Life abundantly and eternal

God’s desire is for you to have Life – abundantly and eternal. Let me explain this by a poster I’ve once saw:

“FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND”

One night a man had a dream.
He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD.

Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene he noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand: one belonging
to him, and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.

He noticed that many times along the path of
his life there was only one set of footprints.

He also noticed that it happened at the very
lowest and saddest times in his life.

This really bothered him and he
questioned the LORD about it:

“LORD, you said that once I decided to follow
you, you’d walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of footprints.
I don’t understand why when
I needed you most you would leave me.”

The LORD replied:
“My son, my precious child,
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you.”

The single pair of footprints indicates the very nature of God’s loving care. He carries you when you can no longer walk the road of life alone. But at some point He will put you down on your feet again and allow you to walk next to Him. He won’t leave you or forsake you. (More on this later.) But the difficult part of your journey is eased by His presence. From this point on you can walk the road together with Him, knowing He is there to pick you up.

Salvation is not some mystical euphoria. It is based on FACT – the fact that God loves you, you sinned, He made a better way and that way is Jesus Christ. OK, you may feel you have no contact with this loving God. Let us help you to have an eternal Friend and Father. Four simple truths will lead you to have Him as Friend and Father:

• God loves you and has a plan for your life.
  • God’s love: God so loved the world [that means all of us] that He gave his Son, so that who ever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
  • God’s plan: Jesus said: I have come so that you may have life and have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)
  • The second truth shows the dilemma man is faced with.
• Man has sinned and is separated from God, thus denying him the love and plan God has for his life.
  • We have sinned: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
  • Man has been separated from God: The wages of sin are death [death means here to be spiritually separated from God]. (Romans 6:23)
  • The third truth gives the solution.
• God made a better way and sent Jesus Christ as Saviour to bridge the separation man experiences.
  • He died in our place, taking our sins on Him: But God shows his love for us in that Christ died for us when we were still sinners. (Romans 5:8)
  • But He rose from the dead: And showed Himself to many while speaking of the things of the Kingdom of God. (Acts 1:3)
  • He said of Himself: I am the Way, and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the father but by Me. (John 14:6)
  • It is not sufficient to only know about these three truths.
• Accepting Jesus Christ as Saviour and knowing that He wants to be the bridge you need to get back to God.
  • You have to personally accept Him as Saviour: But all that have accepted Him, to them He has given the power to become children of God, to those who believe in His Name. (John 1:12)
  • You have to accept Him by faith: By grace you have been saved, by faith, and not by yourselves; it is grace from God… (Ephesians 2:8,9)
  • By accepting Him as Saviour, you are responding to His call: Behold, I stand at the door and I knock. If someone hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter and go to him. (Revelations 3:20)

You can accept Him at this very moment by faith which is expressed in prayer. If you have never prayed before, take the following as a prayer of faith:

Lord Jesus, I realise that I have tried to walk the road of life on my own and that I have sinned. I now open the door of my life to you and accept you as Lord and Saviour. Thank you that my sins have been forgiven and that you have given me eternal life. I ask you to take control of my life and guide me. Make me the type of person You want me to be.

If this prayer reflects what you are feeling right now, pray it and He will save you. But how can I be sure that I have been accepted by God through Jesus? Refer to Revelations 3:20. “Behold, I stand at the door and I knock. If someone hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter and go to him.” It is a promise! And He will keep it.

The Bible promises eternal life to each person who accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour: This I have written so that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:11-13). Remember that we said at the beginning that He will never forsake us? Here’s the proof: I will never leave you nor forsake you.(Hebrews 13:5).

Some guidelines are given here to assist you in the new walk in faith:

• Don’t depend on feelings. You don’t feel that you are accepted by God, you
  know it by faith. Read John 14:21.

• Now that you have accepted Him as Saviour, the following things have taken place or are about to take place:
  • Christ Jesus has entered your life (Revelations 3:20, Colossians 1:27)
  • Your sins have been forgiven (Colossians 1:14)
  • You have become a child of God (John 1:12)
  • You have begun with the great adventure fro which you have been created by God in the first place (John 10:10; 2 Corinthians 5:14)

What a wonderful thought to know that God is not angry with me and that my sins have been forgiven! Why don’t you thank Him in prayer for this, right now?

What now? You are like a young plant, ready to grow, but will need some encouragement and a little help from your friends. Do the following:

• Prayer is important: Pray regularly, anywhere, any-time. Read John 15:7.

• Read the Bible: This is your main source of information, knowledge, growth and faith. Read Acts 17:11

• Be obedient: Obedience to God in everything you do is important. Read John 14:21.

• Proclaim your faith: Do this by word and deed. Read Matthew 4:19 and John 15:8.

• Show your new-found faith: Trust in God for EVERYTHING. Read 1 Peter 5:7.

• Treasure the Holy Spirit: Allow Him to control your life in every aspect. Read Galatians 5:16 and Acts 1:8.

• Be part of the Body: Find a church. Find Christian friends. Join Bible study groups.

Lastly: Be abundantly blessed, in the name of Jesus Christ. Start by reading the Gospel of John! If you would like to get more information, feel free to contact us.

 

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To Know Him…

Slaughters, murder and death
Daily killing him and her
Will and ideas, goals and ambitions
Daily killing him and her

Is this how we start each day?
So destructive, so real…
Death, Life
Living sacrifice…

If we’d only knew…
Is this it? No way!!!
There is so much more
What would you say?

If we’d only knew!
He is so amazing. So …
If words could only tell…
If mortality could understand…

If we’d only knew!!
Sharing Him could be so…
Bright, Brilliant, Glorious
If words could only tell…

Glory and Power, Majesty and Strength

If we could have known!
Power and Glory, Restoration and Strength
Thus where are we going?
Eyes focussed on Him – glory to glory

He is so much more…
Ever enough time to Know Him?
If we had known, knowing Him…
Come, you have to come!

We have to know Him
Have to know Him more and more

© Thomas Dreyer

 

We should start each day with a seeking after God…

 

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God joined two people together.

Sitting down I was in another dimension, I witnessed a wedding where God joined two people together. I could hear a lot of shuffling noises as the witnesses paced across the hard floor to sit down. The prattle of voices were slicing the air shaping the atmosphere. Anticipation nagging excitement, ready to explode. The amplifier whispered a few notes and silence fell. All the witnesses were scuffing to their feet as the bride entered in. A peaceful silence that could not be put to words, followed.

The anointing was flowing in to the chapel, filling it. Then two images representing the lives of the bride and the bridegroom were visible just above each of them. The one image was the soft touch of green flourishing with beauty and the other brilliant white with strength. During the service these two images drifted closer and closer two each other until they touched.

Love pouring in with the anointing as the preacher laid down the Word. Then like stirring thick white and brown chocolate together the whole swirl of green and white was visible, slowly changing till only one colour was visible. You could at times see the two images, but you could see only one… This vast life, and it could be recognised as the bride from the one side and as the bridegroom from the other but still it was only one.

I know that life is a choice, and that commitment is a daily choice, acknowledging this by confessing the Word of life. That life may amplify Jesus. Every day must be a wedding where you and God become one in the place where He wants to use you. Shaping the perfect amplifier crying out “JESUS!!!”.

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The Vision

I saw a battlefield – grey and dull , death hanging as far as the eye could see. Here and there you could see the remains of it all… piles of rocks and swords stuck into it, some lifeless bodies were scattered across the field and now I could smell the stale smell of death creeping upon me. To the left a carriage laid on its side – one wheel slowly turning, the only movement that could be seen. The horses looked flattened where they lay, still yoked to the carriage…

I walked a few steps forward and then saw a huge shield standing up straight stretching high into the dark skies – tilted to one side… I was drawn to it and the closer I got the bigger I saw it to be. I stopped right in front of the shield, awe struck by its appearance. It was still drawing me closer … I walked right up against it and then… I fell…

I fell right trough the shield… I was in “paradise” it seemed – the air was fresh and clean, the sky blue with white clouds drifting on the breeze… a river with crystal clear water flowed noisily and the banks were lush with grass. I looked up to the right and saw a mountain glowing in the distance – from where the river was flowing – and to the left was a desert and the river flowing into it. Life was exploding all around the river, as far as it flowed. My whole being feeling refreshed…

Drawn to the mountain, I started moving. As I draw closer the size of it grew. Then I saw a waterfall falling from the top of the mountain sparkling in the bright light all around me. I just kept going… higher and higher I climbed with the thundering of the waterfall in the background.

When I finally reached the top it was quiet. I looked back and saw only the desert – no river, no waterfall and no life.

Looking closer at my surroundings I saw that in the mountain had an enormous crater – it was so deep I could not see the bottom. Small fountains and mountain streams of water flowed into this great nothingness… then HE spoke.

“Those small fountains and streams are the preparation of your life that will have to fill this big abyss. Time spend with ME, reading the word, following the teachings and obeying MY commands. The whole is a representation of you that needs to be filled by everything I want to pour into your life. You will have to grow in this as the water slowly fills the abyss… the time will come when this water will overflow and a massive waterfall will flow from it into the desert exploding with life as far as the river will go… But, you are as empty as the hole in front of you, you have to wait for ME, for MY timing and release…”

 

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Iemand Soos Hy

Die wonder:
hierdie harde wêreld waarin ons woon,
‘n mens word ook hard
ek weet al hoe baie ek daarteen moes stry
dan is daar mense soos hy
wat sommer alles in ‘n oogwink verander.

Soos ‘n Woestyn, woes en leeg, net sand waar jy kyk
en dan –
blomme en immergroen wat die dor, leë wêreld vul
orals waar hierdie mensie gaan
soos ‘n koel aand wind na ‘n lang warm dag.
Dan weet ek dat daar min mense so jonk hulle doel bereik…

© Thomas Dreyer

 

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The Blessing of a Storm

(Through the Storms)

I did not know His love before,
the way I know it now.
I could not see my need for Him,
my pride would not allow.
I had it all, without a care,
the “Self-Sufficient” lie.
My path was smooth, my sea was still,
not a cloud was in my sky.

I thought I knew His love for me,
I thought I’d seen His grace,
I thought I did not need to grow,
I thought I’d found my place.
But then the way grew rough and dark,
the storm clouds quickly rolled;
The waves began to rock my ship,
my anchor would not hold.

The ship that I had built myself
was made of foolish pride.
It fell apart and left me bare,
with nowhere else to hide.
I had no strength or faith to face
the trials that lay ahead,
And so I simply prayed to Him
and bowed my weary head.

His loving arms enveloped me,
and then He helped me stand.
He said, “You still must face this storm,
but I will hold your hand.”
So through the dark and lonely night
He guided me through pain.
I could not see the light of day
or when the storm might wane.

Yet through the aches and endless tears,
my faith began to grow.
I could not see it at the time,
but my light began to glow.
I saw God’s love in brand new light,
His grace and mercy, too.
For only when all self was gone
could Jesus’ love shine through.

It was not easy in the storm,
I sometimes wondered, “Why?”
At times I thought, “I can’t go on.”
I’d hurt, and doubt, and cry.
But Jesus never left my side,
He guided me each day.
Through pain and strife,
through fire and flood,
He helped me all the way.

And now I see as never before
how great His love can be.
How in my weakness He is strong,
how Jesus cares for me!
He worked it all out for my good,
although the way was rough.
He only sent what I could bear,
and then He cried, “Enough!”

He raised His hand and said, “Be still!”
He made the storm clouds cease.
He opened up the gates of joy
and flooded me with peace.
I see His face now clearer still,
I felt His presence strong.
I found anew His faithfulness,
He never did me wrong.

Now I know more storms will come,
but only for my good,
For pain and tears have helped me grow
As naught else ever could.
I still have so much more to learn
as Jesus works in me;
If in the storm I’ll love Him more,
that’s where I want to be.

© 1996 Wendy Greiner Lefko

 

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Seasons Change

Spring? Summer? Autumn? Winter?

Funny how life is part of it
woven together, taking each step
spring, summer, autumn, winter

all anew – life given spirit
growing, flowing
blossoms every where –
spring…

Green is the rugged garment
worn by nature
growing, flourishing –
summer…

The reflection of a multi-coloured garment
motley colouration
loveliness, splendour
charming elegance –
autumn…

then… cessation
Pale is the garment
setting in with cold and pain
withering colour – uniform
declining failing death –
winter…

Spring? Summer? Autumn? Winter?

© Thomas Dreyer

 

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Loof Die Here!

Wie is soos U –
Verheerlik in heiligheid,
Gedug in roemryke dade,
Een wat wonders doen?

U sal my die pad van die lewe bekend maak;
Versadiging van vreugde is voor U aangesig,
Lieflikhede in U regterhand vir ewig.

Ek wil jou onderrig en leer
aangaande die weg wat jy moet gaan,
Ek wil jou raad gee, My oog sal op jou wees.

Kyk God is my helper;
Dit is die Here wat my siel ondersteun
Ek skaam my nie oor die evangelie van Christus nie,
Dit is die krag van God
tot redding vir elkeen wat glo…

© Thomas Dreyer

 

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I Wish…

I wish I could change;
I wish I could change the world
everything seems to be wrong
I wish I could be strong, strong to…
I wish all could be change…

why is everything wrong,
why do I feel I do not belong,
why does it feel that all differ from me,
why does it feel as if the past where better,
why does it feel as if tomorrow will be worse?

I Just wish all…
O, Lord, I give… on to You, all;
Yes, all on to You, O Lord.
Make me free, my Lord
Take upon You all my burdens
I give You all…

© Thomas Dreyer

 

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