2019-04-05
1 Corinthians 3:11 NCV
What are our lives founded on? God? Or something else? Paul wrote, ‘The foundation that has already been laid is Jesus Christ, and no one can lay down any other foundation.’ This verse was written in the context of division within the church. The people in Corinth were arguing about who they followed. Paul said to them: ‘You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings?’ (1 Corinthians 3:3-4 NIV). They weren’t acting like their foundations were in Christ. Instead, they were favoring different preachers and then falling into the trap of jealousy, rivalry, and disunity when others didn’t agree with them. We can also fall into the trap of founding our lives on other things. These might be people’s opinions, success, fame, or something else. And when we realise we’re doing that, we need to remember Paul’s words. Our foundation won’t hold in the storms of life unless it’s based on Jesus, the Rock (have a read of Matthew 7:24-27). Founding our lives on anything other than Him won’t work. In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul goes on to say, ‘If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light’ (vv.12-13 NIV). How we live our lives, and the way we’ve built on our foundations, will show on Judgment Day. It’ll be clear whose lives aren’t fully founded in Christ. So let’s make sure our foundations are in Jesus – the only true foundation.
Lev 18-20; Luke 21:12-24; Ps 25:16-22; Prov 10:2
2019-04-04
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
Some people stay in hopeless situations their whole lives without ever making a decision to seek God’s power to get through them. Being “longsuffering” doesn’t mean living in misery any longer than necessary. Paul says, “Be not conformed to this world: but be…transformed by…renewing…your mind, that ye may prove what is that good… acceptable…perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2). When you renew your mind with God’s Word, He’ll show you His will and strengthen you to get through – once and for all – what you’ve been going through for years. Instead of complaining about your circumstances, determine to get through them. Author John Mason says: “Don’t accept your present temporary situation as your future permanent situation…determine to get on with life and fulfill your purpose…Paul says, ‘We walk by faith, not by sight’ (2 Corinthians 5:7). We’re not to be moved by the obvious, but by the actual. If you’ve been saying for years, ‘I’m going through this situation,’ stand up and declare, ‘I’ve had enough. It’s time to get through this mess!’ The Enemy wants you to believe you’ll never be victorious…or overcome your present circumstance. But God’s Word says, “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But…will…provide a way out” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV). Take this verse and stand on it. God is faithful. He will provide ‘a way out.'” Your circumstances may not change right away, but as far as God’s concerned, you’re already out on the other side.
Soul food: Lev 15-17; Luke 21:8-11; Ps 25:8-15; Prov 10:1
1 Korintiërs 10:13 NLV
Sommige mense bly hulle hele lewe lank in hopelose situasies sonder om ooit die besluit te neem om God se krag te soek om daar deur te kom. Paulus sê: ‘Moenie julle leefstyl aanpas by die gedragspatrone van hierdie wêreld nie, maar laat God julle omvorm deurdat Hy julle denkpatrone vernuwe. Dan sal julle goed kan onderskei wat Hý wil hê dat julle moet doen, naamlik dit wat werklik goed en aanvaarbaar en volmaak is’ (Romeine 12:2 NLV). Wanneer jy jou gedagtes met God se Woord vernuwe, sal Hy vir jou sy wil wys en jou versterk om – vir eens en vir altyd – deur dit wat jy jare al deurmaak, te kom. Die skrywer John Mason sê: ‘Moenie jou huidige, tydelike situasie as jou toekomstige permanente situasie aanvaar nie. Besluit om met die lewe aan te beweeg en jou roeping te vervul. Paulus sê: ‘… ons leef deur te glo en nie deur te sien nie’ (2 Korintiërs 5:7 NLV). Ons word nie deur die ooglopende aangespoor nie, maar deur die werklike. As jy al vir jare sê: ‘Ek gaan deur hierdie situasie kom,’ staan op en verklaar: ‘Ek het genoeg gehad. Dis tyd om deur hierdie gemors te kom!’ Die Vyand wil hê dat jy glo dat jy nooit oorwinning sal behaal of jou huidige omstandighede sal oorkom nie. God se Woord sê egter: ‘…God is getrou. Hy sal keer dat die versoeking te sterk vir julle word. Midde-in die versoeking sal Hy vir ‘n uitweg sorg…’ (1 Korintiërs 10:13 NLV). Neem hierdie teksvers en staan daarop. Hy sal vir ‘n uitweg sorg.’ Jou omstandighede mag dalk nie dadelik verander nie, maar wat God betref, is jy reeds aan die ander kant daarvan.
Sielskos: Lev 15-17; Luk 21:8-11; Ps 25:8-15; Spr 10:1
2019-04-03
Romans 1:16 KJV
One Sunday a lady fell asleep in church. Pointing to the man sitting next to her, the pastor said, “Please wake that lady up.” The man replied, “Sorry, Pastor. You put her to sleep – you wake her up!” Seriously, Paul tells us “the gospel…is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (NKJV). The Greek word for “power” is dynamis, from which we get the word dynamite. Talk about impact! The gospel changes people profoundly. Chuck Swindoll says: “The gospel is like a sword sharpened on the stone of Scripture and tempered in the furnace of reality, relevance, and need. Of all the reactions a person may have to it, I can think of none worse than a yawn, a sleepy ‘so what,’ or a bored ‘who cares?’ Jesus met people where they were. His word touched raw nerves. His preaching was a lot more ‘here-and-now’ than it was ‘there-and-then.’ He attacked hypocrisy and prejudice. He met people where they were, not where they ought to be. Angry young men, blind beggars, proud politicians, loose-living hookers, ignorant fishermen, naked victims of demonism, and grieving parents – He related to them all. His enemies misunderstood Him, but they couldn’t ignore Him. They hated Him, but they were never bored around Him. Do you want a new definition of failing the Lord? Here it is – using the gospel to bore people! The gospel isn’t some vague religious concept; it’s an exciting relationship with God that works in everyday life.” And the people around you need it, so share it with them.
Soul food: Lev 13:38-14:57; Luke 21:1-7; Ps 25:1-7; Prov 9:17-18
Romeine 1:16 ABA
Een Sondag het ‘n dame in die kerk aan die slaap geraak. Die pastoor het na die man langs haar gewys en gesê: ‘Maak asb daardie dame wakker.’ Die man het geantwoord: ‘Jammer pastoor. Jy het haar aan die slaap gepraat – jy kan haar wakker maak!’ Paulus sê vir ons: ‘…Die Goeie Boodskap is God se krag, dit red almal wat glo…’ Die Griekse woord vir ‘krag’ is dynamis, waarvan ons die woord dinamiet kry. Praat van impak! Die evangelie verander mense heeltemal. Chuck Swindoll sê: ‘Die evangelie is soos ‘n swaard wat op die klip van die Skrif geslyp is en in die vuur van realiteit, toepaslikheid en behoefte getemper is. Van al die reaksies wat ‘n persoon daarop kan hê, kan ek aan niks ergers as ‘n gaap, ‘n slaperige ‘wat daarvan,’ of ‘n verveelde ‘wie gee om,’ dink nie. Jesus se Woord het rou senuwees aangeraak. Hy het skynheiligheid en vooroordeel aangeval. Hy het mense waar hulle was, ontmoet, nie waar hulle behoort te wees nie. Woedende jong mans, blinde bedelaars, trotse politici, prostitute, onkundige vissermanne, naakte slagoffers van demone en ouers wat rou – Hy het by hulle almal aanklank gevind. Sy vyande het Hom nie verstaan nie, maar hulle kon Hom nie ignoreer nie. Hulle het Hom gehaat, maar hulle was nooit verveeld by Hom nie. Jy faal die Here wanneer jy die evangelie gebruik om mense te verveel! Die evangelie is nie ‘n vae godsdienstige konsep nie; dis ‘n opwindende verhouding met God wat in jou alledaagse lewe werk.’ Die mense rondom jou het dit ook nodig, deel dit dus met hulle.
Sielskos: Lev 13:38-14:57; Luk 21:1-7; Ps 25:1-7; Spr 9:17-18
