2022-09-20
John 21:7 NLT
“At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, ‘Fellows, have you caught any fish?’ ‘No,’ they replied. Then he said, ‘Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!’ So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It’s the Lord!’ When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he… jumped into the water, and headed to shore. The others stayed with the boat” (vv. 4-8 NLT).
Peter had to decide whether to leave his fish and go to Jesus or stay behind and enjoy what he had worked hard for. It’s a test we all face when we have accomplished our life’s objectives, when our nets are full and we have finally “made it.” Your challenge is, “Do I stay and guard my blessings or go overboard for the Lord and commit myself fully to Him?”
Paul refers briefly to his career’s success: “You know my pedigree… from the elite tribe of Benjamin… defender of… my religion… meticulous observer of… God’s law” (Philippians 3:4-6 MSG). But listen to him now: “Things I… thought were so important are gone… dumped… in the trash so that I could embrace Christ” (vv. 7-8 MSG). Paul realised his true identity lay not in his accomplishments but in his relationship with Jesus.
Do you feel that way too? That night Peter may have felt like he was forfeiting everything, yet when he reached the shore, he found Jesus busy – cooking fish! The point is, whatever you need, God has it. Whatever you give up, He will repay many times over.
Soul food: Ezek 43-45; Mark 14:12-26; Ps 19; Prov 21:3
Johannes 21:7 NLV
‘Toe die nuwe dag breek, het Jesus daar op die strand gestaan, maar sy dissipels was nie daarvan bewus dat dit Hý is nie. Hy vra toe vir hulle: ‘Kinders, het julle nie iets om te eet nie?’ Hulle antwoord vir Jesus was net: ‘Nee.’ Hy sê toe vir hulle: ‘Gooi die net aan die regterkant van die boot uit en julle sal vis kry.’ Hulle het die net uitgegooi, maar kon dit nie weer intrek nie as gevolg van die groot hoeveelheid vis. Die lieflingdissipel sê toe vir Petrus: ‘Dit is die Here!’ Toe Simon Petrus hoor dat dit die Here is… [het] hy in die water gespring…’ (verse 4-7 NLV).
Petrus moes besluit of hy sy vis gaan los en na Jesus toe gaan, of agterbly en dit waarvoor hy hard gewerk het, gaan geniet. Dis ‘n toets waarvoor ons almal te staan kom wanneer ons ons lewensdoelwitte bereik het, wanneer ons visnette vol is en ons dit uiteindelik ‘gemaak het.’
Paulus verwys kortliks na die suksesse in sy loopbaan: ‘…ek is ‘n Benjaminiet… Ek was ook ‘n… Fariseër… wat die Joodse wet stiptelik nakom…’ (Filippense 3:4-5 DB). Luister egter wat hy later te sê het: ‘…Dit het glad geen waarde meer vir my nie… Al daardie dinge wat eers vir my so belangrik was, is nou vir my minder as niks werd, want Jesus het vir my alles geword…’ (verse 7-8 DB). Paulus het besef dat sy ware identiteit nie in sy prestasie lê nie, maar in sy verhouding met Jesus.
Voel jy ook so? Petrus het dalk daardie aand gevoel asof hy alles verbeur, maar toe hy die strand bereik het, het hy Jesus gevind – besig om vis gaar te maak! Wat jy ook al nodig het, God het dit. Wat jy ook al prysgee, sal Hy met baie rente terugbetaal.
Sielskos: Eseg 43-45; Mark 14:12-26; Ps 19; Spr 21:3
2022-09-19
James 1:22 NKJV
To identify the source of your discouragement, it’s helpful to talk to someone who can offer you insight and guidance. But be careful – you can talk your problems to death and get nowhere! That’s why the Bible says, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
So, (1) Always do what’s right. Few things increase discouragement like regret or a guilty conscience. It’s tough to apologise, admit your faults, forgive, restrain your temper, bear a deserved blame, or start over. But deciding to do these things when they’re appropriate always pays off. Be willing to view your life realistically, see yourself as you are, and accept what’s true.
(2) Remember, timing is important. Often, we look for relief in the valley instead of waiting for the clarity that comes from standing on the mountaintop. That’s because it takes a lot of effort to get to the top of the mountain! When we’re experiencing the darkness of the valley, it’s tempting to make changes we hope will relieve our discomfort. But as Dr. Robert Schuller says: “When you are on top of the proverbial mountain… is the time to make decisions. Here’s why: You… see your situation more clearly. You are moving to something, not just from something. You decide using positive data, not negative. You are more likely to move from peak to peak instead of valley to valley.”
On the other hand, if you keep persevering while you’re in the valley, not only will you make it to higher ground where you can make wiser decisions, but you will have developed character, which will serve you well throughout life.
Soul food: Ezek 40:10-42:20; Mark 14:1-11; Ps 24; Prov 21:1-2
Jakobus 1:22 NLV
Om die bron van jou moedeloosheid te identifiseer, is dit raadsaam om met iemand wat jou insig en leiding kan bied, te gesels. Wees egter versigtig – julle kan tot die dood toe oor julle probleme praat en nêrens kom nie! Dis hoekom die Bybel sê: ‘Julle moet mense word wat dóén wat die woord sê. Moet dit nie net aanhoor nie, dan bedrieg julle julleself.’
Dus: 1) Doen altyd wat reg is. Min dinge vererger moedeloosheid soos berou en ‘n skuldige gewete. Dis moeilik om verskoning te vra, jou foute te erken, te vergewe, jou humeur te beteuel, verdiende blaam op jou skouers te tel en oor te begin. Dit werp egter altyd vrugte af wanneer jy besluit om hierdie dinge op gepaste tye te doen.
2) Onthou, tydsberekening is belangrik. Dikwels soek ons na verligting in die vallei in plaas daarvan om vir die helderheid te wag wat ons op ‘n bergpiek sal vind, omdat dit baie inspanning verg om die piek te bereik! Wanneer ons egter die donkerte van die vallei ervaar, is dit aanloklik om veranderinge wat ons hoop ons ongemak sal help verlig, op die plek aan te bring. Soos dr Robert Schuller egter sê: ‘Wanneer jy op die piek van die spreekwoordelike berg staan, is dit tyd om besluite te maak. Dis wanneer jy jou situasie op sy duidelikste sien. Jy beweeg na iets toe, nie net van iets af weg nie. Jy besluit om positiewe data, nie negatiewe data nie, te gebruik. Jy is meer geneig om van piek tot piek in plaas van vallei tot vallei, te beweeg.’ Aan die ander kant, as jy aanhou volhard terwyl jy in die vallei is, sal jy nie net na hoër grond beweeg waar jy wyser besluite kan neem nie, jy sal ook jou karakter ontwikkel wat jou deur jou lewe sal help.
Sielskos: Eseg 40:10-42:20; Mark 14:1-11; Ps 24; Spr 21:1-2
2022-09-18
Mark 11:23 NKJV
To overcome discouragement, you need to do two things. (1) Speak the right words. One of the main causes of discouragement is negative self-talk. In his book Spiritual Depression, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, one of Britain’s finest heart surgeons, writes, “Most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself.” By that he means we allow negative messages from our past to affect our thinking instead of actively telling ourselves good things that will assist us in thinking more positively (See Philippians 4:8). Jesus said: “Assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain [problem], ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says” (Mark 11:23 NKJV). Words are powerful. They can reinforce your fears or strengthen your faith. The choice is yours.
(2) Maintain the right expectations. Clergyman J. Wallace Hamilton once observed, “Every person’s life is a diary in which he or she means to write one story and is forced to write yet another.” Haven’t you found that to be true in your own experience? So often, life turns out differently from what you planned. But here is the good news: The story you write can actually be better than the one you imagined – but you need to have the right expectations. Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote the uplifting song lyrics, “I anticipate the inevitable, supernatural intervention of God. I expect a miracle!” What are you anticipating? Before you answer that question, pick up the Bible and see what God has promised you – then claim it!
Soul food: 1 Kings 3:4-28; Jam 1:2-8
