2021-01-13
Matthew 5:37 NLT
Good negotiators understand that talking too much is a sign of insecurity and weakness. Sometimes the most potent word in any language is a simple yes or no, without further explanation or elaboration. Most decisions eventually come to that point. In order to do that, you must be able to answer these three questions:
(1) Is this decision mine alone to make? If you are the sole decision maker or the final decision maker, don’t hesitate and don’t vacillate, make the decision. And before you do, stand on this Scripture: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James1:5 NKJV).
(2) What will happen if I put off making this decision? In most cases, things will either get better or worse for one or more party. So weigh your decision carefully, realizing that it is likely to lean in favour of the heavier weight of the argument, then decide. At this point, stand on the Scripture: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV).
(3) Does every decision have a moral and spiritual dimension? When you compromise your convictions or character for popularity or profit, you end up morally and spiritually bankrupt. So hold to your values, base your decisions on them, and stand on this Scripture: “A good man [and woman] obtains favour from the Lord” (Proverbs12:2 NKJV).
Soul food: Exo 28-29; Matt 6:19-34; Ps 74:1-11; Prov 2:6
Matteus 5:37 NLV
Goeie onderhandelaars verstaan dat om te veel te praat, ‘n teken van onsekerheid en swakheid is. Soms is die kragtigste woorde in enige taal ‘n eenvoudige ja of nee, sonder verdere verduideliking of uitbreiding. Die meeste besluite stuur uiteindelik op daardie punt af. Om dit te kan doen, moet jy in staat wees om hierdie drie vrae te antwoord:
1) Is die besluit alleenlik myne om te maak? As jy die enigste of finale besluitnemer is, moenie huiwer of aarsel nie, maak die besluit. Voor jy dit doen, staan op hierdie Skrifgedeelte: ‘Vra vir God as jy nie kan agterkom wat Hy wil hê jy moet doen nie. Hy sal jou eenvoudig daardie wysheid gee, en jou nie verwyt dat jy dit gevra het nie’ (Jakobus 1:5 NLV).
2) Wat sal gebeur as ek wag om hierdie besluit te maak? In die meeste gevalle, sal dinge óf beter, óf slegter vir een of meer partye raak. Weeg dus jou besluit versigtig, met die besef dat dit heel waarskynlik ten gunste van die swaarder gewig van die argument sal wees en besluit dan. Op hierdie punt, staan op die volgende Skrifgedeelte: ‘Vertrou op die Here met alles wat jy het. Moenie staatmaak op jou eie insigte nie. Vra na die wil van God in alles wat jy doen. Hy sal die regte pad vir jou wys’ (Spreuke 3:5-6 NLV).
3) Het elke besluit ‘n morele en geestelike dimensie? Wanneer jy jou oortuigings of karakter vir populariteit of wins prysgee, sal jy moreel en geestelik bankrot opeindig. Hou dus vas aan jou waardes, baseer jou besluite daarop en staan op hierdie Skrifgedeelte: ‘Die Here hou van ‘n mens wat goeddoen…’ (Spreuke 12:2 NLV).
Sielskos: Eks 28-29; Matt 6:19-34; Ps 74:1-11; Spr 2:6
Matthew 5:37 NLT
Good negotiators understand that talking too much can be a sign of insecurity and weakness. Sometimes the strongest word is a simple yes or no, without going into more explanation or detail. Most decisions eventually come to that point anyway. But in order to do that, we must be able to answer these three questions:
1) Can I make this decision myself? We need to think about if there’s anyone else we need to talk to before making a decision. And whether there is or not, we should always talk to God first. ‘If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking’ (James 1:5 NLT). Once we’ve gained God’s perspective, and we’re the final decision-maker, we shouldn’t hesitate or waver – just make the decision.
2) What will happen if I put off making this decision? In most cases, things will either get better or worse for someone involved. We need to weigh our decisions carefully, thinking about who could be affected and how, and then decide. At this point, we should stand on the Scripture: ‘Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths’ (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV).
3) Does every decision have a moral and spiritual dimension? When we compromise our beliefs or character to gain popularity or profit, we end up morally and spiritually bankrupt. We need to hold on to your values, base our decisions on them, and remember this Scripture: ‘The LORD approves of those who are good, but he condemns those who plan wickedness’ (Proverbs 12:2 NLT).
Exo 28-29; Matt 6:19-34; Ps 74:1-11; Prov 2:6
2021-01-12
Acts 20:24 NLT
There are two things you’ll need if you’re going to live your best life: purpose and persistence. And if you ask Him, God will help you develop them.
1) Let’s look at purpose. Author Jack London wrote: ‘I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather my spark burn out in a brilliant blaze than that it should be stifled by dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.’ To make a difference, you need to discover your God-given assignment, allow it to spark a fire inside you, and then totally commit to it. Paul did that. ‘My life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus – the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.’
2) Let’s look at persistence. In 1923, sprinter Eric Liddell was taking part in a quarter-mile race in Stoke-on-Trent. During the race, he tripped over the legs of another competitor and fell. By the time he’d got back up, all the other runners were well ahead of him, and he was unlikely to even come close to winning. Many of us would have given up at that point. But, determined, he carried on, overtaking the leader in the last few yards and winning the race. The following year he went on to become a gold medallist. His determination and refusal to give up are a great model of the purpose and persistence we need in life.
Exo 25-27; Matt 6:9-18; Ps 71:17-24; Prov 2:3-5
Handelinge 20:24 NLV
Om jou beste lewe te lei, het jy twee dinge nodig – doelgerigtheid en volharding. As jy Hom vra, sal God jou help om dit te ontwikkel.
1) Kom ons kyk na doelgerigtheid. Op die geskiedkundige monument wat hulde aan die skrywer Jack London, wat die klassieke White Fang geskryf het, se lewe bring, staan die volgende woorde: ‘I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather my spark burn out in a brilliant blaze than that it should be stifled by dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The function of a man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.’ Om ‘n verskil in hierdie wêreld te maak, moet jy jou Godgegewe lewenstaak ontdek en jouself 100 persent daaraan toewy. Paulus het dit gedoen. ‘Al is my lewe kosbaar, ag ek dit van geen waarde as ek nie my lewenstaak en my bediening wat ek van die Here Jesus gekry het, kan klaarmaak nie: om die Goeie Nuus te verkondig dat God mense liefhet sonder dat hulle iets hoef te doen om dit te verdien.’
2) Kom ons kyk na volharding. Dit het sir Winston Churchill drie jaar geneem om graad agt te voltooi, omdat hy gesukkel het om Engels deur te kom. Tog het sy toesprake tydens die Tweede Wêreldoorlog Brittanje geïnspireer en opgesweep om te veg en teen alle verwagtinge in, te wen. Toe hy gevra is om die aanvangstoespraak by Oxford Universiteit te lewer, het hy die kortste toespraak bekend, gelewer – net agt woorde. ‘Moet nooit opgee nie! Moet nooit opgee nie!’ Hierdie woorde is die kern van doelgerigtheid en volharding.
Sielskos: Eks 25-27; Matt 6:9-18; Ps 71:17-24; Spr 2:3-5
