2020-04-02
1 Peter 1:6 NLT
When we’re struggling, do we tend to give in and feel defeated by our problems? Or do we keep going, knowing that we’ll overcome? Sometimes our answer to that is dependent on how long we’ve been struggling for. The longer we’re dealing with a problem, without seeing any sign of progress, the harder it can be to keep positive and have faith that we’ll be victorious. But we need to have an overcomer attitude. God has already overcome death, sin, and the world. The Bible says: ‘In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33 NIV). When we have faith in God and ourselves, we can end up doing amazing things. We can find freedom from things which have kept us feeling trapped for years. The problem that seems so big today, can become the very thing that launches us into a great future. ‘We should never forget that ‘we are more than conquerors through him who loved us’ (Romans 8:37 NIV). Through Him, we have the strength we need to overcome everything we’re facing. Sometimes that means we can break free from our problems, other times it means we can continue having joy despite what we’re going through. We need to keep our eyes fixed on God, the One who can help us get through every valley we face. And we need to remember that these times will actually bring good things. The Bible puts it this way: ‘There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine…when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honour’ (1 Peter 1:6-7 NLT).
Est 1-4; Matt 26:57-64; Ps 72:12-20; Prov 9:7-9
1 Peter 1:6 NLT
In 1962, in a classic study called Cradles of Eminence, Victor and Mildred Goertzel investigated the family backgrounds of more than 400 highly successful people. They sought to identify the early experiences that may have contributed to their remarkable achievements in life. They included people like Einstein and many others who are famous and admired. Their backgrounds proved to be very interesting. Three-fourths of them came from troubled childhoods, enduring poverty, broken homes, or parental abuse. One-fourth of them had physical disabilities. Most of those who became well-known writers or playwrights watched their parents embroiled in one crisis after another. Here’s what the researches concluded: The need to compensate for disadvantages was a major factor in their drive toward personal achievement. These people had one thing in common – the overcoming attitude: “This is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith” (1 John 5:4 NKJV). When you have faith in God and yourself, you can end up doing things that astound you. The problem that seems so formidable today, can become the very thing that launches you into greatness tomorrow. The Bible puts it this way: “There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold…So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor” (1 Peter 1:6-7 NLT).
Soulfood: Est 1-4; Matt 26:57-64; Ps 72:12-20; Prov 9:7-9
2020-04-01
1 Peter 4:12 NCV
When we’re facing challenging circumstances, we can sometimes be surprised that these things are happening to us. We ask ‘why me?’. But the Bible tells us: ‘Do not be surprised at the terrible trouble which now comes to test you. Do not think that something strange is happening to you. But be happy that you are sharing in Christ’s sufferings so that you will be happy and full of joy when Christ comes again in glory’ (vv.12-13 NCV). Times of testing can feel strange and uncomfortable, but they are normal and necessary. They are how we grow in grace. They are how God equips and prepares us to do great things in His kingdom. In The Message, Eugene Peterson paraphrases Peter’s words: ‘Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.’ We can actually rejoice in our times of suffering, rather than complaining about them. But how can we be glad that we’re being tested? We can rejoice in the fact that we’re experiencing what Jesus experienced, and we can be grateful that God’s using the tests to make us more like Him. His tests strengthen our faith, purify us, and cause us to grow spiritually. The Bible says: ‘We have small troubles for a while now, but they are helping us gain an eternal glory that is much greater than the troubles’ (2 Corinthians 4:17 NCV). If we could see the blessing that’s waiting for us on the other side of the trial, we’d stop feeling sorry for ourselves and start praising God for what He’s doing in us.
Job 40-42; Matt 26:47-56; Ps 72:1-11; Prov 9:1-6
1 Petrus 4:12 NLV
Die Bybel sê: ‘My liewe vriende, as dit so swaar met julle gaan dat julle dit byna nie meer kan hou nie, moenie sommer daaruit aflei dat julle godsdiens daarmee heen is nie. Christene moet ook swaarkry. Dink maar aan Jesus. Hy het baie swaar gekry. Julle moet eerder bly en opgewonde wees dat julle soos Hy is, al is dit ook dat julle soos Hy kan swaarkry omdat julle Christene is. Dink net hoe bly julle gaan wees wanneer Hy weer kom en almal dan sien hoe groot en belangrik Hy regtig is’ (verse 12-13 DB). Tye waarin jy getoets word, voel dalk vreemd, maar dit is normaal en noodsaaklik! Dit is hoe jy in genade groei. God rus jou daardeur toe en berei jou voor om groot dinge in sy koninkryk te doen. God teister ons nooit, maar Hy toets ons beslis. Sy toetse meet ons, openbaar ons, versterk ons geloof, suiwer ons en laat ons geestelik groei. Om die apostel Paulus aan te haal: ‘Ons gee nooit moed op nie, ook nie wanneer ons rondgestamp en mishandel word nie. Nee, dan byt ons eers vas, want God is die hele tyd by ons. Hy maak ons elke dag van binne af nuut. Ons bietjie swaarkry hier en nou weeg nie op teen al die goeie dinge wat op ons wag in God se nuwe wêreld nie. Ek het nie genoeg woorde om vir julle te beskryf hoe wonderlik dit sal wees nie… Nee, ons kyk by al ons probleme en teenslae verby… Al wat vir altyd sal bly bestaan, is God se nuwe wêreld’ (2 Korintiërs 4:16-18 DB). As jy die seëninge kon sien wat aan die ander kant van hierdie vuurproef vir jou wag, sou jy ophou om jouself jammer te kry en begin feesvier.
Sielskos: Job 40-42; Matt 26:47-56; Ps 72:1-11; Spr 9:1-6
1 Peter 4:12 NKJV
The Bible tells us: “Do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy” (vv. 12-13 NKJV). In The Message, Eugene Peterson paraphrases Peter’s words: “Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.” Times of testing feel “strange,” but they are normal and necessary! They are how you grow in grace. They are how God equips and prepares you to do great things in His kingdom. God never afflicts us, but He most assuredly tests us. And His tests measure us, reveal us, strengthen our faith, purify us, and cause us to grow spiritually. To quote the apostle Paul: “Every detail works to your advantage and to God’s glory: more and more grace, more and more people, more and more praise! So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace” (2 Corinthians 4:15-17 MSG). If you could see the blessing that’s waiting for you on the other side of this fiery trial, you’d cancel your pity party and start planning your promotion party.
Soul food: Job 40-42; Matt 26:47-56; Ps 72:1-11; Prov 9:1-6
