“When we read about the events that occurred in the lives of those individuals that God raised up as leaders, we see a pattern emerging – that of character testing. Think of Joseph, King David, Daniel, Joshua, Elijah, Elisha, the disciples. They all had to go through some character training. At times in our life, we will be faced with and find ourselves in situations that we think we are unable to handle or situations that we have no natural talent for. We will be out of our depth. These situations are designed by God as character forming or character shaping events. They are essential to our growth and us accomplishing the will and plan of God for our lives.” CharacterGrowthTestEssentialPaddick Van ZylEight People Eight Life Lessons Author:Paddick van Zyl
“When we submit to God, when we call upon His Name and give Him the glory as we trust Him, we can rest assured that God will give us the victory. When we obey God’s instructions, we will succeed. Obedience is key to success.” VictorySucceedGloryObedienceSubmitInstructionsPaddick Van ZylEight People Eight Life Lessons Author:Paddick van Zyl
“There are many lessons and truths we may learn from the life of Stephen. The two most important ones probably are, in my estimation, the power of the gospel of Christ (being not ashamed to preach Jesus) and forgiveness, not just the forgiveness that God offers us but the forgiveness that Stephen was able to offer to his accusers and murderers and to even pray for them as he breathed his last. Jesus did the same. It is only when we are able to truly forgive that we are set free. That we are healed. That we are restored and made whole.” SufferingPrayerHealingForgivePaddick Van ZylEight People Eight Life LessonsStephen The Martyr Author:Paddick van Zyl
“Our identity is in Christ, not in our work, our accomplishments or our own good works. Our provision is from God alone, not our jobs or our money. Our authority is in Christ alone, not our own power or strength, apart from Jesus Christ, we do not have any authority, identity or provision. He is our all and our everything.” JobsJesusMoneyIdentityGood WorksPaddick Van ZylEight People Eight Life Lessons Author:Paddick van Zyl
“The testing of Abraham’s faith was not for God to see if Abraham would obey since God knows everything from A to Z. It was for Abraham to find out if his faith in God will stand the test. How far was he willing to obey God? How strong was his faith in God really? God knows us. He knows what is in our hearts, we cannot fool Him” HeartFaithFoolTestingAbrahamObeyPaddick Van ZylEight People Eight Life Lessons Author:Paddick van Zyl
“Job’s wife went with her husband from a comfortable and well-supplied lifestyle to being homeless, bankrupt, and childless. She became a caregiver, as she had been to her entire family while they were alive and for her ill husband, who according to Scripture, was in so much physical pain that he wished for death (Job 2:12-13, Job 3). Perhaps the words that his wife uttered, was merely her way of ending the pain for her husband whom she had to witness suffering day after day. It only mentions Job’s three friends that came to comfort him. Job’s wife probably did not have a support network of other women to help and assist her. If she did, while they were affluent, these fair weather friends would probably not have wanted to get involved now. The saying: ‘Sympathy says “sorry” and runs away; empathy says “I understand” and stays’, rings so true. She probably subdued her own sorrow and pain and first took care of her husband’s pain. Yet, she, together with her husband, trusted in the goodness of God. And God blessed them.” PainFamilyLifestyleJobSufferBankruptPaddick Van ZylEight People Eight Life LessonsSupport NetworkJob S Wife Author:Paddick van Zyl
“This is the essence – allow God to change you. Present your body, your spirit, your soul, your all to Him to transform you. Not the world. Not other people. Let God do the transforming miracle in your life and see what happens.” GodBodyMiracleTransformAllowPaddick Van ZylEight People Eight Life Lessons Author:Paddick van Zyl
“God’s plan for us is good, not evil. Well-being and not disaster. He hears us and listens to us when we call out to Him.” GodGoodPlanPaddick Van ZylEight People Eight Life LessonsHears Author:Paddick van Zyl
“God not only provided us with the ability to choose, to make decisions, but He also desires that we make these choices and decisions in consultation with Him, His written word and the guidance of His Holy Spirit.” GodAbilityChoices And ConsequencesConsultPaddick Van Zyl Author:Paddick van Zyl
“Joseph is an example of true patience and endurance in the plan of God. From the moment we are conceived in the womb, our destiny is being shaped by God the Father. From the life of Joseph we can learn what it is to suffer for God, what it is to truly die to self and the blessing that God bestows upon those who lay down their lives in service to Him and the resurrection power of new beginnings that only God can bring to pass by and through His Spirit of grace.” WombGod S PlanSufferJosephPaddick Van ZylResurrection Power8 People 8 Life Lessons Author:Paddick van Zyl
“To have wisdom whilst young, to have strength whilst old, therein lies the secret to life on earth” LifeWisdomEarthSecretYouthOldPaddick Van Zyl Author:Paddick Va Zyl
“Planning is a skill and an art which takes a lifetime to master” ArtLifetimePlanningPlanMasterPaddick Van ZylSkil Author:Paddick van Zyl
“What is the key to life? What will ensure good success? Living a God-centered and Holy Spirit led life. Simple. Uncomplicated” GodSuccessKeyPaddick Van ZylThe Consequences Of Decisions Author:Paddick van Zyl
“There may be times of pain and regret and deep hurt in our lives. Often it takes a painful situation to motivate us back to where God wants us to be or intended us to be. Until some people will get up and remove the thorn from under their foot, that is causing utter discomfort, they will not change. No, God does not cause the pain or hurt or sickness or tragedy, but He may use it (allow it) to bring us to a place where we are focused on Him, where He has our attention and where He can minister to us by His Spirit, in our inner being.” GodPainHurtTragedyMotivatePaddick Van ZylEight People Eight Life Lessons Author:Paddick van Zyl