Without love there is neither grace nor faith

John 3:  1 - 21

This famous passage links four related subjects into one theme: There is no grace or faith without God’s love for the world. 

(1)  If we are not born into the Kingdom of God by the grace of God, we cannot have faith. (1 – 13)

(2)  The faith that brings salvation comes from beholding the lifting up of the Son of Man. The term, "lifted up," refers to the cross, but it also refers to the resurrection and to the ascension.  Jesus will be lifted up on the cross, the great sacrifice of atonement. He will be raised up on the third day, conquering death.  His cross, his resurrection and his ascension are different facets of his glorification. (verse 14 – 15)

(3)  God loves the world, which prompted God's gift of the Son so that those who believe in him should have eternal life.  God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.  (verse 16)

(4) There is a judgement day for those who love the darkness more than the Light, and who for this reason do not in faith look to the uplifted Son for eternal life. (verse 17 – 21)

These four subjects are so closely related as to become one theme:

There is no faith without grace. Grace has no meaning in isolation from the judgment.  If we have no sin, we need no forgiveness.  If there is no judgment, we need no grace.  

Therefore there is no grace or faith without God’s love for the world.   

The Father’s House of prayer

In John 2:13-25 we read about the “cleansing of the temple” and we find an unusual picture of Jesus with a whip in his hand and with zealous words and actions against those who changed the temple, his Father’s House of prayer, into a market place.

The passage tells us that the key question about this strange incident is what grants Jesus the authority to disrupt both the worship and economic activities in the temple in such a harsh way?

The answer is clear.  It is his Father’s house. He was more than a pilgrim visiting the temple. He is the Son of the God who dwells in that temple and as such he has the authority to take control of all the temple’s activities.

Jesus appears in Jerusalem making a bold statement for his authority to represent and reveal the God of the temple, whom he knows intimately as his Father.  As the Son of God, Jesus will not tolerate the abuse of people’s need to worship and serve God for personal agendas and gain. Jesus will neither accept nor bless participation in God’s work which is the result of wicked self satisfying motives. 

The challenge for churches today is to follow the example of Jesus when they structure their own activities only in ways that sincerely and reverently serve to reveal God to the world and provide for a “God-hungry-and-thirsty-world” the opportunity to worship the Lord and have their spiritual needs met. There should be zero-tolerance for any other agenda than to provide to God’s people a house of prayer and a revelation of the love, grace and glory of God.

When non-believers look at how Christians participate as members of God’s household, what picture do they get of the God worshiped in that particular “house of God?”

Only through faith

Only through faith

in the Lord we receive his salvation.

Only our faith creates true and sincere celebration.

We shall believe,

and all his mercies receive:

Trusting the God of creation!

Only our faith

in the Saviour assures of God’s favour.

It is through faith in the Son that we joyfully labour.

Through faith do right,

witness with power, with might,

love God with zeal, love your neighbour!

It is God’s Spirit

who grants us our faith through his teaching,

when by his grace and love into our deepest thoughts reaching.

Learning Gods Word,

only through faith we’re assured,

while we Christ’s gospel are preaching!

- Andries.

Copyright reserved

God is with us!

God is with us, because in the person of Jesus Christ, his eternal Son, he became one of us, never to leave or forsake us again.

God became a human being, namely our Lord Jesus Christ.  As he is with us and one of us, we have no reason for fear. "If God is for us (and with us), who can be against us?" asks Paul (Rom 8:31)?

Just before Israel fought the inhabitants of Canaan to take possession of the promised land, the Lord gave his people a comforting word of assurance: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of your enemies ..." Why not? "For the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you" (Deut 31:6). 

Because of God's presence in our lives, because God became a man when our Saviour Jesus  came to us as prophets promised God’s people over centuries, we  can be strong and courageous. We know that no evil is so great that the presence of God in our lives is not able to overcome it. Nothing can separate us from his love.

Luther said that the Lord is closer to him than the clothes that he wore.  He is closer to us than our best friend, spouse or children. Through his Spirit he fills our lives and intervenes on our behalf. He is Emmanuel, God with us.

Do not be afraid!

You are blessed if you walk with the Lord, in the light of his Word!

What a glory he sheds on our way, if we only could trust and obey!!

Only by grace...

Washed with the blood of Christ,

cleansed with his Spirit’s flame,

only by grace was called to live,

and only by grace, I came!

Only by grace I live,

only by grace restored.

Only by grace my faith is real:

I’m only by grace adored!

Only by grace I love,

only by grace believe,

and by the Spirit’s gracious work,

a trusting heart receive!

Jesus has made me whole,

onto God’s heart engraved.

Father who chose me – praise the Lord -   

yes, only by grace I’m saved!   

- Andries.

(Copyright reserved.)

Universal Prayer Priorities for 2014.

You are invited to pray with us these prayers throughout this year of our Lord, Jesus Christ, 2014!   The idea is to embrace these prayer priorities and through a six week cycle focus on all of them, repeating the 6 week cycle for the rest of 2014. 

The A section about the Church and God’s work has been developed for a 6 week cycle that runs simultaneously with a 6 week cycle for the needs of the world and humanity in Section B.

A Section.  Prayers for the work of the Church and for God’s work through us:

Gracious Father of all creation and our Father in Jesus Christ, through the work of the Holy Spirit,

we pray, o Lord of hosts, during this year of our Lord Jesus Christ:

(Week 1)

Enable Christians of all denominations and traditions to respect and honour each other and to work and pray in unity that the world may believe that our Lord Jesus Christ indeed is the Saviour of the world and the Prince of Peace and that his Kingdom is coming into our world!

Enthuse  all believers to carry forward the torch that saints have carried from generation to generation, since the beginning of the Church,  without compromise or fear, that the Light of the world, Jesus Christ our Lord,  will guide all nations to follow God’s reformation plan for their countries and for humanity. 

(Week 2)

Show through the witness of all believers to Africa, and to our beloved country, the only truth that reconciles, brings forgiveness and discovers growth and progress which is the biblical Christian Faith. 

Send the Holy Spirit to enable every Christian to proclaim the Gospel in the rural areas and amongst the poorest communities and to liberate through Jesus our Lord, the Truth, the Way and the Life, everyone from fear, superstition and false religion who is lost as the result of human wisdom, worldly leadership and manmade initiatives. May we all, because we are in need of salvation, put our trust in the only Saviour of the world, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer.

(Week 3)

Unite all ordained servants of the Word and sacraments, all pastors and priests, all leaders in the church, all ordained and lay leaders, to, in harmony, selflessly seek to evangelise all who have not been reached with the Gospel – in every part of the world. 

Unite preachers of and listeners to God’s word, both the leaders and the members of all faith communities, to work together without envy, personal agenda’s or personal politics to accomplish their best endeavours for the work of God, sparing nothing and giving everything for the redemption of all people and the growth of God’s work in local churches and in the worldwide assembly of the faithful. 

(Week 4)

Send missionaries during this year to every province and country on earth to, with gladness and enthusiasm, announce that the Kingdom of God has come and that salvation, truth and love reign through King Jesus, our Lord. 

Inspire all Christians by the faithful proclamation of the Word of God, to dutifully serve the poor, the suffering and the lost.

(Week 5)

Call young people to a life of ministry and grant them the spiritual formation to pursue their calling, providing godly mentors and Spirit filled teachers. 

Call young people to accept the Lord’s invitation to surrender to Christ and to, with obedience, proclaim the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ for the rest of their lives.

(Week 6)

Inspire, through the power of the resurrected Lord, hope in the lives of all who experience pain, sickness, affliction and anxiety and may they see in the lives of your people the love of Jesus Christ that shows us the love of God, our Father.  

Grant God’s people Christian parents that keep their vows to pass on to their children the gift of faith in God the most holy, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, that the next generation will also benefit from the apostles’ teachings and become authentic members of the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ, found in all truly Christian traditions and denominations. 

B Section. Prayers for the needs of the world and for humanity:

Almighty God, protector and provider of Your creation -

we pray, o Lord of hosts, to during this year of our Lord Jesus Christ-

(Week 1)

Grant us enough rain, good weather and a growing economy providing for the needs and advancement of all peoples.

Bless all endeavours for the protection of Your creation and our environment and natural resources.

(Week 2)

Grant peace to peoples worn out by civil war, violence, unrest and military threats to their countries.

Provide for generosity to refugees, all foreigners, all who had to abandon their homes and motherlands and Lord, protect their safety and dignity.

(Week 3)

Heal all who suffer from depression and are lonely, sad and afraid and grant that Your children will help them to see and experience the mercy and the love of God and his Church.

Call and help health workers who will bless community health programs, clinics and hospitals to provide for excellent care of all who are ill, treating those who are sick with respect and love.

(Week 4)

Provide jobs for the unemployed, make mentors and enablers available to them and restore their serenity, confidence and self-esteem.

Love all who live with disabilities and help them in all they need to enjoy dignified lives.

Sustain and protect the elderly.

(Week 5)

Grant respect for the rights and significance of women in all communities and strengthen, heal and protect all our mothers and sisters who are vulnerable and suffering.

Protect all children and heal those children who have been hurt, abused and neglected.

Help and enable all who work for the proper education of all children, repair dysfunctional schools and call teachers and mentors who selflessly, creatively and with passion develop the God-given talents of every learner.

(Week 6)

Restore all men to be strong, honest and kind men of God and help them to, with love, provide for and to protect their families and Your family, according to Your example, o gracious Father.

Defeat criminality, corruption, violence and those who cause it and are guilty of it. May wickedness come to a fall during this year.  Redeem and deliver those who repent and seek Your gracious forgiveness and bring to justice all who with hardened, unrepentant hearts embrace darkness and evil.

Our Father who is in heaven,

Glorify your Name and

may your Kingdom come and your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us each day our daily bread

and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us.

And protect us from temptation.

Father, have mercy on us!

Through Jesus Christ, our Lord!

Amen. 

After researching the prayer priorities of a couple of global denominations and prayer movements and as a result being inspired by them, these prayer priorities were compiled by Andries Combrink to be used as part and parcel of the prayer strategy of the Centurion West Presbyterian Church in Tshwane, South Africa.  He invites all Christian faith communities to utilise, adapt to your own circumstances and promote these prayer priorities in any way you are led by the Holy Spirit.

-      Andries.

2014 New Year Reflections: God will provide what you need!

Nothing is accomplished without dreams and aspirations. We should all dream at the beginning of a new year  - not only about our own needs and opportunities, but certainly also about what God wants to and can do through our faith community.

In our vision for 2014 it would be important to take note that what we want, and what we need, do not always go hand in hand.

There are things that I have wanted and prayed for over a long time that the Lord has not given me.  Yet I know that God determines what is best for me. It is not always easy to accept that the Lord thinks that I need other things than what I want, and that in his love, he believes it was best for me not to have those things and opportunities I desired.

In his letter James writes in 1:16 - 18:  Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.

Don’t be deceived!   How can we be deceived? One of the ways is that we believe that what we want is a necessity. And that we believe that what we want will be a good and perfect gift from God.

What God gives is the word of truth. What God gives is good and wise insight into what we need in order to enjoy satisfied lives. What God gives is what we need to make a difference in his Kingdom and in his Church.  To dream how to accomplish God’s vision for me and for his church could be the biggest vision I may ever have. 

But it does not exclude my personal needs.  (Matt. 7: 1 – 11)

Jesus said:  “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

God wants to get very personal with us about what we want and what we need. God is not into his Kingdom project in a way that what I do and what I need do not count anymore.  But the key word in both these two Scriptures, is the word “good”. We need what will be good for us and when God gives them, they will be more than good – they will be perfect!  But do we understand the difference between what we need and what we want, and that the Lord firmly promised to give us what we need?

Are you waiting on the Lord to give you something you really want in 2014? A job? A richer more satisfying marriage? Financial blessings? A cure from illness? To find your soul mate? Victory over an addiction?

We all want something, don’t we? Trusting God to decide what would be a good and perfect gift for us during 2014 will bring us peace of mind when we think about the year ahead of us.

May we, here at the beginning of 2014 pray that the Lord who knows what is best for our lives will, as in the past, give us what we need.

May we be at peace with it! 

And when we know God does what is best for us, may we resolve to only do our best for God’s work, every day of this year!

Make straight the way for God within

Oh cleansed be every breast from sin;

make straight the way for God within,

and let each heart prepare a home

where such a mighty guest may come.

All, praise eternal Son, our Lord,

whose birth now freedom us affords;

whom with the Father we adore

and Holy Spirit, evermore! 

Presbyterian Link Christmas Edition 2013

http://www.centurionwest.co.za/pdf/PresbyLinkChristmas2013.pdf

Prayers for Christmas Day Public Worship!

Call to Worship: 

ISAIAH 9: 2 – 3 and 6 - 7     The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.  You have given them great joy, Lord; you have made them happy. Because a child is born to us!  A son is given to us!  And he will be our ruler.   He will be called, “Wonderful Counsellor,” “Mighty God,” “Eternal Father,” Prince of Peace.” 

⁷His royal power will continue to grow;    his kingdom will always be at peace.  He will rule as King David's successor, basing his power on right and justice, from now until the end of time.  The Lord Almighty is determined to do all this.

Glory to the Father,

and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning

it is now

and will be forevermore! Amen.

Prayer of praise.

Eternal God, most blessed and most holy, 

whose glory, majesty and praise are sung by humans on earth and all who live in heaven: 

we worship you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

only Lord of heaven and earth.

Grant us your mercy, your grace and your joy as we remember the birth of Jesus Christ today.

For forgiveness of sins.

Holy Father, you come to us through our fellowship with your Son.

As we approach Your presence today, and as we behold Your glory, we sincerely repent of all our sins.

We have sinned against You in thought, word, deed and omission.

Lord, have mercy on us, and incline our hearts to keep your law.

Gracious Father, for the sake of Your Son Jesus Christ,

forgive us all our sins,  cleanse us from all impurity of mind and body,

and help us from now on to serve You in newness of life.

Father, have mercy.

Christ have mercy.

God have mercy.

Amen.

Prayers of Intercession: 

Almighty God, holy Father of us all,

on this day when we celebrate the earthly birth of your Messiah,

the birth into our world of the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end,

the birth of the Wonderful Counsellor,  Mighty God,

the Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace, as a man,

we ask you to provide both us and your church on earth with all our needs

and help us that we may grow into the stature of the fullness of Christ.

You entered our world as a Child. 

Now we pray for parents to educate children in your love and grace,

grandparents and families to give love and security to all children,

and that all abuse and all the sadness of children may come to an end.

God our Father, you are the source of all truth and peace.

Hear our prayers for the Church of Christ today, on Christmas Day 2013.

and enable us to manifest the unity of the Body of Christ to the world

to the honour and glory of your Name

We pray for all into whose lives the Word is born, and therefore receive Jesus, the King and Saviour of the world,

that they may bear witness to your salvation and compassion,

and share your love with those who are in many kinds of need.

Guide us, that the peace to which you call the family of God 

may be realized more and more in our beloved country

and amongst all people on earth.

Take away from us everything that hinders the advancement of your truth;

restore those who are remorseful;

strengthen and confirm the faithful;

comfort and heal the sick and the afflicted!

console those who are lonely and sad!

Listen to the cry of everyone that is hungry!

Bring joy, hope, faith and love into the world, through Jesus Christ,

who was born to save us from ourselves and save us from our enemies and from your enemies, dear Lord.

Enlightenment.

We pray for all who preach, proclaim and spread the gospel today, and may your Word, even Jesus Christ, come to us anew today, as we read your Word.

May the preaching of your Word indeed be the Word of God to us on this Christmas day.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Hymns for Christmas Day:

To the music of:  Good king Wenceslas

Jesus Christ was born for me,

on that happy morning!

He has come to set me free,

set my spirit soaring!

Brightly shone the angels’ light,

singing, giving honour.

May His birth bring me delight:

Christ became my brother!

Virgin Mary was so glad,

God had shown her mercy!

It’s the Son of God she had,

born in splendid glory!

She in faith accepts the word,

God’s own proclamation:

“I’m the maiden of the Lord,

serving incarnation!”

Let now all who love the Lord,

gladly bring Him honour.

In our lives, is born the Word,

by His Spirit’s favour!

Jesus Christ remains the same,

as today, forever!

‘Cause He one of us became,

He’ll forsake us never!

(Lyrics:  Andries Combrink, 2008)

To the music of:  Glorious things of Thee are spoken.

Those who walked in clouded darkness,

they have seen a wondrous light.

Those who owned death’s gloomy likeness,

were awakened from their plight.

God enlarged his nation’s power,

he increased their heartfelt joy!

As through holy angels’ worship,

God’s light is through us deployed.

People walked in hazy darkness,

then they saw a marvellous light.

Prince of Peace, it is your likeness

shining in our world, so bright.

Wonderful and glorious Counsellor,

mighty God, yes you alone,

reign forever, gracious Father,

King on David’s heavenly throne.

Christ, the source of inmost pleasure,

King of heaven – King on earth!

Jesus, Lord and godly treasure,

we too worship at your birth.

Shepherds shared the Christmas story

with God’s angels in that night.

And, like Mary’s silent worship,

we pray mutely by your light! 

(Lyrics:  Andries Combrink, 2011)

To the Music of:  Praise my soul the King of heaven.

Angels in the highest heaven,

sing the glory of the Child,

Of this time of grace and glory,

time of love and mercy mild.

Sing Hosanna! Sing Hosanna!

Praise our Saviour, Son of God!

As the shepherds watched their flocks graze,

they heard angels for them sing.

On the fields resounds the chorus

for a Child that gladness brings.

Sing Hosanna! Sing Hosanna!

Praise our Saviour, Son of God!

Wise men bring Him gifts and worship,

gifts to honour Christ the King.

He’s the newborn Lord from heaven,

He’s the Child that peace us brings.

Sing Hosanna! Sing Hosanna!

Praise our Saviour, Son of God!

(Lyrics:  Andries Combrink, 2012)

To the music of “Rock of ages, cleft for me”.

Who is Jesus, do you say?

Many claim He is Thé Way.

Peter calls Him Christ and Lord.

John says He’s the Son of God.

Paul knows Him as source of grace,

states through Him, we’ll win the race.

Luke says He’s a virgin’s boy.

Mark reveals He’s heaven’s joy!

Gospel names Him: Only One.

God the Father calls Him Son!

Spirit says He’s Saviour, Lord,

Emmanuel, life giving Word!

Jesus Christ, eternal King,

of your Advent, gladly sing!

All your people love you Lord!

All your Church in one accord,

calls you Jesus and our Friend,

’mighty Christ, until the end! 

(Lyrics:  Andries Combrink, 2009)

A Christmas Devotion - 2013

We must not overlook Luke 2:19, even though it is a small, silent verse “hiding” amongst so many grand stories about Christmas.

Luke 2: 19 teaches an important lesson.  We read there:  “But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart”.

Mary’s response to all her overwhelming experiences before, during and after the birth of her son, Jesus was to treasure and to ponder these amazing occurrences, in her heart!

On Christmas Day we will once again share the unforgettable, unique story about a fragile young mother, a loving and protecting husband, the delicate presence of a new born baby, the attention of poor shepherds and a humble manger. It tells the story that the first Christmas was an exceptionally small affair, not noticed by masses or celebrated on any impressive scale.

It was an immense event, but presented in small, humble circumstances with modest details, only noticed by unlikely witnesses sharing in the intimate moment so treasured by Mary.  

How quiet and small it seems to us who are bombarded by an image of Christmas that is huger than life, commercialised and emotional. 

How quiet and unnoticed it came and passed. 

“But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.” She protected the memory of the birth of the Saviour of the world in the only place fit for such a treasure: in her heart.  Her worship is muted; her reverence clothed with meek humility and her faith is shared with her husband and a few insignificant shepherds. 

Mary recognized a moment that led to the Son of God to rule, reign, redeem, save and conquer for our sake.

Our world greeted the Child with a manger and a cross.

God honoured him with an angel choir, a heavenly throne and eternal victory and exaltation.

Be mindful that a new life, faith, love, hope and joy come from an intimate, private and humbling experience when Jesus enters your life.  It was secretly treasured by Mary. And it carried her on a journey that passed a cross and reached a Pentecost.  

You have seen the bling, did the shopping, listened to the noise and were frustrated by the kitsch dished up in the Name of the King who was born. We all experienced these not so silent nights and celebrations!

Do not miss the small, quiet moment which is the true Christmas: the treasured and quiet moment when Jesus becomes your Companion for life. 

This is the only memory that you and your children will carry with you, always, everywhere and for evermore.

May God grant us his blessings this Christmastide.

Merry Christmas!

Advent 2013: Anticipating the coming of Messiah with Simeon and Anna

Scripture tells us something important about an elderly man, Simeon. He “was waiting for the consolation of Israel."  And we are told of an elderly lady, Anna, who was “looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem" (Lk 2:38). Simeon and Anna were both devotedly anticipating the coming of Messiah, the Redeemer and Saviour.

As a righteous and devout believers, the elderly Simeon and Anna were both waiting and watching for the Old Testament prophecies to be fulfilled.  They were both waiting for the solace of God’s people.

We need to know about watchmen to properly get their message and follow their example.

In the ancient world when someone very special was expected, a watchman would be appointed to wait and watch for his arrival. The watchman would stand on the top of a hill or on the city wall, and day and might keep watch until the expected person was seen at a distance. He would then loudly announce his arrival!

Simeon and Anna were “watchmen”. They waited, watched for and prayed for the coming of the Messiah. They were filled with great expectation, because it had been revealed to them by the Holy Spirit that they would see the promised Christ.  (Lk 2:26).

One day Simeon was led by the Spirit to go to the temple with the promise that he would see the Christ. You can be sure that he went as quickly as possible. His hours, days and years of waiting were almost over. He could finally cry out that the consolation of Israel, that the kingdom of God, had come.

When Simeon saw Joseph and Mary with the Child in the temple, he held out his arms, took the Child, praised God and embraced the Advent, the coming, of the Messiah.

Only a handful of people recognized Jesus for who he was. Anna, Simeon, and a small number of others acknowledged baby Jesus to be the Christ, the Messiah.

Our Lord has given special commendation to those who not only wait for his coming, his Advent, into our world and lives, but also earnestly watch for him, recognise him for who he is and joyfully embrace his coming to us.

Simeon and Anna were both waiting and watching and praying for the Messiah's coming. This is why they were ready and able to recognize him, rejoice in him and believe in him when he came.

It is true that the Lord's Christ has already come to our world when he was born in Bethlehem. But do we hear that he is knocking on the door of the Church and is ready to feast with us if we recognise and embrace him as he comes to us to bring us consolation and guide our lives day by day? 

Do we live with eager anticipation and great expectation of what the Lord does when he wants to be with us?

How I pray that we, like Simeon and Anna, will be watchmen. How I pray that when the Lord's Christ comes to us we will be ready and prepared like a bride for her groom.  And that we will receive from him, as we so desperately need, the gift of the water of life, his very Sprit of faith and joy! May we be waiting for and experiencing the joy of the “consolation of God’s people”.  May we live as watchmen, always ready to embrace the life and consolation that Jesus wants to give to us!  O come Lord Jesus, come to wipe the tears from our eyes!

Rev. 22: 17 and 20:  The Spirit and the bride (his Church) say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon."

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.