When you walk with Jesus, you can’t hide your inner joy even though the world around you might not recognize the source of your strength, peace, and joy. If people are happy with superficial living, and just splashing on the surface, they will never find the treasures of deep grace diving. That’s a shame, don’t you think? Mainly because they can never find the pearl of deep-sea, Jesus. If you keep my commands, you will live in my love, just…
I presume every person on earth would like to be blessed or favored or happy. Too often we look for happiness in the wrong places. We don’t realize happy are those whose strength is in God (and not even those who seem to be strong or successful on their own). I can attest to that. As long as I am looking for strength in myself, I am not happy. There’s not much to build on in me, you know. But…
It’s really inspiring to hear how my texts and teachings have touched hearts (thank you for all your feedback). However, I have to admit that I feel immense emptiness and powerlessness as I get back to teaching, especially after a break. I was sharing this with God this morning and I understood that especially as empty and inadequate I was exactly the right kind of sharer of the Good News. Because it’s not about my message but about God’s Word….
When we have a thousand things to do, probably the last thing we think we should do is to sit still. But I’d say that’s exactly what needs to happen when our lives become chaotic. The only way for me to control chaos is to surrender control to my creator. When I sit still before the Lord I am reminded of what is essential in life and what isn’t. I am also reminded of the power I depend on. It’s…
I love to read the Bible but once in a while I have days that it does not happen. Yesterday, I was already outside heading to the car before I remembered I hadn’t read any Word of God that morning. Yes, we are busy but we can’t be that busy. So I marched back in to get my Bible so I could read even just a verse or two before heading out. I didn’t even take my shoes off (which is…
I love God for many reasons but one of my favorite things is the fact that he guides me. It’s not just talking. You see, it really happens whether we realize it or not. We are not alone in this world. God is with us and he is ready to help us. The best guide in the world wants to connect the dots for us. And Jesus does not just show us the way. He is the way. He guides…
The world is going crazy, it seems. Also, the everyday chaos seems to get worse and worse. Yet, we do not despair. We do not get discouraged. How come? Because, we have hope. And that is not just any wishful thinking or positive psychology. It is solid hope that delivers, rescues, and redeems. Our story does not end when we die. Because of Jesus our hope is always valid. That’s why we are set for life. And beyond. God, the one…
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…
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…
We are told to rejoice in the Bible. Many times. Why is it so important? Why should we bother? Well, being joyful is better than the alternative, isn’t it? But maybe there’s some blessings hidden in joy for all of us. Could Nehemiah be right? Could joy be strength for us? Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10, NIV,*). Joy Is Strength? If joy is strength, it changes how we see the Bible verses…
