Radio Pulpit

“The Helper, the Holy Spirit…will teach you all things.” John 14:26 NKJV

You need more of the Holy Spirit (1)

Jesus said: “The Helper, the Holy Spirit…will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” When you need to make a critical decision, you need “the spirit of wisdom and revelation” (Ephesians 1:17 NKJV). When you’re in a difficult situation and unsure of what to say: “Just say whatever is given to you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit” (Mark 13:11 NIV). When you find it hard to show love? “The fruit of the Spirit is love” (Galatians 5:22 NIV). The same is true with every fruit of the Spirit. Do you need to overcome an addiction? “The fruit of the Spirit is…self-control” (v. 22-23 AMPC). Of course, that’s an oxymoron because it doesn’t come from you. It’s the Spirit who manufactures it, so it’s really Spirit-control. What you need more of is the Holy Spirit. And for the record, the Spirit of God doesn’t just want to fill you; He also wants to stretch you and increase your capacity. If you feel like your life is in chaos today, the Spirit of God is hovering—just as He did at the dawn of creation when He brought light out of darkness, order out of chaos, and beauty out of nothingness (see Genesis 1:1-3). No matter what question you have, the Holy Spirit is the answer. No matter what problem you face, the Holy Spirit is the solution. You need as much of Him as you can get, so you need to yield as much of yourself to Him as you can.

“…wanneer die Raadgewer, die Heilige Gees, kom… sal Hy julle in alle opsigte onderrig…” Johannes 14:26 NLV

Jy benodig meer van die Heilige Gees (1)

Jesus het gesê: ‘…wanneer die Raadgewer, die Heilige Gees, kom… sal Hy julle in alle opsigte onderrig en julle ook herinner aan alles wat Ek vir julle gesê het.’ Wanneer jy ‘n belangrike besluit moet neem, het jy ‘…geestelike wysheid en insig…’ (Efesiërs 1:17 NLV), nodig. Wanneer jy in ‘n moeilike situasie is en onseker is oor wat om te sê: ‘…Sê maar net wat God in daardie uur vir julle sal gee om te sê. Julle sal wel die woorde uitspreek, maar eintlik is dit die Heilige Gees wat deur julle praat’ (Markus 13:11 NLV). Wanneer jy dit moeilik vind om liefde te betoon? ‘Maar as die Gees ons lewe beheer, is die gevolg: liefde…’ (Galasiërs 5:22 NLV). Dieselfde geld vir elke vrug van die Gees. Moet jy ‘n verslawing oorkom? ‘Maar as die Gees ons lewe beheer, is die gevolg… selfbeheersing…’ (verse 22-23 NLV). Selfbeheersing is eintlik ‘n oksimoron, want dit kom nie van jouself af nie. Dis die Gees wat dit voorsien, dus is dit eintlik Geesbeheersing. Jy het meer van die Heilige Gees nodig. Die Gees van God wil jou nie net vul nie; Hy wil jou ook uitdaag en jou kapasiteit vergroot. As jy voel of jou lewe vandag in chaos en wanorde is, is die Gees van God - net soos Hy aan die begin van die skepping was toe Hy lig uit die duisternis, orde uit chaos en skoonheid uit niks voortgebring het (sien Genesis 1:1-3), steeds daar. Maak nie saak watter vraag jy het nie, die Heilige Gees is die antwoord. Maak nie saak watter probleem jy in die gesig staar nie, die Heilige Gees is die oplossing. Jy het soveel as moontlik van Hom nodig, dus moet jy soveel as moontlik van jouself aan Hom oorgee.

“Be strong and courageous!” Joshua 1:9 NLT

Step out and do it!

When God told Joshua, “Be strong and courageous,” the word be really means become. It’s not like a computer in which you enter a password and “hey, presto!” you’re courageous. Courage is a quality you grow into. Like filling bigger shoes, the more you walk in them, the more comfortable they become. Joshua had already been to the Promised Land. He knew there were seven nations to be conquered. He was well aware of the problems he’d have to face. So, God said: (1) “Do not be afraid of those nations, for the Lord…is among you, and he is a great and awesome God” (Deuteronomy 7:21 NLT). The job you’re about to take on may look more like a battlefield than a bed of roses, but God will be with you. He will give you solutions for the problems and strength for the battles. (2) “The Lord your God will drive those nations out ahead of you” (Deuteronomy 7:22 NLT). God will go ahead of you and arrange everything. He will help you make the right connections and provide you with the needed resources. (3) “The Lord…will drive those nations out…little by little. You will not clear them away all at once” (v. 22 NLT). God works in us one area at a time. Life’s not one big battle; it’s a series of small daily struggles required to defeat the enemies that stand in your way. Twenty-three chapters later, God was still telling Israel to be courageous. Courage is like oxygen; you can’t survive without it. It’s not the absence of fear; it’s the conquest of it. Courage means doing it afraid until you conquer your fear.

“My opdrag aan jou is dat jy sterk en dapper moet wees…” Josua 1:9 NLV

Oorwin vrees

Toe God vir Josua gesê het: ‘My opdrag aan jou is dat jy sterk en dapper moet wees…’ het die woord ‘wees’ eintlik beteken dat Josua dapper moet ‘word.’ Dapperheid is ’n eienskap waaraan jy moet werk. Josua was reeds in die Beloofde Land. Hy het geweet dat daar sewe nasies was wat verower moes word. Hy was deeglik bewus van die probleme wat hy sou moes trotseer. Dus het God gesê: 1) ‘Nee, moenie vir daardie nasies bang wees nie, want die Here jou God is by jou en Hy is ‘n groot en ontsagwekkende God’ (Deuteronomium 7:21 NLV). Die taak wat jy op die punt staan om aan te pak, lyk dalk meer soos ’n slagveld as ‘n piekniek, maar God sal by jou wees. Hy sal jou oplossings vir die probleme en krag vir die gevegte gee. 2) ‘Die Here jou God sal daardie nasies een vir een voor jou uit verdryf…’ (Deuteronomium 7:22 NLV). God sal voor jou uitgaan en alles reël. Hy sal jou help om die regte kontakte te maak en jou van die nodige hulpbronne voorsien. 3) ‘Die Here jou God sal daardie nasies een vir een voor jou uit verdryf. Jy sal hulle nie sommer almal eensklaps kan verdryf nie…’ (vers 22 NLV). God werk aan een area op ’n slag in ons. Die lewe is nie een groot stryd nie; dis ‘n reeks klein, daaglikse gevegte wat nodig is om die vyande wat in jou pad staan, te verslaan. Drie-en-twintig hoofstukke later sê God steeds vir Israel om dapper te wees. Dapperheid is soos suurstof; jy kan nie daarsonder oorleef nie. Dis nie die afwesigheid van vrees nie; dis die oorwinning daarvan. Dapperheid beteken om in vrees op te tree, totdat jy jou vrees oorwin.

“Perfect love drives out fear.” 1 John 4:18 NIV

Walk in fear, or walk in love

Research showing that love mindsets are the norm while fear mindsets are learned is revolutionary for scientists. But it’s not new if you look at Scripture: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.” Over the past several decades, scientists have researched the anatomy and physiology of love and fear. These are two different systems, and at any one conscious moment, we will be operating in one or the other. Science is showing us that there is a massive “unlearning” of negative toxic thoughts when we operate in love. We can unlearn negative fear—it is not part of our innate natural functioning. Recent neuroscientific research demonstrates that some of the chemicals the brain releases when we are operating in love include oxytocin, which literally melts away the negative toxic thought clusters so that rewiring of new, non-toxic circuits can happen. This chemical also flows when we trust, bond, and reach out to others. So, choosing to operate in love can literally “drive out fear.” Research also shows that when we do good things and reach out in love, endorphins and serotonin are also released. These detoxify our brains and increase our motivation and wisdom, helping us handle life more successfully. We see the profound consequences of choosing between love and fear in Scripture: “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life” (Deuteronomy 30:19 NIV). In Ecclesiastes 7:29 (NLT) we are told, “God created people to be virtuous, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path.” The choice is yours: walk in fear or walk in love.

“…volwasse liefde dryf die vrees uit…” 1 Johannes 4:18 NLV

Wandel in vrees, of wandel in liefde

Navorsing toon dat denke wat op liefde gefokus is die norm is, terwyl denke wat op vrees gefokus is aangeleer word. Dit is egter nie nuus as jy na die Skrif kyk nie: ‘Ware liefde het nie plek vir vrees nie; volwasse liefde dryf die vrees uit…’ Die afgelope paar dekades het wetenskaplikes die anatomie en fisiologie van liefde en vrees nagevors. Dit is twee verskillende stelsels en op enige bewuste oomblik sal ons of in die een, of in die ander funksioneer. Wetenskap wys dat wanneer ons in liefde begin funksioneer, ons negatiewe, toksiese gedagtes begin afleer. Ons kan negatiewe vrees afleer - dit is nie deel van ons aangebore natuurlike funksionering nie. Onlangse neurowetenskaplike navorsing toon dat sommige van die chemikalieë wat die brein vrystel wanneer ons in liefde funksioneer oksitosien insluit, wat letterlik die negatiewe toksiese gedagtes laat wegsmelt sodat herbedrading van nuwe, nie-toksiese stroombane kan plaasvind. Hierdie chemikalieë word ook afgeskei wanneer ons ander vertrou, met hulle verbindings aanknoop en na hulle uitreik. Dus, om te kies om in liefde te funksioneer kan letterlik die vrees uitdryf. Navorsing toon ook dat wanneer ons goeie dinge doen en in liefde uitreik, endorfiene en serotonien vrygestel word. Dit ontgif ons breine en verhoog ons motivering en wysheid, wat ons help om die lewe meer suksesvol te hanteer. Ons sien die diepgaande gevolge van die keuse tussen liefde en vrees in die Skrif: ‘Vandag gee ek aan jou die keuse tussen lewe en dood, tussen seën en vloek… Mag jy die lewe kies…’ (Deuteronomium 30:19 NLV). Prediker 7:29 (NLV) sê: ‘…God het die mense goed en opreg gemaak, maar hulle het allerlei slimmighede gesoek.’ Die keuse is joune: wandel in vrees, of wandel in liefde.

“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 NKJV

Don’t allow yourself to be distracted

In March 1987, Eamon Coughlan was running in the qualifying heat at the World Indoor Track Championships in Indianapolis. He was the reigning world record holder at 1500 meters and was favoured to win the race. Unfortunately, with two and a half laps left, he tripped and fell hard. But he got up, and with great effort managed to catch the race leaders. With twenty yards to go, he was in third place, which would have been good enough to qualify for the final race. Then Coughlan made a fateful mistake—he looked over his shoulder to the inside. Seeing no one there, he relaxed his effort slightly. What he hadn’t noticed was that a runner was charging hard on the outside. This runner passed him just a yard before the finish line, eliminating him from the finals. Coughlan’s great comeback effort ended up being worthless for only one reason: He momentarily took his eyes off the finish line and focused on the would-be competitors behind him. The writer of the book of Hebrews said, “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” A “weight” refers to things that are legitimate but can slow you down. A “sin” refers to something illegitimate that you know to be wrong and can cost you the race. So lay them both aside and “run with endurance the race that is set before [you], looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (vv. 1-2 NKJV).

“…Kom ons hardloop met volharding op die baan wat voor ons uitgestrek lê” Hebreërs 12:1 NLV

Moenie toelaat dat jou aandag afgetrek word nie

In Maart 1987 het Eamon Coughlan in die kwalifiserende uitdunne by die Wêreld Binnenshuise Baankampioenskappe in Indianapolis gehardloop. Hy was die heersende wêreldrekordhouer van die 1500 meter item en was die gunsteling om die wedren te wen. Ongelukkig, met twee en ‘n half rondtes oor, het hy gestruikel en hard geval. Hy het egter opgestaan en met groot moeite daarin geslaag om die voorste naellopers in te haal. Met twintig meter oor was hy in die derde plek, wat goed genoeg sou wees om vir die finale wedloop te kwalifiseer. Toe maak Coughlan egter ‘n fatale fout - hy kyk oor sy skouer na agter. Omdat hy niemand naby hom gesien het nie, het hy sy inspanning effens verslap. Wat hy egter nie opgemerk het nie, was dat ‘n ander naelloper hard aan die ander kant van hom aangestorm gekom het. Hierdie naelloper het hom ‘n meter voor die wenstreep verbygesteek en hom uit die eindrondte uitgeskakel. Coughlan se inspanning was uiteindelik om slegs een rede waardeloos: Hy het sy oë vir ‘n oomblik van die wenstreep afgehaal en op die deelnemers agter hom gefokus. Die skrywer van die boek Hebreërs het gesê: ‘…kom ons stroop alles wat ons spoed kan vertraag, veral die sonde wat so maklik ‘n houvas op ‘n mens kry. Kom ons hardloop met volharding op die baan wat voor ons uitgestrek lê’. Dinge wat regmatig is, kan soms jou spoed vertraag. ‘Sonde’ verwys na iets wat jy weet verkeerd is en jou die wedloop kan kos. Lê dus albei af en ‘…Kom ons hardloop met volharding op die baan wat voor ons uitgestrek lê, ons oë vasgenael op Jesus, die Een op wie ons geloof vanaf die wegspring tot by die eindstreep steun…’ (verse 1-2 NLV).

Lukho Mkwedi, together with Charlene Naidoo, unpack stress and what it really is. They explore the difference between stress, anxiety, and depression, explain why stress affects the body, discuss the dangers of prolonged stress, and share practical ways to deal with it.

Stress is the body’s response to pressure or demand, anxiety is often the feeling of worry or fear about what may happen, and depression is a deeper mental health condition that can affect mood, energy, and daily functioning. Stress can show up physically through headaches, fatigue, muscle tension, stomach problems, high blood pressure, and poor sleep, which is why it should not be ignored.

The discussion also highlights that too much stress can weaken concentration, strain relationships, and impact overall health. Ways to manage it include prayer, rest, exercise, healthy boundaries, talking to someone you trust, and seeking professional help when needed.

#StressManagement #MentalHealthAwareness #Anxiety #Depression #Wellness #HealthyLiving #SelfCare #MindBodyHealth #CharleneNaidoo #LukhoMkwedi #RadioPulpit #FaithAndHealth Heart to Heart

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” Ephesians 3:20 NIV

Blessings beyond your imagination

Prayer Pastor Heidi Scanlon said: “God has blessings for us in categories we don’t even know exist.” That means God can create something out of nothing. He can seemingly come out of nowhere, and just when you need Him most, give you something you don’t even have a category for. God says: “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts’” (Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV). You say, “If God has blessings that I don’t even have categories for, how can I ask for them?” That’s where the Holy Spirit, who dwells within you, comes to your aid: “We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us…in accordance with the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27 NIV). And because the Holy Spirit prays in accordance with the will of God, you are blessed with wisdom beyond your knowledge, power beyond your strength, and favour beyond your ability. Paul put it this way: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV). Now you still must do your due diligence, for God cannot bless negligence. But when you know you’ve faithfully done your part and obeyed God, you can trust Him for blessings beyond your imagination.