The greatest commandment to us all that sums up the entire Scriptures is to love God with our whole heart and to love others. When others see us loving as defined in the Bible, they see the Father. God wants us to be vessels of this type of love to His people.

Everywhere Jesus went, He allowed divine love and passion to flow out of Him. He loved people no matter what. When we let love cover us completely, no matter what situation we are in, no matter who we are around, when we are leaning on Jesus for His strength and ability to love, our lives can be transformed and our relationships enriched. People are the most important thing to God.

Many years ago, when my father was alive, he went to Israel to minister. Every morning he would go to a coffee shop for breakfast. He became acquainted with the owner of the coffee shop. One morning, he didn´t go due to the business of his schedule. The next morning, the owner informed my dad that one of his regular customers had asked where my father had been. He had asked the owner, “Where is that man who has God in his eyes”.

You see, he couldn´t even speak my dad´s language, but he had been watching my dad and saw something tangible. He saw God in his eyes. How was that? Perhaps through his kindness, his gentleness, and his joy; but ultimately, it was his love. People ought to look at us and see the love of God in our lives.

Love is more than just a feeling. It´s a choice. That´s why the Bible says to put on the garment of love. We can´t wait for feelings to motivate us to love others. If we did, we would be waiting forever! Instead, every day we must focus on the fact that we need to walk in love.

A few years back, I made it a daily declaration of faith to pray 1 Corinthians 13 over my life, and I encourage you to do the same. Even if in the past you feel you´ve missed the mark in your love walk, love is something you can fix. You can work on it. Love can be cultivated.

At Lakewood Church, we encourage everyone to come up higher in their faith. Yet in Galatians 5:6, it actually says that the only thing that counts is faith expressing its self through love. We need to walk in faith, but we need to make sure at the same time, we are putting in as much effort to walk in perfect love.

Perfect love is described in 1 Corinthians 13. It says, “Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not self–seeking. It is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices in truth. It always protects. Always trusts. Always hopes. Always perseveres. Love never fails.”

Let me encourage you to take a look at your love language. How´s it looking? How´s your love walk? If you were like me, maybe struggling in one of those areas, I challenge and encourage you to make 1 Corinthians 13  your daily declaration, and you will come up higher in your love.

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: Goodness

15 November 2009 (am)

Past. Melody vd Merwe

Gal 5:22+23

AIM: That we’ll study the fruit of the Spirit so we can check our fruit, measure our lives and adapt where necessary to bear fruit, much fruit to glorify the Father.

Gal 5:22+23 (OKJ) …but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. Against such there is no law.

John 15:1-16

(v16) Jesus said He chose us that we should go and bear fruit, and that our fruit should remain.

(v2) Branches not bearing fruit He takes away and branches bearing fruit He prunes that it may bear more fruit.

(v5) He is the vine, we are the branches, when we abide in Him we bear much fruit without Him we can do nothing.

(v8) We glorify the Father when we bear much fruit.

Temperance (self-control, control of one’s passions appetites and desires).

Meekness – not weakness – strength under control.

Faith (faithfulness – person who is reliable, loyal, steadfast, devoted, trustworthy, dependable, dedicated, constant and unwavering.)

Goodness: WW Rom 15:14. Charity (liefdadigheid), benevolence, kindness in actual manifestation, virtue equipped for action, a bountiful propensity (tendency) both to will and to do what is good, intrinsic (basic nature) goodness producing a generosity and a Godlike state of being – a rare word that combines being good and doing good.

(Gems from the Greek)

Goodness in the sense of being good to someone. This word is used to portray a person who is generous, big-hearted, liberal, and charitable with his finances. We would call this person a giver.

God is our example – Ps 73:1

Truly God is good to Israel.

Truly God is a giver.

John 3:16 … God so loved the word, that He gave… His best!

Jesus our example.

Acts 10:38 … went about doing good and healing all who where oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

John 14:1-9 … Jesus says: He who seen me has seen the Father.

Jesus was a giver – Ministry had wealth – Judas was the treasurer John 12:6.

John 13:27-30 Judas should give something to the poor.

Good Samaritan. Luke 10:25-37. Go and do likewise.

Paul says in Gal 6:10 … as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Col 3:12-14. Basic, all purpose garment.

God is letting us know that He wants us to be selfless, using our resources to help change people’s lives for the better. – Contrary to the flesh – selfish.

Goodness – supernatural urge in a person to reach beyond himself to meet the needs of those around him.

CULTIVATE GOODNESS IN YOUR LIFE.

RECONCILIATION

08 November 2009 (pm)

Past. Melody vd Merwe

John 3:1-7

AIM: That we’ll be reminded once again that you must be reconciled to God and that one you’re born again you have the ministry of reconciliation.

Firstly: We must be born again … most important!!

Once we’re born again we’re to be disciples and make disciples.

Matt 28:19+20 …go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them…

Jesus teaches the parable of the Lost Sheep. Luke 15:1-7

We must bring the sinners into the kingdom.

Mark 16:14-18

If you have difficulty proclaiming (preaching) the good news, bring sinners to church so they can be born again!!

The parable of the Lost Coin.

Luke 15:8-10. Lead people to make a decision to accept Jesus as saviour.

Tell them of the difference the Lord has made in your life!!

If you can’t; bring them to cell meeting!!

Introduce them to someone who can lead them to the Lord!!

Times – the age is drawing to a close and we must do what we can to bring the sheep in!!

Remember!! You’re born again.

2 Cor 5:17 …You’re a new creation!!

Washed in the blood of Jesus -so totally transformed by Jesus’ blood that you’ve become a new creature – A new species (See WW) – something superior.

Everything about you is new – not amended, corrected or improved version of what you used to be.

John 1:12 …as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become sons of God!!

You are born from above – Super-Human!! No longer just Human!!

Now we are ambassadors for Christ. Reconciled to God.

2 Cor 5:18-21 Reconciled (WW).  1 Cor 7:11 – brought into restored relationship with God.

2 Cor 5:20 Ambassadors!!

We are sent forth and temporarily stationed here as the fully authorized representatives of Jesus Christ! As His ambassadors, we are here to be His voice and His will – a true representation of who He really is (Fruit of the spirit – Walking in love). As His official representatives sent here to do His business. We are fully backed up by all the power and resources of heaven.

Now we implore people on Christ’s behalf to be reconciled to God.

You have been invested with royal powers, including the Name of Jesus and the authority of His blood, and you may call upon heaven to assist you at any given moment! All angelic (Ps. 103:20) powers and all the vast resources stored in the treasury of heaven are available for your use when you are representing heaven to this world!

WHY?

2 Cor 5:21 (NKJ + TLB)

…For God took the sinless Christ and poured into Him our sins. Then in exchange, He poured God’s goodness into us!!…

TLB 2 Cor 5:14-21

Do the work of reconciling the world with God!!

We have work to do!!

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: Faithfulness

08 November 2009 (am)

Past. Melody vd Merwe

AIM: Grow in bringing glory to the Father and to do so we must bear much fruit.

John 15:1-16

(v16) Jesus said He chose us that we should go and bear fruit, and that our fruit should remain.

(v2) Branches not bearing fruit He takes away and branches bearing fruit He prunes that it may bear more fruit.

(v5) He is the vine, we are the branches, when we abide in Him we bear much fruit without Him we can do nothing.

(v8) We glorify the Father when we bear much fruit.

Temperance: self-control – control or restraint of one’s passions, appetites and desires.

Meekness: Gentleness, humility, friendliness, meekness is not weakness – controlled emotions and temper.

Faithfulness: a person who is faithful, reliable, loyal, steadfast, devoted, trustworthy, dependable, dedicated, constant and unwavering.

• Contrary to the flesh which seeks to be laze, uncommitted, undependable and completely unreliable.

Faith = same word as faithfulness – pistis – used in 1 Cor 13:13 …and now abide faith, hope and love, these three…

1 Cor 4:2 …it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

1 Pet 4:10 WW Stewards – Christians in general.

FAITHFULNESS is part of God’s nature.

1 Cor 1:9 …God is faithful. (2 Cor 1:18 – utterly dependable)

1 John 4:8 … God is love.

Numbers 23:19 NKJ + NIV

…God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?…

Heb 13:8 …Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever.

• Integrity – does what He says

Whatever God says He will do is as good as done!! We should be the same!!

John 4:17 … for as He is, so are we in this world!

James 5:12 …let your “Yes” be “yes” and your “no” “no”…

1 Sam 15:29 (NKJ) + (NIV) …He who is the glory of Israel does not lie or change His mind: for He is not a man, that He should change His mind…

Mal 3:6 … I the Lord do not change…

Hypocrite – does not do what he says.

Integrity – does what he says.

Samuel is an example of integrity. 1 Sam 12:1-4

Live for the audience of One.

“Take heed to yourselves, lest your example contradict your doctrine; lest you unsay with your lives, what you say with your tongues…” (Richard Baxter)

Faithfulness – loyalty – is only proven when tested.

LEON GOOSEN

KOM BEDIEN KNYSNA

Waar? Queen St, Knysna by Charisma

Tyd? 19:30

INGANG GRATIS!!!

Almal welkom – nooi u vriende en familie…

Meer oor LEON GOOSEN…

1. Gebore en groot geword in die Oos-Kaap.
2. Studeer Maatskaplike Werk by die UOVS.
3. Stel Afrikaanse langspeelplaat vry in 1983.
4. Neem Jesus Christus aan op 14 Mei 1990.
5. Stel eerste gospel kasset van oorspronklike Afrikaanse liedjies,
getiteld, Maak Jy ‘n Verskil? vry in Mei 1994.
6. Tweede gospel vrystelling van oorspronklike Afrikaanse en Engelse liedjies, getiteld, Is Jy Gereed? in Junie 1995.
7. Stel derde CD, getiteld, Ek staan op vir Jesus, vry in Mei 1996.
8. ‘n Verdere CD, Slaan ‘n 6 vir Jesus, is in Augustus 1997 vrygestel. Die titellied is in Oktober bekroon met die ATKV Liertoekening, Beste Oorspronklike Afrikaanse Gospelliedjie vir 1997.
9. In November 1998 is ‘n vyfde CD vrygestel. Die titel daarvan is Die Glory Lorrie.
10. Ek ontvang my bedieningsvoertuig Die Glory Lorrie op 21 Mei 1999.
11. In Oktober 1999 het ek die CD, Hy is lief vir my, vrygestel.
12. In Februarie 2001 het ek Oestyd vrygestel.
13. In Julie 2002 is my 8ste CD, Breek uit in Gejubel, vrygestel. Met hierdie CD is ek aangewys as ‘n finalis in die kategorie: Beste CD Produksie deur ‘n manlike kunstenaar, ATKV-Lier. Die CD is ook bekroon met die Radio Kansel Shabach-toekenning vir Afrikaanse Gospelbediening deur ‘n manlike kunstenaar.
14. In Junie 2004 het ek my CD, Dors vir die Lewende Water vrygestel.
15. My 10 de CD, Vessels of Worship, is in Mei 2005 vrygestel.
16. Op 2 Mei 2006 ontvang ek ‘n Ere-doktorsgraad van die Common-wealth Open University van die Verenigde Koninkryk.
17. In Augustus 2006 het ek my CD, Jesus Leef, vrygestel.
18. Ek het ‘n DVD, Leon Goosen: Al die treffers, uitgereik in Mei 2007.
19. My 12de CD, Suid-Afrika vir Jesus, verskyn einde Februarie 2008.
20. Die CD, Jesus is hier, word in 2009 uitgereik.
21. Ses getuienis CD’s met verskillende getuienisse en woordbediening word beskikbaar gestel.
22. Ek bedien landswyd sowel as in ons buurlande.
23. Ek het reeds meer as 1600 keer opgetree in kerke, skole, tydens middagete bidure en by ander geestelike geleenthede.
24. My optredes behels dat ek Afrikaanse en Engelse Gospelliedere sing. Ek verskaf my eie klanktoerusting en agtergrondmusiek (backtracks). Tussendeur bring ek kort stukkies getuienis in ‘n humoristiese styl, waar gepas. Ek tree op sonder ‘n vaste koste (10 gratis plakkate ingesluit) en sal dankbaar wees vir ‘n donasie.
25. Ek is getroud met Annelie.
26. Ons het ‘n dogtertjie, Leoné, wat op die 3de September 2001 gebore is.
27. Ons woon reeds sedert 1983 in Pretoria.

www.leongoosen.co.za

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: Meekness

1 November 2009 (am)

Gal 5:22+23

Aim: Study the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit so we can measure our lives, our fruit in order to adapt our ways, change where lacking; to bear much fruit and so glorify the Father.

Gal 5:22+23 (OKJV) … But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law.

John 15:1-16 (v16) ..Jesus said He chose us that we should go and bear fruit, and that our fruit should remain.

(v2) Branches not bearing fruit He takes away. Branches bearing fruit He prunes that it may bear more fruit.

(v5) Jesus is the vine, we are the branches, when we abide in Him we bear much fruit; without Him we can do nothing.

(v8) We glorify the Father when we bear much fruit.

Temperance: in control, self-control, self-restraint. Power over one’s self. The control or restraint of one’s passions, appetites and desires.

Meekness: (OKJV) (NKJV) Gentleness. (AMP) Gentleness, (meekness, humility).

It’s the attitude of someone who is forbearing, patient, and slow to respond in anger; one who remains in control of himself in the face of insults or injuries.

Even in situations that may normally produce a rash or angry reaction or outburst, a meek person is controlled by kindness, gentleness mildness or even friendliness.

Meekness is NOT weakness it is power and strength under control.

It is NOT spinelessness, timidity, shyness, inferiority, false modesty, sense of failure or defeat.

A person who is meek isn’t weak!

A person who is meek is controlled!

Controls any kind of outburst – emotional – stil-stuipe!!

Someone who knows how to bring his will under control.

Controlled even in difficult circumstances.

Rather than fly into a rage and throw a temper tantrum, you are able to remain silent and keep your emotions and temper under control!!

Even if you find yourself in a situation that you fiercely believe is wrong, you are still able to stay silent until the appropriate moment to speak or until you have been asked for your opinion. Not arrogant, prideful, un-teachable, self-sufficient.

You know how to control yourself and your emotions. – Don’t give a piece of your mind!

• A meek person doesn’t look offended, upset, angry or reactive to insults or injuries.

• • Instead in such situations (conflicts) the meek person is soothing, calming bringing peace to an unsettling situation.

What Kind of Atmosphere Does Your Attitude Create?

• Gentleness

1 Tim 6:11 (WW),

Phil. 4:5 …let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

Friendliness (vriendelikheid)

(GNE) …Show a gentle attitude towards everyone. The Lord is coming soon.

• Lowliness

Phil 2:3

Matt. 21:5 (WW)

• Humility

Not pride or arrogance – total absence of arrogance, conceit and haughtiness.

Acts 20:19 (WW) – abstaining from self-aggrandizement.

Humility = recognition of dependence on God.

Moses – most humble person. (Num 12:3)

Jesus: Matt 11:29

–        Gentle / Meek

–        Lowly in heart / humble

Humble – a person who is devoid of all arrogance and self-exaltation – a person who is willingly submitted to God and His will.

John 5:19 … the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do…

Surviving the Storms of Life

25 October 2009 (pm)

Past. Melody vd Merwe

Mark 4:35-41

Aim: Give us the principle to survive and overcome every storm in our lives.

V35 – we see that the disciples obeyed Jesus to go to the other side – they never missed it or heard wrong…

When He commanded them to go the weather and seas were calm

V36 – The most important detail of the story is that they took Jesus along with them in the boat – JUST AS HE WAS.

Ex. 33:14-15 “my presence will go with you,

V15 – if your presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here…

Ruth 1:16 …for wherever you go, I will go.

The disciples were tested in the storm and Jesus was tested after He was lead by the spirit into the wilderness. (Matt 4:1-11)

WE WILL BE TESTED: WE WILL FACE STORMS  – WE WILL SURVIVE IF WE STICK TO GOD’S PRINCIPLES.

God is not a respecter of person but He is a respecter of principles.

SURVIVING.

Have Jesus in your boat – continuously – in the calm and in the storm.

HOW?

• Get the Word!!

Jesus is the Word if you put the Word of God into you when you don’t need it the Holy Spirit will bring it out of you when you do need it.

• You learn to swim in calm times. It’s very difficult to learn to swim when you’re drowning.

• Build muscles physically in quiet times – can’t take dumbbells to develop muscles when and intruder breaks into your house.

Joshua 1:8 (Good News Edition) Be sure that the book of the law is always read in your worship. Study it day and night, and make sure that you obey everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. {Me ready for anything – strong and complete}.

Meditate – think on it – mutter it to yourself.

Make sure you obey everything written in it. – Observe to do according to all that is written in it.

Matt 7:24-29

Hears + does = Wise successful and prosperous.

Hears + does not do = Foolish, unsuccessful and lacking.

Mark 4:37 – Windstorm of hurricane proportions. Awoke Jesus – He was in the boat – had to ask – blind Bartimaeus – Jesus asks what he wants Him to do for him.

Mark 10:51

Luke 11:9+10 …. Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find.

Be sure to speak to your storm and not of it. Use the Name of Jesus – authority in that name – power of attorney.

Phil 2:10+11 … at the name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father.

Is. 54:17 … no weapon formed against you shall prosper – no tongue that is raised shall stand – I’ve authority and power in Jesus name.

No weapon formed against me shall stand.

Sickness, attack, lack, demon, circumstance shall bow it’s knee.

It is written … Matt 4:1-11

Get Jesus / The Word of God in your boat in calm waters – obey the Word and you’re guaranteed success.