2025-04-13
Romans 11:29 NKJV
When God gives us a spiritual gift, He doesn’t take it back. “The gifts and… calling of God are irrevocable.” And if God does not, we must not! Paul writes: “If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived” (Galatians 6:1-3 MSG).
When a brother or sister in Christ goes astray, the Bible tells us what we must do; lovingly confront them, gently correct and counsel them, and cover them. The Bible says, “Love will cover a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8 NKJV). Now the word “cover” doesn’t mean “cover up”; it means provide a place of shelter and restoration where they can be made whole. Is restoring someone sometimes messy? Yes, especially if they have hurt others and brought embarrassment to the family of God. But that’s the point… They are still our spiritual family!
The world is watching to see how we handle this. If we throw away those among us who stumble, why would the world turn to us for help? Jesus healed a blind man by rubbing clay in his eyes and telling him to go and wash it off in the pool of Siloam. How far away was the pool? We don’t know. But he needed someone to hold his hand and walk with him until he reached it and his sight was restored. And that’s what we have been called to do.
Soul food: Ps 118:19-29; Matt 21:1-16
2025-04-12
Ephesians 6:12 NKJV
The new birth brings a new battle between your regenerate spirit and your unregenerate body, which still craves old desires and clings to old proclivities. Paul describes this graphically as a wrestling match. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (vv. 12-13 NKJV).
The winner in a wrestling match is the one still standing when it’s over. So, picture a wrestling match, and you will get an idea of what you’re up against each day. Two fighters going toe to toe, until one wins and the other loses. To prepare themselves, they practice for hours. Each knows they need two things to win: strength and a strategy. But they need more; they need determination and endurance. And each knows one more very important thing – never underestimate your opponent!
“Be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith” (1 Peter 5:8-9 NKJV). Here are two scriptural truths you need to live by in order to walk in victory: First, don’t try to overcome Satan in your own strength, or you will lose. Second, don’t let down your guard even for a moment, or you will lose. Paul writes, “Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11 NKJV). So, expect to “wrestle,” and expect to win.
Soul food: Dan 5-7; Luke 22:47-53; Ps 103:1-12; Prov 10:13
Efesiërs 6:12 AFR53
Die nuwe geboorte bring ‘n nuwe stryd tussen jou wedergebore gees en jou onwedergebore liggaam, wat steeds na ou begeertes smag en aan ou neigings vashou, mee. Paulus beskryf dit as ‘n worstelstryd. ‘Want ons worstelstryd is nie teen vlees en bloed nie, maar teen die owerhede, teen die magte, teen die wêreldheersers van die duisternis van hierdie eeu, teen die bose geeste in die lug. Daarom, neem die volle wapenrusting van God op, sodat julle weerstand kan bied in die dag van onheil en, nadat julle alles volbring het, staande kan bly’ (verse 12-13 AFR53).
Die wenner in ‘n worstelstryd is die een wat steeds staande is wanneer die stryd verby is. Dink dus aan ‘n stoeigeveg en jy sal ‘n idee kry waarteen jy elke dag te staan kom. Om hulleself voor te berei, oefen die vegters vir ure lank. Elkeen weet dat hulle twee dinge nodig het om te wen: krag en ‘n strategie. Hulle het egter meer as dit nodig: hulle het ook vasberadenheid en uithouvermoë nodig. Elkeen weet ook dat dit baie belangrik is om nie hulle opponent te onderskat nie!
‘Wees versigtig! Pas op vir die duiwel se aanvalle. Hy is julle groot vyand. Hy loop rond soos ‘n brullende leeu, op soek na iemand om te verslind. Hóm moet julle teenstaan deur standvastig in julle geloof te bly…’ (1 Petrus 5:8-9 NLV). Moet dus nie probeer om Satan in jou eie krag te verslaan nie en moenie jou waaksaamheid vir ‘n oomblik laat verslap nie, want jy sal verloor. Paulus skryf: ‘Die bedoeling is dat ons nie deur die Satan uitoorlê word nie! Sy planne is mos nie aan ons onbekend nie!’ (2 Korintiërs 2:11 NLV). Verwag dus om te ‘worstel,’ en verwag om te wen.
Sielskos: Dan 5-7; Luk 22:47-53; Ps 103:1-12; Spr 10:13
2025-04-11
Matthew 5:13-14 NKJV
Jesus gave us two everyday metaphors so that we could clearly understand how He wants us to serve and represent Him each day. Let’s look at each of them.
(1) Salt. The only thing that can threaten salt is sitting in a shaker so long that it gets damp, loses its flavour, and can’t be sprinkled. Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavour, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men” (v. 13 NKJV). The word “flavour” means to enrich. It’s not enough to enjoy good preaching and rich insights from your Bible reading; you’re called to share and sprinkle them on others.
(2) Light. Instead of isolating yourself from the world, you’re supposed to illuminate it. Darkness is not a threat to light; it’s where the light does its best work. Jesus said: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (vv. 14-16 NKJV). The word gospel means “the good news.” In a world of increasing despair, you are called to bring the light of the gospel to those living in spiritual darkness.
So, the word for you today is – be salt and light.
Soul food: Dan 3-4; Luke 22:39-46; Ps 130; Prov 10:12
Matteus 5:13-14 NLV
Jesus het vir ons twee alledaagse metafore gegee sodat ons duidelik kon verstaan hoe Hy wil hê ons Hom elke dag moet dien en verteenwoordig.
1) Sout. Die enigste ding wat sout kan bedreig is om vir so lank in ‘n soutpot te wees dat dit klam word, sy geur verloor en nie meer gestrooi kan word nie. Jesus het gesê: ‘Julle is die sout wat die aarde ‘n beter plek moet maak. Maar as die sout verslaan het, kry jy dit op geen manier weer sout nie. Dit is totaal onbruikbaar. Al waarvoor dit goed is, is om buite op die straat uitgegooi en deur die mense platgetrap te word’ (vers 13 NLV). Dis nie genoeg om goeie preke te geniet en ryke insigte uit jou Bybelstudie te kry nie; jy word geroep om dit te deel en dit op ander mense uit te strooi.
2) Lig. In plaas daarvan om jou van die wêreld te isoleer, is jy veronderstel om dit te verlig. Donker is nie vir die lig ‘n bedreiging nie; dis waar die lig sy beste werk doen. Jesus het gesê: ‘Julle is die lig wat die wêreld moet verlig. ‘n Stad wat bo-op ‘n berg lê, kan mos nie weggesteek word nie! ‘n Mens steek ook nie ‘n lamp op en maak dit dan onder ‘n emmer toe nie. Allesbehalwe! Jy sit dit bo-op ‘n lampstaander. Dan maak dit lig vir almal in die huis. Julle moet so voorbeeldig lewe dat julle ‘n helder lig sal laat uitstraal. Dan sal die mense dit sien, en julle hemelse Vader daarvoor prys!’ (verse 14-16 NLV). In ‘n wêreld van toenemende wanhoop, is jy geroep om die lig van die evangelie aan diegene wat in geestelike donkerte leef, te bring.
Die woord vir jou vandag is dus – wees sout en lig.
Sielskos: Dan 3-4; Luk 22:39-46; Ps 130; Spr 10:12
