Do Not Fret

How many times do we envy a friend who is doing better than we are in life? It could be that he/she is working while we are still trying to apply in countless companies or even gets the job through dubious means when all we are doing is being faithful? This often discourages many of us in our Christian walk with God and we tend to lose hope.

This should not be the case for us as children of God. Psalm 37 has been a source of encouragement for me in times when I see a non-believer doing better than me. His word tells us not to fret or be envious of wrongdoers because he is able to give us the desires of our hearts.

What is the antidote to keep us from fretting?

1. We must enjoy daily fellowship with God. ‘Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.’ This means spending time alone with God and partaking in the means of grace with other Christians.

2. We should remember the end of the wicked. ‘For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.’ They shall soon be cut off by God the righteous judge.

3. Consider the blessings of the righteous

·         Past blessings. The righteous have never been forsaken or their children beg bread because God promises never to leave us nor forsake us but continually cast our cares on him because he cares for us.

·         Present blessings. The steps of the righteous man are established by the Lord. The lord keeps us and supports with his mighty hand. Why should we fret when the Lord so wisely and lovingly guides our steps?

·         Future blessings. We have an eternal inheritance which is reserved for us in heaven. The lord will help us and be our strength in time of trouble.

Are you agitated? Are you fretting? Let the precious words of psalm 37 be impressed on your mind and you will soon find that fretting will give way to praise. We have great blessings. Do not fret!

                                                            plenty love,

                                                                           kapambwe

GRATEFUL

I am one constantly picking out catchy phrases from conversations, song lyrics or favourite scriptures. One that caught my attention was from Facebook and it read “some people are into complaining as if it’s a career”. That may sound funny at first but when given serious thought it is a matter of utter urgency. We grumble more than we give thanks and this is actually a sin against God.

There is always something to give thanks about because all good and perfect gifts come from above. Paul encourages us in his letter to the Thessalonians to give thanks in ALL circumstances. This prompted me to write this blog post am calling grateful to list down the things am thankful about.

1.      Salvation- God chose to reveal himself to me, mortal man when people continue to live and die in their sin.

2.      Family and friends- each different and special yet add so much colour to my life. Love you all.

3.      My country, Zambia. Its beauty, resources and peace. We often take it for granted that we can pray and worship without fear.

4.      Good health and sound mind. So many people are battling for their lives in hospitals but God has chosen to grant me health.

5.      Education

6.      His word which is living and active. Transforming lives and is a guideline by which we must live our day to day lives.

7.      His daily provisions. The roof over my head, food on the table.

8.      Gift of fellowship with other Christian brethren

9.      Technology. Life has become so easy such that we can do many things at just a click of a button

10.  God’s faithfulness. Morning by morning new mercies I see.

There are so many things we could give thanks about but I hope we will count our blessings and name them one by one.

                                                                         Always,

                                                                                           Kapambwe.

CHRISTIANS AND SUFFERING

I have heard many preachers (especially common under the wealth, health and prosperity gospel) teach that Christians should not and shall not suffer. Different reasons are given for this, ranging from not giving enough tithe, not being a prayerful enough, not being delivered etc.

After giving this much thought I decided to do a little research on the same and here are some of my findings;

1. Christians will suffer;

a) Christ suffered while here on earth and because he is our example we too will suffer.

b) Christians are called to take up the cross daily- this entails suffering.

c) Suffering is a reminder that we have not reached the new heaven and the new earth where there will be no tears.

d) God uses suffering to discipline his children because he loves us.

2. Reasons for suffering

a) To equip us for ministry. We are able to help those going through difficult times because we have passed through them.

b) Prepares us for glory

c) To teach us;

•  Obedience

•  Patience

•  Purity

d) To correct us

e) To refine us- produce more fruit

f) To discipline us-he disciplines those he loves

3. Suffering helps believers to;

• Examine and judge ourselves

• Confess sin because he is faithful and just to forgive sin

• Pray

• Keep Gods word.

 

4. Correct reaction to suffering

 a) Acknowledge that;

•God is control.

•God is with us. All things work together for good to those that love the lord.

•God is good and suffering is working towards your ultimate good. Suffering is just for a season, for a while.

•Pray without ceasing.

Rejoice and thank God.

NOTE: In suffering, righteousness can be maintained. No matter how severe the suffering is, it will pass and everything will work out fine for those that trust God.

He never promised that the cross would not get heavy and the hill would not be hard to climb, he never offered victories without our fighting but he said help would always come in time. Just remember when you’re standing in the valley of decision and the adversary says give in just hold on our lord will show up and he will take you through the fire again (extract from through the fire by Jason Crabb).

                                                                             Always,
                                                                                     kay....
 

WORST SUNDAY

The day I was robbed!

 

it was a beautiful Sunday, enjoyed the service at church then my friend and I were invited to lunch at our friends house, that too went on perfectly well till we said our good byes and had to head back to school. we walked towards the station hoping we would catch a taxi because the sun had had its toll on us.

as we dragged ourselves along I suddenly  felt a guy come from behind and pull my handbag that was hanging safely over my shoulder. I struggled with him for a bit but he was stronger than me and he managed to grab my handbag then he jumped into some drench below.

I felt so weak, couldn't think straight, shocked and sad. I mean, that bag had my bible, phone, purse (had my NRC, school id, Atm card and a k100+). so many questions rushed through my mind but the thief was long gone. people gathered around to ask what had happened, some sentiments were depressing whilst others encouraging.

in the midst of the chaos his word says that we should give thanks in all circumstances no matter how bad it is. so I will list down the things am thankful about from the incidence;

• preservation of our lives- that guy could have easily hurt us in any way but he didn't
• strength- I know that it was the lord because I didn't shed a single tear or become an emotional wreck, its God! he sustains us
• friends, specifically; lusungu, meyer, Miriam, kwenda and kabanda. each of them played a part in keeping me sane
• God knew it ALL. because he is sovereign and he knows the plans he has for me and to top it off, he is working everything out for my good. I will praise him for all that is past and trust him for all that is to come.
• for the love that keeps coming in, people texting and sympathising with us

many lessons have been learnt but that's for another post. till then lets keep it Jesus.

                                                             plenty love,

                                                                               kay 



JESUS CARES

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained

Too deeply for mirth or song,

As the burdens press and the cares distress,

And the way grows weary and long?

Refrain:

Oh, yes, he cares, I know he cares

His heart is touched with my grief;

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,

I know my saviour cares.

Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed

To resist some temptation strong;

When for my deep grief there is no relief

Though my tears flow all the night long?

                       Song by Frank E. Graeff

Whatever it is that you might be going through all you have to do is cast your cares on him for he cares for you.

                                                           Plenty love,

                                                                           Kapambwe.

MAY HIS/HER SOUL REST IN PEACE

 PEACE

 

In a space of one month there have been two deaths in my family. And the common phrase used at any funeral is ‘may her soul rest in peace’. This made me reflect on the tiny word ‘peace’ in that phrase.

 What is peace?

It is freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquillity

The next question that arises is will you ‘rest in peace’ if you are outside Christ? Certainly not!

We are to make things right with God whilst on earth and while we have the chance. Jesus came to die on the cross on our behalf so that we may enjoy communion with God. Because of the love God has for us he sent his son to die and he willingly came.

If God has done this in Christ, what are we to do to be saved?  We must turn to God in Christ, which entails turning back from sin. If we repent of our sin and place our trust in Christ, we will be saved from Gods righteous wrath against our sins. This response of repentance and faith can be explained in detail as this;

Turn to God; to repent means to turn and follow Christ. Paul says, in one of his letters, repent and turn to God.

Turn away from sin; we cannot pursue God and sin at the same time. In this life our life will either be orientated towards God and his light or toward the darkness of sin. When we become Christians we are no longer enslaved to sin, though we still struggle with it, God has given us the gift of repentance and we are freed from sins dominating power.

Believe and trust; our response is to trust Gods promises in Christ and to commit ourselves to Christ as his disciples.

Grow in holiness and strive for holiness; we should give ourselves to the study of God’s word, to be encouraged, instructed and to learn what is inconsistent with it.

If you haven’t yet given your life to Christ I urge you to do so NOW! Because only then are you going to ‘rest in peace’, and be with Christ when you die. And that is true peace.
                                                                                    Always,
                                                                                                 kapambwe

BIG 21

BIG 21

 

 

I recently turned 21, a week ago to be exact(late post I know). But you know what they say, better late than never. I want to thank God for the 21 years thus far. He’s been faithful, gracious, loving etc (I could go on and on). I have had the good and the bad but through it all I have learned to trust in Jesus. So I thought I should post 21 life lessons learnt this far, there could be more but in honour of my day I choose 21.

1.      God is faithful- even when we choose to grumble he still doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve but stands on his promises. As the far as the east is from the west so far has he removed our sins.

2.      God’s time is ALWAYS the best.

3.      Sometimes God’s rejection is his protection.

4.      You are exactly where you are supposed to be and are there for a reason.

5.      Cherish friendship.

6.      Please and thank you go a long way.

7.      You cannot please everyone- endeavour to please God FIRST!

8.      Count your blessings- makes you appreciate the goodness of the lord all the more.

9.      Everything happens for a reason, we might not always see it but nothing happens by mistake because God does not make errors- He knew it all.

10.  Not all boys are the same.

11.  We are all different and special in our own way. It is by understanding that we are all flawed that we will appreciate one another and develop.

12.  You do not always get what you want because our ways are not his ways.

13.  People will always talk; good or bad- choose what is beneficial and build from there.

14.  Never fight history, it almost always wins-it digs its roots deep.

15.  Never compromise; principles, standards- you deserve nothing but the very best life has to offer.

16.  Life is short, do what you have to do whilst you have the chance and do it to your very best.

17.  Worrying is the most unproductive human activity. Do not be anxious about anything but by prayer make your supplications known to God.

18.  Patience is a virtue that unfortunately not everyone posses’.

19.  Some people will be in our lives for a season and whilst they are there learn from them.

20.  God always answers prayer.

21.  Always make me happy because no one will make me happy for me.

What are some of the lessons you have learned in your 20,40 50,10 years on earth? Please do share J

                                          Signed,

                                                     kay