2020-08-16
1 Corinthians 9:25 TLV
Responsibility requires us to make a living and support our family. But deep down, do you feel you’ve been “called” to do something different? It was when Jesus told His disciples to leave the security of the shore and launch out into the deep, that they landed their greatest catch of fish. Here’s a modern-day story to encourage you: Jerry Richardson faced an important decision in 1961. In those days he played football for the Baltimore Colts, a job that was considered glamorous and secure. But when he was turned down for the raise he requested, he felt it was time to take a risk and do what he’d always wanted to do – start his own business. He and his family moved back to South Carolina, where an old college buddy invited him to buy into a hamburger stand. Richardson took the plunge and bought Hardee’s first franchise. He went from catching footballs to flipping hamburgers twelve hours a day. He scrubbed stoves and mopped floors. His wages? Only $417 a month. But tired and frustrated as he was, he refused to give up. He employed the same discipline he’d used on the football field to focus on making his restaurant more efficient, his employees the most friendly in town, and his prices affordable. Before long his business boomed. Eventually he went on to head up one of the largest food service companies in the United States, with $3.7 billion a year in sales. Oh, and one more thing. He also became an owner in the NFL and established the Carolina Panthers franchise, which he owned for twenty-three years.
Soul food: 2 Cor 11:21-33; 2 Cor 12:7-10; Acts 16:16-40; Acts 19:11-12
1 Corinthians 9:25 TLV
There’s a popular saying that ‘nothing really great ever happens in your comfort zone.’ Life with God can be like that. In Luke 5, we see Jesus instruct Simon to take his boat further and further out into the Lake of Gennesaret. First, this is so that Jesus can preach to the people, and then so that Simon can catch masses of fish that he wasn’t expecting. Sometimes God asks us to move away from shore because there are important things out in deep waters. Not all of us are fishermen, so moving away from the safety of the shore can be uncomfortable. However, Jesus shows us in His interaction with Simon that He only calls us out when there’s work to be done, and good things to be netted. If there’s an opportunity or gifting that you’ve been unsure about moving into, this could be the encouragement you need to step out of that comfort zone. If you check in with God and ask Him to keep you within His plan, He’ll have His hand on whatever happens next. Ask Him to open the right doors, and close the wrong ones. That doesn’t mean the way forward will necessarily be easy, or that you’ll be guaranteed success. It does mean that God has you and will lead you. Just like He said to Joshua, ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’ (Joshua 1:9 ESV). When we keep close to Him, God is right at our side in everything that we do. Whether we’re in our comfort zone, or whether we move outside of it, He’s there with us to protect us and make a way.
2 Cor 11:21-33; 2 Cor 12:7-10; Acts 16:16-40; Acts 19:11-12
1 Korintiërs 9:25 ABA
Verantwoordelikheid verg van ons om ‘n lewe te maak en ons familie te ondersteun. Voel jy egter diep binne-in jou dat jy ‘geroep’ is om iets anders te doen? Die dissipels het hulle grootste vangs gehad, toe Jesus vir hulle gesê het om die sekuriteit van die strand te verlaat en die diep waters in te vaar. Hier is ‘n hedendaagse verhaal om jou aan te moedig: Jerry Richardson het in 1961 voor ‘n belangrike besluit te staan gekom. In daardie dae het hy voetbal vir die Baltimore Colts gespeel, ‘n werk wat as glansryk en veilig gesien is. Toe hy egter nie die verhoging kry waarvoor hy aansoek gedoen het nie, het hy gevoel dat dit tyd is om ‘n risiko te neem en te doen wat hy nog altyd wou doen – sy eie besigheid begin. Hy en sy familie het teruggetrek Suid Carolina toe, waar ‘n ou universiteitsvriend hom uitgenooi het om aandele in ‘n hamburger kiosk te koop. Richardson het die risiko geneem en Hardee’s se eerste konsessie gekoop. Hy het van, om ‘n voetbal te vang, na hamburgers vir twaalf uur ‘n dag te braai, gegaan. Hy het stowe geskrop en vloere gemop. Sy salaris? Slegs $147 ‘n maand. So moeg en gefrustreerd soos hy egter was, het hy geweier om tou op te gooi. Hy het dieselfde dissipline wat hy op die voetbalveld gebruik het, gebruik om daarop te fokus om sy restaurant meer doeltreffend en sy pryse bekostigbaar te maak. Kort voor lank het sy besigheid uit sy nate gebars. Hy het uiteindelik die hoof van die een van die grootste voedseldiens maatskappye in Amerika geword, wat elke jaar $3.7 biljoen in verkope gehad het. O, en nog ‘n ding. Hy het ook die eienaar van die NFL geword en die Carolina Panthers konsessie gevestig, wat hy vir drie-en-twintig jaar besit het.
Sielskos: 2 Kor 11:21-33; 2 Kor 12:7-10; Hand 16:16-40; Hand 19:11-12
2020-08-15
Ephesians 6:7 KJV
A reporter once asked the famous American singer, Marian Anderson, to name the greatest moment in her life. She could have talked about the private concerts she gave at the White House for the Roosevelts, or her command performance for the king and queen of England. Instead, she shocked the reporter by saying, “The greatest moment in my life was the day when I was able to go home and tell my mother that she wouldn’t have to take in washing anymore.” We are all innately self-centered, thinking first about our own interests. That’s why we must be “transformed by the renewing of [our] minds” (Romans 12:2 NIV). Psychologists talk about natural behavior and learned behavior. When you’re naturally negative, you must learn to be positive. When you’re naturally fearful, you must learn to be courageous. When you’re naturally selfish, you must learn to be generous. God wants you to go through life looking for opportunities to bless others: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10 NKJV). And you’re not just to do it to people, you’re supposed to do it through people and unto the Lord. “Not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord” (Ephesians 6:6-8 NKJV). That means what you make happen for others, the Lord will make happen for you!
Soul food: Obadiah; Ruth 1; Luke 14:1-14; Ps 119:73-80; Prov 17:27-28
Ephesians 6:7 NIV
Galatians 6:10 encourages us: ‘Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers’ (NIV). Doing good is always a choice, and sometimes a difficult one. Whether we struggle to put aside our own wants, or simply just don’t think about reaching out that often, we can be likely to miss opportunities to do good. That’s why Romans 12:2 tells us to ‘be transformed by the renewing of [our] minds’ (NIV). If we ask God to refresh our thinking, then we can start recognising chances to share His love in positive acts. We’ll hopefully notice more room to do His work in big and little ways. He can help us put our own self-interest aside, and act in the interest of others more and more. Be prepared, though. Looking for opportunities to do good means that we notice when people are hurting, disadvantaged, or in need. It takes a brave heart and God-given stamina. That’s why Galatians 6:10 starts by warning against weariness. It’s important that we stay close to God, allowing Him to fill us up, renewing our minds and our energy. Know that you can do all the good that you’re able to, and that God will take care of everything else. Don’t feel a burden to fix everything, but do take every chance for good that you can reasonably manage. God mobilises His people across the world, and we play our part in that by responding to the needs he draws us to.
Obadiah; Ruth 1; Luke 14:1-14; Ps 119:73-80; Prov 17:27-28
