Vreugde te midde van droefheid

Vreugde te midde van droefheid

Die Bybel sê vir ons dat Jesus op die aarde “deur mense verag en verwerp is, ‘n man van smarte en vertroud met lyding. Soos een vir wie die mense hulle aangesig verberg, is Hy verag, en ons het hom nie geag nie” (Jesaja 53:3 NIV 84).

Ons weet dat Jesus se lewe nie een van pret en speletjies was nie, nie gevul met vermaak en afleidende vermaaklikhede, ligsinnige bedrywighede of plesiersoekende afleidings nie. Jesus het mens geword vir die ernstigste redes ooit – om sonde uit te skakel, om rebellie te stop, om leuens uit te roei en om ons Verlosser te wees.

En Jesus het geweet dat om te wen, om sonde uit te roei, om Satan en sy mag van die dood te vernietig (Hebreërs 2:14; 2 Timoteus 1:10), Hy self baie dinge sou moes ly, verwerp en verag sou word en uiteindelik gekruisig word. Hy het geweet dat die pad wat Hy sou stap nie maklik sou wees nie – maar ten spyte van al die hartseer, pyn, stryd en lyding, het ons magtige Verlosser nie gewankel nie.

Hoekom? Omdat Hy werklik liefgehad het. Sy liefde het Sy hart nie op Homself laat fokus nie, maar op wat Sy dade sou bereik en daarom, ten spyte van die pyn van Sy verblyf, “wat vir die vreugde wat Hom voorgehou is, die kruis verdra het, die skande verag het en aan die regterkant van die troon van God gaan sit het.” (Hebreërs 12:2 AFR33).

Te midde van mishandeling, verwerping, verraad, ongeregtigheid, marteling en kruisiging, het Jesus vreugde gesien. Daar was nie vreugde in die ervaring om verraai, vals beskuldig, verwerp, verag, gemartel en doodgemaak te word nie – maar eerder in die vervulling van Sy missie, om te bereik wat Hy kom bereik het. Daar was vreugde in die wete dat Sy keuse om die waarheid van God uit te leef, om volkome lief te hê, om getrou aan Sy Vader te bly, om slegs die ontwerpwetmetodes van die hemel, waarheid, liefde en vryheid te beoefen, ten spyte van Sy mishandeling, Hy hemelse lig sou openbaar. Hy sou die Vader van blaam suiwer. Hy sou die waarheid van Sy eie karakter van onbaatsugtige liefde demonstreer. Hy sou Satan as ‘n leuenaar en bedrieër ontbloot. Hy sou die besmetting van vrees en selfsug wat die mensdom besoedel, vernietig. Hy sou ‘n volmaakte sondelose menslike karakter ontwikkel. Hy sou die geneesmiddel voorsien wat nodig is om elke mens wat Hom vertrou, te red; en Sy optrede sou die middele voorsien om uiteindelik alle sonde, lyding en dood uit God se heelal uit te skakel en sodoende alle dinge tot volmaaktheid te herstel.

En ons kan dieselfde vreugde ervaar te midde van die hartseer en stryd van hierdie sondige wêreld. As ons ons oë gevestig hou op Jesus soos Hy Sy gevestigde oë op die Vader gehou het, en as ons die waarheid van die Groot Stryd onthou (dat ons in ‘n universele oorlog is), die ontwerpwetmetodes van God, en ons krag om lojaliteit aan ons Skepper te kies deur Sy ontwerpwetmetodes op ons eie lewens toe te pas in hoe ons onsself regeer in die aangesig van wêreldse ongeregtigheid, dan kan ons, soos Jesus, weet dat ons ligte in ‘n donker wêreld is, dat ons ‘n getuienis is, soos so baie van God se vriende deur die geskiedenis heen – soos Daniël, Stefanus, Paulus en die talle Hervormers. Ons sal getuig van Jesus, van die God van die hemel, en van die metodes en beginsels van lewe en gesondheid. Ons sal met vertroue weet dat ons hartseer, ons stryd, ons probleme nie kan verhoed dat die hoër doel of impak van die hemel se liefde, waarheid en beginsels deur ons skyn nie; en ons kan die vreugde ken om hemelse lig aan die verlorenes te openbaar en siele vir God se koninkryk te bereik! Ons, soos Jesus, kan die vreugde van doelstelling, die vreugde van sending, die vreugde van die bevordering van God se koninkryk ervaar in die aangesig van aardse smarte, en daardeur weet dat ons dat verbygaande pyn en stryd in God se hand meewerk om die koms van ons Here te bespoedig (2 Petrus 3:12).

So

Kom ons vestig ons oë op Jesus, die outeur en voleinder van ons geloof, wat vir die vreugde wat hom voorgehou is, die kruis verduur het, die skande verag het, en aan die regterhand van die troon van God gaan sit het. Dink aan hom wat sulke teenstand van sondige mense verduur het, sodat julle nie moeg sal word en moed verloor nie (Hebreërs 12:2, 3 NIV 84).

 

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Testimony 41

I have been blessed by your ministry. I have experienced personally, and deeply resonate with, the God of love and the beautiful picture of God’s character that you present. I have seen your seminar series on YouTube, read ‘The Journal of the Watcher’ book, used your mobile app, and also listen/study the bible study lesson with you each week. I concur with many of the thoughts and perspectives that you share. I understand your conclusions on natural laws vs imposed law and the legal/penal substitution (incorrect diagnosis). This makes perfect sense to me.

Bless you for all you do.

Melissa L.

 

Testimony 21

I am absolutly on fire with the message at Come and Reason! I can’t get enough! I’ve read your book, blog, and articles. I’ve listened to your Bible study podcasts, your radio show, and your series – all excellent! It wasn’t until the past couple of years that I have I like I’m becoming “healthy,” with more to share with others than just beasts and commandments! I used to be a Bible worker and preached when the pastors were gone until I had had enough. I didnt realize at the time what the problem was, but i know now… the message wasn’t properly focused. Now my flame is rekindled. All of your little examples are so perfect in explaining something “complicated” and making it easily understood! Now I’m trying to shape it into a life changing evangelistic series! Thank you!

M.T., USA

 

Testimony 49

I came into the church at 21, but that is as far as it went. I was so confused about what love is. I couldn’t find it in the bible, because I am not a person that can read between the lines. I have no logic. I have read many, many books; trying to figure out the crux of the matter. They were helpful, but something was still missing. I have become very frustrated to the point of crying out to God, “Where can I go?”  I needed some basics.

I found two books, written by Timothy Jennings, MD, to be very helpful. God showed me that I had lived my whole life in fear. I didn’t even see it. Now, I do. God is so good.  I discovered the “The Remedy”  Dr. Jennings new book, “The God-Shaped Heart!” Oh, I was so excited, I purchased them right away.

I can get rid of most of my books, because “The Remedy” brings the Love of God out so clearly, even I can’t miss it. Now, I want to sit and read my Bible. Wow, what a revelation! It is just simply Awesome! I am so grateful to Jehovah Almighty for hearing my prayer for more understanding! I am so encouraged!

Jackie S.

 

Testimony 11

I would love to have a copy of “Healing the Mind” DVDs to have in my therapy office. I enjoy having clients check out materials to enhance their therapy experience. I have sat under Dr. Jennings’ teaching at an American Association of Christian Counselors convention and respect his work greatly.

K.B., LA, USA

 

Testimony 51

I Love This Ministry!!!!!!! I see first hand how this message is desperately needed, how erroneous beliefs about God and His Character negatively affect humanity at every level. I thank God for your ministry, as I was searching on my own and was discovering some of your same beliefs and was blown away when I found your ministry. I know you hear it all the time, but it is truly life changing. May God continue to reveal His Will to you and Bless you!

Eric S., Sanford, FL, USA

 

Testimony 43

Two years ago I stumbled upon your book, “Could It Be This Simple,” and then found “The God-Shaped Brain” videos on YouTube, your bible study class, and the ‘Come And Reason’ mobile app. I shared your book with a friend and after nine months of showing love, patience, and kindness this person has been changed by the love of God, too. The same love that healed me, I now express to other women in tangible ways, such as to a Baptist woman with high anxiety and childhood trauma. She was extremely happy and relieved when I shared about the so-called “judgment of God” and burning in hell. She had no desire to serve a God that was so harsh. I have repeated the phrase dozens of times to her. “What we believe has power over us, but we have power over what we believe…”

This message that you are sharing has changed my life. I will continue to serve other women and bring this message of God’s healing love to their lives by sharing your books, YouTube videos, and The Remedy Bible app. Keep up the good work. Don’t be discouraged. God is doing a mighty work in and through this ministry!

Jill L., Midwest, USA

 

Testimony 54

I had a lot of pressure, as a pastor’s kid, to conform and be “good.” I was good at being “good.” I thought my life was going along well until it all started falling apart and I could not figure out why! In my search for “why is this happening to me, God?” I came across your book, “Could it be this Simple,” and God started revealing to me the many distortions I held about His character, His principles, and how He has designed His universe to operate. I remember thinking, “Wow, I have had this all backwards.” I was happy and angry all at the same time. Happy to have the light of truth break through the darkness, revealing a wonderful, beautiful way of understanding God and His plan for His children, and angry, because I felt deceived and cheated by the church, my family, and myself!

My heart thrills when I listen to your bible study lessons. Literally I have gone from death to life. It is a journey I look forward to every day, as God reveals areas this distortion affects. Praise GOD! I will ever be grateful to God for this ministry and your cooperation with the Spirit!

Karen S., Portal, AZ, USA

 

Testimony 9

I really enjoy with you the view of a gracious God. Thank you for sharing the work you are allowing the Lord to do in you.

L., Queensland, Australia

 

Testimony 72

I am blown away by the truth that you present. God’s Design Law makes so much sense! You have validated my impression that, if God is love, He would not kill those who don’t want to know him. If God gives us choice, then how can He destroy us if our choice is not to follow him. Thank you for opening my eyes and heart to the pure love of God seen through Jesus. The love I now have for Jesus is deeper and free from condemnation. My heart has been opened to love others as Jesus loves me. May God continue to bless your God-given insight into His word and your ministry. The truth has set me free!

H. Miller, Centereach, NY

Testimony 60

Just watched watched lesson 10 in the 1st quarter 2021 bible study classs on Isaiah. I want to thank you for your intellectual spirituality; it’s not an oxymoron! From the point of view of a teacher I also enjoy seeing how much personal pleasure you clearly take in not just tasting, but feasting on God’s word – it reminds me of Jeremiah not being able to hold it in! It makes me smile that your cup is so full and overflowing that you make it to Tuesday’s lesson (on a good day). It just goes to show the richness of God’s Word.

God bless the Come and Reason Team from our church here in Great Britain.

Andrew H., Great Britain

 

Testimony 22

I have found your Bible study class lectures to be very inspiring and useful as I prepare to teach class every other week. I subscribe to the podcast and download your notes on the weeks I teach. The audio and notes are such a great help in preparing. My own understanding of God’s character has grown as I teach the class. Commendations on the thought-provoking and well-prepared material Come and Reason provides. Personally, I get excited by the tie you make between the spiritual and mental/physical domains.

A.A. Corrales, NM, USA

 

Testimony 63

I’ve been very blessed by “The God Shaped Brain” and this ministry, through video and podcast, over the last few years. It’s truly opened up my eyes more to the truth about God and the importance of that truth in the present world. The message is so inviting, freeing and enlightening and MORE people need to know about it. I believe it is the last message that can truly, not only prepare a people for salvation and translation, but vindicate the character of God.

Michael V., Yonkers, NY, USA

 

Testimony 71

When I was 9 years old, I remember setting at our devotional table with a hunger and thirst for God that wanted more, deeper, BETTER. I can remember literally crying and pounding on the table, “I know these teachers didn’t mean to give us error. They taught what THEY had been TAUGHT, but didn’t ANYBODY READ THE BOOK?!?!?” It mattered to me then. It mattered to me as a teenager. It matters now as I teach bible classes. It didn’t have to be so hard as I watched so many give up and lay God’s great plan and gift of salvation aside as being “impossible.” Then, a friend sent me a link to Come And Reason’s website. I grew excited. YES! FINALLY! Then another friend told me to stay away, saying her son had just broken up with a girl because she was involved with Come And Reason and that “Tim Jennings preaches a false gospel.” But, AFTER many years of developing an authentic and, dare I say FUN relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit I see this message has been around a LONG time, since the apostle Paul, Ellen White, Graham Maxwell, Ray Foucher, and yourself (though I admit, you’ve made me back up, rewind and replay the clips, and get out my well-worn Bible on a few things.) I’m so thankful I have found LIGHT during these DARK days. I am not alone.

Vicki DiNitto

Testimony 26

Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

Nancy S.

 

Testimony 47

I can’t even begin to thank you and your ministry enough for introducing me to the Truth about a loving and merciful God! I have my daughter and her in-laws to thank for sharing with me “The God-Shaped Brain” as well as your website. I listen to the Bible study class lessons on my daily walk. May God continue to bless your thirst-quenching ministry!

Liz H., Port Angeles, WA, USA