When the Lord Jesus gave the great commission to His followers to go into all the world, in order to make disciples (new followers) of all nations, His expectation could not have been that only these approximately one hundred and twenty (Acts 1:15) followers of His will manage to fulfill this great task with the limited resources of their time. The only way this task could be accomplished was by passing on the commission to whoever becomes a follower so they can also pass it on.

On the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1) the number of followers had increased through the preaching of Peter and the eleven (Acts 2:14) and on that day about three thousand souls were added to the followers of Jesus (Acts 2:41). From that time people were being added daily to the Church, but we do not see these disciples going out of Jerusalem into other far geographical areas as per command (..into all the world – Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8b). Not until a great persecution rose against the Church, which was at Jerusalem do we see them move into other regions and as they went, they continued to spread the gospel and fulfill the great commission.

In Acts 8:4-8, Philip went to a city in Samaria and the Lord used him to influence the city for Christ. In the same chapter and verses 26-38 Philip preaches to a eunuch, who was a man of great authority in Ethiopia. The Lord by divine arrangement chose to minister to this person, as he was one of the “links” to passing on the great commission to Africans.

In the early Church persecution was the vehicle that accelerated obedience to the command of taking the gospel to the ends of the earth. The Lord wants us to carry on the great commission in the West no matter the reasons that caused us to migrate. Many in the West have heard about Christ but they have not ‘seen Him.’ Christ said, “As my Father has sent Me, I also send you (John 20:21).” As Christ represented the Father, so our need to represent Him wherever we are by doing what we see Him do (John 5:19). We have been sent and authorised by Jesus Christ to do His works (John 14:12). As some have said, “Preach Christ, if necessary use words,” and also, “Actions speaks louder than words.”

Bishop Jeston & Rev. Charity Katebe

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Unto You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my Defense, my Fortress, and High Tower, the God Who shows me mercy and steadfast love”
(Psalm 59:17, AMP)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

In the Bible, David had all kinds of challenges. People lied about him, accused him, and tried to kill him. In Psalm 59 he says, “My enemies are coming against me like vicious dogs trying to destroy me. But as for me, what am I going to do? I will sing about Your power. And I will shout for joy for You are my refuge, my place of safety in my day of distress.”

Notice, in David’s time of need, he wasn’t sitting around having a pity party and complaining. He decided to sing about the greatness of God. He was saying in effect, “My enemies may be powerful, but I know my God is all powerful. My obstacles may be high, but I know my God is the Most High.” He wasn’t talking to God about how big his problems were; he was talking to his problems about how big his God was!

Do you need to change your song today? Instead of complaining and thinking about what you’re not, start thanking God for what you are becoming. Just like David, stay in faith and sing to the Lord knowing that He’s going to complete what He’s started in you.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

“Father God, today I choose to focus on You. I bless and praise You no matter what my circumstances look like. I know that You are on my side and thank You for always leading me in the path of victory. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

Vice President George Kunda is scheduled to arrive in Kasama to grace the 2009 Ukusefya Pang’wena traditional ceremony of the Bemba speaking people.

According to the programme from the provincial administration made available to ZANIS in Kasama today, the Vice President is scheduled to touch down at Kasama Airport at 09:30 hours.

Mr Kunda will thereafter make a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief Chitimukulu before officiating at the Ukusefya Pang’wena ceremony.

Later in the afternoon the Vice President is expected to meet the MMD Provincial and District Committee members, as well as the Kasama Central Constituency Executive Committee members, to be followed up a private dinner organized in his honour.

On Sunday, Vice President Kunda will first attend a church service at Saint Johns Cathedral, before departing for Chishimba Falls where he will launch the Tourism Week.

On the same day in the afternoon, the Vice President will address an MMD rally at Chilubula Basic School to drum up support for MMD candidate in the forthcoming Kasama central Parliamentary By election Burton Mugala.

On Monday, Vice President Kunda will officiate at the Ground Breaking ceremony for a US$9 million Water Project at Kapoka Village, before inspecting an irrigation project and maize purchasing exercise in Lukulu North Farm Block located within Kasama.

Later, the Vice President is scheduled to address a second MMD rally at Chishimba Basic School in the afternoon.

Mr Kunda is on Tuesday scheduled to tour Chikumanino and Town Center Markets, before launching Phase One of the Street lighting exercise in Kasama town, before his departure for Lusaka at around 14:30 hours.

The Kasama Parliament seat fell vacant following the resignation of incumbent PF Member of Parliament Savior Chishimba.

Six candidates are contesting in the by election which is scheduled to take place on October 15.

The PF/UPND are fielding Georfrey Mwamba, while Alexander Chansa is standing on the UNIP ticket.

Others are All People Congress (APC) Maggie Ng’ona, while Pastor Christy Ntalasha and Muhammad Ayoub are standing as independents.

ZANIS

A busy schedule awaits President Rupiah Banda next week when he arrives here in New York for the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly, whose deliberations have commenced on September 15, 2009 at a lower level.

Among the many activities that await President Banda is his address of the UN General Assembly on Thursday, September 24th, 2009.

He will also participate in bilateral diplomacy talks with various heads of state and government that would be attending the General Assembly.

Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Lazarous Kapambwe said this when he met the Zambian advance team in New York, today, that President Banda would also meet US President Barak Obama when the latter meets various heads of state and government from the sub-Saharan African region next week.

Mr. Obama is expected to hold talks with Sub-Saharan African leaders to discuss the relationship between this region and the United States of America.

Ambassador Kapambwe further disclosed that the President will also meet United States of American business houses and people where he will showcase Zambia’s business opportunities.

“He is also expected to participate in the launch of ALMA, which is the African Leaders Malaria Alliance, which will be launched by President Jakaya Kikwete here,” he said.

First Lady Tandiwe Banda who is accompanying the President will have a separate programme she will participate. Also in the delegation are several cabinet ministers and other top government officials.

Meanwhile, security has tightened at the UN secretariat as scores of heads of state and government are expected in New York in the next few days for the UN General Assembly.

The President is afterwards expected to connected to travel to Cuba for a three day State visit at the invitationof his counterpart Raul Castro Ruz.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon will convene the summit on climate change on Tuesday, September 2009 in which over 90 member states will participate. UN has a total of 192 member states around the world.

The objective of this summit on climate change is to mobilise political will and generate the momentum needed to reach an ambitious agreement at the UN Climate Conference that will be held in Copenhagen in December 2009.

Mr. Ki-Moon will also hold a luncheon that would bring together representatives of government, business, civil society and the UN to discuss how to build positive momentum for climate negotiations and the role of business and industry in finding solutions to climate change.

Other key issues the Assembly will address are Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), world financial and economic crisis and its impact on development, disarmament, UN reforms, including Security Council reform and revitalization of the General Assembly.

It will also review the peace building commission and the Human Rights Council as well as consider issues relating to system wide coherence, sustainable development and HIV/AIDS.

The General Assembly was established in 1945 under the UN Charter as a chief deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the UN.
ZANIS

Opposition Zambia Development Conference (ZADECO) National Chairman Langtone Sichone says there is nothing sinister about second republican president Dr. Frederick Chiluba interacting with President Rupiah Banda.

Mr Sichone says Dr. Chiluba is a Zambian citizen who is free to mingle with anyone regardless of status.
He says it is not right for some individuals, members of the civil society and other stakeholders to try and bar Dr. Chiluba from mixing with the Head of State.

Mr Sichone was speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today.

He wondered why the public is quiet on first republican president Kenneth Kaunda who is freely mingling with other very important people including President Banda but just concentrated on questioning Dr. Chiluba’s friendship.

Meanwhile, Mr Sichone has urged Zambians to respect the out-come of the acquittal case of Dr. Chiluba.

Mr Sichone said the acquittal of the former head of State translates that the judiciary is independent adding that the three executive arms of government were fully exercised and utilised.

ZANIS