2020-05-10
Romans 10:17 NKJV
Let’s define the word “faith” more clearly. The Bible says faith is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV). Faith isn’t empty hope, or simply a positive confession of something we want to be true. Faith is recognizing something that’s already a reality despite the fact that it can’t yet be seen. The Bible says Abraham “believed – God, who…calls those things which do not exist as though they did” (Romans 4:17 NKJV). Based on this verse some people think that whatever they want they can simply “speak into existence.” Read the verse again! Abraham didn’t speak Isaac into existence, God did! Abraham simply believed God, acted on His promise, and as a result Isaac was born. “Not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform” (vv. 19-21 NKJV). Your faith must be in God, not in your faith! In and of itself, faith has no creative power; it just affirms what already exists in the unseen world and in what God has promised, knowing that in His time it will come to pass because it’s His will. Whatever you claim by faith must be based on what God has clearly promised you in His Word. And how do you develop that kind of faith? Read the Word! “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”
Soul food: Matt 5:10; 1 Thes 2:13-3:5; 1 Cor 4:11-13; Rev 6:9-11
Romeine 10:17 NLV
Kom ons definieer die woord ‘geloof’ duideliker. Die Bybel sê geloof is: ‘…die vaste versekering dat die dinge waarna ons uitsien, inderdaad sal gebeur. Dit is die bewys dat God die dinge wat ons nog nie kan sien nie, waar sal maak’ (Hebreërs 11:1 NLV). Geloof is nie ‘n leë hoop of ‘n positiewe belydenis van iets wat ons graag wil hê waar moet wees nie. Geloof is die erkenning van iets wat reeds ‘n realiteit is, ten spyte van die feit dat dit nog nie gesien kan word nie. Die Bybel sê dat Abraham in God geglo het, wat deur: ‘…sy roepstem dinge wat nog nie bestaan nie, aanspreek asof hulle reeds werklikheid is’ (Romeine 4:17 NLV). Abraham het eenvoudig vir God geglo, volgens sy belofte opgetree en gevolglik is Isak gebore. ‘En Abraham se geloof het nie verswak nie, al het hy baie goed besef dat sy eie liggaamlike vermoëns alreeds gedaan was – hy was al omtrent 100 jaar oud – en dat sy vrou Sara nie meer kinders kon hê nie. Abraham het nie getwyfel aan God se belofte nie; inteendeel, sy geloof het sterker geword en so het hy die eer aan God gegee. Hy was absoluut daarvan oortuig dat God enigiets kon doen wat Hy beloof het’ (verse 19-21 NLV). Jou geloof moet in God wees, nie in jou geloof nie! Op sy eie, het geloof geen kreatiewe krag nie; dit bevestig net wat reeds in die onsigbare wêreld bestaan en dit wat God beloof het, met die wete dat dit in sy tyd tot stand sal kom, omdat dit sy wil is. Wat jy ook al in geloof opeis, moet op dit wat God reeds in sy Woord aan jou beloof het, gebaseer wees. Hoe ontwikkel jy hierdie tipe geloof? Lees die Woord! ‘Die geloof volg uit die aanhoor van die boodskap…’
Sielskos: Matt 5:10; 1 Tess 2:13-3:5; 1 Kor 4:11-13; Op 6:9-11
2020-05-09
Genesis 41:37 NIV
God gave Joseph a dream that one day he’d be in a high-profile leadership position. But when he finally arrived at Pharaoh’s palace, he didn’t walk in and announce to everyone that he was going to be in charge. He had to work for it, and God took him on a long journey of ups and downs before he got there. When God gives us a dream, it might take a long time before that dream is fulfilled. In fact, we might not see any way that the dream can come into being. But we need to keep trusting God, and believe that the dream He gave to us will happen. Our dreams and our talents are important, but long-term success won’t happen without a plan. Joseph gave Pharaoh a plan not only to survive the famine they were in, but also to prosper because of it. He gave Pharaoh a specific plan with a timeline: seven years. He told him: ‘This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine’ (Genesis 41:36 NIV). God will help us make plans towards fulfilling our dreams. When we spend time listening to Him and learning what’s in His heart for us, we’re able to use the time we’re waiting for the fulfilment of our dreams to understand how we can get there. If we’re trying to force things and make our own plans in our own time, it’s unlikely that God will bless what we’re doing. The Bible says: ‘In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps’ (Proverbs 16:9 NIV). His way is best, and His plans are the best for us.
Num 19-21; Mark 7:24-37; Ps 44:9-16; Prov 11:10-11
Genesis 41:37 NIV
God gave Joseph a dream that one day he’d be in a high-profile leadership position. But when he finally arrived at Pharaoh’s palace, he didn’t walk in and announce, “God told me I was to be the boss round here!” No, he had to work for it! There was worldwide famine at the time and Joseph gave Pharaoh a plan not only to survive it, but to prosper because of it. Notice what Pharaoh said about Joseph: “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” (v. 38 NIV). So what’s your dream? And what’s your plan? Your dream and your talent are important, but long-term success won’t happen without a plan. The Bible says, “A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men” (Proverbs 18:16 KJV). Your talent may bring you to the attention of key people, but you’ll have to be able to answer the question “What’s your plan?” A plan takes your dreams and talents and maximizes them by bringing structure to the concept. It involves being committed to a budget; it means constantly working on specific goals and details. Joseph gave Pharaoh a specific plan with a time line: seven years. He told him, “This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine” (Genesis 41:36 NIV). So here’s what you need to do: Write down your plan, which includes specific actions and deadlines to fulfill it. Will God bless your plan? Yes, but you must have the right plan in place before He can bless it.
Soul food: Num 19-21; Mark 7:24-37; Ps 44:9-16; Prov 11:10-11
Genesis 41:37 NLV
God het vir Josef ‘n droom gegee dat hy eendag in ‘n hoëprofiel leierskapsposisie sou wees. Toe hy egter uiteindelik by farao se paleis aangekom het, het hy nie ingestap en aangekondig: ‘God het vir my gesê dat ek die baas hier rond gaan wees!’ nie. Nee, hy moes daarvoor werk. Daar was ‘n wêreldwye hongersnood op die tyd aan die gang en Josef het vir farao ‘n plan gegee om dit nie net te oorleef nie, maar om as gevolg daarvan te floreer. Let op wat farao oor Josef gesê het: ‘…Wie sal dit beter kan doen as Josef? Hy het sonder twyfel die gees van God’ (vers 39 NLV). Wat is jou droom? En wat is jou plan? Jou droom en jou talente is belangrik, maar langtermynsukses sal nie sonder ‘n plan plaasvind nie. Jou talente mag dalk die aandag van sleutelmense op jou vestig, maar jy sal in staat moet wees om te verduidelik wat jou plan is. ‘n Plan neem jou drome en talente en vergroot hulle deur struktuur aan die konsep te gee. Dit beteken dat jy aan ‘n begroting toegewyd moet wees; dit beteken dat jy konstant aan sekere doelwitte en details moet werk. Josef het vir farao ‘n spesifieke plan met ‘n tydslyn gegee: sewe jaar. Hy het vir hom gesê: ‘Op hierdie manier sal daar genoeg wees om te eet wanneer die sewe jaar van hongersnood aanbreek…’ (Genesis 41:36 NLV). Jy moet dus die volgende doen: Skryf jou plan neer, met spesifieke aksies en spertye om dit te vervul. Sal God jou plan seën? Ja, maar jy moet die regte plan in plek hê, voor Hy dit kan seën.
Sielskos: Num 19-21; Mark 7:24-37; Ps 44:9-16; Spr 11:10-11
