"And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him."Genesis 42:8 ; "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."2 Corinthians 4:4

When Joseph became ruler over Egypt, his name was changed, and his identity was altered so that he no longer appeared or lived as a shepherd son of Israel from the land of Canaan, but as an Egyptian Prime Minister. The transformation was so thorough that when his ten brothers arrived in Egypt he was totally unrecognizable to them. This true story beautifully illustrates (Jesus at His first coming), and contains a prophetic picture pointing to Jesus and His Jewish people living today as we approach the Second Coming. Several details elaborate this amazing parallel. After Joseph was rejected by his brothers and sent to Egypt, his life naturally began to develop in the nation of his exile, including the learning of its language and culture. Constantly proving his capacity, responsibility and leadership, Joseph was ultimately embraced by the Egyptians, exalted, and given an Egyptian bride (Asenath, daughter of the priest of On). In like manner the rejection of Jesus by the Jews of His day resulted in His becoming a light to the Gentiles, who rightly accepted and exalted Him, so that in many ways He seemed to take on a Gentile identity and characteristics. As He betrothed Himself to this predominantly Gentile "Church" (with its Jewish roots), He ironically became virtually unrecognizable to His own Jewish people. To illustrate further, Jesus and His disciples had lived and worshiped according to the Biblical Jewish calendar: Shabbat, Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot, Feast of Dedication (Chanukah). The later Christian (largely Gentile) church instead adapted and transformed pagan festivals and used them in their worship calendar, changing the cultural expression of the Jewish Messiah and His original followers to a Gentile expression, and even proscribing the use of Jewish festivals in "Christian" worship. All the while, Jesus' true nature and identity remained, even as Joseph's did. But through these parallels we can begin to understand the portent of Joseph's experience with his brothers; weeping bitterly when he first recognized them; then, carefully arranging the circumstances which would bring them to repentance, and finally, removing the Egyptians, for the dramatic revelation of his true identity to his brothers, the sons of Jacob. Likewise, Jesus, weeping over His Jewish brothers, finally gathers them back into the Promised Land, begins to arrange the circumstances which will bring them to repentance, so that finally at some final private revelation,"they shall look upon Him whom they have pierced and mourn for Him" in amazed gratitude. [Zechariah 12:10]. God, Himself, working behind the scenes, has allowed Satan to do his blinding work on Israel, for a season, while gathering the Gentiles into His fold. But this season is ending. The mystery of Israel's blindness is being broadly revealed, prompting the prayers of millions of Gentile believers, and their love for Jesus and His Jewish brethren is making Israel jealous; so the veil is being removed from Jewish eyes, just as it was from Joseph's brothers. And what is our part? To understand the times and seasons in which we live, to pray and labor for both the fullness of the Gentiles and the spiritual revival of Israel which will usher in the coming of Messiah and life from the dead! Through the story of Joseph and the prophetic revelation of both Testaments we know that all Israel will be saved, with the fullness of the Gentiles. Since much of the world is still blinded to Messiah, we need to make the most of every opportunity to open blind eyes, Jewish or Gentile. Brothers & Sisters, let us reveal Jesus to the entire world, especially reaching those whom the Lord has placed in our lives. Every time Jesus is truly revealed, another one of "Joseph's brothers" can weep with joy, gratitude and amazement, that a humble Suffering Servant is also a great and glorious King! AS BROTHERS WHO ARE BLIND - OPEN THEIR EYES!

ZVINYORWA ZVETESTAMENTE ITSVA ZVITORWA KUBVA KUTESTAMENTE TSVARU

 Mathew 1:23 (Isaya 7:14) “Mhandara ichava napamuviri, igozvara mwana mukomana, uye vachamutumidza zita rokuti Emanueri, zvichireva kuti, “Mwari anesu”  Mathew 3:3 (Isaya 40:3) Uyu ndiye akataurwa kubudikidza nomuprofita Isaya zvichinzi: “Inzwi rounodanidzira murenje richiti, ‘Gadzirai nzira yaShe, ruramisai migwagwa yake”  Mathew 12:21 (Isaya 42:4) “Marudzi ose achaisa tariro yawo muzita rake.”  Mathew 13:14-15 (Isaya 6:9-10) Mavari munozadzisa chiprofita chaIsaya chinoti : “Muchagoramba muchinzwa asi musinganzwisisi; muchagoramba muchiona asi musingaonesesi. 15 Nokuti mwoyo yavanhu ava mikukutu, havatombonzwi nenzeve dzavo, uye vakatsitsinya meso avo. Zvichida vangaona nameso avo, vakanzwa nenzeve dzavo, vakanzwisisa nemwoyo yavo, vakapinduka, uye ndigovaporesa.’  Mathew 15:8-9 (Isaya 29:13) “Vanhu ava vanondikudza nemiromo yavo, asi mwoyo yavo iri kure neni. 9 Vanondinamata pasina; vachidzidzisa dzidziso nemirayiro yavanhu.”  Mathew 21:16 (Mapisarema 8:2) Vakamubvunza vakati, “Uri kunzwa zviri kurehwa navana ava here?” Jesu akavapindura achiti, “Hongu, hamuna kurava here panoti: “Pamiromo yavana navacheche makaisa rumbidzo?”  Mako 1: 3 (Isaya 40:3) “inzwi rounodana murenje, richiti, ‘Gadzirai nzira yaShe, ruramisai migwagwa yake.”  Mako 4:12 (Isaya 6:9-10) kuitira kuti, “zvimwe vangaramba vachiona, asi varege kuonesesa; uye vachinzwa, asi varege kunzwisisa; kana kuti vangatendeuka uye varegererwa!”  Mako 7:6-7 (Isaya 29:13) Akapindura akati, “Isaya akataura zvakanaka paakaprofita pamusoro penyu imi vanyengeri; sezvakanyorwa zvichinzi: “Vanhu ava vanondikudza nemiromo yavo, asi mwoyo yavo iri kure neni. 7 Vanondinamata pasina; dzidziso dzavo dzinongova mirayiro inodzidziswa navanhu.”  Ruka 3:4-6 (Isaya 40:3-5) Sezvakanyorwa mubhuku ramashoko aIsaya muprofita zvichinzi: “Inzwi rounodana murenje, ‘Gadzirai nzira yaShe, ruramisai mugwagwa yake. 5 Mipata yose ichafushirwa, makomo ose nezvikomo zvichaderedzwa. Migwagwa yakakombama ichatwasanudzwa, pasakaenzana pachaenzaniswa. 6 Uye marudzi ose avanhu achaona ruponeso rwaMwari.”  Ruka 4:18 (Isaya 61:1) “Mweya waShe uri pamusoro pangu, nokuti akandizodza kuti ndiparidze vhangeri kuvarombo. Akandituma kuti ndiparidze rusununguko kuna vakasungwa uye kuti vasingaoni vaone, kuti ndisunungure vakamanikidzwa.”  Ruka 8:10 (Isaya 6:9) Iye akati, “Kuziva zvakavanzika zvoumambo hwaMwari kwakapiwa kwamuri, asi kuna vamwe, ndinotaura nomufananidzo kuitira kuti, “kunyange vachitaura, varege kuona; kunyange vachinzwa varege kunzwisisa.”  Johani 1:23 (Isaya 40:3) Johani akapindura namashoko omuprofita Isaya achiti, “Ndini inzwi reanoddana murenje, richiti, ‘Ruramisai nzira yaShe.”  Johani 12:38 (Isaya 53:1) Uku kwaiva kuzadziswa kweshoko raIsaya muprofita raakareva achiti: “Ishe, ndianiko akatenda shoko redu, uye ruoko rwaShe rwakaratidzwa kuna aniko?”  Johani 12:40 (Isaya 6:10) “Akapofumadza meso avo uye akaomesa mwoyo yavo, kuti varege kuona nameso avo, varege kunzwisisa nemwoyo yavo, varege kudzoka ndigovaporesa.”  Mabasa 2:18-20 (Joel 2:30-31) Kunyange napamusoro pavaranda vangu, zvose varume navakadzi, ndichadurura Mweya wangu mumazuva iwayo, uye vachaprofita. 19 Ndicharatidza zvishamiso kudenga kumusoro, nezviratidzo panyika pasi, ropa nomoto uye mhute youtsi. 20 Zuva richashanduka rikava rima, uye mwedzi uchashanduka ukava ropa, zuva guru raShe uye rinobwinya risati rasvika.  Mabasa 2:25-28 (Mapisarema 16:8-11) Dhavhidhi akataura nezvake achiti: “Ndakaona Ishe mberi kwangu nguva dzose. Nokuti ari kuruoko rwangu rworudyi, handingatongozungunuswi. 26 Naizvozvo mwoyo wangu unofara uye rurimi rwangu runofarisisa; uyezve muviri wangu uchararama netariro, 27 nokuti imi hamuzondisiyi muguva, uye hamungaregi Mutsvene wenyu achiona kuora. 28 Makandizivisa nzira dzoupenyu; muchandizadza nomufaro pamberi penyu.”  Mabasa 3:22 (Dhuteronomi 18:15) Nokuti Mozisi akati, ‘Ishe Mwari wenyu achakumutsirai muprofita akafanana neni kubva pakati pavanhu venyu chaivo; munofanira kuteerera zvose zvaanokuudzai.”  Mabasa 7:42-43 (Amosi 5:25-27) Asi Mwari akafuratira akavasiya kuti vanamate hondo dzokudenga, sezvakanyorwa mubhuku ravaprofita zvichinzi: “Makandivigira zvibayiro nezvvipo makore makumi mana murenje here, imi imba yaIsraeri? 43 Makatakura tabhenakeri yaMoreki nenyeredzi yamwari wenyu Rufani, zvifananidzo zvamakaita kuti muzvinamate. Naizvozvo ndichakuendesai kuutapwa, mberi kweBhabhironi.”  Mabasa 8:33 (Isaya 53:8) Mukuninipiswa kwake akashayiwa kururamiswa. Ndianiko angataura nezvezvizvarwa zvake? Nokuti upenyu hwake hwakabviswa panyika.”  Mabasa 13:34 (Isaya 55:3) Chokwadi chokuti Mwari akamumutsa kubva kuvakafa, akasazomboora, chinotaurwa mumashoko aya anoti: “Ndichakupa maropafadzo matsvene, uye echokwadi akavimbiswa kuna Dhavhidhi.”  Mabasa 13:41 (Habhakuki 1:5) “Tarirai imi vaseki, mushamiswe uye muparare, nokuti ndiri kuzoita chimwe chinhu pamazuva enyu chamusingazombotendi, kunyange dai mumwe munhu akakuudzai.”  Mabasa 15:16-18 (Amosi 9:11-12) “Shure kwaizvozvo ndichadzoka ndigozovakazve tende yaDhavhdhi yakawa. Ndichavakazve matongo ayo, uye ndichaivandudzazve, 17 kuti vakasara vavanhu vatsvake Ishe, uye navahedheni vose vanodanwa nezita rangu, ndizvo zvinotaura Ishe, anoita avinhu izvi, 18 zvakangova zvazivikanwa kubva kare.”  Mabasa 28:26-27 (Isaya 6:9-10) “Enda kuvanhu ava uti, “Mucharamba muchinzwa asi musinganzwisis; mucharamba muchiona asi musingaonesesi.” 27 Nokuti mwoyo yavanhu ava yava mukukutu; havanzwisisi nenzeve dzavo, uye vakatsinzina meso avo. Zvimwe vangaona nameso avo, vanzwe nenzeve dzavo, vanzwisise nemwoyo yavo, vagotendeuka, ndigovaporesa.”  Varoma 2:24 (Isaya 52:5) Nokuti, sezvakanyorwa: “Zita raMwari rinomhurwa pakati pavaHedheni nokuda kwenyu.”  Varoma 3:4 (Mapisarema 51:4) Kwete, kwete! Mwari ngaave wechokwadi, asi vanhu vose vave venhhema. Sezvazvakanyorwa zvichinzi: “Kuitira kuti munzi makarurama pamunotaura, uye mukunde pakutonga kwenyu.”  Varoma 3:12 (Mapisarema 14:3; 53:3) Vose vakatsauka vose pamwe chete vakava vasina mature; hapana kana mumwe anoita zvakanaka, kana mumwe zvake.”  Varoma 3:13 (Mapisarema 5:9) “Huro dzavo makuva akashama; ndimi dzavo dzinotaura unyengeri.” “Uturu hwenyoka huri pamiromo yavo.”  Varoma 3:14 ( Mapisarema 10:7) Miromo yavo izere nokutuka nokuvava.”  Varoma 9:17 (Ekisodho 9:16) Nokuti rungwaro runoti kuna Faro, “Ndakakumutsira chikonzero ichochi, kuti ndiratidze simba rangu mauri uye kuti zita rangu rigoparidzwa panyika yose”  Varoma 9:27-28 (Isaya 10:22-23) Uye Isaya anodanidzira pamusoro peIsraeri, achiti. “Kunyange kuwanda kwavaIsraeri kwakaita sejecha regungwa, vakasara chete ndivo vachavaponesa. 28 Nokuti Ishe achaisa mutongo wake panyika nokukurumidza uye achaupedzisa.”  Varoma 9:29 (Isaya 1:9) Zvakaita sezvakamborehwa naIsaya achiti, “Dai asiri Jehovha Wamasimba Ose akatisiyira zvizvarwa, tingadai takaita seSodhomu tingadai takaita seGomora.”  Varoma 9:33 ( Isaya 28:16) Sezvakanyorwa zvichinzi: “Tarira, ndinoisa paZioni ibwe rinogumbusa kuvanhu, nedombo rinovapinganidza kuti vawe, uye uyo anotenda kwaari haanganyadziswi.”  Varoma 10:11 (Isaya 28:16) Sezvinorehwa noRungwaro ruchiti: “Ani naani anotenda kwaari haanganyadziswi.”  Varoma 10:16 (Isaya 53:1) Asi havasi vaIsraeri vose vakagamuchira mashoko akanaka. Nokuti Isaya anoti, “Ishe, ndianiko akatenda zvatakaparidza?”  Varoma 10:18 (Mapisarema 19:4) Asi ndinobvunza kuti: Havana kunzwa here? Zvirokwazvw vakanzwa, nokuti: “Inzwi ravo rakasvika kunyika yose, namashoko avo kumigumo yenyika.”  Varoma 10:20 (Isaya 65:1) Uye Isaya, asingatyi anoti, “Ndakawanikwa navasina kunditsvaka; Ndakazviratidza kuna vaya vasina kunditsvaka.”  Varoma 10:21 (Isaya 65:2) Asi pamusoro peIsraeri anoti, “Zuva rose ndakatambanudza maoko angu kuvanhu vasingateereri, uye vanokakavara.”  Varoma 11:9-10 (Mapisarema 69:22-23) Uye Dhavhidhi anoti: “Tafura yavo ngaive musungo neriva, nechigumbuso uye nechinotsiva kwavari. 10 Meso avo ngaasvibirwe kuti vasaona; uye mukotamise misana yavo nokusingaperi.”  Varoma 11:26-27 (Isaya 59:20-21) Ndizvozvo. Asi akavhuniwa nokuda kwokusatenda, uye iwe unomira nokutenda kwako. Usazvikudza, asi uve nokutya. 21 Nokuti kana Mwari asina kurega matavi okutanga, haangakuregi newewo.  Varoma 11:34 (Isaya 45:23) “Ndianiko akaziva pfungwa dzaShe? Kana akavamupi wake wamazano?”  Varoma 12:20 (Zvirevo 25:21-22) Asi: “Kana muvengi wako ane nzara mupe zvokudya, kana ane nyota mupe chokunwa. Mukuita izvi, uchatutira mazimbe anopisa pamusoro wake.”  Varoma 14:11 (Isaya 45:23) “Nokuti kwakanyorwa kuchinzi: “Zvirokwazvo noupenyu hwangu, ‘ndizvo zvinotaura Ishe, ‘ibvi rimwe nerimwe richapfugama pamberi pangu; rurimi rumwe norumwe ruchareurura kuna Mwari.’”  Varoma 15:12 (Isaya 11:12) Uyezve, Isaya anoti, “Mudzi waJese uchatunga, iye achamuka kuzotonga pamusoro pendudzi dzose; vaHedheni vachava netariro maari.”  Varoma 15:21 (Isaya 52:15) Asi sezvakanyorwa zvichinzi: “Avo, vakanga vasina kuudzwa nezvake vachaona, uye naivo vasina kunzwa vachanzwisisa.”  1 Vakorinde 1:19 (Isaya 29:14) Nokuti zvakanyorwa kuchinzi: “Ndichaparadza uchenjeri hwavakachenjera; ndichakonesa kuziva kwavanoziva.”  1 Vakorinde 2:16 (Isaya 40:13) “Nokuti, ndianiko akaziva murangariro waShe kuti amudzidzise?” Asi isu tino murangariro waKristu.  1 Vakorinde 5:13 (Dhuteronomi17:7) Mwari ndiye achatonga avo vari kunze. “Dzingai munhu akaipa uyu abve pakati penyu.”  1 Vakorinde 10:20 (Dhuteronomi 32:17) Kwete, asi zvibayiro zvavahedheni zvinopiwa kumadhimoni kwete kuna Mwari, uye ini handidi kuti mugovane namadhimoni.  1 Vakorinde 15:55 (Hosea 13:14) “Kuripo kukunda kwako iwe rufu? Rwuripiko rumborera rwako, iwe rufu?”  2 Vakorinde 4:13 (Mapisarema 116:10) Kwakanyorwa kuchinzi: “Ndakatenda; naizvozvo ndikataura.” Nomweya mumwe chete iwoyo wokutenda takatendawo uye naizvozvo tinotaura.  2 Vakorinde 8:21 (Zvirevo 3:4) Nokuti tirikuedza kwazvo kuita zvakanaka, kwete pamberi paShe chete asiwo pamberi penyu.  Vagaratia 3:10 (Dhuteronomi 27:26) Vose vanovimba nokuchengeta murayiro vakatukwa, nokuti kwakanyorwa kuchinzi: “Vakatukwa vose vasingarambiri pakutita zvinhu zvose zvakanyorwa muBhuku roMurayiro.”  Vaefeso 4:26 (Mapisarema 4:4) “Mukutsamwa kwenyu musatadza” Musarega zuva richivira muchaka-ngotsamwa.”  Vafiripi 2:11 (Isaya45:23) uye ndimi dzose dzipupure kuti Jesu Kristu ndiye She, kuti Mwari Baba vakudzwe.  Vahebheru 1:6 (Dhuteronomi 32:43) Uyezve, Mwari paanouyisa dangwe rake munyika, anoti: “Vatumwa vose vaMwari ngavamunamate.”  Vahebheru 1:7 (Mapisarema104:4) Achitaura pamusoro pavatumwa anoti: “Anoita vatumwa vake mhepo, varanda vake mirazvo yomoto.”  Vahebheru 1:10-12 (Mapisarema 102:25-27) Anotizve: “Pakutanga, imi Ishe, mateya nheyo dzenyika, uye matenga ndiwo basa ramaoko enyu. 11 Zvichaparara, asi imi mucharamba muripo; zvichasakara zvose senguo. 12 Muchazvipeta sejasi; snguo zvichashandurwa. Asi imi munoramba makadaro, uye makore enyu haatongogumi.”  Vahebheru 2:7 (Mapisarema 8:5) Makamuita muduku zvishoma kuvatumwa; makamushongedza korona yokubwinya nokukudzwa.  Vahebheru 3:7-9 (Mapisarema 95:7-9) Naizvozvo, sezvinotaura Mweya Mutsvene achiti: “Nhasi, kana muchinzwa inzwi rake, 8 musaomesa mwoyo yenyu sezvamakaita panguva dzokumukira, panguva yokuedzwa murenje, 9 mandakaedzwa namadzibaba enyu kwamakore makumi mana vakaona zvandakaita.  Vahebheru 3:15 (Mapisarema 95:7-8) Sezvakataurwa zvichinzi: “Nhasi, kana muchinzwa inzwi rake, musaomesa mwoyo yenyu sezvamakaita panguva dzokumukira.”  Vahebheru 4:7 (Mapisarema 95:7-8) Naizvozvo Mwari akaisazve rimwe zuva rinonzi Nhasi, paakataura kare kubudikidza naDhavhidhi, sezvakataurwa pakutanga zvichinzi: “Nhasi, kana muchinzwa inzwi rake, musaomesa mwoyo yenyu.”  Vahebheru 8:9 (Jeremia 31:32) Hachazovi sesungano yandakaita namadzitateguru avo, pandakavabata noruoko kuti ndivabudise kubva muIjipita, nokuti havana kuramba vakatendeka kusungano yangu, neniwo ndakavasiya, ndizvo zvinotaura Ishe.  Vahebheru 10:5 (Mapisarema 40:6) Naizvozvo Kristu, paakauya munyika muno akati: “Chibayiro nechipo hamuna kuzvifarira, asi muviri wamakandigadzirira.  Vahebheru 10: 27 (Isaya 26:11) Zuva nezuva muprista mumwe nomumwe aimira achiita ushumiri hwake nokuramba achibayira zvibayiro zvimwe chetezvo, zvisingatongogoni kubvisa zvivi.  Vahebheru 10:38b (Habhakuki 2:4a) Uye kana akadzokera shure, handichazofadzwi naye.  Vahebheru 11:5 (Genesisi 5:24) Nokutenda Enoki akatorwa kubva paupenyu huno, zvokuti haana kuona rufu; akasaonekwa, nokuti Mwari akanga amutora; nokuti asati atorwa, akanga achipupurirwa somunhu aifadza Mwari.  Vahebheru 11:21 (Genesisi 47:31) Nokutenda Jakobho, paakanga ava kufa akaropafadza mwanakomana mumwe nomumwe waJosefa, uye akanamata akazendamira pamusoro pomudonzvo wake.  Vahebheru 12:5-6 (Zvirevo 3:11-12) Uye makanganwa shoko rokurumbidzira rinotaura kwamuri savanakomana richiti: “Mwanakomana wangu, usazvidza kuranga kwaShe, usaora moyo kana uchirangwa naye, 6 nokuti Ishe anoranga uyo waanoda, uye anorova munhu wose waanogamuchira somwanakomana.”  Vahebheru 12:13 (Zvirevo 4:26) “Gadzirirai tsoka dzenyu nzira dzakarurama,” kuitira kuti anokamhina arege kuremara, asi kuti aporeswe.  Vahebheru 12:15 (Dhuteronomi 29:18) Chenjerai kuti kurege kuva nomunhu anorasikirwa nenyasha dzaMwari uye kuti mudzi wokuvava urege kumera kuti ugotambudza uye ugosvibisa vazhinji.  Vahebheru 12:26 (Hagai 2:6) Panguva iyo inzwi rake rakazungunusa nyika, asi zvino akativimbisa, achiti, “Ndichazungusazve kamwe chete, kwete nyika chete, asi nedengawo.”  Vhebheru 13:6 (Mapisarema 118:6) Saka tinotsunga mwoyo, tichit, “Ishe ndiye mubatsiri wangu, handingatyi. Munhu angandiiteiko?”  Jakobho 1:10-11 (Isaya 40:6-7) Asi mufumi anofanira kufara muchinzvimbo chokuderedzwa kwake, nokuti achapfuura seruva romusango. 11 Nokuti zuva rinobuda pamwe chete nemhepo, inopisa rigoomesa uswa; ruva raro rinodonha uye kunaka kwaro kwoparadzwa. Nenzira imwe cheteyo, mupfumi achasvava kunyange achiri kuita basa rake.  Jakobho 4:6 (Zvirevo 3:34) Asi anotipa nyasha zhinji. Ndokusaka Rugwaro ruchiti: “Mwari anodzivisa vanozvikudza, asi anopa nyasha kuna vanozvininipisa.”  1 Petro 1:24 (Isaya 40:6-7) Nokuti, “Vanhu vose vakaita souswa, uye kuyevedza kwavo kwakaita samaruva ouswa; uswa hunosvava uye maruva anowira pasi, asi sho rashe rinogara nokusingaperi.”  1 Petro 2:6 (Isaya 28:16) Nokuti muRugwaro zvinonzi: “Tarira, ndakaisa ibwe muZioni, ibwe rakasanangurwa, rinokosha, uye munhu anovimba naye haatongonyadziswi.”  1 Petro 2:9 (Isaya 43:20) (Ekisodho 19:5-6) (Isaya 43:21) Asi imi muri vanhu vakasanangurwa, uprista wamambo, rudzi rutsvene, vanhu vaMwari chaivo, vaakadana kuti muparidze kunaka kwaiye akakudanai kuti mubve murima, muiye muchiedza chake chinoshamisa.  1 Petro 3:10 (Mapisarema 34:12) Nokuti, “Uyo anoda upenyu nokuona mazuva akanaka anofanira kudzora rurimi rwake pane zvakaipa, nemiromo yake pakutaura zvinonyengera.  1 Petro 4:18 (Zvirevo 11:31) Uye, “Kana zvichiremera akarurama kuti aponeswe, ko, asingazivi Mwari nomutadzi vachazovei?”  1 Petro 5:5 (Zvirevo 3:34) Saizvozvo, imi majaya, muzviise pasi pavaya vari vakuru. Imi mose, pfekai kuzvininipisa kuno mumwe nomumwe, nokuti, “Mwari anodzivisa vanozvikudza asi anopa nyasha kuna vanozvininipisa.”  Zvakazarurwa 2:7 (Ezekieri 28:13; 31:8,9) Ane nzeve dzokunzwa ngaanzwe zvinoreva Mweya kukereke. Kuno uyo anokunda, ndichamutendera kuti adye zvinobva pamuti woupenyu, uri muparadhiso yaMwari.  Zvakazarurwa 2:27 (Mapisarema 2:9) ‘Achavatonga netsvimbo yesimbi; achavaputsa-putsa sezvaenga zvehari’ sokugamuchira kwandakaita simba kubva kuna Baba vangu.

"And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness."Acts 4:31

We're looking at the promise given 2000 years ago: that normal people will lead extraordinary lives; that disciples, who were terrified on the night of Jesus' death, were transformed into bold saints of God; and that fishermen, tax collectors, and housewives – normal everyday people – became empowered. In Acts 2, we read about the initial outpouring of the Spirit during Pentecost day. Just a few chapters later the same saints who had been once filled to overflowing, sought to be refilled again [Acts 4]. It was not a one time experience, but rather a constant refilling of the Spirit which they needed to change their world. They repeatedly sought to be empowered to accomplish whatever task God assigned to them. They just kept going back, to the well that never runs dry, and so they kept getting filled – and refilled -- and refilled again! Brothers & Sisters, don't ever become spiritually "satisfied"! Seek to be filled -- once filled -- seek to be refilled! And refilled again! How do we live in a constant state of revival? By always seeking MORE! In doing so, God will empower everyday folk like us to turn our world inside out and upside down! BE EMPOWERED .........AGAIN?

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."Matthew 5:6

I love fishing... but sadly, I haven't been able to fish for quite a while. I recently saw a fishing cartoon that spoke to me and illustrated something about expectations. Pictured were two Eskimos fishing through holes in the ice. One of them had his line in a normal size hole maybe two or three feet across. But the guy sitting next to him had his line in an enormous hole, in the shape of a whale! This guy was hungry! He didn't want some dinky little fish! He was fishing for whales! What I like about this illustration is how appetite creates expectation. What is our appetite for affecting the world around us for the Lord's sake? How much do we hunger to change things in peoples' lives through the gospel and through the ministry in Messiah? And how does that affect our expectations? He said "Blessed are those who HUNGER AND THIRST for righteousness." Brothers & Sisters, how would you compare your hunger to your expectation? If your hunger is great and genuine then it's likely that God will move you to carve out a "whale-sized" hole in this icy world and expect a corresponding catch! HOW HUNGRY ARE YOU?!

"Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame."Revelation 16:15

The king of the birds was looking in the mirror one day and was disappointed to see that his feathers were not as bright as they were once. "I am getting old," he said, "I think it will soon be time to choose a new king". He decided to announce that on a certain day, all the birds will gather and present themselves before him so that he would be able choose from among them the most beautiful of all to be their next king. The crow got wind of the king's plans and began to fret. "There are so many beautiful birds in the kingdom and I am only a colorless crow. I don't have a chance at becoming king." Suddenly, he had a terrific idea. He began to search through the woods and fields for colorful feathers fallen from the wings of his companions, and stuck them in amongst his own. When the appointed day arrived and all the birds had assembled before the king, the crow also made his appearance in his array of fine found feathers. When the aging king spotted the crow and all the beauty of his plumage, he immediately chose him to be king. As the crow pranced down the isle with pride to accept his crown, the birds began angrily plucking out their feathers from between his, leaving the crow nothing but an old black crow. Too often, we try to "improve our worth" by adorning our selves in "pretty" things. Fine clothes, cosmetics, jewelry, friends, money, power, fame among others, top the list. But there is really only one way to improve our appearance. Putting our faith in the Lord and walking wholeheartedly with Him. Despite what the world around us thinks, only He can improve our fallen condition and our search for happiness. Brothers & Sisters, those feathers we find aren't going to fool anyone -- especially our King. Let's come to God as we are today and ask Him to adorn us with the treasures he desires, peace, patience, love, joy and all the fruits of the Spirit. ADORN YOURSELF IN TRUE TREASURES!

"And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."Luke 9:62

Do not worrying for tomorrow because tomorrow holds its own worries. But it occurred to me recently, that just about as often as we worry for tomorrow, we fret about yesterday. How many times do we find ourselves saying, "I wish things could be the way they were, I wish I was younger, I wish I could fit into those jeans again, I wish I didn't make that terrible mistake ... you fill in the blank"? The Lord doesn't want us constantly looking back at what once was. Our enemy does -- he wants us to feel discouraged and helpless and ruminate over and over on what we can never change. Sure, if we need to repent or make something right, we ought to go ahead and do it. But God doesn't want us drowning in self-pity or regret about past mistakes, or hopelessly longing for what can never be again . He wants us to look ahead. He wants us to say, "Forget what was – the future is where my destiny lies and I will meet the Lord there in His purposes for me." That's faith. And it's well based in everything Jesus has done for us, promised us, and called us to. So, Brothers & Sisters, let's stop looking back in fear or bondage to the past – it's long gone already. Let's move ahead and press toward the new things that the Lord has for us in our lives. Our God is always making things new, and redeeming what was before. STOP LOOKING BACK -- LOOK AHEAD!

"For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."Romans 1:17

God has called us, as believers, to do things that sometimes go against the flow of the flow of the world around us. It's not always easy, either. Noah built an enormous ark at God's command. Abraham took his only son to be sacrificed. Gideon went to war against thousands of enemies with only three hundred soldiers on his side. The disciples left all their possessions and followed the Lord. And there are countless other examples we have to follow! Brothers & Sisters, let's choose to start swimming in the other direction today! Do that thing that God has been putting on your heart! Hug that person who’s been on your last nerve! Give away something you have to someone who needs it more! There are many mighty and miraculous victories that God desires to demonstrate in our lives, if we would only be willing to go against the flow! GO WITH GOD'S FLOW!

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."1 Corinthians 2:9

When we were in the womb we had eyes, but there was little to focus on. Our eyes had rods and cones to distinguish shapes and colors, yet there were no shades or colors to see. We were in total darkness. But we had eyes that were meant to see light. Our eyes were the evidence that beyond the womb was a whole other world, still yet to be seen. As we dwell in this world, our hearts cannot be satisfied by the things they see here. Deep inside, we know there is more... and we long for it. This life is Heaven's womb. No matter what this world gives us, it can never satisfy what the eyes of our hearts long to see. It is here that we are being formed, and prepared to enter the realm of the Heavenly. Don't be discouraged that this this life can't give us all we want. It is a reminder of our inheritance yet to come. Brothers & Sisters, let's give our desires to the Lord once again. He wants to prepare us to rule with Him! GOD HAS SOMETHING SPECIAL IN STORE!

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."John 13:34-35

It became clear to me recently why. Jesus said that they will know Him by the love we have for one another. The world will know Him by the love we, believers, have for one another. Where's the love, friends? Our body is so divided, over silly issues that don't even matter in the big scheme of things! Our marriages and churches are being torn apart for lack of understanding of the enemy's tactics upon us! How can the fields be harvested? We are not prepared for them! We are not ready to minister! We're so busy looking at ourselves and our problems! Most of us are not even aware of the critical condition we are in as a body! This is an EMERGENCY! We need to wake up and smell the desperate stench of dying souls! Not only those out there in the world but the ones who are part of us -- we, and our hurting brothers and sisters in the Lord! We need to start loving one another, that the Lord may be glorified, that His Kingdom come! Brothers & Sisters, let's start overlooking offenses today! Let's learn the devils schemes! Let's win the hearts of the lost by our love for one another! There's soooooooooooooo much work to be done! EMERGENCY!

"My beloved is to me as a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of En Gedi."Song of Solomon 1:14

En Gedi is a nature reserve. Surrounded by dry, barren, rocky ground, except to the east where the Dead Sea lies, it is an oasis, fed year round by springs of fresh water, and home to some of the most unique wild and botanical life in the world. In the Song of Solomon, the King likens his beloved to flowers in the desert, his experience of En Gedi, evoking the dramatic contrast between a harsh and arid landscape and the exquisite refreshing floral beauty of an oasis. Such was Solomon's experience of romantic love, perhaps with the Queen of Sheba. Now you may feel like you’re walking through a desert -- wandering in a wilderness...thirsty, and perhaps, longing for love... Seek the Lord your God. His Presence is an eternal spring and a perpetual oasis in this arid world, and His love is better than the most desirable romantic experience you could hope for. It's a love which flows from an eternal spring, Jesus, Himself, and its sweetness and power will cause flowers to bloom throughout your dry and barren life. Brothers & Sisters, drink from the spring of life, your beloved, Jesus – He will fill you to overflowing, and make you, yourself, a living spring...for this thirsty, love-starved world. BECOME A SPRING IN THE DESERT!

"But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have build?"1 Kings 8:27

Perhaps you've seen pictures or have even visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem, what many believe to be the last standing Wall of the Second Temple. But people come from all over the world to pray there and put their prayer notes into the cracks between its stones. Believe it or not, I've actually come across a few websites which advertise their desire to receive your faxed prayer requests -- and for a low, low fee of 29.99, will take and put them into the cracks of the wall for you! This is a very nice gesture and all -- but who needs it? God is ALIVE! He hears us whenever and wherever we call! When Solomon set out to build the first temple, the Lord told Him that He cannot be contained in a man-made structure. He is infinite and all-encompassing! He’s not in a wall or any other man-made object! And amazingly, infinite as He is, He promises to draw near to us as we draw near to Him! God wants to have a deep and intimate relationship with us. He wants us to experience the life-changing power of His healing and deliverance in our lives. Brothers & Sisters, let's not get distracted by the man-made ways people try to connect with God -- let's cry out for intimacy with Him right here and right now. And let's also not forget pray for revelation for all who seek Him – that they would see the truth of the Messiah (Jesus). GET THE REAL THING!

“This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.”John 3:19

When Jesus said “men loved the darkness” (v. 19), He used the same Greek word as when He said that “God so loved the world” (v. 16). Even though Light has come into the world, some people love darkness so much that they reject the Light in order to keep their evil deeds concealed. This is the reason many people hate the Gospel and mock Christians. They don’t want to consider that the Gospel might be true, and that there is just one true Light. They sense that Light might expose their sins, disrupt their way of life, and cause them to jettison their pleasures. After all, darkness, with all its false, misleading appeal, can seem so inviting, even to Believers. So how do we stay pure? The Bible says, “He who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God” (v. 21). We should want to seek God and allow Him to examine our lives. We should want the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin and lead us into all truth. True Believers want to know God’s Word and let its Light shine into our minds and hearts. We want to put the Word into practice, and live in such a way that we manifest Light through the things we do and say. We want others to see the impact of God’s Light in our lives, so they can recognize the difference between Light and darkness, and then come to the Light themselves. Brothers & Sisters today, make sure that you’re living in the Light! Let God open your eyes to the darkness in the world. Be a witness for the Light. Support the work of ministry, so the Gospel can be proclaimed more powerfully and with more impact than ever before. DARKNESS OR LIGHT?

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."Matthew 16:24-25

We live in a day and age that everywhere we turn, there's a "self-help" theory. Books, videos and dvds, websites, world-renown speakers, you name it -- all dedicated to helping us "feel good about ourselves". Yet somehow, still many of us struggle with self-consciousness, even as Christians! But here's something to consider. Did Jesus ever say "feel good about yourself"?? No. On the contrary, He said crucify yourself! If we go around hating ourselves and even feeling condemnation over our faults and sins, what we are really doing is focusing on our self! My wife said a wise thing recently: self-consciousness is not God-consciousness! That about sums it up, I think. God doesn't want us focused on ourselves -- He wants us to be focused on Him! Brothers & Sisters, it's when die to our flesh, that the life we're living becomes the life He lives through us! If we crucify our self then there's no self to hate -- there's no self to condemn! We are free to serve the Lord and allow him to do great things through us! 'Cause you know what we always say -- there's so much work to be done! SELF CONSCIOUS?

"A soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."Proverbs 15:1

People who fight fire with fire usually end up with ashes. How often, in all the issues we have to deal with talking with people, we know or we feel we are right; our idea, our position, our interpretation is it, and we're ready to fight for it. Forget the fact that we may not be, or that there might be something we're completely ignorant of. The truth is that sometimes we know better, and sometimes we don't. But the scripture teaches us, and I've learned from experience (most of the time), that arguing, forcefulness, and violence in my own voice are almost guaranteed to start a futile and ugly war of words. People are naturally defensive, and often, naturally offensive. But I can be the one to break the pattern...with a gentle answer. If my heart attitude is “Come, let us reason together, hear each other out, respect each other, speak softly, and trust the Lord for the outcome", and my tone of voice carries that spirit, I can actually help the other person to calm down and prevent a war. The fruit of the spirit is.....self control. What a blessing! Brothers & Sisters, do you want to start a fight.....or finish one? Give a gentle answer today and see what the Lord does! SOFT IS BETTER!

"The humble have seen--they rejoice, Ye who seek God--and your heart shall live."Psalm 69:32

There is an important lesson here and in other places of God's Word, namely that humility and gladness go together. What do the humble and the joyous have in common? They both look up. The humble are those who don't look down on anyone. The truly humble look up all the time. They have to look up, because their eyes are on God, and He's above them. The joyous are always looking up as well, otherwise they wouldn't be rejoicing. The joyous are believing the Good News, so they rejoice! The prideful, however, are those who think they're above everything else and so they look down on people. The prideful are connected to the others who look down, the cynical, the doubting, the despairing, the depressed, the sorrowful and the hopeless. In the same way that the humble and the joyous go together, so do pride and despair. Humility leads to joy. Pride leads to despair. Let's get our eyes off ourselves, off of our problems, off of the world around us. Let's fix our eyes on Him, the Redeemer of our souls. Those who look up in humility, also look up in joy! Brothers & Sisters, together, let's fix our eyes on Him and be glad! REJOICE, THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE!

"There shall not any man be able to stand before you all the days of your life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with you: I will not leave you, nor forsake you."Joshua 1:5

Moses was used mightily by the Lord, yet we all know he had his inadequacies and limitations too. Still he was the vessel through which God chose to work through as He carried out the plagues over Egypt, divided the Red Sea and miraculously led and fed the children of Israel for forty years. That's pretty big stuff. Can you imagine having to be Moses' successor after all that? That's exactly what Joshua had to do. I can't even begin to imagine what Joshua was thinking at the time -- How can I possibly live up to Moses? But the Lord comforts and reassures Joshua and says, "as I was with Moses, so I will be with you!" Those words for Joshua are also for us today. You know why? All the men and women who have done great things for the Lord were just ordinary men and women --- with a great God. The same God who walked with Moses, Elijah, Daniel and all the great men and women of God -- is with us today! Not only is He with us, He is FOR us too! Brothers & Sisters, Let's walk in confidence! God is with us! He will never leave us nor forsake us! In His presence and with His power, let's expect to do great things for the Kingdom today! God loves to show off his supernatural power through us ordinary people! EMMANUEL! (GOD WITH US!)

"Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."Matthew 7:24-27

Brothers & Sisters, I believe the Lord is cautioning us today, about building our houses on fallow ground. He knows that stormy season is near and He wants us to be prepared! We don't want to be one of the many whose houses will collapse because they were built on finances, prestige and other things of this world. We must be careful to build our house only upon Him. Even building our houses upon seemingly innocent things like family, tradition and good works is dangerous. We want to be of those who've established our foundation upon the ROCK of the truth of His Word and who will be able to weather the coming storms because of it! IS YOUR HOUSE ON THE SAND?

"And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure."Isaiah 33:6

Have you ever felt uneasy, unsettled or unstable? Or maybe a better question is -- who hasn't? How do we overcome these feelings? "Now, I saw that the most important thing I had to do was to give myself to the reading of the Word of God, and to meditation on it, that thus my heart might be comforted, encouraged, warned, reproved, instructed...by breakfast time, with rare exceptions, I am in a peaceful if not happy state of heart." Faith and stability are linked one to another. How do we become more stable and settled despite the circumstances surrounding our lives? By gaining faith! "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." Brothers & Sisters, when we search for wisdom and knowledge in His word, we become more stable in our walk -- and in our lives! Let's aim to spend more time in the Word and gain more stability in our lives. FIND THE SECRET OF STABILITY!

"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."James 5:16

Prayer needs to be a huge part of our lives. We need to recognize that our spirit needs prayer like our body needs food! "We cannot all argue, but we can all pray; we cannot all be leaders, but we can all be pleaders; we cannot all be mighty in rhetoric, but we can all be prevalent in prayer." Brothers & Sisters, let's commit to spending more time in prayer today! Make sure you don't allow the enemy to rob your time to pray -- for it's in prayer that we tap into God's unlimited power that makes demons tremble! FIND POWER IN PRAYER!