2024-07-04
Romans 12:2 NIV
How do we renew our minds? One pastor writes: “The way to upgrade your mind is to download Scripture. Doctors… of the National Institute of Mental Health did a fascinating study asking subjects to perform a simple motor task – a finger-tapping exercise. As subjects tapped, the doctors conducted an MRI to identify what part of the brain was being activated. The subjects then practiced the finger-tapping exercise daily for four weeks. At the end of the four-week period, the brain scan was repeated. In each instance, it revealed that the area of the brain involved in the task had expanded. That simple task – a finger-tapping exercise – literally recruited new nerve cells and rewired neuronal connections. When we read Scripture, we are recruiting new nerve cells and rewiring neuronal connections. In a sense, we are downloading a new operating system that reconfigures the mind. We stop thinking human thoughts and start thinking God thoughts.”
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5 NKJV). How do we fulfill that command? Paul tells us how: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Colossians 3:16 NKJV). Whether through preaching, teaching, reading, or singing, our brains are rewired in alignment with God’s Word, and we develop the mind of Christ. We think His thoughts. As a result, we end up doing His will instead of being led by our own will. So, keep renewing your mind with God’s Word.
Soul food: 1 Sam 14-15; Luke 4:14-30; Ps 98; Prov 17:1-3
2024-07-03
Efesiërs 6:12 NLV
Voordat Joab met die Arameërs in geveg getree het, het hy vir sy broer gesê: ‘…As die Arameërs vir my te sterk word, kom dan oor en help my. En as die Ammoniete vir jou te sterk word, sal ek jou kom help’ (1 Kronieke 19:12 NLV). Indien een oorweldig sou word, kon die ander een intree en help. Geestelike oorlogvoering werk egter anders. Ons stoei nie ‘…teen mense nie, maar teen bose hemelse regeerders en maghebbers…’
Toe Dawid voor Goliat te staan gekom het, was die reus so seker van homself dat hy aan die hele Israel verklaar het: ‘As julle man daarin slaag om my dood te maak, sal ons julle slawe wees, maar as ek hom doodmaak, sal julle ons slawe wees!’ (1 Samuel 17:9 NLV). Dink aan die langtermyn implikasies hiervan. As Goliat gewen het, sou God se mense lewenslank hul vyand moes dien! Daar was ongelooflik baie vir Israel op die spel – en ook vir jou.
Satan is daarop uit om jou te oorwin en as jy volgens die reëls van die vlees stoei, gaan jy verloor. Net soos professionele stoeiers reëls het waarby hulle moet hou, so is daar geestelike reëls wat ontwerp is om vir jou te werk. Paulus sê: ‘Die wapens van ons stryd is nie mensgemaak nie, maar die kragtige gevegstoerusting van God wat vestings kan vernietig…’ (2 Korintiërs 10:4 NLV). Die enigste hoop wat jy het om Satan te oorwin, word in gebed, Christelike gemeenskap, God se Woord, die naam van Jesus en die bloed van Jesus, gevind. Hierdie vyf dinge is bo-aan die lys van die kragtige wapens wat aan jou gegee is om die Vyand te oorwin. Gebruik hulle dus vandag!
Sielskos: 1 Sam 11-13; Luk 4:1-13; Ps 95; Spr 16:31-33
Ephesians 6:12 NKJV
Before doing battle with Syria, Joab told his brother, “If [they] are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the people of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will help you” (1 Chronicles 19:12 NKJV). If one was overwhelmed, the other could step in and help. Spiritual warfare is different, however. We’re not wrestling with “flesh and blood, but against principalities… powers… rulers of the darkness… [and] spiritual hosts of wickedness.” And wrestling is a one-on-one struggle that means getting up close and personal, going toe-to-toe with your opponent.
When David faced Goliath, the giant was so sure of himself that he announced to all Israel, “If he kills me… we will be your slaves. But if I kill him, you will be our slaves!” (1 Samuel 17:9 NLT). Think about the long-term implications of this. If Goliath prevailed, God’s people would spend their lives serving the enemy! The stakes were incredibly high for Israel – and they are for you too.
Satan is out to defeat you, and if you wrestle according to the rules of the flesh, you will lose. Just like professional wrestlers have rules they must abide by, there are fail-safe spiritual rules designed to work for you. Paul says, “The weapons of our warfare are not physical… but they are mighty before God for the overthrow… of strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4 AMPC). The only hope you have of defeating Satan lies in prayer, Christian fellowship, God’s Word, the name of Jesus, and the blood of Jesus. These five things top the list of powerful weapons given you to defeat the Enemy. So use them today!
Soul food: 1 Sam 11-13; Luke 4:1-13; Ps 95; Prov 16:31-33
2024-07-02
Ruth 3:4 NKJV
As a Moabitess, the law said Ruth was unqualified to mix with Jews. “An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter the assembly of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 23:3 NKJV). But when God has a plan for your life, He steps in and says, “I have called you by your name; you are Mine… you were precious in My sight… I will give men for you, and people for your life” (Isaiah 43:1, 4 NKJV).
When Boaz began showering Ruth with kindness, she knelt before him saying, “Why have I found favour in your eyes…?” (Ruth 2:10 NKJV). Notice how Boaz answered: “It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done” (v. 11 NKJV). Aware that Ruth has become the object of Boaz’s affection, Naomi instructs her: “He is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. Then it shall be, when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies; and you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down; and he will tell you what you should do” (Ruth 3:2-4 NKJV).
She started at his feet and ended up by his side. “Do not make yourself known.” Don’t push, don’t try to impress God with your performance, just stay at His feet and He will raise you up to His side. “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6 NKJV).
Soul food: 1 Sam 8-10; Luke 3:21-38; Ps 64; Prov 16:27-30
Rut 3:4 NLV
Die wet het vereis dat Rut, as Moabiet, nie veronderstel was om met die Jode te meng nie. ‘Geen Ammoniet of Moabiet of enige van hulle nageslag tot in die tiende generasie mag ingesluit word in die vergadering van die Here nie’ (Deuteronomium 23:3 NLV). Wanneer God egter ‘n plan vir jou lewe het, tree Hy in en sê: ‘…Ek het jou by jou naam geroep. Jy is Myne… Omdat jy vir My kosbaar en belangrik is, omdat Ek jou liefhet, gee Ek mense in jou plek en mense in ruil vir jou lewe’ (Jesaja 43:1, 4 NLV).
Toe Boas vir Rut met vriendelikheid begin oorlaai het, het sy voor hom gebuig en gevra: ‘…Hoekom is u so goed vir my dat u my uitsonder terwyl ek ‘n buitelander is?’ (Rut 2:10 NLV). Let op hoe Boas haar geantwoord het: ‘…Ek het gehoor van al die liefde en goedheid wat jy… aan jou skoonma betoon het…’ (vers 11 NLV).
Naomi het bewus geword van Boas se liefde vir Rut, daarom het sy aan Rut die volgende opdrag gegee: ‘…Vannag sal hy die gars op die dorsvloer uitwaai. Doen nou soos ek jou sê. Gaan bad, gebruik reukolie en trek mooi aan. Gaan dan na die dorsvloer toe, maar pas op dat Boas jou nie sien voor hy klaar geëet en gedrink het nie. Let mooi op waar jy gaan slaap. Gaan dan, en gaan lê by sy voete. Hy sal wel vir jou sê wat om te doen’ (Rut 3:2-4 NLV). Sy het by sy voete begin en aan sy sy opgeëindig.
Moenie God druk of Hom met jou optrede probeer beïndruk nie, bly net by sy voete en Hy sal jou tot by sy sy ophef. ‘Word daarom klein onder die kragtige hand van God; op sý tyd sal Hy julle groot maak’ (1 Petrus 5:6 NLV).
Sielskos: 1 Sam 8-10; Luk 3:21-38; Ps 64; Spr 16:27-30
