MONDAY 26TH DECEMBER 2016
THEME: CHRISTIAN MATYRS
Psalm 119:17-24, Matthew 10:29-33, 1 Peter 4:12-19
Psalm 119:17-24 New International Version (NIV)
ג Gimel
17 Be good to your servant while I live,
that I may obey your word.
18 Open my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your law.
19 I am a stranger on earth;
do not hide your commands from me.
20 My soul is consumed with longing
for your laws at all times.
21 You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed,
those who stray from your commands.
22 Remove from me their scorn and contempt,
for I keep your statutes.
23 Though rulers sit together and slander me,
your servant will meditate on your decrees.
24 Your statutes are my delight;
they are my counselors.
Matthew 10:29-33 New International Version (NIV)
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.[a] 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.
Footnotes:
- Matthew 10:29 Or will; or knowledge
1 Peter 4:12-19 New International Version (NIV)
Suffering for Being a Christian
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And,
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[a]
19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
Footnotes:
- 1 Peter 4:18 Prov. 11:31 (see Septuagint)
This letter was written about 60AD to Christians scattered in various provinces in the Middle East. The letter was written by the Apostle Peter to encourage these Christians who were being persecuted for their faith in Christ.
Throughout the history of the church there have been times of persecution and Christ Himself warned His disciples that such times would come.
Let us not become discouraged if we go through difficulties. Pray that God would help you to be faithful always. Pray also for those today in various countries who are undergoing imprisonment and torture and even being killed because of their faith in Christ.
JUMATATU TAREHE 26 DISEMBA 2016
WAZO KUU: MASHAHIDI WAFIA DINI
Zaburi 119:17-24, Mathayo 10:29-33, 1 Petro 4:12-19
Zaburi 119:17-24
17 Umtendee mtumishi wako ukarimu, Nipate kuishi, nami nitalitii neno lako.
18 Unifumbue macho yangu niyatazame Maajabu yatokayo katika sheria yako.
19 Mimi ni mgeni katika nchi, Usinifiche maagizo yako.
20 Roho yangu imepondeka kwa kutamani Hukumu zako kila wakati.
21 Umewakemea wenye kiburi, Wamelaaniwa waendao mbali na maagizo yako.
22 Uniondolee laumu na dharau, Kwa maana nimezishika shuhuda zako.
23 Wakuu nao waliketi wakaninena, Lakini mtumishi wako atazitafakari amri zako.
24 Shuhuda zako nazo ndizo furaha yangu, Na washauri wangu.
Mathayo 10:29-33
29 Je! Mashomoro wawili hawauzwi kwa senti moja? Wala hata mmoja haanguki chini asipojua Baba yenu;
30 lakini ninyi, hata nywele za vichwa vyenu zimehesabiwa zote.
31 Msiogope basi; bora ninyi kuliko mashomoro wengi.
32 Basi, kila mtu atakayenikiri mbele ya watu, nami nitamkiri mbele za Baba yangu aliye mbinguni.
33 Bali mtu ye yote atakayenikana mbele ya watu, nami nitamkana mbele za Baba yangu aliye mbinguni.
1 Petro 4:12-19
12 Wapenzi, msione kuwa ni ajabu ule msiba ulio kati yenu, unaowapata kama moto ili kuwajaribu, kana kwamba ni kitu kigeni kiwapatacho.
13 Lakini kama mnavyoyashiriki mateso ya Kristo, furahini; ili na katika ufunuo wa utukufu wake mfurahi kwa shangwe.
14 Mkilaumiwa kwa ajili ya jina la Kristo ni heri yenu; kwa kuwa Roho wa utukufu na wa Mungu anawakalia.
15 Maana mtu wa kwenu asiteswe kama mwuaji, au mwivi, au mtenda mabaya, au kama mtu ajishughulishaye na mambo ya watu wengine.
16 Lakini ikiwa kwa sababu ni Mkristo asione haya, bali amtukuze Mungu katika jina hilo.
17 Kwa maana wakati umefika wa hukumu kuanza katika nyumba ya Mungu; na ikianza kwetu sisi, mwisho wao wasioitii injili ya Mungu utakuwaje?
18 Na mwenye haki akiokoka kwa shida, yule asiyemcha Mungu na mwenye dhambi ataonekana wapi?
19 Basi wao wateswao kwa mapenzi ya Mungu na wamwekee amana roho zao, katika kutenda mema, kama kwa Muumba mwaminifu.
Waraka huu uliandikwa na Mtume Petro mnamo 60 BK. Aliandikia Wakristo kule Asia ambao walipata mateso kwa ajili ya imani yao. Waraka huu ulikuwa ni wa kuwatia moyo wasikate tamaa.
Katika historia nzima ya kanisa kuna vipindi ambavyo Wakristo waliteswa kwa ajili ya imani yao na wengine waliuwawa. Hata Yesu aliwafundisha wanafunzi wake kujiandaa kwa mateso.
Sisi tusikate tamaa tukipata mateso bali tumtegemea Yesu Kristo. Pia tukumbuke kuwaombea Wakristo wenzetu ambayo wanapata mateso mazito, na kufungwa jela na hata kuwawa kwa imani yao.