2019-05-26
Johannes 8:36 NLV
Soms sê ons vir nuwe gelowiges dat hulle hulle lewens moet regkry, maar ons sê nie vir hulle hoe om dit te doen nie! Jesus het gesê: ‘As die Seun julle dus bevry, sal julle regtig vry wees.’ Paulus skryf: ‘…Laat julle leefstyl eerder deur die Gees bepaal word. Dan sal julle glad nie aan die begeertes van julle sondige geaardheid toegee nie’ (Galasiërs 5:16 NLV). Blywende verandering kom van binne. Jou grootste stryd sal altyd in die area van jou denke en impulse wees. As Satan jou aandag van God se Woord na die vleeslike ryk kan aftrek, kan hy jou elke keer na sonde en nederlae toe lei. God se Woord is die taal van God se Gees. Dit beteken dat wanneer jy dit lees en op die beginsels daarvan mediteer, laat jy die Heilige Gees toe om met jou te praat en kan jy gevolglik jou vlees onder beheer hou. Wanneer jy egter by jou sondige gedagtes stilstaan, tree jy in die Vyand se taal op en laat jy hom toe om jou te beheer. Gaan dus vandag terug na God se Woord toe. Dis die swaard van die Gees en die enigste wapen wat skerp genoeg is om jou van sonde los te sny. Petrus sê: ‘Deurdat ons Hom regtig ken, het sy Goddelike krag ons alles laat kry wat ons nodig het om naby aan Hom te lewe… Deur hierdie selfde krag het Hy sy kosbaarste en allergrootste beloftes vir ons laat waar word. Die gevolg hiervan is dat julle deel gekry het aan sy Goddelike natuur. Só het julle vrygekom van die proses van agteruitgang wat, as gevolg van die geneigdheid van ons menslike natuur, oral alles en almal laat sleg word’ (2 Petrus 1:3-4 NLV). Alles wat jy nodig het is in God se Woord.
Sielskos: Eks 20:15; Eks 22:1-4; Spr 6:30-31; Luk 19:1-10
John 8:36 NLT
Sometimes we tell new believers to clean up their act, without telling them how! Jesus said, “If the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” The Amplified Bible puts it like this: “Then you are really and unquestionably free.” The key to victory in life doesn’t lie in exercising more willpower, but in drawing on God’s power moment by moment. Paul writes, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16 NKJV). Lasting change comes from the inside out. Your biggest battle will always be in the area of your thoughts and impulses. If Satan can get your mind off God’s Word and into the carnal realm, he can swing you toward sin and defeat every time. Understand this: God’s Word is the language of God’s Spirit. That means when you read it and meditate on its principles, you are allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to you, and as a result you can keep your flesh under control. But when you dwell on sinful thoughts, you’re operating in the Enemy’s language and letting him dictate to you. So get back into God’s Word today. It’s “the sword of the Spirit” and the only weapon sharp enough to cut you loose from sin. Peter says, “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life…he has given us great and precious promises…[so we can] share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption” (2 Peter 1:3-4 NLT). Everything you need is in God’s Word.
Soul food: Exo 20:15; Exo 22:1-4; Prov 6:30-31; Luke 19:1-10
2019-05-25
Filippense 1:6 NLV
Toe Mark Matousek vir mense vertel het dat ‘n potensiële dodelike siekte sy lewe gered het, kon hulle dit nie verstaan nie. Hy was nie bly dat hy siek geword het nie. Hy sou egter daarsonder nooit die krag ontdek en gebruik het om sommige van sy kernvrese te oorkom nie. Hy skryf: ‘Swaarkry kan die bloed in die spiere wees wat ons voortdryf. Krisis kan ons na die randjie toe neem en ons dwing om aan te hou beweeg. Wanneer mense dit ‘n seëning noem, beskryf hulle ‘n paradoks. Dis hoekom mans dikwels in oorlogstye floreer en vrouens deur kindergeboorte verander word – hulle word lewendig soos nog nooit tevore nie.’ Die waarheid is dat God tot jou geestelike groei verbind is: ‘Ek is oortuig dat God die goeie werk wat Hy in julle begin het, sal voortsit totdat Hy dit voltooi op die dag wanneer Jesus Christus terugkom.’ Langs die pad sal jy getoets word, soms tot breekpunt toe. ‘n Skrywer sê: ‘Geestelike toetse toets ons geloof en toewyding. Onthou jy vir Abraham en Isak? Niks maak ons trotser as wanneer ons ons kinders sien sukses behaal nie, en God het groot planne vir Isak gehad. Wat kon moontlik verkeerd gaan? Baie! Ons het al in Abraham se sandale gestaan en aan God se beloftes vasgeklou, maar steeds het siekte gebly, finansiële probleme het binnegesluip, vriende het ons verraai en die dood het gewink. Abraham het met vertroue en toewyding gereageer. Dit was nie maklik vir hom nie – ons weet hoe dit sou eindig, maar hy het nie! Tog was hy bereid om sy seun se lewe te neem. God wou nooit Isak se dood gehad het nie. Hy wil egter ons hele hart en toewyding hê.’
Sielskos: 1 Kon 18:16-20:43; Mark 9:38-50; Ps 113; Spr 12:15-17
Philippians 1:6 NKJV
When Mark Matousek told people that a potentially fatal disease had saved his life, they didn’t understand. He wasn’t glad he got sick. But without it, he’d never have discovered and tapped into the strength to confront and overcome some of his core fears. He writes: “Hardship can be the blood in muscles that pushes us forward. Crisis takes us to the brink and forces us to keep moving. When people call it a blessing, they’re describing a paradox. It’s why men often blossom in wartime and women are changed by childbirth – they come alive as never before.” The truth is, God is committed to your spiritual growth: “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ.” And along the way you’ll be tested, sometimes to your limits. One author writes: “Spiritual tests try our faith and commitment. Remember Abraham and Isaac? Nothing makes us prouder than seeing our children succeed, and God had great plans for Isaac. What could possibly go wrong? A lot! We’ve stood in Abraham’s sandals and clung to God’s promises, yet sickness lingers, financial troubles invade, friends betray us, and death calls. Abraham responded with trust and commitment. It wasn’t easy for him…we know the outcome; he didn’t. Yet he was prepared to take his son’s life. God never wanted Isaac’s death…He wants our whole and committed hearts. When trials don’t make sense…He promises to set limits…to walk with us and bring forth good.”
Soul food: 1 Kings 18:16-20:43; Mark 9:38-50; Ps 113; Prov 12:15-17
2019-05-24
Luke 10:40 AMPC
One of the great buzzwords of this generation is multitasking. Used properly, it can make you more productive. Used wrongly, such as trying to text someone while you’re driving, it can kill you. You will not enjoy today, or the gifts it contains, if you don’t have a balanced attitude toward work. One day Jesus visited the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha. What a contrast! Martha was “overly occupied and too busy,” while Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and soaked up everything He had to say. She was determined not to miss this precious moment. And Jesus said Mary made a better choice than Martha did. Now, He didn’t tell Martha not to work; He told her to stop getting frustrated and having a bad attitude while she worked. Jesus wants you to work hard, but He also wants you to be wise enough to realize when you should stop all activity and not miss the miracle of His presence in the moment. The Bible says, “Give your mind to what you are doing” (Ecclesiastes 5:1 AMPC). In other words, train yourself to focus your full attention on what you are involved in at any given time. Then finish it before starting something else. This kind of concentration requires discipline, but it’s worth it because being able to focus helps you enjoy the present moment. Breaking the bad habit of excessive multitasking may sound easy, but it’s actually quite difficult. So be determined to form new, balanced habits in this area. When you do, the quality of your life will improve.
Soul food: 1 Kings 16:1-18:15; Mark 9:30-37; Ps 108; Prov 12:14
