Slowly slowly catch the monkey

9 November 2010.

Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no guidance, a people falls; but in an abundance of counsellors there is safety.

Very often we want to rush and do things, sometimes we believe that this is the right time and we just feel we must get on with it. The problem with this approach is that we are responding to our emotions and most times we have not thought through the result. So it is important to plan, to think the plan through and then act accordingly, this is even more important when we are in relationship and we rely on the support of others. Success is always dependant on the thoughts and plans that went ahead of that plan, in this way we are able to repeat the success.

When we want to do something it is not the intention that is important but the timing of the implementation, doing the right thing at the wrong time brings with it many relational problems. It is therefore wise to seek the counsel of others, especially those with a vested interest in what you are doing or going to do. It is fools that rush in where angels fear to tread. As Christians we know why we are Christians and we bring others into fellowship with us, in order that we have successful lives, we know we are part of God’s plan.

Be encouraged today to think before you act, haste on helps the tortoise to win the race.

  

David

Point to ponder: God loves a good plan.

Question to consider: Do you think before you act?

Our webpage: www.chf.yolasite.com

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

Trust

8 November 2010.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.

The basis of a relationship is trust, when we are in a relationship with another person, there must be an element of trust. If one had to ask what the root or the beginning of love may be, we may  not be surprised if the answer is trust. How can I love someone when I do not trust them? When the trust relationship is broken, it is not easy to love that person, as even though one loves them, how can we trust them?

In life we need to understand trust, this is more than just relying on a person, but to actually put your life in their hands. So if I place a piece of wood across gap, I need to be able to put my weight on it safely to cross to the other side, in the same way in a relationship I need to place my trust in the other in order to be safe. The only way to heal a broken trust is to give trust, and this is difficult, nearly impossible, thankfully we are able to do this because we believe in a God that can do the impossible.

It is not that we do not trust, it is that we are afraid to trust because of the potential for failure and disappointment. We often forget that God has trusted us, He has trusted us to love others, and to trust them just as He has done for us.

Be encouraged today to trust God and to trust others.

  

David

Point to ponder: God trusts you.

Question to consider: Do you trust?

Our webpage: www.chf.yolasite.com

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

The Question

5 November 2010.

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will be established.

The questions that plagues us are those that deal with the real issues of life,‘who am I’, ‘what is my purpose in life’, ‘is what I am doing in God’s will’, ‘am I sure of my salvation’; these questions have been raised in each generation and each generation needs to find its own answer. It is in this process of asking the question that we start to find the answer, the problem is, is that many people do not pose the question. Life is lived, and often lived in the religious routine of all their yesterdays, the result of this is a bookkeeping system of recording ones deeds and appropriating value to them.

As a Christian we need to premise our question with who we are in Christ; ‘who am I in Christ’, ‘what is my purpose for Christ’, ‘am I doing the will of Christ’, ‘my salvation is in Christ’; it is only when we understand the question will be able to seek the answer. The answer always leads to Christ, His holiness, and His grace in and through us.

Be encouraged to ask the question and then to contemplate on who Jesus Christ is.

  

David

Point to ponder: Who is Jesus Christ to you?.

Question to consider: Do you ask questions?

Our webpage: www.chf.yolasite.com

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

They kingdom come

4 November 2010.

Isaiah 11:1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.

The preparation for Christmas has started and we find advertising displays in shops, traffic policing intensifying, all with the purpose designed to have a party and make more money. Yet when we as Christians look at all these celebrations, it hurts us because it seems that the world treats Jesus Christ like Santa Claus and the fairy queen.  The real message of Jesus Christ and the true meaning of Christmas is not given to the world.

In the last couple of days we have been cutting down trees and when you have cut a tree within a few days the tree shoots again. Once those shoots start to grow, you have a tree with many shoots which become many branches from that one stump. Even though the throne of David was cut down, the stump of Jesse remained and out of that stump the new shoot came about, which is Jesus Christ the King of Israel, and also the King of all heaven and all earth. When we celebrate Christmas, we celebrate the coming of our King, we are celebrating the birth of a King in whom all government on earth will be held accountable to.

Be encouraged today to acknowledge that Jesus Christ is both your heavenly and earthly King.

David

Point to ponder: Jesus is the King of Israel.

Question to consider: Is Jesus your King?

Our webpage: www.chf.yolasite.com

One in Christ Jesus

3 November 2010.

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

In this world today we so often deal with people in the way we label them, these labels we give are based on the perceptions we build up through experience and information received about them from other people. So when we come across a politician we have an expectation of certain behaviour based upon the label that we have given them. In the same way we expect behaviour from people who are teachers, lawyers, etc, when that behaviour is not according to the label we then are either disappointed, or satisfied that people have performed to the label we have given them.

When we deal with people we are inclined to judge according to outward appearance and how they market themselves to us. So when a person comes across as white or black, as rich or poor we judge and react to them accordingly we then treat them as they expect to be treated according to the label they present to us. So even though I am not racist, because I have the skin I have I am expected to be racist because that is the perceived label. Yet as a Christian I am no longer white or black, rich or poor, because all I am is represented in the One who makes us one with each other: Jesus Christ.

Be encouraged today to be united in Christ Jesus and to accept our oneness in Him.

  

David

Point to ponder: We are one in Christ Jesus.

Question to consider: Are you one in Christ Jesus?

Our webpage: www.chf.yolasite.com

Insurance

2 November 2010.

Matthew 27:9-10 Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, "And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, and they gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord directed me."

It is amazing when one has to claim from insurance to see the different responses that one gets as when one is listens to the advertising and the sales pitch of the company representative selling the insurance. Personal experience speaks louder than a thousand words, so when you submit a claim you find that they will try to find any and all kinds of reasons not to pay out, checking the fine print to ensure that they are justified in paying out. An example of this is with disability insurance, of 100 claims for disability the insurance companies on average only pay out 4% to those who apply for disability. In the same way when it comes to house breaking and theft, storm damage etc all things come into play to protect the insurance company.

Thank God, that Christianity is not like the insurance companies, God keeps His promises no matter what it costs. When we consider that honesty, integrity and character are values of our faith, that we actually practise what we preach. It is wonderful to know that when we make a claim about God, and we check this against His Word, we find that no matter what, this will always prove to be true. In every case we will get what we rightly deserve.

Be encouraged today that we insured completely in God, and Christ has paid the premium.

 David

Point to ponder: God is our insurance.

Question to consider: Have you ever claimed who God is?

Our webpage: www.chf.yolasite.com

Wind

1 November 2010.

Matthew 8:26 And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O men of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

When the wind blows with great power and force, and you are in the protection of a building it does not seem to be so violent, yet when you are outside and experience the power on your body it is a different experience. Last evening there was a violent storm and the power of the wind caused trees to be uprooted, branches snapping and debris being hurled through the sky. It is then that we understand the power of created nature and that this is all under the authority of God, who are we as mortal men that can stand against such power?

Two large trees each about 40 meters in height have been uprooted and have fallen onto the roof of the building I am now sitting in, the roots are exposed and amazingly the roof and building only received minor damage and the electric fence flattened. Last evening in the midst of this violent wind I asked God our heavenly Father to protect us from it, within five minutes the wind died down and the only real damage is an uprooted tree that needs to be removed, and the fence that has to be lifted back up.

When we face storms in our lives, we need to be able to ask God to bring peace into the violence of the storm.

Be encouraged to ask God to be with you, in all the storms of life.

David

Point to ponder: God is in control.

Question to consider: Do you remember God when you face the storms?

Our webpage: www.chf.yolasite.com