2022-06-23
Psalm 37:21 NIV
Sometimes we might feel nervous, or even fearful, of giving. Especially when we’re giving money. We can think of money as security and protection, and as soon as we give it away, we lose our safety net. But actually when we trust God, the opposite is true. Our sense of freedom and security increases when we give, because giving is a declaration that our security rests in something other than our bank balance and our potential to earn more.
Giving is an act of confidence in God. The more we’re willing to trust Him and give when He nudges us, the less insecure we’ll feel about giving. The Bible says: ‘One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed’ (Proverbs 11:24-25 NIV). It might sound counterintuitive to us, but from God’s perspective it makes sense.
Paul wrote: ‘”A few seeds make a small harvest, but a lot of seeds make a big harvest.” Each of you must make up your own mind about how much to give. But don’t feel sorry that you must give and don’t feel that you are forced to give. God loves people who love to give. God can bless you with everything you need, and you will always have more than enough to do all kinds of good things for others’ (2 Corinthians 9:6-8 CEV).
In our hands, a pound will never be worth more than a pound. But when we sow it into God’s kingdom, it’ll begin a harvest that has the potential to bless so many people in ways we couldn’t have imagined. So if God prompts you to give, take a step of faith, trust Him to meet your needs, and sow confidently into His kingdom.
2 Kings 24-25; Matt 20:29-34; Ps 144:1-8; Pro 14:1-4
2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
If a thief came to your door, would you invite him in? No, you would call the police and have him arrested. And that’s what you need to do when wrong thoughts come to your mind! Take them captive – before they take you captive. And you must do it the moment the first one tries to enter your mind. When you entertain a thought, you empower it, and it will overcome you.
The Bible says, “Submit yourselves… to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7 NIV). On your own you don’t have the power to resist Satan, so don’t try it! But the moment you call on God and submit your will to Him, you’re more than a match for Satan. You get to decide who will control your mind: “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6 NIV).
When a thought keeps turning over and over in your mind, ask yourself, “What direction is this thought leading me in? Is it toward spiritual death, or toward ‘life and peace'”? Think about it: You don’t buy insurance after a storm has flattened your house. If you’re wise, you do it before the storm comes. So instead of failing and saying, “I’ll never be any different,” look back and ask yourself, “What was I thinking that led to my failure? Was I in the wrong company, or the wrong place, or the wrong mindset? Have I been reading God’s Word and praying regularly? Have I built my life around people who strengthen me?”
In the long run, monitoring your mind pays great dividends!
Soul food: 2 Kings 24-25; Matt 20:29-34; Ps 144:1-8; Pro 14:1-4
2 Korintiërs 10:5 NLV
As ‘n dief by jou voordeur opdaag, sal jy hom binne nooi? Nee, jy sal die polisie bel en hom laat gevange neem. Dis ook wat jy moet doen wanneer verkeerde gedagtes na vore kom! Neem hulle gevange – voor hulle jou gevange neem. Jy moet dit doen die oomblik wat die eerste een in jou gedagtes opkom. Wanneer jy ‘n gedagte koester, bemagtig jy dit en sal dit jou oorwin.
Die Bybel sê: ‘Wys dus dat julle van God afhanklik is… Weerstaan die duiwel en hy sal van julle af wegvlug’ (Jakobus 4:7 NLV). Jy het nie op jou eie die krag om Satan te weerstaan nie, moet dit dus nie eers probeer nie! Die oomblik wat jy egter vir God vra en jou wil aan Hom onderwerp, kan jy Satan oorwin. Jy kan besluit wie jou gedagtes sal beheer: ‘As jou sondige natuur jou denke oorheers, lei dit tot die dood. Maar as die Gees jou denke oorheers, beteken dit vir jou ware lewe en vrede’ (Romeine 8:6 NLV).
Wanneer ‘n gedagte oor en oor in jou geestesoog afspeel, moet jy jouself die volgende afvra: ‘In watter rigting stuur hierdie gedagte my? Is dit na ‘n geestelike dood, of na ‘ware lewe en vrede’ toe?’ Dink daaroor: Jy neem nie eers versekering uit nadat ‘n storm jou huis vernietig het nie. In plaas daarvan om te faal en te sê: ‘Ek sal nooit anders wees nie,’ kyk terug en vra jouself: ‘Watter gedagtes het tot my mislukking gelei? Was ek in die verkeerde geselskap, of op die verkeerde plek, of het ek die verkeerde ingesteldheid gehad? Het ek God se Woord gelees en gereeld gebid? Het ek my lewe rondom mense wat my versterk, gebou?’
Om jou gedagtes te monitor, betaal in die langtermyn dividende uit!
Sielskos: 2 Kon 24-25; Matt 20:29-34; Ps 144:1-8; Spr 14:1-4
2022-06-22
Galatians 6:2 NLT
Astronauts have all kinds of equipment full of support systems to keep them alive and safe. And it’s the same in our relationships. Everyone needs a support system. We’re not designed to live life alone. Sometimes when others disappoint us, we might say, ‘I’m better off on my own!’ But that’s a mistake. It’s the sheep who strays from the rest of the flock that gets caught by a wolf. One of Satan’s strategies is to isolate us so he can break us more easily. ‘A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken’ (Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT).
When we have a good support network of friends and loved ones, we can share our burdens, find encouragement, and be uplifted when we face disappointments. Support gives us a sense of connection and acceptance, which are core human needs. It provides a place to be vulnerable, where we can feel safe in saying, ‘I don’t know,’ or ‘Can you help me,’ or ‘I need a hug.’ This type of support is God’s way. We don’t always find it in our own families, but we can turn to the family of God.
Finally, don’t forget to show appreciation towards those who support you. Support doesn’t just work one way: ‘Share each other’s burdens.’ We mustn’t get so engrossed in our own problems that we forget others have problems too. Take time to ask about them and about any concerns or worries. It’s in the give-and-take of supporting each other that we grow and fulfil our God-given potential in life.
2 Kings 21-23; Matt 20:17-28; Ps 139:13-24; Pro 13:25
2 Samuel 23:5 NLV
Of jy nou in die kerk of by die werkplek die ‘persoon in beheer’ is, is daar ‘n belangrike vraag wat jy ernstig moet aanspreek: As jy nie vir jou eie huisgesin sorg en vir hulle lief is nie, hoekom moet die mense wat na jou vir leiding opsien dan dink dat jy vir hulle sal sorg en lief wees? Maak hierdie vraag jou ongemaklik? Laat dit jou reageer deur te sê: ‘My persoonlike lewe is niemand anders se besigheid nie’? Wel, dis waar jy verkeerd is! Jy lei deur jou voorbeeld. Die mense rondom jou mag dalk nie die vrymoedigheid hê om jou te vertel wat hulle van jou dink nie, maar dit weerhou hulle nie daarvan om dit te dink of met ander mense te bespreek nie.
Neem jy jou familie saam in jou soeke na sukses, of laat jy hulle agterweë bly? Gee jy vir hulle die tyd en aandag wat hulle verdien, of word hulle gereeld aan die einde van ‘n moeilike dag aan jou frustrasies onderwerp? Is hulle belangriker vir jou as jou loopbaan, jou sukses of jou persoonlike geluk? Hulle behoort te wees. As jy elke prys en toekenning by die werk wen, maar op die tuisfront misluk, wat het jy dan regtig bereik? Wie sal dit saam met jou vier?
Die sielkundige William James het gesê: ‘In elke persoon is daar ‘n groot behoefte om waardeer te word.’ Die vlak aanmerkings van kollegas wat jou talente en prestasies prys sal nie aan daardie behoefte voldoen nie. Dit kan net in ‘n huis waar aanvaarding, liefde en aanmoediging elke familielid met mekaar verbind, gevind word. Jou huis moet jou hawe wees – die plek waar jy skuiling teen die storms van die lewe vind. Wat doen jy om dit ‘n werklikheid te maak?
Sielskos: 2 Kon 21-23; Matt 20:17-28; Ps 139:13-24; Spr 13:25
