Deuteronomy 28:13
If you will only listen and obey the commandments of the Lord your God, He will make you the head and not the tail, and you shall always have the upper hand. - Imagine being the head and not the tail. - Imagine always having the upper hand. - These are the benefits if we will listen and obey God. - He has a plan for you and your family. PRAYER: Lord, I choose to listen and follow You. It is my choice and my desire. Help me not to just rely on my own understanding, but show me which way I should go. Amen. Fathers, don't make your children bitter about life. Instead, bring them up in
Christian discipline and instruction." Ephesians 6:4 Perhaps the most common lie from which we all suffer is the belief that there is plenty of time to focus on relationships that count. The tragic reality is that is rarely the case. There’s a story of a man who is just too busy to enjoy his son growing up. He loves his child, for sure, but just like many of us he feels he must focus on his work and goals and life – for the good of the family, no doubt. On the boy’s tenth birthday, the boy begs his father to go in the backyard and play ball with him. “Not today, got a lot to do,” was the response. But the boy seemed to understand. And as he watches the father he idolizes walk away, the boy smiles and vows that “I’m gonna be like him, yeah, you know I’m gonna be like him.” Many years pass, the father has retired, and the boy now has a family of his own. Dad calls and asks to see him. “I’d love to, Dad, if I can find the time. You see, my new job’s a hassle and kids have the flu. But it’s sure nice talking to you, Dad,” is the reply. “It’s sure nice talking to you.” Dad realizes that his son’s wish has been fulfilled, and “He’d grown up just like me. My boy was just like me.” Time cannot be postponed, only lost. The time to nurture relationships is today. They walked in tandem, each of the ninety-three students filing into the already crowded auditorium. With rich maroon gowns flowing and the traditional caps, they looked almost as grown up as they felt.
Dads swallowed hard behind broad smiles, and moms freely brushed away tears. This class would not pray during the commencements... not by choice but because of a recent court ruling prohibiting it. The principal and several students were careful to stay within the guidelines allowed by the ruling. They gave inspirational and challenging speeches, but no one mentioned divine guidance and no one asked for blessings on the graduates or their families. The speeches were nice, but they were routine... until the final speech received a standing ovation. A solitary student walked proudly to the microphone. He stood still and silent for just a moment, and then he delivered his speech... an astounding SNEEZE!. The rest of the students rose immediately to their feet, and in unison they said, "GOD BLESS YOU." The audience exploded into applause. The graduating class found a unique way to invoke God's blessing on their future... with or without the court's approval. “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in
you...” (2 Timothy 1:6, NIV) Too many people today have settled for “good enough.” They’ve lost their passion and just sort of go through the motions of everyday life. At one time, they had a big dream. They were excited about the future, but they hit some bumps along the way. Something didn’t happen on their timetable. Now they’ve gotten discouraged, thinking that it’s never going to happen. They accept it as their lot in life. Don’t let that be you! Just because you haven’t seen what God promised come to pass doesn’t mean that it’s not going to happen. Don’t make the mistake of settling for good enough! Good enough is not your destiny. You are a child of the Most High God. You have seeds of greatness on the inside. You were created to excel, to live an abundant life! It’s not over until God says it’s over. Start believing again. Start dreaming again. Start pursuing what God put in your heart. Stir up the fire within you and don’t settle for good enough! Father, today I declare that I will not settle for good enough. I will stir up the dreams, passion and flame within me. Lead me in Your path of truth as I press on toward the promises You have in store for me in Jesus’ name! Amen. Joel & Victoria Osteen Leviticus 2:11 ‘No grain offering which you bring to the Lord shall be made with leaven, for you shall burn no leaven nor any honey in any offering to the Lord made by fire.
Imagine yourself walking past the prodigal son sitting in the pigpen. (Luke 15:11–24) You look at him and see him salivating for the pigs’ food. Believing that it is good to show kindness, you give him money to buy food for himself. That is human kindness which says, “I am a Christian. I should be kind, good and forgiving.” Such human sweetness or kindness may be likened to honey. Interestingly, while we elevate it, God tells His people not to bring Him a grain offering with honey in it. The grain offering speaks of Jesus’ life on earth. Not mixing honey in the grain offering speaks of how the compassion and goodness we see in Jesus during His earthly ministry were all divine. There was no “honey” of human goodness that is tainted with human weakness. In retrospect, the worst thing one could do for the prodigal son was to give him money when he was in the pigpen. Not only would he not have gone home, but what the Lord was doing in his heart would also have been spoiled. This is what happens when we go by the goodness of our human hearts instead of the goodness of God in our hearts, which is directed by His love, wisdom and perfect timing. My friend, God does not want you to be moved by what you see but by His Spirit. There were many needy folks surrounding Jesus during His time on earth. But He did not heal every sick person around Him, feed every hungry stomach he passed or raise all who were dead. Isaiah 11:2–3 tells us that the Lord was not moved by what He saw or heard. He was moved only by the Spirit. You too have the Spirit in you. (1 Corinthians 3:16) Be moved by Him. Follow the peace that He puts within your spirit to do or refrain from doing something. That peace is the peace of God. Acting on that peace will cause God to be exalted, and His divine goodness and kindness to really be a blessing to you and others! Ons is geneig om te konsentreer op die sonde van doen, die verkeerde goed wat ons
doen. Maar wat van die sondes van versuim - die goeie wat ons versuim om te doen? Wanneer iemand in Christus se gelykenisse veroordeel word, is dit dikwels oor die sonde van versuim. 'n Man is by 'n troue uitgegooi omdat hy nie bruilofsklere gehad het nie (Matteus 22:12). Vyf jongmeisies is van 'n bruilofsparty uitgesluit omdat hulle geen olie in hulle lampies gehad het nie (Matteus 25:3-11). 'n Slaaf wat sy talent in die grond begrawe het in plaas daarvan om dit te gebruik, het dit verbeur (Matteus 25:25-28). 'n Ryk man wat versuim het om sy buurman te help, is daarvoor veroordeel (Lukas 16:19-24). 'n Onvrugbare vyeboom wat versuim het om vrugte te dra, is vervloek en het doodgegaan (Markus 11:20-24). Jy sê: 'Maar ek stel belang in die dieper geestelike lewe.' Wel, die diepste geestelike lewe is die lewe wat daarin deurgebring word deur goed aan ander te doen! En dit is die grondslag waarop jy beoordeel en beloon sal word. 'Dan sal die Koning sê: "Ek was honger en julle het My niks gegee om te eet nie. Ek was dors en julle het My niks gegee om te drink nie. Ek was 'n vreemdeling en julle het my nie gehuisves nie; sonder klere en julle het my nie klere gegee nie, siek en in die tronk en julle het My nie versorg nie." Dan sal hulle ook antwoord: "Here, wanneer het ons U honger of dors of 'n vreemdeling of sonder klere of siek of in die tronk gesien en u nie gehelp nie?" En Hy sal hulle antwoord: "Dit verseker Ek julle: Vir sover julle dit aan een van hierdie geringstes nie gedoen het nie, het julle dit aan My ook nie gedoen nie."' (Matteus 25:41-45 NV). Wanneer jy dus die geleentheid het om goed te doen doen dit! Sielskos: Hebreërs 13; Exodus 18:01-19:25; Spreuke 8 7 .. In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor.
8 .. Which He lavished upon us in every kind of wisdom and understanding (practical insight and prudence). EPHESIANS 1 : 7 – 8 GRACE IS MOST CERTAINLY THE PLACE !! To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He has made us accepted in the beloved .. Ephesians 1 : 6 You Are Accepted In The Beloved !! Based on the original Greek text, the word for “accepted” originates from the word for grace. Now, this word gives a far, far broader meaning to the word acceptance !! Understand !! .. God does Not just merely tolerate your presence .. He Has Graced You !! God has given you something that you could never possibly give yourself !! .. He Has Graced You With His Most Cherished And Loved Possession !! .. Jesus Christ !! God Has Placed You In The Beloved !! .. .. In Christ !! As a believer you are no doubt familiar with the word Agape !! Now, the Greek word for “beloved” is extremely close to the word agape .. It is agapao !! Now, where agape is the love of God expressed .. Agapao is the object of God’s love .. Somebody who gives God eternal joy !! So .. God has graced you by placing you in Jesus, Who is His beloved .. And .. In Jesus you are now the object of God’s love and you give Him eternal joy !! You are now free to breath in and breath out God’s unconditional love .. He has bestowed upon you His honor .. And .. He has crowned you with His glory !! BELIEVE IT UNCONDITIONALLY TODAY If you will re-read Ephesians 1 : 6, you will see the verse refers to you being Accepted. Do you notice that the word is used in the past tense .. And it is used in this way because this is something that God decided well before time existed !! Never .. Never .. Never do you have to hope that you are accepted, Work to be accepted, or Wonder if you will ever be accepted .. You Already Are Accepted !! You Have A Fully-Fledged Membership Card .. A free Pass .. And .. An ID Badge That Is Engraved With The Words .. “Accepted In The Beloved” !! Why ? .. Because for eternity God has loved and will always love Jesus .. And .. You Are In Him !! You Are Accepted In The Beloved !! It is vital for you to recognize that you are accepted .. Not on the basis of who you are .. But .. On the basis of your position in Jesus Christ !! You are Not accepted on the basis of the life’s resume that you compile or even the track record of your accolades and achievements !! You Are Accepted Because You Have Received Jesus Christ Into Your Heart As Your Lord And Savior !! You Are !! .. You Are !! .. You Are !! .. Accepted In The Beloved !! YOUR LIFE IS A MASTERPIECE OF GRACE !! .. BE GOD’S CANVAS TODAY !! God loves those who make the effort to seek Him. Proverbs 8:17 I love those who love me and those who seek me early and diligently shall find me. Have you met Him today?
►Moet nooit vir ander mense se drome lag nie.
►Praat stadig, dink vinnig. ►Moet nooit toelaat dat die telefoon belangrike oomblikke onderbreek nie. Dis daar vir jou gerief, en nie vir die een wat jou bel nie. ►Moet mense nie aan hulle familie oordeel nie. ►Wanneer jy se: "Ek gooi tou op, is daar iemand anders wat dieselfde situasie sien en se: "Ek sien `n geleentheid". ►Moet nooit die een wees wat `n familietradisie verbreek nie. ►Wanneer jy geld leen, trek aan asof jy baie het. ►Moenie dat `n klein probleem `n vriendskap verbreek nie. ►Moenie suinig lewe net om geld aan jou kinders te laat nie. ►Soek maniere om jou baas goed te laat lyk. ►Geen tyd saam met kinders is ooit verkwiste tyd nie. ►Daar is altyd mense wat vir jou sal kan sê hoekom jy nie kan doen wat jy graag wil doen nie. Ignoreer hulle. ►Moet nooit saamry in `n motor as die bestuurder `n paar drankies agter die blad het nie. (Ekskuus?) ►Moet nooit iets leliks van iemand se hond sê nie. ►Vergeet van jou drome vir jou kinders en help hulle om hul eie drome te verwesenlik. ►Vra enigiemand wat aan jou aanwysings gee, om dit te herhaal. ►Vra jouself of jy nuwe kennisse sal vertrou met jou voordeursleutel. Indien nie, soek nuwe vriende. ►Leer om te spaar op selfs die kleinste salaris. As jy dit kan doen, is jy verseker van finaniele sukses. ►Wees net so vriendelik met die deurwag as met die voorsitter. ►Laat jou kinders toe om die gevolge van hul optrede te dra. ►Moet nooit alles glo wat jy hoor nie, alles uitgee wat jy het nie, of solank slaap as wat jy wil nie. ►Wees minsten een jaar verloof voordat jy trou. ►Haal jou sonbril af voordat jy met iemand praat. ►Stel jouself voor aan jou nuwe bure. ►Wanneer jy iets kry wat jy wil hê, moenie toelaat dat `n paar rand jou afskrik nie. ►Hou jou kind se hand vas. Die tyd sal kom dat hy of sy dit nie sal toelaat nie. ►Moenie van ander verwag om te weet wat jy Kersfees wil hê nie as jy nie vir hulle vertel nie. ►Gebruik die foto van `n geliefde as `n boekmerk. ►Moenie nee sê totdat jy die volle verhaal gehoor het nie. ►Dra `n lys van jou maat se belangrike afmetings saam met jou. ►Wees geduldig met ouer mense. ►Moenie kos in `n restaurant bestel wat jy nie self die huis kan maak nie. ►Leer drie grappies sodat jy altyd gereed is om kinders te vermaak. ►Handel met die huidige wanneer geskille met geliefdes opduik. Vergeet die verlede. ►Dink voordat jy besluit om verniet te werk nie en nie vir geld te vra nie. Mense waardeer selde dinge wat hulle verniet kry. ►Moet nooit net een rol toiletpapier, een rol film of een blok sjokolade koop nie. Kry altyd twee. ►Aanvaar `n kantoor sonder vensters. ►Trek ou klere aan voordat jy die huis begin verf. ►Bel jou Ma en Pa. There is a place in the HEART where THOUGHTS become WISHES And WISHES become DREAMS! It's a place where anything is possible Only if we BELIEVE. There are 6 things to believe in for a happy, successful life: Believe in your FAITH ... GOALS ... LOVE ... FAMILY ... YOURSELF... And most importantly, Believe in GOD! |
Ana & Andre Schoonbee God uses us to motivate and encourage the body. Authors
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