1 Bakorinta 14 - KBTP & CEVUS06

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.

The Holy Spirit is a vital part of the Christian faith, yet many believers struggle to understand who He truly is and what role He plays in their lives. In this article, we will explore the identity of the Holy Spirit using seven powerful Bible verses to help deepen our understanding.

1. The Holy Spirit as Comforter and Advocate

John 14:16-17 (RSV) – “And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you.”

Jesus promised His disciples that the Holy Spirit would come as an Advocate—someone who stands by us, guiding and comforting. The Holy Spirit is not just a distant force but a constant presence who supports and defends believers.

2. The Spirit of Truth

John 16:13 (RSV) – “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”

The Holy Spirit is referred to as the Spirit of Truth because He leads us into a deeper understanding of God’s Word and His will. This guiding role helps believers discern right from wrong and stay aligned with God’s purposes.

3. The Giver of Power

Acts 1:8 (RSV) – “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.”

One of the most significant roles of the Holy Spirit is empowering believers to be witnesses for Christ. Through His power, we are not only transformed internally but also equipped to spread the message of the Gospel with boldness.

4. The Divine Teacher

John 14:26 (RSV) – “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

The Holy Spirit is our Teacher, helping us understand and remember the teachings of Jesus. This guidance is essential as we grow in faith and navigate life’s challenges.

5. The Spirit Who Gives Life

Romans 8:11 (RSV) – “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit which dwells in you.”

The same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in believers, breathing life into our mortal bodies. This resurrection power not only brings physical renewal but also spiritual vitality.

6. The Seal of Belonging

Ephesians 1:13 (RSV) – “In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.”

The Holy Spirit marks us as belonging to God. This seal is a guarantee of our inheritance in Christ and serves as a constant reminder that we are His.

7. The Spirit Who Unites

1 Corinthians 12:13 (RSV) – “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.”

The Holy Spirit unites believers into one body, transcending racial, social, and cultural differences. Through the Spirit, we become one in Christ, fostering unity within the church.

Embracing the Holy Spirit

Understanding who the Holy Spirit is transforms how we live out our faith. He is not just a divine presence but a Comforter, Advocate, Teacher, and Source of power and unity. As we walk with Him daily, we experience His guidance and embrace the life He offers.

May we continually seek a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit, allowing His influence to shape every aspect of our lives.

DALL·E 2024-10-16 11.46.48 - A black student sitting at a desk, focused and writing an exam in a quiet exam hall. The student looks calm and composed, with pens, pencils, and pape

Avoiding stress during exams is essential for maintaining focus, performing well, and staying healthy. Here’s a biblical, practical, and actionable guide to managing stress effectively during exam time:

1. Start with Prayer and Trust in God

Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Tip: Whenever you feel overwhelmed, pause and pray. Surrender your worries to God.

Action:

Start and end your study sessions with a short prayer.
Keep a prayer journal where you express your concerns and ask God for peace.

2. Stay Organized with a Study Plan

1 Corinthians 14:40 – “But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.”
Tip: A well-organized study schedule prevents last-minute cramming and reduces stress.

Action:

Break your syllabus into manageable chunks, covering a little every day.
Use tools like a study timetable or to-do list to track progress.

3. Take Care of Your Body

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit… Therefore, honor God with your bodies.”
Tip: Eating well, exercising, and sleeping enough will help your brain function better.

Action:

Exercise: Take short walks or do light stretches between study sessions.
Sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep per night to improve concentration.
Eat Nutritious Foods: Include fruits, vegetables, and water to keep your energy up.

4. Take Breaks and Rest

Exodus 20:8-10 – “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy…”
Tip: Rest is essential to recharge your brain and avoid burnout.

Action:

Take 10-15 minute breaks every hour to relax your mind.
Set aside one day a week to rest and engage in something you enjoy.

5. Avoid Comparison with Others

Galatians 6:4 – “Each one should test their own actions… without comparing themselves to someone else.”
Tip: Comparing yourself with classmates can lead to unnecessary anxiety. Focus on your progress and efforts.

Action:

Remind yourself that your journey is unique, and God has a plan for you.
Celebrate small achievements along the way, like completing a topic or practice test.

6. Practice Deep Breathing and Relaxation Techniques

Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Tip: When stress creeps in, breathe deeply and meditate on God’s presence.

Action:

Deep Breathing: Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, and exhale for 4 seconds. Repeat several times.
Play soft, relaxing worship music while you study or during breaks.

7. Stay Positive and Speak Life Over Yourself

Proverbs 18:21 – “The tongue has the power of life and death…”
Tip: Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations rooted in Scripture.

Action:

Speak aloud Scriptures like: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
Avoid saying things like “I will fail” or “This is too hard.” Instead, say, “I am prepared, and God is with me.”

8. Engage in Fellowship with Others

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – “Two are better than one… If one falls down, the other can help him up.”
Tip: Talk to family, friends, or mentors when you feel overwhelmed.

Action:

Join a study group for encouragement.
Share your concerns with someone who can pray with you and provide guidance.

9. Limit Distractions and Focus on the Present

Matthew 6:34 – “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.”
Tip: Avoid worrying about the future or dwelling on past mistakes. Stay focused on what you can do today.

Action:

Set specific times to study without distractions from social media or phone notifications.
Tackle one subject or task at a time to avoid overwhelm.

10. Trust God with the Outcome

Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…”
Tip: After you’ve done your best, trust God to handle the rest.

Action:

After each exam, pray and thank God for the strength to finish.
Avoid overanalyzing your performance, trust that God’s plan is perfect.

Conclusion

Managing stress during exams is about trusting God, planning wisely, taking care of yourself, and staying focused on the present. Remember that success is not just about grades—it’s about learning, growing, and relying on God’s strength. Following this guide will help you stay calm, focused, and productive throughout the exam season. You’ve got this! God is with you every step of the way.

Ngekwe zwipo zwinodwa ku Meya

1 Thamani kuti ludo gube mazwimisilo enyu, muyemule nge malebeswa kube ne zwipo zwe tjimeya, kwazo kwazo tjipo tje kusumikila dama nge bulebesambeli! 2 Ngobe iye unolebeleka nge lulimi gupoga aatolebeleka ne bathu, koga unolebeleka ne Ndzimu, ngobe akuna unonhwisisa. Unoleba masazibgwe e malebeswa nge simba le Meya. 3 Koga iye unosumikila dama le bulebesambeli unolebeleka ne bathu kubasimisa ne kubakulumbidza ne kubanyaladza. 4 Iye unolebeleka ne lulimi gupoga unozwisimisa, koga iye unosumikila dama le bulebesambeli unobhatsha gubungano.

5 Ndoshaka kuti mose mulebeleke nge ndimi dzipoga; koga tjikulu dzene mungabe ne tjipo tje kusumikila dama le bulebesambeli. Iye unosumikila dama le bulebesambeli nkulu pana unolebeleka nge ndimi dzipoga, kuzhe kwe kungabe kuna mmwe unotjenesa, kuti gubungano libhatshike. 6 Ndizo wali, zwikamu, ha ndizha kumuli ndilebeleka nge ndimi dzipoga, apa ndingamubuzila tjimwe kuzhe kwe ndingamuzhisila zumbunulo imwe kene zibo kene dama le bulebesambeli kene tjidiyo?

7 Ne zwilidzo zwisingatjile, zwinonga nyele kene dende, ha zwithama nlidzo usingahwisisike, nthu ungaziba tjini kuti kolidziwani? 8 Ne lunyanga ha gusingathame nlidzo unohwisisika ndiani ungazwilulwamisila ngwa kene? 9 Ndizo kwakajalobo nge kwenyu, ha imwi nge ndimi dzipoga muleba ndebo isingahwisisike, mmwe nthu ungaziba tjini tjinolebgwa? Ngobe molebelekela mu phepo koga. 10 Kuna ndimi dzili njinji dzakasiyana mu shango, ngono akuna gumwe gwadzo gusina tjagunodwa. 11 Koga andisingazibe tjeneso ye lulimi, ndowobe ntaya ku nlebeleki ne nlebeleki kabe ntaya kundili. 12 Se imwi makazwimisila kube ne zwipo zwinopiwa nge Meya, makafanila kuti mugwise kuzwishingisa kwazo kubaka gubungano.

13 Ndizo iye unolebeleka nge ndimi dzipoga ngaatembezelele simba le kutjenesa tjaanoleba. 14 Ngobe ha nditembezela nge ndimi dzipoga, meya yangu inotembezela, koga nkumbulo wangu auna tjinoubuyila. 15 Ndingashingani ngono? Ndowotembezela nge Meya yangu atembezela nenge nkumbulo wangubo, ndowomba nge meya amba nenge nkumbulo. 16 Ha ukudza Ndzimu mu meya iyo, nthu upakati kwa ibabo basingahwisise ungati “Ngakujalo” tjini mu kuboka kuko ngono asingazibe tjaunoleba? 17 Ungabe uboka Ndzimu nge buzhalo, koga mmwe nthu aatobhatshika.

18 Ndobokela Ndzimu kuti ndolebeleka nge ndimi kumupinda mose. 19 Koga mu gubungano bukulu ndingaleba matama mashanu anohwika kudiya bamwe pana kuti ndilebe matama ali zwiwulu zwili gumi mu lulimi gupoga.

20 Zwikamu, letjani kukumbula se bana; ibeni ngawana mu bubi, koga mu kukumbula ibeni bahwola. 21 Kwakakwagwa mu nlayo kuyi,

“Nge bathu be ndimi dzipoga

nenge milomo ye bataya

ndowolebeleka ne bathu ibaba

ngono na ipapo abatowondihwilila,” kojalo She.

22 Ndizo wali ndimi dzipoga tjilakidzo kuna basingagalemoyo kusi kuna banogalamoyo,

koga bulebesambeli tjilakidzo kuna banogalamoyo kusi basingagalemoyo.

23 Ndizo ha gubungano lose lakakubungana, ngono mmwe ne mmwe elebeleka nge ndimi dzipoga, kube kuti bamwe basingahwisise kene basingagalemoyo bebe bengina, apa abangati mopenga kene? 24 Koga bose ha besumikila dama le bulebesambeli, ngono usingagalemoyo kene nthu koga ebe engina, ungatjemegwa nge dama le Ndzimu linodwa mu gubungano lose kuti ntjinyi ngono mahwi wose aanohwa anowonsumikilisa, 25 ngono zwakasumbikala zwe moyo uwe zowodusigwa patjena. Ndizo unowowila pasi kanamata Ndzimu, kaleba eti, “Ndzimu upakati kwenyu dumbu.”

Shingidzana kwakalulwama mu gubungano

26 Towotini ngono zwikamu? Ha mukubungana kunamata Ndzimu, mmwe ana lumbo kumba, mmwe ana tjidiyo kudiya, mmwe ana tjaazumbunuligwa nge Ndzimu kutjileba, mmwe ana tjaangaleba nge ndimi dzipoga, mmwe etjenesa tjalebgwa. Izwezwi zose ngazwithamwe kusimisa gubungano. 27 Ha bamwe belebeleka nge ndimi dzipoga, ngababe babili koga kene batatu, ngono basipinde ipapo. Balebeleke ngotobedzana; ngono mmwe upoga ngaatjenese tjinolebgwa. 28 Koga ha kusina ungatjenesa, mmwe ne mmwe wabo ngaanyalale mu gubungano, ngono azwilebese iye koga, kakale alebese ne Ndzimu. 29 Balebesambeli babili kene batatu ngabalebeleke, ngono bamwe ngababone bashakisise ngekwe mahwi alebgwa. 30 Koga ha Ndzimu ungazumbunulila tjimwe mmwe ugele pasi, ihwouje unolebeleka ngaanyalale. 31 Ngobe imwi mose mungasumikila dama le bulebesambeli, nng'ompela ne nng'ompela, kuti mmwe ne mmwe azwidiye, kakale mukulumbidzike. 32 Meya ye balebesambeli inolaugwa ne balebesambeli, 33 ngobe Ndzimu ate uli Ndzimu we phiphiti, koga ngewe mbakiso.

Oku ndiko sekwa kunoshingikala mu makubungano e bayengemali, 34 bakadzi bakafanila nyalala mu makubungano. Ngobe abatodumigwa kulebeleka, koga ngabasitungamile mu zwithu zose, se kunoleba nlayo. 35 Ha beshaka kubhuzwa ngekwe tjimwe, ngababhuzwe balume babo kanyi. Ngobe kobhatisa shoni kuti nkadzi alebeleke mu gubungano.

36 Ini! Dama le Ndzimu lakatangisa ndimwi kene? Kene ndimwi moga balakaswika ku bali? 37 Ha mmwe ekumbula kuti nlebesambeli, kene ana tjipo tje tjimeya, wakafanilo amutjila kuti tjandinomukwalila i ndayo ya She. 38 Koga ha eshayila hanya ikoku na iye unowoshayigwa hanya.

Tips to avoid stress during exams

39 Ndizo wali, zwikamu zwangu, muzwimisile kusumikila dama le bulebesambeli koga musidzibise bathu kulebeleka nge ndimi dzipoga. 40 Koga tjimwe ne tjimwe tjakafanilo thamiwa zubuyanana nge ndongoloso.

Speaking Unknown Languages and Prophesying

1 Love should be your guide. Be eager to have the gifts that come from the Holy Spirit, especially the gift of prophecy. 2 If you speak languages that others don't know, God will understand what you are saying, though no one else will know what you mean. You will be talking about mysteries that only the Spirit understands. 3 But when you prophesy, you will be understood, and others will be helped. They will be encouraged and made to feel better.

4 By speaking languages that others don't know, you help only yourself. But by prophesying you help everyone in the church. 5 I am glad for you to speak unknown languages, although I prefer that you would prophesy. In fact, prophesying does much more good than speaking unknown languages, unless someone can help the church by explaining what you mean.

6 My friends, what good would it do, if I came and spoke unknown languages to you and didn't explain what I meant? How would I help you, unless I told you what God had shown me or gave you some knowledge or prophecy or teaching? 7 If all musical instruments sounded alike, how would you know the difference between a flute and a harp? 8 If a bugle call isn't clear, how would you know to get ready for battle?

9 This is how it is when you speak unknown languages. If no one can understand what you are talking about, you will only be talking to the wind. 10 There are many different languages in this world, and all of them make sense. 11 But if I don't understand the language that someone is using, we will be like foreigners to each other. 12 If you really want spiritual gifts, choose the ones that will be most helpful to the church.

13 When we speak languages that others don't know, we should pray for the power to explain what we mean. 14 For example, if I use an unknown language in my prayers, my spirit prays but my mind is useless. 15 Then what should I do? There are times when I should pray with my spirit, and times when I should pray with my mind. Sometimes I should sing with my spirit, and at other times I should sing with my mind.

16 Suppose some strangers are in your worship service, when you are praising God with your spirit. If they don't understand you, how will they know to say, “Amen”? 17 You may be worshiping God in a wonderful way, but no one else will be helped. 18 I thank God that I speak unknown languages more than any of you. 19 But words that make sense can help the church. This is why in church I would rather speak five words that make sense than to speak 10,000 words in a language that others don't know.

20 My friends, stop thinking like children. Think like mature people and be as innocent as tiny babies. 21 In the Scriptures the Lord says,

“I will use strangers

who speak unknown languages

to talk to my people.

They will speak to them

in foreign languages,

but still my people

won't listen to me.”

22 Languages others don't know may mean something to unbelievers, but not to the Lord's followers. Prophecy, on the other hand, is for followers, not for unbelievers. 23 Suppose everyone in your worship service started speaking unknown languages, and some outsiders or some unbelievers come in. Won't they think you are crazy? 24 But suppose all of you are prophesying when those unbelievers and outsiders come in. They will realize that they are sinners, and they will want to change their ways because of what you are saying. 25 They will tell what is hidden in their hearts. Then they will kneel down and say to God, “We are certain that you are with these people.”

Worship Must Be Orderly

26 My friends, when you meet to worship, you must do everything for the good of everyone there. That's how it should be when someone sings or teaches or tells what God has said or speaks an unknown language or explains what the language means. 27 No more than two or three of you should speak unknown languages during the meeting. You must take turns, and someone should always be there to explain what you mean. 28 If no one can explain, you must keep silent in church and speak only to yourself and to God.

29 Two or three persons may prophesy, and everyone else must listen carefully. 30 If someone sitting there receives a message from God, the speaker must stop and let the other person speak. 31 Let only one person speak at a time, then all of you will learn something and be encouraged. 32 A prophet should be willing to stop and let someone else speak. 33 God wants everything to be done peacefully and in order.

When God's people meet in church, 34 the women must not be allowed to speak. They must keep quiet and listen, as the Law of Moses teaches. 35 If there is something they want to know, they can ask their husbands when they get home. It is disgraceful for women to speak in church.

36 God's message did not start with you people, and you are not the only ones it has reached.

37 If you think of yourself as a prophet or a spiritual person, you will know I am writing only what the Lord has commanded. 38 So don't pay attention to anyone who ignores what I am writing. 39 My friends, be eager to prophesy and don't stop anyone from speaking languages that others don't know. 40 But do everything properly and in order.