2018-06-28
Judges 3:31 NIV
Because the Israelites disobeyed God, they ended up enslaved to the Philistines who ruled them by fear and intimidation. But Shamgar refused to be intimidated. He decided to disrupt the status quo, and he did it with an oxgoad – a long stick used by farmers to prod animals. He refused to let what he could not do, keep him from doing what he could. After all, God plus one equals a majority. And if God is for you, who can be against you? (See Romans 8:31). So Shamgar grabbed his oxgoad and charged six hundred Philistine soldiers. The enemy probably chuckled at his makeshift weaponry until he started wielding it. Then the look in his eyes struck fear into their hearts. Courage doesn’t wait until the situation favors you, or the plan is perfectly formed, or the tide of opinion turns. Courage only waits for one thing: a green light from God. And when God gives the go, it’s full steam ahead, no questions asked. It’s about attacking the problem with whatever oxgoad God has given you. It’s an all-out assault on the forces of darkness, by deciding to become “salt and light” where God has placed you. It’s more than pointing out the problems, it’s committing yourself to be part of the solution. It’s more than just having a heart for Christ, it’s deciding to take action and become His hands and feet. Instead of sitting on the sidelines because you believe others are more qualified, it’s using what God gave you and asking Him to bless it. As the songwriter said, “Little is much, when God is in it.”
Soul food: Song 5-8; Luke 2:41-52; Ps 21; Prov 16:16-19
2018-06-27
Kolossense 3:17 NLV
Wanneer jy God en ander mense dien, moet jy jou hart daarop sit om getrou te wees, eerder as om vernaam te wees. Die Bybel sê, ‘Dit is God wat oordeel. Hy wys vir party mense dat hulle nie belangrik is nie en Hy maak ander mense belangrik’ (Psalm 75:8 DB). Min dinge in die lewe is erger as om ‘n rol te vervul waarvoor jy nie toegerus is of voor geroepe is nie. Josh McDowell, wat al miljoene universiteitstudente wêreldwyd toegespreek het en verskeie boeke geskryf het, het sy lewensbediening aan Christus op ‘n nederiger manier begin. Sy eerste taak by die hoofkantoor van Campus Crusade for Christ was om die hoofingang se vloer skoon te maak. Josh se bekendstelling aan die bediening was soortgelyk aan die ou in die Ou Testament wat die tentpenne moes dra wanneer hulle die tabernakel van een plek na die volgende verskuif het. Nie eintlik ‘n hoë-profiel posisie nie! Sonder ‘n ordentlike perspektief oor ons motivering om te dien, is dit maklik om geaffronteerd te voel wanneer ons ‘n taak gegee word wat ons voel benede ons is. Hoe bly ons dus gemotiveerd om God te dien? Deur die belofte te onthou dat ons sal oes wat ons saai (sien Galasiërs 6:7). God het beloof dat Hy ons op die oordeelsdag vir ons getroue diens sal beloon. As Hy jou dus geroep het om Hom te dien deur ander mense te dien, hou jou hart op getrouheid gefokus – nie op trots of posisie nie. Lewe volgens hierdie Skrifgedeelte: ‘Verder, doen alles – of dit nou woorde of dade is – asof julle dit namens die Here Jesus doen. Só is julle besig om deur Hom dank aan God die Vader te bring’ (Kolossense 3:17 NLV).
Sielskos: Hoog 1-4; Luk 2:34-40; Ps 17; Spr 16:12-15
Colossians 3:17 NKJV
When it comes to serving God, and others, set your heart on being faithful instead of trying to be prominent. The Bible says, “Promotion…come[s] from…God” (Psalm 75:6 TLB), so don’t try to promote yourself. Few things in life are worse than being in a slot to which you were never called and are ill equipped to fill. Josh McDowell, who has spoken to millions of university students worldwide and authored scores of books, began his lifetime of service to Christ in a more humble fashion. His first assignment at the headquarters of Campus Crusade for Christ was cleaning the main entryway floor. He wasn’t meeting with ministry leaders; he was busy scrubbing up the dirt from their shoes. Josh’s introduction to ministry was equivalent to the guy in the Old Testament who carried the tent pegs when they moved the tabernacle from place to place. Not exactly a high-profile position! Without a proper perspective on motivation for ministry, it’s easy to get our feathers ruffled when we’re given an assignment we feel is beneath us. So how do we stay motivated about serving God? By remembering the promise that one day we’ll reap what we sow (See Galatians 6:7). God has promised that at the judgment seat of Christ He’ll reward our faithful service. So if He has called you to serve Him by serving others, keep your heart focused on faithfulness – not pride of place. Live by this Scripture: “Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks [for the privilege]” (Colossians 3:17 NLT).
Soul food: Song 1-4; Luke 2:34-40; Ps 17; Prov 16:12-15
2018-06-26
Psalm 68:7 DB
‘n Vrou, pas geskei, het na ‘n dorp toe getrek waar sy niemand geken het nie. Toe sy eindelik haar moed bymekaar skraap om ‘n kerkdiens by te woon, het sy gebid, ‘Here, laat my inpas. Omring my met vriende.’ Sy het twee dames gevra of sy by hulle kon sit, en hulle het op die ou einde saam middagete gaan eet. Dit blyk toe dat al drie vrouens alleen woon en geïsoleerd voel. Hulle het toe ‘n Bybelstudie groep begin wat hulle G.A.L.S genoem het: God’s Amazing Love Sustains. Jare later gaan hierdie klein ‘familie’ nog sterk voort, deel hulle lief en leed, bid vir mekaar en kyk uit vir mekaar. Thomas Blackaby het opgemerk: ‘Een van die goeie dinge wat God voorsien is goddelike vriende. Dis een van sy maniere om vir ons aanmoediging, ondersteuning, raad en kameraadskap te gee. Paulus sou baie van sy beproewinge en vervolgings nie oorleef het nie, as dit nie vir vriende en kamerade was nie (sien 2 Korintiërs 7:6-7). Dis hartseer wanneer God se mense nie daaraan tyd spandeer om vriendskappe te ontwikkel nie en eerder op hulle eie in bediening voortgaan. Dis geen wonder dat hulle dikwels uitbrand of ontnugter of bitter terugkom, omdat hulle nie die aanmoediging en ondersteuning wat hulle bediening verëis het, ontvang het nie. Dank God vir diegene wat Hy gekies het om jou ondersteuners en aanmoedigers te wees. Vir wie is jy tans ‘n vriend? Wie het God jou op die hart gedruk om te versterk en die pad saam mee te loop? Vra Hom om jou te help om ‘n getroue vriend te wees, sodat julle julself kan verbly in wat Hy deur julle gekombineerde pogings vermag.’
Sielskos: 2 Kor 11:16-13:14; Luk 2:21-33; Ps 8; Spr 16:8-11
Psalm 68:6 CEV
A woman, recently divorced, moved to a town where she knew nobody. When she finally got up the nerve to visit a church, she prayed, “Lord, let me fit in. Surround me with friends.” The Bible says, “A man who has friends must…be friendly” (Proverbs 18:24 NKJV). So she asked two ladies if she could sit with them, and they ended up going out to lunch together. Turns out, all three women lived alone and were feeling isolated. So they started a Bible study group and named it G.A.L.S.: God’s Amazing Love Sustains. Ruth Senter said, “When you’re truly joined in spirit…you work for the good of each other,” and years later this little “family” is going strong, sharing their ups and downs, praying, and looking out for each other. Thomas Blackaby observed: “One of the good things God does is provide godly friends. This is one of His ways of giving us encouragement, support, advice, and companionship. Paul couldn’t have physically survived many of his trials and persecutions without companions (See 2 Corinthians 7:6-7). It’s sad when God’s people don’t spend time developing friendships, and instead go off on their own in ministry…no wonder they often burn out…or come home disillusioned or bitter because they didn’t have the support and encouragement their ministry demanded…Thank God for those He’s chosen to be encouragers and supporters. Who are you being a friend to right now? Who has God put on your heart to strengthen and walk alongside? Ask Him to help you be a faithful friend…that together you can rejoice in what He does through your combined efforts.”
Soul food: 2 Cor 11:16-13:14; Luke 2:21-33; Ps 8; Prov 16:8-11
