Hosted by TruLight Ministries – The Place of Truth
Family devotions are vital for moving our spiritual lives beyond the church walls and into an active, thriving faith. But what does it mean to have family devotions?
Family devotions are a set time when husband and wife, or parents and kids, sit down, read the Bible, and pray together. It is a time designed to build up each individual and establish a sense of unity and direction within families.
Being intentional about a devotional time and developing a family culture around that habit is important. Family devotions can initiate deep relationships with children and expand opportunities to pray with and for them. While it might require a shift in the way a family spends their time, scheduling family devotions can yield eternal dividends in a family’s spiritual growth and legacy.
Unless we as parents have established a devotional discipline in our personal lives first, having family devotions can feel awkward or overwhelming. But the desire to begin having personal devotions can become a model for our children as we actively pursue a relationship with the living God. Our own commitment to Bible reading and prayer speaks volumes about the importance we, as parents, place on our own spiritual development. If it is something we grow into with our children, then there is a wonderful journey ahead. Transparency and perseverance are key!
The goal is to raise children who remain devoted to God as adults. Our desire is to raise children who use prayer, God’s Word, and the solid core of family, friends, and church community to guide their decision-making, their life goals, and their relationships.
God instructed the nation of Israel, “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (Deuteronomy 6:6–7). In Ephesians 6:4 Christians are told, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Clearly, parents are to teach their children about God and His ways. Engaging with God together as a family, through prayer and Bible reading, is a great way to do this. In doing family devotions, we not only instruct our children but model behaviors that support spiritual growth. Many times, in teaching children we find ourselves challenged in our faith. Family devotions are good for the spiritual growth of all in the family.
In doing family devotions, focus on character development. Use passages relevant to family situations or needs. This allows children to understand that the Bible is applicable to our daily lives in the twenty-first century. It also helps them know that God is a concerned and loving Father who desires a personal relationship with them and that He is there with wisdom and guidance for their lives.
As the children get older, it helps to connect doctrine and theology with life outcomes. Comparison with other faith systems helps them develop the analytical skills they will need as they and their faith mature.
Aside from your set habit of family devotions, be watchful for God-given teachable moments. Such moments are rare, precious, and not subject to schedule. The times when your child asks a question or makes an observation are opportunities to share God’s love and care for him. You may not have all the answers at any particular moment, but you can let the child know he has been heard, his questions are important, and that you will explore the topic together. This opens the door to conversation and becomes a true, organic representation of our Ephesians 6:4 calling.
Family devotions can be part of a wonderful journey together with God. It can cultivate an atmosphere that allows our children to flourish, especially when added to the support and nurture of larger communities of faith.
Family devotions are a key to the blessing of James 1:25: “Whoever [families included!] looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”
Gesinsoordenkings is noodsaaklik om ons geestelike lewens buite die kerkmure te beweeg na ‘n aktiewe, florerende geloof. Maar wat beteken dit om gesinsoordenkings te hê?
Gesinsoordenkings is ‘n vasgestelde tyd wanneer man en vrou, of ouers en kinders, gaan sit, die Bybel lees en saam bid. Dit is ‘n tyd wat ontwerp is om elke individu op te bou en ‘n gevoel van eenheid en rigting binne gesinne te vestig.
Om doelbewus ‘n oordenkingstyd te hê en ‘n gesinskultuur rondom daardie gewoonte te ontwikkel, is belangrik. Gesinsoordenkings kan diep verhoudings met kinders begin en geleenthede uitbrei om saam met en vir hulle te bid. Alhoewel dit ‘n verandering in die manier waarop ‘n gesin hul tyd spandeer, mag vereis, kan die skedulering van gesinsoordenkings ewige dividende in ‘n gesin se geestelike groei en nalatenskap oplewer.
Tensy ons as ouers eers ‘n oordenkingsdissipline in ons persoonlike lewens gevestig het, kan gesinsoordenkings ongemaklik of oorweldigend voel. Maar die begeerte om persoonlike oordenkings te begin hê, kan ‘n model vir ons kinders word terwyl ons aktief ‘n verhouding met die lewende God nastreef. Ons eie toewyding aan Bybellees en gebed spreek boekdele oor die belangrikheid wat ons, as ouers, aan ons eie geestelike ontwikkeling heg. As dit iets is waarin ons saam met ons kinders groei, dan lê daar ‘n wonderlike reis voor. Deursigtigheid en deursettingsvermoë is die sleutel!
Die doel is om kinders groot te maak wat as volwassenes aan God toegewy bly. Ons begeerte is om kinders groot te maak wat gebed, God se Woord en die soliede kern van familie, vriende en kerkgemeenskap gebruik om hul besluitneming, hul lewensdoelwitte en hul verhoudings te lei.
God het die nasie Israel beveel: “En hierdie woorde wat ek jou vandag beveel, moet in jou hart wees. Jy moet dit jou kinders inskerp en daaroor spreek as jy in jou huis sit en as jy op pad is en as jy gaan lê en as jy opstaan” (Deuteronomium 6:6-7). In Efesiërs 6:4 word Christene gesê: “Vaders, moenie julle kinders vertoorn nie, maar voed hulle op in die dissipline en onderrig van die Here.” Dit is duidelik dat ouers hul kinders oor God en Sy weë moet leer. Om as ‘n gesin saam met God te verkeer, deur gebed en Bybellees, is ‘n goeie manier om dit te doen. Wanneer ons gesinsoordenkings doen, onderrig ons nie net ons kinders nie, maar modelleer ons ook gedrag wat geestelike groei ondersteun. Baie keer, wanneer ons kinders onderrig, vind ons onsself uitgedaag in ons geloof. Gesinsoordenkings is goed vir die geestelike groei van almal in die gesin.
Wanneer ons gesinsoordenkings doen, fokus op karakterontwikkeling. Gebruik gedeeltes wat relevant is vir gesinsituasies of -behoeftes. Dit laat kinders verstaan dat die Bybel van toepassing is op ons daaglikse lewens in die een-en-twintigste eeu. Dit help hulle ook om te weet dat God ‘n besorgde en liefdevolle Vader is wat ‘n persoonlike verhouding met hulle begeer en dat Hy daar is met wysheid en leiding vir hul lewens.
Soos die kinders ouer word, help dit om leerstellings en teologie met lewensuitkomste te verbind. Vergelyking met ander geloofstelsels help hulle om die analitiese vaardighede te ontwikkel wat hulle nodig sal hê soos hulle en hul geloof volwasse word.
Afgesien van jou vaste gewoonte van gesinsoordenkings, wees waaksaam vir Godgegewe leerbare oomblikke. Sulke oomblikke is skaars, kosbaar en nie onderhewig aan skedule nie. Die tye wanneer jou kind ‘n vraag vra of ‘n waarneming maak, is geleenthede om God se liefde en sorg vir hom te deel. Jy mag dalk nie op enige gegewe oomblik al die antwoorde hê nie, maar jy kan die kind laat weet dat hy gehoor is, dat sy vrae belangrik is, en dat julle die onderwerp saam sal ondersoek. Dit maak die deur oop vir gesprek en word ‘n ware, organiese voorstelling van ons roeping in Efesiërs 6:4.
Gesinsoordenkings kan deel wees van ‘n wonderlike reis saam met God. Dit kan ‘n atmosfeer kweek wat ons kinders toelaat om te floreer, veral wanneer dit bygevoeg word tot die ondersteuning en koestering van groter geloofsgemeenskappe.
Gesinsoordenkings is ‘n sleutel tot die seën van Jakobus 1:25: “Elkeen wat [gesinne ingesluit!] diep in die volmaakte wet van vryheid verdiep en daarby bly, sonder om te vergeet wat hulle gehoor het, maar dit doen, hy sal geseën word in wat hulle doen.”
Bible Verse and Prayer for Today
Some aspects of faith are indescribable. They can only be experienced and known by doing them. Taste the Lord by obeying him and experiencing his presence. Sample his goodness by doing his will. Lean upon his grace in your times of struggle and sense his nearness. Take refuge in his care as you call upon his name. God longs to bless you as you seek him. Seek refuge in him when facing life’s greatest dangers and fears. Draw near to the Lord and obey him so you can taste his presence and find his nearness comforting and reassuring (John 14:21, 23) because the Lord is near (Philippians 4:5-7).
Prayer
Please help us, dear Father, to know you and experience your presence more fully in our daily lives. Open our hearts, dear Lord, as we seek your presence and more fully entrust ourselves to your care. Open our eyes to see how gracious you are. Make your home in us and make yourself known to us as we obey you. We long to taste and experience the goodness of your presence. Thank you for hearing our prayer offered in the powerful name of Jesus our Lord as we seek your nearness. Amen and Amen.
Bybel Vers en Gebed vir Vandag
Sommige aspekte van geloof is onbeskryflik. Hulle kan slegs ervaar en geken word deur hulle te doen. Proe die Here deur Hom te gehoorsaam en sy teenwoordigheid te ervaar. Proe sy goedheid deur sy wil te doen. Steun op sy genade in jou tye van stryd en voel sy nabyheid. Soek skuiling in sy sorg terwyl jy sy Naam aanroep. God verlang daarna om jou te seën terwyl jy Hom soek. Soek skuiling in Hom wanneer jy die grootste gevare en vrese van die lewe in die gesig staar. Nader aan die Here en gehoorsaam Hom sodat jy sy teenwoordigheid kan proe en sy nabyheid vertroostend en gerusstellend kan vind (Johannes 14:21, 23) want die Here is naby (Filippense 4:5-7).
Gebed
Help ons asseblief, liewe Vader, om U te ken en u teenwoordigheid meer volledig in ons daaglikse lewens te ervaar. Maak ons harte oop, liewe Here, terwyl ons u teenwoordigheid soek en onsself meer volledig aan u sorg toevertrou. Maak ons oë oop om te sien hoe genadig U is. Maak u tuiste in ons en maak Uself aan ons bekend terwyl ons U gehoorsaam. Ons verlang daarna om die goedheid van u teenwoordigheid te proe en te ervaar. Dankie dat U ons gebed verhoor wat in die kragtige Naam van Jesus ons Here geoffer word terwyl ons u nabyheid soek. Amen en Amen.
Bible Teaching of the Day
Family conflict is almost as old as humanity. Sibling rivalry existed in the very first family and culminated with Cain killing his brother Abel (Genesis 4:3–8). While other examples may not be that extreme, family conflict is a recurring theme in the Bible. From Athaliah killing all her children and grandchildren so she could seize the throne (2 Kings 11:1) to Jesus’ own mother and brothers becoming embarrassed by His preaching (Mark 3:21), examples of family conflict illustrate what happens when family members treat their flesh and blood as liabilities instead of blessings.
Some family conflicts are inevitable. In our world of sin, some will reject Christ while others accept Him as Lord, and this happens within families. Jesus, the Prince of Peace Himself, warned us of this type of family conflict: “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household’” (Matthew 10:34–36; cf. Micah 7:6). We see evidence of this everywhere: when one family member embraces Christ and another rejects the way of holiness, the result is often family conflict and domestic imbroglios.
Because family relationships have an even greater potential for conflict than other relationships, God gave some clear commands for each family member. When we defy those commands, family conflict will erupt. For husbands and wives, the Bible details specific instructions. Husbands are to love their wives as they love their own bodies (Ephesians 5:25–29). Wives are to respect the leadership position of their husbands (Ephesians 5:22–24). Children are to obey their parents in everything (Ephesians 6:1), and those parents are to bring up their children in the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). Grandparents are to delight in grandchildren and share their wisdom with them (Proverbs 17:6). There is to be no sexual contact of any kind between immediate family members (Leviticus 18:6–18; 1 Timothy 5:2). When families align their home and practices with Scripture, the occasions of family conflict diminish.
God compares His church to a family, so the rules to the church on interpersonal relationships also apply to individual families. Every child of God is to respond to other Christians as brothers and sisters (Romans 12:10; 1 Peter 3:8). The church is to avoid “discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder” (2 Corinthians 12:20), and so should families. James 4:11 says, “Brothers, do not slander one another.” A rule of thumb is that if we would not treat a highly respected friend a certain way, then don’t treat family members that way.
Healthy families provide a safe place for every member to express his or her feelings, thoughts, opinions, and desires. Families don’t have to agree on everything in order to maintain harmony. The absence of family conflict is not necessarily the sign of a healthy family. Some families are ruled by authoritarian strictness; others refuse to allow any type of discussion. God designed the family to be a place where every member feels loved and valued, where differences can be acknowledged and respected, and where inevitable conflicts are peacefully resolved. Through dealing with family conflict, we can learn humility, kindness, patience, and selfless love (Galatians 5:22), traits that will benefit us as we interact with our brothers and sisters in the family of God.
Bybel Lering vir die Dag
Familiekonflik is amper so oud soos die mensdom. Broer-suster-wedywering het in die heel eerste familie bestaan en het gekulmineer met Kain wat sy broer Abel doodgemaak het (Genesis 4:3–8). Terwyl ander voorbeelde dalk nie so ekstreem is nie, is familiekonflik ‘n herhalende tema in die Bybel. Van Atalia wat al haar kinders en kleinkinders doodmaak sodat sy die troon kon gryp (2 Konings 11:1) tot Jesus se eie moeder en broers wat verleë geraak het deur Sy prediking (Markus 3:21), illustreer voorbeelde van familiekonflik wat gebeur wanneer familielede hul vlees en bloed as laste in plaas van seëninge behandel.
Sommige familiekonflikte is onvermydelik. In ons wêreld van sonde sal sommige Christus verwerp terwyl ander Hom as Here aanvaar, en dit gebeur binne families. Jesus, die Prins van Vrede self, het ons gewaarsku teen hierdie tipe gesinskonflik: “Moenie dink dat Ek gekom het om vrede op die aarde te bring nie. Ek het nie gekom om vrede te bring nie, maar ‘n swaard. Want Ek het gekom om ‘n man teen sy vader te laat opstaan, en ‘n dogter teen haar moeder, en ‘n skoondogter teen haar skoonmoeder – ‘n man se huisgesin sal sy vyande wees” (Matteus 10:34–36; vgl. Miga 7:6). Ons sien oral bewyse hiervan: wanneer een gesinslid Christus omhels en ‘n ander die weg van heiligheid verwerp, is die gevolg dikwels gesinskonflik en huishoudelike onrus.
Omdat gesinsverhoudings ‘n selfs groter potensiaal vir konflik het as ander verhoudings, het God ‘n paar duidelike bevele vir elke gesinslid gegee. Wanneer ons daardie bevele verontagsaam, sal gesinskonflik uitbreek. Vir mans en vrouens gee die Bybel spesifieke instruksies. Mans moet hul vrouens liefhê soos hulle hul eie liggame liefhet (Efesiërs 5:25–29). Vroue moet die leiersposisie van hul mans respekteer (Efesiërs 5:22–24). Kinders moet hul ouers in alles gehoorsaam (Efesiërs 6:1), en daardie ouers moet hul kinders in die Here grootmaak (Efesiërs 6:4). Grootouers moet hul kleinkinders verbly en hul wysheid met hulle deel (Spreuke 17:6). Daar mag geen seksuele kontak van enige aard tussen onmiddellike familielede wees nie (Levitikus 18:6–18; 1 Timoteus 5:2). Wanneer gesinne hul huis en praktyke met die Skrif in lyn bring, verminder die geleenthede vir gesinskonflik.
God vergelyk Sy kerk met ‘n gesin, daarom geld die reëls vir die kerk oor interpersoonlike verhoudings ook vir individuele gesinne. Elke kind van God moet teenoor ander Christene as broers en susters reageer (Romeine 12:10; 1 Petrus 3:8). Die kerk moet “twis, jaloesie, woede-uitbarstings, selfsugtige ambisie, laster, skinder, verwaandheid en wanorde” vermy (2 Korintiërs 12:20), en so moet gesinne ook. Jakobus 4:11 sê: “Broers, moenie mekaar belaster nie.” ’n Algemene reël is dat as ons nie ’n hoogs gerespekteerde vriend op ’n sekere manier sou behandel nie, moet ons ook nie familielede so behandel nie.
Gesonde gesinne bied ’n veilige plek vir elke lid om sy of haar gevoelens, gedagtes, menings en begeertes uit te druk. Gesinne hoef nie oor alles saam te stem om harmonie te handhaaf nie. Die afwesigheid van gesinskonflik is nie noodwendig die teken van ’n gesonde gesin nie. Sommige gesinne word deur outoritêre strengheid regeer; ander weier om enige tipe bespreking toe te laat. God het die gesin ontwerp om ’n plek te wees waar elke lid geliefd en gewaardeerd voel, waar verskille erken en gerespekteer kan word, en waar onvermydelike konflikte vreedsaam opgelos word. Deur gesinskonflik te hanteer, kan ons nederigheid, vriendelikheid, geduld en onselfsugtige liefde aanleer (Galasiërs 5:22), eienskappe wat ons sal bevoordeel terwyl ons met ons broers en susters in die familie van God omgaan.
Today’s Devotional
The concept of family is extremely important in the Bible, both in a physical sense and in a theological sense. The concept of family was introduced in the very beginning, as we see in Genesis 1:28, “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.'” God’s plan for creation was for men and women to marry and have children. A man and a woman would form a “one-flesh” union through marriage (Genesis 2:24), and they with their children become a family, the essential building block of human society.
We also see early on that family members were to look after and care for one another. When God asks Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” Cain’s response is the flippant “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The implication is that, yes, Cain was expected to be Abel’s keeper and vice versa. Not only was Cain’s murder of his brother an offense against humanity in general, but it was especially egregious because it was the first recorded case of fratricide (murder of one’s sibling).
The Bible has a more communal sense of people and family than is generally held in Western cultures today, where citizens are more individualized than people in the Middle East and definitely more so than the people of the ancient near East. When God saved Noah from the flood, it wasn’t an individual case salvation, but a salvation for him, his wife, his sons and his sons’ wives. In other words, his family was saved (Genesis 6:18). When God called Abraham out of Haran, He called him and his family (Genesis 12:4-5). The sign of the Abrahamic covenant (circumcision) was to be applied to all males within one’s household, whether they were born into the family or are part of the household servant staff (Genesis 17:12-13). In other words, God’s covenant with Abraham was familial, not individual.
The importance of family can be seen in the provisions of the Mosaic covenant. For example, two of the Ten Commandments deal with maintaining the cohesiveness of the family. The fifth commandment regarding honoring parents is meant to preserve the authority of parents in family matters, and the seventh commandment prohibiting adultery protects the sanctity of marriage. From these two commandments flow all of the various other stipulations in the Mosaic Law which seek to protect marriage and the family. The health of the family was so important to God that it was codified in the national covenant of Israel.
This is not solely an Old Testament phenomenon. The New Testament makes many of the same commands and prohibitions. Jesus speaks on the sanctity of marriage and against frivolous divorce in Matthew 19. The apostle Paul talks about what Christian homes should look like when he gives the twin commands of “children, obey your parents” and “parents, don’t provoke your children” in Ephesians 6:1–4 and Colossians 3:20–21. In 1 Corinthians 7, the unbelieving spouse is “sanctified” through the believing spouse, meaning, among other things, that the unbelieving spouse is in a position to be saved through the witness of the believing spouse.
Let’s now turn our attention to the theological concept of family. During His three-year ministry, Jesus shattered some prevailing notions of what it meant to be part of a family: “While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.’ He replied to him, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ Pointing to his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother’” (Matthew 12:46-50). Now we must clear up some misconceptions with this passage. Jesus is not saying that biological family isn’t important; He is not dismissing His mother and brothers. What He is doing is making the clear theological point that in the Kingdom of Heaven, the most important family connection is spiritual, not physical. This is a truth made explicitly clear in John’s Gospel, when the evangelist says, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God” (John 1:12-13).
The parallels are quite clear. When we are born physically, we’re born into a physical family, but when we are “born again,” we are born into a spiritual family. To use Pauline language, we are adopted into God’s family (Romans 8:15). When we are adopted into God’s spiritual family, the Church, God becomes our Father and Jesus our Brother. This spiritual family is not bound by ethnicity, gender or social standing. As Paul says, “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:26-29).
So what does the Bible say about family? The physical family is the most important building block to human society, and as such, it should be nurtured and protected. But more important than that is the new creation that God is making in Christ, which is comprised of a spiritual family, the Church, made up of all people who call upon the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. This is a family drawn “from every nation, tribe, people and language” (Revelation 7:9), and the defining characteristic of this spiritual family is love for one another: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).
Vandag se Bemoediging
Die konsep van familie is uiters belangrik in die Bybel, beide in ‘n fisiese sin en in ‘n teologiese sin. Die konsep van familie is heel aan die begin bekendgestel, soos ons in Genesis 1:28 sien: “God het hulle geseën en vir hulle gesê: Wees vrugbaar en vermeerder in getal; vul die aarde en onderwerp dit; heers oor die visse van die see en die voëls van die hemel en oor al die lewende wesens wat op die aarde kruip.'” God se skeppingsplan was dat mans en vroue moes trou en kinders moes hê. ‘n Man en ‘n vrou sou ‘n “een-vlees” verbintenis deur die huwelik vorm (Genesis 2:24), en hulle saam met hul kinders word ‘n familie, die noodsaaklike boublok van die menslike samelewing.
Ons sien ook vroeg dat familielede na mekaar moes omsien en vir mekaar moes sorg. Wanneer God vir Kain vra: “Waar is Abel, jou broer?” is Kain se antwoord die ligsinnige “Is ek my broer se bewaarder?” Die implikasie is dat, ja, daar van Kain verwag is om Abel se bewaarder te wees en andersom. Nie net was Kain se moord op sy broer ‘n oortreding teen die mensdom in die algemeen nie, maar dit was veral gruwelik omdat dit die eerste opgetekende geval van broedermoord (moord op ‘n broer of suster) was.
Die Bybel het ‘n meer gemeenskaplike sin van mense en familie as wat algemeen in Westerse kulture vandag gehuldig word, waar burgers meer geïndividualiseerd is as mense in die Midde-Ooste en beslis meer as die mense van die antieke Nabye Ooste. Toe God Noag van die vloed gered het, was dit nie ‘n individuele geval van redding nie, maar ‘n redding vir hom, sy vrou, sy seuns en sy seuns se vrouens. Met ander woorde, sy familie is gered (Genesis 6:18). Toe God Abraham uit Haran geroep het, het Hy hom en sy familie geroep (Genesis 12:4-5). Die teken van die Abrahamitiese verbond (besnydenis) moes op alle mans in ‘n mens se huishouding toegepas word, of hulle nou in die familie gebore is of deel van die huishoudelike dienspersoneel is (Genesis 17:12-13). Met ander woorde, God se verbond met Abraham was familiaal, nie individueel nie.
Die belangrikheid van familie kan gesien word in die bepalings van die Mosaïese verbond. Byvoorbeeld, twee van die Tien Gebooie handel oor die handhawing van die samehorigheid van die familie. Die vyfde gebod rakende die eer van ouers is bedoel om die gesag van ouers in familiesake te bewaar, en die sewende gebod wat egbreuk verbied, beskerm die heiligheid van die huwelik. Uit hierdie twee gebooie vloei al die verskillende ander bepalings in die Mosaïese Wet wat poog om die huwelik en die familie te beskerm. Die gesondheid van die familie was so belangrik vir God dat dit in die nasionale verbond van Israel gekodifiseer is.
Dit is nie uitsluitlik ‘n Ou-Testamentiese verskynsel nie. Die Nuwe Testament maak baie van dieselfde gebooie en verbodsbepalings. Jesus praat oor die heiligheid van die huwelik en teen ligsinnige egskeiding in Matteus 19. Die apostel Paulus praat oor hoe Christelike huise moet lyk wanneer hy die tweelingbevele gee van “kinders, gehoorsaam julle ouers” en “ouers, moenie julle kinders uitlok nie” in Efesiërs 6:1–4 en Kolossense 3:20–21. In 1 Korintiërs 7 word die ongelowige eggenoot “geheilig” deur die gelowige eggenoot, wat onder andere beteken dat die ongelowige eggenoot in ‘n posisie is om gered te word deur die getuienis van die gelowige eggenoot.
Kom ons rig nou ons aandag op die teologiese konsep van familie. Gedurende Sy drie jaar lange bediening het Jesus sommige heersende idees oor wat dit beteken om deel van ‘n familie te wees, verpletter: “Terwyl Jesus nog met die skare gepraat het, het sy moeder en broers buite gestaan en wou met Hom praat. Iemand het vir Hom gesê: ‘Jou moeder en broers staan buite en wil met jou praat.’ Hy antwoord hom: ‘Wie is my moeder en wie is my broers?’ Hy wys na sy dissipels en sê: ‘Hier is my moeder en my broers. Want elkeen wat die wil van my Vader in die hemele doen, is my broer en suster en moeder’” (Matteus 12:46-50). Nou moet ons ‘n paar wanopvattings met hierdie gedeelte uit die weg ruim. Jesus sê nie dat biologiese familie nie belangrik is nie; Hy verwerp nie Sy moeder en broers nie. Wat Hy doen, is om die duidelike teologiese punt te maak dat in die Koninkryk van die Hemel die belangrikste familieverbintenis geestelik is, nie fisies nie. Dit is ‘n waarheid wat eksplisiet duidelik gemaak word in Johannes se Evangelie, waar die evangelis sê: “Maar aan almal wat Hom aangeneem het, aan hulle wat in sy Naam glo, het Hy die reg gegee om kinders van God te word – kinders wat nie uit die natuurlike afstamming of uit die wil van ‘n mens of uit die wil van ‘n man gebore is nie, maar uit God gebore is” (Johannes 1:12-13).
Die parallelle is heel duidelik. Wanneer ons fisies gebore word, word ons in ‘n fisiese familie gebore, maar wanneer ons “wedergebore” word, word ons in ‘n geestelike familie gebore. Om Paulus se taal te gebruik, word ons aangeneem in God se familie (Romeine 8:15). Wanneer ons in God se geestelike familie, die Kerk, aangeneem word, word God ons Vader en Jesus ons Broer. Hierdie geestelike familie is nie gebonde aan etnisiteit, geslag of sosiale status nie. Soos Paulus sê: “Julle is almal kinders van God deur die geloof in Christus Jesus, want almal wat in Christus gedoop is, het julle met Christus beklee. Daar is nie Jood of Griek, slaaf of vryman, man of vrou nie, want julle is almal een in Christus Jesus. As julle aan Christus behoort, is julle Abraham se nageslag en erfgename volgens die belofte” (Galasiërs 3:26-29).
So wat sê die Bybel oor familie? Die fisiese familie is die belangrikste boublok van die menslike samelewing, en as sodanig moet dit gekoester en beskerm word. Maar belangriker as dit is die nuwe skepping wat God in Christus maak, wat bestaan uit ‘n geestelike familie, die Kerk, wat bestaan uit alle mense wat die Here Jesus Christus as Verlosser aanroep. Dit is ‘n familie wat saamgestel is “uit elke nasie, stam, volk en taal” (Openbaring 7:9), en die bepalende kenmerk van hierdie geestelike familie is liefde vir mekaar: “Ek gee julle ‘n nuwe gebod: Julle moet mekaar liefhê. Soos Ek julle liefgehad het, moet julle mekaar ook liefhê. Hieraan sal almal weet dat julle my dissipels is, as julle mekaar liefhet” (Johannes 13:34-35).
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.
Staan Vas !
In skool moes ek en ń vriend ń stoomtafel bou vir ons wetenskap projek. Met baie hulp van my pa, het ons ń lang boks van hout gebou met ń skarnier in die middel. Ons het dit met plastiek uitgevoer en met sand gevul. Aan die een ent het ons ń rubberpyp vasgeheg en aan die ander kant was ń gat waardeur water gedreineer kon word. Toe dit klaar was, het ons die een ent van die stoomtafel opgelig en die water oop gedraai. Ons het gesien hoe die water ń pad oopmaak na die gat aan die ander kant.
Die ander aspek van die eksperiment was om ń klip in die stroom te plaas en te sien hoe dit die koers van die water verander.
Hierdie projek het my net so baie oor die lewe geleer as oor wetenskap. Ek het gesien dat ek nie die rigting van sake kan verander as ek op die wal staan nie. Ek moet in die stroom intree, sodat ek die vloei kan weglei. Dis wat Jesus gedoen het. Die Bybel verwys na verlossing as ń Rots ( 2 Sam 22:47 ; Ps 62:2, 6-7 ) en Paulus verklaar ook dat Christus die Rots is ( 1 Kor 10:4 ). God het Jesus in die stroom van die geskiedenis geplaas om die koers daarvan te verander.
Wanneer ons standvastig bly in Christus, oorvloedig is in die werk van die Here, gebruik Hy ons om die rigting van die geskiedenis te verander en so ander mense na Hom heen te wys.
Sorg dat jy jou voet op die regte plek plaas en staan dan vas !
Stand Firm!
In school, a friend and I had to build a steam table for our science project. With a lot of help from my dad, we built a long wooden box with a hinge in the middle. We lined it with plastic and filled it with sand. We attached a rubber tube to one end and a hole on the other end for water to drain through. When it was finished, we lifted one end of the steam table and turned on the water. We watched as the water opened a path to the hole on the other end.
The other aspect of the experiment was to place a stone in the stream and see how it changed the course of the water.
This project taught me as much about life as it did about science. I saw that I cannot change the direction of things by standing on the bank. I have to step into the stream so that I can divert the flow. That is what Jesus did. The Bible refers to salvation as a Rock (2 Sam 22:47; Ps 62:2, 6-7) and Paul also declares that Christ is the Rock (1 Cor 10:4). God placed Jesus in the stream of history to change its course.
When we remain steadfast in Christ, abounding in the work of the Lord, He uses us to change the direction of history and thus point others to Him.
Make sure you put your foot in the right place and then stand firm!
TruLight Ministries Daily Entertainment
TruLight TV – THE GAITHER VOCAL BAND – BACK HOME IN INDIANA
The award-winning Gaither Vocal Band has released a live concert video. Filmed before a sold-out crowd, Back Home In Indiana will entertain and enrich you with its meaningful worship, tight harmony, and side-splitting comedy.
Today on TruLight Radio XM
TruLight Radio XM 24/7
Program
GMT / UTC +2
Monday To Fridays
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
Tony Blair & Bill Gates: A Global Prototype Of The Antichrist And False Prophet?
We are not saying Tony Blair is the Antichrist, nor that Bill Gates is the False Prophet of Revelation. What we are saying, however, is that recent developments reveal striking parallels between their roles—one political, one technological—that seem to sketch a model of what the Antichrist/False Prophet duo might look like.
The Political Face & The Technological Enabler
In prophetic terms, Revelation describes a scenario where two figures work hand-in-hand: the Antichrist, a powerful political leader, and the False Prophet, who enforces or legitimates worship or allegiance, particularly through miraculous or technological means (e.g. the “image of the beast” that “speaks,” and the “mark” without which no one can buy or sell). Between them, they blend power, belief, and control.
At this time, Blair appears to becoming more and more active on the global scene: the one urging governments to adapt, to centralize authority, to reshape sovereignty and governance in the name of “global common good,” “modernization,” “net zero,” “global peace” etc. Gates, by contrast, more quietly supplies or advocates for the technical architecture: vaccines, public health databases, digital identity, digital infrastructure, even AI tools for monitoring or censoring.
Of course they are different in kind from what Revelation foretells. But the pattern is similar: one visible, one enabling; one political-institutional, one technological; one shaping the narrative, another supplying the machinery.
The Speaking Image: Albania’s AI Minister and the Prophecy Parallel
In September 2025, Albania became the first nation in history to appoint an artificial intelligence system to a cabinet-level position. The AI, named Minister Diella, was introduced by Prime Minister Edi Rama as the new Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence. Developed in partnership with Bill Gates, Microsoft and backed by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, Diella is a digital figure modeled as a woman in traditional Albanian clothing who declared, “Some have labeled me unconstitutional because I am not human. This hurts me.” The project was presented as a leap forward in governance transparency and efficiency, but critics see something far more unsettling — the merging of state authority with an artificial, speaking image.
The Tony Blair Institute has long promoted what it calls the “Reimagined State,” a vision of AI-driven governance where machines increasingly manage public administration. With Bill Gates’ Microsoft powering Diella’s system and Blair’s organization showcasing “Diella 2.0” and an upcoming “3.0” version, this collaboration has sparked global attention. Many see in it a striking parallel to Revelation’s prophecy of the False Prophet creating an image that speaks — a symbol of humanity’s willingness to grant power, even reverence, to something not alive yet treated as if it were. Whether coincidence or calculated design, the convergence of Blair, Gates, and government AI hints at a chilling prototype of what may soon define global governance.
What We Do Know: Public Facts & Grants
To ground this in what is on solid record:
- The Gates Foundation has made multiple grants to the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. Examples include funding for work in Africa on health, governance, capacity building.
- Tony Blair has been publicly urging the UK and other governments to adopt digital IDs; to reorganize or “reorder” government around technologies such as AI, digital identity systems, etc.
- Blair speaks openly about digital IDs helping track immigration, rationalize public services, reduce fraud, integrate various identity documents, and more.
- The UK is now pushing forward with mandatory digital ID in order to work in the country…. exactly as championed by Tony Blair and Bill Gates.
Parallels with Revelation: Looking Closely
Let’s set side by side features from prophecy and features from what is now happening. The idea isn’t to force the data, but to see if the fit is close enough to raise concern.
| Prophetic Feature | What Revelation Says | Parallels in Blair/Gates Context |
|---|---|---|
| A political leader who holds power over many nations, directs international affairs, seeks worship or loyalty | The Antichrist is depicted as a ruler, seen by many, worshiped by many. Revelation 13, etc. | Blair’s Institute works globally, advising multiple governments; his role in the Middle East peace process (Israel especially) gives him visibility in one of prophecy’s central arenas. He is shaping networks of governance beyond his own national boundaries. |
| A false prophet who supports, promotes, enforces the Antichrist’s rule, especially via religious or spiritually symbolic means, often using signs/miracles/technology | The False Prophet causes people to worship the beast; makes images that speak; deceives via miracles etc. Revelation 13 & 19. | Gates—through technology, digital identification, public health, global institutions—champions infrastructures that could become required. Systems that verify, monitor, exclude based on tech credentials. These are not miracles in the biblical sense, but they serve similar functions of validation, surveillance, control. |
| A “mark” without which no one can buy or sell | Revelation 13:16-17 speaks of a mark required on the hand or forehead. | Digital ID systems, digital wallets, verification systems—if they become required for work, access to public services, commerce—could functionally serve in similar fashion. If a digital identity becomes necessary to participate in the economy, that’s a form of “marking.” |
| Image of the beast that “speaks” | Revelation 13:15 discusses an image given life, speaking, causing those who don’t worship it to be killed. | AI avatars, digital faces, virtual politicians or officials—like “Diella” in Albania, an AI minister—while not yet an “image of the beast” in the prophetic sense, mirror aspects of the image: representation, voice, authority, worship or at least compliance. |
Signs of the Times
Seattle Schools Promote Trans Agenda With Chest Binders, Tucking Underwear
Despite President Donald Trump’s executive order, “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling,” the Seattle Public Schools reportedly launched a program that actively promoted transgenderism to its students by equipping middle and high schools with complimentary “gender-affirming” items tailored for young students.
Gog and Magog Update
Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan – Scenarios For What Comes Next
Hamas is trying to create the impression of flexibility while fundamentally refusing to concede on the issues that matter most: its weapons and its power.
As Israeli and Hamas delegations head to Egypt to negotiate the details of a sweeping U.S.-led plan to end the two-year war, Hamas faces a stark choice: accept a deal that would begin with the near-immediate release of all Israeli hostages and culminate in its eventual disarmament, or face the alternative–a renewed, full-scale Israeli military campaign aimed at forcibly removing it from power in Gaza.
The 20-point plan, unveiled by U.S. President Donald Trump on Sept. 29, has drawn broad international and regional support–including from the Arab-Muslim world and Hamas’s own patrons, Qatar and Turkey–placing the terror group under mounting pressure.
Brig. Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser, director of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security (JISS) and former head of the IDF Military Intelligence Directorate’s Analysis and Production Division, said during a Sunday call organized by the Jerusalem Press Club that the first test of the plan will come in the context of the hostages.
“Is Hamas going to release all of them in the time frame decided upon, or not? This will give us a sign of the extent the supporters of Hamas are keen in putting pressure on Hamas to make sure that it is coming up with the implementation of the plan,” said Kuperwasser.
“I think that Hamas understands that if they are not going to deliver, the alternative is what was just about to happen: Israel is going to get a green light from President Trump to finish the job, as he was describing it, and get Hamas out of power in Gaza by force. And this alternative is not very attractive for Hamas,” he added.
Kuperwasser assessed that Hamas has the capability to locate and release all 48 remaining hostages–20 living and 28 bodies–within a few days. The plan itself, he stressed, is not open for negotiation. “The plan is the plan. You either approve it or disapprove it,” he said, noting that it is supported by many Arab and Muslim states.
While Hamas would secure the release of hundreds of high-level terrorist prisoners, accepting the deal would amount to admitting that the Oct. 7 massacre was a catastrophic mistake for which it has paid a heavy price, he argued.
“Giving up control of Gaza is a huge loss for Hamas, and the disarming of Hamas is a major setback,” Kuperwasser noted.
The plan is performance-based, not timetable-based, said Kuperwasser. All of its clauses following the hostage release–including the establishment of a Palestinian technocratic government, the deployment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF), and a massive reconstruction and economic program for Gaza–are contingent on Hamas verifiably disarming.
TruLight Ministry News
TruLight Ministries orders from God since 2012 . Teach Them , Comfort Them and Warn Them!
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5 MINUTE NA DIE DOOD, WAAR MAAK EK MY OË OOP? DEUR PASTOOR DIRK
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