You can get there with God.

 Someone asked the great English preacher Charles Spurgeon: ‘Which is more important, Bible reading or prayer?’

Spurgeon replied, ‘Which is more important, breathing in or breathing out?’

If you only focus on Bible study and your Bible knowledge, you can be familiar with the Bible but not have personal fellowship with Jesus.

The Bible is our map, but the Holy Spirit is our guide.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Mt 28:19 NIV

So we are to go, but where should I go right now?

Hudson Taylor was a very fruitful missionary in China.

William Carey was a wonderful missionary in India. As a young man he was a shoemaker in England. His family was not rich and he had to work as a tradesman. He was fascinated by foreign languages and he learnt several languages, but he could not study at Oxford University like John Wesley.

He had a talent for foreign languages. Jesus taught that we must invest our talents, and that's what he did.

He became a missionary and moved to India where he learnt Indian languages and translated the Bible. Although he was never able to study at university in England, he founded a university in India.

He also wanted to preach and evangelise, but he totally failed as an evangelist. We all have different gifts.

John Wesley also had a gift for languages, but his mission field was at home in England. He was a marvellous preacher and evangelist.

Why did Hudson Taylor serve as a missionary in China, William Carey in India and John Wesley in England?

They didn't read it in the Bible. Their guide was the Holy Spirit.

Are you gifted with languages? Perhaps not.

Are you called to preach from the pulpit? Maybe not.

Noah was called to build a ship, but I am not a ship builder.

What is your thing? How can you use your talents for Jesus?

Please don't despise your talents, but never forget that your talents have no value without God's guidance.

You are so Valuable to God

 Jesus wanted to explain how valuable every person is in God's eyes.

“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?

And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbours together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’

In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Lk 15:8–10 NIV

This woman was poor. She had only ten silver coins, and one coin was lost. This coin would be a mere trifle to a rich woman, but to this woman it was enormously valuable. She searched desperately for her lost treasure until she found the coin.

This coin was of enormous value to the poor woman!

Not only is the lost sinner valuable to God, but also the believers who love God.

Jesus said to his disciples before his arrest.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. Jn 15:9 NIV

Jesus was and is immeasurably important to the Father in heaven. You are just as important to our heavenly Father. If someone really loves, the beloved is very important to them. Otherwise the word ‘love’ is empty and meaningless.

And was this immeasurable love of God only for the chosen apostles?

Jesus told a parable about God's judgement. The faithful and righteous believers gave food to the hungry and drink to the thirsty. They invited strangers into their homes. They cared for the sick and visited the prisoners.

… ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Mt 25:40 NIV

Who are the least of Jesus' brothers and sisters? Lost unbelieving Jews? Weak Christians? Jesus loves all Christians as himself, just as the Father loves his heavenly Son.

Whoever Jesus loves is infinitely valuable to God, and Jesus loves the weakest and least Christians.

Are you far from God? The heavenly Father sacrificed his eternal holy Son for you on the cross.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Jn 3:16 NIV

That's how precious you are in God's eyes.

You have Potential. Failure is not Final.

 A young woman went to see a psychiatrist. She told him she was schizophrenic and hoped he could help her. After a long conversation, the psychiatrist realised that she was not schizophrenic at all. Her family had imposed this false identity on her as a child.

I had eczema as a small child. I always had to wear gloves and my parents tied my hands to the side of my cot. Otherwise, I would scratch and tear my skin terribly.

Gradually the eczema disappeared, but then I was nervous, hyperactive and clumsy, even though I was intelligent.

Years later, I often visited a school friend. He recently told me how I accidentally spilt a jug of water not just once, but often.

My father encouraged me and I became a good chess player and learnt to appreciate classical music. I studied English literature and German, but in practical matters I kept making silly mistakes. My father was then irritated and critical.

Later I wanted to learn how to use a computer, but with little success.

Then, nearly 30 years ago, I wanted to study the Bible intensively. A friend of mine was studying at a Bible school. He told me that I absolutely needed a computer. That was in 1996.
I bought a computer and resolutely dedicated myself to mastering Windows 95. It wasn't child's play for me, but I didn't give up.

I worked as a language teacher for years. Through diligent effort, I developed my computer skills to the point where I could help my colleagues.

The idea that I was a technical idiot was deeply rooted in my childhood, but I was determined to overcome it. I've been using my computer every day for more than 20 years. I am a blogger and communicate with many people in other countries.

Were you given a false identity from an early age? Did you always hear that you were a failure, an idiot or perhaps mentally disturbed?

At school and at work, we always find cruel people who sense our insecurities and want to exploit them. Maybe that's why you experience bullying and are constantly put down.

None of this comes from God. God created you in his own image.

My mother was always put down by her mother. She went to university but failed miserably. Years later, she found help from a therapist. When she was 60, she went back to university. A few years later, she graduated. She wasn't really a failure.

God is your creator. He has a plan for every person. He doesn't create failures, idiots, mentally disturbed people.

You may be repeating the same negative thoughts about yourself over and over again. Please stop doing that!
Instead, keep repeating God's truth.

God created me and God does not create failures!

God created you for a good purpose. Ask God to show you how He sees you. You have potential.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jer 29:11 NKJV

With God as your guide, your potential can become reality. Even your weaknesses can become strengths.

Failure is not final. A well known American writer said: I failed my way to success.

You can’t earn your salvation. Jesus paid the penalty for your sins on the cross.

But Jesus did not accomplish everything for you so that you could accomplish nothing.

God's Supernatural Love and Protection

 Just as a bird spreads its wings over its young, he will always protect you and be close to you. His faithfulness surrounds you like a strong shield. Psalm 91:4 (Translated from German Hoffnung für Alle)

As a farmer was walking through his yard, he found a dead chicken. It was badly injured, obviously killed by a bird of prey. When he picked up the chicken, four chicks were still alive. The mother died saving her chicks.

When we look around us, we see a world that has come apart at the seams. Who tore this world apart? God didn't do it.

We can blame the devil, but that is only half-truth. We all need to confess that we have somehow gone wrong. We need God's forgiveness so that we don't suffer eternally separated from God and his goodness after we die.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Jn 3:16 NIV

There are many Christians who believe this. They hope to be taken up to heaven after they die, but their life on earth is only a shadow of the supernatural adventure with God that we see in the Bible.

God wants us to go deeper into His love.

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

You can experience God's personal love in this way. But how?

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Mt 7:7–8 NLT

If you learn to experience God's deep love, you must expect attacks from the enemy of your soul, but those who live in close friendship with Jesus can have his supernatural protection.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Ps 91:1–2 NKJV

I know a woman who is familiar with God's faithful love. As she was driving home one evening, God saved her from certain death.

It was too late to brake. She could not avoid a collision. Then she felt a terrible heat. The vehicle drove through her car without making any noise, without causing any damage. It was like something out of a fantasy film.

How did Jesus minister?

 Many Christians begin by proclaiming biblical doctrines.

‘Jesus is the Son of God, who was in eternal fellowship with the Father before creation. We are sinners and need forgiveness. Jesus died for your sins. If you repent and believe, God will forgive you and give you eternal life.’

I believe this is the truth, according to the Bible. There are also Christians who have heard this message and have come to faith as a result. The apostles in the book of Acts also preached this truth often, but not without signs and wonders.

But did Jesus start like this?

What did Jesus say?

From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Mt 4:17 NIV

What does this mean? What did the Jews understand at the time? What did ‘the kingdom of heaven’ mean?

We Christians study the whole New Testament and we have other theological explanations, but the Jews at that time were thinking of prophecies in the Old Testament.

After his resurrection and shortly before his return to the Father in heaven, the apostles were still thinking about the restoration of God's kingdom in Israel.

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” Acts 1:6 NIV

Why didn't Jesus try to clear up this misunderstanding right from the start? Jesus did not explain theology. He did not start with doctrines.

Later, Jesus asked his disciples what they believed about him.

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Mt 16:13–14 NIV

Then he asked them what they themselves believed. Only Peter gave the right answer.

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Mt 16:16 NIV

How did Jesus respond? Should the disciples proclaim the whole truth everywhere?

Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. Mt 16:20 NIV

Why? The Jews believed that the Messiah would appear as an all-powerful king and commander and force the enemies of God to accept the rule of God. That is what they read in the Old Testament, but we are still waiting for that time. It hasn't come yet.

How did Jesus minister? He preached trust in God, inner purity and love of neighbour, and he healed and healed and healed.

He was rejected by the Bible experts of his time.

When Christians today minister in the same way, with practical love, genuine kindness and miraculous healings, they are rejected by many Bible experts and conservative Christians.

Nothing has changed. God has not changed. He still wants to show his practical love with miraculous healings, and many religious professionals reject this approach, as they always have.

Doctrines are important, but doctrines are often not a good starting point in mission.

In the Gospel of John, we read that Jesus was full of grace and truth, not truth and grace.

What is grace? Undeserved favour and unconditional kindness. Only if this is our starting point, will many people be willing to hear the message of truth.

It is not enough to tell people about the undeserved favour of God. We must demonstrate and practise the genuine kindness of God in our own attitudes and actions.

Loving Words are Powerful

 We are all called and destined to serve Jesus. A servant is one who serves. God is love. Anyone who receives God's love and passes it on with practical love is a follower of Jesus and a servant of God.

Practical help without respect and compassion is not love. There is a poisonous compassion without respect and genuine love by looking down on miserable people. Jesus never treated his fellow human beings like this.

No ordained ministry position enables you to serve Jesus and your fellow human beings. Only the love of God can enable you to help people and please God.

Anyone who follows Jesus with love and wants to help people must cultivate loving thoughts in their soul and always speak encouraging words. Words can kill or give life.

Between 1982 and 2000 there was a great revival in Argentina. Christians organised a Jesus march in a large city.

Homosexual activists also came to protest against the Christians.

The leaders of the Jesus March prayed for wisdom from God. Then something amazing happened. The Christians approached the homosexuals and asked for forgiveness for the cruel treatment of homosexuals by many Christians.

The homosexuals felt the true love of God and some converted to Jesus.

I know Christian women in Germany who visited brothels to help prostitutes. Their motivation was compassion and kindness. One prostitute went to the cinema with one of the Christian women. In the middle of a very secular film, the prostitute shouted out loud.

‘Now I believe in Jesus.’

She had heard the kind words of the Christian women that came from the heart and she felt the love of God.

So should we throw away the Bible? By no means, but we must learn to apply the Bible as the words of a loving and merciful God.

If you understand the Bible as a strict law book, you must ask the Holy Spirit to read the Bible with new eyes.

We find truth in the Bible. Greed, sexual debauchery, lies and hatred are forbidden, but in the Bible we see how Jesus loved the thieves and prostitutes and wanted to help them with deep compassion.

A woman had her baby aborted. Then she received a letter from a religious Christian woman. She read that she would end up in hell because of the murder of her baby. This letter did not come from God's heart.

A missionary, preaching with God's love, told the women that they would see their deceased babies again in God's heaven if they believed in Jesus. That was the truth, but not the truth that kills, but the truth that leads to life.

The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. Pr 18:21 NLT

The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. Lk 6:45 NRSV

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Ps 139:23–24 NIV

Expect Miracles Today.

 In our time we have seen gifted evangelists. There have been multiple healing miracles and huge numbers are converted to Jesus.

• Some claim that we should not celebrate miraculous healings because not everyone is healed.

• Should doctors not treat sick people because some do not get better?

• Should surgeons give up because some operations don't succeed?

• Should children stop going to school because some children are failing?

I believe we must follow Jesus. Should we try to live virtuously like Jesus? Of course, we should.

• Should we proclaim the good news of eternal life like Jesus?

• Should we love suffering people mercifully?

But nothing more?

How did Jesus minister?

And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. Acts 10:38 NLT

Without regular miraculous healings, the story of Jesus would have been completely different. For Jesus, miraculous healings were indispensable. That is why healings and miracles should be very important in our Christian life. Otherwise, we wouldn't portray Jesus as he really was.

But some claim that these miracles were only meant for back then.

What did Jesus say about this?

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. Jn 14:12 NIV

Why should we expect miracles and pray for them? Because Jesus told us that his supernatural ministry should be our example.

Why?

Because in his ministry on earth, Jesus accurately portrayed God's eternal character, and that is also our task.

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Jn 14:8–9 NIV

Jesus did not turn away any sick person who asked for healing before the cross. Signs, wonders and healings were not exceptional events, but a revelation of God's eternal character.

Unfortunately, some leaders in the evangelical tradition have not understood this, but our model is not evangelical theology, but Jesus himself as he appears in the Bible.

A well-known evangelist explained that Jesus told him to expect a miracle every day. He was to tell the Christians: 

‘Expect a miracle every day.’

That is radical. But Jesus was also radical.

But when we read the story of Jesus in the Bible, we see Jesus thinking and acting in exactly the same way. Jesus is our role model.