2020-06-19
Judges 13:7 NCV
The angel who announced Samson’s birth said he was to ‘be a Nazirite,’ which meant that he was to be dedicated to doing God’s will. But Samson was careless about his spiritual life. He prayed only when he was in trouble. He was impulsive; he did whatever he felt like doing. How often can we be like that too? We can end up refusing to follow God’s plan for our lives because our plan seems better. And we can easily fall into the habit of only praying when we need something. God can become just an afterthought and a convenience to us. We turn to Him in desperation when things get tough, but when everything’s all right we ignore Him. Only when Samson was captured by the Philistines, his eyes gouged out, and he was grinding grain at a mill like an ox, do we read that he turned to God and prayed. He said: ‘Sovereign LORD, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more’ (Judges 16:28 NIV). Why did he wait until everything fell apart before turning to God? Just imagine what Samson could have achieved if he’d turned to God right from the start. God shouldn’t be our last resort. We should be turning to Him with everything, all the time. He’s the One who can bring change to our situations, and He’s the One who loves us more than we can ever know. The psalmist said, ‘Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labour; blessings and prosperity will be yours’ (Psalm 128:1-2 NIVUK). We’d save ourselves so many problems and spare ourselves so much pain if we’d take time to invite God into the situation.
2 Kings 18:17-20:21; Luke 1:57-66; Ps 139:13-24; Prov 13:25
2020-06-18
Spreuke 1:10 NLV
Jy soek moeilikheid wanneer jy die verkeerde vriende kies. Iemand het een keer tereg opgemerk: ‘As jy saam met die arende wil sweef, kan jy nie saam met die kalkoene rondhardloop nie.’ Jy word uiteindelik soos die mense waarmee jy die meeste tyd spandeer; dis hoekom dit so belangrik is om jou vriende versigtig te kies. Die Psalmdigter het gesê: ‘Gelukkig is die mense wat nie optree volgens die raad van goddeloses, of rondstaan op die pad van sondaars… nie’ (Psalm 1:1 NLV). Simson het ongesonde verhoudings ontwikkel wat hom op die verkeerde pad gelei het. Hier is dus die vraag: Weerhou jou vriende jou daarvan om 100 persent vir God te lewe? Breek hulle jou af of bou hulle jou op? Wanneer jy saam met hulle is, vind jy dat jy dinge doen wat teenstrydig met jou beginsels of gewete is – dinge waaroor jy nie goed voel nie? Die boek Spreuke waarsku ons herhaaldelik oor negatiewe verbintenisse: ‘My seun, as goddelose mense jou wil ompraat, draai jou rug op hulle.’ Aanhoudende blootstelling aan verkeerde houdings en waardes sal uiteindelik sy tol op jou lewe eis. Dis altyd makliker om iemand af te trek as wat dit is om hulle op te hef. Watter soort vriende moet jy dan hê? Die soort wat die beste in jou uitbring, wat jou ophef, jou aanmoedig en jou ‘n beter persoon maak. ‘Is ons nie veronderstel om alle mense lief te hê nie?’ vra jy. Ja, maar jy is nie veronderstel om op hulle te leun, vir hulle te luister, hulle verkeerde maniere aan te leer of soos hulle te word nie. Jy moet volgens hierdie Skriftuurlike reël jou vriende kies: ‘Ek is ‘n vriend vir almal wat U dien, vir elkeen wat u bevele gehoorsaam’ (Psalm 119:63 NLV).
Sielskos: 2 Kon 16:1-18:16; Luk 1:39-56; Ps 139:7-12; Spr 13:24
Proverbs 1:10 NCV
We become like the people we spend the most time with; that’s why it’s so important to choose our friends wisely. The psalmist said, ‘Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers’ (Psalm 1:1 NIV). Another reason why Samson threw his potential away is that he developed unhealthy relationships and they led him astray. Are our friends keeping us from living 100% for God? Do they tear us down or build us up? When we’re with them, do we find ourselves conforming to things that we know are wrong and things we don’t feel good about doing? The book of Proverbs warns us repeatedly about surrounding ourselves with the wrong people. For example: ‘If sinners try to lead you into sin, do not follow them.’ If we’re constantly exposed to wrong attitudes and values, it will eventually take its toll on our lives. So, what kind of friends should we keep? The kind who bring out the best in us, who lift us up, who encourage us, and make us a better person. It’s really important to surround ourselves with some Christian friends who can help us in our faith and gently tell us when we’re going the wrong way. It’s also important to have a mentor figure in our lives so that we can learn and be held accountable. The psalmist said to God: ‘I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts’ (Psalm 119:63 NIV). This doesn’t mean that we should only have Christian friends, but we do need to be careful about who is influencing us and who is speaking into our lives.
2 Kings 16:1-18:16; Luke 1:39-56; Ps 139:7-12; Prov 13:24
Proverbs 1:10 NKJV
You’re asking for trouble when you choose the wrong friends. Somebody wisely said, “If you want to soar with eagles, you can’t run around with turkeys.” Eventually you become like the people you spend the most time with; that’s why it’s so important to choose your friends wisely. The psalmist said, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners” (Psalm 1:1 NKJV). Samson developed unhealthy relationships and they led him astray. So here’s the question: Are your friends keeping you from living 100 percent for God? Do they tear you down or build you up? When you’re with them, do you find yourself conforming to things that violate your convictions and your conscience – things you don’t feel good about doing? The book of Proverbs warns us repeatedly about negative associations: “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.” Constant exposure to wrong attitudes and values will eventually take its toll on your life. It is always easier to pull someone down than it is to lift them up. So, what kind of friends should you keep? The kind who bring out the best in you, who lift you up, who encourage you, and make you a better person. “But aren’t we supposed to love everybody?” you ask. Yes, but you’re not supposed to lean on them, listen to them, learn their wrong ways, and become like them. When it comes to choosing your friends, here’s the scriptural rule you should live by: “[Lord,] I am a friend to anyone who fears [respects] you – anyone who obeys your commandments” (Psalm 119:63 NLT).
Soul food: 2 Kings 16:1-18:16; Luke 1:39-56; Ps 139:7-12; Prov 13:24
2020-06-17
Hebrews 11:32 NKJV
Samson had incredible potential, but he threw it all away. Why? For several reasons. He failed to control his impulses. He was physically strong, but morally weak. He deliberately ignored God’s principles, and his life became a pathetic cycle of failures. He never learned; he kept making the same mistakes over and over. For him it was a kind of game: “How close can I get to the fire without getting burned?” Delilah, a Philistine prostitute, kept pressing him about the source of his strength, and each time she got a little closer to the truth. Samson was playing with temptation by toying with her, and eventually he got burned. And we do the same thing when we say things like “It can’t hurt…just this one time.” The truth is, not one of us plans to be a failure. It comes naturally – and gradually. It’s a step-by-step process, as little by little we become weakened. Our whole lives don’t fall apart in one day. Problems build up over a period of time, because we refuse to learn from our mistakes. Maybe you’re thinking, “But this is an area of my life I have no control over. It’s just the way I am.” That’s the wrong answer. Here’s the right one: “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength” (Isaiah 40:29 NKJV). When Samson finally faced the truth, God broke his cycle of failure and gave him the power to do what he should do, and made him victorious. And God will do the same for you when you turn to Him!
Soul food: 2 Kings 13-15; Luke 1:26-38; Ps 139:1-6; Prov 13:21-23
