Living in Grace

30 November 2011

1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God which is with me.

It is sometimes in our imperfections that we has our greatest impact, not only what I am good at but also that which I am bad at, makes me who I am. So yes, I talk to much, but can I also care to much? When we realise that when we make mistakes we learn more than when we don’t, (we then actually have learnt something). In the same way we all have our pet issues, what gets us up in the morning and so on, they are not necessarily the issues of that others have.  

So sometimes I say things without forethought or malice, it’s out my mouth and I can never take it back. So when you are up a tree and cutting branches, you learn quickly that if you cut the branch a certain way it falls accordingly, a person below will shout advice and comment, but they are not up the tree doing it. So you learn it is better not to give advice from below the tree to the person actually doing the job.

Each and everyone of us has faults, areas where we can improve, with age though one learns that sometimes it is better to just chill and let things go with the flow. In the Bible we call this grace, because when we stick to the rules we have law, judgement and criticism, constantly needing confession and forgiveness, but with grace we are all OK!!!

Be encouraged today to just allow grace to abound in all things.

David

Point to ponder: God’s grace is sufficient.  

Question to consider: Do you live under grace?

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

Cut it out

29 November 2011.

Matthew 13:22  And that sown into the thorns is this: he who hears the Word; and the anxiety of this world, and the deceit of riches, choke the Word, and he becomes unfruitful.

Next to the thatch rooms there are three Jacaranda trees, below them are old Bougainvillea vines that over many years have grown into the trees. Much of the vine is dead growth and it hangs down in an entangled mess, when you walk passed the thorns hook, and at night it is even more scary. So yesterday the task of trimming this started, it is so entangled that it just has to be cut back rather than trimmed. It should not have been allowed to have so much free reign, as it is now a fire hazard and who knows what else.

I suppose we also allow things to carry on for too long until it chokes us and becomes an eternal fire hazard. Some things start out so pretty, and it looks and feels so good, until one day you realise that it is no longer so pretty and because of it you feel dead inside. We all need to be more aware of the things that choke our relationship with Jesus Christ. When the pretty things around us and the things that we like stop us from worshipping God we need to cut it out. Sometimes we find that God comes along and does this for us, because He cares.

Be encouraged today to cut out the things that are choking your relationship with Jesus.

  

David

  

Point to ponder: Hell is an eternal fire hazard.

Question to consider: What chokes your relationship with Jesus?

Our webpage: www.chf.yolasite.com

Today is precious

28 November 2011.

Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days, so that we may bring a heart of wisdom.

Age does not necessary express wisdom, neither experience. As a person ages so we look back on what we have achieved and this then becomes the focus as we slowly allow the days we still have to pass us by. When we number our days and then look forward to what we can still do, then we realise how precious life is and there is still much to do.

The very heart of wisdom is to seek the righteousness of God, to do the right thing that pleases God. What pleases God is to do those things that are right, just and loving. This starts by planning your day, planning what you still need to do to please God, rather than just sitting talking about what you used to do. Now is the time to plan and start doing. You do things when you get involved, when you commit, when you understand that each day you have must be precious. Live each day as if it was your last, live each day mindful that you need to have used your time wisely, that is the heart of wisdom.

Be encouraged to be wise and treat your time as precious.

  

David

  

Point to ponder: Today is precious.

Question to consider: Are you a time waster?

Our webpage: www.chf.yolasite.com

Today is precious

New members make their pledges ... yes, we are growing St Mark's

28 November 2011.

Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days, so that we may bring a heart of wisdom.

Age does not necessary express wisdom, neither experience. As a person ages so we look back on what we have achieved and this then becomes the focus as we slowly allow the days we still have to pass us by. When we number our days and then look forward to what we can still do, then we realise how precious life is and there is still much to do.

The very heart of wisdom is to seek the righteousness of God, to do the right thing that pleases God. What pleases God is to do those things that are right, just and loving. This starts by planning your day, planning what you still need to do to please God, rather than just sitting talking about what you used to do. Now is the time to plan and start doing. You do things when you get involved, when you commit, when you understand that each day you have must be precious. Live each day as if it was your last, live each day mindful that you need to have used your time wisely, that is the heart of wisdom.

Be encouraged to be wise and treat your time as precious.

David

  

Point to ponder: Today is precious.

Question to consider: Are you a time waster?

Getting prepared

 Thanksgiving ... Men for the Master in song

25 November 2011.

Revelation 5:13-14  And every creature which is in Heaven, and in the earth, and underneath the earth, and the things that are on the sea, and the things in all of them, I heard saying: To Him sitting on the throne, and to the Lamb be the blessing and the honour and the glory and the might forever and ever. And the four living creatures said, Amen. And the twenty four elders fell down and worshiped the One living forever and ever.

Heaven is a prepared place for prepared people. Each of us has to be available in our time of preparation on earth to be exposed to what Jesus wants us to do, how to pray, how to worship and so on. So we need to study the Bible in order to be prepared and that implies actually putting into practise that which we study. The difference between knowing your Bible and doing what you know is vast, even the devil knows the Bible well, and he refuses to implement it.

As Christians we need to be doing more, and in doing more, learn more from personal experience rather than studying someone else’s experience. All you have to do is, ‘just do it’. The more we practise being Christian the more prepared we become. So we practise worship on earth in the presence of people so that when we are in heaven we worship with angels. Our practise field starts in our home, then to the church and then to the whole world, when we have practised enough heaven is our next goal.

Be encouraged today to start being prepared for heaven.

  

David

  

Point to ponder: Heaven is a place for prepared people.

Question to consider: Are you doing it?

Seeking everlasting food

24 November 2011.

John 6:27  Do not labour for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give to you; for God the Father sealed this One.

The teachings of Jesus are simple, and not complicated. Instead of us focusing on the important things of live, we spend our lives putting food on the table. We become caught in the trivialities of life instead of enjoying the simplicity of life. We are all looking it seems for some religious formula instead of simply accepting and trusting God. It is in seeking a relationship with Jesus Christ that we are spiritually fed.

The more we labour in our relationship with Jesus, the deeper our relationship becomes, the more we trust God. So often we are distracted by the things around that we forget that God is our Provider. We need to develop a habit of talking to Jesus in the day just as we would talk to a trusted friend.

Be encouraged today to labour at your relationship with Jesus.

  

David

  

Point to ponder: Entrust your life completely to God.

Question to consider: Do you trust God?

God conscious

23 November 2011.

Psalm 121:5   Jehovah is the One keeping you; Jehovah is your shade on your right hand.

We all need to be reminded of the reality of the presence of God in our lives. Just as we all have a shadow, and where we go our shadow goes, so God goes with us. At present I am in Kokstad in East Griqualand, staying on the foothill of Mount Curry, it is dry and the rainfall for November is way below what it should be. I have been asked today to pray for rain at a farmers meeting, in order to ask God to break the drought.

What’s so special about me and why should I pray? Most of these farmers want the rain, but do not go to church, but they still believe in Jesus and need to come into a relationship with Him. If Jesus lives with you, moves with you, then surely you should believe that He knows you need rain? When we live our lives excluding Jesus, it is like living and never noticing your shadow. We need to know and believe that where we go, God goes with us.

Be encouraged today to be conscious that God is with you no matter what.

David

  

Point to ponder: God is always with you.

Question to consider: Are you conscious of the presence of God?

No volunteers please

Luke 12:31  But seek the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you.

To be asked to do something for the church you attend no matter how menial is the greatest honour that could be given to a Christian. There are no volunteers in God’s kingdom, only those who follow and accept Jesus Christ as King. The Church is the Kingdom of God on earth and so we learn to follow and obey here on earth, this is not a learnt after we die, but a lesson we have to learn while we still have breathe on earth.

When we follow Christ, we follow where He leads; this leadership is reflected in those whom He has ordained to lead His Church. It is vitally important then that the church leadership should be following where Jesus is leading, rather than expecting Jesus to follow. To do this the leadership must be focused on prayer, fasting, meditation of Scripture seeking God’s Kingdom first, and in faith all other things will be added to them.As followers of Jesus Christ we walk in His way, we may stumble, we may lose our footing, but He is with us as a lamp to our feet.

Be encouraged today to be a follower of Jesus Christ

David

Point to ponder: We are called to follow Jesus Christ

Question to consider: Are you a follower?

Our webpage: www.chf.yolasite.com

Join the world in prayer

An Iranian Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani faces execution at any moment for refusing to renounce his faith in Christ.

This Prayer Chain is calling ALL Christians into action NOW on behalf of this Iranian pastor, who faces execution!

Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani never practiced the Muslim faith and converted to Christianity at age 19, becoming a pastor later. But the courts say that since his mother and father were practicing Muslims, he must recant his Christian faith or die. So far, in three court appearances, he has refused to do so - RISKING EXECUTION AT ANY MOMENT. The Iranian Supreme Court often acts quickly in administering the death penalty.

According to a report, when asked by judges to "repent," Yousef replied: "Repent, What should I return to? To the blasphemy that I had before my faith in Christ?"

The judges replied: "To the religion of your ancestors - Islam." To which Yousef replied: "I cannot."

It's time for the body of Christ to act, to pray, to plead for the life of our Brother before Christ so that His servant may be spared.

This is what you are asked/called to do. As soon as you receive this email, PRAY IMMEDIATELY. Then call your pastor, your deacons and the people of your Church so that they may all pray too. Then forward this PRAYER REQUEST to every CHRISTIAN you know so that they may pray also.

The  Bible  States , "If God is with us, who can stand against us."

Jesus is King

1Timothy 1:17  Now to the King eternal, incorruptible, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Jesus is King! This weekend most congregations celebrated that Jesus is King, also we sometimes do not realise that there is such unity within the church. Just as Father, Son and Holy Spirit are One so we in the Church should be one, one with God and one with one another. This should also be seen amongst us as the body of Christ, in our homes and all the places we go to. 

When we are united in our thinking, united in our activity, it makes such a difference. We then are working as a team for Jesus Christ, and are then able to achieve the goals set in scripture, when we are divided and disjointed. It is the same in our homes and what we do; we need to be together to work and live productive lives. To be united requires a freedom to choose and be included, not to just be told what to do and then expect this to happen.

Be encouraged today to be united in your thinking and in your doing.

David

Point to ponder: Be one in

Question to consider: Do you see yourself as a team player for Jesus Christ

Our webpage: www.chf.yolasite.com

The Love of work

18 November 2011

2 Timothy 2:6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.

Post Industrialisation and the economic system today has developed an expectation that people obtain employment and jobs within the economic system, which in reality is controlled by corporate business and government. Work is not seen as employment neither as a job, it is something one does rather than who one is. Many people are employed, they do a job, but do they actually work. When one works the result is the production of something, we work the land the result is a harvest. The true value of work is the profit; the profit is paid by those receiving the benefit.

Many people today are looking for a job, yet nobody stops a person from working for oneself. One works making a garden, doing things wherein we see a result of the work itself. All countries today face the challenge of the one people looking for work, expecting to earn a living, looking to the business sector, the government, anyone that will give them a job. They have lost hope, they have missed the point and have been misled and misguided, they want to work, but do not want to put their hand to a plough. As a Christian we understand that our provision comes from God, and there is no work that is beneath us, whether we cut grass or sweep, or design the space shuttle, we do it knowing that it will be blessed and provide for our needs.

Be encouraged today not to look and be concerned about the world and its problems, look only to Jesus Christ.

David

Point to ponder: Work is a gift from God.

Question to consider: Do you do a job or do you actually work?

Our webpage: www.chf.yolasite.com

Stand up for Jesus

17 November 2011

Matthew 5:11 "Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Claiming to be a Christian and actually being a Christian is no always the same thing. The presumption that we often make is that all the people we see are the same as us. So when we see someone on the TV or in the media we make presumptions about them which leads us to conclude in our own minds what kind of person they may be. Good people do not go to heaven, only those who know Jesus Christ and are doing what He expects of them. No person is able through their own ability to please God, irrespective of who that person is or what faith they follow, the only way to please God is to believe in His Son Jesus Christ and to listen to Him.

In South Africa this problem is compounded by the freedom of religion where we see a person on TV acting as a Christian but is actually in real life a practising witch. The result is that we must become far more aware of who we are in Christ and the need to portray what Christ expects us to all the time. We just do not have the capacity to let our guard down, we are in a spiritual battlefield, wherever we find ourselves. With time this is not going to get easier, and the battle is soon to intensify, the Christian reserves trained and must be ready for battle are those who are in the pews today. We need to stand up for Jesus, bearing our banners of faith, carrying the cross of salvation to all we meet, no matter who and no matter what the cost.

Be encouraged today to be a Christian soldier ready to sacrifice our lives for Him.

David

Point to ponder: We are called to be faithful to Christ.  

  

Question to consider: Are you loyal to Jesus Christ?

Jesus today

16 November 2011

Matthew 28:19-20  Then having gone, disciple all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things, whatever I commanded you. And, behold, I am with you all the days until the completion of the age. Amen.

What kind of a day do you expect to have today? Some days seem to start off with certain expectations, while others seem to be just like every other day then turning out to be totally different. I think many of our experiences influence the expectations and we get what we expect. So what are you expecting to happen today?

We are supposed to live our lives with the expectation that Jesus Christ is returning today, not sometime in the future but today. So each day must be lived with the purpose and expectation that we would be found being busy doing what Jesus would be expecting us to do. So what is Jesus expecting you to be busy doing?

Be encouraged today to be busy doing what Jesus expects of you.

David

Point to ponder: Jesus is coming.

Question to consider: Are you ready?

Christ's voice in scriptures

15 November 2011

John 16:1 "I have said all this to you to keep you from falling away.

When we read the Bible we are inclined to read it from the context that we are almost eavesdropping, listening to a conversation of which we are the witness but not necessary the person being spoken to. The result of this is that we read and study and understand what was being said at that time and not actually realising that we are the persons to whom Jesus is addressing right now. If we believe that what was said could not be unsaid, and that Jesus is the same today as He was yesterday and will be the same tomorrow, then His words have to be applicable to us today. He teaches us with the same words that He taught the Disciples, they are simply recorded in the Scripture.

If this is the case all that Jesus has said and is recorded in Scripture, and the additional teaching from the Holy Spirit is meant for your ears. The more open our ears the more we will understand, the less likely we are to fall away from the teaching we have received from Jesus Christ. Keeping in mind that all that we are being taught with regard to our Christian faith must be rooted in the words of Jesus Christ. If there is no root back to Christ then it is rooted in the words of men and not of God.

Be encouraged today to listen to His Word, it will keep you from falling away.

David

Point to ponder: Jesus speaks to you through Scripture.  

  

Question to consider: Do you accept that Jesus speaks to you?

Simple

14 November 2011

Matthew 13:45-46 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls,who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it..

Simplicity is an important part of life, the simpler we do things, the more practical it is to do it. The better you do something does not make it simpler, all we have to do is watch children and celphones, the are able to work those phones, but it does not make it simple. When we need to be encouraged and lifted up it is often best if it is simple and easily understood. The worst compliment is the one have to first think if it is one.

In the same way when our faith is simple, uncomplicated trust, it far easier to apply, than to listen to someone else making it complicated. 

The simple truth is that God loves you, He has always loved you and will not stop loving you. You are His pearl, you are His lost coin, You are His and He sold everything He had and bought you His treasure at a great price. It is just simple you belong to God, you simply have to believe it! So if you belong to Him and He loves YOU do you not think that He wants to be with you all the time and in all the places you find yourself in? Of course you need to wonder if He is happy being in some of the places you go to and with some of the people you mix with and some of the things that you do or say. We need to be simply reminded that where we are Jesus is.

Be encouraged today to be simple, and seek the simplicity in life.

David

Point to ponder: You are the pearl.  

Question to consider: Do you make things complicated?

Dates

11 November 2011

Lamentations 3:22-23 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness..

Some people have a fascination for numbers, and that brings all sorts of speculations and thoughts together. Today is the 11:11:11 and because of this people think that there should be some significance. Biblically there is no basis for this kind of speculation simply because God gives us a new day every morning and every new day is filled with His blessings. The peace treaty that ended the First World War was signed on the 11 November at 11:11, and it was hoped that this would have meaning and so would end all future wars. History proved this wrong.

We all have our own days that has special meaning and we need to be reminded of them, the most important being the date of Easter. The sad part is that the Church is divided on this issue and every effort should be made to agree on a single date.

Be encouraged today to enjoy every new day, it is God’s gift to mankind.

David

Point to ponder: Today belongs to you.  

Question to consider: Do you make the most of your day?

Worth of others

10 November 2011

Corinthians I 4:3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.

Today we find that many people want to study to be auditors, lawyers, managers and so on, the go to school and university with a piece of paper that gives them entrance into the profession of their choice. This kind of employment is does not lead them to know how to actually do a job, they are trained to be able to control others who actually do the work. They are often like swimming coaches who have never actually been in the water. This also applies to many Christians who have studied all there is to know about Christianity, its history, the doctrines yet they have never actually gone out into the real world and practised what they know. Yet they are very quick to judge others that actually do.

We all need to be accountable, we all need responsibility, we all need management and mentorship, we need this in our homes, our places of work and even in the church. Whether we are in management or just a simple worker, we need to always to be reminded that communication and promotion of the worth of others is an essential element in developing trusting relationships. When we judge others by rules we become despots, when we have no rules we are then forced to stop judging. The world is full of rules, thank God in His Kingdom, Jesus fulfilled them all on our behalf, so we are only judged by the way we love each other.

Be encouraged today to promote the worth of others.

David

Point to ponder: We determine the worth of others.  

  

Question to consider: Do you hurt others with your thoughts and words?

Clear minded

9 November 2011

1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore keep sane and sober for your prayers. Above all hold unfailing your love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.

There are so many movies currently about the end of the world, some with fire, some with ice, some with earthquakes and so on. There are almost no films about the second coming of our Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. Even now people still predict when the world will end, whether they be scientists, theologians, or any other guessing person, it still all remains speculation.

Every day we see the end of things, and a time will be coming when all things will be at an end, the question to be asked and answered is this, ‘whose business will you be doing when that day arrives?’ Will it be our heavenly Father’s, the worlds or our own. So we need be thinking clearly and not drawn into speculation, we must also be sensible and keep on praying. We are either a friend of Jesus or His enemy, and as a friend we do what He wants us to do, simply to love, to be constant in that love. We may not always be perfect, but the love we do have perfects us.

Be encouraged today to be clear minded and to love one another.

David

Point to ponder: Love covers a multitude of sins. 

Question to consider: Are you clear minded?

Christmas values

8 November 2011

Psalms 1:1-2 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Holidays are not always good times, but this holiday was great times. It is wonderful to see for the first time so many whales in one place, there must have been at least ten even possibly twenty whales off Warner Beach on the south coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal. When they are not being killed and are protected they soon start to grow in numbers and so become less endangered. In the same way if we could protect the Rhino what a difference that would make, the tragedy is that like all things greed and lust for power will always play a role. Both in the case of the whales and the rhino, the end market is the Far East, and those governments are simply not willing to do anything. Besides that, the holiday was great.

If we believe that something is of value then we need to protect it and keep it safe. We know that rhino and whales need our help and protection, but there are also other things closer to home that needs it as well. The first is the protection of our Christian values and the need to place those values as important to all of us. Without this basic the world will quickly become an even worse place to live in. So as Christians I say thank you to you all, you make this world a better place.

Be encouraged today to be the great Christian you are.

David

Point to ponder: Protect our Christian values.  

  

Question to consider: Do you promote Christian values?