2021-05-31
James 1:3 NIV
Perseverance keeps us going when friends fail us, when discouragement whispers, ‘Give up,’ and when doubt says, ‘It can’t be done.’ It’s our anchor in life’s storms, our compass when you’re lost, and the head of steam that gets us to the top of the next hill. James said, ‘The testing of your faith produces perseverance.’ Perseverance, which means to ‘keep on keeping on’, develops our faith. When the process is complete, God will end the trial, and not before.
Here are three Scriptures for those moments when we need to keep persevering: 1) ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you’ (Isaiah 43:1-2 NIV).
2) ‘God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it’ (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV).
3) ‘People are watching us as we stay at our post…working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; when we’re telling the truth…when God’s showing his power; when we’re doing our best setting things right; when we’re praised, and when we’re blamed; slandered, and honoured; true to our word, though distrusted; ignored by the world, but recognised by God;…immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy;…having nothing, having it all’ (2 Corinthians 6:1-10 MSG).
So let’s resolve to persevere; everything we’re going through right now will be more than worth it in the end.
1 Ki 21-22; Mark 13:1-11; Ps 82; Prov 12:18-19
James 1:3 NIV
Perseverance keeps you going when friends fail you, discouragement whispers, “Give up,” and doubt says, “It can’t be done.” It’s your anchor in life’s storms, your compass when you’re lost, and the head of steam that gets you up the next hill. James says, “The testing of your faith produces perseverance.” Perseverance, which means to “keep on keeping on,” develops your faith. When the process is complete, God will end the trial, and not before.
Meanwhile, here are three Scriptures you need to stand on: (1) “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you” (Isaiah 43:1-2 NIV).
(2) “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV).
(3) “People are watching us as we stay at our post…working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; when we’re telling the truth…when God’s showing his power; when we’re doing our best setting things right; when we’re praised, and when we’re blamed; slandered, and honoured; true to our word, though distrusted; ignored by the world, but recognized by God;…immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy;…having nothing, having it all” (2 Corinthians 6:1-10 MSG).
So persevere; everything you’re going through right now will be more than worth it in the end.
Soul food: 1 Ki 21-22; Mark 13:1-11; Ps 82; Prov 12:18-19
Jakobus 1:3 NLV
Volharding laat jou aanhou wanneer jou vriende jou eenkant toe skuif, mismoedigheid fluister: ‘Gee op,’ en twyfel sê: ‘Dit kan nie gedoen word nie.’ Dis jou anker in die lewe se storms, jou kompas wanneer jy verdwaal en die dryfkrag wat jou by die volgende berg opkry. Jakobus sê: ‘…Wanneer ‘n mens se geloof ‘n toets deurstaan, veroorsaak dit dat jy kan volhard…’
Volharding ontwikkel jou geloof. Wanneer die proses voltooi is, sal God die toets beëindig, maar nie ‘n oomblik voor dit nie. Intussen is hier drie Skrifgedeeltes waarop jy moet staan: 1) ‘…Moenie bang wees nie, want Ek het jou verlos. Ek het jou by jou naam geroep. Jy is Myne. Wanneer jy deur diep water gaan, sal Ek by jou wees. Wanneer jy deur riviere gaan, sal hulle jou nie wegspoel nie…’ (Jesaja 43:1-2 NLV).
2) ‘…God is getrou. Hy sal keer dat die versoeking te sterk vir julle word. Midde-in die versoeking sal Hy vir ‘n uitweg sorg sodat julle kan volhou’ (1 Korintiërs 10:13 NLV).
3) ‘…Ons hou aan om vir God te werk wanneer ons swaarkry, wanneer ons bang is, wanneer ons probleme het, wanneer mense ons slaan, wanneer ons in die tronk is, wanneer mense vir ons probleme gee, wanneer ons hard moet werk, wanneer ons nie kan slaap nie, wanneer ons honger is… Ons hou aan om die werk te doen wanneer mense goeie dinge oor ons sê en wanneer mense slegte dinge oor ons sê, ons hou aan wanneer hulle dink ons is nie belangrik nie en wanneer hulle dink ons is baie belangrik… Dit lyk of ons altyd huil, maar ons is bly… Ons lyk soos mense wat niks het nie, maar ons het alles’ (2 Korintiërs 6:1-10 ABA).
Volhard dus; alles wat jy tans beleef sal dit werd wees aan die einde.
Sielskos: 1 Kon 21-22; Mark 13:1-11; Ps 82; Spr 12:18-19
2021-05-30
2 Tessalonisense 3:3 NLV
Die meeste van ons bekommernisse kan in twee woorde opgesom word: ‘Wat as?’ Wat as die mediese toetse se uitslae sleg is… wat as die mark ineenstort… wat as my maat my los… wat as ek my werk verloor… die lys is oneindig. ‘…Want vrees sluit straf in…’ (1 Johannes 4:18 AFR53), en deur op jou bekommernisse in plaas van God se getrouheid te fokus, laat jy toe dat Satan jou straf.
Jy hoef dit egter nie te doen nie! Jesus sê vir ons om nie ‘…beangs of ontsteld…’ (Johannes 14:27 NLV), te word nie. Paulus sê: ‘Moenie… die duiwel so ‘n houvas gee nie’ (Efesiërs 4:26-27 NLV). Salomo skryf ook: ‘Vir die bedrukte mens bring elke dag net probleme. Vir die blymoedige mens is die hele lewe ‘n fees’ (Spreuke 15:15 NLV).
As jy bang is vir wat voor jou lê, stop en kyk op God se getrouheid terug. ‘Mag God self, dié God wat vrede bewerk, julle volkome aan Hom toewy. Mag Hy julle heeltemal – gees, siel en liggaam – onberispelik bewaar…’ (1 Tessalonisense 5:23 NLV). As jy dus deur bekommernisse geteister word, kan jy op die volgende beloftes in die Bybel staan. ‘…Loof die Here wat ons… vrede gegee het. Hy het sy beloftes gehou wat Hy lank reeds gemaak het’ (1 Konings 8:56 DB).
Jy sê: ‘Maar ek het God gefaal. Kan ek regtig van Hom verwag om my te help?’ Ja, want: ‘…as ons ontrou is – Hy bly getrou…’ (2 Timoteus 2:13 NLV). Voor God jou verlos het en jou sy kind gemaak het, was Hy van al jou foute, gebreke en mislukkings bewus. Nietemin, sy Woord sê Hy is: ‘…getrou! Hy sal julle sterk maak en van die Bose bewaar.’ Die woord vir jou vandag is dus: Moenie bekommerd wees nie, God is getrou.
Sielskos: Eks 16:1-35; Joh 6:30-40
2 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV
Most of our worries can be summed up in two words: ‘What if?’ What if my exam results are bad…what if I can’t get into university…what if I get ill…what if I can’t get a job…the list is endless. The Bible says: ‘If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not experienced his perfect love’ (1 John 4:18 NLT).
When we focus on our worries, we lose sight of God’s perfect love and faithfulness. But we don’t have to let our worries take over. Jesus tells us, ‘Don’t let your hearts be troubled or afraid’ (John 14:27 NCV). Paul says, ‘Do not give the devil a way to defeat you’ (Ephesians 4:27 NCV). And Solomon writes: ‘Every day is hard for those who suffer, but a happy heart is like a continual feast’ (Proverbs 15:15 NCV).
Whenever we’re afraid of what lies ahead, we should stop and look back at God’s faithfulness and love. ‘Faithful and absolutely trustworthy is He who is calling you’ (1 Thessalonians 5:24 AMP). When we’re overwhelmed by worry, here are some Bible promises to stand on. ‘Praise…the LORD, who has given rest to his people…just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave’ (1 Kings 8:56 NIV).
We might think God won’t help us if we’ve failed or turned away from Him in the past. But He will, because even ‘if we are faithless, he remains faithful’ (2 Timothy 2:13 NIV). The truth is that before God saved you and made you His child, He knew of all your faults, flaws, and failures. But he’s still ‘faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.’
Exo 16:1-35; John 6:30-40
