How is your faith doing? Are you excited about your salvation and eager to work with Jesus? Or are you rushing around like crazy without any chance to slow down to spend time with Jesus? And losing your interest in faith stuff in the process? Let me tell you: it doesn’t have to be that way. Do not settle for a mediocre version of faith. With the words of John Ortberg “For many of us the great danger is not…
Currently, I am reading through the book of Isaiah. I’m in awe of all the prophecies of the Messiah and how perfectly they came to be in Jesus. Today, I was reading about how a shoot will grow up from Jesse’s stump. Especially, the second verse describing the Spirit of the Lord resting on Jesus, took my breath away. I want that too. Give me the Spirit of the Lord – all of it! And the Spirit of the Lord…
I’m slowly learning to celebrate my weaknesses. I would never do that without God’s grace. But one of the most beautiful facts of Christianity is that we don’t have to be strong. Because God is strong. And when we live and move in him, his strength is ours, we can be as weak as we are. That’s why I’ve learned to celebrate my weaknesses. When there’s less of me, there’s more of God. That’s what I want: less of me,…
The number one reason why people like their comfort zones is safety. People like to be safe and secure. They think sticking in their comfort zone delivers it. But they are wrong. Comfort zone is dangerous. It kills your spirit, it sucks you out of life-giving breath. Then you’re merely existing. Somehow years slip by and your life becomes full of empty living. That’s not abundant life, is it? Hence get out of your comfort zone! Move into God’s zone!…
Life is tough. It is especially tough if you try to manage it totally on your own. But you do not have to do it on your own. Help is available. And not just any help but divine help designed just for you. Why then do we insist on going on our own? Nothing but heartache comes out of prideful independence. But the Biblical advice “Do not trust in your own reasoning” leads us into different direction. Those who trust…
Becoming stuck or stale is not something anybody strives for. Especially, we desire liveliness in our spiritual matters. That’s why we need prayers for spiritual growth. It does not happen without the Holy Spirit. Otherwise our faith will become dead and we don’t want that, do we? Prayers for spiritual growth I have collected a few prayers for spiritual growth. Which one is your favourite? I felt that I could have written many of these prayers yet they were written…
This world seems to think being in control is the best thing ever or, at least, something everyone should strive to have. But I dare to disagree. Being in control is not my goal, releasing control to God is. Some of you now think I am a lunatic. I understand. If you have not found God to be a loving and caring parent, you most likely don’t want to have anything to do with him. Then also releasing control to…
How are you going to live this new year? Are you planning to better yourself or make things better for yourself? Or what would you say about giving everything to God and letting him decide what’s best for you. If this is something you’re interested in doing, then we need to figure out how to give everything to God, right? Let’s do it. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather…
It was wonderful to soak in God’s goodness during the celebration of Christ’s birth, wasn’t it? But what now? How are we to go about our lives with this knowledge? How can we bring the joy of the Lord into our everyday lives? That’s the question, isn’t it? How can we hold onto God’s goodness as the festivities end? Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. They rejoice in your…
Did you know that you have a place in God’s plans? Yes, God is calling you to enter deeper into his grace. God is calling you into a full partnership with him. How do I know this? The Bible tells me so. God is calling every follower of Christ – not just pastors – to make disciples and serve the body of Christ. What could it mean to you to live and work in partnership with God? Malcolm Smith has…
