MUTCU BLOGS

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Category: BLOGS/ATRICLES

  • Overcoming Fear in Evangelism: Fulfilling the Great Commission

    by Eudius Wabera

    “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” ~Mathew 28:19

    Jesus gives us some very important instructions in Mathew 28:19 to ‘Go’ and make disciples out of all nations, But for us, sometimes it’s easier said than done.

    Reminds me of the first time I went out for evangelism, I really was very anxious, because one; I had never evangelized to anyone ever, also I am kind of introverted myself thus approaching new people is not something that I do oftenly, I also wasn’t sure what to say so it wasn’t easy for me. But we had a prayer session before we went out for the evangelism and it really helped me a lot, I don’t know how but The Lord provided the utterance. I also had good guidance from of some of my friends who accompanied me who gave me some encouragement.

    “Evangelism scares us. When we’re not regularly telling others about Jesus, we feel guilty. When we are, we wonder if we’re doing it right, if the person we’re sharing with is going to reject us or, worse, ask us a biblical question for which we won’t have an answer. “

    ~baptispress

    Now, here are some things that can help us overcome the fear of evangelism

    Prayers

    Prayers is one of the ways we can communicate with our Father. Through prayers we can ask God for strength and utterance and above ask for His will to be done (Hebrews 4:16, Philippians 4:6-7). Through prayers and the word of God, the Lord also instruct us.

    “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

    ~Hebrews 4:16

    The Word of God

    The word of God is God breathed (2 Tim 3:17).It’s only through God’s word that we are transformed through the power of the Holy spirit given to us. The word being the lamp to our feet and a light to our path, (Psalms 119: 105) guides us and helps us overcome every challenge we may face. (Eph 6:17) ‘THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT’

    “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

    ~Timothy 3:16-17

    Guidance from fellow believers

    Heading out to spread the good news with your friends can really help you tackle any nerves about sharing your faith. You can lift each other up, swap experiences, and help each other out with any hurdles you encounter. It’s all about having each other’s backs!

    Being Intentional

    We are entrusted with the sacred responsibility of zealously sharing the boundless love of God with all, leveraging our unique capabilities to seize every moment and propagate the gospel. Let us keep in mind that the scriptures affirm that our lives are not our own, but a vessel for the indwelling of Christ; therefore, prioritizing the fulfillment of His will on earth must be our paramount focus.

    Remember that the Spirit Is in You

    We have the spirit of God in us. We are not given a spirit of fear but a spirit of power, love and sound mind. (2 Tim1:7) And we are called to overcome. During evangelism you can come across people who have questions, this should not intimidate you, just let the Holy Spirit use the living Word inside of you to bring the truth

    “I dare you to make a head first, eyes closed leap into a conversation with someone about Jesus.”

    ~ Jason Larson

    In conclusion all this is that the name of God may be glorified and there is joy in heaven when one sinner repents more than ninety-nine others who need no repentance (Luke 15:7).

     

     “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

    ~Philippians 4:13

  • STRESS MANAGEMENT

    STRESS MANAGEMENT

    Sydney Harris

    ‎”When I hear somebody sigh, ‘Life is hard,’ I am always tempted to ask, ‘Compared to what?’”

    What is Stress?

    Stress can be defined as our mental, physical, emotional, and behavioral reactions to any perceived demands or threats.

    While “stress” is not specifically mentioned in the Bible, Scripture does speak to things such as anxiety, worry, and trouble—things we often associate with stress—and gives us clear answers on how we should deal with them.

    What does the Bible say about stress?

    Everyone suffers from stress at one time or another. How we naturally deal with it depends in large part on who we are. For some, emotional stress causes physical illness. Others might become hyper-productive. On the other hand, some people under stress shut down mentally and emotionally. And, of course, there are a variety of other responses. Stress is a common human experience, particularly in a world where the demands for our time and attention seem to be unending. Our jobs, health, family, friends, and even ministry activities can overwhelm us. The ultimate solution to stress is to surrender our lives to God and seek His wisdom regarding priorities as well as His enabling to do the things to which He calls us. He always gives enough, so we need not to be defeated by stress.

    One common cause of stress is financial. We stress over money because we never seem to feel that we have enough. We worry about being able to pay all our bills, many living paycheck to paycheck. Or we become consumed by materialism and, in turn, stressed-out about maintaining our lifestyle. Some become stressed over finances because they don’t trust God to provide the basic necessities of life.

    But Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? … And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Matthew 6:25, 27).

    It is true that we are called upon to be good stewards of money and to provide for our families (1 Timothy 5:8), but we must never forget that God is ultimately our Provider. If we are His, we need not fear that He will abandon us. On the other hand, there are those whose financial stress is caused more by materialistic greed than it is by true need. Materialism inevitably leads to stress because, when we seek the world’s goods, we have fallen for the “deceitfulness of wealth” (Mark 4:19), the lie that such things relieve stress and lead to happiness, contentment, and joy. They do not.

    We might also find ourselves stressed when facing a hardship or trial. James 1:2–4 counsels, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” When we encounter hardship, we can succumb to stress, or we can view it as a means by which God can strengthen our faith and mold our character (Romans 5:3–5; 8:28–29). When we redirect our focus on God, we find comfort in our sorrows and strength to endure (2 Corinthians 1:3–4; 12:9–10).

    No matter the type of stress in our lives, the starting point for dealing with it is Jesus Christ. Jesus offers us great encouragement in John 14:1: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” We desperately need Him in our lives. We need Him because He is the only one who can give us the strength to cope with the troubles in our lives. Believing in Him does not mean that we will have a trouble-free life or that we will not feel overcome by stress in our lives. It simply means that a life without Jesus Christ makes coping with stress an impossible and often debilitating task.

    Believing leads to trusting. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to “trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Leaning on “our own understanding” often means adopting the world’s ways of relieving stress—things like alcohol or drugs or mindless entertainment. Instead, we are to trust His Word as our ultimate guide to a stress-reduced life. David says, “I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4). David knew that by seeking the Lord and sharing his troubles with Him that perhaps he would find favor with Him. The Lord in turn answered him and calmed him down.

    Perhaps no passage in Scripture better captures how to handle stress than Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” The Lord tells us not to be anxious about anything, but rather to turn everything over to Him in prayer. Lifting our burdens and concerns to a holy and righteous God daily will mitigate or eliminate the stress in our lives. Psalm 55:22 tells us to cast all our cares on Him because He will sustain us and never fail us (see also 1 Peter 5:6–7). Jesus Christ offers peace if we come to Him with our worries and concerns. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27).

    Stress of all kinds is a natural part of life (Job 5:7, 14:1; 1 Peter 4:12; 1 Corinthians 10:13). But how we deal with it is up to us. If we choose to try to do it on our own, we will not find lasting relief. The only way we can consistently and successfully deal with stress is with Jesus Christ. First, we must believe in Him. Second, we need to trust Him and obey Him. We should trust Him to do what is right because His ways are always best for us. Disobedience and sin can produce stress and cut us off from the only means of peace and joy.

    By obeying His commandments we reap the blessings of true contentment from a loving God. Finally, we need to seek His peace daily by filling our minds with His Word, lifting all things to Him in prayer, and sitting at His feet in awe and reverence. It is only by His grace, mercy, and love that the stress in our lives can be managed.

  • Embracing Sexual Purity


    Living in sexual purity is a journey that requires intentional choices, personal commitment, and a strong foundation of values. For those seeking guidance in maintaining a lifestyle aligned with their beliefs, the timeless wisdom found in the Bible can serve as a source of inspiration and strength. Let’s explore how to navigate the path of sexual purity with biblical principles as our guiding light.

    1. Defining Sexual Purity (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5):
      The Bible emphasises the importance of living in sexual purity, urging believers to abstain from sexual immorality. In 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, it is written, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honour, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.”
    2. Setting Boundaries (Proverbs 4:23):


      Proverbs 4:23 advises, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Establishing clear boundaries is essential in guarding our hearts and maintaining sexual purity. Communicate your values and expectations in relationships, and be firm in upholding them.
    3. The Importance of Commitment (1 Corinthians 6:18-20):
      In 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, the Bible teaches, “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” Understanding our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit emphasizes the need for commitment to purity.
    4. Guarding the Mind (Philippians 4:8):
      Philippians 4:8 encourages believers to focus their minds on what is pure, lovely, and praiseworthy. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Cultivating a pure thought life contributes to overall sexual purity.
    5. Seeking Accountability (James 5:16):
      James 5:16 emphasizes the power of confession and accountability within the Christian community. “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” Having a support system and being accountable to others can provide strength and encouragement in the journey of sexual purity.

      Living in sexual purity is a deliberate and challenging choice, but with the guidance of biblical principles, it becomes a journey of spiritual growth and obedience to God’s will. As we navigate relationships and confront the complexities of a world that often contradicts these principles, let the wisdom of the Scriptures be our compass, leading us towards a life that reflects holiness, honor, and obedience to the Creator’s design for intimacy.