Easter 2018
Why are the Churches full at Christmas time, but during Easter services the attendance is drastically less? Even at holiday venues there are three services on Christmas day to accommodate all. Is Jesus’s Cross death and Resurrection not of more importance than His birth? Maybe it is because over Easter we are asked to give more of our time to attend services; Thursday evening, Good Friday (sometimes even Saturday), Sunday morning and evening and maybe even on Monday.
I do not want to be melodramatic, but did Jesus not exchange heaven for a rotten earth to become a servant for us? Did he not suffer rejection and ridicule from His own people on our behalf? Was He not flogged 39 times with a cat-o’-nine-tails and hung naked on the cross for our sin ridden lives and did He not die forsaken from God his Father? Is it then too much to ask that during the Easter weekend we attend a couple of services? He gave His all for us! Let us show our gratitude this Easter by inviting people to come with us, so that we can praise and worship Him for the undeserved gift that He has given us.
On Monday we can jubilate and exclaim with joy that He truly rose from the grave. He conquered satan and vanquished death in order to let us join Him in His victory celebration! We are filled with joy and pride when our sports team was victorious and will boast to all who are willing to listen. We proclaim: “We have won!” Even though we did not participate ourselves, we claim the victory as ours. It is the same as with Jesus Christ’s victory on the cross at Calvary. We who have adopted Him as our Saviour and Redeemer can also proclaim with joy: “We have won!” We now need to go and share of the greatest conquest ever made on earth with everyone who are willing to listen!
We wish all our members and their loved ones a Blessed Jesus celebration.
René Combrinck
New Year Message 2018
We can look forward to the year with great expectations! Jesus Christ has by His love and Grace assisted us in acquiring an 18A Organization registration with the Receiver of Revenue. Now we can appeal to the public and businesses to donate up to 10% of their taxable income, which they can subtract when their tax repayment is calculated. In exchange for a donation, they benefit financially.
For the first time we can reach the goals set by us in the past. With the funds coming in, we will firstly appoint organizers in the different provinces. Everybody knows that due to a lack of funds the CAD could not do the work that we are geared to do.We can therefore look forward to a year full of possibilities that we can only reach through the dedication of our Members and the gracious guidance of Jesus Christ. It is also the year in which we have our biannual conference. Please pray for Northern who is hosting the conference in September.
My grandchildren and myself watched The Lion King DVD during the holidays. The movie holds and important lesson for us as followers of Jesus.When the King dies after rescuing his son, his brother Scar blames the boy (Simba) for the King’s (Mufasa) death. Simba believed the lie and ran away. He did not realize after his fathers’ death he has become the king! Isn’t that what happens to us, as if we do not realize that that He who we resides in us is greater than any challenge or problem?We are of Royal birth!
Let us start this year knowing that whatever happens this year we can hold onto PS. 91:7. “A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.” ” Prosperity Gospel”? No faith in all His glory!
We wish all ourmembers aprosperous 2018!
René Combrinck
Christmas 2017 Message
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. ” Is. 9:5 – 6 KJV
…The birth of our Redeemer and Savior that ensured eternal life for us! This wonderful news was not brought first to Kings and Rulers but to simple shepherds. Jesus was also not impressed by nobles or important people during his life on earth. He preferred to use fishermen and tax collectors to communicate His most important message to the masses. Even with His resurrection He chose a woman, who in those days had no worth, with this amazing message to go and tell it to His disciples. The first person to whom He revealed Himself as the Christ, was a Samaritan woman!
All these events were used by Jesus so that each of us can understand that no one is too poor or too inferior to serve in His Kingdom. He does not search for “able” people to spread His Good News to the world, He searches for “available” people that He can use. If we are prepared to stand in his service, He asks that we present ourselves at the many occasions that is available at our churches. Give your all and see how He can use you.
This Christmas, we are reminded that He did not see it demeaning to exchange Heaven for Earth so that we could be saved. Let us follow in His example and reach out in this blessed time to those upon whom the world has turned their backs.
A Merry Christmas to all our Members and their families!
René Combrinck
It is spring again
Namaqualand is turning the most brilliant colours. The most beautiful flowers is blooming, and nobody planted them! Jesus shows us a little of what we will see in heaven one day. Even if we can not compare it to heaven, we can be excited about what awaits us in heaven.
Spring is a time of love. Something romantic hangs in the air. People jolly up their homes and offices with flowers. Do you want to impress a woman? Give her flowers!
I am in Ireland at the moment. In their streets are flowers in pots and hanging baskets. It is so beautiful.
An ocean of flowers. It is so pretty I thought it plastic flowers. It makes you realize that Jesus made all this for us to enjoy. A reminder of His undeserving love for us.
Let us at the CAD celebrate this spring with a renewed relationship with Jesus. He said in His word that He will give us peace and joy above all understanding.
A blessed spring time to all our members and family.
Rene Combrinck
Message for 2017
For those of us who do not believe in reading the stars may take on this year with great expectations, because we know Jesus Christ determines the course of our lives.
He said in Luke 11:13 “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
We can approach this year knowing that He will carry us, and lead us to making the CAD more relevant.
Dr Caroline Leaf writes in her book: What you think, you are. Romans 12:2 say “..be transformed by renewing your mind.” The message is clear: if we are negative (by thinking it) then we close the heaven according to Matt 16:19 and there will be no growth for the CAD.
Let us ask Jesus to help us to think and say positive things about the CAD. Leave negative thoughts like, the CAD is only there for temporary help, people become sober and leave, we struggle with funds. Be more positive en tell everybody that this is going to be the best year for the CAD, with the help of Jesus Christ. Be glad because in our leader Jesus we are able to do anything.
Have a Blessed 2017!
René Combrinck
Christmas 2016
Let us rejoice in the biggest event this world has ever witnessed: God out of His love sent us His most precious gift – Jesus Christ.
Jesus was willing to abandon His heavenly status for us, for those who accepted Him as saviour, to save us from our sins. Even He knew what it would cost Him in the end, He still did not forsake us. The pain He had to suffer, the mockery and rejection He had to endure – could not outweigh His love for us. He conquered the enemy and death on the cross at Golgotha to save us from our sins, and so that we may be with Him in Heaven forever. To do this was His biggest purpose on earth.
Let us rejoice 25 December over the coming of Jesus Christ. He came to earth so that no-one may be forsaken. (John 14:16)
Our celebrations must honour and glorify Him, not with foolishness, drunkness or drugs. Be grateful for the sacrifice He made and share it with people, so that they may know the true spirit of Christmas.
We wish our members and their families a blessed Christmas.
René Combrinck