2022-02-17
James 3:16 NCV
If you’ve been a member of a church for any length of time, you’ll probably have seen that jealousy, trouble, selfishness, conflict, and bitterness can all show up in the family of God, just like it does everywhere else. Paul and Barnabas, a brilliant ministry team, allowed their differences over John Mark to separate them to the point where they could no longer work together. Later Paul changed his mind, but there was no going back. He appealed ‘to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News’ (Philippians 4:2-3 NLT).
Conflict can get in the way of our prayers, take our focus off lost souls, and make us ineffective in our ministry. We need to learn to respect each other’s talents, perspectives, and positions instead of envying them or belittling them. In other words, we should learn to disagree without being disagreeable.
The Bible says: ‘Where jealousy and selfishness are, there will be confusion and every kind of evil. But the wisdom that comes from God is first of all pure, then peaceful, gentle, and easy to please. This wisdom is always ready to help those who are troubled and to do good for others. It is always fair and honest. People who work for peace in a peaceful way plant a good crop of right-living.’ (James 3:16-18 NCV). When conflict arises in your church, make it your mission to sow seeds of peace.
Isa 42-44; Luke 10:1-12; Ps 5; Pro 5:1-2
2022-02-16
Proverbs 8:9 NLT
King Solomon wrote: ‘Everything I say is right, for I speak the truth and detest every kind of deception. My advice is wholesome. There is nothing devious or crooked in it. My words are plain to anyone with understanding’ (v.6-9 NLT).
We usually embellish the truth because we want these two things from our audience: their attention and their approval. But eventually, it backfires. Over time, people discover our willingness to stretch the truth, and we end up losing credibility. And once we lose that, it takes a long time to get it back – if we ever do. Using a lot of sweeping, generalising statements like ‘Everybody does it,’ or ‘They never,’ or ‘They always’ can cause people to doubt our sincerity and trustworthiness. There’s nothing wrong with saying something with enthusiasm, but we mustn’t let it slip into exaggeration. We should stick to the facts and resist the temptation to bend the truth in order to be the centre of attention.
Joseph’s brothers resented the favour of God that was on his life. So, they threw him into a pit, dipped his coat in blood, then took it back home and showed it to their ageing father. They didn’t say a word. They simply let the old man conclude that his son had been devoured by a wild beast. And what’s more, they allowed him to live with that cruel lie for years.
In Revelation 22:15, people ‘who love lies and tell lies’ are lumped together with ‘the evil people, those who do evil magic, who sin sexually, who murder, [and] who worship idols’ (NCV). That’s a good incentive for always being truthful! Today make your prayer the words of Psalm 120:2: ‘Rescue me, O Lord, from liars and from all deceitful people’ (NLT).
Isa 38-41; Luke 9:57-62; Ps 149; Pro 4:25-27
Spreuke 8:9 NLV
Koning Salomo het geskryf: ‘…Elke woord uit my mond is opreg. Ek praat die volle waarheid. Vir bedrog het ek nie tyd nie. Alles wat ek sê, is reg. Daar is niks daarin wat krom of verdraai is nie. Hulle wat insig het, weet dat ek reguit praat…’ (verse 6-9 NLV).
Ons kleur gewoonlik die waarheid bietjie in om twee dinge te kry: die aandag en die goedkeuring van die luisteraar. Oor tyd ontdek mense egter jou geneigdheid om die waarheid te strek en verloor jy jou geloofwaardigheid by hulle. Omvattende verklarings soos: ‘Almal doen dit,’ of ‘Jy doen nooit,’ of ‘Jy doen altyd,’ veroorsaak dat mense jou met ‘n greintjie sout neem en jou uiteindelik as onbetroubaar ag.
Dis in die haak om iets met entoesiasme te sê, maar vermy oordrywing. Bly by die feite en weerstaan die drang om die middelpunt van aandag te wees deur hierdie vorm van leuens te beoefen. Josef se broers was wrokkig oor die guns van God wat op sy lewe was. Dus het hulle hom in ‘n put gegooi, sy kleed in bloed gedoop en dit toe huis toe geneem en vir hulle bejaarde vader gewys. Hulle het nie ‘n woord gesê nie. Hulle het slegs toegelaat dat die ou man tot die gevolgtrekking kom dat sy seun deur ‘n roofdier verskeur is. Wat nog erger is, is dat hulle hom toegelaat het om vir jare met daardie wrede leuen saam te leef.
Openbaring 22:15 sê: ‘Al die onreines bly buite – die towenaars, die onsedelikes, die moordenaars, die afgodsdienaars en elkeen wat die leuen liefhet en beoefen’ (NLV). Tensy dit die geselskap is waarmee jy jouself wil ophou, moet jy die hele waarheid praat. Maak vandag die volgende jou gebed: ‘Here, red my van lippe wat lieg, en van ‘n tong wat mislei’ (Psalm 120:2 NLV).
Sielskos: Jes 38-41; Luk 9:57-62; Ps 149; Spr 4:25-27
Proverbs 8:9 NLT
King Solomon wrote: “Everything I say is right, for I speak the truth and detest every kind of deception. My advice is wholesome. There is nothing devious or crooked in it. My words are plain to anyone with understanding” (vv. 6-9 NLT).
We usually embellish the truth in order to get these two things: the attention and the approval of the listener. But eventually, it backfires. Over time, people discover your propensity to stretch the truth, and you lose your credibility with them. And once you lose that, it takes a long time to get it back – if ever. Sweeping statements like “Everybody does it,” or “You never,” or “You always” cause people to discount you and eventually slot you as untrustworthy.
It’s okay to say something with enthusiasm but avoid exaggeration. Stick to the facts and resist the urge to be the center of attention by engaging in this form of lying. Joseph’s brothers resented the favor of God that was on his life. So, they threw him into a pit, dipped his coat in blood, then took it back home and showed it to their aging father. They didn’t say a word. They simply let the old man conclude that his son had been devoured by a wild beast. And what’s more, they allowed him to live with that cruel lie for years.
Revelation 22:15 says, “Whosoever loveth and maketh a lie” is lumped together with “sorcerers…whoremongers…murderers, and idolaters” (KJV). So, unless that’s the company you want to be identified with, tell the whole truth. Today make your prayer, “Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips and…a deceitful tongue” (Psalm 120:2 NKJV).
Soul food: Isa 38-41; Luke 9:57-62; Ps 149; Pro 4:25-27
2022-02-15
Matthew 5:13-14 NKJV
If you didn’t tell them, would the people around you realise that you’re a follower of Christ just from what they see of your actions and attitude? If you’re not sure, have an honest think about how you’d answer these questions:
1) What’s your attitude like towards people in authority, such as your parents, a tutor, a boss or team leader? Do you resent their status or respect their authority?
2) How do you treat people who are younger, not as skilled, or less experienced than you? Are you critical towards them, or do you try to encourage them?
3) How’s your timekeeping? Do you do your best to meet deadlines and arrive on time, or do you find punctuality isn’t really a priority?
4) Do you try to do everything with a spirit of excellence, or do you tend to have a ‘that’s good enough’ attitude?
The way we deal with all of these things can tell us a lot about how we’re demonstrating Christ in our everyday lives. Of course, there’s much more to it than just those things, but they are all things that people around us will take notice of, whether we’re at home, university, work or church.
Jesus said: ‘You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavours of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness?…You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill…I’ve put you…on a hilltop, on a light stand – shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God’ (Matthew 5:13-16 MSG).
Isa 34-37; Luke 9:46-56; Ps 145:14-21; Pro 4:23-24
