Do you need constant renewal? I certainly do. Yesterday’s grace and peace won’t work today. I need my daily refill in order to live out of love and not out of fear. If you don’t trust my word on it, follow Jesus’ example. With the words of Andrew Murray: “While others still slept, He [Jesus] went away to pray and to renew His strength in communion with His Father. He had need of this, otherwise He would not have been…
We all know times when we have felt like being in a cold, moldy, dark tunnel. It feels that in that place in time there is no way out. But with the words of Anne Lammott “hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: You don’t give up.” You don’t give up and you cling to the…
What do you think? Is holiness old-fashioned? Fasting during the Lent is (for most Christians) a voluntary thing. But too often we think all the discipline and growing in grace is optional, too. Even if you are not interested in hidden blessings hidden through discipline, you are called to be holy like God is holy. Holiness is not voluntary. It is the new normal for children of God. Don’t be conformed to your former desires, those that shaped you when…
Do you remember the story of vineyard workers(Matthew 20:1-16) who got paid the same no matter what time they started their labor? The workers who had labored the whole day and got the same pay as the ones who started late in the afternoon complained. I used to see this unfair, too. Why on earth would the master pay everybody the same? The logic behind this is fair: there is plenty of grace for everyone. The workers who started early…
I’ve always thought that we should only serve one God and we should not have idols. God should be number one in our lives. I had thought those possible idols would be other people or work or hobbies, somebody or something else than me. But then I read this from Isaiah: “Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?” Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day, and oppress…
Do you feel rejected? Are you afraid that you have failed so miserably that there is no hope? Do you think your past makes you unlovable? I have good news for you. Because of Christ you are never out of reach of grace. Because of Christ you have hope everlasting. Because of Christ restoration is possible. For every single person on this green earth. No exception. All because of Christ. The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling, a scrubby…
Have you ever wondered why Jesus was baptized? John the Baptist had been called people to repent. But Jesus was sinless, right? Why did he get baptized? Why did John the Baptist baptize Jesus? Jesus then appeared, arriving at the Jordan River from Galilee. He wanted John to baptize him. John objected, “I’m the one who needs to be baptized, not you!” But Jesus insisted. “Do it. God’s work, putting things right all these centuries, is coming together right now in…
Do you feel worn out? Beaten? At the end of your rope? Just know that God has reserved a place for you in his arms. I just love knowing that the downcasted will be treated with extra special care. For the weakest God has reserved a place closest to his heart. Doesn’t that comfort you? You don’t need to handle everything. You don’t have to be strong and knowledgeable. You can come as you are. God will cherish you. You…
Have you ever envied the wise men? I have. Sometimes discerning God’s will is not that easy. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a huge sign on the sky declaring heavenly guidance “This Way!” Having your own star would be helpful, don’t you think? Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in…
John 3:16 is one of the most known Bible verses. But do you know to whom Jesus was preaching at that time? Do you know what happened to the listener later on? Jesus was talking to a pharisee named Nicodemus who came to Jesus by night. Maybe it was easier to come in darkness. Other pharisees could not see him visiting Jesus. Or maybe it was the only time he could find Jesus alone. Anyhow, he came and had a…
