Why Magufuli administration misses the point on Government splurge

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Victorious Living

Of course, he did not know where it was. He was eighty-five years of age and had written dozens of books. I was asking him if he could tell me exactly where in his books I could find the quote I was looking for. He told me that he had absolutely no idea, but gave me permission to quote it anyway. Since then I have used his quote over and over again because it seemed to me that Bishop Lesslie Newbigin had summarised a crucial insight for our understanding of Jesus and the New Testament.
‘The resurrection was not the reversal of a defeat but the manifestation of a victory.’
The cross was not a defeat. Rather, taken together, the cross and resurrection are the greatest victory to have taken place in the history of the world. It is a victory that has huge implications for our own lives, our society and the future of this world.
The idea of ‘victory’ can smack of imperialism and pride. Of course, triumphalism is to be avoided. However, ‘victory’ is not a negative word in the Bible, even in the New Testament.
The key to a right understanding of ‘victory’ is to see it as a gift made possible ‘through our Lord Jesus Christ’ (1 Corinthians 15:57). This means that the appropriate response is not pride, but thankfulness.


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Proverbs 20:25-21:4

Victory in your heart

The biggest battle goes on in our hearts and minds. This is where the victory is won or lost. God is not only concerned about your actions and your words, but also about your inmost being. God watches and examines us ‘inside and out’ (20:27, MSG). He ‘examines our motives’ (21:2, MSG).
‘Clean living before God and justice with our neighbors means far more to God than religious performance’ (v.3, MSG). ‘The lamp of the Lord searches the human spirit; it searches out the inmost being’ (20:27). I try to pray regularly as the psalmist prays, ‘Search me, O God… and see if there is any wicked way in me’ (Psalm 139:23–4, RSV).
I also pray this for other people. Proverbs 20:27 is a very useful verse in prayer ministry. If someone feels that they are wrestling with something they can’t quite put their finger on, I ask the Spirit of God to search their heart to reveal if there is any sin that needs to be dealt with.
God never gives a nebulous feeling of guilt. If a feeling of guilt is of the Holy Spirit, he will reveal the specific sin that needs to be dealt with. If something wrong comes to mind, repentance leads to forgiveness through Jesus.
Then I ask the ‘lamp of the Lord’ to shine again and reveal if there is anything else that needs to be dealt with. Because of Jesus’ victory over sin on the cross, where there is repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, there can no longer be any condemnation.
Victory for a king (or we might say ‘leader’) comes through ‘love and faithfulness’: ‘Love and truth form a good leader, sound leadership is founded on loving integrity’ (v.28, MSG).
The leader’s ‘heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases’ (21:1). God is in ultimate control of a leader’s heart. I have trusted this promise many times in my life when praying about job interviews, dealings with the council, judges or governments. Thankfully, the heart of the leader is in the Lord’s hands and he directs it whichever way he pleases.
The heart is so important: ‘All your ways seem right to you, but the Lord weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice’ (vv.2–3).
Since victory is a gift from God, it should never lead to pride: ‘Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin!’ (v.4).

Lord, I pray that you would shine your lamp into my heart today and search out my inner being. Thank you for the gift of forgiveness, freedom and victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.



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