18 SEP, 2020 - 00:09
Fungi Kwaramba in Bikita
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday described agriculture as life and called upon Zimbabweans to respect each other and work in unity towards achieving Vision 2030 Read More...
September 17, 2020
BY BLESSED MHLANGA
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has ruled out allowing a delegation from South Africa to meet his critics, including opposition parties and civic organisations, slamming the door on efforts by the neighbouring country to negotiate an end to the political impasse that has paralysed Zimbabwe Read More...
ZION Christian Church leader Nehemiah Mutendi, one of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s closest allies, yesterday warned that the high levels of hunger in the country could trigger mass uprisings, hence the need for government to urgently address the issue Read more...
Judge queries Job Sikhala arrest Read more...
Khuphe Chamisa feud escalates Read more...
Government further relaxes lockdown Read more...
Khuphe cripples local authorities Read more...
JUST IN: Air Zim to resume flights Read more...
Pastor Greg Laurie on Tuesday said 1.8 million people watched Harvest’s
A Rush of Hope evangelistic film Labor Day weekend, with 16,000 making professions of faith for Christ.
“We have a lot of bad news right now, I thought you all could use some good news!” Laurie wrote to his social media followers.
Laurie, senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, is the host of the one-hour movie, which features clips from three Erwin Brothers films and performances from Christian artists For King and Country, MercyMe and Jeremy Camp. It streamed for free over the weekend.
The film answers “life’s greatest questions,” as Laurie put it.
"We're breaking every record we've ever set in our history,” Laurie said in a Monday social media video, referencing the viewership.
The movie streamed for free Labor Day weekend.
Laurie called the Labor Day screening “phase one” in the Rush of Hope campaign. Phase two, he says, involves purchasing “television time for next weekend and beyond.” He asked Christians to donate money to help get the film on TV.
“We want to go into markets where we've never been before, in the areas we've never visited before with this powerful message of the gospel,” he said.
Laurie, at the beginning of A Rush of Hope , compares life to a movie. The backdrop for the film is a drive-in theater.
“Life is like a movie. It has a beginning, middle and end -- full of surprises, twists and turns, storm clouds and darkness,” Laurie says in the film. “But beauty and light still exist. We all have questions about this movie that we're in.
Is this movie a tragedy? Is it a love story? Is it a comedy? Can we win in the end?”
Laurie says his life “has followed all the plot twists of the greatest movies.”
“Over the next hour,” he says at the beginning of the film, “I'm gonna take you on a journey through three incredible movies. You'll hear from some of my favorite artists.
So join me as we explore the meaning of life and what happens after we die. We all need a rush of hope.”-Christian Headlines
Topstory
A rooster recently attacked and killed a 42-year-old woman in Chigodora village under Chief Zimunya in Manicaland Province.
Acting Chief Zimunya summoned Zvikomborero Takarinda to appear before his court to explain the death of Chandapiwa Makaza, nee Bushu after she was attacked by his cock.
The traditional leader said:
Before this incident, this had never happened in my area before. It’s mysterious and abnormal. I will soon summon him to my court to explain how a mere rooster could attack a woman, thereby leading to her death.
We could not hold our usual court sessions due to the Covid-19 lockdown but business is slowly getting back to normal.
We want to get to the bottom of this issue. Many people thought the matter had died a natural death but we will probe it further and hear the case in full. What happened is taboo, an abomination. Justice should prevail.
Reports claim that two days after Makaza’s death, her corpse “wept”, something that horrified relatives and friends who had attended her funeral in July.
Takarinda had earlier told the
Manica Post that the bird had a habit of attacking people, especially women.
Villagers threatened to manhandle Takarinda if he insisted on his refusal to kill and burn the rooster and he reluctantly terminated the cock’s life.- Manica Post
Topstory
For God was in Christ, restoring the world to himself, no longer counting men’s sins against them but blotting them out.
This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others.
2 Corinthians 5:19, TLB
Too many people live feeling condemned because of past mistakes. They’ve asked God to forgive them every day for the last four years.
They don’t realize the first time you asked Him, He forgave you. He’s saying, “I’ve already blotted it out through Jesus’ blood.”
If God let it go, why don’t you let it go? Why don’t you forgive yourself? Receive His mercy and move forward with your life. As long as you’re living in regret, beating yourself up for past mistakes, you’ll never move into the new things God has in store.
After the incredible price that Christ paid on the cross, it doesn’t bring Him any honor for us to go around feeling unworthy, condemned.
I can imagine God saying to the angels, “I gave My best, sent My only Son, paid the ultimate price. What more could I do?” Let’s do our part and believe that we’re forgiven, redeemed, that we have an everlasting release from our sins.
“Father, thank You for blotting out all my sins and for releasing me from condemnation because of past mistakes. Thank You for the incredible price that Jesus paid through the shedding of His blood.
I want to honour Him by believing I am free. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
The Preacher's Sincere Talk
Today’s Scripture:
“Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”
(Jonah 3:1–2, NIV)
After Jonah’s first refusal to go and preach to the city of Nineveh , God in His mercy used a great fish to rescue Jonah from certain death.
The story could have ended there, but God doesn’t want to just rescue you from your mess, He wants to give you another chance to get to where you’re supposed to be.
That mistake doesn’t disqualify you. God is always going to give you another chance and another to fulfill His best plan for your life.
The second time God told Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh, he obeyed and saw God do amazing things. The point is, Jonah’s mistake did not stop his destiny.
It’s not too late to become everything you were created to be. If you’ll start right where you are, honoring God, being your best, serving others, the right doors will open, the right people will show up. The good news is, you’re covered by mercy.
“Father, thank You that when I make a mistake and cause a mess, You don’t say, ‘Too bad, you had your chance, you’re on your own.’ Thank You for Your mercy that covers me and gives me a second chance.
I believe You will get me to where I’m supposed to be. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Editor's Critical Eye
The Shield from every dart;
The Balm for every smart;
The Sharer of each load;
Companion on the road.
The Door into the fold;
The Anchor that will hold;
The Shepherd of the sheep;
The Guardian of my sleep.
The Friend with Whom I talk;
The Way by which I walk;
The Light to show the way;
The Strength for every day.
The Source of my delight;
The Song to cheer the night;
The Thought that fills my mind;
The Best of All to find—is Jesus!
Education
"John had been telling Herod, *“It is against God’s law for you to marry your brother’s wife.”
So Herodias bore a grudge against John and wanted to kill him.* But without Herod’s approval she was powerless, for Herod respected John; and knowing that he was a good and holy man, he protected him.
Herod was greatly disturbed whenever he talked with John, but even so, he liked to listen to him." Mark 6:18-20 NLT
*"Today's Herodias is anyone who bears grudge against the truth and does all to eliminate the truth and proponents thereof. Never be a Herodias; stand for the truth and defend it!"*
*"Because the Herods and Herodias are in the majority, the Johns, the truth defenders are often eliminated. It is likely to be the reverse if all of us shall decide to be Johns. Be a John where you are and defend the truth!"*
*NOTE:* The modern day Herodias are those who hail evil when it favours them and hates the truth. They also hate goodmen who speak against evil and defend the truth.
The Herods of today are also those who are in power, they admire goodmen yet, do wrong for pleasure from their connivers, abuse their powers by often victimizing advocates of good.
Let's assess ourselves today: How are we using our powers wrongly for our personal pleasures? How do our accomplices cheer us on in this wrong doing? Do we victimize those who constructively and correctively criticize us? Negative answers to any of these qualifies us as a Herod or a Herodias. *Are you a John, Herod or a Herodias?*
Beloved, never be a Herodias or Herod.
*Prayer:* Eternal God, help me to love the truth and those who speak against evil in Jesus Name.
May we love good and goodmen and never be vindictive in Jesus Name. Amen. Blessings.
Never be Herod or Herodias! Be the John of your time; speak and defend the truth! Be blessed!
Opinion / Teaching
The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and His ears toward their cry.
*Psalms 34:15*
Gracious Heavenly Father, thank You for watching over us past week.
Lord, as we prepare ourselves for this week, we come before You with a thankful heart for the mercies shown towards us.
Lord, continue to nourish our souls with patience and comfort us with Your blessings and goodness.
Lord, we are Yours, for You have chosen us; to be strong and to be freed from all evils. Help us, we beseech You. Guide each step as we move ahead.
Lord, thank You for Your Word that strengthen us each day.
May our activities bring glory to Your name.
In Jesus' name
Today's Promise:
For great is His steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord !
Psalms 117:2
Opinion/teaching
Showers of blessings
Reverend N Murambadoro
Acts 14:22- "Establishing and strengthening the souls and the hearts of the disciples, urging and warning and encouraging them to stand firm in the faith, and [telling them] that it is through many hardships and tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.'
These Apostles were suffering great persecution but they went around strengthening the souls and hearts of other disciples. They were encouraging them to stand firm in the faith.
They revealed to them that it is through many hardships and tribulations that we eneter the Kingdom of GOD. Paul and other Apostles are disapproving the fact that, I can't do ABC becaise of challenges and difficulties.
Nothing should stop us from doing what we are called to do.
This verse is encouraging us to serve our purpose in our generation no matter what's going on in our lives. Remember we exist for GOD'S Divine Purpose.
We are who we are: We belong to where we belong: We possess what we possess to serve GOD'S Divine will and purpose.
Therefore, do give up to do what you are called to do because of any hindrance. Amen.
Blessings and Shalom
Rev and Family
Sermon
Showers of blessings
Reverend N Murambadoro
Acts 14:23 "And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed."
When Paul was writing a letter to Timothy about leadership, he speaks of those who desire to be leaders. Here they appointed the leaders.
But take note of something important here: they appointed with prayer and fasting. It wasn't a mere guess like people voting for politicians. But they sought after GOD'S guidance through the power of the HOLY SPIRIT.
May the LORD help us to possess such principles which the Apostles posessed.
We must put GOD first, we must pray and fast for decisions we need to make. We must commit our decision to the LORD. Amen.
Blessings and Shalom
Rev and Family
Sermon
Kaizer Chiefs are reportedly looking for a new coach with Ernst Middendorp’s future with the club becoming uncertain after failing to lift the league title.
The German tactician led Amakhosi to a second-place finish, but the club hierarchy was not happy with how they stumbled in the latter stages of the title after spending the majority of the season on top of the table, according to Soccer Laduma.
Chiefs had a twelve point-lead at some point and the inconsistency after returning from the coronavirus break saw the team picking two wins from eight games.
Gavin Hunt is the favourite to take over from Middendorp who still has a year left on his contract.
An official announcement is not likely until both the club and the coach have discussed the way forward.
Meanwhile, Hunt is unattached following the dissolving of Bidvest Wits at the end of the 2019/20 season.-Soccer 24
Sport
Former Warriors defender Costa Nhamoinesu is reportedly in talks with Indian Super League side Kerala Blasters for a move, two months after leaving Czech giants Sparta Prague.
The 34-year-old former Masvingo United defender, the only African to ever captain Prague, left the club in July after a 7-year stay in which he made over 200 appearances which included games in both the Champions League and Europa League.
Indian Sports publication IFT News Media now claims that the Zimbabwean defender is on the brink of signing for the Super League side.
“Kerala Blasters in advance talks to sign the Zimbabwe defender Costa Nhamoinesu. He has also featured in Uefa Champions League and Europa League. For the last seven years he has played in the top division in Czech Republic. He has also previously played (in Poland) under Kibu vicuna in ZagÅ‚ebie Lubin,” reported the publication.-Soccer 24
Sport
The pastor of a large California church said Tuesday his congregation will not stop meeting for indoor worship despite fines from the county that have topped $50,000.
Jack Trieber, pastor of North Valley Baptist Church in Santa Clara, Calif., said in a new video on the church’s Facebook page that Santa Clara County posted an additional order on the church’s doors this week and is fining the congregation $5,000 for each service. The video includes a screen capture of the order.
“They've ratcheted this thing up,” Trieber said.
Health regulations from the city and county prohibit the church from gathering or singing indoors.
The county previously gave the church a cease-and-desist order and claimed the congregation was not social distancing during indoor worship. Trieber, though, says the congregation is social distancing.
(A video on the church’s Facebook page shows individuals social distancing while worshiping during a service.)
All total, the congregation has been fined $52,750.
.
The county’s order calls it an “unlawful indoor gathering.” It also says attendees are not wearing masks.
Trieber pleaded with the county to stop the fines. He also asked Americans for prayer and support.
He read from the Bill of Rights: “Congress shall make no law – no law – [respecting] the establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” he said.
“If we don't stop it here ... it's going to sweep all over the United States of America,” he said.
“Government cannot take away our freedom. You cannot take our right to assemble.”
The order states:.. “If you do not immediately correct the violations, the County may take additional legal action against you, including civil or criminal prosecution, with additional resulting penalties, fees, and costs.”-Christian Headlines
Topstory
SCHOOLS will reopen within the next two weeks for final examination classes starting with Cambridge examination candidates on September 14 while those sitting for the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) examinations will resuming classes on September 28.
This includes Upper Six, Form Four and Grade Seven classes and Zimsec examinations should start on December 1.
The Ministry of Primary and Second Education is working closely with other ministries and stakeholders to guarantee the safety of pupils and staff during the examinations period.
Standard operating procedures have since been distributed to all schools, while infection prevention training for teachers and support staff from public schools is already underway.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa revealed the dates after last night’s Cabinet meeting and said there was ample time for recommended health measures to be put in place.
“The schools opening dates are scheduled for 14 September 2020 for Cambridge examinations classes and 28 September 2020 for Zimsec examination classes.
Cabinet approved that the Zimsec examinations should start on 1 December, 2020,” she said.
The announcement follows weeks of debate, which have seen submissions from teachers’ unions, Parliament, trust schools and parents to the Government.
Most groups are opposed to the early reopening of schools.
“Regarding Primary and Secondary Education, Cabinet notes that based on on-going consultations with relevant stakeholders in that sector, the Ministry is continuing with its preparations for the re-opening of schools for the end of year 2020 final examination classes,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
She said 15 stakeholders have submitted their inputs while another nine are expected to make their submissions shortly.-Chronicle
Topstory
Exodus 20
Reverend Sithole
1 And God spake all these words, saying,
2 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
This is one of the important commemorated event in the exodus.
It is important to known why these Ten Commandments were necessary to the new nation. At the foot of mount Sinai, God showed His people the true function and beauty of his laws. The commandments were designed to lead Israel to a life of practical holiness.
In them people could see the nature of God and his plan for how they should live. The commands and guidelines were intended to direct the community to meet the needs of each individual in a loving and responsible manner.
By Jesus' time, however, most people looked at the law the wrong way. They saw it as a means to prosperity in both this world and the next.
They thought that to obey every law was the way to earn God's protection from foreign invasion and natural disaster. Law keeping became an end in itself, not the means to fulfill God's ultimate law of love.
Even today, Christians see Christ as a means to prosperity or a channel of cursing. In this regard, the worship of God hence become centered on either blessings or fears of being cursed.
This takes away every attribute of God the father. Most people who worship God do so because of the fear of the unknown.
We ultimately miss the beauty and His abundant love invested in Jesus Christ. Blessings.
Sincere talk
The righteous are as bold as a lion.
Proverbs 28:1, NIV
The Scripture speaks of how God has made you righteous. Righteous means “to be holy, blameless, honorable.” It doesn’t say you’re going to be righteous one day when you’re good enough. You are righteous right now—not because of anything you’ve done, but because of what Christ has done. Righteousness comes to us as a gift we receive.
When those voices remind you of everything you’re not, of how many times you’ve failed, you have to be bold and say, “I am righteous. I am holy. I am blameless.” Everything in your mind will say, “No, you’re not. You keep giving in to temptation. You made those mistakes.”
But when you declare, “I am righteous,” you are announcing to the accuser, to the guilt, and to the heaviness, “You don’t control my life. The Creator of the universe made me righteous. He made me holy and blameless. I may not feel righteous, but by faith I receive God’s gift of righteousness.”
“Father, thank You for making me righteous through what Your Son has done.
Thank You that when I gave my life to Christ, I became a new creation, a holy person, a righteous person, Your very own child. I will not carry around guilt and condemnation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Critical Eye
A brief moment of weakness can lay waste to months or years of strong, steady progress.
Elite athletes know this all too well, as do recovering addicts, dieters, and anyone else committed to a goal.
Each moment is important not only in its own right, but also because of all you’ve invested to get to it. The harder you’ve worked to arrive here, the more tragic and costly would a mistake be.
The same dynamic applies even more so in the other direction. For each moment is not only a culmination, but an opportunity.
What you do or fail to do right now, is amplified by the future. So whether you’re looking back or looking ahead, the stakes are undeniably high.
Your most important time is now. Your past and your future are begging you to be strong, appreciative, and innovative with what you do in the present.*
Remind yourself often of all the ground you’ve covered in the past and all the possibilities ahead in your future. Choose your present actions accordingly.
Education
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Jeremiah 1:5"
Devotion : Jeremiah was called by God at a young age and he tried to give excuses to God but God would not buy them and had to encourage him with the opening Scripture. God has planned the destinies of His children and would want His children to know about their personal destiny and walk in it (Ephesians 1:5-6).
Our responsibility is to find our destiny through fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit and the Holy Scriptures; after we have found it, let us not hesitate to fulfill it. No two destinies are the same; therefore, Christians should desist from comparing their destiny with others. What God would want you to do is to appreciate your destiny, give Him the glory, and ask Him to help you live it. Hallelujah! Dear beloved, do you know your destiny? Are you living it? Ignorance lead to abuse.
May God open your eyes of understanding that you may know his will and purpose for living.read Ephesians 1vs17--19.Have a blessed day. God bless you.
From M Tarisai
Opinion
“The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job.
I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg
I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’"
Luke 16:3-4 NIV
*"What might cannot do, the mind can and even do beyond. When your might fails, employ the mind!"
"Weak minds must always be complemented with sharp and strong minds. Stir up and step up your mind mining."
"When strength is absent and begging is not an option due to its shamefulness, do the needful; use the mind."
There is another good lesson to be learnt from the shrewd servant. He had a good self assessment and realized his physical inabilities coupled with self ego and self esteem that will not let him beg.
*He however had knowledge and ideas.* Therefore, *when his might failed, he used his mind* though in the negative way. Tripartite as we are, *God gives us mind, might and pure spirit by which we make our living but others who are not regenerated by the spirit wrongly use their minds and might shrewdly. The focus today is on using our minds should our might fail. Many of us have not exploited our minds enough and sometimes it takes crisis as loss of job in this scripture to stir up great ideas.
Crisis as the current pandemic oftentimes occur to stir our cognitive abilities for survival as it was to this manager. So, in times as this, when many jobs have been lost and other job losses loom, we must pray God to stir our mental faculties for great entrepreneurial acumen, genuine money making ideas that guarantees us better lives in the years ahead.
Prayer: Eternal God give me a high entrepreneurial sense that will secure me and other dependents a good livelihood in Jesus Name.
May God help us to mine our minds for great life transforming ideas.
May God secure our jobs by great entrepreneurial ideas and give us better livelihoods in Jesus Name. Amen. Blessings.
Education
Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs on my head.
Many enemies try to destroy me with lies…they make fun of me. I am the favorite topic of town gossip.
Psalm 69:4, 11–12, NLT
TODAY'S WORD:
What do you do when someone dislikes you without a cause?
They might not have even tried to get to know you, but they judge you from a distance. Perhaps they don’t like you because you’re successful, or you’re a different nationality, or you’re happy. As David said in today’s Scripture, they attack you behind your back with lies, make fun, belittle.
These are tests we all have to pass. Are you going to get offended and try to set them straight? Don’t take that bait.
Stay on the high road. They’re a distraction, trying to get you to waste your time on something that’s not between you and your destiny.
One of the best things you can do is ignore it. David went on to say, “But I keep right on praying to You.” He was saying, “I don’t give them the time of day. I just keep on praising, keep on smiling, and keep on running my race.”
“Father, thank You that I can be still and know that You are God, the Most High God, when I come under personal attack.
Thank You that You are my great defender and my reputation is in Your hands. I’m going to relax and stay in peace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Sermon
Whatever is overwhelming you right now I speak the peace of God to comfort your heart and mind- in the Name of Jesus!
God is bigger than the problem you are facing! Trust Him to make a way!
Don't give your heart to somebody who plays with other people's heart and think you won't get hurt!
Real beauty is beyond physical; its when you radiate God through your soul and shine on others!
Focus on possibilities instead of problems to create more opportunities!
Calm waters never created a skilled sailor. Let the storm strengthen you!
No man can take what God has for you if you refuse to let go! Hold firm to His promises!
Opinion/Teaching
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139:14, NIV
Life will try to make you feel as though you’re anything but amazing.
Disappointments, betrayals, and rejection will try to steal your sense of value. You may feel ordinary, but because of your Maker, there’s something about you that makes you extremely valuable. You’re an original.
You can’t get any more prestigious than that. If you’re going to recognize your value, you have to see yourself as amazing, as wonderful. It’s not because of who you are, but because of who made you. You have the fingerprints of God all over you.
All through the day, you need to remind yourself, “I am amazing. I am a masterpiece.
I have been wonderfully made.” Don’t discount what God has created. Don’t go around feeling ordinary when in fact, you’re extraordinary.
People may try to make you feel average. Are you going to believe what people say about you, or believe what God says about you and move up to the next level?
“Father, thank You that You made me fearfully and wonderfully in a way that is amazing.
Thank You that I am wonderful because I belong to You. I believe that nothing can hold me back from becoming the masterpiece that You created me to be. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Sermon
South African coach Mlungisi ‘Professor’ Ngubane believes Khama Billiat could have cheated his age given how the player has been performing this season.
The Zimbabwean forward is going through his worst campaign since arriving in the Absa Premiership a decade ago. He has only scored once in 23 appearances across all competitions in the 2019/20 season.
Billiat’s below-par performances have now attracted criticism from the former Black Leopards team manager.
Ngubane told KickOff.com: “Billiat is playing like a player who came here having reduced his age.
“Now he’s trying, but it’s no longer happening. Maybe he is not even 29. He can’t play like this. Earning so much money and you play like that? The heart and the mind want to do it, but the body refuses.”
Ngubane’s outrageous claims follow after Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp admitted Billiat is going through a difficult spell and will soon rediscover his form.
He said last week: “We know it’s not a great season from Khama, but everybody knows there’s huge potential and we can only support him and put him into the next movement and expect that he will do better.”-Soccer 24
Sport
ZIFA has already started conducting interviews for short-listed candidates, almost one year after the post fell vacant.
Takawira is among those set to appear before a ZIFA panel for the interviews.
Other candidates are 2006 Soccer Star of the Year Clement Matawu and former Warriors striker Agent “Ajira” Sawu, according to The Herald.
Wellington Mpandare, who was the last to hold the position, has also thrown his name in the hat and remains the firm favourite to retain the post.
ZIFA president, Felton Kamambo, said the appointment would be made in their board meeting expected late next month and national team head coach, Zdravko Logarusic will have a say on who should occupy the position.
Sport
