And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews11:6
This is the age-old struggle we have...
Why can't God simply give us irrevocable proof that He's alive and then we don't have to struggle with faith?
But what _is_ irrevocable truth?
- Isn't the size and majesty of the universe enough?
- Or what about the amazing capacity to love and be loved that exists in my soul?
- What about the legacy of faith that has continued over 2000 years in spite of the persecutions of the church (not to mention its own failures)?
In some ways there is an abundance of proof for those who would see it...
Furthermore... proof is one thing, trust is another: I may have absolute proof of someone's existence but to have friendship with them, I must still take a risk and open myself to them. As a student I knew Brenda existed. I could see her, hear her, and even throw her into the sea(!) but relationship only truly began when I took a risk and started trusting her and opening up to her.
With God it is the same:
The Israelites had some pretty convincing proofs of God's existence and power - I think walking through a sea that would later drown the Egyptian army would have me pretty convinced - but then they worshipped the golden calf - why? Because they had not reached a point of personal trust.
No matter how little proof (or how much) we have, knowing God is a _relationship_ and not an experiment or theorem. When we take the risk of seeking Him, we discover much much more than proof!
And this is why we gather for worship on Sundays - to celebrate the God who rewards those who seek Him.
Have an awesome weekend!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Friday, August 29, 2014
Thursday, August 28, 2014
EMMDEV 2014-08-28 [Faith and Hebrews11] A journey
By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. Hebrews11:5
Enoch lived for 365 years before he was taken to be with God. What's interesting is that in Genesis we are told that he walked with God for 300 years, which means that he started his walk at 65.
But what happened when he was 65? Genesis tells us that when Enoch was 65 his son, Methuselah, was born!
I know for myself, becoming a Dad gave me all sorts of insights about God. As I wheeled my baby boy to the incubator room (it was a freezing July midnight) I knew that if someone tried to take him from me I would be willing to lay down my life. I also understood how hard it was for God to watch His Son suffer on the cross. I experienced love at a kind of ferocity that is almost indescribable.
The birth of his son awakened Enoch and lit a fire of faith and relationship that was part of his life for the long haul: Watching his son grow up, get married, have children. Experiencing growing old and going through the seasons of life.
It would seem that the intensity of the becoming-a-dad experience put Enoch in a place where an intense intimacy with God became the norm for his life forward.
What a lovely way to describe it: he "walked with God."
Faith is a journey. Recognising that we get to "do" life in the presence of an awesome God. For Enoch the benchmark of that relationship was the awesome moment of becoming a dad.
What are the awesome moments you have experienced in life?
What if these became benchmarks that explained, described and epitomised the relationship and walk that we can have with God?
Then faith is a journey!! May we "walk" well!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Enoch lived for 365 years before he was taken to be with God. What's interesting is that in Genesis we are told that he walked with God for 300 years, which means that he started his walk at 65.
But what happened when he was 65? Genesis tells us that when Enoch was 65 his son, Methuselah, was born!
I know for myself, becoming a Dad gave me all sorts of insights about God. As I wheeled my baby boy to the incubator room (it was a freezing July midnight) I knew that if someone tried to take him from me I would be willing to lay down my life. I also understood how hard it was for God to watch His Son suffer on the cross. I experienced love at a kind of ferocity that is almost indescribable.
The birth of his son awakened Enoch and lit a fire of faith and relationship that was part of his life for the long haul: Watching his son grow up, get married, have children. Experiencing growing old and going through the seasons of life.
It would seem that the intensity of the becoming-a-dad experience put Enoch in a place where an intense intimacy with God became the norm for his life forward.
What a lovely way to describe it: he "walked with God."
Faith is a journey. Recognising that we get to "do" life in the presence of an awesome God. For Enoch the benchmark of that relationship was the awesome moment of becoming a dad.
What are the awesome moments you have experienced in life?
What if these became benchmarks that explained, described and epitomised the relationship and walk that we can have with God?
Then faith is a journey!! May we "walk" well!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
EMMDEV 2014-08-27 [Random Musings] Active Faith
By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. Hebrews11:4
Abel brought his best - whereas Cain did not. One can only assume that they had the same family tradition, had grown up with the same rituals and the same spiritual teaching from their parents.
But Abel's faith prompted him to act differently.
Many of us have all sorts of doubts, but in moments of what I call "decisional clarity" we act and our actions themselves are moments of trust and faith.
There are times that I see the pain of the world around me and I struggle with the heartache and the sorrow. I struggle to understand where God fits into all of this and I feel inadequate to explain the why's and wherefore's.
But then the moment comes where I'm looking someone in the eye... And that eye may be clouded by sorrow, pain or heartache and I get to say those important words: "Let's pray." And in that moment I reach out in tangible trust to a God who can do what I cannot.
There are times where the challenges in my own life seem to overwhelm and drown me in their complexity and multiplicity. Again, the doubts and fears threaten to paralyse. But faith prompts me - "Just take the next step!"
Did Abel struggle with the thought that his parents had been in paradise, but that he couldn't have it? Did he struggle with the fact that he lived in a broken world because of their failure? Maybe he did. But by his actions he makes a statement of faith and by that choice to sacrifice he gains beautiful decisional clarity.
Sometimes the best way to grow our faith is to do what is in front of us.
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Abel brought his best - whereas Cain did not. One can only assume that they had the same family tradition, had grown up with the same rituals and the same spiritual teaching from their parents.
But Abel's faith prompted him to act differently.
Many of us have all sorts of doubts, but in moments of what I call "decisional clarity" we act and our actions themselves are moments of trust and faith.
There are times that I see the pain of the world around me and I struggle with the heartache and the sorrow. I struggle to understand where God fits into all of this and I feel inadequate to explain the why's and wherefore's.
But then the moment comes where I'm looking someone in the eye... And that eye may be clouded by sorrow, pain or heartache and I get to say those important words: "Let's pray." And in that moment I reach out in tangible trust to a God who can do what I cannot.
There are times where the challenges in my own life seem to overwhelm and drown me in their complexity and multiplicity. Again, the doubts and fears threaten to paralyse. But faith prompts me - "Just take the next step!"
Did Abel struggle with the thought that his parents had been in paradise, but that he couldn't have it? Did he struggle with the fact that he lived in a broken world because of their failure? Maybe he did. But by his actions he makes a statement of faith and by that choice to sacrifice he gains beautiful decisional clarity.
Sometimes the best way to grow our faith is to do what is in front of us.
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
EMMDEV 2014-08-26 [Random Musings] Ex nihilo
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Hebrews11:3
The Latin phrase "ex nihilo" means "out of nothing."
That's what the writer of Hebrews is talking about.
Human beings can _transform things: we take ore and make jewellery, we take clay and make pots, we cut down trees and make furniture. We can transform, but we can't create "ex nihilo".
Look around you. Look at the awesome beauty of creation, the abundance of variety and the vastness of space. The scientists tell us that the universe is still expanding. That's not transformation, that's creation.
I often hold my hand in front of my face and take my fingers through the various grips, gestures and movements that they are capable of. I think of touching my newborn son with these hands and thrusting these hands into the tarmac to protect my face when I took a fall off my bicycle. I think of the fingerprints on each finger and the way each finger helps me type this dev and I know that I am looking at a miracle.
I look at all the vastness and majesty in creation and I feel faith rise up in me. When I contemplate creation with open eyes and a ready heart, faith springs up in me.
All that I see around me wasn't transformed. It was not made out of what was visible. It takes too much faith to believe that this was all by accident. It's more obvious and explicable to believe in a Creator.
Creation is too big, too magnificent: I can't figure it out - I can't UNDERSTAND by myself. But by faith I look and by faith I see not only creatION but I see the CreatOR. And then I UNDERSTAND.
===============================
There's a joke around "ex nihilo" that goes like this:
The atheist scientists came to God and said "God we have figured out how to create life - we don't need you anymore."
God said: "Oh really? Show me how you create life."
And so the scientists said: "Well you take some dirt and ...."
And God said "Uh uh. Get your own dirt..."
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
The Latin phrase "ex nihilo" means "out of nothing."
That's what the writer of Hebrews is talking about.
Human beings can _transform things: we take ore and make jewellery, we take clay and make pots, we cut down trees and make furniture. We can transform, but we can't create "ex nihilo".
Look around you. Look at the awesome beauty of creation, the abundance of variety and the vastness of space. The scientists tell us that the universe is still expanding. That's not transformation, that's creation.
I often hold my hand in front of my face and take my fingers through the various grips, gestures and movements that they are capable of. I think of touching my newborn son with these hands and thrusting these hands into the tarmac to protect my face when I took a fall off my bicycle. I think of the fingerprints on each finger and the way each finger helps me type this dev and I know that I am looking at a miracle.
I look at all the vastness and majesty in creation and I feel faith rise up in me. When I contemplate creation with open eyes and a ready heart, faith springs up in me.
All that I see around me wasn't transformed. It was not made out of what was visible. It takes too much faith to believe that this was all by accident. It's more obvious and explicable to believe in a Creator.
Creation is too big, too magnificent: I can't figure it out - I can't UNDERSTAND by myself. But by faith I look and by faith I see not only creatION but I see the CreatOR. And then I UNDERSTAND.
===============================
There's a joke around "ex nihilo" that goes like this:
The atheist scientists came to God and said "God we have figured out how to create life - we don't need you anymore."
God said: "Oh really? Show me how you create life."
And so the scientists said: "Well you take some dirt and ...."
And God said "Uh uh. Get your own dirt..."
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Friday, August 22, 2014
EMMDEV 2014-08-22 [Random Musings] Faith 2 - Commended
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for. Hebrews11:1-2
Having faith becomes harder and harder as we grow older. Faith comes easily to children who trust easily and fully but it seems that as time goes by faith is eroded by disappointments, unmet expectations and modern day scepticism.
In a modern day world where expedience, "scientific fact", self-centeredness and convenience are the order of the day, faith is often questioned, criticised and maligned.
But right at the outset of his excursus on faith the writer of Hebrews indicates that we can look at others who have stayed faithful and learn from their example. In devs that follow we'll look at the Abrahams, Josephs and other faithful saints.
For now I simply want to pause at the idea that our faith has a firm foundation in its historicity. We can look back at the ancients: Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Augustine, Luther, Wesley, our grand-parents and parents.
In my own life I can look back to a grandfather who read the scriptures at the dining room table and faced crippling arthritis with courage and faith. I look to parents and a sibling who have lived out their faith with principle and with dedication. I have in-law parents and grandparents who have done the same. I've been blessed with friends who courageously remain faith-full.
In a world that is doubtful and sceptical and where modern day revisionism throws babies out with bathwater, I am grateful for the legacy of faith that I have been given.
Maybe you can prepare for Sunday by examining the legacy of faith in your own life. Give thanks to God for those in your life who have shown you the way.
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Having faith becomes harder and harder as we grow older. Faith comes easily to children who trust easily and fully but it seems that as time goes by faith is eroded by disappointments, unmet expectations and modern day scepticism.
In a modern day world where expedience, "scientific fact", self-centeredness and convenience are the order of the day, faith is often questioned, criticised and maligned.
But right at the outset of his excursus on faith the writer of Hebrews indicates that we can look at others who have stayed faithful and learn from their example. In devs that follow we'll look at the Abrahams, Josephs and other faithful saints.
For now I simply want to pause at the idea that our faith has a firm foundation in its historicity. We can look back at the ancients: Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Augustine, Luther, Wesley, our grand-parents and parents.
In my own life I can look back to a grandfather who read the scriptures at the dining room table and faced crippling arthritis with courage and faith. I look to parents and a sibling who have lived out their faith with principle and with dedication. I have in-law parents and grandparents who have done the same. I've been blessed with friends who courageously remain faith-full.
In a world that is doubtful and sceptical and where modern day revisionism throws babies out with bathwater, I am grateful for the legacy of faith that I have been given.
Maybe you can prepare for Sunday by examining the legacy of faith in your own life. Give thanks to God for those in your life who have shown you the way.
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Thursday, August 21, 2014
EMMDEV 2014-08-21 [Random Musings] Faith1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for. Hebrews11:1-2
We're going to spend a few mornings reflecting on the nature of faith as it is laid out in Hebrews chapter 11...
The language of faith is never the certainty of the laboratory litmus-test or the court-room's "beyond reasonable doubt."
The language of faith is hope, trust and imagination.
You're probably are worried about me using the word "imagination"...
I don't mean imaginary (as in "not real") - I'm thinking of the high jumper who imagines themselves sailing over the bar even before they take the run up. I'm thinking of the bride-to-be imagining the wedding.
It's imagination that anticipates a certain future.
The language of faith is trust and relationship.
It's believing when we can't see.
It's trusting when the numbers are too complicated for us to add up.
Faith is about realising that I am not and cannot be ultimately in control, but that the universe is in the good hands of a God we can know.
Faith is not about knowing or controlling the future, but about knowing the One who does.
We live in a "I'll believe it when I see it" world.
But faith calls us to recognise that we can't see it all.
We are not god.
But we can know, trust and hope in the One who is...
(More tomorrow...)
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
We're going to spend a few mornings reflecting on the nature of faith as it is laid out in Hebrews chapter 11...
The language of faith is never the certainty of the laboratory litmus-test or the court-room's "beyond reasonable doubt."
The language of faith is hope, trust and imagination.
You're probably are worried about me using the word "imagination"...
I don't mean imaginary (as in "not real") - I'm thinking of the high jumper who imagines themselves sailing over the bar even before they take the run up. I'm thinking of the bride-to-be imagining the wedding.
It's imagination that anticipates a certain future.
The language of faith is trust and relationship.
It's believing when we can't see.
It's trusting when the numbers are too complicated for us to add up.
Faith is about realising that I am not and cannot be ultimately in control, but that the universe is in the good hands of a God we can know.
Faith is not about knowing or controlling the future, but about knowing the One who does.
We live in a "I'll believe it when I see it" world.
But faith calls us to recognise that we can't see it all.
We are not god.
But we can know, trust and hope in the One who is...
(More tomorrow...)
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
EMMDEV 2014-08-20 [Random Musings] Watch out!
Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Luke12:15
The common quip that powerfully defines materialism is the saying: "Whoever dies with the most toys wins."
This little saying also clearly exposes the lie of materialism, because we all know that once we have died our "toys" remain behind.
The problem is that although we see it clearly when we take a step or two back, we often lose perspective when we are in the hurly burly of it.
Jesus gives a strong two-fold warning: "Watch out!" and "Be on your guard!" He knows how subtle this is. We mean well - we set out to provide for the family, but, before we know it, we are spending all our time and energy obtaining, paying for, insuring, maintaining and safe-guarding our possessions. It seems that the more we have, the more we have to look after and maintain.
The problem is not that we posses stuff. It is when our stuff possesses us. Jesus warns that it happens easily. This is not about guilt (which often just paralyses us) it is about watchfulness.
Take a little time right now to zoom up out of the forest and the rat race.... What are the really important and eternal gifts that you have? (Did you think of your faith, your family, your health and your friends?) This and not your possessions is your real wealth.
What "stuff-agendas" can you you push to one side today in favour of the things that are really important?
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
The common quip that powerfully defines materialism is the saying: "Whoever dies with the most toys wins."
This little saying also clearly exposes the lie of materialism, because we all know that once we have died our "toys" remain behind.
The problem is that although we see it clearly when we take a step or two back, we often lose perspective when we are in the hurly burly of it.
Jesus gives a strong two-fold warning: "Watch out!" and "Be on your guard!" He knows how subtle this is. We mean well - we set out to provide for the family, but, before we know it, we are spending all our time and energy obtaining, paying for, insuring, maintaining and safe-guarding our possessions. It seems that the more we have, the more we have to look after and maintain.
The problem is not that we posses stuff. It is when our stuff possesses us. Jesus warns that it happens easily. This is not about guilt (which often just paralyses us) it is about watchfulness.
Take a little time right now to zoom up out of the forest and the rat race.... What are the really important and eternal gifts that you have? (Did you think of your faith, your family, your health and your friends?) This and not your possessions is your real wealth.
What "stuff-agendas" can you you push to one side today in favour of the things that are really important?
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
EMMDEV 2014-08-19 [Random Musings] Time
(This is a re-work of a dev from 2003!)
There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die, A time to plant and a time to uproot, A time to kill and a time to heal, A time to tear down and a time to build, A time to weep and a time to laugh, A time to mourn and a time to dance, A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, A time to embrace and a time to refrain, A time to search and a time to give up, A time to keep and a time to throw away, A time to tear and a time to mend, A time to be silent and a time to speak, A time to love and a time to hate, A time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes3:1-8
This passage is one of the most oft read passages in the Old Testament. People have even composed songs from it. But there are some very different understandings of this passage.
For some this is pure fatalism - everything in life is pre-ordained - 'Your time is your time.' - God does as He pleases and we have little choice in the matter. For others this passage is just a description of life as it really is - 'You have to take the rough with the smooth you know...' Others have used this passage to justify themselves - almost always as an excuse to go to war or do something like that.
But what did the teacher mean?
In the verses that follow a number of perspectives emerge:
Firstly: At the end of the day, God is sovereign and nothing happens that is outside His control. But rather than giving us the sense that we live under the rule of a Tyrant, this knowledge should fill us with a sense of praise. Jesus reminded us that even the hairs on our heads are numbered. This is an indication of the Father's loving attention to detail. ('I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken away from it. God does it, so men will revere Him.' 3:14.) God's will, even though we cannot fathom it, will endure.
Secondly:We can kick against the rhythms and cycles of life or we can embrace them and find meaning in them. The Teacher uses work as an example: Work can be seen as a burden and as toil that is subject to the cycles of life ('What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men.' v9-10) Or we can realise that the cycles of life shape us for something greater than this life and that even when we don't understand it, God is at work. ('He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.' v.10) We are eternal creatures and the cycles of life shape us for the glory of eternity.
Thirdly, the roller-coaster of life may seem random and circumstantial to us, but when we choose to allow God to work in us and when we reach out to Him for His help, life will make better people of us. ('He has made all things beautiful in _His_ time.' This is not fatalism or even positive fatalism ("Alles sal regkom - Everything will turn out OK") - we have a role to play and we must respond to the One who wants to make us more beautiful.
What will you do with your gift of time today?
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die, A time to plant and a time to uproot, A time to kill and a time to heal, A time to tear down and a time to build, A time to weep and a time to laugh, A time to mourn and a time to dance, A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, A time to embrace and a time to refrain, A time to search and a time to give up, A time to keep and a time to throw away, A time to tear and a time to mend, A time to be silent and a time to speak, A time to love and a time to hate, A time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes3:1-8
This passage is one of the most oft read passages in the Old Testament. People have even composed songs from it. But there are some very different understandings of this passage.
For some this is pure fatalism - everything in life is pre-ordained - 'Your time is your time.' - God does as He pleases and we have little choice in the matter. For others this passage is just a description of life as it really is - 'You have to take the rough with the smooth you know...' Others have used this passage to justify themselves - almost always as an excuse to go to war or do something like that.
But what did the teacher mean?
In the verses that follow a number of perspectives emerge:
Firstly: At the end of the day, God is sovereign and nothing happens that is outside His control. But rather than giving us the sense that we live under the rule of a Tyrant, this knowledge should fill us with a sense of praise. Jesus reminded us that even the hairs on our heads are numbered. This is an indication of the Father's loving attention to detail. ('I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken away from it. God does it, so men will revere Him.' 3:14.) God's will, even though we cannot fathom it, will endure.
Secondly:We can kick against the rhythms and cycles of life or we can embrace them and find meaning in them. The Teacher uses work as an example: Work can be seen as a burden and as toil that is subject to the cycles of life ('What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men.' v9-10) Or we can realise that the cycles of life shape us for something greater than this life and that even when we don't understand it, God is at work. ('He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.' v.10) We are eternal creatures and the cycles of life shape us for the glory of eternity.
Thirdly, the roller-coaster of life may seem random and circumstantial to us, but when we choose to allow God to work in us and when we reach out to Him for His help, life will make better people of us. ('He has made all things beautiful in _His_ time.' This is not fatalism or even positive fatalism ("Alles sal regkom - Everything will turn out OK") - we have a role to play and we must respond to the One who wants to make us more beautiful.
What will you do with your gift of time today?
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Friday, August 15, 2014
EMMDEV 2014-08-15 [Random Musings] Your personal inventory
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2Peter1:5-8
In the movie, "Blue Thunder", the hero checks his reflexes and mental alertness by trying to estimate the passing of sixty seconds while he's doing complex maneuvers in his helicopter. One of his critics says: "So you measure your sanity with a stopwatch?" To which he replies "Well what do you use? A dipstick?"
This list in Peter's second letter identifies three movements in the spiritual journey:
- Internal Spirituality (faith, goodness and knowledge)
- Practical Consistency (self-control, perseverance and godliness)
- Reaching Others (brotherly kindness and love)
Is this list the ultimate checklist? Is it the definitive list of requirements? No! This is not salvation by works, but rather a question of personal growth.
These are qualities that show that we are in relationship with Jesus and if these qualities are missing, there's probably a problem with my connection to Him. I can use this list as a personal inventory to gauge the quality of my connection to Him.
So, how am I doing?
-Am I easily able to trust Him or am I struggling to let go?
-Am I trending more toward light and darkness in my habits?
-Do I know more about God and does that knowledge bring life & joy?
-How am I doing with temptations?
-What is my stamina like when I face spiritual and emotional uphill?
-Can others see fingerprints of God on my life?
-Do people experience kindness in my demeanour?
-Could those around me see unconditional love at work in me?
These habits are both the MEANS TO and the EVIDENCE OF a close walk with Jesus. If your evaluation didn't come out too well - focus more on God than than the habits. If your evaluation came out well - thank Him for shining through you!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
In the movie, "Blue Thunder", the hero checks his reflexes and mental alertness by trying to estimate the passing of sixty seconds while he's doing complex maneuvers in his helicopter. One of his critics says: "So you measure your sanity with a stopwatch?" To which he replies "Well what do you use? A dipstick?"
This list in Peter's second letter identifies three movements in the spiritual journey:
- Internal Spirituality (faith, goodness and knowledge)
- Practical Consistency (self-control, perseverance and godliness)
- Reaching Others (brotherly kindness and love)
Is this list the ultimate checklist? Is it the definitive list of requirements? No! This is not salvation by works, but rather a question of personal growth.
These are qualities that show that we are in relationship with Jesus and if these qualities are missing, there's probably a problem with my connection to Him. I can use this list as a personal inventory to gauge the quality of my connection to Him.
So, how am I doing?
-Am I easily able to trust Him or am I struggling to let go?
-Am I trending more toward light and darkness in my habits?
-Do I know more about God and does that knowledge bring life & joy?
-How am I doing with temptations?
-What is my stamina like when I face spiritual and emotional uphill?
-Can others see fingerprints of God on my life?
-Do people experience kindness in my demeanour?
-Could those around me see unconditional love at work in me?
These habits are both the MEANS TO and the EVIDENCE OF a close walk with Jesus. If your evaluation didn't come out too well - focus more on God than than the habits. If your evaluation came out well - thank Him for shining through you!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Thursday, August 14, 2014
EMMDEV 2014-08-14 [Random Musings] Family Matters
Children's children are a crown to the aged,
and parents are the pride of their children.
Proverbs17:6
I was away in Durban on Church Work on Monday (my day off) and Tuesday and got back on Wednesday morning. Brenda said that Caleb had really missed me. So I rearranged the rest of my day so that I could go and fetch him from school and take him for a toasted sarmie and milkshake.
As I sat in the Wimpy watching my son glowing from the joy of spending some time with his dad, I looked across the room and saw a couple who are new in the congregation sitting across the table from their grandson who was enjoying a burger and chips. The same happy glow emanated from him and even more so from them. I walked across to say "Hi" and learned that it was his 16th birthday... and they were all loving the moment together.
I went back to my table with a sense of gratitude and and happiness...
What a privilege to have and be family!
What a joy for us to be able to have these moments!
There's always plenty of excuses: we're busy, there's deadlines, the pressure is huge, and so on and so on. But I reflect on the power of a 45 minute window in the life of my son and of that grandson and am more determined than ever before to stay in touch with the fact that family does matter and that they are among God's greatest gifts to us.
Take a bit of time to reflect on the truth of our proverb today and make some decisions....
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
and parents are the pride of their children.
Proverbs17:6
I was away in Durban on Church Work on Monday (my day off) and Tuesday and got back on Wednesday morning. Brenda said that Caleb had really missed me. So I rearranged the rest of my day so that I could go and fetch him from school and take him for a toasted sarmie and milkshake.
As I sat in the Wimpy watching my son glowing from the joy of spending some time with his dad, I looked across the room and saw a couple who are new in the congregation sitting across the table from their grandson who was enjoying a burger and chips. The same happy glow emanated from him and even more so from them. I walked across to say "Hi" and learned that it was his 16th birthday... and they were all loving the moment together.
I went back to my table with a sense of gratitude and and happiness...
What a privilege to have and be family!
What a joy for us to be able to have these moments!
There's always plenty of excuses: we're busy, there's deadlines, the pressure is huge, and so on and so on. But I reflect on the power of a 45 minute window in the life of my son and of that grandson and am more determined than ever before to stay in touch with the fact that family does matter and that they are among God's greatest gifts to us.
Take a bit of time to reflect on the truth of our proverb today and make some decisions....
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
EMMDEV 2014-08-13 [Random Musings] The works the Lord has done
Shout with joy to God, all the earth!
2 Sing the glory of his name;
make his praise glorious!
3 Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power
that your enemies cringe before you.
4 All the earth bows down to you;
they sing praise to you,
they sing praise to your name."
Selah
5 Come and see what God has done,
how awesome his works in man's behalf! Psalms66:1-5
I write this from King Shaka airport Durban, heading back after two days of visiting the Thekwini (Kzn) Presbytery as part of the Mission and Discipleship committee of General Assembly.
Our task was to come and inspire and inform the Presbytery about church growth, church planting and church development. But we return home having also been inspired!
We visited numerous congregations and saw how some congregations are re-inventing themselves, how some have entered into partnerships with other churches and in particular how some have reached out into the community.
We visited three creches being run in impoverished communities. We were bowled over by the excellence with which these children and the community were being served. We were humbled by the dedication of the staff who taught there and we were thrilled that local congregations are playing such a significant role in these outreaches.
We met with a group of ministers with fire in their bellies, hungry to see God at work in their congregations and thirsty for God to touch their communities.
We saw congregations busy with good programs and a presbytery that deliberately filled it's agenda with good news, progress reports and mission promotions instead of focussing on problems.
We came to inspire and be a blessing - we came away inspired and blessed.
"Come and see what God has done!"
SOLI DEO GLORIA!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
2 Sing the glory of his name;
make his praise glorious!
3 Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power
that your enemies cringe before you.
4 All the earth bows down to you;
they sing praise to you,
they sing praise to your name."
Selah
5 Come and see what God has done,
how awesome his works in man's behalf! Psalms66:1-5
I write this from King Shaka airport Durban, heading back after two days of visiting the Thekwini (Kzn) Presbytery as part of the Mission and Discipleship committee of General Assembly.
Our task was to come and inspire and inform the Presbytery about church growth, church planting and church development. But we return home having also been inspired!
We visited numerous congregations and saw how some congregations are re-inventing themselves, how some have entered into partnerships with other churches and in particular how some have reached out into the community.
We visited three creches being run in impoverished communities. We were bowled over by the excellence with which these children and the community were being served. We were humbled by the dedication of the staff who taught there and we were thrilled that local congregations are playing such a significant role in these outreaches.
We met with a group of ministers with fire in their bellies, hungry to see God at work in their congregations and thirsty for God to touch their communities.
We saw congregations busy with good programs and a presbytery that deliberately filled it's agenda with good news, progress reports and mission promotions instead of focussing on problems.
We came to inspire and be a blessing - we came away inspired and blessed.
"Come and see what God has done!"
SOLI DEO GLORIA!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Friday, August 8, 2014
EMMDEV 2014-08-08 [Random Musings] A timely Psalm
In years to come most of us will remember where we were sitting and what we were doing when the earth shook on Tuesday morning!
The Psalm that I've included below pretty accurately addresses the state of our world at the moment: Earthquakes, nations in uproar, kingdoms falling, and questions on our part as to whether wars will ever cease!
The Psalm is divided into three parts by the Hebrew word "SELAH". The scholars suggest that this might be a musical direction for a musical interlude, which allows the singers and those listening to reflect on what has just been sung.
When we look at the psalm like this, we get three assurances:
1. God is a refuge when there is chaos and uncertainty in nature.
2. There is a city (the church) where God makes Himself known and even though wars come and go, the city endures because God is with us.
3. We have to learn that God is able to work in the chaos. We are not promised the absence of trouble but we have the assurance that His purposes will triumph. And we (and the wicked war-mongers) must be still for long enough to remember that He is with us and that He will prevail.
Now read the Psalm and let these thoughts wash over your soul!!!
Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
SELAH
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
SELAH
8 Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields with fire.
10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
SELAH Psalms46:1-11
-------------------
Have a blessed weekend.
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
The Psalm that I've included below pretty accurately addresses the state of our world at the moment: Earthquakes, nations in uproar, kingdoms falling, and questions on our part as to whether wars will ever cease!
The Psalm is divided into three parts by the Hebrew word "SELAH". The scholars suggest that this might be a musical direction for a musical interlude, which allows the singers and those listening to reflect on what has just been sung.
When we look at the psalm like this, we get three assurances:
1. God is a refuge when there is chaos and uncertainty in nature.
2. There is a city (the church) where God makes Himself known and even though wars come and go, the city endures because God is with us.
3. We have to learn that God is able to work in the chaos. We are not promised the absence of trouble but we have the assurance that His purposes will triumph. And we (and the wicked war-mongers) must be still for long enough to remember that He is with us and that He will prevail.
Now read the Psalm and let these thoughts wash over your soul!!!
Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
SELAH
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
SELAH
8 Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields with fire.
10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
SELAH Psalms46:1-11
-------------------
Have a blessed weekend.
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Thursday, August 7, 2014
EMMDEV 2014-08-07 [Random Musings] Incognito...
(Apologies - I sent this earlier and it failed)
As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.
45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”
46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”
47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”Incognito... We use the word to describe those who try to fly beneath the radar to remain unnoticed. If the Latin “cognito” means that we consciously recognise, think about and reflect on something, then “incognito” means to be “not recognised”, “not thought about”, “not seen” and “not valued.”
There's a woman in Luke 8 who tries to remain “incognito”...
On His way to heal Jairus' daughter, Jesus interrupts His mission to talk with and, more importantly, to listen to a woman who had reached out to touch the hem of His garment and had been healed.
Let's imagine her story... She'd had continuously bleeding for twelve years and no doctor could help her.
Twelve years!
Levitical Law stated that her bleeding made her ceremonially unclean. It meant that anyone who touched her was unclean. It meant she could not go into the temple. It meant there could be no intimacy in her marriage. Cuddle a child or a grand-child? Not if you were a stickler for the rules!
Imagine the loneliness, the sense of rejection, and the sense of being a non-person! She was relegated to the sidelines, at best pitied and ignored, at worst avoided and rejected. Imagine what her picture of God looked like...
She was drawn to Jesus, but had embraced her status as a non-person to such an extent that she wouldn't engage Him at all – she just touched His robe. “If it doesn't work then He won't even know.” She's incognito!
She is instantly healed!! But to her (and Jairus') horror Jesus stops and asks who had touched Him...
It's the stopping and asking that reveals the true beauty of this passage...
Jesus knew that healing power had flowed out of Him, and He wanted to do more than simply heal her body.
So He stops and draws her story out of her. He's not passively listening – He's actively finding out about her and her story.
He hears her desperation and recognises her loneliness, her shame and her pain. He understands the rejection that made her try to reach for healing but stay incognito.
He listens to her in a way that restores her personhood and then affirms her faith and declares her healing official so that the crowd knows she's a person.
She joined the crowd incognito - a desperate and lonely non-person. By stopping and listening Jesus is saying: You're not incognito – I see you, hear you, and know you. You are in my conscious mind and you matter to me! She went home healed and whole.
Hearts made new by Jesus should stop and listen as He did. Who are those around us who have been reduced to non-personhood (incognito-ed) by socio-economics, a distant parent, a broken marriage, a terrible mistake, a racial stereotype or some other form of brokenness?
What if, by taking time to listen and really hear them , we might restore dignity, purpose and self-worth? ? ?
It's what He would do!
--- -------------------------- Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
EMMDEV 2014-08-05 [Random Musings] Kids
See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. Matthew18:10
Over the last few weeks I have been traumatised and enraged at the violence, neglect and brutality that society has shown to children.
Jesus said three important things about children.
1. We can learn from their exuberant and yet simple trust. Think of a child confidently leaping into a father's arms or patiently waiting for mom to make supper. Children don't overcomplicate or try to be in control - they just believe.
2. Jesus spoke about tough judgement (of the try-swimming-with-a-millstone-around-your-neck type) on those who mislead children. This misleading can be by teaching or example. Anyone who abuses a child also abuses the child's perception of God. And they _will_ answer to God!
3. Jesus reminds us that our children have a special team of angels. The writer of Hebrews tells us that angels "are ministering spirits sent to serve those who inherit salvation." Children's angels are portrayed as being especially close to the Father. I believe this is why we see children being so incredibly brave and beautiful in the face of cancer and disaster and tragedy. They are not always spared from the troubles of a broken world, but they are definitely not alone!
For today, let's strive to learn about faith and trust from the children around us. Let's celebrate their spontaneity, love and simple trust. Let's do what we can to protect them from that which would mislead them - let's give them more of ourselves and less of our entertainment-oriented and materialism-driven world. And let's be comforted that when our children struggle, God sends His best angels to be with them!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Over the last few weeks I have been traumatised and enraged at the violence, neglect and brutality that society has shown to children.
Jesus said three important things about children.
1. We can learn from their exuberant and yet simple trust. Think of a child confidently leaping into a father's arms or patiently waiting for mom to make supper. Children don't overcomplicate or try to be in control - they just believe.
2. Jesus spoke about tough judgement (of the try-swimming-with-a-millstone-around-your-neck type) on those who mislead children. This misleading can be by teaching or example. Anyone who abuses a child also abuses the child's perception of God. And they _will_ answer to God!
3. Jesus reminds us that our children have a special team of angels. The writer of Hebrews tells us that angels "are ministering spirits sent to serve those who inherit salvation." Children's angels are portrayed as being especially close to the Father. I believe this is why we see children being so incredibly brave and beautiful in the face of cancer and disaster and tragedy. They are not always spared from the troubles of a broken world, but they are definitely not alone!
For today, let's strive to learn about faith and trust from the children around us. Let's celebrate their spontaneity, love and simple trust. Let's do what we can to protect them from that which would mislead them - let's give them more of ourselves and less of our entertainment-oriented and materialism-driven world. And let's be comforted that when our children struggle, God sends His best angels to be with them!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
Friday, August 1, 2014
EMMDEV 2014-08-01 [Random Musings] Embracing MYSTERY
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.
9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah55:8-9
We don't always understand God's working in our lives and in our world. There are times that life doesn't make sense.
But our God is not a tame or a safe God.
We can't know everything about Him - He's too big.
We don't understand all of His ways - They are higher than ours.
I can't put God in a box - He's bigger than any box I can make.
I can't conceptualise all of God - He's the ultimate mystery.
So when life's mystery puzzles me - I hold on to MYSTERY.
I hold on to God!
The band Newsboys sing about this:
"Lord (I Don't Know)"
(Hear it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11i4YfNHu98 )
You are the author of knowledge
You can redeem what's been done
You hold the present and all that's to come
Until your everlasting kingdom
Lord, I don't know where all this is going
Or how it all works out
Lead me to peace that is past understanding
A peace beyond all doubt
You are the God of tomorrow
Turning the darkness to dawn
Lifting the hopeless with hope to go on
You are the rock of all salvation
Lord, I don't know where all this is going
Or how it all works out
Lead me to peace that is past understanding
A peace beyond all doubt
Oh, Lord, you are the author
Redeeming what's been done
You hold us in the present
And all that is to come
Lord, we don't know where all this is going
Or how it all works out
Lead us to peace that is past understanding
A peace beyond all doubt
----------------------
Have a blessed weekend!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.
9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah55:8-9
We don't always understand God's working in our lives and in our world. There are times that life doesn't make sense.
But our God is not a tame or a safe God.
We can't know everything about Him - He's too big.
We don't understand all of His ways - They are higher than ours.
I can't put God in a box - He's bigger than any box I can make.
I can't conceptualise all of God - He's the ultimate mystery.
So when life's mystery puzzles me - I hold on to MYSTERY.
I hold on to God!
The band Newsboys sing about this:
"Lord (I Don't Know)"
(Hear it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11i4YfNHu98 )
You are the author of knowledge
You can redeem what's been done
You hold the present and all that's to come
Until your everlasting kingdom
Lord, I don't know where all this is going
Or how it all works out
Lead me to peace that is past understanding
A peace beyond all doubt
You are the God of tomorrow
Turning the darkness to dawn
Lifting the hopeless with hope to go on
You are the rock of all salvation
Lord, I don't know where all this is going
Or how it all works out
Lead me to peace that is past understanding
A peace beyond all doubt
Oh, Lord, you are the author
Redeeming what's been done
You hold us in the present
And all that is to come
Lord, we don't know where all this is going
Or how it all works out
Lead us to peace that is past understanding
A peace beyond all doubt
----------------------
Have a blessed weekend!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
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