2022-12-19
Romans 8:32 GNT
Do you like to collect Bible promises for challenging times? When your collection seems inadequate, do you add to it, thinking, “I just haven’t found the right promise yet?” Claiming the promise without understanding the all-sufficiency of the Promiser can disappoint you. Since there is no lack in God, He is all you need. And He is all you will ever need! The Bible says, He can do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20 NIV).
Seeking relief during a difficult time in life, author Hannah Whitall Smith visited a respected Bible teacher, hoping to find an answer. After listening attentively, the teacher told her, “Yes, all you say may be very true, but then, in spite of it all, there is God.” Frustrated, Hannah responded, “Surely you did not understand how very serious… my difficulties are.” “Oh yes, I did, but then, as I tell you, there is God.” Several disappointing visits later, after hearing the same response, “There is God,” the light dawned. She realised she had received the answer she needed; God alone was enough for all her needs!
She writes: “The all-sufficiency of God ought to be… [to us], as the all-sufficiency of a good mother is to [her] child… [Her] presence and… love… make all fears… disappear. [She doesn’t need] to make any promises and…explanations, [she alone] is all that the child needs.”
All God’s blessings come in one package – Himself! Paul reminds you, “Everything belongs to you, [because] you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God” (1 Corinthians 3:22-23 CEV). You will get what you need because you are His redeemed child.
Soul food: Neh 5-7; John 18:1-11; Ps 105:37-45; Prov 30:20-23
2022-12-18
Psalm 62:9 NLV
Die lewe kan oorweldigend voel wanneer jy vir verband- en huurpaaiemente, mediese rekeninge, klere vir die familie, toenemende kos- en petroluitgawes, skoolgelde en boonop nog voorsiening vir jou pensioen, verantwoordelik is! Die druk is nog groter as jy werkloos is. Na wie toe kan jy draai? Toe Dawid deur vyande omring was, het hy na God toe gedraai: ‘Net by God kan ek rustig wag, want van Hom kom al my hoop. Net Hy is my rots en my redding, my vesting waar ek stewig staan’ (Psalm 62:6-7 NLV).
Waar lê jou verwagting? In die hoop op ‘n beter ekonomie of arbeidsmark? Op die belofte van beter tye wat gaan kom? Dawid se hoop was meer seker: Hy het verwag dat die antwoord in die onveranderende karakter en getrouheid van God gevind kan word.
Wanneer ons angstig raak, fokus ons op ons vrese, voel onvoldoende en raak wanhopig. Om bewus te wees van jou behoeftes is verantwoordelik, maar om deur hulle oorweldig te word is ‘n bewys dat jy op die verkeerde plek na antwoorde soek. George MacDonald het gesê: ‘Ons beskou God as ons laaste en swakste hulpbron. Ons gaan net na Hom toe wanneer ons nêrens anders het om heen te gaan nie. Eers dan leer ons dat die storms van die lewe ons nie op die rotse gedryf het nie, maar na die gewenste hawe toe.’
Soos Dawid gesê het: ‘Net by God kan ek rustig wag, want van Hom kom al my hoop…’ Net by Hom, want God is jou voldoende bron. Omdat Hy sy Seun aan ons gegee het, het jy al die bewyse wat jy nodig het dat Hy ook ‘…alle ander goeie dinge aan ons sal skenk…’ (Romeine 8:32 NLV).
Sielskos: Ps 103:8-18; Joh 3:16-18; Hand 2:38-41
Psalm 62:8 NKJV
Life can feel overwhelming when you’re responsible for mortgage and rent payments, medical bills, clothes for the family, escalating food and fuel expenses, college fees, plus the reality of preparing for your retirement! And the pressure is even greater if you’re underemployed or unemployed. Where can you turn?
Surrounded by enemies, David turned to God: “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation… I shall not be moved” (vv. 5-6 KJV). Where does your “expectation” lie? In the hope for an improved economy or job market? Or the promise of better times to come? David’s hope was more certain: He expected the answer to be found in the unchanging character and faithfulness of God.
When anxiety arises, we sometimes resort to our OMGWI list – “Oh my God, what if?” We focus on our fears, feel inadequate, and give in to despair. Being aware of your needs is being responsible but being overwhelmed by them is evidence you’re looking to the wrong source for answers.
George MacDonald said, “We look upon God as our last and feeblest resource. We only go to Him when we have nowhere else to go. And then we learn that the storms of life have driven us, not upon the rocks, but into the desired haven.” Remember David? “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.” By Himself, plus nothing, God is your adequate source. Since He gave us His Son, you have all the evidence you need that He will also “freely give us all things” (Romans 8:32 GNT).
Soul food: Ps 103:8-18; John 3:16-18; Acts 2:38-41
2022-12-17
Proverbs 15:22 NIV
A good adviser does three things: they observe you, instruct you, and motivate you. At first, the thought of having someone evaluate you may be intimidating. But think about it; people are watching you anyway, so why not have a good adviser among the crowd? Here is a list of some areas in which you might consider inviting an adviser to evaluate you. These things are not options, they’re essentials: spiritual development, personal discipline, family relationships, decision making, handling finance, conflict resolution, picking the right people, breaking bad habits and establishing good ones, goal setting and planning for the future.
If you’re serious about succeeding, look for an environment where you will be mentored, not just paid. Initially, what you learn is more important than what you earn, because what you learn early determines what you earn later. What you don’t know can hurt you and put a lid on your potential. Opening doors of evaluation is something you owe to yourself and those who depend on you.
And don’t let it stop with you. Pass on what you’ve been given to somebody else. Jesus said, “Freely ye have received, freely give” (Mt 10:8). “But I’m too young, nobody is going to take me seriously,” you say. Paul told Timothy, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example” (1 Timothy 4:12 NIV). You’re not responsible for knowing everything; you’re just responsible for sharing what you know with others. As you pour into them what God and others have poured into you, they will go further and faster too. So ask God for a good adviser and become one to somebody else.
Soul food: Neh 1-4; John 17:13-26; Ps 105:23-36; Prov 30:15-19
Spreuke 15:22 NLV
‘n Goeie raadgewer doen drie dinge: hulle neem jou waar, onderrig jou en motiveer jou. Aan die begin mag die gedagte aan iemand wat jou evalueer intimiderend wees. Dink egter so daaraan; mense hou jou in elk geval dop. Hier is ‘n lys van areas waar jy dit mag oorweeg om ‘n raadgewer uit te nooi om jou te evalueer: geestelike groei, persoonlike dissipline, familieverhoudings, besluitneming, die hantering van finansies, konflikoplossing, om die regte mense te kies, om verkeerde gewoontes te verbreek en regte gewoontes daar te stel, doelwitstelling en toekomsbeplanning.
As jy ernstig daaroor is om sukses te behaal, kyk uit vir ‘n omgewing waar jy nie net ‘n salaris sal verdien nie, maar ook gementor sal word. Aan die begin is wat jy leer belangriker as wat jy verdien, omdat dit wat jy vroeg leer dit wat jy later verdien, sal bepaal. Dit wat jy nie weet nie, kan jou seermaak en ‘n demper op jou potensiaal plaas. Om deure van evaluasie oop te maak is iets wat jy jouself en diegene wat op jou staatmaak, skuld.
Moet dit ook nie by jou laat eindig nie. Gee dit wat aan jou gegee is, weer vir iemand anders aan. Jesus het gesê: ‘…Julle het dit verniet ontvang, gee dit ook verniet’ (Matteus 10:8 AFR83). ‘Maar ek is te jonk, niemand gaan my ernstig opneem nie,’ sê jy. Paulus het vir Timoteus gesê: ‘Moenie dat enigiemand minder van jou dink omdat jy jonk is nie. Wees ‘n voorbeeld vir alle gelowiges…’ (1 Timoteus 4:12 NLV). Dit is nie jou verantwoordelikheid om alles te weet nie; jy is slegs verantwoordelik daarvoor om dit wat jy wel weet, met ander te deel. Vra dus vir God vir ‘n goeie raadgewer en word ook een vir iemand anders.
Sielskos: Neh 1-4; Joh 17:13-26; Ps 105:23-36; Spr 30:15-19
