2024-09-08
Isaiah 30:18 NKJV
Your concept of God determines your confidence in approaching Him. Do you always view Him like an auditor, and your books don’t balance? Or do you view Him like a father who loves you at all times and wants to be good to you? When approaching God, many of us consult a mental scorecard to see whether we have more wins than losses, rights than wrongs, credits than demerits. If we feel like we’re not performing well, we avoid God or make Him our last resort. That’s a mistake because God sees you “in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:17), and therefore, you are always accepted and welcomed into His presence.
You say, “Does that mean I can live any way I please?” No, “the Lord disciplines the one he loves” (Hebrews 12:6 NIV). But His correction is not rejection; it’s proof that you are truly His redeemed child. Here is a Scripture you need to meditate on: “Therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favour, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]!” (Isaiah 30:18 AMPC).
Note God’s attitude toward you today: “The Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you.” Keep that picture in mind, and begin to expect good things from God.
Soul food: John 14:6-11; Acts 4:8-12; Acts 16:22-34; Matt 1:18-21
2024-09-07
Matthew 6:6 NIV
When it comes to the importance of having a consistent prayer life, Jesus is our greatest example. Before He calmed the storm on Galilee, called His twelve disciples, or fed the multitudes with five loaves and two fish, He spent time alone in prayer. And you have been called to follow in His footsteps (See 1 Peter 2:21). In essence, our failures are often the result of our failure to pray. Jesus gave His disciples two prayer principles that will work for you.
First, He said, “When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father” (Matthew 6:6 NIV). In other words, find a quiet place where you won’t be distracted. After all, you are meeting with God. As you spend time there, you will grow to love this place, and it will become your “secret place” (Psalm 91:1 KJV).
Second, Jesus said, “When you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:7-8 NIV). The words “don’t babble” may sound harsh. But what Jesus is saying to us is, “Focus; be with Me. Open your heart. Get real. Stand on My Word and believe Me for answers.” After the church prayed all night for Peter to be delivered from prison, the Bible says “they were astonished” when God did it (Acts 12:16 KJV). You say, “That’s bad.” Actually, that’s good! It means even though your faith may be weak, when you pray, God will answer you. So, keep praying and standing on His Word.
Soul food: Josh 16:1-19:23; Luke 20:9-19; Ps 20; Prov 23:10-12
Matteus 6:7 NLV
Jesus is ons grootste voorbeeld wanneer dit kom by die belangrikheid om ‘n konsekwente gebedslewe te hê. Voordat Hy die storm by Galilea gekalmeer het, sy twaalf dissipels geroep het, of die skare met vyf broodjies en twee vissies gevoed het, het Hy tyd alleen in gebed deurgebring. Jy is geroep om in sy voetspore te volg (sien 1 Petrus 2:21). In wese is ons mislukkings dikwels die resultaat van ons versuim om te bid. Jesus het vir sy dissipels twee gebedsbeginsels gegee wat ook vir jou sal werk.
Eerstens het Hy gesê: ‘Wanneer jy bid, gaan na die stilste vertrek in die huis en maak die deur agter jou toe sodat jy daar in jou alleenheid tot jou Vader kan bid…’ (Matteus 6:6 NLV). Met ander woorde, kry ‘n stil plek waar jou aandag nie afgelei sal word nie. Jy ontmoet immers vir God. Soos jy tyd daar bestee, sal jy groei om daardie plek lief te kry en sal dit jou ‘skuilplek’ (sien Psalm 91:1), word.
Tweedens het Jesus gesê: ‘Wanneer julle dan bid, moenie met woorde mors soos die heidene nie. Hulle dink ‘n stortvloed woorde sal maak dat hulle gebede beantwoord word. Moenie soos hulle maak nie, want julle Vader weet presies wat julle behoeftes is, selfs nog voordat julle Hom vra!’ (Matteus 6:7-8 NLV). Nadat die gemeente heelnag gebid het dat Petrus uit die tronk vrygelaat moet word, sê die Bybel hulle was ‘baie verbaas’ toe God dit laat gebeur het (sien Handelinge 12:16 NLV). Jy sê: ‘Dis erg.’ Dis eintlik goed! Dit beteken dat selfs wanneer jou geloof swak is, sal God jou antwoord wanneer jy bid. Hou dus aan bid en staan op sy Woord.
Sielskos: Jos 16:1-19:23; Luk 20:9-19; Ps 20; Spr 23:10-12
2024-09-06
1 Peter 3:10 NKJV
The Bible says, “He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good” (vv. 10-11 NKJV). Note the words “let him turn away.” That doesn’t mean you should be rude or insensitive, but be solution focused rather than problem focused. Your mouth is a powerful tool that can help or harm. If you can grasp an understanding of the power of the words you speak, it can change the course of your life. You can either speak positive, uplifting, encouraging things into existence in your life, or words that produce negative, discouraging things (See Proverbs 18:21).
None of us want to be a mouthpiece for the devil. But the truth is, the mouth can be used for blessing or destruction, not only in our own lives but also in the lives of others. Your mouth is like a pen, and your heart is like a tablet. When you say something over and over, it gets on the inside of you and becomes you. It’s not something you have to try to do anymore; it’s who you are. Be a mouthpiece for God.
“The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary” (Isaiah 50:4 NKJV). “How forceful are right words!” (Job 6:25 NKJV). “The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom” (Psalm 37:30 NKJV). “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29 NKJV). Today, speak life!
Soul food: Josh 14-15; Luke 20:1-8; Ps 142; Prov 23:7-9
1 Petrus 3:10 NLV
Die Bybel sê: ‘…As jy die lewe wil liefhê en goeie dae wil beleef, moet jy jou tong weghou van kwaadpraat en jou lippe van leuens. Bly weg van die kwaad af, ja, doen wat goed is…’ (verse 10-11 NLV). Let die woorde: ‘Bly weg van die kwaad af,’ op. Dit beteken nie dat jy ongeskik of onsensitief moet wees nie, maar om eerder op die oplossing as die probleem gefokus te wees. Jou mond is ‘n kragtige gereedskap wat kan help of kan beskadig. As jy die krag van die woorde wat jy spreek kan begryp, sal dit die koers van jou lewe verander. Jy kan óf positiewe, opbouende en aanmoedigende dinge in jou lewe spreek, óf woorde wat negatiewe en ontmoedigende dinge voortbring (sien Spreuke 18:21).
Niemand van ons wil ‘n spreekbuis vir die duiwel wees nie. Die waarheid is egter dat die mond vir seën of vernietiging gebruik kan word, nie net in ons eie lewens nie, maar ook in die lewens van ander. Jou mond is soos ‘n pen en jou hart is soos ‘n lei. Wanneer jy iets oor en oor sê, kry dit binne-in jou vastrapplek en word deel van jou. Dis nie iets wat jy meer moet probeer doen nie; dit is wie jy is. Wees ‘n spreekbuis vir God.
‘Die oppermagtige Here het my geleer sodat ek dié wat moeg is kan moed inpraat…’ (Jesaja 50:4 NLV). ‘Hoe kragtig is opregte woorde…’ (Job 6:25 AFR53). ‘Die regverdige het wyse raad; wat hy sê, is regverdig’ (Psalm 37:30 NLV). ‘Moenie enige vuil taal gebruik nie. Gebruik eerder die regte, opbouende woorde wat nodig is om dié wat luister, te bevoordeel’ (Efesiërs 4:29 NLV). Spreek vandag lewe!
Sielskos: Jos 14-15; Luk 20:1-8; Ps 142; Spr 23:7-9
