QUOTE OF THE DAY

“If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have enough.”

Prayer is not a “spare wheel” that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a “steering wheel” that directs the right path throughout.

Do you know why a Car’s WINDSHIELD is so large & the Rearview Mirror is so small? Because our PAST is not as  important as your FUTURE. Look Ahead and Move on.

Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, GOD smiles from above and says, “Relax my child, it’s just a bend, not the end!

When GOD solves your problems, you have faith in HIS abilities; when GOD doesn’t solve your problems HE has faith in your abilities.

When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them, and  sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you.

WORRYING does not take away tomorrows’ TROUBLES, it takes away today’s’ PEACE.

BEAR WITH ONE ANOTHER

29 August 2010 (am)

Pastor Melody vd Merwe

Eph 4:2

NKJ – …with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love…

LB – …Be humble and gentle be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love…

CEV – …ALWAYS be humble and gentle. Patiently put up with each other and love each other…

NIV – …be completely humble and gentle; be patient bearing with one another in love…

Melody – …Always be completely humble and gentle. Patiently put up with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love for one another…

HUMBLE (ww) – to debase, lower oneself – to make low. It describes a person who is devoid of all arrogance (pride) and self-exaltation – a person who is willingly submitted to God and His will. One who acknowledges his dependence on God [opposite of proud]. Submit = to do even when you don’t agree.

GENTLE (ww) The word suggest a character that is equitable, reasonable, forbearing moderate, fair and considerate. It is the opposite of harsh, abrasive, sarcastic, cruel and contentious (argumentative) (1 Tim 3:3)

PATIENT – consistently constant. To be the same way all the time regardless of what happens – same yesterday, today and forever.

(ww) From long and temper the word denotes lenience, forbearance, fortitude, patient endurance, longsuffering.

Includes the ability to endure persecution and ill-treatment. It describes a person who has the power to exercise revenge but instead exercises restraint. (Heb 6:12)

(LB) Eph 4:2…be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s results because of your love…

The more we understand, the more patient we become.

When we see the hurt beneath the anger, or the reason behind the behaviour, we’re more likely to “make allowance for each other’s faults.”

Prov 14:29 (CEV)… It’s smart to be patient…

(NKJV) …He who is slow to wrath has great understanding.

• The ability to understand is a sign of patience.

Prov 19:11 (CEV) …It’s wise to be patient and show what you are like by forgiving others…

(LB)… a wise man restrains his anger and overlooks insults. This is to his credit…

(NIV)…A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to His glory to overlook an offence…

1 Cor 13:4 (LB)… love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud…

(NKJV)… Love suffers long and is kind…

(CEV) … Love is kind and patient…

• IMPATIENCE IS NOT LOVE.

When facing a challenge to our patience, it helps to remember God is not asking us to give more patience to others than the patience He gives to us.

Paul uses His life as an example of this saying God showed him mercy, despite his many sins, so that [NIV 1 Tim 1:16] Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience.

(CEV)…God had patience on me and let me be an example of the endless patience of Christ Jesus.

We need patience with one another because God created each of us differently, with different missions in life.

We have different backgrounds. All at different places in our walk with God.

Practicing patience keeps our view on things above, allowing us to see how God works even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Phil 4:8…whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things as just…

It is in patience we often learn that diversity is a strength, instead of a weakness.

Rom 14:1 (MSG)…Paul wrote – welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with – even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently…

WORK AT BEING CONSISTENTLY PATIENT

Anybody can be patient when it’s convenient, but it’s much harder to remain patient when the day is slipping away or you’re faced with the same mistake for the third time in one week.

You’re only proven to be patient when tested.

James 1:2-4 (LB)

Patience often comes at significant cost; it requires you set aside your agenda and yield your rights in order to welcome each other with open arms.

LEARN TO LISTEN

This means more than just hearing someone talk; it means carefully considering what the other person is saying, and trying to understand their point of view.

• Listen to the full story before saying anything.
• We have two ears and one mouth!!
• He who angers you, controls you!

Do the hard work of getting along together!

Bear with one another.

1 Cor 13:4 …Love is patient.. – that means love puts up with a lot for a long time. The next time your patience reaches its limit, remember how patient and understanding Jesus is with you!

LOVE GOD TRULY III

LOVE GOD TRULY III

22 August 2010 (am)

Pastor Melody vd Merwe

True discipleship requires total commitment, without distraction or compromise.

1 Cor 8:3

NKJ – …But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him….

LB – …But the person who truly loves God is the one who is open to God’s knowledge…

NIV – …But the man who loves God is known by God…

CEV – …But God has no doubts about who loves Him…

AMP -  …But if anyone loves God truly [with affectionate reverence, prompt obedience, and grateful recognition of His blessing], he is known by God…

III. Grateful Recognition of His Blessings – Gratitude

Recognize that all you have, you have received from the Lord.

Grateful recognition of His blessings.

Prov 8:21 (LB) …those who love and follow Me are indeed wealthy. I fill their treasuries…

Prov 10:22 (LB)…The Lord’s blessing is our greatest wealth, all our work adds nothing to it….

Deut 8:18 … and you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth…

John 3:27 … A man can receive nothing unless it is given to him from Heaven.

1 Cor 4:7 …and what do you have that you did not receive…

Ps 119:65 (LB) …Lord, I am overflowing with your blessings, just as you promised…

James 1:17 …Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variation or shadow of turning.

Prov 18:22 …He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favour from the Lord…

Ps 127:3 (LB)… Children are a gift from God; they are His reward…

(NKJV)… behold, children are a heritage (transferred possession) from the Lord. The fruit of the womb is a reward (Kingdom dynamics).

To love and care for children is one of the principal ways that we honour God and share in building His kingdom.

Ps 139:14 … I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well…

Rom 2:4 … the goodness of God leads you to repentance…

Ps 118:1-4…O give thanks to the Lord; for He’s so good! His lovingkindness is forever. Let the congregation of Israel praise Him with these same words “His lovingkindness is forever”. And let the Priests of Aaron chant, “His lovingkindness is forever”. Let the gentile converts chant, “His lovingkindness is forever”…

Luke 10:20… rejoice because your names are written in heaven…

Rev 1:5… To Him who loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood (v6)..and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father…

1 Cor 6:11… you were washed, but you were sanctified (set apart), but you were justified (just-as-if-I-never-sinned) in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God…

John 3:16… for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life…

Rom 8:35-39 …who shall separate us from the love of Christ…

Ps 103:10 … He has not dealt with us according to our iniquities, (v12) as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions (breaking law) from us…

(v3)… who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases (dis-eases) Jehovah Rapha.

1 Pet 2:24 … by whose stripes you were healed…

Jehovah Jira – Yhwh Yireh – The-Lord-Will-Provide.

Adam & Eve tunics of skin and clothed them…Gen 3:21

Jesus – Lamb – for our sins.

Abraham Gen 22:14 ram for sacrifice.

Phil 4:19 …and my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus…

Abraham’s promise Gen 12:1-3 …I will bless you (give you the capacity for living a full, rich life.)

Ps 23:1 … The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want…

John 10:10 …I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

Ps 35:27 …Let the Lord be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servants… (*Kingdom dynamics)

3 John 2

Heb 13:6 Helper.

Rom 8:37… in all these things we are more than conquerors…

Rom 8:31 … if God is for us who can be against us…

Rom 8:28… all things work together for the good of those who love God.

Heb 13:7 … Same yesterday, today, forever.

Ps 116:1 … I love the Lord (*Note)

Servants serve even when it’s inconvenient

Servants serve even when it’s inconvenient

by Rick Warren

No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.     2 Tim 2:4 (NASB)

Real servants make themselves available to serve. Servants don’t fill up their time with other pursuits that could limit their availability. They want to be ready to jump into service when called on.

Much like a soldier, a servant must always be standing by for duty: “No soldier in active  service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier” (2 Tim 2:4 NASB).

If you only serve when it’s convenient for you, you’re not a real servant. Real servants do what’s needed, even when it’s inconvenient.

Are you available to God anytime? Can he mess up your plans without you becoming resentful? As a servant, you don’t get to pick and choose when or where you will serve.
Being a servant means giving up the right to control your schedule and allowing God to interrupt it whenever he needs to.

If you will remind yourself at the start of every day that you are God’s servant, interruptions won’t frustrate you as much, because your agenda will be whatever God wants to bring into your life. Servants see interruptions as divine appointments for ministry and are happy for the opportunity to practice serving.

LOVE GOD TRULY II

Prompt Obedience

15 August 2010 (pm)

Pastor Melody vd Merwe

True discipleship requires total commitment, without distraction or compromise.

1 Cor 8:3 (AMP)

John 14:15 … if you love Me, keep My commandments…

(v23) … if anyone loves Me, he will keep My word…

(v24) … He who does not love Me does not keep My words…

Luke 6:46 – 49 – Hears and does My sayings

SAUL – 1 Sam 15:1-35

1 Sam 15:22 …behold to obey is better than sacrifice…

• Obey, completely not partially. Saul  1 Sam 15:1-35 Parable of two sons – Matt 21:28-32

• Israelites in Egypt – blood on door posts
• Repent and be baptized – order
• Keeping the Word Luke 11:27+28

Not good enough just believing the Word is of God, you must DO the Word of God.

Matt 18:21-35 (unforgiving Servant)

Matt 18:7-9 – Forgive, no offence.

James 1:21-25

• Continue in the Word will be blessed

Matt 24:45-51

Ezek 18:24 + LB …however, if a righteous person turns to sinning and acts like any other sinner, should he be allowed to live? No, of course not. All his previous goodness will be forgotten and he shall die for his sins…

Matt 7:21-23 (Practice lawlessness)

Gratitude

Grateful recognition of His blessings. Recognize that all you have, you’ve received from Him.

Prov 10:22 (LB)…The Lord’s blessing is our greatest wealth, all our work adds nothing to it….

Prov 8:21 (LB) …those who love and follow Me are indeed wealthy. I fill their treasuries…

James 1:17 …Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variation or shadow of turning.

John 3:27 …And John answered and said, A man can receive nothing unless it is given to him from Heaven.

1 Cor 4:7 …and what do you have that you did not receive…

Ps 139:14 … I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well…

Rom 2:4 … the goodness of God leads you to repentance…

LOVE GOD TRULY I

LOVE GOD TRULY

15 August 2010 (am)

Pastor Melody vd Merwe

True discipleship requires total commitment, without distraction or compromise.

1 Cor 8:3

NKJ – …But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him….

LB – …But the person who truly loves God is the one who is open to God’s knowledge…

NIV – …But the man who loves God is known by God…

CEV – …But God has no doubts about who loves Him…

AMP -  …But if anyone loves God truly [with affectionate reverence, prompt obedience, and grateful recognition of His blessing], he is known by God…

Love God Truly

With Affectionate Reverence – a child who loves and reverences his father – his hero – can do no wrong.

Heb 12:25 … Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. + Liv. Bible

Recognize who God is:

• Immortal (no beginning – no end), infallible, love
• Maker and ruler of universe
• He who causes everything else to be

Job 19:25 …for I know that my redeemer lives…

Job 21:22 … can anyone teach God knowledge…

Job 21:13 … and you say, what does God know?…

Read Job 38 + 39 + 40:15 – 41:33 – God’s Greatness

Healer, provider, protector, saviour, almighty, all-powerful (omnipotent), all present (omnipresent), all-sufficient (omniscient –all-knowing) God.

Heb 10:31 …it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Fear the Lord – Awe & Respect

Prov 1:7 (Notes) Awe = respect combined with fear or wonder.

Knowing God – Intimacy Prov 2:1-5

Three “IFS” fulfilled lead to knowing God

(v1)  My son, IF you will receive my words and hide my commandments with you,

(v2)  so that you attend to wisdom, you shall extend your heart to understanding;

(v3)  yea, IF you cry after knowledge and lift up your voice for understanding;

(v4)  IF you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures,

(v5)  then you shall understand the fear of Jehovah and find the knowledge of God.

STEPPING INTO A NEW LIFE

by Jon Walker

“Come!” answered Jesus. So Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the   water to Jesus. Matthew 14:29 (TEV)

When Peter stepped out of the  storm-tossed boat and onto the water, where was the safest place to be? In the boat or in the arms of Jesus?

The answer, of course, is Jesus, and for a brief time, Peter saw that. Right then he got a glimpse of what it is like to TRUST in Jesus and what it is like to operate within the realm of costly grace as a citizen of the kingdom of heaven.

And we get a glimpse of that too. We see that following Jesus requires us to step into apparent insecurity in order to find true security.

It’s a paradox of faith: Our first step of faith places us in a position where faith becomes possible. By our obedience, we learn to be faithful. If we refuse to follow, we never learn how to believe. We stay stuck in the shallow end of faith, trusting in ourselves, living by sight and not by faith.

The essence of discipleship is Jesus   constantly pushing us into new situations where it is possible for us to trust Him even more. He pushes us toward “the     impossible situation in which everything is staked solely on the word of Jesus,” says the German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

PROCESS FOR REIGNING IV

Three Principles of Spiritual Progress

01 August 2010 (am)

Pastor Melody vd Merwe

v     We develop progressively – God gives us ways and strategies to develop.

v     Must be born again – then process to reach fullness/maturity. Luke 2:51+52…Jesus brought from manger to right hand of Father.

v     Bible a book of principles and patterns – apply it to our lives and the Bible goes from history to reality.

v     God is more interested in our character than our comfort – you cannot rise above your character.

v     Faithful in natural things. Matt 3:17 …”this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased”…

v     Faithful in natural things – washing car, cleaning house, looking after children – this is serving god. Col 3:23+24 … do all things as unto the Lord…

v     David was faithful shepherd, opened doors to him.

FAITHFUL IN NATURAL THINGS.

• Brings revelation in spiritual things – Understanding.
• Brings opportunities – Positioning
• Brings Victory – Power of God
• Brings Increase – Promotion of God

Three Principles of Spiritual Progress

1. Luke 16:9-13

He who is faithful in Little things will be faithful in Great things. (v10)

Little income vs. Big income

Serve as Deacon lead as Elder

Keeping your word Ps 15 (TLB)

1. If you are faithful with money you will be given spiritual riches. (v11)
   • Everyday handling of business (deals) your word your bind.
   • Integrity – non-believers only see us in the marketplace.
   • Small tithe vs. Big tithe 2 Cor 8:7-8… this is one way to prove that your love is real, that it goes beyond mere words. (TLB)

1. If you are faithful with what belongs to somebody else, God will give you your own.
   • Lazy, stupid, “spiritual at work”
   • Parents, employers stuff/submitting to authority
   • 1 Pet 5:5+6 and Heb 13:17

If you don’t like to do natural things, you will not like serving the Lord.

Be Faithful in Natural Things!