2022-08-09
Psalm 119:89 NLV
God se Woord moet ‘vas staan’ in jou lewe. Die hemel is die Hooggeregshof, wanneer dit uitspraak lewer oor ‘n saak, is die saak afgehandel. Omdat God se Woord dus vas staan in die hemel, is die vraag: Staan dit ook vas in jou lewe? Jesus het gesê: ‘Selfs al sou die hemel en die aarde ophou bestaan, sal my woorde nog vir altyd vas bly staan’ (Markus 13:31 NLV).
Die Bybel hoef nooit opgedateer te word nie; dis perfek en kan nie verbeter word nie. Dis hoekom Jesus ons opdrag gee dat sy woorde ‘n stewige vastrapplek in ons moet kry (sien Johannes 15:7). Jy moet dus jou gedagtes met die Skrif programmeer. Hoe doen jy dit? 1) Gee dit permanente verblyf, nie besoekerstatus nie. ‘Laat die rykdom van alles wat Christus ons leer, julle leefstyl bepaal…’ (Kolossense 3:16 NLV). Lees die Bybel, mediteer daaroor, spreek dit hardop. Ja, sing selfs die woorde: ‘…Sing met dankbare harte psalms, lofgesange en geestelike liedere tot eer van God’ (Kolossense 3:16 NLV).
2) Hou dit ten alle tye by jou. ‘Hou hierdie wetboek altyd by jou. Dink dag en nag daaroor na sodat jy alles kan doen wat daarin geskryf is. Jy sal dan sukses behaal op jou pad. Jy sal voorspoedig wees’ (Josua 1:8 NLV). Praat daaroor, dink daaroor, stap daarmee saam! Jy sê: ‘My geheue is nie meer so goed nie.’ Geen probleem. Jesus het gesê: ‘…die Raadgewer, die Heilige Gees… wat die Vader in my Naam sal stuur, sal… julle in alle opsigte onderrig en julle ook herinner aan alles wat Ek vir julle gesê het’ (Johannes 14:26 NLV). Soos jy oor God se Woord mediteer, sal die Heilige Gees jou geheue aanwakker en help.
Sielskos: Deut 18-21; Mark 3:20-35; Ps 119:9-16; Spr 17:4-6
Psalm 119:89 NKJV
God’s Word must be a “settled” issue in your life. Heaven is the Supreme Court; when it rules on a matter, it’s settled. Now, since God’s Word is a settled issue in heaven, the question is, “Is it a settled issue in your life?” Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Mark 13:31 NKJV). The Bible never needs updating; it’s perfect and can’t be improved upon. That’s why Jesus instructs you to let His “words remain in you” (John 15:7 NIV). In other words, program your mind with the Scriptures. How do you do that?
(1) Give it permanent residence, not visitor status. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Colossians 3:16 KJV). Take it in richly, meaning copiously and abundantly. Call it Operation Saturation! Read the Bible, meditate on it, speak it out loud. Yes, and even sing its words; “Teach them to each other and sing them out in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (v. 16 TLB).
(2) Keep it before you at all times. “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night… do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” (Joshua 1:8 NIV). Talk it out, think it out, walk it out! You say, “But my memory doesn’t retain things too well.” No problem. Jesus said, “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name… will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26 NIV). As you meditate on God’s Word, the Holy Spirit will come to the aid of your less-than-perfect memory.
Soul food: Deut 18-21; Mark 3:20-35; Ps 119:9-16; Prov 17:4-6
2022-08-08
1 Thessalonians 2:13 NKJV
“When you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God” (v. 13 NKJV). Here are four things you must believe about your Bible:
(1) It is life changing. In the parable of the sower, Jesus said, “The seed is the word” (Luke 8:11 KJV). You may not understand the power within a seed, but you know that when you sow it in receptive soil, it will spring to life; it won’t just sit there and do nothing, it will produce fruit. Likewise, your Bible is “the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13 NKJV).
(2) It works. “My word… will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11 NIV). Note the word “sent.” Every word God speaks is on a mission and is guaranteed to accomplish it in accordance with His will, His strategy, and His timing.
(3) It is creative. “By God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed” (2 Peter 3:5 NIV). God’s Word was powerful enough to create all that exists. He didn’t strive or sweat, He just spoke, and it was accomplished. So speak God’s Word!
(4) It is authoritative. “They were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority… they were all amazed… saying, ‘What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out” (Luke 4:32, 36 NKJV). The forces of darkness around you today must recognise and submit to God’s Word, so stand on it!
Soul food: Deut 14-17; Mark 3:7-19; Ps 119:1-8; Prov 17:3
1 Tessalonisense 2:13 NLV
‘Julle het dit aanvaar, nie as mensewoorde nie, maar soos dit werklik is, as Gód se woord. Dié woord is aan die werk in julle wat glo’ (vers 13 NLV).
Hier is vier dinge wat jy oor jou Bybel moet glo: 1) Dit is lewensveranderend. Jesus het in die vergelyking van die saaier gesê: ‘…Die saad is God se boodskap’ (Lukas 8:11 NLV). Jy mag dalk nie die krag wat binne ‘n saad is verstaan nie, maar jy weet dat wanneer jy dit in ontvanklike grond saai, sal dit begin groei; dit sal vrugte produseer.
2) Dit werk. ‘Net so is dit met die woord wat uit my mond kom: Dit sal nie leeg na My toe terugkeer nie, maar dit sal doen wat Ek verwag het en die doel bereik waarvoor Ek dit gestuur het’ (Jesaja 55:11 NLV). Elke woord wat God spreek is op ‘n missie en is gewaarborg om dit in ooreenstemming met sy wil, sy strategie en sy tydsberekening, te bereik.
3) Dit is kreatief. ‘…God [het] lank terug die hemel en die aarde uit water gemaak… Hy het dit gedoen deur net ‘n woord te sê’ (2 Petrus 3:5 DB). God se Woord was magtig genoeg om alles wat bestaan, te skep. Hy het nie geswoeg of gesweet nie; Hy het eenvoudig gepraat en dit is gedoen. Praat dus God se Woord!
4) Dit is gesaghebbend. “Die mense daar was ook verbaas oor die dinge wat Hy gesê het, want Hy het met gesag gepraat… [Hulle] het verbaas uitgeroep: ‘Watter gesag en mag het hierdie man se woorde nie! Selfs bose geeste gehoorsaam hom en vlug op sy bevel!'” (Lukas 4:32, 36 NLV). Die donker magte rondom jou moet vandag God se Woord erken en hulself daaraan onderwerp, staan dus daarop!
Sielskos: Deut 14-17; Mark 3:7-19; Ps 119:1-8; Spr 17:3
2022-08-07
Mark 6:48 NKJV
“About the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and… when they saw Him… they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out… But immediately He… said to them, ‘Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.’ Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased” (vv. 48-51 NKJV).
Darkness isn’t always the work of the Enemy; sometimes it’s one of God’s best teaching tools. You get to know the Lord best by going through storms with Him; by reaching the place where you think, “If God doesn’t come through for me, I’m sunk.” Then He comes, “walking on the sea.” Jesus said to His disciples, “What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight” (Matthew 10:27 NIV). It’s in your darkest moments that God gives you some of your greatest insights. The psalmist said, “To you the night shines as bright as day” (Psalm 139:12 NLT).
So instead of running from your problems, ask God to develop your night vision and show you “treasures of darkness… hidden in secret places” (Isaiah 45:3 NRS). And one more thought: When the darkness you’re experiencing is God-ordained, don’t try to create your own light. “If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God. But watch out, you who live in your own light… you will soon fall down in great torment” (Isaiah 50:10-11 NLT). When you’re in darkness by divine design, you don’t have to be afraid; God has promised to bring you through.
Soul food: Eccl 11:7-12:1; Ps 39:4-13; 2 Tim 4:6-8
