Introduction to Faith Manna for the Young Champion
Hi I am Daniel Light , The only son of Pastor Dirk from TruLight Ministries . The Co Trustee to the TruLight Trust . Co founder of TruLight Ministries . I am a Sound Engineer . Graphic and website Designer by Night and sleeper by Day . I was born in a Christian Household , but at the Age of 13 I made my 1st Faith Move by being Water Baptized and from there My Ministry started at the age of 13. I have been in the Gospel Ministry for 12 Years now , I I do not Bragg that I have Mastered the Faith or Faith at All . I am just a Beggar , trying to show another beggar to find the Next Meal. Please Go 12 Round with me in this Battle for the 1st Prize , HEAVEN
Here a few things that Helped me stay on the Strait and Narrow.
Available on TruLight Daily Manna every Tuesday Morning
Hallo, ek is Daniel Light, die enigste seun van Pastoor Dirk van TruLight Ministries. Die mede-trustee van die TruLight Trust. Mede-stigter van TruLight Ministries. Ek is ‘n klankingenieur. Grafiese ontwerper en webwerf-ontwerper snags en slaper bedags. Ek is in ‘n Christelike huishouding gebore, maar op die ouderdom van 13 het ek my eerste geloofsbeweging gemaak deur waterdoop te word en van daar af het my bediening op die ouderdom van 13 begin. Ek is nou al 12 jaar in die Evangeliebediening, en ek spog nie dat ek die geloof bemeester het, of hoegenaamd geloof nie. Ek is net ‘n bedelaar wat probeer om ‘n ander bedelaar te wys hoe om die volgende maaltyd te vind. Gaan asseblief 12 rondtes saam met my in hierdie stryd om die 1ste prys, HEMEL
Hier is ‘n paar dinge wat my gehelp het om op die reguit en smal pad te bly.
Beskikbaar op TruLight Daily Manna elke Dinsdag Oggend
Round 1
Realizing I am Lost without Christ Jesus
Admitting you are a sinner.
You need to make this Round / step by yourself, you need to admit that you are a sinner and living in the World without God. And if you continue living like this you will never reach Heaven.
Admitting is Round / step nr 1.
God, I’m a sinner, I do realize that with this sin in my life, I can not be close to You! And will never receive the gift of Eternal Life.
I know that I need to stop sinning and that I need to ask God forgiveness for my past actions. And need to invite Jesus Christ into my heart to come and clean my mind and spirit of all past sin.
What is sin? Sin is anything that stands between you and God. With sin in your live, God will not be part of your life.
Yes. God does love you! But He does not like sin and there is no relationship between you and God if you are sinful. You need to repair this relationship.
By taking this step!
All people have sinned.
Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,
Sin is temptation.
Jas 1:15 Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin. And sin, when it is fully formed, brings forth death.
Sin begins in the mind.
Mat 5:27 you have heard that it was said to the ancients, “You shall not commit adultery.”
Mat 5:28 But I say to you that whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
God have to punish sin.
Ex. 32:34 and now go, lead the people to the place of which I have spoken to you. Behold, My Angel shall go before you. And in the day of my visitation I will visit their sin upon them.
We should humbly confess sin.
2Sa 24:10 and David’s heart struck him after he had numbered the people.
And David said to Jehovah, I have sinned greatly in what I have done.
And now, I beseech You, O Jehovah; take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly.
11 And David rose up in the morning. And the Word of Jehovah came to the prophet Gad, David’s seer, saying,
12 Go and say to David, So says Jehovah, I offer you three things. Choose one of them, so that I may do it to you.
13 And Gad came to David, and told him, and said to him, Shall seven years of famine come upon you and on your land? Or will you flee three months before your enemies while they pursue you? Or shall there be three days’ plague in your land? And advise, and see what answer I shall return to Him who sent me.
14 And David said to Gad, I am in great distress. Let us fall now into the hand of Jehovah, for His mercies are great. And do not let me fall into the hand of man.
15 And Jehovah sent a plague upon Israel from the morning even till the time appointed. And there died from the people, from Dan to Beersheba, seventy thousand men.
Sin leads to eternal death.
Ezra 9:5 and at the evening sacrifice I rose up from my affliction. And tearing my garment and my mantle, I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to Jehovah my God.
6 And I said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to You, my God. For our iniquities have increased over our heads, and our guiltiness has grown up to the heavens.
7 Since the days of our fathers we have been in a great sin until this day. And for our iniquities we, our kings, our priests, have been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to shame of face, as it is this day.
8 And now for a little time grace has been shown from Jehovah our God, to leave us a remnant to escape and to give us a nail in His holy place, so that our God may enlighten our eyes and give us a little life in our bondage.
9 For we were slaves, yet our God has not left us in our bondage, but has given mercy to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us some life, to set up the house of our God, and to repair its waste, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.
10 And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken Your commandments
11 which You commanded by Your servants the prophets, saying, The land into which you go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations which have filled it from one end to the other with their uncleanness.
12 And now do not give your daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters to your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth forever, so that you may be strong and eat the good of the land and leave it for an inheritance to your sons forever.
13 And after all that has come on us for our evil deeds and for our great sin, since You our God have punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and have given us such an escape as this,
14 should we again break Your commandments and join hands with the people of these abominations? Would You not be angry with us until You had crushed us, until there is no remnant nor survivor?
15 O Jehovah, the God of Israel, You are righteous. For we are left a remnant that has escaped, as today. Behold, we are before You in our sins, for we cannot stand before You because of this.
Sin becomes death.
Rom 6:23 for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
God will forgive us our sin, if we ask for forgiveness.
1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
In sin you are without God.
Eph 2:12 and that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.
Humans have a sinful nature.
Gen 3:1 now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which Jehovah God had made. And he said to the woman, is it so that God has said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
2 And the woman said to the serpent, we may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden.
3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, You shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.
4 And the serpent said to the woman, You shall not surely die,
5 for God knows that in the day you eat of it, then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as God, knowing good and evil.
6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasing to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make wise, she took of its fruit, and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
7 And the eyes of both of them were opened. And they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made girdles for themselves.
8 And they heard the voice of Jehovah God walking in the garden in the cool of the day. And Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of Jehovah God in the middle of the trees of the garden.
9 And Jehovah God called to Adam and said to him, where are you?
10 And he said, I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I am naked, and I hid myself.
11 And He said, who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree which I commanded you that you should not eat?
12 And the man said, the woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.
13 And Jehovah God said to the woman, what is this you have done? And the woman said, the serpent deceived me, and I ate.
14 And Jehovah God said to the serpent, because you have done this you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every animal of the
field. You shall go upon your belly, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life.
15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He will bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.
16 To the woman He said, I will greatly increase your sorrow and your conception. In pain you shall bear sons, and your desire shall be toward your husband, and he shall rule over you.
17 And to Adam He said, because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree, of which I commanded you, saying, You shall not eat of it! The ground is cursed for your sake. In pain shall you eat of it all the days of your life?
18 It shall also bring forth thorns and thistles to you, and you shall eat the herb of the field.
19 in the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.
God do punish sin.
Ex 32:34 and now go, lead the people to the place of which I have spoken to you. Behold, My Angel shall go before you. And in the day of My visitation I will visit their sin upon them.
God requires a clean heart a pure heart.
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
The Flesh brings Sin; the Spirit brings freedom of sin.
Rom 8:1 there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the
Spirit.
2 But the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
Are you admitting that your a Sinner and by continuing on this Sinful Road you will end up in Hell ?
If your answer is YES
Pray this Prayer with me and Take the next step with me !
PRAYER
Lord I admit that I am a sinner in the World without you in my Life. Lord I do realize that if I continue down this road I will end up in Hell! Lord I made up my Mind taking the 12 steps to Heaven , Please meet me on my Journey to Heaven and walk with me all the way . I thank You Lord Amen and Amen
Rondte 1
Besef ek was verlore sonder Jesus Christus
‘n Sondaar in ‘n Wêreld vol sonde, sonder God
Elke Rondte is van uiterse belang en moet ten volle voltooi en bemeester word, voordat jy na die volgende Rondte / Stap toe kan beweeg in jou geestelike lewe.
Nie een enkele Rondte / stap kan oorgeslaan word nie, of gemis word nie, of enigsins half hartig gedoen word nie. Ieder en elke stap moet 100 % gedoen word, voordat jy kan aan beweeg na die volgende stap in die gees.
Die hartseerste van dit alles is dat slegs ‘n handjievol Christene die bokant van die stel trappe, wat die Hemel is, sal behaal. Meeste behaal nie eers stap 10 van hierdie openbaring nie.
‘n Baie groot persentasie Christene sal nie Stap 11 bereik nie, en sommiges sal selfs struikel en van die trappe afval terug tot op die vloer.
Maar as jy dit eendag tot in die Hemel wil maak dan moet jy elke stap 100% bemeester. En dan beweeg jy nader en nader aan God en die Hemel.
Die Verlossingsplan is niks nuut nie, maar slegs ‘n spieëlbeeld van die oorspronklike verlossingsplan van die Ou Testament wat die plan van die Tabernakel van God volg. Ook is dit dieselfde plan van die Tempel van God wat later deur God aan Moses gegee is.
Kom ons begin nou ons reis na die Hemel.
Almal begin op die vloer:
Sonder God in ‘n Wêreld vol sonde!
Efes 2:12 dat julle in dié tyd sonder Christus was, vervreemd van die burgerskap van Israel en vreemdelinge ten aansien van die verbonde van die belofte, sonder hoop en sonder God in die wêreld.
Kom ons beweeg na Stap 1, op die pad na die Hemel.
Stap 1: Erken jy is ‘n sondaar.
Jy moet hierdie stap self neem en jy moet erken dat jy as ‘n sondaar in ‘n sondige wêreld sonder God lewe. Jy moet besef dat as jy voortgaan om sondig te lewe dat jy nooit die Hemel sal bereik nie.
Erkenning is stap nommer 1.
God, ek is ‘n sondaar, en ek besef dat met hierdie sonde in my lewe sal ek nie naby U kan lewe nie! En ek sal ook nooit die geskenk van die Ewige Lewe kan ontvang nie.
Ek weet dat ek nodig het om op te hou sondig en dat ek nodig het om U omvergifnis te vra vir my verlede oortredings. Ek het nodig om Jesus Christus in my hart in te nooi om in te kom en my gedagtes en my gees reinig te kom maak van alle sondes van my verlede.
Wat is sonde? Sonde is alles wat tussen jou en God staan. Met sonde in jou lewe, sal God nie deel van jou lewe wees nie.
Ja, God is lief vir jou! Maar Hy hou nie van sonde nie en daar is geen verhouding tussen jou en God as jy voortgaan in jou sondige maniere nie. Jy moet die verhouding tussen jou en God herstel.
Deur hierdie stap te neem!
Alle mense het gesondig.
Rom 3:23 want almal het gesondig en dit ontbreek hulle aan die heerlikheid van God,
Sonde is versoeking.
Jak 1:15 Daarna, as die begeerlikheid ontvang het, baar dit sonde; en as die sonde tot volle ontwikkeling gekom het, bring dit die dood voort.
Sonde begin in die verstand.
Mat 5:27 Julle het gehoor dat aan die mense van die ou tyd gesê is: Jy mag nie egbreek nie.
Mat 5:28 Maar Ek sê vir julle dat elkeen wat na ‘n vrou kyk om haar te begeer, reeds in sy hart met haar egbreuk gepleeg het.
God moet sonde straf.
Exo 32:34 Maar gaan nou en lei die volk waarheen Ek jou gesê het. Kyk, my engel sal voor jou uit gaan. Maar die dag as Ek besoeking doen, dan sal Ek hulle sonde oor hulle besoek.
Ons behoort nederig ons sondes te bely.
2 Sa 24:10 Maar Dawid se gewete het hom gekwel nadat hy die volk getel het, en Dawid het aan die HERE gesê: Ek het swaar gesondig deur wat ek gedoen het; HERE, vergeef dan nou tog die skuld van u kneg, want ek het baie dwaas gehandel.
11 Toe Dawid die môre opstaan—die woord van die HERE het naamlik tot die profeet Gad, die siener van Dawid, gekom en gesê:
12 Gaan heen en spreek met Dawid: So sê die HERE: Drie dinge lê Ek jou voor; kies vir jou een daaruit, dat Ek jou dit kan aandoen—
13 toe het Gad by Dawid gekom en dit aan hom bekend gemaak en aan hom gesê: Wil jy dat daar sewe jaar lank hongersnood in jou land kom, of wil jy drie maande lank vlug voor jou teëstanders uit dat hulle jou agtervolg, of moet daar drie dae lank pes wees in jou land? Ondersoek nou en sien watter antwoord ek my Sender moet bring.
14 Daarop sê Dawid vir Gad: Ek is baie benoud; laat ons tog val in die hand van die HERE, want sy barmhartighede is groot, maar laat my in die hand van mense nie val nie.
15 En die HERE het ‘n pes onder Israel beskik van die môre af tot op die bepaalde tyd, en van Dan tot Berséba het daar van die volk sewentig duisend man gesterwe.
Sonde lei tot die ewige dood.
Esr 9:5 Maar op die tyd van die aandoffer het ek opgestaan uit my verootmoediging; en terwyl ek my kleed en my mantel skeur, het ek op my knieë my gebuig en my hande uitgebrei na die HERE my God
6 en gesê: My God, ek voel te beskaamd en verleë om my aangesig tot U, my God, op te hef, want ons ongeregtighede het oor ons hoof gegroei, en ons skuld is hemelhoog.
7 Van die dae van ons vaders af tot vandag toe is ons in ‘n groot skuld, en oor ons ongeregtighede is ons self, ons konings, ons priesters oorgegee in die hand van die konings van die lande, aan die swaard, aan gevangenskap en aan plundering en beskaming van die aangesig soos dit vandag is.
8 En nou was daar vir ‘n klein oomblik genade van die kant van die HERE onse God, om vrygeraaktes vir ons te laat oorbly en ons ‘n pen te gee in sy heilige plek, sodat onse God ons oë verhelder het en ons „n bietjie verademing geskenk het in ons diensbaarheid.
9 Want slawe is ons; in ons slawerny egter het onse God ons nie verlaat nie, maar Hy het ons guns laat vind voor die konings van Persië, sodat hulle ons verademing geskenk het om die huis van onse God weer op te rig en sy puinhope te herstel en ons ‘n muur te gee in Juda en Jerusalem.
10 En wat sal ons nou ná hierdie dinge sê, onse God? Want ons het u gebooie verlaat
11 wat U deur u knegte, die profete, beveel het deur te sê: Die land waar julle inkom om dit in besit te neem, is ‘n onrein land vanweë die onreinheid van die volke van die lande, deur hulle gruwels waarmee hulle dit van die een end tot die ander vervul het in hulle onreinheid.
12 Gee dan nou julle dogters nie aan hulle seuns en neem hulle dogters nie vir julle seuns nie, en soek tot in ewigheid nie hulle vrede en geluk nie, sodat julle kan sterk word en die goeie van die land geniet en dit aan julle kinders as besitting kan gee tot in ewigheid.
13 En ná alles wat oor ons gekom het vanweë ons slegte dade en ons groot skuld—want U, onse God, het ons minder toegereken as wat ons
ongeregtighede verdien het, en aan ons nog soveel vrygeraaktes gegee
14 sal ons weer u gebooie verbreek en ons verswaer met hierdie gruwelike volke? Sal U nie op ons vertoorn wees, totdat ons vernietig is, sodat daar geen oorblyfsel of vrygeraakte meer is nie?
15 HERE, God van Israel, U is regverdig; want ons het as vrygeraaktes oorgebly soos dit vandag is. Hier is ons in ons skuld voor u aangesig, want niemand kan om sulke dinge voor u aangesig bestaan nie.
Sondes gaan oor tot die dood.
Rom 6:23 Want die loon van die sonde is die dood, maar die genadegawe van God is die ewige lewe in Christus Jesus, onse Here.
God sal ons, ons sondes vergewe as ons vergifnis vra.
1Jn 1:8 As ons sê dat ons geen sonde het nie, mislei ons onsself en die waarheid is nie in ons nie.
9 As ons ons sondes bely, Hy is getrou en regverdig om ons die sondes te vergewe en ons van alle ongeregtigheid te reinig.
In sonde is ons sonder God.
Efes 2:12 dat julle in dié tyd sonder Christus was, vervreemd van die burgerskap van Israel en vreemdelinge ten aansien van die verbonde van die belofte, sonder hoop en sonder God in die wêreld.
Mens het ‘n sondige natuur.
Gen 3:1 Maar die slang was listiger as al die diere van die veld wat die HERE God gemaak het. En hy sê vir die vrou: Is dit ook so dat God gesê het: Julle mag nie eet van al die bome van die tuin nie?
2 En die vrou antwoord die slang: Van die vrugte van die bome in die tuin mag ons eet,
3 maar van die vrugte van die boom wat in die middel van die tuin is, het God gesê: Julle mag daarvan nie eet nie en dit nie aanroer nie, anders sal julle sterwe.
4 Toe sê die slang vir die vrou: Julle sal gewis nie sterwe nie;
5 maar God weet dat as julle daarvan eet, julle oë sal oopgaan, sodat julle soos God sal wees deur goed en kwaad te ken.
6 Toe sien die vrou dat die boom goed was om van te eet en dat hy ‘n lus was vir die oë, ja, ‘n boom wat ‘n mens kan begeer om verstand te verkry; en sy neem van sy vrugte en eet en gee ook aan haar man by haar, en hy het geëet.
7 Toe gaan altwee se oë oop, en hulle word gewaar dat hulle naak is; en hulle het vyeblare aanmekaargewerk en vir hulle skorte gemaak.
8 En hulle het die stem van die HERE God gehoor terwyl Hy wandel in die tuin in die aandwindjie; en die mens en sy vrou het hulle verberg vir die aangesig van die HERE God tussen die bome van die tuin.
9 Toe roep die HERE God na die mens en sê vir hom: Waar is jy?
10 En hy antwoord: Ek het u geruis gehoor in die tuin en gevrees, want ek is naak; daarom het ek my verberg.
11 En Hy sê: Wie het jou te kenne gegee dat jy naak is? Het jy geëet van die boom waarvan Ek jou beveel het om nie te eet nie?
12 En die mens antwoord: Die vrou wat U gegee het om by my te wees, sy het my van die boom gegee, en ek het geëet.
13 Daarop sê die HERE God aan die vrou: Wat het jy nou gedoen? En die vrou antwoord: Die slang het my bedrieg, en ek het geëet.
14 Toe sê die HERE God aan die slang: Omdat jy dit gedoen het, is jy vervloek onder al die vee en al die diere van die veld. Op jou buik moet jy seil, en stof moet jy eet al die dae van jou lewe.
15 En Ek sal vyandskap stel tussen jou en die vrou, en tussen jou saad en haar saad. Hy sal jou die kop vermorsel, en jy sal hom in die hakskeen byt.
16 Aan die vrou het Hy gesê: Ek sal grootliks vermeerder jou moeite en jou swangerskap; met smart sal jy kinders baar; en na jou man sal jou begeerte wees, en hy sal oor jou heers.
17 En aan die mens het Hy gesê: Omdat jy geluister het na die stem van jou vrou en van die boom geëet het waarvan Ek jou beveel het om nie te eet nie—vervloek is die aarde om jou ontwil; met moeite sal jy daarvan eet al die dae van jou lewe.
18 Ook sal dit vir jou dorings en distels voortbring; en jy sal die plante van die veld eet.
19 In die sweet van jou aangesig sal jy brood eet totdat jy terugkeer na die aarde, want daaruit is jy geneem. Want stof is jy, en tot stof sal jy terugkeer.
God vereis ‘n skoon hart; ‘n rein hart.
Psa 51:12 Skep vir my ‘n rein hart, o God, en gee opnuut in die binneste van my ‘n vaste gees.
Die Vlees bring voort Sonde; Die Gees bring voort Vryheid van sonde.
Rom 8:1 Daar is dan nou geen veroordeling vir die wat in Christus Jesus is nie, vir die wat nie na die vlees wandel nie, maar na die Gees.
2 Want die wet van die Gees van die lewe in Christus Jesus het my vrygemaak van die wet van die sonde en die dood.
Neem die Volgende Stap saam met my en Bid die gebed
GEBED
God, ek is ‘n sondaar, en ek besef dat met hierdie sonde in my lewe sal ek nie naby U kan lewe nie! En ek sal ook nooit die geskenk van die Ewige Lewe kan ontvang nie.
Ek weet dat ek nodig het om op te hou sondig en dat ek nodig het om U omvergifnis te vra vir my verlede oortredings. Ek het nodig om Jesus Christus in my hart in te nooi om in te kom en my gedagtes en my gees reinig te kom maak van alle sondes van my verlede. Wees my Genadig en Ontmoet my op die Pad wat ek tans gaan neem , Amen en Amen
a Clever Youth Questions
Another Clever Youth question:
Pastor, is plastic surgery a sin?
The Bible does not specifically address a Christian undergoing plastic surgery or cosmetic surgery – it is a modern invention. There is nothing in the Bible that indicates that plastic surgery is inherently wrong or right. However, there are several things that one should consider before deciding whether or not to undergo these procedures. God created us as we are and we should accept it, unless there were generic problems or problems with an accident or incident. Changing your body is unnatural, and there are always risks of possible side effects, both physical and psychological. No one should allow themselves to go “under the knife” without first thoroughly researching all alternatives, risks, and side effects involved in the surgery. A person should also fully identify his or her motivation for desiring the surgery. For many with physical deformities—whether genetic or acquired—it is natural to want to fit in and feel “normal.” There are also cases of mild abnormalities that would make a person feel very uncomfortable with themselves, such as a very large or misshapen nose. But many, if not most, plastic surgeries are attempts to meet emotional voids in physical ways, to attract attention, or to seek approval from others.
The most commonly performed cosmetic procedures include breast augmentation/lifts, liposuction (the removal of body fat), facelifts, eyelid lifts, buttock and other body contouring, leg vein treatments, Botox/fat injections, and nose and face reshaping. Approximately two million people undergo these types of procedures each year, which cost money and sacrifice time and comfort. When vanity motivates a person to undergo surgery, he/she has become his/her own idol. The Bible warns us not to be vain or conceited (Philippians 2:3-4) and not to draw attention to ourselves by our appearance (1 Timothy 2:9). Another concern would be the cost. This is a major consideration because most people have families, and the cost of plastic surgery should never come before the needs of the family. The Bible also tells us to use the money God has entrusted to us wisely (Proverbs 11:24-25; Luke 16:10-12).
The most important thing to do before making the decision to undergo plastic surgery is to consult God about the matter. The Bible tells us that God cares about every worry and concern we have, so we should take our problems to Him (1 Peter 5:7). Through the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, we have the ability to make decisions that will please and honor Him. “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is the one who procures praise for herself” (Proverbs 31:30). Even the most skilled surgeon cannot turn back the hands of time, and all cosmetic surgery will eventually have the same result—aging. Those lifted body parts will sag again, and those cosmetically altered features will eventually wrinkle. It is far better to work on beautifying the person underneath, “the unfading beauty of the inner man in the quiet and gentle spirit, which is of great value in the sight of God” (1 Peter 3:4).
Nog ‘n slim tienervraag:
Pastoor is plastiese chirurgie ‘n sonde?
Die Bybel spreek nie spesifiek ‘n Christen aan wat plastiese chirurgie of kosmetiese chirurgie ondergaan nie – dit is ‘n moderne uitvindsel. Daar is niks in die Bybel wat aandui dat plastiese chirurgie op sigself verkeerd of Reg is nie. Daar is egter verskeie dinge wat ‘n mens moet oorweeg voordat jy besluit of jy hierdie prosedures moet ondergaan of nie. God het Ons geskep soos ons is en ons moet dit aanvaar, behalwe as daar Generiese probleme of probleem met ‘n ongeluk of Insident was. Om jou liggaam te verander is onnatuurlik, en daar is altyd risiko’s van moontlike newe-effekte, beide fisies en sielkundig. Niemand moet toelaat dat hy “onder die mes” sit sonder om eers alle alternatiewe, risiko’s en newe-effekte wat by die operasie betrokke is, deeglik na te vors nie. ‘n Persoon moet ook sy of haar motivering om die operasie te begeer ten volle identifiseer. Vir baie met fisiese misvormings—hetsy geneties of verworwe—is dit natuurlik om in die samelewing te wil inpas en “normaal” te voel. Daar is ook gevalle van ligte abnormaliteite wat iemand baie ongemaklik met homself sal laat voel, soos ‘n baie groot of misvormde neus. Maar baie, indien nie die meeste nie, plastiese operasies is pogings om emosionele leemtes op fisiese maniere te ontmoet, om aandag te trek of om goedkeuring van ander te soek.
Die kosmetiese prosedures wat die algemeenste uitgevoer word, sluit in borsvergroting/-opheffings, liposuiging (die verwydering van liggaamsvet), gesig-opheffings, ooglid-opheffings, boude en ander liggaamsliggings, been-aarbehandelings, botoks/vet-inspuitings, en neus- en gesighervorming. Ongeveer twee miljoen mense onderwerp hulle elke jaar aan hierdie soort prosedures, wat geld opdok en tyd en gemak opoffer. Wanneer ydelheid ‘n persoon motiveer om ‘n operasie te ondergaan, het hy/sy sy/haar eie afgod geword. Die Bybel waarsku ons om nie ydel of verwaand te wees nie (Filippense 2:3-4) en om nie die aandag op onsself te vestig deur hoe ons lyk nie (1 Timoteus 2:9). Nog ‘n bekommernis sou die koste wees. Dit is ‘n groot oorweging, want die meeste mense het gesinne, en die koste van plastiese chirurgie moet nooit voor die behoeftes van die gesin kom nie. Die Bybel sê ook vir ons dat ons die geld wat God aan ons toevertrou het, verstandig moet gebruik (Spreuke 11:24-25; Lukas 16:10-12).
Die belangrikste ding om te doen voordat die besluit geneem word om plastiese chirurgie te ondergaan, is om God oor die kwessie te raadpleeg. Die Bybel sê vir ons dat God omgee vir elke bekommernis en bekommernis wat ons het, daarom moet ons ons probleme na Hom toe neem (1 Petrus 5:7). Deur die wysheid en leiding van die Heilige Gees en die Woord van God het ons die vermoë om besluite te neem wat Hom sal behaag en eer. “Bekoorlikheid is bedrieglik, en skoonheid is vlugtig; maar ‘n vrou wat die HERE vrees, moet geloof word” (Spreuke 31:30). Selfs die mees bekwame chirurg kan nie die hande van tyd terughou nie, en alle kosmetiese operasies sal uiteindelik dieselfde resultaat hê—veroudering. Daardie opgeligde liggaamsdele sal weer sak, en daardie kosmeties veranderde gelaatstrekke sal uiteindelik kreukel. Dit is baie beter om daaraan te werk om die persoon daaronder te verfraai, “die van jou innerlike, die onverwelklike skoonheid van ’n sagmoedige en stille gees, wat van groot waarde is in God se oë” (1 Petrus 3:4).
Direction to a Champion
Three Dangerous Positions for A Young Believer
The Bible is to be taken in it’s entirety as the inspired Word of God. There is nothing in Sacred Scripture that is not necessary for the believer to know and do. However, these days it seems that many believers are selective in their approach to the Bible, choosing to follow only those areas of particular interest and seeming benefit to one’s temporal life. With this thought in mind, we should remember the wisdom of Proverbs 11:1 KJV,
“A false balance is an abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight.”
To be in balance as a believer we must accept all the teaching of Scripture, not just the part that teaches us privilege but also responsibility. We must also understand that God’s Word brings us comfort and assurance but also warnings and judgement. How have we become so one sided in our beliefs and lifestyle? I believe it is fruit of the teaching we hear that is a result of the church leaders being shaped by the congregation instead of the church leaders shaping the congregation according to the complete teaching of Scripture. Paul warns us not to be “conformed to this world” or “shaped by it’s culture.” Yet many believers are shaped by the culture around them and then expect the teaching of the church to support their beliefs or they will leave and find a place that does. Sadly, there are those church leaders that preach and teach only what people want to hear, thus they allow the congregation to shape them as leaders. Paul warned us again to beware of this scenario when people would want their “ears tickled” with popular teaching that is way out of balance with the whole Word of God. With these thoughts in mind, I want to share a bit of warning to believers from Scripture that reveal three positions Christians must avoid in their journey with Christ. As a Pastor, these things may not make us popular, but as one man said, “I would rather have people hate me for telling the truth, than to have them love me for telling them lies.”
DRIFTING
Hebrews 2:1-4 “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?”
We are told to “pay attention” to the Word of God so that we would not “drift away” from the truth. The term implies that those who are not fully anchored to the Word of God will, like a ship at sea, drift and get lost in the darkness. Believers are admonished to be intentional in their moorings to Scripture, checking up on themselves to make sure we are holding fast to our confession of faith in Christ and living the life of a true follower who is always seeking to please God through obedience and service to His Kingdom. Those who “drift” from commitment to the Local Church and it’s balanced teachings are in danger of losing direction in life and ending up in shipwreck. Mature sons and daughters of Father God are always seeking to do those things that please Him. John 8:29 “And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” This verse suggests to us that Christ himself was aware of the temptation to “drift” and was “always” keeping himself anchored to the will and Word of God.
SIFTING
Luke 22:31-32 “And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
Here Jesus reveals to Peter what is happening in his life and what the outcome will be. He tells Peter that there is a spiritual warfare over his destiny and that Satan is trying to separate him from Jesus, who is his spiritual father and mentor. This sifting is taken from the analogy of the Threshing Floor where the wheat was separated from the chaff prior to grinding for making bread. Every spiritual son and daughter will be sifted by the enemy. Satan is always trying to disconnect us from the sources that God has connected us to for our preparation and possession of blessing. It happens in many ways as Satan uses his subtle schemes to derail us and destroy our destiny. Peter was listening to the voice of the adversary who was attempting to bring about his betrayal of Jesus, the spirit of Absalom is at work today as then. Some will betray their leaders through offense, others who are not willing to sacrifice themselves for God’s will, find an excuse to fault their leaders and move on. However the enemy does it, his aim is to “divide and conquer.” Peter’s apostolic destiny would have ended right then and there if Jesus had not been aware of the warfare and done the necessary intercession to free his disciple and bring restoration to his calling. You can read the whole story of Peter and see how the prophetic Word came to pass as Jesus spoke it, “When you are converted (return to your calling) go and strengthen your brethren.” For sure, those who have almost lost it all due to spiritual warfare are able to help those who are under attack to recognize and resist the devil.
1 Peter 5:8-10 “Be sober, be vigilant; because[a] your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may[b] the God of all grace, who called us[c] to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”
LIFTING
1 Peter 5:5-7 “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for
‘God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.’
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
Pride is part of our inheritance from Adam in the sinful nature we are born with. The tendency to exalt ourselves must be dealt with by learning to wait upon the Lord under the guiding hand of eldership within the Local Church. There is such safety in spiritual covering, that is why the Lord set up the Local Church with apostolic government. As we grow in Christ, we may not yet see ourselves accurately, or discern the timing of the Lord. Pride is a “false estimation of ourselves” while humility is a “correct estimation of ourselves.” Pride causes one to overestimate themselves in terms of their spiritual maturity and readiness for leadership responsibility in the plan of God. Pride creates blind spots that usually derive from our spiritual gifts and anointing (just like Lucifer), we then see ourselves as “more than we really are.” Lucifer so overestimated himself that he actually thought he could rule the Universe better than Almighty God. This self exultation brought about his loss of position in God’s eternal plan. Satan desires to lead every believer down the path he choose for himself, that is why we must follow the instructions Peter left for us in this Epistle. When we have been poisoned with pride we may feel that we know better than the seasoned leadership God placed in our lives, and may no longer follow their advice in a spirit of humility. We can only be lifted up by God when we have refused to lift ourselves. Jesus was tempted to exalt himself when Satan suggested that he jump from the pinnacle of the temple and be rescued by angels. Pride causes one to think they don’t have to live by the same rules and standards as others, that they are somehow above it. When pride is operating in a person they will think they don’t have to walk the same path of qualification as others do in order to be promoted in God’s plan. Jesus knew that the laws of gravity applied to him as well, even if he was the Son of God. He refused to bite the bait of self exultation.
These three areas of particular danger for believers need to be understood and implemented to guarantee our fruitfulness in God’s Kingdom plan. We can overcome these attacks of Satan that come from within and without only with a “broken and contrite spirit.” Apostolic teaching is not complete without making these truths known to God’s sons and daughters.
Drie Gevaarlike Posisies vir ‘n Jong Gelowige
Die Bybel moet in sy geheel as die geïnspireerde Woord van God beskou word. Daar is niks in die Heilige Skrif wat nie nodig is vir die gelowige om te weet en te doen nie. Deesdae lyk dit egter asof baie gelowiges selektief is in hul benadering tot die Bybel, en kies om slegs daardie areas van besondere belang en oënskynlike voordeel vir ‘n mens se tydelike lewe te volg. Met hierdie gedagte in gedagte, moet ons die wysheid van Spreuke 11:1 onthou:
“’n Valse weegskaal is vir die Here ’n gruwel, maar ’n regte gewig is sy welgevalle.”
Om as gelowige in balans te wees, moet ons al die leringe van die Skrif aanvaar, nie net die deel wat ons voorreg leer nie, maar ook verantwoordelikheid. Ons moet ook verstaan dat God se Woord ons troos en versekering bring, maar ook waarskuwings en oordeel. Hoe het ons so eensydig geword in ons oortuigings en lewenstyl? Ek glo dit is die vrug van die lering wat ons hoor, wat die gevolg is van die kerkleiers wat deur die gemeente gevorm word, in plaas daarvan dat die kerkleiers die gemeente vorm volgens die volledige lering van die Skrif. Paulus waarsku ons om nie “aan hierdie wêreld gelykvormig te word” of “deur sy kultuur gevorm te word” nie. Tog word baie gelowiges gevorm deur die kultuur rondom hulle en verwag dan dat die leer van die kerk hul oortuigings sal ondersteun, anders sal hulle vertrek en ‘n plek vind wat dit wel doen. Ongelukkig is daar kerkleiers wat slegs preek en leer wat mense wil hoor, en dus laat hulle die gemeente toe om hulle as leiers te vorm. Paulus het ons weer gewaarsku om op te pas vir hierdie scenario wanneer mense hul “ore gekielie” wil hê met gewilde leer wat heeltemal buite balans is met die hele Woord van God. Met hierdie gedagtes in gedagte, wil ek ‘n bietjie waarskuwing aan gelowiges uit die Skrif deel wat drie posisies openbaar wat Christene moet vermy in hul reis met Christus. As ‘n Pastoor maak hierdie dinge ons dalk nie gewild nie, maar soos een man gesê het: “Ek sou liewer hê dat mense my haat omdat ek die waarheid vertel, as dat hulle my liefhet omdat ek vir hulle leuens vertel.”
WEGDRYF
Hebreërs 2:1-4 “Daarom moet ons des te meer ag gee op wat ons gehoor het, sodat ons nie wegdryf nie. 2 Want as die woord wat deur engele gespreek is, onwrikbaar was, en elke oortreding en ongehoorsaamheid ‘n regverdige beloning ontvang het, 3 hoe sal ons ontvlug as ons so ‘n groot saligheid verwaarloos wat eers deur die Here verkondig is en aan ons bevestig is deur die wat Hom gehoor het, 4 terwyl God ook getuig deur tekens en wonders en deur allerhande kragtige dade en gawes van die Heilige Gees volgens sy wil?”
Ons word aangesê om “ag te gee” op die Woord van God sodat ons nie van die waarheid “afdryf” nie. Die term impliseer dat diegene wat nie ten volle aan die Woord van God geanker is nie, soos ‘n skip op see, in die duisternis sal wegdryf en verlore sal raak. Gelowiges word vermaan om doelbewus aan die Skrif vas te meer, om hulself te kontroleer om seker te maak dat ons vashou aan ons belydenis van geloof in Christus en die lewe leef van ‘n ware volgeling wat altyd daarna streef om God te behaag deur gehoorsaamheid en diens aan Sy Koninkryk. Diegene wat “dryf” van toewyding aan die Plaaslike Kerk en sy gebalanseerde leringe, loop gevaar om rigting in die lewe te verloor en skipbreuk te ly. Volwasse seuns en dogters van Vader God soek altyd daarna om die dinge te doen wat Hom behaag. Johannes 8:29 “En Hy wat My gestuur het, is met My. Die Vader het My nie alleen gelaat nie, want Ek doen altyd die dinge wat Hom behaag.” Hierdie vers dui vir ons daarop dat Christus self bewus was van die versoeking om te “dryf” en homself “altyd” geanker gehou het aan die wil en Woord van God.
SIFTING
Lukas 22:31-32 “En die Here sê: Simon, Simon! Waarlik, die Satan het na julle gevra om julle soos koring te sif. 32 Maar Ek het vir julle gebid dat julle geloof nie ophou nie; en wanneer julle na My teruggekeer het, moet julle broers versterk.”
Hier openbaar Jesus aan Petrus wat in sy lewe gebeur en wat die uitkoms sal wees. Hy vertel vir Petrus dat daar ‘n geestelike oorlogvoering oor sy bestemming is en dat Satan probeer om hom van Jesus te skei, wat sy geestelike vader en mentor is. Hierdie sifting is geneem uit die analogie van die Dorsvloer waar die koring van die kaf geskei is voordat dit vir die maak van brood gemaal is. Elke geestelike seun en dogter sal deur die vyand gesif word. Satan probeer ons altyd ontkoppel van die bronne waaraan God ons verbind het vir ons voorbereiding en besit van seën. Dit gebeur op baie maniere soos Satan sy subtiele planne gebruik om ons te ontspoor en ons bestemming te vernietig. Petrus het geluister na die stem van die teenstander wat probeer het om sy verraad van Jesus te bewerkstellig, die gees van Absalom is vandag soos toe aan die werk. Sommige sal hul leiers deur aanstoot verraai, ander wat nie bereid is om hulself vir God se wil op te offer nie, vind ‘n verskoning om hul leiers te blameer en aan te beweeg. Hoe die vyand dit ook al doen, sy doel is om “te verdeel en te heers”. Petrus se apostoliese bestemming sou net daar en dan geëindig het as Jesus nie bewus was van die oorlogvoering en die nodige voorbidding gedoen het om sy dissipel te bevry en sy roeping te herstel nie. Jy kan die hele verhaal van Petrus lees en sien hoe die profetiese Woord vervul is soos Jesus dit gespreek het: “Wanneer julle bekeerd is (terugkeer na julle roeping), gaan dan en versterk julle broeders.” Diegene wat amper alles verloor het as gevolg van geestelike oorlogvoering, kan sekerlik diegene wat aangeval word, help om die duiwel te herken en te weerstaan.
1 Petrus 5:8-10 “Wees nugter en waaksaam, want julle teëstander, die duiwel, loop rond soos ‘n brullende leeu en soek wie hy kan verslind. 9 Weerstaan hom, standvastig in die geloof, omdat julle weet dat dieselfde lyding ook op julle broederskap in die wêreld van toepassing is. 10 Maar mag die God van alle genade, wat ons geroep het tot sy ewige heerlikheid in Christus Jesus, nadat julle ‘n kort tydjie gely het, julle volmaak, bevestig, versterk en grondves.”
OPHEFFING
1 Petrus 5:5-7 “Net so moet julle, jonger mense, aan die ouderlinge onderdanig wees. Wees almal aan mekaar onderdanig en beklee julle met nederigheid, want: ‘God weerstaan die hoogmoediges, maar aan die nederiges gee Hy genade.’
6 Verneder julle dan onder die kragtige hand van God, sodat Hy julle op die regte tyd kan verhoog. 7 Werp al julle bekommernisse op Hom, want Hy sorg vir julle.”
Trots is deel van ons erfenis van Adam in die sondige natuur waarmee ons gebore word. Die neiging om onsself te verhoog, moet hanteer word deur te leer om op die Here te wag onder die leidende hand van ouderlingskap binne die Plaaslike Kerk. Daar is soveel veiligheid in geestelike bedekking, daarom het die Here die Plaaslike Kerk met apostoliese regering opgerig. Soos ons in Christus groei, sien ons onsself dalk nog nie akkuraat nie, of onderskei ons die tydsberekening van die Here nie. Trots is ‘n “valse skatting van onsself” terwyl nederigheid ‘n “korrekte skatting van onsself” is. Trots veroorsaak dat ‘n mens hulself oorskat in terme van hul geestelike volwassenheid en gereedheid vir leierskapsverantwoordelikheid in die plan van God. Trots skep blinde kolle wat gewoonlik voortspruit uit ons geestelike gawes en salwing (net soos Lucifer), dan sien ons onsself as “meer as wat ons werklik is.” Lucifer het homself so oorskat dat hy eintlik gedink het hy kon die heelal beter regeer as die Almagtige God. Hierdie selfverheerliking het gelei tot sy verlies aan posisie in God se ewige plan. Satan begeer om elke gelowige op die pad te lei wat hy vir homself kies, daarom moet ons die instruksies volg wat Petrus vir ons in hierdie brief gelaat het. Wanneer ons met trots vergiftig is, kan ons voel dat ons beter weet as die ervare leierskap wat God in ons lewens geplaas het, en mag ons nie meer hul raad in ‘n gees van nederigheid volg nie. Ons kan slegs deur God verhef word wanneer ons geweier het om onsself te verhef. Jesus was in die versoeking om homself te verhef toe Satan voorgestel het dat hy van die top van die tempel afspring en deur engele gered word. Trots laat ‘n mens dink dat hulle nie volgens dieselfde reëls en standaarde as ander hoef te leef nie, dat hulle op een of ander manier bo dit is. Wanneer trots in ‘n persoon werk, sal hulle dink dat hulle nie dieselfde kwalifikasiepad as ander hoef te loop om in God se plan bevorder te word nie. Jesus het geweet dat die wette van swaartekrag ook op hom van toepassing was, selfs al was hy die Seun van God. Hy het geweier om die aas van selfverheerliking te byt.
Hierdie drie areas van besondere gevaar vir gelowiges moet verstaan en geïmplementeer word om ons vrugbaarheid in God se Koninkryksplan te waarborg. Ons kan hierdie aanvalle van Satan wat van binne en buite kom, slegs oorkom met ‘n “gebroke en verslae gees.” Apostoliese leer is nie volledig sonder om hierdie waarhede aan God se seuns en dogters bekend te maak nie.
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