Hosted by TruLight Ministries – The Place of Truth
Unity is essential to a church’s health. When someone’s divisive behavior threatens it, leaders must issue a warning. This is why Paul instructs Titus, “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them” (Titus 3:10). The purpose of the warning is to call the person to repent—to end his or her divisive behavior. The warning also serves to protect the church’s unity if the person refuses to change. Ideally, the warning motivates the person to change his behavior, remain in fellowship, and prevent ongoing harm to the church.
Paul’s instructions on addressing divisiveness were particularly urgent for the church at Crete. The congregation faced division from multiple sources, not just one individual. Paul described them as “many rebellious people” (Titus 1:10). This divisive group promoted misleading teachings, giving unhealthy attention to “Jewish myths” and “human commands” (Titus 1:14). They were “disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain” (verse 11). Their teaching corrupted sound doctrine and misled believers. Confronting these errors was essential to preserving the church’s unity.
Paul added that the divisive group in Crete claimed to know God. Yet by their actions they denied Him. Paul called them “detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good” (Titus 1:16). His description reveals that these people weren’t subject to disfellowship for trivial matters. On the contrary, their distorted beliefs and ungodly behavior posed a real threat to the church’s doctrinal integrity.
The divisions stemmed from an unwise focus on genealogies and the law: “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless” (Titus 3:9). Genealogies and the law are important topics in New Testament teaching—including in Paul’s own letters. However, the disruptive individuals likely misused such topics to support false teachings and legalistic distortions. They were being divisive, and they must be warned.
The Bible teaches that divisive individuals often act out of selfish motives, seeking personal gain at the expense of a church’s well-being (e.g. 3 John 1:9–10). Paul also described their motives and methods in his letter to the church at Rome, warning believers about those who cause division: “I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people” (Romans 16:17–18).
To be clear, the “divisive person” who must be warned is not simply someone who holds a different view on secondary doctrines of the Christian faith. Rather, it is someone who rejects sound biblical teaching and instead promotes distorted doctrine and encourages misguided application. If two warnings are ignored, then he or she has evinced a contentious nature and a hard heart set on causing trouble.
Our Lord calls the church to unity and concord. Jesus prayed that His followers would be united, just as He is united with the Father (John 17:11). To this end, Paul’s calls the church to maintain unity through warning the divisive person. This encourages repentance and restoration.
Eenheid is noodsaaklik vir ‘n kerk se gesondheid. Wanneer iemand se verdelende gedrag dit bedreig, moet leiers ‘n waarskuwing uitreik. Daarom gee Paulus vir Titus die opdrag: “Waarsku ‘n verdelende persoon een keer en dan ‘n tweede keer. Daarna moet jy niks met hom of haar te doen hê nie” (Titus 3:10). Die doel van die waarskuwing is om die persoon tot bekering te roep – om sy of haar verdelende gedrag te beëindig. Die waarskuwing dien ook om die kerk se eenheid te beskerm as die persoon weier om te verander. Ideaal gesproke motiveer die waarskuwing die persoon om sy gedrag te verander, in gemeenskap te bly en voortdurende skade aan die kerk te voorkom.
Paulus se instruksies oor die aanspreek van verdeeldheid was veral dringend vir die kerk in Kreta. Die gemeente het verdeeldheid uit verskeie bronne in die gesig gestaar, nie net uit een individu nie. Paulus het hulle beskryf as “baie opstandige mense” (Titus 1:10). Hierdie verdelende groep het misleidende leringe bevorder en ongesonde aandag gegee aan “Joodse mites” en “menslike bevele” (Titus 1:14). Hulle het “hele huishoudings ontwrig deur dinge te leer wat hulle nie behoort te leer nie – en dit ter wille van oneerlike wins” (vers 11). Hul leer het die gesonde leer korrup gemaak en gelowiges mislei. Om hierdie dwalings te konfronteer, was noodsaaklik om die kerk se eenheid te bewaar.
Paulus het bygevoeg dat die verdeeldheid in Kreta beweer het dat hulle God ken. Tog het hulle Hom deur hul optrede verloën. Paulus het hulle “afskuwelik, ongehoorsaam en ongeskik vir enige goeds” genoem (Titus 1:16). Sy beskrywing toon dat hierdie mense nie onderhewig was aan uitsetting vir onbenullige sake nie. Inteendeel, hul verwronge oortuigings en goddelose gedrag het ‘n werklike bedreiging vir die kerk se leerstellige integriteit ingehou.
Die verdeeldheid het voortgespruit uit ‘n onverstandige fokus op geslagsregisters en die wet: “Maar vermy dwase strydvrae en geslagsregisters en stryery en rusies oor die wet, want dié is nutteloos en nutteloos” (Titus 3:9). Geslagsregisters en die wet is belangrike onderwerpe in Nuwe-Testamentiese leer – insluitend in Paulus se eie briewe. Die ontwrigtende individue het egter waarskynlik sulke onderwerpe misbruik om valse leringe en wettiese verdraaiings te ondersteun. Hulle was verdeeldheid saaiend, en hulle moet gewaarsku word.
Die Bybel leer dat verdelende individue dikwels uit selfsugtige motiewe optree en persoonlike gewin soek ten koste van ‘n kerk se welstand (bv. 3 Johannes 1:9–10). Paulus het ook hul motiewe en metodes in sy brief aan die kerk in Rome beskryf, waar hy gelowiges waarsku teen diegene wat verdeeldheid veroorsaak: “Ek vermaan julle, broers en susters, dat julle oppas vir die wat verdeeldheid veroorsaak en struikelblokke in die pad lê wat strydig is met die leer wat julle geleer het. Bly weg van hulle. Want sulke mense dien nie onse Here Christus nie, maar hul eie begeertes. Deur vleiende praatjies en vleiery mislei hulle die sinne van onervare mense” (Romeine 16:17–18).
Om dit duidelik te stel, die “verdelende persoon” wat gewaarsku moet word, is nie bloot iemand wat ‘n ander siening oor sekondêre leerstellings van die Christelike geloof het nie. Dit is eerder iemand wat gesonde Bybelse leer verwerp en eerder verdraaide leerstellings bevorder en misleidende toepassing aanmoedig. As twee waarskuwings geïgnoreer word, dan het hy of sy ‘n twisgierige geaardheid en ‘n harde hart getoon wat daarop ingestel is om moeilikheid te veroorsaak.
Ons Here roep die kerk tot eenheid en harmonie. Jesus het gebid dat Sy volgelinge verenig sou wees, net soos Hy met die Vader verenig is (Johannes 17:11). Vir hierdie doel roep Paulus die kerk op om eenheid te handhaaf deur die verdelende persoon te waarsku. Dit moedig bekering en herstel aan.
Bible Verse and Prayer for Today
The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid?
—Psalm 27:1
I love the East coast of the Garden Route in SA. I love the craggy shorelines, the crashing surf, and the lighthouses perched at strategic and well-fortified points along the coastlines. I cannot help but think of our heavenly Father when I watch the gloom gather, the fog build, and then see the violence of the impending storm noisily make its way onshore. There, in the storm — with lightning ripping through the sky, winds howling, and surf crashing — stands the light that guides the way, strong against the elements and a beacon of direction and hope. Yes, the Lord, Yahweh the God of Israel, the Almighty Creator of all things, is my light and my salvation. My life, the eternal part of me, is entrusted with him. I choose not to fear. I place my trust in him because “The Lord is my light and my salvation…!”
Prayer
Father in heaven, I praise you for your faithfulness through the ages. I thank you for your steadfast love, which has blessed each generation, giving hope in times of darkness, salvation in times of wantonness, and strength in times of weakness. Now I ask that you be with several people I love, who need your palpable presence as they fight their battles… (Please mention several of your friends and acquaintances who need the Lord’s presence at this time.) In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen en Amen .
Bybel Vers en Gebed vir Vandag
Die Here is my lig en my redding — vir wie sou ek vrees? Die Here is die vesting van my lewe — vir wie sou ek bang wees?
— Psalm 27:1
Ek is lief vir die ooskus van die Tuinroete in SA. Ek is lief vir die ruwe kuslyne, die branders wat breek, en die vuurtorings wat op strategiese en goed versterkte punte langs die kuslyne geleë is. Ek kan nie anders as om aan ons hemelse Vader te dink wanneer ek die donkerte sien saampak, die mis sien opbou, en dan die geweld van die dreigende storm sien wat raserig sy pad na die land vind nie. Daar, in die storm — met weerlig wat deur die lug skeur, winde wat huil en branders wat breek — staan die lig wat die pad lei, sterk teen die elemente en ‘n baken van rigting en hoop. Ja, die Here, Jahwe die God van Israel, die Almagtige Skepper van alle dinge, is my lig en my redding. My lewe, die ewige deel van my, is aan Hom toevertrou. Ek kies om nie te vrees nie. Ek plaas my vertroue in Hom, want “Die Here is my lig en my redding…!”
Gebed
Vader in die hemel, ek loof U vir u getrouheid deur die eeue heen. Ek dank U vir u standvastige liefde wat elke geslag geseën het, hoop gee in tye van donkerte, verlossing in tye van losbandigheid en krag in tye van swakheid. Nou vra ek dat U by verskeie mense sal wees wat ek liefhet, wat u tasbare teenwoordigheid nodig het terwyl hulle hul stryd voer… (Noem asseblief ‘n paar van u vriende en kennisse wat die Here se teenwoordigheid in hierdie tyd nodig het.) In Jesus se Naam, bid ek. Amen en Amen.
Bible Teaching of the Day
Watchmen in the Bible were guards responsible for protecting towns and military installations from surprise enemy attacks and other potential dangers. Ancient Israelite cities often stationed watchmen on high walls or in watchtowers. Their job was to keep watch and warn the townspeople of impending threats.
The Hebrew word translated “watchman” means “one who looks out,” “one who spies,” or “one who watches.” Sometimes watchmen were scouts who looked out for approaching friends as well as enemies.
There are many references to watchmen who kept an eye out for physical threats in the Bible: “Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel, and he saw the company of Jehu as he came and said, ‘I see a company.’ And Joram said, ‘Take a horseman and send to meet them, and let him say, “Is it peace?”’” (2 Kings 9:17, ESV).
Watchmen safeguarded fields and vineyards during harvest time (Isaiah 5:1–2; Matthew 21:33; Mark 12:1) and acted as sentinels who announced the start of a new day (Psalm 130:6; Isaiah 21:11–12).
The Bible also refers to watchmen in a spiritual sense. God appointed prophets as spiritual watchmen over the souls of His people: “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me” (Ezekiel 33:7; also Hosea 9:8).
The prophets’ job as watchmen was to urge God’s people to live faithfully and warn them of the perils involved in falling away from the Lord and doing evil. As watchmen, the prophets were also called to warn wicked people of the judgment and destruction that would come their way unless they turned from their evil ways.
Israel’s spiritual watchmen bore a heavy responsibility before the Lord. If a prophet failed to warn others as God had appointed him to do, his own life was in danger, and he would be held accountable for the people’s sin: “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them: ‘When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head. Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood’” (Ezekiel 33:2–6).
A watchman who was blind or disobedient to the Lord’s Word left the people he was called to protect open to danger and suffering (Isaiah 56:10). Obedience is the only course of action for a true watchman: “But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved” (Ezekiel 33:9).
The role of spiritual watchman continues in the New Testament in the form of church leaders: “Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit” (Hebrews 13:17, NLT).
In another sense, God calls not just leaders, but all Christians to be watchmen. Jesus told His disciples to “watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mark 14:38). We should all be ready and waiting for the Lord’s return: “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Luke 12:35–40).
Bybel Lering vir die Dag
Wagters in die Bybel was wagte wat verantwoordelik was vir die beskerming van dorpe en militêre installasies teen onverwagte vyandelike aanvalle en ander potensiële gevare. Antieke Israelitiese stede het dikwels wagters op hoë mure of in wagtorings gestasioneer. Hul taak was om wag te hou en die dorpsmense te waarsku teen dreigende bedreigings.
Die Hebreeuse woord wat as “wagter” vertaal word, beteken “een wat uitkyk”, “een wat spioeneer” of “een wat waak”. Soms was wagters verkenners wat uitgekyk het vir naderende vriende sowel as vyande.
Daar is baie verwysings na wagters wat in die Bybel uitgekyk het vir fisiese bedreigings: “Die wagter het op die toring in Jisreël gestaan en die groep van Jehu gesien toe hy kom en gesê het: ‘Ek sien ‘n groep.’ Toe sê Joram: ‘Neem ‘n ruiter en stuur om hulle te ontmoet, en laat hom vra: ‘Is dit vrede?'” (2 Konings 9:17).
Wagters het lande en wingerde gedurende oestyd bewaak (Jesaja 5:1–2; Matteus 21:33; Markus 12:1) en as wagte opgetree wat die begin van ‘n nuwe dag aangekondig het (Psalm 130:6; Jesaja 21:11–12).
Die Bybel verwys ook na wagters in ‘n geestelike sin. God het profete as geestelike wagters oor die siele van Sy volk aangestel: “Mensekind, Ek het jou as wagter vir die volk van Israel aangestel; hoor dan die woord wat Ek spreek en waarsku hulle van my kant af” (Esegiël 33:7; ook Hosea 9:8).
Die profete se taak as wagters was om God se volk aan te spoor om getrou te lewe en hulle te waarsku teen die gevare wat betrokke is by die afval van die Here en die doen van kwaad. As wagters is die profete ook geroep om goddelose mense te waarsku teen die oordeel en vernietiging wat oor hulle pad sou kom tensy hulle van hulle bose weë af wegdraai.
Israel se geestelike wagters het ‘n swaar verantwoordelikheid voor die Here gedra. As ‘n profeet versuim het om ander te waarsku soos God hom aangestel het om te doen, was sy eie lewe in gevaar, en hy sou verantwoordelik gehou word vir die volk se sonde: “Mensekind, spreek met jou volk en sê vir hulle: ‘Wanneer Ek die swaard oor ‘n land bring, en die volk van die land een uit hulle manne kies en hom as hulle wag aanstel, en hy sien die swaard teen die land aankom en blaas die basuin om die volk te waarsku, as iemand dan die basuin hoor, maar nie na die waarskuwing luister nie en die swaard kom en hulle lewe neem, sal hulle bloed op hulle eie hoof wees. Omdat hulle die geluid van die basuin gehoor het, maar nie na die waarskuwing geluister het nie, sal hulle bloed op hulle eie hoof wees. As hulle na die waarskuwing geluister het, sou hulle hulself gered het. Maar as die wag die swaard sien kom en nie na die basuin blaas om die volk te waarsku nie en die swaard kom en iemand se lewe neem, sal daardie persoon se lewe geneem word weens hulle sonde, maar Ek sal die wag verantwoordelik hou vir hulle bloed’” (Esegiël 33:2–6).
‘n Wagter wat blind of ongehoorsaam was aan die Here se Woord, het die mense wat hy geroep is om te beskerm, oopgelaat vir gevaar en lyding (Jesaja 56:10). Gehoorsaamheid is die enigste handelswyse vir ‘n ware wagter: “Maar as jy die goddelose waarsku om van sy weë af te draai en hy dit nie doen nie, sal hy deur sy sonde sterf, maar jy self sal gered word” (Esegiël 33:9).
Die rol van geestelike wagter gaan voort in die Nuwe Testament in die vorm van kerkleiers: “Gehoorsaam julle geestelike leiers en doen wat hulle sê. Hulle werk is om oor julle siele te waak, en hulle is aan God verantwoording doen. Gee hulle rede om dit met vreugde te doen en nie met droefheid nie. Dit sou beslis nie tot julle voordeel wees nie” (Hebreërs 13:17, NLT).
In ‘n ander sin roep God nie net leiers nie, maar alle Christene om wagte te wees. Jesus het vir Sy dissipels gesê om te “waak en bid sodat julle nie in versoeking kom nie. Die gees is gewillig, maar die vlees is swak” (Markus 14:38). Ons behoort almal gereed te wees en te wag vir die Here se wederkoms: “Wees gereed en gereed soos slawe wat wag vir hulle heer om van ‘n bruilofsfees, sodat hulle dadelik die deur vir hom kan oopmaak wanneer hy kom en klop. Dit sal goed wees vir daardie slawe wie se heer hulle wakker vind wanneer hy kom. Voorwaar Ek sê vir julle, hy sal homself gereed maak en hulle aan tafel laat sit en kom en hulle bedien. Dit sal goed wees vir daardie slawe wie se heer hulle gereed vind, al kom hy in die middel van die nag of teen dagbreek. Maar weet dít: as die huiseienaar geweet het in watter uur die dief kom, sou hy nie toegelaat het dat in sy huis ingebreek word nie. Julle moet ook gereed wees, want die Seun van die mens kom op ‘n uur dat julle Hom nie verwag nie” (Lukas 12:35–40).
Today’s Devotional
As the people of Israel prepared to settle down in the Promised Land, Moses took time to warn them of certain dangers they must avoid. In Deuteronomy 8, he cautioned them about the perils of prosperity and self-satisfaction that they would face in their new home: “Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery” (Deuteronomy 8:11–14).
The word translated “forget” in this passage comes from a verb in the original Hebrew that means “to stop remembering, ignore, dismiss from the mind, abandon, neglect, or cease to care about.” This kind of forgetting involves putting the Lord out of one’s consciousness.
Moses knew that, if the people were not careful, they would forget the forty years of God’s care in the wilderness when He had given them food to eat, clothing to wear, and sheltered them. In their comfortable, complacent, and prosperous state in the “land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8), they would be tempted to dismiss from their minds God’s miraculous parting of the Red Sea and deliverance from slavery in Egypt, His supply of manna in the desert when there was no food, His drawing water from the rock when they were thirsty, His guiding presence, His protection, and even His chastening hand when they had transgressed. As time went by, it would be all too easy for them to let the memory of God’s past goodness fade. They would become self-satisfied and think they had achieved success all on their own.
Moses explained, “He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ Remember the LORD your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath. But I assure you of this: If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods, worshiping and bowing down to them, you will certainly be destroyed” (Deuteronomy 8:17–19, NLT).
Forgetting the Lord would get the Israelites into trouble, leading them into the sin of idolatry and eventual destruction. Moses cautioned that, if Israel neglected the lessons learned in the wilderness, failed to depend entirely on God, abandoned their worship of Him, and neglected His Word, disaster would obliterate the abundant blessings that remembering God brings.
Do not forget the Lord means consciously and consistently thinking about what God has shown us in the past, including His miracles of deliverance and provision, His abiding presence, His tender care, and His loving discipline. It also means obeying the “commands, laws, and decrees” in God’s Word. When Moses said, “Do not forget the Lord,” he meant for God’s people to keep the truth of Scripture and the real-life experiences of the living God ever at the forefront of their minds.
Are we not just like the ancient Israelites? When things are going well, don’t we quickly dismiss the truths we have learned in the past? Don’t we forget how we clung to God in the trials and heartaches, utterly dependent on Him for every breath?
The warning for Israel is the same for us today: Do not forget the Lord. Let these words challenge us to always give God’s dealings in our past a significant place in our present. May we honor and obey His Word and not take His blessings for granted. May we thank God for His goodness, mindful that He is the Giver of every good and perfect gift we enjoy (James 1:17). Similarly, let us constantly remember that our success depends solely on the Lord’s power and grace in our lives.
Vandag se Bemoediging
Terwyl die volk van Israel voorberei het om hulle in die Beloofde Land te vestig, het Moses tyd geneem om hulle te waarsku teen sekere gevare wat hulle moes vermy. In Deuteronomium 8 het hy hulle gewaarsku teen die gevare van voorspoed en selftevredenheid wat hulle in hul nuwe tuiste sou teëkom: “Wees versigtig dat jy die HERE jou God nie vergeet deurdat jy sy gebooie, sy wette en sy voorskrifte wat ek jou vandag gee, nie nakom nie. Anders, wanneer jy eet en versadig is, wanneer jy mooi huise bou en woon, en wanneer jou beeste en kleinvee baie word en jou silwer en goud vermeerder en alles wat jy het, vermeerder word, dan sal jou hart hoogmoedig word en jy sal die HERE jou God vergeet wat jou uit Egipte, uit die slawehuis, uitgelei het” (Deuteronomium 8:11–14).
Die woord wat in hierdie gedeelte as “vergeet” vertaal word, kom van ‘n werkwoord in die oorspronklike Hebreeus wat beteken “om op te hou onthou, te ignoreer, uit die gedagte te verwerp, te verlaat, te verwaarloos of op te hou om daaroor om te gee.” Hierdie soort vergeet behels die verwydering van die Here uit ‘n mens se bewussyn.
Moses het geweet dat, as die volk nie versigtig was nie, hulle die veertig jaar van God se sorg in die woestyn sou vergeet toe Hy hulle kos gegee het om te eet, klere om te dra en hulle onderdak gebied het. In hul gemaklike, selfvoldane en voorspoedige toestand in die “land wat oorloop van melk en heuning” (Eksodus 3:8), sou hulle in die versoeking kom om God se wonderbaarlike skeiding van die Rooi See en verlossing uit slawerny in Egipte, Sy voorsiening van manna in die woestyn toe daar geen kos was nie, Sy water uit die rots trek toe hulle dors was, Sy leidende teenwoordigheid, Sy beskerming en selfs Sy tugtigende hand toe hulle oortree het, uit hul gedagtes te verwerp. Met verloop van tyd sou dit vir hulle alte maklik wees om die herinnering aan God se vorige goedheid te laat vervaag. Hulle sou selftevrede raak en dink dat hulle op hul eie sukses behaal het.
Moses het verduidelik: “Hy het dit alles gedoen sodat jy nooit vir jouself sou sê: ‘Ek het hierdie rykdom met my eie krag en energie verwerf.’ Onthou die HERE jou God. Hy gee jou die krag om suksesvol te wees, om die verbond wat Hy met ‘n eed aan jou voorvaders bevestig het, na te kom. Maar Ek verseker jou: As jy ooit die HERE jou God vergeet en ander gode volg, hulle aanbid en voor hulle neerbuig, sal jy sekerlik vernietig word” (Deuteronomium 8:17–19).
Om die Here te vergeet, sou die Israeliete in die moeilikheid bring en hulle tot die sonde van afgodery en uiteindelike vernietiging lei. Moses het gewaarsku dat as Israel die lesse wat hulle in die woestyn geleer het, verwaarloos, versuim om heeltemal op God te vertrou, hul aanbidding van Hom laat vaar en Sy Woord verwaarloos, rampspoed die oorvloedige seëninge wat die onthou van God bring, sou uitwis.
Moenie vergeet dat die Here beteken om bewustelik en konsekwent te dink aan wat God ons in die verlede gewys het nie, insluitend Sy wonderwerke van verlossing en voorsiening, Sy blywende teenwoordigheid, Sy teer sorg en Sy liefdevolle dissipline. Dit beteken ook om die “gebooie, wette en verordeninge” in God se Woord te gehoorsaam. Toe Moses gesê het: “Moenie die Here vergeet nie,” het hy bedoel dat God se mense die waarheid van die Skrif en die werklike ervarings van die lewende God altyd voorop in hul gedagtes moet hou.
Is ons nie net soos die antieke Israeliete nie? Wanneer dinge goed gaan, verwerp ons nie gou die waarhede wat ons in die verlede geleer het nie? Vergeet ons nie hoe ons aan God vasgeklou het in die beproewinge en hartseer nie, heeltemal afhanklik van Hom vir elke asemteug?
Die waarskuwing vir Israel is dieselfde vir ons vandag: Moenie die Here vergeet nie. Laat hierdie woorde ons uitdaag om altyd God se handelinge in ons verlede ‘n belangrike plek in ons hede te gee. Mag ons Sy Woord eer en gehoorsaam en nie Sy seëninge as vanselfsprekend aanvaar nie. Mag ons God dank vir Sy goedheid, bewus daarvan dat Hy die Gewer is van elke goeie en perfekte gawe wat ons geniet (Jakobus 1:17). Net so, laat ons voortdurend onthou dat ons sukses uitsluitlik afhang van die Here se krag en genade in ons lewens.
The Collectors of Manna – Women of the Word // Gaarders van Manna – Vroue van die woord
Dilize Light has Managed a TruLight Ladies Group on Telegram for the Past 6 Years and from Today . she will be Sharing her Manna with the Ladies in The TruLight Daily Manna Platform . Dilize is the only Daughter of Pastor Dirk and has been part of the Ministry since the age of 11 . Dilize is also the Radio Host for the Popular TruLight Top 10 that airs on TruLight Radio XM saturdays at 17h00′
Dilize Light bestuur die afgelope 6 jaar ‘n TruLight Damesgroep op Telegram en van vandag af sal sy haar Manna met die Dames deel op die TruLight Daaglikse Manna-platform. Dilize is die enigste dogter van Pastoor Dirk en is deel van die bediening sedert die ouderdom van 11. Dilize is ook die radio-aanbieder vir die gewilde TruLight Top 10 wat Saterdae om 17:00 op TruLight Radio XM uitgesaai word.
Toegerus Om Te Dien:
Eendag het dit my skielik getref dat n mens se regtervoet al die werk doen, wanneer n mens n outomatiese kar ry. Dit alleen hanteer die versneller en die remme. Die linkervoet het niks om te doen nie. Wat sou gebeur as ons voel ons linkervoet doen te min en probeer om, terwyl ons ry, die linkervoet te gebruik om daardie werk te doen ? As jy dit nog nooit probeer het nie moet asseblief nie !
As ons nie van ons ledemate verwag om almal dieselfde werk te doen nie, waarom verwag ons dit van ander mense ? Dit is skynbaar wat destyds in die Kerk van Rome gebeur het. Daar was lidmate wat meer van hulleself gedink het as wat n mens behoort te dink ( ROM 12:3 ), net omdat hulle sekere take verrig het, wat ander nie gedoen het, of kon doen nie. Maar Paulus herinner ons daaraan dat daar n verskeidenheid van genadegawes ( 1 Kor 12:4 ). Is en dat ons nie almal die selfde taak het nie. Ons het genadegawes van God ontvang ( vs 6 ) en Hy het daardie gawes aan ons gegee, sodat ons ander daarmee sal dien en nie onself nie ( vs 6-13 ). Ons diens moet met ywer en toewyding verrig word, want ons dien God en nie die mens nie ( vs 11 ).
Laat ons dus nie oor die skouer loer om te sien wat ander doen nie. Kyk hoe die Here jou vandag in sy diens kan gebruik. Hy het jou deur sy Gees vir jou taak toegerus.
Ons kan nie almal dieselfde instrumente in God se orkes speel nie, maar ons moet sorg dat ons harmoniseer.
Equipped to Serve:
One day it suddenly occurred to me that when you drive an automatic car, your right foot does all the work. It only handles the accelerator and brakes. The left foot has nothing to do. What would happen if you felt your left foot was doing too little and tried to use your left foot to do that work while you were driving? If you have never tried it, please don’t!
If we don’t expect our limbs to all do the same work, why do we expect it of other people? This seems to be what happened in the Church of Rome at the time. There were members who thought more of themselves than one should think ( ROM 12:3 ), just because they performed certain tasks that others did not do, or could not do. But Paul reminds us that there are a variety of gifts ( 1 Cor 12:4 ). And that we do not all have the same task. We have received gifts from God ( vs 6 ) and He has given those gifts to us, so that we may serve others and not ourselves ( vs 6-13 ). Our service must be done with zeal and dedication, because we serve God and not man ( vs 11 ).
So let us not look over our shoulders to see what others are doing. See how the Lord can use you in his service today. He has equipped you for your task through his Spirit.
We cannot all play the same instruments in God’s orchestra, but we must ensure that we harmonize.
TruLight Ministries Daily Entertainment
TruLight TV – Finding your worth in Jesus
What or who defines your worth? If we let what others say about us determine our worth we will never be stable. Watch this video and be reminded that you were made for a purpose and that when you find your worth in Jesus, you will never feel worthless again. Today on the Josh & Ashley show, includes a guest appearance by Purpose and later Watch Session 4 of the “Start Right Here” Devotional Series! Enjoy and thanks for watching.
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13:15 Living on the Edge with Chip Ingram
14:15 Focus on the Family
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16:00 In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley
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BIBLE PROPHECY IN THE NEWS
While Iran (Magog) is building a missile empire, the world looks away
Little attention is being paid to Iran in the aftermath of the 12‑Day War, but the threat it now poses is growing significantly.
While global focus has shifted to other crises, Iran has rapidly and aggressively been accelerating its ballistic missile production at the speed of light.
The Iranian regime is proudly announcing its manufacture of vast quantities of missiles, expanding assembly lines, and is openly boasting about its growing arsenal.
Iran is not concealing these developments; it is bragging about them. The regime, despite a crippling drought, appears to feel emboldened, empowered, and determined.
“Iran’s missile power today far surpasses that of the 12‑Day War,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently declared.
His remarks were reinforced by Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Aziz Nasirzadeh, who claimed that the defense industry has not only recovered from wartime strain but has grown dramatically.
“Iran’s defense production has improved both in quantity and quality compared to before the 12‑day Israeli-imposed war in June,” he stated, insisting that new missiles are now rolling off production lines faster than ever.
The government seems to believe it has momentum—and appears eager to show it.
Some politicians and analysts may dismiss these proclamations as Iran just wishing to intimidate adversaries, prevent attacks and maintain regional influence.
The reality, however, is that Iran’s missile production is most likely meant to wage war again, either directly or through its proxies.
The regime has a documented record of firing its missiles at U.S. military bases, at targets in Iraq, at striking Israel, and launching missiles into Qatar.
Iran has also provided ballistic missiles to terrorist groups such as the Houthis in Yemen and has also been supplying missile and drone technology to Russia for use against Ukraine.
Iran’s proxies have launched missiles at civilian airports, commercial vessels, cities, and infrastructure across the region. Anyone who interprets this build‑up as “defensive” is ignoring decades of evidence to the contrary.
Iran is additionally boasting that its missiles can hit U.S. cities, European capitals, and targets throughout the Middle East.
Iranian officials continue to emphasize their desire to wipe out Israel. Iran seems to view missile development as the backbone of its strategy to compensate for conventional military weaknesses.
What if Iran should load just one of these missiles with a nuclear warhead? The window to constrain Iran’s capabilities may be rapidly closing.
The US should have let Israel keep on going when it wanted to, after the Trump administration took out three of Iran’s nuclear plants: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu knows what he is doing.
The West would be wise to put a credible military option back on the table: let Iran know that continued missile expansion, threats, and proliferation will again provoke a direct and forceful response.
This would entail strategically identifying and facilities involved in the development, assembly, testing, and distribution of ballistic missiles.
The second step should involve comprehensive, relentless sanctions. Any individual, corporation, foreign bank, or government entity involved in facilitating Iran’s ballistic missile program might be sanctioned without delay.
Also included should be suppliers of raw materials, transportation networks, front companies, and financial institutions that help Iran circumvent restrictions.
The sanctions need to be enforced with penalties severe enough to deter others from assisting Iran and include freezing overseas assets, banning access to global banking systems, and imposing full trade restrictions on any company or country that aids Iran’s missile program.
Perhaps the most important economic pressure point is cutting off or severely restricting Iran’s oil sales to cripple its ability to sustain rapid missile production.
This means applying intense diplomatic pressure on Iran’s major purchasers to halt imports. Every barrel of Iranian oil sold directly funds missile components, weapons shipments to proxies, drone fleets, and destabilizing operations across the region.
Iran’s missiles do not remain confined within the country’s borders. They are distributed to terrorist organizations that operate far from Iran’s territory, extending Tehran’s reach.
If the West is serious about stopping Iran’s missile expansion, dismantling these missile networks must be part of the strategy. Every intercepted shipment delays Tehran’s ambitions and weakens its ability to radiate threats.
Iran’s missile arsenal was already large before the 12‑Day War, but it is now significantly bigger, more sophisticated, and growing at an unprecedented speed.
The regime’s confidence and aggression are rising in parallel with its production capacity. It is important to act before Iran’s missiles reshape the geopolitical landscape in ways that could be difficult to reverse.
Stopping this expansion requires combining a credible military option with severe sanctions, cutting off the regime’s oil revenue, and targeting every node of its proliferation network.
Iran must not be allowed to grow stronger, more dangerous, and more emboldened. The stakes are global, affecting every nation that depends on a secure free world.
SIGNS OF THE TIMES -article in the News
Men Are Returning To Church – But Why Are So Many Looking East?
Men are searching. They are restless. They want challenge, depth, discipline, brotherhood, and purpose. They want a faith that asks something of them. Orthodoxy is responding to that hunger. Many evangelical churches, frankly, are not.
GOG AND MAGOG UPDATE
The Window To Stop Iran’s (Magog’s) Rapid Missile Rebuilding Is Slipping Away
While global focus has shifted to other crises, Iran has rapidly and aggressively been accelerating its ballistic missile production at the speed of light, boasting that not only has it recovered from wartime strain but has grown dramatically.
TruLight Ministry News
TruLight Ministries orders from God since 2012 . Teach Them , Comfort Them and Warn Them!
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TruLight Ministries opdrag vanaf God sedert 2012. Leer hulle, Troos hulle en Waarsku hulle!
5 MINUTE NA DIE DOOD, WAAR MAAK EK MY OË OOP? DEUR PASTOOR DIRK
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