I wanted to cook apricot jam. And I could not find a certain, much needed piece of kitchen equipment. Scratching through cupboards and shelves ended up in me throwing out all the drawers and clearing all the shelves. Much to the disguist of my domestic worker. She knew she had a lot of work on her hands. Work that should have been kept up to date - then this would never have happened.
The findings were terrible. It`s amazing how much dust and dirt can collect in closed cupboard! Bowls that were clean the last time they were used were now dirty and sticky. Disguisting.
It`s the same with our hearts. We go to church and do all the right and noble things. We say the right things. We appear to be on top Christians - so holy.
Until God forces us to take a long hard look at the content of our hearts. Then we realise, we have a long way ahead of us. We are so far removed from portraying Jesus to the world.
In this festive time, ask God to lead you into a thorough cleaning of your heart.
Monday 19 December 2011
Tuesday 13 December 2011
It's funny season...
This hectic time of the year got an official name. Funny season. I can think of a few reasons why this name is quite suitable.
People that are otherwise quite normal, start acting funny this time of the year. Tempers are short, stress levels are high and everybody is in desperate need of a break. But when the break finally arrives, people further exhaust themselves with long hours of shopping in hectic malls. Funny.
Speaking about the malls. Christmas is not celebrated by non Christians. But judging by the variety of people and religions that flock to the shops decorated for Christmas, Christmas is clearly no longer a Christian event. Funny.
We buy bigger and more expensive gifts than last year. Somehow small just doesn't seem fit anymore. Funny.
We spend all our money on vacation junk that we don't really need and then suffer right until the end of January. Funny.
The shopping spree has become so big and addictive that children get locked in a car so that the mother can shop in peace. Funny.
Or is it?
No, it's not funny at all. It's a big irony. Funny Season is everything but funny.
We have lost the true spirit of Christmas. We have lost the real meaning of Christmas. We have lost the true meaning of giving a gift, regardless of the cost thereof.
Let's get back to basics. In this funny season, one thing stands firm above all else. Jesus is still the light and the way. He still calls you to come and seek rest at His feet. Don't let the rush this time of the year rob you of your peace and the rest you deserve. Find time to spend in God's presence. Find time to allow Him to restore your soul after the long year of 2011.
May you have rest and peace in this funny season!
People that are otherwise quite normal, start acting funny this time of the year. Tempers are short, stress levels are high and everybody is in desperate need of a break. But when the break finally arrives, people further exhaust themselves with long hours of shopping in hectic malls. Funny.
Speaking about the malls. Christmas is not celebrated by non Christians. But judging by the variety of people and religions that flock to the shops decorated for Christmas, Christmas is clearly no longer a Christian event. Funny.
We buy bigger and more expensive gifts than last year. Somehow small just doesn't seem fit anymore. Funny.
We spend all our money on vacation junk that we don't really need and then suffer right until the end of January. Funny.
The shopping spree has become so big and addictive that children get locked in a car so that the mother can shop in peace. Funny.
Or is it?
No, it's not funny at all. It's a big irony. Funny Season is everything but funny.
We have lost the true spirit of Christmas. We have lost the real meaning of Christmas. We have lost the true meaning of giving a gift, regardless of the cost thereof.
Let's get back to basics. In this funny season, one thing stands firm above all else. Jesus is still the light and the way. He still calls you to come and seek rest at His feet. Don't let the rush this time of the year rob you of your peace and the rest you deserve. Find time to spend in God's presence. Find time to allow Him to restore your soul after the long year of 2011.
May you have rest and peace in this funny season!
Monday 5 December 2011
A baby's hug
We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly sitting and talking. Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, 'Hi.' He pounded his fat baby hands on the high chair tray. His eyes were crinkled in laughter and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin, as he wriggled and giggled with merriment.
I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man whose pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so varicose it looked like a road map.
We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled.. His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists. 'Hi there, baby; hi there, big boy.. I see ya, buster,' the man said to Erik.
My husband and I exchanged looks,
'What do we do?'
Erik continued to laugh and answer, 'Hi.'
Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby. Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, 'Do ya patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek- a-boo.'
Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk.
My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skid-row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments.
We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the door. 'Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik,' I prayed. As I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to sidestep him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby's 'pick-me-up' position. Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man.
Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their love and kinship. Erik in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the man's ragged shoulder. The man's eyes closed, and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain, and hard labor, cradled my baby's bottom and stroked his back. No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time.
I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms and his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice, 'You take care of this baby.'
Somehow I managed, 'I will,' from a throat that contained a stone.
He pried Erik from his chest, lovingly and longingly, as though he were in pain. I received my baby, and the man said, 'God bless you, ma'am, you've given me my Christmas gift.'
I said nothing more than a muttered thanks. With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, 'My God, my God, forgive me.'
I had just witnessed Christ's love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of clothes. I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not. I felt it was God asking, 'Are you willing to share your son for a moment?' when He shared His for all eternity. How did God feel when he put his baby in our arms 2000 years ago.
The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me, 'To enter the Kingdom of God , we must become as little children.'
If this has blessed you, please bless others by sending it on. Sometimes, it takes a child to remind us of what is really important. We must always remember who we are, where we came from and, most importantly, how we feel about others. The clothes on your back or the car that you drive or the house that you live in does not define you at all; it is how you treat your fellow man that identifies who you are.
'It is better to be liked for the true you, than to be loved for who people think you are......'
author unknown...
I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man whose pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so varicose it looked like a road map.
We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled.. His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists. 'Hi there, baby; hi there, big boy.. I see ya, buster,' the man said to Erik.
My husband and I exchanged looks,
'What do we do?'
Erik continued to laugh and answer, 'Hi.'
Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby. Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, 'Do ya patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek- a-boo.'
Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk.
My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skid-row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments.
We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the door. 'Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik,' I prayed. As I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to sidestep him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby's 'pick-me-up' position. Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man.
Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their love and kinship. Erik in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the man's ragged shoulder. The man's eyes closed, and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain, and hard labor, cradled my baby's bottom and stroked his back. No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time.
I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms and his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice, 'You take care of this baby.'
Somehow I managed, 'I will,' from a throat that contained a stone.
He pried Erik from his chest, lovingly and longingly, as though he were in pain. I received my baby, and the man said, 'God bless you, ma'am, you've given me my Christmas gift.'
I said nothing more than a muttered thanks. With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, 'My God, my God, forgive me.'
I had just witnessed Christ's love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of clothes. I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not. I felt it was God asking, 'Are you willing to share your son for a moment?' when He shared His for all eternity. How did God feel when he put his baby in our arms 2000 years ago.
The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me, 'To enter the Kingdom of God , we must become as little children.'
If this has blessed you, please bless others by sending it on. Sometimes, it takes a child to remind us of what is really important. We must always remember who we are, where we came from and, most importantly, how we feel about others. The clothes on your back or the car that you drive or the house that you live in does not define you at all; it is how you treat your fellow man that identifies who you are.
'It is better to be liked for the true you, than to be loved for who people think you are......'
author unknown...
Sunday 4 December 2011
What do you really want?
I am not a big Harry Potter fan. I only saw the first two movies. Why I thought about him in the early hours of the morning I don't know.
In the second movie he finds a mirror. In the mirror you see your deepest desires. Harry Potter saw himself standing with his late mother and father. His deepest desires was to have parents. What ran through my head this morning was this: if I had to stand in front of such a mirror, what would I see?
What is really the deepest desire of my heart?
I can come up with a few desires very quickly. A BMW X3, a game farm, more money and so the list goes on. May I guess that your list looks similar to mine?
The Bible says we should seek God first and He will give us the desires of our hearts. Somehow we just can't get that right. We are always seeking for material things first. Maybe that is why we never have what we really want.
Shall we revise our wish lists for Christmas?
Saturday 3 December 2011
He who stands...
...Should be very careful that he doesn`t fall.
Have you heard this before? I have heard it many times.
Too often, people forget where they have been and how big God`s mercy was. They become super spiritual and think they are without sin. They judge other people and walk around with an attitude as if they are God`s favourites.
These people brag about their spirituality but they don`t know the Bible. The Bible clearly states that God has no favourites. It also states that there is no one person without sin.
Do not waste your energy debating with these people. The Bible says you shouldn`t argue with a fool.
Anybody that thinks more of himself or herself than what God does, is a fool. And sooner or later, God will reveal them for what they really are - Super spiritual people not contributing anything at all to the Kingdom of God.
Friday 25 November 2011
An attitude of gratitude
When last have you counted your blessings? I mean really think about all the things in your life for which you can be thankful.
Did you notice the funeral procession on your way to the shops? It could have been you.
Did you notice the person in the wheelchair, unable to move? It could have been you.
Did you notice the old lady in hospital - all alone, no visitors? It could have been you.
Did you notice the lady with no hair after her chemotherapy? It could have been you.
There are people all around us with burdens much heavier than ours. Yet we rather complain instead of being thankful for what we have.
Let's count our blessings today. Write them down. One by one. Thank God for each one of them. I guarantee that your problems will seem a lot smaller afterwards.
Did you notice the funeral procession on your way to the shops? It could have been you.
Did you notice the person in the wheelchair, unable to move? It could have been you.
Did you notice the old lady in hospital - all alone, no visitors? It could have been you.
Did you notice the lady with no hair after her chemotherapy? It could have been you.
There are people all around us with burdens much heavier than ours. Yet we rather complain instead of being thankful for what we have.
Let's count our blessings today. Write them down. One by one. Thank God for each one of them. I guarantee that your problems will seem a lot smaller afterwards.
Friday 18 November 2011
Technological breakdown
That is what happened to me this week! First my laptop got formatted. Then my iphone got bricked. Voila! My technological social life was gone in a flash!
No photos left. I know. I know. I should have downloaded them long ago AND made a backup.
No contacts. No social news at linkedin, blogger and twitter. No emails. Could not read the news! It was devastating!
It made me realise how technology dependant we have become. We freak out when there is no signal. We can't leave a phone, slate or pc for an hour without checking for mail, tweets, blogs, updates etc.
And we are all guilty. I dare to say the facebook club is the worst.
Imagine the world if we were that dependant on time with God. What if our obsession was with the Bible instead of technology?
Food for thought.
No photos left. I know. I know. I should have downloaded them long ago AND made a backup.
No contacts. No social news at linkedin, blogger and twitter. No emails. Could not read the news! It was devastating!
It made me realise how technology dependant we have become. We freak out when there is no signal. We can't leave a phone, slate or pc for an hour without checking for mail, tweets, blogs, updates etc.
And we are all guilty. I dare to say the facebook club is the worst.
Imagine the world if we were that dependant on time with God. What if our obsession was with the Bible instead of technology?
Food for thought.
Friday 11 November 2011
It is 'that' time of the year again...
November. Everybody is tired. Everybody is irritated. Patience is something last seen in September. The every day news is a cause of depression. The constant commercial drone in the malls is sickening. Christmas has become so commercialised that there is little meaning left. The rat race is becoming faster as the end of the year draws near. We are all so desperately tired. Not even a 8-hour sleep can provide some energy.
I stood on the balcony this morning with my coffee and looked down at the endless stream of cars. This is not the life God intended us to have. We have so little peace and quiet left. So little time to sit at God's feet in silence.
In desperation my spirit cried out to God this morning. Maranatha! Come Jesus, come!
I stood on the balcony this morning with my coffee and looked down at the endless stream of cars. This is not the life God intended us to have. We have so little peace and quiet left. So little time to sit at God's feet in silence.
In desperation my spirit cried out to God this morning. Maranatha! Come Jesus, come!
Thursday 10 November 2011
Failing Forward
Failing at something is not easy do deal with. Somewhere in life, each of us will end up feeling worthless as a result of failing at something. Failing could be anything.
Failing an exam
A relationship that is in trouble
Falling into sin again
Not reaching the goals you planned so well
Losing a job
A business that has to close its doors
And so the list goes on.
Whatever it is, is will leave you feeling as if it's just not worth getting up and trying again.
Remember: failing doesn't make you a failure! Read it again! Failing doesn't make you a failure!
Failing is human. We all fail. As babies, we learn to crawl through repeated failures. We learn to walk through falling down hundreds of times a day. Why don't we stop trying as babies? Simply because our minds are not developed enough to comprehend failure. As adults, we over analyse everything and beat ourselves up for failing at something.
Get up and try again. Success is closest when the pressure is the most. Failing at something will only result in failure if you don't try again and if you don't learn from it.
Let's start failing forward!
Failing an exam
A relationship that is in trouble
Falling into sin again
Not reaching the goals you planned so well
Losing a job
A business that has to close its doors
And so the list goes on.
Whatever it is, is will leave you feeling as if it's just not worth getting up and trying again.
Remember: failing doesn't make you a failure! Read it again! Failing doesn't make you a failure!
Failing is human. We all fail. As babies, we learn to crawl through repeated failures. We learn to walk through falling down hundreds of times a day. Why don't we stop trying as babies? Simply because our minds are not developed enough to comprehend failure. As adults, we over analyse everything and beat ourselves up for failing at something.
Get up and try again. Success is closest when the pressure is the most. Failing at something will only result in failure if you don't try again and if you don't learn from it.
Let's start failing forward!
Tuesday 8 November 2011
Our GPS
I remember when the first GPS devices hit the South African market, I wasn't impressed. I didn't trust this little black box on the dashboard telling me where to go. In 2008 I had to go to Sun City for a dance competition and I have never been there before. Okay, enjoy your giggle about that one. So I borrowed a GPS from a friend. I was very worried all the way but when I reached my destination, I was a GPS fan! Amazing!
I never got around to buy one though. Until last week when I saw the Tom Tom app for iPhone. Needless to say, I immediately bought the app. Now I have a GPS on my iPhone. Cool!
It wonderful to know this little thing will get me out of a place if I lose direction.
God's word is the same. David says in Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Wonderful isn't it? When we don't know what to do, God knows. When we lose direction, His GPS is there for us. When we are non consolable, He will dry our tears. He will never leave us nor forsake us. Keep God's GPS handy - use it daily. It will keep you on track!
I never got around to buy one though. Until last week when I saw the Tom Tom app for iPhone. Needless to say, I immediately bought the app. Now I have a GPS on my iPhone. Cool!
It wonderful to know this little thing will get me out of a place if I lose direction.
God's word is the same. David says in Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Wonderful isn't it? When we don't know what to do, God knows. When we lose direction, His GPS is there for us. When we are non consolable, He will dry our tears. He will never leave us nor forsake us. Keep God's GPS handy - use it daily. It will keep you on track!
Saturday 5 November 2011
Friday 4 November 2011
Whose way?
I love Andre Rieu. Last night my husband and I sat down to relax with one of his DVDs. One of the songs performed was "My Way" from Frank Sinatra. "Old Blue Eyes" as he was affectionately known. For the first time in my life (and I have watched that DVD many times), the words of the song struck me as odd. Don't get me wrong - it's beautiful. But somehow last night, the words spoke to me in a different way.
Here are the lyrics:
And now, the end is near,
And so I face the final curtain.
My friends, I'll say it clear;
I'll state my case of which I'm certain.
I've lived a life that's full -
I've travelled each and every highway.
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.
Regrets? I've had a few,
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.
I planned each charted course -
Each careful step along the byway,
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.
Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew,
When I bit off more than I could chew,
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall
And did it my way.
I've loved, I've laughed and cried,
I've had my fill - my share of losing.
But now, as tears subside,
I find it all so amusing.
To think I did all that,
And may I say, not in a shy way -
Oh no. Oh no, not me.
I did it my way.
For what is a man? What has he got?
If not himself - Then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows
And did it my way.
Yes, it was my way.
Which way are you living today? Your way or God's way? May we not miss heaven just because we insisted on doing everything our way. May we heed God's word and start living His way!
Here are the lyrics:
And now, the end is near,
And so I face the final curtain.
My friends, I'll say it clear;
I'll state my case of which I'm certain.
I've lived a life that's full -
I've travelled each and every highway.
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.
Regrets? I've had a few,
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.
I planned each charted course -
Each careful step along the byway,
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.
Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew,
When I bit off more than I could chew,
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall
And did it my way.
I've loved, I've laughed and cried,
I've had my fill - my share of losing.
But now, as tears subside,
I find it all so amusing.
To think I did all that,
And may I say, not in a shy way -
Oh no. Oh no, not me.
I did it my way.
For what is a man? What has he got?
If not himself - Then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows
And did it my way.
Yes, it was my way.
Which way are you living today? Your way or God's way? May we not miss heaven just because we insisted on doing everything our way. May we heed God's word and start living His way!
Tuesday 1 November 2011
God does not make sense today
Last week I wrote about the times when God doesn't make sense. Today I am feeling like that. As humans we get angry when God doesn't answer our prayers. It so human to shake a fist in the air with a desperate cry of "God how could You?"
David was in the same boat many times. In the Psalms you will read how he first is upset with God, even fighting with God! At the end of the Psalm he lays back and confirms his dependance on God and God's faithfullness. Read Psalm 13 for an example.
Last night we lost our pet mongoose. He was a child in the house and this morning I was shaking my fist at God. Only to collapse a little later, emotionally exhausted, ready to be comforted by my Father.
No I don't understand why and I probably never will. God doesn't make sense today but I know He loves me. Like He said to Paul, His grace is enough for me.
David was in the same boat many times. In the Psalms you will read how he first is upset with God, even fighting with God! At the end of the Psalm he lays back and confirms his dependance on God and God's faithfullness. Read Psalm 13 for an example.
Last night we lost our pet mongoose. He was a child in the house and this morning I was shaking my fist at God. Only to collapse a little later, emotionally exhausted, ready to be comforted by my Father.
No I don't understand why and I probably never will. God doesn't make sense today but I know He loves me. Like He said to Paul, His grace is enough for me.
Sunday 30 October 2011
A grudge
Are you holding a grudge? I have news for you. That grudge is holding you.
You will not have spiritual growth as long as you walk with unforgiveness. Forgiving is not a heart thing. It's mind thing. You have to make a conscious decision to forgive. When you do, God will bring it into your heart.
Let it go. A grudge makes your life miserable. It steals your joy. It prevents you from seeing the blessings.
Besides, if you don't forgive others, God cannot forgive you! Is it worth it? Is that person really so important that you will give up heaven rather than forgiving?
Let go of the grudge so that the grudge will let go of you!
You will not have spiritual growth as long as you walk with unforgiveness. Forgiving is not a heart thing. It's mind thing. You have to make a conscious decision to forgive. When you do, God will bring it into your heart.
Let it go. A grudge makes your life miserable. It steals your joy. It prevents you from seeing the blessings.
Besides, if you don't forgive others, God cannot forgive you! Is it worth it? Is that person really so important that you will give up heaven rather than forgiving?
Let go of the grudge so that the grudge will let go of you!
Wednesday 26 October 2011
When God doesn't make sense
The thought came into my head randomly. I have no idea why. I can only assume that someone on this blog is desperate about something and feels that right now, God is not making sense.
You are not alone. If you google the phrase 'When God doesn't make sense', you will get more than 255,000,000 results. That's a lot of websites. More than 255 million people, who have access to upload content to the world wide web, at some stage, felt that God doesn't make sense.
Why?
Sometimes we pray for something specific to happen and when it doesn't happen as we requested it from God, we think our prayers are not answered. We try to put God in a box by prescribing to Him how He should solve our problems! In the meantime, God who sees the bigger picture, might decide that there is something better and provides for us in another way. Often times we miss that blessing because we are so busy complaining about what God didn't do, that we forget to be thankful for what He did!
Stop prescribing to God. Ask for His will to be done. And be open to whatever He sends your way. It may not be what you wanted in the first place, but with time, you will realise that it is better. We will never understand God and quite frankly, I think we should stop trying.
Paul said in Corinthians 13: 12-13
We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!
But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.
They key to success is in the last line. Trust God, keep your hopes up and show the world what Jesus love looks like. God will take care of the rest!
You are not alone. If you google the phrase 'When God doesn't make sense', you will get more than 255,000,000 results. That's a lot of websites. More than 255 million people, who have access to upload content to the world wide web, at some stage, felt that God doesn't make sense.
Why?
Sometimes we pray for something specific to happen and when it doesn't happen as we requested it from God, we think our prayers are not answered. We try to put God in a box by prescribing to Him how He should solve our problems! In the meantime, God who sees the bigger picture, might decide that there is something better and provides for us in another way. Often times we miss that blessing because we are so busy complaining about what God didn't do, that we forget to be thankful for what He did!
Stop prescribing to God. Ask for His will to be done. And be open to whatever He sends your way. It may not be what you wanted in the first place, but with time, you will realise that it is better. We will never understand God and quite frankly, I think we should stop trying.
Paul said in Corinthians 13: 12-13
We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!
But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.
They key to success is in the last line. Trust God, keep your hopes up and show the world what Jesus love looks like. God will take care of the rest!
Tuesday 25 October 2011
Everything God does is perfect!
A king who
did not believe in the goodness of God, had a slave who, in all
circumstances, said: My king, do not be discouraged, because everything God
does is perfect, no mistakes!
One day they went hunting and along the way a wild animal attacked the king. His slave managed to kill the animal, but could not prevent his majesty losing a finger.
Furious and without showing his gratitude for being saved, the nobleman said "Is God good? If He was good, I would not have been attacked and lost my finger."
The slave replied only "My king, despite all these things, I can only tell you that God is good, and he knows the "why" of all these things.What God does is perfect. He is never wrong!"
Outraged by the response, the king ordered the arrest of his slave.
Later, he left for another hunt and was captured by savages who made human sacrifices.
In the altar, ready to sacrifice the noble savage had found that the victim had not one of his fingers, was released. According to them: it was not so complete to be offered to the gods.
Upon his return to the palace, he authorized the release of his slave that he received very affectionately.
"My dear, God was really good for me! I was almost killed by the wild men, but for lack of a single finger, I was let go! But I have a question: If God is so good, why did he allow me to put you in jail? "
"My King, if I had gone with you in this hunt, I 'would have been sacrificed for you, because I have no missing finger. "
Therefore, remember: everything God does is perfect. IT is never wrong.
Often we complain about life and things that happen to us apparently negative, forgetting that nothing is random and that everything has a purpose.
Every morning, offer your day to God. Ask God to inspire your thoughts, guide your actions, to ease your
feelings. And do not be afraid. God is never wrong!
One day they went hunting and along the way a wild animal attacked the king. His slave managed to kill the animal, but could not prevent his majesty losing a finger.
Furious and without showing his gratitude for being saved, the nobleman said "Is God good? If He was good, I would not have been attacked and lost my finger."
The slave replied only "My king, despite all these things, I can only tell you that God is good, and he knows the "why" of all these things.What God does is perfect. He is never wrong!"
Outraged by the response, the king ordered the arrest of his slave.
Later, he left for another hunt and was captured by savages who made human sacrifices.
In the altar, ready to sacrifice the noble savage had found that the victim had not one of his fingers, was released. According to them: it was not so complete to be offered to the gods.
Upon his return to the palace, he authorized the release of his slave that he received very affectionately.
"My dear, God was really good for me! I was almost killed by the wild men, but for lack of a single finger, I was let go! But I have a question: If God is so good, why did he allow me to put you in jail? "
"My King, if I had gone with you in this hunt, I 'would have been sacrificed for you, because I have no missing finger. "
Therefore, remember: everything God does is perfect. IT is never wrong.
Often we complain about life and things that happen to us apparently negative, forgetting that nothing is random and that everything has a purpose.
Every morning, offer your day to God. Ask God to inspire your thoughts, guide your actions, to ease your
feelings. And do not be afraid. God is never wrong!
Thursday 6 October 2011
Give it to God
Early in September I blogged about the job interview that came my way. My husband and I prayed daily that God's will be done. We asked in faith that if He wanted me to move to that specific company, He would open the doors. If that was not where He wanted me, the doors must simply close.
In this past month, I have learned what it is to really give something to God and simply wait. Yes, at times it was nerve wrecking. Then I had to remind myself that God will give me what is best. At times I was despondent when nothing seemed to be happening. My husband reminded me that I must leave it up to God.
In the end, God opened the doors and they made me an offer. Obviously now I know that that is where God wants me. I was expecting a counter offer to come from the company I work for now. And yesterday it happened. Will I consider this? No. Why? God has opened the door. For me to consider turning away from that door will be a clear statement that I do not trust in God's provision for my life. The counter offer is simply the devil trying to lure me away of being in God's will.
What decision are you wrestling with? Give it to God.
Wednesday 5 October 2011
God is alive!
My husband read me a little story a few days ago. It was about Martin Luther King, who at one stage, was depressed for days. The breakthrough he had been waiting for had not come as he expected.
One morning, his wife came down the stairs, dressed in black as if in mourning. When he asked her why she was dressed like that, she answered 'God has died'. He was angry at her and accused her of blasphemy. She looked at him and told him that he was acting as if God is dead, so she assumed that God has died.
How are you acting today? Do you have faith that God will give you the best? Or do you look as if your God has died?
Stand up and live - God is alive!
One morning, his wife came down the stairs, dressed in black as if in mourning. When he asked her why she was dressed like that, she answered 'God has died'. He was angry at her and accused her of blasphemy. She looked at him and told him that he was acting as if God is dead, so she assumed that God has died.
How are you acting today? Do you have faith that God will give you the best? Or do you look as if your God has died?
Stand up and live - God is alive!
Tuesday 27 September 2011
Worship to the audience of One
This is the last blog in the worship series. For now anyway.
I simply want to encourage you today to worship in real David style with all your might. Don't worry about what people think - they don't count. What counts is what God thinks of your worship. Focus on Him alone. Forget about the people around you. You are not there to put up a performance for them. You are there to worship God, because He is good, He is faithful, He loved us even when we were desperately lost. We have all the reason in the world to worship Him.
If you don't know how to really worship in abandonment, visit a black congregation. Trust me - you will see worship - David style. Without any concern for any other person. They worship for 12 hours long - easily - and they do it WITH ALL THEIR MIGHT!
Worship to the audience of One. He is your audience. Nobody else.
I simply want to encourage you today to worship in real David style with all your might. Don't worry about what people think - they don't count. What counts is what God thinks of your worship. Focus on Him alone. Forget about the people around you. You are not there to put up a performance for them. You are there to worship God, because He is good, He is faithful, He loved us even when we were desperately lost. We have all the reason in the world to worship Him.
If you don't know how to really worship in abandonment, visit a black congregation. Trust me - you will see worship - David style. Without any concern for any other person. They worship for 12 hours long - easily - and they do it WITH ALL THEIR MIGHT!
Worship to the audience of One. He is your audience. Nobody else.
Monday 26 September 2011
Worship (5)
When it
comes to worship, are you a participator or a
spectator?
If you know
what different people in the church do during worship, you are a spectator. If
you have no clue what other people do because you are busy worshiping God, you
are a participator.
Today I
want to speak to the spectators.
Be careful
what you think and say about the worshipers in the church. The lady that dances
in the passage, the man behind you whose vocal ability leaves nothing to be
desired, the person next to you who maybe claps his hands out of beat, the woman
who always start singing in tongues etc. These people are worshiping and you
are spectating. You are in a very dangerous
situation.
In 2 Samuel
6 we read about David who was bringing the Arc of the Covenant back. He was
worshiping while they bringing the arc back.
2 Samuel
6:5
David
and all Israel
They were
celebrating WITH ALL THEIR MIGHT! That must have been one noisy worship
session! Unfortunately, there was a spectator and her name was
Michal.
2 Samuel 6: 20 -
23
When David
returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet
him and said, “How the king of Israel
David said to
Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone
from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people
Israel
And Michal
daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.
Michal
criticized David's worship and the result was that she was barren for the rest
of her life. You see, what other people do when worshiping is none of your
business. They are busy with God. Be careful that you don't act like Michal
did. You might just become spiritually barren. If you are praying and it feels
as if your prayers bounce back from the ceiling, sit and think whether you have
been a Michal at some point. That person who worships in abandonment, in real
'David style', is pleasing to God.
John 4: 23 -
24
Yet a time is
coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the
Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father
seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers
must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
Is noisy worship
and the loud band a problem to you? Get used to it! Heaven is not going to be
quiet!!! In Revelation 19 you will read that worship in heaven with be like
thunder!
Repent today of
being a worship spectator. Become a worship participator.
Friday 23 September 2011
Worship (4)
I wonder how many times in my life I had to listen to people complaining about the songs sung in church. Some complain about too many old songs being sung. Some complain about too many new songs being sung. Some complain because the songs are sung repeatedly. Let's quickly look at these...
Old songs: Think for a moment about old hymns like 'Amazing Grace', 'It is well with my soul' and 'Guide me oh Thou great Jehovah'. Did you know that these songs are in 'public domain'? This means that there is no more copyright on the songs as the composer has been dead for 50 years or longer. What chance is there that any of the songs I composed will still be sung in only one church more than 50 years after my death - let alone being sung all over the world? Little chance if any. So what makes these songs so special? Obviously God likes these songs. There is anointing when these songs are sung. So the conclusion? There is still space for the old songs in church.
New songs: It's nice to learn new songs. I think the mistake made by worship leaders is to have too many new songs too fast. Worship is like dancing. You are not dancing as long as you are counting the steps. You are not worshiping as long as you have to concentrate on the melody and the words. So new songs tend to 'break' the worship atmosphere. For that reason, I recommend that a new song is introduced to the congregation as the first song. Tell them they are going to learn a new song. When the song is done, carry on with songs they know so that they can worship instead of just sing.
Songs sung repeatedly: We sing songs repeatedly so that people can stop 'counting the steps' and start 'dancing'. The more you sing it, the easier it gets to close your eyes and focus on God, instead of focusing on the words on the board. The more songs you know, the easier it is to worship!
And now a word to the people complaining:
You are missing one very important point! The worship team is not there to entertain you! They are there to help you worship God. It's all about God! It's not about you! No worship team will ever be able to satisfy all the needs and wants of the congregation and we are not meant to do it either. We are there to provide a vehicle with which you can get to the presence of God Almighty. It is your choice whether you are going to stand and criticize the vehicle, or whether you are going to get on board. It is your choice whether you are going to worship God whatever the song, or whether you are going to be left out of His presence while you are complaining about the songs.
Stop complaining! Start worshiping!
Thursday 22 September 2011
Worship (3)
Today I want so speak about the composition of the worship team. I already mentioned that people should be evaluated not only on their musical or singing ability, but on their calling and anointing.
Many churches have a lot of people who would like to take part in the worship team and often, there are more than one player for a particular instrument and a lot of vocals. This is nice since the worship team members also need a day off now and then so that they too can just stand in God's presence and soak up His goodness. Managing this is however not so easy. Here is what I have learned through experience.
Try to make separate teams rather than having one team with just individual people taking turns. The reason for this is not only spiritual, it's logic too. A team needs to bond. By playing and singing together as a team, they get to know each other's style of playing and singing. It makes it easier on the team and on the worship leader. They learn to read each other's body language and music. The learn to trust each other. That is very important. The worship leader must be able to trust each team member's ability to hear from the Lord. It's sometimes difficult to lead the team, focus on the congregation and still hear the Lord. Often times the worship leader just doesn't cope - often times it's a team member who gets a nudge from the Lord to move in another direction. If the hearts of the team members are knitted together, the worship leader will pick up on this and move with that member without feeling threatened by it. So if you have a large group of people, divide them into different teams and alternate the teams instead of the individual team members.
Worship leader: you need to disciple people too. Help members to grow. Pray about it and ask God who you should train to lead worship. Every team member is not meant to be a worship leader, but there will be someone that needs to grow. Don't feel threatened by it. You don't have to lead every single service. Give it over to someone so that when you alternate your worship teams, you have time off as well. You need it.
Worship team member: examine your heart. Why are you there? Are you there because God called you and you want to serve in His temple with a humble heart? Or are you there because you love showing off your talent? If it's the latter, your heart is wrong. Worship is not a concert. You are not there to be in the limelight and show off your talents - you are there to serve. If you stand there with pride in your heart, you are going to prevent the entire congregation of entering God's presence. God will resist your pride. Get out of the team. Sort yourself out spiritually before you go back.
If you are on duty on a Sunday and something is wrong in your life - step out for that service. If there are unresolved issues between your and somebody else, don't get on the stage. You will break the unit in the team, you will prevent Spirit filled worship. Getting up there is selfish. An open place on the stage with Spirit filled worship is far better than a full band and empty music.
That goes for the congregation too! If you are reading this and you are not part of a worship team, make sure your heart is right before you attempt to worship God and enter His throne room. You cannot go there with baggage of unresolved personal issues. If you had a fight with your spouse on the way to church, sort it out before the worship starts.
We must remember that God is holy, and that we can only enter His presence when our hearts and hands are clean.
Psalm 15
A psalm of David.
1 LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?
2 The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart;
3 whose tongue utters no slander,
who does no wrong to a neighbor,
and casts no slur on others;
4 who despises a vile person
but honors those who fear the LORD;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
and does not change their mind;
5 who lends money to the poor without interest;
who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
Whoever does these things
will never be shaken.
Many churches have a lot of people who would like to take part in the worship team and often, there are more than one player for a particular instrument and a lot of vocals. This is nice since the worship team members also need a day off now and then so that they too can just stand in God's presence and soak up His goodness. Managing this is however not so easy. Here is what I have learned through experience.
Try to make separate teams rather than having one team with just individual people taking turns. The reason for this is not only spiritual, it's logic too. A team needs to bond. By playing and singing together as a team, they get to know each other's style of playing and singing. It makes it easier on the team and on the worship leader. They learn to read each other's body language and music. The learn to trust each other. That is very important. The worship leader must be able to trust each team member's ability to hear from the Lord. It's sometimes difficult to lead the team, focus on the congregation and still hear the Lord. Often times the worship leader just doesn't cope - often times it's a team member who gets a nudge from the Lord to move in another direction. If the hearts of the team members are knitted together, the worship leader will pick up on this and move with that member without feeling threatened by it. So if you have a large group of people, divide them into different teams and alternate the teams instead of the individual team members.
Worship leader: you need to disciple people too. Help members to grow. Pray about it and ask God who you should train to lead worship. Every team member is not meant to be a worship leader, but there will be someone that needs to grow. Don't feel threatened by it. You don't have to lead every single service. Give it over to someone so that when you alternate your worship teams, you have time off as well. You need it.
Worship team member: examine your heart. Why are you there? Are you there because God called you and you want to serve in His temple with a humble heart? Or are you there because you love showing off your talent? If it's the latter, your heart is wrong. Worship is not a concert. You are not there to be in the limelight and show off your talents - you are there to serve. If you stand there with pride in your heart, you are going to prevent the entire congregation of entering God's presence. God will resist your pride. Get out of the team. Sort yourself out spiritually before you go back.
If you are on duty on a Sunday and something is wrong in your life - step out for that service. If there are unresolved issues between your and somebody else, don't get on the stage. You will break the unit in the team, you will prevent Spirit filled worship. Getting up there is selfish. An open place on the stage with Spirit filled worship is far better than a full band and empty music.
That goes for the congregation too! If you are reading this and you are not part of a worship team, make sure your heart is right before you attempt to worship God and enter His throne room. You cannot go there with baggage of unresolved personal issues. If you had a fight with your spouse on the way to church, sort it out before the worship starts.
We must remember that God is holy, and that we can only enter His presence when our hearts and hands are clean.
Psalm 15
A psalm of David.
1 LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?
2 The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart;
3 whose tongue utters no slander,
who does no wrong to a neighbor,
and casts no slur on others;
4 who despises a vile person
but honors those who fear the LORD;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
and does not change their mind;
5 who lends money to the poor without interest;
who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
Whoever does these things
will never be shaken.
Tuesday 20 September 2011
Worship (2)
Before you read this blog I want you to pray that God will open your heart. This blog is not meant to criticize anybody, it's meant to teach. If you read the blog and you feel offended, it's between you and God. I am only doing what God has instructed me to do.
If you haven't read the blog entry before this one, go and read that one first, as the blog will continue day by day until I have said all God wants me to say. You might miss something if you don't read them all.
This morning in the shower I asked God how to start this series. We will start with the musicians found in church bands.
Most churches are very proud of the qualified musicians they have in their worship teams. Many of them have B.Musicology degrees. They are qualified musicians. The question I have for you is this: Should only qualified musicians be allowed in a worship team? Most times when I ask the question I get a yes, followed by a 'God deserves only the best'. True, God deserves the best. But there is a difference between a qualified musician and a skilled musician. Let me explain.
God called the Levites to serve in His temple. In those days there was no sheet music, no music theory, nothing. Songs were handed down from one generation to the next. And if you look in the Old Testament, you will see that the most skilled musicians were called for service in the temple. There are many qualified musicians today, who are not skilled enough to play in a church. Yes they can play the most awesome compositions written by the great masters such as Bach, Mozart and Beethoven, but they cannot worship. They cannot play by ear. I know a woman like that - you can put any piece of sheet music in front of her and she will play it beautifully, but if you ask her to play something by ear, she battles. I know another woman with three degrees in music, but yet, if she sits behind a piano to worship, God's presence fills the room and people start crying. What is the difference between the two? One is skilled and called to be a Levite, the other is qualified and that is where it ends.
We tend to fill our worship teams with qualified people instead of skilled and called people. Every person capable of playing an instrument is not called for worship service. Those called are Levites and when they start playing, you can FEEL the presence of God. It overwhelms you! And it's not always extremely skilled people either. This weekend I witnessed a little boy of about 7 or 8 years old, who played basic chords on a piano and when his mother started singing, I just broke down. God's presence overwhelmed me. Why? He is a Levite and so is his mother.
We audition potential worship team members by evaluating their musical ability instead of evaluating their anointing. We evaluate their credentials instead of evaluating whether they are skilled enough to follow Holy Spirit and play what God wants us to play instead of what we planned to play. Worship teams need people who are skilled enough to play whatever song, in whatever key, without having to scramble for a piece of paper every time. We limit God by choosing a few songs and sticking to a preset program. We limit Holy Spirit through qualified musicians.
If you are in a worship team - ask yourself whether you know that you know that you are called to be a Levite. Fast and pray until you get an answer if you have to.
If you are a musician in a worship team - when last did you practice your skills to play whatever whenever just to please God?
If you are a worship team leader - ask yourself whether the people in your team are qualified or skilled. Are they anointed? Are they called to serve as Levites? If you don't know, you have some homework to do. Evaluate your team's performance. I am not taking about musical performance. I am talking about worship performance. It's easy. Watch the congregation the next time you play. Are they singing along or are they worshiping? The difference is huge and so easy to see. If they are singing along, it's time for change.
We need Levites in our worship teams. Levites who are anointed. Levites who will walk to God's throne room with the congregation following.
If you haven't read the blog entry before this one, go and read that one first, as the blog will continue day by day until I have said all God wants me to say. You might miss something if you don't read them all.
This morning in the shower I asked God how to start this series. We will start with the musicians found in church bands.
Most churches are very proud of the qualified musicians they have in their worship teams. Many of them have B.Musicology degrees. They are qualified musicians. The question I have for you is this: Should only qualified musicians be allowed in a worship team? Most times when I ask the question I get a yes, followed by a 'God deserves only the best'. True, God deserves the best. But there is a difference between a qualified musician and a skilled musician. Let me explain.
God called the Levites to serve in His temple. In those days there was no sheet music, no music theory, nothing. Songs were handed down from one generation to the next. And if you look in the Old Testament, you will see that the most skilled musicians were called for service in the temple. There are many qualified musicians today, who are not skilled enough to play in a church. Yes they can play the most awesome compositions written by the great masters such as Bach, Mozart and Beethoven, but they cannot worship. They cannot play by ear. I know a woman like that - you can put any piece of sheet music in front of her and she will play it beautifully, but if you ask her to play something by ear, she battles. I know another woman with three degrees in music, but yet, if she sits behind a piano to worship, God's presence fills the room and people start crying. What is the difference between the two? One is skilled and called to be a Levite, the other is qualified and that is where it ends.
We tend to fill our worship teams with qualified people instead of skilled and called people. Every person capable of playing an instrument is not called for worship service. Those called are Levites and when they start playing, you can FEEL the presence of God. It overwhelms you! And it's not always extremely skilled people either. This weekend I witnessed a little boy of about 7 or 8 years old, who played basic chords on a piano and when his mother started singing, I just broke down. God's presence overwhelmed me. Why? He is a Levite and so is his mother.
We audition potential worship team members by evaluating their musical ability instead of evaluating their anointing. We evaluate their credentials instead of evaluating whether they are skilled enough to follow Holy Spirit and play what God wants us to play instead of what we planned to play. Worship teams need people who are skilled enough to play whatever song, in whatever key, without having to scramble for a piece of paper every time. We limit God by choosing a few songs and sticking to a preset program. We limit Holy Spirit through qualified musicians.
If you are in a worship team - ask yourself whether you know that you know that you are called to be a Levite. Fast and pray until you get an answer if you have to.
If you are a musician in a worship team - when last did you practice your skills to play whatever whenever just to please God?
If you are a worship team leader - ask yourself whether the people in your team are qualified or skilled. Are they anointed? Are they called to serve as Levites? If you don't know, you have some homework to do. Evaluate your team's performance. I am not taking about musical performance. I am talking about worship performance. It's easy. Watch the congregation the next time you play. Are they singing along or are they worshiping? The difference is huge and so easy to see. If they are singing along, it's time for change.
We need Levites in our worship teams. Levites who are anointed. Levites who will walk to God's throne room with the congregation following.
Sunday 18 September 2011
Worship
I am frustrated with the type of worship present in most churches today. And I am not disrespectful when I say that. There is a huge difference between Spirit filled worship and religious entertainment. In most churches, there is only religious entertainment to be found. It's sad.
The reasons for this phenomenon are many and I will discuss it over the next few days. Don't get me wrong, I don't claim to know it all, but God has blessed me with a talent for worship and He has anointed me in that ministry. I have walked a long, long road in this ministry - I was in grade 3 when I started playing organ for the congregation. I want to teach the things I have learned to other people. I believe the church must be taught how to worship in order to really experience God's presence and God's favour.
I was once a religious entertainer too. Then I became a worshiper through the grace of God. I know the difference between the two. I have seen both sides of the coin.
Over the next few days, I want to teach you some principles of worship. If you have questions about worship, I will address them too (42757231@mylife.unisa.ac.za).
Watch this space. I might just change your life!
Thursday 15 September 2011
This is my God (2)
I wrote a song several years ago - if I remember correctly it was in 1998. Actually I didn't write the song, I just listened to what God gave me.
He prompted me to go sit at the piano and as I started playing, the melody came out smooth from finish to end. I was scared I was going to forget it, so I scrambled for a paper and pencil to pen the melody down. Then I asked God for the words and He sent me to the last few chapters of Job. As I scanned the text, certain phrases jumped out at me. It was as if it suddenly became a 'bold' font in front of my eyes. I just wrote and wrote and wrote.
When I sat down at the piano again - the words fitted the melody perfectly.
Why am I telling you this? On the previous blog the awesome greatness of God is proclaimed. Today I want to encourage you by telling you that this awesome God, knows you by name.
Herewith the words to the song:
I come to sing a new song to You
I come to bring You praise
I came to bow in worship my Lord
For You are holy
You laid the earth's foundation
You set the stars in place
You fill the clouds with rain
And yet You know my name
The storms howl out Your greatness
The lightning writes Your name
You set a limit for the sea
And yet You know me
You are holy, holy
Holy is the Lord Most High
You are worthy, worthy
Worthy is the Lord Most High
Come let's sing a new song to Him
Come let's give Him praise
Lift your voices high
For He is holy
copyright: Hilda Steyn
Lift your voice today and worship our awesome God, for He knows you by your name. He knows how many hair you have on your head. He knows what you are going through, what you are feeling and what you need. Just let go and let God!
He prompted me to go sit at the piano and as I started playing, the melody came out smooth from finish to end. I was scared I was going to forget it, so I scrambled for a paper and pencil to pen the melody down. Then I asked God for the words and He sent me to the last few chapters of Job. As I scanned the text, certain phrases jumped out at me. It was as if it suddenly became a 'bold' font in front of my eyes. I just wrote and wrote and wrote.
When I sat down at the piano again - the words fitted the melody perfectly.
Why am I telling you this? On the previous blog the awesome greatness of God is proclaimed. Today I want to encourage you by telling you that this awesome God, knows you by name.
Herewith the words to the song:
I come to sing a new song to You
I come to bring You praise
I came to bow in worship my Lord
For You are holy
You laid the earth's foundation
You set the stars in place
You fill the clouds with rain
And yet You know my name
The storms howl out Your greatness
The lightning writes Your name
You set a limit for the sea
And yet You know me
You are holy, holy
Holy is the Lord Most High
You are worthy, worthy
Worthy is the Lord Most High
Come let's sing a new song to Him
Come let's give Him praise
Lift your voices high
For He is holy
copyright: Hilda Steyn
Lift your voice today and worship our awesome God, for He knows you by your name. He knows how many hair you have on your head. He knows what you are going through, what you are feeling and what you need. Just let go and let God!
Tuesday 13 September 2011
This is My God
|
He is the First and Last, the
Beginning and the End!
He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all! He is the Architect of the universe and The Manager of all times. He always was, He always is, and He always will be... Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone! He was bruised and brought healing! He was pierced and eased pain! He was persecuted and brought freedom! He was dead and brought life! He is risen and brings power! He reigns and brings Peace! The world can't understand Him, The armies can't defeat Him, The schools can't explain Him, The leaders can't ignore Him. Herod couldn't kill Him, The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and The people couldn't hold Him! Nero couldn't crush Him, Hitler couldn't silence Him, The New Age can't replace Him, and Donahue can't explain Him away! He is light, love, longevity, and Lord. He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God. He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure. His ways are right, His word is eternal, His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me. He is my Redeemer, He is my Savior, He is my guide, and He is my peace! He is my Joy, He is my comfort, He is my Lord, and He rules my life! I serve Him because His bond is love, His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life. I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise, The power of the powerful, The ancient of days, the ruler of rulers, The leader of leaders, the overseer of the overcomers, and The sovereign Lord of all that was and is and is to come. And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size. His goal is a relationship with ME! He will never leave me, Never forsake me, Never mislead me, Never forget me, Never overlook me, and Never cancel my appointment in His appointment book! When I fall, He lifts me up! When I fail, He forgives! When I am weak, He is strong! When I am lost, He is the way! When I am afraid, He is my courage! When I stumble, He steadies me! When I am hurt, He heals me! When I am broken, He mends me! When I am blind, He leads me! When I am hungry, He feeds me! When I face trials, He is with me! When I face persecution, He shields me! When I face problems, He comforts me! When I face loss, He provides for me! When I face Death, He carries me Home! He is everything for everybody, everywhere, Every time, and every way. He is God, He is faithful. I am His, and He is mine! My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world. So, if you're wondering why I feel so secure, understand this... He said it and that settles it. God is in control, I am on His side, and That means all is well with my soul. Everyday is a blessing for GOD Is! AMEN!
Author Unknown
|
Monday 12 September 2011
In God's Arms
There is a song that keeps mulling around in my head the whole day. You know when start singing the same song over and over again and it just won't go away? Well today it is like that. I can't remember the words of the whole song, but the part that I keep singing is this:
Sometimes I just need to be still
Knowing You will, reveal Your heart to me
Sometime I just need to lay back
Knowing You'll take me back
To lean against You again
And sometimes I just need to go hide
In Your bosom so wide
Take me to the place where I'll find true love
Father let me hold on to you
Let me hold on to you
(written by Miri van Wyk)
Beautiful words. Make it your own today. Lean against God and let Him reveal His heart to you. Just be still and listen. Praying is not a one way conversation. Sometimes we need to be still so that we can hear God's whisper.
Sometimes I just need to be still
Knowing You will, reveal Your heart to me
Sometime I just need to lay back
Knowing You'll take me back
To lean against You again
And sometimes I just need to go hide
In Your bosom so wide
Take me to the place where I'll find true love
Father let me hold on to you
Let me hold on to you
(written by Miri van Wyk)
Beautiful words. Make it your own today. Lean against God and let Him reveal His heart to you. Just be still and listen. Praying is not a one way conversation. Sometimes we need to be still so that we can hear God's whisper.
Friday 9 September 2011
Lift your head
Have you ever noticed that people who are downhearted walk with their heads hanging? So do people with difficult decisions to make. In fact, any person who is not happy, walk with a view towards the ground. They seldom look up.
Is your head hanging today?
Psalms 3:3 (The Message)
But you, God, shield me on all sides;
You ground my feet, you lift my head high;
With all my might I shout up to God,His answers thunder from the holy mountain.
Let God lift your head for you!
Is your head hanging today?
Psalms 3:3 (The Message)
But you, God, shield me on all sides;
You ground my feet, you lift my head high;
With all my might I shout up to God,His answers thunder from the holy mountain.
Let God lift your head for you!
Thursday 8 September 2011
A Note from God
I am once again amazed at God's timing.
This morning I got an email that read:
This is God. Today I will be handling ALL of your problems for you. I do not need your help. So have a nice day. I love you. And remember, if life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it yourself. Kindly put it in the "Something for God to do" box. I will get to it in MY time. All situations will be resolved, but in MY time, not yours. Once is the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.
Soon after that, God closed the door on the potential new job. That is what I asked Him to do. If it wasn't in His perfect will, the door must close. And it did.
Am I sad? No. Downhearted? No. Depressed? No.
God will move me in HIS time, not mine. God will take me out of the wilderness in HIS time.
God will make a way, where there seems to be no way
He works in ways, we cannot see
God will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength, for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way
By a roadway in the wilderness, He'll lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade
But His Word will still remain
He will do something new today!
(Don Moen)
Wednesday 7 September 2011
Trust in the Lord
Today's blog follows on yesterday's. So if you haven't read the previous post, read that before you read this one.
The topic of discussion is asking God to steer us through difficult decisions. Instead of praying fervently for some specific outcome, we should rather pray to God that His will be done and ask that He will clearly show us what His will is. Sounds easy doesn't it? Often times it is not!
If you give something to God, leave it there. That's the difficult part. To relax in His peace and just let it be - that's not so easy. We as humans want to be in control of our own lives. We proclaim that God is in control, but is He really? Do we really allow Him to steer us? Do we really follow where He leads?
Proverbs 3:4-6 says:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight. (NIV)
If you have asked God to show you the way, then follow the way. If you turn around and doubt, you are clearly saying to God that you actually don't trust His judgment and plans for your life. Can a person be so stupid? Oh yes! We all have done that at some time or another.
We have to trust with ALL our heart and forget about our own opinions. We have to submit in ALL our ways so that He can straighten the paths ahead of us. He sees the big picture, we see a tiny piece of reality.
Psalm 35:5-6 says:
God's love is meteoric,
His loyalty astronomic,
His purpose titanic,
His verdicts oceanic.
Yet in His largeness, nothing gets lost;
Not a man, not a mouse, slips through the cracks.
(The Message)
God is bigger than we can ever comprehend. David here tried to proclaim the greatness of God in a few words!
God will never steer us in the wrong direction. He will never let us slip through a crack! If we trust in Him with everything we have, and follow where He leads, we will always be in His will. We will always be blessed. We will always succeed.
"My Pa is die Koning van die heelal jy weet..."
The topic of discussion is asking God to steer us through difficult decisions. Instead of praying fervently for some specific outcome, we should rather pray to God that His will be done and ask that He will clearly show us what His will is. Sounds easy doesn't it? Often times it is not!
If you give something to God, leave it there. That's the difficult part. To relax in His peace and just let it be - that's not so easy. We as humans want to be in control of our own lives. We proclaim that God is in control, but is He really? Do we really allow Him to steer us? Do we really follow where He leads?
Proverbs 3:4-6 says:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight. (NIV)
If you have asked God to show you the way, then follow the way. If you turn around and doubt, you are clearly saying to God that you actually don't trust His judgment and plans for your life. Can a person be so stupid? Oh yes! We all have done that at some time or another.
We have to trust with ALL our heart and forget about our own opinions. We have to submit in ALL our ways so that He can straighten the paths ahead of us. He sees the big picture, we see a tiny piece of reality.
Psalm 35:5-6 says:
God's love is meteoric,
His loyalty astronomic,
His purpose titanic,
His verdicts oceanic.
Yet in His largeness, nothing gets lost;
Not a man, not a mouse, slips through the cracks.
(The Message)
God is bigger than we can ever comprehend. David here tried to proclaim the greatness of God in a few words!
God will never steer us in the wrong direction. He will never let us slip through a crack! If we trust in Him with everything we have, and follow where He leads, we will always be in His will. We will always be blessed. We will always succeed.
"My Pa is die Koning van die heelal jy weet..."
Tuesday 6 September 2011
Peace
I want to share a personal experience with you today, but before I do, read Psalm 29.
I was approached by a recruitment agency to apply for a job, which I agreed to. But from the beginning, my husband and I prayed that God's will be done. If God wants me in that job, He must open the door for me. If He doesn't want me there, He must close the door for me. All we want is to be in His will. If we live in His will, we live in His blessing. Outside His will, it's an uphill battle all the time. So with honest hearts, we gave the matter to God. I still don't know whether I will get the job or not and quite frankly I don't care. If I get the job, I know God will help me make a success of it. If I don't get the job, I will thank God for protecting me. I cannot describe to you in words the peace I have in my heart about this.
In this Psalm above, the greatness and the awesomeness of our God is proclaimed. And in the last verse David says God makes us strong, He gives us peace.
I cannot believe I got to this age before really understanding God's peace. Never again will I sit with a tug of war in my heart about a decision. I will simply ask God to take over the steering wheel and take me where He wants me.
Do you have a tough decision today? Are you struggling in your heart with a tug of war? Give it to God. He will give you peace. A peace that is indescribable in words.
Psalm 29
A David Psalm
1-2 Bravo, God, bravo! Gods and all angels shout, "Encore!"
In awe before the glory,
in awe before God's visible power.
Stand at attention!
Dress your best to honor him!
3 God thunders across the waters,
Brilliant, his voice and his face, streaming brightness—
God, across the flood waters.
4 God's thunder tympanic,
God's thunder symphonic.
5 God's thunder smashes cedars,
God topples the northern cedars.
6 The mountain ranges skip like spring colts,
The high ridges jump like wild kid goats.
7-8 God's thunder spits fire.
God thunders, the wilderness quakes;
He makes the desert of Kadesh shake.
9 God's thunder sets the oak trees dancing
A wild dance, whirling; the pelting rain strips their branches.
We fall to our knees—we call out, "Glory!"
10 Above the flood waters is God's throne
from which his power flows,
from which he rules the world.
11 God makes his people strong.
God gives his people peace.
In awe before the glory,
in awe before God's visible power.
Stand at attention!
Dress your best to honor him!
3 God thunders across the waters,
Brilliant, his voice and his face, streaming brightness—
God, across the flood waters.
4 God's thunder tympanic,
God's thunder symphonic.
5 God's thunder smashes cedars,
God topples the northern cedars.
6 The mountain ranges skip like spring colts,
The high ridges jump like wild kid goats.
7-8 God's thunder spits fire.
God thunders, the wilderness quakes;
He makes the desert of Kadesh shake.
9 God's thunder sets the oak trees dancing
A wild dance, whirling; the pelting rain strips their branches.
We fall to our knees—we call out, "Glory!"
10 Above the flood waters is God's throne
from which his power flows,
from which he rules the world.
11 God makes his people strong.
God gives his people peace.
I was approached by a recruitment agency to apply for a job, which I agreed to. But from the beginning, my husband and I prayed that God's will be done. If God wants me in that job, He must open the door for me. If He doesn't want me there, He must close the door for me. All we want is to be in His will. If we live in His will, we live in His blessing. Outside His will, it's an uphill battle all the time. So with honest hearts, we gave the matter to God. I still don't know whether I will get the job or not and quite frankly I don't care. If I get the job, I know God will help me make a success of it. If I don't get the job, I will thank God for protecting me. I cannot describe to you in words the peace I have in my heart about this.
In this Psalm above, the greatness and the awesomeness of our God is proclaimed. And in the last verse David says God makes us strong, He gives us peace.
I cannot believe I got to this age before really understanding God's peace. Never again will I sit with a tug of war in my heart about a decision. I will simply ask God to take over the steering wheel and take me where He wants me.
Do you have a tough decision today? Are you struggling in your heart with a tug of war? Give it to God. He will give you peace. A peace that is indescribable in words.
Monday 5 September 2011
The Coat Hanger
I just want to share this beautiful story with you. I got it on an email this morning. The message I want to add to the story is this - if one door closes, God will open another one. God might not give you right now what you want, but He will give you something better later.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
A woman was at work when she received a phone call that her small daughter was very sick with a fever.
She left her work and stopped by the pharmacy to get some medication.
She got back to her car and found that she had locked her keys in the car.
She didn't know what to do, so she called home and told the baby sitter what had happened.
The baby sitter told her that the fever was getting worse. She said, "You might find a coat hanger and use that to open the door."
The woman looked around and found an old rusty coat hanger that had been left on the ground, possibly by someone else who at some time had locked their keys in their car.
She looked at the hanger and said, "I don't know how to use this."
She bowed her head and asked God to send her help.
Within five minutes a beat up old motor cycle pulled up, with a dirty, greasy, bearded man who was wearing an old biker skull rag on his head.
The woman thought, "This is what you sent to help me?" But, she was desperate, so she was also very thankful. The man got off of his cycle and asked if he could help.
She said, "Yes, my daughter is very sick. I stopped to get her some medication and I locked my keys in my car. I must get home to her.. Please, can you use this hanger to unlock my car?"
He said, "Sure." He walked over to the car, and in less than a minute the car was opened.
She hugged the man and through her tears she said, "Thank You So Much! You are a very nice man."
The man replied, "Lady, I am not a nice man. I just got out of prison today. I was in prison for car theft and have only been out for about an hour."
The woman hugged the man again and with sobbing tears cried out loud, "Oh, thank you God! You even sent me a Professional!!!"
Is - GOD GOOD - or what!!!???
He always sends His Very Best!
She left her work and stopped by the pharmacy to get some medication.
She got back to her car and found that she had locked her keys in the car.
She didn't know what to do, so she called home and told the baby sitter what had happened.
The baby sitter told her that the fever was getting worse. She said, "You might find a coat hanger and use that to open the door."
The woman looked around and found an old rusty coat hanger that had been left on the ground, possibly by someone else who at some time had locked their keys in their car.
She looked at the hanger and said, "I don't know how to use this."
She bowed her head and asked God to send her help.
Within five minutes a beat up old motor cycle pulled up, with a dirty, greasy, bearded man who was wearing an old biker skull rag on his head.
The woman thought, "This is what you sent to help me?" But, she was desperate, so she was also very thankful. The man got off of his cycle and asked if he could help.
She said, "Yes, my daughter is very sick. I stopped to get her some medication and I locked my keys in my car. I must get home to her.. Please, can you use this hanger to unlock my car?"
He said, "Sure." He walked over to the car, and in less than a minute the car was opened.
She hugged the man and through her tears she said, "Thank You So Much! You are a very nice man."
The man replied, "Lady, I am not a nice man. I just got out of prison today. I was in prison for car theft and have only been out for about an hour."
The woman hugged the man again and with sobbing tears cried out loud, "Oh, thank you God! You even sent me a Professional!!!"
Is - GOD GOOD - or what!!!???
He always sends His Very Best!
Author Unknown
Friday 2 September 2011
The Mountain
I am always amazed at God's timing. The day when I really need encouragement, I get it somehow. The day I really need to hear something specific, God gets the message to me somehow. It was like that again last night.
My husband and I bought a book with a 1000 daily Bible study pieces in about two years ago. We are still busy with the book. There have been days that we missed but as the book is not date focused, it didn't matter, we just continued where we left off.
I have a mountain in front of me right now. One that is really making it hard for me to focus on the work I have to do. A mountain that has managed to somehow steal my hope and my joy. A mountain that had me in absolute desperation last night.
Last night, the message in the book was just for me. God knew, that I would skip some days. He knew when the mountain would stand in the front of me. The day we bought the book, God knew that last night, I would need to be at that specific message - it was right on time. Again.
The message is this: Stop looking at the mountain - look to the One who can move the mountain.
What is your mountain today?
Turn your eyes towards Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of this earthy will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
Look to the one who can move your mountain today!
My husband and I bought a book with a 1000 daily Bible study pieces in about two years ago. We are still busy with the book. There have been days that we missed but as the book is not date focused, it didn't matter, we just continued where we left off.
I have a mountain in front of me right now. One that is really making it hard for me to focus on the work I have to do. A mountain that has managed to somehow steal my hope and my joy. A mountain that had me in absolute desperation last night.
Last night, the message in the book was just for me. God knew, that I would skip some days. He knew when the mountain would stand in the front of me. The day we bought the book, God knew that last night, I would need to be at that specific message - it was right on time. Again.
The message is this: Stop looking at the mountain - look to the One who can move the mountain.
What is your mountain today?
Turn your eyes towards Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of this earthy will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
Look to the one who can move your mountain today!
Thursday 1 September 2011
Fasting
Over the last few weeks, quite a few people asked me for my opinion on fasting. Fasting is generally perceived to abstain from eating for some religious reason. Some of the people that spoke to me didn't know why one should fast. Some didn't think fasting is applicable at all today anymore.
Let's first look at some examples of fasting in the Old Testament of the Bible.
Fasting is a way of petitioning God:
Hanna, Samuel's mother, prayed and fasted before God as she could not conceive. The Bible says that God heard her prayer and gave her a son (1 Samuel 1).
Fasting is a way of mourning:
David mourned the death of Abner by fasting (2 Samuel 3).
Fasting is a way of seeking the favour of God:
King Jehosaphat called for a whole day of fasting by the entire nation when they were threatened by the Moabites and Ammonites. God instructed him to send the worshippers out before the soldiers and they enjoyed victory (2 Chronicles 20).
Now for the New Testament.
Fasting is a way to obtain divine knowledge and guidance:
Anna was a prophetess that fasted regularly and prayed in the temple everyday. She recognised Jesus as the Messiah when he was brought to the temple for circumcision (Luke 2).
What was the opinion of Jesus regarding fasting?
In the teaching Jesus gave on the mountain, He identified the four foundations of the Christian Religion, namely: giving, prayer, fasting and faith (Matthew 6).
Jesus Himself fasted for forty days (Luke 4). After the fast, He returned to Galilee full of the Holy Spirit and news about Him spread fast.
Fasting precedes a new ministry or calling:
Paul's ministry started with fasting and praying (Acts 9).
Fast is part of the Christian faith:
The early church fasted regularly (Acts 13) and it was part of the teaching to new believers (Acts 14).
Why do we fast today?
If you are desperate for a breakthrough in some area of your life, consider fasting and praying. Fasting is a serious act petitioning God and it should not be taken lightly. In ideal circumstances, fasting should be done in isolation when you can meditate on the Word and pray continually, but that is not always possible. Don't use that as an excuse not to fast. You can still fast and continue with your daily business. Fasting makes you extremely sensitive to the voice of Holy Spirit. He will minister to you even while you are at work.
If you are desperate for a deeper relationship with God - fasting is the answer. Fasting is showing God that you are serious and desperate to seek His face.
How do we fast today?
In some of the Biblical examples above, fasting meant not eating anything. We do however have another example in Daniel 1:11. Daniel refused to eat anything but vegetables and only drank water. God honoured him too. For people with low blood sugar, this is a safe way to go. We call it a Daniel Fast. There are many other ways of a partial fast such as the Daniel Fast. What do you really love? Coffee? Give it up for a month while you are seeking the face of God. Do you have a sweet tooth? Do you like certain soda drinks? Whatever it is, show God that you love Him more than those items. What counts here is your heart. If you hope to lose weight, your motive is wrong. Make sure your heart it right before you start.
Fasting in my opinion, could also be done in other ways too. For example, fast from your TV for a certain period and spend the time you would have spent in front of the TV studying the Word and praying. Give up that game of golf for a time with the Lord for a few weeks in a row.
If you don't know what you should fast on or how you should fast - ask God to tell you. You will feel in your heart what you should give up to get more of Him. It's the same with how long you should fast. You will know when it's time to stop - Holy Spirit will tell you. Believe me, it's worth it.
How desperate are you?
Let's first look at some examples of fasting in the Old Testament of the Bible.
Fasting is a way of petitioning God:
Hanna, Samuel's mother, prayed and fasted before God as she could not conceive. The Bible says that God heard her prayer and gave her a son (1 Samuel 1).
Fasting is a way of mourning:
David mourned the death of Abner by fasting (2 Samuel 3).
Fasting is a way of seeking the favour of God:
King Jehosaphat called for a whole day of fasting by the entire nation when they were threatened by the Moabites and Ammonites. God instructed him to send the worshippers out before the soldiers and they enjoyed victory (2 Chronicles 20).
Now for the New Testament.
Fasting is a way to obtain divine knowledge and guidance:
Anna was a prophetess that fasted regularly and prayed in the temple everyday. She recognised Jesus as the Messiah when he was brought to the temple for circumcision (Luke 2).
What was the opinion of Jesus regarding fasting?
In the teaching Jesus gave on the mountain, He identified the four foundations of the Christian Religion, namely: giving, prayer, fasting and faith (Matthew 6).
Jesus Himself fasted for forty days (Luke 4). After the fast, He returned to Galilee full of the Holy Spirit and news about Him spread fast.
Fasting precedes a new ministry or calling:
Paul's ministry started with fasting and praying (Acts 9).
Fast is part of the Christian faith:
The early church fasted regularly (Acts 13) and it was part of the teaching to new believers (Acts 14).
Why do we fast today?
If you are desperate for a breakthrough in some area of your life, consider fasting and praying. Fasting is a serious act petitioning God and it should not be taken lightly. In ideal circumstances, fasting should be done in isolation when you can meditate on the Word and pray continually, but that is not always possible. Don't use that as an excuse not to fast. You can still fast and continue with your daily business. Fasting makes you extremely sensitive to the voice of Holy Spirit. He will minister to you even while you are at work.
If you are desperate for a deeper relationship with God - fasting is the answer. Fasting is showing God that you are serious and desperate to seek His face.
How do we fast today?
In some of the Biblical examples above, fasting meant not eating anything. We do however have another example in Daniel 1:11. Daniel refused to eat anything but vegetables and only drank water. God honoured him too. For people with low blood sugar, this is a safe way to go. We call it a Daniel Fast. There are many other ways of a partial fast such as the Daniel Fast. What do you really love? Coffee? Give it up for a month while you are seeking the face of God. Do you have a sweet tooth? Do you like certain soda drinks? Whatever it is, show God that you love Him more than those items. What counts here is your heart. If you hope to lose weight, your motive is wrong. Make sure your heart it right before you start.
Fasting in my opinion, could also be done in other ways too. For example, fast from your TV for a certain period and spend the time you would have spent in front of the TV studying the Word and praying. Give up that game of golf for a time with the Lord for a few weeks in a row.
If you don't know what you should fast on or how you should fast - ask God to tell you. You will feel in your heart what you should give up to get more of Him. It's the same with how long you should fast. You will know when it's time to stop - Holy Spirit will tell you. Believe me, it's worth it.
How desperate are you?
Wednesday 31 August 2011
What will be remembered
Somewhere in March I blogged with a heading "The Epitaph". Two days ago I blogged about the funeral I attended. My mind is still stuck there.
When I think of Miet (the woman that was buried), I see her dancing in worship. That is the first thing that comes to my mind every time I think of her. And all the people I spoke to about her agree. That is what we will remember.
It scared me. What will people remember about me? I am honest if I say I am to afraid to ask, so don't answer. Have you thought about that? What memory will you leave behind? Will it be a good one?
This is serious food for thought.
When I think of Miet (the woman that was buried), I see her dancing in worship. That is the first thing that comes to my mind every time I think of her. And all the people I spoke to about her agree. That is what we will remember.
It scared me. What will people remember about me? I am honest if I say I am to afraid to ask, so don't answer. Have you thought about that? What memory will you leave behind? Will it be a good one?
This is serious food for thought.
Monday 29 August 2011
Funerals
I was at a funeral today. Not because I wanted to go, but because I had to go. Not because it was somebody close to me being buried, but because I was the pianist.
It's hard sitting up there looking down on these people who are weeping so bitterly. Every time I can't help myself, I weep with them. Not because of my loss, but because of their loss.
The pastor who did the memorial service is my brother. Years ago he promised God that he would never let an opportunity to evangelize people slip through his fingers. And he doesn't. He keeps his promise. On every funeral I have attended with him, he preached the gospel on a funeral. And today again he told the people straight - "if you want to see this woman again, sort your life out and walk a road with Jesus". You see, the woman who died is surely now dancing in front of God's throne. My strongest memory I have of her, is her dancing in church in worship to God. It must be amazing.
If I should die before my brother does, he must do my memorial service and preach the gospel, exactly like he did today. Two thirds of the church got up to give their hearts to Jesus. I think it would be very cool if people would get born again on my funeral. Not that I want to die soon! Don't get me wrong.
I want to get old with my husband if Jesus doesn't come before then. But we can't plan so far ahead, now can we? So are you ready to die? Do you know where you are going if you should die tonight? Will your loved ones have hope of seeing you again?
It's hard sitting up there looking down on these people who are weeping so bitterly. Every time I can't help myself, I weep with them. Not because of my loss, but because of their loss.
The pastor who did the memorial service is my brother. Years ago he promised God that he would never let an opportunity to evangelize people slip through his fingers. And he doesn't. He keeps his promise. On every funeral I have attended with him, he preached the gospel on a funeral. And today again he told the people straight - "if you want to see this woman again, sort your life out and walk a road with Jesus". You see, the woman who died is surely now dancing in front of God's throne. My strongest memory I have of her, is her dancing in church in worship to God. It must be amazing.
If I should die before my brother does, he must do my memorial service and preach the gospel, exactly like he did today. Two thirds of the church got up to give their hearts to Jesus. I think it would be very cool if people would get born again on my funeral. Not that I want to die soon! Don't get me wrong.
I want to get old with my husband if Jesus doesn't come before then. But we can't plan so far ahead, now can we? So are you ready to die? Do you know where you are going if you should die tonight? Will your loved ones have hope of seeing you again?
Tuesday 23 August 2011
The sky is the limit...
Do you know where that saying comes from? It comes from the Bible. Genesis 11 to be exact. Read this passage.
Genesis 11
The Tower of Babel
1 Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. 2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there.3 Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. 4 And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”
5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6And the LORD said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. 7Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. 9 Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.
These people wanted to build a tower to get into the heavens - with other words they were elevating themselves against God. But that is not the most important in this passage. The most important is the piece in red.
God made us in His image. Nothing you plan to do will be impossible for you to reach. Nothing you plan to achieve will be impossible for you. God didn't change the genetic make-up of people at the tower of Babel - He merely confused them with different languages. You and I can still achieve anything we wish. As long as you are not elevating yourself against God in the process. As long as you don't forget about God in the process. As long as God is part of your planning - the sky is the limit!
What goals do you have? If you don't have goals, I dare to say you are not living anymore, you are merely existing. What do you want to achieve? Think about it. Make a list. Start getting yourself motivated and fired up to reach whatever your goals is. Put a picture of your goal somewhere where you will see it every day. Whenever you get a bit discouraged, look at the picture and hear God whisper in your ear: "whatever your mind can conceive and belief, you can achieve".
Genesis 11
The Tower of Babel
1 Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. 2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there.3 Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. 4 And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”
5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6And the LORD said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. 7Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. 9 Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.
These people wanted to build a tower to get into the heavens - with other words they were elevating themselves against God. But that is not the most important in this passage. The most important is the piece in red.
God made us in His image. Nothing you plan to do will be impossible for you to reach. Nothing you plan to achieve will be impossible for you. God didn't change the genetic make-up of people at the tower of Babel - He merely confused them with different languages. You and I can still achieve anything we wish. As long as you are not elevating yourself against God in the process. As long as you don't forget about God in the process. As long as God is part of your planning - the sky is the limit!
What goals do you have? If you don't have goals, I dare to say you are not living anymore, you are merely existing. What do you want to achieve? Think about it. Make a list. Start getting yourself motivated and fired up to reach whatever your goals is. Put a picture of your goal somewhere where you will see it every day. Whenever you get a bit discouraged, look at the picture and hear God whisper in your ear: "whatever your mind can conceive and belief, you can achieve".
Friday 19 August 2011
We Glorify the Lamb
I am having one of those days again. The type of day where I want to spread my wings and fly away. You know the feeling, I know you do.
So I decided the put my earphones on and listen to some music. Terry MacAlmon seemed like a good choice. Worship music is the best medicine ever. One of the songs he sings is "We glorify the Lamb". While I was working, the words drilled through my concentration on something else and struck my heart. I just closed my eyes and listened to the song again. If you have the song, go and listen to it. If you don't have it, meditate on these lyrics for a while. I guarantee you, once you have read through these lyrics and thought about each line just for a few seconds, you are bound to have hope again. It's all we need. Just a little bit of hope that will get us to keep pushing forward, no matter the odds against us.
So I decided the put my earphones on and listen to some music. Terry MacAlmon seemed like a good choice. Worship music is the best medicine ever. One of the songs he sings is "We glorify the Lamb". While I was working, the words drilled through my concentration on something else and struck my heart. I just closed my eyes and listened to the song again. If you have the song, go and listen to it. If you don't have it, meditate on these lyrics for a while. I guarantee you, once you have read through these lyrics and thought about each line just for a few seconds, you are bound to have hope again. It's all we need. Just a little bit of hope that will get us to keep pushing forward, no matter the odds against us.
WE GLORIFY THE LAMB
Wonderful Counselor
Mighty God our Father
Prince of Peace
Mighty God our Father
Prince of Peace
Great I Am
We glorify the Lamb
We glorify the Lamb
Wonderful Counselor
Mighty God
Mighty God
Our Father
Prince of Peace
Prince of Peace
Great I Am
We glorify the Lamb
We glorify the Lamb
Jesus Savior
Jesus Messiah
King of Kings
We glorify the Lamb
Jesus Messiah
King of Kings
We glorify the Lamb
Jesus Warrior
Jesus Deliverer
Jesus Great I Am
We glorify the Lamb
Jesus Deliverer
Jesus Great I Am
We glorify the Lamb
© Terry MacAlmon
Thursday 18 August 2011
Opportunity Cost
I am studying Economics. I can't say I love it but I certainly find it interesting. Saying that, I wouldn't mind to get it over and done with now. I am now getting sick and tired of all the formulas, calculations, graphs and weird concepts.
One thing I learned about in Economics is opportunity cost. It works like this: we have unlimited wants and needs, but limited resources to fulfill our needs and wants. So we have to make choices. Every choice implies that there is an opportunity cost.
For instance. I have R10. I want to buy a cold drink which would cost me R6 but I also want a pie that would cost me R8. I don't have enough money - limited resources. So I have to choose between the cold drink and the pie. If I choose to buy the cold drink, the pie is the opportunity cost. If I buy the pie, the cold drink is the opportunity cost.
Opportunity cost is the cost of the best forgone option.
Now look at this principle in a spiritual way.
The opportunity cost for time in front of the TV is time with God. The opportunity cost of that relationship could be eternal life in heaven. The opportunity cost of your unforgiveness and pride could be restored relationships. We can make a long list of things here.
I think we should take serious stock of what we do and what we spend our time on. Is it really worth it? Is the opportunity cost worth it?
End of Economic lecture.
One thing I learned about in Economics is opportunity cost. It works like this: we have unlimited wants and needs, but limited resources to fulfill our needs and wants. So we have to make choices. Every choice implies that there is an opportunity cost.
For instance. I have R10. I want to buy a cold drink which would cost me R6 but I also want a pie that would cost me R8. I don't have enough money - limited resources. So I have to choose between the cold drink and the pie. If I choose to buy the cold drink, the pie is the opportunity cost. If I buy the pie, the cold drink is the opportunity cost.
Opportunity cost is the cost of the best forgone option.
Now look at this principle in a spiritual way.
The opportunity cost for time in front of the TV is time with God. The opportunity cost of that relationship could be eternal life in heaven. The opportunity cost of your unforgiveness and pride could be restored relationships. We can make a long list of things here.
I think we should take serious stock of what we do and what we spend our time on. Is it really worth it? Is the opportunity cost worth it?
End of Economic lecture.
Wednesday 17 August 2011
Guilt - the devil loves it
We all feel guilty at times. For things we did. For things we didn't do. For things we said. For things we didn't say. And oh, satan loves our guilt. He will heap it on whenever he gets the chance. And he will make you feel so unworthy to even try and pray. Sounds familiar?
We were raised up that you had to go to church twice every Sunday, attend prayer meeting on Wednesday evening, band practice on Thursday evening and youth meeting on Friday Evening. I can tell you from experience that it gets rough at times. With demanding careers, busy children and dinners that won't appear by magic, it just isn't always possible to be involved with everything and attend every church gathering. For me this has been a long and hard road to walk. I felt so guilty when I didn't go to the evening service as well. I felt so guilty when I couldn't make the cell meeting on Wednesday evenings. I felt to guilty when I decided not to join the band in the new church where we are now, simply because I don't have enough time.
Satan loves our guilty feelings. And he will try to make it worse. He will try to get you so guilty and downhearted that you don't even want to pray anymore. Belief me, I have been there.
But God, not letting me go, reminded me gently with a scripture:
Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Yes the Bible says we should not give up meeting together. You have to be involved somewhere so that you have a support team to carry you through when times get tough. You have to contribute with the talents and gifts God has given you. But you can also be human. I only have so much time and I cannot get to everything that everybody demands of me. I have learned to say no. Without feeling guilty. Why?
Psalm 36:5-6 (The Message)
God's love is meteoric,
his loyalty astronomic,
His purpose titanic,
his verdicts oceanic.
Yet in his largeness
nothing gets lost;
Not a man, not a mouse,
slips through the cracks.
I will not get lost. He will never let me slip through the cracks. My personal, intimate relationship with him is the important issue - not how many times I have attended what this past week.
We were raised up that you had to go to church twice every Sunday, attend prayer meeting on Wednesday evening, band practice on Thursday evening and youth meeting on Friday Evening. I can tell you from experience that it gets rough at times. With demanding careers, busy children and dinners that won't appear by magic, it just isn't always possible to be involved with everything and attend every church gathering. For me this has been a long and hard road to walk. I felt so guilty when I didn't go to the evening service as well. I felt so guilty when I couldn't make the cell meeting on Wednesday evenings. I felt to guilty when I decided not to join the band in the new church where we are now, simply because I don't have enough time.
Satan loves our guilty feelings. And he will try to make it worse. He will try to get you so guilty and downhearted that you don't even want to pray anymore. Belief me, I have been there.
But God, not letting me go, reminded me gently with a scripture:
Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Yes the Bible says we should not give up meeting together. You have to be involved somewhere so that you have a support team to carry you through when times get tough. You have to contribute with the talents and gifts God has given you. But you can also be human. I only have so much time and I cannot get to everything that everybody demands of me. I have learned to say no. Without feeling guilty. Why?
Psalm 36:5-6 (The Message)
God's love is meteoric,
his loyalty astronomic,
His purpose titanic,
his verdicts oceanic.
Yet in his largeness
nothing gets lost;
Not a man, not a mouse,
slips through the cracks.
I will not get lost. He will never let me slip through the cracks. My personal, intimate relationship with him is the important issue - not how many times I have attended what this past week.
Tuesday 16 August 2011
Don't judge
I have a friend with an interesting email signature - you know the little quotes that automatically gets added to each email.
"Don't compare your life to others: you have no idea what their journey is all about".
For a while now I have been contemplating this little line each time I see it. Only today it struck me. Don't judge.
Don't judge the one whose performance have not been so good in the office this month - you have no idea what is happening in his / her home.
Don't judge the one who appears a bit abrupt and distant - you have no idea how much hurt he / she is carrying inside.
Don't judge the one you know has a gambling problem - be thankful you don't have it and bring him / her before the Lord in prayer daily.
Don't judge the one whose perceptions and beliefs are so much different from yours - he / she was created in the image of God too.
Don't judge your leaders - in the corporate world, in the church, the country, where ever - you have no idea of the stress they have to cope with.
Don't judge your parents for the mistakes they made - they didn't have a trial run and experience before raising you.
Don't judge the one next to you in church, singing false or playing the wrong chords - he / she is worshiping with the talent they have - rather worship with the talent you have.
And so the list can go on and on and on.
Don't judge others - you have no idea what their journey is all about.
"Don't compare your life to others: you have no idea what their journey is all about".
For a while now I have been contemplating this little line each time I see it. Only today it struck me. Don't judge.
Don't judge the one whose performance have not been so good in the office this month - you have no idea what is happening in his / her home.
Don't judge the one who appears a bit abrupt and distant - you have no idea how much hurt he / she is carrying inside.
Don't judge the one you know has a gambling problem - be thankful you don't have it and bring him / her before the Lord in prayer daily.
Don't judge the one whose perceptions and beliefs are so much different from yours - he / she was created in the image of God too.
Don't judge your leaders - in the corporate world, in the church, the country, where ever - you have no idea of the stress they have to cope with.
Don't judge your parents for the mistakes they made - they didn't have a trial run and experience before raising you.
Don't judge the one next to you in church, singing false or playing the wrong chords - he / she is worshiping with the talent they have - rather worship with the talent you have.
And so the list can go on and on and on.
Don't judge others - you have no idea what their journey is all about.
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