“My Peace I give unto you”(KJV)
GOSPEL READING : John 14. 23-29

An eminent man of God said that if the Lord Jesus hadn’t pronounced these words, the world would have become something horrible we have never known or seen. Men can talk and dream about peace because the Prince of PEACE reigns forever (Isaiah 9:6-7) and He has given His everlasting PEACE to the world. Have we really received it?

Her name was Zuena. She was born from a breeder nomadic tribe in East Africa and had never known neither a stable nor a happy life in the bush where they lived. Once every year, their tribe was attacked by people coming from the North, probably the Arabs, who took many of their cattle and killed one or two among her relatives. One night, Zuena finally decided to escape and found refuge in the forest where she met a wise man and asked him an awkward question saying:
– Mzee, what does PEACE really mean? Where can one get it? Is it something precious like a cow? I have never experienced what PEACE is in my life. (Mzee is the Kiswahili word for “Elderly” and is usually used in East Africa to express great respect towards the elderly. Kenyatta Sr, was called Mzee Jomo Kenyatta).

So, the Mzee went on giving Zuena a threefold answer saying: “My daughter, PEACE first means to be satisfied with what you are and what you have and what you can do, and NOT with what you think you could become or could have or could dream to be. PEACE IS THE PRESENT. Secondly, PEACE means to never think you are better than the others. You are what you are and they are what they are. Third, PEACE means to make your neighbour happy and not only yourself “. Zuena took these wise advices back to her tribe in the bush. Beginning then, their chief and the elders decided to voluntarily offer 10 cows and 20 sheep every year to the enemy tribe. This pleased them so much and they never attacked Zuena’s tribe again.

Our heavenly Father is a giving God and He has also given His Holy Church the great blessing of accessing PEACE through GIVING, not giving as men do, but giving as Himself does. We always hear about DONORS, DONORS NGOs, DONORS people, etc. But are they really DONORS as God is doing? Are they donating where the real needy are? Is their giving a true LOVE GIVING? PEACE has really become the great dream of all the peoples of this world. Even before Christianity came to us in Africa, Burundians used to greet each other saying “Amahoro!” which means “Peace be with you”. All the East African peoples also used to say the same and are still greeting each other with “Salaam!” which comes from the Hebrew word “Shalom”, PEACE. They even called one of their great Ports Dar Es Salaam, the Port of Peace for sailors who had spent weeks and months crossing the Indian Ocean. PEACE IS SO PRECIOUS FOR AFRICA and EUROPE and AMERICA and for ASIA and AUSTRALIA as well.

But, what should one do when his neighbour refuses his offer for PEACE? Only one solution: KEEP ON SENDING HIM ARROWS OF PEACE through giving and forgiving, and talking positively about him, and in PRAYER! Jesus Christ will do the rest! He is the Prince of PEACE (Isaiah 9:6) and whatever prayers are made for PEACE (in the name of PEACE) He will answer.

THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH SHOULD REALLY BE A “DAR ES SALAAM” where people in this world would find REST and PEACE. I believe this was also the great wish of Saint Francis of Assisi when he prayed saying:
“Lord, make me a channel of thy peace;
that where there is hatred, I may bring love;
that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness;
that where there is discord, I may bring harmony;
that where there is error, I may bring truth;
that where there is doubt, I may bring faith;
that where there is despair, I may bring hope;
that where there are shadows, I may bring light;
that where there is sadness, I may bring joy.
Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted;
to understand, than to be understood;
to love, than to be loved.
For it is by self-forgetting that one finds.
It is by forgiving that one is forgiven.
It is by dying that one awakens to eternal life.
Amen.

Let us all today kneel and PRAY with Francis of Assisi saying these same words.

In Christ’s love

Bishop, Dr. Justin Baransananikiye
President,
CHRISTIANS STRENGTHENING CHRISTIANS,
http://iprayforyou.worthyofpraise.org
http://christiansstrengtheningchristian.doodlekit.com/blog
Email : baransajust@gmail.com

“LOVE YOUR ENEMIES !”
GOSPEL READING : John 13. 31-35

An African wisdom says : “Somebody who really loves you doesn’t look you straight in the face but his eyes will first look at your stomach”. This to mean that when one visits us we should first hurry to serve him some food and water before sitting and talk and talk. This is a little bit different with some western customs. One thing we know is that Jesus taught his Disciples to give and give and always give. But is that the only way to show our love towards the others ?

From Matthew 5:43-45, Jesus teaches the following : “ You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: LOVE YOUR ENEMIES AND PRAY FOR THOSE WHO PERSECUTE YOU, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.”(NIV).

A certain soldier was made captive by the enemies his king’s army was fighting. For many years, these two kings had been attacking one the other frequently and once captives were caught on one or the other sides, they were simply killed within seven days if 10 hobbyhorses were not paid as a ransom. Unfortunately, the captive soldier was now aware that his king had decided not to do so any longer because all his best hobbyhorses had been almost already sent to his enemy. Hence, the captive soldier who was a Christian said to himself: “I know this king is not a Christian believer and so are all his people. Thus, before they kill me, I’ll do whatever I can to teach these people what true love is. Perhaps this will help them stop attacking my country in the future.”

The first day he woke up very early under the morning cold and sang christian songs and prayed loudly for this enemy unbeliever nation, saying : “Oh, Almighty God, I know you love this nation and her people and their so great and powerful king. Oh, God, may you bless them with enough rain so that they may make a big corn and wheat harvest they had never got in the past.” The prison guards heard him praying so during two days and they reported it to the higher Officer who sent the information to the king, saying:
– Your majesty, the king, live forever! The captive soldier we caught during our recent battle against our neighbour nation is praying eagerly early every morning, asking his Almighty God, as he says, to bless you and our people and also bless our country with enough rain so that we may make a great corn and wheat harvest we had never had in the past. And he keeps doing so all days long.

The king replied and said: “Let’s wait and see. We have not had any rains in this country since a whole year and people and herds are dying every day while all the rivers are running dry and our vegetation getting wither. If it happens that we get some rain before his execution day, I’ll know that this captive soldier is a true Christian and I’ll release him immediately.” The captive soldier continued praying the same way every day and night and on the fifth day, there was a big storm upon the whole country with rains and floods all over the plains. Bridges were broken and roads damaged and many houses destroyed. The king afraid, asked his officer guards to bring the captive soldier at his court and he told him the following: “Why is your Almighty God doing such terrible things while we only needed enough rain to allow our crops grow ?”

The captive soldier answered and said : “Your majesty the king, live forever ! My Almighty God is simply doing so because He wants to sweep away the curse that prevailed upon your nation and then pour His infinite blessings on you and your people. He is the One who commanded me “TO LOVE AND PRAY FOR MY ENEMIES” and I have obeyed His Word !” The captive soldier was released the same day and as he had wished it, no more war was recorded between the two rival nations.

Dear Christian Brethren, why aren’t showing our love towards our enemies through PRAYING FOR THEM ? If Jesus has commanded us “To love and PRAY for our enemies and those who persecute us”, it is simply because God has a special blessing to give them and hence bless His Holy Church in this world. Instead of wasting time with discussions and meetings about what should be done to stop terrorism invade our free nations, LET US SIMPLY SPEND OUR TIME KNEELING AND PRAYING just like the captive soldier:

“Oh, Almighty God, we know you love all who try to destroy our nations and cities. Oh God, may you bless them with RAINS OF PEACE and HOPE IN THEIR HEARTS so that they may harvest LOVE and GOODNESS to share with others. Amen!

In Christ’s love

Bishop, Dr. Justin Baransananikiye
President,
CHRISTIANS STRENGTHENING CHRISTIANS,
http://iprayforyou.worthyofpraise.org
http://christiansstrengtheningchristian.doodlekit.com/blog
Email : baransajust@gmail.com

AN AUTHORITATIVE PRAYER
TO SILENCE SATAN AND HIS DEMONS!

GOSPEL READING: Mark 4:35-41

Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea,
“Peace be still!” And the wind ceased and there was
a great calm. (Mark 4:39)

ONE powerful word spoken by ONE Sovereign Lord from ONE human made boat! Verse 36b says “And other LITTLE boats were also with Him. If Jesus’ boat (the bigger one) was filling, what about the other LITTLE boats with lower capacity? Mark says nothing more regarding those OTHER LITTLE boats. His focus is Jesus’ boat from which was expected a solution of salvation for all the boats and the people in that sea.

Yes, there was a Jesus’ boat and OTHER LITTLE boats. The same, there is today the True Church of Christ the Saviour where He permanently abides, and the OTHER LITTLE Churches (little because lacking faith) around Him, not carrying the Saviour, the King of kings, but carrying worries, doubts, vain discussions, lies, pride, selfish, thefts, etc.

“Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” (Verse 38b). This the disciples certainly said because not only their boat was filling, BUT BECAUSE THEY WERE WATCHING THE OTHER BOATS AROUND SINKING AND THE FISHERS THERE DYING DROWNED. At this point, PRAYER with doubts was not the right weapon to use. As same, PRAYER without faith had no place in this whirlwind and COMPLAINING PRAYER crying up, “Lord, Lord, we are perishing!” needed FIRST to be rebuked from the disciples’ hearts. All this turmoil was originated from the terrible windstorm of unbelief that was rooted within the disciples’ hearts and which spiritually woke up the chorus of the demons living under the waters of the sea to make the situation worse. Not only Jesus rebuked the windstorm over the sea, but He also rebuked the unbelief storm from the disciples’ hearts.

Dear Christian brethren, if our prayer is always “Jesus, we are perishing! We are perishing!” demons under the seas as well as those principalities, powers and rulers of the darkness of this age and spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:10) SHALL ALL ALSO RUSH TOWARDS US AND JOIN AND RESPOND “Yes, perish, yes, perish as you wish it!”. But if our prayer in any situation becomes “ Lord Jesus, you are the Eternal Son of God, the Almighty God, the Master, the King of kings, the Saviour, the Alfa and the Omega”, THE DARKNESS FORCES WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY MUZZLED AND SILENCED! For God’s holy angels hosts will move around us, praising and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth PEACE,
Goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14).

All over the fifth chapter of the Gospel as written by John, Jesus explains it clearly to the disciples that He never did anything without having received instructions from the Father. Even in this story, the Lord Jesus was not speaking nor working miracles by Himself. No! All came from the Father in heaven and was given to Him during the nights He spent in prayer. Do you need to be healed definitely from DOUBTS in your prayers? Make a step today and start inquiring from the Lord in everything and He will tell you what to say and do without fear. Jesus knew this very truth:
“For He spoke, and it was done
He commanded, and it stood fast” (Psalm 33:9).

As they wake up the Lord, the disciples say: “Teacher!” At this point, it is clear that they simply knew Him as “Teacher” of the Word and NOT the ALMIGHTY SON OF GOD who told them “LET US CROSS OVER THE OTHER SIDE.”(verse 4:35) and could keep them safe. And when He had stopped the windstorm, they find no qualifying Name to be given Him. Their response was trembling with exceeding fear and “Who can this be?” Do we firmly know who He is?

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes
To the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

Christians, whenever Satan and his demons dare to touch the sovereign Throne of God, IT IS TIME TO SILENCE THEM STRONGLY in the Name of Jesus through authoritative PRAYER. Whenever darkness forces attempt to destroy the doctrine of the Holy Trinity in the Christian Church, they are touching the Holy Throne of God and thus, IT IS TIME TO SILENCE THEM STRONGLY in the Name of Jesus. No negotiations are to be accepted. Whenever they start building false teachings against the true teaching of REPENTANCE AND REMISSION OF SINS that we have been given as a commandment from the risen Christ (Luke 24:47), IT’S TIME TO SILENCE THEM STRONGLY in the Name of Jesus and proclaim “the Peace He gave us”

PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, rebuke the unbelief windstorm from my heart today! Amen.

In Christ’s love

Bishop, Dr. Justin Baransananikiye
President,
CHRISTIANS STRENGTHENING CHRISTIANS,
http://iprayforyou.worthyofpraise.org
http://christiansstrengtheningchristian.doodlekit.com/blog
Email : baransajust@gmail.com

“OH WORLD ! LET CHRIST THE SAVIOUR BE YOURS !”
GOSPEL READING : John 3. 16-21

On a certain island in the Indian Ocean lived a poor man named Taabu (which means suffering in Swahili). Taabu had been condemned unjustly to life imprisonment by the king. It is said that this man was extremely poor, really starving with his four children family which he was no longer able to feed. Consequently, Taabu decided to go and try to steal a banana bunch from a rich man’s plantation. While standing thinking in a bush near the plantation, he was unfortunately seen and caught by the guards who had been appointed to watch on the property. He was immediately taken to the boss who was still very angry since he had recently lost his three dairy cows and his beloved sheepdog killed during a robbery.

So the rich man took Taabu to the kings’ court for judgement and he was condemned to amputation of his right hand and to life imprisonment.
Ten years later, the king died and his elder son came to power. Pressed by the rich man, the young monarch decided that Taabu’s case should be heard again in court. So, this time, Taabu was condemned to capital punishment along with other criminals and all had to be hanged the next day. Early in the morning as people were gathering at the execution site, they found a man hanged on a tree with the following writings on it : “Please, release Taabu, he is innocent, I am paying for his condemnation!”

As the king and the other high authorities arrived, Taabu and the other criminals were already brought there handcuffed. But suddenly, the king saw very far a man hanged on a wood and wanted to know what had happened exactly. So, he sent one of his guards to check and report back to him immediately. When the guard came back he had the following to say : “Your majesty the king, live forever! I found nothing else to be reported to you except these moving words I saw written on the wood where that man is hanged saying, PLEASE, RELEASE TAABU, HE IS INNOCENT, I AM PAYING FOR HIS CONDEMNATION”. And near the tree I met someone who has just told me he is the hanged man’s brother and that yesterday night before his suicide, he told his wife and the people at home that he was one of the rich man’s guards who had caught Taabu near the plantation and had made him unjustly condemned in order to calm their boss’s anger after he had lost his cows and dog.”

Therefore, the king understood the big error his late father had made in condemning unjustly Taabu and decided to set him free and commanded his servants to bring Taabu at his court where he was given a very nice house and everything. But three months later, the king’s servants reported the following to him: “Your Majesty, live forever ! The man you have set free and brought to live here does not at all spend his nights in the house you granted him. Every night, he leaves the house and goes back to his detention site among the other criminals, because, as he says, he believes that one day another king will come to rule this country and then condemn him again to imprisonment or to capital punishment! He even does not eat your food!”

As the king heard this report, he knelt and lifting his right hand he said: “May the gods of all times forgive my father for having caused so much trouble to Taabu, and may their anger be away from me and my family!”. And the same night, he drank a virulent poison that was normally used to kill traitors and he died.

OH WORLD ! LET CHRIST THE SAVIOUR BE YOURS ! This very truth I love so much about Him was prophesied by Isaiah saying :
“Surely He took up our infirmities and
Carried our sorrows,
Yet we consider Him stricken by God,
Smitten by Him, and afflicted.
But He was pierced for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The punishment that brought us PEACE was upon Him,
And by His wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:4-5, NIV).

So, let us together rejoice, FOR CHRIST THE SAVIOUR IS OURS and no more condemnation is upon us Since we have believed in Him. HE NEVER CHANGES !

In Christ’s love

Bishop, Dr. Justin Baransananikiye
President,
CHRISTIANS STRENGTHENING CHRISTIANS,
http://iprayforyou.worthyofpraise.org
http://christiansstrengtheningchristian.doodlekit.com/blog
Email : baransajust@gmail.com

“ Not To Do My Will But To Do The Will Of Him Who Sent Me ”
GOSPEL READING : John 6. 35 – 40

Every nation has its own traditions which sometimes others may not understand and consider as being simply fun. This is also true with the succession in Burundian dynasties which were built on an unbelievable myth. The fact is that for years we were told that a special sign was waited for in order to know who would be the crown prince of the kingdom of Burundi. This happened when the queen gave birth to a boy child who held seeds in his right hand. We all believed it was God’s will and nobody thought differently nor had doubts about it. Nowadays, could British people imagine knowing Prince Charles as the crown Prince simply from such a myth? FUN! But when it has been built on centuries that it should be so, everyone believes IT IS GOD’S WILL.

An ancient legend tells us about Nzo, a very poor man who lived in a lonely desert island far from any other human beings. He lived naked and had no wife nor children. He had no house but lived in a cavern. Before his father died he had told him that there was another land where human beings lived happy and prosperous and could work. So Nzo spent years dreaming about it and how he could get there. One day, an enormous Eagle which used to cross the island every morning, stopped for a while turning over Nzo and asked him: “Poor Nzo, every day that I have flied over this island, I have seen you weeping and so concerned. Tell me, please, what your problem is, perhaps I could be for some help to you ! ” Nzo in tears replied and said:
– Oh, dear friend, I am terribly suffering on this lonely desert island. Something I know is that before my father died, he told me that there was a wonderful land far from here where other human beings live happy and prosperous. So, I have been wondering how I could also get there and live blessed days before I die.
The Eagle said: “That’s no big problem, poor Nzo, I can help you get there even today. But, would you accept the conditions required for you to live in that land? “
– Of course, Sir, I am prepared to do whatever you will require from me.
And so the Eagle said: “Before I take you there, please, lay your right hand on my back and swear for full obedience to me, yes?” And so Nzo did.
Then the Eagle took Nzo and flied far, far away and finally landed in a fantastic green land near a nice house where a beautiful lady was standing and then told Nzo:
– Mr. Nzo, this is your house and your wife and everything is there. Now, the only job I want you to do every day is to take all the water from that little lake and bring it and pour it in the little plain at the other side of that mountain where I want this lake to be moved to. Whatever you need as food, drinks, clothes, a camel, etc, is here. If you don’t fulfil our agreement as promised, I’ll come back and take you back to your former cursed land.”

Beginning the next day and for several years, Nzo started working to take the water from the little lake over to the plain he had been shown by the Eagle. But people began to worry about his situation and came to him saying:
– Mr. Nzo, why are you suffering doing a so wearing and drained job and don’t come to make your life better and happy with us?”
But Nzo replied:
– Oh, dear friends, I am not doing my will but the will of the one who brought me from my cursed land up to this marvellous paradise. And I’ll keep faithful till death. For If I don’t, I’ll lose all the blessings I have been given since I am here.

Dear Christian Brethren, Jesus who said: “Whoever believes in the Son of God has eternal life” (John 3:36) is the same Jesus who said: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart I have overcome the world”(John 16:33).

Therefore, are we feeling complaining about the many trials we go through while DOING THE WILL OF THE ONE WHO CALLED US OUT OF DARKNESS INTO HIS WONDERFULL LIGHT ? Are we about to dropping down our heavenly calling due to all current disappointments from this evil world? Let us strengthen our faith today and take this very word as our daily banner: “Not To Do My Will But To Do The Will Of Him Who Sent Me !”

Blessings in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

Bishop, Dr. Justin Baransananikiye
President,
CHRISTIANS STRENGTHENING CHRISTIANS,
http://iprayforyou.worthyofpraise.org
http://christiansstrengtheningchristian.doodlekit.com/blog
Email : baransajust@gmail.com

“IT IS THE LORD !”
GOSPEL READING : John 21. 1 – 9

In many African countries and in Burundi of course, cattle robbery is a frequent habit conducted by many false animal dealers. Usually, stolen animals are re-sold a few days later at one or the other of the well-known markets. So, when one is victim of such a theft, these markets are the first targeted places for any investigations. The following true story happened at the animal market close to Gitega town in Burundi a couple of years ago.

Thieves stole two goats at night from a family goat shed which had a total of eight goats but they didn’t take the goats’ kids as well. The owner could not realize the theft until the next day when opening for his goats to be taken out to pasture. His neighbours told him not to worry except in case his goats would have been slaughtered, because they would be easily found sold at the animal market in Gitega which is open every Mondays. They even advised him to take to the market all the 6 goats’ kids he had and just stand at the main entrance where all the beasts for sale are brought in. And so the man did.

Early the next Monday, he was at the market with his six goats’ kids standing at the entrance. Many cows along with sheep were brought in. Then arrived the group of goats. Every time that goats passed nearby they bleat and the kids goats ran to them but were seriously butt and driven back by them. Finally, a trader arrived at the market bringing two goats. They also bleat and all the six kids goats rushed to them. Then four among them were seriously butt and driven out while two others were accepted each one by a mother-goat allowing them access to their teats. Immediately, the man cried appealing for help from the people in the market and the thief was arrested simply because the two kids goats recognized their mothers and were accepted by them. No additional proofs nor extra witnesses were needed.

Now, one question: why didn’t Jesus’ disciples recognize Him at first sight? Why didn’t they recognize Him at least from His kind, humble and loving voice? Hadn’t He said some time earlier: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27, NIV)? Only the beloved disciple, John, the great analyst observing deeply the man with whom he had walked and lived for three and a half years, the One he had listened to carefully and seen crucified, the One he had heard crying “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani”. He recognized immediately the Shepherd’s voice and certainly found a second proof from the print of the nails in His hands, just as American Christian Author Fanny J. Crosby wrote this wonderful poem “My Saviour First Of All”, from which John Sweney made a fantastic Church Hymn :

When my lifework is ended, and I cross the swelling tide,
When the bright and glorious morning I shall see;
I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side,
And His smile will be the first to welcome me.
I shall know Him, I shall know Him
And redeemed by His side I shall stand,
I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
By the print of the nails in His hand.

And so John said to Peter, “IT IS THE LORD, YES, IT IS THE LORD!”. Bishop Justin grew up at an American Missionary Station in Bujumbura the capital of Burundi where his father first worked as a cook for them. He used to come back home around 7:30 or 8:00 PM. Other people could pass nearby at those hours but the difference was that whenever he came, earlier or later, Dad was whistling a well-known Christian hymn “At the gates” and all of us the children at home rushed to the door saying: “It’s him! It’s him!”

Yes, dear Brethren, whenever the poor hungry knocks at our door requesting for some food, It is the Lord visiting us! Yes, it’s Him! Whenever the naked ones suffer under the bitterly cold without a single blanket, It is the Lord appealing for our Christian love to act! Yes, it’s Him! Whenever LOVE stands up courageously to respond to all these cries of refugees and orphans and widows and the rejected ones as you have done it and are still doing it, It is the Lord moving through His faithful servants to rescue the world! Yes, it’s Him! Let us believe it. Many blessings for your unwavering LOVE!

In Christ’s Love,

Bishop, Dr. Justin Baransananikiye
President,
CHRISTIANS STRENGTHENING CHRISTIANS,
http://iprayforyou.worthyofpraise.org
http://christiansstrengtheningchristian.doodlekit.com/blog

“CHRISTIANS STRENGTHENING CHRISTIANS”
International Ministries (C.S.C.I.M)

Why ?

“Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you; that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
(Luke 22. 31-32).

Dear Christian Brethren,

Did you know Satan’s SIX (6) fold current strategy against the nations of the world while targeting indirectly to take hostage the Church of Christ?

– Disturbing the nations through social conflicts and wars
– Moving millions refugees over the nations
– Cursing the nations with terrible diseases
– Destroying crops and thus pouring famines
– Dividing the International Community in the matters regarding Peace
– Weakening the world economy

International Christian Action is required:

When? : Right Now.
Where? : From all the nations of the world.
How? : Through non-stop planed intercession as the Lord Jesus Christ did.

“CHRISTIANS STRENGTHENING CHRISTIANS”
International Ministries (C.S.C.I.M) needs Representatives from every Nation (or State) of the world :

– To be part of the worldwide frontline intercessors who will kneel daily in order to strengthen other Christians caught in Satan’s scratches ;
– To organize a C.S.C.I.M national Ministry in their country;
– To participate in organizing the First International CHRISTIANS STRENGTHENING CHRISTIANS Conference this August, 2016, in Bujumbura, Burundi, Africa.

Contact:
Bishop, Justin BARANSANANIKIYE, D.D, D.Min
President, THE EPISCOPAL FREE CHURCH
PROVINCE OF BURUNDI
Registered No. 530/1774
P.O. Box 197 Gitega
Burundi (East Africa)
Tel : +25779877097
EMAIL: baransajust@gmail.com
http://iprayforyou.worthyofpraise.org
http://christiansstrengtheningchristian.doodlekit.com/blog

“IS PRAYER OUR NEW WAY OF LIFE?”
John 7:3-4, 6

“Don’t eat that kind of fruit! That other, yes, it’s not dangerous. Whenever you find a sort of fruit in the bush even if it looks nice or big, bring it to me and Dad first and we’ll tell you it is edible or not. Okay?”, thus our mother used to tell my brother and me when we were still between five and twelve years old. The nature was so wide and full of all kinds of bushes that bore yellow or red very attractive fruits which we used to eat in disorder as we were shepherding our family goats.

One day as we came back home in the evening, both of us had acute diarrhoea. Within half an hour only we were dehydrate and laid weak down on the floor. Mum cried up appealing our neighbours for help. We were immediately taken to the missionary station dispensary not far from our home. The nurse there treated us urgently and made a rehydration salt solution for us to drink quickly as well.
– You have eaten rotten guava fruits that had germs and grubs in, the American nurse said after having tested our stools under a microscope. Never do that anymore! She insisted.
Of course, we hadn’t brought to Mum the rotten fruits picked under the trees before we ate them. We decided ourselves!

IS PRAYER OUR NEW WAY OF LIFE? Depending on somebody else’s decisions in everything has never been men’s choice. But God urges us to depend on him and always take counsel from Him BEFORE making whatever step in our life. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER WANTS YOU AND I TO INQUIRE OF HIM EVERY DAY IN EVERY SITUATION. Intercessors who enquire of the Lord just expect from Him to tell them whether He approves or not a project their plan for or a vision they have. The Lord might accept or reject it or give them additional directions and strategies to follow.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways
My ways” says the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8).

Am I a newborn Christian? Right. Consequently, whatever decision I take without having inquired of the Lord will lead me in MY OWN WAYS, in dangerous unexpected situations. Whatever plans I make in my life, whatever friendship I build up with people without having inquired of the Lord are but ways imagined from my pride and selfish and that finally lead me to failure. Of course, once we inquire of the Lord about something, we automatically proclaim His Sovereignty and Authority upon it. Therefore, if He says, No, to our prayer, IT IS NO! Period. No more intercession is allowed.

Isaiah prophecies about Christ’s great characteristics (Isaiah 11:2):
“The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him
The spirit of wisdom and understanding
The spirit of COUNSEL and MIGHT
The spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord”

The spirit of COUNSEL and MIGHYT is certainly the framework of Christ’s Ministry as God’s servant. All His life long, He built His Ministry on getting counsel from God the Father Who then entrusted Him with MIGHT (authority) in heaven and in earth.(Matthew 28:18). The Son of Man was aware that the world He was sent to was an 80% dropped steeply and slippery road. Thus, all His plans and actions needed to be lead by the Father, the Eternal heavenly Driver who knows when to slow down the speed or release it.
“My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready”
(John 7:6)
“My hour has not yet come” (John 2:4)

The spirit of counsel (inquiring of God) should also continue to be the leading banner and the real new way of life for the Christian Church in the 21st century. Christians should not be computer-led, TV shows-led, Money-led, Premier League-led, NBA-led, etc. All Christians need to be deeply re-taught and educated and trained to live as inquirers of God in order to overcome Satan’s plans and attacks over their nations, families, churches, businesses or health. Let us all learn to knock at God’s door every morning and midday and night (Daniel 6:10). Even though terrifying situations are trying to push us to decide in a hurry by ourselves and create false strategies to take ourselves, let us kneel with Christ and accept to bear this torchlight on our forehead with the psalmist: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

Yes, our Lord and faithful Shepherd Jesus Christ has always got A WORD to say on our life. He has got a word that can stop our dark sinful situation that can reconcile the nations and families and tribes. Therefore, He wants to say it TODAY, NOW. Shall we listen to Him? Let us kneel and wait for it and we won’t eat rotten fruits. Amen!

In Christ’s Love,

Bishop, Dr. Justin Baransananikiye
President,
CHRISTIANS STRENGTHENING CHRISTIANS,
http://iprayforyou.worthyofpraise.org
http://christiansstrengtheningchristian.doodlekit.com/blog

A CROWD OF PEOPLE IN SEARCH OF JESUS
GOSPEL READING : John 6:24 – 35

Oh! How beautiful was this procession of boats carrying hundreds of hearts that were eager to find Jesus and stay close to Him, no matter what motives were pushing them! Their common desire was: “FIND JESUS! FIND JESUS!” Was the miraculous sign of the loaves and the fish enough to cause such a great revival at these trade shores of the Sea of Galilee where money was the king-idol? Yes, even Jesus stated it (verse 26, NIV).

On that very day, the trade traffic with the boats turned into a humanitarian free transportation for those who were hungry for Jesus. Why? The people of Galilee knew from then that Jesus, the different Person they had rejected previously, had performed a different and unusual thing and that He might have some other different thing to offer them from the new place He had moved to. But here is one question: Why, contrary to the antique people, the modern man is no longer thirsting so passionately to go on in search of Jesus? Have we found all the solutions to our trials and problems and conflicts so that we could simply leave the Creator aside? Hasn’t Jesus poured different and unusual blessings on our lives and upon our families and businesses and our nations that should cause us to also start going on “The Jesus Searching Journey”? Of course, the crowd of Galilee was in search of Jesus for a particular thing, but Jesus was also in search of them for another more perfect thing He wanted to offer to them: “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” (Verse 35, NIV) While searching for Jesus, men never think about that fact.

Dear Christian Brethren, would you stop for a while and imagine how crowds from the five continents are united in a common procession in search of Jesus, the Prince of Peace? Just like the people of Galilee, these modern pilgrims from all races and nations have realized that Jesus is no longer neither in their international relations policies and their drastically cut laws nor in their high scientific and technology discoveries, nor in their philosophies, their powerful armies and their spatial control race. Christ is somewhere else!
Yes, CHRIST DWELLS IN HIS HOLY CHURCH, IN THE BELIEVERS’ HEARTS gathering in all True Christian Denominations despite our divergences! He is there, ALIVE! His promise to His Holy Church is: “Surely, I will be with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

Why should we continue keeping Jesus hidden to the processions of crowds that come from all Tribes and all Tongues around the world and who still believe that Christ really dwells in our Christian Churches? Should the financial crisis or the terrorist threat stop our calling and commitment to make Jesus known and seen and found by his searchers? Not at all! The widow who put two very small copper coins in the temple treasury was not richer than the rich who threw in large amounts. But She moved Jesus’ heart! (Mark 12:41-44).

As refugee move up to your countries, welcome them in the Name of Jesus and let them hear about their Savior. It’s your task! Send a parcel of love in Jesus’ Name to people in trouble, to people going through very difficult situations is your ministry! Western Churches, KEEP ON SUPPORTING POOR AFRICAN CHURCHES IN THEIR TRIALS. It’s your ministry and Christ shall require a report from you.

In Christ’s Love,

Bishop, Dr. Justin Baransananikiye
President,
CHRISTIANS STRENGTHENING CHRISTIANS,
http://iprayforyou.worthyofpraise.org
http://christiansstrengtheningchristian.doodlekit.com/blog

THE HEAVENLY HIGH PRIEST ANOINTED
BY AN UNEXPECTED HUMAN PRIEST.
GOSPEL READING : Luke 2:22-40 :

What a wonderful Day! I wished I could be there and hear Simeon praising God as he took the Holy Child in his arms and also listen to Prophetess Anna giving thanks to God, this same special elder Anna who had never left the Temple for decades, but was worshiping night and day, fasting and praying. This was A Really Holy Trinity Meeting arranged by the Holy Spirit who moved Simeon to go to the Temple at the very hour when Joseph and Mary came to present the Son of God to the Heavenly Father.

Strange ! Instead of being welcomed in the Temple by a well-known Hebrew high priest and acclaimed with honors by crowds from Jerusalem, Jesus, “The unknown salvation God’s plan” meets accidently an unexpected strange priest who leads the service and pronounces the blessing and the prophecy upon his ministry along with an additional particular blessing pronounced by Anna, a descendant of Asher whom Jacob had blessed earlier saying: “Asher’s food will be rich; he will provide delicacies for a King”(Genesis 49:20, NIV). Wondeful fulfillment !

No processions nor ceremonies, no choirs singing but only four people, Joseph, Mary and Simeon and Anna standing together to witness “The Fulfillment of what God had said through Jacob, Isaac’s son”. I believe that on this very day Anna really understood what was the ministry she had been waiting for since so many years. Miraculously, Anna is brought to deliver a message that completes the one that Simeon pronounces:
– Simeon talks about “Seeing God’s Salvation”
– Anna talks about “The Redemption of Jerusalem”

I remember one day in 1984 I was invited to preach at a rural Evangelical Church in the little village of Kagongo in the South of Burundi near Lake Tanganyika, where I delivered a sermon about “Salvation and Redemption”. Generally, people in many Third-World countries don’t understand easily what “Salvation means”. The poor church I visited was a Fishermen’s community since they all lived from fishing. I gave them an illustration and said that “Salvation” is like a fish you get from the lake in order to feed yourself and your family. But it can’t be efficient in your life until you have cooked or roasted it and then eat it; and this second phase is what I can call “Redemption”.

I told them that Jesus, God’s salvation (Jesus Christ) who was sent to this world has also in Him the Redemption Ministry and power. But as long as men refuse to receive Him as their personal Saviour and allow their souls to eat from Him and drink from his precious blood, they’ll never experience Redemption from the bondage of sin. They’ll remain hungry like a fisher who has already got a fish but does not to eat it. I remember how many people in the church at Kagongo understood for the first time that they needed to make a step to go to Jesus and confess their sins and welcome Him in their life.

God is still doing great things with unexpected and strange people. Simeon was not priest but in God’s plans, he had been set apart to serve one day as a special priest to anoint his Holy Son Jesus for the Ministry of the Cross that would pierce His Mother’s soul. On the other hand, Anna was probably known from the religious public as a poor widow spending her life in the Temple cellars. But what is amazing is that on this great day when Jesus was to be presented to God, these unknown people were moved by the Spirit of God and met perhaps for the first time for the glory of God IN HIS HOLY TEMPLE.
We don’t need to be famous nor great nor be known in the news editorials in order to be used by God to do great things. Let us simply be righteous and devout like Simeon and also humble and faithful day and night in PRAYER like Anna. And God Will Always Move With Us !…AMEN !

In Christ’s Love,

Bishop, Dr. Justin Baransananikiye
President
CHRISTIANS STRENGTHENING CHRISTIANS,
http://iprayforyou.worthyofpraise.org
http://christiansstrengtheningchristian.doodlekit.com/blog