2021-05-21
Psalm 61:5 NLT
Job suffered a lot, and when he was about to give up, his friend Eliphaz reminded him of how he’d encouraged people in similar situations to the one he was facing: ‘In the past you have encouraged many people; you have strengthened those who were weak’ (Job 4:3 NLT).
Good words have the power to comfort, build up and create lasting relationships. But negative ones are equally powerful; untamed, our words can destroy people’s confidence and create wounds. James 3:8 says: ‘No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison’ (NIV). We need to put thought into everything that we say, because our words, both positive and negative, can have a lasting effect on those who hear them.
We might not think of our words being an inheritance, but what we say can make a difference in someone’s life for years to come. We’ve probably all experienced this in some way. Does a harsh word from years ago ever replay in your mind? Or is there an inspiring phrase that you once read somewhere that helps you keep going when you’re facing a difficult task?
We might think that the things we say don’t have any real power or wisdom in them, but we never know what lasting impact they might have on someone. What we should want to do is encourage people. More than anything, our words should remind them of who God says they are. Let’s think of our words as a legacy, with the potential to still be having an impact years down the line.
1 Ki 3-5; Mark 10:23-34; Ps 93; Prov 11:30-31
Proverbs 13:22 NIV
Leadership expert Dr. John Maxwell writes: “On December 18, 1998, I had a serious heart attack. That night as I lay on the floor waiting for an ambulance, I remember thinking two things: First, I was too young to die. Second, I had not completed some of the things I wanted to accomplish….One of the most beneficial outcomes of my heart attack experience was that it motivated me to ask myself, ‘What will my legacy be?’ A legacy is something we leave behind to the next generation. It can be possessions that we place in the hands of others. It can be principles we lived that carry on beyond our lives. It also can be people we have influenced whose lives are better as a result of knowing us.”
Always try to keep these two things in mind: (1) Today is all you’ve got. Remember the words on a tombstone that read: “I expected this, but not just yet! “We all hope for a long life, but none of us knows if we’ll see tomorrow. “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring” (Proverbs 27:1 NIV).
(2) You will leave a legacy. “A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.” Note, a good man or woman can leave a legacy that blesses the next two generations.
So focus on being good and doing good, and ask yourself regularly, “How do I want to be remembered by my loved ones? When my time here runs out, will I continue to influence others for good and for God?”
Soul food: 1 Ki 3-5; Mark 10:23-34; Ps 93; Prov 11:30-31
Spreuke 13:22 NLV
Die leierskapskundige dr John Maxwell skryf: ‘Op 18 Desember, 1998, het ek ‘n ernstige hartaanval gehad. Ek onthou dat ek daardie aand, terwyl ek op die vloer gelê en vir die ambulans gewag het, twee dinge gedink het: Eerstens, dat ek te jonk was om dood te gaan. Tweedens, dat ek sommige van die dinge wat ek wou bereik, nog nie voltooi het nie. Een van die voordele van my ervaring is dat dit my gemotiveer het om myself af te vra: ‘Wat gaan my nalatenskap wees?’ ‘n Nalatenskap is iets wat ons vir die volgende generasie agterlaat. Dit kan besittings wees wat ons in ander se hande plaas. Dit kan beginsels wees waarvolgens ons gelewe het. Dit kan ook die mense wees op wie ons invloed uitgeoefen het en wie se lewens beter was omdat hulle ons geken het.’
Probeer altyd hierdie twee dinge in gedagte hou: 1) Vandag is al wat jy het. Onthou die woorde op ‘n grafsteen wat gelees het: ‘Ek het dit verwag, maar nie so gou nie!’ Ons almal hoop vir ‘n lang lewe, maar geeneen van ons weet of ons môre gaan sien nie. ‘Moenie te veel praat oor wat môre kan gebeur nie. Jy weet glad nie wat môre gaan oplewer nie’ (Spreuke 27:1 NLV).
2) Jy sal ‘n nalatenskap agterlaat. “‘n Goeie mens laat iets na vir kleinkinders. ‘n Sondaar se besittings beland by die regverdiges.” ‘n Goeie man of vrou kan ‘n nalatenskap hê wat die volgende twee generasies sal seën. Fokus dus daarop om goed te wees en goed te doen en vra jouself gereeld af: ‘Hoe wil ek deur my geliefdes onthou word? Wanneer my tyd op aarde verby is, sal ek aanhou om ander mense vir goed en vir God te beïnvloed?’
Sielskos: 1 Kon 3-5; Mark 10:23-34; Ps 93; Spr 11:30-31
2021-05-20
Proverbs 13:22 NIV
When we hear the word ‘legacy’, we tend to think of being left a sum of money in someone’s will. But a legacy doesn’t have to involve someone’s death. For example, when a business leader retires, or the leader of a country steps down, people might say they’re leaving behind a legacy for those who’ll follow them in that position.
Think about somewhere you’ve left, such as school, university, or a job. How would you like to be remembered by the people who are still there? What do you want their lasting impression of you to be? We would probably all choose to be remembered in a good, positive way. So how can we go about leaving a good legacy behind us, wherever we go?
The first thing we should do is to keep focused on God and allow Him to guide us in what we’re doing. ‘The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you’ (Psalm 32:8 NLT). When we’re following God’s leading, we can be sure that we’re doing the right thing. It’s easy for us to wander away from God’s path though, so it’s very important that we talk to Him regularly and check that we’re still in line with His will.
The second thing to remember is to always ‘work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people’ (Colossians 3:23 NLT). When we’re aiming to serve God through everything we do, we’ll have a much better attitude when faced with boring or unpleasant tasks. People will notice our attitude and remember it. And that might just encourage them to discover God for themselves.
1 Ki 1-2; Mark 10:13-22; Ps 88:9b-18; Prov 11:27-29
2 Timothy 2:5 TLB
Are you so eager to stay in everybody’s good graces that you comply with their every demand? You’re not alone – good people burn out every day because they can’t set boundaries. And once that happens, it’s hard to fix because none of us, not even those ordained by God, can break His natural laws without suffering.
One Bible teacher writes: “Once when I was complaining about my heavy schedule, I heard God’s Spirit say, ‘You’re the one who makes the schedule; if you don’t like it, do something about it!'” Paul told Timothy, “Follow the Lord’s rules for doing his work…as an athlete…follows the rules or is disqualified” (v. 5 TLB). Not every problem is spiritual, some are physical.
Furthermore, you can’t blame the Devil for things that are your own fault. We resent people who pressure us, yet we keep doing what they want, which feeds our silent anger. You’re allowing yourself to be pressured by not taking responsibility for your own life. The fact is, many well-intentioned folks are walking around each day stressed out and depressed because they can’t say no. They forget that Jesus is their example, and that He had regular times of rest and renewal.
The answer lies in (1) putting your life under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, (2) learning to put first things first, (3) realizing you, too, have needs, and (4) not expecting everybody to understand when you set boundaries. The Bible says, “A friend loveth at all times” (Proverbs 17:17), not just when you comply with their wishes. So to fulfill God’s will for your life, you must learn to set boundaries.
Soul food: 1 Ki 1-2; Mark 10:13-22; Ps 88:9b-18; Prov 11:27-29
