What a wonderful, eventful, busy week-end I've just had.
A barbeque with friends on Friday evening, cleaning house Saturday morning, a small tea party with other friends in the afternoon, then visiting my mom, who is now 88 and still as fit as a fiddle, and then to bed with a lovely book!
But it is Sunday morning that I want to share with you... Sunday mornings we have a service in the chapel at the Karl Bremer Hospital. This is a large Provincial Hospital.
Before every service we visit the wards and share and pray with those patients who for obvious reasons cannot come to the chapel and we invite those who are mobile to attend the service.
Well, this Sunday morning a young man attended for the first time. A very tall young man, 25 years of age, and a handsome speciman of God's created beings, BUT this young man had, from a very young age, become involved with drugs.... various kinds of drugs and he became addicted to them. According to his own testimony, he was one of the worst addicts around. So much so that his internal organs and intestines have all been harmed and damaged by these drugs. He has been told that he will be in the hospital for a very long time. He has now been weaned off the drugs but he is experiencing the most excruciating pain all day, every day and could hardly sit still long enough for our one hour long service. He listened very attentively for as long as he could and it was evident that he was taking everything in.
Afterwards he jumped up and walked up and down in the side isle. Not wanting to leave, but not being able to sit either. When we went over to talk to him and asked what his medical problems were, he was very honest and forthcoming about his addiction and in his own words he now realises how badly he has been treating his loved ones and friends for years past. According to him his mother looks at least 20 years older than her age. She also has a handicapped daughter that she is looking after. His parents have remained loving and have been very supportive through all of his years of addiction.
The wonderful thing about this young man is that he now realises his condition. He says that he actually feels sick when he thinks how many years he has wasted and how his abhorrent lifestyle has affected others. He is desperate to survive and to start making amends and to help his parents.
He cried real tears of remorse and he made a commitment to the Lord yesterday morning, and asked God to take over his life. My request to you today is to please remember him and his family in your prayers. Jesus has accepted him into the fold, just as did the father of the prodigal son in the Word of God.
We were happy to be able to tell him :
"that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart
that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart
one believes unto righeousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation." Rom. 10: 9-10
All praise and glory to Jesus, our Lord!
Nothing is impossible for God to achieve!
Thank You, Lord, for Your saving grace. Thank You, that anyone who turns to you, in faith, confessing with the mouth and believing with the heart, IS saved! We praise and honour Your holy name. Help us to spread this basic message every day, wherever we go!
Monday, 28 November 2011
Thursday, 24 November 2011
LET'S NOW RETURN TO HIS INNER CIRCLE OF FRIENDS...
His disciples... in Jerusalem, after He was resurrected ... we find some of them together and they are telling Thomas that Jesus had been resurrected and that He is alive and that He has been seen by some of them... and Thomas says :
"...unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the
nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." John
20:25
(In South Africa we have a saying for somebody who does not believe what a person is saying: "unbelieving Thomas" - It is obvious where that originated.)
Yet, in Luke 9: 18-20 Jesus asks his disciples:
"... but who do you say I am?"
Peter answers:
"The Christ of God."
and we do not hear Thomas disagreeing or denying this fact at that time. So obviously he also believed that Jesus was the Christ. He just did not believe that Jesus had been risen from the dead!
And since that day to this, there have been many people who only believe certain portions of the Word of God, but argue other points... even professors of Theology, clergyman, preachers... have doubts about the virgin birth of Christ, His death, His resurrection, whether in fact He was ascended to heaven ...
Do you have any such doubts?
Then, eight days after the incident described above, the disciples are together again in a locked room and Thomas is with them this time, and suddenly WHAM! Jesus is in their midst. No one opened any doors or windows for Him to enter - no, He is JUST THERE! Present in their midst. And without further ado, knowing Thomas also to his core, Jesus said to Thomas:
"...Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here,
and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." John 20: 27
He knew the exact words that Thomas had spoken, even though He was not physically present when they were uttered by Thomas!
Isn't He a mighty God?
Thomas thought so too, for he exclaimed:
"My Lord and my God!" John 20: 28
You see, it does not matter who you are, where you are, what your sins, iniquities, unrighteousness, faults, shortcomings, weaknesses, good points, strengths are - He, our Lord, is omnipresent, and He knows about your beliefs and unbeliefs... our Lord and Saviour, Jesus, the Christ of God knows you to the core! May as well surrender to Him... surely there is no other God like Him!
Thank You, Lord! What a comfort it is to know that You know me so well! That also means that You know my every need, knows when I am in danger, knows when I am suffering, when I am sad... when I am thankful or glad; thank You that there is no one like You. Help us to surrender totally to You in faith and to trust You completely.
"...unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the
nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." John
20:25
(In South Africa we have a saying for somebody who does not believe what a person is saying: "unbelieving Thomas" - It is obvious where that originated.)
Yet, in Luke 9: 18-20 Jesus asks his disciples:
"... but who do you say I am?"
Peter answers:
"The Christ of God."
and we do not hear Thomas disagreeing or denying this fact at that time. So obviously he also believed that Jesus was the Christ. He just did not believe that Jesus had been risen from the dead!
And since that day to this, there have been many people who only believe certain portions of the Word of God, but argue other points... even professors of Theology, clergyman, preachers... have doubts about the virgin birth of Christ, His death, His resurrection, whether in fact He was ascended to heaven ...
Do you have any such doubts?
Then, eight days after the incident described above, the disciples are together again in a locked room and Thomas is with them this time, and suddenly WHAM! Jesus is in their midst. No one opened any doors or windows for Him to enter - no, He is JUST THERE! Present in their midst. And without further ado, knowing Thomas also to his core, Jesus said to Thomas:
"...Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here,
and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." John 20: 27
He knew the exact words that Thomas had spoken, even though He was not physically present when they were uttered by Thomas!
Isn't He a mighty God?
Thomas thought so too, for he exclaimed:
"My Lord and my God!" John 20: 28
You see, it does not matter who you are, where you are, what your sins, iniquities, unrighteousness, faults, shortcomings, weaknesses, good points, strengths are - He, our Lord, is omnipresent, and He knows about your beliefs and unbeliefs... our Lord and Saviour, Jesus, the Christ of God knows you to the core! May as well surrender to Him... surely there is no other God like Him!
Thank You, Lord! What a comfort it is to know that You know me so well! That also means that You know my every need, knows when I am in danger, knows when I am suffering, when I am sad... when I am thankful or glad; thank You that there is no one like You. Help us to surrender totally to You in faith and to trust You completely.
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
WILL YOU COME BACK TO SAMARIA AND GALILEE WITH HIM...
to the spot where he meets with 10 lepers?
"...then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were
lepers, who stood afar of. And they lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus,
Master, have mercy on us!" Luke 17: 12-13
You see, because of their leprosy, they, according to the Jewish laws, had to remain a certain distance from all other people. They were deemed 'unclean', having a contagious disease, almost as people with AIDS are being viewed by modern society today - there was a stigma attached to them - so they could not come close to Jesus but had to shout at him from a distance... and He, because He knew all this, did not even ask them to come close to be healed, no, we read :
"So when He saw them, He said to them, "go, show yourselves to the
priests." And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed." Luke
17:14
Jesus knew that to prove that they were healed, or clean, they would have to get clearance from the priests in order to return to their families and their homes, so He does not even say : "You are healed" or "Be healed" or "Be clean", no He just sends them straight to the priests to get the required clearance.
He also knew that they would only get cleansed and healed if they had faith enough in His words, to obey His command and go before they could see that they were in fact healed! He also saw to the core of them whether they indeed had that faith!
And they did! And they went! And they were cleansed!
Do you and I have faith like these men?
You see, the Word of God says we are all unclean. Maybe not of leprosy or Aids, but because of sin.
"For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard." Rom. 3:23
Sin separates us from the presence and glory of God. Will you have enough faith to "shout to God" from a distance to ask for cleansing and healing of your sinful nature? He is waiting. He sees you. He sees to the core of you whether you really are desirous to be clean and if, in faith, you accept that He can and wants to cleanse you, He will do it now this minute!
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes on Him, shall have eternal life." John 3:16
Do you? Will you?
Thank You, Lord God, that You can cleanse of anything - any sin, any unrighteousness, any disease, any criminal tendencies, any obsession, any addiction, anything whatsoever. Thank You that You are willing to do so, even NOW this minute. Help us to have enough faith to approach You and to believe Your words and to act on them as the lepers did.
"...then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were
lepers, who stood afar of. And they lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus,
Master, have mercy on us!" Luke 17: 12-13
You see, because of their leprosy, they, according to the Jewish laws, had to remain a certain distance from all other people. They were deemed 'unclean', having a contagious disease, almost as people with AIDS are being viewed by modern society today - there was a stigma attached to them - so they could not come close to Jesus but had to shout at him from a distance... and He, because He knew all this, did not even ask them to come close to be healed, no, we read :
"So when He saw them, He said to them, "go, show yourselves to the
priests." And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed." Luke
17:14
Jesus knew that to prove that they were healed, or clean, they would have to get clearance from the priests in order to return to their families and their homes, so He does not even say : "You are healed" or "Be healed" or "Be clean", no He just sends them straight to the priests to get the required clearance.
He also knew that they would only get cleansed and healed if they had faith enough in His words, to obey His command and go before they could see that they were in fact healed! He also saw to the core of them whether they indeed had that faith!
And they did! And they went! And they were cleansed!
Do you and I have faith like these men?
You see, the Word of God says we are all unclean. Maybe not of leprosy or Aids, but because of sin.
"For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard." Rom. 3:23
Sin separates us from the presence and glory of God. Will you have enough faith to "shout to God" from a distance to ask for cleansing and healing of your sinful nature? He is waiting. He sees you. He sees to the core of you whether you really are desirous to be clean and if, in faith, you accept that He can and wants to cleanse you, He will do it now this minute!
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes on Him, shall have eternal life." John 3:16
Do you? Will you?
Thank You, Lord God, that You can cleanse of anything - any sin, any unrighteousness, any disease, any criminal tendencies, any obsession, any addiction, anything whatsoever. Thank You that You are willing to do so, even NOW this minute. Help us to have enough faith to approach You and to believe Your words and to act on them as the lepers did.
Monday, 21 November 2011
LET'S KEEP WALKING TO JERICHO...
where Jesus meets another rich man... Zacchaeus... who was sitting in a Sycamore, or Wild Fig, tree... !!?
Can you believe a rich man today climbing into a tree to see Jesus? I am sure if we knew Jesus was physically here and it was the only way to catch a glimpse of Him many of us, rich or poor, would do just that...
We know quite a lot about this man Zacchaeus... we know that he was short, rich, desperate to see Jesus and he was the head of all the tax collectors. In to-day's language he was the person nationally in charge of SARS (in South African terms) or National Inland Revenue - so, also an important man, with high financial qualifications... a prestigious person with status, and a lot of friends...we also know that he lived in Jericho and that, although he was rich, he was not a haughty person...and he was hated by the Jews.
"... Now behold, there was a man named Zaccheus who was a chief tax
collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but
could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran
ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him..." Luke 19:2-4
When Jesus saw him, He saw much more than anybody else. He not only knew that Zacchaeus was in the sycamore tree waiting to see Him, but again, having looked through to the core of this man, He knew that although Zacchaeus was a crook, and someone who was despised by the Jews, and that because of his crookedness, he was a sinner and lost, Jesus also saw and knew that he had a yearning to be loved and accepted and was ready to meet Jesus and to accept Him as his Saviour and Lord.
And so Jesus said to him:
..."Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your
house." Luke 19:5
Zacchaeus was so full of joy that Jesus, whom he probably deemed as no more than a prophet at the time, was prepared to meet and eat with him in his house, that he immediately undertook to not only give back what he has stolen but to give half of all that he owned to the poor.... Isn't it amazing when we compare the rich young man in the previous devotion, to this rich man, that the one Jesus loved immediately because he was a righteous man, according to the law of the then church, sadly turned away, whilst the rich man who everyone knew was a crook and a liar, was prepared to turn to and follow Jesus?
"Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my
goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusa-
tion, I restore it fourfold." " Luke 19:8
What happened to this man?
"And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he
also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save
that which was lost." Luke 19:9-10
He was lost; yet he was prepared to accept Jesus's invitation. He had a change of heart, of attitude, of direction. He made a distinct decision to do that which is good and to follow Jesus. He repented, but not only repented, he also changed his ways!
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are
passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Cor. 5: 17
Thank You, Lord, that it is your desire to reconcile us to You. Thank You that you are prepared to seek and to save those who are lost. Help us to admit when we are lost, and to accept Your invitation to reconciliation to God.
Can you believe a rich man today climbing into a tree to see Jesus? I am sure if we knew Jesus was physically here and it was the only way to catch a glimpse of Him many of us, rich or poor, would do just that...
We know quite a lot about this man Zacchaeus... we know that he was short, rich, desperate to see Jesus and he was the head of all the tax collectors. In to-day's language he was the person nationally in charge of SARS (in South African terms) or National Inland Revenue - so, also an important man, with high financial qualifications... a prestigious person with status, and a lot of friends...we also know that he lived in Jericho and that, although he was rich, he was not a haughty person...and he was hated by the Jews.
"... Now behold, there was a man named Zaccheus who was a chief tax
collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but
could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran
ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him..." Luke 19:2-4
When Jesus saw him, He saw much more than anybody else. He not only knew that Zacchaeus was in the sycamore tree waiting to see Him, but again, having looked through to the core of this man, He knew that although Zacchaeus was a crook, and someone who was despised by the Jews, and that because of his crookedness, he was a sinner and lost, Jesus also saw and knew that he had a yearning to be loved and accepted and was ready to meet Jesus and to accept Him as his Saviour and Lord.
And so Jesus said to him:
..."Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your
house." Luke 19:5
Zacchaeus was so full of joy that Jesus, whom he probably deemed as no more than a prophet at the time, was prepared to meet and eat with him in his house, that he immediately undertook to not only give back what he has stolen but to give half of all that he owned to the poor.... Isn't it amazing when we compare the rich young man in the previous devotion, to this rich man, that the one Jesus loved immediately because he was a righteous man, according to the law of the then church, sadly turned away, whilst the rich man who everyone knew was a crook and a liar, was prepared to turn to and follow Jesus?
"Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my
goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusa-
tion, I restore it fourfold." " Luke 19:8
What happened to this man?
"And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he
also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save
that which was lost." Luke 19:9-10
He was lost; yet he was prepared to accept Jesus's invitation. He had a change of heart, of attitude, of direction. He made a distinct decision to do that which is good and to follow Jesus. He repented, but not only repented, he also changed his ways!
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are
passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Cor. 5: 17
Thank You, Lord, that it is your desire to reconcile us to You. Thank You that you are prepared to seek and to save those who are lost. Help us to admit when we are lost, and to accept Your invitation to reconciliation to God.
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
LET'S TAKE A WALK WITH JESUS
to the Samaritan woman at the well....
Jesus was not supposed to be in that area; or at the well; or speaking to the woman; or asking her for water... because there was complete "apartheid" between the Jews and the Samaritans at the time... yet He was and He did... because that is the kind of God He is... He does not differenciate between people. He cares for all and soon thereafter died for everyone.
She also queried his behaviour. But His whole conversation with her was just 'an opening line' to get to the point where He eventually changes the gist of the whole conversation and says to her:
"Go, call your husband, and come here." John 4: 16
This is where He wanted to be... already as with the rich young man, Jesus had looked to the very core of her being... knowing all about all, He saw her need, her emptiness, her longing to be in a fulfilled relationship which she herself, maybe, did not understand and which she was unable to achieve even after five husbands and a lover. She did not understand that the only relationship that brings true joy and fulfillment is that which a person has with God. And so, when she answers:
"I have no husband." verse 17
Jesus expands on her answer by saying:
"You have well said, 'I have no husband,' for you have had five husbands, and
the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly."
John 4: 18
He does not judge her. Judging will be done before the throne of Almighty God... Instead He offers her the only relationship that will ever bring her the fulfilment she seeks and she accepts. Not only does she accept, but fetches not only her lover, but the population of her whole town to meet with Jesus to also personally enter into and experience a relationship with Him.
Thank You, Lord, that Your Word never returns to You empty but it achieves that which it was sent for. Thank You that You desire to have a personal relationship with each and every person on this earth. Help us to also invite others to share in the wonderful relationship that we have with You so that they too may experience fulfilment and joy for eternity.
Jesus was not supposed to be in that area; or at the well; or speaking to the woman; or asking her for water... because there was complete "apartheid" between the Jews and the Samaritans at the time... yet He was and He did... because that is the kind of God He is... He does not differenciate between people. He cares for all and soon thereafter died for everyone.
She also queried his behaviour. But His whole conversation with her was just 'an opening line' to get to the point where He eventually changes the gist of the whole conversation and says to her:
"Go, call your husband, and come here." John 4: 16
This is where He wanted to be... already as with the rich young man, Jesus had looked to the very core of her being... knowing all about all, He saw her need, her emptiness, her longing to be in a fulfilled relationship which she herself, maybe, did not understand and which she was unable to achieve even after five husbands and a lover. She did not understand that the only relationship that brings true joy and fulfillment is that which a person has with God. And so, when she answers:
"I have no husband." verse 17
Jesus expands on her answer by saying:
"You have well said, 'I have no husband,' for you have had five husbands, and
the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly."
John 4: 18
He does not judge her. Judging will be done before the throne of Almighty God... Instead He offers her the only relationship that will ever bring her the fulfilment she seeks and she accepts. Not only does she accept, but fetches not only her lover, but the population of her whole town to meet with Jesus to also personally enter into and experience a relationship with Him.
Thank You, Lord, that Your Word never returns to You empty but it achieves that which it was sent for. Thank You that You desire to have a personal relationship with each and every person on this earth. Help us to also invite others to share in the wonderful relationship that we have with You so that they too may experience fulfilment and joy for eternity.
Monday, 14 November 2011
THE RICH YOUNG MAN AND JESUS
We read an account of this young man's meeting with the Lord in more than one of the Gospels, but I prefer the report in Mark.
This rich young man ran to Jesus and asked Him a very important question:
"Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" Mark 10:17
This is a question that every person should consider.
This young man was so passionate about this matter that the Word says he ran to Jesus, and knelt at His feet before asking Him this most important of all questions?
And the Lord Jesus referred him to the ten commandments as we find them recorded in Deut. 20. :
"Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill,
Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father
and mother" Mark 10:19
The young man then boldly states that he has kept these from his youth, in reply to which Jesus tells him that he lacks one thing:
"... go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt
have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow me." verse 21
And the sad response of the young man was that he "went away grieved: for he had great possessions."
The most interesting part of this chapter follows after the young man has left, when Jesus turns to his disciples and tells them how difficult if would be for some people to gain entrance to the Kingdom of God:
"And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again,
and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to
enter into the Kingdom of God." Mark 10:24
...them that trust in riches... And then the Lord carries on to say:
"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man
to enter into the kingdom of God." verse 25
Of course Jesus was not talking about a needle that you and I would use for sewing... No, He was in fact referring to an entrance in the wall of the city of old Jerusalem.
In those days they relied on camels to carry their luggage, baggage, goods of trade. And this entrance into the city was especially for the camels. BUT oftentimes the camels could not enter with the luggage or goods on their backs - the gate was too narrow - they had to kneel and be relieved of everything on their backs before they could enter the city!
This then, is what Jesus was saying: For those of you who rely on and trust in your worldly goods - it will do you no good, because it cannot get you into the Kingdom. You cannot pay your way into the Kingdom. You will have to kneel and leave it all behind!
Trust in God at all times for everything, but especially for salvation and eternal life!
Thank You, Lord, that it does not depend on what we possess, whether we will one day enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. No, it will depend entirely upon our trust and love in and for God and ou acceptance of the price that the Lord Jesus has paid for our sins and salvation. Thank You that we are all equal in your sight!
This rich young man ran to Jesus and asked Him a very important question:
"Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" Mark 10:17
This is a question that every person should consider.
This young man was so passionate about this matter that the Word says he ran to Jesus, and knelt at His feet before asking Him this most important of all questions?
And the Lord Jesus referred him to the ten commandments as we find them recorded in Deut. 20. :
"Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill,
Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father
and mother" Mark 10:19
The young man then boldly states that he has kept these from his youth, in reply to which Jesus tells him that he lacks one thing:
"... go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt
have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow me." verse 21
And the sad response of the young man was that he "went away grieved: for he had great possessions."
The most interesting part of this chapter follows after the young man has left, when Jesus turns to his disciples and tells them how difficult if would be for some people to gain entrance to the Kingdom of God:
"And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again,
and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to
enter into the Kingdom of God." Mark 10:24
...them that trust in riches... And then the Lord carries on to say:
"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man
to enter into the kingdom of God." verse 25
Of course Jesus was not talking about a needle that you and I would use for sewing... No, He was in fact referring to an entrance in the wall of the city of old Jerusalem.
In those days they relied on camels to carry their luggage, baggage, goods of trade. And this entrance into the city was especially for the camels. BUT oftentimes the camels could not enter with the luggage or goods on their backs - the gate was too narrow - they had to kneel and be relieved of everything on their backs before they could enter the city!
This then, is what Jesus was saying: For those of you who rely on and trust in your worldly goods - it will do you no good, because it cannot get you into the Kingdom. You cannot pay your way into the Kingdom. You will have to kneel and leave it all behind!
Trust in God at all times for everything, but especially for salvation and eternal life!
Thank You, Lord, that it does not depend on what we possess, whether we will one day enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. No, it will depend entirely upon our trust and love in and for God and ou acceptance of the price that the Lord Jesus has paid for our sins and salvation. Thank You that we are all equal in your sight!
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
THANK YOU
Today, I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every person who has so far browsed this blog: from Japan, Russia, Ukraine, Latvia, Moldova, Tanzania, Germany, Holland, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Canada, USA, Equador, Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, WOW!!!, this has, to date, been a marvellous experience for me. Please forgive me if I have left anybody or any country out...
I trust that one of these days you will start leaving me a comment or two. That would be really lovely.
I am on my way to a prayer meeting now and I will remember you all in my prayers and ask the Lord to bless you, keep you, protect you, heal you and provide for you.
It would be lovely knowing that you remember me in your prayers as well.
"If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.
But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer."
Ps. 66: 18-19
"Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to
establish it - the Lord is his name: Call to me and I will answer you, and
will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known."
Jer. 33: 2-3
Thank You, Lord, for each and every person who has ever hit this blog. Will you please bless them one and all this very hour, and let them experience your presence daily in their lives. Thank You, that we may intercede for one another and that the distance between us has no significance whatsoever for You are present all over the earth.
I trust that one of these days you will start leaving me a comment or two. That would be really lovely.
I am on my way to a prayer meeting now and I will remember you all in my prayers and ask the Lord to bless you, keep you, protect you, heal you and provide for you.
It would be lovely knowing that you remember me in your prayers as well.
"If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.
But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer."
Ps. 66: 18-19
"Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to
establish it - the Lord is his name: Call to me and I will answer you, and
will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known."
Jer. 33: 2-3
Thank You, Lord, for each and every person who has ever hit this blog. Will you please bless them one and all this very hour, and let them experience your presence daily in their lives. Thank You, that we may intercede for one another and that the distance between us has no significance whatsoever for You are present all over the earth.
Wednesday, 2 November 2011
THROUGH GOD'S EYES
I have two pairs of prescription glasses. One pair for reading and one pair for driving and distant vision.
Yesterday morning I had to drive to the Municipality to renew my car license. On the way, I suddenly realised that I was not feeling too good - not too comfortable - something was amiss - and then it dawned on me that I was driving with my reading glasses on!
I changed them immediately and suddenly it was a whole new world out there!! The trees were so green and beautiful and the sky so blue... even the colours of the other vehicles on the road were so much brighter - in fact, the whole world was so much brighter and more beautiful and I realised that immediately I was also feeling a whole lot better in myself - I remember I started singing as I was driving along...
"And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and
tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind; and God saw that
it was good." Gen. 1:12
"And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good"
Gen. 1:31
And it is the same in life. Sometimes we view our circumstances, and challenges, and trials also "through reading glasses" instead of our multifocles or distant vision glasses!! And when we do, everything seems such a drag, dull, lifeless, we are listless, apathetic, or it's 'simply too much trouble to be bothered with', and we just cannot see ourselves making it through whatever is facing us that day!!
And the solution is simply to look at it with our distance vision glasses... to see the whole picture and not just to focus on the here and now - the challenge facing us this minute... but to look up ... look to tomorrow... look to the Source of your power and strength and endurance and victory! Look to the end result of what you're aiming to achieve!
Behold! Look! See - through God's eyes - they are our proper 'prescription glasses' for looking at our lives - that it is good! Life is good! You are good! God only added the "very" to the "good" after he had created man in His own image! If He thinks that creating you was "very good" then it certainly was and then you certainly are!
"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Ps. 118:24
Thank You, Lord, for this day - whatever it may bring - You have made it good! I will rejoice and be glad in it! I will put on the proper glasses and look at this day through Your eyes!
Yesterday morning I had to drive to the Municipality to renew my car license. On the way, I suddenly realised that I was not feeling too good - not too comfortable - something was amiss - and then it dawned on me that I was driving with my reading glasses on!
I changed them immediately and suddenly it was a whole new world out there!! The trees were so green and beautiful and the sky so blue... even the colours of the other vehicles on the road were so much brighter - in fact, the whole world was so much brighter and more beautiful and I realised that immediately I was also feeling a whole lot better in myself - I remember I started singing as I was driving along...
"And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and
tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind; and God saw that
it was good." Gen. 1:12
"And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good"
Gen. 1:31
And it is the same in life. Sometimes we view our circumstances, and challenges, and trials also "through reading glasses" instead of our multifocles or distant vision glasses!! And when we do, everything seems such a drag, dull, lifeless, we are listless, apathetic, or it's 'simply too much trouble to be bothered with', and we just cannot see ourselves making it through whatever is facing us that day!!
And the solution is simply to look at it with our distance vision glasses... to see the whole picture and not just to focus on the here and now - the challenge facing us this minute... but to look up ... look to tomorrow... look to the Source of your power and strength and endurance and victory! Look to the end result of what you're aiming to achieve!
Behold! Look! See - through God's eyes - they are our proper 'prescription glasses' for looking at our lives - that it is good! Life is good! You are good! God only added the "very" to the "good" after he had created man in His own image! If He thinks that creating you was "very good" then it certainly was and then you certainly are!
"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Ps. 118:24
Thank You, Lord, for this day - whatever it may bring - You have made it good! I will rejoice and be glad in it! I will put on the proper glasses and look at this day through Your eyes!
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
IN THE FORECOURTS OF YOUR TEMPLE
For the past two Sunday mornings our pastor, Alwyn Fouche, has preached from Ps. 84. What a beautiful Psalm this is.
The first verse tells of the songwriters' longing to be in the house of God – because they had been taken captive and were in Babylon at the time – far away from their home and the temple of their memories... missing the many opportunies they had to be in God's presence.
But what really spoke to me was verse 3:
“Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young, at your altars, o Lord of hosts, my King
and my God.”
The altar was not in the holy sanctuary, or in the most holies – no, in was in the forecourts of the temple – where everyone was welcome, and came to worship and to bring the offerings which were to be sacrificed to God.
And here, at the altar, where blood was being spilt every day, where animals were slaughtered and killed, the sparrow and the swallow, although so tiny compared to the beasts that were being slaughtered, so insignificant in the order of things, understood that it was still a safe place for them to have their nests and to lay their eggs and care for their young...
In another Scripture God says words to the effect that he will meet with His people in the forecourts of His holy temple – there He will there dwell with them.
We are so privileged to be able to visit places where God is being worshipped – churches where people gather in the name of the Almighty Triune God, where all are welcome to come into His presence.
“Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah”
Ps. 84: 4
The little word “dwell” has such wonderful meaning in the Hebrew: I am told it can literally be translated as “being married to the presence of God”... think about that...dwelling in the presence of God. Being united with the presence of God. The verse carries on saying “ever singing your praise!” I wonder if the sparrows and the swallows understood that they were also welcome and free to “sing His praise!” in the temple where they dwelt in His presence. Their young might not have understood, but if they were hungry, they would certainly have "sung"...
“My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh
sing for joy to the living God.” Ps. 84: 2
Do we also long, yes faint, for the house (courts) of the Lord? To be there, whether it be on a Saturday, or a Sunday? Do we take the time off our busy lives to sit and listen to and absorb the Word of the Lord, and to sing His praises with our heart and our flesh?
Our church buildings are not the “holy of holies”, not even the “holy sanctuary”, merely the forecourts of God's house. One day when we see Him face to face we will be with Him in the Holy of Holies, yet He said he would dwell with His people in the forecourts of His temple...
Verse 4 ends with the word “Selah” - this literally means “pause – and think about that... “
One does not know the value of what you have until it is taken away from you.
Time to pause and reflect: Would I miss going to the Lord's house, singing praises to His name with the congregation when I can no longer attend because of distance, or illness, or lack of transport or facilities or old age or no longer legally being allowed to do so?
Then why not enjoy it while we may?
There is the story of two men who were in conversation about church attendance. The first one said to the other: “You know, for 30 years I have been attending church every Sunday yet I cannot even remember one of the sermons that I heard. Obviously there is no benefit in church attendance at all.”
The second answered: “You know, my wife has been cooking me delicious meals all of our 34 years of married life, and although I ate and enjoyed them all, I cannot remember what they consisted of, but this I know, if I had not eaten them these 34 years, I would not still be alive and in good health!”
"And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do... "
Heb. 10:25
"And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do... "
Heb. 10:25
Selah
Thank You, Lord, for so many wonderful privileges which we enjoy. Thank You that we may come into Your presence at any time. Thank You that we are privileged to have “forecourts” where we may gather in Your name and sing praises to your glory.
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