2023-11-28
John 15:7 CEV
According to one count, there are 3,573 promises in the Bible. That’s almost ten promises for each day of the year. When you know which of those promises apply to you, and you fulfill the conditions that go with them, you can literally begin to pray God’s promises into existence in your life (See John 15:7 AMPC).
Will your prayers be answered overnight? Some will, others won’t. “Be… followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12 KJV). The most powerful prayer you can pray is, “Lord, you promised in your Word that you would…and today I am praying and believing you for it.” Here is how to pray:
(1) When you need guidance and direction. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye” (Psalm 32:8 NKJV).
(2) When you need deliverance from a situation, or to be set free from a habit. “Call upon Me in the day of trouble, I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me” (Psalm 50:15 NKJV).
(3) When you need the strength to stand. “Fear not; for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10 NKJV).
(4) When you don’t have enough to meet your needs. “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 KJV).
If you meditate in God’s Word every day, each time a need arises, you will know which of His promises to claim in prayer (See 2 Peter 1:4 NIV).
Soul food: 2 Chron 21-24; John 12:1-11; Ps 118:1-9; Prov 27:23-27
2023-11-27
Psalm 1:2-3 NKJV
Thomas à Kempis wrote, “If you wish to grow in your spiritual life, you must not allow yourself to be caught up in the workings of the world. You must find time alone, away from the noise and confusion, from the allure of power and wealth.” You say, “Does that mean God doesn’t want me setting goals and achieving things in life?” No, quite the opposite!
The Bible says, “In His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper” (vv.2-3 NKJV). What’s the secret of a tree’s fruitfulness? Having deep roots that are connected to life-giving streams of water.
And as the demands on your time and energy become greater, you must discipline yourself to spend even more time in the Scriptures, not less. When your inner life is not in order, your outer life becomes dysfunctional and begins to fall apart. And working harder will only make it happen faster. You will be like the pilot who announced to his passengers, “Folks, there is bad news and good news. The bad news is, our instruments have failed and we don’t know where we’re going. The good news is, we’re making great time!”
What’s the answer? David says: “I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word” (Psalm 119:14-16 NKJV).
Soul food: 2 Chron 18-20; John 11:45-57; Ps 114; Prov 27:20-22
Psalm 1:2-3 NLV
Thomas à Kempis het geskryf: ‘As jy graag in jou geestelike lewe wil groei, moet jy jouself nie toelaat om in die wêreld se werkinge vasgevang te word nie. Jy moet tyd weg van die geraas en verwarring, van die aanloklikheid van mag en rykdom, neem.’ Jy sê: ‘Beteken dit God wil nie hê dat ek doelwitte moet stel en dinge in die lewe moet bereik nie?’ Nee, juis die teenoorgestelde! Die Bybel sê: ‘Gelukkig is die mense wat… sy voorskrifte dag en nag oordink. Hulle is soos bome geplant langs ‘n rivier, wat vrugte dra op die regte tyd. Hulle blare verwelk nie; in alles wat hulle doen, is hulle voorspoedig’ (Psalm 1:1-3 NLV).
Wat is die geheim van die boom wat vrugte dra? Diep wortels wat aan lewensgewende waterstrome gekoppel is. Soos die eise op jou tyd en energie groter word, moet jy jouself dissiplineer om nog meer tyd, nie minder nie, met die Skrif te bestee. Wanneer jou innerlike lewe nie in orde is nie, word jou uiterlike lewe disfunksioneel en begin uitmekaar val.
Om harder te werk sal dit net vinniger laat gebeur. Jy sal soos die vlieënier wees wat vir die passasiers aankondig: ‘Daar is goeie en slegte nuus. Die slegte nuus is dat ons instrumente gebreek het en ons geen idee het waarheen ons op pad is nie. Die goeie nuus is dat ons vinnig daar gaan kom!’ Wat is die antwoord? Dawid sê: ‘In u voorwaardes het ek my verlustig, soos ‘n mens bly is oor rykdom. Ek wil oor u bevele nadink en let op u weë. Ek sal my verbly in u voorskrifte en u woord nie vergeet nie’ (Psalm 119:14-16 NLV).
Sielskos: 2 Kron 18-20; Joh 11:45-57; Ps 114; Spr 27:20-22
2023-11-26
2 Korintiërs 1:9 NLV
Voel jy hopeloos oor die situasie waarin jy jouself bevind en weet nie watter kant toe om te draai nie? Miskien sukkel jy om ‘n rede te vind om aan te gaan, jy is so moeg en oorweldig dat jy net wil tou opgooi. As dit die geval is, is jy op ‘n weerlose plek. Pasop – Satan sal jou probeer oortuig dat daar sonde in jou lewe moet wees, of dat jy buite God se wil is, of dat Hy ongelukkig met jou is omdat jy Hom onbewustelik nie gehoorsaam het nie. Moenie dit glo nie! Jy kan in die middel van God se wil wees en alles op die regte manier doen, en steeds teëspoed ervaar.
Die apostel Paulus skryf: ‘Ons wil nie hê dat julle… oningelig moet wees oor ons swaarkry in die provinsie Asië nie. Om die waarheid te sê, ons is ver bo ons kragte belas, met die gevolg dat ons selfs moed verloor het om te bly lewe. Dit het eintlik vir ons gevoel of ons die doodsvonnis ontvang het sodat ons nie op onsself sou vertrou nie, maar op dié God wat die dooies opwek. Dit is Hy wat ons van só ‘n groot doodsgevaar gered het en ons weer sal red. Hý is ons verwagting; Hy sal ons altyd weer red. Daaraan werk julle saam deur ook vir ons te bid. Die gevolg is dat die gebede van baie mense ‘n genadegawe vir ons bring en dat daar ook baie mense is wat Hom vir ons dank’ (2 Korintiërs 1:8-11 NLV).
Twee aspekte is vandag in jou lewe aan die werk. Eerstens leer God jou om op Hom, in plaas van jouself, te steun. Tweedens word die mense rondom jou versterk en bemoedig, soos hulle die genade van God in jou lewe aan die werk sien.
Sielskos: Eks 19:16-20:22; 2 Tim 3:14-4:8
2 Corinthians 1:9 NLT
Are you feeling hopeless about the situation you’re in and don’t know which way to turn? Maybe you’re struggling to find a reason to keep going, but you’re so tired and overwhelmed that you just want to give up. If that’s the case, you’re in a vulnerable place. Look out – Satan will try to convince you there must be sin in your life, or that you’re out of God’s will, or that He is unhappy with you because you have disobeyed Him in some area you’re unaware of. Don’t buy it! You can be in the center of God’s will doing everything the right way, and still experience adversity.
The apostle Paul writes: “You ought to know… about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety” (2 Corinthians 1:8-11 NLT).
Two elements are at work in your life today. First, God is teaching you to lean on Him instead of on yourself. Second, people around you are being strengthened and encouraged as they see the grace of God at work in your life.
Soul food: Exo 19:16-20:22; 2 Tim 3:14-4:8
