I guess by now after the hectic Christmas weekend you are all making preparations for the New Year weekend. I must say looking back on this year it has been a very busy year for us. For 2012 we have had to make some changes and we would like you to remember us in your prayers.

Next week four of the children in our house will be moving into one of our other houses with Audrey.  Audrey was doing the laundry and helping Beatrice around the house. She is very familiar with the kids and our set up. Next year she will manage the second home and for a time being continue doing the laundry. Our house has been very full this year sometimes up to 14 kids just in our house and we feel that moving the 4 out will give them a bit more space as they are getting older.

Michelle will be starting a Grade RR, preschool for 4 year olds. We have done this because we realise we need to do something that will bring in a steady income but won’t take Michelle away from the home. Our children will also benefit from this as they will join Michelle in the classroom. Beatrice who works for us in the house will be helping Michelle in the preschool. The name of the preschool is Jacobs Ladder. Eventually we want Beatrice to manage the school. We will only take in a max of 15 and 18 kids. We will run the school on our property as we have the facilities here.

We have been able to reposition our staff and have had to cut back on our staff hours because of finance constraints and we are trying to utilize what we have more efficiently. Peter and Tulani who do the maintenance around the home will only come in two days a week. Beatrice will join Michelle at Jacobs Ladder. Her income will come from the school and not Umndeni. The chores around the house will be shared between Grace and Audrey.

Thandi and Sam are starting school next year. They will be going into grade R, We are not sure how Sam is going to cope but pray all will go well.

Martin and Astri Mosvold bought the Hulls house for Umndeni. Khethani Christian School will use the house for the first year. They have not managed to secure a sight to build. We hope to use the home for volunteers who might want to come out and help us at Umndeni. Through this we will be able to get some funds in for Umndeni.

Thank You for your on-going support and efforts to help us.

We hope and pray you all have a blessed 2012.

You are in our prayers and thoughts.

Mat 5:14-15closeMatthew 5:14-15 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. (ESV) closeMatthew 5:14-15closeMatthew 5:14-15 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. (ESV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. (ESV) . God has not given us a gift to hide it but to let it shine. Mark 6:35-44closeMark 6:35-44 35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. 36 Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he spanided the two fish among them all. 42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men. (ESV) closeMark 6:35-44closeMark 6:35-44 35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. 36 Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he spanided the two fish among them all. 42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men. (ESV) 35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. 36 Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he spanided the two fish among them all. 42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men. (ESV) . Feeding of the five thousand. Jesus asked them to find out what they had. To go out and look for what they had. God is asking us tonight how much bread do we have. We have to go and find out what our gift is. Our gift may seem small and insignificant but in God’s hands much can be accomplished. For the disciples to go out and find the bread was tiring, but they had to go and do it. If you don’t know what your gift is go and find out. Press in to God. When you find the answer go and present it to God. Be satisfied with your gift. Don’t want the gift that is someone else’s. Your gift is designed especially for you. Mat7:7 ask God what He has planned for you and then become effective for God’s kingdom.

Discover your gift and use it to God’s glory. No gift is insignificant. With us all doing our part, the world will be reached. Use your gift to Gods potential. Don’t live with regrets but live every day for God. Our faith will only increase when we act upon it. Respond to God in faith. 

How do we respond to this revelation of God being generous? Do we say no thank you? No we learn to receive it well. Our relationship with God is based on our ability to receive. We need to learn to be agents of God’s generosity. Let God pour out on us, and then we pour it out onto others. 1John4:19. We love because He first loved us. 2Cor1:3-4. He comforts us so we can comfort others. 2Cor 9-11closeERROR: No results were found for your search.closeERROR: No results were found for your search. we will be made rich so that we can be generous. Receive well so that we can be generous. 

Three ways the Holy Spirit wants to hover.

1. He wants to blow on our intuition. John3:8.

2. He wants to ignite our conscience. John 16:8closeJohn 16:8 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: (ESV) closeJohn 16:8closeJohn 16:8 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: (ESV) 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: (ESV) . He convicts the world of sin.

3. He firers up our desires. Gal5:16-17. The desires of the Spirit.

Well what do we do about it how do we respond?

Don’ts 

1) don’t doubt

2) Don’t resist the Holy Spirit. If the Holy Spirit prompts you then do it. Acts 7:51closeActs 7:51 51 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. (ESV) closeActs 7:51closeActs 7:51 51 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. (ESV) 51 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. (ESV)

3) Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit. Stubborn rebellion over a period of time. Keep your heart soft to the Holy Spirit.

 Three Do’s

1) do receive the Holy Spirit. Acts2:48. Repent well

2) Learn to sow to the Spirit.

3) Fellowship with the Holy Spirit. He wants to be in relationship with us.

Miracles Series

Ren Besters’ Testimony

A great story of hope and how God  can radically move in peoples lives.

To Infinity And Beyond!

Thy Kingdom Come

Dear Friends

The church building is coming along nicely. We are being held up by the wet weather but no complaints from my side. We need the rain to full up rain tanks.

Over the past 5 weeks we have been busy with the church floor. Why so long? We have been doing it in stages and after each stage we mix oxide into the floor. Everything is done by hand. Just the mixing of the oxide into the floor takes 4 hours a day. This project is been over seen by Maryna Heese and some very patient builders. Praise the Lord for artistic people. If it was me I would pour the concrete and call it a day.
As the floor dries the colour starts to fade. Today we put a floor sealant on the floor and the result was just amazing. The floor just came to life before our eyes. This was a very inexpensive exercise and well worth the rewards. The local builders were so excited to see the final outcome. What we spent a lot of, was time.

While all this is going on we are still having church inside our building. So now the plan is to put in a front door and stop working on the building till next year. Our next big project is to paint.

We are hoping to use the church roof to collect water that can be used by the community. Next year we will put in 20 rain tanks. Included in this will be the installation of gutters an drain pipes. If everything goes according to plan this will happen in June next year. The water will also come as a great relief for the church. As of two weeks ago we used our last bit of water. I have now asked each house hold in the church to bring 25lt of water to church on Sunday and give it as part of their offering.

Thanks for your on-going prayers and support.

God Bless

Neil

Dear Friends

The end of the year is just round the corner. So much has happened , and so much more still needs to happen before the year ends. The school year is coming to an end. When it gets to this time of the year the kids are tired from all the school work and cant wait for the holidays to start. Michelle and I are dreading the holidays because we have more kids around than usual. All of them wanting to be entertained. Michelle is also helping out at the school. She is helping the teachers close off another year and preparing for 2012. Michelle will start interviewing new students for 2012. Next year there will be about 120 kids in the school. It is amazing to think 4 years ago Michelle was home schooling just our kids and next year there will be 120 kids in the school. We must thank the local community, Orphan care and Women centre for providing us with buildings to use as class rooms for our kids. We are in the process of looking for land so that we can start building a school.

Two young men who are finishing off their schooling have been staying with us this year. As I write they are in the middle of their final school exams. One is hoping to go off to university next year to do a degree in Engineering, the other wants to do a gap year with a church in Durban and then do a diploma to be a paramedic. Michelle and I help them where we can. Make sure they study, get a good meal, a good nights rest and give them on-going support. Both young men have been working very hard ,we hope they do well in their exams.

Besides these two young men and our kids we have been supporting 4 other boys. They still have two or three years of schooling left. They have come into our lives because of our kids. I believe that as a parent we not only need to be a positive influence in our own children’s lives but also in the lives of their friends. We help out where ever we can, take them away with us on trips to the big city, beach etc. At the end of the year we are sending 4 of them away on a youth camp. We want to take this opportunity to thank Grahame, Bianca and family for sponsoring two of the kids to go on the youth camp.

The older kids have also started their own band. They call themselves Last Minute, because they always do things at the last minute. There are five of them in the band. They meet at our home twice a week to practice.

Aidan and Slindilie have also started a band and they meet once a week and practice.Aiden and his friend Sazi made the two girls in their band sign an agreement that no other girls will be allowed to join the band. The boys say if to many girls join the band will break up. This week one of the kids did not arrive for practice. The other members of the band issued him with a written warning. Both bands are preparing for an end of year concerts for the school and church. The average age in Aidan and Slindi’s band is 11 and they are writing their own songs and take it very seriously. Equipment for the band is always a problem but they make do with the little they have.

Next year two of Sam and Thandi will be starting school. It is hard to believe they are off to school. It still feels like it was just the other day they came into our lives. Thandi was brought to us by local welfare 3 years ago. She was taken away from an abusive family. When she arrived she was very scared and hardly spoke. Today she is a very confident little girl. When Sam came to us he was 17 months old. By this stage he had been moved from home to home two or three times. He was very sick and scared. All he wanted was lots of love. We saw Sam for the 1st time when we got the twins. After two weeks at home with the twins Michelle strongly felt God telling her to go and get Sam. She could not bear the thought of him in the children’s home by himself. Now our two little ones are off to school. Our prayer for them and all our kids is that is that we are able to give them the proper love and support in everything they do.

This year was also a first for some of our kids. Rebecca and Slindile have played their first soccer match. Rebecca has also been playing some cricket. They are both enjoying the sport at school even though their team is yet to win a match.

One of the questions Michelle and I are always asked is how do what we are doing. Where do we get our strength from? I will admit that there have been days we have found the going tough. Days when we had to get on our knees and pray for Gods help. I know the Lord my saviour Jesus Christ gives us that extra dose of strength to do what we do. Children are a blessing from God. I see myself as being one of the very few parents who can spend a lot of my time with my kids. I was not around for most the kids because of work. I am around for Kalyla and Stephen. I get to watch them grow up before my own eyes. I am doing what brings me joy. I’m doing what I believe God wants me to be doing.

Then there are all of you who support us. Without your financial support and prayers this is not possible. This year has been a very hard year because the financial support has not come in like it has in previous years.

One of my favourite times of the day is when we all sit down together at the dinner table. Yes the table is to small but we laugh a lot. We talk about the days events and reflect on days gone by. Today at the dinner table the kids were talking about the time the Mosvold family came to visit. Martin and Astri gran son Paul played some practical jokes on the guys. We shared about it and did not stop laughing. I must thank Martin for insisting we make dinner time around the table work. Around our table their is lots of talk and laughter. It is small moments like this that makes what we do worth it.

We truly appreciate your on going support and prayers without which we would not be able to help as many children as we are helping, and now as the older boys start to finish school and start their training and careers we can see the difference that has been made in their lives with your help.

Thank you

Regards

Neil and Michelle

A leaders job is not to have all the answers You need to create your own questions.

Before leaders give direction they need to ask hard questions.

1. Am I investing in myself?

You cannot give what you do not have.

Don’t expect people just to follow out of loyalty. Be a leader who has something new and fresh to offer people. Leaders are always learning, always studying You have to be continually learning – never stop.

If you are going to change your world, the first person to bet on is yourself. If you don’t invest in yourself why should anyone else invest in you?

Learn early a daily discipline of learning.

The day you stop learning, is the day you stop leading. You do this through resources and mentoring. Get people to mentor you out of their strengths, not their life. Find your strengths and match them to people who are stronger in those areas.

2. Am I genuinely interested in others?

There is nothing more pathetic or dangerous than leaders who don’t like people.

Be careful that you don’t lose your genuine care and love for people Leaders see more than other people and they see before other people. This is the DNA of a leader. People are intuitive in the area of their gifting.

Where are you intuitive? That is your gifting.

Leaders see more and before.That puts leaders at a distinct advantage, and gives them a head start. A head start is 95% of what it takes to succeed! Every day a leader has a head start.

It is not a level playing field!

So if leaders don’t really love people then they can take advantage of people. Do you use the head start to help others or help yourself? This is a motive question.

Communicators take complicated things and make them simple. Educators take simple things and make them complicated!

This is the motive question. There is a fine line between motivating people and manipulating people. Leaders move people. Manipulation moves people for the leaders benefit. Motivators move people for mutual benefit.

Leaders could win every race but they never win any race. They are not content to cross the line alone. They want to cross it with others. There must be mutual gain, that is how leaders think.

Ask yourself why you are leading, every single day.

Three questions followers ask of leaders:

1. Do you care for me?

The heart issue. No one wants to follow someone who doesn’t care for them.

2. Can you help me?

Competence issue. Will following you make things better. It is not fun following a leader who is no good!

3. Can I trust you?

Are you going to have my best interests at heart?

Two out of these three questions are based on the question, are you genuinely interested in people.

Get the people who know you best and love you most to check your motives often.

Nothing worse than a leader who has stayed too long.

3. Am I doing what I love and loving what I do?

This is the passion issue, and passion is where the energy comes from.

Great leaders energize people.

Passion is contagious. There is nothing worse than a passionless, cynical leader, who has been there, done that.

A person who has energy has passion.

No such thing as a high energy or low energy person, only passionate or non passionate leader.

If you want to quit, them just quit. Don’t make everyone else suffer.

If you want motivated people then hire motivated people. The hiring sets up everything.

Why would you ever want to retire if you are doing what you are passionate about.

A leader who keeps on thinking of quitting is just being a drag.

There is nothing worse than trying to carry a passionless leader.

4. Am I investing in the right people?

Not people, but the right people. You need to know and inderstand who the right people are.

Not everyone wants to take the journey. Just because you believe in people doesn’t mean they will have the passion to grow.

Make a difference with people who want to make a difference, doing something that makes a difference.

Get the right people and get them around you.

The right people have capacity, character and commitment.

Are you investing in these type of people?

5. Am I staying in my strength zone?

Am I doing the things that I do well.

You are not held accountable for the gifts God did not give you.

Stop working on your weaknesses, you are no good at them.

You can only ever grow by two points max. Your weaknesses will only ever become average and that doesn’t excite people. Don’t be in love with average. People don’t get excited or pay for average.

No passion in average.

Get above average by developing your strengths – take your sevens to nines.

Find your strengths and develop them! People stand in lines for nines.

Be really good at three things. Work at those three things.

The more you work at those strengths, the better and better you will get.

How do you write sixty books?One word at a time.

Rule of five – five swings with the ax every single day and the tree will eventually fall. It is not about if, but when.

Find something you are good at. What would happen if you found and worked at five things for that strength every day. Five ways of being better or more effective at something you are already good at.

The secret of our success is found in our daily agenda.

 Success is not complicated.

Every day we are either preparing or repairing.

What we do daily is either making us or breaking us.

You don’t have to do it all day, just every day.

Five things. Eg. Every day read, every day think, every day file, every day ask questions, every day write.

Asking questions is the best way to learn things.

Brilliance doesn’t win, consistent focus wins. Know your strength zone.

Find your strength and develop your rule of five. Sometimes takes years to develop your rule of five.

Secret of your success is determined by your daily agenda.

6. Am I taking people to a higher level?

That is what leaders do – they lift people

7. Am I taking care of today?

Leadership is highly visionary and one of the greatest mistakes leaders make is to be so far out there that they are not taking care of today.

Don’t get so far out there that you are not taking care of today.

8. Am I taking time to think?

Leaders are biased towards action. You can become so active that you are not taking time to think.

Action is not enough. You need to think first. Don’t be an active leader who doesn’t think

 9. Am I developing leaders?

95% of leaders don’t develop other leaders, all they have is followers. And they are content with that.

It is much easier to lead followers than lead leaders.

To lead leaders takes a great leader.

Invest in yourself and then invest in other leaders.

All leaders have had bad experiences developing leaders only to have them lead.

But worse than having developed leaders, is not to develop them at all.

10. Am I pleasing God?

John 12closeJohn 12 Mary Anoints Jesus at Bethany 12:1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.” The Plot to Kill Lazarus 9 When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus. The Triumphal Entry 12 The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” 14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, 15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion;
behold, your king is coming,
sitting on a donkey's colt!” 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. 17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.” Some Greeks Seek Jesus 20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up 27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 34 So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” The Unbelief of the People When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. 37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Lord, who has believed what he heard from us,
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” 39 Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, 40 “He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their heart,
lest they see with their eyes,
and understand with their heart, and turn,
and I would heal them.” 41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. 42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. Jesus Came to Save the World 44 And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.” (ESV) closeJohn 12closeJohn 12 Mary Anoints Jesus at Bethany 12:1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.” The Plot to Kill Lazarus 9 When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus. The Triumphal Entry 12 The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” 14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, 15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion;
behold, your king is coming,
sitting on a donkey's colt!” 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. 17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.” Some Greeks Seek Jesus 20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up 27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 34 So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” The Unbelief of the People When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. 37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Lord, who has believed what he heard from us,
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” 39 Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, 40 “He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their heart,
lest they see with their eyes,
and understand with their heart, and turn,
and I would heal them.” 41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. 42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. Jesus Came to Save the World 44 And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.” (ESV) Mary Anoints Jesus at Bethany 12:1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.” The Plot to Kill Lazarus 9 When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus. The Triumphal Entry 12 The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” 14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, 15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion;
behold, your king is coming,
sitting on a donkey's colt!” 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. 17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.” Some Greeks Seek Jesus 20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up 27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 34 So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” The Unbelief of the People When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. 37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Lord, who has believed what he heard from us,
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” 39 Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, 40 “He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their heart,
lest they see with their eyes,
and understand with their heart, and turn,
and I would heal them.” 41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. 42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. Jesus Came to Save the World 44 And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.” (ESV) if the name of Jesus is lifted up high He will draw all people to himself.

We are called to worship God and make disciples of all nations.

Five ways to lift up Jesus.

1) Eph how we speak. No unwholesome talk. No gossiping. Speak positively skinnering causes division. The same voice that praises God curses man.

2) what we do. Jer 17:9closeJeremiah 17:9 9 The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick;
who can understand it? (ESV) closeJeremiah 17:9closeJeremiah 17:9 9 The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick;
who can understand it? (ESV) 9 The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick;
who can understand it? (ESV) the heart is deceitful as a musician you can not trust what you are feeling. We are emotional. Be aware of your emotions. We have to let God make us consistent.

3) What we sing. It must be all about Jesus. It is not so much about us but we must be glorifying Him.

4) How we lead. Psalm 78:76closeERROR: No results were found for your search.closeERROR: No results were found for your search. skillful hands and integrity of heart. Spiritual disciplines make sure that they are in place. We can access Jesus anytime through his word. Read the Word , pray and worship. Skilled hands always be learning. Don’t bury your talent. Work at it.

5) How we love. We need to realize that it’s not about us. It about Jesus and loving Him and being loved by Him.

FRIDAY: we host FOURTEEN40, a Christian band that will be playing and ministering as an outreach to the youth (and any young at heart). This is a great oppotunity to invite unsaved friends and family. It is free and I hope to see you there! 6pm at the church.

SUNDAY MORNING: I carry on with Part 3 of the series ‘Miracles’. The FOURTEEN40 team will lead worship that morning.

SUNDAY EVENING: we are in for an exciting time. The FOURTEEN40 team will lead the worship and Ren the team leader will preach that night. It should

be a great time and good oppotunity to invite in unsaved folk. Let’s make use of every oppotunity.

OUTREACH: I am heading for Swaziland on Friday for the day to do some training with a group of pastors in Manzini. There is space in the car for one more if you want to come and have a valid passport. We leave at 5am and should be back at about 5pm. If you want to come with please get hold of me.

LEADERS FORUM: next week we are having a special Leaders Forum in which I want us to watch the John Maxwell leadership session he did with us at Hillsong. It was the best hour of leadership training I have ever experienced. 6:30pm to 8pm Wednesday 23rd at the church. Please come.

Have a great rest of the week. Thanks to all who have helped this week hosting the ministers in town for breakfast on Tuesday and the Seniors Club this morning. It is great to be part of such a generous caring family!