Work to Rest

The past weekend I attended the Mighty Men’s Conference in Greytown, South Africa, where more than 200 000 men gathered together to worship God. What was clear to me is that there is ‘something’ happening in our country, something spiritual. There is a hunger in our world today, a hunger for God, and this excites me in a way difficult to describe!



I camped with ten guys from all over the country, seven of whom I only met for the first time, and we had an awesome time in the Word of God. Although I shared a great deal, it was such a blessing to see how men received the Word, and were actually excited about the revelation of Jesus Christ!
Gerard, Riaan, Norman, Santo, Ted, Ben, Jaco, James, Deon and Gerrit- thank you for having me, and I want you to know that we are praying for you and your families.

Ephesians 2:6 states the following: “And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One).”

Somebody once said: “How well we walk in this life, is determined by how well we sit in the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Now the Hebrew writer goes on to say the following:

Hebrews 4:11 Let us therefore be zealous and exert ourselves and strive diligently to enter that rest [of God, to know and experience it for ourselves], that no one may fall or perish by the same kind of unbelief and disobedience [into which those in the wilderness fell].

The Bible uses the picture of the Promised Land in the Old Testament where God promised His people, that this land would be their place of rest. He says “large and beautiful cities which you did not build, houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant”. (Deuteronomy 6:10–11) The only problem was that the people did not receive the Word of God, they refused to believe that something like this could be true! How could it be that they could walk into a land where the work is finished, ready for them to live life to the fullest? And for forty years they wandered in the wilderness because of their unbelief.

This is a problem amongst believers today, people cannot believe that the work of Jesus Christ is truly complete and finished. It was on the cross where Jesus, just before He died, declared: “It is finished” (John 19:30) And now people are trying to finish a finished work, complete a completed work, defeat a defeated enemy! They are busy trying to be better people, they are trying to produce holiness, trying to produce righteousness, trying to overcome and walk in victory. What God wants you to do, is work to enter into His rest, trust that He really loves you and that His grace has already provided everything you need to live a life of pleasing Him. (1Cor 1:30; 2Pet 1:3)

The only ‘work’ left for us to do is to enter into His rest- to see and understand that it is all about Jesus, He is our Rest. What is important here to see is that the Holy Spirit is speaking, He is prompting, and He is leading us into Rest: “if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…” (Heb 4:7) Let’s enter God’s rest. Let’s enjoy sitting together with Christ in the heavenly places, then we will run and not be weary, walk and not faint! (Isa 40:31)

Please feel free to post your questions and comments below, I would love to email you more detailed articles. And remember, you are His beloved!

What are you looking at? (2)

I am so excited to know that you will be reading this article! I truly believe that you will be blessed by this message and that God will reveal Himself to you more and more, and the more you see Him, the more you will enjoy life as God had intended for you to enjoy it.

Previously we spoke about circumstances as being the vehicle by which God reveals Christ to us and in us, so that He might eventually also be revealed through us. I want to remind you, at this point, that you are in right standing with God (because you are in Christ), therefore we cannot read the Bible the same way anymore (i.e. as sinners). If there is one thing that I want you to take from this article, it is that God’s love for you is real, so real that it’s almost tangible.

1 John 4:10 says the following: “In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins.”

Grant me the opportunity to share with you some thoughts on the times we are living in today. Our current economic crises faze so many and we find ourselves standing in front of a closed door. What’s the key to survival? How are we going to get through this and in one piece on the other side? I think I might have some idea as to answer to the mystery...

The Kingdom of God is not subject to or dependant on any systems of governance this world may conjure. There are those who have trouble believing this; they rather understand it to be the other way around. Nonetheless, Christ is the supreme ruler of this Heavenly Kingdom and we have been placed in Him (by the Father, according to 1 Cor 1:30). John 16:33 is very clear on the matter that Jesus has overcome the world, He has deprived it of its power to harm us and this He has done for us.

Within the pages of the Old Testament we find a strikingly similar picture to our current situation; God’s people were in a time of financial recession. Even in the midst of these difficult times, the prophet Elijah did not suffer hunger; God provided in his needs through sending ravens to him, bearing food, whilst a brook supplied him with water. Later on God also used the widow of Zerephath to provide for him (1 Kings 17). From Elijah’s actions we can distinguish two things:

1Kings 17:5 “So he did according to the word of the Lord; he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, east of the Jordan.”
1Kings 17:10 “So he arose and went to Zerephath.”

Elijah’s focus was not on the economic crises of his day and age; they were steadfastly focused on God. He didn’t miss a single thing God had in store for him; He clearly understood God’s plan and responded accordingly. We are capable of doing the same; we do have the ability to hear God’s voice and therefore can respond accordingly! This is possible due to the indwelling of His Spirit.

Galatians 5:25 “If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]”

In Gospel of Luke we find a similar story of supernatural provision. In chapter five we read that the disciples worked all night and could not catch a single fish, it was as if the lake was completely sucked dry of all fish. Jesus arrived on the scene and told them to cast their nets in the deep water; suddenly an ‘empty’ lake offered a catch so huge that their nets broke under the weight of fish and their boats began to sink! Please note Peter’s words: (5) “And Simon (Peter) answered, Master, we toiled all night [exhaustingly] and caught nothing [in our nets]. But on the ground of Your word, I will lower the nets [again].”

In 2 Chronicles, chapter 20 we find that Israel was under the great threat of a three nation coalition rising up against them. Looking at the situation in the natural, they had no chance of winning this battle and no way of survival. But then they pray something, something worth noting (v.12): “O our God, will You not exercise judgment upon them? For we have no might to stand against this great company that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”

This is the answer to the ‘mystery’, the mystery to getting through the financial recession we face today! Our problem is that we are focusing on the circumstances and not looking at Him! The natural serve only to distract us from truly seeing Him. Our eyes are not supposed to be on anything else than on Him, for He has finished all that is necessary for you and me to live in His victory (2 Pet 1:3).

Hebrews 12:2 “Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

We need to focus on Him, intently and attentively with an expectancy; we need to listen to what He is saying. Our focus should not be on the problem, this will only result in the problem becoming our master, and it cannot be our master for our Master lives in us!

Colossians 3:1-3 AMP If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (2) And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. (3) For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.

May you have a blessed week! May the Holy Spirit flood the eyes of your heart so that you may see the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in you!

What are you looking at? (1)

What a privilege it is to be reconciled to God through the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ! How awesome to have received the Spirit of God; who is not a spirit of bondage and works fear in us, but who is the Holy Spirit through whom we may call the Almighty “Abba”! Furthermore, this is not by anything we have done or have achieved, but by Christ’s own faith that is living in us (Col 1:20; Gal 4:6; Eph 2:8).

During the past week my mind was flooded with so many thoughts and ideas and as I was preparing for this weekend’s message, all of these thoughts fused into one. I believe that Father wants me to share with you an important principle regarding the difficult times all of us are facing today. Many Christians find themselves challenged immensely by our current economic situation and I honestly believe that our only solution is to focus on the Word and what it has to say for us for today (and YES, Scripture can still answer our questions, even when they are a bit ‘modern’). Jesus said the following:

John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]"

Jesus did not deny the fact that we will have difficult times; in fact, He said that we will have “tribulation and trial and distress and frustration”. Then He goes on with a big BUT: He gives us the assurance that HE is our peace, that He is the perfect One and that He has already overcome the world (namely: everything). It goes even further: He has conquered the world “for you”! Therefore we have reason to be of “good cheer”, even in hard times. We just need to believe what Jesus said and embrace it.

I know, that when we are knee deep in tribulation, this might sound very optimistic or even a little loony. Yes, I am not in your shoes. Yes, I understand that things might be awfully tough. But I urge you to put aside your frustration and really LOOK at Him (in His Word) and receive (without resistance) the Truth. When you do this, I can guarantee you a breakthrough. Why can I say this with so much confidence? What gives me the right to assume such a position? The Word is very clear on this: Christ has overcome any obstacle you will ever have to face and He has finished everything that is needed for you to live Life to the fullest!

Paul had a good idea what tribulation was all about. When we recall his story it is hard to image that any person could go through what he had to endure (2Cor 11:24-33) and still carry on (especially in the way he did). I believe the key to his way of dealing with hard times can be found in 2 Corinthians 1:8-11. "(8) We want to remind you, friends, of the trouble we had in the province of Asia. The burdens laid upon us were so great and so heavy that we gave up all hope of staying alive. (9) We felt that the death sentence had been passed on us. But this happened so that we should rely, not on ourselves, but only on God, who raises the dead. (10) From such terrible dangers of death he saved us, and will save us; and we have placed our hope in him that he will save us again, (11) as you help us by means of your prayers for us. So it will be that the many prayers for us will be answered, and God will bless us; and many will raise their voices to him in thanksgiving for us."

According to Paul things never happen to us “because of” but always “so that”. You see; there is something about the love of God that we find difficult to understand. It is the Father’s passion to see us grow into who/what He created us (in Christ) to be; we are His Body and His Body cannot be revealed unless He Himself is revealed in us and to us. We can only reveal Him after He reveals Himself. We are also not able to build for ourselves a fulfilling and content life (God knows how we’ve tried), it is only in Christ who IS Life that we may truly LIVE. This brings me to the question: what is life without Life?

In 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Paul goes on to say the following: “(16) Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). Though our outer man is [progressively] decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day after day. (17) For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!], (18) Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting.”

Again the “looking” principle: focusing on Him Who is in me and in Whom I am (the branch focusing on the Vine). And as we see Him, we are being transformed to His image, also here in the natural, to experience the real/authentic good life which He intended for us (Eph 2:10) right from the start.

So be of good cheer, my friend. Things are happening around you and sometimes even to you, but it so that you might grow in the knowledge of Him more and more. It is so that you may see and experience His great love for you. He is everything you will ever need in this life to be truly happy/content/fulfilled.

Stop looking at everything around you, and look at Him, seek Him and be at peace. He has already overcome the world for you!

I just want to take this opportunity to thank my good friend, Belene, who is a great help in writing the articles on this blog. Thank you so much!

Have a great day and remember: He loves you!

The Good Life

Another wonderful day that the Lord has made, so let us rejoice and be glad in it! Yesterday I spoke about our ‘sin consciousness’, and I would like to thank ‘Anonymous’ for his/her comment on the matter. I would also like to take the opportunity to quickly discuss the topic raised by ‘Anonymous’; namely that we tend to take portions/verses in the Bible out of context and build our lives around these ‘half truths’. This can leave us in rather a difficult spot! The Bible has only ONE main author, and that is the Living God Himself; therefore the Bible ‘should’ have only ONE message. But when we read Scripture out of context we tend to find contradicting messages in the Bible, leaving as in a vulnerable and confusing place.

For an example, let’s have a look at one such verse in the Bible that has been misused in the past:

Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

When we take this out of context it sounds like an open and shut case: we are sinners! However, when we read the verses leading up to and following v.23, the true meaning of what the Holy Spirit wanted to convey to us is revealed: “(24) and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, (25) whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. (26) It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”

The point I want to make here is that when we are able see what God has done for us and with us in Christ, sin is not the controlling factor anymore – and therefore our thoughts cannot be filled with sin anymore, but with Truth:

Romans 6:6 “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” (Please also read this verse in context)

Again it is very clear that it has everything to do with Him, and nothing to do with what we may achieve or not achieve. And this is what righteousness is all about; it is His Righteousness, and by His grace that we have been saved and redeemed! We have heard that righteousness (or in simpler terms: being right with God) has something to do with what we do or refrain from doing. However, this is not what the Bible teaches! Scripture is crystal clear about this: you are not righteous because you help old people cross the busy street, or because you read several chapters in the Bible on a daily basis, or even because you feel righteous. You are righteous solely because the sacrifice of Jesus made you so!
Now you help people to cross the street because you want to, and you read your Bible because you want to know Him more, and you start living the Life He intended for you to live!

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].

How wonderful and indescribably fantastic is our God? This is the Good News: He gave us the good life, the Life of Christ, planted us in the Vine, and although there is a great deal of suffering and tribulation and trails in the world; we can be at peace and have confidence because of our being in Him. (John 16:33)

I want to encourage you with the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Do you see whose righteousness, and do you see the promise?

And remember: Father loves you very very much!

Who am I?

It is such a privilege to share the Word of God with you in this way- it is something I never imagined would become what it already has! But just think about it, when He initiates something, it will be successful! We just need to realize how intimately and actively the Holy Spirit is working in every area of our lives, all of the time!

Romans 7:6 "But now we are discharged from the Law and have terminated all intercourse with it, having died to what once restrained and held us captive. So now we serve not under [obedience to] the old code of written regulations, but [under obedience to the promptings] of the Spirit in newness [of life]." One of the ways for us to hear Him and enjoy the fullness of this new Life, is simply to understand who we are in Him.

We have a Siamese cat which we as family, are very fond of. George has been the subject of many a illustration to explain a point. Allow me to do this here: when George is asked to go for a swim, or to bark, or to fly or to eat grass, he would be unable to do it. Why? Because he is a cat and he cannot be something else! But when it comes to our identity, it becomes very complicated, although the Bible is very clear about who we are in Him. Many Christians are convinced that they are still sinners, while the Bible teaches that Christ's sacrifice brought an end to that.

If you are convinced that you are a sinner, that is exactly how you will live your life. How is it possible for a sinner not to sin? But if you accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, the Bible declares that you were a sinner, but you are now the righteousness of God in Christ! When you come to realise this wonderful truth, you find yourself not wanting to sin, but to be, what and who you are in Him - righteous.

The Bible teaches that because of the finished work of Jesus, God imputed righteousness to those who believes in Christ (Gal 2:16). He became sin, so that we could become His righteousness (2Cor 5:21). And because of your right standing with God, you have ongoing fellowship with the Father and the Son through His Holy Spirit (1John 1:3), which means that you have access to the Source of everything in the universe!

This might sound controversial due to several reasons, but I want to encourage you to study the Word for yourself, and see and taste that the Lord is truly good! (Psalms 34:8) Next time we will continue on the righteousness of God, to be or to become, and why we still sometimes miss the mark (sin).

May your day be filled with blessings and love and a fresh revelation of Christ in you, and among you. (Col 1:27) And remember: you are “fully” loved by God! (Ephesians 3:18)

The Resurrection

This must be the best news ever! Jesus rose from the dead and He is alive forevermore! Listen to what the Bible says in 1Peter1:3 “Praised (honored, blessed) be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)! By His boundless mercy we have been born again to an ever-living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”

We have received a new life through the resurrection of Christ. We did not do anything to deserve it and no level of performance could ever be worthy of it. Christ has already done all that is necessary to secure this new life for each of God’s children, our only part in it is to receive it!

As our assembly gathered yesterday, we looked at Christ’s resurrection from a fresh perspective; of how intimately we were included in it, just listen to what Paul writes to the Ephesians in Chapter 2 verse 5: “Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favour and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation).”

This new life in Christ is His Life in us. This constitutes that He has now become our Wisdom from God, He is our Redemption, He is our Sanctification and He is our righteousness (1Cor 1:30). All that was required from us in order to come to God has already been met in Him. Now we may boldly call Him ‘Father’, for we are in the Son. Now hold on to your seats because this gets even better: We cannot and will not ever be able to procure this kind of inheritance for ourselves – our only contribution in experiencing this new life, is by beholding Christ! We need only to look at Christ (to focus on Him) in the Word, as in a mirror, and we shall be changed to His image in this world.

2Peter 1:3 “For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue).”

Can you see how special you are in His eyes? Can you see how much He really loves you?

Please feel free to post your questions and comments below, I would love to email you more detailed articles. And remember, you are ‘highly’ loved by God!

So much Love!

I greet all of you wonderful people in the Name of our Jesus Christ! It is from Him and to Him and through Him that all things are!

While I was cycling with our club this morning, my thoughts circled on the Crucifixion, the death, the burial and the Resurrection of Christ. And yet again I was overwhelmed by the thought of His great Love for us!

At one stage in Jesus’ ministry on the earth, He spoke to His disciples on His sacrifice and we read in John 12 the following statement “ Now the judgment (crisis) of this world is coming on [sentence is now being passed on this world]. Now the ruler (evil genius, prince) of this world shall be cast out (expelled). (32) And I, if and when I am lifted up from the earth [on the cross], will draw and attract all men [Gentiles as well as Jews] to Myself. (33) He said this to signify in what manner He would die”.
Here Christ foretells of what would happen on the cross when He was to be crucified; He said that all men (those of the past, present and future) would be drawn unto Him – in effect be ‘sucked’ into Him. This ‘all’ includes YOU and ME!!

That is also why Paul can boldly say that he was crucified with Christ, and that Christ is living in and through him (Gal 2:20). This is so amazing! He, our Messiah, took the judgement of God for sin on Himself and dealt with the evil one on that day! In fact, the Bible says that He became sin, He that knew no sin, so that we can be the righteousness of God in Him. Everything He did, He did it with you and me on His mind. So much love!

While ‘suffering’ on the bicycle this morning, and thinking about what a dear brother shared with us yesterday in terms of the global issues, I was reminded of something Jesus said in John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]” He is the perfect peace in us and He is our confidence… this is just another reason why it is so important to keep on looking at Him, to focus on Him and Him only. To look only at Him and doing so intently and intensively. (Hebrews 12:2)

If you are reading this article today, know that we are praying for you and that we believe that He will show you more and more of Himself, and that you, as a natural effect of His revelation, will experience His abundant blessings in your life.

I’m looking forward to Resurrection Sunday and a great time with our beloved fellowship! And remember: you are ‘widely’ loved by your Father!

Good Friday

Today is Good Friday! The shops are stacked with hot-cross-buns, marshmallow and chocolate Easter eggs and other sweet treats on this public holiday. The shops are closed and many people have left for all the popular holiday destinations. However, we seem to forget that today is not just another public holiday. Today we celebrate what God has done for us in Jesus Christ: He qualified us as His children!

Many, even some of our most respected theologians, still debate the historical Jesus (the fact that Jesus really and truly walked on our planet’s dusty surface and redeemed mankind on a wooden cross). To many the tale of the Messiah is a bit of a tall tale to stomach and they make it off as a cultural/religious myth. Yet, to others the Cross of Jesus Christ is a symbol of how God came to help us to ‘just get along in life’.
But He did live! He did die on a wooden cross! He did redeem mankind and made a way for reconciliation with God. According to the Bible, the cross is the ‘power of God’! And let me tell you something today: When you realize what happened at the Cross, you will not be able to think, or do, or talk, the way you have always been.

When Jesus was in conversation with Nicodemus in the third chapter of the Gospel of John, Jesus said something very interesting – “(14) And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert [on a pole], so must [so it is necessary that] the Son of Man be lifted up [on the cross]”. Here Jesus referred to the story of the Israelites in the desert being bitten by snakes because of their sins. The Israelites pleaded with God to save them from certain death and God told Moses to make a copper snake, put it on a pole and lift it up so that it would be visible to all. If one, who had been bitten by a deadly snake, looked at the snake on the pole, they would live! It is interesting to note that God did not instruct His people to kill the snakes, chase them away, or to work out a way to get away from them.
Their only instruction was to look at the snake on the pole, and they shall live! The Bible goes on to say that Jesus became a curse on the Cross, but what does this mean? The truth is that our Messiah became, in actual fact, that which kills people (like the snake on the pole that is in the same form as that which killed the people, namely: snakes). He became whatever it is that kills you or was killing you! The moment that we see Him on the Cross as exactly that, we are freed!! Galatians 3:14 says the following: “Christ purchased our freedom [redeeming us] from the curse (doom) of the Law [and its condemnation] by [Himself] becoming a curse for us, for it is written [in the Scriptures], Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree (is crucified);” Isn't this just absolutely wonderful news? Jesus has done what was needed for us to truly experience Life as God intended for man; free from condemnation and to the fullest (John 10:10)!

So the instruction is: Look, and live! How long should you look? I don’t know. Just keep on looking, and you shall live! That is why the Bible encourages us in Hebrews 12:2 “Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God”. Therefore; stop chasing, hunting and sidestepping snakes. Just look at Him! Keep on looking at Him in His Word, and trust His Spirit to flood the eyes of your heart with light so that you will be able to see Him clearly.
That is all for today, but tomorrow we will continue on the Good News of the Cross. I’m praying that you will have a fantastic day and really see that He took on Himself what we deserved, and in that set you free to be what He made you to be.

Please feel free to post your questions and comments below, I would love to email you more detailed articles. And remember, you are deeply loved by God!

A Good Picture

What a wonderful day, like David says in the Psalms: Let us rejoice and be glad in it! It is Thursday, a mere day before 'Good Friday' and we are looking forward to a great Easter weekend- great in terms of a fresh realization of the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ!

In John 15 Jesus shares a wonderful picture of how this 'Life principle', we spoke about yesterday, actually works. Jesus says that He is the Vine, and we are the branches, with His Life flowing through us, bringing forth fruit- fruit that pleases the Father! Can you see the role of the branch here? Does it work hard to bring forth fruit? Is the branch hanging around on its own? No, not at all! The branches are completely dependant on the Vine and His Life flowing through them. All that the branches need do, is receive the Life given and be that which they are, namely: branches. They do not try to be something, neither do they work hard at becoming something. Rather: they just are! No performance necessary, just abiding, just focusing, just receiving, and just letting it flow. But how did we get into the Vine?

1Co 1:30 But God has brought you into union with Christ Jesus, and God has made Christ to be our wisdom. By Him we are put right with God; we become God's holy people and are set free.

One of the tragedies of our time is the 'performance orientated' society that we live in - everything we do is based on performance. We eventually tend to bring this into every area of our existence and we try really hard to impress the Lord by the things we do! Fortunately the Good News is; He has done and finished everything needed for us to live and bring forth the fruit that pleases our Farther! This might sound a bit weird to some, but the point is that many get caught up in the lie that there are still things we need to do to qualify as children of God. The truth is that He has qualified us as His Own in Christ - all we need to do, is to receive it by faith and live the good Life which He has prepared for us and given us! (Ephesians 2:10)

May you have a great day and remember: you are deeply loved by God!

First things first

This is my first post on this blog and I must say that I am very excited about it! I believe that this is going to be a wonderful journey for me, and those who will take some time to read and enjoy with me what God has given us by His grace and His indescribable love for us!

Let us start by what I mean by living Life, enjoying Life and sharing Life.

When we think about life, the first thing we usually think about is our mere existence as human beings, but I believe that there is much more to it than that. Life is God's plan for us, to enjoy, to live and to share. Jesus said that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life and that He came to give us life in abundance- and in the light of Easter coming up- that is just what He did, He gave Himself for us so that we might share in this particular Life- His Life! Read what the Bible says in: Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation).

This is so exciting, and that is why I am completely convinced that there is more to Life than what most people experience- and the Bible goes on to say that He (God), has given us everything that we need to live this Life, and to be what He intended for us to be through our knowledge of Christ- and this knowledge is deeper than the intellect, in easy terms it means to know Him personally and intimately- and all we need to 'do', is to receive the Word through His Spirit in us to get to know Him.

I will share further on this tomorrow. Time to get back to preparing for Sunday and spend some quality time with my loved ones! Praying that you have a great day in getting to know Him better!