Opened Eyes

By Samuel Maimela

“This book serves as a reminder that we will surely encounter obstacles in our Christian walk. But we can always lean on Christ...”

-Danisa Baloyi
Author of Powered to Empower and God Will Not Let You Give Up

I lost count and stopped counting the blessings and just fell on my knees for his goodness.

What do you do when you have just realised that you cannot count all of His blessings? You have tried but God is just too great.

We often forget what He has done for us: the countless blessings, moments of protection, instances of unexplainable provision, showing up when needed, giving us the privilege of waking up on a daily basis, Salvation, the list is truly endless.

This book is about realising the goodness of God and how it ultimately draws us closer to Him. Beyond what He can do for us, it’s His character of compassion, His love, mercy, Grace flowing from Him to His creation, which is, you and I.

Though we cannot understand His goodness in full, we can have a glimpse of His goodness through His word.

-What do you do when it “feels like the goodness of God is absent in your life”?
-How does one respond to the goodness of God?
-What do you do when you feel lost?
-Where should His goodness ultimately lead us to?

Kutollo Samuel Maimela started out at his home church from high school by volunteering to play the drums. During his university days he then journeyed into writing and doing poetry in church services. Not long thereafter, he was given the opportunity to lead prayer services and sharing the word of God in campus weekly services. He participated in campus activities and graduated from the Tshwane University of Technology, Baccalaureus Technologae (B-Tech) in Local Government Finance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Samuel Maimela
• Release date: Jul 4, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463909812

Book preview

Opened Eyes

His Goodness Draws Us Closer

Samuel Maimela

Endorsements

This book serves as a reminder that we will surely encounter obstacles in our Christian walk. But we can always lean on Christ. I am grateful that our paths have crossed Samuel, and may this book be one of the many that God will use to touch our generation in an amazing way through you. I recommend this book to every person who wants to deepen their trust and knowledge for God.

Danisa Baloyi

Author of Powered to Empower and God will not let you give up

Opened eyes is a wonderful book to read. Be encouraged in God to trust that He is good and has good plans when it seems like there is no hope in life. Even when you are looking for answers, know that God is really with you. He is always there. No matter the state you are in, I would like to recommend this book to you. I am personally inspired by the rich content of this book and the fresh hope that it brings.

Pastor Joshua Moxabase

Gospel Pillars, Cape Town

The author has a collective of life-transforming, destiny-altering, potential-drawing and identity-restoring information wrapped up inside the parameters of this book. Read this book and allow the grace of God to flow into every aspect of your life as you uncover the mysteries of grace that will unlock an undying and precious relationship with God for the rest of your life and that in the life to come.

Dumisani Mazibuko

Pastor

This book is very well written and captivating; it’s both spiritual and also highlights the importance of learning from every situation. There is always a lesson in every situation; don’t curse your crisis. It’s not over just because it feels hopeless – God is always in control.

Tricia Mamaregane

CFO of Tripho Multimedia and Communications

Recording gospel artist, song writer and composer

For me personally, the book speaks to my life. We tend to think that just because we are in a storm or wilderness God is not there. Well as I read the book, my faith was recharged and renewed. I would like to thank God for the author for adventuring into writing this wonderful book.

Shaun Maila

Prophet

Gethsemane Christian Church

Unless otherwise specified, all scriptures are taken from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV).

Published by Samuel Maimela Publishing at Smashwords

© 2019 by Samuel Maimela.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the author.

Printed in South Africa

Scripture taken from the Message ©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 used with permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Scripture marked GNB is taken from the GOOD NEWS BIBLE © 1994, published by the Bible Societies/Harper Collins Publishers Ltd UK, Good News Bible © American Bible Society 1966, 1971, 1971, 1999. Used with permission.

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Scripture marked NKJV is taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION © ® 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

The author has tried by all means to trace ownership of the quotes, references, quotations and citations used in this book. In the event of any question rising from the use of quotes, references and citations used in this book, the author is more than pleased to make the necessary corrections in the future editions of the book.

Published by Samuel Maimela using Reach Publishers’ services,

Edited by Gil Harper for Reach Publishers

Cover designed by Reach Publishers

P O Box 1384, Wandsbeck, South Africa, 3631

Website: www.reachpublishers.co.za

E-mail: [e-mail]

Table of Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Introduction

1. When His Goodness Seems Absent

2. His Goodness When You are Lost

3. When You are Hopeless

4. He Is Not Willing That Any Should Perish

5. The Taste of His Goodness

6. When We Forget His Goodness

7. Responding to His Goodness

8. Drawing Closer to Him

Chapter References

Scripture

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance. (Romans 2:4)

Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou has done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than they can be numbered. (Psalm 40:5)

Dedication

To

The greatest author of all time, the Holy Spirit. Precious Holy Spirit of God, with the pen you gave me, shape it, mould it, modify it, alter it, improve it and use it only for your purpose. Thank you.

Acknowledgements

God, I thank you for everything. A house might be for one person but it is built by many hands. And the hands must be acknowledged. The complexity of ideas coming from different places, ideas being arranged over time, the mind to re-arrange and the ability to be able to put what lives in thought to paper through different life situations, cannot be a man’s work but that of His creator. God is so loving and good and has placed a beautiful gift in every one of us to share with others.

He doesn’t leave us there but helps us. I can truly say that without God, I cannot do anything; everything I do without God is nothing. I would like to thank the following people, in no particular order of importance:

I would like to thank Evie for your hospitality from day one until the end. For the cover and design, Joe, the editing, Noreen and Gil. Thank you to the entire family at Reach Publishers for your hospitality, professionalism, friendliness and support in developing the words in this book into a final product. God bless you.

My gratitude to the believers in the body of Christ: your prayers are deeply appreciated. Sometimes you are led to pray for people you don’t know, in particular for overcoming obstacles. Your secret prayers were crucial and appreciated. Let us keep praying. God bless you.

Deep gratitude goes to the beautiful family of Light of the Nation’s church, my home church. I grew up there and I gave my life to Jesus there. To Bishop Deric Linley and the late Pastor Belinda Linley as well as pastors serving there, God bless you for your sacrifices and for honouring the call of God in your lives. The sermons are appreciated as they have built lives and provided people with a place of fellowship on Sunday mornings, so ultimately people can receive Christ. May God continue to bless you.

For the huge amount of growth when I relocated from home to varsity, I thank the beautiful family of Gospel Pillars, Dr Isaiah Wealth and Pastor Liana Wealth – your teachings and love are appreciated. I thank God for your lives. The entire Gospel Pillars family pastors, leaders and members are a blessing to many and thank you for your continued prayers. Let us keep serving and may God bless you to do more and win more souls for the body of Christ.

To Pastor Joshua (Paseka Moxabase) at Gospel Pillars, I personally bless God for your life. Only God really knows the contribution and impact you have had on my life, through your mentorship during varsity and your commitment to God. I have learned so much from you, and I understand discipline better because of you. I will never forget what you have done for me. May God continue to bless you more and more. I thank God for you, sir.

To all my friends and brothers and sisters in Christ, you are deeply appreciated. To one of my close friends Kgololosego Lesomo, those late nights of encouragement to keep going in the things of God, are appreciated. Thank you my friend Goodwill Seepa, for those heart-challenging questions regarding the book.

Dumisani Mazibuko, my brother in Christ: that call of encouragement helped me to see this project to completion. Silas Letaola, thank you for being there for me and really believing in the book – God bless you. Mary Ntabane, a friend who told it like it was, your honest critique was very helpful. Shaun Maila, thank you for your honest review in helping me rework the book.

Thank you to Vukosi Danisa Baloyi for your encouragement, inspiration, motivation and playing so much of a role in helping me with the book as one of my mentors. Nkosinathi Ndlovu, I thank you for your story that you allowed me to share in the book. My friend Phillip Seko, your passion for the word of God and serving God really encourages me. To Alex Mahleke for those late night prayers we used to have: a friend in Christ is a friend indeed. The list is truly endless… if it were possible, I would list everybody. Thank you all. Much love. I appreciate it.

To Terry O Inspire, I am deeply grateful for that one call of encouragement in the Lord when I almost gave up in life and church. And your challenging self-examination questions that ensured I continued in the ways of the Lord. I really appreciate it. Thank you and God bless you! To Fadiel Baker, I thank you for those encouraging messages in youth services which played such a role in my life. Thank you. God bless you!

To one of the mothers in the faith Sheila Sibambo, for your uplifting faith encouragements, spending hours digging into the word of God and being refreshed: this was not in vain. I bless God for your life.

To my parents (my father Emmanuel and my mother Asnath), thank you. I love you and personally bless God for everything you have done for me. To my sisters Julia, Lethabo and Abigail, I love you all and deeply appreciate your prayers in support of this book throughout the process. God bless you more.

Father, may this book bring glory to you and to your name above any other. May we realise how good you are in all circumstances and that you have nothing but good plans for us. We should trust you and follow you. Your love, mercy, kindness, grace and goodness is truly immeasurable.

May people, especially those who need to know about your goodness and your beautiful plans for their life, no matter what they are facing, know that you are God. Lastly, Jesus my King, my beautiful Lord and Saviour, may you find this work acceptable.

Father, my sincere prayer is that I stay humble to serve and share your message and gospel which has power, until I leave this earth, Lord. Help me to live to bring glory to you alone! Destroy any form of pride in me always! I ask Father, that you please help me use your holy and powerful word as you guide me. Let your glory be revealed and may we always remember that the best book ever to turn to is your word, the Bible.

Samuel Maimela, April 2019

Introduction

Often people tell you to count your blessings, but when you experience the goodness of God and He opens your eyes, you suddenly realise that you cannot put a number to His good deeds. Even if you tried, you would suddenly stop counting and just fall to your knees in wonder.

In the world today, where there is so