2022-06-04
Philippians 3:10 NLT
Paul said, “I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death.” Let’s take an in-depth look at this verse.
(1) “I want to know Christ.” In Scripture, the word “know” indicates physical intimacy between two people who love one another. For example, “Adam knew Eve… and she conceived and bore Cain” (Genesis 4:1 NKJV).
(2) “And experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead.” What’s dead in your life that needs to be raised? There is no problem that Christ’s resurrection power can’t handle. And how do you access it? When you make intimacy with Christ your top priority, you tap into His power. Some of us would be more comfortable if the verse ended after the words, “the mighty power that raised him from the dead.”
But the truth is, if you want intimacy with Christ, you must be willing to “suffer with Him.” Here, the word “suffer” isn’t referring to a bad allergy season or a losing streak on the stock market. For Paul, it meant being beaten, betrayed, and beheaded. But it brought a level of intimacy with Jesus that can’t be experienced any other way. If you have ever suffered deeply with another person, you understand this principle. You will never experience true intimacy with somebody by telling them, “I only want to share the good times with you.” Often, the strongest relationship bonds come from the suffering we go through together; trials that cause us to know, love, and trust each another in a newer, deeper dimension.
Soul food: 1 Kings 16:1-18:15; Matt 14:13-21; Ps 121; Pro 12:23-24
2022-06-03
Psalm 37:8 NLT
A weapon can either protect or destroy; it all depends on who is using it. Anger works the same way; that’s why it’s good to learn what our particular triggers are. Some of the most common triggers surface at these times: 1) When our rights (or someone else’s) have been breached. Anger isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes the problem that infuriates us the most is the one God’s calling us to help solve. This world is a better place because of people who said ‘this isn’t right,’ and devoted their lives to fighting disease, poverty, corruption, and injustice. Anger prompted Jesus to purge the temple of extortionists, and cheating money lenders. The Bible says, ‘If you are angry, be sure that it is not out of wounded pride or bad temper… don’t give the devil that sort of foothold’ (Ephesians 4:26-27 PHPS).
2) When we’re frustrated because things aren’t going our way. A news report told the story of a man who went hunting on his mountain bike. When it broke, he got angry and shot it to pieces. That makes no sense! One author wrote that, ‘Anger is a wind which blows out the lamp of the mind.’
3) When we’re under constant stress. Paul writes, ‘Have a sane estimate of your capabilities’ (Romans 12:3 PHPS). By cramming too much activity into too little time, we set ourselves up for stress. Like a violin string that’s pulled tighter and tighter, we’ll eventually end up snapping. Then we’ll feel guilty and think we’re not good enough.
There’ll always be something to go wrong in life, so let’s try to anticipate challenges and allow time for the unexpected. And most importantly, ‘Do not lose your temper – it only leads to harm.’
1 Kings 14-15; Matt 14:1-12; Ps 117; Pro 12:20-22
Psalm 37:8 NLV
‘n Geweer kan jou óf beskerm óf vernietig; dit hang alles af van wie die sneller trek. Woede werk op dieselfde manier; dis hoekom dit wys is om te weet wat jou snellers is.
Sommige van die algemeenste snellers deesdae is: 1) Wanneer jou regte geskend word. Is dit altyd sleg om kwaad te word? Nee, soms is die probleem wat jou die kwaadste maak die een waarvoor God jou geroep het om te help oplos. Die wêreld is ‘n beter plek as gevolg van die mans en vrouens wat hulle lewens daaraan toegewy het om siekte, armoede, korrupsie en onreg te beveg. Dis wat Jesus gedoen het toe Hy die geldwisselaars uit die tempel gejaag het. Die Bybel sê: ‘Moenie sondig as jy kwaad word nie… en die duiwel so ‘n houvas gee nie’ (Efesiërs 4:26-27 NLV).
2) Wanneer jy gefrustreerd is omdat dinge nie vir jou regloop nie. ‘n Onlangse nuusberig het vertel van ‘n man wat op sy bergfiets gaan jag het. Toe sy fiets kilometers van die huis af breek, het hy kwaad geword en dit aan flarde geskiet. Dit maak nie sin nie! Soos een skrywer opmerk: ‘Woede is ‘n wind wat die lamp van jou rasionele gedagtes doodblaas.’
3) Wanneer jy onder konstante stres is. Paulus skryf: ‘…ek [sê] aan elkeen van julle dat jy nie jouself moet oorskat nie…’ (Romeine 12:3 NLV). Deur te veel aktiwiteite in te min tyd in te pak, gaan dit stres veroorsaak. Dan voel jy skuldig en dink dat jy nie geestelik genoeg is nie.
In die lewe is daar altyd uitdagings, berei jouself dus daarvoor voor en laat tyd vir die onverwagse toe. ‘Moenie kwaad word nie… dit lei net tot jou nadeel.’
Sielskos: 1 Kon 14-15; Matt 14:1-12; Ps 117; Spr 12:20-22
Psalm 37:8 NLT
A gun can either protect or destroy; it all depends on who is pulling the trigger. Anger works the same way; that’s why it’s wise to know what triggers or sets you off.
Some of the most common triggers surface at these times: (1) When your rights have been violated. Is it always bad to get mad? No, sometimes the problem that infuriates you most is the one God has called you to help solve. This world is a better place because of men and women who devoted their lives to fighting disease, poverty, corruption, and injustice. That’s what Jesus did when He purged the temple of extortionists. The Bible says, “If you are angry, be sure that it is not… sinful anger… don’t give the devil that sort of foothold” (Ephesians 4:26-27 PHPS).
(2) When you’re frustrated because things aren’t going right for you. A recent news report told of a guy who went hunting on his mountain bike. When it broke down, he got mad and shot it to pieces. That’s crazy; it makes no sense! As one author observed, “Anger is a wind which blows out the lamp of the mind.”
(3) When you’re under constant stress. Paul writes, “Have a sane estimate of your capabilities” (Romans 12:3 PHPS). By cramming too much activity into too little time, you set yourself up for stress. Like a violin string that’s pulled tighter and tighter, you end up snapping. Then you feel guilty and think you’re not spiritual enough.
In life, “it’s always something,” so anticipate challenges and allow time for the unexpected. Bottom line: “Do not lose your temper – it only leads to harm.”
Soul food: 1 Kings 14-15; Matt 14:1-12; Ps 117; Pro 12:20-22
2022-06-02
Proverbs 18:21 NKJV
Here are two very important rules for us to live by: 1) Don’t speak without thinking. 2) Don’t say things that contradict God’s Word. The Bible says, ‘Death and life are in the power of the tongue.’ Our words have the power to hurt or the power to help. ‘People in the land who ask for blessings will ask for them from the faithful God. And people in the land who make a promise will promise in the name of the faithful God, because the troubles of the past will be forgotten.’ (Isaiah 65:16 NCV).
There are two important things to learn here: 1) Your own words have more power to influence you than anyone else’s words. In the end, it’s not what others say that matters, it’s what you tell yourself when they’ve stopped talking. You always have the last word!
2) You won’t be able to move into what God’s planned for your future if you’re living in the past. You can’t undo your past, so try not to relive it over and over in your head. God said, ‘Forget what happened before, and do not think about the past. Look at the new thing I am about to do’ (Isaiah 43:18-19 NCV).
Come into agreement with Him and start saying what He says about you. What you say from the time you get up in the morning until you go to bed at night doesn’t just influence your day; it influences your whole outlook and the direction of your life. If you’ve been praying and asking God for specific answers, make sure what you say lines up with what He says. And whenever you speak, make sure your words reflect God.
1 Kings 12-13; Matt 13:47-58; Ps 82; Pro 12:18-19
