New Year: What God expects from you in 2013!

Don’t wish to be someone else!   To wish to handle a ball like a Protea or a Springbok, or make a speech in the way a professional does, or play the organ and piano as well as Riaan (our organist / pianist) does, makes no sense – except if one of these things is your God-given talent.

Perhaps you feel you received the short end of the stick when it comes to gifts, talents and making a difference? If you feel like this here at the beginning of a new year,  take heart - God has good news for you.

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 12:18: “But in fact, God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be”. 

The Corinthian church was made up of a great variety of people.   God also gave each of the Christians in this church a whole range of special gifts – Spiritual gifts. The purpose of the gifts was to help others in the church develop to full maturity in Christ and more importantly, to grow God’s work in the congregation to its full potential. But instead of using the various gifts as God intended them to be used, many of the Corinthians argued about whose Spiritual gift was the most important and which gift gave the person who received it, the highest status in the congregation.

Yet, they forgot that God gave each church member in Corinth exactly what he wanted them to have. Some failed to use the gift given to them by the Spirit, yet they were envious of the role someone else played in God's work at church.

It still happens today. We seem to forget that if God called and equipped us to serve him in a certain way, capacity, or office, that task is the most important one that we can ever do! If we strive for someone else’s role, responsibility and task in the congregation, while neglecting the calling God gave us to do, we will fail twice – firstly in our own calling - and secondly in the calling we are not called to do and therefore cannot expect the Lord’s blessing on, or wait for the gifts of the Spirit to be able to do it.

Believe this:  God has gifted you in a very specific way. And this is the only way in which you can have true joy in the Lord’s work.  You need to allow God to get from you what he had placed in you and also desire and pray for his amazing blessings on what he has given you to do.  God expects you to do what he has given you to be able to do, and for which purpose he has given you the Spiritual gifts, in order to be blessed in that role and with that project.

The Lord has tailor made a role for you in his work. It is his choice for you, and God's choices are always the perfect choices. Do not fail twice by desiring someone else's gifts and role, but rather take pleasure in your own, fulfil your commission and serve the Master in the way and for the purpose he has called you.

The Word’s promise is that your work for the Lord will be blessed and you will be fulfilled as you live and work according to his divine will.  

Pray that in 2013 the Father will help you to recognize the gifts, calling and projects he intends for you.  Ask the Lord to take away the desires that are not his will for you to do, in the New Year.  And let’s all pray for the gift of diligence when serving in his Kingdom.  Let’s ask for the gift of faithfulness! 

Reflections on Christmas 2012. Planning a Real Christmas?

Reflections on Christmas 2012.

Planning a Real Christmas?

And when they (the shepherds) had seen this, they made known the statement, which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things, which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

And the shepherds went back; glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. (Luke 2:17-20)

They made known the statement, which had been told them about this Child. (Luke 2:17)

The shepherds received a remarkable Christmas experience from God.  And they did not take it light-heartedly. They knew that what they saw, heard and experienced, was really very important.

All the Jews had in those days been taught at least something about the coming Messiah. There was urgency in their expecting his coming. They understood the significance of God’s intervention by the long awaited Messiah.  

So the shepherds knew that they witnessed a glorious, divine event of great importance.

There is a lot of lip service paid to Christ during the Festive Season.  As the time for the holidays approaches, most people begin to have Christmas parties, celebrating in the name of Christmas and even sing Christmas carols. Celebrities who would usually never say the Name of Christ – except when swearing - enthusiastically sing his birthday songs on prime time TV. And after the Season is over, continue to act as if nothing significant happened.  

This is not the way that the shepherds acted after they experienced the heavenly Christmas service and went to see the Child. “They made known the statement, which had been told them about the Child.”

What makes the difference between someone who only sings about Christ at Christmas and someone who proclaims him and lives for Jesus Christ all year round?  

The significance of Christmas escapes some.

Others cannot wait to proclaim it.

It is a true and life changing encounter with Jesus that moves us to proclaim Christ the whole year round. Having a relationship with Christ certainly makes the difference. 

And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen ... (Luke 2:20)

Their attitude towards praise and worship changed as well. After their encounter with Jesus, - in other words after enjoying a real Christmas  - and after they had told everyone who would listen to them, the shepherds went back to their flocks and everyday lives – but now they were glorifying and praising God all the time.

This happens when Christmas is a real experience, and not an artificial, seasonal high that is part of enjoying holidays that just happen to be part of the community life I live in.

When we celebrate a real Christmas, like the shepherds did, it will deepen our relationship with the King who was born! For, if we meet him, and know him, he becomes our Saviour and Lord.  

A real Christmas changes us into testifying, worshipping, praising and serving children of our God!

If you this Christmas receive this real life experience from God like the shepherds did 2000 years ago, will you not sing his songs, pray his prayers and serve the majesty of Jesus every day of your life? 

Fourth Advent and the candle of Love

Fourth Advent:   Lighting the Candle of Love: 

By lighting one candle each week of Advent, we prepared ourselves to celebrate the birth of Jesus. So far we have lit three candles: the candles of hope, peace and joy.   We spread the Light of the world, Jesus Christ, by sharing his hope, peace and joy through our testimony and the examples of our lives.

Ultimately we spread God’s light, by sharing God’s love. 

God shared his love for us, and for all of his creation, by “sharing” his Son with us.  Giving his Son to become one of us, to be born for us, teach us and guide us, to die for us and conquer for us, is God’s amazing love declaration to an entire human race in dire need of the light of the Lord.

Luke 1: 31 - 33: “The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favour with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 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, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

God so much loved the world that he gave his only Son...

“The Son of the most High” demonstrated sacrificial love during his ministry on earth, showing us the loving character of his kingdom that will never end.  Advent is a season that reminds us to do what Jesus is coming to do, as we remember what he did when he ministered on earth. We are reminded to be kind, selfless and sharing.  It is a time to practice how to love as God loved us, by giving us his most precious gift, his only Son. As God is love, let us be love also.

The Gospel according to John says:

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  – John 13:34-35

The Apostle Paul teaches:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. Love never fails."  - I Corinthians 13: 4,8.

As we light the last candle, we express our need, even our desperate want, for God to love us, in spite of whom we are and what we became.  The Child of hope, peace and joy is to us the confirmation of the divine love of God.  Our God loved us even when we were his enemies, when we were rebellious sinners and while we still were determined to undermine his never ending Kingdom.

It is his love and his mercy that brought us into the fold and made us family, sons and daughters, of the Most High, too.  It is the love that reconciled us with God, in Christ Jesus, our Redeemer.

Prayer:

Dear God, as we light this candle of love, we look with hope to the coming of your Son into our hearts, our lives, our Church and our nation.  O son of David, son of Mary, we receive you as the only Son of God, Most High.  We welcome you with joyful hearts filled with hope. We welcome you with hearts that are at peace with you!

Come, Lord Jesus, and make us whole again - through your divine love and mercy.

Come to us now!

Come to us in love and have mercy upon us!   Amen!  

The Reason for our Advent Joy is the certain victory of the Church.

(Rev 12:12) Therefore rejoice you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short."

Did Satan quit after Jesus was given all authority in heaven and on earth? Does he ever give up? Does he surrender? Listen to what John says:

Joy in heaven – Jesus has come and the accuser is thrown out of heaven.

Woe on earth – the devil has come to us.   

Satan cannot attack Jesus anymore. After the death and resurrection of Jesus, he no longer has a job as accuser. So what does he do? He attacks the church on earth instead. 

In this light, consider what the Revelation says to us in verses 6 & 13:

(Rev 12:6,13) The woman fled into the desert to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of.....  When the devil saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male Child.

The woman, the church of the Lord, remains under attack.  The Church is under attack, but God protects her. The Church is under attack since the ascension until the return of Jesus, but God protects her always.   

This is why we look forward to the return of Christ.  To finally end the attack. To finally set us and all of his creation free from any oppression by evil.   Let’s take courage.  The reason for Satan’s fury is that he knows his time is short.  And he knows he was defeated by the Child - both in Bethlehem and on Calvary and in heaven!  "He is filled with fury because he knows that his time is short" (Rev 12:12). 

And we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus! Because God protects us and cares for us.

This is the reason for our Joy! We are safe in the hands of our Lord.

We celebrate the birth of the Child as people who were set free - as people who look forward to the wedding feast of the Messiah!  We celebrate with gladness as victors in Christ should do! 

We are under the protection of the Child - now and always!

Third Advent Sunday and the candle of joy!

Third Advent: light the pink candle of joy!

The Christmas angels sang a joyful message!

Luke 2:7-15: “…and Mary gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger...  And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord....  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.”

There are 4 Advent candles.  Three are either deep purple, or royal blue, which are the colours of monarchs.  We expect a King! We contemplate the Advent of Christ the King and deep purple or royal blue reminds us of a King that was born, a King that reigns to our benefit and for our salvation and a King that will return in glory.

His Kingdom is founded on the hope, peace and love made possible by the birth, teaching, life, sacrifice and victory of Christ Jesus.

The King has come; the King is coming! “The Spirit and the bride say: Come!”

This, as the angels told the shepherds, is good news of great joy.

Joy is the predominant emotion of the Season. Joy fills our hearts and lives as a result of the hope, peace and love that Christ gives us as the Light of the world. We are so happy, because darkness fled before the Light, even Jesus our Saviour. The prominent third, pink Advent candle testifies to this.

We share his light with the world through the joy we express during our festivities, because in the City of David a Saviour was born to us!

We bring light to a cold, despondent, warring and selfish world by sharing the hope, peace and love of our Lord.  This we do, as the angels did, with great joy and lots of cheerfulness.

Since earliest times pink represents the joy of Christ! 

Even during Lent, one of the seven Lenten candles was pink since the days of the ancient church.  Because, although we are saddened by the severe suffering of our Lord, the liberty his suffering brought us, is our deepest source of bliss, optimism and joy!  Right in the middle of Lent, the pink candle reminded a repenting, lamenting church that victory and resurrection would soon be celebrated.

So, even when we during Advent stand amazed by the fact that God became a man, born of a woman, to become our conquering King, and even though it asked of him to temporarily lay down his divine glory to become a mere man, for our salvation, and even though we may grieve over the fact that our sins brought this  humiliation upon our Lord, the overwhelming experience of deliverance, salvation and redemption by God who was born a Child, is pure joy.  The gratefulness, thanksgiving and relief we experience, make us truly happy.

‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men and women on whom his favour rests.’ the angels sang.

Glory to God in highest, for the peace of God is good news of great joy.

Christ conquered our sin, our death and our judgment and gave us peace. 

We receive God’s firm hope and divine love, in Jesus.

Joy to the world, the Saviour reigns!  Let, earth receive her King!

The Advent of Christ brings us meaningful living – and celebration.

More than ever before do we mortals ask about a meaningful life.

If you watch the TV and surf the internet it seems that many try to find meaning in living a healthy life style, being successful in careers and financial prosperity, in economic and social security and earning the respect of the world.

So instead of celebrating Jesus during Advent and Christmas, we may end up celebrating what do not bring true joy and are not significant.

All the above and other fine things are God’s blessings.  We are and must be grateful if we possess them. The majority of the world’s population does not have these privileges.   But it has always been a temptation – and will always be – to love the gifts more than the Giver and treasure the blessings more that the God who blesses us!   When the blessings become the priority in such a way that it makes us forget the God who saves and helps, God’s purpose with his gifts and even with our lives, are lost.   

The Lord Jesus warned against this when he said:  “What, then, will anyone gain by winning the whole world and losing his life?” (Matthew 16:26)

Our bodies remain mortal, and our earthly treasure temporary.  Materialism cannot help us find the meaning of why we were given the gift of life, why we were born - and especially why we were born again. 

With divine love and compassion God gave his Son (John 3:16). The purpose of God’s action was that “whosoever believes in him would not perish, but have eternal life.”    Christ gives us the ability to strive for more and to receive the best:   To become - and live like - children of God, daily spreading the light of Christ in a world caught by and incarcerated in darkness, looking forward to eternal life and sharing the glory of Christ for all eternity. 

Being excited about this destiny change our lives, our priorities, our dreams and visions, our values, our principles and our life style.  During Advent, lets focus on what Jesus came to give us and accomplish for us.   He came to share our humanity, in order to give meaning to being human, alive and called to be interceding servants in the Father’s eternal kingdom.  

Thus we will find and experience what truly and sustainably and eternally makes us blessed!

(Matthew 5:3-12 The Message):

“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

“You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One dearest to you.

“You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.

“You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.

“You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.

“You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.

“You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

“Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit Me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

Peace comes only from the Lion, who is a Lamb! (Second Advent)

In chapter 5 of Revelation we see that the apostle John wept for his brothers and sisters in the faith. John wept for real people he knew who lost their jobs and homes and businesses for the sake of the Gospel. John wept for real people he knew who were in prison for the sake of the Gospel. John wept for real people he knew who were martyred for the Gospel. John wept for the small, struggling churches who did not compromise when it came to their faith in God and his Christ. John wept because all their faith and labour would count for nothing if God’s eternal plan of grace, is not accomplished.  

But John is given a command. "Do not weep." "Stop your crying and lamentation."

(Rev 5:5) "See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed."

Someone is worthy.  He is of the human race. He is of David’s seed and he is worthy and able to bring God's eternal purposes to pass.   

This worthy One is called "the Lion of the tribe of Judah." This is an image of strength and majesty. Like this king of beasts, Judah produced a King to whom all nations will bow in obedience  

The Lion “has triumphed."  He has conquered.  He has won the victory.  

And then John saw that the Lion is a Lamb.

The Lamb has triumphed and therefore is a Lion. The details of how he has triumphed are noted.  The Lamb was looking “as if it had been slain" (Rev 5:6). The Lamb bears the wounds and marks of slaughter. John saw a Lamb that was slain for the sins of the people on the Great Day of Atonement. John is talking about the cross of Christ.  

The Lion is a Lamb.   He triumphed by going the way of the cross and the grave, by ascending into heaven, by sending his Spirit.  

God's plan for the universe, written on God’s unique scroll, which is God’s complete plan of salvation, will be revealed and most certainly be set into motion. God's plan to judge, to save and to restore divine peace, will become a reality.     

When the Lion who is a Lamb took the scroll, the four living creatures around the throne of God, and the 24 elders fell down before him and sang a new song. This was followed by the voice of thousands upon ten thousand angels. They also sang.  They worshipped Jesus.

We too should sing a new song, to the Lamb who is a Lion.

To Jesus who is Peacemaker, eternal Lord. Saviour for ever!

He is worthy to grant us the peace of God! 

Yes, Jesus can!

Second Advent and the candle of peace

Second Advent and the candle of peace.

When we meet on the second Sunday of Advent and light the candle of peace, we pray that as peacemakers, we will prepare the way for the Lord Jesus and his gospel to spread his light through our unity and love for each other as his followers.

Not for our own sake, or even in the first place for the sake of the Church, but because the whole human race desperately needs the peace of God.

With hearts awakened by this Season in order to see how Christ is the only answer for the conflict, war, envy and hatred that even kill people and at least destroy their joy, may God grant us the zeal of a John the Baptist, who gave his life to call everyone to repentance in order to be able to receive the Prince of Peace and to prepare his way to the hearts and minds of both individuals and communities devastated by disagreement, and even conflict.    

Peace with God in Christ brings peace within the congregation of the Lord’s people. And as we set an example to those who suffer as a result of fighting, disunity and pride that divides, hurts and destroys, our example as peacemakers will prepare the way for Jesus to reach others with his divine peace - the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.

Let’s pray for purified minds that care about what God cares about – reconciliation, friendship, mercy, humility, respect, empathy and sacrificial love as the remedy for the pain caused by rifts, schisms and hostilities.

And with minds cleansed from anger and hatred we will become instruments of peace, that Christ may reign as Prince of peace among us, to the glory of God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever.

Prayer:  Loving God, while we wait for Christ’s return and for your peace to prevail, enable each of us to work for harmony and serenity as we experience the various conflicts which abound in our lives and in our world.  As we worship you today, may your peace be born into our lives.

This we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Other prayer points –

that the 16 days of activism against violence against women and children will bear much fruit and save many lives;

that as important leaders are being elected, the process will be honest, fair and serene;

for the end of violence amid the protest of workers who act for a better dispensation for themselves and their families;

for the eradication of poverty that causes anger, and even hatred and disillusionment.

for the healing of broken marriages, homes and families;

for the unity of all Christ’s followers

and for holy love to be visible within local churches and denominations.

Inspiring message of the Advent Candles

Christ is the light for all humanity – and therefore also for you!

The lighting of the Advent candles became a trademark of Advent for many.

Advent worship and fellowship for millions of Christians are associated with the four candles lit on the four Sundays before Christmas.

There is nothing wrong with that.

We expect the coming of the light of God into our homes, our churches and most importantly, into our lives and innermost needs, desires, prayers and devotions during this Season.

We expect and pray that darkness will flee from us as Christ Jesus enters our lives, our worship and our world in a very special way during Advent and Christmas!

Jesus called himself the light of the world!

The purpose of a light is to drive darkness away.  And we badly battle with darkness every day.

We battle with the darkness of hopelessness and despondency, because when we make the calculations, our world is deeply troubled and is becoming a dangerous place to live in.

We battle with the darkness of conflict, war and even stressful competition that leads to anger, envy, jealousy, resentment and eventually hate.

We battle with the darkness of depression and a simple lack of cheer and happiness.  Our responsibilities and our concerns rob us of the enjoyment of life, and even of enjoying Christ, God’s remarkable Christmas gift to his people.

We battle with the darkness caused by loneliness, broken relationships, broken families, broken churches and communities and we experience an emotional deficiency as a result of a lack of respect, friendship, help and most of all love!

We need a Season where we light candles. A Season when we are made aware of the need to drive the darkness away. When we bring the light of Christ to a sad, frightened and lonely world.

Particularly because we know that God’s light has dawned. That Jesus came as the light of the world. That Jesus was born to overcome darkness, hopelessness, conflict and loneliness. That he is Emmanuel – God with us.

So we light the Advent candles with enthusiasm. Because we pray that Christ will be revealed during this Season as the Sun of righteousness, as Redeemer who sets us free and as conqueror who defeats our enemies.

Christ is the light for the whole human race. His light shines from Bethlehem, through the ages, in the worship and testimony of his followers.  His light shines through the faith,  love and ministry of his Church.

Therefore, light the candle of hope, that the world may know that Jesus Christ is our hope and our future, and the remedy for despondency.

Light the candle of peace, for Jesus said that the peacemakers will be blessed. Let the light of the unity and peace amongst God’s people bring hope to a world petrified by warmongers we encounter every day.

Light the candle of joy!  Enjoy the Season with lots of cheer and happiness, because you know the Reason for the season. Because you stand in awe before the Light of the world.

Light the candle of love!  Love one another, even as Christ loves us.  Drive the dark loneliness and self doubt of this world away and affirm God’s love for everyone.  Cheer up the world through loving the world!

Christ is the light for the whole human race.  Pray that Christ may reveal himself to us.  He is the Light of the world that was born in Bethlehem. And we, his Church, should reflect the brilliance of his light to make Advent and Christmas truly meaningful.

First Advent and the candle of Hope!

First Advent Sunday: Lighting the candle of hope.

Revelation 1: 16 "His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance (Rev 1:16).   In fellowship with the church, John sees the "Son of Man" who is an "unapproachable light" (1 Tim 6:16). He is so brilliant, so awesome, so glorious, it hurts the eyes to be in his very presence. 

Our response to this portrait of Jesus can only be like John's response: "When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead" (Rev 1:17).

He is the Jesus whose birth we will celebrate on Christmas Day.

It is this awesome King who was born of Mary, who became one of us to save us from our sins and grant us eternal life.  It is this awesome King that gives us hope in every situation!

This is the reason why the angels sang, the shepherds worshiped and the wise men served him with the royal gifts and honour!

Because he is Israel’s great and glorious Messiah, our Lord and Saviour!

We too should fall at it is feet in worship! Christmas proclaims: The King was born! The King conquers!  The King is coming!

He is the mighty King whom we await during the Advent season. 
On the First Advent Sunday we light the candle of Hope, for he alone is our hope and our salvation!

He who overcomes our suffering, who makes us one with him in his Kingdom and who grants us perseverance until he returns to share his heavenly glory with us forever, is  coming! We await his coming during the Advent Season!

Therefore:

Do not be afraid:   The King that was born is called Jesus:  The LORD saves!

Do not be afraid:  The King that was born reigns forever.

Do not be afraid:  The King is coming!