2020-08-15
Efesiërs 6:7 NLV
‘n Verslaggewer het een maal vir die beroemde Amerikaanse sanger, Marian Anderson, oor die grootste oomblik in haar lewe uitgevra. Sy kon die private optrede wat sy vir die Roosevelts in die Withuis gedoen het, genoem het, maar die verslaggewer egter geskok deur te sê: ‘Die grootste oomblik in my lewe was die dag toe ek vir my ma kon sê dat dit nie meer vir haar nodig was om ander mense se wasgoed vir geld te was nie.’ Ons is almal inherent selfsugtig en dink eerste aan ons eie selfbelang. Dis hoekom ons God moet toelaat om ons te ‘…omvorm deur julle denkpatrone te vernuwe…’ (Romeine 12:2 NLV). Sielkundiges praat van natuurlike gedrag en aangeleerde gedrag. Wanneer jy natuurlik negatief is, moet jy leer om positief te wees. Wanneer jy natuurlik angstig is, moet jy leer om moedig te wees. Wanneer jy natuurlik selfsugtig is, moet jy leer om vrygewig te wees. God wil hê dat jy deur die lewe moet gaan deur op die uitkyk te wees vir geleenthede om ander mense te seën: ‘Terwyl ons die kans het, moet ons dus goeddoen aan alle mense, maar veral aan medegelowiges’ (Galasiërs 6:10 NLV). Jy moet dit nie net aan mense doen nie, jy is veronderstel om dit deur mense en vir die Here te doen. ‘Moenie mense probeer tevrede stel deur net gehoorsaam te wees wanneer hulle julle kan sien nie. Nee, werk as slawe van Christus wat met volle oorgawe God se wil doen. Doen julle werk entoesiasties, asof julle dit vir die Here doen en nie vir mense nie. Julle weet mos dat die Here elke mens wat sy werk goed doen, sal beloon, of dit nou slawe is of vry mense’ (Efesiërs 6:6-8 NLV). Dit beteken dat wat jy vir ander mense laat gebeur, die Here vir jou sal laat gebeur!
Sielskos: Obadja; Rut 1; Luk 14:1-14; Ps 119:73-80; Spr 17:27-28
2020-08-14
Nahum 1:7 NLT
The story behind the old hymn ‘Tis So Sweet To Trust in Jesus’ is a difficult one, full of wisdom and life lessons. The hymn was written by Louisa Stead in the 1800s. She wrote it after her husband rushed in to the ocean to save a drowning boy. Unfortunately he was pulled under the waves by the terrified boy, and her husband and the boy both drowned. Louisa worked through her struggle with God and seemed to come to a sense of peace and trust in God. In that process she wrote these words: “‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His word, just to rest upon His promise, just to know “Thus saith the Lord.” I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee, precious Jesus, Saviour, friend; and I know that Thou art with me, wilt be with me to the end”. It’s astounding that, in the middle of grief, Louisa could resolve to take God at His word, and believe in His love and plans for her life. It’s a great example to us that it is still possible to trust God even when things look like they’re as bad as can be. He’s always working for us, even in the darkest times, to bring about the very best outcome. Romans 8:28 tells us ‘that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’ (NIV). God is looking to bring good from all things, not just some. Even when we face opposition and the most difficult of circumstances, we can trust God to bring peace, hope, and good things to our lives again.
1 Pet 1-5; Luke 13:18-35; Ps 119:65-72; Prov 17:23-26
Nahum 1:7 NLV
Terwyl Louisa Stead, haar man en hulle jong dogter ‘n piekniek op die strand geniet het, het hulle ‘n jong seun in die see opgemerk wat in die moeilikheid was. Toe mnr Stead hom probeer red, is hy deur die vreesbevange seun onder die golwe ingetrek en het hulle altwee verdrink terwyl Louisa en haar dogter hulpeloos van die strand af toegekyk het. In die dae van rou wat gevolg het, het Louisa begin skryf en die gevolg was ‘n gesang wat aan miljoene mense bekend is: ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His word, just to rest upon His promise, just to know ‘Thus saith the Lord.’ I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee, precious Jesus, Saviour, friend; and I know that Thou art with me, wilt be with me to the end.’ Deur op Jesus te vertrou, het Louisa as sendeling na Suid-Afrika vertrek waar sy vir die volgende vyf-en-twintig jaar die Here gedien het. As jy vandag sukkel om God te vertrou, staan op die volgende Skrifgedeeltes: 1) ‘Die Here is goed. In tye van nood is Hy ‘n veilige vesting. Hy ken elke mens wat op Hom vertrou.’ 2) ‘U bewaar elkeen wat op U vertrou in vrede, die mense wie se gedagtes op U gerig is’ (Jesaja 26:3 NLV). 3) ‘God se pad is volmaak. Die Here se woorde is betroubaar. Hy beskerm dié wat by Hom skuil’ (2 Samuel 22:31 NLV). 4) ‘Hoe groot is die goedheid wat U weggebêre het vir hulle wat U dien, wat U voor die oë van die mense gee aan hulle wat op U vertrou’ (Psalm 31:20 NLV).
Sielskos: 1 Pet 1-5; Luk 13:18-35; Ps 119:65-72; Spr 17:23-26
Nahum 1:7 NKJV
As Louisa Stead, her husband, and their young daughter were enjoying an ocean-side picnic, they noticed a young boy struggling in the surf. When Mr. Stead rushed to save him, he was pulled under the waves by the terrified boy, and they both drowned as Louisa and her daughter watched helplessly from the shore. In the days of grief that followed, Louisa began to put pen to paper, and the result was a hymn known to millions: “‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His word, just to rest upon His promise, just to know ‘Thus saith the Lord.’ I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee, precious Jesus, Saviour, friend; and I know that Thou art with me, wilt be with me to the end.” Trusting Jesus, Louisa went as a missionary to South Africa, where she served the Lord for the next twenty-five years. If you’re struggling to trust God today, stand on these Scriptures: (1) “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.” (2) “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3 NKJV). (3) “As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him” (2 Samuel 22:31 NKJV). (4) “Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men!” (Psalm 31:19 NKJV).
Soul food: 1 Pet 1-5; Luke 13:18-35; Ps 119:65-72; Prov 17:23-26
2020-08-13
Mark 3:10 NLT
Faith in Jesus changes the world. In Matthew 9 we see Jesus heal many people, and one thing stands out. In three of the examples of healing, the word faith is used. Jesus’ power is released to people in response to their absolute, assured faith in Him. Firstly, we see faith in actions. Matthew 9:1 says: ‘When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”‘ (NIV) The paralysed man got up and walked home. The man’s friends acted on their faith. They believed confidently enough to carry him to Jesus. How can we step out like that today? Secondly, we see faith through perseverance. In verse 22, we read about a woman whose womb bled for twelve years with no medical cure: ‘Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment’ (NIV). This woman must have prayed and sought help so many times. It must have felt like her healing would never come. Still, she fought through the crowd and reached out for Jesus with certain faith. That turned out to be her moment. Let’s hold on to faith, even when answers are a long time coming. Third, we see faith in a declaration. Verses 28-30 read: ‘”Do you believe that I am able to do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they replied. Then He touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; and their sight was restored’ (NIV). The blind men that Jesus talks to here don’t hesitate in declaring that they believe in His power. It’s important to be unashamed and direct about our faith in God.
Deut 32:29-34:12; Luke 13:1-17; Ps 119:57-64; Prov 17:22
