2019-05-11
1 Timothy 1:15 NKJV
The apostle Paul writes, “I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it” (Galatians 1:13 NKJV). Paul had a criminal record. He had the blood of innocent men and women on his hands. Yet God used him to write half the New Testament, establish the church, and carry the name of Jesus into the courts of Caesar. But would you have trusted him to be the leader of your denomination, or envisioned him teaching great truths and introducing you to revelations he received from heaven? The Bible says, “God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29 NIV). God never cancels our calling and He never withdraws the spiritual gifts He gives us. And if He does not, we must not. How should we handle a brother or sister in Christ who goes astray? With gentleness! “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-2 NKJV). Is restoring people sometimes messy? Yes. Is it easy? No. Paul says it’s a “burden,” especially when they’ve brought embarrassment to God’s redeemed family. But that’s the point – they are still our spiritual family! And the world is watching to see how we treat them. If we throw away those who stumble, why would the world believe we wouldn’t do the same to them? Think about it. If you can’t find grace in the family of God, where are you going to find it?
Soul food: Heb 1-4; Mark 6:14-29; Ps 18:1-29; Prov 11:19-21
1 Timoteus 1:15 NLV
Die apostel Paulus skryf: ‘Julle het mos gehoor… dat ek God se kerk fanaties vervolg en verwoesting gesaai het’ (Galasiërs 1:13 NLV). Paulus het ‘n kriminele rekord gehad. Hy het die bloed van onskuldige mans en vrouens op sy hande gehad. Tog het God hom gebruik om die helfte van die Nuwe Testament te skryf, die kerk te vestig en die naam van Jesus na die howe van Caesar te bring. Sou jy hom vertrou het om die leier van jou denominasie te wees, of jou kon indink dat hy groot waarhede sou deel en die openbaringe wat hy uit die hemel ontvang het met jou sou deel? Die Bybel sê: ‘[God se] gawes en roeping staan onherroeplik vas’ (Romeine 11:29 NLV). God kanselleer nooit ons roeping nie. Hy neem nooit die geestelike gawes wat Hy vir ons gegee het terug nie. As Hy dit nie doen nie, moet ons ook nie. Hoe moet ons ‘n broer of suster hanteer wat die pad byster geraak het? Met sagmoedigheid! ‘Liewe broers en susters, wanneer iemand iets doen wat verkeerd is, moet julle wat deur die Gees gelei word, daardie persoon nederig reghelp. Wees baie versigtig dat jy nie ook versoek word nie. Help ander gelowiges wat swaarkry, en gee só uitvoering aan Christus se liefdeswet’ (Galasiërs 6:1-2 NLV). Is dit soms morsig om beskadigde mense te herstel? Ja. Is dit maklik? Nee. Hulle is egter steeds deel van ons geestelike familie. Die wêreld kyk hoe ons hulle behandel. As ons diegene wat struikel weggooi, hoekom sal die wêreld dink dat ons nie dieselfde met hulle sal doen nie? Dink daaroor. As jy nie genade in die familie van God kan kry nie, waar kan jy dit dan kry?
Sielskos: Heb 1-4; Mark 6:14-29; Ps 18:1-29; Spr 11:19-21
2019-05-10
Galatians 6:1 NKJV
We are too quick to criticize people because of what they’ve been through in life. In some cases it’s because of what they have done to others, and in some cases because of what others have done to them. If you’ve been to a consignment store you know there are quality items at discounted prices; you just have to know what you’re looking for. Jesus does. In His eyes the down-and-out may be “down” but they’re not “out.” Peter’s sorrow over denying Jesus ran so deep that he decided to go back to his old job as a fisherman. Can you imagine the scuttlebutt around the harbor? “That’s him, the guy who turned his back on Jesus.” Peter eventually became the leader of the New Testament church. But be honest. Would you have voted him in as your pastor, or been willing to listen to anything he had to say? Yet the first person Jesus went looking for after He rose from the dead was Peter. Why? Because He looks beyond our immediate problem and sees our long-term potential. Jesus remembered the words He had spoken to Peter: “Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren” (Luke 22:31-32 NKJV). The foundational principle of practicing medicine is “First, do no harm.” When someone is damaged, don’t damage them further. Love them, pray for them, and seek to restore them.
Soul food: Titus 1-3; Mark 6:1-13; Ps 150; Prov 11:16-18
Galasiërs 6:1 NLV
Ons is vinnig om ander mense te kritiseer oor die manier waarop hulle deur die lewe gaan. In sommige gevalle is dit as gevolg van dit wat hulle aan ander gedoen het en in ander gevalle is dit as gevolg van dit wat ander aan hulle gedoen het. As jy al ooit in ‘n kettingwinkel was, weet jy dat daar kwaliteit items teen afslag beskikbaar is; jy moet net weet waarvoor om uit te kyk. Jesus weet waarna om uit te kyk. Petrus se hartseer omdat hy Jesus verloën het, was so diep dat hy besluit het om na sy ou werk as visserman terug te keer. Kan jy jou die chaos by die hawe indink? ‘Dis hy, die ou wat sy rug op Jesus gekeer het.’ Petrus het uiteindelik die leier van die Nuwe Testamentiese kerk geword. Wees egter eerlik. Sou jy vir hom as jou pastoor gestem het, of gewillig gewees het om te luister na wat hy te sê gehad het? Tog was Petrus die eerste mens wat Jesus gesoek het nadat Hy uit die dood uit opgestaan het. Hoekom? Omdat Hy verby ons onmiddellike probleem kyk en ons langtermyn potensiaal raaksien. Jesus het die woorde wat Hy tot Petrus gespreek het onthou: ‘…Let op, die Satan het ernstig geëis om julle soos koring te kan sif, maar ek het vir jou gebid dat jou geloof jou nie moet begewe nie. As jy weer tot inkeer gekom het, moet jy jou medegelowiges gaan ondersteun’ (Lukas 22:31-32 NLV). Die grondbeginsel van die praktiserende medisyne is om geen skade te doen nie. Wanneer iemand verniel is, moet hulle nie verder verniel nie. Wees lief vir hulle, bid vir hulle en probeer om hulle te herstel.
Sielskos: Titus 1-3; Mark 6:1-13; Ps 150; Spr 11:16-18
2019-05-09
Romans 12:6 NIV
Different people expect different things from us. And when a lot of people are pulling on you, those expectations can build up like a mountain and bury you. Is that how you’re feeling today, buried under everybody’s expectations? If so, read this Scripture: “Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the [level of] faith God has given [you]. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body” (vv. 3-5 NLT). We all want people to be pleased with us, but we must also realize that they frequently have unrealistic expectations and sometimes selfish ones. So why don’t we just say no? (1) Fear of people. We want to be loved and we are afraid of being rejected. (2) Pride. If God made you a one-talent person, He won’t give you a two-talent assignment. Don’t allow pride to make you take on more than you can handle in order to have people’s approval. (3) Not knowing God’s will for you. Jesus said, “I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will” (John 5:30 NLT). You must know God’s will and be committed to it, or people will try to impose their will and agenda on you. (4) Trying to be like someone else. “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them” (Romans 12:6 NKJV). Unless God has “graced” you to do it, you’ll fail or collapse under the weight of it. Realize that you are not called to meet everybody’s expectations.
Soul food: Jonah 1-4; Mark 5:31-43; Ps 62; Prov 11:15
