Lighthouse Church Durban

Jesus called his disciples “the light of the world”. We are to "shine" - by how we live and what we teach. Our point of reference for what is right and wrong is found in the commands of God. Jesus taught his disciples to practice and teach these commands. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus, but God's laws still teach us right from wrong. They are "light" for us - and when we demonstrate...

One of God's many amazing attributes is his compassion. He has shown this compassion to many people, including Moses, David, Elijah and the nation of Israel. Jesus also revealed God's compassion, both in his mission to seek and save the lost and in his general ministry. When we recognise God's compassion, we live with greater peace and confidence. And just as we have RECEIVED compassion from God,...

We live in an age when we are used to quick or even instant results - but the Bible teaches us to wait on God! Waiting on God is a learning process and not always easy - but it has many benefits! Waiting times are often times when God matures our character and faith and teaches us new things. A delay does not mean that God did not hear us or pay attention; we can trust that he will do what is best...

The journey of transformation into the image of Christ begins with our first decision to follow Jesus. For the journey to continue, we need to KEEP deciding to follow Jesus! Jesus told us to decide three things every day: 1 deny ourselves (today will be centred on Jesus, not me) 2 take up our cross (today I will embrace sacrifice & suffering for his sake) 3 follow him (I will obey him as he le...

Like Elijah, we may be devoted to God and serve him will all our hearts, yet we don't see the results that we had hoped for. We may then feel disappointed, frustrated and even want to give up. Like Elijah, we can experience God's restoration - as we come to him, as we pour out our hearts to him and as we take time for rest and renewal. We’re not done until the Lord takes us home! Romans 8:28-30, 1...

The new-born child of God should not remain a baby, but grow up into maturity, reflecting more and more of the glorious image of Jesus. Two keys to this transformation are related to our thinking: 1. Think differently about your life: The transforming life is a life of worship. I no longer live for me, I live for Jesus. 2. Think differently about your source of truth and wisdom: The transforming l...

Whatever our comforts or struggles, as God's children, we are God's treasure. Every believer is precious to God! We have experienced God’s deliverance, protection & provision, so can testify to his greatness & goodness. And we are called to live as a royal priesthood & holy people, proclaiming God’s worth & majesty through our lives. As we live God-centred lives, we display God’s l...

God transforms his children in a process whereby they steadily become more and more like Jesus. This journey of transformation begins with salvation, when we are born again, becoming new creations. To experience salvation, we need to believe that Jesus is who he said he is - both saviour and Lord - and respond by surrendering our lives to him and coming under his rule. We can then start taking our...

There are many uncertainties about the year ahead, but we can be sure of this: God has promised us transformation!  Our response must be firstly to believe him, and secondly to act accordingly. We should leave our past behind and run into our glorious future!  This year, let’s “make every effort” to experience the glorious transformation that God has planned for us! 2 Corinthians 3:18, P...

At Christmas we remember a series of events that took Israel by complete surprise: God somehow took on human form and was born to a young virgin. Some recognised him as royalty, yet he was born in a stable. So-called "sinners" loved him, but the religious leaders hated him. He lived a perfect life, but was executed as a criminal. He died and was buried, but then rose from the dead! To some, this s...

We don't have to postpone our happiness and rejoicing for the new year! God has been with us - so let's give him thanks! Rather than being anxious about December, or next year, bring your concerns to the Lord in prayer. God is with us to give us peace that will guard our hearts and minds! 2 Timothy 4:7, Job 2:9-10, 2 Corinthians 2:14, Psalm 103:1-2, Philippians 3:10-14, Philippians 4:4-7

Following Jesus is not always easy! It can involve difficult trials and tests. In those times, our faith and obedience will bring us into a closer relationship with God - and we will know his blessings. What a journey God has planned for each one of us! May we grow and develop Godly character in our difficulties! Joshua 24:2, Genesis 12:1-3, 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, James 2:23, Genesis 12:7, Genesis...

The Bible is likened to a razor-sharp sword and called "the sword of the Spirit". It cuts through to the deepest parts of our being! Handled well, it transforms lives; handled badly, it wreaks havoc! The apostle Paul gave great advice on "swordsmanship": - Value sound doctrine - Beware those who love to argue about words - Learn to correctly handle the Bible - Avoid questionable teaching We would...

We live in confusing times, when every theory and opinion is presented as "truth". The Bible is described as "God-breathed", or "God's word", and it has stood the test of time over thousands of years. As we read it, we should ask (and trust) the Holy Spirit to lead us into the truth that we need to hear. When we know what God has said, we won’t be confused or deceived by constantly changing opinio...

God is perfectly capable of rescuing us from any and every trial that we may face! But there may be times when, in his perfect wisdom, he chooses not to. The apostle Paul experienced God's mighty power to deliver - but he also experienced suffering that stayed. When suffering stayed, Paul discovered God's all-sufficient grace at work in him, sustaining him. He also discovered God's perfect power a...

Jesus has come to set things right - to lift up the poor, the broken-hearted, the oppressed. He has opened the way for us to experience transformation, comfort, joy, provision, freedom and revelation. Having opened the way, he has chosen his followers to be his instruments of the ongoing work of restoration and rebuilding. We will be known as priests and ministers wherever we live and work, restor...

The grace of God, so powerfully demonstrated by Jesus, is truly remarkable! God values us highly - even though he needs nothing from us. We (and other people) may think that we have little value - but God values us enough to send Jesus to die for us! He offers forgiveness and reconciliation in return for the only thing we can give: a humble faith in Jesus that cries out for his grace! Matthew 18:1...

Psalm 23 tells us that God is like a shepherd to his people. Jesus called himself "the good shepherd". For the follower of Jesus, this means that: - We can have a personal relationship with God as our Shepherd. - Although the presence of the Shepherd does not mean that danger and trials will be absent, it does mean that we can be assured and content, knowing that he is with us as the one who: - kn...

The Church is called "the Bride of Christ". Jesus has offered his hand in marriage and returned to heaven to prepare a place for his Bride. We are now in our time of preparation, getting ready for his return. The time of preparation has been very long because God is patiently waiting: - for people to respond to his invitation - for his messengers to deliver the invitation to all nations We should...

The New Testament uses several images to describe the church. One such image is the Bride of Christ. Jesus is the Bridegroom and the church is his Bride. This image teaches us about our RELATIONSHIP with Jesus: - He loves us deeply and is completely committed to us. - His love has a clear goal - he is going to marry a beautiful, holy, radiant bride! - We are now "spoken for" and must live in faith...

We are living in days of adversity, days of darkness. Yet there are opportunities in the adversity! The darkness around us is an opportunity to shine with the light of Christ! And the darker the darkness, the greater the impact of the smallest light! Because we have been rescued from darkness, we may want to avoid dark situations, but we are called to be light in the darkness around us! We are cal...

Jesus is building his church - and he will not be stopped. He is also "shaking all nations" and revealing his glory. At the same time, the devil is angrily terrorising the world, and society is in moral decline. In these days we should: -Build with God according to his pattern -Embrace the shaking -Learn to receive from God Jam 1:19, Mat 16:18-19, Dan 7:14, 1 Cor 8:1, 1 Thes 5:11, Hag 2:7, Heb 12:...

Many of us think that there is "a right time and place" for ministry. But Jesus ministered when he was tired, under pressure, in stressful and painful situations, and even in his darkest hours. As his disciples, we should be ready to do the same. This makes sense when we know that God works for the good in all situations! So let's be ready to be used by God in both good times and tough times! Mark...

Jesus is altogether sufficient: he saves, perfects, completes, provides and strengthens! When we have him, we have everything we need! The Bible teaches us to be "rooted and built up in Christ". We do this when we: - Surrender our whole life to Jesus - Meditate on scripture (the Bible) - Spend regular time in God's presence - Surround ourselves with wise people - Humble ourselves before God - Put...

Although we have freedom to make choices (even disobedient & foolish ones!), what God has ordained WILL happen. So we can always trust his promises, because no-one can stop him from doing what he has promised! Sometimes things seem to go very wrong & we may get despondent. But if God has promised to work for the good in our lives, we can be assured that he will do so! The life of Joseph is...