2025-05-19
Romans 12:10-11 NIV
A leadership expert says: “Most leaders focus on two things: the vision and the bottom line. The vision is what usually excites us most, and taking care of the bottom line keeps us in business. But between the vision and the bottom line are all the people in your organization… If you ignore the people and only pay attention to these other two things, you will lose the people and the vision (and probably the bottom line). But if you focus on the people, you have the potential to win the people, the vision, and the bottom line.” Interestingly, the Bible puts these two things together: “Honour one another… Never be lacking in zeal [hard work].”
When business consultant Jim Collins studied great companies, he discovered “level five leaders.” He says these leaders refused to take credit for their organization’s accomplishments. Instead, they humbly gave credit to their employees. Numerous leaders say they value their people and customers. That’s a popular thing to say, and anyone can say it. But if you want to find out whether this is a value your organization actually holds, chat with people who know your organization well but aren’t employed by you. What do they say? Their answers will show you the most accurate picture.
Since you know your own heart better than anyone else, it all starts with you. Ask yourself, “Do I place a high value on people?” If you do, it will show up in how you treat them. If you treat them right, God will bless your efforts. And the Bible says, “The blessing of the Lord makes rich” (Proverbs 10:22 ESV).
Soul food: 1 Ki 8-9; Mark 8:14-26; Ps 47; Prov 12:4-6
2025-05-18
Proverbs 23:24 MSG
As a parent, you want your children to turn out well, and the best way to do that is by modelling proper behaviour at home (See Ephesians 5:1 MSG). Learn to say no.
Susan Alexander Yates says: “There are simply too many demands… choices, and too little time. Maturity means learning to postpone something you’d really like to do now… to focus on something even more important. Maybe it’s that career opportunity so you can have more time with your children, or that outing with your friends so you’re around when your teens have their friends at your house. Maybe you need to say ‘no’ to your kids being in yet another sports team so your family can have dinner together. Ask yourself, in 10 years, what will matter most – that you signed your child up for yet another activity and spent evenings apart, or said ‘no’ and had family dinners together? Or that you participated in… another committee, or said ‘no’ so you could spend more time with your husband?
Pursue Christ with fresh vigor… I pray King David’s prayer: ‘Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me’ (Psalm 51:12 NIV). Resolve to recapture that joy. Vary… your time alone with God. Decide on a new topic for Bible study. Begin a fresh journal… If you… still feel stale, ask God to show you the reason. Is there sin in your life you’re ignoring? A wrong relationship, self-pity, jealousy?”
The Bible says, “Throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV).” Always be aware that the kids are watching you.
Soul food: Exo 20:14; Prov 6:23-35; Matt 5:27-28; John 8:1-11
Spreuke 23:24 NLV
As ouer wil jy graag hê dat jou kinders goed moet uitdraai en die beste manier om dit te doen, is deur voorbeeldige gedrag tuis te vertoon (sien Efesiërs 5:1). Leer om nee te sê.
Susan Alexander Yates sê: ‘Daar is eenvoudig te veel eise en keuses en te min tyd. Volwassenheid beteken om te leer om iets wat jy regtig graag wil doen uit te stel, om sodoende op iets belangriker te kan fokus. Miskien stel jy daardie loopbaangeleentheid uit sodat jy meer tyd saam met jou kinders kan hê, of daardie uitstappie saam met jou vriende sodat jy daar is wanneer jou tieners hul vriende by jou huis onthaal. Miskien moet jy vir nog ‘n skoolsport ‘nee’ sê, sodat jou gesin saam aandete kan eet. Vra jouself wat oor 10 jaar gaan saak maak – dat jy jou kind vir nog ‘n aktiwiteit ingeskryf het en aande apart deurgebring het, of ‘nee’ gesê het en sodoende saam as gesin aandete geëet het?
Jaag Christus met nuwe krag na. Ek bid koning Dawid se gebed: ‘Help my om weer opgewonde en bly te wees. Help my om te jubel van vreugde…’ (Psalm 51:10 DB). Besluit om daardie vreugde te herwin. Verander jou alleentyd met God. Besluit op ‘n nuwe onderwerp in jou Bybelstudie. As jy nog steeds afgerem voel, vra God om vir jou die rede te wys. Is daar sonde in jou lewe wat jy ignoreer? ‘n Verkeerde verhouding, selfbejammering, jaloesie?’
Die Bybel sê: ‘…kom ons stroop alles af wat ons spoed kan vertraag, veral die sonde wat so maklik ‘n houvas op ‘n mens kry. Kom ons hardloop met volharding op die baan wat voor ons uitgestrek lê, ons oë vasgenael op Jesus…’ (Hebreërs 12:1-2 NLV). Wees altyd bewus dat die kinders jou dophou.
Sielskos: Eks 20:14; Spr 6:23-35; Matt 5:27-28; Joh 8:1-11
2025-05-17
Ephesians 5:1 MSG
Susan Alexander Yates offers us scriptural guidelines for influencing our kids.
(1) Reach out to non-Christians. If you want kids to grow in faith, expose them to people who need faith. God called us to be “salt and light” (See Matthew 5:13-16), but that won’t happen if you spend all your free time with fellow believers. Plus, kids are more likely to reach out to others when they see it modelled at home. Befriend someone who is not a believer, like a neighbour, a coworker, a teacher or coach, or your hairstylist. Reaching out can feel scary, but when you risk it, God will work through you in exciting ways.
(2) Model gratitude. No one enjoys a whiny kid, including God. And when we appreciate Him, it delights His heart. “Children… learn… from their parents;” they pick up on your attitude. Your mood fills the atmosphere of your home, and if you whine, they’re more likely to complain. When you dwell on the negative, they learn to focus on what’s lacking.
(3) Make time for your spouse. We get busy with kids, jobs, and church activities, and we think we will spend time with our spouse when things calm down. The problem is – they never do. Don’t let the weeds of so-called important things choke your relationship. Nurture it; look for ways to bring you and your spouse closer. Start with a weekly date. Your kids’ security is based on knowing you love them, and it soars when they know you love each other! The Bible says, “Wise children become proud parents” (Proverbs 23:24 MSG). You’re raising the next generation, and they need to know a happy marriage takes time and effort.
Soul food: 1 Ki 6-7; Mark 8:1-13; Ps 97; Prov 12:1-3
Efesiërs 5:1 DB
Susan Alexander Yates bied vir ons Skriftuurlike riglyne aan oor hoe om invloed oor ons kinders uit te oefen.
1) Ryk na nie-Christene uit. As jy wil hê dat jou kinders in geloof moet groei, moet jy hulle aan mense wat geloof nodig het, blootstel. God het ons geroep om sout en lig vir die aarde te wees (sien Matteus 5:13-16), maar dit sal nie gebeur as jy al jou vrye tyd saam met gelowiges deurbring nie. Kinders is ook meer geneig om na ander uit te reik wanneer hulle ‘n voorbeeld daarvan by die huis sien. Om uit te reik kan skrikwekkend voel, maar wanneer jy dit waag, sal God op opwindende maniere deur jou werk.
2) Bewys dankbaarheid. Niemand, insluitend God, geniet ‘n kind wat neul nie. Wanneer ons Hom waardeer, behaag dit sy hart. Kinders neem jou houding waar. Wanneer jy aanhoudend kla, sal hulle meer geneig wees om te neul. Wanneer jy op die negatiewe fokus, leer hulle om op dit wat kortkom, te fokus.
3) Maak tyd vir jou eggenoot. Ons raak besig met die kinders, die werk en aktiwiteite by die kerk en dink dat ons tyd met ons eggenoot sal bestee wanneer dinge gekalmeer het. Die probleem is dat dit nooit doen nie. Moenie dat die onkruid van sogenaamde belangrike dinge, jou verhouding verwurg nie. Jou kinders se sekuriteit word op die wete dat jy hulle liefhet gebaseer, maar dit kry vlerke wanneer hulle weet dat julle vir mekaar lief is! Die Bybel sê: ‘…’n Wyse kind verskaf sy ouers groot vreugde’ (Spreuke 23:24 NLV). Jy maak die volgende generasie groot en hulle moet weet dat ‘n gelukkige huwelik tyd en inspanning verg.
Sielskos: 1 Kon 6-7; Mark 8:1-13; Ps 97; Spr 12:1-3
