UFUNUO: Revelation of Hope

From Evolution to Creation: My Difficult Journey

2012-02-14T05:58:00.004+03:00

From evolution to creation: My difficult journey

by Walter Veith

"Your mother is going to hell where she will be tormented forever and ever."

That's what I heard over and over again from my Catholic teacher about my Lutheran mother, who was dying of cancer. How can a God of love punish a faithful mother like mine? If there is a God, I hate Him. By age 10, I was a confirmed atheist.

I majored in zoology at the University of Cape Town , where evolution was championed. My professors included brilliant men whose work on the evolution of human skulls found a place in museums around the world. A fullfledged atheist, I went on to earn my doctorate and begin a career as a senior lecturer at Stellenbosch University . My whole life revolved around evolution. I taught evolution. I based my research on evolution. For me, God did not exist.

During a lecture, a young girl confronted me: "What you say, Dr. Veith, is a lie. God created the heaven and the earth in six days." I exploded, tearing into her until she began to cry. Students were impressed with my ability to disprove creation.

[THEN WHAT HAPPENED?]

CONTINUE READING AT:

http://dialogue.adventist.org/articles/15_1_veith_e.htm

BTYA Annual Winter Retreat Registration

2012-02-09T14:28:00.002+03:00

Click this LINK to register

1. BTYA Annual Winter Retreat - March 2-4, 2012

Are we truly the body of Christ? How can we support others in their spiritual lives? Would you like to get to know your fellow young adults better?

Then join us for "Connecting the Dots: Strengthening the Body of Christ" with special guest speaker Pastor Orlando Hall.

Spend the weekend in peaceful Camp Winnekeag getting to know your fellow believers and learning how we can strengthen each other in our walks with Christ. Come grow closer to each other as we grow closer to him. Prices are as follows: Students - $35 / Non-Students - $45 / Saturday Only - $25 (Financial assistance available for those who need it). Registration is now officially open but will close on February 12.

Click here to register:

Reserve your spot today! This will be a retreat you don't want to miss!

Source: http://btya.wordpress.com/

MCHUNGAJI MBWANA ZIARANI MASSACHUSETTS

2012-01-29T14:29:00.002+03:00

Mchungaji akiwahamasisha 'Tanzania Adventists in the United States (TA-US)'

Kwaya ya vijana wa TA-US wakiongoza uimbaji 'All Nations Church'

KITABU CHA PAMBANO KUU SASA KIPO MTANDAONI

2012-01-22T11:02:00.004+03:00

Kitabu cha Pambano Kuu Toleo La Kiswahili:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/45679339/pambano%20kuu-1.pdf

http://tryktjek.dk/julian/tanzania/gcsw.pdf

Annual ACF//NAD Campus Ministry Conference

2012-01-21T01:33:00.003+03:00

"The first annual ACF//NAD campus ministry conference will be held at Columbia University, NY April 13-15. College students from across the US, Canada, Bermuda and Guam will be gathering to celebrate a life in God on campus through worship, discussions, workshops and concert. Make plans to attend the first North American Division wide sponsored public campus ministry conference. For more info go to: www.acflink.org" - www.BostonCampusHope.org

GodEncounters for Young Adults (18-35)

2012-01-21T01:20:00.002+03:00

"GodEncounters is coming up in just a couple of weeks (February 3-5) at Camp Winnekeag (257 Ashby Road, Ashburnham, MA). You can now register online (registration closes January 23^rd) at http://auyouth.com/YoungAdults/god-encounters/!!" - www.BostonCampusHOPE.org

UDSM SDA Church Effort Via Morning Star Radio

2011-11-23T17:03:00.011+03:00

Brethren,

The University of Dar es Salaam Seventh-Day Adventist Church is conducting a three week effort through the 105.3 Morning Star Radio. The campaign started on 5th of November, 2011 and it is coming to an end this coming Sabbath on 26th November, 2011. At the heart of the campaign is Evangelist Ernest Sanka, a very humble manservant of God from the mentioned church. You can listen to these lessons from 08:15pm to 09:15pm from today up to Thursday. On its final day, the campaign will be concluded with a colourful visitors Sabbath. Everyone who is anyone is invited to this big day. This invitation should be extended to your fellow friends as well.

For those who in one way or another have missed the lessons, you can listen them by clicking http://www.udsmsda.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16&Itemid=15

May God bless you all.

Yours,

Papa Moïse.

Even if Jesus was four days late, He was still on time to resurrect Lazarus.

God is NEVER late. Don’t try to assist Him with the solutions.

M. M. Mgune

Dar es Salaam

Tanzania

Sermon: Jesus' Death & The End of the World

2011-11-19T14:57:00.011+03:00

THE DEATH OF JESUS ON THE CROSS: A MICROCOSM OF THE END OF THE WORLD

Pastor Chaggama Joseph Mapenzi

Let us pray:

Our gracious and loving Father who is in heaven, we thank you for granting us an opportunity to worship you on the Sabbath day. We are even more thankful for the Sabbath in that it keeps us reminded that the true Sabbath is Jesus. In Him we rest on the Sabbath day as a test of things to come. We are now waiting for you Lord to come again so that we may no longer rest after six days of hard labour and pain, sorrow and cry, but to rest from this present evil world and enter in your true tabernacle where timeless eternity is the order and sin is no more. Now Lord, take away the veil of prejudice and fear, hatred and enmity amongst us. Allow your abiding presence to be felt by your children as we ponder upon your word. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

Context

We have a subject before us this Sabbath which is a simple one in that it is what we have been preaching since the Advent movement began. I chose this subject and topic because I grew up looking forward to the second coming of Jesus as the blessed hope, and preached the same in our pulpits for the past 22 years. To understand this sermon you only need to submit to the divine teacher, the Holy Spirit, for the regeneration of your spiritual faculty to strengthen your memory of the past sermons on the same topic so that the plain meaning given here will be made even plainer. Could you please pick up your Bibles and read it along this sermon.

Background

God raised up the Seventh-day Adventist Church because of two neglected but important doctrines for the Christian Church. (i)The importance of the law of God including the biblical Sabbath and (ii) the second coming of Jesus that will occur first before one thousand years of Revelation 20:1-6 (premillennialism). Our Sermon today examines these two contributions in the light of Jesus, the law (Divine system of rules and the entire Old Testament Scriptures) and the end of time.

Jesus and the Law

The state of our question

We answer one question with two parts: was the death of Jesus on the cross necessary and how is it related to the law of God and the end of the world?

The Law is defined as a system of rules that everyone must obey.[1] However, according to one of the leading academics in the field of philosophy of law, Hart being a Jew suggested that the law is also the ‘revelation of truths’.[2] These two definitions serve the purpose of this subject. The law of God is the revelation of his truth-Jesus is that Truth and through knowing Him we have an obligation to obey God’s written law. The unwritten law of God was challenged by Satan in heaven (Revelation 12: 7-13) before sin entered into the world through Adam and Eve (Genesis 3). Jesus who is called Michael amongst many names given Him in the scripture, won the victory over Satan in the heavenly realms. With the sin of Adam sin became a human problem and his environment hostile to him. In other words, the death of Jesus on the cross was both directly related to the unwritten law of God that existed before creation of Adam. This law as reduced to Ten Commandments and further reduced to two by Christ. The question is: did Jesus have to die on the cross and how is his death related to the law of God and the end of the world?

The cross event a microcosm of the end of time

The law required that one person should die so that the whole nation should not perish (John 11:50). This amongst other issues related to the law caused the Jewish religious leaders to give up Jesus to be crucified by Pagan Rome (Matthew 27.1-2).[3] The Jewish end time which was limited by time and space reached its climax at the birth, life and death of Jesus Christ (theologians call this event, realized or inaugurated eschatology). The universal end time begun after the resurrection of Jesus during the apostolic age and will reach its climax at the second coming of Jesus (the not yet eschatology respectively). The cup that Jesus promised not to drink with his disciples until in his Fathers’ kingdom (Matthew 26:29), will be celebrated at his second coming to deliver his suffering Church. Christ too suffered on the week leading to the end of his earthly life.

Significant to this sermon are the events leading to the second coming of Jesus. The antichrist as a genus[4] is the union of the church and the state laws. This union has crept into the church of God through different forms.[5] As it was during the week leading to the sacrificial death of Jesus so will it be to His church. It was the apostatized nation that rejected its Messiah; in our time the apostatized religious leaders will enter the union with the state and will give up the faithful Christians to be persecuted by the state law. This has been happening since the days of the apostles. The intensity and severity of persecution will take a global scale just before Jesus appears in the clouds of heaven.

Those who will be faithful to the law of God will feel separated from God. White compared this tribulation period brought by state persecution with Jacob’s time of trouble.[6] But it is evident that Jacob's time of trouble was a type of Christ passion (suffering) and to his elect, there will be a time of trouble such as never was since was a nation even to that time or after (Daniel 12-1-3). The good news is that the church will be delivered from persecution just like God raised Christ from death.

It is important to remember that in Gethsemane Jesus was undergoing a little time of Jacob’s trouble (Luke 22:40-48). Its climax was reached at the cross. On the cross the darkness that covered the earth for three hours (Matthew 27: 45) was a microcosm of the darkness that will cover the unrepentant sinful world but to the believers in Christ the light will be shining. At the cross Christ dealt with the law requirements and died for sinners’ stead (1 Peter 2:24). On the other hand Christ was offered as a sacrifice not only for sin of the world, but as a forensic (future judgment) justification of the law of God (Romans 3. 36; Hebrews 9:26,28). Jesus felt separated from the Father’s love (Matthew 27:48). However, the scripture says, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself (2 Corinthians 5:19). As it was for Jesus who trusted His Father to deliver Him from the time of trouble, so it will be with the saints awaiting the second coming of Jesus ; they will cling to the promise of His coming to deliver them from persecution.

Summary:

Christ the Head of the church was bitten, bruised and killed by religious leaders’ initiatives with claims that He broke the law of God. The believers in Christ who are his body (the church visible and invisible) will be persecuted just like Jesus their Master.[7] The cross was necessary to demonstrate God’s love for humanity and to justify His law that He is just and the justifier of the unjust. The accusation that led to the crucifixion of Jesus was a microcosm for the believers living at the end of the world.[8]

Call:

You might be feeling that you have lost hope in these times of economic instability, fear and uncertainty. Faith in Jesus is the only hope that does not disappoint us in the end. God is calling with His tender love, come, repent and make your ways right with God right now.

Could we please sing while you march forward for a dedication prayer, ‘while Jesus whispers to you come, sinner come’, open this link:

COME, SINNER, COME

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/c/o/m/comsinrc.htm

Let us pray:

Our loving Father, we have realized that your love for us and your creation is so great that you could not break your own law. Forgive us, restore us into harmony with your will and keep us near to your heart, now and forevermore. Dismiss us in unity with you until that day when you come again. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

---

[1]HS Hornby, Oxford Advanced Genie, in Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English, 6^th edn, (Oxford University Press 2000).

[2] HLA Hart, Concept of Law 2^nd (Oxford University Press 1994) 1.

[3] The Jews were not allowed to pass on Capital punishment by the Romans. An example: During colonisation of Zanzibar the British Consular did not have mandate to try murder charges. Appeals were sent to India and thus the final decision came from the Supreme Court of India. This is a similar scenario to the Jewish nation during the trial of Jesus called Christ.

[4] Desmond Ford'S second PhD was on Christian eschatology especially on ‘the antichrist’ or as Jesus called it ‘The desolation of Abomination’ in Matthew 24:15. Ford suggests that antichrist began in Old Testament from Genesis to Revelation and will continue until Jesus’ second coming.

[5] The final manifestation of the Antichrist will be the union of church and state. God's church will be persecuted in a global scale just before the second coming of Jesus. A church which allows homosexuals to serve God in public demonstrates the characteristics of an Antichrist.

[6] E.G White, The Great Controversy (Harvest Books, 1888) 642.

[7]Revelation 14: 6-12

[8] The Biblical view of the end time begun with Jesus especially after the resurrection (Hebrew 1:1-2; 9: 26-28), the end time in this sermon refers to time just before the second coming of Jesus.

Sermon: Three Rules of Human Conduct

2011-11-12T16:57:00.004+03:00

Three Rules of Human Conduct

Happy Sabbath everyone! It is my hope that everybody is experiencing the great blessings of the Sabbath. Last Sabbath Pr. Migombo addressed a very important subject. He talked about forgiveness which I believe was a great blessing to everybody who read it. Today we will discuss the principal rules of conduct under the title: The Three Rules of Human Conduct. Human being conducts are categorized under three rules which are: Iron Rule, Silver Rule, and Golden Rule. Let us take time to examine each one in brief. For this exercise I will be using the New King James Version but you are free to use any version you are comfortable with.

Before we proceed let’s pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit: Dear Father God our Creator and Redeemer we come before you, realizing that we are sinful and you are Holy! May you grant us the Holy Spirit to brighten our minds so that we may understand your Word. This is our prayer in Jesus' name. Amen!!

Iron Rule

The iron rule is the one which employs power and force. It is from this rule we have the saying that “Might makes right” or some people say “might is right.” By applying this rule of human conduct, a person is right to do what he or she is big enough to do. A person may use his or her authority or power to do what he or she wants. Through this rule we can also relate with the saying “survival of the fittest.” It is unfortunate sometimes even people of God employ this rule in their lives. Let examine the episode of King David concerning Bathsheba and Uriah the Hittite. 2 Samuel 11:2-27. This is one of the saddest stories recorded in the Holy Scripture. Examine carefully vv 2- 4. David inquired the information about the woman and he was told that she was “Bathsheba the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite.”

What is funny in this episode is that after King David got the right information about the woman as the wife of Uriah the soldier, he ordered messengers to bring her so that he could sleep with her. The knowledge that she was a wife of the soldier did not hinder the King to commit adultery with her. Under normal circumstances someone would think that after the king had learned the truth about Bathsheba he could say that I wish this beautiful lady was unmarried I could marry her. But David used his power as the King to get her.

After realizing that Bathsheba was pregnant he wanted to hide his evil by bringing Uriah back home from the battle so he could sleep with his wife (Bathsheba) to destroy the evidence of his evil. After seeing that this plan did not work well according to his desire, he created a scheme (plot) of killing Uriah. David could decide to do otherwise but he decided to follow the iron rule that “might makes right.” He could ask forgiveness from Uriah but he wrote a letter to Joab who was by then the commanding officer of the army to kill him. In his letter he was so specific, “set Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle and retreat from him, that he may be struck down and die” (v.15).” Instead of David planning how his army could conquer the enemy, he is planning for his own soldier to be killed because of his personal interest (vv14-17). To make the long story short Uriah was killed and David took Bathsheba to be his wife.

Think about the Holocaust: It is believed that about 11 million people were killed. Out of 11 million 6 million were Jews (http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust /history.html). These people were killed just because of the hatred of Hitler. Under the iron rule people can do anything. Under the iron rule there is no fear of the Lord. Under this rule people do not have mercy towards each other.

Silver Rule

The silve rule states that “do not do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” It is stated in a negative form. It discourages a person to do harm to another person. It does not encourage a person to be engaged in positive behavior. The story has been told that one person, a gentile, went to a Shammai and he said to him convert me on the condition of teaching me the entire Torah while I am standing on one foot. “Shammai pushed him aside with the measuring stick he was holding.” The same fellow went to Hillel, and Hillel converted him: “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour, that is the whole Torah, while the rest is commentary thereon, go and learn it” (Shabbath 31a, Andrews Study Bible, p. 1258).

We can summarize the second rule by saying do not inconvenience anybody. It helps to reduce the ~~crime~~ in the society.

Golden Rule

This is the rule which has been advocated by many believers of various religions. But here I want us to come to the sermon of Jesus on the Mount and to consider His statement “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). The golden rule is almost the same as the silver rule except that the golden rule emphasizes on positive (doing, not avoiding). In other words, the silver rule is positive while the golden rule is active.

Jesus was teaching from known to unknown by letting His followers not simply keep from “doing to others that which they did not want done to themselves. They were to treat others in the same way they would like for these others to treat them.” (Layman’s Bible Book Commentary by Clair M Crissey p. 47)

According to Jesus, the Old Testament depends on the way we treat each other. This is the summary of the “obligations of the second table of the Decalogue,” and it is another statement of “the great principle of loving one’s neighbor” (SDA Bible Commentary V. 5 p. 356)

Jesus says that this is the Law and the Prophets which meant that the golden rule is the essence of the Holy Scripture. The golden rule puts emphasis on love. John says that “we know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. (1 John 3:14). We should love one another as he commanded us (1 John 3:23).

The Decalogue is summarized in one word which is “love”. Love for God and love for humanity. Today we have considered the golden rule in respect to the love of human being (horizontal relationship). Paul emphasizes on love by saying that “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:8).

What the golden rule wants to teach us is that the spirit of the law is love, Owe no one anything except to love one another. While Christians are encouraged to live without debt Paul is encouraging them to have a debt of love. Nichol points out that “Mutual love is an infinite obligation. It is a debt one should ever be seeking to discharge but that will never be fully paid so long as there remains an opportunity for doing good to one’s fellow men. (SDA Bible Commentary V6, p. 628).

Ellen G. White on the same note asserts that “in association with others, put yourself in their place, Enter into their feelings, their difficulties, their disappointments, their joys, and their sorrows. Identify yourself with them, and then do to them as, were you to exchange places with them, you would wish them to deal with you. This is a true rule of honesty” (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 134).

Dear Beloved Christian which rule do you want to choose to live and to be identified with it? Do you want to follow the iron rule, the silver rule or the golden rule? The choice is yours! I wish we could by God’s grace choose the golden rule; the rule which Jesus is advocating.

Prayer

Now Lord, your people have decided to live according to the Law and Prophets; to love each other as you have commanded us .I ask your Holy Spirit to help us so that we can be able to live according to your standard. I know it is difficult and impossible by our own power but by your grace we can do it. Help us to represent you well in all aspects of our life. Help us to love people the way you love us. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen!

Preacher: Protas Makimu

Painter: Lars Justinen

Sermon: How Much Have You Been Forgiven

2011-11-12T16:19:00.008+03:00

HOW MUCH HAVE YOU BEEN FORGIVEN

KEY TEXTS: MATTHEW 18:21-35

INTRODUCTION:

Dear brothers and Sisters, Happy Sabbath to you. I am thankful for the life and for the opportunity to share with you what God has put in my heart. I also pray and trust that God is going to bless each one of you as you fellowship and worship in your local churches around the world.

I do not take the assignment given to me today lightly. I must confess that this is not the sermon I had in mind in the beginning of this week. I struggled, prayed and labored for the past two nights. Finally, what we have in the next few pages is what I am compelled to share with you. I have no idea why but God knows…and therefore I must obey. Please ask God right now to open your heart and your mind before you proceed. Will you? Come Holy Spirit, teach us, touch our lives, and change us into Jesus' likeness. Amen.

Let me begin by warning you! This is not going to be an easy sermon although the subject is familiar. There is possibility that some of us are being lost slowly but surely because we have no clue what the bible teaches about forgiveness or have refused to follow and heed to God’s warning. As we study this subject, I don’t want anyone to forget that there are consequences of sins that forgiveness can not change-in other words scars sometimes remain long after forgiveness. Yes-we may need to take some responsibility for our actions. Some of us refuse to accepts the fact that we are sinners –hundred percent –sinners. Our denials put us falsely on a different category and hence treat one another with “holier than thou” attitude. Let me suggest this morning that we are all in the same boat …we are sinners who need the Savior. Yes we may be at different stages in our journey, and yes some are babies while others are maturing in the things of God. However, the fact remains; we are sinners in need of the Savior. Not only because of the “original sin of our first parents” but we also continue to sin daily against God and against one another…May be you don’t think so! As we begin our study this morning, allow me to suggest that if there is an important phrase in any Christian’s vocabulary that would make much difference in our spiritual lives; that would be "Forgive me" and "I forgive you."

I. WHY FORGIVENESS?

First, forgiveness lies at the heart of our relationship with God. The message of forgiveness is the message of the Gospel. The Bible if full of forgiveness truths, warnings, and counsel on forgiveness. Why did Jesus become man, taking on our flesh? Why did Jesus undergo baptism and temptation? Why did Jesus suffer and die upon the cross? Why? So we could be forgiven! Because that is how we get saved. The only way we can be saved… Because we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God [ROM 2:23]…And the wages of sin is death [ROM 6:23]. Therefore a promise is given “If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness [1 John 1:9]. Unless our sins are forgiven-we are lost. Second, in this sin-filled world forgiveness also lies at the heart of our relationships with people. We need forgiveness in our relationships as spouses, as parents and children, as brothers and sisters. Try to imagine life without forgiveness. It would be terrible, wouldn't it? All of us would be left in our sins and misery and none of us would have any hope for salvation and everlasting life. Families and churches would be a shambles for people that cannot forgive each other; we would be doomed to a life of conflict, hatred, bitterness, discord, and anger. On the other hand, where there is forgiveness there is love, peace, harmony, and unity. Where there is forgiveness the healing warmth of God's presence fills one to the brim. I can never think of forgiveness without thinking of Jesus' first word upon the cross: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Lk 23:34). Jesus prayed this for the scribes and Pharisees who plotted against Him. Jesus prayed this for the crowds who screamed, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" Jesus prayed this for the apostles who deserted Him and denied Him and betrayed Him. Jesus prayed this for the soldiers who cracked the whip and pounded in the nails. Jesus prayed this for Pilate and Herod who sacrificed justice in the name of peace. Jesus prayed this for sinners like you and me – because for our sake too He went to the cross. I can never think of forgiveness without thinking of Joseph. When Joseph's brothers came before him in Egypt, he faced a stiff test. Years before, they had threatened to kill him. Instead, they sold him into slavery. But Joseph forgave them. After father Jacob died Joseph's brothers feared Joseph might finally take revenge, but he assured them of his complete forgiveness. I can never think of forgiveness without thinking of Stephen. He was the first martyr of the Christian church. Unbelieving Jews, led by a man named Saul, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Stephen's last words were words of grace and forgiveness: "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" (Acts 7:57-60). Could you pray this way for someone who was killing you or one of your loved ones? Jesus tells us this morning that this demands a response, a thankful response. Because God has forgiven us we need to forgive one another. To forgive and to be forgiven are joined together.

II. GOD’S FORGIVENESS OF US

A. In Matthew 18 we read the parable of a king who was settling accounts with his servants. Apparently many people owed him money. One of the servants who was brought forward owed the king "ten thousand talents" (Mt 18:24) – a footnote at the bottom of your pew Bible equates this with "millions of dollars."

The servant was not able to pay the debt, so that master ordered that the servant, his wife, his children, and all his possessions "be sold to repay the debt" (Mt 18:25). Even with this drastic step the king could never get all his money back – the debt was just too big.

The servant, when he heard he was to be sold, along with his family and possessions, fell on his knees before the king and begged him, "Be patient with me, and I will pay back everything" (Mt 18:25). This was nothing but an empty promise: there was no possible way a servant could possibly repay the king the millions owed. The servant knew this, the king knew this, and everyone else in attendance knew this. Yet the king, much to everyone's surprise, "took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go" (Mt 18:27).

Take careful note of exactly what the king did. Did the king let the servant go with the understanding he make every attempt to do the impossible – to repay the debt? Did the king release the servant from the threatened slavery on the condition he try his best to pay the debt's interest? Did the king merely decide to hold off foreclosure for the time being? The king did none of this. Rather, he "canceled the debt" (Mt 18:27). In his ledgers he marked the debt as being paid in full.

B. Jesus starts the parable by saying "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like ..." (Mt 18:23). We all see, I think, the point Jesus was trying to get across about "the kingdom of heaven." The king represents God and the servant represents people like you and me who have heard and experienced the message of forgiveness. Like the servant we have a debt that we cannot possibly repay – an enormous debt. A debt caused by sin.

God does to our debt what the king did to the servant's debt. He doesn't throw us into the debtor's prison of hell, nor does He foreclose. Rather, in response to our plea for mercy He forgives us our sins. In His ledger He marks beside our debt, "payment received in full." Like the king in the parable, God shows pity and mercy to the undeserving.

Why is it that God does this? Why does He show pity and mercy to undeserving debtors? We all know that too. God forgives us our sins because of the precious blood of Christ shed upon the cross.

III. OUR FORGIVENESS OF OTHERS

A. Jesus continues His parable by telling us some more about the forgiven servant. When that servant went out, "he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii" (Mt 18:28) "He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded" (Mt 18:28).

This debtor makes almost the same plea for mercy and patience that the forgiven servant made: "Be patient with me, and I will pay you back" (Mt 18:29). There is, however, one major difference between the two requests. The promise of the first servant to pay back everything was impossible to keep because the debt was too large. The promise of the second servant, on the other hand, was capable of being kept because the sum was rather minor.

How did the forgiven servant respond to this request for patience and grace? "He refused," says the Bible. "Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt" (Mt 18:30).

B. Isn't this all a little astonishing? Isn't there a great, big inconsistency here? How is it that a man forgiven a simply enormous debt cannot, in turn, forgive a rather small debt?

In telling us this parable the Lord wants us all to search our heart and answer a very personal question: am I unforgiving like that first servant?Don't dismiss this question too quickly, congregation. Are you, am I, unforgiving like that first servant?

Like that unforgiving servant you and I have been forgiven an absolutely enormous debt – a debt far greater than we can ever repay; a debt that increases with every passing day. Compared to that debt, as in the parable, our neighbor's or our brother's or our sister's debt to us is nothing. In other words, not one of us is sinned against by his neighbor or brother or sister near as greatly as we have sinned and do sin against God. Or, to put it another way, nothing our neighbor or brother or sister does to us – no matter how bad it may be – can compare to what we have done against God. Or, to put it one other way, the Christian needs to be forgiven far more wrong by God than he needs to forgive others for the wrongs they have done. Are you, am I, unforgiving like that first servant? Sometimes I wonder. Who among us doesn't harbor grudges and nurse resentments – for years, if necessary!? How many times don't we let the past continually come between us? How many times don't we hold a particular sin against another? How many times have we refused to go to a church or family function because we are mad about something that has happened years ago?

C. My brothers and sisters, the message that God gives us is so very plain and easy to understand: being forgiven and being forgiving are interdependent; they cannot be separated; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. For this reason Jesus taught us to pay, "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." Exactly how are Christian forgiveness and God's forgiveness related? No believer would ever dare claim they ought to be "to the same degree" or "in the exact same manner." For no believer would ever want the perfect forgiveness of God to be limited to the same level as our imperfect forgiving. And clearly no believer wants the extent of his forgiveness to limit God's boundless forgiveness. Yet, Jesus makes a connection here between God's forgiveness of us and our forgiveness of others. The point is that if we are forgiven by God – as the Word of God assured us of – then we, in turn, forgive each other. Our ability to forgive is evidence that we have been forgiven by God. We can go so far as to say unforgiving means unforgiven. Those who can't forgive others show that they have not been forgiven by God. General Oglethorpe once said to John Wesley, "I never forgive and I never forget." To which Wesley responded, "Then Sir, I hope you never sin." That's a good reply to anyone with an unforgiving attitude: "If you can't forgive someone who has wronged you then I hope you never sin." Don't forget, unforgiving means unforgiven. Those who can't forgive others cannot possibly have experienced God's forgiveness themselves because those who have been forgiven are forgiving!

D. What is forgiveness? It means three things. First, to forgive means that the forgiver no longer lets the sin comes between her and the offender. The sin is regarded as over, gone, done, and removed. Second, the forgiver will not accuse the offender on the basis of this sin any longer; the sin will no longer be used or held against the offender. Third, to forgive means the forgiver will no longer dwell on the sin, or nurse it, or harbor a grudge on account of it. All this, God does for those who believe in Jesus. All this you and I must do for each other. As the Lord has forgiven me, so I also must forgive.

IV. AS INDIVIDUALS, WE ARE LOST IF WE REFUSE TO FORGIVE

A. In the parable the king called the unforgiving servant before him and said, "You wicked servant! I cancelled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?" (Mt 18:32-33). And in anger the king delivered the servant to prison and torture until his debt could be paid – in other words, he would be there for life.

B. Jesus concludes this parable with a warning to us all: "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." Again the message is clear: unforgiving means unforgiven; unforgiving means lost eternity. Or to put it a more positive way: forgiven means forgiving! This, my brothers and sisters, is what "the kingdom of heaven is like."

Let’s close today with our mind on Lords prayer Matthew 6: 9-15. Note Verses 14-15⁹

“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, ¹⁰ your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. ¹¹ Give us today our daily bread. ¹² And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. ¹³ And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ¹⁴ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

You and I know without doubt that we cannot be saved if our sins are not forgiven. My prayer today for you and for me is that we accept God’s forgiveness and also learn to forgive others in the same measure. Do you have someone in your life you need to forgive? Hurry up and do it! Do you still harbor resentment, anger, and bitterness over a brother, sister, fellow church member, neighbor and or spouse? Ask God to give you the power to make things right! You must, and I must if we are serious about our salvation. May God bless you, and keep you until that bright morning day when we see Him face to face. Amen.

Preacher: Caleb Migombo

Painter: Lars Justinen

A WEEK OF PRAYER - HEALTH

2011-11-08T13:45:00.002+03:00

Dear all,

Greetings.

I am hereby reminding you of a special week of prayer with emphasis to health.
Apart from prayer, there are also so special and interesting health subjects that will remind us of how to live a healthy life.

The topics for the remaining days are as follows:

Tuesday 08/11/2011:

Siri ya kuishi maisha marefu

Wednesday 09/11/2011:

Maelekezo ya Afya ya Kinywa na Orodha ya vyakula vya Muumba

Thursday 10/11/2011:

Ustadi wa kula

Friday 11/11/2011:

Siri ya Kupumzika

Sabbath 12/11/2011:

Mwenendo mzuri kuliko yote

Utapata wasaa mzuri wa kuuliza maswali yanayokutatiza.

Naamini hutakosa baraka hizi.

Venue: Magomeni SDA Church
Time: from 5.30 pm on the mentioned days.

God bless you as plan to attend.

Kind regards,

Dr. Bernadetha R. Shilio Mpoki

Mob +255 754 294513

KANISA LA ZIWANI MOMBASA - KENYA

2011-11-05T13:31:00.004+03:00

Picha Kwa Hisani ya Msafiri Mwadventista

KANISA LA FAMILY LIFE MOMBASA - KENYA

2011-11-05T12:59:00.008+03:00

"Nimefurahi kusikia upo Mombasa. Ikiwezekana, fika pale Tononoka Grounds, kuna kanisa jipya tumeanzisha pale. Mwaka 2009 tulifanya efoti pale na kubatiza watu zaidi ya 500. Mwaka uliofuatia, tukanunua jengo kwa Shs. za Kenya milioni 12. Mwaka jana tukazindua kanisa katika Jengo hilo. Mwaka huu, tumenunua redio iliyokuwa inajulikana kama Shake FM 106.5 kwa gharama ya milioni 18 za Kenya, na hivi sasa redio hiyo imehamishiwa katika ghorofa ya kwanza ya jengo tulilonunua kwa ajili ya kanisa na matumizi ya redio na television. Nitafurahi ukipiga picha za redio na jengo hilo ili kuwatia hamasa watu wa Mungu tulio wasafiri. Waambie umetokea Dar Es Salaam, watafurahi kukupokea" - Msafiri Mwadventista, 18 OKTOBA 2011

"Mtu wa kwanza kabisa kunipa salamu zako ni kijana Samweli Machio. Hilo ni jina lake tangu utotoni. Huyu alikuwa kijana wa mtaani “chokoraa” kwa miaka zaidi ya 25. Hakuwahi kuishi ndani ya nyumba kwa maisha yake yote. Alimpokea Yesu kwenye effort yenu akabatizwa na kuacha aina zote za uvutaji, sasa ndiye mwangalizi wa kanisa kama alivyokuwa Samweli mwenyewe. Picha yake akiwa ndani ya kanisa amemaliza kuandaa kwa ajili ya ibada ya jumatano."

"Salamu za pili ni kutoka kwa wazee wawili wa kanisa. Elder John Maxwell na mwenzake. Waliotumwa na kanisa kuja DSM kukutafuta kwa ajili ya zoezi gumu la kupata mamilioni ya pesa ulizoelezea kwa ajili ya kununua hilo jengo. Walikuja DSM bila kujua wanakokwenda .... Wamenieleza jinsi Mungu alivyokuwa upande wenu hadi hilo jengo likanunuliwa na kanisa badala ya kununuliwa..."

"Salamu za tatu ni za Pr. Silas Saro. Amefurahi sana kusikia kwamba umeniambia nifike hapo. Wako kwenye ukarabati wa kituo cha redio kilichokumbwa na mvua na maji kujaa kwenye studio na kufanya uharibifu mkubwa. Pichani utaona studio iliyokuwa ikitumiwa imeharibika, maji yalijaa ndani na kukatisha matangazo kwa muda. Hivi sasa wamehamishia kila kitu kwenye chumba kingine na wanafanya ukarabati wa jengo juu ili mvua isiendelee kuleta maafa kwao. Matangazo yanaendelea kama kawaida..."

"Salamu za nne ni kutoka kwa Bw. Shabaan Ndege. Mkurugenzi mkuu wa kituo cha Sheki FM 106.6. Aliyekuwa mtangazaji wa UHURU radio inayomilikiwa na Mhe. Raila Odinga na kusikika nchi nzima. Huyu bwana baada ya kuombwa na kanisa akaacha kazi kwa Raila na kuanza kuitumikia radio ya kanisa. Kwa wanaoangalia TBC1 mtamkumbuka, alikuwa na Tido Mhando akitangaza kutokea Nairobi. ....Wamenionyesha mipango ya kukipanua hicho kituo, wanahitaji maombi mengi..."

KANISA LA KIZINGO MOMBASA - KENYA

2011-11-05T12:49:00.004+03:00

"Hilo ndilo kanisa mama hapa Mombasa, kama ilivyo Magomeni, DSM. Ibada yao ni Kiingereza. Nilisali hapo ikiwa ni siku ya AMR. Nilifurahia sana Ibada ya nyimbo. Wametenga dakika 20 za uimbaji kanisa zima! Walichotuzidi kwangu ninaposali ni kutumia vizuri muda wa uimbaji. Ilinikumbusha miaka ya 80's nikiwa shule Ikizu uimbaji kanisa zima tukitumia kitabu cha Church Hymnal" - Msafiri Mwadventista

Mkutano Mkubwa wa Neno la Mungu Sinza

2011-09-25T17:49:00.010+03:00

Mhubiri: Mwinjilisti Roy

NENO KUU: MAISHA YENYE FURAHA, AMANI NA HAKI MILELE ZOTE YANAPATIKANAJE?

MAHALI: Uwanja wa Shule ya Msingi Mapambano — Sinza

LINI: TAREHE 25/09/2011 HADI TAREHE 15/10/2011

MUDA: SAA 09:30 - 12:00 JIONI

MIONGONI MWA MADA NI:

· Kwa nini Dunia imejaa maumivu na machungu mengi? Dawa yake ni nini?

· Dhambi mbaya isiyosameheka,

· Tunapokufa tunaenda wapi?

· Kifungo kirefu kuliko vyote duniani: Ni nani atakayetumikia na ni kwa muda gani?

· Njia bora kuliko zote ze utunzaji wa fedha na mali zako

· Masalia ya watu katika vita iliyo kuu na ndefu kuliko zote

PIA:

· Masomo ya Afya yatafundishwa

· Masomo ya Ndoa na Familia yatafundishwa

· Maswali mbalimbali yatajibiwa

· Wagonjwa na wenye shida wataombewa

Kwaya Mbalimbali Zitahudumu

Nyote Mnakaribishwa

Worshipping on the Sabbath at Dartmouth

2011-09-25T15:23:00.013+03:00

The blessings and challenges of worshipping on the Sabbath in a secular 'university city', as we observed at http://ufunuo.blogspot.com/2011/07/worshipping-on-sabbath-in-uppsala.html and http://ufunuo.blogspot.com/2011/09/stride-with-jesus-in-institutes-of.html, also faces students at Dartmouth and neighboring schools in New Hampshire (NH), USA. One of those challenges is that the nearest church is very far from some of the colleges. This Sabbath a group of students worshipped together for the first time. The Seventh-day Adventist Chaplain at Harvard (http://chaplains.harvard.edu/chaplains/profile.php?id=1114) led an interesting Bible discussion based on the second chapter of the first epistle of Peter that emphasized the need to live a Christ-centered life in the secular world. We also shared a testimony of how God helps students navigate their way in secular campuses. May we pray for this 'little flock' at Dartmouth as the Holy Spirit moves them to establish a sustainable campus ministry group that will cater for the spiritual needs of students in the NH area.

Collegiate Summit 2011 at Harvard University

2011-09-25T15:08:00.008+03:00

Dates: Friday and Sabbath September 30th - Oct. 1st, 2011

Location: Harvard University

Theme: “Engage: Christ, Culture and Community”

Background:

http://strideblog.org/2011/09/02/second-annual-collegiate-summit-announced/

Text: John 17:20-21

Registration:

http://www.campushopefellowship.org/2011/08/second-annual-collegiate-summit.html

Contacts:

http://chaplains.harvard.edu/chaplains/profile.php?id=1114

MCHUNGAJI JONAS SINGO WA KIGAMBONI AWEKEWA MIKONO KANISANI MWENGE

2011-09-10T23:33:00.004+03:00

"Pasta Jonas Singo akiwa amezungukwa na wachungaji mikono yao juu ya kichwa cha PR. Singo katika huduma ya kuwekwa wakfu. Tumuombe katika hatua hiyo nyeti " - Msafiri Mwadventista

Gongali Model for Comunity/Church Growth

2011-09-08T19:03:00.004+03:00

The Gongali Community Microcredit Bank (GCM Bank)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WBwgNXQtjY

The Gongali Model - Community Mobilization Skills.AVI (89.63M)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH2OzIZN0vY

Join The Gongali Model.AVI (52.53M)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUwXeO1ANF4

Gongali Cellebration-Be with people where they enjoy the most.AVI (259.32M)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2UwGIvNUWs

GONGALI - GC Vice President of The SDA Church Pastor Mbwana in Gongali for the BIG VISION.MP4 (113.65M)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=km1vLbpJ1P0

GONGALI - Nuru Choir Promotes The Gongali Model.MP4 (59.94M)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9r7I9wGh5c

STRIDE WITH JESUS IN PUBLIC CAMPUSES

2011-09-05T03:44:00.024+03:00

We recently covered the blessings and challenges of worshipping on the Sabbath in a secular 'university city' at http://ufunuo.blogspot.com/2011/07/worshipping-on-sabbath-in-uppsala.html. It is heartening to see that the Student Training & Resource Institute for Discipleship and Evangelism (STRIDE) at http://www.strideonline.org/ is sharing such blessings and addressing such challenges in the greater Boston area in Massachusetts (MA) among other areas in the United States of America(USA). STRIDE is currently hosting a Summer Open House in Cambridge, MA. This Sabbath the house hosted a potluck fellowship and walk. As some of the photo in this blog post shows, this year's STRIDE cohort in MA also shared the good news with people during the walk and visited a number of universities in the area - Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston University (BU), Berklee School of Music and Harvard University - and gave spiritual literatures with students; more visitations to Tufts University and University of Massachusetts (UMASS) - Boston were to follow promptly. May God bless STRIDE in fulfilling its mission of "Preparing secular campuses for the imminent return of Jesus Christ" aptly captured in its motto of "Taking Higher Education Higher" and catchword 'Each One Reach One". Amen.

Tis So Sweet

What A Fellowship

More About Jesus

Sing Them Over

Now I See

All the Way

Trust and Obey

Jesus Loves Me

Shall We Gather

My Father's World

Abide With Me

Adventist World Radio's Impact in Tanzania

2011-09-03T02:52:00.006+03:00

Access Desrene L. Vernon's PhD on A Historical Analysis of Adventist World Radio's Impact in the East Central Africa Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church: A Case Study of Tanzania at http://gradworks.umi.com/34/60/3460693.html

http://dloieyes.wordpress.com/2011/05/17/reflections-on-my-hu-graduate-school-experience/

IBADA YA NDOA KANISANI TEGETA

2011-08-23T02:30:00.003+03:00

What if He is Coming Sooner than You Think?

2011-08-19T14:49:00.012+03:00

I was recently teaching our baptismal class at church and we were discussing the three angels messages from Revelation 14 and what our responsibility as the remnant is. I posed the question to them, “How many years in the future do you believe Christ’s coming to be?” In asking the question, I had no desire to time-set, as I full well understand the dangers, given the history of our denomination. I also fully understand that we know not when our own lives might end, and therefore when Christ’s “coming” might be for us.

The responses I got were mainly in three brackets – within five years, within ten years and over a hundred years from now. My reason for asking the question was simple, I believe that our view of when our Saviour will return has a far greater bearing on our fulfilment of the great commission, and of taking our message for this time to the entire world, than any sermon, no matter how eloquent, that can be preached. The basic premise for my belief is that if one believes that the second coming is yet in the distant future, one does not have the impetus to work right now, as they believe there is yet plenty of time to work.

Looking at it from another angle; if, somehow, Gabriel let you know that Christ would definitely return in less than week, would you live your life any differently from how you live it now? If so, what would those differences be? I believe that if we had such knowledge, many of us would make a far greater effort to reach out to our friends and family members who are not walking on the straight and narrow than we presently do. I believe that many of us that entertain the justification of sin would not even allow temptation to remain in our thoughts for even a fleeting moment. I believe that many of us that do not spend time in the study of the Word would suddenly be ardent Bible scholars. I believe that many of us that are given to using copious amounts of time on entertainment and selfish endeavours would suddenly use that time constructively and be about doing things that fit us for the kingdom of God. I would venture to add that I believe that some of us would even begin to dress, behave and eat differently. Pause and consider the above before reading on, and check if you would change anything in your life.

The question is this, why would some of us make these changes to our lifestyles? Could it possibly be because deep down in our hearts we DO fully understand what we ought to be doing, and appreciate that we are falling short? Could it be that we believe that we have yet many years ahead of us and we will do the Lord’s work at a “more opportune” time? Could it be that we are at present looking to others to do the work that has been set out for us to do, but under the circumstances described above we would feel that as the work is undone, we ought to put our hands to the plough? If any of us, would make changes to our lives based on the scenario above, then it means our desire to work is influenced by when we perceive Christ will return.

I am often troubled by the thought of people whose acquaintance I have made, saying to me on the judgement day, “Why did you not tell us about the Saviour?” I am often haunted by the thought of being on the receiving end of Christ’s words “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” As a member of the remnant I constantly ask myself, “have I cried with a loud voice? Have I called people out of Babylon?” It is very easy for us to become complacent and believe that we are waiting for the latter rain and then it is that we will work in earnest, what we do not realise is that the latter rain has begun to fall round about us and we may be unaware of it. When I ponder how we can prophesy in His name, cast out devils, do wonderful works in His name, and yet still be lost, I am often pushed to the point of tears. At these times the words of Jeremiah come forcefully to my mind; “The harvest is past , the sum-mer is ended, and we are not saved .”

The judgement begun many years ago. None of us know when our probation will close. The Lord is coming soon. In light of this, let us not be slaves of the time mentality that has the ability to make us luke-warm in our outlooks, but let us be about our Father’s business, for we know not when we shall sleep. Let us not leave undone those things that we ought to do today, believing that we have tomorrow. For if we leave them undone, Christ will surely come upon us as a thief in the night.

Author:

Ndabezinhle Nkomo

Source: http://www.scribd.com/PrisonersOfHope

Image:

Lars Justinen

Cambridge SDA Church Fundraising Concert

2011-08-03T06:15:00.004+03:00

The Cambridge Church fundraising concert featuring 5-time Grammy award winner and Gospel artist, “Larnelle Harris” will perform on Saturday, September 10th 2011 at 8pm (silent Auction at 7:00p.m.) at the Strand Theater in Boston, MA.

To reserve tickets for your family, please call 857-445-6831 or visit Nubian Notion at 146 Dudley Street in Roxbury MA. For more information visit www.provisionpros.com. We need your support and hope to see you there for a wonderful evening of celebration and praise.

http://www.cambridgesda.net/en/events/2.html

MOMBASA ECD RETREATING WITH JESUS

2011-07-30T00:00:00.014+03:00

THEME:

“THAT THEY MAY KNOW YOU” – John 17:3

THEME SONG:

‘More about Jesus I would know’ SDA H 245

MAIN SPEAKER:

Dr. Nathaniel Walemba – Executive Secretary – ECD (East Central Africa Division)

ASSOCIATE SPEAKERS;

1.J. P. Maiywa – Executive Secretary – CKC (Central Kenya Conference)

2.Milicent Odhiambo – Mombasa

CHILDREN SPEAKERS

1.Sarah Maiywa – Adventist hill School

2.Betty Gabantu – Newlife

3.From Coast

REGISTRATION:

1.Associates – Kshs 6,000

2.Students – Kshs 5,500

3.Couples – Kshs 6,500 x2 (13,000)

4.Youths – Kshs 6,000

5. Children 13 yrs and below – Kshs 3,000

This includes food, registration, accommodation and insurance

VISA FEE

No visa fee for East Africa Countries, other countries to check with their embassies.

Get yellow fever immunization if coming from outside Kenya

PASSPORT

Temporary pass is allowed for EAC, other countries to ascertain before leaving your country.

DISTANCE (IN KM)

Kisumu (Millenium City) – Nairobi ………………………………… 345

Nairobi – Mombasa ………………………………………………………. 487

Mombasa – Kilifi…………………………………………………… ………. 60

Dar-es-Salaam – Tanga…………………………………………………35 0

Tanga – Mombasa………………………………………………… ……160

Mombasa – kilifi …………………………………………………………… 60

Arusha- Namanga................... .......................... ....................112

Namanga - Nairobi................... .......................... ..................178

Nairobi - Kilifi.................... .......................... .........as shown above.

The other possible routes

Arusha – Moshi – Himo (Border) – Taveta – Mwatate – Voi – Mombasa – Kilifi – 590

Take a flight to Mombasa and connect by road to Kilifi

Take train from Kisumu or Malaba Border or Eldoret to Mombasa then connect using road.

Estimated time

Nairobi – Mombasa – Kilifi – 8 hrs (Road)

The Meeting Venue

PWANI UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, KILIFI

(A constituent College of Kenyatta University)

Along Mombasa-Malindi Road.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation will be in hostels within. Any additional will be the nearest hotels and institutions

Couples will be accommodated in the University Guest House at special rates.

Carry bed sheets and mosquito nets.

Tour Sites ; Historical Fort Jesus , Vasco da Gama pillar Malindi, Marine Park Malindi, Bamburi Nature trail, Arabuko Sokoke Forest , Coast Beaches, Watamu Beach etc.

WEATHER

1.Weather in December will be rainy but warm as the sun will be in the Tropic of Capricorn 21st and 23rd December. So judge well.

THE PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

The entire East Africa Union and Kenya Coast field welcomes you all in Pwani University College.

PUBLICITY

POSTERS: Very soon

Church Bulletins, Radios, lesson Quarterly, T.V.s, Facebook, Hi5, email, Twitter etc. All to be involved.

FOR MORE JUST WATCH THIS SPACE.

Retreat 2011 – Pwani University, Mombasa

Pwani Mombasa – Retreat 2011.

CONTACT

Opere Nyaroya – NRPC Chairman (+254 724 555 205, +254 738-408 077)

PR. FESTUS NJAGI – EAU CHAPLAINCY DIRECTOR

+254 722 642968 /

Rubara Marando-Country Organising Committee Chairman (TZ) +255 713724372, +255 786724371

Worshipping on the Sabbath in Uppsala

2011-07-16T13:48:00.017+03:00

Uppsala is what can be regarded as a 'university city' as it is the home of one of the oldest and celebrated international institutions of higher learning. Founded in 1477, Uppsala University (UU) in Sweden attracts students from all corners of the world. These include members of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) church who are now scattered all over the world.

One of the blessings is that just next to the university complex there is an SDA church - Adventkyrkan - that is accessible to students. It is now the home church of Marie Anderson who has/had been studying there. One new student is Wenjian Xing from China. The story of how she become an SDA in a non-SDA family is quite interesting. Her teacher back home only had to share the good news of salvation that she found inspirational!

The challenge, however, is to bring together all SDA students attending Uppsala University to jointly worship and work together in making disciples for Jesus. Gospel work in this area is particularly challenging since there are no that many pastors in Sweden. But as we know, historically, institutions of higher learning have been great centers of revival and reformation.

It is thus touching to see how Robert and Rebecka Karlson are passionate about witnessing in Uppsala. They go door to door with their fellow members to distribute spiritual tracts and pray. They also hold Bible lessons with non-SDAs. Robert also preach at church on the Sabbath. One of his latest sermons was a passionate plea to those who are waiting for the return of Jesus Christ to be alert all the time like the 5 wise virgins in the Bible who reserved oil for their lamps. Though working as a carpenter, like his Savior, Robert is still investing time and energy in being what they call a 'Bible Worker'. It is the best one can do when one cannot afford to study Theology and be a fully-fledged pastor. Hopefully one day it will be possible to do so.

Last but not least the church is blessed with, among others, the service of Ellen Erbes, a 'retired' professor of Modern Languages at Uppsala University. She is 'retired but not tired' as the church piano in the church testifies as her fingers fine-tune the melodies from the historical Adventist Hymns. As a wife and mother of a pastor, her experience in the ministry is also proving to be valuable in mentoring the 'Bible Working couple' and administering the church.

May God Keep Blessing His Church in Uppsala!

AMEN

Injili ya Milele Maonyeshoni Saba Saba!

2011-07-08T22:26:00.008+03:00

Banda la Vitabu la Kanisa la SDA Magomeni

Banda la Jazia - Uji wa Lishe kwa Afya Bora

Picha hizi kwa hisani ya Ndugu Rubara Marando zinaonesha mwamko wa Kanisa katika kupeleka Injili ya Milele kwa njia ya vitabu na ujumbe wa afya (bora). Hapa ni katika maonyesho ya mwaka huu ya Saba Saba jijini Dar es Salaam. Uinjilisti huu unatukumbusha wimbo wa Kwaya ya Angaza ya Kanisa la SDA Manzese ambao unasema Kazi ya Injili itakwisha kwa Njia ya Ujumbe wa Vitabu (Vyenye Habari Njema ya Ufalme wa Mungu). Amen.

IT'S ALL ABOUT FINISHING THE RACE!

2011-06-08T05:07:00.008+03:00

John Stephen Akhwari

By Dr. Mpoki Ulisubisya

Dear Friend,

In the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico, John Stephen Akhwari of Tanzania was excited. He was about to run the marathon with runners from around the world.

The starter’s pistol fired and the race began. A little over 2 hours later, the first runner crossed the finish line. Other runners finished the race shortly afterwards, but John was not among them. Over an hour after the winner had crossed the finish line, with only a few spectators remaining in the stands, John Stephen Akhwari finally entered the stadium.

Bandaged and bloody, John finally crossed the finish line. Bud Greenspan, the renown sports reporter, asked John why he didn't just quit. He answered, "My country did not send me 5000 miles to Mexico City to start the race. They sent me here to finish."

John Stephen Akhwari did not receive a prize or a medal, but he did endure. He didn't just start the race, he finished it.

God did not call us to start the Christian race, he called us to finish it!

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7

"But this one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14

Keep to Jesus till the end
--
Keep Blessed,

Yours in The Blessed Hope
Mpoki M. Ulisubisya,MD

Ajali ya Kwaya ya Ambassadors of Christ

2011-05-10T13:56:00.013+03:00

Hizi ni picha zilizopigwa tarehe 18 Julai, 2010 kwenye harusi ya Shima & Anjelina, kanisani Mwenge SDA na baadaye Mlimani City. Pamoja na hizo picha ni rambirambi za baadhi ya wadau walioguswa kwa namna moja au nyingine.

Hapa Faraja Sefue anaelezea kwa ufupi jinsi ajali ilivyotokea:

Poleni sana wanajukwaa.

Shima amenipigia simu sasa hivi, yeye yupo eneo la ajali huko Kahama na huu ndio mrejesho:

Ajali imetokea Tinde - Shinyanga vijijini saa mbili usiku jana tarehe 09/05/2011, gari waliyokuwa nayo wanakwaya ni left handed na mbele kulikuwa na lori limeharibika japo walikuwa wameweka majani kama ilivyo kawaida ya wa-TZ. Dereva akataka ku-overtake, hamadi lori la Iveco likawa linakuja na hatimaye ajali ikatokea. Dereva alijaribu kukwepesha gari na alishindwa wote walioumia walikuwa upande wa kulia. Marehemu ni Amos, Philbert na Gitale. Helicopter inakwenda asubuhi hii kuchukua majeruhi na kuwapeleka hospitali ya rufaa Kigali na ambulance inakuja kuchukua miili miwili ya Wanyarwanda pamoja na mwili mmoja wa Mtanzania kwenda Kigoma kwa mazishi.

Tuwaombee majeruhi wapate nafuu na kuendelea na kazi ya uinjilisti kwa njia ya nyimbo.

Mgune Masatu Wrote:

You know what?

I received a call from brother Opere in the middle of last night, all the way from Nairobi. Because I was sleepy, I couldn't understand and thought I was dreaming. But when I woke up in the morning, alas, it was no dream. I am sad. So sad.

Of all the folks, I will live to remember "Jimmy". Why? In 2008 at the retreat in Baraton, for those who were there can remember this. On the tour day (Thursday), all retreaters were given their lunches (take away) which included a bottle of soda. During the dinner, there was a condition that for one to be served some food, he/she had to return the bottle first. Unfortunately, the late Jimmy had lost his bottle, and so he was saying "Ooh kichupa changee" which is a Kinyarwanda for "Ooh my bottle" or in Kiswahili it's "aah chupa yangu!"

Again last year in July, the "Ambassadors of Christ Choir" were invited for a wedding ceremony right here in Dar es Salaam. The wedding took place at Mwenge SDA Church and followed by a reception at the famous Mlimani City Hall. When we were in the hall, I and my wife, when we were close to him, we called him simultaneously, "Hey Jimmy, Kichupa Changeeee," trying to remind ourselves of the Baraton's incident.

I am overwhelmed with all these fresh memories circulating on my mind. I am sad! Nimesikitika sana wapenzi. When I remember their famous song "Fuata Nyayo" and seeing Jimmy leading the "Fuataaaaa......." in his white shirt, oooh come on, I am speechless!

I am shaking while writing this. I may say that I need more prayers, but let's look at our lives and pray for the deceased' families, the church and everyone affected in one way or another.

Kaka Shima, pole sana. Najua msiba huu unakugusa moja kwa moja kwani utawakumbuka daima walivyotia nakshi kwenye harusi yako pale Mlimani City mwaka wa jana.

May God take the lead.

Sorrowfully yours,
Mgune Masatu.

Wema Wilson wrote:

O my God, ni habari ngumu sana kuamini! It's like Amos amekuja kufia nyumbani! Tena mkewe anafanya kazi Shinyanga. Huko kijijini Manyovu na Kigoma kwa ujumla hali ni tete kwa umuhimu wa Amos katika kijiji na kanisa kwa kujituma tangu akiwa ASSA, kwa sisi alikuwa kaka tena mentor mzuri so wenzenu nahisi tuna hali ngumu zaidi. Habari za sasa ni kwamba kuna helicopter inatarajiwa kuwasafirisha majeruhi kwenda Rwanda na Amos anasafirshwa kwenda Kigoma. Poleni sana wote mlioguswa, Mungu atufariji.
Wamepata ajali kilometa 70 to Kahama na 40 to Shinyanga. Chanzo kilichopo hospitali kinasema driver alikuwa ana-overtake akakutana na lori so wakabanwa na magari yote mawili. Waliokufa ni watatu. Mungu atusamehe tunaomuliza"Why this?" and "Why those?"

Kwa wale wasiowafahamu hao marehemu kwa sura,kwenye hii album mpya wamejipanga kwa kufuatana toka kushoto, mmoja(Philbert Manzi) anafanana sana na Kagame ,mwingine ni Gatare Ephraim(huwa wanamwita Jimmy) kwenye wimbo wa ebarua ndio ameshika bible,na wa tatu ni Amosi Phares mfupi kdg.

Majeruhi ni dada aliyeigiza kama mke aliyenyanyaswa kwa kutozaa, kijana aliyebebwa juu kwenye wimbo 'twapaona kwa mbali' na yule dada mweupe ana nywele fupi(anaonekana kama kaolewa). David Sando wrote:

Ni habari ya masikitiko sana, kwamba hawa waimbaji na marafiki wetu wa kweli!
Habari niliyokuwa nayo ni wanne, ila naambiwa, list ya walifariki niliyoelezwa kwanza ilikuwa ni Ephra, Patience, Amos and Pilbert, lakini muda si mrefu tena nikaambiwa Patience amenusurika ila yuko hoi kwa hiyo idadi imebaki 3 , ni kutoka kwa friends of jesus crew in Kigali and not confirmed 100%.

Hebu tuwaombee wanakwaya hawa katika kipindi hiki kigumu ?

Tafadhali kwa hili nimekuwa na wakati mgumu, mara tatizo kubwa kama ili linatokea na nakuwa na maswali mengi kama just out of curiosity question "Je, huu ni mpango wa Mungu au udereva mbaya wetu na miundo mbinu yetu mibovu"? Lengo sio kutafuta mbaya yuko wapi bali ni kujua kama ni tatizo ambalo liko zaidi upande wetu binadamu au ni vitu ambavyo ni non-modifiable?

Noah Mubiru wrote:

It is sad to inform you all of the death of some members of "Ambassadors of Christ Choir" - Remera church, Kigali. They were travelling from TZ where they had a show over the weekend. Those confirmed dead include Ephraim popularly known as Ephra, Philbert and Amos.

A few others are in critical condition. Please remember to mention them in your prayers! Leonard Chauka Wrote:

Hapa Duniani kila siku inabidi tuwe tayari kwa sababu wakati wote tunaweza kuondoka. Binafsi, habari hii ilinigusa sana. Kati ya wapenzi wa hii kwaya, nami ni mmoja wao. Nilifuatilia sana habari za ujio wao, PTA nilikuwepo na nikabarikiwa sana na nyimbo zao. Nilipopigiwa simu usiku wa manane na rafiki ambaye tulikuwa wote PTA kwa ajili ya kongamano lililoandaliwa na ACACIA Singers, niliumia sana moyoni. Matukio kama haya yatukumbushe kuendelea kuishi maisha yanayomtukuza Mungu wakati wote ili tuondoke Duniani na tumaini.

Mungu awapatie amani na uvumilivu mkubwa familia zote zilizopoteza wapendwa wao, waimbaji wa Ambassadors of Christ waliobakia na wale wa Acacia Singers.

* Sikiliza nyimbo za Ambassadors kwenye blogu hii:

http://mtangazaji.blogspot.com/

UZINDUZI WA ALBAMU MPYA YA NYIMBO!

2011-05-07T06:23:00.003+03:00

Chanzo: http://mtangazaji.blogspot.com/2011/05/usikose-tamasha-hili-la-aina-yake.html

SIKILIZA NYIMBO ZA KISABATO MTANDAONI

2011-05-07T06:13:00.003+03:00

Tembelea blogu ya http://mtangazaji.blogspot.com/ usikilize moja kwa moja nyimbo za injili zinazoimbwa na vikundi na kwaya mbalimbali za Waadventista Wasabato!

BUILDING A CHURCH COMPLEX IN ARUSHA

2011-05-07T06:01:00.002+03:00

This is a photo of Arusha Kati/Mjini SDA church that the photographer visited recently. According to him, it is the biggest project he has ever seen in our church in Tanzania. As you can see, the church members are currently working on final touches. May God continue to richly bless them. Amen.

Waumini Wazidi Kuongezeka Kanisani Ikizu

2011-05-03T05:08:00.005+03:00

Wanafunzi 111 walibatizwa kwenye juma la maombi lililoendeshwa na Mchungaji Gerald Nyakrere, Mchungjai Shukurani Mutaki na Mchungaji Daudi Ndekeja katika Kanisa la Waadventista Wasabato Ikizu. Kutokana na ongezeko la wanafunzi katika Shule ya Sekondari ya Ikizu Kanisa dogo lililojengwa zamani sasa halitoshi. Hivyo wanafunzi wanasalia nje wakati wa ibada kama inavyoonekana pichani wakati wa huduma ya Ubatizo. Picha hizi zilizotumwa mtandaoni na Baraka Joel Nyakrere ni changamoto tosha kwa Wanafunzi wa zamani wa Ikizu na marafiki wote wa Kanisa la Ikizu kusaidia ujenzi wa kanisa kubwa zaidi litakalotosheleza mahitaji ya waumini wapya.

IDENTITY/CHARACTER FORMATION

2011-04-29T10:07:00.003+03:00

Sabbath Sermon By Hezron Zacharia Onditi

Main Text: Proverbs 22:6

There are two questions which each one of us should be able to answer at the end of this sermon:
1. Do I know and am I proud of my personal Identity?
2. How did I develop into who I am?

What is identity?
The concept of identity is frequently used in different social context and disciplines. It may be used to describe individuals’ and groups: race, ethnicity, religion, language, culture, origin, social roles etc. Therefore, in its broader meaning identity refers to people’s concept of who they are and how they relate with others.

To be specific, Personal identity which is the focus of today’s sermon refers to a set of attributes, beliefs, thoughts, and principles of actions that a person thinks distinguishes him/her from others. In other words it is a personal moral code or compass, a set of principles that a person uses as normative framework or philosophy/ideology (used in making judgment btw good/bad) which guides his/her actions/operations (Fearon and Erickson, 1999 & 1950’s). They are relatively unique and stable character about an individual (who am I/who really am I). Do you really know who you are/I am? As CHRISTIANS We need to be conscious of our identities whether they are good or bad. For example, people react differently towards pleasing or unpleasing events or actions. Imagine you are abused or insulted as STUPID. Do you think we will have a similar response??? No. This is due to variations in our personal identities (cognition, feelings, and actions).

This shows that, there are two extremes of personal identity. The positive extreme which is equated with good character or behavior; faithfulness, humbleness, self control, meekness, love generous etc. These leads to pride, honor, self respect and individual’s dignity. Contrary, the negatives extreme of personal identity is equated with bad/deviant/sinful characters or behaviors (2 Timothy 3:2-4; lovers of themselves/money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient, unforgiving…) though unique, but not acceptable and makes us feel shame before others in the society. For example, having a negative self concept, low self esteem; aloof, laziness, liar, prostitute, gay, lesbian, thief just to mention a few.

THE FORMATION OR DEVELOPMENT OF IDENTITY
All human beings are children of God. I am, you are…
Thus, an adult is a grown up child of God.

Developmental psychologists: An adult life is made up of experiences acquired through life from childhood. Thus, an adult is a grown up child.

No one can get identity by oneself; it is never individual achievement but an outgrowth of mutual/shared/joint social recognition process which starts from cradle/birth to eternity.
If all could realize this, and would awake to the fact that we are our own identity and the identity of our children for eternal life or eternal ruin, what a change/revival would take place!
How differently would our probationary time be occupied, and with what noble character would our world be filled! Genesis 1: 31; God saw all that he had made (including you and me), and it was very good/Impeccable.

Contrary, the world is no longer safe since the dwellers are behaving against the laws of God. For instance, bizarre/deviant behaviors are currently dominating news. It is very rare to hear about good news. Common news are acts contrary to the ACTS/FRUITS OF SPIRIT which are love, peace, kindness, humility, patience, endurance; This is because we have not strongly identified ourselves with the Ten Commandments Exodus 20:3-17.

The common news are wars, killings, violation of human rights, corruption, riots, throwing of babies, leaders forcefully cling to power, unfaithfulness. Brethren, The world is confused to the extent of compromising with TRUTH, telling lies is currently known as diplomacy, committing adultery/prostitution has been baptized as commercial sex work, born again compromises with born a gay ideology.

All these are the outcome of character or identity formation. An interesting question one would like to answer is how does identity/character develop? I am who I am because of my character/Identity. As we have said earlier, this is a long life process which starts from birth.

How does Identity/character develops?
Developmental Psychologist (Erick Erickson, 1902-1994) argues that identity formation extends from birth to adulthood. Successful resolution of developmental issues (conflicts) during earlier stages in childhood, leads into stable positive identity in adulthood. On the other hand, failure to resolve development issues (conflicts) during childhood leads to deviant behaviors, identity confusion or relapse in adulthood.

For example, He argues that During infancy there is a crisis (opportunity) between becoming TRUSTING or a MISTRUSTING person. Children who will receive adequate maternal LOVE and CARE by being fed regularly, other basic needs consistently satisfied-make such children to trust themselves and own bodies as they grasp, hold, craw, stand and walk. This leads into adult who are trustful, time conscious, hopeful and faithful. Unhealthy experiences at this stage such as lack of love and care, irregularity in provision of basic needs or not meeting their needs will result into: Mistrust of others and one’s self, not believing others and having no time conscious/do not keep time and unfaithfulness.
In his second stage of development (btw 18months and 3.5 years). The crisis is btw Autonomy and Shame/doubt. Successful resolution leads into: individuals who are independent minded who have ability to make choices freely and self autonomous. Failure to resolve conflict due to harshness and unfair punishment leads to: individual who is, shameful, fearful, dependent, skeptical/doubtful and meek compliance.

Other conflicts are such as: Initiative Vs Guilty (Curiosity and exploration. Ask a lot of questions), Industry Vs Inferiority (feelings of success and recognition of their work, failure of recognition leads into inferiority) and …

The success way of coping with the challenges of adolescence and adulthood challenges relies on earlier experiences in childhood. This is because, earlier training help individuals in later stage in the formation of his or her personal life philosophy or ideology. Young peoples who are attracted to deviant behaviors such as: substance abuse, aggression, suicide or suicidal attempts, eating disorders, establishing and maintaining relationships, teenage pregnancy and dropping out of schools reflect unresolved earlier difficulties with mistrust, shame, meekness compliance, doubt, guilty, and inferiority feelings.

How can this be achieved in the context of our faith?
‘The great work of parents and teachers is character building-seeking to restore the image of Christ in those placed under their care Sister E.G White (1941), Counsels to parents, teachers, and students p.61’.

Building on the solid rock, Jesus Christ (Mathew 7:24-27). When the rain came down, floods came, winds blew; yet it will not fall due to firm foundation. These are those (wise men) who hears the words and puts them into practice. But everyone who hears words and do not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, streams rose, and the wind blew and beat the house and it fell with a great crash.
The Lord recognizes different levels of education starting from pre-primary (daycare, kindergarten), primary, and secondary to University. However, ‘In His wisdom the Lord has decree that the family shall be the greatest of all educational agencies ibid p.107.’
Experience shows that, parents recognize pre-primary and other educational levels as the greatest agencies in their children’s development. Contrary to Gods plan, these agencies ultimately dictate on the future identity and characters of our children.

The ideal God’s plan as written in Proverbs 22:6 is that “Train up a child in a way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” This suggests that, it is in the home where education and the identity formation of the child begin. PARENTS are the first instructors.

LESSONS to learn: Psychologists says that, at birth a child’s brain is empty and needs to be enriched as she or he develops. It’s like a new computer which requires the installation of the programmes. The owner of the computer dictates on the program he/she wants and that is what he/she feeds the computer. The issue of OWNERSHIP and WANTS dominates.

In a similar mode, a child is expected to acquire skills and experiences that will guide him throughout life. It is important to note that, children may be trained for SIN or RIGHTEOUSNESS. They need to get a right, strong and firm foundation, good framework for daily operations which should consistently polished and perfected.

These ranges from physical training (proper food and psychomotor development), mental (critical thinking) and spiritual instructions (moral education); lessons of respect, obedience, reverence, self-control, self-confidence, decision making, independent mind, self esteem and all other moral values. Sustained training of these lessons is likely to lead into a GOD fearer character/Identity among grown up children which is me and you. Home school is the secret behind the model identities and characters in the bible for example Moses, Joseph, Daniel, Shadrack, Meshack and Aberdenego. Don’t we admire to be like them? Or our children be like them? Personally I and my children admire to be like them.

PARENTS SKILL. The work of educating children is very sensitive and demanding one. It is improper for parents to give proper training unless they are first given themselves to GOD, learning from the great teacher lessons of obedience, self control and humility.

Parenting styles; Authoritarian, Authoritative and laisser-faire.
Parents, let the instruction you give your children be simple, and be sure it is clearly understood. Use simple lessons drawn from the bible and their experience. Nature and the environment should be their main book at early age. Having active prayer timetable at home and they should be taught to respect and reverence the hour of prayer. Talk to them deligently when at home, when walking along the road, when you lie down and when you get up Deutronomy 6:7. Gentleness and persistent is needed in training children.

“Ibid p.111. The mother is the queen of the home, and the children are her subject. She is to rule her household wisely, in the dignity of her motherhood. Her influence in the home is to be paramount… if she is a Christian, under God’s control, she will command the respect of her children…” The future well being of the child requires kindly, loving, but firm decisions from early age.

In the process of training children, many parents go to the opposite extreme of ruling their children with a rod/cane. Though it is written that parents should not deprive/spare children from the rod, the use of cane/rod scares children and distort the relationship between the two parties. Personally, I have a bad experience with canes, thus I hate it to the extreme!!!
Although they are easily pleased and easily made unhappy, never should parents correct their children in anger and cause them pain by harshness or unreasonable exactions. Harshness drives souls into Satan’s net. However, whipping may be necessary when other resorts fail; it should be administered in love by making the child sees its sense. Christians should avoid practices of child abuse such; over whipping, burning their hands, depriving them from food, shelter etc.

To wise parents “…rules and regulations must be made and enforced, that the beauty of the home life may not be spoiled ibid.p.112” if it is their desire to have happier, and far happier life in the future, parents needs to dedicate ample time, energy and ability to the work of saving their children.

If a child is not instructed well at home level, satan will educate him/her through its agencies (ibid’p.107). Probably, the identity of a significant number of church members today and the current world practices, evils and abominations (unfaithfulness among church members, lack of brotherly love, jealousy, envy, lie, unstable marriages, hatred, world lifestyles, dilemmas among young people, wars, adultery, corruption, evil tempers, selfish desires etc), are the product of Satanic rearing agencies.

If it is true that you were neglected at childhood, then your parents have a case to answer in the judgment day because they did not play the special role of training you at early stage and left to be a ‘victims of circumstances’. If they did, then it is our case because we have not been willing to cherish the good spiritual teachings from our parents.

Brethren!!!!, The child who is spoiled has a heavy burden to carry throughout life. In trials, in disappointment, in temptation, in decisions making he or she will follow his or her undisciplined, misdirected will. This finally becomes the inheritance of his or her adulthood character/identity.

Conclusion
Brethren: all of the three major readings the Bible, Spirit of Prophesy and Developmental Psychologists all acknowledge the role of earlier education in the formation of individual’s identity. As Christian parents, we either contribute in developing CHRISTIAN or SATANIC identities in our children. Hence have a role in determining their future identities when they grow old. Though we may feel of having heavy burden to carry due to our poor backgrounds, the blood of JESUS Christ which was shed at the cross is enough to provide you with a new identity which will make you to be like a wise man who built his house in a solid rock which stood firm when floods and wind came it did not fall. WE ONLY NEED TO MAKE REVIVAL AND REFORMATION.

Dear Friends; I have two special appeals to make; ONE, it is likely that someone might have assessed his identity and recognized that his/her parents did not play their whole duty of TRAINING them as required by GOD; hence, would like GOD to forgive their parents and provide them with a NEW TRUE Christian Identity.

SECOND, as parents, it is likely that we have been trying to bring up our children using various approaches e.g., house girls, boys, relatives, grandparents and nursery schools; but, after this sermon you may feel that you have an extra duty to do as parents in bringing up your children in a way that they should go: and PRAY that they should not depart from it when they grow old.

Can we be in politics without being politicians?

2011-04-21T18:51:00.004+03:00

Can we be in politics without being
politicians?
By Joseph Ngwegwe

A Sermon at the University of Dar es Salaam Seventh Day Adventist
Church on 16/04/2011
Central Text: Luke 3: 10 – 14

There have been debates among Seventh Day Adventists whether it is morally ok to be involved in politics.

We do not intend to give a clear cut answer in our sermon today but rather put some principles and examples one would like think about.

We have a young generation with us who have diverse aspirations and it is not good to leave them unguided. Some time we feel agitated and are tempted to jump over to save the boat. We are human; sometimes we tend to demand our rights coercively and sometimes we naturally do it to preserve our ego.

We are living at times when politics have become a matter of concern and spiritual guidance is of utmost importance.

The world in the 19th and 20th century witnessed streams of a combination of violence (coups d'état) as means to seize power.

In legal context we would define Coup d'état as the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government. Usually involving threatening of life or at worst loss of lives.

In the same period there were also streams of democratically elected governments as a popular way to ascend to power. Democratically elected governments emerged as Monarchism continued to become unpopular.

Today a new development is emerging in politics, People’s Power which of recent has also been motivated by the advance of the new technology in communications.

Two governments in Africa have been ousted already and many more openly and latently are being threatened.

In this confusion what is the position of a Seventh Day Adventist….? Should we participate in politics or should we not? Should we vote for? Can we aspire to be voted for?

Recently the government introduced a bill, actually a proposal to change/draft a new constitution. I had a privilege to access the document early. As a citizen my personal views were quite strong against it as I had a feeling that if passed the way it is it can turn our country into a wrong direction and at worst even potential to threatening the prevailing peace we have enjoyed so far.

I immediately highlighted 8 key controversial issues in the bill and circulated to few individuals I thought could make an impact. Immediately on the day I was summoned by an individual to attend an in house human rights organization meeting to deliberate on the issues I had raised and participate in the general discussions about the bill. Though I cannot attribute the current developments to this factor alone, but I truly believe I fulfilled my duty. The extreme question would always be was this morally ok for me to be involved?

Let us review few inspirational writings….

Voting
In 1859 Ellen White came to the conclusion that voting - and voting for or against a given candidate – was an imperative when it advanced such values as temperance. Ellen G. White, Temperance, p. 256.

“The political excitement . . . will probably run as high as it has for many years, and we would warn our brethren not to be drawn into it. We are not prepared to prove from the Bible that it would be wrong for a believer in the third [angel’s] message to go in a manner becoming his profession, and cast his vote. We do not recommend this, neither do we oppose. If a brother chooses to vote, we cannot condemn him, and we want the same liberty if we do not. James White, circa 1860, as quoted in Paul A. Gordon, “The right to vote—shall I exercise it?” Adventist Review, Sept. 18 and Sept. 25, 1980

The early believers were guided by the Holy Spirit to be neutral. It is not wrong to decide to vote and it isn’t wrong to decide not to vote.

“Every individual exerts an influence in society. In our favored land, every voter has some voice in determining what laws shall control the nation. Should not that influence and that vote be cast on the side of temperance and virtue? Gospel Workers, p. 387.

The quotation above indicates that there is an opportunity for a devout Christian to influence the way laws are constituted in the country and in a popular democracy this is the parliament and the government. It is quite a paradox to know who amongst the candidates shall stand for virtues and solid principles we stand for. That is where the facts and conscious of an individual shall prevail and as per inspiration we might not be able to judge against such conscious.

Aspiring to be voted for
Speaking to faculty and students of Battle Creek College in 1883, Mama Ellen G. White said:
“Are you ambitious for education that you may have a name and position in the world? Have you thoughts that you dare not express, that you may one day . . . sit in deliberative and legislative councils, and help to enact laws for the nation? There is nothing wrong in these aspirations. E.G. White, Education, p. 262.

Let us look at another quotation below:

“Many a lad of today, growing up as did Daniel in his Judean home, studying God’s word and His works, and learning the lessons of faithful service, will yet stand in legislative assemblies, in halls of justice, or in royal courts, as a witness for the King of kings. E.G. White, Education, p. 262.

How many amongst us do aspire to occupy high positions of influence in the near future?

As young people you need to aim high, you need to set your goals such that they are challenging to arrive at. It will be a blessing one day to have a devout Seventh Day Adventist and the head of UN, a president, a minister, a Judge, an attorney general, an MP. Why not?

Let us examine few scriptures and examples of people who participated in political governance

When people came to John the Baptist, they came with their concerns as to whether their life professions were aligned to their spiritual callings.

To paraphrase their questions we can put it this way, “is it possible to live holy life and maintain spiritual standards in your current occupation/career?”

Do we need to abandon some businesses we are currently involved in to be holy people? Can you really be a president and yet a devout Christian?

Can you be a member of parliament and yet keep the Sabbath? ….. Can you be one of the best international footballer yet a devout Seventh Day Adventist?

There so many things the world does which some of them we may have genuine moral questions, in the context of our sermon today we don’t intend to take a stock of them.

Luke 3:10-14 (NIV)
10“What should we do then?” the crowd asked.

11John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”

12Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”

13“Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.

14Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”

John the Baptist was basically saying it is possible to lead a just life in your justified career. This is the principle as Christians we should stand for. We don’t intend to call people to abandon their socio-economic life but Jesus wants them to lead holy life wherever they are.

John 17:15
My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

Jesus recognized that we are living in the world and that for some time we will be at least temporary citizens of this world. Life systems affect Christians as they are part of the society. We have a stake too in this world! If we do not act responsibly we will take a share of blame like any other irresponsible citizen.

We can still be good Christians yet abiding to the law and to those entrusted with a responsibility to govern and maintain harmony in the society.

At one time Jesus was confronted by His enemies trying to trap him by asking the politically-charged question on whether it was a justified course to pay taxes to the Roman Empire. Though Jesus’ answer disarmed their machinations, He at the same time set an important precedent on how Christians should relate to the earthly authorities above them.

Matthew 22:16-21
16They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodias. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax[a] to Caesar or
not?” 18But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” 21“Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

There are people even devout Christians who are not comfortable when it comes to paying taxes, if they have an opportunity they will do whatever it takes to evade it. Christians should be living examples in our societies by being the most compliant when it comes to paying taxes.

Tax avoidance is not an offence but evasion is an offence. But for Christians we should uphold the standards and avoid looking for legal loopholes to avoid taxes. Our standards against which we are measured are much higher than the earthly ones.

Jesus did not mean taxes only but impliedly He meant we are dutifully bound to fulfill our citizen duties. We should not be trapped by the sin of negligence, if we know what is right and yet we don’t do it, we shall be held accountable.

The underlying fact is that when we pay taxes we are directly supporting the political systems governing us. Should we therefore not hold them accountable?

Daniel 2:46-49 (Daniel)
46Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him. 47The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.” 48Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. 49Moreover, at Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court.

People today have cultivated a wrong thinking about who is really a politician and who is not.

To my understanding it does not matter which door you use to enter politics: when you are in you are just a politician.

You may be elected or appointed to perform certain functions within the government, either way you will be affected by politics and political decisions made.

In Daniel time governments were not elected but rather they were kingdoms and empires.

To me Daniel and his colleagues when they accepted King Nebuchadnezzar’s appointment they effectively became part of the political monolithic system of Babylon.

But how they served clearly distinguishes them from our contemporary politicians.

When you are in politics be ready to be victimized
Daniel 6: 1-6 (Daniel)

1It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom,
2with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss.
3Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.
4At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.
5Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.”

Daniel 6:6-24

There is a price to pay when you choose to be in politics and you must be ready to pay. Sometimes it can cost your life. Your life privacy can be laid bare and at most of time assassinated negatively. If it is for the right and justified course why not?

Genesis 41:38-46 (Joseph) – Can we find a righteous man in politics?
38So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”
39Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. 40You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”

Joseph in Charge of Egypt
41So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” 42Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. 43He had him ride in a chariot as his second in-command,[b] and people shouted before him, “Make way[c]!” Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt. 44Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt.” 45Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On,[d] to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt. 46Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout Egypt.

Through Joseph the attention of the king and great men of Egypt was directed to the true God.

If we happen to be in positions of political influence can we make the attentions of a president and other great men in the government be directed to a true God?

If you can’t genuinely and positively respond to this question and you want to go to heaven, politics is a no go zone for you.

Seventh-day Adventists have the ability to help shape society through their votes and political participation. It’s up to each of us to follow our consciences—and to pray for more than human wisdom in making our electoral choices and participation in politics.

ALAMA YA NYOKA KATIKA BIBLIA&HISTORIA

2011-04-06T14:27:00.010+03:00

Sikuuliza wala kuangalia kama Babu wa Loliondo anakataa sarafu. Mada ya noti ya Shilingi 500 niliileta kama tafakuri tu ndio maana niliweka alama ya kiulizo. Bado natafuta jibu.

Haukuwa mpango wangu kuifanya mada iwe ya kidini. Ila inanibidi nitoe angalizo la Kibiblia. Ili kupata muktadha kamili ni vyema kuchambua alama za Kibiblia kwa kuzingatia vitabu vyote vya Biblia vinavyotaja alama husika na si fungu moja tu au mafungu machache. Kwa maana nyingine, alama ya nyoka inapaswa kuchambuliwa jinsi inavyotumika kuanzia Kitabu cha Mwanzo hadi Ufunuo na asili yake katika muktadha wa Historia na Dini za Misri ya Kale ambako ndiko asili ya 'U-freemason' (kumbuka kisa cha Yusufu, mume wa Binti wa Potifera, Kuhani wa Oni, huko Misri ya Kale, na kikombe cha uaguzi - Mwanzo 44:5; Fimbo ya Haruni iliyogeuka nyoka aliyewameza nyoka wa wachawi na waganga wa Misri ya Kale - Kutoka 7: 8-12; na huu mfano tuliotolewa wa Nyoka wa Shaba Jangwani - Hesabu 21:6-9). Na kabla ya kutumia fungu la Yohana 3:14 linalozungumzia kuinuliwa kwa Yesu kama Musa alivyomuinua nyoka jangwani na kulitumia kujenga hoja kuwa nyoka ni alama ya utabibu Kibiblia, ni muhimu kuchambua maana halisi ya kiroho ya alama hiyo kwa kuzingatia matokeo ya mpango mzima wa imani ya Kibiblia yaliyobainishwa na mafungu haya:

"Bwana Mungu akamwambia nyoka, Kwa sababu umeyafanya hayo, umelaaniwa wewe kuliko wanyama wote...nami nitaweka uadui kati yako na huyo mwanamke, na kati ya uzao wako na uzao wake; huo utakuponda kichwa, na wewe utamponda kisigino"(Mwanzo 3:14-15)

"Joka akamkasirikia mwanamke, akaenda zake afanye vita juu ya wazao wake waliosalia, wazishikao amri za Mungu, na kuwa na ushuhuda wa Yesu..."(Ufunuo 12:17)

"Yule joka akatupwa, yule mkubwa, nyoka wa zamani, aitwaye Ibilisi na Shetani, audanganyaye ulimwengu wote..."(Ufunuo 12:9)

"Akamshika yule joka, yule nyoka wa zamani, ambaye ni Ibilisi na Shetani, akamfunga miaka elfu...asipate kuwadanganya mataifa tena...na yule Ibilisi, mwenye kuwadanganya, akatupwa katika ziwa la moto na kiberiti..."(Ufunuo 20:2,10)

"[Atendaye] dhambi ni wa Ibilisi; kwa kuwa Ibilisi hutenda dhambi toka mwanzo. Kwa kusudi hili Mwana wa Mungu alidhihirishwa ili azivunje kazi za Ibilisi"(1 Yohana 3:8)

"Yeye [Kristo Yesu] asiyejua dhambi alimfanya kuwa dhambi kwa ajili yetu, ili sisi tupate kuwa haki ya Mungu katika Yeye"(2 Wakorintho 5:21)

"Kristo alitukomboa katika laana ya torati, kwa kuwa alifanywa laana kwa ajili yetu; maana imeandikwa, Amelaaniwa kila mtu aangikwaye juu ya mti; ili kwamba baraka ya Ibrahimu iwafikilie Mataifa katika Yesu Kristo, tupate kupokea ahadi ya Roho kwa njia ya imani"(Wagalatia 3:13)

"Na kama kama vile Musa alivyomuinua yule nyoka jangwani, vivyo hivyo Mwana wa Adamu hana budi kuinuliwa; ili kila mtu aaminiye awe na uzima wa milele katika yeye. Kwa maana jinsi hii Mungu aliupenda ulimwengu, hata akamtoa Mwanawe pekee, ili kila mtu amwaminiye asipotee, bali awe na uzima wa milele. Maana Mungu hakumtuma Mwana ulimwenguni ili auhukumu ulimwengu, bali ulimwengu uokolewe katika Yeye"(Yohana 3:14-17) Mchoraji: Lars Justinen

Rays of Hope: Living to Make a Difference

2011-03-30T06:38:00.003+03:00

When Christopher R. Mwashinga, Jr who pastored us when I was a student asked for my postal address little did I know what gift he intended to send. Of course I had a hunch it would be a spiritual book. But I had no idea it would be a book he has written. It thus came as a blessed surprise yesterday when I received a book entitled Rays of Hope: Living to Make a Difference.

It has just been published by Maximum Hope Books in Berrien Springs, Michigan.

The book is dedicated to all "Adventist university and college students in Tanzania whom" Pastor Mwashinga was "privileged to serve for over a dozen years". Its epigraph, written in three languages, is categorical about who deserves all the honors and all the glories:

Soli Dei Gloria

Utukufu kwa Mungu Pekee

To God Alone be the Glory

In the preface to the book Pastor Mwashinga thus sums up the the four-fold goal of what primarily constitutes the chapters of the book:

[W]elcoming new Adventist students to university life, encouraging and inspiring faithfulness to God and His Word, challenging them to settle for nothing less than the best, and finally challenging them to give back to the communities, the church, and the world at best.

I, for one, has always remembered at least one of the four over the years - to settle for nothing less than the best and hopefully and prayerfully this book will help me really focus on giving back to the communities, the church, and the world at best.

The chapters are thus beautifully titlted respectively:

1. Another Ray of Hope

2. Living One Day at a Time

3. Cheer Up Adventist Students

4. Focusing on Christian Service

5. Welcome to the Hill

6. Back to the Bible

7. Charge to Students

8. Enduring the Cross

Interestingly, the book concludes with a poem 'Saved by Christ Alone' from Pastor Mwashinga's other book entitled Beaches of Golden Sands: Inspirational Poems. At the risk of pre-empting your readership quest I thus present its last stanza below and urge you to get hold of the book and bask in the Rays of Hope coming from the Holy One who was really Living to Make a Difference when He walked and died on planet earth to save you and me:

I am a sinner saved by Christ alone,

Now I enjoy full and free salvation

For it is grace alone, through faith alone,

That has given me eternal redemption.

Alleluia I shout, for free salvation!

Photo 1: Lars Justinen

Photo 2: American Poems

THE MESSENGER AND THE MESSAGE

2011-03-23T05:19:00.006+03:00

The Messenger And The Message

By Elia Wankyo

For a period of time, I have thought of putting in writing the following as the basic General Bible Guidelines regarding the spiritual messengers and messages we encounter in our journey of faith as we travel expectantly to the soon coming Kingdom of God. I first learned some of the guidelines in my Bible and Theology classes, others I have learned through my personal studies, research and observations. I write them here for the first time in brief, with prayer, and, hope that they will be a blessing to the readers, including myself and others as well.

1) To the Law and to the Testimony: Isaiah 8:19,20
Is the messenger and the message in harmony with the Ten Commandments as written by God Himself and given to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 31:18; 32: 15,15;34:1,2,4,,5,28,29) and recorded by Moses in Exodus 20:1-17?

What is the messenger(s) and messages relationship with other laws and commands given by God in the Bible?

Also we should consider The revealed Testimony of God in the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. 2 Peter 1:16,19-20;Revelation 12:17;14:12;19:10

2)Uplifting Jesus Christ: 1 John 4:1-8.
What is the view of the messenger and the message in regard to Jesus Christ?

Jesus Christ as the Second person of the Godhead, the Divine Son of God (monogenei in Greek--The Only One, The Unique One. John 3:16), the only Saviour.(John 14:6;20:31; Acts 4:12)

Unity and Oneness with God the Father (God the Father and God the Son are inseparable. Jesus said, "You believe in God, believe also in Me" Read John 14:1,11). There are people and religions in this world that have tried and continue to try to separate God the Father and Jesus Christ. In the great controversy between Christ and Satan, which side do we, or the messenger and his message, stand?

3) By Their Fruits, you Shall Know Them: Mathew 7:20; Galatians 5:22,23.
Does the life of the messenger reflect the progressive in-working of the Holy Spirit according to the revealed Word of God? Is the message in harmony with the Bible? What is the result of the message? Does the message of the messenger lead people to or away from God? Does the messenger and the message reflect the love of God?

Although we are not perfect and cannot be in and of ourselves, our lives as believers and followers of Christ should reveal that God is allowed to continuously work in and through us and a dedication for spiritual growth to accomplish His will and make us ready to enter the Kingdom when Jesus returns.

4) Fulfillment of the Prophetic Word: Deuteronomy 18:20-22.
God warns us against a prophet who mixes truth and error. Also new messages are not to contradict the already revealed Word of God. Deuteronomy 13:1-3 The Bible prophecies have 100% fulfillment accuracy, with the knowledge that some prophecies are conditionally given by God. Some time ago, during our consecration service as Theology Students, Elder Earl E. Cleveland remarked in his sermon saying, "We do not expect another prophet after Ellen G. White, enough has been written to lead any man or woman to the Kingdom of God."

5)Relevance of the Message: 1 Corinthians 14:40.
Is the need for the particular message exist? God has a plan for His people in different ages and time throughout human history. For example, in the last days, God has a particular plan for His people in the Remnant Church who live in the Time of the End, just before the close of Earth's History..

God's end-time people have to carry the Three Angels Messages (Revelation 14 and 18) to the world. Anything or anyone that try to bring messages to divert God's people from this solemn task is OUT OF ORDER and is not relevant to our time and age. Another example regarding relevance, is time-setting. In Revelation 10:6, the heavenly messenger gave a solemn message that, by interpretation, said after the end of the longest prophetic period in 1844, "there should be time no longer." This means any other message that tries to set prophetic time regarding last day events is OUT OF ORDER and is not relevant to us.

When Ellen G. White was in Australia, a young man came to her house claiming he had a special message from God. After the young man related to Ellen that he had been shown that the heavenly probation had closed and that Ellen and her family should leave and return quickly to America, Ellen rebuked the young man saying his message was not from God. Ellen said God at His own time will reveal His will to her regarding her work away from her homeland. (Last Day Events, by E. G. White)

6)Oneness and Unity in the Body of Christ: John 17:19-21; 1 Corinthians 12:11,12; 14:12,25.
Does the messenger and the messages contribute to the oneness and unity in the Church as the spiritual body of Christ? One of the major characteristics of cult leaders is their concerted effort to pull followers from the group and try to isolate them. By creating division and isolation, the cultic-minded leaders know they can control and manipulate their followers. The other technique is depriving followers the ability and freedom to think and reason for themselves. They may hold all night meetings so the people's minds get tired and therefore absorb anything, including errors and falsehood.

God is a reasoning God. Some religions do not believe God is a reasoning God. Without naming them here, such religions control their followers and deny them the ability to think and reason for themselves. (Wafuasi wa dini hizo wanakuwa wanapokea MAPOKEO/TRADITIONS na hawarusiwi kufikiria kama mambo hayo ni kweli au sio kweli). God created us in His own image and this includes the ability to think and reason while depending on the revealed Word of God, His wisdom, guidance and help. Genesis 1:26,27. God Himself invites us to "come now, and let us reason together" with Him. Isaiah 1:18.

David Koresh, of the former Branch Davidian cult in Waco, Texas, isolated his group from their families and friends and from everyone else in the world. He made them totally dependent on him for all their needs, including spiritual and mental and Bible interpretations. He controlled their minds and isolated them. He taught his followers that everyone outside their group was evil and bent to hurt them.Those who did not leave his group on time, sadly lost their lives with him in the compound fire .

Jim Jones was another leader who led thousands of his followers away from California to the jungles of Guyana in the late 1970s. He separated his followers from their family members and from their churches and society. Only few people escaped on time from Jim Jones in Guyana before the whole group died from what was reported and video taped as a combination of mass suicide and murders.

Here I offer a silent prayer to God asking Him to help and protect us all against the delusions brought by the devil and his spiritual agents in a concerted effort to mislead, control, isolate and manipulate human minds against the revealed Word of God.

7)Finally, the Worship and Reverence Test: Revelation 4:9-11
Does the messenger worship and show reverence to God? Does the message lead others to worship the God of heaven, the Creator of heaven and earth? Who is given reverence--God or man or objects/things? Who is the focus of worship and reverence--God or man or objects (idols)?

In Revelation 4 and 5, John was allowed to see the worship scenes in heaven.The living creatures gave glory and honour and thanks to God who sat on the throne, who lives forever and ever. the 24 elders fell down before Him that sat on the throne and worshipped Him that lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power, for You have created all things, and for Your pleasure they are and were created. Rev. 4:9-11. True worship and reverence is and should be, only toward God, the Creator of heaven and earth.

May God bless and help us all.

*Text: Elia Wankyo

*Photo: Lars Justinen

Babu of Loliondo & Basics of Biblical Healing

2011-03-19T06:17:00.010+03:00

Dear Friends,

I have just been to Loliondo. Out of that trip I have written three articles for secular newspapers. They can be accessed at http://udadisi.blogspot.com/. At the moment I am thinking of writing an article that is only focused on a Biblical analysis of what is happening in Loliondo. But in the meantime it may be a good idea to read the following responses as presented by my fellow Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Christians - Brother JN and Brother NL respectively.

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A quick one, why do you think or why didn't you ask Babu as to why he does not associate his "Kikombe" openly with Jesus Christ rather than through inferences of the "Word" that for those who do not truly know the Word as in John 1:1-4 will never acknowledge the healing as from Christ who is the Word and the Creator of all trees! Au Babu anaogopa kuharibu soko kwa vile kutumia neno Mungu is very politically correct kuliko Yesu which is very specific of a particular God.

Nashukuru kwa insight hiyo ambayo inakubaliana na commentary za Mama White kuhusu Matthew 7:21-23:

" A number of false prophets and religions today are getting people healed but their deceived followers never get to know the true source of their healing. Without exception they do not lift up Christ the Messiah, they deny the new birth, the bodily death and resurrection of Christ, the priesthood of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary, God's ten commandments and the 7th day sabbath which acknowledges Christ as the creator of the whole universe; hence they hide the essentials of the gospel that saves eternally and gives them temporal cure!"

The devil backs up such version of the "gospel" by providing true physical healing by taking away what he has planted in the first place, as he is the author of sickness and diseases, and at the same time convinces our minds that it's only God who can remove diseases and sickness and hence healing must always come from God!

Jamani shetani anatibu na kuponya magonjwa! Na ambaye haamini hilo ajiulize kwa nini Yesu alisema kuwa waliponya, kutabiri na kufukuza pepo kwa jina la Yesu ingawa Yesu mwenyewe hawatambui. Sasa kama Yesu amekukana kuwa si wake, je wewe ni wa nani? Kupona kwa kikombe siyo hoja na pia siyo issue ya kubishania uwezo wa Mungu kwa vile neno la Mungu liko wazi kuhusu uwezo wake na pia miujiza ya Yesu haikuwa na ubishi na kwa kila muujiza watu walizidi kumtukuza Mungu. Je, ni nani anayetamkwa kwenye ndimi za watu sasa hivi kuhusu tiba ya Babu? Babu mwenyewe ana kigugumizi kumtaja Yesu Kristo waziwazi kwamba ndiye Neno ndani ya kikombe, badala yake anatumia neno Mungu ambaye kila mmoja anaye wake!

The bottom line is this.

Does God heal sickness? YES

Does the devil heal sickness? YES

Is healing a criteria of God's power NO! Not always

The following text are so clear as to what is happening at Loliondo.

Isaiah 5:20-21; 30:1-3
Proverbs 14:12-14
Mathew 24:24-25
2Corinthians 11:13-15
Ephesians 4:14-15
Colossians 2:8
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Provision for Gospel Medical Missionary Work

The way in which Christ worked was to preach the word, and to relieve suffering by miraculous works of healing. But I am instructed that we cannot now work in this way; for Satan will exercise his power by working miracles. God's servants today could not work by means of miracles, because spurious works of healing, claiming to be divine, will be wrought. {MM 14.2}

For this reason the Lord has marked out a way in which His people are to carry forward a work of physical healing combined with the teaching of the word. Sanitariums are to be established, and with these institutions are to be connected workers who will carry forward genuine medical missionary work. Thus a guarding influence is thrown around those who come to the sanitariums for treatment. MM 14.3; MM 14.2; 2SM 54.2; LDE 169.

This is the provision the Lord has made whereby gospel medical missionary work is to be done for many souls. These institutions are to be established out of the cities, and in them educational work is to be intelligently carried forward.--Letter 53, 1904. {MM 14.4}

Miracles Not a Sure Evidence of God's Favor

The time is at hand when Satan will work miracles to confirm minds in the belief that he is God. All the people of God are now 15

to stand on the platform of truth as it has been given in the third angel's message. All the pleasant pictures, all the miracles wrought, will be presented in order that, if possible, the very elect shall be deceived. The only hope for anyone is to hold fast the evidences that have confirmed the truth in righteousness. Let these be proclaimed over and over again, until the close of this earth's history.--R.H., Aug. 9, 1906. {MM 14.5}

When Christ Refused to Work Miracles

The scene of Christ's temptation was to be a lesson for all His followers. When the enemies of Christ, by the instigation of Satan, request them to show some miracle, they should answer them as meekly as the Son of God answered Satan, "It is written, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." If they will not be convinced by inspired testimony, a manifestation of God's power would not benefit them. God's wondrous works are not manifested to gratify the curiosity of any. Christ, the Son of God, refused to give Satan any proof of His power. He made no effort to remove Satan's "if" by showing a miracle. {MM 15.1}

The disciples of Christ will be brought into similar positions. Unbelievers will require them to do some miracle, if they believe God's special power is in the church and that they are the chosen people of God. Unbelievers who are afflicted with infirmities will require them to work a miracle upon them, if God is with them. Christ's followers should imitate the example of their Lord. Jesus, with His divine power, did not do any mighty works for Satan's diversion. Neither can the servants of Christ. They should refer the unbelieving to the written, inspired testimony for evidence of their being the loyal people of God and heirs of salvation.--4SG 150, 151. {MM 15.2}

Miracles Prove Nothing

Go to God for yourselves, pray for divine enlightenment, that you may know that you do know what is truth, that when the wonderful miracle-working power shall be displayed, and the enemy shall come as an angel of light, you may distinguish between the genuine work of God and the imitative work of the powers of darkness.--3SM 389 (1888). {LDE 169.1}

The way in which Christ worked was to preach the Word, and to relieve suffering by miraculous works of healing. But I am instructed that we cannot now work in this way, [MIRACLES WILL ACCOMPANY THE MINISTRY OF GOD'S PEOPLE UNDER THE LOUD CRY (SEE CHAPTER 14), BUT THEY WILL NOT HAVE THE SIGNIFICANCE THEY DID IN CHRIST'S DAY. THE PERFORMING OF MIRACLES WILL NO LONGER BE A PROOF OF DIVINE ENDORSEMENT.] for Satan will exercise his power by working miracles. God's servants today could not work by means of miracles, because spurious works of healing, claiming to be divine, will be wrought.--2SM 54 (1904). {LDE 169.2}

God's people will not find their safety in working miracles, for Satan will counterfeit the miracles that will be wrought.--9T 16 (1909). {LDE 169.3}

Miracles Cannot Supersede the Bible

If those through whom cures are performed are disposed, on account of these manifestations, to excuse 170

their neglect of the law of God and continue in disobedience, though they have power to any and every extent, it does not follow that they have the great power of God. On the contrary, it is the miracle-working power of the great deceiver.--2SM 50, 51 (1885). {LDE 169.4}

The Bible will never be superseded by miraculous manifestations. The truth must be studied, it must be searched for as hidden treasure. Wonderful illuminations will not be given aside from the Word or to take the place of it. Cling to the Word, receive the engrafted Word which will make men wise unto salvation.--2SM 48 (1894). {LDE 170.1}

The last great delusion is soon to open before us. Antichrist is to perform his marvelous works in our sight. So closely will the counterfeit resemble the true that it will be impossible to distinguish between them except by the Holy Scriptures. By their testimony every statement and every miracle must be tested.--GC 593 (1911). {LDE 170.2}

The Deception Is Almost Universal

There is now need of earnest, working men and women who will seek for the salvation of souls, for Satan as a powerful general has taken the field, and in this last remnant of time he is working through all conceivable methods to close the door against light that God would have come to His people. He is sweeping the whole world into his ranks, and the few who are faithful to God's requirements are the only ones 171

who can ever withstand him, and even these he is trying to overcome.--3SM 389 (1889). {LDE 170.3}

The forms of the dead will appear, through the cunning device of Satan, and many will link up with the one who loveth and maketh a lie. I warn our people that right among us some will turn away from the faith and give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, and by them the truth will be evil spoken of. {LDE 171.1}

A marvelous work shall take place. Ministers, lawyers, doctors, who have permitted these falsehoods to overmaster their spirit of discernment, will be themselves deceivers, united with the deceived. A spiritual drunkenness will take possession of them.--UL 317 (1905). {LDE 171.2} .

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Regards,

Brother CC

INTRODUCING 'FAMILY DIALOGUE' WEBSITE

2011-03-04T06:52:00.007+03:00

http://www.familydialogue.net/

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Dear friends and colleagues,

....

I am thankful and delighted to inform you that the new website intended to address different family issues we all care about, was recently launched. You are welcome to visit the website and pass on the news to all your friends, family and acquaintances. You can click on the link below or type in your web browser the following address: www.familydialogue.net.

The website allows you to share your comments privately or publicly. In the days ahead, I will look forward to hear from all of you on how we can improve the content and how you can be part of these initiatives. Several Christian professionals are behind this project and you will hear from a number of them from time to time through their articles and response to some of your questions. Please take time to get familiar with the pages and send us your comments, questions, and suggestions. Family dialogue forum reflect my keen interest and conviction that our individual growth or fall begins at home. Our families need to be cherished, nourished, and protected.

In the book The Adventist Home, my favorite writer pens down these words, “The restoration and uplifting of humanity begins in the home. The work of parents underlies every other. Society is composed of families and is what the heads of families make it. Out of the heart are "the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23); and the heart of the community, of the church, and of the nation is the household. The well-being of society, the success of the church, the prosperity of the nation, depends upon home influences,” (White, 1952, p.349).

In the year 2011, I want to partner with God and you in fostering family dialogue that gives God a proper place in our individual hearts and our families. I am convinced that if we are willing to involve God in our family matters whether big or small, our homes will not look the same again. We need to spend time cultivating Christian love and principles in our families and our relationships. In closing, I would like to join Paul in his prayer, “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God”. (Philippians 1:9-11). Finally brothers and sisters, “May (God) give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed” Psalm 20:4.

With Love from the Migombo family.

...

Source: wasafiriwadventista@yahoogroups.com

USHUHUDA: SIKU AMBAYO SITAISAHAU

2011-02-23T05:07:00.005+03:00

Siku Ambayo Sitaisahau - Restieli Moses Mbwambo

Ni siku ambayo niliungua na mafuta wakati nilipokuwa mdogo wa umri wa mwaka mmoja na nusu. Ukweli ni kwamba nilisimuliwa na wazazi wangu jinsi tukio hilo lilivyotokea kwa kuwa mri wangu ulikuwa ni mdogo. Walinisimulia kuwa tukio hilo lilitokea hapo mnamo tarehe 17 Julai 2002, siku ya Jumatano jioni.

Siku hiyo mama yangu alikwenda kurekodi nyimbo zao za kwaya huko Arusha na baba alikwenda kanisani kuhudhuria ibada ya jioni katika kanisa lao la Njoro SDA lililopo hapa mjini Moshi, hivyo akaniacha na jirani ili aniangalie.

Wakati baba anananiacha na jirani yao...

Endelea kusoma ushuhuda huu hapa:

http://ruhuwiko.blogspot.com/2011/02/siku-ambayo-sitaisahau.html

STOP BEATING YOURSELF!

2011-02-17T06:53:00.001+03:00

STOP BEATING YOURSELF!

By Sister Thandi Nkomo

I was born 'in' the church. It's really a silly statement because I was born in a hospital...but you know what it means. So Saturday observance was never an issue for me. I knew and loved the Sabbath and have never been tempted to stop keeping the Sabbath holy. On the other hand, I loved Jesus, but not in the right way because I didn't really know Him. The pastors, elders, evangelists presented a picture of a Jesus who keeps forgiving you for the same sins, knowingly committed over and over again. I told myself "Ok, at the end of each day, just ask God to forgive you for everything you did wrong in the day and you'll be set." It didn't help that I was surrounded by this type of Christian. No one seemed to be walking the truly narrow way. In fact, looking back, I probably thought Sabbath-keeping WAS the narrow way!

Until I met my husband. He gave me the book 'The Lord Our Righteousness' and it's like a huge light bulb flashed in my head - the first of many. Christ loves me so much that He actually gives me the strength to 'be perfect' as He told me to be in Matthew 5:48. And so the growth in practical godliness began. He trusted me so much that He decided to use me as an example to the devil and to the unfallen worlds. He forgave me and expected me to live like He did, so that I could be WITH Him.

I realised that sanctification was a lifetime process, but not a lifetime of committing the very same errors without true repentance. It's a lifetime of growing, gaining more truth and being transformed accordingly. I went through the Spirit of Prophecy Library (The big blue books) and felt like I'd been born again. This Jesus I now knew loved me just as I was, but desired me to improve, He wanted the best for me! I was/am special. I am worthy of His notice, His love, His death and His resurrection.

This was wondrous news indeed. I wanted to get rebaptised, now that I truly understood what dying meant.

Then the problems began. I began the journey with good intentions. But I kept falling. I didn't cling tightly enough and I allowed the devil's temptations to sweep me away. And I then hated myself. "How stupid can I be? How could I spit in God's face like this? He obviously doesn't love me, how could He when I keep crucifying Him afresh every day of my life? Maybe I should just die because I'm not living my profession. Or better yet, why not just leave Christianity because I'm bound for hell anyway."

Of course, God wouldn't leave me in such a state of despair. He hears our prayers even before we have the strength to utter them, His word speaks to us. I urge you to re-read Psalms 51. That is the prayer of someone who loves God. That is the prayer that we ought to utter when we fall. Yes, we are called to holiness, but sadly, we sometimes let go of Jesus' hand. It doesn't mean we should keep going backwards and falling into the same hole. It means we repeat David's sorrowful words; we cling tightly to God's hand, and walk FORWARD and AWAY from that hole.

It's not easy, especially when the devil reminds you of how enjoyable or "stress-free" being in that hole is. But that hole is not where God wants you to be. And so you keep praying, asking Him to shield you from the evil one. And by faith you grab that hand, forsaking all others' on this earth, and you step out. You may weep as you see how filthy you are, you may wonder how you'll ever get clean. But the prayer of a penitent soul is heard and more importantly, it is answered.

You're not the only one who has struggled with letting the Saviour down.

Remember Peter. So sure that he would die for His master. Yet, as soon as the opportunity to truly die for His master came, he rejected/denied Him. Imagine the agony he felt when He caught Jesus' eye. It's the same agony you feel when you acknowledge your sin, acknowledge how you let Jesus down. Yet Jesus forgave Peter, and Peter forgave himself…and he went on to become a powerful worker for Christ. When you come out of that hole, you not only never go back in again, but you have a strong desire to pull others out too. And remember this; Peter didn't become 'perfect' overnight. God still had to get rid of his racial/ethnic prejudices. But Peter allowed God to rid him of his flaws. Painful as it was.

So stop beating yourself up. God forgave, God still forgives, the Son of God died in order to forgive, and He will forgive you. Don't look at the hole you were in yesterday, look at the Hand that is waiting to pull you out. Grab it. And move forward in faith. He is just and will forgive, and will give you the strength to stay away from that sin-filled hole.

Psalms 51:17

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Psalms 86:5

For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

---

Text Source: Prisoners of Hope (PoH)

Picture Source: Lars Justinen

Revival Meeting With Pastor Blasius Ruguri

2011-02-04T11:42:00.000+03:00

"A Revival Meeting to be conducted by our Division President, Pastor Blasius Luguri will be held from 19-02-2011 to 26-02-2011 here at Magomeni. Please plan to attend" - Magomeni SDA Church Bulletin, 5 February 2011

ATAP RETREAT IN ROCK CITY MWANZA

2011-02-04T10:10:00.000+03:00

WELCOME TO PICNIC IN KIGAMBONI BEACH

2011-02-03T07:13:00.000+03:00

UJENZI WA KANISA LA TEMEKE S.D.A

2011-01-15T08:01:00.000+03:00

* Picha kwa Hisani ya Mkuu wa Majengo wa Kanisa la Temeke

SHOTS FROM BUJUMBURA RETREAT 2010

2010-12-30T06:30:00.000+03:00

Publicizing/Advertizing the Word

Preaching/Interpreting the Word

Listening/Reading the Word

Teaching/Sharing the Word

Performing/Singing the Word

Acting/Enjoying the Word

Practicing/Living the Word

Revelation 1:3 - Blessing for Reading,Hearing and Keeping What is Written Therein!

2010-12-08T05:04:00.000+03:00

Shalom from Dar es Salaam!

Welcome to our stepwise study of the Book of Revelation. You can access the previous lesson through this link: Revelation 1: 2 - 'Bare Record'. Today we are thus reading Revelation 1:3:

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

Here a blessing is pronounced. The word 'blessed' appears many times in the Bible - 267 times according to BibleGateway.com. When pronounced it signifies one becoming redeemed/saved, forgiven, fruitful, prosperous and happy/joyous among many other positive things. Here is a classical example of Beatitudes/Blessings from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount:

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3: 6, 13, 22).

The deeper meaning of hearing or hearking is closely tied to the blessing which Revelation 1: 3 pronounces to whose who keep those things that are written in Revelation. Once we read and hear about its prophecy we, automatically, ought to hold fast to what is written therein.

Finally, Revelation 1: 3 closes with this rationale: "the time is at hand". This question of (prophetic) time also puzzled the disciples of Jesus. It has been associated with the end of the world and the establishment of God's eternal Kingdom. Concerning these events the disciples thus asked Jesus prior to His death on the cross:

Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of they coming, and of the end of the world? (Matthew 24: 3)

Even after Jesus' ressurection the discpiles thus kept asking prior to His ascension:

When they therefore were come together, they asked of Him, saying, Lord, will thou at this time restore again the kingdom of Israel? (Acts 1: 6)

So, Jesus, through Revelation 1: 3, is providing the answer for the disciples of all times - "the time is at hand." This is indeed the time that is referred to by the following sucessive prophecies of the Books of Daniel and Revelation:

And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt...But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased... And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end (Daniel 12: 1-9).

Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book... Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand ( Revelation 22: 7 - 10).

REVELATION 1: 2 - 'BARE RECORD'

2010-12-02T07:50:00.000+03:00

Dear Blessed Reader,

Shalom from Dar es Salaam!

Welcome again to our verse by verse and chapter by chapter study on the The Revelation. In our first lesson we saw the meaning and purpose of this prophetic book provided in Revelation 1: 1. You can revise it here: Lessons from the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Today we swiftly move to the second verse of chapter one - it thus reads:

Who bare record of the Word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he say (Revelation 1: 2).

The verse mentions two beings or persons. The first one is the "who" in the beginning of the text. This is John, the beloved Disciple of Jesus, who is referred to in the end of the preceeding verse. Of course the other one is Jesus Christ. The working relationship between Jesus and John is also clearly stated therein.

John's task is to bare three things. Before we go on let us unpack the meaning the of this term 'bare'. The Free WordWeb Dictionary simply defines it as: (1) Make visible, allow others to see; (2) Make public; (3) Remove or clear everything so that nothing is left.

In other words, John is telling us that his task as far as the Revelation of Jesus Christ is concerned is to make visible, clear and public the following three things so that others, that is, you and I, can see:

(1) Record of the Word of God

(2) The Testimony of Jesus Christ

(3) All things that he [John] saw

As usual, the Bible offers its own definitions of things that it introduces to us. In our previous lesson we saw how it defined the Word of God and John's role and rationale in baring its record. Let us thus relive in full that marvellous Biblical passage that sums all this:

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life. (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us:) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full (1 John 1: 1 -4).

So, here we have John baring the record of Jesus - "The Word of God" (John 1: 1 -18). In regard to the Gospel of Jesus according to John, this "is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true" (John 21: 24).

John's testimony is on and about Jesus. It is not surprising then that in Revelation 1: 1 he also introduces himself as baring the Testimony of Jesus. Interestingly, somewhere else the Bible specifies those who "keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" (Revelation 12: 17). Then it goes on elsewhere to offer this powerful definition from a messenger of God who was addressing John:

I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren, that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God; for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19: 1.

In sum the second verse of chapter one is telling me and you that we are called to share with our spiritual brethren John the main mission of Revelation - to testify about Jesus!

And testifying about Jesus is all about ensuring that we "hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches" (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3: 6, 13, 22) - Yes its about hearking to what God "hath declared to his servants the prophets" (Revelation 10: 7). For: "Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secrets to His servants the prophets" (Amos 3: 7) and the Bible thus declares accordingly:

"Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper" ( 2 Chronicles 20: 20).

No wonder our Saviour has thus indeed testified in his Revelation of Jesus Christ:

"Behold , I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the saying of the prophecy of this book" (Revelation 22: 7).

"He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22: 20).

AMEN

Participate in Building Kibada SDA Church

2010-11-21T19:21:00.000+03:00

Visit: http://www.kibadasda.blogspot.com/

Contact: Mr. Bulengela (+255715833667) or Mrs. Malale (+255655444944) of Kibada SDA Church, Kigamboni

Lessons from The Revelation of Jesus Christ

2010-11-16T06:33:00.000+03:00

Shalom from Dar es Salaam!

Today we kickstart a verse by verse, chapter by chapter, study on the book by which this blog is named after - Revelation. The full title of this book and its meaning thereof is provided in chapter 1 verse 1 which reads:

The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John (Revelation 1: 1)

Lets pause for a minute and reflect on this verse. First of all it tells us that this is the Revelation of none other than Jesus Christ. It is also telling us that it was given unto him by God himself. We are told that its main purpose is to show his servants, that is, those who serve God as per Romans 6: 22, things which must shortly come to pass. To that end this Revelation was sent and signified by his angel unto one of his trusted servants, that is, his beloved servant John.

Probably none other than John tells us more about who Jesus is in relation to God. In verse 1 of chapter 1 in the Gospel according to John we thus read:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1: 1)

Later on, in verse 14 of the same chapter of this Gospel, John reveals to us that this Word, that is God, was made flesh (read physical human body). In verse 17 John clearly states that he is referring to Jesus Christ through whom "grace" and "truth" came to us. Elsewhere in 1 John 1: 1 he refers to Jesus as the "Word of life" and, in regard to him, he thus further affirms:

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that you may also have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ (1 John 1: 3)

Such is the relationship between the givers and bearers of the message of Revelation as described in Revelation 1: 1. It is indeed a message from God, through his Son Jesus, also known as the "Word of life" (1 John 1: 1) and the "Word of God" (Revelation 19: 13), to his servants - you and I - through his beloved servant John as signified by his angel and concerning angels, the Apostle Paul asks rhetorically: "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" (Hebrews 1: 14)

In sum this is the Revelation of Jesus Christ to us - to you and me!

New Website Address: Mwenge SDA Church

2010-11-16T06:19:00.000+03:00

http://www.mwengesdachurch.or.tz/

Order SDA Bible Commentaries Set

2010-10-29T04:21:00.000+03:00

Contact UDSM SDA Church Clerk at ob.malima@gmail.com

Cost of Buying/Shipping them to Dar es Salaam: Tsh 420,000

Also order Early Writings & Messages to Young People by EGW

Place Your Order by 30 October 2010

Tovuti ya Kanisa/Church Website - Magomeni

2010-10-21T23:44:00.000+03:00

Visit/Tembelea http://www.sdamagomeni.org/

Or/Au http://www.magomenisda.org/

HE WILL FINISH THE GOOD WORK IN YOU

2010-10-21T09:57:00.000+03:00

“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;” Philippians 1:6

I just love that text in Philippians. It has been such an encouragement to me. It’s so easy to think that if we’re doing God’s will, everything will fall into place and we’ll get from point A to point B without any problems. But that’s not really how things work. There are lot of curves and turns along the way.

Consider David. He was chosen by God to be king, yet he spent a long time running and hiding from Saul. The possibility of becoming king was looking pretty slim for a while there.

Joseph was sold as a slave by his brothers, accused of attempted rape, thrown in prison and forgotten for a few years by those who could have helped him get out of the prison. But God didn’t forget him. God was getting Joseph ready for a major task. Preparing Egypt for a famine and being in charge of distributing the food to everyone in Egypt and to those in other countries who came for food.

Moses, raised to be the son of a Princess ended up in the desert-tending sheep. God wasn’t done with him either. Moses was being prepared to lead a nation of people out of slavery and back to their homeland.

Then there’s Job. Job lost everything. He lost his business, his workers, his family, and his health. Job’s anguish was so bad that he said his days were without hope (Job 7:6) and he despised his life. (Job 9:21) God never told Job why he had to suffer so much. He never explained to Job the challenge Satan came to God with. Yet his story was recorded in the Bible and countless numbers of people have been helped by Job’s story.

There are others in the Bible who’s lives seemed to take many twists and turns away from God’s plan, when in truth, God was in control the whole time. His plan was still in action.

God does finish the work He starts in us. You may feel like you’re in a dead-end job and going nowhere, or that because your body no longer functions correctly, you are of no use anymore. It doesn’t matter where you are, or what you are doing, if you’ve given your life to God, He will use it. No one is useless. Those times where nothing seems to be happening, that’s the time God is preparing you.

You may or may not ever know the way God is using you but be assured, God doesn’t make mistakes. He makes people, and the work He started out in you He will finish as long as you let Him.

Article Source: Jacqueline Macdavies
Photo Source: Lars Justinen

Will Your Anchor Hold in the Storms of Life?

2010-10-13T04:29:00.000+03:00

Priscilla Owens wrote the words to one of my favourite hymns in the late 1800‘s, and I often wondered what circumstances in her life inspired her to pen them. "Will your anchor hold in the storms of life, When the clouds unfold their wings of strife? When the strong tides lift and the cables strain, Will your anchor drift, or firm remain?" It is one of my favourite songs because it as a challenging song, and yet, in the chorus, it is a song of hope and assurance.

There are so many things in our lives that we tend to take for granted. When we leave home in the morning we tend to take it for granted that we will return in the evening and meet up with the rest of our family. When we part from each other‘s company at the end of our Sabbath services, we tend to take it for granted that we will see each other again the following Sabbath. I understand that faith re-quires that we believe we have received before we receive and as we pray to God for protection we ought then to believe we shall meet again while on this earth, but I wonder if the reasons for taking these things for granted are really a result of faith.

I recall last year talking to my brother and my aunt about how we would meet up at my father‘s funeral, and how they (my aunt and brother) would make the necessary arrangements and how my family and I should not worry about getting there early seeing we lived further away, little realising they would perish in an accident on their way there. We had all taken it for granted that we would meet there. I remember driving past the scene of a terrible accident in which there had been loss of life and wondering whether or not the families knew that their loved ones had perished, and imagining that they had left home expecting to be reunited later in the day, but it was not to be. How does one pick up the broken pieces after such events? How does one ensure their anchor holds through these storms of life?

I listened a few weeks ago to a testimony from a brother, about how he has optic atrophy - he is gradually losing most of his sight. He has been to countless eye specialists who have informed him that the condition is irreversible. He detailed to us how he has not been able to read for over four years and the struggles he and his family have had to go through in adjusting to this new set of circumstances. As if the struggles that they have been going through in relation to this were insufficient, they had the pain of conceiving, but losing a number of babies pre-term. Coupled with this, he lost his job and only re-cently got employed after an extended period out of work. The clouds seem to have unfolded their wings of strife on this family.

When people get married, they generally have the words "For better or worse, through sickness and health", or some variation in their vows. But I wonder how many of us actually consider what it would be like if our spouses suffered thus. From the rate of divorce and misery when such circumstances hit families, it is evident that many of us do not take these words seriously. We take it for granted that our loved ones will not get so sick that we need to tend for them, especially while we are still at an active age. We take it for granted that we will not become destitute and that we will ever have a source of in-come that will keep living somewhat comfortably.

The question we however need to ask ourselves is this: ―Will our anchor hold when situations deteriorate? Will our faith remain intact when wave after wave of difficulties come our way? Will our anchor drift or firm remain when the strong tides lift and the cables strain? Will we curse God and live, or will we say "Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD?"

To my human eye, the brother giving the testimony and his wife seemed at ease with what was tran-spiring in their lives and the adjustments they were making. I did not sense any animosity as a result of their struggles – Yes, I could see pain and a level of apprehension about the future, but they seemed to have their struggles did not seem to have affected their faith. I found myself wondering how I would have coped under such circumstances.

How would you cope with the various scenarios above and their multitude of permutations? My prayer for us is that our response will be: "We have an anchor that keeps the soul, Steadfast and sure while the billows roll, Fastened to the Rock which cannot move, Grounded firm and deep in the Savior‘s love" Our only hope.

*Source: Brother N. Nkomo at www.scribd.com/PrisonersOfHope

PASTORAL CONDOLENCES: JOSEPH SHEM ONYANGO (1936-2010)

2010-09-20T21:21:00.000+03:00

In the Blessed Hope: Fare Thee Well Pastor Onyango

------------------------------

Pastor Mwamukonda Wrote:

When death strikes it is unbelievable. When my wife Tabitha told me the sad news I received it with disbelief that Pastor Joseph Onyango the gifted preacher,a person perhaps who has joined many couples than anyone in Tanzania is no longer with us. It was not easy to fit into his shoes when I succeded him as a pastor in Mwanza in 1970. He was then married I was single. He was a good good speaker I was not as good as he was. He was more experienced I was just fresh from College. He was far better than I was. Yes Pastor has ended his earthly pilgrimage. His works shall follow him. Though he retired he was still active. In fact he died when he was on a mission. May the good Lord uphold the widow, children, relatives, friends and the adventist church in East Tanzania Conference and in Tanzania Union as a whole at this time of bereavement.

-----------------------------
Pastor B. Muganda Wrote:

When the untimely death of Elder Onyango occurred on Friday I happen to be in Morogoro on my vacation. I got the news within five minutes of his passing. This is another sad chapter in Tanzania Union, again another veteran giant is asleep in the Lord waiting for that glorious morning!

Yesterday I visited the family and offered words of encouragement as we reminded ourselves of the beauty of the "Blessed Hope"! At that time the family spokesman briefed those mourning with the family that due to late arrival of the beloved children from UK and other family members from Mara and beyond the borders of Tanzania and Kenya, the family has decided that the funeral will take place on this coming Thursday, September 23rd here in Morogoro.

I met Elder Onyango last week and he looked even younger than ever before. I joked with him if he would like to reenter the workforce and gave me his usual smile. Death is cruel!!!

Thursday night the late Elder Onyango gave a very powerful lecture on Family life at the ongoing Evangelistic program going on for the last two weeks. He concluded that evening's program with a very moving prayer.

On Friday, around 2pm Elder Onyango while crossing the road just a few hundred yards from his house near (White House bus stand - those from Morogoro in Kihonda) to catch a minibus to the main bus terminal for the bus to Dar es Salaam where he was scheduled for officiating a wedding on this Sunday was hit by a very fast moving motorcycle, and it appears he died instantly. Upon arrival at the Morogoro Regional hospital he was officially pronounced dead.

I thought it would be very unfair for me not to share the eye witness account when I am here in Morogoro.

Let us remember the family as they mourn the loss of their beloved Daddy and husband.

Hang in there ladies and gentlemen - we are indeed Wasafiri in this world - sooner very sooner we are going home! We are tired of seeing beloved ones leave us one at a time!

Yours in the Blessed hope!
-----------------------------
Elder B. Nyambita Wrote:

He Was Coming!!

It is now a history brethren,

He is the Lord's servant sent about two months ago to bring back the lost flock of TEGETA. The solid week of revival full of inspiration and sincere prayers that he committed church members into, will now and forever ring into our ears.

It was his last great mission in Dar es Salaam. He was among the pioneers of the SDA CHURCH in town and surely he came back to complete the mission.

The day of his death he was traveling for our great visitor’s day at TEGETA. He did not make it, we only have his name in our bulletins.

Oh Pastor!!
----------------------------
Doctor D. Sando Wrote:

He was a golden gift to a church that we could ask no more from GOD ! He was such a blessing and a prime example to our pastors and the church as a whole !

Its like sweet dream that is gone fast even before its morning ! And I started asking myself again this: Untill when my GOD !!! When is the end of this!

He was an inspiration to me and I have always liked his way of teaching and pastoring!

He is physically dead but will never go to seek him in his grave because he is living in our hearts. And we will always rejoice for he has fulfiled a bigger part of his eathly purpose !

I will surely miss him!

See him in the new earth where the power of death will be no more !

My prayer that his family will celebrate for the life that has contributed a lot and touch the souls of many.
-------------------------------
Sister B. Makaranga Wrote:

I can still hear his voice as he used to pause during his speech -----"ndiyo.....mmmmhhh!"

The last sermon with our Church(Mwenge) was emphasing the sacredness of the Sabbath day...... He really touched most of us(members).

In the afternoon he gave us wonderful words regarding Child rearing skills and Communication skills in general

ITS SO SAD AND ITS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT He is no more!

My sincere condolences to all the Thisdaso Associates.

Lets be faithful so that we meet him on that great morning!Its a spiritual challenge though!
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Brother M. Masatu Wrote:

Many many years ago, I am told, the late Pr. Shem Onyango was at the jaws of death following a serious disease he was encountering. He gave this testimony himself at a certain crusade that was conducted around Mzumbe area in Morogoro. For more details on the story you may wish to communicate with Kaka Rweyemamu Barongo who was attending the crusade. The late pastor witnessed that he prayed to God like never before, sometimes he did it overnight. At the end, there was a good "in the end" from God. He harkened unto his cry, and his health was restored. Nadhani wengi wetu tunaweza kuwa mashuhuda wa afya yake ilivyokuwa njema, irrespective of him being many years "young."

Sasa hebu fikiria: Mungu akamponya na hicho kilichokuwa kikimsibu na kuhatarisha afya yake lakini akaruhusu alale kirahisi namna hii, oooh, come on! Anyway, God's ways are not men's, and vice versa is also true. We can NEVER know Him enough.

Hebu na tuandae mapito yetu. Mara nyingi matukio kama hayo yanapotokea huwa yananiweka karibu zaidi na Mungu (I think it is because of humanity's hipocrisy [or mine to be precise]). Mwaka huu tulipoteza kijana mmoja hapa ofisini kwetu kwa ajali ya gari (alikuwa akivuka barabara). He was a lovable guy to almost everyone. Following the incidence, I was greatly disturbed kiasi cha kwamba hata nilikuwa nashindwa kuvuka barabara (I was taking a couple of minutes just crossing the road). Mwaka huu huu pia alifariki rafiki yetu mmoja ghafla tu bila sababu yoyote huku akimuacha mjane wa mwaka mmoja tu. Kwa kweli tulisikitishwa sana! And here Onyango joins!

I am surely sorrowful for our beloved pastor. May God give us all the necessary strengh, hope, and let the Holy Spirit help us to prepare our ways in every fraction of a second of our lives, as far as it is possible with us.
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Sister P. Samson Wrote:

SO SAD

Dear all,I am just writing this mail with tears flowing down my cheeks,PASTOR ONYANGO IS NO MORE.
Please pray for me,he was my good friend.
God bless you all
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Brother J. Sanawa Wrote:

These sad comments cannot pass by unnoticed. The old adage goes: Like Father - Like Son! Those of us who can remember well, this great Pastor had a great son who went on to become our Union Treasurer: Mr. Maxwell Onyango - who like the dad was killed in a bizzare road mishap!

Both of these potential great sons of mother Africa - one siring the other, have lived a fulfilled life but too short to call it a shot. We still needed them. How I wished that I could renew my matrimonial vows with Pastor Onyango at the helm of the affairs!

MAGOMENI CHOIR DAY/SIKU YA KWAYA

2010-09-03T12:38:00.000+03:00

This Sabbath (4 September 2010) is “Magomeni Choir Day”. Magomeni choir is ministering in both worship services at Magomeni SDA Church and also it has prepared special music programs in the afternoon from 2: 30 pm. You are all welcome to participate in this worship service dedicated to praise in songs, and don’t forget to come in the afternoon for the special choir programs.

Sabato hii (4 Septemba 2010) ni ‘Siku ya Kwaya Magomeni’. Kwaya ya Magomeni inahudumu katika ibada zote katika Kanisa la Waadventist Wasabato Magomeni na pia wameandaa vipindi vizuri vya mchana. Karibuni wote kwenye ibada ya sifa kwa njia ya nyimbo, pia karibuni mchana kuanzia saa 8:30 kwa ajili vya vipindi vilivyoandaliwa mahsusi kwa ajili ya siku hii.

ADDRESS/ANUANI
100 MKALAMA STREET/100 BARABARA YA MKALAMA
MAGOMENI MWEMBECHAI

EVANGELIST LEDMAN SHUSHA'S FAREWELL TESTIMONY TO THE CHURCH

2010-09-02T06:18:00.000+03:00

He passed away in his old age (80+) and was one of the pioneers of the gospel in the Usambara mountains, especially in Lukozi and all the surrounding areas. He spread the gospel till his death, till his final strength was exhausted.

He never bothered to wait for public evangelism, he never complained for financial support from his church for evangelism, he went with his own foot, going through valleys and hills; the present churches in those highlands are the harvest of the seeds he planted .

Though he died at night and buried the next afternoon, the multitude of people of approximately 800+ was there and the others, not even numbered, continued to flow; till I departed they were still coming to witness just even the grave.

In the last two months, he met all his friends, church officials, his daughters and sons (except those who were far, like me and my wife) and to all whom he met he gave a special Bible verse to remember and a church hymnal song to remember forever. Kila mtu alipewa lake [Everyone was given his/her own verse].

In the last three months, alianza kuchanganyikiwa na kupoteza fahamu kwa muda [he started to lose consciousness], but when he came back to his senses he told people that "nimeona umati wa watu wengi sana wamekuja hapa kwetu na wamekuja kwa ajili yangu" [I have seen a gathering of many people who have come here in our place for my sake].

To everyone he met, he mentioned all places that had not yet received the gospel, that he was unable to reach in the Usambara mountains. And he was sad for not being able to go there.

When he was taken to the hospital he called for a pastor but the pastor was not there, he said, "the gospel has not been preached yet in some places and I need to see the pastor". He asked for a piece of paper to write a message for the pastor, but his hands were not able to write and he slept.

Few moments before sleeping he said to all the people he met "Siogopi kufa, najua nitakufa, ila namwomba Mungu niwepo kwenye ufufuo wa kwanza" [I am not afraid of dying, I know I will die but I beseech God that I may be present in the first resurrection].

Brethren, huo utabaki kuwa ushuhuda wa milele katika mtaa wa Lukozi na milima ya Usambara. Je sisi tunafanyaje? [Ndugu that will remain to be an everlasting testmony in the Lukozi area and the Usambara mountains. As for us, what are we doing?] Have we really examined our christianity as God expect us to do??? Tangu nimetoka msibani sijisikii tena kulia[Since I came from the funeral I no longer feel like crying for] because I am sure he prepared his life for eternity.

Msisikitike kwa ajili yake, wala msisononeke kwa ajili ya upweke tulioachiwa sisi watoto wake, tuzililie nafsi zetu na familia zetu kwa ajili ya wokovu wetu" [Let us not saddened for his sake or be sorrowful because of the emptiness has has left us his children, let us wail for our souls na those of our families for the sake of our salvation]

* A Tribute by Bungayo Mayo

MLEE MTOTO KATIKA NJIA IMPASAYO

2010-08-25T17:54:00.000+03:00

Inapendeza kuonana na Dada Mage Mkutanoni Mabibo

Inafurahisha kukutana na Kaka Gadi Kanisani Magomeni

***

"Mlee mtoto katika njia impasayo, naye hataiacha hata atakapokuwa mzee" - Mithali 22:6

Free Prisoners of Hope (PoH) Publications

2010-08-19T07:51:00.000+03:00

Greetings!

We pray that this "rather late" edition of PoH finds you in good health. We have had a number of requests to make available previous copies of Prisoners of Hope. As such, we have posted them on the following site:

http://www.scribd.com/PrisonersOfHope

May God richly bless you.

Yours in Christ
PoH Team