When we are hungry and thirsty to get to know the Lord, His promise to us as His new covenant children is that rivers of living waters will flow out of us. The Holy Spirit is not simply there to fill our lives but to flow out from us to others – not as a tiny trickling stream, but as rivers of love, life, joy peace, power, forgiveness, healing and faith.

We recently celebrated the ordination of deacons, as well as a new elder couple, Meiring and Karen. We rejoice as a congregation that God has added to the team. What is most important in this new season is to press into the Lord and allow Him to be our Number One in life and purpose.

In Luke 14:25 Jesus reminds His hearers to count the cost. The multitude that followed Him were excited to see Him and His miracles, but unaware of what it really meant to follow Him. He made sure they knew that it would cost their lives.

He warned them that if they want to be His disciples they need to hate even their own lives. He continues in verse 28, “don’t begin until you count the cost”. We learn how miserable is the condition of the person who has not taken heed to count the cost. This person has made a profession of faith but has gone back afterwards, like salt that has lost its taste Such salt has become useless. He says to His listeners, “he who has ears to hear let him hear”.

We should not urge people to become Christians without telling them what it entails to be a disciple of Jesus. Let us not hide from them the battle and the toil that one has to endure to follow His purposes.

Jesus says, “If you love me, you will obey me”. Our covenant keeping God wants us to let go of the old and embrace the new. He will show you His faithfulness and fulfil His promise to you. “I will be your Father and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (2 Cor. 6:18). Because we have counted the cost, our commitment will be firm.