Tabla de contenidos para June 2024 en JOY! Magazine

Vision JOY! Magazine seeks to glorify God by educating and informing Christians of a biblical worldview and applying the Lordship of Jesus Christ to all areas of life. Values Strive for excellence and integrity in all things • Provide interesting, accurate, and honest reporting at all times • Respect all Christian denominations • Encourage reader participation • Take personal responsibility • Always seek to unite the Body of Christ • Evaluate everything in the light of the Bible • Provoke readers to ful l the biblical mandate to be salt and light in society • Motivate readers to action • Be solution-focused…

Neil Breebaart is a Christian artist whose unique art conveys abstract Christian concepts and messages in a simple but striking way. Art Refined, his full-time ministry, was founded in 2019 with the motto, “Art with a message”. The mission is “to restore art to our Creator’s original intent; touching people’s hearts, spreading the Gospel message, and, above all, to glorify God”. Art is a universal language “I am not a pastor, but I do ‘preach’ through art. God brought together my love for art, my love for Him, and my love for people,” says Neil. The Lord gave him 1 Corinthians 14:10, “Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.” “I felt He was saying that art is a universal language;…

Email your questions to: info@joymag.co.za So many of my family members don’t know Jesus I am desperate to see them saved before they die, but I feel so helpless. What can I do? They won’t discuss spiritual matters with me, or they mock God. God has given the believer “mighty weapons” to wield in prayer. With these weapons we are able “to knock down the devil’s strongholds ... to break down every proud argument against God and every wall that can be built to keep men from finding Him. With these weapons I can capture rebels and bring them back to God, and change them into men whose hearts desire is obedience to Christ” (2 Cor 10:4-5, TLB). Abraham interceded for a nephew ... and Lot was saved from a…

The conversion of the Philippian jailer is one of the most powerful transformations recorded in Acts. In it, we find important indicators about what it means to have genuine, saving faith in Jesus. European entry Paul’s first incursion into Europe as a missionary is recorded in Acts 16. Travelling west from Asia Minor, Paul and his compatriots entered the Roman province of Macedonia, where important biblical cities like Berea, Thessalonica, and Philippi lay. They made landfall in Neapolis and eventually spent several days in Philippi, Macedonia’s leading city. After a visit to the nearby riverbed on the Sabbath, where Lydia’s conversion occurred, Paul and Silas later confronted a slave girl who was “possessed with a spirit of divination” (Acts 16:16). Upon commanding the spirit to leave the girl, Paul and…

Being Greek-Cypriot, I struggle with winters: those low clouds that lower the spirits, the rain that chills the body, and the wind that batters everything. This winter has been particularly challenging. The state of the Church Turbulence is, so to speak, in the air and those pummelling winds seem to echo much that is happening in the Church around the world. I could write a long article on the troubles I know of: the defections, the divisions, the deviations, the discouragements, the derision – and that’s just under one letter of the alphabet! These are such turbulent times that even the Church of England – that weighty old tortoise long assumed to be immobile in any gale – is wobbling unsteadily. Oh yes, I could write a very long and…

What do you think is the hardest job in the world? We’re sure you’ll get a different answer depending on who you ask, but, in truth, there is no wrong answer. Every career has its challenges, but something that really makes a difference is having the right attitude. This is especially true for early childhood development (ECD) teachers. Classroom effectiveness It may not be something you’ve thought about before, but a teacher’s attitude has been proven to have a direct correlation to their effectiveness in a learning environment. Also, learners benefit from being exposed to a positive attitude, as it helps create a supportive and engaging environment and affects their progress and success and builds their confidence. Having the right attitude is the easiest way to see the biggest improvement.…

India is the largest democracy in the world and the most populated nation on the planet. But it’s also the 11th most dangerous place to be a Christian, and there is a disturbing trend of worsening violence and persecution against followers of Jesus. Across the country, Hindu extremists view Christianity as a threat. According to their radical nationalist ideology, Hindutva, all Indians should be Hindu. Therefore, they treat Christians and other minorities with intolerance, discrimination, and violence. The power of God Pastor Laxman* is among the thousands of people who experience this Hindu extremism first-hand. In the state where he lives, laws exist to stop conversion away from Hinduism. These anti-conversion laws are widely misused, so Christians who share their faith are vulnerable and often accused of criminality. Laxman, who…

Scan this QR code on your smartphone to sign up to our newsletters www.joynews.co.za Tyron Kretzmann, a Stellenbosch local, has inspired thousands with his fun, interactive, and honest weight loss journey on Instagram. Shedding over 60 kg in just two months, he’s gained 320 000 followers while spreading positivity, joy, and promoting his faith in Christ. His dedication to health and happiness is truly inspiring – follow along for his journey @tiger.kretzmann Paarl Jesus campaign: transforming lives and uniting communities The recent Take The Nations – Paarl Jesus Campaign profoundly impacted the community. Led by Evangelist Daniel du Toit and local pastors, over 30 000 people encountered the Gospel in schools, churches, and open-air events. The response was overwhelming, with miracles witnessed, including healings and supernatural encounters. The campaign fostered…

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7 In the midst of uncertainty, it’s our faith that anchors us. This past year has been a testament to that truth. At JOY! Travel, our travel ministry, we’ve experienced the ebb and flow of turmoil and tranquillity, particularly in our plans for pilgrimage tours to Israel. Tension in Israel Last year, due to the outbreak of the war, we had to postpone several trips, leaving many of our travellers disheartened. However, as tensions settled, our tours were reignited with enthusiasm, only to face another unexpected challenge with Iran’s…

WORD SEARCH JAMES 1:1-27 APPEARANCEAPPROVEDBEAUTIFULBONDSERVANTBURNINGCROWNDECEIVESDESIRES DOUBLE-MINDEDDOUBTSENDURESENTICEDEXALTATIONFADEFIRSTFRUITSHUMILIATION IMPLANTEDLACKSORPHANSPATIENCEPERISHESPROMISEDPURERELIGIOUS RISENTEMPTATIONTRIALSUNDEFILEDUNSTABLEVARIOUSWIDOWSWISDOM 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 57. After you test yourself, try reading the questions aloud to a friend or family member and see how they do! 1 Who was the first king anointed by the prophet Samuel? ____________ 2 What did God give Noah as a sign of His covenant to never flood the earth again? ____________ 3 Who was the tax collector who climbed…

As I sit down to reflect on the past month, I find myself marvelling at the simple yet profound lessons that my little cat, Nunu, has taught me. In her playful antics and quiet moments, I see glimpses of spiritual truths that resonate deeply with my soul. Indeed, God can use even the smallest creatures to impart wisdom to our hearts. Importance of trust One lesson that Nunu has taught me is the importance of trust. Just as she leaps fearlessly from one piece of furniture to another, never doubting her ability to land safely, so too should we trust in the Lord’s provision and guidance. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit…

Watching a fight from the 3rd floor balcony of their flat in the “Valley of Plenty”, right in the heart of Hanover Park, was the most devastating experience for young Jerome Samuels. He was only 16 at the time. He watched as his best friend, Jeff, was stabbed. With all the energy he had, Jerome ran to help. He picked him up, but sadly it was too late. Jeff died in his arms. Hanover Park, a place of drugs and gangsterism, is truly an area where dreams and hopes are lost for countless youth. Drop out to trolley boy This experience made Jerome lose the desire to continue his schooling despite being in the top three academically throughout his schooling. He lost all motivation to continue, dropped out, and joined…

In Acts 10:1-48 we read about a double conversion that, through divine connection, took place in both the lives of Cornelius, a Gentile, and Peter, a Jew. Cornelius was a high-ranking official in the Roman army – a generous man who constantly fasted and prayed. However, he had no relationship with Jesus and was operating with a religious spirit. Sincerity was not enough to make him holy. No partiality in Christ While in a trance, God instructed Peter to eat the animals that they, as Jews, were forbidden to eat. This came as a spiritual and cultural shock. As Peter came out of the trance, he was escorted by soldiers to Cornelius’ house. When he entered, Peter realised the meaning behind his trance – the animals were a representation of…

Have you ever wondered how the embryo in an egg gets oxygen? Where the colour of multi-coloured bird eggs come from, and how on earth an eggshell can be strong enough to protect the embryo, but not so strong that a weak little hatchling cannot break it open? In this article we unscramble the mysteries of the egg – creation’s perfect self-contained life-support system. Quick facts • The uid in the shell protects the embryo against excessive heat and cold, and against hard bumps. • The embryo has its own source of food è the egg yolk is the main source of energy. • Four days after a chicken egg is laid, the heart is visible. • By day eight, the eyes are visible. • The feathers appear by the…

FEATURE Tensions are mounting as South Africa prepares for one of the most important elections in our nation’s history. One of the institutions that plays a key role in the outcome of these elections is the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). WHAT IS THE IEC’S MANDATE? The IEC is a permanent and independent body – created and established by section 190(1) of the South African Constitution. It was created as an institution to enhance democracy by managing free and fair national, provincial, and municipal elections. The IEC is publicly funded and is accountable to parliament. In addition, the IEC is compelled to compile and maintain a voters roll and to declare election results. THE IEC’S ROLE IN FREE & FAIR ELECTIONS Free and fair elections are a fundamental principle and tenet…

COLOURING COMPETITION “Hadassah loves colouring in. She and her little brother really enjoyed the article about jellyfish! Here she is colouring in her jellyfish during our weekend camping.” Unleash your creative spirit and showcase your colouring talents! We invite you and your loved ones to share your pictures from our monthly colouring pages. WIN • Colour in the colouring page featured in JOY! • Take a clear photo of your masterpiece. • Send your entry to info@joymag.co.za After a year of colourful expressions, we'll compile all the showcased artwork in JOY! Magazine. The winner will receive a thoughtfully curated hamper, brimming with Christian delights to nourish your mind, body, and soul.…

Lawyers Lawyers are mentioned eight times in the Bible. Only Zenas (Tit 3:13) is mentioned by name. Prophecies The book of Isaiah contains the most prophecies about Jesus. Snow The Bible mentions snow 24 times. Hebrew sheleg | Greek chion Praying Jesus stayed up all night praying before choosing His 12 disciples (Luke 6:12-13). Forgiveness Snow is associated with the forgiveness of sins (Psalm 51:7; Isaiah 1:18). Life expectancy Many scholars believe that the average life expectancy during Jesus’ time on earth was about 30-40 years (low in part because so many infants and children died). Sandals According to Ruth 4:7, people from Israel exchanged sandals as a symbol showing that the transfer of property or exchanging of goods had been finalised. Jonah’s worm God grew a huge plant within…

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…

Beverly LaHaye passes away at 94 Beverly La-Haye, founder of Concerned Women for America, passed away recently at 94. Known for her Christian conservatism, she prioritised family and faith throughout her life. In 2016, Beverly lost the love of her life, Tim, to a stroke at the age of 90. They had been married for 69 years. He was her greatest champion, her encourager, and true soulmate. Ten months later, her son, Lee, also passed away. It was a year of incredible loss for her. She took great solace in the company of her remaining children, nine grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren. LaHaye’s legacy illustrates the impact of unwavering devotion to God and family, transcending privilege and abilities. TONY EVANS “God does His best work in the midst of unity. So…

Worship is a lifestyle – it is an attitude that honours the King of kings through praise and glory. Regardless of the time, place, or circumstances – worship connects us to God. It is more than simply melodies or lyrics, but rather something that beckons our souls to commune with Christ. This is the essence of Kim Walker-Smith’s journey – a voyage marked by a voice that brings heaven a little closer to earth. As Kim prepares to visit South African shores once again, her story unfolds, revealing the depth of her ministry and the profound connection she has with our nation. Returning to our beautiful country Kim’s return to the African continent is no casual affair. It’s an echo of a deep-seated affection, a love story between an artist…

The topic of dinosaurs in the Bible is part of a larger ongoing debate within the Christian community over the age of the earth, the proper interpretation of Genesis, and how to interpret the physical evidence we find all around us. Those who believe in an older age for the earth tend to agree that the Bible does not mention dinosaurs, because according to the old-earth paradigm, dinosaurs died out millions of years before the first man ever walked the earth. Therefore, the men who wrote the Bible could not have seen living dinosaurs. Mentioned in the Bible? Those who believe in a younger age for the earth tend to agree that the Bible does mention dinosaurs, though it never actually uses the word dinosaur. Instead, it uses the Hebrew…