2018-07-09
Philemon 1:15-16 KJV
What finally brought about an end to slavery? The gospel of Jesus Christ. Note the small letter Paul wrote to Philemon. A runaway slave was thrown into a Roman prison along with Paul, and Paul converted him to Christ. And when the slave was released, Paul sent him back to his owner, Philemon. The custom at that time was to kill escaped slaves after they’d been recaptured. But now Philemon had also become a Christian, another convert of the apostle Paul, who instructed him to “receive him…not…as a servant, but above a servant, a brother.” And in that new brotherhood slavery found its death knell. Now, fast forward to the days of William Wilberforce, who was convicted of his sin and converted under the preaching of John Wesley. Wilberforce, a slight, hunch-backed man, became one of the most powerful members of Parliament. Consumed by the gospel and the freedom that Christ offered, Wilberforce devoted all his energies and eloquence to overthrowing the obnoxious African slave trade. And his success in abolishing it throughout the British Empire led to agitation for similar action in the United States. In fact, it was through the proclamations that thundered from pulpits throughout the northern states that abolitionist parties came into being and succeeded in destroying slavery once and for all. So it was through the church that slavery was eradicated. Jesus came “to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives” (Luke 4:18 NKJV). Are you a member of Christ’s redeemed church? If not, you can sign up today!
Soul food: 1 Sam 24-26; Luke 5:27-39; Ps 110; Prov 17:15-17
2018-07-08
Matthew 16:18 CEV
The Christian church is twice the size of its nearest rival. The odds against that are staggering. Suppose today a group of missionaries showed up in your town and told you that a peasant who’d been put to death was reputed to have risen again. Furthermore, He was no less than the Creator of the universe. Would you buy it? The apostles did in the pagan Roman Empire, and what’s more – they succeeded in overthrowing the Roman Empire. In the face of terrible persecution, Christianity continued to flourish. Even the attempts of Julian the Apostate to overthrow Christianity and re-establish the pagan Roman religions met with no success. When Julian’s onslaught against Christianity was at its worst, one of the emperor’s followers asked a Christian, “What is your carpenter’s son doing now?” The Christian replied, “Making a coffin for your emperor!” It wasn’t long after this that Julian was mortally wounded in battle. Falling to the ground, he picked up a handful of sand mingled with his blood, tossed it into the air, and declared, “Thou hast conquered, O Galilean.” No, the church is not perfect; that’s why people like us are welcome there! Nevertheless, there are many valid reasons why the church of Jesus Christ continues to triumph. It’s a hospital for the wounded, it’s a family for the lonely, and it’s a school for those being trained in the principles of discipleship. And ultimately, when everything temporal goes up in smoke, it’s the only thing that will be left standing (See 2 Peter 3:10-12). So commit your life to Jesus Christ and join His victorious church!
Soul food: Matt 5:7; Matt 18:21-35; Ps 103:8-18; Lam 3:22-24
Matteus 16:18 NLV
Die Christelike kerk is twee keer so groot soos sy naaste mededinger. Dit sal bitter moeilik wees om so ‘n groot kerk se invloed omver te gooi. Veronderstel dat daar vandag ‘n groep sendelinge in jou dorp opdaag en vir jou vertel dat ‘n landbewoner wat tereggestel is, uit die dood uit opgestaan het. Hy is ook niemand anders as die Skepper van die heelal nie. Sal jy dit glo? Die apostels in die heidense Romeinse Ryk het dit geglo. In die aangesig van verskriklike vervolging, het die Christendom aanhou floreer. Selfs die pogings van Julian die Afvallige om die Christendom omver te werp en die heidense Ryk weer te vestig, was nie suksesvol nie. Toe Julian se aanslag teen die Christene op sy ergste was, het een van die keiser se volgelinge ‘n Christen gevra, ‘Wat doen jou timmerman se seun nou?’ Die Christen het geantwoord, ‘Hy is besig om ‘n kis vir jou keiser te bou!’ Nie lank hierna nie is Julian noodlottig tydens ‘n geveg gewond. Hy het grond toe geval, ‘n handvol sand gemeng met sy bloed in die lug gegooi en verklaar, ‘U het oorwin, Galileër.’ Nee, die kerk is nie perfek nie; dis hoekom mense soos ons welkom is daar! Nietemin is daar baie geldige redes hoekom die kerk van Jesus Christus aanhou seëvier. Dis ‘n hospitaal vir die gewondes, dis ‘n familie vir die eensames en dis ‘n skool vir diegene wat in die beginsels van dissipelskap opgelei word. Uiteindelik is dit die enigste ding wat sal staande bly wanneer alles wat tydelik is, in rook opgaan (sien 2 Petrus 3:10-12). Wy dus jou lewe aan Jesus Christus en sluit by sy seëvierende kerk aan!
Sielskos: Matt 5:7; Matt 18:21-35; Ps 103:8-18; Klaag 3:22-24
2018-07-07
Genesis 50:20 NLT
At seventeen, Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. At thirty, Pharaoh made him ruler of Egypt. During those thirteen years Joseph suffered terribly at the hands of his brothers. Now he held the power of life and death over them. Yet he chose not only to forgive them, but to feed them in the time of famine. It’s one of the greatest examples of forgiveness in history. As they stand trembling before him, Joseph says: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children. So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them” (vv. 20-21 NLT). Notice four things: (1) Only God understands people’s hearts, therefore only He is qualified to judge them. (2) As you become more mature, you’ll be able to see the hand of God at work in some of the situations you’ve been through; you’ll see the “good” in them rather than the evil. (3) Because you have grown spiritually, you’ll acknowledge that others are capable of growing and changing too. (4) Because of the favor and blessing that God has given you, you’ll not only speak kindly to your offender but be generous toward them. Jesus said, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44 NKJV). Are you willing to do that? Are you at least willing to pray, “Lord, make me willing?”
Soul food: 1 Sam 20:30-23:29; Luke 5:12-26; Ps 102:18-28; Prov 17:11-14
Genesis 50:20 NLV
Op sewentienjarige ouderdom het Josef se broers hom as slaaf verkoop. Op dertigjarige ouderdom, het farao hom as heerser oor Egipte aangestel. Gedurende daardie dertien jaar het Josef verskriklik gely. Nou het hy die mag van lewe en dood oor sy broers in sy hand gehou. Tog het hy nie net gekies om hulle te vergewe nie, maar ook om hulle in ‘n tyd van hongersnood van kos te voorsien. Soos hulle bewend voor hom gestaan het, het Josef gesê: “‘Wat my betref, het God die kwaad wat julle gedoen het, omgekeer in iets wat goed is. Hy het my gebring tot in hierdie hoë pos wat ek beklee sodat ek die lewens van baie mense kon red. Moenie bang wees nie. Wees verseker: Ek sal self vir julle en julle gesinne sorg.” So het hy vriendelik met hulle gepraat en hulle gerusgestel’ (verse 20-21 NLV). Let hierdie vier dinge op: 1) Net God verstaan mense se harte, dus is slegs Hy gekwalifiseerd om hulle te oordeel. 2) Soos jy meer volwasse word, sal jy in staat wees om die hand van God in sekere van die situasies wat jy deurgemaak het te sien; jy sal die ‘goeie’ eerder as die slegte in hulle sien. 3) Omdat jy geestelik gegroei het, sal jy erken dat ander ook in staat is om te groei en te verander. 4) As gevolg van die guns en seën wat God aan jou bewys het, sal jy nie net vriendelik met jou oortreder praat nie, maar ook vrygewig teenoor hulle wees. Jesus het gesê, ‘…julle moet julle vyande liefhê en bid vir dié wat julle vervolg’ (Matteus 5:44 NLV). Is jy gewillig om dit te doen? Is jy ten minste gewillig om te bid, ‘Here, maak my gewillig?’
Sielskos: 1 Sam 20:30-23:29; Luk 5:12-26; Ps 102:18-28; Spr 17:11-14
