When one thinks of success, what is the first word that comes to mind? Some might say it is based on achievement, victory and conquering all. Who do you look up to as a role model for success? Could it be your parents, a celebrity or maybe even your best friend.
For me success is not a destination, but rather a journey, a way of life and an attitude for right here and now in our everyday lives. When I think of the word 'success', I think of perfection, and since there is only one being that ever lived on earth that was perfect in all He did, We look to Jesus Christ for some guidelines on living a life of success. By thinking for a moment about what we know about His life through the gospels, wouldn't you say His ways of living were that of 'success'? We clearly know that it was a life of suffering and hardship, with servanthood and sacrifice at the very core.
Surely His destination was successful, but the question that I want to leave you all with here is this...
...Would it have been a successful destination, if the journey was not one lived in success?
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Thursday, 2 February 2012
Without You... My Life Slips Away.
My life. Nothing but a meaningless set of events without You beside
me. Reality ceases to exist, and time slows down to an almost stand
still. With You there is fresh breath, a wave of clean thought and
understanding far beyond me. I feel at peace in my skin, and am
overwhelmed with joy and certainty of where I'm going. My life has
direction and purpose. Actions seem to be apart of something greater
than I can see. Love takes control. It's in the drivers seat and is
directing the course of my path. Selfishness fades away as servanthood
becomes top priority. Praise for the blessings that pour over and
overflow are ever present as days go by. Storms they come, yet flee at
the greatness of your everflowing majesty. The light in the darkness,
the sword in the battle.
Without You... My life slips away
Without You... My life slips away
Monday, 30 January 2012
God Made Provision For Human Error
God
made provision for human error. He's got a backup plan for those
moments of weakness, of disobedience and of doubt. He knows we have the
potential to overcome, to conquer, to be great in He who created us. He
also knows that sometimes we slip, we fall, we make mistakes. We're not
perfect, and God knows this.
My inspiration for this message I bring to you comes from the well known story of "David and Goliath", a story of a 'man after Gods' own heart' standing up in faith against a giant. And the question I was asking myself the other day, was "why did David pick up five stones instead of one?" Surely God knew that David had the potential, was capable of taking Goliath on, defeating him with only one stone. And by the word we get that David had full trust in the Lord to make Him victorious over this massive giant he was about to take on, that so many other mighty soldiers were afraid of.
Could it be that God led David to pick up five stones, just in case, for some unknown reason David might have doubted, took his eyes off God or let fear enter into his mind. God made provision for human error, He took into account that we might not always be obedient to His guidance, as many times in our own lives are not.
My understanding is that David struck down Goliath in his first shot, one attempt was all it took to bring this giant down. Yet if he didn't, he still had four stones, four more chances to achieve his purpose that God had called him for. In my own life, as a testimony to His greatness, there have been giants in my life that i have had to throw stones at. Some have taken one, while others, more than one to strike down. The biggest giant in my life, being that of 'drug addiction'.
I dont want to go to much into it, if you've heard one story, you've heard them all. Always the same, pain, suffering and loss. Getting arrested, rehabs and dancing with death. With Gods' massive grace and mercy, and bigger calling on my life, He provided me with the ammunition, the strength and the stones to throw at my giant. Whether it took me one stone or twenty five to strike him down, it was by Gods' power and his might alone that I am here today, sharing my testimony to all of you, as a conqueror in Christ. As it states in Revelations 12v11 'And they have defeated him by the blood of the lamb, and by their testimony...' Just in that verse, by putting 'the blood of the lamb' and 'their testimony' in the same sentence and on the same level, shows us the power that we all possess with our testimony. Everyone one of you out there has one of how God has been there for you, in whichever way it may be. He can use it to help someone, be the light in their darkness, a guide where they are lost.
So to end off, I just want to encourage you all to use those stones that God has given you to strike down the giants in your life. You might be on your first stone or fifteenth for that matter. The important point, i want to make, is that you 'throw those stones'. If you've missed a few times, for whatever reason only you know. Don't give up, don't lose heart. I believe and have full faith that you can be a conqueror, and you know what... SO DOES GOD!
My inspiration for this message I bring to you comes from the well known story of "David and Goliath", a story of a 'man after Gods' own heart' standing up in faith against a giant. And the question I was asking myself the other day, was "why did David pick up five stones instead of one?" Surely God knew that David had the potential, was capable of taking Goliath on, defeating him with only one stone. And by the word we get that David had full trust in the Lord to make Him victorious over this massive giant he was about to take on, that so many other mighty soldiers were afraid of.
Could it be that God led David to pick up five stones, just in case, for some unknown reason David might have doubted, took his eyes off God or let fear enter into his mind. God made provision for human error, He took into account that we might not always be obedient to His guidance, as many times in our own lives are not.
My understanding is that David struck down Goliath in his first shot, one attempt was all it took to bring this giant down. Yet if he didn't, he still had four stones, four more chances to achieve his purpose that God had called him for. In my own life, as a testimony to His greatness, there have been giants in my life that i have had to throw stones at. Some have taken one, while others, more than one to strike down. The biggest giant in my life, being that of 'drug addiction'.
I dont want to go to much into it, if you've heard one story, you've heard them all. Always the same, pain, suffering and loss. Getting arrested, rehabs and dancing with death. With Gods' massive grace and mercy, and bigger calling on my life, He provided me with the ammunition, the strength and the stones to throw at my giant. Whether it took me one stone or twenty five to strike him down, it was by Gods' power and his might alone that I am here today, sharing my testimony to all of you, as a conqueror in Christ. As it states in Revelations 12v11 'And they have defeated him by the blood of the lamb, and by their testimony...' Just in that verse, by putting 'the blood of the lamb' and 'their testimony' in the same sentence and on the same level, shows us the power that we all possess with our testimony. Everyone one of you out there has one of how God has been there for you, in whichever way it may be. He can use it to help someone, be the light in their darkness, a guide where they are lost.
So to end off, I just want to encourage you all to use those stones that God has given you to strike down the giants in your life. You might be on your first stone or fifteenth for that matter. The important point, i want to make, is that you 'throw those stones'. If you've missed a few times, for whatever reason only you know. Don't give up, don't lose heart. I believe and have full faith that you can be a conqueror, and you know what... SO DOES GOD!
Anastasios
I feel that I'm in a place in my life where there's a great sense of
peace in my heart. There's confidence in who I am, yet I try hard to
keep myself humble at all times. The simple things in life are what
makes me happy, I would choose adventure over money any day. I'm the
type of person that would sell everything I own and go live in the
forest with the animals just for the pure adventure and excitement of
it :) Love is the best and most special feeling, I would truly die for
love, and all the pain that comes with love is worth it! I'm an open
book with nothing to hide, ask me anything, and I'll give you the most
honest answer I can. I don't believe in lies and dishonesty, the truth
shall set you free and it has me. Laughter is best, and a smile always
lightens any situation. I enjoy letting myself go and acting the fool
or being a clown or hooligan and running around like a child :) For me
life is beautiful and funny at the same time, a rollercoaster of
emotions and mixed feelings. An outlined picture, and I'm the artist
who chooses my colours. I'm extremely spiritual, but without any
religion in me. Traditions are boring to me, depending on the
situation, but in general I like to live for the moment. I'm well aware
of my dark side, the fires and the rage I try very hard to control and
channel towards the light. Music is expression, a wonderful melody and
voice, candy to my ears. A fart is the funniest thing for me, yet death
of a loved one the saddest. My life is a gift from God, my past saved
by him, and my future in His hands. There are no chains holding me,
with nothing to lose, but the world to gain. If there is such a word
like freedom.... Then it's free that I am....
Cape Town Blessing
GOD has been so good to me on my stay here in Cape Town, and has really blessed me so much. And through me, made it possible for me to bless others. I was thinking the other night, when i was walking in cape town central taxi rank. at like 11 at night. That I would no ways EVER EVER be able to be doing what I'm doing, if i didn't know that God was by my side protecting me from all the darkness this world has to offer and the fear that would be there if His divine peace were not. I have only R80 to my name, yet I stand firmly on the word that God knows that I need food and shelter, and trust fully in Him to provide. With no worry as to what tomorrow will bring. And my experience thus far is a testimony to His greatness in staying true to His word. Not one day have i not had a place to stay ( I've stayed at so many different peoples houses that i just met on the day or night since i've been here) And have not one day gone without food or water. By God's power, people have bought me food to help me out, given me a lift so that i might save transport money. After just meeting them for five minutes at the station or anywhere else. He has been a light to my steps.and a guard to my life on this Cape Town Journey, and I give Him all the glory and honour for making this possible. Without Him, I am nothing. Amen
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