Stella Mckenzie Smuts

My name is Stella Smuts. I was raised on a farm outside a country town in South Africa. My parents were born-again and raised their children in the church. As a teenager, I had an experience with the Presence of the Lord and accepted Him into my life. From there I grew in relationship with Him. Born out of this relationship is the deep seated desire to serve the Lord and His people. Through the years, I have been involved in many aspects of church life and service.

The Call

Way back in 1976, a prophetess told me the following:

The Lord is going to take you to places you never dreamed possible. That which you are doing for Him now will grow into ministries you could not have imagined. Serve Him with all your heart and might.

At the time, I was in school and active in ministries such as SCA, YFC, Sunday School teaching, worship leading etc. After I left school, I always got involved wherever I could be of service.

Servicing my Heavenly Father and His people has always been a priority in my life.

Are You Over Your Husband Yet?

Excuse me…what sort of a question is that?

I gave this question much thought and realised that the person who asked me, really cannot understand what the loss of one’s spouse represents… so let me try to explain, from a widow’s perspective.

Everyone who has lost someone will grieve and that grief is very real. But people who think they understand what it feels like to lose a husband, when they've never lost a spouse themselves, cannot understand. All grief is valid and should not be minimised. However, the loss of one’s spouse is very different.

A married couple is joined as one (Mark 10 v 8 "and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh"). When a spouse dies, you are ripped apart. Part of you is torn away. Your 'nearest and dearest' is gone. The one who supported, cared, and understood etc., is gone.

The loss of one’s husband also means the loss of:

1) financial security/income

2) identity as loss of identity as a wife is huge. Suddenly, the “Mrs.” is dropped and you are referred to as “Ms”. I am NOT a “MS”!

3) co-parenting

4) shared responsibilities (e.g. bills, house work, maintenance, garden, decisions, vehicle, cooking, etc)

5) major source of regular emotional support

6) normal daily life/routines

7) intimacy (physical, mental, emotional and sexual)

8) close company/confidante (loneliness)

9) dreams/plans/anticipated future (bucket list is wiped clean.

10) travel companion

11) security/protection (I know God is our protector ultimately but I feel very vulnerable without my husband with me)

12) friends and social life

Losing my husband has affected every area of my life.

I go to bed and one side is empty. I’ve changed to a single bed.

I wake up each morning and my prayer partner isn't there.

I miss the deep conversations we had.

He is no longer there to talk to, confide in, support me, look after me and be there for me.

I battle to make decisions by myself now. He always knew what to do and how to solve an issue.

Tears do somehow ease the heart-burning pain of grief. In some unexplained way, grief brings a measure of hope. The Bible mentions widows over 60 times so we are obviously very close to God’s heart. He is our hope.

The Way Ahead

I solemnly urge you before God and before Christ Jesus—who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom—to preach the Word of God urgently at all times, whenever you get the chance, in season and out, when it is convenient and when it is not. Correct and rebuke your people when they need it, encourage them to do right, and all the time be feeding them patiently with God’s Word. For there is going to come a time when people won’t listen to the truth but will go around looking for teachers who will tell them just what they want to hear. They won’t listen to what the Bible says but will blithely follow their own misguided ideas. Stand steady, and don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Bring others to Christ. Leave nothing undone that you ought to do. 2 Timothy 4 v 1 – 5

Suggestion: In the days ahead, study the Word of God. Read good Christian books and increase your knowledge of the Bible. If you do not know the Truth, you will easily be persuaded by the lies. Listen to worship music. Tell others about Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Father God, I ask You today, to show me what You want me to do for Your Kingdom. As I study Your Word, Lord I ask also for a conviction to know when I hear lies told by leaders, so that I do not easily fall into their traps. Lord lead me to those who need to hear about You. Open my eyes to every opportunity to testify of Your goodness. As we enter into a new way of life as a result of Covid-19, I ask that Your Will be done in and through my life. I want to live for You Lord. Amen

Living for Jesus is all that matters now. Evie https://youtu.be/76k2fNudq1s

Let Us Spend Today, Giving Thanks.

Shout with joy before the Lord, O earth! Obey him gladly; come before him, singing with joy. Try to realize what this means - the Lord is God! He made us - we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Go through his open gates with great thanksgiving; enter his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name. For the Lord is always good. He is always loving and kind, and his faithfulness goes on and on to each succeeding generation. Psalm 100.

Suggestion: Look round you, you have woken to a new day. See the sunrise or smell the rain. See the flowers, hear the birds sing. The laughter of a child allows one to forget the worries of today, for just a few minutes.

Prayer: We thank Thee Lord, for the sunshine and the air that we breathe. We praise You for Your creation as we notice every flower that blooms, birds that sing, and even the light of the moon. We thank Thee every day that we were born with eyes to see these things. And so we offer our heartfelt thanks and praise to You today. In Jesus Name. Amen

An old song for your to enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g69hDQrbM9M

Using His Name in Vain

In John 14:13-14, Jesus gave us permission to use His Name when praying. (see Day 07)

Today, let’s look at the opposite uses of His Name.

In the 2^nd of the 10 Commandments in Exodus 20 v 7 Father God says : “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain [that is, irreverently, in false affirmations or in ways that impugn the character of God]; for the Lord will not hold guiltless nor leave unpunished the one who takes His name in vain [disregarding its reverence and its power] (Ampl).

God’s Word translation puts it like this: “Never use the name of the Lord your God carelessly. The Lord will make sure that anyone who carelessly uses his name will be punished.”

One of the most common ways of using the Lord’s Name in vain, is as an exclamation of surprise. The word “swearing” means treating something sacred with abuse, contempt or irreverence. How many times do we carelessly and often, without even thinking, say things like?: Oh my G*d; My L*rd; G*d dammit; J*sus Chr*st; Oh for G*d’s sake; Good G*d.

Using His Name frivolously, dishonours Him. Are our prayers going unanswered because, when, although we pray in the Name of Jesus, we have no interest in doing what He tells us? This too is using the Name of Jesus in vain.

Suggestion: Let us not become desensitised to the wrong use of the sacred Name of God. Challenge yourself to not let any Name of our Lord leave your lips, except to bring Him honour and glory. Seek His Will and pray accordingly.

Prayer: Thank You Father for Your loving mercy. I ask You to forgive me for each and every time I have used Your Name in vain. May the words from my mouth and the thoughts from my heart be acceptable to You, O Lord, my Rock and my Defender. Amen. (Psalm 19:14)

Father God is Right Here With US

How much longer are we going to be required to linger? What is actually going on in the world? In some quarters, Covid-19 is considered evil. There are many theories, opinions and accusations, none of which can be substantiated. Others are asking: “Where is God in all of this?”

Answer: He is right here with us!!!

Romans 11 : 33 to 36 God’s riches are very great! His wisdom and knowledge have no end! No one can explain what God decides. No one can understand His ways. As the Scriptures say, “Who can know what is on the Lord’s mind? Who is able to give Him advice?” “Who has ever given God anything? God owes nothing to anyone.” Yes, God made all things. And everything continues through Him and for Him. To God be the glory forever! Amen.

Suggestion: Take control of your thoughts about your current situation and the Corona virus. Underline the above Scripture in your Bible, and memorise it. Refer to it as a promise from Father God. Remind yourself that His wisdom and knowledge have no end!

Prayer: Thank you for Your riches, which we have in Christ Jesus. Today I bring my thinking patterns before You. Lord please help me to remember that You are right here with us and in control. In Jesus Name. Amen

Ministry in Africa

For many years, I have assisted my Pastor and his wife, Johan and Alta Cronje, with admin work relating to their ministry. They have been called by the Lord to train pastors and church leaders in various countries in Africa, in association with EMIT.

Training is provided throughout Africa. A total of 37 subjects are taught, spreading of knowledge out into cities, town, villages and remote areas, to people who do not have the opportunity to receive formal training as church leaders.

To learn more about EMIT, please click on the link provided.

Widow Support

After 30 years of marriage, my husband Peter, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer and passed away 3 months later. Nothing could have prepared me for the emotional roller-coaster which lay ahead. I read some excellent books about grief, but none told me how to cope with the day-to-day walk along the pathway called Widowhood.

Many widows have no one to turn to who really understands. Each ones copes differently, behaves differently and reacts differently.

Parables and Pebbles is a collection of devotions through which I will provide support and guidance to Widows. The Parables are real stories. The Pebbles all the Widow to glean from the stories and apply what they need, without ever having to compare themselves with any one else. Their experience will become their own Parable.

Please follow these devotions at https://sparrowwidows.blogspot.com

Life Coaching for Widows

Suddenly, a widow finds herself alone. This is a new era, a new season, a new way of living.

As a life coach, I will assist you to find your feet and take steps along the pathway of widowhood.

This is not counselling as I wont be solving your problems for you. Neither it is mentoring, where I would be teaching you what to do. A life coach helps you, the client, to discover your dreams and how to achieve them. I will also guide you as to how to deal with challenges, so that you will be giving yourself the best advice that you need.

For more information and costs, please send an email with your name and contact details to sparrow@asab.co.za

Clerical Services

Clerical work is my forté and I am therefore thrilled at any opportunity to use my talents to assist in any ministry which is very close to my heart. Travelling costs form a large part of my expenses. I have a fully operation office at home, from which I also do tent-work to supplement my running costs. I offer general clerical services, including typing, PowerPoint presentations, and bookkeeping to trial balance on QuickBooks. Kindly consider my services should you require any form of clerical work to be done.

Sparrow Blessings

Look at the birds: they do not plant seeds, gather a harvest and put it in barns; yet your Father in heaven takes care of them! Aren't you worth much more than birds? Matthew 6:26 One day, I enjoying a time of Holy Communion at a railway bridge in Namibia. As I was praying for family and friends, I would break a crumb from the bread and throw it onto the river bank. {This was symbolic for me but that is a story for another day.} A small sparrow flew down and started eating the crumbs. The Lord was providing food for the sparrow and reminding me that He is my Source and Provider.