Table of contents for September 2018 in JOY! Magazine

I know I have addressed this topic before, but more and more I see it needs to be discussed again. I observe so much needless suffering and frustration amongst Christians that could be avoided and / or solved if we just used / practiced the spiritual gifts available to us through the Holy Spirit. I understand that not all churches teach on the topic of the giftings, but that is no excuse. You need to read the Bible for yourself and perhaps do a short study on this passage (You can also google “Commentary 1 Corinthians 12:4-12” and do some good research). If you read this passage in the Bible, you will find that they are clearly listed there for all who desire and ask for them. Have you ever…

In my article last month, I made a case for the importance of having a philosophy based on Christ, as opposed to hollow and deceptive ideas. The obvious question then is how? Allow me to use an illustration I discovered while my wife and children were baking. I noticed that the baking sieve does three things: it allows certain substances through unchanged, it alters others as they pass through, and it opposes other substances passing through entirely. The mind – converted to Christ – should be actively doing the very same thing with ideas: allowing some, altering others before retaining, and opposing others completely. Whether we have consciously or unconsciously done so, we all depend on one or more ‘sieves’ to process all of life. It could be the Bible,…

God’s highest purpose and desire for His Church is to be intimately connected in a loving relationship. Indeed, the purpose of creation is relationship. God’s desire has always been to dwell with His people and to walk with them in an unbroken fellowship, as we can see in 1 John 1:3. God is relational Man was created to function only in God’s presence and in fellowship with Him, and outside of that man becomes destructive and evil. God is primarily relational and anything we do should be birthed out of a love relationship with Him if it is to be blessed and accepted by Him. “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at…

Errol Naidoo, the founder and director of Family Policy Institute (FPI) and producer and host of influential current affairs shows on Christian television and radio, will be standing for the ACDP in the 2019 general election. Errol is a tireless campaigner for the restoration of marriage and family values in South Africa, and is also working with the ACDP to revitalise the party brand and significantly increase the number of godly men and women in parliament in a party that stands on Biblical values. Naidoo is a longstanding partner with JOY! Magazine and has operated as a Christian voice in Government in South Africa for many years. He has a full schedule for the following months leading up to the 2019 elections, whereby he will be travelling around South Africa…

Thousands of Christians took to the streets in Pretoria recently in a solidarity prayer rally for the State of Israel. Their message to the government was loud and clear: No Israel, no vote. “Enough is enough. The government has pushed us too far.” These are the words of Masindi Mmbengwa, leader of the Unity Fellowship Church, who expressed his Christian movement’s support for Israel. He said millions of South African Christians were opposed to the government’s continued plans to sever ties with Israel, adding that it was time the government “took notice”. Co-Chairman of South African Friends of Israel, who organised the rally, said downgrading ties with Israel “will be contrary to South African foreign policy, which has always called for engagement with all parties [involved] in a conflict. This…

Theresa May, the British Prime Minister, has implemented the first ever Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief, which promises to help ensure the United Kingdom stands with Christians and other group around the world who are being persecuted for their religious beliefs. Setting out his ambitions for the position to which he was appointed recently, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon said it was important to use international platforms including the United Nations to “call out” countries where are people for being ill-treated for their faith. He said: “It’s important that, where we continue to see those issues not being addressed, that we use various international forums, that we strengthen our work and voice with those persecuted minorities, to send a very clear message – both public and private –…

Karel and Elaine Beneke have been deeply fond of Israel since 1992 and could never have guessed that their first visit to the country would lead to a business and a ministry where every tour group taken to Israel is like a new congregation. 26 years since the first Israel visit Karel studied theology and spent 45 years full-time in the ministry with Elaine on his side. They visited Israel for the first time in 1992 with pastor Hennie Zeelie and returned the next year with their first congregation group. “It is an ongoing desire for us to take the people who want to walk in the footsteps of Jesus’ ministry to Israel, so that they can experience the country and enrich their lives,” says Karel. Karel and Elaine have…

When our firstborn son was about 6-years-old, he swam in his first swimming gala at school. He was a strong swimmer and took an early lead in the race. But then, in his eagerness to accelerate, he started going off course and got out of his lane, which resulted in him swimming sideways. Instead of winning the race, he came stone last. Always a winner Afterwards, I found him sitting on a rock with his head in hands. He looked up at me with tears in his eyes and—with an air of disbelief—asked,“Did I really finish last, dad?”I said to him, “George, remember this, to your mom and I you will always be a winner. No matter where you come in the race, you are a winner!” Love your family…

Sometimes Christians avoid conflict in the name of peace and unity. However, Jude encourages fellow believers to fight for what is right. In imploring us to “contend earnestly for the faith” (v. 3), Jude uses a strong word. In the Greek, the word for “contend” literally means to fight and struggle against. We get the English word “agonise” from it. Jude asks believers to contend with godless people who are in the Church. This defence of the faith must involve building ourselves up (v. 20), prayer (v. 20), mercy (vv. 21-22), and rescuing those caught in the snare of godlessness (v. 23).…

My wife and I attended a stage production that left my spirit troubled. It was a fictional presentation of events during the Tribulation. A family was living in a prison camp during the reign of the Antichrist, doing their best to survive day to day, wondering if they might ever escape, or would die at the hands of their enemies. During one scene, a soldier offered to make a deal with the patriarch of the family. If he signed a decree renouncing Jesus, they could all immediately go free. The soldier then left, giving them time to consider the offer. The father was at the end of himself. He wanted desperately to save his family, and every other attempt had failed. What happened next was grieving. Sitting at the table…

In 2007, a young evangelist (Daniel Kolenda) joined CfaN and started preaching before Ev Reinhard Bonnke at some of the crusades. Bonnke commented: “I saw this young man preaching and knew that he had the heart of an evangelist”. Kolenda continued preaching at the crusades and over the following years started to take a prominent role. Bonnke preached at one or two meetings and Kolenda preached at the remainder, until Bonnke eventually decided to entrust whole crusades to Kolenda entirely. The same crowds turned out for Kolenda as for Bonnke, and the harvest continued with a multitude of salvations. “I saw this young man preaching and knew that he had the heart of an evangelist” –Reinhard Bonnke About Ev Daniel Kolenda He comes from a long line of preachers,…

LEON DU PREEZ PROTECTION OF THE ANOINTING When God places the anointing on your life, it comes with great protection. In Matthew 26 when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter attempted to protect Jesus by cutting off the ear of the high priest’s servant. Jesus responded saying that should He desire, He could simply call upon His Father in heaven to dispatch more than 12 legions of angels for His protection. Jesus knew that all of heaven was standing ready for Him. He could just speak one word and the angelic hosts would respond. The anointing is heaven’s treasure. I guarantee you that this anointing is not taken lightly in the Kingdom of God. When the anointing is resting in and upon your life,…

Gates carry a special significance. Traditionally, discipline, justice, and business were conducted at the gates. Whoever possesses these gates therefore determines the economy and governance of a city and nation. This was the basis for a meeting we held in the Old Assembly in Parliament in Cape Town in March 11 2016, which I had the privilege of hosting under the direction of Apostles Chuck Pierce and Emmanuel Kure, international leaders of Global Spheres international ministry under the theme “Securing the Land”. Political, business, and spiritual leaders from all over the nation & neighbouring SADC nations attended. The meeting was followed up by prophetic prayers in three directed areas, Cape Town (Parliamentary Capital), Pretoria (Administrative capital), and Johannesburg (Economic capital) of South Africa. Within weeks, it was gratifying to see…

To be a cancer patient today is not the exception anymore. My experience is certainly not unique. It is with humble gratitude that I share how I overcame this enemy. A black nail I was diagnosed with cancer when a black fingernail turned out to be a malignant nodule in the nail bed. Five years earlier, a thin line appeared and multiplied until the whole nail blackened completely. It never disappeared, but didn’t bother me. When I damaged the nail at a building site, the doctor who removed it sent tissue away for a biopsy and a malignant melanoma was diagnosed. The finger was amputated and sent for analysis. The results indicated that the cancer didn’t progress beyond the base of the finger. The oncologist said I was a lucky…

With a potential audience of over fifty million, TWR in East Africa is breaking new ground in a comprehensive strategy of daily programming with the aim to reach women, children, leaders, and oral learners with the Gospel and with holistic health programmes. TWR national partners in East Africa The first national partner in East Africa, TWR Kenya, was established in 1976 and produces and broadcasts in Kiswahili and several other languages of Kenya, as well as in English and Luganda, one of the national languages of Uganda. “Today, TWR Kenya produces more than 25 programmes, aired locally. They also started a network of FM stations, called SIFA FM, operating mainly in the north-eastern part of Kenya,” says Egide Bandyatuyaga, TWR Area Ministry Director for East Africa. A great reputation TWR…

Open Doors’ church partners in India reached out to Kusum and her only other son and provided them with livelihood support, enabling them to survive and to continue following Jesus. Recently, our partners visited Kusum again: “I’m so happy to see you again. I still face opposition and persecution from my in-laws. But I’m not sad or depressed. Whenever they persecute, I pray. Prayer makes me strong and I know others pray for me too,” she said. Here are her answers to some of the questions we asked about how she is doing now: Christians in India are treated with disdain; as lower caste citizens. Q. Has anything changed in how your father-in-law and the villagers treat you? A. “My father-in-law really does blame me for the death of his…

Heavenly Father, I come to you in the Name of Jesus. I acknowledge that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself; I need your forgiveness and salvation. I believe that Jesus died on the Cross, and on the third day He rose to be with You. I confess Jesus as the Lord of my life. I invite Jesus Christ to be my Lord and Saviour and I surrender my life to Him. Thank you Jesus for your unlimited grace that has saved me from my sins. Please, Lord Jesus, transform my life so that I may bring glory and honour to You alone and not to myself. Thank you Jesus for the gift of eternal life.…

Liberal parenting is nonsense I wish to comment on the article that you published, Ignorance – The Root of Socialism’s Popularity, by Nicolai Haussamer. It is sad to witness the shallowness of society today and one must encourage parents to go deep with their discussions in the home. Too many parents fail to understand how valuable their influence is over their children. We cannot leave our children to the world and the secular schools, leaders, media, and TV, etc., to be their teachers. Parenting comes with great responsibility. Please, pastors and youth leaders, use your influence to convince parents to engage in regular conversations about life. Nobody is really advising parents on their true role as moms and dads. Liberal books, newspapers, and counsellors would tell them to leave their…

“Jesus did not die for pastors to have well-paid jobs. Neither was He raised on the Cross just to raise our standard of living. He died to seek and to save those who are lost.” Reinhard Bonnke Justin Bieber’s manager, Scooter Braun, opened up about their relationship and said how he never considered giving up on him, even when he hit rock bottom in his life and career. After multiple run-ins with the law, Scooter knew that the Canadian singer was on the verge of turning his life around when he became a born-again Christian. “The best thing that happened to Justin Bieber is that he found God. He was able to remove himself from being worshipped, and realised he’s in service to God.” “God has a purpose – a…

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) held a national prayer session against the “barbaric killing” of Christians at the hands of radical Muslim herdsmen, as the country reels from another deadly rampage recently where 39 people were killed in the north. “The church wants the carnage to stop,” CAN President Rev. Supo Ayokunle said. CAN is considering a nationwide protest against the killing of believers. Ayokunle said that the ongoing killings, where some estimate as many as 6000 believers have been slaughtered since the start of the year, are turning Nigeria into a “deserted land.” Open Doors, a persecution watchdog group, which through its partners on the ground has been helping victims of violence, said that the 3000 or so displaced Christians in the state are in a “pathetic situation.”…

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the 13th Annual Christians United for Israel (CUFI) Summit in Washington DC by video link, declaring that, “Jews, Christians, so many others can agree on one thing—Israel is a miracle, a state in the heart of the Middle East that has known democracy, pure democracy and liberty every day of its 70-year history, a pluralistic, open society, a democracy where diversity is celebrated, not feared,” he stated. He further highlighted another “fundamental truth” that the Christians know – “Jerusalem has been the capital of the Jewish people for 3000 years. Jerusalem has been the capital of Israel for 70 years. And Jerusalem will always be our capital. He thanked US President Donald Trump and “many Christian friends around the world, for recognising this basic truth.”…

AFilipino megachurch has bought over 5000 hectares of land, a patch the size of a small city, near the agricultural towns of Ladybrand and Petrusburg in the Free State. The land will be used to establishe “eco-farms” for Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) congregants to earn a living, the church said in a video on YouTube. The church has hundreds of similar farms across the world, where the church gives congregants food, employment, education, and even homes. Iglesia ni Cristo has been spending millions to build a large church on its 508-hectare property in Lady-brand. Large housing complexes have also been constructed on the church’s extensive property in Petrusburg. Founded in Manila in 1914, Iglesia ni Cristo also has properties in nearby neighbouring Thaba Nchu and Ficksburg, as well…

“I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” – Jude 3 Despite being one of the New Testament’s shortest books, Jude is perhaps the hardest-hitting, exerting an incredible force in only twenty-five verses. Jude is written to fellow believers who are called, sanctified, and preserved by Jesus (v. 1). While persecution of Christians often comes from outside the Church, Jude is concerned that ungodly men have crept into the church unnoticed (v. 4). Like Jesus’ sheep in wolves’ clothing (Matt 7:15), the ungodly people of Jude believe that God’s grace allows them to live immoral lives, thus denying Jesus as their Lord (Jude 4). Both Saviour and Lord While the New…

Jude uses six examples from nature to describe the godless men of his day (vv. 12-13). Each metaphor portrays a distinct trait of these people. • Spots or blemishes: the Greek here could also mean “hidden reefs”; simply put, they sit in the open with Christians, but secretly they are dangerous and can cause defilement and shipwrecked lives. • Selfish shepherds: they do not care for God’s flock, but look to only feed themselves. • Rainless clouds: they make empty promises and never deliver on them. • Fruitless trees: they do not bear godly fruit of the Spirit because they do not have the Spirit (v. 19). • Raging waves:they act recklessly and shamelessly. • Wandering stars: they have wandered from the faith as is evident by what they teach and how they live.…

Those who subscribe to eternal security It was obvious to me that the writer of the play that we watched was most probably part of one of the many mainline denominations that affirm the doctrine of eternal security. I so appreciate what many of the godly men and women in these particular movements bring to the Kingdom. However, this one belief can do deep damage to Christendom, leading millions astray. It will be extremely easy, just as we saw in the end-time production, to wrongly assume that our actions have no impact on our eternal standing. The truth is that we are only safe if we conquer, overcome, and endure to the end: “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments. I will not blot his name out of…

ROBBIE CAIRNCROSS Whole Town Revivals I was a multi-millionaire in business. Ps Aimelios Vicatos walked into my shop one day and I received the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour. Everything changed – I went through baptism, gave my business away, and studied at Bible school. That was 26 years ago. Since then, I have been preaching Jesus Christ – crucified and resurrected. I saw that when people get saved, their whole family benefits. I also saw that if people in an area get saved, the whole town, business, and home is changed for good and benefit. This led to the first Whole Town Revival 15 years ago. Whole town revivals are a 14-day evangelistic focus on a town or suburb where the aim is to introduce everyone in…

The Holy Spirit is a person and therefore has a personality. In the last few articles I have highlighted some aspects of the Holy Spirit. Let’s look at the next set of personality traits: The Holy Spirit sanctifies We all understand being sanctified by the Blood of Jesus (Heb 13:12), yet there are many Scriptures that talk about sanctification by the Holy Spirit. “. . . so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” – Rom 15:16 The word sanctification means “made holy, consecrated, being set apart for special use”. Need for sanctification When Isaiah first encountered the Holy Spirit, he immediately became aware of his own frailty and need for sanctification. The response was an angel placing a coal on his…

God had a plan for our lives that was far bigger than what I had in mind. All I had asked for was a God-believing husband, but after a 5 year rollercoaster journey of preparation, we moved from Somerset West to Pretoria, to full time ministry with the Willow Creek Association. After 14 years of being in ministry together and 29 years of marriage, we have never tried to push each other to be better leaders or Christians through our marriage. Jesus compares marriage to our relationship with God Many Scriptures support the idea of the Church being a representative of the marriage relationship. If we, the church, are to be His bride, and He our groom, then these are some of the things He expects out of His marriage…

“RADIO TRANSFORMED MY LIFE” I am 38-years-old from Kenya, a motivational speaker, journalist, preacher, husband, and a father. Thank you. Wow! It is through TWR’s broadcasts that I came to know about Christ and gave my life to Christ. I remember more than 20 years ago I was listening to NENO (Thru The Bible, Swahili) and the presenter was speaking about death and going to hell if you are not saved. I used to be scared of death and that sermon led me to Christ. Helped me grow spiritually After I gave my life to Christ, I have keenly followed every TWR programme on the National Broadcaster and they have helped me grow spiritually. I am happy that TWR Kenya introduced Thru The Bible in my dialect – Gikuyu. I…

Soon after the Civil War, reporter Oliver Dyer wrote that if all the bars, prostitution houses, and gambling dens of New York City ran along one street, it would stretch 48 kilometres. Each night on that street, he said, there would be a murder every kilometre, a robbery every 150 metres, six outcasts at every door, and eight preachers barking the Gospel. Dyer pronounced John Allen, one of the city’s bar keepers, as the “wickedest” of the city’s wicked. A sudden change A minister, having read the story, entered Allen’ bar on Water Street to witness to him. To his surprise, Allen, though not converted, was seized by pious pangs and offered to open his saloon to daily prayer meetings. Hundreds began flocking there. Newspapers puffed the story, and Allen…

The Assemblies of God (AOG), the world’s largest Pentecostal denomination, recently celebrated the 100th anniversary of its first Hispanic convention. In addition to marking the anniversary, the denomination is recognising that Hispanics have driven AG growth since the mid 1970’s. Melissa Alfaro, an executive presbyter and senior pastor in the denomination, says the Hispanic growth is influencing AG ministry around the world. “We are no longer the mission field – we are the ones sending and going out,” she said. “There’s been such a shift where we’re not just the recipients of the message – we are the carriers of the message.” Worldwide, 33 million of the 69 million in the AOG are Hispanic. Dennis Rivera, director of the AOG’s office of Hispanic Relations, says immigration has driven much of…

RuCare (Rural Community Health Care Services) is a Christian organisation that produces Fortified Cereal, which helps individuals living with serious diseases such as HIV/Aids. This cereal helps individuals to pick up weight and live healthier and more normal lifestyles. The cereals are packed with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that help promote growth and healing. This meal substitute is only R38.20 per kg, and is great for workers and the less fortunate. Consider sponsoring this fortified cereal for the less fortunate this winter, those who are starving, or those who are riddled with life-threatening diseases. Contact Gerard on 084 336 6553, or email rucarehealth@telkomsa.net for more information.…

The Tembo people are literally dancing for joy after finally receiving the Bible in their native tongue thanks to a 21-year effort by Wycliffe Bible Translators. It was a dangerous undertaking. This African tribe is situated deep in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where they face nonstop violence and persecution. “They experienced war and insecurity in their area for more than 20 years,” Jon Hampshire, Communications Co-ordinator for Wycliffe, said. “They’ve had to work with this threat on their welfare and the welfare of their families the entire time they were doing this translation.” Hampshire and his wife Cindi have spent the last two decades working to bring the Gospel to the Congolese in their own language. He says the Tembo people have faced displacement, deadly combat, ethnic and political…

While it is unclear who wrote the book of Jude, the traditional view that it was one of Jesus’ brothers is probably correct. Jesus had numerous brothers and sisters, as the Gospels attest (Matt. 13:55; Mark 6:3). Two of these brothers are named James and Judas. Jude was a common nickname for the equally common first-century name Judas. Jude identifies himself as the brother of James (v. 1), who is traditionally thought to be the author of the letter that bears his name. Because of the similarities between Jude and 2 Peter, one is believed to have borrowed from the other. Both letters were most likely written in the mid-60s AD, although Jude could have been written later (Peter died in the mid-to-late 60s AD).…

Are you in one of the groups of Christians who will be quick to renounce Jesus? You might be shocked. Few can argue that we are experiencing a falling away right now. Many are surrendering wholehearted passion for Jesus for other more immediately satisfying, carnal pursuits. Our culture is growing darker by the day. However, as great as the falling away is today, it cannot compare to what the Bible calls the apostasy, or the great falling away. This will be a far-reaching rebellion against God and an abandonment of truth. “Do not let anyone deceive you in any way. For that Day will not come unless a falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above all…

TAMRYN KLINTWORTH With your help, Africa is being saved! Some issues ago, I shared a God-idea that myself and two other Cape Town based evangelists (Edward Ackerman and Herman Snell) were planning to initiate. Namely, Fire Nights. These are one-night crusades across our home city, preaching salvation, healing, deliverance, and Holy Spirit baptism. What an impact the meetings have been having! Such will continue to be held on a monthly basis and we warmly invite our JOY! readers to join us. Come support the events and be wonderfully touched by the Lord yourself. You can find out when and where they will be held by visiting www.inhisname.global/calendar. You can also support Fire Nights financially, if the Lord leads you to. We are holding these events in addition to our own…

One does not have to be particularly financially astute to figure out that over the past decade or so, most have become financially poorer. That is, the salaries have not kept up with the true inflation of goods and services. For example, the official yearly inflation figures released by the government seem well under the increase that I pay for my medical aid, or my insurance. In fact, they seem to be well below the inflation of tomatoes, potatoes, bread, and various other items that I buy regularly. How do we preserve our money? In such an inflationary environment, how do we preserve the purchasing power of our hard-earned earned Rands? The following real life example may serve as an illustration. A close family friend landed her dream job working…

The hospital was cold and clinical. It smelt of sickness, blood, pain, and antiseptic – a smell that still finds itself lurking in the faraway archives of my memory. A doctor approached Mamma, and she asked me to stand aside. As the doctor spoke and gestured, Mamma put her face into her hands and sobbed, while tears seeped through her fingers. Dedda had been declared clinically dead, but the trauma doctors were performing an emergency operation as they spoke. I went to her, uninvited, and held her as she cried. We waited on hard plastic chairs. People were running around us, gathering information, asking questions, updating us on Dedda’s status. The bullet had entered the front of his chest, travelled with destructive intent through his liver, spleen, and gall bladder,…

This is the season where God is doing an amazing work in Limpopo. He is freeing slaves and making them His bride. Many have been enslaved for generations, but Jesus will set them free. You are now the bride of Christ, chosen and loved. You are no longer slaves. It is time for a new covenant. Shift your focus. Break the power of slavery Father we pray for the Church in Limpopo and their leaders. We pray that you will come and rend the heavens and come down in Limpopo. We ask for the anointing of breakthroughs to break the power of slavery and set your people free. Lift up those who are bowed down and raise the Church and leaders in Limpopo to be your bride, without spot or…