2021-07-28
Mark 5:40 NAS
When you’re trusting God for a miracle, nothing will drag you down faster than unbelief. Plus, it’s impossible to know what God is doing based on how things look on the surface. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV). So in order to stay strong, it’s important to fill your mind with the right things: “the best, not the worst;…things to praise” (Philippians 4:8 MSG).
One pastor writes: “There were times Jesus didn’t allow unbelief around Him, like when He raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead. When He heard the little girl had died, Jesus told her father, ‘Do not be afraid…only believe’ (Mark 5:36 NAS)….You can believe, or you can be afraid. You can’t do both; and people who truly believe bypass human reasoning.
When Jesus dealt with the spirit of death that day, there was no room for contaminated faith. So when He went to Jairus’ house, ‘He allowed no one to accompany Him, except Peter…James and John’ (v. 37). He took those who believed in miracles, and when ‘they came to the house…and…saw…people loudly weeping…He said…”Why make a commotion…The child has not died, but is asleep.”
They began laughing at Him. But putting them all out, He took…the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and entered the room where the child was. Taking [her] by the hand, He said…”Little girl…get up!” Immediately the girl got up and began to walk'” (vv. 37-42 NAS).
Humanly speaking, your situation may look impossible, but when you throw out the naysayers and the doubters and believe what God says, you’ll get results.
Soul food: Deut 5-7; Luke 9:57-62; Ps 78:1-8; Prov 16:23-24
Mark 5:40 NASB
Trusting God for a miracle can be very difficult for us to do. It’s impossible to know what God is doing based on how things look on the surface, so in those times, we need our faith to carry us through. ‘Faith is the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see’ (Hebrews 11:1 NIV). In order to stay strong, it’s important that we fill our minds with the right things: ‘the best, not the worst;…things to praise’ (Philippians 4:8 MSG).
One pastor wrote: ‘There were times Jesus didn’t allow unbelief around Him, like when He raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead. When He heard the little girl had died, Jesus told her father, “Do not be afraid…only believe” (Mark 5:36 NASB)…You can believe, or you can be afraid. You can’t do both; and people who truly believe bypass human reasoning. When Jesus dealt with the spirit of death that day, there was no room for contaminated faith. So when He went to Jairus’ house, “He allowed no one to accompany Him, except Peter, James and John” (v.37). He took those who believed in miracles, and when “they came to the house…and…saw…people loudly weeping…He said…’Why make a commotion…The child has not died, but is asleep.’ They began laughing at Him. But putting them all outside, He took…the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and entered the room where the child was…Taking [her] by the hand, He said…’Little girl…get up!’ Immediately the girl got up and began to walk”‘ (vv. 37-42 NASB).
Humanly speaking, a situation may look impossible, but when we ignore the doubters and people who say it can’t be done, and instead believe and trust what God says, we’ll see what amazing things He can do.
Deut 5-7; Luke 9:57-62; Ps 78:1-8; Prov 16:23-24
2021-07-27
Deuteronomy 32:29 NCV
We can’t avoid change in our lives. Without it, we can’t grow and become everything God designed us to be. Without it, we can’t leave our old natures and old habits behind and fully embrace the life that God has for us. When the people of Israel had turned away from God and refused to change their ways, He said: ‘I wish they were wise and understood this; I wish they could see what will happen to them.’ If we struggle with change, how do we become willing to change?
The first thing to do is to acknowledge and accept that many changes will happen anyway, whether we like them or not. One author wrote: ‘The only thing certain about tomorrow is that it will be different from today…It’s a different world than it was twenty years ago, and it will be different in another twenty.’ A lot of these changes are things that are out of our control, so if we’re feeling worried about them, the best thing to do is to talk to God about our fears and ask to be filled with His peace.
So what about the changes we can have some control over – the changes we can make in order to grow? The difference in who we are today and who we’ll be several years from now can depend a lot on three things: the relationships we build, the books we choose to read, and the time we spend with God. All these things can have a massive influence on our growth. The Bible says, ‘The LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding’ (Proverbs 2:6 NIV). So let’s ask God for wisdom in those three areas – our relationships, what we read, and how we spend our time.
Deut 3-4; Luke 9:46-56; Ps 46; Prov 16:20-22
Deuteronomium 32:29 NLV
Tensy jy gewillig is om te verander, sal jy vyf-en-twintig jaar van nou af presies dieselfde wees as wat jy vandag is, behalwe dat jy ouer, met minder tyd en opsies, sal wees. Die Bybel sê: ‘Was hulle maar wys, sou hulle verstaan en sien wat hulle lot sou wees!’
Hoe word jy gewillig om te verander? Deur te besef dat verandering gaan plaasvind, of jy daarvan hou of nie. As jy dit besef, sal jy voorbereid daarvoor wees. Een skrywer sê: ‘Die enigste ding wat seker van môre is, is dat dit anders as vandag sal wees. As jy dit betwyfel, dink oor die volgende na: My oupa het ‘n plaas gehad, my ouers het ‘n tuin gehad, en ek het ‘n blikoopmaker! Dis ‘n ander wêreld as wat dit twintig jaar gelede was en dit sal ‘n ander wêreld oor nog twintig jaar wees.’ Die verskil tussen wie jy vandag is en wie jy oor vyf-en-twintig jaar sal wees, hang grootliks van drie dinge af: die boeke wat jy lees, die verhoudings wat jy bou en die tyd wat jy met God deurbring.
Wil jy graag wys wees? Die Bybel sê: ‘Dit is tog die Here wat wysheid gee. Sy woorde gee kennis en insig’ (Spreuke 2:6 NLV). Wil jy gelukkig wees? ‘Die mens wat wysheid kry is gelukkig. Dit gaan goed met die mens wat insig kry’ (Spreuke 3:13 NLV). Wil jy vervuld wees? ‘…staan baie vas, onbeweeglik. Gee altyd julle allerbeste vir die Here se werk, want julle weet voor die Here is alles wat julle doen die moeite werd’ (1 Korintiërs 15:58 NLV).
Sielskos: Deut 3-4; Luk 9:46-56; Ps 46; Spr 16:20-22
Deuteronomy 32:29 NKJV
Unless you’re willing to change, twenty-five years from now you’ll be exactly the same as you are today, except you’ll be older, with less time and fewer options. The Bible says, “Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end.”
How do you become willing to change? Recognize that change will happen whether you like it or not. If you do that, you’ll be prepared. One author writes: “The only thing certain about tomorrow is that it will be different from today. If you doubt that, consider this: My grandfather had a farm, my parents had a garden, and I’ve got a can opener! It’s a different world than it was twenty years ago, and it will be different in another twenty. But the good news is that the world changes so fast that you couldn’t stay wrong all the time if you tried!”
The difference in who you are today and who you’ll be twenty-five years from now depends largely on three things: the books you read, the relationships you build, and the time you spend with God.
Do you want to be wise? The Bible says, “The Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6 NKJV). Do you want to be happy? “Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding” (Proverbs 3:13 NKJV). Do you want to feel fulfilled in life? “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV).
Soul food: Deut 3-4; Luke 9:46-56; Ps 46; Prov 16:20-22
