A DISTINCTIVE ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS CHRIST FEBRUARY 2023 ISSUE by Nonhlanhla Nomfundo Simelane

A DISTINCTIVE ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS CHRIST

ZETHU MPUKUZELA

SALVATION

SALVATIONISGOD’SFREE GIFTTOALLHUMANITY

FREEDOM [SOIFTHESONSETSYOU FREE,YOUWILLBEFREE INDEED.

JOHN8:36]

The Cross

SOBEFOREANYTHINGWASCREATEDHE PURPOSEDANDESTABLISHEDTHE FULFILLMENTOFHISWILLINCHRIST JESUS.

THE HOLY SPIRIT

BAPTISM & WHAT IS

FEB 2023 | ISSUE NO. 2 FREE -----------Notforsale PAGE 04

In This Issue

We dive in to understanding Christianity a bit more if not a lot more.

Happy Reading!

Nomfundo Simelane

Editor’s Note Founder | Editor

DEFINING BAPTISM AND THE HOLY SPIRIT

By Pastor P Zondi

Baptism in water and the Holy Spirit

Baptism

Before we delve into baptism we need to know from where the word baptism originates. It originates from the Greek word ‘baptizo’, which was used by Greek women when they dye their garments. For the dye to impart the colour equally to the garment they had to immerse the whole garment in the water (dye). When they take it out of the water (dye) it would have changed colour completely(beingbaptized).

Baptism as a practice

Before the emergence of John the Baptist, the Jews were baptizing the gentile converts. This was a way of initiating them into the Jewish religion which meant they were accepting the law ofMosesandallreligiouspractices.

Baptism by John the Baptist

In the book of Luke chapter 3 verse, 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He willbaptizeyouwiththeHolySpiritandfire.”

John the Baptist introduced a new era and even told people about another form of baptism that was going to come after him. John’s baptism was of repentance and forgiveness of sins hence he accused the crowds of claiming to be the children of Abraham but could not produce the fruits that are in keeping with repentance. People who came to him for baptism were not only the gentiles but even Jews came to him, the Tax collectors. Matthew 3:7 tells us that even the Pharisees and Sadducees came to John for baptism. Before people were baptized, they will confess their sins and express their remorse as a sign of repentance.

According to Luke 3:10-14, John replied the crowds, Tax collectors, and soldiers who were questioning him on what to do to show repentance. This meant repentance was not an event or something you do because you want to be baptized but it was a complete transformation that should be manifested by a holy living even after baptism. Agarmentthathasgonethroughthedyeingprocessmustshowanewcolour.

The Great Commission

In Matthew 28:19, scripture states: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizingtheminthenameoftheFather,oftheSonandtheHolySpirit.” Jesus did not negate the practice of baptism that started before John the Baptist time which he himself underwent by requesting John to baptize him. Though he did not baptize anyone he instructed his disciples to carry on with this practice. Why did Jesus want this practice to continue? When his authority was questioned by the priests and the teachers of the law in Luke 20:1-8 in verse 4 he asked them, “John’s baptism – was it from heaven or from men?” This tells us that he knew that baptism was from God, so as a practice it must continue even after he had left. The book of Acts 2:38-41 reveals to us that the practice continued, on the day of the Pentecost, Peter called the people to repentandbebaptizedandaboutthreethousandwerebaptized.

A DISTINCTIVE ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS CHRIST bi-annual Magazine February Edition | 2023

Going back to the concept of a dye this is what Paul says about baptism in Romans 6:1-14, we can’t continue living in sin if we are baptized into Christ. Since we are baptized in his death and resurrection, therefore, we may have a new life. Hence Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation,theoldhasgone,thenewhascome.”

Baptized with Holy Spirit and fire

Luke 24:49 “I am going to send you what my Father has promised, but stay in the city until you have been clothedwithpowerfromonhigh.”

Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end oftheearth.”

John the Baptist talked about the baptism with the Holy Spirit which Jesus was responsible for. Jesus picked up what John the Baptist talked about with regard to the Holy Spirit but according to Jesus in the book of John 14: 26 the Holy Spirit will be sent by the Father in the name of Jesus. This gives us a sense of unity between God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist point at Jesus as the one who will baptize us with the Holy Spirit but instead of Jesus coming up and saying, “I will send you the Holy Spirit”, he says “My FatherwillsendtheHolySpiritonmyname.”

Who is the Holy Spirit?

Holy Spirit is God. Holy Spirit is not it but him. God operates as a unit God the Son was sent by God the Father on earth and God the Son talks about the coming of the Holy Spirit who will be sent by the Father. According to Jesus, he is the Counsellor, to guide believerstoalltruthinthatsenseheistheSpiritoftruth.

John the Baptist talks about the Holy Spirit and fire in Luke 3:16 and in verse 17 fire is referred to as judgment. This judgment is picked up by Jesus in John 16:7-11, the Holy Spirit will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment. This is the work of the Holy Spirit to convict us of our sins and that’s the fire John the Baptist is talking about, “For our God is a consumingfire.”Heb.12:29.

The Holy Spirit was prophesied by Joel in Chapter 2:2832, this prophecy is fulfilled in the New Testament in the book of Acts 2:1-21. Luke has made the Holy Spirit his focus and the Books of Acts talk about the acts of the Holy Spirit in the world, establishing the kingdom of God i.e. the church. Hence Acts 1:8 talks about the power of the Holy Spirit which convert believers into witnesses of Jesus to take the gospel to the whole world. That is another element of the Holy Spirit to believers, he gives us the zeal to preach the gospel, “in the last days, God says. IwillpouroutmySpiritonallpeople.

Yoursonsanddaughterswillprophesy…”Acts2:17Peter,Paul, Silas,Barnabas,andotherswereusedbytheHolySpirittotake thegospeltotheworld.HolySpiritisstillusingustodaytotake thegospeltotheworld.Anybelieverwhoisnotintothe preachingandspreadingofthegospelwithasenseofurgency isnotbeenbaptizedintheHolySpirit.Anybelieverwhoisnot livingaccordingtoscripturelivingaholylifehasnotwelcomed theworkoftheHolySpiritinhis/herlife“Thespiritoftruth” whoconvictsusfromsin.

ThebaptismoftheHolySpiritisreal.Itisnotonlymanifested byspeakingintonguesbuteventhroughthecourageofbeing Christ’switnesstoeverypersonallthetime.WhatJohnthe BaptistspokeaboutwasfulfilledonthedayofthePentecostin Acts2.Itdidn’tendtherebutreadActs2:39andActs19:3-7

Conclusion

-Baptismisnotbeingsprinkledwithwaterbutitistobe immersedinwaterlikeagarmentbeingputintoadyeand havingacompletecolourchange,soisourbaptisminthedeath andresurrectionofJesusChristtoacquirenewlifeinhim.

-Baptismisnotforinfantsbutforanyonewhoisgrownenough tohearthegospelandmakeachoicetoacceptthemessageof thegospel,infantscan’thearanddecide.

-BeingbaptizedintheHolySpiritisbeingbaptizedinthepower ofGodtocontinuebeingsetapartforGod.Livingaholylifeand becomingawitnessforChristinallcircumstancesandallthe timerequiresthepoweroftheHolySpirit.

A DISTINCTIVE ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS CHRIST bi-annual Magazine February Edition | 2023

The Cross –God’s Masterwork

INTRODUCTION

Many of us when we accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour, when we heard and came across this term ‘The Cross’ especially in Passover services, we would always only associate it with a piece(s) of wood that Jesus carried when heading for his crucifixion. By in large, that was what we were exposed to. When we start to look and examine scripture and grow in the knowledge (epignosis) of Him, we realize that the term ‘Cross’ was more than a piece of wood but a collective term that was used to encompass a gamut of aspects that this article intends to explore through the help and wisdom of the Holy Spirit. This article intends to show the reader that ‘The Cross’ was far more than a piece of wood but was actually God’s master work in action, it was a climax of God’s work in eternity past, present and future, nothing in eternity will ever match that work. The Cross was the game changer of and for eternity concerning mankind.

GOD'S INTENTION & PLAN

Before there was any form of creation – humans (Adam and Eve), angels (Gabriel, Lucifer, Michael, Seraphim, Cherubim and etc), animals, material, matter and etc – God in His foreknowledge knew that man would sin and introduce death into this world.

Romans 8:29 “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren” (KJV)

Rev13:8 “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain fromthefoundationoftheworld” (KJV)

Romans5:12 “Sin came into the world because of what one man did. And with sin came death. So this is why all people must die —becauseallpeoplehavesinned” (ERV)

Before God bought creation into existence, in His will (that was His intention, purpose and promise) and mind, He had already establishedHisplantosaveman.Godwasneverreactive.

John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the WordwasGod” (KJV)

The word used by John “the Word” in the New Testament language (Greek) was the word “log’-os”[1] which means in that context “the thought, the intention, the message, the mind”. The word “in”[2] in the Greek was the word “en” which could also mean “before”. If we could re-translate that verse with those definitions, we could re-translate it as “Before the beginning was God’s intention”, or “before the beginning was God’s mind” or “before the beginning was God’s thought” so you could see that in the or before the beginning existed God’s intention or was God’s mind.

Apostle Paul narrates it in a clearer way in a letter that he wrote to the saints in Ephesus:

“Also to enlighten all men and make plain to them what is the plan [regarding the Gentiles and providing for the salvation of all men] of the mystery kept hidden throughthe

[1]StrongsGreekLexiconandMounceBibleDictionary

[2]StrongsGreekLexiconandMounceBibleDictionary

ages and concealed until now in [the mind of] God Who created all things by Christ Jesus. 10 [The purpose is] that through the church the [a]complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere. 11 This is in accordance with the terms of the eternal and timeless purpose which He has realized and carried into effect in [the person of] Christ Jesus our Lord,”(Ephesians3:9-11,AMPC)

So before God created the heavens and the earth, He had a plan that He had hidden in Himself (Eph 3:9; Romans 16:25) and according to Paul in these verses, that plan was the salvation of all men. Hence when PaulexhortsTimothy,hesays:

1 Tim 2:4 “who will have all men to be saved, and to come untotheknowledgeofthetruth.”(KJV)

You could see that salvation and eternal life was God’s plan andpromiseforman,

1 Tim 2:9 “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before theworldbegan” (KJV).

Titus 1:2 “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promisedbeforetheworldbegan” (KJV)

God’s intention, purpose, plan, promise and grace was the total package of His will for man, He purposed it in Christ Jesus(Eph3:11).Godhadalreadyseenthatmanwasgoingto introducethesinofunbeliefintothisworldbeforeHecreated anything. So before anything was created He purposed and established the fulfillment of His will in Christ Jesus. God’s grace was too strong for sin, when sin came into the world grace had already put its plan into motion. Paul argues, “where the sin did abound, the grace did overabound” sin and death were too late because God has already purposed that He will go to the extreme of death for man and bring manbacktoHisoriginalintention–whichwastobeinChrist.

Philippians2:8 “AndafterHehadappearedinhumanform,

He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross” (AMPC)

Acts 2:24 “whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.” (NKJV)

Col 1:20 “And by the blood of his cross, everything in heaven and earth is brought back to himself—back to its original intent, restoredtoinnocenceagain!”(TPT)

The Cross was the climax of God’s intention, purpose, promise and plan from the beginning. What we will explore, was a master workfromtheAlmighty,lovingFather.

God’s work on the Cross – His Death

Paul provides an explanation of how it (The Cross) was revealed to him, he explains “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if youholdfastthatwordwhichIpreachedtoyou—unlessyoubelievedinvain.

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again thethirddayaccordingtotheScriptures”(KJV).

Paul provides us with three components of what the Cross was, in fact I call it, three aspects of God’s work on and through the Cross. Those components were, Christ’s: a) death (died for our sins); b) burial (He was buried) and c) resurrection (Heroseagain).

We know that when God spoke to Adam that if he ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, he would die (Gen 2:17). The Hebrew word ‘die’ in that context was used twice in the original language. In the original Hebrew sentence structure, God said to Adam ‘he would die die’. So death, when it came through sin, was both spiritual and physical. So the real essence of death, was spiritual eventually leading to the separation of the body and the spirit which we call physicaldeath(James2:26).

On the Cross, God made Christ to be sin, in fact the original language says He was madeSIN,

2Corinth5:21 “Forhehathmadehimtobe sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (KJV).

The words “to be” were added by the translators, so on the cross God made Christ SIN, Christ embodied every element that made up the component of what sin was. God allowed the body of sin to be Christ (Romans 6:6), every element that came with sin that was: sins, diseases, sicknesses and curse was not only laid on Christ, it was what He was in death. When He was spiritually dead just before He gave up His spirit for physical death, God was condemningsinintheflesh.

Paul says to the Roman believers, “God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh,andforsin,condemnedsinintheflesh”(Romans8:3,KJV).

Every element of His humanness was being affected, it was at that point where He was smitten of God and afflicted (Isaiah 53:4,10). Oh boy, what a loving Father, judgement beingpassedontoChristforoursake.

This was where substitution was taking place, hear Paul’s words, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans6:3-4,KJV). The way Jesus was on the cross, people could not recognize Him anymore, they literally hid their faces because He was not recognizable anymore (Isaiah 53:3),Hewaslikeaworm(Psalm22:6)someevenlaughedathim (Psalm22:7).

In His spiritual death, when He was made sin, He took all our sorrows, griefs, rejections andeverythingthataffectsthehumansoul (Isaiah53:3-4).

Hebrews12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the righthandofthethroneofGod”(KJV).

So when Christ died both spiritually and physically, when He was in Hades, in and at the extreme and pains of death, God was inworkinChrist,thepowerofdeathwasactuallybeingdestroyedbyChristthroughHisdeath.

The Hebrew writer articulates, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. And deliver them whothroughfearofdeathwerealltheirlifetimesubjecttobondage.” (Hebrews2:14-15,KJV)

1 Peter 3:18 “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to deathintheflesh,butquickenedbytheSpirit”(KJV)

Hebrews 2:9 “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory andhonour;thathebythegraceofGodshouldtastedeathforeveryman”(KJV)

We can see in Christ’s death, God allowed Christ to be sin; condemned sin in Christ’s body, substitution took place, He sufferedforusinHadessothatwemaybetherighteousnessofGodinandthroughChristJesus.

God’s work on the Cross – His Resurrection

The bible does provide us with some pictorial words of Christ’s sufferings in Hades, when you go through this, your spirit should bubble with joy of how much He went through tomakesurethatwecanenjoyeternitywithHim.

Paul wrote something interesting about God’s work in the resurrection of Christ, “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power. Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own righthandintheheavenlyplaces” (Ephesians1:19-20,KJV)

Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raisedhimfromthedead,thoushaltbesaved”(KJV)

1Peter1:21 “WhobyhimdobelieveinGod,thatraised himupfromthedead,andgavehimglory;thatyourfaith andhopemightbeinGod”(KJV)

Acts2:24 “WhomGodhathraisedup,havingloosedthe painsofdeath:becauseitwasnotpossiblethathe shouldbeholdenofit”(KJV)

InanotherplacePaulsays,“ThatImayknowhim,andthe powerofhisresurrection”(Philippians3:10).Sowecouldsee thatduringandintheresurrectiontherewaspowerinvolved. Paulcallsthisanexceedinggreatnessofpowerandthiswas whathesaidaboutit,“theworkingofhismightypower. WhichhewroughtinChrist,whenheraisedhimfromthe dead”.ForGodtoraiseChristfromthedead,Hehadtowork exceedingpower,Iarguethateverypowerthatcouldever existineternity,everyounceofHisimmortalabilitywasat work.

The Greek word for “working” was the word “energeia” which meant “activity, operation, vigour. workmanship. supernatural action, cosmic force.”. It was a word that would be often associated with intensity within and of an operation and actual workmanship. The bible says the believer or the born again man was God’s “workmanship, created in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:10). So during and in the resurrection God was actually creating the new man in Christ,God’spowerwasatfulldisplayinChrist,workingandcreatingtheNEWMAN.GLORY!!!

Hence why for the believer, their faith should not be based on Hebrews 11:1, the faith of the believer should be basedonChrist’sdeathandresurrection.HearhowPaulnarratesthispoint,

“And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain” and he further says, “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins”. So what makes faith for a believer was Christ’s death and resurrection.Infact,faithforabelieverwastobefoundinChrist(2Tim3:15;Hebrews12:2).

So His resurrection was the birth of the NEW MAN, God was at work in Christ birthing us. Hence why in the believer there is power the very same power that raised Christ from the dead (Eph 3:20; Col 1:29). Principalities were spoilt (defeated) in the resurrection, death lost grip to those who were to believe in Christ,thiswasmadeavailableforthewholeworld.

There is so much we can articulate around the cross but pages will limit us from expressing fully on this topic. The Cross was a masterpiece of work from God, that He had thought of and planned before the foundations of the world. Sin and death could not outsmart God the Father, the Cross wasgamechangerforhumanity.

FEBRUARY 2023 | ISSUE 2

LethuMkhize

Gabfest with

Ps Jabu Mnculwane

WHO IS GOD?

God is the ultimate source of all reality. He created the tangible and intangible. We get the information of who God is from two sources.

1) Intuition

Intuition Definition: "Your intuition or your intuitions are unexplained feelings you have that something is true even when you have no evidence or proof of it." ~ Collins Dictionary

At an early age, one knows there is a God intuitively and we are born with that intuition. That intuition gets ignited as you grow and get exposure to the Bible.

2) Holy Bible

The Bible from Genesis to Revelation is all about witnessing this ultimate source of all reality. Some people may use the scientific revelations that contradicts what is written in the Bible, but we need to note that the Bible was not written as a response to some scientific discovery.

The Bible was written as a witness to this great God who created Heaven and Earth. This God is the creator of our first parents Adam and Eve, and this sovereign God is also a Father to all of us. We get this information from Jesus, the ultimate witness of our heavenly Father.

This God is the Creator, the Father of all humanity, He is the Shepherd, He's the sustainer of every living thing. Ultimately, He'll live with us. The Bible tells us that in the new heaven and the new earth, God and Jesus Christ will live with men. Ultimately God created us to have a relationship with Him.

[Revelation21:3]

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with themandbetheirGod.

[Revelation21:4]

’Hewillwipeeverytearfromtheireyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old orderofthingshaspassedaway."

WHAT IS CHRISTIANITY?

The word Christianity is first introduced in the book of Acts. [Acts11:25]

Then Barnabas went to Tarsus tolookforSaul, [Acts11:26] andwhenhefoundhim,

[Matthew 7:24]

hebroughthimtoAntioch.Soforawhole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called ChristiansfirstatAntioch.

The word Christian is taken from the word Christ because these people were considered to be Christ-like. They were considered to be Christ people because of the teachings of Christ. Jesus came to teach on repentance and that no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. Christ taught his disciples the ethics of the kingdom and He addresses these ethical issues on Matthew 5 from verse 3 to verse 12. He (Jesus) then addresses the relationship in the kingdom of God on Matthew chapter 6.

These people, because of the Christ's teachings, they imitated Jesus. It is important to note that a disciple is not like his teacher, but when he's fully trained, he will be like his teacher. They were called Christians because the teachings of Jesus Christ that lead to the transformation of this community of disciples and then they started resembling and demonstrating the characteristics of Christ.

[Luke6:40]

The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like theirteacher.

It is important to note that we do not automatically become Christians for being born into a Christian family or listening to sermons. We become Christians by practicing and listening to the word of God.

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

[Matthew 7:25]

The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

[Matthew 7:26]

But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.

[Matthew 7:27]

The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

[Matthew 7:28]

Ps Jabu Mnculwane

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching,

[Matthew 7:29] because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Christianity is the relationship between the Saviour King and the saved sinner and Christianity is not a religion but a relationship with God. The teachings of Christ must bring in transformation in your heart and point you towards Jesus Christ.

[Romans 10:9]

If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

[Romans 10:10]

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

WHAT IS THE BIBLE AND WHAT MAKES THE BIBLE DIFFERENT FROM ANY OTHER BOOK?

The Bible is a book that talks about one God. Who is in three persons, namely, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Bible testifies of the existence of God. The Bible is not about us, it is about a God who created everything and the Bible testifies that when God saw what He has created, He said it is good. The Bible itself is a book about God, yet communicated through cultural words that are spoken by people and therefore it is a Revelation. . It is not something that someone could just sit and give it a thought,

those words were divine and we see the impact of that even today because we have living transformed lives. We have hardcore disobedience people like ourselves but when we encountered the Bible, God was able to transform us through the Bible. The Bible is the one word about the one God and the one testimony that shows us the way of life. Although the Bible mentions different characters throughout, the Bible is about God who was dealing with people from creation up to the new creation. The starting line in the Bible states that in the beginning God created and the very same God who created history will close down history.

You can have other teachings from other books but when the testing times come it all comes back to how your foundation was laid.

Feb Edition | 2023

WHAT DOES WORSHIPPING GOD MEAN TO YOU?

MoreoftenwefindthatWorshippingGodisassociatedwithsingingGospelmusic. Which is not entirely true as worship is showing reverence and adoration for a Deity or a person in higher ranking than one is. It is the feeling, expression of reverence. Worship is a lifestyle lived in total surrender to my Master Jesus. A life lived in reverence to our Father in Heaven because of the complete work Jesus did on the cross. This life then bares fruit or givesbirthtodifferentwaysinwhichoneworshipsGod.

You then find a person who worships God through a song, another will worship in a form of poetry, and maybe for another it's prayer. Proving to us that God can be worshipped in different and acceptable ways to God. God wants us to focus on Him and Him alone. He states in His word in Exodus 20 that we are to worship no other God besides Him. God wantsustoknowandacknowledgeHimastheonlytrueandlivingGOD. Exodus 23 vs 25 also states that we are to worship the Lord our GOD and His blessing will be on our food and water. He says He will take away sickness from among us. This clearly tells us that God is not only looking for singers but people who will worship outside the church walls.Peoplewhowilllivealifeofworship.

[John 4:24]

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."

This scripture always reminds me that there is no worshipping God outside of God.

[John 14:6]

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. In order to have access to worshipping God we need Jesus. He will teach us how to worship God the way God wants us to worship HimandHe'llteachusthroughtheHolySpirit.

Jesus the Son of God has been given authority in Heaven, on Earth and below the Earth. We use the name of Jesus when we pray, we use the Name of Jesus when we cast out demons, we use the name of Jesus when praying for healing etc. I believe obeying and doingwhattheWordofGodteachesusisalsoanotherwayofusworshippingGodthewayGoddesires.

FAVOURITE SCRIPTURE

WORSHIP ACCORDING

GOD

NOZIBUSISO VEZI Singer / Songwriter NozibusisoVezi

DEFINING

NozibusisoVezi

Ephesians 3:20

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

Definingworship

The mind and Heart of God is found in His Word, so the best way we could possibly try to worship God is by us seeking His ways by reading and implementing what the word of God says. I believe there are many ways one can worship God and as I have mentioned a few above. I would liketohighlightthewayofworshippingGodthroughgiving and through serving in the House of the Lord. All these ways of worship are given to us and God is glorified when allthisisdoneinobedienceandforthegloryofGod.

To me worshipping God means living a life that pleases God, living a life that God has destined for me to live. The only way one can please God is through His son Jesus Christ. Worshipping God in song is just a fruit of my daily Spirit led life. It is a manifestation of the life I live in private. I believe that me utilizing or using the gift of singing that God gave me, is Worship itself. acknowledging the deity of GodeventhroughthetalentsHehasgivenus.

I believe strongly that God is worshipped when we live a life that He had originally planned for us to live. This life is found in Christ Jesus, by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. He is able to direct you into newness of Life in Him,whichalsodefineshowGodviewsworship.

FavouriteSongs/Playlist

1)Overcome-MarandaCurtis

2)Vumb’elimmandi-DumiMkokstad

3)VictorybelongstoYou-ToddDulaney

4)Heavencomedown-BriBabineaux

5)Youaremyrest-DrTumi

DEFINING YOURSELF ACCORDING TO WHAT GOD SAYS YOU ARE

17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

Our world today has evolved and witnessed a lot of things; we have passed through so many ages in history. But in the change of things there still remains one thing. A search for happiness. This search is found in every human being; and the truth of the matter still remains.Thispursuitdefinesus.

Many have turned to social media; Hollywood and Religion to fill in the gaps in pursuit of happiness. But man has been created to worship. The very element thatbringshappinesstoone.

When we identify the need to worship God whole heartedly and surrender fully; God becomes the King of your heart. This means the will and purpose of God isyourpriority.

The moment we surrender our selves to God; there are thingsthatfalluponusthatformpartofouridentity.

Tomentionafew:

1. We become sons and daughters

John 1:11

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

John 1:12

But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

We are given the rights to become the Children of God. There are legalities that have been met the moment we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. All legalitieshavebeendemandedandmetontheCross.

Ephesians 1:7

He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.

& PURPOSE

IDENTITY

2 Corinthians 5:17

2. We overcome Romans 8:37

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. We are surrounded by hopeless people that we sometimes use those people to quantify our ability to overcome. But God has made His children overcomers. When we are going through an unfortunatesituationoradarkphaseinourlives,we tend to think that there is no way out and forget that our God is sovereign and that there is nothing too hardHim.Godhasmadeusmorethanconquerors.

3.Blessed

“When we lose one blessing, another is often most unexpectedly given in its place.” C. S. Lewis

Never believe God is done with you if you do not see the blessing. Job declared that God is able to do all things even before his things were restored [Job 42:2]. This proves to us that Job knew the true character of God and his circumstances did not change the way he views God. No matter how dark and hopeless situations have been in my life. I have always carried a confidence that God intends good for me. Just imagine Job in the Bible, he had everything, and lost everything, including his kids [Job 1:13-22] and Job never doubted God, not even once. The Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twiceasmuchashehadbefore [Job 42:10-12].

These 3 realms discussed. There are many to add; butthecoremustremainassuch:

Godcreatedyouforapurpose Godlovesyou

His goodness is always active in your life despite yourcurrentchallenges.

Our identity is found in Jesus Christ, when we make GodasourLordandSavior.

LUNGANI CHONCO

ROMANS 12:2

DO NOT CONFORM TO THE PATTERN OF THIS WORLD, BUT BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND. THEN YOU WILL BE ABLE TO TEST AND APPROVE WHAT GOD’S WILL IS— HISGOOD,PLEASINGANDPERFECTWILL.

Freedom & Becoming The Best Version Of Myself Through Jesus Christ

Through Christ I was Freed from all things, but there was a time where I had no knowledge and understanding of this freedom because I did not have anintimaterelationshipwiththeLord.

Growing up I struggled with an Identity Crisis. As I advanced from certain stages of life and factors such as age, I fell into a Long-term Depression. I honestly thought I knew who I was and what I wanted. Clearly God had to reveal the Truth because fortunately I was not destined to live in deception, not to say that anyone is destined for it, but one needs to Repent first inordertounderstandthethingsofGod.

Repenting brought me closer to God and understanding that Christ's death on the cross freed us tobecomethepeopleourCreatordesignedustobe.

Galatians 5:1

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yokeofslavery.

Being raised in a dysfunctional family, I had to decide on my own who I wanted to become. This opened up an opportunity for the enemy to manipulate me at a very young age. The devil made Fear the center of my life. But now this fear was dressed in earthly wisdom. I ran away from EVERYTHING I had not yet experienced. The further I got away, I ran deeper and deeper into a darkholeofmorelies.

I began drinking when I was still a child, 12 years to be a accurate and by the age of 21 I was an alcoholic. It got to a point where I couldn't take it anymore. I couldn't keep up with the outside world of pretending and the internal life had become too noisy for me. I had no peace, no purpose and I believed I had no reasontoliveinthisworld.

Looking back it was by the Grace of God that I even got BornAgainwhenIwas19yearsofage.Asananti-Christ Igotbamboozledintotherestorationofmylife. Now the tricky part is that because I had no understanding of my actions, I did not repent. That is how I was possessed by the spirit of depression for yearsevenafterIhadbeenSaved.

I never really had the guts to kill myself, but a person living the life I lived could have been killed by many things. I believe, because of grace I was kept to live and seethisday.

The struggle continued till my late 20s and one day the Lord put in my heart the desire to Change. Because I didn't know where it came from I thought I could do it on my own. I tried Everything and failed. The reason I say I failed is because after every attempt I still felt Empty! It's funny because this could have also killed me but it didn't. Instead, one day I just sat down with myself and decided to try One Last Attempt and that was to give Jesus Christ achance.

I decided I was gonna give Christ a chance. And since thenI'veneverlookedback.

This was all God's doing to call me to Himself. Just as the Father walks His daughter "a bride" to her Husband, Jesus, holding her by her hand and handing her over to her Husband, Christ "Himself" the Father. I don't know if this makes sense but I was Called by God back to Himself throughChrist.

When I was joined in union with the Lord, I possessed all that He is. And today I know who I am in Christ. My daily prayer is to be renewed each moment into the likeness of God and the transformation/transition hasn't been easy but atleast now more than anything I have Peace. I no longer try to be immersed with worldly things just to belong. I finally know who I belong to. I have purpose to walkthelifeofthisworldinthepresenceofmyFather.

I have insight, knowledge and understanding of how to live each day. I'm not married to depression anymore and as I'm treading hand in hand with the Lord, I'm learning to forgive myself, I'm learning not to condemn myself and most importantly I repent and ask for forgiveness. It sounds recited but trust me this journey is even harder than the one I have walked without the Lord. What I enjoy about this one is that I know I'm notaloneandIknowhowthestoryends.

I only have one goal and that is to become who God created me to be. I'm no Saint I have my flaws here and there but I know my steps are perfected inJesusChrist.

If I were to give out an advice to someone strugglingwithIdentityCrisis,I'dsay;GivetheLord a chance, welcome him to your life and get to know who He is. Don't walk into this relationship trying to find out who you are. Make it about Jesus and you'll be amazed at what you'll find out about yourself.

[So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John8:36]

WrittenbyNokulungaShazi

God's unconditional election

The doctrine of God's unconditional election is not a recently discovered doctrine nor is it a man-made theological phenomenon. In 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15, Paul says, "But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, BECAUSE GOD FROM THE BEGINNING CHOSE YOU FOR SALVATION, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief truth." Here we have a vivid picture that this is a biblical doctrine. Although most doctrines are received by Christians with caution, others with joy, this doctrine seems to be most frequently jettisoned. Many hold a view that it makes God unfair and unjust but I think it's imperative to highlight the fact that salvation had never been about fairness or justice but by God's grace alone, “for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Paul further affirms that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone which is a giftfromGod(Ephesians2:8).

I want to begin first by defining this doctrine by borrowing words from the old Baptist confession in the 3rd article whichIbelievegivesabiblicaldefinitionofthisdoctrine.It reads, "By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels are predestined or foreordainedtoeternallifethroughJesusChristtothe

praise his glorious grace, other being left to act in their sin to their just condemnation, to the praise of his glorious justice. These angels and men thus predestined and foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed and their number is certain and definite, that cannot be either increased or diminished. Those of mankind that are predestined to life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to his eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of his will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory out of his mere free grace and love, without anything in the creature asaconditionorcausemovinghimthereunto."

What is the nature of this doctrine?

By definition, this doctrine is "UNCONDITIONAL". This simply means that God did not elect people based on the foreseen faith or response of any good works they would do.Instead,Hediditunconditionallybasedonhisfreewill and purpose of his glory. In Ephesians 1:5 “Blessed be the GodandFatherofourLordJesusChrist,whoblessedusin Christ with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places, even as he chose us in Him before the foundation of the world,inlovehepredestinedusforadoptionto

Jonathan Edwards said, “You contribute nothing to your salvation except the sin that made it necessary.”

The benefit of this doctrine

himself as sons through Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the purpose of his glorious grace”, clearly assert that election/ salvation solely depends on God's love, according to his purpose and for his glory alone. As the old puritan, Jonathan Edward's said, “You contribute nothing to your salvation except the sin that made it necessary.”

While it is true that we are not saved because of our works, man is still accountable. We must, all who are elected, bear fruits of repentance which affirms our salvation. If we neglect the need of works altogether, it will mean that the day of judgment is futile. Theologians call it God's sovereignty and man's responsibility. In John 1:12-13"Buttoallwhodidreceivehim,whobelievedinhis name, he gave the right you become children of God (man's responsibility), who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor the will of man but of God (God's sovereignty)furtherillustratethisfact.

This doctrine is also eternal. Election was established and sealed by God in the eternity past and who are graciously chosen are given eternal life. In John 10:28-30 “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given themtome,isgreaterthanall, andnooneisableto snatch them out of my Father's hand", is one of the most glorious statements by our Lord Jesus Christconcerningthenatureof the life we received which is eternal and the assurance and security we have in this because no one can snatch us from the hand of Christ. In Him we have an assurance of our eternal security of our salvation. If we are still convinced that we can lose our salvation, it means we still convinced that salvation depends on us. John McUrther famously said, “If it was possible to lose our salvation,wewouldallloseit."

There are numerous benefits for the believer in this doctrine which encompasses the whole spectrum of Christian experience. While others tend to believe that teaching this doctrine will he giving Christian’s license to sin, scripture absolutely condemns this view. True understanding of this doctrine is not licentious to sin nor does it give us a free will to palliate sin. In Colossians

3:12-13 "put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, forebearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any quarrel against anyone; even as Christ forgave you, so also do", Paul exhort the brethren to put on these holy and God characteristics because they are God's elect. God has elected us "through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth ". He choose people to be holy and believers. Through sanctification, wearecontinuouslyandprogressivelyconformedtotheimageofChrist.

Through sanctification, we are continuously and progressively conformed to the image of Christ.

Siphosethu Ngcobo

[1] Whitefields letter to Wesley on Election [2] Election by Charles Spurgeon

SALVATION

In Christianity’s point of view, Salvation can be defined as a saving or deliverance of human beings from sin and its consequences which include death and separation from God by Christ’s death and resurrection, and the justification following this salvation. In other words salvation means being rescued by God from the consequences of wrong doing (sin). By accepting Jesus as a Lord and saviour, one is committing his/her life to Jesus, giving him an upper hand to take fullcontroloverhis/herlifethroughsubmittingtohis(Jesus)Lordship.

How did God demonstrate His love through salvation?

Thebookof John 4:8 teaches us that God is love, not only does God love, but love is part of His essential nature. Love is who God is. In demonstrating His love, God sent His only son Jesus Christ to provide salvation for those who believe. God greatlylovedtheworldthatheevengavehisonlyson,sothatwhoeverbelievesin him should not perish but have eternal life-John 3:16. God demonstrated his love that while we were not even born yet, he was already at work to provide a way for us to spend eternity with him. Salvation is God’s free gift to all humanity. With regards to salvation being a free gift, the book of Ephesians 2:8-9 Amp version, providesthefollowing:

“For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favour drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own efforts] but it is the gift [undeserved, gracious] of God; not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will (be able to) boastortakecreditinanyway(forhissalvation)”.

The afore mentioned quote makes it clear that salvation is indeed God’s free gift, there is no amount of work that can qualify one to be saved , it is purely God’s expressionoflovethatincludeseternallifetothosewhowillreceiveit[believe].

Are we all born sinners? Do we all need salvation?

Some believe that before anyone can be saved he/ she must have first committed certain sins or be old enough to have experienced life and made some mistakes. This view is futile and unbiblical. According to Romans 3:23, 6.23, Ephesians 2:1-5, the bible is clear that we are all sinners. From the very moment we enter this world until our final breath, we have a sinful nature. It does not matter whether one is a child or an adult, a good person, or a bad one, all of us are born sinners. To sin is to fall short of God’s perfect standard or to go against His laws. All humans have a natural tendency to go against the ways of God. Due to our sinful nature,weareallseparatedfromGodanddeservingofHispunishment.

According to Romans 5:12 and 1 Corinthians 15:21-22, we inherited our sinful nature from Adam. Genesis 15:26-27 provides that, when God created Adam and Eve, He made them in His own image and without sin. However, they had the ability to make their own decisions and they chose to disobey God -Genesis 3. By disobeying God, they sinned and became sinful in nature and their children inherited this sinful nature and their children’s children and so forth. All human beings descends from Adam and Eve, consequently all humanity inherits a sinful nature or is born sinners. In explaining this, Romans 5:12 provides that “Therefore just as sin came into the world through one man , and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all are sinners”. Psalms 58:3 and Proverbs 22:15 providethatoursinisapartofusfrombirth,inotherwordswearebornsinners.

Our sinful nature is not something we can overcome on our own. Althoughpeoplecandogoodthings, they are not inherently good in nature and there is nothing they can do to neither atone for their sin nor choose to stop sinning by their own wilful power. In fact the bible declares that our acts of goodness [outside Jesus Christ-salvation] are like filthy rugs- Isaiah 64:6. But Jesus, the son of God is our only Hope.Jesushasovercomesin.Jesus was fully human and fully God. He became a perfect man, living a perfect life without sinning. He sacrificed His life on the cross and atoned both our sinful nature and our sinful actions. Romans 5:17 then provides that, “For if, by the trespass of one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the spirit of righteousness reign in life through theman,JesusChrist”.

In answering the question of “whether we are all born in sin”? The answer is definitely Yes, even a one-day old child, is a sinner from birth. Therefore, there is no need for waiting to reach a certain age before accepting Jesus as a personal saviour, or to go through tough times and make mistakes before we can accept Jesus as our personalsaviourbecausealreadyweareallborninsin.

In answering the question of “who needs to be saved”? We all need God’s salvation and no one is exempted from accepting Jesus Christ as his/her personal saviour, forwithouthim(Jesus)wecanneverseetheKingdomof God. Most people always confess their love for God (the father) but deny his Son (Jesus). Jesus is the gate to salvation, he is the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the father except through him –John 14:6. You cannot love God the father without loving his son Jesus, for everyone who loves the father also loves the son born of Him- 1John 5:1. Christ is one with the father, you cannot love God (Father) and hate Jesus (God the Son).

How does one become saved?

Romans10:9providethattobesavedonehastoconfess with his/ her mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in his/her heart that God raised him (Jesus) from the dead. I have heard many burdensome theories that people havecreatedforthemselvesthatarecontrarytothe

word of God with regards to salvation, some believe that to be saved you have to first be clean, that is to be without sin. Some believe that for one to be saved there must be an audible voice that must first whisper in their ears. The word of God is clear that anyone who confesses with his mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in his or her heart that God raised Jesus from the dead will be saved. This is a personal decision about one’s life. In supporting the view that accepting God’s salvation is a personal decision upon an individual, Revelations 3 : 20 says “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me”. You make a personal decision to let God take full control over your life, to watch over you, to provide for your needs, to take away your burdens,tofightyourbattles,tosustainyouandsoforth.

It is crucial that I reiterate the significance of accepting Jesus (as an individual/personally).There is an error that has been overlooked for a long time, people mistake goingtochurcheverySundayforsalvation.Itisnotwrong to attend each and every service at church, but the danger is in thinking that because one is attending all services he/she is saved. Some might have grew up in church, some might have been born by Pastors, it is very important that each person accept Christ personally and submit to his Lordship (confess with his/her mouth and believe in his/her heart that God raised Jesus from the dead). We do not inherit salvation from our spouses, friendsorevenfromourparents.

Are there any worst sinners before God that they are to be exempted from salvation?

In Matthew 11:28 we hear Jesus calling to him everyone who is weary and burdened promising to give them rest. This verse shows the depth of the love of God, all he wants is to set people free from anything that may be troubling them whether it be a sin, physical illness, emotional illness and any burden that might be troubling theirsoul. Thereisnoworstsinthatcannotbewashedby the blood of Jesus. Isaiah 1: 18 says “Come now, let us reason together, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shallbeaswhiteassnow,thoughtheyareredascrimson, they shall be like wool”. People might have given up on you, you might have even lost hope in yourself, you might have done the worst as per the sight of people and at the verge of being irreparable. But the Love of God has you covered, if you only confess with your mount that Jesus is Lord and believes with your heat that God raised him from the death, your salvation has come. God wants your will, he is not imposing himself to anyone. As highlighted above that God greatly filled with love, gave his only Son so that WHOEVER (own emphasis) believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life –John 3:15. The word “whoever”hasnogender,race,worstorminorsinner,but itaccommodateseveryone.

Peoplewillnotbecondemnedbecauseofcommittingsins but by not believing in the Son of God, that is a great sin that people will be condemned for. It is impossible to pleaseGodwithoutfaith.

What are the repercussions of not accepting the love of God that comes through salvation (not believing)?

John 3:18 provides that whoever believes in Jesus is not condemned, BUT, whoever does not believe stands condemnedalreadybecausetheyhavenotbelievedinthe name of God’s only son. Verse 19 further says, though Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. I urge you today to choose light for condemnation awaits those who rejects the love of God, those who choose darkness over light. In John 3:3 Jesus asserted that “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdomofGod”.

What are the promises to those who choose to give their life to Jesus?

Amongst the promises to those who succumb to Christ’s Lordship,thefollowingpromisesareguaranteed:

Their sin is not to be counted against them, in Christ we are completely forgiven -1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Corinthians5:21.

They shall be adopted to God’s family, as 1 John 3:1 declares“seewhatkingoflovetheFatherhasgivento us,thatweshouldbecalledchildrenofGodandso

weare”.InJesusweneednolongerbeseparatedfromGodbutcanbecomechildrenofGod.AllthosewhoreceivedJesus Christasasaviour,whobelievedinhisname,tothemhegavetherighttobecomechildrenofGod–John1:12-13.

Theyshallbecomenewcreatures(bornagain),2Corinthians5:14-21assertsthat“Therefore,ifanyoneisinChrist,thenew creationhascome.Theoldhasgone,thenewishere.ThisisfromGodwhoreconciledustohimselfthroughChrist...”

They will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to withstand the temptation to sin and Jesus will work to transform their heartssothattheywillbecomemorelikeHiminnature-1Corinthians10:13;2Corinthians5:17;Philippians1:6;Philippians 2:12-13.

God shall be their provider Matthew 6:25-34. Verse 33 provides that “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you” In other words there is no loss in seeking the will of God, for he shall ensure that your needs are providedfor.Heisindeedacaringfathertohischildrenjustlikeashepherdlookingafterhisflock.

God shall sustain their lives. According to the book of Colossians 1:17 God is before all things, and all things hold together inhim.1Peter1:5notesthatbelieversarethosewhobyGod’spowerarebeingguardedthroughfaithforasalvationready to be revealed in the last time. 2 Timothy 1:12 also provides that “I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that heisabletoguarduntilthatDaywhathasbeenentrustedtome”.

On one day they will be reunited with God, in heaven and will be forever free of sin –Revelations 21-22. God is looking after his children even beyond death, he has prepared for them an eternal home with him. In John 14:2-3 Jesus asserts that “in my father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a room for you? And If I go andprepareaplaceforyou,Iwillcomeagainandwilltakeyoutomyself,thatthereIamyoumaybealso.

SPIRITUAL GROWTH

1 Peter 2:2

Like new born babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.

1 Peter 2 vs 3

“Now that you have tasted that the Lord is good”

1 Corinthians 13:11

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put ways of childhood behind me.

Philippians 1 vs 6

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus

I think Peter had a breastfeeding mother in mind when he made this statement on 1 Peter 2 verse 2. Peter understood that when a child craves for milk, they find a way to communicate that craving and when a child is being fed milk, they are filled with joy and satisfaction.

One will understand that our flesh requires food in order to grow or to be full and our spiritual beings requires the food for the soul which is the word of God.

To me spiritual growth refers to obedience and your ability to listen when God speaks.

The reality is, no one wants to be stagnant in life, hence you find us trying our level best to enhance our lives. In fact, the human nature doesn't allow us to be stagnant. Hence you don't just drink milk for the rest of your life.

You slowly get introduced to solid food as you grow. We need to acknowledge each stage of life as they are necessary for our growth.

Spiritual growth requires us to trust God, not attaching any conditions to our trust in God. Trusting God is knowing that God had your best interest at heart as your loving Father. One of the analogies that could help us understand trust is from the stage of a new born baby to a stage of being an infant and then toddler. When a kid is being introduced to solid food, you start by feeding them soft food, like mash, gem squash or pumpkin etc. A kid may cry when they see you eating your food as they don't know best, but you as a parent know best. You don't feed your child food that isn't meant to be eaten by toddlers.

It is important to note that growing in Christ is a biblical principle and we are expected to grow spiritually. Paul said, in Colossians 1: 9 -10

MrsPNMkhize&NomfundoS

[Colossians 1:9]

For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it], do not cease to pray and make request for you, that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

[Colossians 1:10]

to walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Although growing in Christ is a biblical principle, it does not always happen in favourable conditions. In many times it comes through sufferings in the path of obedience to God's infallible word which is why James 1: 2-4 says

[James 1:2]

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

[James 1:3]

because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

[James 1:4]

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Jesus Christ himself said, "Every branch in me that does bear fruits he prunes, that it may bear more fruits (John15:2). The pruning process is necessary for our growth and effectiveness in Christ.

2019 was a difficult year in South Africa and throughout the world because of the COVID 19 outbreak which claimed many lives. Christians were not exempt from these sufferings. Not only did we lose our loved ones during this pandemic but church services were suspended. The Christian gathering plays a significant role in the life of a Christian as it is commanded in:

[Hebrews 10:24]

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,

[Hebrews 10:25]

not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another —and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

When one of our family members tested positive for Covid 19, reality hit us and God used this phase to bring me closer to Him. I spent most times praying and studying the scriptures which were effective means of my spiritual growth.

Growing in the Lord means understanding the Lord's yeses and the noes and not allowing any hurdles hinder your growth process.

Having a personal relationship with God makes the whole process a bit more soothing. That soothing comes with contentment and fulfilment.

Gateway Christian School

Our Vision

To enable children to receive quality education and to teach them the Godly values upon which our school is based.

Our Mission Objectives

To promote and develop spiritual truths.

To meet each child’s educational needs.

To develop social skills.

To be a model and resource base for other schools locally, nationally and internationally.

To increase the number of learners in our school in order to meet the growing demand for pre-primary and primary schooling in Pietermaritzburg and the surrounding communities.

To implement the National Curriculum in line with the requirements of the Department of Education.

GENERAL

Nothing in this magazine is intended to replace any professional or medical advice, please utilize your discernment.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

A special thank you to everyone that contributed towards the magazine.

FEEDBACK

We would like to hear from you, for any questions or feedback, please send an email to:

NomfundoN.Simelane@Gmail.com

COPYRIGHTS

No part of this magazine may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission from the author.

A DISTINCTIVE ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS CHRIST FEBRUARY 2023 ISSUE