2025-08-29
Romans 12:8 NLT
There is a two-fold challenge in developing leaders: (1) Emerging leaders many times want to take the lead before they’re actually ready. (2) Potential leaders can only become mature leaders when they’re permitted to develop and exercise their initiative. How does this happen? Through good timing! Paul writes, “Never be in a hurry about appointing a church leader” (1 Timothy 5:22 NLT). Again he writes, “An elder must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall” (1 Timothy 3:6 NLT).
So, here is the challenge: If you rush the timing, you bypass the growth process, but if you delay leaders when they’re ready to move, you inhibit their growth. Something that can help you execute the timing concern is identifying whether your mentality is one of lack or abundance. If you think you only have an inadequate amount of resources and a restricted number of opportunities, then you may hesitate to let your leaders take risks – because you may believe the organization will be unable to recoup from mistakes. But if you think opportunities are unlimited and God’s resources are renewable and infinite, you will be more inclined to take risks and have faith in your ability to recover.
Think about this: How did you become a leader? Through experience and making mistakes – right? That’s how others become leaders too! Pulitzer Prize-winning author Garry Wills said about levels of leaders, “Leaders have a say in what they are being led to. A leader who neglects that soon finds himself without followers.” Bottom line: It takes a secure leader to let others participate in the process.
Soul food: Eze 20-21; Matt 22:15-22; Ps 111; Pro 19:18-20
2025-08-28
1 Corinthians 9:27 NLT
Physical exercise strengthens your immune system so that you can fight off heart disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, thyroid malfunction, impaired memory, and a host of maladies. The best kind of exercise is the one you like and is the most convenient. Here are the two biggest reasons we’re inconsistent in following an exercise program: First, we lose interest in it because we don’t get much satisfaction out of it. Second, it demands too much time or effort.
Whether you go for a fast-moving walk or attend a high-energy fitness class, almost any physical activity will relax and reenergize your body. Exercise at least thirty minutes a day, a minimum of five days a week. And the apostle Paul gives us the key to success in one word: discipline. “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should” (v. 27 NLT).
Additionally, physical activity can help you to reduce stress, lose weight and keep it off, and feel better about yourself. If you can’t find time for an official workout, try gradually growing the activity into your lifestyle. Park farther away from the store so you have to take more steps to enter it. Walk up the stairs instead of riding the elevator.
As a redeemed child of God, here is an all-important reason for staying physically fit: “Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you… therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NKJV). Prayer: “Father, help me to do some sort of physical activity regularly.”
Soul food: Eze 16:53-19:14; Matt 22:1-14; Ps 103:13-22; Pro 19:17
1 Korintiërs 9:27 NLV
Fisiese oefening versterk jou immuunstelsel sodat jy hartsiektes, kanker, diabetes, vetsug, hoë bloeddruk, skildklierwanfunksie, verswakte geheue en ‘n magdom ander kwale kan beveg. Die beste soort oefening is die een waarvan jy hou en die gerieflikste is. Hier is die twee grootste redes waarom ons nie ‘n oefenprogram konsekwent volg nie: Eerstens verloor ons belangstelling daarin omdat ons nie veel bevrediging daaruit kry nie. Tweedens verg dit te veel tyd of moeite.
Of jy nou ‘n vinnige stappie neem of ‘n hoë-energie fiksheidsklas bywoon, amper enige fisiese aktiwiteit sal jou liggaam laat ontspan en jou weer energie gee. Oefen ten minste dertig minute per dag, ‘n minimum van vyf dae per week. Paulus som vir ons die sleutel tot sukses in een woord op: dissipline. ‘Ek brei my liggaam en dissiplineer dit om werklik bruikbaar te wees…’ (vers 27 NLV).
Fisiese oefening kan jou ook help om stres te verminder, gewig te verloor en dit af te hou en beter oor jouself te voel. As jy nie tyd vir ‘n amptelike oefensessie het nie, probeer om oefening geleidelik in jou leefstyl in te sluit. Parkeer verder van die winkel af, sodat jy verder tot daar moet loop. Neem die trappe, eerder as om met die hysbak te ry.
As verloste kind van God is daar ‘n baie belangrike rede om fisies fiks te bly: ‘Of verstaan julle nie dat julle liggame ‘n tempel van die Heilige Gees is wat in julle woon… nie?.. Daarom moet julle God met julle liggaam verheerlik’ (1 Korintiërs 6:19-20 NLV). Bid die volgende: ‘Here, help my om gereeld ‘n vorm van fisiese oefening te doen.’
Sielskos: Eseg 16:53-19:14; Matt 22:1-14; Ps 103:13-22; Spr 19:17
2025-08-27
Psalm 118:24 NLV
Wanneer dit moeilik gaan en jy in die versoeking kom om oor jou lot in die lewe te kla, stop en herinner jouself dat vandag ‘n gawe van God is, een wat jy nooit weer sal oorhê nie. Dink aan die volgende woorde wat jou sal help: Net vir vandag sal ek elke uur ten volle ervaar en geniet en nie al my probleme op een slag probeer oplos nie. Net vir vandag sal ek my kennis probeer verbreed deur iets nuuts te leer; ek sal iets lees wat inspanning, dinkwerk, konsentrasie en toewyding verg. Net vir vandag sal ek aangenaam wees. Ek sal probeer om op my beste te lyk, sag te praat en hoflik en bedagsaam teenoor ander te wees.
Net vir vandag sal ek nie probeer foutvind of enigiemand anders as myself probeer verbeter nie. Net vir vandag sal ek ‘n plan en ‘n doelwit hê. Ek sal dit dalk nie presies volg nie, maar ek sal nietemin een hê. Deur dit te doen, sal ek myself van twee vyande – haas en besluiteloosheid – red.
Net vir vandag sal ek my karakter ontwikkel. Ek sal iets goeds doen en dit vir myself hou; as enigiemand daarvan uitvind, tel dit nie. Net vir vandag sal ek iets doen waarvoor ek nie lus is nie. Sodoende sal ek my gees oefen om my vlees te oorheers en my wil om my emosies te oorheers. Net vir vandag sal ek nie bang wees om lief te hê of te waag nie; ek sal poog om al God se seëninge te geniet en glo dat elke saad wat ek in sy koninkryk saai, vermenigvuldig na my toe sal terugkom. Dis hoe ek sal lewe – net vir vandag!
Sielskos: Eseg 14:1-16:52; Matt 21:33-46; Ps 103:1-12; Spr 19:12-16
Psalm 118:24 KJV
When the going gets tough, and you’re tempted to complain about your lot in life, stop and remind yourself that this day is a gift from God, one you will never have again. Think about the following words and they will help you: Just for today, I will experience and enjoy each hour to the fullest and not try to tackle my whole life’s problems all at once. Just for today, I will try to improve my mind by learning more than I know; I will read something that requires effort, thought, concentration, and commitment. Just for today, I will be agreeable. I will try to look my best, speak softly, and be courteous and considerate to others.
Just for today, I won’t find fault or try to change or improve anyone but myself. Just for today, I will have a plan and a goal. I might not follow it exactly, but I will have one, nonetheless. By doing that, I will save myself from two enemies – hurry and indecision.
Just for today, I will develop my character. I will do a good turn and keep it a secret; if anyone finds out, it won’t count. Just for today, I will do something I don’t want to do. That way, I will train my spirit to overrule my flesh, and my will to overrule my emotions. Just for today, I won’t be afraid to love or to risk; I will endeavour to enjoy all God’s blessings and believe that every seed I sow in His kingdom will be multiplied back to me many times over. That’s how I will live – just for today!
Soul food: Eze 14:1-16:52; Matt 21:33-46; Ps 103:1-12; Pro 19:12-16
