jo01.2022 by nustobaydo

OUR NEW LOOK

t ‘My New Beginning’

FA EG S

Crossword, Word Search & Quiz

S S

The Age of Misinformation

Are Internet Speech Regulations Coming?

A Controversial Topic

Dr Myles Munroe

TAMRYN KLINTWORTH

His Legacy Lives On! J anuary 20 22

22001

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Real Life

Reaching Ethiopia with the Gospel

Real People

Real Christianity

“May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” – Psalm 20:4

JOY!

Real Life

Real People

Real Christianity

NEW DESIGN, SAME EXCELLENT CONTENT JOY! MAG AZIN E

OUR NEW LOOK

Volu me 31 Issue 01

Recovery from cancer!

See Your Future With Faith, Not Fear

‘My New Beginning’

BIBLE FUN

FAKE NEWS, FAKE GOSPELS

Crossword, Word Search & Quiz

The Age of Misinformation

Christians & Hunting

CENSORSHIP

Are Internet Speech Regulations Coming?

A Controversial Topic

and receive a FREE Max Lucado devotional Only R349 per year

Dr Myles oe 20 OFF

TAMRYN KLINTWORTH

Lives On! Real Life

Reaching Ethiopia with the

Real People

“May he give you the desire

of your heart and make

Gospel

Real Christianity all your plans succeed.”

– Psalm 20:4

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Volume 31 Issue 01

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CONTENTS

EDITOR: Erin Georgiou – Editor@joymag.co.za GENERAL MANAGER: Gawie de Lange PRODUCTION MANAGER: Gillian Fraser DESIGNER: Marina Hofmeyer RETOUCHING: Megan Van Der Berg SUBSCRIPTIONS: subs@joymag.co.za ADVERTISING: info@joymag.co.za *we reserve the right to reject any content that conflicts with our values/interests.

PRINTERS: CTP | DISTRIBUTION: On The Dot

44 68 64

COVER STORY 32 Dr Myles Munroe – His Legacy Lives On!

NEWS

MISSIONS & TESTIMONIES

24 Who’s In The News? 28 General Christian News And Updates

FEATURE STORIES Did You Know? Fun Bible Facts A Tribute To Lenora Hammond Christians And Hunting: A Controversial Topic How To Use Your Voice To Influence Laws Seeing Your Future With Faith, Not Fear Fake News, Fake Gospels Are Internet Speech Regulations Coming? The Task Of Biblical Education

09 ‘I Know It Was You Lord’ – Reader Testimony 36 Husband & Wife Make History With PhDs 39 ‘God Gave Me A Second Chance In Life’ 40 ‘The Day My Life Changed Forever…’ 50 CfaN Flagship Gospel Campaign 52 FEBA Malawi Is Well Underway 54 Visit Your Persecuted Family With Open Doors 76 Recovery From Cancer! ‘My New Beginning’

COLUMNS 02 Editor’s Note – Making 2022 A Fruitful Year

10 11 12 14 15 22 80

3 Points To Ponder On New Year’s Resolutions Why It’s Okay To Have Unproductive Days A Gospel‐Shaped Approach To The New Year What To Expect In The Church In 2022 Stumbling Blocks That Delay Transformation Jesus Christ’s Instruction To His Disciples Called To Saltiness – Pearl Kupe

REGULARS 04 08 16 17 22 44 46 48

Letters To The Editor Commentary Of Philippians 4:6 Ask Val – Biblical Answers To Tough Questions Bible Fun: Quiz, Crossword, And Word Search Salvation Prayer (English And Xhosa) Getting To Know God: God Of Grace Characters Of The Bible: Daniel When Your Lamp Is Trimmed – Gerrie Bester

JOY! Magazine seeks to serve the whole Body of Christ and therefore does not necessarily subscribe to all the views of its contributors.

IN THIS ISSUE:

20 26 42 43 56 60 64 68

70 Demi-Leigh & Tim Tebow: A Mission To Bring Faith, Hope, And Love In South Africa 79 Book Review: Parable Of The Abandoned

Rick Warren

Daniela Ellerbeck

Peter Hammond

Myles Munroe

Pearl Kupe

ED’S NOTE

From the

EDITOR Making 2022 A Fruitful Year

t was quite fun writing my Editor’s Letter this month and typing 2022 on the keyboard. Yippee, we can start all over again!

New year, new habits At the same time, I have been doing a huge clean-out of my house and all my cupboards. It’s so liberating. I decided “New Year, New Habits”. I have gotten rid of all my old baggage (in the form of unwanted and unused items). This resulted in many tiring trips to the night shelter to drop off all the ‘stuff,’ but once it was handed over, I never gave it another thought. I just see beautiful clean rooms and cupboards with no clutter.

Hand your baggage over to Jesus

Please support us We have constant challenges getting our magazines into the stores and being visible on the shelves. Many are so offended by the Gospel, and seem to go out of their way to cover us up. Please support Christian media in South Africa by taking out a subscription to JOY! Magazine – this small act will help us to get the Word of God out every month, and will mean the world to us. Thank you! 02 JOY! MAGAZINE

This got me thinking, many of our lives are like this too – full of ‘stuff ’ that we carry around and certainly don’t need. I think it may be easier to dispose of this emotional ‘stuff ’ by writing it all down and asking Jesus to help us. We need to hand it over to Him. He will help us to focus on Him, and to get our priorities right and in His order for our lives. It would also be a good idea to write down all the things that we can change in a new 2022 journal.

Ask yourself: • • • • • • •

A fruitful year I am sure that completing a list like this and praying about these changes will really make 2022 a fruitful year for you in your life history. Remember, we are in the world but not part of it – we don’t have to face challenges like the world does, we have the Holy Spirit living in us and guiding us. God bless you, Editor

We have embraced a

NEW LOOK but remain true to our vision Vision JOY! Magazine seeks to glorify God by educating and informing Christians of a Biblical Worldview and applying the Lordship of Jesus Christ to all areas of life.

Values • tri e or e cellence and integrit in all things • ro ide interesting accurate and honest re orting at all times • es ect all hristian denominations • ncourage reader artici ation • ake ersonal res onsibilit • Alwa s seek to unite the od o hrist • aluate e er thing in the light o the ible • ro oke readers to ul l the iblical mandate to be salt and light in society • oti ate readers to action • e solution ocused JOY! MAGAZINE 03

JOY! MAGAZ INE Volume 30 Issue 0

God bless our Healthcare Workers!

Real Christianity

CHOSEN & CALLED

Finding Your Identity in Chri

PETER POLLOCK

Cricket Sensation to Godly Dedication

The SILENT TRAGEDY Affecting Today’s Children TIME TO VOTE

For Righteous Servant Leaders

Testimony

JOY! has stood the test of time!

A FRONTLINE WORKER’S EXPERIENC E THROUGHOUT COVID Be on your guard; stand

firm in the faith; be

Living a Life of Non -Conformism courageous; be strong.

Do everything in love.”

– 1 Corinthians 16:13

I have been meaning to write this for a few months. So many magazines have not survived over the last couple of years. JOY! Magazine has not only survived, but has got a lot better. It is also so affordable. I have been taking out a subscription for years. The best is that the magazine gets delivered on my driveway. I do not even have to go to town to our PO Box to receive it. Many thanks. I have recently used the fun Bible quiz at our fellowship group. The JOY! Magazine is read from cover to cover in our household. Thanks for producing such a wonderful magazine. Just keep on going. God Bless you all. Gil Richmond Cover JOY! Nov 2021.indd

Midgey’s Moments

t’s a brand new calendar year and for many humans, maybe a time to start afresh? But for us doggies, every day is brand new! Life for humans seems so busy, there is so much to do and so many distractions – people try to do what is called ‘multi-tasking’, and in fact it seems to have become quite a catchy word! Arnie (my Aunty Trish) recently read a quote to me. It is by Og Mandino, an American author who was inspired by the Bible. “It is those who concentrate on but one thing at a time who advance in this world.” Also I see Arnie reads this often, “Don’t worry! Just take one step at a time … The Lord will guide you always” – Isaiah 58:11. Maybe that inspired Og? Us doggies take one day at a time, take one step at a time, and do one thing at a time, so we can do it well! Thank you Jesus for making doggies’ lives so simple!

Woofs & licks, Midgey

How CANCEL CULTUR & Kingdom Culture ClashE

21011

Thank you so very much for having my JOY! Magazine delivered to my doorstep every month. It is a great blessing to have such a good book – full of such amazing information – that we don’t get anywhere else to read. When I have finished with it, I pass it on to friends. God bless you all for the work that you do. Yvonne Miles

Real People

November 20 21

I love my JOY! subscription

Real Life

Other Countr es R34

ear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to keep letters to 150 words as we have limited space.

9 771992 199003 R39 50 RSA

LETTERS

Letters to the EDITOR Start the new ear o ith a subscription to JOY! Magazine – only R349 for the year, and you get a Biblically-inspired magazine jam-packed with Godly content each month! Delivered straight to your door! Scan this QR code to Subscribe:

Send your letters to editor@joymag.co.za Christians and bad conspiracy theories Thank you for the article that you featured in JOY! Magazine (Volume 30, issue 09) in the Letters to the Editor section. I was able to get the correct information that I have been seeking for so long with regards to the Covid-19 vaccine, as opposed to all the fake news and conspiracy theories that have been doing the rounds – and sadly fooling so many Christians as well. It was like God was actually talking to me, showing and telling me what the right thing to do will be when I am ready to do it. I was actually so overwhelmed and relieved that I could not stop the tears coming. 2021 was a truly awful year for me, as it was for so many others, and this whole media debate and type of brainwashing that is going on has been a real noose around my neck. At least I can now put this whole issue to rest and somehow try and move on. It is sad though that so many of the stories that I have had sent to me are misinterpretations of the Bible and the book of Revelation, but then the events unfolding in the world today can sadly so easily be mistaken or seen in a completely different light. I thank you again and look forward to more great stories and messages given. Justin

an t nd

a a ine in our oca store

Hi readers, have you been struggling to find a copy of the JOY! Magazine at your local supermarket? We have received many complaints from readers lately letting us know that they can’t find the magazine anywhere! We need your help! We pay to be on all leading supermarket shelves nationwide. When you go to your local store, if you don’t see a copy of the JOY!, please send us a picture of the shelf (without the JOY!) and let us know which store you are in (and in which area). We will then follow up with our distributors! Together we can make the Word of God more accessible to all in our nation. Thank you! WhatsApp us on +27 66 189 5209 or Email info@joymag.co.za

A salvation prayer for new believers Because Covid prevented me from running regular Prayer Vigils at my Church, the Lord guided me to send a weekly “Guidance in Prayer” sheet to our Prayer Warriors from the 25th February, 2021. I have found several Salvation Prayers with which I am not happy, but we must remember that in John 3:16 Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” At the back of my NKJV Bible, I found the following prayer, with which I am very happy! This is the most important prayer to ever pray: “Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your love for me and for Your gift of Your Son Jesus, who died for all who have sinned. I now turn to You, to accept Jesus Christ as my Saviour. I ask You to forgive me of my sins and give me eternal life. And I pray, dear God, that You will lead me in Your way as I seek Your will for my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.” I suggest that new converts read this out aloud, sign and date it, and keep it in their Bible so that they can celebrate the date every year. Do you agree that we should thank our Heavenly Father, because it was His idea? June Campbell

A life that honours God Shalom – God made people to love Him with all their hearts, minds, and souls and to love each other in the same way as we love ourselves. We were created foremost to bring glory to God, be in the right relationship with Him, and worship Him. We are here on earth to grow physically, mentally, and spiritually. For those who are Christians, life means honouring God with your life, your work, and through the enjoyment of God’s presence. God’s presence comes through a personal relationship with Yeshua Messiah. Beyond what you could ever dream or imagine, life’s greatest adventure is to discover God’s exciting plan for your life and to pursue it with a passion. Jose Anthonii

Greetings from Namibia! Hi JOY! I’m from Namibia and I absolutely love your magazine. It’s the only magazine I buy and I’m always looking out for it in the few shops that keep it. Thank you for the hard work in spreading the Gospel. May God bless your entire team. Sandy Wolfaardt

JOY! MAGAZINE 05

LETTERS

Letters to the EDITOR Shocking church banner that was put up by Alan Storey of the Central Methodist Church, Cape Town

The Blood of Jesus I cannot believe what I read sometimes! The Blood of Jesus is the most powerful force. Nothing is impossible with God. You have to wonder how many unsaved preachers are standing on podiums every Sunday when this is what they can put on a banner outside their church? What does the Lord think about such a banner? To dare to do this is sacrilege. You just want to scream traitor. Go have your vaccination, but it’s nothing when compared to the Blood of the Lord – it’s holy. Drene Tiessen

to shut his mouth, “Don’t do it, I am an expert. I know what you do not know, just don’t do it. I have spent my entire career researching, it is dangerous.” Who is right Lord, and who is not telling the truth? We handed in our weapons to comply, but it has become clear that we have no protection from the police nor the army. The unrest we faced exposed it. Is it the same? Are we giving up our God‐given ability to fight disease for a man-made army that cannot be trusted, or is this a life boat that You have sent, we are caught in the middle? Some say there is no virus, you all are being fooled. I have lost too many loved ones to believe there is no virus. We have just bured another one last week. I comply with all regulations, as much as I am able to. But it did not help. Many times I have had to be quarantined for being in contact. I have just come out of a 14-day isolation. What is going on? It is by your grace that we were able to recover, the first time I smelled the food I cooked, I cried like a child and knew that I was on my way to being normal again. How little we appreciate things we think are small, like taste and smell. Father forgive us. My plea is that you expose the lies and let the truth defend itself like a lion. Let the light shine and darkness flee. May the fear of the Lord fill the entire world. Let God arise and His enemies be scattered. Jane Nkau

A heartfelt prayer to overcome this pandemic Dear God. It’s 2am in the morning and I cannot sleep. Lord, please hear my plea, give ear to my supplication. We as your people are faced with a situation across the world. This is the world you created, a world you loved so much that you sent your Son Jesus to die for. We are caught in the middle. We do not know whether to turn to the right or the left. Daily we are overwhelmed by voices, in battle, but we do not know who or what we are fighting against. So many lies have been told and many lives lost. Who is our enemy? Prophets and politicians, pastors and physicians, we are losing confidence in them. We are caught in the middle. Prophets speak their mind in Your Name, ‘peace, peace’ and leave us confused. Politicians make promises and loot, they boldly make promises during the day, only to break them in the night. Promises never intended to be kept in the first place. We are hurting. Pastors and physicians are like little children. Their hearts are failing them. They do as they are told. They walk on egg shells, they do not want to lose their livelihood. We are caught in the middle of a battle and we do not know where the battle lines are drawn. Take the jab, it has been tried and tested, it is safe for you, they say? Will it save us? Another voice shouts through the crowd with many hands trying 06 JOY! MAGAZINE

I once was lost... I just want to give thanks to JOY! Magazine. Because of your book, I have found the Lord and I am now born-again. Thank you so much. Elphas Mashego

Reader Testimony Casting Out a Demon of PT SD:

or as long as I can remember, I have had so-called symptoms of Bi-Polar mood disorder. I can also claim symptoms of PTSD. At risk of giving anything not of God any kind of recognition or sense of pride in itself, I hesitate to write too much about the long years of battling with highs and lows and general sinfulness in my life, interspersed with periods of grace; when through the prayer and assistance of others, I came to know the Bible and learnt to pray. At one point a brave Christian Minister offered to come to my home and perform an exorcism. My thoughts were: “Okay, I don’t believe in this stuff but if it makes him happy I will let him try”. He laid hands on me and prayed powerfully. My husband was by my side, possibly not realising the full power of God’s glory. Suddenly I felt my gut cramping and my whole inside twisting and turning, and then a mighty cough released a sensation of something like a python becoming uncoiled and thrown out of me. To say that I was shocked was an understatement. I also felt clean suddenly.

The Day Deliverance Came to the Psych Ward “You are enough”. I recognised the voice of God. HavI ing no idea what I was “enough” for, I suddenly remembered Rick Warren’s Book, The Purpose Driven Life. The call to re-read it properly as an intended Bible study was so strong that I leapt up and went to the book shelf, thinking that it would take me ages to find it among the hundreds of books I have accumulated over time. But here is another miracle: There it was, protruding from the shelf as if someone had pulled it out to give it to me. During the forty‐day study prescribed in his book, my life changed. I found a local Spirit‐filled church and shortly afterwards was water baptised by full immersion.

Donning the armour of God

We need a revival

Response to your article, “Casting Out a Demon of PTSD”

t seems that as we read New Testament scriptu res, Jesus and the early Church cast out demon s everywhere they went. With regularity, demon power was confro nted and driven out of the lives of the people. In fact, it is the casting out of demons that is the very first sign we are told would accom pany those who believe. Yet, when comparing the frequency of deliver ance ministry in the gospels and the book of Acts to the modern Western Church, someth ing seems off.

Oppression in the psych ward

—by Chad MacDonald

the power of God. The moment that I steppe d onto that floor, anoint ing and divine authority invaded that place. It sent shockwaves through that wing as demons literally ran for cover.

A few years ago, I was summoned to a hospital psychiatric floor in order to minister to an army veteran who was suffering from severe PTSD (post-t raumatic stress disorder). He had reported hearing voices in his head and was having freque nt hallucinations, which drove him to suicida l and reckless behaviour. I soon arrived at the hospit al, checked into the floor, and was granted access to the wing. Immediately, I could sense the demonic oppression on that floor. I proceeded towards the area where I was to meet with the young man. As I walked down the hallwa y, I watched as patients who were clearly tormented by demon s darted across the hallway to avoid me. The cosmic powers of darkne ss knew I had arrived. Demonic power recognises authority and quickly moves to avoid confrontation with a power with which they cannot contend—

‘Do you think I’m crazy

?’

Sitting alone at a table, I found the young veteran awaiting my arrival. He looked at me and said, “Do you think I’m crazy?” With tears in his eyes he stared at me, desperate for freedom. “No sir, you are not crazy. You are being tormented by demons and I have come today to set you free!” I responded as I laid my hands on him and commanded those spirits, “Come out.”

“Do you think I’m crazy ?” With tears in his eyes he stared at me, desperate ...

The power of God

Right there in the middle of that conference room in the psychiatric wing of that hospital, the power of God hit that young man. A clearness suddenly floode d his eyes. Jesus Christ set him free that day and delivered him from that horrible, demonic bonda ge. I went on to lead that man to saving faith in Christ that day. Truly—that day, hell lost another one. He was free! Such a powerful chang e had occurred in this man that the follow ing day, the medical staff immediately released him to his wife.

50 JOY! MAGAZINE

What came next was a lesson in donning the armour of God, what Since then, in close study of the gospels as well as various other parts the various pieces represented, and the necessity of starting ev- of the Bible, I began to understand that my problem had been deery day with this procedure. I kept a drawing of an ancient warrior monic possession. When I feel wobbly I speak aloud in the name of dressed for battle in full armour next to Jesus, telling satan to get out of my home. my bed for years. Perhaps more teaching Regularly I pray the donning of the armour “Several times I faced should have followed after that. But gradof God. I don’t need to go into the intense ually the highs and lows came back; and prayer, confession, repentance, and absolusuicide, convinced that much more severely. Several times I faced tion by grace that has been received. The I had no value...” suicide, convinced that I had no value and road travelled has had a few minor detours purpose, and that the world would be a along the way, but my life has certainly better place without me in it. Yet “something” always stopped been changed for the better and miraculously so. Surely it is obvious me and brought me back. A diagnosis of PTSD was added to the that Jesus’ healings and teachings and life work on earth involved Bi-Polar after gruesome life incidents that followed. Twice I was an enormous amount of exorcism. The demons flee when they hospitalised and for years was treated by a psychiatrist whose recognise Jesus is there. They know they have already been judged only solution was a staggering array of drugs. and condemned, but still they try it on with humans who, for one reason or another, are not strong in the Lord. To resolve the increasing worldwide development of mental disorders we need a mighty Taking my eyes off God A couple of years ago I was embroiled in the gruelling life events world-wide revival, and preachers that have the courage to face up of a friend, the pressure of which drew me down. I had taken my to satan and command him to flee from the presence of the Lord. eye off focussing on God, stopped going to church, and was indulging in pop-psychology. Essentially I was trying to help in my We need counselling for Christians own strength instead of calling on the Lord. One night the dark- And we as the Body of the Church need to pray always that the ness descended on me, and again I heard the tempting whispers work of the Lord’s servants will be strong in this regard with unthat I was a failure and of no practical use in the world; that if I shakable faith and the ability to pray for God’s help in this work died it would be doing everyone a favour. I sighed deeply and always. We need large scale Christian mental-disorder counselaccepted the fact that the only thing to do would be to relieve ling, involving prayer and Bible teaching and baptism. the world of my place in it. When SUDDENLY, a voice spoke saying Name Withheld JOY! MAGAZINE 07

COMMENTARY

Commentary of Philippians 4:6

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

esus and the New Testament authors seemed to think that we can have some control over our emotions (John 14:1). In this verse, Paul deals with the problem of anxiety or worrying about some possible and uncontrollable outcome. But these situations can be dealt with by prayer. Feelings, like anxiety, can be managed by a reorientation of thoughts. Praying to God and speaking out the truth about the situation and about God’s ability to manage it can convince those parts of the brain where anxiety and fear are generated. Peace comes when God sends His Spirit to comfort us and when we truly believe that we can cast our burdens on the Lord (Psalm 55:22).

Pray with gratitude When we pray, we are to present our requests with thankfulness. First, this builds faith in us as we rehearse the truth that God is indeed able to help us, and His nature is that He is willing to help us. He would not command us to pray to Him if He were not a God who answers prayer. We thank Him when we pray because we know that He will answer our prayers in whatever way is truly for our best. If He answers us in exactly the way we hope and gives us what we desire and pray for, we thank Him. If He answers us in a different, but right, way we thank Him because we trust Him and know that He knows better than we do. In this way, it is anxiety that leaves as peace comes in to replace it.

Breaking Down the Key Parts of Philippians 4:6

“Do not be anxious…”

This encouragement reads as a command. God would not command something that was impossible for us to obey by His

Spirit. We should be comforted by this fact, especially if we are anxious and in need of His help and His peace.

“…about anything, but in every situation,”

“by prayer and petition,”

“with thanksgiving,”

The scope of this is total. There is nothing in existence that falls outside of it. What should we be anxious about? Nothing. Which situation should we pray about? Every situation. God is on His throne. His kingdom never ends. There is nothing outside His power or concern.

Prayer is conversing with God. Going to Him to speak to Him is praying. Petition is a kind of prayer. It is a formal request for something from an entity that has the power to grant it. God has all the power that there is and will either grant our petitions or give us peace (when granting our petitions would not be the best thing for us and others).

Thankfulness is a key mood enhancer. The deliberate practice of thanksgiving tells the emotions what to do and how to have confidence. It shifts the focus from what we don’t have to what we have. It signals to God that we trust Him. It signals to ourselves the same thing. Being thankful helps us to have joy and peace, rather than fear and anxiety.

“present your requests to God.”

God is your good Father. Because of the mediation of His Son, bought with His own blood, we can come boldly and confidently into His presence (Heb 4:16), into the holiest place where the Spirit of God dwells in our hearts and make our requests known to Him. When we do, God moves heaven and earth and gives us peace that destroys our anxiety. 

This commentary was written by Connect Us, an online ministry that shares short explanations and commentaries. Visit connectusfund.org

08 JOY! MAGAZINE

DIVINE ENCOUNTER I know it was you Lord! The Lord can and will use you for His purposes, you simply need to be obedient to His guidance, even when you don’t understand! This short testimony highlights how the Lord used a faithful prayer and a divine encounter to transform a pastor’s ministry.

hen I first moved to the town I currently live in, I joined a church that encouraged personal evangelism, discipleship, and Bible School attendance. I joined a Bible School and soon became very enthusiastic. I promoted the benefits to every Christian I met. We soon realised that not all the churches were teaching believers about baptism, ministry gifts, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit in one’s life. Those who attended were very grateful that this information was being shared for them to pursue.

Praying for local ministers and their congregations My prayer partner and I decided to pray for all the ministers in our area on a weekly basis. We had a regular bench in a quiet spot in our town’s local Nature Reserve where we used to sit. We always met on a Thursday, but on this particular day, for whatever reason, we had met on the Wednesday. We walked to our bench and, to our dismay, there were other people sitting there already. We moved on to find another spot to pray. We ended up in a totally different, very remote spot on the complete other side of where we normally sat. We began to pray, and the Lord laid a certain influential minister on my heart. I had never met this pastor, but I began to pray earnestly for him, his church, and his ministry. I remember asking the Lord to please reveal to him, in the quiet of his heart, the importance of practicing believers’ baptism and the benefits of being filled with the Holy Spirit.

A divine encounter While sitting and praying, we heard some footsteps pass our bench. We never looked up, we kept our eyes closed and continued to pray. After about 20 minutes we finished and opened our eyes. Imagine my astonishment to see this very minister and his wife, standing beside my prayer partner and I. He looked at me with teary eyes and introduced himself. He was deeply touched that two women whom he did not know were praying for him and his church.

Th L d is at work that this was a divine meeting. Imagine the trouble that the Lord went through to arrange this – a different bench, a different day – just so that this minister could hear our prayers for him. To follow up, this influential church now offers believers’ baptism to whomever requests it – even though it is not officially part of their doctrine. Praise the Lord!  If you would like your short miracle featured – please email info@joymag.co.za

“When it comes to giving, are you a person who will stop at nothing?”

he secret to living is giving. One way to judge a person is by what they say. A better way to judge them is by what they do. The best way is by what they give. Charles Spurgeon said, “Feel for others—in your wallet.” An Indian proverb says, “Good people, like clouds, receive only to give away.” Whatever good happens in your life is not so you can keep it all to yourself. Part of it is intended to be given to others. I agree with E.V. Hill when he says, “Whatever God can get through to you, He will get to you.” The book of Acts says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Giving is always the thermometer of our love for others. Eleanor Roosevelt said, “When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die.” If you have, give. If you lack, give. Selfishness always ends in selfdestruction. John Ruskin said, “When a man is wrapped up in himself, he makes a pretty small package.” Henry Drummond said, “There is no happiness in having or getting, but only in giving.” The test of generosity is not necessarily how much you give, but how much you have left. Henry Thoreau said, “If you give money, send yourself with it.” What you give, lives.  This column is an extract from John Mason’s book, Why Ask Why, and was shared with permission.

ADVICE

3 points to ponder on:

New Year’s Resolutions —by Gawie De Lange

s we power into 2022, I know that a lot of you, like me, are thinking about 2021 – what worked, what failed, and what we would like to do better. I remember when I was a skinny young boy, I would cry and moan to my parents because I just wanted to be heavier and more masculine. My goal was simple, I wanted to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger and run as fast as Jaco Reinach. I wanted a wife and kids, and I didn’t want to ever do homework again. I would start and end every year the same way: full of expectations and soon be very disillusioned by my lack-ofachieving these unobtainable goals.

Refocusing my resolutions

Practical terms to determine your goals

To put this in practical terms, I recommend that you write down your goals for the year and find scriptures to back them up. For example, if your resolution is that you want to know Jesus more, Philippians 3:10 substantiates this. If your resolution is that you want to eat healthily and train better, meditate on 1 Corinthians 10:31. If your resolution is that you want to be slow to Write down your goals speak and wise when you answer, focus for the year and find on James 1:19. When your Spirit man is scriptures to back them up. strong, the rest will follow. Read these scriptures daily and pray over them.

As I grew older, the New Year’s resolutions changed slightly, however the core stayed the same: to change my weight, to make more healthy lifestyle choices, and to have more personal time. However, the result always stayed the same. Thinking about these choices, I realised that my focus was wrong. When we focus on Him and the real prize, we want to “run this race” full of energy, zeal, and strength. This can only be obtained by spending time in the Word of God and growing closer to Christ.

Renewing my thoughts, changing my mentality As I grew up, the more time I spent in prayer took preference over time in the gym. This caused my Spirit man to be stronger, making me more resilient in tough times. Isaiah 40:31 says,

10 JOY! MAGAZINE

“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” I took my old mentality and replaced it with Truths and Promises about who I am and what the Word says about me.

3 Points to Ponder: 1. Write your resolutions down and seek His will (Hab 2:2). Make sure they are achievable and measurable resolutions. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you and guide you to achieve them. 2. Strive for excellence, not perfection. God called us to be excellent in all that we do. When you make a mistake, learn, adjust, and run forward (2 Cor 8:7). 3. Be grateful and don’t give up, this is the key. Make sure to thank the Father for all He gives you, and after you have done all to stand, you must stand. It is hard to beat a person who doesn’t give up (2 Chr 15:7). 

GAWIE DE LANGE – General Manager of JOY! Magazine. Email gawie@joymag.co.za

UNPRODUCTIVE DAYS Tips to recharge your energy when you feel drained

—by Gillian Fraser

t’s a new year, and as we start up again we have all hopefully had some time to rest, relax, and recoup. Many of us have struggled over the last few years – overwhelmed with a sense of stress, exhaustion, and burnout. Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, social, and spiritual exhaustion. Burnout can happen when you’re overworked or have persistent stress that overwhelms you for a period of time (like a 3 year pandemic).

it will be challenging their trust in God by learning to say “no.” For some it will mean consulting with God before saying “yes.” For others, it will mean being more intentional about self-care. Self-care implies not only caring for one’s body; it also means taking time to laugh, engage in hobbies, be with friends, be alone, go for a hike, soak in a bath, read a book, or journal – in essence to actually enjoy those things that God has made to be life-giving to you.

What burnout feels like

Come back to the present moment

When you’re mentally exhausted, you feel overwhelmed, tired, Don’t get stuck living in the past or the future. The only thing you and unproductive. You don’t feel like can influence is the present moment. The doing anything. Then in response, you past already happened, and you can’t conbecome anxious because you’re not as trol what ends up happening in the future. We live in a society productive as you ‘should be.’ UnfortuThe most repeated words in the Bible are, where working all the nately, we live in a society where con“Do not worry”. Worrying doesn’t change time is glorifi ed. stantly working and being productive is anything, it simply steals your peace. glorified. The idea of rest tends to have negative connotations. Rest is considered Intentionally rest indulgent, but the reality is, our minds and bodies need rest to The Bible speaks highly of rest. It is a repeated theme perform at our best. throughout Scripture, beginning with the creat week (Gen 2:2-3). God created for six days; th He rested, not because He was tired but Find refreshment in Christ Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and set the standard for mankind to follow. G I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I desires rest for us because it does not c am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. naturally to us. To rest, we have to trust For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” – Matthew 11:28-30. God will take care of things for us. We The prevention plan for burnout is to rest in Jesus and follow His to trust that, if we take a day off, the will not stop turning on its axis.  direction for life, not our own.

But what does relying on Jesus look like practically? It will be different for each person. For some it will mean examining their own hearts and removing idols of self-reliance. For others

GILLIAN FRASER – Production Manager of JOY! Magazine. Email gillian@joymag.co.za

ADVICE

WHY IT’S OKAY TO HAVE

ADVICE

Why a Gospel-Shaped approach to the New Year is much better —by Tendai Chitsike

popular culture, the Gospel is based on truth, and in particular the true events of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. We can enter the New Year grounded in reality, with no need to engage in wish fulfilment. Secondly, it is not swayed or affected by emotion. I have often observed that optimists generally enter the New Year ‘feeling great’, while pessimists enter with a sense of foreboding. Thankfully, because of the Cross and the resurrection, we need not be a slave to our emotions, whether we are naturally optimistic or pessimistic. Now, we have a sure hope that is unchanging, a hope that has gone through the worst that life could Unlike the wishful thinking inflict on the Cross and that death could that dominates popular not conquer. Through this lens, it makes culture, the Gospel is little difference whether you ‘feel great’ or based on truth. anxious about the New Year.

f we evaluate the assumptions around which popular culture looks at a New Year, what beliefs are we likely to find? Wishful thinking is often high on the list. Underpinning this belief is often a lot of ‘feel good’ emotion and supposed intuition. This is often evidenced by statements such as: “I know this is going to be a good year, I can just feel it.” Also tagging along such beliefs is a selfcenteredness that can take on many forms. For some, it is propped up by motivational self-help and is full of positive affirmation about how this is going to be ‘my year’. For others, it is consumed with self-loathing that recounts their failures, with no hope in sight.

Christians are not immune

As Christians, we are not automatically immune from the subtle ways in which these beliefs can dominate our thinking and behaviour. If we are honest, we often imbibe these same assumptions, and then proceed to coat them with out-of-context Bible verses so they can ‘fit in’ to our Christian world. But if we look at previous years, haven’t we become disappointed when, after the New Year’s celebrations have died down and our positive affirmations haven’t borne fruit, we feel as though things did not go our way, and we begin to question the goodness of God? If we have experienced this, surely it is time to ask ourselves: isn’t there a better way?

Grounded in reality Thankfully, there is. It comes from the very centre of Christianity – the Gospel itself. In the resurrection chapter of 1 Corinthians 15, Paul speaks of the Gospel, declaring the following in vv 3-4: “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” For Christians in first century Corinth, the Gospel was just as much an issue of first importance as it is for us in January 2022. How then could this impact the way we view a New Year? First and foremost, unlike the wishful thinking that dominates 12 JOY! MAGAZINE

The Gospel liberates us The Gospel thankfully also liberates us from the ball-and-chain of self-centeredness. In this new life in Christ, we no longer have to orbit around the planet of self. Now, Christ is our very life, and Paul therefore reminds us to keep believing in Him. With Christ at the centre, I can find freedom from the pride of self-worship or the despair of self-loathing. In addition, we can approach the New Year with both humility and faith. Humility, because as James reminds us, if we don’t know what will happen tomorrow, we truly don’t know wh pen in an entire year; and faith, bec Christ has overcome the grave, we c part of his overcoming church in 20 what may. For these reasons and m the Gospel remain of primary impo 2022 unfolds. A Blessed New Year to TENDAI CHITSIKE – Pastor of Every Nation Church in Makhanda. Email: engrahamstown@gmail.com

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What to Expect in the Church in 2022

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he Church is in a season of tribulation, and many are longing for the same quality of lifestyle and of worship that we enjoyed in past seasons. We are in a time of war – nations are in a war and the Church is in a war for her worship and for her relevance in the nations. The Church has to know her identity, rising up and assuming her Apostolic governing role for this new year.

The Church will experience the following:

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Bible Quiz

ANSWERS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

True 11 brothers, 1 sister Good news Simeon (Luke 2:25-35) 3 John (measurements are by words in the original languages) 6. Damascus (Acts 22:6-11) 7. 12 (John 6:13)

Page 17

8. Benjamin (Phil 3:5) 9. Caiaphas (Matt 26:57) 10. He kisses him (Luke 22:48) 11. Luke (Col 4:14) 12. Peter (Matt 26:69-75) 13. Pearl (Rev 21:12-21)

14. Zacharias 15. Gopher (Gen 6:14)

1. A huge shift between the seeker-sensitive churches and those with a revivalist heart will become very evident. Many will fall into apostasy, while the fires of revival – burning for His presence – will continue to grow stronger in other hearts. 2. Revivalists and reformers will begin to demonstrate greater signs and wonders – as the remnant rises in their God-given authority. These ones will know their God in line with Daniel 11:32. 3. Prophets and Apostles will lead the Church, fulfilling their mandate in giving direction and destiny to the Church. Just like the Sons of Issachar (1 Chr 12:32), they knew the times/seasons, they were powerful in the alignment of Israel in her destiny and mandate. 4. Church leaders will be taken home early as they have completed their assignments on this earth. 5. A Prominent church leader will have his secret sin exposed, this will bring much anger and disappointment to his congregations… 6. False prophets will be dealt with very harshly, coming under God’s judgement. The foundations of divination and witchcraft, the mixture of tradition/Christianity will be exposed. Many true saints will arise, flowing in signs and wonders as the demonstration of God’s true power is released. 7. The Church and marketplace as God is redeeming the ma pattern we find in the Book 8. Believers must give themsel intimacy, prayer, and fasting returning for the virgins, tho lamps are lit brightly.  JANET BRANN-HOLLIS – Prophet b Acts Church, Midrand. She is part of H International Ministry’s apostolic netw and the Regions Beyond Network. She the founder of SA Back to God and Ru Ministries. Email janet@ruachministri

TEACHING

Stumbling Blocks That Delay Church Transformation —by Gordon Claasen

believe that the Church has received a prophetic mandate understand when the from God that every generation of believers must fulfil. We Holy Spirit speaks to them. must, at all costs, protect the evolution of the mission of the Church and ensure no one will stop it. One important element of An incorrect understanding our prophetic mandate is to be partakers with Christ to build His An incorrect and incomplete revelation of Christ will limit our Church. If we acknowledge that Christ is the Master Builder, then pulpits and will produce immature and insufficient believers who we must allow Him to provide blueprints for church building, and cannot effectively respond to the challenges of our day. We must not impose our own will and desires on the church. therefore restore the central message of Christianity which is The question of Jesus to Peter in Matthew 16:13 is still relevant Christ and Christ alone, rather than church traditions. today, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am.” Equally important was the The doctrine of sonship answer of Peter, “You are the Christ, the The last part of Peter’s answer was: “… The Church has received a Son of the living God.” Our revelation of Son of the Living God”. The Biblical meanprophetic mandate from Christ must precede our undering of a son refers to a mature and perstanding of the Church. Pefect person. There is no record that Jesus God that every generation of ter first had a correct view of performed miracles while He was still a believers must fulfil. Christ before he was given baby – only at the age of thirty, which acthe keys (authority) to build cording to Jewish tradition was a mature a church on earth. person. It was only then that the wind, fig tree, sea, and demons responded to His voice. Why? They recognised a son and not a baby. The doctrine of Seek the Lord If we are going to build a church sonship is a lost ancient doctrine that needs to be restored to the first, without a clear and accurate church. Without the restoration of this critical missing piece, the picture of Christ, then we are systems of this world will not adequately respond to the voice going to build religious institu- of the Church. Only a mature church in its sonship position can tions that do not exist in the mind effectively address the issues of corruption, injustice, inequality, of Christ. We are going to build racism, pandemics, and so forth. The absence of these critical programmes that will bring distor- bodily expressions of our doctrine will cause tion to the image of God in our stumbling blocks and delays in fulfilling serious youth. Every youth gathering must parts of our prophetic mandate… be Christ-centred and not an outlet for entertainment. …this article will be continued in the next The ‘baby Jesus’ in a man- issue of JOY! Magazine.  ger for our Sunday school lessons undermine Jesus, the Perfect Man, because GORDON CLAASEN – Senior pastor and our academic minds founder of Kingdom Reign Ministries. He hosts events to equip leaders with think that the Word. Contact him by email: children cannot office@kingdomreign.co.za JOY! MAGAZINE 15

ASK VAL

Email questions to: joyquestions@valwaldeck.com It’s a new year and I wish I could also start over again. A fresh start with new beginnings. If only that were possible?

The good news is that it is possible for the Child of God! Obviously, we live with the consequences of our choices, but the Lord can give us a whole new perspective on our situation that will result in peace of mind and heart. He delights in making “all things new” (Rev 21:5). The key to a fresh start is repentance and forgiveness. Take time to meet with the Lord and deal with all your issues “Come now and let us reason

This is a delicate question, but I really need to know: What does God allow in a marriage bed?

The Bible is clear that sex is only to be practiced within the confines of marriage. Hebrews 13:4 refers to the marriage bed as “undefiled” and to be kept so by not having sex outside of marriage. Specific sexual activities that married couples may or may not engage in are not spelled out, but there are definite principles by which a couple may be guided. Here are just two of them: never act against your conscience, James 4:17 calls that “sin” and 1 Corinthians 8:12 tells us that causing someone to act against their conscience is sinning against Christ Himself. We must aim at “a pure heart and a good conscience” at all times (1 Tim 1:5). The second principle is found in 1 Corinthians 7:5, and that is mutual consent – involving mutual submission, mutual responsibility, and mutual pleasure.

When I speak to other Christians about I am told not to judge lest I be judged. B the Bible says that judgement begins in the house of God. What is the Biblical response?

We are not called upon to make judgements about people’s relationship to the Lord because we are unable to see into their inner heart. He alone knows who genuine children of Go Consider the Parable of the Tares and Wheat in Ma 13:25-43, especially verse 41. However, the Lord ha us we may judge the quality of people’s profession lives. He said, “You will know them by their fruits” – Matthew 7:16. If they claim to be an apple tree and sour grapes are hanging from their boughs, we have a God-ordained responsibility to warn them of impending danger. “Let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” – James 5:20 (also meditate on Ezekiel 33:1-16). We are not called to criticise, condemn, and complain, but to exhort (encourage) one another daily, especially in the light of Christ’s soon return (Hebrews 3:13; 10:24,25). 

16 JOY! MAGAZINE

VAL WALDECK – Author, kindle publishing consultant, and Bible teacher. If you need help writing, or with your book, see valwaldeck.com

BIBLE FUN

Test Your General

BIBLE KNOWLEDG See how many of these you can fill in before checking the answers on page 14. ter you test yourself, try reading the questions aloud to a friend or family member and see how they do!

True or False: The Bible is the most popular book ever written (by copies sold).

2 3 4

How many siblings did Joseph have?

What does the word ‘Gospel’ mean?

Who recognised Jesus as the Messiah when He was presented at the Temple as a baby?

What is the shortest book in the New Testament?

To what city was Saul travelling when he encountered a great and blinding light?

Which Gospel is written by a doctor?

12 After Jesus fed 5,000+ people with two fish and five loaves of bread, how many baskets were left over?

After Jesus was arrested, which apostle disowned him three times?

13 What tribe is Paul from?

9 10

Who is the high priest of Jerusalem who put Jesus on trial?

How does Judas signal Jesus’ identity to the Roman officials?

In the New Jerusalem described in Revelation, what are the twelve gates made from?

What is John the Baptist’s father’s name?

Which wood was used by Noah to build the ark?

Answers on page 14

BIBLE FUN

W RD SEARCH

Based on Psalm 91: ABIDE

DWELLS

PLAGUE

SHIELD

ANGELS

FEATHERS

REFUGE

SNARE

ANSWER

FORTRESS

REWARD

TEN

ARROW

FOWLER

SALVATION

TERROR

BUCKLER

LION

SATISFY

THOUSAND

CALL

NOONDAY

SECRET

TROUBLE

DELIVER

PERILOUS

SERPENT

WICKED

DESTRUCTION

PESTILENCE

SHADOW

This word search was crafted by Theresa Jones, a Cape Town-based author. Theresa has recently brought out her own fun book of Biblical word searches and multiple choice questions. If you would like to order a copy for only R90, email holyspiritinspirations@gmail.com

#1: January 2022

CROSSWORD 1

5 6

10 11

12 13

16 17 18

21 22 23

28 29

Across

29 The last word in the Bible

1 Mother of Jesus 2 American Sport Star married to South African beauty Demi-Leigh 4 Before Christ 6 Who shaved off Samson’s hair? 8 Who wrote the majority of the New Testament? 9 The second fruit of the spirit 10 How many disciples did Jesus have? 11 What is the youngest book in the Old Testament? 12 Anno Domini 14 Bible App that was created by Craig Groeschel 15 The first four books of the New Testament 17 Gabriel was one (Luke 1:19) 18 The Holy Land 20 The Editor of JOY! Magazine (first name) 21 The news website run by JOY! (joynews.co.za) 22 American contemporary Christian music singer 25 An ancient musical horn typically made of a ram’s horn 26 Bible book in the New Testament 28 Jesus turned water into....?

Down 1 3 4 5 7 8

South Africa’s former Chief Justice (first or last name) Jesus was born in which town? The Word of God Followers of Christ The Hebrew words for “God will provide” JOY! contributor & international president of the Global Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (first name) 10 The Father, the Son, & the Holy Spirit 13 Missions organisation that serves the persecuted church 16 “The Lord is my...”? (psalm 23) 19 Jesus’ nationality 20 Which book in the Bible does not mention the word “God?” 23 10th Commandment: “You shall not ...”? 24 What language was the New Testament primarily written in? 27 The first man God created 28 In the shortest verse in the Bible, what did Jesus do?

Answers in the Feb/March issue of JOY!

JOY! MAGAZINE 19

FEATURE

DID YOU KNOW? How many books are in the Bible? The Bible contains 66 books,

What languages was the Bible written in?

divided among the Old and New Testaments.

The Bible was written in three languages:

• Hebrew • Aramaic • Koine Greek

How many books are in the Old Testament? There are 39 books in the Old Testament.

How many books are in the New Testament? There are 27 books in the New

When was the Bible written?

Testament.

1500

1000

It was written over a period of some 1500 years, from around 1450 B.C. (the time of Moses) to about 100 A.D. (following the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ).

500

(Before Christ)

Who wrote the Bible? The Bible was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit by over 40 different authors from all walks of life: shepherds, farmers, tent-makers, physicians, fishermen, priests, philosophers, and kings. Despite these differences in occupation and the span of years it took to write it, the Bible is an extremely cohesive and unified book.

Which single author contributed the most books to the Old Testament? Moses. He wrote the first five books of the Bible, referred to as the Pentateuch; the foundation of the Bible.

Which single author contributed the most books to the New Testament? The Apostle Paul, who wrote 14 books (over half ) of the New Testament.

500

1000

1500

(Anno Domini) What is the oldest book in the Old Testament? Many scholars agree that Job is the oldest book in the Bible, written by an unknown Israelite about 1500 B.C. Others hold that the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible) are the oldest books in the Bible, written between 1446 and 1406 B.C.

What is the youngest book in the Old Testament? The book of Malachi, written about 400 B.C.

What is the oldest book of the New Testament? Probably the book of James, written as early as A.D. 45.

What is the youngest book in the New Testament? The Book of Revelation is the youngest book of the New Testament, written about 95 A.D.

When was the first translation of the Bible made into English?

When was the Bible canonised? The entire New Testament as we know it today, was canonised before the year 375 A.D. The Old Testament had previously been canonised long before the advent of Christ.

1382 A.D., by John Wycliffe.

What does “canon” mean?

What does “testament” mean? Testament means “covenant” or “contract.”

What is the oldest almost-complete manuscript of the Bible now in existence?

The Codex Vaticanus, which dates from the first half of the fourth Century. It is located in the library o the Vatican in Rome. There are older fragments of the Bible that are still preserved however – the oldest being a tiny scrap of the Gospel of John was found in Egypt, dating back to the beginning of the second century. (It is currently in the Rayland’s Library in Manchester, England).

2018

“Canon” is derived front the Greek word “Kanon,” signifying a measuring rod. Thus, to have the Bible “canonised” meant that it had been measured by the standard or test of divine inspiration and authority. It became the collection of books or writings accepted by the apostles and leadership of the early Christian church as a basis for Christian belief. It is the standard by which all Christians throughout the ages live and worship.

How many languages has the Bible been translated into? The Holy Bible has been translated into 2018 languages, with countless more partial translations, and audio translations (for unwritten languages). This is an enormous amount of translations. In comparison, Shakespeare, considered by many to be the master writer of the English language, has only been translated into 50 languages.

Which book in the Bible does not mention the word “God?” The book of Esther.

When was the Bible printed? The Bible was printed in 1454 A.D. by Johannes Gutenberg who invented the “type mould” for the printing press. It was the first book ever printed.

LONGEST BOOK in the Bible?

The book of Psalms SHORTEST BOOK in the Bible?

2 John LONGEST CHAPTER in the Bible? Who were the two men in the Bible who never died but were caught up to heaven?

Psalm 119 SHORTEST CHAPTER in the Bible?

Enoch, who walked with God and was no more (Gen5:22-24). Elijah, who was caught up by a whirlwind into heaven (2 Kings 2:11).

Psalm 117 LONGEST VERSE in the Bible?

Who was the oldest man that ever lived?

Methuselah, who lived to be 969 years old (Gen 5:27).

Who does the Bible say was the meekest man in the Bible (not including Jesus)? Moses (Num 12:3).

Esther 8:9 SHORTEST VERSE in the Bible?

John 11:35

Jesus Christ’s instruction to His disciples

appy prosperous, peaceful, and blessed 2022! With all that has happened in 2021 and all that is predicted for 2022, be encouraged with this scripture: “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” – 2 Corinthians 1:20

A certainty in Jesus All of God’s promises contained in God’s Word have been fulfilled by Christ and are “Yes” and “Amen” in Him. This promise is our certainty as we enter 2022. In the same way, Christ’s instructions remain a certainty.

Our instructions from Christ Now look at the instruction Christ gave to His disciples, “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the w the gospel to every creature.’” – Mark 16:15. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, ba in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of th – Matthew 28:19-20. Amen. These instructions remain and are certain, just as Christ being with us always is a certainty. 

For more in-depth teachings on this subject, as well as how to share t with others, please visit our website www.eandfm.org or our YouTube Grant Neyt Evangelism and Fire Ministries GRANT AND THEUNISINA NEYT – Evangelism and Fire Ministries. Email: info@eandfm.org

Salvation Prayer Jesus, I believe that You died on the Cross for me. There You were wounded for my transgressions, You were bruised for my iniquities; and the punishment for my peace was upon You. I have been like a lost sheep, I have turned to my own way, but I believe that God laid my iniquity upon You. You died for me. Then You rose from the dead, You ascended into Heaven, and now seated on Your throne as Lord of all. Jesus, forgive me. I now turn away from my sin and put my trust in You. Fill me with Your Spirit, cleanse me, and take me as Your own.

Amen

Xhosa Yesu, ndiyakholwa ukuba wandifela emnqamlezweni. Apho walinyazwa ngenxa yeziphoso zam, Walinyazwa ngenxa yobubi bam, ubetho loxolelo lwam lube phezu kwakho. Ndifana nemvu elahlekileyo, ndiye ndalahleka, kodwa ndiyakholwa ukuba uThixo walibeka phezu kwakho ityala lam. Wandifela, Waye wavuka ekufeni, wanyukela emazulwini, kungoku nje uhleli esihlalweni sakho njengeNkosi yako konke. Yesu, ndixolele. Ngoku ndiyaguquka esonweni sam, ndibeka ithemba lam kuwe. Ndigcwalise ngoMoya wakho, ndihlambe, undamkele njengomntwana wakho.

Amen

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NEWS

WHO’S in the NEWS? FRANS CRONJE JUSTIN BIEBER

THULI MADONSELA

“Of all the riches, nothing is more valuable than God’s Grace!”

“Ultimately, it is what you do that tells the world who or what you are and not what you say you are.”

Frans is a film producer, director, and writer.

“Our documentary was selected as a finalist for Best Documentary under $50 000 at the 49th Annual ICVM Crown Awards.” The Crown Awards are the longest-running awards given that recognise and lift up the very best in Christian movies, documentaries, shorts, educational and church programming, foreign films, and more! Well done to the entire team who made this very important documentary possible. The documentary can be viewed free of charge on YouTube. 24 JOY! MAGAZINE

YouVersion Founder Bobby Gruenewald (LEFT) and Craig Groeschel (RIGHT)

CRAIG GROESCHEL YouVersion is celebrating record Bible engagement worldwide as its Bible App becomes the first faith-based app to reach 500 million installs. In 2021, approximately 64 billion Bible chapters were read or listened to, which is up 21% compared to 2020 and up 56% compared to 2019. “While some people claim the Bible is irrelevant and Scripture engagement is declining, these 500 million installs indicate otherwise. The Bible continues to be relevant and has the power to transform lives,” said YouVersion Founder Bobby Gruenewald. “That’s why we’re excited to celebrate this milestone. Not just because it’s a big number, but because each install represents a chance for someone to go deeper in their faith and grow closer to God.”

S COLLECTIVE (TJC)

WIN

“Next Generation Worshippers: This image taken of precious 6 year old Lily-Beth Martinus worshipping during one of our recent events stole our hearts, the scripture in Psalm 145:3-4 came to mind... You’re an inspiration little one!”

TAMRYN KLINTWORTH “If you are already a believer, this book will greatly intensify your relationship with the Lord and your revelation of your own salvation. If you do not yet know Jesus, may this book help you understand why He is the only way to God and Heaven—and result in you believing in Him!”

Stand a chance to WIN a copy of Tamryn’s latest book, Why Christ Died. Email info@joymag.co.za to enter!

PEARL KUPE Photo Credit: @thejesuscollectivesa (Official Instagram Account)

NADENE BADENHORST

Steven & Louise Swart With Nadene from Freedom of Religion SA

“So lovely to see Steve Swart (ACDP MP) and Louise Swart. Steve has been such a friend and ally to FOR SA in our work to protect religious freedom in South Africa.”

“Join our G2G (Generation 2 Generation) women’s mentoring group on Clubhouse every Wednesday at 20h00 SAST, and our The Deborahs 972 mentoring club for female lawyers every Thursday at 20h00 SAST.”

Search for profile @PearlKupe and follow to get meeting notifications. Email pearl.kupe@gmail.com if you need any help!

TRIBUTE

Steadfast Despite Suffering —by Peter Hammond

n the early hours of Tuesday 9th November 2021, my wife Lenora fought her final battle with pain and entered eternity. It had been a long and difficult battle with cancer, but she fought it bravely. In July 2010, during Lenora’s first bout with cancer, she declared: “I want to live long enough to see my grandchildren.” She was regularly quilting for her children and future grandchildren.

and she skied down the road to Kindergarten in Grossgmain. Although she could not bring her skis to South Africa, she brought her racing bike and completed The Argus cycling tour on a number of occasions. She eagerly participated in our mission mountain climbs and hikes.

Daughter of Missionaries

In 2009, Lenora donated a kidney to our eldest son, Christopher, who went from renal failure to such a peak of fitness that he earned National colours in Karate and represented South Africa overseas, bringing back bronze medals from international events.

Raised in Austria by missionary parents, Lenora went on many missions with her father, Rev. Bill Bathman, energetically ministering behind the Iron Curtain where she had many friends and where she chose to be baptised, where it was actually a matter of life and death.

Bible-smuggling honeymoon

A life-saver

An enthusiastic paddler After contracting breast cancer in 2010, Lenora became an enthusiastic Dragon Boat paddler. She recruited each of us in the family to join in Dragon boating in Table Bay Harbour. It became a regular outing for me on Saturday mornings to join Lenora, often as the only male paddler in the back of the boat. I was even included as part of their team in a number of races. Lenora was soon Chairman of The Belles and was part of the team during the World Dragon Boating Festival in Malaysia. She also joined other Cancer Survivor boating teams in Spain, America, Vienna, Austria, and in Venice, Italy. In numerous magazine and newspaper articles and on radio and TV programmes Lenora was a spokesperson for the cancer survivors. Lenora made ministering to people with cancer a major priority and became one of the counsellors for Reach for Recovery.

It had been a long and difficult battle with cancer, but she fought it bravely.

Shortly after our wedding, Lenora and I headed off to Europe to join her parents in ministry behind the Iron Curtain in Eastern Europe. Lenora was a professional at Bible-smuggling and outwitting Marxist border guards. She was obviously much loved in the churches of Eastern Europe.

Lenora was always athletic. Lenora loved skiing. Her parents said that when she was fiveyears-old, they put skis on her, pushed her out the front door,

A Proverbs 31 woman Lenora became an enthusiastic quilter and presented these labours of love to every family member and some close friends. Like the woman described in Proverbs 31, Lenora was constantly knitg, sewing, quilting, catering, ting, gardening, serving around her, and img the world. When 26 JOY! MAGAZINE

“I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor demons, neither present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height or depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39

new people moved into our area, sh would give us freshly baked gifts to tak to welcome them to the neighbourho When people whom she knew were s baked dishes to deliver to their families. Lenora anticipated needs, was thoughtful, and generous.

A talented home educator

trangers. With frequent scheduled power failures, we came adept at sprinting down the hallway to turn on generator to keep her oxygen flowing uninterrupted h the night. Friends and family members came up with creative ways of making her life more comfortable and less painful.

Passing into eternity

As Lenora needed constant 24-hour care, family members took Lenora proved to be a wonderful mother and talented home turns to watch her and help her throughout the day and, in my educator. Our home was turned into a school that seemed to case, at night. Lenora’s last weeks were very restless and I would specialise in extra-mural activities. Both my daughters, Andrea be up constantly throughout the night, seeking to help her, reposition her, administer medicines, or and Daniela, enjoyed practising on the give her water through a syringe, hold her piano and completed the Royal Academy hand, read the Scriptures, and pray with of Music exams. Music and guitar lessons, Lenora was constantly her. Daniela would often have inspiring art classes at Frank Joubert Art School, serving those around her music playing, such as Handel’s Messiah, Irish dancing, Girl Guides, Scouts, soccer, and improving the world. which both she and Lenora had sung tennis, ballet, and of course ice-skating in their choirs on numerous occasions. were vital parts of their education. So We are sure that all of these provided an many people are concerned about socialising and others are concerned about sports. Well, none of inspiriting atmosphere and many great memories in her final days these were a problem for our children, Lenora made sure of that. and hours. In the early hours of Tuesday, 9th November, between Each of our children are a tribute to their mother’s dedication, Level 4 power failures, Lenora passed into eternity. We know that determination, and creativity in ensuring that our children Lenora was not afraid to die. She had often told people: “I know excelled in their different fields, earning national colours and where I am going!” However, it was traumatic for all of us to see representing South Africa overseas in Ice Skating, Karate, and her suffer pain and discomfort over so many months. The doctor Biathlon. All of this is due to the emphasis Lenora gave to physical expressed his amazement that she had lasted so long. fitness, sports, and academic excellence.

A blessing to many Lenora has been an example of diligence, a high work ethic, unselfish, and sacrificial service to others. She has always been dedicated to her family and has taken her duties very seriously. She has been a blessing to so many thousands of people worldwide. Lenora has always been creative in catering, warm in counselling and hospitality. She invested her time and energy into many people. It was very hard for us to see the sudden deterioration in Lenora’s health over the last year. Since her hip replacement a year ago she needed a walker, or crutches, to get around.

A dream come true

It was Lenora’s greatest desire to live to see her grandchildren and to have her children and grandchildren “no further than 5 minutes away!” Well, that desire was certainly granted. All four of our children and all three grandsons live at the beautiful home and garden that Lenora so lovingly built up and decorated for over three decades. By God’s grace, Lenora enjoyed the delightful challenges of three energetic grandsons playing in the beautiful garden that she planted and cultivated through her creativity and diligence over 30 years. Now Lenora is free of pain. There are no wheelchairs or crutches in Heaven. 

Wanting to die at home Over her last year Lenora was in constant pain and experienced frequent nausea, but she was adamant that she wanted to die at home amongst her family and not in the hospital amongst

DR PETER HAMMOND runs Frontline Fellowship and Africa Christian Action. He is a writer, missionary, evangelist, historian, and preacher. Visit FrontlineMissionSA.org

JOY! MAGAZINE 27

JOY! NEWS

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KEEPING CHRISTIANS INFORMED Amy Grant honours Lauren Daigle for the global impact of her music & philanthropic work Two-time GRAMMY Award winner Lauren Daigle was recognized for the impact that both her music and philanthropy has had on millions of people worldwide. The Global Impact Honor, presented by the iconic singer/songwriter and musician Amy Grant, distinguished Daigle as a genre trailblazer and ambassador – a role that she’s embraced over the course of her almost decade long, record-breaking career.

UPCYCLE SA Heinrich Gabler, former Mr South Africa, has started a phenomenal NGO helping underprivileged kids with sporting opportunities

pcycleSA is a Christian movement that reuses discarded sports equipment and objects or materials in such a way as to create a product of higher quality or value and donate it to less fortunate schools or communities. With the slogan of, “Changing the world, one child at a time,” UpcycleSA visits the youth to share a message of inspiration NGO, founded by Former Mr South Africa Heinrich Gabler, is donations of old sporting goods. If you have anything that onate, or if you would cleSA to your school, vent – please email il.com 

28 JOY! MAGAZINE

www.joynews.co.za

Christian retreat centre opens in Franschhoek

ridges Retreat Centre, a Christian-owned conference centre and farm, has just opened up in Franschhoek, Western Cape. The new owners shared with us, “We believe in the transformative power of short-term, facilitated group experiences where people are out of their normal home, work, and community situations and are engaged in learning and growing emotionally, mentally, relationally, and spiritually in the beauty of creation. We invite you to make use of our campus to enjoy these benefits too.” The campus is made up of 12.5 acres of land and 1000m2 of accommodation and meeting rooms. The facility sleeps 150 people, and boasts two swimming pools, a basketball court, a fire pit, established fruit trees, a running trail and full-sized soccer field, all set in a well-maintained garden. The property is surrounded by awe inspiring vineyard and mountain views. If you are planning an Alpha weekend away, a church camp, a youth camp, or anything or the sort – visit www.bridgesretreat.co.za for more information! 

NEWS

YEARNING FOR FATHER FIGURES State of South Africa’s Fathers report reveals more male family members are taking on father-figure roles

Pastor Kyle Driver from the River Word church

CAPE TOWN

here is a yearning for father figures in South Africa. According to the State of South Africa’s Fathers (SOSAF) 2021 report, more male kin are taking on the roles of ‘social fathers’. As opposed to biological fathers, social fathers are the father-figure in a child’s life who is not biologically related to the child, but takes on the responsibility and role of the father and is physically, economically, and psychosocially engaged in the child’s life. These social fathers consisted of employed men who were older brothers, paternal and maternal uncles, mothers’partners, and grandfathers who were fathering and providing for the child’s livelihood and education, and give them paternal love and guidance. According to the study, 41% of children are co-resident with men who are not the children’s biological fathers.“The men in the Cape Flats study spoke about ‘being there’ and the multiple meanings of this phrase for them: being present and engaged in their children’s lives, offering emotional support and care; transmitting values and sharing beliefs by using play and life milestones to create opportunities for personal development and growth,” the report highlights. This sad state of reality in our nation presents a powerful opportunity for ministry, as we know that only God the Father is perfect. 

YouVersion attributes the growth to an increasing shift toward online worship and the app’s community focus.

1000+ UK church leaders prepared to be jailed over ‘conversion therapy’ ban Church leaders across the UK say they will continue to proclaim “the Lordship of Jesus Christ” and call “people to find life in Him”, even if it means they will go to prison

Christian doctors in Portugal: “Euthanasia jeopardises the mission of medicine”

The President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa used his vetoing power to block the law.

Plumstead pastor at the River Word Church is doing God’s work by spreading what he calls“prosperity Gospel”, which allows him to provide his congregants in need with cars, money, food supplies, and very soon even houses. Pastor Kyle Driver, 34, said he had been “led” by the Spirit of God to give to those in need. Driver said it was a “personal decision” that he decided to help ease the burden of his congregants by providing them with things they required in their everyday life. 

In case with global implications, Finland puts Christians on trial for their faith

NEWS BITES YouVersion Bible app becomes first faith-based app to hit 500 million installations

Cape Town pastor spreads ‘prosperity gospel’ with a twist

J Download our app today! JOY! News is available on the App Stores – stay informed with daily breaking Christian news!

uhana Pohjola, a Finnish pastor, and Paivi Rasanen, a Finnish member of Parliament, are being charged with “hate speech” for respectively writing and publishing a 24-page 2004 booklet that explains basic Christian theology about sex and marriage, which reserves sex exclusively for within marriage, which can only consist of one man and one woman, for life. The Finnish prosecutor claims centuries-old Christian teachings about sex“incite hatred”and violate legal preferences for government-privileged identity groups. This landmark case goes to trial on January 24th. In a statement, Rasanen noted that the police publicly admitted their interpretation of Finland’s law would make publishing the Bible a hate crime.  JOY! MAGAZINE 29

Nelson Mandela Bay gunman on murder mission hears outreach music, turns to Jesus Pastor Reuben Africa, the local co-ordinator of a two-weeks evangelism campaign in the Northern Areas of Nelson Mandela Bay, reports on what God did in some of the most notorious, gang-ridden areas of the metro. “Everywhere we went, people responded with great enthusiasm, to the message of Hope, presented through drama, dance and testimony. We saw some of the greatest impact on lives in areas that are notorious due to gangsterism and violence. In one area, a man was on his way with a gun in his hand to go and kill someone. He heard the singing and music and was curious to see what was happening. One of our co-workers spoke to him and he just broke down, surrendering his life to the Lord.”

American rapper Kanye West calls for ‘Christian Kibbutzes’ after visiting Israel

conoclastic rapper Kanye West praised Israel’s kibbutz movement on a hip hop podcast, saying that Christians should form their own family-oriented communities. “Jewish people have this type of circular community… it’s like where they live, and where we need to live, where the grandparents can take care of the kids,” Kanye West said. 

Iconoclastic: strongly opposing generally accepted beliefs and traditions.

VACCINE MANDATES Vaccine mandates, passports would amount to apartheid-era ‘dompass’, says Kenneth Meshoe

accine passports or mandatory vaccines would be discriminatory and would amount to the “dompass” of the apartheid era, said ACDP president Rev Kenneth Meshoe in a press statement. He was responding to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address to the nation in which he spoke of the possibility of “introducing measures that make vaccination a condition for access to workplaces, public events, public transport, and public establishments.” “What is however, even more disturbing is that President Ramaphosa announced that ‘government has set up a task team that will undertake broad consultations on making vaccination mandatory for specific activities and locations.’ This announcement directly contradicts all his earlier undertakings that vaccinations will not be made mandatory. Can one then believe anything that President Ramaphosa or his government says regarding vaccinations?” says Meshoe.  30 JOY! MAGAZINE

NEWS BITES 100,000 Bibles to be sent to persecuted Believers: ‘The need is greater than ever’

Open Doors will send Bibles to persecuted Christians in areas such as Afghanistan, North Korea, and Nigeria.

Tony Evans leads an ‘instructive, inspiring, illuminating’ tour through the Holy Land

FOR SA reminds government of need to consult with religious sector before mandating vaccines

Scan this QR Code to watch this tour!

Imposing mandatory vaccination on religiou gatherings would impact constitution right to religio freedom, and legal autonom of religious institutions.

NEWS

TOWER OF BABEL The ministry that built the life-sized Noah’s Ark will now build a life-sized Tower of Babel to address issues of racism

DARE TO LOVE

nswers In Genesis, the ministry that created the extraordinary Ark Encounter in northern Kentucky – a replica of Noah’s Ark built according to the directions God gave Noah – now plans to build a replica of the ancient Tower of Babel adjacent to it. The purpose of the Babel project, the planners explain, is not to glorify that rebellion but to glorify God and provide insight into issues confronting society today, particularly racism. At its heart the tower planners say, is whether the biblical view of human beings prevails or the evolutionary theory does. “Our culture has been inundated by false views of our origins, teaching that we evolved from ape-like ancestors. While most evolutionists are probably not racists, the philosophy they hold is inherently racist, implying that some people groups are more closely related to apes than others,” states the Answers in Genesis website. The ministry says the goal of the Tower of Babel project is to confront racist, ethnocentric philosophies with the truth of humanity’s origins according to God’s Word. 

Tamryn Klintworth reflects on her 2021 Gospel Crusades:

Do you want to share the love of God with others in your town?

he Dare to Love Movement, a group of Christian volunteers, recently visited the Netcare Unitas Hospital in Centurion and prayed and worshipped for the patients. They shared, “Prayer and worship at Unitas Hospital. God always has an encounter with someone. Whether a patient or visitor or staff. Our God is an awesome God. Adopt a hospital near you. Make a prayer station in your street. It does not matter if it’s just 1 or 2 people. With God, we are more than enough! If God is for us, who can stand against us. Serving Jesus is serving in your community. We have not been called to be lords, we have been called to serve.” People of all ages are welcome to join – the movement believes in giving everyone an opportunity to serve in whatever way they feel comfortable. Contact them today and see how you can get involved – daretolovesa@gmail.com 

e look back over 2021, we rejoice over all our Lord has ne! We held crusades in the Ethiopian towns of Boditi, endo, Gojo and Asella and in the South African village mmunity of Mageva. We conducted a two-week book launch tour, distributing thousands of copies of the Amharic version of “Spirit of Fire”—my book on the oly Spirit and evangelism—to pastors across Ethiopia. e also conducted two seminars for evangelists in the South African cities of Johannesburg and Cape Town.“

JOY! MAGAZINE 31

FEATURE

Dr Myles Munroe His Legacy Lives On 20 April 1954 – 9 November 2014

r Myles Munroe was arguably one of the greatest leaders and motivational preachers in the last 100 years. The Bahamian minister, who tragically died in a plane accident in 2014, left behind a powerful legacy and ministry fruit that has continued to blossom for years. He was passionate about leadership and transition, and led one of the most influential churches in the Caribbean, Bahamas Faith Ministries International. To date, Dr Munroe’s leadership principles and lessons have had a far reach in South Africa, our beautiful nation that he loved so much.

ed in a private plane crash November 9, 2014. heir aircraft struck a crane at a ship yard near Airport. Munroe and the other passengers were r a conference.

assing over the baton A few weeks before his plane went down, Dr Munroe had a dream about leadership transitions that he believed he would see in the Bahamas. In the dream, a track / field athlete was lying in a coffin, clutching a baton. After he woke up, Munroe said that he understood the message of the dream: “It was about people dying with a baton, instead of passing it on. I was thinking, the young person who’s supposed to lead next has to go to the casket and pry the baton out of the dead man’s hand just to take it to the next leg. Great leaders pass the baton on before they die, and they live to see the other person run. Hopefully, we will get to see that in The Bahamas.” 32 JOY! MAGAZINE

Bahamas Faith Ministries International: Munroe founded Bahamas Faith Ministries International in the early 1980s. To date, the ministry is thriving and continues the work that Dr Munroe had started. Bahamas Faith Ministries International (BFMI) is a global organisation that serves to restore a sense of divine identity, heritage, purpose, potential, and destiny to every individual. Their ministry focus is on Third World nations, developing nations, and people everywhere who are products of oppression. The ministry is now led by Senior Pastors Dave & Angela Burrows. Pastor Dave travelled with Dr Munroe for many years and followed him in international ministry and writing books. Together Pastor Dave and Angie have served Bahamas Faith Ministries in many capacities for over 35 years ascending to the position of Senior Pastors with the passing of Dr. Myles and Ruth Munroe. They have taken the baton and continued the original vision of BFM building on the initial mandate to “Transform followers into leaders and leaders into agents of change”, and spreading the message of the Kingdom throughout the world. Under their leadership BFM continues to be a local church with a global vision and impact embracing followers and members from over 50 countries.

A timeless message on

PURPOSE

ost of us don’t know our purpose on this earth. In fact, there is something worse than death – it is the tragedy of a life lived without purpose. Nothing is more painful than to be alive, without knowing why you are here and what good you are. Without a purpose, life has no meaning. Every human wants to be successful. I have never met a human who said, “I plan to fail tomorrow.” Success is predictable, it is not luck or an accident. The antithesis is also true. Failure is also predictable. If you don’t know where you are going, and you have no plan of how to get there, you will never end up at your destiny. Wherever you are, is a result of your decisions. Failure in life is a result of decisions. Purpose brings discipline, focus, and fruitfulness.

God has chosen you! You are here on earth because God sent you to complete a purpose which is built into you. The Bible says that God saw you in your mother’s womb. It was time for you to come and God orchestrated your conception. Ephesians 1:4 says He chose you, “...in Him, before the foundation of the world”.

Let this year be one of purpose All your days were written in His book, before one of them came to be (Ps 139:16). God does not panic when you fail – He has already planned your success. You may have wandered off course and fallen into foolish sins, but God sends the Holy Spirit and He brings you back in line with God’s purpose. You will fulfil your destiny. Let this year be your best year ever – for His Name’s sake.

Questions to help you discover your purpose:

Who am I?

What are your strengths, your weaknesses? What makes you unique?

Where am I from?

Why am I here?

What can I do?

Where am I going?

What is your source? Is it God? Some people say they come from monkeys.. and in that case, they cannot ask God for direction or help. What makes you tick? What upsets you? What makes you happy? These are all clues to your destiny and the purpose you were created for.

What are you good at? What comes naturally to you?

What legacy do you want to leave? What kind of difference do you want to make in this world? What does your future look like? What dreams did you have as a young child, or maybe still have in your heart? » JOY! MAGAZINE 33

THE BIBLE IN A NUTSHELL

M bo us ok t h fo ave re a ve po ry lo Ch ge ris tic tia s n!

TOP QUESTIONS & ANSWERS THE BIBLE IN A NUTSHELL

“

APOLOGETICS

...TO LIVE IS CHRIST, TO DIE IS GAIN

“

TOP QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Phillipians 1:21

IS RELIGION A CRUTCH FOR THE WEAK?

Christianity is no crutch and many Christians througho history could hardly classified as weak. It takes courage, integrity, boldness and honesty to stan for Christ and His W 2

THEOLOGY  APOLOGETICS  TEACHING

This book is the first in a series of curated articles on essential foundational Christian topics. We explore theology, apologetics and teaching. Summarised, explained, and beautifully illustrated, this collector’s item will equip you with the knowledge and understanding you need to deepen your faith in God, and equip you to share the Gospel.

THEOLOGY

WHAT DID JESUS LOOK LIKE? T

here is no physical description of Christ in he Gospels Neither Matthew nor John nor Peter James and Jude who were His Disciples during His earthly ministry recorded any details about His physical features We do not read of His height size hair colour eye colour or hair length

Did Jesus have long hair?

“

There a e many artistic portrayals of Christ that are highly imaginative The portrayal of Jesus as long haired comes from Renaissance era artwork in the 15 h Century when long hair was fashionable However the earliest known artistic depictions of Christ are of someone w th short hair The Scriptures declare “Does not even natu e itse f teach you that if a man has long hair it is a dishonour to him? But if a woman has long hair t is a glory to her ” 1 Corinthians 11 14 15 The Scripture refers to Samson as having long hair because t was so unusual However there is no men ion of our Lord Jesus Christ having hair any longer than what was normal for that time The ear iest artistic depictions of Christ on the walls of the catacombs carved in re ief on sarcophagi or set in mosaic tiles depict someone wi h short hair The general tendency in the First Century was for men to have short hair

His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but He Himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God... Coming out of His mouth is a sword. Revelation 19:12-15

The Shroud of Turin

“

The Shroud of Turin is a length of linen cloth bearing the negative image of a man. Some claim the image depicts Jesus of Nazareth and the fabric is the burial shroud in which He was wrapped after crucifixion. Its authenticity is unverified, but for those who find some significance in the controversial Shroud of Turin, Professor Giovanni Judica-Cordiglia wrote the following description, on the basis of the shroud: “The man who was wrapped in the shroud was a man of great beauty and uncommon stature. He was about 1.8 metres tall, with a perfectly proportioned physique lithe and harmonious. We can see that His face was a very soft and gentle one, rather long and with a broad straight forehead The nose is straight and turned slightly downwards the cheeks are large and slightly protruding ”

Available at Pick ’n Pay, Spar, OK Foods, CUM, & Bargain Books stores nationwide, phone 021 852 4061, or buy your copy online: bibleinanutshell.co.za – delivered to your door!

TESTIMONY

Husband & Wife Make History by Graduating Together With PhDs

—by Gérard Filies

would like to introduce my wife Sylnita, a child from the soil of for us as children to be involved in the church and to know God Ceres in the Western Cape, and myself Gérard from the Cape in everything we do. My mother always reminded us to keep faith Flats. This is our testimony of how God used two ordinary in Jeremiah 29:11, “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the people to inspire others. Our only wish is that others will see God Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” We are blessed with two in all aspects of our lives. beautiful children, Arian (21 years) – a social I met Sylnita (or Syl as I affectionately “This is our testimony work student at UWC, and Gemma (16 years) refer to her) 29 years ago while we were of how God used two – a grade 11 learner at de Kuilen High School. both undergraduate Occupational Therapy ordinary people to inspire students at the University of the Western others, for His glory. “ Cape. Different is a relative term, but Syl was Milestones made possible by God different. She was an extrovert, but in the The year 2018 was an extraordinary one for same breath an introvert – there was something mysterious about Syl and I, as we were the first married couple in the 60 years of her, but it was mostly her level-headedness, bubbly personality, and playful nature that impressed me. I was the quiet type – some people might say serious or reserved.

Growing up in a Christian household Both of us grew up in homes where our parents were Christfollowers, familiar with the power of prayer. I have fond memories of kneeling around Sylnita’s parents’ bed in prayer with her family while dating her, and attending Bible studies as a child with my mother and her prayer group. Both Sylnita’s parents passed away, her dad 10 years ago and her Mom in May 2021, but these memories remain vividly. Our parents instilled Christian values in us, which is the biggest gift that a child can ask for. This shaped us into the people we are today, but also shaped the foundation for our loving marriage and blessed family. Sylnita’s father always said: “You can achieve what others can” (based on Matt 19:26). He would always bless others with Philippians 4:8. My parents have always been stewards in the Methodist church and set the example 36 JOY! MAGAZINE

“Our only wish is that others will see God in all aspects of our lives. We believe that we have an important role to play in shining God’s light and love with our students, colleagues, friends, family, children, and those who cross our life paths.”

developed an interest in mental health. She obtained her Master’s degree in Child and Family Studies in 2007 while working in the Child, Family, and Adolescent Unit. She has also worked in the special school system for a number of years. Thirty years ago her parents wanted her to study Occupational Therapy at Stellenbosch University. She was, however, accepted at UWC and started her student life there. Last year on March 1st, things had come full circle. At the age of 50, she started a new job in academia as a lecturer at Stellenbosch University in the Division of Occupational Therapy. Her parents would have been so proud of her, but again we realise all things happen in God’s perfect timing.

Gérard’s career achievements I am a senior lecturer at UWC, where I have worked for the past 23 years. I started my career in the Occupational Therapy Department as Clinical Co-ordinator in 1998. In 2006 I was existence of the University of the Western Cape to both graduate seconded to the Interprofessional Education Unit in the Faculty of with PhD degrees on the same day and in the same graduation Community and Health Sciences. My passion for Interprofessional ceremony, thereby making history. In September of the same year Education resulted in me graduating with a M.Phil in Health we celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. All these milestones Sciences Education from Stellenbosch University in 2012, and were only made possible by the grace of God, who is at the core of a PhD degree from UWC in 2018. Interprofessional Education is when students or health professionals learn our existence. We believe that God specifically with, from, and about each other as a team chose us because He knew that we would be “The success of our to improve the health services they offer as a humble enough to receive it in His Name and marriage, family life, and comprehensive package to patients. use it to expand His Kingdom here on Earth. achievements is only by I graduated with a PhD in Child and Family Studies, with specific focus in All the glory to the Father the grace of God.” Interprofessional Education, and my wife The success of our marriage, family life, and with a PhD in Educational Psychology, with a special focus on achievements is only by the grace of God. It is no secret that women’s mental health. According to the Occupational Therapy He is at the core of our existence. We believe that we have an Association of South Africa, we were also the first married couple important role to play in shining God’s light and love with our as Occupational Therapists in the country to both graduate with students, colleagues, friends, family, children, and those who PhDs together. In 2019, we were awarded the Platinum Award – cross our life paths. We hope that our story of love and respect Most Inspirational Couple from the I Do Magazine Annual Award for each other and our passion for lifelong learning will inspire ceremony in Gauteng. many in years to come. We give thanks and praise to the Lord for His favour upon our lives. 

Sylnita’s budding career in education

Sylnita started her career at Lentegeur Psychiatric Hospital and

DR GÉRARD FILIES can be contacted on gfilies@gmail.com

JOY! MAGAZINE 37

“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” Psalm 127:3, Matthew 19:14

—by Sophia Roman

messages never stopped, nor did the video calls Shelley du Plessis with prayers. Sometimes the calls came while the doctors surrounded her bed, and she had to let granny know to call later. Depression was real; feeling despondent that granny herself may not make it through this tough time. Shelley’s thoughts of growing up without a mom and thinking of 5-year-old Jonah, who may have to experience this too, became a reality. Thoughts that Jarred may be without his wife. She prayed harder than Survivor’s guilt she ever had before, and rededicated her life Shelley is married to Jared – the love of her “My message of hope to Christ. life – and their son Jonah is her everything. is that God never Three weeks later, after a long and diffiA few months ago both Shelley and the abandons you.” cult time in hospital, Shelley was discharged. Director of the company where she worked On the same day, it was her boss’ funeral. contracted Covid-19. On the day she was The deep sadness of not being able to athospitalised, her boss was diagnosed with Covid. Shelley’s fight to live cannot be described – prayers cov- tend his funeral left Shelley at a loss for words. She felt as if she was ered her, but the near death experience in hospital was the dark- not there for him, his family, or her colleagues. Why did she make est place. The sight of seeing others in the same ward wheeled it? And he had to die? The guilt was overwhelming. out as corpses was unbearable. Second chances She struggled with “I had gone astray and failed God,” Shelley said. “My message of only one lung as hope is that God never abandons you. God gave me a second the other col- chance in life. I had to learn to walk again. There is hope to bring lapsed. It was dark. your joy back. Live life to the fullest and count your blessings. “I had gone astray, but in my failing God, He was still there and Family anchor brought me through. My time in hospital – being all alone not There was granny, having my family with me – made me put my trust in God again. the family anchor, I prayed like never before. I am thankful each day for my breath, not tech-savvy at my life, and hope again.” God gave her a second chance to start all. Constance had fresh. “New beginnings can only come from God. I invited Jesus to learn to use her back into my life.” phone optimally to be in touch with A newfound calling Shelley. The daily Shelley shared how she had WhatsApp saw how God had given her t ssis Ple du ah Jon and lley Jarred, She over the years. She refle and Granny Constance Coetzee her work and others fi her calling. Today she i girls, teaching them t this cautiously as her lu stronger. He is the God and another chance.  ough times can be unbearable, yet God uses difficult circumstances to make us grow and to bring us back to Himself. Shelley du Plessis lost her mom at only one month old, and was reared by her precious grandmother. Constance Coetzee, now 83-years-old, has been a constant in Shelley’s life. Constance’s son Joshua lived in the house and when Shelley was growing up he was not only her uncle, but her father figure, brother, and role model. Shelley accepted the Lord as a young girl as she saw granny serving Jesus whole-heartedly – a true woman of prayer and faith.

Uncle, father figure Joshua Coetzee with granny

Shelley and Granny

SOPHIA ROMAN – Pionee and life transformation coa and her husband Theo pas Reach AOG Church in Mitch

TESTIMONY

“God gave me a Second Chance in life!”

TESTIMONY

The day my life changed forever…

Photo of me on the motorbike a couple of years before the accident

—by Toni de Beer

My wife Bev and I about 2 yea rs after the accident.

he 16th of April 2014 started off as a normal working day, like Waking up in ICU any other. My wife and I left for work at around 6:30am, she Ten days later I woke up in ICU at St Augustines Hospital. Three was in our bakkie and I was on my motorbike. Little did we or four nurses came to me and said that they were so happy that know how drastically our lives would change only 10 minutes later I was awake, as they had been praying for me since I first arrived on this rainy morning. At an intersection in Westville (Durban), at the hospital. I had shattered my left knee when I fell off the a car suddenly turned in front of me, causing me to slam on my motorbike and that had severed the blood flow to the rest of the brakes. Because the roads were wet, I lost control of the bike and leg. Apparently during the first of many operations, my blood landed underneath a car. The last thing that I remember is a man pressure had dropped so low that they had to stop operating – coming to me and asking if I was okay. I took my phone out of my otherwise I would have died. Because it took them a long time backpack, told him the names of my wife and to operate, my leg basically died. Later my boss, and asked him to please phone them. kidneys packed up. I then closed my eyes… “I needed to be

thankful that I was alive, even though I had lost a leg.”

Covered in prayers

I praise God for all the people who were praying for me, both inside and outside the hospital. I spent nine weeks in hospital, during which time the doctors were battling to save

ELOW: My 3 sons who together with my wife have been ery supportive.

I recently received my “new leg” after more than 7 years. Learning to walk again. At my youngest son’s wedding in August last year

40 JOY! MAGAZINE

WHAT WILL THE FUTURE HOLD FOR YOU WITH A POSTGRADUATE DEGREE FROM UP? In hospital before the amputation as doctors were trying to save my leg

The Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Pretoria is one of the leading theological institutions in Africa and is known for its relevant teaching and learning programmes, as well as its community engagement. The Faculty offers excellent postgraduate programmes with credible and reputable academic researchers, many of whom have received NRF ratings. With a strong focus on research, you can study while still working.

my leg. It was very swollen, half dead, and very painful due to the daily changing of the dressings. Eventually the decision was made to amputate the leg. I only realised later that the Lord had prepared me for this – it was clear while I was in hospital that my leg would never be the same again, so by the time they wanted to amputate I was ready for it.

Feeling sorry for myself At some stage during my hospital stay, I started feeling sorry for myself. I started wondering why this had happened to me. Very clearly the Lord said to me that although I had lost a leg, I was still alive. It was very hard, but it made me realise that I needed to change my attitude. I felt that the Lord was telling me that His grace was sufficient for me to cope with my new situation. Right there it was clear to me that I needed to make a decision to be positive and be thankful that I was alive, even though I had lost a leg and that my life would never be the same again.

I was not alone

“Seven years later and the Lord is using my situation to minister to people.”

The Lord was with me, I needed to be positive and show people around me that I was grateful to be alive and give all the glory to God and be a witness for Him. The grace of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was sufficient for me to cope. He gave me an amazing peace about losing my leg and facing life with only one leg.

Staying positive for His glory Seven years later I still have complete peace about my situation and the Lord is using my situation to minister to people who regularly tell me that they are amazed at how positive I am. It is a great opening to tell people about what the Lord has done in my life. We serve an almighty God and all the honour and glory goes to Him. He will never leave us nor forsake us, regardless of what happens. 

The Faculty of Theology and Religion is renowned for its commitment to the following: • • • • • • •

The Bible: This remains the central point of reference for theology. Spirituality: Faith formation is of great importance. Practical skills training in ministry Contextual and relevant teaching and learning Academic excellence: The Faculty’s standards of education are comparable to the best in the world. Lecturers: Lecturers are noted academics and also respected church leaders. International contacts: Students can benefit from the Faculty’s many international connections.

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Doris Mokgokolo +27 (0)12 420 2700 doris.mokgokolo@up.ac.za www.up.ac.za/faculty-oftheology-and-religion

A Controversial Topic —by Hermien van den Bergh

unting is a Biblically‐justified practice, and in South-Africa hunting is a booming business. My son and I are living on a hunting farm in Botswana while we are building a Mission Base adjacent to the Tuli Block. I grew up here where hunting is the norm, but my dad was not a recreational hunter. It annoyed him when people were exploitative and ego‐driven when they hunted. He encouraged his neighbour, an avid hunter, to protect wildlife.

meat provides necessary food for poor families.

Many find hunting unsavoury

Many people find hunting unsavoury and are offended when trophy hunting pictures are posted on Facebook. They lack understanding of the challenges wildlife management faces and practice double standards. Hunting is criticised but many forget how they enjoy Hunters need to heed a Sunday roast. Such meat comes neatly packaged and people are blissfully unaware Today’s wildlife management Proverbs 12:10, which of the terrible price that farm animals pay to Wildlife management in today’s rapidly satisfy their carnivore needs. No wonder many changing world is difficult and complex. is clearly against people long for the day when humans won’t There are land‐use challenges, critical farmer cruelty to animals. kill animals for survival or entertainment, but needs, rural poverty, population explosion, society at large is not there yet. and conflict between animals and humans. In northern Botswana locals welcome an elephant hunt because they fear elephants stomping their villages and crops, and the Is there such thing as ‘ethical hunting’? Hunting is considered a sport, but any sport has rules and an umpire. In the hunting field the hunter’s conscience is the umpire. A friend once said that if you feel sorry for animals, don’t hunt. That concerned me because if you lack compassion and respect for animals, you will likely not abide by ethical hunting. It is inhumane to carelessly shoot, or recklessly hunt from the back of a bakkie, or to be drunk when you hunt, or not hunt a wounded animal until it is found. It is not okay to aim for the eye of an animal to show off your hunting skills. When the bullet hits the jaw and not the eye, an escaped animal will starve to death slowly and painfully. Hunters, game farmers, and professional hunters need to heed Proverbs 12:10, which is clearly against cruelty to animals.

A deeply‐ingrained culture

HAVE

NATURE

Christians & Hunting

With a hunting culture deeply‐ingrain millennia, it is time to heed the call of Ro Y A 8:19-22, it is time for the revealed RS of God to actively end the groa Should Christians hunt? and suffering of creation instea What are your thoughts? perpetuating it.  Email info@joymag.co.za

Please donate and help us educate people to treat animals better, WhatsApp “LOFU” to 060 070 2753. For anyone interested in following our journey as travelling missionaries, visit our website at www.lofunlimited.org

How to use your voice to inﬂuence policies & laws

—by Daniela Ellerbeck, FOR SA Legal Advisor

reedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA) often gets asked what people can do to protect their constitutional right to religious freedom. The good news is that South Africa is a constitutional democracy, which means that Government must ask for our input on any policies or laws they wish to make.

The origin of policies Most policies begin in Government departments as drafts, called “Green Papers”. A Green Paper discusses a particular issue a Department is considering and the policy position it intends to adopt. This is then published so that anyone who is interested can comment and/or make suggestions. An example is the Department of Home Affairs’ Green Paper on Marriages, which many South Africans commented on in 2020. A Green Paper is then followed by a “White Paper”, which sets out Government’s official policy position and generally precedes the proposed law that Government wishes to make.

The origin of laws Most laws also begin in Government departments as draft legislation, called “Bills”. The Department will then open a Bill up for public comment – as the Department of Justice did recently with the PEPUDA Amendment Bill. South Africa’s law-making body is Parliament, which consists of two houses (or parts), namely the National Assembly (“NA”) and the National Council of Provinces (“NCOP”). National laws must be passed by both houses, each of which will call for public engagement on a Bill before it is finally signed into law (called an “Act”) by the President.

Your voice matters Parliament represents the people of South Africa, and no law can be passed without the public having their say as part of the law-making process. As such, we must use every opportunity to make our voices heard. This is the only way to ensure that the laws we live under will properly protect our rights to freely share and live out our beliefs.

How do you make your voice heard? The way to make your voice heard is by making a submission to Parliament. While signing a petition can carry persuasive value, Parliament must consider every single submission it receives. Although no specific number of submissions will stop a Bill, the more submissions that are made on a particular issue, the more pressure is placed upon Parliament not to pass a law that the people are unhappy with. While it can be very daunting to write a submission to Parliament, all you need to say is why the Bill worries you. Note that it is not enough to say that you do not like (or want) the Bill – you need to give reasons. To help in this regard, FOR SA often drafts template submissions highlighting the biggest concerns, which people can then use to draft their own submission. So have your say and make sure your voice is heard! 

FOR FAITH & FREEDOM

FOR SA is a non-profit, legal advocacy organisation dedicated to upholding our constitutional rights to religious freedom, including: • Sharing and living out your faith, both in public and in private • Autonomy of religious organisations • Parental rights to raise and teach their own children

Stay informed on current legal issues

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Support us to continue our work to fight for religious freedom

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SERIES

Getting to Know God

GOD OF GRACE —by Dr Victor Kuligin

n our last article, we spoke about God’s holiness. That topic makes many of us uncomfortable. After all, it is because of God’s holiness that we will all stand before Him one day and give an account of our lives. Knowing that He is a “consuming fire” (Heb 12:29), this should rightly unnerve us. As the psalmist cries out, “If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” – Psalm 130:3 Thankfully, God is a God of grace too. This month, we’ll look at this communicative attribute of God and see how we are supposed to reflect it in our own lives.

We earn death Virtually all the world’s religious texts use a simple formula to get around humanity’s iniquity, best boiled down to hoping that our good works outweigh our bad ones. In Old Testament, we see how God patiently and graciously dealt with sinners. this way, we atone for our own sins. Forgetting for the moment the biblical problems with this The word“grace”appears nearly 150 times in the Bible. It is a decidapproach, it simply makes no sense. What if you murdered some- edly biblical concept. A good working definition of grace is: unmerone? How many good deeds would you have to perform before ited favour given by God to those who deserve His punishment. you could offset such an atrocity? And after having completed all those good deeds, you’d still have a dead person on your Guilt is assumed hands. Put bluntly, there is nothing you can do to bring that per- The Bible works from the assumption that humans are naturally son back, and the idea that an indiscriminate amount of good sinful. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the deeds is equal to another person’s life is simply offensive. There glory of God.” Every person has violated God’s commandments is perhaps no better indicator that all the and behaved in ways that are connon-Christian religions of the world are trary to His character. Every person has The word “grace” appears manmade than the notion that we can wronged others and God—in thought, nearly 150 times in the Bible. attain righteousness through our own word, and deed. This corresponds well “filthy rags” (Isa 64:6) of good works. with our own experience. Who can claim It is a biblical concept. That is why the Bible says that “the to have never done anything deserving wages of sin is death” – Romans 6:23. of punishment? When you sin, death is your payment. It is what you have merited. Grace is something we all want, we all need, and God freely gives. It is what each of us deserves. Grace is not something we earn (again, that would be merit). This is the heart of the Christian Gospel. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, The opposite of merit Thankfully, this is not how the biblical God approaches us. He not of works, lest anyone should boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9 Those who hope to get what they deserve will receive the just does not treat us as our sins deserve. Rather, God is a God of grace. One of the most frequently repeated statements about God payment for their sins: death. Conversely, those who admit that in the Old Testament involves this attribute of grace: “The Lord, they cannot save themselves—that no amount of good works the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abound- can outweigh the evil they have committed—put themselves ing in goodness and truth” – Exodus 34:6. Countless times in the under God’s grace. 44 JOY! MAGAZINE

Grace is something we all want, we all need, and God freely gives. Grace is not something we earn. This is the heart of the Christian Gospel.

Create a new tradition in your home

The good news The Bible calls this the “Gospel”—a word that comes from the New Testament Greek which literally means “good news.” And that is certainly what it is! The Bible says, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” – Titus 2:11. We can be saved from the punishment we deserve. Grace means God offers you the free gift of His favour, rather than punishment; He offers forgiveness instead of condemnation.

Grace through Jesus Some have seen a nifty acronym in the word grace: God’s Righteousness At Christ’s Expense. Instead of punishing the guilty person, God dealt His judgement upon His sinless Son, Jesus Christ. God the Son became human so that He could become a substitute for anyone who believes in Him. In living a sinless life, Jesus satisfied God’s righteous requirements. In willingly dying on the Cross, Jesus took our place and paid the penalty for our sins, thus making a way for us to be reconciled to God, if we will believe Him (2 Cor 5:21). So according to the Bible, what does grace mean? That God freely saves sinners at a cost to Himself. But how do we get this free grace? The apostle Paul writes, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9

Every gift to Israel is a big gift

We should be gracious God calls us who have been shown His grace to be equally gracious to those who have harmed us. To teach this point, Jesus told the parable of the unmerciful servant (Matt 18:21-35). Even though the A good working definition of grace unmerciful servant was shown great is: unmerited favour given by God to mercy by the king those who deserve His punishment. for a debt he could never repay, he was not willing to equally show mercy to a fellow servant for a far lesser debt. For this he was punished by the king.

Send us your postal address & contact number for your FREE Bless Israel Box

Treat others the way Christ treats you Followers of Jesus are called to be gracious towards others. In fact, is this not what we all hope for when we have harmed others? Everyone who receives God’s gracious gift of salvation repents of their sins— admitting that they fall short of God’s righteous requirements—and embraces in faith God’s free gift of forgiveness and grace found only in His Son Jesus. Then they treat others with this same kind of grace. 

www.bridgesforpeace.com info@bridgesforpeace.co.za 021 975 1941 063 078 7723 (WhatsApp)

o s r f e t h t e Bible c a r Cha

—by Dr Victor Kuligin kings like Nebuchadnezzar the Persian ruler Cyrus the e (Dan 6:28). While pagan d as God’s chosen man. aniel, we see Daniel move in Babylonian rule, to the advisor and administrator nce of Babylon, to the third gdom, to the prime minister st empire to ever rule the time. The one constant ruction of Jerusalem and wish prisoners, to Babylon’s ear renaissance, to the rise fall of Babylon, was Daniel nistrator, the Jew. And his

ng in churches today. “I’m and it’s all about you. It’s all d for the thing I’ve made it. all about you, it’s all about us.” often, we think that church Christian faith are all about ainly, God has promised r us, and He sent His Son rescue mission to save us. we tend to look at things —what does this have to —God often has a bigger d.

46 JOY! MAGAZINE

SERIES The Neo-Babylonian Empire

While Babylon has played an important role in the history of the Middle East since 2000 BC, it rose to its greatest power around 600 BC during what is called the NeoBabylonian Period or the Chaldean Empire. At the time of King Nebuchadnezzar, Babylon was the greatest city the world had ever seen. The 5th-century Greek historian Herodotus reports that the city straddled the great river Euphrates and was 24 kilometers’ square. Upon conquering the Assyrian Empire, the Babylonian Empire became the superpower of the Middle East. However, its renaissance was short-lived as a coalition of Medes and Persians led by Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon in 539 BC.

The lion’s den

prophets, charlatans, and misled Christians looking for a spiritual quick fix, the basics of the faith are the slow and steady route to progress in our walk with Christ.

Daniel is perhaps best known for his trial in the lion’s den. What shouldn’t be lost on us is the effect that situation had on the Medo-Persian rulers. In fact, that appears to be the point when we read the story in context. It is because of Daniel’s faithfulness Constant reliance on God in the den, and God’s deliverance of him, that the pagan Darius Daniel prayed three times a day because he knew that he praises Yahweh (Dan 6:25-27). couldn’t serve adequately without constant reliance upon God. Do you think the miracle in the lion’s The faithfulness of Daniel was matched den had anything to do with King Cyrus’ by the faithfulness of God, while the God often allows us to go inclination of heart in allowing the Israelworld around the prophet consistently ites to return to Jerusalem that same year changed. This reflects the promises of through the lion’s den so (Ezra 1:1-4)? This story is not simply about God to His people. God will deliver on His we can minister to the lost. God saving an individual, it is about God promises; we must simply trust Him. saving His chosen people Israel.

A benefit to others Sometimes God orchestrates our trying circumstances so we can be a benefit to others. Think of the woman who, twenty years ago, was physically abused but now has a vibrant ministry to women facing similar trauma. Think of the man who went through substance abuse for years, with the loss of his employment and possessions, now ministering to others with similar addictions. God often allows us to go through the lion’s den so we can minister to the lost around us.

Work on the basics Daniel was a man of unwavering integrity and devotion to the Lord, something that even the pagans around him recognised (Dan 5:11; 6:3-5). He prayed regularly (6:10; note his prayer in 9:419), he read God’s Word (9:2), and he fasted (9:3; 10:3). God calls His children to behave similarly today, in a world often hostile to Christ and His church. In this way we seek God’s counsel and direction. Without it, we will be left to our own shortsighted ways. While there are so many self-proclaimed

Sovereign Lord

The Daniel story serves as an important reminder that even during the exile of God’s chosen people, Yahweh was fully in control. After seven decades, some might be tempted to think that God’s plans for His people had been thwarted. Surely God had forgotten that little Israelite tribe. But no. Nebuchadnezzar the Great had come and gone. Some of his sons and grandsons attempted to rule the neo-Babylonian empire for six years but were abysmal failures. Then came Nabonidus, then his son Belshazzar. Then the Persian Cyrus. As Daniel himself sung, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His . . . He removes kings and raises up kings”—Daniel 2:20-21. Daniel had firsthand experience of this.

God is in control If we learn anything from the account of Daniel, it is that God is in complete control. Kings come and go. Kingdoms rise and fall, but God’s will remains. His plans never fail. Whether the king is evil or good, a believer or a pagan, God gets His way. The overall message of Daniel is this: despite present appearances, God remains committed to His promises and His people.  JOY! MAGAZINE 47

SERIES

When Your Lamp is Trimmed Part 3

e are continuing our study on the scripture of the ten virgins in Matthew 25. In our last article, we looked at the deeper meaning of certain words used in this section of scripture. We looked at the picture of trimming our lamps – when the wick is pulled in order to trim our lamps, the depth of the oil is truly tested. Many proclaim to be believers, but when you study this scripture you see that there is a large part of the Church that will not be ready to meet the Groom when He returns. That is also 100% in line with Revelation 3, which speaks about the lukewarm condition of the Church when our Groom returns. The oil of “cheap grace” in our lamps will not be sufficient when our Groom Yeshua (Jesus) returns.

—by Prof Gerrie Bester

7:22 that many will cry out that day, saying ‘Lord, Lord, I prophesied in Your Name, I cast out devils and did many wonderful things’. Do we realise, by reading this, that these are the people in the Church that He is speaking to and not the heathens? He is speaking to those who have lamps and not those without lamps who rejected Abba Father outright? He is addressing lukewarm Christianity and not heathens who are cold, so to speak.

Let’s look to the original Greek translation

When we look at the whole concept of “to buy for yourselves,” the word ‘to buy’ in Greek is the word agorazo. Agorazo means, “to buy.” But, listen to this amazing deep revelation that is carefully hidden in this word. Agorazo also means “to All ten virgins were expectant There are many deep redeem.” It illustrates the concept of Remember – all ten virgins had their revelations that are carefully the fact that “I cannot redeem you,” lamps burning earlier that evening. hidden in scripture. neither can you redeem me. I cannot All ten virgins fell asleep (because we give you my oil and you cannot give all get tired at times). The ten virgins, me your oil. You have to agorazo it like in church, all seemed to have an expectation of going out to meet the groom at his coming. yourself, in other words, you have to get to the place where It was only at the actual appearing of the groom, however, you surrender to Abba Father yourself (being reborn) so that that the difference became evident. On the outside, things you can be redeemed through the Blood of His son Yeshua. appeared to be the same for both the five wise and the five foolish virgins. Don’t wait until it is too late There will be no more time after the Groom has come. When the groom had come, in the parable, the place to get the oil was No time for negotiation In church, there are many such “surface believers” who no longer helping those searching for it. It was too late. There proclaim to be believers, but the depth of true obedience is will be a gnashing of teeth amongst those who are too late missing – which makes them hearers of the Word of Abba to accept salvation and the redemption of Christ. You cannot Father only. When the groom appeared – five ran to the groom, barter with the salvation plan of Abba Father. You accept it, and five ran to the market. Matthew 25:9 says, “to them that within His will, or you don’t. He gives us all the choice. Only sell.” This phrase of “them that sell” in Greek means to barter. God’s will, will do. To wait is not an option my dear brothers That is to negotiate. We have to realise that when our Groom and sisters. No other human being can fill you with the oil of returns, there will be no room or time for negotiation with the Holy Spirit – only Abba Father can. goodness, own righteousness, or good deeds. All will simply be measured to Abba Father’s will and His Word. A mindblowing revelation Why does Abba Father use the concept of buying oil though? We know that it is not possible for us to buy our own salvation This scripture is for the lukewarm Church Keep in mind that the Word of Abba Father says in Matthew or redeem ourselves. When we study the original language in 48 JOY! MAGAZINE

LIFE-CHANGING

We cannot be caught with mere head knowledge when the shofar sounds and our Groom returns. We need to be in a burning covenant relationship with the King of glory, surrendered to true obedience.

BOOKS By Prof Gerrie Bester

Virtuous Women which the Word was given to us, however, we see something profound emerge. In Proverbs 23:23 we read the following: “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” The Hebrew word translated as ‘buy’ in this verse is the word Kanah. Kanah means to procure, to own, or to possess. But listen to this as we study the word kanah. It also means – through God’s originated redemption plan for His people, I possess it because He paid. I cannot go and buy it, but I can possess it because He bought it for me. Is that not mindblowing?

A non‐biblical approach to faith The foolish virgins had the intention to go out and meet the groom. They were however not constant in their conduct, as they were driven by impulse and not principle. Let me explain. We see that all around us – when tragedy hits our lives, we suddenly want No other human being can fill to grab unto God. Situations you with the oil of the Holy around us trigger the “intensity” Spirit – only Abba Father can. of our faith. This is not the biblical principle of faith. Faith means nothing if it is only used like a polish on the surface of our walk with Abba Father. My faith needs to rooted in my very being. We have to understand that a person only has as much faith as the faith that can be displayed in the hour of trial.

Don’t put it off As the hour glass is running out, let us repent and tear our hearts before the King. If there are things that you need to get rid of in your life, do it today! When our lamps are trimmed, will the wick still be in the oil, or will the oil be too shallow? We cannot be caught with mere head knowledge when the shofar sounds and our Groom returns. We need to be in a burning covenant relationship with the King of glory, surrendered to true obedience. When we truly repent, Abba Father renews us. Hell will be populated with people who claim to have had good intentions. My intentions cannot change the character of sin, neither can my intentions save me – only the blood of the Lamb can. Hallelujah! 

PROF GERRIE BESTER PhD CA(SA) leads Roaring Truth Ministries. Email info@roaringtruth.co.za. He is also the Dean of Emet Academy of Learning. Visit Emetgroup.co.za for more information.

R190 “Too many women have been broken down and hurt through a lack of knowledge by a broken world and by us men! There is so much more!”

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MISSIONS

Flagship Gospel Campaign Showers of Blessing Ibadan, Nigeria | 11 – 14 November 2021

Before the Campaign…

Christ for all Nations recently hosted a Flagship Gospel Campaign in Ibadan, Nigeria. Three weeks before the campaign started, the most recent group of CfaN Evangelism Bootcamp students arrived. Through over 1800 outreaches that they conducted before the main event (Gospel Truck outreaches, Kids’ Campaigns, and village outreaches), nearly a quarter of a million people were saved. And then came the Campaign itself, which was the first massive CfaN crusade since the pandemic started. Evangelist Daniel Kolenda shared these nightly reports with us:

Night One After almost two years since we were last in Nigeria, what a joy it was to be back! The hunger and faith of the Nigerians inspires me. When we drove on the field on the first night, we were taken aback. The field was absolutely massive, and so was the crowd. As I prayed for the sick, we saw many miracles: • • straight for the first time! He had no more pain, and his posture was perfect. • • totally healed and pain-free. We danced together on the platform! In all, more than 145 000 people (our count) attended the meeting on the first night. That is really outstanding, especially considering it was the opening service, and it was in the midst of a torrential downpour.

Night Two The word about what Jesus was doing had gone out across Ibadan, Nigeria. The whole town was buzzing. The crowd grew substantially on the second night, and there was a palpable sense of expectation and faith. As I preached the Gospel, you could hear a pin drop. The people were drinking in the Word of God. When I gave them an opportunity to respond, they broke the doors down, rushing into the Kingdom of God. What a joy to be a proclaimer of Good News in the season of harvest!

Night Three On the third night, the campaign ground was heaving with energy. Eddie James, the Nations Church Worship Director, and the Nations Worship Team led the massive crowd in a powerful time of Worship. I preached on the power of the Blood of Jesus. Then, receiving a list of well-known local curses, I called them out by name (in the local language), breaking their power in the Name of Jesus. We burnt witchcraft items (like idols, amulets, fetishes, sorcery stones, and other “juju”) in large metal drums (see Acts 19:19). After this, I prayed over the crowd to receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It was a mass Spirit baptism as many thousands were filled to overflowing. Finally, I prayed for the sick, and miracles happened. These are just a few of the wonderful testimonies that were shared: • • •

Night Four More than 1.2 million people attended the four days of meetings and, although the decisions cards are still being processed, I’m sure that registered decisions for Christ will tally in the hundreds of thousands. Many influential leaders in the Church and government of Nigeria attended the final meeting, including the Governor of Oyo State and his wife. The crowd was absolutely massive – something unheard of since the pandemic began. One final time, I preached the Gospel with all my heart, and multitudes found their way into the arms of Jesus. We prayed for the sick, and God moved mightily. One notable miracle happened to a military man who had been in a motorcycle accident thirty years ago. As a result, his skull had caved in (the scars of which are still clearly visible), and a metal rod had been put in his leg, making it difficult to walk. A few days before, he had fallen in a ditch and was badly injured. But Jesus supernaturally completely healed him at the campaign. He said he couldn’t feel the rod in his leg anymore. He was pain-free and had perfect use of his legs. He even started jumping up and down on the platform. This tough man wept for joy as he thanked God for his healing.

Fire Conference: the largest ever! CfaN history was made in Ibadan on Day Three. This was the grand finale of our Fire Conference. Fire Conferences are events for registered delegates only – primarily pastors, bishops, and church leadership. That morning over 150,000 delegates attended, making it the largest Fire Conference in history! Peter Vandenberg (CfaN Vice-President), John Darku (West Africa Campaign Director), Levi Lutz (CfaN Bootcamp Director), and Daniel Kolenda were the preachers, but the ministry team consisted of more than 100 CfaN Bootcamp students, graduates, and coaches. In the final session, they all went through the massive crowd, each one laying hands on hundreds or even thousands of delegates. It was epic and lifechanging – an impartation of Holy Spirit power for service to Jesus.

Contact info@cfan.org.za or scan this QR code JOY! MAGAZINE 51

RADIO MINISTRY

FEBA is well underway under competent leadership —by Gerda Potgieter

he ministry of Far East Broadcasting Association (FEBA) is after using other radio networks for more than 30 years to broadgrowing by leaps and bounds in Africa and new milestones cast spiritual and educational programmes. Previously, the team are being reached regularly. In Malawi, the new studio, also broadcast from a church in Blantyre. Donations were used to Litala FM, is well underway after broadcasts to local communities develop the new radio station, to purchase equipment, and to rewere introduced through internet broadcasting. There are now appoint staff that had to be retrenched as a result of the pandemic. six FEBA radio stations in Africa: Radio FOT; Hope Radio Chiuanjota and Radio Nuru in Mozambique; Radio Shahada in Chad; Great success and results with listener clubs KanuYah FM in Mali, and Litala FM in Malawi. The team is particularly successful with listener clubs set up in The filters for the new radio station are already on their way various districts in villages such as Balak, Mangochi, Machinga, from Italy and the station should be in full swing soon. Malawi has a Salima, and Zomba. Thousands of listener clubs have already potential target audience of between three and four million listeners. been established and progress was made, especially in March last Success has already been achieved year, with the establishment of an extra in Malawi with the conversion of Yao 150 active listener clubs. The production Muslims in the south-eastern parts of the team of the Way of Life programme visits Amid persecution, country. With the new local radio stations, the listener clubs regularly. Some of the FEBA radio supports even more people can be reached in the clubs led to the establishment of churchnew converts. remote areas; expectations are high! es in the villages of Salima and Balaka. In Blantyre, even Covid-19 did not stop the team’s work. Despite the panFEBA strengthens converts It is claimed that more than 80% of all religious persecution is demic, they continued to faithfully serve the Yao Muslims in suraimed at Christians, and Malawi is no exception. There are regular rounding villages. Thousands of Yao Muslims have already been reports of tensions between Muslims and Christians. Looters converted, thanks to FEBA Malawi, and it is expected that Litala damage church buildings and new believers are attacked. In the FM will continue to build on the good foundation already laid. midst of the persecution, the FEBA radio broadcasts play a very Although the team could not travel far due to the pandemic, they important role in supporting the new converts and strengthening still kept in touch with 210 Yao Muslims from the listeners’ club and introduced 130 of them to the Lord. their faith.

Their own broadcasting license after 30 years

A feather in the cap for the Malawi team

FEBA Malawi only received its own FM broadcasting license in 2020,

The exceptional growth of the listener clubs holds great potential

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febaradio.co.za

Buy a Degen DE13 solar wind-up radio for R750 and we’ll donate the second radio or the funds to one of our FEBC fields where people have little, or no exposure to Christ. for the spread of the Gospel, as it attracts other villagers. “I listen to FEBA’s broadcasts daily. Every programme gives me peace of mind,” a listener of Kachenga let us know. Another assures us, “Without a radio I would never have been part of a church.” It is gratifying to hear such testimonies, a feather in the cap of the Malawi team. The team’s successes testify to hard work, deep faith, and perseverance. The new radio station is an outstanding achievement, especially considering that the team often has to face a variety of challenges such as heavy rainfall, bridges collapsing due to the heavy rains, and also the bad roads, which made the transportation of the equipment difficult.

Competent management FEBA Malawi is under the able management of Rev. Amos Siyabu Phiri. He and his team are constantly looking for towns where listener clubs have not yet been established. They also visit established clubs to share the Word of God and distribute radios. Leaders of the clubs receive guidance on how to care for their members and how to disciple them.

Interesting history The sharing of the Gospel in Malawi has an interesting history. In the 1880’s, Robert Laws and a group of Scottish Presbyterian missionaries brought the Gospel to Bandawe on Lake Malawi. Because of their historical contact with the Arab slave traders the local Yao people had accepted Islam as a religion. Since FEBA began preaching the Gospel to them, thousands have repented and surrendered their lives to Christ. This victory is a direct result of FEBA’s radio ministries. 

One Radio Purchased = One Radio Donated

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Team up with FEBA If you feel led to join forces with FEBA, you are warmly invited to work with the organisation. Feel free to visit their website: febaradio.co.za, or call 012 335 5708.

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Visit your persecuted family with Open Doors You can be a tourist on a life-changing adventure by joining Open Doors on a trip to visit persecuted believers in 2022. Are you ready to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ? Now is your chance to be part of this unique opportunity.

onika, who recently went on a trip with Open Doors, shares her testimony: I’ve had the privilege to travel with Open Doors to visit my persecuted family several times in different world regions.

Why do I want to go? Travelling with Open Doors is a one-of-a-kind adventure; you truly are a tourist on a secret mission. We go as tourists and do the tourist things – take pictures, go shopping and experience the local culture and cuisine… but behind the “scenes” we have another mission – to meet with our family in faith, to eat, pray, cry, laugh and learn, attend church, and maybe even take some much-needed “Bread” with us. But then, if you allow the Holy Spirit, He will remove the scales from your eyes and you will see the truth of what is really happening in these countries.

See the truth with your own eyes In my most recent trip to, let’s just say “an Arabic country up in Africa”, I experienced something else. For the first time I had a glimpse of what it is like to be a follower of Jesus living with persecution. On the surface, it seems like there is real freedom of religion… there are church buildings, monasteries, and private Christians schools. But behind this facade, you hear about the struggle to get permits

for new church buildings and you see every church entrance fitted with a metal detector. So when someone with a backpack enters a church service you are attending, your heart skips a beat as you’re reminded of the recent bomb attacks on a church down the road. Or when driving on a secluded road to a secret gathering with our family and suddenly you’re surrounded by cars with men with AK47s (which turns out to just be military), you remember the bus carrying Christians that was hijacked and all the men executed because they refused to deny their Saviour. But the irrational fears and panic I experienced are the daily reality for our family around the world. And despite all of this, the persecuted Church is ALIVE as they keep their eyes fixed on Jesus…

Aren’t you afraid? As one traveller replied: “No, but I am afraid I will come back and forget… come back and become complacent.” This is what we should be afraid of. That we are so caught up in our small lives and everyday struggles of loadshedding, politics, and keeping up with the Joneses that we forget about that part of the Body that is laying it all down for the Cross.

The same faith, but much different lives I am convinced that the Cross they carry is much heavier than mine. So why do I go, you ask? Yes, for the adventures, but also to meet my family and once again let the scales be removed so I may come back changed and challenged in my own walk with Jesus.

So my question is: Why don’t you go? Base trips from South Africa in 2022: • •

•

International trips in 2022: • • •

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• •

For more information on the Open Doors Presence Ministry, visit opendoors.org.za or send an email to Sam at travel@opendoors.org.za

©PEXELS

Get ready for a life-changing adventure. Join us on a trip across borders to visit your persecuted family! Travel with Open Doors in 2022 to visit, encourage and pray with those persecuted for their faith in Jesus. Your presence will show them that they are loved and never alone!

Visit opendoors.org.za/travel to travel with us this year or to join one of our unique virtual trips.

Representative image used.

Dust off your passport as we get ready to take off again…

SERMON

Seeing Your FUTURE With FAITH, Not Fear

—by Rick Warren

s we start 2022, I’d like to share about God’s vision for your future. Let’s start with Paul giving his courtroom testimony to King Herod Agrippa, an official of the Roman Empire. Paul explains how Jesus transformed him from being a religious terrorist who was murdering Christians, to becoming a Christian missionary. That’s a pretty big U-turn. He details the vision for his life that Jesus gave him, then he concludes by saying, in Acts chapter 26:19, “So King Agrippa, I have not been disobedient to the vision God gave me.” I hope this teaching will help you get to the place that you’re able to say the same thing one day, when you stand before God to give an account of your life. Every Christian’s goal should be to say to God, “I fulfilled the vision that you gave me for my life.” But you can’t fulfil your life’s vision until you see it first, and then you understand it. Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Now what does that mean? Well, there are at least three results of not having a vision for your life:

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How badly do you want to see God’s glory in your life? You have to stop nursing your worries. You have to make some commitments in faith, you have to step out and move against your fears.

UNCLEAR VISION LEADS TO THREE THINGS:

Indecision

Double-minded people can’t make up their minds, they waver back and forth in everything they do. Without a vision for your future, you’re just drifting. You don’t have any goal, purpose, plan, or meaning. You just let life happen to you. When you don’t have a vision, you waste time and you miss opportunities. You don’t make the most of what you’ve been given – without a vision you’re a poor steward of life.

Division

Without a vision, it causes people to go in different directions, to be divided on things. If you aren’t sure where you’re headed, don’t expect anybody else to go with you, to agree with you, or to partner with you. Everybody’s just going to head off in a different direction, because no one has a clear path. Proverbs 28:2 says, “When a country is in chaos, everybody has a plan to fix it.” They’re all going in different ways, but it takes a leader of real understanding to straighten things out. Vision is the answer to division.

Collision

Without a clear direction for your life, it is inevitable that at some point you’re going to crash into some kind of a dead end. I’ve met a lot of people for whom life’s just a series of collisions: relational collisions, confrontations, financial crashes, and personal crises just one after another. They go from one dead end relationship to the next, or from one dead end job to the next. The Bible warns us of the damage of not following God’s vision for our lives. “Some people have refused to let their faith guide their conscience and their faith has been destroyed like a wrecked ship.” – 1 Timothy 1:19

What does having a vision require? Having a vision for your future requires hard work. That’s why a lot of people don’t have one. It requires faith, thinking, prayer, and seeking God. If you just make up a vision for your life, that’s no better than coasting. What you want is God’s vision for your life and that is the result of seeing things clearly – seeing with eyes of faith rather than eyes of fear.

Spiritual blindness In the Bible Jesus has a lot to say about your vision; about how you see things and about blindness. In fact, in the Bible blindness is always a metaphor for having a closed mind. When He talks about people who are blind, He’s talking about their minds that are closed. They’re not open to what God wants to say. Jesus said this, “Your eyes are the lamp of your body and if your eyes are open and good your whole body will be full of light, but if your vision is bad, your whole life will be full of darkness, and if the light that you think you have, is really darkness, it is the worst kind of darkness you can have.” – Matthew 6:22, 23. Jesus is saying that if you don’t really see things clearly, correctly, and truthfully, you may think you’re living in the light, but you’re not. You’re really living in the darkness and you’re missing all the wonderful things that God has in store for you, for your future, because you just can’t see it.

Visualise it We’ve all heard the expression: “What you see, is what you get.” In many ways that’s actually a biblical statement.

THE FIVE TRAPS OF LOOKING AT THE FUTURE WITH FEAR: Here’s what happens when you look at the new year or you look at the future with fear instead of faith.

You over-emphasise the negative

When you over-emphasise the negative, it creates a lot more stress in your life. When you’re looking at everything with fear, you worry that the glass is always half empty instead of being happy and grateful the glass is still half full. Of course life is filled with negatives; everything is broken by sin on this earth. Not all news is positive, but you do have a choice in what you’re going to focus on, what you’re going to emphasise, and that is going to directly affect your happiness.

You pay too much attention to others

The second trap is that you pay too much attention to what other people are doing. If you look at the new year with eyes of fear, you are going to develop a scarcity mentality which is going to create stress in your life. You are going to say, “All the good experiences are gone, all the good jobs are already taken, all the good houses are already bought.” » JOY! MAGAZINE 57

SERMON

Seeing Your

FUTURE With

FAITH, Not Fear

You underestimate the abilities God has given you

The third trap when we look at the future with fear instead of faith is that we underestimate the abilities that God has given us. Seeing life with eyes of fear causes you to bury your talents. Did you know the people who always say “I can’t” and the people who always say “I can” are both right? Because fear creates selffulfilling prophecies. If you’ve got a vision based on fear rather than faith; it’s going to limit you for your entire life. You’re going to miss opportunities, you’re going to waste talent that God has put inside you, and you’re going to set yourself up with self-fulfilling and self-defeating predictions. Let me ask you a very personal question: what are you setting yourself up for in this new year? How are you seeing yourself? Are you looking at your own abilities as, “I’m inadequate, I’m incapable”? That’s one of the problems of a fear-based vision: you project your fears on everybody else. It you think you look a certain way, you think everybody else thinks you look that way. That’s a problem. It’s a trap!

You make yourself miserable

A fifth trap if you don’t have eyes of faith is that you make yourself miserable, when you look at your life and the future with eyes of fear.

THE FOUR WARNING LIGHTS: When these four things show up in your life, you know you are not looking at the future with faith; you are looking at the future with fear: 1. Your sadness increases 2. Your complaining increases 3. You start second-guessing your leaders 4. You want to go backwards

What is the antidote?

You need to develop a life vision of faith. You need to see with eyes of faith, not You infect others with One plus God is a eyes of fear. Stop defeating yourself with your negativity majority. If God is for us, the paralysis of analysis. Do it now. You The fourth trap of vision with fear inwho can be against us? defeat fear not by arguing against your stead of faith is that you infect others fears, you defeat fear with movement, not with your negativity. Did you know that by discussing it, not by focusing on it, but fear is contagious? Did you know parents can pass on fear to kids and it can actually be passed from by doing, opposing it doing the thing you fear the most. One plus generation to generation? This is what happens when you be- God is a majority. If God is for us, who can be against us? come afraid. You start talking negative, you start complaining. This is why the Bible tells you to not hang out with negative Unbelief robs us people. Isaiah chapter 8:12, “Don’t say that everything people Hebrews 3:19 says, “So we see, that they the people who were the call a conspiracy is a conspiracy and don’t fear what they fear. slaves that had been freed they were not able to enter the Promised Don’t let it terrify you.” That’s what God wants you to do. Don’t Land because of their unbelief.” That’s one of the saddest verses in think every conspiracy is a conspiracy, don’t fear what they the Bible, and it makes me wonder when I read it, what blessing fear, don’t let it terrify you. of God am I missing out on because of my unbelief? To me,

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WE CARE

Scan this QR Code to watch Rick Warren’s full sermon on seeing your future with Faith and not Fear.

Having a vision for your future requires hard work. That’s why a lot of people don’t have one. It requires faith, thinking, prayer, and seeking God.

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hell would be if God were to show me what He could have done in my life if I had believed Him just a little bit more. I want to ask you this question: What blessing of God are you missing right now simply because you don’t believe?

Get God’s vision for your life The starting point for getting God’s vision for your life is to first put your trust in Jesus Christ, if you haven’t done that. You need to ask Him to put His Spirit into your life. It’s the only way you’ll ever be able to see with eyes of faith and it’s the only way you’ll ever be able to get God’s vision. John 3:3, “Jesus said this, ‘Unless you were born again, you cannot see the kingdom of God.’” You can’t see God’s vision unless you’re born again. When you’re spiritually reborn you get a new set of eyes, you can see things you didn’t see before, you can hear things you couldn’t hear before, you sense things you didn’t sense before. Unless you’re born again you can never see all that God has in store for your life. So here’s the first step. Stop listening to your feelings and stop looking in fear, and start living in faith. Believe that God is going to help you in this new year. Believe God will help you and you will see God help you. How badly do you want to see God’s glory in your life? You have to stop nursing your worries. You have to make some commitments in faith, you have to step out and move against your The starting point for getting fears. Stop listening to the negative God’s vision for your life is to reports, go over these five things put your trust in Jesus. we just talked about and say, “God I don’t want that in my life. “

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PRAYER Pray this prayer: “Father, today I want to switch from eyes of fear to eyes of faith and I don’t want to fall for any of these traps that we have just looked at. I want to trust You and expect great things from You and attempt great things for You. I want to be a man of vision, I want to be a woman of vision, and I ask you to give me Your vision in Jesus’ Name, Amen.”  RICK WARREN – Pastor and the author of A Purpose Driven Life. Visit www.pastorrick.com for more sermons and content.

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FEATURE

FAKE NEWS, FAKE GOSPELS! Knowing the true story in an age of misinformation —by Sara Kyoungah White

few years ago, Jacob Cherian, dean of faculty at the A disturbing analysis of 4.5 million tweets shows that falsehoods Centre of Global Leadership Development in Bangalore, are 70 percent more likely to get shared. This shows it’s not only India, received a cash gift of several thousand rupees. He an inability to decipher what is true that makes fake news so gave three of those notes to a friend to use at a hospital, only to prolific—we also find it alluring, sensational. discover that the notes were fake. ‘I decided then to learn the key characteristics of a real Christians are not immune thousand rupee note,’ says Cherian. Soon he knew how to judge Despite being the bearers of good news, Christians are not a real note from a counterfeit one, despite how much they immune to fake news. Our propensity for fake news reflects our resembled each other. Cherian sees this as propensity for fake forms of the gospel. A an analogy for being able to distinguish 2020 survey by Ligonier Ministries showed fake news from real news, and the true that a significant number of evangelicals Our propensity for fake Gospel story from the many fake gospels have a profound misunderstanding about news reflects our propensity rampant today. God. “Overall, adults appear to have a for fake forms of the Gospel. superficial attachment to well-known Christian beliefs,” stated the ministry. “For The sloganised gospel example, a majority agreed that Jesus The Oxford Dictionary defines ‘fake news’ as “news that conveys or incorporates false, fabricated, or de- died on the Cross for sin and that He rose from the dead. However, liberately misleading information, or that is characterised as or they rejected the Bible’s teaching on (1) the gravity of man’s sin, accused of doing so”. Fake news is widespread and powerful in a (2) the importance of the church’s gathering together for worship, global culture where people and (3) the Holy Spirit.” have 24/7 access to television, radio, news websites, How do you distinguish the truth? podcasts, messaging apps, How then does one distinguish what is fake from what is true, Facebook, and Twitter, all especially when it comes to Christianity—like Cherian’s rupee channels through which notes? And how can we return to the true Gospel in a world fake news proliferates. saturated with false gospels? These were the key questions posed in October 2021, when over 120 participants from around the world joined virtually for ‘The Good News in a World of Fake News: Knowing the Story’. The panel included Jacob Cherian as well as Ligon Duncan (chancellor and CEO

e h t f o y The jo y m s i d Lor h strengt

60 JOY! MAGAZINE

Too blessed to be stressed

A disturbing analysis of 4.5 million tweets shows that falsehoods are 70 percent more likely to get shared. This shows it’s not only an inability to decipher what is true that a es fa e ne s so ro i c e a so nd it a urin sensationa

We are saved

race not by works

“The Gospel has been reduced to a number of slogans—Jesus died for my sins, we are saved by grace not by works, I accept Jesus as my personal Saviour. While all these slogans capture important truths, they are inadequate,” says Chan. “Sloganising gives people the vague sense that they know the truth, but they miss the full ramifications of it, because they fail to see the Gospel as a coherent story. They get, ‘Casual Christians’ as it were, snippets of the Gospel through The Barna Group has found that 66% “The Gospel has been these clichés.” of self-professing Christians are ‘Casual reduced to important yet Cherian agreed, adding, “Just a few Christians’, a term George Barna himself inadequate slogans.” disjointed verses are not going to help defines as “[feeling] religious without you understand the genuine Gospel, the having to prioritise their faith … A culmination of a wonderful long story, of Casual Christian can be all the things that they esteem: a nice human being, a family person, religious, God’s plan to bring God’s redempan exemplary citizen, a reliable employee—and never have to tion to the world. Any gospel that publicly defend or represent difficult moral or social positions or doesn’t connect to God’s story is even lose much sleep over their private choices as long as they problematic. Just like I had to learn what a real thousand-rupee note mean well and generally do their best.” This convenient and comfortable approach to Christianity is, we need to know our four gosgoes in stark contrast to how the Bible depicts what it means to pels really well. Then we will be saved from a lot of the distorbe a follower of Christ. tions that are prevalent.” of Reformed Theological Seminary, US) and Simon Chan (editor of Asia Journal of Theology, Singapore), and was moderated by Conrad Mbewe, pastor of Kabwata Baptist Church in Zambia. These leaders in Asia, Africa, and North America agreed that nominalism is plaguing the global church. “A lot of people who identify as Bible-believing Christians in America actually don’t understand the Gospel,” says Duncan. The same is true all over the world.

The dangers of sloganising

Jesus died for my sins

Simon Chan attributes part of the nominalism problem to ‘sloganising’.

The long-term memory of Christian identity According to Ligon Duncan, there are two ways false »

I can do all thi ngs throu gh Christ

JOY! MAGAZINE 61

FEATURE

FAKE NEWS, FAKE GOSPELS! Knowing the true story in an age of misinformation these false gospels is one thing, but it doesn’t explain why many Christians continue to go after false prophets, despite repeated One is to see Jesus as a means to something else that’s greater experiences of failed prophecies.” He says so many modern evangelicals lack long-term memory, than or more than, or in addition to Jesus. “Any kind of theology of‘plus’—Jesus plus something else, and the something else is what which comes from having a clear Christian identity shaped by you’re really after—can actually end up clouding the Gospel,” says the Gospel. This Christian identity is not just individualistic, but Duncan. “Because there’s nothing better than Jesus. Communion shaped primarily through community—the Church. “Within the context of our life in this community is where we with Christ is what we all want more than anything else.” discover our basic Christian identity, our sense of who we are as The other way false gospels can come about, says Duncan, is part of a larger body, enabling us to know who we really are. I that we find ways to say that what we do is the Gospel. “The think one of the problems of many modern Christians, at least in Gospel is an announcement, a message. It’s not something we do our context, especially among evangelicals, is that we have a very or be,” he explains. “If there’s anything clear in the Gospel, it’s that weak ecclesiology. This results in the formation of a very weak we are not the Gospel and we do not do the Gospel. God does the Christian identity.” “When we don’t remember that we are the people of God Gospel, and we get to announce that to other people.” in a community shaped by the Gospel, we cannot draw on the resources of our The Gospel in Singapore collective memory to assess our present Being in Singapore, which epitomises Despite being the bearers challenges. That’s why we are easily globalisation, Chan says the same of good news, Christians are drawn by fads, by what is current, and false gospels that are at work in many not immune to fake news. we become easy victims of all of these other countries are at work in his city. fashionable gospels.” False gospels, which began in other countries, quickly make their way to the megachurches of Singapore, where the main consideration for a Getting back to the truth speaker is his or her ability to draw the crowds—“big bucks, big Cherian says what will bring us back to the Gospel are the crowds”. Gospels themselves—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—as well “Singapore is not as the letters of Paul. “Our people need to hear the Gospel from only a major hub of the Gospels, and they need to walk along with the apostle Paul,” commerce and com- says Cherian. “If we can read those carefully, we will slowly begin munication, but a to recapture the reality of the Gospel, what the Gospel of the major consumer of kingdom is.”  religious fads,” says Chan. “Attraction to SARA KYOUNGAH WHITE – Communications Editor for the Lausanne gospels get promulgated today:

I can do all things through Christ

Movement. She currently lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

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FEATURE Mark Zuckerberg

CENSORSHIP

Are Internet Speech Regulations Coming?

acebook, Twitter, and other big tech companies actually want standardised internet speech regulations. In fact, Facebook has been spending millions of dollars on ads that openly call for more government regulation of speech on the internet. At first glance, it may seem odd that Facebook wants more government regulation of the tech industry, but it actually makes perfect sense. If the government is the one making the rules, Facebook and the other big tech companies can legally censor you into oblivion without ever having to worry about any legal consequences. And then because all other social media platforms in exFacebook, Twitter, istence will have to follow the and other big tech exact same rules, there will companies actually be nowhere else for you to turn. There won’t be any “free want standardised speech alternatives” to Faceinternet speech book and Twitter, because regulations. all of those “alternatives” will be forced to apply the same speech standards that Facebook and Twitter are applying.

Extreme censorship Right now, Facebook and Twitter are losing millions of users to other platforms, and they want this to stop. And so they are going to continue to push for international internet speech regulations 64 JOY! MAGAZINE

—by Michael Snyder that apply equally to everyone. In the end, Facebook basically envisions that everyone else in the industry will be forced to engage in the sort of extreme censorship that Facebook is already engaged in. The following are three quotes that come directly from Facebook:

“TODAY, WE WORK WITH MORE THAN 80 PARTNERS COVERING OVER 60 LANGUAGES AROUND THE WORLD TO REVIEW POTENTIALLY FALSE CONTENT.” “WE INCLUDE WARNINGS ON POSTS THAT ARE RATED FALSE SO THAT YOU CAN DECIDE WHAT TO READ OR SHARE.” “WHEN THIRD-PARTY FACT-CHECKERS LABEL CONTENT FALSE, WE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE ITS DISTRIBUTION SO FEWER PEOPLE SEE IT ” A hidden agenda That sounds so noble, doesn’t it? all of the “third-party fact-check agenda, and all of them see th same way that Facebook sees the If you are an independent th a matter of time before you are by the censor hammer. The cens

gotten stricter and stricter with each passing year, and the number of people that Facebook has working in this realm has “quadrupled”.

Facebook is calling for government intervention “Facebook is not waiting for regulation. We’re continuing to make progress on key issues. We’ve quadrupled our security and safety teams to 40 000 people and built new privacy tools. We’re also working with tech peers to make it easier for people to move their data between platforms securely. “While we at Facebook are working to make progress, we know that we can’t – and shouldn’t – do it alone. That’s why we support regulations to set clear and fair rules for everyone, and support a safe and secure open internet where creativity and competition can thrive.”

What is hate speech? They claim that they are relentlessly working to weed out “hate speech”, but their definition of “hate speech” is essentially any opinion that they disagree with. They also claim that they are fighting “health misinformation” head on, but their definition of “health misinformation” is essentially anything that contradicts the narratives that are being pushed by the big pharmaceutical companies.

Democratic senator Ben Ray Luján

Democratic senator Amy Klobuchar

The US Health Misinformation Act Anything having to do with COVID, vaccines, or COVID treatments has become such a sensitive area. The big tech companies have been extremely diligent to censor users when it comes to these topics, but that still isn’t good enough for some. A few months ago, two Democrats in the US Senate introduced a bill called “the Health Misinformation Act”. The nicest thing you can say about the Health Misinformation Act, proposed in July 2021 by Democratic senators Amy Klobuchar and Ben Ray Luján, is that it means well. The internet has been a key accelerant of widespread myths, misunderstandings, and lies related to Covid-19. Klobuchar and Luján’s If you are an bill would force online companies like Facebook independent thinker, to crack down on false information during public it is just a matter of health emergencies, or lose immunity from lawsuits time before you are if they don’t. Jack Dorsey, Twitter CEO

Big tech companies such as Facebook and Twitter have decided that they want to use their power to shape what you think, what you believe, and how you view the world.

Happening all over the world

hit really hard by the censor hammer.

Meanwhile, over in the EU there are plans to start systematically monitoring text messaging and video chat platforms for “suspicious content”. A German member of the European Parliament is warning against EU plans to adopt new, wide-ranging mass surveillance rules that he says would seriously jeopardise citizens’ right to privacy by forcing tech companies to give access to encrypted messages to the authorities. And that is what the laws now in the works in Brussels – that are supposed to replace temporary rules adopted in July 2021 – are designed to do, by ordering messaging and video chat providers like WhatsApp and Skype to put tech in place that would provide access to people’s private communications and, thanks to an automated system, monitor chats in real time and report suspicious content. Of course anything that deviates from the official narratives about the pandemic would be considered to be “suspicious content”. » JOY! MAGAZINE 65

CENSORSHIP

Are Internet Speech Regulations Coming?

Large corporations control us So what should be done to those who are “guilty” of spreading “health misinformation”? Well, the CEO of Pfizer says that they should be treated like “criminals”... People who spread misinformation on Covid-19 vaccines are “criminals” and have cost “millions of lives,” Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla announced. In a lot of ways, large corporations now have more power over our lives than national governments do, and many of the largest corporations are becoming increasingly authoritarian.

Shaping the world Big tech companies such as Facebook and Twitter have deAlbert Bourla, Pfizer CEO cided that they want to use their power to shape what you think, what you believe, and how you view the world. YouTube even announced that it would begin hiding ‘dislikes’ on certain videos to avoid harassment. How viewer feedback in the form of a thumbs down icon represents “harassment” is anyone’s guess, but the immediate response to the announcement from many was that the Google-owned company was merely moving to protect the Biden White House from ridicule. Biden speeches and White House press briefIn a lot of ways, ings receive massive large corporations dislike ratios on YouTube, now have more sometimes at a rate of power over our ten to one. Do we really lives than national need YouTube to protect the US government from governments do. negative ratings – which would be in line with recent polls that indicate support for Biden has plummeted across all demographics?

Christianity is being censored Personally, I will never submit to such manipulation, and I will continue to do all that I can to share the truth with a lost and dying world. Many of you feel the exact same way. Unfortunately, we are in the minority, and the big tech companies are entirely convinced that the world will be a much better place if they can permanently relegate people like us to the outer fringes of the internet.  MICHAEL SNYDER – Writer, speaker, and activist. Visit his blog, theeconomiccollapseblog.com

HAVE YOUR SAY

What are your thoughts on digital censorship? Email info@joymag.co.za

CENSORSHIP IN SOUTH AFRICA With over-reaching governments across the world, how does South Africa fare with regards to internet speech regulations? With a long-awaited data protection act entering into force and a new law on cybercrimes, the South African government has increased its regulation of digital spaces in the last year. While online content manipulation declined in the aftermath of the May 2019 election, self-censorship and online harassment remain prevalent. Though concerns persist about South Africa’s surveillance capabilities, in 2021 there were no reported instances of blocking or filtering and no restrictions on the use of social media for online mobilisation. Although South Africa has cultivated a reputation as a proponent of human rights and a leader on the African continent, in recent years, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) has been accused of undermining state institutions in order to protect corrupt officials and preserve its power as its support base began to wane. There is no evidence that the government exercises control over internet infrastructure for censorship or to restrict connectivity. The government does not have direct control over the country’s internet backbone or its connection to the international internet, and there have been no intentional disruptions to connectivity. Google reported that it received three requests for the removal of content from the South African government in 2020, one relating to bullying or harassment and two relating to defamation. Google removed one piece of content pursuant to one defamation request; the other two requests did not result in removals.

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THEOLOGY

THE TASK OF

BIBLICAL EDUCATION —by Dr Japie Malan

outh Africa has many theological education institutions. But many lecturers in these institutions do not affirm God’s Word as true and the final authority. Most view the Bible as a book that contains words about God, not as God’s authoritative words to us today.

by commanding and teaching the apostolic instructions, not “old wives’ tales” and sentimental pleadings.

Be a model of spiritual virtue (v12)

Paul desired that people in Ephesus develop godliness by modelling Timothy. Estimates place Timothy between 30 and 35 years of age. This youthfulness could have provided an excuse for some to look What must be done about this problem? We should return to God’s Word for direction and instruction down on Timothy and his instruction (Tit 2:15). The antidote given about theological education. In 1 Timothy 4:11-16, the Apostle is to overcome the tendency of others who look down on youth by Paul gives wise advice: “Command and teach these things. Let no showing maturity in life and conduct. This must be evident in: one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in • Speech and conduct (outwardly visible traits). Speech includes all verbal expression; conduct describes general behaviour. The speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote ways of speaking to avoid include falseyourself to the public reading of Scripture, hood, anger, bitterness, slander, malice, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect abusive speech, and filthy talk. While the gift you have, which was given you by We should return to those to pursue include truth, edification, prophecy when the council of elders laid God’s Word for direction admonition, tenderness, forgiveness, and their hands on you. Practice these things, and instruction. thanks, especially to God in Christ. immerse yourself in them, so that all may • Love, faith, and purity (inner traits). see your progress. Keep a close watch on Paul desired a love that demonstrates yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, itself for both God and others (Col 3:14; Eph 5:2). In most of Paul’s for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” letters, love is said to be a decisive quality of a Christian’s life. The word faith represents an attitude of faithfulness rather than right Paul’s encouragement (v11) Timothy began well in obeying God’s commands, but Paul belief. The call for purity demands both sexual purity and integrity wanted him to continue to provide an example for the believers of heart. Theological institutions must model spiritual virtue to in Ephesus. Theological institutions must remember that the the students through life and teachings. secret is to start well and, more importantly, to end well. Paul used the terms command, give orders, instruct, and direct In-depth Biblical ministry (v13) to show the authoritative spread of the message. Timothy was to Timothy was to apply himself to reading, preaching, and teachcompel his words onto the listeners to make obedience easy. In ing. These instructions present a positive method of opposing the same way, theological institutions must continually engage false teaching. • Reading refers to the public reading of scripture. This was the Old Testament but may have included the growing collection of New Testament writings (2 Pet 3:16). Such a practice was essential to promote knowledge of the divine message. • Preaching includes moral instruction that appeals to the will (e.g. Acts 13:15). Teaching appeals to the intellect and informs listeners about the truths of the Christian faith. The content of both is that Jesus is the promised Messiah of the Old Testament and those who believe in Him receive forgiveness of sins. It calls people to apply the Word of God to their lives. This is the core business of any theological institution, to read, teach and preach the Word of God and not own ideas.

Fulfil your calling (v14) Timothy must not neglect the spiritual 68 JOY! MAGAZINE

gift he had received (4:14) that equipped him for ministry, likely representing an ability for teaching and preaching together with a capability to understand the Gospel and discern error. Paul’s statements in 2 Timothy 1:6-7 and 14 show that the Holy Spirit, not only a group of elders, was the source of Timothy’s gift. The confirmation Timothy received through the “laying on hands” allowed him the freedom to minister with greater effectiveness among the Ephesians. Theological intuitions must train Christians with a calling to be able to fulfil their calling in the church.

Be totally absorbed in your work (vv15-16) Paul encouraged Timothy to consistent spiritual growth. A pastor must think through his ministry – planning and strategising. Timothy was to immerse himself in both the teaching and the performing of the demands. True progress was seen by the growth in the teachings of godliness that agree with the Gospel. Paul commanded Timothy to “watch [his] … life and doctrine closely” – 4:16. Timothy was to examine both his behaviour and his theology. Moral and doctrinal correctness are inseparable twins of the Christian life. Holy living and sound teaching are the inevitable fruits of saving faith.

Holy living and sound doctrine Theological institutions must uphold holy living and sound doctrine. The preacher’s model of devotion builds the same characteristic in his flock. The slips and errors of a drifting spiritual leader will poison a congregation with a range of spiritual diseases. Theological institutions must also be relentless and enduring teachers. John Flavel, a Puritan minister (c.1627– 1691), wrote, “It is not with us, as with other labourers: They find their work as they leave it, so do not we”. Picture the cabinet maker who leaves his unfinished work and comes back to it as it was the next morning. Flavel continues, “Sin and satan unravel almost all we do, the impressions we make on our people’s souls in one sermon, vanish before the next”. We fight against the unravelling process all the time. So, we must repeat the truths and live the truth because people forget. Scripture is doing the same. It’s repeated over and over in different contexts and through different narratives the truths of God. Theological training must do the same. 

DR JAPIE MALAN – Dean of Academics at Mukhanyo Theological College. He has served as a leader in several churches and community development ministers for more than 36 years.

FEATURE

Demi-Leigh & Tim Tebow A mission to bring faith, hope, and love in South Africa —by Gillian Fraser

e all know and love Demi-Leigh and Tim Tebow, the Christian power couple who are using their influence to transform the world for Christ’s glory, but now this pair are breaking ground in South Africa with a mission to bring faith, hope, and love to children in need.

Who is Demi-Leigh? Many South Africans adore Demi-Leigh, a South African model and beauty queen who was crowned Miss Universe 2017. Her true beauty, however, lies not in her physical appearance, but in her heart for God. Demi is an outspoken Christian, and uses her platform and influence to honour God and to share His Word with her followers. Born and bred in Sedgefield, Western Cape, Demi now lives in Florida with Tim.

Who is Tim Tebow? For those readers who do not yet know Tim, he is an American athlete (baseball and football) who is unashamedly bold about his faith, both on and off the field. He is known for praying on the field, donning scripture across his face during the Super Bowl, and taking a stand for those in life who do not have a voice, such as victims of human trafficking, slavery, the disabled, and abandoned children. His life is one of significance.

John Hafner Photography - Grit Media

Tim and Demi-Leigh are two celebrities who are rooted in something much deeper than fame or fortune – their unwavering faith in Christ. Doctors encouraged Tim’s mom to abort him Tim has an incredible testimony. He is the son of a missionary couple and grew up in the Philippines, where he has been on several mission outreaches and supported children’s hospitals. When his mom was pregnant with him, she fell ill and had constant cramps and bleeding. At the March For Life campaign against abortion, Tebow’s mom shared her experience. “The best doctor in town did some tests. She determined that Timmy was a ‘mass of foetal tissue – a tumour,’ and I needed to abort immediately or I would die,” she related. Tim goes on to share, “There was a lot of craziness with my mom’s pregnancy. She decided to trust God and not what the doctors were saying … And then I was born and it was a miracle—the placenta wasn’t attached the entire pregnancy … I was malnourished, but I made up for it pretty quickly.”

The birth of a charity

It’s inspiring to see two Throughout his childhood, Tim visited children’s hospitals in the poorest towns and spent much time with young people who love the underprivileged. This inspired him to start his God and are making a very own charity, the Tim Tebow Foundation, which aids children with disabilities around the world. di erence in a the do He hosts fundraiser dinners each year that honour the children, which is coincidentally how him and Demi came to know each other. DemiLeigh had a younger sister who was born with a disability, and Tim’s foundation works very closely with kids with disabilities. They have an event each year called ‘Night to Shine,’ where Demi-Leigh and her family were invited to attend. After the couple met, they fell in love and shortly after got married on the 20th January 2020 at the La Paris Wine Estate in the Cape Winelands. This month they are celebrating two happy years of marriage.

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Using their influence for Christ Apart from being the world’s best looking couple, Tim and Demi-Leigh are two celebrities who are rooted in something much deeper than fame or fortune – their unwavering faith in Christ. Demi-Leigh’s Instagram, which has a following of over 1.6 million followers, is a platform that she uses to share the message of Christ. While other models share about their manicures and makeovers, Demi prefers to share about her faith in Christ, and how satisfying it is to turn from our limitations and trust in a God who has none. Together, Demi and Tim make an absolute power couple and perfect match. What they are achieving together in Jesus’ Name is phenomenal.

God bless this couple It’s inspiring to see two young people who love God and are making a difference in all they do. May God bless their relationship and use them mightily for His Kingdom. Please cover this power-couple in your prayers, as they are set to achieve great things for the Kingdom! »

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FEATURE

Demi-Leigh & Tim Tebow A mission to bring faith, hope, and love in South Africa Tim’s Birthday Fundraiser : For Tim’s 34th Birthday in August last year, he decided to use his influence to raise funds for an extremely noble cause, a safe house for children in South Africa. This fundraiser, titled Darkness to Light, was based on John 1:15, which says:

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Tim shared, “Will you join me in running into the darkness to fight for the trafficked, the abandoned, the disabled, and the forgotten? Your support can change lives that need us now.”

Movements don’t just happen through the actions of one person. Movements happen when an army of people, an army of believers, speak up with one voice and say, “No longer on our watch will we stand by and let the darkness win. No longer will we let trafficking win. No longer will we let image-bearers of God be neglected, abandoned, or forgotten.” The Tim Tebow Foundation exists to bring Faith, Hope and Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. Through this campaign, and the donations of thousands of generous believers, the Tim Tebow Foundation managed to raise the necessary funds to start this Safe House in Johannesburg. The project is well under way, and we are very excited to share updates over the next few issues of JOY!

Demi-Leigh shared: It is estimated that 3-4 babies are abandoned daily in the greater Johannesburg area. Upon learning this staggering statistic, the Tim Tebow Foundation was convicted to confront the issue and help to create a life-saving alternative to aid this massive crisis of baby abandonment in South Africa. On mission to bring faith, hope, and love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need, the Tim Tebow Foundation joined Impact Africa to assist rescue operations to get to more babies and provide education and prevention to help desperate mothers in this difficult time. Most recently, through my husband’s birthday fundraiser campaign, Tim Tebow Foundation began building a baby home situated in the North West suburbs of Johannesburg. My trip to South Africa was extra special because I got to visit with our partners and the nearly finished baby home, and I even got a few snuggles. 72 JOY! MAGAZINE

Tim shared about this project: “While Demi’s been in South Africa, she had the chance to stop by a pretty special place— Our home for abandoned babies that’s almost finished! So grateful for everyone who supported my birthday campaign to help build a home for these amazing children. ”

For Tim’s Birthday, he decided to use his inﬂuence to raise funds for an extremely noble cause, a safe house for children in South Africa.

Some Insta snaps from Demi’s latest trip out to South Africa:

demitebow Daar’s niks soos n Afrika sonsak Om jou hart vol te pak En n bietjie bos vir sielskos Dis lekker by die huis

demitebow Good morning from my favorite city in the world. Cape Town, you are so special! #TheTableBay #capetown #southafrica

demitebow High tea with mama bear last week. Thank you for spoiling us @tablebayhotelsa

All photos taken from Tim & Demi-Leigh’s official Instagram accounts. Follow them for more photos and updates: @timtebow, @demitebow

FEATURE

Be Peacemakers in the New Year

ow have you started your New Year? Sadly, for many people the only thing new is the date. They carry old ways of thinking and behaving from one year into the next. But the Bible repeatedly speaks of newness. I believe it is time to embrace this newness and break free of old destructive patterns and habits – not only in our personal lives, but as a nation.

Created anew

—by Afrika Mhlophe Many Christians reject their place Sadly, many Christians reject their place in God and choose to uphold socially-constructed positions and identities. And should they happen to invoke God’s Name, it is to try to hijack or conscript Him into taking up their particular ethnic cause.

We cannot be divided

Mozambique’s former president, Samora Machel, exposed the In 2 Corinthians 5:17 Paul says anyone who is in Christ has been folly of this kind of thinking when he said, “For a nation to live, the created anew. This verse begins with “therefore” – a word that tribe must die.” Obviously, he did not mean tribes should be killed occurs more than 500 times in the New Testament. It generally or injustice visited upon people based on their ethnicity should be ignored. Rather, he was emphasising marks the transition from a statement of the impossibility of building a successful fact to its result or consequence. Paul is and cohesive nation on the very thing pointing us to the massive change set in We cannot call ourselves that divides it – racial division. motion when we submit our lives to Jesus. Christians and remain This includes the change in our attitudes stuck in old worldly ways. to each another. Embrace transformation South Africa has many problems, none so large as ethnic rivalry. Many of our Agents of reconciliation When we are in Christ, says Paul, “we refuse to evaluate people politicians try to use it to gain political mileage. But we cannot merely by their outward appearances” – 2 Corinthians 5:16, TPT. He call ourselves Christians and remain stuck in old worldly ways of goes on to say God has committed those in Christ to two things: thinking and behaving. Jesus calls us to mirror His embrace of the ministry of reconciliation and the message of reconciliation humanity. If we do not, if we try to put new wine into old wineskins (2 Cor 5:18-19). This means God expects His children to act and “both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined.” – Mark 2:22 speak in a way that is reconciliatory. It is my prayer that in this New Year we will embrace the fullness of our new life in Don’t simply keep the peace Jesus highlighted this in Matthew 5:9 saying, “Blessed are the Christ, that we will walk out our calling to peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Take note, be peacemakers.  Jesus said ‘peacemakers’, not ‘peacekeepers’. In other words, God blesses those who diffuse conflict and release an atmosphere of AFRIKA MHLOPHE pastors Good News Community peace. The Message translation illustrates this succinctly, “You’re Church in Port Elizabeth and has been instrumental in church planting. His ministry regularly takes him to blessed when you can show people how to co-operate instead of Estonia, Sweden and Nigeria. Mhlophe is passionate compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and about cross-cultural transformation and uniting all South Africans as children of God. your place in God’s family.” 74 JOY! MAGAZINE

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Recovery from CANCER! ‘My new beginning’ —by Nela Roos

y battle with cancer started in 2009 – it is a story filled with supernatural interventions by my heavenly Father. I invite you to take a little walk through my testimony with me.

Making my wishes known

cancer, he immediately mentioned that the policy he had sold to us included special cover in case I got cancer. Nearly six weeks later, the policy paid out exactly the amount Lou said we would need for Bible school! Shortly thereafter, we went to the Bible School with all our expenses covered.

Many years before I met my husband, Lou, he attended a Bible school here in South Africa and later spent another two years at ‘Come in for further blood tests’ one in Hawaii. One evening I shared my desire with him to attend a Let’s fast forward to 2020. My mother insisted that I must make an short discipleship course at the same Bible school. At the time we appointment for her for a mammogram. In the end, I arranged it were involved in more than one business for both of us. Lou and I were at a restauand Lou calculated what we would need rant when my phone rang. It was to inform to fulfil our obligations and be able to pay me that I had breast cancer and that I had I know miracles still happen our staff to do so. The amount was quite to immediately come in for further blood and they do not always come large and my response was: “Really? That tests. We finished our fish and chips in in the format we expect. much? I will talk to Abba Father about it. ” stunned silence.

Acceptance for the ‘new Nela’ weight and it was a control my weight. I had to seek mediseveral tests, I was thyroid cancer. My her glands in my removed. as visiting me in the he bumped into one is old friends. When e heard about my

The next few months were full of pain, fear, sadness, adjusting to a new lifestyle, and massive medical costs. I had a mastectomy, 16 chemotherapy sessions, 14 radiation sessions, and endured a lot of pain and discomfort, but still there was a presence of the Lord in everything I experienced. I lost all my hair, my body was transformed, my clothes had to be adjusted, and I had to learn to accept the “new Nela” in the mirror. I learnt to say, “This too shall pass.” On the day of my last radiation session, it was as if I had reached the finish line. I know that without Lou’s support and acceptance, I would not have been able to stay the course. His love kept me steadfast.

wanted to talk to the Father

76JOY! MAGAZINE

d Lou and I have walke er th ge this road to

have to go for blood tests every four months to make sure that I am still cancer-free. A few months go the doctor looked at me, full of sympathy, nd said: “Your counts have been increased again, please make an appointment so that we can discuss how we are going to treat the cancer.” I really did not think that I would have to face the news that the cancer monster had reared its ugly head again so soon. I walked to the car in silence and did not make the appointment. I told Lou

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that I did not want to have chemo again. I first wanted to talk to the Father and then make my decision. “Rather leave me be and let me live with it until the day I have to die.” The Father always gave me the same Scripture: “Those that endure to the end” and “I will be with you.”

Oxygen Products in my fight against cancer While I was talking to the Father so earnestly, an old acquaintance stepped into our lives again and told us about Oxygen Products. I originally did not realise how amazMy miracle showed up ing the products in the form of two bottles are, but started of Oxygen Products. doing research and scouring the internet. It made me look at cancer and its treatment completely differently. After an unexpected call from Venetia Kruger, the developer of Oxygen Products, I started with a higher than normal dose of their products. Venetia’s recommendation was to use Mega Oxygen and Heart Health. I decided that I would go for my next blood test and just knew that there would be a different outcome this time.

Cancer count dramatically lower I ended up at ER one night with terrible stomach ache. They drew blood and did several tests, but could not determine the cause of my pain with certainty. I asked them to do the cancer counts as well. The two cancer counts that had to be above 30 for me to receive treatment again were both only at eight. I no longer need chemo or any similar treatment.

My new beginning The number eight in the Bible is a “new beginning”. I say, “Thank You, Abba Father, for Your faithfulness.” I know miracles still happen and they do not always come in the format we expected them. Mine came in the shape of two bottles of Oxygen Products. I know it was the Father’s way to help me with my little faith. That was the format I was supposed to receive it in. 

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PARABLE OF THE

Abandoned In an effort to try and touch the lives of those who've estranged themselves from their loved ones and those abandoned by their close family and friends, young author Lindokuhle Shabalala penned a moving book that he entitled Parable Of The Abandoned: The Promise Of Peace.

irtue remains to be the tool which carves desirable dispositions in every mortal who wakes up to contend with temptations that inherently come and its opposition an infectious disease which seeks to distort and cripple all manner of good. A parable is a story told to teach people a valuable lesson.

The promise of peace This book serves as a herald to all of us by drawing our attention to the unpleasant scenes caused by the absence of love in the hearts of many. It holds within its pages the promise of peace. In this novel, abandonment is portrayed from the view of the victims who struggle to break loose from its shackles.

Our only hope Despite the stigma associated with this heavy topic, as implied in the title, it goes without saying that giving our undivided allegiance to the Father of all mankind and loving our neighbours as we love ourselves is the only saving grace the human race has in ensuring better, healthier, and safer communities.

A catalyst for Africa This book will take the reader on a heart wrenching journey with two brothers, Kane and Abel, as they try to navigate the world in a community that seems to reject them. I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I did when writing it, and that the book will serve as a catalyst for the African youth to believe in themselves more. 

Scan this QR Code to watch Lindokuhle’s interview on SABC News

Lindokuhle Shabalala

FEATURE

Called to

SALTINESS “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its flavour, 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

—by Dr Pearl Kupe

n Matthew 5, what is commonly known as The Sermon on the Mount, Yeshua sets out a profile of God’s people. He completes this profile by stating that a true Kingdom Citizen is called to be salt and light. Let us examine the properties of salt:

the society, most of us in the Body of Christ would prefer to stay at home and complain about the level of corruption and decay. Let the Ekklesia walk in its salt mandate and be encouraged to stand against moral decay and immorality in the land.

Salt makes a difference

Salt brings and facilitates healing

Salt is designed to make a difference and change the flavour of Salt has been used in a medical sense and continues to be used a particular dish. It is designed to influence the taste in a positive to cleanse wounds and as a means of promoting healing. It is unmanner. The question we must ask ourselves is whether or not the fortunate that, in many cases, the Ekklesia seem to have become a Church is having a positive influence on our societies, communities, club that houses individuals who would want to be entertained by and the world we live in. We will not make a difference by simply Gospel music, instead of coming to worship the Lord. Many do not attending church, wearing our traditional Sunday best, and assemble to hear the uncompromised preaching of God’s Word, singing hymns with an affected “holy but rather to be tickled by catchy, eloquent demeanour”. The question we must ask is speeches. Let the Ekklesia rise up in this whether the Church is facilitating Kingdom season and allow itself to be used by God Let the Church rise up transformation and culture in workplaces, to bring healing in society. Let the Church in this season and allow hospitals, schools, prisons, offices, homes, be used as instruments to facilitate God’s itself to be used by God to and communities at large. If not, then we healing on a physical, emotional, and bring change in society. cannot be said to be ‘salty’! spiritual level. Let us become ‘ministers of reconciliation’ who will not only reconcile people to Christ, but also be used to faciliSalt is influential An inherent feature of salt is that it can be in food, without taking tate reconciliation in the Body of Christ and society at large. on the nature of the food. It can change colour, but it never changes its substance. In the Body of Christ today, we see many Salt the nations! individuals and ministries taking on worldly protocols, standards, In 2022 and beyond, let the Church and Body of Yeshua be mannerisms, and behaviours. We do things the way they are challenged to salt the nations! The mandate given to us in done in the world, yet the Bible cautions us, “though we are in the Matthew 28:19 is to teach and disciple nations. We have been world, we must not become like them”. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not planted purposefully by God and are called to be agents conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed of change. Salt is one of the best by the renewing of your mind.” As members of the Body of Christ, change agents you can find. It brings we are called to bring godly influence and change without transformation, but does not allow its being changed by worldly procedures or ungodly worldviews, inherent properties to be affected.  mindsets, or mentalities.

Salt prevents decay and rot For centuries, salt has been used as a means of preventing decay. In the days before refrigerators were invented, salt was widely used to ensure against rot. Many of the communities we live in are plagued by corruption and other types of immoral and ungodly behaviour. Instead of rising up against ungodliness in 80 JOY! MAGAZINE

DR PEARL KUPE is an attorney and consultant to world leaders and international organisations. She is the international president of the Global Forum for Women Entrepreneurs. Email pearl.kupe@gmail.com or visit pearlkupe.co.za or follow her Facebook page, Kingdom Transformer Pearl Kupe

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Articles inside

Called To Saltiness – Pearl Kupe

Are Internet Speech Regulations Coming?

The Task Of Biblical Education

Book Review: Parable Of The Abandoned

Fake News, Fake Gospels

Characters Of The Bible: Daniel

‘The Day My Life Changed Forever…’

How To Use Your Voice To In uence Laws

Husband & Wife Make History With PhDs

Christians And Hunting: A Controversial Topic

‘God Gave Me A Second Chance In Life’

Visit Your Persecuted Family With Open Doors

A Tribute To Lenora Hammond

Commentary Of Philippians 4:6

Stumbling Blocks That Delay Transformation

A Gospel‐Shaped Approach To The New Year

Letters To The Editor

3 Points To Ponder On New Year’s Resolutions

Who’s In The News?

‘I Know It Was You Lord’ – Reader Testimony

Ask Val – Biblical Answers To Tough Questions