2021-08-21
Romans 8:6 NIV
The Bible says: “Those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace” (vv. 5-6 NIV). In other words, the Holy Spirit is the non-anxious presence of God working in your life. You either give your mind over to the control of external influences and circumstances, or you give it over to the control of the Holy Spirit.
What would a life like that look like? Well, imagine not being so fearful anymore. Imagine facing financial difficulties or an irate boss with inner poise and resolve. Imagine receiving bad news and generating constructive ways to solve the problem rather than spiraling through the worst-case scenarios. Imagine facing rejection and obstacles without giving in to discouragement. Imagine acknowledging the mistakes you’ve made and moving confidently into the future. And imagine doing all this with God as your partner.
Imagine people around you coming to you when they’re upset or discouraged because your peace of mind is contagious. That’s part of what God’s called you to do every day. When you bump into people who are stressed and transmitting that stress to others, you’re supposed to be a peace disseminator.
Jesus carried peace with Him wherever He went. When the disciples were terrified by the storm, He simply said to the waves, “Peace, be still!” (Mark 4:39 NKJV), and it happened. Peace doesn’t come from finding a lake with no storms; it comes from knowing Jesus is on your boat, and with Him onboard no storm can take you under.
Soul food: Gal 4-6; Luke 16:1-18; Ps 119:113-120; Prov 18:10-12
Romans 8:6 NIV
The Bible says: ‘Those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace’ (Romans 8:5-6 NIV). In other words, the Holy Spirit is the presence of God working in our lives. We can either let external influences and circumstances have control over our minds, or we can allow the Holy Spirit to have control. So what would a life with a Spirit-controlled mind look like?
Imagine not being so fearful anymore. Imagine facing an angry person with inner poise and resolve. Imagine hearing bad news and coming up with constructive ways to solve the problem rather than spiralling through the worst-case scenarios. Imagine facing rejection and obstacles without giving in to discouragement. Imagine acknowledging the mistakes you’ve made and moving confidently into the future. And imagine doing all this with God as your partner.
Imagine people around you coming to you when they’re upset or discouraged because your peace of mind is contagious. That’s part of what God’s called each one of us to do every day. When we bump into people who are stressed and transmitting that stress to others, we’re supposed to be spreaders of peace. Jesus carried peace with Him wherever He went. When the disciples were terrified by the storm, He said to the waves, ‘Peace, be still!’ (Mark 4:39 NKJV), and it happened. Peace doesn’t come from finding a sea with no storms; it comes from knowing Jesus is on the boat, because with Him on board, no storm can take us under.
Gal 4-6; Luke 16:1-18; Ps 119:113-120; Prov 18:10-12
Romeine 8:6 NLV
Die Bybel sê: ‘…Maar dié wat deur die Gees beheer word – hulle gedagtes is vol van die dinge wat die Gees gelukkig maak. As jou sondige natuur jou denke oorheers, lei dit tot die dood. Maar as die Gees jou denke oorheers, beteken dit vir jou ware lewe en vrede’ (vers 5-6 NLV). Met ander woorde, die Heilige Gees is die teenwoordigheid van God wat in jou lewe werk. Jy gee óf jou gedagtes aan die beheer van eksterne invloede en omstandighede oor, óf jy gee dit oor aan die Heilige Gees om te beheer. Hoe sal so ‘n lewe lyk?
Verbeel jouself ‘n lewe waar jy nie so vreesbevange is nie. Verbeel jouself dat jy finansiële probleme of ‘n woedende baas met innerlike kalmte en vasbeslotenheid kan tegemoet kom. Verbeel jouself dat jy slegte nuus kan ontvang en konstruktiewe maniere kan genereer om die probleem op te los. Verbeel jouself dat jy jou foute kan erken en met selfvertroue die toekoms kan binnegaan. Verbeel jouself dat jy dit alles met God as jou vennoot kan doen. Verbeel jouself dat die mense rondom jou na jou toe kan kom wanneer hulle ontsteld of moedeloos is, omdat jou sin van vrede aansteeklik is.
Wanneer jy mense teëkom wat gestres is, is jy veronderstel om ‘n verspreider van vrede te wees. Jesus het vrede oral waar Hy gegaan het, met Hom saamgedra. Toe die dissipels vreesbevange oor die storm was, het Hy eenvoudig vir die golwe gesê: ‘…Bedaar! Word kalm!..’ (Markus 4:39 NLV), en dit het gebeur. Jy kry nie vrede wanneer jy ‘n see sonder storms kry nie, jy kry vrede wanneer jy weet dat Jesus in jou boot is en dat geen storm jou onder kan kry, wanneer Hy aanboord is nie.
Sielskos: Gal 4-6; Luk 16:1-18; Ps 119:113-120; Spr 18:10-12
2021-08-20
James 4:10 NKJV
Here’s a true saying: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” That doesn’t mean being a doormat for people to walk on or being spineless with no convictions and opinions. True humility is acknowledging God as the source of all you have, and all you need, and always remembering to give Him credit for both.
The Bible says, “God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life” (Genesis 2:7 NKJV). God’s intention for mankind was to live in Paradise and enjoy His presence every day. But we disobeyed Him and decided to live by our own rules instead of His. And the result? God said, “From dust you are, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19 NKJV).
Let’s face it, on our best day we’re just dignified dirt! In fact, it’s estimated that each of us is worth less than five dollars. So when you die and your components return to dirt, that’s your physical value. Pretty humbling, eh? So when you drive your luxury car, remember that less than five dollars is driving it. Less than five dollars is living in the suburbs. Less than five dollars is wearing designer clothes. Less than five dollars has more money in the bank than you’re actually worth.
Paul defines humility in these words: “Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves” (Romans 12:3 NLT). Do you want to know what makes you valuable? “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27 NKJV).
Soul food: Gal 1-3; Luke 15:11-32; Ps 119:105-112; Prov 18:9
Jakobus 4:10 NLV
Daar is ‘n ware gesegde wat lui: ‘Nederigheid is nie om minder van jouself te dink nie; dit is om minder aan jouself te dink.’ Dit beteken nie dat jy ‘n deurmat waaroor mense loop moet wees of dat jy ruggraatloos met geen oortuigings of opinies is nie. Ware nederigheid is om God as die bron van alles wat jy het en alles wat jy nodig het, te erken. Die Bybel sê: ‘Toe vorm die Here God ‘n menslike liggaam uit die stof van die aarde. Nadat Hy die asem van die lewe daarin geblaas het, het dit ‘n lewende wese, die mens, geword’ (Genesis 2:7 NLV).
God se bedoeling met die mensdom was dat hulle in die paradys sou bly en elke dag sy teenwoordigheid sou geniet het. Ons was egter ongehoorsaam aan Hom en het besluit om volgens ons eie reëls te lewe. Gevolglik het God gesê: ‘…jy is van stof gemaak en jy sal weer stof word’ (Genesis 3:19 NLV). Daar word gereken dat elkeen van ons minder as vyf dollars werd is. Wanneer jy dus doodgaan en jou komponente in stof verander, is dit hoeveel jy fisies werd is. Dit maak mens redelik nederig!
Wanneer jy dus jou luukse kar bestuur, onthou dat minder as vyf dollars dit bestuur. Minder as vyf dollars bly in ‘n mooi huis. Minder as vyf dollars dra ontwerpersklere. Paulus definieer nederigheid as volg: ‘…ek [sê] aan elkeen van julle dat jy nie jouself moet oorskat nie, maar dat jy jouself nugter moet beoordeel…’ (Romeine 12:3 NLV).
Wil jy weet wat jou kosbaar maak? ‘…Christus leef in julle. Dit is die waarborg dat julle in die hemelse heerlikheid sal deel’ (Kolossense 1:27 NLV).
Sielskos: Gal 1-3; Luk 15:11-32; Ps 119:105-112; Spr 18:9
