2023-01-19
2 Corinthians 13:11 NKJV
The Brady Bunch was a popular television show where a mom and dad with six kids created one big happy family without conflict or rivalries. The problem is it seldom happens that way. So, if you’re planning to remarry, here are three challenges you will need God’s help with:
(1) It’s common for kids to see a new stepparent as a usurper. Their loyalty to the memory of their departed mother or father can be intense. For them to welcome a newcomer feels like an act of betrayal. This can place the stepparent in a real bind.
(2) It’s common for one child to move into the power vacuum left by the departing parent and see themselves as a surrogate spouse. The status and power that come with this supportive role is very strong, and a youngster can be unwilling to give it up.
(3) Each of us is irrationally committed to our own flesh and blood while being merely acquainted with others. So when conflict arises in the family, parents are almost always partial to those they brought into the world. And when children sense this tension between parents, some of them will try to exploit it to their advantage. That’s why, statistically, second and third marriages have a higher failure rate than first ones.
But there is good news: “With God all things are possible” (Mt 19:26). What should you do? Seek professional counseling as early as possible. Yes, it costs, but a divorce will cost you even more. And include God; He can give you the patience, wisdom, and love you need. “Live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you” (2 Corinthians 13:11 NKJV).
Soul food: Isa 58-62; Luke 4:1-13; Ps 89:1-14; Prov 2:20
2 Korintiërs 13:11 NLV
The Brady Bunch was ‘n populêre televisieprogram waar ‘n ma en pa met ses kinders een groot gelukkige familie sonder konflik of wedywering, bymekaar gebring het. Die probleem is dat dit selde so gebeur. As jy dus van plan is om weer te trou, is hier drie uitdagings waarvoor jy God se hulp nodig sal hê:
1) Dis algemeen vir kinders om ‘n nuwe stiefouer as ‘n indringer te sien. Hul lojaliteit aan die nagedagtenis van hul ma of pa kan intens wees. Om ‘n nuweling te verwelkom voel vir hulle soos ‘n daad van verraad. Dit kan die stiefouer in ‘n moeilike situasie plaas.
2) Dit is algemeen dat een kind in die magsvakuum inbeweeg wat deur die vertrekkende ouer agtergelaat word en hulself as ‘n surrogaat-eggenoot sien. Die status en mag wat met hierdie ondersteunende rol gepaardgaan, is baie sterk en ‘n kind mag dalk nie bereid wees om dit prys te gee nie.
3) Elkeen van ons is irrasioneel tot ons eie vlees en bloed verbind. Wanneer konflik dus in die gesin ontstaan, is ouers byna altyd teenoor diegene wat hulle in die wêreld gebring het, partydig. Wanneer kinders hierdie spanning tussen ouers aanvoel, sal sommige van hulle dit tot hul voordeel probeer uitbuit. Daarom faal tweede en derde huwelike statisties meer as eerste huwelike. Daar is egter goeie nuus: ‘…Maar by God is alles moontlik!’ (Matteus 19:26 NLV).
Wat moet jy dus doen? Kry so vroeg as moontlik professionele berading. Ja, dis duur, maar ‘n egskeiding sal jou nog meer kos. Betrek God ook by die situasie; Hy kan vir jou die geduld, wysheid en liefde wat jy nodig het, gee. ‘…leef in vrede. En die God van liefde en vrede sal by julle bly!’ (2 Korintiërs 13:11 NLV).
Sielskos: Jes 58-62; Luk 4:1-13; Ps 89:1-14; Spr 2:20
2023-01-18
Lukas 4:13 NLV
Let die volgende op: 1) Versoeking kom wanneer jy alleen en sonder ondersteuning is. Net soos ‘n wolf op die uitkyk is vir ‘n skaap wat van sy trop afgedwaal het, verbly die Vyand hom wanneer jy jou Christelike gemeenskap verwaarloos en jouself van mede-gelowiges afsny. Jy sê: ‘Maar ek het die Here altyd by my.’ Ja, maar die Bybel leer ons om versoeking as volg te oorkom: ‘En as iemand die een aanval, sal die twee weerstand bied. ‘n Driedubbele tou breek nie maklik nie’ (Prediker 4:12 NLV). Ons is gebore, en wedergebore, om hierdie reis saam met ander aan te pak. Paulus skryf: “Ja, die liggaam bestaan nie net uit een lid nie, maar uit baie… Die oog kan nie vir die hand sê: ‘Ek kan sonder jou klaarkom’ nie. En op sy beurt kan die kop nie vir die voete sê: ‘Ek kan sonder julle klaarkom’ nie'” (1 Korintiërs 12:14, 21 NLV). Om in pas met ander gelowiges te loop, verhoog jou beskerming teen Satan.
2) Jou grootste wapen in die uur van versoeking, is kennis van God se Woord. Jesus het Satan se aanvalle afgeweer deur daaruit aan te haal. Satan is magteloos wanneer hy deur ‘n gelowige wat verklaar: ‘Dit staan geskryf!’ gekonfronteer word. Jy moet besluit om standpunt in te neem, maar dis jou vasstaan op God se Woord wat die Vyand laat vlug. Toe Satan nadergekom het, het Jesus nie eers na ‘n Bybel gaan soek nie; Hy het die Woord aangehaal wat Hy uit sy kop geken het. Dis jou sleutel tot oorwinning. Johannes het gesê: ‘…Ek skryf aan julle, jonges: Julle is kragtig en die woord van God is deel van julle bestaan en julle het as oorwinnaars oor die bose uit die stryd getree’ (1 Johannes 2:14 NLV).
Sielskos: Jes 53-57; Luk 3:21-38; Ps 84; Spr 2:16-19
Luke 4:13 NIV
Observe this: (1) Temptation comes when you’re alone without support. Just as a wolf looks for the sheep that wanders from the safety of the fold, when you neglect Christian fellowship and cut yourself off from other believers, the Enemy rejoices. You say, “But I have the Lord with me always.” Yes, but here is how the Bible teaches us to overcome temptation: “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT). We are born, and born again, to walk this journey with others. Paul writes, “The body is not made up of one part but of many…. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!'” (1 Corinthians 12:14, 21 NIV). Walking in step with other believers increases your protection against Satan.
(2) Your greatest weapon in the hour of temptation is knowing God’s Word. Jesus repelled Satan’s attacks by quoting it. Satan is rendered powerless when he is confronted by a believer who declares, “It is written!” You must decide to take a stand, but it’s your stance on God’s Word that makes the Enemy retreat. When Satan approached, Jesus didn’t go looking for a Bible; He quoted the Word He knew by heart. That’s your key to victory. John says, “I have written to you who are young in the faith because you are strong. God’s Word lives in your hearts, and you have won your battle with the evil one” (1 John 2:14 NLT).
Soul food: Isa 53-57; Luke 3:21-38; Ps 84; Prov 2:16-19
2023-01-17
Luke 4:2 NIV
Here are some practical pointers from Jesus for handling temptation: (1) Your temptations are like the ones He faced. “Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are” (Hebrews 4:15 CEV). You say, “But you don’t understand how bad my temptations are.” No, but Jesus does. The fact that “He was tempted in every way” means He has been there, felt the urge, and understands your vulnerability firsthand. You can turn to Him when temptation hits, confident He has walked the same path and He will help you.
(2) Temptation often comes after spiritual victory. Jesus had just been baptized, the Holy Spirit descended on Him, and God declared His pleasure in His Son – then Satan struck full force (See Matthew 3:16-17; 4:1-11). High spiritual moments can leave you with your guard down, susceptible to attack. Paul says, “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV). People often crash and burn after big accomplishments. Ministers, for example, can be prone to temptation after delivering a great sermon.
(3) Temptation comes when you’re exhausted. Forty days without eating had left Jesus physically depleted. When your resources are drained, you’re a target for attack. Lack of sleep, unhealthy diet, stretching yourself too thin, no exercise, anxiety, and discouragement can open the door to temptation. When you feel down, your focus blurs, your awareness is dulled, your spiritual edge diminishes, and you’re not on guard against the Enemy’s approaches and schemes.
The Bible says, “Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up” (1 Peter 5:8 MSG).
Soul food: Isa 49-52; Luke 3:11-20; Ps 81; Prov 2:11-15
