What this test is about

2018-11-30
1 Peter 1:7 NLT

The tests we face reveal both our weaknesses and our strengths. When the Bible speaks of “a refiner’s fire” (Malachi 3:2), we’re inclined to think of the negative things God wants to remove from our character. But we also have inner strengths and gifts that need to be refined but we’re not aware of them because a demand hasn’t been placed on them. In 1 Kings 17, when the widow and her son met Elijah there was a famine in the land, and he asked her to share their last meal with him. Maybe you’re thinking, “Typical preacher!” Don’t be too quick to jump to conclusions! One of the best days in this woman’s life was when God placed a demand on her faith. Her response changed her future and saved her family. So when you’re faced with a need, how do you respond? Do you withdraw? Withhold? Give from a sense of obligation? Or do you see it as an opportunity to obey God and change your future? You can actually give your way out of trouble! (See 2 Corinthians 9:6-11). When God sent Moses to Pharaoh, He said, “The king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him” (Exodus 3:19 NIV). And today God may be permitting the Enemy to test you in order to reveal: (1) how much He cares for you; (2) how you’ll act when your back’s against the wall; (3) who you’ll believe when God says, “I will bring you out with a mighty hand,” and the Enemy is saying, “I won’t let you go.” That’s what this test is about.

Soul food: Gen 24:1-25:18; John 14:15-25; Ps 118:19-29; Prov 31:14-17

Waaroor hierdie toets gaan


1 Petrus 1:7 NLV

Die toetse waar voor ons te staan kom, openbaar beide ons swakpunte en ons sterkpunte. Wanneer die Bybel van ‘n ‘…vuur wat metaal suiwer…’ (Maleagi 3:2 NLV) praat, is ons geneig om aan die negatiewe dinge wat God uit ons karakter wil verwyder, te dink. Ons het egter ook innerlike sterkpunte en gawes wat gesuiwer moet word waarvan ons nie bewus is nie, omdat daar nog nie ‘n vereiste op hulle geplaas is nie. In 1 Konings 17, toe die weduwee en haar seun Elia ontmoet het, was daar hongersnood in die land en hy het hulle gevra om hulle laaste maaltyd met hom te deel. Miskien dink jy, ‘Tipies prediker!’ Moenie te gou gevolgtrekkings maak nie! Een van die beste dae van hierdie vrou se lewe is toe God iets van haar geloof vereis het. Haar reaksie het haar toekoms verander en haar familie gered. Wanneer jy dus voor ‘n behoefte te staan kom, hoe reageer jy? Onttrek jy? Weerhou jy? Gee jy uit ‘n sin van verpligting? Of sien jy dit as ‘n geleentheid om God te gehoorsaam en jou toekoms te verander? Toe God vir Moses na Farao toe gestuur het, het Hy gesê, ‘Ek weet dat die koning van Egipte julle nie sal laat gaan nie. Hy sal eers gedwing moet word. Daarom sal Ek ingryp…’ (Eksodus 3:19-20 NLV). Vandag mag God dalk die vyand toelaat om jou te toets, om sodoende die volgende te openbaar: 1) hoe baie Hy vir jou omgee; 2) hoe jy sal optree wanneer jou rug teen die muur is; 3) wie jy sal glo wanneer God sê dat Hy sal ingryp en die Vyand sê dat hy jou nie sal laat gaan nie. Dis waaroor hierdie toets gaan.

Sielskos: Gen 24:1-25:18; Joh 14:15-25; Ps 118:19-29; Spr 31:14-17

Moenie jou passie verloor nie

2018-11-29
Hebreërs 12:2 DB

Betreffende Jesus, sê die Bybel: ‘… Hy het dit alles verdra omdat Hy geweet het dat daar soveel blydskap daarna vir Hom wag… Hou Hom gedurig in gedagte… As julle sy voorbeeld volg, sal julle nooit moedeloos word en tou opgooi nie’ (verse 2-3 DB). Dis jou visie wat jou passie voed. Het jy al ooit agtergekom hoe God dikwels die ergste sondaars in sy grootste dienaars transformeer? Dis omdat hulle passievol is en sodra daardie passie geharnas en herlei word, word hulle effektief in sy koninkryk. Nou verstaan jy hoekom die Vyand so hard probeer om jou te vernietig. Hy weet dat daar geen keer aan jou sal wees sodra jy jou passie met God se plan in lyn gebring het nie. Passie is geestelike energie. In plaas daarvan om te probeer om jou passie te onderdruk, laat God dit herlei. Jesus het vir die kerk in die eindtyd gesê, ‘…Ek weet dat jy nie koud of warm is nie. Ek sou wat wou gee as jy maar net koud of warm was’ (Openbaring 3:15 NLV). Met wie praat Hy? Belydende Christene wat lewe, trou, kinders kry, karre koop, beleggings maak en al die dinge van hulle moderne eweknieë doen, maar dit sonder passie doen. Hulle gaan net deur die bewegings. Die Bybel sê, ‘Beproef en sien…’ (Psalm 34:9 NLV). Met ander woorde, neem posisie in en swaai die kolf! Wat daarvan as jy mis? Jy sal verseker mis as jy nie die kolf swaai nie! Jou instink vir selfbehoud kan jou van die enigste kans wat jy dalk in die lewe kry, beroof. As jy dus vandag lê, staan weer op. As jy misluk, probeer weer. Vra God om die vure van passie weer binne jou aan die brand te blaas.

Sielskos: Gen 20-23; Joh 14:1-14; Ps 118:10-18; Spr 31:10-13

What’s your net worth?


Proverbs 13:22 NKJV

The word “inheritance” is used 203 times in the Bible, so God must think it’s important. Solomon writes, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.” In man’s kingdom your “net worth” is the sum total of all you own. But in God’s kingdom your net worth equals the sum total of all you’ve given away. What you don’t share is lost forever, but what you put into God’s hands becomes an eternal keepsake. Moses Montefiore was the first Jew to hold high office in London. He was knighted Sir Moses by Queen Victoria in 1837 – the same year he was elected Sheriff of London. In later life he became famous for his philanthropy. He made seven trips to the Holy Land, the last at age ninety-one. His love for the Holy Land was evidenced by his financing of a textile factory, a printing press, a windmill, and several agricultural colonies in Palestine. On his one hundredth birthday the London Times devoted its editorials to his praise. He amassed a fortune through business ventures and real estate acquisitions. But when a reporter asked him about his net worth, he named a figure that was much less. “Surely your net worth must be more than that!” the reporter said. Sir Moses replied, “You didn’t ask me how much I own, you asked me how much I’m worth. So I calculated how much I have given to charity. We are worth only what we are willing to share with others.” What’s your net worth? In God’s eyes, it’s the sum total of all you have given away.

Soul food: Job 36-38; Luke 2:34-40; Ps 139:1-12; Ecc 11:4-6

Don’t lose your passion


Hebrews 12:2 MSG

Concerning Jesus, the Bible says: “Because he never lost sight of where he was headed…he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever…When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again” (vv. 2-3 TM). It’s your vision that fuels your passion. Ever notice how God often transforms the worst of sinners into His greatest servants? That’s because they’re passionate, and once that passion is harnessed and redirected they become effective in His kingdom. Now you understand why the Enemy has tried so hard to destroy you. He knows once you line up your passion with God’s plan, there will be no stopping you. Passion is spiritual energy; without it you’re as limp as a wet noodle and as bland as hospital food. So instead of trying to stifle your passion, let God redirect it. Jesus told the end-age church, “You are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other!” (Revelation 3:15 NLT). Who is He speaking to? Professing Christians who live, marry, have children, buy cars, accumulate stocks, and do all the things their modern-day counterparts do, but without passion. They were simply going through the motions! The Bible says, “Taste and see” (Psalm 34:8); in other words, step up to the plate and swing the bat! So what if you miss? The fact is you’ll miss for sure if you don’t swing! Your instinct for self-preservation can rob you of the only chance you may ever get at life. So if you’re down today, get back up. If you failed, try again. Ask God to rekindle the fires of passion within you.

Soul food: Gen 20-23; John 14:1-14; Ps 118:10-18; Prov 31:10-13