2019-05-16
Romans 12:8 TM
You say, “It’s not my responsibility. I’m not getting involved!” Psychologists call this “compassionate disengagement,” the tendency to avoid helping someone in trouble. Whether your motivation is inconvenience, self-protection, or indifference, it’s wrong. “Being there” is how you demonstrate your love for God and your neighbor. And helping requires recognizing three kinds of crises: (1) Accidental or situational crises. These involve things like sudden threats to our well-being, disruptive events, unexpected losses, the discovery of a serious illness, the death of a loved one, a family breakdown, the loss of livelihood or security. Job experienced all these events together and wondered why God allowed so many bad things to happen to him. (2) Developmental crises. These occur in the course of everyday life. Moving houses, going away to college, adjusting to marriage, parenting, retirement, aging, declining health, and the loss of friends. Abraham and Sarah moved many times. They also endured years of childlessness and family stress, including the challenge of sacrificing Isaac. (3) Existential crises. These are when we face disturbing truths about ourselves. We may see ourselves as failures, grapple with being divorced or widowed, learn that our illness is incurable, experience rejection because of our race, class, age, or gender, or realize we may be getting too old to fulfill our life goals. True “helpers” understand, get involved, and encourage. They keep their eyes open, and are quick to “give aid to people in distress.”
Soul food: 1 Kings 1-2; Mark 7:14-23; Ps 88:9b-18; Prov 11:27-29
Romeine 12:8 DB
Jy sê: ‘Dis nie my verantwoordelikheid nie. Ek gaan nie betrokke raak nie!’ Sielkundiges noem dit ‘medelydende onttrekking,’ die geneigdheid om te vermy om iemand in moeilike omstandighede te help. Of jou motief nou ongerief, selfbeskerming of onverskilligheid is, dis verkeerd. Om ‘daar te wees’ is hoe jy jou liefde vir God en jou naaste demonstreer. Om te help beteken dat jy drie soorte krisisse kan herken: 1) Toevallige of omstandigheidskrisisse. Dit is dinge wat ons welstand skielik bedreig, ontwrigtende gebeurtenisse, onverwagte verliese, die ontdekking van ‘n ernstige siekte, die dood van ‘n geliefde, ‘n familie ineenstorting, die verlies van lewensbestaan en sekuriteit. Job het alles hiervan ervaar en gewonder hoekom God toelaat dat so baie slegte dinge met hom gebeur. 2) Ontwikkelingskrisisse. Hierdie gebeur deur die loop van ons alledaagse lewe. Dit is dinge soos om te trek, universiteit toe te gaan, by die getroude lewe aan te pas, ouerskap, aftrede, veroudering, afname in gesondheid en die verlies van vriende. Abraham en Sara het verskeie kere getrek. Hulle het ook jare van kinderloosheid en familiestres verduur, insluitend die uitdaging om Isak te moet offer. 3) Eksistensiële krisisse. Dit is wanneer ons ontstellende waarhede oor onsself in die gesig moet staar. Ons mag onsself dalk as ‘n mislukking sien, daarmee stoei dat ons geskei is, leer dat ons siekte ongeneeslik is, verwerping as gevolg van ons ras, klas, ouderdom, of geslag ervaar, of besef dat ons te oud word om ons lewensdoelwitte te bereik. Ware ‘helpers’ verstaan, raak betrokke en bemoedig. Hulle hou hulle oë oop en is vinnig om ‘mense te help wat in nood verkeer.’
Sielskos: 1 Kon 1-2; Mark 7:14-23; Ps 88:9b-18; Spr 11:27-29
2019-05-15
Psalm 149:6 NLV
Die Christelike lewe is ‘n slagveld met ‘n vyand wat daarop uit is om ons elke dag te verslaan. God het ons egter strategieë gegee om te wen, waarvan lofprysing een is. Wanneer Israel se weermag oorlog gemaak het, het die stam Juda die leiding geneem. Die naam ‘Juda’ beteken ‘loof die Heer.’ Wanneer jy dus die geveg binnegaan, loof God met jou lippe en Hy sal voor jou uitgaan. Dis die ‘lofprysing strategie’ wat die mure van Jerigo vir Josua laat ineentuimel het en veroorsaak het dat Josafat se vyande mekaar vernietig het nog voor die geveg begin het (sien 2 Kronieke 20). Dis ‘n besluit om God te loof wanneer jy voor ‘n situasie te staan kom wat jy nie kan hanteer nie; om op Hom eerder as jou probleem te fokus. Jy mag dalk nie waardig voel nie – maar Hy is! Jy mag dalk nie in staat voel nie – maar Hy is! Herinner God aan sy beloftes. Niks roer Hom meer as die aangesig van sy kinders wat sy Naam loof en sy beloftes opeis nie. Jesus het gesê: ‘Ek vertrou die sleutels van God se koninkryk aan jou toe. Wat jy ook al op aarde toesluit, sal ook by God toegesluit bly, en wat jy ook al oopsluit, sal ook by God oopgesluit bly’ (Matteus 16:19 NLV). Lofprysing nooi God uit om in te tree, gebruik dit dus. Kry ook iemand om by jou in lofprysing aan te sluit (sien Matteus 18:19). Vermenigvuldig jou impak voor die troon van God. Die Bybel sê: ‘Teen middernag was Paulus en Silas besig om te bid en tot lof van God te sing… Al die tronkdeure het [skielik] oopgevlieg…’ (Handelinge 16:25-26 NLV). Die woord vir jou vandag is dus: Gebruik die ‘lofprysing strategie!’
Sielskos: Heb 11:17-13:25; Mark 7:1-13; Ps 88:1-9a; Spr 11:24-26
Psalm 149:6 NKJV
The Christian life is a battlefield with an enemy who’s out to defeat us every day. But God has given us strategies for winning, and praise is one of them. When Israel’s army went into battle, the tribe of Judah led the way. The name “Judah” means “praise the Lord.” So when you go into battle, go with “the high praises of God” in your mouth and He will go before you. This is the “praise strategy” that toppled the walls of Jericho for Joshua, and caused Jehoshaphat’s enemies to destroy one other before the battle even began (See 2 Chronicles 20). It’s a decision to praise God when you face a situation you can’t handle; to focus on Him instead of on your problem. You may not feel worthy – but He is! You may not feel able – but He is! Remind God of His promises. Nothing moves Him like the sight of His children praising His name and claiming His promises in the face of adversity. Jesus said, “You will have complete and free access to God’s kingdom, keys to open any and every door” (Matthew 16:19 TM). Praise invites God to intervene, so use it. And find somebody to join you in praise (See Matthew 18:19). Multiply your impact before the throne of God. The Bible says, “At midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God…And suddenly…all the doors were opened” (Acts 16:25-26). So, the word for you today is: Use the “praise strategy!”
Soul food: Heb 11:17-13:25; Mark 7:1-13; Ps 88:1-9a; Prov 11:24-26
2019-05-14
Luke 14:18 NIV
Jesus told the story of a man who planned a banquet and invited several guests. Listen to some of their excuses for not attending. “I’ve purchased a field.” “I’ve bought some oxen.” “I just got married.” So the host said, “Not one of those…who were invited will get a taste of my banquet” (v. 24 NIV). Maybe you think you’re different, that you have a good reason for saying no to God. But is it worth missing your destiny for? When God speaks to you, that’s the moment of truth! At that point you either make a commitment or make an excuse. There and then you’re deciding your destiny! What is God asking you to do? What’s making you hesitate? Fear of failure? Fear of being criticized? Fear usually comes dressed up as an excuse. And every time you vacillate or pull back, you lay another brick in the wall that will ultimately keep you from reaching your God-ordained destiny. Author John Mason says, “Opportunity is often lost in deliberation.” So if God’s telling you to do something, take His hand and move forward in faith. You can’t control the direction of the wind, but by God’s grace you can adjust your sails to take you where you need to go. The great educator and scientist George Washington Carver said, “Ninety-nine percent of failures come from people who have a habit of making excuses.” Remember, opportunity is a visitor: Don’t assume it will be back tomorrow. Now is the time – move while the door is open!
Soul food: Heb 9:1-11:16; Mark 6:45-56; Ps 75; Prov 11:23
