Handle With Care: Gentleness

Handle With Care: Gentleness

Let your gentleness be known of all men. The Lord is near.  - Philippians 4:5

When parcels are shipped from one place to another, some parcels are labeled FRAGILE: HANDLE WITH ARE.  The sign is a warning to handle the parcels with care to avoid damaging the contents. The assumption is that the people and equipment handling the parcel have strength that exceeds the limit the parcel can withstand. Those handling the parcels have to do so not according to their full strength but in ways and measure of strength, the parcels can bear.   The strength is moderated to what is necessary and sufficient to achieve the goal of securely shipping the parcel. In other words, their strength must be under control. The terms for strength under control used in the Bible are gentleness or meekness.  

Every person on the face of earth can do with a ‘Handle with Care’ sign on him or her, because people are easily hurt if handled carelessly. People wield sufficient strength to hurt one another physically, and emotionally. No wonder, the Bible many times exhorts believers to be gentle with one another (Philippians 4:5).  'But  the fruit  of the Spirit  is  love, joy , peace , long suffering , gentleness , goodness , faithfulness gentleness, and  self-control, against  such there is  no  law. (Galatians 5:22-23)'.  In addition, Ephesians 4:2 says, "Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each others' faults because of your love."  Another scripture is Titus 3:2, 'To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness to all men.' 

Being gentle is not being demanding, abrasive and coercive. It is being selfless in use of advantage, power, position, and privilege.  It includes being willing to listen, to explain, and to be patient with another. It is being careful that one’s conduct affects the other person and your mutual interests positively.  Gentleness is making choices about another considerately and with the goal to be winsome. It is speaking or acting in a way that lives the relationship stronger. Sadly, often people win arguments and lose their relationships.

Imagine what would happen if God dealt with humanity carelessly. Being all powerful He has to  handle humanity with utmost gentleness. Just a careless drop of His hand can crush planet earth to nothing. Just a careless wave of His hand can sweep people off the universe to unknown emptiness in an instant. However, out of love, He chooses to put His power under control to produce benefit not harm. God is love and gentleness is a vital mark of love. In 2 Samuel 22:36 David acknowledged the elevating impact of God's gentleness in his life, 'Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great '. God is gentle (Psalm 18:35; 2 Corinthians 10:1; Mathew 11:29; 21:5). 'Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me: for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest to your souls (Mathew 11:29). 

It is amazing how gentleness in speech and actions can promote harmonious relationships. A colleague shared how things did not seem to go well in his marriage. Beginning of one year as he made his personal development plans he asked his wife for one thing he could work on that year to make her happier. She thought for a little while. She had heard lots of ‘I love yous' from her husband already. She was longing for love in a different word - gentleness. She said he should just work on being gentle. He decided to evaluate and set goals to improve how he spoke to her, how he responded to her and handled her generally. A miracle happened by year-end. It was as if they were happily married all over again. Beginning of the following year, he asked again for something to work on. She said just keep working on the area of gentleness. The following year it was the same and their marriage life was greatly transformed positively. Faithfully walking in gentleness works wonders in other relationships such as parental and team relationships.

Words you speak are one area to pay close attention to in seeking to be gentle (Ephesians 4:29). Proverbs 31:6 says of the virtuous woman, ‘She opens her mouth with wisdom. The law of kindness is in her mouth.’ The tongue is a small organ but can affect the whole life. ‘Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire from hell.  For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of animals in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind:  But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.  With this we bless God, even the Father; and with this we curse men, who are made after the similitude of God.  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be ( James 3:6,8).

We have all been disappointed at some point. The issue is not only about words you speak but also how you respond to words spoken to you. Gentleness is response under control. It is being responsible or response-able. When someone disappoints you or offends you, how do you respond? I have heard people saying someone was calm and composed but on hearing provocative words 'lost it' or 'came off the hook'. Gentleness is staying on the hooks and requires grace for the failures, wrongs and weaknesses of others. Not every potential battle is worth fighting.  Some issues can be energy wasters and detractors best dealt with by simply ignoring them or not stirring them up.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa 

Uncommon Courage

Uncommon Courage

A Message Shared at a Real Men’s Seminar at FMUK Faith Conference 2013

By K. Chitima

My wife and I were on holiday at Kruger Park Lodge with two of my sisters, a brother in law and some of their children.  One morning we were relaxed outside the lodges when the woman who was cleaning our rooms came out screaming. She had seen what she thought was a green mamba outside the window to our bedroom we occupied. We trooped into the room. She had closed the window. The snake had stopped moving and its head lifted a little. It remained there unperturbed by our eyes watching from inside the window. The woman who first saw it, told us not to attack it while she went to report to wardens who would come and catch it.  The wardens took a while to show up. In the meantime, some left the window. I was among those who stayed to watch any movements by the snake.  Later the warden came and we all were keen to see how he would capture the snake. He told us the snake was not a green mamba but some harmless green snake. He did not even capture it. He scared it off and it slipped into nearby grass and disappeared. Now came time to share about the snake visit. My sister was all out bragging about the boldness of her husband. Apparently, before the warden arrived my brother in law went outside and took photos of the snake from a distance. Therefore, she sang praise of him being the real man in the place for going outside. I automatically went into defensive mode frantically explaining that I stayed to make sure I did not frighten the snake away and that if it moved, we would know where to try to find it. Whatever the case, the popular expectation was very clear. Men ought to show bravery.

The attribute of courage is one of the most battered among men. The remnants exhibiting it are an endangered species. If men had to bring foreskins for a bridal price, how many would marry? David was required to bring a hundred foreskins and he brought twice the number (1 Samuel 18:25). Saul said, Thus shall you tell David, The king desires no dowry except one hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. .. The days were not expired; and David arose and went, he and his men, and killed of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full number to the king, that he might be the king's son-in-law. Saul gave him Michal his daughter as wife.

Courage is boldness to proceed despite the dangers or risks. Courage is willingness to step beyond the confines of the familiar and predictable. For many people a primary life concern is to avoid anything that could jeopardize a secure position. Why rock the boat they ask. But courage is to venture into the unknown with no guarantees of success. It is acting on a need seemingly greater than yourself (Joshua 1:9).  It is ability to initiate solutions. It is being willing to take a positive stand even when the stand is against the current of popular opinion.

Increasingly a new species of men afraid to appreciate their masculinity is rising up (Cole 1985). Many are gender emasculated like bulls castrated for use as beast of burden that pull the scotch carts and the ploughs. They are insecure, insipid and settle for mediocrity. Such men are unable to assume responsibility, make decisions, provide good leadership and balance roaring for defense and kindness for care. Several factors contribute to this negative trend. Many are afraid to be termed male chauvinists. Some have been raised by single mothers or in conditions of absentee fathers.  Yet others spend most of life still determining whether they are male or female. They cannot live the one just in case they are the other.  Some are over careful not to breach some gender and children protection law of the 21^st C.  Others have failed to become breadwinners and so feel inadequate as they rely on their wives to do everything. Some who are believers have failed to understand spirituality to mean being weak.

The challenges of our day call for men who can show uncommon courage.  In days past a man went out to kill a lion or fight a band of violent invaders and bring their heads or fore skins.  Not many men are soldiers anymore. For most men the opportunities to show courage are in areas as below.

Men ought to show courage in loving their wives and expressing it in words and deeds. Men and women were created different. When God created a man, he gave him a job. When he created a woman, he gave her a husband, a person. So generally men are more fulfilled by achieving tasks while women by healthy relationships. A man is devastated when he fails to achieve a job while what devastate a woman are failed relationships, especially with husband. Women breathe love and failure to make your wife feel loved by frequently communicating it is woman slaughter. God knowing women would need love must have deposited immense capacity to love in men. Part of the responsibility of a husband is to tell his wife that he loves her. Keeping the sentiments inside is not enough. When Eve was presented to Adam, he said something. It needs to come out. A friend called this lyrics. Instrumentation alone will not do, include lyrics in the love rhythm.

Men ought also to show courage in parenting. Men ought to show courage in stepping out to win bread, provide direction and fend for their families. In doing so, they need to neglect providing personal attention to their children. Most children caught up in crime grew up without fathers at home. The primary provision children need from fathers is time with them. Children need not just time for instruction or business but time to be listened to and understood. Time to see a model and not just told theory. Children need parents who serve as covering that facilitates dreams and not a lid that limit. 

Men ought to take the lead in showing moral courage to stand for what is good on issues that affect society. When they encounter opposition, disapproval and contempt, they remain faithful to their values on issues such as sex, drugs, occult, lying, cheating, stealing, etc. The postmodern business and professional world can be an amoral environment, ruled by “situational ethics”. Many do whatever it takes to close the deal. Standing for one’s convictions is not easy. It takes a willingness to challenge the status quo.  Such times require courage to stay true to high standards of behavior and practice. “…Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Men ought to show courage not to give up. When expectations fall short, it can be easy to give up. At such times, the courage to persevere, to remain focused on the objective, is essential. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). Champions are those who never quit.

Reclaiming and strengthening courage as a Christian man:

Men like Mordecai, Joseph, and Daniel served in harsh situations but did not divert from trusting in God. Resolve to be all that God made you to be (Deuteronomy 31:6-8; Joshua 1:6-9; Isaiah 41:10; Jeremiah 29:11).

>>Saturate your heart with God’s word. Honor God in public and private.

>>Walk in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives the courage to live and stand for godly values.

>>Ask God for courage in prayer (Acts 4:29)

>>Set up an accountability circle of godly people around your life. Determine carefully the people you allow to inspire and examine your life.

Reflection/Discussion Questions 

1.      How do you exhibit courage in daily actions and decisions in your professional work in the 21^st century environment?  What has worked easily and what has been hard?

2.      Can you share an example of when you found it necessary in the performance of your job to take a bold stand that required courage?

3.      Share an incident that threatened your marital fidelity or sexual purity and how you managed?  

Reference:

Cole, Edwin Louis. Courage: Winning Life’s Toughest Battles. Watercolor Books, 1985.

Handing Over Your Boat

Handing Over Your Boat

Luke 5:1-11

Recap:

Work to be done: On 4/8/2013, we talked about the Promised Land.  When you are not in the land, God sees, hears, and knows your plight.  He also comes down to provide deliverance. Ultimately, he has come down through our Lord Jesus Christ.  When you are in the Promised Land, manna ceases. You have grace to work the land and fight the giants.  You have grace to care for the cows in order to enjoy their milk and chase away the bees in order to enjoy the honey. Be faithful to do the works of obedience and faith in the land. 

Issues beyond the hype: On 11/8/2013, we looked at the reality we all face of issues we have to face on our own beneath and beyond the public eye and events. There are issues beyond the hype. We saw how the Shunamite woman despite being wealthy and appearing to be well had to also deal with issues. She prepared for hers by making the right personal choices about God in her day-to-day life. She found strength from retreating to a strong relationship with God. God overtook her expectations in taking care of her needs. 

Today:

Handing Over Your Boat:  Today, 18/8/2013, let us talk about handing over your boat for an unusual catch of fish. There is an unusual harvest waiting for you. Peter was familiar with catching a certain kind of fish at certain times, in a certain way and in certain quantities. Jesus helped him to realize that God rules over the fish and their harvest. His unusual ways brought an unusual harvest that broke the rules in Peter’s fishing manual but also broke the nets with an unusually big catch of fish. More so, he wanted him to understand that it was not just about catching fish but catching humanity back to God. If you are willing and obedient you will eat the good of the land (Isaiah 1:19).  You will enjoy fruitfulness and win many to Christ.

In the encounter, Peter had with Jesus Christ in Luke 5:1-11 we can learn about the character and power of Jesus Christ.

I. He Demonstrated His Care For People. The crowd that was pressing around Christ was hungry for the word. Jesus gave them attention and was eager to best position himself to communicate clearly. That is how much he cared. He also will withhold nothing that is to your benefit. Further, he saw Peter and his partners washing their nets instead of pressing with the crowd. The team of fishing experts had toiled the whole night and caught nothing. Night shift is not easy and by now, they were probably so tired and disheartened to be a part of the pressing crowd. Christ also had a need for a platform from which to teach the crowd. By now he had gone through baptism in the Jordan River, tempted by the devil in the desert, rejected in His hometown, and was now calling his disciples.  Therefore, his other need was for disciples who would join his core team of gospel messengers. The crowd was pressing but not earmarked for the core team of Christ. Peter needed for the core team had a platform but no message. Jesus had the message but no platform. Peter had nets but no fish. Jesus had fish but no nets. Christ found a formula to meet the needs of Peter, the needs of the crowd as well as his own needs.  The formula was to ask for Peter’s boat.  By acknowledging his need, Christ helped Peter see his need. Peter realized his need for God’s help and forgiveness.

II. He Displayed His wisdom that Confounds Human Wisdom. Jesus called Peter when he was at one of his lowest points in his profession. God needs you just as you are to confound human wisdom. Since you were not chosen based on performance, you are free to be yourself and from pressure to perform. You simply trust in God.  For what he called you to do, he is not depending on your skill or experience.  Peter could have argued with Jesus and reminded him of his fishing credentials. He could have advised Christ to stay at the carpentry shop or to stick to his newly discovered public teaching profession. God’s fishing wisdom does not depend on time of day and natural course of marine life.

Let us remember that the boat was Peter’s source of sustenance. For your sustenance, nets are not enough. You need God first.  By handing over his source of sustenance that had just failed,  Peter discovered the real dependable source of sustenance. It was a statement that all he needed was Christ. It was also stating that he was worth much more than the value of the boat (Mathew 16:26). Whatever you refuse to handover, you reduce your worth to its level. He handed over his job and business. By handing it over, he went with it into the water as Christ taught the crowd. Your heart and priority follow the one to whom you hand over your sustenance. The one to whom you hand over your source of sustenance influences you. Peter being also in the boat as Jesus taught had to pay closer attention to what Christ had to say than before. Worries of life distract from hearing God’s word and call. When you handover not just the worries but also the source of the worries you find relief and restored hope. Your boat is not just for making money but a platform from which many can hear God’s word. Your job and business are a platform for Christ to be visible and heard in your worlds of life.

III. He Illustrated His Faithfulness and Ability. Christ was asking for the source and not just the profit. When you give the source to God, he gives it back to you blessed. He is unlike people who will ask for your best and after they exhaust it, they dump you on the wayside. Christ gives the boat back to you ask you to achieve the impossible. Cast your nets on the deeper side for a catch.  Time was wrong. It was time to wash nets not to cast them.  Instructor was wrong. The fisherman was tired and reluctant. They were washing the nets for shut down.  It was wrong setting – probably the crowd still present. Peter walked by obedience when he said it makes no sense but because you say so I will do it. Ripeness of time is more crucial than rightness of time. As Jesus taught from Peter’s boat, Peter’s fish were lining up and aligning for a catch. By the time he was done time was ripe.  The situation was ready for a catch. When you gave your life to Christ, his entire promises aligned waiting for your obedience at the deeper end. Move from shallowness in God’s word and faith. An unusual catch of fish is waiting.

Jesus was faithful to give back the boat. He was faithful to vindicate Peter’s obedience with a great catch. The miracle was not only in the catch but also in its magnitude. They nets were failing to contain the large amount of fish. Peter now had a positive problem of what to do with the size of catch.  In abundance, there is no hesitation in sharing. They called their partners; the availability of fish was more than enough to share.  A scarcity mentality hinders generosity.  It also underlined that one person cannot do the work of winning souls. You cannot do it alone. The harvest is so much that it takes collaboration by all. It is so much that there is no need to fight over fish. 

Jesus graciously led Peter to a place were he could see who He was. In the revelation of Christ, he received a revelation of himself as a sinner.  He wanted Jesus to go away. Nevertheless, Jesus had not come to avoid sinners but to save them. Instead, Jesus commissioned Peter to fish people from sin. The experience of the day assured Peter that by similar trust and obedience, God was able to bring a great harvest of people as he did with fish that day.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa 

Breakages At Antioch

Breakages At Antioch

Acts 11:19-23

Up to this point since the launch of the Church in Acts 2, the center for Christianity was Jerusalem.  Jesus had said tarry in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit. He did not say tarry in Jerusalem forever. Sometimes we take a part of the instruction.  They kept the gospel in Jerusalem and among the Jews instead of taking it also to Samaria and the rest of the world (Acts 1:8).

The church at Antioch started well but progress stalled until they found themselves on the run. Their efforts hit an invincible barrier. They however were able to find their breakthrough. Breakthrough is when something standing in the way gives way. Break through is being able to reach a place God has been before to prepare it for you. Reaching the promised place despite resistance is breakthrough. God prepares a place for his people and leads them to that place. God’s word reveals the place. The promises in the word give the hope for which faith is substance (Hebrews 11:1).

The Antioch church refused to be stopped from living and sharing their faith. Opposition to them reached a peak when Stephen was martyred. They had settled in Jerusalem but God was on the move. The persecution made them move with God. They proved to be a people on the move, a people unstoppable.  Wherever they went, they took the gospel with them. In Old Testament times, all the enemy of God’s people needed to do to defeat them was to destroy Jerusalem or capture the ark where God’s presence manifested. Imagine the very ark of your God captured. In the New Testament, however the church was harder to deal with. Unlike a spider that can be killed by chopping off the head. The church was like a starfish that when cut to pieces, the pieces grow to star fishes. The more its cut the more starfish. Wherever the believers scattered to they took Gods presence and the gospel with them.

You need to apply Antioch lessons at a personal level. The lessons apply for your personal, business, family break through. Often you get excited about a revelation you receive and you take off to a great start.  Then setbacks come. Then you face barriers. Then you resistance intensifies until you are on the run or go into hiding. The aim of the enemy is to stop you. The Antioch believers refused to let the enemy win. Some lessons:

>> The Antioch church adopted a new mindset. They needed to think outside the box. They needed a new idea, or revelation that could take them out of their stalemate situation. For your break through God may want you to do something differently.  The Antioch church broke from the norm to accomplish the normal to God. They took the risk of being misunderstood.

They reached out to non-Jews and sparked the spread of the gospel far and wide.  They even sent support to Jerusalem instead of waiting for support from Jerusalem.

>>>Antioch church needed a Barnabas.  Thank God, the church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to investigate what was happening at Antioch. Baby Antioch church needed lots of oxygen of encouragement. You also need someone who will inspire and encourage you along the right way. 

>>>Antioch church needed a Paul. The Antioch church needed someone able to give them capacity. Lots of encouragement without ability leads to frustration. They needed Paul who had special grace for gentiles and for teaching and grounding in the faith. Thank God, Barnabas brought him to Antioch. He built capacity while Barnabas gave the motivation. Paul needed Antioch and Antioch needed Paul.

However, with all these in place nothing would have worked without breakages within. For your breakthrough, something will need to break. Something had to break in the people of God at Antioch. The church at Antioch was a people on the move because of breakages inside. There is something called breaking for break through.  Something of yours has to break in order for something standing in the way to be moved away. Something lesser has to break to give way to something greater from God. If you will not break, you will breakdown. If you break, you can no longer be broken.

Something will need to give way in and around you. The barriers you face will not go away on their own you will have to face them. You however overcome them by allowing something inside to break so that the lion of Judah inside can come out. Some things will not work unless something breaks inside for grace to be evident. The word of God states some breakages that must happen inside. The breakages relate to five life perspectives. 

1) Breaking of fallow ground. This breakage is in your relationship with yourself.  It is about what your heart is like. How willing you are to learn and change. How soft your heart towards God’s word.  The one thing that will determine fruitfulness in your walk with Christ is your attitude towards the word of God (Mathew 13:18-23). Many have exposure to the word but few experience transformation as a result. The word is reaching many from every direction by satellite, internet, literature, radio, pulpit, and even street corner. Yet many are only interested in experiences at meetings. They are looking for someone to blow over then and blow away all their problems permanently so they can go and live as they wish. Sustained victory comes from an on going learning attitude. A heart prepared to hear God’s word. A heart that readily receives and retains God’s word can produce 3000%, 6000% and 10000%. Your personal word choices determine how far you will go. You were called to a personal relationship. Determine in your heart that you do not want to be mediocre but dynamic. Cultivate a strong desire to grow in knowing and obeying God’s word (Hosea 10:12; Mark 9:23). The day you think you know all, you expose your pathetic ignorance.  Show your dependence on God by living a prayerful life. Sow righteousness for yourselves, and reap unfailing love.  Break up the unplowed ground.

2) Breaking of perfume jars. This breakage is in your relationship with God. How much do you love God?  Luke 7:37-48 mentions the woman who poured her perfume from an alabaster jar and wiped the Lord’s feet weeping and kissing his feet. . She was commended for giving her best. She loved so much because she understood how much she been loved and forgiven. Jesus commended her for prophetically anointing him for his death and for showing her love. You love the Lord because he first loved you.  To the depth you understand how much you were loved and forgiven you love back. Many love the Lord not for who he is but because of what they want from him. Jesus said the new commandment is to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and strength. That kind of love keeps you faithful when you face resistance. God has given you his very best. He therefore deserves nothing less than the very best from you. He held nothing back.  He gave himself. Time has come for seasons of fasting out of a hunger to know God not from wanting to demand things. Like the woman, you can demonstrate your love by your giving and your obedience. Whatever the past and whatever has not worked well you have an opportunity to demonstrate your love for God. Be sold out to Him. You can allow yourself to break and be poured out to him in worship.

3) Breaking of earthen vessels. This breakage is in your relationship with the world around you. What does the world see in believers? Believers have God’s treasure  in  earthen vessels so that it can be clear their power is of God not of them (2 Corinthians  4:6-7). For  God, who commanded  the light  to shine  out of  darkness,  has shined  in  our  hearts. Christ is in you for you to shine him out. The world’s cameras are zoomed on you. People are quick to see the earthiness of your ethnic backgrounds, and weaknesses through your outward visible aspects.   It is easy for them to miss the glory inside. You carry power to change and make things happen. The challenge is to allow people to see what is inside. Let Jesus inside be seen. Allow his love and attributes to be evident. Let your light shine. In other words it is your personal responsibility (Mathew 5:16). Allow your spiritual virtues to dominate your canal. Produce fruit of character and good works that people can come to eat (Galatians 5:20-23). Fruit trees do not eat the fruits they produce. Be his ambassador at work, in extended family and everywhere. Ask God for the wisdom to influence for Christ in your circles.  Often non-believers are not shunning Christ but the messengers of Christ. God is looking for those who are willing to break.  

4) Breaking of cultural barriers. This breakage is in your relationship with people of cultures different from yours.  This breakage links closely with the previous. We live in communities with mixed cultures. By living in such communities your progress hinges on how well you can get allow with other cultures.  Can people of other cultures see the Christ in you? Christ is the common denominator, common factor that brings people together in harmony. Antioch church was reaching out to non-Jews. Cross-cultural skills and the love of Christ that transcends cultural barriers are not luxuries any more. As believers, we need to redeem culture from the cult of the culture. When others can see less of your ethnic background enough for it to be immaterial in your association with them then God has moved. You have not loved God enough until others can experience God’s love through you. When they do, your ethnicity becomes immaterial. You will always be different. After all, your very best mastery of another culture will still be an improvised version of the genuine. Let the light shine through our socio relational barriers. Even if think, the light is little. As if a lighthouse let it shine bright enough so it can guide many to the harbor of hope.

5) Breaking of light pitchers. This breakage is in your relationship with the enemy.  What does the enemy see and hear.  Gideon and his army in their smallness used very unusual weapons to achieve victory (Judges 7v18-22).   They carried pitchers with light inside and trumpets. At the right time and positions, they blew their trumpets and broke the pitchers to let the light inside out. And shouted ‘The sword  of the LORD, and of Gideon.’  They celebrated their victory before it was in hand. That celebration became the means to the victory. As they did, God fought for them and they defeated the Midianites. The battle is the Lord’s but the victory is yours. It is your right time and you are in the right place of righteousness to blow your trumpet. Christ has won the battle for you. You have reason to break the pitchers and blow your trumpets.  You are more than a conqueror. You simply enforce and enjoy a victory already achieved and settled in heaven by the Lord. Whatever he died for, he gave to you as an opportunity and gift to receive by faith. It is dangerous for the enemy to break one like you because what comes out is bigger than he can handle.

The Breakages that were allowed inside at Antioch brought about a major break thru to missions. The church rediscovered the grand idea. The Church found its God intended direction (Mathew 28:19; Acts 1:8). Movement, emotion and commotion are not enough you need direction (Mathew 4:19).

Message shared at FMUK Faith Conference 2013

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa 

Beyond The Hype

Beyond The Hype

II Kings 4:8-17, 8:1-6

Elisha said to Gehazi,  “Tell her, ‘Look, you have treated us with such great respect.  What can I do for you? …’” She replied, “I’m quite secure.” So he asked Gehazi,  “What can I do for her?” (II Kings 4:13-14)

Many people are hopping from one event to another and from one public experience to another in search of solutions. When everything has ended, however the big question they are stuck with is 'so what?' Often excitement from events is for their duration. Afterward, the moment they are by themselves they feel lost.  Beyond the hype of the event or the public moment they suddenly wake up to the realities of their lives.

The deep-rooted life issues are often not obvious because life has taught that in public you put out your best appearance and performance. You put on a smile and a great outlook.  Life has taught not to disappoint the high-five opinions others extend to you. Life has taught the art of getting along with the wave of group mood even when you feel lonely in the crowd, so that you are not the odd one. As a result, you are often battling with the real issues and challenges inwardly and privately on your own. At that level, beneath the surface, you not only ask about challenges of life but grapple with existence - Who am I, why am I here and where am I going?

In addition to enjoying passing moments, you need also prepare for what you face on your own beyond the hype of the moments. You will have to deal with the sort of questions and issues the Shunammite woman faced (2 Kings 4:8-17; 8:1-6). Publicly she was prominent and self-sufficient. If anything, her problem would not be how to get sufficiency but how to keep it. Yet beneath the surface, she had to deal with life issues like everyone else and managed to overcome. 

1) She faced personal choices about God. These choices no one can make for another.   She decided to trust and please God in her life. She embraced God's view of life and found her purpose. She sought opportunities to serve God. Serving God is contributing godliness in your circle of influence with the means you have. She found her opportunity when she hosted, for meals, a prophet of God who passed through her home area. Later she and her husband built a room for the prophet to live with them. The personal choices you are making about God each day affect how you will cope with your life beyond the hype (Mathew 6:33). Another lesson from the woman is she maintained a healthy relation with her husband. Married people know how easy it is for spouses to put out each other’s fire. The husband was involved in decisions affecting both of them and was supportive. In fact, in face of other issues, God used someone to provide the woman’s solutions.

2) She faced her unmet needs. The woman had given up hope that certain needs in her life could be met.  You also may be facing mountains you cannot climb or move. You many have pitched your tent to settle next to the mountain and have ruled out victory. The woman felt the same. However, as she learnt obedience and the secreting of putting God first in life, God positioned her for a miracle that met a silent need she had. God unsettled the spirit of the prophet about doing something for the woman for her labor of love to look after him. Jesus is unsettled about your situation. God is moving someone’s heart for you. Instead of the woman asking for something, the prophet asked ‘what shall be done for her?’ She was so content and secure with what she already had that she did not ask for anything even when given opportunity. Just God's presence and grace was enough for her. Her motive for serving was just love for God and people. She was an all weather believer - One loving God with plenty or without (Phil 4:11-13). But her response only heated up the question what shall be done for her and a positive answer had to be found.  God used Gehaz to make the prophet aware that the woman needed a child. In one year, she had a child. If you are walking in love and obedience, get ready for what God is about to do for you. Something your imagination has lost. A longing you buried is coming your way.

3) She faced sudden setbacks. Just as she was full of praise that God exceeded her expectations. When she was a happy parent of a miracle child who was making good progress, a fatal headache hit and the boy died.  Whether it was meningitis or a blood vessel burst. Whatever it was God remained the caring, able and faithful. The woman retained her faith and confidence. She was consistent and steadfast. Though in distress, she repeatedly assured her husband and others that all was well. God used support people around her to enable her reach the prophet who was not at home. The set back ended in a great come back as the boy was brought back to life. 

4) She faced disappointments in her faith (2 Kings 8:1-6). She faced unanswered questions. Things did not always go the way her bible teacher taught. She had the kind of puzzle not easy to testify about for fear of being judged to be without faith. To avoid going through a drought, She had obeyed the prophet and went to live in a foreign land for seven years. She must naturally have developed attachment to her things over the years. Obeying must have been hard for her. It meant leaving her home comfort. To make matters worse when she came back her situation did not match her obedience. She came back to find out that she had lost everything she owned. She had done nothing wrong. However, despite all this she got promotion. While earlier she would need the prophet to seek favors from the king on her behalf now she went to plead her case before the king for herself. God’s providence went before her. While she was on the way God worked on the king’s heart to favor her. The king began a conversation with Gehaz about the works of Elisha. Gehaz mentions many exploits but just cannot get to the story of the shunammite woman. By the time, Gehaz talks about the woman she was at the door with her son to confirm for herself the story. The king moved story, restored to her all that she had lost. No situation you face is too hard for God. Even in the fire, you can experience God’s presence. 

One also needs to note that by this time the woman had most likely lost her husband who was old. While all her property was restored it is likely this was one of the things she did not get back. But what was restored was a testimony of God’s presence with her  and a source of comfort for things not restored. When things are not restored God still restores faith, peace and joy.  

Beyond the hype when you are by yourself, a healthy personal relationship with God through faith in the work of Jesus Christ to save will keep you going. What personal choices are you making daily about God? What personal challenges, setbacks and unanswered questions in your faith journey are you facing? Learn from the Shunammite woman, God will show himself for you and bring people around you who are pregnant with your solutions.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa

The House of God VII: Conduct Fitting the House

The House of God VII: Conduct Fitting the House

2 Timothy 2:19 - 22

To end the series on the house of God let us examine how to live in the house of God. By the renewing of our minds, God is transforming us into his likeness. He is perfecting the vessels in his house for the house agenda (Ephesians 4:11-13).

Paul compared life in the house of God to that of a great house (2 Timothy 2:19 – 22). The house  is so great that you do not live in it anyhow. Being born into a great house puts you on the spot light.   The ‘paparazzi’ come after you. You have a reputation to keep, privileges to enjoy and responsibilities to carry out. Believers are born into such a house. Humanity is watching with high expectations (Ephesians 3:9).  Heaven is watching with great support. Hell is also watching helplessly, puzzled by the manifold wisdom of God (Ephesians 3:10).

A house can be great by its extraordinary nature,  by its history of significant contributions, by its destiny, by its wealth, by whose it is, by the children it raises, by its good governance, order and the remarkable experience it gives. The house of God has all these characteristics and more. It has qualities that are above ordinary.  Let us look at three highlights.

>> A Sure Foundation

Great architects design great houses. God does great things.  His house has a sure foundation (Isaiah 28:16; 2 Timothy 2:9) and is according to God’s plan. It is built to last. It  is able to withstand any pressure. God is the foundation, designer and builder. For no other foundation can man lay than that already in place, which is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11). Members of the house are born into it by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8). They live by faith in Gods word, and power from the name of Jesus, prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit.

>> A Holy Ground

Do you realize the greatness of the house to which you belong?   ‘Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil (Ecclesiastes 5:1; Habakkuk 2:20).’  We also learn from Exodus 3:5 that God meets with his people on holy ground. When Moses met with God at the bush that had flames but was not burning, God warned him not to get any closer without taking off his sandals for the place was holy ground. The house of God is holy ground where God’s presence abides.  It is the place where humanity can experience God. With his sandals on, Moses could only get close to God to a point and no further. In a similar way, we also can get to know God only so far without removing from our lives things that keep us from following God more intimately. Shoes represent the attitudes, sins and weights, which hinder you from drawing to God near enough (Hebrews 12:1-3). Taking off shoes can be laying aside pride. Blessed are the poor in Spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Mathew 5:3).  Taking off shoes can also signify being careful to walk worthily before God. Paul wrote to Timothy the importance of learning how to behave in the house of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth (I Timothy 3:15, 16). The great house has manners and protocols to be observed. Also, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3).

>> A High Value Opportunity

The realization of the greatness of God’s house is key in deciding worthy conduct in the house (Ephesians 2:19; 1 Corinthians 3:9). Your attitude and behavior in the house of God determines your role in the house. A great house does not have vessels of honor only. It has a wide range of vessels. Some are vessels of honor/high value and others are vessels of dishonor/low value to God’s agenda (2 Timothy 2:19-21).  Unlike the vessels in a lesser house that are only of low value. The house has vessels meet for the master’s use and unfitting vessels. People in the house are at different levels of maturity, faith, and knowing God. In a great house, there is opportunity to be of high value so why settle for less. All members of the house have the potential to be great but are not necessarily great. ‘The Lord knows those who are his. Let everyman who names the name of the lord purge himself from iniquity (2 Timothy 2:19; 2 Corinthians 4:6, 7).’  A great house has opportunity for honor and greatness that is non-existent in a lesser house. Members can determine what they become by their faith in the house especially their attitude towards sin. So if someone cleanses himself of such behavior, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

Purify yourself from doubt, fear, worry, anxiety, and bitterness. ‘Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart (2 Timothy 2:20, 21).  How you live in the great house determines how much of its greatness you enjoy. You are called to greatness. God promised to Abraham with whom we share God’s blessing, ‘And I will make of thee  a great  nation , and I will bless  thee, and make  thy name  great  ; and thou shalt be a blessing’ (Genesis 12:2). He also promised, ‘I will be your exceeding great reward (Genesis 15:1)’. The promises we have in Christ are exceedingly great. ‘Whereby  are  given unto us  exceeding great and  precious  promises : that  by  these  ye might be  partakers  of the divine nature , having escaped  the corruption  that is in  the world  through  lust (2 Peter 1:4).’

You are safe and fruitful in the house with a sure foundation. God is inviting his people to take off their shoes and seek him. He is calling them to desire to be of higher value to God’s purposes, people who diligently endeavor to be vessels of honor, sanctified and meet for the Master’s use. Let your heart cry out like the Psalmist’s, ‘How lovely are your dwellings, Yahweh of Hosts! My soul longs, and even faints for the courts of Yahweh. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God (Psalm 84; 92:13).

[This message is the seventh and final among several in a series of messages on the house of God. The series raises awareness of the importance of belonging and fully participating in the life of a local church.]

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa

The House of God VI: The House Agenda

The House of God VI: The House Agenda 

Text: Ephesians 3:7 – 11

That I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ ;  And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ (verses 8b, 9)

The house of God is about stewardship of the glory of God on earth. The Bible is about the loss and restoration of God’s glory on earth. Throughout the Bible, the glory of God distinguishes his house and his people from others. God’s glory comes from knowing him as revealed in his word. The agenda of the house is for God’s people to share God’s glory in the form of his tangible presence, character attributes and power with all people. The agenda is to share God’s goodness and love. The house is therefore not only a reservoir but also an attractive display and distributor of God’s love and a pillar of truth in the world (1 Timothy 3:15; Mathew 5:14-16; 28:19-20; Mark 11:17). God’s dream is an earth filled with the glory of the knowledge of him (Habakkuk 2:14).  Christ fulfills the glory by inhabiting his people. As stated by Paul, ‘Christ in you the hope of glory’ (Ephesians 1:27; 1 Corinthians 2:7-8). That is the mystery hidden from the foundations of the world. The glory was given to the church so that it can be to the world and to God.

The Hebrew word ‘kabawd’ refers to evidence of honor, praise, splendor and abundance. In reference to God, it is something of divine presence, divine encounter, divine nature or divine power. God’s presence provides his people with provisions for their needs and responsibilities. We need God all the time. For example, when in face of temptations and trials, when we are weary and need strength, when we need a hand to hold us, a shoulder to lean and a back to climb on.  Through his strength, even though challenged in life, we are neither corrupted nor conquered.

The relationship of God with humanity can be traced from the garden to the city - the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2, 3) to the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21).  From the garden to the city, God makes provisions to be on earth with the people he created. Let us trace the house:

In the Garden

God was present with Adam and Eve. In the cool of the day, they would fellowship (Genesis 3:8). Adam and Eve enjoyed God’s glory and it was their covering. The glory gave them dignity and marked right standing with God. They were very free to enjoy the fullness of God. They occupied a position of authority that gave them dominion over earth. They had ability to multiply and replenish. They were healthy and lacked nothing. Their experience gives us an idea of what God desires for his house.

Adam and Eve failed in their stewardship of the glory of God by disobedience regarding the tree of knowing good and evil (Genesis 3).  God however promised to restore the glory (Genesis 3:15).

As the Tabernacle

In exodus 25:8, God spoke to Moses ‘"And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them" (Ex. 25:8). Prior to this time God related to his people like Abraham through visitations for specific purposes. Now it would no longer be visitation but accompaniment. The tabernacles of Moses and that of David were tent structures that housed the Ark of the Covenant and were portable. It was designed for migration so that they could advance and take territory. When the tabernacle was dedicated, God’s glory came down in the form of a cloud (Ex. 40:33-35). The glory distinguished the house and marked it as of God. The tabernacle made it possible for God’s people to relate with God and to enjoy his prosperity (2 Samuel 6:12).

Stewardship of this glory was not without challenges. At times, the ark was taken to captivity and the glory lost – ikabod.

As the Temple

When the children of Israel had reached the promised land and were no longer migrating as before, they built a house for God in a fixed location. Araunah the Jebusite’s threshing floor occupied the location before David bought it. David regretted that he lived in a house of cedar while God lived in a tent. God appointed David’s son, Solomon, to build the house. Solomon built a magnificent temple whose splendor and that of his kingdom attracted the attention of the world.  When the temple was dedicated, God’s glory filled it endorsing it was God’s (1 King 7:51; 8:10-13).

This temple is best known for an era of peace and prosperity. The people of God at their destination were enjoying the land of promise. Gold was abundant and flowing in all the time from the nations and from the gold fields of Ophir. 

Stewardship of this glory was also a challenge. Israel lost the glory when they were taken to captivity because of sin and the temple had to be rebuilt two times – by Ezra, Zerubbabel and Joshua, and much later on by King Herod. 

As the Church

Each impression of God’s house seemed to serve a purpose and to enhance the evidence of glory from the earlier one. God promised through the prophets that a time would come when he will live in a house not made by human hands. In which his law will not be on tablets of stone but written on people’s hearts. The prophecies are fulfilled in the church collectively and as individual believers (Ephesians 2:2). In it, the purposes of the migration and temple eras are fulfilled with ability for much greater impact.  The ark can no longer be taken captive by the enemy and the people can no longer be taken away from a temple. God inhabits his people. The ark is no longer confined to one location.  It is no longer a time for visitations but habitation and no longer a time for migration but of exaltation. Believers are highly exalted to sit with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 1, 2) far above evil principalities. They are not seeking to conquer because Jesus Christ completed the conquest. Now it is time to receive from Father God.

The glory of God also came down at the launch of the church in the form of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2: 1-4).  The Glory did not exclude the priests from entering the temple but filled the priests for their work because they had become the temple.  Through Christ, believers gained the divine nature and God shared in humanity. The metaphors of the church all suggest closeness of relationship between God and his people - a body, a people of God, a family, a flock, a bride, the elect, a vine and branches, and other concepts.

The glory in the church far exceeds that of the tabernacles and temples (2 Corinthians 3:7-11).  The glory is however in earthen vessels and relies on the willingness of the earthen vessels to break (2 Corinthians 4:7).  Stewardship of the earlier houses faltered. How will we steward the greater glory we have as the church. Will all people see and hear the good news of Christ.

In the City

The dominion that was lost in the garden is to be restored fully in the great city. The New Jerusalem will fully express the final triumph we already have in Christ. The cross of Christ already has made the provision we can enjoy the abundant life of the New Jerusalem now. It will however reach its consummation at the end of time. It will usher in the final abode of God with his people for eternity (Revelation 3:11-12; 21:23. The glory once departed now restored.  We will dwell the house in forever with the Lord (Psalm 23:6).  It will be the city without limitations (Zechariah 2:2-5). The Lord will be wall of fire surrounding it and will be the light and sufficiency of it.

What will you do with what you have received from God? We have received in order to show and share - that all may see the goodness of God. That is the agenda of the house of God. What will you do to share Christ and show his love this week?

[This message is the sixth among several in a series of messages on the house of God. The series raises awareness of the importance of belonging and fully participating in the life of a local church.]

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa