2023-06-26
Proverbs 20:7 NLT
Here are six ingredients which are always found in lasting success:
(1) Information. If you don’t stay informed, you will be left behind.
(2) Intuition. This is sometimes referred to as “to know in your knower.”
(3) Initiative. This is when you are willing to step out in faith and act on what you know intuitively.
(4) Intentionality. This is when you are willing to set specific goals and timelines for reaching them.
(5) Intensity. This calls for more than starting power, it requires staying power.
(6) Integrity. This is the glue that holds the previous five things together. And it’s rooted in that private life you develop alone with God.
We often hear architects, engineers, and builders say, “This building has structural integrity.” What do they mean? That the public beauty of a tall skyscraper relies on its private, unseen foundation that is dug deep into the earth and solidly constructed. It is that hidden life of a building that brings structural integrity. Likewise, it’s the hidden life of a fruit tree – the unseen root system that digs deep into the earth – that produces those juicy, delectable fruits. And so it is with you.
Integrity must be rooted in your private life. Don’t wait until you’re thrust into the public arena before paying attention to your integrity, for then you will have waited until it’s too late. Your talent may bring you success, but it takes character to protect and maintain your success. The truth is that when your integrity is rooted in your private world, it’s reflected in your personal world, your professional world, and your public world.
Soul food: Hosea 11-14; Matt 21:33-46; Ps 17; Prov 14:13-16
2023-06-25
Spreuke 10:9 NLV
Wat sou jy sê is die belangrikste karaktereienskap van ‘n persoon wat suksesvol wil wees en ‘n verskil in die lewe wil maak? Party mense sou intelligensie sê. Kennis is immers op verskeie maniere mag. Ander sal stry dat dit intensiteit is, daardie gees van verowering wat met ‘n passie aangevul word wat aansteeklik raak. Ander mense sal voorstel dat dit insig is, goeie ou gesonde verstand wat met die vermoë om sekere kwessies duidelik waar te neem, gepaardgaan. Die Bybel sê egter dat integriteit die belangrikste eienskap vir sukses is: ‘Die een wat opreg lewe, staan vas. Die een wat kronkelpaaie loop, kom tot ‘n val.’ Jy sal uiteindelik ‘bekend’ vir jou integriteit, of jou gebrek daaraan, word.
Ons het al almal mense op ons lewenspad teëgekom wat oor uitsonderlike intelligensie beskik, maar geen integriteit het nie en lankal uit die wedloop geval het. Ander mense met groot intensiteit en passie, maar min integriteit, het dieselfde gevaar. Dieselfde resultaat is van mense met groot insig, maar geen integriteit, waar. Die tesourus stel integriteit met woorde soos: ‘eerlikheid, volledigheid en onkreukbaarheid,’ gelyk.
Integriteit begin in jou private wêreld; die deel van jou wat net aan God en jouself bekend is. Dan word dit in jou persoonlike wêreld duidelik; die deel van jou wat jy aan ‘n klein kring van nabye familielede en moontlik ‘n paar vriende openbaar. Dan begin mense dit in jou professionele wêreld raaksien. Hier ken mense jou aan jou produk, jou werksetiek en jou vaardighede. Hulle vra almal dieselfde vraag: ‘Kan ek jou vertrou?’ Uiteindelik, word jou integriteit in jou publieke wêreld duidelik. Hier is dus die vraag: Het jy integriteit?
Sielskos: Eks 34:27-35; Kol 2:9-15
Proverbs 10:9 NKJV
What would you say is the single most important characteristic of a person who wants to be successful and make a difference in the world? Some would say intelligence. After all, knowledge is power in numerous ways. Others argue it is intensity, that spirit of conquest supplemented with a passion that becomes contagious. Yet others propose that it is insight, good old common sense accompanied by the ability to clearly perceive certain issues.
The Bible says the most important quality in success is integrity: “He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known.” You will eventually “become known” by your integrity or the lack of it. We have all known people along life’s road who possess extraordinary intelligence but no integrity, and they are no longer in the race. Others with great intensity and passion but little integrity have ended up the same way. The same result is true of people with great insight but no integrity. The thesaurus equates integrity with such words as “honesty, completeness, and incorruptibility.”
Integrity begins in your private world; the part of you that’s known only to God and yourself. Then it shows up in your personal world; the part of you that you reveal to a small circle of intimate family members and possibly a few friends. After that comes your professional world. Here people know you by your product, your work ethic, or your skill set. And they all ask the same question: “Can I trust you?” Finally, your integrity shows up in your public world. So here is the question: Do you have integrity?
Soul food: Exo 34:27-35; Col 2:9-15
2023-06-24
Ecclesiastes 2:11 NLT
Here are two more scriptural values you should live by:
(1) Equality. “For there is no respect of persons with God” (Romans 2:11 KJV). In God’s eyes, no person is more important than another. Not one! Some have received more access to the things the world offers, achieved more education, or been called to higher ranks of responsibility. But in God’s eyes, no one is innately better. The ground is level at the foot of the cross, and we all approach God as sinners in need of salvation. So no matter what your position is in life, God expects you to treat everyone with the same respect.
(2) Generosity. Jesus said, “Your gift will return to you in full – pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over… The amount you give will determine the amount you get back” (Luke 6:38 NLT). Others don’t determine what you receive. Even God doesn’t. You do! “The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” You’re never more like God than when you give, and you can never surpass Him at giving. The truth is, you have no reason to be anxious about not having enough if you offer generosity to others.
Why is it important to have values that you live by? Solomon answers: “As I looked at everything I worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless – like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile.”
Soul food: Hosea 6-10; Matt 21:18-32; Ps 8; Prov 14:9-12
Prediker 2:11 NLV
Hier is nog twee Skriftuurlike waardes waarvolgens jy moet lewe:
1) Gelykheid. ‘God het immers geen witbroodjies nie’ (Romeine 2:11 NLV). In God se oë is geen mens belangriker as ‘n ander een nie. Sommige mense het meer toegang tot die dinge wat die wêreld bied, is meer geleerd of is tot meer verantwoordelikheid geroep. In God se oë is niemand egter van nature beter as iemand anders nie. Die grondvlak is aan die voet van die kruis en ons almal benader God as sondaars wat verlossing nodig het. Dit maak dus nie saak wat jou posisie in die lewe is nie, God verwag van jou om almal met dieselfde respek te hanteer.
2) Vrygewigheid. Jesus het gesê: ‘As julle gee, sal julle ontvang. Julle gawe sal na julle toe terugkom in volle maat, ingestamp, geskud om plek vir meer te maak, tot oorlopens toe vol. Met watter maat julle ook al meet – klein of groot – dit sal gebruik word om te meet wat julle sal terugontvang’ (Lukas 6:38 NLV). Ander mense bepaal nie wat jy ontvang nie. God bepaal dit nie eers nie. Jy doen! Jy is nooit meer soos God as wanneer jy gee nie en jy kan Hom nooit oortref as dit by gee kom nie. Die waarheid is dat jy geen rede het om angstig te wees dat jy nie genoeg gaan hê, as jy vrygewig teenoor ander mense is nie.
Hoekom is dit belangrik om waardes te hê waarvolgens jy lewe? Salomo het gesê: ‘Ek het daarna nagedink oor alles wat ek bereik het, oor al die moeite wat ek gedoen het. En ek het besef hoe sinloos dit alles is. Dis niks anders as ‘n gejaag na wind nie. Daar is geen voordeel onder die son nie.’
Sielskos: Hosea 6-10; Matt 21:18-32; Ps 8; Spr 14:9-12
