mafico-biblical-institute

RIDE AND SELF-RESPECT ARE ESSENTIAL FOR BLACK UNITY AND DEVELOPMENT.

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 20:48:30 GMT

PRIDE AND SELF-RESPECT ARE ESSENTIAL FOR BLACK UNITY AND DEVELOPMENT.

Chinese identify as Chinese wherever they go or live, Mexicans as Mexicans, Indians as Indians, and whites as whites. Only Africans or blacks living in diaspora and neocolonialism seem to shun their own ethnicity. They adopt foreign cultural traditions with a view of merging with other races although these other races don’t think blacks are human enough. What a shame!! Why not refine our own black cultural heritage and charm the world with our civil lifestyle? You might ask, “What good can come out of Africa?” The principle of Ubuntu, for example, was and still is one of the noblest cultural traditions of in Africa. It is also the central theme in the Bible known as the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12). We can also cite the wisdom enshrined in the principle of Sankofa, i.e., drawing from the lessons of the past as we forge into the uncertain future (Deuteronomy 8:12) . For the Black Church, black unity and development should be pivotal to every sermon. Any other topic should be ancillary to black unity and development. United we will stand on our own black feet (Ezekiel 37:1-9). Themba Mafico

MY BIRTHDAY IS JANUARY 28. Please join in my celebrations.

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 17:31:30 GMT

Help our president and founder Themba Mafico celebrate his upcoming birthday on January 28!

Donate to Mafico Leadership Renewal Institute. My goal is to raise $6,000 to build a toilet facility and also improve the Fodzoku Community Medical Center in Ghana. Every little bit will help me reach my goal. Can you donate at least $1.00? - Rev. Dr. Themba Mafico

You can donate using this button

The Fodzoku Medical Center in Ghana needs a toilet and it also needs some renovation. Please donate to celebrate my birthday and the funds will bless our people in Ghana.

Mark Davis Testimonial

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 22:55:57 GMT

What can you expect when you take trip with the Mafico Institute? Heres Mark Davis with his testimonial on his trip to Ghana! We still have seats left for South Africa, register today!

How to Help Us Help Others

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:52:59 GMT

A message from Themba Mafico

How to Help Us Help others on Giving Tuesday

Check out our social media links above to find out more!

Thanksgiving Dinner 2024

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 04:46:50 GMT

Our end-of-the-year Thanksgiving dinner was a wonderful time of fellowship. We reminisced over trips we took together from 2011 up to 2024. Half of the group participated in at least one trip annually. The fellowship, the food, and the camaraderie were perfect. We intend to maintain this as an annual tradition.

Resisting Depression Webinar

rest@maficoinstitute.com (Themba Mafico ) — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 23:02:10 GMT

Join Us November 21st, 2024 for a webinar on Resisting Depression See Zoom Link Below!

FINDING REST IN EGYPT

rest@maficoinstitute.com (Themba Mafico ) — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 13:03:58 GMT

Mafico Leadership Renewal Institute

(MLRI)

Rest and Renewal #3

The Mafico Institute’s goal is to teach some and remind others about striking a balance between work and rest to remain rejuvenated to do ministry without stress and burnout. The best way to achieve complete rest is by going to the other side to rest awhile (Mark 6:31). The Mafico Leadership Renewal Institute (MLRI) pilgrimage for pastoral renewal have consistently proved effective for impacting participants with rest and spiritual renewal.

In 2019, twenty-seven pilgrims who participated in the MLRI pilgrimage in Egypt unanimously rated it as having “exceeded expectations.” The group bonded by attending several Zoom training sessions prior to the pilgrimage. That enabled the participants to experience the pilgrimage as a grand vacation enhanced by cruising on the Nile, visiting ancient Egyptian temples, seeing the towering pyramids and the Sphinx at Giza, marveling at the Valley of the Kings, walking through the Egyptian Museum, seeing the treasures of Tutankhamun, sailing to the Nubian village, and so much more. This spiritual experience was educational, inspirational, and awe inspiring. Our tour guide, Mr. Mohamed Abd Aziz, with expertise in Egyptology and Biblical Archaeology, read some Egyptian texts

written in hieroglyphics that related to the Old Testament. At the end of the pilgrimage, the cohort of pastors, lay members, and scholars returned feeling refreshed and determined to further the Africentric perspective of Egypt as

Kemet and its contribution to the Hebrew Bible, Christianity, and to world civilizations.

Life is wearisome. But doing ministry is even more draining because pastors pour their energies on helping others. Jesus felt weary after a hemorrhaging woman touched him. Ecclesiastes states it succinctly: “All things are wearisome, more than one can express” (Eccl 1:8a)” Therefore, one must regularly retreat from routine (ministry,

church, research, and teaching to enjoy life in its natural fullness.

Our pilgrimage to Ghana on May 18-27, 2023, was very successful. The hotels and itinerary the goals and

objectives of the MLRI, i.e. to enable participants to rest, rejuvenate, and achieve spiritual renewal. The five-star Labadi Beach Hotel enabled participants to balance sightseeing and complete rest, basking on the sands of the Atlantic Ocean. The participants reported feeling much better from aliments such as

diabetes and hypertensions. More pilgrimages are planned for 2024.

The Ghana Pilgrimage (May 16-25, 2024). Click here for the itinerary and Form for registration. Click Donate and designate your payment to the pilgrimage you wish to participate in.
The South Africa pilgrimage is on September 18-27, 2024. The beauty and enjoyment of this pilgrimage is identical to the Egypt and Ghana experiences. We will visit Cape Town and ride the gondolas to the top of Table Mountain, sail to Robben Island to visit the goal where Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in confinement. Then we fly to Johannesburg to tour Soweto, Mandela’s home, Apartheid Museum and much more. We will also visit the zoo to see the big 5 and the small ones. ·
Learning Hebrew the Easy Way. Detailed information is coming soon.

Themba Mafico, President and CEO

Mafico Leadership Renewal Institute

The Theology of Rest, Part 2

rest@maficoinstitute.com (Themba Mafico ) — Sat, 10 Sep 2022 17:46:15 GMT

by Themba Mafico

In 2019, Ghana, relaxing over a sumptuous meal by the Volta River

The Theology of Rest, Part 2

Resting as the Highest Worshiping of God

by Themba Mafico

Read: Genesis 2:1-3 and Exodus 31:15-17)

In the last meditation, we demonstrated that rest was and still is the most significant worship humans can offer God. This is evidenced by the fact even God rested to become refreshed (Exodus 31:17). Therefore, to live a godly life, humans must rest. Moreover, working without resting was sinful behavior punishable by death

in biblical times. In modern times, the execution continues because, by lack of rest, many people have succumbed to preventable fatal illnesses. That is why doctors often prescribe rest to cure many health challenges: colds, flu,

headaches, fatigue, stress, and burnout to strengthen the immune system. Thus, rest is the panacea for many adverse health conditions and the prevention of many opportunistic diseases that attack a tired body.

The Biblical Emphasis on Rest

Unlike the English language, where the emphasis is done by using intensive adverbs and adjectives, the biblical writers normally emphasized teachings by repeating keywords. In Genesis 2:1-3, the keywords are repeated to let the reader realize the importance of rest, which God had to undertake after the creation of the universe. The highlighted words are repeated for emphasis in Genesis 2:2-3:

"Thus, the heavens and the earth were finishe d , and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done , and he r ested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. So, God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it (seventh day) , because on it (seventh day) God rested from all the w ork that he had done in creation."

In just two verses, we realize the following repetitions: finished (2 times), rested (2 times), work (3 times), he had done (3 times), seventh day (5 times).

Based on this repetition of key words pertaining to rest, it is clear that the writer is making it self-evident to the reader to emulate God and rest on the seventh day. Unfortunately, Christians have made the seventh day, Sunday, a very busy day with church programs that begin at 9:00 a.m. and end late in the afternoon leaving people tired. For those who are forced to work several under paid jobs to pay bills, this type of insensitive worship becomes hard work that God forbids.

Summary

For those who can read this text in Hebrew, the emphasis on God’s resting on the seventh day becomes even

more intense. It leads the reader to realize that if God could rest in order to be refreshed (Exod. 32:17), human beings ought to rest as well. Thus, the Jews designated the seventh day as the sabbath day, a day of complete rest on which no work was to be done. How can the modern church, especially the Black Church, teach complete rest to its congregants? How can the church shorten church programs on Sunday (the seventh day) to allow people to rest and be refreshed on Monday as they resume working for a living?

Prayer

Oh Lord, our God, help us to understand the scriptures at a deeper level and forsake peripheral or fundamental reading of the Bible. Bequeath us a critical mind that delves deeper in search of what every text we read means and not only what it says. Amen

The Theology of Rest, Part 1

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 16:44:13 GMT

By Themba Mafico - 8/25/2022

Theology of Rest Part 1

by Themba Mafico - 8/25/2022

Rest is the greatest commandment that God gave to humankind as an invaluable benefit as they bear the relentless pressure of their brief sojourn on earth. The Bible shows that God rewarded humans with the gift of rest (Exod 3:14, 1 Kgs 8:56, Isa 28:12). But God did not regard rest as only necessary to humans, God also rested from the work that he had done. In Genesis 2:1-3 we read that God rested after seven days of creating the universe.

“Thus, the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. So, God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation. “

This text is significant in many ways. First, it shows how God in the creating the universe observed a healthy lifestyle by balancing work and rest. This assertion is reinforced by Exodus 31:17 where we read Moses urging the Israelites to rest on the 7 ^th day because God rested on the 7 ^th day to be refreshed. In the next blog, we will notice how this text emphasized rest so much that even the dunderhead might realize that God regards rest as the highest mode of worshiping God.

Summary

The main takeaway from the biblical teaching about rest is this. If God, the creator of the heavens and tcontinually.h all its host needed rest to be refreshed, who do human beings think they are to live a workaholic lifestyle continually? Moses taught the Israelites to rest as God did. Therefore, to be godlike, humans ought to rest. That explains why workaholics, people who ignored the sabbath day, were executed in biblical times. In modern times, execution is inflicted automatically by heart attack, burnout, and a myriad of debilitating conditions that could be avoid simply by balancing work and rest..

Prayer

God, our creator and exemplar, help us to be wise by emulating you. Because you made us a little lower than God, may we exhibit our divine nature rather than the human traits. Because you created us in the image of God, may we be godly and godlike by living a healthy lifestyle by balancing work and rest. Amen 

Healing Soul Wounds by Letting Go of the Past

Tue, 12 Mar 2019 17:03:00 GMT

By Dr. Lynderia Cheevers

Recently one morning during my quiet time I heard the Lord say, “watch your six!” Military members commonly describe direction using the hours of a clock. Whichever direction the vehicle, unit, or individual is moving is the 12 o’clock position, so the six o’clock position is to the rear. With that in mind several things immediately came to mind. I have shared one of those things in this article.

Watch your six! Effectively deal with past failures, hurts and disappointments or your past will negatively deal with you, your peace, happiness, joy, and fulfillment.

Here are some strategies for effectively letting go of negative things from the past:

1. Speak scriptural affirmations aloud into your hearing and atmosphere throughout the day.
2. Be gentle with yourself. Show yourself kindness and compassion.
3. Allow negative emotions to flow when they come up. It is ok to scream, holler, cry, shout, etc. Shutting out emotions short circuits the letting go/ healing process.
4. Accept that some offenders may never apologize.
5. Desire to be healed, whole, happy, and at peace more than you desire to be vindicated.
5. Engage in holistic self-care- spirit, soul, and body. This is not simply going to the spa. This involves intentionally engaging in activities which support your overall health and well-being.
6. Surround yourself with positive people.
7. Find your voice and talk/write/vlog about your feelings, thoughts, and desires. Tell your story.
8. Seek help for supernatural healing and deliverance, therapy and/or counseling.
9. Meditate on God’s word.
10. Move forward in the timing of God. Do not rush yourself or allow anyone to rush you. And do not get stuck and wallow in a sea of negative emotions.

Watch your six! Let go of things from the past that do not serve you well. Apostle Paul says it this way:

"I admit that I haven't yet acquired the absolute fullness that I'm pursuing, but I run with passion into his abundance so that I may reach the purpose for which Christ Jesus laid hold of me to make me his own. I do not depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead. I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus." Phil 3:12-14 TPT

Lynderia Cheevers

EdD, MDiv, ACC
DIRECTOR OF TRAINING
Dr. Cheevers is an Associate Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation. She specializes in executive, leadership and life coaching. Dr. Cheevers trains MLRI clients in balancing home with career, business, ministry in order to fully enjoy life.

mafico-biblical-institute

RIDE AND SELF-RESPECT ARE ESSENTIAL FOR BLACK UNITY AND DEVELOPMENT.

MY BIRTHDAY IS JANUARY 28. Please join in my celebrations.

Mark Davis Testimonial

How to Help Us Help Others

A message from Themba Mafico

﻿ How to Help Us Help others on Giving Tuesday

Check out our social media links above to find out more!

Thanksgiving Dinner 2024

Resisting Depression Webinar

Join Us November 21st, 2024 for a webinar on Resisting Depression See Zoom Link Below!

FINDING REST IN EGYPT

The Theology of Rest, Part 2

by Themba Mafico

﻿ In 2019, Ghana, relaxing over a sumptuous meal by the Volta River

The Theology of Rest, Part 1

By Themba Mafico - 8/25/2022

Healing Soul Wounds by Letting Go of the Past

Lynderia Cheevers

How to Help Us Help others on Giving Tuesday

In 2019, Ghana, relaxing over a sumptuous meal by the Volta River