Daily Devotion

He strengthens us

1992. Olimpiese Spele. Barcelona. Voor 65 000 toeskouers het Derek Redmond vir die 400 m semi-finaal aangetree. Hy was een van die gunstelinge om dié uitdun te wen – 175 m voor die einde van die wedloop het hy egter sy dyspier verrek. Binne sekondes was hy in pyn op die grond.

Alhoewel die mediese personeel met ’n draagbaar nader gehardloop het, het Derek opgestaan en hop-hop na die eindstreep begin beweeg – vasberade om die wedloop te voltooi.

In dié oomblik het ’n man met die trappe van die pawiljoen afgehardloop, deur die sekuriteit gebreek wat hom probeer keer het, terwyl hy skree: “Julle gaan my nie keer nie. Derek is my seun en ek gaan hom help.”

Op die baan het Jim Redmond sy arm om sy seun geplaas en saam het hulle die wenstreep oorgesteek – met ’n staande toejuiging van die skare.

Ek huil elke keer as ek die video kyk (sien skakel onder). Vir my simboliseer dit God se Vaderhart vir ons in moeilike oomblikke. In 2 Korintiërs 12:9 sê Hy: “My genade is vir jou genoeg. My krag kom juis tot volle werking wanneer jy swak is.” Ook in Jesaja 40:29,31 lees ons: “Hy gee die vermoeides krag, Hy versterk dié wat nie meer kan nie. … dié wat op die Here vertrou, kry nuwe krag. Hulle vlieg met arendsvlerke, hulle hardloop en word nie moeg nie, hulle loop en raak nie afgemat nie.” (Tekste: 1983-vertaling)

Aan die einde van ons krag en vermoëns versterk God ons. Hy bemoedig ons en gee ons krag om met arendsvlerke te vlieg. Mag ons dit hierdie week opnuut ervaar. Sterkte.

Gebed: Vader God, baie dankie dat U my versterk wanneer ek swak of moeg is. Help my asseblief in die week wat voorlê om my oë op U te hou. Ek vra dit in die Naam van Jesus Christus. Amen.

Bear each other’s burdens

At a gymnastics competition in China, young children have to run and jump over an obstacle. At one of the competitions, a little boy struggled to get over the obstacle. In a video on social media (see link below), one can see how he wipes away tears as he walks back to the point where he has to start running.

Then, just before the boy starts running again, his teammates sitting on the side of the track get up and run towards him. They form a small circle around him, shout something that sounds like a creed and then sit down again. After this, the boy runs and successfully jumps over the obstacle.

There is value in supporting each other. In Galatians 6:2 we read: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.” (NIV) Also in Matthew 25:40 we read: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (NIV)

We experience God tangibly when people support us in our difficult seasons. Similarly, we as believers have an opportunity to be Jesus Christ’s hands and feet on earth when we demonstrate his goodness and greatness to the least among us. God bless.

Prayer: Father God, thank you very much for demonstrating your love to me through the people around me. Help me today to spot people who need my support. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Do you hear his voice?

Last week I received an e-mail from a reader with the question: “Benescke, is it normal for me as a Christian to go through difficult times? Sometimes it seems like life is much easier for other believers. Am I doing something wrong?”

The truth is this: Life is hard. We live in a broken world. Is it God who makes bad things happen? NO. He is a good God. However, we have an enemy, Satan, who is out to steal, slaughter and destroy. “Why?” you might ask.

At one stage Satan was a prominent angel in heaven. He was close to God. Satan, however, began to think that he was more important than God. His pride led to his downfall and he was cast out of heaven (Isaiah 14, Luke 10:18).

God then created humans to have a relationship with us. This must have filled Satan with tremendous jealousy because he knows that he will never be able to be close to God ever again. Precisely for this reason, he daily walks around like a roaring lion looking for ways to hurt, destroy and devour people (1 Peter 5:8-9).

So, is it “normal” for life to be hard from time to time? Yes. Jesus prepared us for this. In John 16:33 he says: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” In Luke 10:19 he reminds us: “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” (NIV)

Sin and sorrow were never part of God’s original plan for us. When it did happen, he loved us enough to not turn his back on us, but to give us his only Son. Jesus’ death on the cross freed us from the grip of sin and gave us the authority to rule over Satan. With Jesus’ ascension, God went one step further and gave us the gift of his Holy Spirit as Comforter and Helper. Now we can hear God’s voice and experience his presence daily.

May we daily find our peace in Jesus amid challenging times, knowing that he already had the victory and has given us the authority to live without fear. God bless.

Prayer: Father God, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit. Please fill me anew with your Spirit today and help me to hear your voice clearly. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

God holds the universe in his hands

This past weekend I visited the Planetarium in Cape Town with my kids. During a video presentation about the solar system, the presenter puts the size of the solar system into perspective. Did you know that the planet Neptune is 57 times larger than Earth and Jupiter 1 300 times? Also, that the sun is 1,3 million times the size of Earth?

It sounds big.

However, the sun is not the largest star in our solar system. Pollux is 700 times larger than the sun, Arcturus 17 000 times larger and UY Scuti (the largest star known to us) is 5 billion times the size of the sun.

Consider for a moment the greatness of our God, the Creator of all these stars.

In Psalm 33:6,8 we read: “By the word of the Lordthe heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. …Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him.” In verse 13-15 and 18 we are reminded that God, the Creator of all galaxies still knows of each of us: “From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth – he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do … the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love …” (NIV)

God created us to have a relationship with him. His eyes are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love. May we never forget that. God bless.

Prayer: Father God, thank you for creating each of us to have a relationship with you. Help me to see you around me today. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

God sets us free

Disgusted, I watched footage last week of a Cape businessman assaulting his wife in their bedroom. This while their 4-year-old child desperately tries to intervene to protect her mother. How does something like this happen?

While I was furious at first, I later began to think about the psychological aspect behind this action. Was this man perhaps once a little boy who had to watch his father assault his mother? Perhaps he also tried to intervene and stop the conflict in their home? And because he never got help dealing with that trauma, what he once hated became his reality.

In my world, I often see how devastating patterns (addiction, alcohol abuse, extramarital affairs, divorce, assault) repeat from one generation to the next until someone is brave enough to stand up, allow God to intervene, set them free and alter the direction for their lineage.

In 2 Chronicles 16 we read of King Asa who becomes king of Israel. Although his ancestors were far from God, he took a stand, tore down idols and turned the nation back to God. The consequences stretched into the next generation. Remember his son, Jehoshaphat who took a stand for God (2 Chronicles 20)?

In Isaiah 43:19 God says, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (NIV)

Are you satisfied with the legacy you currently have? Nothing is ever “too late” for God to restore. Let’s allow Him to intervene, free us and alter the direction of our lives and those of our children. God bless.

Prayer: Father God, thank you very much for your healing power. Today I bring (name area) to you. Please set me free so that I can act in such a way that the people around me can see you. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Choose friends correctly

“Avoid negative toxic people.” This is the advice of Maria Branyas Morera, a French nun who recently celebrated her 118th birthday as the world’s oldest person. She was born on 4 March 1907, seven years before the First World War.

Maria got a point. Throughout the Bible we are warned to choose wisely who we are spending time with. It will have an effect on us.

In Psalm 1:1-2 we read: “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.” In 1 Corinthians 15:33 we read: “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” And in Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Scripture texts: NIV)

Let’s choose how and with whom we spend our time. No matter how strong we think we are, the friendship will affect us – positively or negatively. God bless.

Prayer: Father God, thank you that I can ask you for positive people in my life. Also help me to carry a positive attitude with me to have a good influence on the people around me. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Nothing is impossible to God

Last year July, Zilda Eloff from Vereeniging and her family had a supernatural experience. Here is her testimony:

Zilda: “After my eye surgery, my mother came to visit us for a while to help with our children. During this time, our 5-year-old son, Lieben, got up early one morning and told me that he had an interesting dream. Because I was still making coffee, he went to tell my mother and my husband before coming to share the dream with me. We were all amazed.

“In the dream, Lieben was in a golden palace where he could hear Jesus calling his name. According to Lieben, Jesus had long hair and a beard and wore a ‘boy skirt’ with a golden sash around his body. In his hands, he had holes, but it was no longer hurting because Jesus had died for us on the cross many years ago. Jesus gave Lieben something to eat and drink before they laughed and played together. Just before Lieben woke up, Jesus told him, ‘You should never be afraid, Lieben. My angels will always protect you.’

“Three weeks after the dream, I was on my way to drop off our domestic worker at the bus stop. As usual, I asked Lieben to pick up our dog and close the side-gate so it wouldn’t run into the street. I put the vehicle in reverse. As the car started to move, it felt as if I was driving over something. I immediately put the car in the first gear and drove forward. Again it felt as if I was driving over something. My child suddenly started to scream, ‘Mom, you are driving over me!’ I shivered in shock as I jumped out of the car. What I didn’t know was that Lieben, with the dog in his hands, went to sit on the grass directly behind the wheel (something he had never done before).

“I immediately lifted Lieben’s shirt to see the damage done to his small body. Even though you could clearly see the tire marks on the shirt, there was no mark on his body. I rushed to the hospital in shock. Many tests were done. Time and time again, the doctors and us were amazed that there was no damage to his intestines. This was an absolute miracle.

“This experience made me realise once again that we as parents can pray 100 times the blood of Jesus over our children, but it is God who protects them. We need to surrender what we have to him. All honour goes to God!”

Zilda is right. In 2 Timothy 1:12 we are reminded that God looks after whatever we entrust to him. And in 1 Timothy 1:17 we read: “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever.”

God still does miracles in our lives. Let’s make sure we entrust to him whatever we hold dear in our lives. God bless.

Prayer: Father God, thank you that nothing is impossible for you. I bring (name your challenge) to you today. Please be gracious to me. I ask it in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Choose right

Over the past weekend we went to watch the Protea Netball team’s match against the Silver Ferns from New Zealand in Cape Town. The atmosphere was electric. Because South Africa is currently fifth in the world netball ranking compared to New Zealand’s second place, the expectation was that New Zealand might have the upper hand. However, the crowd stood firmly behind the Proteas.

Every time the Proteas’ overturned the ball and was headed to their goals or a goal was converted, a loud cheer erupted throughout the Cape Town International Conference Centre – to such an extent that it gave you as a supporter goosebumps.

This experience made me think about the game of life. Every day we have two crowds watching how we live this life. On the one side of the court we have the heroes of faith that went before us. They are encouraging us to make right decisions every day. On the other we have the enemy and his minions who hope we succumb to temptation.

In Hebrews 12:1-2 we read: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (NIV) In Deuteronomy 30:19 God says: “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” (KJV)

When we choose to end that inappropriate relationship outside of our marriage or act with integrity (while thinking no one sees us) or when we stop gossiping stories or choose patience when dealing with our children, there is a loud cheer erupting from the crowd of heaven. In the same way, there is a loud applause from the opposite pavilion when we succumb to whatever temptation the enemy puts in our way.

God gave us the gift of free choice, but He also gave us the Holy Spirit who strengthens us to make the right decisions in challenging situations. Let’s choose right today so that the right applause erupts. God bless.

Prayer: Father God, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit in my life. Please help me to make the right decisions in every situation. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Time to take a stand?

“Enough is enough.” This is how many South Africans feel after the government’s recent announcement that load shedding will be a permanent part of our lives for another two years. To demonstrate their misery, a large number of people will be marching to the Grand Parade in Cape Town and to Luthuli House in Johannesburg today as part of the “Power to the People” marches.

Will it make any difference? I don’t know.

Yet, I wonder what will happen if we decide to inspect our own lives and hearts and decide to take a stand against everything we know is not right in God’s sight – our mediocre marriage, gossip, jealousy, those “grey area” work deals, a bad habit, pride, name it.

Will we experience more freedom? Will we be able to hear the Holy Spirit’s voice clearly because “that thing” might be the blockage in our relationship with God?

In 1 John 1:5 we read: “God is light; in him is no darkness at all.” And in Matthew 5:28-30 Jesus makes it clear that sin is an abomination to God: “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble,cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.” (NIV)

Do you want to experience a more meaningful relationship with God this year? Let’s take a stand where we need to. God bless.

Prayer: Father God, thank you for desiring a relationship with each of us. Show me the things that are causing a blockage between me and you and help me to get rid of it. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Letting go of the past

Last week I received an e-mail from a reader who wrote: “I’m struggling to come to terms with my husband’s death. He took his own life in December. He was 48 years old. We now realise that his business was experiencing financial challenges. I struggle to forgive myself. On our last day together, we had an argument and slept in separate rooms. The next morning he said goodbye to our little boy and I watched him drive off through the window. Why didn’t I notice his depression earlier? Everyone is saying that it is not my fault, he was sick, but I can’t help but feel bad. It feels like no help is working …”

My heart goes out to this reader. Her e-mail is a wake-up call for all of us to be more sensitive towards those around us who are suffering. As for the resentment … BEWARE.

The enemy walks around like a prowling lion. He is looking for opportunities (in each of our lives) to rob us from our joy and peace. When he sees that we are feeling guilty or ashamed about something, he turns that thing into a heavy iron ball around our ankle. His main objective is to break our speed and prevent us from realising that Jesus died precisely so we can experience life in abundance – without any heavy balls around our ankles.

In Isaiah 44:22 God says, “I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” In Galatians 5:1 we read, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” And in Philippians 3:13 it is written: “… one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)

When we repent, God forgives us. He removes all the iron balls around our ankles so we can run to the finish line with confidence. May we experience that freedom. God bless.

Prayer: Father God, thank you for setting me free when I repent of anything I did in my life. Please remove all the “iron balls” from my ankles that are preventing me from enjoying life in abundance. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Find help at the right place

Over the past three years 7 million calls to the emergency number, 10111, were not answered. This shocking statistic was recently released by the government. They attribute this to the almost 6 000 vacant posts they need to fill.

Above-mentioned is a worrying fact as most of us now will think twice before calling this number during an emergency.

The good news, however, is that we serve a God who never sleeps nor slumbers. In Psalm 50:15 we read: “and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” (ESV) In Jeremiah 33:3 He says: “Call to me and I will answer you …” (NIV) And in Lamentations 3:55,57 we read: “I called on your name, Lord, from the depths of the pit. … You came near when I called you, and you said, ‘Do not fear.’” (NIV)

God is always available to help us during our emergencies. Let’s remember that. God bless.

Prayer: Father God, thank you that I can call unto you in my time of trouble. Help me today with (name the situation). I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

A new beginning by looking at yourself differently

In a recent video clip on social media, a farmer carefully removes a sheep from a ditch where it landed in headfirst. He takes it out carefully, just to stand in amazement of how this sheep, after being removed, lands in the same ditch moments later – headfirst.

This clip made me think of how some of us go through life – head facing downward. Because of a feeling of guilt due to wrong choices in the past, hurtful words or an inferiority complex, we start to believe Satan’s lies that we would not amount to anything, nor taste a life in abundance.

This, while God our great Shepherd, says in Jeremiah 1:5: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you …” (NIV) In Isaiah 1:18, He reminds us that He frees us from our past mistakes: ‘Tthough your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” (NIV) Then in Jeremiah 29:11, He reminds us that even if we go through difficult seasons, He still has bigger plans for us than to maintain a “head-facing downward” lifestyle: “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (NIV)

God has more thoughts about each of us than the sand in the sea (Psalm 139). He gave his Son, Jesus Christ so that we can taste life in abundance. Let us look at ourselves through his eyes. Let’s step away from the ditch, head-facing upward. God bless.

Prayer: Father God, thank you for planning me carefully when you formed me. Please help me to see myself as you see me. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

A new beginning … with new thoughts

In December, a day after André de Ruyter, CEO of Eskom, resigned, someone, tried to poison him with cyanide. A small amount was poured into his coffee. After he drank it, his face turned red, he started vomiting and he had trouble breathing. His security personnel rushed him to the hospital which saved his life.

Cyanide prevents any absorption of oxygen in our bodies. One capsule is enough to kill us within minutes if we don’t get emergency treatment.

This shocking news of De Ruyter made me think of how Satan also tries to “poison” us on a daily basis. He does not use cyanide, but negative thoughts. Initially, we might not see the danger in that. Yet, if we do not stop negative thoughts, they turn into bitterness, offence, hatred, blame and even depression. In the same way, cyanide prevents oxygen absorption, negativity prevents us from “absorbing” hope and beauty in our hearts.

In Proverbs 4:23 we read: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (NIV)

In Ephesians 6 we are reminded to wear the helmet of salvation to protect our thoughts daily as the armour of God. In 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 we read: “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds … we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (NIV)

And in Philippians 4:8 we are reminded of what we should be focusing on: “… whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. (NIV)

Cyanide can cause our death – so can negative thoughts. Let’s ponder what we think about and capture any negative thoughts before they ruin our lives. God bless.

Prayer: Father God thank you for giving us weapons to fight against the enemy. Please help me to intentionally keep my mind pure. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

A New Beginning … with faith

I recently read this quote: “The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith and the beginning of true faith, the end of anxiety.”

Whenever there is a challenge in our lives (for example a crisis in the workplace, loneliness, a need for a baby or spouse, a crisis with our finances or health or whatever it may be be), we must pray until we experience peace in our hearts. At this point, we know that we have surrendered the challenge to God.

Hereafter our prayers change to:

1. Thanking God that he is in control.

2. Reminding ourselves (and God) that we believe that he is Sovereign and at work – even if it doesn’t feel like it.

3. Asking God to strengthen our faith through his Holy Spirit.

Why is the above-mentioned steps important? Whenever our breakthrough takes longer than expected, we can easily pray ourselves out of faith by focusing more on the challenge than on God’s ability to establish a breakthrough. We start complaining more than having faith in God.

In Hebrews 11:1 we read: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (KJV) In Mark 11:24 Jesus says: “…whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (NIV) And in Philippians 4:6-7 it is written: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)

God cares about your situation and he still honours faith – think about the woman with the issue of blood (Luke 8); the captain over 100 men (Luke 7); Daniel and the lion’s den (Daniel 6); Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3); Joshua and Caleb spying on the Promised Land (Numbers 13); and David and Goliath (1 Samuel 16).

The beginning of worry is the end of faith, but the beginning of true faith, the end of worry. Strength.

Prayer: Father God, today I bring (name your situation) to you anew. Thank you, that I can know that you are working. I believe that you are sovereign and so is your timing. Please strengthen me through your Holy Spirit in my faith when I am weak. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

A new beginning… without baggage

A few weeks ago, I saw a video clip of the American actor, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, walking into a 7-Eleven store in Hawaii. He takes all the Snicker bars from the shelf and asks the shopkeeper to bring all the extra ones he has in stock. After paying for the bars, he leaves them at the till and walks out.

Johnson tells the story of how he, as a teenager, lived a couple of blocks from the 7-Eleven store. Every day, on his way to the gym, he stopped at the store and stole a Snicker bar for energy as he was too poor to pay for it. For years afterwards, he felt guilty every time he drove past a 7-Eleven store. That particular day, he decided to get rid of this guilt, face his past and enter the store.

Too many of us also walk around with a feeling of guilt about the past. Maybe we did something or said something that destroyed a relationship or alter the direction of our lives forever. Today is your opportunity to “enter the store and get rid of the past”.

God forgives us our sins if we repent of our sins. In 1 John 1:9 we read: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” Also in Psalm 103:12 it is written: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” (NIV)

We need to also forgive ourselves in order to experience that new beginning – without baggage. May today be your day to “enter the store”.

Prayer: Father God, thank you for your forgiveness. Today I bring my situation to you (name the situation). Please forgive me and help me to forgive myself. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

A New Beginning for 2023

Something strange happens to most of us whenever the clock strikes midnight on 31 December. It is as if an invisible page is turned, and we rise the next morning on New Year’s Day with more courage and hope in our hearts.

Maybe it wasn’t like that for you. On the contrary, we are halfway through the first month of 2023 and still you are struggling to get out of bed – not even to mention your struggle to fill your heart with courage and hope every day. I have good news for you. God is always able to give you a new start, new opportunities and more hope in your heart.

In 2 Corinthians 5:17 we read: Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. (CEV)

God is still able to give us all a new start. He changed Saul to Paul and Simon to Peter. He positioned Esther, an orphan to become queen of her land and he used Rahab, a prostitute as his instrument in ways unimaginable. He can do the same for you. The question beckons: Will you trust him for that new beginning?

Prayer: Father God, thank you for loving me. Please fill my heart with hope for the new year, knowing that you can present me with wonderful new opportunities. Help me to find my hope and courage in you. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Fear

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Psalm 23:4, NIV

The Bible is full of examples of people who experienced the authentic human emotion of fear. No living human being can dodge this emotion, not even believers. Yes, even David, the man after God’s own heart, as well as Jesus’ disciples experienced this emotion somewhere on their life’s journey. David though, channelled his fear by declaring his guaranteed safety – the Lord’s ever-present presence! Even in the darkest of depths, it is there, in the Lord’s hands alone, where he knows he is completely safe (Psalm 23:4).

Did you know that God’s presence is also the safe house for believers? Jesus declared that we, his flock of sheep, know his voice, we listen to his voice and we follow him. He gives us eternal life and no one can snatch us out of the Father’s hand (John 10:28-29). The question to you though is, are you familiar with your place of safety with him?

In one of his poems, David admits that he feared when the Philistines took him captive in Gad. What did he do? He put his trust in God. Then, tongue in cheek, he asks, “What can mortal man do to me?” (Psalm 56:4)

The evening of the day Jesus fed five thousand people; he sent his disciples in a boat to go ahead of him to the other side. Terrified when seeing Jesus walking on the lake, a little bit later that evening, his disciples cried out: “It’s a ghost!” (Matthew 14:26). True to his nature, he set their minds at ease: “Take courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27)

The bigger problem though is what do you do when the unseen is the cause of terror or fear in you? You know the scenario. It is that emotion or feeling that you are not necessarily linking to an incident, but it disturbs your night’s rest, ignites shortness of breath and heats up your body as if with a flame. In addition, when you wake up, you know that fear, anxiousness, nervousness or anguish, are trying their best to pitch tent in your heart and spirit. Hear God’s word: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).

At the same time, in faith, tie your spirit to these living, powerful words: For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you that you have banned the unwelcome spirit of fear from your children’s lives. Thank you that the Spirit you gave us fills us with power, godly love and self-control! Fear need not run us wild; you are with us, always. Amen.

Treasure in jars of clay

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surprising power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:7-9, NIV

The word of the Lord uses the clay metaphor to bring home lessons of truth and life in a practical way to his people (and to us). For instance, he sent the prophet Jeremiah as a mere observer to the potter’s house. Here, Jeremiah witnessed how easily a clay object can end up in failure, even in the hands of an expert potter. The reason? The clay the potter used was of inferior quality. The result? He altered the vessel into an object he saw fit. (Jeremiah 18:1-8)

What the potter creates depends on the quality of the clay. On the other hand, what God creates, depends on the people’s response or reaction to his involvement in their lives.

You see, the quality and efficiency of the clay has an important function in the final product of certain clay objects. In short, inferior clay quality, the object fails the standard. No wonder then that clay for certain objects has to be trampled upon, rolled and kneaded to prepare it for the new object that the potter has in mind. The question to us: as clay in God’s hands, am I willing for such an intense preparation to eventually become the object (person or instrument) God has in mind to use in his kingdom on earth?

In 2 Corinthians 4:7, Paul wrote to every believer: But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”

What a disillusion, but also powerful declaration to every believer! We are but fragile jars of dust/sand, but we carry a treasure! Why call the believer a jar of clay? It draws attention to our nothingness, our insignificance without Christ!

What exactly is this treasure and what is its value? The Bible has a surprising answer. It is the omnipresent Christ, the Anointed One, with life-giving revelation, Holy Spirit power in us. By our faith in Jesus Christ, who bought our freedom on the cross, we became partners of the Good News, the New Covenant (2 Corinthians 3:17); the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our guarantee; the Light of the Gospel and the glory of God (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).

As a believer, we face all kinds of dangers. Sometimes, the jar is oppressed, persecuted, ashamed and struck down. And even if it seems tattered, God steps in to preserve the jar. Symbolically, the fragility of the jar refers to Christ’s suffering and dying on behalf of us, God’s ransomed loved-ones

Prayer: Our heavenly Father, thank you for using powerless, breakable human jars as bearers of the gospel of Christ. Thank you for empowering us by the working of the Holy Spirit in and through us. You deserve all glory, honour and worship. Amen.

Load Shedding

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30, NIV

Recently, every South African citizen collided head-on with the aggravating buzzword “load shedding”. You know the word, don’t you? Life without light. The power supplier reduces the use of electricity by citizens on specific days and times. Granted, at least the predetermined time schedules enable households to plan. However, family members and koinonia groups still have commitments and liabilities to address, gropingly, in the dark. Nevertheless, certainly not without the verbal and audible sounds of frustration!

To read is almost impossible – the candles and lamp lights only cast flickering shadows over reading matter. So much so, that one’s eyes become watery and burning-itchy. The small font of Bible texts and commentaries hamper reading, consequently leading to incomplete, thumb sucking, verbal exchange of (adjusted) facts and content. And we became slightly rankled with each other.

It was at one of these visits, cum koinonia event, that one of the young men called out: “Shed daai load people, shed daai load! Be thankful for load shedding! Be thankful for load shedding!”You might have heard a pin drop when he said, “Friends, every one of us struggles with our own burdens and I dare say that tonight’s load sheddingcreated the opportunity for us ‘to shed our own loads’.”Jesus himself invites you: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Fortunately, the powerful Holy Spirit of the Lord does not function on the load shedding principle. No, his Spirit is resident in the life of the believer 24/7. He enables you and me to get rid of the “unnecessary burdens” we struggle with. Differently said, his presence in your life enables you to shed the load that paralyses you. Of course, only if you ask him and trust him to lead you every step of the way.

Prayer: Our Father, thank you for a daily open door into your presence. Remind and teach us to make use of the daily “shed your load”opportunities that you create. Above all, open our ears to hear your voice loud and clear. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Mercy: The Lord hears

Nevertheless, he looked upon their distress, when he heard their cry. For their sake he remembered his covenant and relented according to the abundance of his steadfast love. Psalm 106:44-45, ESV

The nation’s supplication, in this verse, split on the distress they experienced. However, elevated high above their distress was God’s love, involvement and intervention in man’s weal and woe. A never-ending refrain dangling out loudly that he is good and that his love is made visible through what he does.

Psalm 106:1-2 celebrates God’s love and goodness as endless; thus, confronting us with this question: “Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord, or declare all his praise?” (Psalm 106:2). Our answer: God, and God alone. And yet, despite his deep knowledge of man’s stubborn wandering heart, he allows us the freedom to choose for ourselves – blocked roads or straight and narrow ones. If one chooses wrongly, one will bear the consequences. And yet, his mercy and forgiveness keep on following us, patiently awaiting our call for help and confession of guilt: “We have sinned, even as our ancestors did; we have done wrong and acted wickedly” (Psalm 106:6, NIV).

This admission moves God’s saving hand. “Yet, he saved them for his name’s sake, to make his mighty power known.” (Psalm 106:8, NIV) Can you see the Father’s endless involvement in the lives of his people? On their behalf, he remembers his covenant and then, from the depth of his immeasurable love, he bestows grace by forgiving us our trespasses.

He introduces himself to unbelievers. In this incidence, it was the pharaoh whom he allowed to revolt against him. The reason? The Lord says to him: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you that my name be proclaimed in all the earth” (Romans 9:17-18, NIV). In our hurried and often self-willed live’s, we should consider pausing more and call on the Lord often, with the expectation to see his power working in us.

God’s promise of love and forgiveness to people who believe in him, is still the power being demonstrated today. You see, Jesus, the Son of God, was the sacrificial price paid to free you, me and every other human being from an eternal death without God.

Prayer: Eternal Most High God, I lift my hands to you, who will be the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. To you, who never say one thing and do another, but stays true to your name and word. Thank you that insignificant people may come into your presence with frank boldness and with the ease of mind that you will listen to the most insignificant; hear his/her call and rush to their help. I praise your awesomeness! Amen.

Enjoy your Prayer for the Day – June 1 and spare a thought for family or friends who might suffering from ill health or are experiencing times of trouble.

Daily Prayer

My Creator, I pray that I may not only have the desire to know life, but the assurance to live it. Help me to understand that my earthly possessions are not the measure of my life, nor my body the boundary of my living. May I reach for the high standards that are free, without limit, to all. Amen.

Enjoy your Prayer for the Day – June 2 and spare a thought for family or friends who might suffering from ill health or are experiencing times of trouble.

Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, when I think of how little I have given away my heart burns with shame, as I recall what thou hast given to me. May I from this day be more thoughtful of thy tender compassion by being less selfish with what I have. Amen.

Enjoy your Prayer for the Day – June 5 and spare a thought for family or friends who might suffering from ill health or are experiencing times of trouble.

Daily Prayer

Loving Father, help me that I may realize the depth of thy love. If I may be discouraged over my failures, speak to me hopefully and lead me out where I may find the right way to succeed. May I not be kept in sorrow, but find each day the happiness that brings a thankful heart. Amen.

Enjoy your Prayer for the Day – June 6 and spare a thought for family or friends who might suffering from ill health or are experiencing times of trouble.

Daily Prayer

Gracious Lord, I pray that I may have reverence for that which is pure and holy, and that my soul may delight in the presence of the good. Help me to so live that I may have the memory of precious deeds, and that I may not have to depend on the service of others to supply contentment for my closing days. Amen.

Enjoy your Prayer for the Day – June 7 and spare a thought for family or friends who might suffering from ill health or are experiencing times of trouble.

Daily Prayer

Lord God, help me to understand that thou hast made the principle of truth so that I cannot add to it, nor take from it, lest in altering it I might destroy it. May I never try to make my purpose cover the truth, but without fear, face the light where truth shines the brightest. Amen.

Enjoy your Prayer for the Day – June 8 and spare a thought for family or friends who might suffering from ill health or are experiencing times of trouble.

Daily Prayer

Lord God, I pray for a desire to work. May I not be deceived in my convictions, and work for that of which I may afterward be ashamed. Lead me into a clear conception of right and wrong. Help me to see as thou dost see, that I may walk with confidence in thy steps. Amen.

Enjoy your Prayer for the Day – June 12 and spare a thought for family or friends who might suffering from ill health or are experiencing times of trouble.

Daily Prayer

My Father, I pray for the love of work, and the desire to cultivate life. Stir me, that I may be ambitious. May I not stare at life in an everyday way and forget that others are watching for the surprises. Help me to be considerate and kind in all that I do. Amen.

Enjoy your Prayer for the Day – June 13 and spare a thought for family or friends who might suffering from ill health or are experiencing times of trouble.

Daily Prayer

Enjoy your Prayer for the Day – June 14 and spare a thought for family or friends who might suffering from ill health or are experiencing times of trouble.

Daily Prayer

Eternal God, forbid that I should try to set up thy judgment-seat in so small a place as self, and attempt to render decisions for thee. My soul lives anew as I think of thy love, and that there is no place where thy mercy can be withheld from me. Amen.

Enjoy your Prayer for the Day – June 15 and spare a thought for family or friends who might suffering from ill health or are experiencing times of trouble

Daily Prayer

My Father, if rain may come to-day, may I realize its help, with the power of the sun, to increase life; and may its influence be sweet and wholesome to me, as I learn that sadness is temporary and will disappear with the coming of gladness. May I go search for the joy that may be mine to-day. Amen.

Enjoy your Prayer for the Day – June 16 and spare a thought for family or friends who might suffering from ill health or are experiencing times of trouble.

Daily Prayer

Many of us, O Father, overlook the fragrance of the rose while we are being pierced by its thorn. Increase my faith in life and in thee, that I may not be dismayed over mysteries, but sincerely wait for deliverance. Amen.

Enjoy your Prayer for the Day – June 19 and spare a thought for family or friends who might suffering from ill health or are experiencing times of trouble.

Daily Prayer

Almighty God, help me to correct my mistakes, and to be more careful of what I take in my life. May I always stretch out a hand of love to inspire others with confidence to care more for themselves and more for thee. Amen.

Enjoy your Prayer for the Day – June 20 and spare a thought for family or friends who might suffering from ill health or are experiencing times of trouble.

Daily Prayer

Gracious Father, forbid that I should make thee regret thy gifts to me; and if I have failed to appreciate them, look upon me with pity, for I have cheated myself more than I have thee. Give me a deeper appreciation, that I may be strengthened day by day in the veriest duties of life. Amen.

Enjoy your Prayer for the Day – June 21 and spare a thought for family or friends who might suffering from ill health or are experiencing times of trouble.

Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, I thank thee for good friends, and for the delight that dwells in fellowship. Give me the power to apprehend love, and guard me against the ways to lose it. May I look to my friends to help me to be pure, and to help me live my truest life. Amen.

Enjoy your Prayer for the Day – June 22 and spare a thought for family or friends who might suffering from ill health or are experiencing times of trouble.

Daily Prayer

Almighty God, I pray that thou wilt sustain me when I may be enduring for a purpose, and to accomplish it seems beyond my strength. Renew me with courage, and give me unceasing hope, and faith that is able to hold out to the end. Amen.