EmmDev 2025-10-27 [Partners in Mission (Month of Mission 2025)] Partners' Persecution

Partners' Persecution

We're entering our final week in our Month of Mission Series: "Partners in Mission." This week we look at the challenges and dangers of Partnering with God and each other in the Missio Dei....

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew5:11-12)

Throughout His ministry, Jesus had prepared His disciples and would-be disciples for the persecution that might come as they witness Christ to the world.

Out of His grace, God has invited us to join him in his mission. In the Matthian account, we are reminded in the Beatitudes passage that persecution is inevitable for those who pursue righteousness. This means partners in God's mission can be persecuted. But if we hold on to our faith, unwavering, then there is a blessed assurance for us that our reward is great in Heaven.

Throughout all generations, believers have faced challenges and dangers. Prophets were persecuted for being the mouthpiece of God. Apostles were persecuted and killed, but the mission of God did not stop.

Even today, as partners in mission, we still face challenges and dangers. Lack of resources, infiltration of false teachings, leadership crisis etc. But in the midst of all difficult circumstances, we are not alone. We have God who affirms on Matthew 5:12 that "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in Heaven."

In His divine power, our sovereign God has perfect knowledge of the heavens, and that which He has prepared for those who serve him faithfully in his mission. It is not our work. It is missio-Dei- the mission of God. Like our logo, His church may burn but will never be consumed by the fire. The Holy Spirit will continue to empower us. As the old Hymn says, "Courage brother, do not stumble".

In conclusion brethren in Christ, we are saved by God's grace. He is calling us to be partners in mission even in the midst of challenges and dangers. Let us take heed of God's calling. Its not about us but him alone. Let's serve him in obedience and love. Let us not forget what Jehovah has done to humanity through Christ whom he did not spare, but gave to the world to be redeemed. Let us rejoice and be glad for our reward is great in heaven. AMEN!!
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Biggie Mususa, married to Tsitsi. We have 2 sons, Charisma and Kelvin. Serving at David Livingstone Memorial Schools and Ntabazinduna Congregation, Zimbabwe.

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EmmDev 2025-10-24 [Partners in Mission (Month of Mission 2025)] Nurturing One's Relationship with God

Nurturing One's Relationship with God

Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew22:37-40)

As we continue reflecting on the question "How do we engage?", we are reminded that all meaningful engagement begins with our relationship with God. Before we can engage with our communities, our neighbours, or the challenges of our time, we must first be rooted in love --- the love that flows from knowing and walking with God. Jesus teaches us that the foundation of all engagement is love for God and love for others.

Our relationship with God is the heartbeat of our faith. When Jesus summarized the commandments as loving God and loving others, He revealed that genuine engagement with the world flows from a vibrant relationship with Him. To love God "with all your heart, soul, and mind" is to place Him at the centre of our lives --- to allow His love to shape our emotions, our identity, and our thoughts.

Nurturing this relationship takes time, intention, and care. Just as we cannot maintain a close friendship without communication, we cannot grow close to God without prayer, reflection, and obedience.

• Through prayer, we share our hearts with Him and listen for His guidance.
• Through Scripture, we come to know His character and promises.
• Through worship, we express our gratitude and devotion.
• Through obedience, we demonstrate that our love is genuine.

When our love for God deepens, it transforms how we see and treat others. The second commandment --- to love our neighbour as ourselves --- becomes the natural expression of the first. Our compassion, forgiveness, and acts of justice are not performed out of duty, but flow from a heart that has been touched by divine love.

In a world filled with noise and distractions, nurturing one's relationship with God requires a conscious choice. It means setting aside time to be still before Him, to listen, to reflect, and to grow. The more we nurture our relationship with God, the more we are equipped to engage with the world around us in truth, grace, and love. Deepening our relationship with Him is not a once-off event, but a daily journey of surrender, love, and growth. When we give God our heart, soul, and mind, we find strength to love others genuinely and to engage the world with compassion and purpose. A heart that is nurtured by God's presence becomes a heart that transforms the spaces it touches

Prayer: Loving God, draw me closer to You each day. Teach me to love You with all my heart, soul, and mind. Help me to nurture my relationship with You through prayer, worship, and obedience. May my engagement with others reflect Your love and truth. Let my life be a witness of Your grace in the world. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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Bukelwa Hans married to Howard and blessed with 4 children and 10 grandchildren. She is a Retired minister in the Central Cape Presbytery.

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EmmDev 2025-10-23 [Partners in Mission (Month of Mission 2025)] Hearing the Whispers of God in the Marketplace.

Hearing the Whispers of God in the Marketplace.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. (Colossians3:23)

Our society is full of socio-economic, health, and personal problems. It is a society that appears to be without hope and without answers. Hardship and hopelessness know no age, race or gender.

However, the Scriptures are full of such episodes of hopelessness, injustice and evil subduing the innocent, marginalized and at times, the entire nation. In every account, God reveals Himself as a God who is on the side of the oppressed. In His quest to intervene God looks for a man who can stand in the gap (Ezekiel 22:30). God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9) and usually escape our understanding.

For life to prevail, and seen to be in Christ Jesus, God calls us to die to self!
To be forgiven, God calls us to forgive!
To be blessed, we bless!
To receive, we are commanded to give!
Oh what a paradox!!!

No wonder we feel so helpless and weary. We pray for blessings, forgiveness, good and healthy life and so on, whilst there is a way which God has already prescribed.
In Colossians 3:23 Paul directs our actions, intentions and lifestyles towards God's service. This might appear demanding and at times heavy, especially to those who feel they have nothing to give, but everything to receive from God. This is Good News, no need to feel heavily-laden. Paul is reminding and showing us the way to receive the blessings, the peace, the life, and justice we are seeking.

Our intellect cannot comprehend death as a path to life. Hence, most of us within Christianity find this calling unattractive. It's a whisper our natural ears can't hear, and our natural minds can't process. The call is to give, and be given. Forgive, and be forgiven! A consumerist society like ours cannot accept these kinds of principle. Since our natural senses cannot comprehend this, a spiritual sense is needed to engage with the ways and voice of God.

It's a call to meditation, obedience and being Spirit led. It is a call to hear the whispers of God in the marketplace, where society least expects it, as we work with all our heart, not for human approval, but ultimately in serving and honoring the Lord.
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Nelson is married to Akile and is serving at the the St Peter's Uniting Presbyterian church Tembisa - Highveld Presbytery. A simple guy who loves Jesus and his people. In my private time, I do anything adventurous or in nature, and enjoy a cup coffee.

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EmmDev 2025-10-22 [Partners in Mission (Month of Mission 2025)] The Role of the Church

The Role of the Church

I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all the Lord's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Ephesians3:7-11)

When Paul wrote these words, he was in prison, yet his heart overflowed with purpose and vision. He saw the Church not as an institution or a building, but as the living body through which God reveals His grace to the world. Though he called himself "less than the least of all the Lord's people," Paul knew that God's grace was enough to empower him to share the good news with all nations.

Paul's declaration that "through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known" reminds us of our sacred calling in every generation and place. The Church is God's chosen instrument to display His wisdom, mercy, and justice in a world that desperately needs them.

In our southern and central African context - across South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the DRC - this calling remains urgent. Our nations carry both beauty and brokenness: vibrant faith and community life alongside poverty, corruption, and division. Many long for hope, truth, and compassion in the face of hardship. In such times, the Church cannot remain silent or still. To be faithful is to embody God's wisdom in tangible ways: through reconciliation where there is mistrust, generosity where there is need, and courage where there is fear.

Each time a congregation or believer feeds the hungry, mentors the young, prays with the suffering, or speaks for peace and justice, God's grace becomes visible. The Church becomes a living sign that Christ's reconciling love is stronger than despair.

Our strength does not come from wealth, numbers, or influence, but from grace. We are co-workers with God in His mission of renewal. Through the Church - ordinary people empowered by extraordinary grace - God continues to reveal His love, His justice, and His hope to all creation.

May we, the Church across Africa, live out this calling with humility and courage. May our worship, witness, and service shine as a testimony that God's wisdom is still at work: healing divisions, lifting burdens, and transforming lives. And may those who see us also see in us the manifold wisdom of God revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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Melanie Cook, loves coffee, her family and Jesus, but not in that order. Serving as minister at St Columba's Presbyterian Church, Parkview, JHB. She is also the Moderator-Elect of the General Assembly.

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EmmDev 2025-10-21 [Partners in Mission (Month of Mission 2025)] Reading God's Word and Meditating on its Truths

Reading God's Word and Meditating on its Truths

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalms119:105)

The Word of God is not merely a book among many --- it is the divine revelation of the eternal, unchanging truth of God. Psalm 119:105 reminds us that Scripture is both a lamp and a light. It illuminates our steps and directs our path. In a dark and morally confused world, God's Word provides clarity, conviction, and certainty. Nothing else can guide the human heart in righteousness because nothing else bears the authority of the living God.

To read the Word of God is to expose our minds and hearts to His truth. To meditate upon it is to allow that truth to take root and bear fruit. Reading alone informs; meditation transforms. The believer who merely skims Scripture will gain information, but the believer who lingers in it - who studies, soul travails, ponders, and applies it - will gain sanctification. True engagement with Scripture produces obedience. As James writes, "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves" (James 1:22).

At the center of all Scripture stands the Lord Jesus Christ, the Living Word. Every page of the Bible points to Him: His person, His work, His glory. The Old Testament anticipates His coming; the Gospels reveal His life and death; the Epistles unfold the implications of His redemption.

Jesus Himself declared, "The Scriptures... testify of Me" (John 5:39). Therefore, to read and meditate on Scripture apart from seeing Christ is to miss its ultimate purpose.

When the believer approaches the Word of God with a humble heart and a Christ-centered focus, the Spirit of God enlightens the mind, convicts the conscience, and renews the heart. The light of Scripture not only shows us the way to walk but exposes the sin that hinders our steps.

Engaging with God's Word, then, is not optional. It is essential. It is how we grow in holiness, discern truth from error, and walk faithfully with Christ in a dark world.

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for Your perfect and sufficient Word. Teach me to love it, to meditate upon it, and to see Christ in every line. Let Your truth guide my steps and shape my life for Your glory. Amen.
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Rev. Chala Habasila is the minister in charge at St. Columba's Presbyterian Church in Lusaka, Zambia. He was ordained as minister in the UPCSA in 2004. He is the current Moderator for M'chinga Presbytery. He is married to Patricia and have three Sons: Steven, David and Daniel.

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EmmDev 2025-10-20 [Partners in Mission (Month of Mission 2025)] How Do We Engage? Prayer as Partnership in Mission

How Do We Engage? Prayer as Partnership in Mission

This week in our Month of Mission Devotions about being a "Partner in Mission" we are wrestling with the question: "How do we engage?" We'll look at prayer, reading God's Word, being built up in the church, hearing the "whispers of God in the marketplace", and nurturing our relationship with God.

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"And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." (Matthew6:5-13)

Matthew, a former tax collector and one of Jesus' twelve disciples, wrote this Gospel to a community of Jewish Christians living after the destruction of the Temple. In chapter 6, Jesus gives clear instruction on prayer: not as a public performance but as a sincere, private conversation with God.

In Jesus' day, many treated prayer as a tradition or show of piety. Some prayed loudly on street corners or in synagogues to impress others. Jesus challenged this, saying, "When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen." Prayer, He teaches, is not about being seen but about being known - by the Father who sees the heart.

To engage in mission, we begin by engaging with God in prayer. When we withdraw into quiet places to speak honestly with God, we learn dependence, humility, and compassion. Private prayer strengthens public witness. Those who pray in secret are shaped for service in the open.

Jesus also warns against meaningless repetition. Like the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18:26, empty phrases do not move God. Our Father already knows what we need, yet invites us to ask. In African cultures, a child approaches a father respectfully and confidently, sometimes kneeling, to make a request. In the same way, we approach our heavenly Father in faith and trust.

Jesus then offers a model prayer (the Lord's Prayer) showing us what true engagement with God looks like. It begins with worship: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name." It moves to alignment: "Your kingdom come, Your will be done." It includes our needs, forgiveness, and protection. This prayer draws us into God's mission: seeking His will on earth, depending on His provision, practising forgiveness, and resisting evil.

When we pray like this, we are not spectators but partners in God's work. Prayer aligns our hearts with God's purposes and equips us to live out His love in the world. It transforms our minds, fuels our compassion, and gives us courage to act.

So how do we engage? We engage by praying - honestly, humbly, persistently - allowing God to shape our desires and actions. As we pray, God's wisdom and power flow through us into our families, communities, and nations. Prayer is the heartbeat of partnership in mission.
Amen.
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Olivia Nachengwa Mutandare is a student for the ministry from Trinity Presbyterian Gweru. Pursuing a Bachelor of Theology Honors Degree with Reformed Church University currently in her 2nd year. She is married to Mr B.S Matandare of Mkoba Gweru.

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EmmDev 2025-10-17 [Partners in Mission (Month of Mission 2025)] Bad Partner: He didn't care about them

Bad Partner: He didn't care about them

But the LORD said, "You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?" (Jonah4:10-11)

As we page through the prophetic books of the Old Testament, we become accustomed that God calls a prophet to go and speak to His people. Normally their oracles are filled with symbolic actions and words, as they offer both warnings and hope. Paging to Jonah, we find a prophet called to go and speak to Israel's number one enemy - the Assyrians. Jonah is called to go to their capital city, Nineveh, with the message: "Repent."

Jonah wasn't happy about this call, because he knew God is merciful and loving. He knew that if the Assyrians repented, God would forgive.

Jonah tries to flee, but ends up going into the city after all, and states 'Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned.' As Jonah feared, the people repented, and God showed mercy.
The prophet leaves the city, angry and disappointed. He sits down east of the city where God makes a vine grow to offer Jonah some shade. But then the vine dries up, making Jonah even more angry and disappointed in God. He feels God is a bad partner, who doesn't seem to care. A partner who seems to care more for the enemy. Jonah tells God he is angry enough to die.

The Lord tells Jonah, 'you are upset about this vine, yet you did not tend it, or make it grow. It came up overnight and died overnight.' In a similar way, Jonah also does not know the thousands of people who lived in Nineveh. He did not tend to them or care for them. They were not perfect people - they often did not know right from wrong. Yet God asks Jonah, 'Should I not be concerned about that great city?' With these words, the prophetic book ends.

This abrupt ending reveals Jonah as the bad partner whose heart God is lovingly trying to soften and maybe the fact that Jonah eventually tells his story in this self-deprecating way tells us that his heart eventually softened.

As believers, we encounter many imperfect people. People who are hurting, who need love, and who need to be shown the mercy of God, whether we believe they deserve it or not. The mission field is everywhere, and we have a role to play, as followers of God.

Our role is to show that God cares. He cares about the unlikely and those who are hurt. He cares about those who are struggling. He cares about the person sitting next to us in the taxi; or the co-worker who at times frustrates us. But, we must also remember, that God cares about us. Go today, and show God's care to those you meet, knowing God loves you too.
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Rev Christel Erasmus is a Minister of Word and Sacrament of the UPCSA who has served in the Port Alfred Congregation, of the Presbytery of the Central Cape, for the last 10 years.

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EmmDev 2025-10-16 [Partners in Mission (Month of Mission 2025)] Blessed Partner

Blessed Partner

The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." (Genesis12:1-3)

History can imprison us. Our past mistakes or shame ("I am unworthy, unclean...") can make us feel unfit for God's call. Yet God sees beyond our failures and invites us into His future.

Abraham's story is one of decisive faith. Leaving home, family, and comfort to follow an unknown call is no small decision. It is a leap into the unseen, trusting that the One who calls will also guide.
Before his call, Abraham was not a spiritual giant. Scripture tells us his family worshipped other gods. He had weaknesses, told half-truths, and sometimes doubted. Like us, Abraham had a history. But God called him anyway. God's call was not based on Abraham's merit but on divine mercy. As Martin Luther noted, God's calling of Abraham, despite his idolatry, shows God's grace, not Abraham's perfection. God doesn't call perfect people - He perfects those He calls.

1. God the Caller
God chooses whom He wills for His mission. He does not consult us, nor is He limited by our past. When God called Abraham, He made a covenant with him - not to remind him of his failures, but to make him a channel of blessing. God's mission has always been outward-looking: "All peoples on earth will be blessed through you." The same God calls us today - flawed, forgiven, and commissioned - to carry His blessing to the world.

2. The Responder
Abraham's response was one of faith. He stepped out without knowing the destination, trusting God's promise. Who in their right mind would pack up everything and walk into the unknown? Yet faith often means trusting God's leading when the future is uncertain. Are you willing, like Abraham, to trust the Caller and take that first step?

3. God's Grace
Abraham's story reminds us that grace precedes obedience. God called an idolater and turned him into the father of faith. Even when Abraham stumbled - trying to "help" God through Hagar - God's grace remained. He forgave, restored, and fulfilled His promises. The God who blessed Abraham does not withdraw His grace when we falter.

4. Faith and Trust
Faith is not about having all the answers but trusting the One who does. Sometimes God asks us to leave our comfort zones and serve in unfamiliar places. His call always carries a promise: "I will bless you... and you will be a blessing."

Conclusion
God's call is gracious and sure. He does not look for perfection but perfects those He calls. Like Abraham, may we trust the Caller, leave the familiar, and step into God's mission: blessed to be a blessing wherever He sends us.
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Zwai Mtyhobile is the minister of St Andrews Pretoria and the General Assembly Ministry Secretary. He's married to Thandi and they have three children. He is passionate about developing our ministers in the UPCSA. He enjoys watching and playing sport.

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EmmDev 2025-10-15 [Partners in Mission (Month of Mission 2025)] A Partner in the Dough

A Partner in the Dough

He told them another parable. The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened. (Matthew13:33)

Jesus' parable of the leaven is brief but rich in meaning. He compares the kingdom of heaven to leaven that a woman hides in a large amount of flour until it permeates the whole batch. Though small and easily overlooked, that little bit of yeast changes everything it touches.

The parable is often understood to mean that the kingdom of heaven is like the yeast itself, quietly transformative, subtle yet effective & powerful. But there's another layer to consider: the kingdom is also like the entire process - the yeast being taken, mixed in, and allowed to work until the dough rises. The woman's hands-on action mirrors how God's kingdom engages the world. It is not static; it moves, enters, and transforms through interaction.

When Jesus spoke these words, His followers were few, and His mission seemed small. Yet He was revealing that God's reign begins humbly but grows steadily, working through people and places that may seem ordinary. The woman in the parable didn't sprinkle the yeast and walk away; she worked it into the dough until every part was changed. In the same way, God calls us to be mixed into the world, not by conforming to it, but by living faithfully within it, so that through our presence- words, character, and actions, His grace can touch and transform those around us.

To be a partner in the dough is to let God place us where His kingdom needs to rise. It means being willing to be "hidden" in workplaces, schools, families, or communities, trusting that the Spirit is working through us even when we can't see results. The yeast never boasts; it simply does what it was made to do. Likewise, God's people live out His love sometimes in small, faithful ways that quietly shape their surroundings.

Mission, then, is not something that happens somewhere else, it's everywhere God's people are. Every conversation, every act of kindness is part of the dough being transformed by divine hands.

Our call, then, is to live as God's active partners in the world- present but distinct, faithful in small things, and confident that His kingdom is rising all around us. Wherever we are, His mission is quietly at work through our lives.

Prayer:
Almighty God, thank You for inviting us to be partners in Your kingdom's work. As You mix us into the world, help us bring Your transforming love wherever we go. In Jesus name. Amen
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Allan Paskwababiri, husband to Tebogo. A history enthusiast. Serving at St Francis Waterkloof Pretoria

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EmmDev 2025-10-14 [Partners in Mission (Month of Mission 2025)] A Salty Partner

A Salty Partner

"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 by men." Matthew 5:13 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians4:6)

Being Partners in Mission in this month of mission, we are reminded to understand and appreciate the fact that we are the Salt of the world. While God's desire is to see the world won to him, we are to make the earth a better and more habitable place through salted conversations.

Salt purifies, preserves and enhances the flavour of food. Therefore being a Salty Partner in the month of missions entails embracing a speech that is loving, caring, gracious and uplifting as opposed to being harsh, bitter and hating. We live in a time where the conversations that are salted with grace are rare. As a Salty partner our conversations need to be seasoned with salt. When we speak we should be uplifting, full of wisdom and challenging.

There are various ways to present the Gospel of Christ to people. However, we must understand the person we are talking to so that we can speak to them in the most helpful way.

We are to season our conversations with salt. Our words should be tasty and delightful to people who hear us. Our words should be used as a preservative to build and to strengthen relationships. Seasoning words with salt means to use speak in a way that is truthful, redemptive, edifying, reflecting God's grace and wisdom. This means speaking with kindness, tact and sensitivity, making our words appealing and useful to others rather than harsh or destructive.

Being a salty partner according to Col 4:6 suggests that our words should have a preservative quality against corruption, a healing quality to sting when necessary to correct and a flavor that makes them more understandable to the hearer.

Remember you are the salt of the earth, Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to communicate well with everyone.
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Sonye Banda, husband to Wiza, father to Kumbutso, Dalitso, Shekinah and Deborah. Enjoys gardening. Serving at St. Peter's Presbyterian Church, Chipata, Zambia.

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EmmDev 2025-10-13 [Partners in Mission (Month of Mission 2025)] The Partner's Strategy

The Partner's Strategy

"But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for Me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts1:8)

Living by the Last Wish of Jesus Christ
When someone dies, their last words carry deep weight. Families strive to fulfil those final wishes as a way of honouring their memory. In the same way, Jesus' final words before ascending to heaven (recorded in Acts 1:8) can be seen as His "last wish" for His followers:

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

These are not optional words; they are a call, a strategy, and a command. Jesus entrusts His followers with a mission --- powered by the Holy Spirit and stretching across every boundary. To "live by the last wish of Jesus" means aligning our lives with His purpose and continuing His work in the world.

Empowered for the Mission
The key phrase "you will receive power" speaks of spiritual power, not political or military strength. The Greek word dunamis means divine enablement: miraculous ability, courage, endurance, and authority. At Pentecost, this promise became reality. The frightened disciples were transformed into bold witnesses. The same Spirit empowers us today, giving courage and clarity for the task.

Witnesses of Christ
"You will be my witnesses." A witness simply tells what they have seen and experienced. The disciples were to testify about Jesus - His death, resurrection, and saving grace. We too must speak from personal knowledge, not second-hand information. We witness to what we truly know of Christ as Saviour, Healer, and Friend.

Mission Without Borders
Jesus outlined the geography of mission: start where you are ("in Jerusalem"), move outward ("in all Judea and Samaria"), and go "to the ends of the earth." The mission begins at home---in our workplaces, communities, and relationships and then expands outward across cultures and nations. Mission is everywhere because Christ's heart is for the whole world.

Waiting and Trusting
Jesus told His disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit before going out. God's work cannot be done in human strength. We must depend on His timing and power, not our own enthusiasm. Only then can our witness be fruitful.

Charge
If you believe in Christ, honour His last wish: receive the Holy Spirit, and witness boldly to what Christ has done for you. Begin in your own context and carry the message wherever God sends you. This is The Partner's Strategy: living by the last wish of Jesus, who is the true owner of the mission.
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Reverend Norest Ajapa pastors the Mabvuku UPCSA Congregation in Harare, Zimbabwe. He's married to Stacy and blessed with a son, Jayce. He holds a bachelor of theology degree and is passionate about teaching, mentoring and inspiring people to develop their God given skills and gifts for the glory of God's Kingdom. During his free time he loves to read, repair cars, farm and travel.

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EmmDev 2025-10-10 [Partners in Mission (Month of Mission 2025)] He calls us to Transform Society

He calls us to Transform Society

Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said, "Look, I have put words in your mouth! Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. Some you must uproot and tear down, destroy and overthrow. Others you must build up and plant. (Jeremiah1:9-10)

The theme of this October month is "Partners in Mission." Meaning we will be partaking in changing societies for the better. This also includes standing up against any and all injustices that are actively destroying communities. God has given the church a voice, so that it can be used for the benefit of our people and can use its influence to speak up about such injustices - to make a noticeable change, and to speak up without fear or favour. A prophetic voice. It would also help us to remember that communities are built by God, we are his children and we should never allow anything that goes against His plan to take control.

Within the scripture I have read, we see God taking a stand to destroy, uproot, overthrow and tear down the principalities of the dark evil forces, so that He may plant and build by using his light. Corruption, poverty, maladministration of government entities, brokenness in the families, inequality in communities, racism, tribalism and many more are the vices that we witness every day. He appointed the Ministers of Word to preach against these wrong acts.

We are reminded of our greatest mission, which is to show love to one another. When you speak, you are challenging the status quo of the situation. As the church we cannot find ourselves in a position of silence. The prophet Ezekiel ate the scroll that had God's word, he found it to be as sweet as honey. Because the words on the scroll are God's words, which are the lamp that lights up our way. Apart from the Words of God, we would never otherwise be able to navigate as we uproot and destroy these false dark powers. We need the Spiritual wisdom and understanding.

CONCLUSION
We live in the worse times than before, our land needs a prophetic voice from the church of Jesus Christ. As God appointed the prophets, even today, you and I are the ambassadors of the kingdom. Let us be reminded in this month of October of our Mission, to plant love and uproot hate, protect ethics and destroy false teachings that are leading the nation to destruction. We should care instead of turning a blind eye and preserve the moral fibre and overthrow ill-discipline.

Rise up children of the most high. Be the voice of the voiceless. Stand up for truth and justice.
AMEN.
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Rev Khanyiswa Mphuthi, Limpopo Presbytery

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EmmDev 2025-10-09 [Partners in Mission (Month of Mission 2025)] He seeks ways to bring us to Him

He seeks ways to bring us to Him

And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us (Acts17:26-27)

Paul is addressing Areopagus in Athens and his audience is largely pagan philosophers. He appeals to their religious lifestyle, addresses their pagan worship and seeks to answer their question of his new doctrine. Rather than quoting scripture directly, he appeals to nature and creation, to show that God is distinct from idols and sovereign over all creation.

In the previous verses Paul settles matters of creation buy referring to God as the one who made the world and all that is in it (vs24). He further breaks down all barriers of racial and ethnic differences by pointing all men to one common ancestor Adam. By doing so he captures all humankind to one order of existence. He also points out to God as the one who orders times of existence and geographical settings. Paul presents the sovereignty of God which is his power and authority over the events of the earth both past and present.

Paul's argument suggests that God is intimately involved in the flow of history and directs it towards his predestined will. This predestined will is that humanity might seek him and find him.

This predestined will is God's plan of redemption for humankind through our Lord Jesus Christ. The creation plan and geographical arrangement by God is meant to prompt or create a desire in humankind to seek him. God initiates the relationship with humanity, the Greek word zētein used in verse 27 also implies to desire. The fall of humankind through the disobedient of Adam in Genesis 3 took away his desire for God but now Paul presents an idea of God's plan to bring humanity back to him.

Though our search for God is impaired by sin God is still accessible to us. Though the words "seek" and "find" might bring an idea of distance but Paul still present God as not far from us. The sovereignty of God includes his omnipresent, He is both transcendent and near; accessible to all who truly seek him (Jer.29:13).

Nations exist so that people might turn to God, not away from him. He is not distant or unknowable, but desires to be found as per his predestined will. This is a call for us to continually seek God and his perfect will.
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Rev M Hlela Drakensburg Presbytery

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EmmDev 2025-10-08 [Partners in Mission (Month of Mission 2025)] He is concerned about our Suffering.

He is concerned about our Suffering.

The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey.... (Exodus3:7-8)

Saints, as from the creation narrative, God has always been concerned for humanity. When Adam and Eve got themselves entangled in sin of disobedience by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen2:17), and found themselves naked, God came looking for them. God's reason for asking "where are you?" was to cover their nakedness. God did not abandon them in their shame. God was looking for a relationship with them. He followed them until they could answer from where they were hiding.

In Egypt, God heard the cries of His people. Though they had been enslaved for 400 years, He had not forgotten His covenant. Exodus 3:7 says, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering." Again, God is concerned about suffering and moves toward His children. The mission begins with God hearing and seeing the affliction of humanity and coming down to deliver his people out. This month of mission I want you to know that God hears, and God sees, and He is concerned. God always takes the first step to save us - see His hand and hold unto it!

When God hears and sees our suffering, he always comes ready to cover the nakedness and to save us from the shame of sin. In verse 8 He says, "So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians..." God's mission has always started with His initiative. He takes the first step. And yet, He chooses to partner with us - just as He called Moses to be part of His rescue plan. Today, He calls us to join Him in His ongoing mission of redemption.

In Christ, God came down rather, "he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death--- even death on a cross!" (Phil 2:7-8). Saints, the Cross carried the suffering meant for humanity. The Cross that was a sign of a curse, pain, and suffering has been transformed into the sign of salvation by the One who hung on it, Jesus the Messiah.

In Christ, God invites us to be His partners in mission to tell the world that He has come. "...And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?" (Rom 10:14). Saints, in this month of mission, may we remember: God still sees. God still hears. God still comes down. And God still calls. Will you answer?
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Lentikile Mashoko is a minister at SAINTS Presbyterian Church in Lyttelton, Centurion, within the bounds of Tshwane Presbytery. He is a husband and a father of three.

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EmmDev 2025-10-07 [Partners in Mission (Month of Mission 2025)] He cares about how we treat others...

He cares about how we treat others...

Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" (Genesis4:9)

Genesis 4:1 begins a narrative of the first family. God blessed Adam and Eve with two sons, Cain and Abel. Cain the elder brother was a farmer focusing on growing crops while Abel focused on keeping animals. Both Cain and Abel had an opportunity to present sacrifices before God their Maker. Cain gave sparingly while Abel gave freely and willingly. God accepted Abel's sacrifice. This did not sit well with Cain who lured his younger brother Abel and murdered him.

In Genesis 4:9 God is asking Cain a question, "Where is your brother?" In his response Cain answered, "I don't know, Am I my brother's keeper? God's question raises the issue of caring for each other.

Application
Created in his image, God expects us to care like he does.
God created man in his image and likeness (Gen1:26). One of God's characteristic is to care for his creation. Initially he instructed Adam - father to Cain, to look after (care) the garden of Eden (Gen2:15). So, when He asked Cain, "where is your brother?", God was raising the issue of caring for our brothers. God has a mission of caring for his creation especially humankind.

The UPCSA currently is focusing on a theme -- "Partners in Mission". This means as a church we are partnering with God in his mission of caring for his creation especially humanity. The question is what does it mean to care for our brothers? (While God is addressing Cain about his actual brother we can infer that what is meant and implied here by "brother" is "fellow human being".)

• Caring by being interested in your brother: Essentially this means being sensitive to your brother's well-being. Cain showed no interest in the pain and loss he would cause to his younger brother Abel. In fact, he answered God, "Am I my brother's keeper?" This is a disinterested attitude. If Cain showed interest he would have done everything not to kill his brother. Cain's behavior was a departure from the image and likeness of God.
• Caring by providing security for your brother: Cain being an elder brother, should have provided security for his younger brother. Looking after implies providing security and defense for your brother. Security is seen in different lights. Today, it even covers security in retirement and old age. Where is your brother in this light? In this mission month and as we are partnering with God in his mission, are we providing security?

Conclusion
Genesis 4:9 teaches us that God wants us to manifest his characteristic of caring for his creation especially our fellow human beings. Let us care for our brothers and sisters by being interested in them and providing security for them.

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Rev Edward Chirwa - I am married to Mary Kaluba for 27 years and together we are blessed with four girls and one boy. I specialized in Old Testament Theology in my masters and am passionate about mentoring and inspiring people on developing their God-given potential to glorify him.
My hobbies are reading books, talking to people, taking walks, gardening and caring for the environment.

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EmmDev 2025-10-06 [Partners in Mission (Month of Mission 2025)] He is looking for us!

Apologies for the delay in sending out today's devotion...

We move into week two of our Month of Mission as we reflect on
"What is God doing in the World? The Missio Dei."

He is looking for us!

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as He was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?" (Genesis3:8-9)

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Moments after Adam and Eve had broken relationship with God, Genesis reveals God's love and pursuit of them, and a call for human self-reflection on sin, and a desire to restore fellowship.

God was walking in the garden when they heard him approaching. God wanted to be close to them but because of their sin they were afraid to show themselves. God placed in us a guilty conscience "I did wrong." Also God has given free will for us to choose: "See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction (Dt.30:19).

Being tempted is not a sin until we give in to the temptation. Eve knew very well when Satan approached her that the tree's fruit was not to be eaten. However, she decided to eat the forbidden fruit and offered it to Adam. Adam knew that God had instructed but chose to listen to Eve. Joseph was faced with temptation by Potiphar's wife but resisted this temptation by running away.

Adam and Eve disobeyed God. Sin broke their close relationship with God. Our relationship is broken too. But God demonstrates His persistent love and desire to restore the broken relationship. God comes to Adam and Eve in their shame, and instead of driving them away, He draws them closer with love and mercy.

As we live in this world friends, living for God is not easy. We sin knowingly or unknowingly but we should strive everyday to be like Christ. Some of us because of what we went through we try to evade God's work because of guilty conscience that tells us we are unworthy in the presence of God. God calls us, just as He did to Adam and Eve, "Where are you?" Let us present ourselves to Him in sincerity and allow Him to transform us as we walk daily.

God is looking for us to partner with Him in the mission of proclaiming Good News of the Kingdom in every corner of this world. All of us have different shames before God because we have been moved by sin from our origin relationship with our God. Through Jesus Christ, God opens the way to renew our fellowship with Him. He offers us His unconditional love and God wants us to partner with Him in the "Missio Dei: The mission of God."

God's work involves many different individuals with a variety of gifts and abilities. There are no superiors in the task, only team members performing their own special roles. As Paul wrote "for we are co-workers in God's service" (1Cor3:9).

God is looking for us, let us come before Him and confess to our loving and forgiving God,the Holy Spirit will help us.
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Rev Anna Banda. Married to Moven. Mother to 4 beautiful ladies. Grandmother to 9 boys and girls. Serving at Robert Sinyoka & Khayelithsa Congregations in the Presbytery of Zimbabwe. Liverpool and Dynamos fan.

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EmmDev 2025-10-03 [Partners in Mission (Month of Mission 2025)] Grace: Salvation as God's Gift

Grace: Salvation as God's Gift

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians2:8-9)

To be Partners in Mission we need to recognize that we can only do it with God's Grace!

Grace is defined as the wholly undeserved favour of God the Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. You and I are saved by the grace of God, we did not earn it because we fulfilled the law of God, or that we did all kinds of righteous deeds. We are saved because God, in the Person of Jesus Christ (God incarnate), paid the price of sin!

It is when we realise that we are wretched sinners, saved by the amazing grace of God that we in gratitude will seek to be partners in mission with God the Father, Son and Holy. We serve with God for the reason that we understand that His grace - is the gift of God.

John Newton was a wretched sinner who captained slave ships. He partook in the most evil enterprise crafted by the heart of humanity. But after a shipwreck he decided to follow Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. For the remainder of his earthly life, he dedicated each day to the Master of his soul. He became a partner in mission and penned one of the most well-known and used hymns in the world: Amazing Grace.

I conclude with the first verse of the hymn and encourage you through grace - the gift of God - to become a partner in mission:

    Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,
    That saved a wretch; like me!
    I once was lost, but now am found,
    Was blind, but now I see.
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Wayne van Heerden, husband to Frances, father to David and Angela. Enjoys cycling. Serving at Gateway Presbyterian Church, Kempton Park.

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EmmDev 2025-10-02 [Partners in Mission (Month of Mission 2025)] Justice: God Gives Christ in Our Place

Justice: God Gives Christ in Our Place

God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood, to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness... so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. (Romans3:23-26)

Have you ever looked at a coin? A coin always has two sides, and you cannot have one without the other. In the same way, God has two sides that always belong together: His justice and His love. If God only showed love and forgave sin without punishment, He would not be just. But if He only judged sin, no one could be saved. So how can God be both just and loving? Romans 3:25-26 gives the answer: God gave Jesus to take our place. On the cross, God punished sin (justice) and forgave sinners (love).

The Bible says God "presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood." In the Old Testament, once a year the high priest sprinkled blood on the mercy seat to show that sin needed a payment. But those sacrifices were only pictures pointing forward.

When Jesus came, He became the true and final sacrifice. His blood was the real payment for sin. Why? Because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). God is holy and cannot ignore sin. Yet God also loves us and wants to save us. So, He gave His Son to take our punishment. On the cross, Jesus carried the judgment we deserved. In this way, God's justice was satisfied and His love revealed. That is why Paul says God is both "just and the justifier."

This truth changes how we live every day:

• Rest in Jesus. When you feel guilty, remember He already paid for your sin.
• Be thankful. Salvation is by grace, not works. That should fill us with humility and joy.
• Share the message. As partners in God's mission, we tell others that forgiveness is found at the cross.
• Trust God's justice. Even when life feels unfair, God will deal with all wrongs - either through the cross or on the final day.

The cross is like the two sides of a coin: justice and love held together. God was fair because sin was punished. God was loving because sinners were forgiven. This is the glory of God shown most clearly in Jesus Christ. As partners in His mission, let us rest in this truth, share it with boldness, and bring hope to the world.
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Richard Mkandawire, married to Aretha, father to Khumbo, Mbawemi and Chimwemwe. A passionate supporter of soccer, serving at St. Columba's Presbyterian Church, Kabwe. Richard is the Convener of the Mission and Discipleship Committee.

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EmmDev 2025-10-01 [Partners in Mission (Month of Mission 2025)] The Prodigal Father

Welcome to our annual Month of Mission Devotions!

During this month, the devotions are written by members of the church across South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and the DRC.
(For those who usually receive Theo's "EmmDevs", these will resume in Nov.)

The theme for our Month of Mission is "Partners in Mission" which is the Moderatorial theme of the Right Rev Amon Kasambala who is our Moderator for 2025-2027.

You can read his opening devotion below...
GodBless!
The Mission and Discipleship Team

The Prodigal Father

"So he got and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him" (Luke15:20)

The Month of October 2025 has been set aside in the entire UPCSA as a Missions Month. This means that in our worship services as a body Christ, in our family and personal devotions, and in our daily work schedules; we should think about our commitment to missions.

What is interesting about mission(s) is that it was first and foremost initiated by God himself, who since the fall of humanity has been reaching out to us in his grace and mercy. Humans by nature are fugitives of themselves -- we try to run away from that which is meant to safeguard our lives just like we see in the prodigal son story. We want to be secure in ourselves without God just like the prodigal son did to his father. We do the same with God, we want to try and avoid him and "kick him out" of our priorities and programmes. However, just like the prodigal son's father, God is patient enough to wait until we reach to the end of ourselves and realize we can only fill that vacuum in our lives by getting back to him the creator.

What we should realize is that as long as we as human are prodigals, God becomes a prodigal with us. He does not run away from us, but he becomes the prodigal father who patiently awaits our return. And when we return, he shows us his compassion and mercy and welcomes us back to where we belong -- the family of believers (the Church)

As UPCSA, we should always bear in mind that the God we serve is the God of missions and when we get involved in missions, we in fact partner with him in the missions of God (Missio Dei). If God, as a Prodigal God, has reached out to us, it is time to think about others outside our Church buildings and our comfort zones who also need to hear the good news. God counts on us to reach out with grace, compassion and acts of mercy to a world that is calling for our help. May you make this month a special month of Missions.
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Rt Rev Dr Amon Kasambala, Moderator of the General Assembly (UPCSA), hubby to Tiba and father to Eddie and Victor, and serving as a Minister at Glenwood Presbyterian Church, Durban

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 Blog Overview and Links

Welcome to EmmDevs. This is a blog run by Theo Groeneveld, a Presbyterian Minister, serving at Emmanuel Presbyterian in Pretoria, South Africa.

Back in Jan 2002 Theo felt the need to put daily devotions into the inboxes of congregants for the week (weak) days. He did this Tue-Fri during government school terms, taking a break on Mondays and school hols. Years later these devotions are still running and people find them helpful.

They're called "EmmDevs" for "Emmanuel Devotions" and are meant to be a reminder that Jesus is "God-with-us" (Emmanuel) even on our weak days. 

When the broader denomination, the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa, chose October to be the "Month of Mission", the Mission and Discipleship committee started publishing devotions for that month and so EmmDev readers get to hear a variety of other voices during that month. 

Subscription to EmmDevs and/or Month of Mission

You can read EmmDevs/Month of Mission here on the blog, or you can subscribe to email or whatsapp groups. The whatsapp invite links need to be tapped on your phone...

EmmDevs	Month of Mission (Oct)
Email:  https://tinyurl.com/EmmDevSub  Whatsapp Link:  https://chat.whatsapp.com/JMojiOcEewoDGdNWkxaZln	Email:  https://rb.gy/ppoxpx   Whatsapp Link:  https://rb.gy/batqp

About Theo

Theo is married to Brenda and their son Caleb was born in 2000. He loves God, his family and being pastor. He enjoys cycling, camping, road-tripping, working with his hands, and programming and tech.

EmmDev 2025-09-26 [Moments with Mark] Origins...

Origins...

They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to Him. "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you authority to do this?" Jesus replied, "I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John's baptism -- was it from heaven, or from men? Tell Me!" They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' But if we say, 'From men'..." (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.) So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." Jesus said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things." (Mark11:27-33)

Back at the temple, the Pharisees are angry and offended.
"How dare He cause a ruckus?
How dare He preach to them about prayer?
How dare He expose them?"

"By what authority are you doing this?"
It's a trick question and a pride question.
- Who do You think You are to oppose us? Do You know who we are?
- If Jesus claimed to act by God's authority, they could accuse Him of blasphemy or madness.

Jesus neatly exposes them by reflecting the question back at them.
"John's baptism - was it from God or human origin?"
Now bear in mind John claimed to be the forerunner of the Messiah and that Jesus was the Messiah.
- If they say "from God" then they would be compelled to honour his Messiah
- If they said "from humans" the crowd would be upset because John had baptised thousands.
So they stubbornly sit on the fence.

But this question implies a deeper question...
And it is THE ALL IMPORTANT QUESTION.
Who do you believe Jesus is?
- Is He from God - the Son of God?
- Or is He just some guru - maybe even a self-deluded one?

What authority does He have in our lives?
Figuring out who He is is crucial to this...
Or do we sit on the fence...?

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EmmDev 2025-09-25 [Moments with Mark] Choice and Prayer

Choice and Prayer

When evening came, they went out of the city. In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!" "Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." (Mark11:19-25)

Faith requires a response. It requires a choice. It requires action.
There are consequences when we fail to respond, to choose, and to act.
This is one of the things that makes Christianity unpopular.

Bear in mind that it's Holy Week. It began with the Triumphal Entry, will end with the Crucifixion, and something new will begin with the Resurrection. On Holy Week Monday Jesus cursed the fig tree and cleansed the temple. Now it's Tuesday morning and Jesus and the disciples are walking to the temple from Bethany as they did on Monday.
But this time, they reach the fig tree, it is completely withered.

Peter is amazed.
Why? He'd seen plenty of miracles. Even storms stilled and Lazarus raised.
Maybe he's amazed because this time the miracle is a warning. The fig tree withered in about 33AD. In 70AD the temple, which had banned the Christians and persecuted them, was destroyed...

But now Jesus turns the conversation to faith and prayer. The idea of prayer is appropriate here because Jesus had wanted the temple to be a "house of prayer" and it was not.
It's important to recognise that all the second person pronouns are in plural...
"Truly I tell youse, if anyone says to this mountain... Therefore I tell you, whatever youse ask for in prayer..."
So He isn't just answering Peter, but the disciples and us...

And so He teaches His disciples about prayer because the church became the place of prayer.
Think about the Book of Acts.
Every time the church gathered for prayer something happened:

• In Acts 4:31 the disciples prayed together and the place they prayed was shaken.
• In Acts 12:5 the church was praying for Peter in Prison and an angel set him free.
• In Acts 10 Cornelius and Peter were praying in separate places and they received the same calling - and the Gospel went to Gentiles.
• In Acts 13:2 the church was praying and Paul & Barnabas were set apart for the first missionary journey.
• In Acts 16:25-26 - Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns in prison when a great earthquake shook the prison.

And so Jesus emphasises the importance of prayer.
But He's also talking about faith.
He uses a dramatic image - A mountain will throw itself into the sea.
But He's talking about trusting in God, believing in God.
And the examples I mentioned earlier are incredible instances of the amazing things that happen when God's people pray.

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EmmDev 2025-09-23 [Moments with Mark] The Fury of His Love

The Fury of His Love

Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, He went out to Bethany with the Twelve. The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to find out if it had any fruit. When He reached it, He found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then He said to the tree, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And His disciples heard Him say it. On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as He taught them, He said, "Is it not written: " My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations ? But you have made it a den of robbers. " The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill Him, for they feared Him, because the whole crowd was amazed at His teaching. (Mark11:11-18)

There are four moments in our Scripture reading today:

Moment 1: Jesus, having been truly recognised by the crowds as He entered Jerusalem, arrives at the temple ... and it is a great disappointment... But it is late and so He leaves. I imagine He spent a difficult night pondering what He had seen. I would not be surprised if He was brought to tears again just as He had been when coming into Jerusalem.

Moment 2: The next morning, Jesus having "slept on it", heads for the temple, but spots a leafy fig tree. Although it was not the season for figs, it was spring. The tree should have been full of little "pre-fig-buds" (which were edible) and would be the promise of the harvest of figs to come. This tree, although very leafy, had no evidence of figs to come. Its leafiness was an empty promise, not unlike the temple: bustling with activity but devoid of fruit. Jesus curses the tree giving us some idea of what He feels about the temple.

Moment 3: Jesus, having considered what He had seen overnight and telegraphing His thoughts at the fig tree, arrives at the temple and shows His Holy Displeasure. This is not a "temper-tantrum" but a deliberate demonstration of righteousness and authority. There are two key issues at stake here: His primary concern is that there is now no place for Gentiles to pray, because the traders and money-changers had occupied their space. The secondary concern is the corruptness of the "temple trade". So Jesus preaches a sermon with actions. The question I have is: "Where were the temple bouncers?" With all the trading going on, there must have been significant security measures. I can only believe that Jesus' holiness and authority shone so brightly in this moment that no-one could confront the "holy fire" that blazed in Him.

Moment 4: The next day they found the tree withered to its roots. This is confirmation of Jesus' authority and also a picture of the future destruction of the temple in 70AD. What should have been a "light to the nations" and a place that the "nations would stream to" had become an exclusive club that blocked out the nations and generated a tainted income for a select manipulative religious mafia. There is a deep and profound sense of justice that pervades this parable-in-action.

These four moments reveal a great deal about Jesus:

• He isn't "losing His temper" - His actions are deliberate and considered.
• He is profoundly concerned about justice and about those who are excluded.
• His authority is significant.

There is a line in an Andrew Peterson song about the crucifixion that is appropriate here: "Was it the fury of His anger or the fury of His love?" I think these four moments beautifully display the "fury of His love."

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EmmDev 2025-09-19 [Moments with Mark] Desperate Hope

Desperate Hope

When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, He sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!" "Hosanna in the highest!" (Mark11:7-10)

I've been thinking about the crowd's amazing response to Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem and the word "Hosanna!"

If one looks at how "Hosanna" is used in many hymns and worship songs, one is left with the impression that it is a word that one sings out in praise and adoration - like "Hallelujah!" or "Glory!"

But this word is used in a very different way in the Old Testament...

• It's a cry for help and deliverance of cities under attack from an enemy. (Joshua 10:6)
• It's the cry of a widow to the king when she's lost one son and is about to lose another. (2Sam 14:4)
• It's the cry of a widow to the king when a siege of Jerusalem forces them into cannibalism (2Ki 6:26)

Then we have a number of Psalms (here's just a few of them...):

• "Hosanna us, LORD! There is not a good person left;
  honest people can no longer be found." (Psa 12:1)
• "Hosanna your people and bless your inheritance;
  be their shepherd and carry them forever." (Psa 28:9)
• "Turn to me and have mercy on me;
  grant your strength to your servant
  and Hosanna the son of your maidservant." (Psa 86:16)
• "Hosanna us by your might; answer our prayer,
  so that the people you love may be rescued." (Psa 60:5)

The other clue we must notice is the crowd's identification of Jesus as the "Son of David." This reveals a Messianic expectation. The crowd is longing for God's deliverance and rescue through the Messiah. They hoped that Jesus was the Saviour-Messiah. In the case of the very first Palm Sunday, the crowds thought of a political Saviour-Messiah who would conquer the Romans and free Israel. But He came to do so much more! We know He conquered sin, death, and Satan. And so He can help us.

Yes, Hosanna is a cry from a heart in desperate need, but it has also become an expression of praise because we know that God can save and that He did and does save...

In these turbulent times where politicians and opinion-mongers cause chaos and heartache, we long for political resolutions - but it starts with us. We (you and me) need rescuing and then we can begin to transform society.

Hosanna! And Glory Hallelujah!

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EmmDev 2025-09-18 [Moments with Mark] What's the Deal with the Donkey?

What's the Deal with the Donkey?

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of His disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.' " They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying that colt?" They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, He sat on it. (Mark11:1-7)

While his gospel is known for its brevity and conciseness, and so his detailed account invites us to ask: "So what's the deal with the donkey?"

I think there are three key lessons:

1. The donkey symbolised peace. We have a fairly low view of donkeys but the Ancient Near East saw them more positively. The foal of the donkey was the mode of transport for the elderly or children. It would be the mount chosen by a prophet or a wise hermit. It was also the chosen mount of a victorious king. He would ride it into the city he had conquered. The message was clear: "The fight is over - I am victorious!" Riding a donkey was not the declaration of war. It was a statement of the certainty of peace. By riding in on a donkey on that Sunday, Jesus was showing what the outcome of Good Friday would be: Peace with God.

2. The donkey hadn't been ridden. It was like he'd been set apart for his first job, which was to carry the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Priestly items are often consecrated (set apart) and so the donkey reminds us that Jesus is our Great High Priest who offered the perfect sacrifice for our sins... He rides this unridden donkey into Jerusalem and into our lives. He is God with us!

3. Some scholars suggest that the interchange with the donkey was a prearranged meeting with codewords and passwords like we see in spy movies. Others (and I agree with them) suggest that God softened the hearts of the donkey's owners in the heat of the moment. Either way, the donkey's owners became participants in Jesus' mission. The donkey reminds me that we also need to be ready to allow God to use our talents, possessions, and time

Three great lessons from a donkey:
- Jesus came entered Jerusalem confidently promising peace
- Jesus is our High Priest coming into our lives to save us
- We can participate in God's work with our "donkeys".

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EmmDev 2025-09-17 [Moments with Mark] Beautiful Trusting Faith

Beautiful Trusting Faith

Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and His disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. (Mark10:46-52)

The healing of blindness was considered something only the Messiah could do.

Bartimaeus had lived in a world of darkness, but his ears and his heart made up for what his eyes could not see. He'd been sitting by the roadside, he'd heard the stories of Jesus of Nazareth and he had come to his own conclusions.

What do I mean? Well, Nazareth was considered a backwater, a dead-end and a place of no real reputation. When Philip invites Nathanael to meet Jesus of Nazareth, Nathanael says: "Nazareth? Can anything good come from there?" But Bartimaeus has come to a different conclusion. He believed that Jesus was the "Son of David."

"Son of David" is a Messianic title and a strong one at that - it indicates the hope of a political Messiah who would conquer enemies and restore Israel to the majesty it had in the time of David. And Bartimaeus calls out to Him. He's relentless, even when the crowd try to silence him, he shouts all the more!

The raw desperation and determined hope in his voice cuts through to Jesus and He stops. Remember He's been striding ahead of the disciples, focused on Jerusalem, but now He stops and calls Bartimaeus.

Bartimaeus throws his cloak aside and leaps to his feet.

This is a significant action. In those times a good cloak was a mainstay of daily life, you could shelter under it from sun and rain and at night it kept you warm. You needed to look after your cloak. Blind people don't throw things aside because they need to be able to find them later, but Bartimaeus has beautiful, trusting faith. Deep in his soul he seems to know that something is about to change. He makes no excuses, he holds nothing back, he just rushes to Jesus. And when Jesus asks him what he wants Him to do, there is no beating around the bush and no buttering up. He tells it straight and true: "Rabbi, I want to see."

Rabbi is an interesting word too. It means "teacher/mentor" and Bartimaeus seems to mean it in a personal sense rather than a generic one. He means "my Rabbi" and, after he received his sight, he followed Jesus down the road.

Bartimaeus heard the stories of Jesus, he'd had time to think about it. He believed that Jesus was the Messiah and he knew he needed Him. He "shouts all the more" and "throws his cloak aside" because "he wants to see." Jesus sees this simple beautiful trusting faith, which I believe was stirred by the Holy Spirit, and He heals him.

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EmmDev 2025-09-16 [Moments with Mark] The most significant Mission Statement

Hi Everyone

I hope this finds you well. Two quick updates:

1. Apologies for the Gaps in EmmDevs I've been dealing with a health issue causing significant fatigue and mental fog, which has impacted the consistency of EmmDevs. I'm truly sorry for this. The good news is that we've identified the issue, and I'm on a four-week treatment plan that should resolve it. Please keep me in your prayers for a full recovery.
   
   
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Thank you so much for reading EmmDevs and for your continued support.

Blessings and Love, Theo

The most significant Mission Statement

When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:41-45)

Back in Mark 9 the disciples had been arguing about who was the greatest and Jesus addressed it with them. Now it crops up again in the form of James and John's desire to get preferred seats at Jesus' glory.

I don't know how the other disciples heard of it but I don't believe Jesus revealed it. I suspect James and John just went back to the other disciples so astonished by what Jesus had said to them that they just spilled the beans. Another possibility is that their mother, Salome, had been involved too (this is how Matthew portrays it) and she probably left in a huff after being rebuffed by Jesus and the other disciples would have wanted to know why.

The disciples are angry, but for the wrong reasons. They're mad because James and John tried to outmaneuver them. What they should be angry about is that they'd got it wrong.

So Jesus intervenes by explaining some differences...
The world has a certain way of doing things.
The world works with power, authority, position, and status.

God's Kingdom has a different way.
God's Children influence the world through service and humility.

Then Jesus shares His personal mission statement...

Now, over the last 30-40 years Mission Statements have been both trendy and helpful in helping individuals and organisations figure out priorities and the direction they should take. Unfortunately, many mission statements become posters on a wall rather than a lived-out reality."

Jesus' Mission Statement was: "the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."

I guess we could say that Jesus lived out and died out His mission statement.

May this
1) fill us with gratitude.
2) inspire us to live and love lives of service!

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EmmDev 2025-09-10 [Moments with Mark] Still ambitious

Still ambitious

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him. "Teacher," they said, "we want You to do for us whatever we ask." "What do you want me to do for you?" He asked. They replied, "Let one of us sit at Your right and the other at Your left in Your glory." "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?" "We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at My right or left is not for Me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared." (Mark10:35-40)

In the light of Jesus' declaration of His destiny, the approach of James and John comes across as crass, self-serving, and insensitive.

I find myself incredulous every time I read this section: "Jesus has just predicted His impending and violent death and the disciples are jockeying for positions of power?" It just doesn't make sense!

There are a couple of things to take away from this:

1. The disciples aren't perfect. Leaders aren't perfect. The allure of power is great and I think the Evil One is very busy in moments like these, distracting us from the main mission with petty plays for power. Before we point too many fingers at James and John, let's be very honest about how often we become more interested in who is doing something than what needs to be done. The mission is often sabotaged by power politics.

2. Jesus makes a sobering point. Those who align themselves with Him will end up drinking from His cup. This isn't only the cup of blessing, it can also be the cup of wrath and the Old Testament prophets often talk about drinking the cup of suffering and judgement "to the dregs." Then He talks about His baptism (in this context He means His total immersion) into the journey of the cross.

3. The Kingdom of God isn't a meritocracy. The places at Jesus' right and left won't be given to those who have campaigned the most or suffered the most. They will be given to those God chooses.

4. Ironically, in spite of their crass insensitivity and ambition, James and John do believe that Jesus will emerge victorious. Jesus had just told them that He was going to be executed. Normally, this would lead to one's followers abandoning the cause, but James and John believe that this will not be the end. And so, although their jockeying for position is ugly to watch, it does portray their faith that Jesus would overcome.

Tomorrow we'll look at how the other disciples reacted. For now, let's recognise the allure of ambition and power and recognise that the road of the disciple isn't always easy and we should try to remain humble.

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EmmDev 2025-09-09 [Moments with Mark] Focus and Clarity

Focus and Clarity

They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again He took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to Him. "We are going up to Jerusalem," he said, "and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles, who will mock Him and spit on Him, flog Him and kill Him. Three days later He will rise." (Mark10:32-34)

Reading this passage always moves me profoundly.
They're heading towards Jerusalem and Jesus is walking ahead of them. He isn't ambling along, teaching the disciples and crowds. He's focused and determined. He's leading the way - walking into His destiny. The disciples are filled with wonder and the other followers are fearful. They know that the tensions with the "religious mafia" are high and that there is a good chance that Jerusalem is a trap.

Jesus isn't filled with false optimism - He isn't deluded. He knows what's coming. He spells it out clearly and yet He is route-marching to Jerusalem. He's terse and clear. The time for beating about the bush is over. The disciples must be warned - and even though they don't fully grasp it, Jesus is preparing them. They will still scatter and hide, but in time it will all become clear that it was God's plan.

I prefer to use capital pronouns whenever I refer to God. It makes the writing slightly less readable, but denotes respect...

Today it was hard to put capital letters on Jesus' pronouns when the phrases were "condemn Him", "hand Him over", "mock Him", "spit on Him", "flog Him" and "kill Him." He was the glorious Son of God and we would do these terrible things to Him.

And He led the way and walked into His destiny...

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