Dan Fuphe

Christians often find themselves baffled by strange things that happen around them because they do not understand that they are merely pawns in a wellorchestrated plan of God, Pastor Solomon Msiza said yesterday.

Preaching during a service at the Oasis of Life Family Church in Daveyton, Msiza based his sermon on St John Chapter 11- The Death of Lazarus and the story of Joseph the "dreamer".

He said sometimes before receiving God's heavenly blessings it was necessary for Christians to deal decisively with their past.

"At times for God to be able to bless us, it is necessary for us to kiss some people in the past goodbye. God's glory plan is for people who can stand the test of time," he said.

Msiza said: "When Joseph related his dream to his brothers, in which he saw the stars and moon bowing before him, he did not know he was telling his enemies, who eventually would sell him as a slave.

"But this was a plan conceived by God for Joseph to become someone important. God did not want to promote Joseph to greatness by just placing him on top of a mountain, but by putting him at the bottom of the valley."

Msiza also reminded those present that, like Joseph, when Christians are about to attain God's glory they, too, will be surrounded by temptations.

Joseph was nearly sexually seduced by the king's wife, according to Scripture.

"As in the case of Joseph, when God is about to touch you, He will change your outlook and things around you will start to glow and shine," Msiza said.

"Even the tone of your voice will change."