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Put back the holy in ordinary secular work.

Key scripture: Mat 5:16 “may your good works glorify your father in heaven” (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV). Do all to the Glory of God
One of the key concepts of the Reformation was coram Deo: all of life is lived “before the face of God.” In other words, there was no separation between the sacred and the secular Excerpt From: “The Reformation Manifesto: Your Part in God’s Plan to Change Nations Today” by Cindy Jacobs. Scribd.  Read this book on Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/book/235000503

You cannot fix crooked getting with right giving.

I find sometimes this believe among Christians that they are trying to fix with religious activities like prayer and giving a bad and wrong work-ethic. You cannot fix deceitful getting by giving tithes and offerings. The way you earn your giving is as important as the giving.
It is very clear, work is worship. The manner and way we work glorify God. After all these thousands of years, we still stand in awe at the wonder of God’s work – creation! What can we learn from the way God worked creation? His creation is sustainable, intricate, beautiful, in order, balanced, wonderful, and creative. When Godly character is evident in our work, God gets glorified. Proverbs 22:4,9 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life. He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. Many people say I have no skills. You can teach any man a skill, but character is birthed. The most sought-after job-seekers are ones with godly character. Society is calling for leaders with character.
Made in His image we have received the same abilities and potential locked up in all of us, get working! (Prov 22:29) “excel in your work, will bring you before Kings” I believe if every Christian Born Again believer work God’s way, there will be no unemployment in the church. We would be the most sought-after individuals on the planet for employment. He has put the Christ-like ability in us at our salvation. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work (2 Cor 9:8) God even anointed certain men with the skill to do special work. (Ex 31:1-6; 35:30-35) The first ever people to be anointed by God was the artisans. Daniel worked in a Babylonian system: Dan 5:14, could find no error in His work Dan 6:4 Joseph ruled over Egypt through his wisdom and insight – Gen 41:38-39 We have the spirit of God with us, to lead an guide us in business decisions.
I learned that Genesis tells us God gave us a job even before he gave us a family. We were created in the image of God to be co-creators with Him. Gen 1:28 “fill the earth and subdue it. Subdue: kabas: A verb meaning to subdue, to bring into subjection, to enslave. It means basically to overcome. We are destined to overcome, life’s obstacles and difficulties. Every big invention we celebrate today, first have been a big problem.
Avoda, or Avodah is a Hebrew word, literally meaning “work”. In a modern context, usually refers to business-type activities, it can also mean agricultural work and, more traditionally, serving God. In its original, traditional sense, “avodah” was applied to sacrifices offered in Temple in Jerusalem. The word was also used to described the epitome of sacrificial rite, the complex and fraught main service of the The High Priest on Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement). Today it refers to a liturgical reenactment of the aforementioned ceremony which is recited during the Musaf Amidah of Yom Kippur.
True Christianity creates no division between secular and sacred. Every task we undertake, paid or not paid, is to be done to the Lord. May the Lord Jesus by His powerful Spirit remove the duality in our thinking today! Work is holy! In Switzerland all work is seen with dignity. Work is dignity. The oppressive slave system of colonialism made certain tasks and work seen as lower, degrading, and of lesser importance and prominence. If you are called as a street sweeper, do it to the glory of Go, so that those who pass by exclaim: “look at the clean streets, it looks like heaven”

Labor for eternal food

(Joh 6:27; Mat 4:4; Joh 4:13-14)
Working for food and belongings can never satisfy your soul, only finding your purpose in God. Our creational purpose is to be Christlike Rom 8:29 Our lives are hidden in Him (Col 3:2) The curse of work that came with Adam’s sin, is loosing our true identity. The curse is not in the work we do, but doing it like a slave, because you have to, not because it is your calling. Many people after retirement become even more busy, because they love their work. Work makes you happy. You feel good after a day’s work. Sleep well.

Remain in your calling

1 Cor 7:20 The Bible does not look negatively to slavery. To build a healthy economy you need workers, slaves and leaders. Each one have received a different talent all according to his own ability. (Mat 25:14, 15) Jesus Himself took on the form of a bondservant. (Phil 2:5) The quickest way to discover your true calling, begin to serve somebody. The Bible is actually specific about this: we should honor our parents, the best way to honor them, is to serve them. Jesus learned to obey earthly parents first for 30 years, before He was released for ministry. He also had no ambition to begin His public ministry, His mother prompted Him. (Joh 2:4) Paul served for 17 years in total before he was commissioned as an Apostle. (Gal 1:18; 2:1) Paul often refer to himself as a Bondservant of Christ. (Gal 1:10) This Bible actually gives specific instructions to Slaves and Owners. (Eph 5:6-9) Paul wrote a letter to the owner of a slave, to honor and respect that role. (Philemon) General instructions is given to not judge another person’s slave. (Rom 14:4)
Once we have discovered His gift of righteousness, we work from a position of rest. (Heb 4:8–11) The rest of faith and obedience. We do not work to achieve his favor, or prominence before man. We have received His favor, acceptance, sonship and want to be productive with what we have received.

Riches is produced by the way we work, not mere work alone.

It is His blessing that makes one rich not to just work harder. (Prov 10:22) It is also important to realize that it is not work itself that brings riches. There are very hard working people in Africa that remains poor. The blessing is not in work alone, but in multiplication. See the parable of the talents. We often equate faithfulness with being steadfast, consistence, dependable, reliable, dependable, loyal, true, trustworthy, devoted, truthful. Jesus equates faithfulness with something else – multiplication. Whatever God gives to us, He expect us to multiply and present it back to Him.

Remove the curse of sin out of work

Most Christians see work as secular and worldly, unholy. With this mindset they seek to now work for God. How do you work for God? Preaching, prison visitation, feeding the hungry? What do pastors do with all their time, when everyone else is working? At least the apostles gave themselves to prayer and study of the Word. Instead we should take the holy back to the workplace, we need Pastors at the forefront to be examples in this.
APOSTLES WORK HARD
Joh 4:38 – and you have entered into their labor
2 Cor 6:5 – labors
2 Cor 10:15 – measure of our labour – We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others
2 Cor 11:23 – with far greater labors 1 Cor 15:10
1 Cor 4:12 Working with our own hands
2 Thes 3:8 with toil and labor
Work is a blessing to be enjoyed. (Eccl 2:24, 26) God is delighted in our fruitfulness. When the faithful servants brought their returns to their master, he not only blessed them, and gave them more he said: Enter into the JOY OF THE LORD. (Mat 25:20)

Work is ordained by God

Ge 1:27-28 See also Ex 20:9 pp Dt 5:13; Ps 104:23
Work is part of the rhythm of life. Like sleep, food, and fun, we need to work. It keeps us healthy. When an old person can do no more work, they die soon. Work keeps you moving, productive, feeling dignified and healthy.
God works Joh 4:34; 5:17; John 17:4 thus being created in His image, there is something Godly and divine about work. Employment is going to become the most scarce resource on earth. May we take up our Godly call not to only find work for ourselves, but create work for others. Like Paul we say: “as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” (2 Cor 6:10)
In his book “Jesus a Pilgrimage” James Martin explains in great detail life in Nazareth, we Jesus grew up as boy and young man. Nazareth was located “on the fringe of the Roman Empire, both geographically and politically.” Only two to four hundred people lived there in Jesus’s day. Today the ruins of the houses in Nazareth are scant, but the archaeological evidence has revealed small dwellings built with local stones (basalt or limestone) that were stacked roughly atop one another. The floors were of packed earth and the roofs thatched, constructed over beams of wood and held together with mud. Families lived in small houses clustered together around a “yard” where common activities were performed. Evidence from the rooms points to little privacy for the inhabitants, but a great sense of community. Every one knew each other, is this not the carpenter’s son Mt 13:55–56.
The conditions was “filthy, malodorous and unhealthy” by contemporary standards. Most skeletal remains predictably show iron and protein deficiencies, and most had severe arthritis. A case of the flu, a bad cold, or an abscessed tooth could kill. Life expectancy, for the luckier half that survived childhood, was somewhere in the thirties. Those reaching fifty or sixty were rare.
Life was hard, and people lived perilously close to the edge, economically and socially. People did not travel afar much, since it was both dangerous and expensive. When they did— for example, for the pilgrimage to Jerusalem— they did so in larger groups so as to ward off bandits. Life was, as Crossan and Reed say, “predominantly local.”
Nazareth is not mentioned anywhere in the Old Testament. Nor is it mentioned in the Talmud, which lists sixty- three other villages in Galilee, or in the writings of Josephus, who names forty- five other Galilean villages. “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” asks Nathanael. 23 In that Gospel passage Nazareth is, quite literally, a joke. And yet, just four miles from Nazareth was Sepphoris, a bustling city of thirty thousand, which was being rebuilt at the time by Herod Antipas. Yet Jesus chose Nazareth as the proper place to prepare himself for public ministry.
One archaeological team wrote about Nazareth: “The principal activity of these villagers was agriculture. Nothing in the finds suggests wealth.” In his parables and stories Jesus frequently makes use of images not from carpentry, which one would expect, but from farming— the sower and the seeds, the mustard seed, and the weeds that grow up alongside the wheat,

We will eventually be judged by our works:

Mat 16:27 reward each one according to his works
Mat 23:3 but do not do according to their works, for they say and do not do.
Mat 26:10 she has done a good work for me
Your works bears witness of who you are: Joh 5:36; not being able to work is compared with darkness. Joh 9:4

Faith is work

Works of faith vs works of the law (James 2:14- 26 vs Heb 6:1)
We are called to be workers of miracles not waiters until he does the miracles
Faith is proven by its works (James 2:22, 25)
Good works acceptable unto God are only possible through God’s grace active in one’s heart (Matt. 5:16; John 6:28; 14:12). They are always the result of salvation and not the means of salvation. Man cannot do any work to earn God’s favor unto salvation (Rom. 4:1- 5; Eph. 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5). Salvation is given by God in grace, and there is no way that it can be earned.

THE PURPOSE OF WORK IS:

God ordained work as the normal routine of living. Every legitimate human task, therefore, is of intrinsic worth, however menial it may seem, and is potentially a means of glorifying God.
• That people should be self-supporting Ge 3:19 See also Ps 128:2; 1Th 4:12
• That people should find self-fulfilment Ecc 2:24 See also Pr 14:23; Ecc 3:22; 5:19
• That people should serve/give to others Eph 4:28 See also Pr 31:15; 1Th 2:9; 1Ti 5:8
• That people should glorify God Col 3:17 See also 1Co 10:31; Eph 6:5-8 pp Col 3:22-24
Surely like all good things the enemy seek to corrupt what God has given as a gift. People get absorbed in their work, they only work and not rest in Christ, we work and have no fun, loosing our playfulness, we become work orientated and task orientated and loose loose our sensitivity for people. Getting the job done becomes more important than people. It is not easy to learn to balance all these priorities and tasks. But the life of the spirit is a life of rhythm, being focussed on HIM, working for Him, obedience to the spirit, rather than obedience to the TO DO list. Daniel made it his duty to pray 3 times per day. Dan 6:10 Cornelius work, and good deeds, and prayers became a remembrance before God. Acts 10:1-3
Your workplace is the only church some people will ever see. Let God open our eyes to see the god-given value of work. We are called to do even greater works than Him Joh 14:10. This is why He has given us His strength to do all things. (Phil 4:13)
 

Categories
Sermons

Put back the holy in ordinary secular work

Put back the holy in ordinary secular work

Key scripture: Mat 5:16 “may your good works glorify your father in heaven” (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV). Do all to the Glory of God

One of the key concepts of the Reformation was coram Deo: all of life is lived “before the face of God.” In other words, there was no separation between the sacred and the secular Excerpt From: “The Reformation Manifesto: Your Part in God’s Plan to Change Nations Today” by Cindy Jacobs. Scribd. Read this book on Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/book/235000503

You cannot fix crooked getting with right giving.

I find sometimes this believe among Christians that they are trying to fix with religious activities like prayer and giving a bad and wrong work-ethic. You cannot fix deceitful getting by giving tithes and offerings. The way you earn your giving is as important as the giving.

It is very clear, work is worship. The manner and way we work glorify God. After all these thousands of years, we still stand in awe at the wonder of God’s work – creation! What can we learn from the way God worked creation? His creation is sustainable, intricate, beautiful, in order, balanced, wonderful, and creative. When Godly character is evident in our work, God gets glorified. Proverbs 22:4,9 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life. He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. Many people say I have no skills. You can teach any man a skill, but character is birthed. The most sought-after job-seekers are ones with godly character. Society is calling for leaders with character.

Made in His image we have received the same abilities and potential locked up in all of us, get working! (Prov 22:29) “excel in your work, will bring you before Kings” I believe if every Christian Born Again believer work God’s way, there will be no unemployment in the church. We would be the most sought-after individuals on the planet for employment. He has put the Christ-like ability in us at our salvation. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work (2 Cor 9:8) God even anointed certain men with the skill to do special work. (Ex 31:1-6; 35:30-35) The first ever people to be anointed by God was the artisans. Daniel worked in a Babylonian system: Dan 5:14, could find no error in His work Dan 6:4 Joseph ruled over Egypt through his wisdom and insight – Gen 41:38-39 We have the spirit of God with us, to lead an guide us in business decisions.

I learned that Genesis tells us God gave us a job even before he gave us a family. We were created in the image of God to be co-creators with Him. Gen 1:28 “fill the earth and subdue it. Subdue: kabas: A verb meaning to subdue, to bring into subjection, to enslave. It means basically to overcome. We are destined to overcome, life’s obstacles and difficulties. Every big invention we celebrate today, first have been a big problem.

Avoda, or Avodah is a Hebrew word, literally meaning “work”. In a modern context, usually refers to business-type activities, it can also mean agricultural work and, more traditionally, serving God. In its original, traditional sense, “avodah” was applied to sacrifices offered in Temple in Jerusalem. The word was also used to described the epitome of sacrificial rite, the complex and fraught main service of the The High Priest on Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement). Today it refers to a liturgical reenactment of the aforementioned ceremony which is recited during the Musaf Amidah of Yom Kippur.

True Christianity creates no division between secular and sacred. Every task we undertake, paid or not paid, is to be done to the Lord. May the Lord Jesus by His powerful Spirit remove the duality in our thinking today! Work is holy! In Switzerland all work is seen with dignity. Work is dignity. The oppressive slave system of colonialism made certain tasks and work seen as lower, degrading, and of lesser importance and prominence. If you are called as a street sweeper, do it to the glory of Go, so that those who pass by exclaim: “look at the clean streets, it looks like heaven”

Labor for eternal food

(Joh 6:27; Mat 4:4; Joh 4:13-14)

Working for food and belongings can never satisfy your soul, only finding your purpose in God. Our creational purpose is to be Christlike Rom 8:29 Our lives are hidden in Him (Col 3:2) The curse of work that came with Adam’s sin, is loosing our true identity. The curse is not in the work we do, but doing it like a slave, because you have to, not because it is your calling. Many people after retirement become even more busy, because they love their work. Work makes you happy. You feel good after a day’s work. Sleep well.

Remain in your calling

1 Cor 7:20 The Bible does not look negatively to slavery. To build a healthy economy you need workers, slaves and leaders. Each one have received a different talent all according to his own ability. (Mat 25:14, 15) Jesus Himself took on the form of a bondservant. (Phil 2:5) The quickest way to discover your true calling, begin to serve somebody. The Bible is actually specific about this: we should honor our parents, the best way to honor them, is to serve them. Jesus learned to obey earthly parents first for 30 years, before He was released for ministry. He also had no ambition to begin His public ministry, His mother prompted Him. (Joh 2:4) Paul served for 17 years in total before he was commissioned as an Apostle. (Gal 1:18; 2:1) Paul often refer to himself as a Bondservant of Christ. (Gal 1:10) This Bible actually gives specific instructions to Slaves and Owners. (Eph 5:6-9) Paul wrote a letter to the owner of a slave, to honor and respect that role. (Philemon) General instructions is given to not judge another person’s slave. (Rom 14:4)

Once we have discovered His gift of righteousness, we work from a position of rest. (Heb 4:8–11) The rest of faith and obedience. We do not work to achieve his favor, or prominence before man. We have received His favor, acceptance, sonship and want to be productive with what we have received.

Riches is produced by the way we work, not mere work alone.

It is His blessing that makes one rich not to just work harder. (Prov 10:22) It is also important to realize that it is not work itself that brings riches. There are very hard working people in Africa that remains poor. The blessing is not in work alone, but in multiplication. See the parable of the talents. We often equate faithfulness with being steadfast, consistence, dependable, reliable, dependable, loyal, true, trustworthy, devoted, truthful. Jesus equates faithfulness with something else – multiplication. Whatever God gives to us, He expect us to multiply and present it back to Him.

Remove the curse of sin out of work

Most Christians see work as secular and worldly, unholy. With this mindset they seek to now work for God. How do you work for God? Preaching, prison visitation, feeding the hungry? What do pastors do with all their time, when everyone else is working? At least the apostles gave themselves to prayer and study of the Word. Instead we should take the holy back to the workplace, we need Pastors at the forefront to be examples in this.

APOSTLES WORK HARD
Joh 4:38 – and you have entered into their labor
2 Cor 6:5 – labors
2 Cor 10:15 – measure of our labour – We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others
2 Cor 11:23 – with far greater labors 1 Cor 15:10
1 Cor 4:12 Working with our own hands
2 Thes 3:8 with toil and labor

Work is a blessing to be enjoyed. (Eccl 2:24, 26) God is delighted in our fruitfulness. When the faithful servants brought their returns to their master, he not only blessed them, and gave them more he said: Enter into the JOY OF THE LORD. (Mat 25:20)

Work is ordained by God

Ge 1:27-28 See also Ex 20:9 pp Dt 5:13; Ps 104:23

Work is part of the rhythm of life. Like sleep, food, and fun, we need to work. It keeps us healthy. When an old person can do no more work, they die soon. Work keeps you moving, productive, feeling dignified and healthy.

God works Joh 4:34; 5:17; John 17:4 thus being created in His image, there is something Godly and divine about work. Employment is going to become the most scarce resource on earth. May we take up our Godly call not to only find work for ourselves, but create work for others. Like Paul we say: “as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” (2 Cor 6:10)

In his book “Jesus a Pilgrimage” James Martin explains in great detail life in Nazareth, we Jesus grew up as boy and young man. Nazareth was located “on the fringe of the Roman Empire, both geographically and politically.” Only two to four hundred people lived there in Jesus’s day. Today the ruins of the houses in Nazareth are scant, but the archaeological evidence has revealed small dwellings built with local stones (basalt or limestone) that were stacked roughly atop one another. The floors were of packed earth and the roofs thatched, constructed over beams of wood and held together with mud. Families lived in small houses clustered together around a “yard” where common activities were performed. Evidence from the rooms points to little privacy for the inhabitants, but a great sense of community. Every one knew each other, is this not the carpenter’s son Mt 13:55–56.

The conditions was “filthy, malodorous and unhealthy” by contemporary standards. Most skeletal remains predictably show iron and protein deficiencies, and most had severe arthritis. A case of the flu, a bad cold, or an abscessed tooth could kill. Life expectancy, for the luckier half that survived childhood, was somewhere in the thirties. Those reaching fifty or sixty were rare.

Life was hard, and people lived perilously close to the edge, economically and socially. People did not travel afar much, since it was both dangerous and expensive. When they did— for example, for the pilgrimage to Jerusalem— they did so in larger groups so as to ward off bandits. Life was, as Crossan and Reed say, “predominantly local.”

Nazareth is not mentioned anywhere in the Old Testament. Nor is it mentioned in the Talmud, which lists sixty- three other villages in Galilee, or in the writings of Josephus, who names forty- five other Galilean villages. “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” asks Nathanael. 23 In that Gospel passage Nazareth is, quite literally, a joke. And yet, just four miles from Nazareth was Sepphoris, a bustling city of thirty thousand, which was being rebuilt at the time by Herod Antipas. Yet Jesus chose Nazareth as the proper place to prepare himself for public ministry.

One archaeological team wrote about Nazareth: “The principal activity of these villagers was agriculture. Nothing in the finds suggests wealth.” In his parables and stories Jesus frequently makes use of images not from carpentry, which one would expect, but from farming— the sower and the seeds, the mustard seed, and the weeds that grow up alongside the wheat,

We will eventually be judged by our works:

Mat 16:27 reward each one according to his works
Mat 23:3 but do not do according to their works, for they say and do not do.
Mat 26:10 she has done a good work for me
Your works bears witness of who you are: Joh 5:36; not being able to work is compared with darkness. Joh 9:4

Faith is work

Works of faith vs works of the law (James 2:14- 26 vs Heb 6:1)
We are called to be workers of miracles not waiters until he does the miracles
Faith is proven by its works (James 2:22, 25)
Good works acceptable unto God are only possible through God’s grace active in one’s heart (Matt. 5:16; John 6:28; 14:12). They are always the result of salvation and not the means of salvation. Man cannot do any work to earn God’s favor unto salvation (Rom. 4:1- 5; Eph. 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5). Salvation is given by God in grace, and there is no way that it can be earned.

THE PURPOSE OF WORK IS:

God ordained work as the normal routine of living. Every legitimate human task, therefore, is of intrinsic worth, however menial it may seem, and is potentially a means of glorifying God.

• That people should be self-supporting Ge 3:19 See also Ps 128:2; 1Th 4:12
• That people should find self-fulfilment Ecc 2:24 See also Pr 14:23; Ecc 3:22; 5:19
• That people should serve/give to others Eph 4:28 See also Pr 31:15; 1Th 2:9; 1Ti 5:8
• That people should glorify God Col 3:17 See also 1Co 10:31; Eph 6:5-8 pp Col 3:22-24

Surely like all good things the enemy seek to corrupt what God has given as a gift. People get absorbed in their work, they only work and not rest in Christ, we work and have no fun, loosing our playfulness, we become work orientated and task orientated and loose loose our sensitivity for people. Getting the job done becomes more important than people. It is not easy to learn to balance all these priorities and tasks. But the life of the spirit is a life of rhythm, being focussed on HIM, working for Him, obedience to the spirit, rather than obedience to the TO DO list. Daniel made it his duty to pray 3 times per day. Dan 6:10 Cornelius work, and good deeds, and prayers became a remembrance before God. Acts 10:1-3

Your workplace is the only church some people will ever see. Let God open our eyes to see the god-given value of work. We are called to do even greater works than Him Joh 14:10. This is why He has given us His strength to do all things. (Phil 4:13)

Categories
Sermons

Discover what makes God happy – Multiplication

Discover what makes God happy - Multiplication

We often equate faithfulness with being steadfast, consistency, being dependable, reliable, dependable, loyal, true, trustworthy, devoted, truthful. Jesus equates faithfulness with something else – multiplication. Whatever God gives to us, He expects us to multiply and present it back to Him. John Bevere

The Parable of the 10 Virgins (Mat 25:1–13) does not reveal the meaning of “taking oil with you”, and thus many sermons suggested oil, referring to the Holy Spirit. But you cannot buy the Holy Spirit. It is evident that the parable’s focus is about being prepared for the coming of the Lord. These two parables are interrelated, both starting with “then the kingdom of God is likened” and both ending with God’s judgment. The second parable explains the first. The wise virgins were preparing for the unexpected delay of the bridegroom (v. 5). The best way we can prepare for the delay of his coming is, making disciples who can continue after our death. We need to duplicate our lives so that the flame of the gospel can keep burning. Freely we have received, freely we need to give. Mat 10:8

Read the rest of the portion of scripture; Mat 25:14-30

His goods – The money was His, and they were only stewards. My farm worker who uses my car, cannot come and give me back my car, and demand a blessing for returning it. We cannot twist God’s arm with our tithes and giving, to give us more. It is all His in the first place. He wants us to look after it, and make it grow, cultivate it.

Trade: to work, perform by labor, to do, produce, cultivate the earth. Gen 1:28Mat 25:15 five talents The Greek text indicates an amount equal to 75 years’ wages thus the average years of a person’s live. The talents were of silver (money in Matt. 25:18 is argyrion, which means silver money). A talent weighed between 58 and 80 pounds. Again the average weight of a man. Our lives should reproduce, multiply, and cultivate the righteousness, and God-given abilities we have received. The old Protestant preachers would always ask: “what are you going to do with Christ you have received?”

Each according to their ability: we all have received intrinsic natural gifts talents, and influence. Righteousness is receiving sonship; now God wants us to cultivate what we have received.

“you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed” The wicked and lazy servant did not know the character of hIs master. This scripture in-plicately reveals the true meaning of the parable; God wants to reap a harvest where He has not sown, he first sown seed in us, not we sow, and reap a harvest exponentially for Him.

‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away”

25:29 have abundance, perisseuo (per-is-syoo-oh); Strong’s #4052: To superabound, have in excess, greatly surpass, excel. The word shows the generosity of God’s grace, giving assurance that faithful use of one’s talents and gifts sets the stage for one’s own advancement. The abundance of life is already within you. Your provision is within you. Give yourself, serve others with your abilities and gifts, and provision will follow you. He who chase after money never finds it.

Let’s look at Jesus’ example:

Jesus worked – John 5:17 what was His primary work?

Taught and disciplined 12 men – 2 Tim 2:20 and in the end He presented them back to God. Joh 17:4 He prays for them but eventually pray for their fruitful offspring. Joh 17:20 The seed principle is part of God’s nature, He created every living thing from this principle. Man cannot duplicate this original reproducing seed. The seed man creates cannot reproduce after its original kind. OMG Disciples are gifts. They are added by God in our lives, for a period to raise. Like, children.

Acts 10:38 – went about doing good

Works of faith – Multiplied bread Mat 15:32-39

The circuit of ministry – Mark 6:6 Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.

He died – Joh 12:24

Why did the servant hide the talent in the ground? He was afraid of losing it. Scared of taking risks. He did not believe in his own ability. He was also called lazy. This servant was only seeking an excuse to do nothing and not be productive. Excuses are what keeps most people from doing: they try to justify their actions. Excuses like: “evangelism is not my gift or calling, or I cannot sell anything. We become good at anything we practice. We only need to start. We all receive a mostly healthy body, but being lazy we do not cultivate it, we become over-weight, and more and more restricted to do what that the body was made to do. When we exercise we discover that the body is capable of much more, and we begin to do what we thought was impossible.

“Enter into the joy of the Lord” God is well pleased. We enter into Him being happy and delighted at our work, and faithfulness. The end of both these parables concludes: those who did not multiply was not given access to enter the Kingdom of heaven.

We were naturally made to reproduce. Like a tree multiplying its fruit, it is doing what it was made to do. It is natural for a healthy tree to reproduce. Fear, laziness, and stubbornness is not natural. God gave to each one according to their ability, and they had the means, they only had to obey.

May our eyes be opened to the riches that God has placed within us in Christ Jesus. Let us break loose of the lies and excuses that hold us back. Let our lives be productive and multiply that what He has placed in us.

Categories
Sermons

Discover what makes God happy – Multiplication

We often equate faithfulness with being steadfast, consistency, being dependable, reliable, dependable, loyal, true, trustworthy, devoted, truthful. Jesus equates faithfulness with something else – multiplication. Whatever God gives to us, He expects us to multiply and present it back to Him. John Bevere
The Parable of the 10 Virgins (Mat 25:1–13) does not reveal the meaning of “taking oil with you”, and thus many sermons suggested oil, referring to the Holy Spirit.  But you cannot buy the Holy Spirit.  It is evident that the parable’s focus is about being prepared for the coming of the Lord. These two parables are interrelated, both starting with “then the kingdom of God is likened” and both ending with God’s judgment.  The second parable explains the first.  The wise virgins were preparing for the unexpected delay of the bridegroom (v. 5). The best way we can prepare for the delay of his coming is, making disciples who can continue after our death. We need to duplicate our lives so that the flame of the gospel can keep burning. Freely we have received, freely we need to give. Mat 10:8
Read the rest of the portion of scripture; Mat 25:14-30
His goods – The money was His, and they were only stewards.  My farm worker who uses my car, cannot come and give me back my car, and demand a blessing for returning it.  We cannot twist God’s arm with our tithes and giving, to give us more. It is all His in the first place. He wants us to look after it, and make it grow, cultivate it.
Trade: to work, perform by labor, to do, produce, cultivate the earth. Gen 1:28
Mat 25:15 five talents The Greek text indicates an amount equal to 75 years’ wages thus the average years of a person’s live. The talents were of silver (money in Matt. 25:18 is argyrion, which means silver money). A talent weighed between 58 and 80 pounds. Again the average weight of a man.  Our lives should reproduce, multiply, and cultivate the righteousness, and God-given abilities we have received.  The old Protestant preachers would always ask: “what are you going to do with Christ you have received?”
Each according to their ability: we all have received intrinsic natural gifts talents, and influence.  Righteousness is receiving sonship; now God wants us to cultivate what we have received.
“you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed” The wicked and lazy servant did not know the character of hIs master.  This scripture in-plicately reveals the true meaning of the parable; God wants to reap a harvest where He has not sown, he first sown seed in us, not we sow, and reap a harvest exponentially for Him.
‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away”
25:29  have abundance, perisseuo  (per-is-syoo-oh); Strong’s #4052:  To superabound, have in excess, greatly surpass, excel. The word shows the generosity of God’s grace, giving assurance that faithful use of one’s talents and gifts sets the stage for one’s own advancement. The abundance of life is already within you.  Your provision is within you. Give yourself, serve others with your abilities and gifts, and provision will follow you.  He who chase after money never finds it.
Let’s look at Jesus’ example:
Jesus worked – John 5:17 what was His primary work?
Taught and disciplined 12 men – 2 Tim 2:20 and in the end He presented them back to God. Joh 17:4 He prays for them but eventually pray for their fruitful offspring. Joh 17:20 The seed principle is part of God’s nature, He created every living thing from this principle. Man cannot duplicate this original reproducing seed. The seed man creates cannot reproduce after its original kind. OMG Disciples are gifts. They are added by God in our lives, for a period to raise. Like, children.
Acts 10:38 – went about doing good
Works of faith – Multiplied bread Mat 15:32-39
The circuit of ministry – Mark 6:6 Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.
He died – Joh 12:24 
Why did the servant hide the talent in the ground? He was afraid of losing it.  Scared of taking risks.  He did not believe in his own ability. He was also called lazy. This servant was only seeking an excuse to do nothing and not be productive.  Excuses are what keeps most people from doing: they try to justify their actions.  Excuses like: “evangelism is not my gift or calling, or I cannot sell anything.  We become good at anything we practice. We only need to start.  We all receive a mostly healthy body, but being lazy we do not cultivate it, we become over weight, and more an more restricted to do what that the body was made to do.  When we exercise we discover that the body is capable of much more, and we begin to do what we thought was impossible.
“Enter into the joy of the Lord” God is well pleased. We enter into Him being happy and delighted at our work, and faithfulness.  The end of both these parables concludes: those who did not multiply was not given access to enter the Kingdom of heaven.
We were naturally made to reproduce. Like a tree multiplying its fruit, it is doing what it was made to do.  It is natural for a healthy tree to reproduce.  Fear, laziness, and stubbornness is not natural.   God gave to each one according to their ability, and they had the means, they only had to obey.
May our eyes be opened to the riches that God has placed within us in Christ Jesus. Let us break loose of the lies and excuses that hold us back.  Let our lives be productive and multiply that what He has placed in us.

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Cultivating the Finished Work of Christ

Cultivating the Finished Work of Christ

Notes By Dr. Andre Pelser
Not DO, but DONE – Living from the completed work of Christ (Alan Platt)
It is Finished – (David Wilkerson)
The inception of our spiritual lives began the moment He said it is finished. – Mike Wood
We cannot attain righteousness without God’s inward help.
Eccl 7:20
Isa 64:6
Mat 5:20
Our righteousness is an abomination for God.
Luk 16:15
Mat 23:28
Luk 18:9
Rom 3:10
Rom 3:20
Phil 3:6
Seek and find His righteousness – Mat 6:33
It was a perfect sacrifice by a perfect person to perfect some very imperfect people. By that single offering, he did everything that needed to be done for everyone who takes part in the purifying process. –Hebrews 10:14, The Message
Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. –Romans 10:1–4
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” –Romans 1:17 Herein lies the secret of the power of the gospel; there is no good news in it until the righteousness of God is revealed! –Romans 1:17, The Mirror
Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. –Romans 5:18 The J.B. Phillips translation of Romans 5:18 reads as follows: We see, then, that as one act of sin exposed the whole race of men to God’s judgment and condemnation, so one act of perfect righteousness presents all men freely acquitted in the sight of God.
In Eden the only work Adam had to do was to cultivate the finished product of a perfect Garden and name all the animals (work from a position of rest). The names that Adam called them became theirs forever. His words had so much creative power.
When Adam sinned God drove him and Eve out of the Garden of Eden and commanded him to till the ground and earn his bread by the sweat of his brow (self effort). He had to continually make sacrifices for sins. (Genesis 2:5; 3:23)
Flesh tills the ground; spirit cultivates the finished work of Christ Jesus.
Flesh represents the works that self effort produces (not the physical body as we presume). When you try to finish what God has already finished it is called the works of the flesh. In other places in the Scriptures it is called ‘dead works’ that we have to repent of.
We are not trying to get; we have already received.
We are not trying to get there; we have already arrived.
We are not trying to get healed; we were healed 2 000 years ago already.
We are not trying to become; we are.
The very act of trying spells unbelief.
Mercy destroys sin in people’s lives.
When God planted the Garden of Eden everything was good and perfect in His sight. The fruit were pleasant in man’s sight and pleasant to eat.
The Messiah finished the transgression. He made an end of sin. Sin is no longer a problem. Daniel understood the revelation of the Messiah through reading Jeremiah’s prophecy and then Daniel prophesied: Daniel 9:23: Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
The righteousness Jesus brought into the world is everlasting righteousness – not righteousness until your next sin.
Preachers of condemnation tell you to try to get forgiven. It is too late, God already forgave us all at the cross 2 000 years ago. It is the same with healing. You were already healed.
What a glorious Gospel we have! We can only appreciate and enjoy the glory of the Gospel when we are no longer under condemnation and guilt. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who learn to walk according to the prompting of the Spirit and not the flesh. Romans 8:1-8
The spirit realm is the third dimension where things are already established and permanent. When we walk in the spirit we enjoy eternal blessings, not temporal ones. We engage in eternal things because we enjoy eternal life – now in this life, and not just in the life to come.
We don’t take communion to get healed; we are already healed. We take communion to claim Christ’s death where healing was already accomplished. When we worship God in spirit and truth we have fellowship with God and with one another and the blood of Jesus cleanse us from all sin – continually! Jesus’ blood flows through his body (the Church) just as our blood flows through our entire body.
We cultivate the finished work of Christ.
We are complete in Him. When Jesus died on the cross he announced: it is finished! He fulfilled all the requirements of the law that was against us, and wiped out the handwriting that is against us, nailing it to the cross! Colossians 2:13-15
We don’t fight for victory; we fight from a standpoint of victory. God always causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus. II Corinthians 2:14, 15
Adam named all the animals and birds in the Garden of Eden. What he said remained true forever. His words had such power. When we are in Christ Jesus our words of faith also have creative ability. The Father of our faith had to learn to speak according to what he believed. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. God told Abraham, ‘you are a father of many nations!’ Abraham believed it and started confessing it continually.
Abraham called things that did not exist as though they were – in spite of sense evidence that proved contrary. He called himself ‘father of nations’ when he and Sarah had no son. He called her, ‘mother of nations’ long before she bore Isaac (meaning laughter). Romans 4:17-24
How you hear determines how it will be given to you. When you hear the anointed Word of God it enters your spirit before it enters your mind. Your spirit illuminates your understanding. That is why we receive the engrafted Word by faith and not by reason. By faith you receive what God says, long before you understand it, and the light of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ enlightens the eyes of your understanding to see the hope of your calling, the riches of God invested in the saints and the power of God that raised Jesus from the dead that works mightily in us who believe! (Ephesians 1:17-21)
The entrance of God’s Word brings light. When God’s Word enters your spirit you see a lot of good things inside yourself. When you acknowledge the good things Christ has already done in you it stimulates your faith. You communicate your faith much better when you focus on the good things Christ has already accomplished in your life. (Philemon 6: Let the communication of your faith become more effectual by acknowledging the good things of Christ in you – Phillips Translation of the New Testament) If you focus on all the things that still have to change in your life, it makes you discouraged.
The anointing on the Word switches on the light of the Word.
When someone preaches with anointing, it switches on the light. You see the answers you were looking for. You know what to do. David said, ‘in Your light we see the light!’
In order to cultivate the finished work of Christ, we have to stay tuned to the wavelength of Grace. The moment you switch wavelengths, you lose your peace and joy and fall back into the works of the flesh. You try to obey the Law again in your own strength, instead of waiting patiently for the Lord to change things inside of you. It is a work of His grace. Every time you try to change yourself you fail, become discouraged and lose hope. The creature cannot change itself. The Creator alone can change his creatures.
You can yield yourself to God to speed up the process, though. When we worship in spirit and truth, God does so much inside of us that we do not even notice. When we have fellowship with God and with one another, God affects the changes and brings the cure we so desperately need. Then no man can get the glory except God. He does the work we cannot do. He does it by the power of His Spirit. It is not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord. It is a Spirit of grace and supplication. He graciously makes supplication for us. He intercedes for us, because we don’t really know how to pray. Therefore everything works together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:26-28)
So if God closes a door it is because He is about to open a more effectual door. When God ends one relationship, He is already preparing a better relationship. God only has good things in store for us. He is our loving heavenly Father. Jesus paid the price to reconcile us with Him. The more we love Jesus the less we sin. To whom much has been forgiven, loves much. We love Him because He first loves us.
Love is a grace frequency.
Our faith works through love (Galatians 5:6). When we distort the grace of God and frustrate it in our lives, we feel unloved and deserted by God. Then we feel sorry for ourselves and throw a pity party. The grace is still there, but we have moved positions. We have changed frequency.
God’s grace is sufficient for us – He supplies all our needs. He has already provided everything we need to live a godly life in Christ Jesus. He gave it together with His own son that He sacrificed for our sins. It is already done. We need to cultivate the habit of glorifying God for what Christ has already accomplished for us.
 

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Made for His Presence

Made for His Presence

100_2331 (Small)
WORD WEALTH
60:1 glory, chabod (kah-vohd); Strong’s #3519: Weightiness; that which is substantial or heavy; glory, honor, splendor, power, wealth, authority, magnificence, fame, dignity, riches, and excellency. The root of chabod is chabad, “to be heavy, glorious, notable,” or “to be renowned.” In the OT, “heaviness” represented honor and substance, while “lightness” was equated with vanity, instability, temporariness, and emptiness (see Judg. 9:4; Zeph. 3:4). Chabod is God’s glory, not only His honor, renown, and majesty, but also His visible splendor, which filled Solomon’s temple and will someday fill the Earth (1 Kin. 8:11; Num. 14:21). From chabod are derived the names “Jochebed” (“Yahweh Is Glory”) and Ichabod (“Where Is the Glory?”). Hayford, J. W. (Ed.). (1997). Spirit filled life study Bible (electronic ed., Is 59:21). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
We have all been in a meeting where you suddenly feel a presence, a heaviness as God manifest His presence to our senses. This experience is God’s manifested presence, where He allow us to feel Him through our senses. On the other hand, God is omnipresent. Everything has been created through Him, and for Him. Colossians 1:17 But God cannot be contained in Creation Deuteronomy 4:39 Nor can He be contained in our Cathedrals and Church Buildings. 1 Kgs 8:27; 2 Chr 2:6; Ps 139; Isa 66:1. He Holds everything created together by His Word. Ps. 33:6; John 1:3; 2 Pet. 3:5.
GOD IS ALWAYS PRESENT
This truth is a sobering realization. God is always present, and He is always there. The fact that you do not feel him or sense Him, does not mean He is not there. Jacob also did not initially recognize God’s Presence. Genesis 28:16 When Adam & Eve sinned, God knew yet He continued to come and meet them in the evening as usual. The fact is, they moved. This is the reason why God asked: “Adam where are you?” God has not moved, sin moved man away. Asking the question: “Where is God?” is like asking where is the Earth? Or “Where is the Sun?”? The fact that you haven’t seen the earth from a satellite or spaceship perspective does not mean it is not there. God is the suffering God, that although not bound or contained by Creation, allow Himself to feel the groanings of Creation. Rom 8:21
THE BIBLE IS A COMPILATION OF ENCOUNTER STORIES BETWEEN GOD & MAN
The Bible is man’s narrative with a God that is present, and the different ways He makes Himself known to man.  We were made for His presence, Gen 1:24; 28. His presence is the homecoming all mankind is seeking.  In His presence we find ourselves, we get healed and restored, and we find real peace.  In His presence, we find rest for our souls.  Man’s strange attraction to psychedelic drugs is a clear sign of our inward desire to be raptured to a place of peace and rest. The word Shekinah Glory has this meaning to be raptured into a state of ecstasy.
Gen 3:21 God slaughtered the first kind of sacrifice by killing an innocent animal to make clothes covering their sin/shamed/nakedness. Even right here at the opening of the Story, God shows his heart and intent of one day slaughtering His own Son for our sins.
FAITH IS AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT
Why was Cain’s gift not excepted? What’s wrong with you? Why do you look so angry? If you had done the right thing, you would be smiling. But you did the wrong thing, and now sin is waiting to attack you like a lion. Sin wants to destroy you, but don’t let it!”
Genesis 4:6-7 CEV What did he do wrong? By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain Heb 11:4 By Faith Abel saw or understood that God wanted the Firstfruits of his herd, slaughtered. God is not impressed with what we can do for Him, He wants to do great things through us, if we are willing to listen and obey. Cain trusted in his own ability and wanted to show-off! Abel obeyed what he heard in His heart.
From hear on the Bible story continues and we see individual appearances and encounters.
Ex. 3:5 – God appearing to Moses – Holy Ground
Exo 33:15-16  Moses see God face to face.
Exo 40:34-40 – The fire column at night and the cloud in the day. The moved after the presence
Moses – Exodus 40:34–35 – cloud filled the Temple – Salomon – 2 Chron. 5:13–14
As the Story unfold God’s intend is becoming clearer.
Lev. 26:12 God wants to walk among His people.
Ex. 25:8–9 – God’s presence located in the temple.
1 Chron 13 – Uzza dies trying to save the Ark from falling. In Verse 1 David’s mistakes is made evident. He consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader… After the tragedy he too had to first consult God, on the procedure. 12 David was afraid of God that day, saying, “How can I bring the ark of God to me?”  In 1 Chron 15:2 David consulted God’s Word on instructions how to move the Ark.  Man’s effort to try to contain or control God’s presence become withcraft! No one method works every time. We need to get to know God, find out what He wants, and then by faith obey. This is why Jesus never did any miracle in the same way. There is no methods. There is no “Glory” recipe. God will not allow us to demand and control Him. Sometimes people begin to worship the method. Worship the temple. Worship the worship! God is a relational God. Our sacrifices and worship become unbearable for Him to listen to because there is no faith and no heart in it.
1 Sam. 4:21 – Ichabod – Eventually the glory departed
The Prophets prophesied what is to come – Ezek. 47:9; Ezek. 37:26–28
1Ki 8:27 pp 2Ch 6:18 See also 2Ch 2:6; Isa 66:2-3 God never wanted our buildings, He wanted to live in a man and a woman, whose heart is upright and contrite.
JESUS became the full manifestation of His presence – Kingdom is near.
John 1:1–4, 14 – Jesus became God’s presence in the flesh (Matt. 1:22–23; cf. Isa. 7:14) “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world” (John 17:24).
Jesus bought us the right to passage by a new and living way.  To enter with boldness. Heb 4:14-26 & Heb 10:19-21.
Acts 2:1-2 Poured out on all flesh
It is to your advantage that I go John 16:6-10
The Baptism of the HS is the final part of the process where God finally finds his Earthly habitation in His people!
The presence lives in us:
–1 Corinthians 3:16; 1Corinthians 6:19 (we are God’s habitation)
David longed for this reality – Ps 27:4
God’s glory revealed through the church
2Co 3:18 See also Eph 1:12; 3:21; 1Pe 4:14;
Especially when we operate in the gifts of the Spirit – 1Co 14:25
Indwelling habitation
Jn 14:18; Eph 2:22; 1Jn 3:24
By the Spirit we see Him, like John – the revelation of Jesus
–Revelation 1:16–18 (awesomeness of the one who was John’s close personal friend)
In Death we will be unshackled totally from sin to be eternally in His presence.
–Psalm 23:4 (God with us is reason not to fear)
–Revelation 21:3–4 (dwelling in the presence)
Matt 18:20 – when two or three are gathered in His name (corporate Presence)
Encounters are the introduction to His person, like Paul on the road to Damascus Acts 9. We should all have some kind of encounter with God, where He becomes a reality to you. This is the basis of Apostolic Ministry: we have seen Him with our own eyes 1 Joh 1:1-2.  But this encounter or visitation is for the intend to dwell, find a home in us. “If you search for His visitation you miss His Habitation” JHK
“To have found God and still to pursue Him is the souls paradox of Love.” Todd Atkins
The greatest gift we can give someone is your presence. Be there for them. This is why we do not want to give Christmas Gifts to the Children at Riverview at the end of the year anymore. They need your presence. We give them meals every day, but they need a caring teacher who knows them.
In the Church, this presence does not have to be physical only. “For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit” 1 Cor 5:3 We have a presence in one another together as a body. This UNITY is a great mystery and wonderful revelation. Col 1:27 Christ in / Among you the hope of Glory.
 

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Getting to the root of racism and pulling it out.

Getting to the root of racism and pulling it out

Truth is Balanced.  For us to truly prosper is not the absence of problems. True prosperity is determined by how your soul prospers in the midst of trials and persecution.  The Message of the Gospel contains many opposites and paradox.

We see the unseen. We subdue by submitting. We win by losing. We are made grand by making ourselves little. We come in first by becoming last. We are honored by being humble. We fill up with God by emptying out ourselves. We become wise by being fools. We possess all things by having nothing. We wax strong by being weak. We find life by losing ourselves in others. We live by dying. Leonard Sweet, Beautiful.

The same applies to the Race issue. God has set boundaries for Nations, yet He wants us to respect and love all mankind, showing no partiality as if there is no boundaries.  He divided the languages at Babel, yet wants us to find a Divine Love language in Christ.  We need to overcome our race issues because there is ONE heaven, ONE Father to us all in Christ.

In an interview with Neels Jackson, the infamous Beyers Naudes says the following: “Ek hóóp ek het ’n boodskap,” sê hy en praat dan met dieselfde drif wat ek oor jare leer ken het. “Dis absoluut noodsaaklik dat ons leer om saam te leef, om mekaar te verdra – ook mense van verskillende godsdienste. Ons moet leer om met liefde en toegeneentheid saam te leef met mense en godsdienste wat geweldig van ons verskil,” sê hy. “Ook verskillende kleure,” voeg tannie Ilse by. Oom Bey beaam dit. “Ek kan nie sien waarom dit nie kan gebeur nie. Die Woord van God sê julle moet mekaar liefhê en verstaan en vergewe,” en hy beklemtoon dat dit teenoor álle mense geld, nie net teenoor Christene nie. Die Here het dit ook nie só bedoel dat die rykes ryker word, terwyl die armes armer word nie. Almal moet hande vat en kyk hoe hulle ’n regverdiger bedeling kan bewerkstellig. Excerpt From: “Ek kies steeds die kerk” by Neels Jackson. Scribd.

Most people have an immediate defensive reaction when they hear the word racism, or touching the wealth issue.  The fact that some become immediately emotional and defensive is a dead give away.  The truth is: we all have certain prejudices and pre-conceived ideas. Belief systems based on a subjective one-sided perspective of the truth.  These prejudices are also mostly subconscious.

Malcolm Gladwell’s book Blink provides an anecdotal account of how split-second decisions called “rapid cognition” or “thin-slicing” assist us in decision making. Gladwell distinguishes this type of rapid cognition from intuition, which he claims has a more emotional source. Rapid cognition is a distinctly rational process, a thinking process that moves a little faster than ordinary conscious and deliberate decision-making. One of the most interesting parts of the book deals with first impressions about race, particularly those that happen at a subconscious level. In the chapter entitled “The Warren Harding Error: Why We Fall for Dark, Handsome Men,” Gladwell describes the Implicit Association Test (IAT). The IAT, developed by Anthony G. Greenwald, Mahzarin Banaji and Brian Nosek, measures a person’s attitude on an unconscious level and the immediate, and automatic associations a person makes before that person has time to think. The IAT test is designed to examine automatic associations with race. A tested individual is timed to see how quickly they associate categories of good and bad adjectives with black and white faces. The test results reveal that the 80% of Americans more quickly pair words like “love, peace” and “joy” with white faces and words like “terrible, evil” and “failure” with black faces. The level of difference is a matter of microseconds, yet is still statistically significant. What the IAT most significantly reveals is that unconscious attitudes and the behaviors which those attitudes give rise to may be completely incompatible with a person’s conscious values. Even those who consider themselves very enlightened in matters of race still overwhelmingly tend to have an implicit preference for whites.  https://everydaythomist.wordpress.com/2010/01/25/what-malcolm-gladwells-blink-teaches-about-virtue/

Let us all thus reverently allow the Holy Spirit and the Word to convict us of the division and alienation in us we do not see ourselves. Be our mirror Lord, show us the spots in our feasts. Study 1 Cor 11:17-34Ecclesiastes 7: 10 Don’t always be asking, “Where are the good old days?” Wise folks don’t ask questions like that. “Moenie sê: “Waarom was die ou dae beter as die huidige?” nie. Dit is nie uit wysheid dat jy daaroor vra nie. PREDIKER‬ 7:10‬ NLV‬‬ It is common for people to romanticize the old days, and consequently skip the responsibility of doing what is right in the present. Racism is relevant in every age. People will continue to offend another even without knowing it, because we do not see another in the spirit. It is in reality part of our sinful nature. See Mike Woods notes on sin = missing the mark. In other words “mistaken identity”. Mistaken identity is a ‘seeing’ problem. Eventually, you will mistake the character of everything around you. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single (whole), thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil (disease), thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness Mat 6:22-23 David’s brothers did not see him in the spirit, Joseph’s brothers tried to kill him, the Jews did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Prejudice is an ancient human problem. ‬‬There is not a race in this world that does not have some embedded prejudices against a particular group.
Racism is taught. Racism is a faulty false belief system. nelson-mandela-quote
Scientifically, humanity is comprised of exactly one race. Although the world has different ethnicities, geographies, citizenships, and cultures, all human beings are nearly identical genetically. The genetic differences that reflect variation in physical appearance across all humankind involve 0.01% of our genes. And all humans are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), brought to life by His breath (Genesis 2:7), and imbued with an immaterial and immortal soul.
All men have the same struggle with Sin. Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God therefor God’s heart is for all to be saved. Yet God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:4. No Racial group in the world is free from jealousy, rage, contempt, offense, resentment and hatred. We all have a common struggle with sinfulness.
According to an article by Institute of Relations in South Africa, our tolerance of different races are actually sound. Click Here to Read Article. The Media and specific parties are painting a gloomy picture of South Africa’s rainbow nation.  The professional culture of the workplace demands tolerance and acceptance. Out quest of survival seems to surpass our need for separation.  Like the openly racist farmer who invited the black business man for supper, when the price for selling his farm was agreed.
Unfortunately, the most prominent places on earth where racism is most evident is often the most Christianized areas. The struggle I believe for most Christians is to remain holy and pure, while reaching and loving the lost, broken and dirty. Usually, we either become so holy we hardly ever see anyone get saved, or we try so hard to win the lost that we begin to compromise biblical values. Loving God and loving people!
God was clear in His rules to the Israelites regarding those from different nations. In Deuteronomy 10:17-18, Moses asserts God’s love of the foreigner and then exhorts the Israelites to love them as well (verse 19). God did make a distinction between aliens who desired to follow Him and/or blessed His people and those who didn’t. In 1 Kings 8:41-43, Solomon acknowledges that immigrants will pray to God, and God will hear them. Nations that respected God’s will were to be blessed (Genesis 12:2-3). However, nations that practiced widespread child sacrifice and temple prostitution were to be destroyed (Deuteronomy 20:17-18). The call for separation was not a racial issue. It was God protecting His people from sinful influences. We should never abandon the great commission.
He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation. Acts 17:26 God gave the boundaries, and we ARE different, WE ARE NOT INSTRUCTED TO BECOME COLORBLIND, BUT COLOR SHOULD NOT EFFECT THE WAY WE TREAT/FAVOR/LOVE PEOPLE. Opening his mouth, Peter said: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation, the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. Acts 10:34-35
The Greek word “prosopolemptes” literally means ‘a receptor of the face or person’. It is part of a larger group of similar words which combine to form an idiom which refers to the principle of non-discrimination, one being not a respecter of persons, and the like. Jesus applied this principle very clearly in his interactions with the Samaritans and His teaching on the subject, to even love your enemies. (Luk 6:27-36) Jesus underlines God’s mercy on Heathen (Luke 4:26-27) He rebukes the disciples when they want to pray for God’s judgment on a town that would not receive them. (Luk 9:51-56) The story of the good Samaritan also deals with religious prejudices. (Luk 10:33)
Is it not an interesting fact that the gifts of the Spirit are much more evident in the mission context than ministering to those within your family or social circle? More people get healed in the outreach mission context than in the local church. “Go and make contact” (Mat 28:19) and treat every person with respect. (1 Pet 2:17)
NO PARTIALITY WITH GOD
Romans 2:11 For there is no partiality with God.  1 Timothy 5:21 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, DOING NOTHING IN A SPIRIT OF PARTIALITY.
NO DISTINCTION MADE AN ACCOUNT OF YOUR EARNINGS
Proverbs 22:2 The RICH AND THE POOR have a common bond, The LORD is the maker of them all. No partiality according to salary level: John 13:16 “Truly, truly, I say to you, A SLAVE IS NOT GREATER THAN HIS MASTER, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. From prison, Paul wrote to a friend whose slave had run away, had met Paul, and had come to faith. Paul appealed to his friend on the basis of their relationship to welcome the slave back not as a slave but as a brother. He offered to repay any loss from his own pocket. The letter survives in the New Testament as the book of “Philemon” and is a touching example of a dedicated believer seeking to motivate a slaveholder internally to change his attitudes and behavior. Philemon 1-25. The point is clear, do not treat rich people differently because they are rich, the same applies to the poor. Treat everyone the same – LOVE THEM!
At this moment Social Integration is a National Government drive.  Should it not be the church leading society towards what is right? See these drone photos taken of areas in the Western Cape showing the segregation and division made between the rich and the poor.  This is certainly a worldwide phenomenon, and not a Western Cape issue.  Click Here to View Photos  This division is justified, for economic reasons. But when God looks at it, what are we preaching to the World?
SHOW NO PERSONAL FAVORITISM
James 2:1 My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. James 2:2-4 For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives?
NO NATIONAL CULTURAL FAVORITISM
Romans 10:12-13 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” See  Colossians 3:11
NO PARTIALITY ACCORDING TO TITLE AND POSITION:
Matthew 23:8 “But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers.
NO GENDER INEQUALITY
Galatians 3:28
EQUAL RIGHT TO INCOME:
1 Samuel 30:24 “And who will listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down to the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage; they shall share alike.”
Ephesians 6:9 And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
THE UNITING FACTOR IS OUR FAITH IN CHRIST.
Jesus openly showed a bias to this women. See the story of Racial Slurs of Jesus towards the Syrophoenician Woman Mark 7:24-37 Apparently she is “a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia” — a Gentile considered to be spiritually and racially inferior to a Jew. The story of Jesus’ encounter with the Syro-Phoenician woman illustrates the way that none of us can come out of a broken society unscathed by its deceptions and injustices. We had no control over the race, social class, into which we were born, but moral choice enters the picture at the moment that we are confronted by the people whose humanity we have overlooked. This story is balanced with the story In John 4, He had a long conversation with a Samaritan woman, although the Samaritans were an ethnic group the Jews despised.  It is her faith that saved these women.  I find that amongst all kind of churches and ministries, this to be the ONE uniting factor above all. Many proclaim Christ, but they show no faith through their actions.  Call it a frequency, a way of speaking and living, but you cannot hide real faith! it is in the open, and it challenges you, to either reject or get doing the Word too.
GROW IN TOLERANCE
We all need the grow in Tolerance.  Disunity is a sign of our immaturity.  Mature children or people have no problem playing with small children.  But children fighting amongst themselves are usually only because of this lack of maturity and godly character. Grow up in wisdom on how to handle each person differently (Jud 22-23) Overcome evil with good. (Rom 12:21) And look after your witness among the people. (Jam 3:13) And let your conduct be honorable among the Gentiles. (1 Pet 2:12)
NO RIGHT TO SEPARATE
As a Christian you are not alone, and cannot operate in isolation, you are part of a family. Your suffering and honor have an effect on the people around you. (1 Cor 12:26) Paul kept himself blameless not to have preached to others and he himself is disqualified. (1 Cor 9:27) There are different vessels in house, some for glory, some for dishonour. Paul instructs us to cleanse ourselves from the latter to all become vessels of honour. (2 Tim 2:20-21) Like in any family, the conduct of one member has an effect on the others. The actions of white believers have an effect on our black brothers in the squatter camp close by. What the labor force do in town, has an effect on the Farm’s productivity.
God sees us as a whole, and whether we acknowledge the diversity or not, our lives affect each other. We need each other!
UNITED ONLY UNDER HEADSHIP OF CHRIST
Equality is only possible IN CHRIST! The biggest divide in Humanity is different Values.  Pursuing Christlike values and character is the best way to live life.
In Christ we possess His nature and the fruit of the Holy Spirit. This unity is already established for us in Christ. We do not have to fight for it or seek it. We are taught to protect and maintain this Divine Unity though, (Eph 4:1-4). Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
The former Minister of defense during the Apartheid era has begun a journey of reconciliation. First his confessions before the Truth & Reconciliation Committee, then God spoke to Him to wash Frank Shikane’s feet, the President of the AFM Africa church. Later he would also wash the feet of some victims in Mamelodi. He discovered the root of Apartheid being, that he loved himself more than he loved his neighbor.

Vlok sê hy het God toegelaat om hom te lei. Hy was nie self regstreeks betrokke by die dood van dié vroue se geliefdes nie, maar hy het hom afgevra wat die grondliggende sonde van apartheid was. Hy het tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat dit is dat hy homself baie meer liefgehad het as sy naaste. Dit het gegroei tot trots, die gedagte dat jy beter as “hulle” is.  Excerpt From: “Ek kies steeds die kerk” by Neels Jackson. Scribd.

Lastly, who helped Jesus carry his cross, in the end when he could no longer carry it?  Simon of Cyrene, most likely was a black man. What we do know about Simon called Niger is his name.  Simon is a Jewish name and Niger comes from the Latin word for “black”.  Research shows that Simon of Cyrene was from a country in ancient northern Africa (bordering Egypt) called Libya.
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Love, the way Jesus loved.

Love the way Jesus loved

He gave His Life – Mt 20:28; Joh 10:15; Joh 15:13; 1John 3:16
He did good – Acts 10:38
He showed compassion – Mat 9:36; 14:14; 15:32; 20:34; Mark 1:41; Luk 7:13; 10:33; 15:20; 1 Pet 3:8
He did not came to Judge – Joh 3:17; Joh 8:11; Joh 12:47
Do Not judge by appearance Joh 7:24
Love will cover a multitude of sins 1Pet 4:8
Jesus looked at him, loved him… Mark 10:21
Love of the Spirit Rom 15:30
Faith working out in love Gal 5:6
Law of Christ… Bear another’s burden Gal 6:2
Keep yourself in the Love of God Jude 1:21-23

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Thriving in Babylon – Wisdom

Thriving in Babylon - Wisdom

Ons lewe in die era van informasie: Nog nooit was soveel inligting binne bereik van die gewone mens op straat nie, tog blyk dit dat inligting nie mense moreel beter maak nie. Net so min as die inligting op ’n sigaret pakkie jou gaan laat ophou rook, net so min gaan inligting jou ‘n beter mens maak. Wanneer jy die inligting egter begin toepas, dan verander alles.  Self die wyse Salomo het verstaan dat die versamel van inligting en kennis ‘n gejaag na wind is.  Eccl 1:15-18 15Daar is soveel dinge wat verkeerd is wat nie reggemaak kan word nie en daar is soveel dinge wat kortkom dat ’n mens nie alles kan tel nie. 16Ek het gedink ek het meer kennis as al die ander wat voor my oor Jerusalem geregeer het omdat my wye ervaring gelei het tot groter kennis en insig. 17Maar toe ek my daarop toelê om uit te vind wat die verskil tussen kennis en insig aan die een kant en dwaasheid en onverstandigheid aan die ander kant is, het ek tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat so ’n ondersoek ook net so min beteken as om agter die wind aan te hardloop—18hoe meer kennis ’n mens het, hoe meer probleme het jy; hoe meer ’n mens weet, hoe meer hartseer bring dit vir jou.
 ‘n baie geleerde man wou my eendag kom sien. Sy woorde na ‘n lang gesprek het my getref: “I have exhausted my intellect and cannot seem to find real peace” Later sou hy eenvoudig bely en erken dat hy glo dat Jesus werklik is. Sy lewe het in ‘n oomblik verander, en hy het Vrede gekry. “Die wysheid van die slimste mens maak Ek tot niet en die geleerdste mens se begrip tel by My niks.” 20Maar wat dan van die kenners en die geleerdes, die navorsers? God het reeds bewys dat die wysheid van mense in hierdie wêreld onsin is. 21God het deur sy wysheid dit so bepaal dat mense Hom nooit werklik sou leer ken deur hulle menslike kennis nie. Maar nou kom God en red almal wat sy boodskap glo (1 Cor 1:19-21)
Die wysheid wat Daniel dus besit het, was nie bloot sterk verstandelike vermoëns nie. Sy wysheid was gesetel in wie hy geken het.
Wisdom is a Person.  All true wisdom comes from God, He is the source of all true wisdom.  Daarom word ons verplig om tot God te nader om wysheid by Hom te bekom. James 1:5-6 Your proximity to the source of wisdom will determine the measure of Godly wisdom you will possess.
Wisdom is having the mind of God. The more you think like God, the more you will act like God.  Daarom moet ons ons denke laat vernuwe. Rom 12:1 Sy gedagtes is nie ons gedagtes nie. Isa 55:8  Hoe meer jy tyd in die Woord spandeer, (Col 3:16) en lewe gevul deur die Heilige Gees (Eph 5:18) en wandel in dit wat Hy jou leer (Gal 5:16) hoe meer sal jy wys raak in die kennis van God. (Eph 4:13; 2 Pet 3:18)
Wisdom is godly Discernment: 1 Kings 3:12 Meer as ooit het ons nodig om die regte tye te onderskei, (Mat 16:3) om die motiewe van mense se harte te onderskei, (Heb 4:12) en tussen wat reg en verkeerd is. (Heb 5:14)
Wisdom is godly perspective: Ons kan nie altyd verhelp wat mens ons gebeur nie, maar ons kan sorg dat ons die regte perspektief behou.  Een sien die glas half-vol, en die ander half-leeg. Dit hang net af van jou perspektief.  Ons sien in Daniel se lewe, dat hy elke situasie hanteer het met ‘n goddelike perspektief, gesetel in Sy geloof en vertroue in God.  Wanneer jy God in ‘n situasie sien, sien jy die situasie gans anders.
Wisdom is applied knowledge learned through a lifestyle of obedience. Ps 111:10 the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  Jesus is our example in this. Heb 5:8  Jesus het gehoorsaamheid geleer deur die dinge wat Hy gelei het.  Dit kon nie maklik wees om die eerste 30jr van sy lewe eers aan aardse ouers gehoorsaam te moes wees nie.
Dis merkwaardig om te sien hoeveel keer daar in die boek Daniel melding gemaak word van sy besondere wysheid.  Daarom is dit die vierde les, in ons reeks hoe om te floreer in Babilon.  Elke vers wat sy wysheid beskryf, gee ons ‘n dieper insig in hoe hierdie wysheid in hom gewerk het.
Daniel: since a young boy “gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand” Dan 1:4 teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans v4b
Sy wysheid was ‘n geskenk.  Ek was 14jr oud toe ‘n jong profeet sy hande op my gelê het; “Van die dag af, sal daar nie ‘n dag verby gaan waar God self deur die HG jou nie iets nuuts gaan leer nie, as jy bereid is om te luister” Ek moes in die geloof hierdie woord en profesie glo.  Dit is dan ook die getuienis van my lewe van ‘n jong ouderdom, my wysheid en insig bo my jare. Dis nie omdat ek iets wonderlik is nie, maar iemand wonderlik het aan my geraak.  So ontvang ons God se Wysheid as ‘n geskenk in Christus. Toe ons Jesus ontvang toe ontvang ons Sy wysheid. (1 Cor 2:16) Hierdie wysheid was IN hom. Sien die woord “possess”.  Hy was nog te jonk dat kennis sou kom deur jare se studies. Die kennis was in hom.  Hy was vinnig van begrip. Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established (Prov 24:3) ‘n kind wat ‘n les in die klas verstaan, hoef nie so hard te gaan leer nie. As jy iets verstaan, is dit joune.
Dan 1:17 God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom
So baie mense hou nie van lees nie.  Deur boeke kan jy baie lande en plekke besoek sonder om die binnekant van jou huis te verlaat.  Lees egter nie net om inligting te versamel nie, maar om by die “hoe” uit te kom.  Deur dit wat jy gelees het oor te vertel, maak jy dit joune.
Dan 1:20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm  Van my vriende het al opgemerk dat ek met iemand byna oor enigiets kan gesels. Dis wat iemand soos Billy Graham so ‘n gesogte spreker gemaak het, “he was well-read” oor byne enige onderwerp.  Die Heilige Gees is die Gees van waarheid en wysheid.  Wie kan met Hom vergelyk.  Iemand wat sy wysheid van God verkry, oortref die kortsigtige wysheid van mense.
Dan 2:14 Then with counsel and wisdom Daniel answered Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard.  Daniel then got his friends to pray with Him, and sought God the answer to the Kings demand.  Where there is no counsel, the people fall But in the multitude of counselors there is safety. Pro 11:14 Daniel het nie op sy eie insigte staan gemaak nie. Hy het op sy vriende staat gemaak om saam met hom te bid.
Dan 4:18 since all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, for the Spirit of the Holy God is in you.” Dan 5:11-12 There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God. And in the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel,
Hierdie 2 skrifgedeeltes is so mooi! Dit lig die kern en bron van Daniel se wysheid duidelik uit. Die Gees van die lewende God is IN hom!  Een van die vrugte van die Heilige Gees is dan ook ‘n “Sound mind”! , 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind (Eph 4:23) Hierdie wysheid bring LIG! Dit maak dinge duidelik en bring orde.  Met lig kan jy sien wat jy doen.  So werk goddelike wysheid dis prakties! Dis uit hierdie lig waar sy “excellence” vandaan kom. Perfeksionisme verhoog die status en waarde van dinge bo die waarde van mense.  Dis ‘n vorm van afgodery! Maar om ‘n voortreflike gees te hê, dui eenvoudig op akkuraatheid. Doen dit reg die eerste keer.  Dan 5:14 I have heard of you, that the Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you Dan 6:3 Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him Laastens: Daniel se wysheid was nie net gefokus op aardse dinge nie. Inteendeel, die helfte van sy boek handel oor sy drome.  Sy wysheid was dus geestelik van aard.  Hy het die geesteswêreld verstaan.  Bid vir reën in die tyd van reën. (Sag 10:1) Julle kan die weer voorspel as julle na die tekens in die lug kyk, maar julle kan die tekens wat vir julle wys wie nou hier by julle is nie verstaan nie! Mat 16:3 Jesus bestraf Petrus: “Jy dink die dinge van ‘n mens” (Mat 16:23)
Al hierdie eienskappe van wysheid is vir jou beskikbaar in Christus Jesus ons Here.  Hy wil dieselfde wysheid ook deur jou werk.  Ek is wys deur wysheid van Christus is my!
For Further Study:
Pr 1:7-10
Pr 2:10-16
Pr 3:1-6
Pr 4:20-27
Pr 5:1-7
Pr 6:20-23

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Thriving in Babylon – Hope

Daar word gesê dat ‘n mens tot 40 dae sonder kos, 7 dae sonder water, 4 minute sonder suurstof kan leef, maar nie een sekonde sonder hoop nie.  As ons hoop verloor, word ons soos robotte wat net take verrig dag in en dag uit, sonder ʼn toekoms.  Die realiteit is dat ons hoop die afgelope tyd onder aanslag is.  Die ekonomiese krisis, stygende kostes van elektrisiteit, brandstof en voedsel maak ons depressief, en laat ons met min hoop oor ʼn beter toekoms.  As ’n mens lank uitsien na iets en dit gebeur nie, maak dit jou moedeloos, maar as ’n mens se begeerte vervul word, gee dit jou nuwe moed. (Prov 13:12 LB) Verskeie kwessies in ons dorpe maak ons nog verder moedeloos en baie mense is besig om hoop te verloor.  Deur die lewe en mense se oortredinge teenoor ons, word ons verwond. Sonder hoop word die wond septies en trek allerhande bakteria, vlieë en siektes. Hoop is ’n geestelike teengif en buffer teen demoniese infestasie.
Ons is mense van hoop: handdoek ingooi is nie ʼn opsie nie! Toe een van ons boere in ons gemeenskap ʼn paar jaar gelede geweldige brandskade op sy plaas gehad het, moes ek gaan om hom te bemoedig.  Ek het eerlikwaar nie geweet wat om te sê nie. Toe sê die Here vir my: “There is a difference between giving up and letting go.”  Om op te gee is nie ʼn opsie nie, maar soms moet ons dinge oorgee af afgee, om staande te kan bly.  Dit het vir die boer en sy vrou hoop gegee, dat alles nie tot niet is nie.
Ons kan nie toelaat dat afbrekende woorde en ʼn negatiewe ingesteltheid ons siel en gees besmet nie.  Jesus self in ons is ons hoop. (Col 1:27) As kinders van die Here het ons, ons hoop gevind in dit wat nie geskud en vernietig kan word nie, naamlik ons verhouding met Jesus Christus.  (Ps 39:7) HOOP het in ons hart kom woon, en ons beleef nou Sy vrede en vreugde in die Heilige Gees, ten spyte van ons omstandighede.  (Rom 14:17)
Moeilike omstandighede en krisisse ontbloot die waarheid van ons hart, waarin is ons hoop gevestig?  Is ons sekuriteit in ons besittings, posisies, kontantvloei, en voorspoed?  Of is ons sekuriteit Jesus en Jesus alleen?  Jesus Christus is ons ewige onwankelbare HOOP!
Hoop is ‘n persoon, sy naam is Jesus.  Daniel was ‘n man van hoop, omdat hy die Here persoonlik op Sy woord gevat het.  (Dan 1:8) Hy moes self sy geloof in God toets. Jy kan nie op iemand anders se hoop lewe nie. Alhoewel Daniel heelwaarskynlik nie in ‘n Godsdienstige tyd groot geword het agv Israel se afvalligheid nie. Tog het Daniel die dieet van sy voorvaders onthou, en homself voorgeneem om homself nie te besoedel met die lekkernye van die Koning se tafel nie. Hy moes uit ervaring geleer het, dat die Bybelse Dieet beter resultate lewer.  Uit Sy voorneme neem hy ‘n geloofaksie en die Here beloon sy geloof deurdat hulle guns kry by sy leermeesters. Elke keer as die koning hulle raad gevra het oor ’n saak waarvoor daar insig en begrip nodig was, het hy gevind dat hulle tien maal meer weet as al die towenaars en fortuinvertellers in sy ryk. (Dan 1:20)
Bybelse hoop lê in ‘n verhouding, ‘n pad saam stap, ervarings en verlossingsdade wat deel raak van ons Storie met God.  Dit gee vir ons wat na God toe gevlug het om gered te word die moed om vas te hou aan wat Hy beloof het. 19Om so op God te vertrou, is vir ons lewens ’n anker wat vas en seker is, want dit verbind ons aan God self (Heb 6:18-19)
Vanuit hierdie verhouding met God, het Daniel met God ’n daaglikse pad gestap, Dan 6:10. Hy het altyd eers na die Here toe gegaan. (Dan 2:14–23) en gesien hoe die Here wonderdade verrig soos om die bekke van die leeus te sluit. (Dan 6:21). Hierdie pelgrims reis met die Here het sy geloof en hoop in God verder en verder versterk.
Sy hoop was egter nie net in ervarings met God nie, hy het die Skrifte gereeld ondersoek en op die woord van die profeet Jeremia afgekom dat die Ballingskap net 70 jr gaan duur. (2 Chr. 36:21; Ezra 1:1; Jer. 25:11, 12; 29:10; Zech. 7:5)
Toe het hy homself voorgeneem om die Woord te bid. (Dan 9:2-3) Op hierdie tydstip was die Koninkryk van Babel in geen gevaar nie en die stad ondeurdringbaar.  In die fisiese omstandighede blyk dit eers dat niks verander nie, maar God het hom ontmoet, en die engel Gabriël het aan hom verskyn en hom versterk.  (Dan 9:20) Uiteindelik vervul die Here Sy woord aan Kores, die Persiese heerser en bring Babilon tot ‘n val in een dag! (Isa 45:1-7) The great test was Babylon with its massive walls and its prestige of centuries of rule. It was particularly impregnable because of the vast area within the walls where food could be stored and even produced, because of its great wealth, and because of the Euphrates River which flowed through the city. Cyrus is said to have stationed a portion of his army at the place where the river entered the city and another where it left. The rest of the army deepened the canals in the Euphrates Valley and diverted the river temporarily. In October, 539 b.c., the army marched in by way of the river bed under the leadership of Gobryas (Akkad. Ugbaru), who died a week later (ANET, p. 306).[1]
Die Here verlos uiteindelik sy kinders uit die hand van die Babiloniërs, en word hulle onder die regering van die Perse, toegelaat om hulle tempel (Esra) en die stadsmure (Nehemia) te herbou.  Daniel is dus vir ons ‘n voorbeeld deurdat hy enduit, (60jr) of langer sy Hoop en geloof uitgeleef het.  Regerings kom en gaan, bose heersers staan op en kom tot ‘n val, die geskiedenis van tyd leer ons dat God Ewig is, en ’n waarmaker is van Sy Woord.
[1] Dayton, W. T. (1975). Cyrus. In C. F. Pfeiffer, H. F. Vos, & J. Rea (Eds.), The Wycliffe Bible
Encyclopedia. Moody Press.