2023-03-29
Proverbs 19:11 NLT
When it comes to anger, here is what you need to know: It isn’t a psychological disorder; everybody gets angry. And it’s not necessarily a sin. Like a fast-flowing river, it can generate constructive or destructive energy, and be unleashed negatively or harnessed positively.
Anger is commonly misunderstood as something that’s done to us by others or by circumstances. We say, “I couldn’t help it; they pushed my buttons!” “What could I do; he got my Irish up!” (A claim also made by Italians, Hispanics, Germans, English, Scandinavians, and every other country.) That sounds like Eden: Adam said, “The woman you gave me made me do it!”
Since the fall, we have claimed to be victims of people, the devil, and circumstances beyond our control – a belief that becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, causing us to feel helpless and at the mercy of external forces.
What does God’s Word say about our anger? “Sensible people control their temper.” That means when sensible people get angry, they control their emotions. No matter what the external trigger is, the answer is always an internal response. “The fruit of the Spirit is… self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV). Staying filled with God’s Spirit is the key to anger management.
Instead of feeding your anger by telling yourself, “You can’t get away with treating me like that,” try thinking, “No matter what you say or do, God’s Spirit lives in me and I have self-control!” The Bible says, “The grace of God… teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (Titus 2:11-12 NIV). So, learn to control your anger.
Soul food: Job 35-37; Luke 22:1-23; Ps 69:19-36; Prov 8:30-31
2023-03-28
Revelation 21:4 NIV
Sometimes we describe dying as “crossing the Jordan.” That’s because the Jordan River runs into the Dead Sea.
The story is told of an elderly Christian lady who was dying. For most of her life, illness had confined her to bed or a wheelchair. The family gathered to say farewell. Holding her hand, one of her grandchildren asked, “Are you afraid to die?” With tears of joy, she replied, “No, I’m not afraid of death because my Father owns the land on both sides of the river.”
What an answer! In heaven there will be no sickness, or depression, or pain, or loneliness, or fear, or grief, or any of the things that make life on earth so difficult. God’s Word says, “For you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings” (Malachi 4:2 NRS). Isaiah writes: “The ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isaiah 35:10 NKJV).
When we lose a loved one in death, the question arises, “Will I see them in heaven; will I know them?” Yes! You wouldn’t know less in heaven than you knew on earth. Paul answers, “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known” (1 Corinthians 13:12 NKJV). Heaven will be the greatest family reunion of all time. And here is the best part of all: We will never be separated again.
Soul food: Job 32-34; Luke 21:25-38; Ps 69:1-18; Prov 8:27-29
Openbaring 21:4 NLV
Soms beskryf ons die dood as ‘om die Jordaan oor te steek,’ omdat die Jordaanrivier in die Dooie See uitloop. Daar word ‘n verhaal van ‘n bejaarde Christelike dame wat besig was om te sterf, vertel. Vir die meeste van haar lewe was sy aan haar bed of haar rolstoel vasgekluister. Die familie het bymekaargekom om van haar afskeid te neem. Terwyl hy haar hand vashou, het een van haar kleinseuns gevra: ‘Ouma, is Ouma bang om dood te gaan?’ Met trane van vreugde het sy geantwoord: ‘Nee, ek is nie bang vir die dood nie, want my Vader besit aan beide kante van die rivier land.’
Wat ‘n antwoord! In die hemel sal daar nie siekte, depressie, pyn, eensaamheid, vrees, smart of enige van die dinge wat die lewe op aarde so moeilik maak, wees nie. God se Woord sê: ‘Maar die Son van Geregtigheid, met genesing in sy vlerke, sal opkom vir hulle wat eerbied en respek vir My het…’ (Maleagi 4:2 NLV). Jesaja skryf: ‘Dié wat die Here bevry het, sal terugkeer na Sion. Hulle sal sing van blydskap, hulle sal vol vreugde wees, ellende en smart sal verdwyn’ (Jesaja 35:10 NLV).
Wanneer ons ‘n geliefde aan die dood afstaan, wonder ons of ons hulle in die hemel sal sien en sal herken. Ja! Jy sal nie minder in die hemel weet as wat jy op aarde geweet het nie. Paulus skryf: ‘Nou sien ons dinge nog net vaagweg soos in ‘n dowwe spieël, maar eendag sal alles vir ons glashelder duidelik wees. Nou verstaan ek net ten dele, maar eendag sal ek ten volle verstaan, net soos God my nou ten volle verstaan’ (1 Korintiërs 13:12 NLV). Die hemel sal die grootste familiereünie van alle tye wees. Die beste deel daarvan: Ons sal nooit weer van mekaar geskei word nie.
Sielskos: Job 32-34; Luk 21:25-38; Ps 69:1-18; Spr 8:27-29
2023-03-27
Revelation 21:16 CEV
The next time you feel cramped for space, read this: “The city was shaped like a cube, because it was just as high as it was wide. When the angel measured the city, it was about fifteen hundred miles high and fifteen hundred miles wide” (v. 16 CEV). That’s an area of over two million square miles – making the new Jerusalem bigger than the state of Texas. In fact, it’s almost four times larger than the state of Alaska, and over half the size of the entire United States! A city that big would be anything but crowded and uncomfortable. And here is something even more incredible: It’s fifteen hundred miles high! There will be no space limitations. And that confirms what Jesus said about heaven: “In my Father’s house are many mansions… I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2 KJV).
Since the same God who created the earth also designed heaven, and since Paul said heaven will be “far better” (Philippians 1:23 NKJV), think of the most beautiful place you have ever visited and multiply that scene by infinity. John the Revelator described it in these words: “The City shimmered like a precious gem, light-filled, pulsing light” (Revelation 21:12 MSG).
One night as he held his father’s hand and looked up at the stars, a little boy said to his dad, “If the wrong side of heaven is so beautiful, what must the right side look like?” Jesus died so that you could go to heaven. But you don’t go by chance; you go by choice. So, have you placed your trust in Christ to be your Saviour? If so, see you there!
Soul food: Job 29-31; Luke 21:12-24; Ps 38:13-22; Prov 8:24-26
Openbaring 21:16 NLV
Die volgende keer wat jy ingeperk voel, lees die volgende: ‘Die stad is vierkantig uitgelê, sy lengte dieselfde as sy breedte. [Die engel] het toe die stad met die meetstok gemeet. Die lengte, die breedte en ook die hoogte daarvan is dieselfde – meer as 2 200 kilometer’ (vers 16 NLV). Dit is meer as vier miljoen vierkante kilometer – wat die nuwe Jerusalem groter as Texas maak. Dis amper vier keer groter as Alaska en meer as helfte die grootte van die hele Amerika! So ‘n groot stad sal allesbehalwe oorvol en ongemaklik wees. Nog wonderbaarliker as dit: Die stad sal 2 200 kilometer hoog wees! Daar sal nie ‘n beperking aan spasie wees nie. Dit bevestig wat Jesus oor die hemel gesê het: ‘In die huis van my Vader is daar sommer baie kamers… Ek gaan soontoe om vir julle plek gereed te maak’ (Johannes 14:2 NLV).
Aangesien dieselfde God wat die aarde geskep het ook die hemel ontwerp het en aangesien Paulus gesê het dat die hemel ‘…verreweg die beste…’ (Filippense 1:23 NLV) sal wees, dink aan die mooiste plek wat jy al ooit besoek het en vermenigvuldig daardie beeld met ‘n oneindige getal. Johannes het die hemel as volg beskryf: ‘Die stad… het gestraal, net soos ‘n baie kosbare steen, soos ‘n kristalhelder jaspis’ (Openbaring 21:12 NLV). Een nag het ‘n klein seuntjie saam met sy pa na die sterre gekyk en gevra: ‘As die verkeerde kant van die hemel so mooi is, hoe moet die regte kant dan lyk?’
Jesus het gesterf sodat jy hemel toe kan gaan. Jy gaan egter nie per ongeluk soontoe nie, maar deur ‘n keuse wat jy moet maak. Het jy dus al jou vertroue in Christus geplaas om jou Redder te wees? As jy het, sien jou daar!
Sielskos: Job 29-31; Luk 21:12-24; Ps 38:13-22; Spr 8:24-26
