So sad it's Christmas

20  December  2012           

Matthew 2:13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him."

I was reminded yesterday that there are those who find Christmas a very difficult time. This is maybe because the pain of memories of loved ones that have passed away, broken relationships that refuse to heal, and an empty heart looking for someone to love. Made more complicated when poverty is aggravated by charity, and a poor lonely person with nothing to give, is given a meaningless gift at a table of food to appease the consciousness of someone that has everything while they are unable to give anything in return.

So when we come to Christmas we need to mindful of the memories and situations of others who are in their own place and space, yet we still reach out not with what we have but what Jesus has given us; love. Rather a dry piece of bread eaten in peace than a bountiful meal eaten in anger. In my own situation this is also a time of reminding myself of those who loved me that are no longer with me, and I remember them with a heart that longs to see them again.

Be encouraged today to be the hope of Christmas for others with love.

 

David

Point to ponder: Our family includes those who belong to Jesus.

Question to consider: Is the message of Jesus with you at Christmas?

Carols

19 December  2012    

        

Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!"

Yesterday I prepared the carols with the words all printed in a larger font so that some of us will be able to read them without using reading glasses, so that tomorrow night when we meet at Norwood Mall all is well. I find it so exciting to be doing something out of the ordinary, to come together with others, some you know and some you do not, but the beauty is, is that they all now Jesus. Now that’s cool.

This is the truth about Christmas it brings people together, it brings unity in the family and joy in fellowship. So we come together, to celebrate and just be with each other, to sit and watch the children play, what peace.

Be encouraged today to make a plan to come together as a family and in fellowship with others.

 

David

Point to ponder: Christmas brings people together.

Question to consider: What is Christmas for you.?

Labels

14 December  2012    

        

2 Corinthians 11:13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.

Do you read the labels and then trust that what is in the container is the same that is on the label? Now if you have a spray bottle in the kitchen and it tells you that it is cleaner ‘X’ which is a detergent safe to use on the comforter that you want to clean spots off, will you not just use it? Then when you have used it you find out that this had been emptied and filled with oven cleaner, it becomes a little bit of a problem. So when you change the contents of the bottle, make sure that what is in it, is visible to others, never presume they know.

In the same way we get different kinds of churches which on the outside and according to their label they claim to be Christian and claim to follow the correct apostolic doctrines based on the Bible. Yet when you come across the contents they are simply not what they claim to be. The test of the product is how close it is to what it claims it can be, and that what they claim to do, they do. The claim of a true Christian is that they love God and show this by pleasing God through loving one another.

Be encouraged today to make sure that your label is true to you.

 

David

Point to ponder: Be what you claim to be.

Question to consider: Do you wear false labels?

Back to Basics

13 December  2012       

     

2 Corinthians 5:15 And he died for all, that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Many of us have moved on in our lives and careers and we often forget the basics of what we learnt when we started out. When I wrote an exam for an Honours degree I was caught by surprise when the questions asked were that in a first year undergraduate exam,  I did not do well. So many of us have forgotten the basics, we know the fancy stuff which makes us feel good, but somehow we’ve lost it.

In the same way as Christians we have lost the basics, we loose the true message in the hype of doctrines and church politics. The simple truth is we need a Saviour, and He calls us to repentance, when we are filled with the Holy Spirit we are filled to be witnesses of His saving grace in our lives. He was born to this purpose and He died to this purpose and He rose from the dead to this purpose, and He is coming again to finally fulfil this purpose. The question is as a Christian have you forgotten the basics.

Be encouraged today to be mindful of the basics that brought you to salvation.

 

David

Point to ponder: Get back to basics.

Question to consider: Basically why do you celebrate Christmas?

Born to be Saviour

12 December  2012        

    

Matthew 1:20-21 But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

The purpose and life of Jesus had one plan and that was to fulfil that which He came to do, to save His people from their sins. In doing this His earthly life was lived in this purpose and this purpose was that of the Father, because of the Father’s love He gave us His Son. Every time we think of Christmas we should think of the greatest gift that God the Father gave us- His Son.

As we spend time in thought and preparation for Christmas let us give thought of God’s great love for each of us, and because of that we are saved from the consequences of our sins. Jesus was born to be saviour of you and I.

Be encouraged today to receive the blessed gift of Jesus in your life.

 

David

Point to ponder: Jesus is the only Savour of mankind.

Question to consider: Is Jesus your Saviour?

Born to be Saviour

12 December  2012       

     

Matthew 1:20-21 But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

The purpose and life of Jesus had one plan and that was to fulfil that which He came to do, to save His people from their sins. In doing this His earthly life was lived in this purpose and this purpose was that of the Father, because of the Father’s love He gave us His Son. Every time we think of Christmas we should think of the greatest gift that God the Father gave us- His Son.

As we spend time in thought and preparation for Christmas let us give thought of God’s great love for each of us, and because of that we are saved from the consequences of our sins. Jesus was born to be saviour of you and I.

Be encouraged today to receive the blessed gift of Jesus in your life.

David

Point to ponder: Jesus is the only Savour of mankind.

Question to consider: Is Jesus your Saviour?

Silent Christmas

11 December  2012      

      

Luke 2:10-11 And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.

One of the saddest things today is the lack of courage to express the Christian faith in public for fear of offending people who are not Christians. Now this may seem to be politically correct allowing other faiths to co-exist in the community, but if you live in a country like Iran, you do not have the same freedom as a Christian. Slowly around the world the message of Christmas has been replaced with Santa Claus and happy holidays.

The humble birth of a baby boy Jesus in a stable in Bethlehem to Mary, and the freedom that Jesus gave the world is lost because Christians are afraid to offend. The name of Jesus was a stumbling block to the Jew and all unbelievers, it still is and will always be.

Most shopping centres and certain shops have no reference to Jesus, neither does the music playing in them. It is all about white Christmas and jingle bells and Christmas trees.

Sadly we have allowed commercial practises to give us Christmas bargains, specials on turkeys and beer at discount prices, Christmas trees. The message of Jesus Christ that He brought to this world has been betrayed by the silence of choirs singing in the streets and ‘silent night’ has become a silent Christmas. Mouths filled with Christmas cheer rather than the praises of Jesus Christ the Saviour of the world.

 David

Point to ponder: Jesus will always be the only Saviour of this world.

Question to consider: Are you in the streets singing praises to the new born King?

Christmas carols in the Mall

PLEASE JOIN US AS WE SING CAROLS AT

THE NORWOOD MALL, NORWOOD

JOHANNESBURG

THURSDAY 20 December 2012

18-30 TO 19-30.

WE NEED TO SING FOR JESUS.

WE NEED YOU TO COME HELP US

MAKE A STAND FOR JESUS.

ALL ARE WELCOME.

LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE ABLE, ALSO LET OTHERS KNOW.

DAVID

Peace in the home

10 December  2012  

          

Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!"

Some families are loving, supportive and kind, while others seem to be hateful, inconsiderate and unkind, what is it that seems to be the difference. To over simplify may be incorrect, yet for those that observe these matters the common denominator is either selfishness and disrespect or selflessness and respect. When members of a family live to please themselves it results in the negativity.

Often over Christmas these tendencies become more observable and results in families coming together to eat and party and when selfishness raises its head with the accompanying disrespect for desert, arguments are inevitable. Christmas is a reminder that God loves us and as a result gave us Jesus. Jesus is the perfect example of putting another person first, to respect that person no matter what, and so bring the joy of unity in all. In the same way we should strive to do the same.

Be encouraged today to be respectful and selfless.

 

David

Point to ponder: Jesus loves peace in our families.

Question to consider: Are you a product of a warring family?

God exists

7 December  2012

 

Hebrews 11:5-6 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was attested as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

With God all things are possible, but with man many things are impossible. It is impossible for us to please men, no matter what we do there will always be somebody that has some criticism, or a bad attitude no matter how good our intentions. Yet we are drawn to please others and so build up a positive image of ourselves based on how we please others, no matter how impossible it may be.

Yet when it comes to God it is possible to please Him, we please God by believing that He exists and He rewards us when we seek Him. It is that simple. As we live we need to ask ourselves, ‘are we pleasing God by doing what we do, by saying what we say?’ When we make a decision do we consider whether the consequence of that decision will please God? It is bringing God foremost in what we do that allows us to seek Him, to seek Him in every thing that is who we are.

Be encouraged today to believe God exists and that we live to please Him.

 

David

Point to ponder: God exists.

Question to consider: Do you live to please God?

What has God promised you?

6 December  2012

 

Romans 8:37-39 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

What are the promises for you that you find in the Bible? It is these promises made that clarifies the will of God for you. Now these promises have been made and have already been fulfilled, all we have to do is claim and proclaim them in our lives.

This does not mean that we will not be challenged or that we will never have problems nor crisis’s what is does mean is that in these do we claim and proclaim them as if they had already happened. These promises are given to us so that we understand that God has already provided according to His word. The question is you either believe it and living it, or you don’t. When we do not we simply live in unbelief not believing the promises of God.

So when things go wrong where do we turn to the world and its therapies or to God and His promise for you? When we believe God we are more than conquerors.

Be encouraged today to believe the promise God has made you.

 

David

Point to ponder: God’s promises are true.

Question to consider: Do you really believe God?

Christmas Marketing

5 December  2012

 

Luke 2:10-11 And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.

For many Christians it is accepted that Jesus was not born on the 25^th of December, having said that it does not stop them from remembering the night He was born of the virgin Mary and of His early life in a manger. Just as then as it is now many people around the world have no room in their hearts for Him. When we look around us with the marketing in shops and TV we see clearly almost no reference to Jesus Christ other than the word Christmas. Teddy bears and Santa now dominate, and the real joy of the true Christmas message is lost to the world.

When we in our preparation for this holy and special time, remembering that God came in the form of little Baby boy, born to Mary, so that He may bring salvation to us and overcome death for us, we need to mindful of this time. It is so sad that the Church and the people of the Church have been silenced by the world at this time. Yet we have our voice which is able to still sing carols and bring true joy to others through the Gospel.

Be encouraged to bring Jesus back into Christmas, its His birthday party after all.

 

David

Point to ponder: It is Jesus’ birthday party.

Question to consider: What is Christmas to you?

Kingdom Prayer

4 December  2012

 

Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.

When people are used to getting their own way, they tend to do what pleases them and then expect everyone else to be happy with what they have done. This often results in them making decisions in the same way resulting in the repetition of the result. When the result is pleasing to them, they will just use the same principle, when the result is not pleasing they will always rationalise and place the blame elsewhere.

It is strange how many people who have almost no relationship with Jesus will still want prayer in regards to a decision, make the decision anyway, and then say when it has a bad result that the cannot understand what went wrong because they ‘prayed’. When we chase dreams and look for our prosperity in and through the world, we cannot expect Jesus to bless what will be eventually harmful to us and our families. So we pray before we decide, we pray before we need an answer, we first seek a relationship with Jesus. Jesus is not Someone to take for granted and to bless us without first seeking His will for us.

Be encouraged today to be in a prayer relationship with Jesus.

 

David

Point to ponder: Seek Jesus first.

Question to consider: Are you in a prayer relationship with Jesus?

Critical

3 December  2012

 

Luke 6:37-38 "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back."

To love someone in the name of Jesus Christ is not the same as to love a family member or even sometimes a like minded church member. To love some one as Jesus would allows us to see them as Jesus would and not as we want to. So when a person is a Buddhist we do not condemn them and their family because that is what the belief they were born into, no we simply lead them to Jesus showing them the love that Jesus has for them and the Bible.

Far to often we judge and criticise others with an expectation that in doing so they will conform to our ways, and we believe that our way is the only way. Yet Jesus is Shepherd to many sheep and not all sheep are the same or even have the same needs. So when we want to love some one in the name of Jesus we must listen first to the voice of the Shepherd and not the sheep.

Be encouraged to love others as Jesus would not as you would like.

 

David

Point to ponder: Love the Shepherd.

Question to consider: Are you critical of others?

Jesus Man

30 November  2012       

    

2 John 1:7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, men who will not acknowledge the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh; such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.

Somebody said to me yesterday that Jesus Christ was an alien, now this at first offended me as I am sure it would offend you. But coming to think about it from the point of view of world opinion not only is Jesus alien to the ways of the world but so am I. We are in this world but not of this world.

There are also those that describe God as a genderless being, ethereal and entirely without form, allowing an individual to describe God as they may choose. Yet strikingly enough throughout the Bible God is described in the masculine, Jesus Christ is fully man, flesh and blood man, circumcised on the eight day. He died as a man and was resurrected in the body that was crucified with all the wounds, He ate and slept, with the disciples after He was resurrected. He was fully man and He was fully God, when we see God as a Christian we see Jesus Christ. For if you see Jesus, you see the Father. Yet God is also Spirit, the Holy Spirit and it is this Spirit that dwells in man, making man one with the Father and with the Son in the power of the Holy Spirit. United and one as God is one.

Be encouraged today to realise that you are an alien in this world.

  

David

Point to ponder: Jesus is full man.

Question to consider: How do you describe God?

For sale

29 November 2012

1 Corinthians 9:18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in my preaching I may make the gospel free of charge, not making full use of my right in the gospel. 


Over the past few weeks we have been caring for the English Bulldog puppies and all six of them have shown distinctive traits and their loving natures. Now comes the crunch when you have to sell them. You just cannot sell them, as they are registered with all the KUSA requirements and the price to a certain extent is controlled by the value placed on them by organisations such as the Bulldog Club. But no matter the price, it is hard to see them go to other homes.

In some ways when we preach and teach the Gospel it is like giving somebody else something precious, which cost Jesus Christ all, just so that we might be able to bring His salvation to others. I wonder how many people realise how precious is the gift of life that Jesus has given us. So no matter how precious the message we are never able to put a price on it, because Jesus gave it to us free, so we freely give it to others. we cannot put a price on it like puppies, but we are able to be aware that it cost Jesus His suffering and life.

Be encouraged today to be aware that the Gospel is not for sale.

David

Point to ponder: The Gospel is for free.

Question to consider: To whom have you given the Gospel?

The in box

28 November  2012  

         

Proverbs 6:11 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a vagabond, and want like an armed man.

What I like about this time of the year is the thoughts of what has been achieved and looking ahead to next year with the promise of new opportunities. It is also the time where one clears the thoughts of the past and to allow oneself to dream of things that just maybe. One can get caught in the trap of the old ways and all the old negative thoughts or you can just take all of that captive and bring them as hostages to the feet of Jesus Christ.

It is like sitting at the desk, untidy with an overfull and neglected in-box, and then you start to sort it out, the bills one side, letters the other, filing in the files. With a little time and some organisation, the desk is neat and the in-box is empty. When I worked in the corporate world my ideal in life was to keep my in-box empty and some else’s full. In the same way when it comes to our Christian life we keep moving all the things that choke up our thinking either into the rubbish bin or we move into Jesus’ in-box. That way we find our thinking is neater and the opportunities even greater.

Be encouraged today to keep your in-box moving and the your mind tidy.

 

David

Point to ponder: Allow Jesus to control your in-box.

Question to consider: Is your desk as cluttered as your mind?

Prayer Power

27 November  2012    

       

Matthew 21:22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.

One must never under estimate the power of prayer and the resultant answers. We needed rain, so we prayed and we had lovely rain, a good soaking 45mm and this has filled the dam to half. We received a bill for rates from the local municipality, and on approaching them this will be reversed as we are still exempt from paying rates. We are reviewing all aspects of VAT and making sure what the right option is. So in all these things we see and consider how Jesus is answering our daily prayers.

When we really think about it, we start to realise that even before we pray Jesus is aware of our every need. So why should it be even surprising when prayers are answered? When we pray with the expectation that our prayers will be answered it changes our concept of prayer and it builds our expectations which in turn grows our faith that God answers prayer.

Be encouraged today to pray with expectation for those things that are on your heart.

 

David

Point to ponder: Jesus answers prayer.

Question to consider: Do you pray with expectation or doubt?

Authority

Joyful thanksgiving service at St \mark's on Sunday

 26 November  2012           

Matthew 8:9 For I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does it."

Under whose authority are you? Many people struggle with authority and most often they are rebellious which they are able to hide from those under whose authority they fall. Every person on earth is under the authority of God, and it is God who in His gracious wisdom has placed people in authority over others. sometimes we choose those we want to have in authority over us, other times it is chosen for us through circumstances we cannot control.

When we recognize that we are under the authority of Jesus, then we are accountable to Jesus and responsible for those things He has called us to be and do. Sometimes we need to recognize the authority of others over us at the place we work at and where we live. Our parents have authority over us and the way we respect their authority determines how our children will respect us. Authority must be respected, and the person with authority needs to use that authority with respect. Even Jesus recognized the authority of Pontius Pilate, so we too need to respect and understand authority in our lives.

Be encouraged today to recognise the authority of those around you.

David

Point to ponder: God assigns authority.

Question to consider: Under whose authority are you?

Taxes

23 November  2012           

Matthew 17:27 However, not to give offence to them, go to the sea and cast a hook, and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel; take that and give it to them for me and for yourself."

In this text the question of paying Temple tax came up, and in order to pay the tax Jesus Simon Peter on His instructions went and caught the fish, just as he was told to do. So we understand that as Christians we pay our taxes and we trust that God will guide us in how to do this. Here at Linga Longa we pay VAT and up until now because we are a church we have been exempt from paying rates to the local authority. Yesterday we got a bill to pay.

This is difficult and when you have not budgeted for something, so when it comes out of the blue, it would be wonderful to go fishing and find that fish with a gold coin in its mouth so we too could pay the rates. So as we go through life, we all need to be able to handle the unexpected and the challenges that this brings. Some things we are able to control and others not, so in simple faith we rise to the challenge trusting that God will provide.

Be encouraged today to trust God in all things.

David

Point to ponder: Even Jesus paid tax.

Question to consider: Are you able to handle the unexpected?

Blessed rain

22 November  2012          

Psalms 65:12-13 The pastures of the wilderness drip, the hills gird themselves with joy, the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy.

Yesterday on the way into town, the person that has the watermelons pulled us over and was very concerned that we think that he is using all the water from the dam. At 08:10 the outside temperature was 31 degrees, and it was very hot, all I could say to him is that we all need to pray for rain, if the dam is dry only rain will fill it. We went on our way and the day just got hotter.

God is faithful and He does answer prayer, and late afternoon we had 20mm of good steady rain, enough to give the land a soaking, although it may not have filled the dam, it would have helped enormously. Last night we prayed and gave thanks for the rain. We continue to pray that we will have rain in its due season and that the dams will be full.

In the same way when our lives are dry and our spiritual dams are empty we need to pray that God will reign in us and refresh us with His Holy Spirit. So when we need it His Spirit that dwells in us will give us the strength and the energy to carry on, no matter what.

Be encouraged today to pray for God’s reign in our lives.

David

Point to ponder: God reigns.

Question to consider: Is it reigning in your life?

Pray for Rain

21 November  2012       

    

Matthew 5:44-45 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

One of the things that one learns in a rural community is the need for rain, not a couple of drops but a good steady shower that feeds the ground and causes things to grow. Hail, wind and a few drops of rain although a blessing is something which does not always help. When the dams are dry and rain passes by on each side of you, there is a tendency to become anxious and you ask the question why no rain? Yet the Bible tells us that it rains on the wicked as well as the righteous, and when we examine our hearts it has more to do with our relationship with God than the need for rain.

There are times when God answers prayer for rain, and we need rain here at Linga Longa, not only for us but for large areas in Limpopo where very little rain has fallen this year. The tragedy of drought is something that brings hardship to many, and we all need to become more conscious of the precious value of water, not just when you do not have it. Maybe it isn’t raining in Limpopo because there are those who are not loving their enemies and praying for those who seem to be persecuting them? Just a thought.

Be encouraged today to pray for rain in Limpopo and other areas where rain has not yet properly fallen.

  

David

Point to ponder: God causes the rain to fall in its season.

Question to consider: Have you ever experienced drought?

Keep your word

20 November  2012    

       

Matthew 5:37 Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil.

One of the things that is a problem and will always be a problem is those people who say one thing and then do another. They will say and promise that they will come to visit, and then they never do, they promise to keep in touch, yet even as you hear the words you know in your heart that they do not mean it. How often are there people who say that they are Kingdom children, yet their word has no value.

When we say something, we do what we say, even if it is going to be harder than we thought, it also means giving up what we are doing and then do what we promised to do. A liar is a person who speaks from a heart of untruth, and when we say something we need to be conscious of what we say. For when we speak as Christians we speak with the heart of Jesus Christ and not our own, so we should be careful of what we promise to do.

Be encouraged today to be aware of the words of promise you utter.

 

David

Point to ponder: Let your yes be yes and your no be no.

Question to consider: Do you keep your word?