2018-08-24
Ephesians 5:18 NLT
Sometimes people get drunk to try to fill an emptiness on the inside. But it doesn’t work. Like the Irishman quipped, “It’s champagne tonight and real pain in the morning!” Recognizing that His disciples wouldn’t survive without Him when He left, Jesus said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit” (John 14:16 NIV). Once you understand what the Holy Spirit can do, you won’t want to live a single day without His help. Observe: (1) He will plant your feet on the path of truth (See John 16:13). (2) When you doubt your salvation, He will confirm that you are truly God’s redeemed child (See Romans 8:16). (3) In difficult situations when you don’t know what to say, He will give you the right words at the right time (See Acts 1:8). (4) He will reproduce His nature in you (See Galatians 5:22). This is referred to as “the fruit of the Spirit,” not the efforts of your flesh. Fruit doesn’t struggle to grow; it simply draws life from the tree to which it’s connected and thrives. Paul writes, “Don’t be drunk with wine…that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.” You can generally spot someone who is drunk by the way they slur their words and wobble when they walk. When it happens, we say they are “under the influence.” Paul’s point is clear: As a believer, your walk and your talk should be “under the influence” of the Holy Spirit. So today ask God to fill you with His Spirit – and stay topped-up by reading His Word and praying daily.
Soul food: 2 Chr 19-21; Luke 16:19-31; Ps 119:113-120; Prov 22:1-3
2018-08-23
Genesis 37:5 NKJV
First, dreamers are willing to make tradeoffs. When God puts a dream in your heart you’ll have to make certain tradeoffs, like forfeiting popularity for the pursuit of excellence and short-term pleasure for long-term fulfillment. Paul understood this principle: “The Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me” (Acts 20:23-24 NKJV). Second, dreamers aren’t always appreciated. “Joseph had a dream…he told it to his brothers; and they hated him.” Some people won’t appreciate your dream because it reminds them of the dream they never had, or one they abandoned. And when they try to talk you out of your dream, often they’re trying to talk themselves back into their comfort zone. They will present you with every “rational” excuse they’ve ever given themselves. So how should you respond? Love them, help them if you can, but don’t be influenced by those who have given up on their dream. Author John Mason says, “If you move with God you’ll be critiqued. The only way to avoid criticism is to do nothing and be nothing.” Third, dreamers are overcomers. Joseph’s dream enabled him to overcome temptation at the hands of Potiphar’s wife, betrayal by his family, false imprisonment, and a lot of other things that cause us to quit. God’s purpose alone should be the stuff of which your dream is made. To discover your dream, get to know yourself: your strengths and weaknesses. Observe where God has placed you, seek His counsel, and look for opportunities and “kingdom connections.” When you do, He will give you a dream for your life and help you fulfill it.
Soul food: 2 Chr 16-18; Luke 16:1-18; Ps 119:105-112; Prov 21:28-31
Genesis 37:5 NLV
Eerstens, is dromers gewillig om opofferings te maak. Wanneer God ‘n droom in jou hart plaas sal jy sekere opofferings moet maak, soos om korttermyn plesier vir langtermyn vervulling te ruil. Paulus het hierdie beginsel verstaan: ‘Wat ek wel weet, is dat die Heilige Gees my in elke stad verseker dat gevangenskap en vervolging voorlê. Al is my lewe kosbaar, ag ek dit van geen waarde as ek nie my lewenstaak en my bediening wat ek van die Here Jesus gekry het, kan klaarmaak nie…’ (Handelinge 20:23-24 NLV). Tweedens, word dromers nie altyd waardeer nie. ‘Een nag het Josef ‘n droom gehad. Hy het dit vir sy broers vertel, waarna hulle hom nog meer gehaat het.’ Sommige mense sal nie jou droom waardeer nie, omdat dit hulle aan die droom wat hulle nooit gehad het nie of wat hulle eenkant toe gestoot het, herinner. Hulle sal jou met elke logiese verskoning daarvan probeer laat afsien. Hoe moet jy reageer? Wees lief vir hulle, help hulle as jy kan, maar moenie deur diegene wat hulle droom opgegee het, beïnvloed word nie. Die skrywer John Mason sê, ‘As jy saam met God beweeg, sal jy gekritiseer word. Die enigste manier om kritiek te vermy is om niks te doen en niks te wees nie.’ Derdens, dromers is oorwinnaars. Josef se droom het hom in staat gestel om Potifar se vrou te weerstaan, sy familie se verraad, gevangenskap en ‘n klomp ander dinge wat hom kon laat opgee het, te oorkom. Om jou droom te ontdek, leer jouself ken: jou sterk- en swakpunte. Observeer waar God jou geplaas het, vra Hom raad en kyk uit vir geleenthede en ‘koninkrykskonneksies.’ Wanneer jy dit doen, sal Hy jou ‘n droom vir jou lewe gee en jou help om dit te vervul.
Sielskos: 2 Kro 16-18; Luk 16:1-18; Ps 119:105-112; Spr 21:28-31
2018-08-22
Spreuke 23:22 NLV
Jy leer nie hoe om ‘n ouer te wees by ‘n skool of kollege nie, jy leer dit soos jy aangaan. Jy maak baie foute, sommige wat jou laat ineenkrimp wanneer jy daarop terugkyk. Deur dit alles is jy egter lief vir jou kinders en wil jy net die beste vir hulle hê. Wat is die punt wat ons probeer maak? As jou ouers jou gefaal het, het jy heel waarskynlik wonde wat gesond gemaak moet word. God sê gelukkig vir ons, ‘…Ek is die Here wat julle gesond sal hou’ (Eksodus 15:26 NLV). Moenie in die gat van selfbejammering verval omdat jy die idee het dat jy uit ‘n ‘disfunksionele familie’ kom nie. Sommige families is beter as ander, maar almal van hulle het areas van disfunksie. Kyk terug en oorweeg jou ouers se omstandighede en die uitdagings wat hulle gehad het toe hulle jou grootgemaak het en miskien sal jy hulle foute met ‘n bietjie meer deernis kan sien. Hulle is mense, net soos jy; hulle maak foute, net soos jy. Niemand is perfek nie. Deur deernis aan hulle te bewys, sal dit vir jou makliker maak om deernis met jouself te hê wanneer jy foute met jou eie kinders maak. En – hierdie is belangrik – wanneer jou kinders sien dat jy genadig teenoor jou ouers optree, sal hulle ook makliker genade teenoor jou bewys. As jy dus nodig het om jou ouers te vergewe, doen dit vandag en beweeg aan. Moenie dit aanhou ophaal nie. Sal jy daarvan hou dat God jou aanhoudend aan al die sondes waarvoor Hy jou vergewe het herinner? Nie? Probeer dan om dieselfde genade en deernis te bewys. Bid ook vir hulle, want wanneer jy vir iemand bid is dit moeilik om oor hulle te kla!
Sielskos: 2 Kro 12-15; Luk 15:11-32; Ps 119:97-104; Spr 21:24-27
Proverbs 23:22 NLT
You don’t learn how to be a parent in school or college, you learn it “on the job.” And you make lots of mistakes, ones you sometimes look back on and cringe. But through it all, you love your children and want only what’s best for them. What’s the point here? If your parents failed you, then you probably have wounds that need to be healed. And God says, “I am the Lord that healeth thee” (Exodus 15:26 KJV). But don’t fall into the trap of self-pity by buying into the idea that you came from a “dysfunctional family.” Some families are better than others, but all of them have areas of dysfunction. Look back and consider your parents’ circumstances and some of the challenges they faced while raising you, and perhaps you’ll be able to view the mistakes they made with a little more compassion. They are human beings, just as you are; they make mistakes, just as you do. Nobody’s perfect. By showing compassion toward them you’ll be better able to show compassion toward yourself when you inevitably make mistakes with your own children. And – this is important – when your children see you extending grace toward your parents, they’ll be better able to extend it toward you. So if you need to forgive your parents, do it today and move on. Don’t keep bringing it up. Would you like God to keep reminding you of the sins He’s forgiven you for? No? Then try to show that same grace and compassion. And pray for them. Why? Because when you pray for somebody it’s hard to complain about them!
Soul food: 2 Chr 12-15; Luke 15:11-32; Ps 119:97-104; Prov 21:24-27
