2020-05-07
Proverbs 23:7 NKJV
The thought patterns you establish put you on autopilot. That means when specific situations arise, you’re preprogrammed to respond in a certain way. Sometimes that’s a good thing, like automatically distancing yourself from danger. Other times, you need to interrupt your autopilot function and stop your mind from going in the wrong direction. For example, maybe you’ve spent years dreading holiday celebrations with extended family. This year you can choose to think, “It’s not my favourite activity, but I’m going to look for something good in each of my relatives.” Or maybe you’ve developed a habit of complaining and feeling overwhelmed each month when the bills arrive. Instead you can choose to think, “I’m going to pay as much as possible on these, and little by little I’ll get out of debt.” Or maybe you don’t like your job, your boss, or the people you work with. If so, you have a choice. You can be negative and critical, or say, “I’m glad I’ve got a job; many people don’t. I’m going to do my best every day, and believe God to give me favour with my boss. My work environment may not be ideal, but I’ll do my part to make it pleasant for myself and those around me. I’d like a raise, so I’ll work hard to earn it.” Instead of reacting to the first thoughts that cross your mind, retrain your mind, one thought at a time, to think differently. It takes a little work, but when you think God’s thoughts, He becomes your partner in accomplishing whatever you need to accomplish.
Soul food: Num 14-15; Mark 7:1-13; Ps 37:32-40; Prov 11:7-8
2020-05-06
Psalm 4:5 NCV
Each day we have many decisions to make. Choosing to do the right thing each time can be challenging. The right things aren’t always the easy things. We might have to overcome the emotions we feel. We might have to go against what we really want to do. But doing the right thing, the thing that God wants us to do, is vital if we’re going to follow Him. In the Bible, Joseph was a man who chose to do the right thing at many points in his life. When Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him, he said no because he knew it was wrong. When his brothers turned up begging for help, he chose to show mercy. This might have been a really hard choice for Joseph to make. His brothers had plotted to kill him, had thrown him down a pit, and then sold him into slavery while pretending to their father Jacob that he was dead. Joseph could have chosen to live a life of resentment. He could have held a grudge against his brothers and refused to help them. But he chose to do what was right in God’s eyes. Firstly, he forgave them. Joseph said, ‘do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you’ (Genesis 45:5 NIV). Secondly, he chose to provide for them. He said: ‘You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me – you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. I will provide for you there’ (vv.10-11 NIV). It’s important that we do what’s right in God’s eyes. He’ll give us the wisdom and strength we need to be able to do it.
Num 11-13; Mark 6:45-56; Ps 37:25-31; Prov 11:5-6
Psalm 4:6 DB
Dag na dag het Potifar se vrou vir Josef probeer verlei, maar hy het nee gesê. ‘…hy het volhard om nie toe te gee aan haar versoeke nie…’ (Genesis 39:10 NLV). Wanneer sy gebel het, het hy nie die foon geantwoord nie. Wanneer sy vir hom ‘n teksboodskap gestuur het, het hy nie een teruggestuur nie. Toe sy haar opwagting gemaak het, het hy ‘…uit die huis gehardloop’ (vers 12 NLV). In ‘n kultuur wat frases soos ‘instemmende volwassenes’ en ‘seksuele regte’ gebruik, is dit maklik om te vergeet hoe immoraliteit die lewens van mense buite die slaapkamer, vernietig. Max Lucado skryf: ‘Jare gelede het ‘n vriend vir my hierdie raad gegee: ‘Maak ‘n lys van al die lewens wat deur jou seksuele immoraliteit geaffekteer sou word.’ Ek het. Elke nou en dan het ek weer die lys gelees. ‘My vrou, Denalyn. My drie dogters. My skoonseun. My ongebore kleindogter. Elke persoon wat al ooit my boeke gelees het of na een van my preke geluister het.’ Die lys herinner my aan die volgende feit: Een daad van vleeslikheid is ‘n slegte plaasvervanger vir ‘n lewe van verlore nalatenskap.’ Josef se primêre rede om vir Potifar se vrou nee te sê – was God. ‘…Hoe kan ek ooit so ‘n slegte ding doen? Dit sal ‘n baie groot sonde voor God wees’ (vers 9 NLV). Die les wat ons van Josef leer is eenvoudig: Doen wat vir God aanvaarbaar is. Wanneer ‘n vriend vir jou dagga aanbied: Doen wat vir God aanvaarbaar is. Wanneer jou klasmaat vir jou ‘n manier wys om op die vraestel te kul: Doen wat vir God aanvaarbaar is. Wanneer die versoeking om pornografie te kyk groot is: Doen wat vir God aanvaarbaar is. ‘Hoe kan ek vir God aanvaarbaar wees?’ vra jy. ‘Dien die Here met oorgawe! Vertrou op Hom.’
Sielskos: Num 11-13; Mark 6:45-56; Ps 37:25-31; Spr 11:5-6
Psalm 4:5 NCV
Day after day Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph, but he said no. He gave her no time, no attention, no chitchat, and no reason for hope. “He did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her” (Genesis 39:10 NKJV). When she called, he didn’t answer the phone. When she texted, he didn’t text back. When she showed up, he “fled and ran outside” (v. 12 NKJV). In a culture that uses phrases like “consenting adults” and “sexual rights,” we forget how immorality destroys the lives of people who aren’t in the bedroom. Max Lucado writes: “Years ago a friend gave me this counsel: ‘Make a list of all the lives you would affect by your sexual immorality.’ I did. Every so often I reread it. ‘My wife Denalyn. My three daughters. My son-in-law. My yet-to-be-born granddaughter. Every person who has ever read one of my books or heard one of my sermons. My publishing team. Our church staff.’ The list reminds me: One act of carnality is a poor exchange for a lifetime of lost legacy.” Joseph’s primary reason for saying no to Potiphar’s wife was – God. “How…can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (v. 9 NKJV). The lesson we learn from Joseph is surprisingly simple: Do what pleases God. When a friend offers you a joint of marijuana: Do what pleases God. When your classmates show you a way to cheat: Do what pleases God. When the temptation to watch pornography is great: Do what pleases God. “How can I please God?” you ask. “Do what is right as a sacrifice to the Lord and trust the Lord.”
Soul food: Num 11-13; Mark 6:45-56; Ps 37:25-31; Prov 11:5-6
2020-05-05
Proverbs 3:24 NLT
Insomnia is a miserable thing. At any given time it affects 30 to 50 percent of the population. You dread bedtime, toss and tumble all night, and walk around exhausted the next day. And when it continues for weeks or even months, it can depress you and rob you of your joy. Is that what’s happening to you right now? Then let God help you. His Word says He “gives rest to his loved ones” (Psalm 127:2 NLT). His promise is “You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly.” And if you’re addicted to sleeping pills, the Great Physician can heal you. Make this your prayer today: “Father, shine Your light on the root cause of my sleeplessness. Whatever anxieties are stopping me from entering into a state of restorative slumber, I cast them all on You as instructed, knowing You care for me (See 1 Peter 5:7). Calm my racing thoughts and restless mind. Help me to be still and know You are my God (See Psalm 46:10). I submit to Your command not to worry about anything, but to pray about everything instead. I bring my needs to You, and thank You for all You have already done. Your Word assures me that if I do this I’ll experience Your peace, which is more wonderful than the human mind can understand, and that it will guard my heart and my mind (See Philippians 4:6-7). By faith I will lie down tonight without fear or anxiety and enjoy pleasant dreams. Yes, I will lie down in peace and sleep because You…Lord, will keep me safe (See Psalm 4:8). In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”
Soul food: Num 8-10; Mark 6:30-44; Ps 37:16-24; Prov 11:4
