Yes He did it!

It is just a few days to the close of the year. Like any other year, most of us waited this year with lots of expectations….may be not all of us…but well, at least I did. We prophesied and received prophesies of the new year, set goals on almost all areas of our lives. You know the way Habakkuk 2:2 tells us…? Write your vision down, make it plain on tablets, so that how may run who reads it” we are children of faith and therefore….in obedience, majority of us wrote them down, in special books and kept them close to ourselves, of course there are those who believe in a different school of thought….They take each day as it comes…Now it is that time we get to review our goals and appraise ourselves. How did we perform throughout the year? How many of our goals did we achieve and how? How many didn’t we achieve and why not? What lessons did we learn through the year?

Well, we may or may not have achieved our goals and targets for the year, but one thing is sure, that the Lord as kept us to this far. He has faithfully walked with us!

Some of us may have had a very good year, everything went as planned, you needed better jobs and God provided, you needed families and yes, the Lord did it, some needed to grow deeper in the things of God, and indeed, the grace was sufficient, others trusted God for grace to leave some bad habits and entanglements and Jehovah did it. Whatever it is that you trusted God for in the year 2018 and it came to pass, do not pride in it, it’s the Lords hand that made it happen. Times and seasons belong to him, In Daniel 2: 21 tells us “And he changeth the times and the seasons, he removeth kings and setteth up kings….” The Swahili version says it even better…” Yeye hubadili majira na nyakati, huuzulu wafalme na kuwakamilisha wafalme.” he has His criteria of doing things in His time for He makes everything beautiful in his time. If the Lord gratified the desires of your heart in the year 2018, Child of God, walk into 2019 with a song of thanksgiving, glorify His name.do not despise those who are still on the waiting bay, do not think that they have little faith, know that the Lord who did for you is the same Lord who withheld for them, for the God of the mountains is still the God of the valleys. Now that you have got to your land of promise, hold some ones hand and walk with them until God establishes them. Remember what the Reubenites and Gadites and half tribe of Manasseh had to do in Joshua 1 vs 11 through16, although they had gotten to their promised land, they had to leave their belongs behind and help their brothers until they got their promised land and God gives them rest!

There is also a lot that as well trusted God for many and great things throughout the year, the lot that has painfully and tearfully endured the year 2018, those that identify with the psalmist in Psalms 42:3 “ My tears have become my food day and night, while people say to me all day long” where is your God?”. Some have painfully gone through shame and rejection, others their salvation was doubted, others trusted God for a change in their situation but nothing has changed, they have cried day and night, fasted, prayed and trusted with a firm faith, but nothing has changed, only their pillows and bedrooms can tell the amount of tears they  have cried, child of God, I want to encourage you today, The fact that you are still alive means that God is not yet done with you. The fact that someone said no to you does not mean that you are good for nothing, the fact that you weren’t offered that job does not mean that all your doors of hope are shut, the fact that you didn’t get that family or the child you have been praying for does not mean that God is not thinking about you, just because you didn’t get that promotion you well deserved doesn’t mean that you are operating under a curse!. Hasn’t the lord been faithful even in that painful situation? Hasn’t he been a hiding place? Hasn’t he remained the rock of your salvation where every other ground was sinking sand? Hold on child of God!

He told Jeremiah in Jeremeih 29 vs 11, that I know the plan I have for you to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future. There is hope for you, it is not over until God has his final word, child of God, do not give up. 2018 may have been your most painful year, it may be the year that tit mention triggers memories and tears just flow without control…but God….yes But God…has brought you this far to neither a shame you nor disappoint you. People may have trashed you or even looked down upon you, but child of God, do not give up, the plan of God over your life is still intact and cannot be thwarted. The purpose of God in your life cannot be frustrated by institutions of men. Know that whatever happened, God allowed it to happen, for His own glory. Romans 8:28 “and we know, all things happen for the good of those who love the Lord and are called to his purpose” Child of God, all you need is to seek that you may see your life through God’s eyes. The future can only be bright. As you enter 2019, do not stop dreaming, do not give up trusting on God for he has promised in Isaiah 60:22” when the time is right, I the Lord, will make it happen”

As we enter 2019, it’s my prayer for you:  that the Lord will order your steps, that you will not let his hands go, I prophecy that you will walk under open heavens and you will not tire seeking Gods will concerning your live. I prophesy that favor will be your password, that God will bless the work of your hands, you will be blessed in the city and in the field, whatever your hands touches will be blessed, the anointing of God will cover you and that when you cry unto the Lord, He will send help from Zion.’

My special dedication:  song:  Yesu nitie nguvu nimalize mwendo salama by William Yilima

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year 2019.

Love you all!

RAISING A GODLY OFFSPRING

Welcome back…. It has been long time

It is one of those days when my thoughts are captured and drawn to attention...to detail...yes...to reason out. Well, I am one person who loves children...I have a strong liking for kids especially new born and as they slightly learn to speak...I don't mind baby sitting and talking to a baby who doesn't even understand what am saying.... I admire their cute eyes, small figures, smiles. Very genuine smiles for that matter...You see, I am one person who will smile to kids in a matatu. I  deeply admire these  small angels...I look forward to the day I will be a mother...but occasionally I get lost in some f "fear" sot of  .....parenthood is one thing that comes with a mountain of responsibility...

Apart from having to provide for physical needs to our children...we are also to provide spiritual needs as God has called us to raise a godly offspring... That’s what I want us to look at today…. Raising a Godly offspring

proverbs 15:20 "A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother”. This verse hits my mind so hard when I am lost thinking about motherhood. I don't want my son to be my sorrow...but a blessing to me, and the world at large...My desire just like every other parent is to see the seeds I sow in my children manifest in my children’s children....to raise a godly generation...

But what does the bible say about raising a godly generation...?

Malachi 2:15 “And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore, take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth....”

God is very intentional about family and children...Children are a gift and blessing from God...irrespective of how they enter into our lives.: Either through our own birth or adoption (imagine we are adopted in God's family) ... God is very much concerned on how we raise our kids. he wants us to raise them to honor and love Him. Psalms 127:3~5 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.  As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.  Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate

Teach our children the word of God: proverbs 9:10 tells us that the fear if the Lord is the beginning of wisdom...Iif we are to raise godly offspring...then we must teach our children the word of God...only through this will they become wise and Give reverence to the Lord. Our children should know who the word of God says they are...to know they are a chosen generation, loved by God, a royal priesthood, a holy nation...they need to know that they are part of a great kingdom governed by rules and therefore they can't just talk however they want, go wherever they want or even do whatever they want.

Pass godly attributes and lessons to our children. In Deuteronomy   6:7 God urges the Israelites to teach their children his laws and commandments everywhere every time...when sitting in the house, when walking on the streets, when lying down and even when raising up...he wants this law and his doings passed from generation to generation...without a break. Eph 6:4 urges fathers to “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" this is to imply that as God trains us. Let’s train our children as well.

Be role models.... God wants us to be parents our children can imitate, learn the word of God, and walk the talk. someone said “Children will not do what we tell them but what they see us do” Therefore our words and actions should rhyme...we should not say one thing and do the opposite...it may work for a short time. But with time it will fail miserably.1 Corinthians 11:1 Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. We should be parents who can be imitated, who live according to the will of Christ

Listen and respect our children.... the easiest way of raising a rebellious child is to always talk but never listen... Colossians 3: 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged... (provoke ~stimulate a strong negative reaction in some one) yes. They are children and at times they will miss a thing or two. We should not always make conclusion...We should learn to listen to their side of the story...hear them out and win their trust...Even our heavenly father in his glory and mighty. Still called us-his children to reason together in Isaiah 1:18. we should let our children know they can trust us, and we can trust them ...if we learn to listen to or children, they will learn to trust us.

 Discipline our children...yes. The word of God in Hebrews 12:5&6 tells us God disciplines the one he loves. Similarly, as parents...because we love our children and want them to be better,We should discipline when, where and how it's necessary. Whoever spares the rod hates their children, proverbs 13:24 but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.... well. This is a strong verse that may be interpreted and misinterpreted. But whichever way...lets learn to discipline our children in methods that works for both of us.

Pray for and with our children...we are the priests and the prophet over our children. As a priest we offer sacrifices for them and as a prophets we prophesy over their lives. We ought to build the destiny for our children on our knees. Pray for them in their absentia and also in their presence. We need to bless their lives, uproot what we dislike in them and plant the seed we want to see in their lives on our knees.  We should teach our children to build a relationship and confidence with Christ, for them to know that when they make their prayers, God in heaven hears and will answer them in due course.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it....

Shalom

AT THE CROSS ROADS

Hello and welcome back...It has been pretty some time....Let me welcome to today's edition, I hope together we will learn a thing or two.,,,build each other as the body of Christ.

Decision making crisis

We all come to a point in our lives where we are faced with the need to make critical  decisions. Be it concerning our  diet, jobs, money matters, spiritual matters, relationship matters, family, what to buy or sell, what to study, which college, where to settle and when, who to live with, what to listen, watch, believe, when faced with trials and temptations, we all make decisions in our life in one way or another.some decisions are easy to come through..others are a mountain and valleys we have to cross and at times we seek the opinion of a close person.some decisions have are smaller than others. Most of the times we desire to listen closely to what God says about a decision or a certain direction we desire to make.The good thing is that our God does not push things in our lives as he had granted us a free will to make sound decisions. His desire is that we however make decisions and decisions  that are Godly, wise and morally upright.

There are days that no matter how much we desire, we are faced with a decision making crisis , we are at cross roads.....at times we desire  instant gratification of our needs and the decisions that would grant that may not be godly or even morally upright. At times we pray but answers are not coming through as soon as we want....

Which way?

At times you desire that promotion so much and you feel that the delay has been too much, and probably almost falling into the trap of corruption to get up the ladder, it could be as simple as a call that you are really avoiding and almost tempted to text(read lie) back that you are busy in a meeting and will call back, or that day you are so work out and don't feel like working and are tempted to text your boss and you won't make it as you ain't feeling okay, it could also be that month when so much is pilling on your financial responsibility and are tempted to even skip to pay your tithes as you fix your tight budget....or are all your friends getting married and you feel that the pressure is too just and cant take it all, or yo  have been desiring children and seems things are not coming through and people greet you with their eyes fixed on your tummy, just to see if anything is coming through...? Could it be that your parents can't take it anymore and are now pushing you for a grand child? pressure from within and without and you are wondering, what to do, what to say or how to react?

You are a believer and you have to align yourself with the word of God.

Jeremiah 6:16 "This says the Lord: stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is..and walk in it..and find rest for your souls..."
  
What do you do on such circumstances?

1. Stand by the roads....if you are doubting the decision that you are about to make, stop....by the roads..is a meeting point of different roads, there are different courses of action and therefore it's good to stand and rethink first. Do not be in hurry to close that deal if you aren't sure...stop ...Never rush to move in unsure direction, you may end up wasting your time if you realize that was the wrong direction, you may also need to go back to the cross roads to get  the bearing....Don't rush to resign that job for the sake...don't do things just because you have to do something...don't speak when you are not sure whether what you say is the correct position...Just stand by the roads..

2...and look...yes..consider the different options you have...it's always good to weigh the good and bad...right and wrong,moral and immoral...What is the end result...cost benefit analysis, what does the bible say about what you are going through...is it a trial or temptation...What does the bible say about your situation? Are you sick and at the point of giving up..? What does the bible say about believers healing?..look, both physically and through the spiritual eyes..are you read for the consequences? you want to marry..are you ready to accept that brother or that sister? are you ready to build a family with him or her? will you stand when the trials come? or you have a plan B when the tough gets going? 

3...ask for ancient paths....well no one is a know it all, at times you need the guidance and mentor ship of others. Titus 2:3-4 talks about older women mentoring young ones....teaching them how to love their husbands...The path you are passing through, some one else has passed that way before..they understand the ups and downs...it's wise to seek counsel, it could be from a mentor, a close friend, a father, a mother..yes..more knowledgeable.... The psalmist says in  Psalms 71:18 And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come. He desires that when he is aged, he will able to teach other generations of Gods strength...which he has learned in the life he has lived...If you find none of such..there is a guide who never fails, knows all things and can guide you on all things..he's is the Holy spirit...the spirit of truth...Knows all things, will teach you all things, reminds you all things and guides you on all things..

4. Walk there in...it is of no benefit if we acquire so much knowledge and not apply it..Do not be a hearer of the word but a doer. It doesn't matter how much you read books on how to..if you do nothing on what you've learned...it won't benefit you...if you go to a gym and just want how people exercise, master all moves in your head but never practice, that in itself cannot get you fit...it doesn't matter how much we pray...if we don't walk in the way..it is futile...No matter how much you master the word and promises pf God, if you don't practice...it will not benefit you at all.....At cross roads..it's true you may get the map to the desired direction..but get by stuck there and doing nothing about it..Will not get you to your destination....

Deuteronomy 5:33  You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess. Therefore you need to walk,,,and not just walking  but walking in that right path...The path of righteousness, that it may go well with you.

 

5.find rest for your souls.....Rest comes with happiness,joy, and peace.When bible talks about rest, it implies promise...after wondering in the wilderness, God wanted his people to enter into rest..( although at some point he swore that they wont enter into his rest after they disobeyed in the wilderness, Hebrews 3: 11). God desires that we reach our destiny, the rest of our souls. if we walk in the right path, we will get to the promised land and enjoy the promises of God....

As we begin the second half of the year.. clear all doubts...find the right path and walk in it and you will find rest for your soul.

ciao