Page 9 - Good News November 2008 paper

Continued from p. 7
impact our sphere of existence.
The great truth is that God is more interested in HAT time is it? A simple
our being than our doing; and in our becoming question? Well! That all
than our being. This philosophy gives us the Wdepends upon the perspective
right to derive meaning from the most mundane with which you view the inquiry. Your
and menial tasks - because we have the first response, no doubt, would be to
opportunity to impact lives, grow closer to God, glance at your watch. But, there is a
and use our circumstances to bring glory to richer, deeper meaning which this
Him. question suggests.
God can use glamorous and attention-catching Time is one of the most powerful
endeavours, but also simple projects; the key to governing factors of life. However, it is
create lasting effect - fruit that will endure - is often squandered, forgotten, or
obedience. And this presupposes effective, misused.
patient listening via a vibrant prayer life. May Is it any wonder that God in His infinite
God grant us ever better spiritual hearing and wisdom would move upon the
understanding! ecclesiastical writer to coin these most
Studying God's superb burning stars that light profound words. “To every thing there
up the night sky, or the great waves of the sea, is a season, and a time to every purpose
plants, animals, or human behaviour, we are under the heaven” (Ecc. 3:1). but “a vapour that appears for a little
amazed at the universal order and wisdom that Time affects everyone! The contractor time and then vanishes away” (James
speak to us from creation. must see that each phase of his 4:14).
But we are even more amazed by the amazing building-work is completed on time. In the light of his statement, it could be
grace of God, bowing down to sinful creatures This is especially true as the wintry time for the conclusion of your life.
of dust, who have fallen so far from God's season nears with its cold, chilling air, Should this be true, where will you
immaculate original vision, and extending His rain, and snow. He must be sure that he spend eternity?
lifting Hand to us in Christ Jesus. has completed all outside work and that The Apostle Paul, referring to the
Fruitful, impacting, focused lives resounding he can now take shelter inside and be coming of Christ, said “Brethren, the
into eternity begins with the simple act of faith protected if severe weather should time is short” (1 Cor. 7:29).
and trust to make Christ our personal Saviour come. Just how short it is, none of us can
and Companion, and then becoming an ardent The need to be time-conscious is an really know. But the headlines of
follower of Him Who leads us through many ever-increasing reality. How can any today’s newspapers, coupled with
dark and ominous days to the eternal dawn of operation effectively progress toward prophetical fulfilment, allow us to
His intimate and everlasting Presence, to the completion if those who are working on recognize the meaning of Paul’s words
praise and glory of His Name! the project are not aware of the time in 2 Cor. 6:2: "For He says: 'In an
factor involved? acceptable time I have heard you, And
Yet, knowing all this, can you answer in the day of salvation I have helped
the question, “What time is it?” Or, you.' Behold, now is the accepted time;
possibly rephrased, “What time is it in behold, now is the day of salvation.'"
my life?” The apostle John adds, “the time (of His
James, in his epistle, spoke of life as coming) is at hand” (Rev. 22:10).

ouis Pasteur was 'n bekende weten-
skaplike, maar bowenal 'n Christen.
LVolgens hom behoort daar geen konflik
tussen wetenskap en Christenskap te wees nie.
Hy het in der waarheid geglo dat die wetenskap
mense nader aan God behoort te bring.
In sy werk as wetenskaplike het hy bewys
gevind van wysheid en ontwerp, nie van toeval
en chaos nie.
Pasteur het gesê: "The more I study nature, the
more I stand amazed at the work of the Creator".
Hy het onwrikbaar in God as Skepper geglo en
het Darwin se evolusieteorie sterk teengestaan
"because it did not fit well with scientific
evidence".
Sy geloof het hom deur vele beproewings
gedra. Hy sterf vreedsaam op 28 September
1895 na 'n lang en vrugbare lewe.
- Oorgeneem Louis Pasteur (1822 – 1895)

A ugustus Toplady was die skrywer van daardie
bekende lied "Rock of Ages". Toe sy sterwens-
oomblikke aanbreek, was hierdie Rots ook vir hom
algenoegsaam. Omtrent 'n uur voordat hy dood is, het hy
uit 'n ligte sluimering ontwaak.
"O, wat 'n heerlikheid! Wie kan die vreugde van die
hemel peil! Hoe is ek nie deur helder sonskyn omring nie!
Ek het nie woorde om dit te beskryf nie.
"Ek weet dit is nou nie meer lank voordat my Verlosser
my kom haal nie.
"Alles is lig, lig, lig - die helder skynsel van God se
heerlikheid! Kom, Here Jesus, kom gou!"
Augustus Toplady - Prof. JS Malan, uit "Voices from the Edge of Eternity"
(1740 - 1778) deur John Meyers.