Tabla de contenidos para January 2026 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 fulfil the Biblical mandate to be salt and light in society • Motivate readers to action • Be solution-focused…

Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, as well as 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. Did you miss an issue of JOY! Magazine? Access past copies of JOY! Magazine (print or digital) by scanning this QR code. Faithful Creations competition We invite you to share your beautifully coloured-in pictures from our monthly faith-inspired colouring pages. At the end of the year, we will showcase the winners. • colouring page featured in JOY! (there is a new one each month – each new submission is a new entry). • Take a clear photo of your…

Animals in the ark When building the ark, Noah never went out to search for animals. The Bible says the creatures “shall come in to you” (Gen 6:20). Dust of the ground God formed Adam from the dust of the ground, not from an existing creature. Life entered him only when God breathed into his nostrils (Gen 2:7). One supercontinent Before the flood of Noah’s time, the earth was one connected landmass. Genesis 1 says the land was gathered into one place, long before the continents broke apart at the flood (Gen 7:11). Animals lived on a single supercontinent, not scattered across divided regions. Many kinds were likely already near the ark’s location, so reaching Noah did not require crossing oceans or travelling extreme distances. Lot’s wife looked back Lot’s…

“I was an unnamed, unwanted, abused, adopted girl whom God saved, redeemed, and restored, and today I am helping to set captives free all over the world. Only God.” From a painful past to a fearless present, Christine Caine has learnt that what Jesus did for her is greater than what anyone did to her. That truth reshaped her identity, fuelled a calling to set captives free, and kept joy in the fight. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation...” (2 Cor 5:17). In this candid conversation, Christine is powerful yet playful – talking freedom, family, A21’s frontline work, and the everyday intimacy with Jesus that keeps the fire burning. TESTIMONY & CALLING Q Christine, you’ve shared openly about your adoption and the abuse you suffered…

The sun is so constant that we hardly notice it, yet its power is staggering. In a single second it produces more energy than humanity has used in all of recorded history. It sits roughly 150 million kilometres away, but its light reaches earth in only eight minutes, warming the planet and sustaining every living thing. Without it, earth would be a frozen, lifeless rock. Its daily rising is a reminder of God’s faithfulness, echoing the promise, “New every morning” (Lam 3:23). Light that sustains The sun drives photosynthesis, which feeds plants, produces oxygen, and supports every food chain on the planet. This is no accident. The distance, brightness, and heat are exactly what life requires. Scripture says, “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psa 19:1), and the sun…

There are stories that grip the imag-ination, and then there are stories that grip the heart. The Baby Boat, Karen Cross’s remarkable true account of adventure, faith, and family, does both with sincere impact. Set in the early 1970s, before GPS navigation or satellite phones, the book follows a young Johannesburg couple who set out to sail from Durban to Europe in their 25-foot Vertue Class yacht. The book follows a young couple who set out to sail from Durban to Europe. Courage on the open ocean Karen and her husband, John, embark on what they believe will be the adventure of a lifetime, navigating vast oceans with little more than a compass, determination, and a deep dependence on God. Through Karen’s detailed logs and heartfelt letters, readers are drawn…

In LISTEN. God’s voice in my life, you discover the character traits of a living God through the eyes and life experiences of South African sports figures such as Neil Powell, Duane Vermeulen, Sandile “Stix” Ngcobo, Vernon Philander, and Mignon du Preez. Included are the passionate stories about everyone’s love for sport, their challenging times, and a personal encounter with God from the hearts of famous sports people. Take a stroll through the lives of 40 different sports stars who will admit without any hesitation that “God is only good. We are all imperfect people who serve a perfect God, and, without another chance, we would have been lost”. This book is for every person who, at one time or another, has doubted themself and has doubted the grace of…

Many nations around the world are experiencing debilitating levels of unemployment and poverty. South Africa is one of the more developed nations in Africa, and yet the official unemployment rate in the first quarter of 2025 stood at 32,9%, with youth unemployment increasing to 46,1%. South Africa’s poverty picture in 2025 In 2025, approximately 55,5% of South Africans were said to be living below the upper poverty line. This translates into approximately 30,4 million people. A further estimated 25,2% of the population (about 13,8 million people) were said to be living below the food poverty line. This means that they cannot afford even the most basic foods. Africa has the resources to feed the world and fund the future. Beyond the brochure – a fuller view Many tourists and visitors…

A few years ago, I lost everything – my job, my home, my stability. I found myself alone with my son, his girlfriend, and her family. The only comfort I had was my beloved dog, Rowan. He was more than a pet; he was my companion, my comforter, and I truly believe he felt my pain. When Rowan passed away, it felt like the last piece of my heart had been torn out. But I knew I had to press on. Seven years in the wilderness During the COVID pandemic, I began selling masks on the streets. It was my only source of income, and I had debts to settle. There were good days and bad days. Sometimes I went hungry. I walked long distances under the scorching sun and…

“Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who readeth it.”– Habakkuk 2:2 Let’s get off to a roaring start. Do you have a vision for 2026? Is it written down? We celebrate the gift of life every day, and we owe it to God to include Him in our plans for this new year. Plan to join a Bible study or Bible school, and consider making new Christian friends by joining a life group or home cell group. Make a list of the unsaved people you know or interact with, and commit before God to share the Gospel with them. If we don’t plan to do this, it simply won’t happen. People are our priority Remember, we will all give an account to God…

1 Who was the only apostle to die of old age? ____________________ 2 Who was the king of Judah when Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and the temple? ____________________ 3 What was the name of the mountain where Moses saw the Promised Land before he died? ____________________ 4 What did God place at the east of the Garden of Eden to guard the way to the tree of life? ____________________ 5 Who built the first temple in Jerusalem? ____________________ 6 Who was healed of leprosy after obeying the prophet Elisha’s instructions? ____________________ 7 What is the shortest chapter in the Bible? ____________________ 8 Who was the father of David? ____________________ 9 What food did Jesus multiply to feed 5000 men? ____________________ 10 What New Testament book is a letter from Paul to…

Forrest Frank sounds alarm over AI Christian music Forrest Frank recently took to social media to warn about an AI-generated Christian album that has climbed to the top of the iTunes Christian chart. The project, released under the virtual artist Solomon Ray, features fully AI-created vocals, instruments, and lyrics. Frank noted that the album is outperforming major worship artists and cautioned that AI has “no Holy Spirit”, urging Christians to think carefully about what they listen to. Phil Wickham and Colton Dixon echoed his concerns, saying AI may serve as a tool but should not replace Spirit-led worship. LOYISO BALA “Faith doesn’t have to be big to be powerful. The Bible says even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. God doesn’t need perfection to answer prayers;…

This is not a season for silence. Christian media is essential if Biblical truth is to be heard in South Africa’s public square. It is a lifeline for the Church, not a luxury. JOY! Magazine stands to keep God’s Word clear, to steady believers, and to hold the line – in love – for the Kingdom and for our nation. It is time for the body of Christ to stand together as one unified voice. A watchman in the public square God has given JOY! a platform and a duty. We track laws, policies, and cultural shifts that affect the Body of Christ. When proposals threaten religious freedom or Biblical values, we explain what is happening and mobilise prayer and action while there is time. “And have no fellowship with…

From a honeycomb cell to the bands of Saturn, creation shows repeatable order. Such patterns are not the debris of chaos – they are the outworking of faithful laws set by God, “who upholds all things by the word of His power” (Heb 1:3). This feature surveys patterns in nature and celebrates the wisdom behind them. STRIPES, SPOTS, AND LABYRINTHS Animal coats often form stripes (zebra), spots (cheetah), or maze-like swirls (some fish and amphibians). A simple idea explains much of this: two signalling chemicals in a growing embryo, one that activates pigment and one that dampens it, spread at different rates and leave behind repeating patterns. This reaction-diffusion model, observed in living tissues, turns small differences into bold designs. WHY STRIPES ON A ZEBRA? Several benefits are likely working…

I Found You is a unique 52-week art journal that invites you into a deeper walk with God through creativity, reflection, and Scripture. This beautiful A5 hard cover journal features 53 original Art-with-a-Message prints – each designed to inspire, uplift, and guide you as you explore God’s truth in a fresh, visual way. Whether you start in January or July, this undated journal gives you the freedom to begin at any time. The wire-bound format allows the book to open flat for ease of use, and the high-quality 170 gsm uncoated pages are perfect for writing or artistic expression. Printed with excellence and carefully wrapped for protection, I Found You makes a treasured gift – for a loved one or yourself. Discover the joy of creating with God and hearing…

LUKE 2:1-35 BABEBETHLEHEMCONCEIVEDCONCERNINGCIRCUMCISIONFLOCKSGALILEEGENTILESGLORYGOODWILLHASTELINEAGEMANAGERMULTITUDENAZARETHPIERCEPRAISINGPURIFICATIONQUIRINIUSREGISTEREDREVEALEDREVELATIONSACRIFICESAVIOURSERVANTSHEPHERDSSIMEONSWADDLINGSWORDSYRIATIDINGSTURTLEDOVES 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.…

While the predominant Biblical examples of relationships are negative, far outweighing the number of positive ones, the Old Testament has perhaps the quintessential symbol of friendship seen in all of human history, the bond between King David and Jonathan, the son of King Saul. This month we’ll look at Jonathan and see what spiritual lessons we can learn from his life. Son of royalty Jonathan is introduced in 1 Samuel 13 as King Saul’s son (v 16). He is put in charge of 1000 fighting men, while his father leads 2000 (v 2). This is clearly a sign that Jonathan is a warrior of note. The Israelites are at war with their arch-nemesis, the Philistines, who can muster a sizeable army that includes 30 000 chariots and 6000 horsemen. The…

Scan this QR code on your smartphone to sign up to our newsletters www.joynews.co.za Cape Town creator’s Biblical musical David captures global attention The Cape Town-produced Biblical animated musical David has drawn wide global attention since its release in December 2025. Created by Phil Cunningham, who was born in Zimbabwe and now lives in Cape Town, the film has been praised for its craftsmanship and Scriptural grounding after three decades of development. Cunningham and his team carried out extensive research, including trips to Israel, to ensure authenticity. The film highlights David’s musicianship, his humanity, and his wholehearted pursuit of God. Its release marks a major moment for Cape Town’s animation industry and for Biblical storytelling on screen. ISAIAH 41:10 WAS THE VERSE OF 2025 Isaiah 41:10 had the highest international…

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” – Hebrews 10:22 The Bible calls us to draw near to God, yet many believers are unsure how to do this in daily life. Zephaniah 3:1-2 warns of those who refuse correction, who do not trust in the Lord, and who do not draw near to Him. The call is urgent. There is no better time than now to turn our hearts towards the Lord. As we step into a new year, here are simple and Biblical ways to draw closer to our Father. 1 Read at least one Psalm each day. Let it remind you of God’s power, His character, and…

In a world where pressure, uncertainty, and exhaustion often drown out our sense of hope, Dare to Dream by Clinton J. Werner arrives as a timely breath of encouragement. This inspiring book speaks directly to readers who feel stuck, disheartened, or disconnected from the dreams God once placed on their hearts. Clinton’s message is simple yet powerful: it is never too late to dream again, and to dream boldly. Practical, Bible-centred insight Rooted in proven Biblical principles, Werner presents practical, step-by-step strategies designed to help readers reset their goals, reignite their passion, and reposition themselves for God-given purpose. His writing is warm, accessible, and infused with faith, guiding readers towards a fresh start and a renewed confidence that their best days truly lie ahead. As John V. Thomas, founder of…