2022-05-21
1 Johannes 4:18 NLV
Vraag: Aangesien ons natuurlik aangetrokke is tot mense wat lief is vir ons, hoekom is dit so moeilik vir ons om in gebed na God toe te gaan? Antwoord: Omdat ons ‘n vars openbaring van sy liefde vir ons nodig het! Paulus het gebid dat die kerk in Efese sal ‘…kan ervaar hoe lief Christus ons regtig het. Sy liefde kan ons nie met woorde beskryf nie: dit is te groot en wonderlik…’ (Efesiërs 3:18 DB).
Die waarheid is dat God nie liewer vir jou kan wees as wat Hy op die oomblik is nie. ‘Hoe lyk sy liefde?’ vra jy. Kyk na die kruis. Selfs al was jy die enigste persoon wat nog ooit gelewe het, sou Jesus vir jou gesterf het. ‘Wat kos sy liefde?’ vra jy. Niks! Daar is geen voorwaardes daaraan verbonde nie. Jy het niks gedoen om dit te verdien nie en jy kan dit ook nie verbeur wanneer jy foute maak nie. ‘…hoegenaamd niks… sal ons ooit kan skei van die liefde wat God in Christus Jesus ons Here vir ons het nie’ (Romeine 8:39 NLV). Sodra jy dit aanvaar, kan jy jou swakpunte erken, God se hulp vra, sterker groei en die talente wat Hy vir jou gegee het, gebruik.
Omdat sy liefde die enigste perfekte liefde is, dryf dit jou ‘vrees’ uit. Waarvoor is jy dus bang? Dat jy nie sal kry wat jy nodig het nie? Dat jy iets sal verloor? Johannes sê vir ons: ‘Ware liefde het nie plek vir vrees nie; volwasse liefde dryf die vrees uit omdat vrees nog met straf behep is, en wie aanhou vrees, het nog nie dié volwasse liefde bemeester nie’ (1 Johannes 4:18 NLV). Vra God vandag vir ‘n nuwe openbaring van sy liefde vir jou, met die wete dat Hy vir diegene vir wie Hy lief is voorsien, koester en beskerm.
Sielskos: Jona 1-4; Matt 11:1-19; Ps 88:1-9a; Spr 11:24-26
1 John 4:18 NKJV
We naturally tend to be drawn to people who love us, so why do we sometimes find it difficult to go to God in prayer? It can be because we need a fresh revelation of His love for us! Paul prayed that the Ephesian church would ‘be able to take in… the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love’ (Ephesians 3:18 MSG). The word ‘extravagant’ means going above and beyond all that’s expected or deserved.
The truth is, God couldn’t love you any more than He does right now. If we want an idea of how much God loves us, we should think of the cross. Even if you were the only person who ever lived, Jesus would have died just for you. And you don’t need to earn His love. You can’t. It’s completely unconditional. You didn’t do anything to deserve it, and when you mess up, He doesn’t withhold His love or stop loving you as much. ‘Absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love’ (Romans 8:39 MSG).
When you accept His unconditional love, you can feel secure in acknowledging your weaknesses and seek His help, grow strong, and use the talents He’s given you. When you believe God loves you based on who you are in Christ, you have the ultimate self-esteem – born of God’s esteem for you. And since His is the only ‘perfect love’, it removes your ‘fear’.
So, what are you afraid of? That you won’t get what you need or you’ll lose something you have? John tells us: ‘His perfect love for us eliminates all dread… If we are afraid, it… shows… we are not fully convinced that he really loves us’ (1 John 4:18 TLB). Ask God today for a fresh revelation of His love for you, bearing in mind that whatever He loves, He prizes, protects, and provides for.
Jonah 1-4; Matt 11:1-19; Ps 88:1-9a; Pro 11:24-26
1 John 4:18 NKJV
Question: Since we’re naturally drawn to people who love us, why is it so difficult for us to go to God in prayer? Answer: Because we need a fresh revelation of His love for us! Paul prayed that the Ephesian church would “be able to take in… the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love” (Ephesians 3:18 MSG). The word “extravagant” means going above and beyond all that’s expected or deserved.
The truth is, God couldn’t love you any more than He does right now. “What’s His love like?” you ask. Look at the cross. Had you been the only person who ever lived, Jesus would have died just for you. “What does His love cost?” you ask. Nothing! It comes with no strings attached. You didn’t do anything to deserve it, and when you mess up, you don’t forfeit it. “Absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love” (Romans 8:39 MSG). Once you accept that, you can acknowledge your weaknesses, seek God’s help, grow strong, and use the talents He has given you.
When you believe God loves you based on who you are in Christ, you have the ultimate self-esteem – born of God’s esteem for you. And since His is the only “perfect love,” it removes your “fear.” So, what are you afraid of? That you won’t get what you need? That you will lose something you have? John tells us: “His perfect love for us eliminates all dread… If we are afraid, it… shows… we are not fully convinced that he really loves us” (1 John 4:18 TLB).
Ask God today for a fresh revelation of His love for you, bearing in mind that what He loves, He prizes, protects, and provides for.
Soul food: Jonah 1-4; Matt 11:1-19; Ps 88:1-9a; Pro 11:24-26
2022-05-20
Psalm 119:105 NLV
Die Psalmdigter beklemtoon twee belangrike dinge wat Bybelstudie vir jou doen: 1) Dit wys jou wat jou geestelike toestand is. In die Bybelse tyd was daar geen geteerde paaie nie, wanneer gaste dus iemand se huis binne gegaan het, het hulle eers stilgestaan en die sand, grond en vuilheid van hulle voete afgewas. Dis wat Bybelstudie vir jou doen. Dawid het gesê: ‘Hoe kan ‘n jongmens [en ‘n ouer een] ‘n skoon lewe lei? Deur gehoorsaam te wees aan u woord’ (Psalm 119:9 NLV).
2) Dit wys jou die regte rigting om te gaan. ‘U woord is… ‘n lig op my pad.’ Wanneer jy voor ‘n belangrike besluit te staan kom en nie weet watter kant toe om te gaan nie, sal God jou deur sy Woord lei. Dawid, wat lief was vir God se Woord en konstant daaroor gemediteer het, het gebid: ‘Leer my om u wil te doen, want U is my God. Laat u goeie Gees my lei op ‘n pad wat gelyk is’ (Psalm 143:10 NLV). Baie van die foute wat ons maak kon voorkom gewees het as ons lank genoeg stilgestaan het om God se leiding te soek. Hy weet wat voor ons lê; ons doen nie. Dus: ‘Vertrou jou lewe toe aan die Here. Vertrou Hom, en Hy sal vir jou sorg’ (Psalm 37:5 NLV).
Net soos kinders geleer moet word om ‘n smaak vir gesonde kos in plaas van gemorskos te ontwikkel, so moet jy ‘n smaak vir God se Woord ontwikkel. Die Psalmdigter het gesê: ‘Ek verlustig my in u gebooie wat ek baie liefhet’ (Psalm 119:47 NLV). ‘U beloftes is deeglik beproef; u dienaar het dit lief’ (Psalm 119:140 NLV). Vra God vandag om jou ‘n liefde vir sy Woord te gee. Dis ‘n gebed wat Hy sal beantwoord!
Sielskos: Titus 1-3; Matt 10:32-42; Ps 75; Spr 11:23
Psalm 119:105 NKJV
The psalmist highlights two important things Bible reading does for you: (1) It shows you your spiritual condition. In Bible times there were no paved roads, so when guests entered a house, they paused to wash the sand, dirt, and grime from their feet. That’s what Bible reading does. David said, “How can a young man [and an older one] cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word” (v. 9 NKJV).
(2) It shows you the direction you need to go. “Your word is… a light to my path.” When you’re faced with an important decision and you don’t know which way to go, God will guide you through His Word. David, who loved God’s Word and meditated on it constantly, prayed, “Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness” (Psalm 143:10 NKJV).
Many of the mistakes we make could be prevented if we stopped long enough to seek God’s guidance. He knows what lies ahead; we don’t. So “commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5 NKJV).
Just like children need to be taught to cultivate a taste for healthy food instead of junk food, you need to cultivate a taste for God’s Word. The psalmist said, “I will delight myself in Your commandments, which I love” (Psalm 119:47 NKJV). “Your word is very pure; therefore Your servant loves it” (v. 140 NKJV). Today ask God to give you a love for His Word. That’s a prayer He will answer!
Soul food: Titus 1-3; Matt 10:32-42; Ps 75; Pro 11:23
