2017-09-28
James 1:22 NIV
When Nehemiah first saw the ruins of Jerusalem, he wept. Then he rolled up his sleeves and went to work. In the face of overwhelming odds and relentless opposition, he rebuilt the walls in just fifty-two days. How? Because it was his vision and his passion! Question: Are you afraid to say, “Lord, I’ll do anything You want me to do,” in case He sends you somewhere you don’t want to go, or asks you to do something you don’t feel ready or qualified to do? You’ve got it wrong! The Bible says God’s will is “good, and acceptable, and perfect” (Romans 12:2 KJV). Now, while God’s will is “good,” it’s not necessarily easy. But He will give you a passion for it. When Jeremiah tried to stop speaking about the Lord, he said God’s Word became “like a fire shut up in my bones” (Jeremiah 20:9 NAS). A God-given vision sets your heart on fire. You begin to see things you never saw before and get excited about them. You may have failed in the past, but God can take your chapters of failure and write a story of success. But it won’t happen if you’re just sitting on the side-lines. The Bible says, “Do not merely listen to the word…Do what it says.” You’ll get a passion for God’s will once you start doing it! And when it happens, you will say, “This is what I was made for.” When you have a compelling reason for doing something, and you know God is watching and smiling on you, it makes all the difference in the world. So the word for you today is: Be passionate, proactive, and persistent!
Soul food: 1 Cor 10-11; Mark 15:12-20; Ps 68:19-35; Prov 25:17-20
2017-09-27
Jesaja 26:3 NLV
Hier is ‘n gebed vir vrede: ‘Here, u Woord sê, ‘U bewaar elkeen wat op U vertrou in vrede, die mense wie se gedagtes op U gerig is.’ U Woord sê, ‘Die Here gee krag aan sy volk. Die Here seën sy volk met vrede’ (Psalm 29:11 NLV). U Woord sê, ‘Ek laat vir julle vrede na; my vrede deel Ek met julle… Julle moet regtig nie ontsteld of beangs word nie’ (Johannes 14:27 NLV). U Woord sê, ‘…Omdat julle aan Christus behoort, sal die vrede van God julle harte en gedagtes soos ‘n veiligheidswag oppas’ (Filippense 4:7 NLV). Ek het vandag hierdie vrede wat rede te bowe gaan nodig om my senuwees en gedagtes te kalmeer. In plaas van om aan my vrese en bekommernisse te dink, help my om op u goedheid, u getrouheid, u helende krag, u oorvloedige bronne en u vergewende hart te fokus. Kom bly binne my en vul my met u vrede. Wys my wat dit is wat my vrede steel. Ek wil regtig weet, Vader, sodat ek spesifiek kan wees in dit wat ek bely, dit waaraan ek my moet toewy, en dit wat ek moet verander. Ek maak myself nou oop vir U. Leer my die geheim van oneindige vrede. Ek dank U reeds vir dit wat my sal help om die vrede wat U so mildelik aangebied het, te ontvang. U Woord sê, ‘Verder, laat die vrede wat Christus bewerk het, in julle lewe skeidsregter wees…’ (Kolossense 3:15 NLV). Vandag wil ek deur u vrede, in plaas van my vrese en bekommernisse, regeer word. Ek gee al my sorge dus aan U oor en vertrou dat U dit vir die goeie sal laat uitwerk tot u glorie. In Jesus se naam bid ek dit: Amen.’
Sielskos: 1 Kor 7-9; Mark 15:1-11; Ps 68:1-18; Spr 25:13-16
Isaiah 26:3 KJV
Here is a prayer for peace: “Lord, Your Word says, ‘Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.’ Your Word says, ‘The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace’ (Ps 29:11 NIV). Your Word says, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you…Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid’ (John 14:27 NIV). Your Word says, ‘The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 4:7 NIV). Today I need this peace which transcends understanding to settle my nerves and calm my mind. Instead of thinking about my fears and worries, help me to focus on Your goodness, Your faithfulness, Your healing power, Your overflowing resources, and Your forgiving heart. Take up residence within me and fill me with Your peace. Show me what’s robbing me of it. I really want to know, Father, so I can be specific in what I need to confess, what I need to commit to, and what I need to change. I open myself to You now. Teach me the secret of lasting peace. I thank You now for whatever it will take to help me receive the peace You have so generously offered to me. Your Word says, ‘Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts’ (Colossians 3:15 NIV). Today I want to be ruled by Your peace instead of my fears and worries. So I give all my concerns to You, trusting You to work them out for my good and Your glory. In Jesus’ Name I pray: Amen.”
Soul food: 1 Cor 7-9; Mark 15:1-11; Ps 68:1-18; Prov 25:13-16
2017-09-26
Philippians 4:11 NIV
Discontentment is a trap that can ensnare you and rob you of joy and fulfilment. That’s why the Bible says you must learn to be content “whatever the circumstances.” The notion that a bigger car or a bigger house or a bigger salary will bring you contentment is a myth. There will always be something “bigger and better” out there. There will always be people who have more than you, so you’ll never be able to get off the treadmill. That’s not to imply you should be satisfied with being enslaved to debt or destructive habits, or settle for complacency and mediocrity and not fulfil the call of God on your life. Not at all! You must keep working to improve yourself, while remaining totally dependent on God to bless you, promote you, and meet your needs. Contentment means not coveting another person’s position, possessions, or personality. Your security and self-worth should be based on who you are in Christ, not what you have in material assets. What a great way to live! Paul lived like that. He said, “I’ve learned…to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am” (vv. 11-13 TM). Each day you have a choice to make regarding your attitude. So the word for you today is: Learn to be content.
Soul food: 1 Cor 4-6; Mark 14:66-72; Ps 91; Prov 25:9-12
Filippense 4:11 NLV
Ontevredenheid is ‘n slagyster wat jou kan vasvang en jou van vreugde en vervulling kan beroof. Dit is hoekom die Bybel sê dat jy onder ‘alle omstandighede’ tevrede moet wees. Die idee dat ‘n groter kar of ‘n groter huis of ‘n groter salaris tevredenheid sal meebring, is ‘n mite. Daar is altyd iets groters en beters daar buite. Daar sal altyd mense wees wat meer as jy het, dus sal jy nooit van die trapmeul kan afklim nie. Dit beteken nie dat jy tevrede moet wees om in skuld of destruktiewe gewoontes vasgevang te wees nie, of om vir middelmatig te skik en nie God se roeping op jou lewe te vervul nie. Glad nie! Jy moet aanhou werk om jouself te verbeter, terwyl jy steeds ten volle afhanklik van God is om jou te seën, te bevorder en aan jou behoeftes te voldoen. Tevredenheid beteken dat jy nie iemand anders se posisie, besittings of persoonlikheid begeer nie. Jou sekuriteit en selfwaarde moet op wie jy in Christus is gebaseer wees, nie op jou materiële bates nie. Wat ‘n wonderlike manier om te lewe! Paulus het so gelewe. Hy het gesê, ‘…Ek het regtig geleer om onder alle omstandighede reg te kom. Ek weet wat dit is om boomskraap te lewe, en ek weet wat dit is om oorvloed te hê. Ek het lewenservaring opgedoen vir alle omstandighede, vir wanneer ek genoeg het om te eet én wanneer ek honger is, vir oorvloed én tekort. Ek kan onder alle omstandighede regkom deur Hom wat my krag gee’ (verse 11-13 NLV). Jy moet elke dag ‘n keuse oor jou houding maak. Die woord vir jou vandag is dus: Leer om tevrede te wees.
Sielskos: 1 Kor 4-6; Mark 14:66-72; Ps 91; Spr 25:9-12
