2017-12-24
Romans 8:39 CEV
That first Christmas, God did something extraordinary. Max Lucado puts it this way: “Stepping from the throne, He removed His robe of light and wrapped Himself in skin: pigmented human skin. The light of the universe entered a dark, wet womb. He whom angels worshiped nestled Himself in the placenta of a peasant, was birthed into the cold night, and then slept on a cow’s hay. Mary didn’t know whether to give Him milk or give him praise, so she gave Him both – since He was, as near as she could figure, hungry and holy. Joseph didn’t know whether to call Him junior or father. But in the end he called Him Jesus, since that’s what the angel said, and since he didn’t have the faintest idea what to name a God he could cradle in his arms.” Lucado continues: “Don’t you think their heads tilted and their minds wondered, ‘What in the world are You doing, God?’ Or better phrased, ‘God, what are You doing in the world?’ ‘Can anything make Me stop loving you?’ God asks. ‘You wonder how long My love will last? Find your answer on a splintered cross, on a craggy hill. That’s Me you see up there, your Maker, your God…That’s how much I love you.'” Paul asks, “Can anything separate us from the love of Christ?” (v. 35 CEV). Then he answers his own question: “Nothing can separate us from God’s love – not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love” (vv. 38-39 CEV). And that’s what Christmas is all about!
Soul food: Ps 103:8-18; John 3:16-18; Mat 18:21-35
2017-12-23
Romeine 15:1 NLV
As jy dink dat jy niks van waarde het om aan ander mense te bied nie, oorweeg hierdie woorde van ‘n onbekende digter: ‘One song can spark a moment; one flower can wake a dream. One tree can start a forest; one bird can herald spring. One smile begins a friendship; one handclasp lifts a soul. One star can guide a ship at sea; one word can frame the goal. One vote can change a nation; one sunbeam lights a room. One candle wipes out darkness; one laugh can conquer gloom. One step can start a journey; one word can start a prayer. One hope can raise our spirits; one touch can show you care. One voice can speak with wisdom; one heart can know what’s true. One life can make a difference; you see…it’s up to you.’ Die skrywer Jon Walker sê: “Bemoediging is deel van God se aard. Die Nuwe Testamentiese woord vir bemoediging is dieselfde woord wat Jesus vir die Heilige Gees gebruik wat in ons as ‘n voorspraak, konstante vertrooster, heilige helper, blywende leier en voorsiener van moed bly. Nog ‘n manier hoe God ons bemoedig is wanneer Hy ander gelowiges gebruik om ons aan te moedig. Hierdie gelowiges bied versekering en bevestiging aan diegene wat God se hand in hulle lewens sien werk (sien 1 Tessalonisense 2:3-4); vermaning en gerusstelling aan diegene wat deur beproewings en verdrukkings gaan (sien 1 Tessalonisense 5:14); en versoening en herstel aan diegene wat die pad byster raak (sien Galasiërs 6:1). Terwyl daar baie maniere is om die beste in iemand anders na vore te bring; is net een nodig: ‘…ons …behoort die twyfels en vrese van ons medegelowiges met ‘n sensitiewe geloof in aanmerking te neem…'” Dis hoe ons hulle in geloof versterk. Dis hoe ons mense opbou.
Sielskos: Job 21-23; Luk 1:67-80; Ps 117; Pred 10:10-14
Romans 15:1 NIV
If you think you’ve nothing of real value to offer others, consider the words of an unknown poet: “One song can spark a moment; one flower can wake a dream. One tree can start a forest; one bird can herald spring. One smile begins a friendship; one handclasp lifts a soul. One star can guide a ship at sea; one word can frame the goal. One vote can change a nation; one sunbeam lights a room. One candle wipes out darkness; one laugh can conquer gloom. One step can start a journey; one word can start a prayer. One hope can raise our spirits; one touch can show you care. One voice can speak with wisdom; one heart can know what’s true. One life can make a difference; you see…it’s up to you.” Author Jon Walker says: “Encouragement is part of God’s nature. The New Testament word for encouragement is the same word Jesus used for the Holy Spirit who comes alongside us as an advocate…constant comforter…resident reminder…holy helper…indwelling guide… supplier of courage. Another way God encourages us is when other believers come alongside us as agents of encouragement. Encouragers offer affirmation and confirmation to those who see God’s hand working in their lives (See 1 Thessalonians 2:3-4); exhortation and reassurance to those who walk through trials and tribulations (See 1 Thessalonians 5:14); and reconciliation and restoration to those who stray (See Galatians 6:1). While there are many ways to bring out the best in others, in reality it only takes one: a willingness to ‘bear with the failings of the weak and not…please ourselves.’ That’s how we strengthen them in the faith. It’s called ‘people-building.'”
Soul food: Job 21-23; Luk 1:67-80; Ps 117; Ecc 10:10-14
2017-12-22
Romeine 5:2 NLV
Twee mans wat ‘n hospitaalkamer gedeel het, het vriende geword. Die een man se bed was langs die enigste venster in die kamer. Die ander man moes heeltyd plat op sy rug lê. Elke dag het die man by die venster die aktiwiteite en kleur van die buitewêreld beskryf: die park langs die dam, die eende wat swem, kinders wat speel, paartjies wat hand aan hand loop, die horison in die verte. Sy vriend, wat niks hiervan kon sien nie, het geglimlag en dit in sy geestesoog gesien. Op ‘n dag het die man by die venster gesterf en is sy vriend na sy plek toe geskuif. Hy het homself versigtig opgelig om buitentoe te kyk en was verstom om ‘n vaal baksteenmuur te sien. Verward het hy die suster gevra hoekom sy vriend die buitewêreld so mooi en besig beskryf het. Sy het geantwoord, ‘Hy was inderwaarheid blind en kon nie eens die baksteenmuur sien nie. Hy wou jou net bemoedig.’ Paulus het gesê, ‘Ons moet aan die beswil van ons naastes dink en hulle so in hulle geloofslewe help opbou.’ Daar is groot bevrediging daarin om mense te bemoedig, veral as jou eie situasie minder as ideaal is. ‘n Skrywer sê, “‘n Verliefde meisie dink sy is die mooiste vrou in die wêreld omdat haar jongman dit vir haar sê. Wanneer ‘n onderwyser vir ‘n student sê dat hy slim is, werk hy harder en bereik hy meer. Wanneer ‘n ouer vir ‘n kind sê dat sy geliefd is, het sy die selfvertroue om vir die sterre te reik. Aan die ander kant, kan ‘n dokter wat vir ‘n pasient sê dat hy terminaal siek is, die sterfproses bespoedig.” Woorde is kragtig; gebruik joune om ander mense op te bou.
Sielskos: Job 18-20; Luk 1:57-66; Ps 113; Pred 10:5-9
Romans 15:2 NIV
Two men who shared a hospital room ended up becoming friends. One was allowed to sit up for an hour every day. His bed was beside the only window. The other man spent his life flat on his back. Each day the man at the window would describe the activity and colour of the outside world: the park overlooking the lake, ducks swimming, children playing, couples walking hand-in-hand, the skyline in the distance. His friend, who could see none of this, smiled and imagined it all in his mind’s eye. One day the man by the window died and his roommate moved into his place. He propped himself up to look outside and was amazed to see a drab cinder-block wall! Confused, he asked the nurse how come his friend had described the scenery in such glowing terms. She replied, “Actually, he was blind and he couldn’t even see the wall. He just wanted to encourage you.” Paul said, “Each of us should please his neighbour…to build him up.” There’s great satisfaction in encouraging people, especially when your own situation is less than ideal. One author writes: “When you tell someone they’re beautiful, you change how they see themselves. A girl in love thinks she’s the most beautiful girl in the world because her young man said so. When a teacher tells a student he’s smart, he works harder and achieves more. When a parent tells a child she’s loved, she has confidence to reach for the stars. On the other hand, a doctor who point-blank tells a patient that he’s ‘terminal’ can speed up the death process.” Words are powerful; use yours to build people up.
Soul food: Job 18-20; Luk 1:57-66; Ps 113; Ecc 10:5-9
