2025-10-29
Matthew 25:19 NKJV
Jesus said: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability… Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents… And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one… dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them” (vv. 14-19 NKJV).
How does this story turn out? Well, the two men who doubled their money received their master’s highest commendation: “Well done” (vv. 21, 23 NKJV). But the one who was risk averse was called “wicked and lazy” (v. 26 NKJV). His master told him: “You ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away” (vv. 27-29 NKJV).
Practically speaking, here is what this parable teaches us: When the cost of living increases an average of 2.5 percent yearly, your savings must earn at least 2.5 percent yearly, or you will lose money rather than earn it. And one more thought. Since the Bible tells us to invest wisely, you can pray and be confident God will give you sound investment strategies.
Soul food: 1 Chr 3-5; John 8:1-20; Ps 6; Prov 25:1-7
2025-10-28
Jesaja 35:3-4 NLV
Elkeen van ons het bemoediging (ondersteuning wat selfvertroue en die wil om aan te gaan inspireer) nodig. Die woorde wat ons praat kan die mense rondom ons opbou of aftrek.
Rebecca Barolow Jordan skryf: ‘Een van die eerste vrae wat ek graag vir Jesus elke oggend wanneer ek wakker word vra, is: ‘Hoe kan ek iemand vandag bemoedig? En vir wie?’ Hy is altyd getrou om te antwoord, dikwels deur sy Woord. Een oggend nadat ek daardie vraag gevra het, het ek Jesaja 35:3-4 gelees en ‘n praktiese antwoord gekry. Eerstens, ‘versterk die moeë hande.’ Dit kan onderwysers, haarstiliste, mammas, skrywers, sendelinge, pastore en ouers insluit. Vervolgings word daar in die teks melding gemaak om diegene wat ‘swak knieë’ het, te bemoedig. Ek het grootouers en senior burgers, veterane en selfs atlete met slytasie aan hul lywe in my geestesoog gesien. Die laaste kategorie, die wat bang is, kan waarskynlik almal insluit. Hierdie mense het nodig om die woorde: ‘Wees sterk en moenie bang wees nie,’ te hoor.
Ek sukkel nie om mense te vind om te bemoedig nie. Ek moet egter daaraan werk om te onthou om na Jesus se antwoorde te luister en daarop te reageer. Die wonderlike is dat ek gewoonlik die een is wat bemoedig word wanneer ek iemand anders probeer opbou. Vra Jesus om jou vandag te help om iemand te bemoedig. Nooi Hom om deur jou te praat en wees voorbereid op sy antwoorde.’
Paulus het gesê: ‘Terwyl ons die kans het, moet ons dus goeddoen aan alle mense, maar veral aan medegelowiges’ (Galasiërs 6:10 NLV). Soos jy jou gedagtes met maniere om die geloof van ander mense te versterk vul, sal jy verstom wees oor hoe baie energie en seën jy in die proses ontvang.
Sielskos: 1 Kro 1-2; Joh 7:45-53; Ps 9; Spr 24:30-34
Isaiah 35:3-4 NLT
Every one of us needs encouragement (support that inspires confidence and a will to continue). The words we speak can either build up or tear down the people around us.
Author Rebecca Barlow Jordan writes: “One of the first questions I like to ask Jesus when I wake up each morning is, ‘How can I encourage someone today? And who?’ He’s always faithful to answer, often through His Word. One morning after asking that question, I read Isaiah 35:3-4 (NLT) and found a practical answer. First, ‘strengthen those who have tired hands.’ That might include teachers, hair stylists, moms, writers… missionaries, pastors, and parents… Next, the passage mentions encouraging those who have ‘weak knees.’ I envisioned grandparents and senior citizens, veterans, and even athletes with wear and tear on their bodies. But the last category, the ‘fearful,’ could probably include everyone. These needed to hear the words, ‘be strong, and do not fear.’…
For me, finding people to encourage is not a problem. Remembering to listen and follow through with Jesus’s answers is where I need work. And the amazing thing is, when I try to lift up someone else, I’m the one who ends up encouraged. Ask Jesus to help you encourage someone today. Invite Him to speak through you, and be prepared for His answers.”
Paul said, “Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10 AMPC). As you fill your mind thinking of ways to strengthen the faith of others, you will be amazed by how much you get energized and blessed in the process.
Soul food: 1 Chr 1-2; John 7:45-53; Ps 9; Prov 24:30-34
2025-10-27
Efesiërs 5:25 NLV
Daar is ‘n verhaal van ‘n direkteur en sy vrou wat op reis was en gestop het om petrol in te gooi. Die direkteur het ingegaan om die winkel te besoek en toe hy weer uitkom, het hy gesien dat sy vrou met die petroljoggie staan en praat. Toe hy haar later daaroor uitvra, blyk dit dat sy vroeër in haar lewe met die petroljoggie uitgegaan het. Die direkteur het selfvoldaan gevoel en gesê: ‘Jy is seker bly dat jy met my, ‘n direkteur, en nie met ‘n petroljoggie getrou het nie.’ Sy het geantwoord: ‘Nee, ek dink as ek met hom getrou het, sou hy die direkteur en jy die petroljoggie gewees het.’
Voor God vir Eva geskep en haar na Adam gebring het, het Hy gesê: ‘…Dis nie goed dat die mens alleen is nie. Ek sal vir hom ‘n metgesel maak, sy gelyke wat hom kan help’ (Genesis 2:18 NLV). Stop en dink oor die verskeie maniere waarop jou vrou jou aanvul en jou help. Jy sê: ‘My vrou weet reeds dat ek haar liefhet.’ Miskien, maar sy hou tog daarvan om jou dit te hoor sê. Sê dit van tyd tot tyd met blomme.
Gee aandag aan die klein dingetjies wat sy doen om jou lewe beter te maak en komplimenteer haar daaroor. Wanneer sy praat, gee haar 100 persent van jou aandag en laat haar weet dat haar gedagtes en gevoelens vir jou saak maak. Gaan elke week op ‘n afspraak. Soos die jare plooie en ekstra ponde byvoeg, waardeer haar en die lewe wat julle saam opgebou het.
Paulus het ‘n baie hoë standaard vir mans gestel: ‘Getroude mans, julle moet julle vroue liefhê net soos Christus liefde aan die kerk bewys het toe Hy sy lewe daarvoor gegee het’ (Efesiërs 5:25 NLV).
Sielskos: 1 Joh 3:11-5:21; Joh 7:25-44; Ps 104:27-35; Spr 24:29
Ephesians 5:25 NLT
There is an old story where a chief executive officer and his wife are traveling, and they stop to get gas. The CEO goes inside, and when he comes out, he notices his wife talking to the service station attendant. He asks her why; it turns out that she knew the attendant and used to date him. Feeling smug, he says, “I’ll bet you’re thinking you’re glad you married me, a CEO, and not a service station attendant.” She said, “No, I’m thinking if I’d married him, he would be a CEO and you would be a service station attendant.”
Before God created Eve and brought her to Adam, He said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him” (Genesis 2:18 NLT). Stop and think about the many ways in which your wife complements, completes, helps, and is just right for you. You say, “My wife already knows that I love her.” Perhaps, but she loves to hear you say it, and you could never say it too often. Say it with flowers from time to time.
Pay attention to the little things she does to make your life better and compliment her. When she talks, give her 100 percent of your attention, and let her know that her thoughts and feelings matter to you. Have a weekly date. As the years add wrinkles and extra pounds, treasure her and the life you have built together.
Paul sets the standard for husbands, and it’s a high standard: “Husbands… love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her” (Ephesians 5:25 NLT).
Soul food: 1 John 3:11-5:21; John 7:25-44; Ps 104:27-35; Prov 24:29
