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THE METHODIST CHURCH IN ZIMBABWE

2024 COVENANT MONTH

1-31 JANUARY 2024

THEME: Ambassadors for Christ (2Corinthians 5:20)

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FOREWORD
The curtains have come down for the year 2023, and we are marching
forward like a mighty army. 2023 was a different year altogether. On
the political sphere, it was a year that we saw the nation holding
harmonized general elections which brought different outcomes and
reactions, depending on which political party one belonged and
subscribed to. It was also a year that we witnessed economic instability
as prices of basic commodities continued to rise on a daily basis and
the local currency losing its favour with the wallets of many. Socially,
it was a year that we saw an increase in the number of murder cases
signalling that people no longer value the sanctity of human life. It was
also during that same year that the nation grappled with the surge of
drug and substance abuse among the young and productive generation.
When all these happen and pressure continues to be exerted upon
people of God, many are found compromising their faith and falling by
the way side. It is in such times as these that as Christians we approach
our future with boldness knowing very well that although we are in this
world which is characterized by chaos we are not of this world. We are
a people of the covenant, and we begin the year by entering into
covenant with our God, as well as renewing the previous covenants
whose results we may be feeling that they were not fully realized during
the previous year. Being a covenant people automatically entails that
we are not ordinary people. In this regard this year is unique in its own
special way. We are being called and reminded about our identity and
mission. We are ambassadors called and sent to represent an eternal and
unshakeable Kingdom. As ambassadors we are called and sent to
reconcile people back to the Father.
It is in this regard that this booklet was prepared to help us lay the
foundation as we embark on life pilgrimage with God. The topics are
articulated in a way that will help us as ambassadors for Christ to reflect
upon our call and mandate as we seek to make Christ known in this

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world. Furthermore, the month of January lays the foundation of the
whole year, and it is a period that we also make resolution for the whole
year. Each resolution that we make is accompanied by a seed. This
means that we also take this as seed time. In this regard, the booklet has
also been prepared with that in mind, and the last week of January will
see us having topics that cover the area of seeding so as to help us do
the right thing, the right way, and at the right time, as the Bible says
that as long as the earth endures, seedtime will never cease (Genesis
8:22).
We are “ambassadors for Christ”. May people called Methodists have
a fruitful Covenant Month.

Revd. Dr. K. Paradza

(Mission Director)

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This publication of the Covenant Month booklet was prepared by Revd.

O. Chagudhuma and brethren from Marondera District, i.e. Revd. L.
Panavanhu, Revd. C. Nunu Ndlovu, Revd. S. Gono, Revd. C.
Maburutse, Revd. E. Tembo, Revd. N. Mutasa, Mr. S. Muradzikwa, Mr.
Chuma and Mrs. Kusotera. We want to thank these colleagues in the
vineyard for their commitment and sacrifices. We continue to express
our profound gratitude to our local languages committees for
facilitating the translation of this booklet so that it is accessible in
Shona, Ndebele, Tonga and Kalanga. May God richly bless them. Last
but not least, we thank our Connexional Bookshop team for making
sure that this booklet reaches all corners of the Methodist community,
locally and abroad, in both hard and soft copies.
May God bless people called Methodists.

Revd. O. Chagudhuma
(Research and Publications Coordinator)

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DAY 1

TOPIC: AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST

READING: 2 CORINTHIANS 5:20

2Corinthians is one of Paul’s genuine letters written at the end of his

two-to-three year ministry in Ephesus (Acts 19:8-10; 20:31). Scriptural
evidence shows us that the Corinthian church had some challenges
emanating from false teachers who were leading people away from the
Gospel of Jesus Christ. They boasted of human ability and
achievements resulting in unchristian practices, religious formalism,
and doctrinal misinterpretations. The result was an upheaval among
Christians there. Paul had been insulted and his apostolic authority
challenged. Those challenges kept on disturbing the functioning of the
Corinthian church as some began to drift away from their Christian
faith. In the face of these theological and ecclesial tempests, the church
needed Paul’s continuous support.
Responding and reacting to such issues, Paul had to write defending his
own apostleship and the gospel. His approach was not confrontational
but reconciliatory. He also does so as he reminds the Corinthian
Christians of his identity, their identity and role in the face of such
circumstances. They were ambassadors for Christ in as much as he was.
An ambassador is a representative of one state to another. This
automatically means that Paul had seen two nations existing in the
religious sphere of Corinth.
How did this notion of ‘ambassador’ come into Paul’s theology and
mind? Paul is writing in the context of the Roman system of the day. In
the Roman Empire of the first 1st century, there were two kinds of
provinces, i.e. the senatorial provinces and the imperial provinces. The
senatorial provinces were made up of people who were peaceful and

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not at war with Rome. They had surrendered and submitted to the ruling
authorities. On the contrary, the imperial provinces were not peaceful.
They would rebel against Rome whenever they find chance to do so.
So, in a bid to maintain peace, Rome would send ambassadors to the
imperial provinces so as to make sure that rebellion did not break out.
Such ambassadors would live among the people and try to present a
good picture of Rome to the residents of such provinces. In this
understanding, Paul brings this picture into the life of the church. This
is because the church had some characteristics of the Roman provinces
existing in the religious life of the world. As a result of the false
teachings people had rebelled against God. The world had religiously
became imperial provinces that always take false teachings and rebel
against God. In such circumstances, Christians are sent as ambassadors
for Christ so that rebellion does not break out. They are to represent
Christ, speak for Christ, and act for Christ. They are to make the world
be reconciled to God.
The same message is speaking to us today as Methodist Christians. We
live in a world that is easily carried away by false teachings, and in
some cases the world which has become so vulnerable to the negative
effects of technology and other vices, for example. The world in which
science is slowly overtaking faith. In as much as technology has to
benefit the world, in some cases it has become a spiritual snare, causing
people to slowly drift away from the Christian faith. Besides these
mentioned here, the world is also characterized by poverty and
unemployment on the side of the educated youth. This means that the
meaning of life is now becoming questionable. Fake and unchristian
solutions are presented to God’s people as they try to find the meaning
of life in a world that is characterised by catastrophes. It is at the
backdrop of such situations that Christians [the church] are reminded
of their identity in the midst of such chaos. They are send out to be
ambassadors for Christ. We stand up to make the world be reconciled
to God, and stop any further chances of rebellion against God.

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Reflection
The Kingdom I represent is greater than the one that is manifesting in
the world. Let Christ be known.

DAY 2

TOPIC: ACCREDITATION A PREREQUISITE FOR AN

AMBASSADOR
READING: ACTS 1:4-8

Ambassadors need to be commissioned and accredited in order to

function so as to avoid legitimacy crisis. That process should not be
overlooked. According to the Gospels narratives, Jesus called his
disciples and travelled with them for a period of about three years as
they were learning from him. During those three years he saw some
misfirings in their characters and approaches. In some instances they
exhibited their selfish motives and ambitions, e.g. the sons of Zebedee
wanted favours of being placed above all the other disciples (Mark
10:35-44), the disciples stopped others who were not in their group
from carrying out mission (Mark 9:38), etc. They were self-centered.
All these misfirings happened as he was physically travelling with
them, and he had the opportunity to correct and whip them into line.
Now, the disciples had to carry out mission and represent him when he
was no longer going to be physically with them. With those selfish
motives and selfish ambitions, mission was going to be a total disaster.
They were not going to be true and good ambassadors. Jesus knew
about that. So, in order to curb chaos and legitimacy crisis and further
misfiring, Jesus ordered them to wait in Jerusalem until they receive
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the Holy Spirit. They were to be commissioned and accredited by the
Holy Spirit first before they represent him.
That is the case with today’s church. The church cannot be true
ambassador for Christ when selfish motives and ambitions characterise
its operations and members. It is now time the church [us] gets
commissioned and accredited by the Holy Spirit, and once that
happens, it becomes effective as it brings the world to be reconciled to
God. Absence of the Holy Spirit in the church creates legitimacy crisis.

Reflection
Let the Holy Spirit anoints and empower the church.

DAY 3

TOPIC: FORGIVENESS AS A CREDENTIAL FOR

AMBASSADORSHIP
READINGS: 1CORINTHIANS 15:9-10; 2CORINTHIANS 5:17-
19

When an Ambassador is called and sent out she/he presents his/her

credential. A credential is a qualification that is used to indicate one’s
suitability for something. It is evidence that you are qualified for the
task. One cannot be an ambassador if he/she has got a warrant of arrest
behind him/her. A clean record is a pre-requisite. As Christians we
have forgiveness as a credential for our ambassadorial mandate.

From today’s text, we are presented with Paul mentioning that if

anyone is in Christ he is totally new. The old has gone and the new

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has come. The apostle himself is a testimony of this. The apostle Paul
become an ambassador for Christ being a product of forgiveness. We
all know how his conversion took place, i.e. from Saul of Tarsus to a
bond servant of the Lord (Acts 9). His past, if considered seriously,
disqualified him from being an ambassador for Christ. He had a
terrible background. However, God changed his past, forgave him,
gave him a new beginning, and qualified him for mission. What God
was teaching him was that Christian ambassadorship is built on
forgiveness. He was a forgiven somebody. Whatever he would say
ahead he did so with the full conviction that his past has been dealt with
by God, reconciled to God, and totally became a new person. This is the
conviction that gave him even the guts to address the Corinthian church
on matters of reconciliation.

The church of Corinth was a racial church built on the market place
where people of different cultures, political affiliation, spiritual and
moral values differed due to different backgrounds, but the apostle is
sending to them a message of reconciliation. This is something which
is not possible if the one speaking is not leading by example.

An ambassador for Christ should use his/her own forgiveness as a

credential to heal the church of God. His/her approach should be
based on his/her own forgiveness from his/her wrongdoings. Pending
issues of forgiveness are set backs of healing.

Reflection

One cannot be an ambassador whilst carrying pending issues of the

past. Be forgiven and forgive

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DAY 4

TOPIC: AMBASSADORS ARE PEOPLE OF THE COVENANT

READING: GENESIS 15:1-20

A covenant in the ancient world was similar to what we call ‘a contract’

or ‘a treaty’ in the modern world. Such a contract or treaty is entered
into between two parties. It establishes the basis of a relationship,
conditions for that relationship, promises and the consequences if such
conditions are not met. So it is with ambassadors.
Ambassadors as envoys of a certain kingdom are people of the
covenant. As they are appointed and commissioned there are certain
conditions which bind them as they do their diplomatic missions. Such
conditions do keep them in good relationship with the master who had
called and appointed them. The conditions do constitute a covenant. On
the side of the master there is promise while on the side of the envoy
there is obedience.
From today’s scripture, we are presented with one of the ‘seven
covenants’ of the Old Testament, i.e. the Abrahamic Covenant.
Abraham was called by God to leave his father’s household to where
God would show him. During the call, God promised Abraham
blessings and protection (Genesis 12:1ff). Abraham was going to be
God’s ambassador wherever he would go as God promised to bless
people through him. Abraham obeyed God. Chapter 15 presents us with
the details of the covenant which God made to Abraham and the
covenant was sealed through the blood of the animals and birds which
Abraham was instructed to slaughter and place on the altar. The process
of setting up the altar was faced with threats from the ravaging vultures
that wanted to feed themselves on that which Abraham had prepared

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for God and for his breakthrough. However, Abraham stood his ground
and chased them away.
The altar was eventually set and safeguarded. In the package of the
covenant, there was affirmation that God would fulfil all what He had
promised Abraham on the onset of the call. An assurance was given
Abraham that he would have a son. What was left on the side of
Abraham as he sojourneyed through the length and the breath of the
land was obedience to the One who had chosen him and made promises
upon him. So it is with today’s church. As ambassadors for Christ we
are people of the covenant. This is why this period is a period of making
and renewing our covenants with God. If we are to be effective
ambassadors for Christ we ought to reflect on what Christ has promised
us and play our part as we obey him.

Reflection
Ambassadors are people of the covenant. What is in the package of the
covenant that we have entered into with God?

DAY 5

TOPIC: AMBASSADORS ARE RELIABLE

READING: NUMBERS 13:1-3, 17-33
A good ambassador is one who knows the will of the one sending
him/her out for a mission. An ambassador will also act with integrity
so as not to undermine the character of the one who sent him, nor drag
the name of his/her master into disrepute. He/she is not carried away or
be shifted from focus or mandate. The ambassador is mandated to fulfil

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the objectives of the one whom he/she represents, whether in foreign
or unlikeable land. He/she does not do his/her own will but the will of
the one who has sent him/her. A good ambassador is characterised by
loyalty, faithfulness, reliability and dependability to the one who has
appointed him/her.
From the text under study, we are presented with twelve spies
(ambassadors) who were sent by Moses to go and spy the land of
Canaan. Having been sent, they did go and brought reports after 40 days
of serious land assessment. Unfortunately, the majority (ten) of the
spies brought a negative report despite having evidence with them that
the land was good. Only two, Joshua and Caleb, presented a positive
report. Humanly speaking, it was going to be easy for those who had
been left home to believe the report of the ten because of the larger
number they were, than to believe the story of Joshua and Caleb.
However, it was these two ambassadors who had God's story and
purpose whose report carried the day.
As has been alluded before, all the spies affirmed that the land was
fertile and very productive (land flowing with milk and honey). In
actual fact they had brought with them evidence of some fruits of the
land, yet some of them still lacked the conviction of fulfilling their God
given mandate. They lost the zeal to conquer the land.
Two critical lessons can be deduced from this incident as we seek to be
reliable ambassadors for Christ.
a) Most of the times as children of God and ambassadors we tend to
want to enjoy the fruits of the land without facing the labour of it.
As ambassadors we should also be ready and be prepared to face
challenges of the giants in the land of operation, resistance in the
field of work, and at times mocked and rejected, but focus on the
purpose to which we have been called to accomplish.
b) Not all that wins through vote is the right decision. Most of the
times the church tends to believe the voice of the majority

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 ignoring the minority's views and presentations. Most of the times
we take our decisions by vote not by vision, and in most cases lie
that that is what God has given us, whilst forgetting the evil
campaigning that would have happened prior and during the
process. Blessed is this Israelite community whose victory was in
the report of the two men, Joshua and Caleb, who were God-
centred than people-centred. We need to learn to consult God
more often than men.
A good and true ambassador depends on the sovereignty of the king
who has sent him/her out for duty. As ambassadors for Christ, we
should learn to be bold and courageous enough to trust and obey our
Master and depend on his power and authority. Although there are the
Anakite giants in the land ahead, we have a greater God who has never
known defeat in any kind of battle; victory is certain. Let us do
everything in His mighty.

Reflection
Ambassadors are reliable. How reliable are we in discharging our
duties in the face of challenges?

DAY 6

TOPIC: KNOWING CHRIST BETTER

READING: EPHESIANS 1:17-18
Ambassadors know their master. They need to take their time studying
the master, i.e. know his character, his interests, his likes and dislikes,
before embarking on their diplomatic missions. Failure to know and

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understand the master makes ambassadorial duties and mission
difficulty, if not totally impossible. The ambassador has to also know
what his/her master expects from him/her.
In the same line of understanding we are presented with this truth in the
letter to the Ephesians. The author of the letter to the Ephesians has got
this conviction. He knows very well that one cannot be an ambassador
for Christ if he/she does not fully know Christ. In this case he [the
author] prayed for his readers. According to the text under study he
prays for the Ephesian church to be given the spirit of wisdom and
revelation so that their knowledge of Christ may be increased. He also
prayed so that the eyes of their hearts may be enlightened in order that
they may know the hope to which they are called.
The message applies to us today. One cannot be an envoy of one he/she
does not understand. What it means is that we should take time studying
Christ, pray for revelation, etc. Let him reveal to us who he is and who
we are, as well as what and where he is calling us to. Failure to that we
end up misrepresenting him. We end up doing our own mission instead
of Christ’s mission, and that is what is seen in churches where Christ is
being taken as any other business. There are several churches where it
is evident that their operations are human-centred and being driven by
what people want more than what Christianity demands. Christ is not
known at all but people claim to be doing his mission. May we calm
down and relearn. Let us cultivate the hunger and thirst of knowing
Christ more than ever through his word.

Reflection
Is Christ fully known in our churches today? Let us strive to make sure
that we are full of the word of God and full of Christ.

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DAY 7

TOPIC: LIVING BY THE HEAVENLY TERMS

READING: LUKE 18:18-30

Terms and references governing ambassadors are enshrined in the

constitution of a kingdom or state they represent. Even the flag that
flies at their place of residence and offices is that of the state they
represent. They do not live nor operate according to their terms and
conditions. Neither do they forget that they are sent to represent their
nations and succumb to the pressure and references of the host nations.
According to the text under study, we are presented with an incident of
Jesus’ conversation with a rich young dishonest ruler. This young man
may be the only man in the Gospels who came to the feet of Jesus and
went away in a worse condition than when he came. Initially the man
had tried to do very well. He had his good side before his came to Jesus.
The man was moral, religious, earnest and sincere, of which all these
were actually pleasant. However, one negative did cost him and
dismissed all the positives he had lived by for years. As a result he went
away in great sorrow. His mistake was that he wanted Jesus to endorse
his dishonesty and live by his own terms of reference. In spite of the
fact that he came to the right person, asked the right question and
received the right answer, he made a wrong decision. He had asked
Jesus about what he could do to inherit eternal life. Like any other Jew
he believed that one had to do something to attain eternal life but when
he was told to do something he refused. He is a typical type of
Christians who say one thing and do another. They cannot do what they
claim to be.
Of course, Jesus does not command all of us to sell everything and give
to the poor. However, he just puts his finger of conviction on any area

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in our lives about which we are dishonest. Once that finger is put, it is
now our response to comply and be true ambassadors. Resisting what
Jesus tells us to do means resisting his terms and try to operate by our
own terms, which is not expected on a good ambassador.

Reflection
If Jesus was to put a finger on to your area of your life about which you
are dishonest, which area would it be? Resist the attitude of the rich
young dishonest ruler.

DAY 8

TOPIC: WHEN WE WALK IN FAITH

READINGS: 2 CORINTHIANS 5:7; PSALMS 23:4; 1SAMUEL
17:45-47
As ambassadors for Christ, we are called to a life of living by faith.
Often times we will meet with trials and tribulations. The road ahead
is never always smooth, yet we have to keep walking; to keep moving
forward. In this journey, many eyes will be on us, to see how we
overcome difficult circumstances or fall.
Every now and again, we must test ourselves, to see if we are solid in
the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). We need evidence that Jesus Christ lives
in us, so that if we fail the test, we can do something about it. The
journey ahead does not only demand physical strength, but divine
strength as well.
It is often the case that the things we fear the most do happen. We tend
to live in fear because of obstacles that seem too big for us. In one of

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the texts given above, David never saw Goliath as an obstacle, but as
an opportunity to show the wonderful mightiness of his God. He did
not rely on his sight, but on the power of his faith in God, and he was
able to defeat the enemy. When we walk in faith, it does not mean we
will not meet difficulties, rather, it means we will overcome because
God is faithful. Walking in faith does not make the journey easier, but
it makes it worthwhile as we grow from strength to strength.
The psalmist tells us that some of our darkest valleys will be walked
through, and many are bound to fall and give up. Yet his assurance is
that the faithful shepherd will offer protection that no one else can. His
rod and His staff will comfort us. Sometimes you will have to
physically walk alone but spiritually not alone. Sometimes the journey
will be filled with endless battles with unnoticeable victory. However,
we must keep walking, because our faith will see us through. Your
attitude should be, ‘even if I cannot see you Lord, I know that you are
there for me’.

Reflection
Obstacles are opportunities to show how great our God is.

DAY 9

TOPIC: RECONCILED TO THE FATHER

READING: LUKE 15:11-20

As representatives of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are continuously called

to be reconciled to God. Our mission in this day and age is to overcome

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the various temptations that we face on a daily basis. Though we may
falter, we must come back to the Father without delay.
In the parable of the Prodigal Son, the younger son decided to spend
the share of his inheritance in dissolute living. Perhaps he assumed that
nothing could go wrong. Unfortunately, a famine in the land that he was
living in wiped out all that he had and any prospect of recovery, and he
became a destitute. In his lack, he offered himself as a slave and yet
his real father was a man of wealth. This is an example of how we
sometimes misuse what is our inheritance in the Kingdom, and wander
away in search of greener pastures.
There are times when the decisions that we make will cause us to leave
the presence of God as we pursue our own agendas. In some cases it
may be our leadership positions in the church that allow us to make
choices that are not in line with God’s will. These choices can cause
barrenness in the church, or a period of famine. When we come to this
realisation and back to our senses, we must not delay in coming back
to the Father.
Our Father has a big heart to leave us in a dry land. His arms are always
open to welcome us back into His kingdom. We ought to overcome the
demon of pride. When pride reigns in us, we may think that it is
embarrassing to come back from a bad decision, or to leave bad
influences; but this will not help us. We must come back to the Father
in humility and admit where we have faltered so that we may have a
fresh start. Being humble does not mean losing a sense of self-worth,
rather it means gaining what Jesus Christ died for, so that those who
follow us can also know the way.
Let us hold on to the gospel of truth, that we may gain salvation as
ambassadors for Christ. The goal is to always be near Him, that when
we are in his protection as his beloved children, we can withstand the
plans and cunning of the enemy.

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Reflection
If we let pride take root, our fruits will be inedible to all. But if we are
humble enough to admit our mistakes, we can come back to the Father
and He assures us of better living.

DAY 10

TOPIC: ALIGNING TO THE WILL OF GOD

READING: JOHN 6:37-40

The world in which we are living today requires a certain level of

devotion to a life of Service. Ambassadors do not own diplomatic
missions they carry. The owner of the mission is the one they represent.
That is our case today. Mission belongs to God (Missio Dei). Hence,
being an ambassador is an important task which requires resilience,
dedication and commitment to withstand the pressures from the world
around.
From the text under study we see Jesus addressing the crowd that had
followed him all the way from a solitary place in search of continuous
supply of bread he had given them, and later requested for a sign as the
conversation progressed. In his address Jesus openly told the crowd that
all what he was doing was not rooted in, nor driven by their agendas
but in and by the will of the Father. He did not seek to please them.
Neither did he seek to prove to them who he was in their terms. He did
not seek to get their approval.
He came as the Father’s envoy with the Father’s agenda in his hands
and carried out everything according to the Father’s will. He was

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submissive to the Father’s will up to the end. Knowing very well what
was lying ahead of him at Calvary Jesus prayed for the Father to
remove the cup from him if He [the Father] willed but stressed that the
removal of the cup should not be his will but the Father’s will (Matthew
26:39). He did not wish his will to supersede the Father’s will because
he understood that he did not come on his own and for his own purpose,
but the Father’s. Neither did he negotiate for the Father to change His
will. He could not rebelliously alter the Father’s agenda although it
involved rejection, suffering and being brutally killed by the heathens.
This presents a lesson to the church [us] today. We should not alter
Christ’s agenda as we seek to make ourselves comfortable in a hostile
world. We exist not for our own but for the Kingdom. Sometimes the
ways through which Christ has to be known may be contrary to our
wills. However, unpleasant as it may seem to be, our wills should not
take precedence over the will of the One who has called and sent us.
We have to align ourselves to the will of the Father.
The question that seeks to be answered by all of us as we exist and carry
out mission in this world, as well as seeking relevance is, ‘Whose will
is calling the shots, between our will and the Father’s will?’ It is
unfortunate that in most cases it is our wills that carry the day. In most
cases the will of the Father is compromised as people and leadership
try to please people fearing that if they do not please them they will be
voted out of office. Today is a call for the church to align itself to the
will of the Father. A moment of self-introspection!

Reflection
If Jesus aligned himself to the will of the Father, who are we to go
against that and be different?

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DAY 11

TOPIC: MAKING IMPACT IN A FOREIGN LAND

READING: MATTHEW 5:14-16

There is a general understanding and expectation that people so

recruited to be agents or envoys of any organization should be people
of integrity. Churches [we] are no exception to this notion. Christ’s
ambassadors are defined as people sent out to work as citizens of God’s
kingdom representing truth and light in a world of deceit and darkness.
The text under study is part of Jesus’ teaching or Sermon on the Mount.
Looking closely into the contents of the text we can see that Jesus is
conscious that his followers are operating and living in a world which
is not theirs. This understanding is constant with the New Testament
teaching. Christians are not of this world although they live and operate
in the world (John 17:11; 1John 3:1). However, it is in that land [the
world] which is foreign to them that they have to shine and make people
in that world see their deeds and glorify their God in heaven.
Since the days of St Paul, Christ ambassadors have shown the light to
believers as well as no- believers. In the history of the church we have
people like Martin Luther, John Calvin and even our own John Wesley
who have shown what Christ’s ambassadors stood for. In Zimbabwe
we can talk of early Methodist missionaries like Isaac Shimmin, Owen
Watkins, John White, etc. We also had our own locals in the form of
Revd. Andrew Ndhlela, Matthew Rusike and other current crop of
leadership at both Connexional, District, Circuits and Society levels
who are actually representing Christ so well.
However, it is unfortunate that a rotten apple always try to find its place
among the fresh ones. There are some ambassadors who fall by the way
side as they forget about their mandate and indulge in unacceptable
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activities and behaviours. Instead of being light to the world they are
actually busy putting off the light that should be shining in the church.
They are agents of darkness that have invaded the church premises and
structures. Some go extra miles to the levels of dragging the name of
Christ and his church, which they have to protect, into disrepute
through their social media accounts such as Facebook and Whatsapp.
Where has the light gone? Such people are reminded about the urgent
need for repentance if they are to continue serving as ambassadors for
Christ.

Reflection
Where is your light? Shine to the world and draw many to Christ.

DAY 12

TOPIC: FEAR NOT, CHRIST IS WITH YOU

READINGS: DEUTERONOMY 31:6; LUKE 10:1-3

Ambassadors are sent to work not in a vacuum. They are sent to where
people are, and live with and within people. In some cases the
environment in which we are sent as Christ’s ambassadors may not be
conducive and friendly, and so it was to the disciples when they were
sent by Jesus two-by-two. Knowing very well about the calibre of the
people the disciples were going to face, Jesus described such people as
wolves. In like manner, knowing the vulnerability of his disciples Jesus
described them as sheep.

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This means that as ambassadors, doing the work that Christ assigns us
to do, puts us on the spot light just as he [Christ] was. He knows the
dangers and the fears that we have. When he sent out his disciples, he
never promised them all manners of luxury and joy but that there are
risks associated with their works. Jesus described his disciples as lambs
sent into the midst of the wolves; He told them in Luke 10:3 that, “I am
sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.” This is not very
comforting but threatening, because the lamb in the midst of wolves
becomes a meal delivered on a silver platter. Jesus was warning and
preparing them about the difficulties of the task ahead. One reason why
the labourers are few (vs.2) is because the labour is difficult. There are
wolves that wait to devour the lambs out there.
However, lambs are protected from wolves and other predators because
they are helpless to defend themselves. They do not have the capacity
and ability to fight back; yet it is this vulnerability that is the key to
seeing the connection Jesus is making between his followers and lambs.
Christians are vulnerable to attack and suffering as they carry out the
mission. Unfortunately, instead of facing the known challenges with
courage, some ambassadors cultivate fear. There are many preachers
today who corruptly negotiate to be given preaching appointments at
societies of their choice fearing to go to other societies. There are also
some ministers who corruptly negotiate to be stationed in what they
think are good circuits because of fear of the unknown. They do so as
they prepare safety for themselves. However, as ambassadors of Christ
we must be strong and courageous. The suffering of Jesus’ followers
was never made a secret; Jesus told his disciples that they would be
hated and persecuted as the same people out there had done to him,
because the servant is not greater than the master (John 15:19-20). We
may be persecuted like lambs but we are not going to be consumed. a
lot of negative issues may be said against us but nothing of all those
sorts will destroy us.

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As ambassadors for Christ we represent a very powerful and strong
nation. Ambassadors representing the powerful nations are not in fear
even when serving in dangerous countries because they know their
countries will protect them wherever they are. They therefore go
trusting in the strength and ability of the one who had sent them. As
ambassadors for Christ, the bible encourages us to be strong and
courageous because Christ who conquered even death and the grave
gave us assurance that he will be with us to the end of the age (Matthew
28:18-20).

Reflection
If Christ is for us then who can be against us? Nobody. We do
everything in his strength.

DAY 13

TOPIC: CHRIST LIVES IN ME, AND OVERFLOWS

READING: GALATIANS 2:20-21

An ambassador stands for someone. We are missionaries sent to preach

the Gospel to all nations. According to Paul, the affirmation that ‘I no
longer live but Christ lives in me’ points us to something critical. Paul
is convinced that he is full of Christ. Being full of something means
that the next step is an overflow. Whatever overflows is what is full
inside. Paul is convinced that, being full of Christ, all what he was
doing and saying was an overflow of what was full in his inside. In this

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regard, the way he talks and conducts himself is a reflection and
manifestation of what is inside, who is Christ himself.
The church today is called upon to be full of Christ so as to have an
overflow of Christliness. Christ living in us is not just a claim we make
as Christians, but those surrounding us should see and be affected by
the overflowing Christliness from us. Just as the first disciples were
first called Christians at Antioch (Acts 11:26) by those who were seeing
them, the same has to happen to us. An overflow of Christ living in us
should impact the lives of our surroundings leading to them believing
in the One who has sent us. Sin should be alien to us.

Reflection
As Christians, are we convinced that we are faithfully representing
Christ in all what we do and say in this world? A call for self-
introspection.

DAY 14

TOPIC: AMBASSADORS MUST ENDURE AFFLICTION

READING: EPHESIANS 6:19-20

“Pray for me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the
Gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may
declare it fearlessly as I should.”

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An affliction that is true is a general sense of all God’s saving acts in
the history of His people Israel. In the wilderness they suffered natural
disasters and contracted diseases, but He saved them by His hand.
When challenges are faced one would question the presence of God, in
some cases consult self-proclaimed prophets to get answers, but when
everything fails, they cry to God.
Paul was writing letters from prison as a way of preaching the good
news to the people. He even asked fellow Christians to pray for him so
that he would fearlessly continue to preach the gospel. Prophets and the
disciples continued to teach and preach God’s word even to their
enemies, the kings and the Pharisees. Hebrews 12:7 says, “Endure
hardships as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is
not disciplined by his father?”
When we face challenges, we do not run away but we face them head
on so that we demonstrate God’s power. In union with God, we
demonstrate His power. In the book of Isaiah; we hear God telling His
children that neither fire nor floods will not destroy them for His
presence will always be with them (Isaiah 43:2-3). We need to have that
faith in everything that we do for us to overcome temptations
We have discovered that when we face a lot of challenges consulters
come first before God. When one becomes sick, he/she the first thing
the crosses their mind is the doctor or the nearest clinic before even
praying to God. In whatever we come across with, God should be our
first port of call. Through him we endure and overcome.
Reflection
May the Holy Spirit protect and guide us as we execute our duties in
His vineyard.

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DAY 15

TOPIC: THE APPOINTED BRAND AMBASSADOR

READINGS: PHILIPIANS 3:20-21; ACTS 1:8

A brand ambassador is someone who has been chosen and given a

particular task to represent a certain entity by way of advocating for the
goodness of their goods or products (brand). Paul in Philippians 3:20,
highlights that, our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a
Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. In the verse following he
stresses that the ambassador has a specific reward, i.e. to be like his
master. In chapter 3:21 he describes the one he works for, that, by the
power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will
transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
In his presentation of this narrative, Paul is telling us about his brand
ambassadorship. For example, every company that produces, sells its
goods or products has a unique brand that it has to market. Prominent
figures [people] are hired so as to be brand ambassadors and with their
skills and popularity, the product goes everywhere and becomes a
household name. In the case of the kingdom of God we have the Gospel
to spread starting from "Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the entire
world". Christ is the brand and we are ambassadors of that brand. In as
much as brand ambassadors strive to make the brand they market a
household name, so it is with us as ambassadors for Christ. The gospel
has to reach all corners of the world and Christianity a household
identity.
All believers in Christ are special agents of the Kingdom of God.
Believers are testimony givers and dependable witnesses of the word
of God. Agents have a special assignment and appointment to purpose
a certain agenda. Christians are brand ambassadors of the kingdom of

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God. They push forward the agenda of the gospel of Jesus Christ as the
Lord and Saviour of mankind. Believers are appointed to stand and
represent the gospel brand which is the mission, i.e. to win souls unto
the Kingdom of God.
What the ambassador needs to know and understand is that he/she does
not belong to the country where she/he is deployed but is a trusted and
appointed representative of his/her nation. Our nation is heaven and
sent to speak heavenly message here on earth so as to win souls for
Christ. We are called and sent on a mission of depopulating hell and
populate heaven.

Reflection
Is the brand I am an ambassador of becoming a household name? I have
to make more efforts.

DAY 16

TOPIC: PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY

READING: DANIEL 1:1-21

Understanding and protecting identity is key on the side of an

ambassador. He/she has got a reputation to protect as well as that of the
nation he/she is representing. From the text under study, we are
presented with the story of the Jews in a foreign land, i.e. Babylon. The
author of the book of Daniel is clear that in that foreign land some of
the Jews were promoted to the levels of serving at the palace of King
Nebuchadnezzar. To the four, Daniel, Hananniah, Mishael, and

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Azariah, that was to be a great honour. We are told in the text that the
chief official tried by all means possible to turn these Hebrew men into
Babylonians by giving them Babylonian names and a Babylonian
special diet that would make them look good within the shortest
possible time.
However, despite all those efforts made by the Babylonian officials, the
Bible is very clear on verse 8 that Daniel resolved not to defile himself
with the royal food and wine. Of course that was an opportunity
presented before these four Hebrew men to eat good quality food and
wine which no any other Hebrew had access to, and nobody could
question or petition them for eating it. However, they were very much
convinced that although they were in Babylon and at the palace they
were actually not Babylonians. ‘Let the Babylonians eat their own food
and drink their own wine, and not us.’ They could not trade their
identity for the sake of food and wine. They knew that they were
ambassadors of God in a foreign land, hence the need to protect their
identities as well as that of their God.
If there is anything to emulate as Christians is that character and attitude
of these four Hebrew men. We live in a world which is described as
difficult, but in that hardness of this world there are also opportunities
that are presented before us day in and day out, and in most cases such
opportunities promising instant breakthroughs, though evil. Our
identities as Christians are threatened as such opportunities present
themselves before us. In some cases some of us fall by the way side as
they succumb to pressure which come with those opportunities. At the
end of it all justification for the fall can be sort. They end up blaming
such opportunities as the reasons for their fall. They forget that these
four Hebrew men were also presented with chance and opportunity but
they defended and protected their identities and the identity of their
God. Let us emulate them as we seek to be true ambassadors of Christ
in this foreign land.

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Reflection
What is that which lures you to trade your precious identity for food
and wine? Protect your identity ambassador!

DAY 17

TOPIC: LOYALTY IN THE COVENANT

READINGS: DEUTERONOMY 7:7-11; JOHN 14:15;
2CHRONICLES 19:7

Being loyal to God is call to follow and pursue God’s decrees, laws,
and commands. A good Christian (ambassador), should pay serious and
strict attention to the laws of God. Divided attention is tantamount to
disloyalty and infidelity to God. Good quality of an ambassador is
determined by the degree of loyalty to God. Deuteronomy 7: 9-11 says,
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, He is the faithful God
who keeps His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who
love him and keep is commands… Therefore, take care to follow the
commands, decrees and laws I give you today.”
Our Good God does not demand that which He Himself cannot offer.
God Himself is faithful to his people and their generations. The
following texts help us understand this concept of loyalty. According to
Deut. 32: 4 “… He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and
upright He is”. In the book of Psalms the psalmist has this to say, “The
Lord is faithful in all He says; He is gracious in all He does” (Psalm
145:13). From God’s loyalty we can draw the strength of being loyal
to Him too. Being faithful to God attracts God’s blessing coverage. “To
the faithful, you show yourself faithful…” (Psalm 18:25). Being loyal
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to God as His ambassadors should be way of living, a culture, a
lifestyle, a personality, and character for it is said loyalty is not a word
but a lifestyle. Iain Murray says “There is something wrong with your
character, if opportunity controls your loyalty.” He further says
“Faithfulness to God is our first obligation in all that we are called to
do in the service of the Gospel”
As Christians who are ambassadors for Christ, we are highly expected
to uphold the covenant as it is loaded with our blessings that are
unleashed from God’s promises. Our God is so faithful to keep and
fulfil his promises but it takes our loyalty to him to receive the
blessings. The word of God demands us to love our God and it should
be evident in obeying all what he commands. It is also evident that one
loves God if they fear the Lord. One who loves God, automatically
fears Him (John 14:15).

Reflection
If we pursue loyalty to God and His covenant, we are pursuing a
strongly bonded relationship with him for to him that is obedience. If
we obey God there is a healthy relationship between us and Him and
such a relationship bears fruits called ‘Blessings’.

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DAY 18
TOPIC: GOOD AMBASSANDORS FOR CHRIST ARE
RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS
READING: JAMES 2:14-17

John Wesley regarded good Methodist as responsible Citizens. His

perspective was motivated by his thorough teaching which he did is his
time. John Wesley’s teachings were more oriented in the doctrine of
perfection. In all his endeavours John Wesley introduced ‘Class
Meetings’ as the foundation and pillars of the Methodist movement. In
these ‘Class Meetings’ thorough teachings and even vetting was done.
In the quest to learn more and more about the word of God. John
Wesley highly encouraged Methodists to be people of ‘One Book’ (The
Bible). About scripture Wesley believed and has always said that
“Scripture is the supreme rule of faith and practice” Developing from
his wide and deep understanding of Scripture, Wesley had this to say
that “Good Methodists are responsible citizens”
In a bid to unpack this short statement, a responsible citizen is someone
who claims and occupies his right position in his country, someone who
does not give a cold shoulder or a deaf ear to the concerns of his/her
society and community. A responsible citizen is eager to participate in
transforming his/her society in all the possible ways he/she can. John
Wesley regarded a responsible citizen as one who should participate in
the wellness of the world around us outside the Church. Good
Methodists are not only confined within the Church walls; they should
engage into some Christian Social Responsibilities. They should
interrogate issues and be concerned and involved in community
development dialogues. Responsible Christian citizens should not live
in isolation, but in the community sometimes challenging corrupt
systems.

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Good ambassadors for Christ should showcase a generous character of
being responsible, which means they are the conveyer belts who bring
God to the world around us so that He is appreciated as the God who
cares for people in all facets of life, be it political, social, economic,
spiritual, physical, educational, professional, and psychological, to
mention but a few. Ambassadors are supposed to showcase that our God
is concerned about what we are concerned about too.
John Wesley in his movement actively participated in the Socio-
Economic and political issues. Politically he encouraged people to
consider voting as speaking your voice. “The strength of the political
system depends upon the full and willing participation of its citizens.
The Church should continually exert a strong ethical influence upon the
state, supporting policies and programmes deemed to be just and
opposing policies and programmes that are unjust.” (The Book of
Discipline of The United Methodist Church- 2016)
Being Christian without care for the world around us outside the
Church is evidence of faith without works. Failing to care for those who
are naked (who need clothes), those who are hungry (who need food),
but only wishing them to be warmed and be filled by the grace of God
without supplying the needs is tantamount to faith without works. It is
a clear sign or indication of an irresponsible Christian citizen and
ambassador for Christ and, in that spirit we won’t be fully representing
Christ or rather misrepresenting Him. “True or pure religion and
undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless, and
widows in their affliction…” (James 1: 27).

Reflection
Faith without works is dead. The environment around me needs me for
its transformation.

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DAY 19

TOPIC: NO ROOM FOR ENMITY

READING: JOHN 13:35

Jesus knows us all too well. He knows that loving one another is a real
test. E Stanely Jones wrote about a little girl who was kneeling on her
father’s lap telling him how much she loved him, but at the same time
she was looking over her father`s shoulders making ugly faces at her
little brother. The mother saw it and said “You little hypocrite, you are
telling your father that you love him and yet you are sticking your
tongue and making ugly face at your brother.” Most of us do that to
some degree voicing our love for God while making ugly faces at our
brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus spells it out and the Bible makes it
clear, “Love one another”. It is not a suggestion either, but a command.
It is very unfortunate that the church today is comprised of people who
sing from the same hymn book, read from the same Bible, share the
same Holy Communion, listen to the same preacher preaching on a
Sunday; worse, close eyes together in prayer when the preacher of the
day asks them to do so as he/she leads in prayer, but with some among
them lacking love for one another. The level of hatred and character
assassination in churches is slowly surpassing the levels of those in
secular political parties. Surprisingly, despite such levels of hatred
among them, they claim to be Christians and following Christ.
Hypocrites! So sad. Which Christ are they referring to? Which Christ
are they following? The only One Christ who was sent by the Father to
be the Saviour of the world and died for it, and established the church
is the One who commands unconditional love among his followers.
Surely those who hate and assassinate brethren’s characters are not his

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followers. They are not Christians despite them being ministers (clergy)
or lay leaders. The mark of a true disciple is love. Be loving.

Reflection
The church has been invaded by the evil demon of camps that aim to
cause hatred among brethren. Let us pray for the Holy Spirit to flush
out that demon in Jesus’ name. Let love lead.

DAY 20

TOPIC: MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION

READING: MATTHEW 5:9

Reconciliation is the reestablishment of friendly relations. This can

only be spoken about after the realisation that there exists a broken
fellowship or relationship. Normally the process is facilitated by
agents. In other words, it calls for somebody to stand in the gap between
two parties for reconciliation to take place. There is hope even if we are
living in a fragile family, society, community, nation and the world at
large.
On his Sermon on the Mount, on the beatitudes, Jesus spoke about the
importance and benefits of bringing warring parties together. On verse
9 he says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called
children of God.” It brings blessings for one to be a ‘minister of
reconciliation’. It also qualifies one to be a child of God. Jesus as the
Son of God came so as to reconcile the world to the Father, so all those
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who claim to be Christians ought to carry out the same ministry in this
world, i.e. bringing back lost or soiled relationships back to friendship.
We live in a world and communities with broken relationships. For
example, the nation of Zimbabwe has got a system of holding
harmonised elections after every five years and the recent one was held
last year [2023]. The process leading to the elections is sometimes
characterised by hate, breaking of relationships, and, in some cases, the
broken relationships continue to exist even in the post-election period.
Besides what is happening in the secular world political sphere, the
church (MCZ) holds elections for the church leadership every year.
2023 saw the process of the election of one bishop and the General
Secretary. However, the system of coming up with a suitable candidate
is sometimes being invaded by unchristian methods, similar to those of
the secular politics, or even worse, such that at the end of the process
many will be left wounded and relationships tarnished. Some ministers
end up not seeing each other after church elections. Some, especially
certain ministers, end up being victimised after the process. A very sad
and unfortunate scenario. The church continues to exist with people
who are wounded and same wounded people expected to heal wounded
communities. That is scoring an ‘own goal’ if we are to speak from the
world of soccer’s perspective. Shooting ourselves on the foot while at
the same time expect to walk forward. We become losers already before
the match.
It is in this regard that the ministry of reconciliation is needed. Instead
of pointing fingers and trying to look for those who would not have
voted for you or for your candidate, seek to bring peace and harmony
among the winners and losers. Let peace prevail. Blessed are the
peacemakers.
Jesus Christ is the message of hope and reconciliation. Reconciliation
is not our own achievement such that we can boast of, but it means God
is at work in our world turning hopeless and evil situation into good so

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that "His kingdom may come" and his will be done on earth as it is in
heaven". As Christians we are called to be a healing and reconciling
community. Where do we get the inspirations? The answer lies in the
healing and reconciling ministry of Jesus Christ. Christ is a model of
every Christian to follow in the day-to-day links.

Reflection
We ought to participate in this ministry of reconciliation as
ambassadors for Christ.

DAY 21

TOPIC: DEALING WITH ALL UNCLEANLINESS

READING: MATTHEW 21:12-14

In the Old Testament God has this to say to the Israelites, “You are to
be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, …” (Leviticus 20:26). In
the New Testament, Paul has this to say to the Romans, “… to offer
your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your
true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1). This shows us that the issue
of purity has been, and continues to be God’s expectation from His
people.
From the text under study we are presented with an incident of Jesus
on the day of his Triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Matthew tells us here
that his [Jesus] first port of call was entry into the temple courts; that
temple that was known for its beauty and sacredness. However, what
he saw there was something else. Worship had become any other

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business as the primary business had become money changing and the
locals taking advantage of the foreign pilgrims who would have
travelled from far places and countries to worship at the temple in
Jerusalem so as to make money from them. Jesus had no kind words on
those money changers. He turned their tables and told them that the
house had been defiled by their activities. The temple should be a house
of prayer as it was for prayer that it was built. The house of God
[temple] has to be kept holy.
In this understanding Paul says that your bodies are the temple of the
Holy Spirit (1Corinthians 6:19). The temple should be safeguarded
from any form of defilement. As temples of the Holy Spirit, they have
to be kept pure. Furthermore, our places of worship should maintain
the sacredness and sanctity which they deserve. Any form of
ungodliness defiles the temple and Jesus does not have kind words on
such practices. As the One whom we represent is holy, so we ought to
be holy also.

Reflection
Any uncleanness done outside the body defiles the internal, i.e. the
temple. Once the temple is defiled worship life is also affected. Let us
keep the temple [our bodies] pure.

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DAY 22

TOPIC: UNDERSTANDING TIMES – A TIME TO SEED

READINGS: ECCLESIASTES 3:1-2; GENESIS 8:22

January is the first month of the year. It is also period when people set
their resolutions for the year. In other words, it lays a foundation of
what the year is going to be like, and what it is going to bring to each
individual. Important to this period is that we lay the foundation
metaphorically in the context of an agricultural mind-set. We do
seeding festivals in January. There is a lot of debate among church
traditions as to whether this practice is biblical, or having biblical basis.
Yes, it does have. One thing about seeding in any agricultural setup is
that it is not forced. You seed because you wish to harvest and have
grain in your stores. But, if you feel that it does not benefit you to plant,
it is up to you to do otherwise. Let those who wish to benefit from the
season seed.
According to the text under study, we are reminded about the God of
order whom we worship. In His order God designed seasons and that
each activity has to happen and done in its season. Among the seasons
designed by God is seedtime. Genesis 8:22 is very clear that seedtime
will never cease to exist. This means that seasons will always be there.
The word [seed] appears 116 times in the Bible. However, what is
critical in this regard is that God’s people should have the necessary
wisdom so that they do what is right in the right season. Planting is
done during seedtime and not during harvest time.
Furthermore, no one can expect harvest where he/she did not sow. First
thing first, and to be done on the right season. As God’s people, we sow
and God gives the increase (Psalm 65:9-13). The season in which we
are in at the moment is seedtime. We are encouraged to do what is right,

39
the right way and at the right time if we are to have a good harvest
during the course of the year.

Reflection
To everything there is a season. How can I be off-season during the
right season? So help me God.

DAY 23

TOPIC: QUALITY AND QUANTITY

READING: 2CORINTHIANS 9:6-9

Quality and quantity do matter in seeding and they go hand-in-hand.

They are like two wings of the same bird. You cannot embrace one and
ignore the other, and expect results. No.
In the text under study Paul is giving the principle of increase that
operates in our everyday lives as a farming community. The quality of
seed to be planted is something a farmer considers critical as he/she
prepares for his/her hectarage. No miracle is going to happen to rotten
seed planted in the soil despite the good normal rainfall received that
season, and despite the good soils. Besides quality, quantity is also key.
The farmer who sows much seed will have a better chance for a bigger
harvest. The investor who puts large sums of money in the investment
will certainly collect more dividends. Whenever we are tempted to
forget this principle we need to remind ourselves that God was
unsparing in His giving (Romans 8:32). In both nature and grace, God
is a generous Giver and is a divine example closer to us.

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In this regard, we are presented with an opportunity to do good as we
prepare for our spiritual, economic and physical hectarages for the year.
What do you intend to harvest? Seed for it, and the principle has been
laid down by Paul. Quality and Quantity do matter.

Reflection
When others go to the fields, why should I be left behind? Do not be
off-season during the right season.

DAY 24

TOPIC: SOWING WIND AND REAPING WHIRLWIND

READING: HOSEA 8:7

Whatever variety [type] of seed is planted produces a bigger and wider

version of its kind. The concept of sowing and reaping as it relates to
conduct is often used in scripture and Hosea uses it twice, i.e. Hosea
8:7; 10:12-13. The background of this message is that in their idolatry
and political alliances the Israelites were trying to sow seeds that would
produce a good harvest, but they were only sowing the wind and would
reap the whirlwind. The harvest would be more disastrous than the seed
itself.
In this analogy Hosea is actually saying that everyone will reap far
more than they sowed, i.e. an extended version of the seed sown.
Dangerous seed will produce a more dangerous harvest and such a

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harvest having catastrophic effects upon the sower. It will be
destructive.
In this regard, as we do our seeding, our minds should not just focus on
the seed and end there. Our seeding should be driven by the type of
harvest we wish to reap at the end of the season. Do we wish to reap
whirlwind? Actually not. So, let us sow good seed.

Reflection
A whirlwind? No, I do not dream of a whirlwind as my harvest.

DAY 25

TOPIC: BE STEADY, YOUR BREAKTHROUGH IS RIGHT

WHERE YOU ARE
READING: GENESIS 26:1-13

The 21st century church is characterised by wandering Christians. They

are religious nomads who always move from one church denomination
to the other in search for breakthrough. Unfortunately, the more they
migrate and move to other churches after having been promised or
anticipated prosperity there, the more they become or remain poorer.
They lack religious stability. A good lesson is presented to us today
from the text under study.
The author of the book of Genesis is giving us a narrative about Isaac
in Gerar. We are told that famine did strike the land where Isaac and

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other inhabitants of the land were living. Several options came before
Isaac so as to run away from the famine. One of the options that were
available for him was to go down to Egypt like what his father Abraham
did as per according to Genesis 12:10-20. However, God forbade Isaac
from going to Egypt and instructed him to stay in Gerar, where famine
was. He promised to be with Isaac in the midst of that famine. Isaac
obeyed God and stayed.
We are told on verse 12 that Isaac planted crops in that land and that
same year he reaped a hundredfold because God had blessed him.
Harvesting a hundredfold in famine? Yes! Isaac did not use that famine
in the land as an excuse for not planting or not doing what he was
supposed to do. In the midst of an uneven environment and economy,
he did seed and he had a bumper harvest.
The church today needs to emulate what this son of Abraham did. This
is because of the fact that people always want to give excuses when it
comes to seeding. And one of the common excuses given is the so
called ‘January Disease’. Yes, things are not well around us but we are
not in any better situation than Isaac’s. Neither does moving from one
church to the other helpful, as it will be like moving from Gerar to
Egypt. Your harvest is not in Egypt but in Gerar where things seem to
be not well. Isaac became steady in the land, planted crops in that land,
and the harvest was amazing. He trusted the One who had told him to
stay in that land.

Reflection
Refuse to be a religious wanderer. Your breakthrough is right where
you are. Plant crops this season.

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DAY 26

TOPIC: THE SEED WILL BE REMEMBERED

READING: MARK 14:1-9

The author of the gospel according to Mark is telling us about the

incident that happened during the Passion Week in Bethany, two days
before Passover. Jesus was in the house of Simon the Leper. We are not
told about what the rest of the disciples did to Jesus in that house. If
they had done something special we were supposed to be told. Our
guess could be right. They did nothing.
Here comes a woman with a difference. She came into the room. We
ought to take note of the following with regard to this woman:
 She did not mind that others had done nothing. The failure of
others in the house could not be an excuse for failing to do good.
 She brought expensive perfume. Quality matters when it comes
to seeding.
 She poured all the perfume on Jesus’ head. She did not pour to
any of the disciples. Her giving was not associated or attached to
individuals. Neither did she give the owner of the house. She gave
to Christ. Her seeding was on Christ.
The housemates complained saying that what was done was a waste of
perfume and rebuked her harshly. So it is in today’s church. A lot of
noise pops up when we introduce the subject of seeding. Even those
who do not give anything in the church want their voices to be heard as
they discourage cheerful givers. Incredible indeed. The woman was
treated badly by the housemates who had done nothing. However, Jesus
stepped in and defended her. He openly told them that what the woman
had done was not a waste, neither was it going to be forgotten. He said

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that what she had done will be remembered whenever the gospel is
preached, and indeed today we are talking about her. Seeding to Christ
does not just varnish. One day it will be remembered, and not only
once, but forever. However, those who seed to human beings shall be
forgotten. We do not seek to be defended nor praised by people, but
Jesus acknowledges the good and expensive perfume we give to him as
seeding.

Reflection
My seeding is not attached to people. I seed to Christ.

DAY 27

TOPIC: DO AS THE LORD SAYS

READING: 1KINGS 17:7-16

Seeding done in faith and righteousness produces best results. Elijah

was instructed by God to go to Zarephath and to be looked after by a
poor widow during the famine. Reading along the lines of this narrative
it may seem as if it was Elijah whom God cared for or had remembered,
but in actual fact it was the poor widow who had been remembered.
This is because Elijah did not need this widow for him to survive,
because previously God had fed him sending the ravens, but the widow
needed the presence of Elijah in her home for her survival. In the
understanding of this truth, God does not need us for Him to be God,
but we need Him for us to be alive. Neither does He need our money

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for Him to be God for all the money is His. Through Haggai God has
this to say, “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine …” (Haggai 2:8).
It is us who need Him to give us His money for us to survive.
Elijah’s demands to this poor widow could be interpreted as a
temptation by this widow. Surely how could he ask for bread from a
widow who had little flour and oil only enough for her and her son to
have their last meal here on earth and die of hunger? Taping from the
sentiments of this widow we can guess that there were other people in
that region of Sidon who had actually died of hunger and she
anticipated the same happening to her and her son. However, there was
only one condition that was going to guarantee her survival. She needed
to obey the word of the man of God. Let those who die go to the grave
but learn to obey God and live.
When the poor widow obeyed to what Elijah had told her and backed
bread for Elijah the flour and the oil were never used up. There was
enough food for her, her son and Elijah every day. She gave her flour
and oil as seed and harvested enough for her family and guest. Had she
refused to give away her flour and oil for Elijah’s bread, she would
have eaten her last meal with her son and died. In this case we learn
that seedtime is a moment of being remembered and have enough for
every day.

Reflection
Do not withhold the seed. It has the keys to unlock continuous supplies.

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DAY 28

TOPIC: WHAT DO YOU HAVE?

READING: JOHN 6:1-13

The author of the gospel according to John is telling us about Jesus

going up the mountainside after having crossed to the far shore of the
Sea of Tiberias. A crowd followed him and he looked at them and saw
their need for food. He asked one of his disciples (Philip) about where
the food to feed such a crowd would come from. Philip was quick to
judge from a humanly perspective that it was difficult to have food
enough for that crowd despite the possibility that the disciples had
something (bread) in their bags.
Instead of concentrating on his purse, Andrew looked at the little boy’s
bag and brought the message to Jesus that there was a little boy with 5
small barley loaves and 2 small fish, but argued that they were not
enough for the crowd. We want to pay special attention to the adjective
that is used by Andrew to describe what the boy had. The loaves were
‘small’. The fish were ‘small’. And that was the only stuff that the little
boy had. This qualified such to be seed. Seeding time is characterised
by small quantities left in the granaries or storerooms, and parting ways
with such being painful.
The boy’s bread and fish were taken and given to Christ, blessed them
and people ate and had enough. 12 baskets of left overs were gathered.
Over 5000 people ate 5 small loaves of bread and 2 small fish and had
left overs. We are not told about what Jesus did with the 12 baskets of
left overs, but we can guess and our guessing can be correct. He might
have given them to the boy who had sacrificed his meal of the day and
gave it as seed to be used to feed the crowd. The boy did seed 5 small
loaves and 2 small fish but went home with 12 baskets of bread and

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fish. So it is with seeding. The more people do not want to part ways
with the small seed they have the more they lack baskets to take home.
Seeding starts with the little that you have.

Reflection
What do you have? Sow it.

DAY 29

TOPIC: EQUALITY IN THE MINISTRY OF GRACE

READINGS: GENESIS 1:26-28; PROVERBS 22:2

If there is anything that the world has managed to do is to create classes

of people basing on gender or social status. The created classes have
made others think and feel as if they are superior than others, and in the
same way others feeling inferior. However, this is not what God
actually intended. No gender nor status makes one special that the
other.
One of the values of the MCZ Strategic Plan in ‘Inclusivity’. This is the
conviction that we have that we do not have among ourselves and
operations any room for leaving any believer of the Gospel, and any
place behind. No human condition is, and can be used to side-line
believers from participating in this ministry of grace.
We are told in the book of Genesis that in the beginning God created
them male and female, and were all blessed and given dominion over

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every living creature. Dominion was given over creatures and not over
each other. That is the conviction that we have as a church and it pleases
God to see us creating room for every believer of the Gospel to
participate fully in this ministry of grace despite different conditions
and statuses. Nothing can separate us. Even wealth cannot create
classes on us. Neither can it be used to bar others from participating in
this ministry of grace.
It is very unfortunate that in some of our churches’ leadership posts are
given depending on one’s degree of wealth. Those who do not own
houses and cars are not voted into leadership posts despite their gifts
and abilities. The ideas of the poor and vulnerable groups are not heard
and considered on administrative forums. This is actually evil. The
author of the book of Proverbs is bringing a panacea to this ailment.
Both the poor and the rich have this in common that God is the Maker
of them all. So, who are we to segregate each other? We are all equal
in the kingdom. The church that uses social classes and statuses to
appoint people in ambassadorial duties ceases to be the church which
Christ founded and died for.

Reflection
We all have this in common that God is the Maker of us all.

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DAY 30

TOPIC: CHURCH BUILT ON THE ROCK; AGENT OF

DELIVERANCE
READING: MATTHEW 16:13-20

We have been made agents in the ministry of deliverance. The writer

of the gospel according to Matthew draws our attention to a point
where he wants us to know and understand our position, as well as
Christ`s position in ambassadorship when he [ J e s u s ] asks his
disciples who he was.

On verse 16 Peter responded by pointing out two issues with regard to

Jesus’ identity. First, he said that Jesus is the Messiah, which means
the ‘anointed one’ of God. Second, he said Jesus was the Son of the
living God. Then Jesus responded by pointing to the ambassadorship
of his disciples. In doing so he first gave signal to the position of his
disciples in mission. According to verse 18, Jesus told Simon [Peter]
that “… you are Petros”. ‘Petros’ in Greek refers to the rock or stone.
He went further to mention the building of his church. However, we
have to take note of what he says here. Although he said Simon [Peter]
was the rock or stone [Petros], he did not say ‘on you I will build my
church’. He said ‘on this rock’. The Greek noun that Jesus used
referring to ‘this rock’ is not ‘Petros’ but ‘Petra’. ‘Petra’ is an
unshakable rock. He did not refer to Peter but to himself as the Rock
of Ages; the rejected stone that become the chief corner stone (Psalm
118:22). This means that the church was, and is not built on Peter,
because he was a human being, but on Jesus Christ. No church can be
built on people. It is a huge mistake to think that the church is built on
us. Of course, we might be powerful at our local congregations but the
church is not built on us. People [Petros] are just the ambassadors for
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Christ. On verse 19, he then gave them the mission of operation which
is deliverance, and a symbol of that mission of deliverance were the
keys. Peter, representing the church, was given authority into heavenly
things through the keys. This means the church has got the keys to
deliver people from the gates of hell into the gates of heaven.

It is the responsibility of the church to see that deliverance is done to

all despite wealth status gender, race, marital status, background, etc.
There should be no conditions set for one to be delivered. The
misconception on ‘Peter’ the disciple and ‘Petra’ the Rock has also
led to a number of people getting lost within the church thinking that
they are superior on matters of deliverance than others. They think to
themselves that they can cast out demons better than anyone else.
That is an error. Apart from that, Jesus told Peter that what he had
said was not as a result of his own wisdom, but was revealed to him
by the Father in heaven. Nobody should boast in the church. We are
just ‘Petros’ gathering upon ‘Petra’. What matters is not ‘Petros’, but
‘Petra’.

Reflection
The keys of deliverance should be used and not abused.

DAY 31

TOPIC: SUBMISSION
READING: 1SAMUEL 3:1-10

Submission is a virtue when it comes to ambassadorship. It begins with

the realisation of the truth that there are some people who occupy

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offices which are higher than mine. Failure to understand that makes
our functioning chaotic and disastrous.
The author of the first book of Samuel is presenting an incident to us
which happened at Shilo. Samuel as a young boy was ministering under
Eli, i.e. under the supervision, mentorship and care of Eli. It was during
that time of serving under someone that God called Samuel during the
night. However, the bible tells us here that the young boy ran to Eli
thinking that it was Eli who was calling him. But, did Samuel mistaken
the voice of God for Eli? Actually not.
Verse 7 can help us understand what transpired. We are told here that
Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not
yet been revealed to him. In this case, this was no secret to God. God
knew that Samuel did not know His voice, so He used the voice of Eli
which Samuel knew. God spoke in the voice of Eli. God sometimes
speaks to us through those whom we know. So, Samuel did not make a
mistake. He heard the voice of Eli calling him and he ran towards the
direction of Eli. God deliberately did that so as to teach Samuel a great
lesson about submission. Of course Samuel had the ‘call’ and energy,
but had no experience of the things of God. Eli had no ‘call’ at that
moment but had the experience, and God knew that Samuel could not
be His instrument without being helped by Eli. He needed Eli’s
experience in order to know that it was God who was calling him, and
also how to respond and behave when God is calling. That could only
happen if Eli had to tell the young boy.
Today’s church is made up of people of different age groups and
giftings. The younger generation is full of energy and they make things
happen faster, and that is actually good. The older generation is a bit
slow, and in most cases sticks to tradition. The end result is that the
younger generation accuses the older generation of lacking the spirit of
God, and not prepared to adapt and that of resisting change. On the
other hand the older generation accuses the younger generation of

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diverting from the right principles. That is unfortunate. We should not
blame each other but benefit from each other. The younger generation,
just like the boy Samuel, may have all the energy, spirit, call, etc, but
they lacks one thing which the older generation, just like Eli, has, and
that is experience. We need Samuel’s call and energy, and Eli’s
experience for us to be effective. The younger generation should be
submissive to the older generation, and the older generation help the
younger generation understand that it is actually God working in them.
Help the younger generation understand the voice of God, and how to
respond and behave when God calls.

Reflection
Submission is a virtue. The church needs both the young and energetic,
and the old experienced to function.

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