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.

Third Advent: light the pink candle of joy!

The Christmas angels sang a joyful message!

Luke 2:  7-15: “…And there were shepherds camping in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord came to them, and the glory of the Lord shone brightly around them, and they were very frightened.  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....

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

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

Joy is the principal emotion of the Advent 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 glad, because darkness fled before the Light, who is 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 and selfish world by sharing the hope, peace and love of our Lord. This we do, as the angels did, with great joy.

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 the liberty his precious sufferings brought us, he is our deepest source of happiness and hope.  Even right in the middle of Lent, the pink candle reminded a repenting, mournful church that victory and resurrection would soon be celebrated.

So, even when we are amazed during Advent 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 for the sake of our salvation, and even though we may grieve over the fact that our sins made this sacrifice necessary, the overpowering experience of deliverance and redemption by God who was born as a Child, is that of 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.

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

Can Advent and Christmas make a lasting difference to your life?

Can Advent and Christmas make a lasting difference to your life?

Yesterday marked the second Sunday of Advent, a celebration of the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.  We lit the candle of peace with the desire that the Advent of Christ will be served by his children becoming peace-makers that change the world. 

We were deeply touched as we remembered the death of one of the greatest peace-makers of our century last week, Nelson Mandela. He sacrificed for the sake of righteousness and laboured with devotion for peace, forgiveness, redress, reconciliation -  and the triumph of caring over judgementalism and concern for others instead of prejudice and discrimination.  He made peace amongst us through forgiveness and the celebration of freedom and life.

But do we understand that this Season is indeed about sacrifice and kingdom-work, rather than entertainment, self-indulgence and consumerism?

Carl Trueman in his book “The Wages of Spin” explains why people are so caught up in entertainment that it becomes an idol.   He writes:   Distraction is the production of entertainment for the purpose of taking one’s mind off the deeper realities of life.

Many create their own “messiahs” to distract them from the true questions that the Season challenges us with.   And the ultimate question is about how I live my life and how I worship and serve because my Saviour is coming to the world to save, to give hope, to bring peace and to love us, whoever we are and whatever it costs.

Yet a self-sacrificing Messiah who wants to serve us and our world through our obedience and service is not what self-seeking, entertainment worshiping, self indulging consumers are tempted to seek!

The messiahs whom we want, are the ones who will save us from deep thought. We prefer saviours that help us avoid life changing choices, because, we say, this is a festive season, these are happy holidays.

So, if I think my real problem is boredom, then someone please buy me a toy to stop the pain;   but if my problem is sin, death, and the wrath of God because of sin, I am going to need something (Someone!) that money cannot buy. 

The Advent season is not about entertainment. Mat 1:21 states that the Child-king came to rescue from sin and death. The Magi or Wise Men came from the East came to Israel to pay homage to the newborn King. They offered royal gifts to the Child. They spent their time and their money on the Child. What an exceptional act of worship and praise!! 

The Infant-king deserves our adoration, but he deserves it in a way that is backed by real investment in his Kingdom and in authentic worship time. 

Let’s be different than the pagan world!

Let’s stop being self centred during Advent and Christmas seasons - and bow down before the only King that matters, reflecting deeply on our faith in Jesus and how to follow and honour him. 

Let’s contemplate how he calls us to serve his Advent, his coming to our lives, our churches and our nation.

Let’s bring homage to the Child-king - who is no child anymore, but the almighty Christ, the eternal King that reigns in heaven, on earth and in our lives today.  

Hamba kahle Madiba.

Tata Nelson Mandela guided South Africa from the shame of racialist nationalism to the values of equality, reconciliation, unity, respect, integrity and democracy. 

He became an icon for forgiveness, for wisdom in spite of a legacy of injustice, for respect in spite of persecution and the embodiment of a vision of peace and concern for others and deep distress over the plight of the poor. He believed in the future of the children of the beloved country and hold us all accountable to give them hope that education with integrity will guide them to reach their full potential and deliver them from perpetual poverty!

"The time for the healing of the wounds has come. The moment to bridge the chasms that divide us has come," Mandela said in his acceptance speech on becoming South Africa's first democratically elected president in 1994.

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on 18 July 1918, destined to be a leader for the rest of his life, showing the way from slavery and inequality, through the wilderness of war and hatred, to justice, progress and dignity for all. 

Tata Mandela prevented a racial explosion after the murder of popular leader Chris Hani by a right wing assassin in 1993, appealing for calm in a national television address. That same year, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

His inauguration as President of the Republic on May 10, 1994, was a celebration of a nation’s freedom. He made reconciliation the theme of his presidency. He made friends with his former jailers and won over the skeptics when he put on the jersey of South Africa's national rugby team - once a symbol of segregation and discrimination - at the final of the Rugby World Cup in 1995 at Johannesburg's Ellis Park stadium.

The trademark of Mandela's vision for South Africa and his mission as the leader and father of a nation was the Truth and Reconciliation Commission which investigated apartheid crimes on both sides and tried to heal the wounds. It also provided a model for other countries torn by civil strife.

"I leave it to the public to decide how they should remember me," he said on South African television before his retirement. "But I should like to be remembered as an ordinary South African who together with others has made his humble contribution."  

We will remember you for your wisdom, uprightness, leadership and profound vision of unity and respectful, caring co-existence and prosperity.

May Madiba’s values, founded on the transforming power of forgiveness, reconciliation, respect, redress, sharing, development and hope, live on to guide us to a peaceful and prosperous future as a unified nation that will find our destiny in Africa and in the world.

Hamba kahle tata Madiba!

May your peace become the peace of our nation.

Hamba kahle!