2019-02-16
Luke 9:23 NLT
Let’s consider: (1) Commitment at work. In the past, employers valued their workers and workers valued their employers. But today’s workplace has become increasingly adversarial, with workers resenting their bosses and doing the bare minimum, while bosses are often demanding and take their employees for granted. God’s way calls for mutual commitment. “Don’t just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily…with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you’re really serving God” (Ephesians 6:6-7 TM). If you are an employer, take note who you represent – God. (2) Commitment at church. Many folks have a casual, cafeteria-style approach to church: They pick what they like and leave what they don’t. Jesus said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18 NIV). And membership in it calls for a covenant relationship between believers: one in which we agree to encourage, nurture, protect, cherish, pray for each other, and fulfill our mission together (See 1 Corinthians 12:12-31). (3) Commitment to Christ. Jesus made a radical commitment to us through His birth, life, suffering, crucifixion, and death, and He asks us to commit radically to Him. “Then he said to the crowd, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.'” That means you no longer follow your own wishes or will, but follow the Lord, His wishes and His will. That’s radical commitment, and it’s what God expects from you.
Soul food: Exo 20:3; Acts 14:1-18; 1 Sam 5:1-5
2019-02-15
Galasiërs 2:19 NLV
Ons lewe in ‘n tydperk waar mense ‘n fobie vir toewyding het. Ons wil soveel kry as wat ons kan, terwyl ons so min as moontlik teruggee. Ons wil in die goeie tye daar vir ander mense wees, maar nie in die slegte tye nie. Ons gebrek aan toewyding word in die statistieke gereflekteer. Die huweliksyfer neem af terwyl die egskeidingsyfer toeneem. Daar is ‘n afname in betrokkenheid by die kerk en deelname aan barmhartigheids sake. Ons is besig om ‘n samelewing te word wat vreesbevange is om betrokke te raak of deur verantwoordelikheid en verpligtinge vasgepen te word. Om die vernedering en ongemak om nee te moet sê te vermy, vermy ons ons verpligtinge en verantwoordelikhede deur eenvoudig êrens anders as waar ons benodig word, te wees. Ons aandag word maklik afgelei en ons verkies dat ons preke eenvoudig, vermaaklik, en veral kort is! Radikale toewyding is skaars – maar dis wat God van ons wil hê! Die Bybel sê: ‘Dis baie beter om niks te sê nie as om iets te belowe wat jy nie doen nie’ (Prediker 5:5 NLV). Wat van toewyding aan die huwelik? God sien dit nie as ‘n 50/50 reëling nie, maar eerder as ‘n instelling waar beide partye 100 persent gee. Dis ‘n heilige verbond wat voor God deur ‘n man en vrou gemaak word, in goeie en slegte tye; totdat die dood julle skei. Die huwelik werk die beste wanneer beide huweliksmaats geleer het om saam met Paulus te sê: ‘…Ek is saam met Christus gekruisig. Ek leef nie meer nie, maar Christus lewe in my…’ (Galasiërs 2:19-20 NLV). Dit is radikale toewyding; en dit is die manier om ‘n wonderlike huwelik te hê.
Sielskos: Gen 37-39; Luk 10:1-12; Ps 5; Spr 5:1-2
Galatians 2:20 NIV
We live in a time of commitment-phobia. We want to get as much as we can while giving back as little as possible. We want to be there for others in good times but not bad ones. And our lack of commitment is reflected in the statistics. The marriage rate is down while the divorce rate is up. Involvement in church and participation in compassionate causes are both down. We’re becoming a society that fears putting itself on the line or being pinned down by responsibility and obligation. To escape the awkwardness and embarrassment of saying no, we avoid our obligations and responsibilities by simply being elsewhere when we’re needed. And we’re a “sound bite” generation with attention spans geared to fifteen-second commercials. We prefer our sermons simple, entertaining, and above all, short! Radical commitment is rare – but it’s what God wants from us! The Bible says, “It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it” (Ecclesiastes 5:5 NIV). How about commitment to marriage? God doesn’t see it as a 50/50 arrangement, but one where both sides give 100 percent. It’s a sacred covenant made before God between a man and woman, “for better or worse; for richer or poorer; in sickness and in health; until parted by death.” And it works best when both partners have learned to say with Paul, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” That’s radical commitment, and it’s the way to a great marriage.
Soul food: Gen 40-41; Luke 10:13-24; Ps 28; Prov 5:3-6
2019-02-14
1 Thessalonians 5:12 NLT
If you want to encourage your pastor: (1) Cut the criticism. Most workers are evaluated each year based on their job performance; pastors are evaluated every week. Remember, if a particular sermon doesn’t scratch where you itch, chances are somebody else needs to hear it. (2) “Remember your leaders who taught you the word” (Hebrews 13:7 NLT), and pray for their spiritual growth. Goethe said, “If you treat a person as he is, he’ll stay that way. But if you treat him as what he ought to be, he’ll become what he ought to be and could be.” (3) Write a note. Especially when something your leader says or does ministers to you. Verbal encouragement is good, but a note can be read many times over. (4) Put your talents to work. For example, if you’re mechanically inclined, service the pastor’s car. If you’re technologically savvy, help them improve their computer skills. Instead of saying, “You need to do this,” say, “I’d like to help by doing.” Ask where your skills are most needed and become an active participant. (5) Squash gossip. James said, “If you…don’t control your tongue…your religion is worthless” (James 1:26 NLT). Counter negative talk with positive comments, and correct misinformation with truth. If all else fails – walk away! (6) Be openly responsive. Nothing encourages leaders like seeing people respond to their preaching and teaching. (7) Lose the measuring stick. Instead of expecting them to be a mirror image of their predecessor, thank God for your pastor’s individual style to minister to those in need.
Soul food: Gen 37-39; Luke 10:1-12; Ps 5; Prov 5:1-2
1 Tessalonisense 5:12 NLV
As jy jou pastoor wil bemoedig, is daar ‘n paar dinge wat jy kan doen: 1) Hou op kritiseer. Die meeste mense se werksprestasies word op ‘n jaarlikse basis beoordeel, maar pastore word elke week beoordeel. Onthou, as ‘n preek nie by jou byval vind nie, is die kans goed dat iemand anders dit moes hoor. 2) ‘Onthou julle voorgangers wat die woord van God aan julle verkondig het…’ (Hebreërs 13:7 NLV), en bid vir hulle geestelike groei. Goethe het gesê: ‘As jy ‘n persoon behandel soos hy is, sal hy so bly. As jy hom egter behandel soos hy behoort te wees, sal hy word wat hy behoort te wees en wat hy kan wees.’ 3) Skryf ‘n nota. Veral wanneer iets wat jou leier sê of doen by jou aanklank vind. Verbale bemoediging is goed, maar ‘n nota kan herhaaldelik gelees word. 4) Begin met jou talente woeker. As jy byvoorbeeld meganies aangelê is, diens jou pastoor se kar. As jy goed is met tegnologie, help jou pastoor om sy rekenaarvaardighede te verbeter. Vra waar jou vaardighede die nodigste is en word ‘n aktiewe deelnemer. 5) Vermy skinderstories. Jakobus het gesê: ‘As jy dink jy is godsdienstig, maar jy hou nie jou tong in toom nie, bedrieg jy jouself. Jou godsdiens is niks werd nie’ (Jakobus 1:26 NLV). Werk negatiewe praatjies met positiewe opmerkings teë en korrigeer verkeerde inligting met die waarheid. As alles egter faal – loop weg! 6) Wees openlik deelnemend. Niks bemoedig leiers meer as om te sien hoe mense op hulle preke en lesse reageer nie. 7) Verloor die maatstaf. In plaas daarvan om te verwag dat hulle ‘n spieëlbeeld van hulle voorganger moet wees, dank God vir jou pastoor se individuele styl om behoeftige mense te bedien.
Sielskos: Gen 35-36; Luk 9:57-62; Ps 149; Spr 4:25-27
