2023-10-16
Psalm 23:4 NKJV
Here is the truth about death: (1) It’s a sure thing. The story is told of a hypochondriac who put these words on his tombstone: “Now maybe you’ll believe I was sick.” Seriously, if you’re wise, you won’t obsess about death, but you will prepare for it.
(2) It’s a sojourn. The word “walk” means each step you take brings your departure date one day closer. The word “through” tells you it’s only a temporary passage and not your final destination. The word metamorphosis pictures a humble caterpillar being transformed into a beautiful butterfly that can soar. Likewise, the Bible describes your new body in these words:
(a) “Incorruptible,” meaning you will never again contend with pain or sickness (See 1 Corinthians 15:53).
(b) “Immortal,” meaning you will be ageless and incapable of dying (See v. 53).
(c) “Shadow.” Now, a shadow might frighten you, but it cannot harm you. Indeed, the only way to have a shadow is to have a light shining. Don’t you find it interesting that many of the people who have died and come back tell others about emerging from a tunnel into a bright, celestial light?
No wonder we need “fear no evil.” Why? Because the Lord is with us, and He has conquered death, hell, and the grave. Jesus said, “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death” (Revelation 1:18 NKJV). Rejoice; the key to your eternal destiny is not in your own hands or anybody else’s but in the hands of the One who loves you.
Soul food: 2 Sam 1:1-3:21; John 4:1-12; Ps 89:38-52; Prov 23:19-21
Psalm 23:4 NLV
Hier is die waarheid oor die dood:
1) Dit is verseker. Daar word ‘n verhaal vertel van ‘n hipokonderse persoon wat die volgende woorde op sy grafsteen laat sit het: ‘Nou sal julle miskien glo dat ek siek was.’ Op ‘n ernstiger noot, as jy wys is, sal jy nie obsessief oor die dood wees nie, maar jy sal jouself daarop voorberei.
2) Dit is ‘n reis. Elke stap wat jy neem bring jou vertrekdatum een dag nader. Dit is egter net ‘n tydelike deurgang en nie jou finale bestemming nie. Die woord ‘metamorfose’ roep ‘n nederige wurm wat in ‘n pragtige skoenlapper verander, op. Net so beskryf die Bybel jou nuwe liggaam in hierdie woorde: a) ‘Onverganklik,’ wat beteken dat jy nooit weer pyn of siekte sal ervaar nie (sien 1 Korintiërs 15:53). b) ‘Onsterflik,’ wat beteken jy sal ouderdomloos wees en nie kan doodgaan nie (sien vers 53). c) ‘Skaduwee.’ ‘n Skaduwee mag jou dalk bang maak, maar dit kan jou nie seermaak nie. Die enigste manier om ‘n skaduwee te kry is wanneer daar ‘n lig skyn.
Vind jy dit nie ook interessant dat baie mense wat gesterf het en weer teruggekom het ander mense vertel hoe hulle uit ‘n tonnel na ‘n helder, hemelse lig gegaan het nie? G’n wonder dat ons nie bang hoef te wees in die donker vallei nie. Die Here is by ons en Hy het die dood, die hel en die graf oorwin. Jesus het gesê: ‘…Ek was dood en kyk, nou leef Ek vir altyd en Ek het die sleutels van die dood en die doderyk’ (Openbaring 1:18 NLV). Verbly jouself; die sleutel tot jou ewige lotsbestemming is nie in jou eie of enigiemand anders se hande nie, maar in die hande van die Een wat jou liefhet.
Sielskos: 2 Sam 1:1-3:21; Joh 4:1-12; Ps 89:38-52; Spr 23:19-21
2023-10-15
Romans 8:28 NKJV
This is one of the most often quoted and comforting Scriptures in the Bible: “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (v. 8 NKJV). This verse is to believers; to redeemed children of God who love the Lord and walk according to His purposes and operate according to scriptural principles.
Interestingly, the Bible translates our English word “know” from a Greek word meaning we know “intuitively.” Something within us says, “I don’t understand it and can’t explain it, but I know that God is at work and something good will come out of it.” Note the words “things work together.” Would you enjoy eating baking soda? Or flour? No. But when you put them together, add a few other ingredients, mix them up, and place them in the oven, they come out as something “good.”
When the Bible says, “All things,” it includes things that are painful, unfair, and difficult. The path to the throne of Egypt led Joseph through betrayal, slander, false imprisonment, and disappointment. But looking back, he could say, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day” (Genesis 50:20 NKJV).
In ways you cannot see or understand right now, what you are going through is working for your good. Do you love God? Do you believe that He has a plan and purpose for your life? Are you endeavoring to please Him? Then trust Him to work “all things” out for your good.
Soul food: Est 4:9-5:3; Heb 4:7-16
Romeine 8:28 NLV
Dit is een van die gerusstellenste Skrifgedeeltes in die Bybel en een van die wat die meeste aangehaal word: ‘En ons weet dat God alles ten goede laat saamwerk vir hulle wat Hom liefhet, hulle wat geroep is volgens sy doel vir hulle lewe’ (vers 28 NLV). Hierdie vers is bedoel vir gelowiges; die verloste kinders van God wat die Here liefhet en volgens sy voornemens wandel en volgens Skriftuurlike beginsels werk.
Interessant genoeg vertaal die Bybel die woord ‘weet’ van ‘n Griekse woord wat ‘intuïtief’ beteken. Iets binne-in ons sê: ‘Ek verstaan dit nie en ek kan dit nie verduidelik nie, maar ek weet dat God aan die werk is en dat iets goeds daaruit sal kom.’ Let die woorde: ‘alles ten goede laat saamwerk,’ op. Sal jy dit geniet om bakpoeier te eet? Wat van meel? Nee, maar wanneer jy hulle saamvoeg, ‘n paar ander bestanddele bygooi, hulle meng en in die oond sit, kom daar iets ‘goeds’ daaruit.
Wanneer die Bybel na ‘alles’ verwys, sluit dit dinge wat pynlik, onregverdig en moeilik is, in. Die pad na die troon van Egipte het Josef deur verraad, laster, gevangenisstraf en teleurstelling gelei. Toe hy egter daarop terugkyk, kon hy sê: ‘Wat my betref, het God die kwaad wat julle gedoen het, omgekeer in iets wat goed is…’ (Genesis 50:20 NLV). Dit waardeur jy tans gaan, werk ten goede vir jou op maniere wat jy nie nou kan sien of verstaan nie. Het jy God lief? Glo jy dat Hy ‘n plan en ‘n doel vir jou lewe het? Wil jy Hom graag behaag? Vertrou Hom dan om ‘alles’ ten goede vir jou te laat uitwerk.
Sielskos: Est 4:9-5:3; Heb 4:7-16
2023-10-14
Psalm 119:130 NIV
President Woodrow Wilson said: “I am sorry for men who do not read the Bible every day; I wonder why they deprive themselves of the strength and of the pleasure. It is one of the most singular books in the world, for every time you open it, some old text that you have read a score of times suddenly beams with a new meaning. There is no other book that I know of, of which this is true; there is no other book that yields its meaning so personally, that seems to fit itself so intimately to the very spirit that is seeking its guidance.”
If you want to get the most out of your Bible, ask these questions:
(1) Is there a warning to heed?
(2) Is there a promise to claim?
(3) Is there a sin to forsake?
(4) Is there a command to obey?
(5) Is there a lesson to learn?
(6) Is there a principle to apply?
(7) Is there an example to follow?
As you ask yourself these seven questions, keep a journal to write down the answers God gives you, and you will be amazed at the wisdom you glean. You will be thrilled by the success principles you learn. Your anxieties will begin to lift, your mind will clear, and you will experience peace.
John writes, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1 NIV). Notice the phrase “the Word was God.” The more you read your Bible, the more of God’s presence and power you will experience. You might even adopt the old slogan used by American Express: “Don’t leave home without it.”
Soul food: Eph 4:17-6:24; John 3:22-36; Ps 89:15-37; Prov 23:15-18
