"For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." (Joshua 1:8).
Nordstrom's, one of the most successful retail companies in the world, hosted the top executives from J.C. Penny's at a business luncheon held in the Nordstrom corporate offices. Penny's, a company once at the forefront of commercial success, but whose profit margin had now been in steady decline for years, was in desperate need of some sound business advice. During the lunch one of the execs from J.C. Penny asked his Nordstrom counterpart, "What is the secret of your company's success?" It was an awkward moment, to say the least; for it is not always prudent to share company secrets with your potential competitors. Nevertheless, after a slight pause and without saying a word, the Nordstrom executive got up from the table and walked out of the room. Moments later he returned with a large, old book and placed it on the table in front of his counterpart. "This is the secret of our success," he said. The Penney's executive was dumbfounded when he saw that the book before him was a 100-year-old copy of the Franchise Manual for J.C. Penny's! Nordstrom was simply doing well what Penny's had once done – but somewhere along the way had stopped doing. Nordstrom had found and followed the values and guidelines that Penny's had lost. When Joshua was divinely chosen to succeed Moses in leading the children of Israel into their Promised Land, God charged him with a single responsibility — "Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it." The charge was then followed by a powerful promise, which holds true even to this very day — "For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success." That's the bottom line every man and woman seeks. There is an ancient, time-tested and time-proven manual for success in life. It is the Bible, and we can advance our lives in ways that are pleasing to God and prosperous to ourselves by following the teaching of this Book — just as others have done who have gone before us. Sometimes we feel like we need to earn Gods love or favor but we do not have to. The thief on the cross in Luke23:39-43 taught us that there is nothing we can do to make God love us more and there is nothing we can do to make God love us any less.
Know that you are very precious to Him Zechariah 2:8 We are the apple of His eye. God is Lord Almighty,
Omnipotent King, Lion of Judah, Rock of Ages, Prince of Peace, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Provider, Protector, Paternal, Leader, Ruling Lord and Reigning King Of all the universe. He is Father, He is Helper, He is Guardian, and He is God. He is the First and the Last, The beginning and the end, He is the Keeper of Creation and Creator of all He keeps; The Architect of the universe and manager of all times. He always was, He always is, and always will be... unmoved, unchanged, undefeated, and never undone. He was bruised and brought healing. He was pierced and eased pain. He was persecuted and brought freedom. He was dead and brought life. He is risen and brings power. He reigns and brings peace. The world can't understand Him, The armies can't defeat Him, The schools can't explain Him, and leaders can't ignore Him. Herod couldn't kill Him, the Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, people couldn't hold Him, Nero couldn't crush Him, Hitler couldn't silence Him, the New Age can't replace Him, and the world can't explain Him away ! He is Light, Love, Longevity and Lord. He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God He is Holy, Righteous, Mighty, Powerful and Pure. His ways are right, His word is eternal, His will is unchanging, and His mind is on Me ! He is my Savior, He is my Guide, He is my Peace, He is my Joy, He is my Comfort. He is my Lord and He rules my life. I serve Him because He is God and is worthy to be served. His bond is love, His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life. I follow Him because He is THE wisdom, THE power of the powerful, THE ancient of days, THE ruler of rulers, THE leader of leaders, THE overseer of overcomers, And sovereign Lord of all that was and is and is to come. Now if that seems impressive to you, try this on for size. His goal is a relationship with ME ! He will never leave me, never forsake me, never mislead me, never forget me, never overlook me, and never cancel my appointment in His appointment book ! When I fall, He lifts me up. When I fail, He forgives. When I am weak, He is strong. When I am lost, He is the way. When I am afraid, He is my courage. When I stumble, He steadies me. When I am hurt, He heals me. When I am broken, He mends me. When I am blind, He leads me. When I am hungry, He feeds me. When I face trials, He is with me. When I face persecution, He shields me. When I face problems, He is the answer When I face loss, He provides for me. When I face death, HE carries me Home ! He is everything for everybody, everywhere, every time, and every way. He is God, He is faithful and true, I am His and He is mine. My Father in Heaven has already defeated the father of this world, and so if your asking why I stand and feel so secure, understand this; He said it, and that settles it. God is in control, I am on his side, and that means all is well with my soul. Everyday is a blessing for...... GOD IS ! Jesus se plan vir Sy dissipels was nooit om in Jerusalem te bly nie. Hy het vir hulle gesê: "En op grond van [My] Naam moet bekering tot vergifnis van sondes aan al die nasies verkondig word..." (Lukas 24:47-48 NLV). Hulle moes net lank genoeg in Jerusalem bly om die krag van die Here te ontvang om die Woord van God oral in die wêreld te gaan verkondig. Dit is goed om te wag dat God vir jou instruksies gee, saam met die krag om dit uit te voer. Jesus het gesê: "... julle sal krag ontvang wanneer die Heilige Gees oor julle kom..." (Handelinge 1:8 NV). Hoe het God Sy dissipels uit hulle gemaksone gekry? Deur 'n vuur in hulle aan die brand te steek. "... daar [het] 'n hewige vervolging van die gemeente in Jerusalem begin. Die gelowiges wat uitmekaar gejaag is, het so ver as wat hulle gegaan het, die evangelie verkondig." (Handelinge 8:1-4 NV). Ons almal glo dat die Woord van God aan alle nasies verkondig moet word, maar min mense doen dit letterlik doen. Ons is bereid om te bid of geld te gee, maar ons wil nie noodwendig self gaan nie. As God egter vir jou 'n roeping het, sal Hy enige iets doen om jou aan die beweeg te kry. Hy sal toelaat dat dit met jou moeilik gaan voordat Hy sal toelaat dat jy jou roeping misloop. Jy kan nie God se seëninge vir jouself hou nie. Wanneer God 'n vuur in jou aansteek, sê Hy eintlik vir jou: "Dit is tyd om aan die gang te kom!"
Sielskos: Heb. 5-8; Matt 15:1-14; Ps 149; Spr. 4:25-27 |
Ana & Andre Schoonbee God uses us to motivate and encourage the body. Authors
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