written by Stephan Joubert
God dreams and He dreams big. He dreams about a new world, one where his will prevails. He dreams about a society where hate comes second, and injustice loses. He dreams about poor people having enough food to eat and about the lonely ones being cared for. He dreams about people who live together safely and in love for one another. He dreams about his kingdom spreading across the earth like a runaway bushfire, and billions of people bowing before Jesus. He dreams of people who discover this treasure in a field, like Jesus tells in Matthew 13, and leave everything to get their hands on it.
God dreams new dreams. And the good news — you have a place in God’s dreams. He noticed you when He dreamed big about people and his creation. He wants to use you to make his dreams reality. You should report for duty at once. He’ll take care of the rest. The Lord will use you by causing streams of living water to flow through you. He’ll use you to touch the lives of those around you. He will give his dreams wings in your life. So, what are you waiting for?
written by Stephan Joubert
Paul’s farewell words to the church leaders Ephesus in Acts 20 grabs my heart over and over again. It just should have been one of the more well-known and popular texts in the church than it is today. Especially precious is the apostle’s words that he worked hard to always have something to give to the poor! This verse belongs in the same company as John 3:16, the Lord’s Prayer and Psalm 23.
In these deep words of Paul we encounter the complete heart of the gospel in a nutshell, namely that we must always life generously. That’s what the gospel is about — giving, not receiving. And not storing things up just for ourselves. We don’t work only for our own retirement package or the next luxury item on our never-ending shopping list. No, we also work hard to be able to care for those who are suffering. Our biggest investments in God’s kingdom is to reach out every time we encounter someone that’s less privileged than ourselves. So, how about a fresh re-appreciation of Acts 20:35 here in the new year?
written by Stephan Joubert
I have the privilege to write a small column in a daily newspaper every Monday to Friday, entitled Good News. A while ago, I told the story of Ernie in my column. May I share it again here? Good American friends of mine involved Ernie in the youth ministry of their church. Ernie stayed involved there full steam until his death in his nineties. Ernie’s work at the youth ministry was to pack the dishwasher every Wednesday evening after they served a great feast to the younger ones.
One day Ernie told my friends that he asked the Lord the previous night to rather come fetch him. At this stage he was already deaf in both ears and he could no longer bear his deep longing for his late wife. But then he suddenly thought of all the young people that he served unnoticed and wondered who would pack and unpack the dishwasher after they spent time together on Wednesdays. Right there and then Ernie chose to carry on living with a new vigor. He did exactly that untill the end of his life. Ernie knew that once the race was over, Jesus would be waiting for him with the crown of righteousness in his hand (2 Timothy 4:7-8). That’s why he couldn’t stop living or stop running before the race was over.
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written by Stephan Joubert
The well-known Martin Luther King Jr. once said that even if you have a lowly job you should do it with the same commitment and enthusiasm that Michelangelo relied on when he was sculpting his great works, or that Mozart used in composing his genial music. That’s also what Paul meant when he wrote in Colossians 3 that everything we do and say should glorify God. Put another way, the Lord’s name should preside in CAPITAL LETTERS over every word we speak and everything we do. Like a flashing advertising board, our lives must reflect God’s splendor and importance.
How do we live our lives in the right CAPITAL LETTERS? Well, you invite God humbly to be the Guest of Honor in your life every day. You ensure that He’s the Guest of Honor in every conversation you have. Then your words will be carefully chosen, tasteful and uplifting. Ensure that the Lord is Witness to everything you do. Then your work will be done for Him and not primarily for your boss or company. Then you’ll do your work with pride, thoroughness, and commitment.
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