Picgrimage – Page 5 – PIC·GRIMAGE

July 12, 2023

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Pic: Pastor Novulikhlya sent this picture to me and said, “The change has come. To God be the glory.” +

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 NIV +

Written by Jung

Have you ever overcome anything in life?

I have overcome the fear of failure. At one point in my life, the idea of failing again was crippling me.

I didn’t want to try again, so I kept hiding away. I accepted the fact that there might not be any future for me.

I wasn’t able to overcome it by rising to the occasion like an upbeat and can-do movie. I couldn’t just grit my teeth and try until a breakthrough occurred.

But you know what got me out? Of course, it was Jesus. Let me share how it happened.

Instead of facing my challenges head-on, I served Jesus. I did anything and everything I could because He was the only certainty in my life. The only thing I had faith in was that Jesus was right and would always be right.

In serving Him, I saw myself being used for His good work. I saw myself being used to bring others closer to Jesus.

Then, I started to believe that if I could be part of this amazing work that Jesus is doing, I would surely find a meaningful way to be useful in this world.

We all have a place in this world that God has prepared for us. Find it in Him.

July 11, 2023

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Pic: This is Leewayne, Lynne’s son. We will see him grow up to be wonderful in Christ. +

So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.
2 Timothy 1:8 NIV

Written by Jung

“It is hard. My family members judge and reject me because, in their eyes, I am not worthy. They say to me, ‘You are a Christian, but you have nothing. It is worthless.’ I want to tell them what Jesus does for me. I want to tell them that I might not have much, but Jesus fills me up, and I am content. However, I know they won’t understand.”

This testimony was shared by one of the Vuku leaders in training. It reminded me of the invitation Paul extended in today’s passage.

“Do not reject me because I am in Roman custody, but join me in suffering to show Christ’s love to those who have never seen how wonderful Christ is. He provides for our physical and spiritual needs in miraculous ways. He leads us to a life that is everlasting.”

Especially for myself, I am grateful for how Jesus surrounds me with wonderful, humble, and loving people like you, my friends. I find treasures in your hearts and lives. Witnessing it is truly a daily blessing from heaven.

Please accept my utmost respect.

July 10, 2023

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Pic: They are Pastor Novulikhalya and her daughter Siwe. Their relationship is truly full in Christ’s love. +

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV) Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. +

Written by Jung

Someone asked Bill Gates, one of the richest people in the world, what he could possibly want. His answer was simple… “Not die.”

Whether this is a true story or not, it is undeniably plausible. If you had everything you wanted in the world, it would be hard to leave everything behind and face death.

As we all know, no one escapes death. Yet Paul is saying that something inwardly and unseen will not die. What could it be?

It is who we are in Christ. As we are renewed day by day, nurtured day by day, and matured day by day, we are realizing and becoming who we need to be in Christ.

This goes beyond how we overcome our pain and suffering. It goes a little beyond how we dodge the crises we face in life. It is our identity in the kingdom of heaven that will endure for eternity.

This identity comes from following this simple command from Jesus: “Love one another as I have loved you.”

It is eternal because our Father in Heaven is eternal.

July 7, 2023

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Pic: Namhla hanging with youth after service at CMC Church in Bloekombos. Love is exciting! +

1 Corinthians 13:8-13 (NIV) Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. +

Written by Jung

This passage hit me a little deeper today. It talks about how all things are limited, such as speaking in tongues, knowledge, and even prophecy, which were known among the Corinthians.

They couldn’t see clearly that all the things they were known for were limited and couldn’t provide them with a bigger and clearer picture. Paul compares it to a reflection in a mirror. Back then, they didn’t have nice mirrors like we do now. It could be compared to taking a photo with an iPhone 14 Pro versus using a 10-year-old phone that takes a good 3 seconds to capture an image. The difference in image quality would be very noticeable.

Paul is saying that as we mature and grow spiritually, we will understand things more completely, and we will see as clearly as a photo taken with an iPhone 14 Pro that…

The only things that remain are faith, hope, and love, but the greatest of these is love.

Do you see that love is the greatest? Have a Christ-love-filled weekend, Vuku Family!

July 6, 2023

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Pic: This is when we visited Revonte’s school in Mannenberg. These ladies suggested that we do voice note Vuku Daily Devotions. What do you think?+

Isaiah 43:16-19 (NIV) This is what the LORD says—
he who made a way through the sea,
a path through the mighty waters,
who drew out the chariots and horses,
the army and reinforcements together,
and they lay there, never to rise again,
extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:
“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.+

Written by Jung

Perhaps it narrates how we lose sight of Jesus.

We all agree that He has been there for us. He has been our strength and encouragement as we live our lives.

What the LORD is saying through Isaiah is that He loved, protected, and brought victory to Israel, but Israel lost sight of Him by continually expecting the same thing over and over again. When challenges came, they placed their hope in idols and foreigners.

Jesus is not only a helper who makes our lives a bit easier. He is the one who will lead us to the kingdom of heaven. This means our journey with Him will often be unpredictable and scary.

When this happens, don’t expect the same provisions or comforts that were given to you before by Jesus. Instead, fix your eyes upon Him and see what new things He may be doing.

These new things will help us grow, become stronger, and experience even more joy.

It is a tough journey, but a wonderful one.

July 5, 2023

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Picture: Mfuleni Training. Yes! +

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
Psalms 62:5‭-‬6 NIV +

Written by Jung

I’m watching a show about people who are obsessed with ‘Likes’ and ‘Followers’, showcasing the wealth of individuals with large followings.

Everything is engineered to make us chase the excitement and glamour of the world. Essentially, it’s a race that no one can truly win.

In life, everyone engages in activities until we are no longer able to do them. Businesses run until they no longer generate profit. We continuously acquire knowledge until our brains are too old to retain it. We live our lives until… they end. Everything has an end.

The one thing that sets God apart is His eternal nature. He teaches us the truth that reveals the meaning of our lives. He builds a Kingdom around us that lasts forever. He shapes our hearts to prepare us for… eternity.

Can anything else give us hope except God?

July 4, 2023

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Her name is Kim. She is a missionary serving in Zambia. We visited Vuku members in Grace Mission Church in Paarl. +

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:4‭-‬5 +

Written by Jung

Any form of rejection is a hard pill to swallow, especially when we were taught to fit in and assimilate into society. It can make you feel like a failure.

However, being rejected by the world is simply a matter of not having mutual interest. We don’t possess what the world desires, so we worth nothing to them.

However, in the presence of Jesus, we are filled with unimaginable satisfaction and joy. This serves as encouragement to help us bear the weight of rejection.

Through this process, Jesus is building a spiritual house around you. It’s not just within the confines of your church; it’s in the places and relationships where you shine, experience love, and find fulfillment in Jesus’ name.

Let’s cherish the life we have in His name and shine brightly, brothers and sisters.

July 3, 2023

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Pic: This is Rosie. She is 8.I pray for her to be loved and cared for in Jesus’ name. +

He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”
Mark 9:36‭-‬37 NIV +

Written by Jung

How do you welcome anyone in Jesus’ name?

Welcoming anyone in Jesus’ name means doing so without personal prejudice, preference, or principles. However, it can also extend much further than that.

“Welcoming children in Jesus’ name” implies that we are representing His truth and love by embodying those qualities ourselves, especially towards those who are weak or less privileged than us.

This principle applies to every aspect of our lives, from beginning to end. In everything we do and every person we encounter, our aim is to act not according to our own principles or desires, but to become a true representation of our Lord Jesus.

Today, let’s strive to live our lives as a pleasing offering, even in small ways. This is how we welcome our Father in heaven.

June 29, 2023

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Pic: Papama joined the Vuku Leaders’ training last weekend. +

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 +

Written by Jung

Have you ever been so scared of something that might happen, but when it gets resolved, the outcome seems so obvious and natural?

During a Vuku Leader’s training in Grabouw, one of the leaders mentioned that she would continue praying for finances. Even if God answered and provided for her needs, she would still pray for the next need.

This fear stemmed from the fact that she would experience fear and anxiety every time she had needs. Time and time again, God provides, yet she finds herself scared that her future needs might not be met.

Instead of praying for things that you have already witnessed God doing, have faith and pray for matters that will further God’s kingdom around us. Pray for things that will assist our brothers and sisters in distress. Pray for circumstances that will reveal Jesus’ love for them.

You are precious to Jesus!

June 28, 2023

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Pic: Pastor Mzukwa and his brethren discussing what love is, ‘Meeting 6 – What is Love?’ +

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:7‭-‬8 NIV +

Written by Jung

When the end of all things is near, why is love important?

Why does Paul emphasize loving one another as we stay alert?

It is because the love of Jesus Christ covers a multitude of sins, and sins blind us from seeing God and deafen us from hearing God.

When the end of all things comes, we need to fix our eyes on Jesus and be alert. Unless we have His love in our hearts, we will miss Him and fall.

Cherish the love of Christ that was shown to you, and share that love with others.

Therein lies salvation.