His love endures forever

I was in a rural community in Lower Gweru over the last weekend. You know, there is just this love that abides in the people.

My great grandfather (104) had died peacefully in his bedroom just on Thursday and when we finally got to arrive he was buried. Well, he had been buried the day before.

On our way, we got lost, turned this way, and that way until it was certain we were lost. We had to stop the car, and this was towards midnight, and we wanted to be sure we were in the right direction, so we had to ask.

At this time of the night, we stop at a couple of houses in the area and asked of KwaFiyo Fiyo, as that what my grand parent's resident was known as. Indeed we were lost. We had to travel back a good 15 km to the junction where we were to take the other route we had left.

Well we did. When we got into this area again, we still had to ask before we finally followed the correct route. Our final asking adventure led us right to the homestead of my grandpa.

One thing I learned about these people, in spite of the challenges our nation has faced in recent years, people still have the portion of trusting total strangers. In spite of the security situations in this country, the people came out into the cold winter nights to assist us, and to me that was so amazing. I stopped to think, does not God do the same? when we move without clear direction of where we are going, God is the light and brings about pointers along the journey who will help us get there.

There are times when we move away from him, its not that he is not watching. He is. Not all of us are the Saul cum pauls of this world. We do not have direct contact with God just like that. We are mentored and nurtured by people with like minds- like a sword is sharpened by a sword.

I understood that God loves us to give us people, who inspite of the bitting chill, nomatter the time, will always answer to our calls.

He is a God of all seasons.

He is a God of mercy.

He is a God full of Grace.

He is the God that lives forever.

A God who never abandons his children, nomatter what.

A father whose love is overwhelming.

I am overwhelmed by God's goodness.

I pray oh Lord, that nomatter the situation, we be able to come back to you and ask for direction. That we do not fear to come to you when we get lost. That we trust and believe in you as your love endures forever. Father I thank you for the revelation that always come with experience. that you use earthly experiences to give a heavenly meaning. Thank you for your Love. Amen
Y. Mashie

The Good of Others

I have subscribed to Zondervan and they send me these email messages daily. Today, i saw this message and it also highlighted some very powerful and informative words. Often times we have taken for granted what we do. Just because I love doing it, or I am comfortable with it, does not make it right. Thinking about other people will definately improve the way we interract with them. I hope you will be edified by the words below

Paul insists that our social lives be governed not by "purity rules" but by three simple but profound goals. First, we should live with a desire to bring glory to the one true Lord: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31).

[Second,] "Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God - even as I try to please everyone in every way" (1 Corinthians 10:32-33). Throughout Paul's letters "stumbling" usually means missing out on salvation. This verse, then, is not simply about upsetting people it is about acting in a way that puts their salvation at risk.

[Third,] not only are we to avoid jeopardising the salvation of others; we are to actively pursue that salvation: "even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ" (1 Corinthians 10:33 - 11:1).

I want to ask you to reflect on Paul's teaching and on Jesus' example. Is your social life oriented toward the good of others - being with them, befriending them, doing good to them and speaking to them about Christ when opportunity invites? In short, does your life illustrate the fellowship with sinners God so keenly desires?

- John Dickson, The Best Kept Secret of Christian Mission

WHO CAN FORGIVE SINS?

This is an article i got in my inbox this morning from word @ work. i thought it might inspire someone.
May God bless you as you endevour to do more for God in all humility and love.
God bless you.


Luke 7:48-50 Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." (NIV)

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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages

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If somebody owes you money but cannot pay, you might choose to cancel (forgive) the debt. But it would be wrong to think you can cancel a debt owed to somebody else; because the money belongs to the creditor and not you. Every sin has to be paid for, but what is the price and who has the right to extract the price or to forgive? The penalty for sin is death and eternal separation from God: therefore only God has the right to demand payment. In the same way, only God can forgive (cancel the debt). The amazing thing is that God's forgiveness is not without cost to Himself: Jesus came to earth to be punished for every sin, thus ensuring that justice was done (see www.crosscheck.org.uk).

When Jesus declared that all the prostitute's sins were forgiven, the natural response of the other guests was to ask, "Who is Jesus, that He claims the right to forgive her sins?" The answer should have been obvious: if Jesus forgives sins, He must be God! Jesus knew that when He died on the cross, He would personally be paying for that woman's sins ... so He had every right to forgive. Her peace came because He paid the price.

The woman may not have understood all that, but she did believe that Jesus was her only hope. She put her faith in Jesus to do something to help her, even if she did not know how. It is the same today: all those who call on the Name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13). So if you are despairing about yourself, go to Jesus trusting Him to do whatever is right for you. If others do not know what to do - tell them to go to Jesus and trust that He knows what to do. When it comes to sin and failure, He certainly knows how to forgive and has already paid the price to discharge the debt - so go to Him in faith and believe that His forgiveness is real, and for you personally.

Prayer: Gracious God. Thank You for being a forgiving God and for taking away my sin when I come in penitence and faith through the blood of Jesus. Forgive me for my proud unwillingness to confess my sin and receive Your forgiveness, when You are ready and willing to cleanse me and give me Your peace. Help me to be more willing to confess my sin, and to tell others how much You can do for them too. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

CHECK YOUR SEASON

This is another of Jacqueline's piece she did earlier this year. And seeing it today gave me strength. What season are you in now?

Check it out!!!

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born and a time to die;

A time to plant and a time to pluck what is planted;

A time to kill and a time to heal;

A time to break down and a time to build up;

A time to weep and a time to laugh;

A time to mourn and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones;

A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to gain and a time to lose;

A time to keep and a time to throw away;

A time to tear and a time to sew;

A time to keep silence and a time to speak;

A time to love and a time to hate;

A time of war and a time of peace.

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

It is so important for us as Christians to check our season so we know what God is doing with us and through us.

I wrote a poem a while ago that challenged me to think about the season I was in. It challenged me to seek God about the hour and the stage I found myself at. As I sought the Lord, it was as if He had been waiting for me to come to Him. I had spent so much time praying and seeking Him for answers while all He wanted me to do was to be still and know that He is Lord. I was worshipping and praising and felt as if I was not making any progress and the Lord said maybe it’s time for me to start thanking Him for what He has already done not just for who He is.

Sometimes the reason we feel so stagnant or as if the Lord has shut up shop and is no longer hearing from us, is because we are in the wrong position, or season. The writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is a season for everything and there is a purpose for all things under the sun, both, positive and negative, good and bad.

For example, you may have found yourself weeping much lately and wondering why. Perhaps you are sowing seeds. Psalms 126:6 says that, “those who sow in tears shall reap in joy, He who continually goes forth weeping bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing bringing his sheaves with him.”

I am learning that in God’s equation what seems to us to be time not well spent, in His time it is necessary preparation so that we will appreciate our harvests, we must understand and appreciate our sowing and pruning albeit in tears or otherwise.

Maybe you have been wondering when you will be used in ministry or when you will get a new job or that promotion you have been praying for, or maybe you have been praying and believing for a husband/wife or a financial breakthrough. Dear friend, don’t become impatient and certainly don’t give up hoping or waiting. I want to encourage you to check your season. Are you being trained for ministry in your waiting, look at the lessons you are learning, how can they be used for someone else’s deliverance? Has God given you time to rest before you engage in the activities of a new job, promotion or even marriage. Is the financial season that you are in teaching you wisdom with money so as you manage the pennies, God will be able to trust you to manage the pounds!

Fellow saint, check your season and be encouraged even though you may not have seen what you have been hoping for yet, hold on and keep believing because for everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven!

What season are you in?

There is more for you

Are you thinking too small?

Do your circumstances seem bigger than your answers to prayer?

Have you made God too small?

Do you believe you’ve done all you can and it seems as though there are no results forthcoming, so you’ve decided to settle for where you are?

Then this week’s word is for you and it’s simple:

“There’s more for you – Please don’t settle!”

God is a big God, He is not only God but He is your heavenly Father, and that means you have access to Him, 24, 7, 365!

Listen to what Jesus says in Matthew 7: 7-11

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find, knock, and it will be opened to you.

“For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

“Or what man is there among you who if his son asks for bread will give him a stone?

“Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”

The question is what are you asking Him for?

What have you been seeking Him for?

The earth is His and the fullness thereof,

So this week, know this one thing for sure!

There’s more for you!

Start to believe it, receive it and walk in it, in Jesus name!

Jacqueline Peart

Just a thought.........

Do we ever give God an opporunity to speak to us or are we too busy telling him what we want that at the end of the day we feel like we haven't done anything? I mean, its just like withdrawing money from the bank, I f you dont do something that ensures there is money in the bank, can you really go to the bank to check for anything? I mean, how is it that we expect God to do things when we hardly do much in return?

Who is God to you?

Have you ever really wondered WHO God is to you?

Have you ever taken time to just sit down and consciously think through your life? Seeing all the things that have happened to you, and how they are linked to God?

Have you ever taken time to ask yourself why you are on this planet today? Why you are still alive when on a daily basis more than 3000 people die world over?

Have you ever thought of whether you make a difference in the community you stay, for the Glory of God?

How often have we acted in such ways that have made people bless the Lord?

Does not his word in Mathew 5 vs. 16 say ‘let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father, which is in heaven’ (NKJV)?

How often do we take time to thank God for the gift of life, which he gives to us freely?

How many times do we find ourselves running elsewhere for help, totally neglecting the one beside us?

Why do we worry our eyes out when we are faced with trouble?

Do we not know that God is the provider of all things?

Do we not know that God is the Alpha and the Omega?

Have we forgotten that God knows what we want even before we ask of it?

Why then do we panic when situations arise?

Why then do we turn our minds and hearts from God each time we get stuck?

Does he not tell us that our ways are not his ways?

Does not his word remind us to ‘seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these will be added unto you’ in Mathew 6 vs. 33?

What else do we need? What other proof are we in need of?

Is not God the creator of all?

Psalm 50

10For every beast of the forest is mine and the cattle upon a thousand hills.

11 I know all the fowls of the mountains, and the wild beasts of the fields are mine.

12 if I were hungry, I would not tell thee, for the world is mine, and the fullness thereof.

13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?

Does this not show us that God is worthy of our praise?

He does not need to consult us on anything. What he wills he takes. But more often than not, he gives us a rope, which rope we abuse. We forget where we come from.

We forget who God is to us.

We forget that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

Christianity is a choice that you and I have to make, consciously.

Remember the word of God says ‘not all who say Lord; lord shall inherit the kingdom of God’.

What are you?

Who are you?

Who is God to you?

What does God mean to you?

It is either you decide now which side you are on.

I believe in a God who knows everything, sees everything, and hears everything. No amount of privacy or secrecy is secret to God.

No amount of cheating is able to cheat God.

No amount of running can remove from before God all that we do.

This is not about the people around you. It is about you.

This is not about your mother or father, this is about you.

This has nothing to do with age; it is about the spirit in you.

This has nothing to do with the church you go to, it’s about the choices you make.

You can choose to love God and live by his statutes, or you can ignore him and live your life as you wish.

This is not even about what God wants you to do for him; it’s what HE wants to do FOR YOU!

Why should we run away from God’s blessing?

He offers and we run away from it.

He has laid all we need on the table and yet we cast our eye off his direction.

Ask yourself this; for whose benefit are you doing that which you are doing?

YMashie

A God of all seasons

Did i ever mention, that the prayers that you do everyday are kept in your prayers bags? neatly categorised? Well, i just found out. Not that i did not know, but just that i wasn't so sure. There are those times in a christian's life that you hit a low, and are not exactly sure whether you are still in the same lane as God.

You feel a huge gulf that is there between you ang God, well I dont know if you have felt it but i have. Just recently, i was doing a bit of reflection on the past year and all that i did or did not manage to achieve. I realised that all the big things i achieved this year were not as a result of my prayers this year.

In fact, all i ever dreamt of then seem to have fallen into place this year. Like the job i have now, the stability i have now, its all through the dreams i have had growing up, coupled with the desire brought in by hardships, to see through the desires, that are being manifested in the physical. When God says yes, who can say no? when God locks, who can unlock? He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. He is. He knows it all for his knowlege is supreme. He knows the right time, place and person.

Don't give up if you have not achieved that which you set out to because there is God who is watching your every step and he loves you enough to know when the right time comes for you to get something. As we get into the new year, smile, hope and remain faithful for GOd is faithfull and he will forever remain so.

Dear God,
Thank you for everything you have done for me.
Thank you for keeping me alive throughout.
Thank you Jesus for continuously being with me.
I have felt cold, but your word came and gave me warmth.
I felt like giving up, but you created ways where there were no ways. God, the year was tough but you kept me going, thank you.
Even when i kept myself from you, you kept close to me.
When I did everything that opposed your statutes and ordinances, you still took me and told me i am special You told me i am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Thank you Jehova.
In the coming year, i pray for your continued guidance, I thank you Lord Jesus,thank you holy spirit, thank you father.
Amen

ymashie