2017-08-06
Genesis 1:1 NKJV
To say that true science and the Bible are contradictory is simply not so. If there’s even one chance in a million that God, heaven, and hell are true, wouldn’t you want to know? After all, one day you’re going to die. What then? And furthermore, since our children and grandchildren are increasingly exposed to the thoughts of unbelieving educators, don’t you want to be able to answer their questions when they come home from school or college, and steer them in the right direction? Well, guess what? Science proves the Bible true! For the next few days let’s talk about it: (1) The Bible tells us the earth floats in space. There was a time when people believed it sat on a large animal or giant. Seriously! But fifteen hundred years before Christ, the patriarch Job said, “He… hangeth the earth upon nothing” (Job 26:7 KJV). Think about that: You can’t even hang your hat on nothing! The fact is, science didn’t discover that the earth hangs upon nothing until 1650 AD. (2) The Bible tells us the earth is composed of atoms. “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen are not made of things which are visible” (Hebrews 11:3 NKJV). Only in recent years has science discovered that everything we see is composed of things we can’t see – namely, invisible atoms. Yet the Bible, written more than two thousand years ago, said it was so. Now, the Bible doesn’t need science to prove that it’s true – it just so happens that it does.
Soul food: Josh 1; Ps 27:11-14; 2 Tim 2:1-13
Genesis 1:1 NLV
Om te sê dat die wetenskap en die Bybel in teenstelling met mekaar is, is eenvoudig nie waar nie. As daar selfs net een kans in ‘n miljoen is dat God, die hemel en die hel waar is, sal jy dit nie wil weet nie? Jy gaan immers eendag sterf. Wat dan? Ons kinders en kleinkinders word boonop al hoe meer aan ongelowige opvoeders blootgestel. Wil jy nie graag in staat wees om hulle vrae te beantwoord as hulle van die skool of universiteit af kom en hulle in die regte rigting stuur nie? Wel, raai wat? Wetenskap bewys dat die Bybel waar is! Kom ons praat vir die volgende paar dae daaroor. 1) Die Bybel sê vir ons dat die aarde in die ruimte dryf. Daar was ‘n tyd dat mense geglo het dat die aarde op ‘n groot dier of reus rus! Vyftien honderd jaar voor Christus, het die patriarg Job egter gesê, ‘God… hang die aarde op aan niks’ (Job 26:7 NLV). Wetenskaplikes het eers teen 1650 nC ontdek dat die aarde aan niks hang nie. 2) Die Bybel sê vir ons dat die aarde uit atome bestaan. ‘Omdat ons glo, verstaan ons dat God, deur net ‘n woord te spreek, die ganse heelal geskep het. Dit wat ons nou kan sien, het dus nie uit sigbare dinge ontstaan nie’ (Hebreërs 11:3 NLV). Eers onlangs het wetenskaplikes bevind dat alles om ons uit dinge wat ons nie kan sien nie, bestaan – naamlik onsigbare atome. Tog het die Bybel, wat meer as tweeduisend jaar terug geskryf is, gesê dat dit so is.
Sielskos: Jos 1; Ps 27:11-14; 2 Tim 2:1-13
2017-08-05
1 Petrus 5:7 NLV
Voel jy gestres? Word jou gedagtes deur bekommernisse oorheers? Indien dit die geval is, wil God jou daarvan genees. Lees die volgende Skrifgedeeltes stadig en met gebed: ‘…Ek soek skuiling by U. In die skaduwee van U vlerke sal ek skuil totdat die onheil verby is’ (Psalm 57:1 NLV). ‘Maar vir die armes is U, Here, ‘n toevlug in die storm. Vir die behoeftiges in nood is U ‘n skuilplek…’ (Jesaja 25:4 NLV). ‘Ek sal by jou wees en jou beskerm waar jy ook al gaan… Ek sal jou nie verlaat nie, maar doen wat Ek beloof het’ (Genesis 28:15 NLV). ‘Die ewige God is jou skuilplek en onder jou is sy ewige arms…’ (Deuteronomium 33:27 NLV). ‘Moenie bang wees nie, want Ek is by jou. Moenie ontsteld word nie, want Ek is jou God. Ek maak jou sterk en wil jou help. Ek hou jou vas met my reddende regterhand’ (Jesaja 41:10 NLV). ‘…Tot julle stokoud is, sal Ek julle dra… Ek sal julle ondersteun en julle red’ (Jesaja 46:4 NLV). God se raad en voorskrif teen stres is dus: 1) God gee waarlik vir jou om. 2) Maak ‘n bewustelike besluit om al jou laste op Hom te werp. As jy voel dat jy te veel hooi op jou vurk het, vra Hom vir die wysheid om jou skedule te verander. Wanneer die probleem te groot is vir jou om te hanteer, gee dit vir God – en moenie dit terugvat nie. Laat Hom sy denke deur jou dink, en laat sy vrede, krag en geduld toe om beheer oor jou gedagtes te neem. Oefen elke oggend om dit te doen en soveel keer gedurende die dag soos wat jy nodig het. Dis God se voorskrif teen stres!
Sielskos: 1 Kron 4:24-5:26; Mark 2:13-22; Ps 119:9-16; Spr 20:19-21
1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Are you feeling stressed? Is your mind besieged with worries? If so, God wants to relieve your stress. Read the following Scriptures slowly and prayerfully: “I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed” (Psalm 57:1 NIV). “You have been a refuge for the poor… for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm” (Isaiah 25:4 NIV). “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go… I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” (Genesis 28:15 NIV). “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27 NIV). “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10 NIV). “Even to your old age… I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you” (Isaiah 46:4 NIV). So here’s God’s prescription for stress relief: (1) Believe God truly “cares for you.” (2) Make a conscious decision to “cast all your anxiety on him.” If you’re on overload, ask God for wisdom to change your schedule. When the problem you’re facing is too big for you to handle, give it to Him – and don’t take it back. Let Him think His thoughts through you, and allow His peace, power, and patience to take charge of your mind. Practice doing this at the beginning of each day, and as often as you need to throughout the day. It’s God’s remedy for stress!
Soul food: 1 Chr 4:24-5:26; Mark 2:13-22; Ps 119:9-16; Prov 20:19-21
2017-08-04
Proverbs 11:13 NLT
If you need help with a problem in your personal life, your family, or your career, keep the following things in mind: (1) Bad news is often remembered longer than good news. Long after you have resolved the issue and moved on with your life, the wrong people will continue to focus on it and talk about it. That’s why God’s Word says, “Those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.” (2) Be careful who advises you. “The thoughts of the righteous are right, but the counsels of the wicked are deceitful” (Proverbs 12:5 NKJV). Be sure you reach for the right person. There are many sources of wisdom in this world, “but the wisdom that is from above is… pure… peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and… hypocrisy” (Jas 3:17 NKJV). Note the words, “the wisdom that is from above.” Confide only in a counsellor who walks according to the principles of God’s Word. (3) Make sure the person you trust isn’t confiding in others you wouldn’t trust. They say you can tell a man by the company he keeps. And it’s true! The Bible says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly” (Ps 1:1 NKJV). (4) “Problem talk” can portray you as a victim instead of an overcomer. Nobody wants to back a loser. When Job lost everything, almost everybody avoided him. It was only after God doubled Job’s blessings that they returned to participate in his life and bring him gifts. It’s always wise to control your mouth, your thoughts, and your focus. Remember, silence can never be misquoted.
Soul food: 1 Chr 3:1-4:23; Mark 2:1-12; Ps 119:1-8; Prov 20:15-18
