​THE WEAPON OF THE WORD​

The temptations satan brings against us follows a similar pattern.
First, he tempts us to doubt what God has said - ​that our sins have been forgiven, that God really loves us, that we have been accepted into God's family as His children, that we have been released from the curse, and that we have entered into the blessing.​
But the final thrust of satan's tactics is to tempt us to direct disobedience.
Jesus used only one weapon to defeat satan: ​the rhema, or the spoken Word of God.​
 He countered each temptation with the same phrase: ​"It is written."​ (See,for example, Matthew 4:4, 7,10.) Each was a direct quotation from the Old Testament.

 ​satan has no defense against the Word of God thus quoted directly at him. he has no choice but to withdraw in defeat.​
In all of this, Jesus is our perfect example. He didn't rely on any wisdom or arguments of His own; rather, He used precisely the same weapon God has given to us: ​THE WORD OF GOD​
Our security depends on following the example of Jesus.
​satan is a thousand times wiser and stronger than we are. he can point to a thousand flaws in our own righteousness.​ BUT THERE IS ONE WEAPON AGAINST WHICH he HAS NO DEFENCE: ​THE WORD OF GOD, SPOKEN IN FAITH​
NB; We meet all satanic opposition with ​"the sword of the spirit":​ the spoken Word of God.

"And take the helmet of salvation, and ​the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God​"
(EPHESIANS 6:17)

GOD USES BROKEN PEOPLE

Some things are of little value to man unless they are broken.
Wheat can not be made into bread unless it is broken.
Food must be broken down to release the energy it contains.
*Before God can use people, they must be broken of their own will and be willing to be used*

NB; The first lesson in Christ's school is self-denial.

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise"
(PSALM 51:7)

Power in the Tongue

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”*
(Proverbs 18:21, NIV)
*The Fruit of Your Words*

Our words have creative power. Anytime we speak something, either good or bad, we are giving life to what we are saying. Too many people go around saying negative things about themselves, their family and their future. Things like, “I’ll never be successful. This sickness is going to get the best of me. Business is so slow I don’t think I’m going to make it. Flu season is coming. I’ll probably get it.” They don’t realize they are prophesying their future. The scripture says, “We will eat the fruit of our words.” That means we’re going to get exactly what we’ve been saying.

Here is the key: you’ve got to send your words out in the direction you want your life to go. You cannot speak defeat and expect to have victory. You can’t talk about lack and expect to have abundance. You will produce what you’ve been saying. With your words, you either bless or curse your future. Make sure your words are what God says about you so you can move forward in the life of blessing He has in store for you!

*A Prayer for Today“Father, thank You for the ability to change my future with my words. I choose to use my words to bless others and receive Your blessing in my own life in return in Jesus’ name. Amen.”*

IN HIS PRESENCE

  By Nekivuyo

~Do you have fullness of Joy?
~Are you in God's presence?
*The truth is that God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him*
Too many people believe that life is meant to be endured instead of enjoyed.
Depression, unhappiness, anxiety, frustration, anger,unfulfilled hopes and dreams, dissatisfaction, and emptiness describe the experience too many people are having daily.
*Possessing joy is a choice*
~We can choose weather to value God's presence and promises.
~We can choose to yield to His Spirit.
~We can choose to allow His word to permeate our thoughts, words and deeds.
*NB; When we open our hearts and minds to experience God's Grace, we are filled with supernatural joy.*

"To fall in love with God is the greatest of all romances; to seek Him, the greatest adventure; to find Him, *the greatest human achievement*
----Augustine

"You will show me the path of life; *In your presence is fullness of Joy;* At your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
(PSALM 16:11)

Piano Teacher And his Student

At the prodding of my friends I am writing this story.  My name is Mildred Honor. I am a former elementary school Music Teacher from Des Moines, Iowa.

I have always supplemented my income by Teaching Piano Lessons...Something I have done for over 30 years. During those years, I found that Children have many levels of musical ability, and even though I have never had the prodigy, I have taught some very talented students. However, I have also had my share of what I call 'Musically Challenged Pupils.

One such Pupil being Robby. Robby was 11 years old when his Mother (a Single Mom) dropped him off for his first Piano Lesson. I prefer that Students (especially Boys) begin at an earlier age, which I explained to Robby.  But Robby said that it had always been his Mother's Dream to hear him play the Piano, so I took him as a Student.

At the end of each weekly Lesson he would always say 'My Mom's going to hear me Play someday.'  But to me, it seemed hopeless, he just did not have any Inborn Ability. I only knew his Mother from a distance as she dropped Robby off or waited in her aged Car to pick him up.  She always waved and smiled, but never dropped in;

Then one day Robby stopped coming for his Lessons.  I thought about calling him, but assumed that because of his lack of Ability he had decided to pursue something else. I was also glad that he had stopped coming. He was a Bad Advertisement for my Teaching!

Several Weeks later I mailed a flyer recital to the Students' homes. To my surprise, Robby (who had received a flyer) asked if he could be in the Recital. I told him that the Recital was for current Pupils and that because he had dropped out, he really did not qualify.

He told me that his Mother had been sick and unable to take him to his piano lessons, but that he had been practicing.  'Please Miss Honor, I've just got to Play,' he insisted. I don't know what led me to allow him to play in the Recital - perhaps it was his insistence or maybe something inside of me saying that it would be all right;

The night of the Recital came and the high school gymnasium was packed with Parents, Relatives and Friends. I put Robby last in the Program, just before I was to come up and thank all the Students and Play a finishing piece. I thought that any damage he might do would come at the end of the Program and I could always salvage his poor performance through my 'Curtain Closer'.

Well, the Recital went off without a Hitch, the Students had been practicing and it showed. Then Robby came up on the stage. His Clothes were wrinkled and his Hair looked as though he had run an egg beater through it. 'Why wasn't he dressed up like the other Students?' I thought. 'Why didn't his Mother at least make him Comb his Hair for this Special Night?'

Robby pulled out the Piano bench, and I was Surprised when he announced that he had chosen to play Mozart's Concerto No.21 in C Major.  I was not prepared for what I heard next.  His fingers were light on the keys, they even danced nimbly on the Ivories.  He went from Pianissimo to Fortissimo, from Allegro to Virtuoso; his Suspended Chords that Mozart demands were Magnificent!  Never had I heard Mozart played so well by anyone his age.

After six and a half minutes, he ended in a Grand Crescendo, and everyone was on their feet in Wild Applause!!! Overcome and in Tears, I ran up on stage and put my arms around Robby in Joy;

'I have never heard you play like that Robby, how did you do it?'  Through the Microphone Robby explained: 'Well, Miss Honor, Remember I told you that my Mom was sick?  Well, she actually had Cancer and Passed Away this Morning. And well... she was  Born Deaf, so tonight was the first time she had ever heard me Play, and I wanted to make it Special.,

There wasn't a Dry Eye in the house that evening.  As People from Social Services led Robby from the stage to be placed in to Foster Care, I noticed that even their Eyes were red and Puffy.  I thought to myself then how much Richer my Life had been for taking Robby as my Pupil.

No, I have never had a Prodigy, but that night I became a Prodigy... of Robby. He was the Teacher and I was the Pupil, for he had taught me the meaning of Perseverance and Love and Believing in yourself, and may be even taking a chance on someone and you didn't know why.

THE END

A Footnote to the story. If you are thinking about forwarding this Message, you are probably wondering which People on your address list aren't the 'appropriate' Ones to receive this type of Message. The Person who sent this to you believes that we can all make a Difference!!!

If God didn't have a Purpose for us, we wouldn't be here! So, Live Simply; Love Generously; Care deeply; Give freely!

KUCHAGUA MWENZI WA NDOA ANAYEFAA

Na Dominic Chinyama

9, 10. (a) Paulo alionyesha jinsi gani hatari ya kuwa na urafiki wa karibu pamoja na wasioamini? (b) Mara nyingi kupuuza shauri la Mungu la kutofunga ndoa na mtu asiyeamini huwa na matokeo gani?

9 Paulo aliongozwa na roho ya Mungu kuandika kanuni ya maana ambayo mtu anapaswa kutumia anapochagua mwenzi wa ndoa: ?Msifungwe nira isivyo sawa pamoja na wasio waamini.? (2 Wakorintho 6:14) Mfano aliotumia unatokana na maisha ya ukulima. Wanyama wawili wanaotofautiana sana kwa ukubwa au nguvu wakifungwa nira pamoja, wote wawili wataumia. Vivyo hivyo, mwamini na mtu asiyeamini wanapofungwa nira pamoja katika ndoa, bila shaka watakwaruzana na kugongana-gongana. Ikiwa mmoja wao anataka kuendelea kukaa katika upendo wa Yehova naye yule mwingine hajali hata kidogo, mambo wanayotanguliza maishani yatatofautiana na huenda hilo likatokeza mkazo mwingi. Hivyo, Paulo aliwasihi Wakristo wafunge ndoa ?katika Bwana tu.??1 Wakorintho 7:39.

10 Nyakati nyingine, Wakristo fulani ambao hawajafunga ndoa wanaona kwamba ni afadhali kufungwa nira isivyo sawa kuliko kuishi maisha ya upweke. Wengine wanaamua kupuuza shauri la Biblia na kufunga ndoa na mtu ambaye hamtumikii Yehova. Mara nyingi matokeo yamekuwa yenye kusikitisha. Watu hao hujikuta wamefunga ndoa na mtu ambaye hawawezi kuzungumza pamoja naye mambo ya maana zaidi maishani. Wanakuwa wapweke hata zaidi kuliko walivyokuwa kabla ya kufunga ndoa. Inafurahisha kwamba kuna maelfu ya Wakristo waseja wanaotegemea na kushikamana na mashauri ya Mungu kuhusu jambo hilo. (Zaburi 32:8) Ingawa wanatarajia kwamba siku moja watafunga ndoa, wanaendelea kuwa waseja mpaka watakapopata mwenzi kati ya wale wanaomwabudu Yehova Mungu.

11. Ni nini kinachoweza kukusaidia kuchagua mwenzi wa ndoa kwa hekima?

NDOA-ZAWADI KUTOKA KWA MUNGU MWENYE UPENDO.

Na Dominic Chinyama

JE, UNAPENDA kwenda kwenye harusi? Wengi wanapenda,kwa sababu mara nyingi hivyo huwa vipindi zenye kufurahisha sana. Bwana na bibi-arusi wanavalia mavazi yenye kupendeza kwelikweli. Zaidi ya hilo,nyuso zao zinaonyesha kwamba wana shangwe nyingi! Siku hiyo wana furaha nyingi na inaonekana wana matazamio mengi mazuri ya wakati ujao.

Hata hivyo,ukweli ni kwamba ndoa nyingi leo ziko mashakani. Ingawa tunawatakia mema wenzi wapya wa ndoa,nyakati nyingine tunajiuliza; Je, ndoa hii itakuwa na furaha? Itadumu?

 Majibu ya maswali hayo yanategemea ikiwa mume na mke wanaamin na kutumia shauri la MUNGU kuhsu ndoa,( Methali 3:5-6). Wanahitaji kufanya hivyo ili waendelee kukaa katika Upendo wa MUNGU.

Tuone majibu ya BIBLIA kwa maswali haya manne(4).:

Ø  Kwanini ufunge ndoa?

Ø  Ikiwa utafunga ndoa, utachagua mwenzi wa aina gani?

Ø  Unaweza kujitayarisha jinsi gani kwa ajili ya ndoa?

Ø  Na ni nini kinachoweza kuwasaidia wenzi wa ndoa waendelee kuwa na furaha?

KWA NINI UFUNGE NDOA?

Watu fulani wanaamini kwamba siri ya kuwa na furaha ni kufunga ndoa na kwamba huwezi kamwe kutosheka au kuwa na furaha maishani ikiwa huna mwenzi wa ndoa. Hilo si kweli hata kidogo! YESU ambaye alikuwa mseja, alisema useja ni zawadi,naye aliwahimiza wale wanaoweza waupe nafasi(Mathayo 19:11-12). Mtume Paulo alizungumzia faida za useja(1Wakorintho 7:32-38). Hata hivyo, YESU na Paulo hawakuweka sheria kuhusu jambo hlo; na "kukataza kufunga ndoa" ni 'fundisho la roho waovu'.(1Timotheo 4:1-3). Lakini wale wale wanaotaka kumtumikia YEHOVA bila kukengeushwa wanaweza kufaidika kwa kuendelea kuwa waseja. Basi, si jambo la hekima kufunga ndoa kwa sababu ndogo-ndogo, kama vile kufunga ndoa kwa sababu tu wenzako wamefunga ndoa, au kwamba wanakutia moyo ufanye hivyo.

Ndoa nzuri huandaa Mazingira yanayofaa kuwalea watoto.

- Kwa upande mwingine, je, kuna sababu nzuri za kufunga ndoa? Ndiyo. Ndoa pia ni zawadi kutoka kwa MUNGU mwenye Upendo (Mwanzo 2:18). Kwa hiyo,inatimiza mambo fulani mazuri na inaleta furaha. Kwa mfano, ndoa nzuri ndio msingi bora wa maisha ya familia.

Watoto wanahitaji kulelewa katika mazingira yanayofaa wakiwa na wazazi wanaowapenda, wanaowatia nidhamu, na kuwapa mwongozo ( zaburi 127:3; Waefeso 6:1-4). Hata hivyo kusudi la ndoa si kupata na kulea watoto tu.

Fikiria andiko la msingi la mada hii na mistari iliyotangulia : " Wawili ni afadhali kuliko mmoja,  kwa maana wana thamani nzuri kwa ajili ya kazi yao ngumu. Kwa maana mmoja wao akianguka,yule mwingine anaweza kumwinua mwenzake. Lakin itakuwaje kwa yule aliye peke yake akianguka wakati ambapo hakuna mwingine wa kumwinua? Tena, wawili wakilala pamoja watapata joto; lakini aliye peke yake anawezaje kupata joto? Na mtu akiweza kumshinda nguvu mmoja aliye peke yake, wawili wakiwa pamoja wataweza kusimama   dhidi yake. Nayo kamba yenye nyuzi tatu haiwezi kutatika upesi". ( Mhubiri 4:9-12).

Andiko hili linazungumzia hasa faida ya Urafiki. Bila shaka ndoa ni muungano wa marafiki wa karibu zaidi. Kama andiko linavyoonyesha, katika muungano huo, wenzi wa ndoa wanaweza kupata msaada,faraja,na ulinzi. Ili kifungo cha ndoa kiwe imara, mengi zaidi yanahitajika. Kamba yenye nyuzi moja inaweza kukatika, lakini kamba yenye nyuzi tatu zilizosokotwa au kufumwa pamoja haikatiki kwa urahisi. Lengo kuu la mume na mke linapokuwa kumpendeza MUNGU, ndoa yao ni kama kamba yenye nyuzi tatu. Kwa kuwa Mungu anahusishwa kabisa, ndoa hiyo inakuwa muungano imara sana.