“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2Tim: 4-7)
Being Christian is a day to day job. It demands constant reminding for us to pay attention, diligent effort and mental and spiritual energy. It is challenging, time consuming and needs determination to ensure our life is in the right track and influencing others and bring fundamental change in Individual, community, departments, government.
Christian life should always stands against ungodly, worldly and evil work. these is the least that we can do for our Lord, that is how people should know us, when we stand for justice, love and kindness …, when we think what God has done for us. This simple task is nothing to fulfil within the community we are live in. Holding his light upright ensure people see that all the time is an obligation.
He also gave us responsibilities to teach, counsel, discipline, guide to mankind, he gave us skills for individuals to use it wisely and in-time. About 300 years ago, there was a rich young German nobleman, one day he visit the art gallery and looked those drawing on the wall, when he reached one particular painting of Christ dying on the cross. That paint showed the grate pain and agony of Jesus with drops of blood and tears steaming down his cheeks. Below the painting the following words were written, “All this, I have done for thee, what has thou done for me?” he trembled on his knees and sobbed in front of the other visitors received Jesus Christ as his personal savoir and devoted his remaining time on this world.
Or, we know we can have the finest building in the world, built from a very precious material, we might have thousands followers, we might have a beautiful song that will attract the youngest, olds, adults and children’s, we might have a best preacher in the world who can elaborate the word of God in amazing way, but if church lost the basic principles of God expectation of us that doesn’t make doesn’t make any different other than the rest of ordinary building in the world.
As any Christian, In Ethiopia church need to have depth understanding the conflict we are in. Otherwise we will not be able to determine the source of the suggestions within us. In warfare, soldiers must learn the technicality of fight and practice again and again, when we know we are fully confident then we wait for order from the officer and act based on our skill and experiences.
A major part of our challenge is firstly to know is the warfare in this world? Second what is our responsibility as Christian to play this role without conflict our value? What do we need for preparations? How often we need to practice in such role? Who is guiding me through the process? Who is the boss of this war? What is his expectation of me? What is the motives of this war?, which spirit is motivating us to behave or act in a certain way, and respond intelligently to light what God reveals to the situation.
For that, we must develop spiritual discernment. We should able to know the different voice between the Holy Spirit, eternal which is our own thought and external including peers pressure, environment and condition, or other voice.
One of Satan’s major strategies is to keep us from really perceiving with our hearts who God truly is. That is why Paul said our weapons cast down every high thing which exalts itself against the knowledge of God.
Second God warned us to wear the armor which has given by God in our every day life as protection. (Ephesians, 6:11- 15), and the bible continue describing the kind of war we are fighting, “for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in a high places.” God expected us to fight in a very complicated, delicate, sophisticated, detailed and unique battle. A battle of evil work using mankind, a battle of theft of emotion, resources, health, peace or any things that man value for survival, a battle of murders, slaughtered, a battle of oppressor, dictator, and the list is non stop.
Very few Christian have entered into this warfare and have been so close to God, they new they were in a conflict. Thank God for men like Martine Luther who have been willing to go against the tide and against tradition and against common opinion and against the way that many other people were going and ensure Gods plan for man kind is freedom.
One day Martin Luther felt such great conflict going on his room, and he was the only one in it, visibly. But he began to wrestle and struggle with the Devil. The Devil becomes so real and his power so strong then Luther picked up an Inkwell, threw it at the Devil, and it splattered against the wall on the other side of the room. He realised he was in a spiritual warfare, in a great conflict.
Most of us today are not engaged in a spiritual struggle. Not really standing for anything. We are apt to die for nothing!! You may say I am full of negativity, let me tell you if we cooperated with the Government who stop to express my feeling for our lost brothers and sisters in Saudi recently, and closed ourselves behind the door that is a worry,
However Bible describes who should be in this warfare against the forces of evil work in this world by penetrating with the light and salt we have been given to use influencing this world including those people in the higher place.
I believe it is not a time to sit in folding arms and taking it easy but work hard to ensure Gods power took its higher place in country, nation lives and individual life “Woe to them that are at ease in Zion” Amos 6:1) due to our carelessness, the forces of evil are at work as never before.
Don’t tell me the man of god does not involve in physical war, “Exodus 17” we see the clear picture that Moses gave to Joshua, destroy and slay???, men, women, children… Israelites were fighting against the Amalekites…. And we know exactly what happened next if we denied that we are God instrument to bring change in the country, which will be hearing God command and obey? Are we ready to go to the war if God told us to fight a physical fight?, means we need to be ready practicing the role we are playing when the time comes, the specific order to hear from God?, And to stand in front of our leaders and condom their action towards the nation? Do we know we need weapon it could be horn, sward, sling and stone or the word of God how could we know your responsibilities?
We have a power to librate the nation based on the Bible, we can librate our people from slavery, oppression, discrimination, brutal treatment, and we can do what ever God told us to librate the nation. Can we believe that??, because spiritual, emotional and psychological slavery is not god’s plan for its people and unacceptable in Gods eyes.
That is why we chose to be Christian, not to fall the crack and smashed in slavery, and worship one god who governs this world with mighty power, when we accept Jesus Christ as a personal savoir. We felt we are freed from the bondage of slavery instead we called to live as free man. Free man has no fear, doubt, free man understands the importance of freedom, free man will always to retain freedom for others.
What we are witnessing currently in Ethiopia seems very different, we step aside and witnessed so many crime and blood shed, oppression, ill-treatments, unfair punishment to innocence people, theft, lie, treated as nothing, criminals goes upright and nation bend down for so long and become cripples, nation is suffocated and not allowed to say a word about its need or anything else, nation is dragged to the slaughter house with no defence, why?? Do you think it is because God become old, blind or deaf? Absolutely not; why he is not answering our prayer??, we need to understand the there something wrong with our prayer not because of God. He wants us to librate this nation with the weapon we have been given, wit the guidance of Holy Spirit, and by going out there in front of the city and tell the wrong doers to stop violet human right not tomorrow but now.
I found a scripture that confirmed this word “for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” (1Choronthians 10:4)
We think involving in politics is criminal, not Gods plan, we have plenty excuses; due to those value we carried for a long time and offcourse not too sure wether it is Gods will to stand for disadvantageous is the right thing or not, we were an able to be honest to God, ourselves and others.
We watched so many times, when justice lost its balance in the country, innocence blood poured on the street, people become consciences prisoners for years and no one including us as a Christian unable to say free those innocence people, some disappear with no trace and families are wondering where their loved one gone, tortured aggressively developed permanent disability no one stand for that person Including church, and nation forced to march for thing they don’t even believe, we may did go out too, God almighty knows how we act. Millions of Dollar has been stolen from the nation and kept to the individual bank in the other hand people are dying everyday due to the lack of “Aspirin ” or basic medical treatment, nation is suffer immensely as a result of the wrong doer.
I strongly believe that God is good, kind, compassionate, fair, and love justice for mankind, from the beginning of his creation God has started to treat man with great respect, he created comfortable place to live for mankind, he created heaven and earth for man to utilised it as needed, he created man on his image, he even created women from Adam ribs not from his head, foot or elsewhere, but from his ribs to balance the equality between man and women. He called us children he encourage us to see each other as brothers and sisters, he told us to look after each other, and he passed his guidance how to live in this world through Moses, gave us law to govern individual with liberty and justice and told us to leave in peace and harmony.
We also utilised his instrument to punish the wrong doers, he used us to be his instrument to teach those wrong doers, he also send us to war when it is needed, the difference between Gods war and fleshly war is; God led the war, direction comes from him, and his soldiers are proactive and ensure they fight based on his instruction. God himself also involved personally and show that people understand crime has consequences, God may tolerated wrong doers for a while, waited for man to return from his wrong doing, if not he act. Noah and his family with paired animals, who paid attention follow the direction of God, does what God told him to do for 40 years, not ignoring Gods plan for mankind, speak out with no fear, get abused, laughed, isolated and considered as mad man was able to escape the flood how ever those who ignored God instruction, swallowed by the flood.
When we see Abraham, God built a personal relationship while he lives with his dad and help his dad with his business (“Teraphim Statue”). God told him to get out of the country, leave everybody including his cousin, Abraham was against his father job, he has a good understanding about who is God and how he needs to be worship, he used to stand in front of the shop and challenge the buyers why they are buying these statue and discussed that the statue doesn’t represent their God. Therefore God have seen his motives about true love and respect he has to God, he wants to save him from these lost nations, he wants to save him for his purposes, and took him out of Canaan.
Jacob in the other hand, starved of God blessing and does what it takes, he fight with his own brother to take the blessing of his father, he rather missed his lunch and exchanged it to Esau brother birth right, fought with the angel all night until his name change to Israel means “fight for God” however the division between Jacob and Esau lead Israelites to slavey to Egypt.
The other great man of God was Moses: Moses, who seen gods, chosen by god to liberated Israelites from 400 years slavery, able to brought ten commandment to the people and the book of law which contents 613 laws for man to deal with in every day lives, and for every body including those who are chosen to lead the nation. Det: 16: 20 “Justice Shalt thou Pursue” brought first democracy principles in the society, brought the people of Israel from the idolatry to God,
Joshua conquered Jericho and most of Canaan, he used Gods the weapon it has been given by God, shout, use the musical instruments, the sounds of shophars, the rams horn, to help him enter in the city with no blood shed, the city wall which has been built to protect cannas from its enemy crumbles like nothing, conquered the city and divided the land according to the size of the tribe in twelve place fairly. He worn the Israelites to take care of each other, he remind the they are one, brother and sisters from one father, take responsibilities to share the common burden and to support, encouraged and keep their faith as first guidance principles.
God also involved in a personal way when people crossed the boundaries, when crime become a normal act to man kind, when those disadvantage become victims of wrong doer, the list is continues to understand that Gods people have responsibilities to ensure justice has served its purpose, because that is God wants for us, that is the plan that God have for the nation, if we read again and again, Joseph, Mosses, Joshua, Aaron, Daniel, Esther, Nehemiah, Saul, David, Solomon, Samson and many bold but faithful servants of God, are served God in a faithful way, they stand in front of kings, and say what needs to be said in a timely manner, tell them to stop sin and return to God, they went to prison but nothing will stop them to promote Gods will to mankind and challenge the challenger, pray and ask God the guidance how to approach such matter and paid the necessary price to ensure God is on his throne in any circumstances.
David was a good fighter, sensitive to his spiritual life and ensure his relationship with God is straight, take things seriously, take time in his own way to trained by God and able to defend himself and his father cattle’s from wild animals, which helped him to stand with no fear in front of the giant Goliath who mocked on Gods people, know how to fight with humble motive, and not taking anything for granted but glorified his God about his gift.
That is why God called him “the Loved One” in the time of persecution by Saul, David remained faithful to his king, his moral character was amazing, Saul tried to kill, destroy David again and again, become envy, full of hatred, angry at David, David never lost his faith and wants to do the same thing to Saul, but tried to show his capability to destroy back, he teach a great lesson to Saul he wouldn’t put his hands on the anointing king, not a king who put himself to the leader position.
David is a human like all of us, the difference is he knew when he stuffed up and fall on his knees and ask forgiveness straight away, he knew when he crosses his boundaries and ready to accept any consequence, He doesn’t pretend he doesn’t sin but closed his door pray until the answer comes from God.
In the other hand his son Solomon was a builder, preserved what is left from his father war kingdom, smart knowing what to ask God, “knowledge, wisdom, “I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honours—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings” 1 King 3:12
Here is the point to stress out and I want you to focus on these questions to all of those who would like to know why all of the sadden God abandoned its people? And the mighty empire lost in the midst?
I would like to take our own country “ETHIOPIA” the proud nation in history, good fighter, united, humble, our ancestor was able to protect our land with no advance, complicated, weapon, travels miles by foots, if lucky horse maybe, no water thank, or truck for food, no weapon carry machine, no doctor to administer medical treatment or medication to help those who are sick. no tent to protect them from heat or cold, no boat to cross the rivers, they never learn how to climb the mountains, how did they were able to defend our country in such situation from those who called themselves civilised, uses advance weapons who can kill hundreds in a time?, the country who have all resources to sustain the victory without doubt crushed by our hero.
However the practical problem might bring persecution to Christians communities, and that happened before and such act may brought those doubt to those gifted ethical Christians and they may not get support from their church or leaders to perform this mission or forbidden to involve in politics.
Christians also have a responsibility to be proactive in society and addressing issues, whenever possible, before harm takes place. That means supporting and promoting institutions that are good both for individuals and for society, like the family. That’s the kind of broad view we must take to live out a Christian response in our culture.
When country attacked by foreign enemies, it was obvious, easy to understand without unity question individual wants contribute to the situation, that includes, women men, children and all the nation will raise together to ensure those people in the front line are supported in any means. People have the same feeling about the issues.
In-other hand when the country is in a war “within” the nation, that idea itself have a huge impact to destroy unity, people start stop caring for each other, caring about the country as whole but a little bit or your own area, and harmony replaced by destroy each other ethnically, spiritually, socially, the list will continue until things become beyond our imaginations. “That is what happened to us” my question here is; as Christian what role do we play to stop this in early stage????
As mention again and again in the above statement; Gods plan is to see each other as brother and sisters, put aside differences, as Christian promote such harmony in every day life, by living, breathing and walking. Is that what we have been doing or we instead start the war within the church and spread such sprits to the rest of the country? Fight one church with another church, one leader with other leaders, one region with another region, one group with another group, the conflict become so infectious until the Holy Spirit left the place and Government involved and sort out our problem.
That is what happened between David and Absalom, the conflict grow until the might empire of Israel melt down as nothing. Our bible tells us that Israelites has gone through such experience several time, however for some reason Gods helped them to gain power after a couple hundreds of years with huge price paid. Israelites scatter around the world during Solomon son regime. The city destroy with full of history, wealth, treasure, it has been built for centuries, taken by enemy, people lost their lives, in the country, out side the country, some where in the desert, in the ocean, my Gosh it sound familiar to our current situation. Those who survived run away to the country such as other Arabs, Greek, Italy, Western countries you don’t have any idea what we are going through in every day life, scattered all over the world, work hard and make sure our family back home are looked after even if we have a hard time, save if possible hoping one day, in Gods time we may able to come and live a comfortable life with our family and friends, Left behind our culture, family and start experiencing new life style to survive and so many things become nothing but history.
It sounds so familiar, obvious, for us to go through such humiliation while we have father mother sister brother and sister back home. not a long ago we witnessed our brothers and sisters who run away from home to breath a fresh air, earn a penny, live a normal life even they are well aware that never happen in the country like Arabs, to eat enough food, to help family, to live independent as any adult. They start the journey with excitement and end up in the trap of death and suffering. laid their lives before they reach to the destination, they went through horrific pain, they felt so helpless, they were bitten to death, their body opened alive by those criminals for their sack of greed, their organs were taken and left to death in the middle of no where, they cries out for help with no response, they were raped by filth man in a group, tortured and end up with broken part of the body or dead, put acid on their sisters face, burnt alive, work for free, lost their mind in the country who does not care about, and left in the desert with their small children without food or cloths. I need to say it in details, otherwise it seems we pretend nothing happened and continue living our life as normal. I don’t think these matters are serious and have impact on the nation in a group or individual level.
Not a long ago our beloved brother and sisters blood poured on the street, their head opened by axe, they have been robed and the worst they have been abundant by our own government, people was banned to express their sadness in their own country, mothers and fathers, friends, brothers and sisters was banned to cry loud and nation was o terrified to were black ribbons to show their sadness.
The question for Ethiopians is; do you think God will have a way to take us back where we were before in 100 years ago, live life gracefully, love and support each other or we need to be wipe out with our own scary idol who lost their insanity and kill, oppressed, tortured as they desire? When we will say that is enough or keep going the death traps who is open and wait for us and increase our suffering day by day immensely,
If we think and believe Christians are powerful nation, guided by God and fight righteous fight with determination to librate our land and people from such shame, we need to turn our face directly towards to God, hold our flag “the mighty nation governed by god, nothing will stand before him” which is absolutely true and start challenge the challenger with our weapon or we wait with cross arm put thousand excuses and wait for miracles from heaven?. God is waiting for us to act, he is ready to revenge those people who crossed the line and killed his creation inside, outside the country. Having a clear vision, mission and value is vital to know our contribution in this war, brutal treatment within the country and outside the country is not God’s will, and bring democracy and peace on the land is our responsibility not any opposition leaders or the current regime who failed badly to do so.
So far we looked those people, who were chosen by God to librate the nation to the promise land, begun wit Noah and to David, when God believe in his children he uses them to end the misery, brings growth and prosperity instead able to gain those leaders who are chosen by God, who care about the nation nothing else.
Now we are looking one of the skills in life we can earn from god to help the helpless, to tell the wrong doer they are wrong, to challenge the challengers and to make sure those people who are leading the nation understands God is the boss not them, and able to listen with care to avoid punishments.
Nehemiah (builder of the Wall)
The first expression of Nehemiah was his heart breaking sadness, began with invocation then confession, he was in a praying mood when the king seen his inner sadness and willing to give what Nehemiah wants, “To build his native city” went to see the situation, the damage, the part of the building which needs priority, (He began his tour on the west side of the city and proceeded counter clockwise around the old city of David.) went alone, take time and pray about the project.
Offcourse the bible doesn’t say about the response from God to Nehemiah, however Nehemiah sounds that it is time to rebuild the wall. “Let us start rebuilding.” The determination of Nehemiah creates conflict between Sanballat and him, there was no fear in Nehemiah minds but certain that they will build the wall and he told them God is their side.
His position indicates in the palace has shown Nehemiah capability of good organisational, managerial and administrative skills. Therefore he brought people from vary backgrounds including The list includes every spectrum of society: priests, led by the high priest himself; temple servants; civil officials; laity; craftsmen; merchant groups; and even one man’s daughters (v. 12). A spirit of cooperation is evident, but there were some who withheld their support, such as the nobles of Tekoa (v. 5).
Once the crowd begun the job the wall was built rapidly, everybody was committed to work hard until the jobs done. That doesn’t mean there was no conflict eternally or persecution from outside world, He faced repeated revolts, insult, aggression the main point was Nehemiah never fail back from his initial plan.
Elijah: was bold, no fear when he stand up to kings, queens or those higher public servants’ who are committed crime on nation. He was able you are a sinner, stop if not God will revenge those innocence blood, that is why Elijah was called “Thunder of the Lord” his total conviction, courage, unique personalities, and challenge the challenger with full confidences.
Isaih: in the other hand seeks Justice, relieved the discriminated, oppressed, pushed down, treated in a bad way, he always passionate caring for others, that gives him a great political insight, a profound vision of an ideal of society, and uses his wealth of spiritual favour.
He told the people to stop fighting, “nation shall not lift swards against nation” who is going to make it happen do you think those people who decide to kill, treat God creation as nothing will put their swards and being humble all of the sudden or as Gods messenger we have a role to play for this to happen?
He talked about harmony, “the wolf shall dwell with the lamb” what is that mean when we live in the world full of power, hatred is a symbol of Ethiopian government, “if you don’t like what I am going to do, you will die as simple is that.” There is no mercy in their dictionary. So who is going to make sure Ethiopia will be the place wolf and lamb could live in the same place without one oppressing another?
He talked about, to stop evil work and devote for justice, “he encouraged us to stand for justice all time, not when we feel, we like, or we chose, but at all time we need to open our house to accept those people who become victimised by the government cruel act. We need to feed them spiritually and physically, we need to stand and argue about those people right means being their voice, we need to treat their wound as ours. In that way we preached gospel in a practical way. with the to do the right thing when it comes justice, and stress out by saying DEVOTED your self to justice and he continue to defend widower, and warned if we fail to do so, God will have a way to protect those broken lambs and for us as a Christian he stated wasting these chance and not doing anything will have its consequences.
Isaiah took this further and told that individuals have divine responsibilities into divine demand for entire people to be “light unto the nation” he emphasis on the obligation of man towards another fellow man, other wise Isaiah stated worshiping God while the nation in such stress is not right and God itself hates it. Rather he said “let the oppressed go free” we should continue reading Isaiah 58; 1-10 more in his book.
Is it another familiar to us, justice lost its balance for a very long time and no one seems care about those helpless victims of criminals, people died every day and even father and mother lost strength to cry loud, people thrown in prison for no reason and society accepted as normal “including those who believe they are call to serve God” I heard we have plenty prophets, that are called by God, plenty teacher given the skills to teach the nation including the leaders, healers to heal those broken souls and run fro fire to ferns. Those people who thinks they are anointed by God to librate society. Where are there, who are those people, what have they done to change this suffering and help those leaders to comeback to their sense.
Jeremiah means complaints and lamentation
The great prophet Jeremiah lived during one of the most critical periods in Jewish history. He saw the destruction of Jerusalem and of the Beth Hamikdosh, after his warnings and prophecies fell on deaf ears. His prophecies are recorded in the Book of Jeremiah, which also contains the important events of his life.
Jeremiah was still a young man when the spirit of prophecy came upon him. He was fearful to accept such a responsibility, declaring, “I am still a boy!” But God said to him, “Say not, ‘I am a boy,’ for you shall go to all that I shall send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Be not afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you” (Jeremiah 1:6-8). From that moment, Jeremiah lost all fear and delivered his sad prophecies and warnings without regard for the king and his strong men, often at the very peril of his life
One of Jeremiah’s first missions was to go to the exiled Ten Tribes of Israel, whose kingdom in the north had been destroyed by the Assyrians less than a century previously. Jeremiah brought them courage and hopes and induced many of them to return to their native land.
Each of Jeremiah’s prophecies is like a piece of colour glass. In their current locations within the Book of Jeremiah, they form an impressionistic and multi-coloured collage Yet, when we arrange these colour pieces according to the narrative of Jeremiah’s life, they become something akin to a portrait of the prophet in stained glass, a portrait that lets the light of God’s love shine through the continence of this sorrow-filled son of Judah.
Jeremiah declared that the wisdom of the idol worshipping nations, nor riches, nor power have real value, but only knowledge of God and following in His ways. Thus, one of Jeremiah’s most famous teachings is the following:
“Thus says God: Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might; let not the rich man glory in his riches. But let him that glories, glory in this: that he understands and knows, that I am God, Who practices mercy, justice and righteousness on the earth; for in these things I delight, says God.” (Jeremiah 9:22-23).
The person who weeps for the country sins and rejoices the people blessing, tell the truth what needs to be done to gain that blessing from God, people may not like it but he always told the message as it comes with no fear.
Ezekiel
Bring spiritual restoration to the nation, prophesize about Jews for the 20th century, and many. I can’t cover all the point in this short version of my article.
I understand about the gospel which is full of love, forgiveness and determination to make this world a better place through those people who understand the principle of god, God loves the world, including non-Christians.
He told us to care one another and love one another even our enemies, these is more to the Christian who believes about deliverance, freedom, forgiveness by living our live based on his will, ensure we care about the world not only the person next to us, or the person who have similar believe and moral values but the “WORLD” God showed us how this to be done by giving his only son to us and librate us from the bondage, he watched him suffer, rejected, alone, persecuted, bitten, crucified and die for the mistakes that we have done.
I saw the pain Jesus went through to make that happen; became a refugee in the desert, hungry, homeless, humble, isolated, rejected, persecuted and crucified on the cross to ensure salvation is received to those who can not be righteous with our good deed.
I read the bible that, which was the specific target for Jesus to reach out and work through to bring hope to their lives while he was in this world; he never approached the rich, healthy, knowledgeable, strong despite he told those people in the high rank will have difficulties to join him being his follower due to their greed and the material greed that chocked their souls.
He was busy to show passion, love and forgiveness for those who were disadvantaged, sick, poor and hungry people. He spent the time to direct the religious leaders in the right direction, spoke firmly and harshly saying they need to change their attitude towards about their value, he told them directly they are not playing with their responsibilities according to the word of God. He also stresses out to his disciples how they need to live in this world.
Therefore I always ask myself, why we aren’t doing something to stop the suffering of our people for the last twenty two years?, why not saying something that will bring piece in that lands, why are we close our door for those who are homeless, hungry, isolated, rejected in the society, persecuted due to their ethnics, religion, believes?
We know what is going on in the country, not a long a go Orthodox churches was in the country side were persecuted, evicted, burnt and monks, those homeless who have no where to go scattered all over the place, bitten and killed when they refused to leave, our Muslim brother and sisters where treated badly, jailed, tortured and killed, many professionals were jailed, killed and still in prison for the crime they didn’t commit, the continues of displacement of our people In the name of investment is affecting thousands of families, expressing the people interest remained as crime, what are have we been doing to stop this ill treatment? What are we thinking to do to stop such act for a future or give ourselves brake from such hardship and enjoy life to compensate for the time we suffered in the Mengistu regime?
Our bible tells us, Mosses fought with God not challenge Pharaoh at times of slavery of Israelites, he gave so many excuse to show his incapability, he pointed out that other people may able to do a better job than him, but gods plan for Israelites was freedom and he wants Moses to do perform this particular task from the beginning when he gave him chance to grow in Pharaoh home, build relationship with him, learnt their culture, languages.
I have a question for those who left the country for some reason and back home to make a difference in the society and vary form, while they stayed in the western country shared sipped from democracy cups and enjoyed the freedom and when they got back home it is interesting to know how they live with themselves witnessing all such cruelty and remain silent’s. it is interesting to know what stopped them to voice out and ensure they pass their concerns about the violent, human right violation killing innocent people, jailing torturing , stilling, e.t.c. how can they integrated with such society???
Or fear took over control their life, trembled in fear, scared to die for justice, if yes, how do you live with yourselves when you witness nation is living in terror of war? God is looking down on those innocent blood, God watch individuals and including those religions group and ask, what have you done to save this person? What will be your answer? If not now Jesus will come you need to understand one of the questions will be, where have you been son/daughter when those poor people slathered for no reason, why didn’t you do something about it?? Is your answer will be as follows:” God because I know you are a cruel therefore I was so afraid to use the gift you gave me and buried it until today take it now” that is why Jesus gave us this proverbs while he was here.
For so many years I have had an interesting responses from different people about the Christians involvement in politics, some believed that the government was “unholy and unclean” therefore Christians had no business with that, . In the other hand I have seen Christian in different doctrines came together to gain power to reflect Gods power. So you can imagine what is going on in my mind now. When we are called to the might nation, when our leader is almighty and when we are promised we can do great thing and what ever that God wants to do us with no fear. why this happen to us, why we are witnessing and does nothing about it? Where is our faith???,
We are Christians who seems to have the same faith as Jesus’ disciples, in his time. Jesus told his disciples to pray and stay awake with him; they all decide to sleep instead of paying attention and do what Jesus told them to do. “Stay with me, do not close, I am going to die and you will be left alone, this world will reject you, “STAY WITH ME” avoids the spiritual tiredness”. It will be interesting to know how many of us are with Jesus in the current situation and know exactly aware what Jesus want us to do to stop the suffering of the nation?.
Don’t we know that if we get involved in the government, with the right attitudes, it will bring blessing, prosperity, honours, unity, to our nation who suffers lots for a long time and most important God will be glory? Don’t we know God is willing to guide us and never leave our side until victory is achieved? Don’t we know that we can do this not because of our capability but that is Gods will win the battle?
In addition, to the Old Testament we have seen that God commanded Mosses to go back to the people and get 12 people that were chosen by their own decedents and share the responsibilities based on their skills. The first “DEMOCRACY” establishment in history, it is not Gods will to be govern by dictators, tis not Gods will for us to be oppressed by man, it is not Gods will for us to be killed jailed or persecuted by evil work. And if we have faith God is happy to provide us with the person who has a great fear of God and able to guided by God.
Again I will take you back to the bible; King David the loved king, Isaiah was apparently an official in the government of Judah. Daniel king, Nehemiah advisor of king and Ezra were not only willing to work with their fellow Israelites, but had official positions with foreign governments – governments that openly worshiped idols. Esther was willing to be made queen of Persia as her uncle was a member of the Persian military. Naaman, the commander of the army of Aram, was converted and healed of leprosy under the ministry of Elisha. Naaman mentioned that he would be required to enter a pagan temple on state occasions. But Elisha does not tell him to leave the service of Aram.
In the New Testament, when soldiers came and talked to John the Baptist, he didn’t tell them to leave their soldiering, but rather to be just in the way they treat civilians and to be happy with their pay. When Paul spoke to numerous government officials throughout the Mediterranean world, he shared and educated them about Christ. He never told them that if they became Christians, they would need to leave their government position and service. In fact, there isn’t any place in the entire Bible where people are told they should not be involved in the government services or in the work of legitimate militaries. While there is criticism of some evil kings and evil armies, there is no rule or prohibition whatsoever. There is no statement in the biblical account to the effect that government is in any way unclean or inherently evil.
The Old Testament is full of suggestions to do away with oppression and to work for justice. Generally speaking, it is only through the power of the government that we are able to stand for justice and to do away with oppression. Simply preaching and witnessing without any civil or group action hardly brings true evildoers to justice or gives them any genuine pause. In the New Testament, Paul was willing to use his Roman citizenship as a tool for the Gospel. Paul made no objections to being treated like a Roman, but made many objections to people disregarding his rights as a Roman citizen.
You are the light/salt Mathew 5:13-16
“Light penetrate darkness” Luke 11:13 “No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a bowl; instead, it is put on the lamp-stand, so that people may see the lights as they come in. such light should be shown to the world in every day lives. When crime committed in god creation made man, when justice lost its balance, when man kind becomes violence, brutal and evil doers the list will continue. My question is what is our responsibilities and where is our position as Christians to ensure individual have comfortable life and share what we have, contribute for permanent change in the government instead worship God in close door, not paying attention what is going on in the world or does not care about those disadvantage people who are created in Gods image.
In 2007 went Ethiopia, as usual I went to church to worship God on Sunday, on the way of church so many people on the street, homeless, hungry, old and women with babies begging for anything that will help them to go through the day in a loud voices. They seem very sad and desperate to survive. Felt so bad and worthless for me to have enough money and comfortable life not because I am different than those people but for some reason, I have been given chances firstly to thank God and secondly to ensure I should have a great wisdom to ensure to share what I have.
My journey to reach church come closer, the traffic become heavy, people are driving very expensive car while others are struggling to feed our family in daily basis, not only that as soon as I step in the church I have seen the bid poster shown a big building plan, below it was written saying that they are planning to build $8 million dollar worth church and ask for donation. The poster is explaining what that building will include; to me it seems the church want to change the church to organisation. None of the plan wont include feeding hungry, helping sick or clothing the necked?!! My heart sank, I felt deep sadness in my souls, and stand still and felt to shout out saying can you hear me? I also felt to tear apart that poster and throw it on the leaders face; I left the church in a fast paste and never got back to that church again.
Being salt in the world
“Salt penetrate the food” We uses salt for vary purposes, flavour enhancer, disinfectants; preserved food, which makes food tasty. As Christian we have responsibilities not to settle for what is comfortable in this world but ensure Jesus freedom is preached accordingly, and when somebody ignore these message and become cruel, brutal, evil in goes made creation then we need to tell that person it is wrong and needs to stop now. Which lead us the main point of our value and mission by caring for other, being humble, obedience and genuine between ourselves and the rest of the world. People can see that so easy and let me ask you one question “who does not want such life?” we don’t need to pick up bible but people will stand in a long line to worship our god who is almighty, love and humble.
Honest to our selves and others
The early church were making people angry, uncomfortable by preaching the truth even they are aware of the result. Once the apostle Paul preached all things concerning the kingdom of God (Act 19:8 that was “a salvation Message” which bring the nation to the light, not covering up criminals, corrupted people within the church due to their political position or do business with the world in the name of charity instead tell those criminals they are wrong and they need to stop, reach out for those family who lost their loved once” TRUTH” always make uncomfortable those people who does the wrong things including the government, when policies developed and adapted, because the scripture handed that responsibility to Christians to ensure justice serve its purposes. Jesus never went to the world to the authority but us to give, love and forgive.
Being Bold for truth
Boldness is something that is lacking among the average Christian today. Most do not act like lions. They seem almost scared, sometimes; to let people know they are Christians. And yet the Word says, “The righteous are bold as a lion.” How is boldness manifested? Many people have a wrong idea about this.
Do you want to be a bold Christian or a cold Christian? Most people know that there is more than one kind of Christian. They think that what they see is the normal type of Christianity, but it is not. It may be the common type but in reality it is abnormal. Bold Christianity is that described in Ephesians 3:12, “In whom we have boldness.” In Christ we have boldness. Well then, have you got it or haven’t you? We have boldness. It is part of God’s spiritual gift package that we received when we accepted Christ as our personal Saviour. “In whom we have boldness” — that settles the matter. I do not have to pray for it, work for it, or hope for it. I already have it. Only one question remains: What am I doing with it?
Boldness is the biblical manner in which God wants the Gospel given. We are not to develop our own methods based upon personality or passion. We are to open our mouths and unapologetically testify to the saving power of Jesus Christ. Is it possible that the commonly reported frustrations in personal evangelism and our epidemic failure to evangelize at all is rooted in our failure to embrace the biblical method of boldness?
If you start talking freely, openly and authentically about Jesus Christ, you must anticipate some of the same—count on it. Regardless of what the strategists say, negative reaction is not always reflective of poor presentation.
Acts 4:13 records the council’s response: “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” In verse 18 Peter and John are warned not to speak in Jesus’ name. They both answer that they cannot stop speaking about their personal experience with Christ.
As soon as they are released, Peter and John run straight to their friends and start a prayer meeting, pleading with God to prevent the threats they have heard from diminishing their boldness. The Holy Spirit responds by filling each person, so that they “continued to speak the word with boldness” (Acts 4:31).
Was this one of those “for them and not for us” things? In Ephesians, the Apostle Paul settles that question with his request, “Pray for me that I would speak boldly as I ought to speak” (Cf. Ephesians 6:19).
Boldness can be very gentle, kind and from a loving heart. It’s not mean or pushy; it’s just convinced. Boldness does not adjust the presentation to avoid a negative response. Paul said, “But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 4:2). Boldness knows that salvation is of the Lord, “and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48). Boldness is the Spirit-given conviction that we must speak about what we have seen and heard based on the scripture.
In Acts 4:1–3 the disciples were boldly “proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead” and the opposition didn’t believe in much except being in charge so “they arrested them.”
If you give witness to Jesus Christ and people get upset, you’re not necessarily doing it wrong. We should not be seeking a way to evangelize where everyone likes us and no one ever gets upset. I wish I could hear some of our modern strategists explaining their plans to the evangelists in the early church. “Hey Peter and John, if you just round off the corners a bit, you can reach a lot of people and avoid jail time.”
Biblical boldness for Christ is a fountain that bursts forth from a satisfied soul. Even when facing the authorities, Peter overflows with the Gospel, referring to Jesus seven times in Acts 4:10-12 concluding with, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Boldness springs from something that is happening deep inside. Jesus Christ has changed my life. Everything that I was looking for and longing for, I found in Him. I have the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life. I have a peace that passes understanding. I have a love for people whom I should hate. I have joy and a strength I knew nothing about, so how could I not try to tell others that they can have it, too? That is boldness!
In regard to evangelism, God has not just told us what to do, He has told us how to do it. Embrace afresh the biblical method: clear, concise, unwavering witness for Christ—even in the face of opposition. The bold way is the biblical way. Testify boldly and without fear, regardless of the response, and you will know God’s favor upon your witness for Christ.
Acts 4:13 – Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. As we see in this content boldness, is our identity, we fear nothing but God, we stand to glorify God by showing the world what is right doing means
Acts 4:31 – And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. The current church has so many praying schedules; we often pray about something anything according to Gods promise, “if you gather two and more than that I will be with you” is God lied about this??, absolutely not, the issue is us what we are praying for and ensure the prayer is answered as God Will, again we may ask what is God will for us??
Hebrew 10: 19-25: Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. .
1 Corinthians 13:1-13: If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
Daniel 3: 17-18 : If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from burning fiery furnace, and he will delver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O King that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Don’t forget, these three men were still quite young, were Hebrew captives to boot, and they had prominent positions of government with Daniel.
Look at there statement, first it seems, they suddenly lose faith, which is far from it, and step by step they declare their will God is capable to save them, therefore they will not bow to his idol, it is not a chose for them to change their mind based on the seriousness of the situation but their value has one thing to show their loyalty to the almighty God.
I love how God consistently confounds really big deal rulers in this book, over and over again. The king who just moments ago was stewing in rage, had now leapt to his feet due to those God servants young man, shouting disbelief for his Wiseman to confirm what his eyes couldn’t possibly really be seeing. Not only were the three captives unhurt, but there was someone else hanging out, walk with them chatting they must have a good time in the Furness, who none of the Babylonian royals could account for. Glory to be our God then Nebuchadnezzar perceived him to be like a “Son of God” (4:25). “They didn’t even smell like smoke” isn’t that amazing?
Sometimes our leader can build the highest idol ever for political and greed reason, rather than spiritual reason which is true, what God lacks was those three young man or Daniel to say enough is enough this is wrong and ready to be thrown in the Furness, I felt so ashamed with our ignorance, to measured Gods capability with our small minds and witnessed so much crime including innocence blood.
Philippians 1:20 – According to my earnest expectation and [my] hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but [that] with all boldness, as always, [so] now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether [it be] by life, or by death.
When Paul says “…. but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death”. Expressing his desire, commitment and loyalty and transparent about his devotion to Christ, for him nothing is bigger than Christ, nothing will stop him to fulfil his mission “even death”
Obedient;
So the LORD said to Moses: “See, I have made you as God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother shall be your interpreter. You shall speak all that I command you. And Aaron your brother shall speak to Pharaoh to send the children of Israel out of his land. How ever you need to stop your refusal.
Exodus 14, is a good examples to Christians “faith, obedience and love of justice” will help us to stand for strong even though death could be occurred any time soon, right doing and ensure the evil work not overtaking the government. It must be so hard for Moses to stand strong in front of those people who suffered immensely for 400 years and no hope except escaping the pharaoh soldiers.
They shout loud to Mosses why did you do these, why did you freed us and bring us the end of the sea we can’t even run and scapes for them, what was the idea of freedom if we are going to die in the red sea” why/why/why?, people terrified of Pharaoh, complaining about why he freed them from Pharaoh to be killed in front of the Red Sea, shouting, crying I believe some of them already on the way back to the soldiers to give their hand. It was hard moment and he may feel helpless about the situation until he was able to get the guidance from God how he could help the crowd to cross the red Sea.
Esther (star)
The book of Esther is unique in the Bible as the name of God is never directly mentioned there. One of the only two books in the bible named after women, (Ruth). Esther was an orphan who was brought up by her older cousin, Mordecai (Esther 2:5-7).
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By this time (486-465 B.C.), more than 100 years after the Babylonian captivity under Nebuchadnezzar, and just over 50 years after Zerubbabel led the first group of exiles back to Jerusalem, many Jews still remained in Persia. They were part of the Diaspora, or “scattering” of exiles among the nations. Although they were free to return to Jerusalem by decree of Cyrus, many had probably become established and did not wish to risk the dangerous journey back to their homeland. Esther’s family were among the Jews who stayed behind in Persia.
“Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13-14, NIV)
Esther urged all of the Jews to fast and pray for deliverance. Then risking her own life, brave young Esther approached the king with a plan of her own
God’s Sovereignty – The hand of God is at work in the lives of his people. If they are willing to be his instruments as he used the circumstances in Esther’s life, he is able to uses individual Christian, as he uses the decisions and actions of all humans to providentially work out his divine plans and purposes. We can trust in the Lord’s sovereign care over every aspect of our lives.
Esther 4:14
“For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Esther 4:16
“Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”
Esther 9:20-22
Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration.
Esther 9:28
These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews—nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants.
As believer I am sure we all have tried some of the tactics to fight against these evil work, after twenty two years we may accept the weapon we used for these war is not effective enough and accepted defeat, and when we witnessed that Satan on the go slathering nation the we start struggling with fear, doubt, confusion guilt t that is why we may need to accept it is God will we might to stay slave for a while and frustration God may left his throne and does not care about Ethiopia.
At last the victory is belongs to God: God is guaranteeing that if we wear, use his weapons, and follow his direction, the victory is guaranteed.” mighty through God to the Pulling down of strong holds”. Revolution 12:11 “they overcome him by the blood of Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.” When Jesus is back he would like to hear our testimony and the kind of weapon we used to win the evil work in the time we stayed in this world.
Every sector of society is going to the wrong way the world we are live in, god told us to be light and salt to the rest of the world, however we are unable to reach out for those people who lost the sense of who they are and continued to kill jailed, oppressed the unjustly, in the result of this wrong doing, every day we are witnessing people suffer immensely. We are unable to bring hope to those who are disadvantage, helpless, sick, and starved, prisoner with no crime committed but stand for justice, tortured to death. What I want to ask you today is where our mission on this situation is fulfilled?
Now let me ask you another question: can we expect that God to deliver us always whenever we deny ourselves to take stand for him??, he watches the disciples pay price for him, he himself went through crucial pain to fulfil his mission so what are we waiting to stand and does what god want us to do in the world we are living.
If we are able to say no this is wrong, yes we may live in peace but that is not what God wants to. Shadrach, Mashach and Abednego went through fire to ensure the king know their stand when it comes to their value, the something with Daniel, Ester they said their god is faithful to save them “even if not” we will continue our practice. God is waiting us to deliver the people of Ethiopia inside and outside the country, he want us to guide the nation to gods kingdom by condemning the wrong doing, he want the nation to lift its hand together towards him, this will happen with our hard work other wise the result will come to bite us Christians and god will have its own way to deliver the nation.
Dear brother; Thank you for your efforts in promoting and protecting our cause.
This is our duty. We have tried to be descent and responsible; but
there are some illiterates who want to push us to the end corner.
Enough is enough. We have hundreds of evidences that Coffee Arabica
originated from Ethiopia and in particular from Kafa. Kafa province
was established n the 1930 incorporating Jimma and others. But Coffee
was discovered thousands of years before that. If we keep quiet;
there will be further steps to snatch everything from us. You shall
use the comment to initiate further dialogue so that we come to final
agreement with everybody.
I can see how tough it is for you alone to do this. You are doing
great. Keep it up.
oh, my dear. how wonderful you are! I appreciate your deep understanding about kafa language and culture and about overall things of kafa. you are a first person in promoting our personality and issue that has not been raised yet. we have a lot of things in terms of culture, language, hospitality, respect, etc. not introduced yet due to lack of people who is committed to do like you. thank you for your effort. Actually I don’t know who you are and where you are now. keep it up!
kafaforfreedom 
thank you for creating this page. I must say the flag is white, blue, and red with out hut in the center. The flag on the page is Southern’s region.
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MESSAGE FOR ETHIOPIAN RELIGION LEADERS;
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2Tim: 4-7)
Being Christian is a day to day job. It demands constant reminding for us to pay attention, diligent effort and mental and spiritual energy. It is challenging, time consuming and needs determination to ensure our life is in the right track and influencing others and bring fundamental change in Individual, community, departments, government.
Christian life should always stands against ungodly, worldly and evil work. these is the least that we can do for our Lord, that is how people should know us, when we stand for justice, love and kindness …, when we think what God has done for us. This simple task is nothing to fulfil within the community we are live in. Holding his light upright ensure people see that all the time is an obligation.
He also gave us responsibilities to teach, counsel, discipline, guide to mankind, he gave us skills for individuals to use it wisely and in-time. About 300 years ago, there was a rich young German nobleman, one day he visit the art gallery and looked those drawing on the wall, when he reached one particular painting of Christ dying on the cross. That paint showed the grate pain and agony of Jesus with drops of blood and tears steaming down his cheeks. Below the painting the following words were written, “All this, I have done for thee, what has thou done for me?” he trembled on his knees and sobbed in front of the other visitors received Jesus Christ as his personal savoir and devoted his remaining time on this world.
Or, we know we can have the finest building in the world, built from a very precious material, we might have thousands followers, we might have a beautiful song that will attract the youngest, olds, adults and children’s, we might have a best preacher in the world who can elaborate the word of God in amazing way, but if church lost the basic principles of God expectation of us that doesn’t make doesn’t make any different other than the rest of ordinary building in the world.
As any Christian, In Ethiopia church need to have depth understanding the conflict we are in. Otherwise we will not be able to determine the source of the suggestions within us. In warfare, soldiers must learn the technicality of fight and practice again and again, when we know we are fully confident then we wait for order from the officer and act based on our skill and experiences.
A major part of our challenge is firstly to know is the warfare in this world? Second what is our responsibility as Christian to play this role without conflict our value? What do we need for preparations? How often we need to practice in such role? Who is guiding me through the process? Who is the boss of this war? What is his expectation of me? What is the motives of this war?, which spirit is motivating us to behave or act in a certain way, and respond intelligently to light what God reveals to the situation.
For that, we must develop spiritual discernment. We should able to know the different voice between the Holy Spirit, eternal which is our own thought and external including peers pressure, environment and condition, or other voice.
One of Satan’s major strategies is to keep us from really perceiving with our hearts who God truly is. That is why Paul said our weapons cast down every high thing which exalts itself against the knowledge of God.
Second God warned us to wear the armor which has given by God in our every day life as protection. (Ephesians, 6:11- 15), and the bible continue describing the kind of war we are fighting, “for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in a high places.” God expected us to fight in a very complicated, delicate, sophisticated, detailed and unique battle. A battle of evil work using mankind, a battle of theft of emotion, resources, health, peace or any things that man value for survival, a battle of murders, slaughtered, a battle of oppressor, dictator, and the list is non stop.
Very few Christian have entered into this warfare and have been so close to God, they new they were in a conflict. Thank God for men like Martine Luther who have been willing to go against the tide and against tradition and against common opinion and against the way that many other people were going and ensure Gods plan for man kind is freedom.
One day Martin Luther felt such great conflict going on his room, and he was the only one in it, visibly. But he began to wrestle and struggle with the Devil. The Devil becomes so real and his power so strong then Luther picked up an Inkwell, threw it at the Devil, and it splattered against the wall on the other side of the room. He realised he was in a spiritual warfare, in a great conflict.
Most of us today are not engaged in a spiritual struggle. Not really standing for anything. We are apt to die for nothing!! You may say I am full of negativity, let me tell you if we cooperated with the Government who stop to express my feeling for our lost brothers and sisters in Saudi recently, and closed ourselves behind the door that is a worry,
However Bible describes who should be in this warfare against the forces of evil work in this world by penetrating with the light and salt we have been given to use influencing this world including those people in the higher place.
I believe it is not a time to sit in folding arms and taking it easy but work hard to ensure Gods power took its higher place in country, nation lives and individual life “Woe to them that are at ease in Zion” Amos 6:1) due to our carelessness, the forces of evil are at work as never before.
Don’t tell me the man of god does not involve in physical war, “Exodus 17” we see the clear picture that Moses gave to Joshua, destroy and slay???, men, women, children… Israelites were fighting against the Amalekites…. And we know exactly what happened next if we denied that we are God instrument to bring change in the country, which will be hearing God command and obey? Are we ready to go to the war if God told us to fight a physical fight?, means we need to be ready practicing the role we are playing when the time comes, the specific order to hear from God?, And to stand in front of our leaders and condom their action towards the nation? Do we know we need weapon it could be horn, sward, sling and stone or the word of God how could we know your responsibilities?
We have a power to librate the nation based on the Bible, we can librate our people from slavery, oppression, discrimination, brutal treatment, and we can do what ever God told us to librate the nation. Can we believe that??, because spiritual, emotional and psychological slavery is not god’s plan for its people and unacceptable in Gods eyes.
That is why we chose to be Christian, not to fall the crack and smashed in slavery, and worship one god who governs this world with mighty power, when we accept Jesus Christ as a personal savoir. We felt we are freed from the bondage of slavery instead we called to live as free man. Free man has no fear, doubt, free man understands the importance of freedom, free man will always to retain freedom for others.
What we are witnessing currently in Ethiopia seems very different, we step aside and witnessed so many crime and blood shed, oppression, ill-treatments, unfair punishment to innocence people, theft, lie, treated as nothing, criminals goes upright and nation bend down for so long and become cripples, nation is suffocated and not allowed to say a word about its need or anything else, nation is dragged to the slaughter house with no defence, why?? Do you think it is because God become old, blind or deaf? Absolutely not; why he is not answering our prayer??, we need to understand the there something wrong with our prayer not because of God. He wants us to librate this nation with the weapon we have been given, wit the guidance of Holy Spirit, and by going out there in front of the city and tell the wrong doers to stop violet human right not tomorrow but now.
I found a scripture that confirmed this word “for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” (1Choronthians 10:4)
We think involving in politics is criminal, not Gods plan, we have plenty excuses; due to those value we carried for a long time and offcourse not too sure wether it is Gods will to stand for disadvantageous is the right thing or not, we were an able to be honest to God, ourselves and others.
We watched so many times, when justice lost its balance in the country, innocence blood poured on the street, people become consciences prisoners for years and no one including us as a Christian unable to say free those innocence people, some disappear with no trace and families are wondering where their loved one gone, tortured aggressively developed permanent disability no one stand for that person Including church, and nation forced to march for thing they don’t even believe, we may did go out too, God almighty knows how we act. Millions of Dollar has been stolen from the nation and kept to the individual bank in the other hand people are dying everyday due to the lack of “Aspirin ” or basic medical treatment, nation is suffer immensely as a result of the wrong doer.
I strongly believe that God is good, kind, compassionate, fair, and love justice for mankind, from the beginning of his creation God has started to treat man with great respect, he created comfortable place to live for mankind, he created heaven and earth for man to utilised it as needed, he created man on his image, he even created women from Adam ribs not from his head, foot or elsewhere, but from his ribs to balance the equality between man and women. He called us children he encourage us to see each other as brothers and sisters, he told us to look after each other, and he passed his guidance how to live in this world through Moses, gave us law to govern individual with liberty and justice and told us to leave in peace and harmony.
We also utilised his instrument to punish the wrong doers, he used us to be his instrument to teach those wrong doers, he also send us to war when it is needed, the difference between Gods war and fleshly war is; God led the war, direction comes from him, and his soldiers are proactive and ensure they fight based on his instruction. God himself also involved personally and show that people understand crime has consequences, God may tolerated wrong doers for a while, waited for man to return from his wrong doing, if not he act. Noah and his family with paired animals, who paid attention follow the direction of God, does what God told him to do for 40 years, not ignoring Gods plan for mankind, speak out with no fear, get abused, laughed, isolated and considered as mad man was able to escape the flood how ever those who ignored God instruction, swallowed by the flood.
When we see Abraham, God built a personal relationship while he lives with his dad and help his dad with his business (“Teraphim Statue”). God told him to get out of the country, leave everybody including his cousin, Abraham was against his father job, he has a good understanding about who is God and how he needs to be worship, he used to stand in front of the shop and challenge the buyers why they are buying these statue and discussed that the statue doesn’t represent their God. Therefore God have seen his motives about true love and respect he has to God, he wants to save him from these lost nations, he wants to save him for his purposes, and took him out of Canaan.
Jacob in the other hand, starved of God blessing and does what it takes, he fight with his own brother to take the blessing of his father, he rather missed his lunch and exchanged it to Esau brother birth right, fought with the angel all night until his name change to Israel means “fight for God” however the division between Jacob and Esau lead Israelites to slavey to Egypt.
The other great man of God was Moses: Moses, who seen gods, chosen by god to liberated Israelites from 400 years slavery, able to brought ten commandment to the people and the book of law which contents 613 laws for man to deal with in every day lives, and for every body including those who are chosen to lead the nation. Det: 16: 20 “Justice Shalt thou Pursue” brought first democracy principles in the society, brought the people of Israel from the idolatry to God,
Joshua conquered Jericho and most of Canaan, he used Gods the weapon it has been given by God, shout, use the musical instruments, the sounds of shophars, the rams horn, to help him enter in the city with no blood shed, the city wall which has been built to protect cannas from its enemy crumbles like nothing, conquered the city and divided the land according to the size of the tribe in twelve place fairly. He worn the Israelites to take care of each other, he remind the they are one, brother and sisters from one father, take responsibilities to share the common burden and to support, encouraged and keep their faith as first guidance principles.
God also involved in a personal way when people crossed the boundaries, when crime become a normal act to man kind, when those disadvantage become victims of wrong doer, the list is continues to understand that Gods people have responsibilities to ensure justice has served its purpose, because that is God wants for us, that is the plan that God have for the nation, if we read again and again, Joseph, Mosses, Joshua, Aaron, Daniel, Esther, Nehemiah, Saul, David, Solomon, Samson and many bold but faithful servants of God, are served God in a faithful way, they stand in front of kings, and say what needs to be said in a timely manner, tell them to stop sin and return to God, they went to prison but nothing will stop them to promote Gods will to mankind and challenge the challenger, pray and ask God the guidance how to approach such matter and paid the necessary price to ensure God is on his throne in any circumstances.
David was a good fighter, sensitive to his spiritual life and ensure his relationship with God is straight, take things seriously, take time in his own way to trained by God and able to defend himself and his father cattle’s from wild animals, which helped him to stand with no fear in front of the giant Goliath who mocked on Gods people, know how to fight with humble motive, and not taking anything for granted but glorified his God about his gift.
That is why God called him “the Loved One” in the time of persecution by Saul, David remained faithful to his king, his moral character was amazing, Saul tried to kill, destroy David again and again, become envy, full of hatred, angry at David, David never lost his faith and wants to do the same thing to Saul, but tried to show his capability to destroy back, he teach a great lesson to Saul he wouldn’t put his hands on the anointing king, not a king who put himself to the leader position.
David is a human like all of us, the difference is he knew when he stuffed up and fall on his knees and ask forgiveness straight away, he knew when he crosses his boundaries and ready to accept any consequence, He doesn’t pretend he doesn’t sin but closed his door pray until the answer comes from God.
In the other hand his son Solomon was a builder, preserved what is left from his father war kingdom, smart knowing what to ask God, “knowledge, wisdom, “I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honours—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings” 1 King 3:12
Here is the point to stress out and I want you to focus on these questions to all of those who would like to know why all of the sadden God abandoned its people? And the mighty empire lost in the midst?
I would like to take our own country “ETHIOPIA” the proud nation in history, good fighter, united, humble, our ancestor was able to protect our land with no advance, complicated, weapon, travels miles by foots, if lucky horse maybe, no water thank, or truck for food, no weapon carry machine, no doctor to administer medical treatment or medication to help those who are sick. no tent to protect them from heat or cold, no boat to cross the rivers, they never learn how to climb the mountains, how did they were able to defend our country in such situation from those who called themselves civilised, uses advance weapons who can kill hundreds in a time?, the country who have all resources to sustain the victory without doubt crushed by our hero.
However the practical problem might bring persecution to Christians communities, and that happened before and such act may brought those doubt to those gifted ethical Christians and they may not get support from their church or leaders to perform this mission or forbidden to involve in politics.
Christians also have a responsibility to be proactive in society and addressing issues, whenever possible, before harm takes place. That means supporting and promoting institutions that are good both for individuals and for society, like the family. That’s the kind of broad view we must take to live out a Christian response in our culture.
When country attacked by foreign enemies, it was obvious, easy to understand without unity question individual wants contribute to the situation, that includes, women men, children and all the nation will raise together to ensure those people in the front line are supported in any means. People have the same feeling about the issues.
In-other hand when the country is in a war “within” the nation, that idea itself have a huge impact to destroy unity, people start stop caring for each other, caring about the country as whole but a little bit or your own area, and harmony replaced by destroy each other ethnically, spiritually, socially, the list will continue until things become beyond our imaginations. “That is what happened to us” my question here is; as Christian what role do we play to stop this in early stage????
As mention again and again in the above statement; Gods plan is to see each other as brother and sisters, put aside differences, as Christian promote such harmony in every day life, by living, breathing and walking. Is that what we have been doing or we instead start the war within the church and spread such sprits to the rest of the country? Fight one church with another church, one leader with other leaders, one region with another region, one group with another group, the conflict become so infectious until the Holy Spirit left the place and Government involved and sort out our problem.
That is what happened between David and Absalom, the conflict grow until the might empire of Israel melt down as nothing. Our bible tells us that Israelites has gone through such experience several time, however for some reason Gods helped them to gain power after a couple hundreds of years with huge price paid. Israelites scatter around the world during Solomon son regime. The city destroy with full of history, wealth, treasure, it has been built for centuries, taken by enemy, people lost their lives, in the country, out side the country, some where in the desert, in the ocean, my Gosh it sound familiar to our current situation. Those who survived run away to the country such as other Arabs, Greek, Italy, Western countries you don’t have any idea what we are going through in every day life, scattered all over the world, work hard and make sure our family back home are looked after even if we have a hard time, save if possible hoping one day, in Gods time we may able to come and live a comfortable life with our family and friends, Left behind our culture, family and start experiencing new life style to survive and so many things become nothing but history.
It sounds so familiar, obvious, for us to go through such humiliation while we have father mother sister brother and sister back home. not a long ago we witnessed our brothers and sisters who run away from home to breath a fresh air, earn a penny, live a normal life even they are well aware that never happen in the country like Arabs, to eat enough food, to help family, to live independent as any adult. They start the journey with excitement and end up in the trap of death and suffering. laid their lives before they reach to the destination, they went through horrific pain, they felt so helpless, they were bitten to death, their body opened alive by those criminals for their sack of greed, their organs were taken and left to death in the middle of no where, they cries out for help with no response, they were raped by filth man in a group, tortured and end up with broken part of the body or dead, put acid on their sisters face, burnt alive, work for free, lost their mind in the country who does not care about, and left in the desert with their small children without food or cloths. I need to say it in details, otherwise it seems we pretend nothing happened and continue living our life as normal. I don’t think these matters are serious and have impact on the nation in a group or individual level.
Not a long ago our beloved brother and sisters blood poured on the street, their head opened by axe, they have been robed and the worst they have been abundant by our own government, people was banned to express their sadness in their own country, mothers and fathers, friends, brothers and sisters was banned to cry loud and nation was o terrified to were black ribbons to show their sadness.
The question for Ethiopians is; do you think God will have a way to take us back where we were before in 100 years ago, live life gracefully, love and support each other or we need to be wipe out with our own scary idol who lost their insanity and kill, oppressed, tortured as they desire? When we will say that is enough or keep going the death traps who is open and wait for us and increase our suffering day by day immensely,
If we think and believe Christians are powerful nation, guided by God and fight righteous fight with determination to librate our land and people from such shame, we need to turn our face directly towards to God, hold our flag “the mighty nation governed by god, nothing will stand before him” which is absolutely true and start challenge the challenger with our weapon or we wait with cross arm put thousand excuses and wait for miracles from heaven?. God is waiting for us to act, he is ready to revenge those people who crossed the line and killed his creation inside, outside the country. Having a clear vision, mission and value is vital to know our contribution in this war, brutal treatment within the country and outside the country is not God’s will, and bring democracy and peace on the land is our responsibility not any opposition leaders or the current regime who failed badly to do so.
So far we looked those people, who were chosen by God to librate the nation to the promise land, begun wit Noah and to David, when God believe in his children he uses them to end the misery, brings growth and prosperity instead able to gain those leaders who are chosen by God, who care about the nation nothing else.
Now we are looking one of the skills in life we can earn from god to help the helpless, to tell the wrong doer they are wrong, to challenge the challengers and to make sure those people who are leading the nation understands God is the boss not them, and able to listen with care to avoid punishments.
Nehemiah (builder of the Wall)
The first expression of Nehemiah was his heart breaking sadness, began with invocation then confession, he was in a praying mood when the king seen his inner sadness and willing to give what Nehemiah wants, “To build his native city” went to see the situation, the damage, the part of the building which needs priority, (He began his tour on the west side of the city and proceeded counter clockwise around the old city of David.) went alone, take time and pray about the project.
Offcourse the bible doesn’t say about the response from God to Nehemiah, however Nehemiah sounds that it is time to rebuild the wall. “Let us start rebuilding.” The determination of Nehemiah creates conflict between Sanballat and him, there was no fear in Nehemiah minds but certain that they will build the wall and he told them God is their side.
His position indicates in the palace has shown Nehemiah capability of good organisational, managerial and administrative skills. Therefore he brought people from vary backgrounds including The list includes every spectrum of society: priests, led by the high priest himself; temple servants; civil officials; laity; craftsmen; merchant groups; and even one man’s daughters (v. 12). A spirit of cooperation is evident, but there were some who withheld their support, such as the nobles of Tekoa (v. 5).
Once the crowd begun the job the wall was built rapidly, everybody was committed to work hard until the jobs done. That doesn’t mean there was no conflict eternally or persecution from outside world, He faced repeated revolts, insult, aggression the main point was Nehemiah never fail back from his initial plan.
Elijah: was bold, no fear when he stand up to kings, queens or those higher public servants’ who are committed crime on nation. He was able you are a sinner, stop if not God will revenge those innocence blood, that is why Elijah was called “Thunder of the Lord” his total conviction, courage, unique personalities, and challenge the challenger with full confidences.
Isaih: in the other hand seeks Justice, relieved the discriminated, oppressed, pushed down, treated in a bad way, he always passionate caring for others, that gives him a great political insight, a profound vision of an ideal of society, and uses his wealth of spiritual favour.
He told the people to stop fighting, “nation shall not lift swards against nation” who is going to make it happen do you think those people who decide to kill, treat God creation as nothing will put their swards and being humble all of the sudden or as Gods messenger we have a role to play for this to happen?
He talked about harmony, “the wolf shall dwell with the lamb” what is that mean when we live in the world full of power, hatred is a symbol of Ethiopian government, “if you don’t like what I am going to do, you will die as simple is that.” There is no mercy in their dictionary. So who is going to make sure Ethiopia will be the place wolf and lamb could live in the same place without one oppressing another?
He talked about, to stop evil work and devote for justice, “he encouraged us to stand for justice all time, not when we feel, we like, or we chose, but at all time we need to open our house to accept those people who become victimised by the government cruel act. We need to feed them spiritually and physically, we need to stand and argue about those people right means being their voice, we need to treat their wound as ours. In that way we preached gospel in a practical way. with the to do the right thing when it comes justice, and stress out by saying DEVOTED your self to justice and he continue to defend widower, and warned if we fail to do so, God will have a way to protect those broken lambs and for us as a Christian he stated wasting these chance and not doing anything will have its consequences.
Isaiah took this further and told that individuals have divine responsibilities into divine demand for entire people to be “light unto the nation” he emphasis on the obligation of man towards another fellow man, other wise Isaiah stated worshiping God while the nation in such stress is not right and God itself hates it. Rather he said “let the oppressed go free” we should continue reading Isaiah 58; 1-10 more in his book.
Is it another familiar to us, justice lost its balance for a very long time and no one seems care about those helpless victims of criminals, people died every day and even father and mother lost strength to cry loud, people thrown in prison for no reason and society accepted as normal “including those who believe they are call to serve God” I heard we have plenty prophets, that are called by God, plenty teacher given the skills to teach the nation including the leaders, healers to heal those broken souls and run fro fire to ferns. Those people who thinks they are anointed by God to librate society. Where are there, who are those people, what have they done to change this suffering and help those leaders to comeback to their sense.
Jeremiah means complaints and lamentation
The great prophet Jeremiah lived during one of the most critical periods in Jewish history. He saw the destruction of Jerusalem and of the Beth Hamikdosh, after his warnings and prophecies fell on deaf ears. His prophecies are recorded in the Book of Jeremiah, which also contains the important events of his life.
Jeremiah was still a young man when the spirit of prophecy came upon him. He was fearful to accept such a responsibility, declaring, “I am still a boy!” But God said to him, “Say not, ‘I am a boy,’ for you shall go to all that I shall send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Be not afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you” (Jeremiah 1:6-8). From that moment, Jeremiah lost all fear and delivered his sad prophecies and warnings without regard for the king and his strong men, often at the very peril of his life
One of Jeremiah’s first missions was to go to the exiled Ten Tribes of Israel, whose kingdom in the north had been destroyed by the Assyrians less than a century previously. Jeremiah brought them courage and hopes and induced many of them to return to their native land.
Each of Jeremiah’s prophecies is like a piece of colour glass. In their current locations within the Book of Jeremiah, they form an impressionistic and multi-coloured collage Yet, when we arrange these colour pieces according to the narrative of Jeremiah’s life, they become something akin to a portrait of the prophet in stained glass, a portrait that lets the light of God’s love shine through the continence of this sorrow-filled son of Judah.
Jeremiah declared that the wisdom of the idol worshipping nations, nor riches, nor power have real value, but only knowledge of God and following in His ways. Thus, one of Jeremiah’s most famous teachings is the following:
“Thus says God: Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might; let not the rich man glory in his riches. But let him that glories, glory in this: that he understands and knows, that I am God, Who practices mercy, justice and righteousness on the earth; for in these things I delight, says God.” (Jeremiah 9:22-23).
The person who weeps for the country sins and rejoices the people blessing, tell the truth what needs to be done to gain that blessing from God, people may not like it but he always told the message as it comes with no fear.
Ezekiel
Bring spiritual restoration to the nation, prophesize about Jews for the 20th century, and many. I can’t cover all the point in this short version of my article.
I understand about the gospel which is full of love, forgiveness and determination to make this world a better place through those people who understand the principle of god, God loves the world, including non-Christians.
He told us to care one another and love one another even our enemies, these is more to the Christian who believes about deliverance, freedom, forgiveness by living our live based on his will, ensure we care about the world not only the person next to us, or the person who have similar believe and moral values but the “WORLD” God showed us how this to be done by giving his only son to us and librate us from the bondage, he watched him suffer, rejected, alone, persecuted, bitten, crucified and die for the mistakes that we have done.
I saw the pain Jesus went through to make that happen; became a refugee in the desert, hungry, homeless, humble, isolated, rejected, persecuted and crucified on the cross to ensure salvation is received to those who can not be righteous with our good deed.
I read the bible that, which was the specific target for Jesus to reach out and work through to bring hope to their lives while he was in this world; he never approached the rich, healthy, knowledgeable, strong despite he told those people in the high rank will have difficulties to join him being his follower due to their greed and the material greed that chocked their souls.
He was busy to show passion, love and forgiveness for those who were disadvantaged, sick, poor and hungry people. He spent the time to direct the religious leaders in the right direction, spoke firmly and harshly saying they need to change their attitude towards about their value, he told them directly they are not playing with their responsibilities according to the word of God. He also stresses out to his disciples how they need to live in this world.
Therefore I always ask myself, why we aren’t doing something to stop the suffering of our people for the last twenty two years?, why not saying something that will bring piece in that lands, why are we close our door for those who are homeless, hungry, isolated, rejected in the society, persecuted due to their ethnics, religion, believes?
We know what is going on in the country, not a long a go Orthodox churches was in the country side were persecuted, evicted, burnt and monks, those homeless who have no where to go scattered all over the place, bitten and killed when they refused to leave, our Muslim brother and sisters where treated badly, jailed, tortured and killed, many professionals were jailed, killed and still in prison for the crime they didn’t commit, the continues of displacement of our people In the name of investment is affecting thousands of families, expressing the people interest remained as crime, what are have we been doing to stop this ill treatment? What are we thinking to do to stop such act for a future or give ourselves brake from such hardship and enjoy life to compensate for the time we suffered in the Mengistu regime?
Our bible tells us, Mosses fought with God not challenge Pharaoh at times of slavery of Israelites, he gave so many excuse to show his incapability, he pointed out that other people may able to do a better job than him, but gods plan for Israelites was freedom and he wants Moses to do perform this particular task from the beginning when he gave him chance to grow in Pharaoh home, build relationship with him, learnt their culture, languages.
I have a question for those who left the country for some reason and back home to make a difference in the society and vary form, while they stayed in the western country shared sipped from democracy cups and enjoyed the freedom and when they got back home it is interesting to know how they live with themselves witnessing all such cruelty and remain silent’s. it is interesting to know what stopped them to voice out and ensure they pass their concerns about the violent, human right violation killing innocent people, jailing torturing , stilling, e.t.c. how can they integrated with such society???
Or fear took over control their life, trembled in fear, scared to die for justice, if yes, how do you live with yourselves when you witness nation is living in terror of war? God is looking down on those innocent blood, God watch individuals and including those religions group and ask, what have you done to save this person? What will be your answer? If not now Jesus will come you need to understand one of the questions will be, where have you been son/daughter when those poor people slathered for no reason, why didn’t you do something about it?? Is your answer will be as follows:” God because I know you are a cruel therefore I was so afraid to use the gift you gave me and buried it until today take it now” that is why Jesus gave us this proverbs while he was here.
For so many years I have had an interesting responses from different people about the Christians involvement in politics, some believed that the government was “unholy and unclean” therefore Christians had no business with that, . In the other hand I have seen Christian in different doctrines came together to gain power to reflect Gods power. So you can imagine what is going on in my mind now. When we are called to the might nation, when our leader is almighty and when we are promised we can do great thing and what ever that God wants to do us with no fear. why this happen to us, why we are witnessing and does nothing about it? Where is our faith???,
We are Christians who seems to have the same faith as Jesus’ disciples, in his time. Jesus told his disciples to pray and stay awake with him; they all decide to sleep instead of paying attention and do what Jesus told them to do. “Stay with me, do not close, I am going to die and you will be left alone, this world will reject you, “STAY WITH ME” avoids the spiritual tiredness”. It will be interesting to know how many of us are with Jesus in the current situation and know exactly aware what Jesus want us to do to stop the suffering of the nation?.
Don’t we know that if we get involved in the government, with the right attitudes, it will bring blessing, prosperity, honours, unity, to our nation who suffers lots for a long time and most important God will be glory? Don’t we know God is willing to guide us and never leave our side until victory is achieved? Don’t we know that we can do this not because of our capability but that is Gods will win the battle?
In addition, to the Old Testament we have seen that God commanded Mosses to go back to the people and get 12 people that were chosen by their own decedents and share the responsibilities based on their skills. The first “DEMOCRACY” establishment in history, it is not Gods will to be govern by dictators, tis not Gods will for us to be oppressed by man, it is not Gods will for us to be killed jailed or persecuted by evil work. And if we have faith God is happy to provide us with the person who has a great fear of God and able to guided by God.
Again I will take you back to the bible; King David the loved king, Isaiah was apparently an official in the government of Judah. Daniel king, Nehemiah advisor of king and Ezra were not only willing to work with their fellow Israelites, but had official positions with foreign governments – governments that openly worshiped idols. Esther was willing to be made queen of Persia as her uncle was a member of the Persian military. Naaman, the commander of the army of Aram, was converted and healed of leprosy under the ministry of Elisha. Naaman mentioned that he would be required to enter a pagan temple on state occasions. But Elisha does not tell him to leave the service of Aram.
In the New Testament, when soldiers came and talked to John the Baptist, he didn’t tell them to leave their soldiering, but rather to be just in the way they treat civilians and to be happy with their pay. When Paul spoke to numerous government officials throughout the Mediterranean world, he shared and educated them about Christ. He never told them that if they became Christians, they would need to leave their government position and service. In fact, there isn’t any place in the entire Bible where people are told they should not be involved in the government services or in the work of legitimate militaries. While there is criticism of some evil kings and evil armies, there is no rule or prohibition whatsoever. There is no statement in the biblical account to the effect that government is in any way unclean or inherently evil.
The Old Testament is full of suggestions to do away with oppression and to work for justice. Generally speaking, it is only through the power of the government that we are able to stand for justice and to do away with oppression. Simply preaching and witnessing without any civil or group action hardly brings true evildoers to justice or gives them any genuine pause. In the New Testament, Paul was willing to use his Roman citizenship as a tool for the Gospel. Paul made no objections to being treated like a Roman, but made many objections to people disregarding his rights as a Roman citizen.
You are the light/salt Mathew 5:13-16
“Light penetrate darkness” Luke 11:13 “No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a bowl; instead, it is put on the lamp-stand, so that people may see the lights as they come in. such light should be shown to the world in every day lives. When crime committed in god creation made man, when justice lost its balance, when man kind becomes violence, brutal and evil doers the list will continue. My question is what is our responsibilities and where is our position as Christians to ensure individual have comfortable life and share what we have, contribute for permanent change in the government instead worship God in close door, not paying attention what is going on in the world or does not care about those disadvantage people who are created in Gods image.
In 2007 went Ethiopia, as usual I went to church to worship God on Sunday, on the way of church so many people on the street, homeless, hungry, old and women with babies begging for anything that will help them to go through the day in a loud voices. They seem very sad and desperate to survive. Felt so bad and worthless for me to have enough money and comfortable life not because I am different than those people but for some reason, I have been given chances firstly to thank God and secondly to ensure I should have a great wisdom to ensure to share what I have.
My journey to reach church come closer, the traffic become heavy, people are driving very expensive car while others are struggling to feed our family in daily basis, not only that as soon as I step in the church I have seen the bid poster shown a big building plan, below it was written saying that they are planning to build $8 million dollar worth church and ask for donation. The poster is explaining what that building will include; to me it seems the church want to change the church to organisation. None of the plan wont include feeding hungry, helping sick or clothing the necked?!! My heart sank, I felt deep sadness in my souls, and stand still and felt to shout out saying can you hear me? I also felt to tear apart that poster and throw it on the leaders face; I left the church in a fast paste and never got back to that church again.
Being salt in the world
“Salt penetrate the food” We uses salt for vary purposes, flavour enhancer, disinfectants; preserved food, which makes food tasty. As Christian we have responsibilities not to settle for what is comfortable in this world but ensure Jesus freedom is preached accordingly, and when somebody ignore these message and become cruel, brutal, evil in goes made creation then we need to tell that person it is wrong and needs to stop now. Which lead us the main point of our value and mission by caring for other, being humble, obedience and genuine between ourselves and the rest of the world. People can see that so easy and let me ask you one question “who does not want such life?” we don’t need to pick up bible but people will stand in a long line to worship our god who is almighty, love and humble.
Honest to our selves and others
The early church were making people angry, uncomfortable by preaching the truth even they are aware of the result. Once the apostle Paul preached all things concerning the kingdom of God (Act 19:8 that was “a salvation Message” which bring the nation to the light, not covering up criminals, corrupted people within the church due to their political position or do business with the world in the name of charity instead tell those criminals they are wrong and they need to stop, reach out for those family who lost their loved once” TRUTH” always make uncomfortable those people who does the wrong things including the government, when policies developed and adapted, because the scripture handed that responsibility to Christians to ensure justice serve its purposes. Jesus never went to the world to the authority but us to give, love and forgive.
Being Bold for truth
Boldness is something that is lacking among the average Christian today. Most do not act like lions. They seem almost scared, sometimes; to let people know they are Christians. And yet the Word says, “The righteous are bold as a lion.” How is boldness manifested? Many people have a wrong idea about this.
Do you want to be a bold Christian or a cold Christian? Most people know that there is more than one kind of Christian. They think that what they see is the normal type of Christianity, but it is not. It may be the common type but in reality it is abnormal. Bold Christianity is that described in Ephesians 3:12, “In whom we have boldness.” In Christ we have boldness. Well then, have you got it or haven’t you? We have boldness. It is part of God’s spiritual gift package that we received when we accepted Christ as our personal Saviour. “In whom we have boldness” — that settles the matter. I do not have to pray for it, work for it, or hope for it. I already have it. Only one question remains: What am I doing with it?
Boldness is the biblical manner in which God wants the Gospel given. We are not to develop our own methods based upon personality or passion. We are to open our mouths and unapologetically testify to the saving power of Jesus Christ. Is it possible that the commonly reported frustrations in personal evangelism and our epidemic failure to evangelize at all is rooted in our failure to embrace the biblical method of boldness?
If you start talking freely, openly and authentically about Jesus Christ, you must anticipate some of the same—count on it. Regardless of what the strategists say, negative reaction is not always reflective of poor presentation.
Acts 4:13 records the council’s response: “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” In verse 18 Peter and John are warned not to speak in Jesus’ name. They both answer that they cannot stop speaking about their personal experience with Christ.
As soon as they are released, Peter and John run straight to their friends and start a prayer meeting, pleading with God to prevent the threats they have heard from diminishing their boldness. The Holy Spirit responds by filling each person, so that they “continued to speak the word with boldness” (Acts 4:31).
Was this one of those “for them and not for us” things? In Ephesians, the Apostle Paul settles that question with his request, “Pray for me that I would speak boldly as I ought to speak” (Cf. Ephesians 6:19).
Boldness can be very gentle, kind and from a loving heart. It’s not mean or pushy; it’s just convinced. Boldness does not adjust the presentation to avoid a negative response. Paul said, “But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 4:2). Boldness knows that salvation is of the Lord, “and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48). Boldness is the Spirit-given conviction that we must speak about what we have seen and heard based on the scripture.
In Acts 4:1–3 the disciples were boldly “proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead” and the opposition didn’t believe in much except being in charge so “they arrested them.”
If you give witness to Jesus Christ and people get upset, you’re not necessarily doing it wrong. We should not be seeking a way to evangelize where everyone likes us and no one ever gets upset. I wish I could hear some of our modern strategists explaining their plans to the evangelists in the early church. “Hey Peter and John, if you just round off the corners a bit, you can reach a lot of people and avoid jail time.”
Biblical boldness for Christ is a fountain that bursts forth from a satisfied soul. Even when facing the authorities, Peter overflows with the Gospel, referring to Jesus seven times in Acts 4:10-12 concluding with, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Boldness springs from something that is happening deep inside. Jesus Christ has changed my life. Everything that I was looking for and longing for, I found in Him. I have the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life. I have a peace that passes understanding. I have a love for people whom I should hate. I have joy and a strength I knew nothing about, so how could I not try to tell others that they can have it, too? That is boldness!
In regard to evangelism, God has not just told us what to do, He has told us how to do it. Embrace afresh the biblical method: clear, concise, unwavering witness for Christ—even in the face of opposition. The bold way is the biblical way. Testify boldly and without fear, regardless of the response, and you will know God’s favor upon your witness for Christ.
Acts 4:13 – Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. As we see in this content boldness, is our identity, we fear nothing but God, we stand to glorify God by showing the world what is right doing means
Acts 4:31 – And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. The current church has so many praying schedules; we often pray about something anything according to Gods promise, “if you gather two and more than that I will be with you” is God lied about this??, absolutely not, the issue is us what we are praying for and ensure the prayer is answered as God Will, again we may ask what is God will for us??
Hebrew 10: 19-25: Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. .
1 Corinthians 13:1-13: If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
Daniel 3: 17-18 : If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from burning fiery furnace, and he will delver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O King that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Don’t forget, these three men were still quite young, were Hebrew captives to boot, and they had prominent positions of government with Daniel.
Look at there statement, first it seems, they suddenly lose faith, which is far from it, and step by step they declare their will God is capable to save them, therefore they will not bow to his idol, it is not a chose for them to change their mind based on the seriousness of the situation but their value has one thing to show their loyalty to the almighty God.
I love how God consistently confounds really big deal rulers in this book, over and over again. The king who just moments ago was stewing in rage, had now leapt to his feet due to those God servants young man, shouting disbelief for his Wiseman to confirm what his eyes couldn’t possibly really be seeing. Not only were the three captives unhurt, but there was someone else hanging out, walk with them chatting they must have a good time in the Furness, who none of the Babylonian royals could account for. Glory to be our God then Nebuchadnezzar perceived him to be like a “Son of God” (4:25). “They didn’t even smell like smoke” isn’t that amazing?
Sometimes our leader can build the highest idol ever for political and greed reason, rather than spiritual reason which is true, what God lacks was those three young man or Daniel to say enough is enough this is wrong and ready to be thrown in the Furness, I felt so ashamed with our ignorance, to measured Gods capability with our small minds and witnessed so much crime including innocence blood.
Philippians 1:20 – According to my earnest expectation and [my] hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but [that] with all boldness, as always, [so] now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether [it be] by life, or by death.
When Paul says “…. but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death”. Expressing his desire, commitment and loyalty and transparent about his devotion to Christ, for him nothing is bigger than Christ, nothing will stop him to fulfil his mission “even death”
Obedient;
So the LORD said to Moses: “See, I have made you as God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother shall be your interpreter. You shall speak all that I command you. And Aaron your brother shall speak to Pharaoh to send the children of Israel out of his land. How ever you need to stop your refusal.
Exodus 14, is a good examples to Christians “faith, obedience and love of justice” will help us to stand for strong even though death could be occurred any time soon, right doing and ensure the evil work not overtaking the government. It must be so hard for Moses to stand strong in front of those people who suffered immensely for 400 years and no hope except escaping the pharaoh soldiers.
They shout loud to Mosses why did you do these, why did you freed us and bring us the end of the sea we can’t even run and scapes for them, what was the idea of freedom if we are going to die in the red sea” why/why/why?, people terrified of Pharaoh, complaining about why he freed them from Pharaoh to be killed in front of the Red Sea, shouting, crying I believe some of them already on the way back to the soldiers to give their hand. It was hard moment and he may feel helpless about the situation until he was able to get the guidance from God how he could help the crowd to cross the red Sea.
Esther (star)
The book of Esther is unique in the Bible as the name of God is never directly mentioned there. One of the only two books in the bible named after women, (Ruth). Esther was an orphan who was brought up by her older cousin, Mordecai (Esther 2:5-7).
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By this time (486-465 B.C.), more than 100 years after the Babylonian captivity under Nebuchadnezzar, and just over 50 years after Zerubbabel led the first group of exiles back to Jerusalem, many Jews still remained in Persia. They were part of the Diaspora, or “scattering” of exiles among the nations. Although they were free to return to Jerusalem by decree of Cyrus, many had probably become established and did not wish to risk the dangerous journey back to their homeland. Esther’s family were among the Jews who stayed behind in Persia.
“Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13-14, NIV)
Esther urged all of the Jews to fast and pray for deliverance. Then risking her own life, brave young Esther approached the king with a plan of her own
God’s Sovereignty – The hand of God is at work in the lives of his people. If they are willing to be his instruments as he used the circumstances in Esther’s life, he is able to uses individual Christian, as he uses the decisions and actions of all humans to providentially work out his divine plans and purposes. We can trust in the Lord’s sovereign care over every aspect of our lives.
Esther 4:14
“For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Esther 4:16
“Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”
Esther 9:20-22
Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration.
Esther 9:28
These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews—nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants.
As believer I am sure we all have tried some of the tactics to fight against these evil work, after twenty two years we may accept the weapon we used for these war is not effective enough and accepted defeat, and when we witnessed that Satan on the go slathering nation the we start struggling with fear, doubt, confusion guilt t that is why we may need to accept it is God will we might to stay slave for a while and frustration God may left his throne and does not care about Ethiopia.
At last the victory is belongs to God: God is guaranteeing that if we wear, use his weapons, and follow his direction, the victory is guaranteed.” mighty through God to the Pulling down of strong holds”. Revolution 12:11 “they overcome him by the blood of Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.” When Jesus is back he would like to hear our testimony and the kind of weapon we used to win the evil work in the time we stayed in this world.
Every sector of society is going to the wrong way the world we are live in, god told us to be light and salt to the rest of the world, however we are unable to reach out for those people who lost the sense of who they are and continued to kill jailed, oppressed the unjustly, in the result of this wrong doing, every day we are witnessing people suffer immensely. We are unable to bring hope to those who are disadvantage, helpless, sick, and starved, prisoner with no crime committed but stand for justice, tortured to death. What I want to ask you today is where our mission on this situation is fulfilled?
Now let me ask you another question: can we expect that God to deliver us always whenever we deny ourselves to take stand for him??, he watches the disciples pay price for him, he himself went through crucial pain to fulfil his mission so what are we waiting to stand and does what god want us to do in the world we are living.
If we are able to say no this is wrong, yes we may live in peace but that is not what God wants to. Shadrach, Mashach and Abednego went through fire to ensure the king know their stand when it comes to their value, the something with Daniel, Ester they said their god is faithful to save them “even if not” we will continue our practice. God is waiting us to deliver the people of Ethiopia inside and outside the country, he want us to guide the nation to gods kingdom by condemning the wrong doing, he want the nation to lift its hand together towards him, this will happen with our hard work other wise the result will come to bite us Christians and god will have its own way to deliver the nation.
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በቀን፡ ግንቦት 08/2010 የEBC የዜና ፕሮግራም በቦንጋ ከተማ ስለተገነባዉ ብሄራዊ የቡና ሙዚየም ስራ አለመጀመርና የህዝብ ቅሬታ የቀረበዉን ዜና በተመለከተ ሃሳብ ማቅረብ ፈለግሁ::
1. ከሙዚየሙ ሆኖ የዘገበዉ ዘጋቢ ካፋ የቡና አምራች ሙሆኑን ሲናገርና ሙዚየሙን ሲጎበኝ፣ ለምን ተገነባ: ማን ጀመረዉ፣ ያላለበት ምክንያት ገርሞኛል፡፡
2. ይህንን በተመለከተም ዜና አቅራቢዉ መሰለ ለባህል ሚ/ር የህግ ባለሙያ ያቀረበዉ መሰረታዊ ጥያቄ በመሆኑ አደንቃለሁ፣ “እንዴትና ለምን ዓላማ አለ ነበር”
3. የባህልና ቱሪዝም የህግ ጉዳዮች ዲሬክተር አቶ ዲሪባ ሲመልሱ መሰረታዊ ስህተት ሰርተዋል:: ሙዚየሙ የተገነባዉ በካፋ ህዝብ ጥያቄና ተነሳሽነት መሆኑንና ከሙዚየሞች አመሰራረት የተለየ ነዉ ያሉት ትክክል አይደለም፣
4. ሙዚየሙ የተገነባዉ በኢትዮጵያ ሚሊየነም አከባበር አስተባባሪ ኮሚቴና ቢሮ ሃሳብና በፓርላማ ፀድቆ በህጋዊ ዉሳኔ ነዉ፡፡ ይህም ኢትዮጵያ የቡና መገኛ መሆኗን ቦታዉም ካፋ መሆኑን የመሰከረበት ነዉ፣ ልክ አርሲ ላይ የሩጫ ሜዳ እንደተገነባዉ፡፡ ስሙም “የኢትዮጵያ ብሄራዊ የቡና ሙዚየም” ነዉ፡፡
5. የመሰረት ድንጋዩ በፕ/ት ግርማ ወ/ጊዮርጊስ የተጣለ ሲሆን ፣ ግንባታዉ ሲጠናቀቅ መርቀዉ የከፈቱት ደግሞ ጠ/ሚ/ር ሃይለማሪያም ናቸዉ፡፡
6. የዞኑ ነዋሪዎች ብዙ ድጋፍ አድርገዋል፡ ግንባር ቀደም ተጠቃሚ ሊሆኑም ይችሉ ይሆናል፡፡ ሙዚየሙ ግን የኢትዮጵያ ብሄራዊ የቡና ሙዚየም ነዉ፡፡
7. ዓላማዉም ከግንባታዉ በፊት ግልፅ ተደርጓል፡፡ የነበርን አስረግጠን እናስረዳለን፡፡ ለመካድ ወይም ለማንገራገር ሌላ ጉዳይ ካለ ደግሞ የሚያስነጥስ ታሪካዊና ሳይንሳዊ ማስረጃ አለን፡፡
8. የህግ ጉዳዮች ዲሬክተር አቶ ዲሪባ ይህንን ሃቅ ዋሽተዋል፡ ወይም እዉነቱን ማወቅ የሚገባቸዉ ባለሙያ ቢሆንም አላወቁም፣ ሳያዉቁ ነዉ ከተባለ ደግሞ፣ የአቅም ማነስ አለባቸዉ ማለት ነዉ፡፡ ምክንቱም ታሪኩን ማወቅና በሃቅ መናገር ከርሳቸዉ ሚጠበቅ ሲሆን የህግ ባለሙያ ማለት ያለበትን ብቻ ማለት ነበረባቸዉ፡፡
9. የደቡብ ም/ቤትም ይህንን ጉዳይ በአንድ የክልል ስብሰባ ላይ ተጠይቆ በይደር አልፎታል፡፡ አሁንም አስተያየት ሊጠየቅ ይገባል፡፡
10. ስለሌሎች ተቋማትና ግለሰቦች በዝርዝርና ካስፈለገ አቀርባለሁ፡፡
11. የ EBC የዜና ፕሮግራም ጉዳዩን እንዲያጠራዉ እንጠይቃለን፡፡
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በጣም ነው የማመሰግነው ወንድሜ፣ ይህ የሁላችንም ጥያቄ ነው በጋራ እንታገለዋለን
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Dear brother; Thank you for your efforts in promoting and protecting our cause.
This is our duty. We have tried to be descent and responsible; but
there are some illiterates who want to push us to the end corner.
Enough is enough. We have hundreds of evidences that Coffee Arabica
originated from Ethiopia and in particular from Kafa. Kafa province
was established n the 1930 incorporating Jimma and others. But Coffee
was discovered thousands of years before that. If we keep quiet;
there will be further steps to snatch everything from us. You shall
use the comment to initiate further dialogue so that we come to final
agreement with everybody.
I can see how tough it is for you alone to do this. You are doing
great. Keep it up.
Ne’ Manoona.
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oh, my dear. how wonderful you are! I appreciate your deep understanding about kafa language and culture and about overall things of kafa. you are a first person in promoting our personality and issue that has not been raised yet. we have a lot of things in terms of culture, language, hospitality, respect, etc. not introduced yet due to lack of people who is committed to do like you. thank you for your effort. Actually I don’t know who you are and where you are now. keep it up!
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