2022-04-21
John 11:26 MSG
At the graveside of His friend Lazarus, Jesus told his grieving sisters Mary and Martha two important things. First, He told them, ‘Your brother will rise and live again’ (John 11:23 NCV). And second, He said, ‘Everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all. Do you believe this?’ (v.26 MSG). Having an exemplary character, giving generously to charity, going to church, and so on, are all great things to do (and the right things to do), but it’s putting our trust in Christ that gives us the absolute assurance of resurrection and eternal life. Jesus conquered death and the grave for each one of us.
There might be people reading these words who have recently lost loved ones and are fighting tears of sorrow right now. Jesus understands our grief like no one else can. He’s touched by the feelings of our weaknesses and struggles (see Hebrews 4:15). There might be people reading who are frightened of all the unknowns of death. If that’s how you’re feeling, try putting your trust in Jesus and in these words: ‘There are many rooms in my Father’s house; I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you may be where I am’ (John 14:2-3 NCV).
When we trust God, there’s no reason to fear what lies beyond death, because He’s already there, waiting to welcome us. Inexplicable, unending joy will be ours forever, thanks to Jesus, so we can exclaim with Paul, ‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ (1 Corinthians 15:55 NLT).
1 Cor 10-11; Luke 24:45-49; Ps 130; Pro 10:12
Matteus 6:18 NLV
Het jy al ooit ‘n konsert bygewoon waar hulle die nuutste oudiovisuele toerusting gebruik het? Die kans is goed dat jy jou aan die multidimensionele beelde en klanke vergaap het en na die tyd van die wonderlike vaardighede van die kunstenaars gepraat het. As die vertoning sonder enige foute afgeloop het, het jy heel waarskynlik nie aan die klank- en beligting tegnici gedink nie. Ons merk hulle gewoonlik slegs op wanneer die toerusting foutief is. Hulle is die onsigbare element; die mense wat hulle werk doen om die kunstenaar goed te laat lyk en klink. Die kunstenaars in die kollig ontvang die lof daarvoor. Dis hoe dit in die aardse koninkryk werk.
Die koninkryk van God werk egter op die beginsel dat ‘…baie wat nou so vernaam lyk, heeltemaal onbelangrik [sal] wees. En dié wat nou nie gereken word nie, sal eendag die belangrikste wees’ (Matteus 20:16 NLV). Jesus het gesê dat wanneer jy vas, bid en gee sonder om iets daarvoor te verwag, sal ‘…jou Vader wat alle geheime ken… jou beloon.’
Op ‘n groot skip is slegs die kaptein en ‘n handjievol offisiere op die brug sigbaar. Dis egter die bemanning onder die dek wat die skip se vordering oor die grootste deel van die skeepsreis, bepaal. In God se kerk, is dit die ‘bemanning in die enjinkamer’ wat getrou baie van die werk doen: die skoonmaakspan, kleuterskoolonderwysers, busbestuurders, karwagte, mense wat bejaardes in die ouetehuis besoek, mense wat na gevangenes uitreik en gebedsvegters.
Terwyl hoëprofiel mense gewoonlik die meeste lof kry, gee God spesiale erkenning en belonings aan die bemanning wat ongesiens hul werk doen! As jy een van hulle is, sal jy gou sy publieke aankondiging hoor: ‘…Goed gedoen, goeie slaaf; omdat jy in die geringste getrou was…’ (Lukas 19:17 NLV). Wanneer dit gebeur, sal niks anders meer saak maak nie!
Sielskos: 1 Kor 10-11; Luk 24:45-49; Ps 130; Spr 10:12
Matthew 6:18 NKJV
Have you ever been to a concert where they used the latest audio-video equipment? Chances are, you were blown away by the multidimensional sights and sounds, and afterward, left talking about the amazing skills of the performers. If the performance went without a hitch, you probably didn’t think about the sound and lighting techs. Usually we only notice them when the equipment fails. They’re the invisible element; the people who do their job by making the star look and sound great. The real accolades go to those in the spotlight. That’s the order of things in the kingdom of man.
But the kingdom of God operates on the principle that “the last shall be first, and the first last” (Matthew 20:16 KJV). Jesus said when you fast, pray, and give without looking for recognition, “your Father who sees [your actions] in secret will reward you openly.”
On a big ship, only the captain and a handful of officers are visible on the bridge. But the crew below deck determine the ship’s progress for most of the voyage. And in God’s church, it’s the “engine-room crew” who faithfully carry out much of the work: janitorial staff, nursery workers, bus drivers, parking lot attendants, nursing home visitors, prison outreach workers, and prayer warriors.
While high-profile people tend to get most of the kudos, God reserves special recognition and rewards for the below-deck crew! And if you’re one of them, soon enough you will hear His public announcement, “Good servant… you have been faithful in a small matter” (Luke 19:17 CEB). And when that happens, everything else will pale by comparison!
Soul food: 1 Cor 10-11; Luke 24:45-49; Ps 130; Pro 10:12
2022-04-20
Spreuke 24:16 NLV
As jy al ooit ‘n kind dopgehou het wat leer loop, sal jy weet dat om te val ‘n belangrike deel van die proses is. Om weer op te staan is noodsaaklik om die kind se balans en spiere te ontwikkel. Soortgelyk word ‘n bokser nie gediskwalifiseer wanneer hy platgeslaan word nie; hy word gediskwalifiseer wanneer hy val en nie weer opstaan nie. Boksers weet dat hulle dikwels sal val, dus fokus hulle op die kuns om veilig te val en vinnig weer op te staan. Kinders en boksers leer dat dit daaroor gaan om weer op te staan.
Die Bybel sê vir ons dat om te val algemeen onder die regverdiges en die goddeloses is. Dis die opstaan wat hulle van mekaar onderskei. ‘Selfs al val ‘n regverdige mens sewe keer, hy sal elke keer weer opstaan. Die goddelose mens sal bly lê na net een ramp’ (vers 16 NLV). Die goddelose bly lê – die regverdige staan weer op!
Sommige van God se grootste dienaars in die Skrif het in persoonlike mislukking geval. Abram het vir die farao oor sy vrou, Sarai, gejok (sien Genesis 12:11-17). Jakob het sy pa om die bos gelei en sy broer se geboortereg gesteel (sien Genesis 27:17-29). Moses was God ongehoorsaam deur uit woede die rots te slaan (sien Numeri 20:7-12). In plaas daarvan dat hulle egter gediskwalifiseer is, is daar ‘…oor hulle almal op grond van hulle geloof met soveel lof getuig…’ (Hebreërs 11:39 NLV).
Hoekom? Omdat hulle hulle sondes bely en God se vergifnis ontvang het. Hulle het met ander woorde geval, maar weer opgestaan. Wanneer jy val, kan jy ook weer opstaan. Dit is die ‘geloof’ gedeelte van jou reis. Wanneer jy bly lê aanvaar jy mislukking – maar wanneer jy weer opstaan word jou geloof geaktiveer!
Sielskos: 1 Kor 7-9; Luk 24:36-44; Ps 127; Spr 10:11
Proverbs 24:16 NIV
If you have ever seen a child learning to walk, you know that falling down is an important part of the process. Getting back up again is crucial to developing the child’s balance and muscle development. Likewise, a boxer isn’t disqualified because he gets knocked down; he’s disqualified because he doesn’t get back up. Boxers know they will go down, so they focus on the art of falling safely and getting up quickly. Children and boxers both learn this: It’s all about getting up again.
The Bible tells us that falling is common to both the righteous and unrighteous. It’s getting up again that sets them apart: “If good people fall… they will get back up. But when trouble strikes the wicked, that’s the end of them” (v. 16 CEV). The unrighteous stay down – the righteous get up again!
In Scripture, some of God’s greatest servants fell into personal failure. Abram lied to Pharaoh about his wife, Sarai (See Genesis 12:11-17). Jacob deceived his father and stole his brother’s birthright (See Ge 27:17-29). In anger, Moses disobeyed God by striking the rock (See Numbers 20:7-12). Yet instead of being disqualified, they “were all commended for their faith” (Hebrews 11:39 NIV).
How come? Because they acknowledged their sin and received God’s forgiveness. In other words, they fell, but they got up again. And when you fall, you can get up again too. That’s the “faith” part of your journey. Staying down is failure accepted – getting back up is faith activated!
Soul food: 1 Cor 7-9; Luke 24:36-44; Ps 127; Pro 10:11
