Answering Gods call to missions

Dear Friends,

God has spoken to you!!!

Think about it, in your life time God has spoken to you, the question is…

Did He shout out Loud?

Did He whisper?

Did He send an angel?

Did He come in a dream?

How did God speak to you? we find ourselves held back by not understanding how the Lord has spoken to us but the fact of the matter is that God has spoken to each and every one of us.

This was Pastor Munene’s message as he is planning his church planting trip to Mombasa next month. This he made clear was God’s message to him.

We have to remove our trust from the institutions we work for and put our trust in the Lord who has provided us with those institutions. hey this does not mean you totally get rude at work!!! If you are called to do Gods work, don’t hesitate about where your bread will come from, God has a plan for you in all He does.

We have to be practical in believing in God, as in we have to make it a daily affair. Like if we are saved we should be saved from Sunday to Sunday, not salvation for Sunday only then practice atheism the rest of the week, Some of us are professional atheists from Monday to Saturday. We only become believers on Sunday.

1 Samuel 17:30-40(NIV)

30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him.

32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”

33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth.”

34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37
Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them.
“I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.

God did not show up to speak to David but it was his plan and Gods will for him to get into into the throne of Israel thus David was fulfilling God’s will by killing Goliath.

1 Samuel 17:26(NIV)

26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

David in the verse above shows dependance on God. the trem uncircumcised means ‘having no covenant with God’.

Let God speak through his word to your life

Psalms 110:105(NIV)

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.

You dont need to see 10 years from today, you don’t need a spotlight, let Gods word guide you.

Acts 19:10 (NIV)

10This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.

Paul spoke for two years so that the Gospel could spread far and wide, especially those in the urban setting. Many churches are planted into the interiors but the cities too need churches.

Allow the word of God to speak to you, what type of life have you been leading? how have you been understanding it? You may have a great job promotion and all but you are being frustrated, don’t you think that it is God calling you elsewhere?

the word of the Lord speaks to us today. It os a lamp unto our feet to protect us against serpents and scorpions. the word of the Lord is also our protection. It tool 40 years of fear of Goliath but only one day for David to come and without fear approached him.

Is your calling true? Pasi talks of this chap who goes to to medicine in Chiromo Campus as a result of manipulation by his parents (i.e. it was not his choice). On the first anatomy class, laying in front of him where some very familiar parts in very unfamiliar places… Did the guy not get a panic attack!!! he had to put in for a transfer to Upper Kabate campus to do agricultrue where everything was either familiar or in its right place. Medicine was definitely not his calling.

When unreached, sick, disabled people receive the word of God, its not the Church that does it, its you. Do like David did, he did what touched his heart.

To respond to Gods call, ask yourself what yourself what the things that burden you are. As you begin, God will entrust more to you. The burdens are indicators of the direction He wants you to take.

Monthly question for Christians; “What is God saying to you?”

Don’t give God conditions. You cannot place conditions for Him.Like Jonah in the belly of the fish… he was to obey first Gods command then he was set free. Same goes to you, obey first then you will be set free.

In 1 Samuel 17:33-36 above, David told his story. What is your story? What has brought you this far?

These things have enabled you to make you who you He wants you to be. You don’t need any addition to understand who God wants you to be. Tell your story, that is you calling, of what you have been through.

Don’t try to be someone else, you dont need to be T.D Jakes, Pastor Munene, etc… you have your own abilities. Use them for the Kingdom of God.

1Peter 4:10-11(NIV)

10Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 11If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Use what you have, God has brought you this far for a purpose. Like David used his sling that he always carried, do the same with yours.

God bless you and have a fantastic week

Jonathan Kathukya

Dear Friends,

We has a guest speaker, A giant man, Mr Carl Ratz, who is a long serving missionary, pastor and is now serving with the Book of Hope International as teh East Africa Director. Note, Carl is big, and gave us a great message. He was a missionary in Kenya before at least 60% of ICC’ers where born, in the 60’s.

The Message…

Jesus word is a like a seed. Look at it this way, we go to the garden and sow seeds, teenzy weenzy (tiny) little round or oblong etc… (having in mind the mustard seed) thing-a-majigs into the soil and over time, they grow into massive trees or crops depending on what seed one plants.

The word of God is a seed, the bible is unique, a powerful and lifegiving and life changing seed. The bible has spiritual power like a seed. The bible produces harvest like a seed sown to the ground.

1 Peter 1:23 (NIV)

23For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

But again only because the word of God is planted in your heart will you bear harvest, not because of what evangelists, pastors etc. tell you.

We must be born of the seed of the word of God. Reading the bible changes us. It works in us to create change, change of personality and a sense of calmness.

We must have a bible strengthened character…

Psalms 119:105 (NIV)

 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
       and a light for my path.

The bible of course does not give you exact detail of how life is e.g. that that that is the girl I am going to marry or that that is the place where I am going to work etc. The bible guve us a guidline, principles, values on how to make decisions that are both favouring to God and to you.

Use the bible to guide your life and not TV, gazettes, news papers, weather forcasters etc. The ONLY hope for the world is the BIBLE 

Here is a good conclusion to this message…

Psalm 126

A song of ascents.

 1 When the LORD brought back the captives to ^[a] Zion,
       we were like men who dreamed. ^[b]

 2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
       our tongues with songs of joy.
       Then it was said among the nations,
       “The LORD has done great things for them.”

 3 The LORD has done great things for us,
       and we are filled with joy.

 4 Restore our fortunes, ^[c] O LORD,
       like streams in the Negev.

 5 Those who sow in tears
       will reap with songs of joy.

 6 He who goes out weeping,
       carrying seed to sow,
       will return with songs of joy,
       carrying sheaves with him.

Jonathan Kathukya.

Dear Friends

This week saw Pastor George Nuthu (who Rev. Chip named ‘Bishop T. D. Nooothu’) give a strong message on our lives and who leads them. (Oh, the American pronounciation of Nuthu is ‘Nooothoo’).

So…

Do we think that speaking in tongues is the greatest thing the Holy Spirit does in our lives? Well the truth of the matter is… NO!!

So pops the big question… Are you spirit led or faith led?

Romans 8:13-14 (NIV)

13For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Being led by the spirit of God describes the way of the sons and daughters of God. In Luke:18, the blind man who was went to Christ did not see his way there, he was led to Christ. Ever figured who led him there? The best guess is that he was led by the Holy Spirit. Its not even a guess, its a fact. Remember that if you ppoint the way to a blind man, it will be all in vain.

You have to hold his hand and lead him to hte place where he is required.

TheHoly Spirit leads us to the place where God wants us. The Holy spirit leads us to submit to control in order to glorify God.

We agree that the Holy Spirit is a sigh of love. It is expected of us ut yield to Him beyond speaking in tongues. There is more to the Holy Spirit beyond speaking in tongues, speaking in tongues is just a begining.

Self led personal direction by the flesh creates rejection of the holy spirit. He wants to do so much in you and all you do is operate self centered.

We have to go beyond tongues, here are 10 things that we should strive to let the Holy Spirit lead us to.

1. The Holy Spirit leads us to a place of Freedom from sin and death

Romans 2:8(NIV)

8But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

First and foremost, Get saved, or for those of you who want it in black and white… ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR PERSONAL SAVIOUR’, leave the bondage of sin and death.

John 10:12 (NIV)

10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

 Live you life abundantly.

2. The Holy Spirit takes us to a place of love

Romans 5:5 (NIV)

5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

In this the married where asked to EXCLUSIVELY ask the Holy Spirit for love onf thier spouses.

The rest of us where asked if we have a problem loving our neighbours… yap, those nosy ones, those loud music playing ones, those of an ‘inferior tribe’, Friends you all know what I am talking about, of course unless you are an angel and if so I don’t expect you to be reading this column.

3. The Holy Spirit want to lead us a place of truth

John 16:14 (NIV)

14He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.

Do we have problems studying  the word?

Do we struggle to read the word of God?

Pray when you open your bible like you pray when your about to eat, invite the Holy Spirit to reveal to you his word. Note that all the Holy Spirit want is your invitation.

4. The Holy Spirit takes you to a place of fruitfulness

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

5. The Holy Spirit takes us to a place of effective prayer

Romans 8:26 (NIV)

26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

The spirit helps us know our weaknesses. Are you struggling with prayer? invite the Holy Spirit to lead you.

6. The Holy Spirit leads us to a place of strength and power

Ephesians 1:18-20 (NIV)

18I pray also 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 the saints, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,

Ephesians 3:16 (NIV)

16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

The Holy Spirit is there for us, Just like Jesus raised Lasarous after he was already decaying, the Holy Spirit can raise us in the same way, He is always there for us to depend upon.

7. The Holy Spirit will lead us to a place to evangelize

Acts 1:18 (NIV)

8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

8. The Holy Spirit shall help us overcome the flesh

Romans 8:13 (NIV)

13For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,

We need to recognize that wh have power with us. We can call on the Holy Spirit, we need not struggle with things of the flesh.

9. The Holy Spirit will take us to a place where we shall overcome this world

Titus 2:11-12 (NIV)

 11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

10 The Holy Spirit will take usl to a place of better knowledge of God and His will

Colosians 1:9 (NIV)

 9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

Ephesians 1:17

17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit^[a] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

Continually surrender, get into the habbit of letting God take control and influence your desires, become a spirit led oerson.

Husbands, wives, bosses, persons, individuals, respect the ways of God, Remember that you are not the one controling your inner feelings. Get the right person to do it for you, The Holy Spirit.

Therefore begin to walk in freedom over sin and death, overcome flesh and the world. Attain better knowledge of God and his will.

Here was a beautiful song to conclude

Spirit Fall On Me

Words and Music by Jeff Bianchi

Holy Spirit, fall on me,
Holy Spirit, wash me clean.
Holy Spirit, fall on me,
Holy Spirit, wash me clean.

           
And show me how long and how wide
Is the love of Christ?
How long and how wide is the love of Jesus Christ?
How long and how wide is the love of Christ?
How long and how wide is the love of Jesus Christ?

Jesus, rain on me.
Jesus, speak to me.
Jesus, reign in me,
Jesus, set me free.

Thank you and God Bless you all

Jonathan Kathukya.

Dear Friends,

Zechariah 4:6 (NIV)

6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.

Romans 7:14 (NIV)

 14We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.

Pastor Chip Block AKA Walter William Block III, can get very spiritual and it feels good. Concentration increases 2 fold. Ok that’s my personal observation…

Anyway…

Are you fed up of being drawn in the wrong direction? We need to see what Christ has provided for us to avoid condemnation.

To achieve this we need to achieve the provision of Jesus Christ in our lives. We must practice continuity as believers and we must understand that there is satisfaction in the initial salvation.

To be followers we do not have to live where sin rules our lives. Many a time we find ourselves stuck, stuck at the end of Romans 7…

Romans 7:25

25Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
      So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

It would be good to confess the battle that really rages in us. Thus… ARE YOU FED UP of living a life that is not right?

Romans 8:5 (NIV)

5Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

The possibility is already appropriated for us. We can walk in the spirit even on our own. We must fight the battle of what draws us to sin.

We can all do this; we can live a life in the spirit. Just as it is said in the second part of Romans 8:5… but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

The verse above is the key to all this… here are different bible versions of the Romans 8:5

(NIV)

5Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

(American Standard Version)

5For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

(NLT)

5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.

(NLV)

5 Those who let their sinful old selves tell them what to do live under that power of their sinful old selves. But those who let the Holy Spirit tell them what to do are under His power.

(Amplified Bible)

5For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit.

E.T.C…

The quote in the bulletin was used to stress the point by the Rev.

The truth is that every believer has constant access to the manifest presence of God. But we have to take advantage of that access.

We have constant access to the spirit of God but we have to strive to achieve this goal.

How do we live through this possibility? We have to feed the spirit inside of us instead of the flesh.

How do we feed the spirit? Go to church, come for prayers, attend felloships (C2’s, CG’s etc), Praise and Worship, Rejoice in the Lord on always and again I say rejoice and mainly Prayer.

This we must do till we feel our spirit is gaining victory over the flesh, we must pray without ceasing…

In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, the Apostle Paul makes an astonishing admonition directed toward us believers — we are to “pray without ceasing.” What did Paul mean by that? A literal translation of the verse is to pray incessantly.

The word of God is the bread of life, it feeds the spirit. Where will we spend time? Which side will we feed? The flesh or the spirit?

What will our eyes watch? A spirit filled movie or some bad filthy hip hop lyrics?

Friends, it what you do all day that determines how you feed your spirit or if you are busy feeding the flesh.

God gives the spirit freedom to exercise… We have access to the God through the spirit. thanks to 1 Thessalonians 5:17, there is a way of appreciating the filling of the spirit.

Psalm 103 (I encourage you to read it all http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ps%20103;&version=31 says in brief…

Bless the Lord, O my soul
And all that is within me
Bless His holy name

We must feed the soul with the word of God.

Get fed up of sin!!! and get connected with the feeding of the spirit. Please read the n compare and contrast Romans 8 and Romans 7 to get a better understanding. Are you fed up of the spirit? Where are you in the battle?

Be Blest 100 fold

Jonathan Kathukya.

This Sunday was Frontrunnerz Sunday, that is why this blog gets the privilage of being updated.

This Sunday was one many parents in church got the opportunity to think twice about the relationship they have with thier children.

This Sunday is the one where Reverend Tony Kiama gave a sermon that was from so deep inside his heart, it must have left a scar. A scar of the fact that 99% if the message was based on real life examples of his own life.

Below is the message he has for you parents.

Dear Friends,

Where did you go wrong?

Why didn’t you see it coming?

Who is to blame?

Why didn’t the teachers take any notice?

Why didn’t the government notice?

Folks, those where the questions that arose after watching a recording of the KTN news expose` on school girl prostitution in the streets of Nairobi last week. Yes, girls, young girls, YOUR DAUGHTERS, in brothels on a typical school day selling themselves, oh… sorry for being so polite, prostituting, negotiating on the sale of their dignity, their girlhood and in most cases their entire lives just for a few meager coins.

In one of the universities in Nairobi, a pornographic movie was shot!!! wow its not just on those DVD’s and VCD’s your kids borrow from friends, now the real thing is being made right here under your very noses, imagine your daughter or son in university, but in not in the maths lecture theater, in the “lets have sex for the camera” theater to make a few coins!!! Dayum.

Dad and Mom have provided all that is necessary, oh or what thay think is adequate for thier kids;fees, pocket money, a room to live in, food, clothing but ooops STOP, you forgot, this is not what your kid needs, your kid needs you mum and you dad you the person. They need love. I will get back to this later.

By the way, you all know that the reason that there is BlueBand in the shelves ant Uchumi and Nakumatt is because there is demand for it. If you all stopped demanding blueband then Unilever would stop making it. The point being the main reason there is sex for sale all over downtown Nairobi is because there is demand for it. Society is created a demand for the ‘product’ and there is cheap supply. Cheap naive supply. I am sorry to say this but most of you know where these brothels are. I am sure the demand is not being created by angels. Think about it.

Anyway, that was the introduction Rev Tony had for you folk this Sunday, I may have added some stuff but i know 100% that is is relevant and real. Yap I added the bold sentence above.

Folks have you noticed how time flies, how just yesterday your kid was playing hide and seek and now has a bearded, oh your daughter has grown breasts… have you noticed them or do you still see that tiny little girl? By the time you notice the new habits, they have already formed, teachers these days don’t have time for morals and discipline, so long as the grades are good, the fella has better things to do with his time. The rest is history.

2.1 million in Nairobi are below 21 and according to United Nations 70% of Sub-Saharan Africa is below 21. There are like 33,000 students in University of Nairobi. Do you hear of any Bishops in the campus who have dedicated their lives to these youth? In fact Rev believes he is the oldest youth pastor in town, some of his pals think he has no vision. I mean why hasn’t he graduated to preaching to adults? People look at preaching to the youth as a stage in the growth of clergy. WELL IT IS NOT! The youth are the you or tomorrow. All these youth need someone to talk to. They need a mentor, someone who will not look at them as useless scum, someone who will treat them like fellow adults, remember youth are adults. THEY ARE NOT CHILDREN. They are legal adults. Voters, ID holding and of the age of majority of I may use legal language.

Back to where I left off… Parents, do you ever look in your kids rooms? Do you really care how they are living, so long as your see someone once in a while, which is probably when he/she is exiting the sitting room avoiding your presence… these are our future leaders, People who have never made their own beds, who don’t know how to boil water in a kettle. Oh the maid will do that…

You are scared because you know that there is no one to teach them and its already too late. Some of you folks have no idea what sh happening to you kids. You have reached a stage where you cannot co-exist with your kids, and who do you blame?

Well welcome to the world of your kids being youth prostitutes and drug addicts and porn stars. DON’T BLAME THE DEVIL. Its you, you are the one who has failed. Rev here gave the example of how he never really know his father and got to hear stuff about him when he was being eulogized by his friends and brothers. Yes, you dads and moms out there, do you kids know you? do you give them audience? or is only when you are shouting about some schoolwork or some other minor tit bit in the house? Do you share your Christian values with your children, do you share some of your past life experiences with your kids?

(Read about Eulogising yourself here http://frontrunnerz.wordpress.com/2007/07/10/sunday-8th-july-2007-eulogize-yourself/)

Jesus shared his in the bible, don’t be like a thief…

John 10:10 (NIV)

10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

David in the bible messed, Refused to go to war, spied on a naked woman in the bath, slept with her, ordered for her husbands execution to try and relax his nerves, and achieved only one thing, His son came for him later in life and he had to flea. Point being, spend more time looking after your children because they will come back you you and you want them to come in a nice way. To help you in your old age, to support you as your enjoy your sunset years.

Lets not have a society that is on heat like chickens. Lets not have a society of junkies (Drug addicts). Mathare mental hospital is full of VIPs, people being rehabilitated from drug abuse instead of genuine cases of mental patients. Pastor Tony spoke of how he buried a your man on Saturday who’s father said was not a bad boy, had just been ruined by the company he kept.

There are people, your sons earning big money, like ksh175,000 net, driving a twin turbo cars, with ksh350,000 music system. Ya its a very sad story, this young man was taking his girlfriend home to change some time in the wee hours of the night, The cop who came to the scene of the accident was not sure what had hit the wall because it did not look like a car, the engine was over 50 meters from the scene. 4 youth died, 4 lives that where productive in society, lost because of alcohol. Yap my dad is half paralyzed because of alcohol, I just nearly became a total wretch because of alcohol but fortunately I found Christ. I have scars I cannot rub, but Christ is in me and lives in me. (Those are not Tony’s words but mine).

Don’t be scared to show your kids what happens as a result of drink, show them accident scenes, discuss HIV and show them what it does and the graphic details. Please folks do it, please. These vices are finishing the society, even if they say HIV prevalence has gone down, is that the true picture? did you see the school girls selling offering sex for cash? is that not the root cause of HIV? sorry to say this but BULLSHIT, there prevalence story is a diversion, as long as there is immorality in society, don’t think even for one minute anyone is not vulnerable.

Don’t let your kids listen listen to your relatives who during praising how booze is not bad, because you all know that a journey of 100 miles starts with the first step even if the journey is to hell. Its you turn to tell the kids of your past and if it was bad how you corrected it. Tell them the truth. Leave that story of lying how you where always number one in class, we all know its a lie. In fact its so stale, mold would reject it.

Rev tell us again of a proverb…

The tree that bears no fruit is not stoned by boys on the roadside

If you bear no fruit, if you are an empty debe, the devil will not bother with you, and remember that all that empty debes do is make a lot of noise. Tell your kids to trust God, Live by example, every time like volunteers are needed, there is no response… that is one good example you could set for your kids. St Francis of Assisi said that “65% of communication is not verbal” Yap, its in your actions.

Pasi told us about one young lady who has piercings all over but still came to church, know Christ and on a mission to Nyamira, was bringing numerous souls to the Lord. She got her example from church, she did not need to be told to remove the metal. Yap youth dress in all different ways today, some which is disgusting, with underwear sticking out but remember folks, these are you kids and because you don’t have time to set examples, MTV, H2O, channel O, EATV, e.t.c. do it for you.

You need to approve for you kid to come for a late concert to church, do you give approval to the manager at carnivore and Tacos for your kids to go there? I was a carnovire victim and never did I go with a letter from my folks. How come you hold up your kids form joining such stuff as Masters commission, a love and Godly building fete? WHY? Oh but summer camp with some cheap fm radio station in Mombasa, ok go… WHY?

Folks though evil will prevail, let prevail elsewhere, not in oyur house, let your kids not idle after form 4, the idle mind is the devils workshop. Tell them your story, the good the bad and teh ugly. Take care that you are not buried by your relatives because you have buried your kids before you.

Schools no longer know how to teach manners and etiquitte, its done by the likes of 50Cent and Tupak. And 50Cent has a kid called 25Cent. ha ha ha. His slogan is Get rich or die trying… Ya telling your kid to carry a gun (piece in that slang).

You folks are at war, in fact we are all at war and We Shall Win. We shall overcome.

thank you all and God bless

Comments are welcome as usual

Jonathan Kathukya.

Dear Friends,

I have ignored this blog for the last few Sundays because it was mainly a Family sermon where Pasi Kitoto and his Mrs. where preaching together. This is not the trpe of stuff one can jot down, It the kind of stuff one needs to concentrate and learn. I deliberately ignored any jotting of notes because, geeze, I was still in the process of getting to that stage in life. As in I need to get there before I can write anything on the topic.

Young Adults…

I really enjoyed the young adults confrence at the weekend, Though I missed the Friday night session, I enjoyed to the max, the session on Saturday where we spent the whole day getting lovely info on finances, career, relationships and life in general.

Then cane Sunday, ‘Catch the Foxes’… With PAstor Edward Munene, I will summerize this into 2 simple paragraphs… I just want to jot it down as I understood it and leave the rest for you guyz to comment. Just click on the word ‘comment’ and add your stuff.

Imagine your life is a fertile shamba with lots of wheat and maize for harvest, imagine this in relation to your life in Chirst being perfect. Now just as the harvesters are about to come to harvest, foxes come in and destroy bits of the crop. Yap, those little things you do that ruin your relationship with Christ. Those are the foxes that you should get rid of in your life.

Life examples include: Road rage, lying on your cellphones, lying to your bosses, impatience in restaurants…

Galations 5:25-26 (NIV)

25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

We as human beings should resolve topocess the fruits of the holy spirit, let us let God pluck the foxes, all we need to do is ask. We need to practice self control, We should bear fruit and quit trying to fit into culture of the day. Joy comes from deep within, do we love the people we hang out with, the people we work with?

Galatians 5:22

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Be agents of Peace.

Please read Galatians 5.

Yours,

Kathukya

Ps. Click to Read Frontrunnerz Blog on the Right

WARNING: DO NOT USE THIS BLOG AS YOUR ALTERNATIVE TO GOING TO CHURCH… THE GOOD LOWD WOULD LIKE YOU TO GO OUT AND FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS.

Good day dear readers and bloggers,

As much as I really enjoy keeping this public diary of mine updated, this week you will have to take a raincheck because the Sunday service was not based on a regular sermon by Pastor Chip and Co. but on a play about the healing miracles that Jesus did which I encourage you to read about in the bible, ref: the 4 Gospels

A second play was about a prodigal son who was lured to back home by the respect another boy had for his dead mother.

Friends I will not give details on these plays because they where just too fantastic to put down on paper. I just want to wish you all a great week ahead and if you really need a word of sermon for the week to check out www.frontrunnerz.wordpress.com. There is also a link to the same on the right side of your screen.

Have you all a wonderful day and dont miss the play on Saturday by the frontrunnerz “Condemed”.

We began today by mentioning Mercy Oloo, one of our frontrunnerz who went to be with the lord. there is a page dedicated to her on your right. Please visit it. May her soul rest in erernal peace with the Lord.

1 peter 2:4-5 (NIV)
4As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Pastor Chip was categorical in mentioning that expansion is not just putting bricks together to put up a church, but clearly mentioned that we have to be the ones to expand.

We have to be made of living stone. The spiritual house is more important than the physical house in Gods view. We need to build ICC to a spiritual house, the land, property, buildings are not important if the attendants are not made of living stone.

The body is a living organism, the body of Christ is aslo a living organism and we have to strive to live in the body of Christ so that we can be one family with the potential to grow and bear fruit that is in the living body of Christ.

Living specifications of life can be shaped, useful, grow and be of great value if they are living stones in the body of christ.

The living God provided us with living bread and living water so that we could be a living stone.
John 6:51
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

1 Peter 2:4
[ The Living Stone and a Chosen People ] As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him—

1 Peter 2:5
you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

God is calling us to be living stones

Jesus is building us to build his house that we may multiply. One stone is not adequate. So we must chizel to neatness many stones then the one will fit in and add great value. Each living stone chizeled and moulded in Jesus Christlikeness, is of great value and multiplies to the maximum.

If we dont understand that God is building us as a spiritual house then this expansion is just brick and mortar and has no value at all. We must all play a role in the living Expansion of ICC.

A security guard from NASA was asked by a visitor what role he plays in the organisation… He replied… “I help put people on the Moon” (Nice one Chip)
Clearly you can see, this guard knows the core objective of his organisation., He can see the big picture.

We need to see the big picture here at ICC, The big picture being building and expanding the kingdom of God by being living stones. We are building for His entire plan and vision.

Ephesians 2:14
14For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,

The church is not just the Mombasa road chapel we are known for but YOU AND I FOR GOD’S GLORY.

We have to provide opportunities to step into the unknown and see what we cant even imagine, we ave an opportunity to be what God wants us to be.

Pastor Chip is looking towards a minimum of 500 people in the new church, I pray for a multitude.

Friends, I hope this will keep you reminded of the sermon, I found it quite turr to put down but I did my best. Please add comments and help us all understand it better and keep the Sunday message alive.

Truely yours,
Kathukya.

Dear Friends,

The title of todays sermon reminds us that Pastor Chip is a real American… just a startup line.

Hey, those of you who are in C2’s will find this first verse we where told about rather familiar, it from chapter 2 of book 3 in Descipleship. Its on the chapter on prayer.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Ponder on this verse and pray over i this whole week and if you are not in a C2 friend, you don’t know what you are missing, its like going to a “Christ’s Party” every week.
Its fulfilling,
Its Fun,
Its full of sharing, praise and worship,
Friends, its what you make of it.
Make a step, Join a C2 near you today.

Joshua 3:1-17 (NIV)
Crossing the Jordan
1 Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. 2 After three days the officers went throughout the camp, 3 giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. 4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about a thousand yards [a] between you and the ark; do not go near it.”
5 Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.”

14 So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. 15 Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, 16 the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea [b] ) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. 17 The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.

The fact is as Chip put it was that one step stopped the flow of the river Jordan.
Yes there are a secuence of events that led to the Israelites reaching the stage where they where to cross the river Jordan to go across to March around the walls of Jericho.

1)
The first step was the release from bondage of the Egyptians.
2)
The second is the command in…

Joshua 1:2-5 (NIV)
2″Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Great Sea [a] on the west. 5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

3)
The 3rd event was Calculation. Joshua used well thought out calculation to 2 instead of the original 12 spies to go into Jericho and map out strategy.
the 2 came with a positive report.
Note that in this process God also used Rahab the prostitute to give Joshua a positive report on strategy…

Joshua 2:1-4 (NIV)
Rahab and the Spies
1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute [a] named Rahab and stayed there.
2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look! Some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land.”

4But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, the men left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them.” 6 (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut.

4)
Consecretion…

Joshua 3:5 (NIV)
5 Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.”

Joshua told the people to obey God, be positive to Gods vision. It was the time of harvest when teh Jordan was Flooded and this is the time God set out for the Isrealites to cross the Jordan as opposed to when it is mild and the water is low at ankle height.

Like the man in the moon said… “One small step for man, One huge leap fpr mankind”
is the way that we should be prepared to take a step of faith. The circumstances must not be perfect to human standards for us to take a step of faith. Gods idea of being ready is not when you are ready, its when he asks you.

Listen out for the voice of the Lord, He is calling you to serve him, take that step today and it could change your life forever.
That step could seem small but it will be very significant to the Lord God.

Thank you friends and pleas feel free to comment and make any remarks on this.

Jonathan.