatis, rice, peas, beef, soda and bananas. When we thought the day was ended we were again asked to go back to the church hall and this is where yet another miracle awaited us. At the pulpit were bundles of wheat flour, packets of rice and bottles of one litre quality ( Elianto) cooking oil. Every family left the church with enough foodstuff for the 25th, December. The mood was celebratory in every way. There was an outpouring of thanksgiving and we all broke in prayer on behalf of those whom the Lord had used to make this possible. It was emotional. I asked the church for a photo session in memory of a great birthday party of our One and Only True Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
What a day, what a function and what a great Savior we have!
The wise men went to Jesus, Wise men and women always go to Jesus.
ARE YOU WISE?
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 2010
YOUTH TEACHING/FUN DAY
" For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." Acts. 20: 27
It is 11:24 pm and my mind and heart are on tomorrows youth day. We are expecting about thirty to attend and receive teachings that will change their lives. For those who are not born again, may it be an opportunity to receive Jesus Christ in their hearts and for the rest an opportunity to recommit their lives to God. I have invited my good friends and a wonderful missionary couple Daniel Shaw and Kenia Shaw to facilitate. Please remember them in prayers as they serve the Lord in a new environment far from their home. Remember too the youth from our youngest church ( Aberdare Baptist Church) as they trust God for their fare to the venue.
I am trusting God for a vibrant youth program next year that shall see the church full of activities. The youth loathe dullness and fun activities coupled with bible lessons shall bring immense positive changes in their lives. Independent Fundamental Baptist churches in Africa have to wake up lest they loose out to false teachings on the continent. Without compromising on our doctrines we must accept that the youth of yesterdays is different from the one we see today. Today's youth is IT savvy and has the world at his finger-tips hence vulnerable to internet influence which in most instances is negative. Today's youth should be handled differently from the way my pastor did to me when I enjoyed societal innocence. We must boldly confront modern day challenges head-on without fear or shame. Like the proverbial ostrich we have buried our heads in the sand for a long time. Who has the guts to speak to them on matters sexual? I looked at my daughter's past examination papers that she took when in primary school and was shocked to see questions on areas I would never have wanted mentioned in my house. I thought she had never heard certain things just to realize that they were being taught at that tender age. The church has a responsibility to teach the same from a biblical standpoint just as it taught creation to counter evolution in schools. Pray with us that we shall have the grace to speak the whole counsel of God to this generation.
It is 11:24 pm and my mind and heart are on tomorrows youth day. We are expecting about thirty to attend and receive teachings that will change their lives. For those who are not born again, may it be an opportunity to receive Jesus Christ in their hearts and for the rest an opportunity to recommit their lives to God. I have invited my good friends and a wonderful missionary couple Daniel Shaw and Kenia Shaw to facilitate. Please remember them in prayers as they serve the Lord in a new environment far from their home. Remember too the youth from our youngest church ( Aberdare Baptist Church) as they trust God for their fare to the venue.
I am trusting God for a vibrant youth program next year that shall see the church full of activities. The youth loathe dullness and fun activities coupled with bible lessons shall bring immense positive changes in their lives. Independent Fundamental Baptist churches in Africa have to wake up lest they loose out to false teachings on the continent. Without compromising on our doctrines we must accept that the youth of yesterdays is different from the one we see today. Today's youth is IT savvy and has the world at his finger-tips hence vulnerable to internet influence which in most instances is negative. Today's youth should be handled differently from the way my pastor did to me when I enjoyed societal innocence. We must boldly confront modern day challenges head-on without fear or shame. Like the proverbial ostrich we have buried our heads in the sand for a long time. Who has the guts to speak to them on matters sexual? I looked at my daughter's past examination papers that she took when in primary school and was shocked to see questions on areas I would never have wanted mentioned in my house. I thought she had never heard certain things just to realize that they were being taught at that tender age. The church has a responsibility to teach the same from a biblical standpoint just as it taught creation to counter evolution in schools. Pray with us that we shall have the grace to speak the whole counsel of God to this generation.
Friday, December 3, 2010
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