Net toe ek die betekenis van die lewe ontdek, het iemand die teks verander, skryf iemand. Ons almal is op soek na betekenis, na daardie een groot antwoord wat alle vrae sal laat verdwyn. Die slim mense sê hierdie soeke na die groot antwoorde van die lewe is waaroor dit vir die meeste gaan. Daarom dat clichés soos “Daar’s ‘n doel met alles,” of “Jy sal later verstaan,” sulke tydlose treffers is. Mense hou aan sulke stellings vas asof dit die evangelie self is.
Wanneer ek oor die sin van die lewe nadink, briek Prediker 8:17 my elke keer. Die Prediker vertel dat hy al die werk van God gesnap het. Wat ‘n stelling! Dan volg hy dit op met die volgende woorde: “Die mens is nie in staat om wat onder die son gebeur te verstaan nie.” Daar het jy dit! Jy begin God verstaan as jy nie die lewe verstaan nie. Anders gesê, die Prediker weier om maklike antwoorde vir die raaisels van die lewe aan te bied. Clichés help nie. Hulle is nie waar nie. Die onverstaanbaarheid van die lewe beteken egter nie dat God onverstaanbaar is nie. Inteendeel. Hy is kenbaar. Hy is Lewe en Liefde. Jesus is die Deur na Hom toe. Hy is die enigste Pad! The wind blows (breathes) where it wills, and though you hear its sound, yet you neither know where it comes from nor where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. JOHN 3 : 8
LET NATURE REMIND YOU OF JUST HOW CLOSE JESUS IS God is no stranger in a faraway place, He’s as close as the wind that blows across your face. Matthew 5:14 (NKJV) "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden".
Did you know that you are the light of the world?Sometimes it can be hard to see ourselves as being light in this dark world we live in. We have so many faults. We make so many mistakes. And we are so far from being perfect. But guess what! If you are a follower of Christ, a child of God, then you have God living inside of you. That is what makes us the light of the world!You see, it's not by anything we have done that we are light. Short of making a decision to place our faith in the Creator and the Savior, we can do nothing good and bring no light anywhere. But with Him in us, we are light and we bring light wherever we go!So remember this. When you encounter darkness, be light. When you're in a tough situation, be light. When you feel like nothing's going right, be light! Anywhere we go and in everything we do, we bring light into every single situation and circumstance that we encounter, spreading it to those around us. The saying goes, "God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason --He wants us to be better prepared to listen than to speak." That goes along with the Bible that says, "Take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry" (James 1:19).
For some reason, listening seems to be a skill that too many of us (ourselves included) will under-use. We need to get rid of what authors Dallas and Nancy Demmitt call the "How-can-I-get-you-to-shut-up-and-listen-to-me?" mind-set and replace it with a "What-can-I-do-to-create-a-safe-place-where-understanding-can-take-root-and-grow?" attitude. The Bible says, "The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out" (Proverbs 18:15). Are you being wise and seeking out knowledge about your spouse --not just regurgitating what they say and then voicing what you had decided to say anyway? Are you truly LISTENING to, not only their words, but also to the meaning BEHIND their words? That's difficult to do because it takes self-discipline, discernment, and selflessness. Please take note of what author Norman Wright voices on the topic of listening (in his book, "How to Change Your Spouse Without Ruining Your Marriage"). We can ALL learn something on this issue: "When both husband and wife recognize the importance of listening objectively and giving each other full attention, they're taking big steps toward building strong lines of communication. It's important to identify some of the attitudes that prevent a husband or wife from listening. Reading these statements may be uncomfortable, but that may indicate a problem attitude: "'I'M RIGHT AND YOU'RE WRONG.' When this is the attitude, you become preoccupied with proving this to your partner and you embark on a crusade to convince him or her, which usually backfires. You don't hear your partner. "'YOU'RE AT FAULT.' When blame is the name of the game, you see yourself as innocent and your spouse as guilty. You're convinced he or she 'should' be blamed. You don't listen to your partner. "'I'M THE VICTIM.' If you have a need to feel you've been victimized and your partner is insensitive as well as selfish, you won't hear the explanations or the apologies. Your partner can express it a dozen different ways but you won't really listen. "'SELF-BLINDNESS.' You complain about your partner and fail to see how you both cooperate and participate in the issue. The barriers are up against hearing your spouse's perspective. "'DOMINATION PHOBIA.' You're afraid if you listen to your partner you'll be controlled, having to do it his or her way. You hit the 'listen off' switch when your spouse makes suggestions to you. "'DEFENSIVENESS.' You fear being criticized. You don't listen to evaluate what is said but reject most statements. Sometimes you expect to be criticized so you hear it when it's not even there. "'MISTRUST.' You don't trust your partner. You believe your husband or wife is lying before he or she says anything. You feel that if you show any indication that you're listening; your partner will take advantage of you. "'SELF-CENTEREDNESS.' This can also be called selfishness or narcissism. There is not understanding directed toward the other person's needs or concerns. Your partner is hardly even thought of except to deny his or her right to feel, behave, or say anything to contradict you. "These attitudes keep growth and change from taking place. "Is there a difference between listening and hearing? Yes, there is. Hearing is gaining content or information for your own purposes. Listening is caring for and being empathetic toward the person who is talking. Hearing means that you're concerned about what's going on inside yourself during the conversation. Listening means you're trying to understand the feelings of your spouse and are listening for the sake of the other person. Let me give you a 3-fold definition of listening. Listening means that when your spouse is talking to you: -- "YOU'RE NOT THINKING ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO SAY WHEN HE OR SHE STOPS TALKING. You aren't busy formulating your response. You're concentrating on what is being said and are putting it into practice (Proverbs 18:13). It also means you're looking at the person and listening with your eyes as well with your ears. -- 'YOU ACCEPT WHAT IS BEING SAID WITHOUT JUDGING WHAT HE OR SHE IS SAYING OR HOW IT'S BEING SAID. You may fail to hear the message if you're thinking that you don't like your spouse's tone of voice or words. You may react to the tone and content and miss the meaning. "Perhaps your spouse hasn't said it in the best way, but why not listen & come back later when both of you are calm & discuss it with the proper wording & tone of voice? Acceptance doesn't mean you have to agree with the content of what is said. Rather it means that you understand that what your spouse is saying is something he or she feels is important. -- "YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO REPEAT WHAT YOUR SPOUSE HAS SAID & WHAT YOU THINK HE OR SHE WAS FEELING WHILE SPEAKING TO YOU. Real listening implies an obvious interest in your spouse's feelings and opinions and an attempt to understand them from their perspective. It means you let your partner know, 'I hear and understand what you're saying and I want to respond.' "When you listen to another person, you can actually disarm him or her, especially when you're being criticized. Arguing with a critic rarely works but agreeing builds a closer relationship. When you listen you don't defend yourself, but neither do you have to agree with all that is said. If you can find some small element of truth to agree with, your spouse will be less on the offensive & more open to listening to you and considering your request. As a result, your desire for him or her to change may receive consideration." ………………………. We're sorry to say that the book, "How to Change Your Spouse" is out of print. But the message is vital. Marriage puts us in the position to continually make important choices to partner with each other to build bridges of communication. Keep in mind what the Bible says, "A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions" (Proverbs 18:2). "Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance" (Proverbs 1:5). We pray this message ministers to your marriage. Cindy and Steve Wright Much has been said about Jesus’ “gift of the Cross.” But what of the other gifts? What of the nails, the crown of thorns? The garments taken by the soldiers? Have you taken time to open these gifts?
He didn’t have to give us these gifts, you know. The only required act for our salvation was the shedding of blood, yet He did much more. So much more. Search the scene of the Cross—and what do you find? A wine-soaked sponge. A sign. Two crosses beside Christ. Divine gifts intended to stir that moment, that split second when your face will brighten, your eyes will widen, and God will hear you whisper, “You did this for me?” Dare we think such thoughts? Let’s unwrap these gifts of grace– as if for the first time. Pause and listen. Perhaps you will hear Him whisper, “I did it just for you!” Job 12:10
'For the life of every living thing is in His hand, and the breath of every human being.' - The breath of every human being is originally from God. - He is the one who gives us life and breath. - He holds these vital issues in His hands. - Surely He cares for you and holds your future securely. PRAYER: Lord, I recognize that You are the source of the life that I enjoy. Thank You for Your care and love towards me. Amen. MATTHEW 14:27
But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Are you going through a dark, difficult moment in your life? Perhaps the storm just rages on with no let-up and you are trembling in fear. You feel that any time now, you may just cave in and go under because you cannot beat this storm. Be comforted that Jesus sees what you are going through and He always comes to where you are in your darkest hour. He did that for His disciples one stormy night on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus came, walking on the stormy waters, walking on top of the problem that was threatening to overwhelm them. He is indeed the King and Lord over the storms! When your eyes are on Christ, even though the storms are raging and the winds are blowing, you will know that you are above your troubles and circumstances. When people ask you how you are doing under the circumstances, tell them, “I am not under the circumstances. I am on top of them because my God is above all!” Don’t be fearful. He will come to you walking on the stormy waters. Hear His comforting voice telling you, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” And as you behold Jesus, you become like Him. You will find yourself doing things you did not know you could do. You will, like Peter, walk on water. This happens when you are occupied with the person of Jesus, with His resources, love, wisdom, ability, power and majesty. My friend, even during the times when you take your eyes off Jesus, He never takes His eyes off you. And when you cry out to Him, He will immediately stretch out His hand to catch hold of you. You will not go under. There may be times that you are not able to find your way back. Jesus will then hold your hand and walk you back to the boat. And like Peter, you will realize that with your hand in His, the storm will come to a standstill! Psalm 51:1
'Have mercy on me, O God, because of Your unfailing love. Because of Your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.' - Every day His mercy is new and you and I can begin again. - Each day we can come to Him for forgiveness and help. - His love is unfailing and that means He will not fail you. - Receive His mercy and His grace today. PRAYER: Lord, have mercy on me, because of Your unfailing love. Blot out the stain of my sins because of Your great compassion. Amen. "Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy." 1 Timothy 6:17
If you are wealthy—which God defines as having more than the absolute necessities—don't adopt the hyper-spiritual mindset that material things are bad. God wants us to enjoy the wealth He has blessed us with and to use this wealth wisely by sowing seeds into His Kingdom, helping the poor and those in need etc. But God also reminds us that we should not shift our faith in Him to seeking security through our acquisition of things. He wants you to trust that He will continue to meet your future needs. He will continue to give you those blessings. Don't shift your need for security from God's hands to trusting in your financial portfolio, or your bank account, or your collection of real estate. All those things can be easily lost and offer no real security. The very God that brought you all those blessings can take them all away. But He does promise He'll never leave you and will meet all your needs. Put your trust in a God who will never let you down. Put your trust in recognizing that God will always meet your needs. Who is more important: the one sitting at the table or the one serving? You think the one at the table is more important, but I am like a servant among you. Luke 22:27
In Jesus' day the washing of feet was a task reserved not just for servants but for the lowest of servants. Every circle has its pecking order, and the circle of household workers was no exception. The servant at the bottom of the totem pole was expected to be the one on his knees with the towel and basin. In this case the one with the towel and basin is the king of the universe. Hands that shaped the stars now wash away filth. Fingers that formed mountains now massage toes. And the one before whom all nations will one day kneel now kneels before his disciples. Hours before his own death, Jesus' concern is singular. He wants his disciples to know how much he loves them. More than removing dirt, Jesus is removing doubt. Just Like Jesus (Max Lucado) |
Ana & Andre Schoonbee God uses us to motivate and encourage the body. Authors
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