Search

Citrusdal | Clanwilliam | Graafwater | Kompas Gemeente Vredendal | Somerset-Wes

Author: Admin

Categories
Social Relevance

Rebuilding Trust in SA

A Christ-Centred value-based Morpho-genesis Collaborate Approach.

From the perspective of the wonderful outcomes of the speed of trust, we as civil society has come to a complete halt. [1]  There seems to be little trust anywhere.  The result of a determining legacy of more than five hundred years of self-determination at the cost of others, monopolies, division, and racism.  The dark side of capitalism: Self-interest.[2] The invisible ethical counterbalance of mutuality heals this vested-economic-selfish interest and makes is sustainable on the long term. According to Paretto’s efficiency theory, if we do not balance self-interest with mutuality, we inevitably become an unstable unequal society and collapse on ourselves. [3]

An additional result of self-interest and consequent mistrust in civil society and its formal agencies is that we work in silos, sometimes even against each other, with little impact, and hopelessly ineffective.[4] There is no common deep-rooted singular purpose than connects all these silos.  This low-outcome, inefficiency is perhaps the biggest contributor to broken trust in a nation. Society seems to have lost complete trust and respect for just about every formal institution.  Banks, churches, government departments are no longer the trusted agencies of a healthy society observing the low attendance rate at civil meetings, the hype of cryptocurrencies, and huge number of NGO’s in the Country.[5]

In one of my discussions with a trusted National Elder Mkangeli Matomela, we spoke at length about the phenomenon we have discovered at all the land summits, held in 2018-2019. [6]  Individual farmers with a personal conviction that they had an encounter with Jesus, and His way of ordering the world, is having a meaningful change of heart. At huge personal expense land, resources and market access were shared with the poor through a collaborative intentional knowledge transfer process. The only place you will find healthy mature TRUST is in the true Church, true followers of Christ type of churches, ministries and movements. A type of church that is: spirit filled, Evangelical Christ centred, contemplative inner wellness centred, socially relevant where every believer function in their God-Given ministry. During our Country-wide Bridge Building Land Summits I began to meet such churches and ministries. During COVID 19, churches are at the forefront of food distribution and poverty alleviation relabelling the importance of Faith Based Initiatives to bring diverse societies together and REBUILT TRUST. The focus is not doctrinal differences but doing the work of Christ. 

Mkangeli Matomela is one such leader, one of the pioneers of the New Nation Movement. I asked Matomela, “what do you think white people need to do to gain the trust of the black man?’ The enthusiastic wise Matomela answer without hesitation, “you need to just say you are sorry, and learn to share.” Sure, I responded, I get that. African cultures are known for sharing.  I put this to him, ask me the same question. What question? Matomela reflected. “What should black people do so they can earn the trust of the white man?” “Oh yes.”  “Well ask me.” I persisted. He laughed and then ask me politely: “What should black people do so they can earn the trust of the white man?” Be competent, successful and build something” I reflected. “Oh yes, that is right” Matomela replied: “white people are known for their hard work, and spirit of excellence”

This is the conundrum is it not? Successful people find it difficult to share, and if they share it is with conditions. Poor people yearn for inclusion and opportunity but lack the resources to gain the necessary skills to show-case or proof their success.  Of course, our conversation is a gross generalisation, for there are many black people who are tremendously competent, and there are many white people who are not, and there are white people who are extravagant in their sharing and there are black people who do not share.  

Trust can fundamentally not be achieved or sustained without upholding and keeping a value base throughout all operations. I propose the following basic values, as agreed upon through the various Bridge-Building summits:

Inclusivity

Intrinsic dignity worth

Personal responsibility

Equity 

Impartiality 

Non-violence

Non-partisan

Non-racist

Non-reactionary

Freedom of choice

Sanctity of life

Stewardship 

Matomela the champion of a value-based society agrees, by sharing the “ilima’ concept with me. Tilling the land, ukulima, Farmers are called “abalimi”. Tilling the land was a collective, collaborative and cooperative effort of the whole community. Communal cultivation, working-bee for cultivating (when neighbours help to cultivate a large field Field ploughed by communal cultivation).[7] In African consciousness one can only be an effective tribe in a locality if everyone pulls their weight, taking mutual responsibility of the whole.  

Unfortunately, things are looking gloomy for the ruling party who are not known for collaborating with all parties and stakeholders at lower structural levels. What have the ANC built in 25 years of reign? What values are they known for? The Grote Schuur hospital at one point known as one of the best hospitals in the world is a shadow of its former glory. The same applies to SAA, Eskom, Transnet, and many others.  Do not feel sorry for the ANC, and please do not become defensive if you’re loyal to the party. If you are chosen to rule, take responsibility. The ANC have the power, what did they accomplished with it? BBBEE did not help, as it alienated one part of our citizenry to save another section. The ANC have the best policies and plans, they fail to execute it. Most importantly! Do not label these dismal failures to a race deficiency. I suggest we all failed, because we failed to collaborate, unite our diversity and ALL together build a new Country.

May president Rhamophosa, who currently did so well leading us through this turbulent global pandemic, seize the moment and facilitate more think-tanks, public-private-people-partnerships, public engagements and forums. But for success he will have to earn our trust, and that begins with owning up to the mistakes, and then making the tough decisions on behalf of the whole nation not just one part of the populous. Margareet Visser substantiate this point in her thesis “Farm Workers’ Living and Working Conditions in South Africa: key trends, emergent issues, and underlying and structural problems”. 

The fortunes of producers and workers are linked. It is therefore necessary that they try to find linked solutions to their problems, but also temporarily suspend their adversarial positions towards each other to address inequality in the value chain.

When government tries to help the farmworkers at the detriment of the producers, they invariably weaken the livelihood of the farmworkers. Government should rather seek to help these parties collaborate and come up with the solutions themselves. 

Maybe too many people are in the wrong positions of leadership all-together. What if we elect individuals to government after scrutinising first what they have built and accomplished in life for the common good for ALL instead of cadre deployment and nepotism.

The sobering reality is TRUST is at its endemic lowest point. 

Illicit Financial Flows (IFF) have several sources and channels which generally fall within three major categories: business-related activities (e.g. trade misinvoicing); criminal activities (e.g. drug trade, human trafficking, illegal arms dealing, smuggling of contraband and tax evasion); and corruption and money laundering. According to the Report of the High-Level Panel (HLP) on IFFs from Africa commissioned by the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Conference of Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (2015),[8] over the last 50 years, Africa has lost in excess of USD 1 trillion in IFFs. A recent report by the AU Commission[9] indicates that “estimates of these amounts hover between USD 50 and 80 billion annually and seem to be on an upward trajectory. [10]

For the majority of the people to pay their taxes voluntary, we need a competent state! We live in a consumer age, where once we’ve paid for a product when it fails it gets replaced. We are paying huge amounts of taxes but are not getting adequate service delivery. As a result, we hear of tax-revolt type of reactions throughout the Country. But beware, taxpayers cannot fight for their vested interest, without acknowledging the big portion of society that is not paying taxes. 

The biggest portion of voters are loyal to the ANC, because they receive their livelihoods from the ANC. Somehow our diverse sentiments for certain political parties are still rooted in fear and animosity against certain apposing racial groups.  We hence vote the same sentiment into power and expect different results. It is a good thing that society organise themselves into formal agencies and collectives. Eventually all these agencies will have to get together and negotiate a consensus development strategy of economic mutuality and inclusion. 

All cultures in South Africa have their own bias and perspective of History mostly seeing each other as opponents.  We struggle to find a singular national uniting narrative. What is the one thing that will make South Africa great again? What is South Africa’s singular greatest export offer? Germany is known for its precision; the Swiss for their quality and durability; Italy for its passion and Rwanda for its rise out of an atrocious genocide. 

Maybe collaboration can be the way we as South Africans cultivate a new national narrative.  

#RebuiltSAtogether

Our recent success at the Rugby World Cup – where Siya Kolisi contributed collaboration as their reason for success is a welcome start. Collaboration can only work if we stop pointing the finger and begin to take hands.  No one political party can solve the complex problems in our nation alone. No one political party can and will ever be able to unite us as ONE Nation because it is by default divisive and based on the self-interests of their constituency.  Current Party politics divide our people because it is based on lobbying for various people’s vested interests.  This is not wrong, it is natural that various entities protect their vested interests, but not at the detriment of the whole!

It is only when all citizens at most local ground level finds purpose in common good, reach consensus through robust debate, and become an collaborative ILIMA community that one will ever achieve the speed of trust and eventually bring well-being to all. So many policies are made in boardrooms without sufficient public participation at the most local level. I suggest that poor participation and overall attendance of ALL stakeholders is because of lack of trust and respect.

Matthew Taylor strongly proposes a movement of citizen assemblies,[11] formed as a pragmatic, multi-dimensional, non-partisan, non-ideological collaboration of collaborations which will eventually advance a new National Narrative of trust and respect. These local Citizen Assemblies will however not be properly formed if existing trusted non-partisan leaders in the community is not leading and hosting the initiative. This is where I believe the CHURCH have such an important role to play!! The job of the church is reconciliation, healing and restoration. The job of the church is to provide a value-based ethical bridge for people to begin to trust each other again.  No one else can achieve this, and regain the speed of trust so quickly and effectively.

Our National voter turn-out is 47%, the lowest in the world.[12]  One needs a cross-section of society at the most local level, representing all the sectors, and organised agencies to rediscover a local mutual economic consensus and buy-in, a sense of ownership led by a new breed of authentic servanthood leaders and respected elders who display and proof they have no self-vested interests. These leader’s interests are served through the healthy outcomes of the 8 dimensions of the well-being of the whole community. (Spiritual, Mental, Vocational, Intellectual, Relational, Emotional, Physical, Environmental).   [13]  The developmental consensus achieved at CODESA that produced the Constitution and eventually our Constitutional Democracy was our first collaborative success. We can do it again, by coming together as South Africans, leaving our political ideological, cultural hats at the door, and negotiate a new economic development plan as ONE Nation. This however cannot be done only on the highest level, since by default we are excluding the broader excluded economy. The economy is also too complex and multi-facetted geographically and demographically. This debate needs to happen at ground level, and there consensus needs to be achieved.

To quote Prof Deon Pretorius the originator of the Morphogenetic Approach to Social Development [14] on the success of the Nordic Model of National Social Development we need to realise that building trust takes time: 

To understand this debate properly, one needs to acknowledge that the Nordic Model has been developed through perpetual reforms. It is the product of an ongoing morphogenetic process. It does not build on a single blueprint or grand design but has evolved gradually. And because parties from both sides of the political spectrum have contributed to the development of the model for more than a century, it is founded on a general consensus. All parts of society have played a part in this process. Labour unions, employers and cooperative movements have been heard, as well as represented, by their respective parties in multiple cross-bloc political compromises.[14] The Sunday River Valley is a good example where all stakeholders leave their “hats” positions, status, and ideologies at the door to negotiate through robust debate well-being for all.

The immerging debate on electoral reform and non-partisan independents becoming part of parliament as chosen by their constituencies strengthens the argument and hypothesis of this blog. [15] People want to take ownership again. People are tired of party politics not delivering on their promises. Ideologies do not feed the poor, nor provide employment. The Church again is rising to the challenge to train and prepare young people a Biblical Governmental Worldview. COVID 19 is providing us with a once in a lifetime opportunity to collaborate for our collective common good, intrinsic value and dignity, and mutual responsibility as good stewards of what we have.   

There simply is no other way! 

South Africans who could immigrate, did exactly that. Those who are now staying, have to make this country work. We should stop comparing, stop complaining. Let’s get together and begin to collaborate, and in the process build and rediscover understanding, empathy and eventually trust.

[1] Covey, S. and Merrill, R., n.d. The speed of trust.

[2] James, Harvey & Rassekh, Farha. (2000). Smith, Friedman, and Self-Interest in Ethical Society. Business Ethics Quarterly. 10. 659-674. 10.2307/3857897.

[3] As understood by the Pareto Efficiency Principle: Pareto efficiency, named after the Italian economist and political scientist Vilfredo Pareto (1848-1923), is a major pillar of welfare economics.

[4] https://www.forbes.com/sites/brentgleeson/2013/10/02/the-silo-mentality-how-to-break-down-the-barriers/?sh=55d94bf38c7e

[5] There is an estimated 200000 NGO’s operational in SA. https://mg.co.za/analysis/2020-03-05-ngos-today-competing-for-resources-power-and-agency

[6] https://landsummit.co.za

[7] https://ilimafoundary.com/meaning-of-the-name-ilima/

[8] https://www.uneca.org/sites/default/files/PublicationFiles/iff_main_ report_26feb_en.pdf

[9] African Union Commission (2019). Domestic Resource Mobilization: Fighting against Corruption and Illicit Financial Flows. AUC Publishing, Addis Ababa.

[10] https://www.oecd.org/tax/transparency/documents/Tax-Transparency-in-Africa-2020.pdf

[11] https://www.thersa.org/projects/deliberative-democracy

[12] https://theconversation.com/south-africas-voter-turnout-a-mathematician-runs-the-numbers-117199

[13] https://umwellness.wordpress.com/8-dimensions-of-wellness/

[14] https://www.mistraurbanfutures.org/sites/mistraurbanfutures.org/files/Access%20for%20Just%20Cities%20-%20Master%20Document_with%20Annex.pdf

[15] 21 February – Kgetlengrivier Municipality in Shambles | Carte Blanche | M-Net https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIZS1I7li2I

A powerful, nonpartisan solution to fix U.S. Politics | Katherine M. Gehl | TEDxMileHigh https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixk8d3GQJnQ 

https://www.netwerk24.com/Nuus/Politiek/bring-kiesafdelings-terug-se-roelf-20210220

https://www.netwerk24.com/Nuus/Hof/ons-stel-voor-300-uit-400-lps-moet-verkose-wees-20200612

https://www.netwerk24.com/Nuus/Politiek/sa-kiesstelsel-pootjie-lps-se-toesigrol-zondo-20210205

https://www.news24.com/citypress/news/new-electoral-system-proposed-20210221

https://osa.org.za – Michael Louis & Mmusi Miamane

Categories
Preke

Die ‘Ek Is’ Beginsel

Die ‘ek is’ beginsel – God se teenmiddel teen minderwaardigheid.

Die mees belangrikste uitspraak in jou lewe begin met: “Ek is…”. Jesus se versoeking het die “ek is” uitspraak in Sy lewe bevraagteken: “As jy dan regtig die Seun van God is…” (Mat 4:3). As die vyand ons onkant betrap rondom ons identiteit, dan vang Hy ons in Sy strik van leuens om uiteindelik sy wil te doen (2 Tim 2:26).

Dit is wesenlik belangrik dat ons elkeen moet weet ‘wie’ ons is. Jou skeppingsdoel is in werklikheid Christus (Rom 8:29). Alhoewel ons nooit fisies soos Jesus kan wees nie, wil God dat ons soos Hy sal dink, optree en leef. Hy is die beste manier om te leef. Sy waardes en motiewe is suiwer! Hy is die volmaakte wil van God. Ons is dus die mooiste mense, wanneer ons die meeste soos Hy is. Die basis van ‘belief therapy’ wat in tronke en rehabilitasie sentrums gebruik word is: Wat jy oor jouself glo, bepaal jou gedrag en keuses.

Maar ons skeppingsdoel gaan ook verder as dit. God het ‘n plan met elkeen van ons, en sodra ons daardie plan verstaan kan ons ‘n lewe van sin en betekenis leef (2 Pet 1:10). Die “ek is” het eerstens nie te doen met wat ons kan doen en vermag nie. Because God created us as ‘Beings’ not ‘Doings’! Mense wat deur trauma gaan wil net iemand teenwoordig hê, jy hoef niks te doen nie. Ouer mense wat teen die einde van hulle leeftyd nie meer al die dinge wat hulle eers kon doen meer vermag nie, is nie nou minder werd en belangrik nie. Hulle teenwoordigheid, wie hulle was is vir ons belangrik! Jy is eerstens ‘n gees mens. Wie jy in die Gees is, jou teenwoordigheid, jou gesindheid is bepalend. Iemand met ‘n verkeerde gees, kan ‘n hele vertrek mense negatief beïnvloed. Die teendeel is ook waar! Iemand met ‘n positiewe ingesteldheid kan geskiedenis verander!

Kyk na die rots waaruit jy gekap is:
Dis waarom Paulus die broeders vermaan: “Want let op julle roeping, broeders” (1 Cor 1:26). Hulle moes onthou hoe God hulle geroep het. Hulle was nie vername mense nie. “Aanskou die rots waaruit julle gekap is en die holte van die put waaruit julle gegrawe is.” Isa 51:1. Jou redding en die manier hoe God jou red, kan betekenisvol wees om jour roeping te verstaan.

Die man wat die bekende EE3 Evangelisasie tegniek en kursus ontwikkel het, het juis deur die twee diagnostiese vrae tot bekering gekom: Waarvan het die Here jou verlos?, en hoe het Hy jou verlos wat ook nou vir ander van hulp wees? “Hy, al was Hy die Seun, het gehoorsaamheid geleer uit wat Hy gely het; en nadat Hy volmaak is, het Hy vir almal wat Hom gehoorsaam is, ’n bewerker van ewige saligheid geword.” (Heb 5:8-9). Selfs Jesus het ‘n liggaam nodig gehad wat hom voorberei is deur generasies heen (Heb 10:5). Selfs jou ouerhuis en omstandighede waarin jy gebore is, is belangrik. Moet nie dit as ‘n vloek sien nie.

Vind Jouself in die Woord:
Johannes die doper moes homself in die Woord sien, om sy roeping te verstaan (Mal 3:1 vergelyk Mar 1:2). Paulus het geglo dat hy deur spesiale roeping lewendig gemaak is (Gal 1:1 Sien hoe Paulus sy roeping sien en verstaan: “Maar toe dit God behaag het, wat my afgesonder het van die skoot van my moeder af en deur sy genade geroep het, 16 om sy Seun in my te openbaar, sodat ek Hom onder die heidene sou verkondig.” (Gal 1:15-16).

Profetiese Woord en Openbaring:
“Die woord van die Here het dan tot my gekom en gesê: Voordat Ek jou in die moederskoot gevorm het, het Ek jou geken; en voordat jy uit die liggaam voortgekom het, het Ek jou geheilig; Ek het jou tot ’n profeet vir die nasies gemaak.” (Jer 1:5.) So het die Here vir Abraham, Moses, Samuel en nog baie ander geroep om vir Hom te werk. Wanneer ons God ontmoet, kry ons ons identiteit. Ons is juis identiteitloos omdat ons Hom nie ken nie.

Adam en Eva het in ongehoorsaamheid die verhouding wat hulle met God gehad het verbreek en weggestap en sodoende hulle identiteit verloor. So het Esau dan sy eersgeboortereg verag (Gen 25:34). Ons eie drange en vleeslike begeertes mislei ons. Ons dink ons is die somtotaal van ons drange en begeertes. God het ‘n hoër doel met ons as mens, daarom het Hy ons geskape met goddelike vermoëns.

Paulus was eers op ‘n verkeerde pad, omdat hy in die tradisies van sy voorvaders geloop het en nie geweet het wat hy doen nie (Han. 9:3-6). Hy het ook deur profetiese woord van Ananias sy roeping ontvang (Han. 9:15-16).“Maar deur die genade van God is ek wat ek i.s” Paulus maak hierdie kragtige stelling in (1 Kor 15:10). Hierdie is ‘n diep geestelike paradoks: Om self te verloën (Mat 16:24; Rom 2:20) en uiteindelik net jouself te wees.

Madame Guyon het dit verduidelik dat God soos met ‘n slang die gif uit ons ‘self’ wil haal om ons uiteindelik onsself gesond terug te gee. Die selfsug, ambisie, selfregverdiging, passiwiteit, trots, van die eie-ek verwoes ons lewe. As ons egter sterf tot hierdie self, gee Hy ons ‘self’ terug om in nederigheid, ootmoed, gehoorsaam aan Hom te lewe. Daar is ‘n unieke deel van die beeld van Christus in ons elkeen opgesluit. (Philemon 6)

Categories
Preke

Die Krag van Goddelike Self-beheersing

ONTDEK DIE GAWE VAN GODDELIKE INPERKING

Iemand wat geduldig is, is groter as ’n oorlogsheld, en iemand wat homself kan beheers, is groter as iemand wat ’n stad inneem. (Spreuke 16:32)

Die vermoë om nee te sê, terug te hou, plesier en beloning uit te stel, is sinoniem met koningskap, adellikheid, en volwassenheid. Dit is inderdaad baie moeiliker as emosionele impulsiewe oorgawe aan begeertes en drange.  Dit is immers wat ons onderskei van ons dierlike instinkte. Jesus is ‘n perfekte voorbeeld van onthouding, inperking en selfdissipline – WEES bemagtig in HOM om ook koninklik te regeer in hierdie LEWE.

In hierdie era van wetteloosheid en anargie mag ons die krag van Sy genade ontdek wat in ons die vermoë werk om onsself te weerhou en te dissiplineer om gematig en in beheer van ons fakulteite te wees vir Sy heerlikheid en eer, Amen.  

Die bekamping van die Gees van Anargie of Wetteloosheid wat vandag vinnig in ons wêreld versprei, het ons die beperking van die Heilige Gees nodig om in ons lewens toe te neem. As ons in geloof vra, kan ons glo dat die Gees se wonderlike weerhoudingskrag van vandag af in ons lewens sal toeneem.

Jesus het homself daarvan weerhou om die hulp van Engele te roep – Mat 26:53 

Dit was een van die apostoliese onderwerpe wat Paulus met Felix bespreek het – Acts 24:25

4 keer word genoem as ‘n belangrike kwaliteit geestelike leiers moet besit – Titus 1:7-8; 2:2; 2:5; 3:2.

Dit word genoem onder die lys van deugde wat elke gelowige moet hê – 2 Pet 1:6

Dit is een van die vrugte van die Gees – Gal 5:23. 

Spesifieke gebiede waar inperking toegepas moet word.

Heers oor jou aptyte vir voedsel in die teenwoordigheid van konings – Prov 23:1; 29:11

Inperkingsvorm werk te hard op soek na rykdom – Prov 23:4

Heers oor jou emosies – Prov 25:28

Beheer en beperk jou seksuele aptyte – Song of Solomon 2:16

Bedien die Here in vas en gebed – Acts 13:1-3

Inperking ter wille van die evangelie – 1 Cor 9:22

Wees gematig in alle dinge – 1 Cor 9:25

Lei jou liggaam op en verhard dit onder volledige beheer 1 Cor 9:27

Verstaan jou metron van gesag en invloed – 2 Pet 2:12

Hoe doen ons dit? 

Solank as wat julle hier op aarde is, is daar drange wat vir julle sal probeer oorheers. Sulke drange moet julle doodmaak. Hier noem ek veral enige onsedelikheid en onbehoorlikheid, maar ook ander verkeerde drange en begeertes. Dan is daar nog die begeerte na rykdom wat nooit genoeg kry nie—dit is net so goed asof ’n mens ’n afgod aanbid. 6Dit is oor hierdie soort ding dat die straf van God sal toesak op almal wat ongehoorsaam was aan Hom. (Lees Col 3:5-17)

“Doodgemaak” of “sit die ou man af” = Bekeer jou van verkeerde gedrag.

Trek die nuwe mens aan, barmhartigheid, vriendelikheid, nederigheid, sagmoedigheid, lankmoedigheid, verdra mekaar, trek liefde aan! v12 – 15 

Laat die woord van God ryklik in jou woon v16 

Boodskap van Ap Andre Pelser: 

Sonder inperking vergaan mense. Dit is noodsaaklik om die gebiede te ken wat vir ons buite perke is as kinders van die Here. Wanneer ons dié grense oortree, maak ons onsself oop vir die vyand wat niks daarvan dink om ons lewens binne ‘n oomblik te vernietig nie. Selfs al het ons die vryheid van seuns van God, moet ons hou by die weerhoudende invloed van die Heilige Gees.  Die Gees kan bedroef word oor ons onwilligheid om na Hom te luister. Hy mag ook uiteindelik geblus word as ons volhard in ons hardkoppigheid. Laat ons vandag vergifnis vra as ons die Heilige Gees met ons hardnekkigheid bedroef en weerstaan. Kom laat ons weereens die teëhoudende invloed van die Gees in ons lewens verwelkom. Dae word meer boos as ooit tevore omdat die vyand weet dat sy tyd op aarde kort is. Hy het gekom om soveel siele as moontlik te steel en dood te maak en te vernietig; maar Jesus het gekom sodat ons lewe kan hê en dit in oorvloed. Wees onderwerp aan die goddelike inperking van die Heilige Gees wat jou hart, verstand en dade bewaak.Beoefen inperking in die hoeveelheid wat jy eet en drink.  Beheer jouself om te vinnig te praat of te antwoord.  Plaas inperking op jou uitgawes, ook oor hoe jy jou tyd bestee.  Sonder inperking vergaan mense: geen perke en geen grense lei tot self-vernietiging. 

Categories
Sermons

The Power of Restraint

DISCOVER THE BENEFITS OF DIVINE RESTRAINT

Moderation is better than muscle, self-control better than political power. (Proverbs 16:32) MSG

The ability to say no, hold back, postpone pleasure and reward is synonymous with being kingly, nobility, royalty and maturity. It is indeed much more difficult than emotional impulsive surrender to lusts and urges, but that is what distinguishes us from our animal instincts. Jesus is a perfect example of abstinence, restraint and self-discipline – BE empowered in HIM to also reign royally in this LIFE.

In this age of lawlessness and anarchy may we discover the power of His grace working in us the ability to restrain and withhold ourselves, to be temperate and in control of our faculties for His Glory and honour, Amen.  

Combating the Spirit of Anarchy or Lawlessness that is fast spreading in our world today we need the restraint of the Holy Spirit to increase in our lives. If we ask in faith, we can believe that the Spirit’s wonderful restraining power will increase in our lives as from today.

Jesus restrained himself from calling the help of Angels – Mat 26:53 

It was one of the apostolic topics Paul discussed with Felix – Acts 24:25

4 times it is mentioned as an important quality spiritual leaders should possess – Titus 1:7-8; 2:2; 2:5; 3:2.

It is named under the list of virtues every believer should have – 2 Pet 1:6

It is one of the fruits of the Spirit – Gal 5:23. 

Specific areas where restraint should be applied.

Rule over your appetites for food in the presence of Kings – Prov 23:1; 29:11

Restrain form working too hard in search of wealth – Prov 23:4

Rule over your emotions – Prov 25:28

Control and restrain your sexual appetites – Songs 2:16

Ministered unto the Lord in fasting and prayer – Acts 13:1-3

Restraint for the sake of the gospel – 1 Cor 9:22

Be temperate in all things – 1 Cor 9:25

Train and harden your body to bring it under complete control 1 Cor 9:27

Understand your metron of authority and influence – 2 Pet 2:12

How do we do it? 

Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him. (Read Colossians 3:5-17)

“Put to death” or “put off the old man” = Repent of wrong behavior.

Put on the new man, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with one-another, put on love! v12 – 15 

Let the word of God dwell in you richly v16 

Message from Ap Andre Pelser: 

Without restraint people perish. It is vital to know the areas that are off limits to us as children of the most High God. When we overstep the boundaries we open ourselves up to the enemy who would think nothing of destroying our lives in an instant. Even though we have the liberty of sons of God, we need to abide by the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit can be grieved by our unwillingness to listen to Him. He may also be quenched eventually if we persist in our stubbornness. Let us ask for mercy today and for forgiveness of grieving the Spirit and let us once again welcome the restraining influence of the Spirit in our lives. Days are becoming more evil than ever before because the enemy knows his time on earth is short. He has come to steal and kill and destroy as many souls as possible; but Jesus has come that we might have life and have it more abundantly. Be under divine restraint of the Holy Spirit guarding your heart, mind and actions. Exercise restraint in eating and drinking, responses to others

Place restraint on expenditure, on how time is spent and where you go

Without restraint people perish: no limits, no boundaries leads to destruction. 

Categories
Sermons

Jesus the ultimate behavioural Agent of Change.

Podcast
https://www.buzzsprout.com/155409/7870690-esus-the-ultimate-behavioural-agent-of-change.mp3?blob_id=35111512&download=true

The Power to Change

According to JB Peterson, of a hundred people prescribed a drug, one-third of them won’t fill the prescription. Half of the remaining sixty-seven will fill it, but won’t take the medication correctly. They’ll miss doses. They’ll quit taking it early. They might not even take it at all. Every year we make New Year resolutions, we do not keep. We buy gym equipment we never use. We start diets we never finish. 50% of children will drop-out of School at Grade 9. Only 26% of graduates finish their 3-year-degrees on time. Some people are stuck in an abusive relationship. Others cannot get themselves to forgive an offence. Many people are bound to destructive habits and substance abuse. 83% of prisoners will recommit a crime within 9 years of their original imprisonment.

For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not do, that I practice. (Rom 7:19)

The Bible is a collection of stories of people who made a radical change in their life. Abraham leaving his homeland Ur of the Chaldeans, on a promise that he will be the father of many, a new kind of people / culture / race. Moses had an encounter at a burning bush looking after sheep and became a leader of slave-nation. Joseph rejected and sold into slavery by his brothers to become a prisoner became second-in-charge of Egypt. David a shepherd boy became a king. Daniel exiled, lost his name and his manhood but became an administrator in Babylon, Persia under three kings. The Prophets were a collection of farmers, officials and judges who had a voice to speak directly to kings and rulers. The point is: The Bible is a collection of personal transformational stories.

Let’s look at our main Text: But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Cor 3:18)

Secondary Readings:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Rom 12:1-2)

My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you. (Gal 4:19)

The Greek word for transformation used in these above mentioned verses is metamorphosis. The definition of metamorphosis is “a profound change in form from one stage to the next in the life history of an organism, as from the caterpillar to the pupa and from the pupa to the adult butterfly.”

Jesus announced and gave an invitation to change and receive Heaven ~ God’s Kingdom order of things (Mat 4:17). The first miracle Jesus did (John 2) is important because of the “first-mention” principle ~ He changed water into wine. He did that in an instant. It was a beautiful image that He did in a moment that a repetitive ceremonial “mitzvah”- washing could not do over a lifetime. He explained this concept theologically to Nicodemus in John 3 ~ the importance of being born again (1 Pet 1:23). The change Jesus offers is not pasting an outward plaster on the deep bruising hurt, He changes us from within! He changes the INSIDE (2 Cor 5:17).

This experience can only be received as a gift. We cannot work this Change. He works it in us (Phil 2:13). The power of Jesus to change us is greater than the power of Satan to enslave us.

Additionally, Jesus is calling His followers a group of radically changed and transformed people to become Change-Makers – social transformers! His purpose statement makes it clear: “Let your kingdom come here on earth as it is in heaven”. In other words, let’s make this world like paradise. “Oh how I long for heaven in a place called Earth.” This Purpose Statement Jesus made is profound and powerfully transformative because it gives us a reason to change. It gives our lives meaning! Meaning is important, for it makes us feel good. It is empowering for we can see the real proof of meaning in the good we produce and do. We get positive feedback from the people we have helped and served, nurturing a new positive feedback cycle.

The destruction of the addictive, distorted, slavery-feedback-cycle of self-centered, narcissistic, empty, disillusioned self-destructive life is cancelled and redeemed. We become like our Saviour: who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him (Acts 10:38).

Paul understood the phenomenon first-hand, he converted from a learned Jewish Pharisee to an apologist for the Jesus Movement. In this passage, he explained a progression from intermittent OT divine encounters to a NT permanent transformative power. Moses had an encounter with God that changed him, but it did not change the Jews. They could not look at God’s glory that transcended through him so he had to wear a veil in public. Later, when the immanent glory of God retracted, he kept wearing the veil, fashioning an illusion of superior religiosity. What a terrible delusion! This truth uncovers the poor play-acting of religious pious outward actions and rituals, and performance without the inner glory! No one is transformed under this cloud of fleshly purposed intent.

Someone asks me recently: What does truth feel like? Freedom is my immediate response. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2 Cor 3:17). True victory over sin; missing the mark of changing this world to become a paradise, is celebrated in a responsible sense of freedom. Freedom is not to indulge in passions, self-wills and desires that eventually makes me a prisoner of my vices.

Freedom is to partner with God and produce good. Think of the Freedom one feels, when giving to someone in need or achieving a difficult task. Imagine the freedom of climbing a mountain reaching the summit! To achieve these glorious pursuits, one had to give up expedience, comfort, and risk failure.
Finally, this climax of this passage is: But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Biblical change is not about programs, rituals, methods, books, facts, or knowledge. Change is a person: when people saw Him, with an unveiled face they changed – period!! Paul, Peter, the man on the cross, and the many sick He healed and delivered all experience this transformational reality – an encounter with the Truth!

This encounter with Jesus is like tuning a guitar. It is never done once and for all. We lose “tune” very quickly because of atmospheric conditions and use. We need to continue to walk with God like Adam and Eve in the garden, keep proximity, so to remain in Him (John 15) and continue to Love Him and do His commands. This journey becomes a path of making small corrections, like keeping a car on the road. Walking with Jesus means walking with fellow sojourners and pilgrims. This collective salvation and revelation of Christ in and among us, not only inspire change through testimony, but also accountability in discipleship.

This change is continual, as we are constantly offering new wineskins to receive the continual new wine of the Holy Spirit!

The ecosystem of the JESUS Movement is all about CHANGE: 

  1. Hearing and discerning the Voice of God
  2. Baptism 
  3. Communion
  4. Faith 
  5. The Washing and regeneration of the Word
  6. Being continually Filled with the Spirit
  7. Community 
  8. Discipleship 
  9. Discipline 
  10. Meaningful Fruit and Practise 

What has He changed in your life lately? This remains the immanent question. What is Christ reforming in you lately? He is the ultimate and most sustainable agent of change! We are a reformational Church, still continually transformed and changed to grow and mature in our faith. If nothing is changing in your life, you are not walking along with Jesus anymore. Every time we meet Him in the scriptures, we are changed. Every time we fellowship together breaking bread, we are changed. Every time we serve, exhort, build another up through the gifts of the Spirit we are changed. Every time we worship in Spirit and in truth we are changed! Every time we do good to others, we are changed! Changed into the likeness of Christ, where the fruit of the Spirit becomes permanent produce.

Categories
Social Relevance

What Differentiate a Biblical Kingdom-centered Enterprise from the rest?

And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the service of his waiters and their apparel, his cupbearers, and his entryway by which he went up to the house of the LORD, there was no more spirit in her. Then she said to the king: “It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. However, I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard. Happy are your men and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom! Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you, setting you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD has loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness.” (1 Kings 10:4-9)

How We serve GOD.
The queen of Sheba recognized how Solomon served God. “his entryway by which he went up to the house of the LORD” His commitment and loyalty to God was thus visible, and evident not hidden. What about the entryway was special? Maybe the fact that it was close to his Manor, Workplace? The entryway was closely accessible and clearly, the pathway indicated frequent use. When leaders and business owners serve God it should be visibly evident in everything they do. “Therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness.” Justice and righteousness cannot be hidden, it is evident in everything you do, the way you do transactions, conduct meetings, discipline workers, determine prices, negotiate deals.

How we Serve our CUSTOMERS.
“the food on his table” what made the food different? Was it the taste, presentation, abundance, opulence, variety? Something stood out. It was noticeably different, of high standard and quality. We honour customers by treating them like kings and queens. We give them special treatment. We make them feel special.

How we Serve our STAFF.
“the seating of his servants, the service of his waiters and their apparel, his cupbearers” This little descriptive sentence is very interesting. What about the way he treated his servants, his staff was distinctively different? Their seating, apparel and their service. For servants service to be notably different, means they were alive, connected, happy, friendly, conscientious. Opposed to being dull, robot-like, and disconnected. Their seating was different? What about it? Well, servants never sit. They certainly do not sit with Kings and Queens. Solomon must have had a seating arrangement for his servants to be included in the proceedings. He thus treated his servants like kings and queens too.

What Kind of PRODUCT we Produce.
“And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon…” She did not hear his wisdom yet, she saw his wisdom in what he created with it. The house that he had built, the food on his table… Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings. (Prov 22:29) Work done in the Spirit and in union with God is worship and glorifies God. Work can be done in the Spirit, for daily labour is not ungodly, secular, or sinful. (Exo 31:3,5; 35:31) Work is part of our creational purpose, subdue, and multiply. (Gen 1:28) When we work by the Spirit it will not be laborious, it will be innovative, precise and intentional. In the Spirit, you will be able to focus and accomplish. Your work will be a blessing! Your work will be a sermon, an extension of His grace and character in you. You work will reveal God, the same way His creation reveals Him. Your work will be excellent, and spectacular, rich in precise detail, order and creative. Believers being in the spirit has done many new inventions. Work in the spirit makes this world better because it resonates heaven! (Mat 6:10)

What Kind of LEGACY we Leave.
God is seeking fruit that will endure. Fruit today are produced for the consumer’s eyes, not their stomach. Jesus calls for fruit that remains. (John 15:16) Anyone can produce fruit that looks great externally, but can it remain? Does it have any true nutritional value? who’s work will endure (1 Cor 3:12-15) Many businesses only want to make a quick profit, God wants us to leave an after-taste, a residue, and legacy that will make people remember the experience. “It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom” Solomon’s fame, and reputation was talking about, the news spread. He was doing thing differently. Even centuries later, his wisdom poems and principles are studied in the book of proverbs. Believing followers of Christ leaves good behind.

Categories
Preke

Die Ekstase van die normale Christelike Lewe.

Potgooi
https://www.buzzsprout.com/155409/7627816-die-ekstase-van-die-normale-christelike-lewe.mp3?blob_id=33676378&download=truehttp://

4Wees altyd bly omdat julle weet dat julle aan die Here behoort. Ek sê dit weer: “Wees bly!” 5Laat almal sien hoe bedagsaam julle lewe. Onthou: Die Here kom binnekort! 6Moet oor niks bekommerd wees nie, maar bid oor alles. Vra alles wat julle nodig het van God, terwyl julle Hom ook dank vir alles wat Hy doen. 7As julle so bid, sal julle God se vrede beleef. Hierdie vrede is wonderliker as wat ’n mens ooit kan dink. Omdat julle aan Christus behoort, sal die vrede van God julle harte en gedagtes soos ’n veiligheidswag oppas. 8Ten slotte, liewe broers en susters beplan alles wat waar, eerbaar, skoon, suiwer, lieflik en lofwaardig is. 9En leef volgens alles wat julle van my geleer, oorgeneem, gehoor en gesien het. Dan sal die God wat vrede gee, by julle wees.(Phil 4:4-9) 

Hierdie Skrifgedeelte is gelaai met praktiese riglyne vir REGLEWE te midde van moeilike tye. Die lewe was nog nooit maklik nie. Elke dag is vol uitdagings, wat ons moet oorkom. Baie mense probeer die LEWE ontsnap op vele maniere… om later te ondervind ons vlugtog het net sake vererger… Die Jesus KULTUUR en LEWE ontsluit ‘n innerlike geluk en vreugde wat mens anker en versterk te midde van die moeilikste van tye.  

Die ekstatiese ontvlugting wat Vader God vir ons bied, is nie ‘n oomblik of ervaring van ONVLUGTING NIE maar ‘n leefwyse waar ons te midde van moeilike omstandigheid vreugde en welgeluksaligheid beleef. 

11Dit het Ek vir julle gesê sodat julle my blydskap mag ervaar en julle blydskap volkome kan wees. (Joh 15:11) 

8Hom het julle lief, al het julle Hom nooit gesien nie. Al sien julle Hom nou nie, vertrou julle op Hom; julle kan die wonderlike blydskap wat julle in julle voel, eintlik nie onder woorde bring nie. 9Julle ervaar hierdie blydskap, want julle is reeds besig om julle finale redding, wat die doelwit van julle geloof is, te verkry. (1 Pet 1:8-9)

13“Ek is nou na U toe op pad. Ek sê hierdie dinge terwyl Ek nog in die wêreld is sodat hulle my blydskap in al sy volheid in hulleself kan ondervind. (Joh 17:13) 

God het bedoel dat ons hierdie ekstase vind in Hom (Ps 119:16; Job 22:25-26), jou huwelik (Prov 5:18) en die Liggaam van Christus (Joh 17:21). 

Wanneer ons ons hart wend en fokus op enige goedkoop alternatief, raak ons een met ʼn objek (substance) en verloor ons ons menslike en goddelike eienskappe.  Dit is die kern van alle tipes van verslawing.  Ons diepste begeerte in verhoudings is om met iemand een te word, ʼn sielsgenoot te vind met wie ons kan oud word.  Ware geluk is nie geluk as dit nie met iemand gedeel kan word nie.  Verslawing lei tot diepe eensaamheid en ʼn konstante verwydering van sulke sinvolle verhoudings.  God het ons dan ook geskape om in eenwording ekstase te ondervind.  

Spiritual ecstasy is an altered state of consciousness characterized by greatly reduced external awareness and expanded interior mental and spiritual awareness which is frequently accompanied by hallucinations and emotional/intuitive (and sometimes physical) euphoria.  Eksase bring mee dat ons “invincible” voel, ons voel kragtig en “bold”, jy kan onthou, jy het helderheid, beleef euphoria, en jy is ontspanne.  

Ons natuurlike soeke in tye van nood is ontsnapping en ontvlugting.  

Omdat ons nie hierdie ekstase eerstens in Hom kry nie, (Mat 6:33) en ook nie in ons maats nie, soek ons dit op ander plekke, en  vul die honger in ons hart met musiek, seks, dwelms, voorskrifmedisyne, alkohol,  sport, en kos.  Alhoewel daar opsigself niks boos is omtrent enige van hierdie “substances” nie, is dit bedoel as aanvullers en nie die kern en wese van ons ontvlugting nie.  Hierdie dinge offer kortstondige  ontvlugting en ons “voel” tydelike beter, maar hierdie middels bied nie die krag, vermoë en genade om ons probleme te oorkom nie.  Dit kan net die Here doen! Buite die raamwerk van intimiteit en eenwording in ons verhouding met God, ons maat, en die liggaam, word die einste middel wat ons gebruik vir ontvlugting ons tronksel.  Ons wat geskape is na God se beeld, raak slaaf van geskape middels.  Jesus is pure vreugde! 

Die voorhangsel is geskeur (2 Cor 3:7-4:6) Die heerlikheid en glorie wat net vir die hoë priester bedoel was het nou in ons kom woon.  Soos wat ons vanuit hierdie diepe intimiteit met Hom leef, is daar deurentyd momente waar Sy vreugde tasbaar in ons word.  

Diagram Description automatically generated
Toe Johannes nog in sy moeder se baarmoeder in Jesus se teenwoordigheid kom, het hy met vreugde opgespring.  Want kyk, toe die geluid van jou groet in my ore klink, het die kindjie in my skoot van vreugde opgespring. Lukas/Luke 1:44 En die engel sê vir hulle: Moenie vrees nie, want kyk, ek bring julle ’n goeie tyding van groot blydskap wat vir die hele volk sal wees, Lukas/Luke 2:10 Elke keer wat ons Jesus ontmoet, Hom beleef, die Woord vir ons duidelik word, Hy met ons praat, ons lei, ons wys deur iemand anders wat Jesus leef, in die alles vind ons ware vreugde!!! 

Kyk net na die volgende “mindmap” en sien die vrymaking en verlossing van jou redding! 

Die koninkryk van God (hemel, vrede, vreugde) het gekom, en tuiste in ons hart gevind!  (Luk 17:21) Hierdie koninkryk is nie ʼn destinasie nie, maar ʼn bedryfstelsel.  Soos wat ons in gehoorsaamheid in Sy genade leef, vul Hy ons lewe met vreugde, nie net subjektiewe ervarings van vreugde nie, maar vreugde wat ander lewens raak.  

  1. Die Heilige Gees vul ons met vreugde!

Want die koninkryk van God is nie spys en drank nie, maar geregtigheid en vrede en blydskap in die Heilige Gees.Romeine/Romans 14:17 En die dissipels is vervul met blydskap en met die Heilige Gees. Handelinge/Acts 13:52

  • Dis beter om te gee as om te ontvang.

dat onder baie beproewing deur verdrukking hulle oorvloedige blydskap by hulle diepe armoede oorvloedig was in hulle ryke milddadigheid. 2 Korintiers/Corinthians 8:2 

  • ‘n Gelukkige huwelik! 

Geniet die lewe met die vrou wat jy liefhet… 

Mag jou fontein geseënd wees, en verheug jou oor die vrou van jou jeug — Pred 9:9 die lieflike wildsbokkie en aanvallige steenbokkie; laat haar boesem jou altyd vermaak, mag jy in haar liefde gedurigdeur bedwelmd wees. Spreuke/Proverbs 5:18

  • Die vreugde van om ‘n siel te wen.

En hulle is deur die gemeente uitgelei en het Fenícië en Samaría deurgegaan en vertel van die bekering van die heidene, en aan al die broeders groot blydskap verskaf.  Handelinge/Acts 15:3

  • Eenheid is vreugde!

maak dan nou my blydskap volkome deur eensgesind te wees: een in liefde, een van hart, een in strewe.  Fillipense/Philippians 2:2 Ek doen ’n beroep op julle almal, broers, in die Naam van ons Here Jesus Christus, om eensgesind te wees. Daar moet geen verdeeldheid onder julle wees nie. Julle moet een wees in dieselfde gesindheid en met dieselfde oortuiging.  1 Korintiers/Corinthians 1:10

  • Geniet die gawe van jou werk! 

Kyk, wat ek as ’n goeie ding gesien het, wat voortreflik is, is dat iemand eet en drink en die goeie geniet vir al sy arbeid waarmee hy hom vermoei onder die son gedurende die getal van sy lewensdae wat God hom gee; want dit is sy deel.  18 Ook vir elke mens aan wie God rykdom en skatte gegee het, en wat Hy in staat stel om daarvan te eet en sy deel te neem en hom te verheug by sy moeitevolle arbeid, is dit ’n gawe van God.19 Want hy dink nie baie aan sy lewensdae nie, omdat God hom laat besig wees met die vreugde van sy hart. Prediker/Ecclesiastes 5:17

  • Die euforie van goed doen. 

Want ons is sy maaksel, geskape in Christus Jesus tot goeie werke wat God voorberei het, sodat ons daarin kan wandel. (Eph 2:10) Wanneer ons goed doen aan ander, laat dit ons goed-voel, en kry die lewe weer betekenis.  

LEWE ELKE OOMBLIK IN DIE VREUGDE VAN SY NABYHEID!

Categories
Sermons

How to free yourself from a bad spirit.

Podgooi Skakel
https://www.buzzsprout.com/155409/7454761-bevry-jouself-van-n-verkeerde-gees.mp3?blob_id=32665405&download=true

Christians can have a bad spirit. 

But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. (Luk 9:55) 

let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Cor 7:1) 

Jesus Came to set the captives free

To preach the gospel to the poor;

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives

And recovery of sight to the blind,

To set at liberty those who are oppressed (Luk 4:18) 

He restored our authority so we can resist evil

We have jurisdiction on earth (Gen 1:28; 2;15) but we lost this jurisdiction because of disobedience towards God, and our rebellious adherence to satan (Luk 4.6). The devil usurped our original position (Joh 12:31; 2 Cor 4:4; Eph 2:2; 6;12). 

Jesus demonstrated the power we as humans should have, and commissioned us to exercise our authority (Mat 10:1; Luk 10:19). Jesus overcame the powers of darkness. (Col 2:15; 2 Cor 2:14). One who knows his or her jurisdiction does not fear rebellions of obstruction of justice, but determines to exercise authority over it  (Acts 8:22-23; 19:14).

We need to exercise our authority to evict bad spirits that we have allowed. 

“Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:3-5)

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.” (1 Pet. 5:8-9) 

Do your own deliverance 

  1. Honest Repentance & Confession 

Repent through the sin list mentioned in the Bible. 

Gal 5:19-21; 1 Cor 6:9-10; Rom 1:29-31.  
Repent for disobedience, the root of all sins.  Repent for opening up, and allowing evil in.  Close and shut the doors.  

  • Forgive and intercede for your enemies

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luk 23:34) 

(Mat 18:34-35; Luk 17:1-5)
Confront Christian Family Members who have hurt you. 

  1. Repent – Ask forgiveness by specifically naming the wrong, mistake, fault, error. Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. (Ps 51:6)
  2. Recognise the hurt you have caused. You need to better articulate the pain you have caused than the victim. Seeing and understanding the effects of your sin, and what transgression (injury) it has caused. 
  3. Restitution, restore back what you have broken, stolen, etc. Physically Repay, fix. 
  4. Remorse – Godly Repentance (2 Cor 7:9) 
  5. Relent Turn and by faith never do it again. 
  6. Take Charge & Responsibility 

Give the eviction notice! “Away with you, Satan! For it is written…” (Mat 4:10) work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Phil 2:12-13) 

Categories
Sermons

7 Ways to Stay Spiritually Fit

1. Feed your spirit through the Word, prayer and meditation. 

It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that goeth forth through the mouth of God.” The word referred to here is ῥῆμα rhḗma; the voice of someone speaking. This implies God’s audible voice. “He caused you to suffer, and caused you to hunger, and then gave you the manna to eat—something which ye had not known before, nor did your ancestors. He wanted you to realize that one lives not only on bread, but of every word the Lord says.” (Deut 8:3).

When we read the Bible, we do it prayerfully, set to hear His voice. Meditation is precisely the contemplation of God’s Word, so that the passage He has enlightened in your heart by His Spirit can gain our understanding of what we need to do, to apply in practice.

  • These audible statements from God’s Word anchor us, and make us steady in times of evil and crisis.
  • These words speak to our spirits, and help gain insight.
  • These words from God touch the roadmap of our faith journey with the Lord.

The more time you make with the word, read it, memorize, pray, preach and live the more Word fit one becomes. You hear His voice more and more clearly, because you have a faith-word vocabulary. 

2. Activate your Faith.

“What does it help, my brothers, if someone claims to believe, but his actions don’t confirm it?” Faith is an action, a verb, it is obedience. It is the doting and act of the Word, which makes us mentally fit. Faith fit!

Serving Jesus is impossible for the flesh, it costs faith to forgive, serve, the person who doesn’t deserve love, gives you last money, prays for the sick, leads someone to the Lord. The more you start applying the word in faith, the fitter you get. You build as too true faith muscles, and a capacity of faith when, for example, you physically praise the Lord in difficult circumstances.

You can immediately count out someone who spends a lot of time in the gym on their physical fit appearance — the great of their muscles. So you can immediately measure believers by the greatness of their acts of faith. 

3. Practice your spiritual gifts:

The Father has made provision for us by the Holy Spirit to live supernaturally like Jesus: The 9 fruits of the spirit (Galatians 4:20-21) and 9 gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4-11) are God’s supernatural validation to live Godly fruitfully.

These are supernatural gifts to demonstrate God’s love in the world. These gifts make our ministry directed, focusing on giving. When we can do something meaningful to someone, it makes us feel good, and we feel inspired. a valuable spiritual exercise in times of need and loss.

When you have physically nothing to give to someone, but you can, by a prophecy, enlighten someone’s mind and give new hope, you feel rich. We are rich in Christ in that He has given us access to His kingdom. a spiritual inheritance of divine gifts and abilities. (Eph 1:3; 2 Peter 1:3-4) 

4. Rest. 

Jesus made time to lay down and sleep even in the midst of a day-trip. (Mark 4:35-41) Studies have found that sleep is non-negotiable when it comes to concentration and imagination abilities, and emotional stability. A concert violinist sleeps up to nine hours to be totally mentally rested, to give them best.

In a study group, a difficult code-word discovery exercise was given to two groups. One group slept sufficiently and rested, the other stayed awake. The group that rested resolved the problem twice as fast than the other group.

Sleeping well presupposes soul rest. You don’t fall asleep if you’re upset, or worried about a certain crisis. “Be careful of nothing, but let everything through prayer and cries with thanksgiving become familiar with God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7).

This is an essentially important daily exercise that faith people must master. We must teach each how to reveal your needs to the Lord in prayer, through petition, and then thanksgiving, and then in His presence, receive the gift of soul rest. Our entire spiritual battle in this life is from the position of rest. We’re fighting harder, resting harder! This resting position is our position of authority and authority to silence the storm like Jesus. 

5. Interact with the fellowship of believers. 

Social discourse is indispensable, and core to our spiritual existence. The talk together, witness, share, and stories tell us build up in our faith. Dr Henry Cloud tells of his brother-in-law completing his NAVY SEALS training when, on the last day of “Hell’s Week”, he was physically no longer able to complete the killing swimming effort. His friend saw him struggling, and began to cheer him on from the side. Suddenly almost supernaturally he gained strength to finish. Spending time, eating and socialising with the right people sets up your mind. It is especially in these “togetherness” times where we practice our spiritual gifts to build, sooth, encourage, and encourage one another. Some people still struggle to pray,  speak on tongues and prophesy in the company of others.  “How then does the matter stand? When you come together, then each of you has a psalm or a teaching or a language or a revelation or a layout — let everything be founded.” (1 Cor 14:26)

So to get mentally fit is not only chit-chat, it is to go over to deeper conversations and spiritual ministry. It is to lay hands on one another and pray for one another so we for our spiritual strengthening and fitness.

6. Open yourself up to mentoring. 

We all need feedback from a specialist, to help us grow and develop in a certain area. As with athletes who want to perform better, we each need a spiritual mentor and coach.

In our heart, every person thinks he or she is doing right. That’s when our life stands under the light and standard of Christ Jesus, we realize our sin and miserable self-justification. Spiritual Fathers want to see their children grow up in adulthood in Christ Jesus’ life, thought, habits and values (Galatians 4:19; Col 1:28-29). This means there is a specific encouragement, correction, admonition, rebuke and chastening that is part of the mentoring process (Hebrews 12:5-11). People who do not receive spiritual direct coaching aimed at Christ’s example tend to misrepresent Jesus. 

7. Think right. 

Much of our spirituality is locked up in our thinking. How we think, the specific way and process of thinking determines our life. Spiritual people have their minds formed by the Word. They think Word, and according to the directives and wisdoms of the Word. Consider the wisdoms of the preacher and proverbs.

“For they that are carnal devise fleshly things, but they that are spiritual, spiritual things. For what the flesh devises is death, but what the Spirit devises is life and peace; because what the flesh devises is enmity against God; for it does not submit to the law of God, for neither can it. And they that are in flesh cannot please God; however, ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if even the Spirit of God which abides in you.” (Romans 8:5-11).

Thinking follows beliefs, or worldviews that ultimately form an ideology. It’s not so much about what you think here, but how you think. Do you think linearly or systemically? Do you think from God’s perspective or that of a person like Peter? (Mat 16:23). Do you think to re-utilize one aspect or  entirely pluralistically?

Spiritual men have the words of Christ (2 Cor 2:16).  “The wind blows where he wants, and you hear his sound, but you don’t know where he’s coming and where he’s going. So is everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8). Spiritual people are therefore unpredictable, fresh and new, but defining a certain direction — the throne room of the Lord.

Examples of negative thinking are practical:

  • do you always think the worst of someone?
  • Are you like Thomas always disbelieving because you want to see first?
  • Are you derogatory on yourself?
  • Constantly measure yourself by others?
  • Do you do self-examination all the time?
  • Do you always seek the error with someone else first?
  • Are you full of excuses?
  • Do you feel entitled to something you haven’t worked for?

These thoughts are all examples of thinking that haven’t caught mental fitness yet. How long does it take you to move from a ‘default’ old way of thinking, to think right again? This process needs to take place faster, for the person who is spiritual fit.

In times like these, it is important that we get spiritually fit, with great value to our overall immune system health. Spiritual-well being is beneficial to all the other aspects of our being (social, emotional, mental, physical, vocational, mental) anchoring and correcting your humanity, emotions, desires and habits.

Spiritually mature and healthy people:

  • Deal with stress, and crises better.
  • They can handle change better.
  • They are not so much attuned to the daily news events and circumstances.
  • They are usually more helpful and seek practical solutions.
  • They are people-oriented to recognize people’s need more quickly, and to actively help.
  • They’re more grateful people.
  • They are more peaceful and happy people! 
     
Categories
Preke

7 Maniere om geestelik Fiks te Bly

  1. Voed jou gees deur die Woord, gebed en meditasie. 

Daar is geskrywe: Die mens sal nie van brood alleen lewe nie, maar van elke woord wat deur die mond van God uitgaan.” 

Die woord waarna hier verwys word is ῥῆμα rhḗma; die stem van iemand wat praat.  Dit impliseer God se hoorbare stem.  Hy het julle laat swaarkry en julle laat hongerly en toe vir julle die manna gegee om te eet—iets wat julle nie vantevore geken het nie en julle voorouers ook nie. Hy wou julle laat besef dat ’n mens nie net van brood leef nie, maar van elke woord wat die Here sê. (Deut 8:3) 

Wanneer ons Bybel lees, doen ons dit biddend, ingestel om Sy stem te hoor.  Meditasie is juis die bepeinsing van God se Woord, sodat die gedeelte wat Hy deur Sy Gees in jou hart verlig het kan insink, ons begrip kry om te verstaan wat ons moet doen, om in die praktyk toe te pas. Hierdie hoorbare insprake vanuit God se Woord, anker ons, en maak ons bestendig in tye van onheil en krisis. Hierdie woorde spreek tot ons gees, en help om om insig te verkry.  Hierdie woorde van God raak die padkaart van ons geloofsreis met die Here.  Hoe meer tyd jy met die woord maak, dit lees, memoriseer, bid, preek en leef hoe meer Woordfiks raak ‘n mens. Jy hoor Sy stem al hoe duideliker, want jy het ‘n geloofs-woord-woordeskat.

 

2. Aktiveer jou Geloof. 

Wat help dit, my broers, as iemand beweer dat hy glo, maar sy dade bevestig dit nie? 

Geloof is ‘n aksie, ‘n werkwoord, dit is gehoorsaamheid. Dis is die doen en handeling van die Woord, wat ons geestelik fiks maak. Geloofsfiks!

Om Jesus te dien is onmoontlik vir die vlees, dit kos geloof om te vergewe, te dien, die persoon wat nie liefde verdien nie lief te hê, jou laaste geld te gee, vir siekes te bid, iemand na die Here toe te lei. Hoe meer jy die woord in geloof begin toepas, hoe fikser word jy.  Jy bou as te ware geloofspiere, en ‘n geloofs-kapasiteit wanneer jy byvoorbeeld die Here fisies loof in moeilike omstandighede.

Jy kan iemand wat baie tyd in die gimnasium spandeer dadelik uitken aan hulle fisiese fikse voorkoms – die grote van hulle spiere. So kan jy gelowiges dadelik uitken aan die grootheid van hulle geloofsdade.  

3. Beoefen jou geestelike gawes: 

Die Vader het deur die Heilige Gees vir ons voorsiening gemaak om bonatuurlik soos Jesus te leef: Die 9 vrugte van die gees (Gal 5:20-21) en 9 gawes van die Gees (1 Cor 12:4-11) is God se bonatuurlike bekragtiging om Godsvrugtig te lewe.

Hierdie is bonatuurlike genadegawes om God se liefde in die wêreld te demonstreer.  Hierdie gawes maak ons bediening gerig, en fokus ons om te gee. 

Wanneer ons iets betekenisvol vir iemand kan doen, laat dit ons goed voel, en ons voel geïnspireerd. ‘n Waardevolle geestelike oefening in tye van nood en verlies.  Wanneer jy fisies niks het om vir iemand te gee nie, maar jy kan deur ‘n profesie iemand se gemoed verlig en nuwe hoop gee, voel jy ryk.  Ons is ryk in Christus, deurdat Hy ons toegang gegee het tot Sy koninkryk, ‘n geestelike erfenis van goddelike gawes en vermoëns. (Eph 1:3; 2 Pet 1:3-4) 

 

4. Rus. 

Jesus het tyd gemaak om selfs te midde van ‘n dagreis, neer te lê en te slaap. (Mark 4:35-41) Studies het bevind dat slaap is ononderhandelbaar wanneer dit kom by konsentrasie en denk vermoëns, en emosionele stabiliteit. [1] 

‘n Konsert violis slaap tot 9 ure om totaal verstandelik uitgerus te wees, om hulle beste te gee. In ‘n studie groep is ‘n moeilike kode-woord ontdekking oefening aan 2 groepe gegee. Die een groep het genoegsaam geslaap en gerus, die ander het wakker gebly. Die groep wat gerus het, het 2 keer vinniger die probleem opgelos as die ander groep.  

Om goed te slaap veronderstel sielsrus. Mens raak nie aan die slaap as jy ontsteld is, of bekommerd is oor ‘n sekere krisis nie.  Wees oor niks besorg nie, maar laat julle begeertes in alles deur gebed en smeking met danksegging bekend word by God.

En die vrede van God, wat alle verstand te bowe gaan, sal julle harte en julle sinne bewaar in Christus Jesus. (Phil 4:6-7) Hierdie is ‘n wesenlike belangrike daaglikse oefening wat geloofsmense moet baasraak.  Ons moet elkeen leer hoe om in gebed, deur petisie, en dan danksegging jou behoeftes aan die Here bekend te maak, en dan in Sy teenwoordigheid die geskenk van sielsrus te ontvang.  Ons hele geestelike geveg in hierdie lewe is vanuit die posisie van rus. Ons baklei harder, deur harder te rus! Hierdie rusposisie is ons posisie van gesag en outoriteit om soos Jesus die storm stil te maak.  

 

5. Interaksie met die gemeenskap van gelowiges.  

Saamkuier is onmisbaar, en kern tot ons geestelike bestaan. Die saampraat, getuig, deel, en stories vertel bou ons op in ons geloof.  

Dr Henry Cloud vertel van sy swaer wat besig was om sy Navy Seals opleiding te voltooi toe hy op die laaste dag van “Hell’s week” fisies nie meer in staat was om die moordende swem poging te voltooi nie.  Sy vriend het hom gesien sukkel, en hom van die kant af begin moed inpraat, skielik amper bonatuurlik het hy krag gekry om klaar te maak.  Om saam met die regte mense tyd te spandeer, te eet en te kuier, stig jou gemoed. Dis veral in hierdie saamwees tye waar ons juis ons geestelike gawes beoefen om mekaar op te bou, te stig, te bemoedig, en aan te spoor. Sommige mense sukkel nog om voor mense te bid, wat nog voor mense in tale te spreek, die uitleg te verkry, en te profeteer?!  HOE staan die saak dan, broeders? Wanneer julle saamkom, dan het elkeen van julle ’n psalm of ’n lering of ’n taal of ’n openbaring of ’n uitlegging — laat alles tot stigting geskied.(1 Cor 14:26) Om geestelik fiks te word is dus nie net die kuier aspek nie, dit is om oor te gaan na dieper gesprekke en geestelike bediening. Om vir mekaar die hande op te lê, en te bid word ons geestelik versterk en fiks.  

 

6. Maak jouself oop vir mentorskap. 

Ons het almal terugvoering nodig van ‘n spesialis, om ons te help groei en ontwikkel in ‘n sekere area.  Soos met atlete wat wil beter presteer, het ons elkeen ‘n geestelike mentor en afrigter nodig. In ons hart dink elke mens hy of sy doen reg. Dit is wanneer ons lewe onder die lig en standaard van Christus Jesus staan, besef ons ons sonde en misrekende self-regverdiging.  

Geestelike Vaders wil toesien dat hulle kinders opgroei in volwassenheid in Christus Jesus se lewe, denke, gewoontes en waardes. (Gal 4:19; Col 1:28-29) Dit beteken daar is ‘n spesifieke aanmoediging, korreksie, vermaning, bestraffing en tugtiging proses. (Heb 12:5-11) Mense wat nie geestelike direkte afrigting ontvang wat op Christus se voorbeeld gerig is nie, is geneig om Jesus te misverteenwoordig.

 

7. Dink reg.  

‘n Groot deel van ons spiritualiteit is opgesluit in ons denke. Hoe ons dink, die spesifieke manier en proses van dink bepaal ons lewe. Geestelike mense het hulle denke laat formeer deur die Woord. Hulle dink woord, en volgens die voorskrifte en wyshede van die woord. Dink aan die wyshede van prediker en spreuke.  Want die wat vleeslik is, bedink vleeslike dinge, maar die wat geestelik is, geestelike dinge.

Want wat die vlees bedink, is die dood, maar wat die Gees bedink, is lewe en vrede,

omdat wat die vlees bedink, vyandskap teen God is; want dit onderwerp hom nie aan die wet van God nie, want dit kan ook nie. En die wat in die vlees is, kan God nie behaag nie; julle is egter nie in die vlees nie, maar in die Gees, as naamlik die Gees van God in julle woon. (Rom 8:5-11) Denkwyses volg geloofsoortuigings, of wêreldbeskouings wat uiteindelik ‘n ideologie vorm.  Dit gaan nie hier soseer oor wat jy dink nie, maar hoe jy dink. Dink jy liniêr of sistemies. Dink jy vanuit God se perspektief of die van ‘n mens soos Petrus. (Mat 16:23) Dink jy redusering na een aspek of pluralisties geheeldenkend? Geestelike mense het die sinne van Christus. (2 Cor 2:16) Die wind waai waar hy wil, en jy hoor sy geluid, maar jy weet nie vanwaar hy kom en waarheen hy gaan nie. So is elkeen wat uit die Gees gebore is. (Joh 3:8) Geestelike   mense is dus onvoorspelbaar, vars en nuutdenkend, maar bepalend van ‘n sekere rigting – die troonkamer van die Here. Voorbeelde van negatiewe denke is prakties: dink jy altyd die slegste van iemand? Is jy soos Thomas altyd ongelowig omdat jy eers wil sien? Is jy neerhalend op jouself? Meet jouself gedurig aan ander? Doen jy die heeltyd selfondersoek? Soek jy altyd eers die fout by iemand anders? Is jy vol verskonings? Voel jy geregtig tot iets waarvoor jy nie gewerk het nie? Hierdie gedagtes is alles voorbeelde van denke wat nog nie geestelik fiks geraak het nie. Hoe lank vat dit jou om vanuit ‘n ‘default’ ou manier van dink, te beweeg na weer reg dink? Hierdie proses moet vinniger plaasvind, vir die persoon wat geestelik fiks is.  

In tye soos hierdie is dit wesenlik belangrik dat ons geestelik fiks raak, met groot waarde tot jou algehele immuniteit . Geestelike fiksheid help om al die ander aspek. te van jou menswees, emosies, drifte, gewoontes te anker en reg te rig.  Geestelik gesonde mense hanteer spanning, en krisisse beter. Hulle kan verandering beter hanteer. Hulle is nie so baie ingestel op die daaglikse nuusgebeure en omstandighede nie. Hulle is gewoonlik meer hulpvaardig en soek praktiese oplossings. Hulle is mens-georiënteer om mense se nood vinniger te herken, en daadwerklik te help. Hulle is meer dankbare mense.  

[1] June J. Pilcher, Allen I. Huffcutt; Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Performance: A Meta-Analysis, Sleep, Volume 19, Issue 4, 1 June 1996, Pages 318–326, https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/19.4.318