Today Reminder – 5 June 2017

A reminder for today

Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you. But remember that they will have to face God, who will judge everyone, both the living and the dead. (1 Peter 4:4-5)

We went to visit my parents on the farm this weekend and like always my mind is flooded with childhood memories. Isn’t it funny how we can dwell in the past and worry about things we did long ago. Friends and former friends can easily pull us back into a life that we no longer live or desire. They find it funny that we can change do radically and often they will try and pull us back into old habits. 

This is where the enemy is really cunning. You see he will use your past against you and he will try and lure you back to a life you left to make you stumble. You know those familiar phrases like “Just one drink” or “Nobody will know” or “For old times’ sake”. My dear friend, if someone really cares about you they will accept you as you are. They will not try and change who you are in Jesus Christ. In fact, they will probably feel the same. In the end, we will all face God and His judgement. 

Therefore, we do not dwell in past anymore, because our past is dead to the person we are now. There is no history you need to carry with you nor do you have to wear the burdens of your past mistakes. Jesus is not concerned with who you were, He is concerned with who you are going to be. And you are going to be awesome. You are His creation and He loves every bit of you. So, come with me today as we wipe away our bad pasts and live for who we are in Jesus Christ. And that is strong, unbreakable soldiers that fear no more.

Lord, thank you that you wiped away our bad and changed it with love into good. With you we have no past, but only a future. Let us completely forget the past we left and focus on the future we have. In Jesus name.

Have an awesome day, dear friend of Jesus.

Cheers

Today Reminder – 2 June 2017

A reminder for today

You won't spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. (1 Peter 4:2)

This month our movie of the month is “The Shack”. If you haven’t seen it yet I recommend this one. It is a fictional story, but the core of it is God’s love that is questioned by the main character throughout his encounters with God. It is a remarkable story and it will leave you bursting with tears and shaking with laughter. It will change your view on so many struggles we all have and it will give you a very good idea of God’s love. Many don’t like it, but if you desire a deeper relationship with God and you spend a lot of time with Him, you will love this movie. We loved it and I tell you I was moved by it. “The Shack” is now one of my favourites. 

I must tell you that a large part of my life was spend chasing my own desires and my own needs. I loved money and that made me an exceptional sales person. The more time we feed our worldly needs the lesser God is part of us. And then one day you wake up and you realise that if you continue on this path, it will surely lead to self-destruction. The journey back is probably the hardest one you will ever have and I still struggle with my worldly self, because it is so easy to fall back into old habits. Paul wrote in Romans 7: I love God's law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 

 So, I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. (Galatians 5)

Luckily, we do not have to fight this battle on our own. Jesus knows exactly what we are going through and He will give us the strength to overcome. It comes down to a moment where you realise that you are doing you more damage and that you have to remove you from the equation. It is in this understanding of trust that you give in and you submit humbly to God and allow the Holy Spirit to do its work. It is the beginning of an awesome relationship, because you know you are not in control anymore and you follow without all those self-ideas you had. Suddenly you do not want to spend the rest of your life chasing your own desires, but you become anxious to do the will of God. 

Jesus, you are my all and I am lost without you. 

Lord, we humbly submit to you and we give you our lives. Let us run and not grow weary. Let us fight knowing you are our hope and revival. In Jesus name. 

Have an awesome day, dear friend of Jesus.

Cheers

Today Reminder – 1 June 2017

A reminder for today

Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. (1 Peter 3:9)

It is the first of June and we are well on our way into winter here in South Africa. This year the winter is much more chillier than last year kicking off with temperatures below 10 degrees. Hence my sudden flu attack which I am still battling. Personally, I am not a great fan of winter, but you have to give it some credit. The clear skies and the beautiful brown and red colours that covers our city is just amazing. It is also difficult, because so many have so little and we need to remember that there is still a great need in out world. One thing you notice immediately is the sudden change in traffic as people tend to lie in a bit longer and end up being late. This has a terrible ripple effect creating accidents all over and flaring arguments as people struggle through traffic to get to work.

Peter tells us not to repay evil with evil. I must tell you that for most part of my life this was probably impossible for me. I used (note used) to have a much shorter temper and retaliation was but a breath away. This is one the most difficult things to do, to repay anger and insults with love. But the effect it has on people is just amazing. When someone jumps into insults driven by anger and you remain calm and just bless them. They are left stunned and silenced by their own unnecessary actions. It is hard, because our first reaction is always to defend ourselves. So, I am challenging you to touch hearts today and react in love. Instead of getting upset, keep clam and assess the situation. Take a moment and bless the other parties. Let the wonderful Holy Spirit guide your words and speak life. When you retaliate against evil with love you will surely change a few people. Therefore, let us go out and love the evil out of people and God will bless you for it.

Lord, let us love like you love and let us remain calm in all our challenges today. Let us speak life over all and repay anger with love. Guide us so that we will not retaliate, but repay with blessings. In Jesus name.  

Have an awesome day, dear friend of Jesus.

Cheers