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Dankie vir 2016

The only thing I want in life, is to be known for loving Christ, to build His church to love His bride and make His name known far and wide

Ons vind oral mense baklei vir ‘n sekere saak. Natuurbewaring, aarde verwarming, mense regte is maar ‘n paar voorbeelde.  Paulus sê dat hy niks anders by die gemeente in Korinte wil hoor as Jesus, en Hom as die gekruisigde.  1 Cor 2:2 Ons beywer onsself vir die saak van Christus. Hy is die dieet wat ons navolg. Hy is die enigste self-help program wat werk, omdat ons eintlik nie onsself kan help totdat Hy die verandering in ons werk nie.  Hy is ons toevlug en plek van rus, en tuiskoms.  Hy is ons visie en missie. Hy is ons rolmodel. Deur Hom het ons die geregtigheid van God ontvang om as kinders van God te lewe.  Hy is ons skeppingsdoel. Rom 8:29 Ons oog is op Hom gevestig die voleinder van ons geloof. Heb 12:1. Hy is ons sending en ons boodskap. Hy is die uitkoms van elke program, lering, byeenkoms en aktiwiteit wat ons aanbied.  Hy is die somtotaal van alle dinge.  Hy is ons identiteit.  Col 3:2 Hy is ons vrede en geluk.

Christus is perfekte teologie. Hy is die waarheid wat ons verkondig.

Vir bykans 17jr veg en staan Chantál en ek vir hierdie saak. Die saak van Christus. Om ‘n kerk te wees wat Hy bou. Om ‘n gemeenskap van gelowiges te wees wat Hom akkuraat en reg uitbeeld in elke aspek van ons lewens.  Dit is die heerlike geskenk wat ons in Christus van God ontvang het, Hy is God teenwoordig, in ons en deur ons in ons huwelik, gesin, werksplek en gemeenskap. 

Ek dank God vir Sy heilige heerlikheid en teenwoordigheid wat Hy deur ons as gebroke kruike aan die wêreld vertoon.  Sedert die eerste dag toe hy ons ontwaak het van ons sluimer, en die Son van geregtigheid in ons harte begin skyn het, het alles verander.  Ons is wakker om te hoor en te doen.  Ons kry soms swaar soos alle mense onder die druk van die lewe se sorge en probleme, maar ons is is nie uitgelewer en magteloos nie. Ons het ‘n lewe wat in ons bruis, ‘n bruisende fontein van lewende water wat nie net ons eie dors les nie, maar ook die mense om ons.

Soos ‘n mens se liggaam bestaan elke deeltjie van hierdie liggaam, in diens van mekaar in die liggaam.  Elke bydrae in tyd, en geld beweeg hierdie ligaam om Jesus te wees vir ons gemeenskap.

Hierdie liggaam word 6 ‘n week gehoor op die Radiogolwe van Radio Namakwaland in ‘n totaal van een uur per week se geestelike insette, dmv Dinsdae 7:15 se Onder konstruksie program met Jan, Chantal se Verhoudings program om Maandae om 3uur, en Tafel gesprekke fokus op reformasie temas Woensdae 11:00.  Chantál bedien getrou mense met woord, en leiding soos die Heilige Gees haar lei op sosiale media, sms, en Whatsapp.

7 plase kry direk bediening van iemand vanuit ons gemeente en is besig om Koninkryksgerigte besighede te word.  60 honger kinders van die mees behoewende kinders in die gemeenskap kry 3 etes per week en word verder gehelp om ‘n vaardighede te ontwikkel om vir hulleself ‘n lewe te maak.  56 kinders word deur Ubuntu Kleuterskool toegerus vir die lewe.  Ons ryk tans uit na 6 skole oor die hele streek, deur gebed, Lewensafrigting, en Motivering toesprake en bediening insette.  Volgende jaar begin ons in samewerking met die NGK Clanwilliam die Lewens Oriëntering periode gebruik om kinders te bedien rondom relevante aspekte soos boelie gedrag, Seksuele misdrywe, identiteit, en beroepssekerheid. Teach with your life het nou Identity 129 geword, en werk ons saam met die AGS Kerk in Vredendal om Jongmense te bedien met die Woord op Vrydagaande. Deur verskeie kampe en dag seminare fokus ons op ‘n spesifiek relevante temas om mense se lewenstyl uit te daag om in lyn te kom met die Woord en Wil van God.

Tans is daar 14 huiskerke waar mense geestelik versorg word, en deel word vd liggaam.  Omdat ons gemeente groei deur kwaliteit verhoudinge en nie deur bywoning getalle nie, is die plek van deelword die huiskerk byeenkoms.  Tans is daar 135 aktiewe medewerkers deel vd gemeente, en 57 kinders in totaal. Meer as 50 mense het deur die Jaar die Bybelskool bygewoon in drie dorpe.  Die fokus hierdie jaar was die boek Openbaring, en die Fondasie Kursus.

Ons is ook betrokke by Bosassa, ‘n sentrum vir minderjarige jeug misdadigers in Clanwilliam.  Ons het onlangs ‘n werker diens sentrum begin om immigrante te help om hulle wettige werkspermitte te bekom. Meer as 300 mense is gehelp. Intussen fokus die bediening om mense die basiese werksetiek te leer, en het meer as 120 mense die jaar die “work4aliving” program voltooi.  Ons reik uit in die gemeenskap en was baie betrokke op vele vlakke, op forums soos die GPF, Wykskomitees, Toerisme, SAPS en die munisipaliteit.  Ons het deur ons netwerk van verhoudinge ‘n vergadering bekom met die Minister van behuising en hulp verkry om die Informele Nedersetting Infux te beredder.  Ons het verskillende diverse bedienaars in die Kerk ontvang en geleentheid gebied dat die hele gemeenskap bedien kan word.  Talle mense is deur middel van ons apostoliese fonds finansieel gehelp en bygestaan soos wat God in mense se harte gewerk het om te gee. Ons is besig om ‘n kommersiële plaas in Uganda te ontwikkel, met die oog op ‘n Bybelskool en opleiding sentrum, en bemarkingsplan wat die lokale gemeente in Uganda kan help om hulle fondse te versterk.

Stadig maar seker is God se koninkryk en wil besig om te kom, hier in die olifantsriviervallei soos wat dit in die hemel is. 

StorehouseOns gemeente is ‘n apostoliese “resource” sentrum, skuur en stoorplek van hulpbronne om geestelik te groei in die waarheid.  Ons fokus is om hierdie hulpbronne op verskillende maniere beskikbaar te stel aan die hele gemeenskap.  Om net ‘n paar temas te noem: Die grootste geheimenis van God is geopenbaar – Christus in ons die hoop van heerlikheid.  Hoe om God se stem te hoor. Die geskenk van geregtigheid om deur Sy vermoë heilig te lewe. Die gawes en volheid vd Heilige Gees. Lofprysing wat God behaag.  Ontdek jou roeping en bediening. Die krag en dinamiek vd Liggaam v Christus.  Verder het die Here ons geseën met so baie vermoëns wat ons wil deel met ander: Drama, Musiek, Mime, Dig en Skryfkuns, Public Speaking, Tydsbestuur en Administrasie, Besigheid op God se manier, en nog soveel meer.  In ‘n tyd van Geestelike hongersnood mag mense gevoed word met die rykdom wat God in ons geplaas het.

LighthouseOns staan as rentmeesters van die Waarheid in prediking en lewenstyl.  Soos ‘n lighuis staan ons vas in die Waarheid om elke verbygaande persoon na die veiligheid vd hawe te rig.  Genade wat jou nie heiliger maak nie is nie genade nie.  Die wet is ‘n rigtingwyser na die geskenk van reglewe wat ons alleenlik deur die geloof in Jesus Christus sou ontvang.  In ons lewe in Christus vervul ons die wet deur ‘n regte lewenswyse.  Die uiteinde en vrug van hierdie lewenswyse is vrede en vreugde in die Heilige Gees. Ons lewe vanuit die Heiligdom van God.  Ons vertrekpunt is in Hom.  Ons soek nie ons geregtigheid nie, ons leef vanuit Sy geregtigheid.  Ons fokus is nie op ons werke nie, maar ons kyk deurentyd na Sy werk.  Hy werk ‘n permanente nuwe lewe en geestelike krag in ons om heilig en godsvrugtig te lewe.  Christus is perfekte teologie! Wanneer ons Hom uit die oog verloor is ons alreeds besig om te dwaal. Hy is die Lighuis wat die pad na die veilige hawe aandui.  Ons is die ligdraers van hierdie realiteit.

AircraftcarrierOns gemeenste funksioneer soos ‘n vliegdekskip, waar bedieninge opgelei word, en dan uitgestuur word soos die Heilige Gees ons lei.  Elke bousteen in God se heiligdom lewe, en het ‘n funksie. Niemand bedien in isolasie nie. Ons bedieninge is vervleg met mekaar.  ONS is die sleutelwoord! Nie my bediening nie, maar ons bediening. Ons is versigtig om die te eer wat ons voor gegaan het, en ons volg in hulle voetstappe. Ons is ook versigtig oor hoe ons loop, want iemand is besig om ons te volg.  In harmonie beweeg ons saam as Sy liggaam.  God het Christus gestuur! Vandag stuur Hy ons! Ons bestaan nie maar net vir ‘n salaris aan die einde vd maand nie. Ons is gestuur na hierdie dorp, in ‘n spesifieke werk, om te lewe tot Sy eer! Elke gelowige moet ten minste een keer ‘n jaar op ‘n sending gaan.  Om deel te wees van ‘n bedieningspan en saam ‘n verskil te gaan maar in ‘n onbekende plek, verdiep jou geestelike lewe. Jy kry rigting en sin in die lewe!

 

 

 

 

Categories
Sermons

Overcoming the spirit of Poverty

I am greatly humbled being given this special opportunity to speak to this audience in Uganda. I am aware that true riches is the riches one finds within. Confidence, faith, hard work, passion, and determination cannot be acquired outwardly. A speaker can only point the way, give instructions, and spark enthusiasm but the work is done by the hearer and Ultimately it is God who enables us. (Phil 2:13)
Since our first visit, we have found Ugandans eager to learn, and very responsive to implement what was learned. Mar 4:20 May every listener be like those from Thessalonica who received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so (Acts 17:11)
The best speakers to address these topics are the Ugandans who understood, and applied the truth in their own given capacity having broken through to achieve financial, emotional and spiritual success. But in time I believe that this will become the legacy of this conference and its future occurrences.

I have seen abject poverty in every African nation I have ever been to. The main reason is because they are mainly a consumer society. They are not industrious nor productive. They can buy and sell. They use what the land has to offer without replenish it. It is a Nomad mentality: let the animals eat the grass, let us cut down the trees and burn the wood, until there is nothing left and then we move on to the next place, for Africa has much space, there is plenty elsewhere. The rich mineral deposits in the continent are controlled by foreign powers who keep a few of their connections in power politically in each region assuring the foreign power’s wealth. If a leader crosses them (Gaddafi) they create a war against them to ‘protect the foreign power from dictators and invasions’. This is course is all a cover for procuring wealth from the impoverished nations. Their cohorts, presidents and prime ministers of African countries, are duly enriched and the wealth of the nation never gets to the poor people. So the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Until the people cannot take it anymore and then someone leads a revolution to overthrow the government. Then the revolutionary hero takes control and repeats the same pattern of dictatorship in his life time. Thus the agony of Africa continues, ad infinitum.

The only hope is this: reform the church to reform the land. Apostle Andre Pelser

Being poor is not altogether bad or wrong.

Mat 5:3 Blessed are the poor in the spirit – they that know how much they depend on Him For theirs is the Kingdom. It is difficult for the rich to receive the Kingdom because of they are self-efficient

Jam 2:5 Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom

Breaking the Poverty Mindset:

“Looking without” – Parable of the Talents. Mat 25:14-30

Do not chase after profit, profit follows you.

Everything belongs to God first we are merely Stewards of what He entrust to us. (Deut 10:14; Ps 24:1; Ps 95:5)

Will give account (Mat 25:31-46; Rom 14:10-12; 2Cor 5:10)

Someone with a deep intimate prayer life cannot remain poor. (Daniel 6:4, 5, 10)

I read a statement from Bill Gothard this past week that defines contentment: “If I am not satisfied with what I have, I will never be satisfied with what I want.” Being Christians in a materialistic world, we sometimes get caught in the crossfire of conflicting lifestyles. Most of us can repeat the sermons on a simple life but struggle with daily pressures to have what humankind has lived without for centuries. Possessing has never been a problem biblically. It’s being possessed by things that creates the conflict. Bill Johnson “The center of the universe” The simply Life pg 55

“The way we acquired wealth is as important as the outcome”

“What do you have in your house” The story of the prophet and the widow

“Blame shifting, resentment, entitlement, justifying self, destroys faith and hope.

“Change your self-image” Your life is hidden in Christ Col 3:3

Giving to & serving humanity – Apostolic mind set 2Cor 6:10 “as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things”

Change your confession

Pray for Wisdom | Character | Faith

Obedience | Truth | Humility

YOU WILL BECOME POOR IF:

Neglect discipline and correction – Poverty and shame come to him who neglects discipline (Prov. 13:18; 21:5)

Not living a life of purpose – he who follows worthless pursuits will have poverty in plenty (Prov. 28:19);

Talking and not doing – mere talk tends only to poverty (Prov. 14:23);

Wickedness – their abundance, wealth and pre-eminence will not remain (Ezek. 7:11);

Pride – the Lord will cast Tyre’s wealth into the sea (Zech. 9:4);

Spending unwisely – she had spent all that she had and was no better but rather worse (Mark 5:26); when he had spent everything (Luke 15:14)

Laziness – do not love sleep lest you come to poverty (Prov. 20:13; 10:4)

Letting things go – a negligent hand causes poverty (Prov. 10:4)

Wrong priorities – he who loves pleasure will become poor (Prov. 21:17)

Addiction – the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty (Prov. 23:21)

Procrastination (Prov 6:10-11)

Wanting quick wealth (Prov 21:5)

Dreams & fantasies (Prov 28:19)

Pleasure Pr 21:17

Rash promises bring poverty Pr 22:26-27

Rich without being spiritually poor.
The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it. (Pr 10:22; 3 John 2

Eph 4:28 puts work in the right perspective. We work not to eat but to be able to give, and being able to give is a blessing in itself. Eccl 5:19

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. (2 Cor 9:8)

He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. (Ps 1:3)

“Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.” (Ps 35:27)
God told Abraham: “I will surely make you prosper” Genesis 32:12

The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered Genesis 39:2

Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper. Deut. 5:33

The Lord will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground Deut. 28:11

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8

Well, you get the idea. I could go on listing verses. But the message is clear. Faith and diligence bring prosperity. Period.

Categories
Sermons

Learn to love and honor God's Judgments

Love and honor God’s Judgments

We live in an age where the following statement has never been more accurate and relevant; “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” Judges 21:25 We have more information available than ever yet people appear to be entirely ignorant of their lifestyle decisions, and it’s consequences. Our alienation from God and Truth has set us onto a course of deep darkness.
The sad truth though is that many Christians and believers are also just as ignorant of their behavior, habits, and incompetence in certain areas. This ignorance became very apparent to us in our recent encounters to Uganda. These are beautiful people, but they are totally ignorant of their incompetence in the workplace. Maybe in some way this is a good thing, for ignorance is bliss. Samuel Lwandasa, who have lived in the USA for more than 15 years relayed a little story to explain the problem with Africans. One man has five cows, he is very proud and feels like a wealthy man, because his neigbor only has two. Not realizing there are people who have more than thousand cows.
Against this backdrop of Earthly reality, I see in the scriptures an incredible hidden truth.
David loved God’s Judgments!
Psalms 18:22 For all His judgments were before me, And I did not put away His statutes from me.
Psalms 19:9-10 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Psalms 36:6 Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O Lord, You preserve man and beast.
David sings a song on God’s Judgments, about how he loves it! Psalms 119:7, 13, 20, 30, 39, 52, 62, 66, 75, 102, 106, 108, 137, 156, 160, 164, 175
Loving Judgements is a difficult concept to comprehend at first; most children writing exams surely cannot agree that they love it! We as adults are not far behind; we’re just happy that we do not have to write them anymore. An interesting read on the subject is the study done by Justin Kruger and David Dunning.

People tend to hold overly favorable views of their abilities in many social and intellectual domains. The authors suggest that this overestimation occurs, in part, because people who are unskilled in these domains suffer a dual burden: Not only do these people reach erroneous conclusions and make unfortunate choices, but their incompetence robs them of the metacognitive ability to realize it. Across 4 studies, the authors found that participants scoring in the bottom quartile on tests of humor, grammar, and logic grossly overestimated their test performance and ability. Although their test scores put them in the 12th percentile, they estimated themselves to be in the 62nd. Several analyses linked this miscalibration to deficits in metacognitive skill, or the capacity to distinguish accuracy from error. Paradoxically, improving the skills of participants, and thus increasing their metacognitive competence, helped them recognize the limitations of their abilities. 1

I also remember a most interesting TED talk, we reviewed in BibleSchool class on Being Wrong by Kathryn Schulz. https://youtu.be/QleRgTBMX88 She explained how like the Wolf in the Road Runner animation, we run over the edge believing we can walk on air, to then suddenly realize we’re dead wrong. We all have moments like this, and it is what makes us human. The problem is when decision makers are wrong and want others to believe their error. Not knowing I am wrong, is possible one of our biggest handicaps.

Seek criticism from friends and peers

Elon Musk explains in an interview about Starting up a new business on how important it is to seek Criticism. 2 He calls it “rigorous self-analysis.” Obviously, you should ignore the ignorance of people that do not understand your cause and is just sowing doubt and unbelief. Learn and attract criticism from your friends, invite them to speak into your life. Make yourself vulnerable. Prayerfully extract the gold from every criticism, reproof, rebuke, admonishment, exhortation that comes your way. Say thank you, the person correcting you is taking a significant risk, and a show of courage to point out a possible error.
Peer review analyses: Because it ‘s hard for most professionals to recognize and improve on their weaknesses on their own, aviation has developed structured mechanisms of check questions to a relative peer. Like flight attendants checking each other on door closing procedures, Pilots going through checklists with Co-pilot etc, and flight crew awareness of problems reported to the captain. This system was only introduced after the fatal crash of Trans World Airlines (TWA) Flight 514, a Boeing 727 inbound from Columbus, Ohio, that was scheduled to land at Washington National Airport. The crew had flown a normally functioning Boeing 727 aircraft into a hill at an altitude of 1669 feet, just short of the hill’s peak of 1764 feet. The 85 passengers and seven crew members died in a horrific fiery crash 29 miles northwest of Dulles International Airport. Human error and Pilot’s misunderstanding each other was the cause of this accident.
How many people have suffered terrible harm because of the absence of correction in the offender’s life?

Elite athletes, musicians, and other top performers understand that excellence occurs through extensive study and practice, with constant feedback, and by adopting techniques and tools that have led to others’ success. For elite performers, this extends well beyond the formal training period. (An entire scientific discipline is devoted to this topic, as detailed by Ericsson 34.)

 Maybe this is why Weigh-less is so successful in helping people loose weight, the weekly weigh-ins.  The AA has sponsors.  Covenant eyes provide a accountability software program for Internet Porn Addicts, where you share your online traffic with a partner.

Take regular tests, to evaluate your ability, performance, and development.

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified 2 Corinthians 13:5. Doing inward self-analysis is fruitless and futile. Paul says that he does not even judge himself. 1 Corinthians 4:3. Judgment has to be external. Our own hearts are too deceptive. Jeremiah 17:9.

The Word and the Spirit is the perfect Judge

Jesus learned His judgment from the Father. Do not trust your own judgment, seek His judgment. John 5:30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. John 7:24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” John 8:15-16 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me.
The more we Study the Word, the better we can judge. The Word is a discerner. Hebrews 4:12. Like not judging a matter by the first testimony, cross-examine and then make a conclusion. Proverbs 18:17.
David made several prayer requests to God to search Him, test Him and examine him. Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, Ps 139:23

The judgment of the Father

In recent times so many worship songs focus on loving God, and His amazing enduring love for us. Although this is important, yet the context of our relationship is always explained in terms of that of a disciple, a bond-slave, a child, a friend. Even our love is contextualized: if you love me you will obey my commandments. John 15:10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
We do not fear His judgment because of His perfect love. 1 John 4:17-19 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. Love is made perfect through obedience. Hebrews 5:8.
Having God as our Father, does not only mean we are now protected, He will take care of everything. It means He will correct us, chastise, and rebuke us if nessasary.
And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:
“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.”
If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Hebrews 12:5-7
See Prov 15:31-32 Today’s scripture reading…

  1. “Unskilled and Unaware of It: How Difficulties in Recognizing One’s Own Incompetence Lead to Inflated Self-Assessments” Justin Kruger and David Dunning Cornell University  ↩︎
  2. Elon Musk https://youtu.be/NU7W7qe2R0A “Constantly seek criticism” 11minutes into video 
  3. Ericsson KA. The influence of experience and deliberate practice on the development of superior expert performance. In: , Ericsson KA. ed. The Cambridge handbook of expertise and expert performance. New YorkNew York: Cambridge University Press, 2006; 683–704. CrossRef
Categories
Sermons

Learn to love and honor God’s Judgments

Love and honor God’s Judgments

We live in an age where the following statement has never been more accurate and relevant; “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” Judges 21:25 We have more information availible than ever yet people appear to be entirely ignorant of their lifestyle decisions, and it’s consequences. Our alienation from God and Truth has set us onto a course of deep darkness.

The sad truth though is that many Christians and believers are also just as ignorant of their behavior, habits, and incompetence in certain areas. This ignorance became very apparent to us in our recent encounters to Uganda. These are beautiful people, but they are totally ignorant of their incompetence in the workplace. Maybe in some way this is a good thing, for ignorance is bliss. Samuel Lwandasa, who have lived in the USA for more than 15 years relayed a little story to explain the problem with Africans. One man has five cows, he is very proud and feels like a wealthy man, because his neigbor only has two. Not realizing there are people who have more than thousand cows.

Against this backdrop of Earthly reality, I see in the scriptures an incredible hidden truth.

David loved God’s Judgments!

Psalms 18:22 For all His judgments were before me, And I did not put away His statutes from me.

Psalms 19:9-10 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Psalms 36:6 Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O Lord, You preserve man and beast.

David sings a song on God’s Judgments, about how he loves it! Psalms 119:7, 13, 20, 30, 39, 52, 62, 66, 75, 102, 106, 108, 137, 156, 160, 164, 175

Loving Judgements is a difficult concept to comprehend at first; most children writing exams surely cannot agree that they love it! We as adults are not far behind; we’re just happy that we do not have to write them anymore. An interesting read on the subject is the study done by Justin Kruger and David Dunning.

People tend to hold overly favorable views of their abilities in many social and intellectual domains. The authors suggest that this overestimation occurs, in part, because people who are unskilled in these domains suffer a dual burden: Not only do these people reach erroneous conclusions and make unfortunate choices, but their incompetence robs them of the metacognitive ability to realize it. Across 4 studies, the authors found that participants scoring in the bottom quartile on tests of humor, grammar, and logic grossly overestimated their test performance and ability. Although their test scores put them in the 12th percentile, they estimated themselves to be in the 62nd. Several analyses linked this miscalibration to deficits in metacognitive skill, or the capacity to distinguish accuracy from error. Paradoxically, improving the skills of participants, and thus increasing their metacognitive competence, helped them recognize the limitations of their abilities. 1

I also remember a most interesting TED talk, we reviewed in BibleSchool class on Being Wrong by Kathryn Schulz. https://youtu.be/QleRgTBMX88 She explained how like the Wolf in the Road Runner animation, we run over the edge believing we can walk on air, to then suddenly realize we’re dead wrong. We all have moments like this, and it is what makes us human. The problem is when decision makers are wrong and want others to believe their error. Not knowing I am wrong, is possible one of our biggest handicaps.

Seek criticism from friends and peers

Elon Musk explains in an interview about Starting up a new business on how important it is to seek Criticism. 2 He calls it “rigorous self-analysis.” Obviously, you should ignore the ignorance of people that do not understand your cause and is just sowing doubt and unbelief. Learn and attract criticism from your friends, invite them to speak into your life. Make yourself vulnerable. Prayerfully extract the gold from every criticism, reproof, rebuke, admonishment, exhortation that comes your way. Say thank you, the person correcting you is taking a significant risk, and a show of courage to point out a possible error.

Peer review analyses: Because it ‘s hard for most professionals to recognize and improve on their weaknesses on their own, aviation has developed structured mechanisms of check questions to a relative peer. Like flight attendants checking each other on door closing procedures, Pilots going through checklists with Co-pilot etc, and flight crew awareness of problems reported to the captain. This system was only introduced after the fatal crash of Trans World Airlines (TWA) Flight 514, a Boeing 727 inbound from Columbus, Ohio, that was scheduled to land at Washington National Airport. The crew had flown a normally functioning Boeing 727 aircraft into a hill at an altitude of 1669 feet, just short of the hill’s peak of 1764 feet. The 85 passengers and seven crew members died in a horrific fiery crash 29 miles northwest of Dulles International Airport. Human error and Pilot’s misunderstanding each other was the cause of this accident.

How many people have suffered terrible harm because of the absence of correction in the offender’s life?

Elite athletes, musicians, and other top performers understand that excellence occurs through extensive study and practice, with constant feedback, and by adopting techniques and tools that have led to others’ success. For elite performers, this extends well beyond the formal training period. (An entire scientific discipline is devoted to this topic, as detailed by Ericsson 34.)

 Maybe this is why Weigh-less is so successful in helping people loose weight, the weekly weigh-ins.  The AA has sponsors.  Covenant eyes provide a accountability software program for Internet Porn Addicts, where you share your online traffic with a partner.

Take regular tests, to evaluate your ability, performance, and development.

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified 2 Corinthians 13:5. Doing inward self-analysis is fruitless and futile. Paul says that he does not even judge himself. 1 Corinthians 4:3. Judgment has to be external. Our own hearts are too deceptive. Jeremiah 17:9.

The Word and the Spirit is the perfect Judge

Jesus learned His judgment from the Father. Do not trust your own judgment, seek His judgment. John 5:30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. John 7:24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” John 8:15-16 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me.

The more we Study the Word, the better we can judge. The Word is a discerner. Hebrews 4:12. Like not judging a matter by the first testimony, cross-examine and then make a conclusion. Proverbs 18:17.

David made several prayer requests to God to search Him, test Him and examine him. Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, Ps 139:23

The judgment of the Father

In recent times so many worship songs focus on loving God, and His amazing enduring love for us. Although this is important, yet the context of our relationship is always explained in terms of that of a disciple, a bond-slave, a child, a friend. Even our love is contextualized: if you love me you will obey my commandments. John 15:10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

We do not fear His judgment because of His perfect love. 1 John 4:17-19 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. Love is made perfect through obedience. Hebrews 5:8.

Having God as our Father, does not only mean we are now protected, He will take care of everything. It means He will correct us, chastise, and rebuke us if nessasary.

And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:
“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.”
If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Hebrews 12:5-7

See Prov 15:31-32 Today’s scripture reading…

  1. “Unskilled and Unaware of It: How Difficulties in Recognizing One’s Own Incompetence Lead to Inflated Self-Assessments” Justin Kruger and David Dunning Cornell University  ↩︎
  2. Elon Musk https://youtu.be/NU7W7qe2R0A “Constantly seek criticism” 11minutes into video 
  3. Ericsson KA. The influence of experience and deliberate practice on the development of superior expert performance. In: , Ericsson KA. ed. The Cambridge handbook of expertise and expert performance. New YorkNew York: Cambridge University Press, 2006; 683–704. CrossRef
Categories
Preke

Die krag van 'n vrolike hart in Jesus

“Die blymoedige mens se hele lewe is ’n fees” (Prov 15:15) Blydskap laat ‘n mens se gesig straal; smart maak ‘n mens terneergedruk. (Prov 15:13) ‘n Vrolike mens is ‘n gesonde mens, ‘n neerslagtige mens raak uitgeput. (Prov 17:22) Die Bekende KIPP Skole baseer onder andere hulle sukses met kinders deur te fokus om die kinders se “zest” passie te ontwikkel.  Gelukkige en “happy” kinders leer makliker. Hulle droom is om 100% van alle leerders te laat kwalifiseer vir Nagraadse Studies. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAsSdyb6YMY&app=desktop

Scientists have been studying the effect of laughter on human beings and have found, among other things, that laughter has a profound and instantaneous effect on virtually every important organ in the human body. Laughter reduces health-sapping tensions and relaxes the tissues as well as exercising the most vital organs. It is said that laughter, even when forced, results in beneficial effect on us, both mentally and physically. Next time you feel nervous and jittery, indulge in a good laugh. —Executives’ Digest[i]

Die Here wil nie hê ons moet Hom dien soos slawe sonder vreugde nie.  Deut 28:47 Daarom was die Joodse Kalender gevul met 7 feeste. God wil hê ons moet kan feesvier! (Ezra 6:22)
Jesus was so ‘n vrolike blymoedige mens.  (Luk 10:21) “rejoiced in spirit” (agalliō) – to leap. To exult, leap for joy, to show one’s joy by leaping and skipping denoting excessive or ecstatic joy and delight.  Hy het die krag van vreugde in die Gees verstaan, en dit het Hom die krag te gee om Sy lyding te ontbeer. (Heb 12:2) Hy het geleef vanuit ‘n intieme verhouding met die Vader, wetende dat die Vader Sy gebede antwoord. (Joh 11:41-42) Hy het die guns ontvang van die Vader. (Mat 3:17) Die Vader het hom verheerlik (Joh 8:54) Sy verhouding met die Vader, en gehoorsaamheid aan die Vader, was die bron van Sy vreugde.  “the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Neh 8:10) Sien die klem in hierdie vers. Sy vreugde gee ons krag. Soos ‘n man krag kry uit sy vrou wat gelukkig is, kry ons krag wanneer ons weet ons lewe behaag die Here.
Alhoewel Jesus ‘n man was wat lyding en pyn geken het, het Hy nogtans met vreugde gelewe. Sondaars was aangetrek na Hom en onthou hulle is nie juis bekend dat hulle die ernstige, gewyde, hoog heilige mense opsoek nie! Jesus se gelykenisse, en teenvraag stellings, wys op sy fyn sin vir humor.
Een van my gunsteling outeurs John Eldredge beskryf Jesus op die volgende manier vanuit die perspektief van die natuur wat van Hom getuig in sy boek Beautiful Outlaw.

I was sitting out back yesterday morning sipping coffee, watching the young chipmunks chase one another at breakneck speeds across the deck. One clever daredevil, hoping to get the advantage, jumped up on the fence rail and continued the chase from above, leaping at the last moment upon his littermate like a Hollywood stuntman. This morning one of them adopted a new strategy. The little rascal found an ambush spot, clinging from the side of the house, where he waited for his playmate to wander by unawares; he then pounced, and the two somersaulted off the deck and into the grass, squealing. Only to dash off and do it again. And again. Now—what does this tell us about the personality of Jesus, who created these little dynamos with striped masks and boundless enthusiasm? What do they say about his heart? Polar-bear cubs will hurl themselves down snowy hillsides headfirst and upside down, just for fun. Spinner dolphins love to romp in the bow-wake of a boat, cavorting, leaping into the air and, well, spinning. Otters play tag. Our horses play tug-of-war with a stick—which is really quite funny when you think of how nobly a horse normally likes to carry himself. [ii]

HOE ONTVANG EN LEEF JY IN HIERDIE BLYMOEDIGHEID?
Ons verbondenheid met Christus, die Vader en die Heilige Gees – (Joh 15:11-12) Dit sê Ek vir julle sodat my blydskap in julle kan wees en julle blydskap volkome kan wees. Dit is my opdrag: Julle moet mekaar liefhê soos Ek julle liefhet. Ons verbondenheid met Jesus gee ons ewige vreugde. Soos ‘n wingerdtak in die boom ingeënt is, en sy lewe ontvang van die boom, so leef ons in Christus.  Maar ons kan nie in die boom ingeënt wees sonder dat ons outomaties nie ook in mekaar ingeënt is nie.  Vergelyk (Col 1:27) in die ou vertaling en die nuwe vertaling: Christus IN en Onder ons.
Ons verbondenheid met mekaar in Sy liggaam – Todd Adkins post op sy Twitter blad: “Geen mens kan Jesus alleen volg nie.” Ware Apostoliese leiers soos Johannes se teenwoordigheid het sy vriende en medegelowiges se harte met vreugde gevul. (2 Joh 1:12) In Johannes se eerste Brief weerklank hy Jesus se gebed in Joh 17:21 “Hom wat ons gesien en gehoor het, verkondig ons aan júlle, sodat julle aan ons gemeenskap deel kan hê. En die gemeenskap waaraan ons deel het, is dié met die Vader en met sy Seun, Jesus Christus.” (1 Joh 1:3-4) Dit skryf ons sodat ons blydskap volkome kan wees. John Piper volg dieselfde gedagterigting wanneer hy verduidelik dat dissipels-maak eintlik ‘n korporatiewe en groeps-gebeurtenis is.  Want jy word deel van die “Jesus” groep.
Sy tasbare teenwoordigheid en heerlikheid – Deur ons verhouding en intimiteit met die Vader behou ons die vreugde. Hy is vreugde! Sy teenwoordigheid is loutere vreugde en ekstase!
ekstase = ecstasy, rapture
(Ephesians 5:18) Nie dronk van wyn nie, maar dronk/gevul met die Heilige Gees.
Full of joy, filled with HS.  (Acts 13:52) vergelyk (Acts 2:2) Die uitstorting van die Heilige Gees.
Shekhinah “that which dwells” the radiance, glory or presence of God dwelling in the midst of his people, is used by Targumist and Rabbi to signify God himself, for legal Judaism dislikes ascribing form or emotion to deity.[iii] It refers to the instances when God showed Himself visibly, as, for example, on Mount Sinai (Ex. 24:9–18) and in the Holy of Holies of the tabernacle and in Solomon’s Temple.[iv] This term is not found in the Bible. It was used by the later Jews, and borrowed by Christians from them, to express the visible majesty of the divine Presence, especially when resting or dwelling between the cherubim on the mercy-seat in the tabernacle and in the temple of Solomon[v] The Shekinah, nearest Jewish equivalent to the Holy Spirit,[vi]
Early Christian Prophetic Ecstasy The early church included an element of ecstatic prophecy. John describes his ecstatic encounter in stating, “I was in the spirit on the Lord’s day” (Rev 1:10 NRSV). This incident and others that he recounted involved an out-of-body experience during which John had visions into the heavenly realm and received instructions and revelations from God and/or the exalted Christ. Peter (Acts 11:5) and Paul (2 Cor 12:1–7) had similar ecstatic experiences.[vii]
Eugene Peterson says that the Hebrew root word for “prosperity” is more accurately translated “leisure”—“ the relaxed stance of one who knows that everything is all right because God is over us, with us and for us in Jesus Christ.” [viii]
Vrug van Sy karakter permanent in ons – Blydskap is deel van die vrug van die Gees. En die vrug is enkelvoud. Die primêre vrug is liefde! Al die ander 8 vrugte is ‘n voortvloeisel van liefde. Vergelyk (1 Cor 13:3-4), Liefde is geduldig, vriendelik ens. Blydskap, vreugde, vrolikheid is ‘n inherente eienskap van liefde.  Daar is net hoofsaaklik 2 primêre emosies wat ons as mens beleef, of liefde of vrees.  Woede/wraak/haat is die hoogste emosie van vrees: Euforiese sprankelende, huppelende, vreugde is die hoogste emosie van liefde! Om met God versoen te wees, en met Hom reg te wees – bring vrede en vreugde in die Heilige Gees. (Rom 8:17)
BLYDSKAP ROWERS:
Hierdie eenwording met Hom en met mekaar, is net moontlik as ‘n mens se hart heeltemal skoon is van “Offense”. Ons afrikaners sukkel maar met dié woord die woordeboek vertaal “offense” as volg: Gebelgd, gekrenk, beledig voel, gesteurdheid, afgehaal, gekwets, geraaktheid.  Luk 17:1-5 leer ons die stappe om met iemand te maak wat jou te na kom.  Hoe meer jy hierdie stappe volg, hoe sterker word jy, en hoe minder voel jy te na gekom.
BLYDSKAP EN VROLIKHEID IS ‘N WAPEN IN ONS GEESTELIKE ARSENAAL

  • Vreugde gee ons krag tydens verdrukking. In al ons sorge is ek vol moed en oorstelp van blydskap. 2 Corinthians 7:4
  • Mag God, die bron van hoop, julle deur julle geloof met alle vreugde en vrede vervul, sodat julle hoop al hoe sterker kan word deur die krag van die Heilige Gees! (Romans 15:13–14) Vreugde versterk jou geloof.  Hoop en vreugde is vennote.  Joy is the keeper and vehicle of hope. Joyful expectation of hope. Vreugde hou jou in die atmosfeer van geloof, hoop en die bonatuurlike!
  • Vreugde maak ons beter getuies van Sy lewe.  Jesus se vertelling van gelykenisse en slim humor het sy luisteraars ontwapen om met ‘n vars oor en oop hart te luister.  ‘n lewendige, opgewekte, en opgeruimde onderwyser sal nie sukkel om sy of haar kinders se aandag te kry nie.
  • Innerlike vreugde en vrolikheid is ‘n teenmiddel teen verslawing.  Iemand wat innerlike vreugde beleef gaan nie probeer om dit chemies aan te vul of te kry nie. Jy is vol!
  • Vreugde ontlont moeilike situasies.  Dink maar hoeveel keer ‘n bietjie humor op die regte tyd, ‘n argument met jou huwelikmaat ontlont het.

WAT VREUGDE EN VROLIKHEID NIE IS NIE.
Dit nie sarkasme nie, ek lag vir jou.
Dit is nie ligsinning nie.
Dit is nie onkenning nie. Onkenning is ‘n vorm van “presumptuous” geloof. Jy het nie ‘n sekre Woord van God nie, maar wens maar net dat die probleem self sal verdwyn. Nou maak mens grappies en deel nie met die kern van ‘n probleem nie.
INSPIRASIE!
‘n pragtige voorbeeld van die krag van ‘n positiewe uitkyk op die lewe en die krag van blydskap is die film “Life is beautiful”. Rick Lawrence verduidelik dit pragtig in sy boek Shrewd.
Pain is a predator, and all of us have felt its bite—some have been eaten alive by it. But laughter raises its fist to a corrupted world and proclaims, “This cannot destroy me!” This is, in the end, the message delivered in the 1997 Oscar-winning foreign film Life Is Beautiful. In the film a Jewish-Italian man named Guido (played by writer/ director/ actor Roberto Benigni) uses laughter to help his four-year-old son survive a Nazi concentration camp. He convinces his son that the camp is just an elaborate game, and that the boy will win an actual tank if he’s the first child to earn one thousand points. He will lose points, explains Guido, if he cries, complains about missing his mother, or begs for food. Despite his stark and horrific surroundings, the boy believes his dad’s version of reality—the killing factory becomes his playground. In the end, as American liberators are closing in on the camp, Guido is caught trying to find his wife and led off by Nazi guards to be shot. He sees his son watching as he’s taken away, so he mimics and satirizes the guard as he marches behind him, to the delight of his son. The father is killed, but the son and the mother survive. Later, when the boy is old enough to understand what happened, he realizes that his father’s shrewd sense of humor saved his life. [ix]
George Mueller would not preach until his heart was happy in the grace of God; Ian Ruybroeck would not write while his feelings were low, but would retire to a quiet place and wait on God till he felt the spirit of inspiration. It is well-known that the elevated spirits of a group of Moravians convinced John Wesley of the reality of their religion, and helped to bring him a short time later to a state of true conversion. The Christian owes it to the world to be supernaturally joyful. —A. W. Tozer[x]
Nog verdere Skrifgedeeltes:
Ps 63:5; 66:1; 89:15; 96:12; 149:5-6


[i] Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 678). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.
[ii] Beautiful Outlaw – John Eldredge
[iii] Stewart, R. A. (1996). Shekinah. In D. R. W. Wood, I. H. Marshall, A. R. Millard, J. I. Packer, & D. J. Wiseman (Eds.), New Bible dictionary (3rd ed., p. 1090). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
[iv] Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., & Harrison, R. K., Thomas Nelson Publishers (Eds.). (1995). In Nelson’s new illustrated Bible dictionary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc.
[v] Smith, W. (1986). In Smith’s Bible Dictionary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
[vi] Stewart, R. A. (1996). Shekinah. In D. R. W. Wood, I. H. Marshall, A. R. Millard, J. I. Packer, & D. J. Wiseman (Eds.), New Bible dictionary (3rd ed., pp. 1090–1091). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
[vii] Seal, D. (2016). Prophetic Ecstasy in the Ancient Near East. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, … W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[viii] Eugene Peterson, A Long Obedience In the Same Direction (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000), 45.
[ix] Shrewd: Daring to live the startling command of Jesus. Rick Lawrence
[x] Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 679). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.
Categories
Preke

Die krag van ‘n vrolike hart in Jesus

“Die blymoedige mens se hele lewe is ’n fees” (Prov 15:15) Blydskap laat ‘n mens se gesig straal; smart maak ‘n mens terneergedruk. (Prov 15:13) ‘n Vrolike mens is ‘n gesonde mens, ‘n neerslagtige mens raak uitgeput. (Prov 17:22) Die Bekende KIPP Skole baseer onder andere hulle sukses met kinders deur te fokus om die kinders se “zest” passie te ontwikkel.  Gelukkige en “happy” kinders leer makliker. Hulle droom is om 100% van alle leerders te laat kwalifiseer vir Nagraadse Studies. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAsSdyb6YMY&app=desktop

Scientists have been studying the effect of laughter on human beings and have found, among other things, that laughter has a profound and instantaneous effect on virtually every important organ in the human body. Laughter reduces health-sapping tensions and relaxes the tissues as well as exercising the most vital organs. It is said that laughter, even when forced, results in beneficial effect on us, both mentally and physically. Next time you feel nervous and jittery, indulge in a good laugh. —Executives’ Digest[i]

Die Here wil nie hê ons moet Hom dien soos slawe sonder vreugde nie.  Deut 28:47 Daarom was die Joodse Kalender gevul met 7 feeste. God wil hê ons moet kan feesvier! (Ezra 6:22)

Jesus was so ‘n vrolike blymoedige mens.  (Luk 10:21) “rejoiced in spirit” (agalliō) – to leap. To exult, leap for joy, to show one’s joy by leaping and skipping denoting excessive or ecstatic joy and delight.  Hy het die krag van vreugde in die Gees verstaan, en dit het Hom die krag te gee om Sy lyding te ontbeer. (Heb 12:2) Hy het geleef vanuit ‘n intieme verhouding met die Vader, wetende dat die Vader Sy gebede antwoord. (Joh 11:41-42) Hy het die guns ontvang van die Vader. (Mat 3:17) Die Vader het hom verheerlik (Joh 8:54) Sy verhouding met die Vader, en gehoorsaamheid aan die Vader, was die bron van Sy vreugde.  “the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Neh 8:10) Sien die klem in hierdie vers. Sy vreugde gee ons krag. Soos ‘n man krag kry uit sy vrou wat gelukkig is, kry ons krag wanneer ons weet ons lewe behaag die Here.

Alhoewel Jesus ‘n man was wat lyding en pyn geken het, het Hy nogtans met vreugde gelewe. Sondaars was aangetrek na Hom en onthou hulle is nie juis bekend dat hulle die ernstige, gewyde, hoog heilige mense opsoek nie! Jesus se gelykenisse, en teenvraag stellings, wys op sy fyn sin vir humor.

Een van my gunsteling outeurs John Eldredge beskryf Jesus op die volgende manier vanuit die perspektief van die natuur wat van Hom getuig in sy boek Beautiful Outlaw.

I was sitting out back yesterday morning sipping coffee, watching the young chipmunks chase one another at breakneck speeds across the deck. One clever daredevil, hoping to get the advantage, jumped up on the fence rail and continued the chase from above, leaping at the last moment upon his littermate like a Hollywood stuntman. This morning one of them adopted a new strategy. The little rascal found an ambush spot, clinging from the side of the house, where he waited for his playmate to wander by unawares; he then pounced, and the two somersaulted off the deck and into the grass, squealing. Only to dash off and do it again. And again. Now—what does this tell us about the personality of Jesus, who created these little dynamos with striped masks and boundless enthusiasm? What do they say about his heart? Polar-bear cubs will hurl themselves down snowy hillsides headfirst and upside down, just for fun. Spinner dolphins love to romp in the bow-wake of a boat, cavorting, leaping into the air and, well, spinning. Otters play tag. Our horses play tug-of-war with a stick—which is really quite funny when you think of how nobly a horse normally likes to carry himself. [ii]

HOE ONTVANG EN LEEF JY IN HIERDIE BLYMOEDIGHEID?

Ons verbondenheid met Christus, die Vader en die Heilige Gees – (Joh 15:11-12) Dit sê Ek vir julle sodat my blydskap in julle kan wees en julle blydskap volkome kan wees. Dit is my opdrag: Julle moet mekaar liefhê soos Ek julle liefhet. Ons verbondenheid met Jesus gee ons ewige vreugde. Soos ‘n wingerdtak in die boom ingeënt is, en sy lewe ontvang van die boom, so leef ons in Christus.  Maar ons kan nie in die boom ingeënt wees sonder dat ons outomaties nie ook in mekaar ingeënt is nie.  Vergelyk (Col 1:27) in die ou vertaling en die nuwe vertaling: Christus IN en Onder ons.

Ons verbondenheid met mekaar in Sy liggaam – Todd Adkins post op sy Twitter blad: “Geen mens kan Jesus alleen volg nie.” Ware Apostoliese leiers soos Johannes se teenwoordigheid het sy vriende en medegelowiges se harte met vreugde gevul. (2 Joh 1:12) In Johannes se eerste Brief weerklank hy Jesus se gebed in Joh 17:21 “Hom wat ons gesien en gehoor het, verkondig ons aan júlle, sodat julle aan ons gemeenskap deel kan hê. En die gemeenskap waaraan ons deel het, is dié met die Vader en met sy Seun, Jesus Christus.” (1 Joh 1:3-4) Dit skryf ons sodat ons blydskap volkome kan wees. John Piper volg dieselfde gedagterigting wanneer hy verduidelik dat dissipels-maak eintlik ‘n korporatiewe en groeps-gebeurtenis is.  Want jy word deel van die “Jesus” groep.

Sy tasbare teenwoordigheid en heerlikheid – Deur ons verhouding en intimiteit met die Vader behou ons die vreugde. Hy is vreugde! Sy teenwoordigheid is loutere vreugde en ekstase!

ekstase = ecstasy, rapture

(Ephesians 5:18) Nie dronk van wyn nie, maar dronk/gevul met die Heilige Gees.

Full of joy, filled with HS.  (Acts 13:52) vergelyk (Acts 2:2) Die uitstorting van die Heilige Gees.

Shekhinah “that which dwells” the radiance, glory or presence of God dwelling in the midst of his people, is used by Targumist and Rabbi to signify God himself, for legal Judaism dislikes ascribing form or emotion to deity.[iii] It refers to the instances when God showed Himself visibly, as, for example, on Mount Sinai (Ex. 24:9–18) and in the Holy of Holies of the tabernacle and in Solomon’s Temple.[iv] This term is not found in the Bible. It was used by the later Jews, and borrowed by Christians from them, to express the visible majesty of the divine Presence, especially when resting or dwelling between the cherubim on the mercy-seat in the tabernacle and in the temple of Solomon[v] The Shekinah, nearest Jewish equivalent to the Holy Spirit,[vi]

Early Christian Prophetic Ecstasy The early church included an element of ecstatic prophecy. John describes his ecstatic encounter in stating, “I was in the spirit on the Lord’s day” (Rev 1:10 NRSV). This incident and others that he recounted involved an out-of-body experience during which John had visions into the heavenly realm and received instructions and revelations from God and/or the exalted Christ. Peter (Acts 11:5) and Paul (2 Cor 12:1–7) had similar ecstatic experiences.[vii]

Eugene Peterson says that the Hebrew root word for “prosperity” is more accurately translated “leisure”—“ the relaxed stance of one who knows that everything is all right because God is over us, with us and for us in Jesus Christ.” [viii]

Vrug van Sy karakter permanent in ons – Blydskap is deel van die vrug van die Gees. En die vrug is enkelvoud. Die primêre vrug is liefde! Al die ander 8 vrugte is ‘n voortvloeisel van liefde. Vergelyk (1 Cor 13:3-4), Liefde is geduldig, vriendelik ens. Blydskap, vreugde, vrolikheid is ‘n inherente eienskap van liefde.  Daar is net hoofsaaklik 2 primêre emosies wat ons as mens beleef, of liefde of vrees.  Woede/wraak/haat is die hoogste emosie van vrees: Euforiese sprankelende, huppelende, vreugde is die hoogste emosie van liefde! Om met God versoen te wees, en met Hom reg te wees – bring vrede en vreugde in die Heilige Gees. (Rom 8:17)

BLYDSKAP ROWERS:

Hierdie eenwording met Hom en met mekaar, is net moontlik as ‘n mens se hart heeltemal skoon is van “Offense”. Ons afrikaners sukkel maar met dié woord die woordeboek vertaal “offense” as volg: Gebelgd, gekrenk, beledig voel, gesteurdheid, afgehaal, gekwets, geraaktheid.  Luk 17:1-5 leer ons die stappe om met iemand te maak wat jou te na kom.  Hoe meer jy hierdie stappe volg, hoe sterker word jy, en hoe minder voel jy te na gekom.

BLYDSKAP EN VROLIKHEID IS ‘N WAPEN IN ONS GEESTELIKE ARSENAAL

  • Vreugde gee ons krag tydens verdrukking. In al ons sorge is ek vol moed en oorstelp van blydskap. 2 Corinthians 7:4
  • Mag God, die bron van hoop, julle deur julle geloof met alle vreugde en vrede vervul, sodat julle hoop al hoe sterker kan word deur die krag van die Heilige Gees! (Romans 15:13–14) Vreugde versterk jou geloof.  Hoop en vreugde is vennote.  Joy is the keeper and vehicle of hope. Joyful expectation of hope. Vreugde hou jou in die atmosfeer van geloof, hoop en die bonatuurlike!
  • Vreugde maak ons beter getuies van Sy lewe.  Jesus se vertelling van gelykenisse en slim humor het sy luisteraars ontwapen om met ‘n vars oor en oop hart te luister.  ‘n lewendige, opgewekte, en opgeruimde onderwyser sal nie sukkel om sy of haar kinders se aandag te kry nie.
  • Innerlike vreugde en vrolikheid is ‘n teenmiddel teen verslawing.  Iemand wat innerlike vreugde beleef gaan nie probeer om dit chemies aan te vul of te kry nie. Jy is vol!
  • Vreugde ontlont moeilike situasies.  Dink maar hoeveel keer ‘n bietjie humor op die regte tyd, ‘n argument met jou huwelikmaat ontlont het.

WAT VREUGDE EN VROLIKHEID NIE IS NIE.

Dit nie sarkasme nie, ek lag vir jou.

Dit is nie ligsinning nie.

Dit is nie onkenning nie. Onkenning is ‘n vorm van “presumptuous” geloof. Jy het nie ‘n sekre Woord van God nie, maar wens maar net dat die probleem self sal verdwyn. Nou maak mens grappies en deel nie met die kern van ‘n probleem nie.

INSPIRASIE!

‘n pragtige voorbeeld van die krag van ‘n positiewe uitkyk op die lewe en die krag van blydskap is die film “Life is beautiful”. Rick Lawrence verduidelik dit pragtig in sy boek Shrewd.

Pain is a predator, and all of us have felt its bite—some have been eaten alive by it. But laughter raises its fist to a corrupted world and proclaims, “This cannot destroy me!” This is, in the end, the message delivered in the 1997 Oscar-winning foreign film Life Is Beautiful. In the film a Jewish-Italian man named Guido (played by writer/ director/ actor Roberto Benigni) uses laughter to help his four-year-old son survive a Nazi concentration camp. He convinces his son that the camp is just an elaborate game, and that the boy will win an actual tank if he’s the first child to earn one thousand points. He will lose points, explains Guido, if he cries, complains about missing his mother, or begs for food. Despite his stark and horrific surroundings, the boy believes his dad’s version of reality—the killing factory becomes his playground. In the end, as American liberators are closing in on the camp, Guido is caught trying to find his wife and led off by Nazi guards to be shot. He sees his son watching as he’s taken away, so he mimics and satirizes the guard as he marches behind him, to the delight of his son. The father is killed, but the son and the mother survive. Later, when the boy is old enough to understand what happened, he realizes that his father’s shrewd sense of humor saved his life. [ix]

George Mueller would not preach until his heart was happy in the grace of God; Ian Ruybroeck would not write while his feelings were low, but would retire to a quiet place and wait on God till he felt the spirit of inspiration. It is well-known that the elevated spirits of a group of Moravians convinced John Wesley of the reality of their religion, and helped to bring him a short time later to a state of true conversion. The Christian owes it to the world to be supernaturally joyful. —A. W. Tozer[x]

Nog verdere Skrifgedeeltes:

Ps 63:5; 66:1; 89:15; 96:12; 149:5-6

 


[i] Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 678). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.

[ii] Beautiful Outlaw – John Eldredge

[iii] Stewart, R. A. (1996). Shekinah. In D. R. W. Wood, I. H. Marshall, A. R. Millard, J. I. Packer, & D. J. Wiseman (Eds.), New Bible dictionary (3rd ed., p. 1090). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

[iv] Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., & Harrison, R. K., Thomas Nelson Publishers (Eds.). (1995). In Nelson’s new illustrated Bible dictionary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc.

[v] Smith, W. (1986). In Smith’s Bible Dictionary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

[vi] Stewart, R. A. (1996). Shekinah. In D. R. W. Wood, I. H. Marshall, A. R. Millard, J. I. Packer, & D. J. Wiseman (Eds.), New Bible dictionary (3rd ed., pp. 1090–1091). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

[vii] Seal, D. (2016). Prophetic Ecstasy in the Ancient Near East. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, … W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

[viii] Eugene Peterson, A Long Obedience In the Same Direction (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000), 45.

[ix] Shrewd: Daring to live the startling command of Jesus. Rick Lawrence

[x] Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 679). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.

Categories
Sermons

Why persecution is a blessing, and how to endure it

Scripture indicates that believers can expect to face hardship, ridicule and oppression, from individuals and state authorities, on account of their faith. It encourages believers to remain faithful in the face of such persecution and to draw strength from the example of Jesus Christ himself.

THE SOURCE OF PERSECUTION

Jesus warns of the leaven of the Pharisees (Religious order) and Herod (Government Order) Mark 8:15 A reminder that this persecution can also be very subtle.
In Revelation we see the Beast rising out of the sea (Worldly Governments) and the Beast from the Earth (Religious Order) These two orders Crucified Jesus – Rome and the Jews. Since the beginning these are the two greatest enemies of the true church. Gal 4:29 The greatest persecutor of evangelical Christianity is probably liberal Christianity.
Persecution is an intrinsic part of Christianity. In Acts 4:1- 32 are some tremendous insights that we can learn from the way the Apostles handled persecution. For the early church, persecution was a blessing. That is still true today–persecution is a blessing to all churches and all believers.
Persecution is characteristic of this world
Ps 10:2 See also Amos 1:6,9; 2:1; Hab 1:6-11; Rev 6:8; 9:7-10

EXPECT PERSECUTION

2 Tim 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution Mk 10:29-30; 1Th 3:4
Persecution for doing what is right not your own wrongs 1 Pet 3:13-17 “rejoice in so far as you share Christ’s sufferings that you may rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed” 1 Pet. 4:13.
Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
We need to endure persecution so that the seed of the Word can take deep root
Mark 4:16-17 These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble.
Family and friends can also be guilty of persecution Mt 10:36 See also Mic 7:6; Ge 4:8; Mt 10:21; Mk 3:21; Gal 4:29
Fear of persecution leads to doctrinal error: Gal 6:12 

TOOLS TO ENDURE PERSECUTION:

Against the Culture, feels like aliens – Citizenship in Heaven Phil 3:20 
Keep yourself unspotted from this world. James 1:27 Do not love the things of the World John 2:15 
“If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also (Luke 6:29);
do not resist an evil person (Matt. 5:39);
A soft answer turns away wrath Prov 15:1 
Let the Spirit speaks Mark 13:11 

ENCOURAGEMENT:

the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world 1 Pet 5:9 
it hated Jesus before it hated you. John 15:18-20 
blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness (Matt. 5:10)
a crown that will last forever 1 Cor. 9:24–25

Categories
Social Relevance

Discover the well of God's Provision within

Spencer Johnson wrote a book called “who have moved my cheese”, giving us a beautiful metaphor of mice in a maze dealing with change. Someone decides to moved the cheese, the mice either continue to go look for the cheese at the same place and eventually die, or begin the journey to look for new cheese.
Since we have been dealing with calling and identity, we understood that we are not chasing riches, we appreciate and acknowledge the riches we already have, and live in obedience the workethic and values of Jesus. Riches and provision then seems to follow us.
A BIBLICAL METAPHOR FOR PROVISION
The well served as a place of rest and refreshment in a dry land. Wells just outside a city or village served as a meeting place for local women but also for travelers, where news would be passed along (1 Sam 9:11; compare 1 Sam 19:22) Wells play a significant role as an image of God’s provision (e.g., Judg 15:18–19; Deut 6:11; compare Neh 9:25)
At Qumran, the well and water were understood allegorically as God’s law and the faithful followers, respectively (CD 6:2–11). As an image in common life, wells were pictures of physical beauty (Song 4:15). Likewise, a dry or broken well served as a metaphor for disobedience. Because wells were the primary source of water, a dry well was a curse (Jer 14:3). They could be used as an image for faithlessness or disobedience (Jer 2:13; compare Prov 25:26). A well could also serve as a metaphor for death (Pss 55:23; 69:15; compare Rev 9:1).
JESUS OUR PERMANENT WELL
1 Cor 10:4
SOME LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM WELLS IN THE BIBLE
Jer 2:13 – seek a living well, and live eating from the tree of Life, not the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The second tree is like a broken cistern that does not keep the water. Religion is second-hand knowledge of God, Jesus came to be our eternal fountain. John 4
Judg 15:18–19 – supernatural provision, God supplied a water source supernaturally, like the rock in the desert. Ex. 17:1–7 God can thus give you a supernatural plan, strategy, for provision.
Gen 21:31 – oath, contract. Sometimes we need to form a alliance with someone for provision.
Gen 26:18 – dig old wells open again. At times we need to go and open an old well. Many internet startups, is simply modernizing an old industry, like Uber and AirBnB.
Gen 26:22 – Made room for me. Rehoboth Walk away from places of contention, until God makes room for you.
FINDING AND INDUSTRIALIZING A WELL
Once we have have received our well of provision, we need to look after it. Towns and cities came into existence from a well. Having a well alone is not enough, we need to begin to produce food, grow plants, build homes and markets. Fruit & Veg City Holdings is the lasrgest fresh produce retailer in southern Africa. It serves customers in South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Zambia and Mauritius. Brian Coppin founded Fruit and Veg City with his brother Mike. He related how they took the business from one relatively modest store in Kenilworth to a multi-brand giant in its sector within less than two decades.
Faithful Stewards – 1Pet 4:10
Faithful in multiplying – Mat 25:14-30
THE RIGHT BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE ABOUT RICHES
There truly is no division between sacred and secular except what we have created. And that is why the division of the legitimate roles and functions of human life into the sa-cred and the secular does incalculable damage to our indi-vidual lives and to the cause of Christ. Holy people must  stop going into “church work” as their natural course of action and take up holy orders in farming, industry, law, education, banking, and journalism with the same zeal previously given to evangelism or to pastoral and missionary work.
The organized churches must become schools of spiritual discipline where Christians are taught how to own without treasuring (Matt. 6:21); how to possess without, like the “rich young ruler”, being possessed (Mark 10:22); how to live simply, even frugally, though controlling great wealth and power.
Possessions, then, are an extension of the body and of the self, for through them our will and character extend their range, just as they do through our tongue, our arms, and our legs. Our possessions increase the range within which we can reign in life by Christ Jesus and see spiritual power defeat the deadly reign of sin
“Get all you can; save all you can; freely use all you can within a properly disciplined spiritual life; and control all you can for the good of humankind and God’s glory” Dallas Willard
Excerpt From: “The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives” by Dallas Willard. Scribd.
Prov 1:32 the prosperity of fools destroys them.
Paul understood the riches found within first: Col 1:27
2 Cor 6:10 as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Phil 4:11-13 contentment comes from living in His strength
The rich young ruler, trusted and loved his riches and possessions.
We as believers trust in Him who makes rich and ads no sorrow 3 John 1:2
THE FINAL GOAL AND MANDATE
All nations come to his light
Mic 4:2; Mat 24:14; Isa 51:4; Isa 60:3
Glory cover the earth Hab 2:14
THE HEART OF THE MATTER
Giving is an issue of the heart. We give because this is who we are. God is a giver. Tithing is about consistent faithful giving, the church can rely on it. The law is like a tutor, giving your tithes teaches you to first give, before using your income. First fruits. It is an issue of the heart! We sometimes wait for the right moment to give, to feel like it, giving should be automatic. Your right hand not knowing what your left hand is doing. Mat 6:3 Generous giver. Ps 112:5; Prov 11:25; 22:9; 2 Cor 9:11; 1 Tim 6:18

Categories
Sermons

Discover the well of God’s Provision within

Spencer Johnson wrote a book called “who have moved my cheese”, giving us a beautiful metaphor of mice in a maze dealing with change. Someone decides to moved the cheese, the mice either continue to go look for the cheese at the same place and eventually die, or begin the journey to look for new cheese.

Since we have been dealing with calling and identity, we understood that we are not chasing riches, we appreciate and acknowledge the riches we already have, and live in obedience the workethic and values of Jesus. Riches and provision then seems to follow us.

A BIBLICAL METAPHOR FOR PROVISION
The well served as a place of rest and refreshment in a dry land. Wells just outside a city or village served as a meeting place for local women but also for travelers, where news would be passed along (1 Sam 9:11; compare 1 Sam 19:22) Wells play a significant role as an image of God’s provision (e.g., Judg 15:18–19; Deut 6:11; compare Neh 9:25)

At Qumran, the well and water were understood allegorically as God’s law and the faithful followers, respectively (CD 6:2–11). As an image in common life, wells were pictures of physical beauty (Song 4:15). Likewise, a dry or broken well served as a metaphor for disobedience. Because wells were the primary source of water, a dry well was a curse (Jer 14:3). They could be used as an image for faithlessness or disobedience (Jer 2:13; compare Prov 25:26). A well could also serve as a metaphor for death (Pss 55:23; 69:15; compare Rev 9:1).

JESUS OUR PERMANENT WELL
1 Cor 10:4

SOME LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM WELLS IN THE BIBLE
Jer 2:13 – seek a living well, and live eating from the tree of Life, not the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The second tree is like a broken cistern that does not keep the water. Religion is second-hand knowledge of God, Jesus came to be our eternal fountain. John 4
Judg 15:18–19 – supernatural provision, God supplied a water source supernaturally, like the rock in the desert. Ex. 17:1–7 God can thus give you a supernatural plan, strategy, for provision.
Gen 21:31 – oath, contract. Sometimes we need to form a alliance with someone for provision.
Gen 26:18 – dig old wells open again. At times we need to go and open an old well. Many internet startups, is simply modernizing an old industry, like Uber and AirBnB.
Gen 26:22 – Made room for me. Rehoboth Walk away from places of contention, until God makes room for you.

FINDING AND INDUSTRIALIZING A WELL
Once we have have received our well of provision, we need to look after it. Towns and cities came into existence from a well. Having a well alone is not enough, we need to begin to produce food, grow plants, build homes and markets. Fruit & Veg City Holdings is the lasrgest fresh produce retailer in southern Africa. It serves customers in South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Zambia and Mauritius. Brian Coppin founded Fruit and Veg City with his brother Mike. He related how they took the business from one relatively modest store in Kenilworth to a multi-brand giant in its sector within less than two decades.
Faithful Stewards – 1Pet 4:10
Faithful in multiplying – Mat 25:14-30

THE RIGHT BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE ABOUT RICHES
There truly is no division between sacred and secular except what we have created. And that is why the division of the legitimate roles and functions of human life into the sa-cred and the secular does incalculable damage to our indi-vidual lives and to the cause of Christ. Holy people must  stop going into “church work” as their natural course of action and take up holy orders in farming, industry, law, education, banking, and journalism with the same zeal previously given to evangelism or to pastoral and missionary work.

The organized churches must become schools of spiritual discipline where Christians are taught how to own without treasuring (Matt. 6:21); how to possess without, like the “rich young ruler”, being possessed (Mark 10:22); how to live simply, even frugally, though controlling great wealth and power.

Possessions, then, are an extension of the body and of the self, for through them our will and character extend their range, just as they do through our tongue, our arms, and our legs. Our possessions increase the range within which we can reign in life by Christ Jesus and see spiritual power defeat the deadly reign of sin

“Get all you can; save all you can; freely use all you can within a properly disciplined spiritual life; and control all you can for the good of humankind and God’s glory” Dallas Willard

Excerpt From: “The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives” by Dallas Willard. Scribd.

Prov 1:32 the prosperity of fools destroys them.
Paul understood the riches found within first: Col 1:27
2 Cor 6:10 as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Phil 4:11-13 contentment comes from living in His strength

The rich young ruler, trusted and loved his riches and possessions.
We as believers trust in Him who makes rich and ads no sorrow 3 John 1:2

THE FINAL GOAL AND MANDATE
All nations come to his light
Mic 4:2; Mat 24:14; Isa 51:4; Isa 60:3
Glory cover the earth Hab 2:14

THE HEART OF THE MATTER
Giving is an issue of the heart. We give because this is who we are. God is a giver. Tithing is about consistent faithful giving, the church can rely on it. The law is like a tutor, giving your tithes teaches you to first give, before using your income. First fruits. It is an issue of the heart! We sometimes wait for the right moment to give, to feel like it, giving should be automatic. Your right hand not knowing what your left hand is doing. Mat 6:3 Generous giver. Ps 112:5; Prov 11:25; 22:9; 2 Cor 9:11; 1 Tim 6:18

Categories
Preke

Waarheidsoomblik met minderwaardigheid

superior-inferior

Die groot vrae en soeke in die lewe:

  • Sosiale erkenning en waarde
  • Aanvaarding en liefde.
  • Sin en betekenis van die lewe.

Indien ‘n persoon nie wesenlike antwoorde op hierdie vrae kry nie lei dit tot

  • Jaloesie of selfbejammering.
  • Verwaandheid, ydelheid en leegheid.
  • Liggeraaktheid en onsekerheid.  “Easily offended” – gou op sy perdjie.
  • Twyfelagtige en onvastige bestaan.
  • Onvergenoegdheid en leegheid.
  • Minderwaardigheid  So ‘n persoon loop rond met ‘n reuse vakuum en lugleegte in hulle binnekant wat hulle dan op allerhande maniere probeer vul.

Ons lewe in ʼn wêreld van intimidasie.  Verskillende vorme van intimidasie:

  • Vergelyk jouself met ander in terme van geld, besittings, kennis, vermoëns, skoonheid, geestelikheid, en persoonlikheid.
  • Intimidasie gebaseer op ras, geslag, ouderdom, of ʼn sekere portuurgroep.
  • Kultuur en groepsintimidasie.
  • Tradisies en religieuse sisteme kan intimiderend wees.
  • Elke ware kind van God wat vir waarheid staan en nie meer saam met die stroom loop nie beleef vorme van intimidasie.
  • ʼn Kerk soos Harvester en sy manier van aanbidding en prediking kan intimiderend wees.
  • Die duiwel intimideer ons deur op ons sondes te fokus.  Deur sonde verloor ons, ons vrymoedigheid voor God en sy mense.
  • Elkeen van ons het verskillende swakhede en defekte, waaroor ons skaam en selfbewus is.  Ons kan derhalwe gou geïntimideer word, omdat ons nie graag van onsself ʼn gek wil maak nie.
  • Intimidasie in die werksplek is ʼn werklikheid.
  • Intimidasie wat daartoe lei dat jy nie met vrymoedigheid kan praat en jou saak stel nie, is nie van die Here nie.  Jy kan niks daaraan doen dat iemand probeer om jou te intimideer nie, maar jy kan besluit om nie in te gee nie!

DAAROM: steek ons, ons swakhede weg. Ons plak vyeblare, en soek verskonings. Ons kruip weg en verdoesel die waarheid.  We hide our shame! Ons kompenseer vir ons gebreke, deur ‘n valse lewe te leef.

  • Grootsheidwaan
  • Fantasie lewe
  • Valse mikpunte
  • Valse spesialis
  • Vereenselwig wet Wenners

So sien ons dat Saul ook gesukkel het met minderwaardigheid, toe hy hoor hoe juig die vroue oor Dawid se suksesse. (1 Samuel 18:1-7) Daarom wou hy ook vir Dawid doodmaak.  Die man wat bo al die ander uitgestaan het! Die eerste Koning van Israel was onseker oor homself, daarom raadpleeg hy Samuel en soek sy aanvaarding, uiteindelik raadpleeg hy die waarsêer.  As gevolg van die leegheid in sy binneste voel hy gou bedreig, hy is suspisieus, besluitloos en rigtingloos.  Niks kan hierdie leegheid vul nie, nie eers rykdom of mag.

Sommige mense verlang dat ‘n persoon hierdie leegheid vul.  Maar die skrif sê dat dit beter is om op die Here te vertrou as op mense (Psalm 118:8-9) want in hierdie lewe gaan ons verseker herhaaldelik te na gekom word en teleurgestel word deur mense. (Lukas 17:1) Moenie eers jou vertroue in jou familie en naasbestaandes plaas nie. (Miga 7:5-7)

Op watse fondament is jou huis gebou?  (Matteus 7:26) Geld, besittings, mag, posisie, vermoëns: Dit kan alles in ‘n oomblik van jou weggeneem word en dan?

Net die liefde van die Here kan hierdie leegheid vul. Hoor hoe praat die bruid van Salomo oor haar geliefde.  “Ek is bruin gebrand maar ek is mooi, vroue van Jerusalem. Ek is so bruin soos die tente van Kedar, soos die tentdoeke van Salomo. Moet my nie so aankyk omdat ek donker is nie, omdat die son my gebrand het nie: my broers het my so bruin laat brand, hulle het my die wingerde laat oppas; ek kon my eie wingerd, myself, nie versorg nie. (Hooglied 1:5-6) Sy moes verseker geïntimideer gevoel het tussen al die mooi meisies van die koningshof, tog styg sy bo dit uit. Hoekom? Want sy het geweet sy het die Koning se hart gewen!  Hy het haar gekies! Die man wat ek liefhet, is myne, en ek syne. (Hooglied 2:16) Salomo is ook nie skaam om sy bruid vir almal te wys, en ook hoe lief hy haar het nie.  Hy is nie skaam vir ons nie en is nie bang om in die openbaar saam met ons gesien te word nie. Hy wil met ons geassosieer word.  Hy vat my na ’n feesplek toe; hy straal van liefde vir my. (Hooglied 2:4)

So het God ons ook lief, en is Sy liefde ons sekuriteit en teenmiddel teen intimidasie.  Die evangelie is die goeie en blye nuus, dat Hy ons liefhet en Sy lewe vir ons afgelê het.  (Joh 3:16) Baie mense vra egter; “hoe weet ek dat hy MY regtig liefhet?” Paulus gee vir ons ʼn barometer van liefde in 1 Korintiërs 13:4-8  Die eerste bewyse van iemand se liefde is geduld.  Is God geduldig met jou?  Is God sagmoedig met jou? Wel daar is jou bewys! Lees gerus deur die hele gedeelte en toets God aan Sy liefde vir jou.

Die Here jou God is by jou, Hy, die krygsman wat red. Hy is vol vreugde oor jou, Hy is stil-tevrede in sy liefde. Hy jubel en juig oor jou: (Zephania 3:17)

Van ver af het die Here Hom aan Israel bekend gemaak: Ek het jou nog altyd liefgehad, daarom het Ek jou met geduld verdra. (Jeremiah 31:3)

Omdat jy vir My kosbaar is, omdat Ek jou hoog ag en jou liefhet, gee Ek mense in jou plek, volke in ruil vir jou lewe. (Isaiah 43:4)

Hy self was die engel wat hulle gered het. Hy het hulle verlos deur sy liefde en ontferming; Hy het hulle opgetel en hulle altyd gedra. (Isaiah 63:9)

Ek dank God dat ons nie die enigste mense is wat gesukkel het met intimidasie nie.  Dawid het maar ook gesukkel.  “Maar ek is ’n wurm en geen man nie, ’n smaad van die mense en verag deur die volk.” (Psalms 22:7) Later verander sy perspektief en hy verklaar: Ek loof U, omdat ek so vreeslik wonderbaar is; wonderbaar is u werke! En my siel weet dit alte goed. 15My gebeente was vir U nie verborge toe ek in die geheim gemaak is nie, kunstig geweef in die dieptes van die aarde. 16U oë het my ongevormde klomp gesien; en in u boek is hulle almal opgeskrywe: dae dat alles bepaal was, toe nog geeneen van hulle daar was nie. (Psalms 139:14-16)

Uiteindelik bou ek my selfvertroue (confidence) nie op wat ek doen en is nie. Ek kyk en fokus op die perfekte werk wat Jesus gedoen het. My legitimacy, rightness, confidence is based on/in Him. Hierdie geloof in Hom, bemagtig my om die onmoontlike te doen.  Die para-olimpiese spele toonbeeld mense wat ten spyte van ‘n fisiese gebrek, oefen en meeding op internasionale vlak!  ‘EK IS TOT ALLES INSTAAT DEUR CHRISTUS WAT MY DIE KRAG GEE’ Ek kon nooit skool toe gaan nie, met Sy hulp gaan ek terug skool toe, en kry my matriek sertifikaat.  God gaan dit nie vir jou doen nie, Hy wil dit deur jou doen.  Ons oorwin minderwaardigheid in die waarheidsoomblik met Jesus. Die vrou by die put se lewe is ontbloot voor Hom, en tog is sy nie daardeur geintimideer nie. Sy kry egter haar skeppingsdoel, en gaan vertel die mense wie sy ontmoet het. Sy word die instrument wat redding bring aan haar hele gemeenskap.  Wanneer ons voor Hom staan, staan ons naak en onbeskaamd.  Soos ons gehoorsaamheid leer in ons swaarkry, ontdek ons wie ons is, om die outeur te word van ons storie, sodat ander daardeur ook lewe kan ontdek. Heb 5:8