2017-11-11
Job 11:18 NIV
Famous people throughout history have suffered from phobias. Napoleon was crippled by ailurophobia, an irrational fear of cats. Queen Elizabeth I was terrorized by [anthophobia], an abnormal fear of flowers (she particularly feared roses). Billionaire Howard Hughes was practically incapacitated by mysophobia, a pathological fear of germs. Edgar Allen Poe, Harry Houdini, and Adolph Hitler suffered from claustrophobia. Even the father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, grappled with agoraphobia, a fear of crowds and public places. The trouble is that many of us deny dealing with any kind of overwhelming fear, and rarely consider it a serious problem. But the fact remains that our fears hinder us on our journey toward change, and unless we face them we’ll never reach our God-given potential. Maybe you don’t view the thing that’s bothering you as a fear at all. It could be a feeling or situation you habitually avoid, or leave to others to handle. Whatever it is, the only way to overcome it is to call it what it is, confront it, draw on God’s strength, and make a decision to change. And today He offers you His strength to do it. Here’s a promise you can stand on: “You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and…rest in safety.” Where does that promise originate? The Bible – God’s infallible Word! And here’s another “fear not” promise: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10 NKJV).
Soul food: Rom 3:21-6:23; John 8:31-41; Ps 83:1-8; Prov 29:19-22
2017-11-10
2 Timoteus 3:15 NLV
Daar is ‘n storie oor ‘n vrou wat na haar pastoor gegaan het en gevra het, ‘Hoe vroeg moet ek met die geestelike opleiding van my kind begin?’ Die pastoor het gevra, ‘Hou oud is jou kind?’ Sy het geantwoord, ‘Vyf,’ Die pastoor het gesê, ‘Dame, jy moet aan die werk spring – jy is al vyf jaar te laat!’ Sielkundiges bevestig dat jou kind se kapasiteit en honger vir kennis reeds in hulle babajare begin. Terwyl hulle dus in die luisterstadium is, moet jy in die onderrigstadium wees. Neem elke geleentheid aan om die Bybel vir hulle voor te lees. Gebruik alledaagse ervarings om hulle te leer hoe om beleefd te wees, hoe om te vergewe en hoe om hulle sondes te bely en te berou. Moet nooit God se vermoë onderskat om ‘n geestelike karakter vanaf ‘n baie jong ouderdom by jou kinders te ontwikkel en hulle geestelike waarhede te leer nie. Stel hulle aan Jesus voor terwyl hulle harte nog jonk en teer is. Sommige van die grootste Christene in die geskiedenis is reeds teen ‘n jong ouderdom gered. Jonathan Edwards, wie se bediening New England vir God gewerf het, is teen agt jaar oud gered. Charles Spurgeon, ‘die prins van predikers’, is op die ouderdom van twaalf gered. Matthew Henry, die groot Bybelse kommentator, is op elf gered. Timoteus was vanaf sy sewentiende jaar reeds ‘n apostel. Paulus skryf, ‘Jy is van kindsbeen af onderrig in die Heilige Skrif en dit het jou wysheid gegee om die verlossing te ontvang wat deur geloof in Christus Jesus kom.’ Ja, jou kind kan die basiese waarhede oor verlossing verstaan. Hulle kan Christus ook op ‘n vroeë ouderdom leer ken.
Sielskos: Rom 1:1-3:20; Joh 8:12-30; Ps 133; Spr 29:15-18
2 Timothy 3:15 NIV
There’s a story about a woman who came to her pastor and said, “How early should I start the spiritual training of my child?” The pastor asked, “How old is the child?” She answered, “Five.” He replied, “Lady, get busy – you’re already five years late!” Psychologists confirm that your child’s capacity and hunger for knowledge begins at infancy. So while they are in the listening stage, you should be in the teaching stage. Take every opportunity to read the Bible to them. Use everyday experiences to teach them what God’s Word has to say about the Golden Rule, how to be polite, how to forgive, and how to confess and repent of sin. Never underestimate God’s ability to develop spiritual character and teach spiritual truths to your children, even at a very early age. While their heart is still young and tender, introduce them to Jesus. Some of the greatest Christians in history were saved at an early age. Jonathan Edwards, whose ministry shook New England for God, was saved at the age of eight. Charles Spurgeon, “the prince of preachers,” was saved at the age of twelve. Matthew Henry, the great Bible commentator, was saved at the age of eleven. Timothy was an apostle by the time he was seventeen. Paul writes, “From infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” Yes, your child can understand the basic truths about salvation. And they can come to know Christ at an early age.
Soul food: Rom 1:1-3:20; John 8:12-30; Ps 133; Prov 29:15-18
2017-11-09
Isaiah 5:20 NKJV
Did you know that God Himself gets angry? The Bible says, “The Lord became angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned from the Lord God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice” (1 Kings 11:9 NKJV). Often change begins with righteous anger. Aristotle once said: “Anybody can become angry; that’s easy. But to be angry with the right person…to the right degree…at the right time…for the right purpose, and in the right way …that’s not easy.” But it is possible! A person who always gets angry is a fool, but a person who never gets angry is lacking in moral courage. Henry Ward Beecher said: “A man who doesn’t know how to be angry, doesn’t know how to be good. A man who doesn’t know how to be shaken to his heart’s core with indignation over things evil, is either a fungus or a wicked man.” Here are four things that we ought to get angry over: (1) A sex-crazed, profanity-filled movie and television industry that’s polluting the minds of young and old alike. (2) Cowardly politicians who do what’s politically expedient instead of what’s morally right. (3) Injustice done to others because of the colour of their skin or their economic status. (4) Your children when they openly defy you. However, a word of warning: “Don’t go to bed angry” (Ephesians 4:26 CEV). So, clearly explain the rules of the house, consistently enforce those rules, but make sure that your child knows you love them and have only their best interest at heart. They may not understand it at the time, but they will appreciate it later.
Soul food: Isa 63-66; John 8:1-11; Ps 99; Prov 29:11-14
Jesaja 5:20 NLV
Het jy geweet dat God self ook kwaad word? Die Bybel sê, ‘Die Here was diep teleurgesteld in Salomo en het kwaad geword vir hom. Alhoewel die Here twee keer aan Salomo verskyn het, het hy die Here nie meer liefgehad nie’ (1 Konings 11:9 DB). Verandering begin dikwels met geregverdige woede. Aristotel het een maal gesê, ‘Enigiemand kan kwaad word; dis maklik. Om egter vir die regte persoon kwaad te wees… tot die regte graad… op die regte tyd… vir die regte rede en op die regte manier… is nie maklik nie.’ Dit is egter moontlik! Iemand wat kwaad word is ‘n dwaas, maar ‘n persoon wat nooit kwaad word nie, het ‘n gebrek aan morele moed. Henry Ward Beecher het gesê: “‘n Man wat nie weet hoe om kwaad te wees nie, weet nie hoe om goed te wees nie. ‘n Man wat nie weet hoe om tot in sy siel geskok en verontwaardig te wees oor bose dinge nie, is of ‘n fungus of self boos.” Hier is vier dinge waaroor ons kwaad behoort te word: 1) ‘n Seksbehepte, godslasterlike film en televisie industrie wat die gedagtes van jonk en oud besoedel. 2) Lafhartige politici wat doen wat polities gerieflik is, eerder as wat moreel reg is. 3) Onreg wat aan ander gedoen word oor die kleur van hulle vel of hulle ekonomiese status. 4) Jou kinders wanneer hulle jou openlik uittart. ‘n Woord van waarskuwing egter: ‘…Moenie tot die aand toe kwaad bly [nie]’ (Efesiërs 4:26 NLV). Verduidelik dus die huisreëls duidelik, dwing die reëls konsekwent af, maar maak seker dat jou kinders weet dat jy hulle liefhet en hulle beste belange op die hart dra. Hulle mag dit dalk nie op die oomblik verstaan nie, maar hulle sal dit later waardeer.
Sielskos: Jes 63-66; Joh 8:1-11; Ps 99; Spr 29:11-14
