Call Us: 423 661-4734 | Email: requests@comeandreason.com      
Oorwinning Deur Intieme Liefde

Oorwinning Deur Intieme Liefde

Dit is nie bewustheid van, kognitiewe geloof in of feitelike kennis van God se liefde, krag en goedheid wat selfsug genees, verwyder en vrees oorkom nie; dit is die diep, blywende ervaring en verbintenis met God – om Hom te ken, nie net van Hom te weet nie, maar om Hom op so ‘n manier te ken dat Hy werklik in ons harte bly deur sy Gees. Hierdie ervaring met God is die lewende geloof, die blywende vertroue en die ervaarde vertroue wat die vreesdryfvere van ons vleeslike natuur oorkom.

Hierdie ervaring in God se liefde kan nie deur ‘n ander vir ons verkry word nie, net so min as wat fisiese krag vir ons deur ‘n ander verkry kan word. Ons kan dalk ‘n groot atleet sien, die voordeel van gereelde oefening erken en geïnspireer word om aan ons eie oefenprogram deel te neem, maar om krag te kry, moet elke individu vir hulself oefen.

Net so kan ons in ander die liefde, vreugde, vrede, geduld en ander geestelike vrugte sien wat hulle ontwikkel omdat God in hul hart woon en dan na dieselfde ervaring verlang, maar wanneer dit kom by groei in ons geestelike krag, geloof, vertroue en liefde vir en in God, vereis dit dat ons God self ervaar en ken en dan ons Godgegewe vermoëns in harmonie met Hom uitoefen.

Dit is die ewige lewe, dat hulle U, die enigste ware God, en Jesus Christus, wat U gestuur het, kan ken (Johannes 17:3 NIV 84).

En net soos in fisiese oefening wanneer ons met ligte gewigte begin en aanbeweeg na swaarder gewigte, so begin ons ook in die dinge van God met klein pligte, beproewings en verantwoordelikhede, en soos ons, deur vertroue in God, oorwinnings behaal en groei in geestelike volwassenheid, beweeg ons aan na groteres.

Soos ons kies om God te vertrou, versterk ons vertroue in Hom en vorder ons van kinders, babas in Christus, tot volwasse vriende van God (Hebreërs 5:14; Johannes 15:15) en in staat is om sy getuies te wees, in staat om deur God geroep te word om groter struikelblokke en uitdagings die hoof te bied en groter omstandighede met groter intensiteit, druk en goddelose aanvalle te betree. Ons sal geroep word om, deur die uitoefening van God se wapens – liefde, waarheid, geloof, barmhartigheid, vergifnis, gebed, ens. – die aanvalle van die vyand te konfronteer en dit te oorwin, vir God se koninkryk te getuig en sodoende die evangelie te bevorder.

Ons het baie voorbeelde deur die geskiedenis heen van God se vriende wat na sulke moeilike dog lonende plekke geroep is – om vir God te staan in die aangesig van verskriklike maatskaplike en geestelike teenstand.

Wat het hierdie vriende van God, wat sondaars soos ek en jy was, in staat gestel om vir God te staan ten spyte van oorweldigende wêreldse druk, verwerping van vriende, laster deur die media, polisie- en militêre aanranding, arrestasie, geregtelike veroordeling, dreigemente van tronkstraf, marteling en die dood? Waarom was hul vrese nie so intimiderend dat hulle ingegee, moed opgegee het, weggehardloop het en hul missie verraai het nie? Hoe kon hulle vasstaan sonder om deur vrees verteer te word?

Hulle het elkeen ‘n persoonlike, intieme liefde vir en ervaringskennis van God gehad sodat sy liefde hul harte gevul het, wat daartoe gelei het dat hulle besluit het dat hulle eerder sou sterf as om die Een wat hulle ken en liefhet, te verraai.

Oorweeg hierdie helde van die verlede:

  • Job – al het hy sy gesondheid, rykdom en tien kinders verloor; ‘n vrou gehad het wat so ontsteld was, dat sy hom aangeroep het om God te vervloek en te sterf; en het drie teologie vriende in die gesig gestaar, wat, terwyl hulle empatie met sy pyn gehad het, vir hom gesê het dat sy lyding te wyte aan sy eie sonde moes wees – het so ‘n persoonlike, intieme vriendskap met God gehad dat hy geweet het dat God nie die oorsaak was nie. Hy het geweet dat God vertrou kon word, maak nie saak wat gebeur of wat ander sê nie. Hy het gesê, “al maak Hy my dood, sal ek Hom steeds vertrou” (Job 13:15). Hy het nie toegelaat dat die verskriklike verliese sy gedagtes verteer of sentraal in sy hart word nie, maar in plaas daarvan het hy sy hart se begeerte daarop gefokus om God te soek. Hy wou nie toelaat dat ander vir hom die antwoorde vertel nie, maar het God vir homself gesoek. Dit was sy jarelange persoonlike verbintenis met God, sy lewende geloof, sy blywende vertroue, sy ware en intieme liefdesverhouding met God, wat hom in staat gestel het om die duiwel se wrede aanvalle te weerstaan.
  • Elia het God so goed geken dat hy in staat was om God te vertrou en koning Agab uit te daag, ‘n drie-en-‘n-half jaar lange droogte uit te spreek en dan die 450 priesters van Baäl suksesvol by die berg Karmel te konfronteer (1 Konings 17:1; 18:16-39). Solank Elia sy gedagtes op God gefokus het en sy hart op sy liefde vir God gesentreer het, kon hy nie geskud word nie. Maar toe Elia vir ‘n kort rukkie sy fokus na die dreigemente van Isebel verskuif het, het hy mismoedig en bang geword – en hy het weggehardloop. God het hom genadiglik in ‘n eensame grot tegemoetgekom, en toe Elia sy hart tot God teruggekeer het, het hy die finale oorwinning oor sy vrees behaal en is hy na die hemel geneem (1 Konings 19; 2 Konings 2:11-13).
  • Elisa het die gewapende magte van Aram in die gesig gestaar, maar het nie op die bedreiging gefokus nie; in plaas daarvan het hy op God gefokus en geweet dat hy deur ‘n engele-leër beskerm word (2 Konings 6:13-17).
  • Koning Josafat is deur die leërs van Ammon en Moab gekonfronteer, maar het nie op die sterkte van die vyand of sy eie militêre mag gefokus nie; in plaas daarvan het hy na God gegaan, op Hom vertrou en sangers uitgestuur om God te loof, en die mense te fokus op die skoonheid van God se heiligheid – en God het Juda verlos (2 Kronieke 20).
  • Sadra, Mesag en Abednego op die vlakte van Dura was beslis bewus van die vuuroond, maar hulle het nie op die bedreiging gefokus nie; in plaas daarvan het hulle hul liefde en plig teenoor God sentraal in hul harte gehou en geweier om voor die afgod te buig. En God kon hulle gebruik om voor Nebukadnesar te getuig (Daniël 3).
  • Daniël is in die leeukuil gegooi, maar is nie deur vrees en selfsug oorweldig nie; in plaas daarvan het hy sy liefde en vertroue in God sentraal gehou – en God het engele gestuur om die leeus se bekke toe te maak (Daniël 6:16-23).
  • Jesus, tydens sy verhoor en kruisiging, as ons menslike plaasvervanger, het nie gefokus op die verraad, die beskuldigings, die ongeregtigheid, die bespotting, die mishandeling nie; in plaas daarvan, toe Hy gekonfronteer word met die vrees, dreigemente, pyn, bespotting en marteling, het Hy op sy Vader gefokus, vertroue in sy Vader behou en getrou gebly aan sy missie en doel. Jesus het gefokus gebly op die werklikheid van wat in God se heelal gebeur het, deur die lens van ewige waarheid, en dus gefokus op liefde vir God en vir ander. Hy het gekies om barmhartig, genadig, vergewensgesind te wees, en Hy het diegene wat Hom gepynig en gekruisig het, jammer gekry.
  • Stefanus en Paulus, toe hulle voor soortgelyke ongeregtigheid en mishandeling te staan gekom as wat Jesus ervaar het, het hulle gekies om te doen wat Jesus gedoen het; hulle het op God gefokus gebly en gekies om diegene lief te hê wat hulle vervolg het – en hulle het gesterf as helde van die hemel!

 

Helde van die hemel in die laaste dae

Die Bybel beskryf die regverdiges wat lewe wanneer Jesus kom, wat deur die finale aanval van God se vyand leef, wat die dierlike magte van Openbaring konfronteer, wat hul eie beproewinge in die gesig staar, wat valslik beskuldig word weens geregtigheid, en wat ongeregtigheid ervaar as diegene wat oorwin “deur die bloed van die Lam en deur die woord van hulle getuienis; hulle het hulle lewens nie so liefgehad dat hulle teruggedeins het vir die dood nie” (Openbaring 12:11; NIV 84). Hierdie oorwinnaars fokus nie op die ongeregtigheid, die mishandeling, die boosheid rondom hulle nie, maar op die Lam – hulle Verlosser – en hulle getuig van Jesus deur soos Jesus op te tree, deur ander meer lief te hê as om self te beskerm.

Dit is ons krag – die krag van intieme liefde van en in God wat ons in staat stel om weg te breek van die vrees en selfsug van hierdie wêreld, om die oog-vir-‘n-oog-mentaliteit te verwerp, om nee te sê vir die weerwraak, en om die volgende te doen:

As mense julle oor julle geloof vervolg, moenie ’n vloek oor hulle uitspreek nie, maar vra God om hulle te seën. … As jou vyande honger is, gee aan hulle iets om te eet. As hulle dors is, les hulle dors. Deur dit te doen, sal julle hulle bloedrooi van skaamte maak (Romeine 12:14, 20 NLV 11).

Want ons onthou wat Jesus gesê het:

Jy het gehoor dat daar gesê is: “Wees lief vir jou naaste en haat jou vyand.” Maar Ek sê vir julle: Wees lief vir julle vyande en bid vir dié wat julle vervolg, sodat julle kinders van julle Vader in die hemel kan wees (Matthéüs 5:43-45 NIV84).

Geseënd is julle wanneer mense julle beledig, vervolg en valslik allerhande kwaad teen julle sê weens My. Wees bly en jubel, want groot is julle loon in die hemel, want net so het hulle die profete wat voor julle was, vervolg (Matthéüs 5:11, 12 NIV 84).

Satan werk aktief daaraan om vrees aan te wakker, wat die begeerte aanwakker om self te beskerm, die selfsugtige oorlewingsdryfvere wat daartoe lei dat mense ander seermaak om hulself veilig te laat voel. Maar die geheime krag van God is liefde en waarheid – ewige, oneindige, onbaatsugtige, suiwer, onbesmette liefde, wat slegs in God gevind word en volmaak in Jesus Christus geopenbaar word! Ons oorwin deur vas te staan in die waarheid wat versterk en in ons harte verweef is deur die ewige en onbreekbare drade van God se oneindige liefde.

En deur God se waarheid en liefde, is ons oorwinnaars! En wat ons oorwin, is nie ander nie; nee, ons oorwin die besmetting van sonde (vrees en selfsug) in ons eie harte! Wanneer ons met bose aanvalle gekonfronteer word, mislei Satan ons om sonde en boosheid in ander te probeer oorwin eerder as om God se goddelike wapens te gebruik om sonde in ons eie harte te oorwin. Die duiwel mislei mense om hulle fokus van Jesus af te haal en te herfokus op ongeregtighede, verkeerde optrede, seerkry, misbruike en onregverdigheid wat hulle aangedoen is of wat hulle gesien het.

As ons boosheid die middelpunt van ons ervaring maak, sal ons deur boosheid oorweldig word en onsself regverdig om selfsugtig te wees om onsself veilig te laat voel. Ons enigste hoop, ons enigste pad na ware oorwinning, is Jesus, om aan Hom vas te hou, om na Hom toe te hardloop, om Hom sentraal in ons harte en gedagtes te hou, om ons eie intieme, persoonlike en ervaringsgerigte liefde vir en kennis van Hom te hê. Dit is ons krag:

Ons leef uit die wete en is absoluut oortuig daarvan dat God ons liefhet. God is die liefde self en almal wat uit dié liefde leef, leef in ’n hegte verhouding met God en God met hulle. Hiertoe is God se liefde ten volle in ons verwesenlik, dat ons vrymoedigheid kan hê op die oordeelsdag. Ons leef immers op dieselfde wyse as Christus in hierdie wêreld – sonder vrees. Volmaakte liefde het nie plek vir vrees nie; volmaakte liefde dryf die vrees uit omdat vrees nog met straf behep is, en wie aanhou vrees, het nog nie dié volmaakte liefde bemeester nie. Laat ons mekaar liefhê omdat Hy ons eerste liefgehad het. As enigeen beweer: “Ek het God lief,” maar ’n broer of suster haat, is só ’n persoon ’n leuenaar, want as ons ’n broer of suster wat ons elke dag sien, nie liefhet nie, kan ons mos nie vir God liefhê wat ons nie kan sien nie. Hierdie opdrag het ons van Hom ontvang: As ons God liefhet, moet ons ook ons broer en suster liefhê (1 Joh 4:16-21 NLV11).

Sien jy nie dat as jy opreg toegewyd is aan God en gretig sy metodes van liefde beoefen, jy onkeerbaar word nie? Selfs al word jy aangeval of vervolg omdat jy doen wat reg is, openbaar jy God se ware karakter deur ander te vergewe en lief te hê en terselfdertyd groei jy om meer soos Hy te wees. “Moet dus nie vrees vir hierdie sterflike lewe soos die wêreld vrees nie; en moenie vir ‘n oomblik bang wees nie,” maar maak Christus die middelpunt van jou hart, verstand en karakter. Wees altyd bereid om oor God se karakter van liefde, soos geopenbaar in Jesus, te praat met enigiemand wat vra waarom jy hoopvol is in die aangesig van vervolging, beproewing en moeilikheid. Maar maak seker dat jy dit met sagmoedigheid, goedhartigheid en respek, met ‘n rein hart en skoon gewete doen, sodat diegene wat lieg, skinder en gerugte versprei oor jou bediening vir Christus skaam kan wees oor hulle kwaadwillige weë. Dit is beter, as God dit toelaat, om vervolg te word omdat jy goed doen as om die gevolge van kwaad te dra, want dit is presies wat Christus gedoen het (1 Petrus 3:13-18 REM).

 

Donate online, securely via PayPal using your credit or debit card (no PayPal account needed, unless you want to set up a monthly, recurring payment).


cancel recurring payment

 

Want to use zelle instead?
See how on our
Support and Donations page.

Upcoming Events

calendar

Testimonial Post Slider

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 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 67

I was introduced to Come And Reason by a friend of my mother-in-law, who gave me several CD’s of Dr. Jennings. The clarity of the message and recognition that God’s is a God of love was so clear, advancing beyond Dr. Maxwell’s message. However, grappled with Maxwell saying God used emergency measures for the fallen world. Now after several years of being a regular listener of the Come And Reasoning bible study class and attending Jennings’ meetings in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, things are becoming clearer for me. Design law versus imposed law has added so much to my personal understanding of theology. This message has really impacted my work in counseling so many people miserable because they are searching for and trusting human governments to create order and peace or believing in a God who says love Me or I will kill you. I am grateful that I have an alternative view to offer my clients that makes sense. I teach a bible study class on a semi-regular basis and I value the materials that Come And Reason so freely offers to aid me in presenting this vital message. Thank you for continuing to provide advancement in our very limited understanding of a Infinite God that is rational and believable.

Dr. Roger D, Arlington, TX, USA

 

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 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 39

[This ministry is the] biggest blessing I have ever received! Your DVDs and lessons could not have come at a better time in my life. I have experienced in the past year many difficulties that, if it wasn’t for this wonderful view of God that I have discovered through this ministry, I would not have been able to respond in love and forgiveness. My heart is being transformed everyday by the Calvary-looking God you teach. Hallelujah!! I have tears in my eyes as I write, because my life has taken a complete turn from where I was heading.

I am from Central America. Most of my family is scattered in different parts of the world and all have the same view of God that I had growing up; a distant, exacting, and ready-to-punish-us-with-tragedy type of God. So, I have been translating lessons for my family and, to my surprise, they have also been sharing them with others! I can already see the difference. My brother has often said, “Thank you for sharing, I have never heard it this way!” My other family members are taking an amazing turn from a message of “repent or burn” towards a loving God, pleading to us that we won’t reject him because he loves us eternally.

Bless you for all you do.

Sofia S., Ashfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 17

The blessings of clarity and understanding you and your class inspire me to take from the word of God have impressed upon me so greatly the true, loving character of our Creator. I have found amazing freedom and joy through building a stronger, more intentional relationship with Him. What is new is that this is now a relationship built on love, reverence and respect rather than fear and obligation, and as such my eyes have been slammed OPEN as I am continually impressed by the manifestations of God’s true character in His provisions for fallen man.

T.E.H., Salt Lake City, UT, 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 33

I was invited over a friend’s house to see the “God and Your Brain” seminar today. I became [a christian] 36 years ago at the age of 19, but have struggled with the concept of God taking His ‘pound of flesh’ out on His Son to be appeased. Wow. Your seminar has been an incredible revelation and breath of reason and fresh air! I have your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” and it is SO eye opening. Finally, after 36 years enlightenment has come! Praise the Good Lord! What can I say, but that the Real Gospel is truly “Good News!” Thank you for your efforts in giving the Gospel a clear sound!

Paul C.,  Springfield, MA, USA

 

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 50

After coming into contact with Come And Reason Ministries, I can finally say that many of my unanswered questions have fallen into place. I discovered that my view of God’s Law was “imposed laws and rules” with “imposed punishments” and that this was the major culprit of my many unanswered questions. Thanks be to God for using you and those around you to help us who have struggled with this “infection” of thought. I have now rejected the “imposed law” concept to fully embrace “Design Law”… to look thru “Design Law,” instead of “imposed law,” is a relief.

Viliami L., Australia

 

Testimony 52

Your unique way in spreading the truth is what we all need today. Most of us don’t recognize the contamination coming from all the lies and selfishness in the world. Because of our fear of death, we forgot how to live. Lies left and right. I was losing hope and faith, because of so many ideas that are always contradicting each other – so many questions answered by other, more complicated, questions – until I found your channel on YouTube.

You did not just give me answers, you also taught me how to answer new questions that arise in my mind. Now I see things differently. I see God’s mercy, grace, and Love everywhere, in spite of all the chaos that we all have done as humans. I don’t fear death anymore. Accepting the Truth and Love about God is truly a genuine Freedom from all the confusions, sufferings, selfishness, pain, and death.

I just wanted to say, thank you, sooooo much for revealing the real Remedy for our infected life. I have a new hope and now see the world in a different perspective!

Wheinny P., University Place, WA, USA

 

Testimony 27

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 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 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.