THE MIND IS EVERYTHING;

 God has created us in such a way that our actions follow our thoughts; a man's life is determined by the nature, or character of the man. A man's nature and life are determined by the contents of his heart.

From this context it is easy to met people who are dominated by their passions.  Or you’re meeting a person who is full of a lot of pride are controlled by beauty. Others are controlled by lust. Same are controlled by wealth; while others are controlled by materialism.

The mind is like a farmer’s field. If a farmer plants corn he will get corn. If he plants wheat he will get wheat. It would be stupid for the farmer to plant corn and then expect to harvest wheat. It is simple; whatever you plant is what you get. If you sow to the flesh you will reap corruption. It is impossible for any person to sow to flesh and get a spiritual harvest. God has given you the ability to control what you sow and thereby control what you harvest.

As Romans 8:5-8 "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set our minds on the flesh leads to death, but to set our minds on the Spirit leads to life and peace. That is why the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile toward God. “Indeed, those who are under the control of the flesh cannot please God."

You need to apply the law of your mind what you put in is what you get out. It is IMPOSSIBLE to put worldly things in your mind and get spiritual results out.

We know human beings can change their lives by changing the thoughts of their mind. That's how you change your life. If an unrighteous man wants to abandon his sinful ways he has to abandon his sinful thoughts. It's just that simple. Isaiah 55:7, 8. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. 

If you want the way to be right then your thought ought to be right. It starts with the brain. One reason God’s ways are different than our ways is because His thoughts are different than our thoughts. Well, you can think with the mind of Christ. We need and we can have the mind of Christ.

What goes on in our heads is very, very important. You can control your actions by controlling your thoughts. How we respond to those thoughts determines our eternal destiny. Watch your thoughts, they will become words THEREFORE:

• Watch your words, they will become actions

• Watch your actions, they will become habits

• Watch your habits, they will become character

• Watch your character; it will become your destiny!

You see, your future is in your mind. You are becoming what you think about in your private moments. If it isn't good, ask God for a New Heart! Ask forgiveness for the past wallowing in muck. Invite the Holy Spirit to take charge of your mind.

BLESSED ARE POOR IN SPIRITY

PEOPLE ARE BLESSED IN DIFFERENT WAYS WITH DIFFERENT THINGS;  DIFFERENT TIMES AND PLACES.  

Question: What draws me closer to God? Away from God? Why do bad things happen? Why isn’t the world a better place?             

                

When I was young, I used to run away from home with some food and other kids stuff  and give out to a group of homeless kids outside the house. My parents  used to look for me without any success and when they used to find me outside with the kids, after I shared with them food and some of my things. They could not point me out from the rest because I was “dirty” and unrecognizable, it was a headache for them but to myself I was so proud because I was able to make those kids happy.

·        See, at that age I did not understand why I had clothes and food while I passed other people in the streets that had no food around them, they did not look like they knew what they were going to eat either. I passed them every day and they would ask them for something, and I would ask my mom if she had any money for me to give them.

·        I harassed my parents a lot at the point of helping other people, I used to tell them all the time “remember when God said if you have two, you should give one to your neighbor” That used to hit them hard.

·        Thanks for my parents who decided to welcome them and live with us and educate them through the organization for me called ROTU, This organization takes in orphans and helps them get an education so that they could be able to provide for themselves. Once I heard some of their stories I was like God thank you, thank you for the life you have granted me. I used to think I had problems but I really did not.

·        I lived with one some orphans the girls and they told me their sad stories, one Orphan she had no home and the rest of hers had cast her out after the parent’s death. They did not even think twice about it, they just didn’t want her. As she was telling me this, she asked me “do you know the feeling of not being wanted in your own family?” At this question, my heart stumbled. Can you imagine your parents not loving you at all; you are all alone in the dark not knowing what is coming up next. As soon as her parents died, and was casted off, she started looking for another life, went to her aunties and uncles but no one wanted her. Then she came across a (Pastor) and he took her in and that how we came to know of her because the pastor knew my mom and the program and therefore led her to us…..  (No parents, no love, no family. What is that like?)

·        There was another girl whose parents were dead and had no place to live or go to. She decided to become a maid since in Africa once you are not educated, being a maid is the only good option to get money. She got a work from a family that ended up converting her to a Muslim. She became a new person, driven away from what she once knew to a new beginning that she could not understand herself. We took her in and converted her back to Christianity and opened for her a whole new chapter. Beatrice finished school and is now studying to get her degree/bachelor in teaching.

·        Another girl story is far from the fairy tale world where  we young people believe in. High school sweethearts, relationship with such a young age while our minds are yet to reach that level of maturity. Her boyfriend took the iron and burnt her whole body without any mercy. She was in a critical condition when she arrived at the hospital but survived by God’s miracle. She then wanted to open a case upon him, though she did not have any money and therefore lost the case before it even began. Took her in, educate her and now she is studying for a higher level. Why?

·        Burnt all over her body yet God choose to save her life instead of taking it why? We all have a purpose in the world, for some of us they are clear, for some of us, well, not so clear. So should we give up? NO. Our job is to find the answer to that question, now do not think that you will go out on the streets to search for your purpose in the world and it will be handed to you like a piece of candy, oh!! No, you will be day dreaming. See we are disciples of God in this world, and our work to lead the others cannot just be easily given to us. We have to prove that we are ready to conquer anything that will come our way, the temptations, the tests and all that God has on hand for us to be tested if we can persevere and carry on without quitting. So in any work, job, you will have disappointments though what matters is if can stand through them and get back to work.

·        There a lot other kids with similar stories and others that just need help to reach their goals so that they can help others too.

i)    SO HERE IS THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION: The world is the way it is because it’s the world that we, in a sense, have asked for.

·         If we want to change it, we can simply by changing the way we do things and how we take others. Luke 6:36 says, “Be kind and merciful. Let no one ever come to you without coming away better and happier” When you have helped that one person, you have not only done that to help them but it is one step to changing the world since we are all there is to change it. It begins with us, we can’t tell others to change the world while we are not so let us make the first move then the rest will follow.

     

What helps me to become more a part of God’s realm (god’s way of being and doing) in my daily life? In my home life? In my community? In the meeting’s? In the wider world?

My God is Awesome

Loving heavenly father, you know all my worries and fears in my life; you are a most loving heavenly father and You understand my innermost feelings! Yes Lord! I am so nervous thinking about my life and where life takes me. You know my limitations Lord, but Your word says that Your strength is enough in our times of my weakness. I admit that I have no wisdom or knowledge of my own. But I have confidence that I can do everything thorough Christ who strengths me.

I do not know what is in store for me but I know that my future is in the hands of Lord of Lords, Who has made me. So Lord be with me and help me to find grace in the sight in the eyes of the concerned authorities. In my day to day life I need not be afraid of men because I have the Lord Almighty beside me. In whatever I do Please remove all the unwanted fears and worries and fill me with courage. Let me never be put myself to the shame. I thank You Lord for listening to my supplications and filling me with Your peace. In Jesus' name I pray.

Lord keeps me strong to fight all the trials I have now in my life. Give me more strength to fight all these troubles. Make me always calm to be able to think for the right things to do. Guide me in all things I am doing. Thank you Lord for all the graces you have showered to me and my family. Keep us all in good health and keep us all away from accidents and diseases or any sicknesses that will arise. Lord, thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Thank you lord for keeping me strong, and from folding, for answering my prayers in those little amazing ways you do. Please help me to continue on wards with strength and happiness; Continue to show me that I am important and that I can do this and be a good example to others.

I know that I must change my way of thinking I need to think and act more with faith. In my weakness is where God’s grace and power flow to meet my need. When I am weak, I know I need God. God always comes to me especially in my  weakness and failure because that is where God’s grace is released. Thus, Paul could boast in his weakness because that is where God will be glorified.

Dear Lord, thank You for what Jesus did for me on the cross. Because He died for me, I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins—past, present, and future. You have given me Your righteousness and remember my sins no more. I am completely forgiven and greatly blessed and loved by You. I am confident of this, that the good work You began in me You will carry out to completion (Philippians 1:6). Thank You for Grace. Amen

JE YATUPASA KULIPIZA KISASI DHIDI YA WENZETU KATIKA MAISHA YETU;

 Kwa hakika mwanandamu anahitaji upeo mkubwa wa nuru ya kiroho ambayo itaweza kumfanya azike tamaa zake na hisia zote za kulipiza kisasi; tunatakiwa kuwa na uwezo wa kujizuia na hasira, kuzikandamiza hasira, chuki kwa moyo mpana na kujenga daraja la msamaha.  Kusamehe mtu ambaye amekukosea, kuwapenda ndugu na jamaa ambao wameukata uhusiano pamoja nawe, na kuwa mkarimu kwa yule ambaye aliwahi kukunyima, kukutukana, kukusababishia hasira,kukudharau, kukudhalilisha na kadhalika sio jambo rahisi. Tumewaona hata watumishi wa Mungu ambao wanaielewa sana bibilia wakishindwa kabisa kuktekeleza kanuni hii.

Kumsamehe yule aliyekutendea yasiyo sahihi hutusaidia kutupatanisha na Muumba wetu; vile vile msamaha hudumisha mshikamano wa udugu ambao umeharibiwa. Kwa kusamehe tunaandaa njia ya kumwendea Mungu; Lakini  pasipo  imani  haiwezekani  (Waebrania 11:6). Inatufundisha kuwa mtu  amwendeaye Mungu  lazima  aamini  kwamba  yeye  yuko,  na  kwamba  huwapa  thawabu wale wamtafutao,”. Msamaha hutujengea wa kumwendea na Kuishi na Mungu katika Imani.

Kama ilivyoandikwa hakuna mwenye haki, hata mmoja” (Warumi 3:10). Mungu yuko tayari na anasubiri kumsamehe mtu anaye omba msamaha imeelezwa katika Zaburi 86:5 "Kama wewe Bwana u mwema, umekuwa tayari kusamehe, na mwingi wa fadhili kwa watu wote wakuitao". Daudi aliweka wapi tumaini lake la msamaha? Tukisoma Zaburi 51:1 "Ee Mungu unirehemu sawasawa na fadhili zako kiasi cha wingi wa rehema zako uyafute makosa yangu. Mathayo 6:14-15 Kwa maana mkiwasamehe watu makosa yao na Baba wenu wa mbinguni atawasamehe ninyi bali msipowasamehe watu makosa yao wala Baba yenu hatawasamehe makosa yenu." Wale wamesamehewa husamehe. imeandikwa Waefeso 4:32 "Tena iweni wafadhili ninyi kwa ninyi, wenye huruma ninyi mkasameheane kama na Mungu katika kristo alivyowasamehe ninyi."

Kusamehe kwa kweli hakuhesabu makosa. imeandikwa Mathayo 18:21-22 "Kisha petero akamwendea akamwambia Bwana ndugu yangu anikose mara ngapi nami ni msamehe? hata mara saba? Yesu akamwambia sikwambii mara saba bali hata saba mara sabini." Katika kusamehe Yesu ametukomboa kutoka kwa dhambi na mshahara wa dhambi. Wakolosai 2:13-14 inatueleza kuwa "Na ninyi mlipokuwa mmekufa kwa sababu ya makosa yenu na kutokutahiriwa kwa mwili wenu aliwafanya hai pamoja naye akisha kutusamehe makosa yote akisha kuifuta ile hati iliyoandikwa ya kutushitaki kwa hukumu zake iliyo kuwa na uwadui kwetu akiondoa isiwepo tena akaigongomea msalabani."

Zaburi 51:7-12 "Unisamehe nami nitakuwa safi, unioshe nami nitakuwa mweupe kuliko dheluji unifanye kusikia furaha na shangwe, mifupa ilio ponda ifurahi. usitiri uso wako usitazame dhambi zangu uzifute hatia zangu zote Ee Mungu uniumbie moyo safi uifanye upya roho iliyo tulia ndani yangu usinitenge na uso wako wala roho wako mtakatifu usiniondolee unirudishie furaha ya wakovu wako unitegemeze kwa roho ya wepesi."

Zaburi 32:1-6 "Heri aliyesamehewa dhambi na kusitiriwa makosa yake heri Bwana asiyemhesabia upotovu, ambaye rohoni mwake hamna hila niliponyamaza mifupa yangu ilichakaa kwa kuugua kwangu mchana kutwa na kwa maana mchana na usiku mkono wako ulinilemea jasho langu likakauka hata nikawa kama nchi kavu wakati wa kaskazi nalikujulisha dhambi yangu wala sikuuficha upotovu wangu nalisema nitayari maasi yangu kwa Bwana naweukanisamehe uoptovu wa dhambi yangu kwa hiyo kila mtu mtauwa akuombe wakati unapopatikana hakika maji makuu yafurikapo hayatamfikia yeye."

Wale walio wanyonge moyo wako mbele ya Mungu na wala kutambua hatia yangu, haijafika hali ya kwanza ya kukubalika. Tunahitaji kuokolewa kutoka katika aina zote za tabia zetu mbaya pamoja na misukumo ya ndani inayotushurutisha kufanya mambo fulani mabaya: kama vile, kusema uongo, hasira inayomfanya mtu atukane watu, tamaa mbaya za mwili, uchungu, kutaja machache tu.

Hatuwezi kujiokoa wenyewe kutoka katika dhambi au kuigeuza tabia yetu kwa kujitegemea wenyewe kama vile Simba asivyoweza kuamua awe mwana-kondoo (Warumi 7:18). Dhambi ina nguvu nyingi kuliko nia yetu ya kufanya yale tuyatakayo. Lakini Kristo anaweza kukufanya wewe uwe "imara kwa uweza wake, kwa kazi ya Roho wake katika utu [wako] wa ndani" (Waefeso 3:16). Anafanya kazi yake ili kuondoa tabia zetu ziletazo uharibifu na mahali pake kuweka tabia hizi nzuri: upendo, amani, furaha, upole, uwezo wa kujitawala (Wagalatia 5:22,23). Kristo anaishi maisha yake kupitia ndani yetu, kisha tunapokea uponyaji wa kiroho, tunarejeshwa katika maisha mapya, na kuwezeshwa kuishi maisha hayo mapya.

Hakuna dhambi ambayo ni ya kutisha sana asiyoweza kuisameka Yesu anatamani sana kwamba kila mmoja wetu hatimaye awe na uhusiano mzuri na Yule aliyemkosea na kumsababishia majeraha ambayo yamejenga chuki ambayo inahitaji msamaha. Yesu anataka tupokea msamaha na utakaso wa Mungu ni; katika  imani jambo ni  rahisi na la maana sana kama tunavyofurahia kumpokea motto mdogo aliyezaliwa na kumkumbatia. 

Lakini kutokana na ubinadamu wetu, majivuno, kiburi, masengenyo inatuwia vigumu sana kutoa msamaha wa kweli pale tunapokosewa, tunakuwa na kiburi ambacho kinatufanya kuona kuwa Yule aliyetukosea hastaili msamaha wetu; lakini kama tunayafuata mafundisho ya yesu na mifano ambayo ametutolea katika Bibilia Takatitifu tunatakiwa tuondoe ugumu katika mioyo yetu na kuuvaa unyenyekevu kama yeye alivyovaa unyenyekevu na kuuvua Umungu kwa ajili ya makosa yetu, na alikuja kukaa nasi na ametutengenezea daraja la msamaha ambalo kila mwanadamu lazima alipite ili kuweza kukamilisha safari yake ya kwenda mbingu.

SUCCESS ALWAYS EMBRACE FAILURES

Most thinkers believe that to achieve the greatest success, you have to embrace the prospect of failure. It is true that to achieve your personal best, you need not to fear failure, you must think big, and you have to push yourself. It when we reach the conclusion that the sweetest victory is the one that’s most difficult. “Failure and defeat are life’s greatest teachers. Like the innocent smile of little girl.

One scholar once said that “The quickest road to success is to possess an attitude toward failure of ‘no fear,’… One of the biggest secrets to success is operating inside your strength zone but outside of your comfort zone,”

We need to pray and ask God to give us courage which do not allow our fear of failure to stop us from trying new things and to keep us from jumping into the unknown, many of our wildest dreams and most of our biggest goals shall be left without being achieved. At the end of life, there we shall be, repeating a long list of regrets over and over again in our minds.

We need to be kind of people who recognize that that worry and failure are a part of life, the kind of people who don’t let that fact stop them from making the most out of their short time on this planet.

There is value in failures, as you can see. And most importantly, failures are lessons. What you can draw out of each failure is experience and knowledge that will help you succeed better. That is why you should never ever be afraid of failing, because there is absolutely nothing to fear. In the game of life, nobody plays a perfect game. If you think that some people lead perfect flawless lives, it’s your perception, but certainly not reality. 

Accept that failure is a part of life, and the better you will be for it. Accept that you have failed. For some people, their past failures haunt them, and they never get over it. Accept it. Know that this is not some isolated incident, everyone has faced this. You are no different. 

therefore we must accept that failures is a bridge of the future success.