Sharing of our Faith

Renewing your mind !

hilton appollis — Wed, 16 May 2012 07:06:05 GMT

"Be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude]" (Ephesians 4:23, AMP)

Winter Sun Helps To Clear Snow

hilton appollis — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:40:00 GMT

Winter Sun Helps To Clear Snow

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

“Winter Sun Helps Clear Snow”. One of the local television stations I watch had this headline on their website three days after a seven-inch snow storm arrived in our area and wreaked havoc with schools and businesses. Unfortunately, cloudy weather and extremely low temperatures did not help melting for a couple of days. Finally on day three, the sun broke through and the melting began. All that salt and brine on the roads disappeared once the sun showed up!

I was driving through my neighborhood as the snow began to melt and thought about God’s warmth once he melted all that sin away from my life. Indeed, when the Son showed up in my life, things began to change.

What a great analogy to what the “Son” can do for us when we allow him into our lives. In fact, a verse from one of the books of the Apocrypha, the 15 books that were considered but did not make it into the Old Testament, compares the love of God to the very same cold weather I just experienced. “In the day of thine affliction it shall be remembered; thy sins also shall melt away, as the ice in the fair warm weather.” (Ecclesiasticus 3:15)

When we come to a deep and close relationship with God, we experience a thawing of sorts, too. All the bitterness and hatred in our lives are removed. Our sins are washed away by God’s love, and our hearts are seen by him just as white and pure as the snowfall that has all but disappeared in my community.

But even though the snow is almost gone, I still see its effects. Vehicles that were stranded are still along the sides of roads, yards are cluttered with fallen tree branches, and businesses that were forced to close are struggling to meet their payrolls for the week. The snow may be gone, but its effects remain for us to deal with.

Sin that is forgiven has the very same effect. The blood of Jesus has washed it all away. We are completely forgiven. In the eyes of God, it is just as if it never happened. This is what the Apostle Paul refers to in Romans as “justification”. Yet, all the consequences that came from sinful living (wrong choices) remain with us - just like those problems that remained after the snowfall has long since melted away.

God’s love for us should never be in doubt. There is much to learn from the consequences of forgiven sin. He is giving us a second chance to deal with our mistakes - to confront them through forgiveness and to learn more from them out of grace. The second time around is always painful, but the lessons learned are always priceless.

Dr. Charles Stanley once wrote about the consequences of sin and like me sees it as a necessary extension of a deeper relationship with God. “The good news of Christ’s grace and forgiveness,” he wrote, “is our only real hope in this fallen world. Though unpleasant, focusing on sin’s consequences is necessary at times to remind us of the greatness of our salvation and to move us to obey God, even in the small things.”

God has put dreams and desires in every person's heart.

hilton appollis — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:42:00 GMT

TODAY'S WORD

God has put dreams and desires in every person's heart. We all have goals we want to accomplish and situations we are believing will be turned around. Sometimes it seems to take longer than we thought. Sometimes things don't work out the way we planned, and it's easy to lose enthusiasm. Negative thoughts come to us that say, "It's never going to change." "You're never going to get well." "You're never going to get out of debt." If we're not careful, we'll get discouraged and end up just settling where we are. Many times, people miss out on God's best simply because they give up too soon. They don't realize how close they are to their victory.

Friend, don't let that be you today! Don't give up just because things seem hard. You are closer than you think! You've invested so much and you never know, just another few more days of believing, another few weeks of doing the right thing, another few months of staying in faith, and you could see that situation turn around. Remember, God is on your side! Keep standing and keep believing because you are closer than you think to fulfilling every desire He's placed inside of you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

"Father God, today I come to You again, believing that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf. Give me Your strength to keep moving forward into the place of victory You have for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Encouragement

hilton appollis — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:07:00 GMT

Greeting everyone
This is a comment I made on friends Blog on facebook..I hope it will encourage you too..

I have been reading your blogs for a while now and totally agree with your last comment about people taking charge of their lives. Over in the US there is a NEW resurgence amongst African American to claim their rightful place in society. There is nothing we cannot do if we put our minds to it. I see people over here which we consider OLD (60+) go to college to further their education and inspiring the young to do the same. The election of President Obama has for some reason giving a lot of people a wake up call. Yes we can. Yes, you can do anything if you put your mind to it.

I am always encouraged when I see people like you and other step up to the plate. It is very encouraging and I want to challenge other to so the same. For to long we just sat back and watched the world go by.

Now is the time! We need mentors that are willing to give of their time unconditionally. We need young people that are willing to listen to advice and that are willing to learn.

I want to use my wife as an example. Judith had a Honors Degree in Education at RAU and was teaching for the last 15 years. Her job was routine and she really enjoyed it. About 4 years ago she decided that she wants more then just teach, she wanted to make a difference an committed to go back to school and further her education. We find ourselves in the US and she in now the Director of the Graduate School at Park University boosting a Masters degree in Education. The point I am trying to make is that she went back to school after many years and completed her studies when everyone around us questioned her decision. There she was, married with 3 kids and a demanding husband. I on the other hand had always believe that we need to create a opportunity for young people to explore. A couple years ago I founded Lesedi Africa Foundation and I am proud to say through God's grace the Foundation managed to get 2 scholarships for young South Africa to study in the US

www.lesediafrica.org

What Should I Do With Another Year?

hilton appollis — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:24:00 GMT

What Should I Do With Another Year?

If I chose to follow the traditional salutation then it would be appropriate for me to greet you with the phrase “Happy New Year.” I would rather pose a question for you to answer: “What Should I Do With Another Year?”

This is the same question I asked my church members on the first Sunday of this New Year. The very fact that it’s called a New Year requires us to take a different approach to the challenges that follow us from the previous year and the opportunities that lay before us this year. When it comes to a new year, people of faith generally talk about what God is going to do. This year, however, I challenge you to put the onus on what you, as an individual, are going to do? God already has His part worked out; He is faithful. Understand that this is a year of transition, decision and restoration, and I want to make sure you are properly focused on what you need to do and think for this year.

In the Gospel of St. Luke 13: 6-9, Jesus tells the parable of “a certain man that had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said, unto him, Lord let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shall cut it down.” (KJV)

Given the economic climate in our nation and around the world, more will be required of us as the Scripture suggests: more digging, more dunging (meaning more plan development), more caution before purchasing, more prayer development, more family development, simply put more everything! However, the year is a gift of grace, a chance to finish the repositioning that we ultimately need to be more productive.

Regard

Hilton Appollis
www.lesediafrica.org

Who do you know?

hilton appollis — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 22:44:00 GMT

James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

I’ve known my wife for almost seven years and it would seem that I know her pretty well. But every once in a while, she says or does something that surprises me — and I think to myself “Wow, I guess I didn’t know her as well as I thought!” The more time I spend with her, the more I get to know her — her heart, her character — the more we become intimate.

The same is true with any relationship but especially our most important relationship, that is, our relationship with the Lord.

There’s really no going around it. True intimacy doesn’t come in an instant. It takes time. If we want to be close to the Lord, we must spend time with Him — getting to know Him — His heart — His character.

Do you feel distant from the Lord? Let’s commit to spending some special time with Him — not only making requests and telling Him about our problems, but maybe listening a little. Perhaps there are some things He’d like to tell us!

There is much work to do for the Kingdom! Let’s make intimacy with our Father a top priority so that we are able to get that work accomplished!

God Bless

Hilton Appollis