Umthunywa

28/01/2021

EZINTWENI ZONKE BULELANI

By Thenji

In the gospel of John izwi lithi "Ehlabathini niya Kuba nembandezelo, kodwa yomelelani Kuba mna ndiloyisile ihlabathi..

In trusting the Lord in our every circumstance, thanking Him in times of prosperity and being patient in seasons of adversity, we gain a heart of wisdom. Resting in God's wisdom and love we grow in our most holy faith pleasing God and enjoying His favor even through trials.

I am saddened by the suffering and trials families and friends. The sadness is being made worse during this time of pandemic when we are restricted from giving comforting hugs and embraces. Even the travel ordinances could prevent us from being there for them.

Suffering and tragedies are no strange thing for us, believers. Kwi ncwadi ka Job, one lesson that we can learn is that bad things may also befall upon godly people. In other words, even the righteous may go through periods of suffering, sickness, even depression. Yiyo lonto u Solomon in one of the wisdom books esithi "everything under the sun is vanity"

For many people, happiness is the most important thing in life. Without it, life is not worth living. Blessings, especially material ones, are considered by them as a sign of good and accomplished life. Suffering and all kinds of misfortunes are thought to be a curse or symptoms of lack of faith.

Job's friends have this kind of understanding. Their theology seems uncomplicated. Obedience to God always results in material and temporal blessings. Sinful life or lack of faith brings a lot of trouble in one's life.

Most importantly even our Lord Jesus, who is the Righteous One, has suffered and was unjustly condemned. He committed no sin. However, because of His faithfulness to His Father's will, He went through many trials and tribulations. He also wept when Lazarus died, so sithetha ngomntu oyaziyo imbandezelo nentlungu, besingobani ke thina, but we found comfort xa esithi "yomelelani" and not despise or grumble in every painful experience that comes from the same hand. In His sovereign wisdom God's favor or blessing comes both in good and bad times.

Blessed Thursday and Shalom ✌️.

08/01/2021

By Thenji Sharuh
UTHIXO USAHLELI ETRONENI YAKHE YOBABALO

From time to time siba nombuzo othi: Can Good Come from Undergoing Hardship?

"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace who imparts all blessing and favor, who has called you to His own eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you” 1Peter 5:10

God has such enormous love for us all , but sometimes when we experience loss, pain, or anguish, this is hard to believe. We ask, “If God loves us so much, how can He allow His children to suffer?

The truth is, we live in a fallen world where there will be seasons of suffering ezisishiya kubuhlugu kakhulu. During these seasons of suffering, our feelings may convince us that the struggle will never end, even though we know the Lord is our Shepherd and He enormously loves and cares for us. Whether our suffering is a result of bad choices we’ve made or from circumstances completely out of our control, or from the enemy’s attack, it is God’s will use the pain that suffering brings, not to destroy us-but as a tool that will personally and powerfully take us to a larger spiritual state where we will discover developing love with our Savior, peace that passes understanding, and an overcoming restoration to our heart and mind.

We don’t need to be afraid when hard times enter our lives; because Jesus is able to see us through the pain and transform it into joy. Remember it is safe to surrender and abandon our lives to the workings of God, because only God has the ability to bring good things out of suffering.

Have a blessed weekend , shalom ✌️.

05/01/2021

Media Statement

Tuesday 5 January 2021

MAHIKENG CHURCH LEADERS SADDENED BY DEATH OF AFM CHURCH LEADER

Mahikeng Ministers Fellowship (MMF) is saddened by the death of Prophet Daniel Morgets husband and ministry partner to Pastor Bothepa Morgets of the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) Diphororo-Floodgates Assembly in Mmabatho Unity 2 who succumbed to sickness in hospital after a short period of illness.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved Morgets family, the AFM Diphororo-Floodgates Assembly, relatives and friends during this difficult period of mourning for our fellow servant leader who will be remembered as a compassionate father and a loving husband, a man of integrity, unshakeable conviction as well as faith,” highlighted Chairperson of the Interdenominational five-fold ministries fraternal, Senior Pastor Moss Tlalang.

Tlalang expressed hope that the bereaved will find solace in knowing that the leadership and membership of MMF committed to the unity of the body of Christ, the Great Commission and Kingdom collaboration shares their grief and sorrow.

“Prophet Morgets was a pillar of strength not only to his ministry partner Ps Bothepa Morgets but like Boas, he was a kinsman redeemer, a perfect gentleman that modelled Christ like redemptive spirit, humility and true love. He was inspirational in the way he served with a ready smile and immersed himself with the work of the LORD,” he emphasised.

The funeral to be held in compliance with Covid-19 health disaster protocols limiting attendance to 50 is to be held on Thursday.

-End-

ENQUIRIES: PASTOR LESIBA KGWELE (MMF SPOKESPERSON)

CELLPHONE: +27 81 340 7101

EMAIL ADDRESS:[email protected]

ISSUED BY MAHIKENG MINISTERS FELLOWSHIP

03/01/2021

Letter to my late grandmother

Dear Ellen (as your late brothers fondly called you)

It’s almost 17 years since you passed on. As I write to you, the world is overwhelmed by a fatal virus which – just like HIV/AIDS, which you witnessed during your lifetime – has no cure. I keep brushing off the temptation to link the pandemic to the “end of time signs” which you read to us from your torn bible (with missing pages). Besides the pandemic, a lot has happened since your departure.

As much as I am happy that you are not here to witness the havoc wrecked by the novel virus. But it has magnified the void you left in my life. My hope is shaken. If you were still alive, I know these are problems you would have meditated and sought answers on our behalf as the intercessor of the family.

Strife aside, you would be proud of your grandchildren. Most of us have achieved degrees and fend for themselves. Some have found greener pastures both locally and abroad. We have become over achievers (of material things). But we have veered off from your teachings; that of being family, love and being there for one another. Some of your grandchildren haven’t spoken since your mortal remains were interred (or thereabout).

Perhaps you were aware of this pandemic that sets families asunder and you were yet to warn us about when you departed. I find succour in friends and acquaintances’ affirmations that this has become the golden thread that runs through all families. That is the assertion that there is no perfect family. I worry, nonetheless.

I have added a number of “hoods” to adulthood, I have become a father. I am doing my best to master the art of fatherhood. But I don’t have a template. Growing up without a father and my grandfather having passed on at the prime of his life deprived me of the necessary fatherhood stencil. I would imagine that your "grandmotherhood" didn’t come with a manual either. So you did your best to raise me – and more importantly you had your bible (albeit falling part) as a guide.

Cognisant of the fact that you don’t respond anymore when I talk to you, I decided to go through some of the verses you are likely to have prescribed for me. Verses that give hope during troubled times. They include:

· 1 Peter 1:13 “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming;”

· 1 Thessalonians 1:3 “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ;”
· Colossians 1:27 “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory;”

· Ephesians 1:18 “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people” and

· Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”

Your grandson

Phila

01/01/2021

Covid-19, coronavirus, self-isolation, lockdown, pandemic, bailouts, airborne, vaccines, ventilators, masks, sanitizers, social distancing, quarantine; the list goes on.

These are some of the words that have overrun our daily vocabulary in the past year. Out of nowhere; a big hiatus has been imposed on our lives.

No one – I would imagine – has ever envisaged that in this day and age, an epoch of advanced technical knowhow and wizardry, a pandemic could bring the world to its knees. I doubt that you have ever thought of a virus wiping out economies, livelihoods, lives and most crucially; hope.

HIV and cancer must be envying the novel coronavirus. I am not aware of a country that was placed under lockdown because of these two maladies.

The pandemic has a myriad of casualties and key among them are: relationships (all manner of interactions), jobs, focus and productivity. Being confined to your home and, the terrible twins, the constant fear of infection and dreading the unknown are a bitter cocktail for catastrophe.

I have heard a number of clergy in my lifetime talk about incurable diseases that will beset humanity in the “last days”. I am not a preacher and will not pretend to understand their work and the revelations they get before taking to the pulpit.

But I will venture into what can keep us sane, focused, helpful, compassionate, patient, sharing, supportive, accommodating, be non-judgmental, reciprocating and – essentially – loving. And that is none other than Hope. This is confidence that there is higher power that will salvage us from this abyss. This is optimism that the abundant love of an authoritative, capable and agreeable father will see us through.

It could be that in the midst of the turmoil and throes that this virus has dealt you, you found yourself doubting God. It’s fine. The gospel is replete with examples of God’s children asking why the Lord has forsaken them in the middle of deserts; and in direct face of adversity. I will not dwell in those but in the message of hope and delivery. A cursory glance at the scriptures that speak hope, I found the following very pertinent to our current situation:

Deuteronomy 31:8 “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged”;

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go”;

Psalm 4:8 “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe” and

Psalm 56:3 “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.” Psalm 73:28 But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.”

The list is endless. Perhaps you have read and reread these scriptures before. Perhaps you have been praying and God is yet to answer your prayers. It could be that the proverbial pause in our lives is necessary for us to reassess our relationship with God. It could be that the proverbial pause is necessary to understand that all the material possessions – that we cherish, want and own – belong to God. And that in pursuit of them we need to pursue the owner as well: and that is God. Maybe tonight, as we pray before sleep, we should renew our vows to God. Maybe we will wake up with a new revelation in the morning. To be continued.

01/01/2021

There is love, hope and peace even in the face of adversity.

01/01/2021

01/01/2021