"But whoso looked into the perfect law of liberty, and continued therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."James 1:25

How many times have we left a job, a project, a church, an important relationship because we just didn't find it good enough? Some of us make a lifestyle of it! But God wants us to be the kind of remarkable people who don't criticize, complain and go out looking for something better all the time. He wants us to be a people who determine to make a difference in the lives of the people and situations He allows us to face! Your job is boring and you need a change? Ask the Lord how you might grow in your giftings there. Ask Him to help you come up with a creative solution and maybe even improve your workplace altogether! You want to leave your church because it doesn't have an exciting children's ministry? Perhaps the Lord is calling you to help start one up! Brothers & Sisters, let's be a doers! Let's be people of vision! There's much too much to be done for the Lord to be sitting around criticizing. Let's determine to stop being complainers and go forth and do great things for Him! JUST DO IT!

"Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, "What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?" And the people answered him in this manner, saying, "So shall it be done for the man who kills him." Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab's anger was aroused against David, and he said, "Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle."And David said, "What have I done now? Is there not a cause?"1 Samuel 17:26-29

David's faith and courage in volunteering to fight Goliath was an embarrassment to his big brother Eliab, an officer in King Saul's army. I imagine his thinking went something like this; “If my little brother wins everybody will ask, 'How come you didn't go out and fight him?'” The Bible records that Eliab “burned with anger at David and asked, 'Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is...'” These are devastating words from an older brother. Before David could defeat Goliath he first had to overcome the attitudes, accusations and words, of those close around him. The defeat of Goliath had massive implications for Israel and for the Lord. Satan had staked a great deal on Goliath's terrifying power. So wherever the enemy had opportunity in the sinful attitudes of David's friends and family he maximized them, realizing that David truly had the anointing of God to turn the tide of battle. And God allowed David to be tested by his own closest kin. If there is a true Goliath in your life and you are appointed to slay him be assured you will face similar tests from those close by. When you make decisions to step out and follow God it will put pressure on others to do the same. Their shame and lack of faith will move them to attack, belittle and criticize you. It will come from among those closest to you, especially if your calling sets you apart! Brothers & Sisters, be careful around those who say, “I knew you when...” in an attempt to label, libel, or limit you – much like David's brother Eliab tried to hinder him. David was empowered by the Lord to slay Goliath – if you have that same Spirit and calling then humbly step aside and say, "What have I done now? Isn't there a real job to be done?" Then go ahead, and do it. WHO ARE YOU NOW?

"Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God."Acts 14:22

I don't know about you, but it seems that the tests we're going through are getting harder and harder. Do you remember when you took tests in high school? At the time they may have seemed hard. But imagine if you had to take an elementary school test when you were in high school. You'd probably think – oh this is so simple. So if it seems that the testing of your faith is more intense – it simply means that you're graduating to new levels of faith! Our faith is being tested, and as we pass each "faith" test, we're finding different means of being tested. I suppose in a few years, we'll look back and think to ourselves – wow thatwas a hard test, but now it doesn't look so difficult! Broters & Sisters, if you're going through a tough time right now, be encouraged because it simply means that God is graduating you to new levels of faith! The harder the tests, the greater difficulty – the greater the reward, an increased blessing awaits you! Stay focused, stay alert and remember that God is trying to stretch your faith so that you can accomplish even more for His Kingdom! DOES IT SEEM THAT THE TESTS ARE GETTING HARDER?

ZVAUNGAITE KUTI UVERENGE MAROPAFADZO AKO

• Imi muri vadyi venhaka yavaprofita neyesungano yakaitwa naMwari namadzibaba enyu. Akati kuna Abhurahama, “Marudzi ose apanyika acharopafadzwa kubudikidza navana vako. Mabasa 3: 25. • Sezvinorehwa noRugwaro ruchiti: “Ani naani anotenda kwandiri haanganyadziswi.” Nokuti hapana musiyano pakati pomuJudha kana muHedheni, nokuti Ishe mumwe ndiye Ishe wavose uye anovaropafadza kwazvo vose vanodana kwaari, nokuti ani naani anodana kuzita raShe achaponeswa.” Varoma 10: 11 – 13. • Nokuti veMasedhonia neveAkaya vakafadzwa kuti vagovane nevarombo pakati pevatsvene vari muJerusarema. Nokuti vakaona zvakanaka kuti vaite izvi, uye zvirokwazvo vane ngava kuti vavaitire izvi. Nokuti kana vaHedheni vakagovanawo pazvinhu zvoMweya zvavaJudha, vane ngavawo kuvaJudha kuti vagoverane navo pazvinhu zvavo zvenyika ino. Varoma 15: 26 – 27. • Nyika inonwa mvura inonaya nguva nenguva pamusoro payo uye inobereka zvirimwa zvinobatsira avo vanoirima, ndiyo inoropafadzwa naMwari. Asi nyika inobereka munzwa norukato haibatsiri uye ine dambudziko rokuti ichatukwa. Pakupedzisira ichapiswa. Vahebheru 6: 7 – 8. • Vanhu vakanga vachiuya navana vaduku kuna Jesu kuti avabate, asi vadzidzi vakavatsiura. Jesu paakazviona, akatsamwa. Akati kwavari, “Regai vana vaduku vauye kwandiri, uye musavadzivisa, nokuti umambo hwaMwari ndohwavakadai. Ndinokuudzai chokwadi, ani naani asingagamuchiri umambo hwaMwari somwana muduku haangatongopindi mahuri.” Ipapo akatora vana akavafungatira mumaoko ake, akaisa maoko ake pamusoro pavo akavaropafadza. Mako 10: 13 – 16. • Kubva pakuzara kwake takagamuchira nyasha pamusoro penyasha. Nokuti murayiro wakapiwa kubudikidza naMozisi; nyasha nezvokwadi zvakauya kubudikidza naJesu Kristu. Johani 1: 16 – 17. • Vongai Jehovha nokuti akanaka: nokuti ngoni dzake dzinogara nokusingaperi. Mapisarema 136: 1. • Chipo chose chakanaka uye chakakwana chinobva kudenga, chinoburuka chichibva kuna Baba wezviedza zvokudenga, asingashanduki semimvuri inopinduka. Akasarudza kutibereka kubudikidza neshoko rechokwadi, kuti tive mhando yechibereko chokutanga chezvisikwa zvake. Jakobho 1: 17 – 18. • Kurumbidza ngakuve kuna Mwari Baba vaIshe wedu Jesu Kristu, iye akatiropafadza muchadenga nokuropafadza kwose kwomweya muna Kristu Jesu. Nokuti akatisarudza maari nyika isati yasikwa kuti tive vatsvene vasina chavanopomerwa pamberi pake. Vaefeso 1: 3 – 4. • Pamusoro paizvozvo zvose dananai norudo rukuru, nokuti rudo runofukidza zvivi zvizhinji. 1 Petro 4: 8. • Upfumi nokuremekedzwa zvinobva kwamuri; ndimi mutongi wezvinhu zvose. Mumaoko enyu mune simba noushe kuti musimudzire uye musimbise vanhu vose. Zvino, Mwari wadu, tinokuvongai, uye tinorumbidza zita enyu rakanakisa. 1 Makoronike 29: 12 – 13. • Kana uchinge wadya waguta rumbidza Jehovha Mwari wako nokuda kwenyika yakanaka yaakakupa. Dhuteronomi 8: 10. • Mwari ngaavongwe nokuda kwechipo chake chisingagoni kurondedzerwa! 2 Vakorinde 9: 15. • Ndizarurireiwo masuo akururama; ndichapinda ndigovonga Jehovha. Iri ndiro suo raJehovha panopinda navakarurama. Ndichakuvongai, nokuti makandipindura; makava ruponeso rwangu. Mapisarema 118: 19 – 21. • Pazuva regumi romwedzi wokutanga vanhu vakabuda kubva muJorodhani vakavaka misasa paGirigari pamuganhu wokumabvazuva eJeriko. Zvino Joshua akamisa matombo gumi namaviri paGirigari avakanga vatora kubva muJorodhani. Akati kuvaIsraeri, “Mumazuva anotevera kana vana venyu vobvunza madzibaba avo vachiti, ‘Ko, matombo aya anorevei?’ muvataurire kuti, ‘Israeri yakayambuka Jorodhani pavhu rakaoma.’ Nokuti Jehovha Mwari wenyu akaomesa Jorodhani pamberi penyu kusvikira mayambuka. Jehovha Mwari wenyu akaita kuJorodhani sezvaakaita kuGungwa Dzvuku paakariomesa pamberi pedu kusvikira tayambuka. Akaita izvi kuitira ndudzi dzose dzapanyika dzizive kuti vatye Jehovha Mwari wenyu nokusingaperi. Joshua 4; 19 – 24. • Tinogara tichivonga Mwari nokuda kwenyu mose tichikutaurai muminyengetero yedu. Tinoramba tichirangarira pamberi paMwari wwedu naBaba vedu, basa renyu rinobva pakutenda, nokushanda kwenyu kunibva parudo, uye nokutsungirira kwenyu kunobva patariro iri muna Ishe Jesu Kristu. 1 Vatesaronika 1: 2 – 3. • Muchivonga Mwari Baba pazvinhu zvose, muzita raIshe wedu Jesu Kristu. Vaefeso 5: 20.

"For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,that no flesh should glory in His presence." 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

If He was a man of the world, Jesus would have chosen the elite of His day to accomplish His mission -- however He used simple fishermen. These men were considered uneducated, lacking "social status", wealth or worldly distinction of any kind -- yet these "simple" men were the ones the Lord selected to build the Kingdom of God. When the children of Israel were slaves in Egypt, God didn't send an army to deliver them, He sent a single man. But a single man of God was shown to be greater than the most powerful kingdom on Earth. Throughout the Bible, we often read of the Lord choosing and using the weak things of the world to confound and shame the wise and powerful. God seems to love revealing His awesome power through humble vessels, so that no flesh can glory in His presence. Brothers & Sisters, don't allow the enemy to convince you that God cannot use you because you are "flawed", weak, or seemingly inconsequential. No, instead, remember that He uses the base, despised, nonentities of this world, ordinary, often broken, people...to do extraordinary things. Our God is not looking at your wealth, your social status or your education -- He's looking at your heart! If your heart is willing and your life is available, then He is more than able to perform miraculous work through you for His Kingdom's sake. With so much work to be done, don't allow the enemy to stifle or steal the Lord's vision for your life –- He has a plan to use you to confound the wise of this world, and to bring to naught the things that are! CONFOUND THE WISE OF THIS WORLD!

ZVAUNGAITE KUTI UKURE PAMWEYA

• Asi kurai munyasha nomukuziva Ishe noMuponesi wedu, Jesu Christu. Ngaave nokubwinya zvino uye nokusingaperi Amen. 2 Petro 3: 18. • Savacheche vachangoberekwa, pangai mukaka wakachena womweya, kuti mugokuriswa nawo muruponeso rwenyu, sezvo makaravira zvino kuti Ishe akanaka. 1 Petro 2: 2 – 3. • Shingaira kuti uzviratidze pamberi paMwari, somunhu anogamuchirwa, mushandi asingafaniri kunyadziswa uye anonyatsoruramisa shoko rechokwadi. 2 Timoti 2: 15. • Shingairai pazvinhu izvi, uzviite nomwoyo wako wose, kuitira kuti munhu wose aone kupfuurira mberi kwako. 1 Petro 4: 15. • Naizvozvo ngatisiyei dzidziso dzokutanga pamusoro paKristu uye tipfuurire mberi kuti tive vakuru, risingaisizve nheyo dzokutendeuka kubva pamabasa anotungamirira kurufu, uye nokutenda muna Mwari. Vahebheru 6:1. • Nokuda kwaizvozvo, shingairai kuti muwedzere kunaka pakutenda kwenyu; uye pakunaka, muwedzere kuziva; napakuziva muwedzere kuzvidzora; napakuzvidzora, muwedzere kutsungirira; napakutsungirira, muwedzere umwari; napaumwari muwedzere kuda vatendi; napakuda vatendi, muwedzere rudo. Nokuti kana mune zvinhu izvi, zvichiramba zvichiwanda, zvichakuitirai kuti musava nousimbe uye musingashaiwi zvibereko mukuziva kwenyu Ishe wedu Jesu Kristu. 2 Petro 1: 5 – 8. • Nokuda kwaizvozvo, ndinopfugama namabvi pamberi paBaba, avo kubva kwavari mhuri yavo yose iri mudenga uye napanyika inowana zita rayo. Ndinonyengetera kuti kubva papfuma yokubwinya kwavo vakusimbisei nesimba noMweya wavo mumunhu womukati, kuti Kristu agare mumwoyo yenyu nokutenda. Uye ndinonyengetera kuti imi, muve nemidzi uye musimbiswe murudo, muve nesimba, pamwe chete navatsvene vose, kuti mubate kuti kupamhamha, nokureba uye kukwirira nokudzika kworudo rwaKristu kwakadii, uye muzive rudo urwu runopfuura ruzivo, kuti muzadzwe kusvikira pachiyero chokuzara kwose kwaMwari. Vaefeso 3: 14 – 19. • Nokuda kwaizvozvi, kubvira pazuva ratakanzwa nezvenyu, hatina kurega kukunyengetererai uye tichikumbira Mwari kuti akuzadzei nokuziva kuda kwake kubudikidza nouchenjeri hwose hwomweya uye nokunzwisisa. Uye tinonyengetera izvi kuitira kuti mugare upenyu hwakafanira uye kuti mumufadze uye mune zvose: muchibereka zvibereko mumabasa ose akanaka, muchikura mukuziva Mwari, muchisimbiswa nesimba rose maererano nokubwinya kwesimba rake kuti muve nokutsunga kukuru uye nomwoyo murefu, muchifara kwazvo. Vakorose 1: 9 – 11. • Shoko raKristu ngarigare zvakakwana mamuri pamunenge muchidzidzisana muchirayirana nouchenjeri hwose, uye muchiimba mapisarema, nedzimbo uye nenziyo dzomweya muchivonga Mwari mumwoyo yenyu. Vakorose 3: 16. • Zvino isu, vane zviso zvisina kufukidzwa tose tinoratidza kubwinya kwaShe, tiri kushandurwa kuti tifanane naye nokubwinya kunoramba kuchiwedzerwa, kunobva kuna Ishe, anova iye Mweya. 2 Vakorinde 3: 18. • Wakadyarwa muimba yaJehovha, vachakura kwazvo muvanze dzaMwari wedu. Mapisarema 92: 13. • Ndichiziva izvi, kuti iye akatanga basa rakanaka mamuri acharipedzisa kusvikira pazuva raKristu Jesu. Uye uyu ndiwo munyengetero wangu: kuti rudo rwenyu ruwande uye muwanze kuziva nokunzisisa, kuitira kuti mugogona kunzwisisa kuti zvakaisvonaka ndezvipi uye muve vakachena uye mushayiwe chamungapomerwa kusvikira pazuva raKristu. Vafiripi 1: 6, 9 – 10. • Ipapo hatingazorambi tiri vacheche, vanosundirwa shure nemberi vachipepereswa kuno nouko nemhepo ipi zvayo yedzidziso, uye nokunyengetera nousvinu hwavanhu mukutsauka kwokunyengetera kwavo. Asi, tichitaura chokwadi murudo, tichakura pazvinhu zvose maari iye musoro, iye Kristu. Kubva maari muviri wose, wakasanganiswa uye wakabatanidzwa pamwe chete nenhengo dzose dzichiusimbisa, unokura uye unozvivaka murudo, sezvo mutezo mumwe nomumwe uchiita basa rawo. Vaefeso 4: 14 – 16.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations."Jeremiah 1:5; "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son," Romans 8:29 ; " just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,"Ephesians 1:4; "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10

These past few days, writing about the will of God, has reminded me of the prophet Jeremiah, and how the Lord knew him – even before he was in his mother's womb, and he was sanctified by God as a prophet to the nations. A similar foreknowledge and ordination of God belongs to us who are under the New Covenant. God's foreknowledge of His people is clearly stated in scripture. We were chosen in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless, and created in Messiah (Christ Jesus) unto good works which He foreordained that we walk in them. It is clear that a life of holiness and good works is an integral part of our destiny in salvation, a fundamental aspect of His original plan for each one of us. This plan, instilled in us even before the foundation of the world, seems to insure that good works will follow the believers in Jesus. We could never work our way into heaven, our salvation is wholly an act of God – yet, just as Jeremiah's calling was foreknown and foreordained by God, our ordination unto good works was too. Walking in good works is walking in a manner worthy of our calling, it is powerful evidence for the genuineness of our salvation, and it is walking in the will of God. Brothers & Sisters, from the foundation of the world, according to God's plan, you were created and ordained to live a sanctified life filled with good works. If you walk in His will for you, when your life is over, you may expect to hear these wonderful words: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant!” YOU WERE FOREKNOWN AND FOREORDAINED FOR A PURPOSE!