Genesis 2: 2-3

The primary reason why the Sabbath was created was for rest. The Creator foresaw that it would be easy for man to lose sight of what is truly important. The Sabbath ‘rest’ is not purely physical rest. We rest because God rested and yet we know God does not need to rest. The Sabbath rest is a refreshing of the soul. As I said earlier it is easy for man to lose sight of what is truly important. The cares and worries of this world often fill our minds that is why God created the Sabbath specifically for us. Mark 2:27 When Jesus Christ walked the earth He left us examples of what ‘ refreshing the soul’ entails. Matthew 12:12 Jesus said that it is good to do good on the Sabbath. In this case it was an act of kindness to another person. Since the Sabbath was made for us this must only mean that helping others does not only benefit others but ourselves as well. In actuality the Sabbath,  though made for us, is not about us. Focusing on ourselves is strangely not the way to refresh the soul instead God tells us that when we refrain from doing our own pleasures then the Sabbath becomes a delight. Isaiah 58:13

God wants the Sabbath to be a do good day. So remember to be a do gooder this Sabbath.

1 Timothy 3:16

We know that every Christian strives to reach Godliness but what is it really?? What is true godliness?? Is it following all 10 commandments? Giving to charity? Devoting
your life to ministry? Becoming a pastor? Well even in the verse above true Godliness is described as a mystery.

Fortunately it’s a mystery that can be solved. Colossians 1:27 The amazing mystery is that Christ is able to dwell within you. Habakkuk 1:13 This verse tells us that God and sin cannot dwell together. How is it then that Jesus Christ, who is God, can live within us? This my friends is the great mystery. It is Christ in us that enables us to achieve Godliness. He sacrificed all so that He may be able to dwell within us.

Luke 17:26

Before the flood of waters came upon the earth it is said that for 120 years the same message was sounded in their ears, warning them to repent lest the wrath of God be manifested in their destruction but the message seemed idle to them and they believed it not. It is said many who knew Noah regarded him as an insane old folk who needed something to do, which is basically the same way the world looked at Mr Miller when he preached the first angels message and many who lived at that time died knowing the truth but having not accepted the truth to transform them and set them free.

Christ declares that there will exist similar unbelief concerning His second coming. As the people of Noah’s day “knew not until the flood came and took them all away; so shall the coming of the Son of Man be.” Matthew 24: 39

We are  been given a warning: ” Take heed yourselves lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness and the cares of this life so that the day may come upon you unawares”, “Watch ye therefore and pray always, that ye may be counted worthy to escape all these things…”

Summarised from ‘The Faith I live by’

Aphiwe Dlamini

1 Kings 19:3-4

Elijah was a powerful man. He was one of the few who stayed faithful to God during a time of wickedness in Israel. Furthermore he was brave enough to stand in front of a wicked king and pronounce judgement upon the Land.

He called down fire from heaven and showed a whole nation that there was a living God and yet in these few verses we catch Elijah in a moment of weakness. The same man who had called down fire from heaven the day before was running away afraid for his life.

The Lord took pity on Elijah. Psalms 103:14  God remembers that we are only human. Often times we forget that we have a God in whom we trust and we are afraid of the troubles that seem to be pressing on all sides. We are discouraged and give up but God knows, He sees and he cares despite our distrust of Him.

“Are you tempted to give way to feelings of anxious foreboding or utter despondency? In the darkest days, when appearances seem most forbidding, fear not. Have faith in God. He knows your need. He has all power. His infinite love and compassion never weary. Fear not that He will fail of fulfilling His promise.” Prophets and Kings pp. 164

Leviticus 10:3