Second chances

7 March  2013      

Psalms 3:8 Deliverance belongs to the LORD; thy blessing be upon thy people!

In some cultures when a person saves the life of another, the person that is saved owes their life to the one that saved them. So when a person slips and falls into a well, and is caught by a root which stops the fall and another person grabs down with a hand to bring the person to safety that person reaching down is endangering their life to save another. Now when that person who is trying to save the other looses their own life to save the life of another, what would the obligation be of the person so saved. How do they respond to a second chance that cost the life of someone they may not even know?

So many of us today live our lives without regard to the fact that the way we live has cost the lives of millions who died so that we may be free from tyranny and slavery. We even fail to take the second chance that life brings, especially when we consider that Jesus Christ died so that we could have that second chance. So we call ourselves Christians but continue to live as if we have not been delivered from sin.

Be encouraged today to recognise and wake up, you have a second chance do not waste it!

 

David

Point to ponder: You have a second chance.

Question to consider: Do you realise that Jesus died to save you?

Hard lesson

20 February 2013

 

Jeremiah 31:35  So says Jehovah, who gives the sun for a light by day, the laws of the moon, and the stars for a light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar, Jehovah of Hosts is His name.

Sitting on a rock next to a sandy beach and watching the waves breaking with a plume of spray glistening, sparkling in the clear sunshine has a mesmerising effect, which just allows one to relax. It also just lets us realise that these waves keep to the tides and that God is in control. This has been going on for ever, and will still be there until the end of time.

Each of our lives has its high tide and low tides, and both have their purpose. Both are as they should be perfect in the order according to God and within God’s will for our lives and our loves. So when we have high moments or low moments, we need to remember them and find the will of God within them for each of us.

Be encouraged today to see the flow of God’s hand in each of our lives. 

 

David

Point to ponder: God is with us in our highs and our lows.

Question to consider: Do you see God in your own experiences?

Tides

20 February 2013

 

Jeremiah 31:35  So says Jehovah, who gives the sun for a light by day, the laws of the moon, and the stars for a light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar, Jehovah of Hosts is His name.

Sitting on a rock next to a sandy beach and watching the waves breaking with a plume of spray glistening, sparkling in the clear sunshine has a mesmerising effect, which just allows one to relax. It also just lets us realise that these waves keep to the tides and that God is in control. This has been going on for ever, and will still be there until the end of time.

Each of our lives has its high tide and low tides, and both have their purpose. Both are as they should be perfect in the order according to God and within God’s will for our lives and our loves. So when we have high moments or low moments, we need to remember them and find the will of God within them for each of us.

Be encouraged today to see the flow of God’s hand in each of our lives. 

 

David

Point to ponder: God is with us in our highs and our lows.

Question to consider: Do you see God in your own experiences?

New Covenant

19 February 2013

 

Matthew 26:28  For this is My blood of the New Covenant which concerning many is being poured out for remission of sins.

Jesus said this is the new covenant, when He said that what did He mean? It is surprising that we all have heard of this new covenant, but when asked what does it mean, we receive many different answers. Even as you read this, you may well say that you are unsure of the answer that you do have.

This new covenant is in the blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, we are marked by the blood of the Lamb and the angel of death will pass over us and we live eternally with God. Just as in the old covenant the blood of the lamb was used to mark the door posts and the angel of death passed by, yet then we were under the law and we would die. Now we are under grace and our sins are forgiven as if the law itself does not exist. All our sins are forgiven and we have been atoned for, redeemed, and set free forever. This is the new covenant for all those who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who died, was raised from the dead and will come again soon.

Be encouraged to accept this new covenant, it is made in the blood of Jesus Christ, believe and live.

 

David

Point to ponder: Jesus died that you may live forever.

Question to consider: Do you keep your side of the new covenant?

Violent behaviour

18 February 2013

 

Proverbs 11:16-17 A gracious woman gets honour, and violent men get riches. A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.

We live in violent world where we enjoy the game of winning almost at all costs, when we sit in the reflected glory of someone else’s success, it makes us feel like winners. In so many aspects of life there are undertones of violence and fear, wrong behaviour in children is sometimes punished with violence. This leaves a history that physicality in solving a dispute is acceptable, so men beat up each other and are applauded for their strength often by their mothers. It only takes a woman to stand up like a man to find herself being smacked down by him.

We all need to become far more aware of the violence within us and the level we tolerate, when we do we need to stop it and reflect. Seeing a young father beating his 5 year old daughter is teaching the daughter that a loving father loves her by beating her. One day when she is married it is acceptable to be beaten, because this is what her father did. When we look at this behaviour surely we should recognise that this is not what God our Father would do.

Be encouraged to check the violent behaviour that you sometimes display.

 

David

Point to ponder: Violence it not the way.

Question to consider: Do you sometimes throw things and act violently?

The WAY

15 February 2013

 

Psalms 25:10 All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

The way of living the Christian life must be the same as expressed in this Psalm which is steadfast love and faithfulness. So if you are in doubt how to live the Christian life, then this is the best guideline available for you. Is your love steadfast, this requires a constant love irrespective of the situation and despite your mood or the mood of someone else. This also requires a faithfulness, a life based on faith which is a hope of a better tomorrow, and to see this hope through the eyes of faith.

When one lives this type of life then we keep our promises and we do that which we say we do. We do not allow alcohol or drugs or other mind influencing substances to distract us from being faithful and loving. Yet in the same instance our first call is to be faithful and loving to Jesus Christ and it is only then are we able to follow this way of life. For without the love of Jesus Christ we are lost, and if He does not gift us with faith we have no direction.

Be encouraged today to have steadfast love and faithfulness as you follow the WAY.

 

David

Point to ponder: Be steadfast in love and faithfulness.

Question to consider: Is you love steadfast and are you filled with faith?

How big is yur God?

14 February 2013

 

Psalms 24:1-2 The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein; for he has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers.

How big is your God? We find so often the image of God is made to conform to what we may understand and so we reduce the concept of God to fit that image. When you realise the size of the known universe and that God is bigger than all of that then when we look at how we understand God it must change from our preconceived concepts and presumptions. My God is so big nothing is able to contain Him, nothing is able to defeat Him, He is beyond our comprehension and nothing is impossible for Him, that’s my God.

So when I in my little state with problems bigger than my universe, I am able to approach my God who is bigger, stronger and more capable than any human or creature, then I know and trust that He is able to do more than I could ever comprehend or wish, that’s my God. How big is your God?

Be encouraged today to realise we worship the almighty God, the all powerful God and His name is Jesus.

 

David

Point to ponder: God is able and capable to do anything, nothing is impossible for those who believe this.

Question to consider: How big is your God?

Come and rest

13 February 2013

 

Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

I heard the voice of Jesus say come unto me and rest. Tired, weary, worn and sad, come lay your head upon My breast. How sad it is that we have such wonderful opportunities to come to Jesus and to simply be in His presence, yet in the busyness of life we just keep on and on and on. The result is a thousand voices all crying out telling us what to do, demands from all, urgent for them and panic for us as we try to be all things to all people. No wonder we breakdown, meltdown and live from one crisis to another.

How many times have you had the opportunity to come and be still with Jesus but more important things came along, how many times. Even now in this moment Jesus is asking for you to come to Him for rest. Yet you worry about the family, about the work, about all those temporary things, not understanding that He will take care of all of them if only you would trust Him and come to Him.

Be encouraged today and to hear the voice of Jesus come unto me and rest.

David

Point to ponder: Jesus said, come unto me and rest.

Question to consider: Do you believe there is no rest for the wicked?

The upward call

31 January  2013   

Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Each person has a specific call in Christ Jesus and each person has a goal to achieve through this call. We do this by keeping our eyes on the goal, and this goal is to reach towards the perfection of Jesus Christ who in His perfection has already reach out to us. Each day is part of reaching that goal, and when we take our eyes off of Jesus we loose focus and so do not attain the goal of our calling in Him.

Everyday we need to see our purpose in that day, we do not move aimlessly, but we move and live with purpose in Christ Jesus. We will on occasion seem to be struggling with our goals, our purpose and the temptations along the way. We then need to stop and remind ourselves of the reason for our salvation, and return our focus to Christ Jesus crucified for us.

Be encouraged today to set a goal as you respond to the upward call of Jesus Christ.

 

David

Point to ponder: You have a goal in Christ Jesus.

Question to consider: Do you understand your upward call?

Be Blessed

30 January  2013   

Lamentations 3:21-24 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."

This morning as I was walking to the office, I saw a spiders web so beautifully spun, glistening with morning dew it shone in the sunlight showing each perfect form of the web. The water in the fountain providing a backdrop of sound as it water tumbled into the pond. The roses white pink like a young bride filing the air with sweet perfume, and the birds chattering in the trees; telling all of the delights of a new morning.

How often do we walk paths that we do not see the beauty around us, ears closed to the whispers of God, noses blocked by the strength of the morning coffee, that we miss the beauty of the new day. Each day we have new blessings, a new day, the old is gone and the new is here, and it is in this moment that we have the ability to experience a newness. We need to stop for a moment, catch our breath, and just let ourselves be part of the splendour of what God is doing today.

Be encouraged today to enjoy God’s blessings, no matter how small they may be.

 

David

Point to ponder: God gives new blessings everyday.

Question to consider: Do you enjoy God’s blessings to you?

Some people are blotting paper

29 January  2013   

Titus 3:1-2 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for any honest work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all men.

Have you ever walked into a room and said ‘good morning’ and the person you greet does not even look up, and just grunts some noise? There are just some people no matter what find nothing to admire, everything is never good enough, and no matter how you try to please them, they just remain their miserable selves. Now this is fine if you could just leave them and allow them to be their miserable selves, the problem is that they are in community with you, either at work or at home.

Sadly depression is contagious, negativity erodes goodwill and despondency kills hope, and if you allow these people to continue in your space before long you grunt just like they do. We all need to take stock of how our behaviour affects others around us, and the effect of our behaviour determines the response that others have towards us. We need to separate ourselves from those that steal our hope and destroy our cheerfulness, for they are like blotting paper and before you know where you are you are dry in the spirit.

Be encouraged to be cheerful and greet one another with the love of Jesus Christ.

 

David

Point to ponder: God loves a cheerful heart .

Question to consider: Are you naturally miserable or are you that for effect?

God will make a way

28 January  2013    

Psalms 106:9-12 He rebuked the Red Sea, and it became dry; and he led them through the deep as through a desert. So he saved them from the hand of the foe, and delivered them from the power of the enemy. And the waters covered their adversaries; not one of them was left. Then they believed his words; they sang his praise.

There is a popular chorus that has the words God will make a way where there seems to be no way, most of us sing this, yet for many it is a lovely tune and the words are great, but sometimes we just miss the point. When we think about God and we consider His words to us in the bible, how many times have these words been true in the past. Think back in your own life, when things were a struggle and you did no know what to do, did God not make a way?

The Israelites faced the wilderness and God led the way, they faced the enemy or the sea, and God made a way, in the desert He gave them water and He gave them food. It was God that led them, and it is God that leads us today. We too need to believe His words and to sing His praise, as God makes a way for us where there seems to be no way.

Be encouraged to allow God to make a way for you through the journey you are on.

David

Point to ponder: Go will make a way..

Question to consider: Do you believe God will make a way?

Make a plan

25 January  2013   

Luke 14:28-30 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build, and was not able to finish.'

There are a few reasons why people are successful in what they do. There are two main reasons for success in every successful programme, the first is planning, the better the plan the more likely a person will succeed, the second is control. The checking and ensuring that the plan is adhered to is very important, and if you have staff always check what they do no matter how good they are at what they do. The reason they are good at what they do is because someone is there to check them; The moment you do not check, something will do wrong.

The same applies in our Christian life, we often do not plan our day, or even our walk with the Lord, we plod along aimlessly and never plan what we are going to do for Jesus. when we do have such a plan, how well do we follow through and who is the person we trust enough to supervise what how we are doing? Most of us have plans at work, at home, but how many of us has a plan on how to please Jesus today?

Be encouraged to be successful at work, at home and most especially in your daily walk with Jesus.

 

David

Point to ponder: God has a plan, be part of that plan.

Question to consider: How good are you in having success in your life?

Joy in work

22 January  2013   

Proverbs 12:14 From the fruit of his words a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.

Whether you are a lawyer, physician or grass cutter there is very little difference when it comes to being good at what you do. When we see the work of a grass cutter that takes joy in his work, the lines of cut grass are straight and there is little chaff left, when we see the work of a lawyer we see integrity and justice, and the work of the physician brings healing and comfort to the sick and dying. In all of these we see the common thread that a person no matter what the employment is in control of how well they do what they do.

It is in these things that we learn as we grow older that all that we do we do as best we are able, because we do all to please God. It is in this that we as Christians start to actually realise that our true employer is Jesus Himself. So we do all to please Him. So when you see a tidy and neat home, a place of work where things are done properly, we should be mindful of the person. In all you and I do, we do it to please Jesus.

Be encouraged to be joyful in what you do.

 

David

Point to ponder: Be joyful you have work and a place to sleep.

Question to consider: Are you joyful in what you do?

A good bath

21 January  2013   

1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

It is interesting to note that when you ask a person that attended church on Sunday what the sermon was about, only those that were touched by the Holy Spirit may remember what they had heard. Even then sometimes that which they heard was not even preached. Going to church is a little like having a bath, we remember we bathed, we may even smell a bit of the bubble bath, but we are clean. So even though we may not remember everything, we have been washed clean by the Word.

So when we live outside of the church and do not hear the Word, it is little like never having a bath, after a period of time we realise we are not as clean as we should be, and in fact we become a bit smelly and not from bubble bath! It is important then for those that do go to church to be mindful that church is about hearing the Word of God, and the obligation of the preacher to preach it.

Be encouraged to bring others to hear the Word of God.

 

David

Point to ponder: God’s Word washes clean.

Question to consider: Have you been washed clean?

Liars

18 January  2013   

Revelation 21:8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, as for murderers, fornicators, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their lot shall be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death."

People I have noticed either have a tendency to speak the truth or to speak a lie. Those that speak the truth have the truth in them and those that don’t, do not. So when faced with a question a person with integrity will answer in terms of that integrity, and some may protect their integrity by either; not answering, or giving an answer that avoids the question and they may even lie to protect their integrity. Integrity is about the person, the truth is the truth despite the person.

I have seen and heard people who struggle in their relationship with Jesus, and they sincerely want to be in that relationship, yet the truth avoids them, in their speaking, their actions and in their so-called integrity. The father of lies is the devil and the Father of Truth is God, so when we are confronted by lies and untruths we are being confronted by evil. So when asked the question the answer should always from a Christian perspective be truthful. We speak the truth, because the Truth dwells in us. Our relationship with Jesus will never be what it should be while we continue to lie.

Be encouraged to recognise the evil in lies spoken.

 David

Point to ponder: A liar will not enter the Kingdom of God or have eternal life.

Question to consider: Are you a liar?

Corruption

 17 January  2013   

Ecclesiastes 7:7 Surely oppression makes the wise man foolish, and a bribe corrupts the mind.

Most people are naturally corrupt, and it is the nature of a community to place rules and systems in place in order to reduce this natural tendency for the good of others. So a little thing like a diary and someone to make appointments for a driver or learners licence prevents officials using a first come, first pays system to get tested. Those that have money or clout in the community may not have to queue.

Now towns like Bela Bela in Limpopo Province do not believe in appointments, so you will see young people standing outside the Municipal Offices from as early as 4am, waiting to be accepted for a learner licence test. This allows for corruption and brings these learners into the place of expecting to stand in lines and waiting the privilege of a poorly educated official to help them.

Wisdom is necessary to understand that God places systems and rules of living to help us overcome corruption. Corruption creeps in every where when honest men let it.

Be encouraged to make a stand against corruption in any form.

 

David

Point to ponder: God hates corruption.

Question to consider: Do you tolerate corruption?

Woodpile

16 January  2013   

Proverbs 21:16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.

In a rural community wood is a precious commodity as it used everyday for cooking and in winter for keeping warm. Here at Linga Longa there is plenty wood and especially under the bluegum trees which regularly sheds branches and thick twigs. Now when this has to be cleaned the wood is placed in a pile so that the staff may use this wood. The problem is that this pile is a snake pit if left for too long. So instructions are given to burn the pile, the staff simply do not respond as they believe it is their wood, regardless of the snakes. What should the correct response be?

 In the same way in our lives we too shed problems and we often allow these to accumulate and after time many ‘serpents’ seem to make their home amongst them. God comes along and tells us we must obey Him and destroy the pile. We do not respond because we believe this pile of problems belongs to us. So we all should sweep and clean up the dead wood and problems and allow them to be properly destroyed.

Be encouraged today to allow your problems and the dead past to be properly removed by God

 

 David

Point to ponder: You need to get rid of the pile.

Question to consider: Why look after dead wood?