Overcoming Pride

By Elder Richard Chanda

14th  October. 2016

SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Peter 5:5-6, Daniel 4

Today's Treasure: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time" ~ (1 Peter 5:6).

If every believer had a spiritual day planner complete with a "to do" list, we might find one common denominator—the challenge to overcome pride is at the top.

Perhaps no other spiritual obstacle is quite like this one.

A simple reason exists for its Goliath proportions: pride is Satan's speciality.

Pride is the characteristic that most aptly describes him.

It is the issue that had him expelled from heaven.

It is still one of Satan's most successful tools in discouraging people from accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Let's not fool ourselves into thinking that pride is a problem only for the lost.

The most effective means the enemy has to keep believers from being full of the Spirit is to keep us full of ourselves.

No wonder the Bible states and restates that God hates pride. It is the main enemy of genuine ministry. It is the end of many homes.

Scripture exhorts believers, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand" ~ (1 Peter 5:6).

God's Word also makes that very unsettling statement in Daniel 4:37: "Those who walk in pride he is able to humble." I believe the sum total of those two verses is that we can humble ourselves, or God can humble us.

God won't put up with pride in His own children very long without dealing with it.

He's much too faithful—and far too much is at stake.

I know from personal experience that humbling ourselves is far less painful than inviting God to humble us.

He tends to make sure His lessons "take."

I am absolutely convinced that the most painful season God has taken me through to date was primarily to shatter my yoke of pride.

A yoke, incidentally, I didn't even recognize I had. Believe me, I'm on the lookout for it now every single day.

In some ways, Christians have to be more alert to pride than anyone. If we don't presently have an issue that is actively humbling us, we veer with disturbing velocity toward arrogance and self-righteousness.

We are wise to remember that Christ never resisted the repentant sinner.

He resisted the religious proud and Pharisaic. Remember, pride wears many masks. I once spoke on pride only to have someone remark afterwards that she had far too little self-esteem to have pride. Pride is not the opposite of low self-esteem, but rather the opposite of humility.

We can have a serious pride problem that masquerades as low self-esteem. Pride is self-absorption whether we're absorbed with how miserable we are or how wonderful we are.

We are wise to be on the constant lookout for pride in our lives. I believe we can safely say that if we're not deliberately taking measures to combat pride, it's probably doing something to combat humility.

Pride is the welcome mat in every figurative prison cell. All we have to do to remain bound in any area is to refuse to take responsibility for our strongholds and repent of the sin involved. Pride is a monumental boulder in the path toward breaking free.

These are some thoughts God gave me on the subject several years ago. May He use them to speak about the biggest injustice of pride: it cheats wherever it plays.

My name is Pride.

I am a cheater.

I cheat you of your God-given destiny...because

you demand your own way.

I cheat you of contentment...because you

"deserve better than this."

I cheat you of knowledge...because you already

know it all.

I cheat you of healing...because you're

too full of me to forgive.

I cheat you of holiness...because you refuse to

admit when you're wrong.

I cheat you of vision...because you'd rather look

in the mirror than out a window.

I cheat you of a genuine friendship...because

nobody's going to know the real you.

I cheat you of love...because real romance

demands sacrifice.

I cheat you of greatness in heaven...because you

refuse to wash another's feet on earth.

I cheat you of God's glory...because I convince

you to seek your own.

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.

You like me because you think I'm always looking out for you.

Untrue.

I'm looking to make a fool of you.

God has so much for you, I admit, but don't worry...

If you stick with me

You'll never know.

Lord, please help me to remember the ugliness of pride as I go about my day.

Thank You for showing me the dreadful effects of this sin. How I want to live a righteous life, in the name of Jesus!

Take out my prideful heart and give me instead a genuinely humble heart that is pleasing to You.

I love You, gracious Lord.

BE HUMBLE AS CHILDREN BEFORE THE LORD.

"From the mouths of children and nursing babies you have ordained praise on account of your adversaries, so that you might put an end to the vindictive enemy." ~ (Psalms 8:2).

"and Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn around and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven! Whoever then humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." ~ (Matthew 18:3-4).

AMEN!!

The Lord, Our Redeemer

"May my words and my thoughts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my sheltering rock and my redeemer." (Psalms 19:14).

"They remembered that God was their protector, and that the sovereign God was their deliverer." (Psalms 78:35).

"This is what the Lord says, your protector, the Holy One of Israel: "For your sake I send to Babylon and make them all fugitives, turning the Babylonians' joyful shouts into mourning songs." (Isaiah 43:14).

"I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh; they will get drunk on their own blood, as if it were wine. Then all humankind will recognize that I am the Lord, your deliverer, your protector, the powerful ruler of Jacob."" (Isaiah 49:26).

"For you are our father, though Abraham does not know us and Israel does not recognize us. You, Lord, are our father; you have been called our protector from ancient times." (Isaiah 63:16).

"As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that as the last he will stand upon the earth." (Job 19:25).

""Do not let your hearts be distressed. You believe in God; believe also in me. There are many dwelling places in my Father's house. Otherwise, I would have told you, because I am going away to make ready a place for you." (John 14: 1-2).

"And if I go and make ready a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me, so that where I am you may be too." (John 14:3).

"Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest who have no hope." (1 Thessalonians 4:13).

"(Look! I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy expressed in this book.)" (Revelation 22:7).

"(Look! I am coming soon, and my reward is with me to pay each one according to what he has done!" (Revelation 22:12).

"The one who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon!" Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all." (Revelation 22:20-21).

"From his mouth extends a sharp sword, so that with it he can strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod, and he stomps the winepress of the furious wrath of God, the All-Powerful. He has a name written on his clothing and on his thigh: "King of kings and Lord of lords."" (Revelation 19:15-16).

AMEN!

“God Hates Injustice”

The Topic for the Service of 16^th June 2013, at St. Margaret's UCZ Church- Kitwe was entitled:  “God Hates Injustice”.

Preacher:  Kelvin Mufwandi

Scripture Reading:   1 Kings 21: 1 - 10

                                   Galatians 2: 15 – 21

                                   Matthew 18:21 – 35

SERMON SUMMARY

The theme for our Service is “God Hates Injustice”.

Every day we see or hear of people offending others in many ways. Some of these cases end up in courts of law. Even the Judiciary systems has been affected with some Judges having  or are still going through fire by being accused of not meting out justice fairly.

The injustices meted out to media personnel, political opponents, women children and many others in form of harassment, beatings, and humiliations, molesting, etc. are some of the injustices seen in our society today. 

In 1 Kings 21: 1 – 10 we read about Naboth, from Jezreel, who owned a vineyard in Jezreel beside the palace of King Ahab of Samaria.  The King offered to buy the orchard; however, Naboth was not prepared to sell the vineyard to the King because it was an inheritance that was passed down by his ancestors. When Jezebel, the wife to Ahab, saw that the king was upset and he could not eat she arranged to forge a letter which was purported to have been written by the King.  Naboth was accused before all the people, saying, “He cursed God and the king.” So he was dragged outside the town and stoned to death.

In a similar manner we face injustices similar to that of Naboth in our work place, families and in the nation.

 In families injustices in the form gender violence, rape, defilement, choosing who to feed and property grabbing are rampant.

In work places employment on the basis of where one comes from, bribery and sexual harassment to get employment is a common feature. God is the employer because there is no job which belongs to any individual. In any case how can one be an employer without people?

In Churches elders have been accused of being selective in whom they associate with. Those who are poor and cannot give any money are usually overlooked. We serve a just God so this type of discrimination is not in line with God’s wish.

At national level there are a lot of examples of injustices to people such as political intolerance, prosecution and harassment, little or no linen and drugs in Hospitals, theft of public funds and the delayed constitution and many more.

Whatever is done in darkness will come in the open. There is nowhere in history where people have been suppressed forever. God always intervenes.

Naboth lost his life for defending what belonged to him. The Church should rise up and defend the Gospel. God gave us this country in order to enjoy life.

God says when you cry I’ll hear from heaven. We are the light and the salt of the world. God is watching every step we take and we shall be answerable in the end.

In Matthew 18:21 – 35 we are told how we should forgive others.  Jesus tells us that forgiveness should be indefinite. The figure seven times seventy is just figurative. These injustices we see in our society are as a result of not forgiving one another and we undergo a cycle of revenge (See the Sermon on 2nd June 2013).

Let it go from your heart. Let us forgive and forget. The spirit of unforgivingness brings takes away our happiness and it affects our health. It has been said that 70 percent of sicknesses is brought about by unforgiving and bitterness.

To be resentful, judgemental and having a bad attitude towards others affects our relationship with God. God is a God who answers by fire and if we do not forgive our marriages, jobs, wealth, etc.  will be affected when God responds.

"The household of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish." (Proverbs 14:11).

"Those who are evil will bow before those who are good, and the wicked will bow at the gates of the righteous." (Proverbs 14:19).

Go out into the world and preach justice to all.

AMEN!

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: (From the Church's Weekly Bulletin)

God is just. He created humanity in His image. This means humanity is designed to be just in all dealings justice is therefore one`s deal a divine inbuilt virtue in all humans. To be unjust in one’s is a deliberate choice that one makes. This implies that this virtue is ultimately within humanity’s mandate to either suppress or let it flourish. Suppression of this virtue breeds injustice.

Injustice is the absence of justice or the violation of the right or right of another. Injustice is a violation of God’s will. Injustice provokes the wrath of God.  1 Kings 21: 1-10 is an example of unjust behaviour towards those around us. Sometimes we have oppressed or told lies against our spouses and those around us in order to discredit them and justify our evil deeds. Remember your unjust conduct is a misrepresentation of who God is because you bear His image.

As you begin this week, ask yourself what you have been doing.

AMEN!

“Breaking Cycles of Revenge”.

The Topic for the Service of 2^nd June 2013, at St. Margaret's UCZ Church- Kitwe was entitled:  “Breaking Cycles of Revenge”.

Preacher:  Reverend Kuzipa Nalwamba

Scripture Reading:   Deuteronomy 32: 34 – 43

                                     Romans 12: 14 – 21

                                     Matthew 5:38 – 48

SERMON SUMMARY

The theme for our Service is “Breaking Cycles of Revenge.”

Deuteronomy 32: 34 – 43 was part of a departing song of Moses telling the people of God on how to live. Moses was about to reach the end of his life before handing over the reins to Joshua. It was a song telling them that vengeance belongs to God.

In Romans 12: 14 – 21 the Apostle Paul has a similar message to the Romans and the Lord talks about it in Matthew 5:38 – 48.

·         God is the only one to avenge the wrongs that the Israelis had suffered under foreign nations.

·          When the Israelis decided to take revenge on their own God punished them because he found them wanting.

At a personal level how could we revenge when we about injuries that we have done to others? If you take revenge on your own you will be biased and hence the revenge cannot be justified. Leave revenge to God. He is the one who has the power of life and death and alone can be the Judge.

The Israelis had sinned by worshipping idols and they were punished for that by being persecuted by other nations.

Genuine love hates evil but it does not give a leeway for revenge. The Jews thought that a pagan nation should not rule them. The Jews had no right to revenge against the Romans.

In Acts 16: 37 requested to see Caesar after the Jews mistreated him because he was a Roman citizen. He should not have been persecuted for what he stood for as a citizen of the Roman Empire.

In our case we should know what our rights are as citizens of the Republic of Zambia. The recent beating of worshippers in a Church in Lusaka by some political thugs comes to mind. When we are being persecuted as Paul was we are not at the mercy of the persecutors.

God is in charge and he is going to avenge on our own behalf. God’s punishment of our enemies is usually very severe and we do not even rejoice when that happens. God is truly a God of justice. Jesus in Matthew 5:38 – 48 tells us “a Tooth for a Tooth or an Eye for an Eye” type of revenge results in a cycle of revenge.

God’s revenge may not necessarily be a punishment of the enemy but his reformation.

Our sins were forgiven at the Cross and yet we were sinners.

AMEN!

  

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: (From the Church's Weekly Bulletin)

Invitation to the Holy Communion

In many cultures, African cultures included, the sharing of a meal is the   form of fellowship and communion. The sharing of a meal is the most basic and most central family ritual, in which members of the family engage. The invitation to a guest to share in the family is accordingly an important gesture for and communion.

It is significant that Jesus chose a meal as the best context for us to remember Him. There is no

better symbol of communion, friendship and fellowship than a meal. It is instructive that Jesus did to leave to chance the question of how He was to be remembered, but sought to give His disciples very concrete clues,   guidelines and a very definite context. It is also instructive that Jesus chose a communal rather than an individual meal situation for the context of His remembrance. But we live in a world where meals – even family mealtimes-can no longer be taken for granted. In a world where some have more to eat than they can consume, there are millions who go hungry for days on end. Effectively therefore, at the global meal table, there are millions who are excluded.

What excludes them? Poverty, injustice, ethnocentrism, racism, sexism and HIV/AIDS, do. As long as the global meal table excludes some people, the church is unable to witness to and remember Christ. We must be careful that the Holy Communion does not become just mother of the many

exclusive immoral meals where few are nourished and many go hungry. Not only does Communion remind us a basic human act, it also inspires us to work for a world in which there is genuine communion among all human beings, and between God and humans.

To the table of Christ we bring bread and wine; Made by people's work in an unjust world; Where some have plenty and most go hungry; some are applauded and others despised.

At the table, everyone is fed, and no-one has to pay; Everyone shares the cup of pain and celebration; Everyone is honoured and no-one is despised.

AMEN!

“Trinity – The Eternal Divine Wisdom”

The Topic for the Service of 26^th May 2013, at St. Margaret's UCZ Church- Kitwe was entitled:  “Trinity – The Eternal Divine Wisdom”.

Preacher:  Reverend Bellington Kabaso

Scripture Reading:   Proverbs 8: 14, 22 – 31

                                     Romans 5: 1 – 5

                                     John 3: 1 – 17

SERMON SUMMARY

The theme for our Service is “Trinity - The Eternal Divine Wisdom”. Looking at the meaning of the three words:-

·         Eternal – means everlasting or continuous without end.

·         Divine – means something provided by God and not of human nature.

·         Wisdom – means the ability to use knowledge and experience to make a sensible decision or judgement.

In Proverbs 8: 14, 22 – 31 we learn that wisdom was the first to be there during creation. In John 1: 1 we are told that in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. This Word is the wisdom. Nothing was created without the Word or wisdom of God.

Everything we see in the world was created before man. Everything in this world was created to be used by man.

In Romans 5, Paul is telling the believers in Rome that there must be a change in the one who becomes a believer. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.”  (Romans 5:  1 – 2). Through peace we are able to talk to God in prayer.

God cannot continue to be in peace with a person who claims to be a Christian but continues to live in sin. The peace with God can only happen if we take Jesus as our Saviour and we get justified with God. Jesus has taken away that sin and we are able to be in the presence of God and we become His children. If we repent of our sins we are forgiven and become justified with God.

 However, we have taken that forgiveness for granted by continuing to sin and saying forgiveness will be given to us in Church at the next Sunday. God is not only found in Church. God is omnipresent so sinning deliberately is mocking God.  Ecclesiastes 5:  4 – 7 says “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfil it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfil your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfil it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands?  Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.”

Nicodemus was an educated and rich man who was full of knowledge and lacked nothing. In John 3: 1 – 17 we read that when Nicodemus met Jesus, despite his knowledge, he was taught what it was to be “born again”.  Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’”

For every Christian to be saved he or she must be born again. It is not a matter of coming to Church every Sunday and looking very humble. One must be born of water and the Spirit of God. Let us not take being born again lightly. Ask yourself whether you are on the right pass to be born again.

We should prepare our lives before it is too late, and do not say that “I shall be born again at a latter date”.

Nicodemus was taught on how to enter the Kingdom of God in heaven. We should emulate what has been told to him.  It is time to change our ways of living.

May the Lord bless his Word!

AMEN!

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: (From the Church's Weekly Bulletin)

Trinity Sunday Prayer

Almighty and Eternal God, through your Word and Spirit you created all things.

In Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh; you revealed your salvation in the entire world.

Through your Holy Spirit, you give us a share in your life and love.

Keep us Firm in this faith, and fill us with the vision of your glory, that we may serve and praise you all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

(Book of Common Order, Church of Scotland P. 674)

AMEN!

“Ascension – Going to the Father”.

The Topic of the Service of 12^th May 2013, at St. Margaret's UCZ Church was entitled: “Ascension – Going to the Father”.

Preacher:  Mr Harrison Mukanga

Scripture Reading:   Psalm 47: 1 – 9

                                     Acts 1: 1 – 11

                                     Luke 24: 44 – 53

SERMON SUMMARY

The three scriptures that we have just read are the basis of the theme of our service, which is: “Ascension – Going to the Father”. To ascend means to go up or to be elevated to a higher level.

In Psalm 47: 1 – 9 David looks at the victory of Jesus of how he has conquered the world. This victory has brought a lot of joy throughout the universe.

In Acts 1: 1 – 11 we read that Jesus appeared to his disciples over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. He instructed them to go to Jerusalem and not leave it and wait for the gift that the Father has promised, which they have heard him speak about. “For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

In Luke 24: 44 – 53 we read that when the disciples heard that Jesus has died they were very afraid and they remained in one room, fearing to go out and face the wrath of the Jews.

Jesus then appeared to them and told them that “The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  You are witnesses of these things.  I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” He then ascended to Heaven and they were filled with joy.

Jesus did not go straight to heaven after his death but stayed on with his people for 40 days so as to familiarise them with the scripture that says that Jesus was indeed the Son of God and King of Kings.

In Psalm 47: 1 – 9 the Jews were delighted that the Messiah was going to restore their earthly kingdom, but they did not understand the reason of his coming.

In Acts 1: 1 – 11 the angel of the Lord told the disciples that “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

They then went to Jerusalem with great joy to wait for the promised gift of the Holy Spirit.

What does the Ascension mean to you and me today?

1.       The Ascension Is Unifying Factor

If Jesus did not ascend to heaven our gathering here at St. Margaret’s Church would be meaningless. Jesus has gone to prepare” mansions” for us in heaven. When he comes back he will take us up and live in these mansions forever.

1 Peter 3: 8 we are told that we should be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.  This ascension should, therefore, bring us together.

2.       It Rekindles Our Hopes and Desires

In John 14: 13 Jesus says: “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” We shall receive the best that God has to give us. In heaven there is no suffering as we are experiencing here on earth.

Our hope and trust should remain in us because he ascended to his Father to prepare a place for us. We are not orphans as we have a Father who is in heaven.

What joy do we have today? We have the joy because our Lord has conquered the world. This joy is of divine possession.

3.       It Invigorates The Spirit of Prayer In Us

What he has told us will come to pass. Matthew 21:22 says “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer" because we are worshiping a living God whose promises shall come to pass.

Our hope and desire must be based on the fact that Jesus has risen and ascended to heaven. Because of the ascension we know our destiny.

AMEN!

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: (From the Church's Weekly Bulletin)

THE ASCENSION 

“And He lifted His hands and blessed them. And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up to heaven”. 

Whether or not we believe the legendary lifting off from Mount Olive is immaterial: What matters is the willing acceptance that He, in some fashion, departed; and if a heaven is somewhere in the sky seems rather implausible to some in this age, that need not affect our faith in a real elsewhere, even thong it lacks any kind of geography. 

So let the myth stand for what it signifies: time after all, is an adjunct of space, but eternity exists outside of time and space we may not need now to picture literal feet vanishing into a literal cloud; but we are much impoverished if we cannot still pin our trust on His actual return to His Father’s house, and hope ourselves to follow Him home.

To which end therefore, let us hold fast and fondly to that last moment, glimpsing the farewell: the green hill on a spring morning; and Him extending scarred hands in benediction, leaving His space with us forever as He fades from sight.

 

Adapted from:  John Reeves.  A Book of Hours, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, Michigan/Cambridge UK, 2001, pp. 65-63 

AMEN!

“The Conversion of Paul”.

The Topic of the Service of 14^th April 2013, at St. Margaret's UCZ Church was entitled: “The Conversion of Paul”.

Preacher: Mr O. W. Mwamba

Scripture Reading:  Jeremiah 1: 4 - 9

                                 Acts 9: 1 - 17

                                 John 21: 16 - 19

SERMON SUMMARY

Conversion means a change from one state to another. In spiritual terms it means a radical change from one belief to another.

Jeremiah was called by God at an age of 19. When God called Jeremiah to serve him, he gave an excuse that he was a mere child. However, God told him that he has made him a fortified pillar. God promised him his abiding presence.

In John 21: 16 – 19 Simon Peter was being restored of the pastoral service by Jesus, this is after denying him three times at the time of his crucifixion. (Read Mark 14: 66 -72 ).

In Acts 9 we read about the dramatic conversion of Paul, who was called Saul before his conversion.

Paul was a Jew who referred to himself as being "of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee.

While he was still fairly young, he was sent to Jerusalem and studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of his ancestors. He spoke three languages which included Hebrew, Latin and Greek.  He was also a citizen of Rome. He was therefore very proud and considered himself to be a class above others.

He was a Pharisee and a staunch supporter of Judaism. He was a violent persecutor of Christians who were considered to be members of a cult. Paul wanted to destroy Christianity.

He got letters of authority from Jerusalem to round up and arrest Christians in Damascus. On his way to Damascus he met the Lord Jesus and was converted. This was the turning point in his life. Never again was he was to be the old of himself again. Changing his name from Saul to Paul showed the significance of his transformation.

After the encounter with Jesus he was blind and could not do anything. He saw a vision to see Ananias who was going to restore his vision. At the same time Ananias saw a vision where he was instructed to meet Paul and restore his sight. Knowing the story of Paul about his violence on Christians, Ananias was reluctant to meet him but the Lord told him to obey the order. He told him that Paul was to suffer for the Lord. Paul was converted from an enemy to a servant of Jesus.

What we learn from the conversion of Paul is: -

1)    The Lord’s call.

God has an agenda for the world. He has been calling all types of people from different walks of life to do his work. When God calls he does not expect the one being called to give excuses as Jeremiah who gave the excuses of being a mere child and Moses who could not speak fluently because of stammering. God does not tolerate excuses from us.

2)    The Lord equips those He calls.

When the Lord calls you he will equip you and commission you for His work.

Paul was equipped with the Holy Spirit and so was Jeremiah. The two became giants of their times. One a great Apostle, one a great Prophet.

When you are called you become an instrument to fulfil His will. Paul’s conversion is very important for Christianity.

3)    The Lord’s abiding presence is assured.

The Lord says do not be afraid for I shall be with you till the end of the ages ( Matthew 28:20). He is there to give us support and guidance.

The questions you should, therefore, ask yourself are:-

1)    Have you responded to God’s call?

Most people fail to respond to God’s call because of pride.

2)    Are you determined to serve the Lord Jesus?

Paul faced many challenges but he was very committed to serve the Lord. He once said “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21. Serving the Lord has a reward and is never in vain.

3)    Are you willing to emulate Paul?

Paul was always looking ahead. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” ~2 Timothy 4:7. We should commit ourselves to the Lord in expectation of everlasting life.

When you hear His voice, do not harden your heart (Hebrews 3:15).

Just as Paul obeyed we should also obey because he is calling us to something better.

AMEN!

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: (From the Church's Weekly Bulletin)

This week’s thought is drawn from the Acts of the Apostles and particularly, Chapter 9.

The picture given about Saul is that of an angry and violent man enormously convinced of his own righteousness.

He expresses abhorrence (hatred) for the disciples of Jesus, verse 1-2, presents Saul as a man in his worst mood “Still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord...” We might say that Saul was decided against Jesus while Jesus decided for Saul.

In Galatians 1:13, Paul added more regarding his own background: “For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the Church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. And l advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.”

But, suddenly a light shone around him from heaven and heard a voice: Somewhere outside of Damascus, this suddenly happened. This spectacular event must be regarded as unusual. God does not normally confront sinners with a heavenly light and an audible voice from heaven.

Right now as you are reading this thought, you could be stuck in similar circumstances; carrying an angry and violent temper against your spouse, your family, may be your subordinates or superiors at work, always breathing fire; no kind words for your wife or husband; in-laws; and the people around you; or even the Church leaders. Are you stuck in that abusive and domineering attitude towards your wife?

May be you consider yourself advanced in your cultural or religious traditions beyond many of your contemporaries and you are exceedingly zealous for these traditions at the expense of the righteousness of God.

I want you to know that there is coming a sudden light upon you but l cannot guarantee, if it is going to be a heavenly light or that of judgement. You may be privileged like Saul or you may not.

My plea to you this week is consider your ways and submit to the Lord while you still have time. Not much time of course but just enough for you to quickly make a decision and be the best you can ever be.

Blessed week!

AMEN!