Hosted by TruLight Ministries – The Place of Truth
We should read and study the Bible because it is God’s Word to us. The Bible is literally “God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16). In other words, it is God’s very words to us. There are so many questions that philosophers have asked that God answers for us in Scripture. What is the purpose to life? Where did I come from? Is there life after death? How do I get to heaven? Why is the world full of evil? Why do I struggle to do good? In addition to these “big” questions, the Bible gives much practical advice in areas such as: How can I be a good friend? What is success and how do I achieve it? How can I change? What really matters in life? How can I live so that I do not look back with regret? How can I handle the unfair circumstances and bad events of life victoriously? What do I look for in a mate? How can I have a successful marriage? How can I be a good parent?
We should read and study the Bible because it is totally reliable and without error. The Bible is unique among so-called “holy” books in that it does not merely give moral teaching and say, “Trust me.” Rather, we have the ability to test it by checking the hundreds of detailed prophecies that it makes, by checking the historical accounts it records, and by checking the scientific facts it relates. Those who say the Bible has errors have their ears closed to the truth. Jesus once asked which is easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven you,” or “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” Then He proved He had the ability to forgive sins (something we cannot see with our eyes) by healing the paralytic (something those around Him could test with their eyes, see Matthew 9:1-8 and Mark 2:1-12). Similarly, we are given assurance that God’s Word is true when it discusses spiritual areas that we cannot test with our senses by showing itself true in those areas that we can test, such as historical accuracy, scientific accuracy, and prophetic accuracy.
We should read and study the Bible because God does not change and because mankind’s nature does not change; it is as relevant for us as it was when it was written. While technology changes, mankind’s nature and desires do not change. We find, as we read the pages of biblical history, that whether we are talking about one-on-one relationships or societies, “there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). And while mankind as a whole continues to seek love and satisfaction in all of the wrong places, God—our good and gracious Creator—tells us what will bring us lasting joy. His revealed Word, the Bible, is so important that Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3 in response to one of Satan’s temptations in the wilderness: “Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God”’” (Matthew 4:4). In other words, if we want to live life to the fullest, as God intended, we must listen to and heed God’s written Word.
We should read and study the Bible because there is so much false teaching. The Bible gives us the measuring stick by which we can distinguish truth from error. It tells us what God is like. To have a wrong impression of God is to worship an idol or false god. We are worshiping something that He is not. The Bible tells us how one truly gets to heaven, and it is not by being good or by being baptized or by anything else we do (Isaiah 53:6; John 14:6; Romans 3:10-18; 5:8; 6:23; 10:9-13; Ephesians 2:1-10). Along this line, God’s Word shows us just how much God loves us (John 3:16; Romans 5:6-8). And it is in learning this that we are drawn to love Him in return (1 John 4:19).
The Bible equips us to serve God (2 Timothy 3:17; Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12). It helps us know how to be saved from our sin and its ultimate consequence (2 Timothy 3:15). Meditating on God’s Word and obeying its teachings will bring success in life (Joshua 1:8; James 1:25). God’s Word helps us see sin in our lives and helps us get rid of it (Psalm 119:9, 11). It gives us guidance in life, making us wiser than our teachers (Psalm 32:8, 119:99; Proverbs 1:6). The Bible keeps us from wasting years of our lives on that which does not matter and will not last (Matthew 7:24-27).
Reading and studying the Bible helps us see beyond the attractive “bait” to the painful “hook” in sinful temptations, so that we can learn from others’ mistakes rather than making them ourselves. Experience is a great teacher, but when it comes to learning from sin, it is a terribly hard teacher. It is so much better to learn from others’ mistakes. There are so many Bible characters to learn from, some of whom can serve as both positive and negative role models at different times in their lives. For example, David, in his defeat of Goliath, teaches us that God is greater than anything He asks us to face (1 Samuel 17), while his giving in to the temptation to commit adultery with Bathsheba reveals just how long-lasting and terrible the consequences of a moment’s sinful pleasure can be (2 Samuel 11).
Ons moet die Bybel lees en bestudeer, want dit is God se Woord aan ons. Die Bybel is letterlik “deur God ingeblaas” (2 Timoteus 3:16). Met ander woorde, dit is God se woorde aan ons. Daar is soveel vrae wat filosowe gevra het wat God vir ons in die Skrif beantwoord. Wat is die doel van die lewe? Waar kom ek vandaan? Is daar lewe na die dood? Hoe kom ek in die hemel? Waarom is die wêreld vol boosheid? Waarom sukkel ek om goed te doen? Benewens hierdie “groot” vrae, gee die Bybel baie praktiese raad op gebiede soos: Hoe kan ek ‘n goeie vriend wees? Wat is sukses en hoe bereik ek dit? Hoe kan ek verander? Wat maak werklik saak in die lewe? Hoe kan ek so leef dat ek nie met spyt terugkyk nie? Hoe kan ek die onregverdige omstandighede en slegte gebeure van die lewe oorwinnend hanteer? Waarna soek ek in ‘n maat? Hoe kan ek ‘n suksesvolle huwelik hê? Hoe kan ek ‘n goeie ouer wees?
Ons moet die Bybel lees en bestudeer, want dit is heeltemal betroubaar en sonder foute. Die Bybel is uniek onder sogenaamde “heilige” boeke deurdat dit nie bloot morele lering gee en sê: “Vertrou my” nie. Ons het eerder die vermoë om dit te toets deur die honderde gedetailleerde profesieë wat dit maak, na te gaan, deur die historiese verslae wat dit opteken, na te gaan, en deur die wetenskaplike feite wat dit vertel, na te gaan. Diegene wat sê die Bybel het foute, het hul ore toe vir die waarheid. Jesus het eenkeer gevra wat makliker is om te sê: “Jou sondes is jou vergewe,” of “Staan op, neem jou bed op en loop.” Toe bewys Hy dat Hy die vermoë het om sondes te vergewe (iets wat ons nie met ons oë kan sien nie) deur die verlamde te genees (iets wat diegene rondom Hom met hul oë kon toets, sien Matteus 9:1-8 en Markus 2:1-12). Net so word ons die versekering gegee dat God se Woord waar is wanneer dit geestelike areas bespreek wat ons nie met ons sintuie kan toets nie deur homself waar te maak in daardie areas wat ons kan toets, soos historiese akkuraatheid, wetenskaplike akkuraatheid en profetiese akkuraatheid.
Ons moet die Bybel lees en bestudeer omdat God nie verander nie en omdat die mensdom se natuur nie verander nie; Dit is net so relevant vir ons as wat dit was toe dit geskryf is. Terwyl tegnologie verander, verander die mensdom se natuur en begeertes nie. Ons vind, terwyl ons die bladsye van Bybelse geskiedenis lees, dat of ons nou praat oor een-tot-een verhoudings of samelewings, “daar is niks nuuts onder die son nie” (Prediker 1:9). En terwyl die mensdom as geheel steeds liefde en bevrediging op al die verkeerde plekke soek, vertel God – ons goeie en genadige Skepper – vir ons wat ons blywende vreugde sal bring. Sy geopenbaarde Woord, die Bybel, is so belangrik dat Jesus Deuteronomium 8:3 aangehaal het in reaksie op een van Satan se versoekings in die woestyn: “Jesus antwoord: ‘Daar is geskrywe: Die mens sal nie van brood alleen lewe nie, maar van elke woord wat uit die mond van God kom'” (Matteus 4:4). Met ander woorde, as ons die lewe ten volle wil leef, soos God bedoel het, moet ons luister na en ag slaan op God se geskrewe Woord.
Ons moet die Bybel lees en bestudeer, want daar is soveel valse leringe. Die Bybel gee ons die maatstaf waarmee ons waarheid van dwaling kan onderskei. Dit vertel ons hoe God is. Om ‘n verkeerde indruk van God te hê, is om ‘n afgod of valse god te aanbid. Ons aanbid iets wat Hy nie is nie. Die Bybel vertel ons hoe ‘n mens werklik hemel toe kom, en dit is nie deur goed te wees of deur gedoop te word of deur enigiets anders wat ons doen nie (Jesaja 53:6; Johannes 14:6; Romeine 3:10-18; 5:8; 6:23; 10:9-13; Efesiërs 2:1-10). In hierdie verband wys God se Woord vir ons hoeveel God ons liefhet (Johannes 3:16; Romeine 5:6-8). En dit is deur dit te leer dat ons getrek word om Hom ook lief te hê (1 Johannes 4:19).
Die Bybel rus ons toe om God te dien (2 Timoteus 3:17; Efesiërs 6:17; Hebreërs 4:12). Dit help ons om te weet hoe om van ons sonde en die uiteindelike gevolg daarvan gered te word (2 Timoteus 3:15). Meditasie oor God se Woord en gehoorsaamheid aan die leringe daarvan sal sukses in die lewe bring (Josua 1:8; Jakobus 1:25). God se Woord help ons om sonde in ons lewens te sien en help ons om daarvan ontslae te raak (Psalm 119:9, 11). Dit gee ons leiding in die lewe, wat ons wyser maak as ons onderwysers (Psalm 32:8, 119:99; Spreuke 1:6). Die Bybel verhoed dat ons jare van ons lewens mors aan dit wat nie saak maak nie en nie sal hou nie (Matteus 7:24-27).
Om die Bybel te lees en te bestudeer, help ons om verder as die aantreklike “aas” na die pynlike “haak” in sondige versoekings te sien, sodat ons uit ander se foute kan leer eerder as om dit self te maak. Ervaring is ‘n goeie leermeester, maar wanneer dit kom by leer uit sonde, is dit ‘n verskriklik moeilike leermeester. Dit is soveel beter om uit ander se foute te leer. Daar is soveel Bybelkarakters om van te leer, waarvan sommige as beide positiewe en negatiewe rolmodelle op verskillende tye in hul lewens kan dien. Byvoorbeeld, Dawid, in sy nederlaag van Goliat, leer ons dat God groter is as enigiets wat Hy van ons vra om te trotseer (1 Samuel 17), terwyl sy swig voor die versoeking om egbreuk met Batseba te pleeg, openbaar hoe langdurig en verskriklik die gevolge van ‘n oomblik se sondige plesier kan wees (2 Samuel 11).
Bible Verse and Prayer for Today;
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
2 Corinthians 13:11
Prayer
Lord , thank You for these Guidelines . When we follow Biblical Guidelines God’s Love and Peace will be with Us . Help us with this , We Pray this In Jesus Name . Amen and Amen
Bybel Vers en Gebed vir Vandag
Laastens, broeders, vaarwel. Wees volmaak, laat julle vertroos, wees eensgesind, leef in vrede; en die God van liefde en vrede sal met julle wees.
2 Korintiërs 13:11
Gebed
Here, dankie vir hierdie riglyne. Wanneer ons Bybelse riglyne volg, sal God se liefde en vrede met ons wees. Help ons hiermee,Ons bid dit in Jesus se Naam. Amen en Amen.
Bible Teaching of the Day
The apostle Paul never missed a teaching opportunity. In Ephesians 3:1–13, he interrupted his own prayer to expound on the divine mystery of God revealed in the New Testament church of Jesus Christ. The previously hidden secret was now made known—both Jews and Gentiles would share equally in the gospel of salvation (verse 6). God had a specific purpose for using the church in this way: “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ephesians 3:10–11).
The word translated “manifold” in Ephesians 3:10 means “many and varied; having many features and forms; wrought in various colors; diversified, intricate, complex, many-sided.” God’s wisdom in His extraordinary plan of salvation, as seen in the new and mysterious creation of the church, is a multi-faceted, many-colored, culturally diverse, rich, and beautiful community of believers. There is no other human co-op like it in the world.
According to Bible commentators, “the manifold wisdom of God” is a poetic and artistic expression suggesting the intricate nature of an embroidered pattern as in Joseph’s “tunic of many colors” (Genesis 37:3, NKJV). Each member of the body of Christ manifests a different aspect of God’s image (Genesis 1:26–27; James 3:9; Ephesians 4:24). Together, believers form a perfect blend of harmony and diversity. The many features, forms, and colors of fellowship in the church reflect the manifold wisdom of God.
For the earliest Christians, and particularly the Jews, the up-to-that-time secret mystery of the church was truly a mind-blowing revelation. Even “the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places” were learning about it for the first time. To the Romans, Paul declared, “Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!” (Romans 11:33, NLT).
Paul referred to the church as “the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them, God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:26–27).
God’s mystery is Christ “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). Jesus possesses the manifold wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24, 30) and reveals it to the world through His body, the church. We have Christ in us—the hope of glory. It still astonishes and overwhelms that God has chosen to package the treasure of His manifold wisdom in fragile, human “jars of clay” (2 Corinthians 4:7–11).
The Bible reveals the manifold wisdom of God as unsearchable, deep, and beyond measure (Isaiah 40:28; Psalm 92:5; 147:5). James describes it as “wisdom from above,” which is “first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere” (James 3:17, NLT). On the other hand, human wisdom has no merit of its own (1 Corinthians 1:19–21; Isaiah 29:14). Nevertheless, God gives His wisdom to humans as a gift (Proverbs 2:6; 1 Corinthians 2:6–16; James 1:5), and His followers are to continue praying and asking Him for spiritual wisdom (Colossians 1:9).
As believers, we can picture the manifold wisdom of God as a global, body of Christ-shaped tapestry. Our individual lives are the various colored threads woven together in unity of purpose—to display God’s manifold wisdom through the church. We do this by taking the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ to all the people of the world.
Bybel Lering vir die Dag
Die apostel Paulus het nooit ‘n onderriggeleentheid misgeloop nie. In Efesiërs 3:1–13 het hy sy eie gebed onderbreek om die goddelike misterie van God uit te lê wat in die Nuwe-Testamentiese kerk van Jesus Christus geopenbaar is. Die voorheen verborge geheim is nou bekend gemaak – beide Jode en heidene sou gelykop deel hê aan die evangelie van verlossing (vers 6). God het ‘n spesifieke doel gehad om die kerk op hierdie manier te gebruik: “Sy bedoeling was dat nou deur die kerk die veelvuldige wysheid van God bekend gemaak sou word aan die owerhede en magte in die hemele, volgens sy ewige voorneme wat Hy volbring het in Christus Jesus, onse Here” (Efesiërs 3:10–11).
Die woord wat in Efesiërs 3:10 as “menigvuldig” vertaal word, beteken “vele en gevarieerd; met baie kenmerke en vorms; in verskillende kleure gemaak; gediversifiseerd, ingewikkeld, kompleks, veelsydig.” God se wysheid in Sy buitengewone plan van verlossing, soos gesien in die nuwe en geheimsinnige skepping van die kerk, is ‘n veelsydige, veelkleurige, kultureel diverse, ryk en pragtige gemeenskap van gelowiges. Daar is geen ander menslike koöperasie soos hierdie in die wêreld nie.
Volgens Bybelkommentators is “die veelvuldige wysheid van God” ‘n poëtiese en artistieke uitdrukking wat die ingewikkelde aard van ‘n geborduurde patroon soos in Josef se “velkleurige tuniek” suggereer (Genesis 37:3). Elke lid van die liggaam van Christus manifesteer ‘n ander aspek van God se beeld (Genesis 1:26–27; Jakobus 3:9; Efesiërs 4:24). Saam vorm gelowiges ‘n perfekte mengsel van harmonie en diversiteit. Die vele kenmerke, vorms en kleure van gemeenskap in die kerk weerspieël die veelvuldige wysheid van God.
Vir die vroegste Christene, en veral die Jode, was die geheime misterie van die kerk tot op daardie tydstip werklik ‘n verstommende openbaring. Selfs “die onsigbare heersers en magte in die hemele” het vir die eerste keer daarvan geleer. Aan die Romeine het Paulus verklaar: “O, hoe groot is God se rykdom en wysheid en kennis! Hoe onmoontlik is dit vir ons om sy besluite en sy weë te verstaan!” (Romeine 11:33).
Paulus het na die kerk verwys as “die verborgenheid wat eeue en geslagte lank verborge gehou is, maar nou aan die mense van die Here geopenbaar is. Aan hulle het God besluit om onder die heidene die rykdom van die heerlikheid van hierdie verborgenheid bekend te maak, naamlik Christus in julle, die hoop van die heerlikheid” (Kolossense 1:26–27).
God se verborgenheid is Christus “in wie al die skatte van wysheid en kennis verborge is” (Kolossense 2:3). Jesus besit die veelvuldige wysheid van God (1 Korintiërs 1:24, 30) en openbaar dit aan die wêreld deur Sy liggaam, die kerk. Ons het Christus in ons – die hoop van heerlikheid. Dit verbaas en oorweldig steeds dat God gekies het om die skat van Sy veelvuldige wysheid in brose, menslike “kleipotte” te verpak (2 Korintiërs 4:7–11).
Die Bybel openbaar die veelvuldige wysheid van God as ondeurgrondelik, diep en onmeetbaar (Jesaja 40:28; Psalm 92:5; 147:5). Jakobus beskryf dit as “wysheid van bo”, wat “alleen suiwer is, maar ook vredeliewend, altyd sagmoedig, en gewillig om aan ander toe te gee. Dit is vol barmhartigheid en die vrug van goeie dade. Dit toon geen voortrekkery nie en is altyd opreg” (Jakobus 3:17, NLT). Aan die ander kant het menslike wysheid geen eie meriete nie (1 Korintiërs 1:19–21; Jesaja 29:14). Nietemin gee God Sy wysheid aan mense as ‘n geskenk (Spreuke 2:6; 1 Korintiërs 2:6–16; Jakobus 1:5), en Sy volgelinge moet aanhou bid en Hom vir geestelike wysheid vra (Kolossense 1:9).
As gelowiges kan ons die veelvuldige wysheid van God as ‘n wêreldwye, Christus-vormige tapisserie voorstel. Ons individuele lewens is die verskillende gekleurde drade wat saamgeweef is in eenheid van doel – om God se veelvuldige wysheid deur die kerk te vertoon. Ons doen dit deur die goeie nuus van verlossing in Jesus Christus aan al die mense van die wêreld te neem.
Today’s Devotional
The Greek word agape is often translated “love” in the New Testament. How is “agape love” different from other types of love? The essence of agape love is goodwill, benevolence, and willful delight in the object of love. Unlike our English word love, agape is not used in the New Testament to refer to romantic or sexual love. Nor does it refer to close friendship or brotherly love, for which the Greek word philia is used. Agape love involves faithfulness, commitment, and an act of the will. It is distinguished from the other types of love by its lofty moral nature and strong character. Agape love is beautifully described in 1 Corinthians 13.
Outside of the New Testament, the word agape is used in a variety of contexts, but in the vast majority of instances in the New Testament it carries distinct meaning. Agape is almost always used to describe the love that is of and from God, whose very nature is love itself: “God is love” (1 John 4:8). God does not merely love; He is love. Everything God does flows from His love. Agape is also used to describe our love for God (Luke 10:27), a servant’s faithful respect to his master (Matthew 6:24), and a man’s attachment to things (John 3:19).
The type of love that characterizes God is not a sappy, sentimental feeling such as we often hear portrayed. God loves because that is His nature and the expression of His being. He loves the unlovable and the unlovely, not because we deserve to be loved or because of any excellence we possess, but because it is His nature to love and He must be true to His nature.
Agape love is always shown by what it does. God’s love is displayed most clearly at the cross. “God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved” (Ephesians 2:4–5, ESV). We did not deserve such a sacrifice, “but God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). God’s agape love is unmerited, gracious, and constantly seeking the benefit of the ones He loves. The Bible says we are the undeserving recipients of His lavish agape love (1 John 3:1). God’s demonstration of agape love led to the sacrifice of the Son of God for those He loves.
We are to love others with agape love, whether they are fellow believers (John 13:34) or bitter enemies (Matthew 5:44). Jesus gave the parable of the Good Samaritan as an example of sacrifice for the sake of others, even for those who may care nothing at all for us. Agape love as modeled by Christ is not based on a feeling; rather, it is a determined act of the will, a joyful resolve to put the welfare of others above our own.
Agape love does not come naturally to us. Because of our fallen nature, we are incapable of producing such a love. If we are to love as God loves, that love—that agape—can only come from its Source. This is the love that “has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” when we became His children (Romans 5:5; cf. Galatians 5:22). “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters” (1 John 3:16). Because of God’s love toward us, we are able to love one another.
Vandag se Bemoediging
Die Griekse woord agape word dikwels in die Nuwe Testament as “liefde” vertaal. Hoe verskil “agape-liefde” van ander soorte liefde? Die essensie van agape-liefde is welwillendheid, welwillendheid en opsetlike genot in die voorwerp van liefde. Anders as ons Engelse woord liefde, word agape nie in die Nuwe Testament gebruik om na romantiese of seksuele liefde te verwys nie. Dit verwys ook nie na hegte vriendskap of broederliefde nie, waarvoor die Griekse woord philia gebruik word. Agape-liefde behels getrouheid, toewyding en ‘n wilsdaad. Dit word van die ander soorte liefde onderskei deur sy verhewe morele aard en sterk karakter. Agape-liefde word pragtig beskryf in 1 Korintiërs 13.
Buite die Nuwe Testament word die woord agape in ‘n verskeidenheid kontekste gebruik, maar in die oorgrote meerderheid van gevalle in die Nuwe Testament dra dit ‘n duidelike betekenis. Agape word amper altyd gebruik om die liefde te beskryf wat van en van God is, wie se aard liefde self is: “God is liefde” (1 Johannes 4:8). God het nie bloot lief nie; Hy is liefde. Alles wat God doen, vloei uit Sy liefde. Agape word ook gebruik om ons liefde vir God te beskryf (Lukas 10:27), ‘n dienaar se getroue respek teenoor sy meester (Matteus 6:24), en ‘n man se gehegtheid aan dinge (Johannes 3:19).
Die tipe liefde wat God kenmerk, is nie ‘n sentimentele gevoel soos ons dikwels hoor uitgebeeld word nie. God het lief omdat dit Sy natuur en die uitdrukking van Sy wese is. Hy het die onlieflike en die onaantreklike lief, nie omdat ons verdien om liefgehê te word of as gevolg van enige uitnemendheid wat ons besit nie, maar omdat dit Sy natuur is om lief te hê en Hy moet getrou wees aan Sy natuur.
Agape-liefde word altyd getoon deur wat dit doen. God se liefde word die duidelikste aan die kruis vertoon. “God, ryk in barmhartigheid, het ons deur sy grote liefde waarmee Hy ons liefgehad het, ook toe ons dood was deur ons misdade, lewend gemaak saam met Christus—uit genade is julle gered” (Efesiërs 2:4–5). Ons het nie so ‘n offer verdien nie, “maar God bewys sy liefde vir ons hierin dat Christus vir ons gesterf het toe ons nog sondaars was” (Romeine 5:8). God se agape-liefde is onverdiend, genadig en soek voortdurend die voordeel van diegene wat Hy liefhet. Die Bybel sê ons is die onverdiende ontvangers van Sy oorvloedige agape-liefde (1 Johannes 3:1). God se demonstrasie van agape-liefde het gelei tot die offer van die Seun van God vir diegene wat Hy liefhet.
Ons moet ander met agape-liefde liefhê, of hulle nou medegelowiges (Johannes 13:34) of bittere vyande (Matteus 5:44) is. Jesus het die gelykenis van die barmhartige Samaritaan as ‘n voorbeeld van opoffering ter wille van ander gegee, selfs vir diegene wat glad nie vir ons omgee nie. Agape-liefde soos deur Christus gemodelleer, is nie gebaseer op ‘n gevoel nie; dit is eerder ‘n vasberade daad van die wil, ‘n vreugdevolle besluit om die welstand van ander bo ons eie te stel.
Agape-liefde kom nie natuurlik vir ons nie. As gevolg van ons gevalle natuur is ons nie in staat om so ‘n liefde te produseer nie. As ons moet liefhê soos God liefhet, kan daardie liefde – daardie agape – slegs uit sy Bron kom. Dit is die liefde wat “in ons harte uitgestort is deur die Heilige Gees wat aan ons gegee is” toe ons Sy kinders geword het (Romeine 5:5; vgl. Galasiërs 5:22). “Hieraan weet ons wat liefde is: Jesus Christus het sy lewe vir ons afgelê. En ons behoort ons lewe vir ons broers af te lê” (1 Johannes 3:16). As gevolg van God se liefde teenoor ons, is ons in staat om mekaar lief te hê.
TruLight Ministries Daily Entertainment
TruLight TV –Nature Documentary – Port-Cros National Park
Life comes with a lot of unknowns. But as followers of Jesus we don’t have to let the pressures and anxieties of life weigh us down. Feel confident to go to Jesus with whatever’s on your heart and He will give you peace. and later a Nature Documentary in title (Mission Caulerpa – Diving for dangerous seaweed in Port-Cros National Park) – The Mediterranean Sea is one of the most battered marine environments in the world. Oil pollution, garbage and overfishing have left catastrophic traces. In the Port-Cros National Park, the oldest marine protected area in Europe, rangers like Céline Obadia and Hervé Bergère are fighting against the destruction of nature. Once a year, more than 60 divers gather on the small Mediterranean island of Port-Cros to work with the rangers against the so-called “killer algae” Caulerpa taxifolia. The algae were introduced from the Pacific and are a serious threat to the native underwater world of southern France. 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. Enjoy today’s show and thanks for watching.
INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPEL ARTISTS
MEET : Marshall Hall
Marshall Hall was born on December 30, 1970 in Lexington, KY to a musical family – mother Alice, father Dale, older brother Mitchell, and younger brother Matthew.
His mother played piano at church, and dad was a singer. The family’s life was centered on the church and their faith. When Marshall reached high school in 1985, he joined the church youth group and attended the state youth convention. At the age of 14, he made a decision to follow Christ.
After high school, Marshall followed in his father’s footsteps and attended Anderson University in Anderson, IN. While singing at his church in Anderson, Marshall was approached by a local producer and asked to sing for a project at Gaither Studios. He never really expected to actually end up singing for a living, but about a year after graduating from college, he quit his job at a furniture store and began working as a studio singer full-time. As a session vocalist, Marshall traveled frequently from Indiana to Chicago, Orlando to Louisville and to Nashville singing background vocals on records and jingles for several national clients, including McDonald’s, Long John Silver’s and Head and Shoulders.
During one session for Bill Gaither, Marshall was asked to join the Homecoming artists in Memphis, TN for a video taping. Subsequent videos followed for Marshall, including tapings in Indianapolis and New York City at Carnegie Hall.
He also found a spot as a back-up singer on projects for recording artists John Tesh, Clay Walker, and Carman, among others. He has written songs for several Gaither videos, as well as for Salvador, Point of Grace, fellow GVB member David Phelps and the Vocal Band.
In December, 2002, Marshall’s music lead him to another frontier – marriage to Sweetwater, AL native Lori Vick in April 2003. The couple has two daughters, Presley (born in 2006) and Allison Reese (born in 2008).
In 2003, he released a solo studio album, Wisdom of Fools which included 2 songs which were used by Point of Grace in their album I Choose You and Boundless in 2005 which included the old song from his former group.
In January, 2004, the newly-weds life would change again when Marshall received a call from Bill Gaither asking him to call Guy Penrod. From this phone call, Marshall began a one and a half month audition process to become the new baritone for the Gaither Vocal Band. He was a part of three of the Vocal Band’s studio albums including Give It Away, Lovin’ Life and Christmas Gaither Vocal Band Style. Marshall has been on the road with the GVB from then until 2009 when he decided to leave the group to pursue a solo career and join the Mountain Park Community Church in Phoenix, AZ as worship pastor. Since 2009, Marshall has re-joined the GVB to fill in as Lead (2010, when Michael English recovered from back surgery) and Baritone (2013, when Mark Lowry broke his femur).
September 9, 2012 he began serving as Worship Leader at Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, CA where David Jeremiah serves as senior pastor.
In 2014, Marshall moved to the Chicago area and now serves as a worship leader at Willow Creek Community Church under the leadership of Bill Hybels.
Today on TruLight Radio XM
TruLight Radio XM 24/7
Program
GMT / UTC +2
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 Night-sounds
23.00 Good Old Country Gospel / Rhema Gospel Express
VISIT THE WEBSITE
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Bible Prophecy in the News
World Health Organization About To Give Itself Unlimited Power
The World Health Organization might finally be getting just what it wanted: Unlimited power and control. Based on past performance, the WHO will weaponize its powers under the disguise of “public health” to pursue strictly political agendas.
Signs of the Times
AI Clones Your Favorite Pastor With Sermons Online- Can You Tell The Difference?
What if the voice preaching to you on YouTube wasn’t your favorite pastor at all–but a digital impostor, crafted by algorithms, spouting counterfeit sermons with the voice and mannerisms of someone you trust? Welcome to the eerie frontier of artificial intelligence in the Church.
Gog and Magog Update
Why Hamas Rejected Witkoff’s Ceasefire Plan
The leaders of the Iran-backed Hamas terror group do not seem to be in a rush to end the war with Israel: after all, they and their family members are not living in the Gaza Strip, which has been turned into a war zone over the past 20 months.
HEALING ARTICLES AND PRAYER
TruLight Ministries offer a Wide Range of EYE OPENING Healing Articles and various Illnesses . Cancers and other Chronic Illness :
TruLight Ministries bied ‘n wye reeks OOGOPENENDE Genesingsartikels en verskeie siektes. Kankers en ander chroniese siektes:
“”” If 87% of diseases are a result of what goes on in our thought life, then
87% of diseases can be cured by sorting out our thought life. “””
Cancers
Before reading about the specific cancer that you are interested in, you must read through the background of cancer in general which has information that is relevant to all cancers.
Background of Cancer in General
Cancer is the second greatest cause of death in the developed world. One in three people will get cancer at some time in their life. Two in three cancer patients die within five years of diagnosis – we can change that. As I explain cancer in this chapter, at various points I will be instructing you to read through other chapters which have essential background information that is necessary for you to understand the concept that I will be explaining next. So if you want to fully understand cancer, it is important that you follow my instructions exactly while you read through this chapter. There is a combination of multiple factors involved in the development of cancer and I am going to deal with each one, one at a time.
Prevention is Better than Cure!
in the chapter “Essential Background Knowledge of Disease from a Biblical Perspective” I explained that God’s perfect will is not actually healing, His perfect will is that you don’t get sick in the first place. These principles that I am going to teach for the healing of cancer are the same principles that when applied to your life will prevent cancer. This is a quote from Charles R. Shaw, Professor of Biology and Chief of the Medical Genetic Section at the University of Texas, MD Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute in Houston:
“The goal is prevention of cancer. Cancer specialists have long recognized that this is the best approach to the control of cancer.
One often hears the question, “Do you think we’ll come up with a cure for cancer soon?” The more relevant question is, “Do you think we’ll come up with a prevention of cancer soon?”
In this chapter I am going to answer both of those questions. Understanding what causes cancer in terms of the spiritual, psychological and physical dynamics behind it is the primary route to curing and preventing it.
I’m going to share knowledge and insight with you that will give you the chance to defeat cancer forever in your families, in your church and in your nation. You need to teach this to your children and your grandchildren. Teach it! Teach it! Teach it! Teach it because this is knowledge straight off the hot flame of heaven to help you defeat your enemy.
In this chapter there are some testimonies of people who had terminal end stage cancer which medical science on its own was not able to cure. However they are totally well today and they did not have any biological intervention – they simply dealt with an issue and God healed them instantly.
These principles for the healing of cancer are the same principles that when applied to your life will prevent cancer.
What is Cancer?
Your body is made up of building blocks called cells. The cells in your body are able to increase in number by dividing. One cell can divide to form 2 cells. Then those 2 cells can divide to form 4 cells and those 4 cells divide to form 8, then 16, 32, 64 etc. This is how your body tissue grows or replaces tissue that has been damaged. The division and growth of body cells is tightly regulated by control mechanisms that cause the cells to divide when necessary and prevent them from growing and dividing at inappropriate times.
Cancer cells have escaped these mechanisms that control growth and are able to divide continuously.
As a consequence of their abnormal growth pattern, some cancer cells eventually form a mass of tissue called a tumor.
There are two types of tumors. Benign tumors remain at the spot where they first originated and can be removed by surgery. There is another type of tumor called a malignant tumor which is more deadly.
The cells in this tumor are able to escape the controls that keep the cells in their proper location. These cells can metastasize which means they can spread to different parts of the body and invade other tissues and organs, forming multiple tumors. Tumors cause damage because they literally take over that part of body tissue and destroy it so that the organ can no longer function properly. Lung cancer, for example, is particularly deadly because its cells are highly metastatic and can spread via the blood stream to form tumors in other parts of the lungs or in other organs such as the liver and brain.
When it comes to cancer, there are 3 groups of people. One group of people will never get cancer. The second group is vulnerable or predisposed to getting cancer because of inherited genetic defects that they were born with. The third group is totally susceptible and can begin uncontrolled cell division (which is what cancer is) at any time.
The Genetics Behind Cancer
Researchers have shown that cancer is a disease caused by defects in the genes. At this point, please can you read through the chapter on “Genetically Inherited Diseases” on page 153 before reading any further.
As you learnt in that chapter, genetic diseases involve a structural abnormality in the DNA. Your DNA is made up of genes. Your genes are inherited from your father and mother. Each gene has specific instructions for how to make a specific part of your body. For example, you have a gene that has instructions to make your eyes blue or green or brown. You have another specific gene that has instructions to make you a certain height (short or tall).
Everything that determines the way you look and your whole body make up comes from an instruction manual which is encoded in your genes. When these genes are messed up, the instructions are muddled up – and the result is the formation of a defective part of your body that does not function properly and hence the development of a disease. In the case of cancer, the genes that control cell growth are defective. The genes that control cell growth are called proto-oncogenes which are normal genes found in all body cells. When the DNA in these proto-oncogenes is changed around (i.e. the genes are messed up leading to muddled up instructions), these proto-oncogenes function abnormally and become oncogenes. Oncogenes means “cancer causing genes”. These oncogenes transform the normal cell into a cancer cell. The growth and division of cells is triggered by signal chemicals in the blood stream called growth factors. These growth factors attach to special growth factor receptors on the surface of the body cell. The growth factor “switches on” the growth factor receptor by attaching to it. This then initiates a whole cascade of chemical reactions which leads to the activation of various enzymes, such as protein kinase. These activated enzymes then activate proteins in the nucleus of the cell, which then stimulate the DNA to send out instructions to the cell to divide and grow.
Dealing with Specific Diseases
Even in the simplified scenario presented in this picture, it shows that multiple steps are required to control cell division and growth. Proto-oncogenes are the genes that contain the instructions on how to make the growth factors, growth factor receptors, enzymes and other chemicals involved in the control of cell division and growth. When these proto-oncogenes function abnormally (i.e. when they become oncogenes) they send out inappropriate signals to the cells to divide and grow. For example, the protooncogene that has instructions on how to make the growth factor receptor may become defective so that it causes the growth factor receptor to no longer be regulated. In other words it is always “switched on” even in the absence of the growth factor which normally controls it. Therefore the defective growth factor receptor is continually stimulating the cascade of chemical reactions… which in turn are stimulating the enzymes… which are continually activating the DNA to keep sending out instructions for the cell to divide.
As the cells continue to divide uncontrollably they form a mass of cells which is what a tumor or cancer is.
What causes the DNA in the proto-oncogenes to be changed around so that it becomes an oncogene that causes cancer? Well, we’ve been learning throughout this book that science has shown that the mind-body connection is real – our body is affected by what goes on in our thought life. As you read in the chapter on “Genetically Inherited Diseases”, the science of epigenetics shows that our thoughts and perceptions can remodel our genes and determine which genes are switched on and which genes are switched off.
The devil is able to get in and alter our body chemistry and genetics through sin in our thought life.
Examples of toxic thinking patterns (sin) that can cause a genetic defect leading to cancer are fear, anxiety, stress, strife, un-forgiveness and bitterness. We’ll be learning more about this later on. Viruses also play an important role in the development of many cancers. You must now understand what viruses are by reading from page 453. You can stop reading at the point where I say, “I cannot discuss all viruses because there are far too many”.
As you read in that chapter, viruses are what I suspect the Bible calls spirits of infirmity. I also said that viruses are an alien genetic life force that has an intelligence behind them that defies imagination.
Researchers have discovered that viruses can infect cells and transform them into cancer cells. One way they do this is by taking the DNA of the proto-oncogene in the human cell and incorporating it into its own DNA. The virus then uses this DNA that it has stolen from the body cell to inappropriately send out instructions to the body cells to keep dividing. The body cells mistake these instructions as instructions from the real DNA in the human cell – they don’t know that these are false instructions from the virus.
Thus they divide inappropriately causing cancer. Another way that viruses cause cancer is to take control of the proto-oncogenes in the human cell. They cause the proto-oncogenes to continuously give out instructions to the cell to keep dividing. Thus the cells begin to divide uncontrollably until they form a mass of cells which is a tumor.
You can be born with an inherited genetic defect that causes cancer from sin in previous generations in your family tree. However, you only develop the disease sometime later in life such as in your 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and even in your 80’s. This genetic defect can be triggered off to cause the cancer by a stressful life event. What connection does stress have to do with genetics? The answer is none. What I am saying is that even behind the release of a genetic defect is an invisible intelligence. Viruses, which are spirits of infirmity can set a genetic defect into motion.
I’ll explain more about this when I talk about strife later on.
Apart from defective proto-oncogenes, there is another type of gene involved in the development of cancer called tumor suppressor genes, also known as anti-oncogenes. Anti-oncogenes were built into cells as a safety mechanism where their normal function is to block cell division when the cell has transformed into a cancer cell. When these anti-oncogenes are defective, they lose their ability to “put on the brakes” and uncontrolled cell growth ensues. An example of an anti-oncogene is the p53 gene which is a key sensor that detects damaged DNA and either slows down cell division to give time for the DNA to be repaired or it activates a series of chemical reactions that cause death of that cancer cell before it is able to form
a tumor.
This defective gene stimulates cell division instead of stopping it. These anti-oncogenes can be damaged by viruses,
external damage (for example radiation) and by buildup of internal toxins as a result of fear, anxiety and stress. I’ll be explaining this is more detail later. There is normally two of each type of anti-oncogene in each cell.
There are three classes of cells in the human body:
1. Healthy cells which have 2 anti-oncogenes present – these cells will never become cancerous. You
cannot develop cancer when both of the anti-oncogenes are present.
2. Genetically predisposed cells which have only one anti-oncogene present.
3. A compromised cell which has no anti-oncogenes present – this cell can become cancerous at any time.
Henry Wright has documented medical evidence in his ministry of people who have been healed of cancer. These people had had their genes tested by a geneticist in conjunction with an oncologist. It was found that these patients had compromised cells with no anti-oncogenes present. After ministry where the issues behind cancer were dealt with, they were re-tested and it was found that both anti-oncogenes
were present, where before they were medically proven to be missing. That is a miracle!
Dealing with Specific Diseases
So far I have explained that cancer can be caused by a proto-oncogene that is damaged and thus transformed into an oncogene (cancer causing gene). Cancer can also be caused by damage to antioncogenes that normally prevent cells from forming cancerous tumors. Cancer also involves damage to special “Housekeeping Genes” (for example hMLH1 and hMSH2) that normally repair parts of DNA that are damaged from ‘wear and tear’ when cells divide. This causes the DNA to become unstable and it mutates (becomes defective) more easily. Finally, damage to the nm23 gene enables cancer cells to acquire the potential to spread and invade other body tissue and organs.
Dr Michelle Strydom MD – Healing begins with Sanctification of the Heart – 19 Video Teachings . One Video per Day
Dr Michelle Strydom trained and qualified as a medical doctor in South Africa and her desire is to practice medicine for the glory of God and leave behind a legacy of His love. She authored Healing Begins with Sanctifcation of the Heart and uncovers the foundation of disease by providing insight, from both a medical and Biblical perspective, into the spiritual, psychological and physical mechanisms that produce ill health. Her teaching demonstrates how latest medical research confirms Biblical principles of health and disease and reveals how coming back in line with His Word through repentance and sanctification helps us to overcome illness, be healed and made whole.
Teaching 4 = ALLERGIES (WHY YOU ARE NOT REALLY ALLERGIC TO ANYTHING)
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!
BATTLE CANCER (INTRODUCTION VIDEO)
Did you know that 86% of all chronic diseases and cancer have a spiritual reason behind them? It’s true! The majority of cancers and chronic illnesses are actually born from sin, such as un-forgiveness, hate, strife, and self-inflicted mental problems. But don’t worry, the Battle Cancer website is here to help. They have eye-opening medical and spiritual articles that pinpoint the reason for every cancer and chronic illness that a person can suffer from. In fact, they have identified 28 reasons why someone may not receive godly healing. On this website, they assist cancer and chronic illness sufferers to see the light, learn from the articles, deal with the problem, and receive healing. They even offer free eBook’s to download and stunning articles to share with your friends and family who may be in need of this mind-blowing information.
TruLight School of Theology have started with Its daily Bible Study – Pastor Counselling Certificate – we are Starting with 36 Studies with 10 Studies per Topic from 1st of April 2025 – Over the Next 2 Years we will Include One Daily Study per Topic on this Platform. The Daily Manna Bible Study will be Available in English and Afrikaans!
We will Start with a 68 week Study on “Know Your Bible” Daily Bible Summaries of every Chapter in the Bible! From the Old Testament to the New Testament , from Genesis to Revelation 66 Books of the Bible.
Started 1st April 2025
This is our Study Principals:
SOAP
Scripture: Read a short passage out loud.
Observation: What do you notice about the verses?.
Application: How can you apply this to your life?.
Prayer: Pray about what you’ve learned.
REAP
Read: Read the passage carefully.
Engage: Ask questions about the passage.
Apply: Think about how the passage applies to your life.
Pray: Pray about what you’ve learned.
Introduction to the Bible – Bible Summary
The Book of 1 Timothy was written by the apostle Paul (1 Timothy 1:1).
Date of Writing: The Book of 1 Timothy was written in A.D. 62-66.
Purpose of Writing: Paul wrote to Timothy to encourage him in his responsibility for
overseeing the work of the Ephesian church and possibly the other churches in the
province of Asia (1 Timothy 1:3). This letter lays the foundation for ordaining elders (1
Timothy 3:1-7), and provides guidance for ordaining people into offices of the church (1
Timothy 3:8-13). In essence, 1 Timothy is a leadership manual for church organization
and administration.
Key Verses:
1 Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man
Christ Jesus.”
1 Timothy 2:12, “I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she
must be silent.”
1 Timothy 3:1-3, “Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an
overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the
husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to
teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of
money.”
1 Timothy 4:9-10, “This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this
we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all
men, and especially of those who believe.”
1 Timothy 6:12, “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which
you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many
witnesses.”
Brief Summary: This is the first letter Paul wrote to Timothy, a young pastor who had
been a help to Paul in his work. Timothy was a Greek. His mother was a Jewess and his
father was Greek. Paul was more than just a mentor and leader to Timothy, he was like a
father to him, and Timothy was like a son to Paul (1 Timothy 1:2). Paul begins the letter
by urging Timothy to be on guard for false teachers and false doctrine. However, much
of the letter deals with pastoral conduct. Paul instructs Timothy in worship (chapter 2)
and developing mature leaders for the church (chapter 3). Most of the letter deals with
pastoral conduct, warnings about false teachers, and the church’s responsibility toward
single members, widows, elders, and slaves. All throughout the letter, Paul encourages
Timothy to stand firm, to persevere, and to remain true to his calling.
Connections: An interesting link to the Old Testament in the book of 1 Timothy is Paul’s
citation of the basis for considering church elders to be worthy of “double honor,” and
deserving of respect when it comes to being accused of wrongdoing (1 Timothy 5:17-
19). Deuteronomy 24:15; 25:4; and Leviticus 19:13 all speak of the necessity to pay a
worker what he has earned and to do it in a timely manner. Part of the Mosaic Law
demanded that two or three witnesses were necessary to bring an accusation against a
man (Deuteronomy 19:15). The Jewish Christians in the churches Timothy pastored
would have been well aware of these Old Testament connections.
Practical Application: Jesus Christ is presented by Paul as the mediator between God
and man (1 Timothy 2:5), the Savior to all who believe in Him. He is Lord of the church,
and Timothy serves Him by pastoring His church. Thus, we find the main application of
Paul’s first letter to his “son in the faith.” Paul instructs Timothy on matters of church
doctrine, church leadership, and church administration. We can use those same
instructions in governing our local assembly today. Likewise, the work and ministry of a
pastor, the qualifications for an elder, and the qualifications of a deacon are just as
important and pertinent today as they were in Timothy’s day. Paul’s first letter to
Timothy amounts to an instruction book on leading, administrating, and pastoring the
local church. The instructions in this letter apply to any leader or prospective leader of
Christ’s church and are equally relevant today as they were in Paul’s day. For those not
called into leadership roles in their church, the book is still practical. Every follower must
contend for the faith and avoid false teaching. Every follower must stand firm and
persevere.
Inleiding tot die Bybel – Bybel Samevatting
Opsomming van die Boek van 1
Timoteus
Skrywer: Die Boek van 1 Timoteus is geskryf deur die apostel Paulus ( 1 Timoteus 1:1 ).
Datum van Skrywe: Die Boek van 1 Timoteus is geskryf in AD 62-66.
Doel van die skryf: Paulus het aan Timoteus geskryf om hom aan te moedig in sy
verantwoordelikheid om toesig te hou oor die werk van die Efesiese kerk en moontlik
die ander kerke in die provinsie Asië ( 1 Timoteus 1:3 ). Hierdie brief lê die grondslag vir
die ordening van ouderlinge ( 1 Timoteus 3:1-7 ), en verskaf leiding vir die ordening van
mense in ampte van die kerk ( 1 Timoteus 3:8-13 ). In wese is 1 Timoteus ‘n
leierskaphandleiding vir kerkorganisasie en administrasie.
Sleutelverse:
1 Timoteus 2:5 , “Want daar is een God en een Middelaar tussen God en die mense, die
mens Christus Jesus.”
1 Timoteus 2:12 “Ek laat ‘n vrou nie toe om te onderrig of gesag oor ‘n man te hê nie; sy
moet swyg.”
1 Timoteus 3:1-3 , “Hier is ‘n betroubare woord: As iemand daarop ingestel is om ‘n
opsiener te wees, begeer hy ‘n edele taak. Nou moet die opsiener onberispelik wees, die
man van net een vrou, ingetoë, self- beheersd, eerbaar, gasvry, bekwaam om te
onderrig, nie aan dronkenskap gegee nie, nie gewelddadig nie, maar saggeaard, nie
twisgierig nie, nie ‘n liefhebber van geld nie.”
1 Timoteus 4:9-10 “Dit is ‘n betroubare woord wat volle aanvaarding verdien (en
hiervoor arbei ons en streef ons), dat ons ons hoop gevestig het op die lewende God,
wat die Verlosser is van alle mense, en veral van die wat glo.”
1 Timoteus 6:12 , “Stry die goeie stryd van die geloof. Hou vas aan die ewige lewe
waartoe jy geroep is toe jy jou goeie belydenis voor baie getuies afgelê het.”
Kort opsomming: Dit is die eerste brief wat Paulus aan Timoteus geskryf het, ‘n jong
pastoor wat ‘n hulp vir Paulus in sy werk was. Timoteus was ‘n Griek. Sy ma was ‘n Jood
en sy pa was Griek. Paulus was meer as net ‘n mentor en leier vir Timoteus, hy was vir
hom soos ‘n vader, en Timoteus was soos ‘n seun vir Paulus ( 1 Timoteus 1:2 ). Paulus
begin die brief deur Timoteus aan te spoor om op te pas vir valse leraars en valse
leerstellings. Baie van die brief handel egter oor pastorale gedrag. Paulus onderrig
Timoteus in aanbidding (hoofstuk 2) en die ontwikkeling van volwasse leiers vir die kerk
(hoofstuk 3). Die meeste van die brief handel oor pastorale gedrag, waarskuwings oor
dwaalleraars en die kerk se verantwoordelikheid teenoor enkellopende lidmate,
weduwees, ouderlinge en slawe. Regdeur die brief moedig Paulus Timoteus aan om vas
te staan, te volhard en getrou te bly aan sy roeping.
Verbindings: ‘n Interessante skakel na die Ou Testament in die boek 1 Timoteus is
Paulus se aanhaling van die grondslag vir die beskouing van kerkouderlinge as waardig
van “dubbele eer,” en verdien respek wanneer dit kom by die beskuldiging van
oortreding ( 1 Timoteus 5 :17-19 ). Deuteronomium 24:15 ; 25:4 ; en Levitikus 19:13
praat almal van die noodsaaklikheid om ‘n arbeider te betaal wat hy verdien het en dit
betyds te doen. ’n Deel van die Mosaïese Wet het geëis dat twee of drie getuies nodig
was om ’n beskuldiging teen ’n man te bring ( Deuteronomium 19:15 ). Die Joodse
Christene in die kerke wat Timoteus predikant was, sou deeglik bewus gewees het van
hierdie Ou-Testamentiese verbande.
Praktiese Toepassing: Jesus Christus word deur Paulus voorgestel as die middelaar
tussen God en die mens ( 1 Timoteus 2:5 ), die Verlosser vir almal wat in Hom glo. Hy is
Here van die kerk, en Timoteus dien Hom deur sy kerk te pastoor. Ons vind dus die
hooftoepassing van Paulus se eerste brief aan sy “seun in die geloof”. Paulus onderrig
Timoteus oor sake van kerkleer, kerkleierskap en kerkadministrasie. Ons kan dieselfde
instruksies gebruik om ons plaaslike gemeente vandag te bestuur. Net so is die werk en
bediening van ‘n leraar, die kwalifikasies vir ‘n ouderling en die kwalifikasies van ‘n
diaken vandag net so belangrik en pertinent as in Timoteus se dag. Paulus se eerste
brief aan Timoteus kom neer op ‘n instruksieboek oor die leiding, administrasie en
pastoor van die plaaslike kerk. Die instruksies in hierdie brief is van toepassing op enige
leier of voornemende leier van Christus se kerk en is vandag ewe relevant as in Paulus se
tyd. Vir diegene wat nie in leierskaprolle in hul kerk geroep is nie, is die boek steeds
prakties. Elke volgeling moet stry vir die geloof en valse lering vermy. Elke volgeling
moet vasstaan en volhard.
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