2019-01-21
Psalm 90:1 NLV
Dawid het geskryf: ‘Sommige mense het in ‘n dorre land rondgedwaal… maar die pad na ‘n bewoonde stad kon hulle nie kry nie. Hulle was honger en dors, hulle was heeltemal uitgeput. ‘Here, help ons!’ het hulle geroep, en Hy het hulle uit hulle nood gered. Hy het hulle op die regte pad gelei, na ‘n stad waar hulle kon woon’ (Psalm 107:4-7 NLV). Ons siele het ‘n plek nodig waar ons rustig kan wees; ‘n plek waar ons al ons bekommernisse, moegheid en frustrasies kan neerlê. ‘Here, ek verlang, ek hunker na u woning. Met my hele wese, liggaam en gees, wil ek jubel oor die lewende God’ (Psalm 84:3 NLV). Jesus het geweet dat ons siele ‘n plek nodig gehad het wat ons huis kon noem en het gesê, ‘Niks moet ons van mekaar skei nie! Julle moet baie naby aan My bly…’ (Johannes 15:4 DB). Jesus nooi jou nie uit om by Hom te bly as ‘n gewone gas nie, maar as ‘n familielid wat al die voordele wat daarmee gepaard gaan, kan geniet. As iemand jou ‘n pragtige huis gee, hoe sal jy daarvan besit neem? Jy sal eers seker maak dat die gewer ernstig is, die nodige papierwerk inspekteer en dan intrek en dit geniet. Is die Here ernstig wanneer Hy sê: ‘Bly by My?’ Ja. Is jou naam op die nodige Bybelse ‘papierwerk’? Ja. Dan kan jy deur ‘n daad van geloof vandag jou goed oppak en intrek. Die digter S.T. Coleridge het geskryf, ‘Geloof is ‘n bevestiging en ‘n daad wat ewige waarhede huidige feite maak.’ Verander jou geloof in ‘n ‘huidige feit’ en verklaar: ‘Die Here is nou my permanente, veilige huis.’ Herhaal dit soveel keer as nodig. Eis die belofte: ‘Here, U was ons toevlug van geslag tot geslag’ op.
Sielskos: Rom 1:1-3:20; Luk 4:31-44; Ps 89:38-52; Spr 3:1-2
Psalm 90:1 NKJV
David wrote: “Some of you were lost in the scorching desert, far from a town. You were hungry and thirsty and about to give up. You were in serious trouble, but you prayed to the Lord, and he rescued you…he brought you to a town” (Psalm 107:4-7 CEV). Our souls need a place where we’re at rest; a place where we can lay down our worries, weariness, and frustrations. “My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God” (Psalm 84:2 NIV). Recognizing that our souls need a place to call home, Jesus said, “Live in me. Make your home in me” (John 15:4 TM). Notice, He doesn’t invite you as a visitor, but a family member enjoying all the benefits that go with it. “How do I enter into this dwelling place?” you ask. If someone gave you a beautiful home, how would you take possession of it? You’d make sure the giver was serious, inspect the necessary paperwork, then move in and enjoy it. Is the Lord serious when He says to us, “Live in me”? Yes. Is your name on the required biblical “paperwork”? Yes. Then by an act of your faith, pack up and move in today. Poet S. T. Coleridge wrote, “Faith is an affirmation, and an act, that bids eternal truth be present fact.” Turn your faith into “present fact” and declare, “The Lord is now my permanent, secure dwelling place.” Repeat it as often as needed. Claim the promise: “Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.”
Soul food: Rom 1:1-3:20; Luke 4:31-44; Ps 89:38-52; Prov 3:1-2
2019-01-20
1 Johannes 1:7 NLV
Bloed is die enigste element wat elke deel van die liggaam bereik. Bloed se kosbare vrag suurstof en voedingstowwe dra lewe, energie, voeding en genesing na alle dele van die liggaam toe. Die witbloedselle funksioneer as paramedici wat wonde skoonmaak en siektes genees. Hulle is ‘n weermag wat potensiële aanvallers afweer. Daar is ‘n geestelike les hier uit te leer! Ons het almal die lewenskragtige bloed van Jesus nodig om ons te reinig, te beskerm en ons in stand te hou. Ons het dit elke dag nodig. Die Bybel sê: ‘As ons optrede van die lig getuig, leef ons soos Hy wat in die lig is… en die bloed van Jesus, sy Seun, maak ons skoon van alle sonde.’ Dit beteken as jy voortgaan om met Jesus te wandel, sal sy bloed voortgaan om jou van alle sonde skoon te maak. Vra enige dokter: Bloed bepaal wie die kind se regte vader is. Die bloed van Jesus bewys dat jy God se verloste kind is. Elkeen van ons hemelse Vader se seëninge vloei deur sy bloed na sy kinders toe. Dis wat ons in staat stel om geregtig en gekwalifiseerd voor Hom te staan om sy seëninge te ontvang. As ons egter nie verstaan dat God ons aanvaar en ons deur hierdie bloed sien nie, sal ons bemagtig maar onseker wees en ons geestelike gawes gebruik, maar onder onnodige veroordeling lewe. Berader, sê vir jou kliënte wat seer het dat hulle deur die krag van Jesus se bloed elke vesting in hulle familie en elke ketting wat hulle aan hulle verlede bind, kan afbreek. Neem vandag ‘n oomblik om God vir die seëning van Jesus se bloed te dank.
Sielskos: Rig 16:23-31; 2 Kor 12:3-10
1 John 1:7 NKJV
Blood is the one element that reaches every part of the body. Its precious cargo of oxygen and nutrients carries life, energy, nourishment, and healing. The white cells function like paramedics, cleansing wounds and healing disease. They serve as a militia fighting off potential attackers. There’s a spiritual lesson here! We each need the life-giving blood of Jesus to cleanse us, protect us, and sustain us. And we need it every day. The Bible says, “If we walk in the light as He is in the light…the blood of Jesus Christ…cleanses us from all sin.” That means as you continue to walk with Jesus, His blood continues to cleanse you from all your sin. Ask any doctor: Blood determines who a child’s real father is. And the blood of Jesus proves you are God’s redeemed child; otherwise you’re just a pseudo-heir trying to receive promises reserved for members of the family. Every one of our heavenly Father’s blessings flows to His children through the blood. It’s what enables each of us to stand before Him, righteous and qualified to receive His blessings. Thank God for the emphasis on the Holy Spirit today. But unless we understand that God accepts us because He sees us through the blood, we’ll be empowered but insecure, using our spiritual gifts but living under needless condemnation. Counselor, tell your hurting clients that by the power of Jesus’ blood they can tear down every stronghold in their family and break every chain that links them to the past. Take a moment today to thank God for the blessings of Jesus’ blood.
Soul food: Judg 16:23-31; 2 Cor 12:3-10
2019-01-19
Philippians 3:13 NLT
In order to move forward with confidence on your life’s journey, you need a reliable road map. In the Bible this is called a dream or a vision. For Moses, it was leading God’s people out of slavery and into the Promised Land. For Florence Nightingale, it meant bringing healing and hope to wounded and dying soldiers in Crimea. For Thomas Edison, it was illuminating the world with incandescent light. The fact is, anyone who ever made a difference in life started with a dream, and eventually it became their life’s passion. For the publishers of this devotional, it’s putting God’s Word into the hands of as many people as possible in every nation on earth! How can you tell if your vision is from God? It will bless you and benefit others. Now, if your dream is only to live in a mansion and accumulate a fortune for yourself, don’t count on God to underwrite it. Furthermore, your dream is worth only what you’re willing to pay for it. Inspiration without perspiration is just a daydream. Forty percent of the people you meet have great ideas, but all they do is talk about them. Another 40 percent work hard and would be willing to give their all for a great dream – but they don’t have one. Only the remaining 20 percent have a dream and the faith to make it come true. And even if you’re part of that group, there are no guarantees you’ll succeed. But you have a good chance – better than 80 percent of those around you. So go ahead – dare to dream.
Soul food: Isa 63-66; Luke 4:14-30; Ps 89:15-37; Prov 2:21-22
