2019-07-04
Romans 12:10 NIV
As you approach the latter years of your life, you realize that it’s not just what you do that matters, but what you do for others. The most miserable people on earth are those who hate, hinder, and hurt others, while the happiest are those who spend their lives helping others. The degree to which you’re helpful is the degree to which you’re happy – it’s that simple. Poet John Albert Holmes said, “It’s well to remember that the entire population of the universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others.” So, what are you doing for others? How good are you at letting someone else take credit for what gets accomplished? Paul writes, “Honor one another above yourselves.” Next time somebody shares their accomplishments, pay attention to your need to jump in and tell them something as good or better about yourself. When you do that, you minimize their joy, create distance between you, and everybody loses. Instead, bite your tongue, look at them and say, “That’s wonderful; tell me more.” And mean it! When you treat people this way two things happen: (1) The other person enjoys your company because they sense you’re really “there” for them, instead of sitting on the edge of your seat waiting your turn to speak. (2) They feel that instead of competing with them, you care about their success. Consequently your relationships grow stronger because you no longer need to grab all the attention and glory. It’s called “living for others.”
Soul food: Jer 49-50; Matt 6:19-34; Ps 122; Prov 15:10-14
2019-07-03
Psalm 27:1 NKJV
Author Jon Gordon says: “There was a time [as children] when we jumped from the jungle gym and went on roller coaster rides. No goal was unattainable. Then [when we grew up] the doubters dissuaded us from going after our dreams…’You’re crazy…it’s too hard…play it safe…dreams weren’t meant for people like us.’ They instilled their insecurities in us…and with so many people saying we can’t…and so few saying we can, we let fear into our lives. We’re so scared of losing what we have that we don’t go after what we want. We hold on so tightly to the status quo that we never experience what could be…I call this ‘playing to lose.’ We see it in sports. When a team has the lead, they start thinking about how not to lose instead of how to win. They play safe and scared while the other team takes chances, plays without fear, and wins. David said, ‘The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?’ Living a life [of faith] means overcoming fear and adopting a ‘play to win’ mindset…one that says even if you do fail you won’t give up or let your dreams die. Success isn’t automatically given to us, it’s pursued with all the energy and sweat we can muster. Obstacles and struggles are part of life…they make us appreciate success. If everything came easy we’d never know how it feels to succeed. Obstacles were meant to be overcome. Fear was meant to be conquered. Success was meant to be achieved. They’re part of life, and those who succeed refuse to give up till the game is over.”
Soul food: Jer 45-48; Matt 6:9-18; Ps 110; Prov 15:8-9
Psalm 27:1 NLV
Die skrywer Jon Gordon sê: ‘Daar was ‘n tyd [toe ons kinders was] wat ons van die klimraam afgespring het en op wipwaentjieritte gegaan het. Geen doelwit was onbereikbaar nie. Toe ons egter grootword, het die twyfelaars ons van ons drome laat afsien. ‘Jy’s mal… dis te moeilik… wees veilig… drome is nie vir mense soos ons bedoel nie.’ Hulle het onsekerheid in ons teweeggebring. Wanneer so baie mense sê dat ons nie kan nie, laat ons vrees in ons lewens toe. Ons is so bang om dit wat ons het te verloor, dat ons nie dit wat ons wil hê najaag nie. Ek noem dit ‘speel om te verloor.’ Ons sien dit in sport. Wanneer ‘n span die voortou neem, begin hulle dink hoe om nie te verloor nie. Hulle speel versigtig en is bang, terwyl die ander span kanse benut, sonder vrees speel en op die ou einde wen. Dawid het gesê: ‘Die Here is my lig en my redding. Vir wie moet ek dan vrees?..’ Wanneer jy ‘n lewe van geloof lei, beteken dit dat jy begin speel om te wen. Selfs wanneer jy misluk, gee jy nie op nie en jy laat nie jou drome sterf nie. Sukses word nie outomaties aan ons gegee nie, dit moet met al jou energie en sweet nagestreef word. Struikelblokke is deel van die lewe; hulle laat ons toe om sukses te geniet. As alles maklik gekom het, sou ons nooit geweet het hoe dit voel om sukses te behaal nie. Struikelblokke is bedoel om oorkom te word. Vrees is bedoel om oorwin te word. Sukses is bedoel om bereik te word. Dis deel van die lewe en diegene wat sukses behaal, weier om op te gee totdat die spel verby is.’
Sielskos: Jer 45-48; Matt 6:9-18; Ps 110; Spr 15:8-9
2019-07-02
Esegiël 37:9-10 NLV
Adam was in die tuin van Eden perfek gevorm, maar hy het geen lewe gehad nie. Hy kon nêrens gaan totdat God se Gees nie in hom in geblaas is nie. Toe het hy saam met God begin wandel, inisiatief geneem en sy roeping in die lewe begin vervul. Jy kan ook dit wat God daardie dag in Adam in geblaas het, ontvang! Dink aan Esegiël se vallei met droë bene. Hulle was dood en deurmekaar. As dit jou lewe tans beskryf, is daar goeie nuus. Toe God asem in hierdie bene geblaas het, het hulle lewendig geword, opgestaan en ‘n weermag geword om mee rekening te hou. Let op dat die Gees van God vanuit die vier windrigtings gekom het. Dit beteken dat daar geen plek op aarde is waar sy Gees jou nie kan bereik as jy beskikbaar vir Hom is nie. Let ook op dat gebreekte dinge reggemaak is en dooie dinge weer lewend gemaak is, toe die Gees van God Esegiël se vallei binne gekom het. God wil dieselfde vir jou doen! Voor God jou egter gebruik, sal Hy jou uit jou gemaksone skud en jou metodes en gevestigde idees uitdaag. Jou verlede is nie vir Hom ‘n probleem nie, omdat sy oë op jou toekoms gevestig is. Kom dus vandag in sy teenwoordigheid en bid: ‘Blaas op my, asem van God. Vul my met nuwe lewe, sodat ek mag doen waarvoor U lief is en wat U sou doen.’ Wanneer Hy sy Gees in jou blaas, sal jy nooit weer dieselfde wees nie.
Sielskos: Jer 41-44; Matt 5:38-6:8; Ps 102:18-28; Spr 15:4-7
Ezekiel 37:9-10 NIV
In the Garden of Eden Adam was perfectly formed, but he had no life. He “had it all together,” but he wasn’t going anywhere until God’s Spirit breathed into him. Then he started walking with God, taking initiative, and fulfilling his purpose in life. You say, “I need what God breathed into Adam that day.” And you can have it! Think about Ezekiel’s Valley of Dry Bones. They were dead and in disarray. If that describes your life right now, there’s good news. When God breathed into those bones they came to life, stood up, and became a force to be reckoned with. Notice that the Spirit of God came from “the four winds,” or the four corners of the earth. That means there’s no place where His Spirit can’t reach you if you’re available to Him. Notice also that when the Spirit of God came into Ezekiel’s valley, broken things were mended and dead things brought back to life. And God wants to do the same for you! Notice what else took place: a “shaking” (v. 7). That’s standard procedure with God. Before He uses you, He shakes up your comfort zone, your proven methods, and your set-in-concrete ideas. Your past is no problem for Him, because His eyes are on your future. So come into His presence today and pray, “Breathe on me, Breath of God. Fill me with life anew. That I may love what thou dost love, and do what thou wouldst do.” When He does, you’ll never be the same.
Soul food: Jer 41-44; Matt 5:38-6:8; Ps 102:18-28; Prov 15:4-7
