Vulnerability has been defined as the quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, physically, emotionally, socially, environmentally or economically. One can end up in vulnerable situations by default or by choice. In essence,  vulnerability has to do with risk. When you make yourself vulnerable you are placing yourself at risk; the risk of being rejected, the risk of being misunderstood, and the risk of being harmed emotionally, economically or physically. This is why many people avoid this state. Our behaviour is often influenced by the avoidance of specific emotional states that bring discomfort. Sadly, when we fail to make ourselves vulnerable, we also miss out on some of the greatest blessings of human relations. Someone once said that vulnerability opens us up for both wounding and pleasure.  I believe that one of the biggest hindrances to activating authentic community is the failure to make ourselves vulnerable. What many have failed to realise is this: You cannot build emotional intimacy with another human being without some degree of vulnerability. Emotional intimacy is built one conversation at a time and in each conversation we can make a choice with regards to the degree of vulnerability. Emotional intimacy is a core pillar of relational trust which is a foundation of authentic community. In this message I will present a portrait of vulnerability with particular focus on the life of Christ. I will highlight some of the barriers to vulnerability and also unpack the consequences of the lack of vulnerability and some benefits of vulnerability. It is important for me to highlight that there are different types of vulnerability; physical, economic, environmental and social. For the purpose of this message our focus will be on psycho-social vulnerability. Embracing vulnerability is synonymous with maturity.

Activating Authentic Community - Vulnerability | Paul Nyamuda

Our lives are busy. Very full. For many, being reflexive is a luxury, or something not often done intentionally. Questions are powerful. My husband often says when you have been asked a question you’ve not been asked before, it helps you, you think how you’ve not thought before. And when you begin to think how you haven’t thought before, you say things you’ve never said before. And your tongue is a rudder and so when you begin to think and speak anew, you get to do things you’ve never done before. Questions are powerful influencers of our thoughts and actions. I would like us to look at 4 accounts in the Bible today: in three of them, God asks man a question. He asks the question not because he needs to know the answer,- He already knows, but more for the person to whom the question was addressed. The last account, aaa, I will leave that to the end . As we look at these accounts today, I would like to challenge you to take time to prayerfully reflect on these with respect to your life and your walk with God.

Questions that Matter | Tracy Nyamuda

A lot of human behaviour is controlled and shaped by the fear of rejection. Think of the number of times you reject yourself before you can be rejected; that’s the source of a lot of shyness. The enemy wants us to remain in a state where we are stung and wounded by rejection so that we end up socialising along the lines of least resistance. When you have been wounded you tend to make inner vows, based on self protective mechanisms, that ultimately control your decision-making processes. This is the safest route for me to go. God, on the other hand, is taking us to a place where we have bullet proof self-images that are straightened towards Him and not bent towards man. When God is our centre, everything we do flows from the blue print in heaven. Rejection will happen but being permanently wounded by it is not your portion. Therefore, the title of my message today is Rejecting Rejection, where we will explore how it is possible to be free from the wounds of rejection. When I speak of rejecting rejection I am essentially talking about rejecting the sting and the wound of rejection that the enemy wants you to live with.

Rejecting Rejection | Paul Nyamuda

Matthew 5:9  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
We are called to value the words of Jesus. His words are lifegiving. In the sermon on the mount, He picks out specific characteristics and virtues and highlights that those who walk in them are blessed. One of these is being a peacemaker. It is important for us and behoves us to study what this really means so that we may walk in this blessing. The word “maker” here comes from a word meaning to manufacture, construct or cause. 
The word “blessed” is Makarios which means “to be envied, fortunate, one who has God’s favour extended in their lives. God’s benefits are made long and large in their lives.” The word peace means to tie together as a whole or wholeness, when the essential parts are tied together,  rest and quietness. It has connotations of unity. So when someone gossips and causes division they are doing the opposite of this. When I speak to you words that refresh and quiet your soul I am being a peacemaker. Peace here is God’s gift of wholeness. Being a peacemaker is a core characteristic of a child of God. Elsewhere Jesus teaches that if we walk in love for each other, they will know we are His disciples. Here He is saying that if we are peacemakers, we will be called children of God. By whom I wonder. I believe that people will recognize Christ in us, but heaven will also identify us. When you are a child of someone it means you have their DNA. You are like them. When we are called children of God because we are peacemakers it means that God is that too. We are that because He is.  This must always be our starting point. God is described as the God of Peace. Jesus is described as the Prince of Peace.

Blessed are the Peacemakers | Paul Nyamuda

The manifest presence of God refers to instances where God’s presence is not just acknowledged, but His attributes are vividly experienced by individuals or groups. It is when God reveals Himself tangibly and relationally. When we speak of His manifest presence we are talking about God on assignment, He goes with you with a specific purpose. It is similar to a commanded blessing as opposed to a general blessing. Sometimes it is referred to as the glory of God. God’s manifest presence is not static. It can increase or decrease in intensity. 

The Manifest Presence of God | Paul Nyamuda

Corporate prayer is a gathering of believers who lift up their voices to God in unity, in repentance, in all manner of prayer and in worship.

Unified prayer and worship, praise and thanksgiving allow us to experience the Presence of God in a greater way.  The Holy Spirit often moves in hearts and lives in these environments.

The Power Of Corporate Prayer | Tracy Nyamuda

To prepare:  to plan the details beforehand.
It is so linked to discipline.  What is discipline?  It is following through on what you have pre-decided is best for you despite your emotional state at the time.  You can’t talk about discipline without talking about planning and preparation.
Why don’t you plan the details beforehand, so you don’t get taken off guard and suffer the consequences?

The Manifest Presence of God | Paul Nyamuda

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