Seeking peace in the face of a storm

development. We cannot afford to pay lip service to these fundamental building blocks. For the word says in Psalms 127:1-2: “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise up early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat – for he grants sleep to those he loves”.  And, Jesus Christ is that solid rock of ages for this nation. I am also reminded of what the Lord Jesus says in the book of John 10:10 – “The thief comes ONLY to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full”.
Meditating on these words day and night and ensuring that when we talk about peace it is the kind of peace the Lord speaks about in John 14:27 is important – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”.
If Jesus gave us His peace, how is it that we do not only fail to embrace that peace, but the lack of peace in our midst is also a form of disobedience and refusal to accept the Lord’s peace, and sharing it with others? The devil’s mission and Christ’s triumph over that mission which we should also embrace is demonstrated in Mark 4:35-41; Matthew 8:18, 23-27; Luke 8:22-25 when Jesus calmed the storm.
I will use Mark’s version: “That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’
They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” As a nation, we have to realise that we have a mission to accomplish in order for us to prosper spiritually and materially. Indeed, the devil is trying to do his best – kill, steal and destroy that mission and objective. But, He who has taken us this far, and enabled us against odds to write a draft constitution is telling us as a nation that we should go yonder side. When He has said this, who can challenge Him? Even the devil’s cannot. This is why throughout the Bible we are reminded, “fear not” or “do not be afraid”.
The storms will always come, but let us have faith in Him who silenced the wind and the waves. He is faithful, and He can silence the winds and storms in Zimbabwe.
Let us as a nation realise that in every situation, He is there. We cannot limit His abilities and say that since we are going for elections, He is too small to oversee the process, therefore we will go it alone.  So, when the devil comes in our midst and causes havoc, we should not give him leverage, but we should actually show him that he has no leeway, for Jesus Christ is in charge of Zimbabwe’s affairs.
Events Calendar
Event: Conference of the Supernatural – AFM in Zimbabwe (Harare North Province)
Dates: March 8 to 10
Venue: Ngomakurira Domboshava Mnts
Theme: Obedience: The doorway to the supernatural (Exodus 19: 4-6; Isaiah 1:19)
Hosts: Rev and Mrs. T.I. Murefu
Contacts: 0712401801; 0777837712; 0772222567
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Event: Men of substance meeting – Redemption Ministries International
Date: March 9
Theme: Why invest in real estate?
Time: 2pm to 4:30pm
Venue: 20 Robert Mugabe/Cnr Harare St (1st floor)
Speaker: Pastor S. Nhevera
Host: Apostle T. Ndebele
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Event: Monthly meeting – Elshaddai Ministries International
Date: March 9
Venue: TRC (along Mutare Rd next to Sakunda Service Station
Theme: Fearless breakthrough
Host: Dr P. I. Hove
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Event: The John Maxwell Lead Zimbabwe Summit
Date: March 14
Venue: (Harare) International Conference Centre, Rainbow Towers
Time: 9am to 4:30pm
Keynote speaker: Dr John C. Maxwell
Contacts: 0774342274/5/8; +263-4-309708-11; 2917395-8
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Event: Gospel Musical Extravaganza
Date: March 24
Venue: Hatfield Worship Centre, Corner Elgin and Kilwinning Roads, Hatfield
Time: 09:30am to 1:30pm
Artistes: Elizabeth Chinouriri; Holy Choir; Bardwell and friends; Godknows Chegura; Cuthbert Kademauya and more
Speaker: Rev C Chidimuro
Contacts: 0773 296818; 0773612172; 0772674850
E-mail: [email protected]
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Event: Zvishavane Miracle Crusade – Jesus for Africa Evangelistic Ministries
Dates: March 19 to 23
Venue: Gresham Grounds
Theme: Jesus is Lord
Time: 5:30pm to 9pm
Speaker: Evangelist Paul Saungweme
Contact: +263-4-779508; 0772544944; 0772969069
E-mail: [email protected]
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Event: Church leaders, business and partners Seminar – Jesus for Africa Evangelistic Ministries
Dates: March 21 to 23
Venue: Gresham Grounds
Theme: Set your foot on it
Time: 9am to 12 noon
Guest speaker: Pastor E. Makarimayi
Host: Evangelist Paul Saungweme
Contact: +263-4-779508; 0772544944; 0772969069
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Event: God’s Glory Anniversary Easter
Date: March 28 to April 1
Theme: Behold, the door of greatness and glory (1 Samuel 3: 1-11)
Venue: Trinity Theological University College, Legon, Ghana
Contact: +233 30 2936890; +233 30 2514489
E-mail: [email protected]
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Event: Easter Conference – Mabasa Ezviratidzo
Date: April 21 to 29
Venue: Bulawayo Queensdale
Speaker: Bishop C. Mutasa
Contact: 0772958814; 0733230868
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Event: Royal Teenagers Anthill – Full Gospel Church of God (For teenagers only)
Date: April 14
Venue: Warren Park 2 Primary School
Time: 10am to 4pm
Theme: Princes and Princesses (1 Peter 2:9)
Host: Pastor Kanyowa
Contacts: 0773606728; 0772145995
E-mail: [email protected]
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Event: Women on Fire 2013 Conference – Heartfelt International Ministries (A conference to embolden, uplift, inform and inspire women in all circumstances to live their power – but without the loss of lovely, feminine tenderness)
Dates: April 25 to 27
Venue: To Be Advised
Theme: 2013 – The Year of Open Gates
Contacts: +263-4785906
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Event: 40th Anniversary Africa Day
Date: May 25; Special Africa Day Service, May 26
Theme: Ghana, Star of Africa
Topic: Ghana is Free: Africa is Free (The Ghana redemption story)
Contact: [email protected]
“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command”. (John 15:13-14)
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