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 DEVOTIONAL
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Philippians 2, vs. 5Philippians 2, vs. 5 “For let this
mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus”
What does this mean, and what are the implications for us?
We see at the start of this verse a command, and that is to “let
this mind” that is that we must choose this mind or allow this
mind to be in us. It is a choice to take on this mindset rather
than the mindset of the world. What is the mind that we are
to take on? It is no less that Christs mind and His attitudes.
This mind: There are several meanings to this word that
all fit this statement made regarding the mind. It is to have
understanding, to be wise, it also encompasses the idea to
think of one’s self modestly and to not let one’s opinion
of himself exceed the bounds of modesty. We see another
meaning in this word and that is to be of the same mind, i.e.
agreed together, cherish the same views, to be harmonious.
“Which was also in Christ Jesus” What was the mind that
was in Christ Jesus?
Philippians 2, vs. 7-8Philippians 2, vs. 7-8 Paul talking about Jesus Christ says
that “He made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Himself
the form of a servant; He humbled Himself and became obedient
unto death, even the death of the cross” Christ who is God and
has a name above all names put this off and made Himself
of no reputation. He did not need to impress anyone with
intellect, power or wealth, but was content in who He was.
If we are putting on Christs mind then we are also to make
ourselves of no reputation not seeking power or position but
we are to be content knowing who we are in Christ Jesus.
Secondly we see the Creator of all things humbling Himself
to come and serve that which He had created. This is totally
unheard of in human history that the King would serve his
subjects, humbling himself to the lowest position in the
kingdom. If we have the mind of Christ in us we will have no
problem humbling ourselves to serve all people irrespective
of their status, religion and opinion of us. Col 1, vs. 27Col 1, vs. 27 says
“Christ in you the hope if glory” That is Christs indwells every
believer and His nature and character will be evident in us as
He abides in us and we in Him.
The third thing that we see is that we are to be of the
same mind, that is of one mind. We have Christians who
have varying opinions on things which is fi ne until it differs
from the mind of Christ as revealed to us in the Scriptures. In
this area we are to have one mind, being Christ’s mind. For
example Luke 19 and verse 10Luke 19 and verse 10 says this; “For the Son of man
has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
The love of Christ was such that He was humble enough
to die on a cross — an excruciating obedience that brought
salvation to mankind. Are we willing to put on the mind of
Christ and humble ourselves being of no reputation for the
sake of Christ and the salvation of others?
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COUNTRY IN FOCUS
ZIMBABWE
This year has been a different one
with the Challenge Newspaper, we are
glad to have been receiving all editions
as they came. The Challenge has been received in Zimbabwe
with open hands by churches and individuals. It has been one
of the best tools that we are using in the ministry, the Challenge
does not stay for more than 3 days in our offi ce after we receive
them and we have received responses from all over the country
and throughout Southern Africa as well. We also received calls
from Nigeria concerning the Challenge indicating their desire to
receive more of the newspaper.
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Jabulani Mudenda distributing the Challenge newspapers |
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Many people have rededicated their lives to Jesus through the
Challenge, one pastor who had been distributing the Challenge
in schools, hospitals and prisons had this to say “I’ve been a
Pastor for the past 29 years and have struggled to obtain gospel
literature but I came across the Challenge and it changed my
life in the ministry completely, I’ve even started distributing
it to Schools, prisons and hospitals and many souls have been
added to my church through the places that I’ve distributed the
Challenge to”.
Another lady who owns a boutique in the city had this to say
about the Challenge as well: “I needed some literature to put on
my customer desk in my shop and I’d been struggling to fi nd
anything that was suitable, but when I came across the Challenge
all my customers always delight in coming back for more, thank
you for the Challenge, its changing lives in Zimbabwe”.
 |  | | Locals enjoying reading the Challenge newspaper |
One pastor from Kariba, which is 800km away from Bulawayo
where the Challenge has its distribution offi ce, had this to say
as well “I haven’t come across a newspaper that had so many
testimonies and that shows the power of Jesus. When I first read
the testimonies in the Challenge I prayed that I could get more of
this newspaper and share with so many brethren so they can also see
the mighty power of Jesus working in so many people’s lives; for me
the Challenge has been working for me in every edition”.
A footballer in one of the big teams in the city had this to say
as well “I didn’t like going to church much but I came across the
Challenge and I got interested in the Sports section and I read a
testimony of one sportsperson and it changed my life, it brought
about a turning point in my life”.
Another great achievement that was witnessed through the
Challenge, we can testify that a church was established through the
Challenge, an employee who works with World Vision in one of
the remote parts of the country saw a copy of the Challenge and
says: “I haven’t seen a newspaper like this, I read it and shared it
with my colleagues and we decided to start prayer meetings each
evening which has flourished into a church, we then contacted
the distribution office and they helped us with more copies and
invited more people to join us with the help of the Challenge”.
One member of the church says “I came to the Lord through the
Challenge Newspaper and now I need a Bible so that I can get to
know more about this Jesus that they talk about in the Challenge”.
Lastly, on behalf of the Pastors, Churches, Hospitals, Schools,
Prisons and the individuals that the Newspaper is distributed by, I’d
like to thank Carl Carmody for having a big heart, for facilitating the
distribution of the Challenge in Zimbabwe, for always supporting
its availability, we just want to let you know that your funds are
not going in vain, many souls are being touched by the Challenge
Newspaper, may God continue to increase your territories.
| | Rev Jabulani Mudenda
Multi Ministries Zimbabwe |
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POINTS TO PONDER
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Pray for the appointment of our first Director for the
U.S.A. in Eric Whitmer and his wife Caren. They are
very excited about this new role for them as a couple.
Please pray for the raising of their support as they send
out their personal support letters to friends and churches.
We do praise the Lord that about 65% of their support
has already been promised.
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We are also looking to appoint Byron Smith and his wife
Thereza as another Challenge Representative in the U.S.
State of Alabama. Again we need much prayer for his
personal support.
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Pray for the preparation for the Soccer World Cup
Edition of the paper. Already we are looking at a total
print run of over a million papers, if we can get the
funding to do it.
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We praise the Lord for the tremendous response to the
Challenge newspaper in Zimbabwe with 30,000 papers
lasting only three days. Please pray with us that we will
be able to fund the increase in the papers to somewhere
near the 100,000 that have been requested.
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Another praise point is in Lightning Ridge, in N.S.W.,
the new Challenge newspaper stand placed in the local
I.G.A. supermarket saw 100 papers taken in two days.
Pray for these people reading the paper.
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Praise the Lord for all that He is doing through the
Challenge paper and for the future opportunities that
He is presenting. We also praise the Lord for your
partnership in this work.
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Challenge Literature Fellowship Bank Account direct deposit details
BSB: 066162 / Account: 00900455
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Address: PO Box 978, Cloverdale WA 6985,
Phone (08) 9453 3311 or Fax (08) 9453 3006
Email: info@challengenews.org
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My Response
Post to: Challenge Literature Fellowship, PO Box 978, Cloverdale WA 6985; or Fax to: (08) 9453 3006
Name: __________________________________________________________________________________
Address:___________________________________________________________ Post Code: ______
Email: _________________________________________________ Phone: ________________
With God’s help I would like to be a partner in supporting the ministry at Challenge in the
following way(s):
__ Prayer: Please send me updated prayer information.
__ Financial: Please receive my: __ Monthly __ Quarterly __ Yearly __ One time contribution of:
__ $50 __ $75 __ $100 __ $200 __ Other (Please specify): $ _________
Credit Card: __ VisaCard __ MasterCard
Credit Card #: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Expiry Date: __/__
Name on card: _______________________________________
Signature: ____________________________________
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