Black is beautiful

Racism...you cannot read a newspaper article in South Africa and not come across some racial slur. Racism even finds itself in an article that is not race related. The culture speaks about race but I have found that the church is not actively participating in this conversation. However, we cannot speak about racism and exclude the church from its approval of slavery in America and apartheid in South Africa. These are the same people who heard the good news of Christ on Sunday, and worked from Monday- Saturday in a system that actively excluded people of colour from their God given human rights. To exclude Christians would be a false depiction of history. From a quote by a South African, Rev. J. C. du Plessis you can see that the church was at the centre of the thinking the eventually crystalised apartheid. In 1929, Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) pastor Rev. J.C. du Plessis addressed a DRC conference on the ‘native question’ where he pleaded for the Gospel to be brought in a way that fitted the African ‘character, nature and nationality’***. You can read more on this from the historian Hermann Giliomee's article called  "The Making of the Apartheid Plan, 1929–1948" where he highlights the church's role in pushing for the segregation.

Image from Google images

I am a Christian and I am a black South African. Looking at treatment of black people by white people one can understand why they would reject Christianity and the God the missionaries came to reveal. Looking at black history, I understand why the Christian God looks like a God who favours the white man at the expense of the black man. Yet, I still hold on to God's word as the ultimate authority. I chose to believe that God is not man that he should lie (Numbers 23:19). I see the unfair treatment of people who look like me and I still believe that God shows no partiality (Romans 2:11). I look at the inequality and racial injustice and still believe that God created man in his image  - this includes all races, gender and nationalities - every person is made in the image of God. I have to learn to live with the tension of a reality that spells a bias God with the truth of a God who loves all his people. I have to see my reality and believe that ultimately God is sovereign above all things. I have to believe what God ordained  will come to pass and no barrier will stop that from occurring. It will be harder but nothing worthwhile has ever been easy. I have to believe God is full of mercy but he is also a fair judge. He is slow to anger so he will forgive those who repent of racism and give them a new heart. However, some people will not repent and will continue to live in a way that shows their belief in their own superiority. And I have to exist in that environment without hardening my heart.

Why did God allow the suffering of black people? I have not read a single satisfactory response to the problem of suffering, let alone corporate suffering. But I am glad that I get to serve Jesus Christ, because he doesn't promise no suffering but offers to be by your side in the midst of the suffering. Jesus gets suffering. He was innocent but was sentenced to brutal death on the cross. He was rejected by his friends, insulted, mocked, whipped and he hung on a cross. He gets suffering. Hebrews 12:2 says "For the joy set before him, he endured the cross". We are called to take this cup of blackness, and use it to reflect the beauty of Christ. Like him, we are to endure the burden of blackness: teaching those who are willing to learn, instilling self love to those who come after us and forgiving those who don't know better (because if they did know better, they would do better). God is a perfect judge and justice will be served. Christians have been given a supernatural mandate to pray and love their enemies. Love your enemies, is like loving yourself, you don't like every part of you yet you still live in a way that reflects your best asset.

How now shall we live?

• I feel that the church has stopped having a loud voice in South Africa because it carries the shame of having supported segregation. The problem with that is that they have forgotten what the blood of Jesus does. It washes you clean as snow. If you repent your sins are forgiven. What that means is that you can start actively engaging in conversations like racism and not have the uncomfortable knot in your stomach because you believe that God has renewed  your mind and has given you a fresh pair of eyes to see the world through. Your mind is no longer conformed to the patterns of this world but it has been transformed.
• Be like Jesus Christ. Philippians 2: 3-8 says "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in the very nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance with man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death- even death on a cross."
• Be the doer of the golden rule - do unto others as you would want them to do unto you Matthew 7:12 
• See colour, there is nothing worse that people who claim not to see colour. What you do is take away the beauty and diversity that God created. You also trivialise the daily struggles that people of colour are faced with just because of the colour of their skin. Recognise that white privilege is real. Find ways to use it for the benefit of others and not just yourself. What I mean by that is when your  friend complains about struggling to find an apartment in a certain neighbour and they think it's because they are black don't dismiss it, rather use your privilege to assist. Go with them to view the apartment. This will give the close minded person a perception of "they are not that kind of black" and they might offer your friend an apartment. It sounds horrid as I write this but close minded people need to be treated with close-mindedness. If you don't understand what white privilege is, read this article. When people use their privilege to the benefit of others, their small actions make a big difference. Let's take white Michael who is well respected at his work, he then uses his privilege to mentor black Sipho at work. With Michael's mentoring, Sipho starts to have opportunities and get promotions at work. Sipho's success encourages his cousins, who thought he was a fool for concentrating on his studies. They start to focus on their education in hopes of making something of themselves. This not only has a ripple effect on Sipho but his family and the community in which they live. In her brilliant talk about race, Mellody Hobson shows how diversity is beneficial for companies and not just the individual of colour. In her TED talk, she invites us to be colour brave!

• If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all (Romans 12:18). Those who are called by Christ are called to forgiveness. It's not natural. It's supernatural. It starts with being able to do the little things, like forgive your father, a mother, a spouse or a friend. Doing that is difficult but it's the best way to start forgiving those who have done more atrocious crimes against you and against your race. Do not let your anger with Christians make your doubt the truth of Jesus Christ. Jesus is perfect. The rest of us are trying to walk out our sanctification and we are doing it in an imperfect way. We will mess up along the way. Jesus knew that, which is why he asked us to forgive seventy seven times (Matthew 18:22). He also said something we so easy forget because we recite the prayer so often without even thinking of the words sometimes, "Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us". For our sins to be forgiven, we need to forgive those who have sinned against us
• Do not engage in racist conversations especially in private. These conversations fuel your thought processes and give you warped view of reality. When you look at the facts you will be amazed at how your perception is vastly different from reality. Take this statistics from South Africa; White skilled employed youth grew from 42 % in 1994 to 61.5% in 2014 compared to Black African youth: 15% (1994) and now 18% (2014). This is the reality in 2014 behind the backdrop of many South Africans complaining about losing jobs because of affirmative action. Read various resources and be informed. Engage with people from different races and cultures so that you broaden your perspective and appreciate the differences in people.
• Abhor what is evil, hold fast to what is good (Romans 12:9). Get angry at injustice. Jesus got angry. Matthew 21:12-13 reads "And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you make it a den of robbers". Righteous anger is a very good thing but like Jesus it must move you to action. When we are deeply moved by injustice, we should be moved to action to change it. It's important to change it, because the future of those who come after you depend on it.  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:19,21). 
• You are going to need to trust that whether black, white or purple, your life has worked out the way God intended it to work out. Doors that were shut, were meant to be shut. Opportunities that were snatched from you, were not part of your God given destiny. Use the gifts God has given you. Do not let setbacks, pain or disappointment mar the journey you are meant to be on. Be the light in the dark world we live in. Live a life that brings glory to God.

And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think (Ephesians 3:18-20).

God bless

History lesson:

***  The making of the Apartheid plan 1920-1948; Journal by Hermann Giliomee http://cc.sjtu.edu.cn/G2S/eWebEditor/uploadfile/20120920095236663.pdf

Understanding white priviledge:
1.     http://www.mediaforjustice.net/a-comprehensive-guide-to-white-privilege-in-south-africa/
2. http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2014-09-25-blackface-action-replay-the-struggle-of-memory-against-chomping-on-boerewors/#.VCfF__kbUn6

Black and navigating a white loving world:
1. http://mg.co.za/article/2014-09-30-some-of-my-very-best-friends-are-white
2. http://ewn.co.za/2014/10/21/OPINION-Danielle-Bowler-The-inconvenient-truth-of-race

You are deeply loved and far more precious than gold

I sure hope that you are having a positive start to this year. For me, this year has felt like a heap upon heap of challenges for people I dearly love. It's the kind of challenges where you can't do anything but wait on the Lord. It's been an opportunity to pray earnestly and trust God. This month of love, I thought I would share 5 things that could help you seek the presence and love of Christ when its overshadowed by daunting circumstances.

Pray

Let your prayer be honest, sincere and transparent. There is no point in pretending things are great when they aren't. God already knows what you are going through before you even utter a word. Tell him exactly how you feel and leave all afflictions, fears and anxieties at his feet. The word of God invites us to cast our fears upon God because he cares. I prefer to write my prayers because then I can pour out my heart and marvel as God answers. 

Spend time with other Christians

One of those days when I was really desperate for God's presence I went to a prayer meeting at church. I was in an atmosphere of people seeking and wanting God to move and he showed up. It was so uplifting. I recently attended Worship Central hosted at my church. Worship Central is a global movement where churches around the world gather to worship God. God was glorified at our meeting. Something inside of you changes when you abandon all things and just praise God.  Circumstances were the same yet hope was renewed. Another great way to marvel at God's love is to listen to people's testimonies. God revives dead things and renews old things - time and time again we hear it in people's stories. Do not carry the burden alone. I have a group of ladies that I share prayer requests with. I love that we get to agree together in prayer trusting God to make a way when none seems visible to the human eye.

Read less

Nothing makes you feel like the world is in an extremely terrible place than being in a bad personal space and reading the news. Bad stories sell and newspapers are filled with them. So read less newspapers, watch less news. Focus your energy on life-giving reads. Read about God's character and how he actively lavishes his love on his children. The word of God in our mouths is like God himself speaking. So declare God's promises over your life. Autobiographies and biographies are great at highlighting people who have triumphed in spite of difficult situations read them for motivation.

Do something

If there are possible solutions to your problem then do everything in your power to resolve it. Nothing makes me more angry than people who claim they want a solution yet take no responsibility in finding a solution. If you need help then get it! If things are really out of your control then get your mind off your problems by doing something! Help those who are in need. Spending time with someone less fortunate than you are will make you appreciate your blessings. Volunteer at an animal shelter. Animal lovers find this very therapeutic. Exercise - you will feel good and too tired to think about your issue! Count your blessings one by one. Like literally name each one - thank God for your eyesight, another day he has given you, your family, a job - these are all blessings and the giver of these is worthy of all the glory.

Don't lose your testimony

Walk through your difficulty as someone who has the God of the universe on your side!

Your situation may be hopeless BUT God...

Enjoy this spoken word By Jon Jorgenson @jonjorgenson

God bless 

My gratitude list from 2014

2014 was a difficult year for some of the people who are dear to me. I was grateful for the support I was able to provide to those near and far from me. As I look forward to the year ahead, I look back with gratitude at the year I have left behind.

• "Don't envy another person's season, enjoy the season you are in" was one of the key messages for Scarlet Women's Conference for 2014. Taking this advice, my heart's desire is to never take any of my blessings for granted no matter how small they may seem. In 2014, I got to appreciated my family and friends even more as I watched people close to me mourn the loss of their loved ones. I got to be grateful for my health as I walked with people who are waiting in expectation for their healing - emotional and physical. I got to appreciate my income as I walked with people who are waiting for a job or their monies to be available. I appreciated peace as I walked with people who were facing legal and emotional battles. 
• Grateful that God was with me throughout 2014. In the great and the not-so-great times, I never felt alone. He honoured his word "I will never leave you nor forsake you".
• My sister and her family lived through horrific incidents that were meant to steal their joy but God... So grateful for the gift of life that God bestowed upon them. I am watching in expectation as they walk into all that God has destined for them. 
• My youngest sister, Lerato passed her Matric!!! She looked so gorgeous at her Matric dance. Looking back at her journey I feel saying I am proud of her would be an understatement.

• Ntsika and Vukani, my brothers also passed their respective grades. Vukani will be in Matric this year. I can't believe how time flies! 
• My mom and my sister, Akhona came to visit me in Dubai. The highlight was how God made this trip possible. I look back at it, and I am still in awe of him. God's provisions were endless from flights (thanks Carl), getaway to Fujairah, best desert safari and many more.                                                         
  

• Ncumisa came to visit me in Dubai. I didn't realise HOW much I missed this girl. It was such a treat having her here.

• Being a servant at my church, City Lights. I love serving and being part of this community. 
• My trip to Hillsong in Australia was AMAZING! It was awesome being in a massive stadium worshiping and giving glory to Jesus Christ. The guest speakers were so anointed. This is one of my favourite life events to date. God is using His church to impact and change lives. I traveled with 3 gorgeous ladies who I got to know better!

• Grateful for my friends. I was at my most vulnerable and they came full force to support me. My friends called just to let me know that there are there for me no matter what happens. I was overwhelmed by the love. I don't say it enough but I am so thankful for you ladies. 
• Thankful to Liz for being there for me during this festive season. Liz, was my plan for Christmas and New Year's Eve.  Thank you for making it memorable.                                                                                   
  

A prosperous New Year to you and your loved ones.

God bless

Jesus is...

Pictures of Jesus taken from a sermon by David Platt.

1. Saviour. Jesus means "the one who will save us from our sins"
2. Messiah. Christ means "the promised one"
3. Son of David. He comes from the kingly line of David
4. Son of Abraham 
5. Centre of history
6. Fully human
7. Fully divine
8. Sovereign over the wise. Wisemen come looking for him and they bow at his crib.
9. Shepherd of the weak
10. Jesus inaugurates a new exodus 

Image from Google images

   11.  Jesus will end the mournful exile
   12.  Jesus loves his fiercest enemies. He loves sinners like you and me.

   13.  Saviour king
   14.  Righteous judge
   15.  Filled with the God the Holy Spirit
   16.  Loved by the God the Father
   17.  Jesus is the new Adam. He resisted temptation fully, when our first father Adam succumbed to           temptation

   18.  True Israel, Jesus was the faithful son unlike Israel
   19.  Jesus is the light of the world
   20.  Jesus is the hope of all nations 

 David elaborates on each of the points on the links below:

1. 20 pictures of Jesus Part 1

2. 20 pictures of Jesus Part 2

God bless

God is good

"Nathan has just been shot in an attempted hijacking. On his way to hospital... please pray for him." This is the message I woke up to on the 27 August 2014. It was 5am in Dubai meaning that it was 3am in South Africa, my sister is likely to be asleep and I cannot ask her for more details. I was devastated. I cried. And cried. And cried. Trying to get back to my scriptures so that I can get my mind off the "What ifs" until I can speak to my sister for answers. I shared with my flatmates and then waited for a more decent time to call. By 7am I couldn't bear not knowing, so I called my sister. It's 5am in South Africa. She might not be awake. She tells me that she is also not home. She has to make her way to the airport to get a flight back to Johannesburg from Durban. He is in hospital. He is stable. They did a CT scan and will let us know later today if he needs surgery on his leg. She will keep me updated as soon as she has more information. I am so grateful for friends who pray. I sent a message to my friends asking them to pray for no surgery, quick recovery for the leg and for normal use of the leg. I asked them to pray for the Holy Spirit to comfort him and my sister. I asked them to pray for the criminals. The ones who are deceived and in need of Christ. 

I was broken. I got to the office and asked my manager for a flight back home. My thoughts were all over the place, I was not normal. Nothing was making sense. How could this happen? Why did it happen to us? How did Nathan feel at the time? Did he feel alone? There were so many questions...

I read my bible. I listened to God exulting, Christ-centered, bible saturated music. I needed to fight the words that were trying to occupy my mind with the truth of God's word. The song that really helped is called Anchor by Hillsong United. The words are absolutely amazing... 

I have this hope
As an anchor for my soul
Through every storm
I will hold to You

With endless love
All my fear is swept away
In everything
I will trust in You

There is hope in the promise of the cross
You gave everything to save the world You love
And this hope is an anchor for my soul
Our God will stand
Unshakeable

Unchanging One
You who was and is to come
Your promise sure
You will not let go

Your Name is higher
Your Name is greater
All my hope is in You

Your word unfailing
Your promise unshaken
All my hope is in You

Source: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/hillsonglive/anchor.html

Image from Google images

I also came across a brilliant sermon by Carl Schultz of Hillsong, New York. You can see the link below. He gives three ways to deal with difficult circumstances - very appropriate for what I was going through. 

• Expect it. Jesus says in John 16:33 "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Trouble will come. Expect it.
• Go through it. Jesus says in every circumstance we face, He will never leave us nor forsake us
• Shake it off. The problem that you are going through is not just for you. There is someone who will hugely benefit from your testimony. Don't give up!

Thank you to my church family, my Gift's group, my flatmates, my family, my friends and my work colleagues for standing in agreement with us. My brother is okay. His leg will heal and we are trusting for a full restoration of mind, body and soul. 

God's grace in Nathan's situation:

• He had just dropped off my nephew at his grandparent's car before the incident happened
• They shot him through the passer seat where the baby seat was. The baby seat took the bullet and deflected it from his chest to his leg
• He ran away from them, but they did not shoot him as he was running
• He is alive

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.." Now we wait for more good things to unfold.

God bless

Women

The world hates women is a post my friend Siya shared on Facebook, it shows the violent abuse of women across different countries around the world. It must have been chilling for her to see considering that she's got a little girl.

The bible says that God created man in his own own image; both male and female he created them (Genesis 1:27). The scripture goes on to say, God looked at what he had created and it was very good. Sin has entered our world and it has distorted the beauty that God created. This has affected the world we live in, the relationships we have and the way we live. Women have not been exempt from the effects of sin, it can be seen in the way women see themselves and the way men see women.

Listed below are some of the extreme cases of abuse against women and girls:

• Girl children are being aborted, abandoned or killed because of their God-given sex. The United Nations estimates that in Indian and China there are over 200million girls who are missing as a result. In the clip below, we hear from a woman who has killed 8 children at birth because they were girls.   

                                     

• The value of girl is being determined by how much a man is willing to pay for her. God says priceless and man says the highest bidder wins

•  200 girls in Nigeria are abducted and it's over a 100 days and they are nowhere to be found 
• Genital mutilation is an evil that aims to steal the gift of sex from women
• The United Nations estimates that 1 out of 3 women has been beaten, forced into sex or abused during her lifetime. This film is very graphic so if you are sensitive do not view it. It communicates a real account of brutal and violence stories against women and babies.  

I am sure you can add more films and stats to the above, but those stories just show how prevalent the problem is. 

Before you say but that's not me, we need to look at ourselves and how we contribute to this culture that hates women:

• Do you call someone lucky because he has a boy instead of a girl? The desire to have a boy is a beautiful desire but do not let it enslave you. The enslavement comes in the form of person's relentless pursuit of a boy either by the spouse bearing more and more children until they have a boy or a man marrying other women until he has his son (I won't even rant about how he is the "problem").  A healthy baby is a privilege that some parents do not have. 
• Do you pay women less than their male counterparts for the same qualifications and same job?
• Do you tease people by referring to them as girls?  This is highlighted so beautifully in this ad by ALWAYS

• Do rape cases focus more on the woman's dress code than the man's behaviour?
• Do men in a work environment get punished by their companies and the law for the sexual harassment of women?
• Do you talk inappropriately about women? Or do you allow the objectification of women by people around you? 
• Do you pollute your mind with images that objectify women and then expect the women in your life to live up to those images? Do you expect your spouse to perform for you because that's what you see in porn? Do you tell her how fat she is because you consume too many images of perfection in media?
• Do the men you hang around with value their wives and children? 

Again, the questions that you can add to this list are endless.

The link below is one of my favourite poems by Jon Jorgenson, it's called "Who you are?". I pray that we can be women who believe that we are awesome and that we raise girls who know that they are. Girls whose self-worth is not determined by their circumstance by a deep knowing that they are worthy of love and that they are LOVED! Because LOVE is a beautiful place to make world changing decisions.

This is not a usual feel good woman's day post. My hope is to raise awareness of woman's issues so that those who are touched may be moved to action. Doing something may require a big change like leaving your comfortable job to join an anti-human trafficking organisation or it can be small like ensuring that we speak well of all women not just those we love like family. May woman's month celebrations include the men and women working tirelessly to make my hypothetical future daughter feel loved, worthy and always enough.

God bless

Names are pregnant with purpose

Day 3 at Hillsong Conference:

Names are pregnant with purpose...What stirs within the recesses of your soul when you
 hear Jesus' name. An enigma personified...Took on the lowest name so slaves can reign as Kings.

Morning session
Pastor Billy Hybils message was based on Luke 5:1-11, where Jesus calls his first disciples. Bill Hybils studies Jesus and speaks about 5 leadership tests that a leader must employ when choosing his team.

• Bias towards action test

Do you chose leaders who have a bias for action?
Jesus solves an immediate problem by getting into Peter's boat. Peter allows Jesus to do so without complaining.

• Can you follow directions test

Peter has been fishing the whole night and has not caught anything yet he say to Jesus "because you say so I will". Peter followed Jesus' instructions.

• Who deserves the credit test

In Luke 5:8 Peter gives all the credit to Jesus. Credit hogging does not contribute to positive team dynamics. Don't compare yourself with others. The ultimate glory belongs to God.

• Grander vision test

Jesus gives them a bigger vision - I will make you fishers of men (Luke 5:10). Jesus shows that the value of a dollar versus the value of human destiny. God loves people. They are his treasure.

• Will you leave it test

They left everything and followed him (Luke 5:11). The grander the vision the higher the price tag. Peter and his fellow fishermen were willing to leave everything for the grander vision. Change your vision from dollars to a grander vision.

Jesus left heaven for a grander vision - the salvation of all.

Q&A with Pastor Bill Hybils conducted by Pastor Brian Houston
On leadership:
There is a season for everything - Ecclesiastes 3. Sometimes it's good to let people go. Change in teams is good but you must invite people into your life for that season. Get involved. Treat people like family. Leadership pipeline is important so someone can take over the role. When you decide to leave, leave well. Ensure a thorough handover so that the person taking over is well-equipped. A leader is an incurable listener and learner.

On crisis management:
Storms will come. In the middle of a crisis that is when you character is revealed.

What's a prevailing church?
The church as described in Acts 2:42-47. The lost are found. The poor are taken care of. The found are growing spiritually. There is unity by the power of the Holy Spirit. Bold prayers are prayed and God answers. Communities are transformed.

"The church is meant to disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed" Brian Houston

On accountability
We are all accountable to God. What is your gift? Are you using it for God's glory?

Session 2 by Pastor Brian Houston
Romans 10:13 "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.". Acts 10:9-15 "What God has cleansed, you cannot call unclean or common"

The message of Jesus is all inclusive - Everyone is invited. Pastor Brian shared a story from Jonah 3:2-6,10. Jonah was asked by God to preach to the people of Nineveh and ask them to repent from their sins and return to God. Jonah's message is so powerful that the people of Nineveh, including the king, turn from their evil ways and return to God. When they repented, God's anger subsided and he relented of the disaster that he was going to give them. Instead of being happy about this, Jonah is angry with God. In Jonah 4:1-2 we read - But it displeased Jonah exceedingly and he was angry. And he prayed and said to the Lord and said "O Lord, is it not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made hast to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and relenting from disaster." As a church we are called to be outposts of grace just like our God. Jesus loves all people the same. God does not show partiality - everyone is invited. Jesus is the only judge.

Image from Google images

Masterclass: Reading the bible effectively

Reading effectively:

• Be consistent. Make it a habit. 
• Fruitful bible reading is lived and walked in your neighborhood
• Pray before you read the bible 
• Ask questions: Where? Why? When? How? What?

Studying the bible

• Use the right tools (Good bible translation, study bible, commentaries, bible dictionaries, theological dictionaries, concordance/lexicon, survey of OT and NT, manners & customs books, online tools/sites, books)
• Identify what's infront of you (what's really there?)
• Recognise it in it's context
• Know what to do with what you find
• Apply it - the bible demands application

Read the bible like this:
GOD  (What was God saying?)
THEM (What was he saying to the people present then)

US (What does it mean for us now)

ME (Relevance for me)

One of the outflow of regular bible reading is an overflow of thankfulness.

Image from Google images

Word from the local pastor

We are made in the image of God. God spoke and created. Yet on the 5th day he made man, he came down to earth to create man. God gave him a breath of air and it became human. People have intrinsic value. If the angels were sitting in heaven trying to describe what an human being is then would liken it to something they were familiar with, they would say "humans hold the image of God". You are incredibly valuable to God and no one can take that away from you.

Evening session

Pastor Louie Giglio together with his wife, Shelley, started Passion which is a movement that ministers to college students. Louie was running a very powerful youth ministry in a town far away from his family. His father got terribly sick but he and his wife felt compelled to stay in the town they were in. After 7 years of praying they decided to move closer to home. Louie's father passed on before they could make it back home. However, he had already resigned from his job so he moved closer to home inspite of the devastating news. He says that he does not know why things happened the way they did. He does know that the Passion movement would not have existed. He was comfortable in his youth ministry. But God... God was calling him to something bigger than he could have ever imagined. Years later as he was preaching in a stadium full of young people he got to stand on the Chick fil a logo. The Chick fil a logo that Louie was standing on whilst preaching at the Passion conference, was the logo that his father designed for the franchise. It was an incredible moment for him. You can strive on our own but working together with God, you can achieve great heights that you thought possible!

Image from Google images

He started by congratulating Brian and Bobbie Houston for building Hillsong. He said "It is amazing. God is amazing. But God uses people." He thanked them for being God's vessels!

Louie spoke about the name of Jesus being a brand. The PR company that is hired to make much of this name is the PR of God, God and God - God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. He says that God is more committed to the idea that "there is no other name". God will make much of the name of Jesus. It is up to us to decide whether we want to join this winning movement. When you and I chose to join the movement of "no other name", we are signing up to God's team. When you know that God is making sure that the name of Jesus is proclaimed world-wide, we can rest with an assurance that God is on it. The PR company of God, God, God is working to make much of the name of Jesus.

Jesus is the God of my life. Jesus is my everything. God is very particular about his name - Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). Sin is settling for a lesser name. The Holy spirit reveals and exalts the name of Jesus.

Scriptures:
Psalm 46
Psalm 90:1-2
Isaiah 6 (Visions of heaven)
Philippians 2
Acts 4:8-12