Can two walk together peacefully except they be agreed?

As usual, I love to use illustrations in my sermons and today I will focus on one of my personal relationships. I have a friend; we have a few 1,2,3... things we share in common. We love each other but there is something wrong with our relationship. First, we don't not communicate effectively. Second, mostly we do not agree. Of course, it is normal and natural not to agree on everything because we have different interests, preferences and personalities but at least I believe that there should be common goal and vision that we can agree on especially, so as to enhance our relationship and make it healthy and beneficial to each other.

One of the reasons my friend and I fail to agree is because, 1. We don't have mutual communion/fellowship. 2. We do not have concord. 3. We lack a common goal and vision. 4. We always fall out on the way and that leaves us feeling angry/bitter, frustrated, stressed and wasted. What follows next, we bitterly accuse each other but the sad thing is that we rarely addresses the issues. We rarely sit down to talk about the real issues that are making our friendship dysfunctional, we wait for time to pass, overlook the issues and assume nothing happened, in other words we bottle it up. After sometime we reach out to each other with 'sweet somethings' like 'hey, missed you. How yo' doing?" And move on as if nothing had happened. When another hiccup rocks our relationship, I end up opening the canned issues but still it gets us nowhere but only leaves both of us feeling angry and frustrated.

So where am I getting at with this "been on this Mount Kadesh Barnea for too long?" What is the problem with our relationship? Story for another day but let me explain something at this point.

Amos 3:3, two cannot walk to together unless they meet together, and appoint time and place, when and where they shall set out, what road they will take, and whither they will go; without such consultation and agreement, it cannot be thought they should walk together; and not amicably, unless united in friendship, and are of the same affection to each other, and of the same sentiments one with another; or it is much if they do not fall out by the way. The design of these words is to show, that without friendship there is no fellowship, and without concord no communion; as this is the case between man and man, so between God and man; and we should not expect that God should walk with us, and show Himself friendly to us, and continue His favors with us, when we walk contrary to Him; when we are so disagreeable to Him in our sentiments of faith, worship, and in the whole of our conduct and behavior. In our spiritual walk with God and communion with Him, agreement is requisite. God and man were originally chief friends, but sin set them at variance; a reconciliation became necessary to their walking together again; which was set on foot, not by man; but by the Lord, the offended party. Through Jesus' sacrifice and satisfaction, the agreement is made on the part of God, His justice is satisfied; but still it is necessary man should be agreed too. When the soul is reconciled to God's way of salvation, and loves the Lord, and delights in Him; and both being thus agreed,they walk comfortably together by faith, and in His fear, in the ways and ordinances of the Lord.

Oh God, help to always agree with you and walk with you in faith and faithfully.

Thank you,

Nzaku Nashipae Kachel

#‎WAIT_A_MINUTE!

#‎WAIT_A_MINUTE!
Wait?

Everyone has to WAIT-in queues, for exam/medical results, for deliveries, e.t.c. Above all else we must learn to wait on, in and for the Lord.

I have always had the privilege of working against traffic, so i do not wake up at 4 am so as to leave my house by 5 am to avoid being caught up in traffic (Thank You Lord). I don't understand how people survive in traffic for hours.... So,the other day i got caught up in traffic and it took me 45 mins in one spot and I decided my time was so precious than the 30sh I had paid. I decided to alight and try walking thinking I'll be faster than the matatu, just then, the traffic cleared! So I had to get into another mat and pay again- and there was no traffic ahead! To be honest, I don't like being kept on wait. I don't like it but I accept the fact that I must learn to wait.

When waiting, many things and changes (can) happen; attitudes,feelings and emotions are developed. As you wait you can choose to feel frustrated,angered,anxious and dismayed or you can choose to walk away or try helping God with weaving the tapestry of your life. In His lyrics, Donnie McClurkin encourages us "If you wait, wait, wait on the Lord.
And you'll see
He will always come through
Must, just, trust in Him
He will keep His word"

Psalm 130:5-6, "My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning." Watchmen wait for the dawn with anticipation. For them, the morning signifies their release from duty. Waiting on the Lord means you look to God with expectation and to eagerly anticipates what He is about to do. What you're waiting for is very important because it's what motivates you to wait. As you wait on God,you must surrender to His timing. As you wait,don't try to help God in weaving your life's tapestry instead worship and praise Him. Do not allow impatience and restlessness abort your miracle. Be expectant with confidence of fulfillment. Have hope. Have faith. Look to Jesus.

Isaiah 64:4, "God acts on behalf of those who wait for Him." Psalm 40, wait patiently for the Lord,He will turn to you. He will hear you.

1 Samuel 13:1-15, King Saul became impatient and restless then he offered unathorized burnt offering and as a result God rejected him and his kingdom did not endure.

Friends, it is worth waiting on God patiently.

"Wait with expectation
Wait with anticipation
Wait,I will worship You Lord
While I wait."

Regards,
Kachel

Inspired to inspire: The Extravagant Love that Makes us Acceptable

Inspired to inspire: The Extravagant Love that Makes us Acceptable: I always keep a notebook/diary in my handbag so that I can always scribble my thoughts, observations and illustrations that spice my sermon...

The Extravagant Love that Makes us Acceptable

I always keep a notebook/diary in my handbag so that I can always scribble my thoughts, observations and illustrations that spice my sermons.

This evening as I made my way to Greenspan,I saw a post on Harambee Sacco Estate gate that reads, "...no chokoras (street children)"

Of cos,this made me ask myself few questions? "Who are chokoras? Why is it that they are not allowed in the estate? When we see a chokora in our estates/neighborhood what comes into our minds? When those chokoras read that post,how do they feel?

Jeremiah 1:5, before conception in our mother's womb, God knew us and chose us for a specific task... Each individual has a destiny. At certain seasons of our lives people may/will reject us because of our present circumstances but if we keep our eyes on Jesus we will never be the same. God calls us to come to Him just as we are so that He can transform our lives and conform us to the image of His Son Jesus. He chooses us, not because we deserve. Not because we are clean and well kept but because of His love,grace and mercy.
John 15:16, "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. Verse 17. This is my command: Love each other." Jesus chose us because of His extravagant grace, love and mercy.

Amazing Love

I'm forgiven because you were forsaken
I'm accepted, You were condemned
I'm alive and well
Your spirit is within me
Because you died and rose again

Amazing love, how can it be?
That you, my king. would die for me
Amazing love, I know it's true
Its my joy to honor you
Amazing love how can it be?
That my king would die for me
Amazing love I know it's true
Its my joy to honor you
In all I do
I honor you

Regards

Kachel Nzaku

Having a Christ-like Attitude

Why/how do some married couples look alike? Are my observations valid? I have seen some married couples who look alike. There's a couple I know, everytime I look at them naona it's like wako related (brother-sister) or something! I asked someone why some couples look alike and she said, "It's because they've lived together for a long time and that they love each other intensely." I'll do my research and later on I will be here to give my findings, I'll be on the look out to see if after 5yrs or 30yrs of marriage (love) I'll look like my hubby.... Wait a minute, don't log off yet, I have a point.

What's my point? "Jesus called to Himself those He wanted, and they came to Him. He appointed the twelve-designating them apostles-that they might be with Him..." Mark 3:13-14. A few years later, the Sanhedrin were astonished at Peter and John's boldness and took note that these men had been with Jesus, Acts 4:13.

Have you been with Jesus? Do you have a Christ-like attitude/character? Do people recognize/take note that you have been with Jesus?

‪#‎Christ_Like_Attitude‬.
‪#‎I_Want_To_Be_Like_Christ‬
‪#‎VBS_LOADING‬ Pefa Gikomba

Regards,
Nzaku Nashipae

Small Fatal Errors.

Every time am marking my students' assignments,I notice some small mistakes that really leave me thinking deeply. Some students don't care about usage of punctuation marks and spellings. It reminds me of the many times I find myself apologizing to people over typo errors in my whatsapp chats-blame it on smartphone prediction!

As I was thinking over this, I remembered a story I read somewhere about the first American Venus rocket which was lost because of a computer mistake of using a period (.) instead of a comma (,)! The result shot the rocket at top speed towards populated areas,and it had to be destroyed mid-flight.

When it comes to personal integrity,small errors can be fatal to a leader's ministry. Never overlook the importance of small details. Titus 2:7-8; 2 Timothy 3:2-Live above Reproach.

Regards

Kachel

Inspired to inspire: The Quick Mart Life

Inspired to inspire: The Quick Mart Life: Wikipedia tells me that a Quick Mart is a convenient store that stocks a range of everyday items such as groceries, snacks, foods, toiletri...

The Quick Mart Life

Wikipedia tells me that a Quick Mart is a convenient store that stocks a range of everyday items such as groceries, snacks, foods, toiletries, soft drinks and alcohol drinks among other things. Such stores may also offer money transfers like MPESA. Mostly, they are located in urban areas especially busy highways/roads; some are located in gas/petrol stations. They have long shopping hours, some being open 24 hours. A few days ago, I was travelling along Kangundo Road when I saw a Quick Mart that had very enticing signboard with: Quick Liquor. Quick Money. Quick Bakery. Quick Motor. Quick Dairy. Quick Money. It made me think and ask myself, what if life is a Quick Mart? What if God is like a Quick Mart-giving us what we ask for ASAP? Often times, I realize am desperately in need of Quick Fixes. Sometimes am so impatient and as a result I end up being angry, stressed and frustrated.I would love to walk into a Quick Mart, do my shopping and see how the Cashier Lines are QUICK. 

Patience is a quality of being patient; quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered; diligence. The contemporary world wants everything QUICK. ASAP. INSTANTLY. MARA THAT THAT. And I must confess that I find it hard to “patiently wait”, in fact I get so angered, stressed and frustrated when I am force to wait. According to Galatians 5:22, Patience is a Fruit of the Spirit. But, you see, that patience doesn’t develop QUICK or overnight, we need God’s power and grace. We also need to realize that God may use trials, periods of long wait to perfect our patience; rest in His perfect will and timing. The true test of patience reveals our faith in God’s timing, omnipotence and love and in my opinion; the test is not about the SPEED- Ecclesiastes 9:11, the race is not necessarily to the swift. Hebrews 12:1 “...run the race with patience (endurance/perseverance) the race set before us.”This means that we must run the race patiently by persevering through difficulties towards a goal, enduring trials and expectantly waiting for a promise to be fulfilled.

As we wait on and/or in God, His grace is sufficient and in the end patience is rewarded, Lamentations 3:25; Psalm 40; James 5:7-8, 1; Hebrews 6:15; 12:2. For the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Learn to rejoice in the Lord always even as you wait in Him and seek His purpose-his purpose is for the sanctification of your character. Finally remember His promise, all things work for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes. Impatience only makes you angered, frustrated and stressed. Learn to wait patiently and with an expectation. Life is not a Quick Mart. God is not like Quick Mart giving us what we ask for instantly or quickly. We have to allow Him shape us even through waiting patiently.

Best regards,

NzakuNashipae

Inspired to inspire: LOVE WITHOUT LIMIT

Inspired to inspire: LOVE WITHOUT LIMIT: Have you ever questioned the love of somebody who is very important to you or tried to prove that you love somebody when they did not belie...

LOVE WITHOUT LIMIT

Have you ever questioned the love of somebody who is very important to you or tried to prove that you love somebody when they did not belief it?

A story is told of a young boy and a soldier who served in the army during the Boer War. The 12yr old born-again boy was assigned to a tent with godless soldiers. One day,a thief was traced to the tent& the colonel in charge issued his ultimatum to the whole camp,the culprit was given an opportunity to identify himself and take his punishment if he doesn't respond then the entire company would be punished with 10 lashes of whip upon bare back. But if one man would step forward to take th punishment,the rest would be spared. After a tense silence the bugle boy stepped forward and said,"Sir,I'll be that man."
With anger,the Colonel cried out,"How can you let an innocent lad take your punishment? No one moved!
True to his word,the Colonel order that the boy's back be bared and was whipped and he fainted beneath the bitter blows,suddenly the thief,one of the soldiers in the tent rushed from the ranks and shouted,"Stop! I'm the thief! I'll take my own punishment! Then the boy whispered,"It's alright. I'll take your punishment." And he did.

Personally,don't know if I can take your punishment no matter how much I say I love you. Love prompted Christ's incredible act of sacrifice and suffering on th hill of Golgotha. He was nailed on the cross and there He died!
That's love without limit. As those three hours of darkness drew to conclusion Jesus triumphantly proclaimed"IT IS FINISHED" John 19:30. The price of my/your sin has been paid. The sting of Satan the viper,has been de-fanged.

Easter is almost here,remember Jesus is th reason for the season.

‪#‎JesusLovesYou‬ never doubt that!
With love,
Nzaku Nashipae