ccm Cross 0114 Kidston Congregation, Engcobo, South Africa

Kidston Congregation
Engcobo, South Africa
ccm Cross 0114

GPS/DMS 31° 55′ 10.45” S   28° 10′ 30.04” E

4350 cdd How About You?
Cyber Daily Devotion
Volume 18 Number 120

Today’s Author: Pastor Bill

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths” NKJV

Hello, my name is Reverend Luyanda Matya from the Kidston Congregation of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Centane, South Africa. I grew up near King Williams Town in South Africa. My dad was a farmer and a miner. Mom stayed at home with the five children. I was the third born. We were a church family growing up and my grandfather was one of the first traveling evangelists.

As a youngster, I attended church and did everything I was asked. I went through the motions but it wasn’t until I was 22 years old that Jesus became real in my life. I attended an open-air revival meeting with some friends and the preacher was speaking on Mark 8:34-37. “When He (Jesus) had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” NKJV (Emphasis Added)

These words came alive as the preacher read them. There were hundreds of people there but it was as if he was only reading to me. It was my time — I accepted Jesus Christ as Lord of my life and nothing has been the same ever since. It lit a fire in my soul to follow Jesus. I wanted to help and serve others just as He did.

In 1993, I entered theological training and three years later I graduated. I spent a year as an assistant pastor and then the Lord sent me here to the Kidston Mission. I met my wife Edith and we have two children.

When we arrived in Kidston the community was spiritually bankrupt. There was no spiritual life and the old church building had been abandoned and was sorely run down. We rolled up our sleeves and went to work for Jesus. First and foremost, and what I still like best is visiting our people. I began immediately to meet four people a day in their home, at work or wherever we could. People started coming to Christ. The community started to shine brighter. We fixed up the church, then we had to add on. And add on again. The more we visited and introduced people to Jesus Christ the more enthusiasm for the things of the Lord abounded all around us.

This Cross today is a shining example of what we have been preaching as we share Mark 8:34-27 with everyone. Christ took my sins away so I must — I must pick up His Cross and do as He did. This Cross is so real to us. And when challenges come in life we must take them to the Cross.

The only way to heaven is through the Lord Jesus Christ and this Cross tells the whole story. He died for our sins and was laid in a tomb — He paid the price. Then Jesus victoriously was raised from the grave by the power of the Holy Spirit. This Cross is like a house sitting on the mountain top for all to see that Jesus is alive!

My favorite Bible verse is Revelation 21:1-5 “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

It is true, it is right and Jesus lives. So, every day I pick up my Cross and follow Jesus doing what He did? How about you? What will you do for Jesus?

Prayer: Father thank you for the revelation of what to do for Jesus. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!