Is it the building? (2)

..............Celebration can be lively or calm. There is no formula to how we celebrate or worship Christ. Outward hype is not a reflection of one’s relationship with Christ. We can have outward hype at a secular celebration too. The church building we meet in is a bonus and a blessing of the provision of God. Many Churches within the cities or towns meet in a building  - owned or rented. Likewise, in the rural areas, some churches meet in a building.

As Crossroads Community Church in Mablauwuni, we are blessed to have a building where we can meet. The “Church” is the people that gather there to worship and celebrate Jesus Christ. 

There are so many external forces/distractions that try to control where people meet or how church is done. Christ is building His Church (Matthew 16:18) and He is coming back for His BRIDE - the people, not the building (1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 18)

By Molly Manhanga

Is it the building? (1)

Why would ‘born again’ believers have a problem with believers in a community meeting in a building that has been specifically built for that purpose? Is it because of who erected the building, the plans earmarked for the building or the mere fact that the building is in a central enough place for people to walk or drive? Interesting questions in the age that we are living in. I would question the state/condition of the mind and the heart.

Meeting at someone’s home is wonderful but whether we meet at a home or at the local church building does not determine whether a person goes to heaven. It does not determine ones relationship with Jesus Christ. It does not determine the number of people that attend. Sunday services are a celebration with other believers of what God has done in our individual lives or for us corporately as a body of believers. Jesus Christ is the only one who saves, not the building.

Read on........

Hard work...... It's worth it!

I posted an article on June 17 2011 entitled "A tragic and heartfelt story". Seven years later, we can see the benefits of her hard work and how God has blessed her. Take a look.....

Mildred Mkwananzi's home in 2011

Mildred's kitchen in 2011

Mildred's home in 2018

All glory goes to Jesus Christ who has strengthened her and blessed the work of her hands.

By Molly Manhanga 

Going Deeper......

Home of Mildred Mkwananzi

We had an awesome service today at Mildred Mkwananzi’s home. Mildred is one of our faithful ‘older’ ladies from Crossroads. She hadn’t been able to come to church at Emsumeni Business Centre, so we took church to her home. It was wonderful having people from Crossroads, Silozwe, Sipunduli and Brethren in Christ. 

Stephen Manhanga, Elder at Crossroads Community Church, shared a word from Luke 5:1 – 11 – The need to go deeper:

We need to go deeper mentally – He encouraged people to overcome mental failure and believe that the work they are doing will come to pass. Peter had been out fishing all night and caught nothing. One can only imagine what was going through his mind when Jesus said go into the deep water and cast your net on the other side.

Stephen Manhanga sharing God's Word

We need to go deeper physically – When we have had a mental breakthrough, we can apply ourselves physically. Peter had to put the net down physically. When he did that, he saw the fruits. They caught an abundance of fish.

We need to go deeper spiritually – Jesus told him that he would be a fisher of men. When they had come back, Peter left everything and followed Jesus. Stephen encouraged us to go out and share the word of God with others.

People socialising after sharing a meal together

By Molly Manhanga

Little encouragement....

Philippians 4:19

"But my God shall supply all my needs
according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Is Easter necessary in the day and age in which we live?

Is Easter relevant today as there are so many pressing issues and concerns that people are facing. This, to a certain extent, this is an open-ended question which can lead to a long discussion seeing as there are many concerns/struggles that people are facing. Despite what we go through, Easter is as relevant today as it ever was.

We read about the rejection, mockery, humiliation and horrific death Jesus went through and his resurrection in Isaiah 53 verse 1 – 12 as well as in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Easter is the proclamation of the Christian faith. Its Gods power to salvation I Corinthians 15 verse 1 – 8.

The Gospel is truth and it will not change for you or me or to suit us. “It’s not about what makes us comfortable, but what took place on the cross and at the empty tomb.” John 3 verse 16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son so that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.” Society and culture will change. Pressing issues will come and go but, the Word of the Lord will remain forever.

Jesus paid the ultimate price for us because of love. Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Knowing that Jesus life, death and resurrection was because of love and because He wanted a relationship with us is amazing and humbling.  

Pure love for you and me!

God made him 'who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteous of God' 2 Corinthians 5:21

From The Netherlands......

It was good having Alex de Vreugd from the Netherlands visit Crossroads and share the word. Not many people were in the service due to a funeral in the neighbouring Silozwe community. Non the less, Alex shared the word of God and encouraged us to live like Jesus.

Alex de Vreugd