STEPPING INTO 2014 WITH CONFIDENCE

I came to the man at the gate of the year, and asked him, 'Give me a light that I may see my way.' But he said unto me, 'Put your hand into the hand of God, and He shall be more unto thee than a light and better than a known way!

The things we need to know He tells us, and sometimes the things we want to know He tells us, but most of the time He throws a veil over the Future so that it is known only to Him. That really helps to keep us close to the Lord!

He's promised to never leave nor forsake us (Heb 10:5, for "Behold," He says, "I am with you always, even unto the ends of the Earth!" (Mat.28:20) And He's given us the torch of His Word to show us where our path is going. We can always throw the Light of God's Word on the path ahead for the Scripture says, "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." (Psa.119:105)

Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand,
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand!

So if by some still small voice,
He calls me to paths I do not know,
I'll answer with my hand in His,
I'll go where You want me to go!

I don't know what the future holds; but I do know Who holds the future. Therefore I can step into 2014 with confidence.

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Hebrews 13:5-6

I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. He is not the God of the dead but of the living. Matthew 22:32

Prayerfully trust God as you step into 2014. He will never leave you; never forsake you.

Source: http://deeptruths.com/random-dm/213.html

CELEBRATE THE COMING OF THE SON

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and for ever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV

• Praise God.
• Thank God
• Trust God
• Worship God.

Trust God in prayer that He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom in Namibia and all over the earth, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness, as in the past, the present and for ever. 
Photo Source: Nativity_Story Movie Poster

A BRIGHT SUMMER CHRISTMAS

South African singer Koos du Plessis wrote a beautiful Christmas Carol in Afrikaans for the Southern African context. 

Here in Namibia we are experiencing a bright hot summer. Read the free translation of the lyrics below. As we approach Christmas in Namibia, this song gives us words for prayer: Peace, He gave His Son; the old story; Give glory to our God; Our greatest Christmas gift; Christ is coming and more.

You can download the music of A Bright Summer Christmas played by Susanna Heystek and listen to this beautiful tune as you intercede for this time of the year as the world remember and celebrate the coming of Christ: 

A BRIGHT SUMMER CHRISTMAS 

Welcome oh silent night of peace,
under the Southern Cross,
while voices from the ancient past
sing from the stars above.

Christmas is coming; Christmas is coming -
give glory to our God.
Give us a bright summer Christmas
in this country, O Lord.

Do you hear the bells softly chiming
in an ancient language?
Look, even the silence of the night
shares the old old story.

Christmas is coming; Christmas is coming -
give glory to our God.
Give us a bright summer Christmas
in this country, O Lord.

Do you also feel his warm love
when we remember the day;
When He gave His Son to us -
Our greatest Christmas gift.

Christ is coming; Christ is coming -
give glory to our God.
Give us a bright summer Christmas
in this country, O Lord.

© Song in Afrikaans: Koos du Plessis

IN THE COMPANY OF A MAN - MANDELA

This week the world celebrates the life of the President of South Africa Nelson Mandela.

Nelson Mandela said: It was difficult to concentrate on the negative aspect of your life. The important thing is that I was in the company of men of great experience and great talent.

I believe that President Nelson Mandela set a rare example for leaders in our troubled world. With him you were in the company of a man of great experience and great talent. Let's consider some of the things that Nelson Mandela said in his life time and let's use this time to pray for our leaders.

What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead. Nelson Mandela

When people are determined they can overcome anything.

I approach every problem with optimism.

There’s nothing as bad as a leader making a demand which you know can never succeed.

I am committed to ensuring that the president of a country like ours must not live in a style which is totally different from that of the masses of the people who put him in power.

As we pray for our leaders, let's remember - God is in control:

The King’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as are the watercourses; He turns it whichever way He wills. Proverbs 21:1

As we pray for our leaders, let's celebrate and lift up the live of Jesus Christ as the Man in the company of a men. He taught and set the ultimate example for leaders:

Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:42-45

Pray that leaders will follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Pray that leaders will search their lives in the light of the Word of God. You can pray using words and thoughts from Scripture when praying for leaders all over the world:

• Help our president [or any leader at any level] to accept wise counsel. Proverbs 11:14; 15:22 
• Teach [name] to trust in You. Psalm 21:7
• Protect [name] from the influence of the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3
• Give [name] discretion, foresight, and understanding in making decisions. 1 Chronicles 22:12
• Generously answer his/her prayer for wisdom. James 1:5
• Pour out Your Spirit on his/her leadership. Proverbs 1:23
• Deliver [name] from opinions contrary to Your Word. Psalm 119:105
• Protect [name] from harm, and bless and protect his/her family. Psalm 21:11; Ezra 6:10
• Enable [name] to carry out his/her duties with humility toward You and toward others. 1 Peter 5:5
• Bless [name] with strength, endurance, and stamina. 1 Chronicles 16:11; Isaiah 40:31
• Equip [name] to act according to Your will and to make choices pleasing to You. Hebrews 13:20-21
• Give [name] the courage to do the right thing even when urged to do the wrong thing. Proverbs 2:11–15
• Give [name] a tender heart of compassion toward those he/she leads and serves. Colossians 3:12

Sources: 

• http://www.nelsonmandela.org/content/mini-site/audio-transcripts 
• photo: http://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/news/nation-now/2013/12/06/signature-style-the-many-shirts-of-nelson-mandela/3889239/
• photo http://www.independent.co.uk/migration_catalog/article5255228.ece/ALTERNATES/w620/bywater4.jpeg 
• https://s3.amazonaws.com/bgcdn/billygraham/dev/wp-content/uploads/legacy/pdfs/downloads/How_to_Pray_for_Our_Leaders_Download.pdf 

INTERNATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION DAY 2013

9 December 2013 is the UN's International Anti-corruption Day. The theme is Zero Corruption - 100% Development.  The 2013 advocacy campaign was announced by UNODC and the UN Development Program (UNDP), the two United Nations bodies leading global awareness campaigns against corruption since 2009.

This year, the agencies jointly organized a competition for young people to design an awareness campaign on the corrosive effects of corruption on development, recognizing the pivotal role of today's youth in driving an agenda for a future built on solid and honest foundations.  From among the hundreds of entries received from all corners of the globe, the winner of the competition was 24-year-old Loic Christian Muhunde, a student from Rwanda, whose simple, yet universal message reinforces the idea that development can thrive only when societies tackle the root causes of corruption.

The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) Executive Director Yury Fedotov stressed that it would take everyone's voice raised against corruption to bring true success. "We need a robust and strong coalition of governments, business community, civil society, academia and media to resist corruption, and build a culture of prevention and integrity."

The campaign aims to bring together people from all walks of society in the fight against corruption, serves as a global call for action against corruption and raises awareness about UNCAC.   Taking back what is lost to corrupt leaders is everyone's responsibility - the International Day is observed the world over by governments and civil society organizations, the private sector and the media and the general public. Further information at the campaign website : http://www.anticorruptionday.org/

God desires that Christians should live just and ethical lives

in every sphere of society – that includes our Church life,

our business lives, and our social and political life

Ask God: What can I do in Namibia against corruption?
Spread the news: Make your friends aware of the International Anti-corruption Day.
Start praying against corruption. Ask others to join you.

• Trust God to raise up just and righteous leaders in government, business and the Church. 
• Pray for greater transparency in the political and economic systems of the world.
• Intercede for those who are persecuted because they have taken a stand for righteousness.  Pray that they will have the courage to prevail and that God would protect them and their families from harm and intimidation.
• Bring the poorest and least empowered members of our society before God who suffer most because of corrupt people and systems. Ask God to strengthen them, meet their daily needs, and raise up godly leaders who will champion their cause among the powerful.
• Trust God for many Christians who work for the development of ethics, values and against corruption. Pray that God would strengthen their efforts, provide for their needs, and protect them from persecution and harm.

Source of prayer: http://www.globalprn.com/prayer-for-social-justice-issues/ethics-and-corruption/