Kom verniet uit die tronk (“Get out of jail free”) In die bordspel “Monopoly” is daar ‘n gerieflike “get out of jail free” kaartjie wat deel van die spel uitmaak. Lyk my te veel mense loop vandag met sulke kaartjies in hul sak rond. Ek praat van diegene wat te maklik uit ons tronke ontsnap. Dit daar gelaat. Ek wil gou by jou hoor of jy dalk die regte “kom gratis uit die tronk” kaartjie in jou sak het met komplemente van Jesus Christus? Want dis presies wat Jesus ook namens jou kom doen het — Hy het die tronkdeure van die dood eiehandig oopgesluit. Hy het die dodesel in die paradys omskep vir elkeen wat sy Naam aanroep.
Hoe het Jesus die tronk van dood en sonde se deure finaal oopgestamp? Deur sy lewe weg te gee. Christus het Homself opgeoffer in die plek van elkeen hier op aarde wat nie op God se roete stap nie. Aan die kruis het Hy die doodsvonnis betaal vir elke ter dood veroordeelde (Romeine 3:21-27). Daarom is jy vir altyd uit die tronk as jy Jesus jou Here noem. Die oordeel is vir altyd verby (Romeine 8:1). Vrede met God geld permanent buitekant die dodesel vir elkeen wat glo (Romeine 5:1). Be still, and know that I am God. Psa 46:10 NIV
The word holy means "to separate." The ancestry of the term can be traced back to an ancient word which means "to cut." To be holy, then, is to be a cut above the norm, superior, extraordinary… The Holy One dwells on a different level from the rest of us. What frightens us does not frighten him. What troubles us does not trouble him. I'm more a landlubber than a sailor, but I've puttered around in a bass boat enough to know the secret for finding land in a storm … You don't aim at another boat. You certainly don't stare at the waves. You set your sights on an object unaffected by the wind—a light on the shore—and go straight toward it… When you set your sights on our God, you focus on one "a cut above" any storm life may bring… You find peace. The Great House of God (Max Lucado) A 10-year-old boy decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident. The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn't understand why, after three months of training, the master had taught him only one move.
"Sensei," the boy finally said, "Shouldn't I be learning more moves?" "This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know," the sensei replied. Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training. Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals. This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened. "No," the sensei insisted, "Let him continue." Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: He dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion. On the way home, the boy and the sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind. "Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?" "You won for two reasons," the sensei answered. "First, you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm. The boy's biggest weakness had become his biggest strength. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." "He sent a man before them — Joseph— who was sold as a slave. They hurt his feet with fetters; he was laid in irons. Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him." Psalm 105:17-19
Joseph waited years before his dreams came true. The waiting was not in vain. God used the time to refine Joseph as gold in a furnace. Joseph's dreams were from God, but his childish pride was not. The harsh years were not for the sake of proving the dreams true, but for proving Joseph to be true. The Lord's refining process does the same in our lives today. Many receive dreams and visions from God, but conduct themselves with immaturity. Like Joseph, they must go through seasons of refinement. Joseph held to the vision God gave him for his life. It kept him through everything he experienced. He was restrained from sin, redeemed from sorrow and restored to honour by holding on to the dreams from God. It may be, that you are undergoing a test from the Lord, which is applied in love to insure that when your dream comes true — you will be true as well. So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean) that times of refreshing (of recovering from the effects of heat, of reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord. ACTS 3 : 19 GOD !! .. HE IS LIKE THE WIND !! YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE HIM .. HOWEVER .. YOU CAN ALWAYS FEEL HIS PRESENCE !! Sometimes it seems so, so difficult to break away from the “fact” that life has become very, very hard. Aren’t You Absolutely Sick And Tired Of Being Sick And Tired ? .. Aren’t You Absolutely Sick And Tired Of Feeling As Though You Are Running On A Treadmill Going Nowhere Slowly ? .. Aren’t You Absolutely Sick And Tired Of Feeling Weary, Worn Out, Stressed And Anxious ? If you answered Yes to being sick and tired .. Then .. It is time for you to choose something new for yourself !! It is time for you to stop spending all your time focusing on the “Facts” .. And .. Spend a allot more time focusing on the “Truth” !! The Great News for you is that the “Facts” are forever changing .. However .. The “Truth” never, never does !! The “Truth” Will Refresh You .. And .. It Is Guaranteed To Turn Your Every Frown Into A Smile That Will Light Up Your World !! So What Exactly Is This TRUTH That You Should Be Focusing On ? Well That Is Simple .. It Is JESUS CHRIST of course !! ALLOW JESUS TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE !! You could spare yourself so much stress, anxiety, frustration and misery .. If Only .. You would stop spending so much of your time obsessed with the world and all it’s negativity .. And .. You start seeking after the one thing that actually, truly matters !! .. GOD !! Nobody Can Do This For You .. Make The Right Choice !! Refreshing Times Are Yours !! .. However .. You are never going to experience them as long as you are clinging onto things in this world !! Refreshing Times Are Yours !! .. Found Only In The Presence Of God !! There can never be enough Magnificent, Wonderful, Amazing things said about The Lord God Almighty .. However .. In order for you to experience the fullness of God in your life .. You have to be serious about wanting Him !! .. And .. Diligent in seeking Him !! You Can Change Your Life In An Instant !! Your relationship and your fellowship with God will make radical progress, the moment you realise that you want God’s presence in your life more than you want anything else !! God’s Presence NOT God’s Presents !! .. This Has Absolutely Nothing To Do With What God Can Give You !! .. This Is All About God Himself !! Then you will seek Me, inquire for and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart .. Jeremiah 29 : 13 Although you may sometimes feel as though God is a million miles away .. The Truth is that He is always closer than you think .. And .. If you diligently seek Him .. He Will Be Found By You !! Wanting God In Your Life .. Seeking after Him will lead you into a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him and it is within this relationship that God will begin to reveal Himself to you !! Nothing about your relationship with God should cause you any kind of frustration .. Be Patient !! .. God knows when you are ready .. You do your part and allow God to do His !! You pray and earnestly ask God to reveal Himself in your life .. And Then .. You Wait !! .. God knows those who seriously, diligently seek Him .. And .. If That Is You .. Then .. HE WILL manifest and make real His presence in your life !! God Is Magnificent .. And .. He has oh so many ways of revealing His perfect presence into your life !! Like the wind !! .. You may not always see Him .. But .. Through your faith and His grace, you will always know that He is there .. Closer Than You Think !! God desperately desires to bring a refreshing into your life .. Just Like A Mighty Wind !! .. Don’t You Dare Allow Yourself To Spend Another Moment Of Your Life Poverty Stricken In Your Soul When Your Father Is Standing So Close !! The World Will Weigh Depressingly Heavy On Your Shoulders .. If .. YOU ALLOW IT TO !! But .. The Presence Of God Will Refresh And Restore Your Life !! Allow The Presence Of God To Blow Through Your Life .. Let The “Winds” Of Your Father Refresh Your Soul !! Here Is A Little Thought To Consider Jesus Could Not Cope Without Spending Time In The Presence Of His Father !! .. If Jesus Knew The Need For This Kind Of Refreshment .. Why Is It That You Think You Can Do Without It ? DO NOT ALLOW UNCERTAINTY TO BE THE ONLY CERTAINTY IN YOUR LIFE. “If only you carefully listen to the voice of the Lord your God...” (Deuteronomy 15:5, AMP) All through the day, there are two voices that compete for our attention — the voice of faith and the voice of defeat. You’ll hear a voice saying, “You’ll never rise any higher. You don’t have what it takes. You’ve reached your limit.” But if you listen carefully, you’ll hear another voice saying, “You are well able. You can do all things through Christ. Your best days are still up ahead.” You are the one who gets to choose which voice has power in your life. The moment you verbalize a thought, you give it the right to come to pass. When you speak faith, you’re in agreement with God. When you speak defeat, you’re in agreement with the enemy. God-talk brings God on the scene. Enemy-talk brings the enemy on the scene. Why don’t you get in agreement with God today? The negative voice may be louder, but you can override it. You can take away all of its power by simply choosing the voice of faith. Choose to declare favor, blessing and increase over your life so that you can walk in the victory the Lord has in store for you. Father, today and every day, I choose the voice of faith and victory. I declare that I am rising up higher in You, that I can do all things because You give me strength. I bless You and honor You in everything I say and do in Jesus’ name. Amen. — Joel & Victoria Osteen Psalm 138:7
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve my life! - From time to time we do face troubles. - But in these times we are not alone, because God is with us. - Even when trouble surrounds you, HE will preserve your life. - Keep walking and He will bring you through it. PRAYER: Lord, I give You my troubles. You are the One who can bring peace in the midst of a storm. Amen. Lord, show us the Father. That is all we need. Joh 14:8
Biographies of bold disciples begin with chapters of honest terror. Fear of death. Fear of failure. Fear of loneliness. Fear of a wasted life. Fear of failing to know God. Faith begins when you see God on the mountain and you are in the valley and you know that you're too weak to make the climb. You see what you need … you see what you have … and what you have isn't enough to accomplish anything… Moses had a sea in front and an enemy behind. The Israelites could swim or they could fight. But neither option was enough… Paul had mastered the Law. He had mastered the system. But one glimpse of God convinced him that sacrifice and symbols were not enough… Faith that begins with fear will end up nearer the Father. In the Eye of the Storm (by: Max Lucado) With God—all things are possible! (Matthew 19:26).
Consider Abram. Pushing a century of years, his wife, Sarai, ninety. The wallpaper in the nursery faded, baby furniture out of date. The topic of a promised child brings sighs and tears. . . and God tells them they’d better select a name for their new son. They laugh! Partly because it’s too good to happen and partly because it might. They’ve given up hope, and hope born anew is always funny before it’s real. They laugh a little at God, and a lot with God—for God is laughing too. With the smile still on His face, He gets busy doing what He does the best—the unbelievable. Abram, the father of one, will now be Abraham, the father of a promised multitude. Sarai, the barren one, will now be Sarah, the mother. Their names aren’t the only thing God changes. He changes the way they define the word impossible! From The Applause of Heaven |
Ana & Andre Schoonbee God uses us to motivate and encourage the body. Authors
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