This is part of an email I sent to one of my friends at BBC when he pressed ganged me into becoming a door welcomer. I feel that I should post it as I felt God physically standing next to me as I typed...
I know that God has naturally gifted me as a welcomer but I feel that God has some other mission field waiting for me. No I don't know what it is but I must earnestly seek Him and He will be found. I also feel that I supposed to be working in this field a long time ago and I let God down.
They say a tree which does not bare fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I look at myself and cry when I don't see any fruit. God has never left me but I have left Him many times. God is in the center of the universe and I am in the centre of mine. My friends around me are asking questions like what are my gifts and what is my calling? I know deep down because God told me long time ago that I am special and that He has something special for me to do. (Excuse me I am crying and I don't know why I am tell you this). I suppose because God is standing right next to me as I write this and yet I am so far from Him. If this does not make sense to you, don't worry, it doesn't make sense to me either but God is smiling.
I will know the special mission what God wants me to do when it requires not my natural born talents (which God gave me at birth) but a super natural gift which will prove that it is not me but God.
I will help full the ranks of a welcomer when needed but please note this comes naturally to me so it is not my calling, it is not the special mission that God wants me for.
My armour is too shiny and the enemy can see it. I need to stand up, step forward for that special mission soon and get dirty. There I go crying again.... It won't be easy but one day I sit with Jesus under that tree and show Him my battle scars with proud. What a beautiful day that will be.
Private Jerome reporting
30 June 2007
18 June 2007
I'm in my corner, and you in yours
Well, with so much happening all at once this week, there was not much time to do anything else. So I do apologise that this posting is a wee bit late. My project is about to launch, a new client on board who wants his work out within two days of giving it to me, Sun International's 4 new hotels in Port Ghalib, Egypt needs to be processed, my birthday and a party to help arrange, my best friend up from Durban to spend the weekend and so much more. There wasn't even time for God and spiritual warfare. I was so involved in my own world where I was in the centre, Mr Venter, that God had no place to maneuver. Don't get me wrong God was also with me, in thought and prayer but God was in the centre of the universe and I was in the center of mine. It is these times that the devil comes and trys to distract us. He knows us so well and we make it even easier for him by not focusing on God. Angus Buchan says that the best form of spiritual warfare is to lead a soul to Jesus Christ. And that was the furthest from my mind this week.
What was really shocking for me, that came out from last Tuesday's cell meeting was that we will find the devil in places we least expect him to be. We don't expect him in church do we? Well that is where we will find him busy stirring seeds of sin amongst God's people. Denise mentioned how easily we un-wittingly do the devil's work for him. We have to be on constant guard against satan because he is like a lion seeking for our week points.
What was really shocking for me, that came out from last Tuesday's cell meeting was that we will find the devil in places we least expect him to be. We don't expect him in church do we? Well that is where we will find him busy stirring seeds of sin amongst God's people. Denise mentioned how easily we un-wittingly do the devil's work for him. We have to be on constant guard against satan because he is like a lion seeking for our week points.
07 June 2007
The Invisible War
As we can all feel it, winter is truly here but that was not going to stop us. Last Tuesday we had a hot start to a new series "The Invisible War" by Chip Ingram.
The Invisible War is what every believer needs to know about our enemy and the mighty spiritual warfare that is raging all around us. Sandy started by stating that us "mlungus" have lost touch with what is happening around us in the spiritual realm while the Africans still sense it and feel it in everyday life. We just hope that it isn't quite so real.
We are God's children and what better way for satan to get back at the Father through his children. Satan knows us so well and he will try anything to oppose God's plans. The good thing is, he does not know the future, only the past and it is with the past that he will try trip us up.
I pray that this series will wake us up. Lord open our eyes that we my see what is going on around us so that we can prepare ourselves for the spiritual battle.
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. " Eph. 6:10-12
So as we head down this course, let us take out that armour and put it on, it is the only protection we need. For some of us our armour is rusted and never been used, for others they are well polished and shining as for a parade but have never been warn in war. Yes some of us are so focused at keeping our armour sparkling for the coming general that we fail to see the enemy flanking us. The armour was given to us to be worn in combat. Let us stand together as a home group ready for the enemy. Let him think twice about out flanking us but attack us head on, for the war is already won by our general. Wouldn't it be wonderful to show God the dings and scars in our well worn armour at the end of the battle.
And the war cry for this week is from Eph. 6:10
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power."
The Invisible War is what every believer needs to know about our enemy and the mighty spiritual warfare that is raging all around us. Sandy started by stating that us "mlungus" have lost touch with what is happening around us in the spiritual realm while the Africans still sense it and feel it in everyday life. We just hope that it isn't quite so real.
We are God's children and what better way for satan to get back at the Father through his children. Satan knows us so well and he will try anything to oppose God's plans. The good thing is, he does not know the future, only the past and it is with the past that he will try trip us up.
I pray that this series will wake us up. Lord open our eyes that we my see what is going on around us so that we can prepare ourselves for the spiritual battle.
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. " Eph. 6:10-12
So as we head down this course, let us take out that armour and put it on, it is the only protection we need. For some of us our armour is rusted and never been used, for others they are well polished and shining as for a parade but have never been warn in war. Yes some of us are so focused at keeping our armour sparkling for the coming general that we fail to see the enemy flanking us. The armour was given to us to be worn in combat. Let us stand together as a home group ready for the enemy. Let him think twice about out flanking us but attack us head on, for the war is already won by our general. Wouldn't it be wonderful to show God the dings and scars in our well worn armour at the end of the battle.
And the war cry for this week is from Eph. 6:10
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power."
26 May 2007
Thru the eyes of a child
It is good to be writing again after a short break. Winter is upon us with a chilling bite, I want to remind you to keep your eyes focused on Jesus. The world around us is surrounded by gnashing teeth and it will get worse. All we need to keep our heads held up high is Jesus. We can not do it on our own. So like a child we need to put our hand in His and let Him lead us. Here is a story I found by an unknown author that would help us not to forget what Jesus went through for us. It is the story of Jesus, Saviour, through a child's eyes.
God recently allowed me to see Jesus through the eyes of someone seeing Him for the first time. Having the advantage of knowing how the story ends, we can easily forget the cost of our redemption and the love of our Saviour.
Every year we attend a local church pageant at Christmas time, which tells the story of Jesus from His birth through His resurrection. It is a spectacular event, with live animals and hundreds of cast members in realistic costumes. The magi enter the huge auditorium on llamas from the rear, descending the steps in pomp and majesty. Roman soldiers look huge and menacing in their costumes and makeup.
Of all the years we have attended, one stands out indelibly in my heart. It was the year we took our then three-year-old granddaughter, Bailey, who loves Jesus. She was mesmerized throughout the entire play, not just watching, but involved as if she were a player. She watched as Joseph and Mary travelled to the Inn and was thrilled when she saw the baby Jesus in His mother's arms.
When Jesus, on a young donkey, descends the steps from the back of the auditorium, depicting His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Bailey was ecstatic. As he neared our aisle, Bailey began jumping up and down, screaming, "Jesus, Jesus! There's Jesus!" Not just saying the words but exclaiming them with every fibre of her being. She alternated between screaming his name and hugging us. "It's Jesus. Look!" How like the blind beggar screaming out in reckless abandon, "Jesus, Jesus!" afraid he might miss Him, not caring what others thought. (Mark 10:46-52)
This was so much fun. Then came the arrest scene. On stage, the soldiers shoved and slapped Jesus as they moved Him from the Garden of Gethsemane to Pilate. Bailey responded as if she were in the crowd of women, with terror and anger. "Stop it!" she screamed, "Bad soldiers, stop it!" As I watched her reaction, I wished we had talked to her before the play. "Bailey it's OK. They are just pretending."
"They are hurting Jesus! Stop it!" She stood in her seat reacting to each and every move. People around us at first smiled at her reaction, thinking "How cute!" Then they quit smiling and began watching her watch Him. In a most powerful scene, the soldiers lead Jesus carrying the cross down the steps of the auditorium from the back. They were yelling, whipping, and cursing at Jesus, who was bloodied and beaten.
Bailey was now hysterical. "Stop it! Soldiers! Stop it," she screamed. She must have been wondering why all these people did nothing. She then began to cry instead of scream. "Jesus, Oh, Jesus!" People all around us began to weep as we all watched this devoted little disciple see her Jesus beaten and killed as those first century disciples had. Going back and forth between her mother's lap and mine for comfort, she was distraught. I kept saying, "Bailey, it's OK. Jesus is going to be OK. These are just people pretending to be soldiers." She looked at me like I was crazy. In my lap, we talked through the cross and burial. "Watch, Bailey, watch for Jesus!"
The tomb began to tremble and lightening flashed as the stone rolled away. A Super Bowl touchdown cheer couldn't come close to matching this little one's reaction to the resurrection. "Jesus! He's OK. Mommy, it's Jesus!"
I prayed that she wasn't going to be traumatized by this event, but that she would remember it. I shall never forget it. I shall never forget seeing Jesus' suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection through the eyes of an innocent child.
I think God in heaven stopped whatever was going on that day and made all the angels watch Bailey. "Now, look there! You see what I meant when I said, 'Of such is the kingdom of heaven?'"
Bailey's reaction should be our reaction every day. When we think of Him, who He is, what He did for us, and what He offers us, how can we do anything less than worship Him?
God recently allowed me to see Jesus through the eyes of someone seeing Him for the first time. Having the advantage of knowing how the story ends, we can easily forget the cost of our redemption and the love of our Saviour.
Every year we attend a local church pageant at Christmas time, which tells the story of Jesus from His birth through His resurrection. It is a spectacular event, with live animals and hundreds of cast members in realistic costumes. The magi enter the huge auditorium on llamas from the rear, descending the steps in pomp and majesty. Roman soldiers look huge and menacing in their costumes and makeup.
Of all the years we have attended, one stands out indelibly in my heart. It was the year we took our then three-year-old granddaughter, Bailey, who loves Jesus. She was mesmerized throughout the entire play, not just watching, but involved as if she were a player. She watched as Joseph and Mary travelled to the Inn and was thrilled when she saw the baby Jesus in His mother's arms.
When Jesus, on a young donkey, descends the steps from the back of the auditorium, depicting His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Bailey was ecstatic. As he neared our aisle, Bailey began jumping up and down, screaming, "Jesus, Jesus! There's Jesus!" Not just saying the words but exclaiming them with every fibre of her being. She alternated between screaming his name and hugging us. "It's Jesus. Look!" How like the blind beggar screaming out in reckless abandon, "Jesus, Jesus!" afraid he might miss Him, not caring what others thought. (Mark 10:46-52)
This was so much fun. Then came the arrest scene. On stage, the soldiers shoved and slapped Jesus as they moved Him from the Garden of Gethsemane to Pilate. Bailey responded as if she were in the crowd of women, with terror and anger. "Stop it!" she screamed, "Bad soldiers, stop it!" As I watched her reaction, I wished we had talked to her before the play. "Bailey it's OK. They are just pretending."
"They are hurting Jesus! Stop it!" She stood in her seat reacting to each and every move. People around us at first smiled at her reaction, thinking "How cute!" Then they quit smiling and began watching her watch Him. In a most powerful scene, the soldiers lead Jesus carrying the cross down the steps of the auditorium from the back. They were yelling, whipping, and cursing at Jesus, who was bloodied and beaten.
Bailey was now hysterical. "Stop it! Soldiers! Stop it," she screamed. She must have been wondering why all these people did nothing. She then began to cry instead of scream. "Jesus, Oh, Jesus!" People all around us began to weep as we all watched this devoted little disciple see her Jesus beaten and killed as those first century disciples had. Going back and forth between her mother's lap and mine for comfort, she was distraught. I kept saying, "Bailey, it's OK. Jesus is going to be OK. These are just people pretending to be soldiers." She looked at me like I was crazy. In my lap, we talked through the cross and burial. "Watch, Bailey, watch for Jesus!"
The tomb began to tremble and lightening flashed as the stone rolled away. A Super Bowl touchdown cheer couldn't come close to matching this little one's reaction to the resurrection. "Jesus! He's OK. Mommy, it's Jesus!"
I prayed that she wasn't going to be traumatized by this event, but that she would remember it. I shall never forget it. I shall never forget seeing Jesus' suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection through the eyes of an innocent child.
I think God in heaven stopped whatever was going on that day and made all the angels watch Bailey. "Now, look there! You see what I meant when I said, 'Of such is the kingdom of heaven?'"
Bailey's reaction should be our reaction every day. When we think of Him, who He is, what He did for us, and what He offers us, how can we do anything less than worship Him?
30 April 2007
Consistently Consistent
Standing at the open grave and listening to the close friends and family speak of Jimmy Jardine, the times I had with him flash before my eyes as the words "consistently consistent" washed over me. Coming from a broken and hard family it was refreshing to have had a father-in-law like him. He was consistent in all his ways and as a father he would even go out his way for his children. Don't get me wrong, he was not perfect but he was consistent. I would get him into these doctrinal discussions that made Carol cringe in fear of what would happen to me. He was the father I never had. It was a whole family. And unchanging as he was, he was all that God had made him to be. Beryl from cell mentioned a that there were some God fearing people who grew up not understanding the full potential of the power of the Holy Spirit. They are also filled with the Spirit of God but to them a measure that they would understand. Jimmy was one of those God fearing men and in his consistent nature reminded me of the certainty of God's promises to us. Our God has a just and unchanging nature and in God's consistency we can stand firm and secure.
26 April 2007
Spirit of Prophecy
Due to all the happenings in my family, I am a little behind in my posts. In the meanwhile Natalie from my cell group wants to share the prophetic word she received the other day via the Spirit of Prophecy bulletin ...
The Trumpet by Bill Burns -- April 23, 2007:
You are entering a corporate time that will be like the feast days of old. This will be an appointed time of My visitation and presence to open the door of blessing to My people, says the Lord. When you come together with hungry hearts -- where the brethren dwell together in unity -- there the blessing is commanded. There shall be a feasting upon My Word. Not only will the power of My glory be upon you, but in that glory you shall be transformed, you shall receive the blessing. You shall receive deliverance, and you shall receive new revelation of your gifting. I will begin to draw these gifts out of your innermost being like a river of life. As you turn your hearts toward heaven, lifting Me up, there shall come a glorious transformation in this season, says the Lord of Hosts.
Did you hear it? I spoke to you in the beginning of this year, says the Lord, and did I not say to you that in this year you would hear the sound of heaven? What then would you believe would happen when you heard the sound of heaven? I am walking among you to touch you (listen for the sound of my footsteps) and only one touch is all it takes for the dead to arise and for the lame to walk and for the blind to see and for the sick to be made whole. One touch, My people, is all you need from Me. Listen, then for the sound of heaven, whether it be a mighty, rushing wind or the sound of worship among My people or the sound of the crackling of the fire that purifies or the sound of the flow of the living water. If you can hear the sound you can expect My touch to follow, which will bring health to your bones, strength to your body, victory to your circumstances, and then My glory shall rest upon you. Arise, you who have been down-trodden. Arise with hope in your hearts. Stand before Me. Come in faith and boldness, knowing that all that is required is that you believe.
Small Straws In A Soft Wind by Marsha Burns - - April 23, 2007:
I have caused you to rise up and let your light shine. I have stirred your heart. And, you have responded. You have risen up in your heart. You were sitting down, and now you are standing up in your inner man. You will open your mouth, and I will fill it as you pray My will. I am well pleased, beloved, says the Lord! Psalms 81:10 I am the LORD your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.
Small Straws In A Soft Wind -- April 25, 2007:
Have I not said that you were entering a season of growth and increase? Growth and expansion do not come without the stretching. Yet, when you are being stretched, My people, I hear groaning and complaining. Do not look on this stretching as something to avoid unless you want to stay on the other side of the river where you have become established in a place of comfort. If you want to enter the season of progression and expansion then you must rejoice in the stretch, which is actually the outer manifestation of what is happening inwardly, says the Lord. Joshua 24:14 "Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD!
The Trumpet by Bill Burns -- April 23, 2007:
You are entering a corporate time that will be like the feast days of old. This will be an appointed time of My visitation and presence to open the door of blessing to My people, says the Lord. When you come together with hungry hearts -- where the brethren dwell together in unity -- there the blessing is commanded. There shall be a feasting upon My Word. Not only will the power of My glory be upon you, but in that glory you shall be transformed, you shall receive the blessing. You shall receive deliverance, and you shall receive new revelation of your gifting. I will begin to draw these gifts out of your innermost being like a river of life. As you turn your hearts toward heaven, lifting Me up, there shall come a glorious transformation in this season, says the Lord of Hosts.
Did you hear it? I spoke to you in the beginning of this year, says the Lord, and did I not say to you that in this year you would hear the sound of heaven? What then would you believe would happen when you heard the sound of heaven? I am walking among you to touch you (listen for the sound of my footsteps) and only one touch is all it takes for the dead to arise and for the lame to walk and for the blind to see and for the sick to be made whole. One touch, My people, is all you need from Me. Listen, then for the sound of heaven, whether it be a mighty, rushing wind or the sound of worship among My people or the sound of the crackling of the fire that purifies or the sound of the flow of the living water. If you can hear the sound you can expect My touch to follow, which will bring health to your bones, strength to your body, victory to your circumstances, and then My glory shall rest upon you. Arise, you who have been down-trodden. Arise with hope in your hearts. Stand before Me. Come in faith and boldness, knowing that all that is required is that you believe.
Small Straws In A Soft Wind by Marsha Burns - - April 23, 2007:
I have caused you to rise up and let your light shine. I have stirred your heart. And, you have responded. You have risen up in your heart. You were sitting down, and now you are standing up in your inner man. You will open your mouth, and I will fill it as you pray My will. I am well pleased, beloved, says the Lord! Psalms 81:10 I am the LORD your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.
Small Straws In A Soft Wind -- April 25, 2007:
Have I not said that you were entering a season of growth and increase? Growth and expansion do not come without the stretching. Yet, when you are being stretched, My people, I hear groaning and complaining. Do not look on this stretching as something to avoid unless you want to stay on the other side of the river where you have become established in a place of comfort. If you want to enter the season of progression and expansion then you must rejoice in the stretch, which is actually the outer manifestation of what is happening inwardly, says the Lord. Joshua 24:14 "Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD!
19 April 2007
A storm is brewing
A lot has happened in the last 3 weeks with the biggest being BBC getting together on a Wednesday night to seek God's face in the light of 4 prophesies that were
spoken over BBC. That Wednesday felt like to me like the quiet before the storm. A coming together to ask forgiveness from God and each other. We are so busy wrapped up in our own worlds, that we fail to hear God when he talks to us. Isaiah could not find God, so he fled into this cave on the same mountain that Moses had found God. While he was in the cave there was a mighty earthquake. The quake was noisy and powerful, surly God is to be found in it. Isaiah seeked but did not find God. Later a might wind blew and Isaiah once again sought God in it but it was only when it was all still and quiet that Isaiah found God. It is when we stop talking to God and let God get a word in edge ways we will be able to hear what He is saying. And that is what we did, in that quiet place we found God. In this time of refection we can feel something big is brewing. The quiet before the storm. And now the storm. At home cell this week, we started watching the visual Bible's version of Acts. This showed us how the early church had no fear and lots of faith. Not only were they living like Jesus they were breathing God. Even just their shadows falling on a sick person would heal. After waiting quietly for God, the church rose up a storm. The question was raised where is that church today? In China with Brother Yun, in Zimbabwe with Stephen Lungu or in South Africa with BBC? Do we have to be persecuted just to have faith like the early church? What about Angus Buchan and his faith like potatoes? Are we ready for the storm? Ye of little faith. As in the words of Emmy from cell group " the Spirit is bubbling inside"
I have this feeling that God is about to do something different from what has gone before.
The early church met in homes as family, just like we at Home Cell experience. But they had no fear and lots of faith. What God did then, why couldn't he do it now?
spoken over BBC. That Wednesday felt like to me like the quiet before the storm. A coming together to ask forgiveness from God and each other. We are so busy wrapped up in our own worlds, that we fail to hear God when he talks to us. Isaiah could not find God, so he fled into this cave on the same mountain that Moses had found God. While he was in the cave there was a mighty earthquake. The quake was noisy and powerful, surly God is to be found in it. Isaiah seeked but did not find God. Later a might wind blew and Isaiah once again sought God in it but it was only when it was all still and quiet that Isaiah found God. It is when we stop talking to God and let God get a word in edge ways we will be able to hear what He is saying. And that is what we did, in that quiet place we found God. In this time of refection we can feel something big is brewing. The quiet before the storm. And now the storm. At home cell this week, we started watching the visual Bible's version of Acts. This showed us how the early church had no fear and lots of faith. Not only were they living like Jesus they were breathing God. Even just their shadows falling on a sick person would heal. After waiting quietly for God, the church rose up a storm. The question was raised where is that church today? In China with Brother Yun, in Zimbabwe with Stephen Lungu or in South Africa with BBC? Do we have to be persecuted just to have faith like the early church? What about Angus Buchan and his faith like potatoes? Are we ready for the storm? Ye of little faith. As in the words of Emmy from cell group " the Spirit is bubbling inside"
I have this feeling that God is about to do something different from what has gone before.
The early church met in homes as family, just like we at Home Cell experience. But they had no fear and lots of faith. What God did then, why couldn't he do it now?
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