The Sunday Mail
WE continue with the 2016 prophetic word or themes of various churches in Zimbabwe, and beyond our borders.
1. The Methodist Church in Zimbabwe
Bishop Sungai
Reverend Tawanda Sungai, bishop of the Harare West District of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, said the Church’s 2016 theme is: “The Lord is with us all the time.” (Isaiah 43:2)
Rev Sungai said:
The Methodist Church in Zimbabwe has a standing tradition of crafting a theme for each given year. The theme acts as a driving force and inspiration in the spiritual journey of “a people called Methodists” in Zimbabwe, and all its members scattered far and wide.
Bishop Sungai added that the church, at its 38th Annual Conference last August, adopted Isaiah 43:2 as its theme for the year 2016: “When you passeth through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when you walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned: neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”
Thus the theme, “God is with us all the time,” is an emphasis of the Emmanuel (God is with us) event. (Matthew 1:23)
The Emmanuel event is also a clear indication of God’s readiness to intervene in the affairs humanity, even in our day and age. It is God’s preparedness to experience life and its harshness for the people called Methodists and all His people at large.
It is critical to examine the context in which Isaiah 43 was written in order for us to understand how his message becomes relevant today. The prophecy came at a time when Assyria had destroyed Israel in 720 BC and made Manasseh a vassal king for Judah.
According to 2 Chronicles 33:11-13, Manasseh was brought in chains to the Assyrian king for alleged disloyalty. It shows the cruelty of the Assyrian army. It was a period in the life of God’s people in which there was not even a glimmer of hope. But in the barrenness and despair of exile, came a word of astonishing hope. The Lord sent Isaiah with that optimistic message. (Isaiah 43:1ff)
The prophet assures God’s people that, God had not abandoned them; He did not hate them, but that He is a living God who still loved and cared for them.
As we traverse through life, the God of yesteryear is ready to travel with us. Our life today, is reminiscent with that of the Israelites of Isaiah’s time. As a nation, we have a share of our own challenges. Though the contexts and times are different, we also desire the same intervention of God to deal with those challenges.
As Zimbabweans, we are not captives of any foreign nation. We live in a sovereign and democratic country, yet, there are challenges that hinder our children to leap with joy. As we welcome 2016, there is so much anticipated change to our economic challenges. While we bask in multiple Government initiatives aimed at resuscitating the economy, we are not there yet.
We continue to experience liquidity challenges. Many of our people are finding it extremely difficult to find the much sought after dollar. The Church is also feeling the pinch even in its efforts to raise resources for the sustenance of its mission. The Church feels it, as congregates struggle to educate their children.
If what we read and hear in the media is anything to go by, we are likely to have the worst drought ever. With the Government announcing the need for additional efforts to import grain, Isaiah’s message in 43:2 becomes relevant to us (43:2)
In 2016, we shall fall sick or lose loved ones. There are possibilities of failures and heartbreaks. But as we encounter that, we are reminded that we are not alone, for “the Lord is with us all the time”.
Thus in 2016, we have to assertively proclaim: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid; what can mere mortals do unto me?” (Hebrews 13:6)
2. Christ Embassy
International
Christ Embassy’s Pastor Chris Oyakhilome declared on New Year’s eve, 2016 as the “Year of Your Spreading” based on Genesis 28:14: “And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.”
In line with the theme, it now seems certain that the long- anticipated Zimbabwean tour by the popular Nigerian pastor, and author of the monthly daily devotional, Rhapsody of Realities will take place soon. In his prophetic message on Zimbabwe delivered at the Night of Bliss event in Johannesburg, South Africa, on January 22, Pastor Chris pronounced:
“Zimbabwe, I sent Pastor Ose, I was on your max; I sent Rev Tom, I was on set . . . Now God is about to say go, prepare, am coming.
“It’s my first time to go to Ghana for Night of Bliss. There is always a first. Zimbabwe, your first is coming. I have messages for other countries, but Zimbabwe is a special country. God always speaks to nations through His prophets.”
3. Zoe Life Changing
Ministries
“Shalom, Shalom and happy New Year to you all,” declared Apostle Florence Kanyati of Zoey, on New Year’s eve.
Her message for 2016 was:
It is by God’s mercy that we are still alive and counted in the land of the living. We look back at the past year with gratitude to the Lord, and also look forward to 2016 with eyes of faith and expectation.
We stand in awe of the Lord and say had it not been of the Lord who was on our side . . . , the world would have swallowed us alive. (Psalms 124)
We are alive by God’s choice and mercy; for a reason, for a season and for a purpose.
The Bible in Malachi 1:6 says, “A son honours his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a Father, where is my honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? said the LORD of hosts to you . . . ”
As the nation of Zimbabwe, let us honour God in 2016. We are being mandated to give all the honour to the Lord, as a nation, as corporates and as individuals.
Honour originates in our hearts and refers to the value we personally place on something or someone. To honour is to esteem highly; it is to show respect; treat with greatest worth and respect and to show value. Many times, people run out of ideas on how to show their praise, their gratitude to the Lord, but I believe that this year, God has made it very easy as he has spoken that this is, the “Year of His honour”.
You and I are privileged to be alive, to be counted in the land of the living but we have a responsibility to honour God.
How do we honour God?
We can honour God by living a holy life. We have to dedicate our bodies to God. Paul says in Romans 12:1-2: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service…”
I believe that when we consciously, happily and worshipfully present ourselves, our bodies and our lives to God as living sacrifices we would have honoured Him.
If we watch what we say, and ordain praises on our mouths, we would have honoured the Lord.
If we were to guard our hearts jealously and not allow any evil, any vanity to be found in our hearts, we would have honoured the Lord.
If we guard our steps, where we go, who we are with, what we are doing, and just choose to live a holy life, God would have been honoured.
We also honour God by serving him diligently. It hurts to know that most people give their eight hours to sleep, and eight hours to secular jobs, and only give maybe a few minutes to the things of God.
We honour God through prayer, praise and serving God, so, find your place to serve in the kingdom of God. The way you handle your finances is also a pointer on whether you honour God or not. Where is God on your budget? If you give Him your left overs it means you are not honouring Him.
When we give God our tithe and first fruit, we are honouring Him with our finances. We are saying what we have comes from you and we return it to you with gratitude. (Proverbs 3:9) God desires honour that comes from our hearts. He says, “These people come near to me with their mouth and honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” (Isaiah 29:13 )
By honouring God, you provoke the Lord’s blessing upon your life. (1 Samuel 2:12-36) As we honour the Lord, He in return will honour us.
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