2025-12-28
1 Thessalonians 5:24 AMPC
When it comes to your life’s calling, here are two more myths that can sabotage you: (1) Making the wrong choice can somehow thwart God’s will. You don’t have to worry on this score because the Bible tells us that the God “Who is calling you… will… [fulfill His call by hallowing and keeping you].” It’s always commendable to want to make the best choice you can. But the fact remains that at some point you have to go ahead and make a choice, and no choice you make is outside of God’s control. Even if you don’t know where the path you have chosen will eventually lead, you can rest assured in the knowledge that “all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to… those who… are called according to [His] design and purpose” (Romans 8:28 AMPC).
(2) Your calling is settled. Finding your calling isn’t necessarily what you do once or twice in a lifetime. It’s not something you check off a list and move on. The life of a Christian is a continual process of discovering your calling. And because God has called you to a specific purpose at a specific time doesn’t mean His plans for you won’t change. Who knows what the next stage of your life will bring? Everyone’s calling is going to look distinct, and every chapter of your life will bring a fresh process of discernment. The important thing to remember is that God is in control, He loves you, and His will is always to draw you closer to Him.
Soul food: Heb 11:1-6; Matt 21:18-22; Matt 8:5-13; Mark 6:1-6
2025-12-27
Romeine 11:29 NLV
Indien jy jou roeping bevraagteken, identifiseer die skrywer Diane Paddison twee denkpatrone wat jou gedagtes mag saboteer.
1) Dit gaan alles oor jou. Jou roeping gaan nie oor selfvervulling nie; dit gaan daaroor om jou aan God se wil te onderwerp. Baie mense ervaar bevrediging deur hulle God-gegewe gawes uit te oefen. Dis egter ‘n resultaat van God se wil, nie die doelwit nie. Om God se wil te onderskei, moet jy deur gebed en Bybelstudie jou verhouding met Hom ontwikkel. Jy moet ook verhoudings met jou eweknieë en mentors ontwikkel wat vir jou sal bid en die waarheid in jou lewe sal spreek.
2) As dit ongemaklik is, is dit nie jou roeping nie. Om te weet wat jy veronderstel is om te doen, is dikwels net die begin van ‘n lang, veeleisende reis. Moses se roeping het nie vir hom baie wonderlik gelyk nie. Wat was sy reaksie daarop? ‘Wie is ek dat ek moet gaan?’ Hy het God bevraagteken, maar God het geantwoord: ‘Ek sal by jou wees.’ Tog het Moses aanhou vra: ‘Maar wat as hulle my nie glo nie?’ Selfs toe God hom van wonderbaarlike tekens voorsien het, was dit nie goed genoeg nie. Hy het weer gestry: ‘Maar ek kan nie goed praat nie.’
Moses was duidelik ongemaklik met die taak waarvoor God hom geroep het. Moses het alles probeer om God te oortuig dat hy die verkeerde man vir die werk was. Toe dit nie werk nie, het hy God gevra om iemand anders te stuur! (sien Eksodus 4). Kan jy jouself met Moses vereenselwig? Indien wel, hou die volgende in gedagte: Ongemak beteken nie outomaties dat jy op die verkeerde pad is nie. Die waarheid is dat ongemak gewoonlik groei vooruitgaan.
Sielskos: 1 Kor 15-16; Matt 3:1-6; Ps 116; Spr 31:29
Romans 11:29 AMPC
If you’re questioning your calling, author Diane Paddison identifies two thought patterns that may be sabotaging your thinking.
(1) It’s all about you. Your calling isn’t about self-fulfillment; it’s about submission to God’s will for your life. Many people experience satisfaction from exercising their God-given gifts. But it’s a result of being in God’s will, not the goal. To discern God’s will, you must develop your relationship with Him through prayer and Bible study. You must also develop relationships with peers and mentors who will pray for you and speak truth into your life.
(2) If it’s uncomfortable, it can’t be your calling. Knowing what you’re meant to be doing is often just the start of a long, demanding journey. Some of the most successful people in history endured overwhelming failure in pursuit of their paths. Moses’ calling didn’t seem all that wonderful to him. His response? “Who am I that I should go?” He questioned God, but God responded, “I will be with you.” Still, Moses continued to question: “But what if they don’t believe me?” Even when God provided him with miraculous signs, they weren’t enough. He came back with, “But I’m slow of speech.”
Clearly Moses was called to a task God designed for him – and it didn’t feel good to him. Moses tried every way he knew to prove to God that He had the wrong man for the job. And when that didn’t work, he asked God to send someone else! (See Exodus 4). Can you relate? If so, keep this thought in mind: Discomfort doesn’t automatically mean you’re on the wrong path. The truth is discomfort usually precedes growth.
Soul food: 1 Cor 15-16; Matt 3:1-6; Ps 116; Prov 31:29
2025-12-26
Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV
Dr. Ernest Sachs wanted to make a difference in the world. And he did. Years ago most brain tumours were fatal. Sachs heard a surgeon predict that someday a cure would be discovered that could save all those lives, and he determined to be that surgeon. At the time, the leading expert on the anatomy of the brain was Sir Victor Horsley. Sachs received permission to study under him but felt he should prepare for the experience by studying for six months under some of the most able physicians in Germany.
Then he went to England, where for two years he assisted Dr. Horsley in long and intricate experiments on dozens of monkeys. When Sachs returned to America, he was ridiculed by the medical establishment for requesting the opportunity to treat brain tumours. For years he fought obstacles and discouragement, driven by a desire to succeed in his quest. And succeed he did! Today, largely thanks to Dr. Sachs, the majority of brain tumours can be cured. And his book Diagnosis and Treatment of Brain Tumours is considered the standard authority on the subject.
Just because something isn’t presently done doesn’t mean it can’t be done. And maybe you are the one to do it! And as a redeemed child of God, think of the advantage you have: “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6 NKJV). Use your faith, and believe God for great things.
Soul food: 1 Cor 12-14; Matt 2:13-23; Ps 139:13-24; Prov 31:28
Jeremia 33:3 NLV
Dr Ernest Sachs wou ‘n verskil in die lewe maak, en hy het. Jare gelede was die meeste breingewasse noodlottig. Sachs het ‘n chirurg hoor voorspel dat daar eendag ‘n uitvinding sou wees wat al daardie lewens sou kon red en hy het besluit dat dit sy lewenstaak sou wees. Destyds was die voorste kenner van die brein se anatomie sir Victor Horsley. Sachs het toestemming gekry om onder hom te studeer, maar het gevoel dat hy vir die ervaring moes voorberei deur ses maande lank onder van die bekwaamste dokters in Duitsland te studeer.
Daarna is hy na Engeland toe, waar hy twee jaar lank dr. Horsley in lang en ingewikkelde eksperimente op dosyne ape bygestaan het. Toe Sachs na Amerika terugkeer, is hy deur die mediese gemeenskap gespot omdat hy versoek het om uitsluitlik breingewasse te behandel. Jare lank het hy struikelblokke en ontmoediging beveg, gedryf deur ‘n passie om in sy soeke te slaag. Hy het dit reggekry! Vandag, grootliks danksy dr. Sachs, kan die meerderheid breingewasse genees word. Sy boek, Diagnosis and Treatment of Brain Tumours, word as die voorste gesag oor die onderwerp beskou.
Net omdat iets tans nie gedoen word nie, beteken dit nie dat dit glad nie gedoen kan word nie. Miskien is jy die een wat dit gaan doen! Dink net aan die voordeel wat jy as verloste kind van God het: ‘Vra My, en Ek sal vir jou ‘n antwoord gee. Ek sal jou van ongelooflike dinge vertel. Dit is nou nog vir jou ‘n geheim, en jy weet niks daarvan nie.’ ‘Dit is tog die Here wat wysheid gee. Sy woorde gee kennis en insig’ (Spreuke 2:6 NLV). Gebruik jou geloof en glo God vir groot dinge.
Sielskos: 1 Kor 12-14; Matt 2:13-23; Ps 139:13-24; Spr 31:28
