The Passionate Believer

The following is a transcript of the devotion that my wife, Sarah had for our denomination on their media platforms for the month of August, where all the lovely women of our local churches shared for each day of the month. Enjoy. " Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." Proverbs 31 Vs 30 (NIV) I greet you in the precious name of the most high God. How great it is that we as Children of God Can turn our mourning into dancing... Our sorrows into joy... Our tests  into testimonies All because  Jesus Overcame it all... My scripture for today is taken from the book of Psalm 16: "Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” I say of the holy people who are in the land, “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.” Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. I will not pour out libations of blood to such go...

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” ~ Jeremiah 17 vs 9 - 10, (ESV) In recent weeks gone by, here in South Africa and around the world everyday we see the terrors that light up our television screens and the headlines in our papers. And for others it's a reality that's taking place at their doorsteps. It only proves one thing - the heart of man is wicked! And we see that in its purest form. For those of us who can't even fathom for a second how the hearts of others can allow themselves to doing things that are detestable, the question we ask ourselves is What can we do if there is anything that can be done? I believe the answer is quite simple: "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly...

Danielle Strickland is striking at the heart in her book. This is much more than what the title suggests. It can break the political divide seen in our country at present. It goes beyond that to the work place, home and even our churches. She has many years of experience and that proves vital in her writing this book. In this book, one can clearly see the passion behind her writing - Jesus.  She confronts the ideas that drive men and women apart and brings in practical solutions that bring men and women together, helping them help each other and bringing them to not only work together but also to a place of mutual respect and friendship. This book is a magnificent read as it helps the reader to understand the undercurrents of those things that work against men and women working together. Strickland confronts the negativity surrounding our sexuality and allows us to see with clear Biblical perspective of how we were created to work together since the very beginning of ti...

Many people do not realize that there were two trees in the middle of the garden; namely the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:9). And these trees were put there by God well before Eve was made. With this knowledge we can dismiss the erroneous view espoused by some that the eating of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was a sexual act between the serpent and Eve. The tree was there before she was created. Adam was forbidden to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil but we do not see any prohibition for eating the fruit of the tree of life. Now, I am sure that many have also imagined what would have happened after the fall, had Adam and Eve reached out to eat the fruit of the tree of life. I suppose they would have lived perpetually in sin. And because they had rebelled against their Maker, they had a great sense of guilt and shame and the downward spiral into sin began. They could not seek for life yet i...

Wow! This is simply a masterpiece from Andrew White. It borders more on the semi autobiographical style of writing. Its a personal testimony of what the author experienced in the many years that he spent in Israel, Iraq and Jordan. He worked as negotiater on behalf of Israel with Palestine in the past. But his work mostly, was within the Iraqi people in Bhagdad and the military as well. He worked with the Christians there in the war torn parts of the country. He worked as a minister building the congregation and as a medical doctor, as that was his previous occupation before being called into ministry. This book serves not only as his testimony but also the testimony of the Iraqi people. That in the midst of such horrors and pain, the people worshipped with such fervour that one could say their passion exceeded those who had everything in our western cultured churches.  The book is filled with many testimonials that proves the healing power of God to...

" Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night." Psalms 1 vs 1-2 (ESV) Everyone has addiction, no matter who we are! It may be a habit that no one likes. It could be materialistic like shopping(I'm not against shopping but there are those who take it to the extreme). A habit can be anything we do  continuously with our minds, hearts and bodies. Some habits are sinful whilst others could be God- glorifying habits. We all have it whether we'd like to admit it or not. Some are addicted to their smartphones. I'm addicted to books, I simply love reading. But here in the verses quoted above in Psalm 1 particularly verse 2, it makes clear that when a person's delight is in the law of the Lord, they meditate on it day and night. Let's see it a different way. That person is addicted...

"Each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. (1 Corinthians 3:13) Paul in 1 Corinthians 3 is dealing with an issue that was dividing the church with people preferring one leader over another. We see this at play every day. People tend to idolize leaders whether they be political figures or religious men. They "can kill" in order to "defend the honour" of their role model. But Paul does something many leaders do not do today. He does not allow people who admired him to make much of him. He shows them that neither he, nor Peter, nor Apollos are the centre of their life. Jesus is. He shows them that he and the rest of the leaders they were comparing and fighting for were mere servants of the same God.  And as mere servants, God gave each one of them a role to play in building His people, the church. God gave each of t...

Joseph Prince is a great preacher to many and he's a worldwide best selling author. And this book explains why that is so. He's very articulate in his writing. In this book, he explains how to live victoriously as the title suggests. He goes on to explain the differences between the 'Law' and 'Grace'. And believers in their reception of Jesus are no longer under law but under grace. He picks up steam from chapter 10 onwards explaining Biblical texts within their natural contexts and I applaud him for this as he digs deep and puts it in simple terms that any ordinary Christian can understand the doctrines of both law and grace.  Whilst I personally do not agree with all his teachings, the book does make for a good read inspiring everyone who reads to draw closer to the God they love and serve.  Go ahead and read and you'll enjoy the warmth and tenacity of a man who has come a long way in experiencing God for himself. And I certainly hope that you ...

"But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank." (Acts 9 vs 1 - 9, ESV) The verses above describe Paul...

Though timothy was young, he had experience in missionary work because he worked with Paul (Acts 16:3, 17:15, et, al). Among others like Titus (Titus 1:5), Paul gave Timothy the charge to put things in order in the church (1 Timothy 1:3). Timothy was not only known as a leader by the church at Ephesus but also at Corinth. Paul recommended him saying he was “… doing the work of the Lord, as I am” (1 Corinthian 16:10) and that the church was to make his stay with them comfortable (1 Corinthians 16:11). Paul knew Timothy’s weaknesses but he never gave up on him in spite of them. Instead, he encouraged the young leader even in the presence of others and told them not to despise him. You see, ‘Ministry is the calling of an inadequate man to an impossible task for an indefinite period of time’ (from seminar handouts).  Paul knew the magnitude of what was required in ministry and he knew how inadequate he was for every task the Lord set before him. He said it was only throug...

"But  Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” " Ruth 1 Vs 16 - 17 (ESV) Noami wanted Ruth to go back to her own family after Orpah took the offer and left. Ruth refused. She wanted to stay with Noami because now that's where her loyalty lies, to be with Noami and look after her. There are so many lessons we can learn from Ruth and there are so many books and sermons out there. For example, Ruth teaches us so much on divine providence, hard work and if you look even closer there are principles on courtship too. Imagine with me for a moment. How could Ruth say those words to Noami after everything she has experienced. She saw Noami losing her husband and then her two sons, one of ...

Becoming A King Morgan Snyder does a great job in speaking to men in this book. In chapter nine he claims to be a very introverted person but throughout this book, one would find that he is so much more. It's not for the faint-hearted, as he brings his own life into the light, admitting his mistakes but also at the same time acknowledging his achievements that would never have been accomplished without a relationship with God.  He's quite open about his life, marriage, ministry and as a parent in this post modern era that we live in. Snyder brings more than two decades of experience to the fore as he communicates in brilliant ways the plan God has for restoring the masculinity of a man's heart.  'Finding the ancient path' as he explains it, is in understanding how God operates in the way he has created man. The age we live in has taken much away from man when it comes to his manliness and he goes on to explain how God chooses to restore that with man. Ch...