2021-08-16
2 Chronicles 26:5 NLT
Success comes in all different shapes and sizes. Everyone probably has a slightly different idea of what success looks like. But a very basic definition is achieving our aims (whatever they may be). We often tend to think of success in terms of having a good job, being rich, and having influence. Today, let’s consider what God thinks about that type of success.
1) We can be successful and spiritual at the same time. We might think that humility only really comes when we don’t have much and we have to rely on God to provide for us. But if we believe that ‘everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory’ (Romans 11:36 NLT), we’ll realise that everything we have really belongs to God, not to us, and we can be thankful for whatever He’s blessed us with, whether it’s a lot or a little. The Bible tells us that ‘As long as [Uzziah] sought guidance from the LORD, God gave him success.’ The king’s success came from being humble enough to ask God for help and not just rely on his own strength and wisdom.
2) We shouldn’t be afraid of success. As soon as someone achieves or gains something, there are often people around who are jealous of their success, and ready to criticise and tear them down. Having success and influence comes with a lot of responsibility, and we might not feel qualified or even want that pressure. But Paul wrote, ‘We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going’ (2 Corinthians 4:9 TLB). If God’s granted us success, we can be certain we’re right where He wants us to be, and we can (and should) turn to Him for guidance, support, and encouragement.
Judg 9:34-11:40; Luke 14:1-14; Ps 119:73-80; Prov 20:25; Ecc 5:4-6
2 Chronicles 26:5 NIV
Think about these questions and answer them honestly. (1) Do you believe you can be successful and spiritual at the same time? Some folks equate poverty with humility and conclude that successful people can’t be humble. Not so. “As long as [Uzziah] sought the Lord, God gave him success.” Success doesn’t give you the right to look down on others but, when successful people speak, others listen. Leaders like Joseph and Daniel influenced entire nations for God. The fact is, we’ve a message of hope others need to hear, but without adequate resources, how will they hear it? (See Romans 10:14-17). If you’ve been settling for less, pray for greater faith and start aiming higher in life.
(2) Are you afraid of success? Perhaps you fear the pressures and the price tag that accompany it. Leadership is lonely; maybe you’d rather be with the crowd. Or maybe you’ve been knocked down and you’re afraid to get up again. When Thomas Edison was asked about his success, he replied, “I start where other men leave off!” John Foster Dulles, former U.S. Secretary of State said, “The measure of success isn’t whether you’ve a tough problem to deal with, but whether it’s the same problem you had last year.” Paul wrote, “We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going” (2 Corinthians 4:9 TLB).
(3) Are you satisfied with the way things are right now? If you’re not, accept responsibility for your life and take a step of faith. Ultimately the only one who can stop you from becoming the person God intended you to be – is you! Bottom line: God wants you to succeed.
Soul food: Judg 9:34-11:40; Luke 14:1-14; Ps 119:73-80; Prov 20:25; Ecc 5:4-6
2 Kronieke 26:5 NLV
Dink oor die volgende vrae na en beantwoord hulle eerlik.
1) Glo jy dat jy terselftertyd suksesvol en geestelik kan wees? Sommige mense stel armoede aan nederigheid gelyk en kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat suksesvolle mense nie nederig kan wees nie. Dis egter nie die geval nie. ‘So lank as wat [Ussia] die Here se wil nagestreef het, het God hom sukses gegee.’ Sukses gee jou nie die reg om op ander mense neer te kyk nie, maar wanneer suksesvolle mense praat, luister ander mense. Leiers soos Josef en Daniël het hele nasies vir God beïnvloed. Die feit is dat ons ‘n boodskap van hoop het wat ander mense moet hoor, maar as ons nie genoegsame hulpbronne het nie, hoe sal hulle dit hoor? (sien Romeine 10:14-17). As jy met minder tevrede is, bid vir groter geloof en begin hoër in die lewe mik.
2) Is jy bang vir sukses? Miskien vrees jy die druk wat daarmee gepaardgaan gaan en die prys wat jy daarvoor sal moet betaal. Leierskap is eensaam; miskien sal jy eerder by die skare inval. Miskien het jy geval en is jy bang om weer op te staan. Toe Thomas Edison oor sy sukses uitgevra is, het hy geantwoord: ‘Ek begin waar ander mense ophou!’ Paulus het geskryf: ‘ons word vervolg, maar nie in die steek gelaat nie; platgeslaan, maar nie vernietig nie’ (2 Korintiërs 4:9 NLV).
3) Is jy tevrede met hoe dinge tans is? As jy nie is nie, moet jy verantwoordelikheid vir jou lewe neem en ‘n tree in geloof neem. Uiteindelik is die enigste persoon wat jou kan keer om die mens te wees wat God bedoel het jy moet wees – jyself! God wil hê dat jy sukses moet behaal.
Sielskos: Rig 9:34-11:40; Luk 14:1-14; Ps 119:73-80; Spr 20:25; Pred 5:4-6
2021-08-15
Mark 2:3 NCV
‘Many people gathered together…Jesus was teaching them God’s message. Four people came , carrying a paralysed man. Since they could not get to Jesus because of the crowd, they dug a hole in the roof right above where he was speaking…they lowered the mat with the paralysed man on it, When Jesus saw the faith of these people, he said to the paralysed man…”stand up, take your mat, and go home”‘ (Mark 2-5, 11 NCV).
If you know someone who needs a miracle today: 1) Use your faith. Even though you’re praying for someone who might have very little or even no faith of their own, God will honour your faith on their behalf. ‘When Jesus saw how much faith [the man’s friends] had, He said to the crippled man…”Get up!”‘
2) Refuse to give up. The four friends did exactly that. The crowd was a problem – so they went around it. The roof was a problem – so they broke through it. They refused to get discouraged or give up. They needed to get their friend to Jesus and nothing was going to stand in their way. If the things you’ve tried so far haven’t worked, ask God and He’ll show you another way.
3) Look for faith partners. It took four people to get the man to Jesus. Sometimes we can’t do it alone. Find someone who’ll agree with you in prayer. Jesus said, ‘I promise…when any two of you on earth agree about something you are praying for, my Father in heaven will do it for you’ (Matthew 18:19 CEV).
So keep praying and believing that God will provide a miracle.
Eze 47:1-12; Rev 21:22-22:5
Mark 2:3 CEV
“Jesus was still teaching when four people came up, carrying a crippled man on a mat. But because of the crowd, they could not get him to Jesus. So they made a hole in the roof above him and let the man down in front of everyone. When Jesus saw how much faith they had, he said to the crippled man…’Get up! Pick up your mat and go on home'” (vv. 2-5, 11 CEV).
If your loved one needs a miracle today: (1) Use your faith. Even though you’re praying for someone who may have little or no faith of their own, God will honour your faith on their behalf. “When Jesus saw how much faith [the man’s friends] had, He said to the crippled man…’Get up!'”
(2) Refuse to give up. Do what these four friends did. The crowd was a problem – so they went around it. The roof was a problem – so they broke through it. They refused to give up or get discouraged. Bottom line: if what you’ve tried so far hasn’t worked, ask God and He will show you the way. Doctors can treat people, but only God can heal them within and without, so bring your loved one to Him in prayer.
(3) Look for faith partners. It took four people to get this man to Jesus, so don’t do it alone. Find someone who’ll agree with you in prayer. Jesus said, “I promise…when any two of you on earth agree about something you are praying for, my Father in heaven will do it for you” (Matthew 18:19 CEV). So, keep praying and believing God for a miracle!
Soul food: Eze 47:1-12; Rev 21:22-22:5
