Hosted by TruLight Ministries – The Place of Truth
Peace can refer to a number of different situations. There is world peace, which refers to a lack of conflict between nations. There is interpersonal peace, which refers to a lack of conflict between individuals. There is inner peace, which refers to a lack of conflict within a person, between different desires and elements of his personality, and between his aspirations and the realities that confront him. But the most pressing need for any individual is peace with God. We are all sinners at war with God until we lay down our arms and submit to His lordship.
Romans 5:1 speaks of peace with God: “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Once we are no longer at war with God, we can begin to incorporate other kinds of peace into our lives and personalities.
Philippians 4:6–7 speaks of the inner peace that comes from fully trusting God to meet all our needs: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Colossians 3:15, separate from its context, seems to be encouraging the same kind of thing: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” The verse seems to be saying that, if we are worried or troubled, we should let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, and then we will have true inner peace. However, the context of Colossians 3:15 is not one of inner peace but rather of interpersonal peace.
Colossians 3 contains a list of things that people do to each other that do not promote interpersonal peace. Christians are told not to do these kinds of things: “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices” (verses 5–9). If a person rids his life of these sinful things, then he will certainly experience a greater degree of peace with other people.
Colossians 3:11 speaks of the racial and social boundaries that in Paul’s day often served to pit people against each other. In Christ, such distinctions do not apply: “Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.”
Rather than doing things that promote division and strife, Christians should follow this command: “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12–14).
All of these things can be summed up in one command: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace” (Colossians 3:15). In this context, letting the peace of Christ rule in your hearts means allowing the truth of what Christ has done for us to dictate our actions. We are not enemies with each other. We should not see each other as competitors for the same resources. We should see other Christians as members of the same team, the same body, and what is good for them is ultimately good for us, too. Christ saved us to be at peace with each other. When we choose to act in love and be at peace with other believers, we are allowing Christ’s peace to rule in our hearts.
Vrede kan na ‘n aantal verskillende situasies verwys. Daar is wêreldvrede, wat verwys na ‘n gebrek aan konflik tussen nasies. Daar is interpersoonlike vrede, wat verwys na ‘n gebrek aan konflik tussen individue. Daar is innerlike vrede, wat verwys na ‘n gebrek aan konflik binne ‘n persoon, tussen verskillende begeertes en elemente van sy persoonlikheid, en tussen sy aspirasies en die realiteite wat hom in die gesig staar. Maar die dringendste behoefte vir enige individu is vrede met God. Ons is almal sondaars in oorlog met God totdat ons ons wapens neerlê en ons aan Sy heerskappy onderwerp.
Romeine 5:1 praat van vrede met God: “Omdat ons dan uit die geloof geregverdig is, het ons vrede met God deur onse Here Jesus Christus.” Sodra ons nie meer in oorlog met God is nie, kan ons begin om ander soorte vrede in ons lewens en persoonlikhede in te sluit.
Filippense 4:6–7 praat van die innerlike vrede wat kom van ten volle vertroue op God om in al ons behoeftes te voorsien: “Moet oor niks besorg wees nie, maar maak in alles julle begeertes deur gebed en smeking met danksegging bekend by God. En die vrede van God, wat alle verstand te bowe gaan, sal julle harte en julle sinne bewaar in Christus Jesus.”
Kolossense 3:15, los van sy konteks, lyk asof dit dieselfde soort ding aanmoedig: “Laat die vrede van Christus in julle harte heers, aangesien julle as lede van een liggaam tot vrede geroep is. En wees dankbaar.” Die vers lyk asof dit sê dat, as ons bekommerd of verontrus is, ons die vrede van Christus in ons harte moet laat heers, en dan sal ons ware innerlike vrede hê. Die konteks van Kolossense 3:15 is egter nie een van innerlike vrede nie, maar eerder van interpersoonlike vrede.
Kolossense 3 bevat ‘n lys van dinge wat mense aan mekaar doen wat nie interpersoonlike vrede bevorder nie. Christene word aangesê om nie hierdie soort dinge te doen nie: “Maak dan dood wat aan julle aardse natuur behoort: hoerery, onreinheid, wellus, slegte begeertes en gierigheid, wat afgodery is. As gevolg hiervan kom die toorn van God. So het julle vroeër gewandel in die lewe wat julle gelei het. Maar nou moet julle ook van al hierdie dinge ontslae raak: woede, woede, kwaadwilligheid, laster en vuil taal uit julle lippe. Lieg nie vir mekaar nie, omdat julle julle oue mens met sy praktyke afgelê het” (verse 5–9). As iemand sy lewe van hierdie sondige dinge ontslae raak, sal hy beslis ‘n groter mate van vrede met ander mense ervaar.
Kolossense 3:11 praat van die rasse- en sosiale grense wat in Paulus se tyd dikwels gedien het om mense teen mekaar op te stel. In Christus is sulke onderskeidings nie van toepassing nie: “Hier is daar nie heiden of Jood, besnede of onbesnede, barbaar, Skit, slaaf of vryman nie, maar Christus is alles en in almal.”
Eerder as om dinge te doen wat verdeeldheid en twis bevorder, moet Christene hierdie opdrag volg: “Beklee julle met innerlike ontferming, vriendelikheid, nederigheid, sagmoedigheid en geduld. Wees geduldig met mekaar en vergeef mekaar as die een teen die ander ‘n klag het. Vergeef soos die Here julle vergewe het. En beklee julle bo al hierdie deugde met die liefde, wat almal in volkome eenheid bind” (Kolossense 3:12–14).
Al hierdie dinge kan in een opdrag opgesom word: “Laat die vrede van Christus in julle harte heers, want as lede van een liggaam is julle tot vrede geroep” (Kolossense 3:15). In hierdie konteks beteken dit om die vrede van Christus in julle harte te laat heers, om die waarheid van wat Christus vir ons gedoen het, ons optrede te laat bepaal. Ons is nie vyande van mekaar nie. Ons moet mekaar nie as mededingers vir dieselfde hulpbronne sien nie. Ons moet ander Christene as lede van dieselfde span, dieselfde liggaam sien, en wat goed is vir hulle, is uiteindelik ook goed vir ons. Christus het ons gered om in vrede met mekaar te wees. Wanneer ons kies om in liefde op te tree en in vrede met ander gelowiges te wees, laat ons Christus se vrede in ons harte heers.
Bible Verse and Prayer for Today
If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin…
—Romans 6:5-6
Paul reminds us that our baptism was more than just a dunking in water. In baptism, we share in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. What he did to save us, we now get to share with him in doing. We died to sin and were raised to be a new person, cleansed and made holy, empowered and indwelled by the Holy Spirit. We have been set free from the power and penalty of sin and the limits of our mortal physical bodies. This experience we had with Jesus is our physical connection, our assurance of our future spiritual glory with him! Why? Since “we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.”
Prayer
Father, thank you for giving me new life in Jesus. I am truly thankful that your grace covers my guilt, makes me holy, and gives me assurance of my future. I ask for the Holy Spirit’s power to live my life in freedom from sin. Please forgive me for allowing my passion to slip into mediocrity and sin. Give me a strong sense of revulsion toward anything that would pollute my soul or distract my heart from your will. I refuse to be a slave to sin, and I choose to build my life on my promised future with you. In the name of Jesus, I thank you and recommit my life to you today. Amen and Amen
Bybel Vers en Gebed vir Vandag
If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin...
—Romans 6:5-6
Paul reminds us that our baptism was more than just a dunking in water. In baptism, we share in Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. What he did to save us, we now get to share with him in doing. We died to sin and were raised to be a new person, cleansed and made holy, empowered and indwelled by the Holy Spirit. We have been set free from the power and penalty of sin and the limits of our mortal physical bodies. This experience we had with Jesus is our physical connection, our assurance of our future spiritual glory with him! Why? Since "we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection."
Gebed
Father, thank you for giving me new life in Jesus. I am truly thankful that your grace covers my guilt, makes me holy, and gives me assurance of my future. I ask for the Holy Spirit's power to live my life in freedom from sin. Please forgive me for allowing my passion to slip into mediocrity and sin. Give me a strong sense of revulsion towards anything that would pollute my soul or distract my heart from your will. I refuse to be a slave to sin, and I choose to build my life on my promised future with you. In the name of Jesus, I thank you and recommit my life to you today. Amen and Amen
Bible Teaching of the Day
Before we can understand what it means to have peace with God, we must recognize that human beings in our natural state are enemies of God. Because we inherited a sin nature from our first parents, Adam and Eve (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12), we are born with a disposition to please ourselves and be our own gods. That rebellious nature sets us at odds with our perfect Creator. His just nature cannot overlook our sin; justice demands punishment (Romans 3:23; 6:23). We cannot create peace with God because our best efforts on our best day are nothing but filthy rags compared to His holiness (Isaiah 64:6). So, in our sinful state, we cannot be reconciled, we cannot have peace with God, no matter how hard we try.
God took the initiative in pursuing peace with us by sending His Son to earth. Jesus lived a perfect life, His crucifixion paid for the sins of all who would trust in Him (Hebrews 4:15; 2 Corinthians 5:21), and His resurrection guarantees our justification before God (Romans 4:25). Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), and He is the One who gives us peace with God. That’s why the message of salvation in Christ is called the “gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15).
The angels’ words to the shepherds on that first Christmas were “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased” (Luke 2:14). With whom is God pleased? God’s pleasure and peace rest upon those who receive God’s Son by faith (John 1:12). “Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Peace with God means that our great sin debt has been paid and God sees us as righteous (Colossians 2:14; Romans 3:22). We are no longer enemies but beloved children (1 John 3:2). His holy nature can have fellowship with us because He sees us “in Christ.”
Peace with God means our consciences are cleared (Hebrews 10:22; Titus 3:5). The overwhelming weight of guilt that plagued us all is gone, placed on Jesus on the cross (Colossians 2:14; 1 Peter 2:24). The shame that we rightly felt for the wicked deeds we had done was carried by Jesus. God the Father adopts us as His own children and invites us to “come boldly before the throne of grace” to commune with Him and ask for what we need (Hebrews 4:16). For the Christian, maintaining a sense of peace with God means we keep our ongoing sins and failures confessed (1 John 1:9). We don’t have to keep confessing in order to establish peace with God; Jesus did that at the cross when we believed. Truly born-again people live in ongoing attitudes of repentance so that no sin will take root to defile them again (John 3:3; Romans 6:1–4). Unconfessed sin mars the joyful fellowship between a child of God and his Father.
Peace with God also allows the Christian to live without fear of death or eternity. Our hope is secure in the knowledge that Jesus has done all that was necessary to make us right with God (Matthew 5:17; John 3:16–18). Our last breath on earth will be our first breath in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:6–8; Luke 16:22). The Holy Spirit has been given to us like a promise ring, a certainty that a greater event will surely take place (2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5). Right now, the Holy Spirit lives within us to guide, convict, comfort, and remind us of Jesus’ completed sacrifice on our behalf (John 14:16–17; 16:8–11; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; Ephesians 1:13–14).
Human beings were created to live in peace with God. Sin destroyed that peace and still destroys it for everyone who refuses Jesus’ offer of salvation. However, anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord, believes in his heart that Jesus is the only way to God, and is willing to surrender to Him as Savior and Lord can have peace with God (Romans 10:9–10, 13; John 3:16, 36; Acts 2:21, 28).
Bybel Lering vir die Dag
Voordat ons kan verstaan wat dit beteken om vrede met God te hê, moet ons erken dat mense in ons natuurlike toestand vyande van God is. Omdat ons ‘n sondige natuur van ons eerste ouers, Adam en Eva, geërf het (Genesis 3; Romeine 5:12), word ons gebore met ‘n geneigdheid om onsself te behaag en ons eie gode te wees. Daardie rebelse natuur plaas ons in stryd met ons perfekte Skepper. Sy regverdige natuur kan nie ons sonde oorsien nie; geregtigheid eis straf (Romeine 3:23; 6:23). Ons kan nie vrede met God skep nie, want ons beste pogings op ons beste dag is niks anders as vuil lappe in vergelyking met Sy heiligheid nie (Jesaja 64:6). Dus, in ons sondige toestand, kan ons nie versoen word nie, ons kan nie vrede met God hê nie, maak nie saak hoe hard ons probeer nie.
God het die inisiatief geneem om vrede met ons na te streef deur Sy Seun na die aarde te stuur. Jesus het ‘n perfekte lewe geleef, Sy kruisiging het betaal vir die sondes van almal wat op Hom sou vertrou (Hebreërs 4:15; 2 Korintiërs 5:21), en Sy opstanding waarborg ons regverdiging voor God (Romeine 4:25). Jesus is die Prins van Vrede (Jesaja 9:6), en Hy is die Een wat ons vrede met God gee. Daarom word die boodskap van verlossing in Christus die “evangelie van vrede” genoem (Efesiërs 6:15).
Die engele se woorde aan die herders op daardie eerste Kersfees was “Eer aan God in die hoogste hemel, en vrede op aarde vir die mense in wie God ‘n welbehae het” (Lukas 2:14). Met wie is God ‘n welbehae? God se welbehae en vrede rus op diegene wat God se Seun deur geloof ontvang (Johannes 1:12). “Omdat ons uit die geloof geregverdig is, het ons vrede met God deur onse Here Jesus Christus” (Romeine 5:1). Vrede met God beteken dat ons groot sondeskuld betaal is en God ons as regverdig sien (Kolossense 2:14; Romeine 3:22). Ons is nie meer vyande nie, maar geliefde kinders (1 Johannes 3:2). Sy heilige natuur kan gemeenskap met ons hê omdat Hy ons “in Christus” sien.
Vrede met God beteken dat ons gewetes skoongemaak word (Hebreërs 10:22; Titus 3:5). Die oorweldigende gewig van skuldgevoelens wat ons almal geteister het, is weg, op Jesus aan die kruis geplaas (Kolossense 2:14; 1 Petrus 2:24). Die skaamte wat ons tereg gevoel het vir die bose dade wat ons gedoen het, is deur Jesus gedra. God die Vader neem ons as Sy eie kinders aan en nooi ons uit om “met vrymoedigheid voor die troon van genade te kom” om met Hom te kommunikeer en te vra vir wat ons nodig het (Hebreërs 4:16). Vir die Christen beteken die handhawing van ‘n gevoel van vrede met God dat ons ons voortdurende sondes en mislukkings bely (1 Johannes 1:9). Ons hoef nie aan te hou bely om vrede met God te vestig nie; Jesus het dit aan die kruis gedoen toe ons geglo het. Waarlik wedergebore mense leef in voortdurende houdings van bekering sodat geen sonde wortel sal skiet om hulle weer te besoedel nie (Johannes 3:3; Romeine 6:1–4). Onbelyde sonde bederf die vreugdevolle gemeenskap tussen ‘n kind van God en sy Vader. Vrede met God laat die Christen ook toe om sonder vrees vir die dood of die ewigheid te lewe. Ons hoop is veilig in die wete dat Jesus alles gedoen het wat nodig was om ons reg te maak met God (Matteus 5:17; Johannes 3:16–18). Ons laaste asemteug op aarde sal ons eerste asemteug in die hemel wees (2 Korintiërs 5:6–8; Lukas 16:22). Die Heilige Gees is aan ons gegee soos ‘n beloftering, ‘n sekerheid dat ‘n groter gebeurtenis sekerlik sal plaasvind (2 Korintiërs 1:22; 5:5). Op die oomblik leef die Heilige Gees binne-in ons om ons te lei, te oortuig, te vertroos en te herinner aan Jesus se voltooide offer namens ons (Johannes 14:16–17; 16:8–11; 1 Korintiërs 3:16; 6:19; Efesiërs 1:13–14).
Mense is geskape om in vrede met God te lewe. Sonde het daardie vrede vernietig en vernietig dit steeds vir almal wat Jesus se aanbod van verlossing weier. Enigeen wat egter die Naam van die Here aanroep, in sy hart glo dat Jesus die enigste weg na God is, en bereid is om hom aan Hom as Verlosser en Here oor te gee, kan vrede met God hê (Romeine 10:9–10, 13; Johannes 3:16, 36; Handelinge 2:21, 28).
Today’s Devotional
The world places a priority on inner peace, and it offers thousands of suggestions to those who seek “peace of mind and soul.” Usually, the gurus of inner peace point to oneself as the source of peace. There is much talk of meditation, finding an “inner light,” and chakras. If we need any help from outside of ourselves, worldly wisdom says, it will come in the form of a “spirit guide” or perhaps some crystals or herbs. The problem with such advice, besides the obvious endorsement of witchcraft, is that it completely ignores the source of true peace—the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Bible has a lot to say about peace. Jesus is called the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Paul refers to “the God of all peace” (Romans 15:13, 33; Galatians 6:16). The term peace is often used as a greeting and a benediction (see Luke 24:36). So what exactly is peace, and how can we have “inner peace”?
A word often translated “peace” in the Bible actually means “to tie together as a whole, when all essential parts are joined together.” Inner peace, then, is a wholeness of mind and spirit, a whole heart at rest. Inner peace has little to do with external surroundings. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” He had also told His followers that “in this world you will have many troubles. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). So peace is not the absence of trouble; it is the presence of God.
Peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). When the “God of all peace” comes to live inside a believing heart (1 Corinthians 6:19), He begins to produce His own characteristics in that life. Inner peace comes from knowing that circumstances are temporary and that God is sovereign over all (Isaiah 46:9–11). Peace comes from exercising faith in the character of God and His Word. We can have peace in the midst of challenges when we remember that “all things work together for the good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). We can choose peace rather than give way to fear and worry. Inner peace resulting from a relationship with God allows us to keep things in proper perspective. We can accept difficult situations on earth by remembering that our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20).
We are commanded to “live in peace” with others, as far as it is up to us (Romans 12:18; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Hebrews 12:14). To live at peace means we interact with those around us in accordance with our own wholeness of mind. Our reactions to circumstances can bring peace to an otherwise chaotic situation. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). And James 3:18 says, “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” God’s desire is that we who know Him learn to live in peace within ourselves first. Then we can radiate that peace to others, bringing calmness and wisdom to tense situations, and in so doing be lights in the world (Matthew 5:14; Philippians 2:14–15).
Vandag se Bemoediging
Die wêreld plaas ‘n prioriteit op innerlike vrede, en dit bied duisende voorstelle aan diegene wat “vrede van gees en siel” soek. Gewoonlik wys die goeroes van innerlike vrede na jouself as die bron van vrede. Daar word baie gepraat van meditasie, die vind van ‘n “innerlike lig” en chakras. As ons enige hulp van buite onsself nodig het, sê wêreldse wysheid, sal dit kom in die vorm van ‘n “geesgids” of miskien ‘n paar kristalle of kruie. Die probleem met sulke advies, behalwe die ooglopende endossement van heksery, is dat dit die bron van ware vrede heeltemal ignoreer – die Here Jesus Christus.
Die Bybel het baie te sê oor vrede. Jesus word die Prins van Vrede genoem (Jesaja 9:6). Paulus verwys na “die God van alle vrede” (Romeine 15:13, 33; Galasiërs 6:16). Die term vrede word dikwels as ‘n groet en ‘n seën gebruik (sien Lukas 24:36). So wat presies is vrede, en hoe kan ons “innerlike vrede” hê?
’n Woord wat dikwels in die Bybel as “vrede” vertaal word, beteken eintlik “om as ’n geheel saam te bind, wanneer alle noodsaaklike dele saamgevoeg is.” Innerlike vrede is dus ’n heelheid van verstand en gees, ’n hele hart in rus. Innerlike vrede het min te doen met eksterne omgewing. Jesus het gesê: “Vrede laat Ek vir julle na; my vrede gee Ek julle. Ek gee nie aan julle soos die wêreld gee nie. Moenie dat julle harte ontsteld word nie en wees nie bang nie.” Hy het ook vir Sy volgelinge gesê: “In hierdie wêreld sal julle baie probleme hê. Maar hou moed! Ek het die wêreld oorwin” (Johannes 16:33). Vrede is dus nie die afwesigheid van probleme nie; dit is die teenwoordigheid van God.
Vrede is ’n vrug van die Heilige Gees (Galasiërs 5:22). Wanneer die “God van alle vrede” in ’n gelowige hart kom woon (1 Korintiërs 6:19), begin Hy Sy eie eienskappe in daardie lewe produseer. Innerlike vrede kom van die wete dat omstandighede tydelik is en dat God soewerein oor alles is (Jesaja 46:9–11). Vrede kom van die uitoefening van geloof in die karakter van God en Sy Woord. Ons kan vrede hê te midde van uitdagings wanneer ons onthou dat “alle dinge ten goede meewerk vir die wat God liefhet en na sy voorneme geroep is” (Romeine 8:28). Ons kan vrede kies eerder as om toe te gee aan vrees en bekommernis. Innerlike vrede wat voortspruit uit ‘n verhouding met God, stel ons in staat om dinge in die regte perspektief te hou. Ons kan moeilike situasies op aarde aanvaar deur te onthou dat ons burgerskap in die hemel is (Filippense 3:20).
Ons word beveel om “in vrede te leef” met ander, sover dit van ons afhang (Romeine 12:18; 2 Korintiërs 13:11; Hebreërs 12:14). Om in vrede te leef beteken dat ons met diegene rondom ons omgaan in ooreenstemming met ons eie heelheid van gemoed. Ons reaksies op omstandighede kan vrede bring in ‘n andersins chaotiese situasie. Jesus het gesê: “Geseënd is die vredemakers, want hulle sal kinders van God genoem word” (Matteus 5:9). En Jakobus 3:18 sê: “Vredemakers wat in vrede saai, sal ‘n oes van geregtigheid insamel.” God se begeerte is dat ons wat Hom ken, eers leer om in vrede in onsself te leef. Dan kan ons daardie vrede aan ander uitstraal, kalmte en wysheid in gespanne situasies bring, en sodoende ligte in die wêreld wees (Matteus 5:14; Filippense 2:14–15).
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.
Met Ons En In Ons:
In elke stadium van die lewe beleef ons tye van skeiding van diegene vir wie ons lief is, soms as gevolg van afstand en soms as gevolg van die dood. Ons moet egter onthou dat selfs al voel ons deur ander verlate, het God ons nie verlaat nie. Hy het belowe om altyd met ons te wees. God het die Gees van die waarheid uitgestuur as Voorspraak en Helper – om vir ewig by ons en in ons te woon (Johannes 14:15-18). Ons is Sy geliefde kinders.
Ons kan nie die Gees sien nie, maar ons kan Sy krag elke dag voel. Laat ons God dank vir Sy wonderlike voorsiening, die Gees van Christus wat met ons en in ons is. Ons is beslis nie alleen nie !
Johannes 14:15-21: Ek sal die Vader vra, en Hy sal vir julle ‘n ander voorspraak gee om julle te help en vir ewig by julle te wees.
Here, dankie vir U, Heilige Gees.
Ons is nooit alleen nie.
With Us And In Us:
At every stage of life we experience times of separation from those we love, sometimes because of distance and sometimes because of death. However, we must remember that even if we feel abandoned by others, God has not abandoned us. He has promised to be with us always. God has sent the Spirit of truth as an Advocate and Helper – to live with us and in us forever (John 14:15-18). We are His beloved children.
We cannot see the Spirit, but we can feel His power every day. Let us thank God for His wonderful provision, the Spirit of Christ who is with us and in us. We are certainly not alone!
John 14:15-21: I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to help you and be with you forever.
Lord, thank You, Holy Spirit.
We are never alone.
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TruLight TV – Mark Lowry Goes To Hollywood
For one night in history, one man single-handedly turned “Hollywood” into “Lowrywood.” Will the city ever be the same again? Could he do it without Bill Gaither? Find out in Mark Lowry Goes to Hollywood. With a little help from a tremendous line-up of musical guests, Mark Lowry delivers a healthy dose of side-splitting comedy and a power-packed line-up of great music in this live video event. Mark forms his own “Mark Lowry Vocal Band” just for the occasion with Michael English, Reggie Smith and Bill Gaither. Great performances by The Isaacs, LordSong, Stan Whitmire, and Karen Harding and the “reMarkable Choir” cap off the evening perfectly in this video event of a lifetime, Mark Lowry Goes To Hollywood!
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BIBLE PROPHECY IN THE NEWS
A Welcome Correction: Vatican Backs Away From Mary’s Role In Salvation
For centuries, Protestants have stood firm on one simple, unshakable truth: Jesus Christ alone saves. His death and resurrection are fully sufficient for the redemption of the world. No saint, priest, or earthly mediator can add to what Christ finished on the cross.
That’s why many evangelicals found it remarkable — even heartening — to hear the Vatican finally echo that same truth this week. In a new doctrinal decree approved by Pope Leo XIV, the Vatican officially instructed Catholics not to refer to Mary as the “co-redeemer” of humanity. “Jesus alone saved the world,” the declaration said, settling a long internal debate that had divided Catholic theologians and even past popes for decades.
To Protestant ears, that sounds like a long-overdue echo of the Gospel itself: Christ alone — not Christ plus anyone else — brings salvation.
A Welcome Step Toward Truth
It would be wrong not to welcome this as a positive step. For years, Protestants have watched with concern as Marian devotion within Catholicism drifted from reverence into something resembling worship. From “Hail Marys” recited in confessionals to shrines and pilgrimages built in her honor, Mary’s image has at times overshadowed the very Son she bore.
Now, at least officially, Rome has clarified that she is not the world’s co-redeemer. That is no small statement. In theological terms, it’s a reaffirmation of one of the foundational truths of the Reformation — solus Christus, “Christ alone.”
The Vatican’s declaration even warns against language that “obscures Christ’s unique salvific mediation.” For Protestants, that’s a sentence straight from the heart of Scripture: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).
If this statement truly reshapes Catholic teaching and practice, it could mark one of the most significant doctrinal corrections in modern Catholic history.
Gratitude Without Naïveté
Still, evangelicals should rejoice with discernment. While we may welcome the Vatican’s reaffirmation that Jesus alone redeems, we must not lose sight of the many theological divides that remain unresolved — and, in some cases, unaddressed.
The Catholic Church continues to teach that salvation comes through the sacraments, mediated by the Church itself, rather than by grace through faith alone. The doctrines of purgatory, indulgences, and the authority of the papacy remain unchanged. The same goes for prayers to saints and intercession through Mary — practices that, from a biblical standpoint, place other names and powers between believers and Christ.
And even in this new declaration, while Mary is no longer labeled “co-redeemer,” she is still venerated as “Mother of the Church” and “Queen of Heaven.” Protestants can respect Mary as a woman of remarkable faith and obedience — “blessed among women,” as Scripture declares — but never as a queen to be invoked, nor as one who shares in the redemptive power of her Son.
That distinction matters profoundly. When even well-meaning reverence begins to edge toward exaltation, worship becomes misplaced. The danger of confusing devotion with deification has haunted the Church for centuries, and it’s one of the very reasons the Reformation happened in the first place.
The Ongoing Divide
It’s tempting to view this announcement as a bridge between Catholic and Protestant theology — and in some sense, it is. The Vatican’s statement shows that even within Rome, there is a growing recognition that Christ alone stands at the center of the Gospel. That should encourage us.
But the divide between biblical Christianity and the Roman Church is not about one title or one decree — it’s about the foundation of faith itself.
Evangelicals hold that salvation is a gift received by grace through faith, not earned or dispensed through ecclesiastical authority. We believe the Word of God, not the word of man, is our ultimate standard of truth. And while we can respect tradition, we test it against Scripture, not the other way around.
So when the Vatican affirms something true, we rejoice. But when it continues to hold doctrines unsupported by Scripture, we must lovingly but firmly disagree. The Gospel calls us not to compromise, but to clarity.
The Moment’s Deeper Meaning
There’s also something deeply symbolic in this moment. For the Vatican to publicly renounce a title long used by some Catholics — Co-Redemptrix — reveals how powerful truth can be, even when it contradicts centuries of tradition. It’s a reminder that the Church, in any age or form, must always be willing to humble itself before the Word of God.
If Rome can admit that Mary is not a redeemer, perhaps one day it will take the next courageous step — to confess that no institution, no hierarchy, no priest or pope stands between the believer and Christ.
Until then, this development serves as both encouragement and caution. Encouragement, because it affirms that the truth of Christ’s sole sufficiency cannot be silenced forever. Caution, because it reminds us how easily human tradition can obscure the purity of the Gospel.
Hope for the Future
So we give thanks — not to Rome, but to God — that truth has broken through. We can pray that this marks the beginning of a deeper return to biblical clarity, not only within the Catholic Church but across the global Christian world.
Because in the end, it isn’t about Mary or a pope or a decree. It’s about the Savior who hung on a cross, cried “It is finished,” and meant every word.
That declaration — not from Vatican City, but from Calvary — remains the only decree that saves.
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
If This Canadian Liberal MP Gets The Chance, He’s Coming For Your Bibles
Liberal Member of Parliament Marc Miller made it as clear as a Liberal can: if he gets the opportunity, he is coming for your Bibles.
Miller is the chair of the House Justice Committee, and last Thursday he wondered whether Canada’s Criminal Code allows too much space for people to defend “hate speech” when they refer to the Bible. As LSN reported previously, the context was a discussion about Bill C-9, the government’s “Combatting Hate Act.”
Miller, in responding to several witnesses on the committee, pushed back against the idea that “good faith” defenses of “hate speech” were defensible under Canadian law. In a revealing moment, his go-to example was passages from Scripture.
“In Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Romans–there’s other passages–there’s clear hatred towards, for example, homosexuals,” Miller claimed. “I don’t understand how the concept of good faith can be invoked if someone were literally invoking a passage from, in this case, the Bible–there are other religious texts that say the same thing–and somehow say that this is good faith.”
“Clearly there are situations in these texts where these statements are hateful,” he added, directing his question at Derek Ross of the Christian Legal Fellowship. “They should not be used to invoke, be a defense, and there should perhaps be discretion for prosecutors to press charges. I just want to understand what your notion of good faith is in this context where there are clearly passages in religious texts that are clearly hateful.”
Miller was asking for context, but his own remarks are badly in need of context. He spent much of the weekend attempting to add context on X, asserting that he himself is a Christian; emphasizing that he is not referring to the quotation of Scripture itself as “hate speech,” but using the Bible as a means of “publicly inciting hatred”; and responding to Conservative MP Jamil Jivani’s statement that “Liberals want the power to decide which Bible verses you can read at church by stating that people “shouldn’t be able to invoke them as a defense to the crime of public hate speech.”
The Liberal government’s view of what precisely constitutes “public hate speech” is very much in question here. Miller, in his remarks, stated quite unambiguously that “there are clearly passages in religious texts that are clearly hateful.” His cited examples, although he delicately allowed that there are other religious texts that would fall into the same category, were all from the Bible. So would citing those texts publicly constitute “public hate speech”? What if a pastor or priest cited those texts in a sermon condemning LGBT ideology?
Even if we were to take Miller at his very murky word, neither he nor the government can be trusted on this file, as MP Andrew Lawton made crystal clear recently.
Consider the fact that the Liberal Party has presided over a country in which over 100 Christian churches have been vandalized or burned to the ground in the past five years, and has responded primarily by launching new initiatives to combat Islamophobia. In fact, the Liberal government funded a study recently titled the “Rainbow Faith and Freedom Report,” which systematically made the case for targeting places of worship that are not LGBT-affirming, and recommended concrete action be taken against these churches.
Indeed, Jamil Jivani sounded the alarm last December about increasing discrimination against Christians in Canada. Garnett Genuis, an Edmonton MP, has also been drawing attention to a progressive campaign to remove charitable status from Christian institutions, including churches–a threat that, despite being included as a recommendation from the Standing Committee on Finance last fall, has gotten very little attention, despite the fact that studies like the “Rainbow Faith and Freedom Report” were conducted to build the government’s case for doing so.
When someone makes claims about the Bible–especially that it contains “hate speech”–it is important to analyze not just what is being said, but who is saying it. Considering the Liberal track record, we should treat Miller’s words like the threat that they are. It is also worth noting that the Liberal government is justifying the need for their “hate speech” bill in part because they wish to combat antisemitism–and yet, two of the three books of the Bible cited by Miller as constituting “hate speech” come from the Torah.
Miller rather gave the game away when he retweeted on X, as a defense and explanation of his words, a famous clip from the American political drama The West Wing in which the president mocks a Christian radio host for her condemnation of homosexuality by portraying the Old Testament as blatantly immoral. It is a clever and well-crafted piece of propaganda, and it reveals precisely what Miller’s state of mind is and what he actually thinks of Christians who happen to believe what Christians have believed for 2,000 years. We should take Marc Miller at his word.
When Politicians Talk About Demons: The Rising Debate Over UFOs
In recent months, public fascination with UFOs and extraterrestrials has taken an unexpected turn–from late-night talk shows to the halls of Congress. Lawmakers like J.D. Vance, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Senator Marco Rubio have openly discussed the possibility that what many call “aliens” might, in fact, be something spiritual–perhaps even demonic.
To some, that may sound absurd or fringe. But the question of UFOs and “non-human intelligence” has leapt from science fiction into serious discussion at the highest levels of government. Declassified military footage, whistleblower reports, and Pentagon briefings have made the topic unavoidable. Yet as Christians, we must ask not only what is being seen, but who might be behind it–and why.
The Bible gives no mention of alien life. Genesis 1 describes the creation of the heavens, the earth, and all living creatures upon it–but nowhere are “otherworldly civilizations” included. Yet Scripture does reveal another class of beings–spiritual entities–who interact with mankind and seek to influence human affairs. The Bible calls them angels and demons.
From the serpent’s deception of Eve in Genesis 3 to the possession of men during Jesus’ ministry, the Bible describes fallen spiritual beings who manifest in physical form, deceive humanity, and draw worship away from the true God. Jesus warned, “False Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24). The Apostle Paul echoed this in 2 Thessalonians 2:11, saying that in the end times “God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false.”
Could the modern obsession with UFOs and “aliens” be part of that coming deception?
Ancient Parallels: The Nephilim and “Visitors from Heaven”
Genesis 6:4 records one of the most mysterious and disturbing passages in Scripture: “The sons of God saw that the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose… The Nephilim were on the earth in those days.” Many theologians interpret “sons of God” as fallen angels who took human wives, producing hybrid offspring–the Nephilim, a race of mighty beings described as violent and corrupt.
While this may sound like myth or science fiction, it’s an ancient biblical reality. And interestingly, similar stories appear in ancient cultures. The Sumerians spoke of the Anunnaki–“gods” who came down from the heavens and imparted advanced knowledge to humanity. Many of these accounts feature serpent-like figures, reminiscent of the biblical serpent who deceived Eve.
Could these ancient myths be distorted memories of demonic encounters–fallen angels masquerading as heavenly visitors? Scripture consistently portrays demons as imitators of light, offering forbidden knowledge and power in exchange for allegiance. From Eden to Babylon to modern occult movements, the pattern repeats: spiritual deception packaged as “higher wisdom.”
A Modern Deception in Alien Form?
If the “sons of God” once deceived ancient civilizations by appearing as heavenly beings, could the same strategy reappear in the last days?
Modern UFO phenomena share eerie similarities with spiritual encounters described throughout history–entities that defy physical laws, appear and vanish at will, communicate telepathically, and preach anti-biblical messages of “universal oneness” and “self-divinity.” Many so-called alien contactees report being told that Jesus is “just one of many ascended masters” or that humanity must “evolve” spiritually beyond religion. These are not new ideas–they are the same lies the serpent told Eve: “You will be like God.”
From a biblical standpoint, such teachings are not harmless–they are the core of demonic deception. Whether the “alien” phenomena are real beings, psychological manifestations, or military mysteries, the worldview they promote often undermines the Gospel.
And therein lies the danger.
If, as Scripture warns, the final deception will unite the world under a single false savior–the Antichrist–then what kind of revelation could unite atheists, Buddhists, Muslims, and even nominal Christians under one banner? A “divine visitor” from beyond this world could accomplish what centuries of religion could not: global unity under a false light.
The Spiritual Battle Behind the Mystery
For the believer, the real question is not “Do aliens exist?” but “What spiritual forces are at work behind the scenes?” Ephesians 6:12 reminds us: “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, the authorities, the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
If UFO phenomena are manifestations of these powers, we should not marvel–but remain vigilant. Just as the serpent disguised himself as something alluring in Eden, demonic forces may disguise themselves as “advanced beings” in the last days.
But Christians need not fear. The same Scripture that warns of deception also assures us of God’s absolute sovereignty. Even the demonic locusts described in Revelation 9 are under divine command–they cannot act beyond what God allows. As Jesus said, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
The Hope Beyond the Headlines
As talk of UFOs fills the airwaves and even congressional hearings, Christians have an opportunity–to remind the world that not everything unexplained is extraterrestrial, and not everything supernatural is divine. The Bible tells us plainly that deception will come. The key is not to speculate endlessly about what we see in the sky, but to fix our eyes on the One who reigns above it.
No matter what strange manifestations the last days bring–whether in the form of “aliens,” “ascended masters,” or new spiritual revelations–believers must cling to the eternal truth: Jesus Christ is Lord, the same yesterday, today, and forever.
In a world increasingly fascinated with otherworldly beings, perhaps the most urgent question isn’t whether we’re alone in the universe–but whether we truly know the One who made it.
GOG AND MAGOG UPDATE
Hezbollah Seeks To Take Over Lebanon Politically As It Rearms Against Israel
Since Nov. 27, 2024, Israel and Hezbollah have officially been in a state of ceasefire, but not a day goes by without the Iranian-sponsored terror faction seeking to violate the arrangement by trying to rebuild its battered capabilities, triggering Israeli airstrikes.
Simultaneously, Hezbollah is pursuing a political strategy to take over the Lebanese parliament, and the Lebanese state is largely helpless in stopping its activities, leaving Israel to do the heavy lifting, according to former senior Israeli security officials.
Col. (ret.) Jacques Neriah, an analyst at the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs and a former deputy head for assessment of Israeli Military Intelligence, told JNS that Hezbollah is receiving digital cash flowing from the Shi’ite diaspora and “Qassem’s money”–a reference to Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem, who replaced Hassan Nasrallah–coming in from Iraq. According to some estimates, the total of these funds amounts to nearly 500 million dollars.
“I think that right now Hezbollah is busy organizing its forces, although it has more or less completed filling the missing ranks, appointing commanders who were killed, training [elite] Radwan forces anew, operating factories for assembling precision missiles and assembling UAVs, deploying observation posts in southern Lebanon, bringing in weapons from Syria and other places into Lebanon, through the illegal crossings of which there are close to 377, and of course the flow of digital funds,” Neriah said.
Despite its losses in the war–according to Israeli assessments, it lost more than 80 percent of its pre-war arsenal by November 2024–Hezbollah still possesses a considerable arsenal, Neriah assessed. “In today’s data, they also say it has something like 30,000 projectiles left, which is not a small amount. Some of these are long-range projectiles and most are short-range rockets,” he said.
He warned that this military buildup is paired with a sophisticated political strategy to seize control of the Lebanese state. “The next mission is to take over the parliament. How? During the time of Michel Aoun, the previous Lebanese president, they passed a law that the Lebanese diaspora abroad will not vote for the 128 parliament members that exist on the various lists, but they will vote for six separate additional seats,” Neriah said.
Why is that? Because most of the Lebanese who are abroad and vote are anti-Hezbollah. Meaning, if you let them vote for parliament, they [Hezbollah] will never be able to take over the parliament, and this is the next goal.”
He described Lebanon as a “failing state” and its military as a “failing army” that has no real power to implement reforms or confront Hezbollah. “It is a sectarian army, 60% of which is Shi’ite; these are all people who have family in south Lebanon, no one will raise a rifle or a finger against Shi’ite villages in southern Lebanon, so what kind of army is this?” Neriah stated.
Given this reality, he argued that the U.S. has resorted to using Israel as its proxy, he added, to pressure Beirut to take action against Hezbollah’s weapons. Ultimately, Neriah said, a large-scale Israeli air operation will be needed to further weaken Hezbollah and to enable the Lebanese government to break free of its grip. He noted that during Operation Northern Arrows by the Israeli Air Force on Sept. 23, 1,600 sorties flown by the IAF over several days were extremely effective against Hezbollah’s capabilities.
Maj. Gen. (res.) Uzi Dayan, who served as deputy chief of staff and head of the National Security Council, told JNS, “Hezbollah will do its utmost to return and recover, this is true militarily, from a terror perspective, and it is also true politically. The Lebanese government wants to weaken Hezbollah as much as possible, but the main problem for it is that it is, as usual, weak. Hezbollah will direct its build-up towards the south of Lebanon, both because it has a wide Shi’ite base there, and also because it’s far from Beirut.”
Dayan outlined a multi-stage strategy for Israel in dealing with this threat. “One, always prepare operationally according to the enemy’s capabilities and not according to his intentions, because in assessing his intentions, history is full of mistakes in trying to understand, guess the intentions, or rather predict the enemy’s intentions. It is better to prepare according to its capabilities.”
A second, non-negotiable component is maintaining a permanent buffer area, said Dayan.
“The international border in Lebanon today is in some places tens of meters from [northern Israeli] communities. This is true for Metula, it is true for Misgav Am, it is true for Shlomi, also for other places, and therefore, defense must be in a security zone. The ideal is what the Americans call a ‘death zone,’ as they did between South Korea and North Korea,” he said.
Dayan argued that any significant violation by Hezbollah should be used by Israel to expand its current narrow security zone in southern Lebanon.
Third, Dayan argued that Israel must shed its reluctance to strike first. Thwarting Hezbollah’s attempt to recover, he said, must also allow, under certain conditions agreed upon in Israel, include a pre-emptive counter-attack. “That is, there are places where you have no choice but to hit him before it hits you, and this is something Israel has refrained from doing for many years.”
Dayan dismissed the Lebanese Army as a credible force, noting that it is infiltrated by Hezbollah loyalists and that its basic functionality is “nonexistent.”
In many areas, he said, “Lebanon is state that has no street names, no house numbers, nothing state-like, no state education system, no social security, and what is more troubling on the practical side, is that the salary, for example, of a soldier in the Lebanese army is about one-eighth of the salary of a terrorist in Hezbollah.”
He also characterized the U.S. role as one of economic, not military, pressure. “The Americans are doing a kind of peace. Their peace is economic, and utilitarian,” he said. When it comes to threatening military force in the region, the U.S. will always rely on Israel.”
Therefore, he added, “this is a situation that will happen quite a lot, because we also do not intend to conquer Lebanon.”
Ultimately, Dayan concluded, “We are saying, there will be no peace that does not pass through the liquidation of terror. If this is true in Gaza, it is true in Lebanon, and it is true in Syria.”
TruLight Ministry News
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