2022-11-27
Luke 23:34 NIV
If you’re in an abusive relationship, what should you do? (1) Pray for them. Jesus said, “Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27-28 NKJV). It’s said that 90 percent of those who abuse others were first abused themselves. Often, they’re reacting out of their unhealed wounds and undealt with issues. And while this in no way excuses them, it gives you insight into how to pray for them. Satan loves to use things like alcohol, drugs, anger, pornography, and other counterfeits to destroy relationships. So, pray for your abuser to become the person God intended. “He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honour him” (Psalm 91:15 NKJV).
(2) Get help. Solomon said, “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT). If you need group support or a mediator for an intervention, take action – now.
(3) End the relationship if you need to. It’s not your job to change the person. And it’s not a failure on your part if they don’t change when confronted with God’s love and the truth. Here is a promise you can stand on: “‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’ So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?'” (Hebrews 13:5-6 NLT).
Soul food: 1 Kings 17:1-7; 1 Kings 18:41-46; Mark 4:35-41
Lukas 23:34 NLV
Wat moet jy doen as jy in ‘n verhouding is waar jy misbruik word?
1) Bid vir hulle. Jesus het gesê: ‘…Doen goed aan dié wat julle haat. Seën dié wat julle vervloek. Bid vir hulle wat julle seermaak’ (Lukas 6:27-28 NLV). Daar word gesê dat 90 persent van diegene wat ander mishandel, self mishandel is. Dikwels reageer hulle as gevolg van wonde wat nie genees het nie en kwessies wat nie opgelos is nie. Terwyl dit glad nie ‘n verskoning vir hulle optrede is nie, gee dit jou insig oor hoe om vir hulle te bid. Satan hou daarvan om dinge soos alkohol, dwelms, woede, pornografie en ander vervalsings te gebruik om verhoudings te vernietig. Bid dus dat hulle die persoon sal word wat God in gedagte vir hulle het. ‘Hy sal roep, en Ek sal antwoord. In nood sal Ek by hom wees. Ek sal hom red en in eer herstel’ (Psalm 91:15 NLV).
2) Kry hulp. Salomo het gesê: ‘En as iemand die een aanval, sal die twee weerstand bied. ‘n Driedubbele tou breek nie maklik nie’ (Prediker 4:12 NLV). As jy ondersteuning van ‘n groep of ‘n bemiddelaar nodig het om in te gryp, neem aksie – nou.
3) Beëindig die verhouding indien nodig. Dis nie jou werk om die ander persoon te verander nie. Dis ook nie jou mislukking as hulle nie verander wanneer hulle met God se liefde en die waarheid gekonfronteer word nie. Hier is ‘n belofte waarop jy kan staan: “…’Ek sal jou nie los nie. Ek sal jou nie in die steek laat nie.’ Daarom kan ons moed skep en antwoord: ‘Die Here is my hulp. Daarom sal ek nie bang wees nie. Wat kan nietige mensies my aandoen?'” (Hebreërs 13:5-6 NLV).
Sielskos: 1 Kon 17:1-7; 1 Kon 18:41-46; Mark 4:35-41
2022-11-26
1 Samuel 17:47 NLV
Om reuse soos verslawing, wrokkigheid, vrees, wellus, afguns, trots en woede te oorwin, moet jy hierdie drie Skrifgedeeltes verstaan:
1) ‘Onthou, die versoekings wat oor julle pad kom, is nie uniek nie; ander ondervind dit ook’ (1 Korintiërs 10:13 NLV). Goliat is as baba gebore, maar hy het ‘n reus geword. Ons reuse is dikwels klein sondes wat ons miskyk en toelaat, totdat hulle ‘n lewe van hul eie aanneem en terugkom om by ons te kom spook. Soos jy egter begin om nee vir klein impulse te sê, sal jy die krag kry om dit vir groter impulse te sê.
2) ‘Die Filistyn het al nader gekom, maar Dawid het hom vinnig tegemoetgegaan’ (1 Samuel 17:48 NLV). Dawid het Goliat reg van voor in die gesig gestaar. Jy moet jou reus in die lig dwing en hom nie in jou lewe teruglaat nie. Stel grense! Indien nodig, maak jouself teenoor iemand wat jou kan versterk en aanmoedig, aanspreeklik. Bly uit die verkeerde geselskap uit. Bowenal, moenie God in die lig van jou probleem beskou nie, sien jou probleem in die lig van God.
3) ‘…Die oorlog is die Here s’n, en Hy sal julle in ons mag oorgee!’ Jy is nie alleen in die geveg nie. God wil jou help om ou gewoontes te oorkom en nuwe gedrag te vestig. Wanneer jy jou bekeer, wat beteken om ‘n ommeswaai te maak en jouself voor te neem om saam met God te wandel, sal Hy jou die krag gee om die reus wat jy in die gesig staar, te oorwin. God het nog nooit ‘n stryd verloor nie en wanneer jy Hom nooi om by jou aan te sluit, sal jy wen.
Sielskos: 2 Kron 13-17; Joh 11:38-44; Ps 95; Spr 27:17-19
1 Samuel 17:47 NLT
To defeat giants like addiction, resentment, fear, lust, pride, envy, or anger, you must understand these three Scriptures: (1) “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT). Goliath was born a baby, but he grew into a giant. Our giants are often little sins we overlooked and indulged until they assumed a life of their own and came back to haunt us. So as you begin to say no to small impulses, you will gain the strength to say it to bigger ones.
(2) “As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran… to meet him” (1 Samuel 17:48 NLT). David faced Goliath head-on. You must force your giant out into the light, and not let him back into your life. Establish boundaries! And if necessary, make yourself accountable to someone who can strengthen and encourage you. Stay out of the wrong company. And above all, don’t view God in the light of your problem, view your problem in the light of God.
(3) “This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!” You’re not in this fight alone. God wants to help you to overcome old habits and establish new behaviours. His will for you is “to live in a way that is worthy of the people God has chosen to be his own” (Ephesians 4:1 CEV). When you repent, which means to do an about-face, turn, and resolve to walk with God, He will give you the strength to conquer the giant you’re facing. God has never lost a battle yet, and when you invite Him to join you, you will win.
Soul food: 2 Chron 13-17; John 11:38-44; Ps 95; Prov 27:17-19
2022-11-25
Revelation 2:4 NIV
Jesus told the church at Ephesus three things: (1) Remember. “Remember… from what heights you have fallen” (v. 5 AMPC). Instead of focusing on the depth to which you have fallen, think about the height you once knew. Not the worst of times, but the best. Recall when spending time in prayer and the Scriptures was the highlight of your day. What were you doing then that you’re not doing now?
(2) Repent. This word means to change your mind, your direction, and your actions. You can’t solve a problem with the same thinking and behaviours that caused it; new thinking and actions are required. When the Prodigal Son reached the pigpen, he realised he had hit the bottom. That’s when he said, “I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you'” (Luke 15:18 NKJV). And his father forgave and restored him. How does his story end? He exchanged his rags for the robe of sonship and took his rightful place at the family table. And that can happen for you too.
(3) Repeat. “Do the things you did at first” (Revelation 2:5 NIV). Make a list of the things you did when your relationship with the Lord was great, then prayerfully commit yourself to doing them again each day. And don’t wait until you feel like it. Do it until you feel it, until the joy of your first love re-ignites. Do you doubt that God will be gracious to you? Read this: “You are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful… rich in unfailing love. You did not abandon them” (Nehemiah 9:17 NLT).
Soul food: 2 Chron 9-12; John 11:28-37; Ps 102:18-28; Prov 27:13-16
