EmmDev 2026-10-02 [Wisdom for Every Day Life] You can't do it by yourself

You can't do it by yourself

Then the angel who talked with me returned and woke me up, like someone awakened from sleep. He asked me, "What do you see?" I answered, "I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven channels to the lamps. Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left." I asked the angel who talked with me, "What are these, my lord?" He answered, "Do you not know what these are?" "No, my lord," I replied. So he said to me, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty. (Zechariah4:1-6)

One of the recurring conversations in church circles today is about growing and declining congregations. We ask questions about attendance, finances, leadership, programmes, and outreach. While many of these conversations are important, Zechariah reminds us of a truth that can easily be forgotten: ultimately, God's work cannot be accomplished by human effort alone.

Zechariah receives a vision of a golden lampstand supplied continually with oil from two olive trees. Confused by what he sees, he asks for an explanation. The answer comes in a well-known verse: "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty" (Zechariah 4:6).

The immediate context is the rebuilding of the Temple after the exile. The task seemed overwhelming, resources were limited, people were discouraged, the challenges were real. Yet God reminds Zerubbabel that the future of God's people does not depend solely on human strength, influence, wealth, or determination.
It depends on the Spirit of God at work among them.

That message still speaks powerfully to the Church today.

Sometimes we can become anxious about the future of the Church. We wonder whether we have enough people, enough leaders, enough money, enough energy, or enough ideas. We may compare ourselves with other congregations or denominations and feel discouraged by decline. Yet God's primary concern has never been numbers alone. God's concern is faithfulness.

This does not mean that planning, vision, and hard work are unimportant. Rather, it means that all our efforts must be rooted in dependence on God. We cannot build God's Kingdom through our effort alone. We cannot manufacture spiritual growth or force transformation. We cannot carry the burden by ourselves.

The good news is that we were never meant to.

The lampstand in Zechariah's vision shines because it is continually supplied with oil. In the same way, the Church shines when it remains connected to the source of its life: the Spirit of God.

Whether we find ourselves in a season of growth or a season of struggle, the invitation is the same.
Trust God's Spirit.
Pray faithfully.
Serve generously.
Love deeply.
And remember that the future of the Church rests not in our hands alone,
but in the hands of the One who called it into being.
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Melanie Cook, is a wife and mother, a committed Parkrunner, serving at St Columba's in Parkview, JHB. She is our General Assembly Moderator Elect.

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EmmDev 2026-10-01 [Wisdom for Every Day Life] M.O.M. The Importance of Self-Evaluation

M.O.M. The Importance of Self-Evaluation

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is... (Romans12:1-3)

One of the habits that should be encouraged of all Christians, and the Church at large, is to do self-evaluation. Self-evaluation is the honest process of taking time to examine who we are, what we are doing, how we are living, and whether our lives are aligned with our Christian values and, above all, with the will of God. According to the above passage (Romans 12:1-3) self-evaluation should start with presenting our lives (bodies) as a living sacrifice, being transformed by the renewing of our minds, and thinking of ourselves with sober judgment.

Searching Questions

Self-evaluation invites each one of us to ask important questions: What are my strengths? Where do I need to grow? How do my words and actions affect other people? Am I living according to the values and principles I profess? And as a Church, are we growing? Are we doing what is expected of us -- to reach out to the world with the gospel and practical interventions? Are we moving forward? Are we stuck, and why?

Honest answers to these questions can help create awareness of our continuance dependence on God's grace and help. Self-evaluation therefore becomes an opportunity to allow God to transform us from within.

Self-evaluation also teaches us humility. Instead of asking only, "What is wrong with others?" we learn to ask, "What needs to change in me?" "What should we be doing different as a Church or as a congregation?"

Self-evaluation allows us to review our commitments and ask whether we have fulfilled them faithfully. It encourages us to acknowledge mistakes rather than blame others and to take responsibility for the consequences of our choices.

As Christians, we are called not simply to evaluate the world around us but also to allow God to examine our own hearts and lives. The question is not only, "What needs to change around me?" but also, "What needs to change within me?" Therefore, the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:5 are profound: "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves..."
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Hey, my name is Amon Kasambala, a husband to Tiba for 31 years this year, a father to Eddie (26 years old) and Victor (18 years old). I am the Moderator of the General Assembly of the UPCSA and a Senior Minister at the Glenwood Presbyterian Church in Durban.

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EmmDev 2026-09-30 [Wisdom for Every Day Life] Strong Convictions - Gentle Hearts #3 Salt and Light (Conclusion)

Strong Convictions - Gentle Hearts #3 Salt and Light (Conclusion)

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew5:13-16)

Jesus calls us to be salt and light.
He doesn't say: "Win every argument."

He says: "Be salt."
- Salt preserves.
- Salt flavours.
- Salt can cleanse and inhibit decay.
- Salt can make us thirsty.

But salt cannot do that at a distance.
It has to be ingested or absorbed. It has to be involved.
Scripture Union has the motto, "Earn the right to speak through personal friendship." Someone else said: "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." We're not winning arguments, we're winning people's hearts through sincere love and care.

Jesus calls us to be light:
- Light comforts and it pushes away darkness.
- Light guides and reveals wrong pathways.
- Light attracts but it also repels evil.
- Light reveals but it can also expose.
- Light brings life.

Light can be a searchlight that catches people doing wrong, a lighthouse that warns of danger, or a campfire that brings the lost hiker to safety. In our relationships, the light of Christ in us will comfort and guide. But, it may also expose and repel and so sometimes people react badly. It may be because the truth has confronted them, but it may also be because we have communicated poorly or set a bad example that doesn't match our words. We should always strive to be guided by God's Spirit so that we can rightly interpret and respond to people's reactions and God's promptings.

We're not called to win arguments but, with God's help, to win people's hearts.

People should see our good deeds and glorify the Father.
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And with that, we come to the end of our series, "Wisdom for Every Day Life."

I hope these devotions have challenged, encouraged and helped us to think about what it means to follow Jesus in an anxious, distracted and opinionated world.

Thank you for sharing the journey with me.

For the month of October we will be joining in the "Month of Mission" organised by the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. We will have different ministers writing about the "Habits of Growing and Declining Churches." I think you will really enjoy them.

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EmmDev 2026-09-28 [Wisdom for Every Day Life] Strong Convictions - Gentle Hearts #2 Deja Vu

Strong Convictions - Gentle Hearts #2 Deja Vu

Yesterday we looked at the passage where Jonah was looking over the city of Nineveh (which had repented dramatically) and was hard-heartedly waiting for its destruction.

We know that during the triumphal entry Jesus wept over Jerusalem.
Here's what He said on another occasion:

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. (Luke13:34)

What a contrast we are dealing with here!
Yesterday we saw Jonah being angry and longing for vindication, caring little for the repentant inhabitants of Nineveh. Today we watch Jesus lamenting over a serial-offending hard-hearted Jerusalem and His longing is not vindication but love.

Listen to His words:
"I have longed to gather you like a hen gathers her chicks."
He uses a powerful maternal image of care and protection.
It's a picture of tenderness and nurture.

Martin Lund, a senior Presbyterian minister, tells a story of a farmer in the Cape Winelands who had a fire rage though his farm and it even burned down his barn and the surrounding coops and stalls. As he was walking through the devastation he came upon a smouldering heap that looked like melted plastic. In frustration the farmer kicked the heap and as the smouldering bundle flew through the air, seven yellow bundles scattered across the pathway. It was the mother hen that covered her chicks and burned to death while saving her little ones.

This is what Jesus did for us.

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Strong Convictions - Gentle Hearts #1 Hard Hearted

Strong Convictions - Gentle Hearts #1 Hard Hearted

In our last section of "Wisdom for Every Day life" we come to a delicate balance.
We live in a world where values are being eroded and right and wrong are being reduced to what is good for me. This leaves Christ-followers in a bind: On the one hand we want to present the gospel attractively, but we don't want to compromise on the moral and ethical standards of holiness, justice, and righteousness. We don't want to present a laissez-faire faith but we also don't want to be legalistic and prescriptive.

There are not easy answers to this conundrum.
I believe that part of the solution lies in understanding God's heart for the lost.

We'll start with the example of someone who missed this completely.

Jonah the prophet was called by God to preach the gospel to Nineveh.
He didn't want to. We don't know if he had history with the Assyrians or if he just saw them as "unwashed heathens." But he didn't want to bring God's word to them. So he ran in the opposite direction and God sent a fishy submarine to bring him back. Even his sermon reflects his disconnection, he doesn't urge them to repent, he simply pronounces judgement. The Ninevites respond and repent in a way that Jerusalem never did and God relents.

Jonah loses it. He had suspected that forgiveness was on God's agenda and when it happens, he is angry and embarrassed and he pouts. God provides a vine that grows over him to shade him. Then He provides a worm which eats the vine and it withers. Jonah is furious about the loss of the vine even though it was an undeserved privilege.

And so God speaks to him:

But the Lord said, "You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left - and also many animals?" (Jonah4:10-11)

The account of Jonah is a masterful presentation of a heart that has become privileged and superior.
Jonah's heart is hard.
He is entitled.
He is exclusive.
He is arrogant.

The hardness and pride of his heart is not only seen in his lack of compassion for the Ninevites but in the self-centeredness of his prayer in the belly of the fish. It's striking that immediately after his prayer, the fish vomits him onto the beach. (I can't help but think of Jesus who warns the lukewarm Laodiceans that He will vomit them from His mouth.)

When it comes to sharing our faith, having the right doctrine isn't enough. Accuracy of presentation isn't enough. Our convictions must be carried by a heart that cares about the people we are speaking to.

God numbers the people and even thinks about the animals.
Jonah is fuming about God being merciful and about a plant that shouldn't even have been there.

And the book ends on this note, leaving us to wonder if Jonah ever softened his heart...

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EmmDev 2026-09-26 [Wisdom for Every Day Life] Contentment #4 - The Damage of Discontent

Contentment #4 - The Damage of Discontent

Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' " (Luke15:25-31)

Yesterday we looked at Asaph who "nearly lost his footing" due to discontent, but went to worship and found peace and contentment in his relationship with God.

Today we look at the older brother in Jesus' parable of the so-called "prodigal son."
The younger son was discontent, spent all his money, landed up in poverty and realised ("came to his senses") that true contentment could be found with his father.

While the younger brother's discontentment was explosive, expressive, and eventually short-lived, the older brother's discontent was of the festering kind. All looked well on the surface but underneath things were not good. He was going through the motions but was not really seeing how good he had it. He was like the nursery rhyme pussycat who went to London to see the queen and, instead of sitting on her lap and enjoying a bowl of royal cream, all he did was frighten a mouse from under her chair. The older brother had full access to his father and his father's blessings, but he chose to become miserable and it hardened his heart. Sadly he seems to have known what happened to the younger brother and just did not care.

Discontent made him bitter.
Discontent blinded him to the joy and privilege of his father's presence and goodness.
Discontent robbed him of the joy of his brother's return.

What is even more striking is that Jesus leaves the story open-ended.
We don't know if the older brother ever came around...

Discontent is a serious enemy.
It's subtle and steals our life and joy away from us.
Left unchecked it can make us as toxic and blind as it did the older brother in the story.

May we ensure that this does not happen to us!

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EmmDev 2026-09-25 [Wisdom for Every Day Life] Contentment #3 - Asaph's Journey

Contentment #3 - Asaph's Journey

Psalm 73 is a Psalm by a man named Asaph.

It documents his journey through discontent to peaceful contentment.

He starts with a doctrinal statement, which, while true, is over-simplified:
"Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure."
The problem with this statement is two implications that can be drawn from it:
1. If things are not going well, then your heart may not be pure.
2. If things are going well, then your heart must be pure.

This does not match his experience and he struggles with the dissonance:
"But as for me, I almost lost my footing.
My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone."

Here's why he was struggling:
"For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong.
They don't have troubles like other people;
they're not plagued with problems like everyone else.
They wear pride like a jewelled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty.
These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!
They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others."

And that leads him to question the faith sacrifices he has made:
"Did I keep my heart pure for nothing?
Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?
I get nothing but trouble all day long;
every morning brings me pain."

And he realises that what he is struggling with is a big issue that could cause pain to his God community:
"If I had really spoken this way to others,
I would have been a traitor to Your people.
So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper.
But what a difficult task it is!"

Then comes the turning point and it is two-fold:
1. He goes to worship
2. He gets a bigger picture - the wicked will face judgment.
"Then I went into your sanctuary, O God,
and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.
Truly, You put them on a slippery path
and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.
In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors.
When You arise, O Lord, You will laugh at their silly ideas
as a person laughs at dreams in the morning."

He recognises that discontent disfigured his soul:
"Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.
I was so foolish and ignorant --- I must have seemed like a senseless animal to You."

And he realises that his relationship with God is the true source of contentment.
"Yet I still belong to You; You hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.
Whom have I in heaven but You? I desire You more than anything on earth.
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart; He is my portion forever."

And so he resolves to lean into his relationship with God...
"But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,
and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things You do."

Can you identify with Asaph's journey???

May we learn to lean into our relationship with God and find deep peace there!

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(The full psalm is below...)

[A psalm of Asaph.] Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure. But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. They don't have troubles like other people; they're not plagued with problems like everyone else. They wear pride like a jewelled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for! They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others. They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth. And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words. "What does God know?" they ask. "Does the Most High even know what's happening?" Look at these wicked people--- enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply. Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain. If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to Your people. So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is! Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. Truly, You put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors. When You arise, O Lord, You will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning. Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant--- I must have seemed like a senseless animal to You. Yet I still belong to You; You hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but You? I desire You more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is my portion forever. Those who desert Him will perish, for You destroy those who abandon You. But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things You do. (Psalms73:1-28)

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Contentment #2 - Exemplified

Our reading is from Psalm 16 - It's called a "Miktam"
- We don't know what that means
- But every psalm that is called a Miktam is a prayer in time of trouble

(A miktam of David.) Keep me safe, my God, for in You I take refuge. I say to the Lord, "You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing." I say of the holy people who are in the land, "They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight." Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods or take up their names on my lips. Lord, You alone are my portion and my cup; You make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let Your holy one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand. (Psalms16:1-11)

So, this is probably a prayer in trouble.
But David reflects gratitude and loyalty.

In its simple structure, this Psalm exemplifies contentment...
David is urging us to:

1. REMEMBER that God is enough
   "apart from You I have no good thing."
   "Lord, You alone are my portion and my cup;"
   "You will fill me with joy in Your presence,"
   
   
2. TAKE NOTE that God has given us much
   "You make my lot secure."
   "The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places"
   "surely I have a delightful inheritance."
   
   
3. BE COMFORTED because God is with us and counsels us.
   "I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
   even at night my heart instructs me.
   I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
   With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken."
   
   
4. BE SECURE in knowing that God holds our future.
   "because You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
   nor will you let Your holy one see decay.
   You make known to me the path of life"

David can end the Psalm with:
"You will fill me with joy in Your presence,
with eternal pleasures at Your right hand."

Contentment is learning to recognise what we already have...
David is in trouble, but he can still say, "You are my portion."
He looks at his life and sees that his boundary lines have fallen in pleasant places.
He looks beside him and sees God's presence.
He looks ahead and sees God's eternal promise.

May we Remember, Take Note, be Comforted and Secure in the knowledge and experience of God as the One who is enough, who provides abundantly, who goes with and guides us and secures our eternity.

This is contentment: It is not an achievement or attainment - it is a Relationship.

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EmmDev 2026-09-23 [Wisdom for Every Day Life] Contentment #1 - Where the Trouble starts...

Contentment #1 - Where the Trouble starts...

This week we look at Contentment and its enemies - Discontent and Comparison.
(I want to finish this series before we start the "Month of Mission" in October and so there will be a devotion each day, including the weekend to get us to the finish line on time...")

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'" "You will not certainly die," the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. (Genesis3:1-6)

Look at Satan's strategy:

• He says "Did God really say "Don't eat from any tree in the garden?" "
  He twists God's words. God only restricted them from one tree, but suggesting that it was more, he makes God look petty and restrictive.
• Eve takes the bait, she corrects the serpent, but she does add to what God said.
  God said "Don't eat from it"
  Eve said "God says "you must not eat from it AND you must not touch it."
• This gives the serpent the gap
  I can imagine him touching the tree and triumphantly saying: "You will not certainly die."
  So now he makes God look like He makes empty threats.
• Then he plays his trump card. ---> Discontent.
  "God is holding out on you. He doesn't want you to be like Him."
• All of a sudden the tree's fruit looks:
  - good for food
  - pleasing to the eye
  - desirable for gaining wisdom.
  And Eve eats and Adam too.

Discontent and Comparison lie at the heart of so much heartache in the Scriptures.

• Cain compares himself to Abel and kills him.
• Joseph's brothers are jealous of his pretty coat and the favouritism it represents and sell him as a slave.
• The Israelites forget the whips and labour of Egypt and they think of the leeks and onions, and complain about Manna.
• Saul is Jealous because of a song the women sang about him and David and tries to kill David.
• David looks at Uriah's wife and wants her, even though he has wonderful wives already and so he takes Bathsheba and kills Uriah
• King Ahab is king over all of Israel but is jealous over Naboth's Vineyard and Jezebel has Naboth killed

I call it the "Tyranny of More"

Can you think of times when discontent, comparison and their meaner brother, jealousy have clouded your judgement, messed up your decisions and soured your life?

We should be vigilant and thoughtful...

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EmmDev 2026-09-04 [Wisdom for Every Day Life] Seasoned Words #4 - How to do it...

Seasoned Words #4 - How to do it...

After laying a doctrinal foundation for eleven chapters, Paul now reminds the church in Rome to live out their faith practically. Part of this practical living is peacemaking, de-escalation and conflict resolution. Let's see what he says:

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans12:17-21)

How do we do all the things Paul is talking about?
How do we live in peace with everyone? How do we de-escalate anger, conflict and hostility?"

I think it takes three important steps:

1. PAUSE
   Slow down. Don't match the emotional temperature.
   Bring great calm into tense situations. Make sure you're not taking things personally and not acting out of emotion.
   
   
2. DISCERN
   What is actually happening?
   What's beneath these words?
   Where is emotion and anger blinding people?
   Where is there commonality?
   
   
3. SEASON
   Start with humility.
   Speak words that fit the moment.
   Make people feel heard and taken seriously.
   Make sure that what you are aiming for is to reveal grace and not your cleverness.

And, at the end of the day remember what the stakes are:
We are not trying to win arguments but to win people's hearts.
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EmmDevs will be pausing for two weeks...

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