Finding Your Direction with God

What is your goal in life?
Do you have long-term goals, or a calling that is clear and distinct in your mind?

Or is your daily life dominated by duties often imposed on you by others? Without God's wisdom, you will not get far.

Are you at the helm of your life, or is it more like someone who is struggling to row your boat?

But some devout Christians might object that you should never be the helmsman. Jesus is your captain, and you just have to row obediently.

But we are not called to submit like robots or driven slaves.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 NIV84

But this freedom does not mean that you should be self-centred. Such a life is meaningless. You have a high calling to take part in God's wonderful plan.

But how can you know God's plan and God's guidance for your life? We all have the same Bible. It is God's instruction manual.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19 NIV84

But what is my part to play in this mission? What is your role in God's plan?

I was a language teacher and am now retired, but I am still active in God's mission. I read, study, pray and write blogs.

John Wesley and Charles Spurgeon were wonderful preachers. They had the same Bible, but they did mission very differently. John Wesley was an itinerant preacher and Charles Spurgeon was the pastor of a large Baptist church in London.

In a football team, not all are goalkeepers and not all are strikers. Some are also physiotherapists, coaches, bus drivers or managers. A sports club also needs accountants, groundsmen and security staff.

As Christians, we are on God's team. Your coach is not first and foremost your pastor, but Jesus Himself.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:10–11 NIV84

To follow Jesus, we need wisdom from God himself, hour by hour.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 NIV84

We all have questions that we can only answer with God's wisdom. These questions are often vital.

• "How do I see my situation now? Dear God. How do you see my situation now?"

• "I see on the screen of my mind a scene from my past, a rather clear memory. It suddenly comes to mind, unrelated to my present situation. What does it mean? Do I see a person? How should I pray for that person?"

• "My brother has been mentally ill for years. How should I pray for him?"

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Romans 8:26 NIV84

God has given us his Holy Spirit to help us as a comforter and guide. If we do not have this help, the Bible is only a dry religious textbook for us.

God's Family of Believers

Whoever loves Jesus and entrusts him with the direction of his life is a son or daughter of God.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NLT

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8 NLT

How can you know that you are a child of God?

• Your sins are forgiven. You can no longer enjoy your sin.

• You have a new outlook in life, marked by hope, kindness and love for others.

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.

But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 1 John 4:7–8 NLT

I am a Pentecostal. I do not belong to God's Pentecostal party, but to God's family.

And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers. 1 John 4:21 NLT

If you trust Jesus from the heart, you belong to God's heavenly family.

There are different denominations and thousands of churches here on earth, but God has only one family. It is not about who is right, but whether someone accepts Jesus as Saviour and Lord.

Do you love Jesus? Then your co-worker is your brother if he loves Jesus, no matter what denomination he belongs to.

Unfortunately, it is often not easy to enjoy fellowship with other Christians, but if your coworker or neighbour is judgemental or legalistic, you can pray for him.

Many Christians do not understand that we do not belong to God because we are right, but if we live in God's grace.

Are you still not sure if God has forgiven your sins?

Ask Jesus to help you. He sees your need. He loves you.

You can speak freely and openly with Him. Ask Jesus to forgive your sins and to free you from your faults.

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 NLT

Is your Christian life characterised by bossiness or contentiousness? That is sin. Ask God to show you a better way.

The gut wrenching compassion of Jesus

 Why did Jesus heal every person who asked to be healed? Jesus healed out of deep compassion.

And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. Matthew 14:14 NKJV

How are we to understand Jesus' deep compassion? In the original Greek text the word is ``splagchnisthḗsomai''. 

What does it mean? In a word, gut-wrenching.

The suffering of the sick aroused such compassion in Jesus that his stomach turned.

When I was young I studied German literature at university. In my final year I had to study a drama based on the tortures of victims in the Auschwitz concentration camp. I was so distressed, that for some time after I finished my degree I didn’t want to read German any more.

God is deeply distressed when he sees human suffering, and he wants to do something about it.

Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him. Matthew 20:34 NASB95

A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said.

Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!”
Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed. Mark 1:40–42 NLT

God is love. Jesus came as the Son of God to reveal God's character.

God never changes.

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

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 NLT

If you or someone you love is seriously ill and suffering, Jesus is moved with deep compassion.

Don't be misled by cold theological theories.

Jesus wants to heal you.

God's Way Out for Traumatised Victims

 In the decades after the war, there were Jews who could not bear to hear the German language.

Some people were so traumatised as children that they never want to marry. Some become homosexuals; others live in de-facto relationships. Others run away as teenagers and become homeless.

There are also many Christians who are so manipulated and disrespected in churches that they often feel threatened in church services.

God has given us homeland, family, marriage and church, but when these gifts of God are corrupted by lust for power, there are  countless victims who find life unbearable.

My wife and I were in a wonderful church for about ten years. Many loved God with a good heart. Many reached out to people on the streets.

Everyone was welcome: homeless, witches, prostitutes, it didn't matter. 

Some New Age people came to seek God, others came to practice witchcraft against us, but the Christians prayed with power and authority so that the devil could not gain the upper hand.

Such a situation can become chaotic. There are some communities where the leaders are harsh rulers, perhaps out of greed for power, or perhaps out of fear of chaos.

Our pastor often said it was easer for him to control people than   to lead free people, but he was determined to respect everybody's freedom.

Paul also believed in freedom. He was extremely critical of preachers who wanted to rule harshly. He told the Christians in Corinth not to submit to such leadership.

You put up with it when someone enslaves you, takes everything you have, takes advantage of you, takes control of everything, and slaps you in the face. 2 Corinthians 11:20 NLT

Paul not only criticised the arrogant preachers for their cruelty, but also submissive Christians, for their obedience.

Cruel abuse of authority wreaks havoc. Many women and men want nothing more to do with God or the church because of severe Christian parents, teachers or preachers.

A good preacher told how she was out on the streets proselytising among prostitutes. Quite a few young women on the street came from devout Christian families.

How can we win the traumatised victims for Jesus?

Our role model is Jesus. He preached very hard against the sins of the arrogant religious leaders, but he was gentle and kind with the despised sinners.

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.” ’ Luke 7:34 NIV84

Are you yourself badly hurt, rejected and traumatised? Do you need to submit again to escape God's judgement? Many wrestle with such terrifying thoughts.

God's ways for you are quite different. He wants to welcome you kindly and help you with gentleness.

God Wants to Protect You

He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armour and protection. Psalm 91:4 NLT

As a farmer walked 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 you look around, you see a world coming 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 gone wrong in some way. We need God's forgiveness so that we do not suffer eternally separated from God and His goodness after we die.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NLT

There are many Christians who believe this. They hope to go 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.

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Revelation 3:20 NLT

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. Matthew 7:7–8 NLT

When you learn to experience God's kind and gentle love, you must expect attacks from the enemy of your soul, but if you live in close friendship with Jesus you can have His supernatural protection.

We live within the shadow of the Almighty, sheltered by the God who is above all gods.

This I declare, that he alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him. Psalm 91:1–2 The Living Bible

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

It was too late to stop. 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 Science Fiction movie.

I know this woman well. It is a true story.

You Can't Please Everyone

In the ancient world of the Bible, prosperity was the privilege of the few. Many were poor day labourers or slaves. When we read the teachings of Jesus, he often speaks of poor labourers, servants and slaves.

He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.” Mark 9:35 NLT

When the Jewish disciples began to evangelise among the non-Jews, a whole new movement of God arose. The time came when the majority of the disciples were no longer Jewish.

In the Roman Empire the economic system was based on slavery. A great many of the first Christians were slaves. They had no rights. They had to obey every command and fulfil every wish of their masters.

Paul wrote that Christian slaves should obey their masters. Otherwise, the master was allowed to beat or kill his slave.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Ephesians 6:5 NLT

How are we to understand this teaching of Jesus today?

and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else.

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:44–45 NLT

There are Christians who feel obliged to fulfil every wish of their family, every request of their boss, every instruction of their pastor, as if they were serfs and everyone around them their master.

This is exactly how they understand Jesus' teaching that they are to be the slave of all. But is that actually true?

Jesus was obedient as a child, but as a preacher he was different. He was always helpful. He wanted to do good to everyone, but he was not there to follow the instructions of the religious leaders.

If everyone is your master, you cannot follow Jesus.

“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money. Matthew 6:24 NLT

God promises to provide for our natural needs. I do not find a glorification of poverty in the Bible. But there are Christians who spread an extreme prosperity doctrine. In those ministries I sometimes see greed taking over.

Greed for money can be your master, but not only the love of money can distract us from true discipleship.

“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:26 NKJV

So should you hate your family? God forbid! The Bible teaches us to honour our parents.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, Eph 5:25 NKJV

So what did Jesus mean?

“Anyone who wants to be my follower must love me far more than he does his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, or sisters—yes, more than his own life—otherwise he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26 The Living Bible

Christians who always feel obliged to fulfil the expectations of others may be in heaven after they die, but here on earth they cannot follow Jesus.

Those who say yes to Jesus must often also be able to say no to others.

Healing. A Faith Journey.

You probably like some movies or novels a lot. When you see or read the happy ending, it makes you happy.

But imagine if you only saw the last fifteen minutes of your favourite movie, would you still love the movie?

If you only read the last chapter of your favourite book, how would you like it?
We love humour, uncertainty and adventure.

But in your own life, you'd often like just the happy ending.

In September 2018, I had a blood test. The GP said my prostate might not be in order. I had to see a urologist. I had an MRI scan and it showed two tumours. I prayed intensely for healing. Please no cancer!

On the way to the hospital for a biopsy, I prayed for healing and believed God answered.

You can well understand that the biopsy finding was a shock. Cancer!

"Dear God, I don't understand you anymore. I believed you would heal me and now you let this happen? How can this be?"

I was totally baffled. I didn't want to have radiation therapy. The side effects can be very distasteful.

Then I went for a walk. The presence of God came upon me like a comforting cloud full of peace.

I heard the voice of God in my thoughts. "I have allowed this to happen to give you a testimony."

I kept having blood tests. I was ready to have radiation therapy if the blood tests were alarming, but after a few months the blood tests findings got better and better.

Excitement and adventure are all well and good in a book or film, but your own body is no fun.

I attended several church services where they prayed for the sick. I always felt strong encouragement from the Holy Spirit.

I expected the malignant tumours to disappear. My blood tests were still good.

More than a year passed and I visited the urologist again. I asked for a second biopsy and I expected healing.

I believed God, but I was partly disappointed. The most dangerous tumour was gone, but there were still two small and not so dangerous tumours.

I waited a few more months until I was allowed to have a second MRI scan. Then finally came the result I was expecting. The tumours had completely disappeared.

If the happy ending doesn't come right away, please don't give up.

Your story is his glory. Your story glorifies the Lord.
A quick happy ending may not be the best outcome.

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NRSV

And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 

and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,

and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. Romans 5:3–5 NRSV

God keeps His Promises

When I woke up this morning, I heard an old song in my mind. It came from the Holy Spirit.

Every promise in the book is mine
Every chapter, every verse and every line
All are blessings of His love divine
Every promise in the book is mine

When I turned on my computer, I opened a document where I had collected promises from God.

He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3 NKJV

who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:5 NIV84

Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, Psalm 103:2–3 NIV84

When I was diagnosed with cancer in October 2018, I was devastated. I prayed and asked God if I should have radiotherapy as the specialist advised.

As I went for a walk with God, the presence of God came tangibly over me like an invisible cloud. I felt an overwhelming peace. I knew God wanted to heal me Himself.

I didn't want to be a pious fanatic. I was careful and had regular blood tests. Fourteen months later I was allowed to have a second biopsy. The most dangerous tumour was no longer to be found.

In September 2020, I had a second MRI scan. The tumour had completely disappeared.

If we only trust in spiritual experiences and feelings, we can be wrong, but when God's Spirit speaks clearly to you and confirms the promises of God, you can trust God for a miracle.

But it can also be dangerous if you try to believe all by yourself.

Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. James 5:14–15 NIV84

One Sunday I was in church. The pastor was preaching about Divine healing. He called all the sick to come forward and anointed us with oil. God confirmed his promise.

Don’t stay alone in your sickness. Seek first the loving presence of God. Hold fast to his promises. Seek out Christians who believe with you.

There are many Christians who think only humanly.

God promises in the Bible, but they say like the serpent in the garden, "Did God say that?"

If your church leaders think like this, you should seek help elsewhere.

God Feels your Grief

Who should expect comfort from God? Can we expect God's comfort only when we grieve over sin? When your beloved pet dies, do you think God is not interested in your grief? Jesus just loves you.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted! Matthew 5:4

Who can expect comfort from God?

According to some commentaries, this only applies to people who grieve over their sins and want to do repent, or to Christians who grieve in a close relationship with Jesus because of sins in the world.

It is undoubtedly true that God forgives and comforts us when we hate our sins and want to repent.

It is also true that Jesus weeps over the sins in the world. When we weep in close communion with him, we experience the consolation of his tender love.

But should we only expect God's consolation when we mourn over sin?

When your child or sister dies, are you happy? No. You are devastated. It has nothing to do with sin, but God is love. He loves you deeply and He wants to comfort you.

When your beloved dog dies, do you think your grief is not important to God?

I appreciate good Bible commentaries. I have been an avid student of the Bible for years.

But beware of pious teaching that focuses on sin from a narrow religious point of view.

This religious mindset too often leads to a critical attitude towards neighbours and colleagues.

With a narrow focus on virtue and sin, you can become unwittingly judgmental, like the Pharisees in the Bible.

This way of thinking also often leads to loveless religiosity in congregations and painful guilt complexes in Christians who are afraid of offending God.

Meanwhile, a crowd of thousands had gathered so that they were treading on each other's feet. Then he began, saying first to his disciples, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Lk 12:1

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147,3

Whatever your reason for suffering, Jesus wants to comfort you. If you choose to believe in His love and trust Him, you will experience His comforting love.

Am I saying that your sin is not an issue for Jesus?

God forbid! Jesus died to take the punishment for our sin. Jesus feels your pain; He loves you unconditionally just as you are, but He not only wants to forgive your sins completely, He wants to set you free from them.

He wants to help you live a whole new life and enjoy His loving friendship.

Your New Life

I feel so imperfect, so flawed, so incomplete, but God approves of me as His son. Only because of what Jesus did on the cross, paying for all my sins. My record is wiped clean.

I am a work in progress, but God sees the finished product.

I am a building site, and God is the architect and builder. He loves to see his beautiful house taking shape.

God enjoys the work He is doing in my life.

As I wrote these thoughts on my computer, I felt touched by the love of God. Then I felt that I had God's approval to modify these words a little so that God Himself would speak directly to me.

You feel so imperfect, so flawed, so incomplete, but I approve of you as My son. Only because of what Jesus did on the cross, paying for all your sins. Your record is wiped clean.

You are a work in progress, but I see the finished product.

You are my building site, and I am the architect and builder. I love to see My beautiful house taking shape.

I enjoy the work I am doing in your life.

When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17 The Living Bible

Now, if anyone is enfolded into Christ, he has become an entirely new creation. All that is related to the old order has vanished. Behold, everything is fresh and new.

And God has made all things new, and reconciled us to himself, and given us the ministry of reconciling others to God. 2. Cor 5:17-18 The Passion Translation
 

You are Allowed to Make Mistakes

You are allowed to make mistakes.

When I was a young newly converted Christian, I joined a church where complete surrender was required.

I had dabbled with humanistic religion for a few years. Was that my search for truth or my flight from truth? A good question.

In the Bible, truth, holiness and obedience are strongly emphasised, no question, but you also find in the Bible the God of grace and kindness.

In this church, the presence of the Holy Spirit could be felt and I felt the love of God in a wonderful way. Where people genuinely seek God's presence, God allows his presence to be tangibly experienced.

In the New Testament I see both, the holiness of God and the grace of God. We need both, because there are not two Gods, but only one God. The God of holiness is also the loving God of grace who cares for weak Christians with gentleness.

In this church, preachers demanded extreme obedience. They threatened and intimidated the members. This is not from God.

I was under the impression that the preachers and leaders were holy and faultless, and I was not allowed to make any mistakes either.

Striving for total obedience became torture. I simply could not stand the stress. I was excommunicated, but God did not agree with the preachers' judgement.
I am still alive God blesses me more than ever.

What have I learnt from all this?

• Obedience is important, but God understands my weaknesses and loves me indispensably.

• I am allowed to make mistakes.

• It is dangerous to think of preachers and church leaders as super saints.

• All Christians make mistakes and all pastors and preachers make mistakes.

• When I am misunderstood or condemned by preachers, I have a God who understands me completely and does not condemn me.

• There are many preachers who claim to have a message from God. Sometimes it is true and sometimes it is not.

• I can learn to hear God's voice, but it is a learning process. I am also allowed to make mistakes.

• God loves me in spite of everything.

• He has a good plan for my life, even if other Christians often don't understand that plan. Pastors can also misunderstand God's plans for me.

I have since found good churches and good pastors. God knows how to guide and comfort his children.

"Comfort, comfort my people!" says your God.
“Comfort, yes, comfort my people,” says your God.

“Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and tell her that her sad days are gone. Her sins are pardoned, and I have punished her in full for all her sins.” Isaiah 40:1–2 The Living Bible

Finding God in the Darkness

Church was a blessing. I drove home with my wife, encouraged. On the way we did some shopping. In the supermarket I felt foggy and empty. It was a bit like the depression of my youth.

Why is that? We can often sense the depressed moods of people around us. God often allows this so that we can learn to resist the devil and pray for the suffering people around us.

When you feel depressed or sad, you can pray quietly straight away. Where does this depression come from dear God? How should I respond? How can I overcome this darkness? Not only the darkness in me, but also the darkness around me and in others around me?

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 ESV

Every time you feel darkness, whether it is in your soul, or from the feelings of your fellow man, or from the presence of demons, or from the situation in the world, no matter where the darkness comes from, you may seek God's truth and God's presence.

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jeremiah 33:3 ESV

When you belong to Jesus, there is an invisible mobile phone in your spirit. You are always connected to Jesus. God is always waiting for your call.

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5 NKJV

The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 NKJV