2018-09-13
2 Corinthians 10:12 TM
If you’ve lost your joy in serving the Lord, maybe it’s because you’re comparing yourself to others and trying to be like them. Paul said, “Do your own work well…don’t compare yourself” (Galatians 6:4 CEV). Paul continually dealt with critics. And his response was always the same: Avoid comparisons, resist exaggerations, and seek only God’s commendation. He refused to be distracted by criticism, or compare his ministry, or engage in fruitless debates. Author John Bunyan said if his life was fruitless it didn’t matter who praised him, and if it was fruitful it didn’t matter who criticized him. Speaker and writer Anne Peterson adds: “Kill the dragons of comparison… When I see something that ruffles my feathers I pray for that person. It’s easier when I’m honest with God – He knows how I feel anyway. Then I begin to praise Him…I sing old hymns…they’re loaded with truths about the Lord. Instead of wondering when I’ll attain the thing I’m working toward, I dwell on the wonderful things God has already done. Contentment is available as long as we keep our eyes on the King of Kings.” An unknown poet wrote: “The stick I made for measuring, I used most every day. It helped me to compare myself with others on my way. I watched all those behind me, or further down the road, and I would readjust my pace or lighten up my load. The most important drawback with how I ran my race, was watching everything around – except my Savior’s face!”
Soul food: Col 3-4; Philemon; Luke 21:1-11; Ps 78:9-16; Prov 23:22-25
2018-09-12
Galasiërs 6:4 NLV
Niks sal jou sin van vrede so vinnig soos vergelyking vernietig nie. Dit wys ‘n gebrek aan begrip en laat jou onverstandig optree (sien 2 Korintiërs 10:12). Toe die dissipels notas vergelyk het om te sien wie van hulle sou ly en wie van hulle sou gespaar bly, het Jesus vir hulle gesê, ‘…wat gaan dit jou aan?’ (Johannes 21:23 NLV). Let op: 1) Vergelykings kan jou meerderwaardig laat voel, wat tot trots lei. Onthou die Fariseër wat ‘n groot gedoente daarvan gemaak het om God te bedank dat hy beter as almal anders is? (sien Lukas 18:11). Trots was Satan se ondergang, daarom hou hy daarvan wanneer jy in dieselfde strik trap. 2) Vergelykings kan jou minderwaardig laat voel, wat tot lae self-waarde lei en jou op jouself gefokus hou. Jy vergeet dat ‘…God nie sekere mense bo ander voortrek nie’ (Handelinge 10:34 NLV), en begin glo dat Hy dinge weerhou waarop jy geregtig is. Die samelewing skep ‘n sin van geregtigheid; dan herinner Satan jou aan al die mense wat dit wat jy wil hê, al gekry het, wat jou verder op die pad van onvergenoegdheid afstuur. 3) Ons probeer om God af te bring na ons vlak toe deur te vergelyk hoe Hy in die verlede te werk gegaan het, met hoe Hy nou werk. Hou op om God te probeer uitpluis en vertrou Hom net! ‘Soos die wolke ver bo die aarde is, is die manier waarop Ek dinge doen ook ver bo die manier waarop julle dit doen. Hoe Ek dink, is ook baie ver van die manier waarop julle dink’ (Jesaja 55:9 DB). In plaas daarvan om vergelykings te tref, begin om dit waarmee God jou geseën het, te gebruik en te waardeer.
Sielskos: Kol 1-2; Luk 20:41-47; Ps 78:1-8; Spr 23:19-21
Galatians 6:4 CEV
Nothing will destroy your peace of mind faster than comparing. It shows a lack of understanding and makes you “behave unwisely” (2 Corinthians 10:12 AMPC). Cain measured himself against his brother Abel, and it ended in murder. When the disciples compared notes to see who among them would suffer and who would be spared, Jesus told them, “That is not your business” (John 21:23 NCV). Observe: (1) Comparisons can make you feel superior, which leads to pride. Remember the Pharisee who made a great show of thanking God because he was better than everybody else? (See Luke 18:11). Pride was Satan’s downfall; that’s why he loves it when you struggle in the same trap. (2) Comparisons can make you feel inferior, which leads to low self-esteem and keeps you focused on yourself. You overlook the truth that “God doesn’t play favorites” (Acts 10:34 GWT) and start believing He’s withholding things that are rightfully yours. Society creates a sense of entitlement; then Satan reminds you of all the people who’ve already attained what you want, which propels you further down the road to discontentment. Anne Peterson says: “Satan’s lies have a little truth mixed in, which makes them harder to recognize. We need to refute them by saturating ourselves with the truth…it’s only by learning the Scriptures that we can sort them out.” (3) We attempt to bring God down to our level by comparing how He’s working now with how He worked in the past. Stop trying to figure God out, and trust Him! “The way [God] work[s] surpasses the way you work, and the way [He] think[s] is beyond the way you think” (Isaiah 55:9 TM). Instead of comparing, start using and appreciating what God has blessed you with.
Soul food: Col 1-2; Luke 20:41-47; Ps 78:1-8; Prov 23:19-21
2018-09-11
Filippense 2:7 ABA
Jerusalem is deur mure omring en een van die maniere om die stad binne te gaan, was deur die Dalpoort. Toe Nehemia die mure herbou het, lees ons: ‘…die inwoners… het die Dalpoort herstel…’ (Nehemia 3:13 NLV). In ‘n Christelike lewe moet daar beide ‘bergtop ervarings’ en ‘dal ervarings’ wees. Kom ons kyk na nog ‘n bekende teksvers: ‘Maar dié wat op hulle hoop op die Here stel, sal hulle krag terugkry. Hulle vlieg soos arende. Hulle sal hardloop en nie moeg word nie. Hulle sal loop en nooit vermoeid word nie’ (Jesaja 40:31 NLV). Wanneer jy nie die krag het om een van hierdie dinge te doen nie, sê Paulus, ‘…na die hele geveg verby is, sal julle nog vas staan’ (Efesiërs 6:13 NLV). Daar is ‘n seisoen in jou lewe vir al hierdie ervarings, en jy moet dit aangryp. Die Bybel sê Jesus ‘…het Homself verneder… Daarom het God Hom belangrik gemaak…’ (Filippense 2:7-9 NLV). Lukas skryf, ‘Terwyl Hy saam met hulle aan tafel was, neem Hy die brood, vra die seën, breek dit en gee dit vir hulle’ (Lukas 24:30 AFR83). Geseënd en gebroke – dit is steeds God se patroon. Hoekom? Sodat jy sy seëning kan hanteer en nederig kan bly. Jy is in die moeilikheid as jy meer van jou beeld as van jou behoefte aan God bewus is. Dit is hoekom Hy jou toelaat om deur situasies te loop wat jou na ‘n plek van totale afhanklikheid aan Hom bring. Jy moet geneem, geseën en gebreek word voordat jy in diens aan ander weggegee kan word. In God se koninkryk is die pad op, af!
Sielskos: Jos 22-24; Luk 20:27-40; Ps 27; Spr 23:16-18
Philippians 2:7 NLT
Jerusalem was surrounded by walls, and one of the ways into it was through Valley Gate. When Nehemiah rebuilt the walls, we’re told: “The people…rebuilt Valley Gate” (Nehemiah 3:13 CEV). In the Christian life there has to be a place for both “mountaintop experiences” and “valley experiences.” Let’s take another look at a well-known Scripture: “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles [that’s elevation]; they shall run, and not be weary [that’s acceleration]; and they shall walk, and not faint [that’s duration]” (Isaiah 40:31 KJV). And when you don’t have the strength to do any of these things, Paul says, “Having done all…stand” (Ephesians 6:13 KJV). There’s a season in your life for all these experiences and you must embrace it. The Bible says Jesus “took the humble position…Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor” (vv. 7-9 NLT). Luke records that Jesus “took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them” (Luke 24:30 KJV). Blessed and broken – that’s still God’s pattern. Why? So you can handle His blessings and remain humble. You’re in trouble when you’re more conscious of your image than of your need for God. That’s why He allows you to walk through situations that bring you to the place of utter dependence on Him. You have to be taken, blessed, and broken, before you can be given away in service to others. In God’s Kingdom the way up is down!
Soul food: Josh 22-24; Luke 20:27-40; Ps 27; Prov 23:16-18
