2019-08-16
Psalm 28:7 NKJV
Second, you must identify the real problem. Sometimes a doctor can cure you, other times he or she prescribes medication that enables you to live more comfortably with your problem. But first they have to diagnose it. Philosopher Abraham Kaplan makes this distinction between problems and predicaments: “A problem is something you can do something about. If you can’t do something about it, then it’s not a problem, it’s a predicament. That means it’s something that must be coped with; something that must be endured. When you treat a predicament as a problem you can become frustrated, angry, and depressed. You waste energy and make bad decisions. Then when all your attempts fail, you give up and see yourself as a victim.” Here’s an example: If you’re married, perhaps you are a “morning person” and your spouse is a “night person,” or vice versa. That’s a predicament. You can’t change it. You can’t change the way people are wired internally. And if you try, you and your spouse will experience lots of conflict and there’ll be no resolution. However, your difficulty in finding ways to spend time together because of your different bents is a problem, and that can be solved. And here’s another thought: Sometimes God will deliver you from a bad situation and other times He will use it to develop your character and make you more like Christ. Yes, He can turn your sigh into a song! David said, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.”
Soul food: Judg 19:16-21:25; Matt 18:10-20; Ps 119:97-104; Prov 18:6-8
Psalm 28:7 NLV
Tweedens, moet jy die regte probleem identifiseer. Soms kan ‘n dokter jou genees, ander tye kan hy of sy medikasie voorskryf wat jou in staat stel om met jou probleem in meer gemak saam te lewe. Eerstens moet hulle dit egter diagnoseer. Die filosoof Abraham Kaplan tref hierdie onderskeid tussen probleme en penaries: “‘n Probleem is iets waaraan jy iets kan doen. As jy niks daaraan kan doen nie, is dit nie ‘n probleem nie, dis ‘n penarie. Dit beteken dat dit iets is wat jy moet hanteer, iets is wat jy moet verduur. Wanneer jy ‘n penarie as ‘n probleem hanteer, kan jy gefrustreerd, kwaad en depressief word. Jy mors jou energie en maak slegte besluite. Dis dan wanneer al jou pogings misluk, jy tou opgooi en jouself as ‘n slagoffer sien.” Hier is ‘n voorbeeld: Wanneer jy getroud is, is jy dalk ‘n ‘oggendpersoon’ en jou eggenoot is ‘n ‘nagpersoon,’ of andersom. Dis ‘n penarie. Jy kan dit nie verander nie. Jy kan nie die manier waarop mense aanmekaar gesit is verander nie. As jy probeer, sal jy en jou eggenoot baie konflik ervaar en sal daar geen oplossing gevind word nie. Jou gesukkel om maniere te kry om as gevolg van julle verskillende roetines tyd saam te spandeer, is egter ‘n probleem en dit kan opgelos word. Hier is nog ‘n gedagte: Soms sal God jou uit ‘n slegte situasie red en soms sal Hy dit gebruik om jou karakter te ontwikkel en jou meer soos Christus te maak. Dawid het gesê: ‘Die Here is my krag, my beskermer wat ek met my hele hart vertrou. Hy help my en my hart is vol vreugde. Daarom dank ek Hom met my lied.’
Sielskos: Rig 19:16-21:25; Matt 18:10-20; Ps 119:97-104; Spr 18:6-8
2019-08-15
Numbers 21:4 NKJV
To reach the Promised Land the Israelites had to “go around the land of Edom” (v. 4 NKJV). This made their journey much longer, and “the people became very discouraged on the way.” There’s a lesson here. The best way to escape a problem is to solve it. Between you and your “promised land” you’ll face issues that have to be resolved. Recognizing obstacles for what they are – temporary tests of your resolve, ability, and faith in God – won’t do you much good if you don’t know how to handle them. So let’s discuss problem solving. First, recognize that you’ll always have problems. A college student sent this email to his mom at the end of his semester: “Flunked out of school, coming home tomorrow. Prepare Dad.” The email he got back said, “Dad prepared. Prepare yourself!” Al Davis, who owned the Oakland Raiders football team, said: “A great leader doesn’t treat problems as special. He treats them as normal. If you’re working, expect problems. If you’re dealing with family, expect problems. If you’re just minding your own business and trying to relax, expect problems. If everything goes according to plan, then be pleasantly surprised. If it doesn’t, and you’ve planned accordingly, you won’t get so frustrated. A problem not anticipated is a problem. A problem anticipated is an opportunity.” Paul said, “To Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…be glory…forever” (Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV). The problem you’re facing today is just an opportunity for God to do for you or through you what you can’t do by yourself.
Soul food: Judg 16:1-19:15; Matt 18:1-9; Ps 119:89-96; Prov 18:1-5
2019-08-14
Colossians 3:13 MSG
When divorce shatters your family, how can you help your children? First, stop talking about who doesn’t accept them, and surround them with people who do. As a parent your love can go a long way toward compensating for another’s neglect. Explain that sometimes people grow together, other times they grow apart. Remind them that “Ken” and “Barbie” are just dolls, and prepare them to live in the real world. Encourage them to be strong, not self-pitying. As they get older teach them that if they meet someone they have to “change” in order to “love,” they haven’t met the right one. When love is right it can live with strengths and weaknesses under the same roof, because “love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8 NIV). Real love covers a mistake like an insurance policy covers a driver in an accident. Don’t use your child as a weapon to get back at one another. Be sure they understand that you are the one who got divorced, not them. Explain that someone can be unsuited as a companion but still be a good parent. When you take away the blame, you take away the shame and everybody can move forward. Bitterness is a thief, but you don’t have to let it steal your peace, your creativity, your song, or your hope for a better future. Remember, that was then – this is now. There must be a “now” for you and your children, so let it begin today. God’s promise is: “I am about to do something new” (Isaiah 43:19 NLT). So you can start over and rebuild.
Soul food: Judg 12-15; Matt 17:14-27; Ps 119:81-88; Prov 17:27-28
2019-08-13
Colossians 3:9 NLT
Try to answer the following questions honestly. Would you lie in order to get yourself out of a jam? Impress someone? Avoid dealing with the consequences of your actions? Well, how’d you do? In a major survey people were asked, “What would you be willing to do for $10 million?” (Are you sitting down?) Twenty-five percent said they’d be willing to abandon their families. Twenty-three percent said they’d be willing to become a prostitute for a week. And 7 percent said they’d be willing to murder a stranger. Are you shocked? Maybe you’re thinking that you’d never do that. Well, don’t be so quick – the survey showed that Christians were “almost as likely as non-Christians” to falsify their tax returns, call in sick when they weren’t, cheat on their mates, and tear down someone else’s character to make themselves look better. Think about it – have you done any of those things lately? If you have, read these words carefully and prayerfully: “Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him” (vv. 9-10 NLT). Pay particular attention to the words “put on your new nature.” Honesty is a garment you have to put on every day. So start modeling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God. Think the truth. Face the truth. Love the truth. Pursue the truth. Walk in the truth. From today on make up your mind that you’ll always be honest.
Soul food: Judg 9:34-11:40; Matt 17:1-13; Ps 119:73-80; Prov 20:25; Ecc 5:4-6
2019-08-12
Mark 6:31 NIV
Why did Jesus take time out to rest? So that when He worked, He’d be at His best. And today He wants you to know that if you don’t take a break, you won’t get one. He wants you to survive the long haul, not just the short sprint. And the first obstacle you need to overcome is guilt. That’s what makes us workaholics. We feel guilty and tell ourselves, “There’s just so much to do.” Jesus handled life differently: “Because so many people were coming and going that [He and his disciples] did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me…to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves…to a solitary place” (vv. 31-32 NIV). No time to eat, too many people coming and going, no time to take care of yourself – does that describe your life right now? Some people say, “It’s better to burn out than rust out.” That’s poor advice, plus it’s not scriptural. You don’t burn out when you’re in the will of God! Jesus said, “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). And the reason He could say that was because people didn’t set His agenda, His heavenly Father did. The psalmist said, “He maketh me to lie down” (Psalm 23:2). Wouldn’t you rather go to the park by choice than to the hospital by force? The fact is God won’t send you there, but your own lack of wisdom can. Today Jesus is saying to you, “Get some rest,” and if you’re wise you will do it!
Soul food: Judg 7:1-9:33; Matt 16:13-28; Ps 119:65-72; Prov 17:23-26
