2022-06-22
2 Samuel 23:5 NLT
Whether in church or in the workplace, if you’re “the person in charge,” here is a question you need to seriously address: If you don’t love and take care of your own family, why should the people who look to you for direction think you will love and take care of them? Does that question make you uncomfortable? Does it cause you to react by saying, “My personal life is nobody else’s business?” Well, that’s where you’re wrong! You lead by example. And while the people around you may not feel free to tell you what they think of you, that doesn’t keep them from thinking it or voicing it to others.
In your quest for success, are you taking your family with you or are you leaving them behind? Are you giving them the time and attention they deserve, or are they routinely subjected to your frustrations at the end of a trying day? Are they more important to you than your career, your success, or your personal happiness? They should be. If you win every accolade and award available in the workplace and fail on the home front, what have you gained? Who will celebrate with you?
Psychologist William James said, “In every person… there is a deep craving to be appreciated.” And the shallow comments of fellow workers who praise your talent and accomplishments won’t meet that need. It can only be met in a home where acceptance, love, and encouragement bonds each family member together. Your home should be your haven – the place where you find shelter from the storms of life. What are you doing to make it like that?
Soul food: 2 Kings 21-23; Matt 20:17-28; Ps 139:13-24; Pro 13:25
2022-06-21
1 Thessalonians 2:13 NKJV
When we read God’s Word and believe it and act on it, it’s like seeds growing inside us. Those seeds have life. We don’t have to understand the process they go through to grow, we just have to water, nurture, and protect them. And it’s the same with Scripture. Paul writes, ‘You welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe’ (v.13 NKJV). Remember the phrase ‘effectively works in you’. God’s Word is self-sustaining; it doesn’t need validation from others.
In the New Testament, when Jesus was walking on the water towards His disciples, Peter said, ‘Lord, if it’s you… tell me to come’ (Matthew 14:28 NIV). Jesus gave him one word, ‘Come’ (v.29 NIV), and Peter started walking. The other disciples probably didn’t believe Peter could do it, because they didn’t really understand who was speaking to him. ‘They thought [Jesus] was a ghost’ (Mark 6:49 NIV)!
This story contains an important lesson for all of us: when God speaks to us through His Word, we mustn’t expect everybody to understand, agree, or support us. It’s natural for us to want people to see what we see, understand our perspective, and believe in what we’re doing. But in this Scripture, God prepares us for rejection by those who don’t understand what God has told us. Other people’s opinions can make us doubt what God’s said to us. Sometimes He’ll confirm what He told you through others, and sometimes He won’t. But as long as you feed on His Word and believe it, it ‘effectively works in you’.
2 Kings 18:17-20:21; Matt 20:1-16; Ps 139:7-12; Pro 13:24
Ecclesiastes 5:2 NLT
When it comes to making commitments and keeping them, Solomon doesn’t mince any of his words: “Don’t shoot off your mouth, or speak before you think… When you tell God you’ll do something, do it – now. God takes no pleasure in foolish gabble. Vow it, then do it. Far better not to vow in the first place than to vow and not pay up. Don’t let your mouth make a total sinner of you. When called to account, you won’t get by with ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean it'” (vv. 2, 4-6 MSG). That means don’t be impulsive, listen as much as you speak, get as much information as you can, then consult God in prayer before you make a commitment.
People often say what they think others want to hear, but that can get them into a lot of trouble. Don’t promise something you can’t deliver. And don’t make excuses. Nothing diminishes your influence like trying to reverse a mistake with a lame excuse. When you make a commitment based on emotion, you will only follow through if you feel a certain way. True commitment doesn’t work like that. It’s not a feeling; it’s a character quality. Human emotions constantly fluctuate, but commitment has to be rock solid.
Real dedication shines through in times of trouble and adversity. It doesn’t depend on gifts or abilities, but on integrity. It’s a result of choice, not conditions. And it only lasts when it’s based on values. Bottom line: “Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God” (v. 2 NKJV). So look before you leap, and think before you commit.
Soul food: 2 Kings 18:17-20:21; Matt 20:1-16; Ps 139:7-12; Pro 13:24
Prediker 5:1 DB
Wanneer dit kom by beloftes maak en die nakoming daarvan, draai Salomo nie doekies om nie: ‘Dink mooi voordat jy met die Here praat. Moenie sommer vinnige beloftes aan God maak nie… As jy God iets belowe het, moet jy dit so gou moontlik doen. God hou nie van mense wat los en vas beloftes maak nie. Doen wat jy belowe het. Moenie dat baie praat jou in die moeilikheid bring nie, want dan moet jy weer… sê jy het dit nie so bedoel nie…’ (verse 1, 3-5 DB). Dit beteken dat jy nie impulsief moet wees nie, net soveel moet luister as wat jy praat, soveel informasie moet bymekaar maak as wat jy kan en God dan in gebed moet raadpleeg voor jy ‘n belofte maak.
Mense sê dikwels dit wat hulle dink ander mense wil hoor, maar dit kan hulle in baie moeilikheid bring. Moenie iets beloof wat jy nie kan nakom nie. Moet ook nie verskonings maak nie. Niks verminder jou invloed meer as wat jy ‘n fout met ‘n flou verskoning probeer wegpraat nie. Wanneer jy ‘n belofte maak wat op emosie gebaseer is, sal jy dit net nakom wanneer jy op ‘n sekere manier voel. Ware beloftes werk nie so nie. Dis nie ‘n gevoel nie; dis ‘n karaktereienskap. Menslike emosies fluktueer, maar beloftes moet stabiel wees.
Ware toewyding kom in tye van moeilikheid en teenstand na vore. Dit maak nie op gawes of vermoëns staat nie, maar op integriteit. Dis die resultaat van keuses, nie voorwaardes nie. Dit bly net in stand wanneer dit op waardes gebaseer is. ‘Dink mooi voordat jy met die Here praat. Moenie sommer vinnige beloftes aan God maak nie…’ (vers 1 DB). Besin dus eers voor jy begin en dink mooi voor jy ‘n belofte maak.
Sielskos: 2 Kon 18:17-20:21; Matt 20:1-16; Ps 139:7-12; Spr 13:24
2022-06-20
John 6:63 NKJV
God will speak to you through His Word. Jesus said, ‘The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life,’ but that doesn’t mean we can pick out the feel-good Scriptures and ignore the rest. To grow in faith, we must spend time each day reading through the Bible. We can’t just decide that one verse applies to us and another doesn’t. ‘All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realise what is wrong in our lives… God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work’ (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT).
A fire is made up of three things: heat, fuel and oxygen. If just one of those things is taken away, the fire goes out, and the warmth and light it brought disappear. It needs all three to keep going and keep growing. It’s the same with our spiritual growth. When God’s Word, an open mind, and a receptive heart get together, something exciting is going to spark! We all need regular exposure to Scripture. Without it, we won’t properly hear what God is saying to us, and we’ll always be dependent on somebody else’s interpretation.
Imagine having to communicate with a friend or a family member like that? It would be difficult, if not impossible, to develop a close, strong relationship. The same idea applies to our relationship with God. So today, spend time with your Bible and let God speak to you personally through His Word.
2 Kings 16:1-18:16; Matt 19:15-30; Ps 139:1-6; Pro 13:21-23
