2021-05-05
Proverbs 11:3 MSG
Did you know there’s a correlation between goodness and the national economy? A Christian author writes that when, in public and private life, “lying, laziness, irresponsibility, dishonesty, and corruption become commonplace, the national economy grinds down.”
A society that produces white-collar criminals and blue-collar predators shells out hundreds of dollars a day to keep offenders incarcerated. A society with rampant drug abuse has to pay for drug treatment centers. Broken families mean more foster homes, and more students who drop out of school, who can’t hold down a job, and who get locked into generational cycles of welfare. The less goodness there is, the more the government has to intervene – and the higher the cost to society. Just as moral goodness leads to tremendous economic and financial benefits, the collapse of morality comes with an enormous financial and economic price tag.
You say, “But I’m only one person, what can I do?” Jesus answers, “Let your light…shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 NKJV). St. Francis of Assisi said, “All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” Instead of complaining about the darkness, let your light shine wherever you go. John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church, said, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”
If every redeemed child of God lived by that formula, we could turn society upside down – or right side up.
Soul food: Num 22-24; Mark 6:45-56; Ps 37:25-31; Prov 11:5-6
2021-05-04
Ecclesiastes 10:12 NIV
Aesop, the author of fables, said, ‘No act of kindness, no matter how small, ever is wasted.’ Being kind doesn’t mean tolerating something that’s wrong, or refusing to confront a problem because we don’t want to challenge something and upset the status quo. There are times when we must confront something or someone, but it should always be done in a gracious way. A calm attitude will go a lot further than a harsh comment or an ugly tone of voice. We can make our point with a kind spirit, and even a sense of humour.
When we confront a problem with anger, sarcasm, or self-righteousness, we can end up putting others on the defensive, creating an atmosphere of resentment and bad tempers on both sides. That makes it difficult to get our point across effectively and listen to what the other person has to say. But approaching the issue with kindness and gentleness helps to keep the discussion calm and gives space for others to share their point of view without feeling judged or personally attacked.
The Bible says: ‘Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.’ Being gracious can be as simple as saying ‘Let’s find a way to work through this problem together,’ instead of ‘You need to sort this out.’ Being gracious means focusing on the problem rather than the people involved. Being gracious doesn’t mean we’re being weak. When we’re gracious we’re following God’s example: ‘The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love’ (Psalm 145:8 NIV). Let’s aim to be ‘slow to anger’ and quick to be gracious.
Num 19-21; Mark 6:30-44; Ps 37:16-24; Prov 11:4
Prediker 10:12 NLV
Aesop, die beroemde fabelskrywer, het gesê: ‘Geen daad van genade, maak nie saak hoe klein nie, is ooit tevergeefs nie.’ Soos een pastoor skryf: ‘Dit kos om onvriendelik te wees, maar dit betaal om genadig te wees.’ Om genadig te wees beteken nie dat jy verkeerde dinge verdra of weier om ‘n probleem te konfronteer om polities korrek te wees nie. Soms moet ons konfronteer. Dit moet egter altyd op ‘n genadige manier gedoen word. ‘n Kalm houding sal jou verder as ‘n harde opmerking of ‘n lelike stemtoon bring. Jy kan jou standpunt met ‘n genadige gees en selfs met ‘n sin vir humor maak.
Moenie soos die man wees wat in die tou gestaan het om ‘n vliegtuigkaartjie te koop nie. Toe hy die toonbank bereik, het hy gesê: ‘Ek wil graag ‘n kaartjie New York City toe koop.’ Die klerk het geantwoord: ‘Geen probleem, hoeveel bagasie het jy?’ Die passasier het geantwoord: ‘Ek het drie tasse.’ ‘Wil jy hê ek moet hulle al drie op die vlug na New York inboek?’ het die klerk gevra. ‘Nee,’ het die man geantwoord, ‘ek wil die eerste tas na Phoenix toe stuur, die tweede na Seattle en die derde Londen toe.’ Verbaas het die klerk na hom gekyk en gesê: ‘Ek is jammer meneer, maar ons kan dit nie doen nie.’ Die man het geglimlag en geantwoord: ‘Ek kan nie sien hoekom nie; dis wat julle verlede week gedoen het.’
Onthou: ‘Dis lekker om te luister na wyse woorde. Dwase se gepraat lei net tot vernietiging.’ As jy ernstig daaroor is om volgens die leringe van God se Woord te leef, moet jy vandag probeer om genadig te wees.
Sielskos: Num 19-21; Mark 6:30-44; Ps 37:16-24; Spr 11:4
2021-05-03
1 Corinthians 9:26 MSG
Long-distance runners don’t just focus on speed, but on endurance. They pace themselves so that as they approach the finish line, they’re not completely spent, but have a bit of effort in reserve to make a last push to win. The Message paraphrases Paul’s words: ‘I’m running hard for the finish line…giving it everything I’ve got…I’m not going to get caught…telling everyone else…then missing out myself’ (vv. 26-27 MSG).
For long-distance runners, giving up isn’t an option, despite the difficulties and disappointments along the way. And when we set out to fulfil our God-given purpose in life, we need to give it everything we’ve got, right to the end. We need to go for it, not forgetting that Jesus said, ‘Great gifts mean great responsibilities’ (Luke 12:48 MSG).
It’s one thing to be successful in the task assigned to us; it’s another thing to handle the pressures that go along with it. ‘Jesus…finished this race…Because he never lost sight of where he was headed…he could put up with anything’ (Hebrews 12:2 MSG). Having something great to look forward to enables us to endure the struggles we’ll face along the way. And God will expose us to opposition and criticism to strengthen our characters; that way when greater blessings and responsibilities come, we’ll be able to handle them.
But we need to have a passion to cross the finish line, and must ask ourselves: ‘Am I willing to pay the price?’ When the pressure is on, are we willing to stand up like Nehemiah when he rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls and tell our opponents: ‘My work is too important to stop’ (Nehemiah 6:3 CEV)? If we can answer ‘yes,’ let’s fix our eyes on the goal and run to the finish line.
Num 16-18; Mark 6:14-29; Ps 37:8-15; Prov 11:3
1 Corinthians 9:26 MSG
Long-distance runners don’t just focus on speed, but on endurance. They pace themselves so that as they approach the finish line, they can pull out all the stops. Paul said, “I’m running hard for the finish line…giving it everything I’ve got…I’m not going to get caught…telling everyone else…then missing out myself” (vv. 26-27 MSG).
For long-distance runners, quitting isn’t an option. Despite delays and disappointments along the way, they know they’ll never be satisfied sitting on the sidelines cheering for those who’ve paid the price to run the race. So if you’re the kind of person who longs to fulfill your God-ordained purpose in life – give it everything you’ve got. Go for it, and don’t forget that Jesus said, “Great gifts mean great responsibilities” (Luke 12:48 MSG). It’s one thing to achieve success; it’s another thing to handle the pressures that go along with it. “Jesus…finished this race…Because he never lost sight of where he was headed…he could put up with anything” (Hebrews 12:2 MSG).
Having something great to look forward to enables you to endure. And God will expose you to opposition and criticism to strengthen your character; that way when greater blessings and responsibilities come, you’ll be able to handle them. Success is only possible when you have a passion to cross the finish line.
So the question is, can you pay the price? When the pressure is on, can you stand up like Nehemiah when he rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls and tell your opponents this: “My work is too important to stop” (Nehemiah 6:3 CEV)? If your answer is yes, fix your eye on the goal and run to the finish line.
Soul food: Num 16-18; Mark 6:14-29; Ps 37:8-15; Prov 11:3
