Becoming a Man of Faith with Destiny: Lead Teenage Son to Manhood

By Dr. Anniekie Ravhudzulo

BECOMING A MAN OF FAITH WITH DESTINY

Becoming a man of Faith with Destiny has been written by a woman especially for men who want to make the most of their time with God. The chapters of the book focus on the presence of God in their lives, refresh, reassure, empower, enrich and encourage a deeper level of Christian Faith. God is near to all those who seek Him. Enjoy shelter, protection, peace, and joy as you Lead your Teenager Son to Manhood.

The heartbeat of this book is wrapped in changing your mindset, do battle, and start winning. You will learn how to use the Word of God, how to love your wife in a way that is meaningful to her and for singles, you will learn to be faithful to your wife before you meet her. You will stop giving ground to the enemy, believing the lies of the enemy, and become the man of Faith God is calling you to be. Begin to walk in integrity, humility, holiness, and honour.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Jul 23, 2020
• ISBN: 9781984595676

Book preview

BECOMING

A MAN OF

FAITH

WITH DESTINY

Lead Teenager Son to Manhood

DR ANNIEKIE RAVHUDZULO

Copyright © 2020 by Dr Anniekie Ravhudzulo.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®). ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.

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Rev. date: 07/23/2020

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Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1 Empowered to Empower

Chapter 2 Man of Faith with Destiny

Chapter 3 Endure Hardship as Discipline

Chapter 4 Accept Responsibility for Your Life

Chapter 5 You are Not Defined by Your Situations

Chapter 6 Perseverance in Adversity

Chapter 7 Faith in Difficult Circumstances

Chapter 8 Forgiveness Precedes Healing

Chapter 9 Meditation is the Fear and Knowledge of God

Chapter 10 Growing in Faith Through Obedience

Chapter 11 Faith Connects You to Your Destiny

Chapter 12 Extramarital Affair in the Workplace

Chapter 13 Be a Vessel of Peace in the Workplace

Chapter 14 The Road of Faith and Manhood

Chapter 15 Lead Teenage Son to Manhood

Chapter 16 Develop Teenage Son to Man of Faith

Chapter 17 Financial Management and Budget

Chapter 18 Death Triggers Heartache No One Can Heal

Chapter 19 The Unmeasurable Grace

To Contact the Author

Other Books by the Author

DVD’s and CD’s by the Author

Services by the Author

Dedication

In Memory Of

Dr. Mphaya Henry Nemudzivhadi

18 July 1931- 15 July 2018

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Dr. Mphaya Henry Nemudzivhadi was born on 18 July 1931 in Mukula where he attended Takalani School from 1943 and passed Std. V1 in 1949 in second. In March 1948, he enrolled as a catechumen in preparation for baptism. After completing the two - year course within eight months, he was allowed to join the 1947 group, which was baptized on 28 November 1948 in Georgenholtz by Reverend I. Dau. His scriptural verse was Matthew (10:33), which in original Greek, literally reads as: … and whoever denies me before men, will deny I also him before the father of me in heavens. In Tshivenda it is: Hone a ndandulaho phanda ha vhathu, na nne-vho ndi do mu landula phanda ha khotsi-anga are tadulu. The reason God through Rev. Dau chose this verse remained unanswered, only God himself knows. It became his guide throughout his life, always reminding him not to deny God in word and deed in any situation. His first congregation was Mukula under Evangelist Vho-Josiah Silimela, his Makhulu.

After Std. V1, he went to the Vendaland Institute, Tshakhuma in 1950, although it was under the Transvaal Education Department, benefitted the students spiritually as Lutheran church atmosphere prevailed. School activities began with hymn songs, scripture reading, message and prayer, as the school head D.W. Giesekke was more of a missionary than a principal. On Sundays, students were expected to attend church services. This religious atmosphere was indeed a blessing to the young students.

Sunday services at Tshakhuma were conducted by Rev. Johannsmeier, Rev. Rabothatha, Rev. N.R. Masekela and Rev. Schultz. As a student Mphaya, who at first thought his performance would be far behind that of other students, who had passed Std V1 in first class at their schools, as he had passed in second class, would perform better, was surprised that within three months he was on top of the class. He gained confidence and led the classes from Form 1 until he alone obtained a first-class pass in Junior Certificate examinations in 1952.

These students were fortunate because in 1953, the Matriculation course was introduced in the institution. He became one of nine students who started the course under difficult conditions, as amongst the teachers, the students could only depend on one J.J. Marivate who was a geography teacher. Against these odds, the students forged ahead. Instead of doing six subjects offered by the institution, Mphaya also studied Botany on his own against the advice of the Principal, who thought he would not make it without a teacher. As long as textbooks were available, the absence of a teacher was not a setback for him.

Under the circumstances, he forged ahead. When the class sat for the final examinations in 1954, he passed all seven subjects in one sitting and obtained Matriculation Exemption, becoming the first student to pass Matriculation in a Venda Secondary school. The five years he spent at Tshakhuma at the time, were a blessing as he listened to preaching by various missionaries from around South Africa and globally.

Over and above this, the Holy Spirit was shaking the whole world through spiritual messages from American evangelists Oral Roberts and Billy Graham, who were at their best. Billy Graham’s preaching through Lourenco Marques Radio and his publication, [Peace with God], opened his mind to Jesus, who ultimately became his Saviour.

In 1955 Mphaya went to the Pretoria Bantu Normal College (Predecessor of the University of the North), ran concurrently by Kolege ya Bana ba Afrika and the Transvaal Education Department, for the purpose of training secondary school teachers. University courses were conducted by lecturers from the University of Pretoria and University of South Africa. Being the only one from Venda, he joined 42 others from all over South Africa. This was the time of practical criticism in English courses in the University of South Africa, spear-headed by the well-known Prof. Davis. Course 1 English consisted of three Shakespearean plays, another play by Christopher Marlowe, three books on the language, one Anthology by Nicol and three novels.

At the end of 1955 he was the only one who passed all five courses – Biology 1, English 1, History 1, Education and Psychology 1. In 1956 while doing the Advanced Teachers Diploma, for Secondary school courses, with the permission of the principal, he was allowed to study Venda 1, History 11 and Psychology 11 on his own. This kept him busy as he felt that the teaching courses were lighter in content. When he completed a two-year Advanced Teachers Diploma, he also attained the three University degree courses on the same year.

Subsequent to this achievement, in a class of five students, he was the only one who left the common College in 1956, with his teachers’ diploma and eight-degree courses to his credit. This was a unique achievement in the history of the College since its inception in 1947. By the way, the institution was not an ordinary Post-Matric College, intended to train secondary school teachers only, it had shaped some prominent personalities like Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mokgoba, James Mzilikazi Kumalo and others.

When he started teaching at the Vendaland Institute in 1957, he continued his academic career and without a break, he completed the B.A. degree by passing Venda 11, History 111 and Psychology 111 in the same year, at a time when it had become traditional in the area, that if a person could complete B.A. in five years, he was said to have done it within a record time. For Mphaya, both teachers’ Diploma and B.A. degree were completed within a period of three years, i.e. from 1955 to 1957, courses which required four full years to obtain.

In 1958 he taught at Mphaphuli High School up to September 1959 and went back to Vendaland Institute in October 1959. There he taught Arithmetic in Form 1, English, Venda, Afrikaans and Psychology in Senior classes. He was a sports and football organizer, where he produced strong teams and athletics champions, who slashed the records in 880 yards and 0ne mile, in provincial competitions. In 1960, he got married to Dorothy Masekela, a nurse, and a teacher.

After teaching for 7 years and from 1 August 1964, without having been a principal, he became Supervisor of schools in the Louis Trichardt East Circuit. From 1972 to 1974 he served as Circuit Inspector of Mutshindudi and Vhuilafuri. The experience he gained in the field enabled him to understand the problems between the subject and the object of teaching i.e. the mature teacher and the taught, who was in the process of growing. This was the period which practically completed his training as a teacher.

Between 1975 and 1979, he was attached to Head Office as Education Planner and Chief Inspector. This formative period would be incomplete, without having been under the guidance of three hardworking and through personalities like Esrom Mulaudzi, Piet Van Heerden and Olivier, who apart from successfully training him, encouraged him to further his studies. This time he also acted as Examiner and Moderator of the Teachers Course examinations. He represented the Department in the Advisory Board of Education in Pretoria.

At home, he also served as a member of Venda Language Board. During the second half of 1979 he became the Director-General in the Department of Education. During his term of office and under the leadership of Minister E. R. B Nesengani, matriculation classes multiplied. In 1978 to 1980, more than 30 secondary schools including Mbilwi Senior Secondary, set aside for Science and Mathematics, were registered.

He was instrumental in raising entrance qualifications for Tshisimani from Std 8 to Std 10 in 1981, making Tshisimani a tertiary institution, well ahead of other training colleges in South Africa. Together with his assistants, he piloted the establishment of the University of Venda, which became a reality on 28 February 1981.

From April 1981 to January 1991, he was Secretary-General and Director-General in the Office of the President and Departments of Welfare and Pensions, as well as Transport. When evangelization and Christian revival shook Venda between 1976 and 1990, he participated in conferences and crusades as it was Jesus, who was crucified on the cross, and not the earthly founder of a particular church; Jesus the Grace that save mankind!

Outside South Africa, between 1987 and 1990, he visited the United Kingdom, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, the Vatican and St. Peters Church, Greece and Israel where he followed the footsteps of Jesus.

During his career, he obtained U.E.D in 1962. This achievement added to him the second teachers’ Diploma. In 1971 and 1978 he obtained Honours and Masters degrees in History. His M.A. Thesis [The Conflict between Mphephu and the South African Republic, 1895 and 1899], was the fifth by a Black man to be accepted by the University of South Africa since 1955.

In this thesis, he also succeeded in advancing the role of oral sources in historical research. This was a turning point as a new dimension was added to historical research, which was Euro-centric, and which could only be viewed through the spectacles of a white man. It became Afro-centric thus paved the way for African historiography by an Afurikana, bringing within reach, the long yearning awaited by Africa, anonymously expressed by an unknown Afurikana, who wrote: Until the lions have their own historians, tales of hunting will glorify the hunters. By the way those who claim to be Afrikaners should have approached it the African American way and regarded themselves as either European Africans or better still Dutch Africans, which in no way would have robbed themselves of their African citizenship.

The song they tuned and the Afurikana innocently clapping hands, while moving through the garden of Eden, naked and unashamed before god of history, without a scrap of philosophy to cover themselves.

Among his works he left behind Makhaula-Mbilu a Julias Caesar and [When and What], Vhuhosi ha Mbilwi, Vhalaudzi vha Lwamondo, Vhuhosi ha Mauluma, Zwiga zwa Vhuhosi ha Venda, Vhuhosi ha ha Ramabulana, Vhuhosi ha ha Tshivhasa, Vhalaudzi vha ha Masia Mbando, Martin Luther, Vhatwamamba vha ha Tshivhula tsha Matshokotike, Litavhatsindi Linzhelele la ha Rathogwa Fondwe and King Makhado Ramabulana – the Lion of the North 1864-1895.

Outside Venda the following papers were delivered:

• Riding the Storm: Makhado. Venda and the 19th century South African Republic [Delivered during the conference of historians, University of Pretoria]

• Oral Sources in Historical research [Paper delivered at the University of Stellenbosch during the conference of cultural historians]

• The Role of Traditional Leadership: Historical perspective [Paper read in a conference of Traditional Leadership attended by all Mahosi of South Africa at Midrand, Eskom Centre, 2000. It was organized by the National Ministry of Provincial and Local Governments].

He also published several articles among which is [Maduvha a 929 a Prince Thohoyandou Tshivhase, 1963-1966. He has also written a booklet on [Vhuhosi ha Vhandalamo vha ha Piet Booi Ramovha, Mulenzhe]. He has assisted several Honours Masters and Ph. D students in their research on Venda history. Some of these have completed their degrees. His retirement on 31 January from public service enabled him to pursue his research projects. In 1996, he registered for Ph. D at Potchefstroom University for Higher Christian Education, Vaal Triangle Campus and obtained the degree in 1998.

In his study [The attempts by Makhado to revive the Venda Kingdom, 1864 – 1895], he provides the history of a forgotten kingdom, established by the Singo dynasty, an off-shoot of the Mbire Mutapa Empire, towards the end of the 17th century. This was the Venda kingdom, which flourished south of Vhembe River, in what the Rozvi called Rukungurubwe – the Venda of today. This kingdom during the time of King Makhado Ramabulana [1864- 1895], was infiltrated by white settlers from the south.

This led to confrontation, conflicts and upheavals. Makhado however, skillfully, diplomatically and militarily, side-stepped Boer encroachments, drove them out, and successfully preserved the sovereignty and independence of the Venda speaking people up to the end of the 19th century. Makhado’s achievements and successes are considered to be a valuable legacy to the Venda people, who have reason to look at their past with pride. The Lion of the North, who alone defeated the Settlers in 1867 and drove them out of Venda until 1898. Unlike his contemporaries Cetswayo and Sekhukhune who defeated the Settlers in 1879 and 1876, but were later defeated and captured as prisoners, Makhado died undefeated.

As a member of Mbilwi congregation from 1967, he was privileged to have been with the founders of the congregation S.M. Dzivhani, Gideon Mphaphuli, Kwatsi, Thenga and Nemaranzhe, christians who lived the gospel. He witnessed the changing of the Parish from Beuster to Ha-Tshivhasa and eventually Mphaphuli under pastors P.M. Masekela, Nyelisani, Masindi, Farisani, Nemukovhani, Tshikota, Ramarumo, Mahamba, Phosiwa, Rannzwa, Makongoza, Ranwaha and Thiba. He witnessed the improvement of the church in 1971 and its dedication by Bishop Parkendorff and by Bishop S.E. Serote in 1991.

He served as member of congregational and parish councils, Synod delegation and Circuit Council Secretary and lay preacher. In 1972 he was committee member under Giesekke, which participated in compiling a pamphlet for Jubilee Celebration of Beuster in 1972. In 1977 he presented a pamphlet on 100 years of Christianity at Mavhola. Over and above these, he prepared papers on dedication of church.

As his interest was on why and how things came to be in the universe, under the watchful eye of the heavenly Father, Eheye Asher Eheye, Adenooi, Hashem, blessed be his Mighty Name, his interest was not limited to secular history alone. He tried to follow Judeo-Christian history from Creation through Adam Harison (1-930), Noach (1056-2006), Avram Avinu (1948-2123), Moshe Rabbeinu (2368-2488), Era of elders and Judges (2488-2964),Period of Kings (2881-3338), Era of the Prophets (2448-3448), Babylonian Exile (3338-3448), Persian-Median Kings 3391-3443), Alexander – end 3460), Ptelomic (3515-3562), Seleucid (3563-3622).

Hasemonian (3622-3698), Roman Occupation-(3698-), the death of Herod (3757 or 4 B.C), the Birth of Jesus 3756 or 5 B.C. his death in 29 A.D.) the ages history Biblically from Adam throughout history to Roman occupation creation, by studying Jewish history from Adam to 5769 because it is the Jews who can trace their origin from Adam. Here the Bible and Josephus Jewish wars were studied with a view to understand this, as well as the period from Babylonian captivity to the birth of Jesus.

His interest in ancient and Medieval history led him to follow Christianity throughout the ages from Christ to Constantine, the finalisation of the new Testament Canon in, 367 the Holy Roman Empire, the Reformation and founding of missionary societies especially the Berlin Missionary Society from its founding on 29 February 1824 by the nine who wanted to spread Christianity outside Europe, they established seminars for training missionaries and the first five they sent to Africa in 1833, which eventually led to