Faithful

Sophia (back to camera) ... puts the finishing touches to the Harvest Festival display

1 March 2011

1 Peter 1:6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

It is the hardest thing to be faithful, when a person is faithful they need to be able to persevere, to continue in the process when all hope is gone and encouragement has disappeared. This is especially hard when the temptation to give up, to give in and to just walk away seems to be the only logical answer. It is also made even harder when the people who should be encouraging and giving hope and support are actually indifferent and apathetic. It is then that we realise that faith is foolishness in the eyes of the world, when the world would give up in faith the Christian will persevere. Most often it is very church leadership that in the business of church is so busy with church issues that they are actually indifferent and uncaring of the struggle of others, believing that their struggle is greater than all.

How careful we must be to allow the mustard seed of faith to germinate, to nurture it and allow it to grow. It takes love and not indifference, it takes care and not apathy, it takes encouragement and not discouragement, it takes support and not disregard, how caring we must be to allow the faith of others to grow, and in so doing growing our own. The world at the best of times is cruel and impassionate, and we do not need our brothers and sisters in Christ to be hurt by the world found in us. No matter how difficult, no matter what our faith in the One who dwells in us must be stronger than the situation we have to face.

Be encouraged today to know that when our faith is tested we need to persevere to the end.

David

Point to ponder: Faith leads to perseverance  .

Question to consider: How great is your faith?

Our webpage: www.chf.yolasite.com

Healing Seminar

PROGRAMME

HEALING SEMINAR

Linga Longa Christian Retreat Centre

Eersbewoon: Bela Bela

19 TO 21 MARCH 2011

STARTING FRIDAY EVENING

TEACHING ABOUT CHRISTIAN HEALING IN THE CONTEXT OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE.

ALL WELCOME

SPEAKER: REV. CECIL PEASLEY

MUSIC WORSHIP: VAL HARDISTY

MINISTRY: REV DAVID HUTT.

Cost: R600.00 including accommodation, food, and seminar per person sharing.

Booking essential:

Tel. 014 736 3339 or 014 736 4300, or

Fax 086 689 3019

PROGRAMME

Friday arrival

18:30 Supper

19:30 Introduction with Praise and Worship (Val Hardisty)

Saturday

08:00 Breakfast

09:00 Praise and worship

09:30 First talk: Understanding the enemy (Rev Cecil Peasely)

10:45 Tea

11:15 Second talk: Healing in a fallen society (Rev David Hutt)

13:00 Lunch

14:00 Meditation

15:30 Tea

16:00Third talk: Understanding the enemies tactics (Rev Cecil Peasely)

18:00 Supper

19:00 Praise and worship followed by healing ministry (Val Hardisty)

Sunday

08:00 Breakfast

09:00 Fourth talk: Understanding our weapons (Rev Cecil Peasely)

10:15 Tea

10:45 Worship Service

13:00 Lunch

14:00 Meditation

15:30 Tea

16:00 Fifth talk: Understanding our tactics (Rev Cecil Peasely)

18:00 Supper

19:00 Praise and worship followed by healing ministry (Val Hardisty)

Monday

08:00 Breakfast

09:00 Praise and worship

09:30 Healing of past hurts (Rev David Hutt)

10:45 Tea

11:15 Prayer and closure

12:15 Lunch

13:30 Goodbyes

Book of Eternal Life

Harvest Festival at St Mark's  ... our thanks to the Women's Association for their great effort.

28 February 2011

Malachi 3:16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another; the LORD heeded and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and thought on his name.

The Lord God has written your name into the book of eternal life,  and He knows your name.  On the Day of Judgement the Book will be opened, the seals will be broken, and your name will be revealed to all. The wonder of this is that only God is able to write in the Book and the only One worthy to open break the seals is the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. the only way our names are written in the Book is through the fear of the Lord and to think on His name.

Once your name is written it cannot be erased, and no one is able to alter what God has written. In the world today one needs to ask the question, who is those that fear the Lord and who think of His name? We may consider that many of those we love have no fear of the Lord and they give no thought to His name, on the Day of Judgement where will their names be written? While we have breath, while we are still able, we must always fear the Lord and remember His name.

Be encouraged today to fear the Lord and to remember His name.

David

Point to ponder:  Fear the Lord and remember His name.

Question to consider:   Is your name written in the Book?

Our webpage: www.chf.yolasite.com

Simple Blessings

St Mark's new pastoral committee ... our friends are available to visit and address your issues. 


25 February 2011

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

The beauty of a sunrise, the peace of a good night sleep, the day that is filled with new promise, a weekend that looms ahead, a Sunday filled with thanksgiving and worship. It is this that brings meaning to life and the joy of encouragement to others. Some things in life just cannot have a price, good health, a loving family, friends and fellowship. Yet we find some people being caught up in the problems, and the problems of life just seem to swallow them up. They look at the stars and see lights, they look at a baby bird, but never see it.

What a blessing it is to be able to experience the joy of life, even though we all have the usual problems that are the lot of all men. It is being able to stop, withdraw for an instant and enjoy the moment, to look at the night sky and dream of tomorrows hopes, to hold our children in our arms, to enjoy a good meal with good company. These simple pleasures are what dreams are made of, and hopes fulfilled.

Be encouraged today to enjoy this weekend and fill it with simple pleasures and to give thanks to God for them.

David

Point to ponder:  Thank you Jesus for Your blessings.

Question to consider:   Do you see the beauty?

Our webpage: www.chf.yolasite.com

Teach the Childen

24 February 2011

Deuteronomy 4:9-10 "Only take heed, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things which your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life; make them known to your children and your children's children-- how on the day that you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, the LORD said to me, 'Gather the people to me, that I may let them hear my words, so that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children so.'

This morning all the swallows were on the telephone lines, gathered together and obviously getting ready to travel back to Europe, where they will spend our winter there. The grass is seeding and the oranges are swelling and starting to ripen. Although we may still be thinking it is summer because of the hot weather, nature knows that autumn is here and in two months the trees would have dropped their leaves.

Time moves on and seasons come and seasons go, sometimes we do not recognise the season we are in until the season has passed. One day we have babies, the next they are having babies, generations come and generations go. Yet the one constant is that God remains the same for each generation, and each generation needs to come to know God, we all have a responsibility to teach our children about the God we believe in. This role is not that of the church, but that of the father of his children, and the best way to teach is by example. Men are the role model and they need to understand their role. As parents and elders in our community what are we teaching the next generation?

Be encouraged today to teach the children about Jesus Christ.

David

Point to ponder: God is known in each generation.

Question to consider:  Do you teach your children about God?

Our webpage: www.chf.yolasite.com

Budget

23 February 2011

Malachi 3:9-10 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me; the whole nation of you.

Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house; and thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.

Many people in South Africa today place there hope on what the budget will reveal and how that budget will affect them. There are those on Old age pensions, social grants who are hoping for a substantial increase, there are others that are hoping that there tax on their earnings will reduce. What ever the budget, it does not change the fact that all government costs money, and the more the demands on government the greater the burden for those paying taxes, whether through levies, tax or other forms.

When we understand that the inflation rate, cost of transport, will impact on our spending power, then we need to actually become more conscious on where we spend the available money that we have in our pockets. With a reduction of spending ability, we need to trim back, the problem with many people is that the first place they trim back is in their giving to charities and more often than not to the church. The mystery however is that when you tithe to the church your debt reduces, when you stop tithing your debt increases. When we allow God into our finances, we find that our finances are blessed. So we all need to place our hope in God with regard to our personal budgets and not in the hands of the government.

Be encouraged to be wise and include God in your financial plan.

David

Point to ponder: Our best accountant is God.

Question to consider: Is God your financial planner?

Earthquake

22  February 2011

Amos 1:1 The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds of Teko'a, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzzi'ah king of Judah and in the days of Jerobo'am the son of Jo'ash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.

An earthquake is a terrible experience and this must have been so for Amos as his introduction dates with regard to an earthquake. This morning in New Zealand an earthquake occurred in Christchurch and many people have been injured and a number have died, buildings are destroyed and lives shattered. Many is the occasion in the Bible that the Lord God shook the foundations of the earth. When an earthquake occurs it usually happens in predictable areas at unpredictable times, but that is not to say that it will not occur in unpredictable areas.

Today people say this is the power of nature, yet Jesus explained to His disciples that these will occur. Should an earthquake strike in your area, how would you respond to the destruction you would see all around you. It is then that we realise that the Rock we stand on is firm and although everything may be shaken, we stand firm on that Rock. How grateful we need to be to know that our God, will keep us safe in times of turmoil and in all things He will be faithful to us who love Him.

Be encouraged today to pray for those caught in earthquakes.

 David

Point to ponder: God is our Rock.

Question to consider: Do you stand firm on the Rock?

A bit of passion

21  February 2011

Matthew 9:36-38 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest."

It is very difficult to be passionately passive, it just does not seem to go together, dispassion is the opposite of love. Passive behaviour implies an inactivity or inert, where life goes by and one is not influenced by it, and actually life is something other people experience. Passion on the other hand is to be keenly part of life and what is happening, with an excitement of activity and desire to be involved no matter how small or large that involvement is. To be compassionate is to be filled with a passionate desire to do something for another

To be a disciple of Jesus Christ is to follow in His steps, not in a passive way, but with a passion and to have hearts filled with compassion. A passion to love others, even those we do not like, a passion for the lonely and the broken hearted, a passion for living and being involved in making a difference to others. Where one’s passion is found, is where a person will be excited to be a part of, this applies just as much to our work opportunities as well as in all aspects of life. All of us need to be guided into new things and new experiences, new relationships should bring a new passion, we need to be prepared for a little bit of passion in our lives today. We need to live life passionately, we only have one life.

Be encouraged today to be passionate about life, and about people.

David

Point to ponder: God loves us passionately.

Question to consider: What are you passionate about?

Our webpage: www.chf.yolasite.com

Aunty

18  February 2011

John 19:25 So the soldiers did this. But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Mag'dalene.

The other day I was reading this text and it suddenly came to me that Mary the mother of Jesus had a sister. This sister was with Mary at the time of the Passover as would have been the usual group of people who went to Jerusalem every year and met together to celebrate. Jesus had an aunt! I do not know how many times I have read this text, yet for the first time this was revealed to me.

Jesus had a family that loved him and when He was in trouble His aunty came to be there, to be with her sister at this terrible time. We have no idea what her name was, but we may have a good idea of what her heart was. How many of us have aunts, who are there when we need support the most. Some of you reading this today are aunts and you have nephews and nieces whom you love and care for, we have sisters that often need us just to stand next to them when there families are in crisis.

Be encouraged today to say thank you to your aunties and to tell your nephews and nieces that you love them.

David

Point to ponder: Jesus was part of a human family and He had an aunt.

Question to consider: When your family is in trouble where do you stand?

Our webpage: www.chf.yolasite.com

Violence and Christians

17  February 2011


Psalms 40:11 Do not thou, O LORD, withhold thy mercy from me, let thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness ever preserve me!
 
It is interesting to listen to the debate about the new tollgates on the ring road in Johannesburg and on the highway between Johannesburg and Pretoria . With all these road works for 2010 World Cup Soccer and the promise of good infrastructure the chickens have finally come home to roost and the person who commutes between Johannesburg will have to add R800.00 a month to the transport costs, and this does not include the increase in petrol price. This is going to affect all, whether we realise it or not, the amount of money available for other things is going to be drastically reduced with a number of knock on results. The first is that the poor church is going to be poorer, business on border line profit will need to be extra cautious, this will not be a time for expansion, but to consolidate.
 
The sad part is that there is an expected growth and job creation, but how does one do this when such a large part of personal income is being redirected into paying to get to and from work? The reality is that as a Christian we do not live in isolation but are part of the community we find ourselves in. So for us at Linga Longa that is dependant on churches using us, the impact of the tollgate cost will be extremely negative.
 
It is easy to give encouragement when all is well and we can receive more blessings, it is far harder to encourage people in situations where life is going to be even a greater struggle. Our consolation is that we worship a Living God, who is our Provider and though times may seem to be bleak, our God will come through and we will always have enough and to spare. We have a faithful God, and we are faithful to God.
 
Be encouraged today to pray and ask God to help us through the difficult times ahead.
  
David
 
Point to ponder : God is faithful.
 
Question to consider : Do you trust God to provide?
 
Our webpage: www.chf.yolasite.com  

Violence and Christians

16  February 2011

Romans 13:1-2 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

Desperate people do desperate things, and when we see the news and the violence that takes place when people are upset about something. The use of live ammunition by the protestors, the looting of shops, all these things are signs of a community in protest. The transport workers, attacking and burning trucks, bus workers vandalising busses, one wonders if negotiations will ever take place without intimidation and violence? This indicates that the level of maturity and legal responsibility is still being influenced by a radical liberation philosophy, and is not based on a proper understanding of democracy and the freedoms that democracy brings.

For Christians this type of behaviour is unacceptable and foreign to our thinking, we try to find the peace, we seek to be united, we allow others freedoms that they themselves never allow us. Many people do not realise that all government is from God, even the totalitarian, fascist, monarchy, or democracy. The type of government is either a blessing or a curse, and we get the government of our choice.

Our response as Christian is the need to stand firm, to make a stand so that a Christian footprint is seen, in the places we have been. We need to be diligent in prayer, strong in faith, and attentive to church issues, we read our Bible and be in fellowship with other believers. When we do these things, people will know who we are in Christ.

Be encouraged to take note of the news, and pray for Christians caught up in these things.

David

Point to ponder: All government is from God.

Question to consider:  Do you pray for Christians caught up in the violence?

Our webpage: www.chf.yolasite.com

Making a difference

9 February 2011

Luke 10:33-34 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

To make a difference in this world requires the person to be different. This implies that it is those that seek the difference and do something about it that will actually make a difference. Most people find themselves bound in the predictable and the routine, and even though they will see something that needs to be changed they will mot make the effort to change it. When the things that need to be changed appears to be someone else’s problem, they will wait for that someone to do something and will not do it themselves.

The reason for this is fear, laziness, not wanting to get involved and so on, whatever the reason no difference is made to the situation, or themselves. To make a difference you must be involved, you must want to make a difference. The way you think results in the way you act, and when you understand that you are allowed to make a difference and that you have a God blessed freedom to do so. Others may object, but then they cannot deny that your motive is to help improve the situation. The moment you start doing something you are no longer bound by predictability or routine and you experience the power that doing something rather than standing by gives you. Do not wait for someone to do something when you mat do it yourself.

Be encouraged today to make a difference.

 

David

Point to ponder: We can make a difference.

Question to consider:  Do you make a difference?

Our webpage: www.chf.yolasite.com

World Drama

15  February 2011

Matthew 24:6-9 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of the birth-pangs. "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation, and put you to death; and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake.

The day will always have its worries and concerns, sometimes these are confined to our own situation, but occasionally it includes those regarding events that will have an impact on us. We look at the TV and the Joburg bus drivers are on strike, because they refuse to comply with the shift roster. Yet when we look at world events we see how ridiculous it is to strike over an issue like this, when they have a job and the freedom to work. By striking and hurting others they take away the civil rights of others, and so add to the concerns of the community. The lack of willingness to resolve the issue may result in a change of municipal government in the voting later this year, because the ruling party refuses to get involved to resolve the problem.

In Egypt the revolution has only started, in that the President has resigned and the Army is in control, in Tunisia there is revolt, in Iran there are riots, in Palestine there are rumblings of dissent. We watch these events and we realise that something is happening which has a deeper consequence than we realise. In China the wheat growing area is devastated by the worse drought in sixty years, the Australian wheat growing area has been destroyed by floods, the impact is that wheat prices are sky rocketing.

Just in these two issues the inflation impact will be devastating in regard to oil and bread, the result is famine among the poor nations. From the Biblical perspective Jesus warned us of these things and assured us that no matter what happens in this world, He will always be with us to the end of time.

Be encouraged today to take heart and to know that Jesus is with you.

David

Point to ponder: Jesus promised He will always be with us.

Question to consider:  Do you worry about tomorrow?

Our webpage: www.chf.yolasite.com

Follow Jesus

11  February 2011

Matthew 12:30 He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.

A number of years ago there were far fewer devotionals, and most people were informed about spiritual matters through the church, and bible study. Today this is no longer the case, information in many formats are available for any person wanting to find out more. The problem with this is that a person will be exposed to both good and bad information, and this is aggravated by a tendency to form an opinion which may not correct because of untested or bad information. What is most interesting is that people who disagree with the Bible have never read the Bible, and many people are influenced by discontented people trying to validate their discontent.

So people will run after all kinds of fads, follow this guru or another, believe in anything that fits their thinking and reject anything that will require them to see themselves as they truly are. So people will think spirituality is this or that karma, or this or that yin and yan, others see it in the rituals and religious behaviour of what you do or what you eat, others see it as doing good works. The reality is that we are spiritual beings, designed, created to meet with a single Spiritual God. When we mix with other things we open our spirits to become adulterated or impure, which then prevents us from being the true spirit we are designed to be. There are many sects and beliefs that will draw people away from the truth of the Bible and who Jesus Christ is.

As Christians we rest on the Bible as the defined word of God, and it is about believing God, pleasing God in all that we do.

Be encouraged today to thank God that you are able to read your Bible and to follow Jesus alone.

David

Point to ponder: To know God is to know the Word of God.

Question to consider:  Do you follow what other people say or do you follow what Jesus says?

Our webpage: www.chf.yolasite.com

Happy Valentines

14  February 2011

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Happy Valentine, we hear this often, and we really should do something about it. Firstly Valentine was a person who died without knowing that he/she loved them, it is a tragedy of bad communication and unmet expectation. The question that this day asks is this: ‘who is there that you love and have not told them so?’ the alternative is who loves you and they have never told you. Today we see love as romantic and physical and it is confused with lust, yet true love has little to do with this, but a deep friendship that lays down their lives for each other.

The perfect Valentine is Jesus Christ who died that we may have life, who died because He loved us so much that He took on all our failures and sin, so that we may truly love in return. As Christians our Valentine is not some myth or tale, but the truth that Jesus Christ is the One who died for all. We do not have to wait for a special day once a year, because every day is a day that God has given us to love one another.

So today do not be afraid to let a person know that you love them, and reach out to others who are longing to know that they are loved by you.

Be encouraged today to tell people you love them, and mean it.

David

Point to ponder: You personify love.

Question to consider:  Is Jesus you Valentine?

Our webpage: www.chf.yolasite.com

Missing the Target

10  February 2011

Deuteronomy 30:9-10 The LORD your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, and in the fruit of your cattle, and in the fruit of your ground; for the LORD will again take delight in prospering you, as he took delight in your fathers, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, if you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

Do the right things for the right reasons and at the right time, then the result will be right, when one wrong is in this formula it will result in a wrong result. This applies irrespective of what you believe, it just the rule that applies, in all decisions and relationships. We all are looking for a solution which will bring contentment in our lives, security in our work place, a loving home and loving family, loyal friends and honesty with people we do business with. To achieve this we need to have assurance of what is right, and that we have done the right thing.

Many people see sin as wrong doing and in some ways this is correct, but in the Hebrew language it means missing the target, so sin is doing things that will result in us missing the target of our lives. So it is God’s intention that each person be married and that the marriage is blessed with many children, to do this He will provide for us the means and the talents to achieve this, He knows we need a home, money, food, work and clothes. When we ask ourselves what is right, then we need to come back to God’s Word as He defines what is right, and we then need to see whether our lives are directed to the same target, as that which God wants us to have. When we miss the target, God does not stop loving us, but in His wisdom He puts us back on track to still get to the target. The sad part is that we see sin as something that separates us, rather than a fault causing us to miss the point of life.

Be encouraged to set your targets in the right way.

David

Point to ponder: sin is missing God’s target in our lives.

Question to consider:  Do you often miss the target?

Our webpage: www.chf.yolasite.com

Please if you need to send this to some one please do. If you want any help or advice I will be happy to try and help. dhutt@mweb.co.za

Making a difference

9 February 2011

Luke 10:33-34 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

To make a difference in this world requires the person to be different. This implies that it is those that seek the difference and do something about it that will actually make a difference. Most people find themselves bound in the predictable and the routine, and even though they will see something that needs to be changed they will mot make the effort to change it. When the things that need to be changed appears to be someone else’s problem, they will wait for that someone to do something and will not do it themselves.

The reason for this is fear, laziness, not wanting to get involved and so on, whatever the reason no difference is made to the situation, or themselves. To make a difference you must be involved, you must want to make a difference. The way you think results in the way you act, and when you understand that you are allowed to make a difference and that you have a God blessed freedom to do so. Others may object, but then they cannot deny that your motive is to help improve the situation. The moment you start doing something you are no longer bound by predictability or routine and you experience the power that doing something rather than standing by gives you. Do not wait for someone to do something when you mat do it yourself.

Be encouraged today to make a difference.

David

Point to ponder: We can make a difference.

Question to consider:  Do you make a difference?

Our webpage: www.chf.yolasite.com

Paint job

6 February 2011

1 Corinthians 16:17 I rejoice at the coming of Steph'anas and Fortuna'tus and Acha'icus, because they have made up for your absence; for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such men.

Over time when we live in a house it seems without even noticing it that the walls become faded, tiny cracks may appear in the plaster, hand marks wear paint away in certain areas. When you do, you then start to plan to do something about it. How you plan is important, you need to fix the walls before you paint them, ceilings will also need to be painted, you need to make sure you have the right paint and materials to do the job. This also means you need to have the money to buy what you need. Sometimes you also need to convince your spouse, especially the husbands that it is time to paint. Part of the fun is selecting the right colours and the way these colours make a difference in the room being painted. Sometimes we make such an issue of painting, but once we start, we are soon pleased because we have. We then understand that like all things they age and fade.

In some ways our Christianity may be like that, we have come to live in the comfort zone of our lives and have allowed little cracks to appear and the colour of our faith so to speak has become faded. We need to brighten up our faith, we need to have a fresh understanding of who we are and what we do. To do this we have to do something, just as if we have to paint a room, we have to do it. We then look at what we can get involved with, a bible study, a evangelical outreach to the un-churched, helping in the Sunday school, visiting somebody housebound, you will be amazed what a difference it will make to you. You will bring a freshness to yourself which others will enjoy through you. In doing this you will brighten up the lives of others.

Be encouraged today to do something for Jesus you have never done before.

David

Point to ponder: We need to be doing.

Question to consider:  Do you need a paint job?

Our webpage: www.chf.yolasite.com

World rulers

5 February 2011

1 Corinthians 2:8 None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

World rulers are the same as they were at the time of Paul, there are certain people who thrive on being able to control others and to be seen as important by others. It starts off in small ways and slowly through the influence of others and success in getting what they want they move up the ladder of success. Some choose to be politicians, some choose to be in industry, commerce, no matter what form of leadership there is always the desire to control others. A leader becomes a ruler when the way of control is bound by rules and which are then enforceable on others.

The tragedy of the world today is that the leadership of the world and its rulers have still not understood who Jesus Christ is, they may have been exposed to church teaching, but they have not included the reality of Jesus Christ in their world view. When we review history we find that this has been an ongoing error rulers throughout the age have committed, they incorporate Christian views in order to maintain control, but do not submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in those views.

We too need to be cautious about how we influence others in order to control what they do and how they do it, sometimes we use rules to enforce others to do things. We often have a deep desire to ensure others conform to us, rather than be transformed into the ways Christ wants. Christian leadership is not exempt from the temptations faced by world rulers.

Be encouraged today to pray for our world rulers that they may understand who the Lord of glory is.

David

Point to ponder: World rulers lack understanding.

Question to consider:  Do you pray for your rulers?

Our webpage: www.chf.yolasite.com