2018-11-08
Efesiërs 2:10 NLV
Die Bybel sê dit is God ‘…wat ons nuut gemaak het omdat ons Christus Jesus s’n is. Hy het dit gedoen sodat ons reg en goed kan leef soos Hy lankal besluit het ons moet leef’ (vers 10 DB). Voor jy op ‘n beroep besluit of besluit waaraan jy jou lewe wil wy, vra God vir leiding. As jy dit nie doen nie, sal jy waarskynlik jou lewe op die verkeerde dinge spandeer. Selfs as jy goed betaal word, sal jy leegheid en ‘n gebrek aan vervulling ervaar. Die Oostenrykse psigiater, Victor Frankl, wat die Nazi doodskampe oorleef het, het gesê: ‘Elkeen het sy eie spesifieke roeping of missie in die lewe, ‘n konkrete taak wat vervulling vereis. Hy kan nie met iemand anders vervang word nie, elkeen se taak is so uniek soos sy spesifieke geleentheid.’ God het jou vir ‘n spesifieke doel geskep. Jou verantwoordelikheid (en jou vreugde), is om dit te identifiseer. Hier is vier vrae wat jy jouself kan afvra om jou lewensdoel te identifiseer: 1) Waarna is ek op soek? Almal van ons het ‘n sterk begeerte in ons hart; iets wat tot ons diepste gedagtes, verlange en gevoelens spreek; iets wat ons siel aan die brand steek. 2) Hoekom is ek geskep? Dink aan jou unieke mengsel vaardighede, die verhoudings en hulpbronne wat aan jou beskikbaar is, jou persoonlike geskiedenis en die geleenthede rondom jou. Dit is alles dinge wat jou in die regte rigting kan lei. 3) Glo ek in my potensiaal? Een leierskapskundige sê, ‘Niemand kan deurlopend op ‘n manier optree wat strydig is met die manier wat hy homself sien nie.’ 4) Wanneer moet ek begin? Die antwoord op daardie vraag is ‘Nou dadelik!’
Sielskos: Jes 53-57; Joh 8:42-59; Ps 123; Spr 29:1-3
Ephesians 2:10 NKJV
The Bible says God “creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing” (TM). Before you decide on a career or what you’ll devote your life to, seek God for guidance. Nothing can take the place of knowing His will. If you don’t know it, you’re likely to spend your life doing the wrong things. And even if you’re well-paid, you’ll experience an emptiness and lack of fulfillment within. Austrian psychiatrist Viktor Frankl, a Nazi death camp survivor, said: “Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life…a concrete assignment that demands fulfilment. Therein he cannot be replaced…everyone’s task is as unique as his specific opportunity.” God created you for a specific purpose. Your responsibility (and your joy) is to identify it. Here are four questions to ask yourself when it comes to identifying your life’s purpose: (1) What am I searching for? All of us have a strong desire in our hearts; something that speaks to our deepest thoughts, longings, and feelings; something that sets our souls on fire. (2) Why was I created? Think about your unique mix of abilities, the relationships and resources available to you, your personal history, and the opportunities around you. These are all directional signposts. (3) Do I believe in my potential? One leadership expert says, “No one can consistently act in a manner that is inconsistent with the way he or she sees themselves.” (4) When should I start? The answer to that question is “Now!”
Soul food: Isa 53-57; John 8:42-59; Ps 123; Prov 29:1-3
2018-11-07
Galatians 5:1 NLT
Some of us find it hard to give ourselves permission to think, say, or enjoy certain things because we fear others will disapprove. We live by their convictions instead of our own. There’s no bondage like religious bondage! A Christian author writes: “The church I grew up in taught that we couldn’t go to the movies or a soccer match (mixing with the world), or ladies wear makeup. Our standard answer to most of these issues was, “We were taught differently!” Such is the reasoning of a conscience raised in the school of tradition. Paul came down hard on the Galatians for trying to police people’s lives and forcing them to live by Jewish traditions instead of the Gospel of grace. He wrote, “Make sure…you stay free…don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law” (v. 1 NLT). Train yourself to worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. In reality, what upsets some religious folks is that you can do certain things they can’t – because they can’t give themselves permission to enjoy their freedom in Christ (See Galatians 2:4). Now, we’re not condoning sin or unscriptural practices. But if you don’t move when the light is green, you’ll spend your life waiting for “the right moment” or “a time when most people will understand” before you move forward. And you’ll end your life looking back with regret. Don’t let that happen to you. “Christ has truly set us free…make sure that you stay free.”
Soul food: Isa 49-52; John 8:31-41; Ps 30; Prov 28:25-28
Galasiërs 5:1 NLV
Sommige van ons vind dit moeilik om vir onsself toestemming te gee om sekere dinge te dink, te sê of te geniet omdat ons bang is dat ander mense dit nie sal goedkeur nie. Ons lewe volgens hulle oortuigings, in plaas van ons eie. Daar is geen bande soos godsdienstige bande nie! ‘n Christen outeur skryf: “Die kerk waarin ek grootgeword het, het ons geleer dat ons nie fliek toe kon gaan of na ‘n rugbywedstryd kon gaan kyk (met die wêreld meng) nie en vrouens kon nie grimering dra nie. Ons standaard antwoord op die meeste van hierdie kwessies was, ‘Ons is anders geleer!'” Dis hoe ‘n gewete wat in die skool van tradisie grootgemaak is, redeneer. Paulus was hard op die Galasiërs wat ander mense se lewens probeer polisieer het en hulle forseer het om volgens Joodse tradisies in plaas van die Evangelie van genade te lewe. Hy het geskryf, ‘…Maak seker dat julle vry bly, en moet nie weer onder ‘n slawejuk vasgebind word nie’ (vers 1 NLV). Jy moet oefen om minder bekommerd te wees oor wat mense dink en meer bekommerd wees oor wat God dink. Wat sommige godsdienstige mense eintlik ontstel, is dat jy sekere dinge kan doen wat hulle nie kan doen nie – omdat hulle hulself nie toestemming gee om hulle vryheid in Christus te geniet nie (sien Galasiërs 2:4). Ons verskoon egter nie hiermee sonde of onskriftuurlike optredes nie. As jy egter nie beweeg wanneer die lig groen is nie, sal jy jou hele lewe vir ‘die regte oomblik,’ of “‘n tyd wanneer die meeste mense sal verstaan,’ wag voor jy vorentoe beweeg. Jy sal dan met spyt op jou lewe terugkyk. Moenie dat dit met jou gebeur nie. ‘Christus het ons bevry… Maak seker dat julle vry bly…”
Sielskos: Jes 49-52; Joh 8:31-41; Ps 30; Spr 28:25-28
2018-11-06
1 Peter 2:20 NIV
Many of the people we admire in Scripture were badly treated. And God permitted it to happen. Think about Daniel being thrown to the lions, and Joseph being tossed into prison. They did nothing to deserve it. The Bible says: “If you suffer for doing good and endure it, this is commendable…To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps” (vv. 20-21 NIV). Notice, you are “called” to overcome difficulties. There’s purpose in your pain. And nothing can touch you without first passing through your loving heavenly Father’s hands. He anticipated it all, and everything you’re going through right now is preparing you to serve Him more effectively. Paul said, “At my preliminary hearing no one stood by me. They all ran…But it doesn’t matter – the Master stood by me and helped me spread the Message” (2 Timothy 4:16-17 TM). Paul didn’t see it as simply enduring, he saw it as advancing! So be encouraged; you’re growing in grace [becoming more gracious] and in the knowledge of the Lord (See 2 Peter 3:18). You’re in the preparation process. “But I don’t understand,” you say. Then listen to Joni Erickson Tada: “If God’s mind was small enough for me to understand, He wouldn’t be God. Sometimes I can’t stand being in this wheelchair, but there God’s grace takes over. Even in my handicap, God has a plan and purpose for my life.” Whether God takes you out of the situation or brings you through it, trust Him. He’s working for your good and His glory.
Soul food: Isa 45-48; John 8:21-30; Ps 86; Prov 28:21-24
