2023-06-13
Efesiërs 6:10 NLV
‘n Dekade gelede is ons siening van ‘n ambassadeur radikaal verander toe die Amerikaanse ambassadeur in Libië deur terroriste vermoor is. Dit neem ‘n spesiale persoon om ‘n ambassadeur in ‘n oorlogsone te wees. Dis egter waarin jy jou bevind!
Paulus skryf: ‘Ten slotte: Vind krag in julle verhouding met die Here, ja, in die krag van sý sterkte! Om staande te bly teen die listigheid van die duiwel moet julle God se gevegstoerusting aantrek. Want ons stryd is nie teen mense nie, maar teen bose regeerders en maghebbers, teen die geeste wat mag in hierdie donker wêreld uitoefen, teen die bose geeste in die hemelruimtes. Daarom moet julle God se gevegstoerusting aantrek. Dan, wanneer die Bose julle aanval, sal julle weerstand kan bied, en na die hele geveg verby is, sal julle nog vas staan. Staan dus vas deur waarheid as ‘n gordel om julle heupe te dra en trek God se vryspraak as borsharnas aan. Trek die bereidheid om die Goeie Nuus van vrede te verkondig, aan soos skoene aan julle voete. Dra onder alle omstandighede die skild van die geloof. Dit kan al die brandpyle blus wat die Bose afskiet. Gebruik God se verlossing as ‘n helm om julle koppe te beskerm, en, as swaard, die Gees, dit is God se woord. Doen alles deur gebed en smeking. Laat die Gees julle elke keer in die gebed lei. Bly in alle omstandighede op julle hoede en bid vir almal wat aan God behoort’ (verse 10-18 NLV).
As ambassadeur van Christus, moet jou eerste lojaliteit in al jou handelinge altyd by Hom wees. Jy sê: ‘Dis ‘n baie hoë standaard!’ Ja, dis ‘n hoër roeping. Dis ook die lonendste lewe wat jy kan lei.
Sielskos: 2 Kon 1:1-4:17; Matt 17:14-27; Ps 143; Spr 13:9-10
Ephesians 6:10 CEV
A decade ago, our ideas about being an ambassador were radically altered when the U.S. ambassador to Libya was murdered by terrorists. It takes a special person to be an ambassador in a combat zone. And that’s what you are in! Paul writes: “Let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks. We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm. Be ready! Let the truth be like a belt around your waist and let God’s justice protect you like armor. Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet. Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Let God’s saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God’s message that comes from the Spirit. Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert” (vv. 10-18 CEV).
As an ambassador of Christ, your first loyalty must be to Him in all your dealings; to be disloyal is treasonous. You say, “That’s a high standard!” Yes, it’s a “high calling” (See Philippians 3:14). It’s also the most rewarding life you can live.
Soul food: 2 Kings 1:1-4:17; Matt 17:14-27; Ps 143; Prov 13:9-10
2023-06-12
2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV
Your job in the kingdom of God is that of an “ambassador.” What a privilege! And what a responsibility! Over the next few days, let’s look at some of the qualities of an ambassador: You must be a citizen of the country you represent. And “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20 NIV). Exiled, John said, “I… was on the island of Patmos… On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit” (Revelation 1:9-10 NIV). John knew it was not where he was but whose he was that counted the most as he represented his Lord.
Your life is the only Bible many people will ever read. From your lips they will receive the only gospel they ever hear. And your attitude may do more to win them than all your arguments. Before He was crucified, Jesus prayed this prayer for His disciples: “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world” (John 17:15-18 NKJV).
Before an ambassador is appointed, he or she goes through the closest scrutiny imaginable. Their moral integrity, their financial interactions, their family life, their work record, their every word and action come under the microscope. Shouldn’t it be more so for ambassadors of the King of Kings? Never forget whose side you’re on. Never forget what kingdom you belong to. Never forget who you represent. You are Christ’s ambassador.
Soul food: Rev 19-22; Matt 17:1-13; Ps 132:11-18; Prov 13:7-8
2 Korintiërs 5:20 NLV
Jou posbeskrywing in die koninkryk van God is ‘ambassadeur.’ Wat ‘n voorreg! Wat ‘n verantwoordelikheid! Kom ons kyk vir die volgende paar dae na sommige van die kwaliteite waaroor ‘n ambassadeur moet beskik: Jy moet ‘n burger van die land wat jy verteenwoordig, wees. ‘Ons daarteenoor het ons burgerskap in die hemel…’ (Filippense 3:20 NLV). Terwyl hy verban was, het Johannes gesê: ‘…Dit het gebeur dat ek op die eiland Patmos beland het… Op die Dag van die Here was ek in die greep van die Gees…’ (Openbaring 1:9-10 NLV). Johannes het geweet dat dit nie waar hy was nie, maar wie s’n hy was, wat getel het terwyl hy God verteenwoordig het.
Jou lewe is die enigste Bybel wat baie mense ooit sal lees. Van jou lippe sal hulle die enigste evangelie hoor wat hulle ooit sal hoor. Voor Hy gekruisig is, het Jesus die volgende gebed vir sy dissipels gebid: ‘Ek vra nie dat U hulle uit die wêreld verwyder nie, maar dat U hulle van die kwaad moet bewaar. Hulle behoort nie aan die wêreld nie, net soos Ek ook nie aan die wêreld behoort nie. Laat hulle vir U geheilig wees deur ‘n hegte verbintenis aan die waarheid. Net soos U My na die wêreld gestuur het, het Ek hulle ook na die wêreld toe gestuur’ (Johannes 17:15-18 NLV).
Voor ‘n ambassadeur aangestel word, word hy of sy op die nouste manier denkbaar ondersoek. Hulle morele integriteit, hulle finansiële interaksies, hulle familielewe, hulle werksrekord, elke woord en daad van hulle kom onder die mikroskoop. Hoeveel te meer moet dit nie waar van die ambassadeurs vir die Koning van konings wees nie? Moet nooit vergeet aan wie se kant jy is nie. Moet nooit vergeet aan watter koninkryk jy behoort nie. Moet nooit vergeet wie jy verteenwoordig nie. Jy is Christus se ambassadeur.
Sielskos: Op 19-22; Matt 17:1-13; Ps 132:11-18; Spr 13:7-8
2023-06-11
Luke 24:49 NKJV
You may be educated, experienced, and talented, but you will never fulfill God’s purposes for your life until you’re “endued with power from on high.” Read these two Scriptures: (1) “I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” (v. 49 NKJV). (2) “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting… And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:1-2, 4 NKJV).
The transformation was amazing! Peter, who had just denied Jesus, stood before the crowd and preached the gospel to them. Did he get results? Yes. “That day about three thousand souls were added to them” (v. 41 NKJV). And the power they had just received was also their source of strength when they faced hardship and persecution. “When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31 NKJV). This wasn’t a onetime experience; they were continually filled with the Holy Spirit.
You say, “I’m not good enough to be filled with God’s Spirit.” Jesus said, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:13 NKJV). Today ask God to fill you with His Spirit, and He will.
Soul food: Exo 16:1-35; John 6:30-40
