Bringing encouragement to Thembalezizwe Church Hamara

Stephen Manhanga, Elder at Crossroads Community Church, took a team to Themablezizwe Church Hamara this morning. We had a wonderful time praising and worshipping God before Stephen shared from Genesis 12: 1 - 4.
When we read Gods word we can see that he gives us specific instructions. There is a cost to being obedient. Many times it will be painful and hard but it is very necessary.
God told Abraham to leave his country, leave his family and leave his fathers house. Abraham obeyed in part as he took Sarah and Lot with him. This resulted in them faceing some challenges along the way.   Abraham and Lot were wealthy men and the people that worked for them started arguing over the livestock. Abraham told Lot to chose a piece of land where he could go. Lot chose an area that looked 'lush'. Abraham went in another direction where it looked like there was barren land. Lot pitched his tent facing Sodom and slowly he was drawn to the life of Sodom. Abraham pleaded with God for his nephew Lot and his family as the sin in Sodom grieved Gods heart to the point where he wanted to destroy it. Lot and his family were spared and given strict instructions not to look back. God destroyed Sodom with fire. Lots wife disobeyed and looked back resulting in her turning into a pillar of salt.

Stephen encouraged the Church at Hamara to 'leave' behind the things that are hindering them and to move forward with God.

Do the married men still have it?

On Saturday 25th August 2018, the married men played soccer against the singles while the ladies played Netball.

The married men started off with a BANG but as the game progressed, one could see that their fitness levels were not as great as the single men. Despite the difference in stamina and agility, the married men won the match 2 - 0.

Some have said that the match was "rigged" seeing as two of the church leaders were on the "married" side. Non the less, it was entertaining. 

10 years at Crossroads (2)

Our children are such an integral part of Crossroads church life. 

We also want to meet their needs spiritually and practically. God is certainly building His Church.........The Bride of Christ.

10 years at Crossroads

On Sunday, we celebrated 10 years at Crossroads.

We went down memory lane as to how the church was planted in the community.

Many people have helped us get to the stage we are at and we are so thankful to God for your contributions.

Stephen Manhanga - Elder at Crossroads - thanked the local community leaders for welcoming us and for the friends abroad for their amazing contributions financially, in word, support, encouragement and in prayer. He also made special mention of Gerald Mangena for identifying the ground where Crossroads is.

We want to be a church that is relevant in the community, meeting the needs of the people practically and spiritually. We also want to be a church that is 'outward' looking.

By Molly Manhanga

Armour of God (2)

The first piece of armour is "The belt of Truth"

Jesus Himself is "The Way, the Truth and the Life" John 14:6
When you know the Truth, it will set you free. John 8:32

Let us speak the truth to each other in love Ephesians 4:15 as this encourages growth in the body. When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the desert, he spoke truth "It is written........., It is written..........., It is written.........." How much more should we speak the truth to each other.

The devil fights with lies and deception and sometimes his lies sound like truth. God's truth can defeat the devil's lies.

The second piece of armour is "The breastplate of Righteousness"
The breastplate is to guard and protect our hearts. The devil often attacks our hearts - the seat of our emotions, self-worth and trust. God's righteousness is the body of armour that protects our hearts and ensures His approval. He approves of us because he loves us and sent his son to die for us.

Proverbs 23:7 "As a man thinks in his heart, so he is...."

Proverbs 27:19 "As in water face reflects face, so a man's heart reveals the man."

The Bible also tells us that from the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. In other words, whatever is in the well, will come out in the bucket.

More to come........

Armour of God (1)

Sex, money and power! The enemy uses these three things to bring a leader and Gods children down. We can see this from the Bible: Eve was tempted and succumbed to it, King David was tempted and gave in to the temptation, Judas Iscariot was tempted with 30 pieces of silver and he betrayed Jesus. Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit. These are a few examples from the Bible.

Ephesians 6: 10 - 17

We are engaged in a spiritual battle. Paul tells us to use every piece of God's armour to resist the devils attacks and to stand firm.

v 10: Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.
v11: Put on ALL of God's armour.

WHY? So that we will be able to stand against all the strategies of the devil.

We are not fighting against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. We face a powerful army whose goal is to defeat the Church. When we believe in Christ, the enemy tries every trick in the book and uses every device to try and turn us away from God.

Verses 10 - 14: STAND is mentioned 4 times. When in battle, we need to stand and not run away. Paul is not only giving counsel to the Church, the body of Christ, but to all individuals in the church. The whole body needs to be armed and as we fight, lets do so in the strength and power of the Holy Spirit.

READ ON!

The Mutangaras at Crossroads

Clarence ministering Gods word

It was fantastic seeing Clarence, his wife Joyce and their three children: Bethany, Hermoine and Panashe at Crossroads this past Sunday.

Left to right: Clarence, Panashe, Hermoine, Bethany and Joyce

The Church 2

Terry Virgo

"Church, where God's counter - culture is developed, where people learn to love, trust, forgive and encourage. A city set on a hill which can't be hid"

The Church 1

I really liked what Edward Buria tweeted about the Church:

"The Church should led the way by accepting all people from all races, colors, tribes, languages and social backgrounds. The church should harness the hidden potentials, abilities and talents, create space for these to be displayed harmoniously in church and society."

The Church is the bride of Christ. Is she accepting, harnessing and being harmonious?

More to follow........

Trust Jesus

Being distinguished

Daniel 6: 3 – 5

“Then this Daniel was distinguished (preferred) above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the King thought to set him over the whole realm.

Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

Then said these men, we shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”

The men proceeded to ask King Darius to establish a decree which would last for the next 30 days. They went to Daniel and found him praying as usual. This resulted in him being thrown into the lion’s den. Daniel came out of the lion’s den unscathed. King Darius writing to all people, nations, and language:

Verse 26 - 27 

“I make a decree, that in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and steadfast forever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.

He delivers and rescues and works signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”

This is the same God that we serve and He can do exceedingly, abundantly, above, more than………we can think or imagine.