2025-07-05
1 Samuel 14:7 NIV
Reason two: naivety. An old Chinese proverb says, “Behind every able man there are always other able men.” Even if you can do the job yourself, isn’t it wise to stop and ask, “Who do I know who could help me to do it better?” That question defines the difference between mediocrity and excellence. Business consultant John Ghegan keeps a sign on his desk that reads, “If I had it to do all over again, I’d get help.” We all need that sign!
When you have a few victories under your belt, you’re at an increased risk of thinking you can do anything and everything by yourself. But when your dream is from God, it will always be greater than your individual capacity and gifts, which means you will have to reach for others.
Two men, Jonathan, and his armour-bearer, wiped out an entire Philistine garrison. How? “Jonathan said to his young armour-bearer, ‘Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.’ ‘Do all that you have in mind,’ his armour-bearer said. ‘Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul'” (vv. 6-7 NIV). Jonathan, the leader, needed the encouragement and support of his armour-bearer. And his armour-bearer needed the courage and leadership of Jonathan. Together they accomplished amazing things for God.
The truth is teamwork is at the heart of all impressive triumphs. The question isn’t whether teams have value; it’s whether you are humble enough to acknowledge that fact and become a better team player.
Soul food: Joel 1-3; Matt 7:15-29; Ps 79; Pro 15:18-21
2025-07-04
3 John v. 9 NKJV
Reason one: insecurity. The Florentine philosopher Machiavelli said, “The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.” Insecure leaders are threatened by talented individuals, so they surround themselves with weak people. As a result, the work suffers, and everybody involved suffers too.
When a leader responds to a genuine question by saying, “How dare you challenge my authority,” they’re dangerous and often not worth following. Insecure leaders usually fail for two reasons: They want to maintain control over everything, or they’re afraid of being replaced by someone more competent. Either way, leaders who don’t encourage teamwork weaken their own potential and discourage those around them. President Woodrow Wilson said, “We should not only use all the brains we have, but all that we can borrow.”
John the Apostle tells us that Diotrephes, a leader in the church, “loves to have the pre-eminence.” What was this man’s problem? He wanted to blow everybody else’s light out in order to let his own light shine. So, John writes: “When I come, I will report some of the things he is doing and the evil accusations he is making against us. Not only does he refuse to welcome the traveling teachers, he also tells others not to help them. And when they do help, he puts them out of the church. Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God” (3 John vs. 10-11 NLT).
Let God’s approval – which you already have – make you secure!
Soul food: Jer 51-52; Matt 7:1-14;
Ps 137; Pro 15:15-17
3 Johannes vers 9 NLV
Rede een: onsekerheid. Die Florentynse filosoof Machiavelli het gesê: ‘Die eerste metode om die intelligensie van ‘n heerser te bepaal, is om te kyk na die mense waarmee hy homself omring.’ Onsekere leiers word deur talentvolle individue bedreig, daarom omring hulle hulself met swak mense. Gevolglik ly die werk en almal wat betrokke is, daaronder.
Wanneer ‘n leier op ‘n opregte vraag reageer deur te sê: ‘Hoe durf jy my gesag uitdaag?’ is hulle gevaarlik en dikwels nie die moeite werd om te volg nie. Onsekere leiers misluk gewoonlik om twee redes: Hulle wil beheer oor alles behou, of hulle is bang om deur iemand meer bekwaam vervang te word. Leiers wat nie spanwerk aanmoedig nie, verswak hul eie potensiaal en ontmoedig die mense rondom hulle. President Woodrow Wilson het gesê: ‘Ons moet nie net al die breinkrag wat ons het gebruik nie, maar ook al die breinkrag wat ons kan leen.’
Die Apostel Johannes sê vir ons dat Diotrefes, ‘n leier in die kerk, homself graag eerste gestel het. Wat was die man se probleem? Hy wou almal anders se lig verdoof sodat syne helderder sou skyn. Dus skryf Johannes: ‘Daarom, wanneer ek ook al kom, sal ek sy optrede onthou: Hy belaster ons deur bose gerugte te versprei en asof dit nie genoeg is nie, ontvang hy selfs ook nie die medegelowiges nie. Dié wat dit nog wil doen, verhinder hy en verban hulle uit die gemeente. Liewe vriend, moet tog nie dié slegte voorbeeld navolg nie. Volg liewer die goeie. Dié wat goed doen, is van God afkomstig; dié wat sleg doen, het nie ‘n oog vir God nie’ (3 Johannes verse 10-11 NLV).
Laat God se goedkeuring – wat jy reeds het – jou sekerheid gee!
Sielskos: Jer 51-52; Matt 7:1-14; Ps 137; Spr 15:15-17
2025-07-03
Proverbs 12:23 NLT
Someone else’s need to know shouldn’t determine your need to speak. When a friend of Jesus wanted to stop His arrest, Jesus said, “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53 NIV). When Jesus stood in Pilate’s judgment hall, Pilate didn’t have the power; Jesus did! Yet, the Bible says that Jesus “opened not His mouth” (Isaiah 53:7 NKJV). He just stood there and said nothing. Why? Because He was not on trial, Pilate was. Jesus knew His destiny, and more importantly, He knew His heavenly Father intimately.
And when you know God, you can face anything with confidence – and feel free to say nothing. Sometimes the wisest thing is to say, “I don’t have the answer right now. But I will think about it, pray, and get back to you.” “The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge, but fools broadcast their foolishness” (Proverbs 12:23 NLT).
When people are anxious for answers, they will try to pressure you into speaking before you have all the facts or have had a chance to pray and consider the situation carefully. If you ask God, He will tell you what to say and when to say it. His promise is, “I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand” (Isaiah 51:16 NIV).
Pride says, “Don’t just stand there; say something!” Wisdom says, “Don’t just say something; stand there!” Quietly ask God for insight. One thought from God can solve the problem in a hurry.
Soul food: Jer 49-50; Matt 6:19-34; Ps 122; Pro 15:10-14
Spreuke 12:23 NLV
Iemand anders se behoefte aan inligting behoort jou nie te forseer om te praat nie. Toe ‘n vriend van Jesus sy inhegtenisname wou stopsit, het Jesus gesê: ‘Besef jy nie dat Ek ‘n ganse leërmag engele van my Vader sou kon vra om ons te beskerm en Hy sal hulle oombliklik stuur nie?’ (Matteus 26:53 NLV). Toe Jesus voor Pilatus gebring is, het Pilatus nie die oppermag gehad nie; Jesus het! Tog sê die Bybel Jesus: ‘…het sy mond nie oopgemaak nie’ (Jesaja 53:7 NLV). Hy het daar gestaan en niks gesê nie. Hoekom nie? Omdat Hy nie onder verhoor was nie, maar Pilatus wel. Jesus het sy lotsbestemming geken en belangriker as dit, Hy het sy hemelse Vader intiem geken.
Wanneer jy God ken, kan jy enigiets met selfvertroue in die gesig staar – en vry voel om stil te bly. Soms is dit die wysste ding om te sê: ‘Ek het nie nou die antwoord nie. Ek sal egter daaroor dink, daaroor bid en terugkom na jou toe.’ “‘n Verstandige mens bly stil oor sy kennis. Dwase basuin hulle onkunde uit” (Spreuke 12:23 NLV).
Wanneer mense angstig is vir antwoorde, sal hulle jou onder druk probeer plaas om te praat voor jy al die feite het of ‘n kans gehad het om daaroor te bid en die situasie versigtig te oorweeg. As jy God vra, sal Hy vir jou sê wat om te sê en wanneer om dit te sê. Sy belofte is: ‘Ek het my woorde in jou mond gesit. Ek het jou beskerm met die skadu van my hand…’ (Jesaja 51:16 NLV).
Trots sê: ‘Moenie net daar staan nie, sê iets!’ Wysheid sê: ‘Moenie iets sê nie, staan net daar!’ Vra God vir insig. Een gedagte van God kan die probleem blitsvinnig oplos.
Sielskos: Jer 49-50; Matt 6:19-34; Ps 122; Spr 15:10-14
