Ash Wednesday 2011 observed today!

Today is Ash Wednesday and at the Centurion West Presbyterian Church we all meet tonight for a very special Communion Service at the chapel, at 19:00.

Not all denominations observe Ash Wednesday. In the protestant world it is mainly Presbyterians, Lutherans, Methodists and Anglicans. But it is observed by Christians for probably more than 1600 years in some or other format and it is observed across the globe. On this day we remember our mortality and weakness and repent anew of all our sins. This reflection drives us to our Saviour Jesus and through considering his suffering over the next 40 days, we are assured of our salvation and of eternal life!

How did this custom start and should we still observe it after more than 1600 years? During the second century it became customary to baptise all Christian converts on Resurrection Sunday (Easter Sunday.) These new Christians had to be prepared for the confession of their faith and for their challenging walk with the Lord during those times of persecution and martyrdom. The preparations lasted 40 days – not counting Sundays.

Those who taught the candidates in preparation of baptism, shared in observing this time of strict spiritual discipline. After some time other Church members wanted to share in it again and over time it became a Season for all believers to observe. The season’s purpose was to be prepared to celebrate Easter in a meaningful way. Ash Wednesday is the first day of the Season of Lent.

The name Ash Wednesday recalls the ancient Near Eastern custom of placing ashes on one's head, signifying repentance, as related numerous times in the Bible.

Ash Wednesday is observed by a service of repentance as a result of our personal sins, and that of our congregation, our leaders, our denomination, our country. It is a time of reconciliation with God, our neighbour, our family, friends, children. It is a time to make peace with God, man, ourselves and our environment. We can only find peace in Christ Jesus who suffered and who died, to set us free.

May we come together as one before the Lord! Who knows what a blessing will be in stall for us, if we come together, as the one Body of the Lord!!

The death that leads to true life.
The Season of Lent leads us into a deeper spiritual relationship with Christ. Remembering all that Jesus did for us, it should lead us from knowing about Jesus, to loving and following him wholeheartedly.

It is a dark journey in which we confront the strongholds of evil in our lives, deeply ashamed of what we became as a result of the lack of discipline that should be an integral part of being followers of Christ.
It is also a journey that leads to the light of God’s presence when the cross, the blood, the suffering, death and the grave of Jesus grant us hope, forgiveness and a deep sense of joy about the love, grace and the mercy of God.
On Ash Wednesday we confront the evil and sin in us, in preparation of our journey with Christ on his way of suffering, learning to love him more and becoming more devoted to him.

Lent is also a Season for paying attention to our own lives. We remind ourselves that we are bound for death — and that we are bound to the death of Jesus Christ. Ash Wednesday and the whole of Lent provide a time to focus our attention on the mystery at the heart of the Christian life: that through death, the death of Jesus Christ, we have entered new life.

As Paul says to the Corinthians, “We are treated as impostors and yet are true, as unknown and yet are well known, as dying, and see — we are alive.”
This is the paradox of Christian life. We have been joined to Christ’s death once when we were saved, but we spend the rest of our lives growing to live into that union.

We have already died once, with Christ.
Yet the light of the resurrection waits for us at the end of the journey.
Ash Wednesday invites us to turn again, take up our cross, and move ahead on the way to meet the one who shapes us, marks us and claims us as his own. Because after dying in Christ comes the miracle to be resurrected in Christ.

May a meaningful journey into the life that Jesus Christ gives, be granted to all God’s people during this Season.

Ash Wednesday – observed 9 March in 2011

On Wednesday 9 March, the majority of Christians in the world observe Ash Wednesday. It is the first day of Lent, the season in which we remember the suffering of Jesus Christ, culminating on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
And then follows the great contrast when we celebrate Easter Sunday with immense joy, remembering the resurrection of our Lord!

Ash Wednesday is primarily a day of repentance – of sorrow because of our sins and the grief it caused our Saviour Jesus Christ, his work and the people with whom we share our lives.

According to the Bible, repentance consists of…
• an earnest sense of one's own guilt and sinfulness;
• an expectation of God's grace and mercy in Jesus Christ, our Saviour;
• an actual hatred of sin itself
• a turning from sin to God; and
• a determined effort seeking a holy life in obediently walking with God.

2 Cor 7:10 - Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

The remorseful understands himself to be just what God has always seen him to be and declares him to be:
guilty, impure and helpless!

But repentance understands not only such a sense of guilt, but even more importantly, also anticipates grace and mercy,
Psalm 130:4 - But with You there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.

Many millions of Christians will go to church on Ash Wednesday to repent and to receive a message of hope and forgiveness.

At the Centurion West Presbyterian church we meet at 19:00 on 9 March.
(See link under ‘My favourite Links’ on this blog, and find a map their at ‘contact’)

Jesus invested in your life...

Jesus used financial investment as an example of making the most of what God invested in our lives. In the parable about the 10 servants, each received one mina, an amount of money, to invest for their master. Some earned 10 and 5 minas more. One man kept it laid away in a cloth. The master’s investment did not earn any interest in his case.
About this man, Jesus said: (Luke 19: 26) "'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away”.

The servant who did nothing with the investment he was a steward of, represents people who have received the gospel message and God’s blessings, yet it has not changed them even one little bit! Therefore they have not shared God’s investment in their lives with others and did not use their blessings to expand the Kingdom of God. Their shareholding in God’s work remains small and vulnerable and insignificant.

But to those who made the most of God’s investment in their lives, who truly work with the Great Entrepreneur of the Kingdom of God, who use their given salvation, spiritual gifts, church membership, (increasing) Bible knowledge, access to God’s throne in prayer and ability to give, to advance the Kingdom of Christ, will hear the Master say: “Well done good and faithful servant.” By God’s grace, they have been changed into the godly entrepreneurs Christ needs for his work to be done!

Jesus Christ has invested his life, his death, his blood, his power, his Word and his Spirit in you!
What interest has he received through your life, your service and your witness?

Emotions. 4 (final)

It takes great effort and faith to understand our emotions

We must accept that we often struggle to understand the way we feel about stuff. We may battle to deal with our emotions and be confused about our reactions to our circumstances.

It is not a sin to be confused. It also is not a sin to feel rejected, anxious, lonely or angry. It is not a sin to have to put great effort into understanding why we feel the way we do and how to deal with it.

In fact, the sin may be in refusing to struggle with how we feel. The sin may be when we refuse to confront those feelings and to seek to deal with them. Because when we choose to simply accept to continue negative feelings, we accept defeat. And we do not have to, because in Jesus we know that God is on our side.

Paul could say that he was perplexed, but not despairing. (2 Corinthians 4:7-10). He refused to let his feelings turn him away from his hope in God. He might not have understood what God was doing, but he refused to anguish and he kept looking for answers.

As we hang in there, insisting to deal positively with our emotions, we remain open to God. Wrestling with God about it, we will find what God is doing in our lives. There are times when the only way we will be able to see God’s purpose, are when our hearts are breaking and we have nowhere else to go, but to God!

Knowing that God has a purpose with my life and that he is working it out in my life, will help me to make sense of the circumstance that caused my painful feelings. Paul was saying that God is at work in our lives to reveal his power, in spite of our weakness. Even when we do not understand all that God is doing, we trust that he loves us and is seeking our best interest.

We trust that all things work towards his good purpose. God is our help and our salvation and in him we will find rest and peace amidst every circumstance.

Trust God to bless and keep you, whatever way you feel.

The Church is not perfect.

Christianity is not perfect.
The Church is not perfect.
Jesus says the Kingdom may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field, but while everyone was asleep, someone else sowed weeds among the wheat. When the wheat and the weeds began to grow, the workers asked the owner where the weeds came from. He answered, "An enemy did this" (Mt 13:28). And when they ask the owner if they should destroy the weeds, the owner says
(Mt 13:29-30) "No ... because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. (30) Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn."

Wheat and weed grow together in the Kingdom and therefore also in the church. This parable is told because the church has to realise that she has evil within her. Jesus offers a word of hope, and a word of caution. The word of hope is that God will certainly and decisively deal with evil and sin.

The word of caution warns against accepting Jesus as Saviour without accepting him as Lord. Some believe that Jesus died on the cross for them. But, they don't want him as their Master, Lord and King. They are the weeds in the Kingdom fields and at the end of the age they must be pulled out. "You are not your own," says Paul, "you were bought at a price" (1 Cor 6:19-20). We cannot say Jesus saves us, and yet act as if he doesn't own us.

You can't take the "Saviour" part of Jesus and reject the "Lord" part of Jesus. You cannot separate the saving work of Jesus from the ruling and lordship of Jesus. You cannot expect Jesus to buy you with his blood, but not allow him to move in and take control of your life, any more than you could sell a home and expect the new owner not to move in.

But the parable does not end with the wicked who deny Christ to rule in their lives. It ends with the righteous who welcome Christ as their King and Head and therefore bear fruit for his Kingdom. We are told that they eternally "will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father." (Matt 13:43).

Agni Dei Bible School, Centurion, South Africa

Click on the Agni Dei Bible School link at the Favourite Links on this blog for all the details.

Emotions (3)

Dealing with painful feelings.

In order to deal with our feelings in a responsible way, we have to learn that feelings are only feelings. What do we mean? It means that feelings are not necessarily reality.
We are not saying that feelings are not real. Everyone struggling to keep emotions at bay, know that they indeed are real! But our feelings do not reflect how things really are. To deal with them in a way that is helpful to you and others and not to act on them insensibly, we must realise that what we feel do not always reflect reality. Therefore, we must recognize them for what they are and what they are not.

Yes, we need to acknowledge what we feel and that we do feel this way. Denial of our feelings will simply suppress them and not allow us to deal with them in a healthy way. Even if we try to suppress our emotions, they will eventually surface again and then they could return in destructive ways. .

To acknowledge your emotions does not mean we must tell everyone about them. It is most of the time unwise. When we need advice as to how to deal with what we feel, we need to only speak to someone we trust, who is equipped to guide and help us in dealing with them. Our minister is a good choice to share our emotions with, knowing it will be handled with complete confidentiality. He will not only listen, but he is able to guide us from the Word of God in dealing with them.

And we must always tell God about our emotions. God knows how we feel. God understands what we feel. God loves us even when we are angry or frustrated. We must not only acknowledge our emotions to ourselves, we can and should talk to God about what we feel.

In the Psalms we see how believers share their emotions with the Lord. We read words of praise for when we are rejoicing and we read sad, even despondent prayers, for when we are feeling abandoned, angry or in pain.
In Psalm 31:9-10 we read: "Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted away from grief, my soul and my body also. For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength has failed because of my iniquity, and my body has wasted away."

It is clear that the Psalms poet did not hesitate to tell God exactly how he really felt.
Our emotions are certainly real to us. But we cannot just blabber about them to everyone. But we can and should deal with them, verbalising them to someone equipped to help us deal with them.
More importantly, we need to speak to God about what we feel. We need to share all our emotions with our God. It is an essential step in healing and dealing with them well.

Family does not come before Christ Jesus in our lives.

Matt. 10: 37 – 39 - Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

These words about family are hard to hear. And it was even more difficult for Jesus' original audience to accept. In his day economic survival depended upon the extended family and their support.

In Jesus' eyes, however important family is, it never comes before knowing and serving God and his Son Jesus Christ.

Jesus is telling us that none of us are truly free to be Christ's disciples until we break with everything that hinders our commitment to the Lord. Whether they be family or things, if they come before Jesus they must be abandoned. Christ taught that we as his followers must break all ties that weaken our commitment to him. Jesus didn’t say we should not love our families or neglect taking responsibility for them. But he was making it clear that no person or thing should be considered worthy competition for the Son of God in our lives and our priorities!

Jesus forces us to ask ourselves if he comes first in our lives. Do we love him more than anything else?

WITH WHAT EXPECTATION SHOULD WE COME TO THE LORD’S TABLE?

Firstly that God will in grace receive all who repent of their sins, to partake of the Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ. And even when we realise that we are still weak and that it is hard to live according to God’s will, we accept in faith that our human nature cannot prevent us to receive the food that Jesus, our Host at the Table, wishes to share with us.

Secondly we can expect to be reminded by the Holy Spirit of everything Jesus did for us to save us and make us his own. The Holy Spirit speaks God’s Word to us and communicates with us through bread and wine. Through bread and wine we receive the Word of God that reminds us that Jesus was innocently condemned to death that we might be found not guilty at the judgment seat of God. We are reminded that he let his body be nailed to the cross to cancel the debt we have because of our sins. He took our curse upon himself, in order to fill us with his blessings. We are reminded that Jesus was forsaken by God, that we may be accepted by the Father and never be forsaken by him.
We expect to hear the Lord proclaiming his death and resurrection to us as he speaks to us through bread and wine, giving us faith through which we are saved.

Thirdly we expect to have communion, or fellowship, with our Lord at his Table. Jesus invites us to feast with him to assure us of his love and salvation, that we will know that as surely as the bread is broken and the cup is given to us, he is present at his Table to assure us that we belong to him. He meets with us at his Table to direct our faith to his perfect sacrifice on our behalf, teaching us that it is the only ground for our salvation.
By the Holy Spirit, who dwells in Christ as our Head and in us as his members, we have true communion with him and share in all his gifts, his eternal life and his glory.

Fourthly we expect that the same Spirit also unites us as brothers and sisters in true Christian love as members of the one Body of Christ. For the sake of Christ, who loved us first, we love one another at the holy Table and show this love not just in words but also in deeds.

Finally, we expect to receive a foretaste of the amazing joy Jesus promised to his own, that we one day will share at the wedding feast of the Lamb of God when we will drink God’s new wine in the Kingdom of God our Father.

In order to be nourished with Christ at his Supper, we must not only see and taste the outward symbols of bread and wine.
We should not doubt that at his Supper we shall be nourished and refreshed in our souls with Christ himself, as certainly as we receive the bread and wine in remembrance of him.

Acknowledge Jesus before others.

Matt. 10: 32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.”

The image this verse wants to raise in our mind is that of an earthly courtroom. You are summoned to appear before a judge. You are accused of being a Christ believer. How would you answer to that indictment? Would you affirm or deny your faith? Will you acknowledge or disown Jesus?

To acknowledge Jesus before others, is to openly declare that he is indeed the Son of God, to profess him openly as your Saviour and proclaim him as the Lord of your life. All of these not only in words, but also in attitude, values, thoughts, choices, life style, world view, justice, peace and worship. To acknowledge Jesus is to declare before others that you live for him who died for you and that you trust him, who gave his life, his blood for you.

Jesus says that if I acknowledge him before others, he “will also acknowledge me before his Father in heaven.” It means that Jesus is saying to God:
“I died for this person. With my blood I have redeemed him / her from evil, judgment and from sin-slavery. He / she is forgiven, because I (Jesus) was judged and condemned in his/her place.

Does your love for the Lord lead to a relationship where you always acknowledge Christ before others and he acknowledges you before God, our Father?
May the sacrificial love of Jesus makes it impossible for me not to be his witness, his worker and his friend!

Lord Jesus, is it really true?

Lord Jesus, is it really true,
that I could be ashamed of you?
Ashamed of you, whom angels praise,
whose glories shine through endless days?

Ashamed of Jesus! my dear Friend,
on whom my hopes of heaven depend?
No; when I blush, be this my shame,
that I do not revere your Name.

O holy Christ, o Son of God,
I will confess in one accord
with all your children, praise your Name,
acclaim your cross - no fear, no shame!

You died dear Lord, a sinners death,
for me you gave the last throbbing breath.
O Holy One, o God’s true Son,
I’ll count your glories, one by one.

Emotions (2)

Our emotions surface all the time. Some of us suppress what we feel and do not share it with friends, family or even God. Do we feel it is a sign of weakness to be excited or sad? Why are we uncomfortable about being passionate about Christ, our salvation and our worship? Why do we think tears of joy and thanksgiving are embarrassing? Why do we apologise for them? We need to understand that God created us as emotional beings, and he has a divine purpose with what we feel.

We have feelings because God created us that way. He created us in his image. And God also has feelings. In Deuteronomy 32:21, God is speaking of his emotions in terms of his relationship with Israel:
"They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities."
There are times when God is angry, because his people serve other gods, are disobedient and irreverent.

The Bible also speaks at length about the love, mercy and compassion of God. It is the Lord’s feelings of love that moved him to give his only Son, that whosoever believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life. God is love. God is defined by his love for us, and his grace and mercy that save us, are the fruit of his divine love.

When you read the Gospels, you see the love of the Saviour at work. All his miracles and all his teachings testify of his glorious love for us and his desire to have a relationship with us. God has emotions. Jesus has emotions. We can also sadden the Holy Spirit. Thus we, created in God’s image, therefore also have emotions.
We too can experience love for God, our fellow-man, our earthly family and our church family. We too can make a difference because we have compassion and mercy and we also know what anger is.

The only problem with our human emotions is that we sometimes allow them to take charge of our lives, leading to insensible and unwise actions that left common sense, our faith knowledge and wisdom out of the equation. Then we may hurt not only ourselves, but also those most precious to us - and we do not act in a God honouring way. We are then left with regret, because emotional damage is hard to repair.

Dealing with our emotions is harder than we think. We need Jesus to help us. We need the Holy Spirit to guide us. We need the Word of truth to educate us.
We need the love and compassion of our Lord, to console us.
(Next time more about God’s purpose with our emotions.)

Are you really called to serve God in his Church?

1 Tim 5: 24 and 25: The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.

Paul says this within the context of choosing leaders for the congregation. It is easy to see the struggles and sins some have, but the sins of others are hidden at first. They may be taken as possible leaders in the church, yet the Word of God cautions to wait on God for discernment. A leader within the Church who causes the Church to stumble as a result of hidden (sinful) agenda’s can cause incalculable damage to God’s work. We should be careful not to set people apart for important tasks, who have selfish personal gain in mind.

We should also not leave behind those who, because they are humble, hide their good works and are not known, because they do not seek recognition, and for that reason are not drawn on for the gifts God has given them for building up his Church. Their good deeds will not remain a secret forever.

A Church that will serve Christ and her members wisely is one that is able to place the right person in the right place.
Do you have a calling and is gifted by the Spirit to play a role in serving God and the believers? Take courage and offer to serve Christ. Do not hide your gifts. The Lord expects us to serve according to the blessings and the gifts we received. It will bless both us and the congregation when we play our part in God’s team to the full.

May you be blessed as you join God’s work and serve his people, because God called you and because he anointed you.

Emotions (1)

2 Corinthians 4:7-10: The surpassing greatness of the power (is) of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

We all know that both positive and destructive emotions are part of being us and being human. Joy, pleasure, love, pity, compassion and optimism are positive, motivating experiences. Loneliness, confusion, sadness, despair, anxiety, anger, and even hatred are destructive emotions and can ruin lives if not dealt with positively.

We need to know what the place and role of emotions in our lives are. If feelings lead our decisions and our judgment and are the main reason for our choices, we may suffer as a result of illogical and unwise actions that could be disastrous. We all know that we need to think clearly and sensibly to live wisely and safely. Yet, we also know this is easier said than done. Emotions can be powerful, sometimes influencing us more than mere facts and prudent thoughts and common sense.

Emotions are strong, and destructive emotions often hard to restrain.
But Paul says that God is stronger. The surpassing greatness of power is not from ourselves, it is from God. It is our faith relationship that should lead our personalities, our direction, our goals and dreams. Faith in God and trust in God, and obedience to God should guide us, in order for God’s thoughts to save us from our destructive feelings.

Trusting in God, waiting on him, will enable us to say with Paul: “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed”.
Although the dying, suffering and pain of Jesus remain with us in this world, the life of Jesus also manifests in us, giving us control over our emotions.

It is good and healthy to have insight in your emotions and to deal with them constructively. We should not have unfinished emotional business.
And we should grow to a place where our faith leads us from fatal slavery of our feelings, to the freedom in the living Lord that allows us to act wisely and powerfully.

The gospel is that in Christ we need not be crushed, experience despair, feel forsaken or be destroyed by what we feel.
Pauls words in 2 Corinthians 4: 7 – 10 teach that it is possible to be under pressure in difficult circumstances, yet control our emotions. In the midst of even the most trying times, Paul was able to be strong in the Lord. But it starts with faith in God. It starts with trusting Jesus.
It starts with living for him.

Everything received with thanksgiving is holy.

1 Tim 4: 4 – 5: Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

God wants us to receive every good thing with thanksgiving. The way to recognize whether something is “good” or “bad” is to ask ourselves if we are comfortable to thank the Lord for it. Those things on offer for which it is unthinkable to thank the Lord for, should be rejected. The thief cannot thank the Lord for what he stole, and should not steal. The corrupt cannot thank the Lord for what he swindled and should seek integrity.

But more importantly, nothing that God gives to us, because he loves us, should be rejected. And here is the exciting and surprising of this text: whatever is received from the Lord with thanksgiving becomes "consecrated by God’s Word and prayer”.

Consecration refers to persons or things being set apart for God, to belong to him and to serve his purpose.
Everything received from the Lord with thanksgiving, continue to belong to God.
And what have been consecrated, are sacred.
In the Old Testament the people of Israel were set apart to be God’s holy people(Ex. 19:5,6; Deut. 7:6; 14:2). So were the priests (Ex. 29:1-37), the altar (Num. 7:10-88), the utensils used by the priests (2 Sam. 8:11), and the Temple (1 Kings 8:63; Ezra 6:16-18), to name only a few.

In the New Testament all God’s people are set apart too. Al Christian believers are consecrated by Word and prayer to serve our Lord as royal priests every day of their lives. Food, marriage and family life, work and play, responsibility, money and fun, should all be received with thanksgiving and set apart, be given back to God, to serve his purpose in our lives and as such serve his Kingdom.
Everything we receive from God with thanksgiving, is consecrated.
It is holy. We are to use every good blessing in our service of God.

Ultimately, never skip a day to thank the Lord for grace, mercy, salvation, forgiveness, for Jesus, his cross, his resurrection, for giving us his Spirit and for eternal life. We thank our Lord daily for these awesome gifts as we use God’s blessings to celebrate his glory.

Do you think the Good Shepherd forsakes you?

Do you think the Good Shepherd forsakes you?
Even doubt that he really exists?
You may know that Lord Jesus invites you,
that his Spirit to love him, insists!
Jesus said he will come, to reveal what he has done.
Heaven’s drums begin to roll: Jesus comes to make us whole!

Do you think the Good Shepherd forsakes you?
Even doubt that he really exists?
You must know that Lord Jesus invites you,
that his Spirit to love him, insists!

Through his Word do we know he is coming,
to our world, everything that exists!
What is broken Lord Jesus has mended,
that he saves now, his Spirit, insists!
There’s a Breeze blowing now, telling where and telling how.
It’s his Spirit that blows, until everybody knows!

Do you think the Good Shepherd forsakes you?
Even doubt that he really exists?
You must know that Lord Jesus invites you,
that his Spirit to love him, insists!

- Andries
Copy Right reserved

Seek God's leading and his will (3) - final

We today end a short series of devotions about God’s leading and the importance of seeking and accepting the Lord’s will in everything we do.
We already learned that one can be a professing Christian, yet live as practicing atheist who does not care about what God wants for our lives and where he leads us. We also learned that our lives, its days, weeks and its years, are not in our hands. It is in the hands of God. God is in control. We should be what God intends and he will add his blessings to our plans and his grace to our desires.

Seek God’s leading and his will. (3):
Never ignore God’s leading. Be aware of his control. James says,
(James 4:15) ... you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."

Do you remember the days when Christians used to say often - "If the Lord wills." Paul knew we cannot defeat the sovereign will of God. He always desired to follow the Lord's leading, expecting God’s blessing in doing so.

When Paul said farewell to the Christians at Ephesus, he said, "I will come back if it is God's will" (Acts 18:21).
When Paul's friends could not talk him out of going to Jerusalem, they said, "The Lord's will be done" (Acts 21:14).
To the Corinthians Paul states that he would visit "if the Lord is willing" (1 Cor 4:19) and "if the Lord permits" (1 Cor 16:7).
To the church in Rome, he says, "I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you" (Rom 1:10).

When I was a child no announcement in church would be made without the minister saying – “God willing”.
My Mom and Dad, uncles and aunts, grandparents and others made it part of their daily vocabulary to say "if the Lord wills" or, "if the Lord is willing."
We do not talk like this anymore. Not even in Church. And we have lost something important in the process. We lost the daily awareness of the importance of submitting to God and his will. We lost more than an expression, but a lifestyle that was seeking the will of God and submitting to the will of God in everything. We have lost faith in the loving, wise sovereign will of God.

How do we follow God's leading? God's leading requires Bible reading, contemplative prayer, a heartfelt, earnest desire to do nothing outside of God’s will and the confirmation of his will by godly friends and fellow Christians. It requires faith that will not allow me to do anything important without the Silent Voice putting me at rest and at peace that it is what God wants me to do.

It is about not doing anything of which my conscience tells me it is wrong. It is about trusting that God always and under all circumstances knows best and surrendering to him. It is about making peace with God and his control of my life.
It is about praying these Jesus-words, and meaning them: “Not my will, but your will be done!”

A seeking and saving God

Yesterday we again had the privilege to have fellowship with God. Those who came to Church to worship were blessed by being in God’s presence.
But on what basis can we unholy creatures face a holy God?

We have this opportunity, because our God is a seeking and a saving God. He is:
(1 Tim 2:3-4) ... God our Saviour, (4) who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

God does not want any person to perish. God takes no pleasure in the death of wicked men, rather, he waits for the wicked to turn from their ways and live. Through the prophet Ezekiel the Lord asks,
(Ezek 18:23) Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? ... Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?

Just as a parent cannot abandon a badly behaved son or daughter, so the Lord cannot desert his sinful people. Rather, he loves us, wants to save us from ourselves and he listens to our prayers.

It is because God seeks the salvation of all and the destruction of none that he commands us to make "requests, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving" for everyone (1 Tim 2:1). It is only because God wants to seek and save everyone, that we can and have to offer our prayers, for everyone. The result of our prayers is “that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”(1Tim 2:2)

But many resist this seeking and saving God. We often are so consumed by our selfishness and pride and our own ideas, that we resist God's quest to grant us peaceful and quiet lives. We rather choose to run from our Father, and seek what cannot satisfy.
Did you come to the Lord to be cared for and receive God’s affection yesterday?

Seek God’s leading and his will. (2)

Do not even try to avoid the most important question in your life: "What does God want me to do? What is his will?" Because God, not man, is in control.

In the Book of Proverbs, it is clearly taught that although man may have many ideas and plans, God makes the decisions. We make plans and have dreams, but in the end we can do no more and no less than what God intends. Even if we are in denial of this, God's blue print for our lives and not our ideas are implemented. Man consider, dream and plan, but it is God who decides and does according to his will and pleasure.

Listen to some of the wisdom in Proverbs about this truth:
Prov 16:1 - To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue.
Prov 16:9 - In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Prov 19:21 - Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.
Prov 20:24 - A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?
Prov 21:30 - There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.

The inspired message here is clear: God is sovereign, he is in control and it is his purpose and his plans that always in the end are fulfilled. No plan can succeed against the Lord’s will.

The Book of James is well aware of this wisdom. James also reminds us that in the final instance we are not in control of our lives, only God is.
James 4:14 - “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

We do not hold the future in our hands. And we are not in charge of today. All our days are in the hands of God.

My life is not my own, because it belongs to God. God numbers my days and counts the hair on my head, meaning that God takes decisions that impact on the details of my life. The fool says - today or tomorrow I am going to this or that city to do business and make money. Those with insight and wisdom will say - “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that." James 4: 15.

Nobody knows if today is our last day, or tomorrow, or next week, or next month, or next year. We just don't know because our lives, its days, weeks and its years, are not in our hands. It is in the hands of God. God is in control.
Therefore, to be wise and to be safe, ask for God’s will in everything you do, seek his will and his leading. Be what God intends. Stop resisting his will. And he will add his blessings to your plan and his grace to your desires.
Prov 16:9 - In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

Epiphany: Christ Jesus came into the world.

1 Tim 1: 15: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."

One of the important things revealed in this verse about Christ is that he "came into the world." The New Testament word for "world" in the first place means our universe, all that has been created, the sun, stars, moon and earth, and everything that is in them. Paul reminds us that Jesus came from outside our universe, from the eternal and spiritual home of God into this physical, created universe that has a beginning and will have an end. When John deals with this same truth he says that Jesus "became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (Jn 1:14).

When Jesus entered the physical universe, the eternal, holy, spiritual God became one with us by receiving our human nature. “To the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever”.( 1Tim 1: 17). The almighty, ever-glorious God took on frail, humble, human flesh. In Jesus God came to share our fragile human experience so often filled with pain, unfairness and injustice. And he came to save us from it all.

The New Testament word for "world" also refers to that part of the universe that suffers under sin and death. It reminds us that the physical existence of the human race as part of the created order, was shattered by the fall into sin of mankind and is under the judgment of God.

Our verse tells us that "Christ Jesus came into the world" — a world under judgement as a result of sin and evil. Into this world he came to reveal the glory of God, and the glory of the Son of God. He revealed the pure, righteous, immortal, invisible and holy God to our sin stricken existence when he took on our frail human nature. Paul also speaks of this when he says,
{2 Cor 5:21} God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

This is the same as when you and I would have to go to prison, taking on the identity of a criminal. That is a terrible thought! But that is what Christ did when he "came into the world." He who is the glory of the holy God, freely decided to carry the punishment for our disobedience, in our place. Thus he revealed the divine love, grace and mercy of God. He gave us an epiphany of our LORD of light and mercy.

We are blessed when we see his glory and where he comes from, and we in faith accept him who brought the light of heaven into our darkness, and the joy of God’s love into our sad, destructive lives. We have seen the glory of the Son of God, and we rejoice in being his own.

Seek God’s leading and his will. (1)

James 4: 13 – 16: Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.

In verse 13 James pictures business people making plans for future ventures. They say,
(James 4:13) "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money."
They pick the day of their departure, "today or tomorrow" and they pick the city they want to visit, "this or that city," and decide how long they are going to stay there - "a year." They declare their intention to "carry on business." and to "make money." But they do not recognise God’s leading and will in any of this!

James gives these business people as an example with a warning: "Don't be like them," he wants to say.

James warns us against a worldly outlook on life, which makes us believe that we are completely in control of our lives. This world view has no place for God and although some may be nominal believers in God, they live like atheists – as if God does not exist, as if they are masters of their lives and as if they do not need to consult with God, or listen to him, or desire his leading in their lives, because they, and only they, are in charge of their lives.

Can you expect God’s blessing, protection and guidance when he has no place in your plans, desires, diary, budget, or in any way plays any role in your planning your day to day business?

Let’s take care, this year, not to be professing Christians who come to church when it suits us, pray when we are in trouble, but on a day to day basis live as practising atheists. It is so easy to make plans for 2011 and have wonderful dreams for our children – yet all the time neglect God’s will, God’s plan and God’s leading in all of these important matters. Don’t even try to avoid the most important question in your life: "What does God want me to do? What is his will?"

Listen to the warning James gives us today: James 4: 14 - 16 You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.

If it is the Lord’s will, we will live, and we will surrender ourselves to his will and his values this year. He is our Head and our King! We will do what he asks and we will go where he sends and we will follow his leading.

Take heart during 2011 – God is on your side!

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." This statement from 1 Tim 1:15 sums up the entire ministry and life of Jesus: to save sinners. It explains why God became a man in Jesus. It is the most glorious proof of God's love for us. It is the foundation of the Christian message and the single key to understanding everything written in the Bible.

The good news of God is equally clear to young and old, to experienced and not experienced Christians: Christ Jesus is God who became a human being in order to save sinners, like me and you.

Whenever we find our faith wavering and we are confused about the true meaning of the Gospel message, we should spend some time reflecting on this truth. It is of vital importance. In what Jesus came to accomplish for us, we learn that God is now on our side. We also need to learn how to be on the side of God!

Our failure to love and our inability to first of all live for God, clearly show that we are sinners. We all are the sinners Christ came to save. We all are guilty before God. Yet - "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." We know that Christ had to come, because if he didn't, none of us could be saved. We know that all of us need saving and that not one of us can save ourselves.

But what does it mean to be saved? It means forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, freely being given the righteousness of Christ as our own and being bought by the blood of Jesus. It means God's justice has been satisfied by Jesus and we have been accepted by God for the sake of Christ Jesus. The darkness of our sin is replaced by the light of Christ's presence in our lives.

To be saved therefore also means to receive everlasting life. Because Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary and went the way of the cross and of the victory of resurrection, God’s children receive everlasting life.

And because we are saved, we enter 2011 with confidence and hope. We are never alone. We are under no judgement or curse anymore. We are saved from the perils that are the result of our imperfection and disobedience. We are saved from our sins, and therefore our faith gives us the courage to look forward to being the followers of Jesus during this year, in spite of its uncertainties and concerns!

Take heart – Christ Jesus became one of us, to save us from our sins and the consequences of our foolishness. Be courageous and enter into a new year with joy and with peace in your heart! Even before we tread the first uncertain step into 2011, we are saved from ourselves and God is with us in Jesus Christ, through the work of his Holy Spirit.

May you experience God’s grace and mercy during every day of 2011!!

Reflections on the New Year - 2011

During 2011, build the Church wisely

Do not know about you, but I find it hard to love a fool. Particularly the kind that thinks he knows everything about the whole thing, yet knows nothing about anything. “Fools certainty” is more than frustrating, it’s also dangerous. Jesus said that people who do not listen to what he says are like fools who build houses without foundations!

Matthew 7:24-27: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Who will argue that we live during times when fools will not cause harm and live lives with high risks? Who wants to enter 2011 a fool and have the house of Faith washed away by the challenges and temptations that lie ahead?

The problem with foolishness is that it often looks so much like wisdom, or at least like being clever, that its hard to see the difference at first. In the parable two men built 2 very similar houses. Both desired to build a home in which they could live with their families, be safe and happy. Both houses had the features to provide the shelter they were looking for, had doors, windows, views and various amenities.

But note, there were also important contrasts or differences between the two houses and the two men. The most important difference between the men is that one is a fool and and the other one is wise. This results in the important contrast between the houses. The wise man took the trouble to build on the appropriate foundation, but the fool did not consider the future and the challenges the house would face. He was short-sighted. He saw only the moment and the excitement of living in his new house. He did not ensure the safety, the future and the tests his house would have to survive.

A. When the storm came, the fool’s house was taken out and demolished by the circumstances.
Too many church builders find their foundation in fashionable, dated theology based upon the perceived needs of the people of a particular time (pre-modern, modern or post-modern) than on translating and putting to practice the absolute Word of Christ for the sake of the faith-needs of the generation they minister to.

The post WW. II tendency to want to build churches and denominations on other principles than historic creeds, absolute truth and obedience, yes, the foolish desire to promote a life of faith, without being concerned with faith content, is taking its toll in the current inability of the church to now weather storms that have been part of being the church since the beginning.

A review of the past year's research conducted by the Barna Group provides evident main patterns of how the religious environment is changing (this is a very short excerpt from their findings) :

1. The Christian Church is becoming less theologically literate.
What used to be basic, universally-known truths about Christianity are now unknown to a large and growing share of Christians --especially young adults. Few believe that their faith is meant to be the focal point of their life or to be integrated into every aspect of their existence.
2. Christians are becoming more ingrown and less outreach-oriented.
Christians are becoming more spiritually isolated from non-Christians than was true a decade ago. Examples of this tendency include the fact that less than one-third of born again Christians planned to invite anyone to join them at a church event.
3. Growing numbers of people are less interested in spiritual principles and more desirous of learning pragmatic solutions for life.
When asked what matters most, teenagers prioritize education, career development, friendships, and travel. Faith is significant to them, but it takes a back seat to life accomplishments and is not necessarily perceived to affect their ability to achieve their dreams.
4. Among Christians, interest in participating in community action is escalating.
Largely driven by the passion and energy of young adults, Christians are more open to and more involved in community service activities than has been true in the recent past.
5. The postmodern insistence on tolerance is winning over the Christian Church.
Our biblical illiteracy and lack of spiritual confidence has caused Christians to avoid making discerning choices for fear of being labeled judgmental. The result is a Church that has become tolerant of a vast array of morally and spiritually dubious behaviors and philosophies.
6. The influence of Christianity on culture and individual lives is largely invisible.
Culture is driven by the snap judgments and decisions that people make amidst busy schedules and incomplete information. With little time or energy available for research and reflection, it is people’s observations of the integration of a believer’s faith into how he/she responds to life’s opportunities and challenges that most substantially shape people’s impressions of and interest in Christianity.

Too many Christian leaders take the foolish man's approach to building faith communities: they go for short-cuts and quick results and instant satisfaction. Fashion theology in stead of eternal truth provides no security to the Faith community.
Instead of building Faith by building on the Word, Jesus Christ, and a relationship with God by means of worship, sound teaching of God’s word and earnest fellowship with God and fellow believers, fools try to get by with a fashionable word and a quick prayer when the storm comes up.

B. The wise man is the opposite of the foolish man. He wanted to build permanently. He wanted to build for the future. He wanted a house that would endure the storms that time would bring. He considered what could happen during various possible future scenarios - so he built his house on a foundation.

Jesus reminds us that the most significant and essential thing in the life of a Christian, is his or her foundation. The foundation seems irrelevant and inconsequential because it is out of sight. But if the foundation is done haphazardly and thoughtlessly, the structure will without doubt be destroyed.

When our congregation built our chapel 4 years ago, we had excellent scientists doing a lot of homework, providing us - or rather our engineers and builders – with detailed information. You see, we have a high risk of dolomite and its destructive consequences. We had to get the foundation right to ensure a long lasting, quality structure. The right foundation and protection of that foundation, was the key to successfully building our chapel on this land.
Fools cannot build on high risk land!

When it comes to faith, spirituality and our relationship with Christ, to building our lives, our families, our congregations and our denomination, we can never afford to take short-cuts. We simply have to make sure that we are building on the proper foundation.

C. The only foundation which we can build on, is Christ Jesus. This is Paul's argument in 1 Corinthians 3. He writes: (1Cor 3:10b,11) “... each one should be careful how he builds, for no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

To build on anything but Christ is to play with disaster. For when the storms come, what you have built will be washed away, if you are not built upon the Rock that is Christ. Jesus said wise men put his words into practice! Only a fool will ignore what Christ said and what he did to secure our lives’ homes and trade it for the fashion theology of the day.

From the outside, at least, there is very little difference between the wise man and the fool. You find them both in the Church. Both seem to enjoy fellowship. They listen to the same Gospel. They may both be involved in the life and ministry of the church. It sometimes is hard to tell them apart.

Starting the New Year, we therefore have to look at our hearts. What do you see there? Do we see a wise man or a fool? Don't answer too quickly because they look so much alike.

Check your heart and resolutions against the following God inspired words:
(Mt 7:24) Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

(Mt 7:26) But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.

(Mt 7:21) Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

The bottom line is – a wise person listens to and obeys Jesus, but the fool does whatever he pleases, in spite of what Jesus says.

D. It is therefore important to see if we have an obedient heart. Do we see faith working itself out in our daily lives and teaching? Do we see hearts that desire to worship, to learn and to abide by what Jesus expects?
Do you see the fruit and gifts of the Spirit? Do you see an eagerness to serve and love God?

Too many live only for the present, never give a thought to the future and refuse to think of eternity. These fools eat, drink, party, work, and collect material treasure without realizing that when the storm of judgement comes, all of this will be demolished by the ruling before the throne of God.
The wise man lives in the present, but is equipped for the future. He considers the future. He considers eternity. He therefore has to have the right foundation.

Back to the parable. Within the church of Jesus there are wise builders and foolish builders. There are those who build upon the Rock called Christ and put his words into practice. They are wise and they are safe.
And then there are fools!

May Christ and his gospel help us to be wise builders during 2011.
And may God bless us every step of the way!

2011 - Oordenking vir die Nuwe Jaar.

Gedurende 2011 - bou met wysheid.

Weet nie van jou nie, maar ek vind dit moeilik om van ’n gek en ’n dwaas te hou. Veral die soort wat dink hulle weet alles van die hele ding af, terwyl hulle niks van enige iets weet nie. “Gekke sekerheid” is meer as frustrerend, dis ook gevaarlik. Jesus het gesê dat mense wat nie na Hom luister nie, is soos ’n dwaas wat huise sonder fondamente bou.

Matteus 7:24-27: “Elkeen dan wat hierdie woorde van My hoor en daarvolgens handel, kan vergelyk word met 'n verstandige man wat sy huis op rots gebou het. Die stortreën het geval, vloedwaters het afgekom, winde het teen daardie huis gewaai en daaraan geruk, en tog het dit nie ingestort nie, want die fondament was op rots. En elkeen wat hierdie woorde van My hoor en nie daarvolgens handel nie, kan vergelyk word met 'n dwaas wat sy huis op sand gebou het. Die stortreën het geval, vloedwaters het afgekom, winde het teen daardie huis gewaai en daaraan geruk, en die huis het ingestort en is heeltemal verwoes.”

Wie sal waag om te sê ons lewe nie in tye waarin dwase wat hoë risiko aannames maak, groot skade kan aanrig nie? Wie wil 2011 onverstandig aanpak en toelaat dat sy lewe deur die uitdagings en versoekings wat voorlê weg gewas word?

Die probleem met dwaasheid is dat onverstandiges vas glo hulle is reg en dat dit selfs baie slim, akademies en “wetenskaplik” kan voorkom. In Jesus se gelykenis bou twee manne 2 huise wat op die oog af baie dieselfde lyk. Al twee wil graag huise hê waarin hulle gelukkig en veilig met hulle gesinne kan woon. Al twee huise lyk na effektiewe skuilings met deure, vensters, ’n uitsig en verskillende geriewe. ’n Verbyganger sal moeilik kan kies tussen die twee.

Maar daar is tog baie belangrike verskille tussen die twee mans en tussen hulle huise. Die belangrikste is dat die een man verstandig en die ander een ’n gek, of dan, ’n dwaas, is. Dit veroorsaak die belangrikste verskil tussen die huise wat hulle bou – die verstandige man bou sy huis op ’n fondament, maar die dwaas oorweeg nie die risiko’s en uitdagings wat sy huis in die toekoms sal moet trotseer nie. Hy sien net die opwinding van die oomblik raak. Hy wil so gou moontlik intrek. Hy oorweeg nie enige risiko’s nie. Hy maak nie seker dat sy huis die toets van die tyd sal deurstaan nie.

Toe die storm kom, vernietig dit die dwaas se huis onmiddellik. Die wyse, verstandige man se huis het bly staan.

Teveel Christene benader sake van geloof soos die dwase bouer. Hulle hou van vinnige antwoorde, spoedige resultate en kits satisfaksie. In plaas daarvan om hul geloof op te bou deur daagliks aan ’n verhouding met God te werk en goeie gewoontes kweek soos gereelde aanbidding en erediens bywoning, Bybel lees en gebed, volstaan hulle met skietgebedjies as die storm opkom.
Die verstandige man doen die teenoorgestelde. Hy wil hê sy huis moet altyd bly staan. Hy bou met die oog op die toekoms. Hy begeer ’n huis wat storms kan oorleef. Hy oorweeg die uitkoms van allerlei toekomstige scenario’s en daarom besluit hy om sy huis op ’n stewige fondament staan te maak.

Jesus herinner dat die belangrikste en mees essensiële realiteit vir ’n Christen sy of haar fondament is. Moenie soos die dwaas dink, dat omdat jy nie die fondament kan sien nie, maak dit nie saak nie. Die dwaas bou sonder berekenings en ondeurdag en stel net belang in wat sigbaar en ervaarbaar is. Die struktuur wat hy bou, vergaan.

Toe ons gemeente ons kapel gebou het, het uitstaande wetenskaplikes baie huiswerk gedoen om vir ons – of liewer ons ingenieurs en bouers - in besonderhede raad te gee. Jy sien, ons stukkie grond het hoë dolomiet risiko’s met moontlike destruktiewe eienskappe. Ons moes die fondament regkry om ’n struktuur te kon oprig wat lank veilig sal staan. Net die regte fondament, met net die regte beskerming vir daardie fondament, was die sleutel tot ’n suksesvolle bou projek.
Dwase kan nie op hoë risiko grond bou nie.

As dit by geloofsake en spiritualiteit en ons verhouding met Christus kom en as dit daarby kom om ’n veilige lewe te bou en die toekoms van ’n gesin of ’n gemeente of ’n kerk te verseker, is daar nie kortpaaie nie. Ons moet eenvoudig doodseker maak dat ons op die regte fondament bou.

Paulus sê daar is net een fondament waarop ons kan bou en dit is Christus Jesus. Hy skryf in 1 Korintiërs 3: 10 en 11: “Volgens die genade wat God my gegee het, het ek soos 'n goeie bouer die fondament gelê, en 'n ander bou daarop. Maar hy moet mooi kyk hoe hy verder bou, want niemand kan 'n ander fondament lê as wat reeds gelê is nie. Die fondament is Jesus Christus.”

Om op enige iets anders as Christus te bou, is om speletjies met rampspoed te speel. As die storms kom, sal alles wat jy gebou het weg gewas word. Daar is net een Rots en dit is Christus. Jesus het gesê die verstandige man handel volgens sy woorde. Net ’n gek en ’n dwaas ignoreer wat Christus gesê het as dit by die veiligheid van sy lewenshuis kom.

Uiterlik lyk die verstandige en dwase man se geloofslewe baie dieselfde. Jy vind albei in die erediens – hoewel die dwaas dikwels net die eerste paar maande van die jaar kom. Dit lyk of albei die samesyn van die gelowiges geniet. Hulle luister na dieselfde boodskap. Albei ondersteun die instandhouding van die bediening van Woord en Sakrament. Dis moeilik om hulle uitmekaar te ken, as jy net uiterlike dinge in ag neem.

Daarom moet ons aan die begin van ’n nuwe jaar goed en deeglik na ons harte kyk. Wat sien jy daar? ’n Verstandige man, of ’n dwase gek? Moenie te vinnig antwoord nie, want hulle lyk op die oog af teveel na mekaar.

Kyk weer na jou hart en voornemens en toets dit aan God-geïnspireerde woorde:
(Mt 7:24) Elkeen dan wat hierdie woorde van My hoor en daarvolgens handel, kan vergelyk word met 'n verstandige man wat sy huis op rots gebou het.

(Mt 7:26) En elkeen wat hierdie woorde van My hoor en nie daarvolgens handel nie, kan vergelyk word met 'n dwaas wat sy huis op sand gebou het.

(Mt 7:21) “Nie elkeen wat vir My sê: ‘Here, Here,’ sal in die koninkryk van die hemel ingaan nie, maar net hy wat die wil doen van my Vader wat in die hemel is.”

Die basiese waarheid is dat ’n verstandige mens na Jesus luister en aan Hom gehoorsaam is. ’n Dwaas maak soos hy wil, wat Jesus ook al sê.

Dis belangrik om gehoorsaam te wil wees. Om te wil sien dat wat ek glo in daaglikse liefde vir God en my naaste realiseer. Sien jy in jou hart die begeerte om te aanbid en om te leer en om te bly by wat Jesus verwag?

Sien jy in jou lewe die vrug en gawes van die Gees? Sien jy opgewondenheid daaroor om te dien en jou liefde vir God te wys?
Teveel mense leef net vir die oomblik, sonder om na die gevolge vir die toekoms ondersoek te doen. Baie weier om ewige gevolge te oorweeg. Dwase eet en drink, hou partytjie en werk en versamel aardse goed sonder om rekening te hou met hulle weerbaarheid wanneer die storm kom en of alles wat hulle gedoen het, sal bly staan voor die beoordeling van die Troon van God.

’n Verstandige mens lewe in die hier en nou, maar is paraat vir die toekoms. Hy oorweeg die uitdagings wat die toekoms inhou. Hy weet dat hy sonder God geen storm kan trotseer nie. Hy oorweeg die ewige gevolge van sy besluite. Hy bou op die fondament Christus en handel volgens die woorde van Jesus.

Terug na die gelykenis. Daar is verstandige en dwase bouers in die kerk van Jesus. Verstandiges bou op die Rots. Hulle sal veilig wees.
Maar daar is ook dwase, onverstandige, onkundige gekkerny wanneer dit by geloofsake kom.

Mag Christus, sy Woord en sy Kerk jou help om ’n verstandige bouer in 2011 te wees.
En mag God ons elke tree wat ons op op sy padgee, ryklik seën.

Christmas is a preparation to die in peace.

When you die, do you know what will happen to you? Donald Cargill, a faith hero in the history of the Presbyterian church in Scotland, knew exactly what was going to happen to him when he died. He was condemned for his Presbyterian faith and sentenced to the gallows in 1681, and beheaded in Edinburgh.

When he came to the scaffold, Cargill said these words, because he had faith and he knew where he was going after this life: As the drums were beaten and the executioner was ready to fulfil his gruesome task, he clearly said:
Now I am near to getting to my crown, which shall be sure; for I bless the Lord, and desire all of you to bless Him that He hath brought me here, and makes me triumph over devils, and men, and sin -- they shall wound me no more. I forgive all men the wrongs they have done to me, and pray the Lord may forgive all the wrongs that anyone have done against Him. I pray that sufferers may be kept from sin, and helped to know their duty.
Farewell reading and preaching, praying and believing, wanderings, reproaches, and sufferings. Welcome unspeakable joy full of glory.

Will you be able to speak similar words when the day comes when you will meet the Lord face to face?

In Luke 2: 29 we read a comparable statement by a faith hero who lived during the times when Christ was born. His name was Simeon and he was an elderly man. He too was ready to die, because he knew exactly what was going to happen to him after death. He says,
Luke 2:29 "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace."
"Let me die," he says. "Let me die in peace."

"Peace" can mean many things. For those living in war-stricken areas it would most probably mean the absence of military activity and the end of violence.

But the peace that Simeon speaks about here (just like the peace that Donald Cargill experienced on the gallows) is so much more than only the end of strife after warring madness.
No, Simeon speaks of the peace that believing men and women experience when they pass on to be with God. He speaks about the perfect peace when we go to be with Christ.

Simeon saw the Messiah in the temple on the 8th day after his birth. He took Jesus into his arms and saw the Comfort promised to God’s people to be real, to be born a human being - the beginning of the Messiah’s ministry of salvation. True peace that cannot be taken from us, even by death, is to meet the Christ of God and to start living in his presence, knowing his peace will be perfected when we see Christ the Lord, face to face.

"Let me die in peace," says Simeon. Simeon knew that he would receive the crown of righteousness (2 Tim 4:8) in a place of glory. This is the peace he is talking about.

Do you know this peace? Do you know that you too will go to be with Jesus when you die? Only when you know this, Christmas truly happened in your heart and in your soul.
Then you have been prepared to live the joyous Christmas life here – and for all eternity.

Christmas 2010: Messiah is called mighty God.

The Bible tells us that it is only God who is truly mighty. The Lord is a warrior (Ex 15:3; Is 42:13). He more than anyone else does almighty acts in battle and defeats his enemies. It was the Lord, mighty in battle (Ps 24:8), who gave Israel victory after victory.

Isa 9: 2, 6 and 7: 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called… Mighty God. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.

The Messiah is called "mighty." Like our LORD revealed in OT times, he is a warrior. He triumphs over his enemies. He defeats his enemies and my enemies. Our Messiah chases away darkness and establishes a Kingdom of peace and joy.

The Messiah is not only called "mighty" - he is also called "God." He is the warrior God. He is the God of absolute power. He is "Mighty God".
In the New Testament we hear Jesus saying, "All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me" (Mt 28:18). And, "Take heart! I have overcome the world" (Jn 16:33b).

Have a blessed Christmas because you too believe that you follow and love a mighty Saviour, and expect a powerful salvation.
This is what we celebrate tomorrow, on Christmas Day: that Jesus, Mighty God, has come, and chased the darkness away.

Choose to serve the Son of the Most High this Christmas

An angel came to speak to Mary. To announce the birth of Messiah Jesus.
He calls her highly favoured and he calls her most blessed amongst women. Why?

The core answer to this question is found in Luke 1: 31 – 33:
Mary, you have found favour with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Mary is highly favoured because she would carry the King who will sit on David’s throne forever! The angel said "you have found favour with God." And later Elizabeth (verse 42) greeted her with the words: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the Child you will bear."
Mary is highly favoured – by the Lord. She is blessed – by the Lord.

Mary was called blessed, not because of her virginity and not because of her humility, but because of her son. God gave to Mary a distinction that he gave to no one else in the history of the entire human race. God gave to Mary the privilege of giving birth to the Son of the Most High, the Second Person of the holy Trinity.

During the Christmas season we honour Mary as the mother of the eternal Son of God, as a man. Not to exalt Mary, but to faithfully confess Christ completely – to assert that the beloved Son of the Most High, was "born of a woman" (Gal 4:4).

Mary did more than just carry the Christ-child to term. She was also the mother who cared for the physical needs of Jesus the infant and boy. She nursed him and took care of him in every way a baby needs to be nurtured. With Joseph, she brought Jesus to the Temple to have him circumcised and presented to the Lord. With Joseph, she fostered him and taught him the ways of the God of Israel. With Joseph, she was the one who taught him to memorize and sing the Psalms and say the prayers and follow the rites of the Faith.

Mary was blessed, favoured by God - to bear and to nurture the Son of God, to be a mother to the Saviour.

Nobody else will ever again do what Mary was called to accomplish. Yet, at the foot of the cross, Jesus said to his best friend John – there is your mother.
A new family is formed at the foot of the cross of salvation. Where we all became mothers, fathers, sons and daughters and brothers and sisters, a family called to look after, to care for and to foster the body of Christ – his physical body on earth today, yes, his church! We receive grace and favour from God to be able to choose to commit our lives to prepare the bride of Christ to meet with him in order to celebrate the wedding feast of the Lamb.

May we through faith make this choice this Christmastide anew!
“Here I am, the servant of the Lord! May I accomplish everything the Lord has said to me!”

Advent 2010: Lord, come to us as everlasting Father

Isaiah tells us in Isa 9:6, 7 that the Messiah is called "Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
The Messiah is, amongst other things, our "Everlasting Father."

Christ is like a father to us. The reason that God became one of us, a man of flesh and blood, was to care and provide for us, to protect us and always and in al circumstances be there for us.

When he is called “everlasting”, we come face to face with the Messiah as eternal God. In whatever way he decides to look after us, he can – he is able to – because he is our eternal God who will forever be a loving Provider to his people.

The truth is, that Messiah Jesus is everything we will ever need of a Saviour. He amongst many other things, is our "Everlasting Father." We can always expect compassion from him. We can always and forever come to him with our needs for mercy, love and forgiveness. Christ is always with us. Always listening and caring. We can always depend on him. Eternally he remains a father to his disciples.

Be blessed during this Advent Season when you realise that nothing can ever separate you from the love of God in Jesus our Saviour. He comes to us as a father. He will always be a father to us. Name whatever danger, problem or issue you may think about, and it will not be able to separate you from the love and care of Christ Jesus as our Everlasting Father.

Come Lord Jesus, and take care of me!

Advent 2010: Serving Messiah’s Kingdom

Mary, the mother of Jesus and Elizabeth, the mother of John the baptiser, were pregnant at the same time. And they had more in common: they were relatives, they were both on their first pregnancy, they both became pregnant through an almighty act of God, God sent the angel Gabriel to announce both births, and they both were given a child who played a key role in God's plan of salvation.

I am sure they wept together, laughed together, prayed together, shared the experiences of becoming mothers for the first time and encouraged one another spiritually, lifting one another up, during the three months they were together (Lk 1:56). Elizabeth must have had a major role in comforting and inspiring Mary to be able to complete her challenge and call within the coming of the Messiah. Elizabeth was to serve Mary and support her when she most needed the care, love and encouragement. Elizabeth served the coming of Messiah’s kingdom by serving her young relative, the Messiah’s mother.

The angel Gabriel visited Mary and told her about the virgin birth. Then he gave her a sign, a proof, that this would actually happen:
(Luke 1:36) Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.
When Mary heard this she "got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea" (Lk 1:39). Mary made haste out of obedience to the plan revealed to her by the angel, a plan which included the pregnancy of Elizabeth, and was confirmed by the pregnancy of Elizabeth. (Lk 1:36-37).

The visit began with Mary's greeting of Elizabeth. Mary could not have known of Elizabeth's status apart from God's revelation through the angel Gabriel. And Elizabeth was now, in turn, given a revelation of Mary's pregnancy, so that she could return Mary's greeting.

Elizabeth was given a revelation through the leap of joy of the child in her womb. The angel told Zechariah, her husband, that John the baptiser would be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb (Lk 1:15). This meant he would be a prophet in spirit and power equal to that of the mighty prophet Elijah (Lk 1:17). John the baptiser started his prophetic ministry here, still in his mother’s womb, by leaping for joy, as a result of the presence of the Messiah in the womb of Mary. (Lk 1:41,44) Filled with the Holy Spirit, in response to the reaction of her son within her womb, Elizabeth realized that Mary was pregnant and that her child was the long expected Messiah.

In this Advent season our hearts too should leap with joy at the thought of the baby in Bethlehem's manger. We should feel John’s joy and celebrate that what the prophets of old had talked about, was finally coming to fulfilment. After all, Mary's baby is our Messiah, our Saviour and God’s only, eternal Son.

There should be a leap for joy, because we are reminded that all things are possible with God. The Saviour’s conception and birth is a sign that God can and does put aside the laws of nature, the natural order of things, in order to do his mighty will.

His kingdom comes and his will is done on earth as it is in heaven. Nothing could change his salvation plan. God was the main player in the first Christmas story and he is the main player in the coming of his kingdom today. The Mary’s, Josephs, Zechariahs, Elizabeths and shepherds of this world, you and I, are employed and deployed to share the Good News of him becoming part of our world, our lives, our faith and our eternal destination!
Glory to God in the highest!

Advent 2010. Praising God.

In Luke 2 we meet a "great company" of angels. "Suddenly," says Luke, "a great company of the heavenly host appeared... praising God" (Luke 2:13).

The angels sang their song of praise to the Lord, because of the "good news of great joy that will be for all the people" (Luke 2:10). And the "good news"is that "in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord" (vs 11). This is the best news ever proclaimed. To a mankind lost in sin, God has sent a Saviour, the promised Messiah. He will lead his people to victory over sin, death, evil and judgement.

This Messiah is our Saviour. He was born to save us, not the angels. Yet, the angels sing their song of praise to God. Even more than the angels we, during this Season should be singing "Glory to God," because of our Saviour's birth. The angels show us how to sing the praises of God.

Before the beginning of time, since their creation, the angels sang of God's glory. According to the Book of Revelation, John saw angels singing these same words before the throne of God. "Then I looked," says John, "and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne ... In a loud voice they sang: :
Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise ... Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honour and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen! (Revelation 5:11,12; 7:12)

"Glory to God in the highest" means that only to God in heaven belongs honour, praise, and majesty. Men and angels do not give this "glory" to God. It is already his and will always be his from eternity to eternity. What the angels on Christmas eve did, and the angels before the throne are always doing, is recognising and acknowledging the glory that has always been God's.

We must learn from them. God's first commandment for our lives is, "You shall have no other gods before me." This simply mans: “Glory to God in the highest."
The first thing Jesus taught us to pray is, "Hallowed be Thy name."
This simply means: “Glory to God in the highest." All of our lives, must be directed towards the glory of God. God must always be first and always be praised.

When Christ's work in heaven and on earth is done, God will be "all in all" and "everything to everyone." Then all of God's creatures, all of creation will unite in one incredible choir; and, there will rise up to the throne of God one mighty refrain from all of creation: “Glory to God in the highest ... (because) in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you, and he is Christ the Lord."

Advent 2010: Finding faith with Zechariah

Zechariah’s name means, "The Lord remembers his covenant.” Zechariah was a godly, upright priest in Israel during the times when Mary became pregnant with Jesus. His wife Elizabeth was Mary’s cousin. Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth "were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly" (Lk 1:6). Combining priestly origins and heartfelt desire to observe God’s will and law, made Zechariah and Elizabeth represent the best of the faithful in Israel.
But they were also beyond their child bearing years and did not have any children.

In Zechariah the Lord remembered his covenant promises. He preserved a faithful priest from Aaron's house who would make the final preparations for preparing the way for the coming Messiah.

Then something extraordinary dramatic happened. The angel Gabriel appeared to priest Zechariah while he sacrificed incense in the temple. The angel said that God remembered his promises about the Messiah. God was continuing his plan of salvation as promised even to Abraham centuries before. And, that a son to be born to Zechariah and Elizabeth, John the baptiser, would prepare the way for the Lord’s coming.

Zechariah could hardly believe what he was hearing.
Lk 1:18: "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years" he said to the angel. What God promises is often so much beyond human ability, that it is simply unbelievable.

God made many “unbelievable” promises: Grace and forgiveness for people who do not deserve it. A role and ministry for regular sinners to accomplish his Kingdom plans. Rebirth and sanctification for those very regular sinners, to restore them by grace through faith into a royal priesthood to work for him - and I may be one of them.
God promised more than the forgiveness of sins. He promised the resurrection of the body, life everlasting and a new heaven and new earth.
We, like Zechariah, also often cannot stop ourselves from asking "How can I be sure of this?"

So God gave Zechariah a sign. Zechariah was turned speechless before the might and grace of God. He would be mute until God made his promise to become true when John the baptiser was born.

As we look at all that God did to guarantee the details of the Christmas story and how he guided the elected role players to participate, we cannot help but be awestruck by the power and the grace of God.
We too are often humbled when our doubts are gloriously turned into amazement as to how God makes the gospel truth become true in our lives and the lives of fellow believers. We too find faith when we cannot help to see that "nothing is impossible with God" (Lk 1:37) We too are muted by amazement when we unexpectedly are given faith that knows that nothing is beyond our Lord.

Because the only hero and star of the Christmas story, is God.
He is behind everything that happened that first Christmas. And he continues to be an awe-inspiring God as he also in our lives remembers his covenant promises, carries out his plan of salvation and guide us to the purposes of our existence.
We too will one day be speechless when he comes on the clouds to bring his perfect and holy Kingdom to final and complete fruition!
The Lord’s advent frees us from unbelief and makes us expecting and awaiting the impossible.
Glory to God in the highest!

Advent 2010: Waiting with Simeon

Simeon was an elderly man who lived at the time of the birth of Jesus. God revealed to him that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. (Lk 2:26.) We are told that Simeon "was waiting for the salvation of Israel." He was a believer who held on to God’s promises and Word.

As a believing man, Simeon was waiting for the prophecies of the coming Messiah to take place. Then one day Simeon was moved by the Spirit to go to the temple to see the Christ. How excited he must have been! You can be sure that he went as quickly as he possibly could. His waiting was almost done. He would finally cry out that the salvation of Israel and the kingdom of God had come.

When he entered the temple, Simeon saw Joseph and Mary with Baby Jesus. Somehow he knew that Baby Jesus is the One he had been waiting for and praying to see for all those years. He held out his arms. He took the Child and praised God with these words: Lk 2: 28 – 32: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."

Most of Israel’s believers were waiting for Messiah's birth. But when the Messiah did come, only a handful of people recognised him.
Many who are waiting for Jesus, begging for peace, joy and salvation in their lives, do not recognise him when he comes to them.

None of us, not a single one, can go in peace unless we have met the Saviour of all men, our Redeemer from sin. I therefore have to ask: have you met the Saviour? Have you truly seen the Christ?

The Saviour has already come. It is also true that someday he will come again. So we too, like Simeon, eagerly wait and pray for his coming. We are filled with hope and great anticipation.

During this season, like Simeon, hold out your hands, your arms and your hearts, to receive him.
We are waiting for the coming of Jesus with Simeon and with all the believers of every generation. He stands knocking at the door of our lives. Let’s let him enter with great joy. And, when he returns on the clouds, or when he comes to take us to be with him, we will go in peace and joy, for we have see the salvation of the sovereign Lord!
Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly Lord!

Advent: STOP SAYING NO TO JESUS

"Remember that knowing what is right to do and then not doing it, is sin”, James 4:17.

Most people with a conscience at least sometimes feel guilty about sinful things they did. But what about the times we offend God because of the things he expects us to do, and we have not done it, called the “sins of omission”?

The story in Matt 2, about the Wise Men in search of Christ teaches an important message about sins of omission.

We all remember that king Herod’s reaction to the news that THE Christ was born, was one of hatred and attempted murder of the Christ-child. These feelings were eventually shared by the religious leaders Herod consulted in Jerusalem. They were disturbed by the Wise Men, the Bible says. Even though they revealed the location of his birth to King Herod, they did not consider going along with the wise men in search of the promised Messiah. No, they wished that the Wise Men were wrong about his birth. They did not want to worship the Child. It was simply too much to ask of them to have their well organised lives disturbed by the birth of the King.

Silently wishing that what God expects of me will just go away unnoticed if I ignore him long enough, is only a step away from outright hatred of it. When Jesus began his public ministry 30 years later, what was the response to Jesus of this disturbed group of religious leaders? It was one of outright hatred!

In the parable about the sheep and the goats on the judgement day, written in Matt 25:31-46, Jesus accuses the ‘goats’ on his left hand of sins of omission. He accuses them of work which they knew they had to do for God, but didn't! We cannot forget these words of Jesus: "I was hungry, but you did not feed me, I was thirsty but you did not quench my thirst, I was naked but you did not clothe me and ....."I kept sending you bible-based messages, sermons, bible studies, e-mails, blogs, but you never cared to accept them for what they are - the word of the living God!” (This last sentence does not appear in Matt 2 – but I believe Jesus wants to say it to some of us today.)

May you be blessed this Season, when you hear the good news about the King of Heaven who was born in Bethlehem, by surrendering completely to him, faithfully worshipping him with the Wise Men, seeking him, finding him, honouring him with gifts, loving him and following him with all your heart.

Being disturbed by the demands that Christ makes in our lives and on our lives so often lead to hating his demands (and eventually even hating him!) And it leads to the attempted murder of his Body, the Church. But when we worship him, expect him, wait for him, are ready for him, find hope, peace, joy and love through him, we will not be disturbed by his demand to follow him with all our heart. He will change our hearts and our lives and our eternal destination.

STOP SAYING “NO” TO JESUS THIS ADVENT SEASON.
For he certainly is coming back to ask you why you did.

Advent 2010: Worship with Mary

Mary,the mother of Jesus, glorified God in a song. In her song she said that the name of God is holy. What name did she have in mind? In her song she called God "LORD," "God my Saviour," and "Mighty One."

Mary, of course, was raised a Jew and knew God by all his Hebrew names. She knew him as El-Shaddai — this is "God of the Mountains" or "The Almighty God" with all power, might and strength. She knew him as El-Elyon — this is "The Most High God" or "The Exalted One." She knew him as El-Olam — this is "God of Eternity," the God above and beyond time and space, the God who is sovereign for all eneternity. She knew him as El-Berith — this is the "God of the covenant," the God who remains faithful from generation to generation. She knew him as Adonai — this is "Lord," a title of authority, rule and honour. She knew him as Ancient of Days, Rock, Refuge, Fortress, Shield, Sun, Refiner. She knew him as Judge, Shepherd, and Father.

You may wonder why the Lord is described by so many names? Because the beauty, the fullness, and the magnificence of God cannot be expressed by just one name.

When reading the New Testament we find there are as many different names for Jesus as there are for God.
Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone, the Living Bread, the Hidden Treasure, the Way, Life and Truth, the Sure Foundation, the Great Physician, the Great Teacher, Lord of the Harvest, the Rock of Ages, the True Vine, the Righteous Judge, the True Witness, the Good Tidings of Great Joy, the Wisdom of God, the Good Master, the Giver of Rest, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world, the Son of the Living God, the Saviour, the Redeemer and Lord of all!

Why Jesus is described by so many names? Because the beauty, the fullness, and the magnificence of Jesus cannot be expressed by just one name.

Why did Mary praise the name of God? An angel appeared to Mary, called her blessed and favoured and announced her privilege to give birth to the Messiah, although she would remain a virgin. The angel also announced that her cousin, Elizabeth, is going to have a child. And then the angel adds this: "For nothing is impossible with God."

No wonder Mary glorified the holy Name of the Lord. The Mighty One does great things to save his people. As Mary put it, God:
"has been mindful of the humble state of his servant ...(51) He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. (54) He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful (55) to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers." (Luke 1:48, 51, 54,55) ...

From Mary’s example we learn how to respond to God’s holy majesty. We respond in praise and worship. We sing great songs and carols. We worship him. We praise his holy Name! This is what Mary did when she realized the holiness of God’s Name. She said, "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour ..." (Lk 1:46-47).

We also should respond in worship when the coming Kingdom of the Christ of God is proclaimed to us. When Mary was commissioned by God to become pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit and carry the Son of God, she said "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said" (Lk 1:38). She did not argue, complain or whine. She surrendered to God and his plan for her life. She became a follower of Christ even before she became his mother.

The Mighty God who acted so powerfully the first Christmas, is able to do everything. Nothing is impossible with God, the angel said to Mary. To him we also want to be obedient. Like Mary, we also want to worship our awesome God.
"Holy is his name."