Patience

25 July 2012        


James 1:3-4 For you know that the testing of your faith produces patience. And let patience have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.


To make marmalade requires a oranges, lemons, sugar, effort in squeezing and slicing the fruit, and then the patience in boiling until it is ready to set, which may take 4 hours, before you then bottle. This time of the year is the time we make marmalade and it takes time. One cannot hurry the process, it just takes patience if you do you burn the pot. And at the beginning of this you need faith that you can make marmalade.


Just like many things in life one needs certain ingredients and then patience to see it through. Many people want to have the success yet expect this without the requirements and then expect the result immediately. Life is like fishing, often you have to sit and wait for the fish to bite the hook, it takes patience. The secret of success is patience, bosses come, bosses go, crisis comes, crisis goes, it is the attitude of patience that leads to perseverance and perseverance to success. And at the beginning of this you need faith that you can make a success. If I can make you believe you cannot do it, then I take away the faith that you need to be able to.


Be encouraged today to be patient, it is a wonderful blessing.


David


Point to ponder: Patience is a virtue.


Question to consider: Are you patient?

Patience

25 July 2012       

 

James 1:3-4 For you know that the testing of your faith produces patience. And let patience have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

To make marmalade requires a oranges, lemons, sugar, effort in squeezing and slicing the fruit, and then the patience in boiling until it is ready to set, which may take 4 hours, before you then bottle. This time of the year is the time we make marmalade and it takes time. One cannot hurry the process, it just takes patience if you do you burn the pot. And at the beginning of this you need faith that you can make marmalade.

Just like many things in life one needs certain ingredients and then patience to see it through. Many people want to have the success yet expect this without the requirements and then expect the result immediately. Life is like fishing, often you have to sit and wait for the fish to bite the hook, it takes patience. The secret of success is patience, bosses come, bosses go, crisis comes, crisis goes, it is the attitude of patience that leads to perseverance and perseverance to success. And at the beginning of this you need faith that you can make a success. If I can make you believe you cannot do it, then I take away the faith that you need to be able to.

Be encouraged today to be patient, it is a wonderful blessing.

 

David

 

Point to ponder: Patience is a virtue.

Question to consider: Are you patient?

Blue lights

24 July 2012      

  

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.

I do not know about you, but it seems that we receive so many emails and telephone calls that are just ways to gain access to our information to do evil against us. Policing of these just like policing anywhere is very difficult and sometimes the police are more guilty of breaking the law than upholding it. Justice often is not always dependant upon the State or of the law, but rather the attitude of those who uphold the law, usually you and I.

Upholding the law is a state of righteousness, not legalism which uses the law to control what others do. Justice is compliance with the law, every time a person flashing blue lights travels beyond the speed limit becomes a statement of disregard for the law and the legislative procedure, in the same way when we disregard the law when break the road rules. Every Christian irrespective of our station in life needs to seek that righteousness that upholds justice, mercy and grace including keeping the laws of the land. If being late was a crime in South Africa there would be more people in jail than on the streets, so being late is no crime at all, but being a law breaker is, even though hidden behind a blue light, or political position.

Be encouraged today to be righteous by upholding the law.

David

Point to ponder: God is watching.

Question to consider: Do you disregard the rules of the road?

A test of faith

20 July 2012       

 

James 2:22-23 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by works, and the scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness"; and he was called the friend of God.

Everyday is a test in our faith in whether we trust God in our situation or not, we may not even be conscious of such a test, in the routine and mundane. Yet when we need to rely not on our own strength but that of God in His provision, His protection, His compassion, faith becomes something that you cling to. For without it how do we respond, how do we trust when what we expect does not happen, it is in this continuing hope that God will be God in our lives that faith grows and strengthens.

Faith only grows when it is tested and strengthens through waiting in prayer on the Lord. When we say that we love and trust Jesus, it needs to be more than words, it must reflect in our daily lifestyle. When we begin planning a retreat, we plan in faith, when we plan to visit congregations we plan in faith. Without faith our works are meaningless and it is only through faith that we believe and trust in God whom we have never seen. Even though we may see no change, change has happened but its affects may not yet visible.

Be encouraged not to loose faith because it appears nothing has happened.

 

David

 

Point to ponder: Trust and have faith.

Question to consider: Do you see your faith tested?

Mission and Ministry

Rev. David Hutt

Weekend 3 to 4 August

Mission to St Margaret’s Anglican Church: Bedfordview; Johannesburg.

Mid-week Retreat 14 to 16 August

Rev Lihai Berckowitz will conduct a time of ministry and prayer starting at 14:00 on 14 August and completing at lunch on 16 August. Understanding the Judaic approach to prayer and the character of prayer in Christianity. All welcome

Friday evening 17 August

Rev Lihai Berckowitz will do a teaching on the Sabbath meal and prayers. A focus on the Judaic roots of our Christian faith. All welcome.

RETREATS LINGA LONGA

Weekend 3 to 4 August

A ministry retreat will be held: Intercession Retreat: Ruwach Yarah Prayer an expect 30 people will attend.

Weekend 17 to 19 August

A ministry retreat will be conducted by Rev David Hutt with the Methodist Men’s group on ‘How to be a man for Christ’ approx attendance will be 15 men.

Weekend 10 to 12 August

No booking as yet.

Weekend 24 to 26 August

A ministry retreat will be conducted by Rev David Hutt with the Harties Methodist group on ‘The healing of the family’ approx attendance of 40 people is expected.

Weekend 31August to 2 September

A ministry prayer retreat will be held by the Groenkloof N G Kerk

A legacy

19 July 2012     

   

Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Yesterday I conducted the memorial service of lady of nearly ninety three years of age, this took place at the church where I had been the minister for many years. This lady lived a life where all those that met her found her to be gentle, kind and considerate of others, what ever she did she did to the best of her ability. All those who knew her were influenced by her in some way to be a better person.

It is always sad the day when each of us go to sleep in the Lord. On that day how will those around us remember us, will it be with love and sadness or will it be with anger and bitterness. It is the life we live that counts, the way we respond to others no matter how they respond to us that makes the difference. A kind word will always turn away anger, an understanding response to a hurtful situation, and the gentleness of a forgiving heart. It is this that we are able to do, that makes that difference in the walk of life that we have with others.

Be encouraged today to be mindful of the legacy you leave others

 

David

 

Point to ponder: Gentle and kind is something we are all able to be.

Question to consider: How will people remember you?

Bread

17 July 2012  

      

John 6:35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.

Once a beggar walked past a bakery and found that each day some loaves of bread had been left on a dustbin outside in the back lane. He could not be happier and so from that time on, each day he found the bread. After a period of time he came across another beggar, this beggar was thin and nearly dead from starvation, so he told the other beggar where to find the bread to keep him from starvation.

Each of us are like a beggar and we wonder through life looking for the food of life, when one finds it, would we not share it with others who will die unless they too are given the food of life? So often we who have the Bread of Life (Jesus Christ) in our lives often do not bring others to that place where we are able to share what we have with others. Jesus said, ‘I am the bread of life, whoever eats of me shall never die but have eternal life.’ So as one beggar to another will we not share this bread with others?

Be encouraged today to show others where they will find the bread of Life.

  

David

 

Point to ponder: Jesus is our bread.

Question to consider: If you were starving would you share a crust with another?

Test me

16 July 2012   

     

Psalms 26:2 Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and my mind.

A good exercise to do each day is to spend time examining our hearts, we first examine in regard to what we have achieved, and then we examine those things we did that missed the intended goal or target. When we do so we ask the Holy Spirit to assist and guide us in what we have done to please God our Father, and that which we have done which has displeased Him. It is in this process of self examination that God reveals to us His purpose and goals for us and where we need to change.

To be proved is to be tested, to examine and provide a diagnosis of our condition, always to improve, to change, to encourage and to build up, it is never to break down or develop a negative attitude towards oneself or to others. Without our faith being tested is it faith? Without our courage being displayed in the battlefield of life, is it courage?  It is better to be tested on the training ground, or the peace in one’s home, than to be thrown to the wolves.

Be encouraged today to examine yourself with God’s grace.

 

David

 

Point to ponder: Rather let God test you than the devil tempt you.

Question to consider: Have you been tested?

Oppression

13 July 2012  

       

Luke 4:18-19 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."

There are times when we do not recognise the oppression that we live under, simply because it is so part of where we are. Oppression is not the same as depression, depression is often the result of oppression and when we are depressed we find that we examine ourselves rather than the situation we are in. Some people by their nature oppress others by their domineering ways, manipulation and coercion to get what they want, they use any means possible to dominate and so develop an oppressive environment wherein they seem to thrive. We find this in all places, work, politics, home, sports field, and when we know what to recognise we know what we are dealing with. Oppression is a controlling evil spirit which thrives through controlling people.

Once we break the binding of oppression the darkness is lifted and we find ourselves able to see again and have hope, and we are only able to do this through Jesus Christ who empowers us against this evil force. When a person is depressed we need to identify the oppressive situation that they are in, sometimes this may be clinical, but most times it is that the situation has stolen their hope, joy has been destroyed and love is cold. No person has the right to oppress another. Many managers are oppressive, thinking that they are assertive, and without realising it hurting those that report to them.

Be encouraged today to speak out about oppression in your own life and in others.

 

David

Point to ponder: Jesus sets us free from oppression.

Question to consider: Do you oppress others?

Problematic friends

12 July 2012   

     

Matthew 22:37-39 And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

In all of our circles of friends and family there are those who have different life styles to us, some who are so involved in themselves and their needs that everything turns around them. Even when they go to church it is not about what they can give to God, but rather what does the church service give to them. They speak the words of faith, sing the hymns but have never really understood that church is about a living relationship with Jesus Christ.

In fact to play the horses, to go to the casino’s, to swear using God’s name is all part of their normal life style, life is about money, pleasure and everything that satisfies their material need. So most of these people never need God, they are content within themselves and have no need to change. They believe they do all that is required but stop short from following Jesus.

When you have a relationship with Jesus it is all about change, a change in attitude, a change from self to others. You cannot use the Lord’s Name in vain, materialism becomes a waste of time, and you start to realise how sinful you are, and how desperate you are for a Saviour. So many people face an eternal future where God is not. So each of us are placed in a special place that through who we are in Christ, we lead others to Him by our example.

Be encouraged to never give up praying for those who do not follow Jesus.

 

David

 

Point to ponder: It is in following Jesus that we find eternal life.

Question to consider: Do you pray for your friends and family?

A test of faith

20 July 2012       

 

James 2:22-23 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by works, and the scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness"; and he was called the friend of God.

Everyday is a test in our faith in whether we trust God in our situation or not, we may not even be conscious of such a test, in the routine and mundane. Yet when we need to rely not on our own strength but that of God in His provision, His protection, His compassion, faith becomes something that you cling to. For without it how do we respond, how do we trust when what we expect does not happen, it is in this continuing hope that God will be God in our lives that faith grows and strengthens.

Faith only grows when it is tested and strengthens through waiting in prayer on the Lord. When we say that we love and trust Jesus, it needs to be more than words, it must reflect in our daily lifestyle. When we begin planning a retreat, we plan in faith, when we plan to visit congregations we plan in faith. Without faith our works are meaningless and it is only through faith that we believe and trust in God whom we have never seen. Even though we may see no change, change has happened but its affects may not yet visible.

Be encouraged not to loose faith because it appears nothing has happened.

 

David

 

Point to ponder: Trust and have faith.

Question to consider: Do you see your faith tested?

Person of God

11 July 2012   

     

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

The person of God is best described using a text like this, because it is this description that we define the character of such a person. In the first instance there an understanding of Scripture and that all Scripture is God breathed and accepted as such in faith. The person also recognises that to be taught, corrected and trained in the ways of God leads to a righteousness of life, not only to please God, but seen by others as pleasing to God.

Without this no matter how a person may be they will still be incomplete, what makes them complete is to seek this righteousness of God, not of the world. Once and only once when the person is taught, rebuked, corrected and trained in righteousness are they equipped for every good work. This process is ongoing in bringing the workers into the field to help reap the harvest. The harvest today is plentiful, but the workers are very few.

Be encouraged today to be a person of God, complete and equipped for every good work.

 

David

 

Point to ponder: We are complete in Christ.

Question to consider: Are you a person of God?

Teachable Heart

10 July 2012   

     

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Before one should rebuke a person, it is important for them to be taught what is expected of them and then give them the opportunity to actually achieve the expected. Teaching in the Church by teachers trained and Spirit filled is vitally important and essential for the on-going growth of Christian believers. We may pray, we may read the Bible and do many good works, and think that we have no need to be taught. Yet the fact is that if our desire is to know Jesus then the question is, do we have teachable hearts?

The Sunday worship service is not a place for teaching, but for praising God, worshiping and hearing God’s Word through the mouth of a Holy Spirit filled preacher; ‘God inspired preaching’. Teaching is the time spent in the week at the church school, through Bible study, specific training and learning the deeper nature of Jesus Christ. It is in this area of our lives that we sit at the feet of the teachers of the church, who brings to us the truth and through whom we learn. No matter how educated we may be, even as teachers in God’s Kingdom, we must always be prepared to learn from others. For as teachers we will be judged.

Be encouraged today to have a teachable heart.

 

David

 

Point to ponder: Jesus is our Teacher.

Question to consider: Do you have a teachable heart?

On time

9 July 2012       

  

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

On Saturday here at Linga Longa, I was asked by a church group to do a talk on rebuke from the above text, as their guest speaker was late. I must add that the group itself was not punctual and was late for everything. Just before they asked me to speak, I was in the dining room and was discussing the programme, when I saw the topic ‘rebuke’. I then told this story.

On the Mount of Olives as Jesus went up in the clouds, there were three hundred people observing this event, they were told to go to Jerusalem, pray and wait for the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit came and there were only two hundred people, the others as usual came late, in fact they may even be late on Judgement Day. As South Africans we have come into a culture that has no respect for the time of others, and being late is tolerated. However Christians have changed attitudes which reflect the nature of Jesus Christ, and He was always on time, and everything He does is in God’s perfect timing. So as Christians we are taught to be on time and do what is right in God’s perfect way.

Be encouraged toady to be on time in all things.

David

 

Point to ponder: God made time for us to keep.

Question to consider: Are you punctual?

Who are you?

6 July 2012      

   

Matthew 15:8-11 'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.'" And he called the people to him and said to them, "Hear and understand: not what goes into the mouth defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."

Honesty is something that you cannot buy, neither is loyalty. When you live with people or work with them, we soon begin to recognise whether people are honest and loyal. The reality is that as we observe others so we are being observed by them. A thief will always be on the look out for open doors and mislaid purses, a gossip will always lend their ears to others, and so we see the characteristics of others.

When we say we are one thing and then live differently to who we say we are how honest is that? So when we say we are loving and kind, considerate and compassionate, honest and loyal, should we not then live this way? Hearing and obeying in response to what we hear is important, if we hear what we need to do, then we should be obedient and do it. But when we hear and do not do it as we should this is a sign of disrespect and disloyalty.

Be encouraged today to live who you say you are.

 

David

 

Point to ponder: Godly people are honest and loyal.

Question to consider: Are you who you say you are?

Problematic friends

12 July 2012    

    

Matthew 22:37-39 And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

In all of our circles of friends and family there are those who have different life styles to us, some who are so involved in themselves and their needs that everything turns around them. Even when they go to church it is not about what they can give to God, but rather what does the church service give to them. They speak the words of faith, sing the hymns but have never really understood that church is about a living relationship with Jesus Christ.

In fact to play the horses, to go to the casino’s, to swear using God’s name is all part of their normal life style, life is about money, pleasure and everything that satisfies their material need. So most of these people never need God, they are content within themselves and have no need to change. They believe they do all that is required but stop short from following Jesus.

When you have a relationship with Jesus it is all about change, a change in attitude, a change from self to others. You cannot use the Lord’s Name in vain, materialism becomes a waste of time, and you start to realise how sinful you are, and how desperate you are for a Saviour. So many people face an eternal future where God is not. So each of us are placed in a special place that through who we are in Christ, we lead others to Him by our example.

Be encouraged to never give up praying for those who do not follow Jesus.

 

David

 

Point to ponder: It is in following Jesus that we find eternal life.

Question to consider: Do you pray for your friends and family?

Person of God

11 July 2012     

   

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

The person of God is best described using a text like this, because it is this description that we define the character of such a person. In the first instance there an understanding of Scripture and that all Scripture is God breathed and accepted as such in faith. The person also recognises that to be taught, corrected and trained in the ways of God leads to a righteousness of life, not only to please God, but seen by others as pleasing to God.

Without this no matter how a person may be they will still be incomplete, what makes them complete is to seek this righteousness of God, not of the world. Once and only once when the person is taught, rebuked, corrected and trained in righteousness are they equipped for every good work. This process is ongoing in bringing the workers into the field to help reap the harvest. The harvest today is plentiful, but the workers are very few.

Be encouraged today to be a person of God, complete and equipped for every good work.

 

David

Point to ponder: We are complete in Christ.

Question to consider: Are you a person of God?

Teachable Heart

10 July 2012      

  

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Before one should rebuke a person, it is important for them to be taught what is expected of them and then give them the opportunity to actually achieve the expected. Teaching in the Church by teachers trained and Spirit filled is vitally important and essential for the on-going growth of Christian believers. We may pray, we may read the Bible and do many good works, and think that we have no need to be taught. Yet the fact is that if our desire is to know Jesus then the question is, do we have teachable hearts?

The Sunday worship service is not a place for teaching, but for praising God, worshiping and hearing God’s Word through the mouth of a Holy Spirit filled preacher; ‘God inspired preaching’. Teaching is the time spent in the week at the church school, through Bible study, specific training and learning the deeper nature of Jesus Christ. It is in this area of our lives that we sit at the feet of the teachers of the church, who brings to us the truth and through whom we learn. No matter how educated we may be, even as teachers in God’s Kingdom, we must always be prepared to learn from others. For as teachers we will be judged.

Be encouraged today to have a teachable heart.

 

David

 

Point to ponder: Jesus is our Teacher.

Question to consider: Do you have a teachable heart?

On time

9 July 2012    

     

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

On Saturday here at Linga Longa, I was asked by a church group to do a talk on rebuke from the above text, as their guest speaker was late. I must add that the group itself was not punctual and was late for everything. Just before they asked me to speak, I was in the dining room and was discussing the programme, when I saw the topic ‘rebuke’. I then told this story.

On the Mount of Olives as Jesus went up in the clouds, there were three hundred people observing this event, they were told to go to Jerusalem, pray and wait for the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit came and there were only two hundred people, the others as usual came late, in fact they may even be late on Judgement Day. As South Africans we have come into a culture that has no respect for the time of others, and being late is tolerated. However Christians have changed attitudes which reflect the nature of Jesus Christ, and He was always on time, and everything He does is in God’s perfect timing. So as Christians we are taught to be on time and do what is right in God’s perfect way.

Be encouraged toady to be on time in all things.

David

Point to ponder: God made time for us to keep.

Question to consider: Are you punctual?

Who are you?

6 July 2012    

     

Matthew 15:8-11 'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.'" And he called the people to him and said to them, "Hear and understand: not what goes into the mouth defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."

Honesty is something that you cannot buy, neither is loyalty. When you live with people or work with them, we soon begin to recognise whether people are honest and loyal. The reality is that as we observe others so we are being observed by them. A thief will always be on the look out for open doors and mislaid purses, a gossip will always lend their ears to others, and so we see the characteristics of others.

When we say we are one thing and then live differently to who we say we are how honest is that? So when we say we are loving and kind, considerate and compassionate, honest and loyal, should we not then live this way? Hearing and obeying in response to what we hear is important, if we hear what we need to do, then we should be obedient and do it. But when we hear and do not do it as we should this is a sign of disrespect and disloyalty.

Be encouraged today to live who you say you are.

 

David

 

Point to ponder: Godly people are honest and loyal.

Question to consider: Are you who you say you are?

Distractions

5 July 2012        

Matthew 8:21-22 Another of the disciples said to him, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." But Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead."

What is the main thing that you have to do, and are you actually doing it, or are you being distracted from your goal? I find that when I do a self evaluation I am not actually focusing on the main things, but get distracted by all the other things. Yet if I do not focus on the distraction it feels like chaos reigns, this can be from a dripping trap, to a dry garden pot, to a telephone call I need not make, to food I eat. Often the distractions are so well hidden that we actually start to think that they are the main thing.

So when it comes to church what is the main thing? For some churches it is about keeping members happy, for other it is about the worship style, and so each one focuses in their own way on what the believe to be the main thing. Yet was is the main thing for Jesus, the King and Head of the church? If our main thing and His main thing are not the same thing then maybe we are focusing on the distractions instead of what is important to Jesus. in my case in this last year I find that I have sorted out more distractions than I have on what for Jesus is the main thing, ‘healing the sick and preaching the gospel.’ We all need to get back to basics and do the main thing, worship God and be obedient to His will.

Be encouraged today to identify the main thing from the distractions.

David

Point to ponder: The things of Jesus should be our main thing in life.

Question to consider: Are you easily distracted from doing what you are supposed to do?

Visit our webpage at:  www.linga-longa.co.za

Promise keeper

4 July 2012     

    

Psalms 25:14 The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.

Today I decided that I do not want people to call me a Christian. This may sound strange, as I realise that for many people being a Christian is a negative concept. Naming groups or labelling groups is part of the world system, in order that these groups may be studied and so characteristics given to them according to the labels. God does not separate as we do, all He does, is to love us. I would rather be called a sinner in need of a Saviour, because in this way I experience His love, through His mercy and grace in my life and through this His fruit is seen in me.

In the same way when we see people, we need to see them as God sees them, no matter what they believe, they remain sinners in need of Jesus Christ. We all need to be able to say God is our friend and we keep our promise to Him, just as He keeps His promise to us. The question you need to ask yourself is, ‘what is your promise to God?’

Be encouraged today to fear God and to keep your promises to Him.

 

David

 

Point to ponder: God keeps His promise.

Question to consider: Are you a promise keeper?

Self control

3 July 2012         


Proverbs 25:28 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.


There are those people who I believe God has put on earth simply to test our patience, if we have patience we are assured that it will be tested. Yet similarly self-control has to do with the discipline of self in situations that will impact on us, spiritually, physically and emotionally. As we read in the book of James the hardest to bring under control is our tongues, and it is when we bridle our tongues that we exercise the greatest self-control.


Self control also has to with our exposure to sin and the temptation to sin. It takes self control to say no when it should be no, and yes when it should be yes, and the wisdom to know when. Once we do not exercise self-control we allow ourselves to be vulnerable to every changing mood, fad and desire, we also allow others to use us and abuse us.


When we have self-control we then retain our ability to choose wisely, the authority to implement that choice and the power to see that choice fulfilled. Those who are addicted to substances, those who are dominated by others are unable or unwilling to exercise self-control but give in to their desires and lust. The relationship to self control and a Godly righteous life should be obvious.


Be encouraged today to exercise self-control.


David


Point to ponder: Self-control is a fruit of a disciple of Jesus Christ.


Question to consider: Do you have self-control?

No Matter the Weather

2 July 2012         


Acts 17:24-25 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all men life and breath and everything.


Sometimes nature seems to be confused, last night I killed two mosquitoes! Now mosquitoes cannot survive in dry cold places, they need humidity and they need water and warmth. In the last week we have been watering the gardens, and yesterday although morning was cool, the afternoon temperature was 25 degrees c.  The warm afternoon must have brought the mosquitoes.

So when things occur out of season, we always need to find reason. Storms in the USA, rain in the UK, weather out of season, and we all seem to think global warming, end of times, and anything that helps us to reason. Yet simply this is the weather that God has made let us rejoice and be glad in it. Within the storms, the droughts. The cold and the wet, see not the reason but the hand of God, why will God do this we may ask? We were created as people to praise and glorify God no matter the weather, the season or the reason.


Be encouraged and enjoy God in His creation including the weather and give Him praise and glory.


 David


Point to ponder: It’s God’s weather, just accept it.


Question to consider: Do you need reason or faith in God?


Visit our webpage at:  www.linga-longa.co.za