Hands and Feet

Hands and Feet

by | Aug 8, 2024 | Kingdom Finance, Kingdom Principles, The Pattern

I remember years ago, as a volunteer in Hillbrow doing urban missions, I sat at a soup kitchen listening to testimonies from the local homeless population.

An older man got up and went to the front. The room fell silent as he started sharing. “I have never seen God give me bread or shelter…” He started. And I felt my heart jump. I thought to myself – this is not a testimony.

But the older man continued.

“But I have seen His children acting as his hands and feet to provide to our needs.”

Over the years this statement has stuck with me. This idea has shaped my ministry over the last 12 years. It is as Richard Rohr so beautifully puts it. Presence over preaching…

Peter shares the same kind of thought with us in his first epistle. In 1 Peter 2:9: he tells us that we are a royal priesthood, a chosen generation – a peculiar people – called out of darkness with the purpose of proclaiming his goodness to those who have not yet seen his love.

I like how the older translations put it – to shew forth the praises of Him who called us out of darkness. Not just to talk about it – but to practically demonstrate the Kingdom – to be ambassadors rather than citizens.

The old homeless man had a point. God uses us to facilitate His miracles. God uses us to provide and see to the needs of those who need Him. God uses us to care for the poor and disenfranchised. He uses us to bring about change. Gd works in us, He gives through us – and if He is present in our hearts, we will see His Kingdom present itself around us.

As believers and children of the Most High God, followers of the teachings of Christ we realize that we have a mission. This mission is given to us in Matthew 28 – in verse 16 the 11 disciples (sans Judas) go to the mountain in Galilee where Jesus had instructed them to go.

Here Jesus tells them the following: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Jesus gives us the great commission – this role is assigned to us as a body – the authority of Christ, and therefore also the responsibility that comes with it – is delegated to us.

We are to make disciples as Jesus had done.

I love the Gospel According to Mark. In the book of Mark Jesus is described as a man of action – He didn’t just preach – but came as a revolutionary. Shifting paradigms, shaking our way of thinking and showing us the way forward. We cannot simply tell the hungry man to find Christ. A roaring belly is not always open to the Gospel – we need to feed him. The naked man needs to be clothed lest he be distracted by the cold, unable to hear the good news being shared.

We need to actually do. Not just talk the talk, but actually walk as Jesus instructed us to. As Christ Himself demonstrated.

When His disciples wanted to send the crowds home to go and eat, saying: “We cannot feed them…”, Jesus rebuked them and multiplied what was there.

But God used a little boy and his lunchbox to do this.

Just like Moses was instructed to use the staff he had in his hand to demonstrate God’s power – just like David picked up 5 stones – God uses what we have at hand to change the world.

And as we give – as we pour out the oil – it is multiplied. As we fill the cups of others, our cup will be filled.

A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: I would like to ask you to help us fulfill the mission by supporting our mission. Your contribution allows us to devote our time to preaching, teaching, counseling those who can’t afford it and deliverance ministry – both locally and internationally, online and in person.

It also allows us to devote our time to the creation of materials for use by individuals and groups for personal growth and discipleship – all available for free on this website. We are not asking for much – even the smallest drop in the bucket makes a huge difference. We only ask that your prayerfully go to the Lord and ask Him to guide you in your giving.

Please see this page for more information on how you can support the mission:

https://kingdomrevolution.co.za/blogs/give/

Tabernacle Typology 4: Red, Blue and Purple

Tabernacle Typology 4: Red, Blue and Purple

by | Aug 8, 2024 | Bible Studies, Christological Reflections, God in the Details, Tabernacle Typology, Typology

Tabernacle Typology 4: Red, Blue and Purple

Ex. 25:1-9: (KJV)

And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass,And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair,And rams’ skins dyed red, and badgers’ skins, and shittim wood, Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense, Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate. And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.

According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.”

Colors have always had a sort of inherent symbolism to them. Man has always associated colors with more abstract concepts.

Some modern examples, in the English language, might include:

“Feeling blue…” to indicate sadness or melancholy, to ‘be green’ is to be inexperienced or new to something, and to be the ‘golden boy’ is to be the family favorite – like some shiny idol on a pedestal.

These are but a few modern expressions, but as we go back in time we see that throughout human history color has always been used to convey subtle and hidden concepts, feelings and ideas to a target audience.

Red, for example, has for many centuries had many negative connotations – such as lust, anger and war.

We see this kind of use of color in many prophetic readings throughout the Bible. For example – Isaiah talks about our sins being as scarlet but being washed whiter than wool. (Isaiah 1:18). White is used again and again as an indication of purity and holiness – red in this case is indicative of our ‘violence’ against God – our transgressions and the consequence thereof.

We see this kind of prophetic symbolism in the book of Revelation – the pale horse, a kind of sickly green, reminiscent of decay and decomposition for death – the red for war, black for famine (as also in Lamentations 4:4, 8-9), and white for peace (the false peace that the antichrist brings).

It is then no leap of the imagination to think that the dye used in the construction of the Tabernacle do not abide by the same principle – that they might serve to color the portrait of Christ and His coming in some way or form.

God asks the people to bring, as an offering, blue, purple and red dye.

It is no coincidence that the words ‘dye’ and ‘die’ sound the same, for each of these materials would cost the life of some living creature – just as the consecration of our lives and the infilling of our bodies as the Tabernacle of the Holy Spirit would require sacrifice – first the sacrifice of the Spotless Lamb, our Messiah Jesus – and then our own dying to self as we surrender our lives to the Will and purpose of God – yielding to the careful Hand of our Father that He may color our lives with peace, hope, joy and newness of life.

We will now explore each color on its own:

Blue: Threads dyed a very dark blue, perhaps violet. According to Rabbinical tradition, it was derived from the blood of a shell-fish found in the Mediterranean Sea (most likely the Hexaplex Trunculus – a type of sea snail). After the 8th Century the source and means of production seems to have disappeared as Rabbinical sources laments the loss of the ‘thekelet’ from this point on.

It was used almost exclusively by the elite and was very rare and therefore costly. The root of the Hebrew name (Tekhelet) is significant, as it hints towards perfection, blue also reminds us of the Heavens, and is typical of the Heavenly Perfection of Jesus Christ, the Perfect Man, Son of God.

Purple: It was a reddish purple, a dye likewise obtained from a species of shell-fish – also most likely a type of sea snail (possibly the predatory snail mentioned above). Apparently the production of this dye was a very tedious, labor intensive process involving tens of thousands of these small sea creatures – and therefore it was also considered of high value and quite a commodity. (It would take the poisonous mucous of around 12 thousand Murex snails to procure around 1.4 g of pure dye).

Theopompus, an 4th century Greek Historian, described it as being worth its weight in silver. By this time it had become such a symbol of wealth and power that only the Emperor was allowed to wear it.

Purple being a combination of Scarlet and Blue, it typifies Christ in both His heavenly perfection as well as His earthly dignity, His glory on the Cross and His Melchisedec priesthood, Jesus sitting as Priest upon His throne. (Heb 8:1)

Scarlet: The literal translation of the phrase from Hebrew references a ‘worm of shining’, the meaning is probably derived from its brilliant hue. The worm referred to is the cochineal insect. The Arabs called it ‘kirmiz’, from which the English word ‘crimson’ is most likely derived.

This same scarlet color was also used to decorate the Bridal Chamber at Jewish Weddings.

The Scarlet yarn depicts Jesus as our Savior, the lover of our souls. It reminds us of His atoning blood and loving sacrifice on Golgotha.

The use of these dye’s throughout the construction of a Tabernacle provides a splash of color to the prophetic interpretation of the whole – especially in the composition of the Veil.

Reflect:

1. Using a concordance, do a quick topical search for colors in the Bible. Thinking about the common symbolism of various colors is there anywhere else in Scripture that you might apply what you have learned here – how do these colors convey a deeper meaning or more compelling vision of Christ and His Kingdom?

2.In thinking about the common symbolism of colors is there any way a Christian artist might employ these colors creatively as a teaching tool?

Prayer: Lord, I come to You today with a bended heart – a heart bowed down before You! As I think about these things and as I explore the Old Testament, I pray that I will see and understand the hidden things of Your Word. Help me see deeper and colour my understanding. As I go deeper, and look at those things I have often glossed over, let the wonder of Your Word unfold in my mind and in my heart. Help me see You in everything – even in the smallest things. In Jesus name. Amen.

Here I Am, Send Me Part 1: God has a plan!

Here I Am, Send Me Part 1: God has a plan!

by | Aug 7, 2024 | Called, Here I Am, Send Me, The Pattern

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. In Paul’s letters to the Colossians, quite a few hundred pages later, we read the following:

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (Col 1:16-17: KJV)

Everything in the earth and in the heavens was created through Him – by His mighty hands – and for Him – to serve His purpose.

As human beings capable of intelligent thought as well as reasoning, we find all kinds of questions racing through our minds and, at times, our hearts.

Many of the worlds greatest thinkers, philosophers, poet, artists and scientists have looked for the meaning of life – asking, “why are we here?”

And just as many have passed on without ever getting an answer.

We as Christians, having to our advantage the very Word of God and His Holy Spirit to convince us of the right way and to lead us therein, we have the answer!

For His glory! For His glory we have been created and formed – for His glory we have been planted here.

We have been called for a place and a time such as this. You have been planted here, wherever that may be, for a reason, and not just any reason, but for God’s reason – to be the manifestation of His glorious plan, to be a part of the coming revival (which I am convinced will be coming soon), to be part of a revolution – there is more to life than just being!

Each and every one of us has been created with a purpose to fulfil in the greater ecosystem of His Kingdom.

We have been created for His glory. But what does that mean and how do we embrace it?

Sorrowfully I become aware of the great potential God has put in us and how we have the tendency to waste it. So many of us simply don’t realize that we have a purpose, that God has a plan! And

There have been many people with great potential – exceptional skill and talent, many with great minds – who have missed it completely – choosing to serve the world rather than God. Choosing death rather than life. Imagine what a force for revival they could’ve been if they had only met God on a personal, intimate level and allowed Him to use them.

Today I believe we are standing at that same crossroad. We have a choice set before us.

Do we see that which God has placed within us, that which He wants to give us, or do we turn a blind eye and ignore His great gifts? Do we ignore the voice of the Lord calling to us right now – ‘whom shall I send?’ – or do we jump head first and with wild abandon into His will for us?

The choice is yours today.

On this website you will find many resources added weekly, even daily, to help you grow in your relationship with the Lord as well as your calling and ministry.

If you need more personal guidance, or advice on which resources to use and where to find more – please reach out and send me an email: andre@adlabuschagne.co.za

Reflect:

1. We are all called to be a part of the ecosystem of God’s Kingdom. Often an ecosystem will contain many smaller ecosystems as well. This could be your workplace, your home, your school, your church or your community. Where has God planted you? What ecosystems are you a part of? How does your sphere of influence look?

2. What are some of the needs in your immediate sphere of influence? Is it food security? Mental health? Spiritual poverty?

3. Think of one or two small ways that you can make a difference and meet these needs – whether it is giving a neighbour a loaf of bread, praying with a friend, or even just offering a shoulder to cry on. What is a practical way in which you can take your first step into servanthood and ministry? How can you be a beacon of refreshment, renewal and revival in your ecosystem today?

Prayer: Lord, I give you my heart, my mind and all of my strength. Do with me as you will. Make me an instrument of Your peace, a beacon of Your love and an ambassador of Your Kingdom. Let my heart be set on your ways, and Your ways set within my heart so that I might be a faithful witness of Your Grace and Mercy. Show me, through Your Holy Spirit, how I can make a difference today. Help me make the small things count. Every gesture, every conversation – in all of my coming and my going – be glorified. Use my life to write testimonies in the lives of others. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Hymn of Heaven

Hymn of Heaven

by | Aug 6, 2024 | Devotionals, Worship Reflections

“And every prayer we prayed in desperation
The songs of faith we sang through doubt and fear
In the end, we’ll see that it was worth it
When He returns to wipe away our tears”

Hymn of Heaven, Phil Wickham

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Revelation 21:3-4, NIV

While it is true that the Kingdom is come it is only a part of the Kingdom. We also look forward, expecting the Kingdom that is yet to come.

The Bible makes this clear, that the Kingdom has come but it is also coming.

In Revelation 21 we read about this coming Kingdom.

It is a place where God reigns in totality. Where His dominion is established and recognized by all things. It is a place where every tear is wiped away – where there is no mourning, crying or pain. The coming Kingdom is a place where there is no infirmity, no illness, no disability – where our bodies are complete and whole. The coming Kingdom is a place undefiled and incorruptible – completely Holy as God is Holy.

The coming Kingdom is a place where there is no death.

The truth is that while this life endures many of us will only see a portion of the Kingdom. In this age – this time of preparation in which God is preparing a Bride for Himself – we will still have hardships.

I have heard in this last week of two people who once were very dear to me passing on.

There is still death in this world.

A friend is currently in hospital under observation.

There is still pain in this world.

There is still mourning and crying, and not every tear is wiped away. Some tears are planted like seeds in the ground of our lamentation, supplication and intercession – one day to be reaped as joy.

In this current age we are to prove ourselves as a faithful Bride to the One who is to come.

We are to keep our garments clean and undefiled, trusting, longing and waiting on Jesus and His coming – the coming Kingdom – where all things, all of creation, will be made new.

In the mean time we endure. Steadfast in prayer – praying not only for ourselves but for the world at large. We pray for our families. We pray for our schools. We pray for our churches and our communities. We pray for a wave of repentance and a great awakening to occur.

We stay faithful in trial and trouble, we persevere even in persecution and press in and press on towards the final destination of our faith – where we will be united and eternally locked in communion with our Bridegroom and the Lover of our Souls – Jesus!

We stay faithful, knowing that in this world we will have trouble. In this world and in this life we will cry many tears – but this too shall pass and give way to glory. This current life will pass – wither and fade like flowers and grass – but His Word and His Kingdom will be forever.

Do not grow weary of waiting for the time is soon – the Kingdom comes like a thief in the night.

Do not grow weary of waiting. Keep your lamps trimmed and burning.

One day God Himself will wipe away our tears – but for now we keep planting those tears for our friends and family. We keep planting those tears for the unsaved, the unloved and the unwashed – we keep planting the tears of lamentation, supplication and intercession – for in the Kingdom come we will reap joy!

Prayer: Lord, today I cry for my family. I cry for my friends. I cry for my community. As I shed these tears Lord, tears of compassion, longing and love – let not one go to waste. Hear my cries oh Lord God of Hosts, shine Your face upon us. Save this broken and dying world. Hear our prayers, oh Lord, and give us peace. Give us the peace of knowing that one day we will reap joy unspeakable and full of glory. Help me endure in waiting. Help me keep my lamp trimmed and burning. In Jesus Mighty Name. Amen.

Understanding the 12 Steps: Step 1 (Honesty)

Understanding the 12 Steps: Step 1 (Honesty)

by | Aug 6, 2024 | 12 Steps, Counselling, Finding Help, Therapeuo

“We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable.”

Step 1, Alcoholics Anonymous

“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Jesus, Matthew 26:41

The first step to overcoming – the first step towards solving the problem of addiction or any other compulsive behaviour/impulse – is to admit that there is a problem.

We cannot fix what is not broken – and we are all broken in some way or the other – we just don’t care to admit it.

Jesus said to His disciples that they must watch and pray to ensure they do not enter into temptation. The flesh, inherently, is weak.

The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous offers a set of simple spiritual principles that, if put into practice, will lead to freedom. This freedom is offered to Alcoholics and Addicts around the world but is not limited to the realm of drugs and drink. It can be applied to a myriad of problems. From compulsive shopping, pornography consumption, codependency, depression and anxiety, gambling and even love and sex.

The spiritual principle behind step 1 is HONESTY.

The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous says this: “Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves.” (Chapter 5, Alcoholics Anonymous)

Jesus famously said: THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE.

For us to overcome our spiritual malady and the weakness of the flesh we need to first of all be HONEST – admitting to OURSELVES that there is something that needs fixing – that our lives have become unmanageable and that we, in ourselves, are powerless.

We need to admit to ourselves that we cannot do this on our own.

Too often the shame of our secret has kept us sick – it is shame that keeps us from reaching out, it is foolish pride that keeps us from asking for help – and so we try to do it on our own.

But there is nothing to be ashamed about. Yes, we might have done things that we regret, we might’ve done things that we resent – and we might feel deeply ashamed about these things – but there is no shame in asking for help, and there is definitely no shame in expressing the desire to fix what is broken.

On the contrary, reaching out and owning our struggle is an admirable thing to do. It is a difficult task that shows much courage.

The First Step – this step of being honest with oneself – is probably the hardest step to take. Once we can make a decision to be honest about our weakness, our powerlessness, we can start taking steps towards our healing and restoration.

I came to the conclusion that something was wrong when I got arrested for drug possession. On that cold concrete floor I had nothing else to do but think about all the ways that my life was falling apart around me.

Is your addiction or behaviour causing chaos in your life? Is it leading to the loss of income? The loss of stability? The breakdown of family relationships? Is your addiction or behaviour affecting your health – physical or mental?

Are you tired and burdened? Heavy laden by guilt and shame? Do you feel powerless and unable to change?

From personal experience I can tell you that there is hope. You can overcome! But it starts with you being honest with yourself.

It starts by admitting that we are powerless over our situation or circumstance, addiction or behaviour – and this honesty then puts us in the position to seek the right kind of help.

Prayer: Lord, if there is anything in my life that needs changing, I pray that You will show me. I ask Lord that You will point out where I might’ve strayed from Your plan for my life and that You will help me get back on it. Give me wisdom, strength and the power to endure on the journey that lies ahead. In Jesus Name. Amen.

If you have come to the conclusion that there is something wrong, something in need of fixing – that your life has become unmanageable and chaotic – reach out: andre@adlabuschagne.co.za / 0653703806.

We will do our best to help you find the help you need.