2020-03-08
Efesiërs 5:25 NLV
Hoekom sê die Bybel: ‘Getroude mans, julle moet julle vrouens liefhê net soos Christus liefde aan die kerk bewys het toe Hy sy lewe daarvoor gegee het’? Omdat jou vrou moet weet dat jy vir haar lief is, aan haar dink, haar by jou planne betrek en dat jy haar opinie, behoeftes en begeertes waardeer. As jy dit nie vir haar sê nie, sal sy dit nie weet nie! Kom ons kyk hoe Jesus die kerk, wat deur twaalf dissipels wat feilbare mense was, begin is, liefgehad het en hoe jy jou vrou moet liefhê. Hy het hulle onvoorwaardelik liefgehad. Was dit altyd maklik? Nee. In plaas daarvan om egter by die dissipels te neul oor wat hulle was en nie was nie, het Hy homself verbly oor wat hulle sou word wanneer sy genade in hulle lewens gewerk het. Stop en dink aan die kwaliteite wat jou oorspronklik na jou vrou toe aangetrek het. Oor die jare mag sy dalk ‘n paar kilogramme opgetel het en ‘n paar plooie bygekry het. Sy is egter steeds dieselfde wonderlike persoon op wie jy verlief geraak het. Dis maklik om dit te vergeet, dus moet jy jouself – en haar – gereeld daaraan herinner. Wanneer rose aan ryp blootgestel word, verlep hulle en gaan dood, maar as jy hulle die regte hoeveelheid sonskyn en reën gee, floreer hulle. Salomo het die ideale vrou as volg beskryf: ‘Haar kinders is trots op haar. Haar man spog met haar’ (Spreuke 31:28 NLV). Hoekom was hierdie kinders trots op haar? Omdat hulle gesien het dat hul pa trots op haar is! As jy dus die afgelope ruk te besig, te self-behep of te verstrooid was – verander jou optrede en vertel jou vrou hoe lief jy haar het. (Die beginsel werk beide kante toe, dames!).
Sielskos: Matt 5:3; Luk 18:9-14; Jes 57:14-21; 2 Sam 7:18-29
1 John 4:11 NIV
We all know that we’re called to love other people. Jesus said that loving God and loving other people is the greatest commandment (have a read of Mark 12:30-31). But loving others isn’t always easy. In fact, sometimes it can be really challenging. So let’s take a look at how Jesus loved the church, which began with twelve disciples, and use it to learn how we should love others. He loved them unconditionally. He loved the disciples despite their mistakes and flaws. They were human, and would get things wrong. They doubted and argued. Jesus was perfect, but He didn’t let their mistakes change His love for them. It’s the same for us. God sees everything we do, good and bad, and still loves us. There’s nothing we can do to make Him love us more, and nothing we can do to make Him love us less. We’re His children. The Bible says: ‘See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!’ (1 John 3:1 NIV). He redeems every mistake we make, because of His love for us. He forgives us and restores us. Jesus did this for Peter after he had denied knowing Jesus three times. Jesus asked Peter three times whether he loved Him (you can read about this in John 21). We’re told that ‘since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.’ So how can we love others God’s way? We can offer forgiveness when they make mistakes, and we can love them as a child of God even if we don’t like the way they’re acting. We can love them unconditionally.
Matt 5:3; Luke 18:9-14; Isa 57:14-21; 2 Sam 7:18-29
2020-03-07
Malachi 3:14 NLT
In the Old Testament book of Malachi, the Israelites asked, ‘What’s the use of serving God?’ It’s a question nonbelievers and sometimes even believers ask, particularly when times are hard, our faith is being tested, or we’re not seeing any benefit. But we also need to ask ourselves what’s in our heart. If we have a genuine desire to love, worship, and obey God, then we’ll never question the point of serving Him. But if we’re serving to get something back from God, or to earn His love by proving how good we are, then we’re going to become disillusioned about following Him. Even though it shouldn’t be our motive, God does love to bless us when we obey Him. The psalmist wrote: ‘Blessed are those who fear the LORD, who find great delight in his commands…Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice’ (Psalm 112:1; 5 NIV). When we serve God we’re blessed with good things. These might not always be the good things we want or are expecting, but they’re the things God wants to give us to enrich our lives. God notices everything we do for Him, big and small. The Bible says: ‘God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them’ (Hebrews 6:10 NIV). Even if our lives are tough, and we can’t see blessings now, we know that everything we do for God will be rewarded one day. And the whole point of serving Him is to express our love and gratitude for the amazing things He has done for us.
Gen 32-34; Matt 21:12-17; Ps 106:1-23; Prov 7:1-2
Malachi 3:14 NLT
In the last book in the Old Testament, Malachi, the Israelites asked, “What’s the use in serving God?” It’s a question nonbelievers and sometimes even believers ask, particularly when times are hard and our faith is sorely tested. The psalmist gives us the answer: “Praise the Lord! For all who fear God and trust in him are blessed beyond expression…happy is the man who delights in doing his commands. His children shall be honored everywhere, for good men’s sons have a special heritage. He himself shall be wealthy, and his good deeds will never be forgotten. When darkness overtakes him, light will come bursting in. He is kind and merciful – and all goes well for the generous man who conducts his business fairly. Such a man will not be overthrown by evil circumstances. God’s constant care of him will make a deep impression on all who see it. He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen. For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him. That is why he is not afraid, but can calmly face his foes. He gives generously to those in need. His deeds will never be forgotten. He shall have influence and honor” (Psalm 112:1-9 TLB). Notice that the benefits of serving God include happiness, children you can be proud of, success, influence, and honor. Note in particular the words: “He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen. For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him.” These blessings are all part of your “benefits package.”
Soul food: Gen 32-34; Matt 21:12-17; Ps 106:1-23; Prov 7:1-2
Maleagi 3:14 NLV
In die laaste boek van die Ou Testament, Maleagi, vra die Israeliete: ‘…Dis tevergeefs om God te dien. Wat het ons daarby gebaat…?’ Dis ‘n vraag wat ongelowiges en soms selfs gelowiges vra, veral wanneer tye moeilik is en ons geloof getoets word. Die Psalmdigter gee egter vir ons die antwoord: ‘Prys die Here! Die gelukkigste mense op aarde is hulle wat groot respek vir die Here het, wat met blydskap luister na alles wat die Here sê. Hulle nageslag is baie groot. Die Here se goedheid is by sulke mense oral waar hulle gaan. Hulle het meer as genoeg om van te leef. Hulle doen net goed aan ander mense. God se goedheid skyn soos die son oor hulle hele lewe. Hy is by hulle met sy goedheid, sy ontferming, sy beskerming. Iemand wat die Here vrees, deel graag sy besittings met ander. Hy leen uit, hy doen altyd die regte dinge. Almal praat daarvan. Hulle onthou hom, want hy struikel nie. Slegte nuus ontstel hom nie, want sy hand is veilig in die Here s’n. Omdat hy op die Here vertrou, is hy glad nie bang nie, want hy weet sy vyande sal tot ‘n val kom. Hy strooi sy besittings uit; arm mense dra hy op die hande. Hy hou nooit op om goed te doen nie. Wat ‘n leefstyl! Dit bring baie eer en vreugde’ (Psalm 112:1-9 DB). Die voordele wat jy ontvang wanneer jy God dien sluit geluk, kinders op wie jy kan trots wees, sukses, invloed en eer in. Let veral die volgende woorde op: ‘…Slegte nuus ontstel hom nie, want sy hand is veilig in die Here s’n. Omdat hy op die Here vertrou, is hy glad nie bang nie…’ Hierdie seëninge is alles deel van jou ‘voordele pakket.’
Sielskos: Gen 32-34; Matt 21:12-17; Ps 106:1-23; Spr 7:1-2
