Dangerous arrogance

Zuma calls for a speedy Second Coming

2014-12-28 10:35

Durban - Addressing a group of elderly people at a Christmas gathering at his Nkandla homestead, President Jacob Zuma called on Christian priests to pray to God to send Jesus back to Earth because of the many sins in the country.

According to the Sunday Times, Zuma had been speaking off the cuff on Saturday and claimed there were many churches in the country “sinning too much”.

“The sins we have today are more than those that Jesus came to salvage. I ask the priests to ask God to send His son to come back again to cleanse our sins,” he said.

“He [God] must send him [Jesus] again. This time we won’t crucify him,” he added.

 

(Abstract from News 24)

 

Upon reading this news clip today I was left with a sense of utter dread at the arrogance and ignorance of Zuma’s dealing with God. His words show not only that he has no understanding of the salvation we have in Christ, but that he also has no idea of Who God is.

 

Pondering on this, I could not help to ask myself how many others do exactly the same. On a daily basis, people ‘deal’ with God in this way. 

 

• Some call themselves His followers but will also embrace beliefs such as reincarnation or Buddhism.
• Some will gladly embrace His ‘Christian principles’ into their school or institution or personal life yet vehemently reject Christ Himself.
• Many happily enjoy ‘Christmas’ and fun nativity plays and the like, but will have nothing to do with the God of Christmas.
• Sadly, many who also call themselves followers of Christ will continue to live a worldly life contradictory to His guidelines.
• Many preach and teach in His Name yet make reckless statements which they claim to be God’s truth.
• And many such as Zuma will just make statements that show that they have no idea…and don’t care.
  
  

I could go on with this list I suppose, but we should be careful to condemn the actions and words of Zuma and others as mentioned above, without examining our own hearts before God Almighty. It would do both sincere believers and non-believers good to meditate on the following Scriptures: 

 

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”

(Galatians 6:7)

 

“Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”

(1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

 

“But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.”

(Matthew 12:36)

 

“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.”

(1 Peter 1:16)

 

This past year, the Lord has allowed me to see in people, non-believers but even also in believers, teachers and preachers and even in myself the flaw of easy talking, making claims in the Name of God perhaps just too quickly showing that the fear of the LORD is lacking or starting to lack. I saw non-believers and new-agers laugh and mock at the idea of Christ; believers who have in fact become stagnant in their relationship with and knowledge of God make easy faith statements not backed by their lifestyle and I even saw those of us who have a passion to share the truth of Christ become so occupied with ‘fighting the good fight’ and ‘setting everybody on the right path’ that we lose contact with Christ and storm roll ahead, chopping off heads left right and center in and outside of the body of Christ.

 

Therefore, the above words of Zuma, though sending shivers down my spine, also act as a great reminder to enter the new year with humility before the One Almighty God; to be eager to learn from and listen to Him; to be patient in prayer before I do or say anything, especially and even regarding the smallest act of ministry, for God shall not be mocked.

 

In 2015, may we move and live and minister abiding in Christ and may His glory go forth unto the ends of the earth.

 

Best wishes for 2015,

Lize Dumon

God's journey with an atheist, with you and me

I have just read a most astounding book , ‘Surprised by Joy’ by CS Lewis. I have long known about the book without having any specific knowledge of its contents and have always wanted to read it. Yet, somehow this experience had to wait for just this moment in my life. Looking for a specific book in a bookshop while on holiday, ‘Surprised by Joy’ caught my eye and I knew not to pass it by.

 

Although I am always filled with an eager expectation when embarking on any book by a classic Christian author, I had no idea what God had planned for me in this one!

 

The book made for difficult reading. Lewis’ literary knowledge as well as his philosophical and analytical thought processes and prowess is far beyond my ability! Yet, while a lot of his discussion was a strain to grasp, an equal amount of it I found that I fully understood because I knew it, albeit on a different and more intuitive, emotional heart level.

 

To any person who has a remote interest in and love for literature and or philosophy, I would highly recommend reading this book which takes its reader on a whirlwind tour through the greatest authors and philosophers throughout the centuries (although this is not at all the purpose of this book.)

 

Enough said about that, I would like to share with you the message which the book so profoundly impressed on me. It is not a new message, yet its truth was reawakened in my heart.

 

Just yesterday I wrote a small devotion on my face book page, ‘Growing in Christ with Lize Dumon’ about our responsibility to know, discern, follow and obey God’s guidelines for us. Although this is undeniable, it is not the way to God or Jesus Christ; rather, it is taking ‘hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.’ (Philippians 3:12) for we do not find God, He finds us and He finds us and meets us where we are.

 

Observing SC Lewis’ journey from Atheist to Christian as told in ‘Surprised by Joy’, I was left anew with an overwhelming relief of a burden lifted from our shoulders for no matter what we still lack or what struggles we are still fighting, irrespective of the arrogance or ignorance or lack or follies or even self-centeredness or pride of our faith, God finds us there and will not leave us there! Equally true is that once He has our attention, He will never force us or remove from us our free will of choice. Yet, He will continue to call and peel and reveal one day at a time…

 

After reading Lewis’ book, I understand and hold close to my heart afresh the following promises of grace:

 

“…he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

 

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)

 

As CS Lewis did, may you surrender your king to Him when He brings you to checkmate and may you consequently find that in losing your life, you have actually gained it in Him!!

Having read 'Surprised by Joy', I am also reminded again of a longing in my heart, a longing indeed of my soul to not only be known by God Almighty, but to know Him more and more.

 

For all my ramblings here, I can just pray, “Thank you Father for your love and for Jesus Christ and for life in Him. Thank you for being the great I AM and for interfering in my life. Amen.”

God's new for you and for me

“He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

(Revelation 21:5)

There have never been any words that we needed to be trustworthy and true more than these five words spoken by the One who sits on the throne of all thrones. In them are hidden the very core of our greatest need, our greatest desire…to be released from a place of struggle. In them is the essence of our hope…a new beginning. 

Let us brainstorm straight into the concept. What are the things that you and I desperately need to be made new?

At this time of the year energy levels are the first to come to mind but as I let my thoughts run through my own life as well as the lives of those around me whether family, friend or mere acquaintance, the list comes quicker than I can type…

Finances

Relationships

Hopes

Health

Opportunities

Inspiration

Courage

Vision

Plans

Emotions

Thoughts

Actions

Habits

Lifestyles

Strength

Motivations

Attitudes

… the list is infinitive.

Should we have to rely on ourselves for these to be renewed, our inability would soon cause us to despair. Should the ability for these things to be renewed cease to exist at all, we would find ourselves trapped in a pit of hopelessness, desperation and darkness. 

That is why this verse is balm to our weariness wherever it finds us. They are trustworthy and true and even more importantly, spoken by the Almighty God to and for us!!!!

Let everyone who is weary from a situation, a circumstance, a condition of body, heart or soul feed on these promises of newness from the Bread of Life and drink from the Living Waters:

“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19)

“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26)

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Such is my God, my Father and Jesus Christ. He makes things new! He could have consumed but ‘because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning…”

How many mistakes have we made this year?

How many times have we failed?

How many times have we refused to listen to Him?

How many times have we rebelled?

How many times have we been hurt? 

This morning was new.

Whatever happens today, tomorrow morning will be new. 

…New in God’s compassion for you;

new in His mercies and blessings for you;

new in healing for your hurts;

new in His guidance for your next move…

Therefore, stop this very minute to dwell on what has taken place today or yesterday or yesteryear. Stop looking at your current situation with despair and rather turn to God with an expectation for Him to act on His words that are trustworthy and true and sing with the Psalmist:

“And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.” (Psalm 40:3)

To me personally, this year has been one of great achievements in Christ yet also great challenges. The process of being transformed by the Spirit to the likeness of the Son is often a painful and difficult one. Yet, as I have turned to and trusted upon my awesome God, He has continued to hold me close to His heart, giving me the ability and strength and joy to enter each new day, time and time again. 

I praise Him with a new song for today in my heart!!

And as today is drawing to an end, I am looking forward to newness of life with Him tomorrow! How about you? 

God bless,

Lize