Victors Interdenominational Meeting

17/08/2015

Title: Loyalty

1 Corinthians 4:2 "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."

There was once a man who was tasked by his employer to purchase a machine that was needed for the business. The man travelled abroad. When he arrived there, instead of going to the supplier his employer had tasked him to look up, he found a supplier who had cheaper machines. He purchased from this supplier an even cheaper machine that was on special. He pocketed the rest of the money. He then returned home with the machine. After a few weeks of operation, the machine stopped working. When the employer contacted the supplier to inform him of the machine's faults, he was surprised to discover that the machine was a factory reject with technical faults. It had been sold on special offer as it is, in its condition. It therefore had no warranty and it had no replacement or refund policy. The business ran a huge loss in its investment and it cost the employee his job.

Being loyal is being faithful to another person, to an institution or to a given task. Loyalty requires consistent participation and acting in the best interest of those you are loyal to even at the expense of your own interests. Loyalty requires being honest even when it is hard to do so. It requires giving your best effort and never acting in a manner that embarrasses or demeans those you are loyal to. Are you loyal at work? Are you loyal to the organizations you belong to? Are you loyal to your family? Rom 12:2 says that you should not be conformed to this world but be transformed with the renewal of your mind. Are you loyal to God and His standards? Loyalty to God involves not being conformed to the world's traditions and norms but choosing to live daily by the standard of God's word. It requires you giving your very best effort, through the working of the Holy Spirit, to live a life that does not demean God's glory in any way. Eph 4:1 says that you should live a life that measures up to the standard God set when He called you.

Being loyal to yourself is also important. Do you consistently live according to your set standards?Or you sometimes compromise who you are to suit the occasion? Do you follow through tasks faithfully every time or you sometimes take shortcuts? The true test of your character and integrity does not come in public but the test comes when you are alone in private. Are you loyal to your true self? When you are loyal, you do not compromise even in the most difficult situation. You do not settle for less, for cheaper and for faulty at the expense of the real blessing. When you are loyal, you produce results. You attract elevation and promotion. Daniel and his friends remained loyal to their food preferences (Daniel 1) and chose not to defile themselves with the King's food. By the favor and grace of God, they were elevated above the rest.

One man once said, "Loyalty is the glue that makes a relationship last for a life time". Take time today and analyze your level of loyalty to God. Analyze your level of loyalty to your family, friends and those in authority over you. Analyze your level of loyalty to who you are. Settle in your mind to be loyal in every area and sphere of your life. Humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up in due season. AMEN

05/08/2015

Title: Laughter

Proverbs 17:22 "A merry heart does good like a medicine; but a broken spirit dries the bones"

Did you know that when you laugh deeply, your body releases certain hormones that make you happier? Did you know that laughter lowers stress levels and boosts the immune system? Did you know that laughter lowers blood pressure? Laughter acts as a good medicine for your physical body. Laughter also boosts your spiritual and mental well being. It keeps your countenance cheerful and pleasant in the eyes of others. Proverbs 15:13 says, "a merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken."

The word "laugh", in all its various forms, appears thirty eight times in the Bible. There are various types of laughter. There is laughter that is good called 'the laugh of God'. However, there is laughter that is bad. Bad laughter includes 'the laugh of unbelief' and 'the laugh of a fool'. In Genesis 18:12-15, Sarah made 'the laugh of unbelief'. She doubted the power of God to give her a child in old age. Do not laugh in unbelief at God's Word over your life. Do not laugh in unbelief at His promises to you. But remember that God often chooses the foolish things of this world to put to shame the wise (1 Cor 1:27). His ways are not your ways. Do not make 'the laugh of a fool'. The laugh of a fool is likened to the crackling of thorns in a fire under a pot (Ecclesiastes 7:6), it does not last. It is quickly gone. The laugh of a fool brings no rest or peace (Prov 29:9). In the midst of that laughter, there is still sorrow in the heart (Prov 14:12-13).

God can fill your mouth with laughing and your lips with rejoicing (Job 8:21). God can fill your mouth with laughter and joyful singing (Psalm 126:2). In God's presence is fullness of joy. Allow God to fill you with His laughter. Choose to rejoice in the Lord always. Did you know that it takes 32 muscles to frown and only 13 to smile? You use less energy and less effort when you smile and laugh. Laugh in the midst of trials, challenges and difficult situations. Laugh when the world is expecting you to be downtrodden. Laugh all the way to your victory. AMEN

22/07/2015

Title: Unshakable Faith

Romans 8:31 "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"

Joseph Schneerson was a minister of the gospel. He was often persecuted because of his faith and spent much of his time in prison. One morning in 1927, he was arrested by secret police as he prayed in a Leningrad synagogue. The secret police took him to a police station and demanded that he give up his religious activities. Joseph Schneerson refused to give up his faith. At one time during the interrogation, an interrogator pointed a gun in his face and said, "This little toy has made many men change their mind." Joseph Schneerson answered him and said, "That little toy of yours can only intimidate that kind of man who has many gods and but only one world. I have one God and two worlds. Heaven is waiting for me so I am not intimidated by that little toy."

In Daniel 3:16-18, Daniel's friends came face to face with death. They declared they had faith that God would deliver them from the fire. Even if God had not, they declared they would still worship Him and no one else. Their faith remained strong and unshakable even in the face of death. When you face challenges in life, does your faith remain strong? When you are pressed left, right and centre, does your faith remain unshakable? Have you experienced situations were your faith is strong in certain circumstances, but in others you lose the faith? You must believe that with God, all things are possible at all times, even in the face of the most difficult situation. You must trust that God is faithful and able to keep His promises over your life despite the worst situation or circumstance.

Unshakable faith is stubborn faith that will not let anything deter it. You must nurture it. Unshakable faith allows you to pass easily through life's many challenges, obstacles and setbacks. It gives you the boldness and courage to remain standing when confronted with any situation, even when it does not make sense. After his release, minister Joseph Schneerson travelled to the USA. He was received by US President Herbert Hoover who had lobbied for Joseph Schneerson's release. When you operate with unshakable faith and remain steadfast, God is faithful to open doors for you, even in the least likely way and even using the least likely people. Remain steadfast in your way. Possess unshakable faith. If the devil attempts to intimidate you with his 'little toys' called doubt, worry, hopelessness and unbelief, remember Romans 4:19-21. Do not be weak in faith but be fully persuaded that God is able to perform every promise to you. AMEN

14/07/2015

07/07/2015

Title: Picture

Jeremiah 1:12 "Then the LORD said to me: You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to carry it out".

When you travel, you just don't get onto a car without any idea of where you are going. You plan and even picture the roads you will use to get where you want to go. If you don't know, you ask for directions or use a manual or electronic map. The same should apply in your life's journey. You just don't travel without a vision or a purpose in mind. You must have a vision. In pursuit of the fulfillment of your vision and your life dreams, it is imperative for you to have a clear and vivid mental picture of where you desire to go and exactly what you desire to achieve and see in your life. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams".

Having a mental picture of your desired future can build great expectation and hope within you. A mental picture can guide you in your planning and prioritizing. It can help you build up your faith by seeing that your dreams can actually become reality. It can help you to avoid distractions and remain focused on your vision as you travel along the path of life.

When photographs are taken using a Kodak camera, the film is taken into a studio for development. On the strip of the plastic film, there are images known as 'negatives'. The negatives are where the final pictures are printed from. Negatives are more clearly seen in a dark room without natural light. Negatives require development in this dark room as natural light destroys them.

The same applies in your life. You take mental pictures of your desired future using the camera called 'faith'. The vivid mental pictures of your vision need to be guarded carefully just like the 'negatives'. The mental pictures of your future can be easily destroyed by the natural light of certain challenges and setbacks. Sometimes it can feel lonely in the dark room as you wait for the development of the final pictures and manifestation of your vision.

Joseph was excited when he dreamt about his future. He carried the mental picture of being a leader all his life. He did not allow the pit, slavery, servanthood or prison to discourage him. But it was in these dark places that his 'negatives' were developed. When his picture was fully developed, he emerged one day as second in command to Pharaoh.

Don't be discouraged when, along life's path, you may find yourself in dark places. At such times, your future is under development in God's studio. Don't be discouraged when you see others' pictures emerge. Your time is coming. Hold on to the mental picture of your vision for it shall surely come to pass and you will be on display one day. AMEN

04/07/2015

Title: Test

Romans 5:3-4 "And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope"

Imagine, you walk into an exam room. When you sit down, the invigilator hands you the question paper. You start writing down your answers. When you are half way, you come across a very difficult question and you don't know how to respond. No matter how much you need help, you cannot ask the invigilator. You cannot ask those around you. You cannot ask to quickly check in your reference books either. An exam is there to test your development in a certain area. It is there to prove that you have gained certain skills, grasped certain principles and increased your knowledge in that area. It is a point where you prove yourself and it determines whether you progress into a higher level or not.

God is not a respecter of people but of His principles. God does not look at your financial status or your position in society. He considers how well you know and understand His principles. He will, at different intervals in your life, continually test your character, level of faith, integrity, your obedience to Him. He may test how well you respond to problems, conflict, disappointments and pressure.

Joseph was told in a dream he was going to be in a position of power one day. He was not informed of the many trials he would have to endure along his life's path to get there, like the test of his integrity in Potiphar's house (Genesis 37, 39). God's purpose for your life will come to pass. It may take much longer than you expect and in the process you may go through unexpected trials and tribulations. At such times, be rest assured that it is just a test and you will pass through it.

Be rest assured that during trials, though you may feel alone, God is right there with you. In God's exam room, things are done differently. Though the examiner and invigilator may be quiet, you are free to ask God for help and strength to endure the trial. You are free to ask for advice from those around you who have gone through the same trials you are going through. You are free to read the Bible and check on how to overcome and have victory in your time of testing. All you need to ensure that you pass the test is available to you. All you need to do is ask God for help. God is faithful. He will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to overcome. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says that He will even provide a way out for you. Don't just sit and cry and accept defeat. It is just a test. God Himself is right there with you. He is more than confident that you will pass that test. Turn to Him for help. AMEN

29/06/2015

Title: Discernment

1 Thessalonians 5:21 "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good."

Discernment is the ability to make discriminating judgments. It is the ability to recognize the moral implications of any situations and courses of action. Discernment is seeing things as God sees them. You need discernment because everyday of your life is full of choices. There are destiny and life-changing decisions, very significant choices or decisions that can seem innocent like which clothes to wear today. But no matter how big or small the choice seems to be, you need discernment.

Without discernment, you will not be able to see or recognize the hidden truth about a person or situation. Discernment protects and guards you from being deceived and it keeps you free from deceitful people. To grow in discernment, refuse to be naive. Do not accept things at face value without question. It is not a Christian virtue. Rather, always remember that all that glitters is not gold. Remember too that wolves can come to you in sheep's clothing. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 says, "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." To "prove" means to discern, to examine or to scrutinize.

Today, be determined to read and to study God's Word daily . The Bible provides the criterion and the standard against which all things must be proved or tested. Unless you make a committed effort to carefully study God's word, you could easily be deceived by the world. AMEN

26/06/2015

‘THE REASON WHY YOU WON'T SUCCEED' - by Taka Sande

I recently got hold of this Mentorship program graduation letter. I hope you will enjoy it.

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

Truth being told, some of you will not make it. Here are some of the reasons why;

Lack of discipline;

You will not make it because you lack discipline. You just do what you want, the way you want to, instead of doing what must be done. You take on whatever comes. You do not want to endure pain or sacrifice today and that prevents you from reaping tomorrow. You eat, spend and behave without control.

Laziness;

You will not succeed because you are lazy. You do not want to work for things. You spend all your free time on TV and wake up late. You always take the route that has the minimum effort at the expense of what you want to achieve. Hence, you will achieve nothing that you dream. You avoid working or studying into late hours. Neither do you spend one hour in prayer or studying the Bible by yourself. A number of people have said to you ‘you are lazy’ and you got offended, instead of reforming yourself. Your laziness will take you nowhere.

Wrong Friendships;

Because you team up with the wrong people, all your efforts to advance yourself are being drained. You hang out with losers all the time. You spend time with negative people who you really know are going nowhere in life. You hang out with them because you ‘want to have fun' but that fun is coming at the expense of your dream. It will turn your dream into a nightmare.

Because of your associates, you have settled for a mediocre life, hurting inside and fitting in with the lost. Your desire to stand out, to speak out and be above has been quenched. This is another reason you will not make it.

Lack of applied wisdom;

You have heard and have been taught a lot, but you still have applied little of what you've learnt. You just talk but take no action. You like talking about success , you enjoy motivational talk, but never enter the playing field. Remember you cannot score a goal whilst sitting on the bench. Your lack of applied wisdom is taking you nowhere. You have been preached to and bombarded with sermons but you remain unchanged, with no faith at all.

No Serious Planning;

You have no plan. No three month plan, no six month plan, no one year plan, no three or ten year plan. You have ‘pipe dreams,’ lots of them, but lack concrete laid down steps on how to get there. Because you have no written plan to implement, you will not make it.

Lack of Consistency;

Today you do this, tomorrow you move on to that. Today you call yourself this, tomorrow you call yourself that. You are quick to start, but never finish. When things get tough, your ‘favourite door is the exit door; you quit! You won’t succeed if you keeping quitting on your dreams. Instead of being humble and seeking advice to solve the problem, you become a ‘professional quitter’. This is why you won’t make it, you avoid challenges by giving up!

Unprayerfulness;

With your kind of faith, or lack of prayerfulness, you won’t make it to the top. You have no personal relationship with God. The only time you talk to God is either when you are in church or in trouble. You do not put your opinion before God in prayer. You pray after taking action instead of before any action. You do not take time to listen to Him. You have no clue on what God wants in your life!

Irresponsible;

Each time you fail or there is a challenge, you quickly blame someone else for your failure, except you. You blame it on your parents, or lack of them. You blame it on your uncle or family members. You always blame the government, the teachers who taught you and the community. Yes, you blame your boss and you company for your misery. You blame your spouse or lack of a spouse. You blame it on your qualification or lack of it, instead of considering the wealth of skills and expertise that you possese. And most times you blame it on God. Do you want his help or to blame him, decide now.

Well, I can go on and on. I will not mention your pride, foolishness, your addictions, your wild passions, but you know why you will not make it. You know what has to change. Unless you change, you are going nowhere.

I wish you the best for your dreams.

Your Life Coach,

Martin

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24/06/2015

Title: Scars

Luke 4:18 "....he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, ...to set at liberty them that are bruised."

No one is immune to getting scars. When you are physically injured, part of the healing process results in a scar being formed. Physical scars can bring bad memories to you. You can also become emotionally bruised through ridicule, rejection, betrayal or being looked down upon. The emotional scars formed can bring bad memories. These scars can also cause you to live in constant fear, shame, bitterness or even self condemnation.

How you see any scar you may have has the potential to make or to break you. Harry Crews once said, "There is something beautiful about all scars of whatever nature. A scar means the hurt is over, the wound is closed, healed and done with". Do not allow the devil to use any scar to pull you down or to pull you back by reminding you of a bitter past. Instead, see the scar differently and declare that the wound is sealed, closed and done with. Only the future lies ahead.

One way of seeing scars differently is through the freedom that comes with forgiveness. At some time in your life, someone can hurt you and break your heart. It can be someone you least expected. At times you may feel like rolling into a little ball. At other times you may wish the floor could swallow you up. At other times you may fill a bath tub with all your tears. At such moments, though difficult, you must find it in your heart to forgive.

Forgiveness might not erase the events, the memories or the bitter past, but it has the power to heal a broken heart. Forgiveness can give you a fresh start. It can set you free and enable you to have a new way of looking at the situation. Lewis Smedes once said, "A healed memory is not a deleted memory. Instead, forgiving what you cannot forget creates a new way to remember. You change the memory of your past into a hope for your future."
How have you been looking at the scars in your life? Have they been pulling you down? Today, be determined to see the scars in a whole new way. See them in a different light. Look at them more positively. See a future hope in them. AMEN

23/06/2015

Title: An Attitude of Gratitude

Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ".

Most mothers usually request a 'thank you' from their young child before giving them something. Mothers teach their children from a very young age to clap both hands or say 'thank you' before receiving anything.

After a while, most toddlers learn that if they clap their hands they will receive. Some toddlers will even develop an interesting habit. The moment they see their mother holding something, they will start clapping their hands with an innocent smile of expectation. Most mothers are touched and humbled and eventually give their child though it would not have been the initial intention.

Ephesians 5:20 encourages you to give thanks to God at all times and in everything. An attitude of thankfulness moves the heart of God. An attitude of gratitude can open doors of blessings for you.

An attitude of thankfulness can break barriers. The Israelites marched around the city of Jericho singing praises to God. The walls of Jericho fell down on the seventh day ( Joshua 6 : 1). An attitude of gratitude can break through any limitation. Jesus gave thanks to the Father and was able to feed the multitude from two fish and five loaves of bread ( Matthew 15 : 36). A thankful heart can open doors of abundance and overflow in the presence of limited resources and limitations.

Francis Schaeffer once said, "The beginning of man's rebellion against God was and is the lack of a thankful heart". Do not take God for granted but be thankful for everything including every small thing. Be thankful all the time including in trying times. Being thankful is a door or portal through which God can lead you to experience His perfect will and blessings for your life.

Today take time to evaluate your life. In which areas or situations in your life have you lacked a thankful attitude towards God? Repent and be determined to be thankful always. AMEN

19/06/2015

Title: Regret

Philippians 3: 13 "Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead."

Have you ever been in a place in your life where you felt repeated pain, guilt, sadness or anger because of something you ever did or said? Have you ever been in a place in your life where you imagined what could have been, where you could have been or what you could have done better? This place is a place of regret. Everyone has regrets. They can be actions done or words said, small regrets or large ones. Regret is there when there are words you wish you could take back. Or relationships or partnerships you wish you had never entered into. Or a job you wish you had not taken.

The danger of regret is that it has the potential to waste your time and waste your energy. Regret can make you miss opportunities by making you live in the past. Regret can rob you of a life well lived. It can rob you of your peace, joy and happiness. It has the potential to kill your spiritual life. It can destroy your relationship with God and with others. It can lead you to do or say something even worse.

Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus. He later regretted and hanged himself as a result (Matthew 27:3-5). Judas expressed a worldly sorrow that has no hope and that does not acknowledge God and His ability to forgive wrongdoings. This sorrow produces only death. 2 Cor 7:10 says, "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death". To overcome regret begins by being truly repentant before God.

Confess your sins and wrongdoings before God from a genuine heart and He is faithful to forgive your sins (1 John 1:9). This kind of repentance brings salvation and leaves no regret. Secondly, don't blame others unjustly to get rid of regret. But learn to take responsibility of your own actions, admit any regrets before God and learn to also forgive yourself genuinely.

Don't allow regret to rob you of any part of your life. Yes, you can make mistakes but you don't have to live with regret for the rest of your life because of them. Today, be determined to rid of all regret through confession. Ask God to forgive you of any wrongdoing, forgive yourself and move on. Make it your daily goal to live life without any regret hanging over you. AMEN

17/06/2015

Title: Tactfulness

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

There was once a young preacher that was flying to another city to preach the gospel. Whilst he was on the flight, he sat next to a prominent businessman that had resisted for so many years anyone attempting to preach the gospel to him. The businessman was the first to engage the preacher and offered him a drink of very expensive wine. The preacher kindly said, "No sir, but thank you for the offer."

After they had conversed for a few minutes, the businessman learnt that his neighbour was a preacher. As he took a sip of his wine, he said to the preacher, "I guess you think I am a terrible sinner now". The preacher smiled at him and said, "No sir. For offering it to me, I think you are a very generous person". The businessman became very receptive and the preacher tactfully shared the gospel with him.

One of the keys that can determine how far you reach in life lies in your ability to use tact. Tact is a way of making your points known that considers the moods and feelings of other people. Tact involves being considerate and discreet. Tact seeks not to offend the next person.You must learn to be tactful when rebuking, advising or correcting other people. You must learn to use tact when solving sensitive situations or resolving conflicts. You must use tact when dealing with difficult people in life.

When king David committed adultery with Bathsheba, the prophet Nathan was sent to him to rebuke him. Nathan used a riddle in a tactful manner. His tactfulness enabled king David to see sense and to come to a place of repentance (2 Samuel 12:1).

The preacher in the plane could have easily answered the businessman saying, "No thank you. I am a Christian. I am a preacher. l don't drink alcohol". Such an answer may have made the businessman believe he was being condemned. The door of opportunity to reach out to a lost soul in need of salvation may have been closed.

There may be opportunities that may have closed in your life and relationships that may have suffered in your life due to simple lack of tact. Today, take time to analyze some of your ways and commit to apply tact where necessary.AMEN