2023-08-09
Colossians 3:2 AMPC
To have a disciplined life, you must have a disciplined mind. Jesus said Satan’s threefold purpose is to “steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10 KJV). And you forget it at your own peril! In your own strength, you’re no match for Satan, but God will give you strength to overcome His strategies and exercise self-control. And the Bible tells us how: “Set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.” Note the words “set your minds and keep them set.”
Many cars come with speed control. When you reach the speed limit, you simply “set” the car’s computer by pushing a lever or hitting a button and the car maintains that speed. It won’t go above it or drop beneath it. Similarly, when your mind is programmed with God’s Word, you “set” your thoughts and desires on that which pleases God rather than that which satisfies the cravings of your lower nature.
Self-discipline is the price of freedom. When you’re controlled by your impulses, you’re not free, you’re a slave. Even legitimate things can enslave you. The saying goes, “Too much of a good thing quickly becomes a bad thing!” Paul writes: “Everything is permissible (allowable and lawful) for me; but not all things are helpful (good for me to do, expedient and profitable when considered with other things)… I will not become the slave of anything or be brought under its power” (1 Corinthians 6:12 AMPC). So, the secret of self-control is to program your mind with God’s Word.
Soul food: Deut 22-24; Mark 4:1-12; Ps 119:17-24; Prov 17:7-10
Kolossense 3:2 NLV
Om ‘n gedissiplineerde lewe te lei, moet jy gedissiplineerde gedagtes hê. Jesus het gesê dat Satan se drievoudige doel is ‘…om te steel, dood te maak en te vernietig…’ (Johannes 10:10 NLV). Op jou eie staan jy nie ‘n kans teen Satan nie, maar God sal jou die krag gee om sy strategieë te oorkom en selfbeheersing uit te oefen.
Die Bybel sê vir ons hoe om dit te doen: ‘Laat julle gedagtes beheer word deur die hemelse dinge, nie deur die dinge op hierdie aarde nie.’ Let op die woorde: ‘Laat julle gedagtes beheer word.’ Baie motors kom met ‘n funksie om die spoed te beheer. Wanneer jy die spoedperk bereik, stel jy die motor se rekenaar deur ‘n knoppie te druk en die motor behou dan daardie spoed. Dit sal nie die spoedperk oorskry of stadiger ry nie. Op ‘n soortgelyke wyse, wanneer jou gedagtes met God se Woord geprogrammeer word, beheer jy jou gedagtes en begeertes deur dit op die dinge wat God behaag, eerder as op die dinge wat jou aardse natuur bevredig, in te stel.
Selfdissipline is die prys wat jy vir vryheid betaal. Wanneer jy deur jou impulse beheer word, is jy nie vry nie, jy is ‘n slaaf. Jy kan selfs ‘n slaaf van goeie dinge word. Soos die ou gesegde lui – te veel van ‘n goeie ding is ‘n slegte ding! Paulus skryf: “Jy kan dalk sê: ‘Ek mag nou enigiets doen.’ Maar ek sal daarop antwoord: ‘Nie alles is vir jou goed nie. Selfs al sê jy ‘ek mag enigiets doen’, mag ek my nie deur enigiets laat verslaaf nie'” (1 Korintiërs 6:12 NLV). Die geheim tot selfbeheersing is dus om jou gedagtes met God se Woord te programmeer.
Sielskos: Deut 22-24; Mark 4:1-12; Ps 119:17-24; Spr 17:7-10
2023-08-08
Amos 3:3 NLV
Benjamin Franklin se formule vir ‘n gelukkige huwelik was as volg: ‘Hou jou oë wyd oop voor die huwelik en half toe daarna.’ Een van die redes hoekom huwelike in die skeihof opeindig, is omdat ons net sien wat ons wil sien. As ons ooglopende foute sien wat die verhouding kan vernietig, laat ons ons hart toe om ons kop te oorheers en dink: ‘Hy of sy sal verander nadat ons getroud is.’ Dit wat jy vandag oorsien, verbeur jy die reg om môre oor te kla. As jy dus wys is, sal jy hierdie twee dinge doen voordat jy die besluit neem om met iemand te trou:
1) Bespreek openlik wat jy sal en nie sal aanvaar in die huwelik nie. Dinge soos mishandeling, ontrouheid, alkohol- en dwelmmisbruik, woede en buierigheid, en die koop van goed wat jy nie kan bekostig nie. As jy dink dat dit pynlik is om nou met iemand uit te maak, wag totdat jy getroud is en kinders en huisverbande en families wat betrokke is, het! Die Bybel sê: ‘Sal twee mense saam op reis gaan sonder om eers af te spreek om dit te doen?’
2) As daar nie ernstige besorgdhede is nie, maar jy basies vir die onbekende bang is, gebruik jou geloof in God om die gaping tussen jou vertwyfeling en die vrede wat jy graag wil hê, te oorbrug. Moenie redes uitdink om jouself nie te verbind nie. Die Bybel sê: ‘…Hy sal die heerser wees met die koninklike titels: Wonderbare Raadsman, Magtige God, Ewige Vader, Vredevors’ (Jesaja 9:5 NLV). Bid saam met mekaar en gee die ‘Wonderbare Raadsman’ ‘n geleentheid om julle in jul verhoudingskeuse te lei. God het die huwelik ingestel; wanneer jy dit op sy manier doen, kan jy die hoogste vlak van menslike vreugde bereik.
Sielskos: Deut 18-21; Mark 3:20-35; Ps 119:9-16; Spr 17:4-6
Amos 3:3 NKJV
Benjamin Franklin’s formula for a happy marriage was this: “Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards.” One of the reasons marriages end in divorce is because we see only what we want to see. And if we saw obvious faults that could destroy the relationship, we allowed our heart to overrule our head and thought, “He or she will change after I marry them.” What you turn a blind eye to today, you forfeit the right to complain about tomorrow. So if you’re wise, you will do these two things before you make the decision to marry someone:
(1) Discuss openly what you will and will not accept in your relationship. These things are called “deal breakers.” Things like abuse, infidelity, alcohol and drug abuse, anger and moodiness, and buying stuff you can’t afford. If you think breaking up with someone now is painful, wait until you’re married with children, and mortgages and families are involved! The Bible says, “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?”
(2) If there are no deal-breaking concerns, but you basically fear the unknown, use your faith in God to bridge the gap between your doubts and the peace you wish for. Don’t invent reasons not to commit. Stop nit-picking every flaw in the other person. The Bible says, “His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor… Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV). Pray together and give the “Wonderful, Counselor” a chance to guide you in your relationship choice. God instituted marriage; when you do it His way, you can enter the highest halls of human happiness.
Soul food: Deut 18-21; Mark 3:20-35; Ps 119:9-16; Prov 17:4-6
2023-08-07
1 Samuel 20:17 NKJV
For a relationship to succeed, both parties must be totally committed to it. Today let’s look at some more of the reasons why we may be afraid to commit.
(1) Consider whether you have real feelings for your partner or whether you are biding your time until somebody better comes along. In other words, be honest with yourself because your happiness depends on it.
(2) Talk about your specific fears with your partner. One writer offers these: “I’m afraid you will try to change me”; “I’ll feel emasculated if you don’t submit to me”; “If the marriage fails, you may take my money and leave me impoverished”; “You may restrict too much of my time with the boys”; “You may require too much of my attention.” You must honestly share your feelings and request feedback to your concerns.
(3) Try a thirty-day interval of “no contact” with your romantic interest and find out how life would feel without him or her. Some noncommitted relationships are merely for convenience, so assess your feelings apart from the inconvenience you will endure. Convenience is a weak foundation for a marriage.
(4) Reexamine your expectations. Don’t expect your partner to fulfill every facet of your life. For example, if you have a need for high adventure that’s manifested in bungee jumping, find friends to enjoy it with, and be happy that your partner is faithful, loving, and laughs a lot.
And one more thought: There is an emptiness within each of us that only God can fill. And when He does, we require less from our partner and learn how to become a better partner.
Soul food: Deut 14-17; Mark 3:7-19; Ps 119:1-8; Prov 17:3
