Tabla de contenidos para September 2025 en JOY! Magazine

The popular slogan “From the river to the sea” is now regularly chanted by Palestinian supporters, and many on the political left are adopting it without understanding its implications. The phrase suggests a Jew-free Middle East. Hitler’s dream was a Jew-free Europe. Where will seven million Jews go this time – new gas chambers? Uncritical media, deadly consequences The media’s uncritical publication of Hamas propaganda is fuelling murderous hatred of Jews. It’s a chilling echo of the 1930s, only now the Nazis have been replaced by Islamists – and the left is enabling it. The left manages the propaganda; the Islamists handle the execution. False figures, real danger Why is Hamas’ false information about “genocide” accepted without proper scrutiny? I recently spoke to a young activist who passionately claimed that…

Email your questions to: info@joymag.co.za Why does Jude quote the non-canonical book of Enoch as prophecy (Jude 14-15)? 2 Timothy 3:16 teaches that all Scripture “is given by inspiration of God.” Jude was inspired by the Holy Spirit to include this quote, regardless of its source. Paul did the same thing by quoting Greek poets in Acts 17:28. Quoting a non-canonical text doesn’t necessarily mean the source of the quote was also considered to be inspired. The book of Enoch, although it did not pass the test for inclusion in the New Testament, was a well-known and respected source. Jude was warning against false teachers and ungodly people. By quoting Enoch, he emphasised that judgement against the ungodly has long been foretold, even from the earliest patriarchs. There…

If you were asked to identify these Biblical men: Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, you might be hard pressed to do so. Oddly enough, these Jewish men are better known by their Babylonian names. This month we’ll take a look at three men who played an important role during the Jewish exile in Babylon. These three men obeyed Yahweh despite their circumstances. Exiled teens The book of Daniel opens with King Nebuchadnezzar destroying Jerusalem and directing some of the Jewish exiles to be groomed for service in his royal court. Four young men are identified: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. They were “sons of Judah” (Dan 1:6) and, per Nebuchadnezzar’s command, members of “the king’s descendants and some of the nobles” (v 3). Daniel’s account immediately highlights their resolve to obey…

South Africa stands at a critical crossroads, facing a legal challenge that could decriminalise prostitution, impacting the moral foundation of our society. This is not simply a legal matter: It is a fight to uphold the dignity of every person, protect the sanctity of marriage, and shield the vulnerable from exploitation. Legalising prostitution opens the door to greater exploitation, human trafficking, and the destruction of families. Prostitution is more than just a physical act; it brings devastating spiritual, emotional, and societal consequences. The Bible is clear – we must flee from sexual immorality (1 Cor 6:18) and warns that a society that embraces it will be filled with wickedness (Lev 19:29), leading to moral decay and harm that ripples through the entire community. In this issue, we’ve sought commentary from…

This article continues our series, “Christ Amongst the Seven Churches of Revelation”. In the previous issue, I focused on the importance of God’s Word in our churches. Christ appeared to the church in Pergamos with a sharp two-edged sword – a sign that His presence among them was meant to convict and convert, as well as to discipline and bring order. This month, we continue in Revelation 2:12-13 and reflect on the persecution, boldness, and spiritual fathering seen in this church. The Word that convicts and disciplines Revelation 2:12-13 says, “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: I know your works, and where you dwell, where satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and…

Romans 13:1-7 In the Scriptures, God-ordained authority is given for the home, the church, the workplace, and the community. Romans 13:1-7 outlines our responsibility to civil authority. Please open your Bible to study the Scriptures as we go through this sermon. “These seven verses have caused more unhappiness and misery in the Christian east and west than any other seven verses in the New Testament” (JC O’Neil). The governing structure in Paul’s day The governing structure in Paul’s day was not a democracy; it was an autocracy. The Roman Empire ruled and was the governing power of the day. All power was invested in one individual – the Roman Caesar, even considered to be a god who demanded respect and worship. Citizens were required to publicly swear allegiance by saying…

On Valentine’s Day 2019, a group of women gathered around a table in Davao City – not in a church or conference hall, but at a quiet dinner arranged just for them. Each one worked in prostitution. Each one was given a rose, a Bible, and a seat of honour. They listened to the story of Rahab – the courageous woman from Jericho who hid two Hebrew spies and became part of Jesus’ family line. That night marked the beginning of Blessing Rahab, a ministry of DXFE Good News Radio, FEBA’s station in Davao. For station manager Magnolia Yrasuegui, the inspiration was deeply personal. “The Lord placed them in my heart,” she recalls. “He impressed it upon me that these prostituted women must feel so excluded, especially on Valentine’s Day.”…

The Bible tells us that the Garden of Eden was situated at the head waters of four rivers. We read, “A river watering the garden flowed from Eden, and from there it divided; it had four headstreams” (Gen 2:10, NIV). The four rivers are named as Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, and Euphrates. Two of these rivers are clearly known today, namely the Tigris and Euphrates. They both arise in the same mountainous area in today’s eastern Turkey (Türkiye) or Armenia. Genetic and linguistic studies continue to align with the Biblical account of Eden’s location. Domesticated food plants Archaeological studies have found that the first domesticated food plants included three cereals, four pulses, and flax. It is fascinating that genetic studies of the first domesticated food crops trace the origin of seven…

In JOY’s Letters to the editor section two months ago, we published a heartfelt request from Pastor Johan Lourens, requesting assistance in securing a caravan for their ministry. He wrote, “Deo Volente Mission is in need of a reliable secondhand caravan to support our outreach and ministry work. We are willing to collect from anywhere in South Africa. If you have a caravan to sell or donate, please contact us – your support will help us reach more lives with the Gospel.” Johan and his team had been praying for a ministry caravan for over two years. They trusted that God would provide in His perfect time. That time came quicker than expected. “Your ministry is not just a magazine – it is a bridge between needs and miracles.” An…

In a desperate bid to be “relevant”, many modern churches have swapped the sacred for the sensational. The pulpit has become a platform. The sanctuary, a stage. The Gospel, reduced to glitter. Once holy ground is now littered with fog machines, pop music, and movie scripts. And it’s not just a fringe trend – it’s becoming the defining flavour of much of Western evangelicalism. Speak the truth Let’s be clear: the desire to reach people is not inherently wrong. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. He ate with sinners. He used parables rooted in everyday life. But He never compromised the message for the method. He didn’t stage a circus to preach the Kingdom. He didn’t entertain to evangelise. He spoke truth – even when it emptied…

Scripture gives us a reason not to judge one another: “For we will all stand before the judgement seat of God... So then each of us will give an account of himself to God” (Rom 14:10-12, ESV). None of us are qualified to be the judge. Only the Lord Jesus is qualified, and all judgement has been entrusted to Him (John 5:22). We will all stand some day before the judgement seat of Christ. We will all stand some day before the judgement seat of Christ. Requiring an account The judgement seat of Christ involves a time in the future when believers will give an account of themselves to Christ. This is the plain teaching of Scripture: “We must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each…

When a woman in Phoenix, Arizona, told 21-year-old Andy Schick that he’d be married within the year, it felt unlikely. He hadn’t met anyone remotely interesting. But on a short visit home to New Zealand, he met Kate. Weeks later, he told her, “I’m due to go back to the States, but you seem worth sticking around for. Do you think there’s a shot of us getting married?” Her reply – “I reckon. Let’s see where this goes” – would lead them to the altar by 31 December, fulfilling the bold prophecy. Only later did Andy realise it was more than a chance encounter – it was a sign of God’s authorship over his life. 20 years later, he sensed that same divine leading when he was invited to become…

As I sat pondering what to write for this month’s column, I considered a few different topics and sought the Holy Spirit’s guidance. The fact that it’s (almost) spring here in South Africa kept tugging at my heart. Spring is a time of blossoms, new beginnings, and fresh life bursting forth all around us. And it got me thinking, what areas of our lives are meant to blossom? What parts of our world reflect the beauty of spring when nurtured and cared for? A blossoming family Naturally, I thought of our children. As a dad of soon-to-be four kids, this topic is close to my heart. Scripture tells us that if we train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old, he will not…

PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR BELIEVERS “Therefore, take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all, to stand.” – Ephesians 6:13 Confronted as we are by deception in the news media, distraction and defilement in the entertainment industry, indoctrination in educational institutions, and intimidation by politicians and their bureaucratic bullies – not to mention the rise of the “thought police” seen in lockdown lunacy, masquerade madness, pandemic panic paranoia, and the propaganda “salvation by vaccination” covid cult – how are we to respond? “Everyone will deceive his neighbour and will not speak the truth; they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves to commit iniquity” (Jer 9:5). RESIST THE TIDE OF TYRANNY In this age of…

“Be still and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10 I recently had the privilege to break away, taking time out on a journey of rest, restoration, and reconciliation. In the heart of winter, we found ourselves nestled away at the foot of the Franschhoek Mountains. Fragrances of fynbos and fauna, along with fresh air, filled our lungs with all their medicinal benefits. Vineyards, chirping birds, and waterfalls soothed our busy minds. Hurried lives Staying focused while building our lives and pursuing our purpose has become the norm. Countless voices compete for our attention, creating a constant tug of war. These external distractions and internal conflicts can slow our progress and effectiveness if we don’t intentionally take time out to stop, pause, and reflect on key aspects of our…

The first thing to understand about the final judgement is that it cannot be avoided. Regardless of how we may choose to interpret prophecy on the end times, “people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgement” (Heb 9:27). We all have a divine appointment with our Creator. The Apostle John recorded some details of the final judgement: Revelation 20:11-15 “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as…

In July, Christ for all Nations (CfaN) conducted five Gospel crusades in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in a region they had never visited before. The towns of Fungurume, Likasi, Kipushi, and Kasumbalesa were little more than villages at the turn of the century. Since then, the population in the region has exploded, creating an area ripe for harvest. There was an undeniable hunger for the Gospel, and thousands gave their lives to Jesus each night. In every city, Jesus manifested His power, with many incredible miracle testimonies recorded. Here is just a glimpse of the glorious move of God that took place! “Jesus manifested His power, with many incredible miracle testimonies recorded.” MAD MAN MADE SANE While Evangelist Daniel Kolenda was interviewing people sharing their testimonies on…

My wife walked out the door, and I didn’t know if she was going to come back. It was a few months after our first child was born. I had been struggling to understand my role as a father, and I didn’t have the emotional capacity to deal with my wife’s postpartum depression. Our marriage had taken a backseat to the needs of a newborn, and my wife and I constantly misunderstood each other. So, when she walked out that door, it was honestly the scariest moment in our 15 years of marriage. You’re not alone If you’re in a season where your marriage feels lifeless, know that you’re not alone. Many great marriages have weathered difficult periods that seemed impossible to overcome. As men, we have a unique responsibility…

“To possess the economic gate is to carry influence, shape policy, and unlock God’s redemptive plan for nations. Africa must rise with purpose, strategy and Kingdom vision.” In Biblical terms, “gates” represent places of authority, governance, and influence – in ancient times, city gates were where leaders met to make decisions and conduct trade. To “possess the gates” means to take spiritual and practical dominion over key areas of influence in society, such as business, government, media, education, and family. These are the entry and exit points that shape a nation’s atmosphere and future. We take our mandate to possess these gates from Genesis 22:17, where God says to Abraham: “I will indeed bless you and make your offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky and the sand…