The NJ Podcast

Dealing with difficult people #preaching

Imagine you're navigating your way through a dense, thorny thicket. Each step is a struggle. The thorns pull at your clothing, scratch your skin, and make progress incredibly difficult. Now consider this, aren't difficult people much like these thorny bushes? They challenge us, irritate us, and impede our progress. But just as there are ways to navigate through the thicket, there are also ways to deal with difficult people.

Our guiding scripture today is Proverbs 15:1, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." This verse offers profound wisdom for handling those prickly individuals we encounter in our lives.

One of the most difficult individuals in the Bible was Saul of Tarsus. He persecuted Christians, creating havoc and fear in the early Christian community. Yet, he was not beyond the reach of God's transforming power. After a dramatic encounter with Jesus, Saul became Paul, one of the most passionate and influential apostles in Christian history.

The story of Saul turned Paul offers us two important lessons. First, nobody is beyond the transformative power of God's love. The most difficult person you know could become a great instrument of God's grace.

Second, dealing with difficult people requires patience, love, and prayer. In 1 Corinthians 13:7, Paul himself wrote, "Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." Love, Paul tells us, can endure even the most difficult people.

Another powerful example is Jesus and His interaction with Judas Iscariot. Despite knowing Judas would betray Him, Jesus treated Judas with love and respect, offering him the same care He extended to His other disciples. This is an example of ultimate patience and unyielding love in the face of difficulty.

In dealing with difficult people, it's important to remember Romans 12:18, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Our responsibility is to respond with love and gentleness, as our initial scripture advises, and to strive for peace.

Let's pray together now:

"Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that dealing with difficult people can be challenging and exhausting. We ask for Your wisdom in navigating these relationships. Let Your love flow through us, even in trying situations. Help us to remember that with You, transformation is possible, and that the most difficult individuals can become vessels of Your grace. Empower us to respond with gentleness and peace. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen."

Now, may the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. Go with the knowledge that even in the thickest thorns, God can lead a path. Amen.

Promotion In The Problem

Imagine you're at the bottom of a steep, rugged mountain, gazing up at the peak, shrouded in the clouds. You know the climb will be difficult, treacherous even, but the promise of the view from the top, the accomplishment, compels you to start your ascent. Isn't life often like this? Aren't our biggest challenges, our most complex problems, much like this daunting mountain?

Our scripture for today draws from James 1:2-4 (NIV), "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

This may seem strange, even counter-intuitive. Why should we be joyful in times of trial? It's because each problem carries within it the seed of our promotion.

Think about David, the shepherd boy who faced the giant Goliath. David's problem was massive, quite literally. Yet, it was this very problem that led to his promotion. The impossible odds he faced set the stage for his incredible victory, a victory that propelled him into his destiny as king.

Consider Joseph, sold into slavery by his own brothers, wrongfully accused, and thrown into prison. His problems were immense, but they were also the pathway to his eventual promotion to second in command in Egypt, preserving his family and a nation in the process.

In our own lives, we may not face giants or find ourselves in physical prisons, but we do face problems. Whether it's a health challenge, a difficult relationship, a job loss, or a financial setback, we all have mountains to climb.

And yet, these problems are not mere punishments or random acts of a chaotic universe. Instead, they are opportunities. Yes, you heard right. Our problems are opportunities for God to demonstrate His power and faithfulness, for us to grow in character, and to step into new levels of spiritual maturity.

In the heat of our problems, like gold in the furnace, our faith is tested and purified. The apostle Peter writes in 1 Peter 1:7, "These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold."

Remember, a mountain is best admired from its peak. Similarly, the value of a problem is best realized when we reach the solution, the promotion God has prepared for us through it.

The question, then, is not if we will face problems, but how we will respond when we do. Will we allow ourselves to be defeated, or will we, through faith and perseverance, seek the promotion in the problem?

Let's be people who, empowered by God's spirit, dare to climb the mountain, who understand that our faith may be tested, but also that our problems can be our promotion.

In conclusion, let's pray together:

"Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your wisdom and Your guiding hand. Help us to see our problems not as setbacks but as opportunities for spiritual growth and promotion. Give us the strength to persevere and the faith to believe that You are working everything out for our good. May we experience the joy and peace that comes from trusting You wholeheartedly. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen."

And now, the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. Go forth, with the knowledge that in every problem, there's a promotion waiting. Amen.

Necessary Endings

I bought myself a cactus for my office. Everyone always says they're impossible to kill, so I thought, "Perfect! No maintenance." Well, I managed to kill it in two weeks. I overwatered it until it was more of a soggy cucumber than a cactus! Sometimes, even with the best of intentions, we can smother the life out of things that need less, not more, from us.

And this leads us to our scripture today from Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 (NIV): "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot."

In our lives, there are moments, relationships, and situations that reach their necessary endings. They have served their purpose and it's time for us to let them go. Recognizing and accepting these endings is a crucial part of our growth and development.

Look at the Israelites in the book of Exodus. They had to end their life of slavery in Egypt to reach the Promised Land. Yes, the journey was hard. They even wanted to go back at times. But that necessary ending was essential for their destiny.

Jesus Himself, in the Gospel of John (12:24) says, "Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." Jesus knew His earthly life had to end for the salvation of humanity. It was a necessary ending for a new beginning.

So, let us not fear the necessary endings in our lives. It may be ending a toxic relationship, quitting a job that's not fulfilling, or saying no to good things so we can say yes to great things. Remember, not every ending is a failure, and not every loss is a defeat. Sometimes, it’s the very thing we need for the new thing God wants to do in us.

Let’s pray.

Dear God, give us the wisdom to identify the necessary endings in our lives. Help us to let go with grace, trusting in Your perfect plan for us. Just as a seed must die for a new life to emerge, let us bravely embrace our necessary endings, knowing that they lead to new beginnings in You. Strengthen our hearts, renew our minds, and guide us in Your truth. In Jesus' name, Amen.

May the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. And the blessings of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

Growth through it!

You’ve Been Chosen

Good morning, Church. You know, the other day, I watched my neighbor's children playing a game of soccer. One of the little boys was always the last to be picked. As they began to play, the little boy fell, slipped, tripped, and pretty much did everything you're not supposed to do in soccer. However, every time he got up, dusted himself off, and with a big grin on his face, would say, "I'm just glad I got chosen!" It was then I realized; it's not about how good you are, it's about being chosen and making the most of it.

Our key verse today is 1 Peter 2:9: "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

Friends, just like that little boy in the soccer game, we've been chosen! We've been handpicked by God Himself to play in this life's grand field. Not because we are perfect, not because we never trip or fall, but because of His great love for us.

Consider the life of Moses. Raised as an Egyptian prince, he ended up a fugitive after killing an Egyptian. But it was this murderer, this man with a speech impediment, that God chose to lead His people out of slavery (Exodus 3:10). Moses didn't feel adequate, but God said, "I will be with you" (Exodus 3:12).

God has chosen each of us for a purpose. Esther, a Jewish orphan, was chosen as Persian queen. She used her influence to save her people from extermination. She could have ignored the danger, but Mordecai reminded her, "And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14)

Remember the apostle Paul. Before his conversion, Paul persecuted the early Christians. Yet, Jesus chose him. He said in Acts 9:15, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel." God didn’t look at Paul’s past; He had a plan for his future.

My dear brothers and sisters, you too have been chosen by God. You might think you're not good enough, not holy enough, not smart enough, but remember, God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called. You are a part of God's team. He has handpicked you to shine His light into this world.

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank You that You have chosen us to be Your children. We are not perfect, Lord, but You chose us anyway. Help us to walk in confidence knowing that we are chosen, we are loved, and we are called according to Your purpose. Give us the courage to carry Your light into the world and to fulfill the plans You have for us. May Your will be done in our lives. We pray all these in Jesus' name, Amen.

And now may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all, now and forevermore. Amen.

In this episode, we sit down with Lukho, Paballo and Tsiamo. We go deep and lighthearted about what men are getting wrong, going through, and what can be done.

The basis of the conversation is the book in progress Father of Man: The 5 Ideals to Better Men.

#masculinity #conversations #sports

In this episode we sit down with DJ Minky to talking about all things music as female.

Key phrases to characterise Dj Minky's abilities behind the decks are versatility and Passion.

Dj Minky, who has always been enamoured with music, started her professional Dj career a year ago. 

Minky is open to trying new experiences and does not confine herself to one genre, but her genuine love and passion is Afrotech/Afrohouse.

She has performed at venues like Cohiba, Radisson blu, The Bar sunninghill, Cappello, Rockets, and La Parada Midrand to mention a few, and she looks forward to performing at additional venues.

DJ Minky recently launched an App called Just Friends, which is accessible both on IOS and Android. Just Friends is an app that connects people who share a common interest to attend events together.Not only that, it also lists

events happening near you and enables you to buy and sell tickets using the app. So, whether its looking to find someone to attend an event with, increase ticket sales or simply advertertising your event.

Just friends has you covered.

You can follow her on Instagram: Minky__dj

Twitter: @Minky_dj

TikTok: Minky__dj 

Bookings: [email protected]

Tel:+ 27 79 021 4989 

A Restoration Mentality

Good morning, church. I want to open up with a little chuckle for you. There was a man who walked into a shop to get his watch fixed. He told the watch repairman that it was an antique, passed down from his great-great-grandfather, and it was precious to him. The watchmaker looked at the watch and then looked back at the man. "Sir," he said with a grin, "this watch is not an antique. I sold it to you three years ago." Sometimes, what we think is beyond repair only requires a bit of fine-tuning.

Isn't it amazing how God sees us in much the same way? No matter how broken, how worn out, how used up we may feel, God sees us as something precious that He longs to restore. 

Our scripture for today's sermon is from Joel 2:25-26. "I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten... You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you." 

In these verses, God promises restoration to His people after a period of devastation and loss. This promise of restoration is not just about recovering what was lost, but a complete renewal and improvement of their condition.

What is this "Restoration Mentality"? 

Firstly, having a restoration mentality means acknowledging our brokenness. In Psalm 51:17, David said, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." David recognized his brokenness and humbly came before God. It is in this place of brokenness that God begins His work of restoration.

Secondly, having a restoration mentality involves trusting in God's power and desire to restore us. Jeremiah 17:14 says, "Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise." Jeremiah expressed his total trust in God’s ability to restore him.

Thirdly, having a restoration mentality means being patient. Restoration is a process and it takes time. But as we remain patient and faithful, God's promises will unfold. Habakkuk 2:3 reminds us, "For the vision is yet for an appointed time...though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."

Finally, having a restoration mentality involves actively participating in the process. We can’t just sit back and expect God to do all the work. We have to do our part as well. James 2:26 says, "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." God can restore us, but He requires our active participation in the process.

So, brothers and sisters, today I want to encourage you. No matter what you've been through, no matter how broken or worn out you feel, have a restoration mentality. God is in the business of restoring His people. And He longs to restore you.

In your brokenness, He sees something precious. In your weariness, He sees strength that can be renewed. In your despair, He sees hope that can be revived. And in your emptiness, He sees a vessel that can be filled. 

Remember, we serve a God of restoration, and He wants to restore you. Embrace that restoration mentality and watch God transform your life. 

God bless you all.

Staying Connected With God

Good morning, church. Let me open today with a little humor. A young boy was praying loudly in his room one night. His father walked by and overheard him saying, "God, if you give me a new bike, I promise to be good for a whole week." The father was about to correct him when he continued, "No, make it a month. No, I know what I'll do. If you give me a new bike, I'll go to church every Sunday for a year!" The father, stifling a chuckle, decided to intervene. He opened the door and said, "Son, God isn't deaf." The boy looked up, smiled, and said, "I know, Dad, but Grandma is, and she's in the next room."

Isn't it funny, the ways we try to negotiate with God? We all do it, don't we? But our focus today is not on negotiation, but connection. Our scripture today is John 15:5, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." 

Consider for a moment, the image this verse paints. A vine and its branches are connected; they are part of the same organism. The life that flows in the vine flows also in the branches. The health and growth of the branches depend on their connection to the vine. Without the vine, branches cannot bear fruit.

What Jesus is saying here is simple yet profound: Stay connected to me. 

So, how do we stay connected to God?

First, through prayer. Prayer is not just a wish list we present to God. It's a conversation, a dialogue. It's spending time in His presence, listening as much as speaking. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, "Pray without ceasing." In other words, maintain an ongoing conversation with God. Don't just speak; listen. 

Second, through His Word. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." If we want to stay connected to God, we must engage with His Word. Read it, study it, meditate on it. 

Third, through obedience. Jesus said in John 14:15, "If you love me, keep my commands." Obedience is a tangible expression of our love for God. It demonstrates that we value His will above our own.

Fourth, through community. The early Christians in Acts 2:42 "devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Community keeps us grounded, encourages us, and helps us stay accountable. 

Finally, through worship. Worship realigns our heart with God's. It lifts our gaze from the temporary to the eternal, from the seen to the unseen. In worship, we declare God's worth, His majesty, His greatness.

Staying connected to God is not a one-time decision, but a daily commitment. It requires effort, yes, but the rewards are immeasurable. A branch connected to the vine is not just alive; it is thriving. It bears fruit. So too, when we stay connected to God, we will bear much fruit, fruit that will last.

Let us make that our aim, our prayer. To stay connected to God, so that we might bear fruit for His glory. God bless you all.

Greatness is A Lot of Things Done Well

Good morning, brothers and sisters! I hope you are all doing well today. Before we dive into our sermon, let me share a funny story with you.

There was a renowned chef who prided himself on creating exquisite dishes. One day, a young aspiring chef approached him and asked, "Chef, what is the secret to your greatness?" The renowned chef smiled and replied, "Greatness, my young friend, is a lot of things done well. It's not just about one recipe or one dish. It's about the attention to detail, the passion for excellence, and the commitment to continuous improvement."

We may laugh at this story, but it holds a valuable lesson for us. Greatness is not achieved through one extraordinary act but through consistent dedication to excellence in every area of our lives. Today, I want to explore this concept further and see how it applies to our spiritual journey.

Let us turn to a powerful Bible verse in Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV): "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

This verse reminds us that our pursuit of greatness should not be driven by worldly recognition or personal gain. Instead, our focus should be on serving the Lord wholeheartedly in everything we do. Greatness is not about seeking glory for ourselves but about bringing glory to God.

When we think about greatness in the context of our faith, we can look to the lives of many individuals in the Bible who exemplified this concept. One such person is Joseph. Despite facing numerous trials and setbacks, Joseph remained faithful to God and consistently displayed excellence in his character and work. Whether he was a servant in Potiphar's house, a prisoner in Pharaoh's prison, or a ruler in Egypt, Joseph consistently sought to honor God and serve others with integrity.

Another example is the apostle Paul. Throughout his ministry, Paul tirelessly preached the Gospel, established churches, and mentored young leaders. His dedication to his calling and his passion for spreading the message of Christ made a profound impact on the early Christian community.

These stories teach us that greatness is not about achieving fame or status but about faithfully fulfilling the tasks and responsibilities that God has given us. It is about being faithful stewards of the talents, resources, and opportunities entrusted to us.

To pursue greatness in our lives, we must cultivate certain key attributes. First, we must cultivate a spirit of excellence. This means giving our best effort in all that we do, whether it is our work, relationships, or service to others. As Colossians 3:17 (NIV) tells us, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Second, we must cultivate humility. Greatness is not about self-promotion or seeking recognition. It is about recognizing that all our abilities and accomplishments come from God. As James 4:10 (NIV) reminds us, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."

Lastly, we must cultivate a heart of servanthood. Jesus Himself set the ultimate example of greatness through His sacrificial love and service to humanity. In Mark 10:45 (NIV), He said, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." When we follow His example and serve others with love and compassion, we reflect the true greatness that comes from a heart aligned with God's purpose.

Brothers and sisters, let us strive for greatness, not in the world's sense of power and prestige, but in the eyes of our Heavenly Father. Let us fix our character by committing ourselves to excellence, humility, and servanthood. As we do so, we align ourselves with God's plan for our lives and become vessels of His love and grace.

Remember, greatness is not measured by the number of achievements or accolades we accumulate, but by the impact we make on the lives of others. It is about living a life of integrity, faithfulness, and selflessness. It is about being the hands and feet of Jesus in a broken world.

May we be inspired by the examples of Joseph, Paul, and countless others who have walked before us, showing us what it means to live a life dedicated to God. May we constantly seek His guidance and wisdom, allowing Him to shape and mold our character according to His perfect will.

And as we pursue greatness, let us not forget that it is ultimately God who empowers us and works through us. It is by His grace and strength that we can accomplish great things for His kingdom. Therefore, let us surrender ourselves to Him completely, trusting in His plans and purposes for our lives.

In conclusion, my dear brothers and sisters, remember that true greatness lies not in the achievements of this world, but in the character we develop and the impact we have on others. Let us fix our character by seeking excellence, cultivating humility, and embracing a heart of servanthood. Let us walk in the footsteps of Jesus, who showed us the path to true greatness through His selfless love and sacrificial service.

May God bless you abundantly as you embark on this journey of fixing your character and pursuing greatness in Him. Amen.