thank you, not only to the Lord for the immense grace that He had willfully outpoured upon him, but Paul also extended his gratitude to the people he ministered to, and those that worked with him in various capacities.
This is an attitude comes with the realisation that as believers, we are members of one body, the church, whose head is Jesus Christ.
A good illustration is Romans 16, which is devoted to personal greetings: “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae.
“I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.
“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me.
“They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.
“Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.
“Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus…” (v. 1-10)
There is so much information from this greeting. Philip Yancey and Tim Stafford in The Student Bible remark, “This chapter contains a fascinating list of Paul’s friends and co-workers many of whom would be unknown apart from their mention here… Paul was writing from Corinth, where his friends included the city’s director of works”.
Another example of Paul’s greetings is found in his first letter to the church at Corinth: “The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house. All the brothers here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss”. (1 Corinthians 16:19-20)
The issue of greetings and how they impact our Christian walk occurred to me as I was compiling the forthcoming events taking place in various churches in the coming weeks.
This is probably the longest list since Divine Appointments started. It felt like Romans 16, with all the glory and honour given to the Lord.
There is so much information from each event.
Believers will be attending various events: conferences, musical concerts, crusades, etc, but what kind of greetings are they taking and, what kind of greetings will they receive?
As usual, there are heavyweights coming from beyond our borders. What kind of greetings are they bringing?
How will we receive them in our churches? Will we also greet their congregations back in their countries – in Jesus’ name, of course?
For, one thing that Paul never did was to extol the created’s name above the name of the Lord Jesus.
Another important element the church could do with: act like Dr Luke, author of the gospel of Luke, and Acts of the Apostles, respectively.
Why would a doctor set aside his medical practice for the cause of initially spreading the gospel to one important individual – Theophilus?
How many are preaching the good news to the Theophiluses of our day, e.g. unconditionally sending them copies of books, CDs and DVDs of sermons?
Luke records his intent in Luke 1 and Acts 1: “Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
“With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” (Luke 1:1-4, NIV)
And: “In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.” (Acts 1:1-2, NIV)
By the grace of the Lord Jesus, the past year was more or less what we tried to do, as we reported on the church in Zimbabwe.
It is gratifying to that the church has taken full advantage of the freedom of worship in Zimbabwe.
Despite the sometimes harsh criticisms, the church in Zimbabwe should be strengthened by what the Lord said: “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades ill not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18, NIV)
Forthcoming events
Event: Miracle Crusade – Jesus for Africa Evangelistic Ministries
Date: July 20 – 23
Venue: Hwange Old Stadium
Time: 5:30pm – 9pm
Speakers/Hosts: Evangelist Paul Saungweme and Amai Winnie Saungweme
Contact: 2 Daliah Close, Norton: 0772544944/0772638905/0774370749
***
Event: Revival – The Season of Power
Date: July 25 – 31
Venue: AFM City Worship Centre
Speaker: Pastor Sigauke; Rev Sasa; Pastor Magweju
Host: Pastor Kudita
Contact: 0772402571
***
Event: Highway Walkers Power Conference
Date: July 27- 31
Venue: Inverness Hall, Eastlea Shopping Centre
Time: 5:30pm – 8pm
Theme: Isaiah 55: 8-9
Guest speaker: Apostle Nathaniel O Yeboah
Hosts: Pastors Amidu and Memory Saidi, Latterhouse Ministries
Contact: 0777888430/0772208302
***
Event: Miracle Crusade
Date: July 28-30
Venue: Harare Gardens
Time: 5 – 8pm
Speaker: Evangelist Jeff Gadzika
Contact: 0774100932/0774435343
***
Event: Spirit Embassy Mutare Great Prophetic Crusade and branch launch
Host: Prophet Uebert and Prophetess Beverly Angel
Date: July 29 – 31
Time: 5.30pm
Venue: Mutare Polytechnic Pavillion Grounds
Contact: 0773195955/0778 246846
***
Event: Apostolic/Prophetic Conference Year of Action 2011
Date: August 1 – 7
Venue: Queens Sports Ground, Bulawayo
Theme: “Why sit we here until we die?” (2 Kings 7:4)
Speakers: Apostle Eunor Guti, Bishop Tudor Bismark, Pastor Tom Deuschle, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, Bishop Dag Hewad Mills
Hosts: Apostle Colin and Sarah Nyathi, Harvest House International Church
Contact: 09-881131-3/0777776037
***
Event: Live in Concert: 1912-2012 Centenary Launch Show
Date: July 31
Featuring: Ethel Kamwendo Banda (Malawi), Mahendere Brothers, CCAP Mbare Voice, CCAP Sakubva Voice and many more
Venue: Harare Gardens
Time: 10:30am – 6pm
Hosts: CCAP – Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, Harare Synod
Contact: 04-703719/0733387268/0713298804
***
Event: Revival International Ministry – building lives; people and taking hold of destiny
Dates: July 31
Venue: Zimbabwe College of Music
Time: 8am – 5pm
Theme: Eagles destiny present: Escaping limits (Deut 1:11)
Hosts: Apostle Raymond and Agritah Mujeyi,
Contact: 04-2918432
***
Event: God’s Transforming Presence Conference
Theme: Building supernaturally
Dates: August 2-5
Venue: City Sports Centre
Time: 9am – 9pm
Speakers: Pastors Matthew Ashimolowo and Xola Nzo
Hosts: Apostle Charles and Pastor Petunia Chiriseri, His Presence International Ministries
Contact: 0772100398
***
Event: Tabernacle of Worship Ministries 2011 Conference
Date: August 5-7
Venue: AMFICC – Zaoga FIF, Waterfalls
Time: 10am – 9pm
Theme: No more limits (Exodus 14: 13-14)
Speakers: Evangelist C Jonas, Glad Tidings, Mainway Meadows
Hosts: Bishop Rodger and Pastor Monica Jeffrey
Contact: 0772305488/0775891709
***
Event: Joyous Celebration Concert
Date: August 7
Venue: Queens Sports Ground (Cricket Ground), Bulawayo
Hosts: Harvest House International Church
Contact: 09-881131-3/0777776037
***
Event: Jabula International Conference and Covenant Business Expo and Business Day
Date: August 10 – 14
Venue: Harare International Conference Centre
Speakers: Dr Mensa Otabil (Ghana); Bishop Richard Heard (USA); Apostle Adeyemi Adefarasin (Nigeria)
Hosts: Bishop Tudor and Pastor Chichi Bismark, New Life Covenant Church
Contact: 04-7000/2
***
Event: Mabasa Ezviratidzo – Musangano weMatumba (Last meeting of the year)
Date: August 12 – 21
Venue: Kasanze Videc Hall, Murombedzi, Zvimba
Theme: Thanksgiving
Speaker: Bishop C Mutasa
Contact: Contacts: 0772958814/0733230868/ 05-568280
***
Event: Zimbabwe Great Awakening 2011: Days of Glory
Date: August 28-31
Venue: The big Fields, Harare Children’s Home, 2 Daventry Rd, Eastlea
Time: 9am – 9pm
Speakers: Drs Rodney and Adonica Howard-Browne, USA
***
Event: Zimbabwe Kingdom Prosperity Summit 2011
Date: September 1-3
Venue: The Big Fields, Harare Children’s Home
Theme: How to set up a church-based kingdom business; How to build and manage ministry funds in excellence; Kingdom principles for supernatural prosperity
Speakers: Pastors Andre and Jenny Roebert (RSA); Dr Allan and Pastor Janine Bagg
Contact: 0772433042/0773975830/0774079016
[email protected]

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