If you look for fulfillment in yourself, eventually you will be disappointed. And that’s the opposite of what the popular kids in the world tell you. Somehow we are to find ourselves by looking into our hearts. That’s not how it works in my experience. Instead, when you’re tired, all you can find in yourself is emptiness. Not happiness, not fulfillment, not purpose. But emptiness. And that’s why so many people turn into some kind of drug, whether it is…
Are you tired and weary? Does it feel overwhelming just to think of doing any good deeds? Do you know what? It’s time to rest. And the best place for resting is in God’s arms. Yes, we are called to do good deeds but God does not send the ones who are tired and weary out. He calls them to come and rest in him. Later on, when you’ve recovered he will send you out again. But not before you’re…
Unfortunately, people don’t think God is joyful. And by believing that they deprive themselves true joy. You see, God is joy and all joy derives from him. Somehow people have convinced themselves the opposite like God would want us to be miserable. But you could not be further from the truth. God wants you to be joyful. Not artificially but thoroughly joyful with every fiber of your being. Joy is possible because of God even in dark seasons of our lives. It…
Sometimes we frown on our lives because they are too plain or small to our liking. Like big and bold would somehow be the only acceptable way to live. I disagree. One’s rowdiness, or even successfulness, does not necessarily produce a meaningful life. And the amount of attention you get does not tell the value of your life. Because your value comes from the Lord, not from the size of your following or popularity. The world might differ but little is…
Do you want to grow in your faith? I think that is what we all want. But we might not want what it takes to make it happen. We’d like to get the benefits of a mature faith but we’re not willing to sacrifice for it. Or we’re not ready to wait for years while obediently keeping on doing what’s required. Craving instant gratification is an enemy of spiritual growth for sure. So is pampering yourself in comfort. Unsuspected enemies…
The first day of Lent and Valentine’s Day do not collide that often. It creates an interesting situation this year. Valentine’s Day is full of chocolate and feasting. Ash Wednesday invites us to repentance and fasting. How can we combine Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day, fasting and feasting? Or do we need to choose one over other? Let’s find out. Fasting and Feasting Both fasting and feasting are part of Christian life. There is time for both. But the question…
Often I tell people to collect Bible verses to quickly remind them of God’s goodness in a time of need. Because when you’re feeling distressed you don’t have much energy to dig deep. Then it’s a huge blessing to have a first aid kit for weary pilgrims handy. Your own collection of special Bible verses that you know work time after time. Make sticky notes, type notes on your smartphone, collect them in a beautiful box or memorize them. Whatever…
The core element of faith is surrender. Some people don’t think so but Jesus told his disciples that all who want to come after him must say no to themselves, take up their cross, and follow him. That is what faith is all about: surrender. And not just once but daily. Because there’s always something new to surrender. As A.W. Tozer has said, “Faith, as Paul saw it, was a living, flaming thing leading to surrender and obedience to the commandments of Christ.”…
How has your new year started? Are you reaching your goals? Or are you again doing the same old same old? It is hard to change. Especially, if we try to change on our own. Self-help does not work in long run. We need something more, we need God’s power. Blessedly, that is what God wants to give to his children. God wants to empower us to become what he has created us to be. We are called to live intentionally…
Very often we think salvation is the end result. That once we are saved, all is done. But, actually, salvation is the start of a fruitful life. We are called to love and serve God. We are most satisfied and blessed by doing so. But when we live far from God, we don’t have the desire to serve anybody else but ourselves. That’s why, when we are not right with God, we are unable to serve. Thankfully that changes in God’s…
