To all who believe that Jesus is the Son of God:
“Wherefore seeing that we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let lay aside all weight, and the sin that so easily beset us and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1) Have you ever thought about what happened to some of the saints that paved the road for you and me to be able to stand in church (at least those who do go to church) Let me tell you: John the Baptist: he was beheaded Jesus Christ: He was crucified Stephen: he was stoned James the apostle: was executed about 44 AD The apostle Philip: was sent to prison in 54 AD and crucified in Phrygia The apostle Matthew: was sent to Ethiopia where he was nailed to the ground and beheaded in 60 AD James the brother of Jesus: He was stoned or thrown from the roof of the temple in 66 AD Andrew the brother of Peter: was crucified on an X-shaped cross Mark: was torn to pieces by the inhabitants of Alexandria because he warned them against a religious festival in honour of an idol. Simon Peter: he was crucified upside down because he did not think of himself of being crucified like Jesus. the apostle Paul: he was in prison in Rome for years and was most probably sentenced to death and beheaded in 66 AD. The apostle Jude: he was crucified in Edessa in 72 AD The apostle Bartholomew: he translated the Gospel of Matthew into one of the Indian languages, but was later tortured and crucified. Thomas: he was tortured in India by a raging crowd and his body was pierced and then thrown into a burning furnace. The Apostle John: He was exiled to the island of Patmos where he wrote the book of Revelation. He was the only know saint not to die a cruel and violent death. Yet he had a pot of boiling water thrown on his face. Lastly: The apostle Luke the doctor: He was hanged for his beliefs from a tree in 93 AD. I have nothing more to add to this overwhelming view of the heroes of faith who gave their lives to forward the Gospel to us. There are much more heroes in the Bible, see Hebrews 11 (It’s called the hall of faith. To live a fulfilled life, you have to live by God’s power.
The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 4:20, “For the kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power” (NLT). Did you know God does not bless self-reliant people? He blesses people who are dependent upon him and surrendered to him. God wants to use you, but you must live by his power. Ephesians 3:20 says, “Through his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.” God is able to do more than you can ever imagine. So how do you get God’s power in your life? There are three ways. 1. You get God’s power by praying. If you don’t have any power in your life, that tells me one thing: You’re not praying. Prayer and power go together. 2. You get God’s power by taking risks to obey God. When you take a risk to do what God tells you to do, even when it’s hard or unpopular, even when it may cost you, even when it doesn’t make sense, even when nobody else is doing it, God will pour out his power in your life. 3. You get God’s power by not giving up. Don’t give up! In order for God to grow your faith, he’s got to test it. When you’re going through difficulties and delays and dead ends and despair and discouragement, God is teaching you to trust him. If you hang on, God will bless you. Remember everything God does is perfect. He is never wrong."
Often we complain about life, and negative things that happen to us, Forgetting that nothing is random and that everything has a purpose. Every morning, offer your day to God, don't be in a rush. Ask God to inspire your thoughts, guide your actions, and ease your Feelings. And do not be afraid. God is never wrong! You know why this message is for you? I do not know, but God knows, because he never makes mistakes....... “As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him”. What you do with this message is up to you. May God put in your heart the Desire to send it to someone. God knows why He chose you to receive this Message. Please bless someone with it. God is never wrong and He is never late. Gesag en leierskap is God se volmaakte idee vir menslike verhoudinge: owerheid-landsburgers; ouers-kinders; werkgewers-werknemers. God se bedoeling met die huwelik is dat die man as dienskneg-leier sy vrou sal liefhê en dat die vrou sy onderdanige helper sal wees. Maar as God se gesag nie erken word nie, dan word leierskap korrup, en dan word goeie leierskap vervang met oorheersing of versuim.
Oorheersing (domineering) kom voor as die getroude man sy Godgegewe gesag verruil vir outonome mag. Dan is hy selfsugtig, trots, kontrolerende, kompeterend, onsensitief, onafhanklik en ontoeganklik. Sy eggenote weer sal geneig wees om haar man se leierskapsrol te verwerp en sy kan dominerend en onafhanklik optree. Versuim kom voor as die getroude man sy Godgegewe rol as leier versaak. Hy kan passief wees, afsydig en onbetrokke. Die vrou mag onwillig wees om haar man met haar gawes en talente te ondersteun. Of sy kan oorafhanklik van hom wees vir sekuriteit en waardering. Sy kan sy aanvaarding so sterk begeer, dat sy oorsensitief is vir kritiek, konflik vermy en 'n "pleaser" word. Dis duidelik dat hierdie modelle God nie as God in die huweliksverhouding erken nie. Die heers-model is outokraties: Ek's die baas en jy's my klaas. Jy moet aan my gee wat ek wil hê – nie wat God verwag nie. Die versuim-model is demokraties: Ek gee aan jou wat jy wil hê – nie wat God vereis nie. God se leierskapsmodel vir die huwelik is teokraties: Hy is in beheer, en beide man en vrou moet hulle aan Hom onderwerp as Here en Leier, en mekaar as leier en helper bedien met die gesindheid van Jesus Christus. In hierdie model word man en vrou deur God gesien as gelykwaardig: geskape na sy beeld, verlos, ge roep, geheilig en verheerlik – maar ook as ongelyksoortig: ten opsigte van seksualiteit, persoonlikheid, gawes en verantwoordelikhede. Die leier-helper-verhouding word gekenmerk deur afhanklikheid van God, en wedersydse vertroue, sensitiwiteit, inter-afhanklikheid en diens. Psalm 121:5
'The Lord watches over you - the Lord is your shade at your right hand.' - Can you picture God watching over you? - He is your keeper, your protection and your defense. - He undertakes to help you, direct you and defend you. - HE is like the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. PRAYER: Lord, I rejoice to know that You watch over me. You know everything about me and I pray that You will be my place of shelter and protection as I trust in You. Amen. Exodus 33:15 Moses said, 'If You aren't going with us, don't let us move a step from this place.' - Moving without God is asking for trouble. - Moving with Him is a source of blessing. - Knowing that HE is with us is our greatest asset. - Don't move until you are sure that God has spoken. - Then you can expect His blessing. PRAYER: Lord, I want what You want for me. I desire Your plan for my life! Amen. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Pe 3:18 NIV Growth is the goal of the Christian. Maturity is mandatory. If a child ceased to develop, the parent would be concerned, right? … When a Christian stops growing, help is needed. If you are the same Christian you were a few months ago, be careful. You might be wise to get a checkup. Not on your body, but on your heart. Not a physical, but a spiritual. May I suggest one? … Why don't you check your habits? … Make these four habits regular activities and see what happens. First, the habit of prayer… Second, the habit of study… Third, the habit of giving… And last of all, the habit of fellowship. When God Whispers Your Name (Max Lucado) Psalm 121:5
'The Lord watches over you - the Lord is your shade at your right hand.' - Can you picture God watching over you? - He is your keeper, your protection and your defense. - He undertakes to help you, direct you and defend you. - HE is like the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. PRAYER: Lord, I rejoice to know that You watch over me. You know everything about me and I pray that You will be my place of shelter and protection as I trust in You. Amen. Everything on earth has its own time and its own season. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (CEV)
As you grow to spiritual maturity, there are several ways to cooperate with God in the process -- Believe God is working in your life even when you don’t feel it. Spiritual growth is sometimes tedious work, one small step at a time. Expect gradual improvement. There are seasons in your spiritual life, too. Sometimes you will have a short, intense burst of growth (springtime) followed by a period of stabilizing and testing (fall and winter). Keep a notebook or journal of lessons learned. This is not a diary of events, but a record of what you are learning. Write down the insights and lessons God teaches you about him, about your life, and everything else. The reason we must relearn lessons is that we forget them. Reviewing your spiritual journal regularly can spare you a lot of unnecessary pain and heartache. We are often in a hurry when God isn’t. You may feel frustrated with the seemingly slow progress you’re making in life. Remember that God is never in a hurry, but he is always on time. He will use your entire lifetime to prepare you for your role in eternity. “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits’ ” (1 Corinthians 15:33, NKJV) Sometimes, in order to embrace the destiny God has in store, you have to be willing to make some changes in your life. You have to be willing to examine where you are and what you need to move forward. This may mean that you need to change some friends that you’re spending time with. Maybe they were fine for a season in your life, but now you’ve outgrown them. This is a new season, and in order for you to rise higher, you have to break away from relationships that are limiting you. You have to develop some new relationships with people who are going to pull you up and inspire you to rise higher. And this doesn’t just mean separating yourself from people who are holding you back spiritually. I’ve found that if you’re the smartest one in your group, your group is too small. Find people who are smarter than you are, people who will challenge you to stretch to the next level and become everything God’s created you to be. Remember, he who walks with the wise becomes wise. Choose your friends wisely and don’t be deceived. Choose your friends wisely so you can walk and live in the destiny God has in store for you! Father God, thank You for Your grace and mercy. Thank You for the good plan You have for my life. Help me choose my friends and companions wisely so that I can continue to move forward in the destiny You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen. — Joel & Victoria Osteen |
Ana & Andre Schoonbee God uses us to motivate and encourage the body. Authors
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