2020-12-26
Genesis 2:15 NIV
First, God made a man. Then He made a garden and told the man to take care of it. We might think that work came about as a result of the fall. It’s true that work took on a different meaning at that point, but it’s a mistake to think the first people had no purpose. From the time Adam and Eve were created, it’s clear that God intended us to be like Him – creative, productive, and invested in tasks that contribute to His purposes. Adam and Eve were put in charge of the garden, and before their selfish decision to disobey God, they enjoyed maximum fulfilment in their work.
The Bible says: ‘Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name’ (v. 19 NKJV). The first job in the universe included identifying the nature, gifts, and strength of each creature, and overseeing them. Adam was God’s manager of creation, and Eve was created to be Adam’s ‘helper’. Productive work is God’s plan for our lives.
It’s rewarding when we do a job well, and it gives us a sense of value. We might be tempted to think that work is a hardship or a punishment, and the most successful people in life are the ones who don’t need to work. But we were each created to fulfil a purpose in life, and when we know we’re living that purpose, we can begin to enjoy our work. When we’re working for God and following His will, we’re successful in His eyes.
Zech 12-14; Matt 2:1-8; Ps 97; Prov 31:22-24
Genesis 2:15 NLV
Eers het God ‘n man gemaak. Toe het Hy ‘n tuin gemaak en vir die man gesê: ‘Versorg dit.’ Miskien dink jy dat werk as gevolg van die sonde ontstaan het. Dis waar, werk het op daardie punt ‘n ander betekenis aangeneem, maar dis ‘n fout om te dink dat ons eerste ouers nie ‘n doelwit gehad het nie.
Van die oomblik wat Adam en Eva geskep is, is dit duidelik dat God vir ons bedoel het om soos Hy te wees – kreatief, produktief en doelgerig in take wat tot sy doelwitte bydra. Adam en Eva was verantwoordelik vir die tuin en het voor hulle selfsugtige besluit om ongehoorsaam aan God te wees, maksimum vervulling in hulle werk ervaar.
Die Bybel sê: ‘Toe neem die Here God grond en vorm al die verskillende soorte diere en voëls daaruit. Daarop neem Hy hulle na die mens toe om te sien wat hy hulle sou noem. En die mens het vir elkeen ‘n naam gegee’ (vers 19 NLV). Die eerste werk in die heelal het ingesluit om die aard, gawes en sterkpunte van elke skepsel te identifiseer en oor hulle toesig te hou. Dis ‘n bestuursposisie! Iemand wat besig is benodig ‘n uitvoerende assistant, dus is Eva geskep om Adam se ‘helper’ te wees.
Jy hoef nie verder as die Bybel te kyk om te besef dat produktiewe werk God se plan vir jou lewe is nie. ‘n Werk wat goed gedoen word, is sy eie beloning. Dit gee jou ‘n sin van waarde, waarsonder jy in depressie kan verval. Moenie in die strik van die media trap wat sê dat suksesvolle mense nie nodig het om te werk nie. Ons is geskep om ‘n doel in die lewe te vervul, ten spyte van hoeveel geld in ons bankrekening is.
Sielskos: Sag 12-14; Matt 2:1-8; Ps 97; Spr 31:22-24
Genesis 2:15 TLV
First, God made a man. Then He made a garden and said to the man, “Care for it.” Perhaps you thought work came about as a result of the fall. It’s true, work took on a different meaning at that point, but it’s a mistake to think our first parents had no purpose.
From the time Adam and Eve were created, it’s clear that God intended us to be like Him – creative, productive, and invested in tasks that contribute to His purposes. Adam and Eve were put in charge of the garden, and before their selfish decision to disobey God they enjoyed maximum fulfillment in their work.
The Bible says: “Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name” (v. 19 NKJV).
The first job in the universe included identifying the nature, gifts, and strength of each creature, and overseeing them. That’s a managerial position! And someone who is busy needs an executive assistant, so Eve was created to be Adam’s “helper.”
You need look no further than your Bible to realize that productive work is God’s plan for your life. A job well done is its own reward. It gives you a sense of value, without which you can get depressed. Don’t fall for the media hype that tells you successful people don’t need to work. We were each created to fulfill a purpose in life, regardless of how much money is in our bank account.
Soul food: Zech 12-14; Matt 2:1-8; Ps 97; Prov 31:22-24
2020-12-25
Matthew 2:11 KJV
Today, let’s take a few minutes to reflect on the miracle of Jesus. He was born in the humblest of places, a room shared with animals, but when He was born, heaven was filled with songs of angels, and a star brought those who were rich and noble on a journey of thousands of miles to worship Him. His whole life was a miracle – from His birth to His resurrection. Everything Jesus did and everything He taught demonstrated God’s love and miraculous power. He fed thousands of people with only a few loves and fish, and even had bread and fish to spare. He was full of compassion, and healed many people. Even storms obeyed Him, but He was so gentle that small children wanted to be near Him. Jesus’ ministry lasted just three years, and yet two thousand years later, we still offer Him our praise and worship, and celebrate Hs birth and resurrection.
Today, we’re celebrating the fulfilment of the prophecy in Isaiah: ‘For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace’ (Isaiah 9:6 NIV). Today, and every day, let’s give thanks for the gift God gave us in Jesus: ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life’ (John 3:16 NIV). Whether we’re full of joy today, or whether Christmas isn’t a good time for us, let’s try not forget Jesus and the hope His birth bought to the world.
Isa 9:1-7; Matt 1:18-25; Mic 5:2-5a; Isa 7:14
Matteus 2:11 NLV
Hy is in die nederigste omstandighede gebore, tog was die hemel bo Hom gevul met engelliedere. Sy geboorteplek was ‘n stal, tog het die ster die rykes en edeles van duisende myle ver af gebring om Hom te aanbid. Sy geboorte was teenoorgesteld van die wette van die lewe en sy dood was teenoorgesteld van die wette van die dood, en tog is daar geen wonderwerk groter as sy geboorte, sy lewe, sy dood, sy opstanding en sy lesse nie. Hy het nie landerye of vissersbote gehad nie, tog het Hy die tafel vir meer as 5,000 mense gedek, met meer as genoeg brood en vis. Hy het nooit op duur tapyte gestaan nie, tog het Hy op die see geloop.
Sy kruisiging was die grootste misdaad van alle tye, tog was dit uit God se perspektief die enigste prys wat ons verlossing moontlik kon maak. Toe Hy gesterf het, het min oor Hom gerou, maar tog het God ‘n duisternis oor die son laat hang. Diegene wat Hom gekruisig het, het nie gesidder oor wat hulle gedoen het nie en tog het die aarde onder hulle geskud. Sonde kon hom nie raak nie. Ontbinding kon nie sy liggaam beetkry nie. Die grond wat rooi geword het van sy bloed, kon nie sy stof eis nie. Vir meer as drie jaar het Hy die evangelie gepreek. Hy het geen boek geskryf nie, Hy het geen hoofkantore gehad nie en Hy het geen organisasie gebou nie.
Tog is Hy tweeduisend jaar later ‘n sentrale figuur in menslike geskiedenis, die ewige tema van alle preke, die spil waarom alle eeue draai, die enigste Verlosser van die menslike geslag. Kom ons sluit hierdie seisoen van feesviering by die wyse manne aan wat voor Hom neergeval en Hom aanbid het. Kom ons onthou: Kersfees gaan oor Christus!
Sielskos: Jes 9:1-7; Matt 1:18-25; Miga 5:2-5a; Jes 7:14
