FRESH Official Podcast

Loved Unfairly

Berni Dymet — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Some people just take a dislike to us in a way that seems ever so unreasonable, ever so unfair. Of course, try as you may, you can’t please everyone. But still … it smarts. After all, we like to be liked. It’s a harsh truth that some people just don’t like you; some even hate you. Sometimes it’s justified, sometimes it’s … well, if not justified, then certainly understandable, and sometimes it’s just downright unfair. Off the top of my head, I could easily rattle of half a dozen people who really don’t like me. There are doubtless many more than that. And yes, in some cases given my behaviour over the years, it’s justified or at least understandable. But in some cases, it’s unfair. What do you do with that? How do you handle that? Do you let it eat away at you or do you deal with it? And if you choose to deal with it, exactly how do you deal with it? The Apostle Paul put it like this: Romans 5:8 … but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (ESV) I don’t know about you, but as I stop and take that in, as I allow it to ruminate in my heart, it overwhelms me. God had (has!) every reason to hate me – you too, I’m guessing, given all that we’ve done in our lives. But instead, in the most emphatic of all statements of love, He sends Jesus to die to pay for our sin. American theologian R.C. Sproul put it like this: “When I think I’m unfairly hated, I try to remember that I am unfairly loved”. That’s how you deal with it! And that’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

The End of the World

Berni Dymet — Sun, 04 Jun 2023 04:00:00 +0000

One day, all the things that we hold dear in this world – our relationships, our possessions, our reputations even – will pass away. Every high priority in your life and in mine will become completely irrelevant. It’s a sobering thought, but in a world that offers so much, perhaps it’s time for us to sober up. There’s nothing wrong with focussing on your family, having a career … with all those good things … but one day, they’ll all be gone. And so here we are, living amidst a glut of alternatives with the risk of being drawn inexorably away from the most important, the most powerful reality of all: God Himself. Might I ask you today, have you, little by little, been focussing more on the here and now, more on the temporal things, and less on this God who sent Jesus His Son to die to set you free from all that, and to rise again to bring you a new and an eternal life? Just asking, because … 1 John 2:17 The world is passing away, and all the things that people want in the world are passing away. But whoever does what God wants will live forever. Our lives here on this earth are less than a single grain of sand amidst a seemingly infinite universe, because the life that we’ll lead beyond the grave will go on for all eternity. It will never end. And that life will be lived either in the Presence of God, or in torment, separated from Him. Friend, this world is passing away, and all the things that we want in the world are passing away. But whoever does what God wants will live forever. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Wanting the World

Berni Dymet — Sat, 03 Jun 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Duplicity is one of the most dangerous things that we can allow to creep into our lives – especially when the person we’re deceiving is ourselves. We say we believe in Jesus, but we live our lives as though we don’t. We all tend to view the Gospel of Christ through the lens of our present reality. If you live in a largely affluent society as do I, you tend to see the Gospel through that lens of affluence. Those in poor circumstances see the Gospel through their lens of poverty and aspiration. People who are oppressed see the Gospel of Christ through the lens of their desire for liberation … and so on. The point is that, amidst the reality of our present circumstances, we can end up longing for the things of this world far more than we desire to see the kingdom of God, the lordship of Christ, growing in our lives, transforming our worldview and our behaviour. That’s the truth of the matter. So … reality check: 1 John 2:15,16 Don’t love this evil world or the things in it. If you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. This is all there is in the world: wanting to please our sinful selves, wanting the sinful things we see, and being too proud of what we have. But none of these comes from the Father. They come from the world. Now there’s a course correction if ever I heard one. What lens do you see the Gospel of forgiveness and repentance through? To what degree do your worldly desires and aspirations prevent you from being transformed into the kind, gentle, humble, generous individual that Jesus wants you to be? Don’t love this evil world or the things that are in it. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

My Prayer for You

Berni Dymet — Fri, 02 Jun 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Today I want to share with you something that I’m incredibly passionate about; something that motivates me, drives me to do what I do. It’s this; seeing you grow in maturity in a rich, powerful, dynamic relationship with Jesus. The Apostle Paul wrote almost half of the books in the New Testament. Those “books” come to us today in the form of letters to different churches, some of which he and his co-workers had planted. And throughout those letters, even when he’s giving them a stern talking to, as he did for example with the Corinthians and the Galatians, his pastoral heart for them is right there on his sleeve. You can’t miss it. And that’s how I feel about you and the countless others who listen to, watch or read these daily Fresh devotions. So, when I read these words that Paul wrote to the church in Colossi, they stirred my heart deep inside: Colossians 1:9-11 Since the day we heard these things about you, we have continued praying for you. This is what we pray: that God will make you completely sure of what he wants by giving you all the wisdom and spiritual understanding you need; that this will help you live in a way that brings honour to the Lord and pleases him in every way; that your life will produce good works of every kind and that you will grow in your knowledge of God; that God will strengthen you with his own great power, so that you will be patient and not give up when troubles come. Then you will be happy. As we journey each day together through Fresh, that’s my prayer for you. And that’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

When You Do Good

Berni Dymet — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 04:00:00 +0000

We live in a world today where the things that we’ve always known to be wrong – greed, lust, immorality and the like – are now not only being called right, but applauded. And woe to anyone who stands against them. And that’s a situation that frankly, I understand perfectly from the other side. Because before I became a Christian, before I accepted that what God says is right, is indeed right, and what He calls wrong, is wrong, I was so deeply offended by those goody-two-shoes Christians. Whilst I wouldn’t have been able to use these words back then, their righteousness pricked my conscience because deep down I knew how black my sin was, how wrong my wrongs were, but I didn’t want to let them go. So I actively persecuted the Christians in my life. That’s what happens. You stand against an injustice, you refuse to laugh at that dirty joke someone tells, you refuse to lie, or you decline to accept the immorality being peddled these days as the norm … and the world will hate you for it. So what’s the answer? Do we step back from doing what’s right? Do we blend in and “go with the flow”? I don’t think so! 1 Peter 2:15 When you do good, you stop ignorant people from saying foolish things about you. This is what God wants. Ultimately, goodness shines through. Your goodness in the face of evil, and the price you pay for that, will impact more lives than you can imagine. The goodness of those Christians whom I persecuted, their humility, their acceptance, their forgiveness … played an incredibly powerful part in me coming to faith in Jesus. Do good anyway. That’s what God wants. And that’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Suffering with Christ

Berni Dymet — Wed, 31 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Suffering unjustly is the pits, amen? When you suffer for doing what’s right, it’s just so wrong. And yet, when we do suffer for doing what’s right, we’re not alone. We chatted about that yesterday … this reality that suffering is our opportunity to grow in maturity in Christ. But when the suffering is unjust, when we’re punished for doing what’s right, our pride tends to rise up and block any good work that God may have been planning on doing in growing our own character. That’s why the lesson of the Cross is so powerfully instructive: 1 Peter 3:18 Christ himself suffered when he died for you, and with that one death he paid for your sins. He was not guilty, but he died for people who are guilty. He did this to bring all of you to God. In his physical form he was killed, but he was made alive by the Spirit. That’s the ultimate injustice in all of human history; Jesus the Son of God who never once sinned, who always did right, being nailed to that Cross to pay for my sin and yours. And right there, we have our role model, Jesus, whom we can look to when we’re suffering unjustly for doing what’s right. He wasn’t guilty, but He did it for us. And though He was killed, He was made alive again by the Spirit. And that … that’s the spiritual dimension in suffering, both in His suffering back then and our suffering today. Because when we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us in our times of suffering, He brings life. A new life. A resurrection life, free from the devastating clutches of our sin. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

When it is Good to Suffer

Berni Dymet — Tue, 30 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Suffering is a theme that I love to return to again and again, both in my learning and development and in yours. Because it’s in that place of suffering that we have the greatest opportunity that God will ever hand us. Any athlete will tell you that they suffer a lot when they’re training. It hurts to build muscle. It hurts to grow endurance. But for them, it’s suffering with a purpose. It’s suffering in order to become better, faster, smarter, more skilled at their sport. That’s why they suffer. And the same is true in our lives as well. We know that those difficult times are the times of greatest opportunity for God to mould our character; to teach us how to rely on Him; to knock off our rough edges so that we’ll look more and more like Jesus. But – there had to be a ‘but’, right? – all too often suffering involves injustice and that injustice causes our pride to rise up. That injustice gives us a bad attitude and that, right there, tends to block any benefits that God may have worked in our character through our suffering. Pride always blocks the good things of God, amen?! So, if that tends to happen in your life, then listen up: 1 Peter 3:17 It is better to suffer for doing good than for doing wrong. Yes, it is better if that is what God wants. Peter wrote those words to Christians who were suffering terribly and unjustly for their faith in Jesus. If God brings a season of suffering on you, if that’s what He wants, suffer gladly. Suffer with a good heart and a good attitude, no matter how unjust it feels … because God is up to something good. That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Open My Eyes

Berni Dymet — Mon, 29 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Throughout life, we tend to search for wonderful things; good things that’ll bless us, good things that’ll enrich our lives and the lives of those we love. But those wonderful things can often lead us astray. Which one of us hasn’t hoped for some wonderful things to happen in our life? Perhaps you’ve longed for a bigger home, a nicer car, a restful holiday. Or maybe it’s the right marriage partner – or, if you’re married, a better marriage. So we set off after those things – none of which are bad, in and of themselves – pursuing them with all our energy, only to discover that they aren’t all that they were cracked up to be. So where do we find those wonderful things? Psalm 119:17,18 Be good to me, your servant, so that I may live to obey your word. Open my eyes so that I can see all the wonderful things in your teachings. What a great prayer! What a brilliant thing to ask of God! That He would be good to us, that He’d help us to obey His Word, that He’d open our eyes to see – what? Wonderful things in His teachings. Let me tell you, when we pray like that before we open our Bible, amazing things begin to happen. The Holy Spirit speaks His wisdom, His love, His power, into our lives. He blesses us with the most amazing discoveries, the most wonderful things, right there through His Word. Wisdom and insight about ourselves, about others, about our relationships, about our walk with God that’ll enrich our lives beyond measure! Open my eyes so that I can see all the wonderful things in your teachings. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Share It!

Berni Dymet — Sun, 28 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000

It seems to be so difficult these days to speak with others of God’s love through Jesus Christ that many of His people have simply given up. And yet there’s something inside us that … well, you know. … Have you been struggling lately to share the good news of Jesus with those who don’t yet believe? Have you perhaps become a little gun-shy, having been shouted down so many times before? The truth is that many of God’s people have shut down. And so the Good News of Jesus is being bottled up; the Gospel of forgiveness and repentance is going un-said. Now, I’m not talking about being a preacher here. Not everyone’s called to that. Nor am I talking about shoving religion down people’s throats as some Bible-bashers do. No. I’m referring to a simple, natural, loving and gentle telling of the Jesus story – through both our words and our deeds. The Old Testament Prophet Jeremiah had this very same problem when he wrote: Jeremiah 20:9 Sometimes I say to myself, “I will forget about him. I will not speak anymore in his name.” But when I say that, his message is like a fire burning inside me! It feels like it is burning deep in my bones! I get tired of trying to hold his message inside. And finally, I am not able to hold it in. Let the Word of Christ be like a fire burning inside you – deep in your heart, deep in your bones. And my prayer for you is that you would grow tired of holding it in, that in your own place, your own way, with your own gifts – one way or another – you would share it. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

The Peace of God

Berni Dymet — Sat, 27 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Since the beginning of time, anxiety has been a chronic disease that’s robbed countless millions of life itself. And in the hi-tech, media- driven world in which we live today, there’s a strong case to be made that it’s more pervasive, more destructive, than ever before. So what are you anxious about right now? What is it that’s gnawing away at your soul, troubling you, causing you to toss and turn at night? Of course, things come against us in our lives. And it’s a natural, human response to worry about them. But for the one who’s put their trust in Jesus, there’s absolutely no need to live in a constant state of anxiety. From his prison cell on death row, the Apostle Paul has this to say: Philippians 4:6,7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (ESV) What should we be anxious about? Nothing! How do we lay hold of God’s peace in anxious times? In any and every circumstance, by pouring our hearts out to Him – not grumbling, but with gratitude – and telling Him what we’re thinking and needing. But here’s the bit that really gets me; that really blows my mind. If we do that, then His peace, the sort of peace that doesn’t begin to make sense amidst our circumstances, won’t merely fill our hearts – but guard our hearts from anyone and everyone (the devil included) who would rob us of this God-given, Holy-Spirit-empowered peace. My friend, listen carefully. This is God’s tried and proven promise to you today. A peace which passes all understanding is yours. That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Removing Sin's Stain

Berni Dymet — Fri, 26 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000

When you do something that you know is wrong, the reality of that sin lingers like a blood stain on a white cloth. It feels impossible to get rid of, so the guilt eats away at your soul like a cancer. That’s a pretty glum synopsis, but there’s nothing new in that. In one of Shakespeare’s famous plays, Lady Macbeth, wracked with the guilt of murder, looks upon her blood-stained hands and cries “Out, damned spot! Out, I say.” That desire for absolution, for the wrong to be undone, the guilt to be erased, is universally part of the human condition. It explains why God took the drastic step of allowing His Son to be crucified on our behalf. Can we ever be absolved of our sin? Can we ever be truly free of the guilt that eats into our very bones? Or are we, like Lady Macbeth, doomed to its consequences for all eternity? Here is God speaking into that very real life and death dilemma today: Isaiah 1:18 I, the LORD, am the one speaking to you. Come, let’s discuss this. Even if your sins are as dark as red dye, that stain can be removed and you will be as pure as wool that is as white as snow. There is one place – only one – where that stain can be removed. There is one Person – only One – who can cleanse it from you: Jesus, the Son of God, who died to pay for your sins. And when we believe in Him, our sins are forgiven. Completely. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. In Christ and Christ alone. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Encourage Each Other

Berni Dymet — Thu, 25 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000

No doubt you’ve had the experience of feeling a bit down, and then someone’s come along with a simple word of encouragement, and in an instant lifted you up, changed your day – perhaps even your life. So let’s just stop and imagine if today, tomorrow, you and I were that person in someone else’s life. Because if we call ourselves Christians, if we believe in Jesus, then the Holy Spirit yearns to fill us to a floodtide of overflowing with His joy. And that’s a floodtide that can bring life to many a parched, hurting heart around you. Now, we don’t always feel like we have enough joy inside to share, let alone to overflow out of us. So, here it is … Ephesians 5:19,20 Encourage each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord. Always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Music is such a wonderful gift from God. Whether it’s on the radio or through the many hi-tech digital channels available these days, those hymns and songs are so powerful. And God doesn’t care how off-key your singing may sound to the human ear. He loves it when you sing His praises. He loves it when you make music in your heart. He loves it when you give thanks to Him for everything in Christ’s name! And at that point, you won’t be able to help it. That floodtide of joy is going to burst forth from you as a powerful encouragement to those around you who so desperately need it! Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Emotional Clarity

Berni Dymet — Wed, 24 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000

One of the things that most of us aren’t all that good at is reading other people’s emotions … before we say or do what we were going to say or do. But there’s something else that we’re even worse at. And that something else is being aware of our own emotional state before we speak or act. Perhaps you’re feeling a bit down, so instead of thanking someone, you treat them like an object rather than a person. Or maybe you’re angry, so you say something without even realising you’re angry that you’ll never be able to take back. The realm of emotions can be as murky as pea soup, right? And how we recognise and respond to emotions – our own and other people’s – has a profound effect on the sort of life we’ll end up living. Well today, wisdom – God’s wisdom – is crying out to us: Proverbs 9:6 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks sense she says, “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight. (ESV) The answer to getting some clarity around emotions is to eat and drink in God’s wisdom. And His Word – the Bible – is cram-packed full of it – the sort of insight and, indeed, Holy Spirit power that we need in order to think about how we’re feeling before we speak and act. The sort of wisdom, the sort of insight that we need, to figure out where the other person is coming from. So … leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight. That’s what God’s calling you. That’s what He’s offering you. Because that’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Obeying the Law of Christ

Berni Dymet — Tue, 23 May 2023 01:34:23 +0000

Okay, let’s imagine that somewhere deep in your heart, you want to do the right thing; you want to do what God says you should do. But as we saw yesterday, that ain’t always that easy … is it? No, it’s not! In fact, some day’s it feels downright impossible. That’s the truth of the matter. You set out on your journey each morning with the best of intentions, but then someone or something comes along and you trip at the very same hurdle as you did yesterday, and the day before, and the day before that. But God, I wanted to do the right thing … and then that idiot came along and annoyed me, so I bit his head off. That’s how it goes. Whatever the situation, whatever the circumstance, it happens to us all. So today, let’s get on the front foot – let’s get proactive about doing the right thing. Galatians 6:2 Help each other with your troubles. When you do this, you are obeying the law of Christ. What a powerful scripture. Those people who annoy us have their own foibles, their own stresses and strains, their own hurts, their own demons to deal with. Often, we have no idea what they’re going through. And I believe – in fact I know – that today, through His Word, God is giving us the power to treat them differently, to help them in their time of trouble instead of reacting the way we normally do . Let’s just stop and think about that; let it sink in. If we choose in that moment of temptation to love them, to help them instead of biting their heads off … when we do that, we’re actually obeying the law of Christ. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Real Hope

Berni Dymet — Thu, 11 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Power and suffering are not two words that we use all that often in the one sentence, and yet when we’re suffering is precisely when we need God to unleash His incomprehensibly great power in us. Yesterday we chatted about Paul’s desire to know Christ and the power that raised Him from death. Resurrection power. Holy Spirit power. We can all say a resounding hallelujah and amen to that. But the twist in the tail of that comes when he adds the idea of suffering to his desire. Really? Philippians 3:10,11 All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him from death. I want to share in his sufferings and be like him even in his death. Then there is hope that I myself will somehow be raised from death. Paul, did you have to spoil it by adding suffering to it? But suffering, as we well know, is universal in this fallen, sinful world in which we live. And fortunately, God stepped down into that and He Himself suffered on that Cross for our sake. Yet He didn’t stay nailed to that cross or dead in that tomb, because death could not hold Him down. It’s that resurrection that Paul yearns for, and hopes for. And it’s that same resurrection that you and I can look forward to when our time here on earth is done. So friend, when you’re suffering, as you will no doubt do again before your time is out, yearn for Christ – yearn to be like Him in His suffering, because you can live in the rock solid, certain hope of your resurrection into eternity when your suffering days are done. Yearn for Christ. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Know Christ, Like Christ

Berni Dymet — Wed, 10 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000

As a father, there have been many times over the years when I’ve wished that I could impart to my children the wisdom of my years and the power of what I’m able to do for them. And that’s just how we fathers are. But if I as a sinful man can have that desire, how much more does our Father in Heaven have that same desire? And how much more successful do you imagine that He’ll be at that than I can ever be? Wisdom and power … it’s for that reason that the Apostle Paul, writing to his friends in Philippi, has this to say: Philippians 3:10 All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him from death. I want to share in his sufferings and be like him even in his death. Paul yearns to know Jesus and the power that raised Him from His death. He yearns to know His Lord and Saviour so deeply, so closely, that the incomprehensibly great power – the Holy Spirit power that brought Jesus from death back to life – would be at work in him, in his life, in his ministry, in his walk with Jesus. All that sounds great until the second half of that verse: I want to share in his sufferings and be like him even in his death. There is no place, no time in our lives when we will experience more of God’s power than during times of suffering. We know that He does His mightiest character-building work in us during those times. That’s because that’s when we need, and He unleashes, more of His power than any other time. To know Christ amidst suffering is to be like Christ. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Right in God

Berni Dymet — Tue, 09 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Any husband and wife will tell you that arguments are one thing, but letting that discord fester – you know … that silent treatment that can last for days – is a disaster. It’s the path towards divorce. In many respects, it’s the same in our relationship with God. There are going to be times when we fail Him. Hopefully there are fewer of those today than perhaps five years ago. And in five years’ time, there’ll be fewer still as we grow more and more like Jesus, amen?! But if, when we sin against Him, we allow days, weeks, even months to pass by without turning and asking for His forgiveness … then our relationship is at grave risk of falling apart. If you’re ever in that place, here’s a powerful and encouraging word to remind you that you can always … always! … turn back to Him and ask for His forgiveness. Philippians 3:9 I want to belong to him. In Christ I am right with God, but my being right does not come from following the law. It comes from God through faith. God uses my faith in Christ to make me right with him. Our right-standing before God has never and will never come from our ability to do the right thing. Our right-standing before God comes only through our faith in the fact that Jesus died to pay the price of our sin, and rose again to give us a new, eternal life. This is a free gift from our Father in heaven to the children whom He loves. Never be afraid of turning back to God and asking Him for His forgiveness. That’s why Jesus died for you! And that’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Out in the Light

Berni Dymet — Mon, 08 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Invariably, whenever we have something to hide, it involves sin. Not always, but most times. If you have something that you want to hide from people, then the most important question to ask yourself, is “why?”. Yesterday we chatted about the shady deals that people get involved in. They hate the light, said Jesus, because it’ll expose their evil deeds. That’s a wakeup call for me. What things might we be doing that, if brought out into the light, would shame us? John 3:21 But anyone who follows the true way comes to the light. Then the light will show that whatever they have done was done through God. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life. So the “true way” is the way that follows Jesus. A huge part of growing up in Christ is to step out of the darkness into the light. What does that mean? So, might I ask you today, what things in your life are you doing that you’d prefer to keep in the shadows? Come on, what are they? Well, it’s time to bring them out into the light. In our ministry, even though I’m the CEO, I’m held accountable by a strong and independent board; we have an explicit code of conduct, and we have a whistleblower policy that requires anyone in the ministry to raise their concerns of anything untoward with the Chairman of our board, and protects them if they do. Why? Because it’s about keeping me accountable; it’s about making sure that my actions, my behaviours, are out there in the light and not tucked away to fester in the shadows. What do you need to bring out into the light? That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

The Message

Berni Dymet — Sat, 06 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000

We love getting good news, no matter what’s going on in our lives. But the best time to get good news is when things aren’t going all that well; when we’re down in a valley rather than on a mountain top. I don’t know where you’re at in your life just at the moment, but you can be absolutely certain that God does. And if perhaps you’re stuck in a place that, given a choice, you wouldn’t be in, then now would absolutely be a great time to receive some good news. God knows that. That’s why to Israel, who’d been stuck as slaves in exile in Babylon for going onto three generations, God sent the Prophet Isaiah to tell them this: Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on me. The LORD has chosen me to tell good news to the poor and to comfort those who are sad. He sent me to tell the captives and prisoners that they have been set free. And fancy … around 700 years later at the very beginning of His public ministry, Jesus chose to read that particular Scripture down at the local synagogue, after which He said of Himself: Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing. In other words, He came to bring good news to the poor, to comfort those who are sad, to tell the captives that they’ve been set free. Friend, no matter where you are, how stuck you may feel, no matter what the world is shouting at you … Jesus came for you. And I implore you today to grab hold of His promise with both hands and hang on tight. Jesus came to bring you this good news. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

When the Time is Right

Berni Dymet — Fri, 05 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Have you ever felt locked in your circumstances? It feels like a straitjacket, right? If feels as though nothing’s ever going to change; as though you are going to be stuck in this particular spot forever! There was a time when Israel had been stuck in exile in Babylon as slaves for close on seventy years. Seventy years! That’s a long time. And since Babylon was the world power back in the day, you bet ya it felt like nothing was ever going to change. So God sent the Prophet Isaiah to convince them that things were about to change; that He was about to do something mighty that none of them could even contemplate – to set them free and return them to the Promised Land. And if you read the last twenty-six chapters of the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament you discover that through the Prophet, God had to do rather a lot of persuading. Because when you’ve been stuck in slavery for three generations, you’d be pretty convinced that nothing was ever going to change. Listen to God and, I pray, hear Him speaking into your life too: Isaiah 60:22 The smallest family will become a large family group. The smallest tribe will become a powerful nation. When the time is right, I, the LORD, will come quickly. I will make these things happen. From small to large, from tribe to powerful nation, from slavery to restoration – that’s what God’s promising them. But when, O Lord, when will you get us out of this mess? How will you do it? Answer? When the time is right, I, the LORD, will come quickly. I will make these things happen. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

God Enjoys You

Berni Dymet — Thu, 04 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Have you ever wondered to yourself, “What brings God joy?” I mean, we’re made in His image and we experience joy in our lives. So it stands to reason that He does too. What a fascinating question. What brings God joy? And what follows on from that is this: What can I do to bring Him joy? Shouldn’t that be our desire? I know I want to do things that’ll fill my wife’s heart with joy. And when my granddaughter bounds in through my front door, I know that Grandpa absolutely wants to fill her life with joy. Hey, I even take my dog for a walk because I know she enjoys it. So … why not God? Well, if you’ve been wondering how to bring joy to the Lord, here it is: Psalm 147:11,12 The LORD enjoys people who worship him and trust in his faithful love. Jerusalem, praise the LORD! Zion, praise your God! Wow. Can it be that simple; worship God and trust in his faithful love? How easy is it to consign the whole idea of worship to an hour or so on a Sunday? And how easy is it, when we hit a few bumps and potholes in the road, or when we feel like we’re about to fall off a cliff, to forget to rely upon, to trust in God’s faithful love? Listen to me. God yearns to be a part of your life. God enjoys you … simply because you’re His creation. So here it is. Here’s something that will not only bring joy to God’s heart but radically transform your life: Worship the Lord and trust in his faithful love. Praise the LORD! Praise your God! That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

God's Appeal to You

Berni Dymet — Tue, 02 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000

How often have you heard of people who’ve won the lottery – millions, even tens of millions of dollars – only to squander it all, What a dream – to win millions. What a tragedy – to lose it all. A recent study found that of those who won big time, no less than 70% had squandered it all within five years. I know what you’re thinking. How could people be that stupid, right? But here’s the thing. I’ve won much more than the lottery, as have you, if you believe in Jesus. Money? That’s great, but you can’t take it with you. Yet the grace of God though Jesus Christ, the forgiveness we have, the power of the Holy Spirit to live a new life here on earth, the free gift of an eternity in God’s Presence … they’re worth so much more than any bauble or trinket that this world has to offer. But how many squander that incomprehensibly great gift? Apparently, rather a lot. Which is what caused the Apostle Paul to pen these words back in the 1st Century AD: 2 Corinthians 6:1 We are workers together with God. So we beg you: Don’t let the grace that you received from God be for nothing. Paul was writing to a church racked with sin; a church with so many divisions and arguments; a church, it would seem, intent on squandering the incomprehensibly great gift of God’s grace. Friend, Jesus took your sin upon His shoulders when He died for you on that Cross. He, who had no sin, became sin so that in Him you could be made right with God. That great act of love has eternal ramifications. Don’t squander it. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

For Our Sake

Berni Dymet — Mon, 01 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000

There are times in our lives when we need to step up and do something for someone else; something that’ll cost us dearly; something that’ll involve a lot of sacrifice. And invariably, it hurts. You’ve been through times like that, just as I have. And no doubt, we’ve yet a few more of those left before our lives here are done. But can you imagine for a moment what it would be like to take the burdens of the whole world on your shoulders? We know how difficult it can be to carry the burdens of just one person; and two or three at the same time can be unbearable. So, the whole world … really? But that’s precisely what Jesus did for you and me when He died on that Cross. 2 Corinthians 5:21 Christ had no sin, but God made him become sin so that in Christ we could be right with God. On that Cross, Jesus took upon Himself all the sins of all the people who had lived, were living, and would ever live, on this earth. It wasn’t enough that He had to suffer physically in such a distressing way. No. He carried the sins of the world in His flesh, in what to us was an incomprehensible spiritual and emotional burden. And why … why did He do that? So that in Christ you and I could be right with God. So that when we bring our lives to the foot of that Cross, we can be forgiven. So that through faith in Jesus, you and I could be set free to become who He created us to be. That’s the good news of Jesus. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

The Worst of Motives

Berni Dymet — Sun, 30 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Sometimes, to get what you want in this world, you just have to go and take it. Sometimes, to get what you want, you have to beat the other guy. And that … that’s the thinking that gets us into so much trouble. Have you ever wanted something that someone else has? Have you ever felt the need to take something that isn’t rightfully yours because … well, you deserve it? You deserve the credit for this great accomplishment at work, not the next person. You’ve worked hard so you should have a bigger house or a nicer car, so you go and bury yourself in debt. You deserve … much better than what you’re getting and certainly better than the next person. And how well has that worked out for you in the past, hmm? James 4:2,3 You want things, but you don’t get them. So you kill and are jealous of others. But you still cannot get what you want. So you argue and fight. You don’t get what you want because you don’t ask God. Or when you ask, you don’t receive anything, because the reason you ask is wrong. You only want to use it for your own pleasure. Never a truer word spoken, eh? We want it all for ourselves, for our own pleasure, whether we take it from someone else or whether we demand it from God. When are we finally going to learn, you and I, that selfish tantrums never, ever end up getting us what we really want? Oh, sure … they may lead to short term gratification, but never long-term satisfaction. #NoteToSelf: Stop being so darned selfish. Humble yourself before God and ask for good things that’ll overflow out into other people’s lives for His glory. That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

At War Inside

Berni Dymet — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Fights and arguments – who needs them? Who wants them? Conflict is a terrible thing that robs us of our peace and our joy. And how easy is it to blame the other guy? I mean … obviously, it’s their fault Now call me crazy but I’ve come to the conclusion that playing the blame game doesn’t resolve anything. Not really. When we blame the other party, we may feel vindicated; we may be letting ourselves off the hook for the part we may have played in the conflict; it may give us a short term sense of relief, but it doesn’t really solve anything. One of the biggest problems we face in conflict is a lack of awareness of our own emotions. There’s a spark of conflict, it somehow sets us off , and then we’re into it without ever stopping to think: Where did this fight come from? Why am I reacting the way I am? And those two “why” questions are very good questions to be asking ourselves before we head down that well-worn path of conflict yet again. Here’s why: James 4:1 Do you know where your fights and arguments come from? They come from the selfish desires that make war inside you. So, rather than blaming the other party, God’s saying here, “Hey, look inside your own heart. Stop and think about your own emotions, what selfish desires are kicking off this war inside you – before it spills out into your relationship with this other person”. Because nine times out of ten, our fights, our arguments, begin in our own hearts. First, be aware of your own emotions, deal with your own selfishness, and you’ll end up with far less conflict in your life. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Working for Peace

Berni Dymet — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

The main reason that we find ourselves in conflict situations is that we want one thing, and the other person wants quite the opposite. It’s a well-worn path, the one that leads toward conflict. Pride, ego, selfishness, work together in a murky swill that clouds our judgement. We dig our heels in, the other party does the same and … boom, there you have it. Conflict. You’d think we’d have learned by now how not to go down that road and yet here we are. So, time to learn to take a different road: James 3:18 People who work for peace in a peaceful way get the blessings that come from right living. An interesting concept, that … working for peace in a peaceful way. Imagine just for a moment if instead focussing on a win, we were to focus on creating peace. Now, the best sort of peace is a win/win. It’s amazing how often conflict arises out of a simple misunderstanding – two people coming at the same issue from different perspectives. Many a time I’ve seen people argue over an issue, saying the same thing in different ways, in what I call violent agreement. Win/win is the best sort of peace. But sometimes peace will cost you. Sometimes, one party has to give in so the other can win. And often, in humility, that ain’t such a bad thing. However things play themselves out though, remember this: People who work for peace in a peaceful way get the blessings that come from right living. Being the peacemaker can be hard, it can be painful, it can involve loss – not always, but sometimes. And yet God’s heart is to bless the peacemaker. That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Wisdom from Above

Berni Dymet — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Most of us, in an honest moment, would admit that we’re not as wise as we’d like to be; that we have more to learn to become the sort of person that intuitively we know God wants us to be. Over the last few days we’ve been chatting about godly wisdom – humbly doing good day after day, and devilish wisdom – selfishness, jealousy, boasting and the like. There’s such a stark contrast between those two, both in Scripture and in our own hearts, our own lives. So today, I’d like to sit down at the table next to you and feast on more of God’s wisdom. Would you like to join me? Would you like to be filled from the top of your head to the tip of your toes with wisdom that comes down from above? Well, here it is. Receive it into your mind, your soul, your spirit – for the Word of God is alive and active: James 3:17 But the wisdom that comes from God is like this: First, it is pure. It is also peaceful, gentle, and easy to please. This wisdom is always ready to help people who have trouble and to do good for others. This wisdom is always fair and honest. Were you and I consistently to live out the rest of our lives in that wisdom, my goodness … how different our journey would be; how much richer our relationships would become; how much more those around us would see Christ in all that we say and do. So here’s the challenge: meditate on that one verse in your time with the Lord each morning for the next week. Apply it to your life thoughtfully, day by day, and watch to see what the Lord will do in you and through you. That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Jealousy and Selfishness

Berni Dymet — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Jealousy and selfishness are two of the most basic of all human emotions. Indeed, they manifest from a very early age – pretty much from when a child begins to be able to exercise their will. It’s a sobering thought, isn’t it? You’ve seen it, I’ve seen it. One child sees what the other’s playing with – perhaps a doll or a red fire truck – and they want it. So they reach out and grab it, leaving the other child to scream. It’s a behaviour that happens billions of times every day around the world, and not just amongst children, but between adults, between groups of people, tribes and yes, even between nations. And when this jealousy and selfishness pattern escalates out of control, conflict happens; wars happen; people are hurt and killed through a pattern of behaviour that we should have unlearned growing up, but didn’t. Listen up: James 3:16 Where there is jealousy and selfishness, there will be confusion and every kind of evil. That’s exactly what we’ve just been chatting about. Jealousy and selfishness lead to what? Confusion and every kind of evil. Every kind. So, my friend, here’s a wakeup call for the likes of thee and me. It’s time for us to stop sweeping jealousy and selfishness under the rug. It’s time for us to confront them, to deal with them head on each time they raise their ugly heads together. Because the longer we allow them to go on, the worse things get. Humility and sacrifice, difficult though they may be to live out some days, lead to good outcomes. But … Where there is jealousy and selfishness, there will be confusion and every kind of evil. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Devilish "Wisdom"

Berni Dymet — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Rightly or wrongly (mostly wrongly) we have a hierarchy of sin, of bad behaviour, in our heads. Murder, theft, adultery – they’re really bad. Selfishness, jealousy, boasting – sure, bad … but not that bad. I’m not sure where that comes from, but most of us excuse our own bad behaviour; we give it a little wink and a nudge, because whilst we know it’s wrong, it’s not that wrong. When was the last time that jealousy rankled away in your heart, and caused you to pull someone down, to criticise them behind their back? Something as simple as that can cause untold damage, yet we sweep it under the rug, pretending that it’s nothing. And yet, God calls that particular behaviour and a few others to boot … wait for it … devilish wisdom. Here it is: James 3:14,15 If you are selfish and have bitter jealousy in your hearts, you have no reason to boast. Your boasting is a lie that hides the truth. That kind of “wisdom” does not come from God. That “wisdom” comes from the world. It is not spiritual. It is from the devil. Yesterday, we chatted about godly wisdom – simply doing good, in humility, day after day. But selfishness, jealousy, boasting are the complete opposite. The comes from Satan, the father of lies. So, reality check: it’s time to stop making excuses, to stop giving ourselves a free pass on this sort of thinking, these sorts of emotions – because they’re destructive; because they fall so far short of the humility and goodness in which the Lord our God – the same one who sent Jesus to die for us – would have us live. That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

The Getting of Wisdom

Berni Dymet — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

By and large, we associate growing older with growing wiser. I mean, that’s what’s meant to happen. But actually, a direct correlation between age and wisdom isn’t a given. It’s one thing to know a lot of things – to have knowledge – but it’s another thing altogether to know what to do with that knowledge. You can be smart but lack, for instance, emotional intelligence. You can be highly intelligent, yet still fail to perceive people’s emotions, have insight into situations, or show compassion when it’s needed. So here’s the question: how do you and I grow in wisdom? That’s something we should all be asking ourselves because none of us is there yet. None of us have arrived. It turns out that like most things, wisdom comes through practice. Here it is: James 3:13 Are there any among you who are really wise and understanding? Then you should show your wisdom by living right. You should do what is good with humility. A wise person does not boast. Wisdom and understanding, it turns out, are like muscles that we can exercise or not; abilities that can either grow stronger or weaker. How can we become really wise and understanding? By living right, each day simply doing good without boasting about it; without expecting accolades; but in humility just step by step, doing good. Who in your life just at the moment needs you to do good for them? Who is it that needs just some simple kindness, or a word of affirmation, or a helping hand … today, here and now? When we humble ourselves and do good for them, we’ll at the same time be growing in wisdom. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Your Destiny

Berni Dymet — Sun, 23 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

So did you choose God, or did He choose you? Which came first, the chicken or the egg? It’s a perplexing question, but not an imponderable one. So, if you’re ready, let’s dig into it together. This question of who chose whom is a hotly debated one, and not just amongst Christians. From an atheist’s perspective, the notion that God chooses the people who will end up believing in Jesus and who’ll therefore end up in heaven, rather than hell, is an abhorrent one. And conversely, the idea that we get to choose God without Him choosing us seems to cut across His absolute sovereignty. So what’s Jesus’ take on this? John 6:44 The Father is the one who sent me, and he is the one who brings people to me. I will raise them up on the last day. Anyone the Father does not bring to me cannot come to me. Clearly, it’s God who (a) sent Jesus to save us and (b) draws us Christ-ward so that on the last day, anyone who’s believed in Jesus will be raised up. That’s their destiny in Christ. So, what of the rest? Well, there was a time in my life when God the Father called me – but I rejected Him. And many do the exact same thing. I can’t be absolutely certain but I have a hunch that, at one point or another, God calls pretty much everyone to Himself through Jesus. Some accept the call, others reject it. God always knew how we’d respond, but that doesn’t stop Him from issuing the invitation. So, if you’ve never been invited – today you are. Will you follow Jesus? Choose your destiny. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Payback Time

Berni Dymet — Sat, 22 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Have you ever felt that God is against you, that He’s not on your side anymore, that He just keeps on putting obstacle after obstacle in front of you, adversity heaped on adversity? Well … you’re not alone. The perplexing questions that we all face in life are these: when something bad happens to me – me of all people, seriously! – is it God’s doing? And if so, how can it possibly gel with the fact that allegedly, He loves me more than words could say? The truth is that nothing happens on this earth without God allowing it to happen. That doesn’t always mean He caused it. The war in Ukraine wasn’t God’s fault, you understand. Nevertheless, everything is foreknown by God and everything fits into His plans. But sometimes God does indeed bring trials and disaster upon His people: Joel 2:25 I, the Lord, sent my army against you. The swarming locusts and the hopping locusts and the destroying locusts and the cutting locusts ate everything you had. But I will pay you back for those years of trouble. God’s people had rebelled against Him. So as a consequence, He sent adversity their way. Who sent the army against them? The Lord did. He takes full responsibility here. Yet, notice with me if you will, the final sentence in that verse: But I will pay you back for those years of trouble. Sometimes adversity does indeed come from the hand of God, especially when we’ve rebelled against Him. But His purpose – listen carefully to this – His purpose is always, always redemptive. His purpose in disciplining us is always to bring us back to Him. I will pay you back for those years of trouble. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

The Simple Blessings of God

Berni Dymet — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Despite all the incredible advances in science down through the centuries – putting a man on the moon, inventing supercomputers that fit in the palm of your hand – the reality of life on this earth is actually pretty simple and basic. I saw a photo of a crazy sign online recently, made by the Farm Equipment Association of Minnesota and South Dakota. This is what it said: Despite all our accomplishments, we owe our existence to a six inch layer of topsoil and the fact that it rains. Add to that sunshine and oxygen, and that’s pretty much it. That’s what it takes to sustain life on planet Earth. So why do we complicate things? It seems sometimes that amidst the wonders of the hi-tech age in which we live, we’ve lost sight of the simple, powerful blessings of God. So today, let’s get back to basics: Leviticus 26:3-5 Remember my laws and commands, and obey them. If you do these things, I will give you rains at the time they should come. The land will grow crops and the trees of the field will grow their fruit. Your threshing will continue until it is time to gather grapes. And your grape gathering will continue until it is time to plant. Then you will have plenty to eat. And you will live safely in your land. And the most basic of all basics in our existence on this earth, in our relationship with the almighty, all-loving God who created it all? Here it is … and complicated it ain’t. Here’s the source of untold blessings and riches, more than the trinkets of this earth could ever offer you: Remember my laws and commands, and obey them. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

The Highest Privilege

Berni Dymet — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Having done the whole “kids” thing in my younger years, I wasn’t sure how I’d handle becoming a grandfather. Really, it bothered me. But the moment I laid eyes on her, almost three years ago now, my heart was overwhelmed with love for little Olivia. And that got me to thinking. If a sinner like me could, against the odds, experience such great love for this small child, to the point where I’d gladly lose my own life to save hers if needs be, how much more does God love us – you and me – when He lays His eyes on us. Romans 8:15,16 The Spirit that we received is not a spirit that makes us slaves again and causes us to fear. The Spirit that we have makes us God’s chosen children. And with that Spirit we cry out, “ Abba, Father.” And the Spirit himself speaks to our spirits and makes us sure that we are God’s children. If we are God’s children, we will get the blessings God has for his people. He will give us all that he has given Christ Olivia was a sweet, innocent child when she became part of my family. But when God adopts us into His family, we’re anything but, right? Canadian theologian J.I. Packer put it like this: Adoption is the highest privilege of the Gospel. The traitor is forgiven, brought in for supper and given the family name. If you believe in Jesus, then that’s what’s happened to you. If you’ve thrown your lot in with Christ, then you are one of God’s children and you’ll receive all the blessings that He has for His people. Just let that sink in. Because that’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Always Wanting More

Berni Dymet — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

The world that God’s created for us to enjoy is so rich and abundant: Millions of plants and animals. Billions of colours. The incredible diversity of flavours in food. So many different experiences to enjoy. Yep, the world is outrageously rich and abundant. And these days, if you have the means, you can travel pretty much to any place on the planet within 48 hours. Or, with a device that’s only a few inches by a few inches, you can bring it all into the palm of your hand. But the greatest enjoyment comes from knowing God Himself. That’s why He sent Jesus to this earth to die and rise again for the likes of thee and me – so we could be forgiven and, in Jesus’ own words, live a super-abundant life. And yet, meantime, the things of this world beckon. So just in case you’re being tempted, drawn away from God Himself to be lost amidst His creation (and who isn’t?) here’s a salutary reminder: Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money. And be satisfied with what you have. God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never run away from you.” Think about it. God told Adam and Eve they could eat from any of the trees in the garden, except one. There it is, that rich abundance. So what did Satan do? He drew them away to focus on that one thing they didn’t have. And look how that turned out. So be thankful for what you do have, instead of being distracted by what you don't … because that distraction will end up causing you a world of pain. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

False Teaching

Berni Dymet — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Here’s a crazy statistic: there are over twenty thousand Christian denominations in the world today. Twenty thousand! That’s nuts. So, with all those different perspectives, how are you and I supposed to discover the truth? If you’d asked me, I’d have said that there were maybe one or two hundred denominations out there, three hundred at the outside, but nowhere near twenty thousand. Okay, there are different cultures, different contexts, different perspectives. Diversity’s a good thing, right? Until it’s not. Because whilst many (hopefully, most) of those denominations and the churches they represent teach the truth of the good news of Jesus, many don’t. But there’s nothing new in that. John the Apostle back in the first century AD put it like this: 1 John 4:1 My dear friends, many false prophets are in the world now. So don’t believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God. And so, many are being deceived – by the false prosperity gospel, by self-appointed prophets, apostles and evangelists who are out to drain their pockets. So many are being deceived! So, what’s the answer? How do you and I make sure that we’re not suckered in like that? Well, the only way not to be swept away by false teaching is to know the Scriptures for yourself! Open your Bible every day, and let the Holy Spirit lift His words off the page and write them on your heart. That’s the best test of all – the infallible and inerrant Word of God, taught to you direct by the Holy Spirit. That’s your test. That’s the truth because remember my dear friend, there are many false prophets out there in the world. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

From the Pit not the Pedestal

Berni Dymet — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

That feeling of complete inadequacy before God is one that many, many people have experienced, me included. How about you? You know you’re not worthy. You know you’ll never be good enough. Jesus knew that, so He told several parables to set our minds, our hearts, at rest. Here’s one of them: Luke 15:8-10 “Suppose a woman has ten silver coins, but she loses one of them. She will take a light and clean the house. She will look carefully for the coin until she finds it. And when she finds it, she will call her friends and neighbours and say to them, ‘Be happy with me because I have found the coin that I lost!’ In the same way, it’s a happy time for the angels of God when one sinner decides to change.” Jesus always – always! – goes after the one. The one lost sheep. The one lost coin. The one lost child. The lost you. The lost me. The one! And not necessarily the “best” one. I stumbled across these words recently that hammered that powerful truth home to me: God found Gideon in a hole. He found Joseph in a prison. He found Daniel in a lion's den. He has a curious habit of showing up in the midst of trouble, not the absence of it. Where the world sees failure, God sees future. Next time you feel unqualified to be used by God remember this, He tends to recruit from the pit, not the pedestal. It doesn’t matter where you’re at, how badly you may have failed, how insignificant you may feel … when God finds you and draws you close to Himself – listen to me – there is always joy in His heart That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Alive to Christ

Berni Dymet — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

So do you mind if I ask you, is the life you’re leading a life that’s truly worth living? Are you filled with a sense of joy that you just can’t put into words? Or is it something … less than that? Now, perhaps you think that’s unfair because life has its challenges, and maybe you’re facing some today. But can I tell you, even in the darkest days of my life, amidst great betrayal and pain, with tears streaming down my face, there was a joy in my heart – the joy of the Lord. I look back on those times, and though I wouldn’t wish them upon my worst enemy, I wouldn’t trade them for all the tea in China. I’d just given my life to Jesus back then, deciding to turn away from the sin in my life – a work still very much in progress – and live my life for Him. Romans 6:12-14 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. (ESV) The thing that had happened to me was that I’d been brought from death to life. I’d started using my gifts and abilities for Him … albeit about as well as a toddler just taking his first steps. Nevertheless, it’s called ‘being alive to God’, and there ain’t nothing quite like it! May the grace of God fill your heart with a joy unspeakable. That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Dead to Sin

Berni Dymet — Sat, 15 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Why is it that God, in His Word, appears sometimes to say the same thing over and over again? It’s tempting, isn’t it, to skip over bits of it as we think to ourselves … yeah, sure, I’ve read that before? Over the course of this week we’ve been stepping verse by verse through chapter 6 of the book of Romans, written by Paul the Apostle. And right from the get-go, he seems to say the same thing over and over again: if you believe in Jesus you’re dead to sin and alive to God. What caused the Holy Spirit to inspire Paul to keep saying that … over and over again? Well, sometimes I think that you and I can be a bit spiritually thick! Sorry to put it that bluntly, but it’s true. Romans 6:10,11 For the death he [Jesus] died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. (ESV) Tempting though it may be to skip over this passage, let me ask you … in your life, are you truly dead to sin? Are you truly alive to God? Do you see? Sin lingers on, by and large because we haven’t allowed the Holy Spirit, with the same resurrection power that raised Christ from the dead, to fill our hearts with this life-changing truth: that through your faith in Jesus – you are dead to sin. So when temptation comes knocking at your door, you can refuse to take delivery – because, by the power of the blood of Christ shed for you, you are dead to sin. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Death's Dominion is Dead

Berni Dymet — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Have you ever wondered what your life would be like today if Jesus hadn’t met you along your road, if you hadn’t heard His voice calling you to His freedom, His peace and His eternity? And that’s something I’ve thought a lot about – because the moment in which Jesus reached out to me was the moment, on an 8th floor hotel balcony, that I was contemplating ending it all. If Jesus, in that moment, hadn’t touched my heart … there’s every likelihood that I wouldn’t be here with you now. And there’s every likelihood that I would be spending my eternity in that place we call hell, separated for ever and ever from His love. Because my life was mired in sin and it’s not until we accept God’s forgiveness, available through Christ and Christ alone, through His atoning sacrifice on that Cross, that we have victory of sin and it’s ultimate conclusion, eternal death. Romans 6:7-9 For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. (ESV) Death could not hold Him down. And if you believe in Jesus – listen to me, this is so, so important – you too will live your eternity out in the presence of God. That’s your future … if you’ve put your trust in Jesus. Friend, I implore you (wherever you’re at in your life today) to cast your life upon the grace and mercy of God in Jesus Christ – because in Him, death no longer has dominion over you. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

A Slave No More

Berni Dymet — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

The thing that I love most about God is the depth of the passion in His heart to set the likes of you and me free from the oppressive power of sin, that for all too long has oppressed our lives. I don’t know about you, but I’m not ready to let go of this whole Easter thing just yet. Sure, the official celebration’s over, but the power of what God did back there on the Cross and through the empty tomb is meant to ripple through your life and mine from now to eternity. That’s why we’ve been spending some time in God’s Word this past week really laying hold of that power, grabbing it with both hands and receiving it into our lives. And part of realising in our own real-life experience the resurrection power of Christ, is once and for all coming to the realisation that the old me is stone-cold dead. Romans 6:6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. (ESV) Do you really know this … that your old self was crucified with Christ when you believed in Him, so that the body and the power of sin might be brought to nothing? We often think of obedience to God’s Word as having to give up things we enjoyed. But really, it’s all about breaking the chains that bound us, setting us free from the slavery to that brutal mastery, sin. Do you believe in Jesus? Do you? Then, friend, this is for you. You’re no longer enslaved to sin. By the power of God, you’ve been set free in Christ. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

No, Wait - It's Real

Berni Dymet — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

I believe with all my heart that today God means to set you free from the sin that’s been racking your life, because what Jesus did for you was, and is, for real. Dead to the old self, alive to the new. Okay, so although people these days are often offended by the very notion of sin – how can you possibly believe that rubbish, right? – God takes it so seriously that He sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to suffer and die so that anyone who would believe in Him and repent of their sin could be set free. Yesterday we saw that the one who believes in Jesus dies to the old sinful self so that they can walk in newness of life! Hallelujah! But is it real? I mean, so many of God’s people are still plagued by the terrible consequences of sin. Can we really be set free from its power? When the Holy Spirit really wants to drive a point home, He’ll present His case by arguing from good to better, from better to best. And so it is with today’s Bible verse: Romans 6:5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. (ESV) As though it weren’t enough that we be united with Jesus in His death – in other words, that our old sinful self is dead – we’re also united with Him in a resurrection like His! That picture of the risen Christ walking out of the tomb … man, that’s the picture of your life. This is real. In Christ you have a new life, filled with the same resurrection power that raised Christ from the dead. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

The Reality of Your New Life

Berni Dymet — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Today we’re going to dive into one of my favourite passages in the New Testament – because it’s the turning point from our old lives racked by sin to our new lives free from sin. Absolutely awesome! You and I both know that sin ruins our lives. There are always painful consequences when we do what’s wrong. So God’s called us out of that old life of sin by the power of what Christ did for us on that Cross, to set us free from that pain. Yet so many Christians never lay hold of that freedom because they don’t realise what happened, the power that was unleashed, when they set their hearts on following Jesus. Romans 6:3,4 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (ESV) Don’t you realise? The moment you believed, the moment you were baptised into Christ, the old sinful you died. Why? To what end? In order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. I love this. Jesus rose again to give you and me a whole new life – that we may walk in what? In newness of life! Do you want that new life? Do you want to be free from the devastating consequences of your sin? Then allow the Holy Spirit today, here and now, to write this Word on your heart. Because … it’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Letting Go of Your Sin

Berni Dymet — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

It’s quite a conundrum, this Easter story that we’ve just celebrated over the last few days. On the one hand, Jesus’ death and resurrection has set us free from the power of sin. On the other, well … sin just seems to linger on, doesn’t it? That makes you think, doesn’t it? When you hear it put as bluntly as that, it really is quite the conundrum. Hang on, didn’t Jesus defeat sin on the Cross? Yes, He did, absolutely. So why then does sin linger on in my life? Why is it that I still stumble and fall to that same temptation, time after time? And what, if anything, can I do about it? Those are the questions that anyone who believes in Jesus should be asking themselves because, as unpopular as the notion of sin is in the world today, it remains the central dilemma of humanity – one that God took so seriously that He sent His Son, Jesus, to suffer and die to set us free from its power. So … Romans 6:1,2 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? (ESV) The first step in slaying, through the power of the Cross, the hold that sin has over our lives, is getting serious about it. God’s grace hasn’t been lavished on you and on me so that we could continue sinning; so that we could continue in the same sinful life, imposing day after day on God’s grace! By no means! Jesus died and rose again to set you free. It’s time to get serious about overcoming the sin in your life. Deadly serious. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Life Reconciled

Berni Dymet — Sun, 09 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

This is the day we’ve been waiting for… the day that so shocked the disciples, the day that completely upended all of human history, the day when, with overwhelming joy in our hearts, we can shout “Christ is risen!” What a joy it is to be able to join you in celebrating the Risen Christ on this resurrection Sunday. If we’d stopped our Easter commemoration at the Cross, then we’d only have received one half of the Good News – the wondrous truth that through Jesus’ sacrifice, you and I are forgiven because He paid the price for us. But as wondrous as that is, it’s only half of God’s plan because as a result of the fact that Jesus conquered the grave, that He rose again, we’re saved by His life into a new life that will last for all eternity. Romans 5:10,11 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (ESV) Do you see what God’s saying to us through the Apostle Paul today? He’s arguing from the great to the greater. If we’ve been saved through Jesus’ death, then how much more, now that we’re finally reconciled to God, are we saved through His life? Death couldn’t hold Him down. He conquered the grave. He is risen! And that resurrection life is now ours too. Day by day we’re being saved by His life. And that’s a reality that’ll go on for all eternity. Christ is risen … so are you! That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

He Lies in Your Grave

Berni Dymet — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

I don’t know if you’ve ever thought all that much about the day after Jesus’ death. But it was a sombre day indeed as His disciples were hit by the tsunami of the reality of what had just happened. But while the disciples were lamenting, behind that heavy stone inside that tomb there was dead silence. There lay the stone-cold body of Jesus, not unlike any other body in any other tomb. On that cross and in that tomb, He bore the wrath of God, the righteous anger of God towards the world’s sin – towards your sin, towards mine – on our behalf. Why? How? Because our sin deserved punishment. The Word of God is clear on that – The wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23) The unflinching justice of God demanded that the price of our sin be paid. And Jesus … Jesus paid that price on our behalf. He saved us from the wrath of God which – make no mistake – is a terrible thing. So the reality is that He lay in that grave on my behalf and on yours. Romans 5:9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. (ESV) The shedding of His blood has given you and me, if we put our faith in Him and what He did, a right standing before God – the same right standing any criminal has before the law today after his sentence has been served, and the price that justice demands has been paid. And that right standing in Christ has saved us from the wrath of God. Friend, He lay in that grave on my behalf and on yours. That’s good news. And that’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

God Shows His Love for Us

Berni Dymet — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Here we are … It’s Good Friday. The worst and the best day on the Christian calendar. The worst, because Jesus was nailed to that bloody Cross and died. The best, because through His sacrifice you and I can be completely forgiven. I say can, because it depends on us. If we put our trust in what Jesus did for us on that Cross, and live out our faith by turning away from our sin, then we have the free gift of a new and eternal life that He purchased for us through His death on that Cross. If we don’t, then we don’t. It’s a very clear and simple message, but the thing that held me back from making the life-transforming, eternity-changing decision to follow Jesus was the knowledge of my own sin. Surely, given the way I’d lived my life up to that point, it couldn’t possibly qualify me for God’s forgiveness, let alone the free gift of eternal life. God always knew that people like me would feel that way. So He made sure that these two verses were included in the Bible: Romans 5:7,8 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (ESV) Jesus didn’t go to the Cross despite our sin, but because of our sin. And He suffered and died for the likes of thee and me as a pre-emptory strike against our sin – a strike that demonstrated in the most unmistakable way the enormity of His love for a sinner like me; like you. No, we’re not worthy. But then, that’s the whole point. Grace. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

While We Were Still Weak

Berni Dymet — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

I wonder if you’ve ever heard of “Maundy Thursday”. Well, today’s that day, the day before Good Friday, when we commemorate the suffering and death of Jesus for the likes of you and me. But what does “Maundy” actually mean? Well, in the early 14th Century the word “maundy” became associated with Jesus’ washing of the disciples’ feet during the last supper, just before He was betrayed by Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane. For many years now the British monarch has celebrated this day by giving specially minted coins to pensioners as a symbolic representation of Jesus’ washing of the disciples’ feet. The whole idea behind this “maundy” concept is that the one who is much higher in status in a sense bows down to serve and give to those who are lower in status; those in a sense who don’t deserve it. Think about it. Jesus, the Son of God, kneeling down to wash the smelly, dirty feet of the twelve disciples – including Judas who was about to betray Him. Peter protested, “You shall never wash my feet”. But Jesus replied, “If I don’t wash you, you have no share with me.” Have you ever felt completely unworthy of what Jesus did for you? Well, my friend, that’s the whole point. That’s absolutely the point of what we’re going to celebrate tomorrow. Romans 5:6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (ESV) Absolutely we’re unworthy, you and I. But despite our sin and rebellion – in fact, because of it – God took the initiative. While we were still weak, while we were still His enemies, Christ died for us. That’s not just good news … it’s fantastic news. And it’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Suffering for Christ

Berni Dymet — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

In just a couple of days, on so-called “Good Friday”, we’ll be remembering what Jesus did for us on that blood-drenched Cross – the price He paid, the sacrifice He made, so that we could be forgiven. “Good Friday” is rather an odd name, don’t you think, for a day that commemorates Jesus’ brutal execution, nailed to a Cross to suffer and die in excruciating pain? But we call it “Good” because when we believe in what He did for us. You and I are forgiven for all that we’ve done against God; you and I are given a new life to live here on this earth; you and I are gifted an eternity in His Presence. But maybe this Easter your own cross of suffering is weighing you down. And that pain has a way of blunting any joy that you might have over what this whole Easter thing – the painful death and powerful resurrection of Jesus – actually means. So, absolutely, you can and should rejoice in what Christ has done for you, but … Romans 5:3-5 Not only that … we [also] rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (ESV) Make no mistake, anyone who sets out to live their life following Jesus will suffer. But in that suffering – in your suffering – God is shaping your character to be more and more Christ-like, filling you with certain hope in Him and pouring His love into your heart by His Spirit. That’s good; very good. And that’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Access Into Grace

Berni Dymet — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

When was the last time you truly blew it – you fell so hard that you could barely get up again? And even when you did get up, you were so afraid to look God in the eye and ask Him for His forgiveness. It’s not a nice feeling, is it? Some days we stumble and we think to ourselves, “Nyah, that wasn’t so bad. God’ll forgive me for that one.” But other days … man, we make such a hash of things – in thought, word and deed, damaging relationships, dishonouring God – even if we started the day with the very best intentions of doing what’s right. And the shame of that floods our emotions and completely overwhelms us because we should have known better; because Jesus gave His all to set us free from that sin. If you believe in Him, then you know the theory: the blood of Christ has cleansed you of all sin. In other words, if you put your faith in Jesus you’re freely forgiven by God. But in that moment of shame, that powerful truth just doesn’t seem to make a difference. Romans 5:2 Through him [Jesus] we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (ESV) Your faith in Jesus has (in addition to your initial forgiveness when you believed) also given you access into this grace in which you now stand. Grace? Grace is when God gives you something, when He blesses you, when you absolutely don’t deserve it. In fact, grace can only be grace when it’s undeserved – otherwise it’d be an entitlement. So, from the grace in which you now stand, rejoice. Rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Justified by Faith

Berni Dymet — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

When you’ve done the wrong thing, have you ever tried to justify your actions – in your own mind and before others? It’s called self-justification. You have to ask yourself … why do we do that? An interesting question that. Why do we try to justify ourselves when we’ve done something wrong? Because actually, we have a strong affinity with doing what’s right. We want to see ourselves and be seen by others to have done what’s right, even when we haven’t. Why are we chatting about this in the days leading up to Easter? Because the gift of that blood-drenched Cross on which Christ was crucified … is justification. Here it is: Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (ESV) Whenever you see the word “therefore” in Scripture, we need to ask ourselves what the “therefore” is there … for? And in this case, the Apostle Paul, who’s writing this, is pointing back to the earlier chapters where he’s explained how, by putting our faith in what Jesus did for us on that cross, our sins are completely forgiven because His sacrifice paid the price that justice demanded. When we’ve done wrong we don’t have any peace, do we? That’s why we go the self-justification route, in an attempt to claw back that peace by putting ourselves on the right side of right and wrong. Truth be known, we hunger for justification – a right-standing if you will – and the peace it brings. But if we want true justification, a true right-standing before God, true peace … there’s only one way: By putting our faith in Jesus, who paid the price of our sin. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

The Time is Now

Berni Dymet — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

How often in our lives have you and I put off something that we know would be good for us and yet somehow, we just never paid it enough attention? Somehow, we never got around to doing it. It’s the story of our lives, is it not? Me? I find it easy – very easy in fact – to sit on my backside all day working, and not do one of the most important things I can do for my health: get up and move. What is it in your life? What good thing have you been putting off over and over again because … well, you have some good excuse, hmm? For a good many, the thing they keep on putting off is dealing with the sin in their lives; their anger, their addictions, their animosity, their … well, it’s a long list, choose your poison. But we rationalise things away. I’m just too busy to deal with it. I’ll get to it later. So, with all love in Christ that I can muster, allow me to grab you today and give you a good shake: 2 Corinthians 6:2 God says, “I heard you at the right time, and I gave you help on the day of salvation.” I tell you that the “right time” is now. The “day of salvation” is now. On that day when you cried out to God, He heard you, right? He helped you, He saved you, right? But since then, sin’s crept in, eating away at you. Sure, I’ll deal with it … one day. Wake up! I tell you that the “right time” is now. The “day of salvation” is now. Don’t squander God’s grace. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Take a Stand

Berni Dymet — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

As we saw earlier this week, Jesus said that out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. True. What we say to people – good or bad – is a reflection of what’s going on in our hearts. We’d all like to think that we have a pure heart, but every day of our lives we’re tempted to have anything but a pure heart; to see the people around us merely as objects, rather than as people in need of our compassion, our encouragement, and our love. So we slip back into treating them badly, or at least, less well than God would have us treat them. It can be a vicious cycle. So perhaps today, it’s time to take a stand. James 3:10-12 These praises and curses come from the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, this should not happen. Do good water and bad water flow from the same spring? Of course not. My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree make olives? Or can a grapevine make figs? No, and a well full of salty water cannot give good water. Are you a good spring with good water, or a bad spring with bad water? Are you a fig tree or an olive tree? Are you salty water or drinkable water? Friend, Jesus died that you might be forgiven your sin, and He rose again to give you victory over your sin that you might walk in newness of life. Is today the day you decide to claim that victory? Is today the day you yield your life to the power of the Holy Spirit to make you holy? Is today the day that you choose, for the rest of your days, the victory of the Cross and the empty tomb? What will it be? That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Christian Hypocrisy

Berni Dymet — Sat, 01 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000

When was the last time that someone said something to you that smarted, that caused you to wince, to recoil; that caused you pain? Think back … is it an experience that you’d like to repeat in a hurry? Probably not, I’d imagine. Definitely not! I have a neighbour who always has some negative comment, some little dig, ready and waiting when he sees me. Not surprisingly, I’m always delighted when I get in or out of our place without running into him. So, let’s now put the shoe on the other foot. Rather than being on the receiving end, what do you and I dish out? What do we say? How do others see us as a result? And most importantly of all, what does God think? James 3:6-9 The tongue is like a fire. It is a world of evil among the parts of our body. It spreads its evil through our whole body and starts a fire that influences all of life. It gets this fire from hell. Humans have control over every kind of wild animal, bird, reptile, and fish, and they have controlled all these things. But no one can control the tongue. It is wild and evil, full of deadly poison. We use our tongues to praise our Lord and Father, but then we curse people who were created in God’s likeness. It’s true, isn’t it? In one breath those of us who call ourselves Christians will be praising God, and in the other, cursing the very same people whom He created and whom He loves. The world hates a hypocrite. And I don’t imagine that God’s all that particularly enamoured of them either. Watch what you say. That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

A Tiny Spark

Berni Dymet — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000

As body parts go, your tongue isn’t particularly large – not like a hand or a foot, right? But even with its diminutive size, it can cause a world of blessing or a world of pain. How’s your tongue doing? The other day, we looked at this Scripture together: Luke 6:45 Good people have good things saved in their hearts. That’s why they say good things. But those who are evil have hearts full of evil, and that’s why they say things that are evil. What people say with their mouths comes from what fills their hearts. In other words, as Jesus is often quoted as saying, the tongue speaks out of the overflow of the heart. Without purity of heart, without a heart that’s chosen to draw close to Jesus, to yearn for Him, to follow Him, to worship Him, to obey Him … without that sort of a heart, there’s rarely any good in the overflow. But no matter how pure your heart is, things will still come along to annoy you; things will happen to set you off. James 3:3-5 We put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us. With these bits we can control their whole body. It is the same with ships. A ship is very big, and it is pushed by strong winds. But a very small rudder controls that big ship. And the one who controls the rudder decides where the ship will go. It goes where he wants it to go. It is the same with our tongue. It is a small part of the body, but it can boast about doing great things. A big forest fire can be started with only a little flame. Control your tongue. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Don't Make This Mistake

Berni Dymet — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000

As you and I look back on our lives, we can both recall times when we’ve said things that hurt people – lies, criticism, ridicule – that must have landed like a dagger into their hearts. It’s a sobering thought, isn’t it, that you and I have hurt people along the way; that we may have left a trail of destruction in our wake through what we’ve said to others? I heard someone say once that words are containers of power. It’s true. What we say, and just importantly how we say it, tells the other person exactly what we think of them. And even if you’re someone who makes it a habit to think before you speak (and let’s face it, a lot of people don’t – they just blurt out what comes to mind without any kind of filter), even if you’re measured in your tone and careful in how you choose your words, there’s absolutely no doubt that you have, as have I, hurt people with what you’ve said. And sometimes the harm that our words do lingers on for a lifetime. James 3:2 We all make many mistakes. A person who never said anything wrong would be perfect. Someone like that would be able to control their whole body too. Wow – a person who’s never said anything wrong would be … perfect! Absolutely, they would. That takes a lot of self-control – something we’ll chat about over the coming days. But, for the moment, know this: Words have power – the power to do good and the power to do evil. Every word that you and I speak will, to some extent, do either one or the other. Be careful what you say. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Your Tongue and Your Heart

Berni Dymet — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000

So, a question: how do you treat people … at work, your family at home, your neighbours? When you look at them, do you see their humanity or do you treat them just as objects? Your answers are incredibly important because they tell you what’s going on in your heart. With technology being what it is these days, it’s so easy to become detached, physically and emotionally, from the people with whom we interact. And so, instead of seeing them as people – with hopes, dreams, desires and frailties just like us – and treating them with the compassion that their humanity demands, it’s ever so easy to see them simply as objects; chess pieces to be moved around the board to suit our own purposes. Now all of a sudden, we’re in a dark place. Our heart towards them hardens, it plots evil designs … that spew forth from our mouths. Don’t believe me? Luke 6:45 Good people have good things saved in their hearts. That’s why they say good things. But those who are evil have hearts full of evil, and that’s why they say things that are evil. What people say with their mouths comes from what fills their hearts. What we say to others betrays what’s going on in our hearts. How we treat others so clearly demonstrates what we think of them. Let’s just allow this to sink into our hearts one more time: Good people have good things saved in their hearts. That’s why they say good things. But those who are evil have hearts full of evil, and that’s why they say things that are evil. What people say with their mouths comes from what fills their hearts. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

But I'm a Good Person

Berni Dymet — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000

When I first became a Christian, I used to wonder why Jesus had to die for me. Why go through all that suffering? After all, I’m no criminal. I haven’t stolen, I haven’t assaulted, I haven’t murdered. Why? And that’s the thing; you and I aren’t all that bad, are we? Sure, we’ve made some mistakes along the way. Sure, there are things we’d do differently with hindsight. And absolutely, we wouldn’t hurt the people we’ve hurt on our journey if we had our time over again … but Jesus dying on the Cross … really?! Yet, God is a holy God, a God whose standard is absolute, one hundred percent perfection. He’s also a just God. After all, if God is indeed God, if such a God really exists, you’d want Him to be just, right? And yet this same God is a God of love. Justice and love – that’s Him. So the only way He had of loving us and seeing justice done was to send Jesus His Son to be crucified, to spill His blood, to give up His life to pay the price of your sin and mine. Revelation 1:4,5 Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is coming … and from Jesus Christ. Jesus is the faithful witness. He is first among all who will be raised from death. He is the ruler of the kings of the earth. Jesus is the one who loves us and has made us free from our sins with his blood sacrifice. As Charles Spurgeon put it: “Morality may keep you out of jail, but it takes the blood of Christ to keep you out of hell.” That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Blocking Satan

Berni Dymet — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Satan has a burning desire to play merry hell with your heart and with your mind. Make no mistake, he is in the business of drawing you away from God, away from following Jesus. So how do you deal with that? Perhaps you believe that there is indeed a personal force of evil in this world – the devil, Satan, the father of lies – or, perhaps you don’t. For my money, it’s as clear as day that Jesus believed in the existence of Satan, which is more than good enough for me. And look around. His grubby fingerprints are all over the evil being perpetrated in this world. And he’s on a mission to draw you away from taking up your cross and following Jesus, towards an eternity in hell with him and all his demons. If you’ve ever wrestled with him, you’ll have discovered that he’s a wily old soul, capable of deceptions that you and I never dreamed of. So how do you avoid his snare, if fighting him seems useless? James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (ESV) The answer is first and foremost submitting to God; praying, going to Him with a desire in your heart to honour Him, receiving instruction, admonishment, encouragement, truth as you dive deep in His Word. Then … then you’ll have all that it takes to resist the devil. Then he will flee from you. As Billy Graham once put it: “Most of all, let the Word of God fill you and renew your mind every day. When our minds are on Christ, Satan has little room to manoeuvre.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Confidence in the Lord

Berni Dymet — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000

There’s a fine line, isn’t there, between confidence and overconfidence? But here’s a question: can you ever have too much confidence in God? Is it possible to be overconfident in Him? Actually, I suspect that all too often we head in the other direction when we’re faced with challenging circumstances. Our confidence in God wavers when enemies confront us. Think back to the last time you faced a difficult situation in your life. On a scale from zero to 10, how high was your confidence that God would get you through it? One of the things that helps grow your confidence in God is going through challenging circumstances again and again – because, each time, you can look back to see how God delivered you. Perhaps that’s why King David was so supremely confident in God – he’d had so many life and death scrapes in which God had stump up to save him. Psalm 27:13,14 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! (NRSV) Do you think David’s being over-confident here? Not at all! It’s just that he’d learned through bitter experience that God is faithful; that God can be depended upon. And his advice to you and me in difficult times, the thing that he’d learned in all those dark and dangerous places? Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! Wait with the hope, wait with the expectation, that God will show up and defeat the enemies that assail you. Wait for the Lord! That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Tenderness of Heart

Berni Dymet — Sat, 25 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Have you ever eaten a tough piece of meat? Meat’s allegedly good for you, and you can even pay a bit extra for a superior cut, but if it comes up tough after you’ve cooked it … well, you’d have been better off without it. Some things are good if they’re tough – the soles of your shoes for instance. Of course you want them to be tough. But there are other things in life that we’d much prefer to be tender rather than tough. Take a person’s heart for instance. Of course I’m speaking metaphorically, but you know what I mean. Their attitude towards you and the rest of the world … sure, we need people who are strong too, but we want them to be gentle, kind, and thoughtful along the way. The Apostle Peter was writing to people who were under severe persecution for being Christians. Under those circumstances, when you’re under extreme pressure as they were, it’s easy to have a heart that’s hardened against adversity – even a heart that’s hardened against the people around you. 1 Peter 3:8,9 Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing. (NRSV) How do you respond under pressure? It’s a question we all need to ask ourselves. Because the last thing God wants is for us to harden our hearts. But instead, have a tender heart. Be sympathetic, and love the people around you. Be humble and don’t repay evil for evil, or abuse for abuse. Instead, repay it with a blessing. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

The Jealousy of God

Berni Dymet — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Might I ask you today, what’s the one thing in your life that you’d struggle to lay down if God demanded it of you? What possession, what position, what proclivity … would you struggle to give up? For me, it’s technology. I’ve always been something of a geek – I ran an IT company for almost two decades. My hobby is to have all my tech – watch, phone, tablet, computer – working together to their maximum ability. If God asked me to give all that up and go back to pen and paper, that’d be a huge struggle for me. So … what is it for you? The reason I ask is that those of us who profess to believe in Jesus, those of us who claim to be His disciples, need to have a sharp focus on anything that we might be prone to putting ahead of God Himself in our lives. Exodus 20:2,3,5 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me … for I the LORD your God am a jealous God. (ESV) So why is God a jealous God? Because He loves us more than words could ever say, so He sent His Son Jesus to die for us, that we might be forgiven our sin and know just how much He loves us. And He doesn’t want us being led astray by any imposter that this world or the devil would use to lure us away. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

The Oil of the Spirit

Berni Dymet — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Have you ever been sunburnt? I remember as a child, a few times being burnt red-raw. And my mother would pour olive oil on my skin to soothe the pain. That oil, absolutely, was the most wonderful remedy. So, over the last few days we’ve been following along with Israel at a time when, through their own sin, God visited a plague of locusts and a severe famine upon their land. It was terrible. But God’s purposes in our suffering are always – always! – redemptive. So through the prophet Joel, he spoke of the good times to come if only His people would turn back to Him. Joel 2:26,27 You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame. You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I, the LORD, am your God and there is no other. But that’s not all … not by a long shot. Because there was an even greater blessing that God had planned for His people … that God still has planned for His people today: Joel 2:28,29 Then afterward I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female slaves, in those days, I will pour out my spirit. (NIV) Friend, listen to me! When we choose to repent of our sins, when we earnestly turn back to God, He will pour His Spirit out on us like a healing balm – even upon the least of the least. That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Back to the Good Times

Berni Dymet — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000

When we’re struggling through difficult times, when we’re living out the consequences, frankly, of our own sin, it’s easy to imagine God sitting up there in the comfort of heaven watching us squirm, and enjoying it. But nothing could be further from the truth. That Germanic idea of schadenfreude – the joy of watching someone get their just desserts – is something that we’ve all experienced. Serves them right! Right? But that’s not an idea that ever enters God’s mind. Because although, as we saw yesterday, He’ll visit the consequences of our sin upon our lives, His heart towards us is always – always! – redemptive. He wants us back in His arms. He wants to bless us with His love, the way any good father would. That’s the very point He makes to His people through the prophet Joel: Joel 2:25-27 I will repay you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent against you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame. You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I, the LORD, am your God and there is no other. And my people shall never again be put to shame. (ESV) Friend, listen to me. If you, through your sin, have wandered away from God; if you through your sin, find yourself in one of those terrible wildernesses, then today God is speaking to you of His redemptive love. Today, God is calling you back to Himself. That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

God's Kindness and Mercy

Berni Dymet — Tue, 21 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Life has a funny habit of taking a sharp turn from good times into bad; from a time of abundance to a time of famine; from a time of joy to a time of sadness. And the further we drift away from God, the worse it gets. The Old Testament prophet Joel was writing at such a time; a time of locust infestation and drought; desperate circumstances for God’s allegedly chosen people. Why had this happened? What was its cause? Well, God answers that pretty directly through His prophet: Joel 2:12,13 Now come back to me with all your heart. Cry and mourn, and don’t eat anything! Show that you are sad for doing wrong. Tear your hearts, not your clothes.” Come back to the LORD your God. He is kind and merciful. He does not become angry quickly. He has great love. Maybe he will change his mind about the bad punishment he planned. God’s chosen people had drifted away from God through their sin. It’s happened to you too, right? I get it. And rather than punishing them further, rather than admonishing them even more deeply, He calls them to come back to Him with all their heart. Come back to the LORD your God. He is kind and merciful. He does not become angry quickly. He has great love. Sometimes, oftentimes, that all too familiar turn for the worse in life’s road happens as a direct consequence of our sin – yours and mine. But as much as God allows the consequences of our sin to be visited upon our lives to bring us to our senses, His heart – His great and mighty heart – is to draw us back close to Him. Come back to the LORD your God. He is kind and merciful. That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Don't Grow Stale

Berni Dymet — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Every relationship in our lives at some point is at risk of growing stale. What was once a vital, passionate, rewarding relationship – whether with your spouse, or a friend … or indeed, with God – one day seems far less important than it once was. I wonder if you can think of a relationship in your life right at the moment that’s grown stale. And you sit there and wonder … how did that happen? The truth is that for many a person who at some point decided, with a fire in their heart, that they were going to live their lives for Jesus … their relationship with Him is indeed in that place. Stale. How did that happen? Well, the business of simply living life and dealing with all the stuff you have to deal with has a habit of leading you in that direction. Perhaps you even find yourself in one of life’s wildernesses at the moment, wondering what to do about it. King David was going through such a patch. In fact, he was out in the wilderness of Judah. So he prayed this to God: Psalm 63:1,3 I am searching so hard to find you. Body and soul, I thirst for you in this dry and weary land without water …Your faithful love is better than life, so my lips praise you. It seems to me that the main reason our relationship with the Lord our God can go stale is for lack of a deep desire in our hearts for Him. We focus so much on the dry and weary wilderness circumstances in which we find ourselves that we forget that in that place, in any place, His faithful love is better than life itself. Don’t grow stale. Thirst for Jesus! That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Old-Fashioned Wisdom (6)

Berni Dymet — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000

There are times in our lives when our circumstances are far from ideal; when everything appears to be going against us. And it’s in those times that God means for us to live in victory, not in defeat. Victory amidst difficult circumstances – well, it sounds too good to be true. Because when we’re facing adversity, what the word “victory” means to us is that we overcome it, that we win and in winning that those terrible circumstances go away because they’ve been defeated. But when we’re in a wilderness like that, rather than instantly teleporting us out of it, God more often than not chooses to show us a way through it. Because He wants us to learn what it means to live in victory right out there in the wilderness. That’s where character is forged. Such was the case for slaves back in the 1st Century AD, when this particular Scripture was written: Titus 2:9,10 And tell this to those who are slaves: They should be willing to serve their masters at all times; they should try to please them, not argue with them; they should not steal from them; and they should show their masters that they can be trusted. Then, in everything they do, they will show that the teaching of God our Saviour is good. In that place, living in victory meant doing good; it meant slaves demonstrating through service, through dedication, through submission, through honesty, that they could be trusted. It meant shining the light of Christ out into the lives of their fellow slaves and of their masters. It meant showing that God is good. And that’s exactly what victory looks like in your wilderness and in mine. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Old-Fashioned Wisdom (5)

Berni Dymet — Sat, 18 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000

The Christian view of the respective roles of men and women these days is often sneered at. It’s often criticised because it seems out of touch with today’s 21st century realities. The fact that God’s Word clearly teaches mutual respect, mutual love and mutual submission between men and women, in recognition of the fundamental differences between the male and female psyche that no serious psychologist would have any argument with … seems completely lost on those who criticise it. In my marriage, as the husband, I am the head of our household just as the Bible teaches. But just as the Bible teaches, I serve my wife, I’m also subject to her and I have absolutely no right to lord it over her. Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives the same as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it. The last time I checked, Christ died for us and that’s the model for every husband in every marriage – to lay down his life for his wife. And when these powerful truths are lived out, they produce a fruit that others simply can’t ignore. Titus 2:8 And your teaching should be clearly right so that you cannot be criticised. Then anyone who is against you will be ashamed. There will not be anything bad they can say about us. Look … when it comes to male-female relationships, the world’s wisdom has, by and large, thrown the baby out with the bathwater. Men, women … when it comes to your relationships with one another, stick to God’s Word. The world may criticise you, but they won’t be able to argue with the fruit they see in your relationships. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Old-Fashioned Wisdom (4)

Berni Dymet — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Monogamy is one of Christianity’s greatest contributions to the society in which we live today. Requiring men to show love, to serve and to exercise self-control in their relationships with women has brought incredible benefits. Of course, things are still far from perfect when it comes to male-female relationships. In most countries, women still don’t get the same deal as men – in jobs, incomes and many other ways. And yes, many, many men still haven’t learned self-control, still haven’t developed the sort of wisdom required to treat women with love and respect, the way God always intended. We’ve been working our way through a few verses these past few days talking about older men and women being role models and teaching the younger men and women how to behave. Titus 2:6,7 In the same way, tell the young men to be wise. You should be an example for them in every way by the good things you do. When you teach, be honest and serious. Like it or not, men are by and large physically stronger than women, which in ancient times led to a brutal world for women – and in some places, in some marriages, in some relationships, that’s sadly still true today. So even though that scripture was written two thousand years ago, teaching young men to be wise remains just as important today as it was then. You older men, you should be their role model. You should teach them how to treat women by how you treat women. If only we older men, by our great example, deliberately, kindly but firmly taught our younger men to be wise, honest and serious – what a different world this would be. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Old-Fashioned Wisdom (2)

Berni Dymet — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000

Any psychologist will tell you that, despite the whole gender-fluidity thing that’s being pushed in some quarters, there are some very fundamental and powerful differences between men and women. Yesterday we kicked off a bit of an old-fashioned mini-series on the different roles of men and women in society and in families, according to God’s Word. We began with the older men, who as role models in society, ought to be self-controlled, serious, wise and strong in faith, love and patience. That’s hard to argue with. So what about the older women? How should they live? Titus 2:3,4 Also, teach the older women to live the way those who serve the Lord should live. They should not go around saying bad things about others or be in the habit of drinking too much. They should teach what is good. By doing this they will teach the younger women to love their husbands and children. One of the differences between men and women is that women are far more prone to gossiping, especially older women who have more time on their hands. But, older women, listen up. That’s not what you’re called to do. Neither are you meant to get sozzled – as many do – attending impromptu soirees to while away their time. Because they (you, if this is you) have a job to do; it is to teach the younger women how they should love their husbands, and how to bring up their children. That may not sound all that politically correct, but when you think about it, it’s hard to argue with. And given the complexities younger women have to navigate here in the 21st century, it’s never been more necessary or important. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Old-Fashioned Wisdom (1)

Berni Dymet — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 04:24:15 +0000

Have you ever picked up an old book, read it, and thought to yourself, man, that is so old-fashioned? Those attitudes, the way the world was back then … it’s all so irrelevant today, given the world we live in! Every now and then someone will post an ad from an old newspaper on social media showing, for instance, how people saw the role of women back in the 1950’s. Their place was in the home, vacuuming, cleaning, cooking. You wouldn’t dare print something like that today! And similarly, the way the Bible perceives gender roles appears to stand in such stark contrast to what might be considered the norm, here in the 21st century. So today, and over the next few days, we’re going to check out some ‘old-fashioned’ wisdom, if I can call it that, about the role of men and women in today’s world, starting with this: Titus 2:1,2 You, however, must tell everyone how to live in a way that agrees with the true teaching. Teach the older men to have self-control, to be serious, and to be wise. They must be strong in faith, in love, and in patience. The Bible is nothing if not intensely practical, and what Paul’s saying here to his ministry protégé, Timothy, is that he must teach everyone to live according to God’s Word. First cab off the rank is amongst the most important of all people, the older men. Why? Because their role is to set an example. Their role is quite literally to be role models. Older men, people are watching you so listen up to this old-fashioned bit of advice. Control yourself. Be serious, be wise and be strong in these three areas – faith, love and patience. People are watching. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Teach Me

Berni Dymet — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 04:23:40 +0000

There are, it would seem, two types of people in this world; those with a teachable heart, and those without; those who are open to admitting their faults, learning a better way, and leading a better life … and those who aren’t. So … might I ask you today, which type are you? Now slow down, think carefully, don’t kid yourself – because the human heart has a great propensity for self-deception. Consider the last conflict that you were involved in. Did you accept responsibility for your part in making it happen, or perhaps in escalating it? Or did you simply blame the other person? Did you ask God to show you how to forgive, how to handle things better next time, or did you bury the whole episode to fight another day? They’re challenging questions, aren’t they? And while you’re turning them over in your mind, listen to how another struggling servant of the living God prayed over this very issue: Psalm 143:10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! (ESV) That’s King David, whose enemy had pursued his soul, had crushed him into the ground, had made him sit in darkness like those long dead. (verse 3 of that same Psalm). So … what did he pray? Crush my enemy, destroy them, O God? Nope. He was much smarter than that. David knew that the most important thing in that difficult situation was to discover God’s will. The best way forward was to allow the Holy Spirit to lead him on level ground. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Know the Truth, But…

Berni Dymet — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 04:21:30 +0000

The truth, as things turn out, can be a dangerous thing when used in the wrong way – much as a sharp knife can be deadly if wielded in anger. Sure, the Good News of Jesus is the truth. The question is, how do you use it? Well known Canadian psychology professor, Jordan Peterson, is without doubt a polarising character. But whatever you think of him, he makes a good point when he says that ideologies are substitutes for true knowledge, and ideologues are always dangerous when they come to power, because a simpleminded I-know-it-all approach is no match for the complexity of existence. And the danger for anyone who believes in Jesus, who knows the truth of the Gospel of Christ deep down in their hearts, is that we turn the love-transaction of faith in Him into an ideology. The danger is that we become idealogues who beat people over the head with the truth. You and I have both seen it drive people away from Jesus in droves. Life’s complicated, life’s messy, people are struggling with addictions and alienations, with circumstances so dire sometimes that they defy description. So it’s time, I think, for … how shall I say it … a ‘word from our Sponsor’: 1 John 4:7,8 Dear friends, we should love each other, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has become God’s child. And so everyone who loves knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. When I was in the most dire circumstances of my life, it wasn’t Christians beating me over the head with the truth that drew me to Jesus – it was their love. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

I Messed Up - Now What?

Berni Dymet — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 04:11:58 +0000

When was the last time that you felt ashamed of what you’d done? It’s not a nice feeling, is it? And like Adam and Eve back there in the Garden of Eden, our natural instinct is to run and hide from God. Yep, shame makes you want to cover your face. I mean, how would you feel if every wrong thought, every mistake, every appalling thing you’d ever done was turned into pictures and hung in a public gallery for all to see? You’d never show your face again! Perhaps you know Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son about a young man who rebelled, took his inheritance and squandered it on loose living. When the money ran out, he fell on hard times – which is what inevitably what happens when we rebel against God. But eventually, he … Luke 15:17-19 … realised that he had been very foolish. He thought, ‘All my father’s hired workers have plenty of food. But here I am, almost dead because I have nothing to eat. I will leave and go to my father. I will say to him: Father, I have sinned against God and have done wrong to you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But let me be like one of your hired workers.’ So he left and went to his father. The turning point came when his hunger outweighed the shame of going back to his father and admitting his mistake. If you know the story though, you’ll know that Dad welcomed him back with open arms. That decision to turn back can be a struggle. So if you’re ashamed, if you’re struggling, know this: religion says, I messed up. My Dad’s going to kill me, but the Gospel says, I messed up. I need to call Dad. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Good Luck or Karma?

Berni Dymet — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 04:11:20 +0000

My mother used to read the horoscope in the newspaper every morning. It’s something we often chatted about over a cup of tea when I was a child. Surely there can’t be any harm in that. So what’s wrong with a horoscope? Well, they’re an abomination to God because they involve us putting our trust in something other than Him. The same’s true of Karma, luck, yoga … a whole bunch of seemingly innocuous things that have their roots deep in belief systems that involve putting your faith in things other than God Himself. Nebuchadnezzar was the king of Babylon. He’d surrounded himself with sorcerers, magicians, soothsayers. He even built a huge golden statue of himself and demanded that all bow down and worship it. But after a powerful, life-changing encounter with the living God through Daniel and his friends, he comes to this conclusion: Daniel 4:34,35 I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honoured him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” (ESV) Or, as Bible teacher Dr Stephen Lawson puts it: The Lord reigns. Not Satan, not man, not God AND man, not “good luck”, not “bad luck”, not random events, not chance occurrences, not the alignment of the stars, not accidents, not blind fate, not good or bad Karma; Only God and God alone! That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Don’t Do It Angry

Berni Dymet — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 04:10:41 +0000

So let me ask you, what causes your anger to flare up from time to time? We all have triggers that set us off, and when the adrenalin’s pumping through our veins, man … we can do some seriously stupid things. Perhaps you’re one of the fortunate people with an easy-going nature, so anger isn’t a huge problem for you. Well, God bless you, but I’m not like that. I was born with a strong sense of right and wrong woven into my DNA and it completely sets me off when people step over the line to do wrong. So learning to control my anger is a big deal. Perhaps you’ve heard that old saying ‘when you’re angry, count to ten’ before reacting. But even then, as a cartoon character by the name of Lucy once said: counting to ten only makes it premeditated! So, whatever your personality type, what’s the answer when one of those triggers threatens to set off your anger? Psalm 37:8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret —it leads only to evil. (NIV) There are three simple but powerful verbs – doing words – in that short verse. To refrain from anger – let it go, slacken it off, release it. (I guess that’s the counting to ten bit). Secondly, to turn away from the actions that flow out of anger, from your wrath, to relinquish your desire for revenge. Literally, walk away. And finally, not to fret – in other words not to let the long, slow fuse of anger burn away in your heart because if you do, there’s only one outcome: evil. So, in case you missed it, here it is again: Refrain from anger, turn from wrath; don’t fret —it leads only to evil. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

All the Faith You Have

Berni Dymet — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 04:09:36 +0000

Have you ever had that sense that “I simply don’t have enough faith to get through this tough spot?” Right when you need it most, out there in that wilderness, your faith seems to desert you. Well, you ain’t alone! Being a double math major, I can tell you that it’s precisely ten thousand and six days since, on the 15th of October 1995, I went to Jesus, asked Him to forgive me and laid my life down at His feet. As you might imagine, there’ve been quite a few ups and downs over that time. And, just like you, during many of those “downs” in some deep and dark valley, my faith seemed to have gone missing. As I said, you’re not alone. In fact, we’re in very good company: Matthew 17:19,20 Then the followers came to Jesus alone. They said, “We tried to force the demon out of the boy, but we could not. Why were we not able to make the demon go out?” Jesus answered, “You were not able to make the demon go out, because your faith is too small. Believe me when I tell you, if your faith is only as big as a mustard seed you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. You will be able to do anything.” I saw a meme recently, a photo of a tiny, tiny mustard seed – the smallest of all seeds known in Jesus’ time – perched on the tip of someone’s finger. The caption read: Step back, I have a mustard seed and I’m not afraid to use it. If that’s all the faith you have, then it’s more than you’ll ever need. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Life is Messy

Berni Dymet — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 06:18:58 +0000

If you’re anything like me, you like a bit of order in your life. I think we all hope that life will make sense, that it’ll be predictable, that people will see things our way and respond to us the way we’d expect. Yeah, right! But no, life isn’t always like that. Take Jesus for example. All He ever did was good. He healed lepers and blind men and bleeding women. He showed the grace of God to sinners and outcasts. He preached with a power and a down-to-earth common sense that moved people so incredibly deeply. Yet still, the religious leaders weren’t satisfied. Mark 8:11-13 The Pharisees came to Jesus and asked him questions. They wanted to test him. So they asked him to do a miracle as a sign from God. Jesus sighed deeply and said, “Why do you people ask to see a miracle as a sign? I want you to know that no miracle will be done to prove anything to you.” Then Jesus left them and went in the boat to the other side of the lake. Really? They had to test Him? They couldn’t just see all the good He was doing and just be amazed and moved like everyone else? But that … that’s the cost of being about the Father’s business. Artist, author and pastor, Mandy Smith puts it like this: Jesus walked dusty roads, He waded through muddy waters, He touched thousands of germ-laden hands. He overturned tables, long-held ideas … and death. Does that sound like a well-ordered, safe, predictable life? No! When you choose to follow Jesus, know this: life’s going to get messy. Get used to it. It’s the cost of doing Kingdom business. And that’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

The Tip of the Iceberg

Berni Dymet — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 06:12:39 +0000

Success is a word that we all like to embrace. After all, who doesn’t want to be successful at whatever it is they turn their hand to? But as alluring as it may be, success is a deceptive concept. Now, I’m not saying that success is a bad thing – at least not in and of itself. On the one hand, we can strive for success in the wrong things for the wrong reasons, going about it all in the wrong way. That’s how I lived much of the first half of my life and I don’t recommend it. On the other hand, it’s a good thing to labour hard for the Lord; to follow His calling, doing our utmost under His hand, in His power, to see His plan unfold for His glory. Consider the Old Testament Prophets – Isaiah, Ezekiel, Job and the like – it’s easy to consider them a success at all they achieved. But hang on just a minute: James 5:10,11 Brothers and sisters, follow the example of the prophets who spoke for the Lord. They suffered many bad things, but they were patient. And we say that those who accepted their troubles with patience now have God’s blessing. You have heard about Job’s patience. You know that after all his troubles, the Lord helped him. This shows that the Lord is full of mercy and is kind. In other words, the “success” that others perceive in us is just the tip of the iceberg. Under the surface it involves hard work, persistence, late nights, rejection, sacrifice, discipline, criticism, doubts, failures, risks. That’s what success looks like in the Kingdom of God. But remember, all that shows that the Lord is full of mercy and that He’s kind. That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Learn to Let it Go

Berni Dymet — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 06:08:35 +0000

So … a question for you today. Given a choice, would you prefer to live the rest of your life with your hands and feet shackled in chains, or would you rather be free? You’d think, wouldn’t you, that the answer’s obvious? And yet, obvious though it may be, so many people – men and women, young and old, Christians and not – choose to remain shackled in the chains of unforgiveness. Perhaps you’re thinking, “Berni, we talked about forgiveness just the other day. Why are we circling back to it again today?” Answer; because as destructive and restrictive as the shackles of unforgiveness is, forgiving people is really, really hard. Because instinctively, we want to hang onto the injustice until justice is done. So we think on that terrible, unfair thing that that person did to us way back when, and the more we allow it to dominate us, the more bitter we become, and the tighter the shackles feel. It’s a vicious circle. But Christ came to set you free. If the Son makes you free then you are free indeed. Christ came to give you victory – over your sin, over your circumstances and ultimately over your death. So, if you’ll allow me to, I want to speak that word of freedom (His freedom), that word of victory (His victory) into your heart today. Because the word of God is alive and active. Are you ready? Ephesians 4:31,32 Never be bitter, angry, or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other the same as God forgave you through Christ. May the Holy Spirit write that word on your heart. Because it’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Keep Your Promises

Berni Dymet — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 06:08:00 +0000

For most of us, our default position in life is that we really, really want to trust you. But … can we trust you? Are you trustworthy? Well, that depends. Is what we see and hear from you what we’re actually going to get? One-on-one, interpersonal communication takes place billions of times every day around the globe – verbal, written, body language – in many nuanced ways that vary from one culture to the next. But whatever the intricacies of effective communication may be in your context, we each value clarity and reliability. We want to be able to depend on a person’s word. We want them to keep their promises. So, are you a person who keeps their word? Are you someone whose promises can be trusted? Jesus has an amazing way of boiling complexity down into something simple and profound so that we can’t mistake what He means: Matthew 5:37 Say only ‘yes’ if you mean ‘yes,’ and say only ‘no’ if you mean ‘no.’ If you say more than that, it is from the Evil One. Simple, isn’t it? Let your yes mean ‘yes’, and your no mean ‘no’. In other words, be a man or a woman of your word. Don’t embellish it. Don’t make it complicated. Just communicate your intent and your promise clearly and simply. Sure, there are different communication nuances from one culture to the next. Expressing your intent in an Asian culture for instance is quite different to expressing it in many a Western culture. But at the end of the day, it’s really simple: Say only ‘yes’ if you mean ‘yes,’ and say only ‘no’ if you mean ‘no.’ If you say more than that, it is from the Evil One. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Answer Without Arguing

Berni Dymet — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 06:06:30 +0000

Making fun of our political leaders has become something of a national pastime for many people in society today, not to mention whinging, complaining, attacking, undermining and belittling them. Some, perhaps many, would argue … all with good reason. So, is it fair and reasonable for us to criticise leaders like that? For those who live in democracies, it’s quite easy to do it openly. For others who live under different political systems, the behaviour can be much more covert … but still, grumbling in the heart rather than with your mouth has the same effect on you. It eats away at you like a cancer. Back in the 1st Century AD, Christians were doing it tough. And into that reality, that context, comes this word from God Titus 3:1,2 Remind your people that they should always be under the authority of rulers and government leaders. They should obey these leaders and be ready to do good. Tell them not to speak evil of anyone but to live in peace with others. They should be gentle and polite to everyone. There’s not a single government in the world that will always enact good and godly legislation and will always treat people honourably and fairly. In light of God’s incredible love and complete perfection, every government since time began has been imperfect. So, given that reality, let’s just read this passage again and let it sink in: Remind your people that they should always be under the authority of rulers and government leaders. They should obey these leaders and be ready to do good. Tell them not to speak evil of anyone but to live in peace with others. They should be gentle and polite to everyone. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Enjoy without Complaining

Berni Dymet — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 06:05:58 +0000

You know how it is … out of all the important things in your life – your relationships, health, finances – nine out of ten of them are bubbling along just fine, but there’s that one thing that’s causing you so much grief. And you know how it goes, right?! We want to whinge and complain about that one thing, somehow carrying on as though we’re completely blind, completely impervious to the nine out of ten things in our lives that are going along so wonderfully well. Why do we do that? Human nature, I guess. So it comes as something of a slap in the face when you look at Jesus and realise that He didn’t complain once about His life. Sure, sometimes He admonished His disciples. Other times He criticised the religious leaders of His day. But come on, can you think of one instance where a single whinging word crossed His lips? I didn’t think so. Not even when He was betrayed by Judas, unfairly tried, beaten, reviled and ultimately nailed to a cross. Not a one! Which makes all the whinging and complaining that we carry on with some days seem pretty lame and ridiculous, don’t you think? Philippians 2:14,15 Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you will be blameless and pure, children of God without any fault. What, according to God, should we do without complaining or arguing? Absolutely everything! And why should we do everything that way? So that we’ll be blameless and pure, children of God without any fault. So, today, let’s get a revelation together. No matter how difficult things get, no matter how unfair they may seem, stop whinging, stop complaining, stop arguing … and get on with it! That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Trust Without Wavering

Berni Dymet — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 06:02:30 +0000

Have you ever had someone in your life – perhaps a member of your extended family or someone with whom you’ve been friends for a long time – and you get to the point where you’ve just had enough? I think we’ve all had people like that in our lives: That one family member who’s blotted their copy book once too often. That’s it! He’s not coming over for Christmas ever again! Or that woman you’ve been friends with for years, but she’s just become more and more difficult to get along as time’s gone by. So, at some point (perhaps without even thinking about it) you’ve cut her loose. She’s just not worth it! How do we get to that point? How is it that we can take a once important relationship and just throw in the trash? Perhaps that feels a bit blunt to you today. Perhaps it touches a raw nerve. But then perhaps, just perhaps, that raw nerve needs some attention today. So, if you have a relationship skeleton like that in your closet, so to speak, here’s a Scripture that may well be a word in due season for you: 1 Corinthians 13:7 Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits. Isn’t it true that you and I have been more trouble than we’re worth in the lives of those around us? Isn’t it true that we’ve gone through rough patches in our lives, when we haven’t been all that pleasant to be around? And yet, still … those other people hung in there for us. Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Lend Without a Return

Berni Dymet — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 05:58:55 +0000

In this day and age, the deal is that when you invest in something you expect a return. After all, that’s what, by and large, makes the world economy go round. I lend you some money, and you repay me the capital plus interest. That’s the deal. And sure … when it comes to economics, that “deal” is not a bad thing. But what about in our interpersonal relationships – when you give someone, let’s say … a leg up at work; when you go out of your way to support them or help them in some way? What quid quo pro are you expecting in return, hmm? There’s always something – because we tend to approach life on the basis that if I make an investment, I should get a return. Enter Jesus with this radical thought: Luke 6:35 I’m telling you to love your enemies and do good to them. Lend to people without expecting to get anything back. If you do this, you will have a great reward. You will be children of the Most High God. Yes, because God is good even to the people who are full of sin and not thankful. As if loving your enemies and doing good towards them weren’t enough, Jesus goes on to undermine our expectation of a return on investment – that most fundamental of both economic and interpersonal expectations. Lend without expecting a return – that’s the bad news. But the good news? If you do this, you will have a great reward. You will be children of the Most High God. How wonderful is it, when we quietly invest in someone else, expecting nothing back from them, only to discover that God has the most unexpected blessing waiting for us just around the next corner? If you do this, you will have a great reward. That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

If Only…

Berni Dymet — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 05:54:25 +0000

Regret is an emotion that, obviously, we wish we’d never experienced. And yet, here we are. We all know what that word “regret” means – not because we’ve read the dictionary, but because we’ve lived it. If only I hadn’t said that! If only I hadn’t done that! If only I’d remembered. If only … there it is, right there. Regret; that compelling desire to hit the rewind button so you can do that one thing differently to avoid the pain it’s now causing you, others or both. Regret. We can only imagine the regret that Israel must have felt while consigned for seventy years to Babylon because they’d turned their backs on God by worshipping idols. So God allowed the Babylonians to raze Jerusalem to the ground … taking His chosen people captive to be their slaves. And when God finally sets about setting them free, restoring them to the Promised Land, He reminds them: Isaiah 48:17,18 The LORD, the Saviour, the Holy One of Israel, says, “I am the LORD your God. I teach you for your own good. I lead you in the way you should go. If you had obeyed me, then peace would have come to you like a full flowing river. Good things would have come to you again and again, like the waves of the sea.” If only … they’d obeyed God. And there it is. There’s His Word of warning to you and me today. There’s blessing in obedience, as His favour chases you down the street. And there are consequences in disobedience, no matter how alluring a temptation may appear. Don’t find yourself in that “If only …” place of regret again. Obey God. That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Think Twice

Berni Dymet — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 05:50:07 +0000

It’s funny how the human psyche works. Sometimes the obvious can be staring you in the face, but somehow your mind can’t grasp it. It’s only when you come back to it a second or third time that you get it. You’ve been there: “How come I didn’t see that before?” I love doing crosswords. As someone who crafts words in my day-job, playing with them somehow relaxes me. And this phenomenon of not seeing that which is plainly obvious the first time, happens again and again. Eleven across. A seven-letter word for a vehicle used in space. I have the third letter – P – and the fifth letter – U – but I stare at it and stare at it and just can’t get it. How many vehicles can there be that are used in space? Yet I come back a half hour later and there it is instantly – “capsule”. It’s just how our minds work. We often miss the blindingly, glimpsingly obvious, first time round. Which doubtless is why wise old King Solomon, said this: Proverbs 2:1-5 My son, pay attention to what I say. Remember my commands. Listen to wisdom, and do your best to understand. Ask for good judgment. Cry out for understanding. Look for wisdom like silver. Search for it like hidden treasure. If you do this, you will understand what it means to respect the LORD, and you will come to know God. Look at the action verbs in that: pay attention, remember, listen, do your best, understand, ask, cry out, look, search. The things of God are plainly obvious. The things that’ll transform your life are right there under your nose. But sometimes you have to come back for them. Often times, you just have to dig deeper. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Think Twice

Berni Dymet — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 05:49:30 +0000

When I Think

Berni Dymet — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 05:45:48 +0000

So, a question for you today: how often do you think about how you’re living your life? How often do you reflect on how you respond to different situations, different stimuli, good and bad, in your life? They’re big questions, because if you just get up each day and respond to things – good and bad – in the same way, then nothing’s ever going to change. If we imagine that for things to get better, those people out there have to change, our circumstances have to change – then we’re going to be waiting for a long time, because they may never change. So what’s the answer? Psalm 119:59,60 When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies; I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments. (ESV) So, back to my initial question. How often do you think on your ways? Because let me tell you, every time I open the Good Book, every time I open God’s Word, He causes me to think on my ways. He shines His light, His glory, His power, His love, His joy, His peace into the darker recesses of my soul. And the impact of that is to create a yearning deep within to honour Him, to obey Him, to turn my feet toward His testimonies so to speak. That daily act of Bible reading, of hearing God speak to me and then thinking on my ways in light of His Word, hastens me not to delay in keeping His commandments. That’s how it’s meant to work. That’s how God changes us. That’s how He transforms our lives. That’s how things get better – whether those other people, whether our circumstances, change or not. And that’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

One Soul at a Time

Berni Dymet — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 05:45:21 +0000

If you’re someone who joins me daily in this Fresh devotional message – whether by email, or on television, radio, through the many digital channels … wherever – have you ever wondered what the whole point of it really is? As the guy who writes, records, shoots these messages 365 days a year, it’s a question I ask myself often, because I don’t want to be wasting my time or yours. With all the production and consumption of these daily Fresh messages that goes on around the world, what a tragedy it’d be if all that was a wasted effort. But it’s not, because here’s the point; here’s the reason we at the ministry of Christianityworks do what we do in producing, broadcasting and publishing these Fresh messages each day: Colossians 1:28 So we continue to tell people about Christ. We use all wisdom to counsel every person and teach every person. We are trying to bring everyone before God as people who have grown to be spiritually mature in Christ. I’m passionate about seeing you – yes, you! – draw closer and closer to Jesus, in a rich and powerful relationship with Him that’ll transform your life, that’ll have you telling others in your corner of the globe about Jesus – to help them do the very same thing. So can I encourage you today to be a man or a woman of God’s Word; to dig deep into His wisdom and counsel to bring yourself and those around you before God as a people who’ve grown to be spiritually mature in Christ? Because that … that’s the only way, my friend, that we’re going to change the world. One soul at a time. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

The Greatest Miracle

Berni Dymet — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 05:37:04 +0000

Imagine that you discover a precious, solid-gold cup in a rubbish heap. You pick it up – it’s filthy, it’s tarnished, it’s chipped. So you set about cleaning it up again until it’s bright and clean, pure as gold. Stunning! But now, what are you going to do with it? Well, what are you going to do with it? Put it in a display cabinet where it’ll stay clean and safe? Probably. But what would God do with it? Well actually, we already know the answer because it’s precisely what He did with you and me after He’d found us on the scrap heap and cleaned us up. He’d throw it straight back into the middle of that mess. Really? Twentieth Century evangelist and author, Leonard Ravenhill, put it like this: The greatest miracle that God can do today is to take an unholy person out of an unholy world, make them holy, and then put them back into that unholy world and keep them holy. God’s plan was always to save you, to transform your life, to set you apart pure and holy, and then to throw you back into the mêlée to be used of Him to pull someone else out. But here’s the catch. When He throws you back in, it’s so easy to lose your shine despite your purity within, and to start looking like everyone else on the outside. So, today … a word of warning: 1 Peter 1:15,16 Be holy in everything you do, just as God is holy. He is the one who chose you. In the Scriptures God says, “Be holy, because I am holy.” Don’t let the world’s sin rub off on you. Stay holy, for the Lord your God is holy. That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Bending the Gospel

Berni Dymet — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 05:30:37 +0000

There’s a lot of pressure on any Christ-follower these days to bend their belief, their understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, away from that old-fashioned interpretation of the past and to make it more accommodating to the social and moral trends of today … a lot of pressure. When I first believed in Jesus, the Good News that His death had paid for my sins, that I’d been forgiven through His suffering and received a new life, an eternal life, through His resurrection … that all seemed so simple. And what God said was good, was good. And what HE said was wrong, was wrong. Pure … and simple. But pretty soon I discovered that those who didn’t believe in Jesus weren’t all that pleased with my simple worldview. There were big chunks of it that offended them. And so began the pressure to compromise on this pure and simple truth; to bend the Gospel towards them so it could accommodate their sin more easily. But as Jesus Himself said, those people … John 3:19-21 … are judged by this fact: The light has come into the world. But they did not want light. They wanted darkness, because they were doing evil things. Everyone who does evil hates the light. They will not come to the light, because the light will show all the bad things they have done. But anyone who follows the true way comes to the light. Then the light will show that whatever they have done was done through God. Let’s get something straight here. When Jesus hung out with sinners, they changed. He didn’t. So don’t bend the Gospel. Don’t dim your light. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Dr Livingstone I Presume

Berni Dymet — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 05:30:01 +0000

When something’s truly important it’s worth saying twice, would you agree? And what’s truly important today, for you, me and anyone else who believes in Jesus, is not to rush on ahead without Him. Moses had been through a lot in leading Israel out of slavery in Egypt. For starters, Pharaoh had sent his army after them. Then the Israelites grumbled and complained. There were challenges over food and water … on and on it went. We chatted about that yesterday but, if you were able to join me, I wonder whether you really “got it” deep in your heart. So just in case, here it is once more – Moses’ prayer to God: Exodus 33:13-16 Now if I have found favour in your sight, show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favour in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” He said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” And he said to him, “If your presence will not go, do not carry us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favour in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth.”NRSV Moses simply didn’t want to move forward without God. Famed 19th Century missionary to Africa, David Livingstone, prayed like this: God, send me anywhere, only go with me. And sever any tie in my heart except the tie that binds my heart to yours. Whatever journey lies ahead, whatever frontiers you’re called to cross … don’t go it alone. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Never Go it Alone

Berni Dymet — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 05:14:54 +0000

Few people realise the very significant burden that leaders carry. That mantle of leadership is one which can weigh heavy some days. Big decisions need to be made – sometimes, life and death decisions. We’re continuing today with Moses’ story, as He struggled with what seemed to be the insurmountable opportunity, set before him by God, to lead Israel through the wilderness and into the Promised Land. These people … they grumbled, they complained, they even rebelled against God so badly that Moses, in his righteous anger, destroyed the two stone tables with the Ten Commandments and had to go back up the mountain to God a second time. Moses found himself between a rock and a hard place. So, what did he pray before God? Exodus 33:13-16 Now if I have found favour in your sight, show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favour in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” He said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” And he said to him, “If your presence will not go, do not carry us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favour in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth.” NRSV The upshot of Moses’ prayer? God, if you don’t come with me, I ain’t going! It’s a prayer that found favour with God. It’s a prayer that God honoured. #NoteToSelf: When God sets an insurmountable opportunity before you, never, ever, go it alone. That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

The Insurmountable Opportunity

Berni Dymet — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 05:12:32 +0000

Christians say some stupid things sometimes; seriously … like, “God never calls you to do anything that you’re not capable of.” Really? What planet are they living on, pray tell? I remember the day when God called me to proclaim Christ to millions of people. A visiting preacher was in town. There were around eleven thousand people in the auditorium. My life was a mess. My hopes and dreams lay shattered on the floor. Yet I looked around at the crowd, and in my heart I said, “If only I could tell this many people about Jesus.” And clear as a bell, seemingly out of nowhere, He whispered, “This is nothing. Think millions.” Now, that was nuts. It was plain crazy. Was God setting an opportunity before me? If so, it was an insurmountable opportunity. But it turns out that there’s nothing new in any of that. Exodus 33:12-14 Moses said to the LORD, “See, you have said to me, ‘Bring up this people’; but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favour in my sight.’ Now if I have found favour in your sight, show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favour in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” (NRSV) Moses had no idea how he was going to lead Israel out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. But then, if the opportunities that God sets before us weren’t insurmountable, if we were able to do them in our own strength, we wouldn’t need Him. That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Daring to be Different

Berni Dymet — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 05:11:54 +0000

Jesus promised His disciples many things. One of those promises that we can stand on with shouts of praise and hallelujah is that if they persecuted Him (which they did) they’re also going to persecute us. Now there’s a cheery thought, amen? But it’s true, isn’t it? In places like where I live, Christians have had it pretty easy for a good many years. In other places, they’ve been severely persecuted. Wherever you live, whatever your situation, persecution is either here or it’s just around the corner. And as much as this rising tide of persecution comes as a shock to those who’ve had it easy up to this point, it’s nothing new. Writes the wise old Apostle Paul to his ministry protégé Timothy: 2 Timothy 3:12,13 Everyone who wants to live showing true devotion to God in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. People who are evil and cheat others will become worse and worse. They will fool others, but they will also be fooling themselves. Who are those who’ll be persecuted? Everyone who wants to live showing true devotion to God in Christ Jesus. So the easiest way to avoid persecution, it would seem, is to stop showing that true devotion to Christ; simply to blend in and become part of the crowd. After all, I can just believe in Jesus in private and look like everyone else in public – the perfect solution for avoiding persecution. But as Charles Spurgeon once said: It will be a sad day for the church and for the world when there is no distinction between the children of God and those of this world. You are the light of the world. Stop trying to blend in. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

More and More Like Jesus

Berni Dymet — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 05:09:41 +0000

So how do you turn a truth – even a biblical truth – into a lie? Easy! You cut it in half or quote it out of context – or preferably both. Just look at the devil. The father of lies has turned it into an art form. Here’s a case in point: Romans 8:28 We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. These are the people God chose, because that was his plan. Hallelujah, praise the Lord, it’s all going to turn out just fine. Zippedy-doodah! Sounds great … until you read the next verse: Romans 8:29 God knew them before he made the world. And he decided that they would be like his Son. Then Jesus would be the firstborn of many brothers and sisters. God decided what? That we should be like His Son; that bloodied, brutalised Saviour who hung lifeless on that Cross.

So the trials that we go through in life, far from taking us toward our personal goals of comfort and success, are meant to make us more and more like Jesus.

The crucifixion always comes before the resurrection. That’s going to hurt, because the good that God is working towards in your life and mine – through all those ups and downs, twists and turns that cause us such great anguish – has a much higher purpose.

As someone else once said: I’ve found that trying to become more like Jesus yields far better results than trying to become a better me. God chose you before time began. And He’ll work His good for you and for His kingdom in you and through you, through every trial you face. The objective?

To make you more and more like Jesus. That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Don't Kid Yourself

Berni Dymet — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 05:08:54 +0000

There’s a risk (rather a large one actually) that the more we grow in maturity in our relationship with Jesus, the more His commands rule in our heart, the more we can get to feeling … well, rather superior to everyone else. It’s one of life’s great paradoxes. Christ calls us to humility; to take up our cross and follow Him wherever He may lead, whatever it may cost, which is precisely what He did when He laid down His life for you and for me. So, you’ve been walking with Jesus for a while now and you’re starting to get the hang of it. Yep, it fits rather well. this Christ-suit in which you’ve clothed yourself … just as the Scriptures say you should. I’m doing this whole Christian-thingy pretty well. I’ve nailed it! And would you look at that woman who just walked into church late. Didn’t even comb her hair properly. Seriously! She needs to get with the program. Time for a reality check: Romans 14:9-12 That is why Christ died and rose from death to live again—so that he could be Lord over those who have died and those who are living. So why do you judge your brother or sister in Christ? Or why do you think that you are better than they are? We will all stand before God, and he will judge us all. Yes, the Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘Everyone will bow before me; everyone will say that I am God.’” So each of us will have to explain to God about the things we do. Do you really want to explain your pride, your sense of superiority, to the Lord on that day? Really?! That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Take a Stand

Berni Dymet — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 04:52:35 +0000

So, might I ask you today, what is it that’s chipping away at your faith in Jesus right at this moment? What issue, what doubt, what concern, what fear, what relationship is trying its best to undermine your faith? There’s always something, isn’t there? Sometimes you’re just worn out and you get to wondering whether your faith in Jesus is making any real difference in your life, let alone in the lives of those around you. Doubts and fears creep in, and in any case, the grass seems so much greener on the other side of the fence. The reason I can articulate this so clearly is that I’ve been there too. Man, there are struggles on this faith journey, and as much as we might not want to talk about them, they’re real. Very real. But just when you’re at your weakest point, when it seems that all hope for a successful conclusion to our faith journey is lost, God comes along with a powerful, life-giving Word to lift you up again: Romans 14:7,8 We don’t live or die just for ourselves. If we live, we are living for the Lord. And if we die, we are dying for the Lord. So living or dying, we belong to the Lord. The Apostle Paul who wrote that went through life and death struggles. So far as we know, he was ultimately martyred for proclaiming the risen Christ. But pretty early on, he decided to take a stand. Whether I live or die, I belong to the Lord. And my prayer for you today is that the Word of God would breathe an unshakeable courage into your heart. Whether you live or die, take a stand. You belong to the Lord. That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Who Will Sit on the Throne?

Berni Dymet — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 04:51:45 +0000

Eternity seems like such a long way away, doesn’t it? Why is that? Well, probably because we’re so immersed in the day-to-day that the whole “eternity” thing is difficult to contemplate. But the truth is that your day-to-day – whatever it happens to look like – is intrinsically linked to how you’ll spend your eternity, because there’s a battle going on for your soul. Satan, for one, is ever trying to draw you away from Jesus. He remains as keen as ever to have you spend your eternity with him. Then, of course, there are our own desires that will, if we’ll allow them to, burgeon into fully blown sin which leads us down the same path, without Satan ever having to lift a finger. And if all that weren’t enough, the world’s shouting at us – ever louder it seems – to forsake our ridiculous reliance on this outdated, irrelevant Jesus. So, we have rather a lot to contend with in our walk with Jesus. But the prize … the prize is definitely worth the struggle: Revelation 3:21,22 To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. (NRSV) Who will sit on that throne for all eternity with Jesus? The one who conquers. The one who continues through all the struggles of life. The one who overcomes all the roadblocks set before them by the world and the enemy. The one who perseveres to the end … just as Jesus did. Don’t give up. The prize is definitely worth it. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Open… or Closed?

Berni Dymet — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 04:48:47 +0000

One of the most unpalatable things about being a Christian is repenting; turning away from what we know is wrong – which is why a lot of people hold out on Jesus. The thing that makes repenting (you’ll excuse me if I use that word) so difficult is that we have to admit that we’re wrong, so our pride comes into play. And at the same time, we’re addicted to our particular little sin. And just as addicts delude themselves over the consequences of their addiction, we kid ourselves that Jesus will give us a little nudge and wink; that He’ll give us a special dispensation because, after all, we’re special. But because He loves us, that’s not something that He’ll allow to continue. Oh no! Says Jesus… Revelation 3:19,20 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. (ESV) Jesus knows that our ongoing sin will lead to an eternal death, and because He loves us, make no mistake … He will bring things to a head; He will reprove, He will discipline – at which point we have a choice. We can be zealous and repent, or we can resist Him, as though that somehow makes sense. Man, it’s hard to repent, but when we hear His voice, are we really going to close the door of our heart to Him? So how about you? Is your door open to Him, or closed? Will you repent, or will you miss out on fellowshipping with Him? That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Don’t Be Ashamed of Jesus

Berni Dymet — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 04:47:59 +0000

You’ve probably noticed that it’s getting harder and harder to profess publicly that you believe in Jesus: this Jesus who calls us to obey Him; this Jesus who says that right is still right, and wrong is still wrong. Yep, it’s getting harder and harder. Part of our ministry team lives in a country where churches being burned down and pastors being locked up, or worse. In other parts of the world, like where I live, the pressure to forsake all that old-fashioned, irrelevant ‘right is right, wrong is wrong’ Jesus-y stuff is mounting through a war of ideas, through a cancel culture, through an open disgust in society toward the things of Christ. What do you do with that? That’s not a theoretical question. It’s a question that each one of us has to answer for ourselves as we live in an increasingly anti-Christian world. What do you do with that? Well, we can either be cowered into submission, through our complicit silence or simply going with the flow, or we can quietly, lovingly, openly stand for Christ and pay the price. Said Jesus… Luke 12:8,9 I tell you, if you stand before others and are willing to say you believe in me, then I will say that you belong to me. I will say this in the presence of God’s angels. But if you stand before others and say you do not believe in me, then I will say that you do not belong to me. I will say this in the presence of God’s angels. Standing for Christ will cost you something – perhaps a little, perhaps a lot. But take courage. Don’t be ashamed of Jesus and He won’t be ashamed of you. That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Know Your Worth

Berni Dymet — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 04:47:12 +0000

Have you ever felt like trash; as though the world’s chewed you up, spat you out and that’s it?! Everyone else is happy, well-adjusted, getting on with life, and you … you’re out there on the scrap heap. It doesn’t have to be a full-on cataclysmic disaster for us to feel like that. That sense of worthlessness can be eating away us simply because all those people out there seem so much more effective, more successful, than us. They seem to be leading lives of impact while we’re wondering whether anything that we’re doing is having any sort of positive effect whatsoever on people’s lives. There’s a lot of that going around. Or perhaps you’re, you know … past your prime, if I can put it as nicely as that. All those young people – who seem so much brighter, so much faster, into technology that’s simply passed you by – and it feels as though they’re outshining you. So, just on the off chance that there’s a bit of that cancer eating away at you, here’s Jesus on this very subject: Luke 12:6,7 When birds are sold, five small birds cost only two pennies. But God does not forget any of them. Yes, God even knows how many hairs you have on your head. Don’t be afraid. You are worth much more than many birds. Such a simple picture, yet so powerful. That’s Jesus, here and now, speaking directly to you. And if that weren’t enough, He put His money where His mouth is, so as to speak. He went and had Himself nailed to that Cross for you, so that you could spend eternity with Him. So, don’t be afraid. You’re worth much more to Him than you ever imagined. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Your Future Awaits

Berni Dymet — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 04:46:29 +0000

Can I be brutally honest with you today? I don’t think that those of us who call ourselves by Christ’s name – Christians – spend anywhere near enough time simply glorying in the Good News of Jesus. I remember a lecturer of mine way back in my Bible college days, Ian Pennicook. Whenever he spoke of the Cross of Christ, he would choke up because the sheer magnitude of what Jesus had done for him gripped his whole persona. I remember him one day, choked with tears, saying, “I’m sorry. I can’t simply just talk about the Cross. We have to glory in the Cross.” The gravity of that statement has been with me ever since. Through all the ups and downs, through the drudgery of those mundane days, the sheer glory of the Cross of Christ has filled my heart. But not just that. Because of what Jesus has done for you, me and anyone else who would believe in Him and repent of their sins – turn away from what they know to be wrong – that glory is going to spill over into our lives for all eternity. Philippians 3:21 He will change our humble bodies and make them like his own glorious body. Christ can do this by his power, with which he is able to rule everything. All that Christ won on that Cross will become ours by His power for all eternity. I don’t know where you’re at – perhaps today’s one of those mundane days, or maybe you’re up, or maybe you’re in the depths of despair – but whatever sort of day you’re having, remember the Cross. Glory in it. And know that that glory will be yours for ever and ever. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

The Gold Standard

Berni Dymet — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 04:45:16 +0000

Who or what we allow to influence our thoughts and actions is something we rarely think about. In this media-driven age, mostly we just consume “stuff” without even thinking. But that’s a dangerous thing to do. Influence – it’s a powerful concept. As we’ve seen over the last couple of days, allowing ourselves to be influenced by the right people is a huge blessing. Godly role models are powerful signposts put there by God to lead us in the right direction. But allowing ourselves to be influenced by the wrong people ultimately ends in disaster. Whether by individuals, by corporate marketing machines, by the prevailing social trends, political tribes, competing dogmas… allowing ourselves to be influenced by what the Apostle Paul calls “enemies of the Cross” simply won’t end well. So how do you discern between good and bad, between godly and ungodly influencers? Simple really: by applying the gold standard: Philippians 3:20 But the government that rules us is in heaven. We are waiting for our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, to come from there. You and I, we don’t belong to the world. As Jesus said, just like Him, we’re in the world but not of the world. So, if in doubt, look to Jesus – the gold standard; the heavenly standard. People, corporations, tribes… they can all say what they like, but if we call Jesus the Lord of our life, He is our standard; He is the ruler by whom we measure the other would-be influencers in our lives. And if they don’t measure up, toss them out. It may hurt in the short term, but remember … you’re waiting for Jesus your Saviour to return. That’s what truly matters. And that’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Enemies of the Cross

Berni Dymets — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 04:44:29 +0000

One of the things that parents fears most is that their child would be led astray by hanging out with the wrong crowd; by allowing the wrong people to become their role models. How many times do you think that God’s seen one of His children led astray by following the example of the wrong people? So, who are your role models? Who are those to whom you open your heart, who you allow to influence how you think and how you behave? And – here’s the kicker – are they worthy of that honor, of that level of trust? Yesterday we chatted about the importance of having the right role models in our lives… so that, as disciples of Jesus (which literally means to be learners), we also become His apprentices with some solid, on the job training. But today … a warning about installing the wrong mentors in our lives. Again, here’s the Apostle Paul on that very thing: Philippians 3:18,19 There are many who live like enemies of the cross of Christ. I have often told you about them. And it makes me cry to tell you about them now. The way they live is leading them to destruction. They have replaced God with their own desires. They do shameful things, and they are proud of what they do. They think only about earthly things. There are people out there who purport to be Christians, who pretend to be faithful followers of Christ – and yet, if you examine the fruits of their labours, as smooth and convincing as they may sound, they’re anything but! Don’t open your heart to the wrong people. Don’t be led astray by these enemies of the Cross! That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Who is Your Role Model?

Berni Dymet — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 04:43:38 +0000

I don’t think there’s any one of us who doesn’t want a better life. I don’t just mean worldly things like comfort and success. Sure, they’re nice. But mostly “a better life” involves changes within – changes in us. As you look back on just this past week, doubtless you’ve had a few, shall we call them … lumps and bumps – things that didn’t go quite the way you’d expected, things that caused friction, that hurt, that – if you had your time over – wouldn’t have turned out the way they did. And in a moment of brutal honesty, we’d each have to admit that we had our part to play in those incidents. That’s why that “better life” involves us learning, changing, overcoming our foibles and failures. Now, there’s a reason that carpentry isn’t taught primarily in the classroom. Instead, young aspiring carpenters are taken on as apprentices, so they can learn the practical skills of their trade on the job. They watch more experienced carpenters, and then copy them over and over again until they become proficient. As things turn out, it’s the same in life generally. This is how the Apostle Paul put it to his friends in Philippi: Philippians 3:17 Brothers and sisters, join together in following my example. Also, learn by watching those who are living the way we showed you. Over the years, on my journey with Jesus, much of what I’ve learned has been “on the job training” – watching those who are wiser and more mature than me walk alongside Jesus; seeing how they react under pressure; being inspired by their humility and their godliness. Call them mentors, call them role models. They have such an important part to play in our lives. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

The Marque of Spiritual Maturity

Berni Dymet — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 04:42:09 +0000

Question … what does spiritual maturity look like? What’s the identifying marque, the brand, the logo, the thing by which you can immediately see the development of spiritual maturity in a person? Logos like Rolls Royce, Ferrari, Porsche are instantly recognisable. Granted, most of us (me included) will never be able to afford one, but we can recognise them instantly, right? So, let me ask again … what’s the marque of someone who’s growing in spiritual maturity in Christ? How can you recognise them in an instant? Writes the Apostle Paul: Philippians 3:15 All of us who have grown to be spiritually mature should think this way too. Which begs the question … think what way, too? Well, the answer comes in the previous couple of verses: Philippians 3:13,14 Brothers and sisters, I know that I still have a long way to go. But there is one thing I do: I forget what is in the past and try as hard as I can to reach the goal before me. I keep running hard toward the finish line to get the prize that is mine because God has called me through Christ Jesus to life up there in heaven. So the marque of spiritual maturity isn’t perfection but rather being focussed on running hard toward the finishing line; not dwelling in the past, but throwing all your energies into becoming more and more Christ-like day by day. If that’s your objective, if that’s what you focus on, if you accept the instruction and the correction of God’s Word and live it out amidst the messiness of life, you can’t help but grow in spiritual maturity. So can I ask you, do you bear that marque? That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

Embrace Your New Life Today

Berni Dymet — Mon, 16 Jan 2023 21:51:00 +0000

If you were able to join me yesterday, you’ll recall that I promised you some good news about your future. And that’s exactly what I mean to deliver to you today … fantastic news. We’ve all stepped into the new year with resolutions, hopes and dreams that, let’s be honest here, have all but evaporated by mid-January. But this year’s different, because the hope I’m about to share with you isn’t human, but supernatural. The truth I’m about to share isn’t manmade, but God-breathed. The power you’re about to receive isn’t something you have to conjure up from within, but comes from above and will never fail. Ephesians 2:1-5 You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved. (NRSV) God means for you to leave the past in the past. May the power of His Word set you completely free from your past. May your chains be broken in Jesus’ name. For though you were dead in your trespasses, you have been made alive in Christ. By grace you have been saved into a completely new life to live – a life lived in the power of His Spirit. That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.