An amazing testimony of faith. Take a read.
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Praising after the battle - Pierre Spies
I saw this tweet this morning by Springbok and Blue Bulls rugby player, Pierre Spies. Pierre is known for being vocal about his faith in Jesus Christ.
Keeping a balance between praising during battle is a challenge for all athletes who believe. The emotions of the battle, the emotions of the results, win or loose! That's the challenge. Will I praise you win or loose? Will I still praise you in the morning or the evening?
What is special though about this picture he posted for me is that it includes players of both teams, win or loose, honouring and praising God after the battle. In Acts 1:7-8 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:7-8 NIV)
The question though should be what leads athletes to be able to praise together after a battle, win or loose.
The question should be were you praising God before the battle or was it just about destruction of the other person.
The question should be were we praising God in the battle, in the heat of the battle, when we often loose total perspective and our minds in the moment.
How we do battle for me is more a reflection of our faith, our walk with the Lord, an example to others, a guide to young and old athletes, a compass for the spectator and supporter, rather than just by going down on our knee after the battle.
Yes this may be seen to watering down the statement Pierre and the other players were making, and that is not the purpose or the point to this post. The point however is are we reflecting the image of Christ, all the time. Are we reflecting the attitude of Christ toward others, all the time. Or do we drop down on our knee 'to praise' but have not shown our praise in the heated battle, how I conduct myself within the respect to the opposition, the rules, ethics and FairPlay of the game? Again I don't know Pierre well at all, so I cannot comment whether this true to him and the other players in the picture. I trust, having heard him share his testimony, however it is true!
As athletes, and especially athletes that are on prime time viewing and in sports with massive following, you have a huge responsibility on how you praise! As coaches and athletes we have an enormous responsibility, but not only the popular big main stream sports, but in all sporting interactions.
May our yes be our yes, may our praise be our praise, always.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (Galatians 5:22 NIV)
Monday, April 6, 2015
Being Able
This morning I got to run a 10k which is only my 5th one of all time. The last number of years has been a journey though. I am constantly greatful amazed about this constant journey, ‘being healthy because I am able’.
I posted this on Instagram after the race this morning.
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Rising beyond - moving from Saturday to Sunday
'Stuck on Saturday, grieving and caught up in being disheartened, to Sunday where Jesus had risen. The shame of Saturday to the victory of Sunday.' These were just some of the words of senior Pastor Riaan Niemand (Eastside Community Church) this morning as we celebrated the risen King, Jesus Christ. As he shared about the people around when Jesus was crucified, when He hung on the cross, when He was placed in the tomb. Had his mission been a failure?
How often are we caught up in the Saturdays of our lives and don't move on to the celebrations of the Sunday. Move from Saturday with no hope to Sunday full of life, revelation and success. As Jesus rose in the Sunday he had conquered death, He had moved, He had fulfilled prophecy and faith in Him.
However making the move from Saturday to Sunday in our lives requires a faith step. A step that is difficult into an unknown. An often massive step.
The difference though in the resurrection was that for some, like Mary the faith was not invisible. For Thomas it was tangible - 'put your finger in my hands and side'. For others it was still invisible because they found out through testimony of those who physically saw.
In sport and coaching it can and often is so similar. It requires FAITH. Faith in the coaching process. Faith in your talents and abilities, God given. Faith in an unknown outcome, but a wished result. Faith that what you are doing will get the positive outcome in performance.
However too often I have also seen athletes and coaches not willing to move from Saturday to Sunday but still expect the same outcome. The same people though wish positive successful outcome. Talent is there. Ability is there. Wish for the feared outcome is there. BUT taking the leap of faith, the step of faith. The part where I need to actually do something from my side.
Our challenge as athletes, coaches, administrators need to make the move, take the step, believe, But we need to actually make an effort. Do the work, do the preparation, do the execution. Ultimately we need to move from Saturday to Sunday. There has to be movement, there has to be a move. People need to move, MAKE A MOVE.
God through Jesus moved from Friday to Saturday to Sunday. He became the risen King who fulfilled the prophecy, who acted out his faith, the faith in is father God, ABBA Father.
As these words say, a lot can happen in three days. Are you allowing it to happen.
A blessed Risen Day.
Friday, April 3, 2015
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Palm Sunday - Has he entered?
Jesus entered the city, he entered our hearts, he entered our lives.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground. Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp. (Psalm 147:3-7 NIV)
Has he entered your city, your heart, your life?
Our challenge on this Palm Sunday as we celebrate Jesus fulfillment of prophecy.
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Talent, what we doing with it? (Joost VD Westhuizen)
Former Springbok rugby player Joost Vd Westhuizen recently posted the tweet below ...
"your talent is God's gift to you. What you do with it this your gift back to God." This is a real challenge and very true.
Too often in sport we tend to see the opposite. We see highly talented sportsmen and women who are not willing to do the work, to challenge themselves to the maximum and rely solely on their talent, however still expect the results and great performances. The same I feel also applies to coaches, those people who are called to coach but never live up to their full potential and ability because they are not willing to be challenged or challenge themselves to the max.
So for me this comes down to a matter of choice. I choose whether or not I am willing and will utilize my talent gift or will I just live in hope?
With us entering into the Easter weekend, as Christians we get to celebrate and reflect on the biggest gift that we could receive. The gift that the Lord God gave to all of us, one however we get to choose to appreciate, accept and follow. Over this weekend we get to celebrate the fact that Gld sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins and the sins of the world. The Gift of eternal life for us all.
As with Talent, the gift of Jesus Christ, eternal life, is one of choice. The Lord God, like with talent, allows us to choose what we do with it. I just read this tweet, which said ... "@stephanjoubert: In Gethsemane the prayer that changed the history of mankind is heard: "Abba Father... not my will but your will be done'"
As with any choice there is a point of release and acceptance, 'not my will but your will be done'. Are we willing to live out His will for us, His will for our lives, our talent. Are we willin to accept he gift we were given.
So we head into Easter weekend where Jesus Christ exemplified 'not my will but yours'. He knew what the outcome would be, however he continued on the path. His will be done. May we as coaches and athletes be reminded of His will for our talents during this weekend, while we celebrate the gift of eternal life, the gift of Jesus Christ, the gift of the crucifixion. Just the same we know the outcome if we work at our talent to ultimately honour God!
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Faith for Dummies
Faith for Dummies
Pastor Riaan Niemand - Eastside Community Church 26th May 2013
Content and personal reflections!
Gift of faith is often God just saying 'Push through!'
Faith, an internal awareness that we can't explain but prompts us to respond!
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. (Hebrews 11:1-3 NIV)
In today's language we saying 'I know in my gut that God is going to do this!' Faith is not a magic potion. Great men and women of the faith acted on this gut feeling and God came through for them.
Faith means responding to God, showing himself to us through the wonder of the creation that he has made.
However, having faith in my view can only be appropriate if lived by following the core of what we should be learning from, Gods word, the Bible?!?
So how do we filter what is in your gut?
... It's more than just the power of positive thinking.
... Understanding that this inclination toward faith is something that God has placed in you. Ecclesiastes 3:11
... God initiates the process in you towards faith. Romans 1:20
... You have to learn to hear the whisper of God by being in His presence. Hebrews 11:3 and
Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. (Romans 10:17 NIV)
... Be open to whatever God wants to say.
Faith can be rewarded because God is ABLE!
When you have the correct gut feel you have to trust God for the outcome.
Godly gut feelings can and does happen on all levels.
... Personal life - a life of meaning and purpose, a healing from past hurts, a restoration of the vision of Gods vision for your life.
... Work
... Marriage
... Children
... Community
... Church
... Country.
Seek God to be able to listen to His promptings!
Would we arrive late for a sporting event - not often because the sense of expectation we arrive with is enormous.
So when I arrive into Gods presence, Gods holy place am I coming with the same sense of expectation and actually an expectation much greater to be in the presence of the King of Kings, Lord of all!
Reach out in Faith!
So we can be either ordinary dummies or we must continue on assignment, the assignment God has set in place for us as a church and on our individual paths.
A great Kingdom impact, through walking in faith, by His word!
Pastor Riaan Niemand - Eastside Community Church 26th May 2013
Content and personal reflections!
Gift of faith is often God just saying 'Push through!'
Faith, an internal awareness that we can't explain but prompts us to respond!
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. (Hebrews 11:1-3 NIV)
In today's language we saying 'I know in my gut that God is going to do this!' Faith is not a magic potion. Great men and women of the faith acted on this gut feeling and God came through for them.
Faith means responding to God, showing himself to us through the wonder of the creation that he has made.
However, having faith in my view can only be appropriate if lived by following the core of what we should be learning from, Gods word, the Bible?!?
So how do we filter what is in your gut?
... It's more than just the power of positive thinking.
... Understanding that this inclination toward faith is something that God has placed in you. Ecclesiastes 3:11
... God initiates the process in you towards faith. Romans 1:20
... You have to learn to hear the whisper of God by being in His presence. Hebrews 11:3 and
Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. (Romans 10:17 NIV)
... Be open to whatever God wants to say.
Faith can be rewarded because God is ABLE!
When you have the correct gut feel you have to trust God for the outcome.
Godly gut feelings can and does happen on all levels.
... Personal life - a life of meaning and purpose, a healing from past hurts, a restoration of the vision of Gods vision for your life.
... Work
... Marriage
... Children
... Community
... Church
... Country.
Seek God to be able to listen to His promptings!
Would we arrive late for a sporting event - not often because the sense of expectation we arrive with is enormous.
So when I arrive into Gods presence, Gods holy place am I coming with the same sense of expectation and actually an expectation much greater to be in the presence of the King of Kings, Lord of all!
Reach out in Faith!
So we can be either ordinary dummies or we must continue on assignment, the assignment God has set in place for us as a church and on our individual paths.
A great Kingdom impact, through walking in faith, by His word!
Could you become this missionary coaching the best in the world?
Sometimes greater plans are in place for you without realizing it at that moment in time, but time eventually shows you are have the ability to coach and develop athletes to become the best in the world.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Hillsong Cape Town
Hillsong Cape Town
14th April 2013
The power of invitation!
Greatest is Christ entering our lives and us entering His.
Revelation 3:20 Behold I stand at the door and knock!
... It's open and available to us.
The Holy Spirit is with us and in us. He is all the time with us!
The wonder and miracle that Heaven holds for us! The Holy Spirit seeks to draw us to Him through knocking on our hearts.
God will use whatever it takes to draw us closer to Him.
John 10:9 I am the door and who ever opens to me ... A rich green pasture.
... You we will be astounded.
Many of us are drowning in misguided valleys ... Valleys of loneliness and despair.
Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. (Joel 3:14 NIV)
"Under the surface, none of them feel like they belong!" The impression could be there that people look as though they have everything and belong. But if its not about Jesus Christ and belonging to Him, then we don't belong! We get locked in e valleys!
The older we become the longer we been walking the road, the more we need to seek His face and walk closer through a strong desire and will to do His work.
There's no formulae to Christ coming into our lives and inviting others in, but the truth of the greatest love story of all time, the love story of God sending His son, Jesus Christ to save each one of us!
Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (2 Corinthians 3:1-6 NIV)
Our Hope in Christ should be magnetic in a toxic world!
let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:22-25 NIV)
Inviting to come celebrate in the glorious celebration of the truth!
There is miracles everywhere and in everyone, we need to be aware of it and be willing to share it!
Jesus he knocks to come in and knocks to go out! To go to the mission - go and share Gods greatest!
Sent from my iPad
14th April 2013
The power of invitation!
Greatest is Christ entering our lives and us entering His.
Revelation 3:20 Behold I stand at the door and knock!
... It's open and available to us.
The Holy Spirit is with us and in us. He is all the time with us!
The wonder and miracle that Heaven holds for us! The Holy Spirit seeks to draw us to Him through knocking on our hearts.
God will use whatever it takes to draw us closer to Him.
John 10:9 I am the door and who ever opens to me ... A rich green pasture.
... You we will be astounded.
Many of us are drowning in misguided valleys ... Valleys of loneliness and despair.
Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. (Joel 3:14 NIV)
"Under the surface, none of them feel like they belong!" The impression could be there that people look as though they have everything and belong. But if its not about Jesus Christ and belonging to Him, then we don't belong! We get locked in e valleys!
The older we become the longer we been walking the road, the more we need to seek His face and walk closer through a strong desire and will to do His work.
There's no formulae to Christ coming into our lives and inviting others in, but the truth of the greatest love story of all time, the love story of God sending His son, Jesus Christ to save each one of us!
Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (2 Corinthians 3:1-6 NIV)
Our Hope in Christ should be magnetic in a toxic world!
let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:22-25 NIV)
Inviting to come celebrate in the glorious celebration of the truth!
There is miracles everywhere and in everyone, we need to be aware of it and be willing to share it!
Jesus he knocks to come in and knocks to go out! To go to the mission - go and share Gods greatest!
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Sunrise service @ Eastside Community Church
Sunrise service @ Eastside Community Church
Children's Pastor - Robyn Ball
How close are you walking to the Rose of Life?
The rose, is known for one of its most symbolic aspects, being a symbol of Love! Many people saw Jesus the rose. The two Mary's saw Jesus, but others along the way denied and were not willing to 'see' him - they were blinded by their feelings that Jesus could not have risen. Many people could see and experienced the Love of Christ and Jesus.
But Jesus did rise. 'He has risen, he has risen indeed!'
The ultimate symbol of Jesus' love was that He was willing to die for us, but more so the fact that God and Jesus went through with his promises - He rose from the dead to conquer sin!
One of the other significant aspects of a rose is it amazing aroma and smell. That being said, those who has seen the Rose, smell it but ultimately choose to acknowledge the smell and specifically live close to the Rose.
Can people smell the Rose, the aroma of the Rose, the Aroma of Christ, in You?
How close am I and you living to the Rose so that others can see its beauty and smell its Aroma?
For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. (2 Corinthians 2:15 NIV)
So how close am I and you walking and living to the Rose of life? Am I that sweet smelling aroma of Christ!?!
Sent from my iPad
Children's Pastor - Robyn Ball
How close are you walking to the Rose of Life?
The rose, is known for one of its most symbolic aspects, being a symbol of Love! Many people saw Jesus the rose. The two Mary's saw Jesus, but others along the way denied and were not willing to 'see' him - they were blinded by their feelings that Jesus could not have risen. Many people could see and experienced the Love of Christ and Jesus.
But Jesus did rise. 'He has risen, he has risen indeed!'
The ultimate symbol of Jesus' love was that He was willing to die for us, but more so the fact that God and Jesus went through with his promises - He rose from the dead to conquer sin!
One of the other significant aspects of a rose is it amazing aroma and smell. That being said, those who has seen the Rose, smell it but ultimately choose to acknowledge the smell and specifically live close to the Rose.
Can people smell the Rose, the aroma of the Rose, the Aroma of Christ, in You?
How close am I and you living to the Rose so that others can see its beauty and smell its Aroma?
For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. (2 Corinthians 2:15 NIV)
So how close am I and you walking and living to the Rose of life? Am I that sweet smelling aroma of Christ!?!
Sent from my iPad
Friday, March 29, 2013
Being Good is not enough - the X of life!
Being Good is not enough - the cross of life!
Easter Service Good Friday
29 March 2013
Why is it that Jesus had to actually die?
God was and is offended by the way we lived and live our lives. So he needed to do something about it. Something radical needed to happen to help us on our spiritual journey.
We believe we live a 'good' life so we should be allowed. But being good is not enough!
The sacrifice in some way made atonement for the sins. Previously the slaughtering and sacrificing of an animal was a symbolic moment to get rid of our sins.
However the bible states that blood had to be spilled for the sacrifice to be an atonement. The blood which symbolizes life, had to be splattered and spilt.
We should not be romanticizing the act. It was not pleasant but had to take place.
Death by crucifixion is seen as one of the worst ways to die. An animal was not good enough to be sacrificed for a man, as we then see in the new covenant. Man had to die and the new covenant is seen through Jesus being crucified for our sins on the cross!
God's dilemma is that someone had to be sacrificed for each of us! He had to make a plan - the plan was Jesus Christ. Jesus, a real man became a real man to die for each of us, WILLINGLY!
He was willing to hold nothing back for each one of us!
By this we can have our relationship with God healed.
This sacrifice was made ONCE for ALL!
Thank you Lord Jesus!
Easter Service Good Friday
29 March 2013
Why is it that Jesus had to actually die?
God was and is offended by the way we lived and live our lives. So he needed to do something about it. Something radical needed to happen to help us on our spiritual journey.
We believe we live a 'good' life so we should be allowed. But being good is not enough!
The sacrifice in some way made atonement for the sins. Previously the slaughtering and sacrificing of an animal was a symbolic moment to get rid of our sins.
However the bible states that blood had to be spilled for the sacrifice to be an atonement. The blood which symbolizes life, had to be splattered and spilt.
We should not be romanticizing the act. It was not pleasant but had to take place.
Death by crucifixion is seen as one of the worst ways to die. An animal was not good enough to be sacrificed for a man, as we then see in the new covenant. Man had to die and the new covenant is seen through Jesus being crucified for our sins on the cross!
God's dilemma is that someone had to be sacrificed for each of us! He had to make a plan - the plan was Jesus Christ. Jesus, a real man became a real man to die for each of us, WILLINGLY!
He was willing to hold nothing back for each one of us!
By this we can have our relationship with God healed.
This sacrifice was made ONCE for ALL!
Thank you Lord Jesus!
Sunday, March 24, 2013
No eye has seen - Bruce Collins
No eye has seen - Bruce Collins
@Eastside community Church
What can truly describe God and Lord Jesus - nothing!
The amazing things God has prepared for those who love him ... We can't describe and explain. It's just so Amazing
We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we declare God's wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived" — the things God has prepared for those who love him— these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. (1 Corinthians 2:6-10 NIV)
The world is a desperate place. The world values temporary pleasures but forget the root of our problems.
God is the root of correcting what we experience currently.
We are currently a spec on the rope of eternity! So if we get wrapped up on the specs of this world we forget the promise of eternity. By living in God we live through a real Hope, a hope that we know is real, a hope that does get fulfilled because we know it WILL happen!
However we are being prepared for this, this eternity. However through this promise of eternal life, we must make the choice the choice to follow.
This HOPE is a present reality. The promise in action and is secure!
However the promise of heaven impacts our lives as we live it right now. The hope we have in Jesus impacts on our present way we living. How
1. God looks after us, Now. He cares about the smallest things about me right now.
2. Gods love. It's relentless and steadfast. We miss the mark all the time as we live our lives as a spec, but God shows us grace for everything. There is consequences of our actions, yes, but there's grace. You can come back to The Lord and ask his forgiveness.
3. Christian community is a picture of the future. If you willing to live in community.
Our present reality is linked to our eternal hope. Our promise of eternity makes our calling on earth crystal clear. However if we don't believe in the awesomeness of eternity and what to come and it's set in our heart, then the great commission is meaningless and heavens truth pointless.
Heaven is real. It's not a secret. If you RSVP your in!
So do you live with this promise of eternity in your heart and life it out through our daily callings?!?
It's about loving Jesus! Heaven is the restored relationship between Man and GOD!
If we believe e amazing promises of heaven then it must affect our current reality!
If my life's work is based on the great commission, we can and will live full lives!!!
Sent from my iPad
@Eastside community Church
What can truly describe God and Lord Jesus - nothing!
The amazing things God has prepared for those who love him ... We can't describe and explain. It's just so Amazing
We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we declare God's wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived" — the things God has prepared for those who love him— these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. (1 Corinthians 2:6-10 NIV)
The world is a desperate place. The world values temporary pleasures but forget the root of our problems.
God is the root of correcting what we experience currently.
We are currently a spec on the rope of eternity! So if we get wrapped up on the specs of this world we forget the promise of eternity. By living in God we live through a real Hope, a hope that we know is real, a hope that does get fulfilled because we know it WILL happen!
However we are being prepared for this, this eternity. However through this promise of eternal life, we must make the choice the choice to follow.
This HOPE is a present reality. The promise in action and is secure!
However the promise of heaven impacts our lives as we live it right now. The hope we have in Jesus impacts on our present way we living. How
1. God looks after us, Now. He cares about the smallest things about me right now.
2. Gods love. It's relentless and steadfast. We miss the mark all the time as we live our lives as a spec, but God shows us grace for everything. There is consequences of our actions, yes, but there's grace. You can come back to The Lord and ask his forgiveness.
3. Christian community is a picture of the future. If you willing to live in community.
Our present reality is linked to our eternal hope. Our promise of eternity makes our calling on earth crystal clear. However if we don't believe in the awesomeness of eternity and what to come and it's set in our heart, then the great commission is meaningless and heavens truth pointless.
Heaven is real. It's not a secret. If you RSVP your in!
So do you live with this promise of eternity in your heart and life it out through our daily callings?!?
It's about loving Jesus! Heaven is the restored relationship between Man and GOD!
If we believe e amazing promises of heaven then it must affect our current reality!
If my life's work is based on the great commission, we can and will live full lives!!!
Sent from my iPad
There's Life after Life
There's Life after Life -sermon Pastor Mark Eastside Community church
2 places exist after this life.
... There's a heaven and a hell
... We assume that most Christians believe there is a heaven and a hell. But is this really true. It's very easy to believe Heaven - well we serve a loving caring God - so surely if our God is this loving, can't create a hell - something bad, awful and a place we don't want to go to?!?
Question thus is ... Why were Heaven and hell created?
... Heaven to be a place where God and man can remain in contact and intimate.
... Heaven will be a place where nothing will and can stand in your way for perfect intimacy.
... Hell however was created for the devil and his demons! Nothing else. God created a place where they could be separated from Gods presence. It's a choice to be separated from God!
As soon as we start deciding who is going where, we have crossed a line where we tend to be trying to play God. However, I / we / you will know where you are going!?!
The example is the crucifixion. If we were just watching it from the sideline we would have thought the other thief would end up in hell, however we would not have know about the intimate conversation that the thief and God / Jesus had on the cross, where Jesus ends by saying to him ... Today I will see you in my house ... God provided salvation to him, salvation that is a special thing chosen by you and given to you by God!
Eternity has only two options! We are invited to attend the great party in Heaven.
Matthew 12:30 "whoever is not for me, is against me!" It's our choice, God gives each of us the choice - our loving and caring God! We are all chosen and predestined to Heaven, but we still have e choice to get there!
The worst thing about hell is that it's a place so separation. Hell is a place is death. It's a separation from anything good. But while we are on earth we have an option still and a choice. There is still the potential of salvation! God is still gracious. However in hell, there is nothing like this, there is no potential.
Heaven is a place of transformation!
...1 Corinthians 15 verse 5 onwards
... For the new body to live, the old body must die!
... The plant that rises from the soil has a different body from the dead seed.
... Even Jesus Christ went through the same process. He had to die to give life and give life to us in abundance. Jesus the ultimate vessel of our salvation.
The new body is glorious in unique splendor! No eye can see no ear can hear what God has in store for us ...
Sent from my iPad
2 places exist after this life.
... There's a heaven and a hell
... We assume that most Christians believe there is a heaven and a hell. But is this really true. It's very easy to believe Heaven - well we serve a loving caring God - so surely if our God is this loving, can't create a hell - something bad, awful and a place we don't want to go to?!?
Question thus is ... Why were Heaven and hell created?
... Heaven to be a place where God and man can remain in contact and intimate.
... Heaven will be a place where nothing will and can stand in your way for perfect intimacy.
... Hell however was created for the devil and his demons! Nothing else. God created a place where they could be separated from Gods presence. It's a choice to be separated from God!
As soon as we start deciding who is going where, we have crossed a line where we tend to be trying to play God. However, I / we / you will know where you are going!?!
The example is the crucifixion. If we were just watching it from the sideline we would have thought the other thief would end up in hell, however we would not have know about the intimate conversation that the thief and God / Jesus had on the cross, where Jesus ends by saying to him ... Today I will see you in my house ... God provided salvation to him, salvation that is a special thing chosen by you and given to you by God!
Eternity has only two options! We are invited to attend the great party in Heaven.
Matthew 12:30 "whoever is not for me, is against me!" It's our choice, God gives each of us the choice - our loving and caring God! We are all chosen and predestined to Heaven, but we still have e choice to get there!
The worst thing about hell is that it's a place so separation. Hell is a place is death. It's a separation from anything good. But while we are on earth we have an option still and a choice. There is still the potential of salvation! God is still gracious. However in hell, there is nothing like this, there is no potential.
Heaven is a place of transformation!
...1 Corinthians 15 verse 5 onwards
... For the new body to live, the old body must die!
... The plant that rises from the soil has a different body from the dead seed.
... Even Jesus Christ went through the same process. He had to die to give life and give life to us in abundance. Jesus the ultimate vessel of our salvation.
The new body is glorious in unique splendor! No eye can see no ear can hear what God has in store for us ...
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Sunday, January 22, 2012
Keith Green - Make My Life A Prayer To You Lyrics Album: No Compromise
You make my life a prayer to You
I wanna do what You want me to
No empty words and no white lies
No token prayers no compromise
I wanna shine the light You gave
Through Your Son You sent to save us
From ourselves and our despair
It comforts me to know You're really there
Well I wanna thank You now for being patient with me
Oh it's so hard to see, when my eyes are on me
I guess I'll have the trust and just believe what You say
Oh You're coming again, You're coming to take me away
I wanna die and let You give Your life to me, so I might live
And share the hope You gave to me, the love that set me free
I wanna tell the world out there, You're not some fable or fairy tale
That I've made up inside my head, You're God the Son
You've risen from the dead
Oh I wanna thank You now for being patient with me
Oh it's so hard to see, when my eyes are on me
I guess I'll have the trust and just believe what You say
Oh You're coming again, coming to take me away
I wanna die and let You give Your life to me, so I might live
And share the hope You gave to me
I wanna share the love that set me free
I wanna do what You want me to
No empty words and no white lies
No token prayers no compromise
I wanna shine the light You gave
Through Your Son You sent to save us
From ourselves and our despair
It comforts me to know You're really there
Well I wanna thank You now for being patient with me
Oh it's so hard to see, when my eyes are on me
I guess I'll have the trust and just believe what You say
Oh You're coming again, You're coming to take me away
I wanna die and let You give Your life to me, so I might live
And share the hope You gave to me, the love that set me free
I wanna tell the world out there, You're not some fable or fairy tale
That I've made up inside my head, You're God the Son
You've risen from the dead
Oh I wanna thank You now for being patient with me
Oh it's so hard to see, when my eyes are on me
I guess I'll have the trust and just believe what You say
Oh You're coming again, coming to take me away
I wanna die and let You give Your life to me, so I might live
And share the hope You gave to me
I wanna share the love that set me free
Jesus, I’m missing the point | You have my word.
Great thoughts on worship and how if its about anything other than Jesus, we missing the point.
http://havemyword.wordpress.com/2012/01/22/jesus-im-missing-the-point/
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device
http://havemyword.wordpress.com/2012/01/22/jesus-im-missing-the-point/
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device
Sometimes to look forward we need to look back - Vision Sunday @EastsideSA (Senior Pastor Riaan Niemand)
Riaan shared on memories of significant places and areas where his ministry started and had significant moments.
'The stuff I am busy with, does it have eternal value? Am I caught up in the right things?!?' - Riaan
'I want to finish well!' - we should all be aiming to!
Riaan challenged each of us - "How is your heart? Are you the same as when you accepted the Lord? Or has the 'normal' life robbed you?"
'I need to up the Rev's of my spiritual life'
Luke 10: 25-28
How do I finish well?
1. Love God completely
2. Love your neighbour as yourself
(Matthew 22:40)
Matthew 6:10 'your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven'
As Christ followers we need to bring God's kingdom to earth as it is in heaven. We prayer for it - It is possible.
If this is true, what do we need to do to fulfill these two commands?
'Full me heart Lord daily!'
Loving your neighbour
1. Personally - Love family, work, play
2. Church - Love the people who visit and worship @ eastside
3. Other people - Loving other communities of faith; People in crisis; Poor and dispossessed
This year we want to:
- Inspire you to give yourself to God in abandonment
- challenge you to become the most spirit filled loving person In town
- Change your mindset by helping you to bless and be blessed
What do we need this year in Eastside?
- Be a spirit filled christian this year, living out your calling in our communities, seriously.
- Commit to a cell and connect seriously.
- We need a ministry of socials to connect people
- We need for everyone to seriously adopt a block (too many broken people)
- We need to go into a third building phase
- Loving those who are not from our community
- Restart a church that is standing empty (Team or church planters for 2013)
- Having a big youth celebration in December for churches across denominations
We need your help for?!?
- Prayer all of this into being
- Give us some of your time to serve these communities
- Give us money and resources so that we can help these communities to help themselves
- Help us to feed children and support early learning centers
- Support our job creation initiatives
- consider giving two years of your life towards church planting
- we need intercessors. Satan does not like it when a church like ours get serious about these things.
Jesus says Love God with abandonment!
The Love God test
1. Take a journey back; are you where you used to be?
2. Have you ever started loving God?
3. Is your life today more radical than last year this time?
4. What is really important in your life?
We need to help ourselves to help others!
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Right the first time
"If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?" -John Wooden
John Wooden, a highly successful coach, with many lesson learned, highlighted the fact that if we use time as an excuse for doing it right the first time or saying we don't have the time to do it right, THEN we most definitely won't have the time to do it over again - properly.
In a coaching / athletic performance world it is very true and applicable. As coaches we need to encourage / enforce / provide an environment and culture of 'first time, right time!' We don't have time to mess around because every session, every stroke, every stride is part of the larger process of becoming a better athlete and individual. So using time as an excuse to not do it right the first time, should actually be no excuse.
In our coaching world applying the 1-10 rule is very applicable. For every time I do it wrong I need to do it 10x right to correct the wrong.
So too in the Christian walk of faith. Every step, every action, every deed, every prayer, every quiet time, every moment should be done right. Time should not be a factor!
Often in our Christian walk of faith as a 'Christian' coaches and athletes we use TIME as an excuse for not doing things right - the first time. You know its early morning and late training sessions, and 'all' the other things that take times. Reality though as Coach Wooden said, if we say we don't have time, we won't have time to do it over. God gives us a chance to make choices and to make the right ones now, remembering that one day the world as we know it will no longer be and we will have all hopefully made the right choice on earth to have joined the right team, the ETERNAL team of Jesus Christ.
Its time for me and all to evaluate what we using as excuses for not doing things right and 'hoping' we will get a chance to do it over.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device
John Wooden, a highly successful coach, with many lesson learned, highlighted the fact that if we use time as an excuse for doing it right the first time or saying we don't have the time to do it right, THEN we most definitely won't have the time to do it over again - properly.
In a coaching / athletic performance world it is very true and applicable. As coaches we need to encourage / enforce / provide an environment and culture of 'first time, right time!' We don't have time to mess around because every session, every stroke, every stride is part of the larger process of becoming a better athlete and individual. So using time as an excuse to not do it right the first time, should actually be no excuse.
In our coaching world applying the 1-10 rule is very applicable. For every time I do it wrong I need to do it 10x right to correct the wrong.
So too in the Christian walk of faith. Every step, every action, every deed, every prayer, every quiet time, every moment should be done right. Time should not be a factor!
Often in our Christian walk of faith as a 'Christian' coaches and athletes we use TIME as an excuse for not doing things right - the first time. You know its early morning and late training sessions, and 'all' the other things that take times. Reality though as Coach Wooden said, if we say we don't have time, we won't have time to do it over. God gives us a chance to make choices and to make the right ones now, remembering that one day the world as we know it will no longer be and we will have all hopefully made the right choice on earth to have joined the right team, the ETERNAL team of Jesus Christ.
Its time for me and all to evaluate what we using as excuses for not doing things right and 'hoping' we will get a chance to do it over.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Its not your courtroom! - Pastor Mark Odendaal (Eastside Community Church)
Its not our place to judge - God is the ultimate and only one to judge.
1. Don't judge those who break God's laws (Romans 2:1-5)
2. Don't judge in the Grey area (Romans 14:1-10)
3. Don't know when you're in the Dark (1Corinthians 4:5)
4. Don't judge unbelievers (John 3:17)
Its not our place, not even Jesus came to earth to judge people.
If we as Christian stand in judgement of others then the kingdom is going backward
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device
1. Don't judge those who break God's laws (Romans 2:1-5)
2. Don't judge in the Grey area (Romans 14:1-10)
3. Don't know when you're in the Dark (1Corinthians 4:5)
4. Don't judge unbelievers (John 3:17)
Its not our place, not even Jesus came to earth to judge people.
If we as Christian stand in judgement of others then the kingdom is going backward
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device
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