Visiting Thembalezizwe Church (TLZ)

Taps Chizana - leader of TLZ and Hozzie

Poverty and Prosperity: The value of time
Stephen and I had an excellent time visiting Thembalezizwe Church led by Tapiwa and Flora Chizana. We met up with many friends and it was extra special seeing Joyce Mutangara – a dear, dear friend who is now based in Nampula, Mozambique, Xolani and Portia Ndlovu who were visiting from New Creation and Andy and Alison Fry who are visiting from the U.K.

The praise and worship was vibrant and fun. 2 emerging leaders/preachers (Hozzie and David) shared on The value of Time:
Hozzie spoke first and emphasized the importance of doing things on time. What is the purpose of time? The Bible says “Selah” meaning pause – to think things through. Time was given to mark out the seasons. How valuable is time to you as an individual? When time is lost, you can’t get it back.

Andy and Alison Fry at TLZ

Unless you know the purpose/value of a thing, you’ll
1. Misuse it
2. Abuse it
3. Not use it

In Genesis 1:14 we see God as a God of order. In Genesis 2:2, God had created the world in 6 days and on the 7th day, he rested. In Ecclesiastes 3:1 – 8 “There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven….”and 17 “I said to myself, in due season, God will judge everyone, both good and bad, for all their deeds.” We see that there is a time for everything. We’ll need to give God an account of what we did with our time here on earth

Romans 5:6 “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.” It says “at just the right time”…In other translations it says in due time….or at the right time……an the appointed time…. God gave us his son to save us we all have 24 hours in a day and 365 days in a year. John 9:4 “All of us must carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent me, because there is little time left before the night falls and all the work comes to an end.” How do we value our time? Psalm 90:12 “Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom.”
Hozzie encouraged us not to just exist, but to make proper use of our time. He challenged us by asking us how faithful have we been with the days and years we’ve had here on earth. If we haven’t used our time wisely, it’s time to evaluate. There is a saying:”God doesn’t give second chances but many chances come daily.” If we haven’t done things on time the first time round, we have another opportunity – daily. Lamentations 3:22-23 “The unfailing love of the Lord never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day.”
David picked up from that and continued by asking us what happens when we do things on time? As farmers we can make a profit. Proverbs 10:4 – 5 “Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich. A wise youth works hard all summer; a youth who sleeps away the hour of opportunity brings shame.” We need to harness our time – to plan and be organised like God. We are made in His image and likeness. It doesn’t only apply to farming but to all aspects of life. Keeping time reflects an aspect of respect.

3 things we can expect if we are on time:
1. Work becomes easy
2. Good results
3. Becomes a part of our lifestyle – all I do will be on time.
Let’s not do things randomly. There is another saying “procrastination is the thief of time.” Let’s work and be on time. All that we do should be Christlike and Christ cam to give us life in abundance.

What an excellent service.

By Molly Manhanga

David Rowsell at Crossroads

David Rowsell

It was excellent having David and Ann Rowsell come to Crossroads and share the word of God. David told the story of Jonah and these are some of the highlights of the story….
1. God had a plan for Jonah and for Ninevah
2. Jonah realised that God’s plan was best.
3. Jonah said sorry to God for being disobedient and God forgave him.
4. Jonah was swallowed by a huge fish.
5. Jonah stayed in the belly of the fish for 3 days and 3 nights.
6. God caused the fish to spit Jonah out.
7. God gave Jonah a second chance.
8. Jonah listened and followed God’s plan.
9. The people of Ninevah listened to Jonah, stopped their evil ways and turned to God.
10. God’s rescue plan worked out in the end.

David Rowsell at Crossroads

The Bible is clear where we stand with God. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The wages of sin is death. None of us can know God on our own. Our actions, words, attitudes all fall short of God’s holy plan. Like Jonah, we can’t do it on our own. God loves us and has a plan for us. While we were still helpless, Christ died for us. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us.

David then called up 2 groups of people for prayer.

It was a word in season.

David planting a tree at Crossroads

Summarised by Molly Manhanga

Men's Breakfast at Crossroads

Mick Richardson: Psalm 103:13 “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;” Mick emphasized that as we have received compassion from God, we can show compassion to our children. We can have the compassionate heart of God.

Steve Hunter: Steve asked two men to run a short distance and the illustration was to show that the men wanted to win the race. God wants us to win the race. It’s not how we start but how we finish that is important. We are encouraged to run well and to finish strong.

Acts 20:24 “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”
Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
1 Corinthians 9:24 “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize.”
2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Steve encouraged the men to run well in their marriages and in their families. Ephesians 5:25 “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her….”
1. Lay your life down for your wife: What does it mean? Jesus loved the church. For us it is different in that we show our wives that she is more important, we are for her and interested in her…..
2. It’s important to receive input from our wives: wives are a blessing and a gift of God. Be open to your wife speaking into your life. You’ll need to be in a good relationship to receive input.
3. Biblical headship (making decisions) The man has the mandate of making decisions on behalf of the family. Adam and Eve: God said to Adam “Adam, where are you?” Typically, Adam blamed Eve and yet God held him accountable. Husbands will be accountable for their wives.
4. Knowing how to love and cherish your wife and care for her. We need to show appropriate affection. Your wife should be special. The way you are with your wife is unique. The way you handle outside relationships with other women is important. Save your affections for your wife. Be mindful of her.
5. Be a husband who gives praise. It’s like putting money into a bank account. You can only withdraw what you put in. If nothing has been put in, nothing can be withdrawn. Affirm your wife instead of putting her down.

Steve concluded with 1 Timothy 2:8 “I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.” They spent some time in prayer with the men lifting their hands to God.

Summarised by Molly Manhanga