2022-09-15
Johannes 13:17 NLV
Jesus het sy lering oor geluk as volg opgesom: ‘As julle hierdie dinge insien en julle eie maak, sal julle gelukkig wees as julle dit ook doen.’ Die Bybel gee vir ons drie sleutels wat noodsaaklik tot geluk is: 1) Wees tevrede (sien 1 Timoteus 6:8). ‘n Man wat alles probeer het om van paardebloem ontslae te raak, het ‘n kwekery gebel en gevra: ‘Wat kan ek volgende probeer?’ Die winkeleienaar het gesê: ‘Probeer daaraan gewoond raak!’ Dit waarop jy in die lewe fokus, kry jy. Paulus skryf: ‘…beplan alles wat waar, eerbaar, skoon, suiwer, lieflik en lofwaardig is’ (Filippense 4:8 NLV).
2) Wees dankbaar (sien 1 Tessalonisense 5:18). Kyk rondom jou en wees dankbaar vir dit wat God vir jou gegee het. As jy dit nie kan doen nie, dank Hom vir dit waarteen Hy jou beskerm het. Die duiwel hoef nie enigiets by jou te steel nie, hy moet jou dit net as vanselfsprekend laat aanvaar. ‘Uit sy volheid het ons almal ‘n oorvloed onverdiende goedheid ontvang’ (Johannes 1:16 NLV).
3) Leer om jou geliefdes te waardeer. ‘Moenie op julle eie belange ingestel wees nie, maar wees ingestel op wat vir ander die beste is’ (1 Korintiërs 10:24 NLV). George Eliot het geskryf: ‘O, die onuitspreeklike gemak om veilig by ‘n persoon te voel; om nie gedagtes hoef te weeg of woorde te moet meet nie, maar om alles uit te gooi, net soos hulle is, kaf en graan saam, wetend dat ‘n getroue hand dit sal neem en sif, dit wat die moeite werd is om te bewaar, sal bewaar, en dan, met ‘n asem van vriendelikheid, die res weg sal blaas.’
Onthou, geluk is nie ‘n reg nie; dit is ‘n beloning vir wanneer jy elke dag die regte ding doen.
Sielskos: Eseg 31-33; Mark 13:1-11; Ps 78:40-55; Spr 20:22-24
John 13:17 KJV
Jesus summed up His teaching on happiness this way: “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” The Bible gives us three keys that are vital to happiness.
(1) Be content (See 1 Timothy 6:8). A man who tried everything to get rid of dandelions called a garden shop and asked, “What can I try next?” The store owner said, “Try getting used to them!” In life, you get what you focus on. Paul writes, “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” (Philippians 4:8 NLT).
(2) Be grateful (See 1 Thessalonians 5:18). Look around and be grateful for what God has given you. And if you can’t, thank Him for what He has protected you from. The devil doesn’t have to steal anything from you, just make you take it for granted. “From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another” (John 1:16 NLT).
(3) Learn to appreciate your loved ones. “Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others” (1 Corinthians 10:24 NLT). George Eliot wrote: “Oh… the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person; having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but to pour them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away.”
Remember, happiness is not an entitlement; it’s a reward for doing the right thing every single day.
Soul food: Ezek 31-33; Mark 13:1-11; Ps 78:40-55; Prov 20:22-24
2022-09-14
Psalm 42:6 NLT
Max Lucado says: “When God doesn’t do what we want it’s not easy; it never has been, and it never will be. Faith is the conviction that God knows more than us… and he’ll get us through. Disappointment is caused by unmet expectations… and it’s cured by revamped expectations… Don’t panic… don’t give up… be patient… God’s in control. It ain’t over till it’s over.”
So, when you’re disappointed: (1) Look inward. David asked, “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad?” (v. 5 NLT). Admit how you feel. You can’t deal with what you don’t acknowledge. Ask God to show you the root of the problem. Is it pent-up anger? Envy? Unforgiveness? Pride? Lust? Physical and mental fatigue? Be open to what He reveals.
(2) Look upward. David said, “I will… hope in God! I will praise him” (v. 5 NLT). Instead of focusing on your discouragement, focus on the One who knows the way out.
(3) Remember God’s past faithfulness. David said, “I am… discouraged, but I will remember you.” Through every trial Joseph clung to the assurance that God still controlled his destiny. Recalling God’s faithfulness builds your confidence that He’ll continue to provide.
(4) Remember, you don’t have to understand. Just because you can’t figure out what God’s doing right now, doesn’t mean it won’t make sense later. He “causes all things to work together for good to those who love [Him]” (Romans 8:28 NAS).
(5) Don’t give in to bitterness. When your hopes are dashed, resentment can set in. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (v. 31 NKJV). Regardless of how deep the pit may seem, God is on your side!
Soul food: Ezek 27:25-30:26; Mark 12:28-44; Ps 78:32-39; Prov 20:20-21
Psalm 42:7 DB
Max Lucado sê: ‘Wanneer God nie doen wat ons wil hê Hy moet doen nie, is dit nie maklik nie. Geloof is die oortuiging dat God meer as ons weet en dat Hy ons deur die moeilike situasie sal bring. Moenie paniekerig raak nie, moenie tou opgooi nie, wees geduldig – God is in beheer.’
Wanneer jy dus teleurgesteld is: 1) Kyk binnetoe. Dawid het gevra: ‘Hoekom is ek nou so mismoedig? Hoekom so hewig ontsteld?..’ (vers 6 NLV). Erken hoe jy voel. Vra God om vir jou die wortel van die probleem te wys. Is dit opgekropte woede? Jaloesie? Onvergifnis? Trots? Fisiese en geestelike moegheid? Wees ontvanklik vir dit wat Hy aan jou openbaar.
2) Kyk boontoe. Dawid het gesê: ‘…Nee, ek plaas my hoop op God! Ek sal Hom weer prys…’ (vers 6 NLV). In plaas daarvan om op jou teleurstelling te fokus, fokus op die Een wat die uitweg ken.
3) Onthou God se getrouheid in die verlede. Dawid het gesê: ‘My God, ek is heeltemal moedeloos… Hier ver weg van almal dink ek aan U…’ Deur elke toets het Josef aan die versekering dat God steeds in beheer van sy lot was, vasgeklou. Deur God se getrouheid weer op te roep, verhoog jou vertroue dat Hy sal aanhou om te voorsien.
4) Onthou, jy hoef nie te verstaan nie. Net omdat jy nie kan uitpluis wat God tans doen nie, beteken nie dat dit nie later sal sin maak nie. ‘En ons weet dat God alles ten goede laat saamwerk vir hulle wat Hom liefhet…’ (Romeine 8:28 NLV).
5) Moenie aan bitterheid toegee nie. Wanneer jou hoop beskaam word, kan wrokkigheid intree. ‘…As God aan ons kant is, wie kan ooit téén ons wees?’ (Romeine 8:31 NLV). Maak nie saak hoe diep die put dalk mag lyk nie – God is aan jou kant!
Sielskos: Eseg 27:25-30:26; Mark 12:28-44; Ps 78:32-39; Spr 20:20-21
2022-09-13
Isaiah 55:8 NCV
God said, “My thoughts are not like your thoughts… Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my… thoughts higher than your thoughts” (vv. 8-9 NCV). Until you come to terms with the fact that God doesn’t think like you, you will question His ways and even doubt His love. We try to avoid pain, but often God uses it to bring us peace. We want comfort, but He is more interested in character. We pursue stuff that doesn’t last, whereas He tells us to build our lives on that which endures for eternity.
The fact is, God dwells in a dimension we can’t begin to fathom: Solomon said, “No one can really build a house for our God. Not even the highest of heavens can hold him” (2 Chronicles 2:6 NCV). What controls you doesn’t control God, and what worries you doesn’t worry Him.
Ask yourself: Is an eagle agitated by traffic? No, he soars above it. Is a whale disturbed by a hurricane? Of course not; he dives beneath it. Is a lion flustered by a mouse standing in his way? No, he walks over it. How much more is God able to soar above, dive beneath, and walk over the troubles of earth? What is impossible with man is possible with God (See Matthew 19:26). God can be everywhere at once, and He can hear and answer all the prayers that come to Him.
Think about it: God works according to a plan and a purpose, He’s on the throne and in control of everything – yet He still watches over every detail of your life. Let that truth comfort you today.
Soul food: Ezek 24:1-27:24; Mark 12:13-27; Ps 78:17-31; Prov 20:15-19
