KACHELBELA: Have you been Seeking for a Spectacular Manifestat...

KACHELBELA: Have you been Seeking for a Spectacular Manifestat...: Dear Diary, Have you been seeking for a spectacular or splendorous manifestation of God? What if you won’t see it? Marks of Matu...

Have you been Seeking for a Spectacular Manifestation of God?

Dear Diary,

Have you been seeking for a spectacular or splendorous manifestation of God? What if you won’t see it?

Marks of Maturing Faith

When I was a little girl and whenever I felt the sermon was ‘fire-fire,’ I’d get saved. When I was a teen I remember watching the Turning Point and/or 700 Club and I’d keep on the edge of the seat waiting for my name to be mentioned so that I can be sure God knows my name, LOL! In my early 20’s, I’d attend keshaz and revival meetings because I was looking for spectacular manifestation of God but most of the time I’d feel frustrated because the preachers never made those emotional prophetic declarations over my life. In fact the only time I was given a prophetic word, it was not spectacular nor was it in any of those hysterical moments. You can bet I doubted it because it didn’t feel spectacular.

 Let’s take Uncle Abraham as our example of growing and maturing faith. You and I know Uncle Abe’s faith was not flawless. Previously, God had disclosed Himself to Abraham in more splendour and glory. You know, in Gen 12:1, God had said to Uncle Abe “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I’ll show you.” Uncle Abe stepped out in faith and went, v.4. After parting company with lot, again God spoke to Uncle Abe, promising to give him countless offspring and land, Gen. 13:14-15. In a spectacular vision God came to Abe reassuring Him of His promise of offspring and land, Gen 15.  One more time in Gen. 17, God appeared and revealed Himself to uncle Abe as El-Shaddai (infinite/sovereign in power).  In Gen. 18, this time God would not have been known, except through previous knowledge of Him and the eyes of faith. While having a siesta at the entrance of his tent, appearing as an ordinary man God came to uncle Abe’s residence accompanied by two others (angelic beings), v.1-2. There’s seems to be nothing splendorous or spectacular to distinguish the three travellers. Abe’s siesta came to a halt in order to serve his guests. He rose up to welcome his guests; brought them water to wash their feet; provided them a shade to rest; prepared choice and sumptuous meal for them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree unaware of their identity, v. 3-8. As they ate, they made a promise to Abe that Sarah would have a son, v.18. At this, Abe must have clinched the identity of these three travellers. After the three visitors had had their fill and were about to leave, God revealed to uncle Abe His purpose to destroy Sodom. Abe began to boldly intercede with God for the city and the righteous, v.16-33.

Now, what’s the point of Genesis 18? The following are marks of mature faith:

Ø  There are many Christians who are perpetually at the mercy of on spectacular manifestation of God and when God doesn’t seem to show up their way, they get frustrated and. As you mature in faith, you are able to sense and see God’s presence all around you through the eyes of faith even without the splendorous manifestation.

Ø  Also, as your faith matures, you are able to shift your attention from self-centred attitude to others. You see, uncle Abe, halted his siesta to gladly serve three travellers. Not only did he refresh them, but he also gave them choice/high-quality service.

Ø  Mature faith is demonstrated in uncle Abe’s concern for the righteous in Sodom as reflected in his earnest intercession with God for their salvation.

Ø  As far as the prophesy that Sarah would be with a son in due time and also about the destruction of Sodom reminds me that the prophetic shouldn’t just fascinate and tickle our emotions but I believe God’s prophetic purposes is to stir us to action. Mature faith takes action.

Ø  In addition, as we mature in faith, we have a grasp on the greatness of God and His purposes. If you are apprehensive about a certain matter, remember that nothing is too difficult for God.

Yours faithful scribbler,

NzakuNashipae

KACHELBELA: Bouts of Disbelief and The Neon Lights of Shortcut...

KACHELBELA: Bouts of Disbelief and The Neon Lights of Shortcut...: Dear Diary, # Temporal_Bouts_of_Disbelief # The_Neon_Lights_of_Shortcut_Streets Don’t settle for less what God has intend ed for you. G...

Bouts of Disbelief and The Neon Lights of Shortcut Streets

Dear Diary,

#Temporal_Bouts_of_Disbelief
#The_Neon_Lights_of_Shortcut_Streets

Don’t settle for less what God has intended for you. God is infinite in power and faithful to do what He has said He will do.

Did someone say God’s delay is not necessarily denial? Oh diary, thank you for being kind to me. You always let me scribble in your pages my heart and you never complain. So, do you remember when I was a teen, I so wanted to get quite a number of things by my mid and late 20’s. You know, things like a hubby, 3 children, a busy bank account, a mansion, pets, LOL! My dreams are still valid though not for pets. Now, am in my third floor and some of these things are distant. Sometimes the neon lights of shortcut streets are very appealing though not more than what God can give in His time. I know from experience that long wait can make one vulnerable to frustrations and act in the flesh. Even when you are sure about God’s will for your life, it can be difficult to maintain patience. Listen, just like me, you have been waiting in God for something. Maybe, He spoke to you about it. But now, it feels like you have waited long enough; bouts of disbelief keep knocking at the door of your heart; maybe you already have plan B to speed up the fulfillment of the promise, DON”T take the shortcut, it'll backfire on you!

These past few days I have been journeying through the book of Genesis and it’s been very enlightening and inspiring. Uncle Abe’s experiences spoke to me in Genesis 12-18. So, in Genesis 12:1, God calls Abe to leave his country, people, and father’s household to the land God would show him. At age 75, uncle Abe stepped out in faith and obedience, v.4. God promised to give Uncle Abe’s offspring the land of Canaan forever. He also promised to make his offspring like dust of the earth, i.e. countless,” Gen 12:7; 13:15-16.

Years went and it seems the promise was distant away. But God came again to uncle Abe telling him, “Don’t be afraid. I am your shield and very great reward,” Gen 15:1. But this time Uncle Abe needed something more tangible rather than just a mere promise, so he said to God, “Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who’ll inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus? You’ve given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir,” v.2-3. The Sovereign Lord assured uncle Abe that a son, his own flesh and blood will be his heir. He went ahead to assure him that his offspring will in fact be like stars in the sky, countless, v.4-5. At that uncle Abe believed God, something that made him credited for righteousness, v.6.

Ten years later, nothing had happened. Hope was lost and so mom Sarai came up with an impressive idea, a surrogate mother for Abe’s child! This attempt to influence God’s fulfilment of the promise brought unforeseen strife. It became a source of contempt, pride, jealousy and blame, Genesis 16:1-16. At age 86, baby Ishmael was born to uncle Abe. But Ishmael wasn’t the son of promise.

After the rendezvous affair with Hagar; when Ishmael was 13yrs old, God graciously visited Uncle Abe, promising to honor His promise. He commanded him to walk before God and be blameless then He’d make a covenant with him, Gen. 17:1. God proceeded to affirm His promise of a son, “I will bless Sarah, (your wife) and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her,” v. 16. At this uncle had to cynically laugh, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?” v. 17. Seemingly, there was no hope, uncle Abe had built his hopes in Ishmael, and prayed that he might live under God’s blessing, v.18. God granted the request but made it clear that Ishmael wasn’t the one He’d establish a covenant with. He gave him assurance that Sarah would bear a son, his name would be Isaac. He’d be the one God would establish a covenant with, v.19.

Believe it or not, God wasn’t kidding! At 100yrs, God made uncle Abe a father to a baby boy, Gen. 21:1. That's precisely a 25 year wait! The bible states clearly that Sarah was past the child-bearing age, Gen 17:1. But who is God? Didn’t He introduce Himself to Abraham as the El-Shaddai, the one who is infinite in power? What is too difficult for Him? Gen. 17:1; 18:14.

You might be experiencing temporary spells of disbelief; I hereby want to encourage you not to take any shortcut. Ask God to renew your faith. It is also possible you have settled for less what God intends for you: maybe your circumstances are making you limit God. Listen, God is infinite in power and He is faithful to fulfill what He has promised, just walk before Him and be blameless as well as be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Walking before God and being found blameless requires faith, faithful obedience, perseverance and integrity.

Yours faithful scribbler,
NzakuNashipae.

KACHELBELA: Conflict Resolution

KACHELBELA: Conflict Resolution: Dear Diary, # Conflict_Resolutions # Skills_We_Need So, Yesterday I was leading a discussion in my Sunday School class about "Ski...

Conflict Resolution

Dear Diary,

#Conflict_Resolutions
#Skills_We_Need

So, Yesterday I was leading a discussion in my Sunday School class about "Skills we Need-Conflict Resolution Skills," based on the story of Uncle Abram and Lot in Genesis 13. Certainly, conflicts are inevitable. They come in different sizes and shapes. Depending on how the are solved, conflicts have the capability of making a person wiser and/or they can also turn out to be fatal.

We shared our personal experiences and the kids turned their attention on my conflict with a certain dear friend. You should have heard the counseling they gave me: some said, "Teacher Kachel, ask him for a date to talk over it, and make sure you pay the bills." On paying the bill, they said they'll pray for me to get money for that matter. Another one, "Teacher Kachel, buy him a bar of chocolate and a card." "Teacher Kachel, you can write him a love letter." On this one I Lol'ed. "Kachel, courageous ladies talk face to face, you can do that!" Eeh, these kidoz are mature than me!

In our discussion,we talked about the causes of conflicts and the skills we need to resolve them God's way:

So, what really causes quarrels and squabbles among people? From James 4:1-2, it is Selfishness.

How are we to handle conflicts? From Uncle Abram and Lot's story, we realized that we must approach each other with mutual love, humility and respect. If you approach a person you're in conflict with from a judgemental standpoint, the person might become defensive. This certainly makes it impossible to resolve conflicts. In addition, you must make an intentional decision/initiative to approach the person you're in conflict with. Many of us we prefer to wait for the other person to make the first move. We must always be consciously aware that non-believers are watching us. They want to see God in our conflict resolutions.

Philippians 2:3-5, tells us not to act out of selfish ambitions or vain conceit but in humility, looking out for the interests of others and have a Christlike attitude.

Are you in a conflicts, quarrel and squabbles with anyone? As you purpose to reach out, this is God's way to resolve conflicts: submit yourself to God. Ask Him for wisdom and grace to solve the conflict; resist the devil or the temptation to be unforgiving and bitter; repent of your selfishness which caused the conflict; be humble before God, James 4:7-10.

#Conflict_Resolution_Skills

Regards,
NzakuNashipae

KACHELBELA: In God's Boot Camp

KACHELBELA: In God's Boot Camp: Dear Diary, In God's Boot Camp, the drill sergeant, God Himself takes time to shape you. He can do the shaping using circumstances, c...

In God's Boot Camp

Dear Diary,

In God's Boot Camp, the drill sergeant, God Himself takes time to shape you. He can do the shaping using circumstances, consequences and people.

In God's Boot Camp obedience is a must. You must willingly submit yourself in the hand of the perfect and gracious Commander.

As a soldier in God's Boot Camp, you must realize that you're called in intelligent combat. Training disciplines are necessary.

In God's Boot Camp, the battle plan is spelt out; the enemies we are waging war against, their positions and ranks are specific-they're principalities, powers, rulers and wicked spirits in high places.

In God's Boot Camp, the weapons of our Warfare are not of this world. The nature of our weapons tells us a great deal about the nature of our Warfare and correspondes to the schemes of the enemy. The weapons of our Warfare are not conventional weapons like daggers, swords, guns, bows and arrows. In fact some are as bizarre as you can imagine, For example, a sling stone, shouts, trumpets, hornets, praise, the Word, the tongue, jawbone of an ass, and the armor of God.

In God's Boot Camp,
NzakuNashipae

© Jesus loves you

KACHELBELA: Connecting_Generations

KACHELBELA: Connecting_Generations: Dear Diary,  #Making_Cross_Generation_Disciples How can Baby Boomers, Gen. X, Gen. Y and the iGen connect; build mentoring relationships...

Connecting_Generations

Dear Diary,

 #Making_Cross_Generation_Disciples

How can Baby Boomers, Gen. X, Gen. Y and the iGen connect; build mentoring relationships and strengthen faith formation?

Two weeks ago I attended our church's (Friday 5:30pm-6:45pm) Bible Study. While lingering at the parking lot, there were two gentlemen of the iGen or ukipenda wale wa Gen Z catching up. I asked them if they're going inside church for the Bible Study. One of the gentlemen said, "Me niliattend ya youth jana. Hii ya leo ni ya wazae; mtu anafeel out of place huko ndani!" Ouch! Since then I have been thinking, how can the church connect generation gaps? Is it necessary to have cross-generation relationships and fellowship? Certainly yes!

My local church, PEFA Gikomba, just like most churches have separate services for children, teens and youths. This is great, but, what's the implication of separate services? Sadly, most times iGen don't attend corporate service, they prefer to come for their separate services (my personal observations).

The response from the young man led me to search to understand generation cohorts. A generation is a group of people born around the same time and place. People in specific generation cohorts exhibit similar characteristics, thought processes, preferences, values and expectations.

So, here are the generations I came across in the internet:
Traditionalists, born before 1945; Baby Boomers, born between 1946-1964; Gen. X, born 1965-1979; Gen. Y or the Millenials, born 1980-1995; Gen. Z or iGen 1996 and later.

I have observed that sometimes there's a prejudicial separation between the above generations. But, can the church build generation bridge and make cross-generation disciples? How can we build cross-generation mentoring relationships? What relevant messages can spark cross-generation life-changing conversations?

Yours faithful scribbler,
NzakuNashipae
© Jesus loves you