Ravi Zacharias - Top and Most Powerful Quotes

Ravi Zacharias (26 March 1946 – 19 May 2020) was an Indian-born Canadian-American Christian apologist. Zacharias was the author of more than 30 books revolving around Christianity, including the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association's Gold Medallion Book Award winner Can Man Live Without God? in the category "theology and doctrine" and Christian bestsellers Light in the Shadow of Jihad and The Grand Weaver. Zacharias was the founder and chairman of the board of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) and host of the radio programs Let My People Think and Just Thinking.

Here are top and most powerful quotes about success, faith, unity, believe, relationship, athesim.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I believe in God, Prayer to God as Well, I read BIBLE everyday - Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh - India

Yeduguri Sandinti Jagan Mohan Reddy, is an Indian politician and Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh-elect from May 2019. Reddy is the founder and leader of YSR Congress Party, and was Leader of opposition in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly since 16 May 2014 until May 2019.

Reddy is an adherent of Christianity much like his father (Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy) and his grandfather (Y. S. Raja Reddy) and is a communicant member of the Church of South India (Diocese of Rayalaseema) and attends the CSI-Town Church, Pulivendula. He has a younger sister, Y. S. Sharmila, who is also a politician

Few years back, Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy spoke in NDTV during election campaign. He quote, "I believe in God, Prayer to God as Well, I read BIBLE everyday, I strongly believe the vengeance is not mine and I'm forgiving and I have forgiven" it become talk of the town between believers.

Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy is youngest Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh next to N. Chandrababu Naidu

Nick Willis (Nicholas Ian Willis) New Zealand Olympic medalist - Relationship With 'GOD' Testimony

Nick Willis Relationship With 'GOD'

• Living in Michigan, United States.

• Is a Christian.

• New Zealand record holder in the 1500m, at 3m 29.66s.

• Won gold medal at the 2004 Commonwealth Games in the 1500m.

• Won an Olympics silver medal in the 1500m at Beijing.

• Won bronze medals in the 1500m at the 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth Games.

• Won bronze medal in the 1500m at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

• Is a staunch advocate for strong bans for drug cheats

           At the age of 4, I lost my mother to Cancer. I was left confused, angry and with a drive to go on with life on my own. The only person I thought I could count on was myself. For 20 years I tried everything that I thought would bring me happiness and pleasure. Successes in running brought me many great opportunities, but my self-focussed goals resulted in many hurtful decisions and actions. Something much greater was missing from my life. 

All I had achieved was nothing compared to missing my mother, blaming God (if he even existed), for her unfair death.In depression, I felt like I had no where else to go. I needed guidance and a direction with real purpose.

 

Something started tapping on my heart, telling me that my Mom was watching my life from Heaven. I tried to fight it off with more alcohol, and late nights, but the knocking on my heart became louder and louder. This became impossible to deny. I knew God was chasing me, and had been for many years. I decided to finally stop running from Him.

So in October 2003, I asked Jesus to forgive me for my anger and disobedience towards God, and for all the people I had hurt along the way.

He came into my heart and swept me clean. All the anger and bitterness towards my mother's death became healed, and I was ready to re-start my life fresh. 

My life has changed forever, and I will never feel empty or unfulfilled again so long as I don't put God on "call waiting". God is real, and he walks along side me every day. He convicts me when I stray, and loves me when i'm lonely. But greatest of all, he has given me his promise that I will enter his Heavenly kingdom (and celebrate with my Mother and family), when my time here on earth is finished.





Nothing I have done during my life has allowed me to deserve this. My selfish existence is proof that God can and wants to forgive everyone. We just have to ask. 




Jesus is the only man to have lived the perfect life. He never wronged anyone, and yet He was beaten and humiliated for crimes he was innocent. After remaining silent through all this punishment, He was hung and killed on a cross - a punishment reserved for the worst of criminals. 3 days later, Jesus rose from the dead, proving that He was the Son of God, and that He had fulfilled all profecies about a savior who would pay the price for all people's wrongs. He opened the gates to Heaven.








Jesus is not about religion. He is a living God who wants to be a part of our lives. He knows we are messed up, and struggle with different temptations. He wants to help free us, so we can enjoy life to the full, not live a boring life following strict rules and regulations.

Jesus offers his life to us as a free gift. It is up to us whether we choose to unwrap the gift waiting. I pray that you will open and see what you find inside.

"Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends"

- Revelation

Facebook What Story Is Your Face Telling

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He catches the wise in their own craftiness 1Corinthians 3:19 (NKJV)

We're told not to judge a book by its cover, but you can sure tell a lot by the look upon a persons face.  It can be just about any emotion, including, sadness, anger, worry, fear, anxiety, doubt, happiness or joy.  The face is usually an indicator of what is going on within their heart, and it is how we usually view and determine a persons countenance.  Many a poker player has won or lost their stack of chips by allowing their facial countenance to show through, thereby allowing others to read what they possess in the way of cards.

The same thing holds true for us as Christian men and women - we too, can be read like a poker player, showing what we really possess, despite what we claim to have.  Truth be told, we can only shine if God's light is within us.  

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2Corinthians 4:6 (NKJV)

When I think of this truth, I can't help but think about one particular story contained within the Bible.   In the Book of Acts, we read about Stephen - a Christian believer who became the first person martyred for the Christian faith.  Luke gives us valuable information about Stephens character, and Christian walk, when he describes Stephen as being full of the Spirit and wisdom in Acts 6:3; as being full of faith and the Holy Spirit in verse 5, and he is finally described as, full of God's grace and power, in verse 8.

Stephen had been speaking boldly about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and he was doing Great signs and wonders. His actions were becoming offensive to the pharisaical scribes, and elders, so they seized him, made false accusations and brought him to the council to be interrogated and judged.   But Stephen was not troubled, and his countenance gave testimony to this fact.  As they all looked upon Stephen, this is what they saw.

And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel. Acts 6:15 (NKJV)

When asked as to whether the accusations were true, Stephen sidestepped the answer and instead seized the opportunity to began to give those in attendance an accurate history lesson, detailing how the Jewish people had a track pattern of being prideful and stiff-necked - unwilling to submit to God's anointed.  Soon these proud could no longer stand the truth and began to show their true heart.  We see in Acts 7:54 how this affected them. 

When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. Acts 7:54 (NKJV)

We see a valuable truth in this story - one continuing to this very day.  There will be two types of men who will hear the Gospel message - those who receive it, and those who rebuke it.  

One will be full of himself - looking to follow his own personal desires and who makes God in the image of man.  This one will not be able to stand the truth when it opposes his choices, and the result will be he will become antagonistic and aggressive in defending his position.  Perhaps, he will respond just as these men did - by gnashing his teeth in disgust. 

The other type of person will be like Stephen - he will welcome this life-giving message, and he will receive it gladly into his heart.  The result will be life changing.  His countenance will be transformed as his heart is regenerated, and he will shine brightly before all who see him.  His face will be like an angel. 

Living life does not have to be a gamble - it can be lived wisely and with security for those who seek the Lords wisdom (See James 1:5). 

Q:    What does this mean to us today?

A:    It means we can determine the hand we are holding in life.  We can know with certainty we will be holding a winning hand.  We can either be gnashing our teeth with a restless spirit, or we can have the peace of God and the appearance of an angel.  In the short term, it will affect our attitude and our faith when we are confronted with tests and trials.  In the long term, it will affect where we spend eternity. 

STUDY QUESTION: What did the face of Stephen reveal about his character as recorded in Acts 6:15?  What did the face of those who came against Stephen reveal about their character and spirit as recorded in Acts 7:54?

PERSONAL INVENTORY: If your life was the book, and your face the cover, what would the countenance of your face reflect; the face of an angel, or one of gnashing teeth?

APPLICATION: Seek the peace of God continually.  Think upon the things of God, and the Word of God.  Let Gods light shine through you onto others.  

The biggest trap - God looks at our hearts

It is true that "The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

But what i PERSONALLY feel is... "If you truly love God, you will not follow this secular world or the styles of Hollywood, Bollywood, Kollywood or any other secular stars and celebrities".

If it is true that God only looks at your heart? He very well know whom you are following and why you are following. He knows why we wear certain dress and by doing certain things what we are actually trying to do. He knows every motives in us which are hidden deep inside our heart. A man may not read it.... BUT GOD READS ONLY THAT.

Word of God also say's; "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own".

If the above verse is true, what does it say about??? About our bodies or only the soul??? Shall we do anything to this body??? Shall we show anything and everything we want to??? Whom do we try to attract with this body???

Dear people. DO NOT follow this world and the practices of this world. Styles in Hollywood, Bollywood, Kollywood are not said for God's people. It is for a different purpose and it has got nothing to do with THE CHURCH. A so called secular actor, actress, star or celebrity does so many things in His/Her body so that He/She can attract so many people to His/Her side. So that His/Her market value will increase and He/She can make a good business/money out of the same.

YES! I am talking about the same... 

1. Low Hip jeans and pants. 

2. Under Garments shows. 

3. Tattooing at different parts of the body. 

4. Piercing lips, belly buttons, tongue and other unwanted areas. 

5. Wearing dress which can expose body parts to show your beauty or to attract others etc are some....

There are many other things which THE CHURCH is following these days. Remember we THE BODY OF CHRIST is not called for the same. We are not called to follow them. Let us always remember the facts that "We are His temple and He lives in us". And also let us not forget the fact that "He looks at our hearts and He knows why we do it".

We can hide anything from the people but can never from God. We can do any worldly thing and still justify saying "God knows my heart".

Yes you are right, HE KNOWS YOUR HEART and that is the biggest trap. You cannot escape from HIM.

The True Gift of Christmas

 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)    
    Soon it will be Christmas morning and there will be something special that is stirring in the air. Families will gather, and children will be eagerly awaiting the opening of presents. Many people look forward to this one day more than any other, and each one for their own reasons. For some, it represents the happiness of their youth; back to a time when there were no cares or worries. For others, it is a chance to carry on and to give to their children and continue that tradition of generations passed. And, still for others, it can be a time of stress, anxiety, and worry, because there doesnt seem to be enough to share with others.
    
    I find as I get older, the hope of receiving Christmas gifts has long since been replaced with a heart to share a gift with others, and the true spirit of this special day continues to grow within me.
    
    In a way, I think that God feels this way too. You see, long before the world was even formed, He had everything planned perfectly. This included the preparing of a perfect gift that He was to give to us. And that gift was His son, Jesus. And although many people have refused to accept this gift, they will one day bow down and worship and acknowledge this mighty gift that was prepared before the foundation of the world. (See Rev 13:8)
    
    Weve picked this day in December to acknowledge the birth of a Savior, who was born in a stable, clothed with rags, and was laid in a feeding trough for animals. It doesnt sound like the proper setting for a king, much less the God of the universe. But such was the origin of the sacrificial life that Jesus was to live in Human form. And such was the love of the Father to offer the most sacrificial thing He possibly could have given; the life of His Son on that cross of Calvary for the sin of the world. 
    
    What strikes me deep within my heart is that He gave the sacrificial gift to us. Why did He do this for us? Its not because we deserved it, because the fact is, that we didnt. We were His enemies, because we were yet sinners.
    
    But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NKJV)
    
    Christmas is a happy time, and it should be, but it isnt about the gifts that are under our trees, or even the lack of gifts. We shouldnt put so much value into these things because they are temporal, and they will all burn up one day anyways. All that will be left of that, which was given, is the love that we share with those who God has placed in our lives. And that means everyone! 
    
    And we cannot say that we love God, or that we love our neighbor, if we are not willing to offer them that same gift that was offered to us. And that is the Gift of Eternal Life. Its Gods gift to give, and it is ours to share with others. And it is for anyone who will receive it unto themselves. And like all the gifts under the tree, it will be of no value unless the person, to whom it was offered to, is willing to receive it.
    
     I pray a blessing of Gods Holy Spirit upon anyone who reads this writing, and is willing to allow God to use him or her. Lord, give each person who says, yes. to being used by You, a power and love that surpasses any fear, lack of ability, or doubt. Give them boldness to share Your gift with others about salvation and a relationship with You, Your Son, and the Holy Spirit. In Jesus name.
    
    Hey Christian, lets celebrate the gift of life with each other. The gift of eternal life, because this is the life that we are to be focusing on, not this temporal one here on earth. Lets share the gift of having a relationship with the God who made you. Now thats something that is worth celebrating&And the best part of all, especially in economic challenging times, is that it is 100% free.
    
    Here is how to receive the Gift. It is contained within the Word of God, and it is everything that you need to know to be saved. 
    
     For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)
    
    Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12 (NIV)
    
    That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Romans 10:9-10 (NIV)
    
    For it is by grace you have been saved, through faithand this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
    
    STUDY QUESTION: What must we do to be saved according to Romans 10:9-10, and Acts 4:12? How have we been saved according to Ephesians 2:8-9, and why is it not from our works? Why did God give His only Son to die for us according to John 3:16?
    
    PERSONAL INVENTORY: Have you accepted the free gift of Salvation? Are you willing to accept Gods written Word that Salvation is by Grace (Unmerited favor), and that it is simply by faith, according to Ephesians 2:9?
    
    APPLICATION: If you havent accepted this free gift as of yet, I would encourage you and invite you to receive it today. If you have, then share it with others.

Happy Birthday Jesus! What's it all about?

And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:  "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. Luke 2:8-17 (NKJV)

I titled today's devotional, "Happy Birthday Jesus," but below the title I proposed a question that could just as well have been the title of the message.

Q:    What's It All About?

I say that sincerely because Christmas means different things to different people.  

Today, more than 160 countries celebrate Christmas.  Some will choose to follow the Julian calendar and celebrate on the 25th of December, while others use the Gregorian calendar and choose the 6th of January.  Most countries identify it as Christmas, while a few countries refer to it as "Family day."

Millions upon millions will send out Christmas cards - a tradition that started in Britain back in 1840 - back when the first penny postal deliveries had just begun.  Back then, the cards would traditionally show religious pictures of Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus wrapped in His swaddling cloth - today they mostly are filled with jokes, pictures of Santa Claus, or some blissful scene representing a time gone past.

Some will choose to celebrate the true meaning of the birth of Jesus because they know who He is, and this day is taken as a chance to celebrate His birth - to say thank you to God for allowing the Savior to come to us.  

The Prophet Micah gave prophecy of Jesus 500-years before His birth:

 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting." Micah 5:2 (NKJV)

And the Prophet Isaiah gave prophecy of Him as well over 700-years prior to His birth:

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever.  The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9:6-7 (NKJV)

And while many will celebrate the Birth of Christ this Christmas, there are many others who will not even consider the true meaning of Christmas.  They will not attend Christmas services or give any thought to the significance of what this Holiday represents.  To many of these people, it merely represents a time to race to the shopping malls to spend money on presents.  If someone were visiting from a pagan culture, they would simply view us and conclude that this was our festival to the "gods" of money and shopping.  

Here in America, there seems to be a controversy brewing between those who want nothing to do with God, and those that do, and this controversy has to do with how we should address this day.  Those who want to rid the world of God would rather combine the greeting of Christmas with New Years Day and say, would say, "Happy Holidays." While those who believe in God take offense at this, and would stand firm on "Merry Christmas."  The enemy must be having a field day at all the chaos that he is causing.

I personally like, "Merry Christmas," because it is a "Merry" or "Happy" day to me.  But might I throw in another suggestion?  As you prepare to entertain family, and friends - before the rustling of presents starts, or the breaking of bread - take time to stop and reflect of the best present you have ever been given - and share with those who are in company with you these words, "Happy Birthday Jesus."

Father, Thank You for sending Your Son to us as a gift and a sacrifice.  Thank You for allowing Him to be a way for us to be reconciled unto You.  Thank You for allowing Him to be our Savior.  He is my Lord, and I love Him.  In Jesus precious name, amen...

I want to say, "Merry Christmas" to you and your family today, and I would like you to join me in saying, "Happy Birthday Jesus."

Nelson Mandela and his faith

One of Nelson Mandela's famous quotes was also an expression of a deeply Christian idea - "until I changed myself, I could not change others". That expression of being born again, the need for internal revival before one can lead others to their own change, was just one of many expressions of faith Nelson Mandela shared throughout his life.

Although it is almost universally agreed that he was a Christian, his exact denominational allegiances remain a source of discussion. While some have suggested that he was a Jehovah's Witness, as his first wife, his sister, and many relatives around him identified as such, most believe he was a Methodist. He attended a Methodist church school growing up, and was baptised in a small Methodist stone church in the Eastern Cape village of Qunu.

In his autobiography, "The Long Walk to Freedom" he talked of his early experiences with Christianity, praising its engagements with the society around him: "The Church was as concerned with this world as the next: I saw that virtually all of the achievements of Africans seemed to have come about through the missionary work of the Church."

Consequently, while attending the University of Fort Hare, an elite black university in Alice, Eastern Cape, Mandela became a member of the Students Christian Association and taught Bible classes on Sundays in nearby villages.

Among other factors, it was Mandela's Christianity that steered him away from Communism and the class struggle that was spreading into South Africa in the 1940s. Despite befriending Gaur Redebe and Nat Bregman, prominent Xhosa and Jewish South African communists, he could not reconcile communism's atheistic attitudes with his Christian faith. Also, he felt that the idea of class struggle was misleading, and that South Africa's problems were primarily racial in origin. Although he was impressed that the local communist party saw Europeans, Africans, Indians, and those of mixed heritage all mixing equally, he clearly believed there was another way to go.

It is likely that Mandela's Christian faith influenced his strategy during the more militant portion of his protest against the government, when he co-founded the armed resistance group Umkhonto we Sizwe, or "Spear of the Nation" in English. The targets Mandela chose, and the way in which the group timed its attacks, was a clear message that he intended to target the government, not the civilians it claimed to serve.

Rather than bombing densely populated areas, Mandela instead chose to organise acts of sabotage, the first target being an electricity substation. Later attacks would focus on things like the burning of crops, destruction of government offices, damaging government owned factory machines, and blowing up telephone lines. All of this was done at night, so as to avoid civilian casualties. Although Mandela considered that terrorism might be necessary, he did not want to resort to it until other routes had failed.

During his imprisonment on Robben Island, he continued to attend Sunday services, but also took classes on Islam, in what he called "the University of Robben Island". Prisoners would lecture on their subjects of expertise, and Mandela frequently listened to what other students had to say about communism, Islam, and many other subjects. This led to many impassioned debates, but ultimately they equipped him with a greater level of understanding. He also learned to speak Afrikaans in the hope that he could reach out to the guards and convert them to his cause.

At the moment of his release, Mandela once again remembered the importance of internal renewal ahead of external change. "As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison."

Upon his liberation, Mandela took opportunities to speak at substantial Christian events. Two of these were the Zionist Christian Church's Easter Conferences, once in 1992 and again in 1994. In the latter of these conferences he shared the following:

"The Good News borne by our risen Messiah who chose not one race, who chose not one country, who chose not one language, who chose not one tribe, who chose all of humankind!

"Each Easter marks the rebirth of our faith. It marks the victory of our risen Saviour over the torture of the cross and the grave.

"Our Messiah, who came to us in the form of a mortal man, but who by his suffering and crucifixion attained immortality.

"Our Messiah, born like an outcast in a stable, and executed like criminal on the cross.

"Our Messiah, whose life bears testimony to the truth that there is no shame in poverty: Those who should be ashamed are they who impoverish others.

"Whose life testifies to the truth that there is no shame in being persecuted: Those who should be ashamed are they who persecute others.

"Whose life proclaims the truth that there is no shame in being conquered: Those who should be ashamed are they who conquer others.

"Whose life testifies to the truth that there is no shame in being dispossessed: Those who should be ashamed are they who dispossess others.

"Whose life testifies to the truth that there is no shame in being oppressed: Those who should be ashamed are they who oppress others."

Although he clearly was a passionate believer, religion was not something he spoke about publically on many occasions. Given the situation, he was aware that speaking too zealously and too regularly about his religious beliefs could cause partisan division at a time when unity in South Africa was so important.

In his 1994 autobiography, "Long Walk to Freedom", he said: "No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite."

He may not have put his faith into so many words, but this mattered little as it was his often simple and humble gestures that so powerfully and clearly conveyed what it was he believed. The words of Francis of Assisi come to mind: "Preach the Gospel and if necessary, use words."

(AP/Ross Setford)

South African rugby captain Francois Pienaar, right, receives the Rugby World Cup trophy from President Nelson Mandela, left, who wears a South African rugby shirt, after South Africa defeated New Zealand in Johannesburg, in this June 1995 photo.

An unforgettable witness to his message of reconciliation came in 1995, when Mandela rallied both blacks and whites to support the Springbok rugby team in the Rugby World Cup. The team had been such a strong symbol of white authority during the apartheid years and it was loathed by black South Africans, who would lend their support to the opposing team.

When the Springboks reached the finals against New Zealand, it was a heart stopping moment when Mandela walked onto the pitch wearing the green Springbok rugby shirt and cap, and shook the hands of the mostly white team.

In the end, it was a stunning victory for South Africa in more ways than winning the Cup. Barriers spanning decades were melted in an instant when black South Africans watching the game on TV heard the largely white crowd in the stadium shout "Nelson", "Nelson".

Not surprisingly, one of the most iconic images in South African and sporting history is that of Mandela presenting Springbok captain Francois Pienaar with the Cup.

Pienaar later recalled their exchange of words in that moment as follows: "He said to me 'Thank you for what you have done for South Africa. I said to him, 'No, Madiba, you've got it wrong. Thank you for what you've done for South Africa.' And I felt like hugging him."

It's clear from these very "human" moments he shared with others, that for Mandela, faith was very much a "doing word", with respect and a desire to always bridge the gap to the other at its heart.

On 10 May 1994, Mandela ended his inaugural presidential speech in Pretoria with "God bless Africa!".

While the words "God bless" are so often carelessly thrown around, it's different when they come from a man as deliberate with his words as Mandela, who had a genuine faith and was so careful to live out everything that he spoke.

As the people of South Africa learn to live without their beloved Madiba in their midst, may God indeed answer that call.

Speech by Nelson Mandela at the Zionist Christian Church Easter Conference

Speech by Nelson Mandela at the Zionist Christian Church Easter Conference

20 April 1992, Moria

Reading from the "Lamentations of Jeremiah", Chapter 5

Remember, O Lord, what is come upon us:
consider, and behold our reproach,
Our land is turned over to strangers, our homes to foreigners,
We are orphans and fatherless, our Mothers are as widows,
We have to pay for our water; and our wood is sold unto us,
Our necks are under the yoke of oppression, we labour, and we have no rest."

Khotsong Masione! Peace unto you! Uxolo Mazayoni !

Your Grace Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane, head of the great Zionist Christian Church;
Reverend Gentlemen, Members of the ministers` council and Elders of the ZCC;
President F W de Klerk;
Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi;
Congregants, Fellow worshippers and friends;

Permit me, Your Grace, to thank you for your kind invitation to attend your Easter Conference here at the holy city of Moria. Moria, a tabernacle erected by the Zionist Christian Church as a site of annual pilgrimage and renewal! I am honoured that you have invited me on this occasion to pay my respects to the leadership and the members of this mighty church on the sub-continent. Since my release from prison, I have attempted to find a time suitable to both myself and His Grace, Bishop Lekganyane, so that we could confer about our common aspirations and the challenges facing our nation in these trying times.

My coming here today is a long-awaited moment. I come to the Holy City of Moria as a pilgrim, with other pilgrims, senior members of the African National Congress as a mark of respect and as an act of communion.

I present Cyril Ramaphosa, Secretary-General of the ANC; Thomas Nkobi, our Treasurer- General; Joe Nhlanhla, a member of the National Executive Committee of the ANC, and others.

We bring to your gathering heartfelt greetings from the entire membership of the ANC. Khotso e be le lena! May Peace be With You!

We have joined you this Easter in an act of solidarity, and in an act of worship. We have come, like all the other pilgrims, to join in an act of renewal and rededication. The festival of Easter, which is so closely linked with the festival of the Passover, marks the rebirth of the resurrected Messiah,

who without arms,
without soldiers,
without police and covert special forces,
without hit squads or bands of vigilantes,
overcame the mightiest state during his time.

This great festival of rejoicing marks the victory of the forces of life over death of hope over despair.

As we bow our heads in prayerful worship this day, our minds cannot but dwell on the evil of violence that today stalks our land. We cannot but call to mind the cries of mothers violated, brutalised and outraged by armed foreign mercenaries and killers in our midst.

As we lower our heads in supplication to the Lord of Hosts, the blood-curdling battle cries of armed men, sweeping through a township like a swarm of locusts in a maize field, ring in our ears, and we know that in some home, this night shall be night for mourning.

We pray with you for the blessings of peace! We pray with you for the blessings of love! We pray with you for the blessings of freedom! We pray with you for the blessings of reconciliation among all the people of South Africa!

Khotso e be le lena! May peace be with you!

When Bishop Engenas Lekganyane founded this church in 1910, that occasion represented an important act of the oppressed to resist the theology of submission. It was an act of self-assertion on the part of a people who were expected to remain unheard and unseen while they ministered t the needs of others.

In its own way, the Zionist Christian Church was expressing what we of the ANC, two years later, tried to assert and have fought to entrench, as the basis of the politics of our country. That principle so eloquently simple but yet so profound, has moved thousands through the ages to strive for a better world. We restate it today for emphasis: - The brother and sisterhood of all human beings, and the common fatherhood of God Almighty!

It is that simple truth we have inscribed in our political programme, the Freedom Charter, that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black and white!

It because of our devotion to, our fervent belief in, and our tenacious refusal to give up that principle, that many of us have suffered persecution.

It is because we stood firm that we have been compelled to go into exile.

It is because we would not bend in the face of state intimidation that we have been condemned to banishment; to torture; to imprisonment; and even to the gallows.

Yes! We affirm it and we shall proclaim it from the mountaintops, that all people - be they black or white, be they brown or yellow, be they rich or poor, be they wise or fools, are created in the image of the Creator and are his children! Those who dare to cast out from the human family people of a darker hue with their racism !

Those who exclude from the sight of God`s grace, people who profess another faith with their religious intolerance!

Those who wish to keep their fellow countrymen away from God`s bounty with forced removals!

Those who have driven away from the altar of God people whom He has chosen to make different, commit an ugly sin! The sin called APARTHEID.

We of the African National Congress: its leadership and its membership, shall sooner break the laws and defy the fanciful wishes of mortal men when we know that in so doing We are being obedient to God. And in obedience to God we declare that all South Africans - be they Christians, Muslims, Jews Hindus, Buddhists - have an equal and untrammelled right to worship God as they see fit. No government should have the right to prescribe religious observance for the citizens of this country.

The ZCC is part of that rich tapestry of experience, culture and life style that make up all our people today. Both as a church and as individual members, you have lent your efforts to bring justice to our land. We applaud in particular your role in the trade union movement in pursuance of workers` rights. The struggles of our people for land and against apartheid-inspired land robbery - the forced removals - would be poorer were it not for the contribution of congregants of this church. We acclaim also the role played by ZCC businesspeople, Who in the teeth of the discriminatory policies of the Pretoria government ran successful enterprises providing jobs and trade in far-flung villages.

The bond between you and the ANC is even clearer, when we consider that many members of our organisation belong to the Zionist Christian Church. Among them, Peter Mokaba and Ngoako Ramatlhodi who are with us today, grew up and have become what they are in the struggle in great measure inspired by your teachings. Many others have fallen in struggle. Many have been subjected to terms in jail. But their spirit remains with the people.

Khotsong Masione! Peace be with you!

This great institution, the ZCC, owes much to the person of Bishop Edward Lekganyane whose tireless efforts have made it the largest church on the southern African sub-continent. We also salute you, Your Grace, for further strengthening the church and maintaining its commitment to the oppressed and the poor.

Those who are denied their just claims to the land of their birth, come to you for solace!

Those condemned to the low wages and denied their rights as the creators of wealth, look to you for spiritual leadership.

Those cast out into the darkness and bitter loneliness of poverty and depravation, lean on you for sustenance.

Those whose homes and families have been destroyed so that the ugly designs of racial oppression maybe realised, have come to you for comfort.

Those who are denied a voice in governing of their country because they are black, turn to you for inspiration.

You have engendered high standards of morality and discipline in an era characterised by racism, poverty and imposed powerlessness. It is because of these qualities, embodied in this mighty church, that year after year millions gather at Moria for this act of spiritual renewal.

On behalf of the African National Congress, we have come here in all humility to break bread and worship with you. To join you in this sacrament of spiritual rejuvenation.

Khotso e be le lena! May Peace be with You!

Since 1986 the ANC took it upon itself to search for a path to peace in our troubled land. From jail, from exile, from the underground hideouts inside South Africa, we extended a hand of peace to the South African government. For four long years, like Pharaoh of old, the South African government spurned it and refused to listen to the plea:

"Let my people go"

In spite of this. In spite of the continuing arrest, detention, torture, imprisonment, shooting, killing and execution of those who opposed apartheid, we would not give up. We continued to press forward. We kept up the pressure for peace, - through struggles, through sanctions, through boycotts - through every means we could muster until we have now reached a stage where we can all say there is a real possibility to solve our problems by negotiations.

The convening of CODESA was like the parting of the waters, opening the way to the promised land of freedom beyond. It was a great victory for the people of South Africa, Black and White. We hope that the waters will not return before we have crossed to the promised land of democracy.

Progress in these talks shall depend on the willingness of those in power to share it during the transition to democracy. We must move as speedily as possible to an elected Constituent Assembly which can draw up a new constitution which all South Africans can be proud of. Our brothers and sisters, deprived of South African citizenship because of apartheid, must have it restored forthwith!

These and many other principles can be agreed upon without further delay, provided there is willingness on the part of those who hold power to reach a speedy conclusion.

The role your church can play is more crucial in these difficult times. The violence that is wrecking our country; tearing our communities apart from places far and wide, is a scourge that must be ended now! On the Witwatersrand, in Natal, in the eastern Transvaal we have been driven from our homes.

In Cape Town, Grobbelarsdaal and other areas we have lost loved ones in senseless taxi wars. The murders, beatings, the shameful assaults on women and mayhem visited upon our people in Phola Park and other squatters camps fill our hearts with sorrow. On the trains, we lose lives everyday at the hands of merciless killers who attack with no motive and melt away, immune from arrest and prosecution. The Trust Feed incident, now before the courts, where the police murdered mothers and babies in their sleep, demonstrates the depravity country could descend.

This violence robs us all of our humanity. It is the main obstacle to a truly democratic South Africa. We appeal to you all, to pray and work for peace. The violence must be ended and those who fuel it must be brought to justice. We cannot afford to fail! For success Lue ask you all to remember us in your prayers.

Uxolo Mazayoni! Khotsong Masione! May Peace be with You!

Your Grace,

Reverend Gentlemen, Ministers and Elders of the Zionist Christian Church,

I wish to close on a note of hope. May this Easter bring with it the blessings of the our risen Messiah and may His love shine upon you all. May the Almighty grant Your Grace the wisdom to continue in your great work of spiritual guidance. You shall remain in our prayers as we shall be in yours.

Thank You.