Silent Time: Recent Episodes
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Can we avoid suffering by following God? Often the opposite is the case, there might be persecution in addition to the other challenges of life. And yet it is the way to the best life.
How can we distinguish among modern day “prophets” and preachers between those who really talk in the name of God versus those who pursue their own interests?
Habits such as eating healthily or the opposite, exercising or not, etc have consequences on the body. Similarly investing into friendships can help in future times of struggling. As habits impact the future of the earthly life, so there are consequences on the soul that last into eternity.
Over the years of a lifetime, things gain in significance and loose attention again.
One thing always remains relevant: that you name is written in the book of life.
Can anyone claim to rule over all the earth?
Considering AI and modern technologies, probably soon someone will do so.
Still, all authority is with the Lord only.
What is your protection – your muscles and physical strength? Or your rhetorics and skills of argumentation? Your money or insurances and the social welfare system?
Human logic is valuable for reasoning and for most of decision making, but even more important is the faith in the promises of God.
Victory
Is the devil only a symbol?
He is the cruel liar, one of his most spread lies is that he does not exist, by that strategy of being seemingly harmless he confuses, tempts and destroys the people, also using modern technology.
But victory over all the dark and demonic forces is available in Jesus.
Is it desirable to loose something?
Usually not. But it is, if you gain something more valuable in return.
Slice or size of the cake?
Is there a limited amount of well-being, joy and wealth?
Do you aim at the percentage your slice takes, or on how the total can be increased?
Strength to those, whose hearts are loyal
How often do you feel as if God had left you?
For example in desperate situations.
But the Lord knows you very well, even better than yourself.
He sees what is going on deep down in your mind.
And he knows what is really good for you in the long term.
He gives strength to those whose hearts are loyal.
Similarly as a business man, in order to be successful, looks ahead towards the desired outcome and from there back to the present in order to take useful decisions now, so it is with our lives, both for here and for eternity.
Do you know people who claim to be wiser than God?
Better to target the opposite, that is child-like faith.
In emotional and heated discussions, how insulting it is, if one of the adversaries suddenly mentions the name of a beloved person of the other opponent in a negative context?
Is it possible to have great peace and perfect security?
After all, there are so many threats, dangers and challenges.
Learning from the eye witnesses
We can learn a lot from those who met Jesus in person. For example he told to the blind beggar: “Your faith has saved you”.
Different kinds of greetings
How do you greet people? Do you say “Hello”? “Hi”? Or “Nice to meet you”?
“Enough already” – with such words dictators have started terrible wars.
But when is it enough? When is it time to hit back?
Is it enough to forgive 3 times?
If you want to start a combustion engine, there needs to be an initial spark.
Similarly if a fire is to be ignited.
Does your soul still try to accomplish justification by your own good deeds?
Or do you already trust the grace of the Lord?
On what would you rely, if you had a choice? On a mighty army with strong soldiers and weapons, or on God?
Weak and tired?
Do you feel weak and tired at times?
Where can we find renewed strength that lasts?
Are these good or bad times for you?
Do you currently feel successful or under pressure?
What is the best news you have ever received in life?
It might be a good news such as the birth of a child or of having overcome a serious disease.
The good news seems to be bad news to many, but being put right is ultimately the best news.
If something is made in the image of the original, there is a similarity.
So how comes that God says that humans are made in his image? After all, we are totally different: God is all-knowing, we have limited knowledge. God is almighty, we have limited power. God is perfect, we are imperfect. So how can it be that we are made in his image?
The understanding follows later
Would you listen to someone who tells you to do something, which is against the obvious? To take decisions, which seem to make no sense?
We need to be careful not to fall into traps of other people or the enemy – but we can always fully rely on the loving heavenly father. God always has the best intentions for you, even if he guides you ways that seem to make no sense at first.
What risks do you worry about?
There are many risks in life – accidents, natural disasters, diseases, attacks of evil people and so forth.
A good friend to rely on
Who would not like to have a person to rely on, standing by and giving strength?
Would you like to command at times – and it is done?
Some persons have a lot of influence and power – politicians and leaders.
But they also have certain limits of authority.
One has all power. He commanded – and it was done.
What comes to your mind when the word “temptations” is mentioned?
To eat something unhealthy? Or to do something which is not allowed?
What matters? What does not matter?
Walking in the dark or walking in day light?
When we walk in the dark, we will not see everything.
When we walk in the day light we see the path and the surrounding.
Filled with praise and thanks
Someone almost having drowned but being rescued – will that person not be overly thankful?
Limits of authority
What are the limits of authority in your life?
A business-man or a sports-person might be extremely successful in certain areas of discipline, but how about some other aspects of life?
Being joyful.
Being serious.
Being thankful.
It all has its time.
If for the right reasons.
How does it relate to my daily life?
Big matters and small matters – how do the reports of the bible relate to my regular life?
In serious situations we get reminded that God is not a friendly grandpa who does not mind what we do.
Do you know the meaning of your name?
And do you know what does the name of Jesus mean?
Out of deep debt.
Supposed you had a huge amount of debt, that you need to pay back, is it possible to work the way out over years to come?
Do you walk through the darkness of life, valleys of trouble?
Do not loose hope!
“Rejoice, the Lord has come!”
What are the “thunders” in your life?
Everyone needs to go through one or the other waters and waves of difficulties experienced.
What would be the opinion of your parents about you?
It sounds like a strange question.
But it is closely connected to one of the 10 most important instructions God gives us.
Do you enjoy having meals together?
Spending time in community for example among family and friends.
Who knows it best?
The creator of a game knows best what it is about.
The design engineer of a machine knows best how it works.
Keeping the joy
Would you like to maintain the joy in your heart throughout pleasant and unpleasant times?
When injustice has happens, the natural reaction is that we want justice to be restored.
By the ultimate standard we all fall short – how can justice be restored?
What are your first thoughts in the morning when you wake up?
Surprisingly often, the first thoughts have an impact throughout the day.
We perceive the behaviour of others and easily judge them based on their words and actions. But we do not know what is going on inside another person, the background, the subconsciousness, the motivations, their history, their values. God knows all that deep down in a person’s heart and yet in his grace he invites everyone in a kind way. He offers healing and help.
A pleasant person.
Whom do you prefer to spend time with? With someone who only demands and requests things? Or someone who is grateful and humble?
How do we handle things in real life?
We might have heard in theory good advice, but what is the reaction for example to trouble in practice?
What is the better atmosphere to learn something new – a surrounding of pressure, shouting and hatred, or an ambience of mercy, love, peace and support?
What presents would we bring to the birth of Jesus, if we went there?
The wise men brought three gifts, which had a spiritual meaning: gold as a symbol of kingship, frankincense (an incense) as a symbol of deity and worship, and myrrh (an embalming oil) as a symbol of death, indicating "gold to a king; myrrh to one who was mortal; and incense to God."
When our body is sick, we want to get completely healed, not just a bit better.
For the sick soul, do you look for real healing or only slightly getting better?
Text corrections: when we go to school and learn a language, the teacher might at times correct what we have written.
Would the Latin initialism INRI (for "Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews" at the cross of Jesus) need to be corrected?
Depending on the climate and weather: When cold air masses meet with hot air masses, it may result in great vorticity.
Criticism of Christians and their personal shortcomings are common.
And indeed – unlike the holy Lord – his ground staff is far from perfect.
But a person who went bankrupt will hardly criticize another one going bankrupt.
There are different kinds of spirits: there are alcoholic drinks with so-called spirit, there are negative impacts and evil spirits and there is the Holy Spirit.
In these modern times of speed and instant access (e.g. any info can be found quickly on the internet), can the message of God still keep up to the speed? How long does it take to receive forgiveness? Days? Hours?
The Lord provides immediate forgiveness to a humble heart who turns to him in repentance. The almighty creator God is not outdated, he is faster than any human invention can be.
Some people easily change their mind.
Other remain consistently consequent and constantly keep their opinions.
Is it possible that the almighty Lord changes his mind?
The righteous person has an ultimate refuge.
Not the person who regards oneself in arrogance as righteous or better than others.
But the person who finds righteousness by humbly relying on the grace of the Lord, ready to give up anything that hinders God’s blessing to unfold.
A quarrel with another person may easily stir in us emotions of feeling superior over the other person. We want to hit back and win the upper hand.
By contrast, Jesus gave the example of humility, grace, healing and blessing, e.g. by riding on a simple donkey rather than on a majestic horse.
In afflictions and trouble.
Do you continue to believe when you have to go through difficult times?
Too good or too bad?
Actually, no one is too good, no one is too bad for the good news.
But we may easily feel either way and thereby miss the amazing and all-deciding grace that the Lord offers in his mercy.
By nature we have 5 senses of the body and based on evolution we are quite good at using them: to see, to hear, to smell, to taste, to touch.
As a 6th sense – are you good at distinguishing what is really good in the long term?
A sense to be exercised.
How would the perfect community look like?
How would people need to act in families, societies and in politics?
Beyond the obvious answers there is an important background concept.
Have you experienced that things have turned out totally different than what you had planned?
God's wisdom is far above our wisdom. His plans will turn out to be really wise.
What comes to your mind when it comes to “driving out evil spirits”? You might think of the mid-age or other past centuries.
It seems to be outdated in our modern times of technology and scientific evidence. And yet – whether obvious or not – the question still is: who has authority over evil?
When we get hurt seriously by someone, the natural reaction is to try to hit back.
What to choose - new beginnings or vicious cycle?
Why forgiveness is better than revenge!
Which attitude do you bear towards God?
Do you expect anything to happen when you pray?
Which wisdom is better?
Considering modern research and technology - is God’s wisdom outdated?
Not romantic rather essential - he has come down to lift us up!
Jesus was born and laid in the manger to give himself in order to save us.
Spirit, wine or junk?
“Be filled with the spirit” – what can we learn from that sentence?
The good shepherd provides help, guidance and protection – but do you accept to be his sheep? After all, who wants to be called a sheep?
By nature we only want to show the things we have done well, while trying to hide the matters where we have failed.
But how about in the relationship with the almighty Lord?
The more close we stay in contact with the living, eternal God, the more blessed our lives can be. A special sign of proximity can be the holy communion.
The future is uncertain: What will happen? What will technology bring?
There are many things that we do not know.
But certain obvious matters we know for sure.
Is it ok for a grown-up person to cry in public?
Even a king was crying in public.
What can we learn from it?
The rulers of this world often come in pride and try to keep others down.
Opposite the Lord of Lords.
How bitter is it, if a child or another beloved person leaves the good path in life, instead taking regretful decisions, such as taking drugs, joining the wrong kind of friends, etc.
Have you ever been shouting for help?
Not only in sports and games to request a team mate to support, but in real need and under serious pressure?
In which phase of life are you these days?
Are these happy, joyful days? Or a lot of sorrow and suffering?
It is often exciting to listen to someone on a much higher level of hierarchy.
Just imagine the president would talk to you personally.
Do you join listening to the highest Lord of Lords?
What if someone knew your thoughts?
Would it be a comfort to you, that finally someone understands you?
Or would it be terrifying, if someone knew your desires and considerations?
There might be several kinds of sacrifices: one might give up certain food in order to improve the health; friends might give up their time for helping each other; people might donate money to charities etc.
But there is one unique sacrifice!
Good experience and guidance:
Children learn a lot from their parents, sometimes willingly with a lot of interest, sometimes refusing.
In which phase are you in the journey learning from the heavenly Father?
Living wisely – what does it mean for you?
For many, it means to maximize the own profit and advantage.
Do you have fears at time?
Behind many anxieties is – often unconsciously – the fear of the end of life.
But the true life is revealed in Christ. No more need to be afraid.
Are you waiting for somebody?
People might disappoint us at times. You might wait for this reply, but no answer. Or other situations.
God will give, what is really good for everyone individually. He has a good long term plan for each person.
How many words are spoken every day in the world?
Where do all the words that bring destruction and curse origin from?
Where can we find good words of encouragement and blessing that build up?
Depending on the pole side, a magnet can attract or can push off.
Depending on our attitude, the cross of Jesus can attract us or can push off.
Those who humbly look for peace are attracted, those who only look for short term fun are pushed off.
Inadequate and replaced – have you ever said something inadequate or acted in inappropriately and then got replaced in a certain position? For example as a student in school, done something wrong and then lost the position as a speaker of the class. Or lost the job due to inadequate words or actions. Or lost influence in politics due to bad statements.
How can God allow that?
We easily complain to God, if accidents have happened or miseries come up.
"If God is loving, why do I have to suffer?" and similar thoughts easily can arise.
But ultimately, who needs to give account to whom?
And who saves whom?
Especially in these modern times of technology with seemingly endless opportunities and distractions, the focus on what is really important is more and more relevant. On what do you set the priority of your attention?
The ambience and what surrounds us easily impacts our current mood.
What impacts our long term attitude?
Have you been involved in discussions on how God is like?
Usually such discussions do not provide much value and are often conducted by people who have a cold heart.
In contrast to that are those who love the Lord, as e.g. Solomon did.
In what do you put your trust?
There could be many answers, e.g. relying on one’s rhetorics, the ability to speak and convince others. Another person might trust in one’s possessions. Or in arms and the ability to defend oneself.
In what do you put your trust?
What do you think about the fight against evil?
A movie may come to mind, where the hero fights against the evil guy.
The eternal creator God never fights against people, he rather always fights FOR people, but against the real evil.
Opinions are often based on having heard something from someone else, involving uncertainty.
By contrast, experiences are based on one’s own actual practical conscious knowledge.
What is the difference between shining a torch at the body compared to undergoing radio-therapy?
Shall we do good deeds?
Of course, everyone will agree.
But the foundation for our righteousness is something else.
Do you look for freedom?
Everyone prefers to live in freedom.
What really limits and what enables freedom?
To whose words does it makes sense to listen to?
Who has such authority making it worth listening to?
What is in your range of capabilities?
And what is impossible for you?
As humans we have limits, but everything is possible for the almighty, eternal creator God.
The question is: how much trust do you put in him?
Have you experienced situations, in which you have almost given up?
There might be too much workload or too strong pain from sickness or feeling lost in a prison cell and many other hopeless situations.
Yet there is always hope, we are called to persevere; God’s offer of help and blessing is greater than any difficulties can ever be.
A commonly known, a person consists of body and soul.
By human definition, someone is alive, as long as the body is alive.
But regarding eternity, the question is whether the soul is alive in Christ.
Whom do you trust more?
Your own reasoning and common sense, or the Lord?
For the big majority of decisions to take, both point in the same direction.
But there can be few cases in which God in his eternal wisdom has a better long term plan for your life than common sense looks like. We may only understand later.
Whom do you trust more?
How do you react when you get accused?
People may first tempt, confuse and then accuse us.
Also the devil tries to first confuse and tempt us and then accuse and condemn us.
But the Saviour is stronger than any accuser can be.
Do you like changes of circumstances in life?
Often changes go hand in hand with temporary pain towards long term gain.
For example the birth of a child means labour pain but enables new life.
More precious than big riches can be: Godliness with contentment is great gain, because it also provides peace in the heart and eternal joy.
Do you regard your available food, clothes, freedom, health for granted or as your own accomplishment? Or do you humbly give thanks to the Lord?
Under which conditions do you live?
Is there freedom of faith or persecution and oppression?
One pattern that repeats itself over history is that religious leaders worry that they loose influence, so they aggressively try to eradicate the living faith in the Lord Jesus.
A person who has experienced the help of the Lord has the natural desire to pass on the good news to others.
It is difficult to describe the gap between us humans with our errors and faults on the one hand and the eternal, holy Lord on the other hand.
But praise the Lord that in his grace he has provided a way to bridge that gap.
One thing that appears to be among the least attractive that we can imagine: obedience.
But blessed with a life full of adventures and an ultimate goal is the person who obeys the Lord.
Life seems to be unfair; some continually suffer hardships of many kinds, while others seem to enjoy their life. Does God treat people in an unfair way?
The Lord is holy and just.
The important question is: on what do you put your focus? On envy and greed? Or on the Lord’s kindness?
In what do you put your trust?
Into your descendance or your strength or your possessions?
2 friends were walking on a too long hiking journey through the wilderness of the high mountains, their knees got weak and finally one broke down. The other one also was tired, but taking care of his friend gave him a task that made him strong.
Apollos was an eloquent speaker and had a lot of knowledge.
But up to a certain point, he was in lack of something.
Was he open to receive it?
A princess set a special challenge to the guys who wanted to marry her: he had to run faster than her.
“All things work together for good”- what is your reaction to that sentence?
Probably you do not agree, because it seems to be impossible considering all the unpleasant things in life.
Yet, as a raw stone is treated toughly before becoming a precious stone, and since God knows everything in the past, present and future and has the best intentions to every human being, so we can know that in all pleasant and unpleasant things God works for our good, because he has a good long term plan for everyone individually.
All things work together for good for those who put trust in him.
For the few most important events in life, we may remember the day, the time, the place.
Looking back on this year, what have been the events that you remember?
It is not decisive whether we remember the exact time and place.
More important is the question: On what will you set your attention in the coming year?
To which influences do you plan to give priority?
Easily heated debates and strifes come up.
When you think back over the year, how many times have there been topics of minor personal advantage?
Abraham knew what is more relevant and acted accordingly to relieve the tensions.
Has anyone ever stolen from you?
Or the other way round, you might have taken advantage of someone?
If so, give it back and apologize to that person.
By our human logic, we only know the concept of revenge.
But there is a wonderful different concept of forgiveness and new beginnings.
“Be still for a moment” – how many blessings have we lost, because we have not followed that advice?
Supposed your superior knew all your weaknesses and faults, probably you be afraid to meet him. Once you meet, you may avoid eye contact.
What a relief, if you find that there are no complaints and rather compassion!
On Christmas, the Lord has come into this world.
How do we get prepared for his return?
What makes you sad? What takes away the joy of your life?
Generally, it is not useful to put too much focus on the negative things in life.
Nevertheless it can be healthy and helpful at times to think about where the sadness comes from and to understand the background.
Ultimately there is good news, a light that is greater than all the darkness.
A light that began to shine on the original Christmas.
Others than expected – have you ever joined a party or banquet and there have been totally different guests than expected?
Have you ever been in a court?
For judges and others employed in the legal system, it is a normal routine.
How is it concerned also to everyone else?
Many people have experienced in their life situations of deadly peril, for example serious “almost-accidents” while driving a car or a motorbike. They remember the situation well and can report about how they have been rescued.
Not only the health of our body is at risk.
How can we be safe?
Part of human nature is, that we are not perfect.
But the good news triumphs over all imperfection.
Do you have to take decisions?
For example a young person may need to decide which education to pursue, where to work, etc. Or in any age, to decide on what is the best way to spend the rare free time.
There are some big and many small decisions that we have to take, which all impact our future.
What can help us to find the right way, to take wise decisions that turn out well in the future?
Stupidity – whom would you call stupid?
Some animals show behaviour, which we cannot understand, hurting oneself or others. For example sheep might behave unreasonably such as jumping into the same hole repeatedly from where it cannot free itself. All the more important it is to have a good shepherd.
Also some among people show behaviour which we cannot understand, hurting oneself or others. And sometimes we might find ourselves showing unreasonable behaviour. We do not like to be compared to sheep, but there is an amazing all-knowing shepherd who has a perfect long term plan.
Do worries help?
Usually they do not improve life’s circumstances; in fact worries might lead to further problems. It is better to focus on those things which can be done. And to put into God’s hands, what we cannot influence.
Are you a joyful person?
Many people have lost their joy, deep down in their heart, there is no peace.
Many matters only give us a few moments of happiness, which vanishes soon.
What brings us real lasting joy?
What comes to your mind with regard to obedience?
We may not like it and spontaneously have negative associations.
But let’s think about it more deeply.
Against whom do you bear a grudge in your heart?
As humans we easily nurse hatred against others.
But that easily ends up in a vicious cycle of revenge and bitterness.
God offers to set us free of all that.
Have you ever been in the situation of having 2 bosses? One might expect you to go left, the other one might request you to go right. Whom do you follow?
The hidden hopes – what do you long for, possibly without anyone knowing about it?
We may look forward to an end of persecution.
We may desire times of rest and sufficient sleep.
We may long for an end of pain and in many other regards may hope for better times.
God knows everything, also our sighing and hidden hopes.
Shall we give advantages, preference and special concessions to those who are disadvantaged?
Or shall we favour those, who are great? To the successful?
Shall we give amenities, privilege and special treatment to anyone?
We may know it from cartoons or trick-movies: against the attacks of the evil enemy, the superhero sets up a wall of fire that defends and protects.
Do you also look for such a wall of fire?
How do small children handle challenges? – In many regards e.g. newborns are helpless, they depend on the parents and fully rely on them.
How do we as grown-ups handle the challenges of the world? Such as the challenges imposed by artificial intelligence, by robot soldiers, by all the evil going on in the world? In many regards we are helpless; and blessed is the person who accepts the dependence on the heavenly Father and fully relies on him.
What comes to your mind with regard to departures?
Often there is sadness involved when having to say good-bye to each other.
But when considering the full picture, some departures can even be filled with joy.
What would you say – is it possible to have heaven on earth?
Some will think for example of a beautiful place to live.
But even in the most beautiful place, there might be strife, envy and unrest.
Fiction versus the truth.
At times it is helpful to review one’s assumptions and theories.
Do you know how to pray?
Everyone can pray, but many things try to hinder us, internal factors such as doubts as well as external factors such as the hectic of life. Therefore it is good to request “Lord, teach us to pray”.
“If only I had …” – how do you complete that sentence?
What are your life’s unfulfilled wishes and desires?
Power – which context of power comes to your mind?
Political power and influence?
Or physical strength?
Powerful machines?
“Take it easy” - when do you use that phrase?
Have you noticed that the context in which the sentence “take it easy” is used, is exactly opposite between those who believe in the eternal, holy, merciful Lord and those who do not?
How do you assign your time, energy and other resources?
How much of your life do you give to the eternal Lord?
Who deserves the highest honor?
And: what happens when we pray the initial 3 sentences of the Lord’s prayer?
The situation has been serious.
But the victory has been won, he got wounded for our sake.
God prefers to offer new beginnings rather than punishment.
He wants to take away our burdens including the consequences of wrongdoing.
Do you accept that offer or reject it?
How do you find the way to God the Father?
Everyone on earth has different circumstances of life, and so is the relationship with God different for everyone.
One thing is same for all: Jesus is the way to the heavenly Father as he bridges the gap between us who fall short and the holy Lord.
Becoming, not being yet.
As long as we live this life here in this world, we are not ready yet.
In all kinds of relationships, whether between superiors and subordinate or within families, easily criticism and doubts towards each other come up. That easily leads to negative consequences over the short term as well as long term.
Let’s rather treat each other with respect and sincere hearts.
If we only trust in our own power, sooner or later we will reach our limits and experience failures.
Let’s rather put our trust in the almighty Lord. The supreme power belongs to him.
What do you tend to do in times of trouble?
From nature we know the reactions “fight”, “flee” or “freeze”.
We can learn better ways to handle difficult situations.
Do you have real inner peace with God and yourself?
We might easily be distracted by so many matters of life, but once we come to a silent minute of honest reflection, we will understand that we were lost as each one of us falls short of the commands of the holy eternal God. But if our conscience condemns us, we can know that the grace and love of the Lord is greater than our conscience.
And that gives us deep inner peace that lasts forever.
What are your first thoughts in the morning when waking up?
What are your last thoughts in the evening before you fall asleep?
Looking back on a day of hard work can feel better than looking back on a day of being lazy. Yet, let’s not rely on our good deeds and rather put our trust in him the eternal merciful Lord.
Reward will be given to the believers, not to the successful.
Praise the Lord if you can enjoy the benefits of having both in life – silent times alone with God as well as community together with other believers. Both combined will powerfully let the roots of faith grow and produce a strong personality filled with hope and confidence throughout pleasant as well as unpleasant times heading towards the eternal kingdom of God.
A tree with deep healthy roots can withstand the storms and flourish.
A person with deep roots of faith in the Lord can withstand the storms of life and flourish here on earth as well as towards the ultimate goal of God’s eternal kingdom.
In past times there used to be sentinels, guards who watched over the city e.g. in the night to watch out for enemies attacking.
But back then as well as same today, our fate does not only depend on people nor possessions nor other earthly matters, but ultimately most of all depends on the blessing of the almighty eternal God.
On a typical day of your life – what are mainly your concerns and your thoughts?
Do you mainly think about the things that you miss, that you lack in life?
It is good to take on the challenges and to pray for those things that can be improved.
But let’s also give thanks for the good things. In everybody’s life, even if it seems to be too miserable, there are at least a few things that are good. It is a good practice to find each day a few things to give thanks to God. And to give praise to the merciful Lord for who he is.
What do you think about your own body?
Many people do not like their body, perceiving it as too fat or in other negative ways.
Others try to live a more healthy lifestyle to get free of sicknesses.
The ultimate freedom is found in the good news. In his mercy, the eternal God invites everyone individually to make our body his temple that is more than just the sum of atoms and molecules.
What do you exercise and train or practice for?
Many go to the gym for workout. Others go for other sports and practice to play a music instrument.
Hardly anybody practices to listen to the guidance of the holy Lord. Yet that is ultimately the most important matter.
How much is it worth?
How much value do you assign to the kingdom of God?
We easily tend to compromise the guidance of the holy Lord when confronted with the expectations of others and the standards of this world.
Blessed are those who take the right decisions when it matters.
Whether we go through good or through bad times, at any moment we can pray and turn to the Lord.
The holy communion can help to remind us of the greatest, most important message of redemption that can be found in the good news.
With our human mind we cannot understand several aspects of resurrection.
Blessed are those who do not see yet but already believe.
Whose joy is authentic?
Throughout pleasant and unpleasant times, in the almighty, merciful Lord, we can find “joy like in harvest time”.
When it matters, what would you be willing to give up? What would you not be ready to give up? What is most valuable to you?
God wants to bless us and to enjoy life, but at times we might be requested to give up a few matters, for example if those things became too important in our lives. How do you react?
We can learn from Abraham, who – despite his human shortcomings – put his trust into the almighty Lord, even in extreme situations.
Praise the Lord, if we are spared such extreme situations. But whether we go through easy or through difficult phases of life, let’s put the holy eternal God to be number 1 in life above everything else.
It is finished – the most decisive victory of all history has been won and everyone is invited to participate!
Have you ever poured out the troubles – told to someone what deeply moves your heart?
Whom can you really trust?
Do you easily remember names of other persons?
It is a kind of honour if someone calls you by name.
By the authorities of this world, we are often more treated like a number – by ID-card number, by credit card number, etc.
But God knows us individually and calls us by name.
In the Olympics, in each discipline one person is the best.
Also in other areas of life, we do well to learn from the best in a particular discipline, e.g. to improve one’s rhetoric skills by learning from those who can talk best.
If you compare your current situation with your own past – are circumstances these days pleasant or unpleasant?
Do you believe in resurrection, a second life?
The bible tells us about it. It does not tell us in which format it will happen exactly, but it tells us all that we need to know here in order to get prepared in this life here.
Do you like others to talk bad about you in your absence?
No one likes it, yet it is common among the people to spread rumours.
Let’s not blindly join in gossiping and rather build up lives.
Do you know the game monopoly?
The person who is most greedy and buys most properties, will get more and more rent from the others and finally succeed to win the game.
In real life the situation seems to be similar.
And yet it is not the ultimate strategy.
We do well to listen to God’s warnings considering what finally counts.
What do we really need in life? What is the most important thing?
We need oxygen to breathe, but even more, we need the Lord of eternal might and wisdom.
How many people have been blinded and misguided by false promises of evil people who only have their own interests in mind? How can we know whom we can trust?
People have their own agendas. But the almighty creator God is above and beyond that.
May we walk in his good ways, then we do not fall into traps of evil people, and rather have a good life and can be a blessing to others as well. The Lord has a good long term plan for each and everyone individually.
What do you seek in life these days?
Many people look for joy, for wealth, for luxuries, for a good job.
Blessed is the person who is thirsty for a fulfilled life, who predominantly seeks the almighty, eternal creator God. The heavenly Father of mercy offers grace, true hope and confidence that lasts through pleasant and unpleasant times, even beyond this life.
If you had a wish – what would you wish for?
What are your prayers?
We can bring all our wishes and desires to the Lord in prayer.
Beyond that, we can learn for example from the Lord’s prayer and from the psalms, a far wider range of elements of prayer, such as to pray for others in intercession; to give thanks and praise to the Lord; to humbly turn to the Lord in repentance; to seek guidance from the Lord; and to seek his presence: “do not cast me away”.
What do you remember when you have a moment to think back?
Usually we remember the most impressive things that had stirred up emotions, both positive such as a great holiday as well as negative such as fear of punishment.
From what would you like to be protected? Evil people who attack? Persecution? Accidents and illnesses?
THE Good News is available for all people of all nations, all genders, all ages, all professions, all backgrounds. Everyone is invited to receive salvation by faith in the saving power and grace of the almighty, sovereign Lord of mercy.
“Those far off” – it sounds as if some are excluded. But that is not the case: not only a few selected persons, rather everyone of any background and origin is invited to participate in the kingdom of God, whether close or far away.
Do your eyes and ears work properly?
Give praise to the Lord if you are healthy, if the body is working well.
For what do you use your senses?
To consume darkness and dirty stuff?
Or to the honour of the holy, almighty Lord?
We are called to praise the eternal creator God and to help other people; to use our senses to listen to the word of the heavenly Father; that voice is often is more silent than other voices that shout in this world such as the hectic of work, advertisements, desires, consumption ideas, etc.
What do you strive for? What are the biggest desires and goals in your life?
It is healthy to regularly think about that.
If we are honest to ourselves, all too often short term earthly matters dominate our behaviour, for example we compare ourselves to others, rather than looking at what really counts in the end.
God told to Solomon: “Since you have not asked for yourself riches and rather asked for understanding to discern what is right, that is why I fulfil your wish”.
As Solomon asked for wisdom of what really counts, so God was pleased with his targets.
Arguing or submitting:
Do you argue with God? It might sound strange. But let’s think about it. Whether aware or not, we easily tend to have thoughts of pride such as being entitled for certain rewards; or “relatively to persons X, Y and Z, I am better”. Or why does God not reward my efforts?
Once a person understands how much is the personal shortcoming before the holy, eternal Lord, it becomes obvious that the correct attitude towards the almighty creator God is to submit to him, rather than to argue against him.
We can learn that from Job and from the people who walked and still walk in our times closely with the Lord and put their trust in him.
When a child who has no parents and would be lost, gets adopted, the child is saved and gets support in order to be a blessing to others later on in life.
When a prisoner gets pardoned, the grace and support shall make him to be a blessing to others.
When God saves a person by offering grace, forgiveness and pardoning, the person gets adopted and is supported in order to forward that blessing to others in life.
How many times do we face scarcity in life? We lack energy to do all the tasks we have to do. We lack time do all those things. We lack love and empathy towards others. We may lack full health and we may be short of many other things.
But let’s not look at all that scarcity. Let’s rather look at the abundance that the almighty Lord provides. He provides grace, help, confidence, true hope and all that we ultimately need.
Whom do you follow?
People of all times have followed others. The ways and structures may have changed and keep on changing over the generations.
But the basic principle remains the same: do you mainly follow other people or matters or ideologies? Or do you most of all follow the almighty Lord? He is not only the eternal, holy, creator God, but also offers to be the personal Saviour for everyone who humbly turns to him, puts trust in his grace and follows predominantly the Lord.
Have you ever got a promise from someone, but the promise was not kept?
Or the other way round … you promised someone but could not keep it?
Between persons, that easily happens.
But the eternal, almighty, holy, creator God keeps his promises. His promises remain valid!
How do things go in your life? All in all well? Or more to complain?
Give thanks to the holy God for the good days.
And even in difficult times of sorrow – raise your head! Remember what the Lord has done for you.
A punishment such as imprisonment is associated with negative thoughts.
But the intention, at least in case of sentences in fair legal systems, is a positive one, to let the criminal reconsider the mind and to improve the behaviour.
Everything is in flow – things come and go.
Seasons come and go.
Good and bad times come and go.
What remains?
Mary and Joseph assumed that Jesus was amongst the travelling group back home.
Is Jesus amongst us, as we travel through life? Do you involve him into your life?
How exciting it is, if someone suddenly in life understands interdependencies between matters that earlier seemed to have nothing to do with each other. For example a student might understand how economic theories relate to his or her real life. Or an employee might understand the bigger context of how his small work contributes to a bigger purpose.
The blind beggar understood that Jesus is the big Saviour who had been awaited several centuries.
Among the things we would least expect to be mentioned in the good news, is a bottle of perfume. And even more strange is the context.
Why did Jesus not tear the chains, when they led him to crucification?
After all, he had and still has all power and easily could have torn them.
The reason for not tearing the chains surprisingly relates to us.
What is more important in your life – to play the lottery game? Or to participate in certain businesses and create income? Or the salvation that Jesus brings us and his sacrificial love?
By the time when Jesus was crucified, the soldiers gave priority to throwing the dice on who would win his clothes.
Graves and tombs can be scary, because they remind of death.
By that time, it seemed as if death and dark forces had won the victory. But not so.
Jesus has overcome devil, death, sin and hell. What a great news!
The tomb is empty. The Lord has risen.
Not only of the big eternal matters such as the beginning and end of the universe, but God also takes care of your individual small daily needs and challenges. He is not only the creator God but also your personal Saviour and offers friendship, grace and help. Do you accept that great offer?
What would you say is required to go to heaven?
Many will think of good deeds or keeping lots of commandments.
But which criteria does the eternal God look at?
For certain matters we over-estimate the impact.
For others, we under-estimate their impact.
In whom or in what do you believe?
Only in your own abilities?
Or in “some kind of higher being”?
Do you pay attention to other people? Do you try to understand what is important to them, including their troubles and challenges?
Electricity can have a lot of power – if you allow it. For example it can bring light to the dark room, if you turn on the switch. If you do not allow the electricity to work, it remains dark.
Same for the word of God: it can have a lot of impact – if you allow the Lord to work, it can brighten up your life. If you do not allow him, it remains dark.
A short conversation among 3 persons.
A short conversation among so much other talk, amidst so many other long speeches and lots of chats.
A short conversation, yet the topic is much more relevant than other talk.
To what do you give priority in life? On what do you spend the majority of your attention, time, energy and other resources?
Why is peace in the heart so seldom?
The greater the treasure, the more hostility comes up.
What is your motivation in life?
And specifically, what is your motivation to do good deeds?
Would you be able to create things from nothing, supposed you were e.g. alone in the wilderness, could you find tools in the nature to live and find food etc?
God hardly can use the pride and arrogant, but he works amazing things through the humble, who are aware that their own accomplishments are not sufficient, who know that we are made from nothing.
Everyone is invited to put one's trust into the almighty, eternal, creator God, who has arranged all that is from nothing.
If you were asked to name one of the commandments of God, that is still applicable today, which one would you select?
Which task has God given to you?
God in his eternal wisdom gives different assignments and challenges to different people.
Anyone who has more things to do than available time, knows about the relevance of giving priority to the right things that are most important.
To what do you give priority in life?
What is your favourite book? Is it a novel?
Over the years applications have become available that give the core message of books in 10 minutes. Such a summary of essence can be helpful.
We might hear a lot about the kindness and love of God.
But have you received it personally in your heart?
The grace of God is available to everyone of any background no matter in what circumstances. Everyone is invited to humbly turn to the heavenly Father. His mercy saves us.
When it comes to preparing for the future – what are your strategies?
Maybe you try to get a good education in order to have a good job in future.
Or you might exercise and work out in order to have a healthy body in the future.
All such kind of things can be useful, but there is a more important preparation.
From the news we tend to observe a lot of bad news and negative facts.
But there are also positive things going on. We can find many things to give thanks for, if we walk through life with open eyes. And most of all THE good news.
Usually in a covenant all sides have rights and duties, obligations to be fulfilled.
God’s new covenant gives us privileges and salvation, even if we cannot contribute anything.
“Blessed are the peacemakers” – but how can I be a peacemaker if the surroundings are full of aggression, war, selfishness and hatred?
Do you fear people?
It is scaring how cruel people at times harm each other.
Yet we can look beyond the harm that people may ever do to us, no matter how much suffering along the way.
Often a great fuss is made when someone rises to the next level, e.g. in sports or in career.
How about the most important rising of all times?
“Love” – what comes to your mind?
The word “love” is used for a wide range of meanings.
Taking hold of life.
It is amazing how many conveniences technology has brought and which possibilities continue to be invented. For example health care can prolong lives compared to past centuries.
And yet, there are matters that no technology can ever provide.
There is both obvious persecution and aggression against believers as well as there are hidden dangers and attacks. Many weapons are turned against those who are children of the heavenly Father.
Yet we can trust: “no weapon shall hurt you”. Only that will temporarily hurt us, which God has approved in his loving care. The merciful Lord has an ultimately good plan for everyone individually – no matter how many risks and opposition we may experience along the way.
“They left everything and followed”.
Whom do you follow? Whose advice do you listen to?
Do you know people who continually talk about themselves? Every sentence starts with “I”.
How wonderful it is if someone tells you in a difficult situation “I will help you”.
Do you reject or accept that wonderful offer?
What have been significant surprises in your life?
The future holds an even bigger surprise!
Sow a thought – and you reap an action.
Sow an action – and you reap a habit.
Sow a habit – and you reap a character
Sow a character – and you reap a destiny.
How comes that we are called light of the world?
Is it arrogance or simply a false statement?
Who is young? What is your definition?
People may come up with various numbers of years of age.
But there are also other definitions from which we can learn.
What is the highlight of the year for you?
Your vacation? An anniversary? A major celebration?
If you really want to wish good to someone, which words do you use?
Often in final words, there is a special meaning.
We all are at risk as long as we live: other people try to harm us, obviously evil-doers like criminals and burglars, sometimes even our so-called friends have negative intentions. Beyond people, the enemy continually tries to confuse and harm us by setting traps, which are often not so obvious.
But we can put ourselves under the protection of the almighty creator God, the merciful heavenly Father. He is faithful and has a good plan for everyone individually to guide us throughout this life’s good and bad times.
What do you select – blessing or curse?
The answer seems obvious and yet it often turns out later that we made the wrong choice.
How can we know upfront what is the best choice?
Do you also know such a situation – you make too many plans and get worn while loosing the focus? It can easily happen especially in this digital age of so many opportunities.
What do you do with burdens and sorrows that bother you in life?
We easily complain. And yes – we can tell everything, tell it most of all to the Lord: we are invited to bring all kinds of emotions to the merciful heavenly Father in prayer.
Keep your focus on him the almighty Saviour throughout good and throughout bad times.
Do you live in anxiety? Hardly anyone will admit that. But deep down many have hidden fears. Even less will admit that they are afraid of punishment, yet that is often hidden, sometimes in the sub-consciousness. Praise the Lord that he has won the victory over all that tries to harm us. The heavenly Father offers to everyone to be set free of all fear. No more anxiety for all who put their trust in him.
Over the lifetime of a person, interests and assumptions develop, convictions and patterns of thinking change with age as we get new insights. Because even with a lot of wisdom we still do not know the absolute truth. So let’s put our trust into the almighty, all-knowing eternal God.
Have you created anything? For example you might have set up your own website, or made the garden look nicely, or you might have invented something.
Even major inventions and things created by humans are relatively small compared to the creation of the almighty eternal holy God. Praise him that he provides what we really need, everything at its time.
How important is freedom to you?
We might only become aware of how relevant freedom is, once we have lost it.
Praise the Lord for his offer to set us free.
As children at times need to be repeatedly reminded and yet might act against the well-intended instructions of the parents, so we often continue to act against the good advice of God. The heavenly Father has a good plan and knows what is best for our future. Praise the Lord that his patience still has found no end yet.
Friendliness and goodness – everyone can experience in one’s own life the greatness of the Lord as the people of the bible did, who closely walked with the almighty eternal creator God.
Do grown-up persons still need comfort like children get from their parents?
Most people will say “no, I have everything under control”.
But why do so many need support from coaches, psychologists and mentors?
The all-knowing heavenly Father offers advice for free – better and more helpful advice than any human can give.
In very tough times of severe pain or serious trouble, it may seem as if life was not worth living anymore. But do not give up! The almighty God gives wonderful assurances especially to those in sicknesses and pressures. And the major victory over the worst evils has already been won by the Lord!
Ruling – or being ruled?
Kain did not rule over negative emotions, he allowed evil spirits to rule is behaviour.
Am I disregarded? Does the Lord know my trouble? If God takes care of so many matters in the world, does he have no time for me?
People of all times had such kinds of doubts.
God is all-knowing and omnipresent, everywhere at the same time. Our human imagination cannot understand that. God is even beyond all modern technologies and artificial intelligence. In his grace, the heavenly Father takes care of each and everyone individually.
How many times have you got disappointed in life?
How many people got disappointed by the behaviour of other Christians?
Throughout history and still today Christians have been behaving not as Jesus would do and disappointed others.
Let’s not look on the shortcomings of people and their imperfections.
Rather let’s look up to the perfect holy God.
Praise the Lord that he enables new beginnings in all regards.
For the whole world – and for me personally!
Do you doubt at times how the big universal deeds of the almighty eternal God, the creator of the universe, concern to your – seemingly insignificant or burdensome – small personal life?
The easy way is to go with the majority.
In which areas of life do you step out and consciously swim against the flow?
Have you ever received a present box nicely wrapped but there was nothing inside? If the present itself is missing, then the main point is lacking.
We easily fall into patterns of living our lives with nice wrapping but without the major content.
Who needs a renewed heart?
We might initially think of criminals and those who do wrong.
Eternally blessed is the person who understands that it is oneself who needs renewal.
Do you know people who are insolent? People who behave inappropriately? Behaviour that has negative impacts on others?
We are aware of some of the risks and dangers, that we face in in our daily lives.
Other dangers we are not aware of. They are not so obvious because we cannot see them.
Does time – for you – pass by slowly or quickly?
We all have 24 hours per day, yet we have different impressions of time.
How do we make the best use of our limited time?
Which topics are exciting for you? Your hobbies? Your career? Your house?
A wonderful news, which might not sound exciting at all at first glance.
The good news is ultimately the best news we can imagine.
A wonderful news that provides peace, joy and real hope.
A man who lived all his life high up in the mountains very close to nature, he once came into the big city, and was so amazed how busy it was. He tried to cross the road but continually cars would come up.
There is another road which is still busy – still busy despite it is narrow and despite all the persecution and opposition that try to block that road.
Praise the Lord!
By nature, we object to be compared to sheep, rather we prefer to be something great, to be admired.
Yet, the bible compares us to sheep.
And we do not need to be upset about it, in fact there is a lot of comfort and true hope in it.
What has been the reason for people being enthusiastic about Jesus?
Just the expectation of one or the other miracle?
How do we make a good use of our resources?
What is the best possible usage of our time, energy, possessions and creativity?
Whom have you last looked down on?
Everyone has weaknesses but instead of judging others, let’s rather pray for them.
We all can learn a lot from thinking about that.
To be on the top of the mountain is nice – both literally when having been hiking or climbing up and enjoy the view, as well as in a transferred sense when things go well in life.
But just few days later things might look totally different when being back to work, having too much to do, worries about the future, pains and by other things the devil might try to torment us. Despite all the challenges, we do not need to remain in the valley.
What are the major difficulties in your life?
Once identified, the next question is: who can overcome them?
Different kinds of wisdom – different kinds of criteria:
The holy, almighty creator God has an eternal view that often differs from our human ideas in several regards. And his grace is beyond what we can imagine.
Even throughout the darkest hour the best friend we can imagine offers to be with us and to help.
Do you tell to God how to help?
It is funny that we with our limited human short term view try to tell the eternal, all-knowing creator God in which way to intervene. The Lord has higher longer term plans, many of which we cannot understand yet. So let's humbly listen to what God tells us via our circumstances, the way things go on in life.
Nevertheless, for sure it is good to turn to the Lord in all situations, with all our wishes, prayer requests, intercessions, but also with regrets, thanks and praise.
Despite the flood of evil going on in the world seems to be overwhelming, yet, on a small scale, good positive things have started already.
How can we find out whether a preacher proclaims the good news from the Lord or has one’s own agenda?
The public opinion often gives a lot of tolerance to those who talk foolish things and at the same time rejects those who proclaim the good news of the almighty eternal God.
Do you look for rest and joy?
As long as we live here in this life on earth, many factors try to hinder us from having real rest and joy.
Yet there is a firm positive outlook and already deep peace and inner joy in the heart available for those who put their trust in the Lord.
Life’s circumstances give us a lot of unrest, such as persecution, hatred, stress and many more such things try to ham us, especially believers in the holy eternal creator God get such external pressure.
Yet, all who love the Lord have deep inner peace by the grace of the heavenly Father.
Is it ok to enjoy life?
We do not need to seek suffering. God knows what is best for us, and he will bring into our life everything in a way, timing and dosis that serves to our best in the long term, both, good luck and bad luck, pleasant times and unpleasant times will be sorted into our life by the right time by the all-knowing God, who has a far better long term plan than we can ever have. Our task is only to put our trust in him, the loving Father who wants the best for us. Every day, all kinds of situations, joy as well as suffering, serve to the best for those who love the Lord.
As adults we might be proud of our wisdom and intellect, and at times we may look down to the simple-mindedness of children.
But the almighty creator God rejects such arrogance, and rather he loves those who have the type of faith that children have. We can learn from them.
The “daily bread” is much more than food alone.
Interestingly, the Lord’s Prayer does not give a long list of things that we think we need, in the way that we might request for our wishes to be fulfilled. The request for all that we need is summarized in the one aspect of “daily bread”.
In addition, the Lord’s Prayer gives a lot of other aspects of prayer (that we easily tend to forget).
Is suffering good or bad?
Pains are never pleasant; still it is to be distinguished: e.g. pains from exercise might help to build up a muscle.
There are many different kinds of temptations – each person gets attacked in one’s weak areas.
Which efforts in life are useless and in vain?
Which efforts in life are useful and worth the pain?
Evil often comes in not so obviously; matters are turned around, people get confused, so that it appears as if good is bad and vice versa. Let’s pray for clarity, so that God may give us wisdom in all big and small decisions considering that in the background the permanent war is going on in the spiritual world between good and bad.
“The word became a human being” – what do you think about that statement? It sounds like a strange combination of words. But St. John explains and points well towards the saviour Jesus Christ.
Judge justly – or even better: do not judge others at all. Better to show mercy to others and to offer them new beginnings if someone has done wrong, because with the same measure we judge others, we will be judged as well.
Since God has all power and is at the same time merciful, does it not mean that we should be free of trouble? Far from that. God does not promise a trouble-free life. In fact the word of God prepares the believers for difficult times, e.g. in the Psalms in the prayer “you let people ride over our heads, we go through fire and through water, yet you will bring us out into a safe place”.
What do you hope for? To pass an exam or to graduate? Or looking forward to a promotion in the job? Or do you look for health or for peace in the family?
Whatever it might be, the biggest hope is in the Lord, the creator God almighty.
“On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us”.
That is not just a vague hope but a firm future for all who put their trust in the heavenly Father.
A record of misery - a strange title, isn't it? After all, why would anyone talk about a record misery?
Hardly anyone wants to talk about it, and yet, if we look back in our life, how many miseries have been there?
Let’s not get depressed by thinking about those times, rather let’s hand it all over to God in prayer.
Have you spent recent days in sorrow or in joy?
Whatever the current circumstances are, there are many things to be thankful for to the Lord, most of all for the great victory that he has won on the cross, that saves all who put their trust in him. That is the firm foundation throughout good as well as bad times.
A lot of resources are wasted in the world by rivalry, as people try to be relatively better-off than others.
Envy, selfishness and peer-pressure destroy, but the ways of the Lord build up lives.
Receiving power – what a great promise! The word of Lord tells us for example in the book of Acts that we can receive the power of the Holy Spirit, courage and energy even for the most difficult situations. And that was not only applicable 2000 years ago but still today.
Even throughout the toughest times of life, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. Do not give up your confidence and the trust in the Lord God Almighty.
Throughout history and sadly still today there have been cases where many need to suffer because a few leaders or rulers egoistically try to increase their own influence and power.
In which mood do you turn to the Lord, specifically for communion?
In whatever mood and with all kinds of emotions we can turn to the Lord – important is that we turn to him at all. The communion can be a particularly effective reminder of what is really important in life and can help us to readjust our mind to the right humble attitude towards the holy eternal God. In his grace he always welcomes us with open arms.
“I know whom you are looking for” – is it not strange to say that? How can you know whom someone else is looking for? Sometimes we may guess by the circumstances. But in the original context of those words spoken it was known for sure.
Whom do you look for?
We tend to have in mind the things that we lack in life. But considering that there have been times when people had barely enough to survive, and still today many have to live under severe conditions lacking basic needs, let’s not forget to give thanks to God every day for all that he provides. Let’s not forget how kind and merciful the Lord is, worthy of all praise.
What is the heaviest weight? We may think of the weight-lifters, they can impressively lift up weights that an average person can not lift up. But the heaviest weight is something else that not even the strongest person can bear by human strength. Relevant to everyone!
In recent weeks, what has dominated your thoughts? Maybe something went wrong and you still think about it? Or positive things that you look forward to?
Many things try to grab our attention, so at times we need to remind ourselves not to pay too much attention to them, if there is the risk that any such matter becomes more important in our heart than the almighty creator God, who deserves to be put number 1 in life.
Whoever has suffered pain for a long time of a harmful, serious disease will surely remember the day of getting healed and be thankful to the doctor who brought healing.
Do you remember it?
The wild animals have their strategies to hunt and catch other animals. Some use raw violence to attack, others hide at first and wait until the prey shows signs of weakness, for example being separated from the rest of group. In the same way the enemy of God uses different strategies trying to destroy us, at times by raw violence, and many more times hiding, waiting until a person shows signs of weakness, for example being separated from the Christian group, no more attending the church services etc. So be aware of the various attacks of the devil. But there is good news: the almighty creator God is stronger and already has won the victory being available to everyone who puts one’s trust in the grace of the Lord.
Some prisoners in the world suffer pain from severe conditions or even torture.
When there is news about the outlook of being set free, such prisoners may sing songs of hope, confidence and freedom.
None of us humans is perfect, we all fall short of the holy God’s standards, we all are imprisoned and doomed in sin and wrongdoing, but there is the outlook of being set free, not only a vague rumour rather the firm hope, based on and confirmed by the victory that Jesus already has won for all who put their faith in him. The chains are released. We can sing with confidence the song of freedom.
We have such a great news to share – the best news – the Good News about the great offer that the heavenly Father makes to everyone: the Lord has bridged the gap between us who do not deserve his grace and himself the almighty, holy, 100% just God. That offer is available to everyone of any background, no matter how much evil a person has done, anyone can humbly turn to the merciful Lord.
It is such a great news that it is worth to be shared, so it is good that there are global offers to read and listen to the word of God. But additionally, let’s not forget the people who are most close to us: to share the Good News also with family members, friends and colleagues. There might be opposition; there might be mockery and persecution. Whether they accept the offer from God and put their trust in him or not is between them and God. But our task is to share the Good News.
During Jesus’s lifetime in human form on earth, he often was not given any place.
How about us nowadays? Do we give him the place in our heart that he deserves?
Military parades can be impressive.
Much greater than that is the heavenly army of angles, which usually we cannot see, but sometimes is revealed, for example by that time to the shepherds. They did not bring war, curse and destruction, rather they bring peace, help and blessing. And they sing to the glory of God.
Are you sometimes astonished by special abilities of others? For example someone is able to quickly remember an unbelievable amount of names or numbers. Or about special abilities of sportspeople.
Beyond the abilities of humans, God can perform even more amazing things.
The special abilities of people can be explained, for example by their practice, training and exercise.
God even can perform miracles beyond explanation. It is good to be astound and rely on him.
Hiking along the water – it might be a difficult path, we may have to give up some comforts, yet it can be worthwhile especially when it is nice and fresh water.
God provides living water – life’s path might not be easy, we may need to give up some things, yet it is worthwhile to involve the Lord into life, to put faith fully in him and to follow his guidance all throughout life.
Do you sometimes feel as if you cannot change anything, as if being subject to fate alone? It may often feel that way considering the major topics going on in the world.
Yet, that is not the case, God has given dominion and authority to each human person, no matter how little impact we seem to have. For one, we can take small steps that over time will make a surprising impact. And beyond that, everyone can pray and thereby involve the power of the almighty eternal God into our world and lives.
Are you sometimes impressed by how much influence some people have?
We typically categorize people and look at such factors: how influential someone is, how many possessions one has accumulated, how strong someone is, etc.
But God does not make a distinction in such regards. He looks at another factor of each individual person: the heart’s attitude.
What is the majority of your talk over the last 1 or 2 years?
Is it mainly curse or mainly blessing?
Balaam did not curse the people, rather he blessed them.
In many of our human systems, the strongest and most clever typically take away the biggest benefits.
But God takes special care of the lowly, despised and vulnerable.
Whom do you praise?
We may recognize someone’s accomplishments.
Let’s remember who deserves the highest praise!
“His heart was proud”. That is reported for example of king Hezekiah.
How do you react, if a humbling factor - such as an illness - comes into your life?
What have you worried about the last couple of days, over the last year?
Worries over the future can easily become overwhelming.
But the almighty God commands us not to worry and rather to trust in him.
His arm is not too short to help.
As humans we have a lot of abilities, we can reach many things, especially in the long term, it is often under-estimated how much we can achieve: if every day we take small steps, we can be in a totally different situation 10 years from now.
Yet we have our limits.
For God, there are no limits.
Nothing is too hard for him. Even what seems to be totally impossible for us.
And we can turn to him with all our troubles, shame and fears.
Furthermore we can intercede for others, for family, friends and all people.
Additionally, we are called to share that good news.
Do you know people who proudly think of themselves as more clever than others? They are wise in their own eyes.
Which attitudes does God look for in people, which attitudes does he reject?
That is highly relevant, because it is what ultimately counts in the end.
Procrastination – do you tend to postpone important things?
It can be a problem both in work as well as in private life.
Some people have a good time management; they start from the most important tasks to be done. Others first spend a lot of time on much less relevant matters that are more easy to do and then there might be trouble because the most important things are undone.
Beyond work and other tasks, most of all let’s make sure that we do not miss the most important things in life.
Does anyone who has fallen not want to get up again?
Naturally, everybody wants to get up again.
Why then, God asks, do people not return to me after having fallen?
The almighty God is full of grace and invites anybody of every background to return to him, even when having fallen into wrongdoing or whatever it might be.
Which goods are relevant for you?
Which topics and matters are most important in your life?
We all live under different circumstances.
Usually we prefer if things improve over time, rather than things getting worse.
Good times come and go. Difficult times come and go.
Above and beyond that we can trust that through all good and bad times God has a good plan for us, because he is a good Father in heaven, the holy almighty creator God.
There is no one else and nothing else as good as him.
Do you mainly look forward in life or more often look backwards?
There are different personalities; some continually want to try new things, while others more reflect on what has happened already.
The decisive question is whether your view remains only with the matters of this world, or you look with priority ahead to the kingdom of God, which starts here in this life and continues in eternity.
Have you gone through such serious situations where there seemed to be no more hope, asking “my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Even in the most desperate times of feeling totally abandoned by other people, for example under serious persecution, God never leaves us alone. No matter where you are, no matter what the circumstances are, God does not leave you alone and listens to your personal prayers. He may not intervene immediately nor in the way we wish for, yet he does not leave us alone and continues to offer his grace.
How much is enough? How much possessions and wealth is sufficient?
Amazingly, most people will have a similar answer, whether very rich or very poor or in between, most will say “just a bit more”.
But the bible has a different answer: It does not count so much how much we have. The question is more: what is your priority in life?
Priority beats quantity.
Proverbs 15: Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than having a lot but with trouble.
Better to eat simple vegetables in company with people you love than the finest meat with hatred.
Better to have God on the first priority scale of life.
Does it mean it is bad to be rich? That is not the case. But the question is about priority: what do you give priority to in life? To possessions or other things such as food or career? Or to the almighty eternal God, the creator of the universe? Whom do you put your trust in? Into people or insurances? Or into the holy sovereign Lord?
Priority beats quantity.
What would you say spontaneously – is it interesting for you to talk to God? Is it a highlight to go the church service? Or is it more a kind of burdensome duty?
As humans we may fall short and not live up to the covenant with God.
Yet from his sides he always keeps up his offer and invitation to everyone of any background whoever humbly turns to him in faith.
Praise the Lord that we do not need to worry about unpleasant duties and so forth. God always continues to offer the grace of his covenant for free.
Everything seems to be temporary.
For example times of peace are always threatened by hatred, health threatened by diseases.
Or a person may intend to settle in a place for good, yet one day may have to move to another place due to life’s conditions or due to external circumstances.
What good remains really permanently?
What do you like to talk about? What do you like to tell to others?
It might be the latest movie or game released. Or many other things and interests which can be nice and entertaining.
Once someone has understood what ultimately counts eternally, the person will mainly tell on the good news to others.
People may keep their promises or they might not fulfil it.
God’s promises are different: he always fulfils his promises. He may not fulfil all our wishes, he may not intervene in the ways we desire, his timing might be different to ours. Yet, the promises of God are firm assurances.
Children are lucky if they are taken care of well by the parents. The children may come with empty hands, yet good parents provide for them with love and care.
But also as adults, even in the strongest years, deep down in the heart everyone has the desire to be taken care of well.
Jesus explains that if we do not receive the kingdom of God like children, then we may not receive it at all.
Usually everything needs to be paid for. All goods have a price tag.
But in the economics of God, it is different: more comparable to a baby crying and the parents providing for free. Though that comparison is not perfect yet is shows the economic logic of our relationship with the Lord Almighty in a much better way: he provides for free when we shout for help in our needs.
“Why have you done this to us?”
Have you complained to anyone in such a way?
Apart from the regular usage, let’s look at how that question is also top relevant for everyone.
To whom do you listen? From whom do you learn?
Usually it is good to learn from the most successful people.
However, in specific regards, we do well to learn from the good example that a poor blind beggar gave around 2000 years ago.
What kind of hierarchical structures dominate in your society?
In some cultures there are nowadays hardly any vertical hierarchies anymore, in others the situation is still similar to what it used to be in the past with different levels.
Take for example a hotel in the past, there used to be clear levels from the top manager down to the boy who had to clean the shoes and carry the bags.
Jesus, despite being the son of the most high God, yet he humbled himself to the lowest tasks, carrying the load on our behalf in order to serve us, in order to enable us for reconciliation with the holy God almighty, he took upon himself our burden of wrongdoing.
In many parts of human history there have been different kinds of pillars of scourging, where people got tortured. We may easily condemn the cruelties and those responsible.
Jesus had to suffer terribly up to the cross. We may easily condemn the cruelty and those responsible, but let’s be careful, because the son of God took upon himself the suffering on our behalf, in order to offer us the opportunity to be reconciled with the holy Lord.
We all would like to receive great promises from God.
In fact they are available for everyone, the bible is full of such promises from God. The heavenly Father offers his love, help, forgiveness, hope, courage, strength and life in its fullness. All that and much more is available to everyone of any background, whoever humbly puts one’s trust in the Lord’s word.
What can we learn from those, to whom God originally gave those promises?
Help and encouragement amongst confusion and fear:
Whether we have navigated ourselves into troubling situations or whether it is imposed by others, among all kinds of confusion and fear, no matter how desparate, the Lord offers encouragement and help to everyone.
Do you receive his help?
What are your life’s circumstances?
Many people of our times have available more than enough food and other physical goods for the body in abundance.
How about the status of the nourishment for the soul and mind?
God loves to help all people and he offers his support to everyone of any background.
But many may argue “to me, he has never provided any help”.
So who receives his help?
It is a fantastic news: God opens the door to everyone of any background, no matter what someone has done or is going through.
The door is open and the Lord invites you.
Do you enter that gate? Do you accept the invitation?
We often may not notice it, yet boasting and wanting to be relatively better than others is deeply rooted in our human being, we all tend to be “puffed up”.
Did you ever have to treat mildew at the walls of your house or building?
Mildew may not only occur at walls and stones, it can also come up in all kinds of relationships between people, for example within the family.
As the mildew starts slowly but might gradually eat into the material and gradually damage it, so conflict and strife might start slowly but gradually might eat into relationships and create damage.
As it makes sense to radically remove the mildew including its root cause before it grows further and damages the walls or even destroys the building, so it makes sense to radically remove the dispute and strife including its root cause before it grows further and damages the relationship or even destroys lives.
As the mildew might have a deeper root cause such as moisture, so the conflicts and strife might have a deeper root cause such as bitterness in heart, un-forgiveness, thoughts of revenge, pride, etc.
Many people would like to have a more healthy lifestyle.
Some need to overcome their laziness.
Far more important than all those things is the fact that we cannot ultimately overcome sin and temptation by our own will-power rather we need to receive the grace of God that will help us also in that regard.
And then we can learn to overcome our own desires and rather follow the perfect guidance of the Lord who has a good long term plan for each of us individually. The heavenly Father had a plan and tasks for Elijah, who did the right thing to overcome listening to his own human logic alone and rather followed the guidance of God, resulting in major blessings. And God has a good plan and tasks for your life in the same way.
Are you good at distinguishing between situations in which it is better to keep quiet and in which situations it is better to speak up?
Among many other things, we can also learn in that regard from Jesus, who mastered that discipline as well.
Apart from all the acoustic noise such as from traffic or from machines, there is also another noise in the world: complaint.
What do you think of the prodigal son?
Most may simply condemn his behaviour. And many may look down on the people who nowadays behave similarly.
Yet there is so much to learn:
For example the decisive point: at last, he came to his senses!
At last he came to his senses.
And how about his brother, who looked down on him?
What factors help a person to find living faith and a relationship with the Lord?
Apart from the obvious, there are also other things going on in the background: the Holy Spirit is at work. And that is the reason why we are called to intercede and not cease to pray for others.
How do you spend your free days, when you do not need to work?
Especially on public holidays, we are invited remember what God has worked throughout history and the relevance of the Lord’s intervention for our lives in these present times.
Someone knocks on your door.
Not aggressively, neither a beggar nor a salesperson nor a burglar.
The almighty Lord himself friendly knocks on your door offering the most valuable presents of life for free.
Do you open to door of your heart to him?
If we put our trust in the Lord, then the word of God and the Holy Spirit can work together to our long term benefit.
Many people might think of Christmas as just a nice story for children.
But if we think about the historic contexts of how God has arranged it in combination also with events of the old testament, it becomes clear that it is much more than that. In fact it is part of the few very most relevant events of all times.
Who is the highest authority?
Far above all bishops, governments or councils is the almighty, eternal, sovereign God, the creator of the universe.
And when he gives a sermon, then we should listen carefully.
Do you have children or young people to take care of?
Then you have a great and demanding task to teach them to put their trust in God and to show them the love, hope and faith that can be found in the relationship with the heavenly Father, and to give a good example of walking closely with the Lord, because in the end the young people will copy the behaviour.
Have you got baptised?
Whether young children are brought to baptism by their parents, or whether a grown-up persons decides to get baptised or to receive a confirmation, whether the full body is submerged or only small amounts of water be sprinkled, in any case important is the faith involved.
Congratulations to all, who got baptised, recently or long time ago.
What takes away your peace? Which subjects do not let you rest?
When we remember that Jesus has conquered all misery and won the victory over all evil things, then we do not need to fall into despair, no matter how much we suffer from certain topics, because we can always look to Jesus.
What gives you comfort?
If we know that we are lost based on our sinful nature, that we can not live up by our own effort to the standards of God no matter how good works and deeds we try to do, then it is the great comfort that Jesus has won the victory on our behalf that saves everyone who puts one’s trust in him. The great comfort that gives peace here and saves eternally.
To which preachers do you listen?
There are many different styles and denominations.
How can we find out who is trustworthy?
One distinguishing is of utmost importance: Is the message solely based on the Word of God? Is the preaching fully in line with the good news, the gospel as found in the bible? Or is anything added on which the emphasis is put?
An honest preacher does not seek the own honour, rather humbly wants to give all the glory to the Lord alone.
How comes that parliaments and governments often debate for many hours, weeks and years but they do not really get to the point? Frequently they miss the topics that would be relevant for the people, whether directly or indirectly. Often time of highly paid politicians is wasted on irrelevant short term side-topics that are then proudly announced via the media, but rarely any major results that would be really beneficial for the people in the long term. Most decisions only concern to the next few months, hardly ever the impact on time spans beyond a couple of years are considered.
They do not ask for God and his eternal wisdom.
He told to similar leaders at the time of the prophet Isaiah “Make your plans, but they will not succeed. Talk as much as you like, but it is all useless”.
The offer from the sovereign almighty Lord is available to everyone, to high politicians as well as to everyone else: the heavenly Father offers wisdom, guidance and help.
Have you ever reached the limits of your own energy? Worn out and so tired that you cannot accomplish the tasks that you want to do? Tried to do good, but evil is coming out?
As long as we rely on our own strength alone, sooner or later we will reach our limits.
But if we put our trust in the Lord God Almighty, the Saviour, then he can help us with his eternal power, which is available to everyone who turns to him.
What gives you guidance?
There are so many choices we need to take, in which we cannot know upfront what will be the best for the future, for example: which education, which profession to choose? Few big decisions of life, but also many more small decisions we need to take every day.
Of course there is valuable support and experienced people can give good recommendations. But nobody knows everything and there are always uncertainties remaining.
God is all-knowing and has a good long term plan for each person individually.
He offers his wisdom and guidance for free to everyone who puts faith in him.
What will you answer, when one day you have to give account in front of God the judge?
By that time it will be not sufficient to refer to our own good works and deeds.
But we can refer to Jesus, he has won the victory on our behalf. Whoever believes in him has sufficient to pass the judgment.
What are your circumstances of life?
If you can live in peace, then give praise and thanks to the Lord every day.
Often however, throughout history and same today, true believers can not live in pleasant conditions and rather face persecution of various kinds. But no need to give up, even among challenging circumstances, the promise of God remains true and valid: “I give you strength to resist. They will not defeat you, for I am with you”.
The Lord is with us to protect us against all persecutors and bad people as well as he protects as from all evil spirits that try to harm us.
The brothers of Joseph came in a humble attitude.
Therefore, Joseph was kind to them, forgave them and helped them.
Every person of any background can come in a humble attitude to God.
The Lord offers kindness, forgiveness and help.
Have you ever wondered why – as a believer – you need to go through so much trouble and pain?
Often it seems as if those who do not care about God are better off. Still, as children of God, we are best-off, because God educates his children in love and guides us throughout this life towards his kingdom.
Do you know situation in which your mood is not in for praying? You might feel as if it is not a suitable time or you may feel guilty or not skillful or you may worry that you do not find the right words to pray. Do not postpone it. Because exactly that is the best time to pray. And we can even make it a prayer “Lord, teach me to pray. You know all in my heart”.
Do you build your life mainly based on facts or primarily on impressions and feelings?
Probably we all need to learn more to base our decisions on facts rather than emotions.
The Lord already has won the major victory, let’s remember that fact, no matter what life’s situations may look like, no matter what the feelings may currently tell.
Do you need guidance in any regard?
Apart from human teachers and preachers, God can also talk to us via many other ways directly, for example when we study his word. The Holy spirit can guide us like a teacher.
What do you do in times of troubles? How do you handle it?
Jonah prayed to the Lord in distress. Even when Jonah had acted against the will of God and travelled in the opposite direction that the Lord wanted him to go: when Jonah was drowning in the sea, he prayed to the Almighty, and the heavenly Father intervened: by the most unlikely way he saved Jonah and brought him back on track. Jonah had done wrong, yet God gave new chances and tasks to Jonah. We all fall short yet God gives new chances also to you and tasks and targets for a fulfilled life.
We can pray in all situations – also in times of trouble. Even in times of self-made trouble.
Which life’s situation are you in – do you complain or do you trust?
There are a lot of situations in life that make us complain or even to give up hope.
For example the Israelites did not see any hope when the sea was in front of them and the army of the Egyptian army chased them. The people almost gave up. But Moses did the right thing: he brought the matter to the Lord in prayer. And God made a way.
Let’s not complain nor give up, rather let’s put our trust in the almighty Lord, the creator of the world who has ways even where we do not see any way.
The world is filled with injustice, sometimes we are aware of it, sometimes not. Nobody is perfect. How can anyone be saved?
How can justice be restored?
Especially if we consider that on the other hand the almighty Lord, the creator of the universe, is holy and nothing unjust can approach him, so how can we approach him?
How can justice be restored?
We can not do that by ourselves. We can not approach him. No matter how hard we try, we can not live up to the standards of the holy Lord.
But as amazing and unbelievable as it is: God has approached us.
Praise the Lord for that great love!
He has restored justice.
Which signs and symbols do you use to show that something is important to you?
For example the follower of a sports team might dress up in the colours of the team, might buy, show and expose various souvenirs of that team in order to highlight the relevance of following that team. Another sign is to come together celebrating and remembering the team’s victories.
A Christian might show and expose the cross in order to show the relevance of following Jesus. Another sign is the communion, celebrating and remembering the Lord’s supper. We remember the most important victory of all times.
The golden art. Wow. Hardly any material has been fascinating so many people over so many centuries. Even more if it is put into fine art.
Even more amazing than the finest art created by skillful artists is to understand the good news of incarnation, to recognize the significance that on our behalf Jesus was tormented in order to redeem us. Us, who do not deserve his grace. The son of God suffered even to physical death on the cross in order to set us free from all our sin and wrongdoing no matter how much we have failed. The Lord sets us free and gives to everyone who humbly receives that present a fulfilled life with purpose here and in eternity. There is no better way than to sing, tell on and proclaim that good news, so that many more may participate in the golden art of recognizing its significance.
To whom or to what do you open the gates of your heart?
Often we fill our lives with matters, that hinder real joy to come in. There are so many tasks and duties, worries and troubles, anger, pleasure and leisure, that often we are too busy to think on the important things in life.
When we welcome the Holy Spirit of the eternal, sovereign God into our heart in faith, then the grace of the Lord will also fill us with joy.
Do you open the gates of your heart to him?
Is your life at times dry like the sand in the desert?
Drinking water in the desert – precious and valuable.
How can we find it for our life?
Flows of living water can be found in Jesus: the Holy Spirit.
If we pray, then we easily pray for our own needs in life.
But there are also other elements of prayer such as to give thanks to the Lord, to praise him in his glory, to ask God for his guidance, to listen to his word, to humbly request forgiveness, as well as to pray for others, to intercede for them, for their current specific needs in life as well as for their salvation.
Do you know such situations? You may have to correct someone who has been going on a wrong path. Especially parents might at times need to correct their children. Or good friends may – with the best intentions – if necessary correct their friend who has chosen an evil path.
It is not easy, but important is to be aware of the good purpose.
Also God in his caring love needs to correct us at times. It is not easy, but he has the best intentions and a good long term plan for each one of us individually.
Is there peace in your place? In your place of living? In your family? In your place of work?
Even nowadays in our modern world, we can learn from what God told via the prophet Haggai.
Who has the biggest influence?
We might think of rulers, presidents, parliaments, political parties.
Or we might think of the leaders of organisations and companies.
Or we might think of the richest persons and their influence.
It is amazing how much impact some have.
Yet the final saying remains with the almighty eternal God, the sovereign Lord.
Do you seek to learn more about the good news of God?
Same as for many other topics, it is good to continue to learn, as well as to share knowledge with others.
If you think of a typical day in your life – do you wish others more good or mainly bad?
By our human nature we easily compare ourselves to others, often without noticing it, we want others to be worse off.
But in the end everybody is better off, if we wish good rather than bad to others.
Nations may go to war, but what happens amongst the population? It may result in a lot of injustice, crime, suffering.
God calls us to peace, not only on the level of nations and the absence of war, but the Lord also offers peace deep down in the heart.
What distinguishes a real living human from a humanoid looking robot? The shape and appearance may at first look similar. Yet the inside makes the difference.
What distinguishes a real living Christian from one without a relationship with Jesus? They may look similar at first on the outside, both might attend church. Yet the inside makes the difference.
It is easy to criticise authorities. Both distant authorities in high politics, as well as those closer to us such as parents, teachers, superiors.
Under which conditions shall we obey them? Are there conditions under which we shall oppose to the authorities?
The first love of a couple is a wonderful source of energy, it does not get insulted, does not get tired, does not demand things for oneself, instead doing things for the other person, being thankful to the other person.
In the same way the first love to Jesus is a wonderful source of energy. It is based on the thankfulness for what the Saviour has done for us. Let’s remember the great deeds of the Lord not only initially but continually.
“Fellowship” may sound outdated and not so attractive.
Yet the fire is burning best if there are several pieces of wood close to each other. One piece separated to be alone might soon extinguish.
What do you do to seek the truth?
The Ethiopian official was really seeking for the truth and therefore he took upon himself the long journey. Amazing things happened as God prompted Philip to go exactly at the right time at the right place to explain the good news to the Ethiopian official on his way back.
To those who seek God, the Lord gives insight and joy.
Do you focus on the worries, burdens and challenges?
Or do you focus on the power of Jesus?
The public opinion often goes that those are most clever, who have the biggest successes, who have accomplished the most, e.g. those that have reached high leadership positions, or possessions or collected trophies and medals.
But is that really what counts?
What is true wisdom?
People are different and have conflicting opinions.
But often those who have common goals and share the same vision, they get along well with each other.
In which areas of life would you like to grow and learn more?
It is good to learn more things in life, to grow and advance, to increase in knowledge etc.
And yet - in order to become authentic - compared to God it is required for us humans to decrease in a sense of getting the right humble attitude towards the almighty eternal Lord. We can learn that from John the baptist.
It is challenging at first and seems to be tough, yet it is a good thing: the Lord corrects those he loves as parents correct a child whom they love.
Many people have learned and grown in times of trouble.
Among other things we can learn to look up and to focus on what really counts.
Did you ever have to go through a demotion?
It is not nice. Supposed you have climbed up the career ladder, but suddenly you get replaced by someone else and need to accept a much lower ranking position.
Though he falls – he will not be overwhelmed.
David himself had experienced that, he had fallen into various kinds of big trouble, yet he stayed close with the Lord and thus got up again.
Do you have the wish or sometimes imagine to have the extraordinary abilities and powers of super-heroes?
What would you do with those skills?
It may look quite selfish – the wise young women did not want to share with those who did not bring reserve stock of oil, so their lamps would extinct soon.
It looks selfish at first glance. But matters of faith cannot be inherited. Everyone needs to take a decision for oneself. Of course we shall pray for others in intercession and help them in whatever regards necessary. We are called to share many things. But the faith is an individual matter – how do you decide? Do you humbly receive the great gift of grace from God or do you reject it?
Do you fear that day, when everything will be revealed by the light, when your life’s decisions will be made transparent? Most people prefer to stay hidden in the darkness.
But there is no need to be afraid of that day. God offers to remove all the evils. That offer is available to anyone who is interested. It is a wonderful light, nothing to fear.
There is a relationship between how well one prepares for an exam by learning properly, and passing it successfully.
There is a relationship between a healthy lifestyle and a healthy body.
There is a relationship between the victory that Jesus has won on the cross and our eternal salvation.
And there is a relationship between our prayer life and the blessings that God can provide for us already here in this life.
A delightful thing - what is it?
Do you only think of temporary matters, such as the Christmas decoration?
Do we need to translate, in order to talk to God?
Luckily, no translation is necessary, whatever language one speaks, God knows the attitude of each person’s heart.
And when we can not find adequate words, then the spirit intercedes for us.
In our daily routines we easily forget that apart from the physical world there is also the spiritual world.
The more someone involves God into the life here, the closer the relationship between a person and the Lord, the more God can bless that person.
His kingdom is a wonderful, eternal kingdom, that cannot be shaken.
From an employee in a higher salary class more results are expected than from someone with a lower salary.
To whom much is entrusted, from the same person a lot is demanded.
Good parents love their children, even if they have done something wrong, because the parents want the best for their children in the long term.
In the same way, God loves his children, his mercy is offered to all people, also to you.
Can anything be above heaven and earth?
Daniel knew the Lord very well, he had a close relationship with that mighty eternal God.
Despite we cannot see him, everyone can find the holy Lord and his grace.
Do you regularly take the time to remember the things you are thankful for?
Apart from many more benefits, it can even improve your physical health!
Even if we live in relative safety still we are at risk each day: there could be accidents, robberies, sicknesses, unusual cosmic events as well as attacks from evil spirits that are not obvious since we cannot see them.
Can anyone be found who can really protect us?
How do you feel, if someone has promised something to you but does not keep it?
Some people might be reliable only to a lower, others to a higher degree.
But there is one who is always 100% faithful.
Shut in. Locked in. Closed in.
Many things might take away our freedom, such as our circumstances, other people, various types of sicknesses, too much work, addictions, and so on.
How do you deal with those things?
In the past, often statues made of gold, bronze, stone or other materials have been the idols to which people gave relevance, or they worshipped the sun or other objects.
Nowadays in our modern times, what draws your priority attention away from the almighty eternal God who in his grace continually offers us a close relationship? There are many modern idols such as work or leisure, possessions or pleasure, social media, permanently being online, stress and hectic and so many more.
To what do you give importance and the first priority in life?
Attention, please!
Attention to what?
In a world of so many influences, opinions, advertisements and voices, we are forced to filter out and focus on some of them.
To what do you give the priority of attention?
Science discovers more and more things that in the past seemed to be mysteries.
And probably that will go on in future, more knowledge will be gained by humanity by using modern technologies and algorithms.
And yet there remain things which we cannot explain and that are unknown, for example the question what the future will bring.
Do you also talk of “good days” and “bad days”? Lucky days and unlucky days?
Instead of putting our focus on the fate which would make us passive, rather let’s actively see what we can change and impact and most of all let’s focus on the almighty God who is also the Lord over each person’s fate and who offers to help and guide throughout life. He can turn even days that seem to be unlucky ultimately into a blessing. All works for good for those, who love God.
What are the consequences of each lie spoken by someone in the world?
And whom do you follow – the gruesome liar who continually brings evil and destruction into the world, or the one who is the great truth and who continually offers healing and new beginnings?
Do you know someone who is talking all the day long?
It might be annoying if another person continually talks.
But not so with the Lord. God also continually tries to talk to us, but not in an annoying way at all. His words are words of real wisdom and offer a blessed, fulfilled life with joy and hope to all who listen to him. The father in heaven is full of love and mercy and he has the best intentions for everybody.
What do you think about God?
Do you think of him in human terms?
Some people even think they could judge the eternal creator God, as if they had more knowledge or power than him.
Daniel knew that God deserves more honour than any human or thing. The father in heaven controls the times and the seasons. It is him who gives wisdom and understanding.
Supposed you had been seriously sick and someone – e.g. a good doctor – intervened with a major surgery and then guided you and instructed you well how to treat your body so that you got healed – would you not be joyful and thankful towards that person?
If someone is shut in, that often has to do with force and wrongdoing, for example if someone acted against the laws. Similarly, if someone is shut out by people or by other forces.
But that is not what the Lord wants for our lives, he wants to help us and finally to give us freedom. The eternal, almighty, merciful God holds the ultimate keys in his hands.
Freedom – what would you like to be free of?
God wants us to have freedom. He could have created us like puppets, but he created us humans with a free will.
We often take away our own freedom by either putting us into chains of wrongdoing, sin and devil. Or – by contrast – we take away our own freedom by putting ourselves into the chains of rules and by trying to obtain salvation by our own good deeds and personal accomplishments.
God offers real freedom from all that.
Water is necessary for life – we become aware of it especially in dry places like when walking through a desert.
Not only does our body need physical water to drink, also our soul needs water, even if we are not aware of it, our soul needs the holy spirit. We become aware of it especially in “dry phases of life”, when burdens make us feel like walking through a desert.
We all look forward to better times. But what do we do in order to achieve it? Do we only pursue fun and pleasures in order to seek short term distraction from the troubles of life? Or take also steps towards lasting, eternal joy?
As humans we naturally want to go upwards, to gain honour and favour with people or to accumulate more possessions and so on.
Jesus did the opposite, he went downwards – in order to help us!
What do you do, if you have too many things to do, a long list of tasks, and there is not enough time?
A clever person will set priorities and focus on the most important things.
That is a useful principle.
Yet in the eyes of the Lord, sometimes other things are more important than from our point of view.
What do you reply if someone says “it does not matter which religion one follows”?
Many people imply that it is more important to do good deeds.
And most religions claim that the major point is the effort of a person.
But God does not judge us based on our accomplishments.
Rather in his mercy he sent his son Jesus into this world, who washed the feet of the disciples. He offers all that is necessary for free to everyone pesonally. And if we understand how tremendously big that gift from God is, then in thankfulness we will forward the love of God to others and in that sense do good, not in order to earn salvation but in praise of the Lord.
What do you think about compromises? Are they good? Are they bad?
Often compromises between 2 conflicting opinions are useful to find a solution and a way ahead.
Pilate also knew that sometimes compromises are necessary, he tried to find a way in between the conflicting expectations.
But towards Jesus, a compromise is not possible. There needs to be a clear decision. Whether consciously or unaware, everyone takes a decision in life. Either one gives the first priority to worldly matters or to God. Only one can be the number one in life.
Have you ever done a small favour to someone, and that person made you a much bigger present of incomparably more value?
Whatever we can do for Jesus is much smaller than the tremendous gift that he offers us.
What is your reaction to that great news? – “He has risen!”
The greatest news of history about the decisive victory of all times and for everyone personally: “The Lord has risen!”
Are you interested?
Or do other topics of daily life continue to fully occupy your mind alone?
Do you have anything to eat?
To most people of our times sufficient food supplies are available.
Less obvious, beyond the need for food and other physical stuff, there are also other types of needs that we are sometimes not aware of.
What can technology do? More and more things. The advance in development is amazing. Technology can do things that were thought of as being impossible in the past.
What can technology not do?
“Ill-mannered behaviour” – what comes to your mind?
The behaviour of a small child?
Or your own moods, tempers and unreasonable desires?
Blessed is the person who recognizes wrong behaviour not only in others but mainly in oneself and who takes the right consequence to turn to God.
In the past, the festival of reconciliation was a great day for the people.
What can we learn from that for the life nowadays in our current times?
Are you sometimes sad about how people behave?
It can be especially disappointing if beloved people like family members ruin their lives, such as teenagers and young adults taking wrong decisions that ruin their health, their career, their lives, destructive decisions that they will regret later on.
People of all times got sad when seeing the destructive behaviour of others.
We can learn from those who also were disappointed in such a way and yet continued to walk closely with the Lord.
Some people easily get our attention and they might fascinate us with their rhetoric or visions. But let’s be careful not to follow the wrong persons and ideas. In order to distinguish, it is good to ask “what are his motivations?” and “what are her targets?”.
Is it possible to cheer up a person, who bears a lot of sorrow in mind?
What is the major factor, whether the good intentions to help will succeed or not?
Which logic do you follow in life?
Do you still only try to maximize your own benefit as most people do?
Or have you already understood that there is more to life than that?
Who is Jesus?
What would you say?
Some say he started a religion, others say he gave good moral teachings, others say he was a prophet.
When we do not know for sure, let's turn to the most original sources.
The results are amazing.
Which sports are you interested in?
Similar to the full concentration in many other sports, as far as the discipline of running concerns, the runners run fully concentrated straight towards the target. How disappointing it is, if someone in the middle of the race suddenly gives up.
To give up is bad enough in sports, and even worse if someone gives up in life.
Do you also wait?
That question might be asked at the bus stop or when queuing up in a line.
Do you also wait?
That question can also be asked in a much more significant regard!
What comes to your mind with regard to the words “cooperation” and “partnership”?
There are many kinds of cooperation between individual persons, in private and in public, on government level and so on. Often good things come out, when people cooperate.
In spiritual terms there is a different kind of cooperation, that all those have experienced who have walked closely with the Lord over the centuries and still same today. Unlike to partnerships between humans, all that is necessary for salvation has been done by Jesus. And that victory is available for all people and for you personally.
How do you see the world? As most of things going on well and tendencies in the right direction? Or more a pessimistic view considering all the deficiencies in the societies, with major factors in the world deteriorating?
Whatever is going on, one thing is clear: we need help. And even if there are a lot deficiencies in many regards, there is still a true hope for the future.
One of the most common way that people are challenged and get doubts in their faith is by bad things happening. For example if a family looses a relative, a beloved person who even might still have been young, then naturally we are tempted to ask “why did God allow that to happen?” And then the devil easily can send negative thoughts and doubts that lead us away from God. The devil even tried to tempt Jesus in a similar way, by the time when Jesus was hungry, but Jesus did not fall into that trap and replied with words of wisdom.
Let’s remember God’s grace and goodness in pleasant and in difficult times. Giving thanks to the Lord each pleasant day and hour will help us keep a clear mind even throughout the most difficult times.
Are you joyful or sad?
So many times, the devil tries to make us sad, either by filling us with pride and arrogance that we think we do not need God and walk away from him. Or by the opposite way: the devil tries to tell us another lie “you are too bad, you have done too much wrong” and then again we may feel condemned and not turn to God. Both ways will make us sad and will lead us away from God.
But the truth is: we can always turn to God, no matter where we are, no matter how much we have done wrong. And that will give us real joy and deep peace.
Opposite to the obvious.
Often opposite to the logics that we are used to.
And yet perfectly makes sense and answers many questions that people puzzle about.
Have you only heard of the word of God?
Or have you really experienced the life that the good news offers, the personal relationship with the Lord, his love, power and guidance?
As humans we tend to categorize and judge others by outward appearances and behaviours, by what people look like, by what they say and how they behave.
Praise the Lord if you live in a place of relative freedom, in a country of democracy having a fair legal system that will judge those who do criminal things and a system that lets those live freely that have not done anything wrong. While human systems will never be perfect, yet praise the Lord if you can live under relatively good conditions.
God looks much deeper into each person’s heart: what are the person’s real intentions? Good or bad? Does a person really regret if having done wrong or only pretend?
Unlike human systems, God’s judgements are perfect and holy.
How would you react if you request something and seemingly get a harsh reply? How would you react if you requested something from the Lord in prayer and you do not get any word of comfort and rather only a short reply such as “go”?
How we react to the word of God is of essence.
The official by the time of Jesus had requested Jesus to come along with him in order to heal his son, but the reply was “go …”. How did the official react? With anger? With doubt? With pressure? The official by that time listened, believed and followed the reply that he received from Jesus.
How would you react in such a situation?
By that time, indeed the son of the official got healed.
There are so many reasons to give up in life, so much suffering, work and tasks to be done and so little time per week to accomplish all. Additionally as a believer you may experience persecution and trouble.
There are so many reasons to give up, but there is one reason not to give up. The great hope is bigger than any trouble we experience. It is not just a vague hope, rather it is confirmed by the victory that Jesus has already won. Whoever holds out to the end will be saved.
Shall we always respect the authorities?
It is a good practice and required for good order. But are there any circumstances under which conditions exceptions should be made? What would you say?
What are the major findings that you discover, when you study the word of God, when you read the bible and Christian books or listen to sermons? What is the core message for you? What are the criteria to find out whether a preacher is fully in line with the word of God? Just historical facts or only useful guidelines?
There is much more to it: We can find real comfort, a fulfilled life and true hope, because we know that the message of the bible saves us, if we find Jesus Christ as our personal saviour.
What are the most important things for you in life?
Since God has already shown that he has the best intentions for us and a good long term plan for our life, and since he has won the decisive victory on the cross, so we do not need to doubt: his mercy is surely available for us, even if our life goes through a lot of difficulties and challenges, even if we loose everything in this life, we still have everything in the mercy of the Lord. Many of those who are now the last will ultimately be the first by God’s grace.
Thomas – called the twin – did not believe the words of the other disciples when they reported that they had seen the risen Lord.
Blessed are those who do not see yet and already believe the good news of God’s grace.
Even a minor wrongdoing cannot enter the kingdom of God.
No human individual is perfect.
So the question is: Do you receive God’s grace and forgiveness? Or not?
No matter how much wrong we have done or failed to do, God’s grace is bigger than our wrongdoing and his mercy is available to everyone who humbly turns to him.
Who belongs to the Lord?
It sounds as a minor or even irrelevant side note.
Yet it is so important:
The one who belongs to God, listens to God’s word.
Have you also experienced situations in which a group of people thinks they are better than others? There are different talents that the Lord has given, but no one shall look down on others, neither as individuals nor as societies nor as religious groups.
There is one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism.
We all share the same bible, whether it is an older or newer translation.
We have the same Lord, the same firm hope and confidence based on the foundation of God’s grace.
Good stewards of the good news: how can we recognize whether someone preaches and acts to the will of God? That person will take the great shepherd Jesus as an example and will not only pick out certain aspects of religion, rather will cover the entire gospel as we can find it in the bible. Such a good steward will proclaim apart from reminders to the commands of God also the good news of the Lord’s grace.
It often seems as if the selfish and evil-doers in the world are better off, while the believers seem to be at disadvantage. The conditions in the world look not fair, and it looks as if God delays his intervention.
God might act later than we expect, but he acts powerfully.
In his mercy, he gives to everyone time and lots of opportunities to turn back to him.
Have you experienced situations of life in which it feels as if God is far away?
It may even seem as if God is angry.
But God is not angry about our wrongdoing, rather he is full of love.
As long as we trust, there is hope.
Even if someone tries to live a decent life, yet nobody is perfect, everyone does wrong at least at times. But whatever we have done wrong or failed to do, his sacrifice is sufficient to overcome all that, no matter how much evil might still fill us.
With the eyes of the body we can see another person, but to recognize God we need to involve the soul.
With the mouth of the body we can talk to a human father, to talk to God we need to involve the soul.
With the brain of the body we can imagine the natural birth of a person, to recognize the rebirth in Christ we need to involve the soul.
What is the core message of religion for you? Many people will think of how to work off wrongdoings or overcoming a kind of karma by good deeds or about trying harder. If that was all, it would mean we all were lost. But the good news is: the decisive point is neither our own efforts nor our own accomplishments. Rather, the decisive victory is already won by the Lord and offered for free to everyone.
Do you tend to look more often upwards to the opportunities or downwards to the difficulties of life?
There are indeed a lot of challenges in life, yet we are invited to “raise up our heads”.
It sounds not realistic to have no trouble, obviously there are a lot of needs on hand.
Yet there is the promise that our needs will be taken care of, if we let the shepherd take care.
What is currently your biggest hope?
It might be the hope to graduate in school or university or to get a better job or to recover from sickness. Or to move to another place - what do you look for the most?
Among the characteristics how God treats us - and how we are called to act towards others – is love and mercy. God forgives us, so we are also called to forgive others. God does not want anything to tear down our lives, so we, too, should not tear down others. God wants to build up our lives, so we are called to build up others’ lives as well. For example to help to get out of the troubles of life and in many more regards.
Is there any hope? Often there seems to be none considering the circumstances in the world. And yet there is great and true hope!
Would you call yourself meek? Hardly anyone nowadays refers to oneself as meek.
Meek and humble are old words, often regarded as old-fashioned or outdated. And the meaning of the 2 words is often thought of in a negative way associated with “weak”. But often the opposite is true, the meek need to be strong in a world of pressure, temptation and persecution. While going through difficult circumstances, yet there are great assurances for the meek.
There is a multitude of reasons that bring us into trouble, it might be our own fault or from others. Whatever the origin of the hardship is, such situations at the same time always offer chances to learn and grow. As long as we go through it we may not like it, but when looking back later on, they can be found as valuable life’s lessons.
Nobody is perfect, we all fall short of the good guidance and commends of the holy God.
But there is good news: if we humbly receive the grace of the Lord, then nobody can accuse us.
Whether we admit it or not, nobody has everything 100% under control, we may try to optimize some aspects of life, and the same time neglect other aspects. Even the most intelligent person has weaknesses.
By the grace of the almighty God the highest, our lives may be blessed in those aspects which are really important and that count in the end.
It is one thing to bring prayer requests to God.
Beyond that, there are many more aspects of prayer: to pray also for others in intercession, to bring our wrongdoing to God and to receive his forgiveness, to request the Lord for guidance to receive his advice, as well as to give thanks and praise to the Lord.
And then we can pass on the good news to others as well, to proclaim the Lord’s mighty acts.
Have you noticed that many people do not have real hope?
They only see this physical life and if they do not get what they want, they either get aggressive or they fall in despair or depression.
But from the good news, we get real hope.
In the Lord we can find refuge that reaches even beyond our imagination.
In the universe, regularly there are new findings with using telescopes and modern technology, and yet no planet like the earth is found, its distance to the sun is exactly arranged in a way to enable life, added by its prcise angle of rotation etc make the earth unique and water in its 3 phases enables physical life as we know it. The eternal, all-knowing God in his wisdom has created the universe like that. And the creator is far greater than the creation.
In the wilderness, if the strongest animal protects another one, then it is safe.
If the strongest army is on guard, then no other rebels can harm them.
How much more, if the real highest force is on guard:
The almighty God promises to protect those who put their trust in him from all real harm.
What do you think of, when you hear the word “blessing”? An old-fashioned word? Or simply a good wish? There is much more to it, so big that it even goes far beyond our imagination.
There are many types of needs in life, for example the need for change, or the needs in case of being poor, or the need for rest when having too much work and there is also the need for forgiveness, because nobody is perfect. God offers help in all these needs.
What are your biggest doubts and fears?
Several of the apostles had to go through serious trouble, pain and challenges.
They learned to look to the Lord rather than to focus on the storm.
We get invited to learn the same.
Jacob had wrestled long time in that night. God showed him: there are things that Jacob had done wrong. But when he understood and repented, he received forgiveness and a new name.
How thankful he must have been, when the sun rose on that day. It got brighter, and also his life got much brighter.
We stay in darkness our life long, when we reject God's mercy and goodness.
Think of a person with a good reputation. And of a person with a bad reputation.
So many things are talked each day about others, spreading rumour and gossip.
The good news is available to people of any background, of every culture and every origin.
When Barnabas saw that the people of Antioch had received the good news in their heart by the grace of God, he was amazed and very glad, then he encouraged them.
Do you receive the good news today or do you reject it?
Any kinds of idols, whether hidden or obvious, can bring a lot of curse and adversity, often indirectly.
Jacob had worked for many years for his father in law.
When leaving him, hidden “household gods” created trouble.
Such an idol can be anything in life that becomes more important than God.
What is most important to you – the almighty, living, creator God, or anything else in life?
Do you know persons who have difficulty to breath?
Praise the Lord, if your lungs work properly, absorbing sufficient oxygen for a healthy body.
For a healthy soul, prayer is like breathing. What stops us from praying? What separates us from God?
By what do you live? It is clear that the human body needs food … we can calculate the required calories, minerals, vitamins and so on. But that is not all: we also need oxygen and a suitable ambient pressure and temperature range, etc. And much more.
Even more than all that, we continually need the presence and protection of the Lord.
How easily we judge other people by their outer appearance! You may watch yourself for a couple of days: we meet someone whom we do not know yet and immediately form an opinion within a few seconds and in our mind put them into categories.
Praise the Lord that he does not judge us people by such criteria as we do.
What are your goals and targets?
Some people achieve a lot, climb up the hierarchies and become successful in such a sense.
Others can manage a lot of tasks within the 24 available hours per day.
But to come to the father – is that a goal?
In order to be successful in life – do we need to compromise the word of God?
It may seem like that at times.
But if we take a deeper look at how we define “successful”, things can be different to the obvious.
What do you think - are we close to the end of the world? Or will life as we know it go on for many more centuries?
Both sides have their arguments.
One thing is clear and much more important.
Let’s hold out.
It is good to give compliments as well as to receive them.
But if we are honest, that is only one side of life, there are also so many shortcomings.
For certain tasks, mechanics need to protect their body, for example the welder needs to wear special glasses to protect the eyes.
As we protect the apple of our eyes, so God protects each one of our souls, even if life’s circumstances seem to suggest the opposite.
Joshua got a big task. It seemed to be too difficult.
Do you also know such situations? It may look like there are too many challenges and difficulties in life.
Yet there is one reason not to give up, rather to be determined and confident.
On what we set our eyes, we also set our mind, we fix our attention on that matter or thing.
On what do you set your eyes? Our focus might be on a better job or on a better place to live.
Do you focus on the past or on the future?
What is righteousness?
One could find long definitions and explanations.
A simple way to put it is: “to be put right with God”. And that is important, because God is the almighty, the highest being, the ultimate judge. Therefore it is important that we are put right with God. But how can we get right with him? After all, in the way we are, we all are not perfect, nobody can live up to the holy standards of God by oneself. But praise the Lord that it does not depend on our accomplishments and rather on what God himself has done for us. On that basis, we are fully put right with God, whatever we have done. This offer is available to everybody. Do you accept it?
Do you sometimes wish to live in a better world? Many times I would wish for that, but that is not the reality. We live in the world as it is with all its injustice and wrongdoing that is going on. Things are not perfect.
And yet there is advice how to find real hope and a positive outlook.
If something is really important to someone, the person will automatically talk about it. Just remember someone who was overwhelmed by a certain thing or matter, the person automatically talks about it. Imagine a child for the first time having visited an impressive amusement park – the child for sure will talk about it to everybody.
What are the things so important in your heart that you talk about it?
What are your circumstances of life? Can you live in freedom? Or are you bound or in chains or due to your physical condition cannot move freely?
Whatever your conditions of life are, let’s remember and pray for those who are bound in chains and suffering.
What remains permanently?
Many things come and go. Even things which appear to us as if they were of long term nature, yet one day they will be gone, same like ourselves.
What lasts permanently?
Throughout history it can be seen again and again: where injustice and selfishness gains the upper hand, the society will have tough times.
What is your motto of life, what do you aim for, what are your targets?
To get promoted?
To gain esteem?
Many things promise us happiness, for example the advertisement.
But if at all, the smiles last only for a while.
What gives us real contentment and inner joy? In order to answer that, we need to look first at the opposite: what takes away our joy? There are fears, sometimes subconsciously, that rob our joy. But all that has been overcome. Christ has won the victory!
Rejoicing in sorrow? Being happy despite problems – is that possible?
Often it seems as if only the healthy, wealthy and successful can be happy.
But if we dig deeper, we find out that it is not always like that, sometimes it is even opposite. Those who made the biggest career might not be joyful inside, while those who have only few possessions are often found more joyful, their hope is in the Lord.
Help for the helpless – in which points or areas of life do you feel helpless?
Many claim that they do not need help, they seem to have everything under control.
Others are more honest and admit that there are things in which they need help.
The psalmist knew about that, we can learn a lot from his insights and prayers.
Do you know of times of so much trouble that you almost want to give up? You are overwhelmed and almost fainting away?
There are many types of enemies, troubles and traps.
But the one helper is bigger than all that.
There is a great prayer that we should learn in order to be prepare for such times.
At which point are you in the journey of life?
Do you at times feel as if things do not go ahead, there is no progress?
We might be crushed or broken, yet do not give up! There is hope and help available.
Whether things are perfect or whether the way is tough, remember the goal.
What is the source of life?
It is obvious that the parents have given life to the child, who later grows up.
But how do we find a fulfilled life?
How can we know whether a sermon tells the truth? How can we find out whether a book or an article are based on the reality?
Does your reputation matter to you? Some people care a lot about their reputation, others claim that they do not care. But somehow it matters to everybody.
The question is: the reputation at whose end do we care? Do you mainly focus on what your boss thinks about you? Or your colleagues? Or what your neighbours say? Or the opinion of other people of society?
Whom do you admire?
People of all times have admired the famous people, those that have special abilities, extraordinary skills.
A lot of things change over the centuries, and it looks as if the change is getting faster and faster. But some things remain. The one who deserves the highest admiration, he also remains.
What characteristics does a good relationship have between a mentor and a mentee, between parents and their children, between a good teacher and eager students willing to learn?
They know each other.
They trust each other.
And we can learn much more from Psalm 23.
A good government will do a lot for the citizens.
And even more, good parents will do a lot for their children, who in such a sense enjoy special privileges.
These pictures are weak compared to what God does for his people. And everybody is invited to join and to enjoy those special privileges.
What is your philosophy of life?
Do you only believe in yourself and in the things that you have under control, your own accomplishments?
What do we do amongst all the challenges, difficulties and threats in the world?
What do we do if we have too many tasks but not enough time to do it all?
Whom would you like to talk to most?
To a famous person, a president or a minister? To other authorities or influential persons?
Or would you like to get into a conversation with a person whom you have fallen in love with but did not have a chance to tell yet?
Amidst all the challenges, darkness and difficulties that surround us – is it possible to have a deep inner joy in the heart?
In order to elaborate on that question, in our modern times there are many kinds of teachings and seminars, some of them are very expensive.
What really counts and gives us true joy cannot be paid for by money. True hope and a fulfilled life can be found in the Good News.
Can we bring our requests to God? Does God have time for our small daily needs? Is God not busy with other things?
Jesus was on his way, yet he stopped for a beggar along the road. God cares for every individual soul. He listens to all of us, no matter how big or small our requests are.
God gives us many opportunities to turn to him all throughout our life, in fact continuously every minute as long as we live we have that great undeserved offer of his mercy.
All too many times we have other priorities, we reject that opportunity and instead keep us busy with other kinds of things.
How do you decide today?
How much hatred and aggression is there in the world?
By the time of Jesus, the soldiers made a crown of thorns.
Yet bigger than all the hatred and aggression of people is the mercy of God.
"If only ..." - do you use that phase?
Going the way from “if only …” towards “readily available, all done” leads us from unrest towards peace.
We can find that in Jesus.
Triumphant in rejection. Triumphant despite all rejection.
The good news has been rejected throughout history.
Yet there is reason for triumph – the major victory has already been won.
The good old times anew.
Did you walk closely with the Lord when you were younger?
Many people once had a heart on fire for the Lord but later other priorities came up in life.
God calls us back any time and offers his blessing for our lives. Whatever we have done, wherever we are. He always invites us.
What goes often hand in hand with the help of God?
It may sound like a contradiction, but often the help of God goes hand in hand with trouble.
If we want to visit a remote country, we have to accept that the weather conditions there might be different to the climate at home.
Does the church need to create a truth for each era? Adjusted to the ages and generations?
The opposite is true: since there is an eternal truth from God, that is why the church exists.
For the longterm stability, the foundation is more important than the top of the roof.
How much do you know about farming? Are you actively involved in operating a farm? Or maybe on a smaller scale taking care of garden with a few plants? Or maybe not at all.
But one thing is clear and everybody will understand it: when it is the right time to harvest, then we shall use it to bring in the goods. Because there is a good season to harvest, but once it is over, the crops might be spoilt.
The sword is sharpened.
Frightening words.
We may not want to listen at first.
But warnings can also have a positive effect and help us.
What is common knowledge and what is not well known to the majority of people?
We would expect that the Good News – the best news – is well known amongst humanity.
Sadly, the truth is often turned around so that people are not interested in the freedom that God offers. They even run away from it.
The offer is available to everybody: we are called to freedom.
Supposed you were in the position of a powerful judge, whom would you pardon?
Person A is arrogant, makes fun of you and does not show any sign of regret.
Person B regrets what he has done wrong, he would like to undo the wrong that he has done and requests mercy.
If we waited until we have sufficient knowledge, or if we hesitated until we are worthy, then we would never come to prayer, because we are all far from being perfect, we all fall short of the holiness of God.
But we do not need to wait, any moment we can turn to God, no matter which situation we are in, no matter how much we have done wrong.
Praise the Lord that he gives us this opportunity.
The gap between us people who are not worthy and the holy God has been overcome by the victory that Jesus has won.
What would you proclaim?
Supposed you had the chance to talk a few minutes in the news and many people would hear it. Or put regularly a short article in the newspaper. What topic would you select? Social injustice? Or the environment? Or sports or cars or … ?
Paul says that the person who proclaims Jesus and what he has done will be saved.
The great promises will become true for those who believe in him.
And if people did that, then the other topics like social justice would also be easily solved.
It is good to have friends, who can help us.
But people may change their mind, they may one day have other interests.
God’s love and his offer to help always remains.
Remember that foundation, do you?
A person does not live by food alone.
Of course we need certain obvious things to live.
The body needs food, clothing etc.
The mind needs God’s word.
A lot of evil things are going on in the world.
Have you experienced that God can turn even bad things into good?
The offer is available.
Things work out for good for those who love God.
Would you continue to trust in God even in difficult times, for example when the faith seems to contradict our intellect, our understanding?
Abraham continued to believe.
Let’s not give up the valuable faith.
Most people neither want to listen to the music of joy nor to the music of repentance which are both provided by the good news.
If we repent what we have done wrong in the past, then God gives us joy in the future, ultimate joy that lasts forever, even beyond this life.
The mainstream in the world does not want to follow the Lord.
A small group swims against the flow.
Have you experienced the Lord?
He is not a remote God.
He knocks on our door and offers to grow in relationship.
Do you open each day?
In the world there is a lot of boasting.
Thanks to God, what finally counts does not depend on our accomplishments but on the victory that Christ has already won.
In what do you put your trust?
Do you at times feel like having done too much wrong and there is no more hope?
Or the opposite: you feel like behaving so well that there is no need for grace?
In both ways we would waste the grace of God.
None of us is perfect, so we all need forgiveness.
God in his mercy offers it freely.
Let’s not waste that grace.
What would you answer when being asked for your faith?
Would you give your denomination as an answer?
More important than any details about denominations is to turn to God at all.
He invites us and already has won the victory on our behalf.
What are the priorities in your life?
Once you will be looking back onto your life, will you be happy with the things you do now?
Do you know for sure that the almighty God is your contact point in prayer?
And do you have peace in your heart?
The Lord is the most wonderful counsellor.
Whether we are aware of it or not:
Continuously both things are going on in parallel: Each second, Satan tries to tempt, accuse and destroy us and others. But at the same time each second, God wants to bless, protect and guide us and others in his mercy and goodness.
Which side do you try to give room in your life?
“I do not want to have anything to do with it!”
“I have my own problems”!
With these reasons most people reject to give donations. Yet, even speakers and other people who have nothing to do with the Christian faith, who only have the observations of this world, even they have discovered the mystery that by giving they in the end have more rather than less. It is not only about money, it is also about giving time, e.g. to young or to old people, and to help where we can.
We can never “earn” anything in heaven, but once we understand how overwhelming is the great free gift that God gives us freely in his mercy, then in thankfulness we want pass on as many blessings as possible to others.
God is light and in him there is no darkness – the picture of light and darkness is quite clear. Even people who do not want to believe, they understand that concept: God is good and wants us people to do good to one another, to build up lives. By contrast, Satan walks in darkness and always wants people to harm and destroy each other in all kinds of ways, physically and mentally.
As long as we live, we have a free will to either turn towards the light or towards darkness – towards which direction do you decide?
Where do you pray to God?
Do you go to a specific place of worship such as a church or a prayer room?
Anywhere, any place, any time we can pray to God!
While a place of prayer may help us to concentrate, yet worship is not limited to a special time or place.
Wherever we are, God is only one prayer away!
More important than the time or place of worship is the content, so let’s humbly turn to God to listen to his advice, and apart from bringing our needs to the Lord, let’s also intercede for others and give thanks and praise as well.
The Lord of all nations is worthy of all praise.
Let’s not get distracted, as happens so easily.
In the light of the holy God, none of us is worthy to enter his kingdom.
We all fall short of his commandments.
And yet he is full of mercy.
Considering that great love of the Lord, should we not also forward that great news to others and take care of their needs?
Most of us like such kinds of movies and stories, wherein the weak hero wins against the mighty. Or wherein the poor wins over the rich.
The principle was already known in past times, for example David won over Goliath.
But how about, if we are in the powerless position ourselves in real life?
At times we may feel as if life’s circumstances are no more under control.
Who is your guide in the labyrinth of life?
How do you plan your life, the next year, the coming day?
A lamp is not supposed to be hidden under a bowl.
And a lighthouse close to the shore is supposed to shine as far as possible, so that it can be of help to those who are lost on the sea to find their way and to be saved.
Accordingly we have found the best news in the world and are supposed to let that light shine to those who are lost in the world: the good news that anybody who was lost in darkness can be saved by the light of God.
We are called to share that good news with others.
Do you tell it on?
Many people complain that things are not fair, implying that God is not just.
But of course, God is just, even holy. He is the eternal, almighty God, the creator of all that is. And we as humans are part of the creation and not in a position to judge him.
We are the work of his hands, and yet we have a free will. We are free to either turn to God or to walk away from him.
What do you do with that freedom?
By God’s grace we are saved through faith.
Are you interested?
Or do you reject this good news?
What comes to your mind, when you hear the following words:
“Lord, you have searched me and know me, you know when I sit down and when I rise up”.
A lot of people do not want to hear that, they are bothered by these words, because they feel as if God was like a big brother watching them. They worry if everything is uncovered, there are also things that they have done wrong, so they rather walk away from God.
But of course God knows everything. And yes, nobody is perfect so there are things that we have done wrong. But that is not the biggest problem. Whatever we have done wrong God wants to forgive. The biggest problem is that we walk away from God.
He is not like a big brother who wants to punish us. Rather he is the good father who - in his loving mercy - wants to forgive, help and he enables new beginnings.
Today, do you turn towards him or away from him?
Usually everybody tries to maximise one’s own benefit.
Already children try to get the biggest piece of the cake.
We are so used to that concept and it can be categorized as usual and ok.
Yet as Christians we know that this is not all. There is something bigger.
Because nobody is perfect, nobody can live up to the holy standards of God, so there needs to be a way back to God. Jesus has bridged that gap between us and God. That is the good news and a much greater reason for joy than simply to maximise the own profit as we are used to. A much better benefit.
Do you know someone who has a changing mood?
A person who is sometimes in a good mood, sometimes in a bad mood?
People change over time, but not so with the Lord.
God’s mercy always remains same and is available to everybody.
If you think about the future – what is your biggest worry?
Your health? Your job? Your family situation?
We all know worries. How we handle those worries makes a huge difference, the decisive difference.
If we accept God as our saviour, then we can bring all our needs to him in prayer.
God may not immediately fulfil all our wishes, but he always listens and always wants to bless our lives, all throughout the good and the bad times of life.
What do you wait for?
There are many things we might be looking forward to.
Blessed is the person, who primarily looks forward to God, the almighty, eternal, holy, sovereign Lord.
What is your major target for today?
Is it to be successful? To achieve something in work?
Or just somehow to come through the day?
If we put God first in our lives, then he will take care and will show us what is good for us and for others. In short, then God can bless our lives.
By contrast, if we give priority to something else, the day may take a course that we did not intent to go. The outcome might be the opposite of our targets, it might even be like a curse.
So let’s involve God into our practical daily lives and ask for his blessing. That is the best target we can set.
In our life as humans being, we can usually see only one way: for example someone might worry “if I loose this job, then there is no hope to find a new one”. And similar in many other situations.
But God also has other ways, that we can not imagine.
His words are spirit and life, even beyond the natural abilities.
So let’s put our trust in his word.
Do you sometimes feel weak in life?
As humans we have many kinds of weaknesses.
But there is one decisive strength.
We can be strong in the Lord.
God is stronger than any kind of negative and evil force. And God wants to give us power to overcome all those weaknesses.
How comes that by the time of Moses such amazing miracles happened?
For example: The whole people of Israel left Egypt and walked through the water. When the Egyptian troops tried the same, they drowned.
And how comes that at other times, so little happens? When we look at our own life, we might be disappointed in many regards.
How comes that difference?
Moses fully relied on the Lord alone as if he saw the invisible.
And you can put your faith in the Lord in the same way.
God still has the same power in our times and offers his help.
On what do you rely?
The Roman officer had understood, that in the military hierarchy it is important to obey to whatever the superior said. And that is how he had moved up the hierarchy, he was in authority now. The reason why he came to Jesus was because he was looking for help: for healing of his servant. And Jesus was willing to help. But the officer said “no, just give an order and my servant will be well”. The officer had understood that Jesus is in authority over all that tries to harm us, over evil spirits, over mental diseases and over sicknesses etc. We as weak average humans by ourselves might be lost in such situations, we might be overcome by such forces. But Jesus is stronger than all those things.
Do you involve the authority of Jesus into your life?
People have different abilities and talents. Some of them are found out only over the years.
The power of God is already available. Everybody can have access in prayer.
Do you at times also doubt the almighty power of God?
Especially when we do not notice anything about his might.
When it even looks opposite, as if God is weak.
When we look at the evil things going on in the world, for example when the devil confuses people that they hate and destroy each other. It looks as if God is weak.
But God is almighty. He is the creator of the whole universe.
Not only in theory, we can experience his power also practically.
The more closely we walk with the Lord, the more we understand how he intervenes and we learn to distinguish between the acts of God and the behaviour of people. The behaviour of other people is sometimes inspired by the enemy of God. Let's not get confused.
We may walk away disappointed, for example when we had expected too much from another person or from things.
In Jesus we find real fulfilment. And yet it is reported that a person walked away from him disappointed – how is that possible?
Jesus invited him. But his possessions had a higher priority in that young person’s life than God. Therefore he walked away rejecting the invitation.
Did you ever have to flee?
Sometimes God guides his people in ways that seem to be strange at first.
Saul had persecuted the people of God, he tried to eradicate the church. But on his way to Damascus he got converted and shortly after that, he began to preach, to proclaim Jesus as the saviour.
For what do you use your hands?
To bless others and to help them in their individual needs?
Or to act in selfishness and greed, destroying others or taking away their honour? Or to lift up things on a higher level than God, making them idols?
Human hands can do many things. They can do a lot of good but can also do a lot of evil.