Radio Pulpit

“This is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 1 Corinthians 11:24 NKJV

Holy Communion

Here are three reasons you need to partake of Holy Communion: (1) To make you grace-minded. No one will ever stand in heaven and say, “Look what Jesus and I have accomplished.” If you had to pay one penny of your debt of sin, it would make you a co-redeemer with Christ. What an offence to the cross! (Ephesians 2:8-9.) Hymnist Horatio Spafford wrote: “My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought. My sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!” (2) To keep you sensitive to sin. “…Let a man examine himself and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself…” (1 Corinthians 11:28-29 NKJV). You say, “If I sin and take communion, does that mean I’m drinking liquid damnation?” No, it’s the “manner” in which you approach God that counts. You don’t have to avoid the communion cup; you need only confess your sin, then drink deeply with gratitude. (3) To keep you focused on Christ’s return. “…I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God” (Mark 14:25 NKJV). Every communion service brings you one step closer to the greatest communion service of all: the marriage supper of the Lamb in heaven (Revelation 19:7). Are you planning on being there?

“…Dit is my liggaam, dit is vir júlle. Gebruik dit ter herinnering aan My.” 1 Korintiërs 11:24 NLV

Heilige Nagmaal

Hier is drie redes waarom jy nagmaal moet gebruik: 1) Om jou bewus van die grootheid van God se genade te maak. Niemand gaan ooit in die hemel aankom en sê: ‘Kyk wat het ek en Jesus bereik!’ nie. As jy een sent van jou sondeskuld betaal het, sou dit jou ‘n mede-verlosser met Christus gemaak het. Wat ‘n bespotting van die kruis! (sien Efesiërs 2:8-9). Die gesangeskrywer Horatio Spafford het geskryf: ‘My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought. My sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!’ 2) Om jou sensitief vir sonde te hou. ‘Dit is waarom julle julleself moet ondersoek voordat julle van die brood eet en uit die beker drink. Want as julle sommer so op ‘n onbedagsame manier van die brood eet en uit die beker drink, drink en eet julle ‘n oordeel oor julleself’ (1 Korintiërs 11:28-29 NLV). Jy vra: ‘As ek sondig en nagmaal gebruik, beteken dit dat ek myself dan verdoem?’ Nee, die manier waarop jy God nader, is wat belangrik is. Jy hoef nie die nagmaalbeker te vermy nie; maar jy moet jou sondes bely en dan met dankbaarheid drink. 3) Om jou op Christus se wederkoms gefokus te hou. ‘…Ek [sal] nie weer wyn drink nie tot op daardie dag wanneer Ek opnuut die feeswyn sal drink in die koningkryk van God’ (Markus 14:25 NLV). Elke nagmaaldiens bring jou een stap nader aan die grootste nagmaaldiens van almal: die bruilofsmaal van die Lam in die hemel (sien Openbaring 19:7). Beplan jy om daar te wees?

“Those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.” Romans 8:5 ESV

Reprogram and renew your mind

Neuroscientists tell us that every sound, every experience, every conscious thought, and every subconscious dream is recorded and literally engraved on our external hard drive, the cerebral cortex. Now juxtapose that with this: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5 NKJV). Simply put: the mind of Christ is the Word of God. After all, Jesus is “the Word” (John 1:1). When you pray, or meditate, or memorize Scripture, you are engraving Jesus on your brain. Neurologically speaking, you are recruiting new neuro connections and rerouting old ones. Slowly but surely, your brain is being rewired and renewed. Think of it as mind sync. You are downloading the very words, the very thoughts of God. And over time, those downloads are upgrades that form the mind of Christ in us. Note what author Mark Batterson says about how he reads the Bible, “I continue until I come to any verse that may suggest pausing. It’s often something I need to think about or pray about. Sometimes it’s the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and I need to have a conversation with God before I continue…When I come to one of those verses, I do three things: First, I underline it or circle it in my Bible. Second, I write it out in longhand in my journal. Third, I journal thoughts, confessions, and ideas associated with it. Then, when I feel like the Holy Spirit brings closure, I go on to the next verse.” Those are three great ideas that will work for you too.

“…Maar dié wat deur die Gees beheer word – hulle gedagtes is vol van die dinge wat die Gees gelukkig maak.” Romeine 8:5 NLV

Herprogrammeer en vernuwe jou gedagtes

Neurowetenskaplikes noem dat elke klank, elke ervaring, elke bewuste gedagte en elke onbewustelike droom opgeneem en op ons eksterne hardeskyf, die serebrale korteks, gegraveer word. Vergelyk dit nou met die volgende Skrifgedeelte: ‘Julle gesindheid moet soos Jesus Christus s’n wees’ (Filippense 2:5 NLV). Jesus Christus se gesindheid is die Woord van God. Jesus is immers ‘die Woord’ (sien Johannes 1:1). Wanneer jy bid, mediteer, of die Skrif memoriseer, graveer jy Jesus op jou brein. Neurologies gesproke maak jy nuwe neuroverbindings en herlei oues. Stadig maar seker word jou brein herbedraad en vernuwe. Dink so daaraan - jy laai God se woorde en gedagtes op jou hardeskyf af. Mettertyd word jou hardeskyf dan deur God se woorde en gedagtes opgegradeer, totdat Christus se gesindheid in jou gedagtes begin vorm. Mark Batterson sê dat hy die Bybel as volg lees: ‘Ek lees totdat ek ‘n vers teëkom wat my aandag trek en laat huiwer. Dis dikwels iets waaroor ek moet dink of bid. Soms is dit die oortuiging van die Heilige Gees en moet ek eers ‘n gesprek met God hê voor ek kan voortgaan. Wanneer ek by so ‘n vers kom, doen ek drie dinge: Eerstens onderstreep of omkring ek die vers in my Bybel. Tweedens skryf ek dit met die hand in my joernaal neer. Derdens skryf ek gedagtes, belydenisse en idees wat daarmee geassosieer word, neer. Wanneer ek voel dat die Heilige Gees afsluiting bring, beweeg ek aan na die volgende vers.’ Dit is drie goeie idees wat ook vir jou sal werk.

“He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness.” Colossians 1:13 NLT

God loves and accepts you

Jimmy Wayne never knew his father, and his mother spent more time in prison than out. When Jimmy was twelve, his mother was released from jail and took up with a troublemaker. They loaded him into the back seat of their car, and for a year that was his home. Then one day, they dumped him at a Pensacola, Florida, bus station and drove off. He had no home, no future, and no provision. While wandering through a neighbourhood, he spotted an older man at work in a garage woodshop. He approached the elderly gentleman and asked if he had any work. Not only did he give Jimmy Wayne a job, but he also took him in to live with him and his wife. Having a home to live in was like heaven to Jimmy. Still, in spite of their kindness, he refused to unpack his bag. For four days, his plastic bag sat on the floor, full of clothes, ready if the husband and wife changed their minds. It took several days, a dozen or so meals, and more than one heart-to-heart conversation. But they finally persuaded Jimmy to trust them to care for him. Perhaps you question your place in God’s family or His love for you. What if He changes His mind? God answered that question at the cross. When Jesus died, the heavenly vote was forever cast in your favour. “He has rescued [you] from the kingdom of darkness and transferred [you] into the Kingdom of his dear Son.” P.S.: What happened to Jimmy Wayne? He took his place in the family, got an education, and became a country music singer and songwriter.

“Hy het ons gered uit die mag van die duisternis…” Kolossense 1:13 NLV

God is lief vir jou en aanvaar jou

Jimmy Wayne het nooit sy pa geken nie en sy ma het meer tyd in die tronk as daarbuite deurgebring. Toe Jimmy twaalf was, is sy ma uit die tronk vrygelaat en het sy ‘n verhouding met ‘n berugte moeilikheidmaker aangeknoop. Sy ma en haar nuwe kêrel het vir Jimmy in hul kar gelaai en vir ‘n hele jaar lank was daardie kar hulle tuiste. Toe, eendag, het hulle hom by ‘n busstasie afgelaai en weggery. Hy het geen huis, geen toekoms en geen geld gehad nie. Terwyl hy deur ‘n buurt rondgedwaal het, het hy ‘n ouer man wat houtwerk in sy motorhuis doen, gewaar. Hy het die bejaarde man genader en gevra of hy vir hom werk het. Hy het nie net ‘n werk vir Jimmy Wayne gegee nie, maar hom ook ingeneem om by hom en sy vrou te woon. Om in ‘n huis te woon het vir Jimmy soos die hemel gevoel. Tog, ten spyte van hul vriendelikheid en gasvryheid, het hy geweier om sy sak uit te pak. Vir vier dae het sy plastieksak vol klere op die vloer gelê, gereed om gegryp te word wanneer die man en vrou van plan verander. Hulle het Jimmy egter uiteindelik oortuig om hulle te vertrou om vir hom te sorg. Miskien bevraagteken jy jou plek in God se familie of sy liefde vir jou. Wat as Hy van plan verander? God het daardie vraag aan die kruis beantwoord. Toe Jesus gesterf het, is daar vir altyd in jou guns besluit. ‘Hy het ons gered uit die mag van die duisternis en ons oorgebring onder die koningsheerskappy van sy geliefde Seun.’ Wat het op die ou einde van Jimmy Wayne geword? Hy het sy plek in sy aangenome familie ingeneem, ‘n opvoeding ontvang en ‘n country-sanger en liedjieskrywer geword.

“When I cry out to You, then my enemies will turn back; this I know, because God is for me.” Psalm 56:9 NKJV

More responsibility calls for more prayer

In the early days of America, a stranger asked how he might identify George Washington among those present at Congress. He was told, “You can easily distinguish him when Congress goes to prayer. Washington is the gentleman who kneels down.” Washington was known as a man who prayed. When the fate of the new nation hung in the balance at Valley Forge, he frequently found rest and relief in prayer. One day, a farmer approaching Washington’s military camp heard an earnest voice. When he drew nearer, he saw Washington on his knees, his cheeks wet with tears. The farmer returned home and told his wife: “George Washington will succeed, and the Americans will secure their independence.” His wife said, “Isaac, what makes you think so?” He replied, “I heard him pray out in the woods today, and the Lord will surely hear his prayer. He will, Hannah, rest assured, He will!” When we have less, we’re more aware of our need and pray more. But as we acquire and achieve more, we become more self-sufficient and pray less. That’s a mistake. The more God entrusts to you, the more you need His strength, His wisdom, His guidance, and His grace. David sat on a throne and ruled Israel. Was he proud or arrogant? No. “When I cry out to You, then my enemies will turn back; this I know, because God is for me…In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid” (vv. 9, 11 NKJV). So this is the word for you today: More responsibility calls for more prayer.

“Die dag dat ek U roep om hulp, val my vyande terug. Omdat God aan my kant is, weet ek dit beslis.” Psalm 56:10 NLV

Meer verantwoordelikheid verg meer gebed

Iemand het een keer gevra hoe hy George Washington onder diegene wat by die Kongres teenwoordig was, sou kon herken. Hy is meegedeel: ‘Jy kan hom maklik onderskei wanneer die Kongres bid. Washington is die enigste een wat kniel.’ Washington was bekend as ‘n man wat gebid het. Toe die lot van Amerika by Valley Forge in die weegskaal gehang het, het hy gereeld rus en verligting in gebed gevind. Eendag het ‘n boer wat verby Washington se militêre kamp op pad was, ‘n ernstige stem gehoor. Toe hy nader kom, het hy Washington op sy knieë gesien, sy wange nat van die trane. Die boer het teruggekeer huis toe en vir sy vrou gesê: ‘George Washington sal die geveg wen en die Amerikaners se onafhanklikheid verseker.’ Sy vrou het gevra: ‘Isak, wat laat jou so dink?’ Hy het geantwoord: ‘Ek het hom vandag in die bos hoor bid en die Here sal sekerlik sy gebed verhoor. Hy sal, Hannah, wees verseker, Hy sal!’ Wanneer ons minder het, is ons meer bewus van ons behoefte en bid ons meer. Soos ons egter meer verkry en bereik, word ons meer selfonderhoudend en bid ons minder. Dis ‘n fout. Hoe meer God aan jou toevertrou, hoe meer het jy sy krag, sy wysheid, sy leiding en sy genade nodig. Dawid het op ‘n troon gesit en oor Israel geregeer. Was hy trots of arrogant? Nee. ‘Die dag dat ek U roep om hulp, val my vyande terug. Omdat God aan my kant is, weet ek dit beslis… in God stel ek my vertroue. Daarom sal ek nie bang wees nie!..’ (verse 10, 12 NLV). Die woord vir jou vandag is dus: meer verantwoordelikheid verg meer gebed.

“You do not have because you do not ask.” James 4:2 NIV

Have you prayed about it?

From the beginning of the Bible to its conclusion, we see absolute evidence that God answers prayer. Things that we think are impossible, God does when people pray! When we pray, we align ourselves with the purposes of God and tap into the power of the Almighty. Because we pray, God works through us in ways He wouldn’t otherwise. God has made certain things dependent upon prayer, things that will never be done unless we pray. Could God do whatever He chooses without our prayer? Of course. But God has determined that He will use the prayers of His people to accomplish His purposes. When we do not pray, we limit what God will do in our lives. Some may not like the sound of this, but if it were not true, what could James mean when he writes: “You do not have because you do not ask?” Why would Paul ask some friends to, “Pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honoured…that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people” (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 NIV), if he did not believe their prayers had the power to change his circumstances? Both James and Paul believed that God might well withhold His hand of blessing from them if they neglected to pray. Since they wanted all the blessing available to them, they not only prayed themselves, they recruited others to pray for them. They never wanted to limit what God might be pleased to do in and through them by failing to pray. And if you want all the blessing God has available, you too must pray.

“…En eintlik is die rede hoekom julle nie het wat julle wil hê nie, die feit dat julle God nie daarvoor vra nie.” Jakobus 4:2 NLV

Het jy daaroor gebid?

Van die begin tot aan die einde van die Bybel vind ons klinkklare bewyse dat God gebede verhoor. Dinge wat ons dink onmoontlik is, doen God wanneer mense daarvoor bid! Wanneer ons bid, vereenselwig ons onsself met God se doeleindes en maak van die krag van die Almagtige gebruik. Omdat ons bid, werk God deur ons op maniere wat Hy andersins nie sou doen nie. God het sekere dinge van gebed afhanklik gemaak, dinge wat nooit sal plaasvind tensy ons bid nie. Kan God doen wat Hy wil, sonder dat ons daaroor bid? Natuurlik. God het egter bepaal dat Hy die gebede van sy mense sal gebruik om sy doeleindes te bereik. Wanneer ons nie bid nie, beperk ons dit wat God in ons lewens sal doen. Dit mag dalk vreemd klink, maar as dit nie waar was nie, hoekom sou Jakobus dan geskryf het: ‘En eintlik is die rede hoekom julle nie het wat julle wil hê nie, die feit dat julle God nie daarvoor vra nie’? Waarom sou Paulus sy vriende vra: “…bid vir ons sodat die woord van die Here vinnig mag versprei en net soos by julle met eerbied ontvang word. Bid ook dat ons bewaar sal word van slegte en bose mense….’ (2 Tessalonisense 3:1-2 NLV), as hy nie geglo het dat gebede die krag het om sy omstandighede te verander nie? Omdat beide Jakobus en Paulus al die seën wat vir hulle beskikbaar was wou hê, het hulle nie net self gebid nie, maar ook ander gelowiges gewerf om vir hulle te bid. Hulle wou nooit dit wat God in en deur hulle wil doen beperk deur nie te bid nie. Indien jy al die seën wat God beskikbaar stel wil hê, moet jy ook bid.