2020-02-24
Isaiah 54:17 NLT
Have you been falsely accused? So was Jesus. They called Him a glutton, a drunkard, and a friend of low-life sinners. They accused the apostle Paul of being a madman, a fool, and a babbler. The Bible calls Satan the “father of lies” (John 8:44 NIV). And when you’re committed to doing God’s will, he will attack you – and use people to do it. Don’t get discouraged and don’t despair. God will vindicate you. His Word says, “No weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me.” If you insist on retaliating, God will back off and leave you to it. But when you put the situation into His hands, the test can result in a testimony to His goodness and grace in your life. So instead of wasting time complaining, pray: “Let your favour shine on your servant. In your unfailing love, rescue me. Don’t let me be disgraced…Lord…I call out to you for help. Let the wicked be disgraced…Silence their lying lips – those proud and arrogant lips that accuse the godly. How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues” (Psalm 31:16-20 NLT). Simply pray, “Father, I put this situation into Your hands today. Vindicate me.”
Soul food: Gen 1-3; Matt 17:1-13; Ps 40:1-8; Prov 6:1-5
Jesaja 54:17 NLV
Is jy vals beskuldig? Jesus was ook. Hulle het hom gulsig, ‘n dronkaard en ‘n vriend van sondaars genoem. Hulle het die apostel Paulus daarvan beskuldig dat hy ‘n dwaas, ‘n praatjiesmaker en mal is. Die Bybel het Satan die vader van leuens genoem (sien Johannes 8:44). Wanneer jy toegewyd daaraan is om God se wil te doen, sal hy jou aanval – en mense gebruik om dit te doen. Moenie moedeloos en wanhopig word nie. God sal reg aan jou laat geskied. Sy Woord sê: ‘Maar geen wapen wat teen jou gemik word, sal iets teen jou kan uitrig nie. Elke aanklag teen jou, sal jy weerlê. Dit is die erflating van die dienaars van die Here. Aan hulle laat Ek reg geskied…’ As jy daarop aandring om weerwraak te neem, sal God terugtree en jou toelaat om dit te doen. As jy egter die situasie in sy hande plaas, kan die toets in ‘n getuienis van sy goedheid en genade in jou lewe, verander. In plaas daarvan om dus tyd te mors deur te kla, bid: ‘Laat u guns oor u dienaar skyn, red my deur u troue liefde. Moenie dat ek in skande kom nie, Here, want ek roep tot U om hulp. Laat die goddeloses in die skande kom… Laat die leuenaars stilgemaak word, dié wat vol hoogmoed en veragting teen regverdiges praat. Hoe groot is die goedheid wat U weggebêre het vir hulle wat U dien, wat U voor die oë van die mense gee aan hulle wat op U vertrou. U verberg hulle veilig in u teenwoordigheid teen komplotte van mense. U bedek hulle in u skuilplek, veilig van dié wat hulle beskuldig (Psalm 31:17-21 NLV). Bid eenvoudig: ‘Here, ek plaas vandag hierdie situasie in u hande. Laat reg aan my geskied.’
Sielskos: Gen 1-3; Matt 17:1-13; Ps 40:1-8; Spr 6:1-5
Ephesians 4:29 NCV
Nobody likes to be criticised. It can make us defensive and lead us to say things that we don’t really mean. Or it can knock our self-esteem, and leave us feeling worthless and not good enough. Criticism can come from our friends, family, colleagues, and even strangers via social media. But the Bible wants us to be building each other up. ‘Say what people need – words that will help others become stronger’ and ‘encourage each other and give each other strength’ (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NCV). Sometimes criticism can be helpful because it shows us areas we need to work on. But criticism is not always meant in a constructive way, it’s often destructive. We need to learn to handle criticism well. We need to avoid retaliation and instead take everything that is said to us to God. He can show us if we need to make any changes to our lifestyles and character, but He can also remind us of our core identity in Him. We also need to lead by example. We should be aiming to speak words of life to other people, rather than criticising them. Jesus said: ‘Why do you notice the little piece of dust in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice the big piece of wood in your own eye?’ (Matthew 7:3 NCV). It can be so tempting to point out other people’s mistakes, but we need to remember that we’re not perfect either. All of us sin, all of us mess up, and all of us fail at things. If we wouldn’t want someone pointing out our mistakes, why would we do that to someone else? Let’s be ‘encouragers’ rather than ‘criticisers’.
Gen 1-3; Matt 17:1-13; Ps 40:1-8; Prov 6:1-5
2020-02-23
1 Samuel 1:27 NIV
We all have desires and things we want to happen in our lives. Maybe we want to get into a certain university or career path. Maybe we want a relationship or a house. Maybe we want the opportunity to use and develop the skills God’s given to us. In the Bible, we’re introduced to Hannah. She wanted to be a mother so badly that she ‘prayed to the LORD, weeping bitterly’ (v.10 NIV). In fact, she made a vow to God, pledging that if He gave her a son, she would ‘give him to the LORD for all the days of his life’ (v.11 NIV). And it happened. The Bible says that Hannah ‘became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the LORD for him”‘ (v.20 NIV). God knows we have desires for things, and He wants us to bring those desires to Him. In Psalm 37, we’re told to: ‘Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart’ (v.4 NIV). Sometimes God gives us the things we’re desperately asking Him for, but sometimes He doesn’t. There isn’t a set formula we need to follow to get Him to give us what we’re asking for. The truth is, God knows what we need and what will be best for us. We have desires for certain things, but they’re not always the best thing for us. He loves us so much that He only wants the best things in our lives. It can be really hard when we’ve been praying for something for a long time, and God doesn’t seem to be doing anything. But we need to keep bringing it to Him in prayer, and keep seeking His will for our lives.
Titus 2:1-14; Gen 39:6-12; Prov 25:28
1 Samuel 1:27 NKJV
Hannah wanted to be a mother so badly that “she…prayed to the Lord and wept” (v. 10 NKJV). In fact, she made a vow to God, pledging that if He gave her a son, she would “give him to the Lord all the days of his life” (v. 11 NKJV). And it happened. The Bible says, “It came to pass in the process of time that Hannah…bore a son” (v. 20 NKJV). The same thing happened to Ruth: “Boaz begot Obed by Ruth” (Matthew 1:5 NKJV). Ruth was a penniless widow when God introduced her to Boaz, the owner of the field in which she was gleaning. She was a Gentile and he was a Jew, and by law they were forbidden to marry. But God removed the barrier that stood in their way, and from their union came a little boy called Obed. He was a progenitor to King David, and eventually to our blessed Lord Jesus. God said, “I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27 NKJV). And in case you’re not sure of the answer, here it is: “Lord…You…made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You” (v. 17 NKJV). Today if you’re asking God for a child, stand on these Scriptures and believe Him: “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass…Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:4-5, 7 NKJV).
Soul food: Titus 2:1-14; Gen 39:6-12; Prov 25:28
