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Since 1978 it has been our privilege to accompany and organise groups to visit the Holy Land.
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19/02/2024

19th February
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
Philippians 4:11

You, like St Paul, might be content with your circumstances, or you might be striving to do better in life, simply because you don't think you've achieved enough. The great danger in life is to be constantly looking back and believing that you have been a failure - as a significant other, as a breadwinner, or as a parent. Remember this: God the Father never forgets the sinner - He only forgets the sin when we repent from the heart. As psalm 103 says, “As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us,” and as Superman used to say when he had donned his costume, “Up, up and away.” You have put on Christ, and so you too are able to cry, “Up, up and away!” and no looking back!

They that wait upon the Lord
Shall renew their strength
They shall mount up with wings as eagles;
They shall run, and not be weary;
They shall walk, and not faint.
Teach me LORD, teach me LORD to wait.

🦅Dennis🦅

18/02/2024

18th February
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9

I wonder if you've come across the concept of the visible and the invisible church? It sounds quite confusing, but actually it's pretty straight forward. It's actually a problem for the “visible” church members, because, unfortunately, they aren't members of the invisible church. You see, the invisible church is that which is made up of genuine born again believers, whilst the visible church consists of nominal (in name only) Christians, who make up the largest percentage of “Christians” in Christendom. The burning question is thus, are you an invisible member of the body of Christ?

Don't wanna be a hypocrite
Don't wanna be a hypocrite
'Cause they're not hip to it
Don't wanna be a hypocrite
… I just wanna be a sheep
Baa-baa-baa
I just wanna be a sheep
Baa-baa-baa
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
I just wanna be a sheep
Baa-baa-baa.

😎Dennis😎

17/02/2024

17th February
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Philippians 3:12

The theological truth struck me again this morning that “Jesus took hold” of you and me. We never have the right to say, I (me, myself and I) gave my life to Jesus. We should rather say, I responded to the prevenient grace of our Lord Jesus! Prevenient is that which comes before and is the recognition that Jesus first loved me, and also gave me the faith to offer my life to Him. While we were yet sinners Christ died for us and gave His life as a ransom.

My heart is Yours
Now and forever
I am loved
Only because You first loved me
And I love You
Jesus I love
Yes I love You
Because You first loved me.
Covenant Worship

🤗Dennis🤗

16/02/2024

16th February
He Saw A Swarm Of Bees And Some Honey.
Judges 14:8

I read a story about some children, afraid of a swarm of bees, who had doused the swarm with buckets of water. “By the time my fellow beekeeper and I arrived, what had been a beautiful prime swarm was reduced to a few hundred drenched bees, huddling limply around their queen.”
The words which struck me when I read the story were, “huddling limply around their queen.” In spite of being bombarded by buckets of water, the bees remained true to their queen. We are going to be increasingly bombarded by the anti-Christ people in the world, even if the attack is as mild as a “bucket of water,” and when that occurs, we must huddle around our King - however limp that huddle might be. We have the right and the responsibility to protect the honour and glory of our King by our dedication (holiness, set-apartness).

O Jesus, I have promised
to serve Thee to the end;
be Thou forever near me,
my Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle
if Thou art by my side,
nor wander from the pathway
if Thou wilt be my Guide.

🙏Dennis🙏

15/02/2024

15th February
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
Hebrews 12:14

Today's devotion is, primarily, a reminder of what your status is in Jesus Christ. To be holy, does not mean to be perfect! Not even the canonised saints were perfect. To be holy means to be dedicated, sanctified, and separated, and it has everything to do with Jesus, and nothing to do with us. You will remember that Paul wrote to the saints that met in houses to pray and have fellowship. That's you, and me - in Christ Jesus. So how do we maintain a state of holiness? Jesus said it this way, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

Called unto holiness," children of light,
Walking with Jesus in garments of white;
Raiment unsullied, untarnished with sin,
God's Holy Spirit abiding within.
CH Morris

😁Dennis😁

14/02/2024

14th February
Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
Philippians 3:16

In a small group setting, one of the most tense exercises is when participants are asked to write down 5 things they like about themselves. It's easy to think of the negatives, but alas, not the good things. So, that's where today’s challenge begins. Write down the things you believe you have attained in your Christian walk, and then ask yourself whether you are living up to them! 😱 But… bear in mind - constantly - that the challenge will always exist because there will always be more for us.

Coz right now
I need your grace
To humble me and stop me Lord
From trying so hard to be good on my own
To live is Christ and to die is gain
Eternal life with you
Is now my only motivation
Preserve me in this life for Sanctification
Luis Cortez

😇Dennis😇

13/02/2024

13th February
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;...
Proverbs 3:5

There is a fascinating story of a man who was a fairly average cricketer - one who fielded well, but was “below par” when it came to the batting department. One day a friend gave him an old bat, signed by Jackie McGlew. So delighted was he at receiving the legand’s bat, that from that day on, his batting average improved with every game, not because his technique was any better, but because he trusted, and believed in the bat. Jesus turns our average lives into above average lives when we cease leaning on our own righteousness, our own knowledge and our own works. Trust in the Lord will all of your heart!

Lord Jesus, You are not a crutch as some are wont to say, but You are my Lord, my Guide, my source of Wisdom, and my everlasting Saviour, whom I seek, daily, to trust and obey. Amen.

💪Dennis💪

12/02/2024

12th February
When all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone away from the well’s mouth and water the sheep.
Genesis 29:3a

I don't know about you, but as soon as I read this verse a picture came to mind. Imagine being in the garden where Jesus was entombed, and seeing the angel roll the stone away from the tomb. Imagine the enshrouded Lord Jesus appearing at the mouth of the tomb so that He, the Good Shepherd, could feed and water His sheep with the living water of eternal life. An extraordinary symbol in Genesis of what was to come.

Let Your living water flow over my soul
Let Your Holy Spirit come and take control
Of every situation that has troubled my mind
All my cares and burdens on to You, I roll.
Vinesong.

🌨️Dennis🌨️

11/02/2024

11th February
Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old”
Matthew 13.52

It has been suggested that when Charles Wesley wrote his 6500 hymns, they were regarded as being “pop” hymns, not unlike what many congregations are singing today, and what are regarded by some music officianados as being trite and superficial. Our parents, you may recall, were very anti all the long-haired youths who sang the songs of the 60’s and 70’s. My suggestion, as I alluded to yesterday, is to not throw the baby out with the bath water. Take note of how the Lord speaks still today through the Old Testament writers as well as the New.

Thank You Lord Jesus that through Scripture; You unlock the strong chests in which the truth has long lain, and You point to secret chambers filled with untold riches. Amen.

🌈Dennis🌈

10/02/2024

10th February
I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll.
Revelation 22:18

Many years ago I asked a theologian what would happen if a new Bible book was discovered that passed the “canonical” test. Would it be included in the Bible? In retrospect I would have to conclude that the Canon (Ruler in Greek) is complete for all time. Which reminds me that another wise theologian wrote, “If your interpretation of Revelation cannot be confirmed by the rest of scripture,” then you are barking up the wrong tree. King Solomon had it right when he wrote, “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” In conclusion one would have to say that the solution to every problem already exists in the pages of the Bible.

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
You're the light unto my path.

🕯️Dennis🕯️

09/02/2024

9th February
Submit yourselves to one another because of your reverence for Christ.
Ephesians 5:21

And so to the marriage analogy!
We began by walking along a broad flat stretch, and like the start of most marriages, it was a real “walk in the park.” Then the terrain changed and became a series of ups, downs and flats. Some of the ups were really steep and difficult, just like that period you go through when you wonder why you are married. Mercifully, you hit another smooth, flat section, and your outlook becomes positive about your relationship. Alas! There is a steep, rocky downhill, and you fear your relationship is once more in serious danger as it goes downhill fast. And so throughout your marriage, as you experience the ups and downs, you are required to recall the day you made your promises with all the necessary sincerity.

I, ___, take thee, ___, to be my wedded wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge thee my faith."

👩‍❤️‍👨Dennis👩‍❤️‍👨

08/02/2024

8th February
Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
1 Peter 3:7

Just 5 minutes away from where we now live in Pretoria, there is a walking, running, cycling trail which meanders up and down typical Pretoria koppies. As we walked, it suddenly occurred to me that the trail was a suitable analogy for marriage. Each twist and turn is akin to some aspect of marriage. More of that tomorrow, but for today pray for the grace to be a mutually submissive couple. If you single please pray for those marriages that you know are fraught with difficulties.

By this shall all men know
That you are my disciples
Because you love one another
As I have loved you.

💞Dennis💞

06/02/2024

6th February
… for our “God is a consuming fire.”
Hebrews 12:29

Once again, we can rest in Christ, for the God who is a consuming fire is only such for those who have not responded to the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. For those stubborn individuals who remain ek Christos [out of Christ] - in spite of having been exposed to the Good News - the consuming fire is going to be an awesome and frightening display of God's wrath. You and I should regularly give thanks that, thanks to the prevenient grace of God we are in the fortunate position of being en Christou [in Christ.]

Our God is a consuming fire
A burning holy Flame, with glory and freedom
Our God is, the only righteous judge
Ruling over us with kindness and wisdom
We will keep our eyes on You
We will keep our eyes on You.
Christy Nockels

♨️Dennis♨️

05/02/2024

5th February
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,
Hebrews 12 :28

There is another aspect of worshipping God with reverence and awe, and that is this - also linked to being “living sacrifices.”
When you were baptised, just like any sacrifice, you died to the old life, but then rose again to the new life. Hence, you are now a living dead person - because you have been reborn in Christ. Practically speaking, this obviously has serious expectations, which we will chat about under the heading of God being a consuming fire.

I Am a New Creation,
No more in Condemnation,
Here in the Grace of God, I stand.
My Heart is Overflowing,
My Love just keeps on Growing,
Here in the Grace of God, I stand.
Dave Bilborough

🌅Dennis🌅

04/02/2024

4th February
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,
for our “God is a consuming fire.”
Hebrews 12:28,29

I wonder what your answer would be if I asked what worshiping God “acceptably with reverence and awe,” is? And then, following closely on that question, what does it mean that God is a consuming fire? That's for a couple of days time. But for today, what immediately comes to mind is what Paul said in Romans 12. He wrote, “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Animal sacrifices under the old covenant sacrificial system had to be set apart from the herd for that purpose and chosen with care to make sure they were acceptable—unmarked and unharmed. As living sacrifices, God has already set us apart for His purposes and declared us acceptable because He sees us in our position in Christ. In other words, we do not have to wait to be better people before we offer our bodies and lives to God. As people in Christ, He will receive the sacrifice of our everyday lives right now. Bible ref. Com

Just as I am, without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me
And that Thou bid'st me come to Thee
Oh, Lamb of God, I come, I come.

🎶Dennis🎶

02/02/2024

2nd February
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:3

If ever there was an example of Jesus being the prototype of the spiritual world, this verse so much to us.
Think of the opposition that Christ endured - from evil Pharisees and Sadducees, polticians, and even from His own disciples, and when His was about, the Bible says He uttered not a word. 1 Peter 2:21 puts it this way, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” His suffering was so that we would not lose heart, and that we would follow in His footsteps.
Whatever way one looks at it there is going to be personal and corporate suffering in our lives.

Thank you Jesus that you have been through it in ways that I will never know, and that You are right here alongside me in my trauma. Amen.

✝️Dennis✝️

28/01/2024

28th January
This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
Hebrews 8:10

The blood of Christ is a Divine mystery that passes all thought. Like every spiritual and heavenly blessing, this too, but this especially, needs to be imparted to us by the Holy Spirit. It was "through the Eternal Spirit" that Christ offered the sacrifice in which the blood was shed. The blood had the life of Christ, the life of the Spirit, in it. The outpouring of the blood for us was to prepare the way for the outpouring of the Spirit on us. It is the Holy Spirit, and He alone, who can minister the blood of the everlasting Covenant in power. The New Covenant is a guarantee from Jesus that nobody who repents and believes in Him will be turned away.

There is power power wonder working power
In the blood of the lamb
There is power power wonder working power
In the precious blood of lamb.

🐑Dennis🐑

27/01/2024

27th January
This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
Hebrews 8:10

How would one describe the New Covenant so that is understandable to all. The very first thing that comes to mind is the fact that Jesus said, “This is the new Covenant in my blood.” So the first inkling we get is that it was instituted in Christ's blood on the cross.
So there is no longer the need for sacrifices of any kind. Once and for all our sins are forgiven and the New Covenant was signed by Jesus with His blood. Secondly, for today, we have a new and living way into the Most Holy Place, and that is through His crucified body. Tomorrow, we will discover what the “entrance fee” is to gain admission to the Most Holy Place.

I Am a New Creation,
No more in Condemnation,
Here in the Grace of God I stand.

🏞️Dennis🏞️

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15th October Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. John 11:25 There is a remarkable, miraculous plant found in the deserts of the world called the Resurrection Plant (Family: Myrothamnaceae.) This plant can remain dormant and dead-like for decades. During a drought, the plant acts like a seed, but when the skies finally open and the rain pours down, the shrivelled plant bursts “back to life”, turning green and robust in just a few hours. My thought is that we should treat unregenerate loved ones and friends like resurrection plants, constantly attempting to offer them life-giving water. Like the plant, our loved ones must receive rain within hours of the leaves unfurling, otherwise they will soon return to a dormant state. No situation is hopeless when we have faith to believe. With us it's often five past twelve but with the Lord it is usually five to twelve! All who in the resurrection From their sins have had a part— Quickened by the Holy Spirit, Made anew in life and heart— On the morn of Christ’s appearing Shall a crown of glory wear: They shall rise to meet the Savior— Oh, what rapture! I’ll be there. 🛐Dennis🛐