Morning Devotion Snippet:Points to ponder upon

Parents and teachers, in taking the responsibility of training these children, do not feel their accountability before God to become acquainted with the physical organism, that they may treat the bodies of their children and pupils in a manner to preserve life and health. Thousands of children die because of the ignorance of parents and teachers. Mothers will spend hours over needless work upon their own dresses and those of their children to fit them for display, and will then plead that they cannot find time to read up and obtain the information necessary to take care of the health of their children. They think it less trouble to trust their bodies to the doctors. In order to be in accordance with fashion and custom, many parents have sacrificed the health and lives of their children.

To become acquainted with the wonderful human organism, the bones, muscles, stomach, liver, bowels, heart, and pores of the skin, and to understand the dependence of one organ upon another for the healthful action of all, is a study in which most mothers take no interest. They know nothing of the influence of the body upon the mind and of the mind upon the body. The mind, which allies finite to the infinite, they do not seem to understand. Every organ of the body was made to be servant to the mind. The mind is the capital of the body. Children are allowed to eat flesh meats, spices, butter, cheese, pork, rich pastry, and condiments generally. They are also allowed to eat irregularly and between meals of unhealthful food. These things do their work of deranging the stomach, exciting the nerves to unnatural action, and enfeebling the intellect.

Parents do not realize that they are sowing the seed which will bring forth disease and death
Many children have been ruined for life by urging the intellect and neglecting to strengthen the physical powers. Many have died in childhood because of the course pursued by injudicious parents and schoolteachers in forcing their young intellects, by flattery or fear, when they were too young to see the inside of a schoolroom. Their minds have been taxed with lessons when they should not have been called out, but kept back until the physical constitution was strong enough to endure mental effort. Small children should be left as free as lambs to run out of doors, to be free and happy, and should be allowed the most favorable opportunities to lay the foundation for sound constitutions.

Parents should be the only teachers of their children until they have reached eight or ten years of age. As fast as their minds can comprehend it, the parents should open before them God's great book of nature. The mother should have less love for the artificial in her house and in the preparation of her dress for display, and should find time to cultivate, in herself and in her children, a love for the beautiful buds and opening flowers. By calling the attention of her children to their different colors and variety of forms, she can make them acquainted with God, who made all the beautiful things which attract and delight them. She can lead their minds up to their Creator and awaken in their young hearts a love for their heavenly Father, who has manifested so great love for them. Parents can associate God with all His created works. The only schoolroom for children from eight to ten years of age should be in the open air amid the opening flowers and nature's beautiful scenery. And their only textbook should be the treasures of nature. These lessons, imprinted upon the minds of young children amid the pleasant, attractive scenes of nature, will not be soon forgotten.

Source:Testimonies to the Church,Volume 3,Chapter 14:Proper Education

Evening Devotion:Jeremiah Davis - Get Ready, Get Ready, Get Ready - A Crisis is Coming.

I decided to watch a sermon for my evening devotion and I was blessed,chastised and revived.

I pray that you are blessed too!

What are we doing about "blessers" and "blessees"?

Yesterday,I was listening to SA fm and there was a short discussion on what can be done to reduce the number of girls sleeping around for the sake of money.A few suggestions included encouraging girls to go to school and fighting it as a society.I'm still trying to brainstorm honestly.It's a tragic condition.

Maybe we need more seminars on the worth of women in God's eyes?More prayers?More Campaigns etc?But I believe the education system also plays a role-I'm not justifying anything;but I believe the education system should encourage young people to be independent thinkers and to teach them skills that will enable them to be able to provide for themselves.We do not all need to go to Uni to make a living,we need skills that will equip us.

Let's brainstorm together:what can we do to save our sisters from such a lifestyle?

The sad part is,these women recklessly live their lives just to maintain a 'fancy" lifestyle.It is sad.Sexual intercourse has been turned into an object to get money-it has lost its sanctity.The Bible has professed it,"men will be lovers of themselves"(2 Tim 3:1) even if it means disregarding God's law.But I believe,these souls are not beyond God's redeeming grace.

I believe the family structure has much to do with this.Most girls come from broken homes where you do how you please.Also,they've had no father figure etc-but these are still not excuses.One woman said,she'll stop if she gets a job.It's all sad!

More role-models needed?

More hard-workers needed?

What must be done?Let's brainstorm please!


To see what I'm taking about,watch here

Does God Write Love Stories? [Personal Testimony]

Worth the watch!!!

Grateful for such testimonies,encouraged to share mine-hopefully by the end of the year-even though the end is NOT the same :)

Grateful for serving a God who is so much interested in every aspect in our lives and who only wants to give us the best :).

Feeling Discouraged?

Broken?
Hurt?
Lonely?
Confused?
Overwhelmed?
Anxious?

The answer does not lie in eating a nice dessert or chocolate,listening to great songs or sleeping to feel better.God is the one to consult.Often,when met with discouragement we are tempted to escape into some "unrealistic" place-whether by watching a movie or just escaping the reality.But I'm learning that,God is the One to go to because He understands and He can comfort us.

Whenever I feel overwhelmed,the Word of God always soothes my Spirit,so does talking to God.I always feel easy,knowing for sure that a heavy burden has been removed-even if that does not involve a solution.Just knowing God is bearing the burden with me is enough.

God is enough and beyond my expectations and greater THAN all that troubles me-He's greater than my problems and what's great is that He never gets tired of listening me.He's always available!Imagine if God had slots for prayer-life would be burdensome!Glad God is ever present and ever so near.Regardless of how you feel,pray and read His Word.

^" For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness."-Psalm 107:9

Seeing Yourself through God's eyes

I believe as humans we have a deep desire to know ourselves.Theories on personality,which in psychology,is defined as a set of behavioural,emotional ,and cognitive traits consistent  over time have been develops with the desire to understand mankind's behaviour.The likes of Sigmund Freud have focused on how personality develops, which includes his psychosexual stages of development,that I refuse to believe by the way.The social perspective theory has also had a say,and the likes of Carl Jung and many more.And it was Carl Jung who came with the concept of extraversion and introversion.Other concepts of personality types include a continuum of openness,conscientiousness,extraversion,aggreableness and neuroticism.Even from early centuries philosophers also sought to understand the cause of our behaviour.

And I must say we've done well!And I believe the knowledge of personality types helps you a lot.I've come to understand myself by learning about personality types.But over the years there has been an obsession over IT I think.Books, talks and even workshops have been dedicated on personality types.

But I'd like to remind mankind:there's one person who is truly acquainted with our true personalities and it is God.He's the better person to consult daily,for through His Spirit,He will even make us aware of our defects.I personally am over the personality types talk because,people tend to focus so much on their traits,that they start excusing themselves.I did!And it just somehow narrows you down.You end up conforming to your personality type instead of growing as a person.

As much as we need to be acquainted with our personality,we need to behold Christ more and allow Him to change.Personality is acceptable and good;but character-wise we must represent Christ.

One wrong CANNOT be solved by another wrong!

If we want to solve rape, we can not start raping

If we want to solve murder,we cannot start killing

If we want to solve crime,we cannot all resort to crime

If we want to solve racism,we ourselves must not be racists

The mindset of harming those who harm you does not help humanity.In fact, it is the cause of bloodshed and moral decline of the society.Whenever one decides to do avenge evil for evil,that only results in a worse case scenario and that only makes the future bleak.Imagine a society where black who are not racist,who see whites as other fellow beings,who must be loved and respected,were to decide to be hateful towards them.How would this actually benefit them?I can attest that whenever you resolve to do evil for evil,you who avenge,suffer the most.Instead of being at peace,you suffer more.Your energy is constantly absorbed in harming the other party,you become bitter and you live a life that has not touched anyone.For what is the point of doing good to those who do you good?I view this as a selfish motive-doing good so that you can benefit.

As a Christian,Christ is our example.In our sinful nature,whenever one harms you,you just want to retaliate.But in all honesty,retaliation is defeat.It is a form of weakness.I know it's a hard pill to swallow,but it's the truth.I've come to learn that we will never have peace while we hate or cherish evil thoughts towards others.I have learnt these lessons on occasions where someone has harmed me.I remember how angry I was when I got mugged.If I was given the weapon,I'd be even willing to commit murder-I'm not a killer!But that's how angry I was.But did my anger bring back my phone,tablet,money,textbook?No,instead hating on the robber just made me unhappy and depressed.

In fact,retaliation does not bring any change.It hinders growth of the individual and the person misses out on many opportunities.In the scenario of racism,you actually miss out on developing beautiful friendships and actually improving the society at large-through peace.And if you look deeper,your salvation is a stake.

Looking at Christ,our example,even though he was mistreated,he never reacted.What would have happened if he retaliated?He would have sinned and a stain of sin would be found in him,removing him from being a spotless sacrifice,thus dismissing Him from being a ransom for our sins.Then all humanity would be enslaved to sin and eternal death will follow since God cannot coexist with sin.It would've been a sad ending.

Psalm 37:1-2King James Version (KJV)

37 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

² For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb

Psalm 37:8-11King James Version (KJV)

⁸ Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
⁹ For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.
¹⁰ For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
¹¹ But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

 

Devotional Snippet

"My brethren, . . . I am departing with a safe-conduct from the king to meet my numerous and mortal enemies. . . . I confide altogether in the all-powerful God, in my Saviour; I trust that He will listen to your ardent prayers, that He will infuse His prudence and His wisdom into my mouth, in order that I may resist them; and that He will accord me His Holy Spirit to fortify me in His truth, so that I may face with courage, temptations, prison, and, if necessary, a cruel death. Jesus Christ suffered for His well-beloved; and therefore ought we to be astonished that He has left us His example, in order that we may ourselves endure with patience all things for our own salvation? He is God, and we are His creatures; He is the Lord, and we are His servants; He is Master of the world, and we are contemptible mortals--yet He suffered! Why, then, should we not suffer also, particularly when suffering is for us a purification? Therefore, beloved, if my death ought to contribute to His glory, pray that it may come quickly, and that He may enable me to support all my calamities with constancy. But if it be better that I return amongst you, let us pray to God that I may return without stain--that is, that I may not suppress one tittle of the truth of the gospel, in order to leave my brethren an excellent example to follow. Probably, therefore, you will nevermore behold my face at Prague; but should the will of the all-powerful God deign to restore me to you, let us then advance with a firmer heart in the knowledge and the love of His law."-(Huss' words)/The Great Controversy,Chapter 6:Huss and Jerome,page 105


Challenged by such devotion to God and His cause.

IT HURTS!!!

I was under the impression that racism died a long time ago.I was of the idea that whites view blacks as human and they realize that they have the right to basic things including the right to own a house wherever they want.But over the past month,a dear sister (older) than me,has faced racism and it's sad.I repost what she went through here  and the sad things is,it has not ended and she's not the only one.But it's a reality,especially in Cape Town.

I remember having a white classmate in one group.She was the only one.She used to be so shocked when I'd get better marks than her.In fact,she'd be moody after seeing I and my friend's test scripts.There were also other two girls who were shocked that a 'black' female student got the highest marks in a certain module.And as I look back,I cannot help but wonder,what is that these individuals have been told about black students.

I've seen cases of colored calling blacks stupid purely on the basis of skin color and it hurts.To be made to feel like "nothing" hurts.To have to prove that you worthy of something hurts.

Why must the color of my skin and  that of my people define them?Why does black mean less intelligent and less of anything?Why must I only be heard when I'm a lighter shade,'white' to be exact?Is it fair that because of our skin color we are not afforded the same opportunities,even if it means the black is more qualified?

We are more than skin color!We are humans-with feelings.We are humans.We are humans and because we are humans,we deserve a shelter-and if we are able to afford it,why must it be with-held on the basis of color.Why must we be treated less than dogs?

Further more,this is my only inquiry,on what basis,do you white people,think of yourselves better than us?I'd like to know out of sincerity.

I mean,does a dog become less of a dog because of it's shade?NO!!!

If white people were immune to some of things we went through I'd think of them as better-but if the basis is money and what you're able to afford,then that's not a better standard.I believe racists often have opinions that they hold that are actually not true.

There is great danger in making conclusions based on generalization.

One black does not represent me!

Let's stop hating!

 

Sabbath Opening Sharing

29 APRIL 2016

Happy Sabbath dear friends!!!It is my humble prayer that we may take the time to reflect on how Christ suffered on our behalf.This evening I had the privilege to hear my friend share for the first time and God spoke through her.

Her sharing was based on Matthew 26:36-56-Jesus in Gethsemane.
A few things stood out for me:

-Sin is evil and it caused Jesus,the Creator of the universe,to suffer anguish and pain
-Jesus,could have said,or decided to have His own way and go back to heaven.I mean,He came to die for the disciples,YET they were sleeping!Yet,instead of giving up,He went back to prayer.Dear friends,Prayer strengthens the soul.There are times in the Christian journey when you are just tired and discouraged,but whenever we open our hearts to Him,the soul is refreshed!
-How humble is Christ-even when He could call on thousands of angels to kill his enemies,He still chose to take the narrow path,the painful path.Indeed,he was silent unto death!
How deep is God's love for each one of us,dear friends.Gethsemane,was the deciding factor-our fate hanged there-and Jesus,as he saw us redeemed,ad he saw how weak we were,He chose shame,so that in exchange,we may be glorified.

Let us respond to THIS PRECIOUS GIFT-SALVATION.

May we be broken by Christ and may we humble ourselves too and let Him reign in our hearts.May we take time,daily,to reflect on how much God has loved us and fearfully respond by loving Him back!
Indeed,God is worthy,He is the King of Kings,all honor,glory and power belong to Him!

A picture of I and the friend who shared,taken last year :)

Philippians 2:5-8King James Version (KJV)

⁵ Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
⁶ Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
⁷ But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
⁸ And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cros

Thankful Thursday/Devotional Snippet

Bless the Lord,O,my soul!!!!Thankful for God's love and all the trouble He went through just so I could be saved.To think that I could be a slave to sin,if He hadn't intervened!I'm even more thankful that He moved upon my heart to read chapter 30 of the Great Controversy.My soul has been watered.

Three statements just blessed and encouraged me!!Indeed,Honor,glory,and power only belongs to Him!

"Had not God specially interposed, Satan and man would have entered into an alliance against Heaven; and instead of cherishing enmity against Satan, the whole human family would have been united in opposition to God."-p.505

"It is the grace that Christ implants in the soul which creates in man enmity against Satan. Without this converting grace and renewing power, man would continue the captive of Satan, a servant ever ready to do his bidding. But the new principle in the soul creates conflict where hitherto had been peace. The power which Christ imparts enables man to resist the tyrant and usurper. Whoever is seen to abhor sin instead of loving it, whoever resists and conquers those passions that have held sway within, displays the operation of a principle wholly from above."-p506

"Satan assailed Christ with his fiercest and most subtle temptations, but he was repulsed in every conflict. Those battles were fought in our behalf; those victories make it possible for us to conquer. Christ will give strength to all who seek it. No man without his own consent can be overcome by Satan. The tempter has no power to control the will or to force the soul to sin. He may distress, but he cannot contaminate. He can cause agony, but not defilement. The fact that Christ has conquered should inspire His followers with courage to fight manfully the battle against sin and Satan."-p510