2022-04-22
James 5:16 NCV
While vacationing in England, D.L. Moody visited a London church that was spiritually dead. The pastor recognized him and asked him to preach at the morning service. Reluctantly, Moody agreed. Afterward, he told a friend the congregation was so unresponsive it was all he could do to finish his sermon. Later, he remembered he had committed to preach there again that night. Wishing he had never interrupted his vacation plans, he spent the afternoon dreading what was ahead.
But behind the scenes, something was happening that Moody knew nothing about. After the morning service, an elderly lady met her invalid sister for lunch and told her about Moody’s upcoming visit. Her sister’s eyes lit up, and she exclaimed, “I’ve been praying God would send Moody to England! Put away the lunch, Sis. We’ll spend the afternoon fasting and praying for tonight’s service.”
When Moody took the pulpit that night, an “electric” sense of God’s presence filled the sanctuary. He preached like a man on fire, and when he issued an invitation for people to follow Christ, five hundred responded. Thinking they had misunderstood, Moody had them sit down while he re-explained the gospel call. But when he issued a second invitation, the same five hundred stood to receive Christ. That Sunday initiated one of the greatest revivals ever to sweep England.
What helped make it happen? Two elderly ladies who understood their church desperately needed the fire of God’s Spirit. They believed God’s promise, “When a believing person prays, great things happen.” Today, tap into the power of prayer. Your prayers can help ignite the fire of God and make great things happen.
Soul food: 1 Cor 12-14; Luke 24:50-53; Ps 103:1-12; Pro 10:13
Philippians 4:4 NCV
Paul wrote, ‘Be full of joy in the Lord always. I will say again, be full of joy.’ Why did Paul repeat himself? Because joy is the fuel we run on, and unless we maintain it, we can run out. That means we need to regularly check our ‘fuel gauge’ to make sure we’re not being drawn into negativity and doubt. Jesus is a joy giver, and when we stay connected to Him, we can experience His joy regardless of our circumstances. In John 15:11, He said, ‘I have told you these things so that you can have the same joy I have and so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy’ (NCV).
When we really think about it, we have so many reasons for joy – God has forgiven our sins, He guides and protects us, He loves us more than we could imagine, we have a place in heaven… and so many more. In prison, Paul had so much joy that his jailers were won to Christ and a church sprang up in Caesar’s household (see Philippians 4:22).
People are always more influenced by our attitude than our theology. When they see us rejoicing in hard times, they’ll start to wonder what our secret is and think, ‘Whatever that person has, I need it’; they’ll become more open and receptive to the truth. The happiness the world offers us is only a reaction to our circumstances, whereas the joy that comes from living for Jesus lifts us above our circumstances. So let’s focus on His joy, draw on His joy, and demonstrate His joy to the world today.
1 Cor 12-14; Luke 24:50-53; Ps 103:1-12; Pro 10:13
2022-04-21
John 11:26 MSG
At the graveside of His friend Lazarus, Jesus told his grieving sisters Mary and Martha two important things. First, He told them, ‘Your brother will rise and live again’ (John 11:23 NCV). And second, He said, ‘Everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all. Do you believe this?’ (v.26 MSG). Having an exemplary character, giving generously to charity, going to church, and so on, are all great things to do (and the right things to do), but it’s putting our trust in Christ that gives us the absolute assurance of resurrection and eternal life. Jesus conquered death and the grave for each one of us.
There might be people reading these words who have recently lost loved ones and are fighting tears of sorrow right now. Jesus understands our grief like no one else can. He’s touched by the feelings of our weaknesses and struggles (see Hebrews 4:15). There might be people reading who are frightened of all the unknowns of death. If that’s how you’re feeling, try putting your trust in Jesus and in these words: ‘There are many rooms in my Father’s house; I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you may be where I am’ (John 14:2-3 NCV).
When we trust God, there’s no reason to fear what lies beyond death, because He’s already there, waiting to welcome us. Inexplicable, unending joy will be ours forever, thanks to Jesus, so we can exclaim with Paul, ‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ (1 Corinthians 15:55 NLT).
1 Cor 10-11; Luke 24:45-49; Ps 130; Pro 10:12
Matteus 6:18 NLV
Het jy al ooit ‘n konsert bygewoon waar hulle die nuutste oudiovisuele toerusting gebruik het? Die kans is goed dat jy jou aan die multidimensionele beelde en klanke vergaap het en na die tyd van die wonderlike vaardighede van die kunstenaars gepraat het. As die vertoning sonder enige foute afgeloop het, het jy heel waarskynlik nie aan die klank- en beligting tegnici gedink nie. Ons merk hulle gewoonlik slegs op wanneer die toerusting foutief is. Hulle is die onsigbare element; die mense wat hulle werk doen om die kunstenaar goed te laat lyk en klink. Die kunstenaars in die kollig ontvang die lof daarvoor. Dis hoe dit in die aardse koninkryk werk.
Die koninkryk van God werk egter op die beginsel dat ‘…baie wat nou so vernaam lyk, heeltemaal onbelangrik [sal] wees. En dié wat nou nie gereken word nie, sal eendag die belangrikste wees’ (Matteus 20:16 NLV). Jesus het gesê dat wanneer jy vas, bid en gee sonder om iets daarvoor te verwag, sal ‘…jou Vader wat alle geheime ken… jou beloon.’
Op ‘n groot skip is slegs die kaptein en ‘n handjievol offisiere op die brug sigbaar. Dis egter die bemanning onder die dek wat die skip se vordering oor die grootste deel van die skeepsreis, bepaal. In God se kerk, is dit die ‘bemanning in die enjinkamer’ wat getrou baie van die werk doen: die skoonmaakspan, kleuterskoolonderwysers, busbestuurders, karwagte, mense wat bejaardes in die ouetehuis besoek, mense wat na gevangenes uitreik en gebedsvegters.
Terwyl hoëprofiel mense gewoonlik die meeste lof kry, gee God spesiale erkenning en belonings aan die bemanning wat ongesiens hul werk doen! As jy een van hulle is, sal jy gou sy publieke aankondiging hoor: ‘…Goed gedoen, goeie slaaf; omdat jy in die geringste getrou was…’ (Lukas 19:17 NLV). Wanneer dit gebeur, sal niks anders meer saak maak nie!
Sielskos: 1 Kor 10-11; Luk 24:45-49; Ps 130; Spr 10:12
Matthew 6:18 NKJV
Have you ever been to a concert where they used the latest audio-video equipment? Chances are, you were blown away by the multidimensional sights and sounds, and afterward, left talking about the amazing skills of the performers. If the performance went without a hitch, you probably didn’t think about the sound and lighting techs. Usually we only notice them when the equipment fails. They’re the invisible element; the people who do their job by making the star look and sound great. The real accolades go to those in the spotlight. That’s the order of things in the kingdom of man.
But the kingdom of God operates on the principle that “the last shall be first, and the first last” (Matthew 20:16 KJV). Jesus said when you fast, pray, and give without looking for recognition, “your Father who sees [your actions] in secret will reward you openly.”
On a big ship, only the captain and a handful of officers are visible on the bridge. But the crew below deck determine the ship’s progress for most of the voyage. And in God’s church, it’s the “engine-room crew” who faithfully carry out much of the work: janitorial staff, nursery workers, bus drivers, parking lot attendants, nursing home visitors, prison outreach workers, and prayer warriors.
While high-profile people tend to get most of the kudos, God reserves special recognition and rewards for the below-deck crew! And if you’re one of them, soon enough you will hear His public announcement, “Good servant… you have been faithful in a small matter” (Luke 19:17 CEB). And when that happens, everything else will pale by comparison!
Soul food: 1 Cor 10-11; Luke 24:45-49; Ps 130; Pro 10:12
