Bravery and Fortitude

Have you ever visited another country other than the one you were born in? I’m certain our experiences are different, but there is one thing that we may share in common when it comes to travelling, and that is the unnerving experience of being in a different environment, meeting new people and the fear of the unknown. Being subject to regulations and jurisdictions of a country you have never been to can be quite troubling however; having a guide about the country usually gives ease of mind.

Do you remember the famous quote in Job 13:15? Many quote it and indeed I have done so myself, but the true implication of the verse many scarcely contemplate. I asked myself what could have possibly been the qualifications that Job possessed in order to utter such words. How could this man whom an unerring God had declared perfect before the host of heaven, be so fearless at the miasma of death around him? How could he be solid as a rock as his flesh putrefied while he remained alive? How could he remain strong as steel when friends faded into the shadows and his wife as a thorn pricked in his flesh?

Job was faithful to God as the Bible tells us, but Job was not only faithful, he was of the mind that this earth is but a temporary place and he a pilgrim and stranger. Job understood that he is an epistle, known and read of all men. He understood that whatever happened in his life whether good or bad had an effect (directly or indirectly) on those around him. Job did not live to himself, but he lived for the glory of God and the uplifting of humanity and still that did not exempt him from death, misfortune or ill-health.

We are but strangers and pilgrims, our home is heaven and our only guide is the Bible. The environment may be different, the outcome may be devastating and the fruit unpromising, though pestilence or even death faces you, abide in Him, ‘be still and let God move.’ It is only in abiding that we are able to face the most gruesome trials with bravery and fortitude.

“We need the courage of heroes and the faith of martyrs. When in faith we take hold of His strength, He will change...the most hopeless, discouraging outlook. He will do this for the glory of His name.” E.G. White

Jehovah Jireh: Our Mini Story on Trust

What comes to your mind when you think of sacrifice or provision? One can almost correctly guess it...Genesis 22, the story of Abraham and Isaac. I'm not surprised, because indeed that account of Abraham and Isaac in the Bible is a challenging, but encouraging one. God asks Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac (only 'son' in a sense that he was the son of promise), and I can imagine, the old man must have been startled, but because he trusted God, he obeyed, Heb 11:17-19 proves that. The overarching theme: Trust and Obey, God Shall Provide, no doubt.

Early this year we had planned a long week-end VBS roundup for the children at the mission site, so we started all the necessary preps and tried to organize the school where we were going to conduct it. After speaking to the principal of the school, we were grateful to God that he allowed that to go as seamless as possible, and so we prepared things as usual. It was about a week before the VBS when we called the principal just to confirm that all is in order, things had changed and the matter had to be taken to the SGB for approval, surely it was just as easy as writing a proposal, praying and waiting right? We were requested to pay a certain amount per day in order to have our VBS at the school, but given our limited resources it was not feasible, so we prayed about it and continued preparing for the VBS.

One day left and we rounded up all our things and printed all that was needed for the children at the mission site. It was a Thursday evening, 18:00, 17th April, the day before the VBS, when I came home with everything ready for the VBS, and kneeling down I spoke to God and said, "Lord, this is your work, you have sent us, we ask that you may please provide, that you may speak to the SGB and to the principal, may your Holy Spirit move them and may your work be done, we ask for a miracle this day Lord, Amen." Immediately after the prayer, I picked up the phone and called the principal, there was no answer, but the Holy Spirit impressed upon my mind to send an sms stating to the principal that we are still willing to come the next day at 09:30am and will continue with the children's programme outside the school. Just after sending that text message, a call came in, it was the principal of course, he admittedly said that he was moved by the text and just had to respond, he granted us access to the school and the VBS went on as planned.

The encouraging words came to mind that were once stated by one of our many favourite all time missionaries Hudson Taylor confirming that "God's work done in God's way, will NEVER lack God's supply." When obstacles come your way, remember the promise and Go forward, when it seems impossible to see the way, remember the way God carved with His breath between the Red Sea. The God of Abraham was not his alone, for verily even in 2014, He is the God of Missiontwenty4 and He can be your God too -- Jehovah Jireh: Our God provides.

Persistence: Our Testimony

For the past 3 weeks we have been meeting with an 85 year old woman, praying with her and doing foot massage on her. The first day was awkward as she manifested such a spirit of doubt that it became almost impossible to try and convince her that we were not there to benefit anything from her, except that she may benefit everything from our God. As I opened the blankets enclosing her feet, I saw her almost hide some of the scars caused by her condition. She tried to curl them away from my sight and uttered “I have a skin disease.” These words of distress fell upon my ears as those of the man who had leprosy in Mark 1.

She’s been ill for a while; I thought, and has possibly lost hope of ever recovering. Initially when we prayed with her, she did not even want to say Amen, she kept saying that she does not believe she'll ever get well. This past weekend we again visited her and are grateful to see the Lord softening her heart, such that as we were about to leave her house, she requested we read a Bible story for her. What could best describe her situation than the story of the impotent man found in John 5? Her plea, like his was/is: “I want to be whole, I want to walk again.” For the first time since our visit to her house, we were met by the encouraging words, “I now understand, and pray that Jesus may heal me.” The glimmer of hope shining in her eyes made us think, what would have happened if we had decided to quit after the very first visit? “When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.” Isa 41:17

As we continue doing the Lord’s work, whether in Medical Missionary lines, Colporteuring, or Bible work, there are discouragements we meet along the way, there are times when we may feel like giving up, but God says, “Go Forward.”

Acceptable Service

While reading about the events surrounding the life, death and particularly the resurrection of Jesus, I found it a sobering thought that God would make such a great sacrifice for fallen humanity. Well, we always hear about it, we often read about it, but this time it was different. As I read John 20:17, a question came to my mind, "what is acceptable service?" Dependent on the reader, my assumption is that the first text that comes to mind is Romans 12:1
Body = Living sacrifice (holy);
Living Sacrifice (holy) = (log-ik-os) Reasonable/ Rational Service to God;
Reasonable/ Rational Service to God = Acceptable to God

Back  to John 20:17 Mary (Magdalene) is grief stricken, and while she weeps at the tomb, she learns and sees that Jesus is alive. In her plight to worship Him, she hears the words "Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God and your God." It seems a bit harsh, I mean here is a woman who has just learnt that her Lord who was dead is now alive and just wants to worship the Saviour, why couldn't she?

As much as Jesus appreciated the gesture shown by Mary Magdalene, He had not yet presented himself to God the Father to ascertain that His sacrifice for us was accepted. This comes out quite strongly to me that Jesus did nothing except that He knew it bore the Father's approval. While on earth Jesus had been obedient to His Father, He walked with God daily and His service was acceptable. Jesus bore testimony of Rom 12:1 till death, even after His resurrection. The rest I leave with you, is your service acceptable to God?

Medical Missionary Training

Optimum Health Outlook is offering a discounted tuition Medical Missionary Training from 2nd March - 25th May 2014. Our tuition was R350 effective 1 January 2014. Based on the increasing interest regarding Bible-based health principles and healthful cookery, OHO has waived the R350 tuition to R100!! for the Mar to May months as a way of "giving back." Our aim is to make this training as affordable as possible especially for beginners (individuals or entities), and those that work or study full-time. The goal is to teach the participants Biblical health principles so the can teach and help others.

For 6 weeks, participants will be trained to use a Bible-centered approach to healthful living. OHO uses the Bible and Inspiration as a basis for all training. The Optimum-Health-Outlook Medical Missionary Training will run on the 2nd & 16th March, the 6th  & 27th April, and the 11th & 25th May 2014. Enrol Now!


Call 073-365-5282 or e-mail: missiontwenty4@gmail.com and check out the OHO blog: optimum-health-outlook.blogspot.com

Remember Registration ends 25th February 2014, ACT NOW and save R250. Only pay R100 at registration. Classes will begin promptly at 10:00am -13:00pm.




The Optimum-Health
-Outlook Training will be held at Naturena Primary School located at Naturena, Johannesburg.

Mission Johannesburg

This is what we've been up to in December, 2013. O! What a privilege it is, to be co-laborers together with the God of the universe. Don't miss the opportunity to get involved, there are a number of programmes lined up for 2014. Let's finish this work!

Resolutions: Be Fruitful!

As the day dawned into the New Year, we sat up and silently thought “what does the new year have in store for us?” Have you ever thought of it really? What have you attempted for God in 2013 and what do you still wish to attempt for Him in 2014? What are your expectations from God in 2014? In most cases the expectation far exceeds the attempt to do something for God. It’s quite normal to have a New Year’s resolution every single year, but have you ever wondered why our resolutions almost always seem to fail? I've discovered that there is always a common factor to the failure of our resolutions.

1. They’re almost always temporary solutions to long term problems, i.e. most people who wish to lose weight think of a short term plan. Some people want to accomplish great things in the ministry, but look for the quickest way to do so.
2. Our resolutions are in most cases triggered by guilt, perhaps to a certain extent some kind of desire, but the desire ends just there.
3. Our resolutions may be good and we may be sincere in themselves, however; it may not be God’s will for us.

Step Ahead:

1. I've realized over the years that in order for our resolutions to be effective, we need to consider change as a lifestyle, rather than a temporary solution. Example if in 2014 I want to gain or lose weight, I must think along the lines of making health a way of life, rather than a temporary diet. If we wish to accomplish great things for God, we must always start at the lowest round of the ladder, and as time goes with every round, go higher and higher.
2. Our resolutions must not stop at just a desire, if we take a step further and actually go all out, in prayer and earnestness asking God for strength, He will give us power to carry through.
3. We ought to align ourselves to the will of God and allow Him the opportunity to guide us.

According to the above guidelines, what would you have done differently in 2013?  Your answers will reflect which areas need improvement in 2014, pray for guidance. How about we start afresh and make our resolutions daily so that when the year ends we can rightly reflect on the things we have accomplished in the previous year and those we are willing to attempt in the coming year by God’s grace? Think about it. Have a fruitful year!