2023-09-23
Mark 2:17 NLT
There is a difference between loving nonbelievers and loving their ways. Paul says, “Find common ground with everyone, doing everything [you] can to save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22 NLT). So: (1) Be courteous. “The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down” (Colossians 4:6 MSG). (2) Be genuine. “Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it” (Romans 12:9 MSG). Because Jesus found common ground with the woman at the well, she made peace with God, then brought her friends and family to meet Jesus (See John 4). You have to spend time around nonbelievers to introduce them to Christ.
When Levi invited Jesus and His disciples as dinner guests with tax collectors and other disreputable sinners, the Pharisees asked, “‘Why does he eat with such scum?’… Jesus… told them… ‘I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners'” (Mark 2:16-17 NLT).
Author Mark Roberts observes: “Table fellowship signified deep intimacy. To eat with someone was to share in their life and to allow them into yours… The Pharisees, who were committed to the highest standards of ritual purity… expected Jesus to do as they did, keeping plenty of distance between themselves and questionable types who might compromise Jesus’ holiness.”
Jesus didn’t see people as “scum,” and wasn’t concerned about maintaining a religious facade. He ate with sinners because they needed His help and were open to receive it. How about you? Are you willing to get your hands dirty? Are you more concerned with what people think about you than you are about those who need Christ?
Soul food: 2 Cor 5-8; Mark 14:53-65; Ps 34; Prov 21:14-16
2023-09-22
Matteus 9:13 NLV
Die skrywer Nicole Eunice sê die vermoedens wat mense oor Christene het, sluit in: “‘Hulle veroordeel my. Hulle is beter as ek. Hulle sal my nie goedkeur nie. Ek sal nie by hulle godsdiens inpas nie. Hulle is net ernstig en niks pret nie.”
Jesus het genoeg partytjies bygewoon dat die Fariseërs hom daarvan beskuldig het dat Hy ‘n dronkaard is. Hy het met verkeerde vrouens vriende gemaak. Hy het met mense omgegaan sodat Hy hulle aan sy Vader kon voorstel. Hy het deur stereotipes gebreek en God voorgestel soos Hy is – toeganklik en genadig. Die mense wat die meeste ontsteld was, was diegene wat van godsdienstige reëls gehou het.
Die konsep van ‘n vrye en vreugdevolle lewe met Jesus mag dalk vir jou eenvoudig klink. Om saam met mense te kuier wat glo en voel soos ons, voel so gemaklik soos ‘n sweetpakbroek. Gemeenskap onder gelowiges is ‘n wonderlike geskenk. As ons egter werklik Jesus se voorbeeld wil volg, moet ons geleenthede soek om diegene rondom ons te betrek.’ Jesus gaan een stappie verder: ‘…Gesonde mense het die dokter nie nodig nie; die siekes wel. Gaan leer wat dit beteken as die Skrifwoord sê: ‘Deernis is vir My baie belangriker as offerandes.’ Ek het gekom om sondaars na die koninkryk te nooi, nie mense wat dink dat hulle alreeds goed genoeg is nie’ (Matteus 9:12-13 NLV).
Hoe kan jy die evangelie deel as al jou vriende Christene is? Sommige van ons het so geïsoleer geraak dat ons hoegenaamd geen sinvolle interaksie met ongelowiges het nie. Hoe meer tyd verbygaan, hoe meer geïsoleer en gemaklik raak ons, totdat ons uiteindelik met die einste mense wat Jesus kom red het, kontak verloor. Paulus het gesê: ‘…Ek het my met almal vereenselwig om sodoende tog sommige tot redding te bring’ (1 Korintiërs 9:22 NLV). Dink buite ‘die godsdienstige boks.’
Sielskos: 2 Kor 1-4; Mark 14:43-52; Ps 39; Spr 21:9-13
Matthew 9:13 MSG
Author Nicole Unice says the suspicions people have about Christians include, “They judge me. They are better than I am. They won’t approve of me. I won’t fit in with their religion. They are all serious and no fun. Jesus hung around enough parties for the Pharisees to accuse him of being a drunkard. He befriended forbidden women. He interacted with people so he could introduce them to his Father. He broke through stereotypes and communicated God as he is – approachable, merciful and graceful. The people who were most upset… were the ones who preferred… the rules of the religion… The concept of a free and joyful life with Jesus may seem basic for you. But is that what your neighbours think? It feels as comfortable as sweatpants to hang out with people who believe and feel as we do. Fellowship among believers is a wonderful gift. But if we are truly to follow Jesus’ example, we need to look for opportunities to engage those around us.”
Jesus goes a step further: “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick?… ‘I’m after mercy, not religion.’ I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders.”
How can you share the gospel if all your friends are Christians? Some of us have become so isolated and disconnected that we have no meaningful interaction whatsoever with nonbelievers. And the more time passes, the more insulated and comfortable we become, until eventually we lose touch with the very people Jesus came to save. Paul says, “Find common ground with [nonbelievers]… tell [them] about Christ… let Christ save [them]” (1 Corinthians 9:22 TLB). It’s called thinking outside “the religious box.”
Soul food: 2 Cor 1-4; Mark 14:43-52; Ps 39; Prov 21:9-13
2023-09-21
Psalm 68:20 NLV
Wanneer jy woorde van geloof wat op die Skrif gebaseer is oor jou lewe spreek, het Jesus ons geleer dat ons alles wat ons vra, sal ontvang (sien Markus 11:23). Dawid verwys na God se seëninge as voordele. God gee elke dag vir ons sy voordele. God wag, is gewillig en wil al hierdie dinge vir jou doen.
Dis hoekom die Psalmdigter skryf: ‘Ek wil die Here prys en sy goeie dade nie vergeet nie. Hy vergewe al jou sondes, en genees al jou siektes. Hy verlos jou van die dood, bekroon jou met liefde en medelye. Hy vul jou lewe met goeie dinge, vernuwe jou jeug soos ‘n arend s’n. Die Here laat regverdigheid geskied, en reg aan almal wat verdruk word… Die Here is barmhartig en genadig, geduldig en vol onfeilbare liefde… Hy straf ons nie vir al ons sondes, en vergeld ons nie volgens ons oortredings nie. Want so ver soos die hemele van die aarde af is, so groot is sy onfeilbare liefde teenoor hulle wat Hom dien. So ver as die ooste is van die weste, so verwyder Hy ons oortredings. Soos ‘n vader hom ontferm oor sy kinders, so ontferm die Here Hom oor hulle wat Hom dien. Hy weet waarvan ons gemaak is; Hy weet dat ons net stof is… Maar die liefde van die Here is altyd daar vir hulle wat Hom dien. Sy trou geld vir geslag na geslag’ (Psalm 103:2-6, 8, 10-14, 17 NLV).
Verstaan die volgende: Jy aktiveer die krag van God se Woord wanneer jy dit oor jou lewe bely.
Sielskos: Eseg 46-48; Mark 14:27-42; Ps 3; Spr 21:4-8
Psalm 68:19 NKJV
When you speak words of faith over your life based on the Scriptures, Jesus taught that you will “have whatever [you] say” (See Mark 11:23). David refers to God’s blessings as “benefits,” and says that God “daily loads us with benefits.” Note the word “loads.” We’re not talking here about the capacity of a teacup but a dump truck! God is waiting, willing, and wanting to do these things for you.
That’s why the psalmist writes: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed… The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy… He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust… But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children” (Psalm 103:2-6, 8, 10-14, 17 NKJV).
Understand this: You activate the power of God’s Word when you confess it over your life.
Soul food: Eze 46-48; Mark 14:27-42; Ps 3; Prov 21:4-8
