7 Days and a miracle - 1 Day to go

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7 Days and a miracle - Going to GYC!

Going!

Right now I’m on the plane, on the way to GYC, and that is because of how God has led..

Exactly a week ago, I didn't know exactly how this would happen, but I firmly held on to the promise that “our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide of which we know nothing.” I knew that God would be able to perform a miracle and He has proved Himself faithful once again.

All that has led to this point makes me believe, without a doubt, that God has a plan in mind with the conference. I have a few personal  things that I’m praying for in relation to the conference, mainly dealing with direction in the near and far-ahead future. Earlier this year I attended a similar conference in Zambia and the experience was quite alike: miraculous circumstances surrounding how I made it to the conference, together with a handful of specific prayer items which were all clearly answered by the time the conference ended. I’m looking forward to seeing what God has in store for me there, as well as what I can take away to be of benefit to ministry personally, and back home. 

There are two major lessons I draw from the experience. The first is a reminder of God's power, and how He works through such experiences to give us confidence in His power to deliver from sin. 

This was the lesson Jesus taught when He healed a paralytic man. When performing the miracle of healing, Christ spoke these words:

“But that you  may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, (He said to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto you, Arise, and take up your bed, and go your way into your house.“ Mark 2:12

When Jesus healed the man, He also wanted to impress him, and those around him, with the truth if His power to save from sin. The miracle He performed was to be a reminder of that fact. In sharing this personal experience, it is a testimony to God's power, and how we can get to experience it when we have faith in His promises. 

The second lesson draws from something Christ said to His disciples during an interaction with a Roman Centurion. When the Gentile Centurion came to Jesus for a favour,  his confidence in Jesus' power to help him made Jesus say these words:

“Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” Matthew 8:10

Jesus marveled to see a non-Jew having more faith than all the Jews He had ever met before. This thought brought to mind the point of the little faith that exists, even among those who profess to be believers. I experienced this around me when I would share with others about my prayer for going to the conference. Granted, it was a relatively ambitious project, but there's nothing too hard for God. 

Something I've found to be the case is how easy it is to cover unbelief through statements such as "let's be practical" or "let's be realistic." While those are good, sometimes trusting God means doing so when the circumstances seem hopeless. This was Abraham's faith, and it must be ours also.

This experience is a reminder that God can do above all that we ask and imagine, and we may trust Him enough to put Him to the test. In these 7days, God has performed another miracle for me; and while this may seem like something big in my eyes, it is only a drop in the ocean of what God can do for all who out their trust in Him. Note Jesus' promises:

"Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Mark 9:23

"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Mark 11:24 

30 Random facts about...

This was sparked by a conversation I once had with a close big sister of mine about the conceptions and misconceptions folks often have about  other individuals, (especially "preachers, teachers, prominent men etc") usually because they fail to see the human in them. 
This is a list of random, hopefully not generic, facts about myself that most people may not know. I'd encourage others to do the same. By no order of importance: 

1. Morning is my favourite part of the day.

2. I have an unusually good long term memory (eg. I remember what someone was wearing when I first met them years ago), but not so good short term memory.

3. I enjoy checking things off my “to do” list (when I've actually done them).

4. For a year of my life I did stand-up comedy (Even went to SA’s got talent and got past the first round, I just didn’t go back)

5. Favourite fruit: Mango

6. I enjoy making people laugh, although it does take quite a while for me to be comfortable enough around someone before I try to do that.

7. I’m secretly talkative, but few know this (due to the last clause of #6.)

8. I really dislike cold weather. 

9. I am trend-averse… I find myself losing interest in things when they become “trendy.“

10. Humour and silence is how I deal with overwhelming and sometimes painful circumstances 

11. I've lived alone in a single flat for the past 4 years due to studies.

12. Used to be a major hip-hop head, circa 2003-2010

13. I am not a fan of savoury breakfasts. 

14. I’ve graduated 3 times…soon to be 4. (It would be nice to make it 5 before I reach 30.)

15. I only learnt how to run properly when I was 16. I really enjoy running now; looking forward to a time when I will be able to run without getting tired. 

16.  When I was in primary school, because I was a year younger than all my class-mates, I would always feel pressured to catch up to them. For this reason, almost once every week I found myself reading the dictionary to try and learn better english so that I could "be smarter."

17. Character traits I appreciate in people: genuineness, humility, excellence of spirit and wit.

18. One thing I really dislike: being searched (ie. By security guards and stuff)

19. Two things I’m really interested in: Systematology (related to various theories, but particularly in business and urbanism) and Apologetics. 

20. My backpack and my glasses are a part of my everyday outfit. I feel naked without them and I feel like I have superpowers with them on.

21. Top 5 life changing books: 1. Steps to Christ (Ellen White), 2. How to Be a Victorious Christian (Thomas Davis), 3. The Coming of the Comforter (Leroy Froom), 4. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Especially habit no.5)-(Stephen Covey), 5. How to Win Friends and Influence People (Dale Carnegie), 

22. I’m more nervous at approaching/talking to individual strangers than speaking to a crowd. 

23. I secretly have ambitions which I do not share until they are close to being fulfilled

24. I love traveling, especially other African countries. I hope to visit at least one other African country a year, and at least one overseas country a year .

25. My morning ritual often includes a round of singing and dancing (especially between breakfast, showering & exercise), hence #1 

26. I sing a lot when I work (I like acapella music and depending on my mood I sing different parts: Favourites are alto, baritone and bass.)

27. I have 4 names

28. I’m relatively good at getting things done. Though I do sometimes wish I was as socially inclined as much as I am task driven.

29. I have a dislike for the labels "liberal" and "conservative." I have been called both, and haven't really appreciated it.

30. My 3 Biggest role models (apart from Jesus): My Father and Mother;  that’s about it. 

There's obviously much more about a person than 30 random fact, but

:)

Oh Nicodemus [Poem]

A poem written while considering the discussion between Jesus and Nicodemus, narrated in the 3rd Chapter of the gospel of John

Oh Nicodemus, the mystery of he
Who knowing all the letters, could not, the kingdom, see
While seeking for the Rabbi, in secrecy he came
And though he sought for dialogue, heard truth to him made plain

Oh Nicodemus, thou ruler of the Jews
Often in the pulpit, and seldom in the pews
Though you seek discussion, the Lord does not refrain
To bid you not to marvel, you must be born again

Coming to the Saviour, the hour now struck late
Hungry not for fellowship, but rather for debate
In kind reply to taunting words, He gives the verity
“Unless a man be born again, he cannot heaven see”

That which is born of flesh, can only its kind produce
Thus all your Jewish rituals cannot bear righteous fruit
Your greatest need: a change of heart, for there the problem lies
This the reason for failure, in all your many tries

“The Saviour’s words have struck, but can it truly be
Of all the sinners in Zion, the one most lost is me?
With all of my achievements and all that I have done”,
“Marvel not,” the rabbi says, “know you are the one.”

Oh Nicodemus, if only you would know
That before all your titles, the Saviours love was so
All that is your honour, could not His love increase  
Nor grant you any liberty, nor give you lasting peace

The wind blows where it wishes, of that you hear the sound
Yet neither do you question, nor count that too profound
So also this the case, with all born anew
The Spirit has a work to do and that must be in you.

What you need is not theory, nor vict’ry in debate
For you and the publican must enter a common gate
Not all that you can amass will a worthy tribute give
Your only way of entry is to look, oh look and live

Oh Nicodemus, do you still not understand?
How is it that you, being a great, religious man,
A teacher of the scriptures, to whom the rites are known
Have not come to learn to make the change of heart your own?

See uplifted on the pole, the Son of man, Divine
Hangs to bear the punishment, for folly which was thine
And so that you not perish, you may and must believe
That the Son of God uplifted, was lifted up for thee

You know where you are in bondage, be it appetite or pride
But Jesus offers liberty, to the prison cell inside
You must, for life, accept... His remedy and way
Behold the Lamb of God, thus your sins will He take away

Oh Nicodemus, you know how Moses did
Who, when he lifted the serpent, those who beheld did live
He is made sin, the Son of God on the pole
This the only remedy made for the freedom of your soul

The invitation of the Father, is that you might still live
For God has so adored you, that He His Son did give
His Spirit still calls out to you, that you may find relief
He stretches out His hand to you… behold and believe

Oh Nicodemus, ruler of the Jews
Always in the pulpit, and seldom in the pews,
You shall not be condemned, if you take My words as true
That the one to whom these words are spoken, is none other than you

The man Nicodemus, who later would become
A willing servant of the Rabbi, when His work was done
“You must be born again,” the Saviours word was seed
The fruit was a harvest of joy, when Nicodemus believed.  

Reflections from Mission Empowerment Conference 2016, Zambia

It's 10:09 somewhere in Zimbabwe. I'm sitting in a bus from Zambia, en-route to South Africa, dark - with all the lights off. Everyone in the bus is either asleep or silent, all except a very small few.

A few rows of seats behind me are a pair of young sisters in a dialogue on the subject of righteousness and Biblical hermeneutics, about 4 rows ahead are another small group exchanging, I believe, their views of social equality from the Biblical perspective. I don't quite catch the details of their discussions but the fact remains: the only voices I hear are those of young people engaged in genuine, deep and Biblical conversation. This is the ride back from the Mission Empowerment Conference 2016 (MEC2016) in Zambia.

About the conference

The MEC2016 Conference was organized by IMPACT Missionary Movement, in collaboration with Student Missionary Movement (STU-MM) and the Seventh-day Adventist Student Missionaries (SASM).

Under the theme: "Come up Higher", the conference challenged attendees to "explore greater level of spiritual, academic and professional excellence." I can best summarise my experience at the conference as being a "mountain-top" experience. Here I share just a few highlights from my time there.

Some highlights

Since December 2010, it’s been a personal wish of mine to visit Zambia. Making it to the conference has been by the hand of providence. My prayer, while planning was that if God wanted me attend, He would ensure that all the means necessary would be covered.

The conference offered challenging, reviving and practical presentations by Godly presenters, most of which spoke directly to me. Morning devotions covering the assurance of salvation and balanced Christianity were shared by Ps. Munyumbwe (Zambia Conference president), radical calls to commitment were made in afternoon and evening sermons given by Pr. Randy Skeete, and plenary sessions were shared by Ps.Joshua Shin (among others).

At the conference, I was given the immense privilege of presenting a seminar under the theme of Righteousness by Faith. My burden throughout the sessions given was an emphasis on experiencing the gospel, and understanding the cross in the context of the Three Angels’ Message (Revelation 14). I was inspired by the testimonies, lessons learnt from those who attended my seminar. One brother shared a testimony on how something I shared with him to read was an answer to a prayer he prayed before the conference. I really saw the seminar as led by God, both in the lessons learnt and conversations had.

I was impressed by the genuine Spirituality of the attendees and volunteers. It may be my fondness for Zambians (and other Africans), but I enjoyed meeting great people and making new friends. I’ve been positively influenced by my personal interactions with attendees from around the world, at the conference. The peak of the experience for me was time spent after the conference in fellowship with other speakers, volunteers and individuals from around the continent, including South Korea and Holland. That night I had the privilege of engaging with the conference delegates and speakers in a less formal environment; many lessons, laughs and godly influences.

One of the greatest takeaways is the answers to a prayer I prayed before going to the conference. I’ve been praying for guidance in a particular matter or two, and the directions God would have me go in best serving Him. My prayer was to have the answer before leaving the conference. From the developments of the conference (sermons, presentations and conversations), God really gave a clear answer on the morning of my departure from the conference. I do not return home the same.

Challenges and commitments going back

My time at MEC2016 gave greater encouragement in seeing the book I’ve been writing, Communion with Christ, finished. I shared some material from it in the seminar. The greater hope after this conference is to see the book reach those who requested for it in Zambia, and other parts of the world.

Ps. Mensa, a Ghanaian speaker, gave an enthusiastic challenge to delegates from different countries to have active plans (as lay-persons and young professionals) for advancing the gospel in their respective contexts. South Africa was no exception. I was personally challenged to “translate concerns to actions”, in putting to work the ideas and convictions that have been growing over time, especially for service to God. Progress is made when the rubber hits the road, and there is no time like the present for one to act on the impressions God has laid on the heart.

I believe that the conference was not an end in itself, but the means to an end: a starting point to greater things. I look forward to seeing what will be initiated by and with those who attended, both in my own country and across the continent. All in all, MEC 2016 fulfilled its call to not only challenge, but also to equip us to “Come up Higher.” This has been a reality for me.

“Be ambitious, for the Master's glory.” White, E

MEC 2016 Download Links

To download the handouts from the Righteousness by Faith seminar, please click on the link below for the relevant seminar.

1. The Science of the Cross (.pdf) Description: A brief look at the science of the cross. What is the role of the cross in the experience of salvation. 

2. The everlasting Gospel, where is the cross? (.pdf)

3. The cross and the second angels message. (.pdf)

4. The cross and the Third Angel's message (.pdf)

Documents and Slides from other presentations :
 http://s-thinks.blogspot.co.za/p/downloads.html

God bless

How I almost accepted the doctrine of original sin.

The story of a short, but significant point in my life: How I almost accepted the doctrine of original sin. Now, original sin, in summary, is a [false] doctrine which basically defines the fallen nature that one is born with as being sin. The teaching insists that by virtue of humanity’s fallen condition, we are “born sinners”, and that what makes us such is our very natures, inherited from Adam after his fall.

This understanding of what sin is has various implications, among a few:

•  “This doctrine simply means that we stand condemned because of our birth-state, either because we have a fallen nature or because we are born into the family of fallen Adam." [i]
• Because of the idea that the condition of our nature is sin, we can never be brought to an experience of being without sin until translated at the coming of Jesus, when our natures will be changed. This means that we can never hope for victory over sin in this life.
• This also affects the understanding of what Christ came to save us from. In a very condensed form*, salvation is a change of the sinner’s external status, not of the sinner’s inward condition.

While many more points can be considered*, for the sake of brevity, we’ll only note these. Now, why would I believe such a [not so Biblical][ii] theory you may ask?

I start by sharing a small part of my daily-developing testimony:

The year of my baptism, my (then) elder handed me a copy of the book Steps to Christ for a Sanctified Life. One of the best gifts I’ve ever received. I learnt the practicalities of Christianity and the plan of salvation and believe that through the lessons learnt I was thoroughly converted.  From a secular lifestyle, very literally, my life changed.

Fast forward to after a few short years of growth: With an indomitable zeal for service, I grew very actively involved in evangelism and ministry. Having ascended a number of pulpits, numerous studies conducted, sold and given out tracts and books, I bore many of the identifying marks of a “conservative, present-truth brother.” One major part of this experience included a firmly held belief in the idea that Jesus can give us victory over all sin in this lifetime. This becomes very important as the story continues, (by this time I had well learnt, and could out argue, the theory of original sin.)

I do not, in any wise, doubt the genuineness of my experience; but alas, there creeps a wily adversary. Notice a trick of the devil:

“When I ([the Lord]) say to the righteous that he shall surely live, but he trusts in his own righteousness and commits iniquity, none of his righteous works shall be remembered; but because of the iniquity that he has committed, he shall die.” Ezekiel 33:13 NKJV

Failing to get a person to believe in Jesus, one of satan’s tricks is to make the believer trust that the righteousness he has been experiencing, is somehow of his own making. After a while, this became the experience with me. One of satan’s fiery darts, especially to very well meaning individuals, is to shift one’s attention to the faults of others and think thoughts along the lines of: “they don’t study their Bibles… they still eat and drink such & such… they are not serious about evangelism… they don’t preach present truth… they don’t dress modestly… (in other words) they are not like me…”

The essence of this trick is to lead the believer’s attention off of Christ, the only One who can really keep the believer upright, in heart.

“When the mind dwells upon self, it is turned away from Christ, the source of strength and life. Hence it is Satan's constant effort to keep the attention diverted from the Saviour and thus prevent the union and communion of the soul with Christ. The pleasures of the world, life's cares and perplexities and sorrows, the faults of others, or your own faults and imperfections--to any or all of these he will seek to divert the mind. Do not be misled by his devices.” Steps to Christ, p. 71.2

The reason this is an effective trick is because the one caught in it doesn’t realize it. “The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.” (Proverbs 4:19).

I remember being frustrated with fellow believers who were “backslidden, liberal and lukewarm Laodiceans” (at least to my self-righteous estimation). This was mainly because they weren’t trying as hard as I was, or because they hadn’t come up to the standard that we were called to reach.

Jesus illustrates something very similar in the parable of the Pharisee and the publican in the temple. Long story short, the Pharisee compared himself with others and as a result, saw himself as more acceptable to God. It’s very interesting how Luke actually introduces that parable:

“[Jesus] spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others.” Luke 18:9

In this scenario, the reason why he who was seemingly righteous hated others is because he was trusting in himself for his righteousness. Like me, His focus was off of Christ. In that state, while I could readily point out the “sleeping Laodiceans” for their condition, to some extent (at least as it related to heart religion) I was in the same place.  I was just yet to realize it.

This leads me to the next point in the development of this trick of the devil. When one is, like the Pharisee in the parable, not having a heart experience, it leads to putting up human laws as a standard for self (and others) to obey. This is to compensate for the (internal) lack and console the restless conscience. Notice how Jesus puts it, quoting Isaiah:

“These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” Matthew 15:9

When the heart was far from Christ (even though sincerely honoring Him with the lips), I too piled up my own rules, especially for myself.  This is the gradual progress of satan’s trick, when the focus is turned off of Christ, as the source of righteousness, to self. Notice a few of the other results:  

“The effort to earn salvation by one's own works inevitably leads men to pile up human exactions as a barrier against sin. For, seeing that they fail to keep the law, they will devise rules and regulations of their own to force themselves to obey. All this turns the mind away from God to self. His love dies out of the heart, and with it perishes love for his fellow men. A system of human invention, with its multitudinous exactions, will lead its advocates to judge all who come short of the prescribed human standard. The atmosphere of selfish and narrow criticism stifles the noble and generous emotions, and causes men to become self-centered judges and petty spies.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing p.123.1

Hmm... Imagine…

Back to the story at hand though, note: A heart that is far from Jesus cannot successfully obey Him. In this case, even the man-made laws become unreachable. I can’t recall what it was, but there was something (seemingly small) in my experience that I found myself being overcome by. It even got to a point of repeatedly confessing the same thing after repeatedly stumbling on that point (imagine the discouragement.)

So, there I was: a firm believer in victory over sin, but being defeated as it came to obeying. The experience is similar to something, in Psychology, called “Cognitive dissonance. Cognitive dissonance, simply put, is when what you believe is at variance with what you are experiencing. It is the mental tension that comes from having contradictory internal beliefs.

When I read inspiration, I couldn’t deny God’s call to total obedience, to victory over every sin. On the other hand, my personal experience was presenting a serious counter argument. My daily defeat seemed to motion that “you will never stop sinning till Jesus comes, as long as you have this nature.” This experience made me clearly understand why some, whom I really regard as studious and intelligent, believe in the idea of original sin: because of the arguments that the (personal) experience seem to put forward.

The reasoning behind it is simple: If the scriptures teach one thing, but my experience is offering a compelling argument to the contrary, then one of them needs to change. And if the experience seems to remain the same after repeated efforts, then maybe one needs to revisit what I understand the scriptures to mean. This is why, I believe, one of the most frequent rebuttals for some who hold to the doctrine is always the question, “are you perfect?”

One evening, after another instance of defeat, I remember kneeling, discouraged, praying another “Lord I’m sorry, again (for the same thing).” But this time, I was worn out.  I didn’t understand how I could believe in victory over sin, and still be overcome, even by something so seemingly small. I knew that God was not too weak to help me, but such an experience was a question to His power (in me).  

With frustration and giving-up I remember praying a simple prayer: “God, if you can’t give me victory over this thing, then I might as well accept the doctrine of original sin.” It seems crazy now as I think about it, but heaven knows what I meant. It was the unarguable internal defeat, and that alone, that led to nearly accepting the theory…

The turning point to victory:

After falling asleep on my knees, I later woke with the weighty impression to visit a book I had, but never read before: How to be a Victorious Christian, by Thomas Davis (Download here). This further lead to (re)reading chapter 5 of Steps to Christ, entitled Consecration. Although I had been familiar with the truths of the gospel, God did a work of pointing me back to a few simple, but essential points:

On Consecration

The layout of the book Steps to Christ finds its climax in chapter 5. The earlier chapters speak of the steps towards conversion (i.e. God’s love, the Sinners Need, Repentance and Confession). The chapters that follow outline living the Christian life (Obedience, Prayer, Service and so forth). The point is simple: crossing the line from fallen & unconverted to being made anew in Christ comes with a complete, and trusting surrender of the life to Christ, consecration.

“The whole heart must be yielded to God, or the change can never be wrought in us by which we are to be restored to His likeness... The yielding of self, surrendering all to the will of God, requires a struggle; but the soul must submit to God before it can be renewed in holiness.”  Steps to Christ p.43.3

Making such surrender comes from a personal realization that the heart is where the real matter lies, and no outward modification will be sufficient to supply the inward lack. During this experience, I had overlooked this point, and I think it would be safe to say some still do today.

“The plan of beginning outside and trying to work inward has always failed, and always will fail. God's plan with you is to begin at the very seat of all difficulties, the heart, and then from out of the heart will issue the principles of righteousness; the reformation will be outward as well as inward.” Counsels on Diet and Foods, p.35

On resting (abiding) in Christ, not in theory.

I nearly entitled this note I Used to Believe in Victory over Sin, (but didn’t to avoid one taking that further than I intended). But in so entitling it, the point I make is the fact that the what brings us into experiencing victory is not merely in believing in its possibility or obligation. That is: that believing in [the possibility of] victory over sin is not what gives the victory; it is abiding in Christ that does.

Overlooking this point is the reason why one can believe in victory over sin, and still be overcome by meanness and unkindness, (or be defeated in another area). The theory of victory over sin is not what gives the victory; it is falling on the Rock and being broken that does. (I’m reminded here of an article by Eugene Prewitt entitled “Unvictorious believers in Victory”)

Following this experience, I then pursued a personal study on the subject of how to abide in Christ. The incident taught me what Paul means when he writes “if any man thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.” (1 Corinthians 8:1). Even after the few earlier years of sharing and teaching the gospel, it still demanded my study. Revisiting Steps to Christ, as well as the book by Davis, I was reassured not only of the possibility of victory, but also of the how.  

Initially, studying on how to abide was a personal search, but the material grew and now makes up much of my upcoming book: Communion with Christ. The experience of how I almost accepted the doctrine of original sin became, in a way, the beginnings of an experience of (re)learning what it means to experience God’s internal working. Were it not for this, I’m not sure if the development of Communion with Christ would reach where it has.

If God wills, the book will hopefully be launching in September. More details here

To Be Continued… Part 2: More on why I shared this experience.

---

[i] Dennis Priebe, Original Sin, Forgiveness, and Obedience

[ii] I use the term “Not so Biblical” purely to acknowledge that some who have accepted the doctrine of original sin have arrived at their conclusions biblically. Although a thorough examination of the scriptures would prove the conclusions of the teaching to be without solid grounds.