The Story of Nehemiah: Chapter 5:7 & 11 - 12

1 Corinthians 3:11 "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ."

Nehemiah stops the oppression of the poor:

Nehemiah received reports of the exploitation of many of the people and he immediately confronted the offenders saying, “You are exacting interest, each from his brother… Let us abandon this exacting interest…. Return to them this very day their fields, their vineyards, their olive orchards, and their houses, and the percentage of money, grain, wine, and oil that you have been exacting from them.” Then they said, “We will restore these and require nothing from them. We will do as you say.”

The Story of Nehemiah: Chapter 4:2 & 10

1 Corinthians 3:11 "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ."

This is of the utmost importance because it is impossible to build strongly on top of rubble and rubbish. This is always one of the most difficult and distasteful jobs to be done, but it absolutely must be done. This is very true of the physical building process, but it is even truer for the state of our hearts, which is where the Lord looks. This is a very important principle for us to act on in view of the True Fast that we have studied in Isaiah 58. The Kingdom of God is in the hearts of God’s people, “for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you”. (Luke 17:21 – KJV).

We must remember that although we are rebuilding the nations God’s Way by beginning at the Lord’s entrance point, which is to remove the yoke of oppression of the poverty and hunger, nakedness and homelessness of the poor, the overall objective is to advance the Kingdom of God. This is why it is so important to cleanse our hearts by removing the rubble and rubbish in them. This is why repentance and sorrowing for sin and turning away from it is so important to God. Then we will build strongly and righteously with God’s light emanating from us, which will shine out for God’s glory.

Wedding bells are ringing in the deep South of Zimbabwe

In the deep South of Zimbabwe, at Crossroads Community Church, Kezi, Bulawayo, Nicholas and Nosimilo Ncube led a pilot project on the Marriage Course 101 which is an adaptation of the Alpha Marriage course. It has great promise for the future.

Mbusiso Ndlovu and Pretty Moyo who were married customarily for 2 weeks, attended the Marriage Course and were blessed. Two months later they had a church wedding at Crossroads Community Church. It was a momentus occasion for Crossroads and a milestone for the people in the Mablauwuni community. Many young people enjoyed the wedding so much and are eager to follow in the footsteps of Mbusiso and Pretty.

Mbusiso and Pretty Ndlovu

In the Northern part of Zimbabwe, we thank God for 5 couples who are serving God by promoting Godly family life in their churches and communities.