It's Christmas Time !!

It seems as though 2008 started just yesterday and today is Christmas Eve.. How amazing is that ?

 

We have had a very challenging year, we have witnessed some amzing things take place..

1. The great fluctuation in the price of oil on the world market..

2. The abuse of the will of the Zimbabwean peoples as their voice and vote is not only ignored by a leader who just will not relinquish his desire for power but also by regional leaders who are paralyzed into inactivity whilst a nation literally bleeds and dies.. 

3. The election of the first African American to the highest office in the USA..

4. The world financial crisis with major economies slipping into recession..

Yet we today declare as the angels did to the shepherds:

Luke 2:13-14

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."

We choose to look beyond the many trials and hardships we face and place our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ..  We also say to all our loved ones and friends A Blessed Christmas and a hope for a peaceful, prosperous NEW YEAR.. To our loved ones in Zimbabwe we stand separated by space BUT our hearts are firmly knit with yours and we join with you as we dare to believe God for HIS deliverance from the tyranny of failed leadership and its resultant consequences of economic collapse, disease, violence and instability..

MERRY CHRISTMAS - AND A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS 2009 !!

On Purpose, For a Purpose..

I once asked a 20-yr old contemporary of mine his reason for patronising a particular nite-club in Bulawayo.  “Because it’s there” was his answer.    His being there it seemed, was random and without any real purpose, as was his reason for living. 

I am persuaded that we have been created by a God of purpose, on purpose for a purpose..  The biblical account of creation indicates a God of purpose. The various aspects of creation were purposefully created.. the sun for the day, the moon for the night etc. The creation of man is of particular interest in that God gave thought as to how man would be created and then fashioned this creation with His hands..    In this account we read that man is given a purpose..(Gen 1:26)

 Believing the Biblical account of creation is obviously a matter of personal choice, and regardless of our beliefs, it is fair to say that we have been created on purpose for a purpose..   In fact that’s why so many people ask vital life questions such as ‘Who am I and why am I here ?’ 

 Purpose Pointers:

 ·                     Purpose provides motivation for living, as well as satisfaction and contentment when fulfilled.   

·                     Purpose directs life choices.

·                     Purpose releases the powerful potential of resources resident within.

·                     Purpose is person specific.

·                     Purpose requires courage, and courage is attractive.

·                     Purpose neutralises apathy.

·                     Purpose is a victor not a victim paradigm.

 Nelson Mandela’s inaugural speech in 1994 contained these words:

 “And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others”

 May I be so bold as to suggest that we replace the word light with the word purpose ?  Fulfiling your purpose is the catalyst that frees others to the same.  Think of it, others can be liberated from apathy, hopelessness and aimless living simply by you doing and being who and what you were created for. In the words of some teens I know.. “That’s a bomb !”

 Men, I am told, will attempt the assembly or use of an appliance and only refer to the instruction manual as a last resort rather than a first port of call.  That is often so true of mankind.  We charge off into life attempting to assemble something of value and significance, not realising that the purpose of a creation is determined by the creator not the creation.  

 A man fulfilled His purpose that changed the world..  His name is Jesus.  May Christmas this year cause you to reflect on His fulfilling His purpose and thereby liberate you to fulfil yours.

 P.s.  You’ll only discover your TRUE purpose by asking your creator – God.