Tag Africa

If there is anything more divisive in the body of Christ it is the use of absolutes in speech to emphasize a matter. The enemy has clearly brought confusion and division that is needless in the body of believers with the sole purpose of defeating the one who is easily snared by arguments on the validity of the Torah to those who are not of Jewish lineage or belief. The minute one brings even the slightest question they are attacked viciously as though it is God Himself fiercely condemning the use of the ‘Torah’ as anything other than a ‘historical account’. I quote because I have encountered this rather frequently here on Facebook and it has become a Paul and Apollos thing, to say the least.

The Word of God is valid from Genesis to Revelation, and it is the modern Christians agreed set of books that are meant as a guide to the character of God and as a manual of instruction. I have seen people adamantly say that the ‘Old testament’ is nothing more than a historical book and cannot be used for instruction to the believer. The early believers, including those who were not Jews, clearly had none of the letters and accounts that we call the New Testament today, yet for hundreds of years referred to the ‘Old Testament’ for a reference towards how to interact with God and the promises He had made in the Torah leading to the New Covenant. Notwithstanding that early generation had the greatest impact on history, as shown by the presence of the Holy Spirit in their midst and their love for one another and the Word. Indeed they received power and became witnesses even through great persecution and hardship.

Wisdom dictates that we are very clear when we say the Torah is just a historical book, because history can be a good teacher as well. Just because a covenant does no longer apply to us, or never did, does not negate the learning within and the revelation of the character and nature of Jehovah. It does not change His name, or names, for that matter. It does not change His character, and neither does it change His purpose. The two camps of Old and New are locked into this never ending cycle of misunderstanding and misrepresentation that does not seem to be building the body, but rather tearing it apart.

The Torah can be summarized as God’s love letter to the world given in a promise to Abraham for all mankind and Yeshua fulfills that promise. To place emphasis on either Old without understanding that it had a purpose or only on the New without understanding that it came out of the Old, is to confine the understanding of God to an inferior place where many blessings are missed for simple plain ignorance and I dare say even conceit. You cannot fully learn the character of God just by opening the New Testament, and even though Christ is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being (Hebrews 1:3), we still find that being described in the Torah as a shadow and Christ himself saying he came to fulfill it. So in the Torah we are actually to learn about Christ, and the blueprint for mankind’s redemption through the Jews.

We must be firm with rightly divining the word of truth but let us also be as gentle as doves. Social media unfortunately can easily be a place where we pour out emotional statements that inflame rather than build. I am almost certain that some will immediately attack me on this and they know themselves, but again I would ask what benefit is it to deny a believer who trusts your judgement and doctrine the deep knowledge available in the Torah?

It may be that those who deny the Torah’s ability to instruct are merely emphasizing the misuse of the Torah in that we are clearly in a New Covenant, thanks to the work of the Passover Lamb in this season of Easter. That same Torah talks of promises that we as believers are enjoying today. How can I not be encouraged by the account of Elijah, when even Paul uses him to talk about faith while ‘instructing’ those he writes to? And what about Abraham, the father of faith? Can I learn nothing from the accounts of his life as written by Moses in the Torah? What about the Psalms? Is the book of Daniel merely a historical book? If so, why would Jesus refer to it when talking of end times?

I dread the day when many of us will miss out at the judgement of our works simple because we did not teach the full gospel, and become the least because of that.

(Matthew 5:17-19 NIV

[17] “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. [18] For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. [19] Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.)

Mine is not to extend these arguments for I know whom I have believed and whom I serve, and His Word is my beacon and standard, and it will be the one that judges me on that day, not people’s opinions and doctrines. To either say that the Torah is what one born of the Spirit should follow to the letter implies that Christ did nothing on the cross, apart from fulfill a historical purpose.

Picking and choosing scripture can also be detrimental to one’s walk in Christ, as well as being a tool for bigotry and hatred of those whom we think commits sins as though we ourselves are without fault. The common thread of rejection of the Torah is the use of the work of the cross to establish the New Covenant, but even after that on the day of Pentecost Peter quotes Joel 2:1.

The disciples taught from the Torah and how Jesus had explained it to them as a reference to the promise of salvation through the seed of Abraham. They also clearly saw that the Law of Moses was not directed at those who were not Jewish, but as a lasting ordination to the Jews, and with that insight made a proclamation that as long as people did not eat of food sacrificed to idols and engage in sexual sin, they were free to not observe the law to the letter. But they still taught the faith by using the Torah and how Christ is revealed in it.

This is why it is by grace we are saved, through faith and not by works or our personal effort, and that is the work of the New Covenant. Let us in this season of contemplating the work of the Cross not engage ourselves in mocking one another or pointing out what we think is wrong with each others doctrine’s, but build one another by allowing the Holy Spirit to fill us with love for one another and for our neighbors that surround us so that the truth will prevail and peace will preside over our relationships. God bless us all and may His Shalom prevail!

We live in a world today where it seems there is an exponential increase in the suffering of people. As a person who has a presence on social media I am confronted daily with people sharing their illnesses and other needs. The media is awash with high profile personalities that are going through traumas or have had their lives ended by illnesses or even taking their own lives out of despair.

Statistics worldwide show that the number of cases of non-communicable diseases, NCD’s, is on the rise. The recent pandemic was an unlikely wake up call to the state of affairs of the general health of mankind. At the time in history when Christ was on earth, it is clear from the many accounts noted in the gospels that the number one activity that Jesus performed was healing. Today, as modern medicine improves, we have become indifferent to the supernatural ability of God to intervene in our physical health. This is why miracles seem to be more prevalent in less developed countries where medical care is not as easily available or sophisticated as in those countries that are considered developed.

When we look at Jesus’ ministry on earth, we clearly see that the purpose of restoration of the Kingdom of God included restoration of physical and mental well-being. Indeed John writes thus:

3 John 1:2 NIV
[2] Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.

It is God’s pleasure and His absolute delight to see us all well and healthy and prospering as we ultimately are a reflection of His grace and will for mankind. We thus fall short of His glory when we do not grasp all the promises He has for us. We will go through various trials and tests but are destined to be triumphant. Ours is to live by faith in his word.

Proverbs 16:20 NIV
[20] Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.

If we remain in Him and give heed to His word, the promises He gave us will manifest themselves so that He is glorified. Miracles, signs and wonders are thus not an entertaining feature of our faith, to be used to attract attention to ourselves or to be ‘sold’, as is the case of some selling holy water and oil, but are meant to demonstrate the power of God’s love. A sign points to a direction or declares the description or name of a place or facilities at that place.

When Jesus saw the multitudes in their suffering He was moved by compassion. What do you feel when you see someone with a disability or suffering from some condition? If compassion rises up within you, then you are on the right track, for your hunger and thirst to see healing will be rewarded as you seek God’s intervention.

Mark 16:17-18 NIV
[17] And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; [18] they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

Let our love for God be demonstrated and accompanied by these signs in the name of Yeshua! Be blessed!

Tanzania is a nation blessed by The Lord God. Within her borders are natural wonders that are not to be found at the same scale anywhere else. Mt. Kilimanjaro. The beautiful Island paradise of Zanzibar comprising Unguja and Pemba and of course Mafia. The Serengeti Plains and the vast numbers of freely roaming wildlife. Mineral and energy resources that are in the trillions of dollars in value. A people that have been the bastion of peace and harmony and in the forefront of the African liberation movement.

Today Tanzania stands at a threshold of being able to accomplish what may seem to be the impossible, and we are called to be at the helm of this great movement of God that will bless Tanzania and nations beyond her borders. If you are reading this you are welcome to become part of that movement to share these blessings.

On the 17th of Febuary 2023, a thanksgiving and praise event will be held overnight at the City Christian Center, Upanga from 8:30 pm. This has been changed from the previously announced date of 27th January to allow for more time for mobilization and preparation.

Follow this page and the Facebook and Instagram and Twitter to get updates on this world changing event that is a simple invitation to God to inhabit the praises of His Children and manifest His Glory. The lame will walk. The blind will see. The sick will be healed. All this as the event is broadcast live on national radio and one live streams via YouTube and Facebook.
Here is the event link, information and description.

To donate towards the expenses donate as little as Tshs 1000/- here and it will help immensely.

Be blessed!

[wc_woo_donation id=”358″]

On the night of February 17th, 2023, an altar of Praise and Worship will be raised throughout the nation of Tanzania. This event will be a thanksgiving and worship night to thank Jehovah for His loving kindness, mercy and favor to the people of this nation. There will be intercession and prayer for the Lord to continue to show blessings and favor to the leadership, government and people of Tanzania.
(Usiku wa tarehe 17 Februari, 2023, madhabahu ya Sifa na Ibada ya Uimbaji itainuliwa juu ya taifa la Tanzania. Tukio hili inalenga kuwa ibada ya shukurani na kuabudu kwa kumshukuru Jehovah kwa upendo wake, huruma na kibali kwa wananchi wa taifa hii. Pia kutakuwepo na maombezi kwa Bwana ili aendelee kuonyesha baraka na kibali kwa uongozi, serikali na watu wa Tanzania.)

The event is expected to be broadcast live on national radio and there will be prayers for those who are sick and have various ailments to receive healing and deliverance from their circumstances. The District Commissioner of Ilala is expected to open the event as a representative of the Government of Tanzania at 8:30pm.
(Tukio hili inategemewa kurushwa mubashara kwenye redio ya taifa na pia kutakuwepo na maombi kwa walio na magonjwa na matatizo mbali mbali ya kiafya ili waweze kupata kukombolewa na matatizo hayo. Mkuu wa Wilaya ya Ilala anategemewa na amealikwa kuwa mgeni rasmi ili aweze kufungua tukio hili kama mwakilishi wa serikali ya Tanzania saa mbili na nusu usiku.)

Worship teams will be there to minister to God and a minister from Kenya has been invited and is expected to grace the event as prayers will also be lifted up for neighbouring countries in East Africa.
(Timu za kusifu na kuabudu zitakuwepo ili kumhudumia Bwana na mtumishi kutoka Kenya naye amealikwa na atakuwepo kwa kuwa maombi pia kwa ajili ya nji jirani za Afrika Mashariki zitafanyika.)

There is no entry fee but as there are limited seats in the venue entry will be by free registration on this link and by registering at the venue in advance to get a pdf ticket. The event will also be live streamed on Youtube and Facebook.
(Hakuna kiingilio lakini kwa kuwa ukumbi una idadi maalum ya viti kiingilio itakuwa kwa kusajili kwenye tovuti hii au kwa kusajili kwenye ukumbi ili viti vihifadhiwe na kupewa tiketi ya kuingia bure (pdf). Pia tukio litarushwa mubashara kwenye tovuti za Youtube na Facebook.)

45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.
-Matthew 24:45-47 (NIV)

14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’

21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’

23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’

26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

28 “ ‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ Matthew 25: 14-30 (NIV)

The Lord is not expecting us to do more than that which we are able. He just expects that we will have done that which we knew we could and should have out of the abundance of love we have for Him and our neighbor. He is coming soon. May you be counted amongst the wise and faithful when He returns! Be blessed!

Now is as good a time as any to reflect on whether you are exhibiting the love of God found in Christ and shining your light or are being a clanging cymbal as Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 13. Your speaking in tongues and prophesying and knowing all mysteries amount to nothing if you do not have love for others whom you can see and yet profess to know and love God whom you have not seen.

As we approach the years end and make New Years resolutions for 2023 determine to make love the centerpiece of your life. This is regardless of whether it is reciprocated or not. This should extend to even those who do wrong to you. Forgive and love. Let your first love resurface. Let your light shine in a world where darkness and despair rule the headlines.” Be blessed!

There is something profound and precious in our fellowship with the Holy Spirit, especially considering His place and work in the triune Godhead. Father, Son and Holy Spirit. A mystery only grasped by those born again and dead to self but alive in Christ. The illustration below is probably the best one I have seen describing this state of God.

There are many arguments about the Trinity, but I reduce it to one simple thing: by definition we say an entity qualifies to be called a god if it has at the very least the following attributes – Omnipotence, Omniscience and Omnipresence. Anything short of that really will struggle to be called a ‘god’.
In the case of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob we see these attributes and the encounters of the people of Israel from the time their ancestor Abraham leaves what is now present day Iraq and moves by faith to a promised land which his descendants eventually inherit by supernatural intervention to present day where history foretold is unfolding in present day Israel.

There is an interesting sequence of encounters between man from when he is created as per the description in Genesis chapter one, a book attributed to Moses, who had close encounters of the godly kind, that is face to face. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The Hebrew word for God there is pronounced El-O-Heem, which is plural and not singular so the English translation does not do it justice. It then adds credence to the assertion that there is a plurality of this one God.
“Let us make them in our likeness” ring a bell? So we too, having been formed from the dust have the attributes of Elohim – godliness, humanity and a spirit that make our full character and being. It is often taught to simplify this comparison that the triune nature of man is body, soul and spirit.

After the fall of man we see God the Father trying to reconnect back with mankind through His first direct encounter with the Israelites at the mountain in the desert. It didn’t go too well, for the form which He took as the Father in all His fullness and holiness was terrifying to say the least. So much for that encounter. The Israelites had prepared themselves but when a cloud covering a whole mountain kilometers wide with peals and rumblings, thunder and flashes of lightning and earthquakes descended they told Moses to go meet with ‘his buddy’, for they were scared out of their wits.

Fast forward to the next encounter which God organized and promised in Isaiah 9: 6,7(NIV) –

6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.

Lets remind ourselves of step one where God the Father in all His fullness, power and glory comes to meet with men and it is scary. So He decides to come as the Son. A man, only one born of the Holy Spirit. Just as the Spirit moved over the waters, the Holy Spirit came upon a simple woman who said yes to being the one to carry the helpless child and bear Him supernaturally. The Holy Spirit came over her and she conceived. The Hebrew word for ‘moved, hovered, brooded’ is the word ‘rachaph’ which is only used 3 times in the Bible – Genesis 1:2, Jeremiah 23:9 and Deuteronomy 32:11. The word indicates a high degree of care, concern similar to a mother brooding over her newly hatched eggs or just about to be hatched eggs. The amazing thing is that the Holy Spirit somehow seems to be the power arm of God yet is the most concerned and gentle and even flutters over that which he is charged to look after.

Again this encounter produces mixed results to the human eye but not according to God, because by sending the son whom we can relate to and fully God, we have the opportunity to encounter God without fear because He is like us and we are like Him.
1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, ^a we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:1,2 (NIV)

When Jesus is then ready to leave He talks of a ‘helper’ to His disciples.

¹⁵ “If you love me, keep my commands. ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— ¹⁷ the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be^[a] in you. ¹⁸ I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. ¹⁹ Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. ²⁰ On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. ²¹ Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

²² Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”

²³ Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. ²⁴ Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

²⁵ “All this I have spoken while still with you. ²⁶ But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. – John 14:15-25 (NIV).

The Son asks the father to send the Spirit so that we are not left alone but have a ‘Counselor’ or advocate. It makes one ponder why someone who is appointed to us as a legal representative and lives in us? Amazing! The same Spirit that rachaphs over us is now in us revealing the Father and the Son! Oh how we need to you Holy Spirit! An advocate because only He knows the law and the heart of the judge, because HE IS the heart of the judge, and knows the heart of the judge!

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. – Romans 8:26,27 (NIV)

It is the Holy Spirit that knows God’s heart and prays through us according to His will. Little wonder Jesus says blasphemy against the Holy is the unforgivable sin. So do not grieve the Holy Spirit for He knows God’s heart and mind.

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin” ^d : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Brothers and sisters in this season of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit tap into the final pouring of oil into our lamps before the Bridegroom comes in that day as a thief – unexpectedly. Be blessed!!!

Post 1 of 12 in a series of insights in 2023.

Number 1.

As promised here is the first of a series of posts summarizing my impressions of the days ahead and the likely outcomes based upon what I sense God is speaking to the nations. There will be 12 such posts culminating with the final one on my birthday in December which is on the 12th day (12/12). No significance in the numbers but easier to break down the download into 12 chunks rather than all at once.

This year has seen an acceleration in the speed and intensity of “incidents and accidents, hints and allegations”. Indeed “these are the days of miracles and wonders”. Paul Simon’s Graceland album released in 1986 may have been one of the most prophetic works of art of our generation. Watch as the increase in natural and supernatural phenomena takes place from this point on and increases in 2023. As a matter of fact I am compelled to call 2023 the year of “Miracles and Wonders”.

Miracles because it will take a miracle for many to get through the year and we will find ourselves bidding some of those close to us farewell. Should they have made peace with their maker it should be cause to rejoice, for they will be escaping the coming whirlwind of events that many will not be able to withstand. We will here of even suicides by loved ones and be watchful especially of your children and learn to catch the tell-tale signs. These are just the beginnings of birth pains. Be not afraid for you have been forewarned. Abide in the shadow of the Almighty and it will be well with you.

Wonders because in the midst of everything there will also be extraordinary incidents that will only be able to be attributed to God. The Bridegroom is at the door. Fill your lamps with oil. Wonders because many will ‘wonder’ how you and your family made it through 2023. Even if you are somewhat financially secure at the moment or just barely making ends meet, make this Christmas a different one by refraining from the usual holiday spending especially on credit. Far better you spend Christmas with your family and friends with a meal and thanksgiving than pulling out the stops with ‘gifts’ that you either cannot pay cash for or will be paying for for a long time. Some of you will have financial stress from possible job cuts. Some will see income dwindle. You have been warned so be smart.

As Joseph told Pharaoh to store grain, please consider keeping away at least 6 months living expenses if you can and then spend what you wish to spend after. Preferably spend on feeding the poor and helping those in need rather than buying that expensive gadget that you will have to sell at half price to make it through the coming financial storm. God will keep you and see you through and ensure that you will have plenty if you do (Psalm 91).

Stay tuned for Number 2 of this series coming shortly. Love and blessings to you all!!