2022-04-24
Romans 6:16 NLT
Consider some of the people who are enslaved today through no fault of their own – children sold into the 5ex trade and immigrants sold into forced labor. That’s not the kind of slavery Paul is talking about when he writes, “You become the slave of whatever you choose to obey.”
When it comes to sin, the Bible draws a line in the sand and tells us not to cross it. Why? Because when you cross it once, it’s easier to cross it again. Whether your “drug of choice” is alcohol, illegal or over-the-counter-drugs, pornography, gambling, or overeating, you start out believing you’re the master and end up realizing you’re the slave. One of the biggest lies we tell ourselves is, “I can quit whenever I want to.”
The Prodigal Son was forgiven and restored, but he still lost his inheritance. Spiritually, you can lose your confidence before God. Personally, you can lose your sense of self-worth. Publicly, you can lose respect and influence with others.
And if you’re not careful, even “good” things can hurt you. A strong work ethic can lead to neglecting your family and losing your marriage. Vegging out in front of the TV can stunt your spiritual growth. Even too much caution and thoughtfulness – good qualities – can prevent you from stepping out in faith and fulfilling your God-given potential.
When God says no, He is not being a killjoy and trying to make your life difficult; He is protecting you! If something has the potential to enslave you, don’t do it. And if you’re already hooked, turn to God and He will set you free.
Soul food: Gen 6:9-8:4; Matt 24:37-51
2022-04-23
Efesiërs 5:31 NLV
Wanneer ons kinders klein is, is ons so besig om hulle van dinge soos liefde, beskerming, dissipline, opleiding en outoriteit te voorsien, dat dit voel of hierdie verantwoordelikhede vir ewig gaan aanhou. Dit doen egter nie. Wanneer ons kinders hulle laat tienerjare of vroeë twintigs bereik, moet ons die deur na die buitewêreld vir hulle oopmaak. As jy tans hierdeur gaan en angstig voel, moet jy probeer besef dat jy in een van die uitdagendste en moeilikste dele van ouerskap is. Jou neiging om die teuels styf vas te hou om jou kinders daarvan te weerhou om foute te maak, is natuurlik. Jou kinders is egter meer geneig om goeie keuses te maak as hulle nie gedruk voel om te rebelleer om sodoende hul vryheid te bereik nie.
Die eenvoudige waarheid is dat verantwoordelikheid en volwassenheid die beste in ‘n atmosfeer van vryheid floreer. Soos die Skrif sê: ‘Daar staan mos: “‘n Man sal weggaan van sy pa en ma…”‘ Die geheim tot sukses is om outonomiteit vir jou kind op die regte tyd, in die regte hoeveelheid en met die regte houding, te gee. Jou doelwit moet wees om onafhanklikheid bietjie vir bietjie deur die jare toe te laat, soos jou kinders in staat is om nuwe verantwoordelikheid te bestuur. Die finale vrystelling sal dan ‘n klein stappie in die rigting van vryheid, in plaas van ‘n vryval in anargie, verteenwoordig.
Ons almal leer uit ons foute uit. Jy het, en soveel as wat jy dit probeer vermy, sal jou kinders ook. ‘Wat moet ek dus doen?’ vra jy. Bid daagliks vir hulle, laat hulle in God se sorg vry en maak seker dat hulle weet dat jy altyd vir hulle sal lief wees en daar sal wees vir hulle.
Sielskos: 1 Kor 15-16; Matt 1:1-17; Ps 103:13-22; Spr 10:14
Isaiah 43:19 NCV
There are so many times in life when we need to let go of something we care about. We might have to leave a job we love. We could have been working on a project and now need to hand it over for someone else to take to the next level. Maybe we’ve been a mentor or advisor, but the person has reached the point where they don’t need us anymore. We might be teaching someone, but our knowledge has reached its limit and now they need to move on and learn from someone with greater skill. God might even tell us to let something go without us understanding why.
Letting go isn’t easy. It can make us feel unwanted or rejected, our pride can take a hit, or we might think we’re not good enough. Even if we’ve given up something we hate, it can leave a void in that makes us feel strangely empty. But there are things we can do to regain our joy and find reasons to celebrate.
We can: 1) Rejoice that we played a part in the development and growth of the person or project.
2) Be proud that we’ve made a difference.
3) Pray for the person, the project, those who were working with us, and those who are going to take things even further.
4) Trust God to place the person or project in the right hands.
5) Look forward to the next thing God has in mind for us. It can be helpful to remember these words: ‘Do not think about the past. Look at the new thing I am going to do. It is already happening. Don’t you see it?’ (Isaiah 43:18-19 NCV). When we let go of one thing, God already has the next thing lined up.
1 Cor 15-16; Matt 1:1-17; Ps 103:13-22; Pro 10:14
Ephesians 5:31 NLT
When our children are young, we’re so busy providing them with things like love, protection, discipline, training, and authority that it feels like these responsibilities will go on forever. But they don’t. When our children reach their late teens and early twenties, we must open the door for them to the world outside.
If you’re going through this right now and feeling anxious, try to realize that you’re in one of the most challenging and difficult parts of parenting. Your tendency to hold tightly to the reins of control in order to keep your children from making mistakes is natural. But your children are more likely to make good choices if they aren’t compelled to rebel in order to achieve their freedom. The simple truth is that responsibility and maturity flourish best in an atmosphere of freedom. “As the Scriptures say, ‘A man leaves his father and mother.'”
The secret of success is in granting your child autonomy at the right time, in the right amount, and with the right attitude. Your goal should be to allow independence little by little through the years, as your children are able to manage new responsibility. The final release, then, should represent a small step in the direction of freedom instead of a tumble into anarchy.
In the final analysis, we all learn by trial and error. You did, and try as you may to avoid it, your children will, too. “So what should I do?” you ask. Pray for them daily, release them into God’s care, and let them know that you will always love them and be there for them.
Soul food: 1 Cor 15-16; Matt 1:1-17; Ps 103:13-22; Pro 10:14
2022-04-22
Jakobus 5:16 NLV
Terwyl hy op vakansie in Engeland was, het D.L. Moody ‘n kerk in Londen besoek wat geestelik dood was. Die pastoor het hom herken en gevra om die oggend- en aanddiens waar te neem. Teësinnig het Moody ingestem. Na die oggenddiens het hy vir ‘n vriend vertel dat die gemeente so stug was dat hy skaars sy preek kon klaarmaak. Hy het gewens dat hy nooit sy vakansieplanne onderbreek het nie en het die heel middag opgesien na die aand se preek.
Agter die skerms, het iets egter gebeur waarvan Moody niks geweet het nie. Na die oggenddiens het ‘n bejaarde dame haar invalide suster vir middagete ontmoet en haar van Moody se opkomende aanddiens vertel. Haar suster het uitgeroep: ‘Ek bid al lank dat God vir Moody Engeland toe moet stuur! Sit weg die middagete, Sus. Ons sal die middag daaraan bestee om vir vanaand se erediens te vas en te bid.’
Toe Moody die preekstoel daardie aand bestyg, het ‘n ‘elektriese’ gevoel van God se teenwoordigheid die kerkruim gevul. Moody se preek was begeesterd en toe hy ‘n uitnodiging uitstuur vir mense om Christus te volg, het vyfhonderd mense gereageer. Hy het gedink hulle het hom dalk misverstaan, dus het Moody hulle gevra om weer te sit terwyl hy weer die evangelie verduidelik het. Maar toe hy ‘n tweede uitnodiging rig, het dieselfde vyfhonderd opgestaan om Christus te ontvang.
Wat het daartoe bygedra? Twee bejaarde dames wat besef het dat hulle kerk die vuur van God se Gees desperaat nodig gehad het. Hulle het God se belofte geglo: ‘…Die gebed van iemand wie se saak met God reg is, het ‘n kragtige werking.’ Jou gebede kan die vuur van God aansteek en groot dinge laat gebeur.
Sielskos: 1 Kor 12-14; Luk 24:50-53; Ps 103:1-12; Spr 10:13
