2023-12-08
Luke 18:14 NLT
Jesus said: “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people – cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (vv. 10-14 NLT).
You can appear to be the most devout person in church yet have a heart filled with pride. And the worst part is that you don’t know it. For example, when you take all the credit for things God enabled you to accomplish and acquire, that’s pride. When you compare yourself with others, that’s pride. When you think you can do the will of God without the power of God, that’s pride. When you exclude people who don’t fit into your peer group or social circle, that’s pride. And it will cost you, because “God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble” (James 4:6 NIV). So if you want to walk in His favour today, then humble yourself before Him.
Soul food: Josh 11-13; John 14:26-15:4; Ps 147:12-20; Prov 29:6-10
2023-12-07
James 5:14 NIV
The Bible says, “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up” (vv.14-15 NIV). So, let’s be in no doubt; when we’re sick, we are told to call for the church elders to anoint us with oil and pray over us, believing that we will be healed.
In times of sickness, we’re also told to pray for one another. Jesus said, “These signs will follow those who believe: In My name… they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:17-18 NKJV).
If you are sick today, pray: “Lord, even though the doctor’s report is negative, you have the last word concerning my life. Your word says, ‘You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book’ (Psalm 139:16 NLT). Forgive me for any door I may have opened to this illness by failing to be a good steward of my health. Raise me up as testimony to your healing power. You are the changeless miracle-working God yesterday, today, and forever (See Hebrews 13:8). I take authority over every defective part of my body and command each one to be made whole in the name of Jesus. I decree that I will not die before my appointed time but will live to report what you have done (See Psalm 118:17). By faith I stand on your word and declare, ‘By your stripes I am healed'” (See Isaiah 53:5).
Soul food: Josh 8:30-10:43; John 14:15-25; Ps 147:1-11; Prov 29:1-5
2023-12-06
Ephesians 1:4 NKJV
When it comes to God’s will for your life, He decides it and you discover it. It’s not something you can change, a topic for debate, or a plan you get to have a say in. The truth is, you can miss God’s will and be miserable, or do things His way and experience “glorious, inexpressible joy” (1 Peter 1:8 NLT). The choice is yours.
“But I don’t know God’s will for my life,” you say. Then pray this prayer: “Father, I’m tired of going through life with no real purpose because it brings no glory to you. You created every living thing, including me, that they may bring you pleasure (See Revelation 4:11). I know that you have a specific job for me to do. Your Word says you formed me in the womb to be your servant (See Isaiah 49:5 NIV). I’m getting lots of input from other people, but I need to know the path you have chosen for me. Help me to stop ignoring and minimizing the gifts and talents you have invested in me; acting like they’re of no significance. I know we are all called to serve, and I need your help to discern who, where, when, and how I should serve. I want to do what you have destined me to do and not be sidetracked by wrong priorities, busywork, or other people’s desires and demands. At the end of my life, I want to be able to look back and say like Jesus, ‘I brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you told me to’ (See John 17:4 NIV). In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.”
Soul food: Josh 5:1-8:29; John 14:1-14; Ps 2; Prov 28:25-28
Efesiërs 1:4 NLV
Wanneer dit by God se wil vir jou lewe kom, besluit Hy dit en jy ontdek dit. Dis nie iets wat jy kan verander, ‘n onderwerp waaroor jy kan debatteer of ‘n plan waarin jy ‘n sê het nie. Jy kan God se wil misloop en ellendig voel, of jy kan dinge op sy manier doen en ‘…wonderlike blydskap…’ (1 Petrus 1:8 NLV), ervaar. Die keuse is joune.
‘Maar ek weet nie wat God se wil vir my lewe is nie,’ sê jy. Bid dan die volgende gebed: ‘Here ek is moeg om sonder enige ware doel deur die lewe te gaan. U het elke lewende ding, insluitend vir my, geskape sodat hulle U kan eer (sien Openbaring 4:11). Ek weet dat U ‘n spesifieke werk vir my het. U Woord sê dat U my in die moederskoot gevorm het om u dienaar te wees (sien Jesaja 49:5 NLV). Ek kry baie insette by ander mense, maar ek moet die pad weet wat U vir my gekies het. Help my om op te hou om die gawes en talente wat U in my belê het te ignoreer en af te maak, deur op te tree asof dit nie van belang is nie. Ek weet dat ons almal geroepe is om te dien en ek het u hulp nodig om te onderskei wie, waar, wanneer en hoe ek moet dien. Ek wil dit waarvoor U my bestem het doen en nie deur verkeerde prioriteite, werk of ander mense se begeertes en eise afgelei word nie. Ek wil aan die einde van my lewe kan terugkyk en soos Jesus kan sê: ‘Ek het U op aarde verheerlik deur die werk te voltooi wat U my gegee het om te doen’ (sien Johannes 17:4 NLV). In die naam van Jesus bid ek dit. Amen.’
Sielskos: Jos 5:1-8:29; Joh 14:1-14; Ps 2; Spr 28:25-28
2023-12-05
Genesis 27:27 NIV
Every child longs for their father’s blessing, and every father is called to bless their children. When Isaac blessed his sons, he was acting on God’s behalf, using his divinely delegated power to impart blessing. A father’s blessing was a cherished institution, but its effectiveness rested on the fact that Isaac blessed his sons as an act of faith and not out of mere sentiment or favouritism. By Hebrew custom, a father’s blessing comprised two elements.
(1) A meaningful touch. “Jacob went close to his father Isaac, who touched him… Then his father Isaac said to him, ‘Come here, my son, and kiss me'” (Genesis 27:22, 26 NIV). A patriarch’s blessing included the laying on of hands, a kiss, and embrace of acceptance and love. Jesus knew exactly what children needed, that’s why “he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them” (Mark 10:16 KJV). And such expressions of love still bless our children who crave them from us.
(2) A spoken word of affection. Before blessing Jacob, his father said to him, “Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed” (Genesis 27:27 NIV). To a city dweller these words may not mean much, but not to Isaac’s boys. This old outdoors patriarch who loved nature was in essence saying, “That’s my boy – a hunter, a man’s man, just like his dad!” He couldn’t have spoken more affirming words to his son. Dad, let your words not be critical, demeaning, or insensitive, but words that say, “I couldn’t be prouder than to call you my child!”
Soul food: Josh 1-4; John 13:31-38; Ps 130; Prov 28:21-24
2023-12-04
1 Corinthians 9:22 MSG
To establish common ground, you must be adaptable. Thomas Aquinas said, “To convert somebody, go and take them by the hand and guide them.” You must be willing to move from where you are to where they are; to adapt and try to see things from their point of view.
Anytime you’re aware of distance between you and the person you’re trying to reach, it’s good to search for something in your own background and experience that relates to theirs. Don’t start the process by telling them about yourself. Begin by moving to where they are and trying to see things from their perspective. Adapt to them – don’t think they should adapt to you. Instead of telling people how you feel, find out how they feel. Instead of telling them what you see, discover how they see things. Instead of trying to tell them what you want, discover what they want.
Abraham Lincoln said, “When I am getting ready to reason with a man, I spend one-third of my time thinking about myself and what I am going to say and two-thirds about him and what he is going to say.” The truth is, you can’t take someone on a journey unless you’re willing to start where they are. Only then can you truly connect and lead them to where you want to take them.
You can know a lot about a person and still not understand them. More information isn’t always the answer. The Bible says, “Deep calls to deep” (Psalm 42:7 NIV), and to really understand people, you must move beyond head knowledge and learn to speak the language of the heart.
Soul food: 3 John; Jude; John 13:18-30; Ps 65; Prov 28:17-20
