2021-09-14
Psalm 122:1 NKJV
The psalmist said, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord.'” Do you feel that way about God’s house too? And if not, why not?
Paul writes: “God is building a home. He’s using us all – irrespective of how we got here – in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he’s using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day – a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home” (Ephesians 2:19-22 MSG).
There are times when you need to be alone with God in prayer; there are times you’ll only find the answer you seek when you’re with God’s people. When those who are indwelt by God’s Spirit meet for worship, teaching, encouragement and service, God shows up in a powerful way. You grow spiritually as you experience His presence, hear His Word, and fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Every time you gather with other members of Christ’s body, it reminds you again that you’re on the winning side.
It’s hard to celebrate by yourself. When you’ve something worth celebrating you generally call folks together so you can share the joy, right? Jesus is so excited about His victory at the cross, that He calls us together every week to celebrate what He accomplished for us. And celebration, like spiritual growth, is a group project.
Soul food: Eze 46-48; Luke 21:25-38; Ps 78:40-55; Prov 20:22-24
2021-09-13
2 Timothy 4:16-17 NLT
When someone we care about walks out of our life, a parent leaves, or a relationship ends, it hurts deeply. Even Paul wasn’t exempt from the pain of loss. Here are some of his last words: ‘Timothy, please come as soon as you can. Demas has deserted me…Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me…Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm…The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me…But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength…he rescued me from certain death. Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom’ (vv. 9-18 NLT).
The fact is, we can survive without others but we can’t survive without God. That’s why He sometimes strips away things that make us dependent on people. He sends certain individuals into our lives to help build our faith and develop our character, and when they’re gone, to leave us with the assurance that He is still in control.
When we lose someone we care about, for any reason, God can use it to: 1) develop our reliance on Him; 2) test our resilience; 3) help us discover His power. When Moses died and Joshua was left in charge, God told him, ‘As I was with Moses, so I will be with you’ (Joshua 1:5 NKJV). That’s something Joshua couldn’t have learned while Moses was still in the picture.
We can’t always be looking to someone else for answers. At some point, we’ll need to turn to God and let Him speak wisdom and peace into whatever is troubling us.
Eze 43-45; Luke 21:12-24; Ps 78:32-39; Prov 20:20-21
2 Timoteus 4:16-17 NLV
Dit maak baie seer as iemand vir wie jy lief is sterf, jou skei, of jou verlaat. Selfs Paulus was nie daarvan vrygestel nie. Hier is van sy laaste woorde aan Timoteus: ‘Kom asseblief so gou jy kan. Demas het my verlaat… Net Lukas is by my. Bring Markus saam met jou wanneer jy kom, want hy kan my behulpsaam wees… Aleksander die kopersmid het my baie skade aangedoen… Toe ek die eerste keer voor die regter gebring is, was daar niemand by my nie. Almal het my verlaat… Maar die Here het my bygestaan en my krag gegee… En Hy het my van ‘n gewisse dood gered. Ja, en die Here sal my verlos van enige aanval en my veilig in sy hemelse koninkryk bring…’ (verse 9-18 NLV).
Die feit is dat jy sonder ander mense kan oorleef, maar jy kan nie sonder God oorleef nie. Dis hoekom Hy dinge wegneem wat ons afhanklik van ander mense maak. Hy stuur sekere individue in jou lewe in om jou te help om jou geloof te bou en jou karakter te ontwikkel en wanneer hulle weg is, om jou met die versekering te laat dat God in beheer is.
Die verlies van mense vir wie jy lief is: 1) ontwikkel jou geestelike spiere; 2) toets jou veerkragtigheid; 3) wys jou die omvang van God se krag. Toe Moses gesterf het en Josua beheer moes neem, het God vir hom gesê: ‘…Soos wat Ek by Moses was, so sal Ek ook saam met jou wees…’ (Josua 1:5 NLV). Dis iets wat Josua nooit sou gehad het terwyl Moses nog in die prentjie was nie. Dis ook ‘n les wat jy nie kan leer terwyl jy nog na iemand anders vir antwoorde kyk nie. Draai dus vandag na die Here toe.
Sielskos: Eseg 43-45; Luk 21:12-24; Ps 78:32-39; Spr 20:20-21
2 Timothy 4:16-17 NLT
When someone you love dies, divorces or deserts you, it hurts deeply. Even Paul wasn’t exempt. Here are some of his last words: “Timothy, please come as soon as you can. Demas has deserted me…Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me…Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm…The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me…But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength…he rescued me from certain death. Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom” (vv. 9-18 NLT).
The fact is, you can survive without others but you can’t survive without God. That’s why He strips away things that make us dependent on people. He sends certain individuals into your life to help build your faith and develop your character, and when they’re gone, to leave you with the assurance that God is in control.
The loss of loved ones: (1) develops your spiritual muscle; (2) tests your resilience; (3) shows you the scope of God’s power. When Moses died and Joshua was left in charge, God told him, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you” (Joshua 1:5 NKJV). That’s something Joshua could never have learned while Moses was still in the picture. And it’s a lesson you can’t learn while you’re looking to someone else for your answers. So, turn to the Lord. Let the one who said, “Peace be still” to the storm on Galilee, speak peace to the thing that’s troubling you today.
Soul food: Eze 43-45; Luke 21:12-24; Ps 78:32-39; Prov 20:20-21
2021-09-12
Psalm 112:8 NCV
In order to keep focused and keep reaching towards your God-given goals, there are three obstacles you need to be aware of and overcome: 1) Weariness. Racehorses run at approximately the same speed; there often isn’t a lot of difference between the first and the last runner. Sometimes the difference between them winning and losing a race comes down to their ‘heart’ to win. So, take a look into your heart today and check if you’re truly committed to reaching your goal. ‘Do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise’ (Hebrews 10:35-36 NKJV).
2) Fear. When it comes to commitment, there are basically four kinds of people. a) Those who have no goals and who don’t commit to anything. b) Those who don’t know if they can reach their goals so they’re afraid to commit to them. c) Those who start towards a goal but give up when things begin to get tough. d) Those who set goals, commit to them and are willing to pay the price to reach them. Which of the four do you think you are? Fear and faith will always be present; our success in reaching our goal depends on whether we allow our faith to overcome our fear.
3) Complacency: Don’t settle for yesterday’s success. Don’t settle for ‘good enough’ or ‘that’ll do’. Take regular ties of rest to refresh yourself, renew your mind and strength, and refocus on your goal. Be like Paul: ‘I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race’ (Philippians 3:13-14 NLT).
Jonah 1:10-2:10; Matt 12:38-42
