2022-02-12
Spreuke 13:18 NLV
Ons geniet nie konfrontasie nie, maar dis onmoontlik om daarsonder te groei. Gesonde konfrontasie vereis dat ons ‘…in liefde by die waarheid bly…’ (Efesiërs 4:15 AFR83), teenoor diegene wat ons liefhet. Net soos God ons in areas waar ons nodig het om te groei konfronteer, verwag Hy van ons om dieselfde vir ander te doen. Is dit maklik? Nee.
Hier is egter ‘n paar leidende beginsels om jou te help: 1) Praat met die persoon, nie van hulle nie. Gesonde konfrontasie moet direk wees en waar moontlik, in privaatheid plaasvind. Dit verg deurdagte kommunikasie wat op ‘n ferm, maar genadige wyse oorgedra word. Hanteer mense wat seer het, versigtig.
2) Moenie oordryf of geestelike mooipraatjies gebruik nie. Gee spesifieke voorbeelde. Moenie agter woorde soos: ‘Ek glo dat die Here my gewys het dat jy verkeerd is,’ wegkruip nie. Toe die profeet Natan vir koning Dawid oor sy sonde met Batseba gekonfronteer het, was hy spesifiek. Hou ook jou emosies in bedwang; laat genoeg tyd tussen die oortreding en die konfrontasie toe sodat jy enige woede wat jy voel, met gebed kan ontlont.
3) Moenie hulle skuldig laat voel nie; help hulle. Moenie iemand los om daaroor te tob sonder om vir hulle duidelike aanwysings te gee hoe om te verbeter nie. Dis nie regverdig nie en dis nie konstruktief nie. Jou doelwit is nie om iemand te ontbloot nie, maar om vir hulle ‘n beter manier te wys.
4) Moenie krities wees nie; wees meelewend. As jy alles anders nalaat, moenie hierdie beginsel nalaat nie! As jy dit doen, sal jy jouself bevind waar jy veroordeel, eerder as wat jy konfronteer. As jy eerlik is, sal jy erken dat jou paadjie na sukses ‘n paar slaggate gehad het – benader ander mense dus met liefde en besorgdheid.
Sielskos: Jes 30-33; Luk 9:37-45; Ps 145:1-13; Spr 4:20-22
2022-02-11
Genesis 4:1 KJV
Henry Kendall from Boston and Richard Taylor from Medicine Hat, Canada, achieved a breakthrough in our understanding of matter and expanded the theory of the structure of protons and neutrons. Mikhail Gorbachev from the USSR contributed to a development in our understanding about how East and West might better relate through glasnost, a plan of open dialogue and peaceful coexistence which led to the unraveling of the Iron Curtain that separated the East from the West for decades. Octavio Paz from Mexico City was a political commentator, diplomat, essayist, and poet who wrote fervently throughout his life about man’s desires for “wider horizons,” because he believed our future can be greater than our past. Edward Donnall Thomas from Mart, Texas, proved it was possible to transplant organs and rescue the lives of dying patients. Henry M. Markowitz from Chicago studied the growth market and developed the theory that combinations of economic assets of varying risks could reduce the overall risk of investment.
What did all these historymakers have in common? Two things. First, although they represented vastly different backgrounds, interests, and talents, they each won a Nobel Prize in 1990. Second, nobody could have predicted their achievements before they were born. “And [Eve] conceived…and said, ‘I have gotten a man from the Lord.'” Think about it: Anyone created by the Lord has the potential to achieve great things in life. And that is true of your children and your grandchildren, so believe in them.
Soul food: Isa 26-29; Luke 9:28-36; Ps 141; Pro 4:18-19
Genesis 4:1 NLV
Henry Kendall van Boston en Richard Taylor van Medicine Hat, Kanada, het ‘n deurbraak in ons begrip van materie gemaak en op die teorie van die struktuur van protone en neurone uitgebrei. Mikhail Gorbachev van die USSR het bygedra tot die ontwikkeling van ons begrip oor hoe die Ooste en Weste mekaar beter kan verstaan deur glasnost, ‘n plan vir oop dialoog en vredevolle naasbestaan wat tot die ontrafeling van die Ystergordyn wat dekades lank die Ooste van die Weste geskei het, gelei het. Octavio Paz van Meksikostad was ‘n politieke kommentator, diplomaat, skrywer en digter wat dwarsdeur sy lewe vurig geskryf het oor die mensdom se begeerte aan ‘wyer horisonne,’ omdat hy geglo het dat ons toekoms groter as ons verlede kan wees. Edward Donnal Thomas van Mart, Texas, het bewys dat dit moontlik is om organe oor te plant en die lewens van sterwende pasiënte te red. Henry M Markowitz van Chicago het die markte bestudeer en die teorie dat ‘n kombinasie van ekonomiese bates van verskillende risiko’s die algehele beleggingsrisiko kan verminder, ontwikkel.
Wat het al hierdie geskiedenismakers in gemeen? Twee dinge. Eerstens, het hulle ‘n groot verskeidenheid agtergronde, belangstellings en talente gehad en ‘n Nobelprys in 1990 gewen. Tweedens, kon niemand hulle prestasies voor hul geboorte voorspel het nie.”…en [Eva] het swanger geword… Sy sê toe: ‘Met die hulp van die Here het ek ‘n man voortgebring!'” Dink daaroor: Enigeen wat deur die Here geskape is, het die potensiaal om groot dinge in die lewe te bereik. Dit is ook waar van jou kinders en jou kleinkinders, glo dus in hulle.
Sielskos: Jes 26-29; Luk 9:28-36; Ps 141; Spr 4:18-19
Acts 10:38 NIV
Jesus was a problem solver. People were spiritually hungry so He said, ‘I am the bread of life’ (John 6:35). They were sick so He ‘went about doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil.’ They needed guidance, so He said, ‘Come, follow me’ (Mark 1:17 NIV). They were mentally and physically exhausted, so He promised, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11:28 NLT). He discerned what someone needed, knew what He could do to meet that need, and provided it for them. He looked for solutions.
Everything God makes is to meet a need and solve a problem. And He made each one of us. We’re not here by accident. God told Jeremiah, ‘Before I made you in your mother’s womb, I chose you. Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations’ (Jeremiah 1:5 NCV). God created each of us to fulfil a unique purpose. Jeremiah’s was to be ‘a prophet to the nations’.
What are you called and gifted to do? That’s where you’ll find your highest level of joy! If you’re not sure what your calling is yet, try starting here: What could you offer to help others and meet some of their needs? Think of your contribution to others as an assignment from God. And in the meantime, keep listening, talking and praying to God about your calling. At the right time, He’ll reveal it to you and show you the steps you need to take.
Isa 26-29; Luke 9:28-36; Ps 141; Pro 4:18-19
2022-02-10
Luke 22:10 NLT
At Oscar time, Hollywood hands out awards to the best actor, producer, director, editor, costume designer, etc. But the Screen Actors Guild knows there would be no place for big stars and best movies without the supporting cast and the contributions of technical and artistic crews. The Oscars remind us that the brightest lights can only shine because of the lesser lights that go unrecognized.
Scripture tells us that God also has a supporting cast; people who are happy to work behind the scenes. They’re the ones who go about their business at home, at work, and at church, serving quietly, gladly, and faithfully. Families are raised, nations are strengthened, businesses prosper, and churches grow, thanks to those who do the little things that make all the difference.
The Bible is filled with behind-the-scenes people, like the unnamed “man carrying a pitcher of water” who led Peter and John to the upper room for Jesus’ eve-of-crucifixion meeting with His disciples. Or people like “James the less” (Mark 15:40 KJV), a relatively unknown disciple, often overlooked by men – but never by God!
Whatever you do, no matter how small, take this promise to heart: “God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name” (Hebrews 6:10 NKJV). So, stay faithful. Jesus said, “Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Revelation 22:12 KJV). The truth is that God is planning His own Oscar ceremony – and you can be part of it!
Soul food: Isa 22-25; Luke 9:18-27; Ps 138; Pro 4:14-17
