Why Do People Get Sick?

Welcome to the "Healing Campaign," a series dedicated to exploring God's desire for your health and wholeness. Over the next few weeks, we will dive deep into the subject of healing, grounded in the truth that God Wants You Well. It's God's plan for all of us to live strong, sound, and healthy lives, and through these teachings, we aim to inspire you to raise your faith, believe God for your healing, and receive it.

To kick off, we’ll address an important question: Why do people get sick? Understanding the origin of sickness is key to unlocking your faith for healing. Have you ever wondered where sickness comes from and why it affects us? This is a crucial question, and the answer takes us back to the very beginning, to the Garden of Eden. After God created man, He placed him in the Garden with specific instructions on how to live. Just like any invention comes with a manual, God provided guidelines for maintaining the perfect state in which man was created—immune to sickness and death.

A man struggling with a fever.

We need to understand first, that from the beginning, when God created man, sickness and death were not part of His design. Genesis 1:26-28 reveals that man was made in the image and likeness of God—perfect, without defect, and with dominion over all creation, including pathogens and diseases. So what happened? That’s the BIG question.

In Genesis 2:16-17, God commanded man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it, you shall surely die." This was a clear directive meant to preserve the state of perfection. However, as we know, man disobeyed, leading to the fall in Genesis 3. This act of disobedience brought about God’s judgment, introducing death and all its companions—sickness, disease, and suffering—into the world.

Sickness is a direct consequence of sin. Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Through Adam and Eve's disobedience, sin entered the human race, making all of us susceptible to sickness. As Romans 5:17 explains, “by one man's offense, death reigned”, and along with it, all the negative forces that oppose human life.

Furthermore, we live in a world system flawed and under the sway of the evil one. This fallen world is a breeding ground for sickness and disease, constantly attacking our bodies. While specific ailments have identifiable causes, the root of all sickness lies in the fall of man.

However, there is hope! Romans 5:17 continues, "Much more those who receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness will reign in life through Jesus Christ." Despite the entrance of sickness through sin, we have access to abundant grace and the ability to reign in life through Christ. Healing is possible, and through Jesus, we can overcome sickness.

As we continue our Healing Campaign, I encourage you to raise your faith and believe in God's healing power. Today, I pray for your healing, for strength, and for renewed hope. God is able to touch and heal you, restoring you to health. Believe that you can be well, and receive your healing in the name of Jesus Christ.

Let’s pray together: Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, I speak healing over every sickness and disease. I declare that by the stripes of Jesus, you are healed. Pain, sickness, and discomfort, I command you to leave in Jesus' name. Receive your healing now. Amen.

The Deception Of Worry

Today, we delve into the pervasive and often deceptive nature of worry, exploring its detrimental effects on our lives and how we can break free from its grip. Worry has a cunning way of masquerading as problem-solving. We often find ourselves consumed by negative thoughts, believing that by worrying, we are effectively addressing an issue. However, in reality, all we're doing is creating mental turmoil without any tangible solutions. It's like spinning our wheels in mud—lots of motion, but no progress.

Furthermore, worry keeps us mentally entangled, preventing us from finding constructive resolutions to our problems. We remain stuck in a cycle of anxiety, unable to break free and move forward. It's like being trapped in a maze with no clear path out.

Looking at the story of Mary and Martha from the Bible, we learn the detrimental link between worry and complaining. Instead of fostering positive change, worrying only leads to futile grumbling and discontentment. It's a vicious cycle that saps our energy and steals our joy. Imagine rocking back and forth in a rocking chair all day—it may feel like you're moving, but in reality, you're stuck in the same spot. Similarly, worry gives us the illusion of progress while keeping us stagnant and unproductive.

But there is hope. By recognizing the insidious nature of worry and its harmful effects, we can take steps to break free from its grip. It starts with identifying the sources of worry in our lives and confronting them head-on. Remember, worry drains our energy, potential, and creativity. It robs us of the abundant life that God intends for us to live. Instead of succumbing to worry, let us choose trust and faith in God's provision.

In conclusion, let us commit to living a life free from the shackles of worry. By shifting our focus from fear to faith, we can experience true peace and fulfillment. As Jesus promised, when we trust in Him, all things will be given to us as well.

Pressing On Towards Your High Calling

Philippians 3:13 (NIV), “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.” The Apostle Paul delivers a powerful message that encourages us to let go of our past and move forward with determination. This scripture serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us that our past does not define our future.

As human beings, we often allow our past experiences to shape our present actions. We judge, we fear, and we hesitate, all based on the shadows of yesterday. Our history and past encounters influence the way we navigate our relationships, our choices, and even our emotions. But today, I want to share with you the wisdom that Paul imparts in his message—wisdom that can transform your life.

Paul's message is simple yet profound: Forget the past and press on toward your goals. Regardless of whether your past is filled with triumphs or setbacks, heed this advice. If you've tasted success, let go of past glories and aim higher. If failure has been your companion, release those burdens and set your sights on new horizons. In matters of the heart, if you've been hurt before, choose to love again without reservation.

What I'm suggesting is this: wipe the slate clean and proceed as though the past never happened. Love as if you've never been wounded. Work diligently as if you've never succeeded. Strive as if you've never faltered. Leave behind the past and press on toward your aspirations. It's those who persevere, those who disregard their past and continue moving forward, who achieve great things. They are the ones who break barriers and limitations to reach new heights.

In every aspect of your life, there is a higher calling awaiting you. Whether it's in your business, your relationships, your career, or your studies, there's a greater purpose. Let go of past failures and successes alike. Keep pressing on. Paul's words echo through time: "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

The message to you today is clear: Keep pressing on, no matter what life has thrown your way. Even if you've stumbled multiple times, view those stumbles as valuable lessons. Even if you've achieved great heights, recognize that there are still greater summits to conquer. Don't settle, and don't quit. Life has abundance in store for you; keep pressing on to claim it.

Joseph Dhlakama

Grand Celebrations for the Legacy of a Remarkable Centenarian of Faith –Archbishop Ezekiel Handinawangu Guti

The Giant National Sports Stadium (Harare) was Packed.

In a grand and awe-inspiring gathering that transcended borders and cultures, nearly 60,000 people from over 160 countries came together to bid a heartfelt farewell to Archbishop Ezekiel Handinawangu Guti, a towering figure of world evangelization and spiritual guidance. The promotion to glory of Archbishop Ezekiel H. Guti, who had lived a remarkable journey spanning an impressive 100 years and 2 months, marked a profound moment of reflection, gratitude, and jubilation first to us whom he led and to millions of others who cherished and revered his life and works.

The atmosphere at the send-off was electric, as believers and well-wishers filled Giant National Sports Stadium in Zimbabwe’s capital city Harare to pay their respects to a life that had touched millions across the globe. The grand celebrations that had begun on Friday 4 August climaxed to the peak on the final celebrations’ day, Sunday 6 August. It was a day of celebration, a day to commemorate a life richly lived and a legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.

The event was a true testament to the enduring impact that Archbishop Ezekiel Guti or Baba Guti as we called him had on individuals, communities, and nations. As the sun cast its golden rays over the gathering, the air buzzed with stories of transformation, hope, and love that had been ignited by the teachings and actions of the great general of faith.

The ceremonies commenced with a solemn yet joyful procession, as the hearse that carried the casket, and a convoy of close family and dignitaries drove around the stadium. The hearse was flanked by a pool of senior church leaders mainly Bishops of ZAOGA FIF from all across the globe who were dressed in white and purple, the colors that Baba Guti loved and wore most of his time. The sense of unity was palpable, a tangible manifestation of the global family that the man of God Baba Guti had fostered.

Eulogies and tributes flowed like a river of gratitude, painting a vivid portrait of a life that had been dedicated to spreading the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ. Speakers from diverse backgrounds shared anecdotes of personal encounters, highlighting moments of guidance and inspiration that had changed the course of lives. Amidst the tales of shared laughter and shared tears, a universal thread emerged – the profound impact this spiritual luminary Baba Guti had on the hearts and souls of millions across the globe.

Musical performances, by several artists from within ZAOGA Forward In Faith Church infused with cultural diversity, echoed through the arena, creating an atmosphere of reverence and celebration. Songs of hope and praise and affirmations resonated with the attendees, lifting spirits and reinforcing the enduring message and work of the man of God Baba Guti.

Representatives from the 160 countries took turns sharing how their nations had been touched by the life, teachings, and humanitarian efforts of the iconic leader Baba Guti. It was a poignant reminder that the true Gospel of Jesus Christ knows no boundaries and that the legacy of this great man would continue to ripple across the tapestry of human existence. As he had prophetically declared that “when I am long gone you will need to tell them that there was once a man called Ezekiel by name...”

The send-off was more than a farewell; it was a celebration of life, a tribute to a centenarian whose unwavering commitment to the Gospel and his calling had left an indelible mark on the hearts of countless individuals across the globe. The legacy of this great man of God, his teachings, and his acts of kindness, would forever remain etched in the annals of human history, a beacon of light guiding humanity towards true salvation, a life surrendered to God, love, unity, and hard work.

As the sun set on the horizon, casting a warm glow over the departing crowd, a sense of peace settled in the hearts of those in attendance. The world had come together to honor a life well-lived, and though the physical presence was no longer with us, the spirit of the great man would continue to inspire and uplift, reminding all that a life of purpose knows no bounds, transcending time and space.

Joseph Dhlakama.

A Timeless Icon: Ezekiel H. Guti, A Leader Who Captivated Hearts Until the End and Beyond.

Archbishop Ezekiel H. Guti praying.

Archbishop Ezekiel Guti (Baba Guti) was a true visionary and beacon of faith, his legacy of love and dedicated service will continue to ripple through generations. The promotion to the glory of my father in the faith, Archbishop Ezekiel Guti has prompted in me many different feelings and thoughts. First, it was a sad heartfelt sense of loss, second it was a heart filled with gratitude and appreciation for him and the treasures he tirelessly deposited in us whom he led. Among many others, was a deep reflection of the kind of man he was. I for one can attest that “Baba” as we popularly called him was a rare gem. Discussing with a friend recently, we asked ourselves a question how and why this calibre of a man like Ezekiel Guti are rare to find in our world, we consoled ourselves by agreeing to my friend’s answer that maybe the mould that God uses to fashion such a kind is one that he gets to use once in a long while and we have to always have our hearts ready and in the right place if he can use the same mould on us.  

Archbishop Ezekiel H. Guti preaching in the Tabernacle (Recent year)

We can definitely write books about Baba Guti with all kinds of topics and titles, however the past few days I have been mainly pondering how he transcended generational barriers. Understanding that he was born in 1923, which was even before the first television system was made, how has he continued to be a sought-after and relevant leader, who captivated the hearts of all generations? Indeed, we can quickly say it is the doing of the almighty God, which is true but the other part of the answer is that Archbishop Ezekiel Guti (Baba Guti) was a cooperating vessel, he surrendered himself to cooperate with what God wanted to do among men. He worked on himself to develop qualities and traits that enabled God’s will and purpose to flow and manifest freely. Do not be fooled this is not as easy as the statement may read.

When a leader is said to have transcended generational barriers, it means that they possess qualities, abilities, and values that appeal to and resonate with people across different age groups or generations. They are not limited by the norms, preferences, or biases typically associated with a specific generation, and as a result, they can connect and influence individuals from various age cohorts. This is exactly what Baba Guti carried, you could not classify him as an old man, though he was 100, yet he was deeply loved by all ages. I remember earlier in the year, it should be around March where I was talking to a friend and colleague encouraging each other to pray for “Baba” to be able to attend our conference this year because he was always giving wisdom, encouragement and guidance.

Left; Archbishop Ezekiel H. Guti Preaching in the Tabernacle at AMFCC (early years), Right Archbishop Ezekiel H Guti in his Archbishop's Robe standing outside the Tabernacle at AMFCC in Harare Zimbabwe.

There are several characteristics that I can talk about which I believe made Baba Guti a leader who transcended generational barriers:

1. Empathy and Understanding: Baba Guti had a deep understanding of the concerns, challenges, and aspirations of different generations. This empathy allows them to relate to people of all ages and bridge the gap between different perspectives. For the past two years, he went about in conferences having time with the youths, teaching them and giving them time to express themselves. He went ahead appointing some young people to leadership

2. Vision and Adaptability: Baba Guti was able to articulate a compelling vision that aligns with the values and goals of diverse age groups. Talk about the vision for soul-winning and for entrepreneurship through Talents. Over the ages, the message and vision have remained strong yet it adapted to changing technologies, means of presentations and times.

3. Open-Mindedness: Baba Guti was open to new ideas and perspectives. As long as it did not compromise the God-given mandate and vision he was willing to accept ideas. This openness fostered an inclusive environment where people from different generations feel heard and valued.

4. Communication Skills: A leader who can communicate effectively can transcend generational barriers. They can convey their message in ways that resonate with different age groups, using appropriate language and references. Baba Guti was a communicator, be it one on one or in groups and even his books and recordings which are still available.

5. Inclusivity and Diversity: Embracing diversity and promoting an inclusive culture is crucial for a leader to connect with people from various backgrounds and generations. Talk of a man who valued people and always fought for the minorities in our gatherings to be respected is Baba Guti.

6. Embracing Technology: A leader who is comfortable and familiar with modern technology can more effectively engage with younger generations, who are often early adopters of new technologies. In 2008 we saw Baba Guti extending the wings of the traditional broadcasting method to opening of a 24Hr television station. This is embracing technology. He was born before television but he later started a television station.

7. Wisdom and Experience: Another unique quality about Baba Guti was that, though he was open to new ideas, he also drew upon the wisdom and experience of the older generation which also earned him the respect and trust of older generations.

8. Authenticity: People of all ages appreciate leaders who are genuine, honest, and true to themselves. Authenticity can build trust and inspire followership regardless of age. Baba Guti was a genuine man, he talked openly and rebuked publicly. Even when you get close to him you could feel the authenticity and genuineness of his actions.

Baba Guti was a leader who transcended generational barriers, he effectively lead diverse teams, organizations, or even entire societies/nations, fostering collaboration and unity among people of different age groups and ethnicity. He is indeed a Timeless Icon a Leader Who Captivated Hearts Until the End and Beyond.

Joseph Dhlakama.

Power to Change Your Life.

One great blessing bestowed to the human race by God our creator is the power and ability to change our lives. Even though it does not always feel this way, the truth is you and I have the ability to change our lives. It is difficult to accept this especially when one is going through challenges when one is fighting an addiction or a habit when one is trying to improve themselves and keeps falling it can be difficult to believe and accept this truth. I agree that it is not easy but I will affirm that it is possible. Your life can change and my life can change if we can put to use the availed powers and potentials that are at our disposal.

I have seen and talked to many people who have changed their lives in many different ways. Some have changed their habits, others have changed their careers, and others have lived as failures and then changed to become successful and wealthy people. This power to change is not kept for a limited few No! It is available for all who want to change. Let me highlight again that yes there is a sense of hopelessness that comes along when one has been fighting something for a while, but if it takes longer and if it seems hard it does not mean it is impossible. If we keep working on it, it will work out.

The big question that I have heard many people ask so many times is “what do I do in order to change my life?”.  Like every other area of life, it takes a combination of several elements to bring about a single outcome. It means that there are several components that we have to put together to realize a change in our lives. It is like baking a cake, what makes a delicious cake? Surely you can not say flour, salt, or baking powder makes a delicious cake. All these and some others not mentioned here are essential ingredients that make up a delicious cake. Every ingredient carry its own specific contribution that is unique to itself. It is the combination of all these ingredients intentionally and systematically that brings about a desired outcome. We can surely not major on one ingredient lest the end product is something else that is not edible.

There are several faculties or powers at our disposal that when put to use can bring tremendous results in our lives. These powers are the likes of the power of prayer, the power of a vision, and the power of diligence. If these forces and many others are intentionally and systematically deployed in one’s life a change is bound to happen. I strongly believe that as long as a person is still alive and can make a decision there is hope for their life to change completely. It begins with just a decision, once that is made then one begins to intentionally and systematically apply the available powers to their own advantage.

 Take note, there are some who take interest in learning and studying these available powers that can change life just for the sake of knowing them. It is the application of the powers that brings the results. This generation knows a lot of things as it is rightfully called the Information Age, but the missing like is the willingness to apply the knowledge we have. Studying or knowing is not enough there has to be a willingness to apply what you know because that is where the miracle happens.

The starting place is you make a decision, make up your mind and resolve that you would like your life to change. Many times in the Bible when Jesus would be approached by people who wanted healings or miracles from Him, he would ask them if they really wanted what he could offer. The story in the book of John chapter five is one good example. When Jesus saw a man who had sat by the pool for a long time and had been in that condition for a long time he asked him in John 5:6 NIV“ When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him Do you want to get well?” What a question to ask! It is clear from this example that we can not assume that because someone has suffered for a long time they want to change, one has to make their own decision. Therefore make that resolve that you want to change. If we are going, to be honest enough everyone knows what area of their lives needs to change, make the decision and begin to make use of the provided powers right within you.

Wait On The Lord.

Waiting is one of the most excruciating things that we as humans have to experience from time to time. Even though it is part of our daily lives we seem never to come to be used to this great test of patience called waiting. This can be waiting for a loved one to return from a trip, waiting for a doctor’s appointment, waiting for the birth of a new child, or waiting for a breakthrough in some area of your life it is all waiting and it usually tests our patience. It is in the process of waiting that others lose hope and opt for other options which usually are lower in value or quality than that which they were initially waiting for.

Psalms 27:13 -14. (KJV) says, “l had fainted unless l had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and he shall strengthen thy heart. Wait l say on the Lord”. Let's hear from the Message bible version of the same scripture, it reads, “l am sure now you will see God's goodness in the exuberant earth. Stay with God, take heart don't quit. I will say it again stay with God”. The writer is very honest and open with us that he almost fainted, he almost lost it, almost gave up on life unless he had believed that l will see things change and see the goodness of God while he was still alive. Then alongside that testimony, he gives an exaltation or instruction if we may call it. The encouragement is to wait on the Lord. He repeats this twice in the same verse. The Message says “stay with God”.

It is apparent and inevitable that at some point life will happen to us, challenging circumstances will arise, and difficult times will come our way but the important thing we must never forget is to wait on the Lord. To wait on the Lord is different from waiting for the Lord. The word “on” used in the phrase is used as a function word to indicate one’s position or location. It, therefore, means that in all our waiting we need to be in the Lord. Yes, we can also wait for the Lord to work but it is much more beneficial to wait on the Lord. As rightly put across by the Message version “stay with God”. Many things happen to us in life that can easily drive us away from God. It can be successes, it can be failures, it can be the pains of life or the glory of it. No matter what it is let your wait be in the Lord. Many people have been driven away from God by the happenstances of life, but you decide that everything that will happen to me will draw me even closer and closer to my God.

Waiting on the Lord comes with a wonderful promise, a promise of strength from the Lord.  The Psalmist said, “Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and he shall strengthen thy heart”. He did not say that life will be without challenges, no! rather he said we will have access to help which is the needed strength. The strength will help us either to endure the season of challenges or the strength to change the situation. The same promise is given in Isaiah 40:32 (NKJV) “But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint”.  Therefore, I say wait on the Lord. We wait on the Lord by spending our time with Him, in prayers, in fellowship, in His word, and in doing His work.

It Will Work Out for Your Good

The Bible in Romans 8:28 (KJV) says “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.” The message version of the same scripture says “That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good”. There are times in life when what we are going through, and what we are experiencing seems not to make no sense. There are times when we feel that we deserve better than what we are experiencing or what we are getting. You may be going through such a phase now where life seems to be very unfair. Take heart and remember the scripture all things will work out for my good.

It is in such seasons of challenges and problems that people lose it. Some lose their temper, others lose their sanity. Some sink into worry, depression, despondency, and all kinds of illnesses while others make decisions and choices which are not the best. It is sad to note that such times of challenges are inevitable in life. There will always be times when we can't make heads and tails of what is happening. You may be going through such a time or such a season even right now. A season of difficulty. Where you are wondering why am l being treated this way. Why am l not getting the job? Why did that loved one choose to leave me? Why is this business not performing the way l would have loved it to be? Or why is the breakthrough taking so long? You might be going through such a season where you are questioning yourself all kinds of questions. It may not make sense in the season or in the time but the scripture we have read here assures us that if we love God and we are following his purpose and his will everything will work out for our good. Notice the conditions given first is “If we love God” and second is “if we are following his will and his purpose”.

There is a story in the Bible, in the book of Genesis that teaches and explains what we are discussing in the best way. It is the story of a young man called Joseph.  Joseph had a dream and a vision of becoming a great leader. However, the pathway that he took to the realization of his dream was full of challenges. First, it was the hatred of his brothers that led them to throw him into a pit. He was just an innocent young man at the age of seventeen, he could not understand and it could not show that this was the beginning of his journey to be Priminister. When he was sold to the Ishmaelites he could have thought why is trouble coming on top of another trouble? When he was sold to Potiphar he could have thought that this is the end of his life. It seemed there was no hope for his vision. Worse still when he was put in prison. All these unfair treatments and challenges that he faced were actually stepping stones to his dream.

Just like Joseph, at times we cannot make sense of the process we may be going through, it may not show the end result of the things we are experiencing, BUT be assured  IT WILL WORK OUT FOR YOUR GOOD. As long as you love God and you stay in His will and purpose, He will take care of the rest. You may not understand it right now. Don't worry therefore just take heart and be strong. Keep on keeping on. Just tell yourself it will work out for my good.

Healing Scriptures – Your Daily Dose.

These Bible verses about healing that you are about to read are not mere words, this is the word of God and every time you read and hear the word of God with a receptive heart faith will come alive in you as written in Romans 10:17 “So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” When you have faith, you can face and conquer anything even sickness and disease because Mark 9:23 says “Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

Therefore, as you read these scriptures, read them prayerfully, let faith come alive in you and receive your healing as written in Psalms 107:19-20 says “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.

Note: The scriptures are quoted from the New King James Version unless stated.

Psalm 30:2.

O Lord my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me.

Psalm 41:2-3

2. The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, And he will be blessed on the earth; You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies. The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed.

Psalm 147:3

He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.

3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

Psalm 91

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the [a]fowler And from the perilous pestilence.

4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day,

6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand;But it shall not come near you.

8 Only with your eyes shall you look,And see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place,

10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.

12 In their hands they shall [c]bear you up, Lest you [d]dash your foot against a stone.

13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.

15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”

Luke 17:14

So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.

Proverbs 4:20-22

20.My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; 22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.

Acts 3:2-8

2. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them walking, leaping, and praising God.

Acts 9:32-34

32 Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. 33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately.

Matthew 20:30-34

30. And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!” 31 Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!” 32 So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?”  33 They said to Him, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.” 34 So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.

Acts 14:8-10

8 And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. 9 This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10 said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked.

Matthew 8:5-10 & 13

5 Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, 6 saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”

7 And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”

8 The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

10 When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!

13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.

Matthew 8:14-16

14 Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. 15 So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them. 16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick,

Proverbs 3:5-8

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;

6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.

8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.

Matthew 14:35-36

And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, 36 and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.

Psalm 103:1-3

Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:

3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,

Jeremiah 33:6

Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.

Matthew 15:30

Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus’ feet, and He healed them.

Psalm 18:30

As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

Psalm 25:3

Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.

Psalm 34:17

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears And delivers them out of all their troubles.

Psalm 55:22

Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 112:7

He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

Matthew 4:23-24

23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. 24 Then [a]His fame went throughout all Syria, and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.

Matthew 8:2-3

2 And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” 3 Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Romans 8:11

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies [a]through His Spirit who dwells in you.

John 5:2-9

 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. 5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” 7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”  8 Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” 9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath.

Luke 13:10-13

10 Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. 12 But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” 13 And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

Luke 4:18-19

18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

3 John 2

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

Matthew 9:27-30

27 When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” 28 And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, “See that no one knows it.”

Proverbs 4:20-27

20 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.

21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart;

22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.

23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you.

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you.

26 Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established.

27 Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.

Luke 8:41-48

41 And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house, 42 for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him. 43 Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, 44 came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.

45 And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ”

46 But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” 47 Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.

48 And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

Mark 16:17-18

And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name, they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

James 5:14-16

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Deuteronomy 30:19

I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;

1 Peter 2:24

Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness by whose stripes you were healed.

Exodus 15:26

And said, “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.”

Luke 4:40

When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.

Matthew 8:17

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.”

1 John 4:4

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Ephesians 3:20

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

John 10:10

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Luke 11:9-10

“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Jeremiah 29:11-12

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

Isaiah 54:17

No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.

Proverbs 4:10

Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And the years of your life will be many.

Proverbs 3:1-2

My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life and peace, they will add to you.

1 John 5:18

We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.

1 John 5:14

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

1 John 5:4

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world our faith.

Exodus 23:25

“So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.

Hebrews 10:23

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Isaiah 41:13

For I, the Lord your God will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’

Isaiah 46:4

Even to your old age, I am He, And even to grey hairs, I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry and will deliver you.

Psalm 118:6-7

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is for me among those who help me; Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me.

Psalm 37:3-4

Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

1 Peter 3:10

For “He who would love life and see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.

Proverbs 13:3

He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.

Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Luke 10:19

Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Isaiah 55:10 -11

“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, So shall my word be that goes out of my mouth; it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

Maintain a Healthy Spirit.

Have you heard of the statement "health is wealth". I believe the statement means that in the same way we work for wealth we should work for our health and just as we work hard to maintain and safeguard our wealth we need to maintain and safeguard our health. This could be physical health, mental health, or spiritual health. In this discussion let us focus on maintaining a healthy spirit that is the health of your spirit. Every human being is a composition of three entities. We are primarily spirits we have a soul and we live in a body. Maintaining a healthy spirit is paramount if we need to manage and maintain health in the other two entities. Let's take a reading from the Bible, the book of Proverbs 18:14. (MSG) It reads, a healthy spirit conquers adversity but what can you do when the spirit is crushed."

 It is clear from the scripture above that when the spirit of a man is healthy that person can easily conquer adversity. We can rephrase it in many different ways like; when your spirit is healthy you can conquer sickness, or when your spirit is healthy can conquer financial crisis. Whatever adversity you can imagine, it can be conquered if the spirit is healthy. This does not mean that adversity will not come. Challenges, crises, and turbulent times will certainly encroach your way, but when your spirit is healthy you will always rise above adversity. A healthy spirit will always conquer adversity.

Remember this, we are primarily spiritual beings. We are spirit beings, you are a spirit, you have a soul and you live in a physical body. Our real life and everything that happens in us and around us flows from the spirit part of our being. It is from this spirit us, the deep reservoir of our being that life flows. Now when that reservoir, the real you is healthy it means that health will flow everywhere else. Just like in the physical and mental spheres there are sicknesses that seek to attack our spiritual well-being. We ought to be vigilant lest we be infected by these sicknesses, and I will share some of them with you. Number one is the infection of negativity; a majority of cynical people have this infection. Number two is the infection of bitterness. Yes, bitterness is a big one and it is very infectious. Then there is the infection of worry, the infection of murmuring, and above all these the infection of sin. All these diseases and many others seek to affect and paralyze our spirits. We need therefore to do our due diligence in keeping and maintaining a healthy spirit.

How do we do this?  How do we maintain a healthy spirit? First and foremost, for a healthy spirit, one should watch their diet, their spiritual diet. The spirit food is word thus it is paramount to be constantly feeding our spirit with the word of God. That's the diet of the spirit man, the word of God. We have to engage in the word of God daily, this can be through reading, memorizing, or listening to it. Listening to a lot of positive and faith-building messages goes is key to a healthy spirit. Secondly, we have to engage in prayer. We have to maintain fellowship with God because the life in our spirit flows from the Spirit of God our creator. So we have to maintain those open communications and fellowship with the divine through prayer and meditations.

Lastly, we have to engage in positive talk. This is both in our conversations with others and also self-talk. Nothing dampens the spirit of a man like negative conversations. Avoiding conversations that are negative, conversations that crush your spirit down goes a long way in maintaining a healthy spirit. We have to do our very best in maintaining a healthy spirit. Because a healthy spirit will give you victory against all adversity.

The Habit of Writing.

The habit of writing is an ancient habit that enhances productivity and organization. Scripture in Habakkuk 2:2. (KJV) says "And the Lord answered me, write the vision and make it plain on tablets. So he may run who reads it."  The Lord was giving clear instruction to the prophet Habakkuk to capture the vision by writing it down. We can ask ourselves a question here; why is he instructed to write rather than just remember or memorize? There should be some significant benefits to this activity of writing stuff down.

The discipline and skill of writing things down is very crucial to a productive and progressive life. There are several benefits that come along with writing stuff down. Let me share with you some of the tremendous benefits of this ancient discipline. Firstly, when we write things down we declutter our minds. Have you noticed that every given day our minds experience information overload? We have so many appointments to keep up with. We have so much news to follow up on. We have so many ideas that come up in our minds. We have so many communications going out throughout the day so our minds experience information overload and taking some of those things in our minds and putting them on paper or on your notepad helps to declutter and free up the mind. When the mind is decluttered it works better meaning it thinks deeper and clearer. Have you noticed that it is very easy to feel overwhelmed by simply three or four tasks that have to be done in a day? but when you write those things down you feel relieved, you feel better, you feel much achieved or even accomplished by just writing things down. The first benefit of writing things down is that it declutters the mind, it frees the mind to think better.

Secondly, when you write things down you capture important thoughts and ideas, and experiences. Oh, how I wish I had done this constantly a long time ago! l have been there, where you have a very good thought, a brilliant idea that comes into your mind but fails to capture it by writing it down. Then when you need the idea or thought the mind refuses to replay it. This could be a day later or even on the same day just a few hours later, you are trying to remember what was that I was thinking about. This usually happens when it is a very good point to put down in my journal or my assignment or something very important. Most of the time I completely forget what it was simply because it was not captured. So writing things down helps us to capture important thoughts and ideas because our minds will not remember everything.

Thirdly,  writing things down helps us in organizing our thoughts and our actions. When there are a lot of things to be done and these activities have not been properly organized or put down on paper, it is easy to get confused and overwhelmed. Writing down one's plans in order of priority helps a great deal in easing the work process. It also helps to direct focus and time to what is essential at the time. When tasks and activities are dealt with in an organized manner it enhances productivity and satisfaction.

Writing things down also improves our memory. Psychologists have shown that the brain remembers an experience more than it does a thought. Writing stuff down gives the brain an experience and whatever you experience sticks much better in your mind than what is just heard or thought about. Therefore we can safely say stuff written down can be easily remembered.

The fifth benefit of writing things down is that it helps us to stay focused. In the scripture we have read earlier, God is calling upon the prophet to write the vision down so that those who read may run. Notice here that when a vision is written down clearly, it is easy to constantly refer to it and check if one is progressing in the right direction or not. On the other hand, if it is not written down, one can have the luxury of changing the details and the direction at any given time because there is no point of reference. It's very important that we cultivate the habit of writing things down.

Where do I start or what do I write? I am glad you asked. First and foremost write your vision down as what scripture has said. Secondly, write down your goals. In writing goals, you just ask yourself the questions what do I want to achieve and when?  Third, write down your plans. These can be plans for the day, plans for the week, or for the month. The fourth thing that we all should get into the habit of writing is a to-do list. This is simply a list of all the things that you need to do in a day or at a place. The fifth thing to write is ideas. Capture the ideas that come to your mind, these can be business ideas or any other thing concerning your life. Lastly, write down your experiences. This is documenting what you have gone through in the day. The experiences can be exciting or sad moments they all need to be written down. This last exercise is usually called journaling.

Not All Talk is Communication!

Communication is the lifeline or the blood of every relationship, be it husband and wife. Be it friendships, be it children and parents, boss and employee. Whatever it may be, wherever there are people involved the life of the relationship is communication. If communication is crucial in all relationships, It means then that it is important that we all learn to communicate. Let us check what the Bible has to say about this subject. Ephesians 4:29 (KJV) reads, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister grace to the hearers”. Let us take it from the message bible version, it reads, “watch the way you talk let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps each other. Each word as a gift”. We are being warned from this passage of scripture by apostle Paul that we have to watch the way we talk.

Our communication should not have dirty, foul, and unwholesome language but rather it must be intended to minister grace to the one who hears. Our words should be intended to help or to profit in some way the people that hear us. We have to understand then, that it's not all talking that is communication. Many people think that just by talking they are communicating but it is not so. Communication is motivated by the hearer, the recipient, or the listener. So when you are communicating you will take note of what you are saying whether it will help, minister, or will it reach the intended recipients in the right way. We should therefore answer a few questions before uttering anything if we desire to communicate. We should ask ourselves; How are they going to hear? How will they understand?  How will they possibly respond to that which l am saying?

It is a different story from just saying your mind or mere talking. When you say what you want it's all motivated by you the speaker. The speaker says what they think or feel in a way they want to present it. This is not communication. Many people do this and expect a certain response from their listeners but end up disappointed because there will be a communication breakdown. This is quite common in relationships people think they are communicating when they speak their minds. Yet they do not take note of the recipient’s ability or probability to understand the words spoken and the gestures or actions portrayed. Do they understand them?

Communication calls for you to take note of how what you are saying will be understood by the listener. Let us conclude it this way, in communication, it is all about the hearer, the recipient, and the listener but in talking it's all about the speaker. In talking, we say our minds, and we speak our feelings regardless but in communication, we harness everything else and package it in a way that will minister or will be understood or will be decoded the right way by the person who is listening. So talking is all about me whilst communication is about the listener. The scripture we read earlier has said to make sure when you speak, the words you speak are intended to minister grace to the hearer. The motivation of communication is the listener, not the speaker, therefore let us learn to communicate.

What are you Saying?

This week's message is a question “What are you saying?”. Let us take for our reading from the Bible Psalms 91:2(KJV) It says, “l will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom l trust. l will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom l trust.”

Let us take the same scripture from a different version. Psalms 91:2 (MSG) reads, “say this, God you are my refuge. I trust in you and l am safe. The writer of this particular Psalm shows that he was very intentional and very calculative in the words that he chose to speak about his God and about his situation. He is very intentional; he is very calculative in his choice of words. He says “l will say of the Lord, He is my refuge, He is my fortress. My God in him l will trust.

Did you know that what you say most of the time contributes to a greater extent to the reality that you experience? The life you live is determined to a greater extent by your conversations. The words you speak, and your vocabulary, play a key role in shaping the kind and the quality of life that you live. I know many people do not believe this. Many people attribute the quality of life they live to some other force, to some other people, to some other situations and circumstances. Now l want you to know and to understand this reality here, that yes, all those other factors may be contributing to some degree but your words, your vocabulary, and your conversations ultimately decide the quality of life that you get to experience. Now we are asking a question here, what are you saying? Are you saying the right things? Are you saying good things? Are you saying positive things? You see, our environment is always pressuring us to speak what we feel, to speak what we think, to speak what we are seeing, what we are hearing, and what is going on around us. That is the environment. Guess what? The devil capitalizes on that. Pressuring us to speak what the world is speaking. To speak what everybody else is speaking. To speak negatively. To speak death. To speak lack, to speak insufficiency. But l want you to know that if do not tune your voice, tune your vocabulary, tune your conversations to the right direction that you want to go. You will see yourself going in the wrong direction because your words direct your life. Your words direct the course of your life.

The big question today is “what are you saying?”. Check your vocabulary, check your conversations. What are you saying? Are your words building or they are tearing down? Are your words bringing healing or they are hurting? Are your words full of fruitfulness and abundance or they are just words of lack and insufficiency and poverty? Are your words of sickness and death or they are of life in abundance? Check your vocabulary, check your conversations. What are you saying? The encouragement today is to be intentional in your choice of words. Be intentional in your vocabulary, and in your conversations. Say positive things all the time. Say good things all the time. Your words, your conversations, and your sayings play a key role in the reality that you experience.

Lastly, another scripture, Psalms 107:2 (KJV) says, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so. Whom he has redeemed from the adversary”. You see that? Let the redeemed of the Lord say so! The scripture is explicit here that our conversations, our talk must be a conversation of redemption. They must be conversations of acknowledging and testifying about what God has done and what God is doing in our lives. Don't speak as if God is dead as if God is not doing anything in your life. Speak right and you will experience a reality that you will be happy with. What are you saying?

The Power of the Tongue

Did you know that your tongue, the words that you utter from your mouth contribute greatly to the quality of life that you live? Apostle James in the Bible explains this truth with very good imagery let us read it in James 3:4-5 (NIV) says, “Or take ships as an example although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small radar wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boast. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The Voice version puts the same scripture this way, “Have you ever seen massive ships sailing effortlessly across the waters. Despite its immense size and the fact that it is propelled by mighty winds. A small radar directs the ship in any direction the pilot chooses. It's just the same with our tongues, it's a small muscle capable of marvelous undertakings. And do you know how many forest fires begin with a single ember from a small campfire?” 

The scripture paints a vivid picture in our minds of the power of the tongue. Apostle James equates the tongue with the radar on a ship. Radar is a small piece of equipment that is usually hidden at the back and bottom of the ship. This is the instrument that influences the direction of the sail. It is interesting to note that the destination of a ship is not decided by the weight of the ship or the size of the ship. It is not what is happening in the seas, I mean the torrential winds and tides on the ocean that decides the final destination of the ship. It is that small piece of equipment at the back of the ship called the radar that controls the direction in which the ship goes. As long as the radar is working properly the ship will go in the desired direction regardless of its humongous size or the winds and tides prevalent on the ocean.

Ok let us come to the matter here, the apostle is not trying to teach oceanography. He is instructing us on how our lives work. The tongue works just like the radar works in the ships and ocean liners. The direction that our life goes is determined by our tongue. Many times we ascribe the course of our lives to prevailing circumstances. We blame people and all kinds of possible excuses for where we are and leave out the real force, the real culprit who is our own tongue. The way we speak plays a great deal in the direction our life goes. Many people are overly negative in their speech and communication and as a result, they are stuck in life. It is unfortunate that most of these people do not realize that their words are the key contributor to where they are and the kind of life they are experiencing. If someone is always talking about the negative their life will gravitate in the direction of the negative. Why? because the tongue is the radar of our lives. How we speak determines our direction and the ultimate destination of life.

The scripture is calling us to learn from the ship, though it is big, the direction it goes is not determined by the size of the ship or its environment but by the radar as the pilot steers. You may be going through problems and challenges, the scripture is teaching us that you can steer your life to a safe place using the radar of your tongue. The power is right in your mouth, your tongue. Choose from this day to begin to speak positively. Choose today to begin to speak life, to speak abundance, to speak promotion, and to speak health. Begin to steer and redirect your life in the direction you want to see it go by the power of speaking.

The Power of Diligence.

There are disciplines and behaviors that when exercised by one will attract unusual results. One of such disciplines is diligence, yes you heard it right diligence. Diligence attracts power and results. The Bible our manual for life in the book of Proverbs 10:4 (AMP) says, Poor is he who works with a negligent and idle hand but the hand of the diligent makes him rich. Notice here with me that the scripture before us is informing us of the power of diligence. It says here the one whose hands are diligent will be made rich. It is not just a matter of luck that some people’s lives seem to be more productive than others. In most cases, it is diligence that attracts the results. Which is the opposite of negligence, idleness, and laziness.


The diligent will see results, putting it in the words of scripture the diligent will be rich. If this phenomenon can attract results, then it is worth studying. What is diligence then? Diligence is defined as a careful and persistent effort towards a goal or a task. Take note of these three keywords and phrases. Number one, it is “careful work”. The second is “effort”. Lastly, it is “persistence”. That is careful, persistent, effort. Let us look at the words one at a time. Careful means to be attentive and to put thought into a matter. It is not hurriedly or blindly attacking a task but there is deep thought, consideration, and weighing of options. Haphazard unthought work is often unproductive. Diligence calls for planning how a task can best be undertaken with the least possible resources and at the earliest possible time. Make sure that research has been done and there is a clear understanding of what needs to be done and how.

The second aspect is effort. In physics, effort is defined as applying a force in order to bring about a desired change of position. After studying and researching how best to undertake a task the next important step is to exert some effort and some energy into making sure that you accomplish that which you desire. Any knowledge not applied is just data and it will not attract results on its own. There is a great need to apply oneself to the things you know. I feel this is where my generation needs to improve greatly. We are a generation of information but little application. Whereas the generation before us was action and work-oriented generation. Can you imagine what great feats we will achieve when we decide to apply ourselves to action with all the information we have?

Efforts applied need to be accompanied by persistence. Persistence is the rule of the game in life. I have seen many people start projects and they leave them halfway or quarter way or three quarters to finish. I have done the same too at some point. This does not bring about any desired results. The rule here is there has to be persistence in our carefully planned efforts. We need to persist until we succeed. A half-done job is not good enough, a small trial is not good enough either but a careful and persistent effort will deliver the results. Without these three things, it cannot be diligence. It has to be careful, effort with persistence. And when you are diligent the bible says you will be rich, you will see the results.


Let us conclude with an exercise, write down a goal that you would like to work towards. Then write down some ideas and a plan to achieve that goal. Always remember that it is the hand of the diligent that will make rich. Excuses will not bring any results. Demand of yourself to be diligent. Even in the midst of challenges and setbacks demand yourself to be your very best of yourself and the results will speak in the end.

How to Pursue your Dreams and Vision

For every accomplishment, there is a process be it at the workplace, at home, or at school. This is the same with the realization of a dream and a vision. Visions do not merely manifest themselves simply because their bearer is sincere and well-meaning, no, a set of steps need to be followed for vision manifestation. In this episode, I will give you some very important steps to follow on how to pursue your dreams and vision. This is designed for those who already have a vision and dream in their mind and are wondering what the next step is to take.

The entry point of your vision into this physical space is having that vision captured and written down. There is a scripture in the Bible in Habakkuk 2:2 it says, “And the Lord answered me and said write the vision down and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it”. This is God himself speaking, it was not somebody’s idea or suggestion. If it is God’s advice, we must take it seriously because He surely knows best. Every vision must be written down regardless of how the vision came whether by the divine encounter, whether it was just a burning desire or a lingering thought or idea whichever way the vision came put it down in writing and write it down plainly. It is right here that many visions fail. They fail because the owner of the vision is not willing or he's not diligent enough to pen down the vision. When you refuse to write it down you are denying your vision entry into manifestation.  That's the entry point.

When writing your vision, it is the way of decoding or downloading it from the spiritual supernatural realm of the unseen into the physical space. So a written down vision has been granted access or entry into this physical world. An example I can give is when somebody sends you a file on your gadget be it on your email or in a message and you receive the file. You will need to allow the file into your space by clicking the download button. That is the only way you can get to enjoy and appreciate the fullness of the file. This is the same when pursuing your vision, the starting place is to write it down and write it plainly as the scripture has said.  At this stage, you write everything that is coming to mind without screening or sieving the ideas and capture it as it is.

The second step in the writing phase is to review and reflect on the script. Here what is mainly important is to analyze what has been written down to make sure it is in line with the word of God. Every thought and idea needs to be brought to the obedience of Christ as taught in 2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV) Also make sure at this point that this vision satisfies your God-given purpose for the greater good of humanity.  Now you can summarize it. This is where they talk about a vision statement or a mission statement or a motto. You now summarize your vision in a simple statement that you can memorize and keep speaking.

The second stage after writing is the planning stage. Planning is structuring a method and the steps essential to accomplish a goal. This is where you research and document the resources, skills, and action steps needed to achieve the vision. Luke 14:28 (NIV) says Suppose one of you wants to build a tower, Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see whether you have enough money to finish it”. Planning helps avoid delays and disappointments. Many people have jumped into action towards a goal and vision without a plan and it ended in disappointment. Therefore, in pursuing your vision first, write the vision plainly, and second plan the essential steps that you will take to achieve the vision.

Keep a Cheerful Heart.

Our lives are greatly influenced by what flows from within us and not only what happens around us. This is the reason why we must do our best to maintain positivity and cheerfulness as much as we possibly can. The Bible in Proverbs 17:22 MSG says "A cheerful disposition is good for your health. Gloom and doom leave you bone tired." What a mystery it is. Many people think that it is the other way round, they think that the circumstances on the outside are the key to a good life. Friends, let us take it from the scriptures. The Voice version of the Bible puts the same scripture this way "A joy-filled heart is a curative balm, but a broken spirit hurts all the way to the bone."

The scripture shows us that when our hearts are joyful and cheerful it has a great effect on our physical bodies. Now it's important for us to always remember that life flows from our heart to the outside. If our heart is not cheerful, if our heart is not merry, if our heart is not joyful then we are flowing negative energy all around our lives. It’s very important to understand this because it helps us attend to the things that matter in our lives. When we maintain and keep a merry and joyful heart, we will realize that all we are dispensing from our heart into every other aspect of our lives is positive energy characterized by, cheerfulness and joy. Therefore, the writer has said is, a cheerful heart is curative, it is medicine.

Maintaining a cheerful heart has got the power to work on the physical body, it cures, and does good to a person. On the other hand, when the heart is filled with gloom and doom it saps out strength from you. It makes you weary; it makes you tire. The voice version says it hurts all the way to the bone, which is serious pain and a sad condition to live in. The exhortation, therefore, is that we do our best to maintain a cheerful heart. This may seem impossible considering the everyday life challenges that always encroach our paths uninvited, but there is a way to get it. To begin with, you need to be at peace. Peace is essential if we are to generate cheerfulness. This peace is in three aspects of our lives. First is being at peace with God. It is impossible to have genuine joy and a merry heart without peace with God who created you. One's relationship with their maker should be good for all other things to be in place.

Secondly, we should Endeavour to be at peace with ourselves. It is possible to be conflicting and confusing oneself and usually, such kind of behavior generates restlessness. We ought to cultivate peace and single-mindedness. The third area we need peace is with other people. We need to be intentional in pursuing peace in our relationships. We should at all costs avoid strife and bitterness. When we cultivate and pursue peace in these areas of our lives then we are on track to a cheerful heart.

The next stage to a cheerful heart after peace will be constantly reminding yourself of the good things that you have. This may mean reflecting on your blessings often and having a gratitude journal. Many a time our joy is consumed by contemplating our shortcomings and the things we don't have yet. On the contrary, what promotes a merry and joyful heart is being grateful for what we already have. So, you might as well take time to appreciate the achievements that you already have, the family, the health, and many other good things that you already have.

By pursuing peace and being grateful we keep a merry heart. And remember a merry heart is a curative balm, it does you good in your body.

As a Man Thinketh.

There is a scripture in the Bible in Proverbs 23:7 (KJV) which says, “For as he thinketh in his heart so is he, Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.” Notice the opening part of that scripture, it declares plainly that as a person thinks so is he or she. In one of our blog posts, we discussed that our prosperity in every other area of our lives is relative to the prosperity of our soul, and we said that the soul constitutes the mind, the will, emotions, intellect, and imagination.

The word heart used by King Solomon in the scripture above does not refer to the physical organ that pumps blood in our bodies, but it speaks of the mind. It is with the mind that a person thinks. Therefore, we can rightfully say "As a man thinketh in his mind so is he". This means that every person is a product and a summation of their thoughts. We may desire or discuss having a good life and enjoying life in abundance, but our thoughts will determine whether we experience it.

When a person entertains constant thoughts which are contrary to what they want to experience in life when their dominant thoughts are not of life and are not of life in abundance that individual will never be able to enjoy that life in abundance even if they want it. This is a hard truth, and someone may ask why is it like that? Simple it is so because "as a man thinketh in his heart so is he".

One writer said, "We become what we think about all the time, nothing more nothing less". James Allan said "a person is limited only by the thoughts he chooses" can see that they are both repeating what the scripture has said. Dr. Ezekiel Guti says "thoughts are like seeds they will germinate and bring forth fruit after their kind". All these statements by these great people are just affirming that our thoughts make us.

We are who we are because of the thoughts that we have constantly entertained. If we want to change our lives, we must start by changing our thoughts. if we think good thoughts we will become good people, if we think prosperous thoughts or thoughts of prosperity we will become prosperous people. The key thing is the mind. As you think so you are.

 I, therefore, implore you to start today and right now to cultivate good and positive thoughts. Intentionally begin to think good things about all the areas of your life. Think good thoughts about your family, and think good things about your job. Think good thoughts about yourself, I mean your health, your career, and your future, think good because as you begin to think good you will begin to see the fruits of those thoughts manifesting in your life remember, as a person thinketh in his mind so is he.

Be on guard and watch out whenever a bad and negative thought comes into your mind, don't entertain them. Negative thoughts should be countered by positive ones, that is how you uproot a negative thought. A negative thought that is given room has the potential of affecting a whole life this is so because thought will bring a harvest greater than itself.  Dr. Guti said thoughts are seeds that will soon germinate and bring forth fruit, and the fruit is usually greater than the initial seed. Make sure you entertain thoughts whose fruit you will gladly enjoy. “As a man thinketh in his heart so is he”.

How to get a vision for your life.

One question often asked by many people whenever the subject is vision is discussed, is “how can I get a vision?” The people who often ask this question, understand and appreciate the power and importance of a vision, but do not know where to start. In this discussion, I wish to share with you some insights that will help you to get a vision for your life.

To begin with, we need to know that vision is given to us by God, based on our purpose and assignment on the earth. Every human being is created with a purpose and mission given by God that is intended to benefit humanity. The Bible in Proverbs 19:21 AMP says, “Many plans are in a man’s mind, but it is the LORD’S purpose for him that will stand (be carried out)”. It is clear, taking from this scripture, that God has a purpose for everyone. It is based on that purpose and assignment that a vision is given. However, most of the times, it is an individual’s duty to seek out that purpose and assignment and put down the vision.

There are some instances where God reveals a man’s vision to them in a divine or rather explicit manner. The story of Paul in the Bible is one good example. In the encounter that Paul had with the Lord on the way to Damascus, he received a vision of what he had to do and accomplish on the earth. Later, we hear Paul saying “Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19 KJV). Paul is testifying that he lived his life pursuing the vision that he had received from heaven. Even today, some may receive their vision through such divine encounters, dreams, or prophetic declarations.

For some people, and this tends to be a majority, the vision comes in the form of a burning desire. This is when one feels an urge or a passion to devote themselves for a particular cause. This passion can be very strong to the degree of making one restless if they are not working to fulfil it. Another way many get their vision, is by means of a lingering idea. This is when a thought or ideal does not seem to leave someone. It may disappear for a short time, but it keeps resurfacing from time to time.

The next step will be to write down the vision. Whether it was a divine experience, a burning desire, or a lingering idea it must be captured in detail and in clear writing. The scripture in Habakkuk 2:2 (KJV) says, “And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” This is the first and very important step in solidifying and ultimately, realisation of the vision. The desires and lingering ideas all need to be plainly written down and in all their detail.

The exercise of capturing the details of one’s vision usually requires solitude and genuine listening to oneself and to God. Quiet times of reflection and meditation are good times to receive and write down visions. During such a time, one should honestly write down every idea, desire, and vision experience. There is no need to hold back or to limit one’s imagination in fear that the ideas may seem absurd, just document everything honestly and plainly as it flows in the mind.

The second step will be to validate the vision with the word of God. Every thought, idea or imagination should be obedient to Christ, according to 2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV). Therefore, it is imperative to make sure that the vision does not violate the Holy word of God and works for the greater good of humanity not to harm or endanger lives.

Lastly, the captured and verified thoughts need to be compressed into a short and concise summary. You remember that during the time of capturing the ideas and desires, you are encouraged to write every detail that comes to mind. However, these must be summarised into a conceivable image and single statement. This is more like the vision statement in the corporate world. You can go a step ahead to write up a mission statement or motto that summarises your purpose. With all these steps followed, you have your vision ready, now go for it!

Joseph Dhlakama

Celebrating a Defining moment.

Holidays are loved and celebrated by many all around the world. One of these great holidays is Easter. Like any other holiday different people celebrate it for different reasons and in different ways. For some it is just another holiday to take time out and rest from their busy schedule, for some it is time for family reunions and gatherings characterised with big meals and fun activities and many others with different views also celebrate it differently.

However, for us the followers of Jesus, Easter is a season of remembering and celebrating a defining moment for the entire human race. It is a time that we reflect and celebrate the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is a very special event in the Christendom. Besides the spectacular happenings around the event, the death of Jesus on the cross is the event that made “life in Abundance” available and possible for humanity. It is the death burial and resurrection of Jesus that changed the fate of humanity. We were all doomed to eternal damnation, but the death burial and resurrection of Jesus averted it all. Now we have access again to eternal life because of what transpired on this event we celebrate as Easter. This is the reason why I call it a defining moment.

Let us look at a few things that happen around the death of Jesus;

1.     Scripture tells us that as Jesus was being crucified there was darkness all over the land, the sun could not give its light for a while. Mark15:33 NIV. “At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.” This is how powerful the event was. There hasn’t been an event that has shut down the sun for three hours straight ever since the history of man let alone a few minutes. We have had solar eclipses which only lasts a few minutes, but to have complete darkness for three hours shows the intensity of the event that was happening.

2.      The veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom. Matthew 27:51 NIV. “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split” Scholars and historians all agree that the veil of the temple which was torn at the death of Jesus was not a simple everyday curtain that could be easily torn. It was a heavy fabric that took tremendous effort to tear it apart. Therefore, having it tear by in the manner described by the scripture signifies some divine activity in it. This happening while Jesus is dying is a sure sign of something supernatural being accomplished by the death of Jesus.

I believe that occurrences mentioned above are just some of the physical expressions of a more superior event that was taking place in the unseen world. As Jesus died on that cross there was a spiritual transaction that was happening. The sins of humanity were being atoned. Remember that John the Baptist had attested to that effect in the earlier stages of Jesus’ ministry. John 1:29 KJV “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”. The spiritual debt that we owed was paid for by the death of Christ on the Christ. The whole human race that was doomed and heading to eternal damnation got the fate reversed to all those who will believe in the work that Jesus did on the cross. John 3:16 KJV says “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life”.

Therefore, when we celebrate Easter, we are celebrating a defining moment, we are celebrating the demonstration of God’s love for us all. We are celebrating the way we have been given to eternal life, and we are celebrating all that Jesus accomplished for us on the cross.

Joseph Dhlakama