Happy Monday: A word of encouragement from Mama C
Happy Monday: A word of encouragement from Mama C
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3
“Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.” Proverbs 23:20-21
Easter is the story of the Resurrection.
“…the Joy of the Lord is my Strength” Neh 8:10
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As we enter the Easter week, let us remember the reason for this season: The Cross
Easter is about what Christ did on the cross for us.
How are we helping spread the message of the cross?
How are we using our lives to witness to others?
Remember that until Christ comes back none of us will see Him in person.
So the Jesus most people will see is the Jesus in us. How do you portray that Jesus?
Do we think that witnessing is too hard? Of course it is. It is hard to convince someone to put their faith
and all of their love into someone they cannot see!
It is the Christian’s responsibility to convey the message of salvation to others with conviction.
If you were the only Christian that someone knew, would your witness, in speech and in deed, be effective?
Are we driving others away or are we living our lives so that other want to have the Jesus in us?
Is our testimony real? It is important that people see us as real persons and not as phonies.
Many who desire an encounter with Christ don’t know where or how to seek out a relationship with Him.
Therefore, our purpose is to mirror Christ for them and be ready in their time of seeking.
When we get into a conversation with an unbeliever, we are tempted to blurt out . . . “You must be saved!”
Jesus was patient, using questions rather than commands to masterfully deal with the lost. Let us mirror Jesus in that we can listen carefully, then gently ask the questions that delve into the unspoken issues.
Are we available for God to use?
Let us strive to be available. God cannot use us if we do not avail ourselves.
Let us avail ourselves so God can make us channels – or as Pastor Muniu would say, conduits
– through whom his love can flow and through whom others will see Jesus.
Are we using the gifts that God has given us?
God wants to use our gifts.. Let us find out what our gifts are and develop them.
Let us offer them back to God for use in His work here on earth.
God had placed us on this earth for a very important purpose, and hopefully, one day,
we will fulfill that purpose.
Let us purpose that others will want the Jesus in us.
Let us purpose that others will not face loneliness alone., if we can help it.
Let us purpose that our children will not face peer pressure on their own strength.
Let us live a life of faith and love in Christ so we may be effective witnesses.
Starting with this Easter season, let us pray that many, through our witness, will accept God’s gift of love, Jesus Christ.
In His Love & Joy,
Mama C.
“Mugithi – it is owned by many other tribes. Kikuyus think this is the best song ever. Luos think it is the best song to dance to. Luhyas think this is the best song to listen to. Kisiis think it is the best song to see people dancing to. Mugithi makes Maasais happy coz they think it is just a funny dance: muziki gani bila kushika fimbo na kuruka juu na tena juu? The list goes on and on.” ….. – Kiambuhouse.com
Back to the question: Is it wrong to go to Mugithi?
When we come into a gray area such as this, let us look up God’s Word, and we will find clarity and freedom to live our lives to His glory, which is the ultimate purpose of our lives as Christians.
Our world is changing. When I was growing up, it was very easy to detect a Christian from afar. The outward behavior changed dramatically to reflect the inner change, once one became a Christian. Today it is hard to tell who is and who is not a Christian as the Godly have become more worldly and the worldly have become more Godly. We tread carefully in order not to offend and strive to remain politically correct yet the word of God is clear on many issues we face. Many of these issues should be black and white, but they are not. Below are some questions we should ask ourselves in areas that appear unclear. Our guide should always be the word of God, not other Christians. Other Christians may stumble, but the word of God remains true.
I know this is a sensitive subject but since I have been personally invited to this event, please allow me “go to there”.
All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. (1 Cor. 10:23)
A “profitable” thing is useful, helpful, or to your advantage to do; and the idea behind “edify” is to build up spiritually. So based on this verse, ask yourself, “Will going to the Mugithi event enhance my spiritual life? Will it cultivate godliness? Will it build me up spiritually?” For me, the answer to this question is no.
Will it defile the Temple of the Lord?
Don’t do anything that you know will harm your body or bring shame – it is the only instrument you have to glorify God. Romans 6:13 says, “Present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.” How we choose to use our bodies should always reflect our concern to honor Jesus Christ.
Will it cause anyone to fall?
This is the principle of love. As Romans 13:10 says: “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.” If you know that your choice-what you consider “in bounds” and approved-causes another Christian to stumble and sin, love that brother or sister enough to restrict your own freedom. That is not very popular in our society today, but it is biblical. To continue to indulge in a legitimate freedom that causes problems for another Christian is a sin. For “by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore,” Paul said, “if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, that I might not cause my brother to stumble.” (1 Cor. 8:12-13)
Food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. But take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. (1 Cor. 8:8-9).
Whether we like it or not, we may be the role models that others look up to. Let us cause our brother or sister to stumble by our actions.
Is it helping in spreading the gospel?
Many of us are not out there evangelizing. We may not be “out there” telling others about Jesus Christ but whether we are aware of it or not, what we allow or disallow in our behavior affects our witness for Jesus Christ – and the world is watching us.
Last year after “Musaimo” came to entertain here in Dallas, a lot of people could not wait to let others know which “Christians” were seen dancing to his lyrics. Why? Because it is an issue of testimony – what our life says about God. Our testimony either tells the truth about God, or it tells a lie. The choices we make in the unclear areas should reflect our concern not to bring offense to God’s reputation but to bring Him praise instead. “Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved (1 Cor. 10:32-33).
Will it Violate my Conscience?
If our conscience is troubled by what we are considering, Let us not do it. If we are unsure about it – if we must wonder if it is right or wrong, let us refrain from doing it. The conscience is described as that “small voice” within us. I cannot overstate the value of a clean conscience, but it is worth keeping our conscience clear so that our relationship to God will not be hindered. Living with a clear conscience before Christ and others is a worthy goal for us to pursue.
Will it bring Glory to God?
Happy Monday!!! 3/22/2010
No sooner had I pondered on the question than I started receiving invitations in my inbox. My invitation reads, “It is true. The one and only King of Mugithi; one man guitar …. will be performing live”.
As we feel led, service will inevitably become a part of our life’s worship. We pray that, in serving, God will mature and strengthen our gifts and create in us a servant’s heart that would bleed into all areas of our life. Let us permit God to guide us to the areas of ministry in which He has created and designed us to serve in. Don’t be afraid to step out and try something new. He will always enable us to do what He calls us to do.
In order to determine if we are experiencing the life God has for us in serving His church, let us ask ourselves:
- Are we willing to answer the call to ministry, even in the smallest of ways?
- Are we using our time and talents to accomplish the ministry God has for us?
- Are we living a life of gratitude by joyfully donating a portion of our time and talent back to God?
Cancer can bow to prayers. God declares emphatically in His Word, “…I am the LORD, who heals you”. Exodus 15:26. In Exodus 23:25 the Lord continues to declare that He will not only give us food and water but He will also take away sickness from us. Any sickness in God’s eyes is the same. Our Great and Mighty God is still the LORD our healer. Amen???
One of the names of Our Mighty God is “Jehovah Rapha”. The LORD God that heals us.