2020-10-30
Proverbs 15:23 NLT
William Penn, founder of the British colony of Pennsylvania in 1677 (the U.S. state of Pennsylvania is named in his honour), formulated six principles for conversation:
“(1) Avoid company where it is not profitable or necessary, and on those occasions, speak little, and last. (2) Silence is wisdom, where speaking is folly; and always safe. (3) Some are so foolish as to interrupt and anticipate those that speak, instead of hearing and thinking before they answer, which is uncivil, as well as silly. (4) If you think twice before you speak once, you will speak twice the better for it. (5) Better to say nothing, than not to the purpose. And to speak pertinently, consider both what is fit, and when it is fit to speak. (6) In all debates, let truth be your aim, not victory or unjust interest; endeavor to gain, rather than to expose your critic.”
In short: Never speak without thinking! Give yourself time to incorporate wisdom into your words, avoiding those that make others feel intimidated or inferior. One of the best ways to persuade others is by listening to them.
A gossip talks about others and a bore talks about himself, but a good conversationalist talks about what interests you, and listens attentively to what you have to say. The truth is, sometimes the more you speak, the less people remember. And they’re more likely to remember your words if they feel like you care enough to listen to their thoughts and concerns. The Bible says, “Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!”
Soul food: Ezra 3-5; John 7:25-44; Ps 108; Prov 24:29
2020-10-29
Colossians 3:2 AMPC
The Bible says, “Set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.” There are many things that happen in this world which can easily affect our mind and emotions, and we need to learn how to rise above them. When negative thoughts are building up and trying to take control of our emotions, we need to take a few minutes to “set our minds and keep them set” on “the higher things.”
It often helps to speak positively about whatever is bothering you. For example, have a chat with yourself that goes something like this: “My family may not be everything I’d like it to be, but I’m thankful I have a family. My house may not be as nice as I’d like it to be, but it’s still a good place to live. I might be going through a difficult time right now, but Jesus is with me and He’s going to get me through it.” The Devil knows which of your buttons to push to get an emotional reaction. So what should you do?
Stand on God’s Word: “Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whom You discipline…instruct…and teach out of Your law, that You may give him power to keep himself calm in the days of adversity” (Psalm 94:12-13 AMPC).
The more you discipline yourself to say no to your feelings and yes to the wisdom of God, the easier it becomes to defeat the Enemy in a spiritual tug-of-war. So decide today that you won’t arrange your life around unreliable emotions, and focus instead on “the higher things”!
Soul food: Ezra 1-2; John 7:14-24; Ps 104:24-35; Prov 24:28
Colossians 3:2 AMP
There are so many things that happen in the world that can easily affect our mind and emotions. We need to learn that, with God, we have the power to rise above them. With God’s Spirit living in us, we have so much more control over our outlook than we often recognise. There will always be things in our lives that we don’t feel great about. It’s impossible for everything around us to make us happy. However, contentment is separate to our in-the-moment feelings of happiness.
In our Christian lives, contentment means accepting what God has given you and praising Him through it, and that comes down to a choice. 1 Timothy 6:6 tells us that ‘godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it’ (NIV). Paul is reminding us there that the things around us don’t need to dictate whether we’re content in God or not. What we have around us in this world is temporary, but God’s love and care is forever.
Colossians 3:1-2 carries the instruction to ‘set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things’ (NIV). By doing that, we can find stability. Jesus never changes, so when our hearts are set on Him, our unreliable emotions filter out, and our certainty in God can help us choose to praise God for everything that He is.
This brings us back to the idea of adoration that we thought about yesterday. Spending time focusing on who God is, putting aside what’s going on around us, and even what we think God is or isn’t doing in this moment, will help us set our hearts and minds on His personality, and lead us to choose contentment.
Ezra 1-2; John 7:14-24; Ps 104:24-35; Prov 24:28
Kolossense 3:2 NLV
Die Bybel sê: ‘Laat julle gedagtes beheer word deur die hemelse dinge, nie deur dinge op hierdie aarde nie.’ Daar is baie dinge wat in hierdie wêreld kan gebeur wat maklik ons gedagtes en emosies kan affekteer. Ons moet leer om bo hulle uit te rys. Wanneer negatiewe gedagtes opbou en beheer van jou emosies probeer neem, moet jy ‘n paar minute neem om jou gedagtes op ‘die hemelse dinge’ te fokus. Dit help dikwels om op ‘n positiewe manier oor dit wat jou pla, te praat.
Gesels byvoorbeeld as volg met jouself: ‘My familie mag dalk nie alles wees wat ek wil hê hulle moet wees nie, maar ek is dankbaar dat ek ‘n familie het. My huis mag dalk nie so mooi en netjies wees soos ek dit sal verkies nie, maar dis steeds ‘n goeie plek om te bly. Ek mag dalk tans deur ‘n moeilike tyd gaan, maar Jesus is met my en gaan my hierdeur bring.’
Die duiwel weet watter knoppies om te druk om ‘n emosionele reaksie te ontlok. Wat moet jy dus doen? Staan op God se Woord: ‘Geseënd is hulle vir wie U vermaan, Here, vir wie U uit u gebooie onderrig. U gee hom verligting in moeilike tye…’ (Psalm 94:12-13 NLV).
Hoe meer jy jouself dissiplineer om nee vir jou gevoelens en ja vir God se wysheid te sê, hoe makliker word dit om die Vyand in ‘n geestelike stryd te oorwin. Besluit dus vandag dat jy nie jou lewe rondom onbetroubare emosies gaan rangskik nie en fokus eerder op ‘die hemelse dinge’!
Sielskos: Esra 1-2; Joh 7:14-24; Ps 104:24-35; Spr 24:28
2020-10-28
Philippians 4:6 CEV
Rachel and Jim owned a commercial building, half of which Jim used for his dental practice. For fifteen years they had no difficulty renting out the other half, which provided extra money to pay their bills. Then they lost their renter, and a real estate agent told them, “Forget about advertising for a while – absolutely nobody is renting.”
To ease her stress, Rachel started swimming laps at the local YMCA pool. One day when she was feeling especially anxious, she decided to pray as she swam, using the alphabet to keep track of the number of laps. She focused on adjectives to describe God, starting with the letter A. “You are Almighty God,” she prayed during lap one. B. “A benevolent God, a bountiful God,” she prayed on the next lap. And then C, “You are a caring, creative, can-do God.” By the time she’d completed twenty-six laps, an hour had passed and her fears were gone. She knew God would provide.
A short time later a physical therapist called to say she’d noticed the “For Rent” sign, and asked to see the office. It was exactly what she wanted, so she and her partner rented the space.
Rachel still prays while she’s swimming laps. “After all,” she says, “I’ve discovered God’s goodness stretches from A to Z.”
Are you worrying about something today? Here’s a better option: “With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Jesus Christ, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel” (vv. 6-7 CEV).
Soul food: Zeph 1-3; John 7:1-13; Ps 104:1-23; Prov 24:26-27
