CAM-Kids

SPILLED TOOTHPASTE By Johan Terblanche


We recently bought a tube of toothpaste. Now, it must be mentioned that this toothpaste is one of the more expensive brands with too many special properties to even mention. Sadly, the toothpaste is very watery and when placed onto the toothbrush, it simply runs down the toothbrush and falls into the basin. To avoid this, I have now learned to hold the toothbrush differently, so the toothpaste won’t run down the brush and fall into the basin.

On thinking of this toothpaste going to waste, I was reminded of the parable of the Sower. Jesus told a parable. “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear” (Matthew 13:1-9).

Jesus then explained the parable. “When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown” (Matthew 13:18-23).

Often, we blame the toothpaste when we’re not holding the toothbrush correctly. Other times we blame the seed for not coming up. Today the Lord is asking of us whether we are willing and prepared to accept the seed He wants to sow into our lives.

Can we be likened to a pathway, hard rock or full of thorns? Or are we fertile ground, where the seeds can grow into plants and produce a crop?

Don’t let the toothpaste fall into the basin! Don’t let the seed fall into infertile ground where it cannot grow to full potential.

Open your heart, allow the Lord to prepare you to receive His seed. Be willing to be cultivated and prepared so that you too will produce a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.

Should you need prayer or guidance, you are welcome to send an email to [email protected] .

Regards and God bless

Johan Terblanche
Christ Alone Ministries

THE GATE REMOTE By Johan Terblanche


Our main gate remote controll has four buttons, but only one opens the gate. It is only the red button that opens the gate. No matter how hard you press on any of the others, the gate will remain close and we will not be able to enter.

In recent times, I have heard a lot of people saying that there is more than one way to get to God. Some reckon that all roads lead to God so it does not matter which religion you follow, you will eventually get to God. Then there are those who think that by doing good works, they can enter into Heaven and be with God.
But the Word of God (Bible) tells us that there is only one way to get to God or to enter into eternal life with God in Heaven. Just like the red button on the remote is the only way to open the gate, Jesus Christ is the only way to get to God or to enter heavens gateway.

In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus also said, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10:9) Luke also wrote that there is no other name but the name of Jesus whereby we must be saved. (See Acts 4:12)

If we wish to spend all eternity with God in Heaven, let us therefore not run around looking for another Saviour and in doing so waste our time and energy. Let us press the right (the red) button to open the gate. Let us call upon Jesus who is able to save, deliver and heal.

But how do we press the red or the right button? How do we enter God’s kingdom through Jesus?

• We need to believe that Jesus came to save the lost, that He died upon the cross so we may become children of God with access to God.
• Then we must repent of our sins or in other words, admit with real regret that we have sinned.
• After that we must invite and welcome Jesus Christ into our lives.

Once we have done that, we can be called children of God according to John 1:12 and enter the gate.

If you need prayer or guidance, I wish to invite you to send an email to [email protected]


Regards and God bless

Johan Terblanche
Christ Alone Ministries

WAITING By Johan Terblanche

At home we have three dogs. Whenever I sit down to eat one or more of them will sit down in front of me, hoping that I will give them something to eat.

I have learned a few lessons from our dogs waiting for food which can also be applied to our spiritual lives.

Our dogs knows where their food will come from and they trust us to give them food. Just so, we can trust the Lord to answer our prayers or to supply in our needs. The Psalmist says, “My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1) David also said that his soul find rest in the Lord from whom his hope comes. (Psalm 62:5)

Normally our dogs wait patiently. They don’t jump up and down but sit down. In Psalm 37: 7 we are taught to rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him. There is no need to for us to get upset or to jump up and down. When we wait patiently, we will receive from the Lord.

The dog gets better food if it waits. The dog can leave me and go scavage in the back yard, but there it will only get old food. When we are prepared to wait on the Lord, we also get the better portion. The Bible tells us that the Lord is good to those whose hope is in him.” (Lamentations 3:25)

But what can we do while we wait?

• We can stop complaining or be still. Psalm 46:11 tells us to be still and know that He is God.
• We can give God praise for all He has done before. Psalm 106:1 tells us to give praise or to give thanks unto the Lord for He is good.
• We can pray for the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (See James 5:16)

There is a saying, “Good things come to him that waits” Let us therefor wait patiently and see what the Lord will do for us.

In need of prayer or Biblical guidance? Please send your request to [email protected]

Regards,



Johan Terblanche
Christ Alone Ministries
[email protected]

BREATHING By Johan Terblanche

Breath in, breath out, breath in, breath out. Isn’t it wonderful to be able to breath? A while ago, I had bronchitis and because of the illness I battled to breath, especially when laying down. Not being able to properly breathe, showed me the importance of breathing.
Our bodies constantly need or require oxygen. The way we get oxygen is by inhaling air. We pull air into our lungs through our nose or mouth. The air we inhale is a mixture of different gasses. This air is then filtered in our lungs, and the oxygen is absorbed into our bloodstreams. At the same time carbon dioxide filters out from our blood into our lungs and are then exhaled through our noses or mouths.

In life we are also exposed to various things. Like the air we breathe which contains various gases we face different events or happenings, some good and others not. When confronted with these things we need to absorb what is good and useful and expel or breathe out the filth.

But how do we know what we should keep or cherish and what we must expel?

We should use God’s handbook, the Bible as a filter. In scripture it is clear to see what we should allow in our life’s. Like oxygen we need to have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23).

At the same time, we should not be involved in immoral, filthy, and indecent actions. We should not worship idols. We should not fight, become jealous, angry, and ambitious. We should not become envious, get drunk and does other things like these. (Galatians 5: 19-21). These things we need to “breathe out”, or get out of our life’s as it will make us sick.

Breathe in love, breath out hatred. Breathe in goodness, breath out selfishness. Breathe in peace, breathe out anger. Breathe in self-control, breath out intolerance. But how do we do this? We cannot do it on our own; we need the help of Jesus Christ. If we have Jesus in us, it will be as if His breaths in life and breathes out death and we will have life and life eternal in Him.

In need of prayer or Biblical guidance? Please send your request to [email protected]

Regards,



Johan Terblanche
Christ Alone Ministries

RED, YELLOW AND BLUE By Johan Terblanche

Back in 1984, Volkswagen South Africa, introduced the Volkswagen Golf 2. Instead of terminating the first Golf, they decided to rebrand it and sell it as the Volkswagen Citi Golf. The City Golf was launched and marketed as a more affordable alternative to younger people. Initially the City Golf was available in three colours only; red, yellow and blue.

The City Golf was manufactured from 1984 to 2009. Over its lifespan of 25 years more than 377 000 were built and sold. While a City Golf cost around 7 630 South African Rands in 1984, a late model City Golf in pristine condition was recently advertised for a staggering one million South African Rands.

There are a few lessons to be learned from the City Golf. The first Citi Golfs were essentially the same except for their colours. Just so we human beings are essentially the same though our appearance may differ. We are all souls, in need of a Saviour, captured in a body. And though our bodily appearances may vastly differ in terms of complexion and build we all need Jesus Christ.

Jesus does not judge on appearance. He sees on the inside. He knows what is going on inside of us. He does not see an ugly boy, a cripple girl or a badly clothed teenager. He does not see white, black or coloured. Jesus sees someone worth laying down His life for. (See John 3:16 and John 15:13)

God sees the plan or the purpose He has for you. He does not see a boy with a slingshot; He sees a conqueror of giants. (1 Samuel 17:50-51) He does not see a boy in a well, He sees a king. (Genesis 37:23-24) He does not see a baby drifting away in a basket, He sees a leader. (Exodus 2:1-10) God sees deeper than skin-deep. He sees the potential we have, whether we are red, yellow or blue.

Another lesson to be learned is that the City Golf was manufactured for a limited period only. It was first manufactured in 1984, but production ended in 2009. Just so, you and I only live for a certain amount of time. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 (NKJV) states: "To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die.” We all know our date of birth, but we do not know when we will die. Whether we are red, yellow or blue, will we be ready to meet Jesus Christ when we die? To be sure that you will see Jesus, confess that Jesus is Lord, repent of your sins and receive God’s gift of salvation and you will be saved. (See Romans 10:9-13, and Ephesians 2:8-9)

Should you need prayer or guidance, you are welcome to send an email to [email protected] .

Regards and God bless

Johan Terblanche
Christ Alone Ministries

ROUND THREE By Johan Terblanche


At the recent Augusta masters golf tournament, held in Georgia, United States, Rory McIlroy did very well in rounds one and two to build up a solid lead. Unfortunately, in round three he did not do so well and stood the risk of losing the tournament. But then, in round four, he recovered and won the Augusta Masters tournament for a second time in a row.

Many times, we do well. We experience hassle-free days when all goes according to plan and we feel on top of our game. But then there are those third rounds, days or rounds when we simply don’t do as well as we have hoped. In Rory’s case he just could not achieve what he set out to do during the third round. But it was not because he is a bad golfer for Rory won several master tournaments, including the Augusta master’s tournament, before. Round three of this tournament was just not his round.
But even after having a bad round, Rory didn’t give up on the tournament. He went back to play round four, got a good score, won the tournament and received the winner’s trophy.

So, when you are feeling down, when your very best doesn’t feel enough, when the odds turn against you and you feel like you are having the worst day of your life, don’t give up. Think back on round one and two, when things went well. Then look at your round three to determine what went wrong and get back into the game with the knowledge and the experience you gained in the good and the bad days or rounds of your life. Tackle your round four with courage, and confidence.

And if you feel like you can’t do it on your own, just remember that the Lord who brought you through rounds one to three, will also help you in round four. “We may be hard pressed on every side, but we will not be crushed; we may be perplexed, but we’re not in despair; we may be persecuted, but we will not be abandoned; we may be struck down but will not be destroyed for God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (See 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 and Psalm 46:1)

When facing those difficult round threes, be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, disappointed or distraught, for the Lord is with you. (Josua 1:9) He will bring you through the round threes of your life and give you victory in round four.

If you need prayer or guidance, I wish to invite you to send an email to [email protected]

Regards and God bless


Johan Terblanche
Christ Alone Ministries