Beauty, Baptism, and the Glorious Body of Christ

/1 Comment/in /by

“Where have you seen the beauty of the Lord over the past year?” Patty and I were blessed to come back to the States for a short time for some ministry opportunities and an Oceans’ Board meeting. During the first night of our board meeting we discussed this question based on Psalm 27:4:

“One thing I asked of the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.”

 As board members and staff shared that night a common thread ran through their answers. In our circle there had been deep pain from loss of a loved one, almost a loss of life, and other challenges, but the Beauty of Christ came through people who reflected Christ’s glory to them.

The next day we saw this same theme brilliantly displayed as we move our meeting to the Parker Task Force, a holistic feeding ministry in Parker, Colorado run by board member Steve Budnack.

As we walked in the door we had a divine appointment with a volunteer named Pat. Pat had received and read the books I had written and wanted to talk about baptism. As Steve gave a tour to our team I sat and listened to Pat’s story. He was a successful executive in the food industry, retired and traveled the country in a motor home with his wife, and was living the dream life when the wheels started to fall off in his family.

A series of painful events left Pat and his wife searching for answers and hope. They turned to daily reading the Bible, found a church, and was encouraged to inquire about serving at the Parker Task Force. Even though Steve didn’t need volunteers at the time he felt prompted to invite Pat to help. God used the community at the Task Force as a healing agent of peace and pointed him back to what matters most-a relationship with Jesus Christ.

It was after this conversation that Pat asked if I could baptize him before heading back to South Africa. I sensed the LORD’s prompting to do it now. Even though we had much on our agenda, this was way more important. And so we gathered in the lobby, Pat shared his story and confessed his faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized.

As we gathered around for prayer, laying hands on him, my heart leaped at the beauty of the Lord. How the Holy Spirit worked in Pat’s life taking the pain and leading him to the generous love of Jesus through the Bible and the glorious Body of Christ.

Our Good Father broke right into our board meeting to show us His vision for bringing His Beauty to a world in pain. When we make our passion “One Thing” “gazing on the beauty of the Lord” we will reflect His transforming love to those around us. This is what our desperate divided world needs now more than ever.

Oh Father, by your Holy Spirit help us to gaze on the beauty of Jesus Christ so that the earth will be filled with your glory as the waters cover the sea! Amen.

Its Where You Look

/0 Comments/in /by

One of the blessings of power outages or load shedding in South Africa is how it enhances our view of the stars. Without light pollution the night sky in the Southern hemisphere is dazzling leaving one speechless. On a good night you can see the Southern Cross, which is composed of 5 stars in the shape of a cross.

It is amazing to think that one of the brightest of the 5 stars is Alpha Crucis, which is only 321 light years from earth. To put that into perspective, if we were to board an airplane going 500 miles an hour it would take well over 4 million years to get there (feel free to check my math, not my best subject). I don’t know about you but those numbers hurt my head.

A few days ago I had a conversation with a US service man who served in Afghanistan. He was sharing his struggle with PTSD and his battle with addictions. As we talked about steps toward healing, he said one of the things that settles his soul is to climb up a mountain and let the stars speak. The stars always tell him “there is something out there bigger than me!”

The young man probably didn’t know it but he was following the advice of the prophet Isaiah who knew healing could be found by looking up:

“Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out one after another, calling each by its name. And He counts them to see that none are lost or have strayed away.” (Isaiah 40:26)

 The prophet Isaiah was addressing a group of people stressed out by the events of their day. They were looking to false gods who gave false hope to problems that need supernatural intervention. Only a God who created the billions times billions of stars and knew them by name had the power to rescue His children from the battles surrounding them.

Where are you looking for your hope? Politics, People, Plenty, Power, fleeting Pleasures of the day. Take a moment to go outside at night to look at the stars and think about the One who created them. Everything else is puny and as the apostle Paul said, “poop” compared to knowing Christ, the one who created the stars (see Philippians 3:7-9, Colossians 1:16-17).

I truly believe in the hour we are living in the Holy Spirit is calling the Father’s Children to “look up into the heavens” and behold the glory of God the Creator. He who made the stars, knows them by name, and makes sure none are lost does the same for the children He created.

Notice the famous promises given by Isaiah to those who look up to the Creator of the Stars as their only hope:

“He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; He offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:30-31)

 

Run to the Battle!

/0 Comments/in /by

Last week I spent 6 days with the Lord, His Word, and some amazing men. During a morning prayer time the Spirit brought to mind the chorus of a song I knew in high school- hadn’t heard in years, the lyrics are “Let’s run to the battle, we got to run, run to the battle.”

Sitting below a beautiful tree journaling one day I realized I was the oldest one attending this retreat and I thought to myself, “How much fight do I have left in me?” But the reply from the Lord was to put on His spiritual armor and fight like never before. Then that chorus popped into my head and I recalled wearing that #26 jersey and my high school football coach giving that adrenaline pumping charge to the team before we ran onto the field.

We are living in perilous days and now more than ever followers of Christ are called to live out the gospel to the spiritually dead all around us. Yes, sometimes the weary side of me wants to sit this one out, but I was again reminded that Abba loves to use the weak to show Himself glorious (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

Ponder the words of the song below, and if you like 80’s music check it out on You Tube. May the Spirit stir your spirit to pick up your sword and run in His strength into the battle:

“Some people want to live within the sound of chapel bells, but I want to run a mission a yard from the gates of hell. And with everyone you meet I’ll take them the gospel and share it well. And look around you as you hesitate for another soul just fell … Let’s run to the battle… 

Do you have your armor on? We’re in the middle of a raging war we’ve been training for so long. Have we learned to use His sword? We may not be many but we serve a mighty Lord and He’s made us more than conquerors so what are you waiting for? Let’s run to the battle, we got to run, run to the battle..

He has trampled down the enemy and has given us the victory when we pray we learn to see that His army we are marching on our knees. There’ll be times when we grow weak let’s keep our faith alive. Let your faces shine with glory for He’s helped us to survive and in that final hour when you feel like you’re ready to die will you hear the trumpet sound will you hear the warrior cry …run to the battle, we got to run to the battle.” Steve Camp

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do…This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7,9

The Power of the Gospel!

/1 Comment/in /by

 

In a world filled with so much pain and uncertainty there is one hope – The power of the Gospel. Below is an amazing picture that Mike Verkaik shares of how the Holy Spirit has worked miracles in some young peoples hearts.  May this bless you with hope for His Kingdom will not be stopped!

“Do you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?” This was the question being asked to three children that reside at the Wooden Shoe motel. Oh what a glorious day it was as they each responded, “YES”, and were baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The day itself was beautiful, however, the moment was glorious as Jesus’ prayer in John 17 was answered once again.

“I pray also for those who will believe in me through their (the disciples) message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one.” (vs.20-22)

As heaven rejoiced, so did parents, friends, and volunteers standing around an oval above ground pool, as they watched the kingdom of God advance. Each immersion was a picture of the cleansing of our sins through the gift of the cross of Jesus Christ. Each embrace a representation of the acceptance, the love and the supernatural oneness we have with our triune God.

As the celebration came to a close a new call came from the pool. “Is there anyone else who on this day feels led to accept Jesus as their Savior and be baptized?”
There in the crowd, unknown to anyone but our Abba Father was Daniel*, a brother of one of the residents at the Wooden Shoe. As the call came a volunteer heard the words from Daniel, “I need a change, I need a change!” With tears in his eyes, and mom and dad’s, he walked forward, into the pool of God’s grace and promises. Mom and dad couldn’t believe it. Hugging his sobbing father, he said, “Mike, I never thought I would see this day, his heart was so hard.” Oh, the softening of the Holy Spirit, the pursuit of the Father and the forgiveness given through King Jesus. Jesus’ prayer for us once again resounding:

Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and know you have sent me. I have made you known to them and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them. John 17: 26

Oh what a glorious day! All praise and glory to our Abba Father and He calls those unto himself. Now, my we continue to ask as Paul did in Ephesians 1:17-20:

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”

*name has been changed

Being Fruity

/0 Comments/in /by

Do you know any fruity people? Before you answer that let me define what I mean. The “fruity” I’m talking about are those people who are so connected to the Vine, Jesus Christ, their lives produce lush spiritual fruit that others simply cannot miss.

Pastor Raymond is one “fruity” guy that I met earlier this year. His story is one of miracles. The Father literally picked him off the streets, dramatically healed him, and transformed him into a godly husband and father. He rose up the ranks as great leader in the fire department and upon retirement became a full-time pastor.

I’ve seen the fruit of his life in the people he has loved and discipled well. Whenever you’re around him you feel this overwhelming love, joy and peace. He truly is a man on fire and filled with the fruit of the Spirit.

One of the churches he pastors meets at Ocean View Care Center. The congregation gathers outside and battles the elements. This week Oceans Ministries was able to supply roofing materials because of gracious givers in the States. Pastor Raymond provided the manpower to build the covering for the courtyard. This roof will not only bless the children at the care center during the week, but also bless those who worship on Sunday.

I’ve told Patty that when I grow up I want to be like Pastor Raymond. He doesn’t strive to serve his community out of obligation but rather out of knowing a Good Father loves him and yes the fruit just oozes out of him. He can be leading a group of children in a song or fastening beams either way he is boundlessly and abundantly producing fruit for others to enjoy.

Last week in our community prayer time we took the 9 fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23 and assigned a fruit to each person in the room. Corporately we asked the Lord to release that fruit in our lives and in our community. It is no secret that our community, country and world is in desperate need of fruity followers of Christ Jesus. We trust that this powerful time of prayer produced some fruit within each of our lives and into the community here in Fish Hoek!

Can I challenge you in your personal prayer time or in your family devotions to take one of the 9 fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control and each day ask the Holy Spirit to produce that fruit in your life as you grow deeper into Jesus the True Vine. Jesus taught us in John 15:8 that our goal in life is to produce fruit, in fact so much fruit for others to eat and enjoy that our Father in Heaven will be glorified.

Lord Jesus make us fruity!!!!