2024-03-14
Daniel 1:8 NKJV
Can you imagine being uprooted from your home and taken prisoner to a hostile country? It happened to Daniel. King Nebuchadnezzar conquered his homeland and carried him off to slavery in Babylon. He lost his house, his job, his freedom, his culture, his friends, and his status as a member of Israel’s nobility. He had to learn to speak a foreign language and live in a place where he didn’t want to be.
If you had been Daniel, wouldn’t you have been tempted to focus on the things you couldn’t control, like blaming exile for your unhappiness and feeling sorry for yourself? Not Daniel! He took charge of his life in little areas. The Bible says, “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the… king’s [food]” (v. 8 NKJV). He decided to live by his convictions – even in small things.
That’s important because small battles train you for big ones! If Daniel hadn’t taken control in small things, he wouldn’t have had the strength to say no to big things like worshiping idols or facing the lions’ den without fear or compromise.
Maybe you can’t do anything right now about your house or your job or your relationship, but you can change your life by taking control of the little things. Perhaps, like Daniel, it will involve what you eat, what you watch on TV or the internet, what comes out of your mouth, or a refusal to let others dictate your attitude based on how they treat you. When you “purpose in your heart” to honour God in small things, He blesses you and becomes involved in your life in ways you never thought possible.
Soul food: 2 Kings 9-10; Matt 23:15-28; Ps 28; Prov 7:14-20
2024-03-13
1 Corinthians 16:13 NAS
Jesus said: “Count yourselves blessed every time people put you down… or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens – give a cheer, even! – for though they don’t like it, I do!” (Matthew 5:11-12 MSG).
If you’re thin skinned, you will have a rough time in life because you will be an easy target for the devil. Paul endured desertion by his friends, ugly letters from the Corinthians, disappointment with the Galatians, mistreatment in Philippi, mocking in Athens, and finally imprisonment and beheading in Rome. The Bible gives us these four principles for victorious living:
(1) Be on the alert. Why? Because you have an adversary who is out to get you (See 1 Peter 5:8). What’s he after? The God-given potential he knows lies within you. You’re a seed capable of producing a harvest of blessing.
(2) Stand firm in the faith. Why? Because you can’t stand on your feelings, your circumstances, or the opinions of others. Those things change constantly, so you must stand firm on the Word of God.
(3) Act like men. Why? Because being childish won’t cut it when the battle is raging. It’s time to grow up; if you’re still making the same mistakes twenty-five years later, you’re not learning enough.
(4) Be strong. Why? Because weakness is an invitation to the Enemy. It always precedes surrender – and quitting is not an option for you. God told His people the promised land was theirs – but they would have to fight for it. And you will too!
Soul food: 2 Kings 7-8; Matt 23:1-14; Ps 27; Prov 7:10-13
1 Korintiërs 16:13 NLV
Jesus het gesê: ‘Julle is gelukkige mense wanneer ander mense julle beledig en slegte dinge doen aan julle omdat julle My dien. Julle is gelukkige mense wanneer hulle slegte stories oor julle vertel wat alles leuens is. Wanneer mense slegte dinge doen aan julle, dan moet julle baie bly wees, want in die hemel sal God vir julle baie goed wees…’ (Matteus 5:11-12 ABA).
As jou vel dun is sal die lewe vir jou moeilik wees, omdat jy ‘n maklike teiken vir die duiwel sal wees. Paulus is deur sy vriende verlaat, hy het lelike briewe van die Korintiërs gekry, hy is in Filippi mishandel, in Athene gespot en het uiteindelik gevangenskap in Rome beleef en is daar onthoof. Die Bybel gee ons vier beginsels om in oorwinning te lewe:
1) Wees op en wakker. Hoekom? Omdat jy ‘n teenstander het wat daarop uit is om jou uit te vang (sien 1 Petrus 5:8). Hy is agter die Godgegewe potensiaal wat hy weet binne-in jou lê, aan. Jy is ‘n saad wat in staat is om ‘n oes van seën te produseer.
2) Staan vas in wat julle glo. Jy kan nie op jou gevoelens, jou omstandighede of die opinies van ander mense staatmaak nie. Dit verander aanhoudend, dus moet jy vas op die Woord van God staan.
3) Wees moedig. Jy moet moedig en dapper te midde van die stryd wees. Dit is tyd om groot te word; as jy vyf-en-twintig jaar later steeds dieselfde foute maak, leer jy nie genoeg nie.
4) Wees sterk. Swakheid is ‘n uitnodiging aan die Vyand. Maar om op te hou is nie vir jou ‘n opsie nie. God het vir sy mense gesê dat die Beloofde Land hulle s’n was – maar hulle sou daarvoor moet veg. Jy sal ook moet!
Sielskos: 2 Kon 7-8; Matt 23:1-14; Ps 27; Spr 7:10-13
2024-03-12
Ephesians 4:16 CEV
You have probably heard that unless you’re the lead dog, the view seldom changes. The problem is, however, not everybody can be the leading man or woman. And it’s better to be a working actor than an out-of-work star; at least you get to be in the play! Besides, most great achievers, if they are honest, will tell you they couldn’t have done it alone; they needed the contributions of each member of the team.
So if God has placed you in a supporting role today, accept it without complaining. Do your part to make the entire production stronger. Not only will you learn all about team spirit, and that’s important for when you do get to lead, you will also learn the Christlike virtue of humility. The Bible says you will “grow in every way and be more like Christ, the head of the body… [who] holds it together and makes all of its parts work perfectly” (vv. 15-16 CEV). So, put your heart into your part. Stop and think about how you’re living your life.
Are you giving it everything you’ve got, or are you holding out, hoping somebody else will recognize your talent? It’s not about the greatness of the part you have been given, it’s about how much effort you put into doing it. If God has placed you in a supporting role rather than a starring one, it’s because He recognizes that the team needs your particular strengths and talents. Ask Him to help you accept the role He has given you – whatever it is – and learn to fulfill it with gratitude and dignity. Contribute from wherever you are today.
Soul food: 2 Kings 4:18-6:33; Matt 22:34-46; Ps 112; Prov 7:6-9
Efesiërs 4:16 NLV
Jy het waarskynlik al gehoor dat die uitsig selde verander, tensy jy die voorste hond in die trop is. Die probleem is egter dat almal nie die leier kan wees nie. Dit is beter om ‘n werkende akteur te wees as ‘n ster wat werkloos is; ten minste kan jy in die toneelstuk wees! Boonop sal die meeste groot presteerders, as hulle eerlik is, vir jou sê dat hulle dit nie alleen kon doen nie; hulle het die bydraes van elke lid van die span nodig gehad.
As God jou dus vandag in ‘n ondersteunende rol geplaas het, aanvaar dit sonder om te kla. Doen jou deel om die hele produksie sterker te maak. Nie net sal jy alles oor spangees leer nie, jy sal ook die Christelike deug van nederigheid leer. Die Bybel sê ons sal: ‘…so in alle opsigte groei om soos Christus te wees… Christus is die Hoof. Onder leiding van die Hoof is die liggaam goed aanmekaargesit… Elke liggaamsdeel vervul sy bestemde funksie…’ (verse 15-16 NLV).
Stort dus jou hart in jou deel in. Stop en dink oor hoe jy jou lewe leef. Gee jy dit jou alles, of hou jy terug in die hoop dat iemand anders jou talent sal raaksien? Dit gaan nie oor die grootheid van die deel waarvoor jy verantwoordelik is nie, dit gaan oor hoeveel inspanning jy daaraan bestee het. As God jou in ‘n ondersteunende rol in plaas van ‘n leiersrol geplaas het, is dit omdat Hy weet dat die span jou spesifieke sterkpunte en talente nodig het. Vra Hom om jou te help om die rol wat Hy vir jou gegee het te aanvaar – wat dit ook al mag wees – en leer om dit met dankbaarheid en waardigheid te vervul. Maak ‘n bydrae van waar jy ook al vandag is.
Sielskos: 2 Kon 4:18-6:33; Matt 22:34-46; Ps 112; Spr 7:6-9
