2019-02-11
Numbers 14:24 NIV
If Caleb was alive today there’s a good chance he’d qualify for “Person of the Year,” someone who has done the most to influence circumstances for the better. Here’s his story in his own words: “I was forty years old when Moses…sent me…to explore the land… I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed…God wholeheartedly…that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance’…So here I am today, eighty-five years old…as strong…as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me…Then Joshua blessed Caleb…and gave him Hebron as his inheritance…because he followed the Lord…wholeheartedly” (Joshua 14:7-14 NIV). You can learn valuable lessons from a man like Caleb. His life can be summed up in four sentences: (1) He had “a different spirit” from those around him. He was positive, a glass-half-full kind of person. (2) He believed that with God’s help every giant that stands in your way can be conquered, even when others say they can’t. (3) He had a vision that neither age nor circumstances could diminish. And he was willing to wait and work for it even though it took forty-five years to fulfill. (4) In old age he remained young at heart and totally committed to God. So ask God to give you the spirit of Caleb.
Soul food: Gen 30:25-31:55; Luke 9:37-45; Ps 145:1-13; Prov 4:20-22
2019-02-10
Psalm 75:7 NLT
If you don’t find your significance and self-worth in your relationship with God, you’ll be tempted to spend your life trying to promote yourself. And that will make you insecure – and dangerous. Why? Because when others get promoted ahead of you, you’ll become resentful; you may even try to tear them down. In God’s kingdom you don’t achieve success on your own, you receive it from God. “God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another” (KJV). While David’s brothers were striving to be Israel’s next king and “get the nod” from the prophet Samuel, David just kept tending his sheep and doing the job God gave him. Let others compete and compare! Just stay faithful in what God has given you to do – and when the time is right He’ll come and get you! Jesus said, “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). Note the word “easy.” When you try to promote yourself, you have to sweat, strain, and struggle, but when you trust God and do things His way, it comes “easy.” That doesn’t mean you won’t have to work hard or sacrifice in order to succeed. It just means you won’t have to strive to get it, or keep it. Why? Because when God sets “before you an open door” (Revelation 3:8 NIV), He’s the only one who can shut it. And He won’t do that unless, like King Saul, you’re rebellious, resentful, or refuse to repent. Knowing God is in control takes the strain out of serving Him. When you think about it – it’s the only way to live.
Soul food: Gen 28:1-30:24; Luke 9:28-36; Ps 141; Prov 4:18-19
Psalm 75:8 ABA
As jy nie jou waarde in jou verhouding met God kry nie, sal jy in die versoeking kom om jou lewe te spandeer om jouself te probeer bevorder. Dit sal jou onseker – en gevaarlik – maak. Hoekom? Omdat jy haatdraend sal word wanneer ander mense bo jou bevorder word; jy mag dalk selfs probeer om hulle af te breek. In God se koninkryk bereik jy nie sukses op jou eie nie, jy ontvang dit van God. ‘Maar God is die regter wat verneder of verhef’ (Psalm 75:8 NLV). Terwyl Dawid se broers daarna gestreef het om Israel se volgende koning te word, het Dawid net aangehou om sy skape op te pas en die werk te doen wat God hom gegee het. Laat die ander mense kompeteer en vergelyk! Bly jy net getrou aan die werk wat God jou gegee het om te doen – en wanneer die tyd reg is, sal Hy kom en jou kry! Jesus het gesê, ‘…my juk sal saggies op julle skouers rus en my las is lig om te dra’ (Matteus 11:30 NLV). Wanneer jy jouself probeer bevorder, sal jy moet sweet, swoeg en sukkel, maar wanneer jy op God vertrou en dinge op sy manier doen, sal dit maklik kom. Dit beteken nie dat jy nie sal moet hard werk en opofferigs maak om sukses te behaal nie. Wanneer God ‘…’n geopende deur voor jou gee…’ (Openbaring 3:8 NLV), is Hy die enigste een wat dit weer kan toemaak. Hy sal dit egter nie doen nie tensy jy, soos koning Saul, rebels of haatdraend word of weier om tot bekering te kom. Wanneer jy weet dat God in beheer is, neem dit die druk daarvan af om Hom te dien. As jy daaroor nadink – is dit die enigste manier hoe om te lewe.
Sielskos: Jes 53:1-12; Hand 8:26-40
2019-02-09
Handelinge 8:35 NLV
In Handelinge 8, lees ons die verhaal van ‘n hoë-profiel leier wat vir Christus gewen is. Hierdie man het ‘n posisie soortgelyk aan die staatsekretaris van Amerika beklee. Hy is egter deur ‘n persoon met ‘n lae profiel, genaamd Filippus, ‘n ouderling, na Christus toe gelei (sien verse 26-40). Kom ons kyk hoe dit gebeur het en wat ons daaruit kan leer: 1) Filippus was gereed. Toe hierdie man iemand nodig gehad het om die evangelie aan hom te verduidelik, was Filippus gereed om dit te doen. Sou jy dit kon doen? Wanneer God ‘n taak het om gedoen te word, kan Hy jou roep? Sal jy voorbereid en gewillig wees? ‘…As iemand julle uitvra oor die dinge wat God julle beloof het en waarna julle so uitsien, gryp die kans aan. Vertel hulle daarvan’ (1 Petrus 3:15 DB). 2) Filippus was wys. Hy het nie sommer met die deur in die huis geval en begin preek nie. Let twee dinge van Filippus op: a) Hy is deur God se gees gelei (sien Handelinge 8:29) b) Hy het die regte oomblik herken (sien verse 34-35). Mense wat siele vir Christus wen, is sensitief en strategies. 3) Filippus was duidelik. Hy het nie ‘n vae gesprek oor godsdiens met die man gehad nie, hy het direk oor Jesus gepraat. Dis wat mense nodig het – ‘n verhouding met die Here Jesus Christus! Hulle moet weet dat Hy lewe en dat Hy lief is vir hulle. Dat Hy magtig genoeg is om oor die heelal te heers, maar steeds persoonlik genoeg is om hulle sondes te vergewe en hulle twyfel op te los. Jou werk is om die uitnodiging uit te reik. Het jy ‘n strategie nodig om siele te wen? Probeer hierdie een – dit werk!
Sielskos: Gen 25:19-27:46; Luk 9:18-27; Ps 138; Spr 4:14-17
Acts 8:35 CEV
In Acts chapter eight we read the story of a high-profile leader who was won to Christ. This man held a position similar to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in Britain and the Secretary of the Treasury in the United States. And he was led to Christ by a low-profile person called Philip, a church deacon (See vv. 26-40). Let’s look at how it happened and see what we can learn: (1) Philip was ready. When this man needed someone to explain the gospel to him, Philip was ready to do it. Could you have done that? When God has a job that needs to be done, could He call on you? Would you be prepared? And willing? “If anybody asks you why you believe as you do…tell him” (1 Peter 3:15 TLB). (2) Philip was wise. He didn’t barge in and start preaching, or put this man on the spot by asking “gotcha” questions. Note two things about Philip: (a) He was led by God’s spirit (See Acts 8:29 CEV). (b) He recognized the right moment (See v. 35 CEV). Good soul-winners are sensitive and strategic. (3) Philip was clear. Instead of a vague dialogue about religion, he spoke directly about Jesus. That’s what people need – a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ! They need to know He’s alive, and that He loves them. That He’s powerful enough to run the universe, yet personal enough to forgive their sins, break their habits, and resolve their doubts. Your job is to extend the invitation, and let Jesus do the rest. Do you need a soul-winning strategy? Try this one – it works!
Soul food: Isa 53:1-12; Acts 8:26-40
