Yesterday we went to the Expo that usually precedes the Momentum 94.7km Cycle Race in Johannesburg, and WOW!! So many things to see, so little time to get to all of it. As we’re walking through the Expo, you can feel the excitement building up inside… the race is a mere day away!! We just can’t wait to get on those bikes and experience the city of Johannesburg from a completely new and different perspective, to share these moments with the most precious person in one’s life. God is good!
Today we will take the first steps of our journey in the pursuit of Truth. Today we venture to SEE what exactly the Father’s Gift entails…
Once upon a time, a father gave his son the most precious gift; it had been advertised all over and kids all over dreamed of this special gift. The son was excited beyond measure about the gift and thanked the father profusely! The child went outside to play with this special gift and the father watched with a tender heart how this gift brought boundless joy to his son. After a short while the son stormed into the house with tear streaked cheeks, begging the father to please tell him how much this gift had cost. The father’s reply was only a baffled stare. The child continued to cry without end and beg to know exactly what it is that he could do in order to receive this gift. To say the least, the father was dumb-struck. He tried to explain to his son that it was a GIFT, it was his free of charge and that no compensation was expected. The father tried to explain that he only wanted his son to be grateful and enjoy the gift. Yet, the boy still continued to cry and ask the father for ways in which he could EARN this gift…
This story is yours and mine. God gave us the most precious gift: His Son, yet we struggle to accept this gift. At first, after salvation, we bask in our new found Love and Life and then we are reminded of where we come from and exactly how undeserving we are of this precious gift… Then we start to beg of the Father for ways in which to please Him, just so that we can EARN this special gift He had already given us… What’s wrong with this picture?!!
After the ‘honeymoon’ phase in our Christian walk has waned, we are left so much to DO. We realise that we are supposed to act differently now and display the character of Christ. We read countless books on how to train ourselves into new behavioural patterns and try our best at being GOOD and doing GOOD. And off course there is always the fear of ending up in Hell to speed up the ‘transformation process’ in bringing forth good fruit. Does this sound familiar?
We say thank you for the great gift of Christ, then we shift Him completely out of the picture and attempt to do the impossible: do what only Christ can do. It is only in and through Christ that transformation takes place. Wasn’t the cross enough to save? Do we really think that human effort can add anything to what Christ had already accomplished? Then we go on to justify our way of thinking, quoting the one verse after the other with their dos and don’ts. We validate our efforts by citing Scriptures from the New Testament, spelling out ‘rules to live by’. UNFORTUNATELY, IN OUR EFFORT TO FOCUS ON CERTAIN PORTIONS, WE MISSED OUT ON THE WHOLE!!!
Let’s have a look at some practical examples from the book of Ephesians:
Ephesians 4:29 Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who hear it.
When I read this with my usual morning devotions, I am reminded to keep myself in check. I remind myself that I am a new creation in Christ – therefore I should not use any foul language or gossip about others. Unfortunately my drive to the office starts out with a massive traffic jam… there goes all my good intentions! At first I’m furious at every idiot on the road and then I proceed to tell them how unfortunate their birth was to the rest of the world population. After a while I am reminded of this morning’s portion of Scripture and I cringe. I feel so guilty, because Paul continued to say the following in the just the next verse:
Ephesians 5:8 For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [lead the lives of those native-born to the Light].
Okay, I’m dead meat! I disappointed God and I’m staring out my office window, waiting for that bolt of lightning to hit. Then it suddenly dawns on me: THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT!! Because Paul went on to say:
Ephesians 6:12-13 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (13) Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.
My dear friends, if this is how we interpret Scripture, it is no wonder we are exhausted and over worked. We try and we try, yet to no avail. We never seem to reach that place where we are the righteousness of God. Where is that life of abundance (John 10:10)? Through our many failed efforts it is clear that we cannot save / change ourselves… How then does this work?
Soon we will continue in our pursuit of Truth and we will look at these portions of Scripture again, but from a place where our religious traditions of the past play no role. We won’t interpret Scripture from the perspective of a certain opinion or conviction. We will allow Scripture to interpret Scripture and we will ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the Truth to us…
May you be blessed this weekend. Please don’t miss out on the next post... There is a better way than our own, his name is Jesus!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
In Pursuit of Truth (1)
Sooner than anticipated the week before our ‘big’ race is upon us! On Sunday 15 November, Mariette and I will be participating in the Momentum 94.7km Cycle Race in Johannesburg. We are as prepared as we can be, but not nearly as much as we were last year this time. This year there are now elaborate goals for the race, we’re not nearly fit enough for it. This year’s race has one simple goal: to enjoy it together. I really want to encourage you to spend special time with your loved ones. They are such a precious gift from God (and you are to them), enjoy them! I could keep you busy the whole day with stories about how many times God has taught me a new lesson through either one of my boys or my wife.
In our ministry things have been great! Finally we received the building plans for our new Church & Community Centre. These have now been handed in at the City Council for approval and we can hardly wait to see what God does next. We don’t know when we’ll start building or how God will provide the funds, but it’s awesome to let God be God and wait upon Him to build our church. These are such exciting times! And that’s not all! These past few weeks I’ve seen so many marriages being restored by people’s acceptance of God’s Word and the precious gift of the Son; now they endeavour on a new way of life; as ONE. God is mighty to save and heal and restore!
In the next few blogs, I am going to be completely honest about many things; some people may be offended and (I trust) many people might just be encouraged. Please bear with me and join me on this journey; a journey on finding Truth and embracing Him.
How many times have you heard The Gospel / The Good News / The Message of Salvation? Countless times I’m sure. I’m also convinced that you’ve heard it from every angle possible; “Turn or Burn”, “Heaven: the Place to be”, “Where will you end up tonight, should you die whilst you are driving home after the service?”. After such sermons people are eager to join this club, called Christianity. They are so excited to start this new life, where the retirement plan is set and they can hardly wait to start doing something for God, just so that they can feel worthy of this great Gift they have received. However, a few days down the line their enthusiasm falters and they just can’t keep up this (ever eluding) Christian life; they have repeatedly failed to be selfless and struggle to be the perfect and moral citizen (which, according to their preachers, they should be now that they are saved).
To be completely honest with you today, most of us have missed it completely. We misunderstood the Gift and we didn’t understand who we were now created (or rebirthed) to be. And I say we, because I lived under the same misconception of what the Gospel was all about. But today I want to tell you about the WHOLE TRUTH; some of the earlier christians started propagating a ‘different’ Gospel so many years ago and only now we are observing how understanding dawns on small clusters of Christians the world over. And the funny thing is; it’s the same Gospel that Paul taught. We just didn’t see it for what it was; in our effort to make sense of Paul’s writings, we taught ourselves many new tools and ended up with a diluted Gospel. Well, I say NO MORE!! It is time for the world to SEE CHRIST. It is time for the world to BE SET FREE by the new way that is presented in Christ Jesus.
Next time we will continue on our journey and we will talk about THE GIFT and OUR RESPONSE. And I am really looking forward in sharing the Good News with you!
If you have a comment or a question, please feel free to place it in the ‘comment’ box below!
BE BLESSED!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
a Life worth living
How wonderful is God!! When my computer bailed out on me, I felt quite lost. Isn’t it funny how odd it feels without our technological marvels, even though we existed just fine without them a mere 10 or 20 years ago. After sending the computer in for repairs, the quote came back… and oh my… the repair of the computer would cost the same as buying a new and improved model!! What a crazy world we live in! But to say it yet again… how wonderful is God!! The insurance agreed that a new computer would be the way to go and now I am typing my first blog from my brand new laptop. I truly feel spoiled rotten by our Father, my new computer is marvelous!
Do you remember what I wrote in June? It was under the heading: “Light affliction”. It is with much joy that I share my witness with you today: there are no symptoms of ‘disorientation’ or ‘lack of balance’ to be found in me any more! To God alone be the Glory!
Mariette and I are still preparing for the Momentum 94.7km Cycle Challenge in November and everything is still going according to plan. I was training on the road over this weekend, planning on doing an easy ride, and 15km from our house it started raining. Unfortunately it not only started raining cats and dogs, but also ended up developing in a hail storm! Needless to say; it was the fasted 15km I have ever done!
I am constantly thanking our Father for the many blessings we are experiencing in our ministry at this moment. We are seeing people’s lives being transformed (never to change back). I’m not talking about people on temporary emotional ‘highs’, but people who are experiencing the power of Christ’s life in them and who are continuously being transformed from one degree of glory to another. Christianity really works! Christ is very real and He is the Power and the Strength in us, He is everything in us that we were created to be and never could be on our own.
When I say that the Son is everything in us, I really mean everything. It is through the gentle guidance of the Holy Spirit that we walk where we walk, meet the people that we meet, have the conversations that we have and say what we say… There is no such thing as coincidence when you have found your new life in Christ. Nothing happens per chance. Of course, this would all imply obedience to the voice of the Holy Spirit! Have a look at what Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 9:11 “ I returned and saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong, neither is bread to the wise nor riches to men of intelligence and understanding, nor favour to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.”
This verse doesn’t talk about chance in the sense of luck or a twist of fate. When you cross reference this verse with Psalms 33:16-19 and Romans 9:16, the message of Solomon becomes more clear; we, as humans, may study and become more capable, we may have many talents or money or opportunities in life, we may be strong, high ranking and socially powerful, but nothing happens apart from or ‘outside’ of God. It is only He Who determines life. It is through His guidance that we are placed in the right place and at the right time. And it is through Him that we do whatever we do (Act 17:28 “For in him we live, and move, and have our being…”).
The important thing here is to understand what life is all about, and not to be influenced by what we see in the natural, because that is to be caught up in the net and the snare that Solomon speaks about in the next verse: Ecclesiastes 9:12 “For man also knows not his time [of death]: as the fishes are taken in an evil net, and as the birds are caught in the snare, so are the sons of men snared in an evil time when [calamity] falls suddenly upon them.”
So many times, in fact way too many times, our circumstances and physical things become so important that we do not even see that we are walking into these traps. Many times we fall for these snares due to a lack in the knowledge of who we are in Christ and we tend to think of Christianity as only another religion with more rules and regulations to obey. Religion (or Christ) is placed on the shelf right next to everything in our lives: work, politics, family, leisure, etc. And just to make sure we maintain a healthy balanced lifestyle, we do a little of each of these spheres of our existence… How confusing! We are taught not to loose ourselves in either one of those, but to do a little of everything… no wonder our generation is complete confused about who we are. We’re supposed to figure out who we are, whilst we’re not to over indulge in one of the aspects of who we are – therefore we are someone at the office and completely someone else in church! We have become expert chameleons, changing shape and form according to our surroundings! This is the snare and the trap! In Christ (or Christianity) everything is tied up in Christ… there is no separation in identity! You are in Christ and because you are in Christ, you can be the sympathetic colleague at the office or the loving parent at home!
Colossians 1:17 “And He Himself existed before all things, and in Him all things consist (cohere, are held together).”
It is in Him that we have our Life, and it is in Him that all the other things are held together! This is where true happiness and true fulfilment is found. What am I saying here? That it is good to work, it is good to train, it is good to socialise, it is good to study, but it is best to do all of this in Him and through Him! And the best part is that He has equipped you with everything you need to live in this way, through the knowledge of Jesus Christ (2Peter 1:3)
Proverbs 16:9 “A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.” Again, it is those who walk in God’s timing, through the promptings of the Holy Spirit, who walks in victory, who has success and who has favour!
Be blessed and remember to live loved!
Do you remember what I wrote in June? It was under the heading: “Light affliction”. It is with much joy that I share my witness with you today: there are no symptoms of ‘disorientation’ or ‘lack of balance’ to be found in me any more! To God alone be the Glory!
Mariette and I are still preparing for the Momentum 94.7km Cycle Challenge in November and everything is still going according to plan. I was training on the road over this weekend, planning on doing an easy ride, and 15km from our house it started raining. Unfortunately it not only started raining cats and dogs, but also ended up developing in a hail storm! Needless to say; it was the fasted 15km I have ever done!
I am constantly thanking our Father for the many blessings we are experiencing in our ministry at this moment. We are seeing people’s lives being transformed (never to change back). I’m not talking about people on temporary emotional ‘highs’, but people who are experiencing the power of Christ’s life in them and who are continuously being transformed from one degree of glory to another. Christianity really works! Christ is very real and He is the Power and the Strength in us, He is everything in us that we were created to be and never could be on our own.
When I say that the Son is everything in us, I really mean everything. It is through the gentle guidance of the Holy Spirit that we walk where we walk, meet the people that we meet, have the conversations that we have and say what we say… There is no such thing as coincidence when you have found your new life in Christ. Nothing happens per chance. Of course, this would all imply obedience to the voice of the Holy Spirit! Have a look at what Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 9:11 “ I returned and saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong, neither is bread to the wise nor riches to men of intelligence and understanding, nor favour to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.”
This verse doesn’t talk about chance in the sense of luck or a twist of fate. When you cross reference this verse with Psalms 33:16-19 and Romans 9:16, the message of Solomon becomes more clear; we, as humans, may study and become more capable, we may have many talents or money or opportunities in life, we may be strong, high ranking and socially powerful, but nothing happens apart from or ‘outside’ of God. It is only He Who determines life. It is through His guidance that we are placed in the right place and at the right time. And it is through Him that we do whatever we do (Act 17:28 “For in him we live, and move, and have our being…”).
The important thing here is to understand what life is all about, and not to be influenced by what we see in the natural, because that is to be caught up in the net and the snare that Solomon speaks about in the next verse: Ecclesiastes 9:12 “For man also knows not his time [of death]: as the fishes are taken in an evil net, and as the birds are caught in the snare, so are the sons of men snared in an evil time when [calamity] falls suddenly upon them.”
So many times, in fact way too many times, our circumstances and physical things become so important that we do not even see that we are walking into these traps. Many times we fall for these snares due to a lack in the knowledge of who we are in Christ and we tend to think of Christianity as only another religion with more rules and regulations to obey. Religion (or Christ) is placed on the shelf right next to everything in our lives: work, politics, family, leisure, etc. And just to make sure we maintain a healthy balanced lifestyle, we do a little of each of these spheres of our existence… How confusing! We are taught not to loose ourselves in either one of those, but to do a little of everything… no wonder our generation is complete confused about who we are. We’re supposed to figure out who we are, whilst we’re not to over indulge in one of the aspects of who we are – therefore we are someone at the office and completely someone else in church! We have become expert chameleons, changing shape and form according to our surroundings! This is the snare and the trap! In Christ (or Christianity) everything is tied up in Christ… there is no separation in identity! You are in Christ and because you are in Christ, you can be the sympathetic colleague at the office or the loving parent at home!
Colossians 1:17 “And He Himself existed before all things, and in Him all things consist (cohere, are held together).”
It is in Him that we have our Life, and it is in Him that all the other things are held together! This is where true happiness and true fulfilment is found. What am I saying here? That it is good to work, it is good to train, it is good to socialise, it is good to study, but it is best to do all of this in Him and through Him! And the best part is that He has equipped you with everything you need to live in this way, through the knowledge of Jesus Christ (2Peter 1:3)
Proverbs 16:9 “A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.” Again, it is those who walk in God’s timing, through the promptings of the Holy Spirit, who walks in victory, who has success and who has favour!
Be blessed and remember to live loved!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
In the cleft of the Rock
It has been a while since my last post – I have been technologically challenged since my computer bombed out on me. I can’t believe we existed just fine without them for so long!
I’d like to dedicate today’s post to my good friend; Johan Stemmet (http://www.tri-stemmet.blogspot.com/). Johan is in
Johan and his wife, Kim, and daughter Dejone, enjoying their time in Hawaii.For some time now, we’ve been looking at the Rock of the Old Testament; a picture of Christ according to the New Testament:
1Corinthians 10:4 “And they all drank the same spiritual (supernaturally given) drink. For they drank from a spiritual Rock which followed them [produced by the sole power of God Himself without natural instrumentality], and the Rock was Christ.”
In Exodus 33 we read about Moses wanting to “know” God and asked God to show him His glory:
Exodus 33:13 “Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You [progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with You, perceiving and recognizing and understanding more strongly and clearly] and that I may find favour in Your sight. And [Lord, do] consider that this nation is Your people.”
And then further on:
Exodus 33:18-22 “And Moses said, I beseech You, show me Your glory.” (19) And God said, I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim My name, THE LORD, before you; for I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy and loving-kindness on whom I will show mercy and loving-kindness. (20) But, He said, You can not see My face, for no man shall see Me and live. (21) And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place beside Me, and you shall stand upon the rock, (22) And while My glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by.”
From this passage it’s clear that no man can stand before God and live! Therefore God said to Moses that He (God) would put him in the cleft of the rock, so that he might see Him and live (and Moses only saw God from behind!). Yes, I know; “how is this applicable to us?” The illustration of this Old Testament occurrence is the shadow of what would come (this is always the purpose of the Old Testament: to reveal Christ). The rock is Christ and God had put us in Christ so that we could be in His presence (to see Him) and still live.
You see, our old Human Illness is this: we want to take the credit for saving ourselves (we read so many self-help books!) and we try desperately to impress God and move closer to Him. When in actual fact we can do none of it! In this Old Testament portion we yet again are reminded that it’s always God’s initiative. God made it possible for us to be in His presence by placing us in His Son. It is only in Christ that we find reconciliation (and we didn’t put ourselves in Him, God did)!
1Corinthians 1:30 “But it is from Him that you have your life in Christ Jesus, Whom God made our Wisdom from God, [revealed to us a knowledge of the divine plan of salvation previously hidden, manifesting itself as] our Righteousness [thus making us upright and putting us in right standing with God], and our Consecration [making us pure and holy], and our Redemption [providing our ransom from eternal penalty for sin].”
Paul writes that it is through our being in Christ (Christ has met all the requirements) that we are able to come into His Presence and to really live in abundance and to be everything He created us to be!
Colossians
What an awesome God! He has done everything for us so that we may know Him and really know Him. And it gets even better: it pleased the Father that we are now reconciled to Him through His Son. He has put us in the real Rock; Jesus Christ, to be the best YOU possible – a son/daughter of the Living God!
What does all of this mean for me and you?
Colossians
It is impossible not to see how much God loves you, He has done everything necessary for you to live the life that He prepared for you, the real good life!
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].”
Keep on thanking Him for His Goodness and Mercy and Grace, and let the life of Jesus flow through you as the Holy Spirit shows you more and more of Him!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Intertwined thoughts
What a hectic week so far, but definitely a good week! Last Saturday my wife and I went for a 60 kilometre bicycle ride, and we enjoyed it thoroughly. There was no sign of physical difficulty, except for my backside that is not yet used to doing more than two hours on that (oh so) very small seat anymore! We rode with our friends’ son, who is only eleven and I must say; we know what potential looks like, and this is it! It is such a pleasure to see the passion and commitment in such a young kid like him. I am looking forward to seeing Wessel in the professional arena one day.
Sunday most certainly was the highlight of our week. It’s always wonderful to see God’s Spirit moving; healing and freeing people. I am truly blessed to be in a position where I can see how the Truth sets people free and completely transforms them.
We also had a breakthrough as far as our building project is concerned, but more on this at a later stage.
Also, earlier in the week my father went for an angiogram and the doctor was satisfied with how his veins were looking, but suggested my father get a pacemaker (his heart isn’t beating fast enough). We are confident that all will go well with the surgery and that my dad will be back on his feet and back to his old self in no time at all.
When things around us are going at 120 kilometres per second (as things tend to do), we often lose heart and become discouraged and end up becoming passive people. During these times we lose sight of our original goals and can easily become side tracked. I’d like to share with you something that may prove useful during these times:
Isaiah 40:28-31 "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding. (29) He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound]. (30) Even youths shall faint and be weary, and [selected] young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted; (31) But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired."
We’ve all read this portion and have heard numerous sermons on it, but we need to see it from a brand new perspective – a ‘new creation’ perspective (2Cor 5:17). In this pericope (or portion), the key word is wait. When we go back to the Hebrew text, the word used here (that we translate as wait) is the word Kawva, meaning to ‘bind together by twisting’. Doesn’t this remind you of a piece of rope or string that is wound together? When pieces of rope or string is bound together with a twisting motion, it multiplies the strength of the rope – and in the case of a musical instrument’s string; it brings forth a beautiful sound.
What does this have to do with the portion in Isaiah 40? This portion suggests that one is tempted to falter when things around us are chaotic. We feel overwhelmed and we lose faith in God’s ability to be our Father. Isaiah is saying that when our thoughts are intertwined with God’s, we cannot view our world (or circumstances) in the same way as everyone else does. We will see things from God’s perspective and therefore we will have renewed strength and power, therefore we will mount up as eagles and soar above our state of affairs. Therefore we will run and not grow weary, or walk without reaching the end of our strengths – for we do not walk or run without Him who is in us… Him who is our strength (namely Christ).
There is nothing like the binding together of God’s and my thoughts. But what, you may ask, are God’s thoughts? 1Corinthians 2:16 “ For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.”
We have the mind of Christ who is ONE with the Father, therefore we may know the thoughts of the Father! The Father’s aim was always that we should be one with Christ and live and move in Him. Father changed our identity through the crucifixion and resurrection to that of sons and daughters – because He has placed us in His Son (1 Cor 1:30). When Isaiah tells us to wait upon the Lord, he is saying: see yourselves as Father sees you, by the twisting together of your thoughts with that of God’s thoughts (concerning who you are).
In Matthew 6 Jesus teaches the crowd on the mount, and we read something interesting: Matthew 6:22-23 “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. (23) But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!”
The word single entails the thought of being (yet again) “bound together”. What should be bound together? The way we look at things (seeing that we’re speaking about one’s eye). At what things? Our circumstances and our own identity! Is it not that we approach things according to who we are? When we are shy, we will not do things in an extravagant way and when we love attention we tend to do things in a big way… We do things and handle situations according to our identity (or what we understand it to be). Jesus is trying to say that; when confronted with the things of this world, view things from My perspective (your view bound together with My view) and also see yourself from My perspective (we are conquerors and co-heirs in Christ).
“…therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light…” It will be well with our bodies when we live from His perspective; let’s all say goodbye to stress! Life will start to make much more sense when we see our world through God’s eyes and when we live according to what He said concerning who we are.
Take the time to sit at Father’s feet… He won’t let you down.
Sunday most certainly was the highlight of our week. It’s always wonderful to see God’s Spirit moving; healing and freeing people. I am truly blessed to be in a position where I can see how the Truth sets people free and completely transforms them.
We also had a breakthrough as far as our building project is concerned, but more on this at a later stage.
Also, earlier in the week my father went for an angiogram and the doctor was satisfied with how his veins were looking, but suggested my father get a pacemaker (his heart isn’t beating fast enough). We are confident that all will go well with the surgery and that my dad will be back on his feet and back to his old self in no time at all.
When things around us are going at 120 kilometres per second (as things tend to do), we often lose heart and become discouraged and end up becoming passive people. During these times we lose sight of our original goals and can easily become side tracked. I’d like to share with you something that may prove useful during these times:
Isaiah 40:28-31 "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding. (29) He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound]. (30) Even youths shall faint and be weary, and [selected] young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted; (31) But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired."
We’ve all read this portion and have heard numerous sermons on it, but we need to see it from a brand new perspective – a ‘new creation’ perspective (2Cor 5:17). In this pericope (or portion), the key word is wait. When we go back to the Hebrew text, the word used here (that we translate as wait) is the word Kawva, meaning to ‘bind together by twisting’. Doesn’t this remind you of a piece of rope or string that is wound together? When pieces of rope or string is bound together with a twisting motion, it multiplies the strength of the rope – and in the case of a musical instrument’s string; it brings forth a beautiful sound.
What does this have to do with the portion in Isaiah 40? This portion suggests that one is tempted to falter when things around us are chaotic. We feel overwhelmed and we lose faith in God’s ability to be our Father. Isaiah is saying that when our thoughts are intertwined with God’s, we cannot view our world (or circumstances) in the same way as everyone else does. We will see things from God’s perspective and therefore we will have renewed strength and power, therefore we will mount up as eagles and soar above our state of affairs. Therefore we will run and not grow weary, or walk without reaching the end of our strengths – for we do not walk or run without Him who is in us… Him who is our strength (namely Christ).
There is nothing like the binding together of God’s and my thoughts. But what, you may ask, are God’s thoughts? 1Corinthians 2:16 “ For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.”
We have the mind of Christ who is ONE with the Father, therefore we may know the thoughts of the Father! The Father’s aim was always that we should be one with Christ and live and move in Him. Father changed our identity through the crucifixion and resurrection to that of sons and daughters – because He has placed us in His Son (1 Cor 1:30). When Isaiah tells us to wait upon the Lord, he is saying: see yourselves as Father sees you, by the twisting together of your thoughts with that of God’s thoughts (concerning who you are).
In Matthew 6 Jesus teaches the crowd on the mount, and we read something interesting: Matthew 6:22-23 “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. (23) But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!”
The word single entails the thought of being (yet again) “bound together”. What should be bound together? The way we look at things (seeing that we’re speaking about one’s eye). At what things? Our circumstances and our own identity! Is it not that we approach things according to who we are? When we are shy, we will not do things in an extravagant way and when we love attention we tend to do things in a big way… We do things and handle situations according to our identity (or what we understand it to be). Jesus is trying to say that; when confronted with the things of this world, view things from My perspective (your view bound together with My view) and also see yourself from My perspective (we are conquerors and co-heirs in Christ).
“…therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light…” It will be well with our bodies when we live from His perspective; let’s all say goodbye to stress! Life will start to make much more sense when we see our world through God’s eyes and when we live according to what He said concerning who we are.
Take the time to sit at Father’s feet… He won’t let you down.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Testing times and joy
This past weekend we presented yet another wonderful and blessed ‘Married Couples’ Weekend’ on a Game Farm not too far from Witbank. During the drive back home, the only thing on my mind was that NOTHING is impossible for God! I stand amazed at how uniquely God works with each of us; loving each and every one of us in a very special and individual way. I truly believe that no marriage is destined for failure; God intended marriage to be a wonderful thing – something that strengthens us and adds joy to our lives. When we experience difficulty in our marriages, I know that God will show us the way to work through these trying times and come out on the other side healthy and happy. On the Cross Christ made it possible for us to see things from His perspective and to live through His wisdom and allow Him to guide our steps (and words and actions).
The past two weeks have been fantastic in terms of my physical situation, I'm training a little bit more, and I have had no balance problems at all! Everything is on track for the 94.7 km Cycle race in November, and I have decided to do this one with my wife, something which she desired for a while now. I am really grateful for her and the boys and, and, and........, and it must be said, we all have so many reasons to be grateful, grateful to the highest extent! The Lord is also leading us in new ways in church as well, new ways in terms of ministry and serving people, and all I can say is that I am very excited about what He is doing! Our fervent prayer is to hear Him, see Him and experience Him, for it is written, that from Him, through Him, and to Him, are all things!
In the last two posts, I’ve been sharing on trying times, times that are difficult for us and all round tough times. These are special times of growth and strengthening of faith, these are times we all have to face from time to time. And the verses we looked at is James 1:2-4:
"Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. (3) Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. (4) But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing."
Just have a look at the following translation of verse 2: ““Count it all joy when you encounter various tests, contradicting your true identity, knowing that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”
James says, that instead of wishing that the situation would go away, grab hold of it with joy and happiness. You see, we cannot simulate faith, it cannot be faked and we cannot generate it through certain thinking processes or through certain emotions. Rather, faith is a spiritual thing – it’s a gift from God. This spiritual gift is the answer to all out prayers – faith speaks of knowing and understanding exactly what it is that was completed in Christ – what was dealt with on the Cross and the result thereof for us. Actually, everything is about faith, real faith – Christ’s faith.
James goes on to say that this steadfastness of faith produces a few other characteristics which, by the way, should first be seen in terms of life in the Spirit and not material possessions. The word 'perfect', in the original language, indicates that every grace present in Christ should be manifested in the believer, also to be in complete possession of one's awarded portion. This is what God desires for you and me, to be in complete possession of what He has given us by the Death, Burial, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ – to walk in the Life of His choosing!
Read what Peter wrote by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit: 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)."
“Therefore, count it all joy” → which is the word, ‘hēgeomai’, which acording to the Vines Greek dictionary means shepherd, which in turn indicates: to lead, that is – command (with official authority); figuratively to deem, that is – consider: account, (be) chief, count, esteem, governor, judge, have the rule over, suppose, think.
In other words, to lead as a shepherd leads his sheep (as a figure of authority), protecting his sheep against predators and thieves and bring them to a place of peacefulness. What is the point? The Bible is saying that we should let "joy" take authority over our circumstances in the same way as a shepherd has authority over his sheep! This joy is not a forced smile, or pretending to be joyful because of what you heard someone once said (where you are in actual fact feeling sorry for yourself), it is because of an inner realization of Truth. This Truth is the greatest force in the face of difficult and contradicting circumstances!
Read what Jesus said in John 15:11 "I have told you these things, that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing."
Joy then in simple terms, is the fruit of Him whom I know; of Jesus who lives in me. So when trouble comes, we look to Him and let joy take the lead and expect God to reveal more of Himself to us and in us; so that we can be transformed more and more into what He made us to be! Again a case of Him giving what He requires from us- He is so Good!
My prayer for you is that God may enlighten the eyes of your heart to see Him more clearly and to be, in reality, what He Handcrafted you to be, in this life, where you are, and with who you are, all the while making you more aware of His love for you!
The past two weeks have been fantastic in terms of my physical situation, I'm training a little bit more, and I have had no balance problems at all! Everything is on track for the 94.7 km Cycle race in November, and I have decided to do this one with my wife, something which she desired for a while now. I am really grateful for her and the boys and, and, and........, and it must be said, we all have so many reasons to be grateful, grateful to the highest extent! The Lord is also leading us in new ways in church as well, new ways in terms of ministry and serving people, and all I can say is that I am very excited about what He is doing! Our fervent prayer is to hear Him, see Him and experience Him, for it is written, that from Him, through Him, and to Him, are all things!
In the last two posts, I’ve been sharing on trying times, times that are difficult for us and all round tough times. These are special times of growth and strengthening of faith, these are times we all have to face from time to time. And the verses we looked at is James 1:2-4:
"Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. (3) Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. (4) But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing."
Just have a look at the following translation of verse 2: ““Count it all joy when you encounter various tests, contradicting your true identity, knowing that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”
James says, that instead of wishing that the situation would go away, grab hold of it with joy and happiness. You see, we cannot simulate faith, it cannot be faked and we cannot generate it through certain thinking processes or through certain emotions. Rather, faith is a spiritual thing – it’s a gift from God. This spiritual gift is the answer to all out prayers – faith speaks of knowing and understanding exactly what it is that was completed in Christ – what was dealt with on the Cross and the result thereof for us. Actually, everything is about faith, real faith – Christ’s faith.
James goes on to say that this steadfastness of faith produces a few other characteristics which, by the way, should first be seen in terms of life in the Spirit and not material possessions. The word 'perfect', in the original language, indicates that every grace present in Christ should be manifested in the believer, also to be in complete possession of one's awarded portion. This is what God desires for you and me, to be in complete possession of what He has given us by the Death, Burial, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ – to walk in the Life of His choosing!
Read what Peter wrote by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit: 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)."
“Therefore, count it all joy” → which is the word, ‘hēgeomai’, which acording to the Vines Greek dictionary means shepherd, which in turn indicates: to lead, that is – command (with official authority); figuratively to deem, that is – consider: account, (be) chief, count, esteem, governor, judge, have the rule over, suppose, think.
In other words, to lead as a shepherd leads his sheep (as a figure of authority), protecting his sheep against predators and thieves and bring them to a place of peacefulness. What is the point? The Bible is saying that we should let "joy" take authority over our circumstances in the same way as a shepherd has authority over his sheep! This joy is not a forced smile, or pretending to be joyful because of what you heard someone once said (where you are in actual fact feeling sorry for yourself), it is because of an inner realization of Truth. This Truth is the greatest force in the face of difficult and contradicting circumstances!
Read what Jesus said in John 15:11 "I have told you these things, that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing."
Joy then in simple terms, is the fruit of Him whom I know; of Jesus who lives in me. So when trouble comes, we look to Him and let joy take the lead and expect God to reveal more of Himself to us and in us; so that we can be transformed more and more into what He made us to be! Again a case of Him giving what He requires from us- He is so Good!
My prayer for you is that God may enlighten the eyes of your heart to see Him more clearly and to be, in reality, what He Handcrafted you to be, in this life, where you are, and with who you are, all the while making you more aware of His love for you!
Friday, August 28, 2009
More Testing
In South Africa, we’ve had an interesting week! One of our female athletes at the World Games was suspected of being, in actual fact, a man! Oh my, how we had a laugh with the commentaries this way and that way. We’re also experiencing multiple union organised strike actions and we are yet again reminded that the global financial recession is tough on everyone. One of my close friends and brothers in Christ is a business owner whose employers will be on such a strike this weekend, their busiest weekend of the month! To top it off, his ‘home away from home’ [a lovely property on a Game Farm] was burgled and they lost everything except the heavier furniture. These are truly trying times; we are challenged more than ever before to keep our focus on Christ.
In the previous post, we discussed such challenges or tests and I’d like to repeat one of the verses we used in the first chapter of James:
“(2) Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. (3) Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. (4) But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.”
In the previous post we came to the conclusion that these tests or trials are there to help us clearly see our true identity in Christ; that we live and move according to His revelation to us and in us. James mentions that these tests are specifically ‘designed’ to bring about steadfastness in our faith – we become more and more convinced of and understand it more and more clearly what Christ had finished for us in his death, burial and resurrection.
What does Paul have to say on the matter? 2Corinthians 13:5 "Put yourselves to the test and judge yourselves, to find out whether you are living in faith. Surely you know that Christ Jesus is in you? - unless you have completely failed."
Paul reminds us to ask ourselves the question: “What am I to see in this test, Lord?” The moment I ask this question, I am reminded of the answer: “You”. In any and all tests I am reminded of ‘Christ in me’; I am reminded of my own human frailty and tendency for unbelief, I am reminded of the fact that I was designed that way so that Christ could be my strength and by faith. When I am steadfastly focused on Christ (the perfect and wise one) I cannot be distracted by the things of this world. Colossians 1:27 confirms my identity in Christ with a fitting picture: we are hewn from the Rock, which is Christ.
You see, when we fail to see ourselves as included in Christ, we cannot hope to live a life of fullness and peace, we cannot serve others and we cannot ‘please’ God. We, in our human essence, are not enough… we cannot obtain these things by our mere human effort. It is only Christ within us who brings forth these things… NATURALLY!! Because it comes naturally for Him. Christ in you is everything you need to be what God created you to be and to live a full and happy life that is pleasing to Him.
In The Message we read the following: Romans 8:29 “God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him.”
So the test is something that happens, to bring out something specifically: a greater revelation or a greater realization of who I am in Him and Who He is in me! We must understand that God is very interested in us, in actual fact, He longs for us to know Him – and by know we are saying ‘to understand my inclusion in Christ’. In fact, when Jesus speaks to His followers about the Sower in Matthew 13, He says something very significant: Matthew 13:21 “Yet it has no real root in him, but is temporary (inconstant, lasts but a little while); and when affliction or trouble or persecution comes on account of the Word, at once he is caused to stumble [he is repelled and begins to distrust and desert Him Whom he ought to trust and obey] and he falls away.”
The test comes on account of the Word to create a steadfastness in faith, which in turn produces the fully developed, lacking in nothing and being perfect, part. So, when the test comes we must ask: “Lord, what am I to see in this?” But this is not in the same way that Job’s friends did. Our question should look more like Paul’s: “Do you not know that Christ is in you?”. Our question is to remind us of our true identity: Christ is more than enough in me, in this situation.
God doesn’t want you to live in a mediocre conviction of how He feels about you and what He has done for and in you, but to see and understand the full impact His love for you!
Think on this: He loves you more than you could possibly imagine!
In the previous post, we discussed such challenges or tests and I’d like to repeat one of the verses we used in the first chapter of James:
“(2) Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. (3) Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. (4) But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.”
In the previous post we came to the conclusion that these tests or trials are there to help us clearly see our true identity in Christ; that we live and move according to His revelation to us and in us. James mentions that these tests are specifically ‘designed’ to bring about steadfastness in our faith – we become more and more convinced of and understand it more and more clearly what Christ had finished for us in his death, burial and resurrection.
What does Paul have to say on the matter? 2Corinthians 13:5 "Put yourselves to the test and judge yourselves, to find out whether you are living in faith. Surely you know that Christ Jesus is in you? - unless you have completely failed."
Paul reminds us to ask ourselves the question: “What am I to see in this test, Lord?” The moment I ask this question, I am reminded of the answer: “You”. In any and all tests I am reminded of ‘Christ in me’; I am reminded of my own human frailty and tendency for unbelief, I am reminded of the fact that I was designed that way so that Christ could be my strength and by faith. When I am steadfastly focused on Christ (the perfect and wise one) I cannot be distracted by the things of this world. Colossians 1:27 confirms my identity in Christ with a fitting picture: we are hewn from the Rock, which is Christ.
You see, when we fail to see ourselves as included in Christ, we cannot hope to live a life of fullness and peace, we cannot serve others and we cannot ‘please’ God. We, in our human essence, are not enough… we cannot obtain these things by our mere human effort. It is only Christ within us who brings forth these things… NATURALLY!! Because it comes naturally for Him. Christ in you is everything you need to be what God created you to be and to live a full and happy life that is pleasing to Him.
In The Message we read the following: Romans 8:29 “God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him.”
So the test is something that happens, to bring out something specifically: a greater revelation or a greater realization of who I am in Him and Who He is in me! We must understand that God is very interested in us, in actual fact, He longs for us to know Him – and by know we are saying ‘to understand my inclusion in Christ’. In fact, when Jesus speaks to His followers about the Sower in Matthew 13, He says something very significant: Matthew 13:21 “Yet it has no real root in him, but is temporary (inconstant, lasts but a little while); and when affliction or trouble or persecution comes on account of the Word, at once he is caused to stumble [he is repelled and begins to distrust and desert Him Whom he ought to trust and obey] and he falls away.”
The test comes on account of the Word to create a steadfastness in faith, which in turn produces the fully developed, lacking in nothing and being perfect, part. So, when the test comes we must ask: “Lord, what am I to see in this?” But this is not in the same way that Job’s friends did. Our question should look more like Paul’s: “Do you not know that Christ is in you?”. Our question is to remind us of our true identity: Christ is more than enough in me, in this situation.
God doesn’t want you to live in a mediocre conviction of how He feels about you and what He has done for and in you, but to see and understand the full impact His love for you!
Think on this: He loves you more than you could possibly imagine!
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