2026-07-11
James 5:11 NKJV
James wrote: “My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord – that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful” (James 5:10-11 NKJV). Here we are reminded to look back and be challenged and encouraged by those who went before us as we await the Lord’s coming.
Look back at Hosea: His wife deserted him, but he faithfully hung in there and God restored their marriage (Hosea 3:1-3). Look back at Daniel: He was thrown into a lions’ den for standing firm in his faith, but God delivered and promoted him (Daniel 6:1-28). Look back at Jeremiah: He was arrested, accused of being a traitor, and thrown into a well to die (Jeremiah 37-38). But he looked up, and God delivered him.
Then there’s the roll call of the faithful listed in Hebrews eleven! Those of us who have been rejected by family members can look back to Abel (v. 4). Those who are misunderstood can look back to Noah (v. 7). Those battling a crisis of faith and who seem to be up against the impossible can look back to Abraham (vv. 8-10). If you’ve been used or abused, look back to Joseph (v. 22). Those confronted by seemingly insurmountable obstacles in life can look back to Joshua (v. 30). Those seeking to move beyond a sinful past can look back to Rahab (v. 31).
So, this is the word for you today: Look back and be encouraged.
Soul food: 2 Sam 20:1-22:30; Matt 26:14-25; Ps 109:16-31; Pro 18:1-3
2026-07-10
1 Korintiërs 11:24 NLV
Hier is drie redes waarom jy nagmaal moet gebruik:
1) Om jou bewus van die grootheid van God se genade te maak. Niemand gaan ooit in die hemel aankom en sê: ‘Kyk wat het ek en Jesus bereik!’ nie. As jy een sent van jou sondeskuld betaal het, sou dit jou ‘n mede-verlosser met Christus gemaak het. Wat ‘n bespotting van die kruis! (sien Efesiërs 2:8-9). Die gesangeskrywer Horatio Spafford het geskryf: ‘My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought. My sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!’
2) Om jou sensitief vir sonde te hou. ‘Dit is waarom julle julleself moet ondersoek voordat julle van die brood eet en uit die beker drink. Want as julle sommer so op ‘n onbedagsame manier van die brood eet en uit die beker drink, drink en eet julle ‘n oordeel oor julleself’ (1 Korintiërs 11:28-29 NLV). Jy vra: ‘As ek sondig en nagmaal gebruik, beteken dit dat ek myself dan verdoem?’ Nee, die manier waarop jy God nader, is wat belangrik is. Jy hoef nie die nagmaalbeker te vermy nie; maar jy moet jou sondes bely en dan met dankbaarheid drink.
3) Om jou op Christus se wederkoms gefokus te hou. ‘…Ek [sal] nie weer wyn drink nie tot op daardie dag wanneer Ek opnuut die feeswyn sal drink in die koningkryk van God’ (Markus 14:25 NLV). Elke nagmaaldiens bring jou een stap nader aan die grootste nagmaaldiens van almal: die bruilofsmaal van die Lam in die hemel (sien Openbaring 19:7). Beplan jy om daar te wees?
Sielskos: 2 Sam 17:14-19:43; Matt 26:1-13; Ps 109:1-15; Spr 17:27-28
1 Corinthians 11:24 NKJV
Here are three reasons you need to partake of Holy Communion:
(1) To make you grace-minded. No one will ever stand in heaven and say, “Look what Jesus and I have accomplished.” If you had to pay one penny of your debt of sin, it would make you a co-redeemer with Christ. What an offence to the cross! (Ephesians 2:8-9.) Hymnist Horatio Spafford wrote: “My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought. My sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!”
(2) To keep you sensitive to sin. “… Let a man examine himself and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself… ” (1 Corinthians 11:28-29 NKJV). You say, “If I sin and take communion, does that mean I’m drinking liquid damnation?” No, it’s the “manner” in which you approach God that counts. You don’t have to avoid the communion cup; you need only confess your sin, then drink deeply with gratitude.
(3) To keep you focused on Christ’s return. “… I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God” (Mark 14:25 NKJV). Every communion service brings you one step closer to the greatest communion service of all: the marriage supper of the Lamb in heaven (Revelation 19:7). Are you planning on being there?
Soul food: 2 Sam 17:14-19:43; Matt 26:1-13; Ps 109:1-15; Pro 17:27-28
2026-07-09
Romeine 8:5 NLV
Neurowetenskaplikes noem dat elke klank, elke ervaring, elke bewuste gedagte en elke onbewustelike droom opgeneem en op ons eksterne hardeskyf, die serebrale korteks, gegraveer word. Vergelyk dit nou met die volgende Skrifgedeelte: ‘Julle gesindheid moet soos Jesus Christus s’n wees’ (Filippense 2:5 NLV). Jesus Christus se gesindheid is die Woord van God. Jesus is immers ‘die Woord’ (sien Johannes 1:1).
Wanneer jy bid, mediteer, of die Skrif memoriseer, graveer jy Jesus op jou brein. Neurologies gesproke maak jy nuwe neuroverbindings en herlei oues. Stadig maar seker word jou brein herbedraad en vernuwe. Dink so daaraan – jy laai God se woorde en gedagtes op jou hardeskyf af. Mettertyd word jou hardeskyf dan deur God se woorde en gedagtes opgegradeer, totdat Christus se gesindheid in jou gedagtes begin vorm.
Mark Batterson sê dat hy die Bybel as volg lees: ‘Ek lees totdat ek ‘n vers teëkom wat my aandag trek en laat huiwer. Dis dikwels iets waaroor ek moet dink of bid. Soms is dit die oortuiging van die Heilige Gees en moet ek eers ‘n gesprek met God hê voor ek kan voortgaan. Wanneer ek by so ‘n vers kom, doen ek drie dinge: Eerstens onderstreep of omkring ek die vers in my Bybel. Tweedens skryf ek dit met die hand in my joernaal neer. Derdens skryf ek gedagtes, belydenisse en idees wat daarmee geassosieer word, neer. Wanneer ek voel dat die Heilige Gees afsluiting bring, beweeg ek aan na die volgende vers.’
Dit is drie goeie idees wat ook vir jou sal werk.
Sielskos: 2 Sam 14:21-17:13; Matt 25:31-46; Ps 79; Spr 17:24-26
Romans 8:5 ESV
Neuroscientists tell us that every sound, every experience, every conscious thought, and every subconscious dream is recorded and literally engraved on our external hard drive, the cerebral cortex. Now juxtapose that with this: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5 NKJV). Simply put: the mind of Christ is the Word of God. After all, Jesus is “the Word” (John 1:1).
When you pray, or meditate, or memorize Scripture, you are engraving Jesus on your brain. Neurologically speaking, you are recruiting new neuro connections and rerouting old ones. Slowly but surely, your brain is being rewired and renewed. Think of it as mind sync. You are downloading the very words, the very thoughts of God. And over time, those downloads are upgrades that form the mind of Christ in us.
Note what author Mark Batterson says about how he reads the Bible, “I continue until I come to any verse that may suggest pausing. It’s often something I need to think about or pray about. Sometimes it’s the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and I need to have a conversation with God before I continue… When I come to one of those verses, I do three things: First, I underline it or circle it in my Bible. Second, I write it out in longhand in my journal. Third, I journal thoughts, confessions, and ideas associated with it. Then, when I feel like the Holy Spirit brings closure, I go on to the next verse.”
Those are three great ideas that will work for you too.
Soul food: 2 Sam 14:21-17:13; Matt 25:31-46; Ps 79; Pro 17:24-26
