2025-08-08
1 Corinthians 9:25 NKJV
In describing our heavenly rewards, the Bible speaks of crowns. Let’s look at each and see what we can learn.
The first is the victor’s crown. “Everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (vv. 25-27 NKJV). Paul points out that athletes who expect to win must actively train. And we, likewise, must retain self-control even in things that, although not inherently evil, can weaken our devotion to God.
A pastor explains: “Sometimes we have to turn off the television so we can study our Bibles. We have to get up earlier in the mornings to have our daily devotions. We have to exercise self-control in what comes into our minds. We can’t watch many of today’s television programs or movies – much less the streaming material accessible on our phones and computers – without violating biblical standards of personal holiness. We can’t subject our bodies to drug or alcohol abuse or allow immorality to creep into our relationships. We’ve got to keep our tempers [and tongues] under the control of the Holy Spirit… and we have to depend on God to strengthen us in our resolutions to live disciplined lives.”
The Bible says, “Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown” – the victor’s crown.
Soul food: Judg 1-3; Matt 15:29-39; Ps 119:49-56; Pro 17:18-21
2025-08-07
1 Corinthians 6:20 MSG
Columnist Ann Landers wrote: “Girls need to prove their love through illicit sexual relations like a moose needs a hat rack. Why not prove your love by sticking your head in the oven and turning on the gas or by playing leapfrog in the traffic? It’s about as safe. Clear the cobwebs out of your head! Any fellow who asks you to prove your love is trying to take you for the biggest, most gullible fool who ever walked. That proving it bit is one of the… rottenest lines ever invented… Someone who loves you wants whatever is best for you. But now figure it out. He wants you to commit an immoral act, surrender your virtue, throw away your self-respect, risk the loss of your precious reputation, and risk getting [pregnant, getting diseased, or] into trouble. [Wise up!] He wants… what is best for him; he wants a thrill he can brag about at your expense.
Love? Who’s kidding whom? A guy who loves a girl would sooner cut off his right arm than hurt her. [In truth], this self-serving [individual] has proved that he doesn’t love you [at all]. The predictable aftermath… always finds Don Juan tiring of his sport. That’s when he drops you, picks up his line, and goes casting elsewhere for… equally silly fish. If he loves you, let him prove his love… [at] the altar.”
If you want some sound scriptural advice about 5ex, here it is: “Your body is… sacred… The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body” (vv. 19-20 MSG).
Soul food: Ruth 1-4; Matt 15:15-28; Ps 119:41-48; Pro 17:17
1 Korintiërs 6:20 NLV
Ann Landers skryf: ‘Geen meisie behoort haar liefde te moet bewys deur ongeoorloofde seksuele verhoudings aan te knoop nie. Enige ou wat jou vra om jou liefde te bewys, probeer jou vir die grootste, maklikste dwaas wat ooit bestaan, uitvang. Daardie ‘bewys jy is lief vir my’ gesegde is een van die vuilste truuks wat al ooit uitgedink is. Iemand wat jou werklik liefhet, wil die beste vir jou hê. Dink mooi hieroor. Hy wil hê jy moet ‘n ongeoorloofde daad pleeg, jou deug prysgee, jou selfrespek weggooi, jou kosbare reputasie vernietig, die risiko loop om swanger te raak of ‘n siekte op te doen of in groot moeilikheid beland. Word wakker! Hy wil hê wat die beste is vir hom; hy soek opwinding waaroor hy ten koste van jou kan spog.
Liefde? Wie probeer vir wie flous? ‘n Ou wat ‘n meisie werklik liefhet, sal eerder sy regterarm afkap as om haar skade aan te doen. In werklikheid bewys hierdie selfsugtige individu dat hy jou glad nie liefhet nie. Wat is die voorspelbare nagevolge? Don Juan raak gou moeg vir sy speletjies. Dan los hy jou, tel sy visstok weer op en gaan vang elders ‘n ander ewe niksvermoedende vis. As hy jou liefhet, laat hom sy liefde by die altaar bewys.’
Hier is Skriftuurlike raad oor seks: ‘Het julle dan vergeet dat julle liggaam die blyplek van die Heilige Gees self is?.. Dit beteken dat julle nie julle eie baas is nie en dat julle nie maar met julle liggaam kan doen wat julle wil nie. Die Here het baie duur betaal om julle Syne te maak. God moet dus ook trots kan wees op julle liggaam – daarvoor moet julle sorg deur die manier waarop julle julle gedra’ (verse 19-20 DB).
Sielskos: Rut 1-4; Matt 15:15-28; Ps 119:41-48; Spr 17:17
2025-08-06
Prediker 3:1 NLV
Waarom verander ‘n gelukkige twaalfjarige wat maklik saamwerk skielik in ‘n nukkerige, depressiewe dertienjarige? Daar is twee sterk kragte wat vir sommige van die tienergedrag wat jou as ouer mal maak, verantwoordelik is. Die eerste word aan sosiale druk, wat algemeen op daardie ouderdom voorkom, gekoppel. Daar is egter ‘n tweede bron van ontwrigting. Dit hou verband met hormonale veranderinge wat nie net die fisiese liggaam transformeer nie, maar ook ‘n omwenteling in hoe kinders dink, veroorsaak.
Sommige (nie alle) tieners ontwikkel ‘n chemiese wanbalans wat vir ‘n paar jaar ‘n toestand van wanbalans, opwinding, uitbarstings en selfs depressie veroorsaak. Hierdie omwenteling kan ‘n seun of meisie motiveer om dinge te doen wat absoluut geen sin vir die volwassenes wat angstig op die kantlyn toekyk, maak nie. Hierdie hormonale vuurstorm kan hul selfkonsep destabiliseer. Ouers ervaar dikwels wanhoop tydens hierdie irrasionele tydperk. Dit lyk asof alles wat hulle vir hul kinders probeer leer het, verdwyn het. Selfdissipline, netheid, respek vir gesag en algemene hoflikheid kan plek vir risiko’s en lighartigheid maak.
As jou kind vandag hom- of haarself daar bevind, is daar goeie nuus – beter dae is op pad! Jou onvoorspelbare tiener kan ‘n toring van krag en goeie oordeel word – mits hulle nie iets vernietigends doen voordat hul hormone weer tot bedaring kom nie.
Wat staan jou as ouer te doen? Eerstens, moenie langtermyn gevolgtrekkings op grond van ‘n korttermyn seisoen maak nie. Tweedens, laat hulle weet dat jy vir hulle lief is, wees geduldig en bid vir gemoedsrus. ‘…Omdat julle aan Christus behoort, sal die vrede van God julle harte en gedagtes soos ‘n veiligheidswag oppas’ (Filippense 4:7 NLV).
Sielskos: Obadja; 2 Joh; Matt 15:1-14; Ps 119:33-40; Spr 17:16
Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV
Why does a happy, cooperative twelve-year-old suddenly turn into a sullen, depressed thirteen-year-old? There are two powerful forces that account for some of the adolescent behaviour that drives you crazy as a parent. The first is linked to social pressures common at that age. But there is a second source of disruption. It’s related to hormonal changes that not only transform the physical body but also revolutionize how kids think.
For some (not all) adolescents, human chemistry is in a state of imbalance for a few years, causing flightiness, agitation, outbursts, and even depression. This upheaval can motivate a boy or girl to do things that make absolutely no sense to the adults who are watching anxiously on the sidelines. This hormonal firestorm can destabilize their self-concept and create a sense of foreboding. Parents often despair during the irrationality of this period. Everything they have tried to teach their children seems to have misfired for a couple of years. Self-discipline, cleanliness, respect for authority, and common courtesy may give way to risk-taking and all-around goofiness.
If that is where your child is today, there is good news – better days are coming! Your unpredictable teen can actually become a tower of strength and good judgment – if they don’t do something destructive before their hormones settle down once more.
What should you do as a parent? First, don’t draw long-term conclusions based on a short-term season. Second, let them know you love them, be patient, and pray for peace of mind. “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds” (Philippians 4:7 NKJV).
Soul food: Obadiah; 2 John; Matt 15:1-14; Ps 119:33-40; Pro 17:16
