2020-12-08
John 20:21 NLT
Jesus instructed the disciples to go out and share His message of love hope and peace, saying: ‘As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.’ It’s an instruction for each one of us, too – we all have a responsibility to share the gospel message. But sometimes we can forget or lose sight of the fact that we’re representing Jesus, so here are a few things for us to hold on to:
1) We were sent to serve, not be served. ‘For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many’ (Matthew 20:28 NLT). When we’re the last to be served in a restaurant, we can get impatient and angry. We might think we deserve better treatment. But in God’s kingdom the power is at the bottom, and it’s from there that Christ governs and conquers. We can’t represent Jesus well unless we’re willing to replace our pride with humility and be ready to help and serve others, whoever they are.
2) We were sent to do God’s will, not our own. Jesus said, ‘I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me’ (John 6:38 ESV). It’s great to have aims and ambitions, but when we think or talk about them, we should always add, ‘If it’s God’s will.’ Choosing to pursue the wrong goal (which is one that isn’t God’s will) puts us on the wrong path and in the wrong place. John said, ‘The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever’ (1 John 2:17 NIV). When we miss God’s will, we miss the purpose that we were created for.
Jos 16:1-19:23; John 17:13-26; Ps 148:1-6; Prov 29:11-15
John 20:21 KJV
Jesus said, “As my Father hath sent me…so send I you.” Notice, it’s about how God wants us to share the gospel, not the rules, regulations, and dictates of various denominations.
Understand this: (1) We were sent to serve, not be served. “The Son…came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life [as] a ransom’ (Matthew 20:28 KJV). Ever notice that when we are the last to be served at a restaurant we get angry? We think we deserve better. But in God’s kingdom the power is at the bottom, and it’s from there Christ governs and conquers. We must come to the end of ourselves. We don’t represent Jesus unless we are willing to put on the apron of humility and wash our brother’s feet, even if his name happens to be Judas.
(2) We were sent to do God’s will, not our own. Jesus said, “I came…not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me” (John 6:38 KJV). When we’re young and people inquire about our plans for life, we sometimes say, “I’d like to be a doctor, or a teacher, or a nurse.” But we really need to add “the Lord willing,” because unless He’s in it, you are on your own. Choosing the wrong occupation will put you in the wrong place, with the wrong people, and consequently everything in your life will be wrong. John said, “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:17 NIV). To miss God’s will – is to miss the purpose for which you were born. Don’t let that happen to you.
Soul food: Jos 16:1-19:23; John 17:13-26; Ps 148:1-6; Prov 29:11-15
2020-12-07
Numeri 13:30 NLV
Een Sondagaand, was Mary Southerland in die kerk toe ‘n vreemdeling haar op die skouer tik en vir haar sê dat sy geroepe is om die musiek- en jeugassistent van die kerk te wees. Sy het gedink hy is mal! Sy het pas haar universiteitopleiding met ‘n graad in laerskoolonderwys klaargemaak en ‘n vriend het haar uitgenooi om die aanddiens by te woon. Dis al – of so het sy gedink.
Toe die diens eindig, het haar vriend gesê: ‘Jy moet ten minste oor sy aanbod bid.’ Sy het dit gedoen. ‘Hier is ek nou dertig jaar later, ‘n onwaarskynlike dienskneg, wat in konstante verwondering oor God se plan vir my lewe, leef.’ Ons laat almal toe dat ons swakhede en onsekerhede die koers van ons lewens dikteer, terwyl God altyd opsoek is na gewone mense om uitsonderlike dinge te doen. Ons maak altyd verskonings oor hoe ons nie by die kerk, of in die gemeenskap, of by mense in nood betrokke kan raak nie. Die kans is goed dat jy, op jou eie, nie bekwaam voel nie. Min mense doen. Paulus wys egter die volgende uit: ‘…[God se] krag kom juis in swakheid tot volle verwesenliking…’ (2 Korintiërs 12:9 NLV).
Toe Moses twaalf spioene na Kanaӓn gestuur het om die land te verken, het tien van hulle gerapporteer: ‘Ons staan nie ‘n kans nie, die reuse is te groot’ (sien Numeri 13:28). Twee het egter gesê: ‘…Laat ons optrek en die land gaan oorneem. Ons is daartoe in staat.’ Jy is in staat daartoe, nie omdat jy magtig is nie, maar omdat God magtig is. God sien jou as ‘n wenner en iemand wat groot dinge kan oorkom en bereik, deur die talente en krag wat Hy in jou geplaas het.
Sielskos: Jos 14-15; Joh 17:1-12; Ps 147:12-20; Spr 29:6-10
Numbers 13:30 NCV
When God calls us to accomplish a task or take on an assignment from Him, we might think it’s beyond us. It could be totally different from anything we’ve done before, or the obstacles we have to face to reach our goal might seem so big, we can worry that we don’t have the capability to do what God’s asking. We let our weaknesses and insecurities dictate the course of our lives, when all the time, God is looking for ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
We can think we’re unqualified to get involved in church, or in the community, or in helping others. Chances are, on our own we don’t feel capable. If they’re being honest, very few people actually do. But Paul points out that God said: ‘My power works best in weakness’ (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT).
When Moses sent twelve spies into Canaan to check out the opposition, ten of them reported, ‘We have no chance, the giants are too big’ (take a look at Numbers 13:28). But the other two saw things from God’s perspective, and said, ‘We should certainly go up and take the land for ourselves. We can certainly do it.’
God sees you as able to complete the task He’s assigned you, not because you’re powerful, but because He is. With Him on your side you can rise up with confidence, knowing you are able to overcome. God sees you as a winner, and an overcomer who can accomplish great things because of the talents and power He has placed inside you. God chose you and has a plan for you, and He’ll equip you to do everything He asks of you.
Jos 14-15; John 17:1-12; Ps 147:12-20; Prov 29:6-10
Numbers 13:30 AMPC
One Sunday evening, Mary Southerland was in church when a stranger tapped her on the shoulder and told her she was called to be the music and youth assistant for the church. She thought he had lost his mind! She had just graduated from college with a degree in elementary education, and a friend had invited her to attend the church and sing in the evening service. That’s all – or so she thought. When the service ended, her friend said, “You should at least pray about his offer.” She did. “Here I am thirty years later, an unlikely servant, who lives in constant amazement at God’s plan for my life.”
We let our weaknesses and insecurities dictate the course of our lives, when all the time, God is looking for ordinary people to do extraordinary things. We’re always making excuses for why we can’t get involved in church, or in the community, or in helping others. Chances are, on your own you don’t feel capable. Few people do. But Paul points out: “[God’s] power works best in [your] weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT).
When Moses sent twelve spies into Canaan to check out the opposition, ten reported, “We have no chance, the giants are too big” (See Numbers 13:28 AMPC). But the other two disagreed with the majority report, and said, “Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able.”
God sees you as “well able,” not because you are powerful, but because He is. With Him on your side you can rise up with confidence, knowing you are well able to overcome. God sees you as a winner, and an overcomer who can accomplish great things because of the talents and power He has placed inside you.
Soul food: Jos 14-15; John 17:1-12; Ps 147:12-20; Prov 29:6-10
