2018-04-18
Proverbs 27:21 NIV
The English word flatterer comes from a French term that means “to pat, smooth, or caress.” So a flatterer is someone who will pat you on the back with one hand, and in some cases, knife you in the back with the other. Flattery is something a person will say to your face but will not say behind your back. It’s insincere praise from an insincere motive. And the Bible warns us to beware of it: “A flattering neighbor is up to no good; he’s probably planning to take advantage of you” (Proverbs 29:5 TM). Flatterers will do you no good. In fact, Solomon says that in the long run you’re better off with a person who will criticize you than a person who will flatter you. “He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward than he who flatters with the tongue” (Proverbs 28:23 NKJV). When it comes to flattery you should always keep these two things in mind: (1) Give praise sparingly but sincerely, with nothing but the best in mind for the other person. (2) Receive praise wisely, without taking yourself or the person giving the praise too seriously. Always remember that flattery was the weapon that Satan used to bring Adam and Eve down in the Garden of Eden: “You will be like God” (Genesis 3:5 NKJV). That’s why Solomon writes, “The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives.” So the question you should always ask yourself when someone praises you is this: Does this make me more big-headed or more big-hearted?
Soul food: Acts 3:11-5:42; Mark 3:13-19; Ps 127; Prov 10:19-21
2018-04-17
Philippians 1:29 NLT
Think of Gethsemane, the garden where Jesus Himself wrestled with the will of God. “Take this cup from me” (Mark 14:36 NIV). It was a reference to the cup of wrath. Jesus knew He’d have to drink it to the dregs. But before He did, He asked His Father if He could take it away, if there was any other way. But then He qualified His request with the ultimate prayer of surrender: “Not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42 NKJV). Our prayers tend to focus on external circumstances more than internal attitudes, because we’d rather have God change our circumstances than change us. It’s a lot easier that way. But we miss the point altogether. It’s the worst of circumstances that often brings out the best in us. And if it’s the bad things that bring out the good things, then maybe those bad things are good things in the grand scheme of things! It’s only when you’ve been tested that you have a testimony to share with others. Yes, you can be saved without suffering, but you cannot be spiritually matured or equipped for service without it. That doesn’t mean you seek it out, but it does mean you see it for what it is – an opportunity to glorify God. Paul, who suffered greatly, writes, “For you have been given…the privilege of suffering for him.” Where did Paul find such strength? “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18 NKJV). So the word for you today is: Seek to glorify God in every circumstance of life.
Soul food: Acts 1:1-3:10; Mark 3:7-12; Ps 43; Prov 10:17-18
Filippense 1:29 NLV
Dink aan Getsemane, die tuin waar Jesus self met die wil van God gestoei het. ‘…Neem tog hierdie beker van lyding van My weg…’ (Markus 14:36 NLV). Jesus het geweet dat Hy hierdie beker van lyding tot op die bodem moet drink, maar het sy Vader gevra of Hy dit kon wegneem, of daar ‘n ander manier was. Tog het Hy sy gebed afgesluit met ‘n gebed van oorgawe: ‘…Laat nogtans nie my wil nie, maar u wil geld!’ (Lukas 22:42 NLV). Ons gebede is geneig om meer op eksterne omstandighede as interne houdings te fokus, omdat ons wil hê dat God ons omstandighede, eerder as onsself, moet verander. Dis baie makliker so, maar ons mis die punt heeltemal. Dit is die slegste omstandighede wat dikwels die beste in ons na vore bring. As ons na die groter prentjie kyk en sien dat dit die slegte dinge is wat die beste dinge na vore bring, is dit waar dat die slegte dinge dus eintlik goed is! Dis net wanneer jy getoets word wat jy ‘n getuienis het om met ander mense te deel. Ja, jy kan van jou lyding gered word, maar jy kan nie geestelik volwasse word of toegerus word om ander te dien daarsonder nie. Dit beteken nie dat jy dit bewustelik opsoek nie, maar dit beteken dat jy dit sien vir wat dit is – ‘n geleentheid om God te verheerlik. Paulus, wat baie gely het, skryf, ‘Aan julle is immers die voorreg gegee om… ook… vir Hom te ly.’ Waar het Paulus sy krag vandaan gekry? ‘Ek weet verseker dat ons huidige lyding hoegenaamd nie vergelyk kan word met die heerlikheid waarmee God ons gaan verras nie’ (Romeine 8:18 NLV). Die woord vir jou vandag is dus: Strewe daarna om God in elke omstandigheid van die lewe te verheerlik.
Sielskos: Hand 1:1-3:10; Mark 3:7-12; Ps 43; Spr 10:17-18
2018-04-16
1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV
There are two “whatever” verses in Scripture. Both include the phrase “whatever you do.” (1) “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:23 NIV). Your goal in life should be to love what you work at, and work at what you love. But that isn’t reality at every stage of life. Sometimes you’re called to do a good job for a not-so-good company, boss, or salary. Thank God you have a job that supplies your needs; there are unemployed people who would switch places with you. (2) “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” How do you eat and drink for the glory of God? Paul is using our daily rituals to make an all-encompassing point. Even the most mundane of activities is absolutely miraculous. You take approximately twenty-three thousand breaths every day, but when was the last time you thanked God for one of them? We tend to thank God for things that take our breath away. And that’s fine. But maybe we should thank Him for every other breath too! The purpose driven life is described in these words from the Westminster Shorter Catechism: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” It can’t be said any simpler, or any better. We exist for one reason and one reason alone: to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever. And you’re called to do that in whatever circumstance you find yourself. Any way. Anywhere. Any how. Whatever. Wherever.
Soul food: Joel 1-3; Mark 3:1-6; Ps 56; Prov 10:14-16
1 Korintiërs 10:31 NLV
Daar is twee ‘wat ook al’ verse in die Skrif. 1) ‘Wat julle ook al doen, doen dit van harte soos vir die Here en nie vir mense nie’ (Kolossense 3:23 AFR83). Jou doel in die lewe moet wees om lief te wees vir die werk wat jy doen, en die werk te doen waarvoor jy lief is. Dit is egter nie ‘n realiteit in elke fase van die lewe nie. Soms word jy geroep om ‘n goeie werk te doen vir ‘n minder goeie maatskappy, baas of salaris. Dank God dat jy ‘n werk het waarmee jy aan jou behoeftes kan voldoen, daar is werklose mense wat in ‘n oogwink met jou plekke sou wou ruil. 2) ‘Wat julle ook al eet of drink of wat julle ook al doen, doen alles tot eer van God.’ Hoe eet en drink jy tot eer van God? Paulus het ons daaglikse rituele gebruik om ‘n allesomvattende punt te maak. Selfs die mees alledaagse aktiwiteite is absoluut wonderbaarlik. Jy neem ongeveer drie-en-twintig duisend asemteue elke dag, maar wanneer laas het jy God vir een van hulle gedank? Ons is geneig om God vir die dinge wat ons asem wegslaan te bedank. Dis goed so, maar dalk moet ons Hom vir elke ander asemteug ook bedank! Die Westminster Kategismus beskryf ‘n doelgerigte lewe as volg: ‘Die mens se hoofdoel is om God te verheerlik en Hom vir altyd te geniet.’ Dit kan nie eenvoudiger of beter gestel word nie. Ons bestaan vir een rede en een rede alleenlik: om God te verheerlik en Hom vir altyd te geniet. Jy is geroepe om dit te doen, maak nie saak in watter omstandighede jy jou bevind nie. Enige manier. Enige plek. Wat ook al. Waar ook al.
Sielskos: Joël 1-3; Mark 3:1-6; Ps 56; Spr 10:14-16
