Deel (1) Dawid se pa het nie gedink dat hy Israel se volgende koning kon wees nie. Toe Samuel Koning Saul se opvolger kom soek het, het hy daarom sy oudste seun, Eliab, 'n generaal in die weermag, aan Samuel voorgestel. "Samuel [het] vir Eliab gesien en gedink: die gesalfde van die Here staan hier voor die Here. Maar Hy sê vir Samuel: 'Moenie na sy voorkoms of sy buitengewone lengte kyk nie, want Ek het hom nie gekies nie. Die Here kyk nie na dieselfde dinge as die mens nie. Die mens kyk na die uiterlike, maar die Here na die innerlike.'" (1 Sam 16:6-7 NV). Wanneer dit by jou lewensroeping kom, tel net God se mening! Dawid moes sy gesin se mening oorkom om sy doelwit te kon vervul. Een skrywer stel dit so: "Wanneer jy sien dat iemand in hulle middeljare van loopbaan verander, kan jy byna seker wees dat hulle besig was om iemand anders se droom te lewe." 'n Wenner van die Nobelprys vir Letterkunde, Joseph Brodsky, merk op: "'n Mens se taak is om 'n lewe te bemeester wat jou eie is, en nie op jou afgedwing is of van buite af voorgeskryf word nie. Want elkeen van ons ontvang een lewe... Dit sou jammer wees om hierdie een kans te verkwis op iemand anders se voorkoms... [en] ervaring." Dis nie te laat om te word wat God wil hê jy moet wees en om te doen wat Hy wil hê jy moet doen nie. As jy besig is om iemand anders se droom uit te leef, vra die Here vir jou eie droom en Hy sal dit vir jou gee. Sielskos: Lev 24:17-22; Deut 15:7-11; Matt 5:38-48 Deel (2) Al probeer jy hoe hard, sal jy nooit 'n droom kan vervul wat nie jou eie is nie. Dink na oor jou persoonlike geskiedenis. Hoe is jou planne, doelwitte en begeertes deur ander mense beïnvloed? Is jou drome dalk die resultaat van wie jou ouers dink jy is? Van wie ander dink jy is? Van wie jy wens jy was? Of is hulle die resultaat van wie jy werklik is en van wie God jou bedoel het om te wees? Jy sal eers die lewe lei waarvoor God jou geskep het as jy dít kan uitwerk. As 'n droom reg is vir jou en jy reg is vir 'n droom, kan die twee nie geskei word nie. TS Eliot het gesê: "Wat jy ook a l dink, wees seker dat dit is wat jý dink; wat jy ook al wil hê, wees seker dis wat jý wil hê." Paulus het vir Timoteus gesê: "Niemand mag op jou neersien omdat jy jonk is nie." Skynbaar het sommige mense in die vroeë kerk gedink Timoteus was te jonk om 'n leier te wees. Maar Paulus het nie saamgestem nie, en God ook nie. Cecil G Osborne skryf: "'n Jong kind het nie 'n duidelike beeld van homself nie. Hy sien homself net in die spieël van sy ouers se evaluasie. 'n Kind wat herhaaldelik vertel word dat hy 'n stoute seun is, of lui, sleg, dom, skaam of lomp is, is geneig om gestalte te gee aan hierdie prentjie wat die ouer of ander gesagsfiguur aan hom gegee het." Laat net God alleenlik vir jou sê wie jy is en wat jy moet doen. Op die ou einde is Sy mening al wat saakmaak! Sielskos: Deut 14-17; Matt 13:1-9; Ps 78:32-39; Spr 16:31 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13, NKJV)
We all go through challenges, disappointments and unfair situations. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and think, “This is too much. I can’t deal with this illness. I can’t handle this difficult child.” Or, “I can’t take this traffic. It’s driving me crazy.” But, God promised He will never let us face more than we can bear. Nothing that comes your way in life is too much for you. This is what Joseph did. He was betrayed by his brothers, thrown into a pit and spent years in prison for something he didn’t do. But, he didn’t get depressed. He didn’t start complaining. His attitude was, “With God, I can handle it. God is still on the throne. I’m going to stay in faith and keep being my best.” In the end, he was made second in charge over all of Egypt. Today, if you are feeling burdened and overwhelmed by circumstances, know that with God, all things are possible. No person can keep you from your destiny, no bad break, no disappointment, no sickness. Keep believing, keep hoping, keep praying and keep moving forward because you can handle whatever comes your way! Father, thank You for equipping me with everything I need to face the day. I know that with You, all things are possible. I trust that You are working all things together for my good in Jesus’ name. Amen. — Joel & Victoria Osteen A soldier was brought before Alexander the Great for improper behaviour as a soldier in his army. Alexander asked the soldier, “What is your name?” To which the soldier replied “Alexander, Sir.” Alexander the Great repeated the question and received the same answer. This happened a third time, and a very annoyed and irritated Alexander the Great pointed his finger at the soldier and said “Either you change your behaviour or you change your name!”
In recent times, we have encountered many “Christians” behaving in ungodly ways. I have seen brothers, sitting on church councils while cheating on their spouses, sharing a bed with another woman. I have seen families broken up, men and woman calling themselves “Christian” filling the hallways of divorce courts while abortion clinics are filled with teenagers, as young as twelve who are exercising their right to choose, at the cost of their unborn children. I have seen children, good “Christian” children fall into lust and sin. South Africa, and many other countries worldwide are known to be “Christian” countries, yet we see unprecedented violence, murder and corruption. Today I wish to say to those continuing a life of sin while calling themselves Christian: “Either you change your behaviour or you change your name!” This is what the Word of God says. These things are not of God and should not form part of “Christian” behaviour: “Illicit sex, perversion, promiscuity, idolatry, drug use, hatred, rivalry, jealousy, angry outbursts, selfish ambition, conflict, factions, envy, drunkenness, wild partying, and similar things. (Galatians 5:19-21 God's Word translation) But what does form part of Christian behavioural patterns? What is it that we should do? Once again we turn to scripture, we turn to Galatians 5:22 -23 that says: “But the spiritual nature produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Yes, in Christ we are saved, delivered and healed. But, we are also taught to follow the example of Christ, to walk in His light, to do the things He did and act the way He acted. Let us rather not be called “Christian” by name while living in shame. Let us rather not be called “Christian” while we are still trapped in the flesh, the things of the earth or in sin. Let us change our behaviour or change our name. “Lord, forgive me for I have sinned. Set me free from sin and let my life continue to be a testimony of your saving power. Help me, to behave in a Godly manner and not destroy the image of Christ – I pray in Jesus name. Amen” Geestelike groei gebeur nie outomaties nie. Jy moet begeer om te groei, besluit om te groei, jouself dissiplineer, en jou verlustig in geestelike groei. "My lewe is net te moeilik," sê jy. Baie mense het dit erger as jy gehad en het geestelik volwasse geword, en baie mense is beter daaraan toe en het in geestelike kinderskoene agtergebly. Dis omdat hulle getwyfel het aan
hul vermoë om te groei, gedryf het waar die stroom hulle gevat het, of hulle groei vertraag het deur te dink: "Ek sal daarby uitkom as dinge verander." Groei begin altyd met 'n besluit. "... 'Kom! Word My dissipel!' Matteus het opgestaan en Jesus se dissipel geword." (Matt 9:9 NLV). Matteus het nie al die implikasies van sy besluit verstaan nie; hy het eenvoudig besluit om Jesus te volg. Dis al wat jy nodig het om te begin: neem 'n besluit. Niks bepaal jou lewe soos die besluite wat jy maak nie. As jy wil weet wat jy twintig of dertig jaar van nou af sal wees, ondersoek die verpligtinge en prioriteite wat jou lewe rig. Dis by die punt van toewyding aan God wat die meeste van ons kortkom. Omdat ons bang is om ons tot enigiets te verbind, maak ons halfhartige beloftes vir te veel dinge en is ons uiteindelik gefrustreerd omdat ons die verkeerde goed gekies het. Elke keuse het gevolge; kies dus verstandig. Om soos Christus te lewe, is die gevolg van Christelike keuses, en vertroue in Hom om daardie keuses te laat uitwerk. Hy sal dit doen. Sielskos: Rigters 4-6; Matt 16:1-12; Ps 119:57-64; Spr. 17:22 Proverbs 15:8
'The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases Him.' - God takes the prayers of His children seriously.- Our calling on Him is pleasing to Him. - We should venture to pray so that we may gain the answer. - Step out and bring your requests and petitions to Him. PRAYER: Lord, forgive me for thinking that You do not answer my prayers. I realize now that my prayers are important to You and I will bring my requests and petitions to You. Amen. I have found the paradox that if you Love until it hurts… there can be no more hurt, only more Love. Mother Teresa
Friends can help each other. A true friend is someone who lets you have total freedom to be yourself - and especially to feel. Or, not feel. Whatever you happen to be feeling at the moment is fine with them. That's what real Love amounts to - letting a person be what he really is. Jim Morrison Being deeply Loved by someone gives you strength, While Loving someone deeply gives you courage. Lao Tzu Can miles truly separate you from friends… If you want to be with someone you Love, aren't you already there? Richard Bach Keep Love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead. Oscar Wilde Love is a force more formidable than any other. It is invisible - it cannot be seen or measured, yet it is powerful enough to transform you in a moment, and offer you more joy than any material possession could. Barbara de Angelis Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who Love, time is eternity. Henry Van Dyke Come live in my heart and pay no rent Samuel Lover Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye. H. Jackson Brown, Jr. I have decided to stick with Love. Hate is too great a burden to bear. Martin luther King, Jr. Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies. Aristotle Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of Love. Mother Teresa A flower cannot blossom without sunshine, and man cannot live without Love. Max Muller Heavenly Father, You are our strength. It is You who gives us the stamina to try again when we think we have tried every possible door. It is You who reminds us that we're not alone when we feel that we're carrying the burdens of the world. You lift us up again and strengthen our resolve to take another look, try another path, meet another challenge.
If any would call us strong, then we are grateful. We know that sometimes we look much stronger than we feel and that we try to act stronger than our belief in what is happening around us. Though our belief in certain ideas or situations may falter, our faith does not. We are steadfast in You and we hang on to Your promises and Your goodness and Your plans for our lives. We rest in You, Lord, remembering that in Your time, You will raise us up past any obstacle we face. We pray, in Jesus' name with hearts of thanksgiving. Thank You for establishing us to the end for giving us strength to cope with everything in Jesus Mighty Name Amen 1 Corinthians 1:8 He (God) will keep you strong right up to the end! God we declare that in You , we are not lacking any spiritual endowment or Christian Grace. AGAPE: THE HIGHEST REVELATION OF CHRISTIANITY IS CHRIST IN US LIVING OUT HIS
LOVE IN US. WE ARE THE OUTSHINING OF GOD'S GREAT AND WONDERFUL LOVE. JESUS PRAYED IN John17:26 THAT THE SAME LOVE THAT THE FATHER LOVED HIM WITH BE IN US - AND HE - JESUS HIMSELF - BE IN US. Rom 5:5 tells us that THAT SAME LOVE JESUS PRAYED ABOUT HAS NOW BEEN POURED OUT IN ABUNDANCE INTO OUR HEARTS BY THE HOLY SPIRIT....... THEREFOR THERE IS NO MORE LIMITS TO THE LOVE OF GOD INSIDE OF US.....HALLELUJAH!!! .....MAY YOU BE CONSCIOUS OF FATHERS UNFAILING LOVE IN YOU TODAY .......AND BE A BLESSING. But if we hope for what is still unseen by us, we wait for it with patience and composure.
ROMANS 8 : 25 TRUST GOD’S GREAT PLAN FOR YOU .. ALWAYS !! SEEK TO KNOW IT .. AND .. STRIVE TO ACCOMPLISH IT LORD Jesus, Teach me to be patient in everything I do, content to trust Your wisdom God, and to follow after you. Psalm 112:4
'Even in darkness, light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.' - Even when we face darkness, His light can still shine on us. - We all face times of difficulty and darkness. - But even there, He is with you and He brings hope. - He will cause light to arise in your darkness! PRAYER: Lord, You know the areas in which I am challenged and the areas in which I face darkness. I pray that Your light will dawn in all those areas. Amen. |
Ana & Andre Schoonbee God uses us to motivate and encourage the body. Authors
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