2019-11-18
2 Timothy 4:7 NKJV
Did you know that over half of those who enter the ministry quit before retirement? Why? There are lots of reasons – here is one of them: They discover that great revelation comes with a “thorn.” The apostle Paul, who wrote half the New Testament, says: “To keep me from being conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NIV). Pastor, there are 168 hours in your week. The hour you spend in the pulpit on Sunday morning showcases you in the areas of your gifting and strength. So your challenge will always be to remember that it is God’s Word and God’s power, not yours, that changes lives and gets the job done. Notice what Paul said: “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh.” Paul’s thorn came in the form of “weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties.” What’s your thorn? You can only stand strong before people if you discipline yourself to spend time before God in prayer and Bible study. That’s how to stay effective and finish strong in ministry!
Soul food: 2 Chr 19-21; John 12:1-11; Ps 76; Prov 27:4-6
2019-11-17
Romans 8:6 NKJV
Paul writes, “Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit” (v. 5 NKJV). Passenger planes are designed to fly in two ways – through the skill of a pilot and the commands they receive from the control tower. To “live according to the Spirit” means obeying His promptings. You do that by going through your day with an awareness of His presence. Submit, as you feel Him tugging at your heart to take a particular course of action, even if you don’t quite understand why. You may be prompted to drop a particular conversation, turn away quickly from a certain television program, walk away from a questionable environment, or even go “by another way.” (Remember the wise men in Matthew 2:12?) Whatever it is, do it immediately. The Holy Spirit may be warning you about a temptation you’ll be unable to resist unless you obey Him there and then. Perhaps there’s someone who comes to your mind during the day, and you know he or she is going through a difficult time and could use some support. Get in touch with them. God wants to minister to that person through you, and He will bless you when you do it. The Holy Spirit may guide you to do a certain thing, or take a risk you never imagined you’d take. The wisest thing is always to submit to His plan, regardless of whether or not it makes sense to you. God knows all things, including your future, and His direction is always for your benefit.
Soul food: Josh 1; Ps 27:11-14; 2 Cor 5:6-10
Romeine 8:6 NLV
Paulus skryf: ‘Die mense wat deur hulle sondige natuur gedomineer word – hulle gedagtes word oorheers deur sondige dinge. Maar dié wat deur die Gees beheer word – hulle gedagtes is vol van die dinge wat die Gees gelukkig maak’ (vers 5 NLV). Om ‘deur die Gees beheer’ te word, beteken dat jy sy aansporing gehoorsaam. Jy doen dit deur met ‘n bewustheid van sy teenwoordigheid deur jou dag te gaan. Jy onderwerp jou aan Hom wanneer jy in jou hart voel hoe Hy jou aanspoor om ‘n spesifieke plan van aksie te volg, selfs al verstaan jy nie hoekom nie. Jy mag dalk aangespoor word om ‘n spesifieke gesprek stop te sit, vinnig van ‘n sekere televisieprogram af weg te draai, uit ‘n twyfelagtige omgewing uit weg te stap of selfs ‘n ander roete te volg (Onthou jy die wyse manne in Matteus 2:12?). Wat dit ook al is, doen dit onmiddellik. Die Heilige Gees mag jou dalk oor ‘n versoeking waarsku wat jy nie in staat is om te weerstaan nie, tensy jy Hom daar en dan gehoorsaam. Miskien is daar iemand wat deur die dag in jou gedagtes opkom en jy weet dat hy of sy deur ‘n moeilike tyd gaan en ondersteuning nodig het. Maak kontak met hulle. God wil deur jou met daardie persoon praat en Hy sal jou seën wanneer jy dit doen. Die Heilige Gees mag jou dalk lei om ‘n sekere ding te doen of ‘n risiko te neem wat jy jouself nooit kon indink nie. Die wysste stap is om jouself altyd aan sy plan te onderwerp, ongeag of dit vir jou sin maak of nie. God weet alle dinge, insluitend jou toekoms en sy leiding is altyd tot jou voordeel.
Sielskos: Jos 1; Ps 27:11-14; 2 Kor 5:6-10
2019-11-16
Psalm 39:2 DB
Die Psalmdigter het baie oor die gevare van die tong te sê gehad. ‘Sit ‘n wag voor my mond, Here, hou wag oor wat ek sê’ (Psalm 141:3 NLV). ‘Mag die woorde van my mond en die gedagtes van my hart vir U aanneemlik wees, Here…’ (Psalm 19:15 NLV). Net omdat ‘n gedagte by jou opkom, beteken dit nie dat jy dit moet uitblaker nie! ‘Wanneer ‘n dwaas kwaad is, dan sê hy alles wat hy dink, ‘n wyse mens bly kalm’ (Spreuke 29:11 ABA). Jy sê: ‘Maar ek het dit nie regtig bedoel nie. Ek het net afgekoel!’ Jy mag dalk dink dat jy dit nie bedoel het nie, maar die Bybel sê: ‘…Waar die hart van vol is, loop die mond van oor’ (Matteus 12:34 NLV). Wat in jou binneste weggesteek word, eindig onvermydelik aan die buitekant op. Plaas jouself in die ander persoon se plek, luister na wat jy sê en vra jouself af hoe jy sou reageer. Wanneer jy met iemand anders praat, hang hulle aanvaarding nie af van jou verhoogde desibelvlak nie, maar van jou vermoë om te luister, te verstaan, om te gee, te empatiseer en met wysheid te reageer. As geeneen van hierdie dinge werk nie, doen wat Jesus gedoen het toe Hy voor Pilates gestaan het: ‘…só het Hy sy mond nie oopgemaak nie’ (Handelinge 8:32 NLV). Wonderlik! Hy het die mag en gesag gehad om twaalf legioene engele (72,000 plus) tot sy verdediging te roep, maar Hy het dit nie gedoen nie. Dis krag, nie swakheid nie! Nog ‘n wyse woord: Moet nooit tot die vlak van ‘n gevloekery daal nie. ‘Moenie enige vuil taal gebruik nie. Gebruik eerder die regte, opbouende woorde wat nodig is om dié wat luister, te bevoordeel’ (Efesiërs 4:29 NLV).
Sielskos: 2 Kro 16-18; Joh 11:38-57; Ps 81; Spr 27:1-3
Psalm 39:1 NIV
The psalmist has a lot to say about the dangers of the tongue. Apparently he had to guard himself in that particular area. “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3 NIV). “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord” (Psalm 19:14 NIV). Just because a thought comes up doesn’t mean it should come out! “A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back” (Proverbs 29:11 NKJV). You say, “But I didn’t really mean it. I was just sounding off!” You may not think you meant it, but the Bible says, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34 NKJV). What’s harbored on the inside inevitably shows up on the outside. Put yourself in the other person’s place, listen to what you’re saying, and ask yourself how you’d respond. When you’re talking to someone, their acceptance doesn’t come from your heightened decibel level, but from your ability to listen, understand, care, empathize, and respond with wisdom. And if none of those things work, do what Jesus did when He stood before Pilate: “He opened not His mouth” (Acts 8:32 NKJV). Amazing! He had the power and authority to call twelve legions of angels (72,000 plus) to His defense, but He didn’t. That’s strength, not weakness! Another word to the wise: Never resort to profanity. “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them” (Ephesians 4:29 NLT).
Soul food: 2 Chr 16-18; John 11:38-57; Ps 81; Prov 27:1-3
