Newfrontiers Marches Forward into Multiplication

Article by Terry Virgo.........

Ephesus

  Worth the read.....

15th October 2012 will prove to be a significant date in the evolution of Newfrontiers. It marked the beginning of our first international gathering following the closure of Together On a Mission in Brighton, which had previously been our annual international conference. Now pruned back from 4500 to approximately 450 senior leaders from many nations, gathered to a hotel in Turkey. Wendy and I arrived a little early and I had the joy and pleasure of speaking at the Newfrontiers church in Izmir, LightHouse Church, now gathering apporximately 220 people. Among the first people that I met were two men from Mongolia, who were there because they had travelled to Turkey for our Newfrontiers Leaders Conference. Mongolia! Who would have dreamed when we started planting churches in Sussex, in the mid '70s, that we would be drawing men from Mongolia to our Leaders Conference!   Following an excellent time with the church in Izmir, we went to the hotel where hundreds of very dear friends of mine, had travelled many miles, some from the Americas, some from Australasia, many from the UK and European nations; indeed 46 nations of the 60 which we have penetrated were represented. It proved to be a remarkable time. Simply to be with so many friends was a joy and delight in itself. We hardly needed to have meetings in order to be blessed. As it is, we had a program which gave us two full morning sessions, a relaxed early afternoon, a late afternoon session, and plenty of time for eating and relaxing together and most of all talking as friends and sharing news. Edward Buria started the preaching program with a word exhorting us to proceed into the future with faith. He was followed by the incomparable Bob Roberts from Dallas, Texas, a truly remarkable man with an amazing vision and extraordinary fruit to back up what he has to say. We had heard him before but to be honest, I had never heard him better! He was electric and the timing of his coming could not have been better as we press forward into international mission. The preaching program was interspersed with brilliant interviews with people on the cutting edge of our gospel outreach into the many nations of the world, some too secret to comment on here. How proud we were of our friends: husbands and wives with little children pressing out to the regions beyond in the name of Jesus. The interviews were superb. Four alternative training tracks covered very diverse programs, all of which were profoundly appreciated.   I personally gave a talk based on John 20:21 'as the Father sent me, so send I you'. I was stirred by the wonder of the incarnation and the breathtaking sending of the Son of God Himself. How could we be sent like Him? I found that God directed me to Jesus' words; 'I send you as sheep to wolves, be wise as serpents, innocent as doves'. Wolves hardly look like subjects for conversion and if one had aspirations to see them converted, one would hardly send sheep for the task, (in Luke, 'lambs'). Yet Jesus sees His disciples going in this manner.   What are they armed with? Jesus says we advance with wisdom, that is a wisdom foreign to this world, that comes down from heaven and is revealed through a cross. He also says 'be innocent as doves'. God sends us out with the mighty weapon of innocence. Paul stood before Agrippa claiming to have always walked with a good conscience. Stephen, as the wolves devour him, has the face of an angel and his wisdom could not be withstood. As he is devoured, I am reminded of the phenomenal words of Jim Elliot; 'he is no fool who loses what he cannot keep, in order to gain what he cannot lose'. This is truly wisdom from heaven.   Jesus then blows upon them and says 'receive the holy spirit'. How we need to know His constant infilling, empowering and impartation of ability. David Devenish gave a superb word about the relevance of contextualisation of the gospel, as we break into many diverse nations. It was a grown-up word for a movement that continues to grow up! Finally, PJ Smythe gave a magnificent teaching based on the opening verses of Colossians 1. He explicitly taught from the text, giving full weight to every word, phrase and apostolic expression. He spoke with awesome authority and gave me a huge sense of peace and joy as I look to the next generation emerging to take forward the work of Newfrontiers into the future.   It was an awesome conference and I rarely use the word 'awesome'. How I thank God for His breathtaking kindness to us now over decades, and how excited I am about the future that lies before us. To meet with men from Bolivia to Mongolia, from Seattle to Sydney was a joy and delight, and to know them as my personal friends adds a pleasure hard to be descried. I can't wait for the next time that we are called together, but I continue to pray that God will make us a witness to the glories of Christ, to the nations of the earth. Permalink .

Stronghold of Passivity/Fatalism by Sam Poe

Recap: Satan gets into our lives by us believing lies through culture and habitual sinning. We come to believe a lie because we’ve been deeply sinned against. They form strongholds in our lives. The enemy can influence us even though we are Christians. We need to believe God’s word. It exposes the lie and can be demolished.

Sam went on to recap the story of Adam and Eve. Eve ate the fruit in the presence of Adam who did nothing. This is a sexist statement but passivity is found mainly in men. They struggle with it. Adam fell into this in the Garden of Eden when Eve ate the fruit. Satan was lying to Eve and tempted her to eat the fruit. She was seduced by the lie and what did Adam do? He didn’t do anything. He was watching the whole thing. That is passivity in a sinful way. Why didn’t he do anything?

Men are called to be leaders and to take the lead lovingly in families, to lead their wives and protect them. Sometimes men have a huge battle here and can fall into one of two things:
1. They abuse their wives in a bid to show their authority.
2. When they should take the lead lovingly, they do nothing.


Men are made to be problem solvers. When he can fix a problem, he does it and feels good. When a man faces a problem he doesn’t know what to do, instead of taking the lead, he does nothing. Adam wasn’t sure what to do. He is confused and doesn’t do anything. It’s the worst decision he could have made, Almost anything would have been better than nothing.

Men, as leaders, if you don’t know what to do, ask God for wisdom and DO something. The stronghold of passivity is a problem. Men are called to be leaders of their families, leaders of the church and the enemy knows this. The enemy brings in lies and this breeds fear in the heart. Men think they no matter what they do, it won’t make a difference. This is the lie of fatalism. It can develop early from the culture we grow up in.

James 4:7 – 8a “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you,…..”
We can submit to God and resist every evil spirit that is not of Him. We need to trust God and have confidence in Him who has given us all authority to cast out evil spirits. As Christians we have choices: we choose to follow God, we choose to resist the devil. We can no longer claim that the spirits made us do certain things because this is a lie. It’s important to see that God has given us authority Luke 10:20. We go through battles in this life, difficulties, circumstances that can discourage us but we need to ask God for wisdom and find a way forward.


Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

summarised by molly manhanga

Gardening Delights pt 5

 
Some colour, life, beauty is finally coming back to my garden. Smiles all round......


By Molly Manhanga

The Five Family Values pt 1

Stephen sharing God's word

Stephen is taking the church through "The Five Family" values at the moment. These values are:

1. Everyone in family
2. Committed couples
3. Valued children
4. Sexual purity
5. Christ centredness

We focused on 'Everyone in Family' last Sunday. The scriptures we read were:
Joshua 7:18
Exodus 20:10
Isaiah 58:7
1 Timothy 5:8 & 16
Psalm 68:5 - 6
2 Thessalonians 3:10

Everyone in a family means all of us: husband, wife, children, animals, extended family and so on.We all come together. The focus this time round was on the key scripture - Joshua 7 and Stephen shared about Achan. In v 20, Achan says; "And Achan answered Joshua, 'Truly I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and this is what I did..................................................I coveted them and took them. And see, they are hidden the the earth inside my tent, with the silver underneath........." v 25 "And Joshua said, 'Why did you bring trouble on us? The Lord brings trouble on you today.' And all Israel stoned him with stones. They burned them with fire and stoned them with stones......."

Sin before God is serious and when He deals with sin, it is serious. Sometimes we don't take God's word seriously and we follow other things. Sometimes, in order to justify what we do, we 'change' God's word to suit us. Stephen encouraged the folk to look after their family. He said one of the positive things in African culture is that we look after the elderly, the orphans, the widows etc, and
there is a sense of community. Stephen also encouraged people to invite each other into their homes.


Next week we will look at "Committed couples".......

Testimony - Kwazinkosi Nyoni

Kwazi Nyoni

It was great catching up with Kwazinkosi on Sunday and listening to her testimony. Here goes:

I have been attending Crossroads since 2008. it had helped me and my family to have joy because we now know God. We are now close as a family and with our relatives. Our son Gift enjoys coming to church and playing with other children. I am growing as a christian and I enjoy reading my Bible and praying. We pray together as a family.

Before, I used to stay at home........

By Molly Manhanga

Clothes distribution at Crossroads

A huge Thank You goes to my sister as well as Claire Biggs who attends New Creation Church, for the clothes and shoes they donated to Crossroads. What a joy to be able to bless the children and ladies.......

By Molly Manhanga

The magnetism of Christ pt 1

Christ has a magnetic attraction. He draws us to Him........



Luke 8: 22 - 25"One day he got into the boat with his disciples, and he said to them, 'Let us go across to the other side of the lake.' So they set out, and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a wind storm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, 'master, master, we are perishing!' And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was calm. He said to them, 'Where is your faith?' And they were afraid,and they marveled, saying to one another, 'Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?'"

Chickens collected from Crossroads site

It has been a bit of a learning experience for us at the Crossroads site as the guys reared just over 2000 chickens. We've had about 190 mortalities which is not bad and despite some of the chickens being slightly underweight in weeks 3 and 4, they picked up weight in weeks 5 and 6!

1,670 chickens were collected from the Crossroads site yesterday and there were 19 additional mortalities. Some chickens were left at the site.

By Molly Manhanga

Storeroom almost complete

The storeroom at the Crossroads site is almost complete. The door and window panes still need to be done.

By Molly Manhanga

Update on Beyond Belief with Mqondisi Moyo

Mqondisi Moyo is based at Mapisa and he works closely with Stephen Manhanga. This is what he had to say:

• The farmers at Mapisa have planted 5.6 hectares of onions and 3 hectares of tomatoes so far. They are preparing for the next 1.5 hectares of tomatoes.
• We are working with 56 farmers for tomatoes and initially, 26 farmers for tomatoes

Challenges faced at Mapisa:

1. Pests and Disease: An outbreak of cut worm on the onions which resulted in some farmers becomeing demotivated.
2. Seedlings: Getting the seedings on time which affects the planting on time.
3. Weeds: Some farmers are struggling to keep up with the weeding and so somecrops have been affected.
4. Negligence: Some farmers haven't taken care of their seedings resulting in them dying.
5. Water: Water problems due to electricity load shedding and this has resulted in more seedlings dying.
6. Team: some farmers don't like working in team. They'd rather be independent. 

Generally the crops are looking okay. Some farmers are really encouraged with the onions. They didn't think they'd get to the stage of actually planting onions.

Mqondisi is enjoying his work despite the above challenges. He feels God has called him to the work that he is doing.

By Molly Manhanga

Cyber-bullying pt 2

What motivates cyber-stalkers or cyber-harrassers?

1. Envy and jealousy
2. Wanting to control your emotions
3. Pathological obsession (professional or sexual)
4. Intention to intimidate and cause others to feel inferior
5. Instill fear in a person to justify his/her status
6. Belief that they can get away with it (anonymity)
7. Personal dislike
8. Wanting to destroy friendships
9. To escape their own problems
10. To make themselves popular

The target is commonly someone whose life the stalker sees or senses elements lacking in their own life.

So what do you do if you are being stalked? Some things are:

• Pray and tell a trusted friend
• Get support from your family
• Block cyberbullies/stalkers from your phone or webpages etc
• Don't respond to the cyber-bullies messages
• If you feel at all threatened, take protective action and go to the police. There are consequences of law in online stalking.
• Find people who share your values and interests

Can christians cyber-stalk? Yes they can. Ultimately, we trust God and know that the battle is His, not ours and nothing is hidden from Him. With God on our side, things will work out...........


Compiled by Molly Manhanga

Spiritual Well-Being by Angus Buchan (iii)

Angus Buchan

 

Use what you have

 

I was reminded again how many times in the Bible ordinary working men and women are used by God to assist His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ on His mission here on earth. There’s Joseph. He wasn’t a high priest, but a carpenter. There’s the 12 disciples the Lord chose to do his work on earth when our Saviour was raised from the dead. Each was a worker.

 

As I said before, God is no respecter of people. And many times in the Bible, He uses men of the land. Farmers like Abraham, shepherds like David; and we hear a lot about the seed sower and the ploughman.

 

I think so often we underestimate ourselves, especially when we expect certain roles to be undertaken by the clergy. I remember somebody telling me once that shepherds look after sheep, but it’s sheep that produce sheep. In other words, it’s up to people like you and me, to tell others the good news and to direct them into the body of believers. The minister/priest/pastor will take care of the new lambs…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

 

We need to be real. People want real answers, and they want solutions to real problems. The time of ‘playing church’ is over – especially when you consider how many people in the secular world are looking for help. I really feel that we need to step forward. We need to fill this gap for our nation.

 

Just recently I’ve had the responsibility of comforting those who have lost loved ones in farming accidents. I’ve walked that road myself and I really do understand what lies ahead for these people and I think when they come to see me they know that I know.

I don’t speak very much, because there isn’t a lot to say, but I do weep with them because I really feel for them. And unless you’ve actually been there, it’s very hard to understand what a person is going through.

And in the world at large, people don’t want theory, they don’t want to be ‘Bible-bashed’, they want the truth, and they want it from people who have been there.

 

Don’t underestimate your ‘training’. You might have gone to a theological college, but you might have been to the school of life, the school of hard knocks. Use what you have for the Lord.

 

Kidz Alive event......



Simanga (left), Lorator (middle), Primrose (right)

It was great combining the Kidz Alive event with the once a month “Share a Meal” for the 65 children who turned up.

Rice, beans, cabbage and carrots

The morning started bright and early for the facilitators, Simangaliso Ndlovu, Primrose Sibindi and Lorator Nyathi. They started preparing a meal for the Kidz at 6:00am. The menu was slightly different to the norm of sadza and a relish. The facilitators cooked rice, beans, cabbage and carrots. The children enjoyed their meal so much and thanked the facilitators for cooking such a delicious meal.

Kidz Alive on a Sunday morning

Simangaliso then continued Chronological Bible Storying and told the children how we got the Bible. They listened carefully, understood it and answered many questions correctly – including some of the tiny tots.

Simanga telling the Kidz a story from God's word

They then feasted on biscuits and juice before running around playing soccer. The children seem to love these times together where they can share a meal, listen to a story from God’s word before playing games. 

We are planning a schools outreach soon……..  

By Molly Manhanga

The law of magnetism by John C Maxwell

John C. Maxwell

In short:

1. In the law of magnetism, you attract people who are like you - like begets like.
2. "A team should be an extension of the coach's personality........."
3. The first person to lead is yourself. What and who are you on the inside?
4. Who you are is who you attract.
5. The culture of the organisation determines the people you attract.

Key areas:

• Mission - attracts a certain type of person.
• Priorities - will be seen in the people.
• Age - People may group together by age.
• Values - high values add value to people. take people to a higher level.
• Background - same background.
• Attitude - attract people based on attitude.

Who am I? What qualities do I possess?

Remember: You'll attract people just like you.

Beyond Belief Training with Stephen Manhanga pt 2

Stephen Manhanga

The team watched a Leadership talk by John Maxwell from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. I really liked the topic which was on:
.
....Intuition

1. The Law of intuition allows you to see and sense things faster than others.
2. It gives you a head start. Its like a leadership jumpstart to get to the finish line. It's not about being the fastest leader but its about being first.
3. Intuition is important. Its about who you are and this determines what you see. We see by who we are. e.g. if you don't know what to say, communication is not your gift.
4. Key point: You are inituitive in the area of your gifting.
5. Leaders are readers of situations and people:

• Leaders see people and where they are.
• Leaders see opportunities coming.
• Leaders see the environment: whats happening and they can feel things.
• Leaders are aware of the timing: cease the moment or know when to let it go.
• Motives
• Leaders see the future : sense what is happening.
• Placement of people
• Leaders see the process: the process takes time. 

Team discussions

Key: If you are intuitive: Hang out with people who are intuitive. Whatever your strength is, there your intuition is.


The team then discussed how to improve their communication, how to help the farmers, contracts and so on before they spent time in prayer.

By Molly Manhanga

Cyber - Bullying

It was interesting reading up on cyber-bullying. It's a huge subject to deal with but I'll touch just a little on it!

1. It's quite a common thing that affects young people it can be pretty detrimental to them.
2. Adults too can cyber-bully and it's met with the definition of cyber-harassment or cyber-stalking.
3. So what exactly is cyber-bullying?  It is defined as the use of technology to harass, threaten, embarrass or target another person. We are so connected in this digital age that bullies have this new weapon to torment their targets.
4. Cyber-bullies, like any bully, want to feel power and control over their target. They want to get under their targets skin.
5. Although they hide behind their computers and behind a veil of anonymity, the target usually knows who the cyber-bully/ies are. It's people they know and spot them quite easily through text messages, tweets, emails or Face Book.
6. Bullies suffer from low self-esteem and they want to feel better about themselves. Instead of doing something positive, they have made themselves feel better by controlling and tearing down others. This gives them a sense of power,  especially when its known to others.
7. Some cyber-bullies resemble stalkers when they make it their business to find out personal details including email addresses, mobile phone numbers, facebook pages etc. They can pretend to be someone that they are not in order to get a response from their target.
8. Cyber-bullies try to wear people down by continual harassment. They are totally convinced that they are right and make it their personal mission to find others faults.
9. They generally avoid face-to-face contact.
10.  Cyber - bullying is not acceptable.


As christians, what do we do if we are being cyber-bullied? Read on to find out more........

Compiled by Molly Manhanga
 

Beyond Belief Training with Stephen Manhanga

Steve with the team in our home



Mcebisi Ncube (left) and Mqondisi Moyo (right) having a quick 'cuppa' tea

It was great seeing the team that works with Stephen at our home this morning. The four are Sithabiso Tshuma, Lorator Nyathi, Mqondisi Moyo and Mcebisi Ncube. After a very quick breakfast, they headed off for 30 minutes training with Peter Cunningham before going to the Market in Bulawayo with Steve. They will be back here before lunch where Stephen will do more training on contracts, systems that best suit them as a team, possibly watch a leadership training tape by John Maxwell (time permitting) and looking ahead.

Stay tuned for more.......

By Molly Manhanga

Lorator Nyathi (left) and Sithabiso Tshuma (right) reading the contracts

Stephen Manhanga at Crossroads......

Stephen Manhanga with Pretty Ndlovu translating

Last Sunday Stephen shared about the story of Samson with the folk at Crossroads while I started Chronological Bible Storying with the children. We looked at the 'Creation of the World'.

We are hoping to have our Kidz Alive event this Sunday.



By Molly Manhanga

Storeroom being built.....

 

Another storeroom is being built at the Crossroads site which will help storing pig feed and possibly tools......

By Molly Manhanga

Demolishing Strongholds - Sam Poe pt 3

Sam Poe

Stronghold of Tribalism/Racism

Sam told the story of Jephthah from Judges 12:1 – 7. Jephthah was one of the judges in Israel. The story is set in the day of Judges when everyone was doing what was right in their own eyes. We read of how 42,000 Ephriamites died in the conflict and aftermath. It’s a sad story of tribal hatred that broke out amongst close tribal peoples in Israel.

It started out with pride and the problem of arrogance. Hatred grew until civil war broke out. God ordered it that we are part of a people group and culture. Every tribe, people group, nation and so on is valid. God wants a people group, he wants to save people groups and it will be pretty colourful in heaven.

Tribalism/racism isn’t the problem but it’s the arrogance that says “we are superior to you” and it grows derogatory.


Words like barbarian – a Greek word that is derogatory to cultures that couldn’t speak Greek or Latin and made fun of them. The travelling people were looked down upon. The Greek culture had a stronghold of “civilized and uncivilized” which is inappropriate. Who decides what or who is civilized or uncivilized? So-called “civilized” nations have done atrocious things.


How do we demolish the stronghold of tribalism or racism?
God’s purpose is to create one new man and to create peace. He delights in certain parts of all the cultures. Colossians 3:11 “…where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.” All languages will be represented in heaven. What is the splendor of the nations and languages in heaven? ALL have expressions and beauty that glorify God. This revelation will demolish the stronghold. Revelations 21:24 “And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their and honour into it.”

Summarised by Molly Manhanga

Three men in the burning Furnace - By Scott Marques

River of Life Eastlea

It was excellent visiting River of Life Church Eastlea, Harare last Sunday. It was great seeing old friends again. The praise and worship was wonderful and the atmosphere seemed so light and free. It felt like we had never left!! A few young people went through the waters of baptism before Scott Marques shared from:

Daniel 3:19 - 26 "Then Nebuchadnezzer was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated 7 times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in the army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the burning furnace. So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, trubans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. The King's command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and these three men firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.
Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, 'Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?' They replied, 'Certainly, You majesty.' He said, 'Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like the a son of the gods,' Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, 'Shadrach, Meshach and Abednigo, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here" so Shadrach, Meshach and Abednigo came out of the fire."




Young people getting baptised

Some points from this message:

1. The Bible is full of truth.
2. We live in a world that has huge pressures. The world is like the firey furnace.
3. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were in the world.
4. King Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury and his expression changed. 
5. Mighty men were ordered to bind up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the burning furnace. The flames were so hot that they killed the soldiers who took the 3 men to the furnace.
6. v24 "Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, 'Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?'
7. v 25 "he said, 'Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.'
8. Jesus allows us to go through the fire unbound and unburnt. There is a way. It wasn't only the 3 men but there was a fourth and that man was Jesus. He will take us through the fire.
9. In the world you will have trouble but God says He will be with us. The world is one of the toughest places to be.
10. v27 " ........the hair on their heads were not singed......

Going through the Waters of Baptism

Scott encouraged people to be radically obedient and not bow down to idols. Our decisions are Jesus and His will. Our motivation is Him. I will stand because this is what Jesus wants me to do.

1. In the workplace - businessmen, teachers etc, what are the employees saying about the boss and visa versa. We need to be transformed and smell of Jesus.
2. Let your good deeds so shine....... Everyone is watching you. Don't fear the enemy or man but keep your eyes on Jesus. 

Summarised by Molly Manhanga





Demolishing Strongholds - Sam Poe pt 2

Sam Poe

We recapped Romans 12:1 and Philippians 4:13. Sam encouraged us to memorize James 4:7 – 8a, Luke 10:20 and 1 John 4:18.

We then looked at the Stronghold of serving mammon. Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”

It’s impossible to serve God and money. The stronghold of money means to serve money as the supreme thing. Some say it’s a problem of the rich but, it’s also a problem of the poor. The rich hold on to it. It becomes an idol as they believe money is an assurance for their future; it will care for them and meet their needs. The poor will try to get it because they believe that money will meet their needs. Money fails and it can lose its value. When Jesus used the word mammon to describe money, He was speaking about a demon spirit. Behind the love of money, there is an evil power which leads to destruction.

 

Sam told the story of Judas when he betrayed Jesus. Although Judas was one of Jesus disciples, he loved money more than Jesus. It was the love of money that caused Judas to betray Jesus and this love of money eventually destroyed him. Only God can take care of us and give us the assurance that our future is safe. When we look to money for security, when we worry about the future and where it will lead us, when we want what other people have and get caught up in covetousness, when we get greedy or have our identity in being successful by having lots of things or looking good for the neighbours and so on, we are falling into the stronghold of mammon.

How do we demolish this stronghold?

Be generous and give to others what we have. Be willing to share - Practice sharing our belongings with others, give money away, help someone in real need. This can break the stronghold. Money says: “You need me, hang onto me, get as much of me as you can.” We can break this by being generous and making money serve us, making it become our servant. We need the attitude of looking at the eternal and seeing our life in light of heaven. When we give generously, we are storing up treasures in heaven. Jesus wants to reward us in heaven. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Summary: Make money your servant and not your master.

 

 

By Molly Manhanga

 

Heroes - Samson By Steve Manhanga

Stephen Manhanga did so well at ONE Church in Harare on the last of their series Heroes. He spoke about Samson. ONE Church is led by Sean and Debbie Mullens.
The scriptures Steve spoke from are Hebrews 11:32, 34 emphasis was on: "Whose weakness was turned to strength" but he focused mainly on Judges 16

• Samson was a judge.
• 40 a significant number i.e. 40 years in the wilderness, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights, Jesus fasted for 40 days,etc,etc
• Samson was a Nazarite, set apart. He was not allowed to cut his hair. Samson grew up knowing that he was different. He was not allowed to touch anything dead. God had set the Nazarites apart.
• Samson understood that he had supernatural abilities.
• We all like heroes - the knight in shining armour. People wondered where his strength came from
• Judges 14:5 - 6 - he killed a lion with his bear hands, v19, when the spirit of the Lord came upon him, he did great exploits. Samson did things in the spirit and not the flesh. Samson subdued 30 men, Chapter 15:3 when Samson was angry, he caught 300 foxes, tied their tails and lit them. 
• Ch 15:14, He was challenged by 1000 men. Samson found the jawbone of a donkey and killed them. With God nothing is impossible.
• Samson had a weakness though and that was women!!!



ONE Peeps praising God

• Judges 16:4 - Samson genuinely loved Delilah - to the extent that it cost his life.
• Sometimes we become too familiar. Delilah would ask him where his strength came from and at first he didn't tell her. When Samson was relaxed with his head on her lap - and he was tired, he reveals the truth. She sent a message while Samson was sleeping and his hair got cut off.
• The spirit departed from Samson but he didn't realise that. His eyes were gouged out and he was put in the mill to grind the corn. He went round and round. Even in that state, God comes and ministers to him and his hair begins to grow again.
• God has a purpose and a plan for us.
•  v28, Samson says to the Lord "Please strengthen me - only this once." Make this our everyday prayer. While people try to make fun of us, God is working a plan.
•  There were 3000 men and women in an auditorium and Samson pushed the pillars. The auditorium collapsed killing everyone in it including Samson.

Sean Mullens leading us in a time of prayer

To Note: God is still with us even if we fail, call on Him and pray "please strengthen me....."

Stephen ended by asking everyone to sing Hosanna and the key words:

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things
unseen
Show me how to love like
You have loved me... 


We had such an incredible time during praise and worship and during the word.





Summarised by Molly Manhanga