2020-06-12
1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV
We can all fall into the trap of people-pleasing. We want other people to like us and to approve of what we do. But the trouble with people-pleasing is that we begin to measure our value by the approval and recognition we receive. And if we don’t get any, we can feel like we’re not worth anything. But our true worth comes from God, not anyone else. Jesus said: ‘Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows’ (Matthew 10:29-31 NIV). God doesn’t want us to live trapped by other people’s opinions. When we live by other people’s expectations of us, we give them control over our lives. God wants us to live for Him. Paul said: ‘Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ’ (Galatians 1:10 NIV). We need to think about our motive for doing things. Are we trying to please people or live for Christ? Are we serving to gain recognition in the world, or to follow the call of God? Paul wrote, ‘whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.’ When we feel hurt because our work and serving is going unnoticed, we need to remember that God sees everything we do. The Bible says: ‘God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them’ (Hebrews 6:10 NIV).
2 Kings 1:1-4:17; Mark 15:33-47; Ps 80:1-11; Prov 13:11-12
Psalm 123:2 NKJV
It’s always nice to be appreciated for the work you do, and when that doesn’t happen, it can affect your sense of self-worth. That’s why the Bible says, “As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters…our eyes look to the Lord our God.” Your true worth comes from God, not your boss. And when you forget that, you set yourself up for frustration in the workplace. Taken to the extreme, you become less effective on the job because you’re not willing to make decisions and take risks in case it negatively affects what others think about you. In essence, you become a “yes” man or woman who nods and agrees with everyone just to please them and have them like you. Consequently, your value to the company plummets because you’re not utilizing your God-given gifts to the fullest. Whatever your position, it’s only a small part of who you are, a spoke radiating from the center of your identity as a son or daughter of the King of kings. You’re not the hub turning the wheel. Knowing who you are, apart from what you do, is as essential to your success in the workplace as your credentials and your skill set. When others know that you constantly need approval, it empowers them to manipulate you, define you, and influence your self-worth. That’s too much power to give anybody! Whether you’re pushing a broom or planning a multi-million-dollar project: “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT).
Soul food: 2 Kings 1:1-4:17; Mark 15:33-47; Ps 80:1-11; Prov 13:11-12
2020-06-11
Psalm 26:3 NKJV
The story’s told of a little boy who was asked, “Do you say your prayers every night?” He replied, “No, some nights I don’t need anything!” We smile, but the point is painfully obvious. If the only time your husband or wife communicated with you was when they were in trouble or had a need they couldn’t meet, how long do you think your relationship would last? There must be a balance between your praises and your petitions. You say, “If the Lord is big enough to create and run the universe, I doubt He’s bothered when somebody as insignificant as me fails to say thanks.” Not so! When Jesus healed ten lepers and only one returned to give thanks, He asked, “Where are the other nine?” (Luke 17:17 NIV). If God dealt with you solely on the basis of His righteousness and your proclivity for unrighteousness, you’d be sunk! But He doesn’t. He says, “I have loved you…with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself” (Jeremiah 31:3 NLT). Realizing this, the psalmist wrote, “Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live” (Psalm 63:3-4 NKJV). Again he writes: “I will…praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your word above all Your name. In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul” (Psalm 138:2-3 NKJV). Someone quipped, “God doesn’t mind getting invoiced as long as He gets thanked!” So, take a moment and recall God’s lovingkindness to you.
Soul food: Rev 19-22; Mark 15:21-32; Ps 143; Prov 13:9-10
Psalm 26:3 AFR53
Daar is ‘n verhaal van ‘n klein seuntjie aan wie gevra is: ‘Sê jy elke aand jou gebedjie op?’ Hy het geantwoord: ‘Nee, party aande het ek niks nodig nie!’ Ons glimlag, maar die punt is pynlik voor die hand liggend. As jou man of vrou net met jou gekommunikeer het wanneer hulle in die moeilikheid was of ‘n behoefte gehad het wat hulle nie self kon vervul het nie, hoe lank dink jy sou die verhouding gehou het? Daar moet ‘n balans tussen jou lofprysing en jou petisies wees. Jy sê: ‘As die Here groot genoeg is om die heelal te skep en te bestuur, twyfel ek of Hy gepla is as iemand so onbenullig soos ek nie dankie sê nie.’ Dis nie so nie! Toe Jesus tien melaatse mans genees het en net een teruggedraai het om dankie te sê, het Hy gevra: “…’Waar is die ander nege?'” (Lukas 17:17 NLV). As God alleenlik jou op grond van sy geregtigheid en jou geneigdheid tot ongeregtigheid hanteer het, sou jy dit nie gemaak het nie! Hy doen dit egter nie. Hy sê: ‘…Ek het jou lief met ‘n liefde wat nooit ophou nie. Ek trek jou met troue liefde na My toe’ (Jeremia 31:3 NLV). Toe die Psalmdigter dit besef, het hy geskryf: ‘Want u goedertierenheid is beter as die lewe; my lippe moet U prys. Só sal ek U prys my lewe lank, in u Naam my hande ophef’ (Psalm 63:4-5 AFR53). Iemand het geskerts: ‘God gee nie om om ‘n faktuur te ontvang nie, solank as wat Hy daarvoor gedank word!’ Neem dus ‘n oomblik en onthou God se goedertierenheid aan jou.
Sielskos: Op 19-22; Mark 15:21-32; Ps 143; Spr 13:9-10
Psalm 26:3 NIV
Yesterday we thought about the negatives of being too focused on the past. We shouldn’t let the past rule our future, but looking back at God’s goodness and provision can help us build our faith. It’s about finding a balance. While it’s important for us to let go of the things in our past that are holding us back, it’s also important to spend time remembering the good things that God’s done for us. When we remember His faithfulness to us in the past, we can feel encouraged to wait expectantly for His help in the struggles we’re facing right now. We also need to remember to thank God for the things He’s done for us. When Jesus healed ten lepers, only one came back to thank Him. ‘One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!”‘ (Luke 17:15 NLT). Maybe the rest were too busy enjoying the freedom their healing brought, or maybe they were too proud to go back and thank Him. We don’t know. But we need to make sure that we’re taking the time to remember in gratitude what Jesus has done for us, rather than overlooking His goodness because we want to move on to the next thing in our lives. The psalmist wrote, ‘I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.’ We should never forget the love that God has for us, or the times He’s been faithful to us. Our relationships with others won’t last long if we only spend time with them when we need something. It’s important to show appreciation and remember the good. That’s what we need to do with our relationship with God too.
Rev 19-22; Mark 15:21-32; Ps 143; Prov 13:9-10
