Tabla de contenidos para May 2024 en JOY! Magazine

I get so encouraged and excited by the Word of God. Every day, as I read my Bible, I am reminded of His care and love towards us. His Word strengthens my faith and helps me get through any negative situations that may arise. I feel empowered to overcome obstacles that come my way. A successful way to start a day I am so grateful that, from an early age, my pastor/spiritual mentor encouraged me to be disciplined and to “seek first the kingdom of God” before I start my day. Reading the Word before I get up has carried me and helped make me successful. We all need help! I have come to believe that nothing can be taken for granted – we all need help in order to…

Jesus, I believe that You died on the Cross for me. There You were wounded for my transgressions, You were bruised for my iniquities; and the punishment for my peace was upon You. I have been like a lost sheep, I have turned to my own way, but I believe that God laid my iniquity upon You. You died for me. Then You rose from the dead, You ascended into Heaven, and are now seated on Your throne as Lord of all. Jesus, forgive me. I now turn away from my sin and put my trust in You. Fill me with Your Spirit, cleanse me, and take me as Your own. Amen…

Tomb of David David’s tomb was still visible in Jerusalem at the time of Pentecost (Acts 2:29). Clothes While the Israelites were in the desert for 40 years, God kept their clothes and sandals from wearing out (Deut 29:5). Miriam Miriam is the 1st woman shown to be singing in the Bible (Exo 15:21). The earth swallowed Korah Korah was a man who felt like disobeying Moses’ guidance. This led to him gathering like-minded followers who rebelled against Moses, who was essentially doing God’s will. Korah and his followers taunted the Lord and eventually they were all swallowed by the earth (Num 16:31-35). In Numbers 16:33 we read that they went to hell alive – “So they and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol.” The writing…

EVANGELISM “I want to ask if you would be willing to commit – for one year – to giving R10 every day for the Gospel.” You may have heard by now that Christ for all Nations (CfaN) is conducting 50 Gospel crusades on African soil in 2024 to celebrate CfaN’s 50th anniversary. The pace is already hectic, and it will be our most intense and busy year yet. We are full of joyful anticipation for everything the Lord will do! Gospel invasions Our goal is to use every resource to its maximum this year. In every major location we’re going to, we will hold multiple campaigns. For example, we conducted four crusades in Abia State in February/March. But that was only part of what happened there! We also held three…

BOOK EXTRACT Many of the inspiring stories about our country are not filtering through to the public. Mainstream media remains captivated by the myth that “only bad news sells”. Often, we don’t get to hear stories like that of Njabulo Thabiso Madlala, the son of a domestic worker who grew up in a two-roomed house and became a world-class opera singer (and is currently mentoring others). We even gave little or no attention to the “phenomenal growth” (16 percent brand value growth, year on year) reported by 50 of South Africa’s fastest growing brands. Do we want our country to succeed or not? Do we want to tell the story of Mzansi (our beautiful rainbow nation) or not? Everyone is to play their part in advancing SA’s reputation and image.…

Mental health for ALL Dr Caroline Leaf’s mission, and the vision of her company, is to make mental healthcare, knowledge about the power of our minds, and tools to improve learning and memory more easily affordable, accessible, and applicable to everyone around the world. We are thrilled to introduce you to the remarkable Dr Caroline Leaf, a renowned clinical and research neuroscientist, communication pathologist, and audiologist whose work in psychoneurobiology and mental health is changing lives around the globe. With her unique blend of scientific expertise and unwavering spirituality, Dr Leaf has become a beacon of hope for countless individuals seeking to understand and harness the power of their minds for improved mental health and well-being. Over the years, we have shared powerful articles by Dr Leaf in our magazine,…

My brothers, sisters, and I were mainly brought up by our grandparents, who we lived with. My mother, a domestic worker, lived down the road with her husband, and my father wasn’t around much. It wasn’t easy and we weren’t well off, but our grandparents did the best with what they had. There was never a lack of love or nurturing, and I’m a product of their love. As the oldest of seven, I practised being a mother most of my life! I struggle to see any child feel unwanted or in need. Dedication and compassion My aunt was a cleaner at one of Alexandra Hospital’s cottage houses in Maitland, a mental health care facility. One day I went to her work with her, and the dedication and compassion I…

D ear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to keep letters to 150 words as we have limited space. Thank you! Thank God for magazines like JOY! Magazine and JUIG! Tydskrif that do not compromise and go semi-secular for financial reasons, but stay steadfast to the original calling! Ymile Kennedy Inspiring and uplifting content I just want to let you guys know that you are doing a really great job. I really love and find your work and mission inspiring and uplifting. Your organisation is an inspiration; bringing a sense of positivity…

Footprint of Christianity The Catholic faith has been the main religion since the 16th century after the arrival of Jesuit missionaries and later Portuguese settlers. A survey indicated that ±50% of Brazilians consider themselves Catholic (down from 90% in 1970). There is a growth in secularism, but also in Evangelical Protestantism (31% of the population). The country has been experiencing a revival. However, in the Amazon region in particular, there are still numerous indigenous unreached groups. Ethnic religions and spiritism (introduced by slaves from Africa) are also prevalent. What do they believe? Much of the Catholicism consists of syncretistic practices due to the historical influence of tribal religions of African slaves and Brazil’s indigenous peoples. This often includes some form of spiritism. Umbanda is a religion native to Brazil that…

Scan this QR code on your smartphone to sign up to our newsletters www.joynews.co.za Jeremy Camp’s surgery to correct a serious heart condition was a “success”, though it will take a “few months to fully heal”, the singer’s South African wife, Adrienne, revealed in a social media post thanking supporters for their prayers. New South African Bible marathon record set by Springs church Springs church in South Africa shattered records this February, not with a running race, but with a sprint through the Bible. Members of AGS Jesus is Lig Gemeente read the Old and New Testaments aloud in just 75 hours, setting a new spiritual endurance benchmark. Pastor Sonja Gerber embraced the challenge amidst national hardships, organising a 21-day congregational fast alongside the marathon. Participants, fueled by fasting,…

Christianity, often underestimated in its impact, has profoundly shaped our world, touching every aspect of our western context. From holidays to hospitals, marriage to music, and education to charity, Christianity’s influence is immeasurable. Here are 10 key ways Christianity has made the world a better place: 1 Concept of holidays The word holiday comes from the Old English word hāligdæg (“holy” + “day”). This is a term of Christian origin to describe Christmas, Easter, Good Friday, and Pentecost. They were considered “holy days” because of what God had done for the people of the time. 2 Evolution of hospitals Christianity played a pivotal role in shaping the modern hospital system. Initially reserved for the privileged, the Christian emphasis on charity transformed healthcare, leading to the establishment of hospitals alongside churches.…

Matthew 6:9-13 OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN,HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME.YOUR KINGDOM COME.YOUR WILL BE DONEON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD.AND FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS,AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS.AND DO NOT LEAD US INTO TEMPTATION,BUT DELIVER US FROM THE EVIL ONE.FOR YOURS IS THE KINGDOMAND THE POWERAND THE GLORY FOREVER. AMEN. The Apostles’ Creed (or Twelve Articles) was not written by the apostles, but was finalised in the fourth century as one of the three ecumenical confessions and is contained in the Heidelberg Catechism. I BELIEVE IN GOD THE FATHER, ALMIGHTY, CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH. AND IN JESUS CHRIST, HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, OUR LORD; WHO WAS RECEIVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY; WHO SUFFERED UNDER PONTIUS PILATE; WAS CRUCIFIED,…

The violent persecution of Christians in India is gaining significant momentum. According to the Open Doors World Watch List (WWL) for 2024, India is currently the 11th most dangerous country in the world for followers of Jesus. Narendran* and Kavita*, a Christian couple in their early forties, are among the thousands of believers in India who must deal with brutal persecution for their unwavering faith in Christ. Yet they cling to their faith and trust God to support their ministry. A miraculous intervention Narendran, a former Hindu, explains how he became a Christian. “Our family came to know about the Lord after experiencing miraculous deliverance from our problems and sicknesses. I then committed my life to the Lord.” Narendran decided to start a ministry, so he and Kavita began working…

WORD SEARCH MARK 8:1-27 BASKETSBETHSAIDABLINDCAESAREADALMANUTHADISPUTEEYESFAINTFISHFORGOTTENFRAGMENTSGENERATIONHUNGRYLEAVENLOAVESMULTITUDEPHARISEESPHILIPPIREASONEDREMEMBERSATISFYSEVENSIGHEDSIGNSSPITTHANKSTHOUSANDTREESUNDERSTANDWILDERNESS This word search was crafted by Theresa Denson Jones, a Cape Town-based author. Theresa has recently brought out her own fun book of biblical word searches and multiple choice questions. If you would like to order a copy for only R90, email holyspiritinspirations@gmail.com Test your BIBLE KNOWLEDGE See how many of these you can fill in before checking the answers on page 80. After you test yourself, try reading the questions aloud to a friend or family member and see how they do! 1 Who was the wife of Abraham? ____________ 2 What was the name of the river where Jesus was baptised? ____________ 3 What did God create on the first day of creation? ____________ 4 What is the name of the mountain where…

Justin Bieber shares guided prayer with 293 million followers Last month, Bieber shared a powerful guided prayer on his social media, encouraging his 293 million followers to turn to Christ and download the Churchome app, which shares daily prayer prompts. Churchome, the impactful ministry led by Judah Smith, strongly believes that the most effective way to grow in your faith is through the practice of prayer. Scan this QR code to access these stunning guided daily prayers. HENRI NOUWEN “We tend to stay away from mourning and dancing. Too afraid to cry, too shy to dance… we become narrow-minded complainers, avoiding pain and also true human joy. While we live in a world subject to the evil one, we belong to God. Let us mourn and let us dance.” PEARL…

In Acts 3, we read about a lame man. This man was a representation of the state of the Church in the early days. During the man’s 40 years of lying at the entrance of the church, they could not raise or heal him. The lame man also represents the entire condition of humanity, the world of sin. We must recognise the “lameness” of this world as we engage in evangelism; and we must take heed that a lame Church cannot change a lame world. The world remains in a paralysed state because they do not know God, having never asked or desired after Him. We must recognise the “lameness” of this world as we engage in evangelism. Sin limits our lives The lame man only visited the church for…

Mental health challenges, particularly among today’s youth, are sometimes embraced as a form of personal “brand” or “identity”. Phrases such as “my depression,” “my anxiety,” “my therapist,” and “my medication” are increasingly common. As discussions around mental health become more open, it seems to have intertwined with our sense of self. There are individuals who seek to adopt issues that contribute to global ill health, and the body of Christ is not immune to this trend. A shepherd’s heart Stacey-Lee Tait serves as a pastor at Grace Chapel, a vibrant church nestled in Woodstock, Cape Town. Planted by her parents William (now with the Lord) and Evangeline Tait, Stacey-Lee is a visionary leader, deeply committed to the mission of bringing others to Christ and nurturing them in discipleship. Her brother,…

What kind of person would you want in charge of difficult church ministry? No doubt it would have to be a person of character, integrity, and grit. This month we take a look at just such a man, Paul’s ministry companion Titus. Young convert Paul mentions Titus 16 times in four of his letters (2 Cor, Gal, 2 Tim, Tit). Only Timothy is mentioned more. We first learn about Titus in Galatians, where Paul takes him on his journey to Jerusalem to argue that the Gospel is not limited to Jews, but is for Gentiles as well. Evidently Titus was a Gentile convert (Gal 2:3) who came to faith through the ministry of Paul and Barnabas (Tit 1:4). Titus was an important person to show the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem…

Who has not marvelled at the huge, colourful bill of a toucan? They have the largest beak-to-body ratio of any bird in the world. The beak accounts for ± one-third of the bird’s body length! With the brightly coloured, enormous bill, the toucan looks like something out of a Dr Seuss book. But these exceptional birds are not residents of a fictitious storybook world, they are indeed residents of our wonderful planet earth. As David Catchpoole of Creation Ministries International (CMI) says, “They are evidence of a purposeful Creator who created things for a purpose, on purpose!” The toucan’s impressive bill is in fact a masterpiece of design. Whatever it needs to do – the toucan can, because God designed it so! The beak, a thing of wonder First of…