KACHELBELA: The Rock and the Living Stones

KACHELBELA: The Rock and the Living Stones: Dear Diary, 1 Peter 2:4-10 In the OT and NT Jesus Christ is identified as the Rock/Stone. In Isa 8:14, He's the Stone and Rock t...

The Rock and the Living Stones

Dear Diary,

1 Peter 2:4-10

In the OT and NT Jesus Christ is identified as the Rock/Stone. In Isa 8:14, He's the Stone and Rock that causes men to stumble and fall. Isa 28:16, He's a tested Stone, precious Cornerstone and the one who trusts will not be dismayed. Ps 118:22, He's the rejected capstone. Dan 2:34, He's the supernatural Stone.

As you come to Jesus, you must come with an understanding that He's the Rock, the stable/firm foundation God is building His people and the perfect finish of the church, 1 Peter 2:4.

#The_Priority_of_the_Cornerstone

According to Wikipedia, "Capstone refers to one of the finishing or protective stones that form the top of an exterior masonry wall/building," and "Cornerstone/foundation/setting stone is defined as the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure."

• A cornerstone is a foundational stone that is placed first. By contrast, a capstone is usually the last stone placed in a masonry wall. It holds the completed walls in place. Jesus is both the Cornerstone and the Capstone, the foundation and the perfect finish that holds the building in place.
• Jesus promised to build His church on the Rock (Himself, Christ the Son of the Living God), Matt 16:18.
• Jesus the Cornerstone, is God's firm foundation, carefully chosen, precious, immovable, placed in a position. Whoever builds on this foundation will be established forever and will never be ashamed, 1 Pt 2:6; 1 Cor 3:20; Eph. 2:20.
• When anyone comes to Christ the Living Stone, he becomes a living stone too, and is added into the spiritual house to be a holy priesthood offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 2:5.
• The honor for Christians is linked to their union with Christ, v.7.
• Those who refuse to believe in the Living Stone, stumble nd fall, v. 8.

#The_Dignity_of_the_Church_Because_of_Her_Union_With_Christ, v. 5, 9-10.

• Chosen people: God Himself made the intiative to choose the church
• A royal priesthood: the church (you and I) have direct access to God, under obligation to live holy, to offer spiritual sacrifices, and to minister to others. 
• Holy Nation: God's set apart people
• People belonging to God: God owns you and I.
• To declare the praises of God/to make Him known: this is the purpose/goal of God's grace upon our lives

Yours faithful scribbler,

NzakuNashipae

KACHELBELA: Faith-Myopia/Near-Sightedness

KACHELBELA: Faith-Myopia/Near-Sightedness: Dear Diary, #Near-Sightedness #Far-Sightedness Hey diary, you remember sometime early 2015, April to be precise it was quite a sunn...

Faith-Myopia/Near-Sightedness

Dear Diary,

#Near-Sightedness #Far-Sightedness

Hey diary, you remember sometime early 2015, April to be precise it was quite a sunny afternoon- my eyes hurt! For some weeks, objects in the distant appeared blurry! I decided to check in at Optica to buy sun glasses so as to protect my eyes from the extreme sun. I spoke to the attendant and she suggested I first see an opthalmologist to be sure I don’t have any eye complications. I indulged and went through the usual eye examination then she pronounced me to be mildly near-sighted. I asked her to explain what that meant and the implications. She told me that short/near-sighted is a condition of the eye where light focuses in front of the retina causing causes distant objects to be blurry while close objects appear normal. Hehe, I sort of panicked and asked her some petty questions-I was particularly worried about going blind or something! She prescribed I wear glasses. April 2015 to today I have worn glasses Fast-forward, on December date twenty something I lost my glasses for the first time and I was depressed! I want to see far! I told myself I can do without them. Sure, I can! But I still visited Baus and go another pair!

What’s my point? Hellen Keller is quoted to have said/written, ‘The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” I add to her sentiments, the only thing worse than being blind is having sight but #Faith-Myopia! Recently, I have been involved with some people who don’t seem to see past their immediate surroundings. They don’t see the bigger picture; rather, they focus almost exclusively on the immediate. Spiritually, #Faith-Myopia victims tend to view God's truth through the lens of their own circumstances as opposed to viewing their circumstances through the lens of God's truth. Faith-myopia tends to view God’s truth through the tinted, blue or pink-colored lenses, they lack spiritual discernment. They walk in darkness, rather than in God's light.

If you are a Christians as I, we ought to be farsighted i.e., focused on the distant goal that lies before us, Philippians 3:13-14; 2 Cor 4:16-18. On the flip-side, we also ought to be focused on today, i.e., by not being excessively worried about tomorrow’s vanities. Allow God to take care of your immediate circumstances without losing focus on the main goal. Refuse #Faith-Myopia. See the distant future through faith lenses.

Yours faithful scribbler,

Nzaku Nashipae

KACHELBELA: #The_Privileges_and_Responsibilities_of_Salvation

KACHELBELA: #The_Privileges_and_Responsibilities_of_Salvation: Dear Diary, I am a born again believer. What about you? As the year began I found myself contemplating the privileges of salvation and ...

KACHELBELA: #The_Privileges_and_Responsibilities_of_Salvation

KACHELBELA: #The_Privileges_and_Responsibilities_of_Salvation: Dear Diary, I am a born again believer. What about you? As the year began I found myself contemplating the privileges of salvation and ...

#The_Privileges_and_Responsibilities_of_Salvation

Dear Diary,

I am a born again believer. What about you? As the year began I found myself contemplating the privileges of salvation and the responsibilities that come with it as gleaned from 1Peter 1:3-2:10.

1. God's plan of salvation

First, the nature of this salvation is according to God's mercy; Second, the source of salvation is God the Father; Third, this salvation is certain. It gives a living hope especially because Jesus resurrected from the dead. This living hope is an inheritance that cannot fade away/spoil/perish and it is preserved in heaven for God's people, v.3-4. Fourth, salvation has both present and future dimension, v.5, 9. Sixth, the nature of this salvation evokes praise to God the Father, v.3. Seventh, it was the subject of OT prophesies. Note, the content of the prophesies included the suffering and the glories of the risen Messiah, v. 10-11.

2. The imperative lifestyle of salvation, v. 13-25

A. A life of hope and holiness, v. 13-16
As a born again Christian, do not conform to the evil desires of the old nature, v. 14. The goal of our calling is to be holy as the One who called us is holy, v. 15-16.

B. Reverence fear before God
We are called to live in reverence fear remembering that the God who called us is both a Judge and a Father, v.17. In addition, as a born again live aware of the redemption price that Christ paid, v. 18-19

C. A life of love, v. 22-25,
In addition to living a life of holiness and hope and reverence fear before God, we are called to live a lifestyle of love, especially genuine/sincere love for fellow believers.

3. Growth in salvation, 2:1-10
As born again Christians, we are to strip off habits that do not conform to the lifestyle of salvation and be intentional about our spiritual growth. Like new born babies, we are to crave/yearn for pure milk, the an unadulterated word of God whose nutritious value makes us to grow in salvation.

Wow! You're reading this scribble and am wondering if you have received this privilege of salvation! If not, do so asap. If you have, do you know the responsibilities that come with this privilege? Do you live a lifestyle of hope and holiness? Do you reverence God? Do you love God? Are you growing in the lifestyle of salvation?

Yours faithful scribbler,
NzakuNashipae
© Jesus loves you

KACHELBELA: Man's Most Prized Object

KACHELBELA: #Mans_Most_Prized_Object: Dear Diary, # Mans_Most_Prized_Object Gold vs. Faith! If you want to know, walk around with unadulterated gold bling  # utajua_hujui...

#Mans_Most_Prized_Object

Dear Diary,

#Mans_Most_Prized_Object

Gold vs. Faith!

If you want to know, walk around with unadulterated gold bling #utajua_hujui! Through a fiery process, gold is purified. It is highly valued. I have heard countless stories about street thugs almost tearing (wo)men's fingers, ears, wrists and necks trying to take their golden ornaments. Why? The value placed on the golden ornament! Do we believers value FAITH more than we value other most prized perishable objects? Come with me to 1 Peter 1:7-9

Though extremely durable and valued, gold belongs to a temporal and perishable world-order compared to FAITH which is of greater worth than gold. Firstly, FAITH is purified in the tests of life, lasts longer and God puts a stamp of approval on the FAITH that's been tested and proved genuine. Tested and proved FAITH results in praise, glory and honor of God.

Secondly, genuine FAITH is directed toward Jesus Christ. Though we do not see Him now in person, we love Him and, believe in Him.

Thirdly, genuine FAITH *produces* inexpressible joy.

Ultimately the goal/consummation of FAITH is the SALVATION OF THE SOUL (whole person) in the future dimension.

Have a faith-filled year.

Yours faithful scribbler,
NzakuNashipae

KACHELBELA: Does Your Faith Expect Results?

KACHELBELA: Does Your Faith Expect Results?: Dear Diary, # Prayer_Without_Faith # The_Acts_Twelve_Challenge Am not sure if am the only one who's a victim on this..., have you ...

Does Your Faith Expect Results?

Dear Diary,

#Prayer_Without_Faith
#The_Acts_Twelve_Challenge

Am not sure if am the only one who's a victim on this..., have you ever prayed for something earnestly and God answered but you found yourself doubting the answer to the prayer!

In Acts 12, we see that Herod had arrested and killed one of the apostles- James. Peter too had been put in prison awaiting his execution but the church prayed earnestly for his release. So, the angel of theLord delivered Peter from the chains and he came to the house of Mary the mother of John Mark where the church was praying for his release. When he knocked at the door a damsel by the name Rhoda went to get the door but upon hearing Peter's voice she ran back with gladness to inform the rest of the prayer warriors that Peter was at the door but gues what! They thought she was mad and didn't believe that Peter had been released in answer to their prayer, v.12-17. Now, am wondering kwani what did this fellas expect? Did they really have FAITH or was it an aimless prayer?

Dear friend, as you pray, HAVE FAITH. Don't just make aimless prayer but trust God for results. Remember FAITH is an assurance and evidence of things hoped for.

Have a faith filled year.

Yours faithful scribbler,
NzakuNashipae

KACHELBELA: #The_Titus_Two_Challenge

KACHELBELA: #The_Titus_Two_Challenge: Dear Diary, #The_Duty_of_the_Gospel_Minister #Teach #Encourage #Rebuke Whose responsibility is it to teach older men, older women...

#The_Titus_Two_Challenge

Dear Diary,

#The_Duty_of_the_Gospel_Minister

#Teach #Encourage #Rebuke

Whose responsibility is it to teach older men, older women, young men and young women right living that goes along with true Christianity?

Am not sure if I am the only concerned about the teachings we are receiving from our pulpits including the #TV_Pulpit. As I was studying the epistle to Titus, I felt challenged, as gospel ministers, what and how should we teach various social groups in the church? While others are teaching prosperity, legalism and fables, here’s an imperative command that Apostle Paul gave Titus, “To speak/teach things which are proper for sound doctrine (right living that goes along with true Christianity,” Titus 2:1.

#What_to_Teach_Older_Men, Titus 2:2

So, Pastor Titus must approach older men with humility, love and wisdom and teach them to be: temperate/sober, worthy of respect, self-controlled; stable in faith, in love and endurance.

#What_to_Teach_Older_Women, Titus 2:3-4a

Ah, in like manner Pastor Titus is to approach older women with love and wisdom and teach them to be: respectful in the way they live, not to be slanderers and addicted to much wine.

#What_to_Teach_Younger_Women, Titus 2:4b-5

Now, this is not the responsibility of Pastor Titus to teach younger women. But why, isn’t he the pastor? Eh, story for another time. But the older women whom Pastor Titus has empowered and equipped are the ones to teach the younger women. Interesting! What are they to teach them? The older women are to teach the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to be chaste/pure, to be discreet, to be homemakers, to be kind, and to be obedient to their husbands. Clearly, women have a strategic position of influence in the home. Love for the husband and children must be taught! Paul makes an emphasis that by teaching and adhering to the above the word of God will not be blasphemed.

#What_to_teach_Young_Men, Titus 2:6-8,

Similarly, Pastor Titus is to approach young men with love and wisdom, encourage and teach them to be sober-minded, i.e. to take life seriously. With these ones, he must set a practical example for them in all things. In addition, Pastor Titus has to show integrity in his doctrine, seriousness and soundness of speech. By setting such a practical example, his accusers will be embarrassed because they have nothing bad to say about him.

#What_to_Teach_Slaves, Titus 2:9-10

Likewise, Pastor Titus has to approach the slaves with wisdom and love and teach them to be obedient and submissive to their masters, not pilfering/stealing from them but show that they can be trusted. By so doing, they’ll make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.

Je, wanaume wazee wanajikosea heshima kwa sababu hawajapokea mafunzo halisi? Je, wanawake wanafahamu sehemu yao katika jamii? Je, nani atakaye wafunza wanawake wachanga jinsi ya kutunza jamii?

Dear Gospel Minister take note of your duty. You are directed to teach, encourage and rebuke with all authority and live in such a way that no one will despise you, Titus 2:15.

Yours faithful scribbler,

NzakuNashipae