Harvester Cederberg Preke

Gelowiges is ‘n seën vir die mensdom, en spreek ‘n seën oor mense. 

Die Jode groet mekaar met die woord Shalom. Gideon het nadat hy sy roeping ontvang het, en die engel aan hom verskyn het, ‘n altaar gebou Jehowa Shalom. God van Vrede. 
H3073. שָׁלוֹם יְהוָֹה yehōwāh šālôm: A proper noun designating Jehovah Shalom, a name designating an altar, “the Lord (is) peace” (Judg. 6:24). It was built by Gideon, a famous judge of Israel, because the Lord confirmed to Gideon that He was calling him to deliver Israel. It stood for many years.  Hy het die Jode verlos van die mag van die Medianiete, en daar was vir 40jr vrede.  

Die Here het vir Moses en Aaron ‘n opdrag gegee om mekaar te seën met die woorde. Die Here sal julle seën en julle beskerm; die Here sal tot julle redding verskyn en julle genadig wees; die Here sal julle gebede verhoor
en aan julle vrede gee! “So moet die priesters my Naam oor die Israeliete uitroep, en Ek sal hulle seën.” (Numbers 6:24-27)

In die NT seëngroet die Apostels die gemeente met. “Genade en vrede” (Rom 1:7; 1 Cor 1:7; 1 Pet 1:2; 2 John 1:3). Hierdie apostoliese seëngroet verenig die gemeente, en dra krag. Dit is ‘n geloof uitspraak.  

Bob Dylan wrote these words in ‘Forever Young’: ‘may God bless and keep you always,’ and pronounced the Aaronic blessing over people in this song. (On his album ‘Planet Waves’)

Die rykdom en guns wat die Here gee, is onombeerlik. Dit is die seën van die Here wat rykdom bring; jou geswoeg laat dit nie meer word nie.(Proverbs 10:22) 'n Pelgrimslied. Van Salomo.
As die Here die huis nie bou nie,
swoeg dié wat daaraan bou, tevergeefs.
As die Here die stad nie beskerm nie,
waak dié wat dit beskerm, tevergeefs.
Tevergeefs dat julle vroeg opstaan
en laat gaan slaap
om met moeite 'n bestaan te maak.
Vir dié wat Hy liefhet,
gee die Here dit in hulle slaap. (Ps 127:1-3)

Wie kan diegene wat die Here kies om te seën, vervloek? (Numbers 23:8)

Liewe Gaius, ek hoop dat jy gesond is en dat dit in alle opsigte so goed gaan met jou as wat dit geestelik met jou gaan (3 John 1:2) Die Here se seën en guns is ongetamineerd en nie ten koste van ons siel nie. Die rykdom wat kom deur korrupsie, en die hand van die vlees lei na verderf.  

Wees sterk, wees dapper, moenie bang wees nie, moenie skrik vir die koning van Assirië en die menigte by hom nie. By ons is meer as by hom. By hom is menslike mag, by ons is die Here ons God wat ons sal help en ons oorlog sal veg.” (2 Chron 32:5-9) Dit is uit vrees dat ons as mens geneig is om onsself te probeer red.  Die arm vd vlees is nie standhoudend nie.  Menslike krag hou nie.  Jy kan net solank iets uit eie krag doen, dan raak jy moeg.  
 
“Hier is die boodskap van die Here aan Serubbabel: Nie met mag en krag sal jy slaag nie, maar deur my Gees, sê die Here die Almagtige.” (Zech 4:6)

Seënspreuke wat ons begin uitroep het teenoor mekaar. 
True christians are going to become the employable people on the planet. 
This region will become God delightful Eden and place of refuge.  
Ons is saam met Christus geseën met elke geestelike seën in die hemel. (Eph 1:3)

Ons skinder nie van mekaar nie, ons kritiseer nie wat ons nie bereid is om te konfronteer nie. Ons loop in waarheid en liefde met mekaar.  Wanneer iemand ons seën, spreek ons ‘n apostoliese seën oor hulle uit. Julle gawe is voor God 'n offer met lieflike geur, vir Hom aanneemlik en welgevallig. En my God sal in elke behoefte van julle ryklik voorsien volgens sy wonderbaarlike rykdom in Christus Jesus. (Phil 4:18-19) 

Ons kan ook die seën van die Here oor onsself bid. “Stort u seën oor my uit, vergroot my grondgebied, neem my onder u beskerming en weerhou onheil van my sodat geen smart my tref nie.” (1 Chron 4:10) 

Sommige mense is ongemaklik met rykdom. Hulle wil net genoeg hê. Hulle is bang

When giving a temporary worker a command, one can not be certain that this person will be able to do as instructed. You do not know the man’s abilities and whether he understand the task. This worker also knows not the standards and way in which you want the work to be completed.  A permanent worker is trained in both the will and the way of the owner, and has also developed the required skill-set to complete the task accurately.  He knows where to find the right tools, and because he was trained execute the task perfectly.

Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. James 2:21-25 

Law of liberty and truth: John 8:32; Rom. 8:2; 2 Cor. 3:17]; Gal. 2:4; 6:2; James 2:12; 1 Pet. 2:16

Many struggle to obey God because they do not know His will nor His ways. Ps 78 

When facing the command giver, one receive instructions, and confirms one knows how to execute the task. But in the turning away to go and do it, there erupts a discrepancy. You suddenly realize you did ask for specifics, uncertain you struggle forth, doing as one think it should be done.  Commands and instruction is common, between spouses, parents and children, workers and their management... and thousands of frustrations when the task was not completed in the right way. 

Something happens when we turn away to go and do what is required.  The consequential turning, changing, altering, distorting, of and instruction and desire. When one commission an art work, and the artist in-vision a complete different image, than what is commissioned.  

The obedience drag coefficient.     

We do this too, when hearing or getting instructions from God.  

We filter the instruction with our tastes, and preferences and come up with a different result.  

This leads to much frustration and disappointments, and even wastage, as many times the work has to be redone.  

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8 When in God’s presence we are sure of our identity, His love, we see clearly, and feel deeply what God desires. When we go out of His presence, and turn away from Him we begin to doubt... did God really say? We look at the realities we face, and forget the reality of His presence and will. 

Another example of the obedience drag coefficient.     

The Bible gives a solution:

for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ Acts 17:28

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. John 15:4

Moses abandoned, left the task at hand to move closer to the burning thorn bush. Exo 3:1-2. He learned to do this and His face began to radiate the glory of God, so that people could not look at him.  

Ecclesiastes 8:1
Who is like a wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, And the sternness of his face is changed.

Die Goddelike Restourasie van Familie 

Rut is ‘n familie storie: 
Sowat 90 persent van die verse in die boek Rut begin met die letter ‘vav’. Die ‘vav’, die sesde letter in die Hebreeuse alfabet. Hierdie letter kry spesiale betekenis omdat dit dien as die uiteindelike verbinder letter.  ‘Vav’ dien as ‘n brug letter, soos die "en" ‘n verbindingswoord is: gevolglik, met, en dus, en ander soortgelyke woorde.

Rut: “vriendskap”
Maglon: “sieklik” “onvrugbaar” 
Giljon: “swak” “op die einde”  
Elimeleg: “my God is Koning” 
Naomi: “lieflik, ”aangenaam” 
Orpa: “bokkie”
Boas: “In hom is sterkte”

Die boek Rut was gelees op Shavuot, die fees van Pinkster, 50 dae na die Pasgafees. Pinkster of Shavuot val op die sesde dag van Sivan, die dag waarop die Torah gegee is aan Moses op die berg Sinai. Die boek Rut is vol met gevalle van geestelike familie verbintenisse wat herstel word. Dit begin met Elimeleg, wat sy familie en volk verlaat vir oorlewing en ekonomiese vooruitgang. Dit asof hy nie omgee vir sy familie verbindings nie, hy verlaat hulle toe die hongersnood uitbreek en verhuis na Moab. Maar teen die einde van die boek, sien ons baie verbindings uitgelig. Kragtige pa-seun verbindings, en die familie bloedlyn van Jesus herstel, Obed was koning David se oupa.  

Rut versinnebeeld hoe iemand wat nie deel is van God se familie moet maak om deel te word: Haar reis begin as 'n ‘nochriyah’, ‘n uitlander (Ruth 2:10), sy beskryf haarself as 'n ‘shif'chah’, slavin (Ruth 2:13), en dan as 'n ‘amah’, diensmeisie (Ruth 3:9). Teen die einde van die storie, noem Boaz, haar toekomstige man, haar 'n ‘ishah’, edel vrou (Ruth 4:10), en uiteindelik as deel van die geslagregister van die Messias as Dawid se groot Ouma. (Ruth 4:17). 

1) Verbondsverbintenis: “Waar Ma ook al heen gaan, sal ek saamgaan en waar Ma gaan bly, sal ek ook bly. Van nou af is Ma se volk ook my volk en Ma se God is my God. 17Waar Ma eendag te sterwe kom, kan ek ook maar doodgaan en daar begrawe word. Ek sweer voor die Here dat net die dood ons sal skei.” (Rut 1:16) Die hoofrede hoekom hierdie boek by die Pinkster fees, of fees van weke gelees word, is Rut se respek vir die Torah. Haar skoonmoeder se lewe en toegewydheid het haar aangetrek, en volg die tradisies en voorskrifte van die wet na, met liefde en toewyding.  
2) Sy Soek Familie Op: “Jy was baie onselfsugtig toe jy besluit het om by jou skooma te bly, maar jy is nou nog meer onselfsugtig. Want jy kon vir jou maklik ’n jong man uitgesoek het wat jy graag wou hê. Maar nou het jy jou plig gedoen deur my te vra om met jou te trou.” 11Ek sal doen wat jy vra en jy hoef nie bang te wees nie, want almal in die stad weet jy is ’n ordentlike vrou. (Rut 3:10) 
3) Sy voer die opdragte en instruksies met nederigheid en ootmoed uit: Luister nou mooi—hy sal vannag by die dorsvloer wees waar hulle besig is om die graan skoon te maak wat klaar gedors is. 3Bad nou en gebruik ’n bietjie parfuum. Trek dan jou mantel aan en gaan na die dorsvloer toe, maar sorg dat hy jou nie sien voordat hy klaar geëet en gedrink het nie. 4Kyk mooi waar hy gaan lê om te slaap en as hy eers aan die slaap is, moet jy langs hom gaan inkruip. Dan sal hy verder vir jou sê wat jy moet doen. 5“Ja Ma, dis goed,” antwoord Rut. “Ek sal so maak.” (Rut 3:2-5) 
4) Sy werk hard en neem haar gekose plek in: Dis ’n jong Moabitiese vrou wat saam met Naomi van Moab af gekom het,” antwoord die voorman. 7“Sy het gevra of sy graan mag optel waar ons klaar geoes het, en sy is al van vanoggend af aan die gang tot nou toe sonder om eers ’n bietjie te gaan rus.” Rut 2:6 Die armes kan teen die kante van die veld, are optel volgens gebruik. Sonder enige arrogansie, wedywering, doen sy haar werk in stilte, soveel so dat die werkers haar opmerk.  Sy het geen ambisie en aanstellerigheid toe Boas vir haar goed is nie. Toe buig Rut neer met haar gesig na die grond toe,

Die Gees van vervreemding :
Spirit of alienation! 

“Ook julle wat vroeër vervreemd was en vyandig gesind deur die bose werke, het Hy nou versoen” Kol 1:21

“Ook julle was voorheen ver van God af en vyandiggesind teenoor Hom, soos blyk uit julle sondige lewenswyse. Maar nou het Hy ook julle met Homself versoen deurdat sy Seun as mens gesterwe het om julle heilig, sonder smet en onberispelik voor Hom te stel.” KOLOSSENSE‬ ‭1:21-22‬ ‭AFR83‬‬

Soms beleef ‘n mens ‘n gebeurtenis intens, en dan sien jy soms ‘n prentjie om beter perspektief te kry. Ek het ‘n prentjie gesien, ‘n dier, soos ‘n Seekat, met baie tentakels.   Die ‘seekat’ kom met kettings waarmee hy ons bind! Een vir een sit hy ‘n tentakel om jou (gedagtes) waarmee hy ons bind. ‘n Gedagte waarmee jy saamstem (agree) omdat jy glo dat dit jou eie gedagte is, (kan jou vasbind aan ‘n leuen, wat vervreemding bring), want die gedagte is werklik vd bose is! Dit is belangrik om te verstaan dat hierdie gevoelems satanies van aard is. Soos twyfel, is satan self die agent en oorsprong van hierdie gedagtes en gevoelens. 

Die uiteinde van hierdie gees is : totale  isolasie, verwydering van God se rykste voorsiening aan jou, Sy liefde, Sy kerk, Sy liggaam, soms ook jou eie familie of jou eggenoot.  Die gees van vervreemding wil jou afsny van geestelike groei tot volwassenheid.

Thoughts of this spirit can be :

• I don’t belong ... 
• Estranged - (caused to be unloved)
• Self banished
• Temporary resident (don’t belong)
• Alienation = seperation (hostility)
• Anti Christ and His provision
• Anti love , hope , provision 
•Anti family 
• Anti husband/wife ...

Sy houvas op jou is om te glo hierdie gedagtes is jou eie, en dat dit die waarheid is, (juis omdat jy al hierdie gevoelens voel)!

Reasoning is beclouded, it makes the truth less visible ; unclear! 

Their moral understanding is darkened and their reasoning is beclouded. [They are] alienated (estranged, self-banished) from the life of God [with no share in it; this is] because of the ignorance (the want of knowledge and perception, the willful blindness) that is deep-seated in them, due to their hardness of heart [to the insensitiveness of their moral nature]. (‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬ AMP)

“The eyes are like a lamp for the body. If your eyes are sound, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eyes are no good, your body will be in darkness. So if the light in you is darkness, how terribly dark it will be! (‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭22-23‬ GNB)

The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! (‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭22-23‬ KJVA)

And although you at one time were estranged and alienated from Him and were of hostile attitude of mind in your wicked activities, Yet now has [Christ, the Messiah] reconciled [you to God] in the body of His flesh through death, in order to present you holy and faultless and irreproachable in His [the Father's] presence. (‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭21-22‬ AMP)

How to overcome this spirit :

• Remember Jesus and what He has done
• Repent of wrong thoughts
• Repent of hard heart
• Repent of wilfull blindness
• Repent : hostile attitude of mind 
• Kom met geloof, Hy ontvang jou graag
• Ontvang Sy geregtigheid
• Maak jouself deel - Kol 1:27
• Aanvaar Sy volkome werk
• Neem beheer oor jou gedagtes 
• Ontmasker satan se plan - 
• (2 Kor 10:4-6 ; Matt 4:1-10) 
• bely “I am well-accepted in the beloved” Efe 1:6
• Ek is wat ek is deur die genade van God  (1 Kor 15:10)

“Maar deur die genade van God is ek wat ek is. Sy genade aan my was nie tevergeefs nie; inteendeel, ek het harder gewerk as hulle almal; e

Tien kentekens van iemand wie se denke vernuwe is in Christus

Soos ons denke en harte vernuwe word deur die Woord en die Gees, begin ons nie net anders dink nie, maar ons eerste instinktiewe reaksies verander ook (Rom 12:2). Iemand wie se gedagtes vernuwe is in Christus het geheel en al ’n ander eerstereaksierefleks. 

Het dit al met jou gebeur dat jy aan iemand wat jy goed ken ’n Whatsapp stuur, maar hulle reageer nie? Jy begin daaroor tob . . .  Kort voor lank dink jy allerhande booshede en oorweeg dit om nooit weer met die persoon te praat nie. Dan, ’n paar dae later: “Jammer, ons was buite selfoonbereik. Nou eers jou boodskap gesien. Ons is baie lief vir jou!” Jy voel geheel en al uitgevang oor jou negatiewe reaksie. Wat ons voel, is nie altyd korrek nie. ’n Vlieënier kan ruimtelik gedisoriënteerd raak en voel hy vlieg onderstebo. Dan moet hy sy instrumente vertrou, anders vlieg hy in die grond vas. Ons projekteer ook dikwels “hoe ons dit sou doen, hoekom doen hy/sy nie ook so nie” op ander.  Hierdie projeksies laat ons glo dat ons weet wat ander mense dink en wat hulle motiewe is. Die feit is egter: Ons ken meestal nie eens ons eie motiewe nie, wat nog te sê ander mense s’n.  

Die kentekens van vernuwende denke beteken dat die Heilige Gees die Woord se teenmiddels in ons wese ingespuit het wat ons immuniteit opgebou het sodat ons nie van elke kiem-gedagte siek word nie.  

Ons denkpatrone is getransformeer en ons dink nie meer soos hierbo beskryf word nie. Die Here is konstant besig om ons denkprosesse te vernuwe. Hier is 10 kentekens waaraan jy jouself kan meet om te sien hoe die Here alreeds jou gedagtes vernuwe het.  

1) Jy bly vertrou, al hoor jy slegte nuus. Jy sien die glas is vol. Jy verwag die beste. “Dit gaan alles op die einde uitwerk” is gewoonlik jou eerste reaksie. Nie op ’n ligsinnige, of kop-in-die-grond, of die-waarheid-misken manier nie. Dis ’n stille vertroue in die Here dat Hy alles ten goede sal laat meewerk (Rom 8:28). Jy het dit al soveel keer gesien dat daar ’n vaste wete in jou gemoed is. Daar is ’n positief in elke negatief (Ps 66:12). Iemand met vernuwende denke sien dit net gouer raak.  
2) Die onmoontlike lyk redelik. Iemand wat die Here volg se denke, geloof en verwagting is gevorm om ’n deur te sien waar daar nie een is nie, ’n moontlikheid terwyl alles onmoontlik lyk. Ons geestesoog is verhelder en geoefen in die realiteit van Sy krag (Ef 1:17-21). Ons weet dis vir óns onmoontlik, maar vir die Here is niks onmoontlik nie (Luk 1:37; Mark 10:27). 
3) Selfs jou bespiegelinge is positief. Wanneer jy nie weet waar jou maat is en hoekom hy of sy laat is nie, sien jy Jesus in hulle. Die vermoë om Jesus in mekaar te vertrou, is ’n wonderlike manier van oorgawe en geloofsvertroue. Ons manipuleer nie meer situasies nie. Ons weet ons kan nie harte verander nie. Ons vertrou die Heilige Gees wat oortuig en bekering bewerkstellig (2 Kor 7:9). Ons skep nie meer in ons verbeelding bekommernisse oor die slegste wat gaan gebeur nie – ons sien oplossings, deurbrake en voorsiening, selfs in die geringe.  
4) Jy leef vanuit sy rus. Jy het niks nodig nie. Jy is vergenoegd en tevrede met wat jy het. Selfs te midde van die onstuimige storms waarin ons soms verkeer, is ons kalm en rustig. Terwyl Paulus se skip sink, is hy rustig in sy geloof, en vanuit hierdie rus gee hy kalmte aan ander (Hand 27:39-44). Jy het vergenoegdheid geleer in die tye van oorvloed en tekort. Daarom beleef jy ’n vastigheid in jou emosies, des ondanks die op-en-af van omstandighede. Hierdie rus is nie ontkenning van omstandighede nie, maar jy ken die Here en vertrou Sy karakter.  
5) Jy vergewe maklik en erken gou jou foute. Iemand wat in volwassenheid in Christus groei, neem nie meer vinnig aanstoot nie. Hulle is nie liggeraak nie en verwag die beste van mense. Selfs al maak medegelowiges hulle seer, hulle sien nog steeds Christus in mek

One becomes increasingly more aware of society and culture alienated from God, worshipping self and its own creations.  People are intoxicated with self, pleasure, feeling good, and doing what is right in their own eyes. Rom. 1:21–24 

THERE IS A PROPHETIC CALL IN THE SPIRIT TO AWAKEN!

Awake to righteousness, and do not sin (NKJV)  1 Cor 15:34
Wees nugter op die regte manier, en sondig nie; want sommige het geen kennis van God nie. (NAV)
Think straight. Awaken to the holiness of life. No more playing fast and loose with resurrection facts. Ignorance of God is a luxury you can't afford in times like these. (the Message)
Awake [from your drunken stupor and return] to sober sense and your right minds, and sin no more (amplified)

And no one calls on Your name and awakens and bestirs himself to take and keep hold of You; for You have hidden Your face from us and have delivered us into the [consuming] power of our iniquities. Isa 64:7

H5782. עוּר ‘ûr: I. A verb meaning to stir, to arouse, to awaken. It is used of raising something or someone to action, of agitating someone, of motivating him or her. It is used of stirring oneself to action (Judg. 5:12; Ps. 57:8[9]); especially of the Lord’s arousing Himself or His arm (Ps. 7:6[7]; 59:4[5]; Isa. 51:9). In its passive use, it means to be stirred up (Jer. 6:22; 25:32; Zech. 4:1). It means to rouse someone to action (Zech. 9:13); to use a weapon (2 Sam. 23:18); to stir up a nest of young birds (a figure of the Lord toward His people) (Deut. 32:11).

And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. Ro 13:11

“Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” Rev 16:15 (Matt. 24:43; Luke 12:39; Rev. 3:3, 11)

Study Isaiah 33

According to Ephesians 1, apostle Paul prays that the eyes of your understanding being enlightened: 

1. Be awakened to His Holiness - Awakened consciousness of Christ indwelling. “be aware and notice what God is doing and put the spotlight on Him” ps. Ronnie Barnard Be sensitive and aware of the Holy Spirit’s movements and heart.  
2. Be awakened to your calling and function in the body of Christ. 2 Pet 1:10 
3. Be awakened to the inheritance we have received in Christ.  “blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” Eph 1:3.

Om moeg te word is deel van die lewe en deel van menswees. Mens raak moeg. Ons moet egter oppas wanneer ons moeg is. Essau verkoop sy geboortereg omdat hy so moeg is: Gen 25:29; Heb 12:16  

Moegheid is een van die snellers van verslawing. Boredom, Magteloosheid, Passive retaliation, nuuskierigheid. Wanneer jy moeg is, is jy kwesbaar en meer blootgestel. Daarom kan jy nie daar vertoef nie.  

Emosionele moegheid maak ‘n mens selfs nog meer kwesbaar. Ek het my moeg geroep om hulp, my keel is hees geroep, selfs my oë het ingegee soos ek vir my God gewag het. Ps 69:4 

Jy kan iets doen omtrent jou moegheid: 

Bepaal wie se juk dra jy? Die juk van mense? Valse Verwagtinge? Dooie Werke? Ambisie? Vrees? Jesus se juk is sag. As die Here jou iets beveel, dan gee Hy ook die genade om die taak uit te voer.  

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." Mat 11:30.

Oppas om in te gee tot die temptasie om op te hou doen wat reg is, goed is. Gal 6:9-10 

Selfs Jesus kon Sy kruis nie meer dra nie, en simon het ingestem om Hom te help.  Moenie probeer jou kruis alleen dra nie.  Mar 15:21 

Ons veg van die posisie van rus:

Daarom moet ons weet hoe om te rus. 

But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. 1 Sam 30:6 

1 Sam. 23:16; Isa. 25:4;

8 Maniere om te ontspan en te rus. 

Samesyn

Slaap

Oefen

Eet gesond

Gee

Leer

Werk

Speel 

Selfs jongmanne word moeg en raak afgemat, selfs manne in hulle fleur struikel en val, maar dié wat op die Here vertrou, kry nuwe krag. Hulle vlieg met arendsvlerke, hulle hardloop en word nie moeg nie, hulle loop en raak nie afgemat nie. Isa 40:30-31 

Nogtans sal ek in die Here jubel Hab. 3:17–19

Phil 4:13 Ek is tot alles in staat deur Hom wat my krag gee.

Dimensions of the role of a Pastor

 A Pastor has so many roles to play. He must bless little children, marry young couples, bury the dead, comfort & encourage, exhort, teach, train, set example, be strong for others to lean on, handle finances expertly, humbly accept what people are willing to give, pray for the congregation, counsel them, listen to their problems and find solutions, hear from God and bring God’s message and still enjoy living! Here are a few dimensions of the role of a Pastor to consider and appreciate:

 1.             Unique – renaissance person employing a number of skills to serve God and 
humanity –spiritual growth is intangible – don’t always see results

2.             Calling - not a career that has a goal in view with a clear roadmap– is a divine appointment – Moses doubted if they would listen – poor speaker – ‘I will be with you’ – the place God sends you to is where your joy and the people’s hunger will meet. Jesus for the joy set before Him endured the cross. A career needs professionals. Ministry needs fools for Christ’s sake. ‘You did not choose Me; I chose you’

3.             Changes required – outgrow frustrations into effectiveness – such as lack of respect, empty flattery to gain an advantage, temptations, flying like an eagle is risky business

4.             Leadership – initiative required – respond to issues – delegate and oversee delegation – make room for mistakes as people grow

5.             Performance – be yourself – be real – avoid discouragement, lust, anger, ambition, fear of failure

6.             Weakness – acknowledge – human with divine inspiration – Paul says he glories in his weakness so that Christ’s strength can be shown – strength alone does not make a ministry – over-confident person puts people off – platoon leader – sometimes has to clear a minefield by himself – honest feedback to those who carry out orders – deal with what you hate – find resources – anecdotes, stories – practice makes perfect

7.             Accountable – to God and to family & church – people can’t control pastor – Nicolaitan – do not try to live up to people’s expectations -

8.             Time management – learn to do it right the first time – balance time – don’t eat to much and get enough rest & sleep – have a Sabbath rest free of chores and duties – choose refreshing activities – concentrate on what you do well – ask others to help in other areas – publish priorities – give the church the fruit of a healthy life -

9.             Family – let them love ministry and not hate it – ask yourself: if I’m no longer pastor what will be the things that will endure? Relationships – refrain from speaking about church problems in front of family – don’t be sarcastic about church members.

10.         Extra mile – integrity – be willing to help people on the way like the Samaritan

11.         Evaluate – values – love people you serve

12.         Shepherd’s heart – avoid threats – soar like an eagle see afar off -

What people expect from a Pastor

Preacher

Counselor

Administrator

Evangelist

Political analyst

Janitor

Secretary

 
Important Relationships for a Pastor

Co-workers & Compensation

Church problems/ family problems

Finances

A Pastor visits the sick, prepares sermons, soothes the hurts of people, solves conflicts and has to meet the budget. Who is equal to such a task?

Hierdie boodskap bied ‘n in diepte kykie agter die teologiese skerms na die plekkie Gádara, en die behoefte van gewone mense na vrede.

Scripture reading: Exo 14:12

The former quick-tempered Moses patiently answered the people's hasty accusation with three directives to meet this emergency: 

(1) "Do not be afraid" The word to the patriarchs, Gen 15:1; 26:24; and to Israel as they possessed the land, Josh 1:9; 8:1)

(2) "Stand firm" and see the salvation, i.e., the "deliverance of the LORD" for "the LORD will fight for you" (v.14; see Neh 4:20; Ps 35:1)

(3) "Hold thy peace”. Stop all action and become inactive, for I the Lord will act by myself on your behalf (cf. Gen 34:5; 2 Kings 19:11; Pss 5:3; 83:1). 

“For it had been better for us to serve -- the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.” This complaint is the first occurrence of what was to become a sad refrain over the next forty years. Instead of believing that the God who had demonstrated his power so overwhelmingly could now save them, the Israelites turned on their rescuer. The cry of the unsurrendered heart is always, “Give me the security of slavery rather than the risk of faith.”

Let us study HEB 2 for deeper insight into the 3rd action “Hold they peace”

But the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. v2 This is a reference to the condition of many Christians, hearing the Word, but not acting on it. Faith is the substance. Heb 11:1. Faith without works is dead, but works without faith is also dead. James 2:17

Study So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest,’ ” Heb 4:3 Was God’s judgment against Israel’s continual unbelief.  They shall not enter the promised land. Deut. 1:35

Today, if you will hear His voice:

“Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion,

As in the day of trial in the wilderness,

When your fathers tested Me;

They tried Me, though they saw My work.

For forty years I was grieved with that generation,

And said, ‘It is a people who go astray in their hearts,

And they do not know My ways.’

So I swore in My wrath,

‘They shall not enter My rest.’ ” Ps. 95:8:11

How did they test God? By their constant murmuring and complaining. Faith begins in your words. God spoke the earth into existence.  If you speak against the very thing you believe, you cancel your faith.  Stop complaining, self-pity will not move God.  Faith pleases Him Heb 11:6 

Let us, therefore, be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. v11

The KJV uses the word Labor instead of being diligent. 4704. σπουδάζω spoudázō; fut. spoudásō, from spoudḗ (G4710), earnestness, diligence (2 Pet. 1:5). To be diligent, earnest, or eager. (I) Generally, with the inf. (2 Tim. 4:9, 21; Titus 3:12). (II) To make every effort to do one's best, to be eager, with the inf. (Gal. 2:10; Eph. 4:3; 1 Thess. 2:17; 2 Tim. 2:15; Heb. 4:11; 2 Pet. 1:10, 15; 3:14; Sept.: Is. 21:3). THUS You cannot entertain unbelief for one second. It is a parasite, it is poison, it is cancer, you need to deal with it quickly.  

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Heb 4:11-13 Learn to wield the “sword of the spirit” Eph 6:17 like a master swordsman. Jesus masterfully endured the direct satanic temptation by saying. “It is written” 

The Word will answer, heal, silence the distortions and upset of the heart. Phil 4:6-8 Garrison the heart with peace.  You need to master the art of holding your peace. Do not react, do not act hastily. To keep your peace, in the midst of a crisis takes considerable effort and maturity in Christ. Jesus kept H