Hosted by TruLight Ministries – The Place of Truth
Before we can learn to trust that God is in control of all of life’s circumstances, we have to answer four questions: Is God really in control? How much control does He have? If He is not in complete control, then who/what is? How can I learn to trust that He is in control and rest in that?
Is God really in control? The concept of the control of God over everything is called the “sovereignty” of God. Nothing gives us strength and confidence like an understanding of the sovereignty of God in our lives. God’s sovereignty is defined as His complete and total independent control over every creature, event, and circumstance at every moment in history. Subject to none, influenced by none, absolutely independent, God does what He pleases, only as He pleases, always as He pleases. God is in complete control of every molecule in the universe at every moment, and everything that happens is either caused or allowed by Him for His own perfect purposes.
“The LORD of hosts has sworn, saying, ‘Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, And as I have purposed, so it shall stand’” (Isaiah 14:24). Nothing is random or comes by chance, especially not in the lives of believers. He “purposed” it. That means to deliberately resolve to do something. God has resolved to do what He will do, and nothing and no one stands in His way. “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please” (Isaiah 46:10). This is our powerful, purposeful God who is in control of everything. That should bring us great comfort and help to alleviate our fears.
But exactly how much control does God have? God’s total sovereignty over all creation directly contradicts the philosophy of open theism, which states that God doesn’t know what’s going to happen in the future any more than we do, so He has to constantly be changing His plans and reacting to what the sinful creatures do as they exercise their free will. God isn’t finding out what’s going to happen as events unfold. He is continuously, actively running things—ALL things—here and now. But to think He needs our cooperation, our help, or the exercise of our free will to bring His plans to pass puts us in control over Him, which makes us God. Where have we heard that lie before? It’s a rehash of Satan’s same old lie from the Garden—you shall be like God (Genesis 3:5). Our wills are only free to the extent that God allows us that freedom and no farther. “All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: ‘What have you done?’” (Daniel 4:35). No one’s free will trumps the sovereignty of God.
Some people find it appealing to think that Satan has control over a certain amount of life, that God is constantly revising His plans to accommodate Satan’s tricks. The book of Job is a clear illustration of just who has the sovereign power and who doesn’t. Satan came to God and, in effect, said, “Job only serves you because you protect him.” So God gave Satan permission to do certain things to Job but no more (Job 1:6–22). Could Satan do more than that? No. God is in control over Satan and his demons who try to thwart God’s plans at every step.
Satan knew from the Old Testament that God’s plan was for Jesus to come to the earth, be betrayed, crucified and resurrected, and provide salvation for millions, and if there was any way to keep that from happening, Satan would have done it. If just one of the hundreds of prophecies about the Messiah could have been caused by Satan to fail to come to pass, the whole thing would have collapsed. But the numbers of independent, “free will” decisions made by thousands of people were designed by God to bring His plan to pass in exactly the way He had planned it from the beginning, and Satan couldn’t do a thing about it.
Jesus was “delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God” (Acts 2:23). No action by the Romans, the Pharisees, Judas, or anyone else kept God’s plan from unfolding exactly the way He purposed it from before the foundation of the world. Ephesians 1 says we were chosen in Him before the world was even created. We were in the mind of God to be saved by faith in Christ. That means God knit together Satan’s rebellion, Adam and Eve’s sin, the fall of the human race, and the death and crucifixion of Christ—all seemingly terrible events—to save us before He created us. Here is a perfect example of God working all things together for good (Romans 8:28).
Unlimited in power, unrivalled in majesty, and not thwarted by anything outside Himself, our God is in complete control of all circumstances, causing or allowing them for His own good purposes and plans to be fulfilled exactly as He has foreordained.
Finally, the only way to trust in God’s sovereign control and rest in it is to know God. Know His attributes, know what He has done in the past, and this builds confidence in Him. Daniel 11:32b says, “The people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.” Imagine that kind of power in the hands of an evil, unjust god. Or a god that really doesn’t care about us. But we can rejoice in our God’s sovereignty, because it is overshadowed by His goodness, His love, His mercy, His compassion, His faithfulness, and His holiness.
But we can’t trust someone we don’t know, and there is only one way to know God—through His Word. There is no magic formula to make us spiritual giants overnight, no mystical prayer to pray three times a day to mature us, build our faith, and make us towers of strength and confidence. There is only the Bible, the single source of power that will change our lives from the inside out. But it takes effort, diligent, everyday effort, to know the God who controls everything. If we drink deeply of His Word and let it fill our minds and hearts, the sovereignty of God will become clear to us, and we will rejoice in it because we will know intimately and trust completely the God who controls all things for His perfect purpose.
Voordat ons kan leer om te vertrou dat God in beheer is van al die lewensomstandighede, moet ons vier vrae beantwoord: Is God werklik in beheer? Hoeveel beheer het Hy? As Hy nie in volle beheer is nie, wie/wat is dan? Hoe kan ek leer om te vertrou dat Hy in beheer is en daarin rus?
Is God werklik in beheer? Die konsep van die beheer van God oor alles word die “soewereiniteit” van God genoem. Niks gee ons krag en vertroue soos ‘n begrip van die soewereiniteit van God in ons lewens nie. God se soewereiniteit word gedefinieer as Sy volledige en totale onafhanklike beheer oor elke skepsel, gebeurtenis en omstandigheid op elke oomblik in die geskiedenis. Onderworpe aan niemand, beïnvloed deur niemand, absoluut onafhanklik, doen God wat Hy wil, slegs soos Hy wil, altyd soos Hy wil. God is in volle beheer van elke molekule in die heelal op elke oomblik, en alles wat gebeur, word óf deur Hom veroorsaak óf toegelaat vir Sy eie perfekte doeleindes.
“Die HERE van die leërskare het gesweer en gesê: Waarlik, soos Ek gedink het, so sal dit gebeur, en soos Ek besluit het, so sal dit bestaan’” (Jesaja 14:24). Niks is lukraak of gebeur toevallig nie, veral nie in die lewens van gelowiges nie. Hy het dit “besluit”. Dit beteken om doelbewus voor te neem om iets te doen. God het besluit om te doen wat Hy sal doen, en niks en niemand staan in Sy pad nie. “Ek maak die einde van die begin af bekend, van die ou tyd af wat nog sal kom. Ek sê: My besluit sal bestaan, en Ek sal doen alles wat My behaag” (Jesaja 46:10). Dit is ons magtige, doelgerigte God wat in beheer van alles is. Dit behoort ons groot vertroosting te bring en te help om ons vrese te verlig.
Maar presies hoeveel beheer het God? God se totale soewereiniteit oor die hele skepping weerspreek direk die filosofie van oop teïsme, wat beweer dat God nie weet wat in die toekoms gaan gebeur nie, net so min as wat ons weet nie, daarom moet Hy voortdurend Sy planne verander en reageer op wat die sondige wesens doen terwyl hulle hul vrye wil uitoefen. God vind nie uit wat gaan gebeur soos gebeure ontvou nie. Hy bestuur voortdurend, aktief dinge – ALLE dinge – hier en nou. Maar om te dink dat Hy ons samewerking, ons hulp of die uitoefening van ons vrye wil nodig het om Sy planne te verwesenlik, plaas ons in beheer oor Hom, wat ons God maak. Waar het ons daardie leuen al voorheen gehoor? Dis ‘n herhaling van Satan se ou leuen uit die Tuin – jy sal soos God wees (Genesis 3:5). Ons wil is slegs vry in die mate wat God ons daardie vryheid toelaat en nie verder nie. “Al die volke van die aarde word as niks beskou nie. Hy doen net soos hy wil met die magte van die hemel en die volke van die aarde. Niemand kan sy hand terughou of vir hom sê: ‘Wat het jy gedoen?’ nie” (Daniël 4:35). Niemand se vrye wil troef die soewereiniteit van God nie.
Sommige mense vind dit aantreklik om te dink dat Satan beheer het oor ‘n sekere hoeveelheid lewe, dat God voortdurend Sy planne hersien om Satan se truuks te akkommodeer. Die boek Job is ‘n duidelike illustrasie van wie die soewereine mag het en wie nie. Satan het na God gekom en in werklikheid gesê: “Job dien jou net omdat jy hom beskerm.” God het Satan dus toestemming gegee om sekere dinge aan Job te doen, maar nie meer nie (Job 1:6–22). Kon Satan meer as dit doen? Nee. God is in beheer oor Satan en sy demone wat probeer om God se planne met elke stap te dwarsboom.
Satan het uit die Ou Testament geweet dat God se plan was dat Jesus na die aarde sou kom, verraai, gekruisig en opgewek sou word, en verlossing vir miljoene sou verskaf, en as daar enige manier was om te verhoed dat dit gebeur, sou Satan dit gedoen het. As net een van die honderde profesieë oor die Messias deur Satan veroorsaak kon word om te misluk, sou die hele ding ineengestort het. Maar die aantal onafhanklike, “vrye wil”-besluite wat deur duisende mense geneem is, is deur God ontwerp om Sy plan te verwesenlik op presies die manier waarop Hy dit van die begin af beplan het, en Satan kon niks daaraan doen nie.
Jesus is “deur die bepaalde voorneme en voorkennis van God oorgelewer” (Handelinge 2:23). Geen aksie deur die Romeine, die Fariseërs, Judas of enigiemand anders het verhoed dat God se plan presies ontvou soos Hy dit van voor die grondlegging van die wêreld af beplan het nie. Efesiërs 1 sê ons is in Hom uitverkies voordat die wêreld selfs geskep is. Ons was in die gedagte van God om gered te word deur geloof in Christus. Dit beteken dat God Satan se rebellie, Adam en Eva se sonde, die val van die mensdom en die dood en kruisiging van Christus – alles skynbaar verskriklike gebeurtenisse – saamgeweef het om ons te red voordat Hy ons geskep het. Hier is ‘n perfekte voorbeeld van God wat alle dinge ten goede laat meewerk (Romeine 8:28).
Onbeperk in mag, ongeëwenaard in majesteit, en nie gedwarsboom deur enigiets buite Homself nie, is ons God in volle beheer van alle omstandighede, wat veroorsaak of toelaat dat dit vir Sy eie goeie doeleindes en planne vervul word presies soos Hy dit voorbestem het.
Laastens, die enigste manier om op God se soewereine beheer te vertrou en daarin te rus, is om God te ken. Ken Sy eienskappe, weet wat Hy in die verlede gedoen het, en dit bou vertroue in Hom. Daniël 11:32b sê: “Die volk wat hulle God ken, sal sterk wees en groot dade uitvoer.” Stel jou daardie soort mag voor in die hande van ‘n bose, onregverdige god. Of ‘n god wat regtig nie vir ons omgee nie. Maar ons kan ons verbly in ons God se soewereiniteit, want dit word oorskadu deur Sy goedheid, Sy liefde, Sy genade, Sy medelye, Sy getrouheid en Sy heiligheid.
Maar ons kan nie iemand vertrou wat ons nie ken nie, en daar is net een manier om God te ken – deur Sy Woord. Daar is geen magiese formule om ons oornag geestelike reuse te maak nie, geen mistieke gebed om drie keer per dag te bid om ons volwasse te maak, ons geloof te bou en ons torings van krag en vertroue te maak nie. Daar is net die Bybel, die enkele bron van krag wat ons lewens van binne na buite sal verander. Maar dit verg moeite, ywerige, daaglikse moeite, om die God te ken wat alles beheer. As ons diep van Sy Woord drink en dit ons gedagtes en harte laat vul, sal die soewereiniteit van God vir ons duidelik word, en ons sal ons daarin verheug omdat ons die God wat alle dinge vir Sy perfekte doel beheer, intiem sal ken en ten volle sal vertrou.
Bible Verse and Prayer for Today
Isaiah 26:4 (NIV): “Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal”
Prayer
Lord You are the Eternal Rock . At this Rock we will find Protection , Provitions and Healing . Lord Please lead me to the Rock of your Salvation , I pray in Jesus name , Amen and Amen
Bybel Vers en Gebed vir Vandag
Jesaja 26:4 (NIV): “Vertrou op die HERE vir ewig, want die HERE, die HERE, is die ewige Rots.”
Gebed
Here, U is die Ewige Rots. By hierdie Rots sal ons Beskerming, Voorsiening en Genesing vind. Here, lei my asseblief na die Rots van u Verlossing, ek bid dit in Jesus se Naam, Amen en Amen.
Bible Teaching of the Day
God’s sovereignty is one of the most important principles in Christian theology, as well as one of its most hotly debated. Whether or not God is actually sovereign is usually not a topic of debate; all mainstream Christian sects agree that God is preeminent in power and authority. God’s sovereignty is a natural consequence of His omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence. What’s subject to disagreement is to what extent God applies His sovereignty—specifically, how much control He exerts over the wills of men. When we speak of the sovereignty of God, we mean He rules the universe, but then the debate begins over when and where His control is direct and when it is indirect.
God is described in the Bible as all-powerful and all-knowing (Psalm 147:5), outside of time (Exodus 3:14; Psalm 90:2), and responsible for the creation of everything (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1). These divine traits set the minimum boundary for God’s sovereign control in the universe, which is to say that nothing in the universe occurs without God’s permission. God has the power and knowledge to prevent anything He chooses to prevent, so anything that does happen must, at the very least, be “allowed” by God.
At the same time, the Bible describes God as offering humanity choices (Deuteronomy 30:15–19), holding them personally responsible for their sins (Exodus 20:5), and being unhappy with some of their actions (Numbers 25:3). The fact that sin exists at all proves that not all things that occur are the direct actions of God, who is holy. The reality of human volition (and human accountability) sets the maximum boundary for God’s sovereign control over the universe, which is to say there is a point at which God chooses to allow things that He does not directly cause.
The fact that God is sovereign essentially means that He has the power, wisdom, and authority to do anything He chooses within His creation. Whether or not He actually exerts that level of control in any given circumstance is actually a completely different question. Often, the concept of divine sovereignty is oversimplified. We tend to assume that, if God is not directly, overtly, purposefully driving some event, then He is somehow not sovereign. The cartoon version of sovereignty depicts a God who must do anything that He can do, or else He is not truly sovereign.
Of course, such a cartoonish view of God’s sovereignty is logically false. If a man were to put an ant in a bowl, the “sovereignty” of the man over the ant is not in doubt. The ant may try to crawl out, and the man may not want this to happen. But the man is not forced to crush the ant, drown it, or pick it up. The man, for reasons of his own, may choose to let the ant crawl away, but the man is still in control. There is a difference between allowing the ant to leave the bowl and helplessly watching as it escapes. The cartoon version of God’s sovereignty implies that, if the man is not actively holding the ant inside the bowl, then he must be unable to keep it in there at all.
The illustration of the man and the ant is at least a vague parallel to God’s sovereignty over mankind. God has the ability to do anything, to take action and intervene in any situation, but He often chooses to act indirectly or to allow certain things for reasons of His own. His will is furthered in any case. God’s “sovereignty” means that He is absolute in authority and unrestricted in His supremacy. Everything that happens is, at the very least, the result of God’s permissive will. This holds true even if certain specific things are not what He would prefer. The right of God to allow mankind’s free choices is just as necessary for true sovereignty as His ability to enact His will, wherever and however He chooses.
Bybel Lering vir die Dag
God se soewereiniteit is een van die belangrikste beginsels in die Christelike teologie, sowel as een van die mees debatteerde beginsels. Of God werklik soewerein is of nie, is gewoonlik nie ‘n onderwerp van debat nie; alle hoofstroom Christelike sektes stem saam dat God uitnemend is in mag en gesag. God se soewereiniteit is ‘n natuurlike gevolg van Sy alwetendheid, almag en alomteenwoordigheid. Wat onderhewig is aan meningsverskil, is in watter mate God Sy soewereiniteit toepas – spesifiek, hoeveel beheer Hy uitoefen oor die wil van mense. Wanneer ons praat van die soewereiniteit van God, bedoel ons dat Hy die heelal regeer, maar dan begin die debat oor wanneer en waar Sy beheer direk is en wanneer dit indirek is.
God word in die Bybel beskryf as almagtig en alwetend (Psalm 147:5), buite tyd (Eksodus 3:14; Psalm 90:2), en verantwoordelik vir die skepping van alles (Genesis 1:1; Johannes 1:1). Hierdie goddelike eienskappe stel die minimum grens vir God se soewereine beheer in die heelal, wat beteken dat niks in die heelal sonder God se toestemming plaasvind nie. God het die mag en kennis om enigiets wat Hy kies om te voorkom, te voorkom, dus moet enigiets wat wel gebeur, ten minste deur God “toegelaat” word.
Terselfdertyd beskryf die Bybel God as iemand wat die mensdom keuses bied (Deuteronomium 30:15-19), hulle persoonlik verantwoordelik hou vir hul sondes (Eksodus 20:5), en ongelukkig is met sommige van hul dade (Numeri 25:3). Die feit dat sonde enigsins bestaan, bewys dat nie alle dinge wat plaasvind die direkte dade van God is nie, wat heilig is. Die werklikheid van menslike wil (en menslike aanspreeklikheid) stel die maksimum grens vir God se soewereine beheer oor die heelal, wat beteken dat daar ‘n punt is waar God kies om dinge toe te laat wat Hy nie direk veroorsaak nie.
Die feit dat God soewerein is, beteken in wese dat Hy die mag, wysheid en gesag het om enigiets te doen wat Hy kies binne Sy skepping. Of Hy werklik daardie vlak van beheer in enige gegewe omstandigheid uitoefen, is eintlik ‘n heeltemal ander vraag. Dikwels word die konsep van goddelike soewereiniteit oorvereenvoudig. Ons is geneig om aan te neem dat, as God nie direk, openlik, doelbewus ‘n gebeurtenis dryf nie, Hy op een of ander manier nie soewerein is nie. Die spotprentweergawe van soewereiniteit beeld ‘n God uit wat enigiets moet doen wat Hy kan doen, anders is Hy nie werklik soewerein nie.
Natuurlik is so ‘n spotprentagtige siening van God se soewereiniteit logies vals. As ‘n man ‘n mier in ‘n bak sou sit, is die “soewereiniteit” van die man oor die mier nie in twyfel nie. Die mier mag probeer om uit te kruip, en die man wil dalk nie hê dat dit moet gebeur nie. Maar die man word nie gedwing om die mier te verpletter, te verdrink of op te tel nie. Die man, om sy eie redes, mag kies om die mier te laat wegkruip, maar die man is steeds in beheer. Daar is ‘n verskil tussen om die mier toe te laat om die bak te verlaat en hulpeloos te kyk hoe dit ontsnap. Die spotprentweergawe van God se soewereiniteit impliseer dat, as die man nie aktief die mier binne-in die bak hou nie, hy dit glad nie daarin moet kan hou nie.
Die illustrasie van die man en die mier is ten minste ‘n vae parallel met God se soewereiniteit oor die mensdom. God het die vermoë om enigiets te doen, om op te tree en in te gryp in enige situasie, maar Hy kies dikwels om indirek op te tree of om sekere dinge toe te laat om Sy eie redes. Sy wil word in elk geval bevorder. God se “soewereiniteit” beteken dat Hy absoluut in gesag en onbeperk in Sy oppergesag is. Alles wat gebeur, is ten minste die gevolg van God se toelaatbare wil. Dit geld selfs al is sekere spesifieke dinge nie wat Hy sou verkies nie. Die reg van God om die mensdom se vrye keuses toe te laat, is net so noodsaaklik vir ware soewereiniteit as Sy vermoë om Sy wil uit te voer, waar en hoe Hy ook al kies.
Today’s Devotional
The sovereignty of God refers to the fact that God is in complete control of the universe. A belief in God’s sovereignty is distinct from fatalism, which denies human free will. Humans are able to make genuine choices that have real consequences. God does not directly cause everything to happen, yet He does allow all that happens to happen. And, ultimately, God’s will is going to be accomplished. At first blush these statements may seem unimportant to one’s daily life and better suited for an esoteric theological discussion. However, the sovereignty of God is quite practical and has a significant impact on our daily lives.
The sovereignty of God impacts everyday life in that it removes all cause for worry. We can trust that what the Bible claims about God’s character is backed up by His ability. Not only does God love us, but He has the ability to care for us. Those who are part of the family of God can claim the promise in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” We can rest in the fact that our God is actually able to work all things for our good, even when we cannot readily see how that may happen.
The sovereignty of God impacts everyday life in that we can trust God’s sanctifying work in us. Many times Christians feel that maturing in the faith is completely up to them, as if God saves us and then expects us to do the rest. Christians do play a role in their own maturity. We are certainly called to obedience, and what we do matters. However, in recognizing that God is sovereign, we also trust Him to bring us to maturity (see Galatians 3:3 and Philippians 1:6). Looking to Romans 8 again, we read, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (Romans 8:29–34). Our salvation has been God’s sovereign plan from eternity past. Rather than focus on our own performance, we can rest in the character of God and focus instead on actually getting to know Him.
The sovereignty of God also affects how we make decisions. We recognize that God is in control, so we need not be paralyzed by decision-making. If we make the wrong decision, all is not lost. We can trust in God’s faithfulness and His ability to set us back on the right course. On a related note, we can and should make decisions. God’s sovereign control does not mean that we sit idly by and allow life to happen. It means that we can go bravely into life, trusting that our loving Father sees the larger picture and is faithfully working everything for His glory.
That God is sovereign impacts our sense of identity. When we understand how powerful God is and how much He loves us, we can know we are secure in Him. As the objects of God’s sovereign love, we allow God to define us and give us our worth rather than look to the changing ideals of the world to do so. When we understand that God is in complete control, we are freed to live our lives. We need not fear ultimate failure or final destruction (Romans 8:1). We need not fear worthlessness. We can be confident that God will have His way and that it will be good. We can trust that the One who says He loves us is fully able to act on that love in all ways. We can trust that, even when the world seems completely out of control, God is in control. We know He has the big picture covered, so we can trust Him with our daily details.
Vandag se Bemoediging
Die soewereiniteit van God verwys na die feit dat God in volle beheer van die heelal is. ‘n Geloof in God se soewereiniteit verskil van fatalisme, wat menslike vrye wil ontken. Mense is in staat om ware keuses te maak wat werklike gevolge het. God veroorsaak nie direk dat alles gebeur nie, maar Hy laat wel toe dat alles wat gebeur gebeur. En uiteindelik gaan God se wil volbring word. Met die eerste oogopslag mag hierdie stellings onbelangrik vir ‘n mens se daaglikse lewe lyk en beter geskik wees vir ‘n esoteriese teologiese bespreking. Die soewereiniteit van God is egter redelik prakties en het ‘n beduidende impak op ons daaglikse lewens.
Die soewereiniteit van God beïnvloed die alledaagse lewe deurdat dit alle rede tot kommer verwyder. Ons kan vertrou dat wat die Bybel oor God se karakter beweer, deur Sy vermoë gestaaf word. God het ons nie net lief nie, maar Hy het die vermoë om vir ons te sorg. Diegene wat deel is van die familie van God, kan die belofte in Romeine 8:28 opeis: “En ons weet dat God in alles ten goede meewerk vir die wat Hom liefhet, dié wat volgens sy voorneme geroep is.” Ons kan rus in die feit dat ons God werklik in staat is om alle dinge ten goede te laat meewerk, selfs wanneer ons nie geredelik kan sien hoe dit kan gebeur nie.
Die soewereiniteit van God beïnvloed die alledaagse lewe deurdat ons God se heiligmakende werk in ons kan vertrou. Baie keer voel Christene dat volwassenheid in die geloof heeltemal aan hulle oorgelaat word, asof God ons red en dan van ons verwag om die res te doen. Christene speel wel ‘n rol in hul eie volwassenheid. Ons word beslis tot gehoorsaamheid geroep, en wat ons doen, maak saak. Deur te erken dat God soewerein is, vertrou ons Hom egter ook om ons tot volwassenheid te bring (sien Galasiërs 3:3 en Filippense 1:6). As ons weer na Romeine 8 kyk, lees ons: “Want dié wat God vantevore geken het, het Hy ook vantevore verordineer om gelykvormig te wees aan die beeld van sy Seun, sodat Hy die eersgeborene onder baie broers en susters kon wees. En dié wat Hy vantevore verordineer het, dié het Hy ook geroep; dié wat Hy geroep het, dié het Hy ook geregverdig; dié wat Hy geregverdig het, dié het Hy ook verheerlik. Wat sal ons dan van hierdie dinge sê? As God vir ons is, wie kan teen ons wees? Hy wat sy eie Seun nie gespaar het nie, maar Hom vir ons almal oorgegee het, hoe sal Hy nie saam met Hom ons ook alles genadiglik skenk nie? Wie sal beskuldiging inbring teen dié wat God uitverkies het? God is dit wat regverdig. Wie veroordeel dan? Niemand nie. Christus Jesus, wat gesterf het, meer nog, wat uit die lewe opgewek is, sit aan die regterhand van God en tree ook vir ons in” (Romeine 8:29–34). Ons verlossing was God se soewereine plan van ewigheid af. Eerder as om op ons eie prestasie te fokus, kan ons in die karakter van God rus en eerder daarop fokus om Hom werklik te leer ken.
Die soewereiniteit van God beïnvloed ook hoe ons besluite neem. Ons erken dat God in beheer is, daarom hoef ons nie deur besluitneming verlam te word nie. As ons die verkeerde besluit neem, is alles nie verlore nie. Ons kan vertrou op God se getrouheid en Sy vermoë om ons weer op die regte koers te plaas. Terloops, ons kan en behoort besluite te neem. God se soewereine beheer beteken nie dat ons ledig sit en die lewe toelaat om te gebeur nie. Dit beteken dat ons dapper die lewe in kan gaan, in die vertroue dat ons liefdevolle Vader die groter prentjie sien en getrou alles tot Sy eer bewerk.
Dat God soewerein is, beïnvloed ons sin van identiteit. Wanneer ons verstaan hoe magtig God is en hoeveel Hy ons liefhet, kan ons weet dat ons veilig in Hom is. As die voorwerpe van God se soewereine liefde, laat ons God toe om ons te definieer en ons ons waarde te gee eerder as om na die veranderende ideale van die wêreld te kyk om dit te doen. Wanneer ons verstaan dat God volkome in beheer is, is ons vry om ons lewens te leef. Ons hoef nie uiteindelike mislukking of finale vernietiging te vrees nie (Romeine 8:1). Ons hoef nie waardeloosheid te vrees nie. Ons kan vol vertroue wees dat God Sy sin sal kry en dat dit goed sal wees. Ons kan vertrou dat die Een wat sê Hy het ons lief, ten volle in staat is om op alle maniere volgens daardie liefde op te tree. Ons kan vertrou dat, selfs wanneer die wêreld heeltemal buite beheer lyk, God in beheer is. Ons weet Hy het die groter prentjie gedek, so ons kan Hom met ons daaglikse besonderhede vertrou.
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.
Daniël Se Gebed:
Het jy al die storie gehoor van die man wat gearresteer is omdat hy gebid het ?
Jy het waarskynlik. Dis die storie van Daniël, ‘n Joodse inwoner van Babilon wat ter dood veroordeel is omdat hy getrou met God gepraat het (Dan 6).
Alhoewel die gebed wat Daniël na die leeukuil gestuur het, sy bekendste gesprek met God is (6:11), was dit nie die enigste keer dat ons hom in gebed sien nie.
In Daniël 9 lees ons ‘n voorbeeld van hoe hy gebid het. Daniël het in sy boekrol van Jeremia gelees dat die ballingskap van sy volk 70 jaar sou duur, en die volk was 67 jaar in ballingskap (Jer 25:8-11). Hy was gretig dat dit moes eindig.
God het Sy volk geroep om regverdig te lewe, maar hulle het dit nie gedoen nie. Daniël het besluit om regverdig te lewe ten spyte van hul gebrek aan geloof. Hy het begin bid dat God nie die einde van die ballingskap sou vertraag nie.
Terwyl hy gebid het, het Daniël op aanbidding en belydenis gefokus. Sy gebedspatroon gee ons ‘n belangrike insig in hoe om met God te praat. Ons moet erken dat God groot en ontsagwekkend is (v 4) en dat ons gesondig het (v 15). In gebed loof en bely ons.
Kom ons volg Daniël se voorbeeld. Vir hom was gebed net so noodsaaklik soos die lewe self.
Niemand staan so hoog soos ‘n Kind Van God op sy knieë nie.
Daniel’s Prayer:
Have you heard the story of the man who was arrested for praying?
You probably have. It’s the story of Daniel, a Jewish resident of Babylon who was sentenced to death for speaking faithfully to God (Dan. 6).
Although the prayer that Daniel sent to the lions’ den is his most famous conversation with God (6:11), it was not the only time we see him praying.
In Daniel 9, we read an example of how he prayed. Daniel read in his scroll of Jeremiah that the exile of his people would last 70 years, and the people had been in exile for 67 years (Jer. 25:8-11). He was eager for it to end.
God had called His people to live righteously, but they had not. Daniel decided to live righteously despite their lack of faith. He began to pray that God would not delay the end of the exile.
As he prayed, Daniel focused on worship and confession. His prayer pattern gives us important insight into how to talk to God. We must acknowledge that God is great and awesome (v 4) and that we have sinned (v 15). In prayer, we praise and confess.
Let us follow Daniel’s example. For him, prayer was as essential as life itself.
No one stands as high as a Child of God on his knees.
TruLight Ministries Daily Entertainment
TruLight TV – – Nature Documentary – Lobsters
in today’s Nature Documentary in title (Lobsters – The armoured knights of the oceans) almost no part of their bodies is without armor. these fighters are well armed – not with sword and shield, but with scissors and forceps and defensive armor that is covered with spikes and hooks. Gourmets all over the world are in love with these famous crustaceans: lobsters! For marine biologists lobsters are similarly fascinating: as research objects. We are on their trail in Cape Breton, an island in the northern Atlantic and part of the Canadian province Nova Scotia, where one of the largest populations of lobsters has its home. The point of this Nature Documentary is based on the Bible Verse in Psalm 91;1 – The Heavens Declare the Glory of God; The Skies Proclaim the Work of His Hands. and later Do you take a moment to rest? It seems like society hurries us along. But don’t allow the pace of our culture to rob you of the great and holy idea of rest. Enjoy today’s show and thanks for watching.
Today on TruLight Radio XM
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00:15 Words to Live By Testimonies
01.15 Science Scripture and Salvation
02.15 Ground Works
04.00 Gospel Concert of the Day
05.00 The Daren Streblow Comedy Show
5:55 It is Today devotional
6:00 Gaither Homecoming Morning Show
7:15 Discover the Word
8.15 Destined for Victory
8:55 Science Scripture and Salvation
9:00 Holy Spirit Hour – Normally Sermons
10:15 Hope of the Heart
11:15 Unshackled
11.45 Words to Live By
12:15 Truth for Life
13:15 Living on the Edge with Chip Ingram
14:15 Focus on the Family
15:00 Kids Hour
16:00 In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley
16:30 Groundwork
17:15 Live in the Light
18:15 Renewing your Mind
19:00 Gaither Homecoming Show
20:15 Growing Hope
21:15 Adventures in Odyssey Radio Drama
21:45 Bible Reading
22:15 Nightsounds
23.00 Good Old Country Gospel / Rhema Gospel Express
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Bible Prophecy in the News
Everybody Wants A Palestinian State, Except The Palestinians
Two states for two peoples sounds logical , even Biblical and a nice idea. And in a world where one of the two states was not inhabited by people whose national identity and political culture are inextricably tied to a futile war for the destruction of the other one, it might work.
Signs of the Times
License Plate Readers: AI Is Building A Profile And Tracking Your Every Move
Imagine driving to Sunday service, visiting a friend, or stopping by a hospital–and knowing that at every turn, an unseen eye records your license plate, your route, and the frequency of your visits. What used to be a fleeting moment of life on the road has become an entry in a permanent file.
When You Lose A Child To The Trans Cult Movement
This is what it looks like to have your child taken, not because of abuse, but because your values don’t match what the state calls “affirming.” This is what it looks like when laws protect programs, not parents.
Gog and Magog Update
Israel at War going for 3rd year soon : Tragedy in Gaza, Prayers for Hostages in Jerusalem, and Strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon
Israel acknowledged civilian casualties in a Gaza hospital strike and promised a full investigation while stressing its fight against Hamas. In Jerusalem, thousands prayed for hostages at the Western Wall as the IDF carried out strikes on Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
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!
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