My liefste kind Toe Ek op jou besluit het, was daar soveel vrede, kalmte en liefde in My hart. Ek het geweet hoe jy gaan lyk, hoe jou stem gaan klink en hoe jou glimlag ander mense se harte gaan verander- selfs toe jy nog net 'n gedagte was.. Ek het jou begin vorm in jou ma se skoot. Jou vingerafdrukke lyntjie vir lyntjie getrek en geweet hierdie patroontjie op jou vingertjies sal Ek nooit weer herhaal nie. Jy is nie 'n fout nie, want Ek maak nie foute nie. Ek maak net mense na My beeld. Toe die tyd reg was het Ek jou volmaakte lyfie in jou moeder se arms neergelê. Ek het in jou ogies gekyk, gestaar en geweet Ek het 'n besonderse mensie gemaak. Nog nooit het Ek daarna My oë van jou afgehaal nie. Ek het jou gesien opgroei. In die dag bewonder Ek jou en in die aande sit Ek langs jou bed en kyk hoe jy aan die slaapraak. Soms het daar trane oor jou wange gerol oor gebroke verhoudings, verkeerde besluite en soms sommer net omdat jy soos 'n mislukking gevoel het. Daar was dae wat jy seergekry het, dae wat mense jou nie verstaan het nie, dae wat jy moedeloos was. Dae wat pyn jou wou vernietig het!! Ek het saam met jou gehuil, My hande gehou en jou kosbare trane opgevang. Ek ken seer, Ek ken pyn. Daar was self 'n tyd wat mense my nie verstaan het nie, My verneder het, My verwerp het en aan 'n kruis vasgespyker het, daarom weet Ek hoe jy voel. Daar is dae wat jy deurmekaar sal voel en wonder wat, waar en hoekom.
Ek wil net vandag vir jou sê, nie een van die foute wat jy maak, vang My onkant nie. Ek is nie verbaas nie. Ek weet alles. Ek verstaan alles. Ek sien alles. Ek kyk nie na jou met oë wat oordeel nie. Ek kyk na jou met oë van liefde en Ek luister na jou met My hart, omdat Ek 'n God is wat uit liefde bestaan. Soms het mense al 'n verkeerde prentjie van My vir jou geskilder. Ek wil jou nie straf nie. Ek is nie vêr van jou af nie..Ek ken jou beter as enige iemand anders. Ek weet wie jy werklik is, Ek het jou gemaak en ek sê weereens, Ek maak nie foute nie. Die foute wat jy gemaak het, bepaal nie wie jy is nie. Wie jou gemaak het bepaal wie jy is.. Die prys waarvoor iets gekoop word bepaal die waarde van 'n item... en die enigste prys waarmee Ek jou kon koop was met My lewe.. Kom kyk vir 'n slag na jouself deur My oë. Ek ken jou potensiaal, Ek weet waartoe jy instaat is. Ek ken die wenner binne in jou. Ek ken jou mooi hart. Ek ken jou sagte persoonlikheid. Ek sien 'n pragtige mens wanneer Ek na jou kyk.. Dalk was daar dae wat jy gesê het jy glo nie in My nie, maar Ek sê vandag vir jou: Ek glo in jou!! Ek wil jou seer wegvat, jou glimlag weer terug sit op jou gesig. Ek wil jou weer laat glo jy kan. Ek wil jou optel en styf teen My bors vasdruk en vir jou wys Ek beplan vir jou 'n mooi toekoms. Ek wil hê jy moet My toelaat om My liefde vir jou te wys.Praat met My, Ek is by jou. Jou Hemelse Pa wat net 'n asemteug vêr is. Watter vrou sal nie in totale ekstase wees as sy 'n prys vir 'n totale "make-over" wen nie? Wel, jy het so pas een gewen! Die enigste voorwaarde is dat jy God sal
toelaat om met jou besig te raak en te verander wat verander moet word. 1. Kom sit by die wasbak. Laat sak jou kop in die water van God se genade en laat Hom toe om die ongelukkigheid uit jou kop te masseer met sy liefde. Laat Hom toe om jou hare te sny en ontslae te raak van dinge wat jy onnodig met jou saamdra: skuldgevoelens, selfverwyt, bitterheid en onvergewensgesindheid. Hierdie onnodige bagasie maak dat jy met 'n suur gesig rondloop en onbruikbaar is vir die koninkryk. 2. Vir 'n manikuur moet jy God toelaat om die ou, stuk-stuk afgedopte naellak van afskeep en nalaat om die regte dinge te doen waarmee Hy in jou lewe begin het, van jou naels af te haal sodat jou hande weer mooi en bruikbaar kan word in Sy koninkryk. Laat Hom toe om die growwigheidjies van besig wees met allerhande onbelangrike dinge wat nie noodwendig Sy goedkeuring wegdra nie, af te skuur en jou hande te doop in die helende balsem van Sy bloed sodat jy Jesus se hande kan word op aarde. 3. Vir 'n gesigsbehandeling moet jy Hom toelaat om die onderlae van hardnekkige sonde laag vir laag af te stoom met die water van die Heilige Gees sodat jy gesuiwer voor Hom kan staan. Laat Hom toe om jou porieë oop te stoom en te vul met Homself sodat Hy jou kan gebruik. 4. God wil jou ook 'n ontrimpelingsbehandeling gee deur jou fronsplooie met lagplooie te vervang. Hy wil hê dat jy sal jubel omdat Hy die bron van jou vreugde is, en nie jou omstandighede nie. 5. Verder wil Hy die vet van die eie ek eens en vir altyd uit jou suig sodat jy slank en gesuiwer met net die volheid van die Heilige Gees in jou kan leef. Na hierdie skoonheidsbehandeling kan God werklik omdraai en vir jou sê: "Jy is lieflik, my beminde, jy het my hart gesteel!" Do you ever struggle with your role thinking others are called to do more important or valuable work? In Nehemiah 3:26-31 some workers were called to do more than others. Be encouraged: all work done for God is significant and valued by God. The most important thing is to be obedient to what God called us to do. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us 2 Corinthians 4:6-7
Depend on the Lord trust Him and He will take care of you Psalm 37:5 Have no fear because of them for I am with you to keep you safe says the Lord. Jer1:8 God is committed to caring for our needs after all how can we fulfil His mission unless our needs are met? We are in Gods army He will provide our needs.
Mrs. Baughman was my 6th grade Sunday School teacher. One morning, she brought a pan of brownies to our class. As the goodies sat over by her chair, she gave each child a slip of paper marked with a household expense: house payment, utility bill, phone bill, entertainment, etc.
My slip had a car payment. Before long, Mrs. Baughman picked up the tray of brownies and began naming the expenses written on the papers. As we gave her our expenses, she redeemed each one for a brownie. "Car payment" she announced. I jumped up to get my brownie from the pan. Finally the last brownie had disappeared. But one boy named Donald still held his unredeemed slip. "God!" called Mrs. Baughman. Donald came forward hoping the teacher had one more brownie hidden some where. With a knife Mrs. Baughman scraped the crumbs from the bottom of the pan into Donald's napkin. He got a pretty raw deal, I thought - just crumbs. "The brownies represent your money", the teacher explained to us. "If you don't give God his share right away, He probably won't get anything except maybe the crumbs." I never forgot that illustration. The day my friend Donald got only the brownie crumbs, even as a child I learned that God should have the first right to everything I have. In the years since Mrs. Baughman class I have struggled with giving and priorities, But whenever I recall the "Crummy Sunday School Lesson", I know who should and must always come first in my life! "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33) Author Unknown 2 Corintians 13:5 tells us to examine ourselves. We should evaluate ourselves to see if we have sin in our lives or hearts and then repent of it. There is a difference between examination and condemnation. Do not condem yourself of what you see just repent of it and live without that sin in your live. God wants us to be free and live in victory trust Him always.
How well do you know the Christmas story? Most of you have read it many, many times. However, because we've all seen so many Christmas plays, sometimes we mix the drama with what is actually in the Bible. Take the quiz. See how well you do. Then, challenge your family and friends.
1. Joseph was originally from... (Luke 2:3) A. Bethlehem B. Nazareth C. Hebron D. Jerusalem E. None of the above 2. What does the Bible say that the Innkeeper said to Mary and Joseph? (Luke 2:7) A. "There is no room in the inn." B. "I have a stable you can use." C. "Come back later and I should have some vacancies." D. Both A and B E. None of the above 3. A manger is a... A. Stable for domestic animals B. Wooden hay storage bin C. Feeding trough or watering trough D. Barn 4. Which animals does the Bible say were present at Jesus' birth? A. Cows, sheep, goats B. Cows, Donkeys, goats C. Only Sheep and cows D. Miscellaneous barnyard animals E. None of the above 5. According to the Bible, who saw the star in the east? A. Shepherds B. Mary and Joseph C. Three Kings D. Both A and C E. None of the above 6. According to the Bible, how did Mary and Joseph get to Bethlehem? A. Camel B. Donkey C. Walked D. Joseph walked, Mary rode a donkey E. Horse-drawn chariot F. The Bible doesn't say 7. How many angels spoke to the shepherds? (Luke 2:10) A. One B. Three C. Multitude D. None of the above 8. What did the angels say/sing? (Luke 2:14) A. "Glory to God in the highest, etc." B. "Alleluia" C. "Unto us a child is born, Unto us a son is given" D. "Joy the world, the Lord is come" 9. What is a heavenly host? A. The angel at the gate of heaven B. The angel who serves refreshments in heaven C. An angel choir D. An angel army E. None of the above 10. What is Frankincense? A. A precious metal B. A precious fabric C. A precious perfume D. None of the above 11. In Matthew, what does "wise men" or "Magi" refer to? A. Men of the educated class B. Eastern Kings C. Astronomers D. Sages 12. What is Myrrh? A. Middle Eastern Money B. A drink C. The sound a happy cat makes D. A spice used for burying people E. None of the above 13. How many wise men does the Bible say came to see Jesus? _____ 14. Where did the "magi" find Jesus? (Matthew 2:11) A. In a manger B. In a stable C. In Nazareth D. In Egypt E. In a house F. None of the above 15. When the "magi" found Jesus he was... (Matthew 2:11) A. A babe wrapped in swaddling clothes B. A young child C. A boy in the temple D. A grown man 16. The "star in the east" that the wise men followed... (Matthew 2:9) A. Stayed in the same place their entire journey B. Disappeared and reappeared C. Moved ahead of them and stopped over the place where Jesus was D. Stayed above the manger the night Jesus was born E. None of the above 17. The "magi" stopped in Jerusalem... (Matthew 2:2) A. To inform Herod about Jesus B. To find out where Jesus was C. To ask about the star D. To buy presents E. None of the above 18. Where do we find the Christmas story? A. Matthew B. Mark C. Luke D. John E. All of the above F. Only A and B G. Only A and C H. Only A, B, and C 19. When Joseph found Mary was pregnant, what happened? A. They got married B. Joseph wanted to break the engagement C. Mary left town for three months D. A and B E. B and C 20. Who "told" Joseph and Mary to go to Bethlehem? (Luke 2:1-5) A. The angel chorus B. Mary's mother C. Herod D. The shepherds E. Caesar Augustus ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BONUS QUESTIONS: 1. True or False There was snow in Israel the night Jesus was born. 2. In Israel, at the time of Jesus' birth, a manger was usually made from what type of material? A. Plywood B. Oak C. Cedar D. Stone 3. How did the magi from the east (most likely Persians), know to follow a star that would lead them the location of the "King of the Jews"? (Daniel 5:11) 4. What were swaddling clothes? (John 19:40) A. Baby-sized cotton bed sheets B. Blankets made from the mother's clothes C. Linen strips of cloth that were also used to bury the dead. D. Large pieces of cloth that were folded over and over again. 5. In the song "Hark the Herald, Angels Sing", what does the phrase "risen with healing in His wings" refer to? (Malachi 4:2) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE ANSWERS: (read the scriptures beside the questions first) 1. A. He worked and currently lived in Nazareth, but he was returning to Bethlehem - "his own city" Everyone had to return to "his own city - the city of his birth" to be registered (See Luke 2:3). 2. E. In the Bible, the innkeeper didn't "say" anything (See Luke 2:7) 3. C. Feeding trough or watering trough 4. E. The Bible doesn't say, we just "assume" that since Jesus was placed in a "manger" (and therefore probably in a place where animals were probably sheltered), that there were various barnyard animals present. However, since the shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks in the fields that night, all the other animals could have been out of the "stable" as well. 5. E. This is a "trick" question. The "magi" saw the star. However, the Bible doesn't say how many there were and they were not "kings", but astronomers or "star gazers" (see answer 15). 6. F. Although the modern "pictures" in a Bible will show Mary on a donkey with Joseph beside her, the Bible doesn't say! 7. A. Luke 2:10 "The angel of the Lord said unto them..." 8. A. Luke 2:14 9. D. The word "host" means "army" - literally thousands. Now, since there was a "multitude" of the heavenly army" (hosts), there could easily have been from 10,000 - 100,000 angels there that night! No wonder the shepherds were "sore afraid"! 10. C. 11. C. The word "Magi" literally means "star-gazers". 12. D. Herod was buried with over 150 lbs. of Myrrh wrapped in his burial clothes. Jesus was buried with a 75 pound mixture of myrrh and aloes. (John 19:39) 13. The Bible doesn't give the number. Many people assume that there were three because of the three gifts. However, in ancient times, these men usually traveled in caravans of ten to twelve, along with a full entourage needed for meals. provisions and protection. 14. E. Matthew 2:11 (see next answer) 15. B. Matthew 2:11 When the Shepherds found Jesus, he was a "babe" in a manger. The Greek word used in Luke 2 is for a "newborn baby". However, by the time the Magi appeared in Bethlehem, Jesus had been moved from the manger to a house (verse 11) and the Greek word used in Matthew is for "toddler" or "young child". He was probably somewhere between 10-18 months old. 16. C. Matthew 2:9 Most people miss this question, because there are so many pictures and dramas in which the star remains stationary over the manger. The star did not appear over the manger (the shepherds did not see the star over Bethlehem that night) nor did it stay stationary over the house. This verse makes it clear that the star moved "in front" of the magi and guided them till it "stood over where the young child was". These men lived in "the east". Which means they were already in the "east" when they saw the star "in the east". (Read Matthew 2:1-2) So, the star had to first move over them and then to the west toward Bethlehem before they could begin to follow the star! This explains why it took them so long from the time the star appeared (at his birth) to reach "the young child" 17. B. Read Matthew 2:2 18. G. Isn't it amazing how God divinely inspired these two gospel writers to write His exact words, but, yet, He used their interests and professions to recall different aspects of Jesus' birth. Matthew, a tax collector, records the genealogy of Jesus (used for registration and taxation) and the story of the "magi" - men of means from a foreign country. Luke, a physician, records the pregnancy and birth. (Luke 1 and 2) 19. E. Joseph wanted to "put her away" secretly and Mary left town to see her cousin Elizabeth. (Matthew 1:19 and Luke 1:39, 56) 20. E. "There went out a decree from Caesar Augustus... everyone into his own city... " (Luke 2:1-5) Bonus Questions Answers: 1. True! It's a trick question. There is always snow on Mt. Hermon, even in summer. Even though Jesus was most likely born some time in the fall (September-October), and most probably during the Feast of the Tabernacles, there wouldn't have been snow in Bethlehem. But there would have been snow on Mt. Hermon. 2. D. Interestingly enough, most mangers in New Testament times were made of stone. If you visit Israel today, you can see stone mangers used by Solomon to feed and/or water his horses at Megiddo. 3. Although there is no Biblical record of exactly who these men were or their point of origin, I personally believe that they were descendants of the "wise men" of Babylon. I believe that God, in His great providence, used Daniel (while he was in captivity in Babylon), to teach these men about future events - including the birth of the Savior of the world. Read Daniel 5:11 and note: Daniel was put in charge of these men!!! 4. C. Swaddling clothes were strips of cloth (quite often linen), commonly used in the Middle East and Far East to wrap new-born babies to keep their limbs straight. They were also commonly used to bury people. John 19:40 records that Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea "... took the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes (strips) with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury." People who traveled long distances (such as Joseph and Mary traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem) would quite often wrap some of these strips around their waist or pack them in their supplies to use in case someone died during the long journey. So, quite possibly, the swaddling clothes in which Baby Jesus was wrapped, could have been those same linen strips that Joseph was keeping for a burial!!! 5. Read Malachi 4:2 It was a very common belief during New Testament times that when the Messiah appeared, he would have "healing in his wings". So, what were his "wings"?. Every orthodox Jew wore a prayer shawl called a tallit. Even today, you will see rabbis and orthodox Jews wearing these prayer shawls - especially in the synagogues, at festivals such as Passover, and especially in Jerusalem and always at the Walling Wall. On the fringes of the prayer shawl (called a "tallit" or "tallith"), attached at the bottom hem, are "tassels" - which are strings tied into knots (called "tzitzit" in Hebrew), which represent the 613 laws of the Old Testament. Why did they wear these garments with tassels? Because they were commanded to. Deuteronomy 22:12 says, "Make fringes (Hebrew: tzitzit) upon the four quarters/corners (Hebrew: kanaph - " wings") of the cloak you wear (Hebrew: tallith)." (See also Numbers 15:38-40). The translation of the word kanaph, the corner of the prayer shawl that holds the tzitzit, is "Wings". When the true messiah comes, according to Malachi 4:2, he would have 'healing in his wings". In the New Testament,when the woman who had the issue of blood for 12 years reached out to touch the "hem of his garment" (Luke 8:44), she was reaching out to touch the "tzitzit" in the "kanaph" (the "Wings"). She believed Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophesy. So, when she touched the hem - the wings (the tzitzit in the kanaph) - healing went out from Jesus and she was healed. That's why Jesus said, "your faith has made you whole". She believed the prophesy was about Jesus - there was healing in his wings!!! [Note: Others believed and wanted to touch his "wings". See Mark 6:56] Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present. What others think of you is none of your business. Time heals almost everything, give it time. Don't compare your life to others and don't judge them. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Stop thinking too much, it's alright not to know the answers. They will come to you when you least expect it. No one is in charge of your happiness, except you. Smile. You don't own all the problems in the world. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them. Hosea 14:9
Thinking that we are smart enough to navigate life on our own goes contrary to the warning of Scripture that tells us, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Prov. 16:25). When we are at a fork in the road, we need to stop and consult the ways of the Lord, “for the ways of the Lord are right” (Hos. 14:9). Life is a directional enterprise. It’s vitally important to know how to successfully direct our lives toward blessed and peaceful relationships, meaningful acts of love and service, a fulfilling experience with God, and a host of other vitally important destinations. Asking God for directions isn’t just a good idea—it’s critical. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart . . . and He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5-6). Ask God for directions because He knows the way. |
Ana & Andre Schoonbee God uses us to motivate and encourage the body. Authors
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