Ek weet net van een persoon wat van kritiek gehou het. John Jordaan, van Vanrhynsdorp, het gereeld gesê: “Vir my moet julle kritiseer, want ek wil verbeter.” Maar die gewone mense, skram maar weg van kritiek.
Dissipels van Jesus wil graag leer en wil hulle lewens in Jesus verbeter, al is dit soms seer.
DRIE SOORTE VAN KRITIEK UITSPREKERS
Die Persoon Wat Beter Weet (Luister na hom.)
Ek lei die oggend sange en ons doen vir, I Raise A Hallellujah. In die lied kom die woorde: “You gonna hear my praises roar.” Na die diens kom iemand wat goed onderleg is met Engels en neem my eenkant en sê op die mooiste manier: “Onthou dat in Engels, mens nie die r aan die einde van ‘n woord uitspreek nie.” Vaagweg onthou ek die reël, maar onbewustelik het ek die r beklemtoon, omdat die noot op daardie “roar” aangehou word.
Ek sal mos nou ‘n dwaas / sot wees, as ek nie gehoor gee aan die goeie bedoelinge en advies nie.
Die teenoorgestelde gebeur toe die afrigter by ‘n hondeskool vir die honde eienaars verduidelik dat ‘n mens nie jou hond se naam aanhoudend en aanmekaar gebruik nie. Dit maak dat die hond later nie meer luister nie. Maar die een dame ruk haar net daar op; gryp haar goed en hond en weg is sy. “Die sot verag die tug ...” Sal sy vorder ... of die hond?
Die Persoon Wat Nie Weet Nie
Hulle weet so ‘n ietsie van die saak, maar hulle meen dat hulle so baie weet. Volgens hulle weet hulle beter as: Inspekteurs, skoolhoofde, onderwysers, leraars, dokters en skeidsregters ...
Hoe het laasgenoemdes daardie poste bereik? Dis mense met jare se opleiding en ervaring. Hoe reageer mens op groentjies se kritiek? Volgelinge van Jesus tree nie in die vlees op nie; dus neem ons nie aanstoot nie en word ons nie kwaad nie. Die kanse is goed dat ons ook maar deur daardie fase gegaan het – almal moet hoor ons weet ook darem ietsie.
Here gee ons daardie minsame gesindheid om van almal iets te leer. Amen.
Potifar is woedend; hy gooi Josef in die tronk.
Maar God sê: "Toemaar, Josef. Ek sal jou laat pronk."
In die tronk, saam met hom, is daar ‘n skinker en n bakker,
en die drome wat hul droom, hou albei van hulle wakker.
Josef lê die drome uit en alles wat hy sê word waar.
Die bakker word opgehang en die skinker word gespaar.
Die skinker belowe hy sal vir die koning vertel,
en Josef wag angstiglik om bevry te word uit sy sel.
Maar, van sy belofte, vergeet die skinker skoon,
en God moet sorg dat die koning droom!
Koei eet koei en aar eet aar!
Toe Farao wakker word, voel hy skoon naar.
"Is daar iemand wat vir my die droom kan uitlê?"
"Oeps!" sê die skinker; "Ek't vergeet om te sê.
In die tronk is daar ‘n man, Josef is sy naam.
Van drome weet hy alles - so seker as die maan."
Die koning vertel; hy hou Josef angstiglik dop.
Josef luister aandagtig, en skud net sy kop.
"As ek die droom so luister, dan's Egipte in die knyp.
En as u die land wil red, dan is dit nou die regte tyd.
Kom ons saai, en kom ons maai. Ons maak die skure vol.
Want hier kom ‘n hengse droogte en dinge kan dalk lol."
Josef is nou koning Farao se nommer een.
Hy regeer die hele Egipte, en die Here seën!
"Wie glo, raak nie haastig nie".....dit verstaan Josef nou!
Al word die jare 22 en die hoop begin verflou,
Bly dit die moeite werd om op God te vertrou.
Hosea 6:3 - " And let us have knowledge, let us go after the knowledge of the Lord; his going out is certain as the dawn, his decisions go out like the light; he will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth."
There is no way to farm with crops if you do not get rain. Our farmers here in the Western Cape have the best implements and the most modern farm technologies. They even use crops spray planes for the fertilizer. I wish our fore fathers could see how things changed for farmers. But without the rain that falls from heaven which we have no control over, there would be no harvest. A lot of farmers sown early hoping the rain would come. Thank the Lord the rain did come otherwise the seeds in the ground would not have germinate.
A few years ago I believe around 2003 there was no rain in our district (Swartland) for the winter. Everything came to a halt on the farms. The tractors was there and so the harvester, but without the rain there was a "death smell" on the farms.
Now the Bible says that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and His presence works that way in the church as well. When the is no presence of the Holy Spirit the church is dead, even though there is a choir, good music, piano ext. Without the Holy Spirit everything comes to a halt.
Eccl 1:2 - "All is to no purpose, said the Preacher, all the ways of man are to no purpose."
We also read in Psalm 127:1,2 - "A Song of the going up. Of Solomon.> If the Lord is not helping the builders, then the building of a house is to no purpose: if the Lord does not keep the town, the watchman keeps his watch for nothing. It is of no use for you to get up early, and to go late to your rest, with the bread of sorrow for your food; for the Lord gives to his loved ones in sleep.
But listen to the last part of verse 2: - " for the Lord gives to his loved ones in sleep." This is where the Holy Spirit comes in! When the Lord is in a matter, the matter becomes pleasant. It achieves what strategy, finances and technique cannot. Oh we do need that part in our churches so bad! The Holy Spirit part!
To receive the Fullness of the Holy Spirit is a wonderful experience. It does the same as rain. It restores, feed and quench your thirst. It brings life, bring expectation and finally the harvest.
Holy Spirit, We need You so much in the works of our Lord. We declare that we cannot do it without You! Please fill our lives with Your Spirit, in Jesus Name ...Amen!!!
Josef, seun van Jakob, het sy pa se kleinvee opgepas;
saam met sy broers wat vreeslik jaloers op hom was.
Jakob was vir die seun uitsonderlik lief
en dit het die broers verskriklik gegrief.
Die rok met die lang moue was die kersie op die koek.
In plein Afrikaans - dit was moeilikheid soek.
En dan was die kind se swakheid ook om stories aan te dra.
Oor al wat ‘n dingetjie is, het hy by pa gaan kla.
Die broers kon dit nie verdra.
En om alles te kroon,
begin die mannetjie toe vreemde drome droom.
Dis gerwe wat regop staan en gerwe wat buig!
’n Son, maan en sterre wat van sy outoriteit getuig.
Genoeg is genoeg en ‘n plan moet hul maak
om van die lastige dromertjie ontslae te raak
Hul verkoop hom aan die Ismaeliete, sonder om te sweet
en sê vir pa Jakob ‘n wilde dier het hom opgevreet.
In Egipte word hy weer aan Potifar verkoop
maar God sê: "Toemaar, Josef. Ek sal saam met jou loop."
Potifar se vrou is egter ‘n regte klein feeks!
Maar haar aanlêery by Josef, maak hom heeltemal steeks.
Hy koes en hy keer; hy loop ‘n wye draai,
maar sy totale afsydigheid maak die vrou net kwaai.
Sy bedink ‘n slinkse plan; terug sal sy hom kry.
Sy gooi ‘n tantrum, en sê dis Josef wat na haar wou vry.
(Lees volgende keer verder aan hierdie ou verhaal, maar geskryf met nuwe staal in ‘n byderwetse taal.)
IS THERE SOMETHING LIKE GHOSTS? (4)
Hosea 4:6 - "Destruction has overtaken my people because they have no knowledge; “
Luke 24:39 - " See; my hands and my feet: it is I myself; put your hands on me and make certain; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have."
After Jesus rose from the dead and had a risen body, a glorified body that He used to walk through walls.
John 20:26 - "And after eight days, his disciples were again in the house and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were shut, Jesus came, and taking his place in the middle of them, he said, May peace be with you!" With the same body He could come and go as He liked.
Luke 24:31 - But Jesus could also do with His body what He did before He died.
Luke 24:42 - "And they gave him a bit of cooked fish. "
John 21:9-13 - "When they got to land, they saw a fire of coals there, with fish cooking on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, Get some of the fish which you have now taken. So Peter went to the boat and came back pulling the net to land, full of great fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and though there was such a number the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, Come and take some food. And all the disciples were in fear of putting the question, Who are you? being conscious that it was the Lord. Then Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish in the same way. "
When Jesus comes on the clouds to get His children we will also get such risen glorified bodies.
Luke 24:39 - "See; my hands and my feet: it is I myself; put your hands on me and make certain; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have. "
Here Jesus shows the difference between a risen body and a spirit.
There are spirits of the dead righteous. Before the death of Jesus and His resurrection the people who died were on the side of the righteous. Think of the story in the Bible of Abraham and Lazarus, But after Jesus rose they were moved to heaven.
Eph 4:8-10 - "For this reason he says, He went up on high, taking his prisoners with him, and gave freely to men. (Now this, He went up, what is it but that he first went down into the lower parts of the earth? He who went down is the same who went up far over all the heavens so that he might make all things complete.) "
So now since Jesus death your spirit and soul goes to heaven if you were a believer.
Phil 1:23 - "I am in a hard position between the two, having a desire to go away and be with Christ, which is very much better " There they are in a position of bliss. And no one will want to come back even if they could. The only one who died and came back was Moses when he came to Jesus on the mountain. God wanted it that way.
Mat 17:3 - "And Moses and Elijah came before their eyes, talking with him. " (This have nothing to do with the calling of death people through mediums).
Then there is the spirits of those who die without Jesus. They are in the hell of the dead. They are already in pain awaiting the final death.
Rev 20:11-15 - "And I saw a great white seat, and him who was seated on it, before whose face the earth and the heaven went in flight; and there was no place for them.
20:12 And I saw the dead, great and small, taking their places before the high seat; and the books were open, and another book was open, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged by the things which were in the books, even by their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and Hell gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged every man by his works. And death and Hell were put into the sea of fire. This is the second death, even the sea of fire. And if anyone's name was not in the book of life, he went down into the sea of fire. " They cannot come back to earth to appear as a ghost.
There are some angels that we can see as spirits but there are also bad spirits and demons.
This brings us to the next question. What do people see when they say that they have seen dead people appearing to them?
Lord Jesus, Your Spirit leads us in truth. This truth makes us free, and it protects us in our freedom. I thank You Jesus... Amen!!!
ARE THERE SOMETHING LIKE A GHOST? (2)
Another place in the Bible that say that there is no communication between the living and the dead is in 2 Samuel 123:23 - " But now that the child is dead there is no reason for me to go without food; am I able to make him come back to life? I will go to him, but he will never come back to me. "David knew that when he died his soul will go back to his child in heaven.
Eccl 12:7 - "And the dust goes back to the earth as it was, and the spirit goes back to God who gave it."
1 Tess 4:14-17 - "For if we have faith that Jesus underwent death and came back again, even so those who are sleeping will come again with him by God's power. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are still living at the coming of the Lord, will not go before those who are sleeping. Because the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a word of authority, with the voice of the chief angel, with the sound of a horn: and the dead in Christ will come to life first; Then we who are still living will be taken up together with them into the clouds to see the Lord in the air: and so will we be for ever with the Lord. "But he also knew that his child will not be able to come back to him on earth.
Job also knew that once you are dead you cannot return. Job 16:22 - " For in a short time I will take the journey from which I will not come back. "
At this point I must show you urgently - there is not a thing like a second change. Now is the only time that you have to make things right with God! Isaiah 55:6 - "Make search for the Lord while he is there, make prayer to him while he is near" By implementation, the day you die your changes are over to make right with God. Heb 9:27 - "And because by God's law death comes to men once, and after that they are judged"
What about the case where Saul called for Samuel (he was already dead) through the witch of Endor ?(1 Sam 28) I am convinced that it was not the spirit of Samuel but a evil spirit. Remember the description that we get of Samuel was from a witch. We cannot trust the evil. It is a practice that God forbids over and over. Lev 19:31 - " Do not go after those who make use of spirits, or wonder-workers; do not go in their ways or become unclean through them: I am the Lord your God. "
God will not go against His Own Word. God did not want to answer Saul in the first place, so why would God answer him in this way. 1 Sam 28:6 - " And when Saul went for directions to the Lord, the Lord gave him no answer, by a dream or by the Urim or by the prophets "
Dake's Comments say that there is 9 reasons why it was not the spirit of Samuel. 1 Chron. 10:13 (King James Bible): “So Saul died ... for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it” Bible in Basic English (1Ch 10:13): “because he went for directions to one who had an evil spirit"
What about the disciples who was in the storm on the sea? Jesus walked on the water towards them and they got scared and they screamed: "It's a ghost" Mat 14:26 - " And when they saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they gave cries of fear. "Remember the disciples at that stage was still small in their faith. The Bible is telling a story and they just say what the disciples said. I believe that many people most probably would say the same today.
Lord, to walk with You and to receive light and knowledge from Your Word is more than enough for me. I need nothing else. I don't need to go the road of the evil. I praise You Lord that You protect me when I walk in Your Footsteps. I say this in Jesus Name ... Amen!!!
ARE THERE THINGS LIKE GHOSTS? (1)
Hosea 4:6 - "Destruction has overtaken my people because they have no knowledge;."
There are a lot of people that say that they have been in contact with the dead. A old man I knew in Klawer told me that he saw his dad in bright daylight, and he wore a green jersey. And he says that there where I am sitting now his "dead" mother was also sitting. I read in a magazine about people that say they saw the dead. There is the case where a man was slapped by a ghost (Keur 22 Aug 1997)
They also tell about a car that started to hoot every 15th of February at 4pm. (Keur 28 March 1997), I also read in a magazine called (Verlore Skakels) about 5 girls that have been scratched by a ghost. I saw this scratch marks myself. There is even the well knows story about the girl of Uniondale that appears to people. They even lift her on their bikes and then after a while she just disappears. Then there is the (tokkelossie) the little hairy man that troughs cups and saucers in houses, and that troughs stones on roofs of houses.
And what do people say about all of this? Also in the "Verlore Skatkis" I read the following. "We do not have enough knowledge of this subject to say there are ghosts or not"
From the start I want to say that the dead cannot appear to you! In the story of Luke 16 (this happened in the Old testament before the death of Jesus on the cross) they talked about the rich man who died without knowing God, and he were in hell. He asked Lazarus to bring him something to cool down his mouth. But it was not allowed. So he pleaded that someone must go to earth to warm his brothers so that they will not die without knowing God and then must also come to that horrible place., And what is the answer that he was given. No one, but no one from there will go to earth to tell them that. Meaning that God will not ever allow people from the dead to go back to earth. They have the Word of God to listen to and nothing more! Luke 16:29 - "But Abraham said, They have Moses and the prophets; let them give ear to what they say."
Dear Lord, please redeem us from obscure things and from ignorance and please anchor us in Your Steadfast Word. Let it be our only light on our path here on earth... Amen!!!!
DIE PINKSTERSEËN EN REËN
Hos. 6:3 – “En Hy sal tot ons kom soos die reën, soos die laat reëns wat die aarde besproei.”
Daar is nie ‘n manier om met graan te boer sonder reën nie. Ons boere in die Swartland het deurgaans van die mees moderne implemente en boer op die mees gesofistikeerde metodes. Selfs vliegtuie word ingespan om kunsmis en onkruiddoder uit die lug toe te dien. Ek wens soms, ons voorouers kon sien hoe loop dinge deesdae op ‘n saaiplaas – hulle monde sou behoorlik oophang.
Maar sonder die reën, wat uit die hemel moet val, waaroor die mens geen beheer het nie, staan alles doodstil. Baie boere het reeds vroeg gesaai vanjaar in die hoop dat die reën sou kom. Dank die Here, dit het net betyds geval, anders sou daardie saad in die grond nie ontkiem het nie. ‘n Klompie jare gelede (ek spreek onder korreksie maar ek meen dit was in 2003) het dit nie gereën in die winter in die Swartland nie. Alles het tot stilstand gekom op die plase. Die trekkers was nog daar. Die saaimasjiene was nog daar. Die stropers was nog daar. Maar sonder die reën, was dit asof daar ‘n doodsreuk oor elke plaas gehang het.
Nou kom die Bybel en sê dat die uitstorting en teenwoordigheid van die Heilige Gees net so werk in die kerk. Die afwesigheid van die Heilige Gees in die kerk beteken alles is morsdood, ongeag die mooiste kore-sang, orrelspel en selfs die prediking. Sonder die Heilige Gees staan alles stil. Wee die kerk wat probeer om die werk van die Here te doen sonder die Heilige Gees.
Dis soos die Prediker boek dit stel (Pred. 1:2): “Alles tevergeefs, sê die Prediker, alles tevergeefs, dit is alles tevergeefs!”
Of soos wat ons lees in Ps. 127:1, 2 – “As die HERE die huis nie bou nie, tevergeefs werk die wat daaraan bou; as die HERE die stad nie bewaar nie, tevergeefs waak die wagter. Tevergeefs dat julle vroeg opstaan, laat opbly, brood van smarte eet.”
Maar luister nou na die laaste gedeelte van die gedeelte in Ps. 127:2 – “net so goed gee Hy dit aan sy beminde in die slaap!” Dis nou waar die Heilige Gees in kom! Wanneer die Here in die saak is, word dit ‘n heerlike saak! Dit bereik wat menslike inspanning en tegniek en strategieë, finansies nie kan doen nie. Hoe het ons nie daardie gedeelte nodig in die kerk nie! Die Heilige Gees gedeelte!
Om die volheid van die Heilige Gees te ontvang is ‘n wonderlike ervaring! Dit doen dieselfde as reën. Dit verkwik, voed, les jou dors, bring lewe, bring verwagting en uiteindelik die oes!
Heilige Gees, ons het U so nodig in die werk van die Here! Ons verklaar dat ons nie sonder U kan nie. Vul ons lewens met U Self! Amen!
IS DAAR SO IETS SOOS ‘N SPOOK? (5)
Hos. 4:6 – “My volk gaan te gronde weens gebrek aan kennis.”
WAT MENSE IN WERKLIKHEID SIEN
Die King James Bybel gee Lev. 19:31 soos volg weer: “Regard not them that have familiar spirits.” Die Dake’s kommentaar verklaar dit soos volg: “These are demon spirits possessing mediums to imitate dead human beings.” Dit is niks anders as nabootsende geeste. Dis bose geeste wat rondom daardie persoon beweeg het toe hy nog gelewe het. Wat alles van die persoon af weet en in staat is om hom na te boots en dan selfs te verskyn.
Ons maak niemand se ervaring af as verbeelding nie. Maar vanuit die Skrif kan ons met sekerheid verklaar dat dit nie die gees van die ontslapene is nie.
Elke ander bonatuurlike geval (slegte ervaringe) is toordery / goëlery of die gebruik maak van bose magte. Dit gebeur bv. dat ‘n werknemer ‘n aksie het met sy werkgewer en dan gaan die eersgenoemde na ‘n toordokter wat ‘n bose gees stuur om daardie persoon en sy huis te pla.
Die Bose Se Taktiek
Die bose wil graag mag oor mense verkry en hy doen dit op twee maniere:
Vrees - jy vrees hierdie dinge en daarom verskyn dit juis aan jou.
Misleiding - iemand glo bv. dis sy oupa wat aan hom verskyn het en op dié manier kry die bose al meer mag oor die persoon.
As weergeborene het ek en jy niks te vrees nie. 1 Joh.4:4 sê: “Hy wat in ons is, is groter as hy wat in die wêreld is.” Ons kan elke bose mag aanvat in Jesus Naam en hulle uitdryf en verdryf, want Mark 16:17 verklaar: “En vir die wat geglo het, sal hierdie tekens volg: in My Naam sal hule duiwels uitdryf ...” Luk.10:19 – “Kyk, Ek het aan julle die mag gegee om op slange en skerpioene te trap en om die vyand met al sy geweld te oorwin, sonder dat iets julle enige leed aandoen.” Geen toordery kan teen my en jou as kind van God werk nie as jy jou stand in Christus ken en inneem (Num. 23:23).
Hemelse Vader, ek kom na U in die Naam van U Seun Jesus Christus en ek verklaar, ooreenkomstig U Woord, dat al die kragte van die vyand is onder my voete. Ek verklaar myself geseënd in die Naam van die Here! My fokus is op Jesus, my Redder om vir Hom te leef en te werk! Amen!
IS DAAR SO IETS SOOS ‘N SPOOK? (3)
Nog ‘n bewys uit die Skrif dat daar geen kommunikasie tussen die lewendes en die dooies bestaan nie is in 2 Sam. 12:23. Die kind van Dawid by Batseba sterwe en hoor wat sê Dawid: “Ek gaan na hom, maar hy sal na my nie terugkeer nie.” Dawid as Ou Testamentiese gelowige het al geweet dat wanneer hy die dag sterwe, sal sy gees en siel na die ontslape kindjie gaan, terwyl sy liggaam sal agterbly om stof te word (Pred. 12:7; 1 Thess. 4:14-17). Maar hy het ook geweet dat die kindjie nie na hom kan terugkeer en aan hom sal verskyn nie.
Ook Job het geweet dat die doderyk is die plek van geen terugkeer! Job 16:22 – “Want maar min jare kom—dan bewandel ek ‘n pad waarlangs ek nie terugkeer nie.”
By hierdie punt moet ons elke mens dringend daarop wys; daar is nie so iets soos ‘n tweede kans nie. Nóú is die enigste kans om jou saak met God reg te maak! Jes. 55:6 sê: “Soek die Here terwyl Hy nog te vinde is; roep Hom aan terwyl Hy naby is.” By implikasie, by sterwensdag is ‘n mens se kans om gered te word deur geloof in Jesus Christus verby. Heb. 9:27 – “En net soos die mense bestem is om een maal te sterwe en daarna die oordeel.”
Wat van die geval waar Saul vir Samuel (toe reeds oorlede) geraadpleeg het deur die heks van Endor (1 Sam. 28)? Ek is oortuig dat dit nie die gees van Samuel was nie maar ‘n nabootsende bose gees. Onthou die beskrywing wat ons hier van Samuel kry, is die verslag van ‘n heks. Verseker kan ons nie die bose glo nie. Dis ‘n praktyk wat God oor en oor en ondubbelsinnig verbied het. Lev. 19:31 – “Begeef julle nie tot die geeste van afgestorwenes en die geeste wat waarsê nie. Soek hulle nie om julle deur hulle te verontreinig nie. Ek is die HERE julle God.”
God sal nie teen sy eie Woord gaan nie. Dis ‘n praktyk wat teen die aard en grein van die Here is. Hoekom sou God vir Saul op só ‘n wyse antwoord as God hom in die eerste plek nie meer wou antwoord op die normale wyse nie? 1 Sam. 28:6 – “En Saul het die HERE geraadpleeg, maar die HERE het hom nie geantwoord nie—nie deur drome en nie deur die Urim en nie deur die profete nie.” Dake’s kommentaar gee 9 redes waarom dit nie Samuel se gees kon wees nie. 1 Kron. 10:13 (King James Vertaling): “So Saul died ... for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it” Bible in Basic English (1Ch 10:13): “because he went for directions to one who had an evil spirit,”
Wat van die dissipels in die storm toe Jesus al wandelende na hulle toe aangekom het en hulle skreeu: “Dit is ‘n spook” (Matt. 14:26)? Onthou die dissipels was op daardie stadium nog redelik bygelowig. Hulle het maar net ‘n term uit hulle ervarings wêreld gebruik, soos hulle dit uit die volksmond ken. Die Bybel vertel die verhaal en gebruik maar net die woorde wat hulle gebruik het. Jammer om te sê, maar vele gelowiges vandag sou dieselfde woorde gebruik het.
Here, om met U te wandel en om lig en kennis vanuit U Woord te verkry, is genoegsaam vir my. Ek het niks meer nodig nie. Dis nie vir my nodig om my te begewe op die terrein van die bose nie. Ek prys U dat U my beskerm en bewaar, wanneer ek agter U volg. In Jesus se Naam, amen!
TESTIMONY OF AUGUSTINUS
Rom 13:1,2 - "Let everyone put himself under the authority of the higher powers, because there is no power which is not of God, and all powers are ordered by God. For which reason everyone who puts himself against the authority puts himself against the order of God: and those who are against it will get punishment for themselves."
One day 387 years ago a church father that played a great deal in the spiritual life of the western people was baptized. For his mother it was an awesome day! Her years long prayers was answered.
Augustinus was born in 354 in North Africa. His father was not a believer, but his mother was. But her son was not. He was more interested in sport and girls. At the age of 18 he became a father. But still be partied all day and all night. His mother was very worried about him, but she never quit on him. She kept on praying. Later years he went to Milan. Here he also wanted to get away under the watchful eye of his mother. But before he could turn his back his mother was there with him in Milan. Later his mother went to Ambrosius, he was a wise man and she complained about her sons ways in life. But he told her that the way she is praying and laying her son before God, he will not stay lost forever.
At this time Augustinus was highly qualified in life and he and a friend sat in a park and they heard a child singing: "Take and read"
He opened the Bible at Romans 13, our scripture text. And then and there n the spot he gave his heart to God. Ambrosius baptized Augustinus and his son that day. His mother was there and watched with a heart filled with joy and thankfulness. Her non stop prayers for her son made him one of our greatest spiritual men in the world.
If your children do not serve the Lord yet, this is a wonderful testimony for you. Keep on praying for your children. I know a lot of parents that is despondent because their children is lots and do not follow God.
But the prayers of parents makes favourable conditions. They will have no choice but to choose Jesus. Pray that God will prepare the right circumstances and people to cross their paths.
Remember, your example is the determining factor.
PRAYER (for unsaved children)
Lord, the way that Augustinus mother prayed for him, and her prayers been answered. I come to You and ask, please save my children. Amen.
IS DAAR SO IETS SOOS ‘N SPOOK? (2)
Daar is talle getuienisse van mense wat die verskyning gesien het van “dooies.” Vele vertel van die wat hulle geken het (ruimte ontbreek om volledig te wees):
Daar is die omie op Klawer wat ek besoek het en my vertel het van die oorlede familie wat aan hom helder oordag verskyn. “Ek sien vir oorlede pa met ‘n groen trui aan en pastoor, net daar waar jy nou op die muurtjie sit, het oorlede ma ook gesit.”
In die Keur van 22 Aug. 1997 bl. 22 is ‘n hele artikel van verskillende gevalle waar mense met “spoke” te doen gehad het. Daar is o.a. die geval van Rudolph Steyn wat deur ‘n “kwaai spook” geklap is.
In die Keur van 28 Maart 1997 bl. 16 word vertel van die motor wat elke 15 de Februarie om 4 nm. begin toet op ‘n “onverklaarbare wyse”.
In ‘n boek genaamd, Verlore Skakels wat handel oor onverklaarbare geheime in Suider-Afrika, is daar ‘n geval van 5 skooldogters te Rietfontein wat deur “spoke” gekrap is. (Ek het hierdie krapmerke al persoonlik gesien.)
Daar is ook die bekende verhaal van die Uniondale se meisie in wit wat langs die pad aan mense verskyn en dan selfs volgens sommige motoriste al opgelaai is, maar dan later in die niet verdwyn.
Ook die bekende tokkelossie; die harige klein mannetjie wat borde en pierings in huise breek en klippe op dakke
Die konklusie waartoe Jan Alleman kom en ek haal aan uit Verlore Skakels bl. 73: “Op die ou end weet ons eenvoudig te min oor die onderwerp om ‘n besliste uitspraak oor die bestaan al dan nie van spoke te gee.”
In die eerste plek wil ek dit baie duidelik stel dat daar nie so iets is dat dooies kan verskyn nie. In die verhaal van Luk. 16 (Dit speel af in die Ou Testamentiese bedeling voor die kruisgebeure.) sterf die ryk man sonder God en bevind hom in die doderyk, aan die kant van die goddelose. Eers wil hy hê dat Laserus, wat aan die paradys-kant is, verkoeling vir sy tong moet bring. Maar dit word hom nie toegestaan nie. Dan pleit hy weer dat daar tog ‘n boodskapper uit die doderyk na sy broers wat nog op die aarde lewe, gestuur sal word om hulle dringend te waarsku, sodat hulle tog nie ook onbekeerd sal sterf en net soos hy in die smarte aan die kant van die goddelose in die doderyk sal beland nie. Maar wat is die antwoord wat hy ontvang? Geen, maar geen boodskapper sal gestuur word nie! D.w.s. God duld en laat geen kommunikasie vanuit die doderyk met die lewendes op die aarde toe nie! Hulle het nét die Woord om na te luister – niks meer! Luk. 16:29 – “Toe sê Abraham vir hom: Hulle het Moses en die Profete (Ou Testamentiese boeke); laat hulle na dié luister.”
O Here, verlos ons van die duisternis van onkunde en anker ons vas aan en in U onwankelbare Woord as die enigste lig vir ons pad op aarde! Amen!
LET THE LORD RAISE YOU UP
Psalm 37:34 - "Be waiting for the Lord, and keep his way; and you will be lifted up."
This Is The Story Of Haman And Mordecai
Haman is the bad guy and Mordecai is the good guy. The story plays of in the days of queen Ester. Haman had everything and even more. But yet he is not satisfied. One that was bothering him, the Jew Mordecai. He does not bow before Haman when he rides through the town. Ester 3:2 - " And all the king's servants who were in the king's house went down to the earth before Haman and gave him honour: for so the king had given orders. But Mordecai did not go down before him or give him honour."
But Haman had bad friends and his wife was bad as well, so they gave him advise. They said: "Make a gallows and first thing tomorrow you go to the king and ask him to hang Mordecai." (Ester 5:14) And Haman was pleased with the suggestion, and he had the pillar made. "
But that night the king could not sleep, so he asked his servants to read for him out of the books. There he heard of Mordecai that saved his life because he told the kings people that two men wanted to kill him, so they were caught. So the king asked what Mordecai received for his bravery. The answer: "Nothing was given to him king" (Ester 6:3)
Just then Haman came to the palace to see the king to ask him to hang Mordecai. But the king asked Haman a question. What do you think must I do for a man in my kingdom to give him honour? Well, Haman was thinking that the king was talking about him. So his answer was big! "A garment must be hanged around him that belongs to the king, and a crown must be put on his head. Then he must get a horse that belongs to the king. He must be lead through the streets then. So this is what happened.
So the king said. Take the horse and the garment and the crown and do as you said to the man Mordecai.
I wish I was there to see Haman's face!
IS DAAR SO IETS SOOS ‘N SPOOK? (1)
In die alledaagse omgang met mense en in ons alledaagse gesprekke word daar dikwels gepraat en melding gemaak van spoke.
Die meeste van ons het groot geword met pampoenskil spoke en laken-oor-die-kop spoke. Vir hulle het jy net ‘n sambok of ‘n haelgeweer nodig om hulle te hanteer.
Daar is talle gedigte uit ons volkspoësie waar daar direk verwys word na spoke soos o.a. Klaas Geswind en Syn Perd (F.W. Reitz) en Die Ruiter van Skimmelperdpan (A.G. Visser).
Daar word ook heelwat gesing oor spoke en tans is daar twee bekende Afrikaanse liedere wat ek persoonlik op RSG gehoor het wat oor die onderwerp handel. Interessant hoedat die bonatuurlike, mense se belangstelling prikkel.
Vele kortverhale en stories is geskryf oor die jare oor spoke en elke geslag het sy baas spookstorie vertellers gehad wat die kinders daarmee bang gemaak het.
Ek is as kind daarmee bang gemaak deur die grootmense en ek is op die daad onstuimig in my gees as ek hoor hoedat ouers hulle kinders sommer goedsmoeds sal bang maak met spoke en praat asof dit wel bestaan.
“Die spoke sal jou kom vang.”
“Wat het so geklap, Mammie?” “Dis seker die spoke in die huis wat so raas, my kind.”
As gelowige ouers praat ons nie sulke taal nie. Ons speel nie saam in die kraal van die bose om kinders bevrees te maak sodat die bose op hulle vatbare kindergemoed ‘n vastrapplek kan kry nie.
Ek en my vrou het nooit ons kinders met spoke bang gemaak nie. Ek is van mening dat mens nie jou kinders moet blootstelling gee aan Liewe Heksie of soortgelyke stories nie of hulle die idee moet gee dat dwergies of feetjies bestaan. Daar is die Een Boek waarmee ons, ons kinders kan skool in die absolute waarheid. Die mooiste verhale is elk geval in die Bybel sodat hulle in niks sal kort kom nie.
Hemelse Vader, lei ons deur die Heilige Gees om ons kinders in die waarheid van U Woord groot te maak en doelbewus die goed te vermy wat onskriftuurlik is. Amen!
HEAVY TIMES AND STRONG PEOPLE (6)
Isaiah 43: 2 - "When you go through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not go over you: when you go through the fire, you will not be burned; and the flame will have no power over you."
WHAT CAN WE HOLD ON TO
Caleb held on for 45 years. What did he hold on to? He held on to the Word of the Lord. God said that He would give the land of Canaan to Abrahams progeny. That is why Caleb could believe and say that they will win the land Canaan. Numbers 13:30 - " Then Caleb made signs to the people to keep quiet, and said to Moses, Let us go up straight away and take this land; for we are well able to overcome it." For 45 years he had just one confession. All the others could say that he was mad, but he kept himself to the Word of the Lord.
We read that Abraham did not stare himself blind to the fact that his wife Sarah was too old to conceive. Rom 4:18 - "Who without reason for hope, in faith went on hoping, so that he became the father of a number of nations, as it had been said, So will your seed be." God made a promise to him and that was what he was holding on to.
Even though you and I can only have one sentence we can hold on to it for the rest of our lives.
The Bible says that Moses held onto the promise as if he saw the unseen. Heb 11:27 - "By faith he went out of Egypt, not being turned from his purpose by fear of the wrath of the king; for he kept on his way, as seeing him who is unseen." Why, cause he held unto the Word, unto the promise that God gave him.
Here is a few verses to hold on to:
* John 16:24 – “Up to now you have made no request in my name: do so, and it will be answered, so that your hearts may be full of joy."
* John 15:7 - "If you are in me at all times, and my words are in you, then anything for which you make a request will be done for you."
* John 14:13 - "And whatever request you make in my name, that I will do, so that the Father may have glory in the Son."
* John 14:14 - "If you make any request to me in my name, I will do it."
Now I praise You Lord God. You are still in control of the cosmos - meaning also over my life, that is why You will have the last say in my life ... Amen!!!
GETUIENIS VAN AUGUSTINUS
Op ‘n dag in die jaar 387 is die groot kerkvader wat ŉ bepalende rol in die ontwikkeling van die geestelike denke van die Weste gespeel het, gedoop. Vir sy ma Monika, was dit ‘n verhoring van ‘n leeftyd se gebede.
Augustinus is in die jaar 354 in Noord-Afrika gebore. Sy pa was nie gelowig nie, maar sy ma was ŉ toegewyde Christen. Haar seun het egter rooi miere gehad: hy was ongedissiplineerd, meer in sport geïnteresseerd as skoolwerk en mal oor meisies. Soveel so dat hy op 18 ŉ pa word. Dit maak hom nie meer verantwoordelik nie. Hy jol steeds rond en geniet die lewe. Intussen bekommer sy ma haar morsdood oor hom maar gee nie moed op nie. Sy bly vir hom bid. Hy is toe later na Milaan toe. Ook hier het Augustinus probeer wegglip sonder sy ma se wakende oog, maar sy was te slim vir hom en toe hy hom kon kry was sy ook in Milaan. Daar het sy ma naderhand by die ou groot en wyse Ambrosius gaan kla en is toe getroos met die woorde wat ons as bekommerde ouers gerus kan onthou: “Dit is nie moontlik vir ‘n seun vir wie daar so baie gebid word om verlore te bly nie.”
In die tyd het Augustinus, toe al ŉ bekwame en wydgeleerde man in ŉ vriend se tuin gesit en lees toe hy ‘n kind hoor sing: “Neem en lees!” Hy het die Bybel by Romeine 13 by ons teksgedeelte oopgemaak, en net daar tot bekering gekom. Ambrosius het hom, en sy seun toe op die dag gedoop, terwyl ŉ getroosde moeder (God verhoor gebed) dankbaar toegekyk het. Haar gebed van ‘n leeftyd het vir een van ons groot geeste in die kerk gesorg.
As jou kinders nog nie die Here dien nie, mag die verhaal van Augustinus jou aanmoedig om in geloof te volhard om vir jou kinders te bid. Ek weet van baie ouers wat moedeloos is omdat hulle kinders volhard om die sonde te doen en in die wêreld te leef.
Maar ouers se gebede skep die regte omstandighede, die mees gunstigste kondisies dat hulle nie anders kan as om hulle keuse vir Jesus te maak nie. Bid dat die Here die regte omstandighede sal skep en die regte mense oor hulle pad sal stuur.
Onthou jou voorbeeld is die bepalende faktor.
GEBED (vir ongeredde kinders)
Here, soos wat Augustinus se ma gebid het en verhoor is. So kom ek na U en ek smeek vir die redding van my kind / kinders, in die Naam van Jesus!
Ps. 37:34 – “Wag op die Here (Hou aan om op die Here te vertrou.) en Hy sal jou verhoog.”
Die Verhaal Van Hamman en Mordegai
Hamman is die slegte man en Mordegai is die goeie een. Die verhaal speel af in die dae van koningin Ester. Hamman het alles wat sy hart kan begeer en nog meer. Maar hy is nóg nie gelukkig nie, want één ding pla hom; die Jood Mordegai, buig nie voor hom as hy as hooggeplaaste deur die poort beweeg nie (Ester 3:2). Maar op aanbeveling van sy slegte vrou en slegte vriende, gee hulle hom toe die raad: Laat maak ‘n hoë galg en gaan dan vroeg die volgende oggend en vra die koning se toestemming dat Mordegai daaraan opgehang kan word (Ester 5:14).
Maar in daardie nag kan koning Ahasveros nie slaap nie. Hy begin toe lees in die kronieke boeke en vind dat twee hofdienaars getrag het om hom, die koning, om die lewe te bring maar dat Mordegai dit openbaar gemaak het. Daardeur is hulle gevang en hy, die koning, is gered. Die koning vra toe (Ester 6:3): “Watter eer en verhoging het Mordegai daarvoor te beurt geval?” Waarop die antwoord kom: “Met hom het niks gebeur nie.”
Op daardie moment daag Hamman by die paleis op in die vroeë oggendure om aan die koning te sê dat Moregai gehang moes word. Toe die koning hoor dis Hamman, die hoë amptenaar, wat in die voorhof is, vra die koning aan Hamman (vers 6): “Wat moet met die man gedoen word aan wie die koning eer wil bewys?” Natuurlik dink Hamman dit kan net hyself wees wat verhoog moet word. So sy voorstelle is groot: Daar moet ‘n kleed om hom gehang word wat aan die koning behoort en ‘n kroon moet op sy kop kom. Dan moet hy op ‘n perd waarop die koning opgery het, deur die stad gelei word en voor hom moet uitgeroep word: “So word gedoen aan die man aan wie die koning eer wil bewys.”(Ester 6:7-9)
Die koning antwoord: “Neem gou die kleed en die perd soos jy gespreek het, en doen so aan Mordegai.” Ek wens ek was daar ... om die gesigsuitdrukking van Hamman te sien!
Die punt wat ek wil maak: Sou Hamman aangedring het dat hy beloon of bevorder moes word oor die twee skurke wat hy uitgewys het en hulle sou hom daar en dan beloon het, was hy daardie dag van Hamman se besoek aan die paleis, ‘n lyk! Maar hy het op niks aanspraak gemaak nie. Hy het net voortgegaan en sy werk na die beste van sy vermoë gedoen, vertrouende dat die Here sal ... Die Here het gesorg dat hy op die regte tyd beloon word.
Dit moet ons gesindheid wees; ons doen net ons werk na die beste van ons vermoë. As ander beloon word, dan is ons saam met hulle bly. Beloning en verhoging kom van die Here en Hy sal op die regte tyd ons as Sy kinders verhoog!
Here, ons oë is op u vir ons bevordering en beloning. Amen.
DIE LEWE IS ‘N SIKLUS
Gen. 3:19 – “Want stof is jy, en tot stof sal jy terugkeer.”
Die lewe is ‘n siklus of kringloop. Dit begin met:
Dan volg die doeke dra stadium
Uit die skool en dis verlief en verloof
Dan trou die meeste.
Kindertjies word gebore.
Jou kinders het kinders
Aftrede en pensioen
Wanneer mense daardie laaste gedeelte gekom het, dis dan dat die meeste mense gewoonlik wakker skrik en hulle tot die slotsom kom: Die lewe is ‘n kringloop of ‘n siklus. Ek gaan nie verewig lewe nie. Weldra word my aardse lewe afgesluit.
Maar dis ook die fase waarvan Pred. 12:1 praat: “En dink aan jou Skepper in die dae van jou jonkheid voordat die ongelukkige dae kom en die jare aanbreek waarvan jy sal sê: Ek het daar geen behae in nie.” D.w.s. wanneer jy daar gekom het, is dit nie so maklik om die Here te vind as jy vir Hom jou hele lewe lank nee gesê het nie. Hoe verander ‘n mens nou? Ek lees iets van daardie weerstand om te verander in die woorde van Nikodemus as hy vir Jesus antwoord in Joh.3: 4 – “Hoe kan ‘n mens as jy oud is, gebore word?” Die patroon van lewe of die lewensstyl is te vas gelê om sommer aan die einde van jou lewe die Here aan te neem en te verander.
Dit laat ‘n mens besef, dis beter om die Here in jou jongelings jare te soek en te vind, as om ‘n leeftyd sonder Hom te wil doen en dink daar so iewers aan die einde, sal ek maar my lewe aan die Here oor gee. Dis asof sulkes nie die Here kan vind nie. Die feite van die lewe, dui daarop dat vele haal nie eens daardie laaste fase nie. Net in hierdie week, het twee vriende van my plotseling gesterf. Die een, ‘n fikse man wat dikwels saam berg geklim het. Hy was besig om te draf toe hy sterf aan ‘n hartaanval.
In kontras met die liggaam wat ‘n kringloop of siklus voltooi, is die innerlike mens, die siel en gees. Dit kan ons met ‘n lyn voorstel. ‘n Lyn wat aanstrek sonder einde ... Die lyn van die nie-weergeborene strek na die ewigheid van die hel! Die lyn van hom of haar wat die Here vind, strek na die ewigheid van die hemel.
Heb. 9:27 – “En net soos die mense bestem is om een maal te sterwe en daarna die oordeel.” Iewers moet die mens rekenskap gee aan God, wat hy gemaak het met die lewe in sy aardse siklus. Die mens wat by die Redder, Jesus Christus uitgekom het, se gees en siel sal die ewige geluksaligheid saam met die Here beleef.
Die groot vraag: Waar gaan ek en jy die ewigheid deurbring? Kies vir Jesus en vind die ewige lewe van die hemel! (Joh. 1:12)
Here Jesus ek glo in U. Ek glo dat U aan spykers gehang het en met U bloed vir my sonde betaal het. Ek neem U nou aan. Vergewe my en aanvaar my as U kind. Amen.
WAARAAN KAN ONS VASHOU?
Kaleb het vir 45 jaar volgehou. Waaraan het hy vasgehou? Hy het aan die Woord van die Here vasgehou. God het gesê dat Kanaän gee Hy aan die nageslag van Abraham. Daarom kon hy reg aan die begin verklaar het dat hulle in staat was om die land in besit te neem (Num. 13:30). Vir 45 jaar het hy net één belydenis gehad. Al die ander kon sê wat hulle wil. Hulle kon maar sê dat hy mal is; maar hy het vasgehou aan God se Woord.
Ook van Abraham lees ons dat hy nie gelet het op die verstorwe toestand van Sara se moederkoot nie. Rom. 4:18 – “Hy het teen hoop op hoop geglo dat hy vader sou word van baie volke volgens wat gesê was.” God het dit gesê en dit was al wat vir hom saak gemaak het.
Al het ek en jy net een sinnetjie van die Here, dan kan ons daaraan vashou tot die dood toe.
Die Bybel sê dat Moses het volgehou soos een wat die onsienlike sien (Heb. 11:27), want hy het vasgehou aan die Woord. Elke geloofsheld het vasgehou aan die Woord of die belofte van die Here of dit wat die Here gesê het.
‘N PAAR VERSE OM AAN VAS TE HOU
Hier is ‘n paar verse om aan vas te hou in dae van stryd en aanvegtinge:
16:24 – “Bid en julle sal ontvang, sodat julle blydskap volkome kan wees.”
15:7 – “As julle in My bly en my woorde in julle, sal julle vra net wat julle wil hê, en julle sal dit verkry.”
14:13 – “En wat julle ook al in my Naam mag vra, dit sal Ek doen, sodat die Vader in die Seun verheerlik kan word.”
14:14 – “As julle iets in my Naam vra, sal Ek dit doen.”
Nou loof ek U Here God dat U nog in beheer is van die ganse kosmos en d.w.s. ook oor my lewe en daarom spreek U die laaste woord oor my lewe! Amen!
Waarin lê sterkte, uithouvermoë, om te kan aanhou en aangaan ongeag omstandighede? Lê dit in groot sterk spiere en mense wat heeldag met gewigte oefen? Victor Frankl, ‘n Joodse sielkundige, wat in die Natzi’s se Konsentrasie kamp was, het getuig dat hy gesien het dat dit nie noodwendig die groot en sterk geboude mense was wat kon uithou nie. Hy’t ervaar dat sterkte lê in die gees van die mens en nie in die uiterlike nie.
“Its die fight in the dog and not the dog in the fight.” (Mark Twain en Dwight Eisenhower)
Die Bybel leer dit ook – dis wat ín ons as gelowigies is wat die verskil maak. En Wie woon in ons? Jesus deur die Heilige Gees. Dus; die oorwinning is binne in my en jou as weergeborenes, want Christus is in ons. Dan kan ons stryd verwerk. Ons kan druk hanteer. Ons kan dit vat. Ons dink anders oor dinge, probleme en die lewe. Fil. 4:13 sê: “Ek is tot alles in staat deur Hom wat my krag gee.”
1 Joh. 4:4 – “Julle is uit God, my kinders, en het hulle oorwin, omdat Hy wat in julle is, groter is as hy wat in die wêreld is.”
1 Joh. 5:4 – “Want alles wat uit God gebore is, oorwin die wêreld; en dit is die oorwinning wat die wêreld oorwin het, naamlik ons geloof.”
1 Joh. 5:5 – “Wie anders is dit wat die wêreld oorwin as hy wat glo dat Jesus die Seun van God is?”
Kol. 1:27 – “Christus onder julle (beteken Christus in ons) die hoop van die heerlikheid.”
Die kinders van die Here gáán en sál as oorwinnaars uit die stryd tree. Ons mag nou baie stryd ervaar, maar dit wéét ek; aan die einde sal ons in Jesus triomfeer!
Here, help ons om hierdie boodskap te glo. U in ons, maak die verskil. Dit laat ons triomfeer oor alle stryd wat ook al oor ons pad mag kom. Ons prys U dierbare Naam! Amen!
HEAVY TIMES AND STRONG PEOPLE (3)
Jeremiah 43:1,2 - "And it came about that when Jeremiah had come to the end of giving all the people the words of the Lord their God, which the Lord their God had sent him to say to them, even all these words , Then Azariah, the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan, the son of Kareah, and all the men of pride, said to Jeremiah, You have said what is false: the Lord our God has not sent you to say, You are not to go into the land of Egypt and make your living-place there "
DIFFICULT TIMES TO NOT LAST FOREVER
A lot of people is still alive that went through the difficult times that I was talking about. Drought does not last forever. I saw a table of graphics in a museum in Calvinia where they take note of all droughts and rainfalls. And there is never a longer time than about 7 years between drought and good rainfall.
A lot of times I hear people say that the Bible says that in the end times a lot of things will be messed up - seasons as well. It may feel like it, but it's not written in the Bible. Gen 8:22 - " While the earth goes on, seed time and the getting in of the grain, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, will not come to an end."
I know I do not have all the answers but here is two verses that I can share with you.
Jer 5:24 - " And they do not say in their hearts, Now let us give worship to our God, who gives the rain, the winter and the spring rain, at the right time; who keeps for us the ordered weeks of the grain-cutting."
Jer 5:25 - " Through your evil-doing these things have been turned away, and your sins have kept back good from you."
Take a look at a photo of Berlin during the second world war and take a look at it now. You will not see a trace of all the damage there was during the war. So it happened that the Wall of Shame also fell in Berlin.
So the main message to you and me is that we have to trust God and trust in God. Our bad times will not last forever. Sooner or later it will pass. Just you hold on to God's promises.
Lord, I come to You as David did so many times. "Please hurry and help me" And I pray this prayer for everyone that is going through heavy times right now. "Please Lord, hurry and help them, cause their trust is in You ... Amen!!!
HEAVY TIMES AND STRONG PEOPLE (2)
We were talking about the bad times in our country. But we always had bad times. Let me tell you about a few.
This was a war within our land. The mighty British Army Against the 2 Boer Armies. This war was throughout the whole of South Africa. Just imagine yourself in the shoes of a Boer who returned to his farm. Everything was destroyed and the farm house was burned down. His wife and children most likely died along with the other thousands that was in concentration camps. The raw land standing for 4 years. No tools, tractors - nothing. Only a broken mind and spirit. To leave the war behind as losers. Heavy times!
THE REBELLION (1914 - 1915)
Africans fighting each other. General de Wet, de la Rey and Beyers is all leading South African troops in commandos. All fighting each other. Brother against brother. A nation is torn and divided. Heavy times.
YELLOW FEVER (1918)
South Africa enters a season where thousands dies due to the terrible fever. There was no cure. Heavy times!
THE DEPRESSION (1933)
Money was worthless and we got a new understanding - Poor African Question. Heavy times!
BUSH WAR (1962 - 1994)
Dark clouds is hanging over South Africa. There is bombings, necklace murders, and our young men came back crippled from the army. When one read the news you are afraid of what you are going to read next.
So if we look at the past of South Africa this happenings now is not strange.
Thank You Lord Jesus that You was with us during that heavy and bad times. If You could carry then through it I know You can do it again!!! You can help us in our current crisis. Lord, we put our trust in You!!! Please help us one more time. Save us from our enemy and please save our land! I ask this in Jesus name ... Amen!!!
HEAVY TIMES AND STRONG PEOPLE (1)
The well known writer Robert Schuller said: "Tough times do not last, but tough people do. " That we are living in tough times is very true. There in no person nor business that do not feel it. The things that brings concern to us here is South Africa is the following:
* the battle of farm attacks and farm murders is heavy and real. Even here in the Western Cape were things were fairly normal bad things is happening
* the crime in our country is worryingly high, The hijackings and strikes is very high. A politician said that there is roughly 51 murders in our country each day. I went to the police station with a list of stuff that was stolen at my house in a burglary and there I saw a pastor friend of mine. They were just stopping at a shop to buy something and a guy ran towards him, grabbed his purse and ran off. All his bank cards and ID was in the purse.
* What I really don't like is the fact that there is so much corruption in our public service departments. The greed of the political members scream against the heavens. They receive huge salaries with a lot of extra advantages, but so often we hear about cases of fraud against them. The tax payers money they steal. Sometimes I wish that I could get Robin Hood from England to put these thieves in their place, and to help the poor.
* The price of fuel and the weak money system if you compare it with America
* Climate change that make us wonder
"If you go through deep waters, I will be with you"
Lord Jesus, it is in times like this we need an Anchor that only You can provide. A steadfast Rock that we can build our homes on. Please help us Lord and carry us through these difficult times... Amen!!!
Die vlaag van plaas aanvalle en – moorde wat nou vir etlike jare hoogty vier in ons land en net aanhou en eskaleer. Selfs die Kaap, waar dit nog redeliks stil was, loop ook nou deur.
Die misdaad in ons land is kommerwekkend hoog. Dit kaap en staak van Pretoria tot in die Kaap. ‘n Politikus het ‘n tyd gelede die bewering gemaak dat daar daagliks om en by 51 mense in S.A. vermoor word. Ek gaan gee ‘n lys in by die plaaslike polisiestasie van die goed wat hulle gesteel het tydens ‘n inbraak by ons huis. Daar sien ek ‘n predikant van Vredendal. Hullle was op pad Stellenbosch toe en wou net gou iets koop. Toe gryp een sy beursie onder sy arm uit en hardloop weg. Al sy bankkaarte en ID boekie is daarmee heen.
Wat my persoonlik dwars in die krop steek is die grootskaalse korrupsie in die staatsdiens. Die gulsigheid van die politici op hoë vlak skrei ten hemele. Hulle ontvang reeds sulke groot salarisse met vele byvoordele, maar kort, kort hoor ons van ‘n bedrog saak van etlike miljoene teen hulle. Dis die stomme belasting betalers se geld wat gesteel word! Ek wens soms ons kon weer vir Robin Hood van Engeland of vir die Buiter van die vroeë Kaap kry om hierdie korrupte rykes op hulle plek te sit en die armes te help ...
Brandstof pryse en ons swak geld waarde gemeet teen die Amerikaanse dollar.
Klimaatsverandering wat so ‘n ongemaklike onsekerheid by ons almal laat.
DON'T BLAME GOD (2)
Yes, don't we as people also do what Naomi did? When things go wrong:
* Live does not work out for me
* Marriage is like corrugations
* I have failed
* I feel distressed
Then we ask that uncomfortable question. Where was God? Couldn't God stop it? If He is a God of Love, why is there so much suffering?
I think we must investigate ourselves, because God is a good God. He never thinks about evil. How many times do we not take things out of God's Hands and make the discussion ourselves?
Every time this man of god did not consult God before he planned and he and Israel failed in their plans. When they had to fight against a small town Ai, they lost and failed. They decided that they will take on the enemy in a small group, that we read, but we do not read that they asked God for advice and help. Conclusion - they had to fled and even lost men in the fight. (Joshua 7:2,3)
Joshua 7:7,8 - "And Joshua said, O Lord God, why have you taken us over Jordan only to give us up into the hands of the Amorites for our destruction? If only it had been enough for us to keep on the other side of Jordan! O Lord, what am I to say now that Israel have given way before their attackers?"
So came the Gibeonites, and they told them lies. They said that they are from a far place and that is why their clothes were so worn. “And look at our shoes, you can see that we have walked far. Even our food is old and moldy. Join us with a covenant of peace, because we have heard that your God is very powerful.” (Joshua 9:4-13)
And there stood Joshua, leader of Israel. He have to make a decision. Everything looks and sounds legit. Everything before the mountain looks good, but he could not see behind the mountain...!
We read in Joshua 9:14 - " And the men took some of their food, without requesting directions from the Lord." They did not pray about it.
So they concluded the covenant - but then after that they found out that the Gibeonites lived just across the mountain. So they had big problems.
Lord, I want to know You in all my ways, then I know You will make all my roads smooth. Amen!
DON'T BLAME GOD (1)
Famine got hold of the Israelite's in the time of Judges in the Bible. And a woman with the name Naomi and her husband and their two sons decided to go to the land of Moab. There the two sons married the pagan women. In this time Naomi's two sons and her husband died.
And finally the famine stopped in Israel and Naomi decided to go back. Her one daughter-in-law joined her. Her name was Ruth.
Naomi's state was not good:
* her husband died
* her 2 sons died
* she looked bad due to her circumstances
* just one daughter-in-law stayed with her
* she looses her ground
* she was like a slave in her own land
* life did not work out for her
* she was in a state of depression
In Ruth she says that the Hand of the Lord was against her
Ruth 1:13 - "I am very sad for you that the hand of the Lord is against me."
Ruth 1:20 - " And she said to them, Do not let my name be Naomi, but Mara, for the Ruler of all has given me a bitter fate."
Ruth 1:21 - "I went out full, and the Lord has sent me back again with nothing; why do you give me the name Naomi, seeing that the Lord has given witness against me, and the Ruler of all has sent sorrow on me?'"
A lot of people do the same. When things go wrong you hear them asking:
* Where is the Lord?
* Could the Lord not have stopped it?
But we take a look at the life of Naomi. She did not talk to the Lord about her decision. She decided to leave Israel on her own. We never read about people who died in Israel due to the famine. But Naomi lost her husband and her two sons. It was a big mistake on her side and not that of God.
Lord, please protect me of making choices out of my own, that is not from You. Let me never accuse You if things do not work out ... amen.
Ek maak die waarneming dat gelowiges dikwels op die slegte goed fokus:
Die goed waarvoor ons as mens nie antwoorde het nie.
Die uitsonderings ...
Iets soos: “Ja maar, ... my oom was ‘n diep kind van die Here en hy het so ‘n slegte ding oor gekom.”
Hoekom daarop fokus?! Onthou ons het nooit al die feite nie. Ons sien deur ‘n spieël in ‘n raaisel (1 Kor. 13). Ons weet nie wat was mense se regte verhouding met die Here nie of selfs hulle motiewe nie ... Kom ons los liewer daardie raaiselagtige gevalle en fokus op dit wat die Bybel duidelik, oor en oor sê!
Fokus Op Die Goed Wat Die Bybel Duidelik Oor En Oor Sê
Wat sê die Bybel? Die Bybel is een lang verhaal van ‘n God wat luister na gebede en antwoord! (Lees dit weer asb. en as dit nodig is nog ‘n paar keer.)
Ps. 34:16 – “Die oë van die HERE is op die regverdiges, en sy ore tot hulle hulpgeroep.”
Ps. 34:18 – “Hulle roep, en die HERE hoor, en Hy red hulle uit al hul benoudhede.” (Hierdie is my en jou loper vers; met hom sluit ons alle deure oop.)
Jak. 5:16 – “Die vurige gebed van ‘n regverdige het groot krag.”
Mat. 21:22 – “En alles wat julle in die gebed vra, sal julle ontvang as julle glo.”
Ps. 81:8 – “In die nood het jy geroep, en Ek het jou uitgered;”
Alles Werk Mede Ten Goede
Hierdie teksvers dink ek is die moete werd om uit jou kop te ken en moet elkeen van ons dikwels kwoteer wanneer dit aanvanklik lyk dinge loop vir ons verkeerd:
Kyk nou net hoe wonderlik het die verhaal van Naomi en Rut geëindig, waarmee ons begin het. Onthou Naomi het gehawend en as’t ware as ‘n bedelaar teruggekeer vanaf Moab. Maar dan trou Rut, haar skoondogter, met ‘n ryk en vermoënde man nl. met Boas. Dit beteken sy het ‘n dak oor haar hoof en sy is versorg vir haar ou dag. Uit die huwelik tussen Rut en Boas kry ons die geslagslyn waaruit Dawid gebore word en uiteindelik ons Here Jesus Christus!
Al begin ‘n saak hoe verkeerd ... God is instaat en by magte om dit reg te maak!
Here, dink ook aan my saak ... Amen.