2018-03-04
Galatians 6:2 NLT
Make yourself accountable to someone. Alcoholics Anonymous has a “buddy system” in which you are encouraged to call someone whenever you feel the pressure building to return to an old, destructive pattern. And it’s scriptural: “Share each other’s troubles” (v. 2 TLB). You may not like this step, but if you are fighting a losing battle you need it. Find someone who will check up on you, pray with you, and encourage you in areas where you want more self-control. “Two people can resist an attack that would defeat one person alone” (Ecclesiastes 4:12 GNT). Every church needs “buddy” relationships in which people are accountable to each other; relationships in which people encourage one another in the Lord. Having someone hold you accountable is tough, but it works. What should you look for in a “buddy”? First, they should be the same gender as you. You don’t need to place another temptation in your path by sharing personal problems with someone of the opposite s3x. Second, you should look for someone you can depend on to follow through on this commitment – someone who is faithful. Third, look for someone who will keep your problem confidential. Don’t choose someone who is known to talk too much. Fourth, tell your buddy that he or she has permission to check up on you from time to time and ask, “How are you doing with your problem?” Knowing that someone will be asking about your problem is an additional incentive not to give in to temptation. That may be the extra push you need to get you moving on the road to victory and self-control.
Soul food: Exo 20:16; Prov 24:28; Matt 5:33-37; Acts 5:1-11
2018-03-03
Philippians 4:13 NKJV
Start believing you can change. Your beliefs control your behavior. The way you think determines the way you feel. And when your feelings become strong enough, they determine the way you act. The person who says, “I can’t do it,” and the person who says, “I can do it,” are both right. Much of the time you set yourself up to be defeated by what you’re saying. Your words reinforce either your right or wrong belief system. Three times in First Peter, God reminds us to be clear minded and self-controlled. Why? Because a clear mind is essential to self-control. God gave us the power to change our habits when He gave us the power to choose our thoughts. Does Romans twelve verse two tell us to be transformed by working hard or by sheer willpower? No. What are we transformed by? The renewing of the mind. When your self-control is being tested, you need to fill your mind with the promises of God. Here’s one: “When you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV). You must believe God when He says there’s “a way out” for you. Paul writes, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” That means you can change, and you can be different. Stop setting yourself up for failure by constantly criticizing yourself: “I’m no good. I simply have no control over my life.” Nagging doesn’t work – on yourself or on anyone else! Instead say, “Everything is possible for him who believes” (Mark 9:23 NIV). “And I believe.”
Soul food: 1 Kings 21-22; Matt 20:1-16; Ps 66:13-20; Prov 6:23-25
Filippense 4:13 NLV
Begin glo dat jy kan verander. Jou oortuigings beheer jou gedrag. Die manier waarop jy dink bepaal hoe jy voel. Wanneer jou gevoelens sterk genoeg word, kan dit die manier wat jy optree, bepaal. Die persoon wat sê, ‘Ek kan dit nie doen nie,’ en die persoon wat sê, ‘Ek kan dit doen,’ is altwee reg. Dikwels stel jy jouself oop vir mislukking deur dit wat jy sê. Jou woorde versterk óf jou regte óf jou verkeerde geloofsisteem. Drie keer in 1 Petrus, herinner God ons daaraan om helder van verstand te wees en selfbeheersing te hê. Hoekom? Omdat ‘n helder verstand noodsaaklik vir selfbeheersing is. God het ons die mag om ons gewoontes te verander gegee toe Hy vir ons die mag gegee het om ons gedagtes te kies. Sê Romeine twaalf vers twee vir ons om deur harde werk of pure wilskrag getransformeer te word? Nee. Waardeur word ons getransformeer? Deur ons denkpatrone te vernuwe. Wanneer jou selfbeheersing getoets word, moet jy jou gedagtes met God se beloftes vul. Hier is een: ‘…Hy sal keer dat die versoeking te sterk vir julle word. Midde-in die versoeking sal Hy vir ‘n uitweg sorg sodat julle kan volhou’ (1 Korintiërs 10:13 NLV). Jy moet God glo wanneer Hy sê dat daar vir jou ‘n uitweg is. Paulus skryf, ‘Ek kan onder alle omstandighede regkom deur Hom wat my krag gee.’ Dit beteken dat jy kan verander, dat jy anders kan wees. Hou op om jouself vir mislukking oop te stel deur jouself aanhoudend te kritiseer. ‘Ek is nie goed genoeg nie. Ek het eenvoudig geen beheer oor my lewe nie.’ Om aanhoudend te kla werk nie. Sê eerder, ‘…As ‘n mens glo, is álles moontlik!’ (Markus 9:23 NLV). ‘Ek glo!’
Sielskos: 1 Kon 21-22; Matt 20:1-16; Ps 66:13-20; Spr 6:23-25
2018-03-02
Titus 2:12 DB
Praat terug met jou gevoelens. Ons sit heeltemal te veel klem op ons gevoelens. Ons dink dat alles moet goed voel, so nie is dit nie die moeite werd nie. Ons sê dinge soos, ‘Ek voel nie lus om te werk nie… Ek voel nie lus om my Bybel te lees nie.’ Of, ‘Ek voel of ek nog ‘n drankie wil drink… Ek is lus om tot laatoggend te slaap.’ Moenie jou gevoelens so baie outoriteit gee nie. Gevoelens is hoogs onbetroubaar; as jy hulle toelaat, sal hulle jou beheer en manipuleer. God wil nie hê dat jy deur jou gevoelens beheer moet word nie. Hy wil hê dat jy jou buie moet bemeester. Met Christus as die Heerser van jou lewe, kan jy jou gevoelens beheer. Praat terug met hulle. God sê dat Hy wil hê dat jy moet leer om jou emosies uit te daag. ‘Nou wys Hy vir ons hoe om ‘n Godlose leefstyl te systap en hoe om vernietigende begeertes te laat staan. Hy laat ons met wysheid en opregtheid leef…’ God se genade gee jou die krag om te doen wat reg is. Dit gee jou die vermoë om nee te sê vir daardie gevoel, daardie begeerte, daardie impuls. Sukkel jy met jou gewig? Voor jy die yskas oopmaak, het jy reeds met jouself oor kos begin praat. As jy ernstig is, sal jy sommige van hierdie onderbewustelike houdings teenoor kos moet begin uitdaag. Wanneer jy jou gevoelens hoor sê, ‘Ek moet net ietsie eet of ek gaan doodgaan,’ moet jy antwoord, ‘Nee, ek gaan nie doodgaan nie. Ek gaan inderwaarheid gesonder wees as ek nie nou iets eet nie.’ Die feit is: God se bonatuurlike krag kan jou help om jou buie, gedagtes en begeertes te bemeester.
Sielskos: 1 Kon 18:16-20:43; Matt 19:15-30; Ps 66:1-12; Spr 6:20-22
Titus 2:11 NIV
Talk back to your feelings. We put far too much emphasis on our feelings. We think everything has to feel good or it’s not worthwhile. We say things like, “I don’t feel like studying…I don’t feel like working…I don’t feel like reading my Bible.” Or, “I feel like having another drink…I feel like sleeping until noon.” Don’t give your feelings so much authority. Feelings are highly unreliable; if you allow them, they will control and manipulate you. God doesn’t want you to be controlled by your feelings. He wants you to master your moods. With Christ as the Master of your life, you can master your feelings. Talk back to them. God says He wants you to learn how to challenge your emotions. “The grace of God…teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives” (vv. 11-12 NIV). God’s grace gives you the power to do what’s right. It gives you the ability to say no to that feeling, to that desire, to that impulse. Are you battling a weight problem? Before you ever walk into the kitchen and open the refrigerator door, you have already begun to talk to yourself about eating. If you are serious, you will have to challenge some of those subconscious attitudes about food. When you hear your mind saying, “I just have to have a snack or I’ll die,” you have to say, “No, I’m not going to die. In fact, I will be healthier if I don’t have a snack.” Bottom line: God’s supernatural power can help you to master your moods, thoughts, and desires.
Soul food: 1 Kings 18:16-20:43; Matt 19:15-30; Ps 66:1-12; Prov 6:20-22
