Bikers Church Cape Town

Building Godly relationships #5 By Pastor George Lehman   “I only love God as much as I love the person whom I love the least.” This is a How do I make it work or not work service?  Faults are thick where love is thin. Matthew 23:23-24 (Amp) - Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders (hypocrites)!  For you give a tenth of your mint and dill and cummin and have neglected and omitted the weightier (more important) matters of the Law – right and justice and mercy and fidelity.  These you ought [particularly] to have done, without neglecting the others.   You blind guides, filtering out a gnat and gulping down a camel!   Luke 6:42 (NIV) - How can you say to your brother, Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye, when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.                   The history recorded in a museum in Nantucket island: It was about an organization formed centuries ago.  In those days, travel by sea was extremely dangerous because of the storms and the rocks along their Atlantic coast. Many lives were lost within a 1,5 km distance of land.  So, a group of volunteers went into the lifesaving business.  They called themselves the Human Society. These people built little huts along the shoreline.  They had people watching the sea all the time.  Whenever a ship went down, the word would go out.  They would devote everything to save every life they could.  They did not put themselves at risk for money, fame or recognition - only because they prized human life. To remind them of what was at stake, they adopted this motto: “You have to go out, but you don’t have to come back” Not such a great recruiting slogan, but it was. So many accounts and testimonies of people who would risk everything – even their lives to save people they had never met. Over the years things changed.  The U.S. Coast Guard eventually took over.  Their saying was “Let the professionals do it.”  They were better equipped, better trained and paid for it.  Volunteers stopped manning the life saving huts; they stopped looking out for shipwrecks.  They could never get themselves to disband the life-saving society.  They still get together once in a while, but to have dinner and a chat.  They enjoy one another’s’ company.  The point is, “They’re just not in the life saving business anymore”. Here are some truths about this story: Live saving relationship building is not just the function of the pastor or leaders or those that are on fire for Jesus. We are all in the life saving Godly relationship building business. We don’t always see it, because we are so pre-occupied with our own life. I mean It’s a professional job after all Oh yes!!. People around us have mini shipwrecks everyday: They have family fights, mess up at work, children fail at school, make foolish financial choices, have bad habits and choices causing personal low self esteem, they fail, are hurt, disappointed.  The list just goes on… So much has been left by so many to so few. Our lifelines mostly are words that we offer to people. Our words offer: - acceptance, - love and - hope BUT… Our words have the ability to: - judge, - condemn, - wound, - be critical, - unkind and - degrading Romans 15:7 (NIV) - Accept one another…                  Accept is an action from my side to accept people; to be there for them; to say they are valuable and precious and that you long for the best for them. Just note that it doesn’t mean to approve of everything they do. Here’s a story of Jesus, a woman and a bunch of stone throwers: John 8:3-11 (NLT) 3“As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. 4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” 6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. 9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” 11 “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” Like the paralytic, she is brought to Jesus, not on a mat, but wrapped in sheets.  It’s the same purpose, but totally different attitudes: One was for Jesus to heal. One was for Jesus to approve her killing. Before you judge these guys too quickly… Question:  Have you ever held a stone in your hand…? As Christians we can be great stone throwers: - You go through life with judgmental thoughts - A superior attitude - Impatient words - Bitterness – unforgiveness - Not much room for love - Expressing a critical, condemning attitude about individuals - Saying something about someone in a way, that you would not want the other person to hear. There are so many trembling, fear filled, guilt ridden, brokenness and lost ness around you, BUT it doesn’t move you – you don’t even notice, because you’re caught up in your own self-righteousness, pride and judgmentalism. There is no room for stone throwing in Jesus’ plan for Godly relationship building. The reason is: We are all too guilty!’ Phillip Yancey says: Jesus’ audience would have divided people into 2 categories: Sinners (like the woman) Righteous (like the men)   YET… Jesus in one brilliant stroke replaces them with two different categories: Sinners who admit Sinners who deny Ask yourself the question when you are tempted to pick up a stone or see a speck: Why do I take pleasure or feel the need to do this? 2. What am I running away from in my own life? 3. Am I guilty of some of these issues? 4. What good will this do me and those who listen? If you say you are serious about Building Godly relationships.  (It’s not optional, it’s a command.)  ‘Because God truly is.’   Then when you get the urge to throw a rock or pick a speck, look within and ask: What do I need to work on myself? Where have I failed in the past? Let us get back into the lifesaving business: ‘Building Godly relationships’ Ephesians 4:29 (Amp) - Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as if fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it

Building Godly relationships #4 By Pastor George Lehman What a big difference there is between giving advice and lending a hand.   We even give advice that we are not willing to follow. 1 John 3:18 (LB) - “Little children, let us stop just saying we love people, let us really love them and show it by our actions.” How many happy selfish people do you know? A psychiatrist, dr. Carl Menninger, was asked, “What advice would you give to a person to do if he felt a nervous breakdown coming on?”  He answered, “Not to consult a psychiatrist.  Lock up your house, go across the railroad, find someone in need and do something to help that person.” The best way to forget your troubles is to help others out of theirs. At the Seattle Special Olympics, 9 contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a determination to run the race to the finish and win.  All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry. The other eight heard the boy cry.  They slowed down and looked back.  Then they all turned around and went back … every one of them.  One girl with Down’s Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, “This will make it better.”  Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line. Everyone in the stadium stood, the cheering went on for several minutes.  People who were there are still retelling the story.  Why would this move the hearts of the people? Because deep down in all of us we know this one thing:  it’s the way God has wired us up. What matters in this life, what’s of greater worth and value more than just winning for ourselves.  What really matters in this life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course.  “A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.”   I want to talk about: The fellowship of the Mat Mark 2:1-5 (Amp) - And Jesus having returned to Capernaum, after some days it was rumored about that He was in the house [probably Peter’s]. 2And so many people gathered together there that there was no longer room [for them], not even around the door; and He was discussing the Word.  3Then they came, bringing a paralytic to Him, who had been picked up and was being carried by four men. 4And when they could not get him to a place in front of Jesus because of the throng, they dug through the roof above Him; and when they had scooped out an opening, they let down the [thickly padded] quilt or mat upon which the paralyzed man lay.  5And when Jesus saw their faith [their confidence in God through Him], He said to the paralyzed man, Son, your sins are forgiven [you] and put away [that is, the penalty is remitted, the sense of guilt removed, and you are made upright and in right standing with God]. One of the greatest stories in the bible about relationships, about real people having real relationships. We see a paralyzed man with friends who were willing to care.  People who took “Building Godly relationships” seriously. The person paralyzed was confined to a mat 2m x 1m most of his life. What did he have?  You know what he had – Godly relationship builders. This whole story takes place because of his friends.  Without his friends he never makes it to Jesus: Never gets healed Never gets forgiven The story possibly never gets told Yet, here are a few “Godly relationship builders” who refused to let any obstacle stop them. In the face of formidable obstacles, social and peer pressure, stigma, inconvenience, high cost of time and energy, they chose to put a High Value on their relationship. Here’s an important lesson to us all: You cannot microwave relationships. You cannot have relationships in a hurry. You can’t listen in a hurry – mourn or rejoice or build meaningful friendships in a hurry. We become so busy with our jobs, careers, making money, making a living – in our own little world. All about ME, that we neglect the one most valuable possession God placed in us – to build “Godly relationships”.  Boy, are we going to be accountable to God one day or WHAT?! The truth is in every one of our lives we all have a mat.   The mat stands for: Our human brokenness. - Our imperfections. - Our failures, our attitudes. It’s all the “what’s not NORMAL about me”. The things we desire to hide about ourselves Maybe your mat is your: Temper – you can’t control. Maybe it’s fear – fear of failure, Fear of the future, fear of past events in your life, fear of hurt. Maybe you are unable to trust people. Maybe it’s a personal secret of some awful habit or something you are still guilty about. The problem is – most people do “Mat Management”. They notice everyone else’s mat and act as though they don’t have a mat. It’s only IN relationships when we allow others to see our mat. If you’re not involved in a ministry, how will you cope with your mat.  When we give and receive help with each other, that’s when healing becomes possible. Wherever human beings love, accept, respect and serve each other, in the face of weakness, is where real “Godly Relationships” are built. If you want to “build Godly relationships” you can’t always be the strong one.  You will have to learn to let somebody else carry your mat. There has to be trust between friends.  Imagine this paralytic – how he had to trust his friends to lower him through a roof to get to Jesus. Jesus looks up and sees the faces of 4 men looking to him. Mark 2:5 (Amp) – When He saw their* faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son your sins are forgiven”. *Note – not the one on the mat’s faith their FAITH. Galatians 6:2 says carry one another’s burdens As a result of your obedience someone could be set free, think about that. Mark 2:11 (Amp) - I say to you, arise, pick up and carry your sleeping pad or mat, and be going on home. I believe Jesus saw “the building of Godly relationships” in action. There where unity is, a blessing is commanded, and deliverance and healing flows freely. God wants us to stand in the gap for one another. That’s relationship. The truth is, the more spiritually mature you grow, the more you’ll find your heart been drawn to…“Building Godly relationships” So many times, it’s the longer saved Christians who grumble complain and judge the most and do the least especially many times this happens with leaders “I mean I am the leader so respect me” Being there, standing in the gap, carrying one another’s mats will cost you something, but the reward of seeing someone set free is worth it. Close: 1 John 3:18 (LB) - “little children, let us stop just saying we love people, let us really love them (carry their mat) and show it by our actions.”

“Godly Relationships #3: Rooted in the Eternal Work of Christ” Pastor Kobus Massyn Colossians 1:9-20 9For this reason, since the day we heard about it, we have not stopped praying for you, asking [specifically] that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [with insight into His purposes], and in understanding [of spiritual things], 10so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord [displaying admirable character, moral courage, and personal integrity], to [fully] please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing in the knowledge of God [with deeper faith, clearer insight and fervent love for His precepts]; 11[we pray that you may be] strengthened and invigorated with all power, according to His glorious might, to attain every kind of endurance and patience with joy; 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints (God’s people) in the Light. 13For He has rescued us and has drawn us to Himself from the dominion of darkness, and has transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption [because of His sacrifice, resulting in] the forgiveness of our sins [and the cancellation of sins’ penalty]. 15He is the exact living image [the essential manifestation] of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible], the firstborn [the preeminent one, the sovereign, and the originator] of all creation. 16For by Him all things were created in heaven and on earth, [things] visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [that is, by His activity] and for Him. 17And He Himself existed and is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. [His is the controlling, cohesive force of the universe.] 18He is also the head [the life-source and leader] of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will occupy the first place [He will stand supreme and be preeminent] in everything.19For it pleased the Father for all the fullness [of deity—the sum total of His essence, all His perfection, powers, and attributes] to dwell [permanently] in Him (the Son), 20and through [the intervention of] the Son to reconcile all things to Himself, making peace [with believers] through the blood of His cross; through Him, [I say,] whether things on earth or things in heaven. Godly relationships are only possible because Christ’s saving work — planned before creation, fulfilled at the cross, and applied to us now — transforms how we see ourselves and others. Every relationship is shaped by something… by wounds, expectations, family background, culture, personality. But Scripture teaches that the foundation of godly relationships is not our ability, but Christ’s identity and finished work. His love for us — planned before we existed — becomes the pattern for how we love others. BEFORE TIME — GOD CHOSE US IN LOVE Revelation 13:8 — “The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Before we failed… before we sinned… before we could believe… God already planned to redeem us. The cross was not Plan B… It was God’s eternal plan of love. Application to relationships: Because God chose us before we deserved it, we can choose to love others even when they don’t deserve it. Godly relationships begin in grace, not performance. For example: A couple struggling with bitterness attends counselling. The breakthrough came not when they learned techniques, but when they both realized: “Forgiven people forgive.” Only when they saw themselves as loved and forgiven in Christ, could they rightly love each other. Our horizontal relationships are only as healthy as our understanding of God’s love. IN TIME — CHRIST PAID THE PRICE Christ’s love became visible at the cross. 1 John 4:10 - “Not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son…” His love: • Initiates • Sacrifices • Serves This becomes the model for all Christian relationships. John 13:34–35  - “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Love is not defined by our feelings, but by Jesus’ example. Application: Godly relationships require: • Sacrifice • Humility • Forgiveness • Presence Because that’s how Jesus loved. Application to relationships: Can a 50/50 relationship work? Luke 22:31-32  - “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” ' FOR ALL TIME — HIS LOVE NOW DEFINES US Zechariah 3 gives a heavenly picture: Joshua the high priest stands accused • He is clothed in filthy garments • Satan accuses • The Lord removes the filthy clothing • God clothes him with righteousness This is the gospel applied. Our new identity does not come from what we’ve done, but from what God has put on us. Application: If God has declared me righteous, then I don’t relate to others from: • insecurity • shame • competition • comparison I relate from identity and rest. Secure people can love deeply. Insecure people use people. Godly relationships flow from who we are in Christ. RELATIONSHIPS TRANSFORMED BY IDENTITY Because the gospel clothes us with righteousness: We can forgive We can see others through grace We can speak truth in love We can pursue reconciliation We can build people up, not tear them down 1 John 4:11 - “Since God loved us, we also ought to love one another.” God doesn’t ask us to give others what we don’t have — He gives it first, then tells us to give it away. THE ENEMY OPPOSES GODLY RELATIONSHIPS In Zechariah 3: • Satan stands to accuse • He tries to define us by our past • God silences him Likewise, the enemy: • Brings accusation • Breeds division • Fuels bitterness But the Lord says: “The LORD rebuke you!” Godly relationships flourish when: • Accusation is rejected • Identity is in Christ • Grace is extended HOW DO WE LIVE THIS OUT? Receive God’s love Can’t give what you don’t have. Walk in your new identity You are clothed in Christ — not shame. Love like Jesus loved Practical: • Listen • Forgive • Serve • Speak truth in love Resist accusation Don’t let the enemy define your relationships. THE BEAUTY OF GODLY RELATIONSHIPS Godly relationships are supernatural: • Planned before time • Secured at the cross • Empowered by the Spirit now We don’t love from our capacity — we love from His capacity in us. Jesus is the source, model, and strength for Godly relationships. When the world sees this love, they see Him. John 13:35 - “By this everyone will know you are My disciples…”

Building Godly Relationships #2 Responding to Truth By Pastor Kobus Massyn 9/11/2025   John 14:6 — I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.   Jesus is the ultimate truth-teller. His correction is loving, redemptive, restoring. Jesus taught that every strong relationship, with God and with people, is built on truth. Truth invites a response. How we respond determines the strength or ruin of our relationships. Jesus ends the Sermon on the Mount by saying: Matt 7:24–27 - “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does them…” The difference between house standing or falling is not hearing — everyone hears — it’s responding. To build healthy, God-honoring relationships, we must learn to respond rightly to truth. We read about these three responses to truth: Wise response Foolish response Evil/Destructive response And how these shape our relationships. THE WISE RESPONSE: Receive truth & Adjust Yourself   Matthew 7:24–25 - The wise man hears and practices—his house stands.   Psalm 141:5 - “Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness… let him rebuke me—it is oil on my head.”   The wise person: Welcomes truth Sees correction as kindness Adjusts himself Grows The wise person says: “YOU are right — I will change.” This is humility. It strengthens trust — and trust strengthens relationships. Nathan and David — 2 Samuel 12 When Nathan confronted David about his sin, David repented immediately. This restored his relationship with God and kept his destiny intact. Other Supporting Scriptures Prov 12:1 — Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge Prov 13:10 — Pride leads to conflict; wisdom is found in those who take advice Heb 12:11 — Discipline yields righteous fruit Practical Example Your spouse / friend tells you: “You are harsh with your words.” A wise response: “Thank you. I didn’t see it. I will work on it.”   Even if the delivery isn’t perfect, the wise person finds the truth, accepts it, and grows. RESULT → relationship deeper, stronger THE FOOLISH RESPONSE: Argue & Adjust the Truth   Eph 5:15 - So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.   Proverbs 9:7–8 - Do not correct a scoffer; he will hate you. Correct a wise man, he will love you.   The foolish person: Hears truth But debates it Argues about it Adjusts it to protect himself Rationalizes & justifies He says: “I am right. YOU change.” This response breaks trust. It weakens relationships because truth can’t build where it’s resisted. King Saul — blamed the people, refused responsibility (1 Sam 15) When confronted by Samuel, Saul defended himself and shifted blame — He refused correction → he lost his kingdom. Prov 14:12 — There is a way that seems right to a man… end is death Prov 15:5 — A fool rejects his father’s discipline… A friend says: “You gossip a lot; it hurts others.” Foolish response: “I only speak truth — and why do you care? Others do worse!” They protect ego, not relationship. RESULT → relationship damaged, growth blocked   THE EVIL RESPONSE: Attack & Reject / Walk Away   Titus 3:10 - Warn a divisive person once, then twice; after that, have nothing to do with them.   The evil / hardened responder doesn’t just reject truth — he sees truth as a threat. He may: Cut relationship Attack the messenger Spread division Leave rather than repent He says: “YOU are the problem — I reject both truth AND you.” John 8 When Jesus speaks truth, the pharisees feel threatened... They seek to kill Him instead of change. Mark 10 The rich young ruler walked away from Jesus because truth threatened his lifestyle. Other Scriptures 2 Tim 4:3 — people rejecting sound doctrine Prov 29:1 — one who hardens his neck will be broken beyond remedy Practical Example A pastor lovingly confronts someone living in sin. Evil response: “You are judging me! I’m done with this church!” They walk away from truth and relationship. RESULT = separation, destruction   HOW THIS RELATES TO GODLY RELATIONSHIPS   Love shares Truth and Truth builds relationships. But only if we respond in love also. Response Attitude Effect on Relationship Wise Adjust myself Strengthens Foolish Adjust truth Damages Evil Reject truth & relationship Destroys Where truth is received → relationships flourish Where truth is debated → relationships suffer Where truth is rejected → relationships end   OUR DESIRE IS TO BUILT GODLY RELATIONSHIPS   Rom 8:5 - For those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh [which gratify the body], but those who are living according to the Spirit, [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit [His will and purpose].   1 Cor 2:6-7 - Yet we do speak wisdom among those spiritually mature [believers who have teachable hearts and a greater understanding]; but [it is a higher] wisdom not [the wisdom] of this present age nor of the rulers and leaders of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom once hidden [from man, but now revealed to us by God, that wisdom] which God predestined before the ages to our glory [to lift us into the glory of His presence].     HOW TO CULTIVATE A WISE HEART   Love first John 13:35 - By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.”   2) Pray for teachability Psalm 51:10 - Create in me a clean heart   3) Slow to speak James 1:19–20 - …quick to listen   4) Listen for truth, not tone Even imperfect rebuke may contain truth. 5) Invite correction Prov 27:6 - Faithful are the wounds of a friend   Ask: “What do you see in my life I can grow in?” Practice repentance   Repentance = changing direction — not defending yourself If we want godly relationships, we must be the kind of people who respond well to truth.

Building Godly relationships By Pastor George Lehman   We are so caught up in our own worlds; we don’t really go out of our way to build godly relationships. (All things being equal, the likable person wins. But all things not being equal, the likable person still wins.) INTRO: A Japanese Christian man had just irrigated his rice field the previous day.  It was very important at that time of the year to keep his field standing in water.  The next day, however, when we went to check on his field, all the water was gone.  After looking around a bit, he discovered that his neighbor just down the hill had broken the dividing wall between their fields and drained the water into his own. This infuriated the man, so he went to consult with his pastor as to what to do. Proverbs 15:22 (Msg) - Refuse good advice, and watch your plans fail, take good counsel and watch them succeed. The pastor advised the man to ignore the wrong done to him, repair the wall, and continue to flood his field again.  The man did as his pastor advised.  The following day, however, the neighbor had once again drained the man’s water into his own field. After three days of this, the man, in a rage, went again to his pastor and asked what he should do.  After thinking for a moment, the pastor told the man to water his neighbor’s field first, and then do his own.  The man returned home and did as the pastor told him. Three days later the neighbor came to the man, apologized for his conduct, and asked how he too could know the God of Christianity. As a Foundation to this word:- Genesis 2:18 (Amp) - Now the Lord God said, it is not good (sufficient, satisfactory) that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper meet (suitable, adapted, complementary) for him. God creates inside of man a kind of “human-shaped void” that is designed for relationships. No substitute will fill this need in you for human relationships: Not money Not achievements Not things nor hobbies Not even God Himself – you need relationships Mark 12:30 - “And you must love him with all your heart and soul and mind and strength.’ It’s Gods intention that we have great relationships. (The Royal Law – James 2:8 - “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing right.). That’s why we exist.  God intends for us to add value to others – to love one another, to care, to help, to bring joy and happiness, to our relationships You can either tear this scripture out your bible or believe it and put it into practice (your choice!) Romans 15:1-3 (Amp) - We who are strong [in our convictions and of robust faith] ought to bear with the failing and the frailties and the tender scruples of the weak; [we ought to help carry the doubts and qualms of others] and not to please ourselves.  2Let each one of us make it a practice to please (make happy) his neighbor for his good and for his true welfare, to edify him [to strengthen him and build him up spiritually].  3For Christ did not please Himself [gave no thought to His own interests]; but, as it is written, The reproaches and abuses of those who reproached and abused you fell on Me. We will be accountable to God if we disobey His Word How we need one another - we were designed for relationships A ten-year-old boy selling pencils door to door to raise R6Mill for a cancer research ward, because his friend was dying of cancer.  Someone asked him, “Isn’t it too big a task for you?”  He replied, “No, I have a friend helping me.”  (That’s why he will achieve it). Maxwell said in his book “17 Indisputable Laws of teamwork”, the law of significance states “One is too small a number to achieve greatness”. Nothing ever achieved in life was achieved without relationships. It’s only found in the movies – there are no real-life Rambo’s or Lone Rangers. We need to get God’s perspective on relationships (not our own limited human point of selective views). Never in the Bible are we told to create unity.  (We pray and ask for it. NOT Biblical) - We are simply told to maintain the unity that exists. Ephesians 4:3 (NIV) - Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit. Our task is not to invent unity but to acknowledge it and live it out everyday. Psalm 133:1 &3b (Amp) - Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 3bFor there the Lord has commanded the blessing, even life forevermore [upon the high and the lowly]. We are not to break down; we are to build up Godly relationships. Many people don’t take responsibility for the relationships in their lives. We can so easily take people for granted! Story of the son coming back from Vietnam. He called his parents from San Francisco saying, “When I come home I want to bring a friend to stay.  The parents say that is no problem.  Then the son says, “There is a problem, he has no right leg and arm as it was blown off by a landmine”.  The parents say, (NOTICE THE DIFFRENCE IN ATTITUDE BECAUSE IT WOULD COST THEM) “No, we can’t do it – let him go to people who will care for him.  He’ll limit our freedom.  It will cost us too much. We won’t have time for our own life”  A day later the parents get a call to say their son died – he fell off a building.  They found out it was suicide.  They go and identify his body, only to find that his right arm and leg were missing. With our shortcomings, failures, weirdness, abnormalities, we need to place a HIGH value on others. Not only those we like, but with everyone.  God commands it. We need to learn to understand people. We need to go out of our way to restore broken fellowships, Hey, it’s not for others, it’s for YOU! To build positive relationships, here are some actions you can take to bridge the gap often caused by others: See what Romans 15 says. Romans 15:2 (Amp) - Let each one of us make it a practice to please (make happy) his neighbor for his good and for his true welfare, to edify him [to strengthen him and build him up spiritually]. Here’s some practical ways to practice action: People are insecure … give them confidence. People want to feel special … sincerely compliment them. People desire a better tomorrow ... show them hope. People need to be understood … listen to them. People get emotionally low … encourage them. People want to be associated with success… help them win. The best way to help people is to see the best in them.  Faults are easy to find. God loves me in spite of all my failings.   When you look for the good in others, you discover the best in yourself.  Isn’t that what God desires from His children? John 13:35 (Amp) - By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves]. People who disrespect others always hurt themselves and their relationships with others.  Most often they reap all sorts of negative consequences. A man stood and watched a well dressed businessman screaming at a porter at the Airport because he felt the man mishandled handled his baggage, the porter just agreed, as the businessman left the man watching said to the porter you handled that well, The Porter said no problem He is flying to Cape Town but his Baggage is off to China. What kind of attitude do you bring to relationships in your life?  Are you a giver or a taker?  Do you listen or do you do all the talking.  The greatest gift you can give to another is yourself.   JESUS DID!

The Empowered* Christian (*to give power or authority) Pastor George Lehman God has put all the ingredients you need for a successful life in His word The promises of God are of NO value to us until, through obedience, we come to understand the nature of God through His word. This is the truth but in so many of our lives it’s not a reality. How?  By reading His word and gaining “knowledge”.   2 Corinthians 8:7 (Amp) – Now as you *abound and **excel and are at the front of everything, in faith-in speech – in knowledge. *abound = plentiful; to be rich ** excel = higher in quality Yes, we are talking about the importance of KNOWLEDGE. An empowered Christian is one who walks in a higher, richer, quality of knowledge. John 8:31-32(Amp) – 31So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, ‘If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. 32And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.’ The level and quality of your “knowledge” will empower you to walk by “Faith” and a “Holy overcoming lifestyle”. It’s clearly seen in an Empowered Christians life Matthew 12:33 – Jesus compared our lives to a fruit tree – A tree (man) is recognized by its fruit …   True story of East Berlin years ago was controlled by the communists.  West Berlin was free. One day some people in East Berlin took a truckload of garbage and dumped it on the West Berlin side. The people on the West Berlin side could have retaliated by doing the same thing. BUT instead they took a truckload of canned food, fancy goodies, bread & milk and neatly stacked it on the East Berlin side. On top of the stack of food they placed the sign: “Each gives what he has.” Here Paul compliments the church for what He recognizes in them. Romans 15:14 (Amp) – Personally I am satisfied about you, my brethren, that you yourselves are rich in goodness, amply filled with all [spiritual] knowledge and competent to *admonish and counsel and instruct one another also. *admonish = urge, advise, remind, warn You cannot give what you don’t have – to bless, encourage and uplift people. Don’t ever underestimate the power of knowledge. 2 Peter 1:2-3 (NIV) - 2Grace and peace be yours in abundance… (HOW) through the KNOWLEDGE of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness (HOW) through our KNOWLEDGE of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Jesus’ own words: Matthew 13:11-12 (Amp) In verse 11 – Jesus, speaking says to the disciples… The Holy Spirit brings knowledge to us about the secrets of God. v12 – For whoever has (spiritual knowledge) to him will more be given and he will be furnished richly so that he will have abundance; but for him who has not, even what he has will be taken away (the enemy will rob it from you, Not GOD, it will be a result of your own Ignorance think of the Parable of the Sower). Here is a real stern warning as to what we do about all the Sermons and word we are regularly hearing. Boy, are we going to be held accountable Hebrews 2:1-3 (Amp) 1Since all this is true, we ought to pay much closer attention than ever to the truths that we have heard, lest in any way we drift past [them] and slip away. For if the message given through angels [the Law spoken by them to Moses] was authentic andproved sure, and every violation and disobedience received an appropriate (just and adequate) penalty, How shall we escape [appropriate retribution] if we neglect andrefuse to pay attention to such a great salvation [as is now offered to us, letting it drift past us forever]? For it was declared at first by the Lord [Himself], and it was confirmed to us and proved to be real and genuine by those who personally heard [Him speak].   Paul to the church: 1 Corinthians 15:34 (Amp) - Awake [from your drunken stupor and return] to sober sense and your right minds, and sin no more. For some of you have not the knowledge of God [you are utterly and willfully and disgracefully ignorant, and continue to be so, lacking the sense of God’s presence and all true knowledge of Him]. I say this to your shame. This in the Amplified bible is one of the heaviest rebukes we will ever read, as a result of our ignorance We’re talking about being “empowered” by “knowledge”.   Proverbs 1:7 (Amp) - The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; but fools despise skillful and godly Wisdom, instruction, and discipline.   “Wisdom” is the ability to use the “knowledge” you have received. To live wisely, talk wisely, act wisely, think wisely. Isaiah 11:9b (NKJV) – For the earth shall be full of the KNOWLEDGE of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.   Proverbs 1:22 – How long, O simple ones [open to evil], will you love being simple? And the scoffers delight in scoffing and [self-confident] fools hate knowledge? It’s not so much hating knowledge – it’s the deliberate [opsetlike] choice not to: Acquire knowledge, or be obedient to knowledge Hear this:- Galatians 6:7 – Do not be deceived and deluded (fooled) and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained or mocked by mere pretensions or professions or by His precepts being set aside).  [He inevitably deludes (fools) himself who attempts to delude (fool) God.] For whatever a man sows that and that only is what he will reap.   The sad truth is this: There is so many Christian’s walking around that are weak, defeated, ineffective and unproductive, because they have never bothered, discovered or developed their full potential as believers in their Knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. They are not “Empowered Christians”. SO!! How can a Christian be “Empowered”? (“given power” – authority) One most certain way is: Through knowledge of the WORD of God. Then wisely applying the WORD effectively and appropriately as a way of life. James 1:22 – Be doers of the word, not merely listeners to it. You need to make a real heart commitment too, Never take getting knowledge for granted or be slack about it. Read your Word, study it, meditate on it, growth will come. You’ll be surprised what an “Empowered Christian” you’ll become.   CLOSE Daniel 11:32b (Amp) – But the people who know (have knowledge) of their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do *exploits (for God). *exploits = bold and daring. Remember the story of the garbage – each one gives what he has!! What do you have, what’s in you to give right now??????????????? AMEN

God’s Masterplan - Pastor Kobus Massyn Theme: Discovering the Divine Design Behind Life’s Chaos Main Scriptures: Romans 8:28 | Proverbs 3:6 | Jeremiah 29:11 Supporting Scriptures: Ephesians 2:19-22 | Romans 12:2 | Psalm 31:15 “The Cathedral Builders” You know, I’ve been thinking about that beautiful Ken Follett story, The Pillars of the Earth. It tells of generations who built the great cathedrals of Europe — those massive stone churches that sometimes took over a hundred years to finish. Some builders spent their whole lives carving one arch or laying one foundation stone — work they would never see completed. Fathers handed the project to their sons, and sons to their grandsons. They didn’t have the full picture. They just trusted the master builder’s plan. And when, generations later, the cathedral finally stood complete, it took everyone’s breath away. Every hidden beam, every unseen stone, every strange angle suddenly made sense. That’s how God works with us. We only see the dust and the scaffolding — but God, the Master Architect, already holds the finished design. One day, when we look back, we’ll realize: not one stone, not one season, not one tear was wasted. God Has a Masterplan, Even When You Don’t See It Romans 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” We live in fragments — but God works in full pictures. He is weaving together every joy, every loss, every detour into His divine design. Sometimes the pieces don’t fit yet, but heaven’s view will show how every moment connects. What we call chaos, God calls construction. Psalm 31:15 – “My times are in Your hands.” Even when you can’t see progress, your life is safely in His hands. He is the Builder who never abandons the project. Joseph’s story reminds us: the pit, the prison, the palace — each was a part of God’s blueprint. God’s Plan Requires Our Trust, Not Our Map Proverbs 3:6 – “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Faith doesn’t demand the full map — it trusts the One who draws it. God often shows us one step at a time, not the whole journey. When we try to control the plan, we limit what God can build. But when we surrender, His grace straightens every crooked line. Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Transformation happens when we stop fighting the blueprint and start trusting the Builder. He’s not only designing our path — He’s shaping us to fit His design. Just like a GPS recalculates your route when you take a wrong turn, grace recalculates your life to align with His will. God’s Plan Builds Us Together for His Glory Ephesians 2:19-22 – “You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.” God’s Masterplan is not just individual — it’s collective. He’s not building isolated lives; He’s building a living cathedral. Each of us is a stone in His structure, joined together in Christ. When you play your part — serve, forgive, love, obey — you become part of something far bigger than yourself. Every prayer, every act of faith, every sacrifice becomes part of a spiritual structure where God’s presence dwells. Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord… Those plans always include others — God’s vision is a community of faith built upon Christ the Cornerstone. God’s Plan Always Leads to Faith, Hope and Love 1 Corinthians 13:13-“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.” God’s design doesn’t end in ruin — it ends in resurrection. Even in seasons that feel unfinished or broken, the Master Architect is still building. When you can’t trace His hand, you can still trust His heart. When you can’t see the pattern, remember the promise. He never wastes a season; He never abandons a project. We Trust the Architect   Isaiah 55:7-9 - Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord , And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord . “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.'   You may be standing in the middle of scaffolding today — surrounded by dust, unsure what God is doing. But one day, you’ll stand back and see the masterpiece. You’ll realize that every storm, every delay, every unanswered prayer was a stone in the cathedral of God’s purpose for your life. So tonight, place your plans back in His hands. Let the Master Builder finish His work in you. “Don’t just ask God to show you His plan — ask Him to shape your heart to fit His plan.” Because when you trust the Architect, even the pieces that don’t make sense right now will one day shine with His glory.

“Brain washing #6” by Pastor George Lehman   God has taken us to a place of complete satisfaction and Joy beyond material gain.” Galatians 4:4 (NIV) - But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman…   (Gen 3:15)   The manger and the cross stand at the two extremes of our Saviours life. He was laid in a stranger’s stable at the beginning – and a stranger’s grave at the end.  This one amazing gift from God has changed the world forever. #6 It’s time to release your minds to your WEALTHY PLACE. Psalm 66:12 (KJV) - Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through the fire and through the water:  but Thou brought us out into a WEALTHY PLACE.                                                        God with us, Immanuel, has made this possible and achievable. We really need to go over to action and release our minds to our un-limited WEALTHY PLACE.  Your life and circumstances will never change until you set your mind for increase. The phrase "God has taken us to a “Wealthy place" means: It’s so that we can live out fully the wealthy place. Spiritual Wealth - *Closeness to God* Spiritual growth, strong faith, connected to God. - *Inner peace*: Experiencing peace, joy, and contentment that comes from a strong faith. - *Spiritual gifts*: Discovering and using your spiritual gifts and talents. Material Prosperity - *Financial abundance*: Having sufficient or enough financial resources to meet one's needs. Relational Wealth - *Meaningful relationships*: Building and nurturing strong, loving relationships with family, friends, and the church community. - *Support system*: Having a supportive network of people who care and encourage. - *Sense of belonging*: Feeling connected and valued within one's community. Personal Growth - *Personal development*: Growing and developing as a disciple of Jesus, acquiring new skills, and overcoming challenges. - *Self-awareness*: Gaining a deeper understanding of oneself, one's values, and one's purpose. - *Resilience and adaptability*: Developing the ability to cope with challenges and adapt to changing circumstances. Ultimately, the phrase "God has taken us to a wealthy place" means that God has brought us to a place of abundance, blessing, and prosperity, whether spiritual, material, relational, or personal. That wealthy place is what you have been given freely as 2 Peter 1:3 (GW) - God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness* through the full knowledge of Him who called us to share in His own glory and goodness.                                                 * Everyone of us have a wealthy place within us – the capacity to receive it. Your wealthy place is where “God’s promises are”. 2 Corinthians 1:20 (ISV) - For all God’s promises are yes in Him and so through Him we can say Amen to the glory of God. Do you realize just how much God desires to enlarge your tent – in other words, your life? Remember the Jabez prayer: 1 Chronicles 4:10 (NKJV) - Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain.  So, God granted him what he requested.                                                                                     This is your time for ENLARGEMENT and INCREASE. No matter how much you have failed, been hurt, or disappointed or what you’ve gone through, no matter what your past, your future is BRIGHT.   “It’s time to break free.”  Jesus Christ came to make the way so you can break free and live in your WEALTHY PLACE. Isaiah 54:2 (Amp) - Enlarge the place of your tent and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; spare not; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. You need a good brainwashing to start claiming the truth of God’s prophetic word for your life. Allow the truth to stretch your mind out of depression, worry, fear, doubt, self-pity, loneliness, hurt, embarrassment, past failures OR any other negative emotions. Galatians 6:9 (Amp) - And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint. If you don’t become weary, and your heart is pure, when you seek God with all your heart, SOUL and MIND, you become an OPEN vessel in which all the promises can be fulfilled. (They are Yes an Amen.) Psalm 1:1-3 (Amp) - “ Blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. 2 But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night. 3 And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]. Psalm 35:27 (Amp) - Let those who favor my righteous cause and have pleasure in my uprightness shout for joy and be glad and say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, Who takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servant. It’s time for you to release your mind to your WEALTHY PLACE. The devil knows there is greatness in you – so he will try to stop you.  But 1 John 4:4 says: 1 John 4:4 (Amp) - Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world. Your broken heart may seem great; BUT greater is He that is in you. Your problem may feel overwhelming; BUT greater is He that is in you. Your situation may feel out of control; BUT greater is He that is in you. Your financial problem may look big; BUT greater is He that is in you. Your anxiety, worry, stress and fear may feel like a mountain; BUT greater is He that is in you. No matter what is in your life right now or who is trying to trip you up greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world!!    Win the war in your mind. #1 Realize where the war is. Your Thoughts-Action-Habit-Character-Destiny #2 Get a grip on your mind, get a grip on your life. Prepare your minds for action #3 Removing stumbling blocks that prevent your destiny. Deal with what is causing you to stumble #4 Don’t let “Double-mindedness” destroy you. You will be unstable in ALL your ways #5 Mind expansion causes life expansion. God has already equipped us for great things Release your mind to your WEALTHY PLACE.

The God of more than enough Genesis 17:1 - “I am God Almighty…” Psalm 23:5 - You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Luke 6:37b-38 - …forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Pressed down, shaken together and running over. 1 Corinthians 2:9 - No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has in store for those that love Him. Matthew 13:58 - And so He did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief. Philippians 4:19 - My God shall supply all of your needs according to his riches… John 15:4: Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 2 Chronicles 32:27 - 27Hezekiah had very great wealth and honor, and he made treasuries for his silver and gold and for his precious stones, spices, shields and all kinds of valuables. 28He also made buildings to store the harvest of grain, new wine and olive oil; and he made stalls for various kinds of cattle, and pens for the flocks. 29He built villages and acquired great numbers of flocks and herds, for God had given him very great riches. Deuteronomy 28:2 - And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Ephesians 3:20 - He can do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or imagine.

“Brain washing”#4 by Pastor George Lehman   Many people would rather believe their doubts and doubt their beliefs.   Previous sermons #1 Realize where the war is #2 Get a grip on your mind, get a grip on your life #3 Remove stumbling blocks that will prevent your destiny It’s in the application, not information. It’s not to condemn you or make you feel guilty or like a failure.  It’s allowing the Holy Spirit to convict you to change what need to change. Change is not change until you change   James 1:5-8 (NIV) - 5If any of you lacks wisdom*, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault; and it will be given to him.  6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. (we cannot receive wisdom from God when we doubt) *Wisdom is the ability to use the KNOWLEDGE you’ve acquired WISELY Therefore, you need to get the word into your mind and into your life, you can’t use what you don’t have!! #4 Don’t let double-mindedness destroy you.   Have you ever thought – what produces the “up-today”, “down-tomorrow” mentality and many times an unsure, insecure, intimidated feeling about tomorrow? What causes people to be in the church today, shouting, praising, confessing their faith in Jesus AND end up missing church and cells and many times no longer involved at all? The answer is “doublemindedness”. “Double mindedness is a very dangerous and destructive state of mind. That’s why we need to be brain washed to make sure we are single minded. James 1:8 says, “That it causes people to be UNSTABLE in ALL their ways.  All you do. (Inconsistency is when our actions and our thoughts are not consistent with God’s word) It’s like being in a rowing boat without OARS on a rough sea. Up and down without control over your direction. It’s interesting to note the term “doubled-minded” in James 1:8. In Greek it is = “Dipsuchos”, which means vacillating (Wisselvallig) (fluctuate in opinion or purpose or resolution*). *Resolution:  temper or character (make promises you can’t keep) Divided loyalty between God and worldly desires. No wonder people change ministries, marriages, jobs – They’re not in it long enough to prosper and fulfil their God-given destiny. I have a newsflash for you… “Doublemindedness” will lead to failure and destruction.  A double-minded life will get you nowhere twice as fast. When your mind doesn’t know which way to go AND you’re not preparing it for action: (1 Peter 1:13 – Prepare your mind for action.) - You become prone to deception. To believe you ok with what’s not ok. - You’re an easy mark for the devil (like a wounded animal to prey, they isolate and attack). He will influence you with his deceptive devices of doubt, fear, worry and anxiety. Your mind becomes a dumping ground, so you receive the opposite to TRUTH = which is A LIE. Feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death. “Double-mindedness” will cause you to: - Lose, when you could win! - Cry when you could laugh! - Doubt when you could believe! - Be bitter & unforgiving when you could forgive and be free. Churches and ministries are being held back from experiencing the supernatural because of a LARGE number of its ranks are indulging in “doublemindedness”. How does it work? The process: Once “doublemindedness” has (infiltrated) entered the territory of your mind in your sub-conscious or conscious thought patterns. Instability is created. You become a victim of your own mind. You begin to lose control and the ability to make clear, productive decisions. The end result:  FAILURE and defeat. The Good news is, Praise God, in Christ Jesus we don’t have a “double-mind”, we have a SOUND MIND. 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV) - For God hath not given us the spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a SOUND MIND. A sound mind is not split between TWO opinions but is secure and stable.  It’s single-minded. By brainwashing our minds with the thoughts from the Word of God you can live like winners. It is the Word of God that you discipline your mind to think and meditate on that prospers your life. The more you train your mind to stay focused on God and His word, the more peace and security you will experience. Isaiah 26:3 (Amp) - You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose MIND [both its inclination and its character] is stayed* on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. *stayed = Prop: Support that holds things up. That’s why it is so important that once you have received the Word of God in your mind, only you can make a determined decision not to allow negative thoughts of doubt, fear, worry, anxiety or confusion to steal, kill or destroy or override your word thoughts and trick you into “doublemindedness”. Continual study of Gods word, prayer and exposure to the anointed, spoken Word, faithfulness to church and cell attendance will help guard against “doublemindedness”. After hearing this word, you realise that you have allowed your mind to float in and out, back and forth and up and down in “doublemindedness”.  It’s not too late, you can change. Firstly, you must be willing to see and admit that you’ve been unstable in your thinking. Secondly you must be willing to receive correction. (Don’t let double-mindedness lead you to stubbornness and rebellion and a hardened heart). The enemy wants to keep your belief system unstable. James 4:7-8 (NIV) - Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Come near to God and he will come near to you.  Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your heart, you who are double-minded. Paul gave specific instruction on how to identify and resist the enemy’s thoughts: Philippians 4:8 (KJV) - Finally, brothers, whatever is TRUE, whatever is HONEST, whatever is JUST, whatever is PURE, whatever is LOVELY, whatever is of GOOD REPORT, if anything is excellent and if there be any praise, think on these things. Every time one of those 650 000 approx thoughts comes into your mind, check it against this: Here’s the measuring stick: Is it true?  Honest?  Just?  Is it pure?  Lovely?  Is it of a good report? If it matches – let it in.  If it doesn’t – kick it out. Refuse entrance to anything that does not agree with the measuring stick. When you allow discouragement, depression, fear, doubts, worry, anxiety, frustration to camp out in your life, “doublemindedness” will be the result AND it will destroy you. In closing:  By brainwashing your MIND. Romans 12:2 – Don’t be conformed but transformed by the renewing of the mind, “so that you may prove for yourself what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect (in His sight for you). The longer you maintain a positive, productive thought trend, the greater your chances are for success, prosperity, victory and walking and living in the destiny God has already purposed for your life.  You destroy “doublemindedness”. This is not for a select few to achieve; it’s for everyone who will come.  Most of us are growing even with the very little bit of effort we put into our bible study, prayer life, our commitment to the ministry and lifestyle God has called us to. Le us aim to be Single-Minded, by brain washing our minds with God’s truths.

“Brain washing” #3 by Pastor George Lehman   If you don’t change your direction, you’ll end up where you’re headed. (You are either heading in victory or defeat)   Last 2 weeks #1 Realize where the WAR is. (ITS IN THE MIND) #2 Get a grip on your mind, get a grip on your life.   It’s in the application, NOT only the information!!! That the success & breakthrough comes #3 Removing stumbling blocks that prevent your destiny Stumbling blocks cause us to lose direction. Take a look around where you’re sitting and find five things that have the color blue in them.  In the same way, you’ve probably noticed that after you buy a new bike or car, you promptly see that make of bike or car everywhere.  That’s because people find what they are looking for. At times in our lives, God seems strangely absent, but the problem is not that God has disappeared. We simply lack a “God” mindset”.  The devil wants you to focus on the negative things that will distract you. When we develop a Holy Spirit sensitivity by “Brainwashing our minds” with the Word of God.  We soon begin to see His work everywhere.  You only see what you look for. What we PERCEIVE [begryp] what we allow in our minds (our thought life); and that Determines what we RECEIVE, it’s either what God’s word says about the situation OR a deceptive lie form the devil; Determines what we ACHIEVE. It’s either God’s successful thoughts and plans for your life … OR a failure mentality and never really fulfilling God’s best for your life. You have a destiny and it’s related to God’s prophecy to what He has written and spoken about you in His Word. The devil knows this – he will do all he can to infiltrate your mind to upset God’s destiny for you.  He will try find your weaknesses or cracks in your Spiritual Armour. 1 Corinthians 2:8(Amp) – None of the rulers of this age or world perceived and recognized and understood this, for if they had, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory. 1 Peter 1:13 – “Prepare your minds for action” The devil’s idea is to get you and I to think thoughts contrary to God’s Word concerning His Will and Plan for us. All you need is a good brainwashing – Change your mind to what God’s Word says. Proverbs 23:7 (KJV) - “For as (a man) thinketh in his heart, so is he.” No matter what situation you find yourself in today, let it be known that God wants you to prosper and has ordained you to have an abundant life.   Ephesians 1:4-5 (Amp) - 4Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love.  5For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [because it pleased Him and was His kind intent]   Ephesians 3:20 (Amp) - Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams] This is the truth - it’s up to us to limit that power OR allow it to set us free.  It all goes back to the battle in the mind - what you know and believe, that you will ACHIEVE. 2 Peter 1:3 (Amp) - For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite (necessary for success) and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue). The work is complete – don’t let the devil lie to you. Quite often we become discouraged because we don’t understand that: - God has empowered us with supernatural strength. - Not just to endure, but to overcome. Enduring is good but man it’s about time you overcome now too!! Because we haven’t grasped this, we often use our problems, our faults or weaknesses to make excuses FOR NOT fulfilling our God-given destiny. Here’s some advice:  If you feel weak or your situation seems hopeless - Stop saying so! Stop confessing it! That song that says: I will say (SPEAK IT OUT) “IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL” Joel 3:10 - “Let the weak say, I am strong” If you say what the enemy presented to you, he wins.  Confess God’s word and you WIN. Get a grip on your MIND, you get a grip on your LIFE. Our words have so much power, Jesus said Matthew 12:36-37 (NIV) - But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.  For by your words, you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. Your thoughts establish your circumstances. Proverbs 12:14 (Amp) - From the *fruit of his WORDS a man shall be satisfied with good…” *fruit = in other words, what’s growing in you; comes out of your mouth – either good or bad. Whatever God says He will do for you, HE WILL DO! Psalm 89:34 (NIV) - My covenant will I not break or profane (disregard), nor alter the thing that is gone out of My lips.                                 If you don’t read the Word of God, you can’t know the Word of God. It’s that simple. If you don’t know the Word of God, you can’t speak the Word of God. If you can’t speak the truths of God’s Word, you’ll speak your own ideas out of Ignorance and destroy God’s destiny for you. This will lead to stumbling blocks the enemy uses to derail your destiny. Our theme –#3 “removing stumbling blocks, that prevent your destiny”.  The stumbling blocks are rooted in the heart.  If you let these stumbling blocks become rooted in the heart, they become serious issues to deal with and repent of. Some of these stumbling blocks are: #1 IGNORANCE (you are only as ignorant as what you are allowing yourself to be.) It’s one of the most subtle stumbling blocks, because it keeps people from realizing or correcting their lives. You see revelation knowledge is the key to this mental battle.  (Feed the mind with ammunition.) Hosea 4:6 (Amp) - “my people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge” = IGNORANCE. #2 LOW SELF-ESTEEM God created you so HE knows your capabilities and your potential.  A poor self-image will prevent you from receiving God’s best for your life.  God’s work is always superior not inferior – “God don’t make no junk”. Example in Numbers 13 – 12 spies sent out by Moses.  10 had a low self-image.  2 (Joshua and Caleb) knew their God and who they were: Daniel 11:32 (Amp) - … but the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do *exploits [for God]. *exploits = bold and daring #3 LAZINESS This is a big stumbling block, because it prevents you from wholeheartedly pursuing God.  Laziness will always find excuses not to do anything. Or to do the bare minimum. Proverbs 13:4 (Amp) - The appetite of the sluggard (LAZY one) craves and gets nothing, but the appetite of the diligent is abundantly supplied. Lazy people also want, but get zippo, Nothing. #4 MEDIOCRITY [Middelmatig] (It’s the top of the bottom but the bottom of the top) It’s a real stumbling block, because people don’t strive to produce excellence in their lives. Good enough is okay Average is well enough. Well God is an excellent God and He expects us to serve Him in excellence.  In our prayer life, our praise and worship, our Bible study, in our relationships. Mediocrity and laziness will cause you to miss your blessings. #5 DISOBEDIENCE It’s more than just a stumbling block; disobedience is a SIN. Deuteronomy 11:26-28 (NIV) - 26See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse – 27the blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today; 28the curse if you disobey the commands of the Lord your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known. God makes it clear:  The choice to obey is always ours - obedient MIND = obedient LIFE. We don’t have time to discuss major stumbling blocks like: Pride/ Anger/ Un forgiveness/ Bitterness Don’t be unwilling to change – if God’s word says, “one thing” and you’re doing another, “THEN CHANGE!” Romans 12:11 (Amp) - Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord.                                       God will empower you, but you need to “Remove the stumbling blocks”.  Change the attitude of your mind and pursue the destiny God has already planned for you. If you don’t change your direction, you’ll end up where you’re headed.

“Brain washing” #2 by Pastor George Lehman (This is not about being brain washed; but about washing our brain (soul) with the Word) Satan uses a vacant mind as a dumping ground. Put up a “no dumping” sign over your mind. The problem is our ‘no dumping’ sign is covered with: worry, defeat, discouragement, anxiety and fear. Get a grip on your MIND and get a grip on your life. It’s a known fact that you become what you think. Proverbs 23:7 (KJV) - “For as (a man) thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Predominant thoughts present present action.  An uncontrolled mind produces an uncontrolled life. Let me ask you, when last did you replace a negative, anxious, fearful or failure thought with God’s positive truth from His Word? Both Paul and Peter gave some very clear instructions that will help you to get a grip on your mind and get a grip on your life. 1 Peter 1:13 (NIV) - Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. Notice where we must prepare; our mind (soul). Set your minds and keep them set. Spiritual Alertness: It means being spiritually alert and sober-minded, ready to resist temptation and stand firm in faith against the spiritual battles that we as believers face. Philippians 4:8 (Amp) - For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. These scriptures tell us that we are the WARDENS and Gatekeepers of our own minds – we decide what enters our minds. The question is - what kind of life do you want? The life you’re living right now is what you have allowed into your mind. Let me tell you, if you want to experience the continual blessings, prosperity and victory that God has ordained for you then you need to monitor the thoughts you think (garbage in, garbage out). You need to let the Word of God get a good grip on your MIND. Once you let the Word grab hold of your thought patterns and you tune into the Holy Spirit, I promise you, your mind will begin to tune out the negative things that are destroying your faith. Set your minds and keep them set. Like a car radio, you set the program until it’s tunes in then press memory and you’ll keep it set on that station You cannot be on the same frequency of the Holy Spirit and the devil’s lies, if you do then you’ll process the supernatural, powerful things that God thinks about you and says about you.  Your seeking His face will be with (great expectation). Your thoughts will become His thoughts and His ways your ways. I guarantee you; you will walk and live in a new dynamic. John 14:12 (Amp) - I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father. 1 Corinthians 2:16 (Amp) - For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge?  But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.           We can think God’s thoughts concerning us instead of the enemy’s proposals, which only suggest failure, sickness, defeat, poverty, weakness, fear, worry, anger, resentment, inferiority and so many other negative emotions. Here’s a comforting thought – God has thought clearly about our victory and success. Isaiah 14:24 (Amp) – The Lord of hosts has sworn, saying, Surely, as I have thought and planned, so shall it come to pass, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand. He doesn’t see you with problems or as a failure. He sees you in the completed fulfilled purposed position that He died for you to have and receive.   Psalm 139:17 (Amp) – How precious and weighty also are your thoughts to me, o God!!.  How vast is the sum of them?   Jeremiah 29:11 – I know the thoughts and plans I have for your life.   Isaiah 55:11 (NIV) - So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. We must wash our MINDS with some truths AND get a grip on your life. You’ll always be more convinced by what you’ve discovered than by what others have found: Go from being dependent on others to being dependent on God. He is the source of direction.  Yet too many people base what they believe, do and say on what others believe, do and say. Revelation is only revelation when it’s your revelation.  God is best known by revelation, not explanation. Obviously, God uses Pastors, Christian leaders, books, Christian TV, tapes and other ways to speak truth into our lives. The most important conviction in our lives cannot be reached on the word of another. “The Bible is so simple you have to have someone else help you misunderstand it,” says Charles Capps. Theologians are always trying to make the Bible a book without common sense.  God made it easy to find out for ourselves. If you don’t decide to get a grip on your mind and get a grip on your life - no one can do it for you! At this point, let’s look at things that will help you get a grip on your mind, because whatever is keeping your life unproductive – “originated in your MIND”. Can I encourage you, look at your life, look at your productivity and effectiveness. If what’s in your life isn’t good, in Jesus Name, don’t approve it!, don’t get comfortable with it! don’t get satisfied with it! Change it. Just remember, you’re the one – who has approved your poor prayer life and your lack of studying God’s Word. Decide now to get a grip on your mind and you’ll get a grip on your life. Be Brainwashed by Gods wonderful truths!!! When we win in our minds, we going to win in our lives!

“Brain washing” #1 By Pastor George Lehman   It is possible for a child of God to have a new life, and a new heart, but be without a new head. We are New Kingdom people with Old Kingdom thinking I’m not talking about being brainwashed to believe something you don’t want to. Realizing where the war is Romans 7:21-25 (Amp) - 21So I find it to be a law (rule of action of my being) that when I want to do what is right and good, evil is ever present with me and I am subject to its insistent demands. 22For I endorse and delight in the Law of God in my inmost self [with my new nature].  23But I discern in my bodily members in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh] a different law (rule of action) at war against the law of my mind (my reason) and making me a prisoner to the law of sin that dwells in my bodily organs [in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh].  24O unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am!  Who will release and deliver me from [the shackles of] this body of death?  25O thank God!  [He will!] through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One) our Lord!  So then indeed I, of myself with the mind and heart, serve the Law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. Thanks be to God it is possible.  Imagine 2 countries at war.  Bombs, rifle fire, lots of noise. The only problem is that the armies are fighting in 2 completely different areas.  How can anyone win over the other if they’re not fighting at the same spot? So many spirit-filled believers go through life defeated – AND don’t walk in their promised land (the fullness of God) because they don’t know where the war is in their lives. So many Christians believe their failures and defeats come from: Bad luck - Bad timing - Bad family background and Any other negative circumstances. When actually they don’t understand that their failures and defeats in life come as a result of “Losing the WAR in the MIND”. Some Christians don’t even realize there is a war! Many think or say, “I am a Christian, but life is just this way”. Their life is a bit like going from victory to defeat – up and down life. I Can’t be a good witness for Jesus.  An enthusiastic, effective life is for special people, “NOT ME”. Listen, there is a WAR, and we have an enemy. Revelation 12:9-12 (Amp) - 9And the huge dragon was cast down and out - that age-old serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, he who is the seducer (deceiver) of all humanity the world over; he was forced out and down to the earth, and his angels were flung out along with him.  10Then I heard a strong (loud) voice in heaven, saying, Now it has come - the salvation and the power and the kingdom (the dominion, the reign) of our God, and the power (the sovereignty, the authority) of His Christ (the Messiah); for the accuser of our brethren, he who keeps bringing before our God charges against them day and night, has been cast out!  11And they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony, for they did not love and cling to life even when faced with death [holding their lives cheap till they had to die for their witnessing].  12Therefore, be glad (exult), O heavens and you that dwell in them!  But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in fierce anger (fury), because he knows that he has [only] a short time [left]! The devil lost his fight in heaven and got kicked out onto earth.  The result is he’s desperate to destroy the lives of God’s highest creation. However, God sent Jesus to redeem mankind and empower us to defeat the devil. The Work is finished, Jesus is seated, all we need to do is embrace the truth and make it our own. John 10:10 (NIV) - The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.(Abundant life) Luke 10:19 (NIV) - I have given you authority to trample snakes and scorpions, and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. Jesus gave us Authority over ALL of Satan’s power.   So why are we still at WAR? Satan knows that Jesus came so we could have life and have it more abundantly.  You see, Satan came to steal, kill and destroy that which Jesus has already died for us to have and possess.  If he can steal, kill or destroy our concept and understanding of Jesus’ finished work “in your thought life”, then he can steal, kill and destroy us. The only real weapon Satan can use against us is DECEPTION.  Deception begins in our minds, in our thought patterns Deceive = Make a person believe what is false, mislead purposefully. Did you know: - that the human mind processes around 650 000 thoughts every 24 hours. Some conscious and some sub-conscious. You need to realize this gives the spiritual principalities and the rulers of the darkness of this world, the enemy, about 650 000 opportunities to explode deceptive missiles of fear, doubt, confusion, frustration, anxiety, worry and any other negative device in your mental headquarters (fear=false evidence appearing real). If demons can deceive you into dwelling on these things they gain a tremendous amount of control over your life – it robs you of God’s supernatural creative power your mind possesses. If we are going to win this WAR we need to fight in the right place.  We need to set up a strong word governed defence system. Almost like WALLS around a city giving 24 hour protection.   Proverbs 25:28 – Like a city whose walls are broken down, is a man who lacks self control. You need to have self-control as to what you allow into your mental headquarters. 1 Peter 1:13 (NIV) - Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. In order to be able to resist the enemy’s attack against your MIND and THOUGHT life we need a good “Holy Ghost-Word-of-God brain washing” daily. Jesus said: John 15:3 (KJV) - Now you are clean through the WORD which I have spoken unto you. Our minds must be washed from whatever deceptive thoughts the enemy has planted in them.  Thoughts that want to take us off our God-ordained prosperous destiny. We really need a good BRAINWASHING. It’s the continual hearing of the Word of God that causes the cleansing and renewing of your mind to take place. That’s why coming to church and attending Home cells is of paramount importance, as a God ordained place of receiving THE WORD Ephesians 4:23 (Amp) - And be constantly* (without stopping) renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude]. This is how you win the battle in your mind. When you daily brainwash your mind with God’s Word, you will be able to stand firm and resist whatever deceptive, negative thoughts the devil sends you regarding that issue you’re struggling with.   Jesus said John 8:32 - And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. Ephesians 6:10-12 (Amp) - 10In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides.  11Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.  12For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. It’s these spiritual forces that bombard your approximately 650 000 thoughts a day.  Wanting to create: confusion, havoc, fear, doubt, worry, anxiety, depression and all negative emotions available! They don’t want you to fulfil your prosperous destiny. Jesus said, “as a man thinks, so is he”. Your Thoughts become your Actions and Your Actions become your Habits and Your Habits become your Character and Your Character becomes your Destiny If you don’t like where you’re headed (Destiny) change your thinking The first step to winning the WAR - position yourself for success and victory. Realize the war of the enemy is against your mind. Fight the enemy at the right battlefield. 1 Peter 4:1 (KJV) - Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, ARM yourselves likewise with the same MIND:  For He that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin. Philippians 2:5 - Let this MIND be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Jesus’ greatest trial in His earthly ministry (about to die on the cross).  Jesus prepared His mind for action and He prayed.  Now you realize where the WAR is. The source of faith: It is told that the great preacher D.L. Moody said, “I prayed for faith and thought that some day it would come down and strike me like lightning But faith didn’t seem to come. One day I read in Romans (Rom10:17 that “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” I had up to this time, closed my Bible and prayed for faith.  Now I opened my Bible and began to study, and faith has been growing ever since.” Make a quality decision to defend your mind with a good word “Brainwashing” on a daily basis. Don’t be a victim when Jesus made you a victor. Discipline your mind with the anointed Word of God. God blesses His Word – not ours. AMEN

Holiness is a Discipline Pastor Kobus Massyn 24/8/2025 Matthew 5:48 -  “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” Many believers desire holiness but lack the discipline that makes holiness visible in their lifestyle.   Point 1: Holiness is God’s Call One-liner: “Holiness is not an event, it is a lifestyle of obedience.” 1 Peter 1:16 – “Be holy, because I am holy.” Holiness is not optional; it is the believer’s calling. Discipline is what makes us consistentin responding to that call. Illustration: A soldier doesn’t decide during battle if he will train. He disciplines himself beforethe fight. Point 2: Holiness is a Discipline that Equips Us One-liner: “Discipline is not punishment; it is preparation.” 2 Timothy 3:16–17 – “All Scripture is God-breathed… so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” The Word of God disciplines us — corrects, trains, and equips. Discipline may feel unpleasant (Heb 12:11), but it produces maturity. Illustration: An athlete disciplines their body not for pain, but for the prize. Point 3: Holiness Begins with the Root, not Just the Fruit One-liner: “Holiness is not forced fruit; it’s disciplined roots.” Romans 11:16 – “If the root is holy, so are the branches.” Discipline in holiness flows from the inside out. It’s not behaviour modification, but heart transformation. We cannot discipline ourselves into holiness without being rooted in Christ — discipline without grace becomes legalism. Illustration: A tree doesn’t force fruit; it stays rooted and nourished, and fruit grows naturally. Conclusion Hebrews 12:14 – “Make every effort… without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Holiness is God’s calling, discipline is our response, and Christ is our root. It’s not perfection tomorrow, but progress today.

Getting up when knocked down #6   Taking responsibility By Pastor George Lehman   How many people can you think of right now that you know need to take responsibility for their lives? WELL.......   ”Most of us can read the writing on the wall; we just assume it’s addressed to someone else.”  - Ivern Ball   Small straws in a soft wind by Marsha Burns: A word from God Discouragement is a killer!  Beloved, everything touched by discouragement dies, and I speak of not only your health, finances and relationships.  But I speak of the responsibilities of your kingdom position and faith.  Refuse to allow negativity to keep you from the benefits of kingdom living.  Rise up says the Lord, take responsibility. (Ephesians 5:26) - Paul talks about “being washed by the water of the word”. Why do we wash?  Because we are dirty. Jesus wants His bride pure and clean when He returns for the wedding of the Lamb! When we come together, God’s word wants to wash our false beliefs, our attitudes, misguided intentions and wrong perceptions. God wants for us to take responsibility for our lives and walk victoriously.  Getting up when life knocks us down. We increase our God-given ability, stability and responsibility when we increase our sense of accountability. We must take personal responsibility for our lives.  We may not be able to change the circumstances, the seasons or the wind but we can by taking responsibility - change yourself. 2 Peter 1:10 (CSV) – Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure for if you practice these qualities, you will never fail. Have you noticed our society has produced people who ignore their responsibility and blame others for their problems?   For example: If you get into financial trouble – “It’s not my fault, it’s because of easy credit.” If I develop lung cancer because of smoking – “It’s not my fault, I blame the cigarette companies.” This happens in the church too! We begin to become Critical, complain look for faults, become lukewarm, miss church services, home cell… “It’s not my fault – it’s the churches fault – they’re hypocrites, they’re not spiritual enough, they don’t meet my needs, they hurt me or offended me. The bible is very clear about our responsibility. Romans 14:12 (NIV) – So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.   Galatians 6:4-5 (Msg) - Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. God is going to hold us responsible for choices we make. It’s easy to dodge your responsibilities, but you cannot dodge the consequences of dodging your responsibilities. Some definitions of responsibility. Hebrew word in some places mean - “Burden” – in other words you may not always enjoy it, but you’re committed to it.  (Think of Jesus in Gethsemane) There is a cost that comes with taking responsibility. The Greek word implies that you were “placed over something”. When God saved you, He trusts you to take RESPOSIBILITY over that which HE has called you to accomplish. The Webster dictionary means:  “You are totally dependable.” A question to ask yourself “AM I DEPENDABLE” (Responsible people are dependable.) Nothing adds ‘muscle’ to your talent and gifts like responsibility. Sadly, responsibility is often the last choice people desire to take, and the results speak for themselves. “Success on any major scale requires you to accept responsibility. In the final analysis, the one quality that all successful, significant people have is the ability to take responsibility.”  - Michael Kord The most wonderful and priceless thing is to find a child of God who will take responsibility… who will finish and follow through to the final detail… to see someone who accepts his God-given assignment and lives it effectively and passionately. Responsible people are reliable people.   Philemon 21 (Amp) – I write to you [perfectly] confident of your obedient compliance, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. How to ensure you take responsibility. #1 Decide right now, start wherever you are. Don’t wait another moment! We become what we are as people by the decisions that we ourselves make. Each time you take responsibility for your spiritual life, you become a more reliable and responsible person. Faithfulness begets faithfulness! When it comes to responsibility, the best helping hand you will ever find is at the end of your arm. #2 Part of the power of taking responsibility for your actions is that you silence the negative, unhelpful, unfaithful thoughts in your head. #3 Every time you commit yourself to do what you should… you strengthen your self-discipline which increases your ability for responsibility. #4 Never forget this if you want to go from success to significance “with great power comes great responsibility”. It never ceases to amaze me how Christians want to be used mightily by God but never really want to take responsibility for the small details of their spiritual lives. You will never grow beyond your responsibility. “A man who lacks reliability is utterly useless.”  - Confucius It is easy to have ideas, comments and criticism when you take no responsibility. It is very clear that God expects us to take responsibility for our lives. Luke 12:48 - “But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.” This verse reminds us that with great blessings and privileges come greater responsibilities. God expects us to use the resources, talents, and opportunities He has given us wisely and responsibly Colossians 3:23-24 (Amp) – 23Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men. 24knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. [The One Whom] you are actually serving [is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah).

Getting up when knocked down. #5  - Turning anger into positive action | Pastor George Lehman Getting up when knocked down. #5  Turning anger into positive action Pastor George Lehman This may just be a title; but if we are not alert it can have devastating consequences.   It is wise to direct your anger towards problems, not people; to focus your energies on answers, not excuses.                  -W.A. Ward   When we angry we treat people harshly, we blame and make excuses. The call to live in victory in this area of your life is not impossible with God’s help and a surrendered will. May God stir within us the will to want to change. If you have no real victory in this area of your life, you’ll keep getting knocked down. Story about Tommy Bolt, who was a professional golf champion, but he was more famous for his terrific temper.  Huge crowds followed him just to see what he would do next.  One day, giving a group lesson on how to hit a ball out of a bunker, he called his 11-year-old son and said, “Show the people what you’ve learned from your father when your shot lands in the sand.  The boy picked up the wedge then ‘hurled it as far as he could’.   Most of us allow anger to get the best of us at times According to a ‘boiling point report’ (sponsored by Britain’s Mental Health Organisation) … More than 1 in 10 people said they have real trouble controlling their anger. More than 1 in 4 said they worry about how angry they sometimes feel. 64% of respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that people in general are getting angrier. We all know what happens to us when we become angry or mad. Adrenaline floods our system. Our heart rate rises with our blood pressure. Muscles tense; breathing is shallow. Anger is extremely bad for your health. You hear about road rage or anger management in the media. Many people believe that all anger is bad.  (Not true). There are times when it’s appropriate to be angry in response to cruelty or injustice.  If an intruder invaded your home or if someone threatened your children. Jesus became angry…John 2:15 (NIV) - …when he made a whip and chased the people out of the temple. Acts 17:16 (Amp) - Now while Paul was awaiting them at Athens, his spirit was grieved and roused to anger as he saw that the city was full of idols. Many of the knock downs we endure in life make us angry. Always bear in mind:  Anger is just one letter short of D-anger. Here are some examples.  Consider where your life best fits. The exploder Exploders are like active volcanoes – sometimes a little shaking is all it takes to produce a massive eruption. These are the kind of people who yell, break things, curse and make demands when things don’t go their way. Being subtle is not in their vocabulary when they’re MAD. They are quick to blow up and usually quick to calm down. People around them feel covered with LAVA! Ephesians 4:31 (CEV) - Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don’t yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. The Victim Victims struggle with expressing their emotions. Their anger remains bottled up and unresolved. Rather than showing their anger, they turn it inward on themselves. They smother their spirit through self-belittlement, blame and guilt. “I can’t do anything right” comes out of their mouths frequently. Victims often suffer from hypertension and headaches. They may cling to others to the point of driving them away. The Manipulator Manipulators, likewise, hide their anger.  They don’t raise their voice or curse (like the exploder). Instead of turning their anger inward, they lash out at others with sarcasm, subtle comments to inspire guilt. They use any method - authority, money, power. Leaving those around them feeling used and abused. The Rager Rager’s often were raised by controlling parents. As grown-ups, they’re angry at the world – ready to attack at even slight provocation. Their consistent fury pushes others away and leads to frequent disputes. They tend to see the worst in everything and everyone. To protect themselves from hurt, they make anger their mode of operation. Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured. Remember: Your anger may be justified.  It’s okay to be angry, BUT keep this very clearly in mind…   Ephesians 4:26 (Amp) - When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down. We can use that anger to fuel a constructive plan of action. What I highly recommend is another style…RELEASE! The Releaser Instead of taking on the role of the victim, exploder, manipulator or Rager when crises strike. The approach is:  ‘feel it’ then ‘use it’ then ‘let it go.” Releasers don’t try to hide their anger or unleash it on innocent bystanders but embrace their outrage and use it as a signal to adopt a strategy for positive action. #1 Face most anger as sin. Releasers don’t waste time blaming, shifting responsibility, feeling guilty or making excuses. James 1:19-20 (Amp) – 19Understand [this], may beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry. 20For man’s anger does not promote the righteousness God [wishes and requires]. Anger is a work of the flesh. Galatians 5:20 (Amp) - Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies), #2 Repent of anger. Go to God and specifically confess your anger. David understood what it meant to be a releaser. Psalm 32:3-6 (LB) - 3There was a time when I wouldn’t admit what a sinner I was.  But my dishonesty made me miserable and filled my days with frustration.  4All day and all night your hand was heavy on me.  My strength evaporated like water on a sunny day.   5Until I finally admitted all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them.  I said to myself, “I will confess them to the Lord.”  And you forgave me!  All my guilt is gone.  6Now I say that each believer should confess his sins to God when he is aware of them, while there is time to be forgiven.  Judgment will not touch him if he does. When you confess with openness, humility and honesty, God will forgive and restore and renew you. #3 Let go of your anger. Hanging on to your anger is unhealthy and destructive. Holding on to your anger doesn’t help you.  It just gets in the way of enjoying the rest of your life. Anger is a Joy Stealer. Ephesians 4:31 (Amp) - Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind). Notice it’s a problem of the flesh that Paul says you can and must ‘get rid of all’. God wants to help us walk in freedom from anger. We must want to change and be active and determined to deal with our anger. Times of refreshing and victory comes from a surrendered, repentant heart. Acts 3:19 (Amp) - So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing (of recovering from the effects of heat, of reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord;

“The Authority Given to Us” Pastor Kobus Massyn 3/8/2025 Clarification on Authority for a Believer Definition of Authority: Authority has the power and right to act, speak, or make decisions granted by God. Key Verse: Hebrews 1:1-2 - "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe." The Kingdom Has a King Key Verse: Matthew 28:18 - "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." Additional References: - Revelation 1:5-6 - "...to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve God and Father." - Psalm 103:19 - "The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all." The Fear of the Lord Key Verse: Proverbs 1:7 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." Additional References: - Proverbs 9:10 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." - Isaiah 11:2-3 - Describing the Spirit of the Lord resting on the Messiah, which includes "the spirit of the fear of the Lord." Keys to the Kingdom Key Verse: Matthew 16:19 - "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven." Additional References: - Luke 10:19 - "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you." - John 14:13-14 - "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." Conclusion Key Verse: 2 Timothy 1:7 - "For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind."

Fear not, only believe | Len Weyers Mark 5

Getting up when knocked down. #4 Denial to renewal Never underestimate the power of denial. By Pastor George Lehman   Denial is a weapon we give to the enemy to use against us. We are not lacking information or even revelation.  We are sorely lacking in application.  The ‘doing’ part of what we keep hearing. Most of us are experts at ignoring the inconvenient facts of life. If we don’t ignore them we must do something about them. Denial can become one of the most effective tools the enemy will use (if you’ll let him) to keep you knocked down. The danger of denial is that you prevent yourself from accepting truth about yourself. You begin to believe that your life, your mess up’s, poor conduct and wilful sin, even your poor attitude is Okay and acceptable! For many, denial is their way of coping when life knocks them down. If you start your day without caffeine or pep pills.  If you can be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains.  If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles.  If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it.  If you can understand when loved ones are too busy to give you time.  If you can take criticism and blame without resentment.  If you can face the world without lies or denial.  If you can do all these things, Then, you are probably the family dog.   What is denial?  It is refusing to believe something that is true. Matthew 16:24 (Amp) – Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also]. (Jesus connects self-denial with finding true life) Many times we are in Denial of the Christ life truth. Psychologists say: it’s a process by which painful truths are not admitted into an individual’s consciousness. If I accept it into my conscience, I will have to change or do something about it. “The worst lies are the lies we tell ourselves.  We live in denial of what we do, even what we think.  We do this because we are afraid.” -  Richard Bach Galatians 6:5 (NCV) - Each person must be responsible for himself. Our denials can take many forms. Denial of fact. The obvious way to deny the truth is to lie. Telling a story, we leave out certain details. Officer, I didn’t know I was driving so fast. I never heard you ask me to clean up my room. I would love to help with your move but I’m busy this weekend. People lie to avoid uncomfortable situations or to make themselves look better. Denial of denial. Maybe the most dangerous form of denial is when we don’t even recognize we’re denying reality. Here is one of those denial stories King Saul’s life… 1 Samuel 15:16-24 (Amp) - 16Then Samuel said to Saul, Stop! I will tell you what the Lord said to me tonight. Saul said to him, Say on.  17Samuel said, when you were small in your own sight, were you not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed you king over Israel?  18And the Lord sent you on a mission and said, “Go”, utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites; and fight against them until they are consumed.  19Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord, but swooped down upon the plunder and did evil in the Lord’s sight?  20Saul said to Samuel, “Yes, I have obeyed the voice of the Lord and have gone the way which the Lord sent me and have brought Agag king of Amalek and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.  21But the people took from the spoil sheep and oxen, the chief of the things to be utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.”  22Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great a delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.  23For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim (household good luck images). Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.”  24And Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.” Covering up what we look like on the inside is denial we refuse to accept or deal with who we really are! Especially after hearing the word being convicted by the Holy Spirit to change certain things, you just ignore it (That’s Denial) In the days of royalty in England, Kings and Queens, when an artist painted their portraits, they never were allowed to include their blemishes and flaws.  He made them look better than they did. We  call it Photo shop today Here are some phrases that a person in denial uses often: I can handle this… It’s not really a problem. I don’t need help. I don’t need counselling. I can quit anytime. I can work it out on my own. The problem is we can’t handle it The truth is you have a problem! The problem with denial is that the longer it goes on, the more we hurt ourselves and the harder it is to come to terms with the truth. Think about David after his sin with Bathsheba. 2 Samuel 12:1-7 (Amp) – And the Lord sent Nathan to David. He came and said to him, There were two men in a city, one rich and the other poor.  2The rich man had very many flocks and herds, 3But the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb which he had bought and brought up, and it grew up with him and his children. It ate of his own morsel, drank from his own cup, lay in his bosom, and was like a daughter to him.  4Now a traveler came to the rich man, and to avoid taking one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the wayfaring man who had come to him, he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for his guest.  5Then David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, As the Lord lives, the man who has done this is a son [worthy] of death.  6He shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing and had no pity.  7Then Nathan said to David, You are the man! Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: I anointed you king of Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul. So many times, when a personal crises doesn’t work, then God often uses people like a NATHAN. Psychologists call what Nathan did ‘intervention’. Going to a person in love and showing them what they are in denial about. Galatians 6:1-2 (LB) – Dear brothers, if a Christian is overcome by sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help him back onto the right path, remembering that next time it might be one of you who is in the wrong.  Share each other’s troubles and problems and so obey our Lord’s command. Has a friend or a spouse or a parent said to you lately, “You have a problem”?  We don’t listen, rather we defend and make excuses. This is a sure sign that you possibly have a problem. Turning denial around to renewal takes a heavy dose of acceptance and a cup of humility blended with a spoonful of courage. That’s why James talks so firmly to the church. James 1:22 (NLT) – But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. David understood that denial only kept his life in bondage and defeat. Listen how he protects himself from a life of denial. Psalm 139: 23-24 (Amp) - Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!  And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.   Psalm 51:6 (Amp) - Behold, You desire truth in the inner being make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart. When living with an attitude of denial it will cause you much hurt and knock downs. The good news is that… Philippians 1:6 (Amp) - And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you. God is more interested in what you become than what you achieve. Only with the support of a caring, loving, healing Jesus you can say, “I am capable of terrible things, but I am absolutely, unconditionally committed to You Lord.”  “ I am willing to change.” Ephesians 4:23-24 (Amp) -  And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude] And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness. Denial is a destroyer that should be cut off as quickly as possible. Acceptance and truth ‘always’ are your surest path to peace and freedom. “Getting up when life knocks you down.”

Sermon Title: When Praise Breaks the Silence Theme: Praise is not just a sound we make—it’s a stance we take, even in darkness. Introduction: A Song in the Dark Illustration: Some birds learn their song in the dark. Life tie-in: What do you sing when the lights go out? When the chains are tight? When the miracle hasn’t come yet? Transition: Let me take you to a jail cell in Philippi... Praise in the Prison (Acts 16:16–34) Story Flow: Paul & Silas beaten, bloody, bound. Midnight comes. They choose not to complain—but to praise. Result: Earthquake. Chains fall. Prison doors open. Salvation comes. Insight: They praised beforethe breakthrough. Their praise was heard by others—praise is a testimony. Preaching line: They didn’t wait for the light to sing—they sang, and the light came. Praise as a Weapon (2 Chronicles 20:21–22 & Joshua 6:1–20) Jehoshaphat sends worshippersahead of warriors. Joshua at Jericho: Seven days of obedience, then a shout of praise. The walls fall. Insight: Praise precedes victory. Some strongholds only fall when we shout in obedience and faith. Preaching line: Your shout may feel foolish—but it may be the sound that shakes your Jericho. Praise as Presence (Psalm 22:3, Psalm 34:1, Isaiah 61:3) God inhabits praise. David chooses to praise at all times. Isaiah 61:3: "Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." Insight: Praise is something we put on, like a garment. When heaviness comes, don’t wear it—choose praise. Preaching line: When the spirit of heaviness wraps around you, don’t wear it—change clothes and put on praise. Praise as a Sacrifice (Hebrews 13:15 & Romans 12:1) "Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise." "Present your bodies as a living sacrifice... this is your true worship." Insight: Praise is costly when it’s given in pain. A living sacrifice means praise is a daily choice, even when it hurts. Preaching line: Praise isn’t just in your mouth—it’s in your choices, your surrender, your whole life laid down. Conclusion: From Prison to Purpose Paul and Silas didn’t just get free—the jailer was saved. Your praise isn’t just about your breakthrough—it’s about someone else’s salvation. Call to Action: Invite people to praise right where they are—especially in their midnight moments. Closing Declaration (Psalm 34:1) "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." Let the congregation declare it with you. Optional Title Variants: The Power of Praise Prison Songs & Palace Doors Why I Still Praise