2019-10-29
Psalm 1:2 NKJV
When you go beyond simply reading your Bible and take the time to meditate each day on its truths, you begin to think like God. And when that happens your life changes for the better. Peter was so dependent on the words of Jesus that he said, “To whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). And Job said, “I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread” (Job 23:12 NIV). Question: When was the last time you forfeited a meal in order to spend time meditating on the Scriptures? As you meditate on God’s Word you develop a mindset that enables you to rise above your fears. “My word…will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11 NIV). Did you get that? God’s Word will accomplish God’s purposes in your life! That’s why Satan will battle you over finding time to read your Bible. The truth is, you don’t find time, you make it! The prophet Isaiah said, “Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will” (Isaiah 50:4 NLT). In a world that’s often devoid of commitment, God promises: “I won’t give up on you. I’ll keep working on you until you’re clear in your perceptions, strong in your faith, and balanced in your spiritual walk. As you meditate on My precepts, you’ll start to move in a new direction. And when that happens, your life will begin to prosper.” So beginning today – meditate on God’s Word.
Soul food: 1 Chr 1-2; John 7:45-53; Ps 9; Prov 24:30-34
2019-10-28
Daniël 4:25 NLV
As iemand wat in die Bybel glo, is daar drie woorde wat nie in jou woordeskat moet wees nie: geluk, toeval en lot. Vervang hulle eerder met die woord voorsienigheid, wat beteken dat daar vooruit gesien en voorsien word. Die Westminster geloofsbelydenis, wat in die sewentiende eeu geskryf is, verklaar: ‘God, die groot Skepper van alle dinge, dra, bestuur, skik en regeer alle skepsels, dade en dinge, van die grootste tot selfs die kleinste, deur sy alwyse en heilige voorsienigheid, volgens sy onfeilbare voorkennis…’ Dit beteken dat God, nie ons nie, in beheer is! Wat dan van die menslike wil? Kan ons nie onafhanklik optree nie? Die teoloog dr R.C. Sproul het geskryf: ‘God se soewereine voorsiening is verhef bo ons dade. Hy werk sy wil uit deur die optrede van menslike wil, sonder om die vryheid van daardie menslike wil te oortree.’ Kyk na Josef. Sy broers het hom probeer vernietig, maar in plaas daarvan het hulle aksies hom op die troon van Egipte geplaas en God se wil vervul. Later het hy gesê: ‘Wat my betref, het God die kwaad wat julle gedoen het, omgekeer in iets wat goed is’ (Genesis 50:20 NLV). Judas se gruwelikste daad het die beste ding wat ooit gebeur het meegebring – Christus se versoening van ons sondes aan die kruis. Voel jy verward deur die dinge wat om jou aan die gang is? Een rede is omdat ons net omtrent 10 persent van ons geestelike potensiaal gebruik. Paulus wys ons ook daarop dat ons maar net ten dele ken (sien 1 Korintiërs 13:9 NLV). Wanneer ons in die hemel kom mag God dit dalk alles verduidelik – of nie. Tot dan, vertrou Hom. Verbly ook jouself, want Hy hou die hele wêreld in sy hande – insluitend vir jou!
Sielskos: 1 Joh 3:11-5:21; Joh 7:25-44; Ps 104:27-35; Spr 24:29
Daniel 4:25 NKJV
As a Bible believer, here are three words that should not be in your vocabulary: luck, coincidence, and fate. Replace them instead with the word providence, which means “to see in advance and to provide for.” The Westminster Confession of Faith, written in the seventeenth century, states: “God the great creator of all things doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things from the greatest even to the least, by his most wise and holy providence.” That means God is in charge, not us! But what about our human will? Can’t we act independently? Theologian Dr. R. C. Sproul wrote, “God’s sovereign providence stands over and above our actions. He works out His will through the actions of human wills, without violating the freedom of those human wills.” Look at Joseph. His brothers tried to destroy him, but instead their efforts put him on the throne of Egypt and fulfilled God’s will. Later he said, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result” (Genesis 50:20 NAS). Judas’ most heinous act helped bring about the best thing that ever happened, Christ’s atonement for our sins on the cross. Are you confused because of the things going on around you? One reason is because we only utilize about 10 percent of our mental potential. Plus, Paul points out that now we only “know in part” (1 Corinthians 13:9). When we get to heaven God may explain it all – or not. Until then, trust Him. And rejoice, He’s got the whole world in His hands – including you!
Soul food: 1 John 3:11-5:21; John 7:25-44; Ps 104:27-35; Prov 24:29
2019-10-27
Psalm 107:20 MSG
Each of us comes to the Lord damaged. So He begins a renovation program to repair our thoughts about Him, about others, and about ourselves. While you may look good on the outside, there’s a constant hammering and sawing going on inside, as the Holy Spirit works to meet a deadline and make us an “instrument for noble purposes” (2 Timothy 2:21 NIV). And one of the tools He uses is “the foolishness of preaching” (1 Corinthians 1:21). Whatever you do, never lose your appetite for Bible preaching: “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). It boggles the unregenerate mind to watch the preached word transform the most dysfunctional people into productive members of society. And most of the time God does all this while maintaining a veil of secrecy that protects our reputation and public perception. How gracious! Can you imagine how shocked people would be if they really knew the shape we were in when God found us? Only His power could have forced open the snare that had entrapped our minds and set us free to live again. David declared, “He spoke the word that healed you, that pulled you back from the brink of death. So thank God for his marvelous love” (Psalm 107:20-21 MSG). Notice what did it – His Word! That’s what provides cleansing for our shame, makes us righteous, and gives us a roadmap to our destiny. Because of Him, you matter. Because of Him, you have nothing to fear. If anybody has a right to shout for joy today – it’s you!
Soul food: Num 9:15-23; Exo 24:15; Matt 17:1-8; Acts 1:9-11
Psalm 107:20 DB
Elkeen van ons kom beskadig na die Here toe. Dus begin Hy ‘n genesingsprogram om ons gedagtes oor Hom, ander mense en oor onsself te herstel. Terwyl jy dalk aan die buitekant kan goed lyk, is daar ‘n werking wat binne-in jou aangaan, soos die Heilige Gees werk om jou ‘…’n spesiale besitting van die Huiseienaar…’ (2 Timoteus 2:21 NLV), te maak. Een van die stukke gereedskap wat Hy gebruik is ‘… die ‘dwaasheid’ van ons prediking…’ (1 Korintiërs 1:21 NLV). Wat jy ookal doen, moet nooit jou aptyt vir Bybelse prediking verloor nie: ‘Die geloof volg uit die aanhoor van die boodskap. En die aanhoor van die boodskap volg uit prediking van die Goeie Nuus wat handel oor Christus’ (Romeine 10:17 NLV). Dit gaan die verstand te bowe om te sien hoe die gepreekte Woord die mees disfunksionele mense in produktiewe lede van die samelewing verander. Die meeste van die tyd doen God dit alles agter ‘n sluier van geheimhouding wat ons reputasie en publieke persepsie beskerm. Hoe genadig is dit nie! Net sy mag kan die slagyster wat ons gedagtes vasvang, oopmaak en ons vrymaak om weer te lewe. Dawid het verklaar: ‘Die Here het net een woord gesê, en toe word hulle gesond. So het Hy hulle uit die dood se kloue gered. Nou prys hulle die Here vir sy liefde. Hulle sê vir Hom baie dankie vir die wonderlike dinge wat Hy doen’ (Psalm 107:20-21 DB). Let op – sy Woord het dit gedoen! Dis wat ons van ons sonde reinig, ons regverdig voor Hom maak en ons die padkaart na ons bestemming gee. As gevolg van Hom, maak jy saak. As gevolg van Hom, het jy niks om te vrees nie. As enigiemand die reg het om vandag in blydskap uit te roep – is dit jy!
Sielskos: Num 9:15-23; Eks 24:15; Matt 17:1-8; Hand 1:9-11
