Pastor Maselo Online

PREPARING OURSELVES FOR A SPIRITUAL WARFARE

2014-11-13T10:30:00.002+02:00

Pastor Jacqueline Makgato

Understanding Intercession

Pastor Jacqueline Makgato

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (1 Timothy 2:1-6)

An intercessor is someone who has a special spiritual burden from the Lord to pray for a particular situation that threatens the order and stability in persons, families, communities or nations. The burden/anxiety he/she feels comes from his/her spiritual sensitivity to what others are feeling.

Intercession focuses on other people’s needs. This is known as “the burden of the Lord.” The burden is a real distress on the intercessor which will not lift till he/she has prayed the matter through. Only then will great peace be experienced. Because of its selfless nature, this is God’s cherished prayer type.

Intercessors work directly with God to pray for His will to be done on earth and plead for His Kingdom to come. Intercessors are mediators between God and man; pleading with the Holy God for a sinful man. The plea is mostly repentance on behalf of sinners who attract God’s wrath on themselves; either deliberately or out of ignorance. It is praying God’s mercy to avert judgement on deserving sinners.

Although intercession is not mentioned among the five-fold ministries, the need for mediators to stand in the gab is expressed throughout the Scripture; the purpose being to avert God’s painful judgement on His wayward children. A vivid example is found in Genesis 18:16-32 where Abraham pleaded for God’s mercy over Sodom and Gomorrah, (two very wicked cities of that time) and God almost spared them. Moses pleaded for the rebellious Israelites several times on their way to the Promised Land. God heard his pleas and relented.

Intercessory prayer is a command from God to allow people to work as a unit in order to meet His standard. The following Scripture verses guide us to this need; Jeremiah 9:17-20; Isaiah 59:12-17; Isaiah 62:1-5; Ezekiel 22:30.

In some instances intercessors are known as watchmen who give warning to kings, rulers, and nations of a looming danger or disaster. In Isaiah watchmen are said to position themselves on the walls of cities to see any danger as it approaches from a distance and to take the right steps to reverse that.

At other times intercessors are referred to as prayer warriors who are guided by the Holy Spirit to wage spiritual warfare against the forces of darkness. They ensure that the angels of war invade the enemy camp to put a stop on satan’s operations in particular areas. Intercessors are called by God and endowed with a passionate spirit of prayer. They have a spiritual authority which is acquired through intensive training in the field of prayer and warfare.

Effective intercession is ignited up by the following;

Deep knowledge of the Word of God
Meditation (Joshua 1:8)
Regular communion with God until one is passionate about prayer
Total reliance on the Holy Spirit for guidance (He is The Teacher, Guide, Counsellor, Advocate, Helper, etc.)
Consecration to holy living as is reflected in the Scriptures e.g. Galatians 5:22-24. (The fruit of the Holy Spirit are manifestations of obedience and submission)
Walking by faith and vigilance

MAKE SURE YOU DON’T MISS YOUR SEASON

2014-11-10T19:12:00.000+02:00

Pastor Maselo Mosomane

"Ask, and it will be given to you; SEEK, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)

Seek within your season. Seek also within the season of the thing you are looking for. Each one of us have a season. There is also a season for everything we are looking for. Make sure you don't miss the season. “There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 MSG)

There is an appropriate time to do certain things in life. Farmers know this better. They never grow their crop out of season. It does not matter how experienced the farmer might be; he will wait until the turn of the season. He knows pretty well that, working against God’s natural setting, will only lead to crop failure.

The same is true in life. Life has times and seasons. There is a time and a season to empower yourself with education and there is time to establish yourself in a career. There is time to marry and raise a family, and there is time to consolidate your investments and prepare yourself for a financial independence.

When you cooperate with the season you are in, you increase your chances to succeed in your endeavor. But the opposite is also true. When you disregard your season you minimize your chances of success. God “…has made everything beautiful in its time” (Ecclesiastes 1: 11) You can only flourish in your season.

I think, some of you will concur with me when I say, it is hard to go back to school when you have a family to raise, and a career to pursue. I am not saying it is impossible. I am also not saying it is improper; please don't get me wrong. I know there are people who will always hear what you are not saying. I went through the same route myself. I was married and had a family and a career to follow in the insurance industry when I enrolled at a Bible College. I am not discouraging those who, due to reasons beyond their control, could not get the education they aspired at their time and, as such, had to go back to school. There are people I know personally who went back to school and made greats. All I am saying is, it is difficult for a family man or woman to pursue studies out of season. Many marriages ended up in a divorce court because of this. It is good when one achieves all his academic aspirations while raising a family; but it could have been much better when that was done at the right time and without casualties.

There are three things that affects our pursuits in life. One; when we pursue something ahead of time, two; when we pursue something behind time, and three; when we pursue something on time. You may be seeking something relevant but not get it because your petition is ahead of time or late. For example; a ten year old boy may ask God to grow him some beard. Will his petition be granted? No! Why? He is asking ahead of time. On the other hand; a seventy year old man may have heard the preacher preaching one Sunday quoting the same Scripture that when you seek you will find. In trying to practice the verse, the old man is now seeking a place in the national soccer team.

Have you realize how difficult it is to get married when you have missed your time? First; almost all your age group is no longer available. So, the pool of prospects have shrunk. Second; due to your experience in life, you make unrealistic demands. No one can meet such ridiculous demands, not even yourself.

Jesus said; “seek and you will find.” Indeed you will find when you seek; especially when you seek at the right time and season. Be careful not to be ahead or behind time. Results come rolling when you are spot on time.

Here is another thing to note; seasons are not permanent. They are a passing stage. Grab them with both hands while it is time. Do everything you need to do in season. Why waste time and play when you could be putting things together in your season. How hard it is to plough when it has not rained.

There is a time and a season to be born again, and, if you miss it; you may never be saved in your entire life. Some people heard the gospel at their season and were ready to be saved. However; due to unknown reasons; they put it off and not respond to the call. They postpone, and miss their season. Because they were so close and yet did not act; the devil hardens their hearts and blinds their eyes that they may not see the gospel in the same light again. The Spirit declares through Paul; “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

When you hear the gospel and it appeals to you; know that it is your season. It is your time to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. It will be a fatal mistake, the worst mistake of your life to let the time pass by. Of course preachers will preach again but you will never understand it the way you did that day until God gives you another grace. Friend! Do not let your season pass by.

SEEK ACCORDING TO HOW YOU HAVE BEEN WIRED

2014-11-07T10:35:00.001+02:00

Pastor Maselo Mosomane

"Ask, and it will be given to you; SEEK, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)

Each and every one of us is wired in a particular way. By the way, I first heard of this expression “how you have been wired” from Rick Warren. When I learned that, like vehicles, people are also wired, I got impressed.

Jesus declared; “Seek and you will find.” To help us seek in order to find, we need to know how we have been wired. We need to know how we have been capacitated to function. The way we are wired is the way we are talented.

Who wires people? I think, since we have been created by God, it must be God who wired us. No one can wire himself or others. You can influence others, alright? But as for wiring, only God does the job. God, in His sovereignty, decides who and how every one of us is wired. We can learn skills but talents, we are born with. Of course, talents are perfected through skill but you cannot produce talent through skill. Talents, we are born with. You cannot cut and paste talent.

We are all wired with particular talents to enable us to carry out certain roles. God has given each man some natural abilities to be able to do specific activities. Jubal, the descendant of Cain was the father of “all those who played the harp and flute.” (Genesis 4:21)

Do not try to do everything

I have realized that hands can be trained to master a variety of skills. Hands can learn almost anything. Many people have acquired some skills and are making a living out of that. They are not making tremendous success; they are just getting by. They will work and retire that way because they are not operating according to how they have been wired. On the other hand, a 23 year old boy is making millions just by kicking the ball.

Although we may be skilled to do many things, we cannot do everything. So, when we set out to seek, we need to know what to seek. We should not chase after everything just because it glitters. Certainty to find what we seek comes from a focussed effort.

How can one do that? Follow your PASSION. Passion is the fire that keeps burning from within. This is the fire that gives you energy to KEEP SEEKING. Those without passion will be the first to stop when things don't work as expected. They burn out far ahead of their time.

Many people set up businesses to try their luck in the commercial world. But, ultimately, the business ends up trying them. It ends up testing their passion for business. If you don't have business inside, don't try to put it there. Before you start any business, it must already be inside there. This is the fire that is going to keep you going when your business is in the lowest valley.

Seek what is already inside. You have been wired to achieve what is already inside of you. You see, when you seek something; you are in fact looking for an opportunity to manifest what is already inside of you. You are looking for a bill board upon which you can exhibit the hidden talent in your heart.

To seek in order to find what you seek, you must follow your talent; follow your passion. This is how you have been wired to function.

REACH MY GOALS? BUT WHERE DO I START

2014-11-06T12:37:00.002+02:00

Pastor Maselo Mosomane

"Ask, and it will be given to you; SEEK, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)

When you don’t find what you are looking for, it might be that you are looking at a wrong place. Or, you did not look for it enough. You did not seek enough. Look for it until you find it. When you pursue it with all your heart you will find it. Seek, and you will find.

I know, it’s easy to say; “look for it until you find it,” as my father used to say to me. But when you have tried and have not succeeded, it’s really frustrating.

The secret of finding what you want in life is to first seek One who created what you are looking for. First, look for one who knows where it is that you are looking for. It is more frustrating to seek and keep on seeking in the dark. But, once you find the light; once you find someone to guide you, life becomes easy. Someone somewhere knows where to find what you are looking for.

There is a powerful statement which was uttered by Jesus one day when He taught the multitudes. I believe this will share more light to our discussion. Matthew captured it and recorded it in chapter six, verse thirty-three. Here it goes; “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Listen to how it is phrased in the Amplified Version; “But seek, aim at and strive after, first of all His kingdom and His righteousness, His way of doing and being right, and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.”

Seek God first

God is the creator of everything, seen and unseen. He created the heavens and the earth. “For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him.” (Colossians 1:16) He knows where to find what we are looking for and how best we can do that. He profile tells it all.

Everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him. Will it not also be true that the shortest route to our goals in life starts with Him.

Once we establish a relationship with Him, He will teach us all things. He will lead us into all truth for He is the way and the truth. The starting point and the finishing post of every plan and pursuit must be Him. Every one of our goals must start in Him, He must be the reason we are doing what we are doing, and finally, He must be the reason to believe we have arrived. He must be the One to announce as we touch the finishing line. "Well done, good and faithful servant!"

Seek the way He does things

God has His way of doing things. Amazingly, His ways differ three hundred and sixty degrees with our ways. Without God, man is moving in an opposite direction with God, and without help, he is heading for destruction.

Hear what God says;

“I don’t think the way you think.
The way you work isn’t the way I work.”
God’s Decree.
“For as the sky soars high above earth,
so the way I work surpasses the way you work,
and the way I think is beyond the way you think.”

(Isaiah 55:8 MSG)

It has always been God’s desire for His children to study the Bible so that they can understand His ways. We always get into all sorts of trouble when we ignore His way of doing things and pursue our own. Most of the problems we have in life today are as a results of man disregarding God’s ways?

Throughout the Bible God graciously reveals His ways to mankind. With stories and examples, teaching “precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little.” (Isaiah 28:10)

“People who don’t know God and the way He works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works.” (Matthew 6:33 MSG)

HEAR OH MORTAL MAN! YOU CAN’T DO IT ON YOUR OWN!

LOOK FOR IT UNTIL YOU FIND IT

2014-11-05T11:13:00.002+02:00

Pastor Maselo Mosomane

"Ask, and it will be given to you; SEEK, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)

I like it in the Amplified Version. It says; “Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you.” The key word is ‘keep on.’ You find what you keep on looking for.

I remember what my late father would usually say to me when I grew up. Whenever he sends me to get him something; for instance, a tin of polish or a hammer or something else and I come back saying; I can’t find it; he would send me back saying; “look for it until you find it.” As a young boy, I did not learn anything out of that. But now; after all these years, I am beginning to see some nuggets in it. Go, “look for it until you find it”

Today, whenever I look for something and maybe I don't find it, I would always say to myself; “you didn’t look for it enough. Go and look for it until you find it.” I would go back and earnestly look for it. When I do; I ultimately end up finding it. I now know that if you are really looking for something; you will find it if you keep on looking for it. I have developed a habit out of it. Each time I don't find what I am looking for, I would remind myself; “you did not look for it enough”

Many of our failures are as a result of half-heartedness in whatever we do. How many times have we set our minds to seek something but when we don't find it we just give up and say I can’t find it. We do just enough to justify our failure; just enough to ease the burden on our conscience. We do just enough to quieten our inner voice. I wonder why we get so comfortable when we can’t find what we initially set ourselves out to do. God sent Jeremiah to Judah to teach the same lesson we are learning today. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)

Friend, your life is not like shelves or reels in the shop where merchandize is lined up for you to pick any size whenever you like. Nothing of real value is found on the surface. You are going to have to dig, hunt and search a little more. Fish is not caught in shallow waters; you have to launch out into the deep for a real catch. Frogs and crabs are found in shallow waters but deep water hake in deep oceans.

Today is the 5th day of November. We are approaching December month; the 31st in particular. Once more we are going to make some new year resolutions. But, before we do that, may we check how far we have gone. May we evaluate our progress please? Are we winning? Are we keeping up with the plan? Some are, but, some are not. What went wrong? Is it the plan that was wrong or the year that was too short perhaps?

Where did we miss it? I think that should not be the question. The question should be; DID WE SEEK AND KEEP ON SEEKING? The Bible says; “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

If you don't find what you are looking for, it might be that you did not look for it diligently. When you seek, seek like, indeed, you want to find the answer. Seek like your life depends on what you are looking for. Seek with all your heart. God reveals His plans to those who are committed to His ways.

WHAT DO YOU WANT IN LIFE?

2014-11-04T11:10:00.000+02:00

Pastor Maselo Mosomane

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)

In one of His greatest teachings, Jesus taught how we can have what we desire. He gave us three promises as recorded in the above Scripture. He said we should ASK, SEEK and KNOCK. For the next three days we will be discussing these promises.

When Paul closed his famous chapter (1Corinthians chapter 13) he wrote these words in verse thirteen; “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love,” I also want to say; and now ASK, SEEK, KNOCK, this three; but the greatest of them is ASK.

If you can pay a little attention you will see that the word ASK is an acronym of ask, seek and knock. ASK summarizes the three and binds them together. All three operate together through ASK. When you seek you ask and when you knock you ask.

A - ASK

S - SEEK

K - KNOCK

Jesus said when we lack something; we should ask for it. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, James added; “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5)

This is the promise that Heaven is eagerly waiting to see Christians take advantage of. God is a good God. He does not change. Above all; He keeps His promises. The Bible is the book of His promises and examples of their fulfillment. So then, if God is a Promise Keeper; how come we go around in life lacking all that He said we should have?

The problem is we don't ask. Even if we do, we don't do it the right way. “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss,” (James 4:3) There is the right way of doing everything. Things are easier when you use the right method. It’s easy to reach the North Pole if you travel north. But if you travel south hoping to reach the same destination, you will have to travel twice the distance before you arrive. Have anyone shifted the finishing post? No, you took the wrong route.

Well, if there is a wrong way of asking or praying, then there should be the right way to do the same. Here is the right way to ask from God

Ask in faith.

“And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive…” (Matthew 21:22)

This means we should ask completely convinced that what we ask for shall be given to us. The Bible teaches us that; in fact we have already received our petition. Jesus said we should believe when we ask. We don't ask and wait to see IF what we asked for will be given to us; no; we believe while we are asking or praying. We believe that we already have what we asked for. We may not have the manifestation as we stand there praying, but, in the spirit our petition has been granted and dispatch already. We don't have to see anything to believe it is so. Things in the natural world are determined by five senses; what we see, what we hear, smell, taste and touch. Hence the statement; seeing is believing. But what about if you are only seeing an impression? However; in the spirit the opposite is true: believing is seeing. We don’t walk by sight; we walk by faith.

Ask according to God’s will

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” (1John 5:14,15)

God laid down some promises in the Bible which He expect us to follow when we deal with Him. To ask according to God’s will is to ask according to God’s promises. In simple terms; to ask according to God’s will is to ask according to the Bible. For instance; you don't just wake up the next morning and say; “God, I want so and so’s wife. Give her to me.” How can He give you so and so’s wife when He has already said in the Bible; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife and commit adultery? Will it still be in order if someone asks God for your wife? No, my friend; God is the God of order. He is not the author of confusion.

Will this not be one of the reasons some prayers go unanswered? Pray or ask according to God’s will and wait in faith and see if God will not answer your prayer.

Ask in Jesus’ Name

“And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” (John 16:23,24)

We don't ask from Jesus. We don't pray to Jesus - we pray to God. Many times we find ourselves praying or asking from Jesus. This is not according to God’s will. Jesus, Himself says; “in that day you will ask Me nothing.” Jesus was referring to this days we are living in. We might as well read it this way; “in this day we will ask Him nothing” Remember; the key point in prayer is “according to His will” and we said the Bible is His will.

We do not ask from Jesus. We ask from the Father in Jesus’ Name for “God also has highly exalted Him (Jesus) and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11) This is God’s arrangement and if you want to get your prayers answered, if you want your petitions granted; you better pray or ask according to the arrangement.

What to do after “Amen”

It is always after you have said, ‘amen’ at the end of that beautiful and powerful prayer that the pendulum begins to swing backward and forward. From faith to doubt. Feelings begin to alter your faith. So what do you do then?

You wait. This is the testing station where every prayer is evaluated. Many answers are aborted here. Let us not forget that, when Jesus said, “Ask and you shall receive” He did not fix the promise to any time frame. Time should not determine how long we should wait until the prayer is answered. Our faith in the promise should be the determining factor. We should not validate God’s promises by how quick He answers our prayers. He is God when He delays our answers; He is God when He is spot on and He is still God when He answers our prayers while the prayer is still in our mouth.

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.

(Isaiah 40:31)

God answers prayers. We have all the reasons to believe that our prayers will be answered "for everyone who asks receives…” Matthew 7:8

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT YOUR PRAYERS AND PETITIONS ARE RECEIVING ATTENTION

HOW TO DEAL WITH YOUR FEAR TO SHARE THE GOSPEL

2014-11-02T21:33:00.001+02:00

Here's where you should start

Pastor Maselo Mosomane

Have you been to church today? Do you remember what your pastor preached about? Go out to your friends at work, at school or around where you live and share what you heard today. This is what God said to you today. He said it through his servant - the preacher. The pastor preached the message and now you go and share it. If they record sermons at your church, buy one - especially today's message and give it to someone. This is how to share the gospel. You share what you have heard or seen. This makes you a witness.

Suppose through reasons beyond your control you could not be at the worship centre today. Well, take the messages that you read from this website and share with others. The important thing is that you share what you've heard. Why do it with bad stories and never with good ones?

Also get into a habit of sharing what you have read about in the Bible. Every time you read the Bible, God shares some truths into your heart. This is what you need to share with others. When God reveals something to you through His word, He is making you the prophet of the moment.

Jesus said in Acts 1:8; "but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth." We are being saved and filled with the Holy Spirit to be witnesses to what Jesus has done to us and for us.

You don't have to be a preacher. Not all are called to preach. But all of us are called to be witnesses to people around us. There was a young man who was born blind. He did not know Jesus. But Jesus healed him and his sight was restored. When the Jews questioned the young man about Him he said; I don't know him, "but I know one thing for sure: I was blind . . . I now see.” John 9:25 MSG His testimony was nothing but what Jesus did for him. "Once I was blind, but now I can see. What did Jesus do for you? This is your testimony - share it with others.

FEAR TO SHARE THE GOSPEL

2014-10-28T13:08:00.001+02:00

Pastor Maselo Mosomane

"But Moses protested again, 'What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘The Lord never appeared to you’?'” Exodus 4:1

How many times have you felt inside that people will not believe you when you share with them what you believe God is urging you to do so? How many times have you called yourself to order and said; "it's just me?"

Each time you say its just me; deep in your heart you know it's not just your thoughts. You know it is something bigger than your thoughts. It is God wanting to speak to someone though you. God wants to reach out to someone through you. God wants you to be the prophet of the moment today.

"What if they won't believe me or listen to me?" See how Moses extended his list of excuses when God sent him to king Pharaoh? God met with him at the burning bush when Moses was shepherding his father-in-law's sheep at the slopes of Mount Sinai. Then the Lord told him, "I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering.... Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.”" Exodus 3:7,10

Although Moses was convinced it was God who was speaking to Him, nonetheless, due to fear he advances one excuse after the other. But God was patient with Moses. He handled every objection; from "who am I" to "who are you:" from "I can't speak well" to "what if they won't believe."

Haven't you realize how hard it is to satisfy someone who has a hidden problem? When you thought you have remove the main obstacle, he comes up with another. If fact, he does not have any obstacle; he puts obstacles in his way by himself. So was Moses.

The actual reason Moses was reluctant to go back to Egypt was that he was afraid. I don't know whether he was afraid of the pending murder case that led him to exile or the whistle blower among his own people who saw him commit the very act. But Moses was afraid.

For all the years I have been a Christian and have read through the Bible several times, I was shocked to see this verse in the same chapter. Verse 31 says "and the people believed and when they heard that the Lord visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped." And the people believed. People are ready to believe - especially when they are afflicted. This is why if they do not get the truth they will believe a lie.

When God impresses upon you to share the good news with someone; instead of thinking about what the person's reaction will be, think about what God's reaction will be if you won't. Let what the person might say weigh less than what God said. God will never change His mind about what He said to you but he (the person God wants you to speak to) may change his mind.

It does not matter how fearsome someone looks like. If God sends you to him with the gospel do so and do not be afraid - go ahead. His response is not what directs your course. You see God is different from people. With Him the outcome is not as important as OBEDIENCE. May the same be true with us today. As servants, we are called to carry orders with complete obedience and the outcomes we leave to God. Good day

YOUR SEASON HAS COME

2014-10-20T08:48:00.000+02:00

Pastor Maselo Mosomane

Behold this is the time of refreshment. Barren women will conceive way beyond menopause. Sons will be born to old men who are well advanced in age. This will indeed happen for with God nothing will be impossible. The time is now. Lift up your eyes and see, trees are blossoming. New leaves will soon cover the tree - the crown is forming. Behold, the promise is ready. Look at Abraham and Sarah; Zachariah and Elizabeth; Mary and Joseph and believe that it will also happening in your life.

Churches will begin to take shape and become a reality in the area God has planted them. Men of God who have been discouraged will find strength to rise up and do great exploit in the kingdom of God whose King is Jesus of Nazareth. Businesses will begin to prosper and yield four hundred, six hundred and others hundred fold in the same year. Health will be restored to the sick while many who have been wondering in the wilderness of uncertainty, lost in the sea of troubled waters will anchor and be back in their right mind. Clap your hands and leap for joy for your season has started. You are highly favored to be living in this season. Rejoice and be glad for the Lord has spoken.

2014-09-16T17:11:00.003+02:00

DO YOU KNOW JESUS?

- Pastor Maselo Mosomane

I was in a Christian book shop one Saturday to buy myself a new bible. My old bible is old indeed. It is falling apart. Sometimes this happens when I am on the podium preaching. I have always been putting this off but this time I gathered my courage and held my neck tight and straight and walked into the book shop. When I was at the counter finalizing the transaction; I saw a young man right there behind the counter. I asked him this question; ‘Do you know Jesus?’ He hesitated a little and answered; “Yes.” I quickly made a follow up and asked; ‘where is He?’ Before he could utter a word his eyes grew bigger and rolled three times faster. He looked confused by my question. After much consideration he attempted to give it a shot. He struggled through it like a multiple choice question in an exam room. Finally said; “in heaven.”

The next Sunday I asked five ladies the same question. We had a feeding scheme at our church at that time. After every service on Sunday we would gather at the public park and feed the hungry. These five ladies pitched up too. My wife and other ladies in the church served them food. While they were seated and enjoying the meal, I asked them the same question I asked the young man at the bookshop. ‘Do you know Jesus?’ All of them openly confessed that they do not know Him. I shared the Word with them and when I asked if they wanted to know Him, all of them raised their hand. I prayed with them and they received Him. They received Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

Let’s come back to our friend at the book shop I visited that Saturday. He pretended to know Jesus. When I asked him where Jesus is he got confused and said this through his confusion; “in heaven.”

There are many people who when confronted with this simple question would not know what to say. Some would try to sound good and say “yes” though in their heart they know they don’t know Him. Some would show a religious boldness and say, yes! But my friend, in reality, the answer is not in the mouth. The answer is in the heart and comes through the mouth. The bible says; “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” Romans 10:8. The answer to this question should not only be in your mouth; it’s got to be in your mouth and in your heart too. It’s not good enough to know what to say or what answers to give when asked. The answer must come from your heart. The answer must first be in your heart and then in your mouth. What does this mean? It means you believe and then speak. Even in the natural, good and honest answers are not those that fly out of the mouth but those that flow from the heart and out through the mouth. This is what the Spirit meant in 2 Corinthians 4:13; “I believed and therefore I spoke.” We also believe and therefore speak.

The guy at the book shop spoke before he believed. It does not work that way. It’s like you are putting a card in front of the horse. If you speak without believing or before you believe; your words lack power to manifest what you say. The power of the word is in your heart and your heart is where believing takes place. You believe with your heart; not with your mouth. We don’t believe with our mouths.

Jesus only comes into your life when the mouth and the heart cooperate and work in harmony. How? Heart first; then mouth. Believing first; then talking. It does not matter how much or how long you speak; as long as what you say does not come from what you believe in your heart; no matter how correct your words may be, the power of the word will not be released. Words are spoken across the human lips but power is released from the heart. Unless this sequence is followed, your words will always be powerless. How many words do you speak per day? How much power do you release every time you speak? Think about it. Unless what you say comes from what you believe in your heart; you are like a sounding cymbal.

Why did this guy at the book shop hesitated before He could give the answer? He hesitated because he did not have the answer in his heart and he first had to formulate it in his mind. Remember; the word is not said to be in the mind and in the mouth. The Scripture does not say the word is in the mouth and in the mind. It has nothing to do with the mind. He said when he answered me; “yes, I know Jesus” When I asked him where He is he said; “in heaven.” It is true, He is in heaven. But when you come to know Him, He comes and stay in your heart. When you believe in Him as Saviour, He comes and stay in your heart. He comes and become Lord in your heart and also in your life. You don’t know Him until He is in your heart. You may give good, intelligent answers; I agree, but as long as He is not in your heart, you don’t know Him.

The five ladies at the public park did not hide anything; they came out open and said; “No, we do not know Jesus.” When I shared the Word with them, they believed in their hearts. I shared the Word about Jesus; who He is and what He can do for them. When they heard that Jesus could save their lives and forgive their sins, they believed in their hearts. They demonstrated their faith (i.e. they believed what I said Jesus is able to do for them) When I asked them to pray with me, they were ready to speak with their mouths what they believe in their hearts. Jesus revealed Himself to them by coming into their hearts and saved them from their sins.

Friend; how long have you been dodging this question? Sometimes this question would be asked by people who preach the gospel like me; sometimes by a silent question in your heart. DO YOU KNOW JESUS? I am not talking about belonging to a church; I am talking about knowing Jesus. DO YOU KNOW JESUS?

It’s time you stop sticking your head in the sand of arguments or hiding in fox holes of tradition and answer this question with all honesty. You may be like that guy in the book shop and pretend you know Him, but that silent voice inside will not keep quiet until you tell him the truth. Or you can be like those five ladies at the public park and tell it like it is and admit; “No.” You see, it is only when you give an honest answer that Jesus would introduce Himself to you.

If you insist that you know Him when you have never met Him and He has never introduced Himself to you; you are deceiving yourself. You might have heard others say He is Jesus but you don’t know Him personally. You only depend on what others say. But if you can open up to Him and say; “Jesus, I don’t know you. I want to know you. May you please introduce yourself to me?” He will sure introduce Himself to you.

How do you do that? First be honest to admit that you don’t know Him. Second; listen to what the Word says about Him. This is going to come by preachers who will tell you about Him. Third; believe what they tell you about Him. Fourth; confess what you believe in your heart about Him. What does this mean? Simple; say out with your mouth what you believe in your heart about who Jesus is. You may probably need someone to help you. Humble yourself and have someone who knows Him lead you into His presence. If you follow these steps; my friend you will come to know who Jesus is.

Would you pray this short prayer with me?

Today I admit that I do not know Jesus

I have heard about Him, but

I have never known Him personally

As I have just finished reading this article

I choose to believe all that was said about Him

I now confess with my mouth that

Jesus is Lord

I believe He died on the cross to save me

He was buried in a tomb

But after three days God raised Him from the dead

I put my trust in Him today

And now believe I am saved

Thank you.

Amen.

THE MUSTARD SEED SIZE OF FAITH

2014-04-01T08:09:00.000+02:00

Pastor Maselo Mosomane

“And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you” Luke 17:5, 6.

When the disciples saw what Jesus did; the miracles He performed and the healing crusades He conducted, they marveled. When they heard the messages He was preaching and saw the crowds He pulled they were speechless. I mean they have just heard Him teach about Lazarus and the rich man followed by the principle of forgiveness and that was just enough to move them.

They wanted to be like their Master; but it seemed He was always walking faster than they could. They remembered what He said in John 14:12 when He said; “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” They thought to themselves; “the key is in believing – the key is in faith.” They so wanted to have this power they could not wait. And they made a move. They said to Jesus; Lord, “increase our faith.”

Is this not what we’ve always been crying for? “If God could just increase my faith, I would do great exploits” We always push the responsibility away from us. “It is not that I am not willing: I am still waiting for the Lord to increase my faith”

In response to their request Jesus taught them another lesson. “So then the Lord said, ‘if you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea, and it would obey you’” Yesterday on my way from church I got into Spar Shopping Center at The Orchards and among other things, I bought a small 100g plastic bag of mustard seeds. I didn’t open the plastic bag but just by the look of eyes the little container may be containing more than 1000 tiny seeds. Then I thought about what Jesus said to His disciples in the opening verses. I was impressed by the size of these tiny seeds. I compared them with an avocado seed and said wow! What a difference! Avos have big seeds!

There are two important lessons we can learn from this conversation;

Lesson No. 1

Just like an avocado seed (which is almost a million times the size of a mustard seed) a tiny mustard seed is able to grow a big tree. It does not require a big seed to grow a big tree. Even a tiny seed like a mustard seed can grow a big tree. It is not about the size – it is not the size of the seed that counts. You don’t buy a big seed in order to grow a big tree; it does not always work like that. The size of the seed has nothing to do with the size of the tree.

What Jesus was saying to His disciples differs completely with what we are used to. You see in the world big is beautiful. Big is best. We like big cars. Due to high oil prize automobile manufacturers are these days manufacturing small cars. Because the world system has branded in our minds that big is equivalent to success; people cut an ordinary car in the middle and extend it to a bigger car and call it a Limousine. We like big houses. Everything we buy must be big. Big has turned into a brand name. Most women like tall and broad-shouldered guys who towers over them when they walk around together. Many have lost their marriage opportunities just because they are still waiting for the tall, broad-shouldered guy to show up. It’s not in the height my sister; it’s not in the shoulders; it’s not in what he has. It’s instead in who he is.

But Jesus taught something different. He taught that value is not measured by size. It is measured by the capacity and properties in the product. When the disciples asked for Jesus to increase their faith He said something else. When they thought with big faith they could do the works of Christ; He said something else. When they bargained for more He said ‘list’ will still do. He said to them; “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you” In Matthew 17:20 He says “…if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘move… and it will do just that.

It’s not about the size; it’s about the hidden abilities in the seed. One guy once said; “it’s not the size of the dog that counts in the fight; it is the size of the fight in a dog that counts.” Don’t be deceived by measurements. Your faith, which in your eyes is small, is able to accomplish whatever your need may be. Quit judging your faith on the ‘big and small’ measurements because in the spirit sizes does not count.

Lesson No.2

Let me tell you what makes the difference. Action! All you need is to act on your faith no matter how little it might count on your weighing scale. Faith does not have to be big before it can work. Jesus said like a mustard seed, your small faith is capable of producing as much as an avocado seed size of faith; if you can just apply it. Every seed - every faith is able to release what is packed in it when it is sown.

Look into your life and check how many times you’ve been holding yourself back simply because you thought your faith was not big enough. I encourage you today; step out by faith and let your small faith do big works. Throw away the tape measure; throw away the weighing scale and release that mustard seed size of faith and leave it all to God.
(Message first published on the 9th December 2012 under the title: WHAT MAKES FAITH WORK by the same author)

TWO LETTERS FROM BABYLON

2014-03-20T12:54:00.001+02:00

Pastor Maselo Mosomane

Daniel 3:28-30

“Then Nebuchadnezzar said,

Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego!

He sent his angel to rescue His servants who trusted in Him.

They defied the king’s command and were willing to die

Rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.

Therefore, I make this decree:

If any people, whatever their race or nation or language,

Speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,

They will be torn limb from limb,

And their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble.

There is no other god who can rescue like this!”

Daniel 6:25-27

“The King Darius wrote:

To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:

Peace be multiplied to you.

I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom

Men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel

For He is the living God, and steadfast forever;

His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and

His dominion shall endure to the end.

He delivers and rescues, and

He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth,

Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

These two letters come from Babylon and are addressed to specific audience; namely, “all people, race, nations, languages that dwell in all the earth.” They are addressed to people and governments – worship communities included. They are written to individuals walking down the streets of world class city and sewerage-soaked narrow streets in the ghettos and townships at the doorsteps of cities and towns alike. They are written to poverty-stricken individuals down the meandering dusty roads of insignificant villages all over the face of the earth.

Though the letters are two, the message is one. Though the authors are two, the message remains one. Empires and eras may differ but the message does not. Though the audience may change and differ from yesterday, today and tomorrow; the message still seek audience from every generation. It has been packaged and interpreted in almost all the know languages of the world. It is spoken across the planet through airwaves and every modern form of communication system or media network.

OH NATIONS OF THE WORLD; HEAR THE MESSAGE!

God is one - there is no other god. People may be numerous, nations may be many but God is one. Nations may have their own deity and nickname them gods but that will not make them God. There is no other god. It doesn’t matter how or what you believe. There is only one God. He ordered that people should all come to Him through His Son Jesus Christ. He said that day when John baptized Jesus; “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Mister little “g” god, you are not God. There is only one God; His name is Jehovah and His Son is Jesus Christ.

God is the living God - He is not dead. Though nations may have their own divinities; they are not alive but dead. For instance; ancestors are playing a significant role in African religion; I know. But they are dead and not alive. That’s why they are worshiped at the graveyard. Graveyards are places of the dead all over the world; this is common knowledge no one pays for. If ancestors were gods; let them rise up and live.

Jesus rose again and took upon His body and lived again. Yes, He took upon His body. That’s why He said to Thomas; “reach your finger here, and look at My hands, and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” John 20:27 Jesus took up His body and lived again. He was not a ghost or just an imaginary presence. He rose from the dead and, for forty days He was seen by many. He was finally seen by more than five hundred people at a time. Hence we confess with our mouths the LORD JESUS and believe in our hearts that GOD HAS RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD. Jesus is alive!

Fear God – the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. In order to be democratically aligned and ballot friendly, governments come up with policies that propagate inclusivity. They defy the only True God and bringing Him to the same table with idols. When they celebrate or inaugurate something, they call upon all the deities of the world – God included. They neither fear God nor revere Him. They promote all sorts of abominations in the name of CULTURE. We all know that every nation has its own culture, but, with the same breath, let it be known that all cultures of the world are man-made. Man made them and man changes them when it suits him. But God is not man-made and He does not change. GOD IS SELF-EXISTENT

Oh people of the world know that you were created in the image of God. You were fearfully and wonderfully made; God made you upright. Why do you sought for many ways to destroy yourself? Why do you despise God

Fear the Lord;

a. Do not speak a word against God

b. For His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed

c. His dominion shall endure to the end

d. He delivers and rescue

e. He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth

THE WALLS OF JERICHO ARE CRUMBLING DOWN

2014-03-18T09:14:00.000+02:00

Pastor Maselo Mosomane

“So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat.” Joshua 6:27

After the death of Moses the servant of God; by the instruction of God, Joshua assumed leadership over Israel. He took the nation across the River Jordan and led them into the Promised Land.

The first obstacle they came across was the city of Jericho. The city of Jericho had high walls right around. According to the word of God, six days they marched around the city, and, on the seventh day something unusual happened as they marched. When the priests blew the trumpets and the people shouted, the walls of Jericho fell flat.

Walls were a symbol of strength. A city with walls around it enjoyed protection against intruding enemies. Jericho was one of such ancient cities whose citizens enjoyed the protection of those high walls.

Friend; we too have surrounded ourselves with walls today. There are walls of different types all around us. What are walls? Walls may be what we put around ourselves and trust for protection in times of invasion. We trust these walls for our future. Some of our walls are physical. Others are financial while others are material. There are also academic walls.

Like the people of Jericho, we stand protected within the walls of our reliance. But God is saying something to us with regard to these high walls around our lives. The strongest walls of Jericho fell; so shall your most reliable walls.

What are your walls? What do you trust in for security? Is it physical walls and great steel gates? God is saying today; those walls are about to crumble down and when they finally do, they will fall flat. Be careful that they don't fall on you. Why sit you there and trust in bricks and mortar when there is a living God? God gave Abraham the land of Canaan, but Abraham did not put his trust in the land, “for he waited for the city which has the foundation whose builder and maker is God.“ Hebrews 11:10

When God gives you land, houses and lots of material goods do not put your trust in them. “For riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations.” Proverbs 27:24 When your wealth increases, when your barns are filled with plenty and your vats overflow do not forget the Lord who gave you that blessing. Honor the Lord with that and do not exchange Him for a blessing. A blessing is a gifts from the GIVER. How can you trust the gift more than the GIVER? Don’t you know that riches can take the wings and fly away?

What are your walls? Are they wealth, material goods and business establishments? Throughout history kingdoms came and kingdoms fell. Big businesses were established and all lot of them are history. No wonder Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break through and steal.” Matthew 6:19

What makes up your walls? Is it education and academic power? As far as education is concerned, there is no need to go beyond our generation to borrow illustrations. We have enough on our plate. In the fifties, one had to pass Standard 6 to be enrolled in a college to train for a profession. In the sixties the tide changed. For one to gain entrance in an institution of high learning, he or she had to obtain a Junior Certificate. Not so long ago in the seventies Matric became the requirement for the same training. What is the position today? Like walls; Standard Six fell, followed by JC, then Matric. No doubt we are beginning to see the walls of a university degree taking a knock and cracks are all over. How many graduates are roaming the streets without jobs today? I am convinced it is not getting any better.

Am I discounting education? No, not at all! Education is good. Is it not through education that we see these kind of developments around us. I cannot think of any thing that single-handedly contributed so much to the betterment of human life than education. However; without taking anything away from it; it is never enough to guarantee one’s future. Have you realized that education can only function through a healthy body and mind. See? The walls of education are also fragile.

Is your security in the money you heaped up in the local institutions of finance or off shore investments? Is your future contained in the power and security that money offers? Listen to what God says through His prophet Ezekiel foretelling what will finally happen to the power of money; “They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will be like refuse; their silver and their gold will not be able to deliver them in that day of the wrath of the Lord; they will not satisfy their souls, nor fill their stomachs, because it became their stumbling block of iniquity” Ezekiel 7:19

Man-made walls are crumbling down. They are falling as you are reading. Look around and be careful that they don’t fall on you. Do not put your trust in things: put your trust in God who will never grow old nor come to an end. Daniel calls Him “THE ANCIENT OF DAYS.” Daniel 7:22 In the beginning was God, and, in the end shall be God. Everything in between will lapse like an unpaid insurance policy.

Strong wall of Jericho gave in not to the power of atomic bombs or sophisticated artillery of modern warfare. They gave in to noise - just noise. Can you see how strong towers of your life will be brought down? Not by might, nor by power, but by noise. Noise is so insignificant but it is able to bring down the most powerful man down to earth. The noise of arrogance and pride will bring your walls down my brother. The noise of self-reliance and political connections will pull you down from the ivory towers and drag you in mud down History Avenue. Be careful; it is the noise of your fame Mr and Ms Celebrity that will demolish the walls within which you sit comfortably and despise God saying with your own mouth that you are more famous that Jesus. Don't you know that it is only a fool who says in his heart: “There is no God?” Psalm 53:1

I have a message for you today Sir. I am making a divine appeal to you Madame. Come out of those walls before they crumble upon you. Jesus is calling on you today. Today is your day Mister. Even you Madame, take heed. Jesus is saying to you right now; “Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

WHEN THE UNQUALIFIED QUALIFIES

2013-08-02T13:43:00.001+02:00

"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." 2 Corinthians 13:14

Oh what a blessed ending! As he closes his second letter to the congregation at Corinth, Paul, influenced by the Holy Spirit wrote this comforting benediction. Maybe we should unpack the layers and see what is in there for us, and, how we can apply these in our day to day life. There are three distinctive layers namely; grace, love and fellowship. Instate of beginning with grace, let us begin with love.

The Love of God

The Bible teaches us that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23) We also learn in Romans 3: 23 that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” All have indeed sinned. There is not one who escaped or can escape the sinfulness of sin. According to Romans 6:23, the obvious verdict for our condition was death. We were justifiably condemned to death. There was nothing we could do in our power to escape this pending penalty.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) God loved us so much that He would rather sacrifice His own Son on the cross that we may live and not die. Paul wanted the Corinthian believers to never lose focus of this incredible love.

This truth goes for us today. God is reminding us about His unconditional love towards us. Sometimes we feel so unloved that we lose all hope to live. Yes, true, you may be unloved by many people, maybe, because of what you did or how you conduct your life now or in the past. But God loves you in that condition. He loves you when there is nothing in you to attract anyone’s love. He loves you when there is nothing in you that merits His love.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) However; His love is rendered meaningless when we ignore what He did for us. It becomes ineffective if we choose not to receive it and be forgiven. The world forgives no one, but, God forgives all who come to Him and confess their wrongs.

The grace of our Lord

Grace is an unmerited favor. It is when the unqualified, qualifies - when the unpardonable is pardoned. I think its ultimate expression will be when a convicted criminal is set free. Jesus died on behalf of humanity. He died for the sin He did not commit, and, we were set free for the price we did not pay.

Before the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, there was no grace on earth. Only the law determined one's verdict. This was “an eye for an eye - a tooth for a tooth” period. There was no grace before Jesus. There is no grace without Jesus. ”And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:16, 17)

The fellowship of the Holy Spirit

Above all these; we can now fellowship with the Holy Spirit. He is our Comforter, our very present Friend at every turn. We can talk to Him about everything concerning our lives. He has been sent to walk side by side with us. Oh how wonderful God is for sending us the third Person of the Holy Trinity!

There are four things that Jesus said the Holy Spirit will do for us;

He will teach us all things (John 14:26)
He will remind us all that Jesus said (John 14:26)
He will guide us into all truth (John 16:13)
He will reveal the future to us (John 16:13)

Is there any reason you cannot make Him Master of Ceremonies over your life? Is there any reason you cannot make Him the Project Manager of your life? When He runs the programme, all goes well. When He manages the project He meets the deadlines.

Conclusion

Every time you hear this benediction pronounced over you; remember how much God loves you (how He demonstrated His love for you), remember how through Jesus you can escape the punishment of death for your sins, and what life you can have when you fellowship with the Holy Spirit.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DRIVING?

2013-08-01T20:52:00.001+02:00

Suppose you were driving from Pretoria to Cape Town and have been driving for the past thirty days. Nonetheless, you don't seem to be arriving at your destination. Wouldn't you suspect you might be lost? Wouldn't you stop and ask?

Some people have been driving their lives for more than thirty years; yet, they don't seem to be approaching their destination. They keep driving, and, they suspect nothing.

Your life is not meant to be a never-ending journey. It has a destiny. God created every one of us to reach his or her destiny in his or her lifetime. It is not God's will that we should go along the journey of life and never reach anywhere. Why would we work so hard and never achieve anything.

Here is a book that will help align and balance your life with the will and purpose of God for you. It will help transform your life into what God had intended it for. There may be a need for some adjustments here and there. There may be some change of routes to make before you could reach your destination. The purpose of this book is to help you while you do that. Come along and brace yourself for a rewarding journey awaiting you.

By now you should be knowing that not all roads lead to Rome. “There's a way of life that looks harmless enough; look again - it leads straight to hell. Sure, those people appear to be having a good time, but all that laughter will end in heartbreak.” (Proverbs 14:12 The Message) But Jesus said; “I am the way, the truth and the life.” John 14:6

Click her to Get yourself a copy

GAINING THROUGH LOSS

2012-12-16T11:06:00.000+02:00

SUNDAY SERVICE

God works through people who are willing to loose

Pastor Maselo Mosomane

“By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.” Hebrews 11:24-27

Here is a man who grew up surrounded by all the benefits of the king’s palace; a man who was raised as an Egyptian. To be an Egyptian would afford one an imperial state or position at that time . This is a man who received the best education the world could offer at the time. But he imposed sanctions upon himself; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasure of sin for a season. His name was Moses.

Here we see a perfect picture of a man who was willing to loose with the hope of gaining in the end. The bible stresses that Moses did all these by faith. The statement “by faith” means; “trusting God.” Let us insert this understanding in the above scripture and hear what it says. (Trusting God) Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt.

Moses trusted God so much that the pain and embarrassment of loss could not overweigh the awaiting reward he anticipated by faith. When our faith and expectation is in God; it doesn't matter how much loss we incur in the process. Moses stripped off himself all the delicacies and privileges of Egypt. He compared what he had with what he stands to gain and he concluded that it is better to suffer with the people of God than to enjoy with the enemy. He chose a hard life with God’s people rather than an opportunistic soft life of sin with the oppressors. He valued suffering in the Messiah’s camp far greater than Egyptian wealth because he was looking ahead, anticipating the payoff.

This is the choice we must make every day. Our everyday life must comprise of such decisions every conscious moment we are here on earth – to loose with God or to gain with the enemy. In Moses we see a better choice, a choice to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasure of sin with the devil.

There are opportunities we must let go. If an opportunity requires you to do things God won;t be pleased with, better let go and suffer loss with a clear conscience. Why would you do things you would be ashamed of for the rest of your life just because you wanted to win a so-called rarest opportunity? Why would you sell yourself for a job? Do you want that promotion so badly that you would give yourself to a filthy boss? I’ll tell you; make up your mind and take that hard decision! Say I would rather loose with God than gain with the devil.

There is another thing we must know. It is important to learn that there are two perspectives in the world. There is a spiritual perspective which I would call an “S” mode. This is a God-kind of perspective. He who sees things from this perspective see things the way God sees them. We know from the word of God how God sees certain things and what He says about them.

There is also a worldly perspective. I would call it a “W” mode. This is a world’s way of seeing things. When many people see "w" they think of a 'fill in the missing words test.' They quickly fill in 'in' to come out with 'win.' Do not be deceived. "W" mode does not stand for "win" as many people are made to believe. Things in this perspective are seen and understood according to what physical senses interpret. This perspective is informed by the world around us – circumstances, public opinion, opportunities, thoughts and the like. From which perspective are you looking at your life? On which mode are you running your life?

People who run their lives on “W” mode grabs whatever comes their way. They don’t want to lose anything. For a season they look like they are winning but as time goes on they realize that what they thought was a winning formula is nothing but a mirrage. Jesus said “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” Mark 8:36. We might as well paraphrase it and say, what will it profit a man to grab all the opportunities in the world and become wealthy but loose his wife and children?

I would rather run my life of “S” mode than on "W" mode. In the world of automatic vehicles “S” stands for “Stop” and this misleads many people. They think that when you are on “S” mode you are stagnating – you have come to a halt. No my friend; “S” mode is a spiritual mode. When you are in this mode you soar with wings like an eagle; you run and not get wearied; you walk and not faint. When Moses obscured into the Midianite wilderness; from the world perspective that was the end of him. When he was blocked by the Red Sea with the children of Israel it was culpable homicide. When he smote the rock for water to gush out it was foolishness. When he spent forty days and forty nights on the mountain it was suicide - hence the people said “as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” Exodus 32:1.

WHAT MAKES FAITH WORK

2012-12-09T00:00:00.000+02:00

SUNDAY SERVICE

Pastor Maselo Mosomane

There are two important lessons we can learn from this conversation;

Lesson No. 1

Lesson No.2

GO FOR GOLD; GO FOR MORE

2012-12-02T00:00:00.000+02:00

SUNDAY SERVICE

- Pastor Maselo Mosomane

LORD, my heart is not haughty, Nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, Nor with things too profound for me. Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, Like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forever. Psalm 131

What do you want from life? Let’s turn it around; what do you want to do with your life? What are your goals? We often hear these kinds of statements poised to encourage us to do more; go for more; reach the sky. It’s all in the mind. You can. The sky is the limit. Are you not familiar with expressions like these?

It is good to live a life of purpose and direction. All people of renown character will tell you how; through careful planning and meticulous implementation they managed to amass their wealth. If they could; you can. By following these kind of advises you may end up reaching heights you never thought you could. As a matter of fact; many who followed this route are listed among the greatest achievers in the land.

I worked for an insurance company; I come from this kind of background. I used the same material and I finally ascended the corporate ladder and became a Regional Manager controlling a budget of over two million – two million then. I appointed and trained sales managers who in turn appointed representatives. "Go for gold; go for more" That was my motivational talk. My men went for it and many achieved.

Much as you may reach great heights with such pep talks; these talks load you with more stress than the desired results. They drive you over-speed and you heat up. They keep on driving until your engine ceases to function. They stretch you until you are left with no elasticity in you and, they continue to stretch and stretch until you reach the breaking point. You get statements like this when this happen; "when the going gets tough, the tough gets going"

One lecturer at the bible college (who was also a medical doctor) warned us of the burnout syndrome - i.e. working yourself until you collapse. This is the problem when you are goal driven and not purpose driven. Rick Warren coined a beautiful statement and he calls it "purpose driven life"

We must be careful how we use these kinds of techniques; especially from the podium. Everyone has been created for a purpose and every purpose has its own limitations. Paul was called by God for a particular purpose and he wrote one third of the New Testament. On the other hand; Peter was also called by God (much earlier than Paul) and he wrote few pages of the bible. What makes the difference? Purpose. In our motivational world we would say Peter was complacent and would not want to risk his comfort zone. The truth about this illustration is that both had a calling and purpose, but their purpose was not the same. Everything works best when it serves its purpose.

You say Pastor Maselo; we should not encourage people to go for more? Are you saying people should be left to loaf around and do as little as they can? Do you know that all have power to excel in the field or career of their choice? Did you know that all they need is someone to give them a push? Take it easy! Is this what you are preaching to me today? Hold it preacher! Hold it just there! I thought I would follow your teachings but this calls for serious consideration.

No; this is not what I am saying. I am saying if you do so; you will be a slave driver – a task master who sees people only as beasts of burden. Everyone must find his purpose and excel in it; and your duty as a leader is to help them find it. When you do what you were created to do, you do what others call going an extra mile. The difference between your extra mile and my extra mile is purpose. It’s tiresome to do what you were not meant for. Also tiresome it is for someone to do what he was created for but with a wrong motive.

I always say; it’s easy for a dog to be a dog because it was created to be a dog. You may imitate a dog and bark. You may try hard enough until; when you bark few people could tell the difference. But you get tired of barking because you were not meant to bark. What I am saying is; stop training people to bark and make them realize that they were not created to bark but speak. Help them to stop barking; show them they are not dogs and help them do what they were created to do. All of us have a purpose; no one is left without one. Make people realize their purpose and you will be a true nation builder.

Before you put unnecessary pressure on yourself; find out what you were created for – this is your purpose. One thing I can tell you I am aware of is that you can multi-task and have good results. I know many of such people. But you were not created to function that way. The same thing can be said about your vest; you may use it to hold a hot pan out of the oven, but it was not manufactured for that. A vest is meant to be worn and not hold hot pans in the oven or pots on the stove. You may multi-function, but I encourage you to discover your purpose and be the best "you" ever. Not the best so and so. You are not so and so; neither shall his purpose be your purpose.

David says "LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, Nor with things too profound for me" The NLT puts it this way; "I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp". The Message Translation puts it in another way; "I haven’t meddled where I have no business or fantasized grandiose plans"

Paul said this inspired by the Holy Spirit; "For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith" Romans 12:3

"Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forever"

In closing my brother and my sister; be calm and maintain a quiet mind. Like a weaned child who no longer cry for her mother’s milk; wean yourself from many things and, from this time forth find out what your purpose is and hope in the Lord forever. Trust Him and He will prosper you. Delight yourself in the Lord (i.e. in how He created you to function) and He will give you the desires of your heart. FUNCTION ACCORDING TO YOUR PURPOSE

God be with you today as you make finding His purpose for your life your purpose for the day.

WHEN THE ENEMY COMES JUST AFTER DOING GOOD

2012-11-26T00:43:00.000+02:00

SUNDAY SERMON

Part 2

Pastor Maselo Mosomane

“After these deeds of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and entered Judah; he encamped against the fortified cities, thinking to win them over to himself” Chronicles 32:1

We said previously; there are people who when they do good think that God owes them a complement or public recognition. There are also people who see sin in every misfortune they go through. Not only do they see it in themselves but they see it in others too. Every time something goes wrong they see an angry God with a baseball bat behind the door waiting to hit the sinner on the forehead. This kind of attitude weighs people down.

I think we need to understand what Jesus meant in John chapter 16 verse thirty three when He said; “In the world you will have tribulation.” Tribulation, trouble and attacks are not always an aftermath of sin. As long as we are still in this body of flesh and live here on earth, we remain subject to some of these things. As long as we are on earth there is going to be “time to weep and time to laugh; time to mourn and time to dance” Ecclesiastes 3:4. There is going to be a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.

Our salvation does not take us out of the earth. We get saved and still remain on this earth and subject to the systems of this world. That’s why Jesus calls for a balanced attitude and approach; “in the world you will have tribulations.” Salvation is not an escape route from this world; it is a way of victory. Jesus says though, like any other person we will be exposed to these troubles; we will overcome because He says; “I have overcome the world.” We are not in some sort of a run-away type of religion – a kind of defense-like religion; no, we are in a type of lifestyle where we face trouble eyeball to eyeball, wrestle with it and come out winners. Sometimes with blisters and sometimes with scares; it doesn't matter. What matters is; we always emerge with champion belts hoisted in the air and victor’s crowns on our heads.

What are we saying? We are saying we are aware that in our course we will meet with opposition, obstacles and stumbling blocks all around us; but we will not always blame it on God as punishment. We will not always blame it on sin. You see when we are in a gym or training ground, we don’t blame it on the trainer every time we suffer a muscle pull. Friend, let us allow spiritual muscle pulls to tone our muscles and make us ready to the next battle line.

Hezekiah did not waste time trying to psycho-analyze what might have caused the problem. He immediately turned to the Lord. He did not ask the question; “Oh Lord why Lord” Instead he turned to the people and said; “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him.” He did not waste time asking “Oh Lord why the colour of my skin is black” He instead moved the army with a strong leadership courage and said; “With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” What do you think this statement did to the people? Listen; “And the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.”2 Chronicles 32: 7-8

You too my friend; when trouble comes – especially after doing good; after an act of righteousness; when you've just arrived from a successful revival; when you've just tithed for the first time; know that it’s no time to ask questions why these things are happening to you. It’s no time to blame or point fingers in accusation. It’s no time to blame it on apartheid; it’s no time to blame it on lack of education; it’s no time to blame it on the colour of your skin. It’s no time to advance your good works and complain. It’s time to call upon the Name of the Lord for He said; “call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me” Psalms 50:15. King Hezekiah did and prevailed against Assyria. NO MATTER WHAT YOU ARE FACED WITH TODAY; YOU WILL PREVAIL.

WHEN THE ENEMY COMES JUST AFTER DOING GOOD

2012-11-21T02:38:00.002+02:00

Part 1

Pastor Maselo Mosomane

“After these deeds of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and entered Judah; he encamped against the fortified cities, thinking to win them over to himself” Chronicles 32:1

There are people who think that by doing good God owes them something. I think it is important for us as Christians to realize that we are not in a stock exchange business with God. First; we don’t get anything from God on the bases of what we did. We receive from God by faith in His word trusting in His grace and not in our own righteousness which is based on human effort. Our actions of righteousness are not a commodity to exchange for what we need from GOD. Second; it is our duty to do good. Why should we be praised for doing what we were supposed to do anyway? Next time you do good don’t behave like God owes you something. You did what you were expected to do.

Here is an amazing story that I believe will knock many Christians out of joint. Hezekiah took office as king at the age of twenty five. We read about all his reforms in 2 Chronicleschapter 29 to 30. You will see as you read that his father Ahaz messed things up for him to inherit. Ahaz turned away from the Lord and shut up the house of the Lord. He led Judah into a complete spiritual collapse; encouraging them into moral degradation. When threatened by the Philistines he took part of the treasures from the house of the Lord, from the house of the king and from the leaders, and he gave to the king of Assyria. As though not sure this was enough to provoke God’s anger He went on to sacrifice to the gods of Damascus. This was the spiritual condition of the nation when young Hezekiah took offiece.

But Hezekiah was different. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He repaired the doors of the temple and called on the Levites to cleanse the temple. The condition of the temple was so bad it took the Levites sixteen days to remove the debris and cleanse the temple. After all these, young Hezekiah summoned both the nations of Israel and Judah to come together and celebrate the Lords’ Passover. Here is a man who did what was right in the eyes of the Lord – a man who restored the temple worship. If there is anything that pleases the Lord is to be worshiped.

Yet our scripture verse says after these deeds of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and entered Judah and God did not stop him. A conventional Christian mentality would expect God to come fuming against the king of Assyria. God left the enemy king to attack the faithful king. Hezekiah had all the right to call up all his righteous works of reformation and accuse God to the face.

But Hezekiah reacted differently. He prepared the army for war. He gathered together the people in the open square of the city and gave them encouragement. He said to them; “be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” 2 Chronicles 32:7,8. The bible tells us that the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah.

I think we can all learn a lesson from Hezekiah’s reaction to a looming battle. He did not consider his good works; he did not question God. I think we should stop raising questions demanding immediate answers from God every time we are been threatened. We may have done good; alright, but He does not owe us a cent. Like Hezekiah when you did all those righteous works it was not for a prize. You were just doing what you were supposed to do. We discount our good works when we think we can bring them forward and trade with God every time we are faced with the enemy.

It pleases God when our act of faithfulness is out of sheer love and reverend to Him and not as stock deposits which can be withdrawn on a rainy day. Hezekiah did not bargain with God; he encouraged the people with his faith. Although in number the Assyrians were more than the Jews, he said; "there are more with us than with him." When he realized his people did not catch the point he explained himself further and said, “…with him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and fight our battle.”

May our willingness to serve God not be motivated by any form of reward or recognition but by our love, obedience and reverence to God, our Father. Let us stop asking questions every time our adversary roars like a lion. Let us trust and know that in every situation God is in control. No circumstance takes Him by surprise. It is true; we get frightened when attacked; it is true we get hurt when stricken, but that should not drive us into a situation where we want to square it up with God. The important thing is where this state leads us to. Does it lead us to God or to self-righteousness? Let us trust and know that in every situation God is in control. No circumstance takes God by surprise.

…to be continued

TAKE HEED - DON'T MISS OPEN DOORS

2012-11-18T14:00:00.000+02:00

TAKE HEED - DO NOT MISS OPEN DOORS

Pastor Maselo Mosomane

“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” Deuteronomy 8:18.

I have no doubt in my mind that God is committed to leading His children and guiding them from one level of glory to another. He will use everything possible to arrest our attention. Sometimes He uses His Spirit to communicate His will to us; sometimes, our spirits to feel His urge and at other times circumstances. However; His primary dealing with people is through His word. We may miss the leading of the Holy Spirit in our hearts for it takes spiritual development to cooperate with the Holy Spirit. On the other hand, our spirit may be dull to feel His gentle push; our ears dull to hear His still small voice. But all of us will always have His word (in the form of the bible) guaranteeing that no one will ever be without God’s guidance.

Let us talk about circumstances and how He uses them to guide us. We will not cover everything about the subject; for no teaching can cover everything about any subject. You must be aware, I suppose; that our aim with these teachings is not to give you absolute knowledge regarding any subject we present. We seek to get you started in the direction the Lord is leading you today.

When God impresses on me to write about a particular subject, His aim is to move you (the reader) in the direction He is pointing. He expects you to thirst and hunger for what He is saying and start out on your own. Seek to know more about what He is saying and follow. Much as God has called us to be teachers of the word, all the good we do is just a mere introduction to what He wants to teach you through His Spirit. We can only introduce the subject but when you follow that leading by studying the word yourself, He will reveal more relevant stuff to you and for you. God does not tell His servants all He wants to tell you, no; He sends them to draw your attention to Him. That’s why the bible in 2 Chronicles 20:20 says “believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.”

When you believe God’s prophets and follow up on what they says by making personal studies on the subject; you will be ready to receive what God has prepared for your life. It is these prophets who introduce a guiding light to you. When you believe their message and follow their teachings and start with your personal study of the message in the bible, I tell you, you are well on your way to a meaningful relationship with God. Prophets are not Jesus; but they sure introduce Him to you.

Well; let’s talk about circumstances as God has revealed to us for the Body of Christ today. There are times in life when doors seem to be flinging open before you as you approach. Everything you do or touch seem to be screaming at you; YES! YES! YES! You don’t struggle to achieve what others struggle for half their lives to do and still end up with far less than what you do. What could be happening with you that differs from what might be happening with others? God! Yes, you heard me; I said God. When things just seem to be working in your favour even with less effort; know that it is God who is opening doors for you to go through. In the world we say, make hay whist the sun shines. But this is not what God is saying. God is saying something completely different.

Remember the Lord's warning to Israel when they were about to enter into the Promised Land? “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” Instead of encouraging them to ‘make hay whilst the sun shines’ so to say, He said to “remember the Lord your God.” Do not remember things, remember the Lord your God. Remember in your heart that it is not your hand that prospers you. You know for sure that your ability and skills cannot reach this kind of maximum harvest. Remember that it is He who gives you power to get wealth. WHEN IT GOES WELL WITH YOU; REMEMBER THE LORD YOUR GOD. Know that it is He who opens doors and don’t forget that this will continue as long as the door is opened.

What are we saying? We are saying to you Sir, we are saying to you Madame; remember that it is not your skill that got you that wealth. It is not your education that got you through. It is not your political connections that got you there. It is not your strength; it is not your wisdom; it is not luck; it is not your blood line – no! It is none of those things. Are these things important? Yes they are. We are not talking about some sort of careless or casual approach to life and think that God will do what you are supposed to do. Some people will hear a message along this line and fold their arms and do nothing. When nothing works for them they blame it on God. You prepare yourself and He opens doors.

But I would rather know and acknowledge that it is God who opens doors. He says I am “He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens” Revelations 3:7. When He openes the door for you to walk through no one will close it. Oh that it may be revealed to you friend, that HE ALONE OPENS THE DOOR AND NO ONE WILL CLOSE IT.

Child of God; see this in a different light. When the door is opened, march in. Know that if the door can open, it can close too. Do not march in like you have opened it yourself, and will close it when you are done. God opened it alright, but when He will close it; you have no idea. He said to John on the Isle of Patmos; “I am He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens.” He said I have “the key of David.” Revelations 3:7

When God opens the door for you, He is guiding you to go through. He is leading you in that direction. He leads you through that circumstance. All of a sudden things begin to work together for good on your behalf.

I know others would say “don’t trust every open door.” It is true; the devil can also open doors too. But we know he can only open trap doors. Friend; it is important for us to know that when God opens the door in front of you, it will always be according to the Bible. God cannot say this and do something else. Every door that He opens will uphold the Bible. He cannot open the door that will violate or contradict His Word. Don’t be afraid to go through; don’t hesitate for a moment. If it is God who opens the door, every move through that door will lift the Name of Jesus. Anything contrary will be of the devil.

When the devil opens a trap door, he entices you with pleasure, illicit relationships, wealth you cannot publicly divulge its source and of course a lot of secrets. When the devil lures you through that door he doesn’t care how many people you rob, hurt, or kill along the way – as long as you get what you want. We don’t get what we want through the blood of other people. You see when it is God who opens the door, many people will benefit from that door. When the devil opens the door, you want to make sure you are the only one who knows about it. You want to go through it alone – no one else. But when God opens the door you want to invite as many people as you can. You want other people to know and go through it too. This is the difference. When God opens the door for you, He leads you; but when the devil opens the door he drives you. God guides you through the door. The devil forces you through the door. God has all the time with you. The devil demands action there and then.

GOD LEADS US THROUGH OPEN DOORS. THE DEVIL ENTICES US INTO TRAP DOORS.

THE SIN OF BEING AT THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME

2012-11-14T09:00:00.000+02:00

Part 3

Pastor Maselo Mosomane

“Will a man rob God?” May we take this well-know scripture from Malachi 3:8 and further say; “will a man keep secrets from God? Can a man hide anything from God?” God says in His word that we should not keep secrets from Him. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1:9. God knows everything. He knows that we are not perfect and will from time to time err. That’s why He slotted this verse towards the end of the bible for our convenience.

Uriah is dead. The King kept quiet about the cause of his death. When Bethsheba, Uriah’s wife heard that her husband was dead. She mourned his death. As soon as her mourning period was over, David sent for her. She was brought to the King’s house, and became his wife. At the time of nature she bore him a son. But this thing displeased the Lord.

“But God was not at all pleased with what David had done, and sent Nathan to David. Nathan said to him, ‘there were two men in the same city – one rich, the other poor. The rich man had huge flocks of sheep, herds of cattle. The poor man had nothing but one little female lamb, which he had bought and raised. It grew up with him and his children as a member of the family. It ate off his plate and drank from his cup and slept on his bed. It was like a daughter to him. One day a traveller dropped in on the rich man. He was too stingy to take an animal from his own herds or flocks to make a meal for his visitor, so he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared a meal to set before his guest” 2 Samuel 12:1-4 The Message.

What is it that really displeased God? One; David committed adultery with someone else’s wife. Two; He arranged for the woman’s husband’s (Uriah) death. Three; He did not repent of his sins. He kept it secret. How did all these happen? It happened when David found himself at a wrong place at the wrong time. He was not supposed to be at home when the armies of the Lord were out fighting in a battle. When he did not know what to do, he idled aimlessly. According to the Scripture, who was known to be good at idling aimlessly? Job 1:7 The LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?" Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it" NASB. Satan answered the Lord and said; I have been roaming about on the earth. GWT puts it this way, “...from wandering all over the earth.” David picked up this habit and he roamed about; he wandered aimlessly on the rooftop. How? The devil led him to the rooftop and he yielded. David was in his house, probably with one of his wives. The devil suggested that he goes outside and David yielded. From that advantage point he saw an unsuspecting woman taking a bath. That’s where it all started.

Sin leads from one simple innocent act to real sin in its gross state. James analyses it into three deadly steps in James 1:15; Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” James says, one; it all starts with a desire –an evil desire; a thought. Two, when the thought is not dealt with, it suggests action. You act on that evil thought. You act on that evil desire. And three, when this thought or desire is acted upon, the action produces death. David fulfilled all these deadly steps.

How? An innocent thought led him to the rooftop. A desire for sex was triggered when he saw a naked woman. He acted on it and ended up sleeping with another man’s wife. When the woman reported that she has conceived, he went further to arrange for her husband's death. This is how the devil operates; first desire, then sin and finally, death. Desire conceives sin; sin grows and mature. Matured sin brings forth death.

When the circle was completed, David tried to sweep it under the carpet and keep quiet about it. True; David’s sin was kept secret from people. Joab, the commander of the army knew only part thereof. But the motive for Uriah’s death was David’s heart secret. Even Bathsheba did not know.

Jeremiah, the prophet later said; “the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9-10. The prophet says who can know the heart? People knew David; his wives knew him too. But no one knew what was going on in David’s heart. Indeed the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Out of desperation, David planned a deceitful wickedness.

But there is someone whose eyes cannot be obscured from anyone’s heart. “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind” verse ten. You can trick people but you can’t trick God. It doesn’t matter how crafty you are; God sees it all. You can hide from people but you can’t hide from God. There are times when, instead of confessing our sins we hide them. David did the same. He kept his secret and still walked around in his royal gown and crown as if nothing has happened; worse still he sealed his secret by marrying Uriah’s wife. David did his best to cover the tracks and kept this malice in his heart. But God saw it all – yes, God knew it all. Can a man hide from God? David tried. “...for My eyes are on all their (the wicked) ways; they are not hidden from My face, nor is their iniquity hidden from My eyes ...and there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him whom we must give account. Jeremiah 16:17; Hebrews 4:13

God dispatched Nathan the prophet to confront David in his craftiness. We read about the prophet, Nathan’s visit to David in our opening scripture. Here in 2Samuel 12:1-4 the discourse is recorded. “Nathan said to him, ‘there were two men in the same city – one rich, the other poor. The rich man had huge flocks of sheep, herds of cattle. The poor man had nothing but one little female lamb, which he had bought and raised. It grew up with him and his children as a member of the family. It ate off his plate and drank from his cup and slept on his bed. It was like a daughter to him. One day a traveller dropped in on the rich man. He was too stingy to take an animal from his own herds or flocks to make a meal for his visitor, so he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared a meal to set before his guest.”

Unaware, David jumped the gun and passed judgement. “So David’s anger was greatly aroused against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this shall surely die! And he shall restore fourfold for the lamb, because he did this thing and because he had no pity”

“You are the man;” Nathan said. “You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the people of Ammon. Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’ Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, before the sun” 2Samuel 12:9-12

Friend, how long will you keep your secrets from the Lord? How long do you think your tracks will remain covered? God knows it all. I would advice that you come out of your closet and confess your sins to Him. Not that when He is quiet about it He doesn't know anything about it – He knows it all.

It all started when you left your estate and wandered away from where you were supposed to be. The devil took advantage and you yielded. When sin became full-grown you became a murderer.

I suggest you stop right where you are and turn to God and confess your sins to Him. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”

ARE YOU WHERE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE?

THE SIN OF BEING AT THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME

2012-11-13T09:00:00.000+02:00

Part 2

Pastor Maselo Mosomane

"Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, "Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house. And the woman conceived; so she sent and told David, and said, "I am with child." 2Samuel 11:2-5 NKJ

To be a boss or to be in any position of authority does not mean all the women in the office are yours. It does not matter whether they are single or not. Woman in the office or any place of employment are to be treated with respect they deserve and not as sex objects oh King David. You say but they are beautiful; yes they are, but not for you to mess up with.

Have you ever considered the implications? Did you count the costs that come along with that kind of behaviour? Haven’t you seen or heard what happened to those who behave the same way you do? Haven’t you learned a lesson – are you dull to comprehend?

Here is one man who abuses his position of authority. First, he neglects his duties and stay home when his wife goes to work and the last child leaves for school. My friend, you are lying on that sofa in sleeping wear watching television pretending to be sick and you know you are not sick. Your poor wife phones every hour to check on you and reminds you to take pain killers. Deep in your heart; yes, deep in your mind you know you are not sick. Like a waiting python you are coiled there in front of the television waiting for the unsuspecting washing lady to come for her daily chores. What has gotten into your head?

Why would you abuse your authority? Why would you take advantage of the poor woman just because of her financial standing in the community? The bible says in Psalms 75:6; "For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south." You are where you are because God allowed it. You were promoted and placed in that position of authority by God my man. Again the bible says; "For by him all things were made, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, authorities, lords, rulers, and powers; all things were made by him and for him;" Colossians 1:16. This refers to your position at work; your social standing included too. The authority you have was created by God through Jesus Christ. Jesus said to Pilate in that court room that night; "You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above." John 19:11

What is said in these verses above is this; the power you are abusing is not yours. You are abusing God’s power. It was given to you from above. I don’t think for a moment that God gave you that position of authority in order that through it you should dishonour Him and hurt other people. When He appointed you in that position He trusted you. Even your earthly boss whom God used to promote you trusted you.

God is watching you my man. Not the slightest move you make escapes God’s ever-opened eye. David never thought that, that once off lustful intercourse would lead to so much. Unfortunately Bethsheba fell pregnant. What next? David withdrew Uriah from the battle with the hope that he would sleep with his wife while he was back home and have him implicated with the pregnancy. The first day the plan flopped. David still had hope. He felt he was still in control. He tried again the next day. This time he restrained Uriah from returning to the battle field and gave him a double doze. He got him drunk. He knew that the next spontaneous move after a drinking spree is an uncontrollable desire for sex. I can see Uriah staggering back to his house. But somehow along the way he remembered that the battle is still on. Suddenly Uriah remembered the soldier’s code of conduct. He remembered that, as an enlisted soldier he cannot enjoy the pleasure of his wife while the ark and the armies of the Lord are camping in the open. He went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but he did not go down to his house

Twice Uriah refused and David’s plan failed. If that plan could have succeeded; no one including Uriah himself, could have suspected any dirty game regarding the pregnancy. David’s best plans failed. Do you see the confusion in David’s eyes? His eyes became as big as saucers – as big as that of a bullfrog in a hailstorm.

Suddenly and from nowhere he exclaimed; bingo! I’ve got it! His eyes brightened up again. What is it? What came to his mind? "I’ll fix him! I am the king and no son of a Hittite is going to mess up with me and tarnish my reputation" David thought to himself.

My man, have you fired someone innocent to cover your tracks? Have you promoted some or transferred others to a far office to keep things cool? Mr Politician; have you silenced some opposition for a public office? Who knows? But you do! Behold a day is coming where all secrets will be brought to the surface. Woe unto you for that day is coming and you will not escape as you used to do. Is there anyone who can escape from the hand of Almighty God? Is there any advocate who can win a case against Jehovah Nissi?

Well, when plan A didn’t work, David implemented plan B. And this is the plan; "And he wrote in the letter, saying, "Set Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retreat from him, that he may be struck down and die" verse 15. He arranged Uriah’s death. So it was, while Joab besieged the city, that he assigned Uriah to a place where he knew there were fierce enemy fighters and Uriah was killed. Madame Bethsheba; did you know that your husband’s death was arranged by his boss to cover his tracks?

My man, God is speaking to you today. Do not turn to the left; do not turn to the right, this is your message. Like David, you too may have started well - with good intentions and aspirations. Why would you bring to an end such a promising career? Mend your ways and God will forgive you and His grace will continue to guide you. Break up! Break up that office relationship!

Oh I see you don’t get the message. Know that Uriah might have died; but it’s not over yet.
YOU MAY HAVE COVERED YOUR TRACKS – BUT IT’S NOT OVER YET; NOT WITH GOD.

WHEN YOU ARE SQUIZZED ON ALL SIDES

2012-11-11T08:00:00.000+02:00

SUNDAY SERVICE

Pastor Maselo Mosomane

“So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” 2Corinthians 4:18 NLT

There are times in life when all four sides of the room of your life seem to be closing up on you. You open your eyes and you see nothing but storms brewing all around you. Dark clouds are hanging so low, unless you take cover you may be hurt. You quickly rush into your house but there is a whirlwind already in there. To escape the whirlwind you think of leaving early for work. Not long after leaving home you drive into a stagnant traffic. Oh the traffic is not budging and there is a meeting to attend at the office. When you finally arrive and rush into the meeting, you are summoned to the manager’s office and he gives you a verbal warning for being late for the meeting. You try to explain but no one is listening. Here you are, not knowing what to do. You head straight to your office to at least catch the air. The telephone rings. You pick it up and there is someone rude on the other side of the line – a bank official threatening legal action against you on your overdraft. You run to the rest room to wipe a little tear. There goes the PA system calling you to the reception. So what! You take those gracious but confused steps to the reception only to meet with a Sherriff – he has come to make a final demand on your car. Are you the man?

What do we do in a case like this? Well, that’s not all. These are but just a fraction of what people face on daily basis. The world is crumbling around you and you start asking question; why me? God where are you when my enemies are feasting on me? Why do you allow these to happen to me? Is there a God somewhere? If you are there; say "PRESENT!"

Friend, you are asking wrong questions. In fact you are not even supposed to ask questions because the answer is in your bedroom – in your bible. These things are not happening because God does not exist. They are not falling on you because there was no one else they could fall on to. When you ask a question; “why me?” an answer roars across the sky; “why not who?” When you ask questions like “where is God when I go through all these” God says I am right where I was when My Son died for you.

Open your bible to John 16:33 and you will hear Jesus say; “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” “But cheer up! I have overcome the world" GWT. Jesus never promised us life without problems. He said there will always be discomfort, but don’t be troubled for I have overcome any kind of problem you might have to face. Why ask God questions when Jesus has already provided us with full understanding of what is happening and what the outcome will be?

Listen to what Paul who was mightily inspired by the Holy Spirit when he himself went through the same hick-ups of life; “...don't look at the troubles we can see now” Did you hear that? Don’t look at the troubles you can see now. You see where our battles are lost? We look at the troubles we can see now. We pay attention to what we see. We focus our attention on what bothers us now and this prompts fear in us. Our eyes have a tendency of magnifying problems. Many times the problems that make us run around like a headless chicken are not beyond our ability to handle.

There are always two places you can look at when chips are down; the PROBLEM or the SOLUTION. How often do we find ourselves focussing all our attention on the problem itself? Do we ever get help from that? Friend there is no help in the problem. All that we find in the problem is misery, pain, depression and fear. Is this what you want? But when we turn our attention to the solution – i.e. when we turn our eyes to things that that sponsor solution, all fear and misery disappear.

THE SIN OF BEING AT THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME

2012-11-07T01:30:00.000+02:00

Pastor Maselo Mosomane

“It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.” 2Samuel 11:1 NKJ

King David was supposed to be out there in the battlefield with the army. He chose to remain behind instead. We are not given the reason why he chose to do so. I believe the reason why this incident was recorded in this portion of Scripture is because it was unusual for him to remain behind when the army was engaged in battle with the enemy. David was a man of war; staying at home in time of war was not his kind of stuff. He was a highly skilful soldier and his position as king also demanded that he should be out there leading the armies by example.

The Bible tells us in the subsequent verses that while he was at home something happened. He rose from his bed and walked around on the roof top. Again, we are not given the reason for him to be walking on top of the roof at that time of the day. We may assume that it might have been hot and he wanted to catch some fresh air. Maybe!

Now look at how what seemed to be an innocent stroll turned out to be. While he was up there he looked down and saw a naked woman taking a bath. The Bible says she was beautiful. David sent and inquired about the woman. Someone said to him, she is Bethsheba, Uriah’s wife. In other words he was saying; King David; hands off, she is married. But David disregarded the signal and sent messengers to bring her in with him and he had sexual intercourse with her. He committed the sin of adultery with someone else’s wife.

Well; one may say the woman was too beautiful to be resisted. Yes, Bethsheba was beautiful; but not for David to have. It doesn’t mean that for you to be faithful to God and your wife, your surrounding should be infested with ugly women. The office you work in will always have beautiful women; but they are not yours. Can you imagine your boss hiring strictly ugly ladies in your department just in case you don’t get tempted? Wait a bit! You can’t advance that as a reason for your unbecoming behaviour.

Let us observe the occasions of David’s sin and what led to it.

First; David neglected his business. Instead of being in the battlefield with the armies of the Lord, he remained at home. He was where he was not supposed to be at that time. I suppose; seeing that all men were out there fighting in the battle, Bethsheba did not suspect any man around, let alone the mischief of watching over women from above. Every time we are out of the way of our duty, we land in temptation.

Secondly; David was idling aimlessly up there. Someone once said; “an idling mind is the devil’s workshop.” A lot of times the devil gain advantage over us when we are not committed to anything. Idleness leads to all sorts of mischievous behaviour. Idleness is synonymous to laziness.

Thirdly; David had a wandering eye. We don’t need his confirmation to conclude that he walked about up there with the aim of seeing something. I am not sure that he had any naked woman in his mind but he was looking for some site to feed his craving eyes. Remember what tempted Even in the garden? It was the last of the eye. She said the tree “was pleasant to the eyes” Genesis 3:6. John said “for all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world” 1John 2:16. Job said something different. He said; “I have made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I look upon a young woman?” Job 31:1. But not so with David! He saw an unsuspecting naked woman having a bath and he took her for himself and defiled himself before the Lord.

The bottom line is; if David could have been where he was supposed to be, he wouldn’t have stooped that low. He was at the wrong place at a wrong time. There were only two places he could have been and all these mess wouldn't have happened. One he was supposed to be in the battlefield with the armies of the Lord. Two; since he stayed home and it was in the night; he was supposed to be in bed with one of his wives or concubines.

How sad it is that many times when we step down from our rightful positions we fall into all sorts of problems. May we be found to be where we are expected to be at the expected time?
…to be continued