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Good day Templar family
Where are you looking for rest? Is it in stuff you can touch, or in the arms of God? The Living Water beckons you to chase after Him alone, He’s the calm in the chaos, guiding us to quiet streams because He’s always pointing us to Jesus, the only One who fills the soul’s deep ache, the only One who brings real peace no matter what’s crashing around us.
Jesus wraps us in His steady presence when life rages. I don’t know your struggles, but I’m sure of this: God won’t a... moreGood day Templar family
Where are you looking for rest? Is it in stuff you can touch, or in the arms of God? The Living Water beckons you to chase after Him alone, He’s the calm in the chaos, guiding us to quiet streams because He’s always pointing us to Jesus, the only One who fills the soul’s deep ache, the only One who brings real peace no matter what’s crashing around us.
Jesus wraps us in His steady presence when life rages. I don’t know your struggles, but I’m sure of this: God won’t abandon you. I’m convinced He’ll carve a path forward, and as you seek Jesus, I trust the Lord will settle you by peaceful waters.
Pause, be still, and hear Him, let Jesus breathe life into you. Crack open the Word and let Him speak straight to your heart through it.
Have a blessed Sunday
God's blessings Soli Deo Gloria🇿🇦🇬🇪⚔️
Good day Templar family
And we all . . . are being transformed
. . . from one degree of glory to another—2 Corinthians 3:18
There’s a pattern to the lives of men and woman trying to follow Jesus Christ: sin, confession, repentance, change . . . sin, confession, repentance, change. There are other aspects to their lives, but this pattern is always present. It ensures that lives are transformed, over time—that sins change and lessen in severity through the cycles of the pattern. It is, in this... moreGood day Templar family
And we all . . . are being transformed
. . . from one degree of glory to another—2 Corinthians 3:18
There’s a pattern to the lives of men and woman trying to follow Jesus Christ: sin, confession, repentance, change . . . sin, confession, repentance, change. There are other aspects to their lives, but this pattern is always present. It ensures that lives are transformed, over time—that sins change and lessen in severity through the cycles of the pattern. It is, in this way, an upward spiral of increasingly coming into the character of Jesus. The pattern ensures that no one gets stuck in sin, or worse, in a downward, ever more severe, spiral of sin.
God the Holy Spirit—when and if we offer our lives to Jesus—will guide us into upward spirals. If we hold onto our lives, though, we’ll inevitably slip into downward ones. It may not be obvious at first, maybe not for years, until we can deny it no longer—until anger, anxiety, depression, despondency, loneliness, isolation, boredom, or rebellion take over. And, even then, we can still offer our lives to Jesus and begin upward spirals. The penitent thief, crucified next to Jesus, began one just minutes before his death (Luke 23:40-43).
Now, being men and woman, a question arises: can we hit the throttle of change? Can we speed the velocity of our upward spirals? Absolutely. The Spirit does most of the work—it’s called grace. But, we can couple more and more of our obedience to more and more of His grace and, thereby, crank up the speed of our transformations . . . and, in fact, the transformations of our faith communities.
Get into community with others. Create a safe place for authentic, raw confession. Encourage each other to turn from sin, from wrong beliefs about yourselves and about God. Pray expectantly for ever more change. Do just those . . . and things will get interesting quickly.
Have a blessed Monday and week ahead
God's blessings Soli Deo Gloria🇿🇦🇬🇪⚔️
Good day Templar family
God is my Rock. He is a solid foundation. He is an immovable, unshakable, faithful, fortress. In times of trouble God is our source of strength. God is stable and His children run to Him for shelter.
God is higher, He is bigger, He is greater, and He provides more protection than every mountain combined. Jesus is the rock where salvation is found. Seek Him, repent, and trust in Him.
Psalm 18:1-3 I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, ... moreGood day Templar family
God is my Rock. He is a solid foundation. He is an immovable, unshakable, faithful, fortress. In times of trouble God is our source of strength. God is stable and His children run to Him for shelter.
God is higher, He is bigger, He is greater, and He provides more protection than every mountain combined. Jesus is the rock where salvation is found. Seek Him, repent, and trust in Him.
Psalm 18:1-3 I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Savior; my God is my Rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and He saved me from my enemies
Have a blessed Saturday
God's blessings Soli Deo Gloria🇿🇦🇬🇪⚔️
Good day Templar family
For the grace of God has appeared—Titus 2:11-12
For us men to truly, in our hearts, want to repent of our sins, repent of our screw-ups—for us to truly want to turn our backs on our old selves, on the self-indulgent men we’ve been—we’ve got to first trust that we can change, that we can become new men, if we do. I mean, we’ve been the way we are for a very long time, so it’s understandably hard to trust that there’s new life available, right here, right now—life that’s... moreGood day Templar family
For the grace of God has appeared—Titus 2:11-12
For us men to truly, in our hearts, want to repent of our sins, repent of our screw-ups—for us to truly want to turn our backs on our old selves, on the self-indulgent men we’ve been—we’ve got to first trust that we can change, that we can become new men, if we do. I mean, we’ve been the way we are for a very long time, so it’s understandably hard to trust that there’s new life available, right here, right now—life that’s God-connected, God-filled, and God-honoring.
So . . . can we trust it? Well, yes and no. On our own, new life is not available, and it never will be. On our own, we’ll remain our old selves until we die. Though we might want to become better men, we’ll only become worse. That’s what’s behind Paul’s frustration: “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate” (Romans 7:15). To just “man up” sure sounds good, but it doesn’t work. We’ve all tried it and it’s never enough, not even close. But with God’s help we can become new men. With His help we can become His men. And, He can’t wait to help. He’s wanted to for a very long time. He can’t wait to lend us His superpower called grace: the divine empowerment to do right, to do what we, by ourselves, cannot.
Jesus’ story is the greatest story the world’s ever known. It’s the story of a Father and Son, working together, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to do massive, miraculous things. It’s your story too. Trust that He can change you. Allow that trust to fuel your willingness to confess and repent and obey.
Have a blessed Friday and weekend
God's blessings Soli Deo Gloria🇿🇦🇬🇪⚔️
Good day Templar family
But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins
. . . he shall surely live—Ezekiel 18:21
Confession is necessary, but it is not sufficient. Sufficiency is achieved only when confession is connected with repentance. You see, confession is making our sins known—to God, to wives, to trusted brothers. Repentance, though . . . repentance involves a turning: turning away from those sins; turning our backs on our old selves, on the men who committed those sins. Repentan... moreGood day Templar family
But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins
. . . he shall surely live—Ezekiel 18:21
Confession is necessary, but it is not sufficient. Sufficiency is achieved only when confession is connected with repentance. You see, confession is making our sins known—to God, to wives, to trusted brothers. Repentance, though . . . repentance involves a turning: turning away from those sins; turning our backs on our old selves, on the men who committed those sins. Repentance is saying, we don’t want to be those men anymore. Repentance is turning toward God. It’s a willingness to become new men, loyal followers. Confession is critical, but it’s only the first step. Repentance is the ultimate step.
Ironically, confession requires great courage, but repentance just requires a soft, willing heart. In the parable of the Prodigal Son, Jesus taught that it’s not sin itself that imperils us, but rather a hard, stubborn heart, an unwillingness to turn, an unwillingness to repent. The younger son lived a life with ostensibly more sin. The older brother simply harboured resentment and jealousy. The younger repented of his sins, though; the older did not. The father welcomed the younger and celebrated his return: “for this your brother was dead, and is alive” (Luke 15:32). The father pleaded with the older to also join in celebration, to soften his heart. He would not. Without repentance, we continue in our sin. Without repentance, we continue on our own path . . . toward death. Said Jesus, “unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).
That stuff that you need/needed to confess, brother . . . yeah, that. Repent of it now. Turn your back on that man, that man who committed those sins. Soften. Be willing to listen to God. Astonishingly, he’ll always let you start anew. “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19).
Have a blessed Wednesday
God's blessings Soli Deo Gloria🇿🇦🇬🇪⚔️
Good day Templar family
Matthew 28:18-19 “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
People always ask, “why should Christians witness to others?” Every minute there are many people who will die without Christ. These people will spend eternity in Hell. Even though you might be afraid of evangelizing to that unbeliever... moreGood day Templar family
Matthew 28:18-19 “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
People always ask, “why should Christians witness to others?” Every minute there are many people who will die without Christ. These people will spend eternity in Hell. Even though you might be afraid of evangelizing to that unbeliever, you always talk to, imagine how much worse it will be if they die without putting their faith in Christ alone
You had a chance to tell them. Would a good doctor ever not tell someone they’re dying because they’re afraid of giving them bad news? Most unbelievers think they’re going to Heaven. Don’t be like most Christians and close your mouth. Preach the gospel of Jesus Christ
Don’t be afraid and always preach the truth in love. People need to know about Christ. There is somebody at work who doesn’t know Christ. There is somebody in your family and you have friends who don’t know Christ. There is someone at church who doesn’t know Christ. You must not be afraid to share your faith to a non-believer.
Humble yourself, be kind, patient, loving, honest and preach the truth. Most people’s eternal souls are in danger. Most people don’t know why they are on earth for. Share your testimony. Tell others what Christ has done for you. Pray for greater manifestations of the Holy Spirit and read God’s Word daily so you will be better equipped.
Have a blessed Tuesday
God's blessings Soli Deo Gloria🇿🇦🇬🇪⚔️
Good day Templar family
. . . and he will give you
the desires of your heart—Psalm 37:4
When the Apostle Paul wrote the word “good” in the passage below, what did he mean?
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
He certainly meant the works—the things we are to do, the ways we are to serve—are good things, in and of themselves. And, of course, he meant the works are good for others, ... moreGood day Templar family
. . . and he will give you
the desires of your heart—Psalm 37:4
When the Apostle Paul wrote the word “good” in the passage below, what did he mean?
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
He certainly meant the works—the things we are to do, the ways we are to serve—are good things, in and of themselves. And, of course, he meant the works are good for others, good for those people we are meant to serve. Going a bit further, though, could it be he also meant the things we are to do, the ways we are to serve . . . are good for us, too?
Of course he did; of course they are. That’s precisely what Jesus was getting at when he said it’s “more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35) . . . or, as Eugene Peterson translates: “You’re far happier giving than getting” (Acts 20:35 MSG). It’s been nearly two thousand years and that notion is still counterculture. But the truth is . . . to give, to serve, to notice, to care, to love, to offer our strength to others, to live for others, is actually what brings purpose, fulfillment, joy to our lives. It’s how we men actually get to fully-alive and what-you’ve-always-dreamed-of kind of stuff. It’s one important reason why King David sang,
“Delight yourself in the Lord;
and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).
It’s simple. The only way to figure out whether Jesus was right on this or not, is to test it—personally. Someone needs you today. Someone needs you, right now. Look around. Who is it? Reach out. Go ahead and help him or her . . . and then, examine the state of your heart after you do.
Have a blessed Sunday
God's blessings Soli Deo Gloria🇿🇦🇬🇪⚔️
Good day Templar family
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Repent of your sins and trust in Christ. Stop trying to work for your salvation and trust in the perfect merit of Jesus Christ. Jesus is my only claim to Heaven. My good works are not good enough and they mean nothing. Fall upon Jesus your Savior, trust in Him. Jesus took away my sins. He took away my guilt.
Repentance is a change ... moreGood day Templar family
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Repent of your sins and trust in Christ. Stop trying to work for your salvation and trust in the perfect merit of Jesus Christ. Jesus is my only claim to Heaven. My good works are not good enough and they mean nothing. Fall upon Jesus your Savior, trust in Him. Jesus took away my sins. He took away my guilt.
Repentance is a change of mind that leads to a turning away from sin. True faith in Christ will change your lifestyle. You will have new desires for Christ and you won’t desire to live a continuous lifestyle of rebellion. God will work in you to make you into the image of His Son. Life is all about Christ.
Glory to God that being perfect is not the way to enter into Heaven. Let’s all put our trust in the One who was perfect, Jesus Christ.
Have a blessed Friday
God's blessings Soli Deo Gloria🇿🇦🇬🇪⚔️
CAA Eric Hartman
Priory of St. Michael the Archangel
Fides Et Veritas