2022-10-17
Job 12:12 NLT
An elderly lady says, “One benefit of living so long is sharing what I’ve learned. So make my day by letting me share three secrets that can make your life better.” Then she offers us some great counsel:
(1) “Time is precious; don’t waste it. After my husband died, I was staying with friends. One evening they started arguing and eventually stopped speaking to one another. Now, I know arguments happen; my husband and I had several doozies. But at that moment, I understood as never before that the time we have together is precious. Don’t waste it bickering about things that won’t matter when your loved one is gone. Do everything you can to live in harmony and show your love. Why? Because no matter how long you have together, it’s never enough.
(2) You’re making memories; make them good ones. Looking back, I thank God for so many unforgettable moments. The day my husband died we kissed (as we always did when we parted), at noon. By five-thirty that evening, he was dead. I’ve always been glad about that final kiss. So create memories – not regrets!
(3) It’s not what happens, but how you respond that counts. Every day holds new challenges that will test your love and resolve. You have the power through Christ to make each test an occasion for growth. Life is full of seemingly unpleasant events. Try to handle them in such a way that when you’re old, you will be able to look back and say, ‘I thank you, God, for that experience; it helped me grow.'”
And that’s how to live wisely and well!
Soul food: 2 Sam 1:1-3:21; John 4:1-12; Ps 89:38-52; Prov 23:19-21
2022-10-16
2 Korintiërs 5:7 NLV
Jesus het gesê: ‘Ek sê hierdie dinge vir julle sodat julle in My rus en vrede kan vind. In die wêreld sal julle swaarkry beleef, maar skep moed: Ek het die wêreld reeds oorwin’ (Johannes 16:33 NLV).
Die lewe hou aan om vir ons probleme te gee wat ons geloof toets. Daniël se sukses het van hom ‘n teiken gemaak. Omdat hulle geweet het dat hy gereeld bid, het sy vyande vir koning Darius oortuig dat alle aanbidding slegs teenoor hom as koning moet plaasvind, dus het die koning vir Daniël in die leeukuil laat gooi. God het egter die situasie verander. Die volgende oggend het Daniël uit die leeukuil gestap, sy vyande is daarin gegooi en die koning het aangekondig: ‘…die God van Daniël. Hy is die God wat lewe…’ (Daniël 6:27 NLV).
Sadrag, Mesag en Abednego het geweier om die koning se afgodsbeeld te aanbid. Selfs toe hulle met ‘n vlammende oond gedreig is as hulle nie voor die beeld buig nie, het hulle gesê: ‘Die God wat ons aanbid kán ons uit die vuur red… En selfs al red Hy ons nie… sal ons nie u gode vereer nie…’ (Daniël 3:17-18 NLV).
Dawid het geweier om die koning se wapenrusting te dra toe hy voor Goliat te staan gekom het. Hy het gesê: ‘…Ek is nie daaraan gewoond nie…’ (1 Samuel 17:39). Wat het hy dus wel saam met hom geneem? ‘…die Naam van die Here die Almagtige…’ (1 Samuel 17:45 NLV).
Die kans is goed dat jy jouself nooit in ‘n leeukuil, ‘n vlammende oond of voor ‘n reus sal bevind nie, maar sommige dae voel dit wel so. Wanneer jy egter aangeval word, moet jy, 1) bid en God se mag opeis, 2) in geloof wandel, en 3) in die ‘Naam van die Here die Almagtige’ gaan.
Sielskos: Jes 61:1-9; Luk 4:16-30
2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV
Jesus said: “I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this… world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world” (John 16:33 MSG).
Life keeps handing us problems that test our faith. How do you know how much weight a bridge can handle? By testing it. Daniel’s success made him a target. Knowing he prayed regularly, his enemies persuaded King Darius that all prayers should be made to him as the king. Yet Daniel kept praying each day – in front of an open window, no less. When the king heard about it, he threw Daniel into a lions’ den. But God turned the tables. Next morning Daniel came out, his enemies went in, and the king announced, “Daniel’s God… is the living God” (Daniel 6:26 MSG).
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship the king’s idols. Even when they were warned to bow or burn, they said, “God… is able to deliver us… But if not… we will not serve thy gods” (Daniel 3:17-18 KJV). And because they walked by faith, God delivered and promoted them.
Facing Goliath, David refused to wear the king’s armor. He said, “I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them” (1 Samuel 17:39 KJV). So what did he go with? “The name of the Lord” (1 Samuel 17:45 KJV), and the rest is history.
Now, chances are you will never find yourself in lions’ den, a fiery furnace, or facing a giant, although some days it will feel like it. But when you’re under attack, (1) pray and claim God’s power, (2) walk by faith, and (3) go “in the name of the Lord.”
Soul food: Isa 61:1-9; Luke 4:16-30
2022-10-15
Psalm 18:30 NLV
John Maxwell skryf: ‘Hoe reageer jy wanneer jy voor ‘n probleem te staan kom? Ignoreer jy dit en hoop dit gaan weg? Het jy in die verlede sulke slegte ervarings gehad toe jy probleme probeer oplos het dat jy net sommer tou opgooi? Of pak jy hulle gewillig aan? ‘n Mens ontwikkel die vermoë om probleme doeltreffend te hanteer deur ervaring te kry in die hantering en oorkoming van struikelblokke. Elke keer wanneer jy nog ‘n probleem oplos, raak jy meer geoefen daarmee. As jy egter nooit probeer, misluk en weer probeer nie, sal jy dit nooit goed leer doen nie.’
Die skrywer George Matthew Adams het gesê: ‘Wat jy dink, beteken meer as enigiets anders in jou lewe. Meer as wat jy verdien, meer as waar jy woon, meer as jou sosiale posisie en meer as wat enigiemand anders van jou mag dink.’ Die meeste van koning Dawid se probleme was vyande wat hom wou oorwin. Hy het egter vertroue in God gehad: ‘Met U loop ek ‘n leër storm; met my God spring ek oor ‘n muur (vers 30 NLV).
Doen die volgende om jou vaardighede in probleemoplossing te verbeter: 1) Vind die regte strategie. Soms vind ons dit moeilik om ‘n probleem op te los, omdat ons nie weet hoe om dit aan te pak nie. Probeer om die akroniem T.E.A.C.H. te gebruik: Time – neem die tyd wat nodig is om die ware kwessie te ontdek. Exposure – vind uit hoe ander soortgelyke probleme opgelos het. Assistance – moenie dit alles alleen probeer doen nie, laat ander mense toe om jou te help. Creativity – oorweeg verskeie oplossings. Hit it – voer die beste oplossing uit.
2) Omring jouself met probleemoplossers. ‘Hy wat met wyse mense meng, verkry self ook wysheid’ (Spreuke 13:20 NLV).
Sielskos: Ef 4:17-6:24; Joh 3:22-36; Ps 89:15-37; Spr 23:15-18
Psalm 18:29 NKJV
Author, John Maxwell writes: “When you come face-to-face with a problem, how do you react? Do you ignore it and hope it will go away? Do you feel powerless to solve it? Have you had such bad experiences trying to solve problems in the past that you’ve just given up? Or do you tackle them willingly? The ability to solve problems effectively comes from experience facing and overcoming obstacles. Each time you solve another problem, you get a little better at the process. But if you never try, fail, and try again, you’ll never be good at it.”
Author George Matthew Adams stated: “What you think means more than anything else in your life. More than what you earn, more than where you live, more than your social position, and more than what anyone else may think about you.” Most of King David’s problems were enemies who wanted to defeat him. But he had confidence in God: “For by You I can run against a troop, by my God I can leap over a wall” (v. 29 NKJV).
To improve your problem-solving abilities, do the following: (1) Find the right strategy. Sometimes we have a hard time solving the problem because we don’t know how to tackle it. Try using the acronym T.E.A.C.H.: Time – take the time required to discover the real issue. Exposure – find out how others have solved similar problems. Assistance – don’t try to do it all alone, let others help you. Creativity – brainstorm numerous solutions. Hit it – execute the best solution.
(2) Surround yourself with problem solvers. “He who walks with wise men will be wise” (Proverbs 13:20 NKJV).
Soul food: Eph 4:17-6:24; John 3:22-36; Ps 89:15-37; Prov 23:15-18
