Thank you to all those ladies who were able to attend the breakfast at The Breeze Restaurant on Friday. It was a very precious time of sharing and getting to know one another a little bit more.
Thank you to Brenda Weir for coming and sharing the testimony of two ladies whom Jesus loved dearly; Martha and Mary.
Even as the scripture says in 2Cor 2 v 14, 15 “we are the sweet fragrance of Christ which ascends to God….. an aroma from life to life (a vital fragrance, living and fresh)”; I left the restaurant with a strong sense of the presence of the Lord having been amongst us and it has lingered; like when someone walks into a room with a fragrance – its stays for a long while, even when they have left the room!! The challenge for me is when we enter a room and engage with people do we leave a sweet fragrance of Christ: is that our testimony?
A testimony can be viewed in two ways – what we say about ourselves, and secondly what others say about us. Both of these aspects have been applied by our ladies.
We are all a work in progress, so as we have been encouraged let’s keep our hearts and minds ready and open to receive the Word which changes and makes us honourable vessels, fit for the Master’s use! Carol Robson
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The ladies breakfast at the Breeze Restaurant, Windtown (a.m. 7/7/2023) was a joyful opportunity to meet and fellowship with ladies (well-known, less known and new) associated with LCF.
We were cleverly placed, 4 per table. We had been encouraged to study Romans 16 and Colossians 4 beforehand - Paul’s commendations / greetings to church members in Rome and Colosse, containing testimonies about them. While waiting for our breakfast, we shared which saint(s) we regarded as an inspiration to be like them.
I was inspired by sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea, who had been a helper of many and of Paul himself. Afr53 translation: “sy was vir baie, en ook vir my, tot steun.”
Paul also greeted Rufus …, and his mother and mine. Afr 83 Groete aan Rufus.. en aan sy moeder, wat ook altyd vir my ‘n ma was – inspiring me that I could be a mother to someone in God’s service too.
It was special to get to know 3 ladies at the table better by info shared spontaneously or offered in response to questions or talking. I got to know more about their life journeys, even mistakes, that God graciously worked out for their good. This was uplifting and stirred up my faith and hope.
In a second phase 2 people from a table were moved to a new table, and 2 other ladies joined us. That brought new energy and more connection.
Later Carol Robson encouraged all present to follow the example of Epaphras, “laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.” (you = Colossians) We surely can partake in building God’s kingdom in many ways.
Brenda Weir closed with a good word of encouragement.
We left having had a tasty breakfast, spiritual food and endearing company. Grace be with you (Col.4:18) Christina Malherbe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In keeping with the theme of letters being written to churches with greetings and commendations from saints to saints in other congregations, here are some comments from the ladies at my table:
Greetings from Wendy; a faithful servant full of the love for Christ, who like Barnabas loves to exhort and encourage others. She encourages youths in a mentorship programme to become leaders and mentors amongst themselves. She labours much in the hospitality industry and uses this environment to reflect and shine the light of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Greetings from Jackie; another faithful servant who quietly, prayerfully and patiently labours amongst elderly ladies who live in abusive marriages. She encourages and strengthens them in the Lord, also as Barnabas has strengthened, exhorted and discipled believers to remain faithful and strong in the Lord during suffering and persecution.
Greetings from our beloved Marlene, who like Rufus’ mother or Phoebe loves to mother and care for travelling saints by housing them in her home and providing physical and spiritual care for them.
Greetings from Belinda and Drew much loved by the Lord Jesus Christ, who quietly love and serve the Lord.
Brenda Weir shared from John 11:21-35 and Luke 10:38-42
Jesus loved Mary and Martha and they loved Him, but it is clear that these two sisters had a different relationship with Jesus.
I was thinking how the Gospels reveal the very special relationship Jesus had with women during His earthly ministry. God gifted women with the ability to nurture, love and care. They serve both in practical ways (by getting things done) and spiritual ways (by pouring out spiritual blessings they have received) with prayers, exhortations and service. No congregation is lacking in sisters that serve the Lord faithfully behind the scenes. They are not always noticed or acknowledged by man, but their service is essential to the life of the Body of Christ. Their faithful service is not for earthly rewards, but for His Glory and for their joy of being called One of His.
Of the two sisters of Lazarus, Martha may have been the older, feeling more keenly the responsibility of keeping the house and hosting guests. When Martha complained to Jesus that Mary was not helping her in the kitchen, Jesus gently reminded that “Mary has chosen that good part”; sitting at His feet (v39-43). Martha is often distinguished as “the practical one” and Mary as “the spiritual one.” However, the Scriptures indicate that Martha also sat at Jesus’ feet (v39) and that Mary also served (v40). Both of these women revealed unique spiritual gifts with which they lovingly served God. They remind us of the importance of balancing personal devotion (sitting at the Lord’s feet) with practical duties (serving the Body of Christ). These are not irreconcilable aspects of the life of a believer and should not be pitted against one another - both are vitally necessary in the Body of Christ.
2 Corinthians 3:14-17 “But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the OT, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless, when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
Whenever Moses left the people to go into the presence of the Lord, he removed his veil (Ex34:34). Likewise, under the New Covenant to turn to the Lord is to be open to the Spirit, who gives the liberty of unveiled access to God in Christ Jesus. Verse 18 – Beholding as in a mirror denotes “reflecting” as well as “looking into”. As we behold the glory of the Lord, we are continually transformed into the same image by the Spirit of the Lord. We then, with ever-increasing glory, reflect what we behold. Drew Pivalizza🌸
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The testimony of some folk that speaks to me and inspires me to be like them :
COLOSSIANS 4
NYMPHA : An outstanding Christian woman who opened her home to hold a church to be used by God, known as the Church of Laodicea. She couldn't preach, sing or play but was remarkable because she held an upstanding reputation. She did what she could with what she had. That is all God expects from us.
ROMAN 16
PRISCILLA & AQUILA :
Priscila was of Jewish heritage and a Christian convert. They were fellow workers in Jesus Christ. They were a married couple from Rome who were forcibly displaced from their home by the edict of Claudius which exiled Jewish people from Rome. They were missions minded - missionaries. Paul lived with them for a year and a half in Corinth when they extended extreme hospitality and kindness to him. They risked their lives for Paul who was grateful to them. They provided a presence that strengthened the early Christian Churches and were mentored by Apollos. They were beheaded together - an act of courage without fear for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They were an example of Christian marriage and missionary assistants.
Belinda van Niekerk