2025-02-23
Galatians 6:9 NLT
In life, you’re going to have all kinds of problems. So, what should you do? Persevere! No matter what’s going on in your life, the victory is in refusing to quit. Keep in mind that in the heat of your struggles, the Holy Spirit is often doing His greatest work within you. Paul writes, “We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character” (Romans 5:3-4 NKJV). God is not moved by circumstances, and you must not be either.
He will lead you through anything if you will just hang in there and follow Him. This means being diligent in prayer, relentless in your resolve, unwavering in faith, and determined to stand firmly on God’s Word and His promises to you. Don’t be side-tracked by how slowly things seem to be going at the moment. When you’re in the “not much seems to be happening” phase, that’s often when God is laying a strong foundation in order to build something significant in you and through you. The Lord’s work in you is preparation for the work He wants to do through you.
When life seems hard, and progress seems too slow, ask God to help you remain steadfast. He will do it. Here are two Scriptures you can stand on today: “Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9 NLT). “So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless” (1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT).
Soul food: Exo 20:4; Isa 44:6-20; Rom 1:21-25
Galasiërs 6:9 NLV
Jy sal allerhande soorte probleme in die lewe hê. Wat moet jy dus doen? Volhard! Maak nie saak wat in jou lewe aangaan nie, die oorwinning lê daarin om te weier om tou op te gooi. Hou in gedagte dat tydens die hitte van jou stryd die Heilige Gees dikwels sy grootste werk in jou doen. Paulus skryf: ‘…ons jubel selfs in ons swaarkry, want ons besef dat die swaarkry ons leer om te volhard. Op sy beurt kweek volharding betroubaarheid van karakter…’ (Romeine 5:3-4 NLV).
God sal jou deur enigiets lei as jy net sal vasbyt en Hom volg. Dit beteken om ywerig in gebed, meedoënloos in jou vasberadenheid, onwrikbaar in geloof en vasbeslote om op God se Woord en sy beloftes aan jou vas te staan, te wees. Moenie dat jou aandag deur hoe stadig dinge op die oomblik lyk asof dit gebeur, afgetrek word nie. Wanneer jy in die ‘daar gaan nie veel aan nie’ fase is, is dit dikwels wanneer God ‘n sterk fondasie lê om iets betekenisvol in jou en deur jou te doen. Die Here se werk in jou is voorbereiding vir die werk wat Hy deur jou wil doen.
Wanneer die lewe moeilik en vordering te stadig lyk, moet jy God vra om jou te help om standvastig te wees. Hy sal dit doen. Hier is twee Skrifgedeeltes waarop jy vandag kan staan: ‘Moet dus nie moeg word om goed te doen nie, want as ons nie tou opgooi nie, sal ons op die regte tyd oes’ (Galasiërs 6:9 NLV). ‘Dus, my geliefde broers en susters, staan baie vas, onbeweeglik. Gee altyd julle allerbeste vir die Here se werk, want julle weet voor die Here is alles wat julle doen die moeite werd’ (1 Korintiërs 15:58 NLV).
Sielskos: Eks 20:4; Jes 44:6-20; Rom 1:21-25
2025-02-22
Nehemiah 2:4 NIV
The rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls began with two questions the king asked Nehemiah. The first question was “What is bothering you?” (See v. 2). The second question was “What is it you want?” (v. 4 NIV). Nehemiah replied, “Send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it” (v. 5 NIV). Nehemiah knew exactly what he wanted, because a passion for it had been conceived in his spirit. He had been thinking and praying about it for quite a few months when the king asked him what he wanted.
A pastor writes: “Few things are as miraculous as the moment of human conception. A sperm penetrates an egg, and all the genetic data that determine who you will become – everything from facial features to personality traits – is encoded within that single cell. And it begins a nine-month process of gestation. The mother’s body starts producing hormones before she even knows she is pregnant. The baby’s heart starts beating on day twenty-two. At four weeks, that single cell has grown ten thousand times larger. At around day forty-two, neurons start multiplying at the astounding rate of approximately ten thousand per second. Everything from the optic nerve to the auditory cortex to the respiratory system is being formed in the womb.”
And a God-given vision is conceived the same way. It begins small and keeps growing within you until the time of delivery. That’s why the Bible says, “The vision is yet for an appointed time… though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come” (Habakkuk 2:3 KJV). So, the word for you today is – want what God wants.
Soul food: Exo 4-6; Luke 11:45-54; Ps 53; Prov 6:9-11
Nehemia 2:4 NLV
Die herbouing van Jerusalem se mure het met twee vrae van die koning aan Nehemia begin. Die eerste vraag was: ‘…Hoekom lyk jy so hartseer?..’ (vers 2 NLV). Die tweede vraag was: ‘…Hoe kan ek jou help?..’ (vers 4 NLV). Nehemia het geantwoord: ‘…stuur my dan na Juda toe. Ek sal dan gaan na die stad waar my voorouers begrawe lê, en dit herbou’ (vers 5 NLV). Nehemia het presies geweet wat hy wou hê, omdat ‘n passie daarvoor in sy gees verwek is. Hy het reeds vir ‘n paar maande daaraan gedink en daaroor gebid voor die koning vir hom gevra het hoe hy hom kon help.
‘n Pastoor skryf: ‘Min dinge is so wonderbaarlik soos die oomblik van menslike bevrugting. ‘n Spermsel dring ‘n eiersel binne en al die genetiese data wat bepaal wie jy sal word – alles van gesigseienskappe tot persoonlikheidseienskappe – is in daardie enkele sel gekodeer. Die moeder se liggaam begin hormone nog voordat sy weet sy is swanger, produseer. Die baba se hart begin op dag twee-en-twintig klop. Na vier weke het daardie enkele sel tienduisend keer groter geword. Op ongeveer dag twee-en-veertig begin neurone teen die verbysterende tempo van ongeveer tienduisend per sekonde, vermenigvuldig. Alles van die optiese senuwee tot die ouditiewe korteks tot die respiratoriese stelsel word in die baarmoeder gevorm.’
‘n Godgegewe visie word op dieselfde manier verwek. Dit begin klein en hou aan groei tot die tyd wat dit waar word. Dis hoekom die Bybel sê: ‘…Stadig maar seker breek die tyd aan wanneer die visioen waar sal word… Wees seker dit gaan gebeur, dit sal nie onnodig talm nie’ (Habakuk 2:3 NLV). Die woord vir jou vandag is dus – jy moet wil hê wat God wil hê.
Sielskos: Eks 4-6; Luk 11:45-54; Ps 53; Spr 6:9-11
2025-02-21
Hebrews 12:1 NKJV
In ancient Greece, athletes practiced with weights strapped to their bodies. But on the day of the race, they took them off in order to win. What’s keeping you from running and winning?
(1) Comparing yourself to others? The only person you should compare yourself to – is you. Your objective is to become better today than you were yesterday. You do that by concentrating on what you can do today to improve and develop. If you do that often enough, and if you compare the way you were weeks, months, or years ago to how you are today, you should be considerably encouraged by your progress.
(2) Limiting beliefs? Because of how they were raised, or certain mistakes they may have made in life, a lot of people don’t believe they can accomplish great things. But the greatest limitations people experience are typically the ones they inflict on themselves. For example, what if you want to learn a foreign language but don’t think you can do it? Once you have uncovered that faulty belief system, understand how not learning that language is restricting you. Then imagine what it will be like when you learn that language. How will it make you feel? What will it enable you to do? Then write an inspiring statement that upholds your ability to learn the language! Remember, it isn’t what you are that hinders you; it’s what you think you’re not. Claim this promise: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV). That means – by God’s help you can win.
Soul food: Exo 1-3; Luke 11:29-44; Ps 40:9-17; Prov 6:6-8
