Stella Mckenzie Smuts: Using His Name in Vain

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.

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)

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.