2020-08-13
Markus 3:10 NLV
Jesus het ‘n vrou genees wat al twaalf jaar aan bloedvloeiing gely het. Let op hoe haar wonderwerk plaasgevind het. Sy het deur die skare gedruk ‘…en aan die rand van sy jas geraak’ (Matteus 9:20 NLV) en is onmiddellik genees. Gevolglik het mense daaroor begin praat en ‘n nuwe neiging het begin. Vier hoofstukke later lees ons dat mense begin het om ‘…al hulle siekes na Hom toe [te] bring. Die siekes het Hom gesmeek om aan Hom te mag raak, al was dit maar net aan die onderste rand van sy jas. En almal wat daaraan geraak het, het gesond geword’ (Matteus 14:35-36 NLV). As jy vandag teen siekte of verslawing stry, druk deur en raak aan Jesus. Hou aan bid en glo in sy Woord. Wees hardnekkig! Daar is ‘n verskil tussen die feite en die waarheid. Die feit mag wees dat jou prognose nie goed lyk nie. Die waarheid is egter: ‘En ‘n gelowige gebed sal die siek mens gesond laat word; die Here sal hom laat opstaan’ (Jakobus 5:15 NLV). Jy sê: ‘Ek ken mense wat vir genesing gebid het en dit nie ontvang het nie.’ Ja, en as hulle op Christus as hulle Redder vertrou het, het hulle die uiteindelike genesing ontvang: ‘…om te vertrek en persoonlik by Christus te wees, want dit is… verreweg die beste’ (Filippense 1:23 NLV). Wanneer dit ons tyd is om te gaan, sterf ons almal aan iets. Tot dan, sê God se Woord dat dieselfde rug wat die kruis gedra het om ons sonde weg te neem, die merke gedra het om ons siekte weg te vat. “…Hy het almal wat siek was, gesond gemaak. So het die uitspraak van Jesaja waar geword wat lui: ‘Hy het ons kwale sy eie gemaak, en ons siektes het Hy op Homself geneem'” (Matteus 8:16-17 NLV).
Sielskos: Deut 32:29-34:12; Luk 13:1-17; Ps 119:57-64; Spr 17:22
Mark 3:10 NKJV
Jesus healed a woman who had suffered twelve years from a condition society discreetly referred to as “an issue of blood.” And medical science had no cure. Observe how her miracle took place. She pressed through the crowd, “touched the hem of His garment” (Matthew 9:20 NKJV), and immediately she was healed. As a result, people started talking about it and a trend began. Four chapters later we read that they “brought to Him all who were sick…that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well” (Matthew 14:35-36 NKJV). If you are battling affliction or addiction today, press through and touch Jesus. Keep praying and believing His Word. Be tenacious! There’s a difference between the facts and the truth. The fact may be that your prognosis is not good. But the truth is, “the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise [them] up” (James 5:15 NKJV). You say, “I know people who prayed for healing and didn’t get it.” Yes, and if they were trusting Christ as their Saviour, then they received the ultimate healing: “to depart and be with Christ, which is far better” (Philippians 1:23 NKJV). When it’s our time to go, we all die of something. But until then, God’s Word tells us that the same back that carried the cross to take away our sins, bore stripes that take away our sickness. “He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by…the prophet, saying: ‘He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses'” (Matthew 8:16-17 NKJV).
Soul food: Deut 32:29-34:12; Luke 13:1-17; Ps 119:57-64; Prov 17:22
2020-08-12
Lukas 9:62 NLV
As jy wys is, sal jy vier dinge doen: 1) Fokus op die pad vorentoe. Deur in die truspieëltjie in plaas van die pad vorentoe te kyk, sal jy die volgende afdraai mis en in ‘n sloot beland. Fokus op die feit dat jy oorleef het; en dit wat jy uit die ervaring geleer het. God het jou vir ‘n rede gespaar, vind dus uit wat dit is en wy jouself daaraan toe. 2) Hou op om maklike antwoorde te soek. Jy sal by enige boekwinkel rakke vol boeke vind met titels wat vyf sleutels tot sukses of twaalf eenvoudige strategieë vir gesondheid, rykdom en lewensvervulling belowe. Jammer, maar dit werk nie so nie. Die lewe is moeilik en diep binne-in ons weet ons dat daardie vereenvoudige benaderings nie werk nie. Die feit dat jou lewe moeilik is beteken egter nie dat jy op die verkeerde pad is nie. Soos die ou plattelandse prediker gesê het: ‘As jy nie soms van aangesig tot aangesig met die Duiwel kom nie, beweeg jy sekerlik in dieselfde rigting as hy.’ 3) Bly op jou pad – nie almal sal saam met jou stap nie. Sommige van jou naaste vriende is mense wat nooit sal verander nie en hulle hou nie van diegene wat dit wel doen nie. Jy moet nietemin daaraan toegewyd wees om te groei, jou kennis en ervarings te verbreed en na die volgende vlak te beweeg. 4) Glo in jouself – God doen! Wanneer iemand vir jou sê dat jy nooit iets sal bereik nie, glimlag en hou aan. God alleenlik ken jou potensiaal en as jy gewillig is om Hom te vertrou en hard te werk, sal Hy jou help om dit te vervul. Sukses is ‘n argument wat jou vyande en kritici nie kan weerlê nie.
Sielskos: Deut 30:1-32:28; Luk 12:49-59; Ps 119:49-56; Spr 17:18-21
Luke 9:62 NIV
Whatever has happened in our past, it doesn’t automatically determine our future. Here are some things to remember to help us keep moving forwards: 1) Focus on what’s ahead. We can use what we’ve learned from our past experiences, good and bad, to help us as we move forwards. But if we keep looking back at the past, we’ll miss all the amazing things that God’s putting in our future. Our past isn’t where we’re heading; we need to stay focused on what’s ahead. 2) Stop looking for easy answers. Life is hard, and being a Christian certainly doesn’t promise us a trouble-free life. In fact, when we’re following God’s plan, the devil might try even harder to stop us. But what we are promised is a God who is bigger than any problem we’ll ever have to face, and who will not leave us to face things alone. 3) Stay on your path – not everybody will go with you. We shouldn’t let anyone hold us back from following the plan that God has for us. Following God’s path might mean leaving friends behind, but even though that’s hard, we can be sure that God’s plans are the best, and He has amazing things lined up for us if we choose to trust Him and follow His guidance. 4) Believe in yourself – God does! People might try to criticise us and put us down, but God knows our potential, and if we’re willing to trust Him and work hard, He’ll help us fulfil it. He gave each of us a specific purpose, and He doesn’t make mistakes. If He’s called us, He’ll give us everything we need to achieve that calling.
Deut 30:1-32:28; Luke 12:49-59; Ps 119:49-56; Prov 17:18-21
Luke 9:62 NIV
If you’re wise, you’ll do four things: (1) Focus on the road ahead. By looking in the rearview mirror instead of at what’s ahead, you’ll miss the next turn and end up in a ditch. Focus on the fact that you survived, and that you’ve learned from your experience. God kept you around for a reason; find it and pour your life into it. (2) Stop looking for easy answers. Visit any bookstore and you’ll find shelves lined with titles promising ten easy steps to financial achievement, five trouble-free keys to success, or twelve simple strategies for health, wealth, and fulfillment in life. Sorry, it doesn’t work that way. Life is hard, and deep inside we know all those simplistic approaches don’t work. But the fact that your life is difficult doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path. As the old country preacher said, “If you don’t come face to face with the Devil sometimes, you must be going in the same direction he is.” (3) Stay on your path – not everybody will go with you. Some of your closest friends are people who will never change, and they don’t like those who do. Your decision to change doesn’t mean they will do the same. Nevertheless, you must be committed to growing, expanding your knowledge and experience, and moving to the next level in life. (4) Believe in yourself – God does! When someone tells you you’ll never amount to anything, smile and keep going. God alone knows your potential, and if you’re willing to trust Him and work hard, He’ll help you to fulfill it. In the final analysis, success is an argument your enemies and critics can’t refute.
Soul food: Deut 30:1-32:28; Luke 12:49-59; Ps 119:49-56; Prov 17:18-21
