Living in Victory Magazine

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTRIBUTORS

Tsitsi Charity Mucheka – Editor/Manager Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ MaiWandida/ Instagram: @Evangelistcharity +27614538386 editor@livinginvictory.co.za

Anashe Charlene Chinoda – Animator @pastelgothicorn on Instagram pastelchinoda3@gmail.com Keegan

We are now in the second half of the year 2023, at the beginning of the year, we all set goals and we were determined to accomplish our goals, the question is how much progress have we made towards realizing those goals we set? The enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy, he is in the business of stealing time. We must make the most of each day to keep up with our goals for the year 2023 and to accomplish the will of God upon our lives. Let us make use of the gifts that God

SHALOM!

has gave us because a day will come when we will have to be answerable to the Lord. What is your gift? How are you making use of it?

James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

To serve in the Kingdom of God, we need to identify our gifts and talents. What are you passionate about? Our gifts are usually linked to the activities we enjoy doing and our character strengths. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal your role in the body of Christ. While you are waiting for revelation begin to serve in any way you can. We usually look for positions within our local churches, that is good but let us remember that the body of Christ is more than a building, you can serve God outside of your local church too. There are many ways to serve God, you can evangelize by going door to door sharing the good news with the lost in your neighborhood, you can pray for the sick in your community, you can volunteer your services at a community rehabilitation centre and much more. There is also social media which is a huge platform to share the Word of God. It is important to get direction, the Holy Spirit has a way to direct our footsteps in the right direction. Ask Him to direct you. I pray that you find your position and that you begin to serve as the Holy Spirit leads.

EDITOR’S

God gave us unique gifts and talents to use for the advancement of His Kingdom. Every gift is important and serves a purpose within the body of Christ. Our gifts are to be used to serve others. We are all surrounded by opportunities to use our God given gifts and talents for the glory of the Kingdom of God.

1 Peter 4:10 “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

Evangelist Tsitsi

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Thank you for your Facebook platform. It has revived me as I was passing through difficult circumstances at my workplace. I have been praying to God for a new job and new environment and I will push harder, the same God of Hannah will remember me. Please stand with me in prayers.

TN Zambia, Lusaka.

Hello Tiwonge

May the good Lord who sees what we are going through and who knows our hearts come through for you just as He did for Hannah. As you continue to seek Him faithfully, may He reveal His faithfulness in your circumstances in the powerful name of Jesus Christ. I pray for not only a new job but promotion as well in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. May you testify of His goodness!

Hello I need the magazine and your prayers. I am a Pastor, but I have gone through marital problems that have led me into divorce and have left me in a very disturbing state. I thank God who has always shown Himself faithful in every single day of my life even in these circumstances. I really need your prayers as it has not really been easy to recover from the impact of this disturbing situation.

AK, Ndola Zambia

Dear Pastor, it is sad to hear that

your marriage ended in divorce and how you are left in a disturbing state. Divorce is not easy but our hope remains in our Lord Jesus Christ. His Word informs us in 2nd Corinthians 12:9 “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness’… The strength of God is your strength during this difficult time. May the good Lord comfort you and give you hope during this difficult season. We are praying for you. We will send you the link for the magazine as well. Be strengthened in Jesus’s powerful name.

Hello, how can I get your Christian magazine online?

Kellyman, Harare

Dear Kellyman,

To get our magazine online you can send us your whatsapp number so we can send you a message as soon as the magazine has been published.

Hi I would like to thank you for the magazine, I am always encouraged and inspired by the Word. May the good Lord continue to use you to touch lives in this dark and sometimes cruel world. May He continue to shine your light as you freely give hope to many people.

Alexina

Hope,

Kenya

Dear Alexina Hope

Thank you for writing to us and

encouraging us to continue doing the work of the Lord. It is always encouraging to hear from our readers and receive feedback on how the magazine is ministering to them.

God bless you!

Hello, Is the subscription to Living in Victory Magazine free?

Silas James

Hello Silas James

Yes, Living in Victory magazine is free. You can send us a message via WhatsApp on +27791510361 for a copy.

Shalom, Living in Victory

Thank you for the soul uplifting experience we read about in every editon of your magazine. I am a writer based in Eswatini, a fully devoted Christian. I wish to get a feature in your magazine and express words through short article based on the power of faith. Thank you.

Wakhe Simelane, Eswatini

Hello Wakhe, please send your article and your request to us on WhatsApp number +27791510361. It is always a pleasure for us to publish content from different writers. God bless you!

LETTER TO MY FATHER

By Patrick Mtunzie

You are my father and my true leader

When my life is a grammatical error, you are my proof-reader

So, in the error of my ways, you reproof me

And when the ceiling of my joy is blown away, you reroof me

You have taught me to fight with prayer as my spiritual handgun

You have given me your bread of love and didn’t even save yourself a breadcrumb

You are my guide, my life’s choir master

My comedic comforter on hard days that require laughter

And in the violent storm of life, you tell me I can “brave it”

Because in life’s Goliath storm you are next to me

You are my teary eyes’ tissue

My wisdom-imparter in every hard issue

You are my pillow and my whip

You are my hero when I slip

You have always led by example

Teaching me that God’s divine love is ample

You preached to me of my wonderful destiny ordered by God

And that the battle is not mine and my troubles are shouldered by God

You are my father who introduced me to the father

And I love you

CHILDPROOFING THE HOME

I would like to start by giving a brief biography! God blessed us with 5 daughters and now we are proud grandparents of 9. It is said that bragging is not good but today I want to brag! Why? None of our children as toddlers sustained significant injuries in the home. That having been said, Paul in one of the Epistles says that; “...by the Grace of God, I am what I am…” I will take this opportunity to pass my gratitude to everyone who assisted us to parent our children. Above all, thanks be to God almighty who enables us to do all things through Him.

While we can assume that the home is the safest place to be for anyone, it is not so all the time, especially for children. I have come across various injuries, burns, fractures, swallowed objects and the like all having occurred at home. This means that at any given time, the home should have some kind of childproofing especially for the 3-year-olds and below. Let’s go over the suggestions below.

1. Install safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs to prevent falls.

2. Install cabinet and drawer locks to keep young children away from sharp objects and hazardous materials.

3. Install window guards to prevent falls from windows.

4. Move furniture away from windows and balconies to prevent falls.

5. Place corner and edge bumpers on furniture to prevent injury from sharp corners.

6. Install outlet covers to prevent electrical shocks.

7. Install doorknob covers to prevent toddlers from opening doors.

8. Place safety latches on toilets and lower the water level in the tank.

9. Check toys for small parts that can be a choking hazard.

10. Move cleaning supplies and other hazardous materials out of reach.

11. When cooking, keep the pot handles away from the reach of children.

12. Be extra careful with hot water in the kitchen or in the bathroom.

13. If you have a swimming pool, it should be kept locked with a safety net also.

14. Yes you like those precious breakable ornaments in your lounge, for now please put them away joyfully.

I trust that someone will benefit from these tips. Happy and healthy parenting from yours truly; Rhoda Mafukidze, Author of 31 Secrets to a Failproof Marriage. +263773541458

ONE ON ONE WITH

DR TICH TANYANYIWA

By Keegan Chipato

Dr. Tich, your name is widely associated with sheer greatness. Your vast credentials are clearly shown in your work both as a minister and entrepreneur. Could you give us some insight into your entrepreneurial and ministerial journey?

Thank you so much for the opportunity to share my story. By no means do I consider myself a man of sheer greatness. The heart has always been to serve a great God with all my heart and in doing this He began to work in and through me. This is an amazing honor for God to use someone who was a write off by human standards.

I have been in ministry for 27 years, and 20 of those years have been full time ministry. I served as a youth pastor then a branch pastor 16 years and have been a senior pastor for 11 years. God has used us to plant 12 churches (South Africa, Zimbabwe, and the DRC) I currently have apostolic oversight over four churches.

In the business arena we have 12 businesses nine of which are operational. We are into publishing, coaching, consultancy, training, filmmaking, gaming, and education.

The passion to develop people has resulted in the publication of 22 books with thousands of books in circulation. The books focus on economic empowerment, success, relationship management, and personal growth.

You are a greatly sought-after keynote speaker, especially when it pertains to economic freedom,

wealth creation, transformational leadership, success, and personal development. Could you explain to us what pushed you to start this amazing journey as a speaker?

The journey began with an encounter with God. I had a desperate need for real answers for personal crisis and a need to help those I pastored. I was tired of the religious excuses I kept hearing in some pulpit rhetoric and said there must be answers in the Bible. I had a dramatic encounter with God in a meeting in Bulawayo where God spoke to me in a message given in tongues. I received the interpretation to this message and God said to me, “Son, go and tell the church, there is come to the Body of Christ a financial revival. Men and women will be anointed to create wealth. They will get out of debt and step into increase, and they will become Kingdom financiers”.

This message totally changed the trajectory of my life. I began studying the Word to understand what a financial revival is, the research resulted in the books and the books opened the doors to the nations. A raw passion to study the Word of God and help people understand scripture as a contemporary tool for transformation is the motivation behind what I do. I was trained up by Dr. Shana to ask,

1. What was God’s original plan?

2. What went wrong?

3.What did God do to correct this?

These questions have guided me throughout my ministry journey.

You’re an anointed teacher of the Torah who enjoys bringing out ancient wisdom for high impact living. In your capacity as a teacher, you have travelled across the continent of Africa teaching and equipping people with a bold dynamic apostolic message of wealth and economic mastery. How best would you describe your experiences over the years as a teacher?

My experience as a teacher of the Word of God has been a wonderful one. I have grown tremendously and seen amazing results in my own life. I am my number one student. In fact, I write my books for me more than anyone else.

I have however, faced some challenges in that most believers are lazy and are not willing to study the Word of God as they should. I would say probably 90% of the body of believers are not willing to invest an hour of personal study of the Word. No wonder most believers are in debt, distress and are discontent about where they are in life. Church services are getting shorter, people are getting busier with life and studying the Word of God is no longer a priority. I feel it is part of my life assignment to bring believers back into diligently studying the Word of God.

You are a multifaceted person. You have authored a plethora of impactful books over the years. In addition to that, you’re an entrepreneur, coach, a family man and a highly regarded mentor. How do you manage all the pressure associated with your various roles and the busy schedules that ensue?

This is my major weakness. I am a workaholic. God has been dealing with me on this subject. However, I have managed by having a great team around me. My wife, Dr. Princisca runs the operations of all we do and that has helped me stay sane. My PA Thandie and director Bheki have helped greatly over the years to ensure that things run well on the ground.

I wish I could say it’s been easy, but that would not be accurate. Greatness does not come cheap, so we are paying the price to become great for the Kingdom of God.

Dr. Tich, we also understand that you once met with one of the world’s greatest leadership experts, “the late Dr. Myles Munroe”. Were you starstruck and what if anything at all do you remember about the encounter?

Naturally I was in awe when I met this great general who I had only read about and seen on television. Meeting him was a dream come true. My spiritual Father Apostle Nicky van der Westhuizen had prophesied that I was going to be like a Myles Munroe from Africa, so it was a significant encounter.

Interestingly the most outstanding thing about Dr. Myles was his love for people. He made time to love, embrace and encourage people everywhere we went. Whether it was a concierge at a hotel or the manager of the hotel he made time for people. The protocol team often tried to stop people from coming near him, but he insisted on meeting and contacting people.

Secondly his humility was amazing. I flew with him on private jets, and I knew this man commanded great respect, but he was so humble and human. Thirdly his wisdom was so deep and practical. We had conversations that left me awestruck and caused me to pull out my Bible while flying thousands of feet in the air just to check the scriptures. These things made the great hero stand out as one of the greatest people I have ever met.

Achieving greatness often requires persistence and resilience. Most people shy away at the first sign of trouble, but you are the polar opposite. How is it that you never gave up despite the many challenges you endured along the way?

I was taught to run my life based on a clear compelling vision. Because of this I have always been clear about where I am going despite the storms that came against me. I always keep my eyes on the vision and pursue it regardless of the circumstances around me.

Secondly, my wife has been an amazing pillar. She always says, “quitting is not an option”. This rings in my mind when the tough times come. Thirdly, when I look at my children and realize that I have a responsibility to teach them life, I am keenly aware of the fact that I cannot quit. I must teach them to fight until they win. This lesson can never be a theoretical one, they must see it lived out.

Finally, my spiritual father is a constant voice of encouragement. He will not allow to even accommodate the thought of quitting. He has invested so much into who is am today. From

wisdom, prayer, financial support, and encouragement. I encourage everyone to develop a strong relationship with their spiritual covering.

As previously alluded, greatness is usually preceded by challenges which require resilience. Could you kindly tell us about some of the steepest challenges and hurdles you encountered during your career and life in general?

I would say the greatest challenge I have faced was when circumstances led to me losing my job, what really hurt was losing the relationships that I had built over many years. God was gracious to restore and help in rebuilding this. But I believe the greatest assets we have in life are relationships.

Another challenge I faced was when I nearly died of high blood pressure. I was overworking, and not managing my schedule well. Sleep apnoea set in, and my system began to deteriorate. Death came knocking and thank God, He rescued me.

The last challenge I will mention happened when our ministry went through spiritual and economic turbulence. As a minister called to speak on finances, we had always seen a strong flow of finances. Our ministry was turning over millions annually with a membership of 350400 people. We had an 80% tithing ratio which is rare. Then all hell broke loose, and we found ourselves in debt and crisis. This gave us the opportunity to practice the principles we had been teaching and we discovered that the Word of God works.

Final word on this. Challenges are a part of the journey to greatness. In

fact, the greater the challenges we face the greater we become. Without challenges we remain mediocre.

I often say, “Mediocrity is cheap that is why everyone can afford it, greatness comes at a cost and not everyone is willing to pay the price”.

Thank you so much Dr. Tich, it’s been amazing interviewing you. Before we conclude, would you kindly fill us in on some of your future aspirations.

The following are some of the key areas I am working on currently

1. I want to plant churches on every African country.

2. I want to raise leaders to run these churches.

3. I want these churches to become economic hubs that eradicate poverty in their respective communities.

4. I want to see socio, Economic and political transformation on the African continent.

Thank you for the honor to serve your readers. I pray that this interview will inspire some faith and encouragement to the Body of Christ.

UNDERSTANDING DREAMS

Dreams play an important role in the lives of believers and must never be ignored or taken lightly. God speaks to his people in different ways and one of the ways is through dreams. He unveils his secrets to his people in dreams, He guides us and exposes wickedness brewing

in the spiritual realm through dreams. He reveals what is to come, warns us and gives us instructions using the medium of dreams. At times He reassures us through dreams especially when we are worried. Dreams are spiritual windows that give us peak views of the things to come and even those that are happening in the present.

As a dreamer myself, God has spoken to me about many things via the medium of dreams. My relationship with God grew as I experienced spiritual encounters and revelations through dreams. At times I found myself at His feet in heaven and sometimes He would reveal things to come, things that affect me, things that affect my friends, family, and people around me. He has assured me in dreams when I am worried about life, about finances. At times when I worried about my finances, especially when I had a bill to pay urgently and money was unavailable, I would dream of myself receiving money or counting money and when that happens, I know my prayer has been answered. I have had divine encounters, angelic visits through dreams. I have been shown things to come, at times scary things of people being killed, I even saw the second wave of the virus and many lives being lost. What I have learnt is never to take my dreams lightly especially the ones I have after midnight prayer. I know that those are messages from the lord. I keep a journal of my dreams as this helps me to keep track of them. Most of them come to pass. I also want to encourage you to keep a

daily journal of your dreams. We will go through the word of God and look at a few dreams.

Acts 2:17

In the last days, God says, I will pour out my spirit on all people. Your sons and daughter will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

In this verse the Lord promises to pour out His Spirit upon His people in the last days and one of the things that will happen to the recipients of the Holy Spirit is that they will receive the gift of dreams.

There are people who have the gift of dreams, in other words, they constantly dream of different things. They see things in the spirit. The gift of dreams like any other gift of the Holy Spirit is for the edifying of the body of Christ.

Jeremiah 23:28 says

Let the prophet who has a dream retell it.

We want to establish the purpose of dreams through scripture by looking at different dreams in the word.

1. Abimelek’s dream

Genesis 20:3-6

But God came to Abimelek in a dream one night and said to him. You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman.’

In this dream we see 3 things

Firstly, God gives a warning to Abimelek. He warns him that if he touches Sarah, he will die together with his loved ones.

Secondly, we see God revealing information to Abimelek that Abraham had lied about. God reveals that Sarah is not Abraham’s sister but his wife. In the dream God also reveals that Abraham is a Prophet something Abimelek did not know. Thirdly, God gives Abimelek an instruction

to return Sarah back to her husband Abraham and to ask Abraham the Prophet to pray for him so he will not die.

From the same passage we also learn that God does not only communicate via dreams to believers but to non-Believers too. Abimelek was an Egyptian and believed in his own gods but that did not stop God from appearing to him. Abimelek received clear revelation, clear instruction, this was a straightforward dream which did not require any form of interpretation. We also learn from this passage that some dreams are straightforward.

You can hear a voice telling you to pray for someone, that is a straightforward dream which does not require any interpretation.

2. Genesis 28:10-15

10 Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Harran. 11 when he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. 12 he had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.13 there above it stood the lord, and he said: “I am the lord, the god of your father Abraham and the god of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. 14 your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Jacob’s life was in danger, his brother, Esau was after him because he had robbed him of his father’s blessings. Esau was angry with him. As he was escaping from

the fury of his brother, Jacob got to a place called Bethel and the lord appeared to him in a dream.

We must understand that Jacob was probably not emotionally stable. I want to believe that he was worried, perhaps scared because his life was in danger. He was worried about his life, what if his brother found out that he was escaping and decided to come after him? What is it that lay ahead of him? He was going to a new place and all these thoughts

probably made him a little anxious. God introduced Himself to Jacob in this dream. He assures him that he is not alone but that He is with him. He assures Jacob that he will not die yet but will live to have descendants.

God reveals to Jacob the plans for his future, how he would bless him with the very land he was lying on, how his descendants would fill the earth and how the earth would be blessed through him and his offspring.

There is nothing as consoling as receiving a personal message directly from God especially when one is in a difficult situation. It is consoling to know that God is with you and that you are not alone.

Lesson

In this dream we see that god reveals Himself to His people through dreams, He reveals the things lying ahead, His plans for our lives and above all God appears to His people when they are going through trying times to reassure them, so they do not worry or fear but are confident of His presence. This dream was also clear and did not require interpretation.

Genesis 37:5-11 Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. So he said to them, “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.” And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, “Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.”

So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?” And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind.

Joseph had two similar dreams with the same meaning. God did not appear to him, He neither spoke a word to him but He revealed what was to come via dreams. Both dreams spoke of the same message. Joseph had a great destiny ahead of him and the fact that his sheaves, his family all bowed down to him showed that he would have a position of authority, a position of power, promotion. His family would look up to him. There is much to learn from Joseph’s dreams.

Firstly, these were prophetic dreams, revealing to Joseph his destiny, what lay ahead of him. These dreams were not as clear as the dreams of Abimelek and Jacob which we looked at before but, in these dreams, there are symbols and numbers. All these have meanings. Joseph’s family seemed to understand the dreams because of how they reacted. The reaction of his brothers was anger while his father. Genesis 37:10

From this dream we see that God uses symbols that we are familiar with to convey a message. In this instance, God used sheaves of grain which Joseph was familiar with. These were things that they handled on the farm. So at times God will use things we are familiar with to relay a message to us.

This is also true when we look at genesis 40, the dream of the cupbearer and the baker.

In Genesis 40:9

The chief cupbearer saw a vine in front of him and on the vine were 3 branches. His dream had to do with vines because he was familiar with vines as someone who served Pharoah with wine.

The baker had a dream of 3 baskets of bread because his job involved working with bread, a symbol that was familiar to him.

Joseph’s dreams

In Joseph’s second dream, he saw eleven stars, which obviously symbolized his eleven brothers, the sun and the moon represented his mother and father. His father interpreted the dream in verse 10: “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers come and bow down to the ground before you?”

We all know that indeed Joseph ruled in the land of Egypt and his brothers ended up relying on him for their sustenance. They did bow down to him.

From Joseph’s dream we learn that we must not always say out our dreams as they may anger those around us and cause envy especially in our African society. At times as people, just like Joseph we are over excited to speak about our dreams, but this can cost us. We must know when and to whom we can share our dreams. Sometimes it is better to keep the dreams between you and God.

From Joseph’s dream, we see a repetition of the same dream. The same message is conveyed to Joseph twice, this is emphasis. It usually means that it will happen, and nothing can stop it from manifesting as seen with Joseph, although his brothers did all that was in their power to bring misery upon Joseph’s life, his dreams came to pass despite the obstacles in his path.

The same repetition is seen in Genesis 41 when Pharoah had two similar dreams warning him of the times ahead.

Genesis 41:17-24

Verse 25, Joseph told Pharoah what God revealed to him in the dream, what God was about to do.

Verse 32,

The reason the dream was given to Pharoah in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God and God will do it soon.

So, when we receive a dream more than once it is emphasis, it shows that it will happen and it also speaks of speed, this is according to the word of God.

Joseph was gifted as an interpreter of dreams, and we can learn from his interpretation. Notice the use of the Nile River here for the Egyptian Pharoah, a symbol he is most familiar with, the use of cows and grain as well.

HUSBANDS LOVE YOUR WIVES

Ephesians 5:25-29: “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.”

Marriage is a lifetime decision, and this is the reason why “till death do us part” is part of the vows recited when couples wed. It is sad that a few years after making such commitment to one another, problems begin to arise between the couple. One of the major contributors to the alarming rate of divorce and unhappiness in marriage is that men are rarely taught how to handle women. Women are taught to be wives from a very early age especially in Africa while men are never taught to be husbands. Many great men have failed their wives because no one has equipped the young boys with the right teaching of handling the beautiful, sensitive creature called woman.

The Word of God instructs every husband to LOVE his wife, not his girlfriend, but his wife, always wishing for the best for her.

Colossians 3:19 “Husbands, love your wives [with an affectionate, sympathetic, selfless love that always seeks the best for them] and do not be embittered or resentful toward them [because of the responsibilities of marriage.]

It is sad that some men are happy and jovial everywhere else except at home with their wives. They are polite and kind to everyone else except with their wives. The moment he sees his wife even the contours of his face become tense, his smile or laughter is not known by his wife. Before marriage the same man used to speak with a gentle, adoring voice but today the only way he addresses his wife is with harshness, anger, and any other negative emotion. Some men cannot spend a few hours with their wives, they are always busy, and they spend more time with friends, their homes are

like filling stations, places to eat, refresh and sleep. There is never a meaningful, relaxed conversation between some couples. There are many women who are trapped in loveless marriages, at times holding on for the sake of their children, society as well as economic reasons.

Some of these husbands are cruel enough not to allow their wives to work or to start small ventures. Life is unpredictable and unless you have opened a bank account where you are saving money for your wife and children, please allow her to be independent financially. When you are not around to fend for your family or in the event that you are unable to work, she will be able to run around and put food on the table for your family. Many women struggle when the husband passes on because they relied on the husband 100%. A good husband will make sure he equips his wife for tomorrow. He secures the future for his family and tries hard to establish his wife.

1 Peter 3:7

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

A husband is instructed to love his wife, to understand her and treat her as the weaker vessel so his prayers may be answered. Sometimes the hindrance in the life of a married man is the wife. Treat your wife with love, consider her, do your best as a husband, and see if the Lord will not open doors for you.

WAYS TO TREAT YOUR WIFE!

1. Support Her

Learn to support your wife in anything she may be doing. If you do not agree with her decisions, tell her why you are not in agreement and allow her to explain why she chose to take that path. If she insists allow her to make her own mistakes. Some men feel threatened when their wife wants to further her education or venture into business. We live in unpredictable times; it is important for a husband to support his wife to become financially

independent to contribute financially to the home. It is important for every woman to have her own source of income in case something happens in the future and the husband is unable to provide for the family. Wisdom always prepares for tomorrow. There are women suffering today because of husbands who refused to allow them to work.

2. Appreciate Her

Adam appreciated Eve when God brought Eve to him. He declared with excitement “This is the borne of my bone and the flesh of my flesh.” Having spent time with animals, it was no surprise that Adam was excited to have Eve as a life partner. Every woman wants to be appreciated. Learn to complement your wife, make her feel important. Surprise her occasionally and take her out.

3. Plan with Her

Involve your wife in your plans. Plan together when it comes to decisions that involve the family. Get her ideas and decide together. The Bible says the two shall become one flesh meaning that in everything there is oneness.

4. Talk to Her

Have meaningful conversation with your wife. Be comfortable laughing with your wife. Tell her your frustrations and do not hold back, she is your helper and your biggest intercessor.

5.Defend Her

Marriage can become complicated when a husband does not defend his wife especially to his relatives. Your relatives must never take the liberty of gossiping about your wife in your presence. The Bible says to love your wife in the same manner you love yourself.

Ephesians 5:28

In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

It is the role of the husband to defend his wife and stand up for her with his family. Do not allow anyone to sow a seed of division in your marriage.

“USE YOUR BREATHE TO GLORIFY HIM” – JESUS CO.

The Word says “Let everything that has breathe praise the Lord.” The question then is, who are we praising with our breathe? What are we using our breathe for? The Enemy diverts our attention from the one thing we came here on Earth to do which is praise God. He broods fear to hold us back in many areas of our lives. We might suffer from one or more of these fears, the fear of lack, the fear of death and the fear of being alone but only God ‘s love can cast out fear. Just a few days ago, I stumbled on a free style worship session from an American worship team called Jesus. Co on YouTube. They were singing a song called I will Not Fear, Elohim Shomri. The team kept repeating the chorus “I will not fear the arrow by day, Elohim Shomri, I will not fear the terror by night, Elohim Shomri.” I cannot explain in words what I felt when I played this melody over and over again and sang along to these wonderful lyrics, but it was as if a breathe of fresh air came upon me as if the Spirit of Yahweh, the Most High God, swept across the room.

Most people are not consciously battling with fear and anxiety, but in their inner being they have hidden fears that only the presence of the Almighty God can expose and wipe out. Towards the end of the session, one of the worship leaders says something profound “You will be surprised what God does when you use your breathe to give Him glory! You use your breathe to praise Him.” There is a sense of peace, love and comfort that comes when you dwell in God ‘s presence. God eviscerates whatever it is that has found its place in us that not ought to be and leaves only what should remain. Throughout the session, it becomes apparent to every listener that our divine purpose

is to praise the name of God. One begins to wonder what God could do in and through us if we used our breathe to praise Him, if we praised Him as families, as cities and as nations. If we put the name of Yahweh at the forefront of everything we do, how unstoppable would we be? How victorious would we be for we would come in the name of the One who created the heavens and the earth? I once interviewed Vuyo Brown, a popular Bulawayo based contemporary gospel artist in Zimbabwe on what she wanted her audience to feel whenever they listened to her music and this is what she said to me “I want them to feel God ‘s love.”

You might be going through a difficult phase of your life, struggling with one weakness or the other but do not stop using the breathe God has given you to praise Him. With each day comes an opportunity to praise His name from the center of our being and allow Him to breath His life in us.

Kudzaishe Mucheka

PASTOR CHARLES CHARAMBA‘S NDAKAURAISA JESU

BY KUDZAISHE MUCHEKA

Pastor Charles Charamba is without a doubt, one of the greatest musical evangelists to have come out of the nation of Zimbabwe. Since releasing his first single in 1995, his music has only grown better with time and by the grace of God, it still remains relevant today, almost thirty years later. You could play any one of his productions from the early 2000s and feel like no time has passed.

Baba Charamba continues to win the hearts of millions of gospel lovers in Zimbabwe through the strong biblical teachings in the lyrics of each and every one of his songs. He continues to outdo himself with each new song release but still keeps the very essence of his message which is to preach Christ and Christlikeness through his music. While I will always love Pastor Charamba ‘s popular hit songs like Buruka, Makaiteiko, Moses and Ibasa Rangu, it is his song Ndakauraisa Jesu that really touches my heart.

When you listen to the song Ndakauraisa Jesu, you realize that we often take the death of Jesus very lightly. While we do acknowledge the penultimate sacrifice that God made for us by offering Jesus as the lamb for our sin offering, we

sometimes forget that Jesus did not actually deserve to die and that we did not deserve His love. My favorite part is the chorus,

Ndakauraisa munhu anga asina mhosva,

Ndakauraisa munhu akanga asina mhaka.

For our sakes, an innocent Jesus endured the treatment of a criminal; humiliation, pain and ultimately death so that you and I could live in liberty. Approaching the throne of God from the position of entitlement often hinders us from showing true gratitude to our Maker. We start to perceive certain blessings as rights or overlook God ‘s grace and mercy as benefits that we can always expect. Ndakauraisa Jesu is a song that deeply reflects on how we caused an innocent Jesus to die.

While the song has very simple lyrics, its message still remains very powerful. The only way that we can ever thank and honor God for the eternal sacrifice that He made for us is to live for Him and give ourselves completely to Him. The song reminds us that we were purchased at a high price and that we must honor the one who saved us by living for His glory.

Charles Charamba

Ndakaurayisa Jesu

PASTOR JOSH KAYS WITH KEEGAN CHIPATO

1. Pastor Josh you are one of the greatest male gospel artists in Zimbabwe, your vast credentials are clearly shown in your work as an awardwinning Gospel artist, how much has your past contributed to the person you are today?

My past is not something I am proud of, but it made me have an edge and drive to push for what God has called me to become. I grew up in an environment that didn’t allow me to be a Christian or a follower of Christ but when I got born again, I had to change the environment and move to Harare where I began my career as a Gospel Artiste.

2. In Zimbabwe we have a lot of genres, why did you choose gospel music as your genre?

To me, singing gospel music is a calling. I did not choose to be a gospel musician, but God found me worthy, and called me to be part of people that he is using in this generation.

3. You ministered on big stages around the world, you ministered at Heartfelt International Church, AFM(Rufaro), you also performed in Kenya, Uganda, South Africa. You shared the stage and collaborated with other artists such as Dr Shirena Underson (USA), Takesure Zamah Ncube, Zim praise, Pastor G, to

maintain but a few, would you mind sharing your experiences with us and how they influenced your life?

Sharing the stage with fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord is great and it is always an honour for me to share the stage with them. I always learn from them. When I had an opportunity to work with Dr shirena Underson and my big brother Takesure, I learned that you need to be dedicated and take this ministry seriously because we are not just singing but we are ministering to souls and that’s something God is interested in. We shouldn’t take that lightly because the minutes you are given to minister on stage can destroy someone’s life if you are not led and directed by the Holy Spirit to do what He wants on stage. We cannot joke about ministry.

4. Besides being a gospel artist, you are an author, a husband to Lady Lynn Kays who is also a musician, you are a father and a Praise and Worship leader at Global Worship, how do you manage your time with all the pressure associated with your work?

It’s an honour to be a husband to a wonderful and understanding wife, a father to 2 beautiful children. It is also an honour to serve in the House of the Lord... managing these is not easy but with God’s grace I manage everything well, the grace of God helps us to manage all these roles effectively.

5. In every great career there are challenges and good moments as well, what have been some of your best moments in the music industry.

Winning an Award was one of the great moments of my life but one of the greatest moments ever was hearing someone say, I received Christ when I heard your music, that is and will always be the greatest joy ever in my ministry.

6. Being influential can be very tempting at times especially having to maintain a good name, how has it been possible for you to continuously stay humble despite the influence you have?

Knowing that I’m not the greatest musician neither am I the greatest vocalist in the land, but it is all grace. I have nothing of mine here. That knowledge keeps me humble. If God lifts up His grace over my life, then I will be finished.

7. Both the young and the old look to you for inspiration, what advice would you want to give to those following in your footsteps?

Be humble and learn every day. Don’t be under pressure to sell your gift so that you can be famous overnight because you will regret it later. Wait for your time and when it comes everything will fall into place for you and will pave a way for you to flourish without competition.

8. What are your plans going forward?

Our plan will always be to keep winning souls for the Kingdom of God until we go to be with our Lord and saviour, Jesus Christ.

WHAT DOES SELF-CARE MEAN TO YOU?

I have been thinking a lot about 1st Corinthians 6: 19- 20, trying to figure out what God means when He says my body is His temple, the duties expected of me as His caretaker and most importantly, how I will maintain my sanity, juggling between my duties to my family and to self. No matter how we choose to interpret this responsibility, we all deserve to take care of ourselves as much as we take care of others, “self-care is not selfishness.” We know that our bodies are mortal and sooner or later, we’re going to lose this flesh but, in the meantime, it is our duty to take care of these bodies. Each time I think about taking care of my body I think about taking care of my mind, physique, and spirituality.

The past three years have been so comfortable, safe, and fun. I had an excuse for everything including neglecting my physical health. I’d always blame it on hormones and fatigue, but the truth is, I could have found a way to take care of myself if I really wanted to. However, I am now in a new era where I’m committed to taking care of my body starting with exercising, being mindful of what I put into my mouth and getting adequate rest.

At some point in life, I felt like taking time off was an inconvenience. Unfortunately, I did not achieve anything. I was so desperate to prove that I am a hardworking woman who can do it all. What I did not realize is that doing it all does not mean being all over the place, you can do it all, one task at a time. An achievement is an achievement, even if it takes you longer to achieve the same things your peers have in less time. It’s important to work hard

but it’s also important to rest. I’m not trying to burn myself out, I’m just trying to be the best version of myself. To achieve that, I need to listen to my body more and rest when it tells me to. I got this principle from the creation week. God created the world in Six Days and rested on the seventh day. If God took a break from everything, who am I to deprive my body of it?

It has taken me a long time to understand the concept of honouring God through my food choices. Because God dwells within me, I have committed to only consume food which nourishes my body. This commitment entails serving my family and guests with wholesome meals that are good for their health. When it comes to my mind, I’m so particular about what I read and the company I keep around me. If your goal is to have a healthy mind, choose your friends wisely, read widely, detox as often as you can and remember to stay connected to God.

Do not limit your detox to teas, let go of the stress, toxins, toxic relationships, and unhealthy habits. The company you keep will either build you or destroy you. “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers...” I consider it an honour and a blessing that God dwells in me and I’m going to give him the best version of myself.

By Shamiso Patience Mbiriri

WINTER SKINCARE TIPS

by Hazel Nyere - Co-Founder Nakisa Skincare

“Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16 Our bodies are so important to the Lord, He calls us temples. In the same vein we should always endeavour to take care of our bodies and by extension our skin. As we go through the winter season it is important to keep a healthy body and healthy skin.

We are already starting to feel

the winter chill. It is essential to understand that cold weather can wreak havoc on the skin and cause several skin conditions. The air is drier in winter than in summer and moisture in the air (humidity) is relatively lower. This coupled with indoor heating (such as air conditioners, heaters, and fireside warming) deplete moisture from the skin. The dry air not only dries the skin but can trigger itching, flaking and certain skin

conditions like eczema.

There are many ways to winter proof your skin this season.

In this article we look at ways to keep well moisturized, healthy, and smooth skin through the winter season.

1. Moisturise!

Choose thick body creams or butters over lotions. Body creams

that are formulated for dry skin are thicker and will retain and seal in moisture for longer. This is a good option for winter. For extra protection add a layer of petroleum jelly or body oil. Apply these immediately after bathing before your skin dries out (within 3 minutes). Also wiping your skin vigorously with a towel; this can cause dry skin, instead, dab water off. This is gentler for your skin. To add extra moisture to your face, choose products that contain hyaluronic acid and oils. Reduce harsh exfoliation over the winter season, this tends to dry skin further. Avoid using body creams and butters on your face, these formulations are too thick for facial skin and can cause clogged pores and acne. Here is a product to try:

2. Use hydrating cleansers

As mentioned before, your skin becomes drier and dull in winter. The cold weather and the windy breeze reduce the moisture levels of your skin. How do you tackle cleansing your skin in such weather? Milk or mild moistursing cleansers are amazing in winter. Aside of removing dirt, they leave your skin soft and supple. In winter it is best to avoid soap cleansers, they usually make your skin dry and strip it of natural oils.

3. Avoid Hot Baths & Showers

Water on the skin in general has a drying effect and upsets the balance of the skin. Avoid long hot showers or baths, keep them as brief as possible. We know that in winter there is a temptation to take a long hot soak to feel warm. This is not a good idea. Hot water can inflame and dry out skin leading to irritation and rashes. Furthermore it disrupts the skins natural moisture balance. Take brief, luke warm or cool showers (5 to 10 minutes) and moisturise immediately.

4. Use sunscreen

Another winter skincare mistake is not wearing sunscreen. Even though the sun’s rays are not as strong in winter, they still exist and can age you. Your skin can be affected and damaged by UV rays all through the year. Wear SPF every morning, alternatively a daily moisturizer which contains sunscreen works very well. Using a moisturizer with in-built sunscreen reduces the time you spend on your skin regimen.

5. Follow a nutritious diet and stay hydrated

It is important to complement your winter skin routine with a nutritious and seasonal diet. This will boost skin health during this season; consume foods that are rich in Vitamin A and beta-carotene amongst others. This helps aid cell renewal, regulates skin function, and promotes collagen production.

Furthermore, it is key to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, this helps combats dry skin. You may be tempted to lower your water intake in winter due to the cold weather – avoid this. Find ways to make your water interesting to drink. Infusing water with ginger, cucumber, lemon or other fruit makes it tasty and may encourage an increased intake.

6. Don’t forget your lips & hands!

It is easy to forget that your lips need protection too! Keep your lips well moisturised to avoid chapping and drying by using a hydrating lip balm every morning and throughout the day to seal in moisture.

Your hands tend to age fast. That is because you use your hands for so many things and constantly expose them to the elements - in this case, cold weather. In addition to this, your hands are also being sanitized, washed, and dried a dozen times in a day. It’s no wonder they dry out so quickly. Dry, wrinkled hands can be avoided by wearing gloves and by moisturising several times during the day, especially after washing them. Make sure you carry hand cream in your handbag or keep it handy for continuous use throughout the day.

Following these tips can help your skin stay radiant and smooth even through the winter season. Should you have persistently dry, itchy, or scaly skin, consult a dermatologist for treatment.

For more skin tips follow Nakisa.Skincare on Instagram or contact +263772357239 for a skin consultation.

FINDING PURPOSE IN ME

Being a Christian single person is one of those seemingly undesirable positions to be in within the Church community, especially when you are of ‘marriageable age’. For females a lot more than males from the time you hit your twenties most folks expect you to be walking with a possible marriage partner and if you don’t have one you are eyed with suspicion, like there is something wrong with you. This has unfortunately led a lot of young people and at times even older singles to marry more out of desperation than for love of the other person. For older Christian singles at times, they rush into marriage because some Church policies state you are not allowed to hold certain positions if you are not married, of which there is no outright Biblical precedence, but man’s own laws. Paul was single, and God used him mightily and then of course Jesus himself never got married, so singleness is not a handicap that should stop people from freely serving within the church in any capacity and as a single person you should not feel you are lacking something if you want to enter ministry without a partner. Remember in Christ you are complete.

It is important to know yourself so you are content in who you are before you mess up someone’s life believing they can bring meaning and definition to who you are. As I have grown in my relationship with God, I have realised that I have so much that is wrong with me that, until I allow God to sort me out I will be messing up someone’s life if I was to get into a relationship without dealing first with myself and my issues. I am not that messed up in worldly terms, except for one major flaw, I have not learned to love myself enough that I can unreservedly share that love with someone else.

I was married before and am a widow now, because of that I have the privilege of hindsight, being able to objectively look back at my relationship and spend time asking God and asking myself where I went wrong in that relationship. Sure, we had our happy times but also had many troubles, not that my husband was the perfect one, but I am taking responsibility for my wrongs, for where I was lacking, I am taking responsibility for myself and how I should have been a better person. This is why it’s important to know yourself, to find yourself, understand who you are in Christ, where God is taking you and what you want out of life. Understand this however I am not talking of the worldly view of getting to know yourself, where it is about me and what I want, no this is the Godly view point of needing to fulfil God’s most important commandments, love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul and love others as you love yourself, Matthew 22v37-40.

Until you can love God and love yourself, well you have nothing good to give someone else, for you can only give what you have, not what you do not have. We spoke about needing God and being in relationship with him before, now we are looking at your relationship with yourself and others. 1 Corinthians 13v1-8 teaches us that no matter how great you are at everything else in the world or even in your Christian walk, if you

do not have love, it means nothing, and all your striving is in vain. If you do not do whatever you do with a heart of love, it counts for nothing. You cannot love people as they need to be loved if you do not love yourself as you should. So, it is important that in yourself you are at peace with who you are, where you are, what you are, how you are, then you can have the grace to extend that to others. This is about finding personal worth in yourself as God has defined and made you in his image. Not only feeling but knowing you are loved, you are seen, you are heard by the most important physical person in your life, you. This always brings us back to whether in your life God is first or not because only when he is first do you get validation to put you first because he puts you first, He even sent Christ to die for you, while you were still a sinner, Romans 5 verse 8, is that not awesome, of course it is, but how does that help me in finding out who I am, my purpose and loving me unreservedly.

Wilderness Wondering

It has been said that ‘the wilderness is God’s proving ground for our identities, it’s the place where we pass or fail the test of knowing who we really are. Your identity is not determined by what you say or what others say about you. It must be confirmed and sealed in your heart and there’s no better place for that to happen than the wilderness.’ Relationally that wilderness is the time when you are single, you are searching, hunting, looking, waiting, praying, crying, complaining and so on, remember the Israelites in the desert. That is where you are and the question becomes why an eleven day journey taking forty years, well here it is, “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands” (Deut. 8:2). God works on us during the trying times, as with the potter who will keep destroying his mould until it becomes the perfect shape he wants, or the refiner who keeps adding heat to the fire until the precious metal is left pure without a single impurity. Yes, we could never be perfect or pure like that and that’s true, yet this is what God wants. As David said in Psalms 139 verse

23-24 asking God to try his heart because we know his life had drama, but his heart was pure. It not your actual state but your heart, which only God knows and understands, remember as Jesus stated in Matthew 26 verse 41, ‘…the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak’. God wants to get our hearts rightly aligned with His in this wilderness period. We may still stumble and fall here and there, but our hearts will be in the right place, and God knows when that is, we cannot fool him.

So, in trying to find your purpose you may wish for the easier times but always remember that what God has in store for you is greater than what you left behind, hard as it may be in the present, the future is bright. The generation that left Egypt failed to reach the promised land because they kept looking back and did not fully trust in God’s love and promises for something better. They would not let go of the past so they did not get to enjoy the future that should have been theirs. Your purpose when you seek it is not found necessarily in what was happening in the past, it is found in taking God’s hand and allowing Him to lead you forward knowing and trusting in His good intentions towards you.

Identify your God given gifts. What comes easily to you? what do you enjoy doing? what do people compliment you about the most in your work or talent wise? Look at those areas closely and follow their leading they will give you an idea of your purpose and what you should be pursuing in life. Many people have written about being able to make money out of the thing they love as the most rewarding experience in their life and that is true, because it is not work but living out your purpose. Imagine the joy and fulfilment you will have from doing what you enjoy.

So, stop chasing after a “better half”, instead start chasing after a better you, you will be whole and happy even in the waiting. Allow God to use the time to confirm who you are and His purposes for you, then like the Israelites you can celebrate coming out of your wilderness into a land filled with milk and honey. Love you all until we meet again, stay blessed, growing and content. xoxo

Rutendo Kombora

PRAYER FOR FATHERS

Dear Lord, we thank You for all the fathers.

We pray for those who are struggling to provide for their families, and we ask for your abundant grace upon their lives, Lord.

Heavenly Father, we pray for the fathers who have turned their backs upon their children, and we ask that you turn their hearts towards their children. Remind them of the importance of their role in their children’s lives. We pray for the fathers who are taking care of their children and fulfilling their roles as providers, protectors, Guides, and role models. Father, may You continue to guide them and make a way for them to keep being faithful to their God given role.

I pray for the fathers who have been separated from their children by circumstances beyond their means. Lord make a way and re-unite them with their loved ones!

May you bless fathers and father figures who are bringing up their children according to Your ways. Thank You Jehovah Jireh for Your provision and for showering them with Your divine blessings. Grant them the strength and the wisdom, the patience and tenderness as they care for their families. We pray for those who are fatherless, we ask that You provide for them father figures who will guide them and bring them up according to Your ways.

At times it can be frustrating for our Fathers, we pray for a sound mind for them, Lord strengthen them and guide them as they lead their families in the powerful name of Jesus Christ.

Provide them with spiritual guidance to guide, lead and direct their families in the Godly path. We pray in the powerful name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Amen

THE PROMISES OF GOD FOR FINANCIAL REAKTHROUGH

Psalm 23:1

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

Romans 8:32

32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Matthew 6:31-32

31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

7 But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.

Luke 12:7

7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Matthew 7:11

11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

1 Timothy 5:8

8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

2 Corinthians 9:8

8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Luke 12:24

24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!

2 Peter 1:3

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

Hebrews 13:5

5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Job 38:41

41 Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food?

Philippians 4:6 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:19

19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 9:9–11

“As it is written: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion…”

ONE ON ONE INTERVIEW WITH DOCTOR MEJURY CHIPATO

Interview By Keegan Chipato

Glad to have you present for this interview. Over the years, the name “Mejury Chipato” has become closely associated with excellence and pristine elegance. With that in mind, how would you describe yourself and your life journey thus far?

I am a hardworking and goal-driven individual who is not afraid to face any challenge and l never give up. I am passionate about what l do. I am resilience personified and a fighter. I am tender hearted but tough minded. I am dedicated to redefining the status quo and I am in charge of my narrative. Above all l am a woman of faith, a child and servant of God.

You’re an extremely multifaceted career woman who has exemplary credentials as a Pastor, Philanthropist, Medical Doctor, Professional Certified Coach, Published Author, and an entrepreneur. Could you let us know a bit about your past and how it contributed to who you are today?

My past, as elaborately outlined in my maiden memoir, was economically challenging and birthed in me a desire to rise above the status quo and help others going through similar experiences. All the roles you have outlined have a common denominator: helping people. A Pastor, Life Coach, a Philanthropist, a medical Doctor and an Entrepreneur all help people and solve problems. The difference is in their respective scopes and in the reach of their influence. Given the trajectory of my future aspirations and the legacy of what I have had to overcome, I don’t want to simply help one kind of a person; I want to be able to help people in a multifaceted and practical way. I want to be able to pray for the sick and also give them medicine and treat them. I

want to be able to pay the fees of financially challenged people while empowering them with the fortitude and means to forge their own destinies. I want to be able to immediately meet short term needs while empowering people for long term relevance. I also equally want to provide solutions to people’s everyday

problems through business.

As previously mentioned, you are quite multifaceted. This prompts me to ask what exactly pushed you to become a medical doctor all while pursuing roles in ministry and Business. Could you shed some light on this?

Becoming a medical doctor has always been my childhood passion. I wanted to help and treat people. As for the business side, l come from an entrepreneurial background, so it’s something that l inherited it from my family. Being a Pastor is God’s call upon my life and l come from a strong Christian background. My parents are Evangelists; l guess a fruit doesn’t fall far from its tree.

Being a successful career woman can be extremely demanding and challenging. What are some of your main sources of motivation to keep going every day despite the intense pressure?

Take everything one step at a time. Excellence is a journey and not necessarily a destination. Pressure will always be there, and it can be tempting to give in to the need to constantly be on the go because there is so much that needs to be achieved. I stay motivated by putting my desire to be excellent in perspective and training myself to take one step at a time and give the best possible effort I can manage to muster for the task that is right in front of me at any given moment.

On another interesting note, you were recently awarded the Fashion Designer of the year at the Zimbabwe Achievers Awards. Would you mind sharing with us about the significance of the award and what the overall experience meant to you?

This was one of the most humbling moments in my life; to actually get recognized for your work nationwide and be awarded for it. The award opened many doors for me in terms of getting new clients across the globe and getting international recognition. My brand got featured on many platforms including the Zim Influencer’s Magazine, She Glows Africa Magazine, China-Africa Magazine, Independent Online (IOL) News - South Africa, The Diplomatic Society News, MTN Play News, Ghanamma News - South Africa, ZimFocus News, Flipboard News, The Sunday Mail - Zimbabwe, The Lionesses of Africa, etc.

Taking into account all the pressure and demand associated with your various roles, how do you balance it all?

If I had a coin for every time, I got asked this question, I would be a millionaire on the back of this question alone. I am humbled that I get asked this. To be honest, I try to

see myself as the common denominator of all the roles I assume and the hats I wear. I can only be in one place at a time, and I can’t do everything at once; lest I wear myself down or give a lacklustre effort to my tasks. I focus on bringing a sense of excellence to the things I do. One thing I am good at and which my parents modelled for me was hard work. So, the challenge for me isn’t working hard but figuring out what urgently needs my attention. I try to find ways to make incremental progress in everything I do. Since I am the common denominator of all my assignments, if I can find a way to have a sense of momentum in one thing, it spills over into how effectively I manage the other things. For instance, doing my work as a businesswoman refreshes and refills me after being exhausted by the demands of the medical field which is my passion; philanthropy gives me a renewed hope so that I get to show up at work fired up and reenergized and it has been both rewarding and fulfilling.

What advice would you give to other women who are following in your footsteps?

I am humbled to know that my footsteps are deemed worthy of being emulated. My hope is that you would see my steps as a model for your life; something to give you a sense of where you are supposed to be and mitigate time wastage and mistakes. I encourage you to learn from my life without losing the unique fingerprint and DNA that makes you ‘you’. Remember, there is more to life than simply getting married and having children. You can educate, equip, upgrade, empower and invest in yourself. There is so much we can do as women. In this technologically inclined generation, you can start your business online. Learn about important life skills that you need and make a living out of them. Familiarize yourself and always update yourself with the new emerging technology and online skills. Most entrepreneurs are making a living out of this. And most importantly, Life is like an exam, you must prepare, plan and work hard to succeed. Learn to be an independent woman and don’t give up no matter what obstacles you come across in your journey to becoming financially independent. Remember you are running your own race, and when you are in your own lane, there is no traffic! Find mentors and put God first in everything that you do.

Thank you for graciously partaking in this interview. Let’s cap this off with some insight into your aspirations for 2023 and beyond?

In 2023 l am pursuing God more, focusing on establishing myself in terms of my career and where l want to settle, as well as working towards establishing and growing my businesses.

Live Within Your Means!

A fundamental principle of financial management.

BY BLESSING RHODA NJENGE

Many people are complaining about being broke, because of lack of financial literacy and not being able to live within their means.

Being broke becomes a habit if you don’t know how to manage your finances. Many people receive a salary every month or profits from their businesses, but they are broke every month. They never stop to wonder how they can change their lifestyle and strive to live within their means. If you do not take time to track your spending, it can result in you drowning in debt and you may possibly lose what you have worked for.

A lot of people keep spending in the same way every month and when they run out of money, they blame their salary and at times they think they are bewitched.

If we cannot manage the little, we are currently earning, we will not be able to manage when we have more. Therefore, we should learn to be good stewards of our finances.

Good management of finances is one of the secrets to becoming successful. If you mismanage your finances, you will lose them. At times it is not that God has not blessed you, but the problem is that you are failing to

manage the resources that He has entrusted you with. You must learn to live within your means and to control how you spend your money.

Living within your means is an essential skill for financial stability and success. Here are some points that can help you manage your finances:

1. Create a budget: A budget is a plan for how you will spend your money. It is essential to create a budget that reflects your income and expenses and to be disciplined enough to stick to it.

2. Don’t spend money you don’t have. Be realistic. Do not get into debt to keep up with people on social media.

3. Avoid impulse buying: Impulse buying can be a significant source of overspending. Try to avoid making unplanned purchases by sticking to your budget and shopping with a list.

4. Cut unnecessary expenses: Evaluate your expenses and cut out any that are not essential. This can include subscriptions, eating out, and entertainment expenses.

5. Avoid debt: Avoid taking on debt whenever possible.

6. Save for emergencies: Set aside money for emergencies, so you don’t have to rely on credit cards or loans when unexpected expenses arise.

7. Increase your income: Consider finding ways to increase your income, such as getting a side job or asking for a raise at work.

8. Track your spending: Keep track of your spending to ensure that you are sticking to your budget and making progress towards your financial goals.

9. Don’t compare yourself to other people. Just because someone bought something doesn’t mean that you must buy it too. Don’t get loans to finance a fake lifestyle. Be content with your progress and run your own race.

10. Above all, lay up yourselves treasures in heaven, by following God’s principles about finances and giving. Always pray and ask God to give you wisdom to manage your finances, for he gives power to make wealth. Deuteronomy 8:18

Living within your means requires discipline and planning, but it can lead to financial stability and peace of mind.

THE TEN QUALITIES OF A GOOD FATHER

Fathers are the backbone of society. They are the pillars in the development of society. God has designated the role of the “Head of the Family” to fathers. The role of a father in the development of a child must never be trivialized. Studies show that about 80% of the problems our society is facing such as drug addiction, depression, suicide, and crime can be traced to absentee fathers. The upbringing of a child at home shapes who they become tomorrow. Fatherhood is a divine role, God Himself is the best Father and the role of a father originated from Him. Every Father must learn from God to become the best father for their children.

1. A good father will love all his children.

Psalm 103:13 “As a father loves and pities his children, so the Lord loves and pities those who fear Him (with reverence, worship, and awe).

2. A good father provides for his family.

1 Timothy 5:8 “But if someone doesn’t provide for their own family, and especially for a member of their household, they have denied the faith. They are worse than those who have no faith.”

3. A good father makes time for his children. Hebrews 10:25 “Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

4. A good father will make time to discipline his children.

Proverbs 29:17 “Discipline your child and he/she will give you rest; he/she will give you delight to your heart. Proverbs 13:24 “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.”

5. A good father will teach his children the ways of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 6:7 “You shall teach them diligently to your children (impressing God’s precepts on their minds and penetrating their hearts with His truths) and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up.

6. A good father is a protector of his children. Deuteronomy 1:31 “And in the wilderness where you saw how the Lord your God carried and protected you, just as a man carries his son, all along the way which

you traveled until you arrived at this place.”

7. A good father will leave a good name behind for his children.

Proverbs 10:7 “The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.”

8. A good father will leave an inheritance for his children.

Proverbs 13:22 “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.”

9. A good father will intercede for his children. Job 1:5 “When the days of their feasting were over, Job would send [for them] and consecrate them, rising early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Job did this at all [such] times.

10. A good father will live an exemplary life for his children. He will show his children by leading.

Titus 2:7 “And in all things show yourself to be an example of good works, with purity in doctrine [having the strictest regard for integrity and truth], dignified.