2021-06-20
2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV
How can we trust the Bible when men wrote it? Answer: Do you write the letter or does the pen? The pen is merely the instrument you use. In the same way, God used men as instruments to write His “letter” to humanity. That’s why Sir Isaac Newton said, “I find more sure marks of authenticity in the Bible, than in any profane history whatsoever.” That’s why Winston Churchill said of Scripture: “Let men of science and learning expound their knowledge and probe with their researches every detail of the records which have been preserved to us from those dim ages. All they will do is fortify the grand simplicity and essential accuracy of the recorded truths which have lighted so far the pilgrimage of men.”
There’s a reason why Abraham Lincoln said, “I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man.” Josh McDowell, a Christian apologist says: “Here’s the picture: 1500 years, 60 generations, 40 authors, different walks of life, different places, different times, different moods, different continents, three languages, writing on hundreds of controversial subjects. Yet when they are brought together there is absolute harmony from beginning to end…There is no other book in history to even compare to the uniqueness of this continuity.”
You can trust your Bible. Its prophecies have been fulfilled, its promises have been time tested, and its principles for living really work. Do you know why the Bible was written? John gives us the answer: “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13 NKJV).
Soul food: 1 Ki 17:1-7; 1 Ki 18:41-46; Mark 4:35-41
Psalm 68:5 NLT
Today is Father’s Day. It can be a difficult day for those of us who haven’t had a good experience of fathers, or haven’t known a father-figure in our lives, or have lost a loving father. So today, let’s spend some time reflecting on some of the things the Bible says about God, our heavenly Father.
1) ‘Father to the fatherless, defender of widows – this is God, whose dwelling is holy’ (Psalm 68:5 NLT). Even if we’re lacking an earthly father, we’re not alone. God is our source of protection, strength and guidance.
2) ‘Lord, you are our father. We are like clay, and you are the potter; your hands made us all’ (Isaiah 64:8 NCV). We are God’s creation, and He cares for us. He’s our role-model, and He wants to shape us to become like Christ.
3) ‘For us there is only one God – our Father. All things came from him, and we live for him. And there is only one Lord – Jesus Christ. Al things were made through him, and we also were made through him’ (1 Corinthians 8:6 NCV). As well as being our creator, God is our provider, meeting our needs through the things He blesses us with and the skills and gifts He’s given us.
4) ‘God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in our troubles so that we can comfort others’ (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT). God is our comforter and sympathiser. We can draw close to Him and confide in Him whenever we’re in trouble, have a problem, or a worry. And He wants us to share His love with others. Our earthly fathers aren’t perfect and might make mistakes, but in God, we can be confident that we always have the best possible Father.
1 Ki 17:1-7; 1 Ki 18:41-46; Mark 4:35-41
2 Timoteus 3:16 NLV
Hoe kan ons die Bybel vertrou as mense dit geskryf het? Vraag: Skryf jy die brief, of skryf die pen die brief? Die pen is net die instrument wat jy gebruik. Op dieselfde manier, het God mense as instrumente gebruik om sy ‘brief’ aan die mensdom te skryf. Dis hoekom sir Isaac Newton gesê het: ‘Ek vind meer ware tekens van egtheid in die Bybel, as in enige goddelose geskiedenis.’
Dis hoekom Winston Churchill van die Skrif gesê het: ‘Laat wetenskaplikes en kundiges hul kennis gebruik en alle besonderhede van die verslae wat vir ons vanaf daardie donker eeue bewaar is, ondersoek. Al wat hulle sal doen is om die groot eenvoud en wesenlike akkuraatheid van die opgetekende waarhede wat tot dusver die pelgrimstog van mense verlig het, te versterk.’ Daar is ‘n rede hoekom Abraham Lincoln gesê het: ‘Ek glo dat die Bybel die beste geskenk is wat God nog ooit vir die mens gegee het.’
Josh McDowell, ‘n Christelike apologeet, sê: ‘Hier is die prentjie: 1500 jare, 60 generasies, 40 skrywers, verskillende lewensterreine, verskillende plekke, verskillende tye, verskillende buie, verskillende kontinente, drie tale, skrywes oor honderde kontroversiële onderwerpe. Wanneer dit egter bymekaar gebring word, is daar absolute harmonie van begin tot einde. Daar is geen ander boek in die geskiedenis wat eers naby aan die uniekheid van hierdie kontinuïteit kom nie.’
Jy kan jou Bybel vertrou. Die profesieë daarin vervat is vervul, die beloftes daarin is op die proef gestel en die beginsels vir die lewe daarin werk regtig. Weet jy hoekom die Bybel geskryf is? Johannes gee vir ons die antwoord: ‘Ek skryf hierdie dinge aan julle sodat julle met die wete kan leef dat julle nou reeds deel het aan die ewige lewe, julle wat aanhou glo in die persoon van die Seun van God’ (1 Johannes 5:13 NLV).
Sielskos: 1 Kon 17:1-7; 1 Ki 18:41-46; Mark 4:35-41
2021-06-19
Joshua 22:23 NLT
In the Bible, an altar represented different things. It represented sacrificing to God by giving Him the best sheep in the flock. It represented worshipping God and putting Him above all else in life. It represented humility, acknowledging our need of God and our total dependence on Him.
But it’s also possible to build an altar ‘for ourselves’. But when we do that, we take away God’s rightful place in our lives and begin to put ourselves first. We begin to think we deserve the best of everything; we put our own needs first; we start to rely totally on our own wisdom and judgement; we lose our humility. That’s why Jesus sets the following standard for discipleship, and it’s a high standard: ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me’ (Matthew 16:24 NKJV).
Paul wrote: ‘If you use your lives to do the wrong things your sinful selves want, you will die spiritually. But if you use the Spirit’s help to stop doing the wrong things you do with your body, you will have true life’ (Romans 8:13 NCV). Our old, ungodly, sinful natures need to be sacrificed each day – we won’t get rid of them without a struggle. And the power to do this can only be accessed by spending time in prayer with God and constantly renewing our minds with the Word of God. To build an altar to the Lord, we must destroy the altars we’ve built to ourselves, and let our new, Christlike natures shine through.
Hosea 11-14; Luke 1:57-66; Ps 139:13-24; Prov 13:25
Romans 2:4 NLT
Isn’t the church full of hypocrites? The word hypocrite comes from the Greek word for “actor.” Hypocrisy is “the practice of professing beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not hold.” The true church of Jesus Christ is made up of true believers; hypocrites are “pretenders” who sit among God’s people. Jesus even had one among His twelve disciples – Judas.
Let’s be honest; people have left the church because of hypocrisy. There are more actors in the church than in Hollywood. Hypocrisy runs rampant in the modern church – but be careful if you judge it. Remember the old bumper sticker: “Christians are not perfect, just forgiven”?
Before you take it upon yourself to pass judgment upon people who make mistakes and struggle with weaknesses, read these words: “You may think you condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” (vv. 1-4 NLT). Don’t worry about the hypocrites in the church; God will sort them out, the “wheat” from the “tares” (See Matthew 13:30).
Soul food: Hosea 11-14; Luke 1:57-66; Ps 139:13-24; Prov 13:25
