2025-07-26
Efesiërs 6:8 NLV
Wanneer God jou vra om iets namens iemand anders op te offer, doen dit. Dis soos om geld in ‘n hemelse spaarrekening te belê. Jy mag dit dalk nie vandag of môre nodig kry nie, maar wanneer jy doen, sal God sorg dat jy dit vermenigvuldig terugkry.
Die Indiese Christelike sendeling, Sadhu Sundar Singh, en ‘n metgesel was besig om deur ‘n bergpas hoog in die Himalajas te reis toe hulle ‘n liggaam in die sneeu vind. Hulle het die liggaam ondersoek en ontdek dat die man nog net-net lewe. Terwyl Sundar begin het om die ongelukkige reisiger te help, het sy metgesel beswaar gemaak en gesê: ‘Ons sal ons lewens verloor as ons onsself met hom belas.’ Sundar kon hom egter nie indink om die man in die sneeu agter te laat, sonder om ‘n poging aan te wend om hom te red nie. Sy metgesel het hom gegroet en verder geloop. Sundar het die reisiger op sy rug gelaai en met groot inspanning – wat deur die hoë hoogte en sneeutoestande vererger is – verder gedra.
Terwyl hy geloop het, het die hitte van sy liggaam die bevrore man begin warm maak. Hy het weer bygekom, en gou het hulle langs mekaar geloop, mekaar ondersteun en liggaamshitte gedeel. Nie lank daarna nie, het hulle op ‘n ander reisiger se liggaam in die sneeu afgekom en by nadere ondersoek het hulle besef dat hy reeds dood was. Jy het reg geraai. Dit was Sundar se oorspronklike reisgenoot!
Wat is die les hieruit te leer? Wat jy vir ander mense laat gebeur, sal God vir jou laat gebeur! Die Bybel sê: ‘Doen julle werk entoesiasties… Julle weet mos dat die Here elke mens wat sy werk goed doen, sal beloon…’ (verse 7-8 NLV).
Sielskos: Deut 11-13; Matt 12:38-50; Ps 78:17-31; Spr 16:26-30
Ephesians 6:8 NIV
When God asks you to sacrifice on behalf of somebody else, do it. It’s like putting money in a heavenly account. You may not need it today or tomorrow, but when you do, God will ensure it comes back to you in multiplied form.
Indian Christian missionary Sadhu Sundar Singh and a companion were traveling through a pass high in the Himalayas when they found a body lying in the snow. They checked for vital signs and discovered the man was still alive, but barely. As Sundar prepared to stop and help this unfortunate traveller, his companion objected, saying, “We shall lose our lives if we burden ourselves with him.” Sundar, however, couldn’t comprehend leaving the man to die in the snow without an attempt at rescue. His companion bade him farewell and walked on. Sundar lifted the traveller on his back and, with great exertion – made greater by the high altitude and snowy conditions – carried him onward.
As he walked, the heat from his body began to warm the frozen man. He revived, and soon they were walking together side by side, holding each other up and sharing body heat. Before long, they came upon another traveller’s body lying in the snow, and on closer inspection, they discovered he was dead. You guessed it. It was Sundar’s original traveling companion!
So, what’s the lesson in all this? What you make happen for others, God will make happen for you! The Bible says, “Serve wholeheartedly… because… the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do” (vv. 7-8 NIV).
Soul food: Deut 11-13; Matt 12:38-50; Ps 78:17-31; Pro 16:26-30
2025-07-25
Genesis 40:6 NLT
Joseph was serving a prison sentence for a crime he didn’t commit, which makes it remarkable that he had the time and energy to care about anybody else. “Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer and chief baker offended their royal master… and he put them in prison… Joseph… noticed that they both looked upset. ‘Why do you look so worried today?’ he asked them. And they replied, ‘We both had dreams last night, but no one can tell us what they mean'” (vv. 1, 3, 6-8 NLT). Joseph interpreted their dreams, and as a result, the cupbearer got his job back in Pharaoh’s palace.
When Pharaoh had a dream no one could interpret, the cupbearer introduced him to Joseph, who interpreted his dream. As a result, Joseph became prime minister of Egypt and was positioned to save his family from extinction. But there is more to the story. From the family Joseph saved came the Redeemer of the world who saved you. This amazing chain of events begins with two words, “Joseph noticed.”
Remember the dying man on the Jericho Road? “A certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side… But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So, he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him” (Luke 10:31, 33-34 NKJV). Jesus ends His parable with these words: “Go and do likewise” (v. 37 NKJV). So, ask God to help you “notice” and for the grace to respond.
Soul food: Deut 8-10; Matt 12:22-37; Ps 78:9-16; Pro 16:25
Genesis 40:6 AFR83
Josef was in die tronk vir ‘n misdaad wat hy nie gepleeg het nie, wat dit opmerklik maak dat hy die tyd en energie gehad het om oor enigiemand anders om te gee. “‘n Ruk nadat Josef in die tronk gesit is, het ‘n skinker en ‘n bakker van Egipte se koning verkeerd opgetree… Die farao… het hulle in dieselfde tronk laat sit waarin Josef opgesluit was… Josef het die volgende môre… vir die twee… gevra: ‘Waarom lyk julle vandag so bedruk?’ Hulle het hom geantwoord: ‘Ons het elkeen ‘n droom gehad en ons weet nie wat dit beteken nie…'” (verse 1, 3, 6-8 AFR 83). Josef het hulle drome uitgelê en sodoende het die skinker sy werk in die farao se paleis teruggekry.
Toe farao ‘n droom gehad het wat niemand kon uitlê nie, het die skinker hom aan Josef voorgestel. Gevolglik het Josef oor Egipte geheers en was hy in ‘n posisie om sy familie van uitsterwing te red. Uit die familie wat Josef gered het, is die Verlosser van die wêreld gebore wat jou gered het. Hierdie wonderbaarlike sameloop van omstandighede begin met drie woorde: ‘Josef het opgemerk.’
Onthou die sterwende man op die pad na Jerigo? ‘Toevallig kom daar ‘n Joodse priester verby, maar toe hy die man daar sien lê, het hy die pad oorgesteek en aan die ander kant by hom verbygegaan… Toe het ‘n veragte Samaritaan verbygekom, en toe hy die man sien, het hy hom innig jammer gekry. Die Samaritaan kniel toe langs hom, behandel sy wonde met medisyne, en verbind dit…’ (Lukas 10:31, 33-34 NLV). Jesus sluit hierdie gelykenis met die volgende woorde af: “…’Ja, gaan nou, en doen dieselfde'” (vers 37 NLV).
Vra dus vir God om jou te help ‘opmerk’ en vir die genade om dan te reageer.
Sielskos: Deut 8-10; Matt 12:22-37; Ps 78:9-16; Spr 16:25
2025-07-24
Amos 3:3 NIV
Relationships are built on mutual trust – and trust is based on speaking the truth. But there are ways of speaking the truth that help and ways that hurt. The “give-them-a-piece-of-my-mind” approach just drives the wedge deeper. Then there is the Bible way: “Speaking the truth in love, we will grow” (Ephesians 4:15 NIV). Let’s suppose a couple fights because he is habitually late. How can she make sure her message gets across? Well, she could say to him:
(a) “I feel frustrated.” No blame, no attack; just an honest sharing of how she feels.
(b) “When you are late…” No judging, name-calling, or labelling; just a description of how she sees his action.
(c) “It seems to say to me that my time isn’t really important to you.” No moralizing; just honestly sharing her emotions.
(d) “In the future, can you please try to be on time or call me and let me know when you will be here?” Instead of focusing on past actions he can’t change, she is telling him what she would like him to do differently next time.
(e) “Would you be willing to do that for me?” No demanding or taking for granted; just asking for consideration and cooperation. And when he agrees, they have an implied “contract.”
She thanks him sincerely and rewards every effort he makes to keep his word. In effect, she has just realigned the relationship by making him an ally instead of an adversary. She has also redefined the focus as a shared one, not something she “does to him!” Like the Bible says, we can “walk together” when we have “agreed to do so.”
Soul food: Deut 5-7; Matt 12:15-21; Ps 78:1-8; Pro 16:23-24
