2020-07-18
Hebrews 12:2 NKJV
James writes, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown” (James 1:12 NIV). Are you thinking of quitting? Life is full of quitting points, but if you throw in the towel on your marriage, your career, or your dream, you may regret it for the rest of your life. Only by staying the course can God strengthen you and make you a winner. F. B. Meyer says, “You never test the resources of God until you attempt the impossible.” Quitting doesn’t build character, endurance does. It develops something in you that nothing else can; that’s why God calls it “blessed” (James 5:11 NKJV). It stustains courage, gives staying power to discipline, and turns dreams into reality. Nobody knew more about endurance than Jesus. He endured all the way to Calvary: when they plucked the hair from His face, when the whip tore His flesh, when they nailed Him to a cross, when His friends forsook Him, when bystanders mocked Him, when God turned His face away, and when hell rose up and cried, “Quit!” The Bible says, “Who for the joy that was set before Him endured.” God rewards those who diligently seek Him (See Hebrews 11:6). He promises that when you seek Him with all your heart, you’ll find Him (See Jeremiah 29:13). And those promises apply to you. So tell God, “I plan to keep going, and trusting You for the strength to break through.” When you pray that way, you’ll find your quitting point isn’t as solid as you thought.
Soul food: Acts 6-7; Luke 8:16-25; Ps 140; Prov 16:3
Hebreërs 12:2 NLV
Jakobus skryf: ‘Gelukkig is die mens wat in beproewings volhard! As die toets sy geloof as eg bewys, sal hy die lewe as oorwinningskroon ontvang…’ (Jakobus 1:12 NLV). Dink jy daaraan om tou op te gooi? As jy egter jou huwelik, jou loopbaan of jou droom laat vaar, mag jy dalk vir die res van jou lewe daaroor spyt wees. God kan jou versterk en jou ‘n wenner maak, maar slegs wanneer jy op die pad bly. F.B. Meyer het gesê: ‘Jy kan nie die hulpbronne van God toets, as jy nooit die onmoontlike aanpak nie.’ Om tou op te gooi bou nie karakter nie, maar volharding doen. Dit ontwikkel iets in jou wat niks anders kan nie; dis hoekom God dit as iets goeds sien (sien Jakobus 5:11 NLV). Dit ontwikkel moed en dissipline en verander drome in realiteit. Niemand het meer as Jesus van volharding geweet nie. Hy het al die pad tot by Golgota volhard; waar hulle die hare uit sy gesig gepluk het, waar hulle sy vlees met ‘n sweep verskeur het, waar hulle Hom aan die kruis vasgespyker het, waar sy vriende Hom verlaat het, waar omstanders Hom gespot het, waar God sy gesig weggedraai het en waar die hel opgedoem het en geroep het: ‘Gee op!’ Die Bybel sê: ‘…Hy het ter wille van die blydskap wat daar voor vir Hom gewag het, die kruis verduur…’ God beloon diegene wat Hom daadwerklik soek (sien Hebreërs 11:6). Hy beloof dat jy Hom sal vind as jy Hom met jou hele hart soek (sien Jeremia 29:13). Hierdie belofte is op jou van toepassing. Sê dus vir God: ‘Ek is van plan om aan te hou en U te vertrou vir die krag om ‘n deurbraak te maak.’ Wanneer jy so bid, sal jy vind dat dit nie so maklik is om tou op te gooi nie.
Sielskos: Hand 6-7; Luk 8:16-25; Ps 140; Spr 16:3
2020-07-17
Spreuke 20:5 NLV
Die mense wat Simon geken het, het geweet dat hy impulsief was en geneig was om te praat voor hy dink. Jesus het egter iets anders in hom gesien; dis hoekom Hy hom Petrus hernoem het, met die implikasie dat hy ‘n rots is wat vir ‘n fondasie geskik was. Kan jy jou die kyk op die ander dissipels se gesigte indink toe Jesus gesê het: ‘…Jy is Petrus. Op hierdie rots sal Ek my kerk oprig, en al die magte van die hel sal dit nie oorwin nie’ (Matteus 16:18 NLV)? Petrus het toe ‘n steunpilaar, ‘n gerespekteerde leier en stigter van die kerk geword, as gevolg van Christus se vermoë om verby die oppervlak te kyk en te sien wat aan die binnekant is. Ons het wonderbaarlike potensiaal omdat ons volgens God se ewebeeld gemaak is, maar soms moet ‘n ‘verstandige’ persoon dit herken en na vore bring. Te veel van ons sien net wat op die oppervlak is. Ons is dus vinning om iemand as arrogant, of humeurig, of swak te etiketteer. Wanneer jy egter geestelike insig het, kyk jy verby dit, na die hoop en vrese agter die persoon se gedrag. Ons het nie nog selfaangestelde kritici nodig nie, ons het die volgende nodig: 1) Ouers wat vir hulle kinders bid, verby hulle foute kyk en hulle uniekheid na vore bring. 2) Eggenote wat na die verborge skatte in hulle huweliksmaats soek. 3) Besigheidsleiers wat hulle werkers met respek behandel en hulle verantwoordelikhede by hulle talente laat pas. 4) Gelowiges wat onvolwasse, struikelende mede-Christene vergewe en werk om hulle te ontwikkel. 5) Gelowiges wat verlore mense deur Jesus se oë sien en weet wat sy transformerende krag kan vermag. Bid dus vir geestelike insig.
Sielskos: Hand 3:11-5:42; Luk 8:1-15; Ps 133; Spr 16:2
Proverbs 20:5 NIV
The people who knew Simon knew he was impulsive and tended to put his foot in his mouth. But Jesus saw something else in him; that’s why He renamed him Peter, implying he was a stone suitable for a foundation. Can’t you imagine the look on the other disciples’ faces when Jesus said, “You are Peter…upon this rock I will build my church, and…hell will not conquer it” (Matthew 16:18 NLT)? But Peter did become a pillar, a respected leader and founder of the church. And all because of Christ’s ability and willingness to look beyond the surface and see what was on the inside. Being made in God’s likeness gives a person amazing potential, but sometimes it takes “a man of understanding” to recognize it and draw it out. Too many of us see only what is on the surface. So we are quick to peg someone as arrogant, or quick-tempered, or weak, etc. But when you have spiritual insight, you see beyond all that, to the hopes and fears behind the person’s behavior. We don’t need more self-appointed critics, we need: (1) Parents who pray for their children, look beyond their flaws, and draw out their uniqueness. (2) Spouses who search for the hidden treasure in their mates. (3) Business leaders who treat their workers with respect, and match their responsibilities with their talents. (4) Believers who forgive immature, stumbling fellow Christians and work to develop them. (5) Soul winners who see lost people through the eyes of Jesus and recognize what His transforming power can do. So pray for spiritual insight.
Soul food: Acts 3:11-5:42; Luke 8:1-15; Ps 133; Prov 16:2
Proverbs 20:5 NIV
The people who knew Simon knew he was impulsive and tended to say the wrong things. But Jesus saw something else in him; that’s why He renamed him Peter – a name which implied that he was a stone suitable for a foundation. Jesus said, ‘You are Peter…upon this rock I will build my church, and…hell will not conquer it’ (Matthew 16:18 NLT). And Peter did become a respected leader and founder of the church. Jesus was able and willing to look beyond the surface and see what was on the inside. We’re all made in God’s likeness (take a look at Genesis 1:27). This means that we all have amazing potential, but sometimes it takes ‘one who has insight’ to see that potential and draw it out. Sometimes the way people act isn’t actually a true reflection of their character. But we can often end up judging and labelling people based on what we see, rather than using our insight to see the gold that lies deeper. We need to pray that we’d have spiritual insight so that we can see the hopes and fears behind the way people act. If we want to act like Jesus, then we need to be willing to see the potential in each person, even the people who really frustrate us. We don’t need to try to fix everyone and bring the gold out, God’s the One to do that. He refines each of us to remove the impurities and let the gold appear. Job said: ‘God knows the way that I take, and when he has tested me, I will come out like gold’ (Job 23:10 NCV). Let’s try to see people through Jesus’ eyes and recognise what His transforming power can do.
Acts 3:11-5:42; Luke 8:1-15; Ps 133; Prov 16:2
