tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12586924061562148072024-03-21T15:44:10.896+02:00 The WordnocrateFor great Religious insights, theology refleaction and balanced biblical analysis of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.Tonderai Goncalohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07886336319223176830noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1258692406156214807.post-9394323834596209582020-04-10T14:46:00.004+02:002020-04-10T14:46:52.188+02:00Battle Of Crowns<br />
<br />
<b> </b><br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: solid #FF7A00 6.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 22.0pt 0in;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 20pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><b><span style="color: #454541; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The Coronavirus Pandemic: A Battle Of
Crowns: A Reflection on Faith Over Fear And Christ The Victorious King.</span></b></span></div>
</div>
<b><br /></b><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;"> The Battle Of Crowns</span></h3>
<br />
Corona Virus our invisible enemy, an enemy that has scaled through the universe. Millions have been left jobless, the greatest economies of the world have come to their knees. It is recorded to be the greatest universal calamity after World War II. Not only have it affected us economically, families have been robbed of their beloved ones, with over 80 000 people dead and over 1.5 million people infected with the virus world wide.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPb9veiB_EGlyPRhEYL1uKVexmGWpNcFt_9Kf1eO2ZmT-wfq8Kp79H9FjqLWuWqxknZ5-aeNWK0l8hIgv7hyphenhyphenxsMWr_tMbKNFRgA5MI2tPcL52rU62fK3C8waycJmzAJcsjdLbLE3ybxU/s1600/800px-SARS-CoV-2_without_background.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPb9veiB_EGlyPRhEYL1uKVexmGWpNcFt_9Kf1eO2ZmT-wfq8Kp79H9FjqLWuWqxknZ5-aeNWK0l8hIgv7hyphenhyphenxsMWr_tMbKNFRgA5MI2tPcL52rU62fK3C8waycJmzAJcsjdLbLE3ybxU/s320/800px-SARS-CoV-2_without_background.png" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Virus That Wears A Crown</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Our social habits have been forced to change so as to accommodate the mitigating measures to reduce the spread of the virus. With most governments implementing nationwide lockdown, Social distance and restricted movement has become the order of the day. Those who depended on the socialization of the community for a living have been doomed as business have been put on halt.<br />
<br />
Individuals have been asked to stay at home, which has been argued by the United Kingdom National Health Services and other Medical Practitioners as the most effective way to curb the spread of this high infectious disease that knows no boundaries, race, age, nor royalty. It has been as seen the greatest equalizer of humanity.<br />
<br />
<br />
Its origins have sparked controversies ranging from biochemical man made weaponry, the 5G network radiation, to the Western Trade Tariffs equaliser. Not withstanding the Chinese dietary conspiracy, as result of the huge Chinese appetite of the wild life the Chinese wild life market has given room to its customers to come into contact with such animal like Bats and Pangolins which scientist are alluding that they might be the right carriers of the Covid19 Virus.<br />
<br />
Religiously, more than 80 million people have failed to meet in churches, to fellowship and have prayers. The church has also added its voice to the Covid19 conspiracies pointing the world to the Doctrine of Eschatology which is the study of the end times.<br />
<br />
Advocating that the end has come and that the antichrist is setting up to introduce the new world order. Which will be the creation of one world order with a digital currency embedded in a chip as the mark of the beast.<br />
<br />
Having looked at the great impact of Covid19 in the world it is almost impossible to come with all forms of fears, anger, confusion, hopelessness, and ways to create hope and security for the people. Hence, we have all these ideologies and beliefs. Remember people are always reinforced by ideas that inspire hope and define purpose and destine of something or someone. Leaders must inspire such hope thus why probably we could have such ideologies that hopes to bring hope.<br />
<br />
In light of all these ideologies and beliefs, my personal thoughts and the things I have learned about the coronavirus (Covid19). Thoughts that should also inspire hope and direct us to move away from fear to faith. I will spend my time on the microscopic image of the anatomy of the Covid19 that is its image and representation.<br />
<br />
As we look at the image, it surely looks like a crown, a virus that is crowned. Furthermore the term corona would mean according an anatomic definition: a part of the body resembling or likened to a crown.Anything that wears a crown means something in the world of power, dominance and in Kingdoms. In simply terms the anatomy picture of the virus shows and represents a virus that is wearing a crown. What does that mean to us, does it have a meaning?<br />
<br />
A crown generally is a Royal headset that is usually made up of Gold or precious jewels. It represents Royalty, Authority and Power. A King or a Queen is seen wearing a crown. When we then observe the Covid19 anatomy picture showing us a virus that is wearing a crown. It therefore would loosely mean that the virus is in some sense considered to be a King, Authority and Power. Can it be really considered to be a King, Power or Authority simply because it wears a crown or because it represents a Crown?<br />
<br />
If we think of all that we hold as Powerful, it has been challenged, confronted and ambushed by the seemly emerging King. Powerful nations have been questioned and shaken. It seems to me as if it is a battle of crowns.<br />
<br />
As it seems this virus happens to be questioning and challenging the authority, and power of the other existing Kings (Kings in the Political, Economic, Religious, Spiritual and Technological. No doubt it has questioned it.<br />
<br />
The basic laws of the kingdoms operations is that in any Kingdom there is only one King that is permitted to rule at any given time.<br />
If there be any King that seeks to rule, he must wage war with the existing king to either defeat or dethrone him through war or show of power and dominance. In the likelihood of this thought the Covid19 has waged war and has so far being trumping through deaths, fear and totally impoverished the whole world, with only in the USA over 10 million people are Jobless.<br />
<br />
The target have been to establish authority, power, to disarm and dethrone the crown ruling currently. With the Kingdom of man, money, and health falling to the emerging king. This has made most of people to question what the world will be like.<br />
<br />
Doubt has raced through the earth, with some religious kings in terms of the top healing ministers, top evangelist, and top faith preachers also coming to bow in terms of failure to address the issue.<br />
<br />
The so called Prophet's have gone silent as if God has no word for the hurting world. In this time the Prophet's ought to prophesy more and the Healing minister ought to challenge this King that seeks to change the world as we see it.<br />
<br />
The crowns of influence and power as we know them in the G20, UN, and international institutions like IMF and World Bank have come short of giving up because of the immense pressure that is coming with the existing of this Covid19 coronavirus in the world. This is the part of the world that we in the 3 world and South South regions would look up to. These represents a crown that is being fought to be replaced and dethroned. So where so should we now look to, which crown still stands?<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0dJzTKnLJ0z1HiKXiM7IIPDuWVBUK3mJds1fmi9k-1pXSXhhuM-tZwrgBdgK6hXEROzaefb58rzTOwzDkKbj9TljmNMqIMmj4yxRtkYHCF5stfbZX-cKTbbe7btTns59BHkyXzabD-Y/s1600/crown++of+thron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="219" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0dJzTKnLJ0z1HiKXiM7IIPDuWVBUK3mJds1fmi9k-1pXSXhhuM-tZwrgBdgK6hXEROzaefb58rzTOwzDkKbj9TljmNMqIMmj4yxRtkYHCF5stfbZX-cKTbbe7btTns59BHkyXzabD-Y/s400/crown++of+thron.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The King of Kings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Yes there is still one King we can look at, He defeated death and the one who hold the power to death. He penetrated into the Kingdom of darkness and took the keys of hades as he walked in victory of the Devil, Death, Sickness and Sin. He became the only King from humanity to enter the heaven and he is seated at the right hand of God the Father. Jesus Christ is the King of Kings, His Name alone is above everything that has been created or that was made. Just the mention of His name everything with a name will bow down to Him.<br />
<br />
We can with confidence look up to Him, His crown is greater than the crown of the coronavirus. He is called the Truth, there is no other truth outside of Him, and He is called the Way and the Life. In Him there is life and life in abundance. He came to restore the world, and He offered his life as the ultimate sacrifice for the redemption of man kind.<br />
<br />
Friend in Jesus Christ the world has hope and in Him we have life. The life that can only be given by Him which is in nature the same as that of God. You too can become alive to this Divine life as you believe in Him and the work he did on the cross for you. He died and rose from the dead in Him there is life He is that King no other King can overcome. Jesus the king of kings.<br />
<br />
<br />
| The Wordnocrate | 2020<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Tonderai Goncalohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07886336319223176830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1258692406156214807.post-35632127637348407982020-04-10T11:16:00.000+02:002020-04-10T11:16:25.923+02:00Old Ways Will Not Open New Doors: An Approach To Turn Our New YearOld Ways Will Not Open New Doors: An Approach To Transform Our Year.<br />
<br />
At one second past midnight on January 1, the day will changed from Tuesday to Wednesday, usually a transition of no special significance. But somehow we've decided that this change, which will end one year and begin the next, is different.<br />
<br />
<br />
In our tradition we celebrate the coming of a New Year. It is believed that the coming of the new signifies the end of a season.<br />
<br />
People hope to see the year coming with hope and newness of life. So as families we wait for the turn of the year and welcome it.<br />
<br />
We might hold parties or attend a cross over night prayer to either get into the new year happy or spiritual strong.<br />
<br />
<br />
It is quite true that one can’t change his or her life by simply observing the turn of the year. More so the turning of the year in itself does not carry the hope we need and the change we are looking for. It’s a common belief that will remain carrying in our minds throughout the year.<br />
<br />
<br />
Is it not funny that we spend the year believing that which concerns us shall surely change because we are in a New Year. Life has a way of bringing out what we need, just waiting for a new thing to happened because the year has turned is not one of them.<br />
<br />
Pastor Isreal Phiri once said that ” you shall continue being broke if you are expecting someone else to make you rich. It’s all on you. ” it’s not about someone else it’s about you. The change must be in you, no one can change your life than yourself.<br />
<br />
<br />
As the year is turning do not end by celebrating the new that’s coming without planning and taking serious commitments to fulfill your plans. Goals are set to be achieved, do not be in habit of setting goals because everyone is doing so. <br />
<br />
The goal must be clear and written down placed in a place where you can see it every time, and each time you see it the process of evaluation comes automatically.<br />
<br />
<br />
In the New Year or season as others would like to call it, remember old ways will not open new doors. Another scholar once said” a problem is not solved at the same level it was created”.<br />
<br />
What needs to be new however, is not the Year! It is us, we need to reinvent ourselves, come up with new strategies and develop new skills to overcome our current challenges and to see the newness of life.<br />
<br />
In the turning of the year what need to change is our attitude and motivation moving forward. Yes they are those that desire to spiritualize the turning of the Year.<br />
<br />
God does not work in time, nor does he live in time. I think if God wants to do anything on earth He looks for people who are prepared. Time and chance happen to all man, the prepared when they meet with an opportunity success will come eventually.<br />
<br />
It could be true that in each year there is grace, anointing and the God ability to fulfill His plans for us. Nevertheless , how we respond to these blessings that comes with the Year will determine the manifestation of God plans. Remember God has good plans for us always He is not waiting for the turning of the Year.<br />
<br />
Jeremiah the Prophet claims that God knows the thoughts that He thinks towards us, and His thoughts are of peace and not of evil, to give us a future and a hope.<br />
<br />
If God’s thoughts are for peace and for future. It is our focus on these thoughts and active faith founded on love that will manifest these great plans of God.<br />
<br />
Life is always better when we apply knowledge and not to return it. Ignorance is not not knowing, it is failure to apply and implement knowledge. As the year progresses check your life and understanding what needs to be done and do it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Tonderai Goncalohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07886336319223176830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1258692406156214807.post-41359092002820646092019-12-28T15:56:00.003+02:002020-10-03T14:41:26.561+02:00Is The Church In Africa Making The Wrong Turn? <blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">When we look at the measure of Christ and his definition of ministry and probably the early church compare it with the 21st Century Church do we see the same theme as authored by Christ continuing and the impact and transformation power still changing lives and communities. If not so what could be the challenges and errors that the church have encountered.</span></b></blockquote><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZ01Z4aJABn_XlZld579PRkc1PQc5je0_gCDSd3OrIRIkx3DNOUrMUYqYXGV6Eyn7EXbVgisDKAeSqDWOhv7aOxHxkQg-HiofRbOapQZLT1pWu0cnNiNbL0TdFAyEJLYo2qXN7Va022s/w640-h425/wrong+way.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church on the wrong way<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZ01Z4aJABn_XlZld579PRkc1PQc5je0_gCDSd3OrIRIkx3DNOUrMUYqYXGV6Eyn7EXbVgisDKAeSqDWOhv7aOxHxkQg-HiofRbOapQZLT1pWu0cnNiNbL0TdFAyEJLYo2qXN7Va022s/s960/wordnocrate+way.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">
The Role of the Church in Africa is somehow complicated as evidenced by the mushrooming of small churches which are not standing for the people nor fighting for the cause of Justice, furthermore which can not speak the truth of what People are facing.<br />
<br />
The church is an institution that has not truly provided the much needed support and teaching to the communities it is planted. Jesus in coming to the earth did not come to start a Religion that is a government or a movement that seeks to reach God and that establishes its people to follow certain Laws so as to serve God their Father.<br />
<br />
The first error which can be seen by the church fathers is that they made Church a Religion and removed it of its power to truly transform mankind. Anything that can govern man that is not Christ Spirit will govern the same with rule, beliefs, traditions and Doctrine from its own source which is fallible</span><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23o-vlI06Fvx4ZOqRouIRO43wua_nFTN1jvH2N3XzSNL10hCPz3Uag28bulzscBqUKmpxuo6wSlF0_n7-H2ASqZnZ8CbfyGaoeJaJvse2r9X7HthMkeRKcaoyE16fXOFZP3xAeqHisrw/s960/wrong++2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23o-vlI06Fvx4ZOqRouIRO43wua_nFTN1jvH2N3XzSNL10hCPz3Uag28bulzscBqUKmpxuo6wSlF0_n7-H2ASqZnZ8CbfyGaoeJaJvse2r9X7HthMkeRKcaoyE16fXOFZP3xAeqHisrw/w640-h426/wrong++2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">The head in it wrong Position </span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br />
Jesus as one man transformed a nation with his message of salvation and made followers which he trained to spread the message so as to bring the message. Jesus in his sermons was always the religious leaders. At one time he called the religious forks blind guards, on another occasion hypocrite and yet on another account murderers.<br />
<br />
The death of Jesus was as if as a result of his conflicts with the religious leaders. They accuse him of a crime, made all convictions to fit the Religious law and the Civil Law so as to deal away with a man who had no religion but in Him was the truth and grace. </span><div>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br />
The same is true in our time as we witness the church is so divided on issues to do with religion and not to do with Jesus the man. So is the role of the church to become religious and convict believers to a set of laws and principles. Or it is to bring Christ who is the fullness of all Godliness.<br />
<br />
The church as a moral agent have failed to set the very example of Christ love, when Jesus was about to go to the cross He made a declaring of faith that set apart his ministry which he came to manifest to man kind. He agrees that the identity of any form of ministry is love. Love and you be know by the world by it,<br />
<br />
The conflicts and splits in the church world wide is an indicator of the church failure to walk in love. Love is the very nature of God, without love the mark of sonship or better known as be born again is critically challenged.<br />
<br />
As a religion of man governed by man the institution that was made to transform man and the earth has become a tool to transform the man of God to man of Gold. Which creates enmity and promotes corrupt self service ministers who seeks to please the sole called God of man in the form of a man.<br />
<br />
Jesus appear to say that his way would create peace makers and people who are meek, but meek not referring to weakness and docility. The former man made religion and ministry seeks to promote hatred and dominance of its subjects. Families are divided over Bishops and marriages are broken because of failure to understand that the man of God is after all a man and not a god. The decisions of a man of God are taken as the counsel of God Himself.<br />
<br />
Church has taken center stage on issues that it needs to correct. The media is awashed with stories of Prophets who rapes their own members, Pastors who steals money and Bishops that are involved in corrupt activities. Taking the words of Jesus to light, who implies the church or believers are<br />
the light of the world. Who will the light so shine in the darkness when she ( the church )is in fact the darkness of the world.<br />
<br />
How do we justify the fact that the nations that are declared to be Christian nations are the most corrupt nations. How do we justify again the fact that nations that prides its selves to have the highest Christian percentage have high crime rate, corrupt governing elites and religious leaders. It it mean that we have failed to understand what we claim to be, or probably the message that we carry is not redemptive enough?<br />
<br />
One is left with so many unanswered question when one reviews the way church in our mother land operates, how the leaders functions and how its followers lives, can they be measured according to the measure of Christ.<br />
<br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLLpi86EXw3xOGyRAFhptkFqHnhqQrvW_XNaTxftV0mREcVKIfRWjiHg6CxeVep3AZpqxM-Z3dvsgp13rFi1P_NJsChHfyR6GZz8YwuiPWQHnJ4xM4_2C3y3YtWvg7LBKkXdOeTQ0Q-k/s2048/118223851_299797391296864_326195173038965018_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="2048" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLLpi86EXw3xOGyRAFhptkFqHnhqQrvW_XNaTxftV0mREcVKIfRWjiHg6CxeVep3AZpqxM-Z3dvsgp13rFi1P_NJsChHfyR6GZz8YwuiPWQHnJ4xM4_2C3y3YtWvg7LBKkXdOeTQ0Q-k/w200-h120/118223851_299797391296864_326195173038965018_n.png" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"> Wordnocrate | 2020 </span></div></div></div>Tonderai Goncalohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07886336319223176830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1258692406156214807.post-36561027471576775632019-11-13T12:16:00.039+02:002020-08-17T23:50:53.658+02:00Secrets of Divine Living : In Christ<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><br />
Dwelling in the presence of God Secrets</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>
A life learnt from David in Psalms 27</b><br />
<br />
<i>One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after;</i><br />
<i>that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,</i><br />
<i>to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1gD4jk0c4ywPMWx5qknlJgbJWmLpaRRGQkTFj1lscNRKMOgq9JYzqIrn2bMVhtDJa7_1lWQqgHGTFuF6yP1gll84xTYLjGe48rgb0MSAytWwFGru4HOFwXLv22bGJu5bjIrE77iNgwU/s600/Holy-of-Holies_Fotor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1gD4jk0c4ywPMWx5qknlJgbJWmLpaRRGQkTFj1lscNRKMOgq9JYzqIrn2bMVhtDJa7_1lWQqgHGTFuF6yP1gll84xTYLjGe48rgb0MSAytWwFGru4HOFwXLv22bGJu5bjIrE77iNgwU/s0/Holy-of-Holies_Fotor.jpg" /></a><i><br /></i>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<br />
David is sure of whom the lord is, he said the Lord is my light and my salvation. How did he became so sure about how God would defend him and how God would grant him victory. Notice David is not praying for protection nor is he seeking wisdom and knowledge from the Lord of what will become.<br />
<br />
He is so certain that all things in his life was ordered and he seems to understand why he is going to be a winner man in all these things. This is what David reveals to us as he pens this beautiful Psalm. One thing I have desired, he desired only the Lord. This is so profound, David in his life only lived to fulfil one thing ; that is to be with the Lord and beholding His Glory.<br />
<br /><br />
This was the source of his understanding and wisdom. This is why David was so confident in the face of trouble. All he sees was the beauty of the lord and God's love for him. His eyes were fixed on the one thing he desires so much even in the times of trouble.<br />
<br />
He understood that if he focuses on God the attention of God would melt mountains and levels all the unequal ground. Above all else he understood that God would fight for him because He was a friend and a companion of God and God enjoyed his worship and fellowship.<br />
<br />
Our challenge in the 21st century is that we seek what God can do in our lives and yet neglect Him as our Father. We forsake that beautiful relationship of beholding His glory and of staying in His presence. This is what separates us from David. We are always fearful and when we are in trouble we see defeat and often times we give up and fall by the side.<br />
<br />
David shows us three important things which he sums up as the one thing he desires that can help us to live the life of victory in Christ and be able also to empower us to manifest the Glory and grace of God on earth.<br />
<br />
1. Dwell in the house of the lord : the word dwell means to stay, to remain and to abide. David demonstrated what Christ would instruct us in the book of John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.<br />
<br />
Dwelling in the house or rather in the Lord is to remain in Christ, allowing the nature of Christ to operate in your life through faith. Just like Paul who says "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."<br />
<br />
Dwelling also implies to be rooted in Christ, planted in His nature and becoming one with Him. Thus to help us dwell in the lord we must appreciate our divine position in Christ which was evoked by His resurrection to glory.<br />
<br />
<br />
Remaining in Christ as alluded by John entails that we need to allow the word to be one with us. Dwelling in Christ is dwelling in His word, staying and planted in the word with practice correspondence of the word. Being one with the word .<br />
<br />
<br />
Above all else to dwell in Christ is to remain in His love, God is love, the nature of God's being is love so by dwelling in Him we are dwelling in love. Let the love of God which we are surrounded by be a reflection of your being.</div><div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLH1M5KJqGmX7aqEmMxM5TeOWpWu9ud7S7ES596tNpl7r9kYFivDMbas-QuhPwrPGmWG_sXPGu7zM9878pHutvc9LCUIZnfpw78gZ7D7zK40GrQopLagAf2q7BecKheA7vAqqtZD8CWIY/s1189/1200_Praying_on_Bench_Glory1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="513" data-original-width="1189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLH1M5KJqGmX7aqEmMxM5TeOWpWu9ud7S7ES596tNpl7r9kYFivDMbas-QuhPwrPGmWG_sXPGu7zM9878pHutvc9LCUIZnfpw78gZ7D7zK40GrQopLagAf2q7BecKheA7vAqqtZD8CWIY/s640/1200_Praying_on_Bench_Glory1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Yes David desired to dwell, to remain and to abide in the house of the lord where he participated in adoration and fellowship. In His presence there is nothing more that seeing His Glorious presence and brilliance light of life.<br />
<br />
Notice in this place David is not seeking after God no he is already with the lord and seeks to spend time with the Lord. This is the type of people God is seeking after, Do you see that when your heart is right you do not seek after the lord, He seeks after you.<br />
John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him<br />
<br />
2. Behold the beauty of God. This is powerful when you take time to just behold the beauty of God. This was the key for his transformation and greatness, as you behold His glory you surely transform to the form of that Glory. We eventual becomes that which we worship, the art of worship is that one of beholding, admiring and cherishing.<br />
<br />
3. To inquire in his temple , take time to converse with the lord, let your worries be known to him. Allow the Spirit of the Lord to share the Father's instructions and guidance.<br />
<br />
Genesis 25:22<br />
And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the Lord. And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb,<br />
And two manner of people shall be<br />
separated from thy bowels;<br />
and the one people shall be stronger<br />
than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.<br />
<br />
Our challenge still in our Morden church comes in one form, we fail to progress with the revelation of the scripture, the first we hear about enquirer is between a person and God, and in the times of the prophets we now see people going to enquirer from the prophet to hear from God on their behalf.<br />
<br />
It's a tragedy to still live in this old way, where people only believes that one person is used of God to hear and to speak with God. David intended to dwell in the house and enquire of the lord in the temple all the days of his life.<br />
<br />
Hebrews tells us God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things,<br />
<br />
This is what David saw before the coming of our lord Jesus. When we take time to talk with God we position ourselves for a revelation, understand and wisdom in the area we discuss with the lord. David longed to fellowship with the lord, he understood what Paul the Apostle would write in relation to fellowship with the Holy Spirit.<br />
<br />
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen." The communion, fellowship and partnership with the Holy Spirit be with you all.<br />
<br />
The secrets of divine life can be seen in the life of David as he teaches us through practice living in the presence of God in the book of Psalms. Desire The lord above everything else, that desire and love for the lord will lead you to dwell in the temple.<br />
<br />
As you dwell in His presence you begin to beholding the lovely beauty of the Lord. Admiring the lord's Glory will eventually lead you to start speaking and companioning with Him as you enquire from the Lord.<br />
<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div> </div><div> Tonderai Goncalo | The Wordnocrate 2020 </div>Tonderai Goncalohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07886336319223176830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1258692406156214807.post-67061814072336655282017-01-03T14:46:00.000+02:002017-01-03T14:46:07.276+02:00The Possible Reason Why The Book Of Romans Was Written <h2 style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
epistle to Romans has attracted so much scholarly attention over the years.
Such scholarship has revolved around the issues of the significance of the book
in being the core and systematic exposition of Pauline theology, among others.
While the significance and the authorship of the book is without much
contestation, there is notable lack of consensus regarding the purpose of its authorship.
New Testament scholars including the likes of Guthrie (1990) concur that it is
not an easy enterprise trying to decipher the purpose of authorship of this
Pauline letter. </span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Some of the reasons for authorship proffered by scholars can be
broadly classified into what can be generally referred to as: apologetic,
missionary and pastoral purposes. This paper, as will be systematically
demonstrated below, will argue that while all these other issues (pastoral and
apologetic) are raised and addressed in this epistle, the main purpose of the epistle
is missionary in nature coming from one of the New Testament’s outstanding
missionary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In
an attempt to ascertain the purpose of this letter, it is worthwhile to comment
on the origins, the composition of the Christian community at Rome who are the recipients
of the same epistle and the uniqueness/significance of this epistle in the
Pauline corpus. This paper will therefore explore these arguments before
delving into purpose of authorship arguments proper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Firstly,
it is important from the outset to categorically state that this letter is a
very unique letter in what is called the Pauline Corpus for two reasons.
Firstly, it occupies an important place in that it is referred to as “Great
Letters” together with “1 &2 Corinthians, and Galatians, especially by
scholars who regard Paul’s teaching on freedom and justification by faith as
the heart of his theology“(Johnson 1986:250). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiio5Lrfp9gVDLPvFxoXD7OXnPU2MYkAvjmT97rHHcNvpRrxUVsXVkVZ6uT44EPLeXx0fiqJ6mCZsXsacuBVxsF4zgM5Hs0Gj6dpOCQ8O6FezlSaSGQ2_529EUH1XuKxXbapNK6qQVofrs/s1600/romans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiio5Lrfp9gVDLPvFxoXD7OXnPU2MYkAvjmT97rHHcNvpRrxUVsXVkVZ6uT44EPLeXx0fiqJ6mCZsXsacuBVxsF4zgM5Hs0Gj6dpOCQ8O6FezlSaSGQ2_529EUH1XuKxXbapNK6qQVofrs/s640/romans.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Possible Reason Why The Book Of Romans Was Written </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Further, Marshal, Travis and Paul
(2002:105) weigh in to support this argument of the significance of this book
by suggesting that: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 40.2pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“…no
book in the New Testament has been so influential in the history of the
Christian church as the Letter to the Romans… it was decisive in initial
conversion of, or the renewal of living faith in, such significant figures as
Augustine, Martin Luther, John Wesley, and Karl Barth, and through them in the
lives of many more”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-right: -2.3pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Such is the unmatched Pauline literary brilliance
exuding through the pages of this letter. The solid significance of this letter
constitute a worthy scholarly cause to investigate the purpose of its
authorship, as this paper seeks to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-right: -2.3pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 1.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">On the origins of the community, it is
without contestation that the origins of the Roman Christian community was not
Pauline by nature and let alone apostolic (Guthrie, 1990:403). This assertion negates
the early church tradition that generally connected both Peter and Paul with
this Christian community. It is possible that this community could have been
founded and nurtured to this level where it is admired by Paul “without
apostolic intervention” (:404). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 1.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 1.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">There is a huge probability, as argued by
various Pauline scholars (an argument shared by this paper), that the Christian
community was founded by the by visiting “Jews and proselytes” who came to
Pentecost (Acts 2v10). Another view is that this community might have sprung up
as a result of trade; with Christians doing commerce in Rome and hence resulted
in the foundation of the community (Johnson, 1986). On the sheer weight of the
above evidence, this paper would like to align with the argument that this
community’s foundation did not have direct apostolic activity and therefore
rule out any possibility of direct involvement of Peter and Paul in its
foundation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 1.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 1.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The question of composition of this
church is an equally intriguing one just as that of its origins. The point of
contestation among scholars is on whether the church was “Jewish”, “Gentile” or
a mixture of the two. According to Guthrie (1990:405), the answer to this
question does affect our “understanding of the historical situation to which the
apostle addressed himself” hence unearthing his purpose of authorship. Scholars
like Guthrie, postulate that those who assume that chapters 9-11 are the main
idea of the letter would like to argue that the church was mainly Jewish.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 1.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 1.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> On
the other hand, those who argue for a majority gentile populace cite evidence
from portions of the epistle like 1v5, 1v12-14, 11 v 13, to mention but a few, as
substantial evidence pointing in their scholarly direction. This paper is
inclined to believe that the congregation was a mixed congregation most
probably with Gentiles providing “its color” as argued by Sanday and Headlam
[quoted by Guthrie (1990:406)].<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 1.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Having
weighed the evidence above, this paper now turns to the specific suggestions by
various scholars as to the purpose of authorship of this letter. Scholars like
F.C. Baur have long maintained a polemic disposition of this letter. They argue
that it is a polemic aimed specifically at Jewish Christianity. This would not
be the first time Paul would have had issues with Jewish Christianity and
Judaizers who often times were a huge stumbling block to his ministry as seen
among the churches of Galatia and elsewhere. To exalt the portions 9-11 of
Romans to such significance as to occasion Paul’s writing of the letter is to
miss the essence of the letter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Secondly, a pastoral (and conciliatory) purpose has been
postulated by some scholars. These scholars suggest that Paul wrote to heal the
“Schisms” that existed between the Jewish and Gentile members of the church. Marshall
(2002) quotes Minear (1971) “who insisted that the key to the letter lies in
the practical application towards its end in which we can see reflected a
situation of some disharmony between different groups in the church over the
question of ritual observances with regard to food and festivals…” This
position suggest that Paul is writing in an attempt to reconcile Jewish and
Gentile elements in the Roman Christian Community. In his other book, Marshall
(2004:305-6) supports this argument by suggesting that “the crucial problem is
the place of Jews and Gentiles in God’s plan of salvation and their
relationship to one another”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">If Paul is writing this pastoral letter to the Romans,
how much familiar is he with the issues and personalities involved, as he was in
the churches he founded? One pauses to investigate. Marshall (2004:304) argues
that “Romans 16 indicates that he had a rather good knowledge of the
congregation and its problems”, hence appropriate that he could write
addressing the problems that existed within the community. McNeile, as quoted
by Guthrie (1990) calls this letter “a comprehensive apologia for the principle
of a universal religion as set over against Jewish nationalism…Paul deals with
fundamental Christian principles of ‘righteousness’ as contrasted with the
Jewish approach..” (:411). Further,
Hawthorne, GF, Martin, RP and Reid, DG (eds). (1993:840) suggests the
centrality of Romans 14v1-15v6 as the centre of this pastoral debate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The above pastoral argument is fraught with challenges.
If we assume this church was largely gentile as the internal evidence of the
letter will suggest, this position is not tenable. Further, scholars like
Guthrie (1990) further weigh in to argue that while this could have been one of
the things Paul had in mind in writing, it cannot in all probability be the
only major reason why Paul wrote the letter. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The mere fact also that there is
little proportional amount of space devoted to this issue as compared to other
things discusses and that these issues as Howard (2004) himself concurs, come
at the end of the letter pose problems with this position; they can’t surely be
the main reason. Further, various scholars contest the validity of Romans 16 as
part of the letter. People listed in Romans 16 would presumably have given Paul
the information he has in writing pastorally. Thus, Paul’s reason of writing
this letter was far much bigger to be confined to this narrow supposition. As
we will show below, his reason was missionary in nature; he is concerned with
the next phase of his mission to the west.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 1.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Still under the pastoral argument is
the proposition that the letter was originally destined to be a circular to all
Christians not just those at Rome. Paul felt that he had come to the end of his
missionary activities so he wanted to write a summary of his gospel to
Christians in the world. To achieve this, he uses Rome as the centre of
distribution of his letter not as its sole destination. As many people would
meet at the capital city of the Empire, Rome. This is supported by T.W. Manson
who purports that Paul wrote Romans as a circular letter to be sent to
Christians in the whole world. Bankan describes Paul’s letter to the Romans as
his last will and testament. There is no evidence of this in the letter. To the
contrary Paul anticipates to visit Rome not to be extinguished in Jerusalem. Hawthorne,
Martin & Reid (1993:839), in support of this, argue that “Paul the as
‘apostle to the Gentiles,’ eager to bring in ‘full number of Gentiles,’ (Rom
11:13-15, 25-26), writes to the capital of the Gentile empire”. So the purpose
is clearly missionary and not pastoral.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 1.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Another
proposal of purpose could be rightly labelled the traditional explanation of
the purpose of this letter, that it has a doctrinal purpose as necessitating
its origins. This position postulates that this letter is more of “a treatise
than a letter…” (Guthrie 1990:409). Others call it a “scholastic diatribe”
(Johnson, 1986:317). Marshall (2004), while partly agreeing that to Romans
elucidates Pauline theology and gives structure to it, he however spells out
its limitation. The latter raises theological issues to extent that is
“appropriate to those circumstances and shaped by them” (:305). So this letter
cannot be taken to be Paul’s theological treatise in the strict sense of the
word. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Further,
while it is true that there are weightier doctrinal issues that Paul addresses
in this letter, there are far weightier issues he does not address or “expand
on”. Such issues include, and are not limited to, “cosmic reconciliation, eschatology”
among others. Further, there is a lot of personal information and contacts that
Paul addresses to this church which defies the whole argument of a
“theological/ doctrinal treatise”; there must be a reason bigger and broader
than that. Thus this paper argues that while there are theological issues he
raises in this letter such issues and arguments are preparatory to his next
phase of mission. If Romans understand his theology, it will be easy for them
to support his next phase of missions. This is his main gaol, thus the theology
presented is not an end in itself but a means to that end- missionary goal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Fourth,
summarisation of Paul’s present circumstances is viewed by others as the main
purpose of authorship of this letter. This position articulate that Paul has
just finished his missionary journey and is heading to Jerusalem. The great
apostle to the Gentiles is anxious about what would befall him in Jerusalem
because of the offense he has caused to the Jewish people in “his gospel”, a position
vouched for by Ernest Funch. Marshall (2004) concurs with this argument that
Paul being at the end of his missionary journey and about to leave for
Jerusalem “for what (so far as we know) was the last time, the letter may
reflect some of the concerns in his mind at this decisive juncture of his
career” (:305) Further, as Paul contemplates what is to become of him, Guthrie
postulates that most probably Paul “casts his mind back and gathers almost
unconsciously the fruits of his past work. His mind has been dwelling on many
great these and he now proceeds to write down his conclusions” (1990:410). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">While
it could be true that Paul summarises his circumstances as he is
Jerusalem-bound with the possibility of his mission coming to an end, Paul does
not however seem to think as if Jerusalem visit is the end of his mission. He
seems excited at the possibility of taking this gospel to the West, hence the
argument in this paper that this letter is particularly preparing for Paul’s
next missionary onslaught on the West using Rome as the launching pad. Thus
Paul’s broader purpose is missionary in nature.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A
more plausible proposition which seems to encompass all the forgoing arguments
is the one that postulates that Paul is writing to prepare for his visit to Rome
in anticipation of his missionary onslaught on the West using Rome as a
launching pad. Travis (2002:107) calls this the “<i>prima facie </i>impression given by the letter<i>”</i>. This seems plausible in many ways than one. In this vein Paul is
explaining the kind of his Gospel he preaches, he is aware that “the gospel he
has is not universally held by all Christians” (:109). Because he is planning
to visit Rome, he wants them to understand his gospel. So he does not explain
the gospel for the sake of explaining it, he wants his potential partners to
understand the gospel as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Further,
as we noted above in terms of the composition of the community in Rome, he
wants both the Jews and Gentiles to support his mission. Thus is it imperative
that these two camps have a universal understanding of the gospel that goes
beyond tribal heritage, that is, being Jewish or Gentile and the privileges or
lack of privileges that is attached to such heritage or lack of it. These two
camps need to have the same understanding of the Gospel message and its
implication. Rome being a major city which is about to support a missionary
onslaught into the West, needs to be a model of a unified church living out the
gospel message and its full implications (Romans 12).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Paul’s
establishing of solid personal contacts as exemplified in Romans 16 betrays his
purpose. He wants to use these contacts as his advocates (15v23ff) among the
Romans for his new missionary endeavour. These contacts were familiar with his
gospel or the content of his Gospel and would therefore help advocate for it
among the romans for they seemed to be people of repute among these Christians
at Rome.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In
addition, various scholars see Paul wanting to establish a partnership with
Romans that is akin to the kind of partnership he had with Philippians for the
financial support of Gospel enterprise in the West. If the gospel work is to be
successful in the West, Rome would be a significant partner in this work.
Hawthorne et al (1993:839-40) agree with this reasoning and further state that
“More plausible is the thesis that Paul wrote to Rome with a view to the
churches there providing support for his projected mission to Spain. This is
indeed what Paul explicitly says (Rom 15:24, 28), and there is no cause to
doubt in it; the church in Philippi in particular had already served in such a
role.” Such is the undeniable and emphatic missionary purpose of the letter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In
conclusion, while there are various reasons put across by scholars to explain
the purpose of authorship of the epistle of Romans, one stands consistently
strong with a thread running throughout the pages of the letter. This is the
missionary reason. Paul wrote this letter in preparation for his missionary
visit to the West, with Rome about to be his launching pad for the missionary
escapade or chapter. For Rome to effectively partner with him, he shares his
theology and missionary report of what has happened in the east and his
understanding of racial relationships between Jews and Gentiles in the light of
the Gospel that he preaches and is likely to continue preaching in the West. He
is preparing Rome to partner with him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZW; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><u><span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Reference
List<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Drane,
J 1999. <i>Introducing the New Testament. </i>Oxford:
Lion Publishing plc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 42.55pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -42.55pt;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Guthrie, D 1990. <i>New Testament Introduction. </i>Revised Edition. Illinois: InterVarsity
Press.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 42.55pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -42.55pt;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Hawthorne, GF, Martin, RP & Reid,
DG (eds) 1993. <i>Dictionary of Paul and His
Letters- A Compendium of Contemporary Biblical Scholarship. </i>Illinois: InterVarsity
Press.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Johnson,
LT 1986. <i>The Writings of the New
Testament. </i>Philadelphia: Fortress Press.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 42.55pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -42.55pt;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Marshall, IH 2004. <i>New Testament Theology: Many Witnesses, One Gospel. </i>Illinois: InterVarsity
Press.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 42.55pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -42.55pt;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Marshall, IW; Travis, S & Paul, I
2002.<i> Exploring the New Testament- A Guide
to the Letters and Revelation. Volume 2. </i>Illinois: InterVarsity Press.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 42.55pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -42.55pt;">
<span lang="EN-ZW" style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Patzia, AG 1995. <i>The Making of the New Testament: Origin, Collection, Text and Canon. </i>Illinois:
InterVarsity Press.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Tonderai Goncalohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07886336319223176830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1258692406156214807.post-24734445499141571892017-01-03T10:39:00.000+02:002017-01-03T10:39:59.625+02:00Power of The Gospel<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
"The Gospel is the most basic, foundational message of the New Testament, yet it’s the most misunderstood. Today’s religious system is not preaching the same Gospel that Paul did. They mix it with the Law, and that isn’t the Gospel at all" Andrew Wommack.</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="clear: both; font-family: "montserrat" , sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em;">The book of Romans was written to explain the Gospel so that anybody could understand it.</span> Paul, the writer, made it so simple that you’d have to have somebody help you to misunderstand it. And, unfortunately, we’ve had a <i>lot</i> of help!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Paul started off with this statement in Romans 1:16:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.</i></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
That is a radical statement. This word <i>“gospel”</i> in the original Greek is a word that was seldom used at the time this was written. Nobody talked this way, because the word literally means nearly-too-good-to-be-true news. It referred to news that was so awesome, nothing really justified using it. Nothing was nearly too good to be true.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslV5cRnWFJOjCEXV7tQZZsZZu4zG11GdA-waCfpaIflorj2EIphA1EDBWcs0DNe0ELKIwXB9HutH2uuyu_N2ovrziYRoa8rCxAXiPLHwIcFVe1phAw7IA-f5nKj0uPr1S0Nq_iqoHf2M/s1600/nankai-uni-facilities-classroom-students-smiling-hero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslV5cRnWFJOjCEXV7tQZZsZZu4zG11GdA-waCfpaIflorj2EIphA1EDBWcs0DNe0ELKIwXB9HutH2uuyu_N2ovrziYRoa8rCxAXiPLHwIcFVe1phAw7IA-f5nKj0uPr1S0Nq_iqoHf2M/s640/nankai-uni-facilities-classroom-students-smiling-hero.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Power of The Gospel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
But Paul said he was <i>not</i> ashamed of the Gospel. Why? <i>“For it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”</i> The Gospel is the power of God, and that’s talking about grace. Acts 20:24 and Galatians 1:6 both use the terms <i>“gospel”</i> and <i>“grace”</i> interchangeably. It’s saying that <b style="clear: both; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em;">when you understand the Gospel, or the grace of God, it’ll release the power of God into your life</b>. That’s huge!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The next verse in Romans 1 says,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.</i></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Notice that righteousness is not revealed from Law to Law, from good deed to good deed—it’s revealed from faith to faith. Here’s a good piece of information to consider: <b style="clear: both; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em;">Sin won’t stop the power of God for salvation in your life but trusting in your own good works will</b>.<br />
<br />
That’s what <i>“the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith”</i> means. You receive the righteousness of God by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8)! God won’t withdraw His power because of sin in your life. <b style="clear: both; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em;">That’s why it’s nearly-too-good-to-be-true news.</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
When you talk like this, people with a religious mindset immediately say, “Well, what about sin? This sounds like you’re just giving people a license to sin.” Not so! Last I checked, people were sinning <i>without</i> a license! <b style="clear: both; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em;">I’m not advocating sin.</b> But, see, this is the immediate reaction when you start talking about righteousness by faith. They think you need to make people aware of their sin and the wrath of God.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
But that’s why Paul said in the next verses,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>For the wrath of God is </i>[already]<i> revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; </i>[19]<i> Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.</i></blockquote>
</div>
<div align="right" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Romans 1:18-19, brackets mine</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Notice it says it’s manifest <i>in</i> them, not <i>to</i> them, for God has shown it unto them. <b style="clear: both; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em;">God has put <i>in</i> every single person who has ever breathed an intuitive knowledge that they are a sinner and that they deserve rejection instead of acceptance. </b>You don’t need to tell people this; they already know it.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b style="clear: both; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em;">We aren’t called to convict people of their sin but to convince them that the only way they can obtain righteousness, or right standing, with God is through putting faith in what Jesus did for them, not through something they’ve done.</b>That’s why I spend so much of my time on this, and it’s what many of my teaching materials are devoted to.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Let’s look at Luke 18:9-14 to verify this:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: lato, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: [10] Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. [11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. [12] I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. [13] And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.</i></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
This is a powerful parable. Let me ask you: Are you like the Pharisee or the publican? I’m not talking about your actions but your trust. Do you trust in what you do for the Lord or what He has done for you? <b style="clear: both; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em;">If a person is putting faith in all of their religious acts—all of their holiness—then that will actually <i>block</i> them from righteousness and relationship with God. But the person who maybe hasn’t been as good, yet they’ve humbled themselves and cried out to God, this is the one who enters into right standing with God.</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
That’s what it says in Romans 9:30-32a:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. </i>[31]<i> But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. </i>[32]<i> Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law.</i></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b style="clear: both; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em;">This says there are two types of righteousness: a faith righteousness and a righteousness that comes by the Law.</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Righteousness by the Law is a righteousness based on performance. Another way to say it is “self-righteousness.” The truth is, nobody can perform well enough to get Law righteousness, because the Bible says in Isaiah 64:6 that <i>“all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.”</i> And James 2:10 says that if you keep the Law and yet offend in one point, you are guilty of breaking the entire thing<i>. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiEvsnekqQKJJ2LfnqOmvxYRuHM6mndPFuNdfVncbTXEFRRlMT5CDfHBi5htr48r51xI6Q0Ss6xHgUSsmmwRXYGixzVqgGPXU3ngY-8LCmQ4jowiq-C29N1GOxIDCiyK3eVPpZaN4K-HQ/s1600/bible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiEvsnekqQKJJ2LfnqOmvxYRuHM6mndPFuNdfVncbTXEFRRlMT5CDfHBi5htr48r51xI6Q0Ss6xHgUSsmmwRXYGixzVqgGPXU3ngY-8LCmQ4jowiq-C29N1GOxIDCiyK3eVPpZaN4K-HQ/s400/bible.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Power of The Gospel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
In other words, if you did ninety-nine out of a hundred things right and one thing wrong, according to the Law of righteousness, you would be unrighteous. BUT! If you put your faith in Jesus, you would receive His righteousness—faith righteousness—even though you did ninety-nine out of a hundred things wrong! What a deal!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="clear: both; font-family: "montserrat" , sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em;">There are many people today who wouldn’t consider themselves to be seeking after Law righteousness, but they really are. Their only hope of entering into heaven instead of hell is that they go to church, they try to be good, they live up to some standard of morality.</span> </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
That’s what this is talking about when it says the Jews weren’t seeking righteousness by faith but by the Law. They were trying to earn what God had given as a gift.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The rest of Romans 9:32 says,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i>For they stumbled at that stumblingstone.</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b style="clear: both; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em;">It is offensive to people, particularly if they have a lot of holy actions to their names, when you tell them that all their good deeds don’t make them righteous before God.</b> Then when you tell them sinners who only put faith in God are more righteous than they are (Matt. 21:28-32), that really puts them over the top!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
They say, “You mean I’m not any better than the person who’s been out living in sin?”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
That’s exactly what I’m saying. That’s exactly what Paul and Jesus said.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“Well, what have I been doing all this for?”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b style="clear: both; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em;">Good deeds will help you, to a degree, in your relationships with people, but they won’t give you any clout with God.</b>You could have more holy acts than anyone you know, but who wants to be the best sinner who ever went to hell? All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23).</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
We need a Savior! <b style="clear: both; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em;">The <i>only</i> thing we have to offer is faith. We just believe the nearly-too-good-to-be-true news that Jesus died for us and paid a debt we couldn’t pay and gave us a righteousness we couldn’t earn.</b> It’s faith righteousness!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“Well, I believe in Jesus, but I believe I also have to live holy to be accepted by God.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
That’s saying Jesus’ payment for sin wasn’t enough—that you have to add to what Jesus has done—and I believe that is the greatest sin of all! <b style="clear: both; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em;">Jesus either paid <i>for</i> it all, or He paid for <i>nothing</i> at all! It’s not Jesus <i>plus</i> you; it’s Jesus <i>or</i> you!</b> It’s not you doing the best you can and then Jesus making up the difference with grace and mercy. If you try to mix the two, you have totally polluted what Jesus has done. It’s either faith righteousness or your righteousness, but not a combination of the two (Rom. 11:6).</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="clear: both; font-family: "montserrat" , sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em;">It takes a supernatural revelation by the Holy Spirit to be able to understand this. But once you do, it’ll transform the way that you <i>view</i> God, the way that you <i>relate</i> to God, and the way that you <i>receive</i> from God.</span> The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. <span style="clear: both; font-family: "montserrat" , sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em;">I encourage you to just humble yourself and ask God for a supernatural revelation of this truth<b>.</b></span> It’s tremendous.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b style="clear: both; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em;">When you truly get a hold of the grace of God, I guarantee you, it sets you free <i>from</i> sin, not free <i>to</i> sin. </b>You’ll wind up living holier accidentally than you ever have on purpose.<b style="clear: both; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em;"> You’ll serve God out of love stricter and stronger than you ever would have out of legalism.</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3c4147; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 19.1973px; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Jesus said you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32). <b style="clear: both; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em;">It’s not truth that sets you free; it’s the truth you <i>know</i> that sets you free.</b> But before you can know it, you’ve got to <i>hear</i> it. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Rom. 10:17).<br />
<br />
Online Resource.</div>
Tonderai Goncalohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07886336319223176830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1258692406156214807.post-81124182193214838832016-10-19T12:31:00.000+02:002016-10-19T12:34:28.474+02:00The Quest For The Truth<br />
<h2>
Reality of the truth is not always as comforting as it seems to the one discovering the truth. The realm of truth is the most dangerous place to be treading especially if it is the truth that liberates. Mostly the people who are devoted to the truth are also ready to sacrifice their lives. This article was inspired with the events that unfolds from the book of Acts of the Apostle.</h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://drchris.me/higgaion/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/magnibible_closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://drchris.me/higgaion/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/magnibible_closeup.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Quest For The Truth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If the Gospel of Jesus Christ must bring transformation and real change in our societies then the ability to stand for the Truth is of paramount importance. Justice in both realms is not even given on a silver plate and freedom is never given but it is earned. Thus there is need for the Church to stand for and to become the embodiment of the Truth.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Martin Luther once said " Evil prevails because people who know how to do good are silent" We are where we are because some men have failed to own up their Divine call and mandate to stand for what they are created for. Failure to pursue your purpose means imprisonment of hope for a generation. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What would the world have been if everyone participated in their God given call? what will your community be if you took part of your own life the way God designed it. We were designed according to our purposes and our passions and desires always indicates that Call.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Let's look at Peter he was a fearful and unstable minded man, but after Jesus left the earth he became so bold, some believe it was as a result of him receiving the Holy Spirit ( Acts 2:1ff). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Well some believe it was as a result of him encountering the Truth in the person of Jesus Christ that made Peter the Apostle to stand strong and ready to preach nothing but the Truth that he encountered.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> How ironic in our times that believers are not awarded the time to encounter in the Truth in person and are not thoughtful of the need to be in constant fellowship with the Truth. So Apostle Peter dramatic change was brought about by the Holy Spirit encounter which brought full understanding of the Truth.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">One would be quick to ask was the Holy Spirit that filled Peter the Apostle the same Spirit operating in the 21st Century. If the Spirit of God could made Peter who was so timid and fearful to be ready to die for the truth deering to be counted worthy in Christ. Apostle Paul even declared that he was not ashamed of preaching the truth of the Gospel of Christ.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">How could this Spirit be the same? Where is the boldness for the truth?For what we are seeing is a boldness for selfish and self centeredness preaching, a preaching without Christ [ THE TRUTH]. A new Gospel altogether, a Gospel of things and not the truth of the Gospel.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Preachers are ready to die for nothing but themselves being enriched and furtherment of a personal Kingdom am even ashamed to call it a kingdom but rather an investment all at the expense of Faith and Christianity.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What would Paul say to such spirit and movement, will his Gospel find room in the hearts of the 21st Century Church ?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Such events as found in the book of Acts where man of no reputation stood for the truth, and cities being transformed, developed and empowered in the word of the truth. At one occasion the Apostles were threatened with death and some even became martyrs for the sake of the Gospel of Truth. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The early church took pleasure in standing for this very truth risking everything just to preach the word of God. Can we equate this devotion with our 21st Century Church? Do we even have a Gospel to stand for ?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But what is the Truth and who is standing for it?</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Tonderai Goncalohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07886336319223176830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1258692406156214807.post-87995655318307914982016-07-24T14:33:00.000+02:002016-07-24T14:33:41.465+02:00The Ability Of Faith<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Hebrews 11:1 starts by defining what Faith is what
it can do, how </span><span style="font-size: 21.3333px; line-height: 22.8267px;">men</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"> of the past were able to use it to have great results. We see that man like Daniel rose politically because of their faith, how he stood
for the faith and how God rewarded that faith.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The bible says faith is the substance of things we
hope for and the evidence of the things we hope for which are not seen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The writer was explaining to us that faith is a
real element in the heart that can create the substance of things we hope for.
In other words faith is so real in us that it can be recognized and felt and
seen. Paul said to the man who was crippled arise and walk after he saw his
faith. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Am not sure if it was the action that
correspondences to his faith that Paul saw or it was something that he
discerned spiritually. Weather spiritually or carnally that part of the man
which we are calling faith was seem physically. It was so real that it could be
seen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jesustoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/strong-faith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://jesustoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/strong-faith.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ability of Faith</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Furthermore, we can define faith is the reality of
the unseen, the proof of that which is not and the evidence of the things that
are unseen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Faith is important to a believer’s life and to
every spiritual being because that is one element in us that can bring the
unseen realities of God. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Without faith it is impossible to please God, but them
that seek Him must draw unto Him with faith and He will reveal Himself to them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Faith is essential for a believer to have a
relationship with Him. God expect the just, the righteous to live by faith.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"> Hebrews
2:4</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Hold the proud,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">His soul is not upright in him;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But the just shall live by his faith<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">NKJV<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Faith can translate life to a believer and become
a mode of one’s survival, creating what you need for survival. Such faith is
developed but having a living relationship with God and by fellowship with His
Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus in answering Mary the sister of Lazarus He
said if you can believe you shall see His Glory. The Glory of God is all that
God has and all that God is, faith is what causes to manifest of the divine
Glory of God in our lives. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We can indeed have all that God has! Jesus said
whatever that belongs to my father belongs to me. In actual sense Jesus was
saying I have access to the Glory of God the Father by Faith.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">Copyright © </span><a href="https://tonderaigoncalo.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;">Tonderai Goncalo</a><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;"> [All Rights Reserved] </span></div>
Tonderai Goncalohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07886336319223176830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1258692406156214807.post-90626561998754914072016-07-09T21:28:00.000+02:002016-07-09T21:36:58.141+02:00If Africans Can Love One Another Then Real Transformation Comes.<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Africa is a continent that has been blessed with resources and much more, this blessing somehow might come as if it is a curse. In the sense that where there are much blessings, earthly possessions and wealth there is war, country man raising up against countryman.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In my thoughts i wonder what is the real value of an African soul, the way people were sold to the highest bidder and the way the blood is shed among other things. Are we darkened also even in our minds? To the extent that we do not value our own brothers and sisters. Indeed if the spirit of love and togetherness comes among us as a people there will be real transformation of our Continent.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The cause of our hardness of heart and being can be truly traced from the time of slave trade. Africans who were elite would assist the trade master to buy and transport their own brothers at a price. Its not imaginable that a brother would sell a brother for a price. This practice is it peculiar to the Africans only if yes ? What has gotten into our people and how can this great continent be saved?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Could it mean that the African community was build on a selfish or self centeredness of a people. People who would think of hunting his or her people so as to sell them to the highest bidder of sugar, or fine cloth, yes one would be asking what kind of level of ignorance is this? I ask is it the ignorance or heartlessness. Yet the same heart and mind set has been passed down by tradition knowingly or unknowingly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">During the period of colonization the land was sold by the African Elite who were in authority and who had power. In some cases it was as a result of tricky maneuvers by those which the African community hold as friends who got in touch with the settlers and convinced the leaders to enter into treaties that would soon make them lose their land,wealth and possession.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://cecilymichelle.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/black-people.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://cecilymichelle.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/black-people.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">If Africans Can Love One Another Then Real Transformation Comes.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The suffering of a black man has always and almost at all times have been injuced by another black man who is either self centered or just greed to sell his or her people to suffering and pain, hunger and violence.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Even as we trace the history of the independence of the african countries we can find that there has been man who would easily switch sides for the desire of greatness and political power at the expensive of his or her people.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The root cause of our suffering could be not very far but in our brothers or sisters who have thought highly of themselves at the expense of the their people. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The bible talks of love and thinking of the other more highly than yourself. If only if we can love one another and value each others lives more than we can value material possessions, our status and our wealth. </span>Tonderai Goncalohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07886336319223176830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1258692406156214807.post-72342536399919785572016-06-19T17:07:00.000+02:002016-06-19T17:07:17.147+02:00A Godly Father And Husband: Who can Find?<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">Fathers are very important in society. Without them and mothers, society cannot function. All fathers must take the leadership role in the family although this is not the case in many families, including Christian ones. </span></h2>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">God put them in charge and the mothers are their executive officer (second in command). When the father relinquishes his command or the mother usurps it the family suffers. Any time the ordained order of anything is altered the results are always negative. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://storage.googleapis.com/wzukusers/user-14630717/images/55b0809d35d99XE8yMML/BlackManPrayingCropped_1450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/wzukusers/user-14630717/images/55b0809d35d99XE8yMML/BlackManPrayingCropped_1450.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A Godly Father And Husband</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The best thing to do is for the mother to pray and humbly encourage her husband to take the leadership role if he is not .She cannot nag him into being a spiritual leader; she can only pray him into it. A good way for her to do this is ask him to pray and read the Bible with her. Once he is comfortable doing that he can have family devotions as he is commanded to:<br /><br />"And these words which I commanded you today shall be on your heart, and you shall repeat them to your sons, and shall speak of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk in the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up." (Deuteronomy 6.6-7)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It is not only the responsibility of a mother to take care of the children in a family, it is the fathers responsibility as well. Children who lack the proper care and guidance will end-up in doing harmful things in future.<br /><br />Jesus said, "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4).<br /><br />It the father's responsibility to support the family as head. Of the household. He should fulfill his responsibilities to keep the family functioning in a positive manner. A father should protect his family by providing proper food, clothes and shelter. As the Scriptures teach, "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground" (Genesis 3:19).<br /><br />"But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever" (1 Timothy 5:8).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://thearmchaircommentary.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/blackfamily1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://thearmchaircommentary.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/blackfamily1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A Godly Father And Husband<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">A father and husband should respect his wife. A husband will gain respect from his wife and from society if he is a good and responsible father. A father who cannot take care of his wife and children will be considered a failure not only in society but according to the Scriptures. The first teacher in the eyes of a child is his father. He should teach his children what is right and what is wrong. A father should be strict, as well as a trusted friend to his children.<br /><br />A good father and head of the family should understand his wife and children and guide them in their difficulties. As a man's boss at work is dependent on workers for growing a company, children depend on father's for the growth of their lives. Children learn by setting a good example for them so that good characteristics are acquired by children from their father's as they set a good example.<br /><br />"The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who begets a wise child will delight in him" (Proverbs 28:24)</span></div>
Tonderai Goncalohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07886336319223176830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1258692406156214807.post-81610912284469352452016-06-19T08:43:00.002+02:002016-06-19T08:43:51.036+02:00The Role Of A Father In A Family<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">We often hear so much about the importance of mothers in children's lives but surely fathers play a much more important role in the family too. We celebrate Father’s Day every year in June. This day, the same as Mother’s Day, is a day to celebrate and remember our fathers or father-figures in our lives. </span></h2>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Through the way they live their lives and treat others, fathers influence the lives of the entire family. They are role models and set examples through their relationships with their children and the children's mother.<br /><br />A father’s role in the family is very important. His job is to provide for his family, by working, disciplining and nurturing them. It is a sin for the man of the household to become lazy, by not working. When the father works, he also teaches his children the importance of working and living a disciplined life.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Disciplining children is an important role of a father. His job is to teach and instruct them in the ways of God. By teaching and showing them how God wants them to live, he will surely raise God-fearing, respectful children. If the father doesn’t train his children correctly, they will lead unhappy and dangerous lives. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">A father’s nurturing love is the most important role that he has. Children are born seeking love and acceptance from their parents. Because the father is the head of the household, they look to him as the primary caretaker. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/files/2013/04/father.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/files/2013/04/father.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The Role Of A Father In A family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Usually the mother is responsible for primarily nurturing their children, but the father’s role as a loving caretaker, should resemble the same example God has for us. From providing, to disciplining and taking care of them, these traits can give the children of today more of a blessed future.<br /><br />He is responsible for loving and being loyal to his wife and through his respect, insuring that she has the respect of the children. This teaches his daughters through their father daughter relationships and his relationship with their mother how to respect themselves, how to expect to be treated by men as well as what makes a good husband and father. Daughters learn from their fathers what a man is, how to expect to be treated by them and what to look for in a husband.<br /><br />A father shows his sons through their father son relationships and his relationship with their mother how to be a man. From fathers, sons learn how to be men and how to treat women. He does this through how he handles different situations and circumstances, by setting the example of being honest and responsible as well as how he treats women with love and respect. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Every time he shows his son how to get up, dust himself off and keep going, he is teaching him how to keep moving forward in life in spite of setbacks. He helps to raise sons that will exhibit the same character traits and that, through his positive influence, will be much more likely to have healthy relationships with others including women. His influence also increases the likelihood that his sons will be good fathers to their children as well.<br /><br />Unfortunately, a lot of children have grown up without a father present in the home, leaving single mothers to raise their children alone. Some mothers became the father, because the father chose to abandon his responsibility as a father. And some may have been pushed away by the mother, due to difficulties in the relationship.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> There are many reasons why and some truths are not easy to swallow, but we know that Satan’s role is to dissolve the family, by purposefully splitting it apart. It should be obvious that the absence of a father or father figure affects children and the adults that they become. Playing such important roles in the family means that fathers help determine the health of the relationships within and the happiness of the family.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> In so doing, it can also be argued that fathers have a strong influence on society as a whole. We all know that if the father isn’t present, the mother’s role in raising her children will be very difficult- financially, emotionally and physically. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The absence of the father may result in his daughter looking for love and acceptance from men who will only use and abuse them. The absence of the father may also result in his son being angry and abusive towards women who seek to love them. As our society continues to become more and more dangerous, evil and love-less, a father’s role today is more desirable than ever.<br /><br />If today’s fathers would only strive to be like Jesus every day, then our children will be saved and lived a prosperous life. If they are raised respecting God and their parents, then it wouldn’t matter what today’s society tells them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Online Source.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Tonderai Goncalohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07886336319223176830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1258692406156214807.post-8159063012813597562016-06-19T08:23:00.000+02:002016-06-19T08:23:23.246+02:00Traits Of A Good Father.<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Being a father is not the ability to reproduce rather it is the responsibility that is God given to all man to become custodian of the Divine Providence and our families. Today we celebrate such man who have demonstrate such hard work and love towards becoming a great father and a good family man. What really makes one to be a great father?</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A good father makes all the difference in a child's life. He's a pillar of strength, support and discipline. His work is endless and, oftentimes, thankless. But in the end, it shows in the sound, well-adjusted children he raises.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/static/uploads/photo/2015/10/24/04/18/father-1004022_960_720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://pixabay.com/static/uploads/photo/2015/10/24/04/18/father-1004022_960_720.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Traits Of A Good Father.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On <a href="http://www.askmen.com/entertainment/mrtech_100/144_tech_gadgets.html" style="font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none;">Father's Day</a>, much of the world will take the time to <a href="http://www.askmen.com/entertainment/mrtech_100/144_tech_gadgets.html" style="font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none;" title="Top 25 Father's Day Gifts">appreciate the work of good fathers</a>. While you show your admiration for your own dad, take the time to see if you yourself have what it takes to be a great father, whether you have children or plan to.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />A good father loves his children, but he doesn't let them get away with murder. He strongly disapproves of his children's misdeeds, using tough love to prove a point. He does this through the power of his words, not his fists.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Likewise, a father doesn't reward his children for actions that are expected of them, such as helping with house chores or performing well in school. If his child drops out of school, the father demands that he provide for himself, considering the child no longer wants to invest in his own future</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.askmen.com/money/mafioso/21_mafia.html" style="font-weight: 700;">A good father</a> never lets his children take what they have for granted. From the food on the table to the good education he's paying for, a good father will make his children see the value in everything they have. He'll ask his child to get a job to help pay for a part of his first car, and take the time to illustrate how important a good education is</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9e/Father_and_son_surf_lesson_in_Morro_Bay,_CA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9e/Father_and_son_surf_lesson_in_Morro_Bay,_CA.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Traits Of A Good Father.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A dad knows how to have fun with his kids too, taking them out to games, movies, and supporting their sports teams by attending their matches. He takes the time to listen to his kids and have a good, easy chat with them. He also makes time to help them with their homework, every night if necessary.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A Father indeed is much more, he is a trainer, the visionary and a place for comfort and love for the family. The family unit always depends on the leadership of the father and the guidance of him, He is expected to be a wise man since the house always believe that dads always have answers for everything.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We celebrate you fathers for being leaders, visionary, providers, trainers and great fathers to your own families. Hold on strong and still believe in more for indeed there is more to come from you as a father.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">
<br /></div>
Tonderai Goncalohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07886336319223176830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1258692406156214807.post-35345944063171844292016-05-25T03:00:00.000+02:002016-05-25T03:00:00.958+02:00Black And Blessed: An Overview Of African Blessedness.<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">Black color is always associated with evil, negativity, and criminality and demonic. Indeed, there is an error in definition and appreciating value in the system of this world.</span></h2>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">As we Celebrate Africa Day and African Union let as be cognizant of the fact that Africa is in its own challenges Politically, Socially and Economically but that is not to say that Africa is a Black Continent and a Cursed Continent. Africa is indeed Blessed.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Most writers from different fields have labeled black, as evil, some have even annotated that black represents evil, thus we see witches in a movie wearing black clothes and only operating in the dark. The Times of difficulties are usually called the dark hours of life. What about the Black Man or Woman?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">God created mankind from Himself, God’s image and likeness is the right imprint of all Humanity regardless of race, culture and tradition.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">The major challenge we have is the mixed, imperial and unorthodox history of the black men. Is it not possible that history is not complete, that the authors of History are always not as balanced as they want to appear to be! Writers always have a freedom to explore their imagination, everyone understands that dreaming is not limited and is free.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"> However, it is primitive not to rest our belief of history on someone myths and legends of what they deem truth and factual. It can be estimated factual, but is it truthful – the reality of what actually happened. How do we prove the authenticity of the documents classify as authority is indeed authority?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">According to Wikipedia people Black people is a term used in certain countries, often in socially based systems of racial classification or of ethnicity, to describe persons who are perceived to be dark-skinned compared to other given populations.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"> As such, the meaning of the expression varies widely both between and within societies, and depends significantly on context. For many other individuals, communities and countries, "black" is also perceived as a derogatory, outdated, reductive or otherwise unrepresentative label, and as a result is neither used nor defined. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">According to the Bible, all humans on earth today are descended from Noah and his wife, his three sons and their wives, and before that from Adam and Eve (Genesis 1-11). But today we have many different groups, often called “races,” with what seem to be greatly differing features.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="360" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PJTF1fs9NHE/maxresdefault.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Black and Blessed<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"> The most obvious of these is skin color. Many see this as a reason to doubt the Bible's record of history. They believe that the various groups could have arisen only by evolving separately over tens of thousands of years. However, as we shall see, this does not follow from the biological evidence.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">The Bible tells us how the population that descended from Noah's family had one language and by living in one place were disobeying God's command to “fill the earth” (Genesis 9:1, 11:4). God confused their language, causing a break-up of the population into smaller groups which scattered over the earth (Genesis 11:89). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Modern genetics show how, following such a break-up of a population, variations in skin color, for example, can develop in only a few generations. There is good evidence that the various people groups we have today have not been separated for huge periods of time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbEXmcbeHq9jZtqPfch0V08RzrrH6w46YIOkbgoVEOpvBE7BfSWGtCJ9c9bvCZlb6TAmW_r34xpRSvETvEelvrDTWb47949dq2gHlZi8rXsvdWdompLkuHJ-sYHMKY8fQ0nTFePTnT58/s1600/africa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbEXmcbeHq9jZtqPfch0V08RzrrH6w46YIOkbgoVEOpvBE7BfSWGtCJ9c9bvCZlb6TAmW_r34xpRSvETvEelvrDTWb47949dq2gHlZi8rXsvdWdompLkuHJ-sYHMKY8fQ0nTFePTnT58/s640/africa.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black And Blessed: An Overview Of African Blessedness.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">There is really only one race—the human race. The Bible teaches us that God has "made of one blood all nations of men" (Acts 17:26). Scripture distinguishes people by tribal or national groupings, not by skin color or physical appearance.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"> Clearly, though, there are groups of people who have certain features (e.g., skin color) in common, which distinguish them from other groups. We prefer to call these “people groups” rather than “races,” to avoid the evolutionary connotations associated with the word “race.<a href="http://www.christiananswers.net/q-aig/race-definition.htm" rel="nofollow"> http://www.christiananswers.net/q-aig/race-definition.htm</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">If we are one race or one people then where is the difference? What makes one people blessed and more advanced than the other? Is the Black men Cursed?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">The belief that the skin color of black people is a result of a curse on Ham and his descendants is nowhere taught in the Bible. Furthermore, it was not Ham who was cursed, but his son, Canaan (Genesis 9:18, 25, 10:6). Furthermore, Canaan's descendants were probably mid-brown skinned (Genesis 10:15-19), not black.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">False teaching about Ham has been used to justify slavery and other non-biblical racist practices. It is traditionally believed that the African nations are largely Hamitic, because the Cushites (Cush was a son of Ham: Genesis 10:6) are thought to have lived where Ethiopia is today. Genesis suggests that the dispersion was probably along family lines, and it may be that Ham's descendants were on average darker than, say, Japheth's.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Biblical narratives shows that the Africans was never cursed and are not living in a God forsaken world. Rather Africans are a people as equal to any other people. Inasmuch as we can see that the Black Men is not curse why it is that it appears as if there is always negativity around him?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">The rightfulness or wrongfulness of a anything is not determined by the color of the skin of an individual, or by the location of an individual. Tradition has it that there are people who are still in the dark content and that other people are cursed and are still primitive by reason of race.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">Copyright © </span><a href="https://tonderaigoncalo.blogspot.com/" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;">Tonderai Goncalo</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"> [All Rights Reserved] </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Tonderai Goncalohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07886336319223176830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1258692406156214807.post-82008840774062574922016-05-25T01:57:00.000+02:002016-05-25T01:59:05.010+02:00Celebrate The Africanness Of Being African.<h2>
<span class="hvr" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #404040;"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 19.5px;">Africa is a wonder, a continent that is existing with such diverse challenges and yet still striving and propelling forward toward real Economic reformations, Peace, Democracy, Health and Social Welfare establishment.</span></span></span></span></h2>
<span class="hvr" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #404040;"><span style="line-height: 19.5px;">Certainly Africa will raise out of its problems and restore its people. In this view we celebrate the Africanness of Africa and the Hope of Africa that is embedded in its own people and emerging groomed leaders.</span></span></span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://purelylocal.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/AFRICA-DAY-CELEBRATIONS-MX3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://purelylocal.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/AFRICA-DAY-CELEBRATIONS-MX3.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrate The Africanness Of Being African.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Yes Africa has suffered much at the hands of the oppressors as a young and undeveloped continent, it has been a home of all evils from slavery, oppression to colonization. The Religious forks once believed that Africa was cursed and the Imperialist believed that Africans was to be abused and less than Human. It was in their minds the course of nature for Africans to be inferior to them.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In Malawi because of this imposed mindset they developed a term in their language <i>mzungu</i> which has a variety of meanings from a wanderer, European and a white man. The term was further developed unorthodoxically to mean someone superior or boss and is even used among the locals who are in their terms superior in terms of Financial status, owner of a company and Leader in the society. For example in Zimbabwe the Shonas can refer to their bosses or someone who is superior to them as <i>murungu</i>.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Such a History brought strongholds in terms of beliefs and created a Hybrid African one who is not so sure of who he or she is. The colonial era came and passed though it took blood for much of the need Political freedom and liberation from the White settlers. In rediscovering who we are we have answers that transforms our perception of our being as Africans. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Today we celebrate that Africa is liberated, Yet that freedom is still or rather appears to be half assumed and appropriated fragmentedly. The real freedom is in the African man or woman becoming what they were created to be. Bring the Africans to participate fully in their own problem solving, Industry and Commerce. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Finding their purposes in rebuilding the continent and restoring the wealth and livelihood of the Africans. To propagate peace and to speak with the voice that encourages Pan African spirit that seeks to unite and convey strategies that empowers the less privileged. The same spirit should put people first in all things and eradicate self centeredness and greediness which are the bedrock of many sorrows of African people perpetuated by the current leadership. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.worldbulletin.net/news/2015/05/25/africaunity-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media.worldbulletin.net/news/2015/05/25/africaunity-1.jpg" height="374" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Africanness Of Being African</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Yes we celebrate peace and economic restoration of Africa in most of the part of Africa. Africa is for the Africans and should benefit from their God given resources. As we celebrate it is high time to not only be a raw materials exporter but becomes a continent that always process its own products and actual sells the end product.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We celebrate the Liberation, we sing songs for freedom and I pictured the children of Israel after crossing the Red Sea Miriam was leading a deliverance song. The Egyptians which was oppressing them was no more. Slavery, working without salaries, and working in harsh conditions and poor health and social welfare services was now a thing of the past.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> God moved them from being slaves to entrepreneurs. Indeed there were given the land which belongs to them and solved their challenges in the way inscribed by the Torah.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This is exactly the story of Africa although it is not yet fully fulfilled, as evidence by the partial liberation, lack of african empowerment, repossession of our land and over dependency of the foreign governments which in turn demand more of our won freedom and liberty even with their imposed legislative.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Therefore today we thank the lord for His grace and for the leadership of Africa which has put everything on the line to develop and rebuild Africa. Let indeed Celebrate the past victories of African, present achievements and the hope of bring to completion true transformation that is holistic, peace and integrated Africa. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">Copyright © </span><a href="https://tonderaigoncalo.blogspot.com/" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;">Tonderai Goncalo</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"> [All Rights Reserved] </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Tonderai Goncalohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07886336319223176830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1258692406156214807.post-23431990949639230232016-05-25T00:00:00.000+02:002016-05-25T00:00:14.115+02:00Why 25th Of May: A History Of Africa Day<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><h2>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After World War II, the process of decolonization of the African continent gathered momentum as Africans increasingly agitated for more political rights and independence. While in some parts of the continent colonial powers reluctantly and grudgingly relinquished power, in other parts African people launched protracted struggles against the recalcitrant colonial regimes.</span></h2>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.mg.co.za/crop/content/images/2013/05/24/africa-day.png/1000x275/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn.mg.co.za/crop/content/images/2013/05/24/africa-day.png/1000x275/" height="176" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Why 25th Of May: A History Of Africa Day<br /><br /><br /> <span style="font-size: small;">Thus, between 1945 and 1965 a significant number of African countries gained independence from European colonial powers. Ghana became the first African country south of the Sahara to gain independence on 6 March 1957. Its independence served an inspiration to other African countries struggling against colonial rule and as a result Ghana occupied a central role in the struggle against colonial rule.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />Just over a year after its independence Ghana, under the leadership Kwame Nkrumah, convened the first Conference of Independent African States on 15 April 1958. Amongst those countries that attended were Ghana, Ethiopia, Sudan, Liberia, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia. There were also representatives of the National Liberation Front of Algeria and the Union of Cameroonian Peoples. It is worth noting that there were only eight African countries who were independent at this time.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> The conference was an unequivocal assertion of Africa’s rejection of colonial and imperialist domination of the continent. It became the first Pan African conference to be held on the continent bringing together various African countries. Furthermore, the conference became a collective platform from which African countries sought to cooperate in the struggle against colonialism.<br /><br />To further encourage and forge a common goal of fighting against colonial rule, the conference called for the observance of African Freedom Day once a year, to mark “the onward progress of the liberation movement, and to symbolize the determination of the People of Africa to free themselves from foreign domination and exploitation.” Consequently, 15 April was enacted as African Freedom Day (or Africa Liberation Day), and this marked the beginning of what would later be known as Africa Day.<br /><br />Subsequent to the April conference another conference, the All Africa People’s Conference (AAPC) was held on 8-13 December 1958 in Accra Ghana. The AAPC was attended by both independent and non independent countries, representatives of liberation movements.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> From South Africa, the <a href="http://www.sahistory.org.za/organisations/african-national-congress-anc">African National Congress</a> (ANC) could not formally attend as the organisation as it was prevented by the apartheid government from doing so. However, a <a href="http://www.sahistory.org.za/topic/notes-delegates-all-african-people%E2%80%99s-conference-be-held-accra-ghana-december-1958">memorandum</a> was sent to the conference. <a href="http://www.sahistory.org.za/people/alfred-tough-hutchinson">Alfred Hutchinson</a>, a member of the ANC in the Transvaal and <a href="http://www.sahistory.org.za/20th-century-south-africa/treason-trial-december-1956-1961">1956 Treason Trialist</a>, who left the country without a passport after his acquittal, attended the AAPC on behalf of the ANC. Also in attendance was <a href="http://www.sahistory.org.za/people/patrick-duncan">Patrick Duncan</a>, then a member of the <a href="http://www.sahistory.org.za/topic/liberal-party-south-africa-lpsa">Liberal Party of South Africa</a> (LPSA). Duncan later joined the <a href="http://www.sahistory.org.za/topic/pan-africanist-congress-pac">Pan Africanist Congress</a> (PAC).<br /><br /><br />The organization agreed to have an annual assembly of heads of state, a council of ministers, a general secretariat and a commission of mediation, conciliation and arbitration. Perhaps, more importantly the OAU supported the struggle for liberation in Southern African through the OAU Liberation Committee. Both the ANC and PAC received support in the struggle against apartheid from the OAU through this committee.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0008/267641/varieties/w920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0008/267641/varieties/w920.jpg" height="238" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">From 1959 to 1963 African Liberation Day was celebrated in Ethiopia, South Africa, Ghana and by African people in Britain, China, Soviet Union and the United States (US). Other conferences were held in January 1960 in Tunisia followed by another one in Egypt in March 1961. As more African countries became independent, the need for an organisation that would articulate aspirations of African people and their struggle arose. Consequently on <a href="http://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/organisation-african-unity-formed-and-africa-day-declared">25 May 1963</a>, leaders of 32 African nations converged in Ethiopia‘s capital Addis Ababa and formed the <a href="http://www.sahistory.org.za/topic/organisation-african-unity-oau">Organization of African Unity</a> (OAU).<br /><br />Amongst other things agreed to at the formation of the OAU was to change the date of Africa Freedom Day from 15 April to 25 May. As a consequence of the change African nations celebrate Africa Day on this date. After the first democratic election in 1994, South Africa joined the OAU on 23 May 1994. Another significant development connected to this date was the replacement of the OAU 38 years after its formation by the African Union (AU) on 25 May 2001.<br /><br />Today we celebrate the Africanness of Africans and cherish the hope we have as a continent. That total Liberation and equal opportunities on the world market. Indeed we work toward<b> </b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>A Peaceful, Prosperous And Integrated Africa.</b></span></span></div>
</div>
Tonderai Goncalohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07886336319223176830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1258692406156214807.post-2895023479005508642016-05-24T19:01:00.001+02:002016-05-24T19:01:44.392+02:00The legalism Coiled In Christianity Eroding Grace<div style="background-color: white; color: #151719; font-family: leitura-news, Georgia, serif; font-size: 19.55px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<br />
<h2>
It is easy to accept Human effort at the expense of Divine Grace, I have noticed that Humanity is easy to accept half truth and utterly ignore the whole truth that is in-front of it. In Christianity tendency of legalism can easily be seen in most church in various forms.</h2>
Legalism and reactions against it are a constant part of religious life. It lies at the center of disputes over the changes Pope Francis is attempting to bring to the Roman Catholic Church. It divides progressive from conservative Protestants, Indeed, it defines the conflict between liberal and conservative forms of many religions.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #151719; font-family: leitura-news, Georgia, serif; font-size: 19.55px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">
Legalism can be defined as strict adherence to the letter of the law. Use of the term today normally has a pejorative connotation. A legalists is fixated on law, seems to miss the principle behind the law, or tightens legal obligation beyond what is right, reasonable, or good for people. I would want to further its meaning to the adherence of church traditions, doctrines and Ministries Philosophy in this paper. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #151719; font-family: leitura-news, Georgia, serif; font-size: 19.55px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">
Legalism is a perennial tendency in religion, at least in the three Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. But so is a reactive anti-legalism.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #151719; font-family: leitura-news, Georgia, serif; font-size: 19.55px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">
Speaking of the Christian tradition which I know best, I think it is fair to see a kind of legalism and anti-legalism spiral.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://d2dc8ug9yu03zt.cloudfront.net/images/1277/o-scales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://d2dc8ug9yu03zt.cloudfront.net/images/1277/o-scales.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The legalism Coiled In Religion Eroding Grace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #151719; font-family: leitura-news, Georgia, serif; font-size: 19.55px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<span style="font-size: 19.55px; line-height: 1.5;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 19.55px; line-height: 1.5;"> Luke Chapter 6 Jesus tangles with the scribes and Pharisees over the proper practice of Sabbath observance. In one incident Jesus gets in trouble for allowing his disciples to glean some grain on the Sabbath. In the second he heals a man in a synagogue on the Sabbath, also evoking resistance.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #151719; font-family: leitura-news, Georgia, serif; font-size: 19.55px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">
The command to honor the Sabbath and keep it holy is crucial in Judaism. One aspect of honoring Sabbath is to refrain from any kind of work. The question in these texts is whether Jesus and his disciples were violating Sabbath by “working” in these two ways. Jesus appeals to precedent, to human well-being, and to his own lordship over the Sabbath to defend his actions. His adversaries are not convinced.<br />
<br />
Jesus in coming to the earth He came with Grace and Truth, here we encounter the battle between Grace and the Law. In Christ mind the love and goodness of God was above the legal system that governs it. By adhering and becoming legalistic in nature the church, ministry or religion erodes the Gospel of Grace and entangle Humanity back to self effort.<br />
<br />
It is amazing to note that most of the churches that are being planted being Pentecostal or Traditional are bring man back to the Law either by adherence to the Torah or by creating their own Rules embedded in the believers faith policy as ministerial Philosophy.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #151719; font-family: leitura-news, Georgia, serif; font-size: 19.55px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">
It is perhaps not coincidental that this kind of prudish legalism has produced a systemically anti-legalistic response among many millions of Christians who were raised in it. I think this explains a lot of the spirit of ex-Southern Baptist and ex-evangelical/fundamentalist Christianity. Where legalism dominated, many, many, Christians want a religion of grace, mercy, and freedom.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #151719; font-family: leitura-news, Georgia, serif; font-size: 19.55px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">
On the other side some scholars would want to argue that sometimes demands and boundaries are needed. Given human nature, sometimes we need someone to tell us where the limits are, and what we are not allowed to do, not just where the freedom is and how forgiving God is.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #151719; font-family: leitura-news, Georgia, serif; font-size: 19.55px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">
It is imperative to know that Legalism kills by squeezing the life out of us. But a reactive anti-legalism can kill by not keeping us away from actions that can ruin our lives – and that of others another source which is closely related to the traditional church.<br />
<br />
It is true that Legalism is natural and humanistic easy to adjust and adopt. Carnal and both oppressive moreover rendering powerless the work that Jesus did on the cross by forcing on human efforts and human rules to bring righteous living.<br />
<br />
Online Source.</div>
Tonderai Goncalohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07886336319223176830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1258692406156214807.post-77616673920749721722016-05-21T11:49:00.000+02:002016-05-21T12:08:30.759+02:00Faith Demands Action!<span style="font-size: large;"><br /> Faith is the tangible substance of the things you are hoping for entailing everything that you desire.When we say Faith is a substance, we are dealing with things that are outside, things that can be seen and things that are tangible. <br /><br />In this article, I would like to teach Faith as a perspective. Faith as a perspective is a decision that is made in your heart, where you decide to walk by Faith, thus it’s inside rather than external.<br /><br /><b><i>You actually make a conscious decision.</i></b><br /><br />“Now Faith is the substance of things hope for, the evidence of things not seen“For by it the Elders obtained a good report.“Through Faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” Hebrews 11:1-3<br /><br />When I have substance to buy things, I will simply buy, but when I have a decision in my heart, then it will manifest in the substance.The decision has got to be in the heart to walk by Faith, to live by Faith — everything to do it by Faith.<br /><br />In essence what comes out is a product to what is written (decision) in my heart.There is nothing under the sun that the enemy is fighting for except your Faith.I have had people who requested prayers from me, pointing out that the devil is fighting against their husbands, finances, etc.<br /><br />The devil is not interested in your husband or finances — but he fights those things on his way destroy your Faith.He cannot reach you directly, so he uses other objects to reach your Faith. The devil hates and doesn’t want to hear about your Faith because:<br /><br />Faith is important!</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Faith is powerful!<br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://prophetgraybeal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/strong-faith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://prophetgraybeal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/strong-faith.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <br /><br />However, I emphasize that Faith as a perspective requires you to make a choice.You should make a choice to live and walk by Faith.Everything you do, do it by Faith.<br /><br />Make a decision not to trust in your possessions and other things — but believe in Jesus. Don’t put your trust in the things that you can do; neither put your trust in what you can afford.<br /><br />Purpose it in your heart and tell yourself that, “From today, I’m a giant of Faith!”<br /><br />What I know is that all believers have Faith, because the Bible says, everyone is given a measure of Faith (Romans 12: 3).<br /><br />The difference in Faith is similar to this analogy — A person who exercises and do weight lifting is able to become muscular though the number of muscles are the same with the other one who is not.<br /><br />Another analogy is about swiping bank cards.<br />Some cards have a maximum limit of $500 a day but some can give as much as $10 000 a day, depending on the decision that was made and agreed upon when the cards were applied for/issued.<br /><br />We were all given a measure of Faith; but the decision that you put on your heart, according to your Faith will be done to you.<br /><br />The decision in your heart might limit you and many people are limited by what they decide.<br /><br />I have done some things that when I reflect upon; I wonder how they happened because I don’t really understand.<br />But I believe they are the products of decisions that I made before these things occurred.<br /><br />What you purposed in your heart and what you believe are the things that manifest in your life — and this is Faith as a perspective.<br /><br />You need to start to believe that you are a giant of Faith. Don’t limit yourself and what God can do in your life — through self-belittling thinking. Check your thinking!<br /><br />Tell yourself, “Now is my time! And I believe God to do the impossible!”<br />Take note that, God cannot go beyond what you believe. Believe God for the impossible today!<br /><br />And always remember for with God all things are possible, Mark 10:27</span></div>
Tonderai Goncalohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07886336319223176830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1258692406156214807.post-73604634183768245572016-05-20T12:19:00.000+02:002016-05-20T12:21:58.155+02:00Understand Your Position In Christ<h2 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Knowing who you are and understanding your position in Christ is important since it empowers one to fully express that which God intends in one's life. Become what God destined you to be!</h2>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Jesus says, “I am the vine, you are the branches.” He did not say, “I am the vine, try to be the branches.” In other words, He wants us to realize that we are already the branches. We do not have to struggle to become the branches.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
As His branches, we only have to abide or remain in Christ our vine. How do we do that? We do that by simply being conscious every day of our position in Christ.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Because we have received Christ, we are in Christ and are accepted in the Beloved. (2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 1:6) God accepts us because we are in the Beloved and He is in us. And that is how God sees us today when we come into His presence.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
What the devil wants to do then is to get you to focus on your condition instead of your position in Christ. The condition you are facing could be financial lack or deteriorating health. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The devil wants you to focus on your condition and forget your position that you are the righteousness of God in Christ and that you are seated with Him in heavenly places at the Father’s right hand. (2 Corinthians 5:21, Ephesians 2:6) He wants you to forget that you are an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ. (Romans 8:17)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The devil knows that once you focus on your position in Christ, it will give you the power to change your condition and circumstances. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://singleindependentsistah.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/dude_smiling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://singleindependentsistah.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/dude_smiling.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Understand Your Position In Christ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
John 15:5 says that you will bear “much fruit”. This means that when you pray against any lack, abundant supply will flow. When you pray for healing, sickness will leave.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
None of these things can happen by your own doing, but by His life which flows through you. Just as sap flowing through the branches of a vine will cause them to bring forth fruit, His life flowing through you will bring forth a bountiful harvest of provision, healing and miracles. You only need to remain conscious of who you are in Christ!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Online Source</div>
Tonderai Goncalohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07886336319223176830noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1258692406156214807.post-78834477713187710522016-05-16T12:33:00.000+02:002016-05-16T12:33:12.099+02:00Have the Right Spirit After Criticism<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />One of the worst sins anyone can ever perpetuate against themselves is to believe the lies that they tell themselves. It’s normal that in a bid to be strong or appear brave and in control, we often tell ourselves statements that are meant to embolden and strengthen us.</span></h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.</i>”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Proverbs 28 vs 13</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">In these statements its common cause that we will tell ourselves the things we want to hear, the things we think of ourselves, the fleeting dreams that we fantasise about and that we hope will be the reality of our life.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">It’s so easy to turn a blind eye to the reality of our situation, therefore we end up lying to ourselves. We become so distanced from reality that we begin to believe everything we say to ourselves. The reality is that the truth we perceive about who and what we are is not often the reality or truth that others see of us.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTSv1O_0EvoUx1IHxha_LE4SBkNSXgInhFYQ2aGw3rqUKlTAz7qywKnqweeUDPMru11bTHMu_jOKiLi1YKAnT4pjSy-OYYR5r-qOdJom60ucDgpGP0p0vdQj4el_IiBcXxw4OKh0slURp/s1600/smiling+woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTSv1O_0EvoUx1IHxha_LE4SBkNSXgInhFYQ2aGw3rqUKlTAz7qywKnqweeUDPMru11bTHMu_jOKiLi1YKAnT4pjSy-OYYR5r-qOdJom60ucDgpGP0p0vdQj4el_IiBcXxw4OKh0slURp/s640/smiling+woman.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Having the Right Spirit After Criticism</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">To accept criticism or to be told things that are negative is a difficult pill to swallow. We prefer things that are sugar coated, things that are palatable and easy to consume. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">The minute something becomes coarse and goes against the grain, we find it difficult to digest and fathom. Criticism and correction in any sphere is difficult to accept.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">One of the tenants of love is to speak freely with the intention of improving; the church, in the New Testament, is encouraged to correct brothers and sisters who may have strayed. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">The correction is to be done within the realm of love, with a desire to improve the condition of one rather than to pulverise them to a point where they lose their dignity or self worth.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"> Cultural situations differ and in some instances it is easier to turn a blind eye than to correct and straighten. However, it is the duty of every Christian to be their brother’s keeper.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Do you desire to be a better person? Begin to look at life through the lenses of those that see you, do not accept to be downtrodden and stripped of dignity, but rather accept the facts about you that need correction and improvement.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Take the time to pray for the grace required for you to accept the things about yourself that you deny but you know need to be sorted out.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Online Source<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Tonderai Goncalohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07886336319223176830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1258692406156214807.post-76598481843961210482016-05-15T00:13:00.002+02:002016-05-15T00:13:35.320+02:00Transgender And Christianity: A study On the Biblical Position Of Transgender.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />"Religion has been used in history to discriminate against various groups of people by justifying slavery, denying women the right to vote, and persecuting religious minorities," says Jimmy Creech, executive director of Faith in America. "Today it is being used to persecute lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people."<br /><br />Could we truly say the Religion is an oppressive mechanism in the hands of an oppressor in terms of civil and cultural rights? Can we be correct to view Religion as a way of life that seeks to readdress Issues to bring Redemption all Humanity and to reflect the Love of God to all Humanity regardless of their state of fallenness or uprightness.<br /><br />The issue of Transgender or Gender Identity has posed enormous challenges both to Religion and Politics. Debates have ranged from Politician seeking to legalise and provide legal protection to theologian searching the normality of such positions by both Politicians and Ministers of the Gospel.<br /><br />Furthermore, the church seems to be divided on the matter as evidenced by reactions from Heather Ann Clements, <a href="http://www.apu.edu/theology/faculty/hclements/">former head of the theology department at Azusa Pacific University (APU) </a>in Los Angeles who argues that the Bible defends those who renounce their birth gender. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">While a leading biblical expert on homosexuality said it condemns them as an "abomination." The debate still rages on and a conclusive agreement is yet to be arrived at by the church and theologian.<br /><br />God views every individual as He made them. While He did not make clones, he did create males and females with certain unique sexual characteristics. He also intended for males to manifest primarily masculine characteristics, and for females to manifest primarily feminine characteristics, although both sexes reflect aspects of both the masculine and the feminine in varying degrees. Along with those traits, He has provided direction on how we are to relate to one another.<br /><br />People who identify as transgender or transsexual are usually people who are born with typical male or female anatomies but feel as though they’ve been born into the “wrong body.” For example, a person who identifies as transgender or transsexual may have typical female anatomy but feel like a male and seek to become male by taking hormones or electing to have sex reassignment surgeries.<br /><br />American Psychiatric Association, which declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder in 1973, still classifies the condition of transgender as a disorder.<br /><br />The “transgendered” label reflects a sexual identity confusion and not a true condition. God doesn’t create a person with the genitals of a male and the consciousness and heart of a female.<br /><br />However<a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/denmark-will-be-the-first-country-to-no-longer-define-being-transgender-as-a-mental-illness-a7029151.html">, Denmark is set to become the first country to no longer define being transgender as a mental illness.</a>Government officials said classifying transgender people as mentally ill was “stigmatising” and they had “run out of patience” with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) work on the definition. According to them they want to do away with the stigmatisation of such people and are arguing that it is not a mental disorder but a normal condition which can be common in humans. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgraQvJCSEyzKG0VqPlxrUMd-tZxr5R861h_SHm_1zScUbnSdtoj8UA31s1wXodp3p9Tw92kMiMWbiyo9ta7qaGt68C8bMiJEBZSOrQJ6fwb6M8tCirGb8g5UgzB4xQmt_8a9_Z3B0iXqVN/s1600/Bruce-Jenner-Praised-As-American-Hero-Transgender-People-Everywhere-Bored-By-News.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgraQvJCSEyzKG0VqPlxrUMd-tZxr5R861h_SHm_1zScUbnSdtoj8UA31s1wXodp3p9Tw92kMiMWbiyo9ta7qaGt68C8bMiJEBZSOrQJ6fwb6M8tCirGb8g5UgzB4xQmt_8a9_Z3B0iXqVN/s640/Bruce-Jenner-Praised-As-American-Hero-Transgender-People-Everywhere-Bored-By-News.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Transgender And Christianity: A study On the Biblical Position Of Transgender.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />But it is not so with the traditions in the biblical narratives, Genesis 1:26, the Bible says, “And God created man in His image, in His likeness; male and female He created them . . . . and it was very good.” Maleness and femaleness are God’s choice, determined at conception. But growing into one’s masculinity or femininity and embracing it can be thwarted by very early events that prevent children from having a clear sense of their gender.<br /><br />Furthermore, God had revealed His intent for their gender at birth. They had been living as the opposite sex in a false self that was tragically far from what God had intended for them, and that explained why the great pains to which they had gone to fix their brokenness didn’t bring the peace and relief they thought they would get through assuming a new identity and/or having surgery.<br /><br />God views every individual as He made them. While He did not make clones, he did create males and females with certain unique sexual characteristics. He also intended for males to manifest primarily masculine characteristics, and for females to manifest primarily feminine characteristics, although both sexes reflect aspects of both the masculine and the feminine in varying degrees. Along with those traits, He has provided direction on how we are to relate to one another.<br /><br />The Bible is not so explicit in prohibiting the practise and in crafting a doctrine about transgender. However,there are passages that seems to point to displeasure with transgender people.<br /><br />The first one we will look at is on <b>cross-dressing</b> is called an “abomination” to God in <b>Deut 22:5</b>. Paul includes “<b>soft men</b>” <i>(malakoi)</i> in the offender list in 1 Cor 6:9-10, which in context designates men who attempt to become women (through dress, mannerisms, makeup, and sometimes castration), often to attract male sex partners. The fact that Paul includes such persons among those who “shall not inherit the kingdom of God” suggests that acting on a desire to become the opposite sex can in fact affect one’s redemption<br /><br />It is imperative to note that Gender is God's idea. Genesis 1:27 says: "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">My gender is part of my created identity; it is God's plan for my life. It is not fluid or changeable. It is fixed. Just as a dog cannot be changed into a cat or a fish into a bird, a man cannot be changed into a woman, or vice versa, because gender is a fundamental aspect of creation<br /><br />In simple terms God revealed His intent for their gender at birth. They had been living as the opposite sex in a false self that was tragically far from what God had intended for them, and that explained why the great pains to which they had gone to fix their brokenness didn’t bring the peace and relief they thought they would get through assuming a new identity and/or having surgery.<br /><br />Author Walt Heyer had a sex change operation in the 1980s and lived as a woman for eight years, but he later realised that he had made a mistake. He now has a website,<a href="http://sexchangeregret.com/">sexchangeregret.com</a>, where he writes: "Eventually, I gathered the courage to admit that the surgery had fixed nothing—it only masked and exacerbated deeper psychological problems." Heyer points out that studies performed on 500 transsexuals proved that surgeries and hormone therapy did not cure these people of their confusion.<br /><br />Taking cognisance of the environment we are living, where individuals have sexual expressions rights. An individual can chose to be what one desires to be, call it democracy or civil rights it must be made clear that there are tendencies and behaviours that contradict the core values and norms of the existing of a people and that negate and regulate the very truth that establishes a nation and constitute our Humanity.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Thus for harmony and preservation of our humanness and purpose for living "Desires must be brought into alignment with biblical teachings, but it will be inconvenient and distressful"<br /><br />The church's role is to truly bring the Gospel of love to the community and to reach out to the world rejected with the Love of God and with the Gospel of Grace. Even Paul the Apostle is on record when he went to the Greek city of Corinth and preached to people from all kinds of sinful backgrounds, and many of them embraced faith in Jesus.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Paul mentions fornicators (unmarried people having sex with each other), adulterers, idolaters, homosexuals and "effeminate" men—that is, men who dressed as women to engage in prostitution. Yet Paul says these people were set free from these sinful lifestyles after they believed in Christ.<br /><br />The church is not there to condemn but to show the undying love of God to a dying world. Jesus did not come to judge the world but He came to save it. The primary mission of the church is to bring that salvation message even by emulating its leader and the head of the body of Christ in coming not to judge the world but to save it.</span></div>
Tonderai Goncalohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07886336319223176830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1258692406156214807.post-82492054569747766752016-05-14T09:29:00.002+02:002016-05-14T09:29:48.865+02:005 Reason Women Leave Their Marriages<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">It is both fascinating and depressing to note how marriages are breaking down in our communities. What could be the reason as to the cause of weak marriages.The Institution of marriage is seen losing its value and importance.</span></h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />A recent study found that <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/women-more-likely-than-men-to-initiate-divorces-but-not-breakups-study-finds_us_55d61f03e4b0ab468da049bb">women tend to initiate divorce</a> more often than men.<br />But what overarching issues cause them to leave? Below, women reveal <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/10/the-moment-i-knew_n_776063.html">the moment they knew</a> their relationships were over.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLPAPqT8OeVyjWry9YvA01C0rw0oY8UZDpxqyNrIiSxzpbfQBfCJhxwtDYQKHSX3ExDsyTFbhqFlgKKJEgURTTmj6gPdi81Zx0PYcdlK9FrV7iA5Dnp7WaM5QHDokXcuzm2oq-KnSSE64/s1600/depressed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLPAPqT8OeVyjWry9YvA01C0rw0oY8UZDpxqyNrIiSxzpbfQBfCJhxwtDYQKHSX3ExDsyTFbhqFlgKKJEgURTTmj6gPdi81Zx0PYcdlK9FrV7iA5Dnp7WaM5QHDokXcuzm2oq-KnSSE64/s640/depressed.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: large;">5 Reasons Women Leave Their Marriages, In Their Own Words</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><b>1. Their marital problems wouldn’t go away, despite attempts to fix them.</b><br /><br />“I knew there was no saving my <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/most-important-phrases-in-a-marriage_us_57210f07e4b01a5ebde4459f?utm_hp_ref=marriage">marriage</a> when our problems continued to reappear no matter how much we did to mitigate them. We tried counseling — together and apart — date nights, time with the kids and without, talking and journaling, but nothing worked. There was so much hurt and guilt in feeling like my family was being torn apart, but I finally realized that our kids could see what was going on, even as we tried to hide it. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Our marriage was slowly rotting from the inside out, and they were watching it crumble. Luckily, after a lot of work and heartache, we have been able to put our personal feelings aside and find a place to co-parent effectively the majority of the time. Our kiddos now get to see both of us almost every day and they also get to see two happy parents working together for their best interests.” — <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kasey-ferris/">Kasey Ferris</a><br /><i><br /></i></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Our marriage was slowly rotting from the inside out, and the kids were watching it crumble.Kasey Ferris</i><br /><br /><br /><b>2. They can’t be the most authentic version of themselves in the relationship.</b><br /><br />“There isn’t one particular moment that stands out in my mind as the moment when I knew I was going to leave my marriage. The end came slowly for me, with conflict and unhappiness building over the years, until I ultimately realized that whenever I was being the most authentic version of myself, we fought. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I wanted to have the freedom to be myself without feeling like the qualities that are most inherent to who I am were ruining my marriage. Once I recognized this problem as the common thread in most of our arguments, I knew that I couldn’t stay because I simply wasn’t capable of stifling my dreams and passions any longer, nor did I want to.” —<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/danielle-porter/">Danielle Porter</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><b>3. Their marriages are no longer healthy or productive.</b><br /><br />“My moment came when I accepted the truth that all the lies, hurt and pain were clear signs that the relationship wasn’t healthy or productive. That moment of truth came on my birthday after celebrating out of town with some friends and finding out that while I was away he was being unfaithful again. It was in that moment that my tears of another hurt became tears of peace. For the first time ever, I knew that it was okay for me to end the marriage.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> My decision wasn’t based on anger or resentment. It wasn’t based on what he had done but who he had shown himself to be to me, and I knew he was no longer good for my life. I chose to accept the truth and had an inner peace because I knew I had tried everything I possibly could to keep the marriage together after years of watching it fall apart. I never wanted to walk away with ‘what ifs’ and I am thankful because to this day I have none.” —<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rachel-g-scott/">Rachel Scott</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><i>I knew I had tried everything I possibly could to keep the marriage together after years of watching it fall apart Rachel Scott</i><br /><br /><br /><b>4. The love is gone.</b><br /><br />“I was exasperated with his disrespectful behavior, yet it wasn’t his behavior that was the final straw. It was my own. When, during one of our many arguments, I heard contempt and nastiness in my own voice, I knew it was time to leave. We’d always had arguments, of course — what couple doesn’t? But even at the moments of utter frustration and anger, there was always an undercurrent of love — some nuance of affection — in my voice. Once that had gone I knew there was no going back.” — <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/soozi-baggs/">Soozi Baggs</a><br /><br /><b>5. They don’t like the lives they’re living.</b><br /><br />“After 11 years of marriage, I decided to leave when I realized how far I had strayed from my authentic self. We were living in Europe at the time and I had lost my identity. I had taken on my husband’s Dutch surname, I was trying to fit into a culture that was vastly different to what I knew and I couldn’t even communicate with ease, as my Dutch was not fluent and not everyone around spoke English. The exact moment of clarity came to me in the middle of the night, as I lay awake next to my snoring husband, as I had done so many times before. I allowed the words that I had suppressed for so long to flow to the surface: ‘I hate my life.’ That was four years ago. I moved back to Australia with my daughters and my <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/an-open-letter-to-my-ex-husband-thanks_us_56169adce4b0082030a16fc9">ex-husband</a> remained in Holland. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">We speak every night, he comes out here and the girls visit him there. I can honestly say that he remains my best friend. I just don’t want to be married to him.” — <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/melanie-sheppard/">Melanie Sheppard</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Online Source</b><br />Also on HuffPost</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Tonderai Goncalohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07886336319223176830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1258692406156214807.post-81807297175215460812016-05-13T11:13:00.000+02:002016-05-13T11:13:09.160+02:00New tech Fuelling Global boom In Child Sex Tourism<br />
<div>
<h2>
Technology is transforming the global sex trade and making it easier than ever for travellers to prey on children, a landmark study on paedophiles warned</h2>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #101010; font-family: "charis_silregular"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">The sexual abuse of children by tourists and travellers is a growing scourge around the globe that has largely managed to outwit attempts to curb it in the last two decades, a major study revealed.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #101010; font-family: "charis_silregular";"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9hAIqPinIdwOsGVlh3yHe-j8tlvJSbdlQXT3OE9-vH9gVxxTVFHKyjmNYphqSCDT4ypDyAne0TC4IaAsWIRTcx6WnzfBYacsj2t4J4xoIippERnqK_fAkI1gLjeQxsl3robm1gKqoqdH/s1600/human-trafficking-sex-trade-elective-course-2-790x316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9hAIqPinIdwOsGVlh3yHe-j8tlvJSbdlQXT3OE9-vH9gVxxTVFHKyjmNYphqSCDT4ypDyAne0TC4IaAsWIRTcx6WnzfBYacsj2t4J4xoIippERnqK_fAkI1gLjeQxsl3robm1gKqoqdH/s640/human-trafficking-sex-trade-elective-course-2-790x316.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">New tech Fuelling Global boom In Child Sex Tourism</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="color: #101010; font-family: "charis_silregular";"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #101010; font-family: "charis_silregular";"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Child sex tourism according to </span></span>Stephanie Delaney in Child-Sex Tourism Questions and Answers, 2007<span style="color: #101010; font-family: "charis_silregular";"><span style="line-height: 20px;"> "C</span></span>hild-sex tourism is a particular kind of sexual abuse. It normally happens when someone travels to a place and while there sexually abuses a child or young person who lives locally." For example, a person might go on holiday and then abuse a child who lives in a village or a community nearby. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We call the person who sexually abuses the child or young person an ‘abuser’, an ‘offender’ or a ‘child-sex tourist’.The main thing about child-sex tourism is that the abuser is someone who does not usually live in the place where they sexually abuse children and young people, although they may stay there for a long time.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Child-sex tourism can happen anywhere, although it tends to happen where there are many visitors to a place, such as popular tourist resorts, either for holidays or pilgrimages, or where people are travelling through, such as transit or border towns. Places which have become known for child-sex tourism can ‘attract’ people who want to abuse children and young people</div>
<div>
<br />
The UN-backed report shines a light on the rampant spread of child sex tourism, a scourge that touches every corner of the world and is outpacing all efforts to contain it.<br />
<br />
Researchers say the spread of communications technology is facilitating abuse at every step by helping offenders groom and procure children on the Internet before they arrive, network among themselves and share or even livestream images of abuse.<br />
<br />
"With the click of a button, offenders can have children 'delivered' to their hotel room or anywhere else they choose," the report says.<br />
<br />
Paedophiles can now speak directly to victims, using social media channels, with an immediacy "that was impossible 20 years ago," it adds.<br />
<br />
In a country like South Korea, where advanced communication technologies are widespread, more than 95 percent of commercial sexual exploitation of children is arranged over the Internet, according to researchers.<br />
<br />
The community the church is living in is fast changing, it is imperative for the to become not only a social-religious antiquity but to become an organization which bring transformation and true change. The role of the church must be revised and the church to arise to educate the believers and to equip its members of right believing for right living.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtN2YlONFoaNkbDSlpi36WALwInXVznWjdQq7oj2fbzQs3edxKexmRxnjC4l401MHL0teupPH30Zai2g304gFdIe3sfGiB97McRWxRe6ieShm_sDepeWxuTNn6bB9eS0ZeF5rnz7hR4jRC/s1600/child+sex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtN2YlONFoaNkbDSlpi36WALwInXVznWjdQq7oj2fbzQs3edxKexmRxnjC4l401MHL0teupPH30Zai2g304gFdIe3sfGiB97McRWxRe6ieShm_sDepeWxuTNn6bB9eS0ZeF5rnz7hR4jRC/s640/child+sex.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Our Children Needs Our Protecting And Respect.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
It is with shame that the church learns that individuals have become to humanistic and self centered to the place of even exploiting children for money.Abusing children, having no conscience, what a world we are creating without morals and respect. </div>
</div>
Tonderai Goncalohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07886336319223176830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1258692406156214807.post-71523727157236962752016-05-12T22:54:00.000+02:002016-05-12T23:00:41.995+02:00Kingdom Focus: That Which Attracts Grace<br />
<h2>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAniqa0bJJhV9qx8Ik3StT6uPJakxjbZmEQ1t7kt5iKryOrR7mg1Xzru_NKtbWpVViE3fHT_W4IBJVz8G8jXRvn1-yNkVH4zHbNlXXp3CXoH0Y4eYVWptfNTEhAFkssmLdRUdYy68pNyu_/s1600/focus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">Whatever controls your mind—whether it’s God or money or something else—controls you. Once we begin to follow Christ seriously, all the targets change for us. We’re walking a new road, and therefore we look for different landmarks. And as we are changed by the Holy Spirit, our goals change too.</span></h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The greatest target change of all, of course, is whom we live to please. In our human nature, we believe that life is all about self-help and self-emphasis; everything is me oriented. The choice to serve God and God alone means that we live to please him rather than ourselves. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There’s no way to overstate how great a leap in perspective that is. Our flawed, sinful human nature keeps pointing us toward the self-driven life at every turn: “Look out for number one!” “You have to toot your own horn.” “You have to do what’s best for you.”</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAniqa0bJJhV9qx8Ik3StT6uPJakxjbZmEQ1t7kt5iKryOrR7mg1Xzru_NKtbWpVViE3fHT_W4IBJVz8G8jXRvn1-yNkVH4zHbNlXXp3CXoH0Y4eYVWptfNTEhAFkssmLdRUdYy68pNyu_/s1600/focus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAniqa0bJJhV9qx8Ik3StT6uPJakxjbZmEQ1t7kt5iKryOrR7mg1Xzru_NKtbWpVViE3fHT_W4IBJVz8G8jXRvn1-yNkVH4zHbNlXXp3CXoH0Y4eYVWptfNTEhAFkssmLdRUdYy68pNyu_/s640/focus.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Key To A Divine Life</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But Christ beckons to us, saying, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As it turns out, the way of self-absorption attractive as it initially is leads only to brokenness and despair, while the way of following Christ leads to deep joy and fulfillment. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is why Jesus said, in the very next verse following his statement about denying oneself, that “whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it” (Luke 9:24). You find yourself by giving yourself away.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I know it takes a while to wrap your mind around that one. It’s counterintuitive. It seems like a paradox. But I’ve found it to be true the more you try to please yourself, the less you’ll be pleased. The more you focus on Christ, the more pleasing life becomes. We need to be “givers,” not “takers.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The natural human tendency is to take. We don’t see ourselves as selfish, or think of ourselves as takers. But our fallen human nature causes us to “look out for number one.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And when we live in a world of countless people all looking out for themselves, all competing for the same things, all wanting to take, then the world is full of conflict. It becomes an ugly place.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But what happens when people begin to see themselves as serving a common goal? What happens when we serve not ourselves, but Christ, and as a result, others? The world is transformed.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEM17aDx3OIAeMdyL_-WUiPMsvXUPUtrtBm04CmPI5ILlpA3E2IG8Y89JG4xMNPfTWbFaO52jkzS8Z9BFk9hpo-ypsBFKKyo-eylLh8_nOVs9HXObJZsjCPP2ODwXuZST9VOywEMrf1I8/s1600/prat.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEM17aDx3OIAeMdyL_-WUiPMsvXUPUtrtBm04CmPI5ILlpA3E2IG8Y89JG4xMNPfTWbFaO52jkzS8Z9BFk9hpo-ypsBFKKyo-eylLh8_nOVs9HXObJZsjCPP2ODwXuZST9VOywEMrf1I8/s640/prat.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kingdom Focus: That Which Attracts Grace</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). The word blessed has the connotation of happy, of being favored in life. It’s not just that God is pleased when we give; we’re pleased, too. It’s fun to be a giver.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Giving pleases God, and it pleases us, too. It sets into motion principles of kingdom giving, kingdom logistics, kingdom investment, and a whole world of joy that comes out of doing exactly what God created us to do.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Online Source</span></div>
</div>
Tonderai Goncalohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07886336319223176830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1258692406156214807.post-83170139103645865832016-05-12T10:24:00.001+02:002016-05-12T10:24:26.241+02:00The Answer to Turmoil and Fear<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="text" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px 50px 26px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; quotes: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="text" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.75; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“Let’s say there is a ship on the high sea, having a fierce struggle with the waves. The storm wind is blowing harder by the minute. The boat is small, tossed about like a toy; the sky is dark; the sailors’ strength is failing. Then one of them is gripped by . . . whom? what? . . . he cannot tell himself. But someone is there in the boat who wasn’t there before. . . . Suddenly he can no longer see or hear anything, can no longer row, a wave overwhelms him, and in final desperation he shrieks: Stranger in this boat, who are you? And the other answers, I am Fear. . . . All hope is lost, Fear is in the boat.”</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="text" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.75; margin-bottom: 28px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
On January 15, 1933, in a Berlin church, Dietrich Bonhoeffer delivered this haunting allegory in a sermon entitled “Overcoming Fear.”</div>
<div class="text" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.75; margin-bottom: 28px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Germany was in the midst of fearful and turbulent times, indeed. The devastation of defeat from World War I, just 14 years earlier, was fresh on the people’s minds and hearts. The Stock Market Crash of 1929 compounded further pressures on the struggling German economy, driving the number of unemployed to more than six million. The new Weimar Republic lacked political stability and leadership, and fears of communism and extremism loomed large. As these dark waves battered them from all sides, many Germans including German Christians feared what the future would hold.</div>
<div class="text" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.75; margin-bottom: 28px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.75;">“Fear is in the boat, in Germany, in our own lives and in the nave of this church naked fear of an hour from now, of tomorrow and the day after.”</span></div>
<div class="text" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.75; margin-bottom: 28px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
In times of fear and despondency fear can grip the masses or can make a dictator who will capitalize on the fear of the people. This is true with the case of Germany a rising leader took interest in this dire situation, but he offered a quite different solution. Rather than help people overcome their fears, he sought to exploit them for power. With a commanding sense of authority and a persuasive tongue, he offered them a savior: himself.</div>
<div class="text" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.75; margin-bottom: 28px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Just 15 days after Bonhoeffer’s sermon, the country made this man, Adolf Hitler, their Chancellor. As Bonhoeffer warned, but would have never foreseen, fear drove Germany and millions of others into deeper pain, division, and despair.</div>
<div class="text" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.75; margin-bottom: 28px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The words of a popular Theologian echoes in the midst of the church community who said Evil will prevail as long as goodman remain and does nothing. Fear will either make the good man to arise, speak and become the banner of hope and encourage in true transformation.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0AXFetXaqsiFqxclkcz4hB9Hsi5yXUhkw71j_bRtXIbastP7kqVT1guViujL9v1rLsFwndTjwlRrOt7ZRn-cuKNLfRI2-2BKh83v7fa62-w3ddZzCTuLsHfVRDUfs6gBNjcuXeYP7gCU/s1600/tormoil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0AXFetXaqsiFqxclkcz4hB9Hsi5yXUhkw71j_bRtXIbastP7kqVT1guViujL9v1rLsFwndTjwlRrOt7ZRn-cuKNLfRI2-2BKh83v7fa62-w3ddZzCTuLsHfVRDUfs6gBNjcuXeYP7gCU/s640/tormoil.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The Answer to Turmoil </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="text" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.75; margin-bottom: 28px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Fear pollutes our thinking, distorts our judgment, cripples our resilience to evil, dislodges our love, and casts a gloom over our hearts. When fear dominates, then distrust, hatred, and selfishness separate us from our Creator and our neighbor, replacing what unifies us: faith, trust, love.</div>
<div class="text" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.75; margin-bottom: 28px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
What is the role of the man of cloth, the Apostle or Prophet in this discouraged moments and times of sufferings. Bonhoeffer states that it is to be an inspirational voice to preach the Gospel of peace and grace. Transform the mind of the masses to be transformed in form and substance. Bring real liberation that is of the mind. All battles are won and lost in the mind.</div>
<div class="text" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.75; margin-bottom: 28px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Fear takes away a person’s humanity. This is not what the creature made by God looks like.Millions of Germans allowed fear to erode their humanity, turning from trust in God to trust in a maniac, from love of neighbor to holocaust and war.</div>
<div class="text" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.75; margin-bottom: 28px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Fear has the same power today. We still face the everyday fears that characterize a broken world, in addition to the fears that accompany a tense election year. While the current social and political climate of the Americas, Asia, Africa and Europe may not be as extreme as that of Germany in the early 1930s, sensitive church leaders can’t help but notice the fear that pervades the current elections cycle: a cycle fraught with threats of terrorism, loss of religious freedoms and values, and the risk of becoming a God fearless generations. Congregations sense it, fear it, and may even fuel it.</div>
<div class="text" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.75; margin-bottom: 28px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Jesus Christ had a way to address Fear when ever he meets with it, remember when He was in the boat with his disciples. It was the Voice of faith and hope that drove it away. This is why we need the church to continue speaking the word even when the world is in darkness and seems to be ignorant and not interested, keep preaching the word.</div>
<div class="text" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.75; margin-bottom: 28px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">All quotes come from </em><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Dietrich </em><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Bonhoeffer, </em><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Overcoming Fear,” in </em>The Collected Sermons of Dietrich Bonhoeffer<em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">, ed. and trans. by Isabel Best (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2012), 59–66.]</em></div>
Tonderai Goncalohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07886336319223176830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1258692406156214807.post-20704530871969254572016-05-12T00:25:00.000+02:002016-05-12T00:25:00.388+02:00Jesus and the Messiah<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"> The waning of Jesus' popularity was by no means sudden. Even after the discourse on the Bread of life, we frequently find the multitudes around him. But in general, from that time on our Lord seems to have withdrawn from the crowds more frequently than before, in order to devote himself to the instruction of his intimate disciples</span></h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /> At this time our Lord withdrew into Phoenicia, northwest of Palestine. In Phoenicia he healed the daughter of a Syrophoenician woman. It was a foretaste of the rich streams of mercy which after Pentecost were to flow out into the whole world.<br /><br /> After a brief stay in Phoenicia, Jesus returned to Galilee, where he engaged again in controversy with the Pharisees and again, by his divine power, fed a great multitude. This second time four thousand men were fed. There were also miracles of healing, and in general the essential characteristics of the Galilaean ministry were continued.<br /><br /> Matthew 16:13-20, and Parallels<br /><br /> But before long Jesus departed again from Galilee, and finally went with his disciples to the regions of Caesarea Philippi, northeast of Galilee. Near Caesarea Philippi occurred the great confession of Peter, which is one of the most important incidents of the Gospel record. Matt. 16 :13-20, and parallels.<br /><br /> "Who," Jesus asked of his disciples, "do men say that I am? And they told him, saying, Elijah; but others, One of the prophets. And he asked them, But who say ye that I am? Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ." Mark 8:27-29.<br /><br /> In this confession Peter recognized that Jesus was the "Messiah," the "Anointed One," or according to the Greek translation of the same word, "the Christ." It was by no means the first recognition of the fact. The Messiahship of Jesus had been revealed to Joseph and Mary and Zacharias and Elisabeth even before Jesus was born; it had been revealed to the shepherds and the Wise Men who greeted the infant Saviour; it had been revealed to John the Baptist; it had been revealed to the little group of disciples who left John at the Jordan in order to follow Jesus; it had been proclaimed by Jesus himself in his conversations with Nicodemus and with the Samaritan woman; it had been recognized even by the unclean spirits.<br /><br /> But although Jesus had been proclaimed ,is Messiah before, the confession of -Peter was by no means a matter of course. Although the disciples had already accepted Jesus as the Messiah it required considerable faith and devotion to continue to accept him, for Jesus was not the kind of Messiah whom the Jews had been expecting. They had been expecting a Messiah who, as anointed king of Israel, would deliver God's people from the Roman oppressors, and make Jerusalem the center of the whole world.<br /><br /> Such expectations seemed to be set at nought by the Prophet of Nazareth. No kingly pomp surrounded him; he mingled freely with the common people; he lived in the utmost humility, having not even a place to lay his head. Political Messiahship he definitely refused. When, after the feeding of the five thousand, the people were about to come and make him a king-that is, the Messianic king-he left them and withdrew into the mountain. John 6 :15. It is no wonder that they were disappointed. All their enthusiasm seemed to be ruthlessly quenched. Jesus would have absolutely nothing to do with the kind of Messiahship which they offered.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73zfyhUWr6kEuYX9lcEggN9F2TKsyyU18iN1rSKzbjs6rOqr8JGDUj2FpUvWB5eonASBzyaHkzTW08ttXBw2sw7-0CJeHea75Xw7RsJSS9z_ploFVXb_yayUnhC_aS6kzF8Kb4vnZ5VQ/s1600/The-Baby-Jesus-Family-Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73zfyhUWr6kEuYX9lcEggN9F2TKsyyU18iN1rSKzbjs6rOqr8JGDUj2FpUvWB5eonASBzyaHkzTW08ttXBw2sw7-0CJeHea75Xw7RsJSS9z_ploFVXb_yayUnhC_aS6kzF8Kb4vnZ5VQ/s640/The-Baby-Jesus-Family-Image.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jesus is The Christ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> By this attitude of Jesus not only the multitudes were discouraged. Even the members of Jesus' household failed to understand, and the very forerunner of Jesus, John the Baptist himself, was assailed, momentarily at least, by doubts. Conceivably the twelve apostles also might have been discouraged. But their faith remained firm. Despite all disappointments, despite the refusal of our Lord to accept what were supposed to be prerogatives of Messiahship, Peter was able still to say, at Caesarea Philippi, "Thou art the Christ."<br /><br /><br /> But in what sense was Jesus the Christ? He was not an earthly king who would lead the armies of Israel out to battle against the Romans. He was not that sort of Messiah. What then was he? What was Jesus' own conception of Messiahship?<br /><br /> In order to answer that question fully, it would be necessary to return to the study of the Old Testament. Jesus accepted to the full the Old Testament promises about the Messiah; what he rejected was merely a false interpretation of them.<br /><br /> Even those promises of the Old Testament which make the Messiah a king of David's line were fulfilled in Jesus. He was actually of David's line, and he was born in David's city. He was also the King of Israel.<br /><br /> Only his kingship was exercised in ways different from those which the people generally were expecting. And there were other features of the Old Testament promises which Jesus also fulfilled. Jesus was not only Son of David; he was also Son of Man. The title "Son of Man," which was Jesus' own Messianic designation of himself, does not denote merely the humanity of Jesus in distinction from his deity. On the contrary, it is plainly taken from the stupendous scene in Dan. 7:13, where "one like unto a son of man" is represented as coming with the clouds of heaven, and as being in the presence of God. It indicates, therefore, not the human weakness of Jesus, but his exalted position as supreme Ruler and Judge.<br /><br /> It is not surprising that for a time at least during his earthly ministry Jesus used this title of the Messiah rather than the other titles, for the title Son of Man was without the political associations which Jesus desired to avoid. It had been employed, not so much by the masses of the people, as by the circles which read the books which are called the "Apocalypses." In these books, on the basis of Daniel and other Old Testament prophecies, the Messiah was represented not as a political king, but as a heavenly, supernatural person. The title, therefore, was admirably fitted to designate the lofty character of the Messiah's person, without the dangerous political associations which had gathered around certain other titles.<br /><br /> Indeed for a time, in the early Galilaean ministry, our Lord seems to have kept his Messiahship somewhat in the background. Public proclamation of his Messiahship would have aroused false, worldly hopes of political upheaval. Before proclaiming himself again as Messiah, our Lord needed to make clear by his teaching and by his example what kind of Messiah he was; before finally setting up his Kingdom he needed to show that that Kingdom was not of this world. But he was Messiah and King from the beginning, and even at the beginning his Messiahship had been made known.</span>Tonderai Goncalohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07886336319223176830noreply@blogger.com0