2024-05-29
Matthew 6:31-33 NLT
A survey was taken of Americans over fifty years old, and half of them had less than thirty thousand dollars in their retirement fund. Since we are all living longer, that means (a) a lot of people are going to be dependent on the government for their survival, and (b) a lot of people who had planned on retiring are going to have to keep working. And this is not just an American problem, it’s a worldwide problem. So, what should you do?
(1) Cut back where you can and start saving more. “There is desirable treasure… in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man squanders it” (Proverbs 21:20 NKJV).
(2) Find a financial planner to help you assess where you stand, and the level of income and expenses you’re likely to have during retirement. That way, you can customize a plan suited to your financial goals. “In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but in the revenue of the wicked is trouble” (Proverbs 15:6 NKJV).
(3) Honor God with your finances. “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty” (Proverbs 3:9-10 NKJV). Tithing brings God’s blessing!
(4) Trust God to take care of you. “Don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow” (Matthew 6:31-34 NLT).
Soul food: Gal 1-3; Mark 12:1-12; Ps 128; Prov 13:17-19
2024-05-28
John 1:14 NKJV
Some of us major in grace but neglect confronting people with the truth lest we offend them. Others of us major in truth but fail to show God’s grace to people. But Jesus was “full of grace and truth,” and that’s the balance you must strive for!
A man with little interest in spiritual matters related casually to the Christian who lived next door. They talked over the back fence, borrowed each other’s tools, and stuff like that. Then sadly the nonbeliever’s wife was stricken with cancer and died. Here is part of a letter he wrote afterward: “I was in total despair. I went through the funeral preparations and the service like I was in a trance. After the service, I went to the path along the river and walked all night. But I didn’t walk alone. My neighbour – afraid for me, I guess – stayed with me all night. He didn’t speak; he didn’t even walk beside me. He just followed me. When the sun finally came up over the river, he came over and said, ‘Let’s go get some breakfast.’ I go to church now. My neighbour’s church. A religion that can produce the kind of caring my neighbour showed me is something I want to find out more about. I want to love and be loved like that for the rest of my life.”
Any farmer will tell you that before you sow your seed, you must prepare the ground. “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them” (Romans 12:9 NLT). When you treat people with grace, they will open their hearts and minds to the truth you want to share with them.
Soul food: Judg 19:16-21:25; Mark 11:27-33; Ps 45; Prov 13:13-16
Johannes 1:14 NLV
Sommige van ons is groot in genade, maar versuim om mense met die waarheid te konfronteer sodat ons hulle nie aanstoot gee nie. Ander van ons is groot in die waarheid, maar versuim om God se genade aan mense te wys. Jesus was egter: ‘…vol liefdevolle goedheid en waarheid,’ en dis die balans waarna jy moet streef!
‘n Man met min belangstelling in geestelike sake het ‘n informele vriendskap met die Christen wat langs hom gewoon het, gehad. Hulle het oor die heining met mekaar gepraat, mekaar se gereedskap geleen en so aan. Toe het die ongelowige man se vrou ongelukkig aan kanker gesterf. Hier is ‘n deel van die brief wat hy na haar dood aan haar geskryf het: ‘Ek was totaal wanhopig. Ek het deur die begrafnisvoorbereidings en die diens gegaan asof ek in ‘n beswyming was. Na die diens het ek na die paadjie langs die rivier gegaan en die hele nag daar gestap. Maar ek het nie alleen gestap nie. My buurman – ek dink hy was bekommerd oor my geestestoestand – het die hele nag by my gebly. Hy het nie gepraat nie; hy het nie eers langs my geloop nie. Hy het my net gevolg. Toe die son uiteindelik oor die rivier opkom, het hy na my toe gekom en gesê: ‘Kom ons gaan kry ontbyt.’ Ek gaan deesdae kerk toe. ‘n Godsdiens wat hierdie soort omgee kan voortbring, is iets waaroor ek meer wil uitvind. Ek wil vir die res van my lewe so liefhê en liefgehê word.’
‘Moenie veins dat jy ander liefhet nie; doen dit uit jou hart uit…’ (Romeine 12:9 NLV). Wanneer jy mense met genade en goedheid behandel, sal hulle hul harte en gedagtes vir die waarheid wat jy met hulle wil deel, oopmaak.
Sielskos: Rig 19:16-21:25; Mark 11:27-33; Ps 45; Spr 13:13-16
2024-05-27
Proverbs 17:17 KJV
Two men were traveling down the road together when a bear appeared out of nowhere. Before the bear could spot them, one guy ran for a tree at the side of the road, climbed into its branches, and hid. The other man, who wasn’t as nimble as his tree-climbing companion, threw himself on the ground and pretended to be dead. The bear came up, sniffed all around him, and appeared to whisper something in his ear. The man had always heard that bears won’t touch a dead body, so he lay perfectly still and held his breath. Sure enough, the bear took him for a corpse and left. When the coast was clear, the guy in the tree came down. Curious, he asked his buddy what the bear had whispered when it put its mouth directly to his ear. His friend replied, “He told me never to travel with a friend who deserts you at the first sign of danger!”
It’s easy to be friends with someone who is successful, has it all together, and is riding the crest of the wave. But what about when that person falls, or fails, or loses their connection to Christ, or deliberately disconnects and causes all kinds of ugly consequences? The Bible says, “A friend loveth at all times.” When you’re “up,” they’re not envious, and when you’re “down,” they’re not condescending. They’re compassionate and considerate whether or not you are. American writer Elbert Hubbard said, “Your friend is the man [or woman] who knows all about you and still loves you.” If you have a friend like that, treasure them and tell them often how much you appreciate them.
Soul food: Judg 16:1-19:15; Mark 11:12-26; Ps 47; Prov 13:11-12
Spreuke 17:17 NLV
Twee mans het saam gereis toe daar skielik ‘n beer uit die niet verskyn. Voor die beer hulle kon raaksien, het een man na ‘n boom langs die pad gehardloop, in hom geklim en weggekruip. Die ander man, wat nie so rats soos sy reisgenoot was nie, het gaan lê en gemaak of hy dood is. Die man het altyd gehoor dat bere nie aan ‘n dooie liggaam sal raak nie, dus het hy heeltemal stil gelê en sy asem opgehou. Die beer het na hom toe geloop, oral rondom hom gesnuffel en toe gelyk asof hy iets in sy oor fluister. Daarna het die beer omgedraai en geloop. Toe dit lyk of dit weer veilig is, het die ander man uit die boom geklim. Nuuskierig het hy sy vriend gevra wat die beer vir hom gefluister het. Sy vriend het geantwoord: ‘Hy het vir my gesê om nooit saam met iemand te reis wat jou met die eerste teken van gevaar in die steek laat nie!’
Dis maklik om vriende met iemand wat suksesvol en op die kruin van die golf is, te wees. Wat gebeur egter wanneer daardie persoon val, of misluk, of hul verbintenis met Christus verloor, of doelbewus die verbintenis ontkoppel en allerhande lelike gevolge veroorsaak? Die Bybel sê: ‘Op ‘n vriend se lojaliteit kan jy altyd reken…’ Wanneer jy op die kruin van die golf is, is hulle nie jaloers nie en wanneer jy geval het, is hulle nie neerbuigend nie. Hulle is deernisvol en bedagsaam, selfs wanneer jy nie is nie. Die Amerikaanse skrywer Elbert Hubbard het gesê: ‘Jou vriend is die man [of vrou] wat alles van jou weet en jou nog steeds liefhet.’ As jy so ‘n vriend het, koester hulle en vertel hulle dikwels hoe baie jy hulle waardeer.
Sielskos: Rig 16:1-19:15; Mark 11:12-26; Ps 47; Spr 13:11-12
