Hosted by TruLight Ministries – The Place of Truth
John the Baptist’s statement that “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30, ESV) is simple but remarkable, and it is one of the most imitable statements ever made. In the narrative we find that disciples of John expressed concern to him that many were following Jesus and being baptized by Him (John 3:26). Because John’s ministry was as a forerunner to the Messiah, John’s ministry had begun much earlier, and many were following John. So it was concerning to some that Jesus was preaching the same message and baptizing and that some were bypassing John altogether and going straight to Jesus.
John responded by reminding his followers that one has nothing unless it has been granted from heaven (John 3:27), implying that Jesus had obtained His following rightly and that it was a heavenly blessing. John also was implying that, if his own ministry was granted from heaven, its conclusion could also likewise be determined by God’s plan. In making these statements, John showed tremendous humility and understanding of God’s design. He also reminded his disciples that he had never claimed to be the Christ but that he was simply announcing the arrival of the Christ (John 3:28). John added that his being in such proximity to the Christ gave him great joy (John 3:29), so he was not disturbed in the least by the growth of Jesus’ following. It was by design, and John was rejoicing about that.
In this context, John made his definitive statement that “He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30, NKJV), or, as the NIV has it, “He must become greater; I must become less.” With this statement John acknowledges that it was by design that Jesus should become more prominent and that John’s own ministry should begin to decrease. Malachi 3:1 had prophesied a forerunner to the Messiah, and John was that forerunner, according to Jesus (Matthew 11:10). It is natural that the forerunner—the one who goes before—or the messenger of the Messiah would step out of the way once Jesus began to fulfill His own ministry. That is exactly what John was doing, and he gently helped his own disciples understand that.
So often, it is easy for us to want to hold onto our own positions or roles. We expend a great deal of effort trying to protect those roles and keep them for ourselves. John shows us by his example that there is a much better way. John shows us how to graciously step aside to allow others to fulfill their roles. Even more importantly, when John says, “He must increase, but I must decrease,” he is modeling for us how to exalt God and humble ourselves before God. This is obviously an important characteristic in God’s sight. God opposes the proud but gives grace to those who are humble (James 4:6). When we get out of the way and let God accomplish what He intends, then much is accomplished. On the other hand, when we step in and try to help God along, we may find ourselves actually working against what God desires to do. Recall how, after Jesus prophesied how He would die (Matthew 16:21), Peter took Jesus aside and rebuked Him, denying that Jesus would die as He prophesied (Matthew 16:22). Peter then heard the dreaded words, “Get behind me, Satan!” (Matthew 16:23), because Peter was pursuing his own interests rather than God’s interests.
Unlike Peter in that situation, John understood that Jesus must increase and that John must decrease. Because John had the proper esteem for Christ, he could humble himself and step out of the way. This is an incredible lesson and example of humility for us.
Johannes die Doper se stelling dat “Hy moet meer word, maar ek minder word” (Johannes 3:30) is eenvoudig maar merkwaardig, en dit is een van die mees nabootsbare stellings ooit gemaak. In die verhaal vind ons dat dissipels van Johannes hul kommer teenoor hom uitgespreek het dat baie Jesus gevolg het en deur Hom gedoop is (Johannes 3:26). Omdat Johannes se bediening ‘n voorloper van die Messias was, het Johannes se bediening baie vroeër begin, en baie het Johannes gevolg. Dit was dus vir sommige kommerwekkend dat Jesus dieselfde boodskap verkondig en gedoop het, en dat sommige Johannes heeltemal omseil het en direk na Jesus gegaan het.
Johannes het gereageer deur sy volgelinge daaraan te herinner dat ‘n mens niks het tensy dit uit die hemel gegee is nie (Johannes 3:27), wat impliseer dat Jesus Sy volgelinge tereg verkry het en dat dit ‘n hemelse seën was. Johannes het ook geïmpliseer dat, as sy eie bediening uit die hemel gegee is, die einde daarvan ook deur God se plan bepaal kon word. Deur hierdie stellings te maak, het Johannes geweldige nederigheid en begrip van God se ontwerp getoon. Hy het ook sy dissipels daaraan herinner dat hy nooit beweer het dat hy die Christus is nie, maar dat hy bloot die koms van die Christus aangekondig het (Johannes 3:28). Johannes het bygevoeg dat sy teenwoordigheid in so ‘n nabyheid aan die Christus hom groot vreugde verskaf het (Johannes 3:29), so hy was glad nie ontsteld deur die groei van Jesus se volgelinge nie. Dit was doelbewus, en Johannes was daaroor bly.
In hierdie konteks het Johannes sy definitiewe stelling gemaak dat “Hy [Jesus] moet meer word, maar ek minder word” (Johannes 3:30, NBV), of, soos die NBV dit stel, “Hy moet meer word; ek moet minder word.” Met hierdie stelling erken Johannes dat dit doelbewus was dat Jesus meer prominent moes word en dat Johannes se eie bediening moes begin afneem. Maleagi 3:1 het ‘n voorloper van die Messias geprofeteer, en Johannes was daardie voorloper, volgens Jesus (Matteus 11:10). Dit is natuurlik dat die voorloper – die een wat vooruitgaan – of die boodskapper van die Messias uit die pad sou tree sodra Jesus Sy eie bediening begin vervul het. Dit is presies wat Johannes gedoen het, en hy het sy eie dissipels sagkens gehelp om dit te verstaan.
So dikwels is dit maklik vir ons om aan ons eie posisies of rolle vas te hou. Ons spandeer baie moeite om daardie rolle te beskerm en vir onsself te hou. Johannes wys ons deur sy voorbeeld dat daar ‘n baie beter manier is. Johannes wys ons hoe om genadiglik opsy te tree om ander toe te laat om hul rolle te vervul. Nog belangriker, wanneer Johannes sê: “Hy moet meer word, maar ek moet minder word,” modelleer hy vir ons hoe om God te verhef en onsself voor God te verneder. Dit is natuurlik ‘n belangrike eienskap in God se oë. God weerstaan die hoogmoediges, maar gee genade aan die nederiges (Jakobus 4:6). Wanneer ons uit die pad tree en God toelaat om te bereik wat Hy beoog, dan word baie bereik. Aan die ander kant, wanneer ons ingryp en probeer om God te help, kan ons onsself eintlik teenwerk wat God begeer om te doen. Onthou hoe, nadat Jesus geprofeteer het hoe Hy sou sterf (Matteus 16:21), Petrus Jesus eenkant toe geneem en Hom bestraf het, en ontken het dat Jesus sou sterf soos Hy geprofeteer het (Matteus 16:22). Petrus het toe die gevreesde woorde gehoor: “Gaan weg agter My, Satan!” (Matteus 16:23), want Petrus het sy eie belange nagestreef eerder as God se belange.
Anders as Petrus in daardie situasie, het Johannes verstaan dat Jesus moes toeneem en dat Johannes moes afneem. Omdat Johannes die regte agting vir Christus gehad het, kon hy homself verneder en uit die pad tree. Dit is ‘n ongelooflike les en voorbeeld van nederigheid vir ons.
Bible Verse and Prayer for Today
I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
Psalm 32:8
Prayer
Lord Please Teach Us and Instruct us towards Heaven , Guide our every Step and Keep your Eyes on Your Children . Please Lord , we Pray in Jesus Name . Amen and Amen
Bybel Vers en Gebed vir Vandag
Ek sal jou onderrig en jou leer aangaande die weg wat jy moet gaan; ek sal jou lei met my oog.
Psalm 32:8
Gebed
Here, leer ons asseblief en lei ons na die Hemel, lei ons elke tree en hou u oë op u kinders. Asseblief Here, ons bid in Jesus se Naam. Amen en Amen
Bible Teaching of the Day
God’s desire for all who know Him is for us to become more like Christ. We do this by first growing in our knowledge of Christ. It stands to reason that we cannot grow to be like someone we don’t know. The deeper our knowledge of Christ, the deeper our understanding of Him, and the more like Him we become. Among other reasons, we are to know and understand Christ so that we will be secure in the faith.
The Apostle Paul reiterates this truth in Ephesians 4:14-16: “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” This fact is repeated once more in 2 Peter 3:17-18: “Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” These passages show us that growing in the knowledge of Christ will preserve us from faith-destroying error.
Of course, knowledge alone will not produce a Christlike character. The knowledge we gain from God’s Word must impact our hearts and convict us of the need to obey what we have learned. Romans 12:1-2 tells us emphatically that the process of filling our minds with the knowledge of God not only brings us closer to Christlikeness, but obedience to that knowledge aligns us with the perfect will of God: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
The natural consequence of knowing and obeying God is that He becomes greater and greater, while we become less and less as we yield control of our lives to Him. Just as John the Baptist knew that “[Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30), so the Christian grows to reflect more of Christ and less of his own nature. Luke sums it up best when he describes what Jesus told His disciples: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it” (Luke 9:23-24). The cross was an instrument of death, and Jesus encourages us to take up our cross in order to put to death our old sin nature upon it. God wants us to forget about this world and all its temporary pleasures and be obedient to His Word. Jesus is the living Word (John 1:1), and the Bible is God’s written Word. Therefore, conforming to the Word of God is conforming to Christ.
It is important to realize that becoming more like Christ starts by receiving Him as Savior from our sins. Then we grow in our knowledge of God by reading the Bible daily, studying it, and being obedient to what it says. This process causes us to grow and occurs over an entire lifetime in Christ. Only when we have entered Heaven for eternity with God does this process reach its culmination.
Bybel Lering vir die Dag
God se begeerte vir almal wat Hom ken, is dat ons meer soos Christus moet word. Ons doen dit deur eers te groei in ons kennis van Christus. Dit spreek vanself dat ons nie kan groei om soos iemand te wees wat ons nie ken nie. Hoe dieper ons kennis van Christus is, hoe dieper ons begrip van Hom, en hoe meer soos Hy word ons. Onder andere redes moet ons Christus ken en verstaan sodat ons veilig in die geloof sal wees.
Die apostel Paulus herhaal hierdie waarheid in Efesiërs 4:14-16: “Dan sal ons nie meer kinders wees wat heen en weer geslinger en heen en weer gewaai word deur elke wind van lering en deur die slinksheid en listigheid van die mense in hulle dwaling nie. Maar terwyl ons in liefde die waarheid betrag, sal ons in alles opgroei in Hom wat die Hoof is, naamlik Christus. Uit Hom sal die hele liggaam, saamgevoeg en saamgebind deur elke steunpilaar, groei en opbou in liefde, volgens die werk van elke lid.” Hierdie feit word weer eens herhaal in 2 Petrus 3:17-18: “Geliefdes, noudat julle dit weet, moet julle op julle hoede wees dat julle nie meegesleep word deur die dwaling van wettelose mense en uit julle veilige posisie val nie. Maar laat julle toeneem in die genade en kennis van onse Here en Verlosser Jesus Christus. Aan Hom behoort die heerlikheid, nou en tot in ewigheid! Amen.” Hierdie gedeeltes wys vir ons dat groei in die kennis van Christus ons sal bewaar van geloofsondermynende dwaling.
Natuurlik sal kennis alleen nie ‘n Christusagtige karakter voortbring nie. Die kennis wat ons uit God se Woord verkry, moet ons harte beïnvloed en ons oortuig van die noodsaaklikheid om te gehoorsaam wat ons geleer het. Romeine 12:1-2 sê vir ons nadruklik dat die proses om ons gedagtes met die kennis van God te vul, ons nie net nader aan Christus-gelykvormigheid bring nie, maar gehoorsaamheid aan daardie kennis bring ons in lyn met die perfekte wil van God: “Daarom vermaan ek julle, broeders, op grond van God se barmhartigheid: Gee julle liggame as lewende, heilige en aanneemlike offers aan God. Dit is julle geestelike daad van aanbidding. Julle moet nie langer aan hierdie wêreld voldoen nie, maar word verander deur die vernuwing van julle gemoed. Dan sal julle kan onderskei wat die wil van God is, naamlik sy goeie, welgevallige en volmaakte wil.”
Die natuurlike gevolg van die ken en gehoorsaamheid van God is dat Hy groter en groter word, terwyl ons minder en minder word soos ons beheer oor ons lewens aan Hom oorgee. Net soos Johannes die Doper geweet het dat “[Jesus] moet meer word, maar ek minder word” (Johannes 3:30), so groei die Christen om meer van Christus en minder van sy eie natuur te weerspieël. Lukas som dit die beste op wanneer hy beskryf wat Jesus vir Sy dissipels gesê het: “As iemand agter My aan wil kom, moet hy homself verloën en sy kruis elke dag opneem en My volg. Want elkeen wat sy lewe wil red, sal dit verloor; maar elkeen wat sy lewe vir My verloor, sal dit red” (Lukas 9:23-24). Die kruis was ‘n instrument van die dood, en Jesus moedig ons aan om ons kruis op te neem om ons ou sondige natuur daarop dood te maak. God wil hê ons moet van hierdie wêreld en al sy tydelike plesiere vergeet en gehoorsaam wees aan Sy Woord. Jesus is die lewende Woord (Johannes 1:1), en die Bybel is God se geskrewe Woord. Daarom is om aan die Woord van God te voldoen, om aan Christus te voldoen.
Dit is belangrik om te besef dat om meer soos Christus te word, begin deur Hom as Verlosser van ons sondes te ontvang. Dan groei ons in ons kennis van God deur die Bybel daagliks te lees, dit te bestudeer en gehoorsaam te wees aan wat dit sê. Hierdie proses veroorsaak dat ons groei en vind oor ‘n hele leeftyd in Christus plaas. Slegs wanneer ons die Hemel vir ewig saam met God binnegegaan het, bereik hierdie proses sy hoogtepunt.
Today’s Devotional
Many people struggle with their faith at different times in their lives. Some of the most committed and godly leaders have struggled with doubts, just like everyone else. The very essence of faith is to believe in that which we cannot see (Hebrews 11:1). As physical beings, we tend to put faith in what we experience with our senses. Spiritual realities are not tangible and must be experienced outside our senses. So, when that which is tangible and visible seems overwhelming, doubts can shroud that which is invisible.
The first aspect to consider is the object of faith. The word faith has become popular in recent years, but the popular meaning is not necessarily the same as the biblical meaning. The term has become synonymous with any religious or irreligious adherence, regardless of whether there is foundational truth upon which to base such adherence. In other words, someone could claim “faith” in dandelions for spiritual healing, and that claim would be considered equally viable to the Christians’ claim that the Bible is God’s inspired Word. So, when struggling with “faith,” it is vital to define the object and reasonableness of that faith. All faith claims are not equal. Before we can be secure in our faith, we must answer the question: my faith is in what?
Many hold to the idea of having faith in faith. Faith itself is seen as the object, rather than God Himself. The biblical purpose for faith is to bring us into the presence of God. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” We can only find Him when we come to Him through faith in His Son (John 14:6). Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” God does not bless half-hearted attempts to know Him. He desires that we pursue Him with passion, the same way He pursues us (1 John 4:19).
However, God understands our inability to exercise the faith we need at times. In Mark 9:24, a man admitted to Jesus that he wanted help with His unbelief. Jesus did not rebuke the man, but healed the man’s child anyway. He honored the man’s desire to grow in faith and was pleased that He, Jesus, was the object of that faith. So, if we have the desire to believe what the Bible teaches, then we have the right foundation for continuing to fight for faith. God has given us countless evidences of His existence and character (Psalm 19:1; Luke 19:38–40). Jesus fulfilled all prophecies necessary to validate His claim to be the Son of God (Matthew 2:15–17; 27:35; John 12:38). The Bible has been proven true over and over again for thousands of years. We have all the evidence we need, but God leaves the believing up to us.
It can be encouraging to remember that, when we struggle with faith, we are in good company. Elijah the prophet experienced such a struggle. One of the greatest prophets of all time had just called down fire from heaven, killed over 400 false prophets, and outrun King Ahab’s chariot—a feat that would have been the envy of any Olympic gold-medalist (1 Kings 18:36–38, 46). Yet the next chapter finds Elijah hiding in a cave, depressed and asking for death (1 Kings 19:3–5). After all those miracles, he gave in to fear and doubt because a wicked woman hated him (1 Kings 19:2). During times of stress and exhaustion, we can easily forget all that God has done for us.
John the Baptist was another who struggled with faith when at the lowest point in his life. Jesus had called John the greatest prophet (Matthew 11:11). John had been selected by God before birth to be forerunner of the Messiah (Luke 1:11–17, 76). He was faithful to that calling all of his life (Mark 1:4–8). Yet even John, after being imprisoned and sentenced to die, struggled with doubts about Jesus’ identity (Luke 7:20). He sent messengers to ask Jesus if He was truly the One sent from God. Jesus did not rebuke John in his weakness but instead sent him a message that only a student of the Scriptures as John was would recognize (Luke 7:22). He quoted from Isaiah 61 and reminded John that He alone had fulfilled that Messianic prophecy.
We learn from these heroes of faith that God is patient with us when we desire to believe (Psalm 86:15; 147:11). When we experience times of doubt, we must immerse ourselves in truth. We can bolster a sagging faith by reading scriptural accounts of God’s miraculous interventions, listening to encouraging sermons, and reading books that appeal to our reason by authors such as C. S. Lewis or Lee Strobel. Podcasts by apologists such as William Lane Craig or Dr. John Lennox can also add fuel to the fire of our faith.
But the greatest power to overcome doubt comes from the Holy Spirit Himself, who “bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16). We can cry out as the man cried to Jesus, “I believe. Lord, help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). And we can expect Him to answer.
Vandag se Bemoediging
Baie mense sukkel op verskillende tye in hul lewens met hul geloof. Sommige van die mees toegewyde en goddelike leiers het met twyfel geworstel, net soos almal anders. Die kern van geloof is om te glo in dit wat ons nie kan sien nie (Hebreërs 11:1). As fisiese wesens is ons geneig om geloof te stel in wat ons met ons sintuie ervaar. Geestelike realiteite is nie tasbaar nie en moet buite ons sintuie ervaar word. Dus, wanneer dit wat tasbaar en sigbaar is, oorweldigend lyk, kan twyfel dit wat onsigbaar is, verberg.
Die eerste aspek om te oorweeg, is die voorwerp van geloof. Die woord geloof het die afgelope paar jaar gewild geword, maar die gewilde betekenis is nie noodwendig dieselfde as die Bybelse betekenis nie. Die term het sinoniem geword met enige godsdienstige of ongodsdienstige aanhang, ongeag of daar ‘n fundamentele waarheid is waarop sulke aanhang gebaseer kan word. Met ander woorde, iemand kan “geloof” in paardebloem vir geestelike genesing beweer, en daardie bewering sou as ewe lewensvatbaar beskou word as die Christene se bewering dat die Bybel God se geïnspireerde Woord is. Dus, wanneer jy met “geloof” worstel, is dit noodsaaklik om die voorwerp en redelikheid van daardie geloof te definieer. Alle geloofsaansprake is nie gelyk nie. Voordat ons veilig in ons geloof kan wees, moet ons die vraag beantwoord: waarin is my geloof?
Baie mense hou vas aan die idee om geloof in geloof te hê. Geloof self word as die voorwerp gesien, eerder as God self. Die Bybelse doel van geloof is om ons in die teenwoordigheid van God te bring. Hebreërs 11:6 sê: “En sonder geloof is dit onmoontlik om God te behaag, want elkeen wat na Hom toe gaan, moet glo dat Hy bestaan en dat Hy die wat Hom ernstig soek, beloon.” Ons kan Hom slegs vind wanneer ons na Hom toe kom deur geloof in Sy Seun (Johannes 14:6). Jeremia 29:13 sê: “Julle sal My soek en vind as julle My met julle hele hart soek.” God seën nie halfhartige pogings om Hom te ken nie. Hy begeer dat ons Hom met passie nastreef, op dieselfde manier as wat Hy ons nastreef (1 Johannes 4:19).
God verstaan egter ons onvermoë om die geloof te beoefen wat ons soms nodig het. In Markus 9:24 het ‘n man aan Jesus erken dat hy hulp met Sy ongeloof wou hê. Jesus het die man nie bestraf nie, maar het die man se kind steeds genees. Hy het die man se begeerte om in geloof te groei, geëer en was bly dat Hy, Jesus, die voorwerp van daardie geloof was. Dus, as ons die begeerte het om te glo wat die Bybel leer, dan het ons die regte fondament om aan te hou veg vir geloof. God het ons tallose bewyse van Sy bestaan en karakter gegee (Psalm 19:1; Lukas 19:38–40). Jesus het alle profesieë vervul wat nodig was om Sy aanspraak om die Seun van God te wees, te bevestig (Matteus 2:15–17; 27:35; Johannes 12:38). Die Bybel is al duisende jare lank oor en oor waar bewys. Ons het al die bewyse wat ons nodig het, maar God laat die geloof aan ons oor.
Dit kan bemoedigend wees om te onthou dat wanneer ons met geloof sukkel, ons in goeie geselskap is. Elia die profeet het so ‘n stryd ervaar. Een van die grootste profete van alle tye het so pas vuur uit die hemel afgeroep, meer as 400 valse profete doodgemaak en koning Agab se strydwa ontduik – ’n prestasie wat die afguns van enige Olimpiese gouemedaljewenner sou gewees het (1 Konings 18:36–38, 46). Tog vind die volgende hoofstuk Elia wegkruip in ’n grot, depressief en vraend om die dood (1 Konings 19:3–5). Na al daardie wonderwerke het hy toegegee aan vrees en twyfel omdat ’n goddelose vrou hom gehaat het (1 Konings 19:2). Gedurende tye van stres en uitputting kan ons maklik alles vergeet wat God vir ons gedoen het.
Johannes die Doper was nog een wat met geloof gesukkel het toe hy op die laagtepunt in sy lewe was. Jesus het Johannes die grootste profeet genoem (Matteus 11:11). Johannes is deur God voor geboorte gekies om die voorloper van die Messias te wees (Lukas 1:11–17, 76). Hy was sy hele lewe lank getrou aan daardie roeping (Markus 1:4–8). Tog het selfs Johannes, nadat hy gevange geneem en ter dood veroordeel is, geworstel met twyfel oor Jesus se identiteit (Lukas 7:20). Hy het boodskappers gestuur om Jesus te vra of Hy werklik die Een was wat deur God gestuur is. Jesus het Johannes nie in sy swakheid bestraf nie, maar eerder vir hom ‘n boodskap gestuur wat slegs ‘n student van die Skrif soos Johannes sou herken (Lukas 7:22). Hy het uit Jesaja 61 aangehaal en Johannes daaraan herinner dat Hy alleen daardie Messiaanse profesie vervul het.
Ons leer by hierdie geloofshelde dat God geduldig met ons is wanneer ons begeer om te glo (Psalm 86:15; 147:11). Wanneer ons tye van twyfel ervaar, moet ons onsself in die waarheid verdiep. Ons kan ‘n kwynende geloof versterk deur Skriftuurlike verslae van God se wonderbaarlike ingrypings te lees, na bemoedigende preke te luister en boeke te lees wat tot ons rede appelleer deur outeurs soos C. S. Lewis of Lee Strobel. Poduitsendings deur apologete soos William Lane Craig of Dr. John Lennox kan ook olie by die vuur van ons geloof voeg.
Maar die grootste krag om twyfel te oorkom, kom van die Heilige Gees self, wat “saam met ons gees getuig dat ons kinders van God is” (Romeine 8:16). Ons kan uitroep soos die man na Jesus geroep het: “Ek glo. Here, help my ongeloof!” (Markus 9:24). En ons kan verwag dat Hy sal antwoord.
The Collectors of Manna – Women of the Word // Gaarders van Manna – Vroue van die woord
Dilize Light has Managed a TruLight Ladies Group on Telegram for the Past 6 Years and from Today . she will be Sharing her Manna with the Ladies in The TruLight Daily Manna Platform . Dilize is the only Daughter of Pastor Dirk and has been part of the Ministry since the age of 11 . Dilize is also the Radio Host for the Popular TruLight Top 10 that airs on TruLight Radio XM saturdays at 17h00′
Dilize Light bestuur die afgelope 6 jaar ‘n TruLight Damesgroep op Telegram en van vandag af sal sy haar Manna met die Dames deel op die TruLight Daaglikse Manna-platform. Dilize is die enigste dogter van Pastoor Dirk en is deel van die bediening sedert die ouderdom van 11. Dilize is ook die radio-aanbieder vir die gewilde TruLight Top 10 wat Saterdae om 17:00 op TruLight Radio XM uitgesaai word.
God Se Kompas:
Die Psalmis het God se mense daaraan herinner dat Sy woord ‘n betroubare kompas was. Hy het dit met ‘n lamp vergelyk. In daardie tyd was die flikkerende lig van ‘n olyfolielamp net helder genoeg om ‘n reisiger sy volgende stap te wys. Vir die Psalmis het God se Woord so ‘n lamp, wat genoeg lig verskaf om die pad te verlig vir diegene wat God nastreef (Ps 119:105). Toe die Psalmis in die donker op ‘n chaotiese lewenspad rondgedwaal het, het hy geglo dat God, deur die leiding van Sy woord, rigting sou gee.
Wanneer ons ons koers in die lewe verloor, kan ons ons God vertrou wat Sy betroubare woord as ons kompas gee, en dit gebruik om ons in dieper gemeenskap met Hom te lei.
God het ons Sy woord gegee om ons te help om Hom te ken en te volg.
God’s Compass:
The Psalmist reminded God’s people that His word was a reliable compass. He compared it to a lamp. At that time, the flickering light of an olive oil lamp was just bright enough to show a traveler his next step. For the Psalmist, God’s Word was such a lamp, providing enough light to illuminate the path for those who pursue God (Ps. 119:105). When the Psalmist was wandering in the dark on a chaotic path in life, he trusted that God, through the guidance of His word, would provide direction.
When we lose our way in life, we can trust our God, who provides His reliable word as our compass, and use it to lead us into deeper fellowship with Him.
God has given us His word to help us know and follow Him.
TruLight Ministries Daily Entertainment
TruLight TV = Kids Hour – How do I forgive?
Today on KiDs Beach Club: When her best friend teases her for some laughs, Rylie must find a way to forgive her before it ruins their friendship. Come Join Cocoa and Marsha as they discuss the buzz around the Beatitudes and learn how God wants us to be like a family of bees. and later on Micah’s Super Vlog, Micah’s envy gets the best of him after his classmate Hanz flaunts his cool new robot. This and some stunning gospel kids’ songs Enjoy.
Today on TruLight Radio XM
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Program
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00:15 Words to Live By Testimonies
01.15 Science Scripture and Salvation
02.15 Ground Works
04.00 Gospel Concert of the Day
05.00 The Daren Streblow Comedy Show
5:55 It is Today devotional
6:00 Gaither Homecoming Morning Show
7:15 Discover the Word
8.15 Destined for Victory
8:55 Science Scripture and Salvation
9:00 Holy Spirit Hour – Normally Sermons
10:15 Hope of the Heart
11:15 Unshackled
11.45 Words to Live By
12:15 Truth for Life
13:15 Living on the Edge with Chip Ingram
14:15 Focus on the Family
15:00 Kids Hour
16:00 In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley
16:30 Groundwork
17:15 Live in the Light
18:15 Renewing your Mind
19:00 Gaither Homecoming Show
20:15 Growing Hope
21:15 Adventures in Odyssey Radio Drama
21:45 Bible Reading
22:15 Nightsounds
23.00 Good Old Country Gospel / Rhema Gospel Express
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Bible Prophecy in the News
The Dragon Holds The Key to Future Wars !!
China’s Rare Earth Chokehold: A Quiet War On the World’s Military Backbones
Every warplane, guided missile, drone, and surveillance satellite America produces depends on a dizzying array of niche metals and rare minerals. These aren’t interchangeable parts you can swap out of a Home Depot aisle-they’re incredibly specific, high-performance materials that can only be sourced, for now, from one country: China.
At a time when geopolitical tensions are rising and the specter of great power conflict looms once more, the battlefield is not just being shaped by missiles and soldiers–but by minerals. And right now, China is waging a quiet but devastating campaign to strangle the very materials that power America’s military industrial complex.
In recent months, Beijing has tightened its grip on the global rare earths market, limiting the export of critical minerals that the U.S. military depends on for everything from drone motors to missile guidance systems. With China producing roughly 90% of the world’s rare earths, this isn’t just a supply chain issue. It’s a national security crisis.
The result? U.S. defense suppliers are scrambling. Some have delayed deliveries of key components by months. Prices for essential materials like samarium have exploded–up to 60 times their normal cost. Other critical minerals, like germanium and gallium, used in night vision and precision-guided weaponry, are now virtually unavailable from Chinese sources. And the clock is ticking. The Pentagon has mandated that by 2027, defense contractors must eliminate Chinese-sourced rare-earth magnets entirely. That sounds like a plan–until you realize how few alternatives exist.
This is economic warfare, plain and simple.
A Fragile Backbone
Every warplane, guided missile, drone, and surveillance satellite America produces depends on a dizzying array of niche metals and rare minerals. These aren’t interchangeable parts you can swap out of a Home Depot aisle–they’re incredibly specific, high-performance materials that can only be sourced, for now, from one country: China.
China knows this. It’s using that leverage. And Washington is only now waking up to how deeply the tentacles of Beijing’s mineral monopoly reach.
Leonardo DRS, a key U.S. defense firm, recently admitted it’s running on “safety stock” of germanium. Once it runs dry, infrared sensors for missiles could be delayed or halted. Small companies are especially vulnerable. Drone parts manufacturer ePropelled was recently forced to halt shipments because its Chinese supplier demanded images of its product designs and lists of customers–information no defense-linked company would dare give to Beijing. When they refused, the shipments stopped.
This isn’t just bureaucratic red tape. This is coercion.
From Supply Chain to Sovereignty
What’s truly unsettling is how deeply the U.S. military supply chain has become entangled with its chief geopolitical rival. More than 80,000 parts used in U.S. defense systems rely on critical minerals now subject to Chinese controls. That means one export license denied in Beijing can halt an entire production line in Virginia or Texas.
It’s as if, during the Cold War, the Pentagon had relied on the Soviet Union for tank parts.
The wake-up call is loud, but Washington’s response is slow. While the Department of Defense has begun investing–like its recent $400 million deal with MP Materials to secure domestic magnet production–it may take years before any new source can meaningfully offset China’s dominance. Startups like Vulcan Elements and USA Rare Earth show promise, but they’re still climbing uphill against China’s 40-year head start and vertically integrated supply chains.
In the meantime, prices rise, production slows, and America grows weaker where it should be strongest.
The High Cost of Complacency
Let’s not forget: the current bottleneck is not a natural disaster. It’s a man-made maneuver. Beijing is choosing to throttle supply, demanding Western companies reveal proprietary defense-related information to gain access to minerals it knows we can’t yet get elsewhere.
This isn’t simply trade leverage. It’s strategic warfare with minerals instead of missiles. And it’s working.
If America’s leaders do not act swiftly, the consequences could be devastating. In a future conflict, whether in the South China Sea or beyond, our military’s readiness may be dictated not by courage or capability–but by whether we can get enough samarium or germanium in time.
Signs of the Times
Digging Up Truth: New Discoveries At Shiloh Affirm The Bible’s Account
In the very place where the Bible says the Ark of the Covenant once rested–where priests sacrificed offerings, where Hannah cried out to God, and where Eli fell dead upon hearing the Ark had been captured–archaeologists now believe they have found the ruins of the original Tabernacle structure.
Temple Institute Announces: All Texas Red Heifers Disqualified ! WHAT NOW ?
“The three weeks of intensified focus and adoption of customs of mourning over the destruction of the two Holy Temples in Jerusalem have ended,” the announcement read. “But our recap of all the work the Temple Institute is involved with, the one aim of rebuilding the Holy Temple and renewing the Divine service is far from exhausted.”
The Temple Institute described its more than two decades of efforts to find a suitable red heifer. A red heifer is an entirely red female cow with no more than one non-red hair on its entire body. In the language of the Bible, red is not exclusively what we know today as red. It also includes brown and other similar shades of red. This excludes black. All of the hairs on its body must be the same color. The animal must also be two years and one month old. There can be no blemish, no holes in the ear, and it may never have carried a burden.
In September 2022, Boneh Israel, a cooperative effort of Jews and Christians together, found five suitable candidates in Texas and transported them to Israel.
“We have forged deep connections with cattle growers in the United States, both professionally and personally,” the statement by the Temple Institute continued. “We have worked with cattle growers in Israel. We have raised red heifer candidates here in Israel and flown over red heifer candidates from Texas. The halachot concerning the eligibility of a potential red heifer are very strict, and unfortunately, all our efforts so far have been frustrated by the appearance of more than one non-red hair on all our potential candidates. Nevertheless, our efforts continue.”
Judea and Samaria belong to Israel, declares House Speaker
A delegation of American lawmakers visited Israeli communities in Samaria on Monday, during a trip hosted by the Israeli settlement movement.
The delegation was headed by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), and included US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee; his daughter, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders; Heather Johnston, president of the US Israel Education Association; Rep. Nathaniel Q. Moran (R-Texas); Rep. Claudia L. Tenney (R-New York); Rep. Michael J. Cloud (R-Texas); and Rep. Michael T. McCaul (R-Texas).
The trip was organized by the US Israel Education Association and hosted by the Yesha Council, the umbrella organization representing all Israeli municipal governments in Judea and Samaria.
Israel Gantz, chief of the Binyamin Regional Council and chairman of the Yesha council, and Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan accompanied the US delegation during their visit to Samaria.
Gog and Magog Update
Trump Approves Israels Takeover
Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirms Netanyahu met with House Speaker Mike Johnson in Samaria, amid reports Johnson discussed Israeli plans to annex parts of Judea and Samaria during trip approved by the White House.
The White House reportedly gave its approval to a high-level congressional delegation’s visit to Samaria this week, during which lawmakers met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and discussed the possible application of Israeli sovereignty over parts of Judea and Samaria.
House Speaker Mike Johnson led a congressional delegation in a visit to Samaria, marking the highest-profile American visit to Israeli towns beyond the pre-1967 Green Line.
The delegation included five House Republicans, a governor, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, and the president of the US Israel Education Association.
A day later, the Prime Minister’s Office revealed that Netanyahu met with Johnson during the visit, in a gathering that took place at a Jewish winery in Shiloh in Samaria, north of Jerusalem.
TruLight Ministry News
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New Artist Liners
SOUTHBOUND – ARTIST LINER (TRULIGHT RADIO XM & TRULIGHT TV)
MIKE LEFEVRE – ARTIST LINER (TRULIGHT RADIO XM)
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