Vision statement: As a missional church, we exist to declare the Lord Jesus Christ as the restorer of the broken world, to strengthen the healthy family structure and to let everyone know Jesus is the Hope of Glory. Kindly put in your email address in the space below in order to receive timely updates.
Wednesday, 3 December 2014
Sunday, 30 November 2014
Come conclude missions month with us
Please join us tomorrow (Tuesday 2 December 2014) as we conclude our Missions month. We are honoured to have Pink share her life story as a young missionary. Indeed The Lord has been faithful. Don't miss out!
Pink did her training with 13th floor. More about 13th floor at 13th Floor
Pink did her training with 13th floor. More about 13th floor at 13th Floor
Monday, 24 November 2014
Missions month continues, on Tuesday we are meeting Esther Banzi. Come journey with us and her
Nontsikelelo Esther Banzi
Private Bag X03, Lynnwood Ridge, 0040 Pretoria, South Africa
Email:- esther.banzi@om.org Cell. No. 0836606854, Office No. 012 8070161
BACKGROUND
My name is Nontsikelelo Esther Banzi born on the 19th February 1979 and raised in a Christian family. Even though I knew the truth about God, I rebelled a lot and ended up having a child at the age of 15. My life was very messy and my parents gave up on me, but prayed that I would meet God one day. I did meet Jesus through their prayers and I gave my life to the Lord in 2000 and ever since I have been faithfully serving God. I am living with my son since 2010 after not seeing him for 15yrs of his life, as we were separated from each other when he was 4 months old.
After I gave my life to the Lord, I saw my life changing in many different ways. In that process I decided to go to Bible school and there I heard a lot about missions and saw God’s heart for people. My heart was heavy and I wanted to serve in missions as well. This is where I heard about OM and the ships ministry. The ship came to my home town and I did a volunteers program on board and they taught us about becoming a disciple of Christ.
The desire for me to go to missions grew stronger and stronger. I prayed that God would show me if this was His will for me. He answered my prayers. God showed me I need to share my life experiences with other young girls who are facing the same difficult situation I was in before I met Jesus. I want people to know that God is there for them and wants to change their lives like He did with mine. I want people to know that Jesus loves them unconditionally.
OM is an international and interdenominational organisation founded over 50 years ago. OM is working in over 113 countries all over the world. We are the largest organisation that works among Muslims. OM had also operated with ships that go around the world bringing knowledge (through the bookshop on board), help (through community project like building schools, visiting orphanages, hospital etc.) and hope (by sharing the love of Christ with the local people of every country the ships are visiting). OM South Africa started over 20 years ago and we are having over 1500 people serving in and out of South Africa.
I joined OM in 2003, did six months missions training with OM South Africa and afterwards went to the ship (Doulos) for 4 years. I had many positive experiences on the ship. I shared my life story and God gave lots of opportunities to share with ladies that have been through what I have been through. Doulos sadly was taken out of service a couple of years ago, and today Logos Hope is OM’s only ship. God is still helping me to minister within the vision He has given me.
Since 2009 I am working with OM South Africa. I started working in the Finance Office. After a year I was asked to step in as a volunteer coordinator, organizing ministries for volunteers that want to come here to South Africa anywhere from 3 months to 2 years. With that job I was also an Events Coordinator, organizing short term outreaches for OM SA, and also sent people to attend outreaches overseas.
At the moment I am back in the Nontsikelelo Esther Banzi
Private Bag X03, Lynnwood Ridge, 0040 Pretoria, South Africa
Email:- esther.banzi@om.org
Cell. No. 0836606854,
Office No. 012 8070161finance office working in a team of 6 people.
My role is to process all the support gifts of all the South Africans serving with OM, nationally and internationally. I make sure that all the gifts are allocated to the correct people and in time. We have over 400 South African OMers.
I am committed to work with OM SA until God has to lead my steps to the next movement. My heart’s desire is to be full-time involved with ladies, youth and young girls just sharing my life story with them and letting them see the unconditional love of God. I believe that one day God will open the door to serve Him in that capacity. I believe I can do this even if I am serving in the finance office.
What a great revival it was
Pastor S. P. Shabangu with
brother Joel Nukeri as interpretorOn Friday evening |
Bishop Ndlhovu with Pastor Tshidiso Tsolo interpreting |
Evangelist Tshenase, calling alta call on Sunday afternoon |
Worship team with Apostle Mahlong, Who was MC for Friday and Saturday |
Pastor Jack Shilubana welcoming everyone |
Worship team, Sphamandla on keyboard (Tshepho was badly injured on this day and couldn't come), with Olebogeng (Ole) and Zodwa (Zozo) |
Pastor Mahuwa also graced the revival with his presence on Sunday, he is the founder of ACMC (African Christian Ministry Council) that seeks to unite all Christians |
Pastor Shabangu was MC on Sunday, |
Monday, 17 November 2014
What is the meaning of the word Glory?? Magnificence, beauty, splendour, kgalalelo!!
Then the
cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the
tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the
cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
·
The
tarbenacle: God’s home on earth. When Solomon built the temple 500 years later
it replaced the tabernacle and God also filled it with His glory (2 Chronicles
5:13 & 14). This was destroyed again in 2 kings 25.
·
When it
was
·
The
overpowering sense of God’s presence.
·
Illustrates
the power that lies In God’s Glory
·
Human
nature could not stand the Glory, the priest in 2 Chronicles could not
minister!!
·
When we
are filled with God’s glory, humanness should not be able to stand,
·
With the
Coming of Christ- it signified the new era-we are the temples/ church and we
are the ones that embodies His glory
He is the radiance of the glory
of God and the exact imprint of his
nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making
purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
·
Christ is
able to restore the glory that we lost through the purification of our sins.
·
In living
our lives we must always remember that we have the nature of Christ within us
Promise:
I am the
Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved
idols
·
When we
chose to live for Christ for Him it be only Him and no other-cant be only when
it suits us , but our whole being must reflect the Glory. Christ doesn’t share
His glory with any other.
Jesus said to her, “Did I not
tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” (The story of the death of Lazarus and
Martha saying he is already rotten)
·
Christ
glorifies Himself, but we need the faith
to be able to allow Him to show himself forth in our lives. When we believe
nothing is impossible. He is able to revive the dead areas of our lives
irrespective of how long they have been dead!
To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the
riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
That the God of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Father of glory, may give
you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the
eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he
has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the
saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who
believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ
when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the
heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and
above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to
come.
John 17:1-10 “READ FROM OWN BIBLE”!!
I glorified you on earth, having
accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in
your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
·
Christ
glorified the Father on earth, May we too live the lives that glorifies
Him. May the glory of the Lord be our
rear guard.
·
May our
lives show that his resurrection restored the glory that we have lost.
·
He has
glorified us himself.
Moses said, “Please show me your
glory.”
·
May this
be our daily prayer-May your glory manifest in my life today. May I know that
your presence is with me
To him be glory in the church and
in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
·
May we be
the embodiment of His glory forever and ever though out all generations.
·
May we
continuously worship Him in splendour of Holiness-let us give Him the glory due
unto His name!
·
As a
church may we display the unity and holiness that was displayed in the book of
2nd Chronicles 5: 11-15
·
So,
whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.Bottom of Form
Come journey with Thabang on Tuesday
Selemela Thabang Selemela
From Pentecostal Holiness Church in Mogwase
Saved in 2007, learned about Missions in 2008/9
Helped start a youth organization called ARMY CAMP OF CHRIST, through which he grew in Evangelism. He would passionately gather youth from various Churches to train EE3 for Evangelism.
Joined CAPRO in 2011
Tuesday, 11 November 2014
Covenant keeping God
"Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;" (Deuteronomy 7:9)
Our God is a Faithful God, He thoroughly keeps His covenant. The NIV version says He keeps covenant of love. To those who love Him and keeps His commandments, He keeps this covenant to a thousand generations, He never breaks it. May we start to positively affect thousand generations to come.
Our God is a Faithful God, He thoroughly keeps His covenant. The NIV version says He keeps covenant of love. To those who love Him and keeps His commandments, He keeps this covenant to a thousand generations, He never breaks it. May we start to positively affect thousand generations to come.
Monday, 10 November 2014
IS THERE ROOM FOR ME IN YOUR FATHER'S HOUSE?
Genesis 24:23, 31
v.23 Is there room for me in your father's house?
v.31 Why are you standing out there? I have prepared the house and place for the camels
This was our first sermon at church where we looked at the name of the church as well as the vision and mission. We looked at the difference between a house and home. A home, it does not matter how the structure looks, is supposed to be where one finds peace, hope and restoration. Basically, the house of hope and restoration is a HOME.
The servant in 23, sent by Abraham who is now well advanced in years, have found Rebekah, whom they were sent to find. The servant with kneeling camels (v.11) before the well, have found her and they now ask, "do we have a room in your father's house?". The father has a house, that they suppose, but is there a room for them as servants and also is there a room for the camels? Rebekah assures them, there is. In our church we need to make sure there is a room for everyone. The house will be there, but will there be a room for the servants? All who serves God should feel welcome and at home.
We looked at five areas pertaining to this house of Hope and Restoration (Home)
1. HOPE
Acts 2: 25-26 and Psalm 39:7
In the book of Acts we hear of David who resolved to rest in Hope in the Lord, the same thing David echoes in Psalm 39:7. Our Hope has to always be in the Lord.
2. RESTORATION (Restore and Heal)
Jeremiah 30:17; Joel 2:25-26 and Psalm 51:12
Jeremiah speaks about healing wounds and restoring health. We need places where not only woulds will be healed but total health will be restored and people can feel whole again
Joel talks about the destruction brought about by the locust, then the caterpillar and the palmerworm. The Lord promises to restore all those. During restoration God redeems everything that was destroyed thorouhly
In Psalm 39:7, David says "Lord, my Hope is in thee", our Hope remains in the Lord as He restores us, the nation and the world in this House of Hope and Restoration
3. LET EVERYONE COME AS THEY ARE
2 Kings 4:9-10
Elisha was going around doing the work of the Lord Faithfully, but it took a person who could see and hear well from the Lord, that he needed a room. May we never be preoccupied with ourselves and fail to recognize it when the Lord leads us to see when others need a room.
4. TRUST AND SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER
James 5:16
In our fellowships we need to create an environment where each person can feel free and if need be, be vulnerable so that they can confess their weaknesses so that the Lord can strengthen them
5. LOVE ONE ANOTHER
John 13:34-35
In these two verses, the Lord Jesus three times that "love one another" and through that the world will know, we are from Him.
v.23 Is there room for me in your father's house?
v.31 Why are you standing out there? I have prepared the house and place for the camels
This was our first sermon at church where we looked at the name of the church as well as the vision and mission. We looked at the difference between a house and home. A home, it does not matter how the structure looks, is supposed to be where one finds peace, hope and restoration. Basically, the house of hope and restoration is a HOME.
The servant in 23, sent by Abraham who is now well advanced in years, have found Rebekah, whom they were sent to find. The servant with kneeling camels (v.11) before the well, have found her and they now ask, "do we have a room in your father's house?". The father has a house, that they suppose, but is there a room for them as servants and also is there a room for the camels? Rebekah assures them, there is. In our church we need to make sure there is a room for everyone. The house will be there, but will there be a room for the servants? All who serves God should feel welcome and at home.
We looked at five areas pertaining to this house of Hope and Restoration (Home)
1. HOPE
Acts 2: 25-26 and Psalm 39:7
In the book of Acts we hear of David who resolved to rest in Hope in the Lord, the same thing David echoes in Psalm 39:7. Our Hope has to always be in the Lord.
2. RESTORATION (Restore and Heal)
Jeremiah 30:17; Joel 2:25-26 and Psalm 51:12
Jeremiah speaks about healing wounds and restoring health. We need places where not only woulds will be healed but total health will be restored and people can feel whole again
Joel talks about the destruction brought about by the locust, then the caterpillar and the palmerworm. The Lord promises to restore all those. During restoration God redeems everything that was destroyed thorouhly
In Psalm 39:7, David says "Lord, my Hope is in thee", our Hope remains in the Lord as He restores us, the nation and the world in this House of Hope and Restoration
3. LET EVERYONE COME AS THEY ARE
2 Kings 4:9-10
Elisha was going around doing the work of the Lord Faithfully, but it took a person who could see and hear well from the Lord, that he needed a room. May we never be preoccupied with ourselves and fail to recognize it when the Lord leads us to see when others need a room.
4. TRUST AND SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER
James 5:16
In our fellowships we need to create an environment where each person can feel free and if need be, be vulnerable so that they can confess their weaknesses so that the Lord can strengthen them
5. LOVE ONE ANOTHER
John 13:34-35
In these two verses, the Lord Jesus three times that "love one another" and through that the world will know, we are from Him.
Tomorrow
Reminder: Tomorrow we are having Malemela and Grace as part of missions month, please see one of the posts below. Looking froward to seeing you tomorrow. Stay Blessed,
Thursday, 6 November 2014
A life signed away
A life signed away
Reflecting on the evening of 4 November as we kick started
the Mission month for THoHR one is actually left more with questions than
answers. You also realise how blessed we are as a new church to be afforded the
opportunity in our infancy to be exposed to what Missions is from the Horses’
mouths.
Pastor Nkish opened the service/ session with scripture
reading from Isaiah 18:1-7. What a powerful verse referring to our beautiful
continent and the plans the Lord has for it.
As the young beautiful Flo took the stand, one couldn’t stop
but agree “It can only be God who can turn the plans of this young beautiful
woman around”. Her family could have benefitted so much from her education
financially yet she chose to serve the family of the Most High God!
As she started her greatest concern was with her two sisters
who are in her country of work and are both sick. Her request for prayers for
them just indicated how close and how much it pains her when they are in pain.
She may not be the one physically sick, but can feel their pain.
As we all listened like little children hearing about a
strange story or an animal we have never seen or heard of before, it became
very clear how little we all know about this sphere. With much interest and a
lot of questions from the audience, she gracefully answered all our questions.
Both serious and very light ones like how does dog meat taste like!!
What was striking is the humility of this beautiful woman.
All the dangers she has endured and the successes is all for the Glory of God.
Leaving a stable job for the unpaid one. How much faith is that? When most of
us who are in paid jobs still fail to give or honor God with our substance
because “it isn’t enough”. Missions is about faith and trusting God for your
livelihood.
Flo tried to keep the balance between the hardships and the
joy of being a missionary. We are talking about a woman who lost everything in
the fire and could still look back and thank God that no life was lost. Over
and above that, see God provide through a total stranger three dresses that
fitted perfectly.
What has been in my mind since this session is the fact that
by being a missionary, she actually signed her life away. Her family may never
know her grave yet she is still pursuing her call. In response to the family
not knowing where one may be buried, a colleague emphasised that “it isn’t
important where the body is buried, but where the soul will rest”.
Judging from the questions, and the curiosity, one thing is
for sure, the church has forgotten what its role is. The church has forgotten
what sending is and are comfortable fishing from the same bowl. Her surprise
that actually there were people who were so keen to hear about missions in
South Africa echoed one thing, we indeed are sleeping and have no interest. May
the Lord forgive us and our ignorance….
A very critical statement she said was “as we pursue the unreached, let us also pursue those unreached areas
within us”. Those areas, hatred, unforgiveness, etc have the ability to
disqualify us from the race.
We are really
grateful to God for the opportunity and look forward to the next four weeks to
hear more!!!!
11 November - Focus on OM (Malemela and Grace)
Just a reminder that on Sunday we are starting with our Sunday services at Elardus Park. We are continuing with our Missions month. On Tuesday we are having Malemela and Grace Phago from Operation Mobilisation. Please follow this link to learn more about OM Operation Mobilisation South Africa
Tuesday, 4 November 2014
Communication
We are working on improving our communication with you. Please follow us on Twitter: @hopeandresto
We will give you our URL soon
Our last newsletter for the year will also be out before we all get overwhelmed with the festive season. If you are not in our e-mailing list, kindly provide us with your email, through the communication block on the right hand side
See you tonight as we kick start our missions month. Address: 628 Hofet Street, Elardus Park. Enquiries (0813009364 - Pastor Mmamajoro)
Much Blessings,
We will give you our URL soon
Our last newsletter for the year will also be out before we all get overwhelmed with the festive season. If you are not in our e-mailing list, kindly provide us with your email, through the communication block on the right hand side
See you tonight as we kick start our missions month. Address: 628 Hofet Street, Elardus Park. Enquiries (0813009364 - Pastor Mmamajoro)
Much Blessings,
Tuesday, 28 October 2014
Focus on Capro Missions - 04 November 2014
November is here and that means our Missions month at THoHR is kicking in. On the 04th of November we will be having the following servants of God as they share with us their journey with the Lord as missionaries. Please pop in to learn more about them and missions. Time: 18:00 - 19:15
Venue: 628 Hofet street, Elardus Park (Pretoria)
Bush & Lebo have been missionaries for the last 5 years serving through CAPRO MISSIONS SA. They served in the mission fields of Nigeria & Kenya respectively. They are currently based in Pretoria serving in administration & Student Ministries. They are called & are working towards doing church planting missions among the Maore people of the island of Mayotte who are 98% Islamic.
Selemela Thabang Selemela
From Pentecostal Holiness Church in Mogwase
Saved in 2007, learned about Missions in 2008/9
Helped start a youth organization called ARMY CAMP OF CHRIST, through which he grew in Evangelism. He would passionately gather youth from
various Churches to train EE3 for Evangelism.
Joined CAPRO in 2011
Monday, 27 October 2014
To the ends, then the end will come
November is Missions month at THoHR. Every Tuesday at Elardus Park (628 Hofet Street) we will be hosting different Missionaries from different Mission organisations to talk more about Missions. Please come join us if available. More about each Missionary that will be coming with be posted here a few days before they come, keep checking the blog, or put in your email on the right where it says "follow by email" so that you can get updates timeously. If you are or twitter, please follow our twitter handle as displayed on the right hand side.
"And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14) and "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere--in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
These are some of the verses we will be seeking ways to put into practice. Covering the ends of the earth with the liberating Gospel of Jesus Christ as a matter of urgency. See you there...
"And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14) and "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere--in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
These are some of the verses we will be seeking ways to put into practice. Covering the ends of the earth with the liberating Gospel of Jesus Christ as a matter of urgency. See you there...
Wednesday, 22 October 2014
Tuesday, 14 October 2014
Restoration Time
Receiving the first newsletter “Restoration Time” of the
House of Hope and Restoration is indeed a humbling experience. Not only is one
once again reminded of the faithfulness of God upon our lives, but it is a
confirmation that all He needs is a willing heart. His provision thus far has
been beyond measure. Ke Modimo wa dimakatso indeed.
Monday, 13 October 2014
Friday, 10 October 2014
Thursday, 9 October 2014
I WILL DIE HERE
Benaiah went to the sacred tent of the LORD and said to Joab, "The king orders you to come out!" But Joab answered, "No, I will die here." So Benaiah returned to the king and told him what Joab had said.
(1 Kings 2:30)
In 1 Kings chapter 2, we find the touching story of Joab, a faithful commander of David's army. Joab has clearly come to the end of his life's journey. Benaiah is ordered by king Solomon to kill Joab and Joab, utters these touching words as he holds on to the horns of the altar (v.28), "I will die here". Joab faithfully served David all his life and one would expect him to die in a better position than to be murdered at the instruction of Solomon, his master's successor. One would expect him by now to be eating with princes on the king's table.
There are a few lessons that we learn from Joab's story, let us look at five points:
1. He was so committed to the temple and understood the significance of the altar that even though an instruction is issued that he be murdered, he decides not to run away but rather to run to the temple and hold on to the horns of the altar and be killed there. He remains unshakeable until he is struck dead.
2. It was David in v.6, who when he realized he was about to leave the world of the leaving, ordered Solomon concerning Joab, to " not let him grow old and go to his grave in peace". This is despite the fact that Joab served David faithfully as the commander of his army
3. It is intriguing that Joab, who has been a commander of an army his whole life is now accused of shedding blood as a reason to have him never to enjoy peace, v.5.
4. He is accused of shedding blood during time of peace, yet it is the same king David that taught Joab that it is okay to shed innocent blood. David made Joab make sure Uriah, a devout and committed soldier of Israel, die at war, because David wanted to cover his adultrous relationship with Bathsheba.
5. Joab was so committed to David, he would do anything and everything ordered by David without questioning it, as long as it was ordered by David and it would make David happy, but he never knew nor strengthened his relationship with the God of David. He never learnt to be a man after God's heart, as David did, all he did was to honour and please David. In this same chapter we learn that Joab got a worse sentence than Shimei who cursed David when he was hurting running away from his own son, all this despite Joab's unsurpassing commitment to David. Joab king David faithfully and never seemed to care about God despite him knowing the importance of the temple and significance of the altar. He decides to die in the altar, whose God he does not have a relationship with.
Unlike Joab, Nathan the prophet, had a close relationship with the God of David, that is why when David was no longer walking well with the Lord, God told him (Nathan) and he was able to wisely find a way to warn David about his relationship with Bathsheba.
It is important that everything we do that we have a clear relationship with our Heavenly Father that will guide every decision we take. Serving at the altar, does not make us anyway better. The same, unreservedly serving those who serve at the altar, is insignificant as long as we do not strengthen our relationship with the God of the altar. It is actually dangerous to serve those that serve at the altar more than God, as we see in the case of Joab, when they are no longer in right position with God, we are not able to assist them as Nathan the prophet did.
Thursday, 2 October 2014
IF ONLY WE COULD SEE THE SPIRITUAL IMPACT OF OUR WORK
As I was meditating upon the word my mind went to Luke
10:1-20, this is the event where Christ sent out His 70 disciples two by two to
do ministry work in the towns and villages. He gave them power and authority to
preach the good news, heal the sick, and cast out demons.
The disciples went out in obedience to the Master and did
what He commanded them to do. On their return they were excited as they gave
Him testimony after testimony of what happened. They said even demons obeyed us
when we spoke in your name, miracles happened during our outreach, the sick
were healed.
Christ agreed with all the things they said and He said: I
also saw something else happening as a result of your crusade,
Verses 18-20 “I saw satan fall from heaven like lightning. 19
Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can
walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. 20 But
don’t rejoice because the evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are
registered in heaven”.
It was like Christ was saying to them:
1.
There was much more impact and power in what you
did than you saw the enemy is shattered and angry
2.
Do not be fearful of this powerful enemy for I have
given you authority over him
3.
Rejoice over the eternal
Christ saw something the disciples didn’t see, the disciples
only saw the physical manifestation of what they were doing, they didn’t see
the spiritual impact of what happened as they preached the Word, as they went
from town to town healing the sick and casting out demons. They knew people
were freed from the power of the devil but didn’t see how far reaching this
simple act of obeying the Lord went. The devil fell like lightning from heaven,
incensed at the great work, heaven was cheering as they continued from town to
town doing the great works they were instructed to do.
There was a shifting of powers and principalities in the
heavenly realm, the enemy was deposed. Christ further says to them: it is good
that you are happy or rejoicing at what happened. But you have an even better
reason to rejoice. In short the reason for your joy is misplaced I will give
you a better and reason to rejoice over.
·
The
miracles shouldn’t be your focus of joy. Miracles can be performed and faked by
false prophets, so miracles in themselves do not make you distinct and those
who follow after miracles run the risk of following false prophets.
·
What you
should rejoice over is what the enemy cannot fake and do: that is to be
registered in heaven
Christ was challenging them and showing them the heavenly
impact of their work and the things they should focus on- an eternal
relationship with God.
The enemy cannot fake a passport to heaven though they can
fake the miracles. Christ also alludes to the authority given to the disciples
and says this authority is above all the power of the enemy. The enemy has
power to do things but we have authority to allow or disallow him, we can stop
him and cast him away.
Christ was telling them who they are. He wanted them to know
what has been deposited in them, the power and authority given to them. He knew
the enemy would throw all sorts of things to them but He wanted them not to be
fearful of the ‘powerful’ enemy and to take their stand against him in
authority.
If you know who you are, you will act appropriately. If you
know you are a lion, you do not look back when a small dog is braking behind
you, you only respond to animals which might pose a threat to you, and when you
do, you demonstrate why you are the king of the jungle.
Lessons:
·
Know who
you are
·
Know the
impact of your work
·
Focus on
the things that matter, do not follow the fashionable seek the eternal
Monday, 29 September 2014
BAPSFONTEIN UPDATE
Finally on the 13th of September 2014 we took a giant leap of faith to go to Bapsfontein. A place that had been in our hearts for a number of years. We had planned to do a prayer walk sharing the word with the community. We arrived just after 9:00 and we sat down for a moment of prayer led by Pastor Nkish. As we were busy sharing, there were a number of curious people in the community looking at us and perhaps curious about our mission.
Two ladies finally approached us on hearing we were there to share the Good news about Christ and requested that we wait for them until they knock off at 12:00 as they wanted to join us. God had completely altered our programme. We continued sharing and then proceeded to pray in the area and congregated under the tree at 12:00 to share the Good news with the community. Brother Joel shared from John 3:16 about How God loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son so that we whoever believes in Him, will not perish but have eternal life.
A total of 13 people accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. This was definitely beyond our wildest dreams. We thank God for working His wonders in Bapies. We have decided to go to Bapies every Saturday to share the word of God. We believe God will enrich and trans form the lives of the people through the Gospel. We believe this community is in the heart of God and they never had a Bible believing church in their community. We believe their season of restoration has arrived and we will part of that move.
Bapies
I am always amazed and humbled by our daughter-Ndzalama's love for God's work. There she was armed with two friends ready to teach children's church at Bapies. Despite the fact that her language skills are hugely limited for an environment like Bapies.
However, our God is faithful. The children on seeing them came in their numbers, including kids her age who had never attended before. Right there 2 classes-one for the little ones and another for the bigger ones were born and eager teachers ready for next week.
What does one say to this? Glory goes to the Almighty.
However, our God is faithful. The children on seeing them came in their numbers, including kids her age who had never attended before. Right there 2 classes-one for the little ones and another for the bigger ones were born and eager teachers ready for next week.
What does one say to this? Glory goes to the Almighty.
Friday, 26 September 2014
Devotion
1 Chron 17:1-14
David (despite God excusing him from building the Temple) sacrificed his own resources, to lay the basis for building of the temple. It wasn’t his responsibility but he decided to give his son a head start in life by contributing to the building of the Temple. As a father he wanted his son covered and not having to start from the beginning. He said I have more than enough, God wouldn’t have required it of him and that action moved God to say since you are so keen to build me a house I will establish you- the throne will not depart from your house.
The challenge for us is to determine to provoke God with our actions, decide to make him move for us in your circumstance, do something beyond the call of duty and see God acting on your behalf to do the things you can’t. Do the unthinkable to allow God to move into your situation like David did with his generosity. God is faithful and always rewards.
Thursday, 4 September 2014
Devotion 04 September 2014
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:19)
The Lord is about to do a new thing and as we partner with Him, we never know how He is going to let all that He told us unfold, we remain in His Grace, He is the Father of all. He knows all and He has our best interest at heart, we are mere dust, we have put our full trust in His Might.
13 September
On the 13th of September we will be having our first outreach. We wait with great anticipation to witness what the Lord will be doing through and among us. Please join us in Bapsfontein and Elardus park if you are available, contact us for further details.
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