LEADERSHIP LESSONS

*LEADERSHIP LESSONS*

1. The crowd is not the follower. The crowd is a group but a follower is an individual.
2. Praises and endorsements are not allegiance. People can praise you to your falling.
3. Leaders must always deal with challenges in the organisation.
4. Leaders always reap what they sow.
5. Leaders must be careful of informal leaders. They can sway the whole organisation into disaster.
6. Influence is not in speeches and meetings but progressive action.
7. Leaders should not be fooled by fake followers. These go by the wind.
8. Leaders must give room for a comma not making themselves a full stop.
9. Leaders must never try to ignore the voice of the people.
10. Leaders must understand the power of words. They make you or destroy your leadership.

John Museredzo is a pastor, change agent and speaker +263775127589

THE PREACHER OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

THE PREACHER OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6. And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;~ 2 Pet 2:5-6

This is very interesting and captivating passage. There was an impeding flood coming as judgement to the evil doings of humanity. Noah’s responsibility was to preach righteousness so that people leave sin. Noah was a preacher of righteousness. It means that righteousness was the main subject for him. Noah is a model of a true preacher.

A preacher must not be carried away and forget that he or she is a minister or preacher of righteousness. People need to be introduced to a holy and righteous God. It is dangerous for a preacher to present other subjects and forget that the key issue is about the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Mt 6:33). Yes we have preached other things; but where are preachers of righteousness?

We have a predicament in the model of the modern day preacher. Preachers are running with other messages at the expense of righteousness. If you are a preacher ask yourself, ‘When did I last preach about righteousness’. The gospel is about salvation and righteousness (Eph 1:13, Rom 1:16). Modern day preacher has been an expert of other things and forgets the main course.

What some preachers are preaching

1. Preaching what people want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3

2. Preaching jealousy, hatred and bitterness (Phil 1:15)

3. Preaching powerless messages (1 Cor 2:4)

4. Preaching materialistic messages and to gain positions.

5. Preaching unbiblical and other ‘gospels’ (2 Cor 11:4, Gal 1:7)

6. Preaching which is not correlated to personal life: There must be balance between doctrine and practice (Titus 1:16)

7. Preaching church political dynamics at the expense of the gospel (1 Cor 1:12-13)

What must the preacher of righteousness do?

1. Pursue righteousness 2 Tim 2:22

2. Seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness Mt 6:33,

3. Put on righteousness Job 29:14, Eph 6:14

4. Walk in the paths of righteousness Ps 23:3

5. Thirst for righteousness Mt 5:6

6. Deny ungodliness (Titus 1:11-12)

7. Suffer for righteousness 1 Pet 3:14

Are you still a preacher of righteousness? God give me grace to go back to the basics of righteousness.

John Museredzo is a passionate preacher and teacher of the word of God. +263775127589

TEN BIBLICAL TRUTHS ABOUT MARRIAGE

          

TEN BIBLICAL TRUTHS ABOUT MARRIAGE

Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make him a helper suitable for him…..For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh’~ Gen 2:18,24

From this Scripture we learn a lot about marriage. Below are ten Biblical truths about marriage:

1. Marriage is spiritual: Marriage is not just the physical coming together of the man and the woman. It came as a pronouncement by God. In fact marriage has spiritual connotations than any relationship. It is a typology of the union between the church and Christ (Ephesians 5:22-32) As such one must approach marriage from a spiritual point of view that it needs prayer, faith, the Word of God etc. We should understand that in that context we should also not leave God in the equation of marriage. Another interesting spiritual observation is that marriage actually is a heart matter.

2. Marriage is Biblical: In the pages of the Bible, you will encounter marriage. In the Bible, you will see reflections of successful marriages and failed marriages. We also learn that marriage is one of the most consistent and important topics in the Bible.

3. Marriage is sacred: Something that is sacred is believed to be holy and to have a special connection with God. Marriage as such is holy and connected to God. Actually marriage was instituted by God. Therefore it is entitled to reverence and respect, highly valued and important. Marriage is a blessed and consecrated union. Also, 1 Corinthians 7:2 indicates that sex before marriage is immorality. Never play with marriage. It is sacred.

Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral~ Heb 13:4

4. Marriage is a union: The scripture says that the man should be joined (cleaved) to his wife. Marriage is a powerful union. It is cemented by love. Marriage is more than a relationship. It is a covenantal union. In marriage, there is sharing, networking, fellowship reflecting the power of the union. Therefore, marriage partners should not leave as islands. We are in a union. The Bible says these two shall become one.

Therefore what God yoked together let no man put apart~ Mark 10:6-9

5. Marriage is a unique relationship: There is no relationship which can replace the marriage relationship. It cannot be superseded. As observed, it is the only relationship which is the mirror image of the relationship between Christ and the Church. It is a unique life time relationship.

6. Marriage is permanent: Marriage is a permanent life time commitment. There shouldn’t be trial marriages or experimental marriages. If you have decided to go into a marriage, make sure you have made your mind. Do not say, ‘I want to see how it goes’ Marriage entails commitment and sacrifice.

7. Marriage is personal: The instruction of the Lord is directed to the man (Adam) as an individual. It was not good for the man to be alone. Therefore, marriage is at a personal level. There is no group marriage. It is an individual who marries. You marry an individual. Though advice is essential, the bottom line remains that marriage is about the individual. After all has been said, the couple will be in marriage alone and expected to solve their problems alone. That is why the Bible say the man will leave his father as mother, as an individual, to join his wife.

8. Marriage is beneficial: The Scripture tells us that the man was going to be given a helper or a helpmeet suitable for him. There was going to be a benefit from both ends. The woman and the man were going to benefit from the marriage structure. There is mutual benefit (Eph 5:22-27) Never should we receive satanic teachings that marriage has no benefits. If one has failed in a marriage, that doesn’t make marriage bad. In marriage there is intimacy, sexual fulfilment and procreation.

9. Marriage is heterosexual (opposite sex) based: From the above scripture we are introduced to Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve. It is the man and the woman biologically. Homosexual relationships and marriages are an abomination before God.

10. Marriage can face challenges: Those entering marriage should understand that marriage faces challenges. These challenges can be spiritual, financial, physical, material etc. As such parties to a marriage must be will willing to fight these challenges and come to a resolve.

John Museredzo is a relationship expert who has written more than 5 books including Youth and Sexual Purity; Youth, Relationships and Marriage. Contact him on:

+263775127589; +263712154277

jhnmuseredzo@gmail.com

www.johnmuseredzo.blogspot.com

PASTORING IN CHALLENGING AREAS

PASTORING IN CHALLENGING AREAS

Nature of Challenging Areas

Challenging areas present themselves in various modes. Below are some of the challenging areas as far as pastoring is concerned:

a. War-torn areas: These areas are characterised by civil or ethnic wars or interregional conflicts.

b. Economically challenged areas: These areas characterised by poverty, food insecurity and shortages etc

c. Geographical challenges: These areas can include remote places, climate challenges, deserts etc.

d. Religious wars: These areas will include areas where a pastor has to fight religious wars with religions like Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism etc.

e. Disease hit areas: These mainly relate to health issues like Ebola, cholera, malaria, yellow fever etc.

What Can Happen To A Pastor In These Challenges?

a. Die spiritually

b. Die physically

c. Sickness (esp. psychologically and physically)

d. Murmuring, grumbling and bitterness

e. Joining the occult to attract followers

f. Hate those who sent, if you have been deployed maybe by a deploying authority

e. Hate God: The assumption is that God is getting you all these challenges

g. Run away from ministry or pastoring. Challenges need strong people who can stand.

What The Church Should Do For The Pastor?

a. Communication: Constantly Communicate with the Pastor

b. Prayer: Prayer for the Pastor in those challenging places

c. Support mechanisms: Support the pastor emotionally or maybe in every means possible

Attitude To Win For The Pastor

 a. Love the place

b. Do not hate the people: they could be also undergoing the same challenges

c. Patience is virtue: You will learn to wait upon the Lord

d. Have a great vision for the place

e. Encourage and motivate the people

f. Maturity is key: some challenges are for our good.

g. Positive attitude: The challenge is an opportunity for you

h. Prayer, fasting and faith: you can’t substitute these. They pull you along.

i. Network and Linkage: Avoid being in isolation. Have friends who are positive and be a member of the pastors’ fraternity so that you can also exchange notes.

j. Don’t scold people: It doesn’t work that way. Do not manifest your bitterness on the pulpit.
i. Have income generating projects so that you don't just expect church to support you.

John Museredzo is a passionate teacher of the Word of God. He is pastor who has pastored areas of diverse backgrounds. Link up on +263775127589

PURITY IN GIVING

Purity in Giving

*Purity of the giver: Many people are good givers but not walking right before God. It would be strange to try to bribe God such that you have salvation. The gift should go after the life of the giver not vice versa. Many a times we are fooled to think that to give more is to be spiritual. There is need of great balance between the giving concept and the holiness of the giver otherwise we go to hell via giving.
*Purity of the gift: This principle works well in that it will be surprising to come to church and try to give a gift which God views as a dirty thing. For example, seeing a person coming with marijuana on a fundraising day. Though there may be desire but the gift brother. Or some people can comes with charms and fetish and say, 'Today I present these before the Lord. They are now holy and you can use them for what deem necessary.'
*Purity of the source of the gift: Our monies or whatever we are giving should have come from good sources. We appreciate that money and material things circulate but how come we try to bring money from prostitution acts and say we are giving? And you do armed robbery and try to submit that TV to GOD. That's not it brother and sister.

Excerpt from UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLICAL CONCEPT OF GIVING by JOHN MUSEREDZO

WRONG REASONS FOR MARRYING

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THE AREA THAT MATTERS

*THE AREA THAT MATTERS*

Exodus  1:15 And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah:  1:16 And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.

The Israelites were in Egypt for some time. They were increasing in number and influence. To deal with this Pharaoh devised a method to deal with both numerical increase and influence. He dealt with the *area that matters*.

Pharaoh instructed Hebrew midwives to monitor child birth and make sure all sons by the Israelite women are killed at birth but daughters or girls were made to survive. Why sons and not girls? It is the area that matters.

Sons were the tribe, they would propel the tribe's name, they carried the seed, they were the future, they spoke to and touched  generations to come. Daughters would be married and the name of the tribe is gone. In fact without the sperm from the sons, sooner or latter Israel will be in extinction. It was the deal. The area that matters.

In life the devil is after your area of the 'son'. He knows when he deals with your key area he is done with you. You may be left with the daughter area but it's not the area that matters. Do you know your area which matters? Never allow the devil tamper with your area which matters. He is very cunning. He allows you to 'excel' in some area just to console but you will never touch generation without the area which matters.

Pharaoh had to use the Hebrew midwives to deal with the area that mattered. The devil will use people close to you to make sure you are disposed of the area which matters and no longer influential. But I like these midwives. The bible records that they feared the Lord and didn't kill the sons at birth. Refuse to be used of the devil to stop another man in his area which matters. Many people are crying because of the 'midwives' who came to take away their area which matters. Is it a skill, a gift, talent, idea? Never allow bad midwives to help you give birth to that but soon after kill the area which matters. My area which matters cannot go into extinction. My influence will touch generations.

*Affirmation*

1. I know the area which matters
2. I will guard jealously my area of gifting
3. I will touch generations with my purpose

John Museredzo is a passionate teacher of the Word. +263775127589.