2021-03-15
Genesis 3:10 NKJV
When we see people who appear confident, have everything together, and don’t seem to be shaken by whatever life throws at them, we might assume that they never feel fear. But the truth is that despite outward appearances, nobody is immune to fear. The first person God created was Adam, and the first recorded words Adam spoke were these: ‘I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself’ (Genesis 3:10 NKJV).
Fear is part of human nature. When we’re faced with a genuine danger, it can be a useful warning signal that we need to be ready to react. But it can also be a destructive force in our lives. One of the old English words for fear means ‘sudden attack’, and it’s related to an old German word that means ‘ambush or snare’. And that’s what fear does; it attacks us and takes us captive.
But God doesn’t want us to be held prisoner by fear; He wants us to be set free by faith in Him. Fear weakens, but faith strengthens. Fear paralyses, but faith empowers. Fear disheartens, but faith encourages. God says to us, ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine’ (Isaiah 43:1 NKJV).
Studies have discovered that some of our biggest areas of fear include finances, health, career, relationships, achieving goals, and death. Over the next few days, let’s take a look at each of these areas, and hold on to the fact that God is with us and He promises to strengthen and guide us in every situation we face.
Job 8-10; Matt 23:1-12; Ps 115; Prov 8:1-3
2021-03-14
Proverbs 31:28 MSG
Centuries ago, when traveling was slow and uncomfortable, people worshipped at their local parish church, which was usually within walking distance of where they lived. But on one Sunday during Lent, known as Refreshment Sunday, they were encouraged to visit their ‘mother church’ – their nearest cathedral or the church where they were baptised. Apprentices and those who were servants at large estates and houses would be allowed to take the day off to pay a visit to their mothers and families – this was known as ‘going mothering’, which is where the name ‘Mothering Sunday’ first came from. But gradually the tradition became less popular and was forgotten.
Then in 1913, a lady called Constance Smith heard about a campaign in America to dedicate one day in the year to celebrate mothers, which became known as ‘Mother’s Day’. Inspired by this, Constance decided to revive Mothering Sunday in the UK, promoting it as a celebration of mothers as well as the mother church. As a result of her efforts, Mothering Sunday is observed today across the British Isles and the Commonwealth!
The Bible says, ‘A good woman is…worth far more than diamonds…She senses the worth of her work and is in no hurry to call it quits…When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say and…always says it kindly…Her children respect and bless her’ (vv. 1, 9, 17, 28 MSG).
It’s an amazing tribute to mothers and those who have been mother-figures in our lives. Today, let’s take the opportunity to celebrate not only our mothers, but anyone who cares for us and has helped shape and encourage us as we’ve grown physically and in our faith.
Isa 61:1-9; Luke 4:16-30
Spreuke 31:28 DB
Regdeur die geskiedenis was digters en sprekers oorvloedig met hulle huldeblyke aan moederskap. George Washington het gesê: ‘My ma was die mooiste vrou wat ek al ooit gesien het. Alles wat ek is, het ek aan my ma te danke. Ek skryf my sukses in die lewe aan die morele, intellektuele en fisiese opvoeding wat ek by haar ontvang het, toe.’ Abraham Lincoln het geskryf: ‘My ma se gebede het my gevolg. Hulle het my hele lewe aan my gekleef.’ Charles Haddon Spurgeon het gesê: ‘Ek kan jou nie vertel hoeveel ek aan die plegtige woorde van my goeie moeder te danke het nie.’
Die offisiële viering van Moedersdag in Amerika kan aan die aanhoudende briewe en druk van een volhardende vrou toegeskryf word. Toe Anna Jarvis se ma in 1905 oorlede is, het Anna besluit om haar lewe aan ‘n veldtog om publieke erkenning aan die moeders van Amerika te gee, toe te wy. Toe sy leer dat die Amerikaanse kongres ‘n wet moes goedkeur om sodoende moedersdag tot ‘n jaarlikse instelling te kan vestig, het Jarvis ‘n een-vrou drukgroep geword. Ontduiking, onverskilligheid en vyandigheid het haar nie af geskrik nie.
Nege jaar later kon sy vreugde in die sukses van haar inspanning vind. President Woodrow Wilson het verklaar dat Moedersdag vanaf 9 Mei, 1914, jaarliks gevier sal word. In 1948 is Jarvis, blind en armoedig, in Philadelphia oorlede, maar haar droom is bewaarheid.
Die Bybel sê: ‘Waar sal jy ‘n knap vrou kry? ‘n Goeie vrou is meer werd as edelstene… Sy werk baie hard. Haar hande staan vir niks verkeerd nie. Sy praat met wysheid, sy gee raad saam met liefde… Haar kinders is trots op haar…’ (verse 10, 17, 26, 28 NLV). Kan daar ‘n waardiger huldeblyk wees?
Sielskos: Jes 61:1-9;
Luk 4:16-30
Proverbs 31:28 MSG
Throughout history poets and orators have been lavish in their praise of motherhood. George Washington said, “My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am, I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual, and physical education I received from her.” Abraham Lincoln wrote, “My mother’s prayers…have always followed me. They’ve clung to me all my life.” And Charles Haddon Spurgeon said, “I cannot tell you how much I owe to the solemn word of my good mother.”
Official observation of Mother’s Day in America is credited to the tireless letter-writing and lobbying of one persistent woman. When Anna Jarvis’s mother died in 1905, Anna determined to devote her life to a crusade for giving public recognition to the mothers of the nation. On learning that designation of an annual “Mother’s Day” required an act of Congress and a presidential proclamation, Jarvis became a one-woman lobby.
Evasion, indifference, and hostility didn’t deter her. Nine years later she rejoiced in the success of her efforts. President Woodrow Wilson, acting on a Congregational resolution, declared an annual observance of Mother’s Day, the first one on May 9, 1914. Since then, observance of Mother’s Day has spread to many countries around the world. In 1948 Jarvis died, blind and penniless, in Philadelphia, but her dream had been realized.
The Bible says, “A good woman is…worth far more than diamonds…She senses the worth of her work and is in no hurry to call it quits…When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say and…always says it kindly…Her children respect and bless her” (vv. 1, 9, 17, 28 MSG). Could there be a more worthy tribute?
Soul food: Isa 61:1-9; Luke 4:16-30
2021-03-13
Proverbs 18:8 NIV
Gossip can be a “choice morsel” that’s hard to resist. So what’s the solution?
Catch yourself before you indulge in it! Ask yourself why you’ve decided to be a bearer of bad news. Is this the only way you know to establish camaraderie with others? Do you enjoy being the center of attention? Does it make you feel superior to know something negative about somebody that the listener doesn’t know? Are you envious of the subject’s accomplishments? Why are you willing to use the temple of God as a “garbage can” by receiving gossip? (See 1 Corinthians 6:19). What do you plan to do with what a gossip told you? Are you bored and need more significant activities?
People who know their God-given purpose in life and are committed to it find they don’t have time for gossip. So if you’re serious about eliminating it from your life, wage an all-out war against it. Let everyone know you won’t be the bearer or hearer of “choice morsels” anymore. Declare your environment at work, at home, at church, or at play to be a “gossip-free zone,” and make every effort to avoid gossipmongers. Solomon writes, “A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers” (Proverbs 20:19 NLT).
When your tongue is used as an instrument of righteousness, your stock in heaven rises. You’ll be able to humbly declare with complete dependence on the Father, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14 NKJV). Bottom line: Don’t be a gossip!
Soul food: Job 5-7; Matt 22:34-46; Ps 26; Prov 7:26-27
