Nick Parker, Author at 1Africa

#walkbyfaith2014

June 18, 2014

Whether we think about it or not, every day we walk by faith. That’s right, today just by walking, you are walking by faith.

You might be reading this thinking, “ I’m not even religious, so how can I be walking by faith?” or you might be wondering how faith has anything to do with walking.

Let me explain. No matter where you walk, whether it be on the road, over a bridge or through a field – you have faith that the very thing you are walking on will hold you. You are putting your trust in the engineers who designed the bridge or the construction workers who laid the road. You have faith that with every step you take, you will not only be OK, but you will be able to take another step. We have actually become so filled with faith that we don’t even have to look at what we are walking on; we can instead look ahead and focus on our destination.

So faith is something we all have in common. The question is not whether you have faith. The question is what do you put your faith in?

If the only faith you ever have is in the people and objects around you, you will eventually be let down.

The only person who promises to never let you down, no matter what happens is Jesus. Why not put your faith in him? Jesus isn’t an old man with a wooden stick wanting to punish us every time we mess up; he wants to have a real, open relationship with us. He loves us unconditionally and died just so that we could have a relationship with him.

So make a choice. Choose to not only put your faith in the ground you walk on… but also in the one who created it.

#walkbyfaith2014

If you have any questions or comments regarding anything said in this blog, please send us a message. We would love to hear from you.

What Does It Mean To Know Life?

Nick Parker

June 4, 2014

So to state the obvious, if you are reading this you are quite clearly alive. But what does it mean to be alive, I mean when one day you look back at your life, how will you know if you ever really lived?

What I’m trying to say is what does it mean to really know life?

How do we know we have lived?

Does earning a big salary, having fancy cars and living in a big house mean you have really lived? I am by no means saying that these things are bad or wrong, but does having them give our lives real value and purpose?

If that were the case, then what about those who are less fortunate? Does that somehow mean that their lives are less valuable, that they will never truly experience life?

I think that often we a drawn into the trap of looking at people who have money and thinking that they have it all together, that nothing in their life could possibly go wrong. We may even look at them and think their lives are perfect.

The truth is, that often isn’t the case; money doesn’t buy life. Money can’t buy true purpose or fulfillment. The only way we can truly ever experience life is by getting to know the one who gave us life.

In John 1:4 it says “The Word (God) gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.”

So you see it isn’t our possessions, money or social status that gives us life, it’s God!

God is the author of life, He is the reason we were created. So to know life means to know God. Don’t allow yourself to go throughout life without truly living.

It doesn’t matter who you are or what you have done, you can have life today. All you need to do is ask.

If you would like to get to know more about God and living a life of hope and freedom, contact us below. We would love to hear from you.

Jesus, who’s that?

Nick Parker

April 17, 2014

So with Easter just around the corner, we thought we would put out a video that highlights exactly who Jesus is. During this time of year everyone seems to know who he is, or at least whom they think he is. To some he is an important man who died and now we have a holiday in remembrance, others just don’t care who he is, but there are also those who believe he is the Son of God who died on the cross for our sins.

So the question is, who is Jesus really?

If he is just another “important” man, then why should we bother studying his life and what he had to say? We could just acknowledge what he did and move on with our lives. But what if Jesus really is the son of God? What if everything he said and did was true? What if this holiday we celebrate is more than just a holiday, and is in fact the most important day of our lives, the day that our freedom was bought.

So don’t you think it’s important to learn once and for all who Jesus really is and why it is that we celebrate Easter. Let’s not allow this holiday to become that, just another holiday. Instead take the time to consciously make an effort to discover who Jesus really is. I promise that the answers won’t disappoint you, instead I believe that the more you find out about him the more you will find out about yourself.

So watch this video and decide for yourself who you think Jesus is.

Do we have a choice?

Nick Parker

April 9, 2014

Well, the answer to this question would be a definitive “yes”. The right to ‘choose’ is something we are all born with. In life we have the choice to do whatever we feel like; whether it be right or wrong.

Choice is a funny thing though and often we’ll make decisions without thinking about the consequences. You might not think it, but the choices we make have great power in our lives. In fact, our choices even have the power to give life or bring death and will ultimately form who we are.

So who are you?

Perhaps it’s worth taking a step back and having a look at your life. Are you happy with the person you are and the choices you have made? If not, don’t panic, it’s not too late. YOU have the power to change; all you have to do is make a CHOICE.

I set before you life and death, now choose life – Deuteronomy 30:19

If you would like to find out more about Jesus, or would just like to chat, we would love to hear from you.

For more videos like this, please visit www.yesheis.co.za

The Price of Redemption

Nick Parker

April 1, 2014

So, it’s a fact that we all mess up. We have all made mistakes along the way. Some bigger than others, but the truth is, a mistake is still a mistake, no matter the size. The only common thing that all mistakes have is the need for some form of redemption.

Whether it be a simple apology or confessing to a crime, we all have this longing for redemption. It’s a deep desire to be forgiven and set free from what it is we have done. Often redemption requires a certain amount of effort or takes a certain amount of time to be obtained. This could be in the form of a prisoner seeing out their jail sentence or a husband having to wash the dishes for a week after shouting at his wife.

You see, that’s the thing with redemption, there is always a price attached to it. How can we possibly be redeemed for something if we do nothing to earn that redemption?

But that’s the very thing that makes Jesus unique. The fact that we have done nothing to earn his redemption, yet he chooses to love us and forgive us anyway. Imagine committing the most heinous crime and even though you know and everyone else around you knows you did it, someone else volunteers to serve your time and take the ‘wrap’ for you?

That’s insane! Who would do that?

The truth is, that’s exactly what Jesus did for us when he died on the cross. He died, so that no matter what we do or have done, God will love and forgive us. This redemption is free! We no longer have to act a certain way or do certain things to achieve it. Instead all we have to do is accept the fact that we have messed up and need Jesus.

So take this free gift and live in freedom. The price for your redemption has already been paid.

If you would like to find out more about Jesus and redemption, or would just like to chat, we would love to hear from you.

For more videos like this, please visit www.yesheis.co.za

Have you lost your way?

Nick Parker

March 19, 2014

It’s amazing how God is full of grace, love, forgiveness and peace yet at the same time he is Sovereign and uncompromising. God forgives us when we fall short, yet his thoughts are unwavering. He isn’t double minded; he doesn’t change his viewpoint on what is right or wrong, holy or profane.

He never moves the goal posts to suit us. Instead he gives us what WE need in order to change.

There can be direct parallels drawn in this video between the relationship of the boss, his employee and of us and God. Just like the boss in the video, God has a standard. He has given us a task and wants to see us accomplish it.

But that isn’t where his involvement ends. God doesn’t just leave us to figure it out for ourselves; he equips us and gives us signs that will help guide us in the right direction. Just like in the video, when Adam feels all is lost with his design, he receives a message that gives him a nudge in the right direction.

The biggest revelation of the film comes at the ending, when you realise that Adam’s boss is also his father! Isn’t that the most powerful representation of our relationship with God? He is our King, but at the same time he is our Father. He rules the universe, yet at the same time cares for us and wants to have a personal relationship with us. He protects us and gives us freedom, but disciplines us when we step out of line.

What an amazing God we serve!

I love that no matter what path we are on in life, God will always find a way of bringing us back to Him. He is the Architect of life. He holds the plan to our future. Even if you have lost your way, know that God still knows who you are and where you are and that his greatest desire is to bring you back. Not back to a place of darkness but a place of light and freedom, a life with him at the centre.

For more videos like this, please visit www.yesheis.com

Can You Imagine A Life Like This?

Nick Parker

March 14, 2014

Can You Imagine A Life Like This?

This week’s yesHEis video addresses a topic that is relevant to all of us, that of suffering from a broken heart. We have all had times when we have felt heart ache. It might not always be for the same reason, but it’s an emotion that most of us are familiar with. Heartache comes in many different forms. We wish we could avoid it, but it often happens without any warning.

What makes this video powerful is that this little girl was forced into heartache. She never asked to be married at the age of seven and to be with someone she didn’t love. Imagine the heartache of having your childhood stolen from you and being forced to live your life under someone else’s rule.

No one deserves this heartache!

The problem is, in the midst of heartache we often feel like there is no hope. That there is no way that things could ever get better. It’s as if we are trapped in this situation with no sign of an exit. But, that’s where we are wrong. We don’t have to go through this alone, God is with us always! He never leaves us. We no longer have to live with a broken heart, but can rather find hope in Him who will never break our heart.

I love that is Psalm 147:3 it says; “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds”. God is here to heal us. How amazing is that? He knows us so well. He even knows how many hairs each of us have on our head! God wants to be our comforter and healer; all we have to do is let Him in.

so make a choice today to no longer live in heartache, but rather to live in the freedom and love that is so freely given to us by a God who is everlasting and full of abundant grace.

If you are suffering from a brokenheart or would just like to find out more about Jesus, please get hold of us. We would love to hear from you

A SIMPLE GOSPEL

Nick Parker

February 26, 2014

In a day and age where everything seems to be simpler, faster, more efficient and more reliable, there are still a few things that we seem to over complicate. One of the biggest things, in my opinion at least, is Christianity. We need A SIMPLE GOSPEL.

To outsiders, Christianity often seems like it’s so hard and takes so much effort to be a part of, mainly because there are so many “rules” and “regulations” to follow. These “rules” and “regulations” have unfairly painted a picture of God to that of an old man with a wooden stick, sitting on his thrown in heaven, finding pleasure in punishing those who have stepped out of line. He isn’t relevant and real to those people, he’s just another “person” telling them how messed up their lives are.

But that’s where we have gone wrong; you see Jesus didn’t come to give us rules to follow, but rather to destroy the rules that keep us from having a relationship with a relevant God. That’s what makes Christianity a lot simpler than it seems.

All Jesus asks is that we love him with all our heart and love others as we love ourselves; it’s as easy as that. The bible doesn’t say that only those who look and act a certain way have access to God, instead through Jesus, we are all accepted!

That’s what I love about this one minute rap, it reminds me that we don’t need to over complicate things, the gospel of Jesus is short and to the point, its black and white.

Our lives need to be an example to others of how Christianity isn’t over complicated or hard, but rather that its foundation is love and that having a relationship with Jesus is the most natural and normal thing we could ever be a part of.

So here is my challenge, just love Jesus and let him handle the rest. He wants to have a relationship with us that isn’t complicated, one in which we can freely communicate with him and allow him to lead and guide us.

If you would like to know more about Jesus, please send us a message. We would love to hear from you.

Can love be unconditional?

Nick Parker

February 19, 2014

So we all have someone in our lives that we love, whether it is a family member, husband, wife or friend. These people all mean the world to us and I’m pretty sure that we would do anything for them. But does anything include loving them unconditionally? I’m not saying we don’t love these people, but rather do we love them no matter what?

Well to be honest that’s not an easy question to answer because what is unconditional love, is it when we forgive our partner for disappointing us or not holding our friend responsible for crashing our car, maybe it’s when we choose to love the person who is bullying us? All of those are good examples of love, but unconditional love doesn’t just love in certain circumstances but rather loves in every circumstance, whether it be big or small.

I personally can’t imagine a love that sees no record of wrong, I’d be a liar to say that I loved everyone in my life and wouldn’t allow anything to come in-between that. The truth is I’m human; I get annoyed, disappointed, hold grudges and often let my emotions get the best of me.

That doesn’t mean I’m incapable of love but rather I’m incapable of unconditional love. But does that then mean that there is no such thing as unconditional love? The answer quite simply is NO.

There is a love that is unconditional, no matter the circumstance, a love that goes above and beyond anything we have ever experienced before, a love that forgives us even when we turn our backs on it. This isn’t a love that is here today and gone tomorrow, but a love that has been with us since the day we were born.

This love can only be found in one place, and that is in Jesus.

Jesus isn’t just a historical figure, he is a man who came down to earth to die for us, so that we may have access to and experience this unconditional love. He is the one that brings freedom and allows us to be able to approach God and have a relationship with him. It’s hard enough loving one person unconditionally, now imagine loving everyone like that.

What is even crazier is that God doesn’t love one person more than another, he loves everyone equally. Whether they acknowledge him or not!

So if there is such a thing as unconditional love, why wouldn’t you want to embrace that? Jesus died to set us free, there is no price for his unconditional love, all we have to do is follow him and live a life that brings glory to his name.

If you would like to know more about Jesus or unconditional love, please send us a message. We would love to hear from you.

A VOW OF VIOLENCE

Nick Parker

February 12, 2014

Woman abuse seems to have become another one of those topics that people talk about, but do so little to fight. We hear about it so often that we have almost become desensitized to it.

The reality is, one in four women experience some form of domestic violence during their lifetime. What scares me even more about this statistic is that most women often don’t report their abuse, so the number could actually be higher. The question I have is, why have we let it get to this point?

Women are beautiful, precious, caring, loving, giving, gentle, courageous, extraordinary, selfless; the list could go on forever. So what gives us the right to think we can harm them for not meeting our expectations? As men we need to stand up and say enough is enough. We are no longer going to stand for violence against women. Instead we are going to start a new culture, one that respects women for who they are. If we truly believe that we are made in God’s image, then how could we even consider harming one of His creations?

Woman deserve to be treated like the princesses they are! A vow of violence is not something they should ever be forced to accept. Let us fight what is wrong, but celebrate that which is right.

If you are a woman who has been through some form of abuse or know of someone who has, just know that you are not alone. There is a God who is always with you and this is not His plan for your life. You are worth so much more; in His eyes you are wonderfully and beautifully made. Take back your life and decide today that you are bigger and better than any form of abuse. There are people out there who can help you, you don’t have to go through this alone.

If this is something you are affected by, or know of someone who might be in this situation, please contact us below. We will do all we can to help.

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