The True "Cost of Living"

Sometimes I wonder what our predecessors would have thought if our current headlines had made breaking news in their day! They would probably have thought the end was near, yet surprisingly we refuse to see the signs! Just a few years ago, none of us would have expected to hear that in 15 years time, South Africa’s freshwater resources would be totally depleted or polluted to the extent that it would not be fit for consumption. Yet, a few months ago radio news emphasized the looming water crisis that is soon to hit our country.

This year, the Lord is especially impressing upon us the importance of our environment  and natural resources and our God-given mandate to be the earth’s custodians. Indeed, if mankind continues to deplete the world’s non-renewal resources as we have been doing, we had better pray that the coming of the Lord be hastened lest we end up destroying ourselves!

Poaching has increased this year with the senseless killing of over 200 rhinos to harvest their horns for sale on the black market. Their bodies lie scattered across the African plains, a sad testament to the cruelty of a human race that has abandoned its God-given purpose to care for God’s creation and elected to serve Mammon instead.

We thought technological advances would make our lives easier. Well, life was never meant to be easy! (Gen 3:19) Anyway, we have only succeeded in making the physical aspect “easier”, but we bear the scars of a populace that faces greater mental and emotional strain than ever before. The human body works much the opposite way to the man-made machines we are so used to. While machines suffer the effects of wear and tear and are broken down by physical use, the human body was designed to be used. In fact, the human body gets stronger through physical exercise! However, our space-age lifestyles have eliminated any desire for such exercise, resulting in myriads of physical ailments. Seems like the cost of technology is outweighing the perceived benefit, doesn’t it? Cost is measured in more than just financial terms, but we seem to have the habit of feigning ignorance until our disobedience hits our pockets! Just a FEW examples to bring the true cost of living to light:

-increase in child and adult obesity and related diseases

-violent crime, abuse against the vulnerable in society

-immorality on the increase resulting in transmission of deadly diseases

-abandonment of children & the orphan crisis

-plundering of natural resources and resultant consequences e.g. acid mine drainage problems in Gauteng

-large scale oil spills

-looming water crises

-global warming, climate change & war

We cannot leave it to politicians and environmentalists to fix the problem and just throw money at it, hoping that it will disappear. We need to change our mind-set for the time is coming when God will judge and destroy those who destroy the earth. (Rev 11:18). The Bible says that Jesus would make His grand entrance upon the scene of Earth's destruction in time to save His elect; if He doesn't, there would no one left alive on the Earth. He has promised to cut short the days of tribulation to save all those who trust in Him. Until then, be the custodian of the Earth that the Lord intended you to be. 

Scripture refs: Gen chapters 1 to 3, Rev 11

Gen 2:15  And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
Rev 11:18  And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

Things I will NOT miss in Heaven!

Last week, we were reminded that the many trials and hardships we face on earth are not to be taken personally. They’re only reminders that our home is not in this world. Those who have surrendered to Christ don’t have a kingdom in this world. We are only pilgrims passing through. This got me thinking about the many things I most definitely will not miss in Heaven. I have listed them here as an inspiration to us all so that we may desire that day even more. When you feel downcast, write your own list. It certainly helps get things in perspective again!

-No more alarm clocks at 3AM/ traffic jams!

-Work will no longer be tiresome, but a joy.

-No more Eskom/load shedding! (Rev 22:5, 21:23)

-No more death, sorrow, crying/pain (Rev 21:4)

-No more separation (Rev 21:1)

-No more travelling to Church! (Rev 21:22)

-No more sun/moon worship-everyone will worship the Lord, our Creator & Redeemer (Rev 21:23)

-No more fear of the dark or terrors of the night. There is no night there! (Rev 21:25)

-No more sin and we will no longer be sinners! (Rev 21:27)

-No more arrogance, stubbornness or pride; man will freely submit to God’s authority without resistance. (Rev 21:24)

-No more orphaned, suffering children. All who enter will be the sons of God. (Rev 21:7)

-No more trying to convince people that God exists, only to be regarded as a fool. There will be no unbelievers in His Kingdom. (Rev 21:8)

-I may not have a mansion here, but He has promised me one there! And better still, nobody will envy/hate me for it because everyone will have one (John 14:2)

-No more gravel roads. The streets in God’s City are paved with gold so pure that it’s like transparent glass! That also means no potholes or begging municipalities to fix them! (Rev 21:21)

-No more war, murder or destruction (Mic 4:3)

-No more worrying about security and fear of burglars and thieves. Our treasure will be Heaven which moth and rust can’t corrupt, nor thieves steal away. (Matt 6:19-20)

-All the material things people value on earth will be like the playthings of a child when compared to Heaven! No one will judge your character based on expensive cars/houses or a six figure salary there!) (Rev 3:4-the Lamb will make us worthy)

-No more economy, because there’s no scarcity!

-Bonus of all bonuses…wait for it…no more satan!

Please note: This is not an exhaustive list. There are so many more things I can think of, but I thought I would give you readers a chance to think up some of your own before stealing ALL the ideas! This is a wonderful way to vent your frustration about this present world but also dwell on the promises of God. And to think that God used my annoying alarm clock this morning to inspire these thoughts just when I thought I wouldn't have anything to write about this morning! God can use the annoying things (and in some cases, annoying people) in your life to inspire you if you will allow Him:)

Heaven is a forever place with my forever God:)

Count your Blessings!

Count your blessings

Though far and few they may seem;

Though storm clouds gather on the horizon

And life is an impossible dream…

Along the pathways of life you’ll find them

Strewn like beautiful flowers at your feet,

Precious petals with dewdrops gleaming

Waiting for your tortured gaze to meet…

God desires you to look up

For your redemption is nigh;

But even when your gaze bends downwards,

His blessings you will find…

He wants you to remember His love for you

That will never, ever die

So He makes the birds to sing carols

And with smiling sunrays, He paints the sky…

Count your blessings

Though sometimes they seem unseen;

Others count blessings far smaller than yours

And God causes them brighter to gleam!

Count your blessings!

Someone once wrote an old song

That says you should name them one by one,

For then it will surprise you what the Lord has done!

A "Parable" on Law and Grace

The Apostle Paul wrote eloquently in the book of Romans on the theme of Law and Grace, and I think we are all enjoying studying this topic immensely. However, many still find it difficult to understand despite their best efforts and intentions.

I have often found that analogies, hypothetical examples and practical experience are the best ways to understand abstract concepts. Our Lord often spoke in parables, using the simple everyday things of this Earth to illustrate certain aspects or Kingdom principles. And so, here goes my attempt at trying to make this a bit easier to understand. (Rom 6-7, Jude 1:4, Heb 12:4)

The Law of God is like a trapeze artist who has the task of walking a tightrope, a difficult if not impossible task for most of us! Just like the Law is difficult to keep in our own strength, so it is with the trapeze artist who has not put in hours of dedicated practice – raw talent can only take you so far; the rest is dependent on the amount of effort you put in. In the same manner, keeping the Law without the aid of the Holy Spirit working within the recesses of our heart, is an impossible feat for the best of men. We often fall!

Just as the trapeze artist cannot afford to look to the right or the left, so we are encouraged to “meditate on His Law day and night,” for then we will have good success. We cannot afford to cruise through life unintentionally, without thinking of doing our best to keep God’s Royal Law in the strength of His Spirit and with the “mind of Christ.” (1 Cor 2:16, Jos 1:8)

How does grace fit in with the Law? Well, the trapeze artist feels a lot safer while swinging across the heights or walking the tightrope because she knows that if she falls, there is a net beneath that is strong enough to catch her. Secure in this knowledge, she is able to test the limits of her endurance. She hopes she will never need to use the safety net, but she is thankful that it is there when she does fall. In fact, the safety net gives her the mental stability and comfort she needs to soar higher and more gracefully than ever! So it is with us. The “safety net” of God’s Grace is not meant to be spurned or taken lightly. We should not spend most of our time there, but rather we should live in greater consecration and sanctification because we have experienced what it is like to fall and be caught by God’s Grace. Sin should never abound because Grace abounds! We should never give up the battle against sin because we have misinterpreted Grace to be a “comfort zone.”

God’s grace is meant to lead to greater obedience to His Law, because we love Him and desire to please Him. Love springs to obedience, which then springs to greater love! We can do nothing in and of ourselves; it’s faith in the righteousness of Christ that saves us, but on the same token this does not give us license to be indifferent and complacent regarding asking God for victory over our weaknesses and sins and living out our lives as a testimony of His Grace which enables us to soar!

You have not yet “resisted unto blood.” Christ did that for you; don’t take that lightly!

Scripture refs: Romans ch6-ch7, Jude 1:4, Heb 12:4, 1 Cor 2:16

The Jesus Touch-Part 1

When Jesus walked the earth, he healed the sick. He raised the dead. He cured the blind and the lame. He healed lepers, the outcasts of society. Jesus was never afraid of touching the “untouchables” and loving the “unlovables.” He was often criticized by the hypocritical Pharisees for his close proximity to the poor, disenfranchised, sinners and publicans. (Matt 9:10-13)

Today, we as Christians proudly bear His Name yet we have distanced ourselves from the problems of society. We tell the poor about a God who cares, but we leave them hungering for bread (James 2:14-20). How are they supposed to believe that we have had an experience with God ourselves if our character does not reveal it? To many people, our lives will be the only Bible they read.

God created us for good works that His Name may be glorified. What are we doing instead? Dragging His precious Name through the mud perhaps? The sad lack of outreach and service programmes at local church level reveals our need for revival and reformation. Are we busy with the Great Commission or have we become stagnant? Are we perhaps focusing a bit too much on in-reach at the expense of the Gospel Commission?

Our activity reveals the reality of our faith. Jesus said that whatever good we do for the least of His people, we have done unto Him. This begs the question then: what are we doing for Him? Since we are doing nothing for His people, we are doing nothing for Him. What will He say to us when He returns? Will He even recognize us or will He sadly dismiss us, having not known us? Will He describe with disappointment the times when we saw Him hungry and did not feed Him, naked and didn’t clothe Him, sick and didn’t visit Him? (Matt 25:33-46)

Although our works don’t save us, this is no excuse not to participate in good works that leave this world in a better state than we found it. We are the light of the world. We are the salt of the earth. If our light is hidden or we lose our saltiness, of what use are we except to be trodden underfoot by men? (Matt 5:13-16)

The end will only come when the Gospel of the Kingdom goes out into the entire world. Are you tired of the inequities in this world? Let’s help usher in God’s Kingdom of Righteousness. Get involved in outreach today! Touch humanity like Jesus did. Love like Him.

The Jesus Touch Part 2 -Redeem the Time

God has blessed each of us with varied talents according to our ability (Matt 25:15). However, to every one of us He has given time. Each day that we are alive, He fills our lives with the same amount of minutes as the next person. It’s how we choose to use the time He has blessed us with that makes all the difference.

Jesus was a master manager of His time. He didn’t waste any of it, but rather spent long hours investing into the lives of those closest to Him – these would be the ones who would be tasked with taking the message of the Gospel to the entire world. Jesus was never idle. When He was not walking miles between towns as an itinerant teacher, preacher and healer He could often be found in places of solitude communing earnestly with His Father. He often put aside His own desire for rest to meet the needs of those who followed Him, earnestly seeking the gracious words of truth from His lips. Jesus was a very busy man, yet He seemed to have time for everyone! (Matt 14:14-36, Matt 15:32, Mk 3:20)

Are you busy today? Many of us use our “busyness” as an excuse not to get involved in the work of God. Jesus often did not even have time to eat or drink. While the disciples went into the neighbouring towns to gather provisions, Jesus sat at the well and invested in the life of a woman who would become a great missionary for Him. His meat was to do the will of His Father and to finish the work. Jesus was not selfish with His time. He set out to save the lost and He set his face like a flint and stayed the course until the door of salvation was open to everyone. (John chapter 4, Is 50:4-7)

How much time do we spend in idleness and yet complain that there are not enough hours in the day to finish all that we have to do?  Christ’s Object Lessons pg 118-119: “Satan uses the listless, sleepy indolence of professed Christians to strengthen his forces and win souls to his side. Many who think that though they are doing no actual work for Christ, they are yet on His side, are enabling the enemy to pre-occupy ground and gain advantages. By their failure to be diligent workers for the Master, by leaving duties undone and words unspoken, they have allowed satan to gain control of souls who might have been won for Christ. We can never be saved in indolence and inactivity. There is no such thing as a truly converted person living a helpless, useless life.” Will you answer Jesus’ call to work in His vineyard today?

Things fall apart, keep me together

Oh Lord my God!
How great thou art;
You hold all things together
By the power of Your Word...

My life is like the raging sea,
Doubts, distress and billows there be.
You calmed the storms of Galilee;
Please calm the storm of life in me...

Things fall apart every day
Yet in all things, You're my hope and stay;
Like a wand’ ring bark on the sea of life
I look to You, my Guiding Light...

Things fall apart around me Lord;
Please hold me together by the strength of Your Word.
In your everlasting promise of life I trust
Though death and decay around me burst...

Keep me safe in the storms of life,
Anchored to You despite the strife;
Bring me to Your Promised Land
Of my pilgrim's journey, make a glorious end...

This poem was inspired by Ps 91, Col 1:16-18, Gen 1:1-4, John 1:1-5 , Ps 18:2, Ps 31:3, Jer 16:19, Luke 6:47-49, Mk 4:37-41, 1 Cor 10:4, Rev 21 & 22