Justin Bieber Tried to Get Baptized, 'Cleansed' at Hillsong NYC Church?

Justin Bieber prays with Hillsong NYC pastor Carl Lentz and The City Church pastor Judah Smith

Justin Bieber, seen recently in an X-rated photo with an adult dancer, reportedly scoured New York City over the weekend for a private pool where he could be baptized through Hillsong NYC church, led by his close friend Pastor Carl Lentz.

"Justin and his team spent time on Saturday searching for a place with a pool where they could conduct a baptism for him, a cleansing ritual, with the Hillsong Church. But they couldn't find a place in time," one person, among "multiple sources," told the New York Post's Page Six.

The publication reports a second source as saying, "Justin is serious about his Christian faith, and after recent events, he needed to take a pause."

Bieber, reportedly in NYC on Saturday for Maxim magazine's Super Bowl party, was apparently unsuccessful in finding a place to be baptized.

Baptism, either through sprinkling of water or full immersion, is observed by Christians who choose to publicly show their belief in Jesus Christ as lord and savior. The religious ritual is also cast as one "dying" to a life of sin and being "resurrected" to a new life based on following Christ.

 

Hillsong NYC Pastor Carl Lentz and The City Church Pastor Judah Smith show some love for their friend, Justin Bieber in this photo Smith shared on Instagram

 Hillsong NYC, founded in 2010, holds services at the Irving Plaza concert venue and has baptized members in the rooftop pool of the Gansevoort Hotel, as seen in a video published online.

Bieber, 19, has visited Hillsong NYC in the past, most recently in September, when he tweeted how he "broke down" after hearing an "amazing sermon" by the megachurch's pastor, Carl Lentz, also a friend of the Canadian singer.

Bieber has shared photos of his time with Lentz outside of church, including one photo of the pop star and Lentz having lunch and "talking 'bout our savior Jesus Christ."

Bieber, who has spoken numerous times over the years about believing in Jesus Christ, raised concern among some observers last week when what had been seen as a series of questionable behavior resulted in his arrest in Miami, Fla.

Bieber and R&B singer Khalil Sharieff were caught allegedly drag racing, with the Canadian crooner eventually charged with drunken driving, resisting arrest and driving without a valid license. According to a toxicology report, Bieber had marijuana and Xanax in his system, which lined up with what the teen purportedly told officers, who say he cursed at one of them when he was pulled over.

Some Christians reached out to both Pastor Lentz and Judah Smith, The City Church leader whom Bieber has called his pastor, in concern for the star.

"Hey @judahsmith I think you need to get your boy Bieber back in church. He needs guidance," tweeted Shawn Raley, a youth minister at Oak Grove Christian Church, according to his bio on the social network.

A Christian blogger asked of Pastor Smith, "How many more of these @justinbieber incidents have to occur before you admit he is not displaying the fruit of regeneration?"

Smith has said in interviews that he does his best to encourage Bieber, whom he has called "a spectacular young man."

Living Waters Featuring Delicia Robertson

Viongozi wa Dini ndani ya Bunge la Katiba

Kaimu Katibu Mkuu Kiongozi ambaye pia ni Katibu mkuu ofisi ya Waziri Mkuu Florence Turuka ametangaza wajumbe 201 watakao wakilisha wajumbe kwenye Bunge la Katiba linalotarajiwa kufanyika Februari 18 mwaka huu.

Wajumbe hao wamegawanyika katika makundi 10 ambao kati ya hao,kundi la wajumbe 20 litawakilisha taasisi za Dini katika Bunge hilo.

Taasisi nyingine ni pamoja na Taasisi zisizokuwa za Kiserikali wajumbe (20)Vyama vyote vya kisiasa vyenye usajili wa kudumu(42),Taasisi za elimu (20),Watu wenye ulemavu (20), Vyama vya wafanyakazi (19),Vyama vinavyo wakilisha wafugaji(10), Vyama vinavyo wakilisha wavuvi(10), Vyama vya wakulima(20) naVyama vya watu wenye malengo yanayofanana(20)

Makundi hayo yanajumuishwa na wabunge wote wa Bunge la Jamhuri ya Muungano na Wajumbe wote wa Baraza la Wawakilishi la Zanzibar na ufanya idadi ya wabunge wa Bunge la Katiba kufikia 64.Kwa upande wa taasisi za Dini kwa upande wa Tanzania Bara (13) ni Askofu Mkuu Mstaafu wa Kanisa la Anglikana Tanzania Dr.Donald Leo Mtetemela,Mchungaji wa Kanisa la Kiinjili la Kilutheli Tanzania (KKKT) Ernest Kadiva amabaye pia ni Katibu mkuu Utawala,Utumishi na Milki waDayosisi ya Mashariki na Pwani.Wengine ni Profesa Costa Rick Mahalu,Mussa Yususfu Kandecha,Askofu Amos J .Muhagachi,Magdalena Songora,Sheikh Hamid Masoud Jongo,Shamim Khan,Tamrina Manzi,Respa Adam Miguma,Easter Msambazi,Hamis Ally Togwa,Olive Damian Luwena.

Kwa Upande wa Tanzania Zanzibar (7) Shekh Thabit Nouman Jongo,Shekh Nassoro,Shekh Nassoro Mohamed Ibrahimu,Louis Majaliwa,Suzana Peter Kunambi,Fatma Mohammed Hassan na Yasmin Yusufali E. Halloo.

Awali taasisi za kidini zilizo peleka mapendekezo li kuchaguliwa kuingia kwenye Bunge la Katiba kwa Upande wa Tanzania Bara zilikuwa 246 na upande wa Zanzibar zilikuwa 98.Idadi ya watu waliopendekezwa kuingia katika Bunge la Katiba Tanzania Bar walikuwa 1,203 ambao ni watu 13 tu ndio waliopata nafasi ya kuchaguliwa.Kwa upande wa Zanzibar watu waliokuwa wamependekezwa na taasisi zao waliuwa 444, ambao wajumbe (7) kati ya hao ndi walioweza kupata nafasi ya kweda kutoa mchago katika Bunge hilo

Protestant Churches to Hold 'Day of Prayer' for South Sudan, Ask for Peace and Justice in Violence-Ridden Nation

  People are gathered Catholic church in Malakal, South Sudan

Protestant Churches in the United States and abroad have called for a "Day of Prayer for South Sudan" in response to the recent news of a ceasefire in the violence-ridden nascent nation.

Presbyterian Church (USA), The Episcopal Church, and the Reformed Church in America have issued calls to their members to pray for South Sudan on Sunday, February 16.

Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the PC (USA) General Assembly, said in a recently released statement that the Republic of South Sudan needs their prayers and support during this time.

"The ceasefire that went into effect in South Sudan on January 23 provides a sign of hope," said Parsons. "Our brothers and sisters need our prayer and support as they seek to move into a future of justice and peace."

PC (USA) has also called on members to lobby in Washington for the cause and to donate to a disaster relief effort specifically set up for South Sudan.

"God of reconciliation, we ask you to send your Spirit of unity and peace to guide the people and the leaders of South Sudan from violence and into the paths of peace and justice," reads the text of suggested prayer for Feb. 16 in part. "Strengthen them with the power of your Holy Spirit as they witness to the strong love of Christ, advocating for peace and justice in a situation that is only hopeful because we follow a resurrected Christ."

The Republic of South Sudan gained independence in July 2011 due to a referendum overwhelmingly approved by voters. Created from the ten southernmost states of the Republic of Sudan, South Sudan became immersed in a violent political conflict last December.

Having endured decades of civil war before independence, the recent wave of violence has led to an estimated 1,000 deaths and as many as 500,000 displaced.

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori noted in a statement: "The world is increasingly concerned over the rampant violence in South Sudan."

"The recent increase in armed conflict, murder, and mayhem has been fomented in part by inaccurate reports of tribal partisanship. The new nation needs peace, in order that all its people might thrive," said Jefferts Schori. "The Episcopal Church of Sudan is partnering with others on the ground in that work of peace-building. The Sudanese communities within our own Episcopal Church have been important and effective leaders in this work."

Creflo Dollar Ministries celebrates 28 years with Matthew Ashimolowo

Uwepo wa Mungu Bila Neno la Mungu hauwezi kufanya Lolote katika Maisha yako

 

Pastor Carlos Kirimbai Manna Tabernacle Bible Church

Moja ya vitu ambavyo watu wa Mungu tunasahau sana kuhusu Mungu wetu ni kwamba Mungu hafanyi vitu kwa uwepo Wake bali Mungu anafanya vitu kwa neno Lake.

Iko kama tunasahau hili andiko hapa:

Hapo mwanzo kulikuwako Neno, naye Neno alikuwako kwa Mungu, naye Neno alikuwa Mungu. Huyo mwanzo alikuwako kwa Mungu. Vyote vilifanyika kwa huyo; wala pasipo yeye hakikufanyika cho chote kilichofanyika. (YN. 1:1-3 SUV).

Tunaona kwenye hiyo mistari hapo juu kuwa vyote vilifanyika kwa neno wala pasipo neno hakuna kilichofanyika ambacho kilifanyika. Kama vyote vinafanyika kwa neno na kama hakuna kilichofanyika ambacho hakikufanyika kwa neno ina maana hakuna kilichobaki ambacho kilifanywa na uwepo wa Mungu. Vyote vilifanywa na neno la Mungu.

Uwepo wa Mungu ni wa muhimu sana maana ndo nguvu inayofanya neno la Mungu liweze kufanya kazi lakini kitendea kazi cha Mungu kikuu ni neno Lake.

Mara nyingi tukiwa kwenye wakati wetu binafsi na Mungu labda katika kuomba au kuabudu au vinginevyo, au tunapokuwa kwenye ibada au faragha zetu za pamoja kama watu wa Mungu, uwepo wa Mungu unaweza kujidhihirisha alafu tukaishia kuuitikia huo uwepo kihisia tu kwa machozi, kulia kwingi, na haleluyah nyingi bila ya kutambua kuwa wakati wowote uwepo wa Mungu unapojidhihirisha, unajidhihirisha kwa kusudi fulani na huo uwepo ili utimize hilo kusudi unadai neno la Mungu lisemwe ili kusudi la Mungu liweze kuachiliwa.

Nataka uone mfano halisia hapa:

Hapo mwanzo Mungu aliziumba mbingu na nchi. Nayo nchi ilikuwa ukiwa, tena utupu, na giza lilikuwa juu ya uso wa vilindi vya maji; Roho ya Mungu ikatulia juu ya uso wa maji. (MWA. 1:1, 2 SUV).

Maandiko yanasema nchi ilikuwa ukiwa, tena utupu, na giza lilikuwa juu ya uso wa vilindi vya maji. Cha ajabu pamoja na giza, ukiwa na utupu, Roho wa Mungu alikuwepo lakini alikuwa ametulia juu ya uso wa maji.

Fikiria kama kitabu cha mwanzo kingeishia hapo. Mpaka leo hivi unavyosoma maneno haya kungekuwa na giza, ukiwa na utupu japo uwepo wa Mungu upo. Kuwepo kwa uwepo wa Mungu mahali au hata wewe kuuhisi uwepo wa Mungu sio guarantee ya badiliko lolote kutokea maishani mwako. Uwepo unaweza ukawepo, ukawa unausikia kabisa upako lakini bado ikawa giza, ukiwa na utupu maishani mwako. Mungu yupo, uwepo Wake upo, upako Wake upo lakini umetulia, haufanyi chochote na kwa kuwa umetulia haufanyi chochote kila kitu kitabaki vile vile kama kilivyokuwa. Kinachofanya uwepo wa mungu uingie kazini ni Neno la Mungu tena lililotamkwa.

Lakini ukiendelea kusoma kuanzia mstari wa tatu Mungu akaanza kusema na hapo ndipo mambo yalipoanza kubadilika.

Uwepo wa Mungu bila neno la Mungu hauwezi kubadilisha kitu chochote. Uwepo wa Mungu unadai matamko ya neno la Mungu ili mabadiliko yaweze kutokea. Ni kosa kubwa sana uwepo wa Mungu kujidhihirsha mahali alafu kitu cha pekee ambacho tunafanya ni kubaki tu kuuitikia kihisia kwa kulia, kutokwa tu machozi, kupiga magoti, kusujudu, kulala kifudifudi, kuabudu, kusifu, kucheza na vitu kama hivyo ambavyo watoto wa Mungu hua tunafanya. Uwepo wa Mungu unadai neno la Mungu litamkwe. Hata katika maombi uwepo ukijidhihirisha unadai neno litamkwe ili ufanye kazi. Ni kazi ya Roho Mtakatifu kuhuisha ndani yetu neno la kutamka au maneno ya kutamka toka katika neno la Mungu kila uwepo wa Mungu unapojidhihirisha. Ataweka ndani yako andiko au maandiko na atataka uyatamke au katika maombi au katika kutabiri na kutangaza ili sasa aweze kuingia kazini kulitimiza ulisemalo kwa kuvuviwa Naye.

Nikuonyeshe mfano mwingine:

Mkono wa BWANA ulikuwa juu yangu, naye akanichukua nje katika roho ya BWANA, akaniweka chini, katikati ya bonde; nalo limejaa mifupa; akanipitisha karibu nayo pande zote; na tazama, palikuwa na mifupa mingi katika ule uwanda! Nayo, tazama, ilikuwa mikavu sana. Akaniambia, Mwanadamu, je! Mifupa hii yaweza kuishi? Nami nikajibu, Ee Bwana MUNGU, wajua wewe. Akaniambia tena, Toa unabii juu ya mifupa hii, uiambie, Enyi mifupa mikavu, lisikieni neno la BWANA. Bwana MUNGU aiambia mifupa hii maneno haya; Tazama, nitatia pumzi ndani yenu, nanyi mtaishi. Nami nitatia mishipa juu yenu, nami nitaleta nyama iwe juu yenu, na kuwafunika ngozi, na kutia pumzi ndani yenu, nanyi mtaishi; nanyi mtajua ya kuwa mimi ndimi BWANA. Basi nikatoa unabii kama nilivyoamriwa; hata nilipokuwa nikitoa unabii, palikuwa na mshindo mkuu; na tazama, tetemeko la nchi, na ile mifupa ikasogeleana, mfupa kwa mfupa mwenziwe. Nikatazama, kumbe! Kulikuwa na mishipa juu yake, nyama ikatokea juu yake, ngozi ikaifunika juu yake; lakini haikuwamo pumzi ndani yake. Ndipo akaniambia, Tabiri, utabirie upepo, mwanadamu, ukauambie upepo, Bwana MUNGU asema hivi; Njoo, kutoka pande za pepo nne, Ee pumzi, ukawapuzie hawa waliouawa, wapate kuishi. Basi nikatabiri kama alivyoniamuru; pumzi ikawaingia, wakaishi, wakasimama kwa miguu yao, jeshi kubwa mno. (EZE. 37:1-10 SUV).

Nataka uone kuwa uwepo wa Mungu ambao hapa unaitwa mkono wa Mungu ulikuwa umemfunika Ezekieli. Nataka pia uone alipelekwa na Mungu mpaka kwenye lile bonde la mifupa mikavu. Nataka pia uone kuwa kwenye lile bonde hakuwa Ezekieli peke yake. Alikuwa pamoja na Mungu pale. Lakini pamoja na uwepo wa Mungu kuwepo ili mifupa iliendelea kuwa mikavu vile vile. Mungu akamwuliza Ezekieli mifupa hii yaweza kuishi, Ezekieli akshindwa kutoa jibu akasema wewe wajua. Mungu akamwelekeza neno la kutamka pale kwenye lile bonde akatamka ili mifupa ikaunga mfupa kwa mfupa mwenzake ikabeba nyama na misuli na ngozi. Sijui unaona kuwa sio uwepo wa Mungu peke yake uliyofanya haya. Ni uwepo wa Mungu na neno la Mungu kwa pamoja ndo viliyafanya haya na neno la Mungu lililosababisha mabadiliko lilitoka katika kinywa cha binadamu. Cha muhimu tu kuona hapa mwanadamu huyu hakusema ayatakayo yeye, alipewa na Mungu ya kutamka. Uwepo wa Mungu ukijidhihirisha mahali popote hapa duniani unadai neno la Mungu toka kwenye kinywa cha mwanadamu ili uweze kufanya kitu. Baadaye lile bonde la mifupa liligeuka kuwa bonde la watu lakini wasio na uhai. Bado Mungu akampa neno pa kuutabiria upepo akautabiria ukaja ukawapulizia hao waliojaa kwenye hilo bonde likainuka jeshi kubwa.

Tunaona wazi Uwepo wa Mungu + Neno la Mungu= Matokeo yanayokusudiwa.

Kumbuka ni mara ngapi maishani mwako uwepo wa Mungu umejidhihirisha alafu hukujua cha kufanya nao kwa hiyo ukapita tu bila kuacha kitu chochote.

Nikuonyeshe tena mfano mwingine:

Baada ya hayo utafika Gibea ya Mungu, hapo palipo na ngome ya Wafilisti; kisha itakuwa, utakapofika mjini, utakutana na kundi la manabii wakishuka kutoka mahali pa juu, wenye kinanda, na tari, na kinubi, na filimbi mbele yao, nao watakuwa wakitabiri; na roho ya BWANA itakujilia kwa nguvu, nawe utatabiri pamoja nao, nawe utageuzwa kuwa mtu mwingine. Basi, hapo ishara hizi zitakapokutukia, fanya kama uonavyo vema; kwa kuwa Mungu yu pamoja nawe. (1 SAM. 10:5-7 SUV).

Sijui unaona ninachoona. Sauli alitakiwa atakapokutana na manabii ajue kuwa Roho wa Mungu atamjilia kwa nguvu lakini sio kule kujiliwa kwa nguvu ndiko kutakako mbadilisha kuwa mtu mwingine ni kile asemacho baada ya kujiliwa kwa nguvu na Roho wa Mungu. Tena anaambiwa ishara hizo zitamthibitishia kuwa Mungu yupo na yeye ila asipofanya kitu hataona matokeo hata kama Mungu yupo. Ndo maana akaambiwa akiona ishara hizo zote afanye aonavyo vema maana Mungu yupo pamoja naye. Usichezee tu uwepo wa Mungu Fanya kitu, sema kitu utaona matokeo.

Moja ya maandiko ambayo watu wa Mungu wanayanukuu vibaya sana inapokuja kwenye maswala ya uwepo ni andiko lifuatalo:

hata ikawa, wenye panda na waimbaji walipokuwa kama mmoja, wakisikizisha sauti moja ya kumsifu na kumshukuru BWANA nao wakipaza sauti pamoja na panda na matoazi na vinanda, wakimsifu BWANA, wakisema, Kwa kuwa ni mwema; kwa maana fadhili zake ni za milele; ndipo nyumba ikajawa na wingu, naam, nyumba ya BWANA, hata makuhani hawakuweza kusimama ili kufanya huduma yao, kwa sababu ya lile wingu; kwa kuwa nyumba ya Mungu imejaa utukufu wa BWANA. (2 NYA. 5:13, 14 SUV).

Tunasema kuwa uwepo wa Mungu unajidhihirsha mpaka mtumishi ameshindwa kulihudumu neno. Ila hawa makuhani hapa hawakuwa wanalihudumu neno. Wao walikuwa wanafanya ibada za utoaji sadaka na dhabihu na kuihudumia madhabahu. Tunatafsiri kuwa uwepo wa Mungu unatosha hatuhitaji neno. How wrong we are. Nimekuonyesha kuwa uwepo wa Mungu bila neno la Mungu hauwezi kufanya lolote. Matokeo yake uwepo unakuja tunabaki kulia, kusujudu, kulala kifudi fudi alafu ukishapita hamna kitu umefanya. Kwanini? Hatukujua tufanye nini na uwepo wa Mungu.

Ona huu mfano wa mwisho:

Petro na wale waliokuwa pamoja naye walikuwa wamelemewa na usingizi; lakini walipokwisha amka waliuona utukufu wake, na wale wawili waliosimama pamoja naye. Ikawa hao walipokuwa wakijitenga naye, Petro alimwambia Yesu, Bwana mkubwa, ni vizuri sisi kuwapo hapa; na tufanye vibanda vitatu; kimoja chako wewe, na kimoja cha Musa, na kimoja cha Eliya; hali hajui asemalo. (LK. 9:32, 33 SUV).

Uwepo wa Mungu ulipojidhihirisha hapa Petro alizungumza maneno huku hajielewi.

Mara ngapi uwepo unajidhihirisha ama katika muda wetu binafsi wa kuomba, kuabudu au vinginevyo au tunapokuwa tumekusanyika kwa pamoja alafu hatujui tufanyaje sie. Naamini baada ya somo hili fupi utakuwa makini zaidi na uwepo wa Mungu unapojidhihirisha.

Asomaye afahamu.

Bamba Beach Season 3 Organised by CCC Upanga Youth Ministry

Nape Moses Nnauye aaswa kumtanguliza Mungu

Kiongozi wa Kanisa la Living Water Centre Apostle Onesmo Ndegi alimuasa Nape Nnauye Katibu Mwenezi wa Itikadi wa Chama Cha Mapindizi (CCM) hivi karibuni Kanisani kawe kiongozi huyo alipohudhulia Ibada kuambiwa kumtanguliza Mungu Katika Shughuli zake za Kisiasa.

Nape ambaye ameokoka alitakiwa kuonekana tofauti na Viongozi wengine katika kufanya maamuzi hadi mambo wanayofanya huko katika chama Chao alisema Apostle Ndegi.

Baada ya Ibada Apostle Ndegi na wachungaji wengine kanisani hapo walipata kumuombea Nape ili Mungu ahusike naye katika shughuli za Kichama atakapo kuwa.

Wimbo mpya wa Rose Mhando - Walolo

Dar es salaam Workers Fellowship In Collaboration With Living Water Centre Ministry Presents Word Of God from Apostle Ndegi