OUR DAILY BREAD by Lesley Lerasa

  Growing up when I'll be telling some individuals that I'm a Xhosa, they'll not believe me and some ended up saying that "I don't look like Xhosa people." and some would say "You don't sound like Xhosa speaking person." It felt otherwise for me because I definitely knew my home language, but I did have a moment with myself and actually, I realized that I'll hardly speak my home language and even at school was never added in my subjects, well some never knew my second name, but only knew my first name. And even now, you'll hardly hear me speaking IsiXhosa, unless you're approaching me speaking Xhosa. "Therefore do not be ignorant of the things that matter, but rather be zealous for the good deeds that make a difference." - 1 Thessalonians 5:12 (NASB) We feel otherwise when people are saying things about us that we reflect or present in public. I'm talking about how we dress, the way we talk, what we do and where we are g...

 I still recall my school days, where we were handling seven subjects in that grade. It was striking to notice how some students excelled in all subjects, while others mastered four or just one. However, upon closer inspection, it became apparent that even those who excelled in all seven didn't do so equally. Unfortunately, this led to pride and comparisons, causing jealousy and hatred among us, ultimately resulting in divisions within our single grade. As Christians, we're called to be the body of Christ, representing unity in the Kingdom . Yet, we often find ourselves struggling with various issues – lust, adultery, homosexuality, and more. We might be tempted to distance ourselves from fellow believers who struggle with certain sins, but that's not what the Lord expects of us. Instead, we're called to...  "carry each other's burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ" Galatians 6:2. ‭‭1 Corinthians 12:27 NIV‬‬ Now you are the body of C...

I still remember earlier last year, it was when I started to show interest in holding Bible studies, but I was not baptized yet. It was myself and the gang; we decided to go buy takeaways for dinner around the township, where we went to buy food; next to it, there was a pub. The gang decided that we must get a few drinks after the dinner meal since we were experiencing load shedding at that moment. There was this inner voice suggesting that I shouldn't go to the pub, but I decided to disobey it and followed the gang. We bought drinks and settled; while we were still enjoying ourselves, it happened that I was only left with one of the guys, and he had a disability; he was unable to speak, he was mute. While I was with him, he took out a cigarette since he was a smoker and started smoking. Two random boys came towards us and asked to smoke with him, and he was willing to share it with them until they refused to return his cigarette and started saying, "What are you going to do t...

Growing up, I used to make sure that all my school work was done, and I hoped to get higher marks. I would arrive on time at school and didn't want to be absent, even if I wasn't feeling well. My dream was to pass Grade 12 and proceed to tertiary education to get a better job. It sounds like I was a wise kid, right? "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, 'He catches the wise in their own craftiness'" (1 Corinthians 3:19 NKJV).  Things don't always work out as planned. Many people follow this path, and yet we see them struggling, even with Master's degrees, desperately looking for jobs. Back to reality, can we really think that our degrees will save our souls from eternal fire? The Bible reminds us that "our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20-21 NIV). We're foreigners in this world, and just like a foreigner in a country, we won...

I still remember when I was working as a security officer at Makro Crown Mines in Johannesburg. I was an undercover officer, I'll walk around the store looking for people who might be up to criminal activities. One thing about that position is that customers will never approach you and ask for your help, rather they'll go to my co-workers who were on uniform for the assistant they need . At some time, I'll see when the customer needs assistance and even though I would try to assist they'll feel uncomfortable, even though I knew.  As I've given my life to God, I came to be in the shoes of those customers. We got fellow brothers and sisters who are not recognized as Christians but they know that they are, referring to the way they act, dress up and talk. It's like we're in the same book but stuck in different pages, quoting verses to protect ourselves . "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteo...

  After finishing my Grade 12, I moved to Braamfischerville because it wasn't that far from Johannesburg to further my studies. My mother gave me a registration fee to register at iCollege for a Human Resources Management course. However, I loved money more than education, and I didn't register. Instead, I took the money and went to stock marijuana to make a living from selling it. Everything went well, money was coming in, and I didn't care how customers got the money, as long as they gave me what I wanted and gave them what they wanted. With the extra money I got from my profit, I invested in the biltong business, which was founded by a friend. Things went well, but I lost track of my finances because I would just blow up the money with girls and friends. A year was enough for me to experience a downfall, and the business failed. I was exposed to stresses about how I was going to get money, instead I smoked the remaining marijuana I had, rather than getting help outside f...

  When someone asks, "Who are you?" I often find myself reflecting on the journey that has brought me to this moment. As a young person, I was taught to respond with my name and surname, but the question runs far deeper than a simple introduction. It's a query that probes the very essence of my being, a question that I've grappled with for years. One day, I found myself alone, pondering the mysteries of life, and I asked myself, "Who am I?" The question echoed in my mind like a thunderclap, and I felt an overwhelming sense of awe. I closed my eyes, and in the stillness, I prayed for guidance. The answer that came was nothing short of breathtaking. God spoke to me in a voice that resonated deep within my soul, saying, "You are not just an ordinary child, but one of My chosen ones. I have sent you here for a specific purpose, an assignment that only you can fulfill in this world." ‭‭Jeremiah 1:5 NIV‬‬ “ Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, bef...

Growing up, I didn't have much to stress about, even though I didn't have a lot and some days went by with nothing to eat. I'm from a small family of five, with two older brothers. My mother was a Jehovah's Witness and taught me to fear God, Jehovah, and that He is always watching over me and listens to us when we pray to Him. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 9:10). Like many believers, I was fully devoted with unshakable faith. Even in primary school, I'd stand up for what I believed in and go door-to-door spreading the gospel. "Go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). In every situation, I'd pray about it. "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). My father, who worked in the mines, would visit us once or twice a month, and I'd pray that God would help us live together as a happy family. "I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith" (Philem...

  After finishing my grades at Shadrack F Zibi Memorial School, I told myself that I wouldn't come back to this school. I was convinced that I wouldn't set foot in those yards again. I moved from Khayakhulu, Rustenburg to Johannesburg to pursue further studies at college. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned, and I found myself drifting through life, hitting rock bottom. My former principal invited me to speak to the learners, but due to personal issues, I couldn't make it. Later, I received a text from a friend mentioning that some students were using and selling drugs at school. This news hit me hard, given my past experiences with substance abuse and the challenges I faced overcoming them. Five years passed, and I found myself back at the principal's office, sharing my story with her. I ended up negotiating to take a stand and preach to the learners about the word of God. Seeing the learners pay attention to the Bible and accept my testimony touched my hear...

  Ever since I started visiting different prisons in South Africa, including the dangerous one called Pollsmoor, I got a chance to meet the inmates and they shared some of the reasons why they ended up in prison. They committed different criminal activities and failed to comply with the law, some were involved in robbery, murder, rapes and other crimes. As everyone is in prison for breaking the law, even though they didn't commit all the criminal activities they were found guilty because of the one they have committed and now they're all called prisoners. ‭‭James 2:10 NIV‬‬ For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. Now let's focus on the Kingdom of God, which we are bound to live by God's commandments. Being a follower of Jesus Christ means to deny ourselves and carry our own cross and follow him. We need to change our lifestyles and be willing to be shaped by God through applying his words into our lives. He nev...

  Growing up, I had very little, and I often yearned for more. However, my family's situation taught me to be grateful for what I had, recognizing that some people have even less.  As I grew older, I landed a job as a security officer at Fidelity Security Group, earning enough to meet my needs. I also started a relationship with a driven and ambitious partner, which felt like a dream come true. But despite these successes, something still felt incomplete. I ventured into entrepreneurship, starting small businesses that initially thrived. Yet, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake off the feeling of emptiness. Eventually, I lost the relationship, and my businesses began to collapse. I realized that even with material success, I lacked peace of mind and true fulfillment. ‭‭Mark 10:17-23 NIV‬‬ As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” [18] “Why do you call me good?...

 I used to be afraid to share my past experiences with people because I was not ready for their feedback. I was never fully open until I realized that I didn't have power to charge it. Now God is opening doors for me to share my story. Check out the video. 

  I still remember while I was still a kid, I used to be scared of the dark and everytime when I was asked to get something outside the house at night, I would leave the door opened so that I can at least see the light since where I grew up we had no electricity. The other night my mom asked me "What are you afraid of?" truly speaking I had no valid reason to tell her besides having scary things in my mind that didn't even existed. Now I've realized that actually I was afraid to face the reality. I was afraid of being exposed to the place where by I had to control my thoughts, something applies to things we face as we exist in this world without including God in our lives. We are afraid to make decisions because we'll be stressing ourselves, having doubts about what if it doesn't work out and that creates a distance between us and God, that leads us to having fear. ‭‭Luke 12:32 NKJV‬‬ [32] “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to gi...

The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13, KJV) "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen."