cornelia grace – cornelia in africa
worshiper. reader. adventurer.
Published on 03/08/2020 by cornelia graceLeave a comment
Hardus shares his testimony about a revelation he had: God is who He says He is!
As a young believer, I attended the local Every Nation church (an international church family that I still consider to be ‘home’), and I remember Pastor Celeste beginning every sermon she shared with a faith confession:
“This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I can do what it says I can do. I believe it is the Truth. I believe in the power of the spoken Word of God. I will consult it in tribulation. I will speak it in season and out of season. I will use it as reference. I will not be silent. I read it with a wiling heart. I am guided by the Spirit. I will do mighty deeds in the Name of Jesus. The enemy shall flee before me and the Sword in my hand. I will use it to guide and disciple. And I will follow His guidance, step by step.”
Pastor Celeste Nel, Every Nation Faith City
You see, this was not simply a rhyme or empty prayer to declare, but a reminder, a deep-rooted conviction that God is who He says He is, and that I therefore am who He says I am.
As believers, and non-believers or sceptics, one of the issues we most often grapple with is simply this: Who am I? What is my purpose? Why am I here?
I think it was Oswald Chambers who famously said, “We exist to know God and enjoy Him forever,” and though this definitely lays the foundation for doctrinal discussion, I think Who Is God and therefore, Who Am I, are questions that can be answered in this: by knowing who He truly is, we discover who we truly are.
“In the Kingdom, function does not determine purpose. Understanding your purpose will determine how you function.”
It’s been 16 years since I embarked on this faith journey: having a relationship with God, and not simply living under the yoke of religion, and though there is still SO MUCH MORE to discover and learn, one of the things that has been integral to my relationship with God is learning and understanding His character, the I AM of which Scripture speaks.
One of the most transformational books I ever read (aside from the Bible) was Such a Great Salvation, alternatively known as The Gospel Of Identity by Mike Petzer.
Understanding who God is, and understanding why he created Man in His image and likeness, unlocks our Identity, purpose, authority here on earth, and adds a deeper level of intimacy of our relationship with Him.
Ever since Lockdown was enforced on 26 March this year, our weekly student Bible study has moved online. We are currently working our way through The Gospel Of Identity. These are some of the wonderful students who tune in for virtual Bible study on Monday evenings.
Hardus, one of the students who attend our virtual Bible study shared this testimony with our group last week, and I asked whether he would be willing to share it with the world.
As you watch this video, may you be encouraged that He is the God who is who He says He is, who can do what He says He can do — who created you in His image and likeness!
Categories Africa, Devotional, Gospel, Missions
Published on 03/08/2020 03/08/2020 by cornelia graceLeave a comment
Ons was op Ekspedisie in Simwatachela Chiefdom in Zambië. Ekspedisies is Evangelie-uitreike van twee weke lank, waar ons met die DAF-vragmotor in die bos kamp met basiese toerusting. Ons het ongeveer 7 ure lank gery om in Mafuta village uit te kom waar ons net buite die dorpie gekamp het. Ons was hier om met die plaaslike kerke te werk, van huis-tot-huis te besoek en die Evangelie te deel.
Ekspedisies is geleenthede om verhoudings te bou en die Evangelie een-tot-een te deel.
Ekspedisies is opwindend! Tydens huis-tot-huis besoeke hoor baie mense die Evangelie vir die eerste keer. Zambië staan ​​bekend as ‘n Christelike nasie, maar die werklikheid is dat die kerke gebuk gaan onder valse godsdiens en leerstellings, en die goeie nuus van die Koninkryk was nog nooit gepreek nie. Verhoudinge met plaaslike leiers en pastore is een van die grootste geleenthede om hulle uit die Woord te bemoedig. By baie van hierdie bos-kerke waar ons aan doen, vind ons dat die hoof pastoor of leeraar nie eers ‘n Bybel besit nie, en wanneer hulle wel ‘n Bybel besit, is dit gewoonlik nie in een van die stamtale wat in daardie spesifieke area gepraat word nie.
Na Bybelstudie (ons het 14h00 by die skool ontmoet), kom ons terug kamp toe om aandete voor te berei voor die nag-vergadering (wat om 19h00 sou begin).
Ek was besig om aandete voor te berei toe Kati en Trenton vra of ons nog 5 gaste vir aandete kon akkommodeer.
Ek was weliswaar huiwerig om ja te sê. Ons het ordentlike porsiegroottes vir elke maaltyd uitgewerk, maar aangesien ons span meestal bestaan ​​uit jong mans (wat die eet soos kommandowurms), is daar raar tweedeporsies of oorskied.
Kati het gevra, “Kan ons meer mense voer?” En ek het gesê: “Miskien. As ons nou begin bid. ”
Eenvoudige gemeenskapsvergaderings lyk dikwels so: in die skadu van ‘n boom, ons deel die Woord en bou ons verhoudings.
Ek het onmiddellik gevoel hoe die Heilige Gees my berispe vir my selfsug.
Ons was moeg en honger, en ons het ‘n bietjie span tyd nodig gehad voordat ons na die nag-byeenkoms sou gaan, en nou het ons 5 ekstra gaste en verskeie kinders wat opgedaag het, wat verwag om gevoed te word, en ons span tyd sou opneem.
Die Heilige Gees het my herinner aan hierdie gedeelte uit Hebreërs 13: 2 – “Moenie vergeet of verwaarloos of weier om gasvryheid aan vreemdelinge uit te reik nie (in die broederskap) – vriendelik, hartlik en genadig, deel die gemak van u huis en doen u deel vrygewig ], want daardeur het sommige engele vermaak sonder om dit te weet. ”
Ons gaste het al die pad van ‘n naburige dorp af gestap — 13km. Hulle het almal hierheen geloop om die Bybelstudie by te woon, en hulle wou vir die nag-byeenkoms bly. Hulle het so ver gestap omdat die Boodskap wat ons gebring het vir hulle belangrik was om te hoor!
Tog was ons bekommerd dat ons hulle nie sou kon voed nie, en dat ons eie gemak sou ly? Belaglik, nie waar nie?
Ek het my herinner aan die offer wat ‘n jong seuntjie na Jesus gebring het toe vyfduisend mans (en baie vroue en kinders) bymekaar was om Hom te hoor preek. Dit was ‘n eenvoudige offer: vyf brode en twee visse.
En dit het die menigtes gevoed.
Hoe moet ons die Gees voed as ons nie die liggaam voed nie, en vice versa?
Ons Westerse skeptisisme het daartoe gelei dat ons hoër heinings gebou het in plaas van langer etenstafels. Ons is bang dat as ons een aand vyf besoekers en ‘n paar kinders voed, dat die hele village die volgende aand by die voorstoep sal regstaan ​​en aalmoese en kos verwag.
Ja, ons wil nie ‘n ingesteldheid of ‘n verwagting van afhanklikheid skep nie, maar is ons so selfsugtig dat ons nie kan deel wat ons het met diegene wat dit nodig het nie?
Ons het gisteraand ontbytburritos vir aandete gehad, en nadat ons gaste, bedieningsvennote en die hele span bedien is, en elkeen ‘n tweede keer kos gekry het, was daar nog ‘n burritos oor wat ek toe aan die kinders buite ons kamp gegee het.
Ekspedisie in Simwatachela Chiefdom, Zambië
Hoe sal ons ooit God se voorsiening kan uitput?
Matteus 6 sê dat ons nie hoef te bekommer oor wat ons sal eet of drink of dra nie, dat môre vir homself sal sorg. Dit is egter wat ons daaglikse lewe vul: ons werk hard sodat ons geld kan spaar om meer dinge te koop en meer plekke te gaan en vooruit te beplan en beter dinge te kan bekostig. En hoewel daar niks verkeerd daarmee is om spaarsamige rentmeesters te wees nie, is ek verbaas dat hierdie mense wat in modderhuise woon, omring deur bosse aan alle kante, wat 7 jaar laas ‘n goeie oes gehad het, deel wat hulle het met ‘n hele gemeenskap, hulle kla nie of hou nie terug wanneer hulle hul nshema moet deel met Westerlinge wat dink dat dit aaklig smaak sonder sout of sous nie.
Maar hier is diegene wat die minste het, die gewilligste om te deel.
Nadat ek byna 40 mense op ‘n 25-porsie begroting gevoed het, was ek herinner aan hierdie gedeelte van Kolossense (hier onder).
Laat ons ALTYD gereed wees om te bedien, te dien, te deel, ‘n antwoord te gee vir die hoop op Christus wat binne ons is!
“Wees ernstig en ongeduldig en standvastig in u gebed [lewe], wees [albei] waaksaam en bedoel [met u danksegging] met danksegging. En bid terselfdertyd ook vir ons, dat God vir ons ‘n deur kan oopmaak vir die Woord (die Evangelie), om die verborgenheid rakende Christus (die Messias) te verkondig op grond waarvan ek in die gevangenis is; Dat ek dit volledig kan verkondig en dit duidelik maak [praat met vrymoedigheid en openbaar daardie raaisel], net soos my plig. Gedra julle verstandig [leef verstandig en met oordeelkundigheid] in jul verhouding met die buite-wêreld (nie-Christene), maak die beste van die tyd gebruik en benut (koop op) die geleentheid. Laat u toespraak te alle tye genadig wees (aangenaam en oorweldigend), gekruid [soos dit was] met sout, [sodat u nooit kan verloor nie] om te weet hoe u iemand moet antwoord [wat ‘n vraag aan u stel] . “
– Kolossense 4: 2-6
Categories Africa, Journal, Missions, Zambia
Published on 03/08/2020 03/08/2020 by cornelia grace1 Comment
We were out on Expedition in Simwatachela Chiefdom in Zambia. A bare-bones two-week ministry trip in which we drove 7 hours with the DAF truck and set up camp in the bush just outside Mafuta village. We were here to work with the local churches, visit from home-to-home, and share the Gospel.
Expetitions are bare-bones opportunities to build relationships and share the Gospel one-on-one.
Expeditions are exciting! During home-to-home visits, many people hear the Gospel for the first time. Zambia is known as a Christian nation, but the reality is that its churches are weighed down by false religion and doctrine, and the Kingdom has never been preached. Building relationships with local leaders and pastors is one of the greatest opportunities to encourage them from the Word.
After Bible Study (we met at the school at 14h00), we came back to camp to prepare dinner before the night meeting (which was scheduled to start at 19h00).
I was halfway into preparing dinner when Kati and Trenton asked whether we could accommodate 5 more guests for dinner.
Admittedly, I was reluctant to say yes. We had worked out decent portion sizes for each meal, but since our team is made up of mostly college-age young men (who eat their weight’s worth), there are hardly any seconds or leftovers.
Kati asked, “can we feed more people?” And I said, “Maybe. If we start praying now.”
I immediately felt convicted by Holy Spirit for my own selfishness.
Simple fellowship meetings often look like this — gathered in the shade of a tree we share the Word and build relationships.
We were tired and hungry, and we needed some team time before heading into the night meeting, and now we had 5 extra people, and multiple kids, who had shown up, expected to be fed, and would impose on our team time.
Holy Spirit reminded me of this passage from Hebrews 13:2 — “Do not forget or neglect or refuse to extend hospitality to strangers [in the brotherhood–being friendly, cordial, and gracious, sharing the comforts of your home and doing your part generously], for through it some have entertained angels without knowing it.”
Our guests were from a village 13km away. They had all walked here to attend the Bible Study, and they wanted to stay for the night meeting.
Yet, we were worried that we wouldn’t be able to feed them, and that our own comfort would suffer? Ridiculous, right?
I was reminded of the offering a young boy brought to Jesus as five thousand men (and many women and children) were gathered to hear Him teach. It was a simple offering: five loaves, and two fish.
And it fed the multitudes.
How are we to feed the Spirit, if we do not feed the flesh, and vice versa?
Our Western scepticism has lead us to build taller fences in stead of longer dinner tables. We’re afraid that, if we feed five visitors and some kids the one evening, that the next evening, the whole village will line up at the doorstep, expecting handouts and food.
Yes, we don’t want to create a mindset or an expectation for dependency, but are we so selfish that we cannot share what we have with those who need it?
We had breakfast burritos for dinner last night, and after our guests, ministry partners and entire team had been served, and EVERYONE had a second helping, there were still some left, which I then gave to the kids standing around outside our camp.
Expedition in Simwatachela Chiefdom, Zambia
Who are we to think that we can ever out-give God?
Matthew 6 says that we are not to worry about what we will eat or drink or wear, that tomorrow will take care of itself. Yet, this is what consumes our day-to-day: we work hard so that we can save money to buy more things and go more places and plan ahead and afford better stuff. And, though there’s nothing wrong with being frugal stewards, I’m amazed that these people, who live in mud houses, surrounded by bush on every side, who haven’t had a good harvest in 7 years, who share what they have with an entire community, do not grumble or complain or hold back when they have to share their nshema with Westerners who think it tastes terrible without salt or relish.
Yet, here, those who have the least are most eager to share.
As I was feeding nearly 40 people on a 25-person budget, I was reminded of this passage from Colossians (here below).
Let us ALWAYS be ready to minister, to serve, to share, to give an answer for the Hope of Christ that is within us!
“Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving. And at the same time pray for us also, that God may open a door to us for the Word (the Gospel), to proclaim the mystery concerning Christ (the Messiah) on account of which I am in prison; That I may proclaim it fully and make it clear [speak boldly and unfold that mystery], as is my duty. Behave yourselves wisely [living prudently and with discretion] in your relations with those of the outside world (the non-Christians), making the very most of the time and seizing (buying up) the opportunity. Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you].”
— Colossians 4:2‭-‬6
Categories Africa, Missions, Zambia
Published on 26/07/2020 by cornelia graceLeave a comment
I felt like spending the day in bed. And I did have a good lie-in.
But then I got up, ate grapefruit, and went for a run. While the run didn’t exactly go according to plan (I have become very unfit during Lockdown 🙈 and Garmin has had a bug that has kept Connect from functioning), I ran a PB on 1km and a new fastest mile.
This morning when I asked a friend of mine what he was doing, he responded, “Building character,”
I later came to understand that he was watching The Karate Kid.
It reminded me of the parable of the talents, found in Matthew 25 — not because running is such a noble or holy pursuit, but because 9 times out of 10, God opens the door for ministry simply because we have been faithful to show up, even if we didn’t feel like it.
“His master said to him, Well done, you upright (honorable, admirable) and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy (the delight, the blessedness) which your master enjoys.”
‭‭— Matthew‬ ‭25:21‬ ‭
As carriers of this Message, as ambassadors of the Kingdom, we don’t have to seek out ministry — it’s right there with every person you speak to, whether in church or in a grocery store or via Zoom.
Being faithful to show up, to build character, spending time in the Word, and drawing on His presence — these are the things that build strength and stamina to do whatever it takes to be Ambassadors of the Kingdom of Heaven.
When you hear Holy Spirit tell you to step up and show up, may you have the courage to boldly proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom!
May you be faithful to show up, doing and serving in that ministry to which you have been called.
May you build spiritual and physical muscle and stamina, to do whatever it takes to reach the one.
May you rest well and deep, being refreshed by Holy Spirit, and may you then continue to run wild with this Great Message, so that all men from every tribe and every tongue may live free!
Categories Journal, Missions
Published on 13/07/2020 18/07/2020 by cornelia graceLeave a comment
2020 has been weird, but let’s not let that keep us from living LIFE.
“I shall not die but live, and shall declare the works and recount the illustrious acts of the Lord.”
— ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭118:17‬ ‭
About a week ago my sister, who is 8 months pregnant, was in a car accident.
In this video I share their testimony, and some encouragement about the rhythm of life, our purpose in the Kingdom, and the fellowship of believers.
“In the Kingdom, function does not determine purpose. Understanding purpose will determine how we function. This is the Gospel of Identity.”
— Cornelia Grace.
Our testimony will ALWAYS be LIFE and not death — let this be our declaration: God is the Author of Life!
Categories Devotional, Gospel, Journal, Missions•Tags Adventure, charity, Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, fundraise, Gospel, Journal, ministry, Missions, nonprofit, Overland Missions, Relationships, runwildlivefree, season, South Africa, testimony, trail run
Published on 03/07/2020 04/07/2020 by cornelia graceLeave a comment
Many have asked, and now it’s finally available!
This uniquely branded wear is now available for purchase on Bonfire.
I’m selling these beautiful (assorted) t-shirts and hoodies to fundraise for my launch-fund in order to join the Overland Missions team in the Democratic Republic of Congo!
Unisex Pullover Hoodie – front; assorted colours
Unisex Pullover Hoodie – back; assorted colours
Unisex Crewneck – front; assorted colours
Unisex Crewneck – back; assorted colours
Unisex Premium T-shirt — front; assorted colours
Ladies fitted T-shirt – front; assorted colours
Ladies fitted T-shirt – back; assorted colours
Follow the link to select your design, colour, and size, and they’ll deliver it to your front door!
Please share this campaign with your friends and family to spread the word!
Thank you for your generous giving — your love, your time, your support, your finances!
What a privilege it is to work in the Kingdom alongside you!
Good morning from the South African Revenue Services head office!
Published on 03/07/2020 by cornelia grace2 Comments
PROCLAMER LE PARDON
« Jésus dit: « Père, pardonne-leur, ils ne savent pas ce qu’ils font. » Les soldats tirent au sort pour savoir qui aura ses vêtements. Puis ils les partagent entre eux. »
‭‭Bonne Nouvelle selon Luc‬ ‭23:34‬ ‬‬
Trahi par des amis, accusé bien qu’innocent, torturé jusqu’à être cloué sur la croix – les injustices que Jésus a souffert ne pouvaient pas être pires. Et en plus de cela les gens autour de lui se moquent de lui et l’humilient. Dévêtu, Jésus est mourant sur la croix avec ses blessures. Il y a personne pour lui offrir de la compassion. Bien au contraire, les personnes présentes cherchent à le briser avec des paroles accusatrices et ignobles. Tous les yeux sont rivés sur lui.
“While they were nailing Jesus to the cross, he prayed over and over, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.” The soldiers, after they crucified him, gambled over his clothing.”
Luke‬ ‭23:34‬ ‭
Lorsque Jésus ouvre enfin sa bouche pour répondre, personne ne s’attendait à ces paroles : « Père, pardonne-leur ! ». Ce que Jésus a enseigné dans son sermon sur la montagne à propos d’aimer ses ennemis, ces paroles sont démontrées avec la manière la plus incroyable.
Je trouve difficile de ne pas rétorquer et de ne pas me défendre, alors que je me sens victime d’une injustice. Bien sûr, je sais que dans le fond c’est pour mon bien que Jésus me demande de pardonner. Lorsque je porte une rancune à l’égard des autres, avant tout cela pèse mon cœur, mes pensées et mon âme. Jésus nous montre comment être libres de ces fardeaux. Je souhaite être guidé par cet exemple bien plus que par les choses négatives dans ma vie.
Tourne ton regard vers ton cœur. Qui est responsable pour les plus grandes blessures dans ta vie ? Qui est la personne envers qui tu as de la rancune ? Pour en être libéré, commence à prier pour cette personne pendant trois minutes. Le ressentiment ne va peut-être pas disparaître immédiatement, mais persévère dans la prière et laisse-toi inspirer par le manière que Jésus a de prier pour ses ennemis. Voilà où se trouve le premier pas vers la liberté.
Categories Africa, Devotional, Français, Missions
Overland Missions field report: June
Published on 29/06/2020 02/07/2020 by cornelia graceLeave a comment
Friends! Family! Kingdom Partners!
Here is a recent field report from Overland Missions HQ.
Continue reading “Overland Missions field report: June” →
Categories Africa, field report, Gospel, Missions, Zambia
Published on 24/05/2020 by cornelia graceLeave a comment
Dear team — friends, family, kingdom partners, co-labourers, mountain movers!
I truly appreciate each of you!
I know that, for many, these are strange times and I want to encourage you that there is grace for that — grace for figuring out a rhythm to life.
Here is an incredibly encouraging message from our Director of International Operations, Jessi Schwertfeger:
Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.”
‭‭— Romans‬ ‭5:3-5‬ ‭AMPC‬‬
As always, I invite you to let me know how I can pray for you!
Categories Africa, Devotional, Gospel, Missions, Zambia
Published on 21/05/2020 by cornelia grace3 Comments
Bonjour ! J’espère que vous-avez très bien ?
I am still here, writing from my home town in South Africa, and here not much has changed since our nation-wide lockdown has been instituted. Yes, some provinces have started phasing out the lockdown restrictions, but in many ways, we are still where we were before.
Since the outbreak of the pandemic I have been applying my time toward language learning (yes, I studied French at university, but I am a little rusty, and I am slowly but surely building up my religious vocabulary), spending time in the Word, and reaching out to partners, family and friends via video calls.
I am so thankful for technology that helps us to stay connected internationally, but I am excitedly looking forward to a day when we can once again connect face-to-face!
This morning, I rediscovered a post from May 2019 — a testimony from our first expedition in Sekute, Zambia.
Joey and the rest of our team prayed for the senior headman and his family, and baptized them in the Holy Spirit.
The woman in the orange shirt is Understudy. She was blind, and after we prayed for her, her eyes were healed! She attended ALL the night meetings we hosted, and specifically came to greet me every time — visibly rejoicing; filled with the Holy Spirit!
THe Senior Headman (90 years old) receives the baptism of the Spirit. His entire family heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ and received salvation. He attended every night meeting we hosted, and slowly made his way back and forth between his house and our bush camp — walking more than 2km in the middle of the night to hear this Good News!
this nene (grandmother) is 92 years old. She received Christ for the first time ever when Expedition members came to her house to share the Gospel with her family.
This is what camping in the bush with and Expedition truck looks like.
Team testimonies and debriefing around the campfire.
Some highlights from our Expedition in Sekute, Zambia.
Despite the limiting physical circumstances, MPD preparations are well under way, and language learning and life is going well. While being in lockdown, I have kept in touch with my team (spread out across Zambia and USA, since they had to evacuate DRC before the borders closed down), who are also in various phases of quarantine. While Jessy and I are fundraising through MPD, and learning French, Julie, Darrin and Sherrill are on Rapid 14.
Julie has been able to serve in the local clinic as a Midwife. She has shared some incredibly encouraging stories, and I encourage you to follow these testimonies on social media — whether on their personal profiles, or through Overland Missions.
We all anticipate the day when we will be together in DRC, advancing the Kingdom and sharing the Word of God. For now, we remain faithful in doing what we can do to prepare for post-pandemic ministry, and await communication from Overland Missions’ leadership as well as that of the various countries in which we are currently waiting out the quarantine restrictions.
In recent video meetings, our founder and president, Phillip Smethurst (CEO), predicted that many African nations (South Africa included) may take longer to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic because of the lack of medical resources and facilities that will be able to manage the influx of patients.
I spoke to some friends at Kalene Hill Hospital in Northwest Zambia (right on the border between DRC, Angola, and Zambia), and they have reported that they are only now receiving many patients who are showing symptoms of COVID-19. These areas are so remote that they are only now catching up with the global exposure to the virus. Unfortunately, people living in these remote and rural areas often don’t have access to health care (health care is in limited supply in most African countries), and generally don’t have good immune systems due to harsh physical conditions and malnutrition. However, our team gladly serves these communities, not only with humanitarian care, but with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
As far as DRC is concerned, a report was sent to our team which projected that cases for COVID-19 will peak in September. It is expected that South Africa’s borders will also remain closed until then, though limited travel in-country will be allowed. However, the guestimation that the borders might not be open to foreigners or international travel, means that things are still uncertain. We pray that things will stabilize and return to normal as soon as possible.
Even during this time, we’ve heard testimonies from our team on the ground who have shared that even though they are under lockdown, ministry continues through their disciples in the villages.
The plans and purposes of the Lord are never stopped or hindered, or even delayed by anything in this world.
I have been considering that Paul (who is, in my opinion, one of the greatest missionaries) wrote two thirds of the New Testament from prison. Our ability to go out and see other people face-to-face might be limited by lockdown, but the Good News is never locked in.
My co-workers in an Unnamed North African Country, have shared how in the midst of Ramadan, they have been able to share plates of food and snacks with their neighbours (they leave it on neighbours’ doorsteps and communicate from further down the hall). Now that they have been living in-country form some time, doing language training and discipleship, they are able to add encouraging notes to these food packages, sharing Scripture and greetings in the name of Jesus Christ, and it has opened further doors to ministry in this closed country.
We all pray and are expectant to see increase and abundance when we are able to return to the ministries we’ve been assigned to, because we know that God is continually revealing more of Himself. He still heals. He still restores. He still pours out His Spirit. There’s no bad report that can undo what God is doing in the nations. He’s always doing something new, and brining dead things to life.
As always, I invite you to share any prayer requests — you can reach me via email, social media, or WhatsApp.
Love in Christ, Cornelia
Categories Africa, Gospel, Journal, Missions
Published on 28/04/2020 28/04/2020 by cornelia grace2 Comments
This morning I’d like to share an excerpt from Capturing the heart of God for the Nations with you!
It is still true today that the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few (Matthew 9:37-38). Today, as we ride out the effects and affects of Covid-19, I ask you to orient yourself to the harvest that lies beyond.
While our ability to go out, and preach that the Kingdom is at hand may be limited right now, we can prepare for the harvest that is yet in the field, praying and asking God to send laborers into His harvest.
Moreover, won’t you be as bold to ask if He wants to send you as one of those laborers?
OUR MISSIONS RESPONSIBILITY
The torch for world missions began with the primitive Church. In obedience to the supreme commission entrusted to them, these early apostles were dispersed throughout the nations, eventually dying as martyrs because their message of Christ would be unacceptable to the religionists and the lost of their day. One of the major figures in launching world missions was the Apostle Paul, whose missionary journeys took him from Antioch into all of Asia and then to Rome toward the end of his life. Through the obedience and passion of these firebrands, the gospel fires blazed in many nations.
From generation to generation there has always been a remnant that has remained loyal and passionate to continue to grow the Church and pursue the lost. These determined followers loved not their lives unto death and sacrificially went to the regions beyond. This fire of God for the nations must once again be kindled in our hearts.
In his book, The Passion for Souls, Oswald Smith wrote about Dr. Alexander Duff:
“Dr. Alexander Duff, that great veteran missionary to India, returned to Scotland to die, and as he stood before the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, he made his appeal, but there was no response. In the midst of his appeal he fainted and was carried off the platform. The doctor bent over him and examined his heart. Presently he opened his eyes. “Where am I?” he cried. “Where am I?” “Lie still,” said the doctor. “Your heart is very weak.” “But,” exclaimed the old warrior, “I must finish my appeal. Take me back. Take me back. I haven’t finished my appeal yet.” “Lie still,” said the doctor again, “You are too weak to go back.”
But the aged missionary struggled to his feet, his determination overcoming his weakness; and with the doctor on one side and the moderator on the other side, the old white-haired warrior was led again to the platform, and as he mounted the pulpit the Apostle Paul, whose missionary journeys took him from Antioch into all of Asia and then to Rome toward the end of his life. Through the obedience and passion of these firebrands, the gospel fires blazed in many nations.
“When Queen Victoria calls for volunteers for India,” he exclaimed, “hundreds of young men respond; but when King Jesus calls, no one goes.” Then he paused. Again he spoke. “Is it true,” he asked, “that Scotland has no more sons to give for India?” Again he paused. “Very well,” he concluded, “if Scotland has no more young men to send to India, then, old and decrepit though I am, I will go back, and even though I cannot preach, I can lie down on the shores of the Ganges and die, in order to let the peoples of India know that there is at least one man in Scotland who cares enough for their souls to give his life for them.” In a moment young men, all over the assembly, sprang to their feet, crying out, “I’ll go! I’ll go! I’ll go!”
For years handfuls of people have gone, prayed, and given to the harvest, but most today remain disconnected from this call. Many Christians will give more money to buy a cup of coffee at Starbucks than they give to missions. Some will spend thousands of dollars to keep their pets healthy and strong while giving next to nothing for the sake of world missions. Their out-of-balance lives and their misplaced priorities need to be addressed.
Without a vision the people perish… Without a vision the people will not carry the gospel torch.
In developing nations, missionary zeal burns white-hot, with believers carrying the gospel torch despite their meager resources. There are nations being visited by the same Holy Spirit that blasted into the upper room and transformed a handful of trembling disciples into world-changing, dynamic soul-winners. Asia is experiencing tremendous church growth, with thousands coming to Christ each day. In Africa, believers boldly carry the gospel torch on trains and buses, and in the markets you will always find at least one zealous Christian busy about the Father’s business.
Anyone who has ever taken a short-term missions trip to a Third World nation has been impacted by the success of the gospel, as thousands are seen responding to the message of life. This gospel must be preached to all nations before the return of the Lord Jesus. We need to see the lost reached in the nations but also those all around us.
Every Christian should carry the gospel torch in this nation and to the ends of the earth through intercession, generous missionary offerings, and short-term missions trips. Some believers may even end up being called into a long-term missionary lifestyle.
Oswald J. Smith, 1889-1986, Canadian missionary statesman and pastor
— Dr Leon Van Rooyen; Capturing the heart of God for the Nations
So, while we are all facing physical restictions in some form, we look toward the future with expectation; eagerly waiting for the go-ahead so that we can run to those who have not heard, who have not seen, so that every tribe and every tongue may come to know Him!
I know that for many of you, this season of quarantine or lockdown has taken a heavy toll on your emotional wellbeing, but I want to encourage you with this text that I recently sent to a friend: nothing you lay down in pursuit of the kingdom will ever make you less than what He created you to be. Sacrifice isn’t meant to be easy. But it’s not without reward.
Therefore, whatever sacrifice you make, or whatever challenge you face, may you endure it for the joy set before you, so that He might be made known, so that His Name may be glorified, and that all might taste and see that He is good!
Categories Africa, Devotional, Gospel, Journal, Missions
Published on 12/04/2020 by cornelia graceLeave a comment
Today many buildings where the Church gather are empty — and so we also celebrate the empty tomb! He is risen!
“And he said to them, Do not be amazed and terrified; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, Who was crucified. He has risen; He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. [Ps. 16:10.]”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:6‬ ‭AMPC‬‬
Mag die krag van Heilige Gees wat Jesus uit die dood opgewek het, vandag en elke dag in jou en deur jou werk om te getuig dat Hy leef!
May the resurrection power of Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, work in you and through you, today and every day, to testify that He is alive!
Que le pouvoir de résurrection du Saint Esprit qui a élevé Jésus des morts, travaille en vous et par vous, aujourd’hui et tous les jours, pour témoigner qu’il est vivant !
Mag die liefde van Vader, wat Sy Seun gegee het om namens ons met die aanklag en prys van sonde af te reken, saam getuig: tetelestai — dit is volbring!
May the Father’s love, who gave His Son to settle the accusation and price of the debt of sin against us, testify: tetelestai — it is finished!
Que l’amour du Père, qui a donné à Son fils pour régler l’accusation et le prix de la dette du péché contre nous, témoigne: Teteelastai, c’est fini!
Mag die Woord, wat die dood oorwin het, lewendig en kragtig in jou werk; jou daaraan herinner dat jy vir Hom, en deur Hom geskep is, dat Hy jou afvaardig om saam met Hom te regeer, en dat Hy weer terug sal kom.
May the Word, that defeated death, work in you with power and might, reminding you that you are created by Him and for Him, that He has ordained you to rule with Him, and that He will return.
Que la Parole, qui a vaincu la mort, travaille en toi avec le pouvoir et la puissance, te rappelant que tu es créé par Lui et pour Lui, qu’Il t’a ordonné de diriger avec Lui et qu’Il reviendra.
“Mais il leur dit: « N’ayez pas peur! Vous cherchez Jésus de Nazareth, celui qu’on a cloué sur une croix. Il s’est réveillé de la mort, il n’est pas ici. Voici l’endroit où on l’avait mis.”
Bonne Nouvelle selon Marc‬ ‭16:6‬ ‭PDV2017‬‬
Categories Devotional, Gospel, Journal, Missions
Published on 11/04/2020 11/04/2020 by cornelia graceLeave a comment
I really dislike running in circles.
I am not fond of inefficiency, but if a job takes time getting done in order to do it well, that’s just fine — because to carry the message of Christ is to do whatever it takes.
Worldwide, people are experiencing some form of quarantine. Here in South Africa, where I am currently doing MPD, our lockdown period has been extended to the end of April. While that presents some challenges with travel plans and timelines (no less than to anyone else), I aim to use this time to train my spirit and body to be a well-equipped carrier of the message of Christ.
Overland Missions’ vision is to reach remote and unreached people groups from all nations with the Gospel of Christ.
Often times, this means walking over rough terrain where there are few to no roads.
It means covering long treks with 4×4 vehicles to camp in the bush.
It means learning a foreign language so that you can communicate the Gospel accurately and effectively.
It means sitting down for hours with one person to answer their questions and navigate cultural barriers.
No sacrifice you ever make in pursuit of the Kingdom will ever make you poor.
While this life is filled with adventure and travel, new experiences and breathtaking. scenery, our hearts are always after the ONE.
So, while I am not allowed outside, I run in circles — if that’s what it takes — to train my body to be strong and fit so that I might be a good steward of the gift of the Spirit.
I study French so that I am better able to communicate to the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo — though French is not at all representative of the colourful scope of languages and peoples we are privileged to serve!
I study the Word, so that this great Message of the Gospel of Identity, might be engrained in every aspect of my being — so that, whatever it takes, the Kingdom might be expanded and His Name be made known to every tribe, and every tongue!
This is the job: to run wild, so that all might live free.
“I am the Door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live). He will come in and he will go out [freely], and will find pasture. The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep. [Ps. 23.]”
John‬ ‭10:9-11‬ ‭AMPC‬‬
Published on 10/04/2020 by cornelia graceLeave a comment
The Hebraic Passover was celebrated on Wednesday evening and today is Good Friday! Whichever day you choose to celebrate, may you be reminded of the Lamb that was slain, who conquered death, who rose again, and who sits at the right hand of the Father! It is finished!
The chief end of man is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.
May this be what you call to remembrance: you were made for Him, and by Him, in His likeness. He paid the price for death so that you might have life and have it in abundance!
There will be no mourning, there will be no crying
He wipes every tear and stops us all from dying
From every tribe and every nation and every climate
A beautiful tapestry with God as the designer
Until I see His face, amazing grace is my reminder
This is the power of the cross though we’re lost he can find us.
He’s the good shepherd, the Priest, the Cornerstone
The greatest servant and the king sitting on the throne.
Blessings to you and your family ! 🤍🇨🇩
Categories Gospel, Journal
Published on 04/04/2020 08/04/2020 by cornelia grace5 Comments
This morning I took a few minutes to catch up with global Overland Missions staff, and read through a couple newsletters.
As more and more countries are implementing quarantine measures in response to COVID-19, I want to encourage you that being at home does not mean you are ineffective in ministry.
Personally, this quarantine has been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster — I had specific plans and dates in place which would structure ministry and life. Like many others, such as yourselves, multiple plans have been restructured or temporarily placed on hold.
However, I diligently work towards improving my French vocabulary (a slow but steady progress) so that I might be more effective in reaching the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. And spending time in the Word to be better equipped in life and ministry. 🇨🇩
Here is a fun little video about what language learning looks like for our global team, and what this looks like across nations.
Language learning is an essential part of reaching remote people groups — it is not only about words, but cultures and mindsets. What a wonderful part of ministry this is!
As some encouragement, I wanted to share some newsletters with you from fellow Overland missionaries — ministry often does not look like you expect it to.
Be faithful in the assignment before you, and obedient to the call of God in your life, and then these in-between moments become ministry in itself!
Video•Categories Africa, Gospel, Journal, Missions
Published on 25/03/2020 by cornelia graceLeave a comment
I’d like to share this update on the worldwide COVID-19 situation from Overland Missions‘ CEO — Philip Smethurst.
As missionaries who work in the foreign field among vulnerable people groups, who are remotely situated and not regularly exposed to the outside world, our international teams consider the risk this superbug presents to isolated communities with low immunity.
As such, we do not walk in fear, but in faith and in wisdom, so tune in for some news on Overland Missions’ international approach.
I am currently in South Africa where we are getting ready for a provisional 21-day lockdown period.
I am 100% available to you for video calls, MPD meetings, or general chats. If you are in need of prayer or encouragement during this time of quarantine, please do not hesitate to reach out to me!
Categories Africa, Journal, Missions
Published on 03/03/2020 03/03/2020 by cornelia graceLeave a comment
Here’s an update on the past few weeks’ events in February, spilling into March!
I saw this post online earlier, and OH! What a privilege it is to be a labourer in this harvest!
Thank you for labouring with me in the Nations so that every man from every tribe and every tongue may hear the Good News of the Gospel!
Categories Africa, Journal, Missions, PRAYER, Zambia
Published on 22/02/2020 22/02/2020 by cornelia graceLeave a comment
This past week, around 80 missionaries (kiddos included), with a mish-mash of 12 vehicles, representing 7 nations where the Good News of the Gospel is proclaimef, came together for Overland Missions’ annual African Staff conference.
here, 7 nations in which the Good News of the Gospel is proclaimed, is represented by 80 missionaries (including kids) at Overland Missions’ African Staff Conference/Retreat
What an uplifting an encouraging time to hear team members share on the Cost of Discipleship, to receive pastoral ministry, to cast vision, and to fellowship with team members who are also friends and family!
2020 will be a great year — what a privilege it is to labour in the Kingdom alongside giants such as these!
I just wanted to share this nugget with you! one morning I came into the kitchen to find kids’ church in gull swing — these kids live in foreign countries with their parents where they participate and share the Gospel with unreached and neglected people groups.
In Angola, the Mucubal are one of many nomadic tribes in the southern parts of Namibe — they have NEVER heard the Gospel before and have no written language.
Currently, 3 missionary families live and work full-time to reach these beautiful people, using a micture of English, Portuguese and Kuvale to tell parables and Bible stories to these remote people groups.
In this video, one of the Angolan missionary kids shares the story of Noah — these young missionaries are Spirit-filled and ready to witness the Love of God to the Nations!
Published on 08/02/2020 by cornelia graceLeave a comment
[a mid-February update]
What an incredible honour it is to work in the kingdom alongside World Changers like you!
I’ve been back in South Africa for just over a week and a half now (after coming back from the One Tribe Conference in the States), and it has been such a blessed time of fellowship with family and new friends.
I will be making my way to Mozambique within the next week to meet up with other staff from Overland Missions on assignment from 14 different countries, where we will come together for ministry, strategy and fellowship.
I am especially looking forward to meeting up with my amazing DRC team!
Thank you for keeping up all in your prayers as we (as a team) will travel a combined 25000km over land to reach Mozambique.
Without your partnership, the mobilization for this mission would be considerably harder to achieve.
Thank you for your generous giving — your time, your finances, your prayers — our victory is your victory!
I hope to send out an (official) newsletter soon — you can find it at http://www.corneliainafrica.com
This year, I am specifically setting aside allocated time on a weekly basis to pray for you — my partners! Please feel free to update me with prayer requests ay any given time! I’d love to hear testimonies too!
I’d like to share this short testimony (one of several!) from my last day in the States:
I was visiting Universal Studio (a theme park in Florida) on the last day before flying out, and I had ordered an Lyft to take me back to my hotel that evening. Since my phone was not on roaming, I had to confirm my ride while I still had WiFi coverage. Somehow, someone accepted my ride request before I knew what was happening, and I had less than a minute to get there!
For the sake of context — Lyft charges a cover fee for cancellations to compensate the driver for their time if you miss your ride. So, if I missed this ride, I’d pay $5, and have to come back to where I (currently) was so that I could have WiFi again.
Fortunately I was wearing track shoes, and I made a dash for it!
(A couple security guards looked at me with suspicion/interest, but I didn’t stop to explain that I hadn’t stolen anything.)
Needless to say, by the time I made it to the parking lot, which was 5 flights of stairs, and about an 800m sprint away, I couldn’t find my ride. It was dark, and they had temporary barricades to channel traffic, which added to the confusion.
I was dashing around like a madwoman when I resolved to pay the cancellation fee, and order another ride, when I saw someone wave from about 200m away.
It was Vonel, my driver!
What an amazing appointment this was!
Vonel is Haitian, but he’s been living in the States for nearly a year now, working as a Lyft/Uber driver. He speaks fairly good English, but I was able to speak to him in a mixture of French and Creole and we had a wonderful conversation.
I shared the Gospel with him, and by the end of the evening, he rededicated his life to the Lord.
What started out to be a chaotic run ended up being a divine encounter.
I couldn’t help but think of Acts 8:29 when Philip ran to catch the Ethiopian riding on his chariot.
Sometimes, the most profound ministry opportunities arise when we simply go about life — Jesus said, “as you go, proclaim that the Kingdom is at hand.” (Matthew 10:7)
And this is the simple Gospel, the message of the Kingdom — that God has come near, through Jesus Christ, to reconcile man to God.
“Eternal life means to know and experience you as the only true God, and to know and experience Jesus Christ, as the Son whom you have sent.”
‭‭John‬ ‭17:3‬ TPT‬‬
I pray that this story encourages you — that you will share the Gospel as you go; that Holy Spirit will open your eyes to ministry opportunities; that you will boldly proclaim this Good News — even if you nearly miss your ride and have to make a dash for it.
This Vonel, my Lyft driver. Please continue praying for his faith and relationship to be firmly established in Christ!
May the grace of God keep you and sustain you!
Published on 14/01/2020 14/01/2020 by cornelia graceLeave a comment
For Christ, we communicate
the Gospel emphasizing the new
creation to forgotten people groups
in order to transform the most
remote places on earth, by making
disciples and developing leaders.
Team in Timor-Leste
2018 will be most remembered for three things: we graduated the largest AMT classes so far; our full-time team nearing 200; and the Kalene Hill mission in Central Africa coming under our administration. These were just a few highlights for our team in 2018.
Since it began in 2007, we have never graduated as many students from Advanced Mission Training (AMT) in a single year as we did in 2018. Fifty-one students attended our two AMT courses this year, and thirty one joined our full-time staff. With this increase in staff from the trainings, our team is nearing 200 and is positioned to grow more in future years with the addition of a third AMT class running in 2019 at our Mozambique base.
Another highlight of 2018 was our new administration of Kalene Hill. Receiving Kalene Mission into our administration was a big deal for me personally. Kalene was founded by Pentecostal missionaries out of the Welsh Revival in the early 1900s, becoming a hub for many great endeavors into Central Africa over the last century. Britain valued the land so much that they included it in the British colonial territories, calling it the “Finger of God.” As we agreed to take Kalene, I felt it was like a changing of the guard in Britain.
We feel so humbled that God would allow us to continue that work, which was founded by great men and women of God, who gave their lives and were buried there. The team experienced wins all over the world.
We expanded in Brazil with the purchase of two house boats on the Amazon River. We accomplished a successful reconnaissance of Malawi, with a strategy approved for full-time staff to launch. Our Congo team was awarded five-year visas in Katanga province, DR Congo. Land has been given and paperwork approved for new bases in Zambezi and Mwunilunga in Northwest Zambia, and building has begun. We finished the repairs of the base in Mozambique, and we are also excited to have missionaries living in an undisclosed country in South East Asia.
At the end of 2018, Overland has an established presence in Zambia, Angola, DR Congo, Tanzania, Mozambique, Morocco, the Middle East, Cambodia, South East Asia, Brazil, the UK, Holland, and the United States. In addition, our short-term teams are visiting several other nations.
Next year, we will be registering our organization in Malawi and pioneering into Mauritius, Madagascar, and Panama. As we near 200 staff, continue to grow our AMT program, and see the Lord’s blessing, our influence and the power of the Gospel will continue to spread to the most unreached people in the world.
Philip and Sharon Smethurst; CEO and Founders
sector management: DR Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of those African nations that stirs the imagination. The DRC lies at the heart of the continent, encompassing an area approximately 1/3 the size of the continental United States.
The Congo is a land full of biodiversity and natural beauty. The second largest rain forest in the world dominates the landscape, covering over 50% of the country. With a population of 84 million people and 56% of them living in rural areas, it is easy to see the need for the Gospel in the remote areas of this nation. Overland Missions has been working for almost a decade, attempting to establish a base in DR Congo.
Last year, that dream became a reality when our team established a base in the southeastern city of Likasi. That first year taught our team the importance of building local relationships and our glaring need for language training. The DRC is a country with approximately 242 tribal languages. As a team, we decided that the first part of 2018 must be spent in language school. This training has given us a solid foundation of French. In September of 2018, we returned to Congo.
During the limited time we have been in the DRC, we have focused on relationships. Due to the long history of political and social unrest in the country, many people are suspicious of outsiders. This suspicion raises many barriers that have to be navigated and overcome by building sincere, trusting relationships. Our team has focused on nurturing the relationships that we began last year. These include government, church, tribal, and civil leaders. Ministry here is about laying a strong foundation for the future. The people are receptive to teaching, and we believe the truth which we are ministering will result in future open doors for God’s glory.
click HERE to see the End Of Year Report
sector management: Mozambique
Our Mozambique team established a legal ministry presence within Inhambane province, allowing us to officially minister the Gospel to Mozambicans. After great government resistance, the aftermath of a cyclone and ministry setbacks in 2017, the first months of our year were set on rebuilding. We rebuilt our base, re-established our ministry paperwork, and welcomed our first 3-week expedition.
Perseverance has been our closest friend and the faithfulness of God our anchor. He has established our feet throughout the year, and the fruit of our labor has been proven sweet. While we have yet to establish our sector presence, we have established strong relationships with a local pastor and church body, and have jumped quickly into routine ministry alongside them. These relationships have opened several doors, many of which we explored on our first expedition.
Most locations have few or no churches established, and are heavily oppressed by witchcraft. In just a few weeks, the Gospel was shared in areas like Linga Linga where people now live free from bad dreams and night terrors. After we left, many in the village came together to start their own church. Why? “We no longer suffer at night with bad dreams. Since you prayed for us, we can sleep. The message you brought had to be true! What else can we do now but start a church in the name of your God?” We look forward to returning to Linga Linga and raising local leaders through discipleship.“Perseverance has been our closest friend & the faithfulness of God our anchor.
Video•Categories Africa, Gospel, Journal, Missions, Zambia
Published on 13/01/2020 13/01/2020 by cornelia graceLeave a comment
Friends! Family! Kingdom partners! 🇨🇩
I thought I’d give you a quick non-comprehensive overview of life and prayer requests:
– I’m currently in the United States 🇺🇸, FL, where I attended Overland Missions’ ONE TRIBE conference. It was a wonderful time of drawing together with missionaries from all over the world to hear from different speakers (most of whom are on Overland Missions’ board of directors) such as Dr. Leon van Rooyen, Dr. Rodney Howard Brown, Jake Schwertfeger, and founder and CEO of Overland Missions, Dr. Phillip Smethurst. You can watch these sessions by tuning in to Overland Missions on YouTube or follow one of the links that I posted early in January.
– this past week I was able to spend some good team time with around 113 of the nearly 200 fulltime missionaries that serve Overland Missions. What a spectacular time of celebrating together the Work of God in the nations, building team, and casting vision!
Some of the places we visited are epi-centres for Voodoo and witchcraft, yet we found people who are hungry for Truth and Love, who are willing and ready to receive the Gospel.
Turks and Caicos Islands🇹🇨
– this week I’ll be doing MPD training as part of launching into career missions. MPD is an abbreviation for Ministry Partnership Development, which basically means building a team of partners — spiritual, financial, relational, and functional (in só many ways) that support fulltime missionaries out in the field. You are receiving these messages and updates as a part of that team! What an incredible honour it is to run with you. If you have not yet received a personal invitation from me to share more about the plans and vision I have for the Democratic Republic of Congo, and how you can be a part of that, let me know! I would love to share more about that in person!
– I didn’t have network coverage while I was out at sea this past week, and earlier this morning I received news that my cousin’s two year old daughter was killed in a tragic accident on Thursday. Please keep my family in your prayers during this time.
– I will (DV) be in the States until the end of the month, and then I’ll make my way over to Mozambique 🇲🇿 to meet up with the wonderful DRC team! I would appreciate prayers for travel mercies and safety.
– while out at sea I picked up a cold and I’d love for you to stand in agreement for healing since my sore throat is a bothersome impediment to the speaking engagements I have this coming week.
– today, as we took a walk to the Indian River, which separates Cocoa and Merritt Island, I saw a horseshoe crab burrow in the shallow water, we also had the opportunity to pray with and lead a young man to Christ, and had a wonderful time of worship at sunset.
You are such a treasured and valued part of my team! Your financial support, your prayers, your time, and your partnership, mobilises me to run to the nations with the Good News of the Gospel. Thank you for linking arms with me, to carry this Message to those who have never heard it before.
If there is any particular way that I can pray for you and support you, please let me know!
Published on 04/12/2019 04/12/2019 by cornelia graceLeave a comment
I’m currently working my way through The God Ask, by Steve Shadrach.
We best honour God by agreeing with Him about the Truth. If He says it, it’s true.
In one of the illustrations on asking in faith, the author shares a story about Emperor Napoleon who after a long and particularly brutal battle, conquered a highly prized Mediterranean island.
Afterward, while he and his generals were sitting, drinking, savoring the victory, a young officer approached Napoleon. When the revered general asked the man what he wanted, he replied, “Sir, give me this island.”
The soldier’s answer to Napoleon’s question prompts the other generals to break out in laughter, mocking him for this ridiculous request. That is until Napoleon asks for pen and paper.
To their amazement, Napoleon wrote out a deed to the island, signed it, and handed it to the lowly, bold, soldier. “How could you do that?” one of the generals asked — knowing how costly the hard-won island had been obtained. “What made this man worthy to receive a great island after we fought so hard to win it?”
Napoleon replied, “I gave him this island because he honoured me by the magnitude of his request.”
One of the notions I’ve recently been stewing over is the idea that we best honour God by agreeing with Him about the Truth. If He says it, it’s true.
May we run the race in such a manner that we honour Him with the magnitude of our requests — our prayers and our lives that reflect Him as He truly is.
“What is the cause of your conflicts and quarrels with each other? Doesn’t the battle begin inside of you as you fight to have your own way and fulfill your own desires? You jealously want what others have so you begin to see yourself as better than others. You scheme with envy and harm others to selfishly obtain what you crave—that’s why you quarrel and fight. And all the time you don’t obtain what you want because you won’t ask God for it! And if you ask, you won’t receive it for you’re asking with corrupt motives, seeking only to fulfill your own selfish desires.”
— James (Jacob)‬ ‭4:1-3‬ ‭TPT‬‬
Published on 04/12/2019 by cornelia graceLeave a comment
Jour 1: Le Saint-Esprit est là, tout près de vous
Jésus a dit : “Et moi, je prierai le Père, et il vous donnera un autre consolateur, afin qu’il demeure éternellement avec vous, l’Esprit de vérité, que le monde ne peut recevoir, parce qu’il ne le voit point et ne le connaît point ; mais vous, vous le connaissez, car il demeure avec vous, et il sera en vous.”Jean 14.16-17
Jésus a envoyé le Saint-Esprit pour qu’il soit éternellement avec nous. Il demeure avec vous et il est en vous.
« et moi, je prierai le Père. Et il vous donnera quelqu’un d’autre pour vous aider, quelqu’un qui sera avec vous pour toujours: c’est l’Esprit de vérité. En effet, le monde ne peut pas le recevoir, parce qu’il ne le voit pas et ne le connaît pas. Vous, vous connaissez l’Esprit de vérité, parce qu’il reste avec vous, il habite en vous. »
— Bonne Nouvelle selon Jean‬ ‭14:16-17‬
L’Esprit Saint désire être…
Votre confident. Il est Dieu le Saint-Esprit. Vous pouvez lui parler, lui faire connaître vos craintes, vos questions ou vos sujets de reconnaissance. Il vous connaît parfaitement et il vous aime.
Votre consolateur. Il peut vous consoler et ranimer votre âme. Sa présence est comme un baume bienfaisant sur une plaie.
Votre conseiller. Il veut vous diriger et vous donner la sagesse. Écoutez-le car il désire vous parler personnellement.
Le Saint-Esprit est là, tout près de vous et en vous. Soyez ouvert(e) à Sa personne. Expérimentez Sa présence miraculeuse en ce jour.
Jour 2: Écoutez la voix du Saint-Esprit
À plusieurs reprises dans la Bible, on peut voir Dieu s’adresser à son peuple, notamment par la voix de ses prophètes.
Ésaïe a annoncé la venue de Jésus et a prophétisé sur l’œuvre salvatrice que notre Dieu accomplirait des centaines d’années plus tard. Le prophète nous livre une information capitale sur Jésus : “L’Esprit du Seigneur est sans cesse avec lui, l’Esprit qui donne sagesse et discernement, aptitude à décider et vaillance…” (Lire Ésaïe 11.2.)
Autrement dit, Jésus serait toujours inspiré par le Saint-Esprit, et toujours sensible à sa voix. D’ailleurs, ce que nous lisons dans les Évangiles nous le confirme : chaque action de Jésus et chaque décision qu’il a prise sur Terre étaient parfaites et divinement inspirées.
Le Saint-Esprit habite en vous (lire 1 Corinthiens 3.16), le saviez-vous…? Il est votre ami, votre fidèle conseiller. Et il vous parle, croyez-le…! Laissez-moi vous donner ce petit conseil, si vous “entendez une voix dans votre tête”, si une pensée traverse votre esprit, comme une flèche acérée. Cette voix…
Vous apporte-t-elle la paix…?
Vous inspire-t-elle la solution à vos problèmes…?
Alors, c’est certainement le Saint-Esprit qui vous parle…!
« L’esprit du Seigneur reposera sur lui. Il lui donnera la sagesse et le pouvoir de bien juger. Il l’aidera à prendre des décisions et le rendra courageux. Il lui fera connaître le Seigneur et lui apprendra à le respecter. »
— Ésaïe‬ ‭11:2‬ ‭PDV2017‬‬
Au contraire, si “cette voix” vous accable, vous fait douter, vous attriste, soyez certain(e) que c’est l’ennemi de votre âme qui vous parle… sans oublier vos propres pensées, bien sûr, parfois négatives.
Et si vous décidiez d’être plus sensible, réceptif(ve) et attentif(ve) à la voix du Saint-Esprit…? Il ne demande qu’à communiquer avec vous pour vous conduire vers la victoire, vous éviter des embûches et vous apprendre tout sur le cœur du Père…
Recevez de lui “sagesse et discernement, aptitude à décider et vaillance”, alors que nous prions ensemble : “Saint-Esprit, j’ouvre mon cœur et je fais silence… afin de recevoir les directives du Père… Je veux t’écouter et me laisser guider par toi, dans tous les domaines de ma vie. Au nom de Jésus, amen.”
Toute la journée, et tous les jours, restez attentif(ve), car le Saint-Esprit désire communiquer avec vous…!
« Vous êtes le temple de Dieu, et l’Esprit de Dieu habite en vous. Vous ne savez donc pas cela? »
Première lettre aux Corinthiens‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭PDV2017‬‬
Jour 3: Invitez le Saint-Esprit dès le matin
Un matin, durant mon temps de prière et de méditation, alors que j’étais au calme, une colombe est venue se poser près de moi. Cette douce “apparition” m’a fait réfléchir une fois encore sur l’importance de la méditation. Pourquoi…? Parce que c’est là où TOUT peut arriver. Où Dieu vient nous rencontrer pour nous parler.
Parfois, nous n’y prêtons pas attention, ce que souligne Job ici : “Dieu parle cependant, tantôt d’une manière, tantôt d’une autre, et l’on n’y fait pas attention.” (Lire Job 33.14.) Et ce matin-là, il a utilisé un moyen stupéfiant et inattendu : cette colombe.
« Pourtant Dieu parle de différentes manières, mais personne n’y fait attention. »
— Job‬ ‭33:14‬ ‭PDV2017‬‬
Dans la Parole de Dieu, la colombe est un symbole fort qui représente le Saint-Esprit. Lors du baptême de Jésus, l’Esprit de Dieu se manifeste sous la forme d’une colombe. Le Saint-Esprit est la personne de la Trinité qui est constamment avec vous, à vos côtés. C’est Dieu qui vous accompagne, qui vous parle, qui vous réconforte.
Quand le Saint-Esprit descend sur vous, vous pouvez alors entendre ce qu’il a à vous dire, pour garder précieusement ses paroles et les noter dans votre journal intime.
En ce jour, je vous encourage à :
Lui remettre ce qui vous semble lourd,
Je vous invite à prier maintenant : “Seigneur Jésus, que ton Esprit Saint me guide chaque jour dans tes voies et me transforme à ton image jusqu’à ton retour. Je te remercie d’avoir fait de moi ton enfant bien-aimé. Dans le nom de Jésus, amen.”
Jour 4: L’Esprit Saint désire vous métamorphoser !
Saviez-vous que le Saint-Esprit désire vous transformer ? La Bible dit :
“Ne vous conformez pas au monde actuel, mais soyez transformés par le renouvellement de l’intelligence afin de discerner quelle est la volonté de Dieu, ce qui est bon, agréable et parfait.” (Romains 12.2)
Le mot grec “transformé” est (en grec) “metamorphoo” qui a donné en Français “métamorphose”. L’Esprit Saint peut et veut vous métamorphoser c’est à dire vous transformer puissamment.
« Ne suivez pas les coutumes du monde où nous vivons, mais laissez Dieu vous transformer en vous donnant une intelligence nouvelle. Ainsi, vous pourrez savoir ce qu’il veut: ce qui est bon, ce qui lui plaît, ce qui est parfait. »
— Lettre aux Romains‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭PDV2017‬‬
Alors que vous méditez la Parole de Dieu, par exemple au travers de “Un Miracle Chaque Jour”, que vous priez, que vous chantez des louanges, l’Esprit de Dieu se met à l’œuvre dans votre vie.
Si vous laissez le Saint-Esprit renouveler votre intelligence, vous allez voir et vivre des choses extraordinaires.
Comme le dit le Pasteur Paul Goulet : “Le Saint-Esprit impacte votre intelligence, votre intelligence impacte vos émotions, vos émotions impactent vos choix, vos choix impactent vos actions et vos actions impactent votre destinée.” Tout commence avec l’Esprit de Dieu. Même dans la Bible, regardez dans Genèse 1.
Demandez au Saint-Esprit de toucher votre intelligence aujourd’hui. Demandez lui de vous parler en ce jour. Il va tout transformer, tout métamorphoser.
Jour 5: Voici le miracle de l’Esprit Saint
“Vous recevrez une puissance, le Saint-Esprit survenant sur vous…” (Actes 1:8) La Pentecôte est une fête qui célèbre la venue du Saint-Esprit sur les apôtres de Jésus-Christ et les personnes qui étaient présentes avec eux. La Pentecôte est arrivée cinquante jours après la Pâques (d’où le nom penta – 50). Le récit est rapporté par le livre des Actes des Apôtres. Cette fête tire son origine de la fête juive de Chavouot, la fête des moissons ou fête de la récolte.
« Mais vous allez recevoir une force, celle de l’Esprit Saint qui descendra sur vous. Alors vous serez mes témoins à Jérusalem, dans toute la Judée et la Samarie, et jusqu’au bout du monde. »
‭‭— Actes des Apôtres‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭PDV2017‬‬
Le jour de la Pentecôte a vraiment donné naissance à la première “mega church” de l’histoire de l’église. Ce jour là, 3000 personnes environ ont reçu Jésus comme sauveur et se sont fait baptiser. C’est un de mes passages préférés de l’écriture : 3000 en 1 jour. Ça c’est un beau miracle !
Le Saint-Esprit peut faire ce que nous ne pouvons absolument pas faire. Il peut souffler, enflammer, multiplier, distribuer des dons extraordinaires. Le jour de la Pentecôte, le miraculeux de Dieu s’est manifesté. Les disciples ont commencé à parler dans des langues inconnues pour eux, mais connues pour tous ceux qui visitaient Jérusalem pour Chavouot. Quel miracle !
Voici ma prière pour vous : Qu’aujourd’hui le Saint-Esprit souffle sur votre vie et qu’un miracle se produise pour vous et par vous!
Jour 6: Et si vous vous laissiez conduire par l’Esprit Saint ?
De toutes les voix que vous pourriez entendre, celle du Saint-Esprit est sans nul doute la plus douce et la plus forte, la plus céleste et la plus profonde.
Lorsque l’Esprit de Dieu vous parle, cela transcende tout ce que vous êtes, tout ce que vous avez connu.
La voix du Seigneur est la plus aimante et ses voies sont les plus sages.
Se mettre à l’écoute de Jésus c’est choisir la meilleure des voies, prendre les meilleures décisions.
« De plus, l’Esprit Saint aussi vient nous aider, nous qui sommes faibles. Nous ne savons pas prier comme il faut. Alors l’Esprit Saint lui-même prie pour nous, avec des gémissements que la bouche ne peut pas redire. »
‭‭— Lettre aux Romains‬ ‭8:26‬ ‭PDV2017‬‬
Le Saint-Esprit vous parle, il vous parle même tous les jours :
Par vos lectures quotidiennes
Par des prédications
Lorsque vous écoutez le Saint-Esprit, c’est alors que vous vivez le miracle, que vos limites humaines volent en éclats parce que vous recevez la sagesse du Dieu Très Haut, son conseil et ses directives.
Ma prière et mon invitation sont que vous puissiez écouter et obéir à la douce voix de Celui qui vous aime, de Celui qui vous a vu(e) naître et désire votre bonheur et votre épanouissement plus que tout.
Jour 7: Viens Saint-Esprit, viens !
« Fais venir ton Royaume. Fais que ta volonté se réalise sur la terre comme dans le ciel. »
‭‭— Bonne Nouvelle selon Matthieu‬ ‭6:10‬ ‭PDV2017‬‬
“Que ta volonté soit faite sur la terre comme au ciel.” C’est ce que Jésus nous enseigne dans Matthieu 6.10. Savez-vous que c’est l’Esprit Saint qui amène le ciel sur la terre ? Il est la plus belle expression du ciel, puisqu’il est Dieu lui-même. Il est aussi au cœur d’une promesse de Jésus qui dit : “Vous recevrez une puissance, le Saint-Esprit survenant sur vous.” (Lire Actes 1.8.)
C’est le désir de Dieu de vous remplir de son Esprit. Nous pouvons lire ceci dans Jean 20.22 : “Après ces paroles, il souffla sur eux et leur dit : Recevez l’Esprit Saint.”
Vous vous demandez peut-être comment l’Esprit Saint se manifeste lorsqu’il vient sur les enfants de Dieu…? Il le fait de différentes manières.
D’ailleurs, les apôtres racontent ici sa descente extraordinaire le jour de la Pentecôte :
“Tout à coup il vint du ciel un bruit comme celui d’un vent violent, qui remplit toute la maison où ils étaient assis. Des langues qui semblaient de feu leur apparurent, séparées les unes des autres, et elles se posèrent sur chacun d’eux. Ils furent tous remplis du Saint-Esprit et se mirent à parler en d’autres langues, comme l’Esprit leur donnait de s’exprimer.” (Lire Actes 2.2-4.)
— Actes des Apôtres‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭PDV2017‬‬
Voulez-vous expérimenter maintenant le souffle de l’Esprit Saint sur votre vie ? Je souhaite qu’il vous touche intensément.
Après ces paroles, il souffle sur eux et il leur dit: « Recevez l’Esprit Saint. »
— Bonne Nouvelle selon Jean‬ ‭20:22‬ ‭PDV2017‬‬
Invitez-le très simplement :
Remerciez-le d’avoir fait de vous son temple.
Demandez-lui de descendre sur vous, avec vos propres mots.
Demandez-lui de vous remplir de sa présence, de vous renouveler, de vous rafraîchir.
Puis, concentrez-vous sur la présence de l’Esprit de Dieu.
Que votre esprit reste connecté avec l’Esprit du Dieu vivant…!
« Tout à coup un bruit vient du ciel. C’est comme le souffle d’un violent coup de vent. Le bruit remplit toute la maison où ils sont assis. »
‭— Actes des Apôtres‬ ‭2:2‬ ‭PDV2017‬‬
Categories Devotional, Journal, Missions