ALWAYS REMEMBER JESUS CHRIST – YOUR LORD AND SAVIOUR
To all my brothers and sisters who at this moment are stumbling under satan’s attack.
Sakkie Parsons
One day I was talking to someone and then a thought came to my mind in the form of a question that I want to share with you.
First, however, I would just like you to read the following from our Lord’s precious Word:
I want to start with these Words of Jesus:
JOHN 16:33
33“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]
So, of one thing a child of our Lord can be very sure.
Your life here on earth is not going to be all ‘moonlight and roses’. Satan will take care of that. But still, true Christians have something that is just different when you deal with them.
A peace, a happiness, a joy that distinguishes them from other people – but first we read what Paul testifies about satan’s attacks in his life:
2 COR 11:24-28
24Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 25Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent adrift on the sea; 26many times on journeys, [exposed to] danger from rivers, danger from bandits, danger from my own countrymen, danger from the Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger on the sea, danger among those posing as believers; 27in labor and hardship, often unable to sleep, in hunger and thirst, often [driven to] fasting [for lack of food], in cold and exposure [without adequate clothing]. 28Besides those external things, there is the daily [inescapable] pressure of my concern for all the churches.
Now just so you can see, that when I share with you about this matter, I know what I’m talking about. I’m not talking about hearsay –
Of course, I have also had to deal with other tragedies in my life, but these that I share with you now, will always stand out for me in my life and that is why I want to use them here again as examples.
I will use figurative language to describe to you how I see it in my mind:
I share with you the first time like it felt satan hit me between the eyes with a hammer.
I always had an eye problem but in 1978, I realized that my eyes were deteriorating rapidly, and it was already something tremendous for me to process but the most terrifying thought for me was (and it also happened), that I never again will be able to see the faces of my children, who were all still little at the time –
But I remembered Jesus, and staggered to my feet and so searched for Him through the mist of my circumstances, just made sure that I get my eyes on Jesus and kept my eyes on Him and continued my life’s path.
At first stumbling, but with my eyes fixed on Jesus, it got better and better, until later I was able to walk straight and upright again. And sometimes, just in the walk, slightly shifted the straps of the backpack on my back that I had to carry, as it began to bother because of things that came my way – but the most terrifying blow of satan was yet to come.
In December 1997 they discovered melanoma cancer in me and when I asked my doctor, whom I knew very well, what my chances were, his answer was:
“Sakkie, if we can’t stop it, you have 3, and if you’re lucky 6 months..” but I remembered Jesus and staggered to my feet and so searching through the mist of the blow of my circumstances, I only made sure that I get my eyes on Jesus and kept them on Him and continued on my life’s path.
Stumbling at first, but with my eyes on Jesus it got better and better, until later I was able to walk upright again and sometimes just in the walk, slightly moved the straps of the backpack on my back that I had to carry, when it start bothering me – because of things that came my way – but again – a most terrifying blow of satan was yet to come.
In 2012, my wife’s neurologist called me and told me that my wife has dementia. When I asked how long I would be able to take care of her, her answer was: “About a year.”
7 years later, (and I can’t even begin to try to share with you all the sadness and trauma of those 7 years), the hospital call me one morning, sometime after 6 in the morning, and say that I have to come, my wife is going to die and when I got there, they said I was too late – and my wonderful marriage of 37 years with my wife had come to an end.
But I remembered Jesus and staggered to my feet, searching Jesus through the mist of my circumstances, making sure that I got my eyes on Him and keep them on Him, and continued my life’s path.
At first stumbling, but with my eyes on Jesus, it got better and better, until later I was able to walk upright again and sometimes just in the walking, slightly shift the straps of the pack on my back that I had to carry, as it starting to bother because of things that came my way.
Now, how is it possible that true children of our Lord can go through life so happy and joyful with peace in their heart?
Because – praise the name of our Lord!
We are first clothed with Jesus Christ:
GAL 3:27
27For all of you who were baptized into Christ [into a spiritual union with the Christ, the Anointed] have clothed yourselves with Christ [that is, you have taken on His characteristics and values].
Not only are we clothed with Jesus Christ, but He also live in us:
GAL 2:20
20I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
You can say with great respect, we are soaked with Jesus Christ.
If you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, you can go through life full of peace, because you have a wonderful future waiting for you!
I share with you the following of many from our Lord’s precious Word that assure this:
1PETER 1:3-9
3Blessed [gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant and boundless mercy has caused us to be born again [that is, to be reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] to an ever-living hope and confident assurance through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4[born anew] into an inheritance which is imperishable [beyond the reach of change] and undefiled and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, 5who are being protected and shielded by the power of God through your faith for salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time. 6In this you rejoice greatly, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7so that the genuineness of your faith, which is much more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested and purified by fire, may be found to result in [your] praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not even see Him now, you believe and trust in Him and you greatly rejoice and delight with inexpressible and glorious joy, 9receiving as the result [the outcome, the consummation] of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
For now, while we are still on our way to our wonderful eternal destination, we also have this certain knowledge:
HEB 4:14-16
14Inasmuch then as we [believers] have a great High Priest who has [already ascended and] passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith and cling tenaciously to our absolute trust in Him as Savior]. 15For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin. 16Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].
For all my brothers and sisters who at this moment are stumbling under satan’s attacks, I leave you now with the following from our Lord’s precious Word:
1PET 5:8-11
8Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. 9But resist him, be firm in your faith [against his attack—rooted, established, immovable], knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world. [You do not suffer alone.] 10After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace [who imparts His blessing and favor], who called you to His own eternal glory in Christ, will Himself complete, confirm, strengthen, and establish you [making you what you ought to be]. 11To Him be dominion (power, authority, sovereignty) forever and ever. Amen.
Sakkie
Email: bediening@sakkieparsons.co.za
Website: www.sakkieparsons.co.za
Cell: 083 457 6669
Jude 1:24-25 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy, to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
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