Kwanini Bwana Yesu alituombea Umoja – Mwl Mwakasege

Mungu tunayemwamini katika Yesu Kristo, ni Mungu wa mipango na makusudi kamili. Tangu vizazi na vizazi tabia hii ya Baba yetu, imejidhihirisha wazi.Baba yetu huyu, ambaye pia, ni Baba wa Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo, hawezi kufanya kitu au kusema kitu, bila ya kuwa na sababu.

Mungu aliumba dunia hii, kwa kusudi kamili, ili ikaliwe na watu isiwe tupu. Mungu aliumba jua, mwezi, sayari na nyota mbali mbali, kwa makusudi kamili, ili viwe ndiyo dalili za majira na siku na miaka na tena iwe ndiyo mianga katika anga la mbingu itie nuru juu ya nchi.

Mungu alimtokea Musa katika kijiti kilichokuwa kikiwaka moto, kwa kusudi kamili, ili apate kuwatoa watu wake, wana wa Israeli kutoka Misri. Mungu alimtoa Mwana wake wa pekee Yesu Kristo, kwa kusudi kamili, ili kila amwaminiye asipotee, bali awe na uzima wa milele.

Mungu alimwaga Roho wake Mtakatifu juu ya watu wake, kwa kusudi kamili, ili wapate nguvu ya kuwawezesha kuwa mashahidi wa Kristo katika ulimwengu mzima. Ni kweli kabisa ya kwamba, Mungu tunayemwamini katika Yesu Kristo, ni Mungu wa mipango na makusudi kamili. Hafanyi kitu bila ya kuwa na sababu nacho.

Kwa hiyo alipokuwa akisema na watumishi wake, alikuwa na kusudi na ujumbe kamili kwa ajili ya watu wake.

Na aliponiita kwenye utumishi wake alikuwa na mipango na makusudi kamili kwa ajili ya watu wake. Kwa hiyo niliposikia sauti yake ndani ya roho yangu nilipokuwa kwenye mkutano wa ‘Easter Crusade’, Tukuyu, Mbeya Aprili 1987, nilijua hakika ya kuwa kuna jambo la muhimu.

Nilisikia sauti ya Bwana ndani ya roho yangu ikisema; “NATAKA KUSEMA NA WATU WANGU”.

Si kwamba nilisikia sauti kama ya mtu akiongea; hapana; bali kwa uwezo wa Roho wake Mtakatifu, nilisikia sauti hiyo ndani ya roho yangu. Na nilijua hakika ya kuwa hiyo ni sauti ya Bwana wangu na Mwokozi wangu. Hata Yeye alisema kuwa ndiye pekee aliye mchungaji mwema, walio wake anawajua, na wao wanamjua, na sauti yake wanaijua (Yohana 10:1-6).

Mkutano huo wa kiroho ulikuwa umejumuisha watu wa Mikoa mbali mbali na pia watu wa madhehebu mbali mbali. Na Bwana aliposema nami kwamba anataka kusema na watu wake ilikuwa ni mchana wa siku ya pili ya mkutano.

Kwa hiyo baada ya kusikia hivyo, nilitafuta mahali pa faragha katika chumba kimoja; nikapiga magoti, na nikawa tayari kusikia lile ambalo Bwana alikuwa anataka lisikike kwa watu wake.

Maneno aliyoniambia yalihusu juu ya UMOJA WA WATU WAKE. Na waliokuwapo kwenye mkutano huo walipata nafasi ya kusikia kwa muhtasari tu, juu ya Umoja wa watu wa Mungu. Maneno hayo ya Bwana  juu ya umoja wetu ni muhimu sana. Na kwa ajili hiyo, Roho wa Bwana ameniongoza kuyaandika kwa undani zaidi, ili watu wengi waweze kuyapata na kuyafanyia kazi.

Jambo ambalo Bwana analiona katikati yetu, katikati ya wakristo, ni kukosa Umoja wa kweli. Na jambo hili linamhuzunisha sana Mungu. Hii ni kwa sababu watu wake ndiyo mwili wake (1Wakorintho 12:27). Kwa hiyo kukiwa na nyufa katika uhusiano wa mkristo na mkristo mwingine, maana yake mwili wake umepata nyufa. Kusudi lake kubwa la kutulinda, kututunza, kutulisha, kututakasa na kutuongoza ni ili atulete mbele za Baba yetu aliye mbinguni, bila waa na wala kunyanzi.

Lakini, hali inayoonekana sasa ni ya kusikitisha. ‘Fellowships’ nyingi hazina umoja na zimetawaliwa na mafarakano. Viongozi wa Kanisa nao pia hawana umoja kila mmoja anafanya mambo yake mwenyewe, ambayo anayaona ni bora kuliko ya mwenzake. Vikundi vingi vya huduma za kikristo havina umoja wa kweli.

Yesu Kristo alituombea umoja. Je! Maombi yake yamejibiwa au bado? Na alikuwa na sababu gani alipokuwa anatuombea? Je! Yesu Kristo alikuwa na mpango wowote aliouandaa juu ya umoja wa mwili wake, ambalo ni Kanisa?

Ni nini chanzo cha mafarakano na kukosa umoja katikati ya watu wa Mungu? Tufanye nini ili tupate kusimama katika umoja wa kweli?

Maswali hayo na mengine yanajibiwa katika somo hili.

Sasa, ngoja niseme jambo moja muhimu:

Mungu huyu tunayemtumika ni Mungu aliye na kusudi kamili, katika kila jambo analolifanya na kulisema. Na kwa mtazamo huu, nakuambia hivi, Mungu ameweka maandiko ya somo hili mikononi mwako kwa kusudi kamili, kwa ajili ya utukufu wa Jina lake Takatifu.

Kwanza: Kwa sababu anakupenda upeo, hapendi   upotee.

Pili: Kwa sababu wewe ni kiungo cha mwili wake, ambao ndilo Kanisa

Tatu: Kwa sababu anataka uhusike moja kwa moja katika kushirikiana na Roho wake Mtakatifu, ili kuwashirikisha wengine ujumbe huu.

Ni maombi yangu kwa Mungu katika Jina la Yesu Kristo aliye hai, ya kuwa Roho wake akutie nuru katika utu wako wa ndani upate kuyaelewa yote na kuyafanyia kazi ipasavyo. Na ukiishayasoma uwashirikishe wengine bila kuyapindua pindua.

Hizi ni siku za mwisho, na tunatakiwa tuwe waangalifu katika yote tunayoyasikia au kuyasoma. Tunatakiwa tuyachambue, na kuyapima, halafu tuyachukue yaliyo mema yanayotujenga pamoja na siyo kutubomoa.

Kwa hiyo nakushauri, katika Jina la Yesu Kristo, ya kwamba unapoyasoma yaliyomo humu, uwe na BIBLIA yako karibu upate kuifuatilia mistari yote niliyoinukulu. Bwana na akuwezeshe kuyatafakari na kuyafanyia kazi ili wote tuwe na Umoja kama Baba na Kristo walivyo umoja.

Sifa na Utukufu na uweza, na nguvu vina Mungu wetu katika Kristo Yesu, milele na milele – Amina.

YESU KRISTO ALIOMBA UMOJA KWA AJILI YA NANI?

Neno Umoja maana yake nini?

Yesu Kristo alipokuwa anaomba juu ya Umoja kama ilivyoandikwa katika kitabu cha Yohana sura ya kumi na Saba, alilitumia neno Umoja mara tano.

Neno Umoja linaweza kuwa na maana mbali mbali, kutokana hasa na mtu anayelitumia, mahali anapolitumia na kwa ajili ya kitu gani.

Neno Umoja likitumika kwa ajili ya watu lina maana ya patana, afikiana, elewana na lingana, katika roho, na nia, mawazo, maneno  na matendo.

Yesu Kristo alipokuwa akitumia neno Umoja, alikuwa anamaanisha hao anaowaombea wapatane, waafikiane, waelewane, na walingane katika roho zao, nia zao, mawazo yao, maneno na matendo yao.

Sasa, hili si jambo dogo! Yesu Kristo alipokuwa hapa duniani, akiwa amevaa mwili wa kibinadamu; kabla ya kufa na kufufuka; aliomba maombi ya namna nyingi. Na mojawapo ya maombi yake kwa Baba Mungu, yalikuwa juu ya Umoja wetu.

“Wala si hao tu ninaowaombea; lakini na wale watakaoniamini kwa sababu ya neno lao. Wote wawe na Umoja; kama wewe, Baba, ulivyo ndani yangu, nami ndani yako; hao nao wawe ndani yetu; ili ulimwengu upate kusadiki ya kwamba wewe ndiwe uliyenituma. Nami utukufu ule ulionipa nimewapa wao; ili wawe na umoja kama sisi tulivyo umoja. Mimi ndani yao; nawe ndani yangu, ili wawe wamekamilika katika umoja; ili ulimwengu ujue ya kuwa ndiwe uliyenituma, ukawapenda wao kama ulivyonipenda mimi (Yohana 17:20 – 23).

Haya ni maombi yaliyowekwa mikononi mwa Mungu, kwa uzito wa kipekee. Yesu Kristo alipokuwa anaomba maombi haya, alikuwa anajua anaongea na nani, na umuhimu wake ni nini.

Yesu alikuwa anamuombea nani?

Tusipoelewa Yesu Kristo alikuwa anaomba umoja kwa ajili ya nani, hatutaweza kufahamu kwa undani sababu zilizomfanya aombe kwa namna hiyo na kwa wakati huo. Ukizunguka katika vikundi mbali mbali vya watu wa Mungu, utakuta wanasema tuombee umoja. Hili ni jambo muhimu sana, lakini si wote ambao wanafahamu ya kuwa maombi yao ni tofauti na yana lengo lisilofanana na sala ya Bwana Yesu.

Inawezekana hata wewe, umewahi kuomba juu ya umoja. Je huwa unaomba umoja wa watu gani? Au huwa unaomba juu ya umoja wa watu wote? Au huwa unaomba umoja wa madhehebu?

Watu wengi sana wanapoomba juu ya umoja, kwa kusimamia maombi ya Bwana Yesu, huwa wanaomba juu ya umoja wa madhehebu yao.

Lakini nataka ujue, ya kuwa Yesu Kristo alipokuwa anaomba umoja, katika mistari tuliyosoma, alikuwa haombi juu ya umoja wa madhehebu, wala alikuwa haombi juu ya umoja wa watu wote wa ulimwengu. Yesu alikuwa na mawazo tofauti kwa ajili ya maombi yake.

Narudia tena swali hili; Yesu Kristo alipokuwa anaomba juu ya umoja, alikuwa anaomba kwa ajili ya nani? Kwa sababu Yesu Kristo alifufuka, na yuko hai hata sasa na hata milele, naona ni vizuri tumuulize yeye mwenyewe swali hili.

Je, Bwana na Mwokozi wetu Yesu Kristo, ulipokuwa unaomba juu ya umoja, ulikuwa unamuombea nani? Tunakuomba tunapolisoma neno lako, Roho wako Mtakatifu atutie nuru katika macho yetu ya kiroho, tupate kuelewa na maandiko.

Yesu Kristo ni Neno (Yohana 1:1-5,14). Kwa hiyo tunapolisoma Neno; tunamsoma Kristo na mawazo yake. Na kwa ajili hiyo, tunapata jibu la swali tulilomuuliza Bwana, kwa kulisoma Neno la Mungu, ambalo ndilo lililobeba mawazo yake.

Yesu aliomba Umoja kwa ajili ya Kanisa.

Napenda kukiri wazi ya kuwa, neno kanisa bado halijaeleweka vizuri kwa watu wengi. Kwa hiyo ninaposema ya kuwa, Yesu aliomba Umoja kwa ajili ya kanisa, nina maana ya kulitumia neno kanisa kama vile linavyotumika na Biblia.

Kanisa maana yake nini?

Kuna mtu mmoja ambaye aliniuliza maswali mbali mbali juu ya mapokeo ya madhehebu ya kikristo, na kwa nini mengi ya mapokeo hayo yanapingana.

Na mimi kabla ya kumjibu nilimuuliza swali hili; “Je, unafahamu tofauti iliyopo katika dhehebu na kanisa?

Akasema ‘ndiyo’.

Nikamuuliza tena; ‘Kanisa ni kitu gani’

Akasema; ‘Kanisa ni jengo ambalo tunakwenda kila Jumapili kusali ndani yake’.

Niliposikia jibu hilo, nilipata mshangao mkubwa sana. Nilipata mshangao si kwa sababu jibu lilikuwa ni sahihi. Hapana! Bali kwa sababu jibu hili lilikuwa si sawa. Na zaidi ya hapo limesemwa na mkristo ambaye nilikuwa naamini anafahamu siku nyingi maana ya Kanisa.

Na ndipo nilipoona umuhimu wa mafundisho kwa wakristo. Ni kweli kabisa watu wa Mungu tunahitaji mafundisho yenye uzima na ya kiroho.

Sijui huyo Ndugu anaposikia watu wakisema tuombe juu ya umoja wa kanisa, alikuwa anaelewa kitu gani!

Je unafikiri Yesu Kristo alikuwa anaomba juu ya umoja wa kanisa lililojengwa kwa mikono ya wanadamu?

Je! Unadhani Yesu Kristo alikuwa anaomba juu ya umoja wa matofali, vyuma, mchanga, mabati, misumari na saruji?

La hasha!

Yesu Kristo alipoomba juu ya umoja, alikuwa haombi juu ya umoja wa jengo tunalokwenda kuabudu ndani yake kila Jumapili au Jumamosi!

Kwa nini?

Kwa sababu, tunaelewa ya kuwa tunapaswa kumwabudu Mungu katika roho na kweli. Imeandikwa hivi:

“Lakini saa inakuja, nayo sasa ipo, ambayo waabuduo halisi watamwabudu Baba katika roho na kweli. Kwa maana Baba awatafuta watu kama hao wamwabudu. Mungu ni Roho, nao wamwabuduo yeye imewapasa kumwabudu katika roho na kweli”. (Yohana 4:23, 24)

Kwa hiyo, kuwa na jengo la kwenda kuabudu kila Jumapili au Jumamosi haitoshi, kama watu wanaoabudu ndani yake hawatamwabudu Baba katika roho na kweli.

Na tena, ni budi tufahamu ya kuwa Mungu ambaye ni Roho, hakai katika majengo yaliyojengwa kwa mikono ya wanadamu (Matendo ya Mitume 7:47-49; Isaya 66:1)

Mungu ambaye ni Roho, huishi katika jengo ambalo amelijenga mwenyewe kwa mkono wake, tangu Bwana Yesu alipokufa na kufufuka. Na jengo hilo linaitwa kanisa.

Sasa, kanisa ni kitu gani?

Kanisa ni mwili wa Kristo! Na jambo hili limewekwa wazi katika sala hii ya mtume Paulo:

“Mungu wa Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo, Baba wa utukufu, awape ninyi roho ya hekima na ya ufunuo katika kumjua yeye; macho ya mioyo yenu yatiwe nuru, mjue tumaini la mwito wake jinsi lilivyo na utukufu wa urithi wake katika watakatifu jinsi ulivyo, na ubora wa ukuu wa uweza wake ndani yetu tuaminio jinsi ulivyo; kwa kadri ya utendaji wa nguvu za uweza wake ndani yetu tuaminio jinsi ulivyo; kwa kadri ya utendaji wa nguvu za uweza wake, aliutenda katika Kristo alipomfufua katika watu, akamweka mkono wake wa kiume katika ulimwengu wa roho; juu sana kuliko ufalme wote, na mamlaka, na nguvu, na usultani, na kila jina litajwalo, wala si ulimwenguni humu tu, bali katika ule ujao pia; akavitia vitu vyote chini ya miguu yake akamweka awe kichwa juu ya vitu vyote kwa ajili ya KANISA; ambalo ndilo MWILI WAKE” (Waefeso 1:17-23)

Maneno hayo yanatupa picha na maana nzuri juu ya kanisa, ya kwamba kanisa ni mwili wa Kristo. Na kwamba huo mwili ndio ukamilifu wake Kristo, anayekamilika kwa vyote katika vyote. Maneno hayo pia yanaondoa mawazo ya watu wengi wanaofikiri ya kwamba kanisa ni dhehebu fulani au dhehebu lao ndilo kanisa.

Ngoja nikueleze; kanisa si dhehebu, na dhehebu si kanisa. Nawala hakuna mahali katika biblia panaposema kanisa ni dhehebu na dhehebu ni kanisa. Dhehebu ni dhehebu, na kanisa ni kanisa. Kanisa ni mwili wa Kristo!

Na mwili wa Kristo ni kitu gani?

“Maana kama vile mwili ni mmoja, nao una viungo vingi, na viungo vyote vya mwili ule, navyo ni vingi, ni mwili mmoja; vivyo hivyo na Kristo. Kwa maana katika Roho mmoja sisi sote tulibatizwa kuwa mwili mmoja, kwamba tu Wayahudi, au kwamba tu Wayunani; ikiwa tu watumwa au ikiwa tu huru; nasi sote tulinyweshwa Roho mmoja…….Basi ninyi mmekuwa mwili wa Kristo na viungo kila kimoja peke yake. (1Wakorintho 12:12, 13, 27)

Neno la Mungu linatuambia ya kuwa mwili wa Kristo ni mmoja na kichwa cha mwili huo ni mmoja. Ni muhimu tulijue hili kwa undani ya kuwa hakuna mwili wa Kristo zaidi ya mmoja. Kwa sababu kungekuwa na mwili wa Kristo zaidi ya mmoja, basi ingebidi pia kuwa na kichwa cha mwili zaidi ya kimoja.

Unapowaangalia wakristo ulimwenguni pote, unapata picha ya haraka inayoonyesha ya kuwa Kristo ana miili mingi, au picha inayoonyesha mwili wa Kristo uliogawanyika. Hii ni hali ya kusikitisha sana machoni pa Mungu katika Yesu Kristo, na machoni pa watu wengine.

Yesu Kristo alipokuwa anasema “Nitalijenga kanisa langu….” Hakuwa anamaanisha ya kuwa atalijenga kanisa liwe vipande vipande; na zaidi sana alikuwa hamaanishi kuujenga mwili wake uwe vipande vipande. Yesu Kristo alikusudia na bado amekusudia kulijenga kanisa katika umoja ulio mkamilifu. Amekusudia kuujenga mwili wake katika umoja ambao hauwezi kuharibiwa na wala milango ya kuzimu haitaliweza (Mathayo 16:18).

Sisi sote tuliobatizwa kwa Roho mmoja wa Kristo; sisi sote tuliozaliwa mara ya pili kwa Roho wa Mungu; tumeunganishwa kuwa mwili mmoja wa Kristo. Umoja huu wa Roho wa Kristo ndani ya wanadamu walioamua kumwamini na kumfuata katika roho na kweli haujafungwa na mipaka yoyote ya kibinadamu. Umoja huu wa Roho ya Kristo ndani ya watu haujafungwa na mipaka ya kidhehebu, wala kikabila, wala kitaifa, wala kirangi wala kibiashara, na hata shetani mwenyewe hawezi kuzuia umoja huu!

Kanisa ni mwili wa Kristo. Na mwili wa Kristo ni watu walio zaliwa mara ya pili kwa Roho wa Mungu. Na pia imeandikwa; “Lakini ikiwa Roho wa Mungu anakaa ndani yenu, ninyi hamwufuati mwili, bali mwaifuata roho. Lakini mtu awaye yote asipokuwa na Roho wa Kristo, huyo si wake.” (Warumi 8:8)

Watu waliozaliwa mara ya pili mahali popote ulimwenguni ni “Mwili wa Kristo, na viungo kila kimoja peke yake.” (1Wakorintho 12:27)

Na kwa sababu hii, naomba Roho wa Mungu akuwezeshe kuliona kanisa kama Neno la Mungu linavyosema. Ondoa mipaka uliyojiwekea juu ya kanisa, lione kanisa katika upana wake, na urefu na kina. Mipaka yote ya kidhehebu, kikabila, kitaifa, kirangi, na ivunjike kwa Jina la Yesu Kristo!

Watu wote waliozaliwa mara ya pili kwa Roho  wa Mungu (Yohana 3:1-8) hao ndio mwili wa Kristo. Na kwa maneno mengine wanaitwa, walioongoka, au watu wa Njia hii, au watu wa Kristo, au waliookoka. Na ndiyo maana imeandikwa; “ Bwana akalizidisha kanisa kila siku kwa wale waliokuwa wakiokolewa.” (Matendo ya Mitume 2;47)

Kwa usemi mwingine tunaweza kusema, Bwana akauongeza mwili wake mwenyewe kwa wale waliokuwa wakiokolewa!

Kumbuka pia ya kuwa imeandikwa; “Kilichozaliwa kwa mwili ni mwili, na kilichozaliwa kwa Roho ni Roho.” (Yohana 3:6) na Kristo ni Neno, na Neno ni Mungu, na Mungu ni Roho, kwa hiyo Kristo ni Roho. Ikiwa Kristo ni Roho basi na mwili wake ni roho kuwa umezaliwa kwa Roho.

Na ni kweli kwamba si wote wanaoitwa wakristo siku hizi wamezaliwa mara ya pili kwa Roho wa Kristo. Na kwa ajili hii, si wote wanaoitwa wakristo siku hizi ambao ni viungo vya mwili wa Kristo.

Yesu Kristo alipokuwa anaomba juu ya umoja alikuwa anaomba juu ya umoja wa rohoni wa nia za watu waliozaliwa mara ya pili kwa Neno. (1Petro 1:23) kwa kuwa Neno ni Roho. (Yohana 6:63)

Yesu Kristo alipokuwa anaomba umoja alisema:

“Jina lako nimewadhihirishia watu wale ulionipa katika ulimwengu waliokuwa wako, ukanipa mimi, na neno lako wamelishika. Sasa wamejua ya kuwa yote uliyonipa yatoka kwako. Kwa kuwa maneno uliyonipa nimewapa wao; nao wakayapokea, wakajua hakika ya kuwa nalitoka kwako, wakasadiki ya kwamba wewe ndiye uliyenituma. Mimi nawaombea hao; SIUOMBEI ULIMWENGU; bali hao ulionipa, kwa kuwa hao ni wako, na wote walio wangu ni wako, na walio wako ni wangu; nami nimetukuzwa ndani yao….Wala si hao tu ninaowaombea; lakini na wale watakaoniamini kwa sababu ya neno lao.” (Yohana 17:6-10, 20)

Kwa maandiko hayo machache tunaweza kuona ya kuwa maombi ya Yesu juu ya Umoja yalikuwa yamelenga na kukusudiwa kwa ajili ya kundi la watu waliolishika neno lake, na neno hilo likawafanya wazaliwe mara ya pili (1Petro 1:23), na kuitwa viungo vya mwili wa Kristo, ambalo ndilo Kanisa, ukamilifu wake anayekamilika kwa vyote katika vyote. (Waefeso 1:22,23, Warumi 12:4,5)

Pia, unaweza kuona ya kuwa Yesu Kristo alipoomba juu ya umoja wa Kanisa, alikuwa na mawazo tofauti sana na watu wengi siku hizi wanaoomba juu ya umoja wa kanisa. Watu wengi wanapoomba juu ya umoja wa kanisa, huwa wana maana ya kuomba juu ya umoja wa dhehebu lao. Na hii inatokana na kulielewa neno kanisa kuwa lina maanisha dhehebu lao.

Lakini Kanisa si dhehebu; na dhehebu si kanisa. Yesu alipokuwa anaomba umoja alikuwa haombi juu ya umoja wa dhehebu lolote lile. Yesu Kristo alipokuwa anaomba umoja, alikuwa anaomba umoja wa roho za watu waliolipokea neno lake liletao wokovu, na kuwawezesha kuzaliwa mara ya pili, walio ulimwenguni pote, NDANI na NJE ya madhehebu mbalimbali.

Kwa kusema hivi HAIMAANISHI ya kuwa kuomba kwa ajili ya dhehebu lako ni vibaya. La hasha! Tafadhali ISIELEWEKE HIVYO. Ukitaka kuomba juu ya umoja wa dhehebu lako, omba hakuna mtu anayekuzuia.

Lakini nasema na dhamiri yangu ikinishuhudia katika Roho Mtakatifu ya kuwa, maombi ya Yesu juu ya umoja yaliyoandikwa katika kitabu cha Yohana Mtakatifu sura ya 17, yalikuwa ni kwa ajili ya watu waliozaliwa mara ya pili kwa Roho, ambao wanaweza kuwa ndani ya dhehebu, na nje ya dhehebu. Kwa kuwa wokovu haukuletwa na dhehebu lolote na kwa hiyo hakuna dhehebu linaloweza kudai ya kuwa ndilo chanzo cha wokovu.

Kwa kuwa imeandikwa:“Kwa maana siionei haya Injili; kwa sababu ni uweza wa Mungu uuletao Wokovu, kwa KILA aaminiye, kwa Myahudi kwanza, na kwa Myunani pia.” (Warumi 1:16)

Wokovu unaletwa na uweza wa Mungu, ambao ndiyo Injili au habari Njema zilizoletwa na Yesu kwa watu wote. Yesu Kristo ndiye Injili ya kweli, kwa maana yeye ndiye habari njema kwa watu wote. Kwa Yesu Kristo tunapata wokovu. Palipo na Yesu Kristo, pana wokovu wa kweli. Huwezi ukampenda Yesu Kristo na ukaukataa wokovu na kuuchukia – huo ni unafiki.

Huwezi ukamtenga Yesu Kristo na wokovu aliouleta. Ukimpenda Yesu Kristo, penda na habari za wokovu alizoleta. Ukimpokea Yesu Kristo, pokea na wokovu aliouleta kwa njia ya msalaba na kufufuka kwake.

Basi, fahamu kuanzia sasa, kama ulikuwa hujafahamu ya kuwa, wokovu haukuletwa na dhehebu, bali na Injili iliyo hai, inayohubiriwa na watu waliozaliwa mara ya pili kwa Roho Mungu, waliomo NDANI na NJE ya madhehebu unayoyafahamu na usiyoyafahamu.

Ikiwa dhehebu si kanisa, dhehebu ni nini?

Hili ni swali zuri kabisa ambalo inabidi tujiulize.Ikiwa dhehebu si kanisa, na kanisa si dhehebu, basi dhehebu ni kitu gani?

Mimi mwenyewe nimekuwa nikijiuliza swali hili muhimu, tangu nilipofahamu maana halisi ya kanisa, kama neno la Mungu linavyotuambia. Mchungaji mmoja wa siku nyingi, aliwahi kuniambia kuwa madhehebu mbali mbali ya kikristo ulimwenguni ni viungo mbali mbali vya mwili wa Kristo.

Ukiangalia jambo hili kijuu-juu tu, unaweza ukakubaliana na usemi wa mchungaji huyo. Lakini ukilichunguza jambo hili kwa “jicho” la Neno la Mungu utaona ya kwamba usemi huo si sahihi hata kidogo.

Nilipousikia usemi huo kwa mara ya kwanza, ulinifanya nianze kuiangalia biblia kwa undani zaidi, ili niweze kupata ukweli wa maana ya kanisa na dhehebu, na uhusiano uliopo katikati yao.

Nilianza na Neno kanisa, kwa kusoma na kutafakari kila mahali katika biblia palipoandikwa kanisa au makanisa. Na nikakuta ya kwamba neno kanisa au makanisa limetokea katika biblia kwa mara zisizopungua tisini na tisa. Na maana ya Kanisa ni mwili wa Kristo. (Waefeso 1:22,23) na mwili wa Kristo ni muunganiko wa roho za watu waliozaliwa mara ya pili kwa Roho wa Mungu popote walipo ulimwenguni (1Wakorintho 12:12-27; Warumi 12:4-21; Yohana 3:1-21, Matendo ya Mitume 2:37-47).

Hakuna mahali ambapo nilikuta pameandikwa ndani ya biblia ya kuwa madhehebu ni viungo vya kanisa, au pameandikwa ya kuwa dhehebu ni kanisa au kanisa ni dhehebu. Kwa sababu hii, hamu yangu ilizidi sana ya kutaka kujua biblia inasema nini juu ya madhehebu.

Kwa hiyo nilianza kusoma na kutafakari kila mahali katika biblia nilipokuta pameandikwa neno dhehebu au madhehebu. Na ninakuta ya kwamba neno dhehebu au madhehebu limetokea katika biblia kwa mara tano hivi.

Na nilikuta ya kuwa madhehebu yalikuwepo hata KABLA ya Yesu Kristo kuzaliwa na bikira Maria, kama Mwana wa Mungu.

Biblia inazungumza juu ya “Madhehebu ya masadukayo” (Matendo ya Mitume 15:5)

Madhehebu haya yalikuwepo tangu kabla Yesu Kristo hajazaliwa duniani kama Mwana wa Mungu na Mwana wa Adamu. Na alipokuwa duniani katika maisha yake ya mwanzo alilelewa katika namna na jinsi madhehebu hayo yalivyokuwa yanamwabudu Mungu. Alitahiriwa siku ya nane kama ilivyokuwa desturi ya wayahudi na madhehebu hayo. Na wazazi wake wakamtolea sadaka kama ilivyokuwa desturi yao katika kufuata torati ya Musa (Luka 2:21-24)

Madhehebu hayo ya Mafarisayo na Masadukayo yalikuwa yanamwamini Mungu wa Israeli, ambaye pia ni Baba wa Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo, na ni Baba yetu sisi. Na madhehebu ya kikristo yanamwamini Mungu huyo huyo.

Lakini Yesu Kristo alipoanza kuhubiri juu ya habari njema za Ufalme wa Mbinguni uletao wokovu, walidhani analeta machafuko kati yao, wakamshitaki, wakamsulubisha na wakamuua. Lakini siku ya tatu akafufuka kutoka katika wafu, na mpaka leo yupo hai, akiwa ndiye tumaini letu la uzima wa sasa na wa baadaye.

Ingawa madhehebu hayo yalikuwa yanamwamini Mungu mmoja na kutumia wote torati hiyo hiyo ya Musa, yalikuwa yanatofautiana katika mapokeo yao. Hebu soma na kutafakari habari hii:

“Paulo alipotambua ya kuwa sehemu moja ni Masadukayo, na sehemu ya pili ni Mafarisayo, akapaza sauti yake katika ile baraza, Ndugu zangu, mimi ni Farisayo, mwana wa Farisayo; Mimi ninahukumiwa kwa ajili ya tumaini la ufufuo wa wafu. Alipokwisha kunena hayo palikuwa na mashindino baina ya Mafarisayo na Masadukayo, mkutano ukafarakana. Kwa maana Masadukayo husema ya kwamba hakuna kiyama wala malaika wala roho; bali Mafarisayo hukiri yote.” (Matendo ya Mitume 23:6-8)

Tunaona ya kuwa mkutano huu uliokusanyika ili kumhukumu Paulo, ulifarakana kwa sababu ya tofauti za mapokeo ya madhehebu yao. Hata hivi leo mahali pengi wakristo wamefarakana kwa sababu ya tofauti za mapokeo ya madhehebu yao. Hili ni jambo la kushangaza kwa sababu, madhehebu hayo ya kikristo, yote yanakiri kumhubiri Kristo, na kumwamini Mungu mmoja katika yeye.

Lakini swali linajitokeza hapa nalo ni hili; Je! Kristo akihubiriwa huwa anawafarakanisha watu na kuwatawanya, au huwa anavuta WOTE kwake? Soma Yohana 12:32 imeandikwa:-

“Nami (Yesu) nikiinuliwa juu ya nchi, nitawavuta wote kwangu.”

Ikiwa ni hivyo basi, ni Yesu yupi anayehubiriwa siku hizi ambaye anatawanya watu?

Ni kweli kwamba Neno la Mungu lililetwa na Yesu, linamwondoa mtu toka Ufalme wa giza na kumwingiza katika Ufalme wa Mungu (Wakolosai 1:13). Na pia neno la Mungu linamtenga mtu na tamaa za dunia.

Lakini pia Neno lenye pumzi ya Mungu limewekwa ili kuwaunganisha watu wa aina mbali mbali pamoja na Mungu katika roho na kweli, kwa njia ya damu na ufufuo wa Yesu Kristo!

Na nilipoendelea kuisoma, nilishangaa kuona kwamba biblia, haitumii maana ya neno dhehebu moja kwa moja na iliyo wazi kama vile ilivyofanya kwenye maana ya kanisa. Neno dhehebu limetumika katika misingi ambayo wasomaji wanatarijiwa wawe wanafahamu maana yake.

Kwa hiyo niliposoma maana ya neno dhehebu kama ilivyotolewa na kamusi mbali mbali za maneno, niliona zimelieleza neno dhehebu sawa sawa na jinsi lilivyotumika katika biblia, na jinsi linavyotumika hivi leo.

Dhehebu ni jamii ya watu waliokubaliana wao wenyewe kufuata utaratibu wa aina fulani katika kumwabudu Mungu, ambao wao wanauona ni bora zaidi kuliko wa dhehebu jingine. Hii ndiyo maana kila dhehebu linavutia kwake katika kuzungumza na watu juu ya kumwabudu Mungu.

Na wadhehebu ya Kikristo ni mengi, na ya taratibu zinazotofautiana za kumwabudu Mungu. Na kila dhehebu linaona utaratibu wake wa kuabudu ni mzuri kuliko wa dhehebu jingine. Na kwa sababu hii kuna faraka kati ya wakristo wa madhehebu mbali mbali.

Tangu siku nyingi sana ulimwengu kuna madhehebu ya aina mbali mbali. Kuna madhehebu ya kikristo, ya kiislamu, ya kihindi, na kadhalika. Madhehebu yote hayo yana taratibu zao za kumwabudu Mungu, ambazo zinatofautiana.

Lakini namshukuru Mungu, kwa kuwa ukristo si dhehebu. Ukristo ni maisha ya Mungu yaliyodhihirishwa ndani ya Kristo, anayekaa ndani ya watu. Ukristo ni tabia ya Kristo. Mtu anakuwa mkristo, kwa kuwa anaonyesha tabia ya Kristo katika maisha yake, kwa kuongozwa na Roho wa Kristo.

Ndiyo maana imeandikwa, “Lakini mtu awaye yote asipokuwa na Roho wa Kristo, huyo si wake”. (Warumi 8:9b)

Wakristo wa kweli, walio na Roho wa Kristo, hao ndio Kanisa yaani mwili wa Kristo.

Ukristo si dhehebu, na kanisa si dhehebu. Umoja wa kanisa si umoja wa madhehebu. Umoja wa kanisa upo na umoja wa madhehebu upo.

Neno la Mungu linatuambia ya kuwa mwili wa Kristo ni mmoja (1Wakorintho 12:20). Kwa hiyo kanisa ni moja tu ulimwengu pote.

Hakuna kanisa zaidi ya moja ambalo ni mwili wa Kristo. Lakini madhehebu ni mengi sana duniani.

Je! bado una mawazo ya kuwa madhehebu ni viungo mbalimbali vya Kanisa? Watu wengi wana mawazo ya namna hii. Lakini biblia haisemi hivi:

“Basi ninyi mmekuwa mwili wa Kristo na viungo kila kimoja peke yake.”

Neno halisemi kuwa; “Basi madhehebu yamekuwa mwili wa Kristo ni viungo kila kimoja peke yake.”

Neno linasema kuwa; “ Basi NINYI mmekuwa mwili wa Kristo na viungo kila kimoja peke yake.”

Ni kweli kwamba kuna WATU walio viungo vya mwili wa Kristo walio ndani ya madhehebu mbali-mbali ya kikristo. Lakini madhehebu yenyewe si viungo vya mwili wa Kristo.

Kwa nini naeleza haya?

Ni kwa kuwa kama tusipofahamu tofauti na uhusiano uliopo kati ya kanisa na dhehebu; basi haitakuwa rahisi kwetu kufahamu sababu zilizomfanya Yesu Kristo atuombee umoja.

Kwa sababu ya kutokufahamu uhusiano huo, watu wengi wamekuwa wakiomba juu ya umoja wa madhehebu WAKIDHANI wanaomba juu ya umoja wa kanisa. Na kwa sababu hii maombi hayo hayajajibiwa, kwa kuwa wanaomba umoja ili wautumie kwa tamaa zao. (Yakobo 4:1-3)

Ni kweli pia kuwa katika siku za mwisho kutatokea umoja wa madhehebu kama ilivyotabiriwa. Lakini hatutalijadili suala hili katika somo hili.

Lakini nina uhakika ya kwamba watu wengi wanataka na wanapenda kuwe na umoja katika mwili wa Kristo. NA NDILO LILILOKUWA LENGO LA KRISTO KATIKA KUTUOMBEA UMOJA.

Na katika madhehebu ya Kikristo, kila moja limeanzishwa kwa kutumia mistari michache katika biblia. Na ili mtu aweze kuruhusiwa kushiriki katika dhehebu fulani ni sharti kwanza atimize masharti ya dhehebu hilo analotaka kuingia.

Na kuingia katika mwili wa Kristo kuna masharti yake ambayo ni kuzaliwa upya mara ya pili na Roho Mtakatifu. (1Wakorintho 12:13, Yohana 3:5) Lakini katika madhehebu utakuta watu wa aina mbili kubwa; waliozaliwa mara ya pili kwa Roho wa Mungu na ambao bado hawajazaliwa mara ya pili kwa Roho Mungu. Yesu Kristo alipokuwa anaomba juu ya umoja alikuwa anaomba kwa ajili ya wale tu waliozaliwa mara ya pili kwa Roho wake na watakaozaliwa baadaye kabla ya yeye kurudi mara ya pili kulichukua kanisa.

Ninapoyasema haya simaanishi ya kuwa uyachukie madhehebu, bali ufahamu tofauti iliyopo kati yake na kanisa. Na kwamba kukubaliwa na dhehebu fulani haitoshi kukurithisha ufalme wa Mungu, BILA ya kuzaliwa mara ya pili kwa Roho wa Mungu.

BILA kumpokea Kristo moyoni mwako na kuwa mwana wa Mungu (Yohana 1:12) kuwa mkristo wa dhehebu tu hakutatosha kitu.

Hii ni kweli kabisa!

Biblia inazungumzia juu ya “madhehebu ya Masadukayo” (Matendo ya Mitume 5:17) Na pia Biblia inazungumza juu “Madhehebu ya Mafarisayo” (Matendo ya Mitume 15:5)

Hayo madhehebu yalikuwepo hata kabla ya Yesu kuzaliwa. Yesu Kristo alipotembea juu ya nchi alikutana nayo. Na fahamu ya kuwa viongozi wa madhehebu ndio waliomsulubisha Yesu Kristo. Sasa nauliza swali: Ikiwa Mungu aliona ya kuwa madhehebu yanatosha kumpatanisha yeye na mtu, kwa nini basi alimtuma Yesu Kristo, Mwana wake afe kwa ajili yetu?

Mungu alikuwa na sababu muhimu kabisa. Mungu alijua kabisa kuwa taratibu za madhehebu haziwezi kuleta ondoleo la dhambi.

Mungu alijua kabisa kuwa taratibu za madhehebu haziwezi kumpa mtu uzima wa milele. Kwa hiyo ilibidi Yesu Kristo aje azaliwe, afe na afufuke ili kila amwaminiye apate ondoleo la dhambi na uzima wa milele. (Yohana 3:16-18).

Tufanyeje basi ndugu zangu?

Ninapoyaandika yote haya sina nia mbaya na mtu yeyote. Lakini moyo wangu unapata uchungu mkali ninapoona watu wengi waliookoka hawapatani na viongozi wa madhehebu mbalimbali ya kikristo.

Hali ya vikundi mbali mbali vya uamsho, vimekuwa na mawazo ambayo si mazuri juu ya viongozi wa madhehebu hasa ambao hawajaokoka na wanapinga wokovu. Na kwa sababu hii viongozi wa madhehebu wanakuwa na wasiwasi na watu waliookoka na hili si kosa lao ni letu! Hatuenendi sawa sawa na Neno la Mungu mara nyingi!

Swali ninalotaka kulisema hapa ni uhusiano kati ya wakristo na madhehebu yao au uhusiano wa kanisa na madhehebu, au uhusiano wa watu waliookoka na madhehebu.

Kuna  sehemu zingine ambazo imefikia hali ambayo mtu akiokoka hataki tena kwenda kwenye nyumba za ibada. Je! hii ni busara ya Mungu Na badala yake masengenyo na manung’uniko yanazidi kuwasema viongozi fulani. Je! hii ni sawa?

Kumbuka Yesu alitembea duniani sawa sawa na wewe; lakini biblia inasema alizidi kila wakati kumpendeza Mungu na wanadamu

“Naye Yesu akazidi kuendelea katika hekima na kimo, akimpendeza Mungu na wanadamu.” (Luka 2:52)

Na fahamu ya kuwa wanadamu ambao aliwapendeza Yesu, walikuwepo viongozi wa madhehebu na watu wa kawaida, ambao wote walikuwa hawajaokoka. Sasa mbona watu waliookoka wengi wanashindwa na hili wakati imewapasa kuenenda sawasawa na Yesu alivyoenenda? (1Yohana 2:6)

Unaweza kusema, mbona basi hao wanadamu walimsulubisha Yesu? Hili ni swali zuri lakini kumbuka Yesu hakutafuta kuwakimbia kwa kuwa aliwapenda upeo (Yohana 13:1) , ingawa watu fulani walimchukia.

Jambo ninalotaka kusema hapa ni kwamba si vizuri na si hekima na si mpango wa Mungu kumchukia mtu na kumnenea vibaya kwa sababu tu ya msimamo wake juu ya wokovu. Kumbuka tumeamriwa kuwapenda majirani zetu (watu wanaotuzunguka) kama nafsi zetu wenyewe, HATA kama hawajaokoka.

Watu wakikuchukia wewe kwa kuwa umeokoka au umekuwa mkristo, wewe wapende. Hebu soma maneno haya ya Yesu kwa watu wake:

“Mmesikia kwamba imenenwa, Umpende jirani yako, na, Umchukie adui yako; lakini mimi nawaambia, Wapendeni adui zenu, waombeeni wanaowaudhi ili mpate kuwa wana wa Baba yenu aliye mbinguni; maana yeye huwaangazia jua waovu na wema huwanyeshea mvua wenye haki na wasio haki. Maana mkiwapenda ninyi, mwapata thawabu gani? Hata watoza ushuru, Je! nao hawafanyi yayo? Tena mkiwaamkia ndugu zenu tu, mnatenda tendo gani la ziada? Hata watu wa Mataifa, Je? nao hawafanyi kama hayo? Basi ninyi mtakuwa wakamilifu, kama Baba yenu wa mbinguni alivyo mkamilifu.” (Mathayo 5:43-48)

Na tuone pia jinsi ambavyo Mtume Paulo alivyofanya aliposhitakiwa na viongozi wa madhehebu wa wakati ule, kwani walifikiri Paulo analihubiri dhehebu jipya liitwalo “dhehebu la wanazarayo” kwa kuwa alimhubiri Yesu wa Nazareti. (Matendo ya Mitume 24:5)

Wakati Kuhani Anania alipoamuru Paulo apigwe; Paulo alimtukana Mkuu huyo akisema, “Mungu atakupiga wewe, ukuta uliopakwa chokaa”(Matendo ya Mitume 23:2-3)

“Wale waliosimama karibu wakasema, Je! unamtukana Kuhani Mkuu wa Mungu? Paulo akasema, Sikujua, ndugu zangu, ya kuwa yeye ni Kuhani Mkuu, maana imeandikwa, Usimnenee mabaya Mkuu wa watu wako”. (Matendo ya Mitume 23:4-5)

Ingawa Mtume Paulo alifahamu kabisa ya kuwa Kuhani Mkuu huyo alikuwa hajaokoka lakini ilibidi awe mtendaji wa neno la Mungu, na akamheshimu kwa kuwa imeandikwa, usimnenee mabaya mkuu wa watu wako.

Hili ni fundisho hata kwetu hivi leo, inatubidi tuwe watendaji wa Neno la Mungu, tusiwanenee vibaya viongozi wa madhehebu ambao hawajaokoka kwa kuwa imeandikwa, Usimnenee mabaya mkuu wa watu wako. Na pia tutafute kwa bidii kuwa na amani na watu wote.

Pia Soma Warumi 13:1-10 juu ya kutii wenye mamlaka. Mstari ule wa saba unasema, “ Wapeni wote haki zao; mtu wa kodi, kodi, mtu wa ushuru, ushuru, astahiliye hofu, hofu; astahiliye heshima, heshima”

Astronomer

–Mike

Ufisadi Makanisani

Inasikitisha kuona makanisa yanayofanya biashara na Neno la Mungu. Mnalilaumu Kanisa la Katoliki enzi hizo wakitoa huduma kwa kuwataka watu watoe fedha. Afadhali hawa walitenda mambo haya enzi zile miaka 700 iliyopita kuliko ninyi mnaofanya haya karne ya 21! Siku hizi wakatoliki ni wazuri sana kuliko ninyi na unaweza ukawaamini wanapokuambia kitu au unapotoa mchango wako, kweli watautumia kama unavyo kusudiwa. Kuna mambo mengi sana mnayofanya ya kutisha na kinyume na utakatifu. Bila shaka mengi mnayajua wenyewe na ingefaa mkajirekebisha kwani Mungu anaona mpaka ndani ya roho zennu. Hakuna lililofichika kwake!

Bwana Yesu asifiwe!

–Deodatus Matili–

Mungu atakubarikije wakati unaendelea kuishi maisha ya dhambi?

Unaposema unapenda kubarikiwa, inabidi uwe mwenyenyekevu, uwe mwenye kutii, kuwaheshimu wengine pia uwe mwenye kuongozwa na Mungu. Watu wengi hawazioni baraka za Mungu katika maisha yao hata wakifunga na kuomba maana sio wanyenyekevu wanaenenda sawa na matendo yao ya zamani kabla hawajamjua Mungu, Mungu atakubarikije wakati bado unaendelea na kusengenya, kuzini, ulevi n.k.

Msidanganyike Mungu hakai katika dhambi! Tubuni na muache matendo yenu mabaya ndio mtaziona baraka za Mungu kwenu! 1 Petro 3:8

–Pastor Obadia, BURUNDI–

Niombeeni nina HIV

Shalom naomba yenu wote mnaotembelea mahali hapa watumishi wa Mungu, tuungane kuomba kwa tatizo langu nililo litaja hapo juu, mimi nilipima nikaonekana nimeathitrika na HIV sasa siku zote huamini kwamba Mungu anaweza kuniponya. Nilikuwa katika kuomba kipindi chote hiki nikiamini Mungu siku moja atayaweka sawa majibu na kuwa negative. Namshukuru Mungu nimeenda kupima tena nikakuta cd4 zangu zimepanda nikasema Mungu ninayemuomba ndo ananiponya na Neno la Mungu nndio dawa.

Basi nikamwambia Mzungu mmoja nikasema mimi nataka siku moja niwe negative, akasema haitawezekana kabisa nikamwambia inawezekana, mzungu akaja juu anasema never, haitakuwa wewe nikunywa dawa tu mpaka unakufa nimehuzunika lakini moyoni nikasema nimepona kwa jina la Yesu. Mimi nikamjibu tena nikamwambia inawezekana, akasema ikitokea mimi kupona anaacha kazi.

Naamini ipo siku nitapona haijalishi lini, ila naamini ipo siku namuamini Mungu, watu wengi wamekuwa wakinidharau na kusema siwezi kupona hasa wazungu huku ninakoishi maana wanaamini huuu ugonjwa hauna dawa. Watu ninaoishi nao hawamjui Mungu, najua nitatoa  ushuhuda niwaambie doctor ameamini na kuacha kazi tuone.

Uchumi umekuwa tatizo kubwa kwa U.S wanaoishi marekani wanajua sasa mtu aache kazi kisa haamini kama Mungu anaweza yote?

Kwa jinsi utakavyoguswa naomba uniombee nguvu ya Mungu nisiwe na hofu na uponyaji uwe juu yangu.

Mbarikiwe,

–ELLA—

The Haitian Earthquake: Where Was God?

The headlines speak of the horrific destruction and mounting death toll in the poorest Caribbean island of Haiti. A major 7.0 earthquake struck this already impoverished nation around 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12. The death toll will be staggering, the suffering unimaginable.

The day after the earthquake, Reuters reported: “Television footage from the capital, Port-au-Prince, showed scenes of chaos on the streets with people sobbing and appearing dazed amid the rubble… The presidential palace lay in ruins, its domes fallen on top of flattened walls.”

Why did God allow this to happen?

As we see heart-wrenching photos and video of this latest disaster, we are once again left to ponder the age-old questions: “Where was God? How could a loving God let this happen?” These questions seem to have no answer—but do they?

People like to think of themselves as masters of their own fate. They want to feel like they can control their own destiny. Try talking to survivors of a major natural disaster like an earthquake, and you’ll get a different perspective. They have experienced absolute helplessness to control anything.

So where is God? If there is an answer to this timeless question, where is it? Why don’t we know why God allows such unspeakable suffering to be inflicted upon helpless, innocent victims?

A place to find answers

God does reveal Himself to mankind in the pages of the Bible. We need to read it and understand that God does have a grand master plan for all humanity. The prophet Isaiah begins to answer these questions for us in Isaiah 59:1: “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.”

Some mistakenly think that this means that those affected by disaster must be more sinful than others. But Isaiah was describing all of humanity, as Jesus Christ made clear. In reference to the victims of disasters in His day, Jesus asked: “Do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:4-5).

The truth is that, starting with the famed episode in the Garden of Eden, people ever since Adam and Eve have chosen to live their own way, apart from God’s revealed instruction and involvement in their lives. Romans 8:7 says humanity by nature does not want to live by the laws of God.

Sadly, mankind has chosen to abandon the laws of Almighty God that would bring us blessings, prosperity, happiness and protection from natural disasters. So He allows us to suffer the consequences of living our own way and also allows natural disasters to take their toll in human lives and suffering.

God pleads with mankind to reject going the way that seems right to us and instead open His instruction manual, the Holy Bible, and live by His way of life that will result in His blessings.

Ezekiel records this plea from God: “Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’” (Ezekiel 33:11).

What can I do?

In Matthew 24:7-8, the Bible predicts that we will continue to see earthquakes, along with wars, famines and disease epidemics. It also says these are the beginnings of sorrows. What is God trying to tell us? Will we listen to His wake-up call? Could it be that God knows exactly what He is doing and is warning us to read His Book and find the answers to these perplexing questions?

You don’t have to live in a world of doubt and despair. You can know that God truly is a caring, compassionate and loving God who has a plan that includes the hope of eternal life for everyone—including those helpless little children so tragically struck down in the devastation of this earthquake in Haiti.

There is hope. A new day is coming. One day soon, Jesus Christ will return to establish the government of God on this earth. Zechariah 8:5 speaks of a time when little boys and girls will play safely in the streets of the city. That beautiful world is our sure and certain promise from God.

Maombi yetu wiki hii! (1-5 January.2010)

SIKU	AINA YA MAOMBI	ANAYEWAKILISHA/ ALIYETUMA MAOMBI
J.3	MAGONJWA SUGU Kaka yake Happy ameathirika na UKIMWI, tumuite Mungu kwa ajili ya yake, pia tuwaombee wote wenye yote magonjwa sugu, kama Kansa, kisukari nk. Kwa Yesu hakuna magonjwa Sugu kwake kila kitu kinawezekana.	HAPPY
J.4	KUONGEZEWA IMANI Tuwaombee wote wenye imani haba, Mungu akainue imani zetu, Mungu atupe nguvu ya kufanya huduma na kumtegemea yeye	DOTTO
J.5	KUOMBEA MAFANIKIO KWENYE FAMILIA Tuombee familia mbalimbali, Mungu aonekane kwenye mafanikio yetu, Neema ya Mungu na upendeleo uwe juu ya kila familia, familia ambazo hazijamjua Mungu zimjue Mungu kwa Jina la Yesu!	DAINESS
ALH.	KUTAFUTA KAZI NA WOKOVU Tuwaombee wanaotafuta kazi mkono wa Mungu ukawe juu yao, tuombe kibali na tuharibu kila hila za adui. Pia watu waokoke	BENEDIKTA
IJM	AMANI TANZANIA, NCHI YA ISRAELI na WATUMISHI WA MUNGU WASIMAME IMARA Tuombee amani ya nchi ya Tanzania hata nchi jirani na Israel, pia watumishi wa Mungu wasimame Imara katika wokovu.	IVONE

**Kiongozi wa Neno la Kusimamia na Maombi – Pastor Peter Alphaxard +255 715 672 271

MAOMBI HAYA YANAENDELEA KILA SIKU TAJWA, KATIKA KITUO CHA TANGI BOVU KUANZIA SAA MBILI HADI SAA NNE ASUBUHI.

Ibada ya sanamu!

1. Kuabudu sanamu sio mpaka uchonge mti au mapambo, kuabudu sanamu ni kupenda kitu chochote kuliko Mungu, sanamu inaweza kuwa kazi yako, mke/mume wako, biashara yako n.k.

2. Unapoenda mbele za Mungu usitaje manabii waliopita wakuombee au mtakatifu yeyote, wao walikua binadamu kama wewe, uombapo Omba kwa jina la YEsu, unapotegemea kitu au mtu ili akuombee ni Ibada ya sanamu.

3. Tunao uwezo wa kuomba kwa ujasiri kwa kupitia jina la Yesu  pasipo kuwataja manabii au mitume waliopita, kama Maria mama wa Mungu, Mtakatifu Yoseph, Mtakatifu Magdalena, Cecilia, Petro, Theresea n.k

–Jimmy, Mlima wa Mabadiliko— TABATA

Rehema na Neema!

Bwana Yesu Asifiwe, naomba kufundishwa zaidi, nini tofauti ya Neema na Rehema? Mbarikiwe

–Anania Selestin, Kigoma–

Alama za waabudu shetani?

Mchungaji Joseph akiwa stendi ya Ubungo

Kuna mtumishi kutoka Kenya yuko Dar es salaam anajulikana kama Mchungaji Joseph, amekuwa akizunguka vituo mbalimbali vya daladala akihubiri habari za Mungu na kusema mambo mbalimbali anayoyaita ni siri za shetani na kazi anazozifanya, Pia ni kwa jinsi gani watu wanachukuliwa misukule!

Mtumishi huyu alielezea aina ya nguo ambazo zimetengenezwa kuzimu na Mtu akivaa hizi zenye wanyama hawa, huonekana moja kwa moja kwenye ramani ya kuzimu.

Alielezea kwamba aina ya nguo hizi mtu akivaa haishi miaka mingi, au kufa kifo kisicho cha kawaida!

Pia alielezea huyo mnyama yupo anaishi baharini hivyo hiyo siyo picha tu!

Pia kulikua kuna kitambaa ambacho kilikua na alama mbalimbali ambazo anasema wanatumia wanaoabudu shetani au Freemasons. Na kusema pia wapo watu wanaosema ni wakristo wanatumia baadhi ya hizi alama hizi kwa kujua au kutokujua!

Pia lisema kuna wahubiri wawili ambao wanahubiri kwenye TV wanahubiri na kuponya kwa nguvu za giza ambapo wanatumia PETE zenye nguvu za giza. Ameliasa kanisa kuombea kazi ya Mungu kwa kumaanisha maana wapo watu wamejiingiza kanisani kama kondoo kumbe ni mbwa mwitu.

Alipokua akihitimisha mahubiri yake, alitaka watu watoe mafungu yao ya kumi na sadaka, pia aliwaombea wote waliokua na mahitaji mbalimbali.

Ukitaka kufahamu mengi wasiliana nae kwa simu namba.

+255 712 863 899 au +255 759 958 142

Dead to Sin

–Mike Walters–

Je ni viongozi wangapi Tanzania ya leo ambao wako safi?

Ndugu zangu siku za karibuni wamekuwepo baadhi ya wanasiasa na hata Watanzania wenzetu wakiwalaumu wale wote waufanyao ufisadi. Kiasi kwamba unapata picha kuwa hao watu wanaowalaumu wenzao ni  wasafi kuliko.  Ninakumbuka Yesu alipopelekewa yule mwanamke mzinzi na mafarisayo wakitaka apigwe mawe, Yesu akawauliza kama na wao walikuwa hawana hatia ya dhambi ya uzinzi. Maajabu ni kuwa walishindwa kumtupia mawe kwa sababu na wao hawakuwa safi. Naye Mtakatifu Paulo kwenye Warumi 2:1 anasema…”kwa maana katika hayo umhukumuyo mwingine wajihukumu mwenyewe kuwa na hatia (kwa nini?) kwa sababu wewe uhukumuye wayafanya yale yale”. Hao hawatajiepusha na hukumu ya Mungu(2:3).

Wabunge hao wanaowasakama wenzao kuwa ni mafisadi bila ya kuwaeleza Watanzania ufisadi wao ni nini na ni upi, wao wenyewe ukifuatilia jinsi walivyopata ubunge utagundua wote walitumia njia za ufisadi kupata nafasi hizo. Wanafiki wakubwa hao hawana agenda nyingine zaidi ya kuiingiza nchi kwenye machafuko.

Halafu kama hiyo haitoshi. Hata viongozi wa makanisa na dini nyingine wanapata kigugumizi na wao waseme nini, kwa sababu wao pia wana sehemu yao kwenye ufisadi huo.

Labda niulize. Hivi wewe kama baba kwenye nyumba yako na mtoto wako ni mnywaji mzuri wa pombe, unapogundua kuwa na mtoto wako naye anakunywa kama wewe utafanyaje? Utamwonya au utamwachia huku ukijua kuwa unywaji kwa kawaida una madhara au utaogopa kwa sababu huna moral authority kwenye jambo hilo? Baba wa Taifa Nyerere alikuwa anaweza kukemea ufisadi kwa sababu yeye hakuwa fisadi. Sasa je ni viongozi wangapi Tanzania ya leo ambao wako safi?

–Petro Konkoli–

Kongamano la Urafiki na Semina ya wachungaji

Mwinjilisti wa kimataifa kutoka huduma ya Global Grace News, Marekani yuko Dar es salaam anafanya mkutano wa Injili viwanja vya Jangwani, kuanzia tarehe 27 Mpaka 31th Januari 2010,Wagonjwa, Viziwi na Viwete wanaombewa na kupona kwa jina la Yesu.

Maombi yetu wiki hii! (25-30 January 2010)

SIKU	AINA YA MAOMBI	ANAYEWAKILISHA
J.3	MAOMBI YA KUHITAJI AFYA NJEMA NA MWAKA MPYA WENYE MAFANIKIO Tuombe Mungu atupe afya njema na mafanikio katika mipango yetu, Neema ya Mungu isitupungukie!	RAFAEL
J.4	MAFANIKIO KATIKA VITA Kuna ambao wanapitia hali ngumu katika maisha yao, tuwaombee ushindi na mafanikio kwa Jina la Yesu.	MAMY
J.5	MAOMBI KWA AJILI YA WALE WANAONG’ANG’ANIA  DINI Tuombe Injili ya kweli ihubiriwe na watu wampokee Bwana Yesu bila kujali dini zao, Dini haitupeleki mbinguni, njia ni moja tu, Yesu Kristo	LEVANA KATANA
Alh.	UELEWA KWENYE MASOMO Shetani ameteka fahamu za watu, kuna ambao hawaelewi darasani, turudishe fahamu za watu kwa maombi!	MARY KILEO
Ijm.	KURUDISHWA KAZINI Tunawaombea wale waliofukuzwa au kuachishwa kazi kwa uonevu.	LILIAN MOLEL

**Kiongozi wa Neno la Kusimamia Maombi Wiki hii –BARAKA CHAJI au piga simu +255 222 627 154 au +255 714 221 589

(Karibuni Kituo cha maombezi Mbezi Tangi Bovu, opposite na BP sheli ya mafuta, kuna kibao kimeandikwa STRICTL GOSPEL& COMPANY, kila siku ya Jumatatu mpaka  Ijumaa kuanzia saa 2 hadi saa 4 Asubuhi. Mungu kubariki popote pale ulipo na utakapoguswa kuwaombea wengine, akutane na haja yako, kwa Jina la Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo. Amen)

Je tunajua nini kuhusu Freemasonry?

Kama wakristo tuliookoka, tunatakiwa kuchukua hatua gani?

Nanukuu ‘Freemasons wa Tanzania? Waliojitokeza waziwazi na kujitambulisha ni kina Chande “Andy Chande” ambao ni matajiri wafanyabiashara maarufu. Katika mahojiano aliyofanya na mwandishi Muhiddin Michuzi wa gazeti la Sunday News la tarehe 3 April 2005, Sir Andy Chande alikiri kuwa anao wanachama zaidi ya 3,000 (yeye mwenyewe ni District Grand Master), na kuwa wamekuwa wakishirikiana na Rais Yoweri Museveni, Makamu wa Rais wa Kenya Moody Awori, na Rais Mstaafu Ben Mkapa (hakutaka kutamka wazi kuwa ni wanachama, lakini wapo watu wengine wanaofahamu kuwa hao aliowataja ni wanachama wa hiyo kitu, pamoja na Mzee Mengi). Alitamka kuwa mtu yeyote akishajiunga na freemasonry hawezi kutoka tena, kwa maneno yake “Once a freemason, always a freemason”.

Tazama jibu la Sir Andy Chande alipoulizwa na Muhiddin Michuzi kuhusu yalipo makao makuu ya Freemasons nchini Tanzania: “It is located along Sokoine Drive, just behind the Kilimanjaro Hotel in Dar es Salaam. We have a licence to sell drinks to members; we have also been exempted by the government of Tanzania from registration We have the full blessings of the government. Once that building was about to be taken over for public purpose, but when I sent a memorandum to the State House, we got it back. You know, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere was not a Freemason, but he knew what Freemasonry is”.

–Imani Kapinga–

Tatizo ni wewe, sio kanisa unapoabudu!

Watu wengi wanadhani ukubwa wa jengo la kanisa au wingi wa watu wengi kanisani inamaanisha Mungu yupo mahali pale, Mungu yupo hata katika kundi dogo, Biblia inasema katika Mathayo 18:20 Kwa kuwa walipo wawili watatu wamekusanyika kwa jina langu, nami nipo papo hapo katikati yao.

Isifike hatua watu wakaabudu wanadamu, Mungu hawezi kuacha kuonekana katika kanisa la mahali pamoja hata kama watu ni wachache mno, kama wamekusanyika kwa ajili yake, Atakuwepo!

Yawezekana kuna tabia ambazo huwezi kuzidhibiti, Mungu anataka akufungue, lakini anataka ujikane, ukubali kubadilika na kuachana na tabia zako, Hata uzunguke makanisa mangapi ikiwa hujakubali hautapa unachokitafuta, Tatizo ni wewe!

–Pastor Emmanuel, DODOMA–

Je, ni kweli kwamba kila mamlaka imewekwa na Mungu?

Katika Biblia, kwenye kitabu cha Waraka wa Mtume Paulo kwa Warumi 13:1, tunasoma  habari za kutii kila mamlaka zilizo kuu maana kila mamlaka imewekwa na  Mungu.

Je, ni kweli kwamba kila mamlaka imewekwa na Mungu?

Kakobe aitikisa serikali

Washirika wa Kakobe wakiwa wamepiga kambi masaa 24

RAIS Jakaya Kikwete ameingilia kati mvutano uliopo kati ya Kanisa la Full Gospel Bible Fellowship na Shirika la Umeme nchini (TANESCO) kuhusu upitishwaji wa nyaya za umeme wa kilovolti 132.

Habari za uhakika ambazo Tanzania Daima Jumatano imezipata zinasema kuwa Rais Kikwete ameiagiza Wizara ya Nishati na Madini kuandaa kikao kitakachowakutanisha wadau mbalimbali ili kutatua tatizo hilo.

Hatua ya Rais Kikwete kuingilia kati suala hilo imekuja baada ya juhudi za kikao cha awali kati ya Waziri wa Nishati na Madini, William Ngeleja na Askofu Mkuu wa Kanisa hilo, Zachary Kakobe kutofikia makubaliano.

Kwa mujibu wa habari hizo, kikao kati ya viongozi wa kanisa hilo na serikali kinatarajiwa kufanyika kesho.

Barua ambayo gazeti hili imeipata yenye kumb. Na. CBD 88/286/01 iliyoandaliwa na Wizara ya Nishati na Madini na kusainiwa na Katibu wa Wizara hiyo, S.M.B. Massola, iliziagiza wizara na wadau wengine kuwapo kwenye kikao hicho kwa lengo la kulipatia ufumbuzi suala hilo.

Wizara nyingine itakayohusishwa kwenye kikao hicho kitakachofanyika kwenye ukumbi wa mikutano wa Wizara ya Nishati na Madini kuanzia saa nne asubuhi ni Wizara ya Miundombinu, Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali na Kakobe.

Wadau wengine ni Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa Mamlaka ya Udhibiti wa Mawasiliano (TCRA), Kaimu Mkurugenzi Mtendaji TANESCO, Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Dar es Salaam na Mkuu wa Wilaya ya Kinondoni.

Wiki chache zilizopita TANESCO ilitoa taarifa ikiwatoa hofu wakazi wa eneo hilo kwamba hawataathiriwa na upitishaji wa umeme wa msongo wa kilovolti 132.

TANESCO ilisema ilihitaji kuyaondoa mabango ya kanisa hilo yenye urefu wa mita 13 ili kuwezesha nguzo zilizobeba umeme huo, zenye urefu wa mita 23 ambao unafuata viwango vya ujenzi wa msongo wa 132 KV kwa maeneo ya mijini kupita katika eneo hilo na kuhakikisha usalama wa eneo hilo.

Hata hivyo uongozi wa kanisa hilo haukukubaliana na maelezo hayo na kutokuwa tayari kuona nyaya hizo zikipitishwa katika eneo la kanisa lao.

Waumini hao, waliamua kupiga kambi saa 24 katika eneo la kanisa hilo, huku wakiwa wamevalia fulana maalum zilizoandikwa kwa mbele ‘TANESCO Muogopeni Mungu’ na nyuma ‘Baada ya Richmond Mmegeukia Kanisa’.

Kuchelewesha mradi huo kunaweza kusababisha Serikali ya Japan ambayo ndiyo inayofadhili mpango huo, kuondoa msaada wake jambo ambalo litafanya Jiji la Dar es Salaam kuendelea kukabiliwa na tatizo la umeme mdogo linalosababishwa na uchakavu wa miundombinu.

–TANZANIA DAIMA, 13 Januari 2010–

Asanteni kwa maombi

Bwana Yesu asifiwe wapendwa, nashukuru sana nilileta maombi mniombee kwa ajili ya kupata ruhusa ya kwenda kusoma, MUNGU ALIYE JUU NIMEPATA RUHUSA YA KWENDA SHULE. NAMSHUKURU MUNGU SANA NA PIA NASHUKURU KWA MAOMBI YENU. Sina budi kusema asanteni sana –Jane Wadelanga–

Adam na Hawa

Bwana Yesu Asifiwe wapendwa, naomba kuuliza eti, Adamu na Hawa nani wa kwanza kuumbwa?

–Alein Erick–

Haitians pray, cry for help in the ruins

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Prayers of thanksgiving and cries for help rose from Haiti’s huddled homeless Sunday, the sixth day of an epic humanitarian crisis that was straining the world’s ability to respond and igniting flare-ups of violence amid the rubble of Port-au-Prince.

Haitian police struggled to scatter hundreds of stone-throwing looters in the city’s Vieux Marche, or Old Market. Elsewhere downtown, amid the smoke from bonfires burning uncollected bodies, gunfire rang out and bands of machete-wielding young men roamed the streets, faces hidden by bandanas.

A leading aid group complained of skewed priorities and a supply bottleneck at the U.S.-controlled airport. The general in charge said the U.S. military was “working aggressively” to speed up deliveries.

Beside the ruins of the Port-Au-Prince cathedral, where the sun streamed through the shattered stained glass, the priest told his flock at their first Sunday Mass since Tuesday’s earthquake, “We are in the hands of God now.”

But anger mounted hourly that other helping hands were slow in getting food and water to millions in need.

“The government is a joke. The U.N. is a joke,” Jacqueline Thermiti, 71, said as she lay in the dust with dozens of dying elderly outside their destroyed nursing home. “We’re a kilometer (half a mile) from the airport and we’re going to die of hunger.”

Water was delivered to more people around the capital, where an estimated 300,000 displaced were living outdoors. But food and medicine were still scarce.

The crippled city choked on the stench of death and shook with yet another aftershock Sunday. On the streets, people were still dying, people were on their knees praying for help, pregnant women were giving birth on the pavement, and the injured were showing up in wheelbarrows and on people’s backs at hurriedly erected field hospitals. Authorities warned that looting and violence could spread.

At the Vieux Marche, police tried to disperse looters by driving trucks through the crowds, as hundreds scrambled over partly destroyed shops grabbing anything they could. As he ran from the scene with a big box of tampons, Love Zedouni shouted: “I’ve got no idea what this is, but I’m sure you can sell it.”

Police used tear gas to scatter looters at street markets near the collapsed presidential palace. At the Cite Soleil slum, moments after police drove by, a reporter spotted a gunman stealing a bag of rice from a motorcycle rider.

“This is one of the most serious crises in decades,” U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said as he flew into the Haitian capital. “The damage, destruction and loss of life are just overwhelming.”

A reliable death toll may be weeks away, but the Pan American Health Organization estimates 50,000 to 100,000 died in the 7.0-magnitude tremor, and Haitian officials believe the number is higher.

Celebrating Mass outside the once-proud pink-and-white cathedral, now a shell of rubble where a rotting body lay in the entrance, the Rev. Eric Toussaint preached of thanksgiving to a small congregation of old women and other haggard survivors assembled under the open sky.

“Why give thanks to God? Because we are here,” Toussaint said. “What happened is the will of God. We are in the hands of God now.”

Mondesir Raymone, a 27-year-old single mother of two, was grateful. “We have survived by the grace of God,” she said.

But others were angry.

“It’s a catastrophe and it is God who has put this upon us,” said Jean-Andre Noel, 39, a computer technician. “Those who live in Haiti need everything. We need food, we need drink, we need medicine. We need help.”

Were his parishioners being helped? Toussaint was asked. “Not yet,” he replied.

The U.N. World Food Program was “pretty well on target to reach more than 60,000 people today,” up from 40,000 the previous day, WFP spokesman David Orr said. But U.N. officials said they must raise that to 2 million within a month. The U.S. aid chief, Rajiv Shah, told “Fox News Sunday” he believed the U.S. distributed 130,000 “meals ready to eat” on Saturday, but the need was much larger. “We’re really trying to address it,” he said.

Some food was still commercially available in the city, but prices had skyrocketed beyond what most people could afford.

In a further sign of the delays, the aid group CARE had yet to set a plan for distributing 38 tons of WFP high-energy biscuits in outlying areas of Haiti, CARE spokesman Brian Feagans said Sunday. He did not say why.

The Geneva-based aid group Doctors Without Borders put it bluntly: “There is little sign of significant aid distribution.”

The “major difficulty,” it said, was the bottleneck at the airport, under U.S. military control. It said a flight carrying its own inflatable hospital was denied landing clearance and was being trucked overland from Santo Domingo, almost 200 miles away in the Dominican Republic, delaying its arrival by 24 hours.

French, Brazilian and other officials had earlier complained about the U.S.-run airport’s refusal to allow their supply planes to land. A World Food Program official told The New York Times that the Americans’ priorities were out of sync, allowing too many U.S. military flights and too few aid deliveries.

The U.S. has completely taken over Port-au-Prince airspace and incoming flights have to register with Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, said Chief Master Sgt. Ty Foster, Air Force spokesman here.

“You won’t have the stray cats and dogs allowed to come into the airspace and clog it up,” he said.

On Sunday, WFP spokesman Gregory Barrow in Rome was more positive, speaking of “extremely close cooperation” with the U.S. at the airport. But a coordinator here for Spain’s international development agency, Daniel Martin, complained that their aid supplies had been diverted to Santo Domingo, and Doctors Without Borders spokesman Jason Cone said the U.S. military needed “to be clear on its prioritization of medical supplies and equipment.”

The on-the-ground U.S. commander in Haiti, Lt. Gen. Ken Keen, acknowledged the bottleneck problem. “We’re working aggressively to open up other ways to get in here. The ports are part of that,” he said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

The White House said Sunday the U.S. Coast Guard ship Oak had arrived at Port-au-Prince harbor, rendered useless for incoming aid because of quake damage, and would use heavy cranes and other equipment to make the port functional.

Other U.S. help was on the way: Some 2,000 Marines should arrive off Haiti on Monday, Keen said, reinforcing 1,000 U.S. troops on the ground.

The general reported “increasing incidents of violence,” as a weakened Haitian police force and U.N. peacekeeping contingent were overwhelmed.

In the Port-au-Prince neighborhood of Delmas, a crowd gathered Sunday around the bodies of two accused looters, who had been beaten to death by angry residents. Onlookers said they were among 4,000 prisoners who escaped when the main prison collapsed in the quake.

Angry survivors loitered amid piles of burning garbage in the Bel-Air slum. “White guys, get the hell out!” they shouted in apparent frustration at the sight of more and more foreigners in their streets who were not delivering help.

They also sounded furious with President Rene Preval, who hasn’t been seen at a rescue site or gone on radio to address the nation since the quake struck.

“Preval out! Aristide come back!” some shouted, appealing for a return of the populist Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who was ousted in 2004. From his South African exile, Aristide said last week he wants to return to Haiti, but spoke of no concrete plans to do so.

Work went on, meanwhile, perhaps in its desperate final hours, to find survivors buried in the vast rubble of Port-au-Prince.

At the U.N. headquarters destroyed in the quake, rescuers lifted a Danish staff member alive from the ruins, just 15 minutes after Secretary-General Ban visited the site, where U.N. mission chief Hedi Annabi and at least 39 other staff members were killed. The rescued man was talking and smiling as he was whisked away for medical treatment. Hundreds of peacekeepers and other U.N. staff remain missing.

At a collapsed Caribbean Supermarket where search teams from Florida and New York City worked overnight, a policeman reported that three people had been pulled out alive around 6 a.m. Sunday.

Later, U.S. teams with search dogs in the lead found and rescued a 16-year-old Dominican girl trapped for five days in a small, three-story hotel that crumbled in downtown Port-au-Prince.

More than 1,700 rescue workers had saved more than 70 lives since the quake, a U.N. spokeswoman said in Geneva.

“There are still people living” in collapsed buildings, Elisabeth Byrs told The Associated Press. “Hope continues.”

In such conditions, she said, people might survive until Monday.

–By MICHELLE FAUL and JENNIFER KAY–

Unapobarikiwa Usimsahau Mungu!

Mungu anapokubariki usijiinue na kuwa na kiburi kwa mali ambazo Mungu amekupa, watumishi wengi wa Mungu wanaanza vyema wakimtafuta Mungu ili awainue katika huduma zao, biashara na mambo yao ya mafanikio. Wakifanikiwa hudhani ni kwa nguvu zao wenyewe.

Unapofanikiwa usione kwamba wengine hawafai mbele zako, Mwambie Mungu akusaidie, anapokubairki usimuache!

–Mama James Odera– Nyakato, Musoma–

Grow in Grace

--Mike Walters--

Tunapaswa kuwapelekea watu habari njema

Watu wengi hudhani wanaenda kanisani kama vile ni lazima waende kanisani jumapili. Pengine nawe pia hudhani hivyo . Lakini nje ya kanisa kuna watu wanaohitaji msaada wako. Kuna watu ambao Mungu  amewaandaa ili wewe uwahudumie, sio mchungaji wa kanisa lako au mishionari tu ndiye mwenye jukumu la kuhubiria watu, hata wewe pia ni jukumu lako!

Kuna watu wengine walio nje ya kanisa hawajasikia habari njema za Bwana Yesu, pengine ni ndugu zako unaoishi nao, rafiki zako wa karibu hata jirani zako. Tuwapelekee watu habari njema za Bwana Yesu, tushuhudie matendo Makuu ambayo  amefanya katika maisha yetu.

–Ev. John, Gilgal Mwanza–

HIZI NI NYAKATI ZA HATARI FANYA UKAGUZI KUJUA UNAMWABUDU NANI?

Nakuomba  jitahidi usome kwa utulivu mpaka mwisho ili upate kuelewa msingi wa kila jambo ambalo limeelezwa  itakuwa msaada kwako  na pia kwa wengine ambao utawashirikisha kilichoandikwa humu

Unapofiiria juu ya mwanzo wa uumbaji wa ulimwengu na kila kilichomo kinachoonekena na hata vile visivyoonekana na hatua ya kukufanya ufikie kukiri wazi kuwa kuna ambaye amehusika kuviumba  hivi vyote na kuviratibu katika kanuni ambazo hazipingani ili kila kitu kiendelee kuwepo kwa majira na nyakati ambazo kimepangiwa kuwepo katika ulimwengu huu

Ukizidi kufikiri utaona kila kiumbe kilichopo leo katika dunia hii pamoja na wewe usomaye sasa asili ya kila kimoja ni MUNGU aliye husika kuumba na kuweka kila kiumbe humu duniani

Mungu muumbaji ndiye alijitambulisha kwa mtumishi wake Musa kuwa yeye ndiye

NIKO   AMBAYE   NIKO —- MWANZO 3-13-14

Japo hapa tunaona kuwa  Mungu alikuwa anashughulika na Taifa moja tu la Israeli lakini kimsingi Mungu ni wa mataifa yote na watu wote popote pale duniani anapatikana  kila mahali kwa wakati wote

Wakati wa kuumbwa kwa wanadamu Mungu aliweka HIARI ndani ta kila mwanadamu ili kwa kupenda kwa mtu akubali kwa hiari yake KUMTII na KUMWABUDU  MUNGU

Kwa hiari na sio lazima kwani angetaka iwe lazima hakuna ambacho kingeshindikana bali alichagua watu wamtii kwa hiari kwani  kila mwanadamu ameumbiwa hali ya ibada na kuabudu ndani ya moyo wake

Tangu kuwepo kwa Uasi wa mwanadamu dhidi ya sheria ya MUNGU wa wote waliokwenda kinyume na sheria  walifikia uamuzi wa kujitawala wenyewe wakidhani hiyo ndio njia sahihi ya kufanikiwa  pasipo kujua kuwa wanafanya hivyo kwa uongozi wa baba wa uasi yaani ibilisi

Shetani aliwapa namna ya ibada kwani kila mwanadamu anahali ya kuabudu ndani yake na mpaka hivi leo kila mtu anatekeleza tendo la  ibada  jambo la muhimu kujua ni kuwa  wanamwabudu nani  swali hili ni muhimu kwa kila mwanadamu kujiuliza na kupambanua ili apate uhakika wa kuhusu anayemwabudu

UFUNUO-12-9-12 UFUNUO-20-1-3 UFUNUO-20-7-10

Uasi wa mwanadamu upo chini ya utawala wa muda wa shetani ambaye yeye anajuwa wazi kuwa hatima yake ni wapi lakini hajawahi kuwaeleza wanamfuata kuwa hatima yao itakuwa wapi

EZEKIELI-18-23

Upendo wa MUNGU kwa kila mwanadamu aliye hai leo haufurahii mtu huyo afe akiwa chini ya uasi wa sheria zake yaani kumfuata shetani na malaika zake  waanzilishi wa uasi

RUMI-1-23

Katika dunia hii kumekuwepo na miungu mingi tangu kuwepo kwa uasi wa shetani na baadhi ya wanadamu kufuata kile alichoanzisha  kadri jamii za watu zilivyoongezeka  ndivyo pia ibada mbalimbali  nazo zilivyoongezeka kila mahali humu duniani lakini zote hizo chimbuko ni shetani

IBADA YEYOTE ILE INAHUSISHA

Kuwepo anayeabudiwa kwa uhalisi au imani

Huwa ni mkusanyiki wa watu wenye kuamini jambo moja

Panakuwepo na namna ya sifa kwa kuimba au kusema

Panakuwepo na matoleo kwa namna iliyoelekezwa

Panakuwepo maelezo au hotuba maalumu

Panakuwepo na sala au dua maalumu au kwa jambo lililotarajiwa kwa kila anayeaubudu hapo

ZABURI-115-4-7

Tangu kuongezeka kwa jamii za wanadamu kumeendana sambamba na ongezeko la miungu katika kila kundi la watu kulingana na taratibu zao za kuabudu  BIBLI imetoa taarifa ya baadhi ya miungu kama vile

Dagoni mungu wa wafilisti

Nisrok mungu wa waashuri

Baaliabri mungu wa waninawi

Zeu mungu wa  waunani

Moleki Mungu wa waamoni

Wakati huu pia kuna ibada nyingi za kuabudu miungu katika mitindo mbalimbali kwa siri au hadharani jambo la kufahamu kuwa tangu nyakati hizo mpaka sasa miungu yote huwa inapatikana  mahali pamoja  au kwa njia ya uwakilishi tu kama vile –sanamu-miti-nguvu za asili-nyota-milima –mifugo-misitu-nk-mawe-nk

MIKA 3-2-3

Ibada hizi kwa lugha rahisi ni za kishetani na zilikuwepo tangu mwanzo way uasi wa mwanadamu na zinaendelea kuratibiwa na baba wa uasi aliye adui mkuu wa wanadamu anayekusudia kuwapotosha watu

BLACK MASS

Ibada hizi zinautambulisho katika majina mbalimbali kulingana na mazingira lengo la shetani ni kutaka watu wasiujue ukweli ulioko ndani ya ibada hizi jambo zinahusiana katika utendaji wake kama vile

Kula nyama za watu-kunywa damu za watu-kuabudu pasipo kuwa na nguo-na hata ndoa za jinsia moja hizi zote ni aina ya namna za ibada za kishetani japo si rahisi kuona kila jambo lipo kila mahali

KWA HIVI KARIBUNI

Makusanyiko ya kishetani yalianza kutambuliwa kisheria  za mamlaka mbalimbali miaka ya 1966 na muasisi aliye dai haki ya kisheria kutambuliwa ni –szandor lavey huko amerika

Kuna makusanyiko mengi siku za leo ambao wapo watu hawajui lolote kuhusu siri za makusanyiko hayo na wengine hushiriki kwa kutimiza malengo yao ya kupata mambo ambayo wameyakusudia  wayapate

KATIKA MAKUSANYIKO HAYO KUNA MISINGI MBALIMBALI KAMA

Kuna wanaoamini kuwa dunia itaendelea kuwepo milele yaani hakuna –hukumu-wala nchi mpya

Kuna wanaoamini mafanikio ya maisha  na kutukuzwa katika mambo wanayoyamiliki

Kuna walio na namna ya utauwa lakini wanapingana na maneno ya Mungu

Kuna wanaoamini katika majira na nyakati mbalimbali

Kuna wanaoamini katika mzunguko wa uhai kadri ya maisha ya mtu alivyoishi ndivyo atakavyokuwa

Kuna wanaohushisha ibada na Vitendea kazi mbali mbali kama

mishumaa/vitambaa/ubani/mafuta/imani katika waliokufa/miujiza /nk

UHUSIANO KATI YA WASHIRIKI WA IBADA HIZI NA HUDUMA ZAO ZA JAMII

Katika washiriki wa makusanyiko  ya ibada za kishetani  kwa siri au hadharani kuna waliowengi  hulenga mafanikio katika shughuli zao za kila siku wanazozifanya  na kama shughuli zao ni za huduma za kijamii kuna matukio yanaweza kuitokeza katika vitu wanavyovimiliki ikiwa wanakusudia kupiga hatua zaidi au walizembea kutimiza baadhi ya masharti katika taratibu za ibada zenye mikataba na wanachokimiliki

KAMA NI BIASHARA YA MAGARI

Mara kadhaa ikitokea ajali huenda ukifika eneo la ajali ukakuta idadi ya waliojeruhiwa ni kubwa ukilinganisha  na hali ya chombo cha usafiri kilivyo na hata damu iliyotapakaa huonekana kama ni ya muda mwingi uliyopita jambo la kuelewa hapa ni kuwa  mmiliki wa vyombo hivyo huenda alitakiwa kutoa damu za watu wa karibu yake alipozembea sasa inagharimu chombo kilicho katika mikataba yake katika kutimiza  ibada iliyotakiwa  na mamlaka  anayoiabudu

KAMA NI BIASHARA YA MASHULE

Katika maeneo haya unaweza kukuta watoto wanapoteza uwezo wa kuelewa masomo au hufikia kiwango cha kupoteza fahamu wanapokuwa katika maeneo ya shule  hilo sio jambo la kisayansi sana bali kuna siri iliyofichika kati ya mmiliki  wa majengo hayo na namna  za ibada  alizoingia mikataba ili afanikiwe

KAMA NI BIASHARA YA MADUKA

Kuna  maduka ambayo kuna bidhaa haziuzwi  au kuna nyakati za usiku baadhi ya bidhaa huwa haziuzwi si kweli na wala haiingii katika akili kwamba aweke bidhaa Fulani dukani alafu asikubali kuiuza hapa kuna jambo ambalo ni siri kati ya mmiliki wa duka hilo na mikataba ya ibada ili afanikiwe zaidi

KAMA NI BIASHARA YA HUDUMA ZA AFYA

Kuna vituo vya huduma za afya au mahospital ambayo mgonjwa  anayetibiwa hapo anapokuwa nje ya hospitali hiyo huwa ndio anazidiwa  na akishaletwa katika hospitali hiyo hupata nafuu na kuwa mzima  na pia katika orodha ya watoto wanaozaliwa hapo kuna ambao kulingana  na makundi ya damu zao huzaliwa wamekufa wakati  vipimo vilionyesha ni mzima alipokuwa tumboni na wao hushiriki kusikitika zaidi na pia kumfariji mama kwa kwa lugha nzuri

ANGALIZO

Kuna baadhi ya matukio huwa yanaweza kuonekena kama kitu cha kawaida tu lakini hapa ni uvivu wa kutafakari katika namna ya rohoni ili kupata majibu ya kweli kwani hufikia waliowamiliki wa vyombo vya biashara au taasisi za huduma za jamii huruhusu baadhi ya matukio kama  ili iwe njia ya wao kupanda hatua moja zaidi kuelekea katika mafanikio

MFANO

Utaweza kusikia ajali mbaya ya chombo cha usafiri baada ya muda mfupi mmiliki wa chombo hicho hubadili majina ya biashara yake lakini biashara ni ileile

Kama ni majengo ya biashara  za maduka –shule-hoteli-nk kunaweza kukatokea ajali mbaya ya moto lakini sio kufilisika kwa biashara hiyo bali ni kukua mara mbili zaidi ya ilivyokuwa awali

Pia waweza kuona katika biashara za watu kuna majina ambayo hayana maana ya moja kwa moja  hilo sio jambo la kudharau bali nyuma yake kuna siri ambayo inafahamika na mmiliki wa biashara hiyo.

ITAENDELEA KAMA WASOMAJI WATAPENDA NIFANYE HIVYO

MCHUNGAJI

THOBIASI NICHOLAUSI MOSHA

MPONDA TAG CHURCH

Je, ni kweli kwamba Mungu hupanga maisha ya kila mtu?

Katika kupambana na maisha, watu wengi ambao wamekwama/wameshindwa kufikia malengo fulani katika maisha yao, wengi husema kwamba kila mtu kapangiwa maisha yake na Mungu. Kwa hiyo hata angejitahidi vipi hakuna uwezekano wa yeye kufanikiwa katika yale anayoyahitaji. Siyo rahisi kusikia mtu aliyefanikiwa kimaisha akisema maneno hayo ya maisha yake kupangwa na Mungu, kwamba hata kama asingefanya jitihada alizofanya ni lazima yeye angefanikiwa tu!

Je, ni kweli kwamba Mungu hupanga maisha ya kila mtu?

Seven Prophecies That Must Be Fulfilled Before Jesus Christ’s Return

Previous generations have thought that Jesus Christ would return in their lifetimes, but they were proven wrong. Many people alive today think that Christ’s return is imminent. Certainly, the Bible contains prophecies that could not have been fulfilled until this generation.

Shortly before His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus Christ delivered a major prophecy of end-time events, recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21. He was asked by His disciples: “When will these things be? And what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3).

Jesus responded with a description of conditions and events that would lead up to His second coming. Moreover, He said that when these signs became evident, His return would occur within one generation (Matthew 24:34). Could this be that generation?

Throughout the nearly 2,000 years since Christ gave His prophecy, many have thought that theirs was the time of His return—and turned out to be wrong, of course. But interestingly, there are a number of prophecies in the Bible that could not be fulfilled until our modern era, the post–World War II period.

1. The human race would have the ability to exterminate itself

In Matthew 24:22, describing world conditions prior to His second coming, Jesus said that “if that time of troubles were not cut short, no living thing could survive; but for the sake of God’s chosen it will be cut short” (Revised English Bible).

The main message that Jesus Christ brought was of the coming Kingdom of God. This is described as “the gospel” (Mark 1:14). Gospel means “good news.” While some of the prophecies concerning events prior to the establishment of the Kingdom can seem negative, we should always keep in mind that the central focus of Bible prophecy is the good news (gospel) of the coming Kingdom of God.

Matthew 24:22 shows us that if Jesus Christ does not intervene in world affairs, the human race will be faced with extinction. It’s crucial to note that humanity has had the capability for self-annihilation for only a little more than 50 years, since both the United States and the Soviet Union developed and stockpiled hydrogen bombs and the world had to learn to live with “mutually assured destruction.”

At that time there were only three nuclear powers ( Britain being the other). By the middle of the 1960s France and China had joined the nuclear club. Today at least eight nations have nuclear warheads and the number looks set to increase with a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.

Of course, the more nuclear powers we have in the world, the more likely it is that someone will use this deadly force for evil.

Although international attention has been focused on the nuclear programs of North Korea and Iran during the last few years, little attention has been given to the possibility of some or all of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal falling into the hands of radical Islamists.

During the ongoing crisis in Pakistan, the Taliban and al-Qaeda and their sympathizers have steadily gained more power, territory and influence, making nuclear terrorism more likely. Consider the consequences for the rest of the world if Osama bin Laden (or others like him) had access to nuclear weapons!

Meanwhile, Russia and China are determinedly flexing their military muscles, raising fears of a return to Cold War–era tensions.

The good news in all this is that Christians have an assurance that Jesus Christ will intervene to save mankind from annihilation. This prophecy could not be fulfilled until man had the potential for self-extinction through weapons of mass destruction. Again, only in the last 50 years has this become possible.

2. A Jewish homeland had to be reestablished in the Middle East

Geopolitically, the central focus of end-time events is Jerusalem and its environs, what many people refer to as the Holy Land.

Luke 21 is a parallel chapter to Matthew 24. Notice Luke’s account of Christ’s long prophecy that answered the disciples’ questions: “Teacher, . . . when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?” (Luke 21:7).

In response, Jesus showed that Jerusalem would be the central focus of the political and military upheavals that would immediately precede His return: “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near . . . For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled” (verses 20-22).

Anyone living a century ago would have found these words nearly impossible to comprehend. Jerusalem in ancient times had been fought over countless times, but for four centuries from 1517 the city had been at peace within the boundaries of the Ottoman Empire. Jews lived there as a minority under Turkish rule. But this was going to change dramatically during the course of the 20th century.

It had to change for the fulfillment of Bible prophecy to take place.

The Old Testament prophet Zechariah was used by God to reveal a great deal about end-time events and the second coming of the Messiah. Zechariah lived and prophesied more than 500 years before Christ’s first coming, yet his prophetic book tells us a great deal about our world of today.

In Zechariah 12:2-3 God says: “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah [the Jews inhabiting the land of Israel] and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.”

In verse 9 He adds, “It shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.”

Reading these verses, it is possible to think that they apply to ancient events, as Jerusalem has been fought over repeatedly down through the ages. However, chapter 14 makes clear that this is talking about future, not past, events. The time setting is immediately before Jesus Christ’s return.

“Behold, the day of the Lord is coming . . . For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; the city shall be taken, the houses rifled, and the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity . . . Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle.

“And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, making a very large valley; half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south” (Zechariah 14:1-4).

Clearly the last few lines of this prophecy remain to be fulfilled.

Further in this same chapter we read of how those nations that came against Jerusalem will have to go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, Jesus Christ (verse 16).

These chapters of Zechariah are a prophecy about the events that precede and include the second coming of Jesus. A Jewish-controlled Jerusalem is notice-ably the central focus.

Shortly before Zechariah, another Jewish prophet named Daniel lived during the time of the captivity of the Jews in Babylon. His book speaks of the Jews’ daily sacrifices being cut off in the end time (Daniel 12:11; see verses 1-13)—an event that had a forerunner in the temple defilement under Syrian ruler Antiochus Epiphanes in the second century B.C.

However, Jesus Christ confirmed this as a future event to precede His return (compare Daniel 11:31; Matthew 24:15). This means that these sacrifices must first be reinstituted in Jerusalem—requiring Jewish rule over the city.

One hundred years ago such developments were hard to imagine for the simple reason that no independent Jewish political entity existed in the Middle East.

After rebelling against the Romans in A.D. 66 and again in 132, Judea was crushed and most of the remaining Jews were dispersed throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. No Jewish homeland existed again until 1948 when the modern nation of Israel was established.

An independent Jewish homeland was merely a dream for a small group of zealots a century ago. It moved a step nearer during World War I, when forces of the British Commonwealth took control of Jerusalem from the Turks in December 1916. A few months later, the British government pledged itself to the establishment of an independent Jewish homeland in the ancient lands the Jews had inhabited for centuries.

It was to be another 30 years before the dream was realized in 1948. Yet since then tiny Israel has had to fight wars for survival in 1948, 1967 and 1973 and has suffered countless terrorist attacks and threats of annihilation from hostile neighbors determined to eliminate the Jewish state.

Once again, here is a prophecy that can now be fulfilled in our time.

3. The end-time king of the North and king of the South

In Daniel 11 we find an amazing prophecy about two leaders, the kings of the North and South, the heads of regions that were geographically north and south of the Holy Land. To understand this prophecy we have to go to the time of Alexander the Great, who lived near the end of the fourth century B.C., 200 years after Daniel.

Alexander figures prominently throughout the book of Daniel, even though Daniel did not know his name and never knew him personally. He couldn’t have, since he died almost two centuries before Alexander appeared on the world stage.

But God revealed to Daniel that after Babylon, Persia would arise as the greatest power of the region, to be followed in turn by Greece. Not surprisingly, the prophecies regarding the rise of Greece are centered on Alexander the Great, one of the greatest conquerors in history.

Daniel 8 gives a vivid account of the coming clash between Persia and Greece. As you read it, remember that a horn symbolizes royal power and authority. Persia had “two horns and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last.” This refers to the Medo-Persian Empire, the coming together of two nations or peoples. As foretold here in verse 3, the Persians rose to greatness after the Medes.

In verse 5 we read of Persia’s later defeat by Alexander the Great: “And as I was considering, suddenly a male goat came from the west, across the surface of the whole earth, without touching the ground; and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes” (verse 5).

The “notable horn” or royal leader was Alexander the Great. The prophecy about his army not even touching the ground is a reference to the incredible speed with which he conquered the known world. All this was achieved in a very short time. Alexander died in 323 B.C. when he was only about 33 years old.

Even his sudden, unexpected death was prophesied: “The male goat grew very great; but when he became strong, the large horn was broken, and in place of it four notable ones came up toward the four winds of heaven” (verse 8).

When Alexander died, his empire was eventually divided between four of his generals—the four “notable horns” mentioned here. Two of these established dynasties would have a profound effect on the Jewish people, caught in the middle between them. These two dynasties were the descendants of Seleucus, who ruled a vast empire from Antioch in Syria, north of Jerusalem, and Ptolemy, who ruled Egypt from Alexandria.

Daniel 11 is a long and detailed prophecy about the dynastic conflicts between these two powers, their respective leaders being referred to as “the king of the North” and “the king of the South.” Of great significance is that whenever they went to battle against each other, the Jews got trampled on. This was to continue from the time of Alexander until the middle of the second century B.C., a period of almost two centuries.

Then, suddenly, the prophecy jumps down to the end time.

In verse 40 we read: “At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them and pass through. He shall also enter the Glorious Land [the Holy Land], and many countries shall be overthrown” (Daniel 11:40-41).

While we don’t have space here to cover all the details, the latter part of Daniel’s prophecy of the North-South conflict describes a clash of civilizations between the leader of a soon-coming European superpower—a revived Roman Empire (successor to Seleucid Syrian rule)—and a leader who is the successor to the Ptolemaic rule of Egypt, which is now part of the Islamic world.

We now see geopolitical conditions lining up for this inevitable clash. Here is yet another prophesied circumstance for which the stage has now been set within our lifetime!

4. An end-time union of European nations

In Daniel 2 and 7 we see prophecies about four great gentile empires that would arise in the period between the time of Daniel and the coming establishment of the Kingdom of God (Daniel 2:44). Daniel was himself living in the first of these great empires (Daniel 7:4) as a Jewish exile in ancient Babylon.

Following the fall of Babylon in 539 B.C., Persia would become the greatest power, to be followed by Greece (verses 5-6). After Greece came the Roman Empire, “dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong.” This empire was to have “ten horns” and would continue in some form until the establishment of God’s Kingdom at Christ’s return (verses 7-9).

As we saw in the previous section, horns represent leaders or governments. Here these 10 horns symbolize 10 attempts to restore the Roman Empire to the power it had in ancient times. Various attempts at a restoration have taken place since the fall of the Western Roman Empire in A.D. 476. A final attempt is to be made shortly before Christ’s return.

We find more details in Revelation 17. Here we read of a final attempt to revive the Roman Empire by “ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast” (verses 12-13).

They will also “make war with the Lamb [Jesus Christ], and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings” (verse 14). Again, it is clear that this prophecy is still future.

Previous attempts to forge a united European empire, from Justinian in the sixth century through Charlemagne, Napoleon, Mussolini and Hitler, all involved force. The final resurrection of the Roman Empire will not be attempted in the same way.

Revelation 17 suggests this will be a voluntary union. When these 10 leaders receive power, they will then give their authority to a single leader. Scripture refers to both this individual and the new superpower he leads as “the beast”—acknowledging it as the continuation of the four gentile empires prophesied in Daniel, each one depicted as a beast or wild animal.

Only now is it possible for this to be fulfilled.

In 1957, the Treaty of Rome was signed by six European nations that formed the European Economic Community. Today the EEC has grown into the European Union (EU) with 27 member nations. Out of these will likely come the 10 nations or 10 leaders that form the final resurrection of the Roman Empire.

Some have speculated that the 10 kings referred to in this prophecy will be leaders of 10 regions of the EU that will redraw the boundaries of Europe, ending the present nation-states. The Bible is not clear on exactly which 10 regions or nations will configure the final revival of the militaristic Roman superpower—only that this new superpower will indeed emerge just before Christ’s return.

However, it wasn’t until the 10th nation, Greece, was admitted in 1981 that any conceivable fulfillment of this prophecy was even possible.

5. End-time rise and fall of Israel and Judah

” Israel” was the new name God gave the biblical patriarch Jacob in Genesis 32. The 12 tribes of Israel were descended from his 12 sons. These tribes later formed a united kingdom.

It’s been almost 3,000 years since the kingdom of Israel was split in two. Ten of the 12 tribes of Israel rebelled against King Rehoboam, the son of King Solomon and grandson of King David. The Bible continued to refer to these 10 tribes as Israel while the other two tribes (Judah and Benjamin) that remained loyal to David’s descendants were known as the kingdom of Judah or simply Judah.

Sometimes Israel is referred to as the northern kingdom and Judah as the southern kingdom. Dominant among the northern tribes were to be the descendants of Jacob’s son Joseph through his sons Ephraim and Manasseh—prophesied by Jacob to be the chief nations of the world in the last days (Genesis 49:1, 22-26; compare Deuteronomy 33:13-17).

About 200 years after the kingdom split, the northern tribes of Israel fell to Assyria and were deported by the Assyrians to the northern parts of their empire. Often referred to now as the lost tribes, they later migrated northwest across Europe, eventually settling in new homelands far from the Middle East.

The kingdom of Judah fell to Babylon more than a century after Israel’s deportation, but its people were not lost to history. We know them today as the Jews.

The name Ephraim is sometimes used representatively in Scripture for the entire northern kingdom, though it can also refer solely to the descendants of Joseph’s son of that name—prophesied to become a “multitude of nations” (Genesis 48:19). Remarkably, this promise to Ephraim was fulfilled in the British Empire and Commonwealth.

Ephraim’s older brother Manasseh was also prophesied to become a great nation (same verse), separating himself from the multitude of nations. This prophecy would be fulfilled in the formation, growth and dominance of the United States of America.

In a revealing prophecy regarding the United States and Britain, Jacob (Israel) said, “Let my name be named upon them” (verse 16). References to ” Israel” in end-time prophecy often refer to the United States or the English-speaking countries of the British Empire or both. Sometimes ” Israel” can mean all 12 tribes. We have to look at specific verses in their context to see which is meant.

“Judah,” however, always refers to the Jews, the descendants of the house or kingdom of Judah. We must also understand that the modern nation called Israel is really Judah, made up of Jews.

Understanding this critical part of biblical history will help us more fully comprehend a passage of Scripture in the book of Hosea, which is a prophecy about Ephraim (the multitude of nations—Great Britain and some of those nations that came out of her). It warns of destruction to follow the end-time ascendancy of the Israelite nations.

In Hosea 5 we read a prophecy that mentions Israel, Ephraim and Judah: “The pride of Israel testifies to his face; therefore Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity; Judah also stumbles with them” (verse 5). The prophecy continues: “With their flocks and herds they shall go to seek the Lord, but they will not find Him; He has withdrawn Himself from them. They have dealt treacherously with the Lord, for they have begotten pagan children. Now a New Moon shall devour them and their heritage” (verses 6-7).

New moons occur a month apart. A new moon “devouring” them would seem to mean that Israel, Ephraim and Judah will all fall within one month.

This prophecy was not fulfilled in ancient times. As already mentioned, ancient Judah fell to Babylon more than a century after Israel fell to Assyria. Yet in the end it appears they will fall together—within one month of each other. This prophecy remains to be fulfilled.

Remember that Israel gave his name to Ephraim and Manasseh, the ancestors in turn of the British and American peoples. As Ephraim is mentioned separately in this prophecy, the reference to ” Israel” must apply to the United States, which is now the more dominant of the two nations.

For two centuries prior to World War II, the roles were reversed with the multitude of nations—the British Empire—a greater power than the single nation, the United States. But today America is the greater.

“Judah” refers to the Jewish people, particularly those who now constitute the modern nation in the Middle East that calls itself Israel.

Here then is a prophecy regarding all three nations—the United States, Britain and Israel (Judah). According to this prophecy, it appears that all three will fall within the span of a month. Verse 6 shows these nations turning back to God, but finding it’s too late. Because of their sins, He will let them suffer defeat and collapse.

This prophecy could not have been fulfilled until after the rise of Britain and the United States as world powers in the 19th century and the formation of the Jewish state of Israel in the 20th.

Lest the idea seem outlandish, consider that Israel and the United States are perhaps the most maligned and criticized nations on earth. Among Muslim hard-liners, America is commonly called “the great Satan” and Israel and Britain “the little Satans.”

6. The gospel will be preached in all the world

In His major end-time prophecy, Jesus answers the question posed by the disciples: “When will these things be? And what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3).

After listing a number of signs of the nearness of His coming, He reveals that “this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (verse 14).

The gospel is the good news of the coming Kingdom of God. This message could not be preached around the world without the Bible and freedom of religion. Both came gradually with the ascendancy of the English-speaking peoples from the 16th century until the present day.

However, it was only with the technological advances of television and radio and other means of mass communication after World War II and their widespread acceptance that it became possible to reach hundreds of millions of human beings with the message of the Bible. The gospel of the Kingdom of God will continue to be preached to all nations as long as we have the freedom to continue The Good News magazine and our other media efforts.

Even so, during the last 50 years it has not been possible to reach all countries. The former communist nations did not allow freedom of religion. China, with one quarter of the world’s people, still does not. Other nations also try to suppress the publication of biblical truth and even the Bible itself. Many Islamic nations do not allow religious freedom. In some countries people risk the death penalty for changing religion.

But the Internet is changing everything. It is much harder for governments to control. The gospel message of the coming Kingdom of God is still going out to the world. It will finish when God has decided that His work is completed and the time is right for the final end-time events to take place.

This is yet another prophecy that could not be fulfilled until recent times.

7. Instant worldwide communications and God’s final witnesses

Another end-time Bible prophecy could not be fulfilled until this era of instant worldwide communications.

In His major end-time prophecy of Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21, Jesus gave an outline of disasters that would occur on the world scene with increasing frequency and magnitude—to the point where people would be shaken with fear (Luke 21:26). Discerning an increase in the scale of these events and reacting to them requires knowing about them.

At the time this prophecy was given, it could be many months or years before people heard about various disasters—and many they would never hear about at all, much less be able to put together the fact that catastrophes were on some kind of global increase.

Only with the proliferation of newspapers and other forms of mass communications did this become remotely possible. Yet the level of awareness and consequent fear in many that Christ speaks of implies an even greater availability of information—possible only since the development of rapid electronic communications.

In any case, only with the technological advances of the last few years has it become possible for the events in Revelation 11 to occur—for people around the world to see the fate of God’s final two witnesses.

These two witnesses, reminiscent of other biblical prophets like Elijah and Elisha, will carry God’s final warning to the world in the last 3 1/2 years leading up to Christ’s return.

“And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days . . . When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them and kill them. And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

“Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth” (verses 3, 7-10).

Note that people the world over will be able to see their dead bodies during the 3 1 ⁄ 2 days that they lie on display in Jerusalem. This was not possible before satellite television, portable communications devices and the Internet. Again, only in the last few years has it become possible for this prophecy to be fulfilled. It still lies in the future, of course, but only now it is clearly possible for this to take place.

Will this generation see God’s Kingdom established on earth?

We have seen how seven biblically prophesied circumstances could not have come to pass until recent times. In fact, the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 was clearly a major turning point in the fulfillment of Bible prophecy, as was the acquisition of the hydrogen bomb by the two superpowers of the 1950s that led to the period of mutually assured destruction.

All has now become possible. This, in turn, makes it much more likely that our generation will live to see Jesus Christ return and establish the Kingdom of God on earth. After all, Jesus Himself said that once these things begin, the generation alive at that time “will by no means pass away till all these things take place” (Matthew 24:34).

It’s both sobering and encouraging to think that we appear to be living in the generation that will ultimately witness the most important event in the history of mankind. As Jesus Christ tells His followers in Luke 21:28, “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

WOKOVU NA MALI

Basi Yesu akawaambia wale Wayahudi waliomwamini, “Ninyi mkikaa katika neno langu, mmekuwa wanafunzi wangu  kweli kweli; tena mtaifahamu kweli,  nayo  hiyo kweli itawaweka huru.” Yoh. 8:31-32.

Lengo la masomo haya nikukufanya ukae katika neno la Yesu, kwani  ukikaa katika neno lake utaifahamu kweli na hiyo kweli itakuweka huru. Hili ni muhimu sana kwani hivi sasa kuna mafundisho mengi sana hata hujui lipi ni kweli na lipi ni uongo. Hatari zaidi ni pale unapo ambiwa kwamba mafundisho hayo ni Mungu amemfunulia huyo mfundishaji.

Bila shaka umekwisha kutana na mafundisho mengi kuhusu wokovu na mali; kuna wale wanaofundisha kwamba ukiokoka haupaswi kuwa maskini tena, na kuna mafundisho yanayo sema ukiokoka achana na mali za dunia kwani hazina yako iko mbinguni.!

Matokeo ya  mafundisho hayo yamewafanya baadhi kukimbizana na utajiri kwa sababu wameambiwa wakiokoka Mungu huwapa nguvu ya kupata utajiri. Wengine baada ya kuokoka kutokana na mafundisho waliyoyapata, wameachana na mali za dunia na kuishi maisha ya ufukara kwani huo ndio wokovu halisi.

Ninakuletea mafundisho haya kama Sauti ya mtu aliaye nyikani ili kuwaonya watu wa Mungu kuhusu  mafundisho ya kupata utajiri kibiblia. Inawezekana wako watakao sikia na kanisa la Mungu likapona!

HAPO MWANZO

Biblia inafundisha nini  kuhusu wokovu na mali?

Katika kujibu swali hili ni muhimu niseme kwamba ni vigumu kupitia yote ambayo Biblia inasema kuhusu somo hili kwani nafasi haitaruhusu. Hata hivyo tutaangalia yale yatakayo kusaidia kujua ukweli, na kweli hiyo itakuweka huru.

Tunapouangalia mpango wa Mungu kwa mwanadamu tunapaswa kuanzia pale Mungu alipomuumba mwanadamu.

Mungu alipoumba mbingu na nchi, aliumba vitu vyote vya muhimu kwa matumizi ya mwanadamu kwanza. Alipomaliza ndipo alipomuumba mwandamu mwisho.  (Mwa. 1:27)

Hii ina maana kwamba Mungu alihakikisha kwamba mahitaji yote muhimu kwa matumizi ya mwanadamu yanakuwepo  kwanza kabla ya kumuumba huyu mtu. Mungu alihakikisha kwamba huyu mtu hatapungukiwa na kitu cho chote kwa mahitaji yake. Huo ndio mpango wa Mungu alipomuumba mwanadamu wa kwanza.

Mwanadamu huyu  akabarikiwa na Mungu ili apate kufanikiwa katika yote ayafanyayo; na akapewa mamlaka ya kuitiisha nchi na kutawala viumbe vingine vyote.(Mwa. 1:28.)

Kuitiisha nchi ni kuiweka chini ya utawala na  uangalizi wa mwanadamu. Vyote vilivyoko katika nchi yaani rasilimali zote zimetiishwa chini ya mwanadamu kwa matumizi yake kama wakili mwema.

Mwanadamu huyu akaishi maisha yaliyobarikiwa na Mungu. Mpaka hapa hatuoni dhana ya utajiri au umasikini kwani hivi viwili havikuwepo. Lengo la Mungu kwa mwanadamu lilikuwa kumpatia mahitaji yake yote pasipo kuunda tabaka la utajiri na umasikini. Mwanadamu aliagizwa kulima na kutunza ardhi ili aendelee kupata mahitaji yake ya kila siku pasipo mahangaiko. (Mwa. 2:15)

Dhambi ilipoingia duniani mambo yakabadilika.

Tunaona Mungu akimwambia Adamu kwamba sasa atakula chakula kwa jasho na shida. (Mwa.3:17-19)

Huu ukawa mwanzo wa mahangaiko kwa mwanadamu katika kujipatia riziki yake.

Wanadamu waliomuasi Mungu wakazidi kuongezeka usoni pa dunia katika wakati wa Nuhu. (Mwa.6:1) Hiki kikawa kipindi cha watu kutafuta mali kwa bidii na kwenda mbali zaidi na mpango wa Mungu katika kuwapatia mahitaji yao. Kwa kadiri dhambi ilivyoongezeka ndivyo uhaba wa mahitaji nao ulivyoongezeka. Hili lilipelekea watu kuzidi kumwasi Mungu hadi dunia ikaangamizwa  kwa gharika.

Ninaweza kusema dhambi ndio iliyosababisha kuwepo  na hali ya umasikini na utajiri kinyume kabisa na  mpango wa Mungu.

Mungu kwa sababu anampenda mwanadamu, hakuiacha hali hiyo iliyosababishwa na dhambi kuendelea.

Mungu akafanya yafuatayo:

Akamtoa Yesu Kristo afe msabalani ili aharibu na kushinda nguvu za dhambi.

Akatubariki kwa baraka zote za rohoni. (Waefeso 1:3)

KUHUBIRI INJLI NA FEDHA

Bila shaka umesikia mafundisho yanayo kazia kwamba huwezi kuifanya kazi ya kuhubiri injili kama wewe ni masikini kwani injili ina gharama. Mafundisho haya yanakazia umuhimu wa kutafuta fedha ili injili iende mbele. Hatari ya mafundisho haya yanamfanya mtu alieokoka kutoa kipaumbele katika kutafuta fedha na sio katika kuwafanya mataifa kuwa wanafunzi wa Yesu.

Sikiliza maonyo ya Bwana Yesu,

“Hakuna mtu awezaye kutumikia mabwana wawili; kwa maana atamchukia huyu na kumpenda huyu; ama atashikamana na huyu na kumdharau huyu. Hamwezi kumtumikia Mungu  na mali.” Mat.6:24

Bwana Yesu anasema hatuwezi kumtumikia Mungu na mali kwa wakati mmoja. Neno mali lilivyotumika hapa katika lugha ya kiyunani ni “mamonas” ambalo ni tafsri ya moja kwa moja toka lugha ya kiaramu likimaanisha  fedha au bidhaa.

Yesu akionya hapa anaonyesha uwezekano wa kuabudu fedha au mali kama vile ni mungu. Hakuna ushahidi wo wote wa matumizi ya neno mamonas au mali kumaanisha “pepo la mali” ambalo tunaonywa kutoliabudu kama baadhi wanavyofundisha.

Tahadhari hii ni muhimu sana kwani kama mawazo yako na mikakati yako ni katika kutafuta fedha, Yesu anaweka wazi hapa kwamba itakuwa vigumu sana kuvipa vyote viwili uzito sawa japo njia unazozitumia kutafutia fedha ni za halali kabisa.

Je, nimesema kwamba waliookoka wasitafute fedha? La, hasha. La muhimu hapa kuelewa ni lipi lipewe uzito wa kwanza. Bwana Yesu anafundisha wazi kwamba kuna ugumu sana katika kuyapa haya mawili uzito sawa.

Katika injili ya Luka tunakuta habari za kijana tajiri alieitwa mtu mkubwa mmoja. Mtu huyu alipoambiwa na Bwana Yesu aende akauze vyote alivyonavyo aliona shida kwani Biblia inasema alikuwa na mali nyingi, na mali hii ikamfanya ashindwe kumtumikia Mungu.

Ugumu wa mtu huyu kuachana na mali zake ulipelekea Bwana Yesu kusema maneno haya: “Kwa shida gani wenye mali watauingia ufalme wa Mungu! Kwa maana ni vyepesi ngamia kupita katika tundu la sindano kuliko tajiri kuingia katika ufalme wa Mungu.” Luka 18:24-25.

Yesu hapa hafundishi kwamba wenye mali au matajiri hawataingia katika ufalme wa Mungu, bali anakazia kuonyesha kwamba kama unaabudu mali itakuwa vigumu sana kuingia katika ufalme wa Mungu kwa sababu kwako wewe utajiri ni mbele ya kumtumikia Mungu.

Hili wimbi la mafundisho ya kuwataka waliookoka kuwa matajiri ili kutoa mali zao kwa kazi ya injili lina hatari ya kuwafanya wengi wakimbizane na mali na kumsahau Mungu. Ingawa tumeona wazi kwamba umasikini sio mpango wa Mungu kwa mwanadamu, ni muhimu pia tuone  kwamba kukimbizana na mali sio mpango wa Mungu.

HATARI YA KUMSAHAU MUNGU

Biblia imejaa maonyo kuhusu hatari ya kuutafuta utajiri wa dunia hii kwani mara nyingi hupelekea  waliookoka kumsahau Mungu. Unapoangalia mafundisho kuhusu utajiri kwenye Agano jipya, kanisa lilisisitiziwa zaidi maisha ya utauwa na kuridhika zaidi ya kutaka utajiri. Mtume Paulo akimwandikia Timotheo anasema, “Walakini utauwa pamoja na kuridhika ni faida kubwa. Kwa maaana hatukuja na kitu duniani, tena hatuwezi kutoka na kitu.” 1Tim: 6:6-7.

Leo hausikii sana mafundisho ya utauwa pamoja na kuridhika, wengi wanamiminika kusikiliza jinsi wanavyoweza kutumia Biblia kupata utajiri. Mtu ye yote anaweza kuifanya Biblia ionekane inasema kile ambacho kwa kweli haifundishi, shetani nae katika kumjaribu Bwana Yesu alitumia vifungu vya Biblia pia!

Mtume Paulo akiendelea kuonya kuhusu hatari ya kutafuta mali za dunia hii anasema,”Lakini hao watakao kuwa na mali huanguka katika majaribu na tanzi, na tamaa nyingi zisizo na maana zenye kudhuru, ziwatosazo wanadamu katika upotevu na  uharibifu.” 1Timotheo 6:9.

Kumbuka kwamba Mtume Paulo akiandika barua hii anamwandikia Timotheo alie  kuwa mchungaji wa kanisa ili aisome kwa wakristo. Barua hii haikuandikiwa wapagani, maonyo haya sio kwa watu wa mataifa wasio mjua Mungu.

Maonyo haya ni kwa waliookoka wenye safari ya kwenda mbinguni,  nayo ni:

Kuanguka katika majaribu na tanzi.

Kuanguka katika tamaa zisizo maana na zenye kudhuru

Kutoswa katika upotevu na uharibifu.

Hebu fikria ni wakristo wangapi waliookoka na ni wafanya biashara ambao inawalazimu kucheza mchezo mchafu na watumishi serikalini ili biashara zao zifanikiwe?

Wengine wameondoka nchini kwenda ulaya kutafuta utajiri, matokeo yake walipofika huko wameanguka katika majaribu na tanzi na tamaa nyingi zisizo na maana zenye kudhuru, ziwatosazo wanadamu katika upotevu na uharibifu.

Ni muhimu sana kukumbushana sote wenye safari ya kwenda mbinguni kwamba tuutafute kwanza ufalme wa Mungu na haki yake na haya mengine yote tutazidishiwa. (Mat.6:33)

Mara nyingi utasikia mafundisho yasemayo kwamba Mungu ndie hutupa nguvu ya kupata utajiri wakinukuu Kumb.8:18.

Jambo ambalo haulisikii likifundishwa ni maonyo yaliyotangulia kifungu hicho.

Mungu hapa anawaonya wasije wakamsahau baada ya kuneemeka japo yeye Mungu ndie aliewapa nguvu ya kupata utajiri.

Tunasoma, …”basi hapo moyo wako usiinuke, ukamsahau Bwana Mungu wako, aliekutoa katika nchi ya Misri.. Kumb. 8:14.

Kifungu hicho hapo juu kinatufundisha kwamba:

Inawezekana kupata mali na moyo wako kuinuka

Inawezekana kumsahau Bwana Mungu wako kwa sababu ya utajiri.

Mungu mwenyewe anaona kuna hatari ya watu walioneemeka na utajiri kumsahau, vinginevyo asingelikuwa na sababu ya kuwaonya.! Mungu hawazui wala kuwakataza watu kuwa matajiri haswa watoto wake, tena tumeona hapo juu kwamba yeye huwapa nguvu za kupata huo utajiri.

Onyo linalojirudia katika Biblia nzima ni hatari ya kumsahau Mungu baada ya kupata huo utajiri.Kuna hatari kubwa mara tu mtu anapopata mali kuingiwa na hali ya kugeuza mali kuwa kitu cha kuabudiwa.

Baadhi ya wapendwa humpa Mungu ahadi nyingi ili awabariki kwa mali, na mara wanapofanikiwa humsahau Mungu. Roho ya uchoyo na kupenda fedha huwatawala. Tunakumbuka kwa masikitiko habari za Anania na Safira. Hawa walijaribu kumdanganya Mungu kwa mali zao. Sikia maneno ya Mtume Petro, “Anania, kwa nini shetani amekujaza moyo wako kumwambia uongo Roho Mtakatifu…” Mdo. 5: 3.

Shetani alipata nafasi ya kuujaza moyo wa Anania aliporuhusu tamaa ya mali kumtawala.

Biblia inatufundisha maisha ya mfalme Sulemani kwamba alikuwa tajiri kuliko wafalme wote waliomtangulia. Hapakuwa  na tajiri mfano wake.  Kwa sababu ya utajiri huo mkuu, Sulemani akaoa wanawake mia saba na masuria mia tatu.(1 Wafalme 10:27)

Wanawake hawa wakaugeuza moyo wa Mfalme Sulemani akamwasi Mungu wa Israeli. Mali ilimpa uwezo wa kuoa wanawake wengi waliogeuza moyo wake mbele za Mungu. Mali ina hatari ya kutumiwa na shetani kukugeuza moyo wako ukamsahau Mungu.

Katika ule mfano wa mpanzi, Bwana Yesu alitaja makundi manne ya mbegu.

Kundi la kwanza, mbegu zilizoanguka kando kando ya barabara.

Kundi la pili, mbegu zilizoanguka katika mwamba.

Kundi la tatu, mbegu zilizonguka kati ya miiba

Kundi la nne, mbegu zilizoanguka katika udongo mzuri.

Kuhusu kundi la tatu, Bwana Yesu anasema hivi: “Na zilizoanguka  penye miiba  ni wale waliosikia, na katika kuenenda kwao, husongwa na shughuli na mali, na anasa za maisha haya, wasiivishe lo lote.” Luka 8:14.

Bwana Yesu anatuonya kuwa tunaweza kusongwa na shughuli na mali na tusimzalie Mungu matunda !

SASA TUFANYE NINI?

Kama baada ya kusoma mafundisho haya, umelewa kwamba nasema wapendwa waliookoka wasiwe  matajri, utakuwa hujanielewa kabisa !

Neno la Mungu linaonya hatari ya kupenda utajiri kuliko kumpenda Mungu na sio kwamba waliookoka wasiwe matajiri.  Tahadhari imetolewa kwamba unapokimbizana na mali unajiweka mahali pa hatari sana kwani inawezekana ukamsahau Mungu.

Sasa tufanye nini ili tunapopata utajiri tusimsahau Mungu?

Inawezekana pia kuwa tajiri na usimsahau Mungu, lakini Yesu ameuita uwezekano huo sawa na ngamia kujaribu kupenya katika tundu la sindano !

Neno la Mungu linatufundisha hivi kuhusu mali, “Walakini utauwa pamoja na kuridhika ni faida kubwa..” 1 Tim. 6:

Hapa Mungu anatufundisha kwamba,

Utauwa ni faida kubwa zaidi ya utajiri wa dunia hii, sasa chagua mali au utauwa.

Kuridhika na maisha ni faida kubwa kuliko mali.

Mtume Paulo akiendelea anasema, “Kwa maana hatukuja na kitu duniani, tena hatuwezi kutoka na kitu, ila tukiwa na chakula na nguo tutaridhika na vitu hivyo.” 1 Tim.6:7-8.

Neno hili linatukumbusha mambo ya muhimu sana.

Tulipozaliwa hatukuwa na kitu cho chote. Mungu ndie atupae, kwanini kukimbizana na mali?

Tutakapokufa vyote tutaviacha hapa duniani.

La muhimu kwetu ni yale mahitaji ya siku kwa siku.

Neno la Mungu katika Mithali nalo linasema hivi, “Uniondolee ubatili na uongo, Usinipe umasikini wala utajiri, Unilishe chakula kilicho kadri  yangu, Nisije nikashiba, nikakukana, Nikasema Bwana ni nani? wala nisiwe  maskini sana nikaiba, Na kulitaja bure jina la Bwana Mungu wangu.” Mit. 30:8-9.

Kuna mafundisho yanayo pinga sana kuridhika na hali uliyonayo, na badala yake unachochewa kuutafuta utajri ili kwa mali hiyo umtumikie Mungu. Sijui ni Biblia ipi wanayo soma, kwani Biblia yangu inasema hivi, “…maana nimejifunza kuwa radhi na hali yo yote niliyo nayo. Najua kudhiliwa  tena najua kufanikiwa, katika hali yo yote, na katika mambo yo yote nimefundishwa kushiba na kuona njaa, kuwa na vingi na kupungukiwa.” Wafilipi 4: 11-12.

Tukisoma mistari hiyo tunajifunza yafuatayo:

Kuna wakati wa kufanikiwa na wakati wa kutofanikiwa

Mungu ndie anaetufundisha na kutuwezesha kukabiliana na hali zo zote sawa sawa na mapenzi yake kwetu.

Kupungukiwa au kuona njaa sio kwamba Mungu amekutupa! Mtume Paulo kuna wakati yote hayo yalimkuta pia.

Mfalme Sulemani katika kukimbizana na utajiri, hatimae anasema maneno haya: “Kisha nikaziangalia kazi zote zilizofanywa kwa mikono yangu, na taabu yote niliyotaabika katika kuzitenda; na tazama, yote ni ubatili na kujilisha upepo, wala faida hakuna chini ya jua.” Mhu.2:1-11.

Kama unataka kuwa tajiri, mwache Mungu akupe kwani utajiri utokao kwa Mungu haukuletei huzuni. Tunasoma “Baraka ya Bwana hutajirisha, Wala hachanganyi huzuni nayo.” Mit 10:22.

Kwa lugha ya kiingereza husomeka hivi: “The blessings of the Lord brings wealth and He adds  no sorrow to it.”

–Mchungaji G. Malissa–

A Successful Bible Reading Plan

A successful Bible reading plan is the goal of many people who seek knowledge and who seek God. The Bible is the only book that answers life’s piercing questions: Why am I here? What is my purpose? What is ahead for the world? Is there anything beyond this physical life?

All physical life-forms are governed mainly by instinct, except for human beings. We need a road map—a guidebook for life—or else our intellectual and spiritual interests will go in all the wrong directions.

It makes no sense that God would create His masterpiece and then leave us in the dark as to why we are here. God indeed did give us His revelation of what we need to know but could not learn on our own. It is a handbook for life that we call the Bible.

With that in mind, how can you get the most out of daily Bible reading and studying? The following are some important keys to a successful personal Bible reading plan.

Recognize that the Bible is inspired.

The entire Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is the inspired Word of God. During your daily Bible reading, keep in mind that He inspired the words you are reading; God is directly speaking to you through them (2 Peter 1:21; Philippians 2:5; John 6:63).

Plan time for Bible study.

It’s easy to let everyday concerns interfere, so schedule daily Bible reading time and try to maintain it. Over time you will look forward to this daily experience (Ephesians 5:15-17).

Pray for understanding.

Before you even begin, ask God to guide and show you His will. Remember that it is the Creator who gives true understanding through His Word. You cannot gain it on your own (Psalm 119:33-40; Proverbs 3:5-8; Jeremiah 9:23-24).

Keep an open mind.

Be willing to admit when you are wrong and change, even if it means letting go of a long-held belief or tradition. If you can successfully apply this one principle, you will be far ahead in the race for spiritual truth (Acts 17:11; Isaiah 8:20).

Seek instruction and correction.

Approach Bible reading with a teachable, humble attitude. The Word of God judges our innermost thoughts. It can show us who we really are. It can reveal every flaw in our character. So be ready to heed its correction (Jeremiah 10:23-24; Isaiah 66:1-2, 5; Romans 8:6-9; Matthew 5:48).

Let the Bible interpret itself.

If something seems confusing or even contradictory, let clear biblical passages shed light on those you find difficult to understand. Scriptures do not contradict each another; they complement each other. Also, to properly understand a verse in the Bible, don’t force your personal point of view into it. Instead use the context and other relevant scriptures to find the correct meaning (2 Peter 1:20; John 10:35; 17:17; Isaiah 28:9-10).

Bible reading topics.

Concentrate, at various times, on one subject, doctrine or book. Use a concordance or other Bible study aid to put together all the scriptures relevant to a subject. This will allow you to see all that God has to say about a particular topic (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV).

You can incorporate a meaningful daily Bible reading plan into your life by utilizing these keys and other such biblical advice on how to gain more knowledge and understanding from God, the source of all wisdom.