ccm Cross 0159 Stormond Cong, Nqamakwe, South Africa

ccm Cross 0159
Wednesday March 21, 2018

Dr. D.D. Stormond Congregation
Uniting Presbyterian Church
Nqamakwe, South Africa
Cross 0159

Additional photos after Testimony

4556 cdd Breathless
Cyber Daily Devotion
Volume 19 Number 065

Today’s Author: Pastor Bill

Scripture: Hebrews 11:19
“Concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead” NKJV

Hello my name is Zamuxolo Betela with the Dr. D.D. Stormond Congregation of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Nqamakwe, South Africa. Everyone calls me Reverend Betela.

I was born in Lower Cata, near King William’s Town, South Africa the fifth of five children. My dad worked in a wood factory and mom was home with us. We attended Sunday school and church. Growing up I was a kind young boy who hated to be saved. The more I heard about Jesus the more I ran from Him.

Then at age twenty I was poisoned by someone close to me. It was happening over time and I had no idea what was going wrong with my body. When I checked into the hospital it was too late. They hooked me up to all the machines that were available to keep me alive, but all my organs shut down and I flat lined. I was breathless.

Jesus woke me up. He said, “I’m waking you up Zamuxolo, you have much to do. Your nation does not know me and those who do are mixing my pure love with vile traditions. Tell them they are complete in me.”

Jesus left me, and I sat up in bed. The doctor in attendance said, “You can’t be alive, all our machines reported you dead. How can this be?”

I walked out of the hospital totally healed and never returned.

I took my relationship with Jesus seriously after leaving the hospital and entered the seminary, graduating in 2002. Upon graduating I was chosen to lead this church. I met Victoria shortly after arriving and we discussed marriage, but I did not have the lobola (dowry) for her. The church with joy confirmed my marriage with her and through stipends I received managed to raise funds to pay the lobola.

The Holy Spirit gives me special words for people. The church needed a new sound system which was donated by a young man. When he gave us the gift of sound the Lord told me he would receive back three times what he gave. I told him so. A few weeks later my phone rang. It was the young man. He said, “Your words have come true Reverend.” He was just given a new car which was worth three times the cost of the sound system.

I have also been given a calming gift. When friends, congregations or adversaries have issues I’ve been called on to pray for the parties involved. When I do the Holy Spirit provides a solution.

My favorite Bible verse is John 17:22 “And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one” NKJV

As a Pastor the one thing I enjoy best is Preaching. Sharing the word of the Lord with all who will listen brings joy to my heart.

The Cross to me means I should not be here if there was no Cross. The Cross is the reason. No Cross — No Church! Jesus did it all and paid the price.

This Cross planted tells all who pass by that everything is finished in Christ. Jesus has paid for our rejection, sin and sickness. It is done — we are set free. This Cross is a symbol that Christ is here.

Prayer: Father thank you for intervening in lives and turning lives around for Your glory. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!