Are you tired, weary, exhausted? Are you asking what’s the point of all this? Are you feeling just terrible? The psalmist is right with you. Here’s a scripture prayer – a mighty energy drink – for all the weary pilgrims: I’m feeling terrible—I couldn’t feel worse! Get me on my feet again. You promised, remember? When I told my story, you responded; train me well in your deep wisdom. Help me understand these things inside and out so I…
Have you ever made huge plans and been so excited about everything? But then your plans have unexpectedly come crashing down? I’ve been there, done that. At that moment, it feels like the end of the world. But just like the scripture says: Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word (Proverbs 16: 1, MSG,*). It might sound a bit cruel but it isn’t. God’s purpose is not to crash our plans but give us something better. Let’s continue…
Are you strong in spirit? Would you like to be? What would it mean to be strong in spirit? Let’s find out. John the Baptist – whose birth many churches are celebrating this weekend – is a wonderful example of a person who was strong in spirit. We can for sure take some pointers from him. John grew up and became strong in spirit. (John 1:80, NLT,*) John the Baptist is also an amazing example for a person who was…
How do you start your day? Do you have some routines that are always the same? How long do you go until you greet God each day? You answer defines the robustness of your faith. Really. Either you lean on God or on your own strength. Either you live for God or for yourself. Either you put God first or yourself. In the morning You hear my voice, O Lord; in the morning I prepare [a prayer, a sacrifice] for…
One of the really great things about Christianity is that God does not force us to do anything. God invites us and waits for willing hearts to follow his leading. How is your heart doing? Are you willinghearted? I’d like to say yes. I desire to say yes. But when I read these words of Jesus I am left wondering: Simply put, if you’re not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it…
I know the title gives a tall order for this post. But that know-how is necessary for spiritual growth. In order to bear fruit we need to be pruned. But we don’t like it. We don’t like to get hurt. So we resist it. But that leaves us in spiritual limbo. And that is not a desired state of being. Not from our point of view and not from God’s point of you. What to do then? Any branch in…
This post is for all who have had disappointments, who is in limbo or waiting for new things to take root in their lives. God is not interested in your achievements; God wants you. Because he loves you and he is the author of real life. I have had two well-known but ever-powerful metaphors speaking to my soul this week. The metaphor of a grain of wheat is found in John 12: “Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is…
Faith is a daring adventure. It might not look like it. But that’s because we can’t see everything with our eyes. Like George Eliot has said it “Adventure is not outside man//It is within”. The biggest battles are fought within. The greatest adventures are experienced within. The hardest battle of all might be to believe that God exists and that he wants amazing things for every one. The enemy will do everything in his power to keep us from receiving…
I just love how Jesus fed 5000 people with two fish and five loaves of bread. We think 5 plus 2 is 7. But God’s way of thinking is way different, way bigger, and way better. What was the secret of Jesus? Then Jesus took the bread. When he had given thanks, he distributed it to those who were sitting there. He did the same with the fish, each getting as much as they wanted.When they had plenty to eat,…
Who is in charge of your life? A dead man or the living God? You see, this is a question of life and death. As long as we are in charge we are living in the world of dead. But when we surrender to Jesus, we take a giant step to the world of the living. “It’s urgent that you listen carefully to this: Anyone here who believes what I am saying right now and aligns himself with the Father,…
