Radio Pulpit

Jannie Pelser en gaste, Prof. Fanie Snyman, Prof. Hennie Stander en Prof. Cobus van Wyngaard gesels oor die Kruis in branding. Die gebruik van ongeveer 3 000 kruise wat onlangs in Washington opgerig is, met die doel om volgens die organiseerders internasionale aandag op geweld teen die boerderygemeenskap te vestig, het heelwat gesprek ontlok. Dit bring ons by ’n breër vraag: Waarom die kruis? Wat beteken hierdie simbool, waar kom dit vandaan, en wat gebeur wanneer die kruis vir ’n bepaalde boodskap of saak ingespan word?

Het jy vrae oor die lewe, God, of die Bybel? Indien wel, is Skriftuurlik met Wynand & Pastoor Rocky op Radiokansel die platform om dit te vra. Luisteraars stuur vrae direk na die ateljee via WhatsApp. Aanbieders Wynand Rossouw en Pastoor Rocky Stevenson poog dan om hierdie vrae te beantwoord. Die doel van die program is om antwoorde uit die Bybel te vind oor kwessies waarmee mense in hul alledaagse lewens sukkel.

Pastor Mantsha Peeha joins Sibongile Mofokeng on Heart to Heart to unpack the debt snowball method and show how clearing your smallest balance first creates unstoppable momentum. Together, they answer honest listener questions about handling pushy creditors, managing emergency expenses, and navigating money disagreements with loved ones. Tune in for practical financial wisdom and faith-driven encouragement to break free from debt and rebuild your financial peace.

Heart to Heart with Sibongile Mofokeng addresses the severe crisis of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide in South Africa by bridging real-life survivor struggles with practical, legal, and community solutions. Featuring the Relationship/ Marriage Therapy; Pastor Gladwell Zabane, this episode confronts the responsibility of the Body of Christ to break the culture of silence, protect the vulnerable, and transform churches into active safe havens. Through honest listener dilemmas—ranging from police station accountability and financial dependency to bystander duties—the show provides actionable wisdom, spiritual grounding, and vital emergency helplines.

Janine van Niekerk is speaking to Janine Couchman from Global Leadership Network SA about the GLS 2026 happening soon in our country. For the Radio Pulpit discount she offered on air today, please contact her on 082 325 5675 or go to globalleadership.org.za

Johann Els gesels met Johan Kriel, veteraan SAPS lid wat in Februarie begin het met reëlings om Cops4Jesus, Crusade 2027 te loods waar ek aan en af deur die land, van Pretoria, dan oos in Mpumalanga, deur te werk en dan af deur Natal tot onder in die Kaap, om soveel moontlik polisiestasies te besoek om die boodskap van HOOP aan dienende lede te bring.

Rolling Away the Reproach: Consecration and Faith in Joshua 5 | Sermon In this expository radio message from the series The Greater Joshua, we examine Joshua 5:1-12 (Legacy Standard Bible) and explore the profound spiritual truths behind Israel's encampment at Gilgal. Standing on the threshold of the promised land, God commands Joshua to halt the military campaign against Jericho and perform mass circumcision, demanding holy consecration and repentance before tactical success. This message highlights how God rolled away the shame, guilt, and slavery of Egypt, declaring "Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you." We trace this powerful Old Testament shadow forward to the finished work of Jesus Christ at Calvary, where our sin and condemnation are decisively dealt with, and the true bread from heaven satisfies our souls. Discover how to lay down your spiritual baggage, experience genuine repentance, and step into the consecrated freedom found in Christ alone. Take a moment today to reflect on your own walk with God. Are you trying to fight spiritual battles while carrying the unconfessed shame of your past? Listen in and be encouraged to look to the cross, where your reproach is rolled away forever. #Joshua5 #SpiritualRenewal #Consecration #Gilgal #Repentance #TheGreaterJoshua #BibleTeaching #ChristianPodcast #OldTheology #RedemptiveHistory #SermonAudio #ExpositoryPreaching

Title: Stones of Remembrance and Memorials of Grace: A Study of Joshua 4 In this episode, we examine Joshua 4 and the establishment of the memorial stones following the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River. Rather than viewing this event as a mere historical footnote, this study explores why God instituted visual markers of grace to combat our spiritual amnesia and pass down the narrative of redemption to the next generation. We look at the significance of the stones set up on the riverbank and hidden in the riverbed, reflecting on how physical reminders guard our hearts against doubt and self-reliance. The text centres on Joshua | 4:1-24, focusing on the parental duty of declaring God's mighty acts when children ask, "What do these stones mean?" We discuss how these tangible memorials point us away from human forgetfulness and direct our eyes toward the finished work of our Savior. Ultimately, this passage shadows our true and greater Joshua, Jesus Christ. Just as the stones were buried beneath the crushing weight of the Jordan's waters, our sins were buried beneath the wrath of God at Calvary, securing our passage into eternal life and salvation. Take a moment today to reflect on your own spiritual stones of remembrance. Look back at the cross of Christ, remember His unfailing faithfulness, and anchor your soul in His finished work. #Joshua4, #TheGreaterJoshua, #StonesOfRemembrance, #SpiritualAmnesia, #MemorialsOfGrace, #OldTestament, #ReformedTheology, #ExpositoryPreaching, #SermonAudio, #GospelTruth

“Do Not Sacrifice Your Children” Description: On this Let’s Talk Pastor Rocky Stevenson of Benoni Bible Church is joined with Bill Jack from Worldview Academy in the USA, and they discuss and examine the historical impact of secularism on Christian institutions, arguing that the separation of sacred and secular spheres has led to the erosion of family and church authority. It highlights the rise of youth ministry as a reactive phenomenon to cultural secularisation, suggesting that this approach has inadvertently accelerated the loss of young people to non-Christian influences. The conversation emphasises the biblical mandate for parents to retain responsibility for their children's education, citing Proverbs 9:10 to assert that the fear of the Lord must be the foundation of all knowledge. It critiques the modern church for mimicking state school structures by segregating age groups, advocating instead for a unified family ministry where the church complements rather than replaces the home. The tone is convicting and instructional, urging believers to engage the culture with truth and grace while reclaiming their distinct jurisdiction under Christ. Hashtags: #MemorableMonday #Proverbs9 #Education #Secularism #Worldview #Family #Jurisdiction #RadioPulpit

Jannie Pelser gesels vandag met Angelique Buys oor haar seuntjie Marlo se siekte en Michael Wynne wat deur afstande te stap om geld in te samel vir sy behandeling

: “Guarding the Heart” On this Let’s Talk Pastor Rocky Stevenson of Benoni Bible Church is joined with Bill Jack from Worldview Academy in the USA, and they discuss and explore the profound impact of films and media on human worldview, arguing that visual media functions as a powerful teaching tool that shapes perception more effectively than the written word. It critiques the tendency of Christians to rely on surface-level content ratings rather than analysing the underlying philosophical biases, such as Eastern mysticism or secularism, embedded in popular culture. By referencing Psalm 1, the conversation emphasises the need for believers to meditate on God's Word to develop the discernment necessary to filter cultural influences. The intent is to encourage parents and Christians to actively engage with culture, using media as a conversation starter while guarding their hearts and minds against subconsciously absorbing counter-biblical values. #FantasicFriday #Psalm1 #Worldview #Discernment #Culture #Media #Biblical #RadioPulpit

: “Questioning Authority” On this Let’s Talk Pastor Rocky Stevenson of Benoni Bible Church is joined with Bill Jack from Worldview Academy in the USA, and they discuss and explore the biblical mandate for Christians to question authority and engage in critical thinking, contrasting this with secular educational models that often discourage inquiry. It introduces four foundational questions—clarifying meaning, establishing authority, assessing life impact, and considering consequences—that serve as practical tools for evangelism and apologetics. The discussion emphasizes the importance of applying theological truth in real-world contexts, such as college campuses, to effectively share the gospel. By framing believers as both priests and kings, the message encourages a confident yet humble approach to dialogue, where the goal is to plant seeds of truth rather than demand immediate conversion. The tone is instructional and encouraging, urging listeners to move beyond passive belief to active, reasoned engagement with the world. #TechnicalThursday #Evangelism #CriticalThinking #Apologetics #Worldview #Faith #RadioPulpit

“Wisdom and Worldview” On this Let’s Talk Pastor Rocky Stevenson of Benoni Bible Church is joined with Bill Jack from Worldview Academy in the USA, and they discuss and challenge the compartmentalisation of faith and life, arguing that many Christians operate within a secular mindset that views God as irrelevant to daily activities. By using the metaphor of a child kept in a box, the speaker illustrates how secular education can limit spiritual understanding, urging believers to recognize that worship is a holistic lifestyle rather than a weekly ceremony. The conversation emphasizes the need to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, countering cultural narratives that promote human goodness over divine truth. It concludes by identifying Jesus as the ultimate source of wisdom and encouraging believers to ground their actions and decisions in the reality of the Creator. #WisdomWednesday #Colossians2 #Worldview #Secularism #Wisdom #Captive #Creator #RadioPulpit

Om God se stem te hoor

In hierdie aflewering gesels Christine Ferreira met die nuwe uitvoerende hoof van die Bybelgenootskap van Suid-Afrika, ds Gerhard Pieterse. Spesialis- lewensafrigter Amanda de Lange kuier in die ateljee en vra Waarin is jou identiteit geanker? Daarna vertel Lynne Minnaar meer oor ‘n splinternuwe kookboek, Karoo Wildsvleis, wat onlangs op die rakke verskyn het.

Sibongile Mofokeng features Nomawethu Gumede, one of the Top 6 finalists in The Pitch Your Business Competition 2026. Nomawethu introduces wer2work, a specialist service that sources, vets, and secures top-tier Executive Assistants aligned with your business goals. From comprehensive global searches and rigorous screening to a perfect-match guarantee and time-efficient onboarding, wer2work acts as your strategic recruitment partner. Join us as she shares her inspiring journey from the start of PYB 2026 to the Top 6, highlighting lessons in resilience, strategy, and growth. #PitchYourBusiness2026 #wer2work #ExecutiveAssistants #WomenInBusiness #PodcastConversation #StrategicGrowth

Meet Lethabo Botolo — Top 6 finalist in the 2026 Pitch Your Business Competition and founder of an innovative Data Visualisation & Mapping Solutions company! 📈✨ In this episode, Lethabo shares: ✅ How he transforms complex data into clear, actionable insights ✅ The power of visual storytelling in business decision-making ✅ His journey from concept to Top 6 national finalist ✅ Why mapping solutions matter for African businesses In a world drowning in data, Lethabo's mission is simple: Make data speak, show patterns, and drive smarter decisions. 🎯📍 Perfect for entrepreneurs, analysts, and anyone who believes data should tell a story — not confuse you! 🎧 Stay tuned, don't go anywhere, and listen to this insightful mind. #PitchYourBusiness #LethaboBotolo #DataVisualisation #MappingSolutions #DataAnalytics #RadioPulpit #IAMYouth #SouthAfricanEntrepreneurs #BusinessIntelligence #Top6Finalist #DataDriven #AfricanInnovation #TechStartup #BusinessPitch #DataStorytelling

Meet Lethabo Botolo — Top 6 finalist in the 2026 Pitch Your Business Competition and founder of an innovative Data Visualisation & Mapping Solutions company! 📈✨ In this episode, Lethabo shares: ✅ How he transforms complex data into clear, actionable insights ✅ The power of visual storytelling in business decision-making ✅ His journey from concept to Top 6 national finalist ✅ Why mapping solutions matter for African businesses In a world drowning in data, Lethabo's mission is simple: Make data speak, show patterns, and drive smarter decisions. 🎯📍 Perfect for entrepreneurs, analysts, and anyone who believes data should tell a story — not confuse you! 🎧 Stay tuned, don't go anywhere, and listen to this insightful mind. #PitchYourBusiness #LethaboBotolo #DataVisualisation #MappingSolutions #DataAnalytics #RadioPulpit #IAMYouth #SouthAfricanEntrepreneurs #BusinessIntelligence #Top6Finalist #DataDriven #AfricanInnovation #TechStartup #BusinessPitch #DataStorytelling

💧 Turning Toilets Into Water Solutions! Meet Matai Mofephe — Top 6 finalist in the 2026 Pitch Your Business Competition! His Water-Recycling Flush Toilet Technology is tackling Africa's water crisis one flush at a time. 🚽♻️ In this episode: ✅ His eco-innovation journey ✅ From idea to national finalist ✅ Why water recycling matters NOW 🎧 Tune in and hear how he unpacks his inspiring journey to Top 6. #PitchYourBusiness #MataiMofephe #WaterRecycling #EcoInnovation #RadioPulpit #GreenTech #AfricanEntrepreneurs #Sustainability

💧 Turning Toilets Into Water Solutions! Meet Matai Mofephe — Top 6 finalist in the 2026 Pitch Your Business Competition! His Water-Recycling Flush Toilet Technology is tackling Africa's water crisis one flush at a time. 🚽♻️ In this episode: ✅ His eco-innovation journey ✅ From idea to national finalist ✅ Why water recycling matters NOW 🎧 Tune in and hear how he unpacks his inspiring journey to Top 6. #PitchYourBusiness #MataiMofephe #WaterRecycling #EcoInnovation #RadioPulpit #GreenTech #AfricanEntrepreneurs #Sustainability

Lukho Mkwedi is back for another impactful edition of Health Talk with WellBeings Africa, welcoming Dr Ilse Domingo to unpack ADHD Awareness. In this insightful conversation, she separates genuine science from social-media shorthand, addressing what ADHD really is, how it presents differently in children versus adults, and whether it truly differs between men and women. They also explore the "superpower" framing often used around ADHD, its overlap with other health conditions, its relationship with modern digital life, and how treatment and medication actually work. A myth-busting and informative discussion for ADHD Awareness Day, equipping listeners with facts over misconceptions. #ADHDAwarenessDay #DrIlseDomingo #WellBeingsAfrica #LukhoMkwedi #ADHDFacts #MythsVsScience #RadioPulpit #HealthAwareness

Jannie Pelser is volgende aan die beurt met sy insigte oor huidige nuusgebeure

Ons skop die program af met Ds Janlu Kuyler (Dominee van NG Robertson). Hy is weekliks aan die beurt met elke dag waarhede uit die Woord. Vandag se gesprek gaan oor Psalm 3 wat gaan oor vertroue in die Here ten spyte van alles.

‘Always be willing to listen and slow to speak.’ James 1:19 NCV Your words have power What comes out of your mouth, and what you might text or tweet, is of such importance that James devotes almost an entire chapter to it (see James 3:1-12). Why? Because your words have power. They can bless or break, help or hurt. People who have been the target of harsh words can carry wounds for a lifetime. Too many children have heard a frustrated parent saying, ‘You’re worthless, and you’ll never amount to anything.’ And they have believed it, allowing those words to shape their self-image and determine their self-worth. Other children have had parents who affirmed and nurtured them with encouraging words such as, ‘You’re important, and God has something for you to do that no one else can do quite like you can.’ These children believed that message and ultimately grew up to act on it. James made three statements about the use of our tongues, and he gave two illustrations to substantiate each point. First, he reminded us that speech can be controlled and directed, and he illustrated his point with a horse’s bridle and a ship’s rudder. Second, he said that contentious speech can be destructive like fire and poison. Finally, he pointed out that conflicting speech can be deceptive, and he illustrated this with images of a spring of water and a fig tree. The truth is that our words reveal what is in our hearts. And whether we speak them or type them, they have the power to heal or hurt, help or hinder. Knowing that you never have to take back what you don’t say, David prayed, ‘Set a guard over my mouth, Lord’ (Psalm 141:3 NIV).

Health Talk with WellBeings Africa welcomes Dr Ilse Domingo to unpack Men's Health, focusing on testosterone and prostate screening. In this informative conversation, she breaks down the role each plays in overall men's health, who should be getting checked, and why this crucial screening should never be overlooked. An essential and empowering discussion encouraging men to prioritise their health through regular check-ups. #MensHealth #DrIlseDomingo #WellBeingsAfrica #ProstateScreening #TestosteroneHealth #RadioPulpit #HealthAwareness

“…wees altyd gou om te luister, nie te gou om te praat nie, en nie te gou om kwaad te word nie.” Jakobus 1:19 NLV Jou woorde het krag Wat uit jou mond kom en wat jy dalk SMS en Whatsapp, is so belangrik dat Jakobus amper ‘n hele hoofstuk daaraan wy (sien Jakobus 3:1-12). Hoekom? Omdat jou woorde krag het. Hulle kan seën of breek, help of seermaak. Mense wat die teiken van harde woorde was, kan ‘n leeftyd se wonde daarvan dra. Te veel kinders het al ‘n gefrustreerde ouer hoor sê: ‘Jy is nutteloos en jy sal nooit iets in die lewe bereik nie.’ Hierdie kinders glo hul ouers en laat toe dat daardie woorde hul selfbeeld vorm en hul selfwaarde bepaal. Ander kinders het ouers wat hulle met koesterende woorde soos: ‘Jy is belangrik en God het iets vir jou in gedagte wat niemand anders as jy kan doen nie,’ aanmoedig. Hierdie kinders glo hulle ouers se boodskap en leef dit uit wanneer hulle grootword. Jakobus het drie stellings oor die gebruik van ons tong gemaak en twee illustrasies gegee om elke punt te staaf. Eerstens het hy ons daaraan herinner dat ons ons woorde kan beheer en rig en dit met ‘n perd se toom en ‘n skip se roer vergelyk. Tweedens het hy gesê dat twisgierige woorde so vernietigend soos vuur en gif kan wees. Laastens het hy ons daarop gewys dat teenstrydige spraak misleidend kan wees en hy het dit met beelde van ‘n fontein en ‘n vyeboom geïllustreer. Ons woorde openbaar wat in ons harte is. Of ons nou ons woorde spreek of op ‘n sleutelbord tik, hulle het die krag om te genees of seer te maak, te help of te verhinder. Jy hoef nie woorde wat jy nie geuiter het terug te neem nie, dus het Dawid gebid: ‘Sit ‘n wag voor my mond, Here…’ (Psalm 141:3 NLV).

‘Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.’ Romans 12:21 NKJV You can break that bad habit When we started our relationship with Christ, we began a lifelong journey of becoming the people God created us to be. In the process, we learn how to overcome our weaknesses and draw on God’s strength. That often means learning to break bad habits. Some of these habits are obvious, such as alcohol and drugs. Some are not so obvious, such as gossip, jealousy, and being judgmental. God does not want us to be controlled by our emotions and impulses – He wants us to have victory. Breaking a bad habit requires making a series of good choices, one after another. Most of us try to do that on our own without the help of the Holy Spirit, but eventually, we figure out that we can’t do that without God helping us. Jesus said: ‘The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you’ (John 14:26 NKJV). But the Holy Spirit won’t just show up uninvited; you must ask for His help. The Bible says that we overcome evil with good. That’s one of the biggest secrets in the Word of God. It’s a lot easier to make the right choice when you’re focused on God and your victory instead of your fear of failure. Jesus told His disciples: ‘Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!’ (Matthew 26:41 NLT). That means if you pray and keep watch, you can break that bad habit.

“Moenie toelaat dat die slegte julle onderkry nie, maar deur goed te doen moet julle die slegte hokslaan.” Romeine 12:21 NLV Jy kan daardie slegte gewoonte verbreek Toe ons verhouding met Christus begin het, het ons ‘n lewenslange reis aangepak om die mens te word wat God ons geskep het om te wees. In die proses leer ons hoe om ons swakhede te oorkom en op God se krag te steun. Dit beteken dikwels om te leer hoe om slegte gewoontes te verbreek. Sommige van hierdie gewoontes is voor die hand liggend, soos alkohol- en dwelmmisbruik. Sommige is nie so voor die hand liggend nie, soos skinder, jaloesie en veroordeling. God wil nie hê dat ons deur ons emosies en impulse beheer word nie - Hy wil hê dat ons oorwinning moet behaal. Om ‘n slegte gewoonte te verbreek, vereis dat ons ‘n reeks goeie keuses maak, een na die ander. Die meeste van ons probeer dit op ons eie sonder die hulp van die Heilige Gees doen en misluk dan. Jesus het gesê: ‘en wanneer die Raadgewer, die Heilige Gees, kom wat die Vader in my Naam sal stuur, sal Hy julle in alle opsigte onderrig en julle ook herinner aan alles wat Ek vir julle gesê het’ (Johannes 14:26 NLV). Die Heilige Gees sal egter nie ongenooid opdaag nie; jy moet Hom vir sy hulp vra. Die Bybel sê dat ons die slegte deur die goeie oorwin. Dis een van die grootste geheime in God se Woord. Dis baie makliker om die regte keuse te maak wanneer jy op God en jou oorwinning, in plaas van jou vrees vir mislukking, gefokus is. Jesus het vir sy dissipels gesê: ‘Wees waaksaam en bid. Anders sal die versoeking vir julle te sterk word. ‘n Mens se gees is wel gewillig, maar jou liggaam hou nie altyd by nie’ (Matteus 26:41 NLV). Dit beteken dat wanneer jy bid en waaksaam is, jy daardie slegte gewoonte kan verbreek.

‘You…made me bold with strength in my soul.’ Psalm 138:3 NKJV Believe in yourself; God does! A little boy was overheard talking to himself as he strutted out of his house and into the back garden carrying a baseball bat and a ball. He tipped his baseball cap in a salute to his eager puppy. Then he picked up the bat and ball and announced with a loud voice, ‘I’m the greatest hitter in the world.’ He then proceeded to toss the ball in the air, swing at it, and miss. ‘Strike one!’ he cried, as if he were also playing the role of the umpire. He picked up the ball, threw it into the air, and said again, ‘I’m the greatest baseball hitter ever!’ And again he swung at the ball and missed. ‘Strike two!’ he announced to his dog who was watching. Undaunted, he picked up the ball, examined his bat, and then just before tossing the ball into the air, announced once again, ‘I’m the greatest hitter who ever lived.’ He swung the bat hard but missed for the third time. ‘Strike three!’ he cried. And then he added, ‘Wow, what a pitcher! I’m the greatest pitcher in the world!’ Today that is what we would call a PMA: Positive Mental Attitude. And when you know that God has redeemed you, equipped you, and called you to serve Him, it’s the attitude you should have too. Because God loves you, accepts you, and believes in you, you should believe in yourself. David said, ‘In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul’ (NKJV). So the word for today is this: believe in yourself; God does.

“…U bemoedig my en gee my krag.” Psalm 138:3 NLV Glo in jouself; God doen! ‘n Seuntjie het met homself gepraat terwyl hy uit sy huis met ‘n bofbalkolf en ‘n bal na die grasperk in die agtertuin toe gestap het. Hy het sy bofbalpet in ‘n saluut vir sy hondjie gelig. Toe tel hy die kolf en bal op en kondig met ‘n harde stem aan: ‘Ek is die beste kolwer in die wêreld.’ Hy gooi toe die bal in die lug, swaai die kolf en slaan die bal mis. ‘Strike one!’ roep hy uit, asof hy ook die rol van die skeidsregter vertolk. Hy tel die bal op, gooi dit in die lug en sê weer: ‘Ek is die beste bofbalkolwer ooit!’ Weer swaai hy na die bal en mis. ‘Strike two!’ roep hy vir sy hond wat sit en kyk. Onverskrokke tel hy die bal op, ondersoek sy kolf en kondig net voor hy die bal in die lug gooi, weer eens aan: ‘Ek is die beste kolwer wat ooit geleef het.’ Hy swaai die kolf met mening, maar mis vir die derde keer die bal. ‘Strike three!’ roep hy uit. Na ‘n oomblik voeg hy by: ‘Sjoe, wat ‘n arm! Ek is die beste gooier in die wêreld!’ Dit is wat mens ‘n positiewe geesteshouding noem. Wanneer jy weet dat God jou verlos het, jou toegerus het en jou geroep het om Hom te dien, is dit die houding wat jy ook moet inneem. Omdat God jou liefhet, jou aanvaar en in jou glo, moet jy in jouself glo. Dawid het gesê: ‘Wanneer ek roep, antwoord U my; U bemoedig my en gee my krag.’ Die woord vir vandag is dus: glo in jouself; God doen.

‘He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.’ Psalm 107:20 KJV Healing in the Old Testament The Old Testament is full of healing promises as well as examples of God healing people. Here are some healing promises: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you, and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span’ (Exodus 23:25-26 NIV). ‘“I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,” declares the Lord’ (Jeremiah 30:17 NIV). ‘O Lord my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me’ (Psalm 30:2 NKJV). And here are a few examples of healing in the Old Testament: 1) God healing Naaman of leprosy (see 2 Kings 5:14-15); 2) Elijah raising the widow’s son from the dead (see 1 Kings 17:17-24); 3) God healing Hannah’s infertility (see 1 Samuel 1:19-20); 4) The children of Israel being healed when bitten by poisonous snakes in the wilderness (see Numbers 21:4-9). Even beyond the healing of sickness, the Old Testament provides evidence that God cared about the sustained health of His people. Psalm 105:37 says when God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, ‘He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes’ (KJV). If God would do that for His children under the old covenant, think how much more He will for us who are ‘in Christ’ living under a better covenant. ‘[Jesus] is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises’ (Hebrews 8:6 NKJV). So the word for today is – believe God for your healing.

“Met ‘n woord het Hy hulle genees, en hulle van die dood weggeruk.” Psalm 107:20 NLV Genesing in die Ou Testament Die Ou Testament is vol beloftes van genesing, sowel as voorbeelde van God wat mense genees. Hier is ‘n paar beloftes van genesing: ‘Julle mag niemand anders as die Here julle God aanbid nie. Ek sal julle met kos en water en gesondheid seën. In julle land sal kinders nie met geboorte sterf nie. Julle mense sal nie onvrugbaar wees nie. Ek sal julle lank en gelukkig laat lewe’ (Eksodus 23:25-26 NLV). ‘’Ek sal jou gesond maak en jou wonde genees,’ sê die Here…’ (Jeremia 30:17 NLV). ‘Here my God, ek het na U geroep om hulp en U het my gesond gemaak’ (Psalm 30:3 NLV). Hier is ook ‘n paar voorbeelde van genesing in die Ou Testament: 1) God wat Naäman van melaatsheid genees (sien 2 Konings 5:14-15); 2) Elia wat die weduwee se seun uit die dood opwek (sien 1 Konings 17:17-24); 3) God wat Hanna se onvrugbaarheid genees (sien 1 Samuel 1:19-20); 4) Die kinders van Israel word genees toe hulle deur giftige slange in die woestyn gepik is (sien Numeri 21:4-9). Die Ou Testament bewys dat God oor die volgehoue gesondheid van sy volk omgee. Psalm 105:37 sê toe God die Israeliete uit slawerny van Egipte verlos het, het Hy hulle ‘…ook uitgebring met silwer en goud, en daar was nie een swak mens onder hulle stamme nie’ (Psalm 105:37 KAB23). As God dit vir sy kinders onder die ou verbond sou doen, dink hoeveel te meer Hy vir ons wat ‘in Christus’ onder ‘n beter verbond leef, sal doen. ‘…Jesus Christus…[is] Middelaar van ‘n voortrefliker verbond, ‘n verbond wat voortrefliker is omdat dit op voortrefliker beloftes berus’ (Hebreërs 8:6 NLV). Die woord vir jou vandag is dus - glo God vir jou genesing.

‘Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.’ 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV What matters most is God’s approval Wallace E. Johnson, president of Holiday Inns and one of America’s most successful builders, said, ‘I keep on a card in my billfold the following Scriptures, and refer to them frequently: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8 NIV). These Scriptures are among God’s greatest promises.’ Then Johnson said something interesting: ‘These verses can seem a little one-sided, and indicate a philosophy of receiving but not of giving. One day as my wife, Alma, and I were seeking God’s guidance for a personal problem, I came across the following verse which has since been a daily reminder to me of what my responsibility as a businessman is to God: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.” Since then I have measured my actions against the phrase: “A workman that needeth not to be ashamed.” Without knowing that you have God’s approval, your successes, however great, will leave you feeling empty. But when you know you have God’s approval, you are totally fulfilled.’ Paul wrote to the believers in Corinth and said, ‘Our goal is to please [God]’ (2 Corinthians 5:9 NLT). To the Thessalonians he said, ‘We urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you’ (1 Thessalonians 4:1 NLT). So this is the word for today: what matters most is pleasing God.

“Werk hard sodat God jou kan goedkeur. Wees ‘n goeie werker, een wat nie nodig het om hom te skaam nie…” 2 Timoteus 2:15 NLV God se goedkeuring is die belangrikste Wallace E. Johnson, president van die Holiday Inn hotelketting en een van Amerika se suksesvolste bouers, het gesê: ‘Ek hou die volgende Skrifgedeelte op ‘n kaartjie in my beursie en verwys gereeld daarna: ‘Hou aan met vra, en God sal vir julle gee. Hou aan met soek en julle sal kry. Hou aan klop en God sal die deur vir julle oopmaak. Elkeen wat so volhardend vra, ontvang; en wie aanhou soek, kry; en vir elkeen wat aanhou klop, sal God oopmaak’ (Matteus 7:7-8 NLV). Hierdie Skrifgedeelte behels van God se grootste beloftes.’ Toe het Johnson iets interessants bygevoeg: ‘Hierdie verse kan ‘n bietjie eensydig lyk en op ‘n filosofie van ontvang, maar nie van gee nie, dui. Ek het eendag op die volgende vers afgekom wat sedertdien ‘n daaglikse herinnering aan wat my verantwoordelikheid as ‘n sakeman teenoor God is, dien: ‘Werk hard sodat God jou kan goedkeur. Wees ‘n goeie werker, een wat nie nodig het om hom te skaam nie…’ Sedertdien meet ek my optrede aan die frase: ‘Wees ‘n goeie werker, een wat nie nodig het om hom te skaam nie.’ As jy nie weet dat jy God se goedkeuring het nie, sal jou suksesse, hoe groot ook al, jou leeg laat voel. Wanneer jy egter weet dat jy God se goedkeuring het, voel jy volkome vervuld.’ Paulus het aan die gelowiges in Korinte geskryf en gesê: ‘Ons streef in elk geval daarna… om [God] tevrede te stel’ (2 Korintiërs 5:9 NLV). Aan die mense is Tessalonië het hy gesê: ‘…ons [vra] julle om te sorg dat julle leefstyl tot eer van God is, soos ons julle geleer het…’ (1 Tessalonisense 4:1 NLV). Die woord vir jou vandag is dus: God se goedkeuring is die belangrikste.

‘Work out your salvation.’ Philippians 2:12 NIV God’s part and our part Paul writes: ‘Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose’ (vv. 12-13 NIV). Salvation is a gift from God, so you can’t work for it – but you can work on it. How do you do that? The same way you work out your muscles. If you want to get into good shape, you’ve got to exercise! And the more you do it, the stronger you become. You’ve got to take your faith to the gym and bench press it. It will involve some trembling – that’s what muscles do when they are pushed to their limit. But that’s how they grow stronger. And as you keep doing it, today’s faith ceiling will become tomorrow’s faith floor. Paul writes: ‘For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son’ (Romans 8:29 NIV). The ‘predestined’ part is God’s part, and the ‘conformed’ part is our part. A good example of this is the oft-repeated maxim: ‘Pray like it depends on God, and work like it depends on you.’ If you only do one or the other, it will result in half-baked spirituality. Our destiny is to be conformed to the image of Christ. And God will use any circumstance, good or bad, to accomplish that objective. Hence, Paul writes: ‘Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation”. Then you will shine…like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life’ (Philippians 2:14-16 NIV).

“…Deur ‘n leefstyl wat vol ontsag en eerbied vir God is, moet julle wys dat julle gered is.” Filippense 2:12 NLV God se deel en ons deel Paulus skryf: ‘…Deur ‘n leefstyl wat vol ontsag en eerbied vir God is, moet julle wys dat julle gered is. Dit is mos God wat julle gewillig maak om te doen waarvan Hy hou…’ (verse 12-13 NLV). Verlossing is ‘n gawe van God, dus kan jy nie daarvoor werk nie - maar jy kan daaraan werk. Hoe doen jy dit? Net soos jy jou spiere oefen. As jy fiks wil word, moet jy oefen! Hoe meer jy oefen, hoe sterker word jy. Jy moet jou geloof gimnasium toe neem en dit begin oefen. Dit sal ‘n bietjie bewerasie veroorsaak - dis wat spiere doen wanneer hulle tot hul uiterste gebruik word. Dis egter hoe hulle sterker word. Soos jy aanhou oefen, sal vandag se geloofsplafon môre se geloofsvloer word. Paulus skryf: ‘Want God het hulle reeds vooruit geken, en Hy het hulle aangewys om soos sy Seun te word…’ (Romeine 8:29 NLV). God het ons reeds vooruit geken en ons moet ons deel doen deur soos sy Seun te word. ‘n Goeie voorbeeld hiervan is die volgende gesegde: ‘Bid asof dit van God afhang en werk asof dit van jou afhang.’ As jy net die een of die ander doen, sal dit tot halfgebakte geestelikheid lei. Ons doelwit is om gelyk met die beeld van Christus te word. God sal enige omstandigheid, goed of sleg, gebruik om daardie doelwit te bereik. Daarom skryf Paulus: ‘Doen alles sonder kla of teëpraat. Dan sal julle as onberispelike kinders van God bo verdenking staan. Julle sal skoon lewe in ‘n wêreld vol oneerlike en perverse mense. Skyn in hierdie donker wêreld soos helder sterre, deur noukeurig te leef volgens die boodskap wat tot die lewe lei…’ (Filippense 2:14-16 NLV).

‘We are careful to be honourable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honourable.’ 2 Corinthians 8:21 NLT Always do the honourable thing In an extensive opinion survey from 1991 called The Day America Told the Truth, James Patterson and Peter Kim reported these startling findings. Only 13 per cent of those interviewed believed that all Ten Commandments are still binding and relevant today. Ninety-one per cent admitted that they lied regularly, both at home and at work. Most workers admitted to skiving off an average of seven hours a week. About half of the workforce admitted they regularly called in sick, even when they felt well. When they were asked what they would be willing to do for ten million dollars, 25 per cent said they would abandon their families, 23 per cent said they’d be willing to work as a prostitute for a week, and 7 per cent said they’d be willing to murder a stranger! And should you conclude that those surveyed are the unsaved and the unchurched, Doug Sherman and William Hendricks surveyed Christians and found that they were almost as likely as unbelievers to do these things too. They admitted to stealing in the workplace, falsifying their tax returns, and selectively obeying the laws. Paul wrote to the Corinthians: ‘We are careful to be honourable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honourable.’ Then he wrote to the Christians in Rome: ‘Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you’ (Romans 12:2 NLT). So always do the honourable thing.

“Ons is daarop bedag om eerbaar voor die Here op te tree, maar ook voor die mense.” 2 Korintiërs 8:21 NV Doen altyd die eerbare ding In ‘n uitgebreide meningsopname in 1991 genaamd The Day America Told the Truth, het James Patterson en Peter Kim die volgende verrassende bevindinge gerapporteer. Slegs 13 persent van diegene wat ondervra is, het geglo dat al Tien Gebooie vandag nog bindend en relevant is. Een-en-negentig persent het erken dat hulle gereeld by die huis en werk lieg. Die meeste werkers het erken dat hulle gemiddeld sewe uur per week by die werk sit en niksdoen. Ongeveer die helfte van die werksmag het erken dat hulle gereeld siekverlof neem, selfs wanneer hulle nie siek is nie. Toe hulle gevra is wat hulle bereid sou wees om vir tien miljoen dollar te doen, het 25 persent gesê dat hulle bereid sou wees om hul families te verlaat, 23 persent het gesê dat hulle bereid sou wees om vir ‘n week as ‘n prostituut te werk, en 7 persent het gesê dat hulle bereid sou wees om ‘n vreemdeling te vermoor! Moet ook nie aanneem dat dit net ongelowiges was wat so gereageer het nie. Doug Sherman en William Hendricks het spesifiek Christene ondervra en bevind dat hulle amper net so geneig as ongelowiges was om hierdie dinge te doen. Hulle het erken dat hulle by die werk steel, hul belastingopgawes vervals en wette selektief gehoorsaam. Paulus het aan die Korintiërs geskryf: ‘Ons is daarop bedag om eerbaar voor die Here op te tree, maar ook voor die mense.’ Toe het hy aan die Christene in Rome geskryf: ‘Moenie julle leefstyl aanpas by die gedragspatrone van hierdie wêreld nie, maar laat God julle omvorm deurdat Hy julle denkpatrone vernuwe. Dan sal julle goed kan onderskei wat Hý wil hê dat julle moet doen…’ (Romeine 12:2 NLV). Doen dus altyd die eerbare ding.

‘When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised”.’ Colossians 2:11 NLT How to thrive in enemy territory (2) Before allowing His people to conquer and inhabit the Promised Land, God commanded all the males to be circumcised (see Joshua 5:2). Circumcision was first introduced by God to Abraham as ‘a sign of the covenant between Me and you’ (Genesis 17:11 NKJV). The act of circumcision meant they were set apart from the surrounding nations who didn’t know God and that they belonged to Him. During the wilderness wanderings, the Hebrews let this practice lapse. But before they began their new life in Canaan, God introduced it to them again as a condition for enjoying a covenant relationship with Him. What’s the secret of survival in enemy territory? First, remember what God has done for you. Second, remember whose you are. The Hebrews did what God commanded – and God protected them and gave them spectacular victories over their enemies. ‘So it was, when all the kings of the Amorites who were on the west side of the Jordan, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of the Jordan…their heart melted; and there was no spirit in them any longer because of the children of Israel’ (Joshua 5:1 NKJV). Their devotion to God brought protection from God. And it still works that way. ‘Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you’ (James 4:7-8 NKJV). These Scriptures teach that when you are surrendered to God, He gives you the power to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil.

“Omdat julle één is met Christus is julle ook besny…” Kolossense 2:11 NLV Hoe om in ‘n vyandelike gebied te floreer (2) Voordat God sy volk toegelaat het om die Beloofde Land te verower en te bewoon, het Hy beveel dat alle mans besny moes word (sien Josua 5:2). Die besnydenis is aanvanklik deur God aan Abraham bekendgestel as ‘n teken van die verbond tussen God en hom (sien Genesis 17:11). Die besnydenis het beteken dat hulle van die omliggende nasies wat God nie geken het nie afgesonder was en dat hulle aan Hom behoort het. Tydens die woestynomswerwinge het die Hebreërs hierdie praktyk laat vaar. Voordat hulle egter hul nuwe lewe in Kanaän kon begin, het God dit weer aan hulle as voorwaarde om ‘n verbondsverhouding met Hom te geniet, bekendgestel. Wat is die geheim van oorlewing in vyandelike gebied? Eerstens, onthou wat God vir jou gedoen het. Tweedens, onthou wie s’n jy is. Die Hebreërs het gedoen wat God beveel het - en God het hulle beskerm en hulle skouspelagtige oorwinnings oor hul vyande gegee. ‘Al die konings van die Amoriete wat wes van die Jordaan bly en al die konings van die Kanaäniete wat by die Middelandse See bly, het gehoor hoe God die water van die Jordaan voor die Israeliete laat wegdroog het… Hulle harte het gekrimp. Hulle het nie kans gesien om teen die Israeliete te veg nie’ (Josua 5:1 NLV). Hul toewyding aan God het beskerming van God meegebring. Dit werk steeds so. ‘Wys dus dat julle van God afhanklik is deur na Hom te luister. Weerstaan die duiwel en hy sal van julle wegvlug. Kom nader aan God, en Hy sal nader aan julle kom…’ (Jakobus 4:7-8 NLV). Hierdie Skrifgedeeltes leer ons dat wanneer jy jouself aan God oorgee, Hy jou die krag sal gee om die wêreld, die vlees en die duiwel te oorwin.

‘I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.’ Joshua 5:9 NKJV How to thrive in enemy territory (1) When Israel entered the Promised Land, there were thirty-one kings who had to be conquered. That means they’d be living in enemy territory. God told Joshua to ‘circumcise the sons of Israel’ (Joshua 5:2 NKJV). When it was done, the Lord said, ‘This day I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.’ The ‘reproach of Egypt’ was the humiliation of slavery they’d endured for 400 years; now it was time to reclaim their birthright as God’s chosen people. Circumcision, then, was a symbolic separation from the past and a declaration of a new identity: no longer a slave, but free. What about your old temptations, lusts, and shortcomings? He detached you from their power! It cannot be stated too often or too clearly – you are not the person you used to be! When Christ died, you died. When Christ was buried, you were buried. When Christ rose from the dead, you rose with Him. ‘You put off…the old man’ and ‘put on the new’ (Ephesians 4:22, 24 NKJV). Satan is called ‘the tempter’ and ‘the accuser’. When he comes against you in either role, tell him: ‘I have been bought with a price. I belong to God’ (see 1 Corinthians 6:20). ‘I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind’ (see 2 Timothy 1:7). ‘I cannot be separated from the love of God’ (see Romans 8:35). ‘I can find grace and mercy in the time of need’ (see Hebrews 4:16). ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’ (Philippians 4:13 NKJV).

“…Ek het julle vandag bevry van die vernedering van Egipte…” Josua 5:9 NLV Hoe om in ‘n vyandelike gebied te floreer (1) Toe Israel die Beloofde Land binnegegaan het, was daar een-en-dertig konings wat verower moes word. Dit beteken dat hulle in ‘n vyandelike gebied sou moes woon. God het vir Josua gesê om die Israeliete te besny (Josua 5:2 NLV). Toe dit klaar was, het die Here gesê: ‘Ek het julle vandag bevry van die vernedering van Egipte.’ Die ‘vernedering van Egipte’ was die vernedering van slawerny wat hulle 400 jaar lank verduur het; nou was dit tyd om hul eersgeboortereg as God se uitverkore volk op te eis. Die besnydenis was dus ‘n simboliese skeiding van die verlede en ‘n verklaring van ‘n nuwe identiteit: nie meer ‘n slaaf nie, maar vry. Wat van jou ou versoekings, welluste en tekortkominge? God het jou uit hulle mag bevry! Toe Christus gesterf het, het jy gesterf. Toe Christus begrawe is, is jy begrawe. Toe Christus uit die dood opgestaan het, het jy saam met Hom opgestaan. ‘…wat julle vroeëre leefstyl betref, [moet julle] die ou, sondige mens soos vuil klere… uittrek… Ja, trek die nuwe mens soos skoon klere aan…’ (Efesiërs 4:22, 24 NLV). Satan word ‘die versoeker’ en ‘die aanklaer’ genoem. Wanneer hy in enige van dié twee rolle voor jou staan, sê vir hom: ‘Ek is teen ‘n duur prys gekoop. Ek behoort aan God’ (sien 1 Korintiërs 6:20). ‘Ek is nie ’n gees van skugterheid gegee nie, maar een van krag en liefde en selfbeheersing’ (sien 2 Timoteus 1:7). ‘Ek kan nie van God se liefde geskei word nie’ (sien Romeine 8:35). ‘Ek kan op die regte tyd God se deernis en onverdiende goedheid ontvang’ (sien Hebreërs 4:16). ‘Ek kan onder alle omstandighede regkom deur Hom wat my krag gee’ (sien Filippense 4:13).

‘Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.’ 1 Thessalonians 2:4 NLT In all things, seek to please God! A young man studied violin under a world-renowned violinist and master teacher. He worked hard for several years perfecting his talent. The day finally came when he was called upon to give his first major public recital in a large city where both he and his teacher lived. Following each selection, which he performed with great skill and passion, the performer seemed uneasy about how to handle all the applause he was receiving. Even though he knew that those in the audience were musically astute and not likely to give such applause to a less than superior performance, the young man acted almost as if he couldn’t hear the appreciation that was being showered upon him. At the close of the last number he performed, the applause was thunderous, and numerous ‘bravos’ were shouted. The talented young violinist had his eyes glued, however, on only one spot. Finally, when an elderly man in the first row of the balcony smiled and nodded to him in approval, the young man relaxed and beamed with both relief and joy. His teacher had praised his work! The applause of thousands meant nothing to him until he had first won the approval of his master. That was Paul’s aim too, and it should be yours. ‘For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts’ (v. 4 NLT). So the word for today is this: in all things, seek to please God!

“…Ons doel is nie om mense tevrede te stel nie, maar God. Hy ondersoek die motiewe van ons harte.” 1 Tessalonisense 2:4 NLV Streef daarna om God in alles tevrede te stel! ‘n Jong man het onder ‘n wêreldbekende violis en meesteronderwyser studeer om die viool te bemeester. Hy het jare lank hard gewerk om sy talent te vervolmaak. Die dag het uiteindelik aangebreek toe hy gevra is om sy eerste groot openbare uitvoering in ‘n groot stad waar beide hy en sy onderwyser gewoon het, te gee. Na elke lied, wat hy met groot vaardigheid en passie uitgevoer het, het die jong man ongemaklik gelyk oor hoe om al die applous wat hy ontvang het, te hanteer. Alhoewel hy geweet het dat diegene in die gehoor musikaal geletterd was en nie geneig was om sulke applous vir ‘n minder as uitmuntende uitvoering te gee nie, het die jong man amper opgetree asof hy nie die waardering kon hoor wat op hom uitgestort word nie. Aan die einde van die laaste nommer wat hy uitgevoer het, was die applous dawerend en talle ‘bravo!’s het deur die saal weerklink. Die talentvolle jong violis het egter sy oë net op een plek gerig. Uiteindelik, toe ‘n bejaarde man in die eerste ry van die balkon glimlag en vir hom in goedkeuring knik, het die jong man ontspan en begin straal van beide verligting en vreugde. Sy onderwyser het sy werk goedgekeur! Die applous van duisende het niks vir hom beteken, totdat hy die goedkeuring van sy meester ontvang het nie. Dit was ook Paulus se doel, en dit behoort joune ook te wees. ’Nee, ons praat omdat God ons gekeur het. Hy het die Goeie Nuus aan ons toevertrou. Ons doel is nie om mense tevrede te stel nie, maar God. Hy ondersoek die motiewe van ons harte’ (vers 4 NLV). Die woord vir vandag is dus: streef daarna om God in alles tevrede te stel!

‘You have promised these good things to your servant.’ 2 Samuel 7:28 NIV Believe God for ‘Good Things’ We strive each day to ‘walk by faith, not by sight’ (2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV). But it doesn’t come easily. It takes a mind saturated in scripture to make a faith choice when you’re staring down the barrel of a situation that seems impossible. So how do you develop that kind of faith? For a relationship to thrive, both parties must invest time and energy into getting to know one other. Lasting connections are based on trust, and an intimate knowledge of the other person’s habits and character. And it’s the same with God. Over time, as you prove His faithfulness it becomes easier to let go of your fear and replace it with trust. One author writes: ‘Getting to know God means walking with Him, spending time in His Word, getting to know His spotless character and the countless examples of His unfailing love illustrated in His ironclad promises. It means praying, talking, sharing all the details of your life and the inner workings of your heart. He knows it all already, but He enjoys the intimacy of the conversation. And like any balanced relationship, we can’t always be the one talking. We have to make time to listen, to come before the Lord and get quiet, by silencing the noise of our thoughts and the rush of our emotions.’ Remember, the only place fear has to work is in the empty space where your faith should be. Fear is based on what you see and hear. Faith is based on knowing that God’s Word is reliable, and that He has promised ‘good things’ to those who believe Him for them!

“…U het hierdie goeie dinge aan u dienaar belowe.” 2 Samuel 7:28 NLV Vertrou God vir ‘Goeie Dinge’ Ons streef elke dag daarna om te ‘...leef deur te glo en nie deur te sien nie’ (2 Korintiërs 5:7 NLV). Dit is egter nie maklik nie. Dit verg gedagtes wat deur die Skrif deurdrenk is om ‘n geloofskeuse te maak wanneer jy ’n situasie in die gesig staar wat onmoontlik lyk. Hoe ontwikkel jy daardie soort geloof? Vir ‘n verhouding om te floreer, moet beide partye tyd en energie belê om mekaar te leer ken. Blywende verbintenisse word op vertroue en ‘n intieme kennis van die ander persoon se gewoontes en karakter, gebaseer. Dit is ook dieselfde met God. Met verloop van tyd, soos jy sy getrouheid ervaar, word dit makliker om jou vrees te laat vaar en dit met vertroue te vervang. Een outeur skryf: ‘Om God te leer ken, beteken om saam met Hom te wandel, tyd met sy Woord deur te bring en om sy vlekkelose karakter en die tallose voorbeelde van sy onfeilbare liefde, te leer ken. Dit beteken om te bid, te praat en al die besonderhede van jou lewe en die innerlike werking van jou hart te deel. Hy weet dit alles reeds, maar Hy geniet die intimiteit van die gesprek. Soos enige gebalanseerde verhouding, kan ons egter nie altyd die een wees wat praat nie. Ons moet tyd maak om te luister, om voor die Here te kniel en stil te word en die geraas van ons gedagtes en die gejaag van ons emosies stil te maak.’ Onthou, die enigste plek waar vrees kan werk is in die leë ruimte waar jou geloof moet wees. Vrees word op die dinge wat jy sien en hoor gebaseer. Geloof word op die wete dat God se Woord betroubaar is en dat Hy ‘goeie dinge’ belowe aan diegene wat Hom daarvoor glo, gebaseer!

‘Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!’ Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV Put the past behind you After falling twice in the 1988 Olympic speed-skating races, Dan Jansen sought out sports psychologist Dr Jim Loehr, who helped him find a new balance between sport and the rest of his life and to pay more attention to the mental aspects of skating. Peter Mueller became his coach, putting him through workouts that he described as ‘the toughest I’ve ever known’. By the time the 1994 Olympics arrived, Jansen had more confidence than ever. He had set a 500-metre world record just two months previously, so that race seemed to be all his! Then the unimaginable happened, and he fell during the 500-metre race. Dr Loehr advised him, ‘Start preparing for the 1000-metre race. Put the 500-metre race behind you immediately. Stop reliving it. Think 1000!’ For years Jansen didn’t believe he could win that distance, as he had always considered it his weaker event. Now it was his last chance at an Olympic medal. As the race began, Jansen said, ‘I just seemed to be sailing along,’ and then he slipped and came within an inch of stepping on a lane marker. Still, he didn’t panic; he raced on and recorded a world-record time that won him the gold medal. There’s an important lesson here for you. Put the past behind and believe that God has greater days in store for you – because He does. So the word for today is this: ‘Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!’

Blessing Ndabula joins Lukho Mkwedi for another edition of Financial Conversations, unpacking the topic of Dumping Debt. In this practical teaching, she walks listeners through a clear process for tackling and eliminating debt, while grounding the conversation in what Scripture teaches about financial freedom and stewardship. An empowering and faith-rooted discussion for anyone ready to break free from the weight of debt. #DumpingDebt #BlessingNdabula #LukhoMkwedi #FinancialFreedom #KingdomFinance #WordOfGod #BiblicalTruth #RadioPulpit

“Vergeet al die dinge wat in die verlede gebeur het… Ek gaan iets nuuts doen. Dit het alreeds begin gebeur!..” Jesaja 43:18-19 NLV Laat die verlede met rus Nadat hy twee keer tydens die Olimpiese spoedskaatswedlope van 1988 geval het, het Dan Jansen die sportsielkundige, dr Jim Loehr, begin spreek, wat hom gehelp het om ‘n nuwe balans tussen sport en die res van sy lewe te vind en om meer aandag aan die geestelike aspekte van skaats te gee. Peter Mueller het Dan se afrigter geword en hom deur oefensessies gelei wat hy as ‘die moeilikste wat ek nog ooit moes deurmaak,’ beskryf het. Teen die tyd dat die Olimpiese Spele van 1994 aangebreek het, het Jansen meer selfvertroue as ooit gehad. Hy het net twee maande tevore ‘n wêreldrekord oor die 500 meter opgestel, dus het almal voorspel dat hy goud in daardie wedloop sou wen. Toe gebeur die ondenkbare - hy val tydens die 500 meter-wedloop. Dr Loehr het hom aangeraai: ‘Begin nou voorberei vir die 1000 meter-wedloop. Trek onmiddellik ‘n streep deur die 500 meter-wedloop. Hou op om dit te herleef. Dink aan die 1000!’ Jare lank het Jansen nie geglo dat hy daardie afstand kon wen nie, aangesien hy dit nog altyd as sy swakker item beskou het. Nou was dit sy laaste kans op ‘n Olimpiese medalje. Toe die wedren begin, het Jansen gesê: ‘Dit het gevoel of ek goed aan die gang is, toe het ek gegly en amper uit die baan getree.’ Tog het hy nie paniekerig geraak nie; hy het aangehou en ‘n wêreldrekordtyd aangeteken wat hom die goue medalje besorg het. Daar is ‘n belangrike les hieruit te leer. Laat die verlede met rus en glo dat God beter dae vir jou in gedagte het - want Hy het. Die woord vir vandag is dus: ‘Vergeet al die dinge wat in die verlede gebeur het… Ek gaan iets nuuts doen. Dit het alreeds begin gebeur!..’

‘As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.’ Joshua 24:15 NKJV Honour God in your home Joe was a carpenter who worked for a building contractor. One day, the contractor said to him, ‘Joe, I’m putting you in charge of the next house we build. I want you to order the materials and oversee the job.’ Joe accepted the assignment with great enthusiasm. He studied the blueprints and checked every measurement and specification. Then he had a thought: ‘If I’m really in charge, why couldn’t I cut a few corners, use less expensive materials, and put the extra money in my pocket? Who will know? Once the house is painted, it will look great.’ So Joe ordered second-grade lumber and inexpensive concrete, put in cheap wiring, and cut every corner he could. When the home was finished, the contractor came to see it. ‘What a fine job you have done!’ he said. ‘You have been faithful to me all these years, and I have decided to show you my gratitude by giving you this house that you just built as a gift.’ Night after night, as Joe lay in bed listening to the roof leaking and the floor creaking, the message came through loud and clear: The house you built is the house you will live in! Are you short-changing your spouse and your family in love, time, example, and instruction? Count on it: there will come a time when you will regret what you have done and have left undone. And depending on time and opportunity, you may or may not have a chance to undo it. So make this your prayer: ‘As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.’

“…Ek en my huisgesin sal die Here aanbid.” Josua 24:15 NLV Eer God in jou huis Joe was ‘n skrynwerker wat vir ‘n boukontrakteur gewerk het. Eendag het die kontrakteur vir hom gesê: ‘Joe, ek stel jou in beheer van die volgende huis wat ons bou. Ek wil hê jy moet die materiaal bestel en toesig hou oor die werk.’ Joe het die opdrag met groot entoesiasme aanvaar. Hy het die bloudrukke bestudeer en elke meting en spesifikasie nagegaan. Toe het hy gedink: ‘As ek werklik in beheer is, hoekom kan ek nie ‘n paar kortpaaie vat nie, goedkoper materiale gebruik en die ekstra geld in my sak steek nie? Wie sal weet? Sodra die huis geverf is, sal dit fantasties lyk.’ Joe het toe tweedegraadse hout en goedkoop beton bestel, goedkoop bedrading ingesit en elke kortpad gevat wat hy kon. Toe die huis klaar was, het die kontrakteur dit kom besigtig. ‘Jy het ‘n goeie werk gedoen!’ het hy gesê. ‘Jy was al die jare getrou aan my en ek het besluit om my dankbaarheid te betoon deur jou hierdie huis wat jy so pas gebou het, as ‘n geskenk aan jou te gee.’ Nag na nag, terwyl Joe in die bed gelê en geluister het na die dak wat lek en die vloer wat kraak, het hy die boodskap hard en duidelik gehoor: Die huis wat jy bou, is die huis waarin jy sal moet woon! Skeep jy jou eggenoot en jou gesin af wat liefde, tyd, voorbeeld en onderrig betref? Jy kan maar weet: daar sal ‘n tyd kom wanneer jy spyt sal wees oor wat jy gedoen het en nagelaat het om te doen. Afhangende van tyd en geleentheid, mag jy dalk nie ‘n kans kry om dit ongedaan te maak nie. Maak dus die volgende jou gebed: ‘…Ek en my huisgesin sal die Here aanbid.’

‘Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?’ Nehemiah 6:3 NIV Be careful who you listen to Like David’s older brother Eliab, there will always be people who try to discourage you from killing the giant in your life or taking on any other God-given assignment (see 1 Samuel 17:28). Their resistance could be due to the fact that ‘misery loves company’. Or that they’re projecting their fear and lack of faith onto you. Or it could be envy; they resent your attempt to do what they are afraid to do. And this is even more so when you succeed where they have failed. Whatever their motivation and intention may be, you may have to stand alone in your quest. Nehemiah’s enemies tried every trick in the book to deter him from rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. They were relentless. Notice how he handled their opposition: ‘Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together.”…But they were scheming to harm me; so I sent…this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer’ (Nehemiah 6:2-4 NIV). Nehemiah remained steadfast in what he knew God had called him to do, and you must too. You must be willing to take the put-downs, the envy, the distractions, the discouraging words, and all other opposition and stand on God’s Word: ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’ (Romans 8:31 NIV). So the word for today is – be careful to whom you listen.

“…Ek is met ‘n groot taak besig, ek kan nie nou daarmee ophou en julle ontmoet nie.” Nehemia 6:3 NLV Wees versigtig na wie jy luister Soos Dawid se ouer broer, Eliab, sal daar altyd mense wees wat jou probeer ontmoedig om die reus in jou lewe dood te maak of enige ander Godgegewe opdrag aan te pak (sien 1 Samuel 17:28). Hul weerstand kan wees omdat hulle nie wil hê jy moet hulle agterlaat nie. Of dit kan wees dat hulle hul vrees en gebrek aan geloof op jou projekteer. Dit kan selfs afguns wees; hulle is wrokkig dat jy poog om dit te doen wat hulle te bang is om te doen. Hierdie weerstand mag dalk ‘n toppunt bereik wanneer jy slaag waar hulle misluk het. Wat ook al hul motivering en voorneme mag wees, jy sal dalk alleen in jou strewe moet staan. Nehemia se vyande het elke truuk in die boek probeer om hom te ontmoedig om die muur van Jerusalem te herbou. Hulle was meedoënloos. Let op hoe hy hul teenstand hanteer het: ‘Toe stuur Sanballat en Gesem vir my ‘n boodskap met die versoek dat ek hulle… moes ontmoet. Ek het besef dat hulle beplan het om my kwaad aan te doen. Ek het toe vir hulle ‘n boodskap teruggestuur: ‘Ek is met ‘n groot taak besig, ek kan nie nou daarmee ophou en julle ontmoet nie.’ Hulle het die boodskap vier keer vir my gestuur en elke keer het ek vir hulle dieselfde boodskap teruggestuur’ (Nehemia 6:2-4 NLV). Nehemia het standvastig gebly in dit wat hy geweet het God hom geroep het om te doen, en jy moet ook. Jy moet bereid wees om die afkeer, die afguns, die afleidings, die ontmoedigende woorde en alle ander teenstand te verduur en op God se Woord te staan: ‘…As God aan ons kant is, wie kan ooit téén ons wees?’ (Romeine 8:31 NLV). Die woord vir jou vandag is dus - wees versigtig na wie jy luister.

‘This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.’ Psalm 118:24 NKJV Live in day-tight compartments (2) In The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis demonstrated that God wants humankind to attend chiefly to two things: ‘To eternity itself, and to that point of time, which they call the Present. For the Present is the point at which time touches eternity.’ In light of that truth, Screwtape, the veteran demon, advised a novice named Wormwood with these words: ‘Our business is to get them away from the eternal, and from the Present. With this in view, we sometimes tempt a human…to live in the Past.’ Screwtape then advised Wormwood about another demonic tactic – getting people to live in the future. ‘We want a whole race perpetually in pursuit of the rainbow’s end, never honest, nor kind, nor happy now, but always using as mere fuel wherewith to heap on the altar of the future every real gift which is offered to them in the Present.’ Whether we are overcoming lifelong addictions or going after life goals, one key to accomplishing things is breaking them down into manageable and measurable steps. A goal is a dream with a deadline. And without a deadline, the dream is dead in the water. Successful programmes that help alcoholics and addicts find sobriety and strength use the slogan: ‘One day at a time!’ If you want to break a habit, break it down into day-tight compartments. Just like boxing, you’ll win some rounds and lose some rounds. But you’ve got to fight one day and one round at a time. Before you know it, your winning streaks will get longer, and your losing streaks will get shorter.

“Dit is die dag wat die Here gemaak het. Laat ons daaroor juig en bly wees.” Psalm 118:24 NLV Lewe een dag op ‘n slag (2) In The Screwtape Letters het C.S. Lewis geskryf dat God wil hê dat die mensdom hoofsaaklik aan twee dinge aandag moet gee: ‘Aan die ewigheid self en aan daardie tydstip wat hulle die Teenswoordige noem. Want die Teenswoordige is die punt waarop tyd die ewigheid aanraak.’ In die lig van hierdie waarheid het Screwtape, die veteraan-demoon, ‘n beginner, genaamd Wormwood, as volg aangeraai: ‘Ons taak is om hulle weg van die ewige en van die Teenswoordige te stuur. Met dit in gedagte, versoek ons dus soms ‘n mens om in die Verlede te leef.’ Screwtape het Wormwood toe van ‘n ander demoniese taktiek vertel - om mense so ver te kry om in die toekoms te lewe. ‘Ons wil ‘n hele generasie hê wat voortdurend die einde van die reënboog nastreef, nooit eerlik, of vriendelik, of gelukkig oor waar hulle hulle tans bevind nie, maar besig om elke geskenk wat in die Teenswoordige aan hulle gebied word, op die altaar van die toekoms op te offer.’ Of ons nou lewenslange verslawings oorkom of lewensdoelwitte nastreef, die een sleutel om dinge te bereik, is om dit in hanteerbare en meetbare stappe op te breek. ‘n Doelwit is ‘n droom met ‘n sperdatum. Suksesvolle programme wat alkoholiste en verslaafdes help om nugter te word en innerlike krag te vind, gebruik die slagspreuk: ‘Een dag op 'n slag!’ As jy ‘n gewoonte wil breek, breek dit in meetbare stappe op. Jy sal, net soos in boks, ‘n paar rondtes wen en ‘n paar rondtes verloor. Jy moet egter een dag en een rondte op ‘n slag veg. Voor jy jou oë uitvee, sal die dae wat jy wen baie meer as die dae wat jy verloor word.

‘Live one day at a time.’ Matthew 6:34 TLB Live in day-tight compartments (1) Sir William Osler was the most famous physician of his generation. He organised the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and served as a professor of medicine at Oxford University. Considered the father of psychosomatic medicine, his textbook, The Principles and Practice of Medicine, was the principal reference book for medical students for three decades. But Osler’s medical career almost ended as soon as it started because of a nervous breakdown. He was trying to finish his academic requirements, start a medical practice, and make ends meet – all at the same time. It nearly killed him. Then he came across something that Thomas Carlyle wrote: ‘Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand.’ Those words revolutionised Osler’s life. In a commencement address at Yale University, Osler told the students he owed his success to a simple principle: living in day-tight compartments. He told them that they needed to let go of dead yesterdays and unborn tomorrows. ‘The load of tomorrow,’ he said, ‘added to that of yesterday, carried today, makes the strongest falter.’ David said: ‘This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it’ (Psalm 118:24 TLB). Jesus said: ‘Don’t worry at all about having enough food and clothing…your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them, and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to. So don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time’ (Matthew 6:31-34 TLB).

“…Leef vandag voluit vir God!” Matteus 6:34 DB Lewe een dag op ‘n slag (1) Sir William Osler was die bekendste geneesheer van sy generasie. Hy het die Johns Hopkins Skool vir Geneeskunde bestuur en as professor in medisyne aan die Universiteit van Oxford gedien. Sy handboek, The Principles and Practice of Medicine, word as die vader van psigosomatiese medisyne beskou en was vir drie dekades lank die belangrikste naslaanboek vir mediese studente. Osler se mediese loopbaan het egter, pas nadat dit begin het, amper weens ‘n senuwee-ineenstorting geëindig. Hy het probeer om aan sy akademiese vereistes te voldoen, ‘n mediese praktyk op die been te bring en kop bo water te hou - alles op dieselfde tyd. Dit het hom amper doodgemaak. Toe kom hy op die woorde van Thomas Carlyle af: ‘Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand.’ Hierdie woorde het Osler se lewe verander. In ‘n toespraak by Yale Universiteit, het Osler vir die studente gesê dat hy sy sukses aan ‘n eenvoudige beginsel te danke het: om die lewe een dag op ‘n slag te leef. Dawid het gesê: ‘Dit is die dag wat die Here gemaak het. Laat ons daaroor juig en bly wees’ (Psalm 118:24). Jesus het gesê: ‘…Hou op om te sê: ‘Wat gaan ons vandag eet en drink?’ of: ‘Wat gaan ons vandag aantrek?’…Julle het mos ’n Vader in die hemel wat presies weet wat julle nodig het. Hy sal sorg dat julle dit alles kry. Stel God se koninkryk eerste. Doen net daardie dinge wat vir Hom belangrik is. Hy sal vir die res sorg... En los môre se probleme vir die dag van môre. Van probleme het elke dag immers oorgenoeg. Leef vandag voluit vir God!’ (Matteus 6:31-34 DB).

‘Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them.’ Romans 12:9 NLT Rules for serving When it comes to serving others, try to live by these three rules: 1) Serve sincerely. ‘Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them.’ God knows your heart, so be honest with yourself about your true motives in serving and sacrificing for others. If you need help in this area, turn to the Scriptures: ‘For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword…and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart’ (Hebrews 4:12 NKJV). 2) Serve silently. ‘When you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet…that [you] may have glory from men’ (Matthew 6:2 NKJV). Note the words, ‘do not sound a trumpet’. When people take your kindness for granted or fail to appreciate the things you do for them, don’t toot your own horn. Look to God for your reward, not people; otherwise you’ll be disappointed. ‘As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters…so our eyes look to the Lord our God’ (Psalms 123:2 NKJV). 3) Serve selectively. You’re not called to go to every place, meet every need, and help every person. On two different occasions God stopped Paul from going into Asia to preach the gospel. But look what happened next: ‘And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”…immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them’ (Acts 16:9-10 NKJV). Why is this important to know? Because when God guides you, He provides for you!

“Moenie veins dat jy ander liefhet nie; doen dit uit jou hart uit…” Romeine 12:9 NLV Reëls vir bediening Wanneer dit by die dien van ander kom, moet jy probeer om volgens hierdie drie reëls te leef: 1) Dien opreg. ‘Moenie veins dat jy ander liefhet nie; doen dit uit jou hart uit…’ God ken jou hart, wees dus eerlik met jouself oor jou ware beweegredes om ander te dien en vir hulle op te offer. As jy hulp in hierdie area nodig het, wend jou tot die Skrif: ‘Die woord van God is vol lewenskrag en energie. Dit is skerper as die ontleedmes van ‘n chirurg… Dit vlek ons diepste motiewe en oorwegings oop’ (Hebreërs 4:12 NLV). 2) Dien stilweg. ‘Wanneer jy iemand in nood help, moenie ‘n groot okkasie daarvan maak nie. Dis wat die skynheiliges in die sinagoges en op die strate doen om deur die mense opgehemel te word…’ (Matteus 6:2 NLV). Wanneer mense jou vriendelikheid as vanselfsprekend aanvaar of nie die dinge wat jy vir hulle doen waardeer nie, moenie jou eie beuel blaas nie. Draai na God vir jou beloning en nie na mense toe nie; anders sal jy teleurgestel word. 3) Dien selektief. Jy is nie geroep om na elke plek te gaan, in elke behoefte te voorsien en elke persoon te help nie. By twee verskillende geleenthede het God Paulus gekeer om na Asië te gaan om die evangelie te gaan verkondig. Kyk egter wat volgende gebeur het: ‘Daar het Paulus in die nag ‘n visioen ontvang. Hy het ‘n Masedoniese man gesien wat hom staan en smeek: ‘Kom oor na Masedonië toe en help ons.’ …ons [het] onmiddellik Masedonië toe vertrek omdat ons tot die oortuiging gekom het dat God ons geroep het om die evangelie daar te verkondig’ (Handelinge 16:9-10 NLV). Waarom is dit belangrik? Want wanneer God jou lei, voorsien Hy vir jou!

‘The Lord said to Joshua: “Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face? Israel has sinned.”’ Joshua 7:10-11 NKJV The consequences of disobedience The walls of Jericho had fallen, and Joshua was flushed with victory. Their next challenge was the town of Ai, with a population of only 20,000 people. So Joshua decided that 3,000 of his soldiers could do the job. He was wrong. ‘The men of Ai chased the Israelites from the town gate as far as the quarries, and they killed about thirty-six who were retreating…The Israelites were paralysed with fear at this turn of events, and their courage melted away’ (vv. 4-5 NLT). What caused this? Achan, one of Joshua’s soldiers, had disobeyed God’s command and taken the spoils of Jericho and hidden them in his tent. As a result, Israel went down in a humiliating defeat, and Achan and his family were stoned to death in the valley of Achor. Joshua had a meltdown. He tore his clothing and fell on his face and prayed, ‘Oh, that we had been content, and dwelt on the other side of the Jordan!’ (v. 7 NKJV). Note what God said to him: ‘Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face? Israel has sinned.’ There’s an important lesson here: there’s a time to pray and a time to ‘get up’ and deal with the issues God’s talking to you about! Sometimes we pray hoping that God will overlook our disobedience or change His mind. But God’s goal is to change us! Why did Achan take the spoils of Jericho? Because he didn’t trust in God’s ability and willingness to provide for him. Is God dealing with you about the same thing?

“Die Here sê toe vir Josua: ‘Staan op. Hoekom lê jy daar op die grond? Israel het oortree…” Josua 7:10-11 NLV Die gevolge van ongehoorsaamheid Jerigo se mure het geval en Josua was oorweldig deur die oorwinning. Hulle volgende uitdaging was die stad Ai, met ‘n bevolking van slegs 20 000 mense. Josua het toe besluit dat 3 000 van sy soldate die stad kon inneem. Hy was egter verkeerd. ‘Die mense van Ai het die Israeliete van die poort van die stad af agternagesit en hulle gejaag tot by die klipskeure waar hulle omtrent 36 van hulle teen die skuinste doodgemaak het. Die volk se moed het in hulle skoene gesak’ (vers 5 NLV). Wat het hierdie nederlaag veroorsaak? Akan, een van Josua se soldate, het God se bevel verontagsaam en van die buit van Jerigo geneem en dit in sy tent weggesteek. Gevolglik het Israel ‘n vernederende nederlaag gely en Akan en sy familie is in die Laagte van Akor met klippe doodgegooi. Josua het ‘n ineenstorting gehad. Hy het sy klere geskeur en op die grond neergeval en gebid: ‘…As ons tog maar liewer aan die ander kant van die Jordaan gebly het!’ (vers 7 NLV). Let op wat God vir hom gesê het: ‘…Staan op. Hoekom lê jy daar op die grond? Israel het oortree…’ Daar is ‘n belangrike les hieruit te leer: daar is ‘n tyd om te bid, en daar is ‘n tyd om op te staan en die kwessies waaroor God jou aanspreek, te hanteer! Soms bid ons in die hoop dat God ons ongehoorsaamheid sal oorsien of van plan sal verander. God se doel is egter om ons te verander! Waarom het Akan van die buit van Jerigo geneem? Omdat hy nie op God se vermoë en bereidwilligheid om vir hom te sorg, vertrou het nie. Spreek God jou ook daaroor aan?

‘I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.’ Isaiah 48:17 NLT The paths to your destiny You’ll probably travel several different paths on your way to your destiny. When Luciano Pavarotti was a boy, his grandmother often put him on her lap and said, ‘You’re going to be great – you’ll see.’ But his grandmother had dreams of him becoming a banker! Instead, he became a schoolteacher. He taught primary school for a while, occasionally singing at special events. His father was the one who challenged him to develop his voice, telling him he was settling far short of his potential. Finally, at age twenty-two, Pavarotti stopped teaching to sell insurance. He continued to look for something stable on which he could rely financially in case he could not make it in the music world. The insurance business allowed him time to take voice lessons, and, as they say, ‘The rest is history.’ In an interview, the opera star said, ‘Studying voice was the turning point of my life.’ Then he added, ‘It’s a mistake to settle for the safe path in life.’ It takes courage to leave a position you consider safe and launch out in a new direction, but without risk, you can never realise your potential or know all God created you to be. The greatest risk of all is to take no risk because the person who risks nothing accomplishes nothing, has nothing, feels nothing, and, in the end, becomes nothing. God may lead you along several different paths on your way to your destiny, but if you submit to His will and follow His guidance, you will surely succeed.

“…Ek is die Here jou God wat jou leer wat vir jou reg is. Ek lei jou op die pad waarop jy moet loop.” Jesaja 48:17 NLV Die paaie na jou lewensdoel Jy sal waarskynlik verskeie paaie op pad na jou lewensdoel volg. Toe Luciano Pavarotti ‘n seuntjie was, het sy ouma hom dikwels op haar skoot getel en gesê: ‘Jy gaan wonderlik wees – jy sal sien.’ Sy ouma het egter gedroom dat hy ‘n bankier gaan word! In plaas daarvan het hy ‘n onderwyser geword. Hy het ‘n rukkie by ‘n laerskool skoolgehou en soms by spesiale geleenthede gesing. Sy pa was die een wat hom uitgedaag het om sy stem te ontwikkel en vir hom gesê het dat hy ver aan sy potensiaal tekortskiet. Uiteindelik, op twee-en-twintigjarige ouderdom, het Pavarotti die onderwys verlaat om versekering te begin verkoop. Hy wou ‘n stabiele werk hê waarop hy finansieel kon staatmaak, indien hy nie sukses in die musiekwêreld kon behaal nie. Die versekeringsmaatskappy het hom tyd gegee om sanglesse te neem, en soos hulle sê: ‘Die res is geskiedenis.’ In ‘n onderhoud het die operaster gesê: ‘Om sang te studeer was die keerpunt in my lewe.’ Toe het hy bygevoeg: ‘Dis ‘n fout om die veilige pad in die lewe te kies.’ Dit verg moed om ‘n posisie wat jy as veilig beskou, te verlaat en in ‘n nuwe rigting te begin beweeg, maar sonder risiko kan jy nooit jou potensiaal verwesenlik of alles waarvoor God jou geskape het, bereik nie. Die grootste risiko van alles is om geen risiko te neem nie, want die persoon wat niks waag nie, bereik niks, het niks, voel niks en word uiteindelik niks. God mag jou langs verskeie paaie op pad na jou lewensdoel lei, maar as jy jou aan sy wil onderwerp en sy leiding volg, sal jy vir seker slaag.

Lukho Mkwedi returns to the studio with Pastor Bandile Ciliza to unpack a candid conversation on Money, opening with Proverbs 24:26 (KJV) — "Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer." In this eye-opening discussion, they highlight that Scripture actually speaks more about money than prayer, with 11 parables touching on finances, exposing a gap in how the Church often fails to teach congregants on managing the remaining 90% after tithing. They also address the sobering reality of believers trapped in debt, struggling to even give the 10%. A challenging and necessary conversation calling the Church to sound financial discipleship. #MoneyAndScripture #PastorBandileCiliza #LukhoMkwedi #Proverbs24 #KJVBible #FinancialDiscipleship #WordOfGod #BiblicalTruth #RadioPulpit

‘The fruit of that righteousness will be peace.’ Isaiah 32:17 NIV Making peace with your past We are the sum total of everything we have experienced – both good and bad. We can engage in wishful thinking and imagine that our past negative behaviour had never occurred, or we can decide to accept the reality of it. How we choose to respond to the past will determine our destiny. We have all sinned, and we either responded by asking for God’s forgiveness and going forwards, or we are still stuck in guilt. Indeed, we may actually develop anxiety about possible consequences. Many people are plagued with jealousy because of their own infidelity or prior indiscretions. They live in fear that one day they will reap what they have sown. Some have even resorted to verbal and physical abuse of their partners in order to ward off what they feel will be inevitable. When we repent, we must believe God’s Word: ‘Their sins…I will remember no more’ (Hebrews 10:17 NIV). God doesn’t remember confessed sin, so we need to stop rehearsing it. God doesn’t want to hear about it ever again: ‘When sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices’ (Hebrews 10:18 NLT). Once is enough. There is no need to repent continually. To do so is to offer another ‘sacrifice’. Too many people sacrifice the rest of their lives on the altar of remorse over past transgressions. Yes, you should make every effort to line up your life with the requirements of God’s Word. And when you’ve done that, then stand on this Scripture: ‘The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.’

“Wie reg doen, sal vrede hê…” Jesaja 32:17 AFR83 Maak vrede met jou verlede Ons is die somtotaal van alles wat ons al ervaar het - beide goed en sleg. Ons kan wens dat ons vorige negatiewe gedrag nooit plaasgevind het nie, of ons kan besluit om die werklikheid daarvan te aanvaar. Hoe ons kies om op die verlede te reageer, sal ons lot bepaal. Ons het almal gesondig en ons het óf daarop gereageer deur God se vergifnis te vra en vorentoe te beweeg, óf ons sit steeds in skuldgevoelens vasgevang. Ons kan selfs angs oor moontlike gevolge ontwikkel. Baie mense word deur jaloesie as gevolg van hul eie ontrouheid of vorige oortredings geteister. Hulle leef in vrees dat hulle eendag sal maai wat hulle gesaai het. Sommiges sal selfs hul lewensmaats verbaal en fisies mishandel om dit wat hulle voel onvermydelik is, af te weer. Wanneer ons berou toon, moet ons God se Woord glo: ‘…Ek sal aan hulle sondes en hulle oortredings nooit weer dink nie’ (Hebreërs 10:17 NLV). God onthou nie belyde sonde nie, daarom moet ons ophou om dit op te haal. God wil dit nooit weer hoor nie: ‘Inderdaad, waar sondevergifnis ‘n werklikheid is, is geen verdere offer vir die sonde nodig nie’ (Hebreërs 10:18 NLV). Een keer is genoeg. Dit is nie nodig om voortdurend berou daaroor te hê nie. Wanner jy dit doen, is jy besig om ‘n ‘verdere offer’ te bring. Te veel mense offer die res van hul lewens op die altaar van berou oor vorige oortredings. Ja, jy moet alles in jou vermoë doen om jou lewe in lyn met die vereistes van God se Woord te bring. Wanneer jy dit egter gedoen het, moet jy op hierdie Skrifgedeelte staan: ‘Wie reg doen, sal vrede hê; wie volhard in regdoen, sal vir altyd rus en sekerheid geniet.’

‘Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give.’ 2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV Allow God in your finances God can be sitting on the sidelines watching you struggle financially or actively involved as your financial partner. It all depends on what kind of steward you are. Your finances are yet another area of life where you can begin to experience an interactive relationship with your heavenly Father. But if you want God involved in your finances, you need to put your finances to work for God’s interests. ‘Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well’ (Matthew 6:33 NIV). That means you need to give. And you can start with what He’s already given you. That might mean a percentage of your next month’s salary or a part of your net worth. Wherever the voice of generosity leads you, you need to follow it. Again, this isn’t about giving to get. It’s about neutralising the fears that have been hindering the spirit of generosity inside you. It’s about discovering the thrill of taking part in God’s plan and experiencing the security that comes from knowing that your provider is the One who owns all provisions. When you sow, God shows up in amazing ways. ‘God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous’ (2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NLT). Once you experience the perfect provision of a loving heavenly Father, your fears will begin to evaporate.

“Elkeen moet gee soos hy in sy hart besluit het…” 2 Korintiërs 9:7 NLV Maak God by jou finansies betrokke God kan op die kantlyn sit en kyk hoe jy finansieel sukkel, of as jou finansiële vennoot aktief betrokke raak. Dit hang alles af van watter soort rentmeester jy is. Jou finansies is nog ‘n area van die lewe waar jy ‘n interaktiewe verhouding met jou hemelse Vader kan begin bou. As jy egter wil hê dat God by jou finansies betrokke moet wees, moet jy jou finansies vir God se belange aanwend. ‘Nee, maak eers die koningsheerskappy van God en dit wat voor Hom reg is, julle heel eerste prioriteit; dan sal God vir julle al hierdie ander dinge as ‘n bonus byvoeg’ (Matteus 6:33 NLV). Dit beteken dat jy moet gee. Jy kan begin met dit wat Hy jou reeds gegee het. Dit kan ‘n persentasie van jou volgende maand se salaris of ‘n deel van jou netto waarde wees. Jy moet volg waarheen die stem van vrygewigheid jou ook al lei. Dit gaan egter nie daaroor om te gee net sodat jy kan kry nie. Dit gaan daaroor om die vrese wat die gees van vrygewigheid binne-in jou belemmer, te neutraliseer. Dit gaan daaroor om die opwinding te ontdek om aan God se plan deel te neem en die sekuriteit te ervaar wat uit die wete dat jou voorsiener die Een is wat alles besit, voortspruit. ‘God wat saad voorsien aan die saaier en dan brood om te eet, sal ook aan julle saad gee en dit laat toeneem en die vrugte van julle goedhartigheid lieflik laat groei. In elke opsig sal julle ryk gemaak word om ook by elke geleentheid vrygewig te kan wees…’ (2 Korintiërs 9:10-11 NLV). Sodra jy die volmaakte voorsiening van ‘n liefdevolle hemelse Vader begin ervaar, sal jou vrese begin verdwyn.

‘If you favour some people over others, you are committing a sin.’ James 2:9 NLT Guard against prejudice James wrote to the church: ‘Suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewellery, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor” – well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? If you favour some people over others, you are committing a sin’ (vv. 2-4, 9 NLT). The early church grew rapidly because prejudice had no place there. Although the Jews and Samaritans despised each other, Jesus made a place for Nicodemus, a Jewish leader, and the Gentile woman at the well who’d been married five times. The early church made room for Onesimus, the former slave, at the same table as Philemon, his wealthy former master. The gospel gives everyone, everywhere, a place of dignity at Christ’s table. The sin of discrimination stands on two legs: prejudice and presumption. And they should have no place in your life. The ancient prophet Habakkuk climbed up in his watchtower in order to ‘watch to see what [God] will say unto me’ (Habakkuk 2:1 KJV). Too much of our Christian experience is taken up with us saying something to God, and spending too little time listening to what God is saying to us. He definitely has something to say to us about discrimination. So ask Him to help you to view people through His loving eyes. You just might see a few people differently than you have in the past.

“Maar as julle teen mense diskrimineer, doen julle sonde…” Jakobus 2:9 NLV Waak teen vooroordeel Jakobus het vir die kerk geskryf: ‘Gestel daar kom iemand in julle samekoms in met duur juwele en baie mooi klere aan, en daar kom terselfdertyd ook iemand in wat brandarm is en verslete klere aanhet. As julle dan ‘n ophef maak van die persoon met die deftige klere, en julle sê vir hom: ‘U moet asseblief hier gemaklik kom sit,’ maar vir die arm man sê julle: ‘Jy kan maar daar anderkant gaan sit,’ of: ‘Kom sit hier op die vloer,’ sal julle nie toegee dat julle diskrimineer en mense op grond van verkeerde bewegings beoordeel nie?.. as julle teen mense diskrimineer, doen julle sonde…’ (verse 2-4; 9 NLV). Die vroeë kerk het vinnig gegroei omdat daar geen plek vir vooroordeel was nie. Alhoewel die Jode en Samaritane mekaar verag het, het Jesus ‘n plek vir Nikodemus, ‘n Joodse leier, en vir die nie-Joodse vrou by die put wat vyf keer getroud was, gemaak. Die vroeë kerk het plek vir Onesimus, die voormalige slaaf, aan dieselfde tafel as Filemon, sy welgestelde voormalige meester, gemaak. Die evangelie gee almal, oral, ‘n plek van waardigheid aan Christus se tafel. Diskriminasie behoort geen plek in jou lewe te hê nie. Die profeet Habakuk het in sy uitkyktoring geklim om te ‘…wag om te sien wat die Here vir my gaan sê…’ (Habakuk 2:1 NLV). Te veel van ons Christelike ervaring gaan daaroor om iets vir God te sê en te min tyd word bestee om te luister na wat God vir ons sê. Hy het beslis iets vir ons oor diskriminasie te sê. Vra Hom dus om jou te help om mense deur sy liefdevolle oë te beskou. Jy mag dalk net ‘n paar mense anders as in die verlede sien.

‘God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the Lord your God loves you.’ Deuteronomy 23:5 NKJV God can turn the curse into a blessing Paul told the Corinthians, ‘Therefore we do not lose heart…For our light affliction…is working for us’ (2 Corinthians 4:16-17 NKJV). Jim Stovall proved this to be true. At age seventeen, his doctor told him he was losing his sight, and nothing could be done to reverse it. Rather than drop out of life, he pursued a college degree and also studied privately with a very successful entrepreneur. His goal was to be in business for himself, even if blind, so that he might manage his own career and life. Even though he had prepared himself for blindness, when the day came that he could no longer see, he felt devastated. In his book, You Don’t Have to Be Blind to See, he said, ‘All I wanted to do was sit in my living room and listen to music.’ But then Jim dug deep down in his faith and, as he said, ‘God opened my inner eyes to a new idea.’ He entered a highly unusual field for a blind person – television! He founded the Narrative Television Network to aid visually impaired people. NTN adds more ‘descriptive narration’ to soundtracks so that listeners might visualise a programme or film and enjoy it more fully. NTN broadcasts to over 20 million households, and amazingly, some 60 per cent of the audience can see. For his work, Jim received television’s highest honour, the Emmy Award, after only one season on the air! So the word for today is this: God can make your problem ‘work for you’ and ‘turn a curse into a blessing’.

“…Hy het die vloek in ‘n seën verander omdat die Here jou God jou liefhet.” Deuteronomium 23:5 NLV God kan die vloek in ‘n seën verander Paulus het vir die Korintiërs gesê: ‘Om hierdie rede gee ons nie moed op nie… Ons swaarkry… bewerk vir ons ‘n heerlikheid…’ (2 Korintiërs 4:16-17 NLV). Jim Stovall het bewys dat dit waar is. Op sewentienjarige ouderdom het sy dokter vir hom gesê dat hy besig is om sy sig te verloor en dat daar niks gedoen kan word om dit om te keer nie. Eerder as om in sak en as te gaan sit, het hy ‘n universiteitsgraad bekom en ook privaat by ‘n baie suksesvolle entrepreneur gestudeer. Sy doelwit was om vir homself ‘n besigheid te bou, selfs al was hy blind, sodat hy sy eie loopbaan en lewe kon bestuur. Alhoewel hy homself vir blindheid voorberei het, het hy verpletter gevoel toe die dag aanbreek dat hy nie meer kon sien nie. In sy boek, ‘You Don't Have to Be Blind to See’, het hy geskryf: ‘Al wat ek wou doen, was om in my sitkamer te sit en na musiek te luister.’ Jim het egter diep in sy geloof gedelf en gesê: ‘God het my innerlike oë vir ‘n nuwe idee oopgemaak.’ Hy het ‘n hoogs ongewone veld vir ‘n blinde persoon betree - televisie! Hy het die Narrative Television Network (NTN) gestig om gesiggestremde mense te help. NTN voeg ‘beskrywende vertellings’ by klankbane, sodat luisteraars ‘n program of film kan visualiseer en dit meer kan geniet. NTN saai na meer as 20 miljoen huishouding uit en verbasend genoeg kan sowat 60 persent van hulle gehoor sien. Vir sy werk het Jim televisie se hoogste eerbewys, die Emmy-toekenning, na slegs een seisoen op die lug ontvang! Die woord vir vandag is dus: God kan jou probleem vir jou bewerk en ‘n ‘…vloek in ‘n seën verander…’

‘Though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.’ 2 Corinthians 4:16 NKJV Victory is an ‘inside job’ In 1928, a happy, ambitious young nursing student was diagnosed with tuberculosis. Back then, such a diagnosis often meant a death sentence. Her family sent her to a nursing home for several months, hoping she would be cured. She was destined to remain in bed for the next twenty-one years! Many people would have given up, but not Isabel Smith. She approached the threshold of death on several occasions, but her faith remained strong, and she never ceased to pursue the art of living. She read voraciously, wrote letters, studied geography, and taught other patients to read and write. From her bed she studied atomic energy with a fellow patient, a young physicist, and organised a town hall meeting on the topic. While ill, she met a kind, gentle man, also a patient at the sanatorium. She dreamed of marrying him and having a little house ‘under the mountains’. At her lowest ebb, her dream kept her going. And in 1948, she got married. She then authored a book called Wish I Might, which was published in 1955. The book was ‘about all the good things life has brought me’, and it earned her enough royalties to buy her the mountain retreat she dreamed of. A tragic life? Hardly! Isabel Smith achieved everything she set out to achieve, though the odds against her were overwhelming. Even when flat on her back in bed, she never stopped growing, learning, dreaming, and giving. ‘Though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.’ Victory is an ‘inside job’.

“…Al is ons uiterlike mens besig om te vergaan, innerlik word ons van dag tot dag vernuwe.” 2 Korintiërs 4:16 NLV Oorwinning is ‘n ‘inside job’ In 1928 is ‘n gelukkige, ambisieuse jong verpleegstudent met tuberkulose gediagnoseer. Destyds het so ‘n diagnose dikwels ‘n doodsvonnis beteken. Haar familie het haar vir ‘n paar maande na ‘n sanitorium gestuur in die hoop dat sy genees sou word. Sy was egter bestem om vir die volgende een-en-twintig jaar in die bed te bly! Baie mense sou moed opgegee het, maar nie Isabel Smith nie. Sy was ‘n paar keer op die drumpel van die dood, maar haar geloof het sterk gebly en sy het nooit opgehou om positief en met ywer te leef nie. Sy het gulsig gelees, briewe geskryf, aardrykskunde bestudeer en ander pasiënte leer lees en skryf. Terwyl sy siek was, het sy ‘n vriendelike, sagte man ontmoet wat ook ‘n pasiënt by die sanatorium was. Sy het daarvan gedroom om met hom te trou en in ‘n klein huisie aan die voet van die berge te bly. Op haar laagste het haar droom haar aan die gang gehou. Sy is in 1948 getroud. Sy het toe ‘n boek met die titel ‘Wish I Might’ geskryf, wat in 1955 gepubliseer is. Die boek het gehandel oor ‘al die goeie dinge wat die lewe my gebring het’, en sy het genoeg geld daaruit verdien om die bergtoevlugsoord waarvan sy gedroom het, te koop. ‘n Tragiese lewe? Glad nie! Isabel Smith het alles bereik wat sy wou, alhoewel die kanse teen haar oorweldigend was. Selfs toe sy plat op haar rug in die bed gelê het, het sy nooit ophou groei, leer, droom en gee nie. ‘…Al is ons uiterlike mens besig om te vergaan, innerlik word ons van dag tot dag vernuwe.’ Oorwinning is ‘n ‘inside job.’

‘Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.’ Proverbs 13:4 NLT The rewards of vision and hard work In the autumn of 1894, Guglielmo retreated to his room on the third floor. All summer while on holiday, he read books and filled notebooks with squiggly diagrams. Now the time had come for him to work. Every day, he rose early. He worked all day and long into the night, to the point that his mother became alarmed. He had never been a robust person, but now he had become appallingly thin. His face was drawn, and his eyes were often glazed over with fatigue. Finally, the day came when he announced that his instruments were ready. He invited the family to his room and, pushing a button, he succeeded in ringing a bell on the first floor! While his mother was amazed, his father was not. He saw no use in being able to send a signal so short a distance. So Guglielmo laboured on. Little by little, he made changes in his sending circuits so he could send a signal from one hill to the next and then beyond the hill. Eventually his invention was perfected – partly due to vision and inspiration, but mostly due to perseverance. Guglielmo Marconi was eventually hailed as the inventor of wireless telegraphy, radio’s forerunner. He not only received a Nobel Prize in physics but also acquired a seat in the Italian senate. If you want what successful people have, you must be willing to do what successful people do. And 99 per cent of their success is due to vision and hard work. ‘Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.’

“Luiaards begeer baie dinge, maar hulle kry dit nie. Mense wat hard werk, het meer as wat hulle kan begeer.” Spreuke 13:4 NLV Die beloning vir visie en harde werk In die herfs van 1894 het Guglielmo hom in sy kamer op die derde verdieping afgesonder. Die hele somer terwyl hy met vakansie was, het hy boeke gelees en notaboeke met kronkelende diagramme vol geskryf. Nou het die tyd vir hom aangebreek om te werk. Elke dag het hy vroeg opgestaan. Hy het heeldag en tot laat in die nag gewerk, soveel so dat sy moeder bekommerd oor hom begin raak het. Hy was nog nooit ‘n sterk persoon nie, maar nou het hy verskriklik maer geword en sy oë was dikwels glaserig van moegheid. Uiteindelik het die dag aangebreek om sy werk ten toon te stel. Hy het die gesin na sy kamer genooi en deur ‘n knoppie te druk, het hy daarin geslaag om ‘n klokkie op die eerste verdieping te laat lui! Sy ma was beïndruk, maar nie sy pa nie. Hy het geen nut daarin gesien om ‘n sein oor so kort afstand te kan stuur nie. Dus het Guglielmo aanhou werk. Bietjie vir bietjie het hy veranderinge aangebring totdat hy ‘n sein van een heuwel na die volgende en dan selfs verder as die heuwel kon stuur. Uiteindelik is sy uitvinding vervolmaak - deels danksy visie en inspirasie, maar meestal danksy deursettingsvermoë. Guglielmo Marconi is uiteindelik as die uitvinder van draadlose telegrafie, die voorloper van die radio, beskou. Hy het nie net ‘n Nobelprys vir fisika ontvang nie, maar ook ‘n setel in die Italiaanse senaat verwerf. As jy wil hê wat suksesvolle mense het, moet jy bereid wees om te doen wat suksesvolle mense doen. 99 persent van hul sukses is egter aan visie en harde werk te danke. ‘Luiaards begeer baie dinge, maar hulle kry dit nie. Mense wat hard werk, het meer as wat hulle kan begeer.’

‘He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.’ Psalm 107:20 KJV God can heal you (5) Here’s a prayer for healing and continued good health: ‘Father, the power of Your Word is the source of my healing and continued good health. It declares that You have delivered me from all destruction. I may have made decisions in the past that caused ill health in my life, but You have forgiven me in Christ, and You deliver me continuously from all sickness, pain, weakness, and disease. Your Word says: “Because you have made the Lord…your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling” (Psalm 91:9-10 NKJV). You are my refuge and my dwelling place. There is no sickness in Your presence, and since I abide in you, sickness cannot remain in my life. I am protected because I am in Christ. Your Word says, “Let the weak say, ‘I am strong’” (Joel 3:10 NKJV). So I call myself strong even when I feel weak. Lord, your Word says You will satisfy my mouth with good things so that my youth is renewed (see Psalm 103:5). You are my source of complete satisfaction, and I believe my youth and strength are being renewed. As a result, I age gracefully in Christ. Lord, Your Word says that I can call upon You, and You will answer me. You will be with me in trouble; You will deliver me and honour me. With long life You will satisfy me, and show me Your salvation (see Psalm 91:15-16). Therefore, I stand on Your Word and declare by faith: “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord”’ (Psalm 118:17 NKJV).

“Met ‘n woord het Hy hulle genees, en hulle van die dood weggeruk.” Psalm 107:20 NLV God kan jou genees (5) Hier is ‘n gebed vir genesing en volgehoue goeie gesondheid: ‘Vader, die krag van u Woord is die bron van my genesing en volgehoue goeie gesondheid. Dit verklaar dat U my van alle vernietiging verlos het. Ek het dalk in die verlede besluite geneem wat swak gesondheid in my lewe veroorsaak het, maar U het my in Christus vergewe, en U verlos my voortdurend van alle siekte, pyn, swakheid en kwale. U Woord sê: ‘As die Here jou toevlug is, as die Allerhoogste jou skuilplek is, sal geen kwaad jou tref, en geen ramp naby jou tent kom nie’ (Psalm 91:9-10 NLV). U is my toevlug en my skuilplek. Daar is geen siekte in u teenwoordigheid nie en aangesien ek in U bly, kan siekte nie in my lewe bly nie. Ek word beskerm omdat ek in Christus is. U Woord sê: ‘…laat die swakkes sê: Ek is sterk’ (Joël 3:10 KAB23). Daarom noem ek myself sterk, selfs wanneer ek swak voel. Here, u Woord sê U sal my lewe met goeie dinge vul, sodat my jeug vernuwe word (sien Psalm 103:5). U is my bron van volkome tevredenheid en ek glo dat my jeug en krag hernu word. Gevolglik verouder ek goedgunstelik in Christus. Here, u Woord sê dat ek U kan aanroep en dat U my sal antwoord. U sal by my wees in nood; U sal my verlos en my eer herstel. U sal vir my ‘n lang lewe gee en my u verlossing wys (sien Psalm 91:15-16). Daarom staan ek op u Woord en verklaar deur geloof: ‘Ek sal nie sterf nie, maar lewe, en van die Here se werke vertel’ (Psalm 118:17 NLV).’

‘He who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit.’ Matthew 13:23 NKJV God can heal you (4) Just because you haven’t seen results yet doesn’t mean your prayer is not being answered. The Word of God is a seed; it needs time to produce fruit. Ask God for the grace to hold on to what you believe from His Word while it takes root and grows. No matter what the situation, it’s always a good time to be thankful. Satan wants you to focus on your circumstances and what appears unchanged instead of thanking God for the part of your life that has gotten better. As you are standing in faith and allowing the Word to work inside you, continue to meditate on the promises of God about healing. God’s Word works when you plant it in your heart. Keep watering that seed by continuing to speak God’s promises over your life. God said: ‘The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it’ (Isaiah 55:10-11 NLT). What did God say about His Word? ‘It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.’ Keep your faith strong and stand on God’s Word; ‘I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living’ (Psalm 27:13 NIV).

“Hulle by wie op die goeie grond gesaai is, is dié wat die boodskap hoor en verstaan. Hulle dra vrug en bring ‘n oorvloedige oes voort…” Matteus 13:23 NLV God kan jou genees (4) Net omdat jy nog nie resultate gesien het nie, beteken nie dat jou gebed nie verhoor word nie. Die Woord van God is ‘n saad; dit het tyd nodig om vrugte te dra. Vra God vir die genade om aan dit wat jy glo uit sy Woord vas te hou, terwyl dit wortel skiet en groei. Ongeag die situasie, is dit altyd ‘n goeie tyd om dankbaar te wees. Satan wil hê dat jy op jou omstandighede en wat onveranderd lyk, moet fokus, in plaas daarvan om God te dank vir die deel van jou lewe wat beter geword het. Terwyl jy in geloof staan en die Woord toelaat om binne-in jou te werk, moet jy aanhou om oor die beloftes van God wat oor genesing handel, te mediteer. God se Woord werk wanneer jy dit in jou hart plant. Hou aan om daardie saad nat te gooi deur God se beloftes oor jou lewe te spreek. God het gesê: ‘Reën en sneeu kom uit die hemel, en dit gaan nie daarheen terug nie. Dit maak die aarde nat om die plante te laat bot en vrugte te laat dra, sodat daar saad is om te saai en brood om te eet. Net so is dit met die woord wat uit my mond kom. Dit sal nie leeg na My toe terugkeer nie, maar dit sal doen wat Ek verwag en die doel bereik waarvoor Ek dit gestuur het’ (Jesaja 55:10-11 NLV). Hou jou geloof sterk en staan vas op God se Woord: ‘Tog is ek daarvan oortuig: Die Here se goedheid sal ek sien hier in die land van die lewendes’ (Psalm 27:13 NLV).

‘At the proper time we will reap…if we do not give up.’ Galatians 6:9 NIV God can heal you (3) Healing can happen in different ways. Sometimes God performs a miracle and instantly heals someone. Other times He heals a person progressively. When looking at Scripture and the many miracles Jesus performed, it’s easy to think He always healed people in the same fashion. But on closer examination, we see that in many cases He didn’t do the same thing twice. For instance, here’s how He healed those who were blind: 1) In Matthew 9:29, Jesus healed two blind men by simply touching their eyes. 2) In Mark 10:52, He healed blind Bartimaeus by speaking to him rather than touching him. 3) In Mark 8:22-25, He put saliva on a blind man’s eyes and laid hands on him twice before he was completely healed. Jesus wasn’t bound by one method of healing people – but He was always willing to heal them. Regardless of the method, the receivers consistently showed belief in His ability to heal and willingness to release His power on their behalf. And the same is true today! If you’ve prayed for healing and nothing happened immediately, that doesn’t mean your faith faltered. It also doesn’t mean that God is angry at you or that He wants you to suffer. It just means it’s time to thank God that you are taking Him at His Word and believing you are getting progressively better day by day: ‘By whose stripes you were healed’ (1 Peter 2:24 NKJV). That means believing that what is already accomplished in the Spirit realm will eventually manifest itself in the physical realm. From God’s perspective, your healing has been bought and paid for.

“…as ons nie tou opgooi nie, sal ons op die regte tyd oes.” Galasiërs 6:9 NLV God kan jou genees (3) Genesing kan op verskillende maniere plaasvind. Soms verrig God ‘n wonderwerk en genees iemand onmiddellik. Ander kere genees Hy iemand progressief. Wanneer ons na die Skrif kyk en die vele wonderwerke wat Jesus verrig het, is dit maklik om te dink dat Hy mense altyd op dieselfde manier genees het. By nadere ondersoek sien ons egter dat Hy in baie gevalle nie twee keer dieselfde opgetree het nie. 1) In Matteus 9:29 het Jesus twee blinde mans genees deur bloot aan hulle oë te raak. 2) In Markus 10:52 het Hy die blinde Bartimeus genees deur met hom te praat, eerder as om hom aan te raak. 3) In Markus 8:22-25 het Hy speeksel aan ‘n blinde man se oë gesmeer en hom twee keer die hande opgelê voordat hy heeltemal genees was. Jesus was nie aan een metode om mense te genees gebonde nie - maar Hy was altyd bereid om hulle te genees. Ongeag die metode, het die ontvangers konsekwent geloof in sy vermoë om te genees en bereidwilligheid om sy krag namens hulle vry te stel, getoon. Dieselfde is vandag ook waar! As jy vir genesing gebid het en niks gebeur onmiddellik nie, beteken dit nie dat jou geloof wankel nie. Dit beteken ook nie dat God kwaad is vir jou of dat Hy wil hê jy moet ly nie. Dit beteken net dat dit tyd is om God te dank dat jy in sy belofte kan glo en dat jy dag vir dag progressief beter word: ‘…Deur sý verwonding is julle genees!’ (1 Petrus 2:24 NLV). Dit beteken om te glo dat dit wat reeds in die geestelike ryk bereik is, uiteindelik in die fisiese ryk sal manifesteer. Vanuit God se perspektief is jou genesing reeds gekoop en betaal.

‘He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.’ Psalm 103:3 NLT God can heal you (2) The psalmist wrote: ‘Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies’ (vv. 2-4 NLT). David reminded himself of these four things, and you should too. God had forgiven all his sins. God had healed all his diseases. God had redeemed his life from death and destruction. God had crowned him with love, kindness, mercy, and favour. The Bible records: ‘A vast crowd brought to him people who were lame, blind, crippled, those who couldn’t speak, and many others. They laid them before Jesus, and he healed them all’ (Matthew 15:30 NLT). Were these born-again Christians that Jesus healed? No, this took place before the cross. Think about it: if Jesus was willing to heal all of them, then as a redeemed child of God who has put your trust in Christ for salvation, He can heal you too. Are you a believer? Yes? Then read this Scripture and stand on it: ‘These signs will follow those who believe…they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover’ (Mark 16:17-18 NKJV). James wrote: ‘Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up’ (James 5:14-15 NKJV). If you are sick, stand on God’s Word and believe Him to heal you.

“Hy vergewe al jou sondes, en genees al jou siektes.” Psalm 103:3 NLV God kan jou genees (2) Die Psalmdigter het geskryf: ‘Ek wil die Here prys en nie sy goeie dade vergeet nie. Hy vergewe al jou sondes, en genees al jou siektes. Hy verlos jou van die dood, bekroon jou met liefde en medelye’ (verse 2-4 NLV). Dawid het homself aan hierdie vier dinge herinner. Jy moet dit ook doen. God het al sy sondes vergewe. God het al sy siektes genees. God het sy lewe verlos van die dood en vernietiging. God het hom met liefde, vriendelikheid, barmhartigheid en guns gekroon. Die Bybel sê: ‘’n Groot skare het met hulle verlamdes, blindes, kreupeles, stommes en nog baie ander siekes na Jesus toe gekom en hulle voor Hom neergesit. En Hy het hulle gesond gemaak’ (Matteus 15:30 NLV). Was dit wedergebore Christene wat Jesus genees het? Nee, dit was voor die kruis plaasgevind het. Dink daaraan: as Jesus bereid was om hulle almal te genees, dan kan Hy jou, wat ‘n verloste kind van God is en wat jou vertroue in Christus vir verlossing geplaas het, ook genees. Is jy ‘n gelowige? Ja? Lees dan hierdie Skrifgedeelte en staan daarop: ‘Hierdie is die wondertekens wat dié sal beleef wat glo:.. Hulle sal siekes die hande oplê, en hulle sal gesond word’ (Markus 16:17-18 NLV). Jakobus het geskryf: ‘Is daar van julle wat siek is? Dan moet julle die ouderlinge van die gemeente laat kom. Nadat die ouderlinge die siekes met olyfolie in die Naam van die Here gesalf het, moet hulle vir hulle bid. En ‘n gelowige gebed sal die siek mens gesond laat word; die Here sal hom laat opstaan…’ (Jakobus 5:14-15 NLV). As jy siek is, staan op God se Woord en glo dat Hy jou sal genees.

‘“I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!”’ Matthew 8:3 NLT God can heal you (1) The Bible says: ‘A man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me.”…Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared’ (vv. 2-3 NLT). God does not want us to go through life wondering if it’s His will to heal us. That’s why He graciously gave us His Word. David said: ‘O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health. You brought me up from the grave’ (Psalm 30:2-3 NLT). God is so serious about our healing that He connected it to the death of Jesus on the cross. ‘Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness – by whose stripes you were healed’ (1 Peter 2:24 NKJV). We don’t doubt Christ’s triumph over death at the cross or our salvation because of it. Neither should we doubt the Father’s will to heal us. Note the words, ‘By whose stripes you were healed.’ That’s past tense. From God’s perspective, all that’s required for your healing was accomplished at the cross. This leper knew that Jesus could heal him; he just didn’t know if He would. Jesus cleared up his doubt with three powerful words: ‘I am willing.’ And then He said, ‘Be healed!’ (Matthew 8:3 NLT). The Bible records that the man’s leprosy disappeared instantly. It also says: ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever’ (Hebrews 13:8 NKJV). That means you can go to Him with confidence and believe for your healing.

“…Ek wil dit vir jou doen. Word gesond!...” Matteus 8:3 NLV God kan jou genees (1) Die Bybel sê: ‘Daar kom toe onverwags ‘n melaatse nader en val voor Jesus neer met die woorde: ‘Here as U wil, kan U my gesond maak.’ Daarop steek Jesus sy hand na hom toe uit, raak hom aan en sê: ‘Ek wil dit vir jou doen. Word gesond!’ En dadelik het sy melaatsheid verdwyn’ (verse 2-3 NLV). God wil nie hê dat ons deur die lewe moet gaan en wonder of dit sy wil is om ons te genees nie. Daarom het Hy genadiglik sy Woord aan ons gegee. Dawid het gesê: ‘Here my God, ek het na U geroep om hulp en U het my gesond gemaak. Here, U het my gered van die doderyk…’ (Psalm 30:3-4 NLV). God is so ernstig oor ons genesing dat Hy dit met Jesus se dood aan die kruis verbind het. ‘Hy het self ons sondes in sy liggaam weggedra kruis toe. Só is ons vry van die sonde. Nou kan ons lewe omdat God ons verhouding met Hom herstel het. Deur sý verwonding is julle genees!’ (1 Petrus 2:24 NLV). Ons twyfel nie aan Christus se triomf oor die dood aan die kruis of ons verlossing daardeur nie. Ons moet ook nie die Vader se wil om ons te genees, betwyfel nie. Vanuit God se perspektief is alles wat vir jou genesing nodig is, reeds aan die kruis volbring. Hierdie melaatse man het geweet dat Jesus hom kon genees; hy het net nie geweet of Hy sou nie. Jesus het sy twyfel met twee kragtige sinne uit die weg geruim: ‘…Ek wil dit vir jou doen. Word gesond!’ (Matteus 8:3 NLV). Die Bybel sê: ‘Jesus Christus bly steeds dieselfde – gister, vandag en vir altyd!’ (Hebreërs 13:8 NLV). Dit beteken dat jy met vertroue na Hom toe kan gaan en Hom glo vir jou genesing.

‘Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.’ Isaiah 40:31 NKJV Take time for rest and restoration Feeling tired tells you: 1) that your body needs to rest, 2) to take life at a more normal human pace, and 3) to take time to just abide in the presence of God. God ‘rested on the seventh day’ (Genesis 2:2 ESV). Think about that. God – the One who transcends all things, knows all things, and has all power – rested! What makes you think you don’t have to? Now if you’re wired to work, not working will be a difficult habit to get into, even for a few hours. But rest is a secret weapon God gave you to help you defeat the enemy. When you’re exhausted, you’re of little use to God or anyone else. This is one of the main reasons Satan has you running here and there, doing, doing, doing. If he can’t tempt you with addictive substances, wrong relationships, and bad habits, he will tempt you with overdoing good deeds. He wants you to exhaust yourself so that when the real battle – the one you were meant to fight – comes along, you’ll be too tired. John wrote: ‘I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers’ (3 John 2 NKJV). But your soul is not prospering when it is exhausted and stretched to the max, with little time for rest or restoration. What to do? Lay your schedule at the feet of Jesus, including any new projects. Wait for His direction. If it seems slow in coming, stand on this Scripture: ‘Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.’

“Maar dié wat hulle hoop op die Here stel, sal hulle krag terugkry…” Jesaja 40:31 NLV Neem tyd vir rus en herstel Wanneer jy moeg voel, sê dit vir jou: 1) dat jou liggaam rus nodig het, 2) dat jy die lewe teen ‘n stadiger tempo moet benader, en 3) dat jy tyd moet neem om in die teenwoordigheid van God te vertoef. God het op die sewende dag gerus (sien Genesis 2:2). God - die Een wat alle dinge oortref, alle dinge weet en alle mag het - het gerus! Wat laat jou dink dat jy nie rus nodig het nie? As jy daaraan gewoond is om altyd aan die gang te wees, sal dit moeilik wees om selfs vir ‘n paar uur nie te werk nie. Rus is egter ‘n geheime wapen wat God jou gegee het om jou te help om die vyand te verslaan. Wanneer jy uitgeput is, is jy van min nut vir God of enigiemand anders. Dit is een van die hoofredes waarom Satan jou hiernatoe en daarnatoe laat hardloop. As hy jou nie met verslawing, verkeerde verhoudings en slegte gewoontes kan versoek nie, sal hy jou met ‘n besige skedule versoek. Hy wil hê jy moet jouself uitput sodat wanneer die ware stryd aanbreek, jy te moeg sal wees om weerstand te bied. Johannes het geskryf: ‘…ek hou aan bid dat dit in alle opsigte met jou goed mag gaan en dat jy nét so gesond sal wees soos dit geestelik goed met jou gaan’ (3 Johannes 2 NLV). Jou siel floreer nie wanneer jy uitgeput en in alle rigtings getrek word, met min tyd vir rus of herstel, nie. Wat staan jou dus te doen? Lê jou skedule, insluitend enige nuwe projekte, voor Jesus se voete neer. Wag vir sy leiding. Staan op die volgende Skrifgedeelte: ‘Maar dié wat hulle hoop op die Here stel, sal hulle krag terugkry…’

Janine van Niekerk gesels met Venessa Schoeman (Redakteur van Voelgoed Media en dieetkundige) en Lynette Beer (Motiveringsspreker, teoloog en verhoudingsspesialis) oor hulle nuwe boek, “Verloor gewig op jou manier” - omdat jou temperament ‘n groot Invloed het op jou gesondheid en ook hoe jy jou gewigsverlies reis aanpak.

Bahle Nhlapho welcomes Pastor Interest Mathebula to the studio for a powerful live conversation titled "You Were Not Born to Be Defined by What Broke You." In this deeply moving discussion, they unpack how our identity is not meant to be shaped by our brokenness, pain, or past wounds, but by who God says we truly are. An empowering and healing conversation for anyone ready to break free from a defeated identity and step into wholeness. #NotDefinedByWhatBrokeYou #PastorInterestMathebula #BahleNhlapho #IdentityInChrist #HealingAndWholeness #WordOfGod #BiblicalTruth #RadioPulpit

Bahle Nhlapho welcomes Pastor Vusi Maseko to the studio for a Book Review of Kingdom Mandate. In this engaging conversation, he shares the heart and inspiration behind the book, unpacking its message and what he hopes readers will grasp about walking in their God-given mandate. An insightful and edifying conversation celebrating this new addition to Christian literature. #KingdomMandate #VusiMaseko #BookReview #BahleNhlapho #ChristianLiterature #RadioPulpit #BiblicalTruth

Bahle Nhlapho returns to the studio for an impactful segment of Motivation with Mrs Mantwa Yika, also known as Dr Ntombo, as she unpacks the principle "Work Smart, Don't Work Hard." In this insightful segment, she challenges listeners to shift from mere effort to strategic, intentional productivity, working with wisdom rather than exhausting themselves without clear direction. An empowering and practical word for anyone seeking to maximise impact without burning out. #WorkSmartNotHard #MantwaYika #DrNtombo #BahleNhlapho #Motivation #WisdomInWork #RadioPulpit #BiblicalTruth

Janine van Niekerk gesels oor die mooiste klanke in die wêreld, en die wonder van klank (baie keer die Here se stem) in die ou en nuwe testament.

Ons motivering vir die oggend kom uit die hart en talente van Jaco Strydom met sy plat op die aarde verstaan van God en sy mense. Vandag se tema: “Geluk is...”

In vandag se episode van In10tionally Hungry for Life, gesels Rudi Geldenhuys en Dr. Janine do Cabo oor die Woord daag ons uit om op die mees sensitiewe area van ons lewens (ons beursies), intensioneel te lewe (Mal 3:10)

Wynand Rossouw interview with Ps Gabe Phillips from Life Changers Church in Cape Town

Xander Venter, bekende akteur, gesels vandag op Kopskuif. Hy het deur sy skoolloopbaan in verskeie verhoogproduksies verskyn en veral in ATKV-Tienertoneel uitgeblink. Kom luister hoe hy gesels oor die lewensfase waarin hy homself bevind en die rol wat toneel kan speel om mense se lewens en perspektiewe te verander. Verder gesels hy oor sy rol as mede-aanbieder van die sesde seisoen van ‘Gekies vir die Kollig’ wat vanaf 6 Oktober op die kassie is.

Braam Klopper, Sebastiaan van Dyk en Michelle van Tonder gesels vandag oor die tema: hoekom het Maria het dink Jesus was die tuinier? (Joh. 20: 1 - 23)

Müller en Anna Gouws gesels vandag oor verskillende Bybel vertalings