What’s the first thing you’re going to do after the shelter-at-home ends? As South Africa's strict lockdown enters its fifth week, I find myself thinking more and more about things I want to do. The first two verses of Colossians 3 tell us that since we’re no longer who we used to be, we must set our hearts and minds on things above. And what I do is one of those things "below" that my heart and mind get distracted by—I can be preoccupied by my occupation. An awkward visit
Note that Jesus didn’t say not to do the work: he said not to be preoccupied with it. When we’re worried and upset and distracted with our work, we’ve forgotten the point, or the purpose. In Martha’s case, the point was to honor her guest. But honor is empty when relationship is neglected. Relationship comes first, and work must be motivated by relationship. Don't forget the point!In Revelation 2, Jesus addresses a church in Ephesus with a very similar struggle. He commends their amazing work, their values, and their perseverance. But they've forgotten the point: they're all about their work and have forgotten their first love. Jesus instructs them to repent and return to “the former things”.
It’s easy for me to get lost in the things in my calendar and forget my “One Thing”. Like Martha, I find myself preoccupied with the details and missing intimate times at Jesus’ feet. Or like the church in Ephesus, I'm busy with all the good work and perseverance, but neglecting my relationship with Him—my first love. Follow MeWhen Jesus called his disciples, he gave each of them the same calling: “Follow me.” We are called first to relationship, not to tasks, work, or some office. So, what do I want to do when the lockdown is over? I want to follow Jesus, more focused than ever before. I want to remain focused on him as my One Thing, my First Love. I don't want my heart to wander away from him, lost in the weeds of my calendar or task list. Some helpful toolsThey say there's an app for everything. While we can't ask our smartphones to take care of our devotion to Christ for us, there are some tools that can help us with our personal pursuit of him.
So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.
Ever seen a worried bird?Jesus famously said, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?" (Luke 12:25, NIV) You may remember this parable: it's the one where the birds enjoy gourmet cuisine and the flowers have Armani suits, all without a care in the world, because of the goodness of the Father. If they don't worry, how much less should we worry, who are worth more to the Father than birds and flowers? Years ago Loren Cunningham, in teaching this parable, asked, "Have you ever seen a worried bird?" Well... have you? We've all heard that we shouldn't fear or worry. But beyond all the well-documented physical and emotional problems brought on by anxiety, why is fear such a spiritual problem in our lives? It's a problem because our hearts and minds have wandered away from God and fixated on the thing we're fearful of or the thing or person we're worried for. Redirecting our heartsDavid knew how to redirect his anxious heart back to heaven. He said, "The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1, NIV) Paul gives us what I believe is the best way to return our hearts to God if we've wandered away with fear or anxiety: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Present your requests to God. The focus is now back on God. What happens when we surrender our cares to God, and in doing so focus our hearts and minds on him? "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (verse 7). My storyThat Sunday morning, when Pastor Kotzé stated that fear pulls our hearts away from God, the Lord immediately showed me a situation in which I had allowed fear to creep in. My heart had indeed wandered away from God; my thoughts were consumed with it, "absorbed with the things right in front of [me]". So, as soon as I got home, I got alone. Remembering Philippians 4:6, I presented the issue to God. I made requests. I asked for help. Then I repented: for worrying, for allowing fear into my heart, and for being preoccupied with this thing at the expense of my devotion to God. And, you know what? His peace came. Instantly. It flooded my mind and emotions (check out Psalm 23:3). Logically, the situation remained unresolved so there are things to worry about. But this peace passes understanding. It's the stuff of heaven, it's transcendent beyond the stuff of earth. Even the big stuff. Practice!I didn't stop there. Every day for the next week I "practiced" by presenting that thing to God all over again. I acknowledged His love for me. I made my requests. And then I said to the Lord, "I'm looking at you, God. My eyes are on you. My heart is yours. Don't let my heart wander away from you again." And the peace remains, guarding my heart and mind: exactly as he promised he would. When new or resurfacing worries arise in future, I hope to remember to practice Philippians 4:6 immediately rather than discovering a far-away heart after weeks of anxiety. I pray the same for you, too.
From our couch, we're checking in on Berakah's staff and families, updating databases, and writing devotionals for Hatfield's Young Adults. Chandra also facilitated a meeting between various parties who hope to provide quick, low-cost temporary sterile structures for area hospitals to handle the possibility of increased ICU requirements during the COVID-19 crisis.
Unsure Times, Sure and Strong GodWe are still called, even though we are temporarily stalled. Your support is invaluable as we prepare to fearlessly proclaim the love of God to a watching world once the lockdown is lifted. Thank you for staying committed to your giving even in uncertain times. We know you won’t regret your trust in our generous and faithful God. We celebrate people like you who stay compassionate, resilient, and consistent in caring for others in the midst of a very severe trial. Much love and honor,
Mike & Chandra
In this day, as in every day, it is true of you and me: the Spirit of God is upon us, because he has anointed us. In this season, as in every season, our hearts burn for the kingdom of God to break out among us, bringing hope, freedom, and justice everywhere it goes!
Skills Training and DiscipleshipUnemployment in South Africa has recently topped 29%, with young adults with degrees unemployed at 31%. We recently partnered with PING Academy in a holistic Skills Development Seminar targeting these young, qualified, unemployed individuals The young adults, including a parent from Berakah and her sister, were empowered in their relationship with God as well as critical career skills like interviewing and resume writing. We heard from students who "arrived empty and left full" and were determined to not just find a job but to glorify God in their careers Development at BerakahTucked into a dark corner of Mamelodi, up against the mountain, where service delivery is low and employment is lower, Berakah stands as an example of hope and excellence with the resources available
And more exciting things are on the horizon! A missions team from Texas is considering raising funds for a more secure fence, then coming over to build it. A new startup interior design company has donated a site development plan for Berakah that calls for replacing improperly constructed buildings, laying the property out to maximize growth opportunities. Please pray with us for God's guidance and provision for these big things that could lie ahead! Refugee crisis in Pretoria Four miles from our house, near Pretoria's prestigious Brooklyn Mall, hundreds of refugees are camping on the sidewalks and in parking lots around the UN High Commission on Refugees, demanding the UN repatriate them amid xenophobia outbreaks. Please pray for these hundreds of lost ones. Jesus knows what it's like to flee from violence.
The Power of Forgiveness--Bongani's StoryI ran into Bongani (name changed) at a coffee shop one afternoon. He walked up to me, grinning widely, and said, "Eish, my friend. That LTS when we did the forgiveness. Me, I am still changed! It has made all the difference. Bongani had attended an LTS that we helped facilitate a few months earlier, and was in my flock group. In the course of LTS, he surrendered his life to Christ and discovered the amazing liberty of being forgiven by God. Then, in a one-on-one session with me, he discovered the power of forgiving others. Months later, he's still walking light on his feet. He considers that day, when he forgave others by the power of the finished work of Christ on the cross, a major turning point in his life What a Savior! God is so good! Discipleship opportunitiesThat LTS was one of three LTS-type discipleship courses we've been able to facilitate this year. The most exciting opportunity begins in October, when Mike has been invited to present several basic discipleship sessions as part of a skills training course for unemployed young adults Berakah Life Groups The ladies' "Parent Talks" at Berakah have blossomed into bi-weekly bible studies, attended by about 8 ladies from Berakah's staff and several ladies from the community This month, Mike and Monde Ncapai, one of Berakah's board members, began a biweekly life group for men at Berakah. We trust for growth and fruit in this new initiative. Please pray for connection with more men in Mamelodi. Please pray with us to reach more men and women, and make more disciples in Mamelodi East! We are so excited about these opportunities. Special Guests from TexasWe were so happy to welcome Pastor Anne Griffin and her daughter Hilary from our home church, Christian City Fellowship in Sealy, Texas. While in Pretoria with us, Anne and Hilary visited Berakah with Chandra. August is Women's Month is South Africa, and Anne was able to minister to 60+ women at Berakah's celebration. Later that week, Pastor Anne gave an anointed and timely word of encouragement to over 100 women in ministry as part of The Christian Network conference (pictured). It was so wonderful to have them "do life" with us! We are so grateful to our home church for your friendship and partnership.
June and July have been a whirlwind of activity, touching nations, and being touched by nations. Our story stretches from California and Texas, to South Africa, and all the way to Sweden, the Netherlands, and Germany! Ministry Opportunities and LTS Charis had the wonderful opportunity to minister with Hatfield Christian Church's worship team as part of the church's Youth Day celebration. What a blessing! Mike continues to preach once or twice a term in the evening service, and recently preached the morning service at Hatfield Christian Church South. Currently, we are facilitating the three-week LTS "Night School". We are already seeing great fruit as students connect with their Father God! Please pray with us for sustained life change for each of the seventy students in this class. From California to Pretoria...Mike helped facilitate a Winter Worship School for about twenty lead worshipers, vocalists, and musicians from the northern part of South Africa. On the last day of the school, Jeremy Riddle (formerly of Bethel) held a question and answer lunch session with the students before hosting a worship evening that night. ...and from Pretoria to Sweden and Holland... In May and June, Berakah welcomed two guests from Europe. Pictured above, lower left, is the sister of one of our great friends here in Pretoria, who comes from The Netherlands. For six weeks, a guest early childhood education expert from Sweden (above, upper left and upper right) volunteered with us. She introduced learning centers to Berakah (above, lower right) which have been very fruitful already, but more exciting than that is that Chandra was able to reintroduce her to Christ. Please pray for our friend to fully embrace the God she encountered so tangibly here in Pretoria. ...to Germany... Pictured above is a children's choir from another community ministry about ten kilometers from Berakah. The young man leading the choir is Taki. Taki's story is amazing. Cared for as an orphan in a child-headed household by the social workers at the James 1:27 Trust where Mike serves, Taki eventually finished his high school education and spent a year at Worship Academy. From Worship Academy, he began serving in two community ministries giving music lessons and starting choirs. This December, Taki and his choir have been invited to tour The Netherlands and Germany. What an incredible opportunity for children who live in shacks and had no hope of traveling out of Mamelodi! Serving Berakah's community Berakah was able to share the SOUNS phonetics reading training that has so greatly benefited us with creches from the surrounding community, via an organization called "the Forum". Berakah also helped the Forum host a sports day for early learners. Great fun! ...and back to Texas!Because of our sending team, we are able to scatter seed that has touched three continents! We are so thankful for your faithful partnership and support in prayer. You are making a difference for the Kingdom!
Wednesday 8 May is National Election Day and Berakah is a voting station for its surrounding community.
Please pray for God’s Kingdom to come and His will to be done in this beautiful nation! Preaching in KurumanThis Friday we drive about 5 hours to Kuruman, a mining community in the Northern Cape, to be with dear friends of ours who lead a church there. Please pray for the Lord to minister powerfully to this community and to our friends.
It feels like just last week we were wishing everyone a blessed 2019. Where has the time gone? The year is racing by, and so much is happening. Here are some highlights for you. Thank You!There's a lot of news below. So, we wanted to say "thank you" first. 2019, so far, has been a beautiful blur. We've seen God do beautiful things. Thank you so much for sending us to South Africa and for covering us with prayer. LTS at HatfieldMike was part of a team that facilitated LTS for a diverse group of about 50 students during the month of February. The school was exciting and fruitful: several students surrendered their lives to Christ for the first time, about a dozen were baptized in the Holy Spirit, and about twenty were baptized in water for the first time! We love LTS and the fruit it bears in people's lives. What a wonderful Father we have! Parents' dayThe first parents' meeting at Berakah was incredibly encouraging. We prepared for 50 parents, and close to one hundred came! The parents were engaging and leaning forward. We trust the Lord to bless their families and their children's education. The sounds of empowermentNine area crèches recently gathered at Berakah for training on the Souns program, a phonetics education program sponsored by Rotary International. The crèches received Souns sets to help early literacy initiatives in their own schools. We will provide extra support in the next few weeks and hope to see Berakah continue to be a resource center for crèches even more in the future. More highlights from BerakahAs we begin 2019, we're full of gratitude for a year of amazing opportunities. Chandra began "Parent talks" weekly Bible studies , seeing women in the township turn to the Word for comfort, guidance, and hope in the midst of challenging situations.
These opportunities, and countless more, are because of our sending team: our friends and family who believe in us enough to send us here with monthly support and prayer. There are not enough ways to say thank you to this amazing group of people. We so love what we get to do, and they make it all possible.
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Mike & Chandra Noviskie,
missionaries to South Africa CCF Missions is a ministry of Christian City Fellowship. |