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Weekly Message.

My Preek oor Paasfees, 2013.

Lukas 22 : 39-71

Luk 22:39  En Hy het vertrek en volgens gewoonte na die Olyfberg gegaan. En ook sy dissipels het Hom gevolg.

Luk 22:40  En toe Hy op die plek kom, sê Hy vir hulle: Bid dat julle nie in versoeking kom nie.

Luk 22:41  En Hy het Hom van hulle afgesonder omtrent so ver as ‘n mens met ‘n klip kan gooi, en neergekniel en gebid

Luk 22:42  en gesê: Vader, as U tog maar hierdie beker van My wil wegneem! Laat nogtans nie my wil nie, maar u wil geskied!

Luk 22:43  En ‘n engel uit die hemel het aan Hom verskyn en Hom versterk.

Luk 22:44  En toe Hy in ‘n sware stryd kom, het Hy met groter inspanning gebid, en sy sweet het geword soos bloeddruppels wat op die grond val.

Luk 22:45  Toe staan Hy van die gebed op en kom by sy dissipels en vind hulle aan die slaap van droefheid.

Luk 22:46  En Hy sê vir hulle: Wat slaap julle? Staan op en bid, dat julle nie in versoeking kom nie.

Luk 22:47  En terwyl Hy nog spreek, kom daar ‘n skare; en hy wat Judas genoem word, een van die twaalf, het voor hulle uit geloop en nader gekom na Jesus om Hom te soen.

Luk 22:48  En Jesus sê vir hom: Judas, verraai jy die Seun van die mens met ‘n kus?

Luk 22:49  En toe die wat rondom Hom was, sien wat gaan gebeur, sê hulle vir Hom: Here, moet ons met die swaard slaan?

Luk 22:50  En een van hulle het die dienskneg van die hoëpriester getref en sy regteroor afgekap.

Luk 22:51  Maar Jesus het geantwoord en gesê: Hou op, dit is genoeg! En Hy het sy oor aangeraak en hom gesond gemaak.

Luk 22:52  Toe sê Jesus vir die owerpriesters en hoofde van die tempel en ouderlinge wat teen Hom gekom het: Het julle uitgetrek soos teen ‘n rower met swaarde en stokke?

Luk 22:53  Dag vir dag was Ek saam met julle in die tempel, en julle het nie die hande teen My uitgesteek nie. Maar dit is julle uur en die mag van die duisternis.

Luk 22:54  En hulle het Hom gevange geneem en weggelei en Hom gebring in die huis van die hoëpriester. En Petrus het van ver af gevolg.

Luk 22:55  En toe hulle ‘n vuur in die middel van die binneplaas van die paleis gemaak en bymekaar gaan sit het, het Petrus onder hulle gesit.

Luk 22:56  En ‘n diensmeisie het hom daar by die vuur sien sit; en nadat sy hom vas aangekyk het, sê sy: Hierdie man was ook saam met Hom.

Luk 22:57  Maar hy het Hom verloën en gesê: Vrou, ek ken Hom nie.

Luk 22:58  En kort daarna sien iemand anders hom en sê: Jy is ook een van hulle. Maar Petrus sê: Man, ek is nie.

Luk 22:59  En ná verloop van omtrent een uur het ‘n ander een dit verseker en gesê: Sowaar, hierdie man was ook saam met Hom, want hy is ook ‘n Galiléër.

Luk 22:60  Maar Petrus antwoord: Man, ek weet nie wat jy sê nie. En onmiddellik, terwyl hy nog praat, het die haan gekraai.

Luk 22:61  En die Here het Hom omgedraai en Petrus aangekyk, en Petrus het die woord van die Here onthou wat Hy vir hom gesê het: Voordat die haan kraai, sal jy My drie maal verloën.

Luk 22:62  En Petrus het buitentoe gegaan en bitterlik geween.

Luk 22:63  En die manne wat Jesus gevange gehou het, het Hom bespot en geslaan.

Luk 22:64  En hulle het Hom geblinddoek en Hom in die aangesig geslaan en Hom gevra en gesê: Profeteer wie dit is wat U geslaan het.

Luk 22:65  En baie ander dinge het hulle lasterlik teen Hom gespreek.

Luk 22:66  En toe dit dag word, het die oudstes van die volk—die owerpriesters en skrifgeleerdes—vergader en Hom voor hulle Raad gebring

Luk 22:67  en gesê: As U die Christus is, sê vir ons. En Hy antwoord hulle: As Ek vir u sê, sal u tog nie glo nie.

Luk 22:68  En as Ek vra, sal u My tog nie antwoord of loslaat nie.

Luk 22:69  Van nou af sal die Seun van die mens sit aan die regterhand van die krag van God.

Luk 22:70  En hulle sê almal: Is U dan die Seun van God? En Hy antwoord hulle: U sê dat Ek dit is.

Luk 22:71  Daarop sê hulle: Wat het ons nog getuienis nodig! Want ons het dit self uit sy mond gehoor.

 ALLEEN!

 Dit was ‘n vreeslike nag.  Jesus het sy dissipels geneem na ’n rustige plek, waar Hy van hulle gevra het om saam met Hom te bid.  Dit was ’n tyd waar Jesus reeds geweet het wat op Hom wag, en waar ons Hom op Sy kniee gevind het, smekend voor God, as daar maar net ’n ander manier was ...  Hoekom so ontsaglik wreed, en so bitterlik alleen?  Selfs van God verlaat...   Om selfs bloed te sweet uit vrees vir dit wat kom!  Nogtans vlug Hy nie. 

 Maar waar is Sy dissipels in die tyd waar Hy hulle ondersteuning so bitter nodig het?  Waar is die wat hulle dan self noem, “die wat die naaste aan Hom is” Hulle slaap!  ’n Paar keer moet Hy hulle wakker maak, en pleit dat hulle saam met Hom sal bid, maar te vergeefs! Hulle slaap net weer.

 Hierdie dinge gebeur alles in die tyd waar Jesus vrees vir dit wat kom. In Sy tyd van doods-angs moet Hy alleen staan. Gelukkig dat ’n Engel gestuur word om hom te bemoedig, want mense is nie daar vir Hom nie.  Van die mense waarvoor Hy bereid is om te sterf, is daar geen ondersteunng nie,  al vra Hy dit van hulle...

 Hiermee kan ons onself soms maar te goed mee ver-eerselwig.  Ons weet hoe dit voel.  Wanneer ons deur ’n moeilike tyd gaan, word die uitdagings soms net teveel vir ons om mee saam te leef, en die vrees so groot!  Maar dit lyk nie of enige persoon verstaan waardeur ons gaan nie. 

 Ja, ons vriende en Familie luister as ons praat, en al het hulle ons hoe innig lief, verstaan hulle nie ons pyn, of ervaar hulle nie ons vrees eers halfpad soos ons dit beleef nie.  Vir hulle maak dit nie sin nie, en mag hulle selfs vra, “ag, is dit nou regtig so erg?” 

 Tog sit ons almal met vrees!  Tog gaan ons selfs soms deur ’n Getsemane! 

Maar wat is jou Getsemane? 

-Is dit ’n siek-bed, of die naderende dood? 

- Dalk die afwagting van mediese toets uitslae vir jouself,  vir jou geliefdes, ’n eggenoot of kind...

-Is dit die moontlikheid om jou werk te mag verloor, en die onvermoë om dan vir jouself en jou geliefdes te sorg? 

-Is dit gevolge van jou dade wat jou mag inhaal, en die vrees vir wat op jou wag as jou foute jou sou inhaal? 

-Is dit die vrees om voor jou Skepper te moet staan, en te vind jou saak is nie nie reg nie?

- Of dalk om  “Alleen”  te wees!

Die SOEN!

Dan kom die groot oomblik!  Jou vriend daag op, op die toneel. Stap jou tegemoed, en verraai jou met ’n soen!   Die soen is die een ding wat mense aan mekaar bind, en ’n teken is van vertroue en liefde teenoor jou broer en jou suster.  Maar soms kry jy waarlik mense wat selfs so naby aan jou leef, dat hulle nie twee keer sal dink om jou te veraai met ’n soen nie.

Was die liefde en die verhouding wat jy so gekoester het dan van so min waarde dat dit selfs met so ’n gebaar weg gegooi kan word. Is die “soen” dan nie eksklusief bedoel vir net ’n klein handjie vol mense wat jy so naby aan jou vertrou dat jy dit met hulle sal deel nie?  Hoe dan, dat die simbool van vertroue so misbruik kan word! Dit is dan immers ‘n “geliefde”  -  Hoe diep word hierdie mes in jou rug gesteek!  Hoe seer maak so ‘n gebaar!

Die Oomblik van Realiteit!

Skielik is die oomblik van waarheid daar. Die soldate is daar om Jesus te arresteer!

Nou verstaan die mense rondom Jesus waarvan Hy gepraat het. Hy was ernstig toe Hy van hulle versoek het om te bid, en hulle gevra het om Hom by te staan in hierdie moeilike uur. Gou maak hulle reg om Jesus te verdedig, en self die swaard te trek!

Maar dan kom die realiteit!  Kan hulle die geveg wen?  Kan hulle teen die oormag voor hulle ’n kans staan, of sou dit ’n selfmoord misie wees?  Hulle vlug liewer die donker nag in!  Eerder dit, as om saam met Jesus te lei, en moontlik te mag sterf!

Weereens vind on Jesus alleen, en uit gelewer aan ’n oormag wat daarop uit is om Hom te vernietig!  Sal niemand by Hom staan nie?  Gaan niemand Sy hand vat, en Hom bemoedig in die tyd nie? Aleen! 

PETRUS!

Tog volg een van Sy geliefdes in die skemer!  Petrus is naby!  Wanneer Jesus soos ’n gevangene gelei word na die hoë Priester toe, is Petrus in die binne-plaas, iewers in die skaduwees om te sien wat gaan gebeur!

Dan kom die vraag aan Pertus!  Is jy dan nie een van Jesus se mense nie?

NEE!  Ek ken Hom nie!  Ek wil nie assosieer wees met daardie gevangene nie!  Ek wil nie saam met Hom gesien word nie, en ek wil beslis nie deel in Sy lot nie...  

Hoe seer moes die woorde maak!  Dalk selfs seerder as die soen van ’n vriend wat jou verraai! 

Dit gebeur egter nie net een keer nie, maar 3 keer!  3 Keer draai iemand wat jou lief het hulle rug op jou, en ontken dat jy enige waarde aan hulle lewens toevoeg.

3 keer word jou liefde en invloed oor hulle lewens uitgemaak as iets wat gladnie bestaan nie.  As die skoen aan die ander voet was, sou jy dit nie aan hulle gedoen het nie, nee!  Jy sou by jou vriende wou staan!  Of sou jy?

En dan kraai die haan!   STUPID hoender-haan!   Hoe durf hy juis nou kraai!   Hoe kan hy dit nou wil in-vryf onder Petrus se neus dat Hy sopas sy Here verraai het.   Niemand wil hoor dat hy of sy verkeerd is nie, en niemand wil daaraan herinner word dat hulle die oorsaak is van ’n ander se pyn en hartseer nie.   Niemand wil opkyk en besef dat Jesus op daardie oomblik direk na jou kyk, en al wat jy raaksien is die teleurstelling in Sy oë nie!

Tog kraai die haan vanoggend weer!   Weer kom hoor ons sy kraai maar te duidelik !   Maar vir wie kraai hy dan vanoggend?   Hy kraai vir my,  maar beslis ook vir JOU!

Ons vind onsself ook elke dag in die binnehof.  Ons probeer inpas in die wêreld om ons, en ons soek die sekuriteit van aanvaarding van die mense.  Skielik vra my vriende, soek jy ’n drankie, wil jy saam met ons dronk word, “of is jy een van daai wat saam met Jesus is” -  en Nee! Skree ons dade!  Ek is nie een van Sy volgelinge nie!   Laat ek dronk word en myself geniet!   Of wag, ek sal bottel-stoor toe gaan en nog drank gaan koop, al is ek nie juis meer instaat, of veronderstel om te bestuur nie!   Wanneer ek uitstap by die bottel-stoor, met arms wat swaar dra onder al die drank, hoor ek die haan kraai, want ek loop in die dominee vas!  Ek kry skaam, want ek sien die teleurstelling in sy oë!

Dalk leef ek meer heilig, en drink en darem nie so erg nie! Ek is gereeld in die kerk, maar by die huis gaan dinge nie altyd so goed nie. Dalk is die huwelik op die rotse!  Dan kom daar weer ’n baie groot uitval.  Soos dit gereeld gebeur, loop dit uit op ’n oor en weer geskree, en gevloek!  Dit wat ons mekaar toe-snou is gladnie woorder wat oor enige iemand se mond moet kom nie. Ek terwyl ons dit doen lui die dominee die klokkie.  Hy het alles moes hoor!

Dalk is dit my vriende wat my oortuig om saam met hulle na ’n strip-club toe te gaan!  Dit draai uit ‘n ’n and van onbetaamlike gedrag, en drank misbruik.  Tot jy gly op die glade vloer waar iemand drank gemors het, en die ambulaans moet jou daar kom oplaai.  Die nuus van waar jy was bereik jou gesin, en wanneer jy bykom in die hospitaal staan jou gesin, en die dominee om jou bed.. Die oë wat na jou staar laat jou besef, dat die klank in jou ore die klank is van die haan wat kraai!

Of jy sit te heerlik en skinder van iemand in die kerk!  Dalk is dit die dominee, en sy vrou!  Terwyl jy en jou vriendinne heerlik sit en koffie drink by ’n eetplek, ruk julle die egpaar uit mekaar, en maak hulle sleg. Elkeen probeer ’n slegte punt uit trek van die egpaar, en hoekom hulle gladnie so perfek is soos hulle moet wees volgens jou standaarde nie.  Net om met ’n skok te moet besef dat die paartjie op die tafel langs jou juis die Dominee en sy vrou is! Die besef oor hoe seer jou woorde en onredelike oordeel ander mense diep seer gemaak het, en hulle moes dit als aanhoor.

Op die vraag van die skares van verlorenes om jou, is jy dan nie een van die volgelinge van Chrisus nie, sal jou dade moet uitskree, NEE!  Ek ken Hom nie!    Ek wil nie oor die selfde kam geskeer word as Hy nie!  Ek wil nie van die vryheid ontneem word wat ek tans geniet as mense glo ek is nie een van Sy volgelinge nie!  

Snaaks hoe skuldig ons kan voel as die Dominee van ons foute moet hoor, maar dat dit nie veronderstel is om so te wees nie. Ons vergeet soms geheel en al dat God als weet.  Ons dink nie 2 keer daaraan dat Jesus, wat vir ons gekruisig was, en gesterf het,  alles sien, en alles weet nie. 

Maak nie saak hoeveel keer die haan moet kraai, en ons gewete ons aanklae, of ons besef dat ons verkeerd doen nie,  ons gaan maar net voort!

Maar wat doen Jesus ?

Op daardie stadium van verloëning, en almal wat hom in die steek laat en so seer gemaak het, sou ek heel moontlik op gegee het op die mensdom, en dit alles daar ge-eindig het.  HOEKOM deur gaan met die groot offer?   Hoekom sterf vir mense wat so optree?

 Johannes 3 vers 16:   Want so lief het God die wêreld gehad, dat Hy Sy enig gebore Seun gegee het, sodat elkeen wat in Hom glo, nie verlore sal gaan nie, maar die ewige lewe sal hê!

 God het JOU LIEF!

 Wat is jy werd?

 Besef jy dit!  Besef jy dat God aan jou gedink het toe Hy die offer gemaak het.  Die gedagte aan JOU, en die feit dat jy gered mag word deur die offer, was genoeg motifeering om die offer te maak!

 Wat kos jou geloof in Christus jou?  Wat is die prys wat jy daarvoor moet betaal?    Is jy bereid om enige op-offering daarvoor te maak, of nie?  Sal jy vir Christus lewe, en Hom probeer verheerlik in alles wat jy sê en doen, en so lewe, as iemand wat die Here dien, of sal jy Hom verloën by die eerste geleentheid? 

 As jy die haan hoor kraai,  watse uitdrukking sal op Jesus se gesig wees as Hy na jou moet kyk?  Daardie keuse is joune!

 Sy keuse was reeds gemaak.  Jou offer-prys is lank reeds betaal, want jy is dit werd vir HOM!

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My preek van 23 Desember 2012 : Jesaja 9: 5-6  - Springs Oos NG Kerk

Onbekryflike gawes uit God se Hand.

Kerstyd, want Jesus se geboorte en koms na die aarde was deur ons almal gedenk.  Dit was ’n tyd van vrede en vreugde, waarin ons hopenlik almal die tyd geneem het om terug te dink aan die Geboorte van Christus, en ons weer opnuut ons aan Hom kon toewy.

Aan ons is iets baie besonders geskenk... Iets wat nie gemeet kan word in waarde nie. 2 Korintiërs 9 vers 15  verwys na die geskenk wat ons van God ontvang as iets van “on uitspreekbare waarde” Iets so kosbaar dat ons dit nie kan uitdruk in woorde nie, want woorde sal dit nie na waarde kon beskryf nie.  Jesus word aan ons geskenk.

- ’n Lewe word aan ons toegewy en op ge offer.

Ons almal ken die gevoel om te gaan kersinkopies doen, en die soektog na daardie spesifieke geskenk wat vir die een baie spesiale persoon in ons lewens moet wys net hoe kosbaar hulle dan werklik vir ons is.  Ons almal smag daarna om die geskenk aan daardie persoon soveel waarde en betekenis te mag toeskryf, dat die ontvanger sal besef net hoeveel hul vir ons beteken.

Dit is egter nie so maklik nie.  Wat sal ons kry, en sal ons dit kan bekostig?  Sal dit wat ons aan die einde van die dag tog wel kan bekostig nie dalk maar net vêr tekort skiet aan dit wat ek graag sou wou gee nie?

Wanneer ons aan iemand ’n geskenk gee op Kersfees maak ons so maklik die aanmerking dat ons hul graag iets meer kosbaars sou wou gee, maar ons kon nie... “Maar dit is die gedagte wat tel”

Dit is waar,... dit gaan net oor die simboliese gee van ’n geskenk wat die ander persoon moet herinner van die grootste geskenk ooit, maar...  ons probeer eintlik sê dat ons so graag iets van meer waarde wou bring, sodat die ander persoon presies moet weet net hoe kosbaar hulle dan werklik vir ons is.

Hoe groot was God se Kersgeskenk aan ons...? 

Jesus word vir ons gebore... Hierdie moes ’n wonderbaarlike groot oomblik gewees het, toe God se seun gebore word op aarde.

Ek kan myself net probeer inleef in die oomblik. MAAR, Hoe moes die Vader Hart van God gevoel het?  

-          God het geweet wat op Jesus wag.

-          God het geweet dat Jesus sou moes sterf, en hoe wreed dit sou gebeur.

-          God het geweet van Judas, die “vriend” van Jesus wat hom sou veraai.

-          God het geweet van Jesus se fisiese pyn en leiding aan die kruis.  Maar OOK om Maria te sien toekyk hoe haar Seun sterf...

-          God het geweet dat Jesus alles sou moes opoffer, en deur God verlate sou wees aan ’n kruis... VIR ONS

Hoe moes die Vader hart van God gevoel het op daardie aand toe Jesus gebore was?

Die Kers-geskenk was gegee, en ons was die ontvangers.  Het ons die waarde van die geskenk verstaan, of het ons net gedink dat dit nou baie oulik is. Kyk net die ou babatjie. Is dit nie te pragtig nie?

Min het ons dalk die waarde van die geskenk besef, en wat dit nog vir ons sou beteken.

Wat is die waarde van ’n lewe?

Die is ongelukkig ’n baie relevante vraag.  In ons dag en tyd word iemand so maklik vermoor vir ’n cell-foon, ’n R20, of net oordat die persoon skeef gekyk het na ’n ander.  Mense word geskiet vir ’n kar, maar soms ook vir net ’n brood...

Judas en die kerkleiers van die tyd het ook onderhandel oor die prys van ’n lewe.  Jesus se lewe.   30 Silwer muntstukke was genoeg.

Dit laat my dink aan iemand wat tussen rommel in ’n ou trommel soek na iets om op die kerkbazaar te verkoop, en afkom op ’n ou lelike skildery wat oupa of ouma onder in een van hulle trommels gedruk het, want hulle wou nie die ding in hulle huis hang nie. Dit land op die rommel verkoping met die prys van R50. Tot ’n kuns kenner dit daar sien staan, want niemand stel daarin belang nie. Tog is hy in ekstase, want die kunswêreld soek al baie jare na die Picasso wat spoorloos verdwyn het. Opgewonde haal hy die R50 uit sy sak, en word daarmee die eienaar van een van die mees kosbaarste skatte in die hele wêreld...

Wat is die waarde van ’n lewe?  Ons weet nie...  Die lewe het so goedkoop geword, en niemand staan stil en dink daaroor nie.

Hoe bereken jy die waarde van jou lewensmaat se liefde? Wat sal dit kos om dit te vervang?   Is dit vervangbaar, of sal die “GAT” wat jou lewensmaat sal laat as die nie meer daar is nie, maar net te groot wees om te vul?

Wat is die waarde van jou kind se lewe?  Vir hoeveel sal jy jou kind laat gaan? Sal jy jou kind weg gee vir mense, juis met die doel om dat die mense hom maar mag spot, martel, verneder, jou kind se liggaam stukkend slaan, en jou kind dan op die wreedste moontlke manier mag vermoor... En jy gee dit verniet weg?

Wat sou dit kos as jy geld waarde daaraan moet koppel?  As dit iemand ander se kind was, klink dit makliker om dit te kan doen. As ek nie regtig die persoon wat verkoop word ken of enige iets van weet nie, pla dit my nie vreeslik nie...  Maar wat daarvan as die persoon betrokke jou geliefde eggenoot, ouer, broer/suster of jou kind moet wees wat vandag erg en wreed aangerand en vermoor moes word vir die R20 by hulle waarmee hulle moes gaan brood koop het vir jou...

Jesus word gebore, en die engele kore juig en jubel. Wyse manne bring hule, en herder aanbid vir Jesus. Maar hoe moes die Vader Hart van God voel...  Verstaan die mense van die aarde die waarde van hulle geskenk?  Verstaan die mense wat eendag die eer sou gehad het om Jesus se volgelinge te wees hoe kosbaar Jesus vir God is, of sou een van hulle Jesus verraai vir 30 Silver stukke? Nie eers vir Goud, wierook en mirre nie...  Die bot word toegeslaan op 30 silwer stukke... Al die partye betrokke in die transaksie is gelukkig.

Dan moet die goedere oorhandig word, en Judas, wat so naby aan Jesus geleef het, en vir wie Jesus so lief was, kom en soen-groet Jesus. Selfs sy liefde en vertroue wat in  Judas se geplaas was, was by die prys in gegooi... Daarmee gee hy selfs dit prys om die geld te kan kry.  Die silver geldjies is genoeg.

Duidelik verstaan Judas nie die waarde van die geskenk nie.  Maar God verstaan, en Maria verstaan,  en die wat Jesus lief het kan gladnie verstaan hoe dit moontlik kan wees dat iemand hulle Jesus sou uitverkoop het vir 30 silwer stukke nie.

Maar ons doen dit ook....

Ons het Jesus ook ontvang.  Ons het Hom ook as geskenk ontvang, maar ons verstaan nie aldag die waarde daarvan nie. Ons verkoop Hom soms vir heelwat minder as 30 silver stukke.

Jesus is vir ons gebore... en ons vier dit op Kersfees... Hy het geweldig gelei, en toe is Hy wreed dood... vir jou, en vir my.

Wat is dit werd? 

As daar vuil grappe vertel word, lag ek saam, en vertel ek ook een saam, want vir die oomblik maak Jesus nie meer saak nie. Ek wil nie nou assosieer word met Christen nie, want ek wil in wees by die mense, en voel ek is deel van hulle...

As ek na ’n partytjie toe of braai toe wil gaan, is dit maar reg om myself toe te laat om heeltemal teveel te drink, en te deel in dronk grappe, en vuil taal en vloek... Want Jesus maak nie nou saak nie. Ek gee nie om wat Hy vir my betaal het nie, en Sy geskenk aan my het gladnie soveel waarde dat ek vanplan is om eerder die regte keuses te maak nie. 

Dit is nie nou aanvaarbaar om rein, en reg te lewe nie, want die mense gaan nie van my hou as ek die een is wat nie wil saam lag, vuil grappe vertel, en vuil taal gebruik, of saam dronk word nie... So verkoop ons ook Jesus, vir ’n bier en ’n oomblik van waardelose vriendskap...

As ons skinder, en slegpraat van mense... As ons kies om ons rug te draai op vriende en vriendinne wat GOD oor ons pad gestuur het, net omdat hulle vir ons gaan preek as ons droog maak, of net te “heilig” is om saam met ons te kuier... Wat gaan die ander mense van hulle dink as hulle nie wil saam drink en kuier nie...

Wat gaan die mense van my dink as ek van Jesus sou praat op die braai... Ek sal mos die oorsaak wees dat die hele partytjie flop, en almal net ongemaklik voel...

Wat is die waarde van Jesus?  Hoeveel sal ek Hom voor verloon? Vir hoeveel sal ek Hom verkoop, sodat ek aanvaar sal word deur ander?

Maar wat is jy werd vir God?

So groot is jou warde vir God, dat Hy Jesus gestuur het om juis te kom sterf vir jou. Jesus se lewe, en wrede dood was juis die waarde wat aan jou lewe gekoppel was vir God, en daarom het Hy dit betaal.  So kosbaar is jy.  Dit is jou waarde in God se oë.

God het Jesus vir Jou gestuur... Jesus se gawe wat aan ons gegee word is iets wat nie in waarde bepaal kan word nie, en daarom skryf Paulus in Korintiers dat die gawe “onuitspreekbaar” groot is. Woorde sal nooi die volle waarde daarvan kan vasmaak nie. En dit is alles net vir jou,

Wat gaan ons dan nou doen met die Jesus kindjie wat gebore is in ’n stal? Dieselfde Jesus wat vir ons geterf het...

Hoeveel waarde gaan ons aan Jesus heg, of is dit net nog ’n nuttelose geskenk wat ons dalk eendag sal kan gebruik as dit vir ons gepas is?

Gaan ons ook die “skildery” wegpak onder in ’n ou trommel, want ek wil nie hê dat die wêreld dit moet sien nie, want dit is nie altyd iets wat ek wil verkondig nie... Dit mag maak dat ek dalk nie heeltemal die lewe so sal kan geniet as wat ek graag sou wou nie...

Jesus is vir jou gebore.... Die geskenk is aan jou gegee.  Die geskenk is net die heel beste en die heel duurste wat God vir jou kom kry. Daar is niks van grooter waarde. Daarmee wou God vir jou wys net hoe kosbaar jy vir Hom is?

Wat gaan jy met jou geskenk doen?

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My preek van 16 Desember 2012 : Lukas 1 : 26-38 

- Springs Strubenvalle NG Kerk

Kersfees tyd…  Jesus se geboorte word aangekondig. Daar lê iets in die toekoms waaroor ons baie opgewonde is. En net soos dit vandag waar is, dat ons opgewonde sou uitsien na die geboorte van ’n baba in ons eie familie, word ons opgewonde oor die herdenking van Kersfees, wanneer Jesus se geboorte herdenk gaan word.  Opgewonde oor die groot dag maak ons voorbereidings en kry alles in plek vir ’n fees.  Jesus, die verlosser, en die een wat met ons sal wees, is oppad!

Maar wat van Maria, en hoe moes sy gevoel het oor daardie swangerskap?

God stuur sy boodskapper na Maria, en sê vir haar dat sy gekies is om iets vir God te doen.  Die taak sou ’n wonderlike een wees, wat ’n uitkoms sou hê wat die Geskiedenis sou verander.  Sy sou die ma wees van DIE CHRISTUS, die verlosser.

SJOE!  ’n Groot eer wat sy sou hê,  of sou dit een wees?

Deur ja te sê op die versoek sou BAIE implikasies gehad het. Maria was ’n arm jong dogter, uit ’n minder gegoede dorpie in Israel.  Sy het dit nie maklik gehad nie. Sy was ook nie getroud nie.  In daardie dae was dit ’n geweldige groot skande as iemand swanger was, en nie getroud nie.  Sy kon so baie verloor het.

Haar reputasie sou daarmee heen gewees het... Haar naam sou deur die modder gesleep word as die van ‘n “slegte vrou”

Haar verloofde sou haar kon los, en dit het ook baie amper gebeur.

Die skande sou veroorsaak dat haar familie haar sou kon uitgooi, en sy sou alleen op straat gesit het.  Die kans was groot dat sy dan maar as ‘n “straat-vrou” sou moes lewe om te kon eet.   Daardie was nie dae waar ’n meisie kon swanger wees, as sy nie getroud was nie.

Tog sê Maria dat sy bereid is om God se Heilige taak te aanvaar, en dit deur te sien.

Maar waarvoor het sy ingestem?  Wat het op haar gewag?   Was die pad wat sy geloop het net rooskleurig, en het sy slegs genot daaruit geput?

Deurdat sy swanger was, was haar verhouding met Josef op die rotse. Hy was reeds besig om te beplan hoe hy haar gaan los, sonder om ’n te groot behaai daaroor op te skop.  Hy wou nie met so ’n tipe vrou sit, wat vir hom ’n slegte naam sou gee nie.  Sy is immers swanger, en hy weet dat hy nie die pa is nie.

Wat moes haar ouers van haar dink?  Kan jul  julself net voorstel hoe daardie pa en ma moes reageer?  Hulle kind wat soveel vernedering oor die gesin gebring het...  En dan maak sy nog stories op oor hoe dit gebeur het. 

Dan kom Jesus se geboorte, in ’n stal!  Daar is nie eers ’n plek vir haar gewees om geboorte te kon gee nie. Geen mooi huis, paleis, of selfs ’n sagte bed nie... Maar ’n vuil stal.

Daarna moes hulle na Egipte vlug, want die koning wou al die seuns laat doodmaak, sodat Hy daarmee hierdie kindjie kon uitwis wat vir hom ’n bedreiging vir sy koningskap inhou.

Wanneer ons na die einde van Jesus se tyd op aarde kyk, sien ons Jesus se arrestasie as “Rebel, en moeilikheid maker” deur die kerk.  Haar seun word gesien as die een wat teen die kerk, en die volk se geloof opstaan.  Haar seun word skuldig bevind aan ’n sonde wat selfs as erger gesien was as moord. En haar seun word vermoor as “vals profeet”

Hoe moeilik was die uitkoms van daardie besluit was sy moes neem, die dag toe Maria ingestem het om Jesus in die wêreld in te neem...

God het Maria geroep vir ’n taak, wat so groot was, en wat soveel probleme vir haar sou bring, en tenspyte van hoe moeilik die pad sou wees wat sy moes loop, het sy die roeping aanvaar. 

Ek is seker dat Maria met tye moes dink, en glo dat die moeilikheids graad van haar roeping sekerlik daarop moes dui dat sy iets verkeerd doen, en dat die Here haar moes verlaat het.  Toe Jesus aan die kruis moes sterf het sy sekerlik gedink dat dit die einde was, want hoe is dit moontlik dat al die beloftes kon waar word, nou dat haar seun sterf.   Sy het nie die uitkoms gesien nie.  Alles was verby.  Alles was verniet.

Tog sien ons dat Jesus opgestaan het, en dat alles wel waar geword het. Ons lees van Jesus se wonders, en ook sy verskeining aan Maria in die tuin toe sy na Jesus se graf gegaan het.  Ons lees van Jesus se hemelvaart.

Net soos vir Maria, kon God oor na ons toe, en Hy roep ons om Hom te dien. Hy roep ons vir ’n taak wat ons nie altyd verstaan nie, en nie altyd kan sien hoe dit ooit moontlik sal wees nie.  Baie keer is die pad wat ons moet loop so moeilik dat ons wil opgee, want as God ons geroep het, verwag ons net ’n afdraande pad. Geen teenkanting, of opdraandes nie.

Maar Maria kon vandag vir ons vertel dat dit nie altyd so maklik is nie. Maar sy kom ons ook vertel dat die uit-einde van volharding, ten spyte van die opdraandes, wel die moeite werd is. Sy kom ons aanmoedig om nie moed te verloor nie, en verseker ons dat die beloning wel die moeite werd is aan die einde.

God is met jou, ten spyte van hoe opdraande die pad is!  Dit is hoekom Hy gekom het. God sal jou dra, en jou bystaan. Hy sal jou versterk.  Moenie moed opgee nie.

Kan God jou gebruik?  Is jy goed genoeg?

Arme ou Maria... ’n Jong meisie, wat maar arm grootgeword het, en heel moontlik ongeskoold was...  Die lewe het nie juis vir haar enige geleenthede gebied om ooit iewers te kan kom nie.  Sy was sekerlik maar te bly dat sy iemand soos Josef kon kry wat met haar sou wou trou.  Dan kan sy darem ’n vrou wees vir hom, en dalk sy kinders kry.  Heel moontlik was dit al wat haar toekoms vir haar sou kon inhou.

Sy verdien niks meer nie... Sy kan niks grooter bereik nie. Nie as arm kind in ’n vuil ou dorpie waar niemand wil kom nie.

Haar antwoord op wat Gabiel haar vertel is dan juis,  Hoe is dit moontlik? Ek is nog onaangeraak, Hoekom ek?  Ek is eenvoudig, en arm?  Dit kan mos nie wees nie? Hoe gaan ek vir ’n kind kan sorg as die kind dan so belangrik gaan wees, en God se kind gaan wees?  Dit is nie binne my vermoë nie...

Maar God maak nie ’n fout as Hy ons roep nie. Hy weet alreeds hoe Hy gaan voorsien!  Hy weet reeds wat die uitkoms sal wees. 

EN,  God weet wat is jou potensiaal, en wat binne jou vermoë is.  Hy vertrou op jou om die regte keuses te maak, en Hy het vertroue in jou om te kan uit stuig vêr bo wat jy glo binne jou vermoë is. 

Plus,  Hy belowe om jou te help.  Hy is Immanuel,  GOD MET ONS!  Jy hoef nie dit alleen aan te pak nie.

Maria se pad wat sy moes loop was beslis gladnie maklik nie. Sy het geweet sy is maar eenvoudig, en as dinge nie uitwerk nie, mag sy alles verloor wat vir haar kosbaar is....  Maar wat moet sy antwoord op die engel se boodskap.  Sy antwoord “Ek is tot beskikking van die Here, laat dit met my gebeur...”

En jy? 

Ons is elkeen op die aarde geplaas met ’n doel.  Ons is elkeen geroep vir ’n spesiale taak.  God het jou gekies, en jou gemaak met ’n baie spesiale doel. God glo in jou, en weet watse hoogtes jy kan bereik deur net te antwoord op Sy roepstem, en dan Sy hand te vat, en die pad te loop saam met Hom.  Maar is jy bereid?  Wanneer jy Sy stem hoor, wat sal jou antwoord wees? 

Nie nou nie Here, dalk ander dag...  Ek is nie goed genoeg nie?  My lewe is nie reg nie..?  

God vra nie perfeksie van jou kant af nie, want niemand is perfek of sonder sondes nie.  Hy vra vertroue en gehoorsaamheid. God self staan vanoggend hier, en Hy steek Sy hand uit na jou, en vra  “Volg My?”    Net soos jy is, met jou foute en al jou sondes wat jou so gedaan maak.....  Kom, ek sal jou skoonwas, en alles vergewe.  Kom, en maak reg!   Ek wil jou gebruik!  JUIS daarom kom roep ek jou vandag!

En net soos Maria moes antwoord op die boodskap, so moet jy ook.

Klop....

Klop...

Klop...

So staan die Here vanoggend voor die deur van jou hart, en vra of Hy mag inkom. Hy wil jou gebruik vir ’n groot Hemelse Taak.  Gaan jy oopmaak?

En, dit bring ons terug by Kersfees...

Oor nog net ’n paar slaapies vier ons Jesus se geboorte.  Maar dit alles beteken niks, as ons nie toelaat dat Jesus opnuut in ons hart gebore word nie. Dit bly maar net ’n mooi storie, as dit nie ons lewens verander nie.

Jesus word vir JOU gebore. Jesus het vir JOU gekom. Vandag kom roep hy jou op jou naam, en vra...  Volg my, want ek gaan groot dinge deur jou laat gebeur. Dinge wat self die geskiedenis kan verander van die wêreld.

Hy belowe jou nie ’n maklike pad nie, maar Hy belowe om saam met jou te stap. Hy belowe om jou te dra.

Net soos jy nou daar sit, kom verseker die Here jou dat jy vir Hom spesiaal is. Dit is juis daarom dat Hy Jesus gestuur het na die aarde toe. Net soos jy is, en net soos jy daar sit wil Hy jou kom roep, en vra of jy Hom sal volg. Hy sal in jou lewe inkom, en saam kan julle die pad vorentoe aanpak.

Jy is goed genoeg! 

Almal het foute gemaak, en almal is vol sonde.  Moenie dit as verskoning gebruik om jouself nie beskikbaar te stel vir die Here nie.  God stel nie belang in jou foute van die verlede nie, maar Hy stel wel belang in jou toekoms. Die verlede is verby.  Vergeet daarvan, en maak jou los daarvan. Vergewe jouself, en hou op om dit as verskoning te gebruik, om te glo dat jy nie bruikbaar vir God is nie.

God glo in jou, en in wat jy kan bereik. Hy het jou immers gemaak, en weet wat jou potensiaal is.

Laat hierdie Kersfees tyd werklik jou herinner dat Christus gekom het na ons as mens toe, om ons die geleentheid te kom bied om te kan vernader, en ons lewens reg te maak.  Hy het gekom sodat elke een van ons nie doelloos hoef te wees nie, maar met Sy hulp, kan elkeen van ons iets goeds en groots kan laat gebeur.

God roep jou!   Wat is jou antwoord, of wat is jou verskoning?!

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My preek van 21 Oktober 2012 : Lukas 13 - Dunnottar NG Kerk

Lukas 13: 22-30

 Wie sal mag ingaan?

 Hierdie is die vraag wat so baie mense al oor die eeue heen mee worstel… Sal daar vir my ‘n plek wees?  As daardie groot dag moet aanbreek, sal ek mag ingaan?

 Ons sien hier dat Jesus die voorbeeld gebruik wat bekend was vir al die Jode.  Die beeld wat hulle van die “hiernamaals” gehad het, was een van ’n groot Fees maal. En hulle het geglo dat al die belangrike en “vroom” mense ’n plekkie sou kry by die groot fees-maal. Dit sou amper wees soos die film wat ons sien van die ou tye, waar ’n koning ’n ete sou gee, en die kos sou swaar op die tafel lê, en die vrolike musiek sou speel, en almal sou eet, en heerlik kuier, en hulle sou daar wees omdat hulle belangrike gaste van die koniong was. Hulle sou die plek daar verdien deur hulle status en aansien, en oor wat hulle vir die koning beteken het.

 Maar Jesus verras hulle met Sy antwoord...  Die ingang is nie ’n groot en wye poort nie, maar ’n smal deur.  Dit is so maklik om dit te mis, en so baie mense sal dit mis. Inteendeel, die wat dit kry is maar min. 

 Wat dalk meer vir hulle tot verbasing was, was Jesus se antwoord dat hulle inspanning en deursettings vermoë aan die dag sal moet lê, as hulle wil inkom.  In die Grieks verwys dit amper na ’n stryd, of kompetisie soos ’n atletiek wedstryd.  Dit is nie iets wat bereikbaar is deur maar net terug te sit, en te glo dit sal gebeur, net omdat jy so goed of gesiene is nie....

 Jou aansien en belangrikheid in die kerk tel nie.   Dit maak nie saak of jy die Dominee of die skoonmaker by die kerk is nie.  Jou bydrae tot die sending, en Bybel verspreiding kan nie jou sitplek koop nie. Al daai dinge tel nie om te betaal vir ’n sitplek aan die feesmaal nie.

 So, wanneer die Here die deur toemaak op daardie laaste dag, sal baie wat hulle self na die groot fees genooi het eers besef dat daar nie vir hulle ’n plek sal wees nie... SO, wie is die self genooides?   Dit is hulle wat glo dat hulle ’n plek in die hemel verdien het. Die wat glo dat dinge op hulle terme moet geskied.   Hierdie mense glo hulle is heilig en goed genoeg uit hulle eie uit, en daar moet maar net vir hulle plek wees, want die rol wat hulle op aarde in die kerk gespeel het was so belangrik dat hulle plekkie in die hemel automaties bespreek is.

 Maar dit is nie so nie...

 Maar wie sal dan daar wees?

 Hier kry die Jode weer ’n antwoord wat hulle nie verwag het nie... Jesus vertel aan die volk wat hulle as “uitverkorenes” beskou het, wat maar net aanvaar het hulle is in op die feesmaal lys, dat hulle dit dalk juis nie gaan maak nie...

 Daar kom selfs ’n verwysing wat vir hulle aanstoot kon gee, ’n verwysing na die “ooste, weste, noorde en suide”  wat na die heidene kon verwys.  Jesus verwys selfs na die wat laaste is, wat kan eerste wees...  Maar die belangrike mense in die gemeenskap en kerk kan dit nie insien nie... Want hulle is tog die belangrikste en hulle moet tog voorkeur geniet? 

 Party keer is ons verwysings raamwerk maar gekoppel aan ons aardse manier van dinge verstaan. 

 Ons sien die feesmaal dalk soos ’n groot Rugby wedstreid, en en wanneer die kaartjies beskikbaar word vir die wedstryd, sal mense uit hulle pad gaan om selfs voor die hekke te gaan slaap om hulle kaartjie te mag kry... Dan is daar die “belangrike mense” soos die presidente, en ministers wat nie hulle self bekommer nie, want hulle weet hulle sal komplimentêre kaartjies kry. Dit is natuurlik waar van die groot sangers en akteurs, en die borge ook. Hulle weet mos hulle plek is verseker, kosteloos...  Dit, terwyl mense van vroeg af tou moet staan, net met die hoop dat hulle ’n kaartjie kan koop, en soos die tou stadig beweeg, word die stress al hoër... Gaan daar nog plek wees teen die tyd dat ek voor kom?

 Jesus sê dat dit nie so werk met die Hemel se toegang nie.  Niemand se plek is verseker nie, maar so baie mense glo dat hulle wel ’n plekkie verseker het, net oor wat hulle op aarde gedoen of bereik het, en veral binne die kerk.  Inteendeel,  die deur is baie smal, en min sal daar deur gaan...

 Maar wie sal daar wees?

 Die wat op die uitnodiging reageer in tyd!  Die wat die uitnodiging aanvaar met hulle hele hart, en siel, en verstand, en al hulle kragte.  Die wat hulle lewe wei om te volhard soos atlete in hulle strewe om by die wenpaal uit te kom, en nie slaplê in volharding nie.   Dit is hulle wat die vrugte dra van ’n lewende verhouding met God.

 Die Here het jou LIEF, en Hy het jou gemaak.  Maar, omdat jy maar net ’n mens is, vol Foute, en op die pad na verderf toe, Het Hy vir jou ’n baie duur prys betaal...  Hy het Sy Seun, Jesus Christus gestuur om vir jou te kom sterf, sodat jy sal kan lewe.

 Maar dit beteken niks as jy dit nie aan neem, en glo nie. Dit beteken ook niks as jy sê dat jy die glo, maar lewe asof dit nie so is nie... God laat nie met Hom spot nie...

 Ek het al met julle die storie gedeel, maar doen dit graag weer:

 Die storie wat ‘n verskil in my lewe gemaak het.  Dit is die storie van ‘n seuntjie in Engeland.  ‘N Kind met wonderlike talent vir sokker.  Hy is voorwaar ‘n uitstekende speler gewees, en het dit ook baie goed geweet.  Hy het geweet hy hoef nooit baie hard te werk om die span te haal nie, want die afrigter sou hom mos in elk geval kies, Met oefeninge het het dalk die helfte van die oefening gedoen wat die ander doen, en self so dan en wan ‘n oefening gemis.    Die afrigter was al moedeloos.  Met wedstryde het ‘n alyd net genoeg gedoen om te verseker dat hulle darem wen.  Nooit sy alles gegee nie.  Die afrigter het gewag op ‘n geleenthei om die jong seun ‘n les te leer.   Een Donderdag middag met oefening het dit weer gebeur, iemand het die jong seun kom wegroep by die oefening, want hy moes glo dringend huis toe gaan.  Die afrigter het besluit om die geleenthied te gebruik om die seun ‘n les te leer.  Die reël is mos, as jy nie die oefening bywoon nie, mag jy nie speel by die wedstryd nie.  Toe Saterdag oggen aanbreek was die seun daar, Hy was vuur en vlam om te speel.  Hy was so eiewerig vir die wedstryd as wat hy nog nooit voorheen was nie. Hy kon nie wag om te speel nie.  Maar, die afrigter het net gesê NEE, jy ken die reëls.  Die jong seun het bly pleit om te speel, maar die afrigter het by sy punt gebly.  Die Saterdag het dit besonders sleg gegaan met die span.  Hulle het baie sleg begin verloor, en toe half-tyd aanbreek was hulle reeds so vêr agter dat daar geen manier was dat hulle sou kon wen nie.  Die seun het ernstig gepleit om te mag speel, en die afrigter het ingestem.   Dalk sou dit hulle darem kon help om ‘n paar punte te kon kry.  Tot almal se verbasing speel die jong seun die dag soos nog nooit in sy lewe nie.  Hy gee werklik sy alles. Hy speel so goed dat die span teen die einde van die wedstryd nie net wen nie, maar vêr ook.  Die afrigter was uiters verbaas... Wat het die verskil gemaak wou hy van die seun weet, hoekom juis vandag... ?   Die antwoord was: “U sien, toe hulle my Donderdag kom roep het by die oefening, was dit omdat my moeder gesterf het, Sy was blind, en baie sieklik gewees, my pa het ek nog nooit geken nie, en niemand het nog ooit kon kom kyk hoe ek speel nie.  Vandag weet ek, my ma kon sien, sy het gekyk, en dit maak die verskil”

 Hoe lewe Jy?  Geen jy jou alles?   Maar bo alles,  HET JY “N LEWENDE  VERHOUDING MET GOD,  een wat VRUGTE DRA?

 Is jou plek geboek?  Gaan jy in die hemel wees?

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My preek van 7 Oktober 2012: Galasiers 5:13-25 - Dunnottar NG Kerk

Galasiers 5:13-26

Gal 5:13  Want julle is tot vryheid geroep, broeders; gebruik net nie julle vryheid as ‘n aanleiding vir die vlees nie, maar dien mekaar deur die liefde.

Gal 5:14  Want die hele wet word vervul in een woord, naamlik: Jy moet jou naaste liefhê soos jouself.

Gal 5:15  Maar as julle mekaar byt en opeet, pas op dat julle nie die een deur die ander verteer word nie.

Gal 5:16  Maar ek sê: Wandel deur die Gees, dan sal julle nooit die begeerlikheid van die vlees volbring nie;

Gal 5:17  want die vlees begeer teen die Gees, en die Gees teen die vlees; en hulle staan teenoor mekaar, sodat julle nie kan doen wat julle wil nie.

Gal 5:18  Maar as julle deur die Gees gelei word, dan is julle nie onder die wet nie.

Gal 5:19  En die werke van die vlees is openbaar, naamlik owerspel, hoerery, onreinheid, ongebondenheid;

Gal 5:20  afgodery, towery, vyandskap, twis, jaloersheid, toornigheid, naywer, tweedrag, partyskap;

Gal 5:21  afguns, moord, dronkenskap, brassery en dergelike dinge, waarvan ek julle vooraf sê, soos ek al vroeër gesê het, dat die wat sulke dinge doen, die koninkryk van God nie sal beërwe nie.

Gal 5:22  Maar die vrug van die Gees is liefde, vreugde, vrede, lankmoedigheid, vriendelikheid, goedheid, getrouheid, sagmoedigheid, selfbeheersing.

Gal 5:23  Teen sulke dinge is die wet nie.

Gal 5:24  Maar die wat aan Christus behoort, het die vlees met sy hartstogte en begeerlikhede gekruisig.

Gal 5:25  As ons deur die Gees lewe, laat ons ook deur die Gees wandel.

Gal 5:26  Laat ons nie word soekers van ydele eer wat mekaar uittart en mekaar beny nie.

Liefde, vreugde & Vrede…

In hierdie gedeelte van die Woord van God lees ons van dit wat getuig van die Gees van God wat in ons woon. Dit handel nie net oor hoe ons optree, en ons gesindheid nie, maar juis ook oor ons ervarings. 

Ervarings is gekoppel aan emosies, en ’n lewende verhouding. Ervaring is iets wat prakties ervaar word, en nie iets wat jy van kan getuig, of kan uit lewe as jy dit nie prakties self al deurgemaak het nie...  En die eerste drie punte op die  lysie wat ons van lees wat juis moet getuig dat jy die Heilige Gees in jou het, is dit wat die praktiese ervaring van God se Gees binne jou, jou sal laat ervaar.

Dit sal juis dit wees wat iets van God sal wys en uitstraal, en wat ander sal laat getuig dat hulle iets van God in jou kon sien, en ervaar.  Jy sal God kan “lewe”  as ander dit in jou kan prakties beleef.

Kom ons kyk na die eerste drie...

LIEFDE.

 Hoe hartseer dat hierdie woord so goedkoop geword het...

Mense verwar liefde so maklik met goedkoop gevoelens van wel-lus, genot, en smaak en voorkeur.  Want liefde gaan oor self-vergryping aan wat ek begeer, en mee wil assosieer. 

EK is lief vir duur duitse motors, my rugby span, ’n lekker koppie koffie, ’n lekker bruin gebakte skaap-boud met gebakte aartappels, en ek is lief vir jag, en lang see vakansies saam met my gesin!

Geen van die dinge is iets wat jy kan lief wees voor nie, aangesien dit net wys op jou begeertes, en eerder jou begeertes en voorkeure uitwys as beskryf wat liefde waarlik is.

Dan kom ons by die ander liefde....  Ek is lief vir my ouers, my eggenoot, my kinders...   Alhoewel hierdie bietjie meer neig na die ware betekenis van liefde, is dit egter iets wat die Bybel vir ons sê, nie meer is as dit wat die heidene doen nie.  Dit is maklik om lief te wees vir die wat jou lief het...  Maar God se liefde is soveel meer.

 Is ons liefde so? 

 Kom ons toets gou ons liefde...  Vir wie is jy werklik lief?  Dink aan 1 persoon.  Nou vra ek jou ’n paar vrae...

 -         Wat het jy gister gedoen om daardie persoon se dag spesiaal te maak?  

-         Wat het jy gister gedoen om deur ietsie kleins te gee wat vir daardie persoon sou wys dat jy hom of haar waardeer.

-         Wat het jy gister op ge-offer vir die ander persoon, wat jy eintlik graag self nodig gehad het?

-         Waar het jy gister eerder stil gebly toe die een vir wie jy lief was jou baie seer gemaak het met iets wat hulle gesê of gedoen het?  - OF HET JY HULLE LAAT VERSTAAN JY LAAT NIE SO MET JOU PRAAT NIE?

U sien,  ware liefde sal nooit vra.... doen iets vir my nie.... Daai woorde – “As jy my lief het, sou jy dit vir my gedoen het nie..”

Liefde gaan nooit om dit wat ek wil kry nie, maar oor dit wat ek kan gee...  Ware liefde wil uit-deel, en die nader laat verstaan dat jy hul so waardeer dat jy uit jou pad sal gaan om hulle gelukkig te kan maak, en kan sien.  SONDER OM TERUG TE VERWAG!

Ja, ek weet dit is nie altyd hoe ’n verhouding werk nie, want liefde in ’n verhouding het tog twee kante.  Maar my vraag is,  hoekom is jy in ’n verhouding?  Vir wat jy kan kry,  of vir wat jy wil gee? Is dit bloot vir eie belang, of uit ware liefde?

 God se liefde is een wat Sy lewe vir ons gegee het, en een wat op geooffer het, veel meer as wat ons ooit voor kan vergoed.  God se liefde is onverdiend, en dit word so bitter min aan Hom terug bewys.  Ons wil egter so maklik dit van Hom vra, maar ons lewens wys nie altyd die dankbaarheids deel terug nie...

 Het jy God se liefde? Straal dit uit jou uit?  Het enige iemand al ooit vir jou gesê dat hulle God se liefde van jou ervaar... 

 ’n liefde vir almal,  elke volk, nasie en taal...

’n liefde wat nie oordeel nie,

’n liefde wat nie eie-belang of vervuling soek nie, maar net wil gee

’n liefde wat totaal sonder voorwaardes is...  vir almal, ook hulle wat jou kruisig, spot en verneder...

Het jy God se liefde in jou?

VREUGDE!

-         Jy moet vreugde uitstraal!

 AS die Gees van Christus in jou woon sal jou lewe daarvan moet getuig, want dit is hoe die Gees van God tot openbaring kom in jou lewe.  Maar vreugde?

Wat wil die gedeelte nou eintlik sê?

Van al die maniere waarop die Gees in jou lewe gestalte kry, is vreugde sekerlik die een van die meeste met jou innerlike gevoel te make het. 

Dit wys op die stemming waarmee ons in ons Christelike lewens lewe.  Waar al die ander dinge meer oor die praktiese manier van “doen” gaan,  is hierdie een hoe ons die Christelike lewe moet “ERVAAR” – want dit het “gevoel” waarde. 

Ons kan juis die vreugde ervaar, omdat al die ander uitlewing van die ander vrugte van die Gees ons meer en meer vanGod laat ervaar, en ons in ons verhouding met God nader aan Hom groei, elker dag.

Ons kan vreugde ervaar, as ons waarlik lief het, en die liefde in ons op borrel.

Maar vreugde is die een dinge waarvan ons so maklik beroof word. Dit is die een ding wat omstandighede die maklikste uit doof.  Wanneer die pad wat ons loop begin moeilik gaan, en dinge gebeur wat ons seermaak, is dit juis die eerste dinge wat by die deur uit is.

Dink mooi daaroor... Wie van God se kinders ken jy wat nog vreugde uitstraal, altyd! 

As ons dink aan die gesigte van mense om ons, en die mense wat saam met ons die Here dien... Straal hulle van vreugde, oor wie hulle Here is, of wys die diep plooie om die gesigte juis meer op bekommernis, stress, diep hartseer, en verweite.

As jy op straat verby mense loop is die kans dat jy ’n glimlag sal sien maar baie baie min...  Mense lewe binne hulle self, en straal nie vreugde uit nie...  As jy iemand sien met ’n groot glimlag, en daar is geen duidelike rede nie, dan is daardie persoon seker op drugs....?

Hoe hartseer dat dit is hoe ons lewe geword het.  Waar is ons vreugde dan heen?  Het ons dit op gegee, in ruil vir ons omstandighede?  Dien ons God, met ‘n  “as-gevolg-van” houding, wat wys wat ons omstandighede is,  eerder as om God te dien, “ten-spyte-van”  alles wat om ons aan gaan... Soos dit hoort. Die oog gevestig op Hom!

 
 VREDE....

-         Die jong mense het die sê ding van “ek haat vrede, kom ons baklei!”

Iets wat hulle in ’n grap sal sê wanneer iemand in ’n slegte bui is, en ’n rede soek om vas te sit met almal.  Maar ongelukkig ook iets wat waar is...  Mense in hul selfsug wil veel eerder baklei as om in vrede met mekaar te lewe.

Mense se eie opinie en gemak is veel meer belangrik vir hulle, as om in vrede te lewe.  As ek nie kan my punt bewys nie, en my opinie nie erken word, of my regte erken word nie, dan is daar oorlog.  Dit gaan oor MY!

Vir mense is dit soms meer belangrik om reg te wees in ’n argument, en die wenner van die argurment te wees, eerder as om liefde, en vrede en geluk te probeer deel... Hulle gee nie om hoeveel seer hulle veroorsaak nie, solank hulle wen, en hulle reg kan wees. 

Waar is Christus in dit. Waar is Sy vrede in dit alles?  Dra jy nog Sy vrede in jou?

 Het iemand al OOIT vir jou gesê, dat wanneer jy in ’n vertek instap bring jy so ’n ervaring van vrede en kalmte saam met jou. Dat jou blote teenwoordigheid hulle rustig en kalm maak, want jy dra ’n vrede in jou wat tasbaar is?

 Wat ’n wonderlike kompliment.  Dit wys op ’n vrug van die Heilige Gees wat sigbaar is in jou lewe vir ander om te ervaar. Dit wys dat die Gees van God juis uit jou straal.

  En NOU ?

 Het jy die drie in jou lewe?  Het jy die regte liefde?  Ervaar jy die Vreugde wat uit jou uitstraal, en dra jy God se VREDE tasbaar met jou saam? ....   en dit is maar net die eerste drie, in die volgorde van belangrikheid, soos uit een gesit in Paulus se brief aan Galasiers...

 Indien nie...  dan wys dit dalk juis dat jou verhouding met God besig is om skip-breuk te lei...

 Kom en maak reg.  Die tyd is MIN!  God wil jou weer opnuut vul met SY  LIEFDE, Sy  Vreugde, en Sy  VREDE....

 Ervaar die by God, en gaan leef die uit!

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Sunday, 08 June 2008                    

Matthew 16:1-12

Mat 16:1-12  Some Pharisees and Sadducees who came to Jesus wanted to trap him, so they asked him to perform a miracle for them, to show that God approved of him. But Jesus answered, "When the sun is setting, you say, 'We are going to have fine weather, because the sky is red.' And early in the morning you say, 'It is going to rain, because the sky is red and dark.' You can predict the weather by looking at the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs concerning these times! How evil and godless are the people of this day! You ask me for a miracle? No! The only miracle you will be given is the miracle of Jonah." So he left them and went away. When the disciples crossed over to the other side of the lake, they forgot to take any bread. Jesus said to them, "Take care; be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." They started discussing among themselves, "He says this because we didn't bring any bread." Jesus knew what they were saying, so he asked them, "Why are you discussing among yourselves about not having any bread? What little faith you have! Don't you understand yet? Don't you remember when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand men? How many baskets did you fill? And what about the seven loaves for the four thousand men? How many baskets did you fill? How is it that you don't understand that I was not talking to you about bread? Guard yourselves from the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!" Then the disciples understood that he was not warning them to guard themselves from the yeast used in bread but from the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Listening to understand. 

Mostly, we are just like the disciples. We only hear what we want to, and understand only the things that make us feel that comfortable in our situation.  So often we will go looking for scripture, just to prove a point, no matter how badly out of context we bend the scripture, just as long as it suits our argument. Just like the disciples, we prefer not to learn a lesson, or look for the real meaning of God's word. We think we can simply limit the meaning to our current situation and we fail to make the time to ask God what the real and true meaning of the words may be. Too often we attend church and listen to a sermon, taking everything that is said at face value, and not searching for God's personal message to us. Sad, but true… Often the words spoken from a pulpit might have been misinterpreted and yet preached as the truth, but because we ignore God's voice and His will, we accept what we hear as being true. The question is, "Do you know God? Do you know His will and understand His heart?"

**  Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 01 June 2008                    

Matthew 11:28-30

Is there, anywhere, still some place where I can find rest? Does such a place still exist on this earth, where there is true peace, where I can flee to in search of calmness for my soul, find answers to the questions that haunt me day and night, and where nobody will judge, nobody will try to find fault and nobody will hurt with poisoned words and statements? Does such a place exist, or is this an illusion - a search for the unobtainable? How my soul yearns to find a place where I may lay down and experience rest, without my mind spinning off in all directions until I finally drift into a restless sleep only to be awoken by an alarm clock, often feeling more tired than when I went to bed. How I yearn to feel content and completely happy. But, another week is starting… The weekend has passed, and I wonder where I will ever find the energy to face another week. I am worried about the economy, and the rising fuel cost. Will we be able to survive? Will my work situation improve in this week, or will new challenges simply be too much for me to cope? What about relationships?  Where will it all end? Will I ever know what true happiness is?

Is there still a place somewhere where true love is always present - where there is no place for anger, hate or hurt? Is there still somewhere where I can be content with my happiness, and feel sufficient love to make me feel happy and carefree because, there, I could find rest through knowing that nothing will go wrong.

And so we search, over and over. We are searching for this place where we can find rest, peace, love and contentment. And yet, so seldom will we find it. The reality of our daily living and conflict is simply too overwhelming and we once again find ourselves tossing and turning on our beds at night - searching for rest, but finding that it keeps eluding us.   Where, then, will we find what we are looking for?

Matthew 11:28-30  "Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest. For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light."

Psalm 23:1-3  The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in fields of green grass and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water. He gives me new strength.

If you recognize yourself in the scenario written here, then maybe you should also take a closer look at these verses from scripture. There is a place where we can find rest. There is a place where we can renew our strength. We will find this place at the feet of our Lord.  Go to Him and He will help.

**  Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 25 May 2008                    

2 Timothy 3: 1-17

2Ti 3:1-17 Remember that there will be difficult times in the last days. People will be selfish, greedy, boastful, and conceited; they will be insulting, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, and irreligious; they will be unkind, merciless, slanderers, violent, and fierce; they will hate the good; they will be treacherous, reckless, and swollen with pride; they will love pleasure rather than God; they will hold to the outward form of our religion, but reject its real power. Keep away from such people. Some of them go into people's houses and gain control over weak women who are burdened by the guilt of their sins and driven by all kinds of desires, women who are always trying to learn but who can never come to know the truth. As Jannes and Jambres were opposed to Moses, so also these people are opposed to the truth---people whose minds do not function and who are failures in the faith. But they will not get very far, because everyone will see how stupid they are. That is just what happened to Jannes and Jambres. But you have followed my teaching, my conduct, and my purpose in life; you have observed my faith, my patience, my love, my endurance, my persecutions, and my sufferings. You know all that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, the terrible persecutions I endured! But the Lord rescued me from them all. Everyone who wants to live a godly life in union with Christ Jesus will be persecuted; and evil persons and impostors will keep on going from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived themselves. But as for you, continue in the truths that you were taught and firmly believe. You know who your teachers were, and you remember that ever since you were a child, you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed.  

Difficult times.

We surely know what the Bible is talking about, as we are reading about some of the things that would signal the last days. We read the first few verses, and cannot help to see the things going on around us, being summarized by these verses. People are greedy, selfish, insulting, disobedient, and so more. Yes, they may confess to be a Christian, but as we read here, they will reject the true God, and make His presence in their lives disappear. No longer will we live in a society where Christian values, and strong Christian leaders will set the example of what it really means to serve and love God with all our might, and have His love and power be visible by their actions.  

But, you are called to set the example. You are once again reminded that you were told the truth, and you know what the truth is, as it was taught to you by Christian people, that might have been your parents, grandparents, teachers, ministers, or just someone that God had send across your way to teach you the truth that led you to salvation. You are now called on to go and live your life as a person that will not be deceived by the temptations of this world, and the deceptions taught by others. The Bible clearly teaches what is right and what is wrong. The will of God is known to you. If you read your Bible, and you spend time getting to know what the will of God is, then there is no reason to be deceived by the deceptions of the world. Hold on to what you where taught. It will save your life for eternity.

**  Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 18 May 2008                    

Psalm 90 (Modern King James Version) 

Psa 90:1-17  A Prayer of Moses, the man of God. O Jehovah, You have been our dwelling-place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting You are God. You turn man to dust, and say, Return, sons of men. For a thousand years in Your sight are as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. You carry them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep; in the morning they are like grass which grows up. In the morning it sprouts and shoots up; in the evening it is cut down, and dries up. For we are burned up by Your anger, and by Your wrath we are troubled. You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your face. For all our days pass away in Your wrath; we finish our years like a murmur. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by strength they are fourscore years, yet their pride is labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knows the power of Your anger? And as Your fear is, so is Your wrath. So teach us to number our days, so that we may bring a heart of wisdom. Return, O Jehovah! How long? And give pity to Your servants. Satisfy us early with Your mercy, so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad according to the days of our affliction, the years in which we have seen evil. Let Your work appear to Your servants, and Your glory to their sons. And let the beauty of Jehovah our God be on us; and establish the work of our hands on us; yea, the work of our hands, establish it.  

Gaining wisdom to spend our time in the right way. 

Time, the modern dilemma. The one thing we always run out off, and the one thing chasing us. But is it such a modern problem? Psalm 90 is seen as the oldest psalm ever written. It was written by Moses in the days when Israel was still working as slaves in Egypt. Even in this time, so long ago, the Psalm was written about time, and how people lived, thinking that they are invincible. They where not seeing the bigger picture, realizing that death may come for them,  and that they may not be ready for it.   

The “good news” translation states “Psalm 90:12 Teach us how short our life is, so that we may become wise.”  As we have read in our exert from Psalm 90, it reads, “teach us to number our day…” But what does this mean? Moses is telling the people that we are only like grass. The people of Israel knew this, as they where working as slaves for the Egyptians, and their lives had no value to their masters. Even their babies where killed. Yet, they did not use every second as possibly their last, and they were making the best of it. They continued life, as if there were many days to come. Moses called to them, reminding them that this is not wise. He said to them that they must know that they are only as grass. They never know when they will be cut down, simply to no longer exist. He also said that a person who has this knowledge, and is numbering his day will become wise. They will not spend their time doing that what is foolish, and wrong, for they will know the value of time, and the value of every single second, as they come but once. So we are often also guilty of living our life’s as if their will not be an end to it, and as if we may not be killed by violence, in an accident, or suddenly die of a medical reason. 

Thus, some people see time as the greatest enemy we have, but time should rather be our companion in life, that constantly reminds us that we should cherish every moment, and every second, for they will never come again. Every second is a gift, all we have is the present, for we know not what the future will bring. Knowing this will bring wisdom to your heart, and you will be able to live the life that will have eternal value, not wasting it on petty things like hate, greed, fighting and selfish behaviour, for that will not be the actions of someone with wisdom about the value of the limited time we have on earth. Go, and spend your time wisely.

**  Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 11 May 2008                    

2 Timothy 1: 1-14

2Ti 1:1-14  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my dearly beloved child. Grace, mercy, peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, so that I may be filled with joy, taking recollection of the unfeigned faith that is in you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and in your mother Eunice. And I am persuaded that it is in you also. Therefore I remind you to inflame anew the gift of God, which is in you by the putting on of my hands. For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Therefore you should not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner. But be partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the eternal times. But it is now having been manifested by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has made death of no effect, bringing life and immortality to light through the gospel; to which I am appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher of the nations. For this cause I also suffer these things; but I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that He is able to guard My deposit unto that Day. Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. Guard the good Deposit given through the Holy Spirit indwelling in us.                                        

Being responsible for encouragement.

In this letter from Paul, we learn something about our responsibility as Christians, to care for, and encourage other Christians, and our children, not only by words, but also by example. In this letter, Paul is addressing a young man, called Timothy. From this letter, we can see that Paul loved this young man, and that he knew this young man's family rather well.  Paul obviously heard that this young man was struggling, and writes Timothy a letter to build up his strength and courage.  

In this letter, we see that Paul is referring to the faith that was evident in Timothy’s mother and grandmother. He takes the time to remind this young man of their example. This should serve as an encouragement, thinking back of the example they were to him. Obviously it should show Timothy that, regardless of the circumstances his mother and grandmother faces, they served God, and they never allowed external circumstances to make them doubt their faith. 

What is our message in this? We should take responsibility for those younger than ourselves in their faith. As Paul, we should adopt them as children, and encourage them, even when we ourselves are at a place where we are in need of encouragement.  

It also calls on parents and grandparents to understand the great responsibility they have as parents not only to teach their children what is right and what is wrong, but also to set the example to them of what real faith in God is. 

Let us make this a week of being true to this calling. Be faithful in uplifting the spirits of those that are downhearted, and in need of our upliftment, and support. Go out, and take the hand of another young Christian, reminding them of their faith, and helping them uphold it.

**  Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 04 May 2008                    

1 Corinthians 10:1-14

1Co 10:1-14    I want you to remember, my friends, what happened to our ancestors who followed Moses. They were all under the protection of the cloud, and all passed safely through the Red Sea. In the cloud and in the sea they were all baptized as followers of Moses. All ate the same spiritual bread and drank the same spiritual drink. They drank from the spiritual rock that went with them; and that rock was Christ himself. But even then God was not pleased with most of them, and so their dead bodies were scattered over the desert. Now, all of this is an example for us, to warn us not to desire evil things, as they did, nor to worship idols, as some of them did. As the scripture says, "The people sat down to a feast which turned into an orgy of drinking and sex." We must not be guilty of sexual immorality, as some of them were---and in one day twenty-three thousand of them fell dead. We must not put the Lord to the test, as some of them did---and they were killed by snakes. We must not complain, as some of them did---and they were destroyed by the Angel of Death. All these things happened to them as examples for others, and they were written down as a warning for us. For we live at a time when the end is about to come. If you think you are standing firm you had better be careful that you do not fall. Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out. So then, my dear friends, keep away from the worship of idols.  

“So let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall !” v12 (Modern King James) 

This week, the message from the Word of God is a warning. It is there to encourage us to think about our lives and measure them against God’s will as a test to ensure that we are still on the right track.  But what is the warning all about?  This was written to warn the people about following idols and the desires of the flesh, thinking that there will be no consequence to these actions. It warns us not to take the Spiritual high ground and then think that nothing will happen to us, because we are “okay in our relationship with God” These people thought that the body was for pleasure and, as they no longer lived under the law, they could do what ever they wanted. This scripture is a warning that this perception is not true. God is not pleased with this behavior. We are to ensure that we follow His commandments, and not alter them to suit ourselves. Just because they interpreted the Bible to suit their needs and immoral ways, it did not mean that the message they believed was true. 

So, what are these idols in your life?  What is more important to you than God? Could it possibly be a sexual affair as mentioned in this scripture or lust that has become the lord and master of your life, causing you to sin and yearn for what is wrong? Is it maybe the quest for power and riches that has side-tracked you so that the time you have for God is less and less? Is it gambling, or “the horses” that is taking up your time and your money? Is the time you spend in front of the television or the computer more than the time you are willing to give to the Lord, and getting closer to Him? Are your body and your health more important, causing you to spend hours, either in the gym, or else worrying about your health, instead of using your situation to His glory? Is it your struggle to survive and find self-worth that is consuming your time, rather than being a humble servant of the Lord, simply trusting in Him to provide? 

Be warned, as this scripture shows us because, of these people falling into sexual immorality and idolatry, we read: “and in one day twenty-three thousand of them fell dead” 

So my brothers and sisters, “If you think  you are standing firm you had better be careful that you do not fall” This implies that you may die without God, because you never stopped to look at this warning….  ”So let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall…

**  Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 27 April 2008                    

1 John 1:4-10

1John 1:4-10   And we write these things to you so that your joy may be full. And this is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.  

Do you need some Light?

Other than the norm of looking at the darkness of sin, I would like to look at another type of darkness today because, as the very first sentence states, this passage was written to ensure that our joy could be full. So, what is this darkness that I am talking about? Well, let us look at some examples.

It may be the darkness brought into your life by pain, and sorrow. Is the pain that you are carrying inside you becoming so overwhelming that it is the cause of darkness, resulting in the fact that the Light of Jesus becomes only a dim flicker of light in your day to day living?

Is your darkness caused by depression? Have the worries of life become so overwhelming that you simply don’t see how it will ever get better, resulting in your becoming depressed? Or is it more of a feeling of hopelessness that you are experiencing? Often, situations seem so bad, that we simply don’t see the possibility of things ever getting better again.

Maybe your darkness is caused by a hunger. You may hunger for Love, for Acceptance, for Security, or for God -  or maybe it is simply a hunger for food.  A hunger like this can cause you to experience a darkness or void which you search to fill. But where is the answer?

God is the Light.

God knows you, and he knows about all your pain and suffering. God would like to help you with this. He is the God that heals. Have you asked Him to assist you in your darkness? Are you feeling depressed or fearing that all is hopeless? Well, looking at 1 Cor. 13, we see that of the three gifts that will remain at the end, one will be hope. “Only three remains, faith, hope and Love”. We serve a God that has taught us that all things are possible for Him. Even when we don’t see a way, God will surely make one. All we need to do is to have faith in God's promises to us, and to know that hope remains.

And hunger? If you have a hunger for Love, then know that God loves you so much - to the extent that He gave His son to die for you. Acceptance?  As the old song says,… “Just as I am….”  God created you, and He loves you, faults and all. He would like to make you a child of God, and a prince or princess. Should you be yearning for the security and closeness of God,  He is waiting for you right now. You don’t have to wait any longer.  God is light, and He would like to take care of all the darkness that is bothering you. Are you willing to give Him a chance?

**  Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 20 April 2008                    

1 Samuel 3: 8-18

1Sa 3:8-18  The LORD called Samuel a third time; he got up, went to Eli, and said, "You called me, and here I am." Then Eli realized that it was the LORD who was calling the boy, so he said to him, "Go back to bed; and if he calls you again, say, 'Speak, LORD, your servant is listening.'" So Samuel went back to bed. The LORD came and stood there, and called as he had before, "Samuel! Samuel!" Samuel answered, "Speak; your servant is listening." The LORD said to him, "Some day I am going to do something to the people of Israel that is so terrible that everyone who hears about it will be stunned. On that day I will carry out all my threats against Eli's family, from beginning to end. I have already told him that I am going to punish his family forever because his sons have spoken evil things against me. Eli knew they were doing this, but he did not stop them. So I solemnly declare to the family of Eli that no sacrifice or offering will ever be able to remove the consequences of this terrible sin." Samuel stayed in bed until morning; then he got up and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. He was afraid to tell Eli about the vision. Eli called him, "Samuel, my boy!" "Yes, sir," answered Samuel. "What did the LORD tell you?" Eli asked. "Don't keep anything from me. God will punish you severely if you don't tell me everything he said." So Samuel told him everything; he did not keep anything back. Eli said, "He is the LORD; he will do whatever seems best to him."

 Answer to His call!

 Here we find a young boy, being awakened in the very early hours of the morning by a voice calling out to him. It is suggested that the boy, Samuel, must have been about 12 years old when this happened. We find this young boy serving under Eli, the great church leader of that time. Eli was at this stage already struggling with his sight, and in need of assistance at night. Thus, we find a boy caring for Eli, a boy who is used to running whenever Eli might call at night for assistance. And now, for the third time that night, the boy is awoken by the voice calling out his name. A voice not yet known to him, and so the boy believes that it must be Eli. 

We find two interesting scenarios here. The one calling is to a little boy, not really significant in the eyes of any adult, and the other is a calling to Eli, an elderly man, close to the end of his life, and in need of assistance for daily living. Neither of them would seem to be likely candidates for a calling. And yet, both of them answer the calling.

 I feel sorry for Eli in this passage. He was the great spiritual leader. His sons were supposed to follow in his footsteps and take over his position after his death, but he already knew that would not happen. God had already made it clear that they would soon die, as would Eli. In the first verses of chapter 3, we read that there were very few messages from the Lord to Israel. Eli, the spiritual leader, was to make peace with the fact that the Lord was not speaking to him, and neither to his sons. At this point, he realizes that God is speaking to a child, and he finds himself placed in a position where he has the choice of, either helping this child reach his potential as a great prophet, or misleading the child into keeping quiet about what really is being said to him. But Eli does the right thing. He teaches the child how to approach the Lord and listen to His words. Then, the next day, he encourages the child to testify without fear or disbelief in the message, everything that was said to him, failing which, he may also die for not being obedient. After failing miserably with his own children, Eli is teaching this boy the right way of being obedient to God. He also listens to a message from the Lord that is not good news for Eli and his family, but which shows the boy that he should not fear when delivering bad news, but that he should be obedient in doing so, for the message is the will of God.  "He is the LORD; he will do whatever seems best to him." Thus, do not fear to spread the word of the Lord. It will never fail you and, if you do it, God will reward you for your obedience. 

 Are we obedient? We have the word of the Lord, and we have received the calling to go and tell the world, without fear of what others may think. Without looking at our own short-falls, whether being too young, like Samuel, or too old and weak like Eli – whether being cared for or even maybe in an old-age home… They remained obedient to their calling.  Will You?

**  Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 23 March 2008                    

Luke 24:25-34

Luk 24:13-16  On that same day two of Jesus' followers were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking to each other about all the things that had happened. As they talked and discussed, Jesus himself drew near and walked along with them; they saw him, but somehow did not recognize him.

 Luk 24:25-34  As they came near the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther; but they held him back, saying, "Stay with us; the day is almost over and it is getting dark." So he went in to stay with them. He sat down to eat with them, took the bread, and said the blessing; then he broke the bread and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. They said to each other, "Wasn't it like a fire burning in us when he talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?" They got up at once and went back to Jerusalem, where they found the eleven disciples gathered together with the others and saying, "The Lord is risen indeed! He has appeared to Simon!" 

The Lord is risen indeed!

 Easter… Another week has gone by, but for some without the reverence it deserves. A week generally referred to as a holy week. But does it have a real impact on us, and our lives? It is seen as the most Holy week for Christians, but often we get spiritually more from Christmas than from Easter. It during Easter that we celebrate that which made a difference in our lives. Christ dying for our sins, Christ, undeserving of the suffering, being crucified, and suffering an horrific death. Christ entering death, and in death, defeating Satan, and setting the captives free. Christ then, after all of this, rising from the grave, for us, never to fear death again. The birth of eternal life!

 How was this Easter weekend for you? Were you maybe like the Emmaus travellers, spending time to think back on this wonderful time, trying to understand it, but not really understanding the meaning of it all? Did you spend time, trying to meet with Jesus, and learning more about the meaning of it all? Did you yearn for more information and knowledge, and spend time at church, and sitting at the feet of Jesus, trying to learn from Him, refusing to let Him go, for you need His teaching, more than anything?

 What is the message of Easter for you today?  It’s a special message, and it is intended for you. For we are all like Simon. In the mentioned scripture we read about Simons testimony to the others. "The Lord is risen indeed! He has appeared to Simon!" God wants you to know that He is not in a grave, and He is not gone. He is alive, and He has a special interest in your live. Like with Simon, He would like to walk with you, and guide you in your times of trouble, and uncertainty. He did not die on a cross for nothing, but with you in mind. He went thru all of that so that you may know that you will never again have to fear separation from God.  Thus, regardless of what this week may bring, be encouraged by the knowledge that our Lord is risen, and He will be with you, always, and in everything.

**  Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 16 March 2008                    

Psalm 82:1-12

Psa 84:1-12  How I love your Temple, LORD Almighty! How I want to be there! I long to be in the LORD's Temple. With my whole being I sing for joy to the living God. Even the sparrows have built a nest, and the swallows have their own home; they keep their young near your altars, LORD Almighty, my king and my God. How happy are those who live in your Temple, always singing praise to you. How happy are those whose strength comes from you, who are eager to make the pilgrimage to Mount Zion. As they pass through the dry valley of Baca, it becomes a place of springs; the autumn rain fills it with pools. They grow stronger as they go; they will see the God of gods on Zion. Hear my prayer, LORD God Almighty. Listen, O God of Jacob! Bless our king, O God, the king you have chosen. One day spent in your Temple is better than a thousand anywhere else; I would rather stand at the gate of the house of my God than live in the homes of the wicked. The LORD is our protector and glorious king, blessing us with kindness and honor. He does not refuse any good thing to those who do what is right. LORD Almighty, how happy are those who trust in you!  

My true desire.

 Being in God’s presence is the only real desire the psalmist has. He is praising God in this psalm, and singing about the wonder of God’s presence, and God’s protection. How wonderful is our God indeed.  

But what is my true desire? Do I desire riches, and health? Do I desire fame and fortune? Am I working extremely hard to reach an earthly goal, be it success in business, or financial security at the expense of my family, my friends and even my time with God?  Will my desire consume me in such a way that it will blind me to things that may actually be more important than my goal? Will it happen, or has it already happened, that I am blind to that which I should actually be striving towards.  Priorities are so important in life, but they are often completely wrong. What should my priorities look like? God should always be my first priority, then my family, then my work, and then my service to God. However, we allow Satan to convince us that our work is often more important than God or our families. Sometime it’s more subtle. We see our work for the Lord as being more important than God, or our relationship with Him, or our families’ relationships. It’s so sad when that happens. People are so pre-occupied with the work of God, that they do not have time left for the God of all these works. Don’t fall into this trap.  Do not forget your family. God has given them to you, and you are responsible for them. Do not neglect them.  But, is your relationship with God still your only true desire?  

The one thing that I truly desire is to be in God’s presence always. To feel His heartbeat, to hear His voice, and to feel His love. God, please, never leave me, nor forsake me!  Let me keep growing closer to you. God, I would rather stay at the gates of your house, than live in a castle where your presence is never experienced. Is this your prayer?  Is this your desire?  Remember, we first have to seek God, and His kingdom, then everything else will follow.  We often try working towards everything else, with the idea that we shall one day worry about God. It is then that we are left wondering why everything is going wrong … Why is nothing working out for us?  “… how happy are those who trust in God…”

**  Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 09 March 2008                    

Matthew 6: 25-34

Mat 6:25-34  "This is why I tell you: do not be worried about the food and drink you need in order to stay alive, or about clothes for your body. After all, isn't life worth more than food? And isn't the body worth more than clothes? Look at the birds: they do not plant seeds, gather a harvest and put it in barns; yet your Father in heaven takes care of them! Aren't you worth much more than birds? Can any of you live a bit longer by worrying about it? "And why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow: they do not work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that not even King Solomon with all his wealth had clothes as beautiful as one of these flowers. It is God who clothes the wild grass---grass that is here today and gone tomorrow, burned up in the oven. Won't he be all the more sure to clothe you? What little faith you have! "So do not start worrying: 'Where will my food come from? or my drink? or my clothes?' (These are the things the pagans are always concerned about.) Your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and he will provide you with all these other things. So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own. There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings.  

God will provide.

 It is a fact, God will provide. God is the One who is constantly providing in all our needs, and He is faithful in doing so. But, we often are the ones who are lacking in the faith and trust to believe that God will really provide. You see, my brother and sister, we need to trust in God, and be obedient to His will, and then He will provide in our needs. We should blindly trust God, and do as He asks. Thinking back in Biblical history, I can recall several instances where this has happened. Lets look at Moses. He had to appear before Pharaoh trusting only in God’s instruction. God said to Moses to tell Pharaoh that a miracle will happen, and he did tell. He only had God’s word that it would really happen, and trusting God, he acted out his orders, and miracles did happen. We also find Israel in the desert, complaining about the lack of food, saying that they trusted God when He told them to move from Egypt, and now the will die of hunger in a desert. But, because they trusted God, God provided food for every day.  We find more and more miracles like this in the Bible. Even looking at some miracles performed by Jesus, where Jesus said to the people that their faith will bear fruit, and thus, a miracle will happen. Do we have the faith required for miracles to happen in our lives? 

**  Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 02 March 2008                    

Psalm 27: 1-14

Psa 27:1-14  The LORD is my light and my salvation; I will fear no one. The LORD protects me from all danger; I will never be afraid. When evil people attack me and try to kill me, they stumble and fall. Even if a whole army surrounds me, I will not be afraid; even if enemies attack me, I will still trust God. I have asked the LORD for one thing; one thing only do I want: to live in the LORD's house all my life, to marvel there at his goodness, and to ask for his guidance. In times of trouble he will shelter me; he will keep me safe in his Temple and make me secure on a high rock. So I will triumph over my enemies around me. With shouts of joy I will offer sacrifices in his Temple; I will sing, I will praise the LORD. Hear me, LORD, when I call to you! Be merciful and answer me! When you said, "Come worship me," I answered, "I will come, LORD."   Don't hide yourself from me! Don't be angry with me; don't turn your servant away. You have been my help; don't leave me, don't abandon me, O God, my savior. My father and mother may abandon me, but the LORD will take care of me. Teach me, LORD, what you want me to do, and lead me along a safe path, because I have many enemies. Don't abandon me to my enemies, who attack me with lies and threats. I know that I will live to see the LORD's goodness in this present life. Trust in the LORD. Have faith, do not despair. Trust in the LORD.

 Discouraged?

 Some weeks are just worser than others. You just get those weeks where everything simply goes wrong, and it would feel like the entire world is against you, and nothing wants to go the way you would like it to. Do you know this feeling, or am I the only one that sometimes feels like this? Often we feel betrayed and let down by those we trusted to always be there for us, and wonder if it is even possible to trust at all. We see in scripture that David wrote that even his father and mother may abandon him, and he knew what is was to flee from your own son, who was wanting to kill him.

 What can we learn from David? When everything was going wrong, and all seemed hopeless for him he had only one wish. “Even if a whole army surrounds me, I will not be afraid; even if enemies attack me, I will still trust God. I have asked the LORD for one thing; one thing only do I want: to live in the LORD's house all my life, to marvel there at his goodness, and to ask for his guidance”  David did not ask for freedom, health, or even for his life to be spared, but he asked for God’s presence to be with him. His one desire was to get closer to God, to experience God’s goodness, and learn from God’s guidance. Nothing compared to this one desire of David. Unlike us, for we often turn away form God when all seems lost. We may pray for deliverance, and peace, and ask it from God. Should we not be more like David, simply trusting in God, and His protection and guidance?. But we are fearful creatures, wanting to run and hide. We fight for self preservation, and see ourselves in need of defending ourselves to men. We care more about what man thinks about us, and what man will see as being the truth, rather than only caring about getting closer to God, and trusting Him for our protection, and safe keeping.

**  Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 24 February 2008                    

Revelations 1:4-8

Rev 1:4-8  From John to the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace be yours from God, who is, who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits in front of his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first to be raised from death and who is also the ruler of the kings of the world. He loves us, and by his sacrificial death he has freed us from our sins and made us a kingdom of priests to serve his God and Father. To Jesus Christ be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen. Look, He is coming on the clouds! Everyone will see Him, including those who pierced Him. All peoples on earth will mourn over him. So shall it be! "I am the first and the last," says the Lord God Almighty, who is, who was, and who is to come.  

Who is this Jesus? 

What a vision to see! How amazing this vision of the trinity must have been, and what a powerful testimony of who Jesus truly is. Jesus is called the faithful witness. The first to be raised from death that spelled the end for all sinners. The one who concord the eternal condemnation brought by sin, and is now our counsellor, and ruler of the kings of the world. Jesus is hailed the one who freed us for sin, and the One who made us a nation of priests and kings, in service of the Father.  Truly, to God be the Glory and power, forever and ever! 

In these few verses, we see a reflection of the greatness and magnificence of Christ. We see the purpose of Jesus coming to earth, and dying for our sins, and the sovereignty as God and King.  This is the Lord I serve, and the Lord I have to praise and give thanks to, for He saved me. But, are we doing it with the needed respect, or do we often forget who out Lord and God is? Are we so often also guilty of being the ones to turn our backs on Him, when our testimony is needed? Are we often the ones who will criticize others, and hurt fellows Christians? Are we often the ones that are nailing Christ to the cross in the way we treat others?  Are we faithful servants, looking forward to Christ’s return on the clouds on the day of Glory, or will we be shocked to see Him return? 

Yes, all will see Him return! Even those who pierced Him. All peoples on earth will mourn over Him. Why?  Is it maybe because we will see the part we have played in His suffering? Will it be because on His return, we will be the ones caught red-handed standing with the hammer in our hands, the hammer used to drive in the nails that caused His death, and suffering? Be it by our acts of hate, betrayal, selfishness or lack of love for all, or maybe in not testifying to those who so much needed to know Jesus, but we acted like a Peter. Will the cock be crowing for us when Jesus returns? 

**  Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 17 February 2008                    

James 1:1-12

James 1:1-12  From James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: Greetings to all God's people scattered over the whole world. My friends, consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way, for you know that when your faith succeeds in facing such trials, the result is the ability to endure. Make sure that your endurance carries you all the way without failing, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all. But when you pray, you must believe and not doubt at all. Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is driven and blown about by the wind. If you are like that, unable to make up your mind and undecided in all you do, you must not think that you will receive anything from the Lord. Those Christians who are poor must be glad when God lifts them up, and the rich Christians must be glad when God brings them down. For the rich will pass away like the flower of a wild plant. The sun rises with its blazing heat and burns the plant; its flower falls off, and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way the rich will be destroyed while they go about their business. Happy are those who remain faithful under trials, because when they succeed in passing such a test, they will receive as their reward the life which God has promised to those who love him.

 Are you discouraged?

 Don’t get discouraged when troubles and difficulties are plenty. Wow, this is a difficult one. I don’t know about you, but when everything goes wrong, and nothing works out the way I would like it to, I often find myself getting discouraged, and blue. Why me? Can’t something good happen to me for a change?

 Does this sound familiar, or am I the only one feeling like this? Do problems and uncertainties in your family get you upset, and do you sometimes feel unappreciated and forgotten? Do you feel taken for granted, or are people always assuming things on your behalf, not really interested in your opinion? Have your dreams been destroyed, and your feelings been ignored? Have you been hurt, and are you sometimes yearning for someone’s acceptance, and love? Does it feel like life is just one long up-hill struggle?  Well, does it?

 Then you are not alone. Even in the days when James wrote this scripture, he knew that life very seldom works out as we plan it, and very often we will get disappointed and discouraged by what is going on. But he is telling us not to give up, and to trust in the Lord. He believed very strongly that when things are going wrong, God is just giving us an opportunity to grow. When thing go wrong, pray, and believe that God will use this situation to make you stronger, and learn endurance. This will happen, and should we endure in doing what is good and right, we will be rewarded.

 Thus, when things go wrong, we need to pray. Not as much for the problems and afflictions to go away, but for wisdom, wisdom to handle even the worst of situations in such a manner, that God will be glorified. And then, trust in God to do a miracle. God will never leave you, nor forsake you.

 **  Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 10 February 2008                    

Matthew 26:36-46

Mat 26:36-46  Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee. Grief and anguish came over him, and he said to them, "The sorrow in my heart is so great that it almost crushes me. Stay here and keep watch with me." He went a little farther on, threw himself face downward on the ground, and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, take this cup of suffering from me! Yet not what I want, but what you want." Then he returned to the three disciples and found them asleep; and he said to Peter, "How is it that you three were not able to keep watch with me for even one hour?   Keep watch and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Once more Jesus went away and prayed, "My Father, if this cup of suffering cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done." He returned once more and found the disciples asleep; they could not keep their eyes open. Again Jesus left them, went away, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then he returned to the disciples and said, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look! The hour has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to the power of sinners. Get up, let us go. Look, here is the man who is betraying me!"

What is it that you fear, regarding your future?

If only we knew exactly what the future holds and how everything will happen. If only there was no more uncertainty about anything in the future, and we had all the answers to the "why's". But we don't. We are faced with uncertainty about our relationships, marriages, our job security, our safety, our health and even our own deaths.  What causes fear about uncertainty?

Going back to scripture, we find God's promise that we will never be tested beyond our own strength, but so often it feels like we are tested to our limits, and we feel as if we are failing in our own strength and ability to handle the crisis we are facing. We roll around in our beds at night, unable to fall asleep. Our appetites fail, and it feels like there is a big black hole in our stomachs, eating away like a cancer.  What will tomorrow bring? What pain and suffering is waiting around the corner? Will I be able to remain standing when all is about to collapse around me?  How will I make it, and what will carry me through this time of uncertainty?

Knowing that there is a bigger picture is what will carry you through. Let us look at the example of Jesus in the garden, knowing what was about to happen to Him. Knowing that Judas was on his way to bring the soldiers that would arrest, torture and kill Him. We find Jesus praying to God… If possible, please let this pass Me. Let not my will, but Yours be done.  Jesus knew that everything had a reason for happening, and He knew that God will always ensure that everything will work out for the best for His children. Even if the road ahead will be difficult, and painful. We should keep walking the road, trusting in God, for in the end, the reward will be worth it.  Regardless of what you fear regarding the future, listen to Gods promise. Even if your relationships may fail, your job security dwindle, or your health threatens to make an end to life, God is there, and He has a plan. He will be with you, and all will work out for the best, for God will never fail us.  Yes, we do not have all the answers now, but one day, when we are in Heaven, then we will understand the reasons, and then we will see why this was good, and perfect.

1Corinthians 13:12  For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall fully know even as I also am fully known.

 **  Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 03 February 2008                    

Colossians 3:23-24

Col 3:23-24  Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people. Remember that the Lord will give you as a reward what he has kept for his people. For Christ is the real Master you serve.

Always giving my best.

So often we only do enough to not get into trouble, and because we have to do it. Finding people committed to their jobs, and calling is rare. Finding loyalty and eagerness in the working environment is something we read about in books of years gone by. People are downhearted and tired. They feel unappreciated, and if the boss wants loyalty he should buy a dog. Trying to lift the spirit in the work place, and getting everybody to work together would actually require a team-building event, should you be successful enough to get everybody to attend. But is this the way things should be for a child of God? We are often so guilty of also not giving our everything, in all situations. I am reminded of a story I heard many years ago. Let me share it with you.

A few years ago, there was this young boy who lived in England. This boy was very talented in playing soccer. When I say he was talented, it is actually not giving enough credit, for he was very good at this sport. The one problem was that he knew he was the best, and he would obviously make the team, regardless of his performance at team practice, or qualifying matches. Thus, if the coach asked the boy to do 20 set-ups he would do 10. Should the boys be told to run round the field 10 times, well, maybe he will go 5 times round.  The coach was getting very upset with this boy. So often, the boy would even skip a practice session. The coach decided that he will teach this boy a lesson. It so happened that when the Thursday practice session was about to start, someone came to call the young boy back home. Apparently there was a crisis at home. The coach saw a opportunity, and decided to apply the rule that said, “should you miss practice, you will not be allowed to play the match.”  The team had a major match that Saturday.

That Saturday morning, when the match was about to start, the boy came running to play, but the coach had bad news for him… No practice, - no play!  The boy started to beg the coach, “Please sir, Please allow me to play…”  But the coach said: “NO!”  Now, it so happened that this match was not going as planned for the coach and his team. The were really loosing this match in a bad way. When it was half time, the scoreboard was so bad, that there was no way this team would ever win the game. Again the boy started pleading with the coach…  “Please sir, Please allow me to play…”  The coach feared he might loose his job, and allowed the boy to play… Just maybe they will get some points on the board, and he would not look as bad.  But on this occasion the boy surprised everyone present. He played like they have never seen him played before. He played so good that the team actually won their game.  When the game was over, coach called the boy and asked him what made the difference today, why now, suddenly he is performing as they always knew he could, but never did?  The boy looked at the coach with tears in his eyes. He replied : “Sir, you remember that I was called home on Thursday, It was because my mother was very sick. My mother was blind, and was never able to come see me play. My father died when I was a baby. On Thursday my mother died, and she went to heaven. She could never see me play before, but today sir, she is watching me, and that is what made the difference…” He pointed to people waiting for him, and told the coach that he is now going with those people to a orphanage, and today might have been his last chance to show his mother just how good he could play. Anything to make his mom proud.

Why are we going thru live, as if our heavenly father is not watching us. Do we forget that we should always do everything as for Him, and not to satisfy others? Let us not get tired, and despondent, but truly go out and give our everything, for God will renew our strength.

Isa 40:31  But those who trust in the LORD for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak.

**  Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 27 January 2008                    

Galatians 6:7-10

Gal 6:7-10    Do not deceive yourselves; no one makes a fool of God. You will reap exactly what you plant. If you plant in the field of your natural desires, from it you will gather the harvest of death; if you plant in the field of the Spirit, from the Spirit you will gather the harvest of eternal life. So let us not become tired of doing good; for if we do not give up, the time will come when we will reap the harvest. So then, as often as we have the chance, we should do good to everyone, and especially to those who belong to our family in the faith.

 What riches will my harvest yield?

 A powerful question as our theme for this week. What are we aiming to gain from all our toils this year? Have I set myself a target of what is it I truly desire to accomplish this year, and have my plans been but into some form of actions that will ultimately lead to me obtaining, or reaching my set goal? But what are my goals and what should I be aiming for? 

In our morning service, the minister asked a question about our witness. He asked if we can recall when last we actually spoke to someone on a one to one basis about God, and what God has done for us?  Do you still remember when last you have witnessed for Christ? Has His name been used in witness by you in this year yet?

The message is clear. We are now living in a time of sowing seeds. We also read that we will be receiving a harvest. What we reap, we shall harvest. The only question remaining is then, what are we planting, and there are two very prominently mentioned areas where planting is done. One in the flesh, and the other is the spirit.  Are we not so busy planting seeds and setting goals in the flesh, that we for the most, forget about the spiritual seeds.  That which occupies your time and actions is what you will receive a reward from. So, are you spending your time working for riches, and chancing fame? Are you working hard to look more appealing for the world, altering your looks, and body for more appeal to those you aim to impress? Are you spending your free time watching television, or DVD’s as your entertainment enjoys priority above spending time with God.  What is your witness to the world. When you invite friends over, what will be more important to you, making sure that there is enough  to eat, and enough liquor to consume, or will it be to share special moments with them, about the wonderful thing God did for you in the week that passed. Is it acceptance from your friend you wish for, or is your goal to ensure that one day they will be in heaven with you.

**Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 20 January 2008                    

Luke 23:39-42

Luke 23:39-43  Now one of the criminals hanging there kept insulting him, saying, "You are the Christ, aren't you? Save yourself and us!" But the other one rebuked him, saying, "Aren't you afraid of God, since you are suffering the same penalty? We have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong." Then he went on to say, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom!" Jesus said to him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."  

The Greatest forgiveness

This scripture brings us to one of the darkest hours in the life of out Lord Jesus Christ. A moment of incredible pain, and suffering. The moment where death is the only way of getting any relief from the pain, the humiliation and scorn of the people around Him. How extremely horrific this must have been, having to experience pain that is so severe that is will kill you shortly, and having people around cursing you, insulting you, and this, while having to hang there, naked, and with no defence. Having no friend sitting by your side, holding your hand while death is immanent, and having no-one assisting you, making you as comfortable as possible during your last moments. Alone, and stripped of everything possible. 

It is also in this situation where we see two people that were crucified on either side of Christ. These two, deserving of what is happening to them. They that caused similar pain to others, only for personal gain. They are heartless, and mean. Even in their own moments of death, they find time to make rude and painful remarks towards Christ. If I were Christ, this would have been the moment where I would condemn the entire earth, and simply say that these people are not worth dying for, I most likely would have asked my Father in Heaven to destroy them all, and remove me from the cross. But Christ is not like me, fortunately. He was not angry at those that caused Him this humiliation, and He prayed that God would forgive them for this.  And when one of those horrible murderers and robbers crucified at His side repented, and asked Christ to please think of him when Christ is to arrive in heaven, Christ accepted him without hesitation. This is true forgiveness.  

**Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 13 January 2008                    

Mathews 7:21-28

Mat 7:21-28  "Not everyone who keeps saying to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will get into the kingdom of heaven, but only the person who keeps doing the will of my Father in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your name, drove out demons in your name, and performed many miracles in your name, didn't we?'  Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you evildoers!'" "Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on a rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, but it did not collapse because its foundation was on the rock. "Everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn't obey them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and battered that house, and it collapsed, and its collapse was devastating.

Do you know your Saviour?

 The scripture we have read today refers to the fact that even those who regularly attend a church service, or even become preachers, or doers of miracles in the name of Jesus Christ may not one day be in heaven.  Wow, powerful words. Jesus is giving the sermon on the mount, and is addressing a great number of people listing to Him. He is teaching them what the only way to get into heaven is to be obedient to God, and to build your foundations on Him, Jesus Christ.

 What does all of this then mean? Simple, we cannot be seen as people confessing that Christ is our Lord and Saviour with our tongues, but not a life that shows our love and admiration for what Christ has done for us. If your life was the only Bible ever to show to the world who Jesus Christ is, would anybody get to know Jesus by simply looking at your life, and the witness you are living. Are your actions and faith really showing to the world that you are a true believer?

 To often, our faith is like some people we know. They represent themselves as the greatest football players in the world, the know everything about the game, and the rules, but have never ever played the game themselves. Knowledge never used is useless.  It’s the same with being a Christian. Having all the knowledge, and knowing the Bible may give you a wonderful knowledge of all the facts, but if the facts have never changed your heart, of what use is it?  We all know that the Devil also knows scripture very well, and He also knows that God truly exists. But for him it is knowledge, and not a witness. Are we like this?

 So, we also know that we are to often side-tracked by earthly goals and targets. We are racing after our dreams, and goals on earth, and in the process we forget that what we should truly concentrate on is our relationship with Christ. Do you actually have a relationship with Christ, and are you setting a new goal for 2008, one of getting to know Him more intimately, and living as a witness of your faith in Him. Can you say like Paul in James 2:18  But someone may say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without any works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 06 January 2008                    

Hebrews  12: 1-3 

Heb 12:1-3  Therefore, having so vast a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, and throwing off everything that hinders us and especially the sin that so easily entangles us, let us keep running with endurance the race set before us, looking off to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of the faith, who, in view of the joy set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Think about the one who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you may not become tired and give up.

 New Years Resolutions.

 Yes, a new year is here, and ready or not, we have to continue living to the best of our abilities.  When we face the new challenges it may bring we cannot help but wonder how we will ever make it. We may have knowledge of a possible illness, an operation awaiting us, or even a family member whose health is rapidly failing, and we fear what results this year may hold. We may have to start on a new road to travel on, and we find ourselves unsure if we should be going in the one direction, or the other. Those who completed the schooling or university training are venturing into a new world, unsure if there will be employment for them, and how would the new, unknown environment accept them, and treat them.  Plans are made, and goals are set. 

 Maybe your goals for 2008 are not as drastic as the ones mentioned, but more reachable, and obtainable with less effort, for example, to lose some weight, and get fit. To read at least 12 books this year, or learn a new language.  Take a course, and better your chances of getting a better position, or even a raise. Who knows.  Maybe your goal is to make your first million this year, and to be known as a millionaire. Maybe you plan on buying a new car, or house, getting married, or even starting a family. You will know the goals and targets that you have set for yourself. You will know the challenges waiting on you in 2008. Are you ready for them?

 Looking at a future that is an unknown is more often than not, simply scary. Especially if the odds are mostly against you, for example in a health situation, or talks of retrenchments at your place of employment. It is challenging to have to go and look for employment, and we often fear the results, and rejection. Reading our scripture in Hebrews, we are once again reminded of life, being a race. We all know that a race is not known for being the easiest thing on earth. Mostly it is associated with hard work, exercise, sweating, cramps, fatigue, steep inclines, hurdles, injuries and a good chance of failing. No wonder it is compared to life. But Paul is giving us a winning recipe. He is teaching us to keep our eyes on Jesus, our encouragement to keep on going, regardless of the possibility of hurdles, and stumbling blocks. We will never be alone in this coming year, for we have the Promise of the Lord that He will never leave us, nor forsake us. No matter what the year may hold, He will be there for us, and take us through it. We have a choice, either looking down at all the stumbling blocks around us, and getting downhearted, or keeping our eyes on Jesus in 2008, and making stepping stones of all the stumbling blocks, that potentially threaten to make us fall. Where do you fix your eyes for 2008?  The choice is yours.

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 16 December 2007                    

Isaiah 9: 6-7

Isa 9:6-7  A child is born to us! A son is given to us! And he will be our ruler. He will be called, "Wonderful Counselor," "Mighty God," "Eternal Father," "Prince of Peace." His royal power will continue to grow; his kingdom will always be at peace. He will rule as King David's successor, basing his power on right and justice, from now until the end of time. The LORD Almighty is determined to do all this.  

Who was that baby, born on Christmas day? 

Here we find one of the earliest Scriptures foretelling of the birth of Jesus Christ. Isaiah told Israel about this baby that will be born, and what the significance of this baby would be. He said that this baby will be called “Wonderful Counselor”  for that is what Jesus had become for all who are in pain, and all those suffering. How wonderful is it to know that when all is going wrong, Jesus will always be there for us, guiding us, and supporting us. What would have become of us, had we not have such a “wonderful Counselor” 

The baby would have been called “Mighty God”.  Although this was often misunderstood, and in the early days, a person crowned as king would have been seen as a son of God, as a king would represent God on earth, we now know that this was not only a symbolic reference to a mighty ruler that would free the nation from bondage, but it refers to a person that is truly God. And a mighty God indeed. Nothing is impossible for our God.  

The baby would have been called “Eternal Father”.  This is something so wonderful that was taught by Jesus in the New Testament. He taught us the “Our Father”. Jesus who Himself is God, told us about God, the Father. We learned that our God is truly a father who cares about us. He is the Father whose arms that will carry us, protects us, comfort us, and with an enduring love, bless us, not because we are deserving, but because of that Love. 

The Baby was also to be called the “Prince of Peace”. How amazing is the peace we see in a person that is walking close to God. It is a peace we can neither understand, nor explain. It is a peace that touches lives, and it is not changeable by the circumstances surrounding the person possessing it. It is the peace of God. The closer we come to God, the more evident this peace will be in our lives. How wonderful will it be in heaven, a place where this peace will strongly rule forever. 

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 09 December 2007                    

Luke 1:26-38

Luke 1:26-38  In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee named Nazareth. He had a message for a young woman promised in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was a descendant of King David. Her name was Mary. The angel came to her and said, "Peace be with you! The Lord is with you and has greatly blessed you!" Mary was deeply troubled by the angel's message, and she wondered what his words meant. The angel said to her, "Don't be afraid, Mary; God has been gracious to you. You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God. The Lord God will make him a king, as his ancestor David was, and he will be the king of the descendants of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end!" Mary said to the angel, "I am a virgin. How, then, can this be?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and God's power will rest upon you. For this reason the holy child will be called the Son of God. Remember your relative Elizabeth. It is said that she cannot have children, but she herself is now six months pregnant, even though she is very old. For there is nothing that God cannot do."  "I am the Lord's servant," said Mary; "may it happen to me as you have said." And the angel left her.  

If we trust in God, then everything is possible.

In the first chapter of Luke, we read about two miraculous pregnancies. First we see Elizabeth’s pregnancy, and then we read about Mary's. Two simple women, who knew the Lord, and with whom the Lord has found favour. Elizabeth was old, and was not supposed to have kids at that age, and that made her pregnancy a miracle. Mary was the young virgin who has not been with a man before, and thus, she was not supposed to be pregnant either. But God wanted to do a miracle, and so it was.  

We find Mary listening to the words of the angel, and wondering how this will be possible. She questions the angel about this, and he told her that a miracle will happen. He assures Mary that this is the will of God, and the child will be the Son of God. The angel assured Mary that this child will be a great King, and God. He told Mary that she should call the baby Jesus, as He will be the Saviour. Shocked, and amazed by what she heard, Mary replied, “I am the Lord’s servant, may it happen to me as you have said.”  She trusted God, and although she could not understand how all of this could happen, she knew that nothing was ever impossible for God, as the angel reminded her when he referred to her cousin, Elizabeth. She was willing to trust God, and by doing this, experiencing a true miracle.  

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 02 December 2007                    

Matthew 1:18-25

Mat 1:18-25  This was how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. His mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they were married, she found out that she was going to have a baby by the Holy Spirit. Joseph was a man who always did what was right, but he did not want to disgrace Mary publicly; so he made plans to break the engagement privately. While he was thinking about this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary to be your wife. For it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived. She will have a son, and you will name him Jesus---because he will save his people from their sins."   Now all this happened in order to make come true what the Lord had said through the prophet,  "A virgin will become pregnant and have a son, and he will be called Immanuel" (which means, "God is with us"). So when Joseph woke up, he married Mary, as the angel of the Lord had told him to. But he had no sexual relations with her before she gave birth to her son. And Joseph named him Jesus.  

To be like Joseph.

 Can you imagine the shock of Joseph, having to find out that his wife to be is pregnant, but knowing that the child is not yours. Even in today’s modern world, with very few people with good values and morals, this would be a difficult situation to handle.  In the days of Joseph, an engagement was as legal as marriage itself, and if he wanted to end the engagement, he would have to “divorce” Mary. We read in this scripture that Joseph was a man that always did what was right, and by law, he should have had Mary stoned for being unfaithful to him, but he decided rather to quietly end the engagement, not to disgrace Mary in public. He saw no other option for himself.

 I guess Mary had told him about the angel, and the fact that she got pregnant in that way, but “WOW” what a story to believe? Then God intervened. God send His angel to Joseph, to go and talk to Joseph about Mary. The greeting of the angel was; “Joseph, descendant of David.” reminding Joseph about the fact that the promise was given so many years ago that the Saviour would come from David’s descendants. Again the message was clear, not to be afraid. Not only of the angel, but for what the message was, and for what the implications of this message would be. Be not afraid, for God is in control over all of this. The angel continues to assure Joseph that the message is true, and is actually the message prophesied so many years ago. He tell Joseph that the son to be born of Mary, will be the one to save all people from sin, he reminded him of the prophecy of a virgin birth, and that this Son will be Immanuel, “God is with us”. Joseph must have known these scriptures, and he understood what the angel referred to, for he hesitated no more. He got up, and married Mary. He respected the Holiness of the mother and child, and had no sexual relations with her, until the child was born. He was obedient also in naming the child Jesus, as he was instructed by the angel.  

Are we like Joseph? He knew that people would talk, and talk behind his back. He knew people would think that he was the one that made Mary pregnant, and that people would gossip. He had a way out of the relationship, but he chose rather to obey God, than seek the acceptance of man. Joseph is teaching us that if we should ask God for His guidance and answers to difficult situation, that we will get an answer to our question, and we should trust God's answer to be right. If we obey His guidance, then we can walk in peace and with the assurance that all will be just fine.

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 25 November 2007                    

Luke 6:43-45

Luke 6:43-45  "A healthy tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a poor tree bear good fruit. Every tree is known by the fruit it bears; you do not pick figs from thorn bushes or gather grapes from bramble bushes. A good person brings good out of the treasure of good things in his heart; a bad person brings bad out of his treasure of bad things. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Does my life reflect my relationship with Christ?

Today, I reflect back on the well known saying: “If my life should be the only Gospel ever written, will anybody come to Christ by looking at the witness I am living?”  Wow, such powerful words. Is there a chance that someone may commit their life to Christ, because of the way I am living? When I think of these words, it makes me feel ashamed, for I know that my own life is far from the perfect witness in what I claim to believe, and in whom I believe.  So often it is simply too easy to lose your temper, get angry, depressed or even just to moan and groan about everything that makes us unhappy. But what does that reflect of our faith to others that do not have a relationship with Christ? It actually shows that we are failing in living a life that should glorify our Lord. I also makes the Lord unhappy, for at the one side we proclaim Him to be our Lord and Saviour, but on the other side, we use the same mouth that we praised Him with to hurt, curse, complain and gossip. We are then the “good trees” but we are showing the world that maybe our trees are not as healthy and as good as we would like to believe.  

There is a very powerful verse in James 1:26  “Do any of you think you are religious? If you do not control your tongue, your religion is worthless and you deceive yourself.”  Yes, you have read it correctly.  If we can not control our tongue, we are showing the world that we are failing in having a real relationship with Christ. We are saying that there was no real life changing experience brought on by the realization of what Christ has done for us. We believe that we may continue living our lives, as if Jesus had never died for us on the cross, and rose again from the grave, to rule forever. We are then making a mockery of Christianity. If we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, it should bring about a change in our lives that should be visible to the entire world. Our lives should show that Christ is dwelling within us. But is that what our lives is showing.  “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of ”.   

Thus, a person claiming to serve the Lord Jesus Christ cannot be going around swearing, cursing, always complaining and gossiping. That does not reflect your Christian witness. Yes, none of us is perfect, and none of us can claim that we can fully succeed in not failing in this part of our lives, but our witness should be that we are doing our best. Some people are simply not trying anymore. They will say, “Why should I, I will fail anyway?” This is no excuse.  We are running a race, and we should put everything into it to reach our goal. We should be growing in our relationship with Christ, and as we move closer and closer to Christ, it should be more and more evident in our day to day living.  

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 18 November 2007                    

Psalm 63:1-8

Ps 63:1-8  O God, you are my God, and I long for you. My whole being desires you; like a dry, worn-out, and waterless land, my soul is thirsty for you. Let me see you in the sanctuary; let me see how mighty and glorious you are. Your constant love is better than life itself, and so I will praise you. I will give you thanks as long as I live; I will raise my hands to you in prayer. My soul will feast and be satisfied, and I will sing glad songs of praise to you. As I lie in bed, I remember you; all night long I think of you, because you have always been my help. In the shadow of your wings I sing for joy. I cling to you, and your hand keeps me safe.  

Do you long for God? 

Empty, tired, exhausted, stressed-out. These are the symptoms of our time, and day. As we are getting closer to the end of the year, these just get more evident, as we are in urgent need of a re-charge. We can not wait for Christmas, and the time of rest that comes with it. All our time used just to meet targets, and finalizing projects. We are getting to be bed later, and need to get up earlier, just to get to everything that needs to be done. We do so much to please others. We drain ourselves in order to accomplish more, and please more people on a daily basis. We yearn to reach a point in life where we can just feel like we have “arrived”. A point where we could just slow down, and relax. A point where we can actually enjoy life, not having to fight for survival, and a place in the sun.  

But is this not maybe a way that the devil sometimes uses to keep us from what is really important? What should we actually be working for?  What should our daily goal be? We should yearn to get closer to God. We should want to get up earlier in the mornings, just to seek His presence, and feel His presence with us. When I read this scripture, I could see in my mind's eye the picture of a street kid, standing outside in the rain at night. I could see him staring into the windows of a fancy house, looking at everything going on, there where the lights were burning, and where it was dry and warm. Yearning to enter, and to find peace, love and warmth.  

So often we are keeping ourselves so busy to reach all our goals in life, but at the end of the day we are the ones left empty, tiered, exhausted and stressed – out. We wonder why we cannot find what we are looking for. We pray for strength and perseverance to assist us to make it through the day. But is it happening? More often than not, the answer is no!.  But why? 

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 11 November 2007                    

Hebrews 11: 1-7

Heb 11:1-7 To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see. It was by their faith that people of ancient times won God's approval. It is by faith that we understand that the universe was created by God's word, so that what can be seen was made out of what cannot be seen. It was faith that made Abel offer to God a better sacrifice than Cain's. Through his faith he won God's approval as a righteous man, because God himself approved of his gifts. By means of his faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. It was faith that kept Enoch from dying. Instead, he was taken up to God, and nobody could find him, because God had taken him up. The scripture says that before Enoch was taken up, he had pleased God. No one can please God without faith, for whoever comes to God must have faith that God exists and rewards those who seek him. It was faith that made Noah hear God's warnings about things in the future that he could not see. He obeyed God and built a boat in which he and his family were saved. As a result, the world was condemned, and Noah received from God the righteousness that comes by faith.

What is Faith ?

Faith is often a difficult concept to understand, as it refers to as a firm belief and trust in something we might not have yet seen or experienced. It is placing your trust in something that is maybe not tangible, or explainable. Yet, it is a need that most people have. We all need to believe in something more than ourselves, a "supernatural". In the search for this, many get lost, and despondent. We are all created by God, and our souls yearn for His presence, and guidance. We can only truly be at peace if we have found Him. But does our faith actually bring a change about in our lives?

We read about Enoch in these verses, and we read that his faith was something that brought him so close to God, that his life pleased God, and God took him away in life, and he did not have to die. It was his faith that transformed him, and resulted in him not having to die. How wonderful this must have been.

But, we also see that faith without actions is meaningless. Take Noah as an example. God told to him to build a massive ship, and this in a place where there was no water, nor even a sign of rain. He was the joke of the neighborhood, everybody teased him and said he was mad. Could you imagine when he started gathering animals, and putting them in the ark. Even then there was no sign of rain. How much faith did this ask? But, his faith in God was also well rewarded, for God kept His word, and the rain did eventually come.  Even when everybody was laughing at Noah, he kept to the word of God, and for that Noah and his family were saved.

But what is the difference between faith and trust? For faith without trust is meaningless. We read that even the devils believe in God, but that changed nothing for them. It did not transform them in any way. Let's look at an example. There is the story of an acrobat that walked the tightrope.  He claimed to be the best in tightrope-walking ever, and wanted to prove it. So, he found the highest two buildings, crossing a road, and he placed a tightrope between the two buildings. Then, without a safety-net, he crossed it. Wanting to prove he was the best, he took a wheelbarrow and pushed it across. Wanting to prove he was even better, he took a pig, and placed it in the wheelbarrow, and while the pig was squealing and kicking, he pushed the pig across. When he came to the other side he asked the people if they now truly believe that he was the best. The all said yes. The truly believed he was the best, ever. He then said; "If you truly believe this, then you get in the wheelbarrow, and let me push you across. They believed, but did they trust him? God has given us promises. He will always be there for us, and he will take care of all our needs, if we have faith in Him, and if we should trust Him, but do we trust Him with everything? Is our faith a faith that transformed us, and made us walk so close to God that we are like Enoch, or is it just a knowledge that God exists, but without it having any substance when it comes to our day to day lives?

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 04 November 2007                    

Philippians 4 : 4-7

Philp 4:4-7  May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord. I say it again: rejoice! Show a gentle attitude toward everyone. The Lord is coming soon. Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart. And God's peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.  

Trust in God! 

This is an incredible scripture that we have heard so often. Rejoice in the Lord – Always!  But do we really know what the circumstances were in Paul's life when he wrote these words? Paul was sitting in prison, soon to be tried for his life. In these circumstances he is not only rejoicing, but also prompting us to rejoice, always!  This is a testimony of Paul's faith in the promise of God to always be with him. He does not fear what may come, for everything is in God's hands. He prompts others to show a gentle spirit to others, regardless of how they may be treating you. We have to show the love that was taught by Jesus to everybody. We know the truth, God is with us, and we have nothing to fear. We are called to proclaim the Gospel, and as Martin Luther has said: "In all things and in all circumstances, we have to proclaim the Gospel of Christ, if necessary, use words". Our attitude towards others, even those who are hurting us, should always show whom our God is, and that we are living in His love and grace.

In this scripture we hear that the Lord is coming soon, and therefore we don't have to worry about anything. It's often true that we loose focus on this promise. We forget that we are working towards reaching a goal. We forget that our life is a race, and Jesus is at the end, waiting for us. We see everything going on around us, and life becomes a constant fight for survival. Our goal becomes focused on getting through our problems, and making it to the next day. In doing so, we forget that we have a real goal to work for. We forget that Jesus is coming soon. Will we be found doing worldly things, or running the race with our eyes set on Him? We truly don't have to worry. God is with us, and He will look after us, and give us what we need in order to complete our race.

Instead of anxiety, just lay your burdens and problems before God, and trust Him to do all things well. He will assist you in all you may need. That is what a Father-God will do. And we should not pray to God with a spirit of complaining, and moaning about everything that is going wrong, but with a thankful spirit. This we can do, because we know that He will assist us, and take care of all our needs. We know this, because we have seen His hand in our lives before, we received His promise that He will take care of us, and once again, we are reminded that He will be there for us. Thus, we can talk to our Saviour, sharing our burdens with Him, and do so with a thankful Spirit, as we know that He will take care of us. 

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 28 October 2007                    

Matthew 28: 1-7

Mat 28:1-7  After the Sabbath, as Sunday morning was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. Suddenly there was a violent earthquake; an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled the stone away, and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid that they trembled and became like dead men. The angel spoke to the women. "You must not be afraid," he said. "I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has been raised, just as he said. Come here and see the place where he was lying. Go quickly now, and tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from death, and now he is going to Galilee ahead of you; there you will see him!' Remember what I have told you."

 Where is Jesus?

 As people, we tend to have little mental boxes where everything fits into. We categorize people, and put them in a box, as we see them, and understand them to be. But we also tend to do this with Jesus. If you hear the name Jesus, what is the mental picture you have? Do you see a picture of a baby in a manger, or maybe a picture of a badly injured body on a cross?  Maybe even a picture of a body, wrapped for burial, placed in a grave, covered by a big stone.  Is this the picture you have? Then maybe the angel will have to tell you, Sorry, but Jesus is not here!

 We tend to believe that Jesus is up in heaven, and sitting on a throne in His kingdom, and one day we may see Him. We believe that when we pray, in some way, Jesus will supernaturally come down to us, and listen to our prayers, and when we say “Amen” He will go back to heaven, and we may continue doing our normal things, living as if He was not with us. We believe that Jesus might be at church, and we may just become aware of His presence if we should go there, but that is where He will remain after we have departed back home. Till next Sunday. 

 We prefer to have our lives in this world separate from our relationship with Jesus, as the two seldom meets. The men would still like to go out for a beer with the boys and tell some jokes that you may not tell in church. The ladies may go to a salon to get their hair done, and enjoy the opportunity to gossip, and tell stories about other brothers and sisters, that would most likely not be told in church.  How shocked would they be if they should suddenly look up and see Jesus standing right there, right next to you? Would you be embarrassed, and blush, for you did not expect to see Him there? Then you are wrong. Jesus is not dead, and gone. He is alive and with us always.  Indeed, you need to be shocked and amazed, should you look up and realize that He is not with you. 

 The angel spoke to the women, he told them to hear the message that Jesus is alive,  to remember that Jesus told them that He would rise from the grave, to come and see for themselves that the grave is empty, and then to go out, and share this message with others. Where are you looking for Jesus? Are you aware that He is actually alive, and right there with you. Are you living a life that testifies to that, or are your actions and words, when not in church, showing a different story?    What you do with this truth is your choice. How will you live your life? What will be your testimony?

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 21 October 2007                    

Galatians 4 : 4-7

Gal 4:4-7  But when the right time finally came, God sent his own Son. He came as the son of a human mother and lived under the Jewish Law, to redeem those who were under the Law, so that we might become God's children. To show that you are his children, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who cries out, "Father, my Father." So then, you are no longer a slave but a child. And since you are his child, God will give you all that he has for his children.

What did you inherit?

So often we get despondent with things in our lives that are wrong. We look at the sins and weaknesses that time after time make us fall, and feel unworthy of being called children of God. We look at our lives and find ourselves unworthy of God's grace and forgiveness. Sometimes we convince ourselves that the sins we have committed is too great and too big to deserve forgiveness. We fail to understand what God's love really is. We limit our understanding to our own human understanding of love and forgiveness, and most of the time, we measure God's forgiveness to our own un-forgiveness. We find it impossible to forgive and forget, and thus, we believe that God must also be just like that, and also get tiered of us, and having to forgive us.

Is this true? No, for God is our Father, and His love is greater than the example of the best earthly father. Just as a father here on earth will always love His children, regardless of the things they do wrong, so to does our heavenly Father love us. We allow the Devil to convince us that we are simply to bad, and that our sins are to great to forgive, thus, God does not love us anymore. We get convinced that the sacrifice on the cross is not great enough for paying the debt of our sin, for our sins are bigger than that. But this is not true.  What Jesus did for us on the cross is the ultimate price to pay, and it was sufficient to pay for all our sins.

We are no longer slaves of our sins, but we are children of God. Thus, it is another lie to believe that we are slaves of our sins, and we can not break with our sins. We were bought with the blood of Jesus, and we are no longer slaves. This does not mean that you are now perfect, and completely without sins, or weakness. No, you will be in a constant struggle between the good and the evil in your life, up to the day when Jesus will return for us. We read about this struggle of the human nature versus the Spirit in Galatians 5 from verse 16.  But the question is, who will win? The answer is as simple as this… The one you feed the most will be the strongest.  Thus, should you deliberately go to the wrong places, and mix with the wrong people, you will fall deeper into sin. But, should you spend you time with other children of God, and should you spend your time in meditating on God's Word, and in prayer, the less will be the chance that sin will get the upper hand in your life.

God made us His children. We inherited our freedom from sin and bondage by the blood of Jesus on the cross. We are free! Don't allow the Devil to make you believe differently. Allow the Holy Spirit to become the ruling factor in your live, and allow the Spirit to call out in you, "Father, my Father."  The choice is yours, what will you do with your inheritance?

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 14 October 2007                    

John 8 : 3-11 

John 8:3-11  The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees brought in a woman who had been caught committing adultery, and they made her stand before them all. "Teacher," they said to Jesus, "this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. In our Law Moses commanded that such a woman must be stoned to death. Now, what do you say?"  They said this to trap Jesus, so that they could accuse him. But he bent over and wrote on the ground with his finger. As they stood there asking him questions, he straightened up and said to them, "Whichever one of you has committed no sin may throw the first stone at her." Then he bent over again and wrote on the ground. When they heard this, they all left, one by one, the older ones first. Jesus was left alone, with the woman still standing there. He straightened up and said to her, "Where are they? Is there no one left to condemn you?"  "No one, sir," she answered. "Well, then," Jesus said, "I do not condemn you either. Go, but do not sin again." 

Jesus brings you forgiveness.

Oh, we as mankind so love to judge, and find fault in everything others are doing. We are quick to judge, and slow to forgive. What is even worse is that we truly believe our actions can be justified. It’s so easy to see the error in another’s ways, and tell the world about it. Have you heard what this or that person has done? I was so shock to hear about what this or that person had done. But here we read that Jesus looked at the group of people crowding around Him, bringing this lady to Him, asking what He thought should be done to her. Their intention to trap Him, should He dare make a judgement. But in a very subtle way, Jesus answered them. The answer being simple: With the same harshness you judge, you will be judged. A reminder that by the same law they are now judging, there is even worse punishment for other sins that they may be guilty of. If they then insist that she should be punished by stoning her, what punishment should be coming their way? It was suggested that when Jesus wrote in the dirt with His finger, he might have been writing some sins down, sins that some of the people standing around might have recognized, knowing that Jesus knew what they were busy with.  

Is this not true? Are we then without any sin, and thus, able to judge others, knowing that we are completely deserving of salvation, for we are perfect? The truth is more likely that we are so guilty ourselves, and thus, we see the sin in others and are able to identify them from by familiarity. 

Yes, we are all in debt and all in need of daily grace from God. No, there is no big sin, and smaller sins. If you have murdered and killed, or have stolen 50 cents from someone, you have sinned. All sin is deserving of death. It’s only Jesus that could save you. But, we need to be careful; as we might be judged in the same manner we judge others. How horrific will it be if one day we stand before God, and hear Him say, “In the same manner you have forgiven others that have wronged you, you are now judged, therefore there is no forgiveness for you.”  

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 07 October 2007                    

Matthew 7: 1-5 

1John 1:1-7  We write to you about the Word of life, which has existed from the very beginning. We have heard it, and we have seen it with our eyes; yes, we have seen it, and our hands have touched it. When this life became visible, we saw it; so we speak of it and tell you about the eternal life which was with the Father and was made known to us. What we have seen and heard we announce to you also, so that you will join with us in the fellowship that we have with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We write this in order that our joy may be complete. Now the message that we have heard from his Son and announce is this: God is light, and there is no darkness at all in him. If, then, we say that we have fellowship with him, yet at the same time live in the darkness, we are lying both in our words and in our actions. But if we live in the light---just as he is in the light---then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from every sin.  

God is our light in darkness. 

Once again, I was reminded of just how dark the world around us could get at times. Once more, I was called to a person in so much pain, exposed to the harsh realities of exactly how wrong thing can actually go. To see no more joy in the eyes of this person, but just tears that sprang from deep within the heart where pain and sorrow is the only visible sign of life. To see a person that broke down, after to many painful blows, unable to remain standing. How dark the world must seem to such a person, without even a hope of some light left in the heart for any comfort.                                          

But, we know that God is the Light. God promised to never leave us, nor forsake us. He promised to always remain with us, never letting go. We see in this Scripture that we are reminded of this truth in the story of our salvation. The writer is giving witness to his audience of the fact that this is really so, and that they are the witnesses of this truth. They have heard it, seen it, and felt it. How much more real can it be. But why then does it sometimes feel as if we are completely alone, and God has forgotten about us. Is it because it is true?  No, never. We sometimes allow our situations, and our emotions to overwhelm us, and we find ourselves surrounded by all the things going wrong, and pushing us down, forgetting that the Light is always there, always to our rescue, we only need to look up.  

Then it could also happen that we work hard, and we feel as if our labour comes to nothing. We wish to see some joy come from our labour, and like to see results, showing us that we are indeed successful, but this does not always happen. I had to stand back and think about it. The words of the well known song came back to be: “It’s the shadow I cast, when Your light shines on me…”  Yes, I will only be effective in my work and ministry if I do it for God’s glory, and not my own. I will only see wonders and supernatural results, should God bless my labour.  We need to stand still for a while, and have a little talk with God, asking Him if we are still walking on the path He had set for us, and if we are still going in the right direction. Is He still the potter, and we the clay, or have we fallen into a trap where we are comfortable with where we are, and our comfort zone has become more important than our calling? Let us seek God’s guidance in this week on where we should be going, and never forget, He is always there.  

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 30 September 2007                    

Matthew 7: 1-5 

Matthew 7:1-5 Judge not, that you may not be judged. For with whatever judgment you judge, you shall be judged; and with whatever measure you measure out, it shall be measured to you again. And why do you look on the splinter that is in your brother's eye, but do not consider the beam that is in your own eye? Or how will you say to your brother, Let me pull the splinter out of your eye; and, behold, a beam is in your own eye?  Hypocrite! First cast the beam out of your own eye, and then you shall see clearly to cast the splinter out of your brother's eye.

Standing in Judgement.

I found myself sitting back and looking at the things going on in our Churches today. I looked at the fights, and topics that are threatening to rip the church in two. In every weekend newspapers we can most likely find an article somewhere that is talking about some or the other danger to the church, and some threat to church unity. Going to local churches and listening to the discussions of the day between members, we find that the church is most likely the one place where you could go to catch up with the latest gossip of the past week. Pity that the gossip is never about how good God was to someone, or about how wonderfully God blessed someone. No, we are only looking for juicy parts of information about the negative things going on, and how some people should not even dare to show their faces in church, for they don’t belong there. We find it hard to associate us with others, for they don’t fit into our picture of a church-going believer. Thus, they should go, and find somewhere else to go to for spiritual upliftment. But is this correct?  

We found in scripture, Luke 5:32-33 that the Pharisees looked at Jesus, and asked why would Jesus spend His time eating with tax-collectors, and sinners? Jesus relied: “Those who are sound do not need a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous to repentance, but sinners.” In these two sentences is more truth, and sometimes condemnation to the church than we might what to know. The doors of our churches should be wide open, and an invite should go out to our cities that “All who are weary is welcome, all who live in sin, and is in need of Christ should please come, for our Lord is looking to do a miracle in your life. But we are telling another story. We are saying that murderers and thieves, prostitutes and gay, child-molesters and drunks, people of other cultures and nationalities, people of a different political view or even someone I don’t like will not be welcome in our church. We close the doors on a great amount of people in need of Christ. We judge, and decide that they are not worthy of receiving Christ’s redemption and grace, for they are simply to “BAD”.  Now, from scripture, we condemn ourselves, for in the second verse of our scripture in Matthew we read that we will be judged with the same measure we judged others.  

Jesus came to save us all. Jesus came looking for the sinners, and the prostitutes and He freed them from their pain, and bondages, but we, the church of Christ, supposed to do His work on earth, we close the door on such people. We tell them that they first need to turn their lives around, and conform to our standards, and then we will consider allowing them to come into our places of worship. Are we then not called to go out and find these people, and bring them into the House of our Lord, in order for them to meet our Lord, and thus get saved? My prayer: “Lord, show us your heart, and help to be your hands and your feet, bringing the Gospel to all who are in need. Make me an instrument of your Love and Peace to those who desperately need you” May we go and do likewise.  

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 23 September 2007                    

Matthew 8: 23-27 

Mat 8:23-27 Jesus got into a boat, and his disciples went with him. Suddenly a fierce storm hit the lake, and the boat was in danger of sinking. But Jesus was asleep. The disciples went to him and woke him up. "Save us, Lord!" they said. "We are about to die!" "Why are you so frightened?" Jesus answered. "What little faith you have!" Then He got up and ordered the winds and the waves to stop, and there was a great calm. Everyone was amazed. "What kind of man is this?" they said. "Even the winds and the waves obey him!"

He is Lord! 

When I read this scripture, I was reminded of how often we find ourselves in a similar situation. We get into our boat, and suddenly we find ourselves in the midst of a massive storm. We realize that there is no humanly possible way of getting out of this storm, and we are convinced that we will surely die. Although we are not sailors, on a real boat, we understand this metaphor all too well. As we travel through life, we often find ourselves in a place where we experience where everything starts going wrong, and we can not understand why God is allowing this. We look to God, and cry out, Lord, why are you sleeping, and allowing us to face all of this alone. "What little faith we have!" Is that not true? When everything seems to get too much to deal with, we often think its because God had forsaken us. It has to be true. God left us all alone, and is no longer interested in us. We believe that we are completely alone. We believe this, regardless of scripture teaching us that God will never leave us, nor forsake us.  

I have been there. I have wondered why everything is going so wrong, and why does it all have to happen to me. I have cried out; "God, I am not strong enough, I cannot deal with this alone!" Now, I can not help to wonder what Jesus would have said to me, had He been standing next to me at that point. Most likely the same as to His disciples. "What little faith you have!"  Maybe Jesus would open up the Bible, and once again turn to Hebrews 13:5 where it is written... "For God has said, "I will never leave you; I will never abandon you."" We so often turn our backs to some of the promises given to us in the Bible, and the promise of God in Hebrews is such a powerful one. We find this promise a few times in scripture, but when troubles come, we feel as if this was never true.  

God will be with us, even when we doubt if we will be able to make it through the storms of life, and fear that we will get destroyed, for we are not strong enough, then we should remember that there is no need for such fear, for we are not alone. Yes, you will fall, should you try and make it to the other side by your own strength and abilities, for we are mere people, but if we ask our Lord to assist us, we will see a miracle. In this scripture, Jesus got up, and ordered the waves and the wind to stop, and it did. This same power of God is available to us. Should you find yourself in the midst of a storm, remember who is with you on your boat, and be not afraid.  Those who saw and experienced what happened on this boat stood amazed at the power our Lord had over everything, and asked: "What kind of man is this?" they said. "Even the winds and the waves obey him!" Let our witness to God's greatness then call out… He is Lord!

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 16 September 2007                    

Mark 6:30-34

Mark 6:30-34  And the apostles gathered themselves to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. And He said to them, Come aside into a deserted place and rest a little. For there were many coming and going, and they had no opportunity even to eat. And they departed by boat into a deserted place. And the crowds saw them leaving, and many knew Him. And they ran together on foot there, out of the cities. And they went before them and came together to Him. And going out Jesus saw a large crowd. And He was moved with compassion toward them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And He began to teach them many things.

Our Shepherd King. 

We all know how exhausting it can be when we return home after a hectic day where almost everything that could have gone wrong, did go wrong. We know the feeling of retreating into our private space for some peace and quiet, just to try and regain some strength and energy. We also know the feeling of entering your house at that point, just to see some visitors sitting in your house, and you know that they will be there for supper. Your last chance of an early, quiet night just disappearing like mist before the rising sun.  

In this scripture we find Jesus and His disciples feeling much the same.  The disciples just returned from an outreach, and they were tired and hungry. Jesus had just received the news that John the Baptist had been beheaded, and with all this going on, He told his disciples to get into a boat, and for them to go to a place where they could regain some strength. Tired, hungry, and in sorrow, they took of, hoping to get some peace a quiet for themselves. But it was not to be. The people saw them depart, and figured where they were heading, so they all run there by foot, and as they travelled, they told everybody along the way where they were going. Thus, when Jesus and His disciples came ashore, there were a great number of people waiting for them. No sign of rest. But Jesus was not the same, as we tend to be. He had great compassion for these people, for He saw them as sheep, without a Shepherd. They were looking to Jesus, hoping that He would teach them, and take care of their spiritual needs, and healing from their wounds. And once again we see the Good Shepherd doing just that. Christ noticed the fear of some, and the worries of others, and provided rest for those that were tired, and refuge for those that are terrified. Christ provided the Spiritual food for those who so desperately needed it. 

Then Christ also decided to teach His disciples something in this regard. The scripture continues where Jesus asked His disciples to give food to all these people, knowing they had neither money to buy nor food to give, the disciples protested, and asked how this would be possible. All they could find is five loaves of bread, and two fish. Just as they had no strength left to give their attention to the Spiritually hungry, so they had no food to share with the physically hungry. Now, we all know what happened next. With these five loaves of bread, and two fish, Jesus fed all these people.

The Lesson: Even when we are tired, and in need of rest ourselves, when we are faced with a person in need of our assistance, don’t turn away, just give your best, and trust in God, for He will do the miracle. We need to look away from our own selfish wants, and trust that even with the little we wanted for ourselves, God can perform miracles. Let us never say we do not have the means, for God only asked for our availability, and He will provide in the means and He will do the miracles.

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 09 September 2007                    

Psalm 62:5-12  “Good News Bible”

Psalm  62:5-12  I depend on God alone; I put my hope in him.  He alone protects and saves me; he is my defender, and I shall never be defeated. My salvation and honor depend on God; he is my strong protector; he is my shelter. Trust in God at all times, my people. Tell him all your troubles, for he is our refuge.

Human beings are all like a puff of breath; great and small alike are worthless. Put them on the scales, and they weigh nothing; they are lighter than a mere breath. Don't put your trust in violence; don't hope to gain anything by robbery; even if your riches increase, don't depend on them.

More than once I have heard God say that power belongs to him and that his love is constant. You yourself, O Lord, reward everyone according to their deeds.

Where do you find you refuge? 

If only I had some more money, and did not have any worries about my financial welfare for the future. If only all those people making life difficult for me will go away, and stop making my life so miserable. If only all the back-stabbing people will stop interfering in my life, and push to see me come to a fall. If only Satan would stop brining temptation across my way, life could be so much easier. If only…. 

We often find ourselves running after those get-rich-quickly scams, and projects, in the hope that we may find some riches as others apparently have found. We find ourselves dreaming about a big lottery pay-out, or getting a massive inheritance from some distant uncle that died, and whom I never knew, for all the relatives I know are as poor as I am. Would it not be nice? We put our trust in gambling, the lottery, on horses, and on scams, or pyramid schemes that promise us a life, just like the one we were dreaming about.  And when it becomes obvious that this will not work, some will even consider stealing, or turning to violence to obtain what they want in life.  This sound so much like the world we stay in today, but it was the same in the time of King David. Here we find King David writing about the same topic. We find David addressing his people, warning them against putting their trust in money and men to give them the desires of their hearts. He warns them that man will fail you, should you try and put all your faith in them, for no man can weigh up, measured by God.  

David knew all to well about people turning against him, and when he needed them, he found himself standing alone. David knew the pains of having people you trust, and loved, now trying to see you either dead or come to a fall. In the few verses preceding our scripture, David wrote about the people that will see him as a bowing wall and a tottering fence, but not seeing these people now rushing to his aid, but pushing to ensure his fall.  

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 02 September 2007                    

Galatians 6:7-10 “Good News Bible”

Gal 6:7-10  Do not deceive yourselves; no one makes a fool of God. You will reap exactly what you plant. If you plant in the field of your natural desires, from it you will gather the harvest of death; if you plant in the field of the Spirit, from the Spirit you will gather the harvest of eternal life. So let us not become tired of doing good; for if we do not give up, the time will come when we will reap the harvest. So then, as often as we have the chance, we should do good to everyone, and especially to those who belong to our family in the faith.

Be strong, for the Goal is worth it. 

So often we get discouraged in doing what is right, and in doing what is good. We all know how others usually make use of this opportunity just to “use” you. You identify a person going through a crisis in their life, and step in to assist and help. You give everything in your power to make a difference in their lives, just to be tossed aside after doing so much, without even a simple thank you. Yes, it hurts! You became a friend to someone in need, just to realise that they are not interested in your friendship, or returning your kindness, but they are only interested in what they can get from you. Should they ever get the opportunity, they may even turn against you, or partake in blackening your name, and after doing so, should they experience another crisis, they will be quick to look you up again, for they know you will help them. 

It’s a pity that so many people are like this. But just maybe we are experiencing hurt, for we expect other to appreciate our efforts, and then, our motives are wrong.  Why then should we do good to others? 

We should do good to others, because that is what we have learned from the example of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. We should do good to others, for that is what we where taught by the Bible, also in this scripture.  Yes, I know that we would all like to see that our work for Christ should at the least be appreciated by our fellow brothers and sisters, but that should not be the reason for us dong good.  One of our very wise church fathers said: “In every thing you say and do, where ever you go, proclaim the Gospel, if needed, use words”  WOW, this is such a powerful statement. I need to live my life so that it would be a testimony to my belief in Jesus Christ, in order for others to yearn to be like me. My life should bear testimony to my relationship with Christ. St. Francis of Assisi said, “It is not fitting, when one is in God's service, to have a gloomy face or a chilling look.”  But, so often we experience that fatigue in doing good is getting a hold over us.  So often we are going around, tired, and struggling to smile.

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 26 August 2007                        

Romans 8:35-39

Rom 8:35-39  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  As it is written, "For Your sake we are killed all the day long. We are counted as sheep of slaughter."  But in all these things we more than conquer through Him who loved us.  For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

His love is more than efficient. 

So often in life, our circumstances feel as if they are slowly but surely destroying us. We feel so powerless against everything that is making us negative and without hope for the future. We find ourselves in a pit, and see no way to get out again. We pray, but feel as if God is simply too far to hear our prayers. Do you know this feeling? Does it seem if God is just too far away from you to hear your call? We all know this feeling.

 If you are currently feeling like this, then this scripture is maybe just intended for you. In this scripture we see that the life of a Christian is not always an easy one. “For Your sake, we are killed all day long.”  Yes, for being a Christian, these people were killed. They had to die for they faith in Christ.  Their lives were not seen as worth more than that of a sheep.  They also knew fear, and hurting.

 But we are also getting some form of encouragement from this scripture. God will be with us, and He will not allow anything to separate us from Him, or His love for us. No, regardless of what may be going on around us, if we hold on to Christ, and the promises in His word, we will  “more than conquer through Him who loved us.”  Yes, it is true that Satan is not pleased with us when we follow Christ, and that He will try his best to bring us to a fall. He will tempt us, and he will make our lives unbearable at time, for his aim is to discourage us, and thus make us turn away from God.  And so it will happen that we may at times experience that we are alone, and feel as if God is so far away, but let us not allow Satan to deceive us. In this scripture we read that “nothing” can separate us from the love of Christ. No demons, no man, nothing ever created.  God’s love for us is so big that nothing can get around it.

 So, when you feel like everything is getting to much to handle, and the pain and pressure is getting you down, remember that nothing can change the fact that Christ’s love for you is a constant. Nothing can take it away from you.  Hold on to your faith, and never stop praying, for God truly will hear every word you speak to Him.  Remember, our faith is not based on a “good feeling” We don’t just serve God because we like to be on a spiritual “high”.  If that is our reason for wanting to be a Christian, we might be serving God for the wrong reasons. Our faith is not suppose to be linked to our feelings, but it should be a steadfast trust in our Saviour who promised never to forsake us, regardless of persecution, pain and suffering. God is with you, as He promised.  Let us thank Him for this, and never stop believing it.

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 19 August 2007                        

1 Timothy 6:1-12

1Ti 6:10  For the love of money is a root of all evils, of which some having lusted after, they were seduced from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.  But you, O man of God, flee these things and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness.  Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold on eternal life, to which you are also called and have professed a good profession before many witnesses. 

Fighting to reach my goal. 

Most of us were brought up with the teaching of parents and teachers that we should set goals for ourselves, and then strive to reach them in life. We are told that we can reach any goal in life, if we put our hearts and minds to it. Perseverance is the key to success.  But how do we measure success? Can you think of someone you know, who is seen by others and yourself as a truly successful person?  What is your measure of success? Yes, it’s usually money. The more money you have, the better your status in the community.  You are respected and admired because you have reached a goal most others can just dream of. But is this what our goal should really be? 

I once overheard a poor lady, staying in a very poor community with her husband and kids, talking to a man in an office where she was a cleaner. She said to him that he must be one of the most lucky and happiest people on earth, for he had a nice big house, with lovely furniture, and a beautiful car. She does not have a car, or even bicycle. Poverty was all she knew. He looked at her, and replied: “I will give it all if I could only have what you have, for you have true riches.” She looked at him in a very confused manner, asking what she could possibly have that he would want. He replied. “You have a husband and kids who love you so much. You have a family who cares for you. When you go home, someone will be waiting for you to greet and welcome you home. You have love. I may have a nice house and car, but my wife left me long ago. I have no kids. What you have, I can never buy.”  She looked at him and tears filled her eyes. She walked over and hugged him, realising just how blessed and rich she was.  

“For the love of money is the root of all evil…” Satan often finds a way of making something we perceive as an obtainable goal just the thing to sidetrack us from what is really important. We often forget that our goal in life should not be to become rich, or important, because that is only of value here on earth. Our main focus should be to get the eternal life promised to the children of God. We should fight all evil, for our goal should be to become more like Jesus.  We should follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness, as taught by our Saviour’s example.  We should be grateful for the riches we have, and not strive for the things that could potentially cause us to lose perspective of the real goal to attain. Flee the things that could potentially keep you away from the Kingdom of God, and FIGHT for what is really important.

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 12 August 2007                        

Matthew 6:5-8

Mat 6:5-8  And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, They have their reward.  But you, when you pray, enter into your room. And shutting your door, pray to your Father in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly.  But when you pray, do not babble vain words, as the nations. For they think that in their much speaking they shall be heard. Therefore do not be like them, for your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask Him.

 Calling Home.

There came a day when the disciples received teaching from Jesus on what prayer really should be like. For the common man, prayer was something they did not really understand, as the examples they had, where the examples of their church leaders, the Pharisees and Scribes. But these where not necessarily the right examples. Jesus started by warning the disciples that prayer is often used as an end to a goal. If you pray, so as to impress others by the way you can pray and to show others how good you can pray, then there is no need for your prayers to be answered, for you did not pray to have them answered, but to “show-off”,. Having shown-off and impressed people, you have completed what you have set out to do, and God need not do much from His side.  

Jesus also wanted us to know that prayer is not something that only the learned people could do, as they have the knowledge to speak to God in the correct way.  Prayer is also not memorizing different prayers and rituals just to repeat over and over, like “the nations” or those who pray to their idols.  

So what then is prayer, according to Jesus? Prayer is something all Christians need to do, as it is spending time with our Father in heaven.  It is accepted as fact that all people calling themselves followers of Christ should be praying. As it is said: “You may as soon find a living man that does not breathe, as a living Christian that does not pray. If prayerless, then graceless.”  

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 05 August 2007                        

Hebrews 13 : 1 & 6

Heb 13:5-6  Let your way of life be without the love of money, and be content with such things as you have, for He has said, "Not at all will I leave you, not at all will I forsake you, never!"  so that we may boldly say, "The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me."

Never alone, or without help.

In the day and age we live in, communications is one of the most important things of our life. We struggle to be without a cell-phone, e-mail, fax or telephone. All of these ensure immediate ways of connecting to another person, and being able to share information without any delay. Should one of our ways of communication fail, we will frantically try and rectify it, as our hands will be tied, and we will feel powerless without it.  Strange though, that in this day and age, so many people are even lonelier than before these inventions.

It was said that a person who knows God, and a person who pray will never be alone again, for that person has found a friend that will remain with him/her where no man could. God will always be there for them, even in Prison, in sickness and even in death. He who knows God will never be alone.

In the piece of scripture from Hebrews 13, we see that people in search of things, other than God, will often feel alone, and in fear of circumstances. They will fear poverty, sickness, loneliness and death. They will spend they time and energy in looking for ways on ensuring that the gain riches, health insurance, friends, and more, for the simple reason that they will be without the comfort of knowing Gods promise to care for them, and never leaving nor forsaking them.

This does not mean that we should not make provision for the future, nor work hard to provide. No, we are supposed to be responsible and wise in our dealings. It does, however, mean that that should not be our only focus and target in life, as that will take our focus away from what is really important.

So what is really important?  God’s promise "Not at all will I leave you, not at all will I forsake you, never!"  God will be with us. Regardless of where we find ourselves, God will be there for us, making sure, that with His love, support and guidance, we will get to the other side. The one thing we never need to fear is loneliness. "The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me." 

Let us go into this week, knowing that if we trust in God, and make Him our priority, we will never be alone, nor forsaken. God will help us, regardless of what may come across our paths.

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 29 July 2007                            

John 10:27-30 

Joh 10:27-30  My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give to them eternal life, and they shall never ever perish, and not anyone shall pluck them out of My hand. My Father who gave them to me is greater than all, and no one is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand. I and the Father are one!  

Safe in my Fathers hands. 

During the past week, I was once again reminded of just how short life can be. We run about, trying our best to make something of life, and then just die. No announcements, no warnings, no earth shattering events to show the world that a moment of note has come. Suddenly a life will come to an end. All the important accomplishments and status of even the most important of men will come to a sudden halt. Your presence gone, never to be among your loved-ones on earth again.  

This brings us to one question. At the end of our lives, what will really matter? Only one thing matters: Your relationship with God. Did you know God, and did God know you? That is what matters. Will we come to the gates of heaven, calling to God to let us in, only to hear Him say, go away, I know you not. "But God, I went to church every Sunday, I read my Bible, and I taught Sunday school classes. I gave to the poor, and did charity in Your Name."  Only to hear Gods answer, "Go away, I know you not"  The only thing of matter will be your relationship with God. Not knowing about God, but really knowing God. Spending time, talking to God, and really listening to hear His voice. Getting to know God's heart, thus, knowing His compassion and love for those who hurt.

It is true that often we spend more time with Gods work, than with God. That gains us nothing. Often the devil will make us so busy with Gods great work, that we will not have time to spend at Gods feet, listening, learning, and regaining our strength.  

In this piece of scripture we hear a promise from our Shepherd. If we are His sheep, we will know Him. We will know His voice, and follow Him. He will keep us save, and nothing can rip us from His hand. We will receive eternal life, and be with Him forever, for there is nothing that will change that fact. His love is the most powerful force in the universe, and it will keep us, even when life on earth will come to an end. Then there will be a great celebration in heaven, our arrival will be celebrated, for one of God's children would have arrived home. 

How wonderful is the love of God. Let us spend time this week, working on our relationship, the only single thing with eternal value. 

Romans 8:37-39  But in all these things we more than conquer through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 22 July 2007                            

Matthew 6:9 

Mat 6:9  Therefore pray in this way: Our Father, who is in Heaven, Hallowed be Your name.  

Safe in my Fathers arms.

 When Jesus was asked by His disciples for guidance on how to pray, He started teaching them with this phrase: “Our Father, who is in Heaven,” A few words with a great impact.  

Jesus wanted His followers to know something about God, and change their perception of who God is. He wanted them to see God as a Father. But why use the example of a father? What makes a father so special, that the fatherly role should be something that could be compared with God. To start with, we need to understand what the “perfect” father should look like. This does not refer to earthly fathers, who are but men with faults and mistakes, but to what the perfect father should be. Its an individual that will always be there for his children. He will truly be “always” available, and never busy elsewhere. He will provide in all the needs of his children, before they even have to ask, for he will know what is best for them. He would carry them when the road gets tough, and when his children’s strength gets less due to the difficult road they have to travel. He will protect them from anything that could bring them harm, and assist them, and heal them, should injury come their way. He would be the teacher, showing them what they should know for the road ahead.  He would teach them his heart, and make sure that they will one day follow in His footsteps, living the way they where brought up.  

No earthly person can do all these things, and as humans, we all fall short of the ideal. We can never promise to be with our children, always, as we need to work, and even go on business trips. We may even die, and what then? We do our best to teach, but sometimes fail in being the correct example.  

But God is different. He is the perfect Father, that will never fail us.  He is not like an earthly father that is full of error by nature, but perfect. Sometimes, a earthly father may do more harm to a child than good. The result may be that a child may grow up hating the father-figure, and not understanding why God is compared to such a figure.  How then should we understand God. Maybe you should sit down and make a list of what the perfect father should be, and then, go on your knees and thank God. For that would be Him. 

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 15 July 2007                            

John 8:12 

John 8:12  Then Jesus spoke again to them, saying, I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.  

Struggling to find the way? 

So often we walk the earth, unsure of the path to take. We are wanderers, walking in the darkness of night, looking, searching for some sign of light, or life on the horizon, some form of hope, something that will become visible to us as a goal to reach. A fortress of safety against the unknown, and unseen dangers of this darkness. As long as we can see a little light somewhere in the darkness, we can put all our energy into reaching it. We know that should we reach the light, we will be able to find safety and warmth in it. When in the light, we will be able to see what dangers are surrounding us. Should the light go out, we will surely find ourselves discouraged and lost. The goal we set out to attain would be gone, and we will be in the darkness again, not knowing where to go.  Is this where you are finding yourself? 

We often find ourselves in situations where everything going on around us will suddenly feel completely overwhelming, and it then feels like we are covered by darkness, and we can see no way out of the situation we find ourselves in. We cry for help, and wish someone would just come along and lift us from this pit we find ourselves in. You know what…  Someone did. 

Jesus spoke to the Pharisees in this verse, telling them that He is the Light, and He is not like man. He told them in the coming verses that he judges not like man, who judges after the flesh, but He knows that they will not understand Him, as He is the light, and they are not walking in the light.   

If we are children of God, and accepted Jesus Christ as our only Lord and Saviour, we will have the light to guide us. We have the word of the Lord to study, the Holy Spirit to guide us, so that we will no longer have to live in ignorance, wickedness and misery, for we will have the Light in us. 

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 08 July 2007                            

John 14:23-27 

John 14:23-27  Jesus answered and said to him, If a man loves Me, he will keep My Word. And My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My Words, and the Word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father's who sent Me.   I have spoken these things to you, being present with you.   But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said to you.  Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 Searching for peace in life.

 Broken spirits are found in so many people walking the earth. Are people looking, searching for some form of healing for the pain that is busy enveloping them, making life simply seem too much to deal with? How often are we the guilty ones, causing others hurt and pain by our attitude towards them, and the rejection we so often show to others contributes to this pain. Being on the receiving end of such actions is however the main cause of so many shattered lives.

 “Exo 20:13  You shall not kill.”  How often are we killers of others by the words we use, and the pain we inflict with our hardened attitude, and hurtful remarks. Giving a snare remark, and spreading gossip about another can cause so much hurt, and might just lead to another’s spiritual death, and even suicide. Are you a killer?  Or, have you been killed?

 All we search for is to find real peace, not only in the sense of contentment or lack of conflict, but a peace that fills you from within, that will remain with you, regardless of what is going on around you.  In the time of Jesus, when a person arrived or departed, they would have used the greeting “Shalom” – Peace be with you. So, when Jesus said “Peace I leave with you” it might have been seen as saying goodbye, but he continued to clarify it. “My peace I give to you.” Like an inheritance left for His followers as He prepared them for His departure to heaven.  Jesus knew that this would not be easy for His followers after He had gone to be with His father, and for that reason He said to them that the Holy Spirit will be sent to them, as a comforter. The Holy Spirit will teach them, guide them, and remind them of all the teachings of Jesus.

 Do you lack comfort? Do you lack peace? It was left as an inheritance to us all, should we only accept Jesus Christ as our saviour, and ask it from Him.  In the first verse found in our scripture piece, Jesus promised that both His Father and Himself will come and stay with those who love Him, and listen to His words. He promised in this scripture that the Comforter is available to those who love Him, and is in need of His peace. And should you have Jesus in your life, and the comforter ministering to you, you will find the peace that was left as your inheritance.  Peace be with you!

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 01 July 2007                              

John 15:9-16

Joh 15:9-16  As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love.  If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love.  "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.  This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.  No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command you.  I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.  

What a friend we have in Jesus.

 As I read this piece of scripture I was once again reminded about the wonderful privilege we have of serving a living God. Our Saviour is so different from all the other so-called gods. Our Saviour is not asking of us to bring Him gifts and sacrifices, thereby trying to win His favour. Our Saviour is not demanding works to impress Him, before contemplating if we will be deserving to receive eternal life. No, He came to us, and gave it to us. He brought it to a world of undeserving people, offering His life to be not only a God to us, but also to call us His friends.  

So often we forget this basic truth. We tend to forget what it is that God wants from us. It would be so much easier maybe if we could by actions and offerings buy our way into heaven, but that will not work. Our Saviour is asking us to have a living relationship with Him. He is asking for us to spend time with Him, and to learn from Him.  

What do I have to do to ensure that I will one day be in Heaven? I asked this question to a group of about 40 teenagers once. I started by giving each one an opportunity to answer this. The answers started with, going to church, reading my Bible, be obedient, listening to my parents, obeying the ten commandments, and many more. But, these answers are all wrong. Although there is nothing wrong with these actions, and they should be part of any Christian’s life, they will however not ensure me a place in Heaven. What then must the answer be? The answer: Accepting the Lord, Jesus Christ as our only Lord and Saviour, and living in a real relationship with Him. That is what will ensure us a place in Heaven. 

Our Saviour is standing at the door of your heart, knocking, and waiting for you to invite Him in, so that the two of you can have a relationship, and in order for Him to be closer to you than even your best friend.  The choice is yours. You may choose to keep the door shut, or you can open that door, and know the feeling of having Him as a saviour and Friend, that will never leave you nor forsake you in your times of need.

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 24 June 2007                         

Psalm 138: 6-8

 Ps 138:6-8  The LORD is on high, but cares for the lowly and knows the proud from afar.  Though I walk in the midst of dangers, you guard my life when my enemies rage. You stretch out your hand; your right hand saves me.  The LORD is with me to the end. LORD, your love endures forever. Never forsake the work of your hands!

God will never forsake you.

 The Lord cares for the lowly (Humble) and knows the proud from afar. In this Psalm, King David is giving witness to God’s protection and care that was visible in his own life. This psalm is not a witness to David’s own works or glory, but a witness to the salvation of God.  Earlier in the psalm, David states that all the other kings of this world will have no other choice, put to praise God, should they hear about his wonderful words, and actions. This  shows to David’s humility and humbleness in relation to his God. David had learned that you can not rely on your own kingdom, or your own riches and armies. Nothing on earth can give you the security you need, except putting your trust completely in God. Thus, he is saying that God will care for you if you are humble, and rely on Him, but should you be proud, and try to take care of yourself to be able the show others to your own abilities, then God will know you from afar.  A proud man will not allow God to care for him, for he would regard it as a sign of weakness, not being able to stand on his own two feet. Such a person will be very lonely. But the person who humbles himself and puts all his trust in God will experience how Gods own hand will save him. He will be able to give witness that God is with him to the end, and that Gods love endures forever.  

In the week that passed, I experienced how Gods faithfulness not only provided for me, but for all His children, that humbly put their trust in Him alone. I saw with my own eyes how God provided in the needs of people, desperately in need, and trusting in God alone to assist. I have seen eyes fill-up with tears as God answered prayers, and visibly stretched out His hand to save his children in their times of need.  I have experienced something about the father heart of God, caring for His children. How excellent is Your Name, O Lord!.  

Where do you find yourself at this very moment? Do you know what this week may hold?  Do you fear what may lay ahead, as it would seem like you are trapped in the midst of danger? Have you been running around, trying your best to find a way to save yourself, and are desperately looking for a way out of your situation? Is now then not the time to humble yourself in the presence of the Lord, and hand your problems all to Him.  You have His promise; His love for you will endure forever.  He will never forsake the works of His hands.

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 17 June 2007                              

1 Peter 5:6-7 

1Pe 5:6-7  Therefore be humbled under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your anxiety onto Him, for He cares for you.  

God will care for you. 

When I read this piece of scripture, I was reminded of Luke 12, where we found the piece of scripture saying : “verse:22 And He said to His disciples, Therefore I say to you, Be not anxious as to your life, what you shall eat; nor for the body, what you shall put on. 23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap, having neither storehouse nor barn, and God feeds them. How much more are you better than the birds? 25 And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his stature? 26 If then you are not able to do even the least, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow; they do not toil, they do not spin. And yet I say to you that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothes the grass (which today is in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven) how much more will He clothe you, O little-faiths?  29 And do not seek what you shall eat, nor what you shall drink, and stop being in anxiety.” 

Two points are very important when looking at this pieces of scripture, firstly that we need to humble ourselves before the Lord, and secondly, that we should trust His for all our needs. 

We find ourselves so often looking for ways and means to take care of all our needs, finding a way of taking care of our problems, and making plans to survive when the future looks unpromising. We believe that it must be possible for us to find our own way of taking care of our burdens and difficulties, for that will prove that I am a survivor and a success in life. We find ourselves always trying to prove to others that we can impress them by our abilities and successes, working endlessly to make the perfect impression, even if it means that we have to exhaust ourselves completely. As long as we don’t, look helpless or needy in any way.  We allow pride to come in to our lives, and forget to be humble before the Lord, and to fully put our trust in Him.  

We often carry a heavy burden, just because we don’t put our trust in God, and cast our burdens onto Jesus, as requested in this piece of scripture. We try to take care of ourselves, not allowing Jesus to take care of us.  

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 10 June 2007                             

Psalm 23: 1-6

Ps. 23:1-6  A Psalm of David. Jehovah is my Shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.  He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.  You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah forever.  

Children of God will never be alone. 

This psalm is by far one of the most power pieces of scripture ever written. In this psalm, we find so much of our own lives, irrespective of where we are in our lives.  In it we find the peaceful times of relaxing in green pastures, and having everything we want in abundance,  but we also find the opposite where we see that we have enemies watching us, and even have the immanent fear of death coming.   

We find king David during a time in his life, where he is reflecting back on his life, and tries to find words to describe how God has been there for him, always. Because David was a Shepherd as a young boy, he makes use of the example he knows so well. He compares God with a Good Shepherd.  

David compares God as the Shepard that will lay down His life for his sheep. A Shepherd that will never forsake his sheep, and that will remain with His sheep, even when death might come to Him. David lived in a time before Jesus had come, and died for us on the cross. But even in the time of David, he knew that God is everywhere, and will always be with His children.  So often we fear what might come over our way in life, unsure of what the future might hold. So often we feel overwhelmed by our situations, and circumstances, feeling completely isolated and alone. These feelings were known to David, as he knew how it was to fear for your life, to flee from a son that would want to kill you, and even knew the pain of losing a child by death. Yet he knew that he will never be completely alone. God will be with him always. 

In this psalm we learn something about death. Death being the most lonely place one could ever imagine to be. Death is the place where no friend or family member can be with you to comfort or encourage you. Yet, we need not fear, for God will be waiting there for us, leading us through to eternal life. This is a promise to us all. As Children of God, we will never be alone, God will be with us, regardless of how bad things may seem. Take His hand, and walk into the future, knowing that you will never be alone.

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, 03 June 2007                            

Philippians 4: 4-9 (Good News Bible)

Phi 4:4-9  May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord. I say it again: rejoice! Show a gentle attitude toward everyone. The Lord is coming soon.  Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart.  And God's peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.  In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable.  Put into practice what you learned and received from me, both from my words and from my actions. And the God who gives us peace will be with you.  

Do we need to worry? 

In this piece of scripture, we find Paul writing to the church to be joyful. We find him saying that it does not really matter what the external circumstances are, we should have joy inside of us that is so great the our circumstances should not overshadow it.  But is this possible? Does Paul actually know what he is talking about? Could he then fathom how bad our circumstances could actually be, and still expect us to be joyful?  I think the answer is to be found in looking where Paul was when he wrote these verses. Paul was in jail. He was locked up, and not even sure if he would be allowed to live for another day. He was well aware that others were killed for their faith, and for spreading the Gospel. Yet, from jail he wrote to the church that they should rejoice. Why would he do this, and how? 

The answer is found in Paul’s belief in Christ, and the knowledge he had that Christ  had died for him, but has risen from death, and is returning for him. He was rejoicing in the fact that regardless of his circumstances, Jesus loves him, and will be with him through it all.  He knew that where he was at the time, was only part of the road of life he had to travel, and not the final destination. This part of life, as unpleasant as it might be, will not change His final destination, for Jesus is waiting for him at the finish line.  He did not even fear death, for he knew that death is also not his final destination, but only the crossing of the finish line, leading to a victorious life with Christ.  

Paul tells the church that they should not waste their time by worrying about things they can not change, and things they fear. Paul asked them to rather give it all to God in prayer, and leave it with God with thanks giving, for He will take care of it all. This is not a promise that everything will always only go well for us, but it is a promise that we will never be left alone with our problems or worries, for God is with us. Let us change our focus in life, and concentrate on all that is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honourable. Let us live with thanksgiving, for we know what our destination will be. Let us do this joyfully, for we will never be alone. God is coming soon for us. We have a reason for being joyful.

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, May 27, 2007                             

1John 3:16-18 

1John 3:16-18  By this we have known the love of God, because He laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.  But whoever has this world's goods and sees his brother having need, and shuts up his bowels from him, how does the love of God dwell in him?  My children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

Do you feel loved? 

In life, one of the most basic needs of any human is the need of love and acceptance. In pursuing these, people will sometimes do the weirdest things.  We often find that our children will get involved in wrongful activities, like drug abuse, smoking and alcohol abuse, and even involved with petty thefts and gangs, just to experience some form of acceptance.

In life, we yearn for someone that will love us so much, that they would even lay down their life for us. I can only be truly happy, should I be able to find someone that will love me to the extend that they will do everything in their power to make me feel loved and accepted, someone that will sacrifice their all to ensure my happiness and security. How few are the people that know such love.

But, we do have someone that does love us that much. No, its not your parents, husband, wife, kids, boyfriend or girlfriend. It is Jesus. Are you aware that if it was not possible for Him to save you from sin, He would not have died on that cross? His sacrifice for you is more than sufficient for your salvation.  When Jesus was nailed to the cross, it was you and I that were on His mind. For that reason, He did not call upon His host of angels to come and save Him from that cross, but suffered its pain, it humiliation, and its end result. We have all heard that it was not the nails that held Jesus on the cross, but His love for you and me.

How could Jesus have loved me so much? How is it possible for me to be deserving of such love, as I did nothing to be receiving such love? When we look at a similar verse, not in 1John 3:16, but in John 3:16 we read, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life"

Face it, God loves you!  It is a perfect love, which paid the ultimate price of life. Maybe then, we should be living as grateful people, for such a great love showed to us. Maybe we should be the one, going around, glowing like a young lady that found the love of her life, and not as we so often do, as somber, and depressed people, just because we have forgotten the love that was given to us.

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, May 20, 2007                             

Revelations 3:20-22

 Revelations 3:20-22  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame and have sat down with My Father in His throne.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  

Is there comfort for my pain and loneliness?

 Are you feeling alone, and in need of comfort? Are feelings of emptiness, sorrow and pain filling your heart? Do you yearn for love, acceptance and peace? I have the answer for you. In Revelations 3:20 we read that Jesus is standing at the door, and He knocks. Jesus is offering to give you all the love, peace and acceptance you need. He is offering you His joy, and life in abundance. But do we listen?

 In this piece of scripture we see something of the character of Christ. We find Him standing at the door to our lives. We see a Christ that patiently, but persistently, is knocking, and offering us the opportunity to let Him come in to our lives. We can all recall instances in our lives where we considered turning to Him, and maybe even talking to God. It was because we heard the knocking, but could not really get ourselves as far as opening the door. Don’t worry, because now, once again, you are hearing Jesus knocking. He would love to enter and have a feast with you. Whilst reading this, another opportunity of committing your life to the Lord is presenting itself. What will you do about it?

 As you sit down and think about the areas of your life which you have reserved for yourself as private, maybe areas of emotional pain and hurt, areas where a grudge or hatred against someone is closed away, you will realize that it is just those areas that are robbing you of your joy, and experiencing a life of joy and abundance. Open up all the doors to Jesus, and allow Him in all areas of your life. Where Jesus enters, healing and joy will follow.

 I know we all have difficult times, and we all feel in need of love and acceptance. Although I do not know everybody that will read this personally, I do know that none of us are without these needs. Today I invite you to open the door to your life, and allow Jesus entrance. Give Him the opportunity to restore your soul.

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, May 13, 2007                                        

Acts 3: 1-9

Acts 3:1-9  And on the same day Peter and John went up into the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.  And a certain man, who was lame from his mother's womb, was being carried. And they laid him daily at that temple gate which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered into the temple.  Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And fastening his eyes on him, Peter with John said, Look on us!  And he paid heed to them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, Silver and gold have I none, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!  And taking him by the right hand, he lifted him up. And immediately his feet and ankle-bones received strength.  And leaping up, he stood and walked and entered with them into the temple, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God.  

What do I have to offer those in need?  

When I read this piece of Scripture, the one prominent thing I find is that neither Peter nor John had what the man asked for. This poor man looked to these two disciples with the hope of receiving some money to take care of his needs. But, as Peter said, they had no money, but what they had to give was worth more. What they had to give was exceeding this poor beggar’s greatest expectation.  

It made me think about us modern day human beings. We find ourselves so often looking at the fact that we do not have the means to do good to others. We say that it would be wonderful if we could get some extra money to give to the poor. If only we had the gift or knowledge to bring healing, then we would be able to do so much more for those in need. But, because we do not have these gifts, we feel that we are thus exempted from doing anything. This is not true.  Here we find two poor fishermen walking towards the temple, with nothing to give, except what Jesus had given them. Did we not receive the same?  

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, May 6, 2007                                     

Hebrews  12: 1-3 

Heb 12:1  Therefore, having so vast a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, and throwing off everything that hinders us and especially the sin that so easily entangles us, let us keep running with endurance the race set before us,

Heb 12:2  looking off to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of the faith, who, in view of the joy set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Heb 12:3  Think about the one who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you may not become tired and give up.

 Are you really alive ? 

When I look at the example of an athlete, the first and most important thing I see, is that the athlete must throw off everything that hinders him, slows him down, or tires him, thus slowing him down from running to the best of his abilities.   We also know that this is true in our own lives. We carry around things that keep us back, and makes the task of running our race something that then simply seems like an impossible task to conquer.  But what are these things, that are responsible for keeping us back?  One thing that certainly is true for most of us, not excluding myself, is that there is a great amount of people with things in their lives that are bearing down on them to such an extent, that life often feels like it is simply too much to deal with, and that they lack the strength and ability to continue.  It is not uncommon to hear about a suicide, or even contemplating suicide yourself.  For so many, life is simply too much to deal with.  BUT, what is it that is making people so tired,  and depressed, making us feel that we can not see a light at the end of the tunnel ? What are these things that hinder us, and keep us from living, living life to the full.               

Where shall we begin?  Maybe we should start by looking at relationships?   How many of you, reading this, still have the scars of previous relationships in your lives?   I am talking about all types of relationships.  It starts in your childhood days, your relationship you had with your mom, your dad, even relationships with grand parents, uncles, aunts, cousins…  Some studies show that as many as 40% + of  our adult population experienced some form of abuse, molestation or rejection in their childhood years.  THUS, I can conclude that there are some people reading this today, who have been through some of these things that I have mentioned. Maybe you are also trying to hide the memories, and avoiding the subject, thus, you are carrying this emotional burden, and pain, all on your own, and it may be hindering you, preventing you from living your life to the full.  It might be that all the pain and anger that you have carried with you in your life has become such a part of who you are, that you can no longer imagine life without it.  

Should we take it further, looking at relationships between adults, not only married couples, but also between friends, business partners, family members. What does the picture turn to now?   There are those who will feel disappointed by someone, feel rejected, and cheated out of their rightful shares, people that feel that someone did not take them into consideration, or just used them, people feel forgotten, and unappreciated.  People feel very, very unhappy with the relationships they find themselves in, how much pain and tears are often locked up in our hearts? 

Have we ever been so hurt in our lives that we are finding it increasingly difficult to trust and love others? Or worse… Do you still know what love is?   Do you understand what love really is, is there still power in the words, that JESUS LOVES YOU! Has life changed you into somebody who only knows what makes them feel safe and secure, or brings them security and happiness, for that is NOT love…   

Throwing off everything that hinders us…  So often we just read on, and think that this verse only speaks about sin… but that is not true.  It says, including the sins that might trap you….   What about the emotions we are carrying with us, all the pain and hurt, the low self esteem, feeling empty, and without any dignity left….  My dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, why don’t we decide to throw off these burdens that are keeping us back, and rid ourselves from those things that are hindering us from living our lives to the full, for Christ.   Why do we still choose to carry all of this pain and anger with us?  It is so important that we realize that we are not perfect, and also need caring…  If you know that there are things in your life that are hindering you from running your race, please take action… Speak to someone that can assist you in dealing with your pain, and anger.  There are people available…   

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone!
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives!

What wonderful message is found in these well known word. What power to help us through difficult day. Jesus is alive, and because that it true, I can face tomorrow, knowing He will be with me.
 

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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Sunday, April 29, 2007                            

Luke 12: 22-31

Luke 12:22 And He said to His disciples, Therefore I say to you, Be not anxious as to your life, what you shall eat; nor for the body, what you shall put on. 23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap, having neither storehouse nor barn, and God feeds them. How much more are you better than the birds? 25 And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his stature? 26 If then you are not able to do even the least, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow; they do not toil, they do not spin. And yet I say to you that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothes the grass (which today is in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven) how much more will He clothe you, O little-faiths?  29 And do not seek what you shall eat, nor what you shall drink, and stop being in anxiety. 30 For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you have need of these things.   31 But rather seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

During the past week, I was confronted twice with persons contemplating suicide. Twice beautiful young people simply saw the troubles and worries of life as simply too much to have to deal with. They found themselves surrounded by the darkness of worries, troubles and their situations, not knowing if their situation will ever improve. They cried out for someone to help, but saw no sign of any hope. What is the message that God wants you to hear, should you feel the same?

Stop the worries. In simple language, verse 25 states: "Can worry make you live longer?" Will it change anything, or make the problems go away?  No, it does not. The only thing we gain by worries is maybe an ulcer, grey hair, sleepless nights, and wrinkles. God is asking of you rather to just put your trust in Him, He is making a promise to us all in this piece of scripture. He will take care of all our needs, should we give it to Him.  We only have one responsibility, as found in verse 31.  We need to put God first, and His work here on earth. Should we do that, He will take care of everything else we should need.

It happens so often that we get stuck in our situation, looking at everything that is going wrong in our live's, that we forget something we were taught in the Word of God. Hebrews 12:1&2  "Therefore since we also are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right of the throne of God"

We should never spend all of our energy looking at all our problems, and forget that we should rather keep our eyes on Jesus. Yes, the race of life is not an easy one. Yes, like in any race, we will get tired, and we might even wish to find a way out, so that we don't have to run this difficult race. But, therefore since we are surrounded with a great amount of people that God has sent to support us, and pray with us, and we have Jesus standing at the finish line, let us not lose heart. God promised to help us. You are really not alone.

Should you wish to write me, and are in need of someone who would listen and pray with you... Please do.

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