2017-10-31
Psalm 89:16 NLV
Ja, sekere dele van ons kultuur het vyandig teenoor die Christelike geloof geword. Die populariteit van films wat op geloof gebaseer is, het Hollywood die laaste paar jare egter onkant gevang. Terselfdertyd ontvang gewilde Bybelse onderwysers net soveel aandag op sosiale media soos sekulêre bekendes soos Katy Perry en Lady Gaga. Die hoeveelheid Christelike inhoud op Youtube is verbysterend. Kom ons bly ingelig en betrokke by die kultuur rondom ons, sodat ons hulle vrae kan beantwoord. Kom ons hou ook ingedagte dat Jesus gesê het, ‘…Op hierdie rots sal Ek my kerk oprig, en al die magte van die hel sal dit nie oorwin nie’ (Matteus 16:18 NLV). God sit steeds op die troon. Die laaste boek in die Bybel herinner ons dat wanneer dit tyd vir Jesus is om terug te keer, Hy as oorwinnaar sal terugkeer. Al sy vyande sal voor Hom kniel en sy heerskappy erken. ‘Daarom het God Hom ook tot die hoogste posisie verhoog en aan Hom die Naam gegee wat belangriker is as elke ander naam. So sal by die noem van Jesus se heerlike Naam elke knie… buig, en elke tong sal erken: ‘Jesus Christus is Here!’…’ (Filippense 2:9-11 NLV). God het jou geroep om in bonatuurlike vrede, liefde en vreugde te leef. As sy verloste kind, is jy die burger van ‘n ander koninkryk: God se koninkryk op aarde. Wil jy weet hoe dit alles gaan eindig? ‘…Die koninklike heerskappy oor die wêreld behoort nou aan ons Here en sy Christus, en Hy sal as koning heers vir altyd’ (Openbaring 11:15 NLV). Wil jy weet wat jou lotsbestemming is? Dink net aan die opwinding van ondersteuners wie se span nou net die sokker wêreldbeker of die Currie Beker gewen het – dis ons!
Sielskos: Deut 18:9-18; Dan 2; Jes 47:5-15; Hand 16:16-34
Psalm 89:16 NKJV
Yes, segments of our culture have grown hostile to the Christian faith. But the popularity of faith-based films has caught Hollywood by surprise during the last few years. Meanwhile, popular Bible teachers get as much traction on social media as secular celebrities like Katy Perry and Lady Gaga. The amount of Christian content on YouTube is staggering. Let’s stay informed and engaged with the culture around us so we can answer their questions. And let’s keep in mind that Jesus said, “I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18 KJV). God is still on the throne. The last book of the Bible reminds us that when it’s time for Jesus to come back, He will return victorious. All His enemies will bow down and acknowledge His lordship. “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:9-11 NKJV). God has called you to walk in supernatural peace, love, and joy. As His redeemed child, you are the citizen of a different kingdom: God’s kingdom on earth. Do you want to know how it all ends? “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” (Revelation 11:15 NKJV). Do you want to know your destiny? Picture the excitement of fans whose team just won the soccer World Cup or the Super Bowl – that’s us!
Soul food: Deut 18:9-18; Dan 2; Isa 47:5-15; Acts 16:16-34
2017-10-30
Nehemia 8:10 NLV
Toe Nehemia geskryf het, ‘…die blydskap wat die Here gee, sal julle krag wees’, was God se mense besig om Jerusalem te herbou nadat hulle sewentig jaar in Babel gevange gehou is. Hulle was omring, in die minderheid, en is elke dag deur vyandige nasies bedreig. Soortgelyk, is daar ook vandag slegte nuus. Daar is egter ook goeie nuus. 1) Kerke word teen ‘n yslike spoed geplant. Die kerkkundige, Ed Stetzer, sê dat nuwe kerke in die Verenigde Koninkryk vinniger geplant word as wat ou kerke uitsterf – en navorsing wys dat 60 tot 80 persent van mense wat by nuwe kerke aansluit uit ‘n onkerklike agtergrond kom. Dit is in ander lande ook waar. Dit beteken dat meer mense vandag deur die evangelie bereik word, as die dae toe dooie godsdienstige kerke oor die evangelie gepraat het, maar dit nie uitgeoefen het nie. 2) Latyns-Amerika ervaar ‘n politieke en geestelike bewuswording. Politieke verandering in Venezuela is nog ‘n aanduiding dat linksgesinde regerings besig is om mag te verloor. Soortgelyke bewegings teen korrupsie vind in Argentinië, Brasil en ander Latyns-Amerikaanse lande plaas – in ‘n tyd waar evangeliese kerke teen ‘n ongekende tempo groei. 3) Die Bybel is steeds die populêrste boek ooit. Dit is ook die beste verkoper en die boek wat die wydste versprei word. Nagenoeg vier biljoen kopieë is in die laaste vyf dekades wêreldwyd gedruk en verkoop – veel meer as enige ander boek. Moenie toelaat dat slegte nuus jou blydskap steel nie. As jy negatief en vol vrees geword het as gevolg van wat in die wêreld aangaan, herstel jou geestelike lewe deur weer jou blydskap te vind. God is aan die beweeg en almal wat in Hom vertroue het, het rede om fees te vier.
Sielskos: Jes 34-37; Joh 6:52-59; Ps 9; Spr 28:13-16
Nehemiah 8:10 NKJV
When Nehemiah wrote, “The joy of the Lord is your strength,” God’s people were rebuilding Jerusalem after returning from seventy years of captivity in Babylon. They were surrounded, outnumbered, and threatened each day by hostile nations. Similarly, there’s bad news today. But there’s also good news. (1) We are in a church-planting boom. Church expert Ed Stetzer says new churches are actually being planted in the United States more quickly than old ones are dying – and research shows that 60 to 80 percent of people who join new churches are from unchurched backgrounds. This is true in other nations too. That means more people are being reached with the gospel today than when dead religious churches talked about evangelism but failed to do it. (2) Latin America is experiencing a political and spiritual awakening. Political change in Venezuela is one more indication that leftist governments are losing power. Similar movements against corruption are occurring in Argentina, Brazil, and other Latin American countries – at a time when evangelical churches are growing at unprecedented rates. (3) The Bible is still the most popular book ever. It’s also the best-selling and most widely distributed book. Nearly four billion copies were printed and sold globally in the last five decades – far exceeding any other book. Don’t let the bad news steal your joy. If you have become negative and fearful because of what’s going on in the world, push your rejoice button and reset your spiritual life. God is moving, and all who trust in Him have something to celebrate.
Soul food: Isa 34-37; John 6:52-59; Ps 9; Prov 28:13-16
2017-10-29
John 15:11 NKJV
Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” If you think things are bad today, consider the world Jesus and His disciples lived and ministered in. The Roman Empire ruled over every nation, including Israel. Taxes were through the roof. Freedom of speech and religion was so restricted that you could be imprisoned or killed for being a Christian. Immorality and perversion were not only tolerated, but promoted. Eventually Christ’s disciples would be put to death for their faith. Yet He promised them that His joy would “remain in them,” and that their joy would be “full.” So don’t let what’s going on in the world around you today dictate your attitude as a redeemed child of God. Yes, there’s bad news. But there’s also good news. For the next few days let’s look at some of it. (1) Muslims are coming to Christ faster than ever before. In his book A Wind in the House of Islam, author David Garrison says that something unprecedented is stirring in the Muslim world. “We are living in the midst of the greatest turning of Muslims to Christ in history.” He cites evidence of powerful Christian movements that have started among Muslims since the year 2000. (2) The gospel is transforming China. A few years ago, The Telegraph reported that Christianity is growing so fast in China that it will most likely be considered a Christian nation by 2030. Given China’s economic power, this has huge implications. So rejoice, and don’t let the bad news steal your joy.
Soul food: 2 Ki 6:8-23; Matt 5:43-48; Luke 6:27-36
