2026-02-06
Romans 12:10 NKJV
Have you ever noticed how quick we are to accuse someone else of some of the very things we excuse in ourselves? In so doing, we practice a double standard, requiring more from others than of ourselves. Jesus said, “Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3 NKJV). The double standard works like this:
1) When others are set in their ways, they’re obstinate – but you are firm and resolved.
2) When your neighbour doesn’t like your friend, she’s prejudiced – but when you don’t like her friend, you’re a good judge of character.
3) When she tries to treat someone especially well, she’s buttering them up – but when you do so, you’re being thoughtful.
4) When she takes time to do things well, she’s lazy – but when you do so, you’re meticulous.
5) When she spends a lot, she’s reckless and undisciplined – but when you do the same thing, you’re generous.
6) When she picks flaws in things, she’s critical – but when you do, you’re perceptive.
7) When she’s mild-mannered, you call her weak – but when you are, you’re gracious.
8) When she dresses well, she’s extravagant – but when you do, you’re tastefully in style.
9) When she says what she thinks, she’s spiteful – but when you do, you’re being honest.
10) When she takes risks, she’s foolhardy – but when you do, you’re brave. Paul wrote: “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honour giving preference to one another.” So, the word for you today is: Let us honour one another.
Soul food: Num 27-29; Luke 8:26-39; Ps 67; Prov 4:1-2
2026-02-05
Galatians 6:4 MSG
Paul wrote: “Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life” (vv. 4-5). Jesus was insistent on this. After the resurrection, He appeared to some of His followers. He gave Peter a specific pastoral assignment that included great sacrifice. Peter responded by pointing at John and asking, “‘Lord, what about him?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to live until I come back, that is not your business. You follow me'” (John 21:21-22 NCV). In other words, stay focused on your own assignment.
A little boy named Adam wanted to be like his friend Bobby. Adam loved the way Bobby walked and talked. Bobby, however, wanted to be like Charlie. Something about Charlie’s stride and accent intrigued him. Charlie, on the other hand, was impressed with Danny. Charlie wanted to look and sound like him. Danny, of all things, had a hero as well: Adam. He wanted to be just like Adam. So, Adam was imitating Bobby, who was imitating Charlie, who was imitating Danny, who was imitating Adam. It turns out that all Adam needed to do was to be himself!
You can learn from others, but you can only find joy and fulfillment in being who God created you to be. So stay in your own lane. Run your own race. Nothing good happens when you compare and compete. Furthermore, God will not evaluate and reward you according to the talents of others, but according to how faithful you were with the gifts He gave you. You are not responsible for the nature of your gifts, but for how you use them.
Soul food: Num 25-26; Luke 8:16-25; Ps 120; Prov 3:33-35
Galasiërs 6:4 NLV
Paulus het geskryf: ‘Daarom moet julle almal eerder julle eie gedrag toets. Dan kan julle op julleself trots wees, sonder om julle met iemand anders te vergelyk. Ons weet tog: Almal sal oor hulleself verantwoording moet doen’ (verse 4-5 NLV). Jesus het hierop aangedring. Na sy opstanding het Jesus aan sommige van sy volgelinge verskyn. Hy het Petrus ‘n spesifieke opdrag gegee wat groot opoffering ingesluit het. Petrus het gereageer deur na Johannes te wys en te vra: “…’Wat van hom, Here?’ Jesus reageer daarop: ‘As Ek wil hê dat hy moet bly leef totdat Ek terugkeer, wat het dit met jou te doen? Volg jy net vir My!'” (Johannes 21:21-22 NLV). Met ander woorde, bly op jou eie opdrag gefokus.
‘n Seuntjie met die naam Adam wou soos sy vriend Bobby wees. Adam was mal oor hoe Bobby geloop en gepraat het. Bobby wou egter soos Charlie wees. Iets omtrent Charlie se tred en aksent het hom gefassineer. Charlie, aan die ander kant, was beïndruk met Danny. Charlie wou soos hy lyk en klink. Danny het egter ook ‘n held gehad: Adam. Hy wou net soos Adam wees. So, Adam het Bobby nageboots, wat Charlie nageboots het, wat Danny nageboots het, wat Adam nageboots het. Dit blyk dat al wat Adam moes doen, was om homself te wees!
Jy kan by ander mense leer, maar jy kan slegs vreugde en vervulling in wie God jou geskape het om te wees, vind. Bly dus in jou eie baan. Hardloop jou eie wedloop. God sal jou nie volgens die talente van ander evalueer en beloon nie, maar volgens hoe getrou jy met die gawes wat Hy jou gegee het, was. Jy is nie verantwoordelik vir die aard van jou gawes nie, maar vir hoe jy dit gebruik.
Sielskos: Num 25-26; Luk 8:16-25; Ps 120; Spr 3:33-35
2026-02-04
Proverbs 22:6 NKJV
Whether you lead at home, in church, or in business, you’ll be called upon to make hard and unpopular decisions for the good of all concerned. This is particularly so for parents. Those who fear rejection or loss of a child’s affection often “go along to get along.” That’s a selfish decision, because you’re putting your own need to be loved and accepted above your child’s long-term need for structure and self-discipline. How far do you think your child will get in life without these things?
Sadly, many parents are too insecure to discipline their children because they want to maintain their friendship. Since when did a parent’s role include being a friend? If mothers and fathers are honest, they’ll admit that they frequently say yes when they should say no to make up for the lack of time they spend with their kids. Of course, we know that an investment of quality time yields a better payoff in the long term than anything else a parent can do.
Paradoxically, children will usually end up disrespecting or even resenting a parent who operates in that kind of insecurity because it leaves children emotionally underdeveloped and ill-equipped to handle the pressures and responsibilities of adulthood. By repeatedly giving in to your child, you are postponing their maturity. Sometimes what’s called for is tough love. Hence the Bible says, “Train up a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” So seek God’s wisdom, guidance, and strength, and He will help you become the kind of parent your child needs.
Soul food: Num 22-24; Luke 8:1-15; Ps 108; Prov 3:31-32
Spreuke 22:6 NLV
Wanneer jy as leier optree, of dit nou tuis, by die kerk of by die werk is, sal jy soms moeilike en ongewilde besluite vir die beswil van almal betrokke, moet neem. Dit is veral vir ouers die geval. Diegene wat in vrees vir ‘n kind se verwerping of verlies van ‘n kind se liefde leef, sukkel dikwels om grense te stel en dissipline toe te pas. Dit is ‘n selfsugtige optrede, want jy stel jou eie behoefte om geliefd en aanvaar te word, bo jou kind se langtermynbehoefte aan struktuur en selfdissipline. Hoe ver dink jy sal jou kind daarsonder in die lewe kom?
Ongelukkig is baie ouers te onseker om hul kinders te dissiplineer, omdat hulle hul vriendskap wil behou. Indien ouers eerlik is, sal hulle erken dat hulle gereeld ja sê wanneer hulle eintlik nee moet sê, om sodoende te vergoed vir die gebrek aan tyd wat hulle saam met hul kinders deurbring. Ons weet dat ‘n belegging van kwaliteitstyd op die lange duur ‘n beter opbrengs as enigiets anders wat ‘n ouer kan doen, sal lewer.
Interessant genoeg sal kinders dikwels oneerbiedig of selfs wrokkig teenoor ‘n onseker ouer optree, omdat die kind nie emosioneel ontwikkel nie en swak toegerus is om die druk en verantwoordelikhede van volwassenheid te hanteer. Deur herhaaldelik aan jou kind toe te gee, stel jy hul volwassenheid uit. Soms is dit nodig om streng liefde toe te pas. Daarom sê die Bybel: ‘Leer ‘n jongmens om die regte pad te kies, en wanneer hy eendag oud is, sal hy nie daarvan afwyk nie.’ Soek dus God se wysheid, leiding en krag, en Hy sal jou help om die soort ouer te word wat jou kind nodig het.
Sielskos: Num 22-24; Luk 8:1-15; Ps 108; Spr 3:31-32
