What do you think? Why is it so hard to understand we are not supposed to take the reins of our own lives? That we are meant to trust God to provide all we need? We might even have figured that yesterday but then again come morning we struggle with it again. Well, this is the sin underneath all our sins. And that’s why need to start again every morning. Just like Adam and Eve did not trust God to…
Life is not an easy ride. But there are things that can make it a bit brighter and more meaningful. Because Jesus changes everything. For better. So here are some things I hope you know. Hopefully, they will bless you. Five things I hope you know You are loved. Everything starts with love. We need love to bloom and that’s why we seek it anywhere and everywhere. But many of life’s miserable things come from this search for love. Don’t…
After vacation, it can be really hard to get back to the grind. There are of course many reasons for this. But it helps to realize perfection is not required of you. Not even on a good day and especially not right after vacation. So it’s totally okay to be slow and a bit disoriented. Even now you can rest in grace and wait for good because God is good. God has not forgotten you. Actually, he has provided everything….
One of the best ways to prepare for the future is – surprise, surprise – to reminisce the past. It’s something you can do while sunbathing on the beach or resting in the hammock. Who knew preparing for the future could be this fun? Here are three questions to help you in the process: When has God proved to be faithful in your life? Have you experienced God’s guidance in your life? If yes, when? When have you marveled God’s…
Sometimes we make simple things complicated. Unfortunately, we do that to faith too. And by doing so we create a new religion of works. But salvation is really simple. So simple that even a child can understand. It’s based on the work of Jesus, not ours. Because Jesus died for our sins, we can be saved by grace through faith in Jesus. We just need to believe. And stand by faith. If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in…
Many people say God feels distant. But we can’t trust our feelings in spiritual matters. But I understand if God feels distant, it’s easy to also doubt his existence. And that can cause all kinds of problems. But is there anything we could do? Is God distant or is he just silent? Sometimes God is silent and then we just need to wait. We all get dry spells along our spiritual journey, the trick is to know what to do…
If you’re wondering how to deal with life’s challenges or loud critics, my advice for you is very simple: Look up to Jesus and everything else will fade away. This might sound too optimistic or idealistic but nonetheless, it works. Changing perspective always works. But when we focus on Jesus, it’s even better than that. Focusing on Jesus brings God to our aid. And that changes everything, don’t you think? So pay more attention to Jesus than anything else and…
I’ve always marveled God’s willingness to wait for us to get ready to do his will. Willingness in faith is not self-evident, it’s a choice. God does not force us against our will. It’s called love. Yet we so often abuse that love. But when we finally are ready to accept it, we are amazed by its sweet power. I’ve come to understand God’s will for us is the ultimate best. Yet we rebel. We are not willing to surrender…
As I was reading Paul’s letter to the Romans today, I started wondering what it means to live to God as Jesus did. And how to do it. Because that’s what Christian living is supposed to be, right? The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:10-11, NIV, emphasis added). Within an hour I laid…
Obedience is not a buzzword. Nowadays everyone wants to be independent and do whatever they want. That’s why obedience is not very fashionable. And because faith is trusting and obeying God, faith is not very fashionable either. But faith in Christ gives us something eternal, something that never goes out of fashion. With the words of Paul, the gospel “is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16, NIV). The blessings of obedience are out of…
