In Hebrews 12, Paul exhorts on faith and living for God. He reminded us that God will discipline his children, because of his love for us. Paul advised that we try our best to live peacefully. “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). In Romans 12, he also said that we should live at peace, as much as it is possible. This means that at times, peace may not be possible as some people are not at peace with themselves. At these times, we follow Abraham’s example when he chose to separate from his nephew Lot. “Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen” (Genesis 13:8).

Abram allowed Lot to choose from the surroundings lands, to settle with his family and servants. There are some instances when separation is necessary for peace. There are other occasions however, when this is not possible. This is when we need the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, to guard our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:6). Paul knew that as believers, it is difficult for us not to have experiences that will cause us to become angry. Having feelings of anger is not sinful, but our response to anger is what can lead to sin. “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil” (Ephesians 4:26-27).

Although we become angry, we should not sin with our mouths and make sure that we don’t harbour It. Anger unresolved leads to resentment and bitterness. “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice” (Ephesians 4:31). Bitterness has roots in anger and hatred and these emotions are harmful. Anger opens a door for the devil to tempt us into works of the flesh.

We are human, is what we generally say, in response to acting out of character. We are to live in the spirit, so that we do not gratify the desires of the flesh. We have to constantly submit ourselves to God in order not to allow bitterness to take root. It’s like taking a shower daily. We don’t take a shower today and say tomorrow that we don’t need another one. We shower daily for hygiene maintenance, because our bodies become dirty. It’s the same thing with our spirit man and our hearts which can be deceitful. We daily consecrate ourselves and ask God to take away any anger, bitterness or resentment. It’s not easy, but God gives us strength.

A.P.-Y.

Another week of bible quizzes and celebrations when we get the answer correct. Tam is a great bible Teacher and her weekly quizzes keep us engaged and searching our bibles to learn more.

Hey Neighbor! This week, our CareBibleStudy class searched through the Bible for a certain prophet on Tuesday, and a certain King on Thursday, and …

More Solution Saturday!!

A lot of research has been done to support the claim, that laughter is good for the mind and body. Solomon spoke of a joyful or merry heart being like medicine. Many people live their lives in search of happiness. The church often makes the distinction between joy and happiness, although the actual definitions are interchangeable. Nehemiah once instructed the people of God about the importance of being happy. The people were weeping after Ezra read the law of God to them. Nehemiah offered them consolation. “Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength”” (Nehemiah 8:10).

Can we determine whether or not we have joy and peace? Does joy depend on our economic or relationship status for example? There are people who are unfortunately living in abusive relationships. In these cases, it will be difficult for them to experience joy, while they remain in these relationships. The challenge is that many people who are abused, feel trapped in these situations. It takes the grace of God, to escape abusive situations and to find peace and joy. Debt and financial deprivation can also lead to feelings of depression. It is in trusting God that a person can successfully navigate their way out of debt.

In both instances, counselling and support can go a long way. Most people are dealing with one challenge or another and have a need that has not been met. How do we maintain joy and happiness while we wait for God to resolve our situation? “Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it” (Proverbs 15:16). Solomon was not saying that it was bad to have great treasure, but that wealth gained unjustly will not produce joy. Many people scheme their way into positions of power. Gaining wealth through unjust means will often mean that you have to continue to be dishonest in order to maintain it.

Some of the scriptures that speak about joy suggests that it is a choice. There are people who experience clinical depression and anxiety and struggle to regulate their emotions. We do believe that God can heal the mind and emotions, even for people with a diagnoses. For the average person, many lifestyle choices can affect the quality of our mental health. What we read and feed our minds with, what we watch on television, the friends and people that we associate with, are all contributing factors to our mental health. A good balanced diet, regular exercise, having good friends with a positive attitude, meditation and prayer are all antidotes for stress and anxiety.

While some conditions are outside of our control, there are things that boils down to our lifestyle choices. We reap the fruits of good works and healthy choices often lead to positive outcomes. “My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you” (Proverbs 3:1-2).

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I love the King James Version of the above scripture which says, ‘take no thought.’ Other versions say, ‘do not worry,’ or ‘do not be anxious.’ Jesus was teaching the sermon on the Mount and spoke about anxiety and worry. He started by saying, don’t worry about what you are going to eat or wear. This is because the body is more important that food or clothes. Jesus also asked us to consider the birds, who do not labour, yet God feeds them. None of us can add any value to our lives from worrying. He also said, why should we worry about clothing? The lilies of the field also do not work, yet even King Solomon, with all of his wealth was not as well adorned as them.

If God can take care of the grass that is here today and tomorrow withers away, why would he not take care of you? Jesus described this type of worrying as lacking in faith. “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed” (Matthew 6:31)? It is the people of the world who seek after these things. However, our father in heaven knows what we need. What should be our position? We seek the kingdom of God first and then everything else that we need will be added. We seek the kingdom by doing the will of God and work to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jesus’s final statement on this matter was; do not worry about tomorrow but let tomorrow worry about itself. How many of us even know whether or not the world will end tomorrow? Sometimes life takes such significant and even catastrophic turns, that some of what we worry about now pales in existence. I don’t believe that people who are caught in the middle of a war for example, are as concerned about the latest fashion. They’re primary concern will be to survive. The pandemic brought some of these things into focus and for a while, people focused more on relationships. It has perhaps created other challenges, such as soaring energy prices.

Many people are worried about energy companies and the increased cost of living. While I am not nonchalant about the issues, I don’t watch the news. This is because I do not need any additional reasons to be anxious. We bear in mind that the same God who provided yesterday, last week or even last year, will continue to provide for us. He will never leave us or forsake us. Prayer reduces anxiety. When I get really anxious about something, then I know that I need to spend some time praying about it. Generalised anxiety is sometimes an indication, of an area that we have not fully surrendered.

“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).

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Jesus came to die for our sins and to advance the kingdom of God. Isaiah prophesied of His coming in the Old Testament and the Jews awaited his coming. Jesus was born during a time of Jewish oppression by the Romans. The people expected a king to be born, who would overthrow their oppressors and set them free. However, much to the surprise of the wise men and the people during his time, Jesus made his entry in a stable. Isaiah said about Jesus, “For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him” (Isaiah 53:2).

How could people wrap their heads around a saviour and king being born in a stable? This was a time when God used the simple things to confound the wise and the weak things to confound the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27). Jesus’s kingdom is not of this world and his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. “Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this” (Isaiah 9:7). The kingdoms of this world, pales in comparison to the kingdom of God.

None of the ‘pomp and circumstance’ of this world is enough to impress Jesus. His demonstration of the kingdom was, “to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound” (Isaiah 61:1). Wherever Jesus went, he healed the sick, raised the dead, cleansed the leaper, opened the eyes of the blind and the gospel was preached (Matthew 11:5). Jesus went around doing good and wherever he went, all who were brought to him were healed, delivered and set free. What Jesus did during his time, was to establish a kingdom culture and mindset.

Jesus didn’t labour once after his ministry started, yet his physical needs were met. Twice he helped Peter to bring in a net breaking load of fish, in order to meet his needs (Luke 5:4–6; John 21:6–8). Jesus would not allow the crowds who came to listen to his sermons, to return home hungry. On one occasion he multiplied five loaves and two fish to feed five thousand (John 6:1-14). On another occasion he multiplied seven loaves and two fish to feed four thousand (Matthew 15:29-39). Jesus also turned water into wine at the marriage in Canaan (John 2:1-11). We are his ambassadors and we carry within us the mark of Jesus Christ.

The culture of the kingdom should be evident in and around us, wherever we live, work and wherever we have a sphere of influence. “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever”” (Revelation 11:15).

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In numbers 5, the Lord gave Moses instructions to share with the people, concerning confession and restitution. He was to speak to the people about what would happen, when a person committed a sin of unfaithfulness to God. The person was to confess his sin and then make full restitution for the wrong he had done. In this case the person should pay for the wrong that they had committed and add one fifth to their payment. In the event that the person wasn’t alive to receive the restitution, the person who committed the offence would go to the Priest and make atonement.

The word restitution means the restoration of something lost or stolen to its rightful owner. Atonement is the action of making amends for wrong or injury. While the two words are similar, the difference is that restitution is giving back what was taken. Atonement on the other hand may not include restoration, but an action can be done to compensate for the wrong done. We see this principle being applied in law and cases brought to court includes settlements to either award restitution of things lost or stolen. In some instances, a guilty person who is convicted, may serve a prison sentence to make atonement for the wrongs committed.

We can see where the legal justice systems, developed out of the Old Testament law handed down from God to Moses. In order to not stray from the point, we need to see how the principles of restitution, restoration and atonement are relevant or significant for us today. For the body of Christ, Jesus made the final atonement for our sins on the cross. “by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross”(Colossians 2:14). While Jesus died to atone for our sins, there are wrongs that we may commit against others that will require reconciliation.

Reconciliation is the restoration of a broken relationship. Jesus said that before we offer our sacrifice at the altar, if we remember that we have a disagreement with someone; “leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:24). In addition to reconciliation, there are some wrongs that have been committed that requires restitution. If it is within your power to do so and you know for example that something was wrongly taken from someone, give it back. Saying sorry is good and being genuinely sorry about a wrong committed is also good. There are times when God will require us to go a step further in making restitution or atonement.

“But if he is caught, he must pay back seven times what he stole, even if he has to sell everything in his house” (Proverbs 6:31).

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In 2 kings 4, we read the story of Elisha and the wealthy Shunammite woman. When Elisha visited Shunem, she urged him to visit her house for a meal. Overtime she prepared a room in her home for him, so that whenever he visited, he had a place to stay. Elisha was moved by her compassion and asked the woman if there was anything that he could offer her. The woman did not request anything from Elisha, but he was convinced that he needed to reward her kindness. Elisha’s servant Gehazi told him, that the woman did not have a child and her husband was old. He sent for the woman and prophesied concerning her conception.

“And he said, “At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace a son.” And she said, “No, my Lord, O man of God; do not lie to your servant”” (2 Kings 4:16). Just like Elisha said, the woman conceived and gave birth to a son at spring time. When the child was grown, he went with his father in the field and cried out from a pain in his head. The servant was instructed to take the child to his mother. The boy sat on her lap until noon and died. The woman took her son’s body and placed him on Elisha’s bed. She asked her husband to send her a servant with a donkey, so that she could quickly go to see Elisha.

“And he said, “Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath.” She said, “All is well”” (2 Kings 4:23). The passage does not indicate whether or not, the woman told her husband that the child had died. The passage suggests that he may have still been in the fields, as she sent to request a servant and a donkey. Either way her response to his queries about her travels was; ‘all is well.’ The woman urged her servant to ride quickly to visit Elisha at Mount Carmel. Elisha saw her from a distance and sent his servant to ask about her and her family. Her response to Elisha’s questions was; ‘all is well.’

When the woman got to Elisha, she threw herself at his feet in distress. “Then she said, “Did I ask my Lord for a son? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me’”” (2 Kings 4:28)? Elisha sent Gehazi ahead with his staff to lay it on the face of the child. Nevertheless, the woman refused to leave Elisha, so he went with her to her house. Gehazi laid the staff on the child, but there was no sign of life, so he returned to Elisha. Elisha went into his room where the child laid dead and prayed unto God. He laid his face on the child and stretched himself over him and the child became warm. When he repeated this action, the child sneezed seven times and then opened his eyes.

The woman’s son came back to life. Despite the anguish which she displayed when she met Elisha, I am encouraged by her faith and her declaration that, ‘all is well.’ She first made this statement to her husband and then to Elisha’s servant, when he came to meet her on the way. I like her initial reaction when her son died, in placing him on the bed of the prophet. The child was born through the word spoken by Elisha and she trusted that God would use him to bring him back to life. The promises of God never fails and tests and trials will try to nullify the word of God. Stay in faith and trust that God’s word cannot lie. We speak in the face of adversity and no matter how difficult the circumstance, we declare that, ‘all is well.’

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Paul addressed division in the church in his letter to the Corinthians. He scolded them for behaving like people of the flesh, rather that people of the spirit. Paul said he fed them with milk as they were not yet ready for the solid food of the word. He was disappointed that they were still not ready for solid food, but were rather behaving like infants. Paul’s concern was that there was strife and envy among them. “For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human” (1 Corinthians 3:4)? The strife and rivalry was over which apostle each set of disciples followed.

Paul explained that both he and Apollos were servants of God, assigned to lead people to God. He used the analogy of planting, to say that if he planted and Apollos watered, that God received the increase. Both the person who planted the seed and the one who watered it, were working towards the same outcome. Paul drew another comparison between soul winning and building. He stated that if he laid a foundation, that someone else would come along to build on that foundation. Paul cautioned each builder to take care how he built. “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11).

Paul was speaking to the spirit of division, which was present in the church during his time and is still present in our church today. We have to keep in focus the mission and mandate, to build and establish the kingdom of God. Some of us are planters, some are waterers and others are reapers. Some people will lay a solid foundation and another person will build on that foundation. What we need to remember is that we don’t own people. A soul won belongs to Christ and the Evangelist, the Teacher or Prophet are working for God. Souls are won into the kingdom of God, to save them from eternal damnation.

It is difficult that the body of Christ can sometimes be so divided. Some churches forget that whether a member attends their church or another congregation, that the main concern should be that they serve God. The emphasis can sometimes become about gaining numbers, for reasons that are sometimes not genuine. All believers are called to win souls for God and have a mandate, to go into the world and teach all nations about God. “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; And he that winneth souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30).

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