Thanks Offering: October 02, 2011

My dear brothers and sisters,

The month of October has a special meaning to us as children of God.  We do not only reflect and “…. count the many blessings” but we also want to touch the Lord like that woman who had an illness for twelve years.  Jesus said “Somebody touched me, for I perceived power going out of me” (Luke 8:46). 

Beloved in the Lord, divine power will flow to those who touch the Lord faithfully in spirit. This divine power will enable us:-

1. To remain strong in faith

2. To trust the Lord even under difficult circumstances

3. To be filled with God’s peace, even if we are surrounded by strife

4. To remain joyful even in times of sadness

5. To have bearing capacity, even if circumstances are oppressive

6. To overcome what is not pleasing the Lord

7. To wait for the return of the Lord every day

We shall have the power to do all these things if we are able to touch the Lord in spirit and draw divine power.  We may touch the Lord through:-

a) Devout prayer

b) Faithfully grasping the Word of God

c) Faithfully assimilating the body and blood of Christ through Holy Communion

d) Faithfully bringing our Thanks offering and sacrifices to God

I would like to highlight our touching the Lord through faithfully bringing our Thanks Offering and sacrifices to Him.

Other than drawing for ourselves the divine powers when we touch the Lord as stated herein, we also share what the Psalmist said many years ago: “… that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men. For He satisfies the longing soul, and He fills the longing soul with goodness”.  (Psalm 107:8-9).  Indeed the Lord has been good to us in many ways. Each one of us knows our specific and personal ways and we can recount.

There are also other ways that are applicable to everyone. Chief Apostle Streckeisen once posed a question:  “Have you ever thanked the Lord for the sunrises every morning?”  It is very easy to forget this because it happens every day. He asked further, “Have you ever thanked the Lord for the air you breathe?”

May the Lord bless each one of us abundantly so that we may experience that we are the blessed of the Lord. May such experiences increase our faith!

After the flood it says in the Holy Scripture that Noah built an altar and thanked God for their rescue and protection. He offered burnt offerings on the altar which pleased God. Because the Lord was pleased, he said, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:22).

To this day the promise of the Lord is valid and the earth still brings forth the food for all mankind, if only it was fairly distributed!

We are also aware that when we make the necessary spiritual sacrifices, and willingly bring our material offering into God’s store house, we help in the great work of redemption. The Lord will again smell a soothing aroma (as in Noah’s time) and He will bless us more.  With your offering, we have completed many chapels. There are many still to be completed. Further, from 1 January 2013, we shall be self sustaining and we need to build a firm foundation. I thank you very much for the support you have given me.

I shall be in Chaisa from where I will remember and connect myself with all of you.

May I also remind you that the visit of our dear Chief Apostle to us is drawing nearer everyday.  Please pray with me so that all the preparations are on course and completed in good time. May we all open our hearts in full so that we may all receive a full measure of blessings from our heavenly Father through His high servant.

With love and heartfelt greetings from me and our dear Chief Apostle.

Yours sincerely

Charles S Ndandula