2018-10-21
Hebrews 12:1 NLT
In his book The Me I Want to Be, John Ortberg points out that a “pattern sin” is one you’re habitually drawn to. That doesn’t mean nobody else commits it. It just means you’re vulnerable in that particular area. Usually the pattern of your sin is related to the pattern of your gifts. Just as home-run hitters in baseball also strike out a lot, your gifts and passions can indicate your areas of vulnerability. For example, extroverts who have the ability to inspire and encourage others are sometimes prone to gossip. People who love to learn may be tempted to feel superior and talk down to others. People who are spontaneous and have a great appetite for life often struggle with impulse control. Good listeners can become passive enablers. Optimists are often susceptible to denial. Greek mythology speaks of the nemesis (an enemy who seems unbeatable). Your nemesis is like you in almost every way, except he’s the ruined version of you. Sherlock Holmes’ nemesis was Professor Moriarty, also a brilliant man. He was like Holmes would’ve been if he’d gone wrong. Because there’s a relationship between the best and the worst versions of you, in many areas of life you’re your own nemesis. And what they have in common is – they’re both you! Why is it helpful to know this? Because awareness and sensitivity to your own proclivities are the first steps toward building a defense. We have a staggering capacity for self-deception and self-justification. Addressing careless, coldhearted believers in the end-age church, Jesus told them they needed “ointment [the Holy Spirit] for your eyes so you will be able to see” (Revelation 3:18 NLT).
Soul food: Acts 13:21-22; 1 Sam 16; 1 Sam 17:32-51; 1 Sam 24:1-17
Hebreërs 12:1 NLV
In sy boek, The Me I Want to Be, skryf John Ortberg dat ‘n ‘sondepatroon’ die sondes is wat jy gewoonlik aangetrokke tot voel. Dit beteken nie dat niemand anders hierdie sonde pleeg nie. Dit beteken net dat jy weerloos in daardie spesifieke area is. Gewoonlik is die patroon van jou sonde gelyk aan die patroon van jou gawes. Jou gawes en passies kan jou areas van weerloosheid aandui. Ekstroverte, byvoorbeeld, wat die vermoë het om ander te inspireer en te bemoedig, is soms geneig om te skinder. Mense wat daarvan hou om te leer mag dalk in die versoeking kom om te dink dat hulle beter is as ander en na ander mense afpraat. Mense wat spontaan is en ‘n groot aptyt vir die lewe het, sukkel dikwels met impulsbeheer. Goeie luisteraars kan passiewe goedkeuring gee. Optimiste is dikwels vatbaar vir ontkenning. Die Griekse mitologie praat van die nemesis (‘n vyand wat onoorwinbaar lyk). Sherlock Holmes se nemesis was byvoorbeeld professor Moriarty, ook ‘n briljante man. Hy was hoe Holmes sou wees as sy donker kant oorwin het. Omdat daar ‘n verhouding tussen die beste en die slegste weergawes van jou is, is jy in baie areas van jou lewe jou eie nemesis. Hoekom is dit goed om dit te weet? Omdat bewustheid en sensitiwiteit vir jou eie neigings die eerste stap is om ‘n verdediging daarteen te bou. Ons het ‘n verbysterende kapasiteit vir self-misleiding en self-regverdiging. Jesus het sorglose, koue gelowiges in die eindtyd se kerk aangespreek en vir hulle gesê om ‘…oogsalf [die Heilige Gees]… aan jou oë te smeer sodat jy kan sien’ (Openbaring 3:18 NLV).
Sielskos: Hand 13:21-22; 1 Sam 16; 1 Sam 17:32-51; 1 Sam 24:1-17
2018-10-20
Eksodus 4:2 NLV
Die Bybel sê, “Moses het egter nog verder teëgestribbel: ‘Hulle sal my nooit glo nie! Hulle sal nie doen wat ek vir hulle sê nie. Hulle sal sommer sê: ‘Jy het nie regtig die Here ontmoet nie.'” Toe vra die Here vir hom: ‘Wat het jy daar in jou hand?’ “‘n Herderstok,’ antwoord Moses. ‘Gooi dit op die grond neer,’ het die Here vir hom gesê. Hy gooi dit toe op die grond en dit het ‘n slang geword…” (verse 1-3 NLV). Om jou herderstok, die ding waarop jy leun, neer te gooi, is vreesaanjaend en teen al jou beginsels wanneer jy ‘n beheervraat is. Solank as wat jy egter daaraan vasklou en dit probeer beheer, kan God dit nie gebruik nie. Moses se herderstok het sy identiteit en sekuriteit verteenwoordig. Dis hoe hy ‘n lewe as ‘n herder gemaak het en homself en sy kudde beskerm het. Toe God dus vir hom sê om dit neer te gooi, het Hy vir Moses gevra om dit wie hy was en dit wat hy gehad het, te laat gaan. Wat is jy nie gewillig om van af te sien nie? Jy beheer nie dit waaraan jy vashou nie, dit beheer jou. As jy dit nie neergooi nie, sal jou herderstok altyd net ‘n herderstok bly. As jy egter die moed het om dit aan God oor te gee, kan dit die geleier van sy wonderbaarlike mag word. Wat is vandag in jou hand? Jy kan daaraan vasklou en kyk wat jy daarmee kan doen, of jy kan dit oorhandig en sien wat God daarmee kan doen. Laat God dit wat jy reeds het, vandag gebruik.
Sielskos: Eks 36-38; Joh 4:39-54; Ps 87; Spr 27:4-6
Exodus 4:2 NIV
The Bible says, “Moses answered: ‘What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, “The Lord did not appear to you?”‘ Then the Lord said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’ ‘A staff,’ he replied. The Lord said, ‘Throw it on the ground.’ Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake” (vv. 1-3 NIV). Throwing down your staff, the thing you lean on, is frightening and counterintuitive to all of us who are control freaks. But as long as you hold on to it and try to control it, God can’t use it. In golf, when an amateur wants to drive the ball farther they grip the club tighter, but it has the opposite effect. The key to a long drive is loosening your grip. Moses’ staff represented his identity and security. It was the way he made his living as a shepherd, and the way he protected himself and his flock. So when God told him to throw it down, he was asking Moses to let go of who he was and what he had. Question: What are you not willing to let go of? Answer: You don’t control whatever it is you’re holding on to, it controls you. If you don’t throw it down, your staff will forever remain only a staff. But if you have the courage to surrender it to God, it can become the lightning rod of His miraculous power. What’s in your hand today? You can hang on to it and see what you can do, or hand it over and see what God can do. Today let God use what you’ve got.
Soul food: Exo 36-38; John 4:39-54; Ps 87; Prov 27:4-6
2018-10-19
Genesis 19:17 NKJV
One time in the West Indies five ships, one of them British, were anchored in the harbor when a monster storm rolled in. The British captain immediately raised anchor and sailed out to meet it. Two days later, battered but still intact, he returned to the harbor and discovered that the ships that hadn’t sailed for fear of the storm had all been driven ashore and destroyed. Generally speaking, as a leader the best way forward is to face challenges head-on and “not look behind you.” Author Jon Gordon points out six important things: (1) Who you are makes a difference. People follow the leader first and his vision second. (2) It’s all about relationships. Pastor Andy Stanley said, “Rules without relationship lead to rebellion.” You can implement all the rules in the world, but if you don’t develop a relationship with the people you’re leading, they’ll rebel. (3) It’s not just about what you do, but what you can inspire, encourage and empower others to do. You bring out the best in people by sharing the best in yourself. (4) Lead with optimism, enthusiasm, and positive energy. Guard against negativity and teach people to focus on solutions, not complaints. (5) Recognize that you don’t have all the answers, and build a team of people who either have the answers or will find them. (6) Accept that success is a process, not a destination. John Wooden, the legendary basketball coach, recognized that winning was an offshoot of great leadership, teamwork, focus, commitment, and implementing the basics.
Soul food: Exo 33-35; John 4:27-38; Ps 32; Prov 27:1-3
