2024-12-27
Jeremia 29:11 NLV
Paulus was heeltemal toegewyd aan wat God hom geroep het om te doen. Is jy? Ons is gewoonlik ons eie grootste vyande wanneer dit by struikelblokke tot sukses kom. Dit sal jou iets kos om die nodige stappe te neem om ‘n Godgegewe droom te vervul. Jy sal hard moet werk. Jy sal opofferings moet maak. Jy sal moet aanhou leer, groei en verander. Is jy gewillig om dit te doen? Die meeste mense is nie.
Vra mense wanneer hulle dit wat hulle wil doen gaan doen, en meeste sal antwoord dat hulle hoop om dit ‘eendag’ te doen. Hoekom nie nou nie? Omdat jy nie gereed is nie? Miskien is jy nie. Maar as jy wag totdat jy gereed is, mag jy dit dalk nooit doen nie. Jy word gereed deur te begin.
As jy gewillig is om te begin, is daar ‘n paar dinge waarop jy kan staatmaak: Eerstens, sal dit anders wees as wat jy gedink het. Tweedens, sal dit moeiliker wees as wat jy gedink het. Derdens, sal dit beter wees as wat jy gedink het.
Mark Twain het gesê dat die twee grootste dae in ‘n mens se lewe is die dag waarop mens gebore word, en die dag wanneer jy ontdek hoekom jy gebore is. As jy wil ontdek hoekom jy gebore is, moet jy tyd met God bestee. Sy Woord sê: “‘Ek weet wat Ek vir julle beplan het,’ sê die Here. ‘Ek beplan voorspoed vir julle, nie teëspoed nie. Ek wil hê dat julle hoop vir die toekoms moet hê. Julle sal na My roep en kom bid. Ek sal na julle luister. As julle heelhartig na My soek, sal julle My vind'” (verse 11-13 NLV).
Sielskos: Job 29-31; Luk 2:21-33; Ps 117; Pred 10:15-19
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
Paul was totally invested in what God had called him to do. Are you? When it comes to barriers to success, we are usually our own worst enemies. Taking the steps necessary to fulfill a God-given dream will cost you. You will have to work hard. You will have to make sacrifices. You will have to keep learning, growing, and changing. Are you willing to do that? Most people aren’t.
Ask people when they will do what they want to do, and most will answer that they hope to do it “someday.” Why not now? Because you’re not ready? Perhaps you’re not. But if you wait until you are, maybe you will never do it. You only get ready by starting.
And if you’re willing to start, here are some things you can count on: First, it will be different from what you imagined. Second, it will be more difficult than you imagined. Third, it will be better than you imagined.
Mark Twain said that the two greatest days in a person’s life are the day they were born and the day they discover why they were born. If you want to discover why you were born, spend time with God. His Word says, “‘I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me'” (vv. 11-13 NLT).
Soul food: Job 29-31; Luke 2:21-33; Ps 117; Ecc 10:15-19
2024-12-26
Matthew 1:24 NKJV
There are divine purposes that must be faithfully watched over and protected, in order to be fulfilled. Joseph gives us three keys to seeing God’s promises fulfilled. The first is mercy, and the second is faith. Let’s look at the third: obedience.
“Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus” (vv. 24-25 NKJV). Joseph obeyed God when humanly speaking the circumstances didn’t make sense. He obeyed God when his mind was challenged with doubts. He obeyed God when his emotions were in an uproar. He obeyed God when it meant leaving home to live in Egypt until Herod died.
For Joseph it meant leaving behind an established trade and business, and their family and friends. It meant living in a land where he did not understand or speak the language. And he didn’t know how long they would be there: weeks? months? years? Though Egypt was a hard place to be, it was a place of obedience. And God’s promises are protected – in places of obedience.
God’s promises to us are fulfilled – in places of obedience. God reveals His will to us – in places of obedience. Miracles happen – in places of obedience. Provision comes – in places of obedience. We are safe – in places of obedience.
Are you waiting for a promise to be fulfilled? Are you looking for an answer to prayer? Use the keys of mercy, faith, and obedience.
Soul food: Job 24-28; Luke 2:8-20; Ps 113; Ecc 10:10-14
Matteus 1:24 NLV
Daar is goddelike doelwitte wat getrou bewaak en beskerm moet word om vervul te kan word. Josef gee ons drie sleutels om God se beloftes te vervul. Die eerste sleutel is genade en die tweede sleutel is geloof. Kom ons kyk na die derde sleutel: gehoorsaamheid.
‘Toe Josef wakker word, het hy gemaak soos die engel van die Here hom beveel het. Hy het Maria as sy vrou by hom in die huis geneem, maar hy het nie by haar geslaap totdat haar Seun gebore is nie. En hy het Hom Jesus genoem’ (verse 24-25 NLV). Josef was aan God gehoorsaam toe die omstandighede, menslik gesproke, nie sin gemaak het nie. Hy het God gehoorsaam toe sy gedagtes vol twyfel was. Hy het God gehoorsaam terwyl sy emosies in ‘n warboel was. Hy het God gehoorsaam toe dit beteken het dat hy sy huis moet verlaat en in Egipte moet gaan bly totdat Herodus dood is.
Vir Josef het dit beteken om ‘n gevestigde besigheid en familie en vriende agter te laat. Dit het beteken dat hy in ‘n land moes gaan woon waar hy nie die taal verstaan of gepraat het nie. Hy het ook nie geweet hoe lank hulle daar sou moes bly nie: Weke? Maande? Jare? Alhoewel Egipte ‘n moeilike plek was om in te woon, was dit ‘n plek van gehoorsaamheid.
God se beloftes word in plekke van gehoorsaamheid beskerm. God se beloftes aan ons word in plekke van gehoorsaamheid vervul. God openbaar sy wil in plekke van gehoorsaamheid aan ons. Wonderwerke gebeur in plekke van gehoorsaamheid. Voorsiening vind op plekke van gehoorsaamheid plaas. Ons is veilig in plekke van gehoorsaamheid.
Wag jy vir ‘n belofte om vervul te word? Soek jy ‘n antwoord op gebed? Gebruik die sleutels van genade, geloof en gehoorsaamheid.
Sielskos: Job 24-28; Luk 2:8-20; Ps 113; Pred 10:10-14
2024-12-25
Matthew 1:20 NKJV
In Joseph’s life we see three keys to experiencing the fulfillment of God’s purpose and promises in our lives. The first is mercy. Let’s look at the second: faith. “While he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit'” (v. 20 NKJV). Joseph had intended to privately divorce Mary. Then God told him the divine plan. What was Joseph’s part? To exercise faith in a most difficult set of circumstances. To trust God when the situation could not be understood or explained rationally. God showed him four things:
(1) God reminded Joseph of his identity: “Joseph, son of David.” God wants you to know who you are “in Christ” (See Ephesians 1:18-19). You have a special identity as a member of His redeemed family.
(2) God assured Joseph that he didn’t have to be afraid. What enabled Joseph to overcome his fear and move forward? Hearing from God. Having a word from the Lord to stand on. That’s what you need too (See Isaiah 30:21).
(3) God gave Joseph direction. He was to take Mary as his wife, be a father to the child, and name Him Jesus. And what’s the lesson for you? Be teachable and follow God’s instructions. It’s by faith and obedience that you will reach your God-given destiny.
(4) God assured Joseph that He was at work in the situation. When you know that, you experience peace of mind and a new perspective.
Soul food: Isa 7:14; Luke 2:1-7; Mic 5:2-5a; Isa 9:6-7
