2022-03-28
Galatians 6:1 NIV
Sometimes when we fall we can get up by ourselves; other times we need someone to help us. And sadly, not all Christians are willing to help. Sometimes they feel that by extending grace to someone, they’re condoning their sin. But Paul knocked that argument down when he wrote, ‘Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you’ (Ephesians 4:32 NIV). Why should we be restorers?
1) Because God tells us to. ‘If someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves… you also may be tempted’ (Galatians 6:1 NIV). It’s pride that causes us to point an accusing finger instead of extending a helping hand to those who fall. It makes us think we’re better than someone else, and incapable of falling like they did. But we can’t be certain how we’d react if we were faced with the same circumstances! Paul wrote, ‘We are just as capable of messing it up as they were. Don’t be so… self-confident… You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else’ (1 Corinthians 10:12 MSG).
2) Because Jesus is our example. Jesus had no time for the Pharisees who hid their sins behind a religious mask. But He didn’t condemn those who were caught in sin and overtaken by temptation and failure. The minute they reached for Him, He willingly restored them. People will be watching us to see if the grace we preach is the same grace we extend to one another. Let’s set the best example we can and show grace and compassion as Jesus did.
Job 32-34; Luke 20:9-19; Ps 69:1-18; Pro 8:27-29
Galasiërs 6:1 NLV
Soms wanneer ons val, kan ons self weer regop kom; ander kere het ons iemand nodig om ons op te help. Dis hartseer dat nie alle Christene gewillig is om te help nie. Soms voel hulle dat indien hulle genade aan iemand bewys, hulle dan ook daardie persoon se sonde verskoon. Paulus het hierdie argument egter op sy kop gekeer toe hy geskryf het: ‘Wees eerder vriendelik met mekaar. Gee vir mekaar om. Vergewe mekaar soos God julle vergewe het op grond van wat Christus gedoen het’ (Efesiërs 4:32 NLV). Hoekom moet ons mekaar reghelp?
1) Omdat God dit van ons verwag. ‘…wanneer iemand iets doen wat verkeerd is, moet julle wat deur die Gees gelei word, daardie persoon nederig reghelp. Wees baie versigtig dat jy nie ook versoek word nie’ (Galasiërs 6:1 NLV). Dis trots wat ons ‘n beskuldigende vinger laat wys, in plaas daarvan om ‘n helpende hand na diegene wat geval het, uit te steek. Dit laat ons dink dat ons beter as iemand anders is; nie in staat is om te val soos hulle het nie. Paulus skryf egter: ‘Daarom – as julle dink julle staan sterk, moet julle oppas dat julle nie ook tot ‘n val kom nie’ (1 Korintiërs 10:12 NLV).
2) Omdat Jesus ons voorbeeld is. Jesus het nie tyd vir die Fariseërs wat hulle sonde agter ‘n godsdienstige masker weggesteek het, gehad nie. Hy het egter nie een keer iemand wat in sonde verval het, veroordeel nie. Die oomblik wat hulle by Hom aangekom het, het Hy hulle gewillig reggehelp. Vandag kyk ander mense na ons om seker te maak of die genade wat ons preek, dieselfde genade is wat ons aan mekaar bewys. Kom ons stel hulle nie teleur nie.
Sielskos: Job 32-34; Luk 20:9-19; Ps 69:1-18; Spr 8:27-29
2022-03-27
John 19:26 NLT
Today is Mothering Sunday. A day for us to tell our mothers how much we appreciate everything they do, as well as being an opportunity to say thank you to anyone who loves and cares for us like a mother does. The Bible tells us numerous times to honour our parents, listen to them, and treat them with respect. But instead of thinking about those verses, let’s take a look at a time when Jesus honoured His mother, Mary.
In John 19, as Jesus was dying on the cross, He saw Mary and the disciple John standing below, watching. ‘He said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home’ (vv. 26-27 NLT). Jesus was being crucified; He was in unimaginable pain. But in the midst of His ordeal, His thoughts were for His mother, and to ensure she would have someone who would love, care and provide for her. Nailed to a cross and dying, Jesus did the simple but deeply loving act of asking Mary and John to become mother and son to each other. And that’s something for us to think about today as we celebrate and honour mothers.
Maybe for whatever reason you can’t give your mum a gift or see her in person. It doesn’t matter why. Just do something simple and powerful, from a loving heart: take a few minutes to pray for her and to thank God for her. And even if things haven’t been easy between you, remember that God’s at work in the situation, you just need to pray and allow Him to do the rest. Let’s make today a day when we really show what God’s love means by honouring and praying for our mothers and those who care for us.
1 Sam 17:4-51; Eph 6:10-18
Ephesians 6:2 NKJV
There is no assignment on earth that requires the array of skills and understanding needed by a mom in fulfilling her everyday duties. Stop and think about what her job involves. She must be a resident psychologist, doctor, theologian, educator, nurse, chef, taxi driver, fire marshal, and occasional police officer. Try to imagine what it would cost you to go out and hire all those skill sets. And even if you could, how would you know you could trust them?
Go ahead, join Mom on a midmorning visit to the pediatrician’s office. After sitting for forty-five minutes with a cranky, feverish toddler on her lap, she and her baby are finally ushered into the examining room. The doctor checks out the sick child and then tells the woman with a straight face, “Be sure you keep him quiet for four or five days. Don’t let him scratch the rash. Make certain he keeps the medicine down, and you’ll want to watch his stools.” “Yeah, sure, doc! Any other suggestions?” “Just one. This disease is contagious, so keep your other four kids away from him, and I’ll see you in a week.”
The amazing thing is that most mothers would get this job done – and they would do it with love and wisdom. That’s because God made them good at what they do. And He gave them a passion for their children. They would, quite literally, lay down their lives to protect the children entrusted to their care. And that’s why they are deserving of our admiration – on Mother’s Day, and all the other days of the year. So the word for you today is – “Honor your… mother.”
Soul food: 1 Sam 17:4-51; Eph 6:10-18
Efesiërs 6:2 NLV
Daar is geen opdrag op aarde wat die verskeidenheid vaardighede en begrip vereis wat deur ‘n ma benodig word om haar alledaagse pligte na te kom nie. Stop en dink wat haar werk vereis. Sy moet die inwonende sielkundige, dokter, teoloog, onderwyser, verpleegster, sjef, taxibestuurder, brandweerman en by geleentheid die polisieman, wees. Dink wat dit jou sou kos om al hierdie vaardighede te huur. Selfs al kon jy, hoe sou jy weet dat jy hulle kan vertrou?
Gaan in die middel van die oggend saam met Ma op ‘n besoek aan die pediater. Nadat sy vyf-en-veertig minute met ‘n moeilike, koorsige kind op haar skoot deurgebring het, word sy en die baba uiteindelik by die spreekkamer ingeroep. Die dokter ondersoek die siek kind en sê dan met ‘n reguit gesig vir die vrou: ‘Maak seker dat jy hom vir vier of vyf dae stil hou. Moenie toelaat dat hy die uitslag krap nie. Maak seker hy hou sy medisyne in en jy sal ook sy stoelgange moet dophou.’ ‘Reg so, dokter! Enige ander voorstelle?’ ‘Net een. Hierdie siekte is aansteeklik, so hou jou vier ander kinders weg van hom af en dan sien ek julle weer oor ‘n week.’
Die wonderbaarlike ding is dat die meeste ma’s hierdie werk gedoen sou kry – en hulle sou dit met liefde en wysheid doen. Dit gebeur omdat God hulle goed gemaak het met wat hulle doen. Hy het hulle ook ‘n passie vir hulle kinders gegee. Hulle sal, letterlik, hulle lewe vir die kinders wat aan hulle sorg toevertrou is, neerlê. Dis hoekom hulle ons bewondering verdien. Die woord vir jou vandag is dus – ‘Eer jou… moeder…’.
Sielskos: 1 Sam 17:4-51; Ef 6:10-18
