2018-08-14
Matthew 7:11 KJV
The cross proves how much God loves you. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not…freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 KJV). And “all things” means all things! If it’s promised in God’s Word, it’s God’s will – so refuse to settle for less. But you must be single-minded in your approach or it won’t work (See James 1:6-8). The Psalmist said, “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after” (Psalm 27:4 KJV). Tell God exactly what you want. And if you’re walking in obedience and seeking to please Him, be confident when you come before Him. “If our heart condemn us not …we [have] confidence towards God” (1 John 3:21 KJV). But be careful; guilt undermines faith! When you permit sin into your life you become uncomfortable in God’s presence, and it’s hard to believe for the results you want. So deal with it immediately. Miracles happen to the believing – so get back into a position where you can confidently believe God for the thing you need. He hasn’t changed His plans for your life. Circumstances and seasons change, but “God’s word of promise…is for ever settled in heaven and is always fulfilled” (See Isaiah 40:8). Jesus said, “How much more shall your Father…give good things to those that ask him.” Note the words “good things.” That sounds like another Bible promise. “No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11 KJV). And if God says no, it’s because it wouldn’t be “good” for you. Trust Him – He has something better in mind for you.
Soul food: 1 Chr 16-18; Luke 12:49-59; Ps 119:41-48; Prov 21:1-3
2018-08-13
Psalm 37:23 NKJV
Elijah’s destiny was to stand on Mount Carmel, call down fire from heaven, and deliver Israel from idolatry. But he could only get there one step at a time. That’s how God works. First God sent him to a brook at Cherith (which means “covenant”). At some point in your spiritual journey you must discover that God is a covenant-making, covenant-keeping God. He miraculously dried up the Jordan River, made an axe-head float, and caused fish to swim into an empty net – proving that when He makes a promise He keeps it. When God sent Elijah to Cherith, He told him, “I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there” (1 Kings 17:4 KJV). Had Elijah gone elsewhere, God wouldn’t have met his needs. Why? Because a covenant is two-sided; when you do your part God does His. Next God sent Elijah to Zarephath, saying, “I have commanded a widow…to sustain thee” (v. 9 KJV). Think about it: God used a flesh-eating bird and a penniless widow to feed Elijah, so stop trying to second-guess Him! The Bible says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.” So here’s the question: If you truly believe that Scripture, why are you complaining, worrying, and trying to figure everything out instead of trusting Him? “Zarephath” means “a crucible,” a place where metal is refined. If you’re going through a fiery trial today, rejoice – God is separating the gold from the impurities in your character. When you’ve passed the test at Cherith and Zarephath, you’ll be ready for the blessing of Mount Carmel!
Soulfood: 1 Chr 12:23-15:29; Luke 12:35-48; Ps 119:33-40; Prov 20:28-30
Psalm 37:23 NLV
Elia se lotsbestemming was om op Karmelberg te staan, vuur uit die hemel af te roep en Israel van afgodery te red. Hy kon egter met net een tree op ‘n slag daar kom. Dis hoe God werk. Eers het God hom na die Kritspruit gestuur (Krit beteken ‘verbond’). Op ‘n punt in jou geestelike reis moes jy al ontdek het dat God ‘n God is wat verbonde maak en dit nakom. Hy het die Jordaanrivier wonderbaarlik laat opdroog, ‘n byl laat dryf en visse in ‘n leë net laat inswem – bewyse dat Hy sy beloftes hou. Toe God vir Elia na die Kritspruit gestuur het, het Hy vir hom gesê, ‘…Ek sal die kraaie beveel om vir jou kos te bring’ (1 Konings 17:4 NLV). As Elia elders gegaan het, sou God nie aan sy behoeftes voldoen het nie. Omdat ‘n verbond tweesydig is; wanneer jy jou deel doen, sal God syne doen. Vervolgens het God vir Elia na Sarfat gestuur en gesê, ‘…Daar woon ‘n weduwee. Ek het aan haar opdrag gegee om vir jou te sorg’ (vers 8 NLV). Dink daaroor: God het ‘n vleis-etende voël en ‘n arm weduwee gebruik om vir Elia te sorg, hou dus op om in Hom te twyfel! Die Bybel sê, ‘Die Here bepaal die rigting van ‘n mens…’ As jy waarlik in die Skrif glo, hoekom kla jy, bekommer jy jouself en probeer alles uitpluis in plaas daarvan om op Hom te vertrou? ‘Sarfat’ beteken ‘n ‘smeltkroes,’ ‘n plek waar metale gesuiwer word. As jy dus vandag deur ‘n vurige toets gaan, wees bly – God is besig om die goud in jou karakter van die onsuiwerhede te skei. Wanneer jy die toets by die Kritspruit en Sarfat geslaag het, sal jy gereed wees vir die seën by Karmelberg!
Sielskos: 1 Kro 12:23-15:29; Luk 12:35-48; Ps 119:33-40; Spr 20:28-30
2018-08-12
Proverbs 23:15 NKJV
Since there are no perfect people, there can be no perfect parents. So though you love your children dearly, at times you’ll get tired, frustrated, disappointed, and irritable. The secret is to make such times the exception rather than the rule. A Christian psychologist writes: “A few years ago I asked one thousand mothers and fathers to describe their greatest frustrations in raising kids. I heard many humorous stories about sticky telephones and wet toilet seats and knotted shoestrings. One mother actually wanted to know why toddlers never throw up in the bathroom…But in our poll parents didn’t merely laugh about their frustrations – they tended to blame themselves. They said they were overwhelmed and were losing confidence in their ability to do the job. Many were having trouble just coping from day to day. How sad it is that this ancient responsibility of raising children has become so burdensome and laden with guilt. Actually, the facts won’t support that self-condemnation in the majority of cases. Most moms and dads are doing a creditable job at home – and it’s time someone patted them on the back for their commitment and sacrifice. Someday when the frustrations of toddlerhood and the turmoil of adolescence have passed, they’ll enjoy the sweet benefits of being very good and loving parents. Hang in there, Mom and Dad; you’re more skilled than you think you are.” Solomon spells out the parent’s true reward: “My son [and daughter], if your heart is wise, my heart will rejoice.”
Soul food: Exo 16:1-18; John 6:1-15; John 6:25-40; 1 Cor 11:23-24
Spreuke 23:15 NLV
Omdat perfekte mense nie bestaan nie, kan daar ook nie perfekte ouers wees nie. Selfs al het jy dus jou kinders baie lief, sal daar tye wees wat jy moeg, gefrustreerd, teleurgesteld en geïrriteerd raak. Die geheim is om seker te maak dat dit die uitsondering, eerder as die reël, is. ‘n Christelike sielkundige skryf: “‘n Paar jaar gelede het ek ‘n duisend ma’s en pa’s gevra om hulle grootste frustrasies in die grootmaak van hulle kinders te beskryf. Ek het baie humoristiese stories oor taai telefone, nat toiletsitplekke en geknoopde skoenveters gehoor. Een ma wou weet hoekom kleuters nooit in die badkamer opgooi nie. In ons opname het die ouers egter nie net bloot oor hulle frustrasies gelag nie – hulle was geneig om hulself te blameer. Baie van hulle het gesê dat hulle oorweldig was en vertroue in hulle vermoë om die werk te kon doen, verloor het. Baie van hulle het gesukkel om die daaglikse verantwoordelikhede te hanteer. Hoe hartseer is dit nie dat hierdie antieke verantwoordelikheid van kinders grootmaak so swaar en met skuldgevoelens gelaai geword het nie. In die meeste gevalle is hierdie self-veroordeling nie deur die feite gestaaf nie. Die meeste ma’s en pa’s het ‘n geloofwaardige werk by die huis gedoen – en dit is tyd dat iemand hulle vir hulle toewyding en opoffering op die rug klop. Eendag wanneer die frustrasies van kleuterskap en die onrus van tienerskap verby is, sal hulle die soete voordele van hulle goeie en liefdevolle ouerskap smaak. Byt vas, Ma en Pa, julle is vaardiger as wat julle dink julle is.” Salomo het die ouer se ware beloning uitgespel: ‘Ek sal baie bly wees, my kind, as jy ook ‘n wyse mens word.’
Sielskos: Eks 16:1-18; Joh 6:1-15; Joh 6:25-40; 1 Kor 11:23-24
