2023-09-22
Matthew 9:13 MSG
Author Nicole Unice says the suspicions people have about Christians include, “They judge me. They are better than I am. They won’t approve of me. I won’t fit in with their religion. They are all serious and no fun. Jesus hung around enough parties for the Pharisees to accuse him of being a drunkard. He befriended forbidden women. He interacted with people so he could introduce them to his Father. He broke through stereotypes and communicated God as he is – approachable, merciful and graceful. The people who were most upset… were the ones who preferred… the rules of the religion… The concept of a free and joyful life with Jesus may seem basic for you. But is that what your neighbours think? It feels as comfortable as sweatpants to hang out with people who believe and feel as we do. Fellowship among believers is a wonderful gift. But if we are truly to follow Jesus’ example, we need to look for opportunities to engage those around us.”
Jesus goes a step further: “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick?… ‘I’m after mercy, not religion.’ I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders.”
How can you share the gospel if all your friends are Christians? Some of us have become so isolated and disconnected that we have no meaningful interaction whatsoever with nonbelievers. And the more time passes, the more insulated and comfortable we become, until eventually we lose touch with the very people Jesus came to save. Paul says, “Find common ground with [nonbelievers]… tell [them] about Christ… let Christ save [them]” (1 Corinthians 9:22 TLB). It’s called thinking outside “the religious box.”
Soul food: 2 Cor 1-4; Mark 14:43-52; Ps 39; Prov 21:9-13
2023-09-21
Psalm 68:20 NLV
Wanneer jy woorde van geloof wat op die Skrif gebaseer is oor jou lewe spreek, het Jesus ons geleer dat ons alles wat ons vra, sal ontvang (sien Markus 11:23). Dawid verwys na God se seëninge as voordele. God gee elke dag vir ons sy voordele. God wag, is gewillig en wil al hierdie dinge vir jou doen.
Dis hoekom die Psalmdigter skryf: ‘Ek wil die Here prys en sy goeie dade nie vergeet nie. Hy vergewe al jou sondes, en genees al jou siektes. Hy verlos jou van die dood, bekroon jou met liefde en medelye. Hy vul jou lewe met goeie dinge, vernuwe jou jeug soos ‘n arend s’n. Die Here laat regverdigheid geskied, en reg aan almal wat verdruk word… Die Here is barmhartig en genadig, geduldig en vol onfeilbare liefde… Hy straf ons nie vir al ons sondes, en vergeld ons nie volgens ons oortredings nie. Want so ver soos die hemele van die aarde af is, so groot is sy onfeilbare liefde teenoor hulle wat Hom dien. So ver as die ooste is van die weste, so verwyder Hy ons oortredings. Soos ‘n vader hom ontferm oor sy kinders, so ontferm die Here Hom oor hulle wat Hom dien. Hy weet waarvan ons gemaak is; Hy weet dat ons net stof is… Maar die liefde van die Here is altyd daar vir hulle wat Hom dien. Sy trou geld vir geslag na geslag’ (Psalm 103:2-6, 8, 10-14, 17 NLV).
Verstaan die volgende: Jy aktiveer die krag van God se Woord wanneer jy dit oor jou lewe bely.
Sielskos: Eseg 46-48; Mark 14:27-42; Ps 3; Spr 21:4-8
Psalm 68:19 NKJV
When you speak words of faith over your life based on the Scriptures, Jesus taught that you will “have whatever [you] say” (See Mark 11:23). David refers to God’s blessings as “benefits,” and says that God “daily loads us with benefits.” Note the word “loads.” We’re not talking here about the capacity of a teacup but a dump truck! God is waiting, willing, and wanting to do these things for you.
That’s why the psalmist writes: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed… The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy… He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust… But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children” (Psalm 103:2-6, 8, 10-14, 17 NKJV).
Understand this: You activate the power of God’s Word when you confess it over your life.
Soul food: Eze 46-48; Mark 14:27-42; Ps 3; Prov 21:4-8
2023-09-20
Markus 11:22-23 AFR83
Jesus het ons geleer dat wanneer ons sy Woord in geloof spreek, ons sal ontvang wat ons sê. Dis ‘n kragtige geloof! Wanneer jy God se lewende Woord oor jou situasie spreek, is dit soos om ‘n skakelaar aan te skakel; sy krag word geaktiveer en sy beloftes word in jou lewe waar. Begin dus elke dag deur die volgende Skrifgedeeltes oor jou lewe te spreek:
1) ‘Dit is die dag wat die Here gemaak het. Laat ons daaroor juig en bly wees’ (Psalm 118:24 NLV). Belydenis: ‘Here, dankie vir die gawe van hierdie dag. Ek sal u goedheid vier en elke oomblik daarvan geniet.’
2) ‘…Sy liefde het geen einde nie. Op u ontferming kan ‘n mens altyd vertrou. Dit is elke oggend nuut’ (Klaagliedere 3:22-23 NLV). Belydenis: ‘Here, ek sal U vandag in alles wat ek doen, probeer eer. As ek misluk en te kort skiet, sal ek steeds in u genade en barmhartigheid wandel.’
3) ‘Die oppermagtige Here het my geleer sodat ek dié wat moeg is moed kan inpraat…’ (Jesaja 50:4 NLV). Belydenis: ‘Here, ek sal weet wat om te sê, omdat U my opdrag gegee het en my geleer het.’
4) ‘…Die Here gaan vandag [jou vyande] aan jou uitlewer. Die Here sal voor jou uit marsjeer…’ (Rigters 4:14 NLV). Belydenis: ‘Here, ongeag wat vandag oor my pad kom, sal U my verdedig, beskerm en regverdig. Vandag sal ek dus in u vreugde, guns, barmhartigheid, leiding, beskerming en seën wandel.’
Sielskos: Eseg 43-45; Mark 14:12-26; Ps 19; Spr 21:3
Mark 11:22-23 NKJV
Jesus taught us that when we speak His Word in faith, we will “have” whatever we say. That’s a powerful faith! When you speak God’s living Word over your situation, it’s like flipping a switch; His power is activated, and His promises start coming to pass in your life. So, begin each day by speaking the following Scriptures over your life:
(1) “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24 NKJV). Confession: “Lord, thank you for the gift of this day. I will celebrate your goodness and enjoy each moment of it.”
(2) “His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23 NKJV). Confession: “Lord, today I will seek to honour You in all that I do. And if I fail and fall short, I will still walk in Your mercy and grace.”
(3) “The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary” (Isaiah 50:4 NKJV). Confession: “Lord, I will know what to say because You have instructed me and given me the tongue of the learned.”
(4) “This is the day in which the Lord has delivered [your enemy] into your hand. Has not the Lord gone out before you?” (Judges 4:14 NKJV). Confession: “Lord, regardless of what comes my way today, You will defend, protect, and vindicate me. So, this day I will walk in your joy, favour, mercy, guidance, protection, and blessing.”
Soul food: Eze 43-45; Mark 14:12-26; Ps 19; Prov 21:3
