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Tag: balance
God intended family since the beginning. God made Adam and saw that he was alone, and needed a helpmate. He made Eve. Then they had children, obeying the first command to multiply and fill the earth. (Gen 1:28) This rule of multiplication is currently the primary method how Islam is intending to conquer the world. They do not integrate, learn the language, abandon their traditions and clothing. Yet they are now residing over the world, and expanding through population growth percentage of 3.1 children per family against the 2.1 rate of Europe and America. See the following article on this subject: http://brie-hoffman.hubpages.com/hub/Muslim-World-how-muslims-will-take-over-the-world-via-population-growth Although this may be true, originally God’s intention is to cover the earth with His Glory, through godly and righteous families.
The first family serves as an example of the struggles of family too. When Adam’s children sacrificed to God, Abel’s sacrifice was approved but not Cain’s. He murdered his brother out of jealousy, anger and offense. (Gen 4:5-6) God’s answer to Cain is interesting: (v7) “If you do well, will you not be accepted? If you do not do well, sin crouches at your door, its desire is for you, but you must master it.” Cain’s heart was exposed by God rejection of his sacrifice. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen 4:9) God is not interested in our sacrifices, but our mercy, readiness to help those who are in trouble. (Mat 9:13 AMPLIFIED) Family is the primary breeding ground for offenses to happen, when we master it, we will be able to master life.
Multiplying was the easy part, how to multiply spiritually and have the children walk in the precepts of the parents seems to be the difficult part.
The way God’s family is constituted is through faith and obedience. God called Abraham from the Chaldeans living in Ur, to become His family. (Gen 12:1; Rom 4:5) Abraham is the father of faith. (Rom 3:30; 4:1-2; 4:16; Heb 6:15) His name Abraham – Means Father of many nations. Essensially the story of the birth of a nation, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is a family story.
A Spiritual Family – Birthed by Supernatural means
Sarah, Rachel, and Rebekka all was barren, and God had to miraculously open their womb to be able to bare children. The Covenent blessing on Abraham since the beginning was towards a generational legacy of families. (Gen 12:1-3) None of their firstborn by blood received the covenant blessing. Abraham’s first born was Ismael. But Isaac born of Sarah received the promise. (Gen 17:18-21) Isaac’s firstborn was Essau, yet Jacob deceives his father and received the blessing. (Gen 27:20-29) Jacob’s first born was Rueben and did not received a blessing: “You will not excel” (Gen 48:3-4) Reuben’s immorality with his father’s concubine Bilhah (the mother of his brothers Dan and Naphtali) is recorded in Genesis 35:22. Joseph received the blessing born as the oldest son with Jacob’s wife Rachel. Yet later Benjamin received the tribal blessing. Joseph firstborn son was Manasseh yet Jacob crossed his hands and blessed Ephriam. (Gen 48:1-20)
The Jewish system of governance is called a Theocracy where God is the King. It was not God’s original plan that Isreal should have an earthly king. (1 Sam 8:1-21) Even when Samuel warned them of the consequenses: 19 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us, 20 that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” It was never God’s desire that His people be enslaved as subjects of a King. God’s plan is family!
When God apointed the first King of Isreal He chose the King in the way man would chose. … a mighty man of power. 2 And he had a choice and handsome son whose name was Saul. There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people. (1 Sam 9:1-2) When Dawid was the youngest son of Jesse, and yet he received the appointment as the next king of Israel, because of his faith and relationship with God. . (1 Sam 16:13)
God wants us to be His children, people of faith, walking according to his statutes and will. This is why some people who would never have been accepted into the Kingdom are included because of their faith, like Boaz and Ruth, and their son Obed. Hagar the prostitute, who hid the Israelite Spies, and gave them a way of escape. The Bible story and history, is a story of faith heroes. (Heb 11)
God values family very highly. Family is God’s way of maturing us into adulthood. Physiologists and educators can list the negative effects of a broken family, absent parents, child abuse due to bad parental rolemodels and poor family structures. We can suppose that most of the social problems we experience today is because of a broken family unit. This is clearly evident studying the Kings. But not many leaders in the Bible succeeded to raise their kids in the fear of God. Eli the High Priest became vile because he did not restrain them (1 Sam 3:13) Samuel’s children also did not serve God. They turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice. Which speaks of a lack of godly character. (1 Sam 8:3)
Interesting that some of the rightous Kings in Judah, did not follow their own father’s legacy but chose to go back and follow in David’s footsteps. 2 And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. (2 Kings 22:2) On there were Kings who did not consider the legacy they left for their Children, knowing that their own children would suffer the consequences of their father’s doings. So Hezekiah showed off all the riches of Judah to the son of King of Babylon and consequently received the damnation by the Prophet Isaiah that this very Kingdom will come and carry all this riches away. He was only so happy that the judgment will not happen in his lifetime. 19 So Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord which you have spoken is good!” For he said, “Will there not be peace and truth at least in my days?” (2 Kings 20:15)
This very same attitude pertains to most Africans in African culture. They are more concerned with the dead, and their forefathers, than to try to make it easier for the immerging generation. In African culture the children is responsible for the parent. Paying huge sums for Lobola as a wedding gift to the father. In Western Culture the father pays the huge amount for the wedding. Both are extremes. God the father being our example how He raised Jesus into adulthood through dissipline and obedience to earthly parents, in a small close-knit community and when He was ready at the age of thirty release to him the powers of His Kingdom. The end-goal of God’s view of family is maturity. The husband should, like Christ, present his wife blameless and perfect to God, thus meaning mature. (Eph 5:27) This is mostly done by example and following, obeying and submitting to Jesus. Wives should instruct the younger, through wisdom, example, purity and reverence. (1 Tim 5:2; Tit 2:3)
The eternal Church God’s design for family.
The Church: The Spirit-filled community of salvation History – The church is the receiver and fulfilment of the Kingdom and the message of salvation. (Mat 16:18) Church is seen as a many membered active body of believers who each have an important role to play. (Rom 12:3-8; 2:19-22) Although leaders are important in the church, and should be respected (Heb 13:7-8, 17) the active ministry and participation of the church as a whole is imperative. The apostles do not see leaders above people, but among the people. Leading by example (Acts 18:3; 20:33–35) This is why the fivefold ministries are given, to equip the saints for their ministry. (Ephesians 4:11) Church is seen as one body, filled with one spirit, with one father, one baptism and one faith. (Eph 4:4-6)
God’s mold for Family is church. The word church (ecclesia) is made up of two root words: ek – out of and kaleo – called. Thus a direct translation of church would be His called out ones. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1 Pet 2:9)
Discerning the body of Christ
Our problem is not that there is to many churches, nor that we differ so much, but we do not discern one another as brothers of one family. (Eph 4:1-6) The Father determines the children. No one comes to the father if He doesn’t draw them. (Joh 6:44)
Our job is not to choose our family, but except the ones He has adopted into our family.
When Jesus came to the Earth He needed a body; today He still needs a body. (Heb 10:5) Of which He is the head. (Eph 1:22-23) There are different kind of bodies – the body both of men or animals – a dead body or corpse the living body of animals – the bodies of planets and of stars (heavenly bodies) – is used of a (large or small) number of men closely united into one society, or family as it were; a social, ethical, mystical body so in the NT of the church – a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly – an assembly of the people convened at the public place of the council for the purpose of deliberating the assembly of the Israelites – any gathering or throng of men assembled by chance, tumultuously in a Christian sense – an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting the assembly of faithful Christians already dead and received into heaven – a company of Christian, or of those who, hoping for eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, observe their own religious rites, hold their own religious meetings, and manage their own affairs, according to regulations prescribed for the body for order’s sake – those who anywhere, in a city, village, constitute such a company and are united into one bod – the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth.
In summery then we can say that there are various expressions of the Body of Christ. Small groups, house churches, large gatherings, ministries towards a specific need, whenever we actually get together in His name He manifest Himself amongst us. (Mat 18:20) It is thus important that we do not neglect these meetings. (Heb 10:25)
Question: Can I be a Christian without joining the church?
Answer: Yes, it is possible. It is something like being:
A student who will not go to school.
A soldier who will not join an army.
A citizen who does not pay taxes or vote.
A salesman with no customers.
An explorer with no base camp.
A seaman on a ship without a crew.
A businessman on a deserted island.
An author without readers.
A tuba player without an orchestra.
A parent without a family.
A football player without a team.
A politician who is a hermit.
A scientist who does not share his findings.
A bee without a hive.
Everyone knows about the old codger who lives to be 100 and cavalierly attributes his longevity to booze, black cigars, beautiful women-and never going to church. According to Dr. George W. Comstock of Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, that kind of impious longevity may be the exception, not the rule. In studies of the relation of socioeconomic factors to disease in the population of Washington County, Md., Comstock and his colleagues made an incidental but fascinating discovery. Regular churchgoing, and the clean living that often goes with it, appear to help people avoid a whole bagful of dire ailments and disasters. Among them: heart disease, cirrhosis of the liver, tuberculosis, cancer of the cervix, chronic bronchitis, fatal one-car accidents and suicides. The most significant finding was that people who go to church regularly have less arteriosclerotic heart disease. The annual death rate from such disease was about 500 for every 100,000 persons among weekly churchgoers, nearly 900 per 100,000 among “less than weekly” attendees. As for bronchitis, Comstock is at a loss to explain the relationship. (Maybe all that hymn singing helps clear the tubes. ) In any case, he has a name-or at least a nickname-for the whole phenomenon, which he humorously calls the “Leo Durocher” syndrome. “Nice guys,” concludes the good doctor, “do seem to finish last.”
Physician Steward Wolf in Roseta Pennsylvania has discovered this same phenomenon. This little community is a copycat mirror-image of the original Hometown in Italy, the street names, building style, and business names are all the same, even the very unique Italian dialect. The power of this unique community lies in their sense of family. Children grow up without fear of finding a job, for somewhere in the community someone will take you in. Up to three generations lived in one home. They visited one another regularly, cooking for one-another. They had a strong base of the extended family arranged naturally in clans. The have huge gatherings of eating and feasting together. They look out for another, and have a sense of responsibility and accountability to the greater whole. The end result? They have a very low rate of any heart decease. It is not the food they eat, that effect this result, rather it is the way they operate as a family. (From Outliers Pg 3-11, Malcolm Gladwell) In this book Gladwell actually proofs that our individual genius, is never because of our own ability. It is the people’s abilities around us that makes us great!
For the sake of family
“For the sake of family” is often heard. The needs of the family is more important that that of my own. In the African context this emphasis can also be abused, where it becomes impossible to rise above the cultural downforce of the community. In the west we have a too high emphasis on the individual, in the east the individual disappear in the whole. In the biblical context, God chose a man, and effects the group through that man. So it is not what man wills, or what the group wills, but what God wills. Both man and group ought to submit to the will, and way of God.
- Our suffering is for the sake of the church, see Paul’s example. Colossians 1:24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church. When you receive public correction, receive it for the sake of the others present, so that all can learn and fear. (1 Tim 5:20)
- The operation of the gifts of the spirit is not for the benefit of self, but for the building up of the body. (1 Cor 14:12).
- We give up our own family for the sake of the Kingdom family. (Luk 18:29)
- Jesus prays for his disciples, but also for the following generation that will come. (Joh 17:20-21)
- Paul is torn between the desire to be with the Lord, yet for the sake of the church he remains. (Phil 1:23-24)
Often in the OT whole generations is removed by God, to cherish and protect the lineage of faith and obedience. This is also why God hates divorce. (Mal 2:15) God is seeking a godly offspring! There is no greater attack against the child’s future faith in God, than when their parents divorce. On the other hand, there will be much less divorces if we remain faithful for the sake of family!
Becoming part of God’s family.
We need to be part of a church, right! Yes! But being part of the right body is vital! In studying Kings and chronicles we soon discover the power of leadership, and how it influenced the prosperity of the people. This is how God has made us as humans, we follow naturally after leadership. Therefor the strict warning in James 3:1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. The following verses in chapter 3 of James deal with the power of the tongue, how it steers the ship. I believe leaders determine the direction, and measure of maturity in a local church. You cannot belong to a local church and really grow beyond the level of the local leadership’s growth, without being very frustrated.
We all desire to be led. We need leaders. We hate them or love them, but we do not want their job. Life is hard, and getting by with all the daily chores is not always easy. Thus we do not want to make the big decisions, we do not want that responsibility. Some of us however, are made exactly for that purpose; we thrive on these difficult challenges. This is how God has made us. Some people like to lead and some follow. Moreover we should be able to balance leadership and submitting like breathing, for leaders who cannot submit suffocate their people, and people who never take initiative frustrate leaders. We all must learn a measure of leadership, and submitting in all areas of life.
On regards to big groups of people, we need godly leaders. This is the message of Kings & Chronicles, how did man fare with God not being their king, but man? When the Kings served and obeyed God’s commands and will the people prospered. When the King made himself God, and had the people obey him, they entered destruction.
Who do you chose to follow and why?
The people of Israel sought a righteous King, and followed Jerobeam. This generation of people of Israel ended 19 kings later being scattered all over the world. In 400 years none of these Kings served or obeyed God. Jerobeam created his own counterfeit religion, temples and priesthood. The people, who remained faithful to God’s word and promise to David, saw 8 Kings serving God, and the birth of the Messiah.
Some people followed Moses, but others were easily swayed to follow Aaron and Mirriam, who began to question Moses Leadership. Num 12:1-4 There was many occurrences of such rebellion under Moses Leadership.
Following a Reformer.
The Biblical criteria we should use to determine who we ought to follow are:
- Do they have a personal relationship with God?
- Do they have a prophetic mandate to lead?
- Do they seek to keep reforming according to the standard of God’s Word? Do they obey the Word?
- Does their personal life line up with the word?
- Do they keep to the original mandate?
Discipleship in family context
Whenever we conduct church outside of the parameters of family, we enter into trouble and eventually in error. Family is eternal. You cannot resign from a family. You cannot leave your house. You eternally belong. Even your earthy family has this power over you, you can change your name, but in DNA and genetics you’re still connected. This is how God intended family to be. We changed His order.
The fact that we go in and out, connect and leave is at the root of why some of our evangelism efforts are failing. Jesus did not only preach to the crowds, He made family, taking His disciples with Him. We preach and leave, not willing to lay down our lives for a community, to become fathers and older brothers that will lead them out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Pet 2:9) The true heart of the apostolic is thus to be fathers to the churches. (Gal 4:19; 1 Cor 4:15; ). The context of the true church is also set, within the context of family. How can you take care of His church, when your own family is ruins? (1 Tim 3:5) Church history is full of stories where leaders forsake their own families, and it lead to all kinds of error and misconduct.
God’s protection plan for ministry is family! Getting to busy for family, then you’re too busy for God. Whenever we neglect family and move without the unity of family we are in danger. Again God’s design for family is not just about being a family by name of bloodline, but to experience the same unity that exist in the Godhead. When a family serves God together, obey God, and live for His glory it makes things easy and natural. We do not have to find unnatural means to protect and care, grow or empower. It all happens naturally without even paying attention to it. He works is through all the various dynamics within family. Our only job should be to preserve the Unity!
At the end we all have to give up our own cultures, and traditions. We need to be reformed in our religion,
until He becomes the sum-total of all things. Until we mature into His image.
The negative of family
Like everything God gave as a provision the enemy distorts into a curse. So also a family without God becomes a stronghold, a satanic confederacy against the purposes of God. Families carry from one generation to the next the disobedience of the one generation to the next. Ungodly traditions of man are not questioned but obeyed blindly. This is why we need reform. We need to a systematic relentless determination to keep on allowing God to reform our thinking through the Spirit and the Word.
The Blessing of a spiritual family.
It is much easier to pray with someone than praying alone, do evangelism together than doing it alone, praising God together than singing by yourself. Corporate anointing makes serving God easier. It is our own ego and self centered nature that seeks to be separate, be different, unique, following my way, seeking my own new path. It is humbling to follow, to first take directions from men who aren’t perfect. Jesus did this for 90% of his entire life. Obeying earthly parents. How do you want to obey God, if you cannot obey your parents, your boss, the law? Surely we need to be alone at times; Jesus also made time for being alone with God, in order to be ready to engage with man in a godly manner.
The Three Chair principle – the power of experience
In conclusion we need to look into the generational regression effect. Like I have shown in the beginning of this chapter, not many fathers were able to translate their anointing and zeal for God to the next generation.
David served God with all his heart, and was called a friend of God. Yet although Solomon did serve God initially he eventually compromised and lost his way. His son Rehabeam did not serve God at all. We see the same progression with Josua. Me and my house will serve God. (Jos 14:15) The next generation of Elders also served God (Jos 24:31; Judg 1:7) consequently the next generation did evil in the sight of the Lord and did not even enquire from Him anymore. (Judg 1:10)
Bruce Wilkerson writes about this phenomenon in much detail in his book. “The three chairs Principle”
The question is: Where did David fail to kindle the same kind of zeal for God he possessed, to Solomon? There are surely many answers, like his lack of discipline, not spending enough time with his children etc.
I believe that the most important aspect that we should remember about the next generation, is what this whole blog is about. God’s family is supernaturally reproduced.
In God’s family there can be No Spectators!
Conditions to enter His Kingdom and Family
Luk 17:20 pharasees “the kingdom does not come with observation”
Acts 14:22 We must through many tribulations enter the Kingdom
Joh 3:3 Unless you born again you will not see the kingdom
Luk 18:29 Give up family for the sake of the kingdom of God
Luk 6:20 Blessed are the poor for yours is the Kingdom of God
Luk 18:24 Hard for the rich to enter
Mat 5:20 except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven but he who does the will of God.
No matter how you receive the Word (Voice) of God, whether through Bible study, some supernatural experience, visions, dreams, or encounters it all boils down into one thing – Doing it! Obedience to the will, voice, and instructions of God is the key to Kingdom living!
First hand encounters from the tree of Life, instead of eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The NT way of the spirit to transfer knowledge is through impartation – not through words only but through power. (1 Cor 4:20) It is form this first-hand basis that the apostles conducted their ministry. (1 Joh 1:1) We have seen with our own eyes, hearing with our own ears.
There is no other way. Jesus is the door. You have to go through Him personally, by surrendering your life to Him. (Mat 16:24) No one can do it for you. Your parents can show you the way, by example and teaching but you have to go in and experience Him yourself.
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Why we need to reach all nations
The Church and Missions – Nations
We should never forget that the western church, black and white are by default gentiles. If the early church never crossed their borders and own cultural comfort we would never have received the gospel.
Studying the Luke-Acts perspective on missions provides us with a very important and biblical framework for missions that should be part of our objectives and value system as the church that He builds. Ultimately I do not believe that the local church should have a mission program separate or outside of its daily activities and focus as a church as a whole. Missions and being missionaries are the fundamental reason for being church. (Luk 4:16-21) For example: Reaching the youth/elderly/poor in our community is also a form of missions. Missions should not only be restricted to reaching foreign people groups afar. This is one of the primary principles taught in Luke and Acts; Moving from the core outward to the ends of the Earth.
When Jesus stood up among the people of His hometown in the synagogue and said: “today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” He was stating the course and mandate of His ministry. Luke is the only author of the gospels who is Greek, writing to a second generation church made of Jew and Gentile, shortly after the fall of Jerusalem. Matthew mainly writes his gospel for a Jewish audience; while Luke had a much broader audience in mind.
In the time of Luke the church was made up of a very large number of gentiles but also a great number of Jews. He thus had to appeal to both. Luke has an exceptional positive attitude towards the Jewish people, their religion and culture. Jesus does criticize the Pharisees but not as severely as what the Matthew’s account reveal. Luke omits words like “hypocrites and blind guides”. He omits the passage from Mark 7:1-20 which deals with the deception of the Pharisee’s focus on outward rituals without dealing with the defilement of the heart. Luke relates at least three instances where Jesus was invited by Pharisees for a meal. He does not apply the parable of the evil tenants directly to the chief priest and Pharisees as Matthew does although suggesting it. (Luk 20:9-19) In his Passion narrative he is the only gospel writer to include the words of Jesus: “Father forgive them, for they know not what they are doing”. He omits the words “his blood be on us and on our children”.
He writes his two volume work in the Hebriazed Greek of the Septuagint, also mainly used in synagogues of the Jewish diaspora. He is trying to reach both the Jewish and Gentile communities of his time. He also does not deny Israel its proper place as the womb of the Christian church, mentioning the early prophesies over Jesus the expectation of the salvation of Israel. (Luk 1:54; 68; 2:25, 30, 32, 38) The Church Luke envisages includes the restored/saved Israel and the redeemed Gentile. The Jew has to repent of rejecting and killing their Saviour, and the Gentile of serving worthless idols. There is no proof in Luke or Acts of the Christian church replacing Israel, yet both have to become converted; the one from dead religion and the other of its idols.
On the other hand he is trying very clearly to challenge the Jews to look beyond the salvation of ‘only’ Israel, to God’s desire to save the world. Luke’s account of Jesus’s reading from the Prophet Isaiah is unique in comparison with the other gospel writers who do not include the reason why the Pharisees and listeners became so suddenly offended at Jesus’s words; that after first admiring his gracious words, the next moment they try to kill Him. (Luke 4:28-30) This passage forms the bases of the whole Lukan paradigm of Mission and Salvation. He is the only writer to also include the verse from Isaiah 58:6 between Isaiah 61:1 and 2. “Let the oppressed go free” Because throughout his Gospel; he appeal to the rich to share with the poor. The rich and the poor both need salvation, the one from putting their trust in their riches (Luke 8:14) and the other of putting their trust in man. (Luke 9:59-61)
The reason why these people became so angry? Jesus started with the expectation that was in all of them; the salvation and redemption of Israel and the vengeance of God on their oppressors is to be fulfilled! But He stopped short of reading the complete passage from Isaiah. Instead of granting vengeance He rather made an appeal to notice God’s desire to save their enemies and have compassion on them by mentioning Elijah who was sent to a Gentile widow, and Elisha healing a pagan Ruler Naaman. (Luke 4:26-27) This became Jesus’s theme and number one rule of understanding and living in HIS kingdom; love your enemies! Bless those who curse you. (Luke 6:27-36)
This is why Luke makes an attempt to lay this emphasis throughout his gospel; God is seeking the salvation of the Samaritans and Gentiles too. When James and John wanted to call God’s fire of judgement on a Samaritan town who did not receive them Jesus rebuke them. “You do not know of what spirit you are of” (Luke 9:51-56) He addressed this point very clearly with telling Jesus’s story of the good Samaritan. The church of the day did not help the person in need, but the Samaritan did. He is therefore challenging their narrow idea of “who is my neighbour”. To the Jews, their neighbour was ONLY Jew, children of Abraham! Jesus taught that our neighbour is whoever comes our way, whether Jew or gentile, that needs help and assistance. This was a huge offence to the Jews who despised the way and faith of the Samaritans as false and opposite to their own. In many ways in the same way as what Christians view Moslems today. I include the following information of exactly who the Samaritans were, to proof this comparison.
The origin of the Samaritans
Strictly speaking, a Samaritan would be an inhabitant of the city of Samaria; but the term was applied to all the people of the kingdom of Israel. After the captivity of Israel, B.C. 721, and in our Lord’s time, the name was applied to a peculiar people whose origin was in this wise: At the final captivity of Israel by Shalmaneser, we may conclude that the cities of Samaria were not merely partially but wholly depopulated of their inhabitants in B.C. 721, and that they remained in this desolated state until, in the words of 2 Kings 17:24, “the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava (Ivah, 2 Kings 18:34), and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.” Thus the new Samaritans were Assyrians by birth or subjugation. These strangers, whom we will now assume to have been placed in “the cities of Samaria” by Esar-haddon, were of course idolaters, and worshipped a strange medley of divinities. God’s displeasure was kindled, and they were annoyed by beasts of prey, which had probably increased to a great extent before their entrance upon the land. On their explaining their miserable condition to the king of Assyria, he despatched one of the captive priests to teach them “how they should fear the Lord.” The priest came accordingly, and henceforth, in the language of the sacred historian they “feared the Lord, and served their graven images, both their children and their children’s children: as did their fathers, so do they unto this day.” 2 Kings 17:41. A gap occurs in their history until Judah has returned from captivity. They then desire to be allowed to participate in the rebuilding of the temple at Jerusalem; but on being refused, the Samaritans throw off the mask, and become open enemies, frustrate the operations of the Jews through the reigns of two Persian kings, and are only effectually silenced in the reign of Darius Hystaspes, B.C. 519. The feud thus unhappily begun grew year by year more inveterate. Matters at length came to a climax. About B.C. 409, a certain Manasseh, a man of priestly lineage, on being expelled from Jerusalem by Nehemiah for an unlawful marriage, obtained permission from the Persian king of his day, Darius Nothus, to build a temple on Mount Gerizim for the Samaritans, with whom he had found refuge. The animosity of the Samaritans became more intense than ever. They are said to have done everything in their power to annoy the Jews. Their own temple on Gerizim they considered to be much superior to that at Jerusalem. There they sacrificed a passover. Toward the mountain, even after the temple on it had fallen, wherever they were they directed their worship. To their copy of the law they arrogated an antiquity and authority greater than attached to any copy in the possession of the Jews. The law (i.e., the five books of Moses) was their sole code; for they rejected every other book in the Jewish canon. The Jews, on the other hand, were not more conciliatory in their treatment of the Samaritans. Certain other Jewish renegades had from time to time taken refuge with the Samaritans; hence by degrees the Samaritans claimed to partake of Jewish blood, especially if doing so happened to suit their interest. Very far were the Jews from admitting this claim to consanguinity on the part of these people.
The parallels are obvious. The samaritans were a mixed breed and the jews looked down on them. We as a church should be aware that we do not fall in the same trap as the Pharisees did. The NT church is never exclusive, hod want to see all men be saved. (John 12:32; 1 Tim 2:4) The way to salvation is exclusively Jesus, and Jesus alone. The Spirit of God fell on all flesh, at the day of Penticost. (Acts 2:17)
Luke furthermore adds the story of the healing of the ten lepers again unique to Luke. The one who came back and thanked Jesus was off course a Samaritan. (Luke 17:11-19) In Acts Samaria is included in the list of those to receive salvation. (Acts 1:8; 8:1, 5; 9:31; 15:3) Thus making it very clear to the church of his day, and today, Jesus came for the religious outcasts too!
Salvation in Luke and Acts are thus seen to include the whole world. Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Luke 5:31-32) Whether you are a heathen (Galilean) or born in Jerusalem, Everyone needs to repent and be saved. (Luke 13:1-5) Instead of announcing wrath on the perpetrators, he calls everyone to repentance.
Jesus started in Galilee (Luk 4:14-9:50), then on route to Jerusalem (Luk 9:51-19:40), and concluded with the final events in Jerusalem (Luk 19:41-24:53). The early church started in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and then to the end of the Earth. This focus describes a certain methodology and balance between missions at home and missions abroad. The efforts of the one are not at the cost of the other, but rather to support the other. There is also a certain movement and growth starting at home, expanding naturally further and further to the ends of the earth.
THE REAL PROBLEM WITH MISSIONS
We preach to them but not include them into our family. We have millions of people getting saved, but very view discipled. Crusade Evangelists lay this task before the local church’s door. The local church seems to fail miserably at this task, which can be thrown back at the Evangelist’s type of message and gospel preached. In terms of our biblical understanding thus far, it is very clear that God’s idea for making disciples is making families.
According to the most recent census in South Africa 81.7% of the people in South Africa are Christians. We are the fifth nation in the world to legalise homosexual marriages. We have legalised abortion and are in the process of legalizing prostitution. How is this possible in a country with so many Christians?
The most Christianized nations are in Africa. But often these nations are the poorest, with the highest numbers of HIV AIDS, human right abuses and corruption. Basic services like sanitation, clean water and sufficient food sources are desperately lacking. Nigeria has a population of 149 million people, of which 45.3% are Christian, 95.3% of this number of Christian visits a church at least once a month, 78.8% believes the church has the answer to their problems, 98.2% finds consolation and support in the local church. The church is thus seemingly very successful in this Nation, but Nigeria is 157th on the world ranking of most developed countries. We have been highly successful in making converts, but is failing to disciple the people in the principals and values of Kingdom living.
The fact that we go in, and out is the problems. We preach and leave, not willing to lay down our lives for a community, to become fathers and older brothers that will lead them out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Pet 2:9) The true heart of the apostolic is thus to be fathers to the churches. (Gal 4:19; 1 Cor 4:15; ). The context of the true church is also set, within the context of family. How can you take care of His church, when your own family is ruins? (1 Tim 3:5) Church history is full of stories where leaders forsake their own families, and it lead to all kinds of error and misconduct.
Jesus started His earthly ministry with these words; “repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand!” His family has come to earth, wanting us to become part. (Mat 4:17)
Categories
Why remain faithful in Marriage
FOR GOD – The Bible declare God hates divorce. (Malachi 2:10-16) We made a vow before God and witnesses; “what God has brought together, let no man separates” Jesus made it very clear that Moses offered the people divorce letters, but before God there is no separation. (Matthew 19:4-8) As believers we have no right to divorce unless our partner has already committed adultery, and when your spouse who is an unbeliever seeks to be separated. (1Corinthians 7:27-28) We are joined to each other in covenant, and we cannot separate. As believers we belong to God, and we are His dwelling place, how can we allow the members of his body to be defiled? (1 Corinthians 6:16-19) God will judge adulterers and divorcees. (Hebrews 13:4) Joseph resisted the daily seduction of Potiphar’s wife because of his love for God. He asked her, “How … could I do this great evil and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9). God wants us to develop a passion for Him that is greater than our passion to sin!
FOR TRUE LOVE – So many people say: “I do not love my spouse anymore, should I stay in a loveless marriage for the sake of marriage?” This reveals a great deception where these people value “love” more than they value obedience to God. Love is now their god. They believe that love will make them happy. Erotic romantic love makes you feel empowered, you feel invincible, you feel alive, your happiness is focussed on your lover, and you cannot get them out of your head. People even give their lovers’ god-like names, and become poetic of the wonderful, glorious, illuminated, transcending experience. The sad truth is, that all this is a chemical reaction in the brain that releases dopamine that wears off over time. Love is what brings a couple together, but we need more than mere romantic love to remain together. Do the 1 Corinthians 13 love test, and discover God’s kind of love.
FOR HONOR – Honour is the stuff heroes are made of. Honour is what makes our lives reach over time and generations. We remember people either for their honour or their failure. Honour your father and mother that you may have a long life. Honour is a form of godliness where we are touching divinity. When we do the honourable thing, doing what is right, we expose the quality of our heart and character. Choosing the path of honour is not easy, sacrificing our lives in the process. People who get divorced for any other reason than adultery, physical abuse and manipulation towards criminal behaviour has no honour. Marriage is honourable, it is holy. Hebrews 13:4. Honour God, honour family, and honour yourself!
FOR IT IS MY CALLING AND RESPONSIBILITY – When we consider and fulfil our various roles: husband as leader and wives as helpmate we bring honour to the relationship. When we allow emotions and circumstances to override our responsibility, position and role we open the door to various kinds of evil. We leave our partner uncovered, exposed to attack. Make your calling and identity sure. (1 Peter 1:10) You are not an adulterer, liar, thief, a betrayer and unfaithful person! But giving in to sin, distorts God’s destiny and calling over your life, and soon you will become exactly that. Respect yourself and God’s call upon your life enough to not sell your birth right for a morsel of bread. Cheating is not a mistake, it is a choice. Loyalty is a responsibility not a choice.
FOR LEGACY – We model right living to our children and thus build a legacy for our children to follow. We give up rights and privileges now, so in the future our children may have it easier. Marriage faithfulness is the foundation of building a legacy for our children. The family unit becomes the bases of family enterprise that provides for generations to come. Once we brake this up, we divide not only the family but also the family’s provision. So many children today have lost hope and faith in the sanctity and purpose of marriage because they have so few examples to follow. Children now have to make and discover their own way, because this generation selfishly only provided for themselves. Children do not learn through their ears, they learn through their experiences. What experience are you creating for your children? Your decision will affect them for the rest of their lives.
FOR KEEPING YOUR WORD – One of my best friends were married for 22 years when his wife contracted colon cancer. She became very sick, and they did not enjoy the pleasures of marriage anymore. He had to take care of her, she was in much pain and as a result became difficult and unreasonable at times. After she passed away, I asked him one day; “why did you remain faithful?” His quick and prompt reply moved me; “I gave my word!” That’s it! We do not always have much to give as humans, but our word! Many people’s words has become meaningless without substance, because you cannot take them on their word. You made a vow before God and witness, you should therefor get all those people together, and try to convince them why you are now seeking a divorce.
FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY – Marriage provides financial security if we work hard and are faithful with what we have received. Together husband and wives build together to establish a home, and provide for their children, saving also for their old age, and in some cases they have to help provide for their respective parents too. Divorce destroys this nest egg. Wives who have not been working full-time, are thrown back in the corporate world often at old age to start at the bottom again. They have lost the security and safety of marriage. The children are often also the victims of financial difficulty, because of the losses and costs of divorce. Thus also losing the safety and security home should have provided. It is unbelievable to see what people are willing to pay for giving up their marriages, if they have spent the same money and effort on working at their problems the marriage could have been saved.
FOR PERSONAL GROWTH – Walking out of a relationship most people have little understanding on what contributed to the breakup. We can usually tell in elaborate detail what our partners have done wrong, but we do not see our own error. We then enter the new relationship, with the same baggage and unchanged. Conflict in a relationship is sometimes necessary to expose the areas in our lives where we are not Christ like. People get divorced mostly because they have been hurt by a partner’s un Christ like behaviour. When we live to grow in Christ’s humility, meekness, gentleness, the fruit of the spirit, godly character, faithfulness, loyalty and love no one in the world would want to leave and separate. There can thus be no justification for divorce, but our own fickle hearts and unrestrained passions.
FOR NOT BECOMING A ‘THIEF’ – When getting involved emotionally with a married person, you are setting up a scene of fraud and theft. You taking something that belongs to someone else. Have you ever felt the powerless feeling when walking into your house that has been robbed? You are that person stealing! You are also the thief that is about to steal the trust and respect of the partner that have committed their life to you. The pain of betrayal is like mourning the death of a loved one, but they are still alive and hurting you continually. One lady whose husband was unfaithful wrote in a letter to him: “you have robbed me for keeps, you make your partner an adulterer. How will it feel if your partner would leave you for someone else? The one person I allowed in, with whom I had no defence or secrets betrayed me!
FOR OLD AGE PARTNERSHIP – Most breakups in relationships happens around the first 7 years and then once the children have left home. This is when couples have to recommit themselves and renew their vows, because they’re not the same people they once were. Yet the period we need a partner the most is in old age! As we grow older we become fragile and more and more dependent on each-other. Many times the one partner becomes more dependent. Difficult adults become very difficult old people. This is why we had to grow, adapt and change as individuals in character and person, to become the best we can be at the end. It is in old age where we appreciate it the most, the lives we have lived. This was the intend at the beginning was it not? Growing old together!
FOR FRIENDSHIP – In divorce you lose not only a partner but you lose your friends too. When a couple gets divorced it brings an end to most of the friendships they have once shared. Friends have to decide with which partner they are going to side. Those who keeps their distance to not get involved, remain uninvolved altogether. As friends we were supposed to get old together. Divorce has such a huge ripple-effect on the extended family and friendship circle we belong to. This is why a healthy family is the bedrock of society’s moral fibre and strength.
FOR ENDURANCE – Being single is terrifying. The dating scene is so clouded, where hidden motives thrives, and pretence, broken hearts seeking solitude. The uncertainty of finding love again, as specially getting older is a huge challenge. Sexually it is about making that special connection, finding the one! We all seek intimacy, to know and to be known… But this really becomes quite a challenge if we have no way to know, to be certain to find that special person. Enduring with the one you do know is certainly much easier.
FOR THE RIGHT FOUNDATION – A relationship build on adultery and someone else’s heartbreak is doomed for failure. There will always be trust issues and respect issues. The divorce rate after the second marriage is considerably higher. Once you have been unfaithful, it is easy to do it again.
FOR LOYALTY – We all treasure loyalty and fear the abandonment of the one we love. Yet some are willing to do exactly that and betray their partner, helpmate our spouse. Beware of turning your heart and seek to be nourished elsewhere. All relationships go through difficulty, the routine of daily living, the boring shores of responsibility and duty. One may feel entitled to justify your unfaithfulness because of core needs not met within marriage. The bible instructs us to drink from your own fountain, the wife of your youth. (Proverbs 5:18) All sexual needs should be met within marriage. (1 Corinthians 7:1-5) Learn to be content whether you get what you want or not. Marriage is about give and take. If only one member in the relationship do all the sacrifices it will lead to disillusionment and discouragement. Kindle and rekindle the fire within the relationship and stay in the boat.
FOR IT IS WORTH IT – I would love to ask every person who ever walked out and committed adultery, whether it was worth it in the end? Years later after all the damage caused has settled down, and the new relationship now also becomes routine, was it worth it?
Fight for you marriage, it is worth it!
Categories
Why remain faithful in Marriage
FOR GOD – The Bible declare God hates divorce. (Malachi 2:10-16) We made a vow before God and witnesses; “what God has brought together, let no man separates” Jesus made it very clear that Moses offered the people divorce letters, but before God there is no separation. (Matthew 19:4-8) As believers we have no right to divorce unless our partner has already committed adultery, and when your spouse who is an unbeliever seeks to be separated. (1Corinthians 7:27-28) We are joined to each other in covenant, and we cannot separate. As believers we belong to God, and we are His dwelling place, how can we allow the members of his body to be defiled? (1 Corinthians 6:16-19) God will judge adulterers and divorcees. (Hebrews 13:4) Joseph resisted the daily seduction of Potiphar’s wife because of his love for God. He asked her, “How … could I do this great evil and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9). God wants us to develop a passion for Him that is greater than our passion to sin!
FOR TRUE LOVE – So many people say: “I do not love my spouse anymore, should I stay in a loveless marriage for the sake of marriage?” This reveals a great deception where these people value “love” more than they value obedience to God. Love is now their god. They believe that love will make them happy. Erotic romantic love makes you feel empowered, you feel invincible, you feel alive, your happiness is focussed on your lover, and you cannot get them out of your head. People even give their lovers’ god-like names, and become poetic of the wonderful, glorious, illuminated, transcending experience. The sad truth is, that all this is a chemical reaction in the brain that releases dopamine that wears off over time. Love is what brings a couple together, but we need more than mere romantic love to remain together. Do the 1 Corinthians 13 love test, and discover God’s kind of love.
FOR HONOR – Honour is the stuff heroes are made of. Honour is what makes our lives reach over time and generations. We remember people either for their honour or their failure. Honour your father and mother that you may have a long life. Honour is a form of godliness where we are touching divinity. When we do the honourable thing, doing what is right, we expose the quality of our heart and character. Choosing the path of honour is not easy, sacrificing our lives in the process. People who get divorced for any other reason than adultery, physical abuse and manipulation towards criminal behaviour has no honour. Marriage is honourable, it is holy. Hebrews 13:4. Honour God, honour family, and honour yourself!
FOR IT IS MY CALLING AND RESPONSIBILITY – When we consider and fulfil our various roles: husband as leader and wives as helpmate we bring honour to the relationship. When we allow emotions and circumstances to override our responsibility, position and role we open the door to various kinds of evil. We leave our partner uncovered, exposed to attack. Make your calling and identity sure. (1 Peter 1:10) You are not an adulterer, liar, thief, a betrayer and unfaithful person! But giving in to sin, distorts God’s destiny and calling over your life, and soon you will become exactly that. Respect yourself and God’s call upon your life enough to not sell your birth right for a morsel of bread. Cheating is not a mistake, it is a choice. Loyalty is a responsibility not a choice.
FOR LEGACY – We model right living to our children and thus build a legacy for our children to follow. We give up rights and privileges now, so in the future our children may have it easier. Marriage faithfulness is the foundation of building a legacy for our children. The family unit becomes the bases of family enterprise that provides for generations to come. Once we brake this up, we divide not only the family but also the family’s provision. So many children today have lost hope and faith in the sanctity and purpose of marriage because they have so few examples to follow. Children now have to make and discover their own way, because this generation selfishly only provided for themselves. Children do not learn through their ears, they learn through their experiences. What experience are you creating for your children? Your decision will affect them for the rest of their lives.
FOR KEEPING YOUR WORD – One of my best friends were married for 22 years when his wife contracted colon cancer. She became very sick, and they did not enjoy the pleasures of marriage anymore. He had to take care of her, she was in much pain and as a result became difficult and unreasonable at times. After she passed away, I asked him one day; “why did you remain faithful?” His quick and prompt reply moved me; “I gave my word!” That’s it! We do not always have much to give as humans, but our word! Many people’s words has become meaningless without substance, because you cannot take them on their word. You made a vow before God and witness, you should therefor get all those people together, and try to convince them why you are now seeking a divorce.
FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY – Marriage provides financial security if we work hard and are faithful with what we have received. Together husband and wives build together to establish a home, and provide for their children, saving also for their old age, and in some cases they have to help provide for their respective parents too. Divorce destroys this nest egg. Wives who have not been working full-time, are thrown back in the corporate world often at old age to start at the bottom again. They have lost the security and safety of marriage. The children are often also the victims of financial difficulty, because of the losses and costs of divorce. Thus also losing the safety and security home should have provided. It is unbelievable to see what people are willing to pay for giving up their marriages, if they have spent the same money and effort on working at their problems the marriage could have been saved.
FOR PERSONAL GROWTH – Walking out of a relationship most people have little understanding on what contributed to the breakup. We can usually tell in elaborate detail what our partners have done wrong, but we do not see our own error. We then enter the new relationship, with the same baggage and unchanged. Conflict in a relationship is sometimes necessary to expose the areas in our lives where we are not Christ like. People get divorced mostly because they have been hurt by a partner’s un Christ like behaviour. When we live to grow in Christ’s humility, meekness, gentleness, the fruit of the spirit, godly character, faithfulness, loyalty and love no one in the world would want to leave and separate. There can thus be no justification for divorce, but our own fickle hearts and unrestrained passions.
FOR NOT BECOMING A ‘THIEF’ – When getting involved emotionally with a married person, you are setting up a scene of fraud and theft. You taking something that belongs to someone else. Have you ever felt the powerless feeling when walking into your house that has been robbed? You are that person stealing! You are also the thief that is about to steal the trust and respect of the partner that have committed their life to you. The pain of betrayal is like mourning the death of a loved one, but they are still alive and hurting you continually. One lady whose husband was unfaithful wrote in a letter to him: “you have robbed me for keeps, you make your partner an adulterer. How will it feel if your partner would leave you for someone else? The one person I allowed in, with whom I had no defence or secrets betrayed me!
FOR OLD AGE PARTNERSHIP – Most breakups in relationships happens around the first 7 years and then once the children have left home. This is when couples have to recommit themselves and renew their vows, because they’re not the same people they once were. Yet the period we need a partner the most is in old age! As we grow older we become fragile and more and more dependent on each-other. Many times the one partner becomes more dependent. Difficult adults become very difficult old people. This is why we had to grow, adapt and change as individuals in character and person, to become the best we can be at the end. It is in old age where we appreciate it the most, the lives we have lived. This was the intend at the beginning was it not? Growing old together!
FOR FRIENDSHIP – In divorce you lose not only a partner but you lose your friends too. When a couple gets divorced it brings an end to most of the friendships they have once shared. Friends have to decide with which partner they are going to side. Those who keeps their distance to not get involved, remain uninvolved altogether. As friends we were supposed to get old together. Divorce has such a huge ripple-effect on the extended family and friendship circle we belong to. This is why a healthy family is the bedrock of society’s moral fibre and strength.
FOR ENDURANCE – Being single is terrifying. The dating scene is so clouded, where hidden motives thrives, and pretence, broken hearts seeking solitude. The uncertainty of finding love again, as specially getting older is a huge challenge. Sexually it is about making that special connection, finding the one! We all seek intimacy, to know and to be known… But this really becomes quite a challenge if we have no way to know, to be certain to find that special person. Enduring with the one you do know is certainly much easier.
FOR THE RIGHT FOUNDATION – A relationship build on adultery and someone else’s heartbreak is doomed for failure. There will always be trust issues and respect issues. The divorce rate after the second marriage is considerably higher. Once you have been unfaithful, it is easy to do it again.
FOR LOYALTY – We all treasure loyalty and fear the abandonment of the one we love. Yet some are willing to do exactly that and betray their partner, helpmate our spouse. Beware of turning your heart and seek to be nourished elsewhere. All relationships go through difficulty, the routine of daily living, the boring shores of responsibility and duty. One may feel entitled to justify your unfaithfulness because of core needs not met within marriage. The bible instructs us to drink from your own fountain, the wife of your youth. (Proverbs 5:18) All sexual needs should be met within marriage. (1 Corinthians 7:1-5) Learn to be content whether you get what you want or not. Marriage is about give and take. If only one member in the relationship do all the sacrifices it will lead to disillusionment and discouragement. Kindle and rekindle the fire within the relationship and stay in the boat.
FOR IT IS WORTH IT – I would love to ask every person who ever walked out and committed adultery, whether it was worth it in the end? Years later after all the damage caused has settled down, and the new relationship now also becomes routine, was it worth it?
Fight for you marriage, it is worth it!
It is said that the greatest need in Uganda is Capital. Their is no lack of ideas and plans in Uganda. Like ants scavenging, people are constantly seeking work and means of income. People looking for ways in which they too will become the blessed, rich, wealthy, victorious kings and queens everyone is preaching about.
The truth is: God’s Capital is within you if you are a born again believer. Godly character is an Eternal commodity we carry within us – the Bible calls it the fruit of the spirit. When you meet someone wealthy their money carries weight and authority in this world, people seek to gain their favor, and they are reckoned as powerful and blessed. They get things done, and have entrance into VIP restricted areas of society. In the same way a Christlike Character and Activity brings favor.
Mother Theresa had no money when she started to look after the orphans, destitute, and Lepers in Kolkata, yet she addressed the united Nations in 1984. This is the prayer she prayed:
Make us worthy Lord to serve our fellow men throughout the world, who live and die in poverty and hunger.
Give them through our hands, this day, their daily bread
and by our understanding love give peace and joy
Lord, make me a channel of thy peace.
That where there is hatred I may bring love,
That where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness,
That where there is discord, I may bring harmony
That where there is error I may bring truth,
That where there is doubt I may bring faith,
That where there is despair I may bring hope,
That where there are shadows I may bring light,
That where there is sadness I may bring joy.
Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort that to be comforted,
To understand than to be understood,
To love than to be loved.
For it is by forgetting self that one finds.
It is by forgiving that one is forgiven,
it is by dying that one awakens to eternal life.
Amen.
She was granted a state funeral by the Indian government in gratitude for her services to the poor of all religions in India.[63] Her death was mourned in both secular and religious communities.
IRENE GLEESON, 1944-2013
Mission accomplished: Irene Gleeson surrounded by some of the children she spent decades helping. Photo: Supplied —
Irene Gleeson fought and overcame many battles in her time as a missionary: late-night attacks by rebels, recurring bouts of malaria, depression, extreme isolation and the challenge of being a single white woman in one of the most volatile regions of the world.
For 22 years, her home was Kitgum – a small, isolated community 30 kilometres from the Sudan border and seven hours’ drive from the capital of Uganda, Kampala. ”Mama Irene” or ”The General”, as she was otherwise known, began her work on 7.3 hectares of dry, scrubby land donated by the local government. It was a ministry that would leave an indelible imprint on the hearts and lives of more than 20,000 war-affected Ugandans. (http://www.charismanews.com/world/40359-missionary-to-uganda-irene-gleeson-dies-at-68)
PATIENCE NAMANYA
When Patience Namanya was 12, she came home from school with a bad report card. She was failing literature, history, civics and math. Her teacher had scrawled a note at the bottom. “Patience can do better than this. Should please put in more effort.” Patience sat alone, ashamed. She ached for her parents. She was afraid of her abusive aunt. Who would she show this wrinkled piece of paper to? She knew one person who would understand. One woman who would both challenge and comfort her. Patience picked up her pencil and began to write. “The good Lord solves our problems even though they are big. This year was not wonderful for me because of the problems I had. I lost my grandma and my mummy in the same year and month, but I surrendered them to Jesus Christ.”
Patience has surrendered a lot to Jesus in her young life. She grew up in Kyebando, a slum in Kampala, Uganda, mired in unemployment, alcoholism and malnutrition. In Patience’s own home, tragedy was relentless. Her father died of AIDS, the disease that would gradually take the lives of her mother and two of her younger siblings. While AIDS still ravaged her body, Patience’s mother enrolled her at Compassion’s Gayaza Road Child Development Center.
Patience was eventually promoted to the Anti-Corruption National Strategic Planning Team for Uganda. A job at the national level affords her both freedom and safety. Her team has appeared on radio and television in their efforts to protect fellow Ugandans from government corruption. Earlier this year, Patience helped reinstate 6,000 teachers who had been illegally removed from their jobs. She says she hopes to one day be appointed to parliament, where she can fight corruption from within. (http://www.communityglobal.org/-blog/patience-namanya)
WAYS IN WHICH GOD PROVIDES FOR US:
Christ within the hope of glory:
Col 1:27 Speaks of this great mystery that now has been revealed, namely Christ in and among us! Paul knew of this riches and said that although he has nothing, he is making many rich. 2 Cor 6:10. He was content within, no matter the state of the conditions on the outside. Phil 4:11-12 in verse 13 he victoriously declares “I can do all things, through Christ that strengthens me!” God made an huge capital investment within us, His own Son!
Living the life of Jesus, is true riches indeed. As you begin to follow Him, laying down your own life, dreams and ambitions, He begins to teach you His way of riches. The greatest statesman Mr Nelson Mandela was not known for his politics and accomplishments But for his humility, compassion, forgiveness, and unity he brought about.
The Holy Spirit is our guide, but once we decided to surrender self, He is also the one that raise Christ up in us. Christ resurrected in us, and through us. In Him we live and move and have our being. We are crucified with Him, but we will also live and reign with Him.
He will lead each one of us, into the rich tapestry of Christlike destiny He has purposed for all of us. Like Him we learn obedience through the things we suffer. Heb 5:8 and being perfected by Him, we become the author of an aspect of Christ’s riches He has chosen to reveal through us to the world.
We cannot choose this destiny for ourselves, we discover it as we continue to obey Him in the small things, here a little, there a little, step upon step, line upon line. In total trust we blindly follow Him, until He choose to open our eyes, now seeing like He sees. Paul had to first be blinded naturally, and see in the spirit, before God could give him back his sight.
- Christlike character is a commodity! It gives you heavenly currency to trade and do business and gain favor and success in everything you do. The president [Yoweri Museveni] turned to the church when it became evident that the army was getting nowhere with the war. The president went so far as to ask Christians to volunteer for public service. “The president says that only the principled can make a difference,” Senyonga told Charisma Magazine. “He would say, ‘If [born-again Christians] don’t have skills I will give them the skills. But I want the heart.” (http://www.charismamag.com/site-archives/146-covers/cover-story/1965-ugandas-miracle) More and more christians are coming in demand in the job sector, business that core character is essential to business success. For born again believers, the character of Christ becomes the fruit of your new nature in Christ.
- Inherent provision in creation: Every created thing has an inherent provision. (Mat 6:22-35) The way that God blesses us is, through blessing the land. Ps 65:9-13 God provides by blessing the Land. The most natural way of God’s provision to us lies in nature, farming, sowing and reaping. Hos 10:12 The prophet asked the widow: “What do you have?” Often God’s provision is in what we already have. “silver and gold I have not, but what I have I give you” Jesus also taught His disciples “You give them something to eat”. Like Paul I like to pray that our spiritual eyes be opened to the calling, inheritance and power we have within us. (Ephe 1:19-21)
- Money is only a means: Poverty lack access to a means. We do not need money, we need a means, to make, or earn money. Many people who have won a lot of money do not know what to do with it. They lack a means. We cannot trust in the means, because it can change, we can loose it, either by our own doing, or someone else doing. Mat 6:26 God cares for the birds, who do not sow or reap, nor gather into barns. Do not trust in your sowing, trust God! We on a constant journey to discover different means of income, to provide not only for ourselves but others also. Each person ought to develop their vocation in obedience to Christ. Nic ” ” do not have any legs or arms, yet he minister all over the world. He became perfected through obedience and now have a power story to tell, thus becoming n author of hope to millions.
- See the Lord’s Provision: Jehovah Jireh: H3070. יִרְאֶה יְהוָֹה y hōwāh yir’eh:A proper noun designating Jehovah Jireh, a name given to designate the Lord by Abraham for providing a sacrifice in place of Isaac (Gen. 22:14). It means “the Lord will see to it” literally but also means “the Lord will provide.” You need to see your provision to be able to obtain it. Often in survival circumstances people die, because they could not see the provision in what they had around them. Abraham had to see God’s provision in the ram. Look at what is obvious, close proximity to you. You will not become good in anything, if it is not already within you. I was told this week by Ellen Odendaal, MD of Bokomo Uganda. If you have to do a course at something so that you will be able to do it, your were not meant to do it. Doing course in public speaking, wont make you a good speaker, you should ready have it in. The course is only for improvement. See the gifts what God has already put in you.
- Faithfulness in the small things. Being faithful is so important for success. You will never go forward if you never learn to first be faithful in the small things. Luk 16:19. The way I move people forward, is to first give them simple commands, then once they complete them accurately, we can ahead to greater things. No plant in God’s garden begins as a full-grown tree. We want to skip the steps, and create plastic human made plants, that looks nice, but they’re dead.
- Shrewdness and prudence: 5430. φρονίμως phronímōs; adv. from phrónimos (G5429), prudent. Prudently. It denotes the wise, prudent and sensible manner in which one conducts himself and his affairs. In Luke 16:8 the word means with advantage, shrewdly. “Now here’s a surprise: The master praised the crooked manager! And why? Because he knew how to look after himself. Streetwise people are smarter in this regard than law-abiding citizens. They are on constant alert, looking for angles, surviving by their wits. I want you to be smart in the same way—but for what is right—using every adversity to stimulate you to creative survival, to concentrate your attention on the bare essentials, so you’ll live, really live, and not complacently just get by on good behavior.” Message
- Principle of sowing and reaping: Everything in God’s Kingdom/creation works on this principle/law. Gen 8:22 The more one sows, the more one can reap. 1 Cor 9:6 The measure of your sowing determines the measure of your harvest. Like a farmer, he cannot eat the seed. He will have nothing to eat in the future! Most people eat all their seed, they do not know how to make money, only how to spend it. The way of the Kingdom is: the more you need, the more you need to give. The people in our church, who are most blessed and prosperous are the ones that give.
- Get going do something:Deut 8:18 Give you power to attain wealth – God has made provision for every man, it is what you make of the opportunities you did receive that will bring you greater opportunities. Charismatic and Pentecostal people can fall in the trap of trying to fix everything with prayer, laying of hands, and having more church meetings. Although these things are important for spiritual growth, it does not sustain us. Paul says: “working with my own hands” he provided for those who was in his company. Pastors who forsake work and labour, become professional beggars and shrewd in taking up offerings to sustain themselves. Much error has crept into the church because of this. Apostles work hard. 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
Categories
The Power of Two
The Power of two.
What is the Power that makes some partnership flourish, creating a collective genius far surpassing the genius of one?
That question lies at the heart of Joshua Wolf Shenk’s new book out this week, Powers of Two: Finding the Essence of Innovation in Creative Pairs, in which, drawing on academic research, historical evidence, and original reportage, he explores what makes creative partnerships tick, from a foundation of trust to a spark that ignites when two people are “as alike as identical twins and as unalike as complete strangers.”
All of us have experienced creative connection, and glimpsed its power. Yet, for centuries, the myth of the lone genius has obscured the critical story of the power of collaboration. In Powers of Two, Joshua Wolf Shenk argues that creative pairs are the exemplars for innovation. Drawing on years of research on great partnerships in history – from Lennon and McCartney to Marie and Pierre Curie, plus hundreds more in fields including literature, popular culture, art and business – Shenk identifies the common journey pairs take from the spark of initial connection, through the passage to a cognitive ‘joint identity” to competition and the struggle for power. Using scientific and psychological insights, he uncovers new truths about epic duos – and sheds new light on the genesis of some of the greatest creative work in history. He reveals hidden partnerships among people known only for their individual work (like C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien), and even ‘adversarial collaborations’ among those who are out to beat each other. This revelatory and lyrical book will make us see creative exchange as the central terrain of our psyches.
More example in our time is:
Bill Gates & Paul Allen (colleagues; business partners) Founders of Microsoft Corporation
Founders Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak created Apple Computer on April 1, 1976,
Frodo Baggins & Sam Gamgee (fictional; companions in the Lord of the Ring trilogy)
Biblical Examples are:
Gen 2:25 Adam and eve
Jos 2:1 The Two Spies
Zech 4:14 Two anointed ones (King & Priest Partnership)
2 Sam 20:34; & Sam 1:25-26 David & Jonathan
Jesus send the disciples two by two (Luk 10:1)
According the wisdom of the Preacher “two ae better than one” Eccl 4:9-12
What are the hindrances to a healthy partnership.
1) Lack of honour – Jesus exist to glorify the Father, our accurate deeds in frequency with the Father’s will glorify Him. We honour God with our lives when we accurately represent Him. Our lives, testimony, fruit, accomplishments, and success, is because we listened and obeyed His instruction, utilizing His wisdom, applying his power… The fruit glorifies the source. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16) We show honor in the way we involve and value our partner. Not informing one another of important decisions, and not including the other is a show of disrespect.
2) Desire to control, and Ego. Wanting to remain in control and have the last say, stifles the creativity in a relationship. A team works well together when both get’s the opportunity to lead. Working together is like dancing, mutual submission, and willingness to be led.
3) Losing Unity as always being the first point on the Agenda. Our point of departure is always unity first. No matter the grudge, the mistake or the problem it remains OUR problem, we face it together. We solve things together. We think team all the time.
4) Poor confrontation skills and results. Confrontation is healthy, if done the correct way. We all need to improve our correction skills, being mature enough to agree to disagree. Dealing with all our defense meganisme and bad habits in terms of reaction to correction paves the way to a strong relationship. We can grow, through our differences.
5) Not defining and understanding different roles. Healthy partners know their individual roles and gifts they add to the friendship. Both know their weakness and strengths and how to use the strengths to each other’s benefit. Defining the different roles and job description helps to establish synergy.
6) Having two visions, or goals. – division. Two visions will eventually break and destroy the partnership. It is the common agreement that holds the partnership together. We do not create unity we preserve it! Keep to the original vision, and both must be in agreement when the goalposts change.
7) Lack of Execution – physical work done, completed for the other. Not keeping your word, on what is agreed, will end the partnership. Both need to be responsible and show integrity to complete tasks, and fulfill obligations. This is the most basic foundation of any partnership. Not getting things done, and not fulfilling your end of the bargain destroys trust.
Categories
The Power of Two
The Power of two.
What is the Power that makes some partnership flourish, creating a collective genius far surpassing the genius of one?
That question lies at the heart of Joshua Wolf Shenk’s new book out this week, Powers of Two: Finding the Essence of Innovation in Creative Pairs, in which, drawing on academic research, historical evidence, and original reportage, he explores what makes creative partnerships tick, from a foundation of trust to a spark that ignites when two people are “as alike as identical twins and as unalike as complete strangers.”
All of us have experienced creative connection, and glimpsed its power. Yet, for centuries, the myth of the lone genius has obscured the critical story of the power of collaboration. In Powers of Two, Joshua Wolf Shenk argues that creative pairs are the exemplars for innovation. Drawing on years of research on great partnerships in history – from Lennon and McCartney to Marie and Pierre Curie, plus hundreds more in fields including literature, popular culture, art and business – Shenk identifies the common journey pairs take from the spark of initial connection, through the passage to a cognitive ‘joint identity” to competition and the struggle for power. Using scientific and psychological insights, he uncovers new truths about epic duos – and sheds new light on the genesis of some of the greatest creative work in history. He reveals hidden partnerships among people known only for their individual work (like C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien), and even ‘adversarial collaborations’ among those who are out to beat each other. This revelatory and lyrical book will make us see creative exchange as the central terrain of our psyches.
More example in our time is:
Bill Gates & Paul Allen (colleagues; business partners) Founders of Microsoft Corporation
Founders Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak created Apple Computer on April 1, 1976,
Frodo Baggins & Sam Gamgee (fictional; companions in the Lord of the Ring trilogy)
Biblical Examples are:
Gen 2:25 Adam and eve
Jos 2:1 The Two Spies
Zech 4:14 Two anointed ones (King & Priest Partnership)
2 Sam 20:34; & Sam 1:25-26 David & Jonathan
Jesus send the disciples two by two (Luk 10:1)
According the wisdom of the Preacher “two ae better than one” Eccl 4:9-12
What are the hindrances to a healthy partnership.
1) Lack of honour – Jesus exist to glorify the Father, our accurate deeds in frequency with the Father’s will glorify Him. We honour God with our lives when we accurately represent Him. Our lives, testimony, fruit, accomplishments, and success, is because we listened and obeyed His instruction, utilizing His wisdom, applying his power… The fruit glorifies the source. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16) We show honor in the way we involve and value our partner. Not informing one another of important decisions, and not including the other is a show of disrespect.
2) Desire to control, and Ego. Wanting to remain in control and have the last say, stifles the creativity in a relationship. A team works well together when both get’s the opportunity to lead. Working together is like dancing, mutual submission, and willingness to be led.
3) Losing Unity as always being the first point on the Agenda. Our point of departure is always unity first. No matter the grudge, the mistake or the problem it remains OUR problem, we face it together. We solve things together. We think team all the time.
4) Poor confrontation skills and results. Confrontation is healthy, if done the correct way. We all need to improve our correction skills, being mature enough to agree to disagree. Dealing with all our defense meganisme and bad habits in terms of reaction to correction paves the way to a strong relationship. We can grow, through our differences.
5) Not defining and understanding different roles. Healthy partners know their individual roles and gifts they add to the friendship. Both know their weakness and strengths and how to use the strengths to each other’s benefit. Defining the different roles and job description helps to establish synergy.
6) Having two visions, or goals. – division. Two visions will eventually break and destroy the partnership. It is the common agreement that holds the partnership together. We do not create unity we preserve it! Keep to the original vision, and both must be in agreement when the goalposts change.
7) Lack of Execution – physical work done, completed for the other. Not keeping your word, on what is agreed, will end the partnership. Both need to be responsible and show integrity to complete tasks, and fulfill obligations. This is the most basic foundation of any partnership. Not getting things done, and not fulfilling your end of the bargain destroys trust.
Categories
Hoeveel 'onse' in jou pond
Die woordjie ‘Ons’ is ‘n kritiese woord in NT verbondstaal. Jesus leer ons bid: ‘Ons Vader’ nie ‘My Vader’ nie. Ons bid altyd met ‘ons’ in gedagte. Ons lewe in ’n samelewing waar die ‘ek’ heeltemal te veel gebruik word. Ons het ’n ‘ek’ bewussyn en ook ’n ‘ek’ kultuur terwyl in die Nuwe Testamentiese Kerk het alles om die ‘ons’ gesentreer. Die OT Joodse Godsdiens was eksklusief terwyl die NT Kerk inklusief is. (Efe 2:14)
Leiers word aangestel vir ‘ONS’ nie vir ‘EK’ nie – Jes 55:4 ‘Commander and Leader of the People’ Leiers wat die “ons” perspektief verloor, verloor hulle mandaat. As leiers gaan dit nie oor jou posisie, mag en titels nie. Jy praat namens die mense: Soos Mordegai “well received by the multitude of his brethren, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen.”
Ons gebede is namens ONS en nie op self gerig nie – Ese 22:30 (Identificational Repentance) Nehemia bid vir sy mense en sluit homself in by hulle oortredings. (Neh 1:6-7) So ook Daniel (Dan 9:3-19) Abraham tree in namens die volk. (Gen 18:23-33) en so ook Moses (Ps 106:23) God is not interested in what He can do for you, but what He can do through you.
Ons bediening is as ’n span – 1 Kor 1:12 ‘we write’ Paulus is die skrywe tog verwys hy na homself as ONS. Die meeste van sy sendbriewe word geskryf, waar die span deel is van die seëngroet of afsluiting. Daar is nie so iets soos ‘my’ bediening nie. Ons is altyd deel van die groter geheel. Ons vul mekaar aan (1 Kor 3:6) die een plant, die ander gee water, maar God gee die groei. Ons bediening staan ook nooit op sy eie nie, ons bou voort op die wat ons voor gegaan het, en ander bou weer voort op ons werk. (Joh 4:37-38)
Ons het almal saam deel aan Jesus Christus 1 Joh 1:3 Daar is een liggaam, een Vader, een geloof. (Efe 4:4-6) Ons is een gemeenskap van gelowiges in Christus. In Hom is ons beskerming nie in ons groeperinge nie.
The Genius of God is displayed in US – Kol 1:27 Christ in AND Among US. Die volle heerlikheid van Christus kan nie deur een mens omvang word nie. Ons saam verteenwoordig Sy volheid.
Sout werk nie wanneer jy dit nie in die sop gooi nie – Mat 5:13 Ons het geen invloed en outoriteit oor ‘n ander as ons oor ‘n distansie skiet nie. Ons is in hierdie wêreld, maar nie van hierdie wêreld nie. (Joh 17:15) Paulus het ‘n Jood geword om die Jode te bereik, (1 Kor 9:20) Ons moet kontak maak oor die grense wat onsself gestel het. Reik uit en ontmoet jou vyande, met ‘n oop gemoed.
Jy maak nie lig onder ‘n emmer toe nie – Mat 5:15 Ons kan nie die lig van Jesus vir onsself hou nie. Ons kan Hom nie vasmaak en onder ons kerk se vaandel probeer vasmaak nie. Jesus werk nie deur isolasie nie, maar soos suurdeeg affekteer die koninkryk van God die hele deeg. (Mat 13:33)
Elkeen wat vir sy medemens (ons) kwaad bly sal self geoordeel word – Mat 5:22
Partyskappe is ‘n werk van die vlees – Gal 5:20 (SECTARIANISM) sekteywer, sektegees. Dis die werk van die vlees om partyskappe te loots. Mens soek ‘n aanstelling, posisies, wil belangrik wees.
Die wat nie teen ons is nie is vir ons – Mar 9:38-40 en Num 11:27–29 Jesus laat toe dat daar mense bedien in Sy naam, wat nie deel was van hulle groep nie. Ons as mens wil so graag alles beheer, en onder ons beheer kry.
In God’s Kingdom there is no divisions between Jew and Greek – (Rom 2:10; 10:12; Gal 3:28; Col 3:11)
Die eerste linie van die geveg is soms in ons eie huise. Ons ontrek, en begin ons eie ‘ons’ teenoor die ander. Wanneer jy en jou vrou baklei en stry is dit baie keer omdat een buite die sirkel staan. Ons gebruik JY en JOU taal. Verbondstaal is ‘ONS’. As ons hierdie woord gebruik forseer dit ons om anders te dink. Ons haal onsself so baie keer uit die sirkel. Of ons laat mense nie toe in ons sirkel nie.
Wie is my naaste? Wie is die ons? Luk 10:29-37 Jesus leer ons dat ons dieselfde vir ’n vreemdeling doen as wat ons vir die binne die sirkel sal doen. Die man het gedoen, wat familie vir hom sou doen – en hy was ’n vreemdeling, inteendeel hy was van ’n totale ander stand en ras.
Hoe definieer jy jou ONS? Hoe definieer ons kerk – ONS? Sien ons die plek waar ons bly as “ONS” dorp? Die mense van ons dorp as “ONS” mense.
DIE GEVARE EN UITKOMS VAN TE VEEL “ONSE” IN DIE “POND”
(VERDEELDHEID) Dis baie gevaarlik om van binne ’n kollektiewe raamwerk van “hulle” the praat terwyl God net een ‘ons’ sien. Bv.
– Binne een nasie, praat ons van hulle.
– Binne die universele kerk praat ons van ’n ander kerk as ‘hulle’.
– Binne die raamwerk van die Christelike kerk in ’n lokaliteit, praat ons van ander gemeentes as ‘hulle’.
– In ’n maatskappy praat ons van die bestuur as ‘hulle’ die bestuur praat van die mense as ‘hulle’.
– In ’n huwelik praat ons van Jy en Jou, myne.
‘Hulle’ bring skeiding in jou denke, en veroorsaak isolasie. Jou perspektief raak eensydig. Jy kyk net vanuit een perspektief, en verloor objektiwiteit.
Wanneer ons praat van ‘hulle’ is dit nie lank nie of ons gee ‘hulle’ ’n etiket. (LABELING) (Mat 5:22) Noem mekaar name. Jy is altyd so, en jy maak altyd so, en jy doen dit nooit nie. Jy (DEMONISEER) die ander persoon as altyd verkeerd en boos, wat eenvoudig nie die waarheid is nie. Terwyl jy jouself as die engel voorstel, wat ook nie die waarheid is nie. Later sien ons net die etiket en nie die mens agter die etiket nie. (DEHUMANISERING)
(LIEFDELOOS) Wanneer ons praat van ‘hulle’ kan dit lei tot trots – Ons disassosieer met die foute en sonde van ’n groep, en plaas onsself op ’n beter/hoër/verhewe plek. Gevolglik verloor jy jou stem by daardie groep. Hulle beleef jou as (TROTS), hooghartig, en beterwetig. Hulle voel die skeiding aan – en beleef dat daar nie meer liefde is nie. Sonder liefde het jy jou stem tot daardie groep verloor. (Gal 6:1)
(VIKTIMISERING) (Mat 5:22) ‘Jou gek’ Dis is natuurlik dat wanneer jy net fokus op ‘n persoon se foute, en net dit raaksien dat jy op so persoon gaan pik. Jy is negatief ingestel teenoor so ‘n persoon, en het ‘n outomatiese renons. Jy (DISASSOSIEER) jouself van die persoon. In ‘n huwelik is dit bitter gevaarlik want die gevolg is:
(STONEWALLING) Ontoeganglik, hard, en gemeen.
(CONTEMPT) Veragting, minagting, versmading – parmantig
(CRITISISM) Veroordeling, oordeel, afkeuring
Lyk die bogenoemde eienskappe vir jou soos die Koninkryk van God? Nee sekerlik nie! Ons het die hart van Jesus gemis! Jesus het die grense wat mense tussen mekaar stel kom afbreek. Hy het binne al die klieks en groeperinge ingestap en ons ‘n beter weg kom wys. Ons is in geen groepering veilig tov mense se verkeerde en sondige dade nie. Selfs binne jou klein groepie gaan daar mense wees wat jou seermaak. Ons beskerming lê in Jesus! Ons moet deel raak van God se familie en gesin, koninkryk! Dit is ewig! Al die aarde groepies is tydelik, en bied nie veiligheid nie.
As koninkryksburgers het ons dan juis die opdrag ontvang om in hierdie wêreld vredemakers te wees (Not Peace keepers) ons het die bediening van versoening ontvang om mense met Jesus te versoen, (2 Kor 5:18) nie tot ‘n spesifieke kerk groepering nie.
PRAKTIES:
1) Probeer om positiewe en menslike eienskappe by die ander groepering te identifiseer. Dis die begin van ‘EERBIED’ en ‘RESPEK’. Dit impliseer kontak, jy moet jouself bietjie in hulle skoene plaas.
2) Versprei die inligting – Praat positief (Mat 5:46-48) Ons werk mekaar negatief op teenoor mense wat ons nog nooit ontmoet het nie, net deur een persoon se negatiewe storie. Dit spreek van blindheid en kortsigtigheid.
3) Bid vir jou vyande – Wanneer jy bid kry jy weer God se perspektief op die persoon. (Mat 5:33)
4) Wees lief vir jou vyande – gaan dien en bedien mekaar. Gebruik die 1 Kor 13 barometer van wat liefde werklik is en pas dit toe.
5) Wanneer jy iets teen jou broer ‘ONS’ het – gaan konfronteer die probleem en praat dit uit. (Mat 18 en Luk 17) Dit is onvermydelik dat ons deur mense seergemaak gaan word of te na gekom word. Dit gebeur met ons almal, maar oppas om groepies van steun te werf terwyl die probleem nooit aangespreek word nie.
6) Wanneer jy agterkom jou broer het iets teen jou, los jou offer en gaan maak eers reg. – (Mat 5:23-24) Ons moet nie net die wat teenoor ons oortree konfronteer nie, maar ons moet sensitief wees, as ons dalk teenoor iemand oortree het. Gaan maak dit reg.
Wanneer ons as mens begin fokus op ons verskille, verdeel ons die mensdom in groeperinge ons bou grense en mure, ons verloor ons volwassenheid om goddelik en objektief na die mensdom te kyk en aan te raak Ons is (KLEINLIK) en (ONVOLWASSE) en verloor outoriteit om inspraak te hê tot die mensdom. Ons verloor (TOEGANG) en ons (ISOLEER) onsself. Weereens is dit alles oorwinnings vir satan, en God se Koninkryk is vêr verwyder van ons realiteit. Leef as Koningkryksburgers met ‘n ‘ons’ bewyssyn en floreer in Sy oorvloedige genade!
Categories
Mag die Kerk Oordeel?
Oordeel word meestal in ʼn negatiewe lig gesien. Ons konnotasie met die woord bring ander woorde tot ons gedagtes soos: finaliteit, verwerping, afskryf, verwydering, straf en hel. Ons weet ook dat ons dit nie moet doen nie… maar tog doen ons almal dit selfs sonder dat ons weet. Skinder is ʼn vorm van oordeel, want ek het alreeds ʼn waarheid/oordeel oor iemand gevorm sonder dat die persoon ooit die geleentheid gekry het om hulleself te verdedig. Broeders, moenie van mekaar kwaad spreek nie. Die wat kwaad spreek van sy broeder en sy broeder oordeel, spreek kwaad van die wet en oordeel die wet; en as jy die wet oordeel, is jy nie ‘n dader van die wet nie, maar ‘n regter. (Jakobus 4:11)
Die wat daarvoor veg om nie te oordeel nie, oordeel die wat oordeel.
Die grootste rede hoekom die kerk sy stem verloor het om ʼn morele kompas vir die Wêreld te wees, is omdat ons nie eenstemmigheid het oor dissipline en oordeel nie. Ouers verloor ook op dieselfde wyse hulle gesag met hulle kinders wanneer die een sag is en die ander hard, en later met mekaar baklei oor die dissipline proses. Dit verwar die kind. Tog is die skrif duidelik oor die saak: Ons moet net eers ons eie voorbehoude en opinies uit die weg ruim. Soms is ons negatiewe perspektief oor dissipline ons eie subjektiewe seerkry ervarings waaroor ons nog nie genesing gekry het nie.
Maar wat is oordeel nou eintlik?
Uiteindelik is ons aardse oordeel net ʼn beoordeling en nie ware oordeel nie. Uiteindelik is God die enigste een wat oor ons almal gaan oordeel. Maar ek kies om God se oordele in my lewe nie te verontagsaam nie. (Ps 119: 4, 15, 27, 40, 45, 56, 63, 69, 104, 128, 134, 173) Eerder nou geoordeel word terwyl ons almal nog ʼn kans het om reg te maak, as die ewige oordeel, en ewige straf. Geen straf is sonder ʼn mate van oordeel nie. Daarom voel die persoon veroordeel. Oordeel en straf is onlosmaaklik deel van mekaar. ʼn Ouer wat sy kind die heeltyd waarsku maar nooit sover kom om sy kind te straf nie, verloor gesag in daardie kind se lewe.
Die kerk se straf en oordeel is die van ʼn mens en tydelik. Wanneer God finaal straf is daar geen uitkomkans nie . Dan is daar nie meer kans vir bekering nie. Menslike straf is altyd met die hoop op herstel en bekering! Wanneer die hele Christenkerk in eenheid kan kom met God se prosesse in ons lewens, kan ons meewerk tot genesing en herstel.
Dink gou aan die volgende scenario: Jou beste vriend kom vertel jou in die geheim, en neem jou in sy vertroue dat hy op pad is om moord te pleeg. Hoe sal jy dit hanteer? Gaan jy hom paai, en met hom barmhartig wees? Gaan jy sy sonde toe maak? Of gaan jy bereid wees om ʼn vriend te verloor om ʼn lewe te red? Hoe ondersteun jy ʼn vermeende moordenaar sonder om ʼn medepligtige te word? Hoekom breek jy kontak; hoekom gee jy jou vriend oor aan die gereg? Want uiteindelik wil jy hom/haar red van doodstraf en ook die persoon wat hy/sy wil vermoor.
Die kwessie is nie óf ons moet oordeel nie, maar hoe ons moet oordeel. Daar is net twee tipes oordeel: Regte oordeel en verkeerde oordeel. Om iemand te oordeel sonder dat jy al die feite het, betrokke is in die saak, en eerstehands getuienis het is soos om jouself regter oor ʼn saak te maak en die saak het nooit voorgekom nie. Regte oordeel is wanneer ons ʼn saak
en persoon direk konfronteer en na ʼn proses tot ʼn beslissing kom.
Verkeerde oordeel kom voor wanneer ons:
- Iemand anders se gesag en hantering oordeel wat nie aan ons gegee is nie. Soos om ʼn pa wat sy kind straf te oordeel , bloot omdat ek nie van dissipline hou nie. Jy is nie betrokke in die verhouding en geskiedenis van ʼn saak nie. Paulus verduidelik dat ons nie iemand anders se hantering van sy dienskneg kan oordeel nie. (Rom 14:4) Kerke is soos gesinne en families, wanneer ʼn sekere kerk een van sy familie lede korrigeer en aanspreek, moet ander kerke die proses respekteer. Wanneer ons iemand wat onder dissipline is jammer kry, en simpatiseer misken ons die agent wat verandering en redding in daardie persoon se lewe moet bring. Dan begin die oortreder fokus op die sogenaamde verkeerde strafproses sonder om te deel met die oorsaak van die straf. Soos ʼn ma kan so ʼn persoon liefde wys, maar nie die straf in twyfel trek nie, eerder dit versterk en met sagtheid die persoon lei om hulle fout raak te sien. As almal saamwerk in die strafproses, is daar nie dubbelstandaarde en onsekerheid nie. Elkeen kan op verskillende wyses hulle onderskeie gawes gebruik om so ʼn persoon te help om tot hulle sinne te kom. Die Herder troos, maar is ferm om nie op die pak te fokus nie maar om die oorsprong van die sonde te vind. Die profeet vermaan van komende oordeel. Die apostel spreek saak direk aan, denkende aan die invloed wat sonde op die groter liggaam het. Die evangelis wys daarop dat so ʼn persoon hul invloed as getuie verloor. Die leraar wys op die skrifte en God se hart en hantering van die saak. Indien elkeen hulle rol in die restourasie proses verstaan, is die kans dat so ʼn persoon gered kan word mos soveel groter. (En aan sommige wat twyfel, moet julle barmhartigheid bewys; 23 maar ander moet julle met vrees red deur hulle uit die vuur te ruk; en ook die kleed moet julle haat wat deur sonde bevlek is.” (Jud 21-23)
- Jy iemand vanuit ʼn toeskouer rol oordeel, veroordeel en straf toepas. Jy moet betrokke wees, en as te ware lisensie/gesag/aangestel/mandaat hê om te oordeel. Is die saak aan jou gegee? Almal het ʼn opinie oor ʼn saak, maar Bybelse oordeel soek altyd een uitkoms : Redding! Selfs toe Paulus die sonde van ʼn gemeentelid in Korinte oordeel was dit met dié doel in gedagte: “om so iemand aan die Satan oor te lewer tot verderf van die vlees, SODAT DIE GEES GERED KAN WORD IN DIE DAG VAN DIE HERE JESUS.” (1 Kor 5:5) Soos ʼn pa sy kind straf en ʼn pakslae gee om hom te red van onheil, so word oordeel gebruik as ʼn laaste uitweg om iemand tot sy/haar sinne te bring. Dit is vir die ouer geensins aangenaam om sy/haar kind te straf nie, inteendeel dis soms traumaties. Maar juis omdat ons, ons kinders lief het, en wil voorkom dat hulle in dwaasheid en in rebellie tot hul einde kom straf ons, ons kinders. (Heb 12:5-11) Dis tog algemene professionele praktyk, om nie mekaar se sake te bespreek en opinies daaroor te lewer alvorens ek nie aangestel is en al die feite voor my het nie.
- Jy oordeel sonder dat jy die Bybelse pad met iemand gestap het. “EN as jou broeder teen jou sondig, gaan bestraf hom tussen jou en hom alleen. As hy na jou luister, dan het jy jou broeder gewin; 16 maar as hy nie luister nie, neem nog een of twee met jou saam, sodat in die mond van twee of drie getuies elke woord kan vasstaan. 17 En as hy na hulle nie luister nie, sê dit aan die gemeente; en as hy na die gemeente ook nie luister nie, laat hom vir jou wees soos die heiden en die tollenaar. (Mat 18:15-17) Vinnige oordeel is nooit goed nie, gee dit tyd en stap die pad van dissipline uit. Die uitsondering is wanneer mens regtig deur die Heilige Gees gelei word soos toe Paulus die Waarsêer Gees in ‘n vrou bestraf het. (Hand 16:18) Maar dit het tot haar vrymaking gelei. Jy beplan dit nie, en die saak wat jy oordeel het niks met jou as persoon te make nie. Dis die Heilige Gees wat deur jou werk om orde in die kerk te bring. (1 Tim 5:20; 4:2; Tit 1:13; 2:15) Wanneer jy iemand bestraf (rebuke) is dit ook korrek, omdat dit direkte konfrontasie is. Jesus se styl van bediening was direk, nooit met ompaadtjies, en mooi praatjies nie. Ek glo dat as ons self-verwoestende gedrag direk reguit konfronteer en sake reguit met mekaar uitpraat daar baie meer vrede in die huis van die Here wees. “Pas op vir julleself. En as jou broeder teen jou sondig, bestraf hom; en as hy berou kry, vergewe hom.” (Luk 17:3) Ons is soms so bang vir konflik en om iemand te na te kom, dat ons nie besef dat ons stilswye op die einde baie meer skade veroorsaak nie.
- Jou oordeel nie waar en regverdig is nie. Lees Mat 23:1-31 Jesus spreek Hom uit teen die Fariseërs en Skrifgeleerdes. Hy maak baie kras en harde uitsprake: “Wee julle, skrifgeleerdes en Fariseërs, geveinsdes, blinde leiers, dwase, gewitte grafte, slange addergeslag!” Die feit is: Dit is die waarheid. Jesus voeg nie by, of oordryf nie. Hy sê dit presies soos dit is. Hy maak ook nie die oordeel as reaksie uit bitterheid of omdat hulle Hom nie ontvang nie. Enige kind ontvang sy pak wanneer Hy weet hy/sy was verkeerd. Wanneer hulle egter onregverdig of onskuldig gestraf word, maak dit hulle opstandig. Daarom is dit so belangrik om nie te vinnig ʼn oordeel te vel nie. Kry eers al die inligting ter sake, alvorens jy oordeel en konfronteer. Wanneer jy iemand konfronteer werk net met eerstehandse inligting en dit wat die Heilige Gees aan jou openbaar.
Om nie regte oordeel toe te pas nie het konsekwensies:
Sou ons as kerk nie die sonde in ons midde oordeel en hanteer nie, word die hele gemeente uiteindelik besoedel met die sonde. “Julle roem is nie mooi nie. Weet julle nie dat ‘n bietjie suurdeeg die hele deeg suur maak nie?” (1 Kor 5:6)
Die laaste uitweg wat niemand graag wil doen nie:
Om iemand vir wie jy eens lief was te vermy, en die verhouding te breek oor sonde is geen maklike taak nie. Hierdie hantering van verkeerd druis regstreeks in teen populêre opinie en die gees van die wêreld. Tog is dissiplinêre optrede alledaags in die werksplek. Wat laat ons dink dat dissipline nie ook in die kerk geld nie? Toe priesters hulle skuldig gemaak het aan seksuele misdrywe, wou ons nie graag hê dat daar opgetree word teen hierdie individue nie? Die oordeel hoef nie in gevangenisstraf te eindig nie, maar die verkeerd moet aangespreek en hanteer word.
Die Bybel is baie duidelik dat ons mense wat hulle skuldig maak aan die volgende oortredings uit ons gemeenskap moet verwyder; hulle soos heidene moet behandel, nie met hulle moet kuier of eet nie.
1 Kor 5:11-13: hoereerders, gierigaards of rowers of afgodedienaars.
Rom 16:17: tweedrag en aanstoot veroorsaak teen die leer wat julle geleer het,
Tit 3:10-11: ‘n man wat partyskap verwek,
2 Tes 3:6: wat onordelik wandel en nie volgens die oorlewering wat hy van ons ontvang het nie.
2 Tes 3:14-15: iemand aan ons woord in hierdie brief nie gehoorsaam is nie,
1 Tim 6:3-5: 3 AS iemand iets anders leer en nie instem met die gesonde woorde van onse Here Jesus Christus en met die leer wat volgens die godsaligheid is nie,
Tit 1:10-11: wat tugteloos is, wat onsin praat en verleiers is,
Soos met enige vorm van straf is daar bitter min mense wat hulle sonde onmiddellik erken en bereid is om dit reguit en eerlik in die oë te kyk en ʼn pad van restourasie te soek.
Tog is dit die enigste pad. Hoeveel huwelike het misluk en die partye het nog steeds nie ʼn benul oor wat verkeerd gegaan het nie. So stap ons met ons foute en tekortkominge van die een verhouding na die ander. Daar vind nie groei plaas nie, want ons regverdig ons verkeerd, ons verskuif die blaam, en ons is nie eerlik met onsself nie.
Wanneer die kerk iemand tugtig is daar vele uitroepe wat sê: Wie is julle om te oordeel, het julle nie ook sonde nie. Is alle sonde nie dieselfde nie? Daar is ʼn reuse verskil tussen mense wat deur die geloof en Sy genade deurentyd wegstap van sonde, en diegene wat doelbewus en vasberade hulle oorgee aan sonde. Al het ons die grootste moontlike sonde gedoen, ons kan met ons sonde na die troon van genade kom en vergifnis ontvang. (Heb 4:14-16) As ons sonde bely is Hy getrou… om ons te vergewe (1 Pet 1:9) Vir die vrou wat op heterdaad in haar sonde gevang was, was daar genade. Jesus se Woord: “Gaan en sondig nie meer nie” was haar uitkomskaart na ʼn nuwe lewe. Sou sy egter nie gehoor gee, en terugdraai na sonde, sal sy nie van oordeel ontkom nie. Wanneer ons as kerk sonde oordeel sê ons nie ons is sonder sonde nie. Inteendeel die lig van God skyn tydens oordeel op almal se harte, en buig ons almal ons harte na die Here om ons te ondersoek. Ons tree nie uit hoogmoed op en oordeel nie. Ons verneder onsself voor die Here en laat juis toe dat Hy ons was. Inderwaarheid staan ons almal onder die Here se oordeel. Die kerk is net die Here se stem.
Is dit dan nie die kerk se verantwoordelikheid om mense te vertel van God se genade EN oordeel nie. Ons sal mos nie die waarheid praat as ons net die een kant verkondig en swyg oor die ander nie?
Jesus waarsku die fariseër van komende oordeel oor hulle valsheid. (Mat 23:14) Laster teen die heilige Gees sal nie vergewe word nie. (Mar 3:29) Dit sal draagliker wees vir Tirus en Sidon as vir die wat Hom nie ontvang het nie in die oordeelsdag. (Luk 10:14) En dit is die oordeel: dat die lig in die wêreld gekom het, en die mense het die duisternis liewer gehad as die lig; want hulle werke was boos. 20 Want elkeen wat kwaad doen, haat die lig en kom nie na die lig nie, dat sy werke nie bestraf mag word nie. 21 Maar hy wat die waarheid doen, kom na die lig, sodat sy werke openbaar kan word, dat hulle in God gedoen is. Die wat glo en doen sal die oordeel vryspring wat kom oor die hele aarde (Joh 5:24)
Die Voordele om Dissipline en korreksie te ontvang:
(Gal 6:1) Oordeel herstel in ʼn groot mate die vrees van die Here in ʼn huis. Net soos met enige familie: wanneer pa ʼn sekere kind straf, bring dit orde in die hele huis. Almal is sommer meer bewus van reg doen en reg leef. Paulus vertel dat hy sekere dinge gelei het ter wille van die liggaam. (Kol 1:24) Soms is een se korreksie ʼn geleentheid vir die wat nog wik en weeg om tot inkeer te kom. Daarom moet sekere sonde oop gemaak word, soos Dawid se owerspel, sodat ons vandag nog kan leer uit sy foute.
Wanneer mens korreksie ontvang bespoedig dit die prosesse van God in jou lewe. Ons kan nie onsself verander nie, een van God se agente van verandering is korreksie (Heb 12:8) deur dit te weier en aan te hou om jouself te regverdig kan die verandering wat in jou nodig is nie plaasvind nie. (Heb 12:8) Jou smaak bly dieselfde (Jer 48 :11) God het ons genesing en herstel, restourasie in gedagte, sodat ons uiteindelike volkome in Christus sal wees en Hy volkome in ons. (Kol 1:27)
Nog nooit was ons meer in gebed, meer voor die Here se lig en oë op ons lewens nie. Almal se harte word ontbloot by die straf van sonde. Mag die Here ons almal genadig wees en skenk dat ons goddelike berou sal ontvang en draai van dit wat sleg en verkeerd is. (2 Kor 7:7-10)
Vrede en Genade in Christus !
Jan Oosthuizen
