Different Ways to Reach People

We are often like a tram travelling on the same tracks.

Jesus was different.

Sometimes he communicated with parables, but sometimes with harsh rebukes.
He often led people to faith by healing their illnesses. Only after they were healed did they come to faith.

When he healed the sick, he didn't just have one method.

A leper asked for healing.

Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Mk 1:41 NASB95

He healed a blind man in a very unusual way.

Taking the blind man by the hand, He brought him out of the village; and after spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, “Do you see anything?” Mk 8:23 NASB95

A royal official begged Jesus to come to his home and heal his son.

“Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed.
While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. Jn 4:50–51 NIV

We also read how Jesus sometimes gave an instruction or command.

But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralysed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.”

Then the man got up and went home. Mt 9:6–7 NIV

God understands us. He created you and me.

God has very different ways of helping different people, healing us and awakening faith in us.

Some find God by studying the Bible. Others by receiving a miraculous healing in a meeting.

Many Muslims come through miraculous healings, and many others see Jesus in a dream.

How did you find your way to Jesus? There are so many different answers to this question.

God is not Moody

 Are you in a bad mood sometimes?

That's normal for us humans, but God is not a moody person.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. Jas 1:17 NIV

Our love may fluctuate with our moods, but that doesn't affect God's love for you one bit.

We are mortal beings. Our biological nature is weak and changeable, but in your mortal body is an immortal spirit.

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 2 Co 5:1–2 NIV

This life on earth is a time of learning and testing. We can learn to live with an awakened spirit by living in close fellowship with God's Spirit.

God has given you supernatural means of communication to grow beyond your flawed nature.

On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.

Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. Jn 7:37–39 NIV

If you have given your life to Jesus, you can expect Jesus to flood you with the Holy Spirit. You may drink if you are thirsty.

But don't draw back like many conservative Christians. Jesus wants to bless you much more.

When you are flooded and filled with the Holy Spirit, God will be a wonderful companion and guide.

Some conservative Christians don't want to seek a new experience with the Holy Spirit. They say they were filled with the Holy Spirit when they were converted.

Some Pentecostals do not want to seek more blessing because they have already been baptised with the Holy Spirit.

But Paul taught plain language.

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, Eph 5:18 NIV

The original Greek text is clear that Paul is not talking about a one-off experience, but about a way of life.

You can ask Jesus to fill you with his Holy Spirit every day.

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?

Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Lk 11:11–13 NIV

Just do it!

 A life without a clear goal is like a ship without a rudder. No matter how virtuous you are, your life goes in circles, leading to no fulfilment. You will be frustrated and stuck.

David prayed in a psalm:

“LORD, let me know my end, and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. Ps 39:4 NRSV

What are the secret dreams in your heart of hearts?

Your dream could be the key that opens the door to your destiny.
But your dreams will lead to nothing without God.

On the other hand, we all need order in our lives. We all have duties that we have to fulfil. Without discipline, without routine, life becomes chaotic. Without order, your dreams permanently remain just dreams.

If you have a goal, you have to act, you have to do something.
If there is no order, can a family or a business function?

A football team needs a strict training routine. Everyone has to be on top form. Daily discipline is absolutely essential.  

But what is the goal?
Fitness? Punctuality at training sessions? Always obeying the trainer?
No.
    - Your goal is to win football matches.

And what is your goal as a team member? To be a good footballer? Partly for sure.

A champion team never consists of eleven good footballers.
You need first-class midfielders, defenders, strikers and goalkeepers.

But even that is not enough. You need fitness coaches, physiotherapists, sports psychologists and, in today's world, computer technicians.

Are you a Christian?
Do you want to be a good Christian? What does your routine look like?
Are you faithful and reliable in prayer and Bible study? Are you punctual and regular in meetings?

There's nothing wrong with that.
But what is the goal in your Christian life?

Are you a midfielder or a goalkeeper? Are you a fitness trainer or a sports psychologist?

We need to win people for Jesus, but what is your role and where is your mission field?
Are you gifted to evangelise on the street or blog on the internet?
Are you called to serve as a nurse in a mission in Africa or as a social worker in California?
Are you called to work in an office and pray for your colleagues with genuine love?

What is your thing?

• Some fast a lot and pray for hours in intercessory service.

• Others help the homeless, asylum seekers or prostitutes.

• Are you a housewife or a retired widow?

• Maybe you have a mission as a friendly neighbour and intercessor.

• Our cities need friendly neighbours.

What's your thing?
If you're not sure, you can still start doing something.

• You can ask God to give you direction.

• You can pray every morning, ‘’Dear God, what is on your heart?

• You can pray, ‘’Who should I contact today?

• Or ‘’How should I pray for my family or friends today?

• Or ‘’What is your priority for my life right now?

When you get a clear impression, don't push the thought aside.

Don't let yourself be distracted. Do something.

If you have a goal, you have to act, you have to do something. But if you act without a goal, you will remain stuck despite all your efforts.

If you don't have a goal, you probably won't achieve one.

For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Jer 29:11 NRSV

Don’t be distracted.
Ask God for wisdom and then ... Do something.

You must not despise yourself.

 God does not despise you. You must not despise yourself.

God does not despise people. He even sees wicked people as his lost children.

He longs to restore them and bring them home.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Jn 3:16 NKJV

Humanity is God's masterpiece, but we see that we are not glorious beings. Imagine a masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci badly damaged by fire and flood, but not completely destroyed. It looks dirty and shabby, but it is still a masterpiece.

You are also a human being, but not just any old specimen of humanity.

And the people around you who have not yet believed are also special beyond measure, even if they are badly damaged, because they were also created in the image of God.

We need to change the way we think and the way we talk about ourselves and about other people.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.

Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? Jas 3:9–11 NIV

God doesn't like everything about you and me, but he is working day and night to restore us.
He is not pleased with everything in our lives, but he loves his children, and that is what we are when we belong to Jesus by trusting him.

If you belong to Jesus by faith, God not only loves you, but He is pleased with what He has done in your life.

God has created you with a special purpose. No one else on earth is like you.  

Your life is a gift from God, and also an assignment from God.

What is your special purpose in life? God wants to show you your calling in life and show you the path you should take.

Finding the Purpose of your Life

Your thinking is so important. Your thoughts determine your life.
But where does this ability to think come from?

Everything you see comes from God.
God is the great thinker, but he is not like a philosopher who thinks for the sake of thinking.

This world comes from God's mind. You, too, were in God's thoughts before the first stars appeared.

What do you think of your life?
What are you?
Who are you?

Are you a nobody or a somebody?
In God's eyes, you are a somebody, and a very important somebody.

But how can that be?

God has planned your life, not to stumble around as an orphan in this chaotic world, but to live as his own child in his loving presence.
Do you know God?

Jesus came into this world to reveal our Father in heaven.
If you know Jesus, you know God.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Jn 14:6 NIV

But perhaps you only know Jesus a little.

You are somehow stuck in your religious life. Your Christianity is characterised by duty, ritual and routine.

God has something completely different in mind for you. Do you want to perceive God's thoughts.
You do read your Bible, but it doesn’t come alive for you?

Are you so burdened by worries and duties that your thoughts only  revolve around problems?

If your prayers only revolve around your problems, you can ask Jesus to share his perspective with you.

Have you learnt to perceive God's thoughts in your mind?

Maybe you need time out.

How can you find time out?

Sometimes all the people around you demand that you should always be available to fulfil their wishes.

Many want to steal your time, but God has given you time to fulfil His purposes, not the desires of everyone around you.

We have to learn to say ‘no’ so that we have time to find the meaning of life.

If you are brooding about problems, you can simply ask God:

‘’You see my thoughts. What do you think about it?
God wants to answer. You can learn to listen to God.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. Jn 10:27–28 NIV

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Is 55:9 NIV

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

What is your Calling?

 Many years ago I heard a guest preacher. He was a missionary and he challenged the Christians to come forward to lay down their lives for missions. At least twenty Christians came forward, but no one became a missionary.

What is your calling? Have you asked God?
If you have a God-given purpose, are you practically involved in fulfilling that calling?

There are some Christians who are fully committed to fulfilling their calling. Without these Christians, God's kingdom on earth would perish. Thank God that will never happen.

But we must never sit in a cosy corner and leave all the responsibility for God's kingdom to a few heroes. Unfortunately, there are too many such passive Christians. That's why we're not seeing revival yet.

Most Christians are not called to lead a church or preach from the pulpit. Unfortunately, we have a misguided tradition where everything revolves around the pastor in the pulpit. Preaching has no value if Christians are not activated as dynamic disciples.

What is your calling? What does your heart burn for?

But perhaps you are overburdened by everyday duties and tasks.

Peter, John and their brothers had to leave their work as fishermen to fulfil their calling, but most of us are not called to do this.

Paul was more than full time in ministry, but he often worked as a tent maker as well.

Luke was not a prominent preacher, but he was well educated. He researched the stories of Jesus and wrote the Gospel of Luke.

You have talents and abilities from God. You have an important role in God's plan, but you can only fulfil your potential if you take time to develop your gifts.

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. Ecc 9:10 NIV

Do you feel obliged to always satisfy the wishes of others?

If you strive to always fulfil the expectations of others, you will always be tired and frustrated, and never reach God's goal for your life.

Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Is 55:6 NIV

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isa 30:21 NIV

It is rare to hear the audible voice of God, but if you are open to the leading of God, He will direct you.

If you always fulfil the wishes of others, you will always turn away from God's purpose for your life, even if you always behave properly.

Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” Mt 8:21–22 NIV

Jesus did not mean that we should not attend funerals, but he insists that God's calling must be our first priority.

Does God have Strong Emotions?

 Some men make fun of women because they have strange mood swings on certain days. Women make fun of men because they are grumpy or moody when they are hungry or sexually frustrated.

God is not moody like us. God is not ruled by emotions and is not driven to and fro by hormones.

In the first centuries of the Christian era, many educated Greeks converted to Jesus. They tried to explain biblical revelation with the logical thinking of Greek philosophy.

In the Bible we see that God's character is perfect and flawless.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. Jas 1:17 NIV

If God is unchanging, he should not feel strong emotions. Those who react emotionally to experiences change as a result. So goes this philosophical train of thought.

But everywhere in the Bible we find that God reacts to people with joy, sorrow, tender love or anger.

The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zep 3:17 NKJV

God is not moody like us. He is not driven back and forth by his feelings. He remains unwavering in his character, which is unchanging, but God is love.

Without strong feelings, love is merely a theological concept. God is not made up of theological ideas.

God is not an abstract idea. God loves you. His love is an eternally blazing fire.

Near Death Experience. Poisoned. Dead. Revived.

Phineas had heard about near-death experiences, but he didn't believe in them. He thought these people were nutcases or fanatics.

Then he made a terrible mistake. He wanted to kill wasps in his garage, but he poisoned himself in the process.

He didn't realise what had happened to him until he became terribly sick that night. Two emergency doctors struggled to keep him alive.
 
His consciousness became hazy and foggy, and then he left his body.

The pain was gone, and he felt a sense of lightness. He was no longer in his body, but he was amazed that he could think clearly.

Suddenly, he was enveloped in an indescribably bright light. He felt as if he had been reborn.
Then he felt himself moving rapidly somewhere, until suddenly he was sitting on a beautiful green meadow on the banks of a river.

This must be heaven. He felt somehow cleansed and purified.

He saw a shimmering wall of pearl-like gemstones beyond the river.
He wanted to go there, but he couldn't.

Then he was struck by the indescribable light and love that must be God's presence. He was totally overwhelmed, and he was desperate not to return to his earthly life.
 
But suddenly he was in an ambulance looking at his own body.
A nurse was massaging his heart.

He hadn't been breathing for five minutes. Should she continue?
``Of course,`` replied the doctor.

When he was taken into the operating theatre, he was still hovering three metres above his body and watching everything.

Shortly before the end of the operation, his spirit sprang back into his body.

Two days later, he woke up. He then had to wait ten days before he was allowed to go home.

A nurse asked him why he was smiling happily the whole time, but he wouldn't or couldn't explain it.

He got well again. That was also a miracle.

He was back to his old life, but he was no longer the same man.

He was able to receive and give love like never before. He never spoke a bad word. His new character was characterised by love, patience and human understanding.

He was a transformed man and everyone around him was amazed.

But he couldn't explain it. He felt no one would understand or believe him.

Until his own journey to the afterlife, he had thought such testimonies were over the top.

He could not find the words to relate his experience. He tried sometimes, but he immediately burst into tears.

He came to the point where he was desperate to finally explain his new life to his family. He prayed every night and every morning for God's help.
Then God's answer came.

At a birthday party, a woman told him about a book by Don Piper.
``90 Minutes in Heaven.‘’

The next morning he bought the book. Everything in the book confirmed his own experience. Now all his doubts were gone and he also understood how he could tell his story.

He knew that God had sent him back to make the reality of heaven known.
He now wants to explain to everyone that God sent his own Son to us to die on the cross and thereby take all our sins upon himself.

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

Phineas experienced God's presence and love in paradise, and now he wants to invite you to get to know Jesus as your Saviour.

‘Jesus Christ, I want to get to know you. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I will now open the door of my heart and acknowledge you as my Saviour and Guide. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. I surrender my life to you and ask you to guide my thoughts, my words and my actions, every day, every hour, every second of my life. Amen.’

Toscani, Gabriel. And then there was light: 35 people, all of whom were clinically dead, tell what they saw and experienced ‘on the other side’. Some were in paradise, others in hell. (German Edition) . Kindle Edition.

Healings and Miracles Today

There are Christians who are enthusiastic about signs and wonders. Some of these Christians love Jesus with all their heart and have an intimate relationship with God.

Others seem to be enthusiastic about miracles, but their lives show no deep love for God and little love for their neighbour.

Jesus is our role model. His love for God and for us human beings moved him to sacrifice his life on the cross.

Through his death on the cross, his love was most clearly seen, but not only that. Everything Jesus did was motivated by his love.

We find the human life of God's Son in four books of the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

At the age of 30, he began his ministry as an itinerant preacher. Three years later he was arrested and executed on the cross.

A central aspect of his ministry was the signs and wonders, especially the very frequent miraculous healings.

We read again and again how his miracles were motivated by great compassion and mercy.

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Mt 14:14 NIV

His teaching and preaching were motivated by the same compassion and love.

His healing ministry was inseparable from his ministry as a teacher and preacher.

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. Mt 4:23 NIV

There was no sickness before the first man and woman disobeyed God. In a sermon by Peter in the book of Acts, we see that sickness is the work of the devil.

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

After his resurrection, before he returned to the Father in heaven, Jesus declared that his disciples should continue the same supernatural ministry.

And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;  

they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” Mk 16:17–18 NIV

This is supposed to be the normal behaviour of Christians.

‘’These signs will follow those who believe...‘’ so not only apostles.

We find a similar statement in the Gospel of John.

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

But didn't Jesus warn that we can work miracles and still be condemned as sinners?

Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’

Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Mt 7:22–23 NIV

That is the tragic reality.

But some want to claim that all preachers in our time who really or supposedly work miracles are hypocrites.

Is it possible that a preacher blessed by God can work real miracles but end up being condemned as a sinner?

Judas Iscariot healed the sick, just as Peter and John did, but he betrayed Jesus and was condemned.

But if Jesus taught signs and wonders were important, we should also value miracles. He is our role model. We should believe for miracles and make sure we are motivated by love, as Jesus was and is.

 

Expecting the Impossible

 In the Western world, we are scientifically orientated. We have been brainwashed for generations to believe in the material world more than in the supernatural realm, where God reigns invisibly.

In this respect, humanistic theology is often almost indistinguishable from atheism. Many Reformed Christians and many conservative free churches are also strongly influenced by it.

If you talk about miracles, you are not taken seriously by atheists, humanists and theologians.

Many conservative Christians also want to believe in miracles in the Bible, and also in heaven and hell, but all that belongs only to the past and we will then wait until we die to experience something of the other world.

We have been taught to expect only what is supposed to be possible, but Jesus taught a completely different view and also proved it with miracles.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Mk 10:27 NIV

Jesus commissioned his first disciples to reach out to all nations with the Gospel mission.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

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 28:18–19 NIV

Why was Europe known as Christian in the past? Because missionaries brought whole peoples, whole regions and whole nations to Jesus.

This also happened in the Old Testament, when God made the Hebrews into a believing nation through Moses and then Joshua. Unfortunately, mass conversion is often followed by decay in subsequent generations, but Israel was still a nation that belonged to the true God.

A preacher in Asia proclaimed the bold idea that we should disciple whole nations, not just convert individuals.

A devoted woman was in the congregation, and she believed the impossible. She was a street vendor selling ice cream. She prayed that her ice cream would be especially good and delicious.
Then she prayed that she would win her city for Jesus.

One day, a rich man came and bought an ice cream. He was delighted and asked the woman why her ice cream could be so good. She explained that she was a Christian and prayed that her ice cream would be excellent.

The rich man was intrigued and wanted to know more. He then converted to Jesus.

It turned out that this man was the governor of the town. He decided to teach the police and all the officials in the city the message of Jesus.

All the officials also had to learn to apply biblical principles in their work.

We must learn to expect much more from God.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Mk 10:27 NIV

Blessings Break Curses

 Corrie ten Boom was a Dutch woman who loved Jesus. During the Nazi occupation of Holland, her family provided a refuge for Jews.

Her family was betrayed and she and her sister were deported by the Nazis. She was in Ravensbrück concentration camp in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. A very hard fate.

She began to encourage the other prisoners with her biblical faith. She held fast to St Paul's admonition to be thankful for everything.

In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Th 5:18 NASB95

What, really? For the disgusting food? For the cold?

She began to speak aloud an unthinkable thanksgiving. ‘Thank you for the bedbugs.’

But after saying this nonsensical prayer, she had a revelation.

Because of the bedbugs, they were not bothered by the cruel guards in their unsavoury dormitory. The guards wanted to avoid these disgusting vermin at all costs.

She also had to pass another tough test.

She had to overcome her hatred. Jesus taught that we must love and bless our enemies.
Her beloved sister became seriously ill and died in the concentration camp.

Then Corrie was allowed to leave the concentration camp. That was a miracle. Someone in an office in Germany had made a mistake, and she was released from the concentration camp early because of it. That was a miracle from God.

But she had suffered terribly and lost her family.

After the war, Corrie became a travelling preacher.
God also sent her to minister in Germany, which was also a hard test for her.

After a sermon in Germany, a guard from the concentration camp approached her and asked for forgiveness.

Corrie was frozen with shock. Traumatised.

But she forced herself to shake hands.

Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Lk 6:28 NIV

Corrie was a victim of the Nazis, but she refused to take upon herself the identity of a victim.

Are you perhaps a target for cruel attacks in your family or at work?

God forbid, but it may also be happening in your church. In the Bible, the Pharisees were not nice people, but not all Pharisees are Jews. Unfortunately, there are also Christian Pharisees.

You can get used to expecting bullying. You can be despised and then start to disrespect yourself.

That's a false identity. You are not that person, no matter how many times you have failed.
God is your creator and he made you good.

It could be that your family were Nazi criminals, or persecuted Jews. I met a wonderful preacher who had been a gangster and a pimp. I know a lovely Christian woman who was a prostitute.

No matter where you come from, God has made you good. God has a good plan for your life, and He wants to fulfil His plan.

But you must recognise yourself as God's good creation.

Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Lk 6:28 NIV

You know, those who are used to being despised and cursed often learn to despise and curse themselves.

You must learn to bless your tormentors, but also to bless yourself.
Start saying blessings over yourself.

“The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Num 6:24–26 NIV

God Rescues Ruined People

There are terrible people who repent and God forgives them.

Hermann Zaiss was a very blessed German evangelist at the end of the war. As early as 1945, thousands and thousands of people from all regions of Germany and other countries came to his meetings.

Many gravely ill people were miraculously healed, but these were not the greatest miracles.  

He was a young soldier in the British army of occupation. He had a burning hatred of the German people.

His commander was a Canadian officer who looked upon this young man with Christian compassion because his uncontrollable bitterness was poisoning his own soul.

This young man was no monster. A Jewish child from Germany, he had found refuge in England, but his entire family was murdered by the Nazis.

The Canadian officer brought the emotionally wounded young soldier to the meeting where the German evangelist was preaching.

Also among the audience was another seriously injured man. He was a hardcore Nazi from the Waffen SS, a loyal disciple of the Führer.

In the last days of the war, he was hit by an artillery shell explosion.

When he woke up from a coma, he saw a black American nurse smiling at him with Christian compassion.

He no longer understood the world. One of his legs had been torn apart, and he was permanently crippled.

The helpless SS officer and the embittered young Jew listened to the sermon, saw the healings, and felt the presence of God with his love and mercy.

Then their hearts became warm and soft. They turned to Jesus and testified of their experience.

He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. Ps 147:3 NASB95

Then the most amazing of all miracles took place. They became firm friends.

We know that we have passed from death to life because we love one another. Whoever does not love abides in death. 1 Jn 3:14 NRSV

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Rom 5:1 NLT

You Can Know God as your Friend

 Jesus told his disciples that they were his friends. Why? Because he had told them everything he had heard from the Father in heaven.

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. Jn 15:15 NIV

Jesus shared many heavenly truths with the Jews of his day, but far from everything.
If you share everything in your heart at the office or via Facebook, you are really foolish.

“Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. Mt 7:6 NASB95

Jesus is the best of all friends for you and me. You can trust Jesus with all your longings, all your problems and all your secrets.

But if you also want to be a close friend to Jesus, you have to be trustworthy.

The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant. Ps 25:14 NKJV

You have secrets, and if you are a faithful friend, you will not betray the secrets of your friends.

Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises. Ps 25:14 The Living Bible, Paraphrased

There are Christians who are diligent in service, but they do not see their role as friends of God, but as servants or ministers.

The Prodigal Son returned to his father with this mindset.

I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.

I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’
But when he arrived at his father's house, his father received him quite differently. Lk 15:18–19 NIV

But the father ordered his servants: ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him! Put a ring on his finger and bring him a pair of sandals!

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.

For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. Lk 15:22–24 NIV

The prodigal son hoped to be with his father only as a servant. He was humble because he was ashamed. Those who genuinely humble themselves before God are honoured by God.

But there are also Christians who are proud in their service. This pride can exclude us from friendship with God.

God is not looking for Christians who serve because of shame or who are proud because of supposed achievements.

God is looking for Christians who are open to His love and who become faithful friends through their experiences of God's love.

Are You Ready for the Coming of Jesus?

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Jude 20–21 NIV

It is so important to build yourself up in your faith. So many of us are too dependent on others for our spiritual inspiration. This is a sign of spiritual immaturity, but many Christians have been this way for years.

It's not wrong to ask a pastor or evangelist to pray for you.

But the Bible speaks over and over about your faith, your prayer, your devotion.

These two verses talk about your holy faith.
This includes your holy faith, your prayer in the Holy Spirit, how you keep yourself in the love of God, how you prepare yourself for the return of the Lord Jesus.

This text is not only meant for the church, but also for each individual Christian.

• You must build up your holy faith.

• God wants to hear your prayers.

• You must keep yourself in the love of God.

I love events where the blessing of the Holy Spirit flows, and my faith is inspired by the faith of others.

But neither Jesus nor Paul ever described the Christian life as a series of blessed meetings.

• Are you ready to stand before Jesus when he returns?

• Will Jesus ask how often you have been to church?

• Will Jesus ask if you have always been a good member of a church?

A very active young member of the church felt frustrated because his busy life made it difficult to spend quality time with non-Christians and he realised that he was not reaching out to people who needed Jesus.

He arranged to spend some time with a friend who didn't know Jesus, but this meant missing one of the several weekly church meetings he normally attended. His absence was interpreted as unfaithfulness by his group leader.

Unfortunately, this pressure to conform to church expectations is not uncommon. This religious pressure creates a powerless Christianity.

If you are constantly trying to please other Christians, it affects your relationship with God.

Jesus said:

How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? Jn 5:44 NIV 

In Matthew 13, Jesus explains how the gospel is like seed. He who believes is like a plant from the seed.

“The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;

yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. Mt 13:20–21 NASB95

In difficult times, many Christians withdraw from the faith. What determines your destiny is not your regular attendance at church or your ministry in the church.

How is your time with God in your bedroom? 

The Way out of Nomansland

Are you in no man's land?

Do you need healing? You have prayed. You have believed. The symptoms are diminishing, but your recovery is obviously not complete.

Hold fast to God's promises!

Before the last world war, penicillin had not yet been invented. An English preacher had tuberculosis and prayed for healing.

He did not get an instant cure, but he sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit. God told him to pray two hours a day and he would recover.
 
He was obedient and he gradually became completely well.

Many sick Christians pray for healing, but they are disappointed. When Jesus healed before the cross, he never failed. He healed everyone who prayed for healing, without exception.

What can we learn from Jesus? He had different methods. For example, he often healed by laying his hand on someone.

Jesus also gave instructions to his disciples.

And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” Mk 16:17–18 NIV

It is curious that Jesus first emphasises deliverance from demons. When Jesus healed the sick before the cross, he often cast out demons, because sickness is often associated with demonic activity.

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 was the anointed one par excellence. He was always full of the Holy Spirit and ministered with unlimited power, but we need more help from the Holy Spirit.

An important and very powerful tool is the gift of tongues.

Some think that this gift was only for the first Christians, but in Mark 16:17-18 Jesus speaks of the signs that are to follow those who believe.

And these signs will accompany those who believe: …. they will speak in new tongues;

This statement is not limited in time.

To release God's miraculous power, we need to cultivate a deep relationship with God through the Holy Spirit.

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 through wordless groans.

And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. Rom 8:26–27 NIV

How can we enter into this deep realm? Paul gives us an important indication of how he cultivated his close relationship with God.

I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 1 Cor 14:18 NIV

Paul explained that he did not want to speak in languages in meetings because he wanted to help people through prophecy or Bible teaching.

So when did Paul speak so much in languages? In his personal prayers.

When we cultivate our relationship with God through the Holy Spirit, we learn to perceive the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

We can learn to receive God's specific instructions, like this English preacher who was told to pray two hours a day to receive God's healing.

Authority of Believers

 In 1965, a powerful revival emerged in Timor, Indonesia.

Local evangelists went around preaching the gospel. Sick people were healed, dead bodies were raised to life.

Two missionaries were threatened by crocodiles. One of the Christians ordered the crocodiles to turn round and move away. The crocodiles obeyed simply because a believing Christian had exercised his authority in Christ.

In Romans, we see that all Christians, including women, are called to be adopted sons of God.
What does that mean?

In the Roman Empire, an adopted son had all the rights of a natural son. He was the heir of his adopting father. He was to inherit everything after the father's death and exercise the authority of the Lord of the family.

If we understand this correctly, women were also included. This was a radical concept at the time, because daughters never had the same rights as sons.

In Genesis, we read that God created the first human beings as man and woman, that both man and woman were created in God's image, that both man and woman were to rule over God's earthly creation.

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Gen 1:27–28 NIV

From the very beginning, God created both man and woman with the mandate that they should rule and reign, but they were not to exercise this rule independently, but as God's children and partners, as God's representatives on earth, to implement God's authority.

We still see humans dominating nature today, but this dominion has become corrupt and ugly. We struggle to conquer and exploit the environment. Our planet is now being progressively ruined by pollution and climate change.

But it wasn't like this in the beginning. Adam and Eve lived fearlessly with lions and tigers.
But then people no longer trusted God. Sin has corrupted us.

In the Old Testament, we read how God never abandoned his original plan.

The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. Is 11:6 NIV

This is how it was in the beginning, before the fall of man. Adam and Eve did not need a gun and a whip to control a tiger.

Because of Adam and Eve's sin, we humans lost our fellowship with God and also our authority to rule as God's representatives on earth.

But after the death and resurrection of Jesus, God gave back everything we had lost. All we have to do is repent and trust God.

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Rom 5:1 NLT

Those who trust Jesus with their whole life are reconciled with God. Not only can we enjoy fellowship with our heavenly Father. We also have the privilege of adopted sons to reign with Jesus.

For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. Rom 5:17 NLT

Unfortunately, not all Christians have fully grasped this truth, but some have.

Concentrate on God and Expect His Help

What is dominating your thinking? Your illness or God's healing?
Where do you direct your thoughts? Your fears, or God's saving love?

A scientist in the USA studied HIV AIDS patients for four years.
Patients who believed in God's love recovered significantly better.
Patients who believed that God loved them personally recovered much better.

When you are in distress, you will experience a battle in your mind.
On one side is faith, hope and the love of God.
On the other side, fears and doubts keep popping up.

That is normal.

But God has given you free will. Where will you focus your attention?

We can fail or overcome in all areas of life. Life is just like that.

A sports psychologist was invited to help professional footballers. He wanted to teach and strongly emphasise the principle of concentration. In football, as in all areas of life, concentration is essential for success. Distraction is the enemy.

The psychologist placed a large football trophy on a table in front of the team. He said they had to keep their eyes on the cup for seven minutes.

They started looking at the trophy and the psychologist reminded them not to give in to distractions, not to look at their friends, not to look at the laptop on the table, etc.

The only professional footballer who looked at the trophy for seven minutes straight was the superstar of the team.

The other footballers glanced here and there, at their friends, at the laptop, etc.

What did the football champion do differently from his team-mates?

He looked at the inscription on the trophy. He read the inscription over and over again and systematically stored the words in his memory.

Do you need healing from cancer or depression? Perhaps liberation from porn?
Where do you direct your gaze on the screen of your mind?

When Joshua was to lead the Hebrews into the Promised Land, he received these instructions from God.

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Jos 1:8 NIV

And what did Joshua say to the Hebrews?

“Remember the command that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you after he said, ‘The LORD your God will give you rest by giving you this land.’ Jos 1:13 NIV

Your thoughts determine the direction of your life.

How can you control your thoughts?

You must realise that your thoughts and feelings do not control you. You can direct and control your thoughts.

God's promises and instructions are like the inscription on the victory trophy that God has set before you.

What is your victory trophy? Healing? Deliverance? Reconciliation with friends or family? A good job?

You can be like the football striker who focuses only on the goal and doesn't get distracted.

He forgives all your iniquity; he heals all your diseases. Ps 103:3 CSB

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

That's all well and good, but you and I are just weak people.

But we don't just have God's word. If Jesus is the most important person in your life, you can rely on his help. He will never let you down.

… And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Mt 28:20 NRSV

Remember, think about it. He is with you all the time.

Women Preached in the Bible

 The women also spoke for God. Acts 2: The sons and daughters prophesied. Peter and 119 other men ... and women spoke God's words, opening the door of salvation with the keys of the kingdom.

On the day of Pentecost, 50 days after the cross, 120 disciples of Jesus were dramatically filled with the Holy Spirit.

Peter was no longer the coward who denied Jesus. He stood up fearlessly and spoke words of power to the crowd. These words of power and life were the key to the kingdom. They opened the door of salvation to 2000 listeners that day.

The prophetic words of Jesus were fulfilled.

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Mt 16:19 NIV

When God gives words of grace and truth, they are words of life for anyone and everyone who will receive them.

But was it only Peter who spoke God's life-giving words that day?

There were 120 disciples who spoke words from God to the crowds that day. They spoke in languages they had never learnt, and the listeners from many nations understood God's message in their own languages.

Who were these 120 disciples? Were they only men who had been ordained to preach?

Peter clearly rejects this idea.

“ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, … Acts 2:17 NIV

So did the women also proclaim the gospel in a public meeting?

In chapter 1 of Acts we have a clear confirmation of Peter's revolutionary words, although they were not Peter's words, but the words of the Holy Spirit quoted by the prophet Joel.

They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. Acts 1:14 NIV

Yes, the women were there too. There were also women among the 120 disciples. The women also spoke to the crowd with the authority of the Holy Spirit.

What do keys do? They lock and unlock doors.

The words of Peter and the other 119 male and female disciples unlocked the door of salvation and locked the door of condemnation for all those who believed and received their message.

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Mt 16:19 NIV

Locking and unlocking is another way of saying binding and loosening.
Jesus gave his disciples the keys of the kingdom, keys, not just a key.

Keys represent God-given authority.
Words of inspired preaching, teaching, prophesying and witnessing are all keys through which God opens the doors to reach people with His goodness and power.

So who has the authority to bind and loose or to lock and unlock?

• Only Peter? Clearly no.

• Only the apostles? No.

• Only the ordained preachers? No.

• Only men? No.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Mt 18:18–20 NIV

Where two or three male or female disciples are together in unity and harmony, their words of faith and believing prayer can bind or loose, can lock or open spiritual doors.

Ministering Truth with Love and Gentleness

 In Tolkien's ‘’The Lord of the Rings‘’, ATHELAS is a powerful healing herb. The true king is also a true healer, and he applies the herb ATHELAS to terrible wounds.
This is a Christian allegory.

In the Bible, ATHELAS is the Greek word that means TRUTH.
In the New Testament, the true king is Jesus, but his true identity is veiled because Jesus lives an ordinary life among ordinary people, just like Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings.

In the Lord of the Rings, two heroic characters are stabbed to death with blades empowered by demonic witchcraft, namely Frodo and Eowyn. Aragorn, the king in exile, places the ATHELAS herb in hot, steaming water and applies the medicine to the fatal wounds.
When people are traumatised by dark and terrible experiences, only the truth can heal them.

Many Christians have some understanding of this, but lack the deep wisdom and love to apply the truth in a healing way.

In ‘’The Lord of the Rings‘’, it is the king himself who applies the healing herb gently and with healing skill.

It is not enough to explain the truth about the king to traumatised people. We must bring them with gentleness into the presence of the King himself.

Some severely damaged people can only tolerate medicine in very small doses. Sometimes we need to administer very small doses of truth with much love and patience.

In the New Testament, Jesus did not explain the full truth of who he is to the crowd when they came for healing. He healed the sick and he spoke in parables.

Timing is also crucial. Even with his chosen twelve apostles, Jesus did not begin by telling them that he was the eternal God who came down from heaven. He waited for the Father to reveal it to them.

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. Mt 16:13–17 NRSV

A young woman goes to church in search of God. She was abused as a child and became a prostitute. She feels more like a victim than a sinner and is very confused. How can we help her with love and truth?

The pastor confronts the issue of her sin, but shows little compassion for her as a suffering victim.

Timing!

We need to know when and how to give truth to hurting people.

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: Ec 3:1 NKJV

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Gal 6:1 NIV

Remember, truth must always come with grace and love. Truth without love often makes wounds worse, not better.

There is also a time for confronting sin and for strong preaching, but we must be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and the needs of the people we want to reach.

Ultimately, God will judge the world with truth and condemn anyone who has rejected Jesus, but we must never forget that we are not judges. Only God is the judge.

The Wrong Cross

 In a dream, I saw a Christian hanging on a cross.

I don't remember any other details except that the Christian had experienced disappointing results in his efforts to serve God.

What was the reason for this lack of success? The words in my dream were as clear as the sun in the sky.
‘The wrong cross!’

The Christian was nailed to a cross, but it was not ordained by God. What could that mean?

I didn't see anything more concrete in the dream, and God didn't speak directly to me about it, but as I thought about the message, many real-life stories came to mind.

Both the Lord Jesus and the Apostle Paul taught that celibacy is a calling and a gift from God that is only given to some people. Paul was celibate, but most of the apostles, including Peter, were married.

Yet there are some churches that require all ordained ministers to be celibate. We regularly read about sex scandals in the media. Obviously, celibacy is ‘the wrong cross’ for many people.

There are also churches where you are supposed to get married. You are even told who to marry and who not to marry.

Many Christian women see their husbands criminally assaulting their own children or abusing them with porn or incest. When such women protest, they are often not believed by church leaders or are told it is their own fault for not being a sexually satisfying wife.

They are often told that it is a sin to leave their husband. ‘God hates divorce’ for whatever reason. If these women submit to this torture, they are on the ‘wrong cross’.

There are women who are taught that contraception is a sin and that they must give birth to as many children as possible.

They are on ‘The Wrong Cross’.

There are women who are taught that they must always obey their husbands unconditionally. They are not free to serve God as disciples who receive their calling and guidance directly from God.

They are on the ‘wrong cross’.

There are women who are taught that they are not allowed to preach or teach. Many are called and gifted by God to do what their pastors or husbands forbid.

Many of these women are on the ‘Wrong Cross’.

Many Christians are taught that submission to the leaders of their church is their first duty. Leaving their church or joining another church is sin. They must sacrifice their dreams for their own lives and ministry in order to serve the vision of the head pastor.

This can lead to a life of passive religiosity. They are not allowed to think for themselves or express opinions other than those of their leaders.

These people are at the ‘wrong cross’.

I know a pastor whose people call him ‘Papa’.

Some say you should never hold your pastor accountable because a pastor is like Moses who was accountable to no one but God.

What did Jesus say?

“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers.
And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Mt 23:8–9 NIV

There are Christians who are taught that God uses sickness to purify us through suffering. Many people suffer from sickness because they believe they are glorifying God.

They are on the ‘wrong cross’.

There is only one cross that deals with sickness, the cross of Jesus Christ.

That evening they brought to him many who were possessed with demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and cured all who were sick.

This was to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.” Mt 8:16–17 NRSV

When I read the Gospels, I see that Jesus is the healer, not the tormentor.
There are Christians who have been abused or mistreated for years. They develop a victim mentality, paralysed by false humility, bitterness or self-hatred. Jesus lived, died and rose again to set you free.

Please don't stay on the ‘wrong cross’.

Expect Surprises from God

 Everything is changing around us. Not since the last world war have we experienced such a traumatic acceleration of change.

For two hundred years, our culture has been characterised by an optimistic view of the world. The philosophers and intellectual writers of the Enlightenment and scientists for over a hundred years have taught us a view where progress is supposed to solve our problems.

But now everything is coming apart at the seams.

A few years ago, I was a guest preacher in a small church. I heard an unusual word from the Holy Spirit. It was a song, not a hymn and not in German.

Everyday, it's a gettin' closer
Goin' faster than a roller coaster
Love like yours will surely come my way

I shared this message in the congregation. The pastor confirmed the word from God. A guest preacher a few years ago had shared a similar prophecy, speaking of a roller coaster.

The song is about a romantic love affair with a woman. The singer falls in love and is enraptured by the acceleration in the new relationship. In the Bible, we see that God loves his people like a faithful man loves his fiancée.

The amazing acceleration of change around us is like a roller-coaster.

In these chaotic times, many shocked people are looking for a return to the old days. Many want to hold on to old traditions.

Some want to avoid the international crisis by restoring the nationalism of the past.

We are overwhelmed by climate change, terrorism and pandemics. In a world where all sorts of storms are raging, many are looking for a safe cosy corner in a religion where everything is well known and no changes are allowed.

We see this in conservative Christian communities, which are strongly characterised by conformism and dogmatism. We see these religious tendencies everywhere and in different denominations, and also in fundamentalism in other religions.

We also see exactly the opposite tendency. There are also churches that want to be modern and tolerant, where everything in the Bible is questioned.

 Everything is like a roller-coaster where we strive to hold on somehow.

The Bible is our anchor and foundation. Only in God's Word do we find eternal, unchanging truth. 

The Bible speaks of a flawless, unchanging God who never deviates from unchanging principles. We need that like never before.

But the Bible is not just a law book or a theological textbook. In the Bible, we find amazing stories where God surprises us again and again with totally unexpected supernatural acts.

God only once allowed the Hebrews to cross the Red Sea on dry seabed.

God only once let a giant be killed by a boy.

We can expect unprecedented global revival in this crisis. We see this in biblical prophecies.

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. Hab 2:14 NIV

Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old.
I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Is 43:18–19 NRSV

We must expect huge surprises and pray for them.

‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ Jer 33:3 NASB95

Overcoming Distractions

 God gives you and me important assignments and sometimes we don't fulfil them.

 Why is that?

I often allow distractions to hold me back. Do you too?

We are so easily distracted by electronic media.

Jesus is our role model. He always lived in communion with the Father. He never allowed himself to be distracted.

Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? What I say to you I do not speak of my own accord: it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his works. Jn 14:10 NJB

If you love Jesus and follow Him, then God Himself lives in you.

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—
the Spirit of truth. ... you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. Jn 14:16–17 NIV

The Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, dwells in us, but we must be attentive.
We must be careful that we listen to Him, that we live in communion with Him, that we are not distracted by our visible environment.

We certainly want to follow Jesus, but in our thoughts we sometimes wander and then we do not listen to the voice of God as we would like.

But Paul exhorts us to train our minds, and we certainly want to do that because we don't want to be failures.

Do not conform yourselves to this world, but be transformed and renew your minds,
that you may prove and discern what is the will of God, what pleases him, what is good and perfect. Romans 12:2

It is so easy to be influenced by negative thoughts.
The internet and worldly media a full of negativity.
If you always eat unhealthy food, you can't be healthy.If you drink a lot of beer or wine several times a day, you can no longer think clearly.

This world is poisonous and we must defend our hearts against it.
We need to let God's word cleanse our hearts. but don’t let bible knowledge be an end in itself.

Jesus said to the Jewish scribes:

You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,
yet you refuse to come to me to have life. Jn 5:39–40 NIV

Bible reading can be learning about God or getting to know God personally.

We need to build ourselves up daily in the Spirit. I thank God that he is so merciful with me and always wants to help me.

God has given me his Holy Spirit and I can pray in the Spirit. Speaking in tongues is not difficult at all and the Holy Spirit then prays with me.

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Jude 20–21 NIV

Paul wrote:

I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 1 Cor 14:18 NIV

If we want to fulfil the tasks that God gives us, we must build ourselves up with God's help.

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;

and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Rom 8:26–27 NASB95

123 Minutes Dead, then Fully Restored

Luca was sitting happily and contentedly with his wife in a restaurant. Suddenly he collapsed. The pain in his kidneys was unbearable.

Shortly afterwards, he was lying on an operating table. The pain was overwhelming, but for the doctors it was apparently a routine operation.

But then his heart stopped.

It was a completely unexpected allergic reaction to medication. His circulation collapsed and he died on the operating table.

As he lay dying, the painful feeling lasted only a moment. Then he was suddenly whisked away somewhere and he met a marvellous being who radiated brilliant light and unconditional love.

Immediately he realised this being was Jesus Christ. Jesus surpassed his imagination. Luca was overwhelmed. He had arrived home and he didn't want to go back.

Meanwhile, his wife Sarah prayed for two hours without ceasing. The doctors warned her to prepare for the worst. Nevertheless, she was completely convinced that God would save her husband.

After 123 minutes, the doctors were astonished when Luke's vital signs returned. 

But when you are clinically dead for two hours and amazingly revived, you don't expect healthy life and normal brain function.

Luca then spent three days in an induced coma. When he woke up, the doctors were amazed that he could speak normally and think clearly.

Some sceptics want to explain away near-death experiences. They spread speculative theories that the dramatic experiences in the afterlife are supposedly just manifestations of brain damage.  

But there are so many people like Luca who not only come back, but can think and speak completely clearly.

Lazarus was friends with Jesus when he died and was dead for four days. When Jesus came to call him back to life, Lazarus' sister was traumatised, but Jesus comforted Martha with these unforgettable words.

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live,
and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” Jn 11:25–26 NAB

Toscani, Gabriel. And then there was light: 35 people, all of whom were clinically dead, tell us what they saw and experienced ‘on the other side’. Some were in paradise, others in hell. (German Edition) . Kindle Edition.

Women not Forbidden to Teach Men

 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.
I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.
For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 1 Ti 2:11–13 NIV

1 Tim 2:11 - 15 The subordination of women in this text is not an eternal law. It is Paul’s response to some women in Ephesus who were teaching heresy.

I urge you, as I did when I was on my way to Macedonia, to remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach any different doctrine,

and not to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies that promote speculations rather than the divine training that is known by faith. 1 Ti 1:3–4 NRSV

Certain people were teaching heresy based on myths and legends.

Some people have deviated from these (genuine love, faith and bible truth) and turned to meaningless talk,
desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make assertions. 1 Ti 1:6–7 NRSV

It is clear to understand here that not all the instructions in 1 Timothy are meant for all Christians in Ephesus and are certainly not meant for all Christians or all women in all times.

The heresy that Paul is correcting is a kind of extreme Gnostic feminism, which elevated women above men.

One aspect of Gnostic teaching was the invention of fables about Adam and Eve. Some of these can be found in 2nd century documents, but the ideas were already prevalent in the later New Testament period.

A common feature of these stories is that Eve is idealised and often appears before Adam.

For Adam was formed first, then Eve;
and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 1 Ti 2:13–14 NRSV

The point of these verses is to refute the false teachings of the early Gnostics.

A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.
I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.
For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 1 Ti 2:11–13 NIV

The dominant woman (or perhaps some dominant women) who was not supposed to teach but to learn humbly was most likely one of the false teachers who spread Gnostic fables.

By the way, the word PERMISSION is a translation of EPITREPEO, a Greek word that always points to situational instructions, never to the commandments or universal laws of God.

For example.

A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. Lk 8:32 NIV

When God’s prophets or apostles declare a universal law or commandment, it never appears only in one bible text. When God declares laws, as in the Ten Commandments, we never find only one bible reference.

Some people refer to Paul’s injunction in 1 Corinthians 14 for women to keep silent in Church, but this too, is addressing a particular situation, in which women were interrupting the service by asking their better educated husbands to explain things.

Clearly, women in Corinth were allowed to speak in appropriate ways.

But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonours her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. 1 Co 11:5 NIV

So women were authorised to prophesy in church, to speak for God as the Holy Spirit inspired them.

Priscilla and her husband were also authorised by Paul to be teachers in Ephesus.

Knowing Jesus. Hearing His Voice

 Jesus did not call people to be passive believers waiting to die and go to heaven.

For Jesus, faith was a strong personal connection with his heavenly Father. He wants you and me to experience nothing less.

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

 Jesus lived his whole life on earth, saturated with the love of his Father and filled with the Holy Spirit of God. He wants nothing less for you and me.

On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.
 
Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. Jn 7:37–39 NIV

He called people to follow Him, to learn from Him, to obey Him, to become like Him, to live in friendship with God as He had just done.

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Jn 8:12 NIV

What does it mean to follow Jesus?

It does not mean travelling to Israel, wearing old-fashioned clothes and preaching in Aramaic.

Nor does it mean fitting in at a church where nothing special happens. With Jesus in Israel, it was never conventional, routine or religious.

God calls you to trust Him as Jesus trusted, to know Him as Jesus knew Him personally.  

God calls you to be full of love for others, loving like Jesus.

God is calling you to hear His voice and recognise and do what He shows you, just like Jesus.

Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Jn 14:10 NIV

You and I are far from living up to this amazing example, but we can grow into Christ.

Follow God's example in everything, for you are his beloved children.

Let your lives be characterised by love, just as Christ loved us, for he gave himself as a gift and sacrifice for our sins...

How did Jesus live on earth?

He was always in communication with his Heavenly Father. He was always open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, in every moment.

I am learning to experience the guidance of the Holy Spirit better and better. This is a learning process for all of us.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. Jn 10:27–28 NIV

Are you not yet travelling with Jesus? You can start now.

Friendship with God

 The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes his covenant known to them. Ps 25:14 NRSV

There are Christians who do not take God's holiness seriously, but they approach Jesus as if he were their mate who should tolerate all their excesses.

Real friendship with God looks very different. Jesus said we must trust God like little children.

A Jewish girl grew up in a strange family. Her parents were active in a conservative orthodox synagogue. Her father behaved like a devout Jew, but at home he was a dogmatic atheist.

This was difficult for the girl to understand, but God had a plan to reveal his love to this girl. The girl had a secret. Even her parents didn't know about it.

This girl had secret conversations with her invisible friend. She believed her friend was God.

In her adolescence, she experienced traumatic disappointments, and she no longer believed in God.

As a teenager, she loved horses, but she experienced a tragic accident. The horse she was riding fell on top of her and crushed her.

She had a near-death experience and her soul left her body. In the heavenly world, she met Jesus, who spoke to her with love. She recognised him as the secret friend from her childhood. When doctors revived her, she remembered her encounter with Jesus, and she firmly believed.

Jesus wants to be your friend, but not your mate, who is comfortable with the bad stuff in your life.

We all have serious faults. God loves you anyway, but he wants to restore and purify your life. He doesn't want to condemn you, but like a real friend or therapist, he wants to help you so that God's image can shine through in you.

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.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Jn 3:16–17 NIV

Failure is not Final

 You failed. Perhaps you tried your best, but you failed.

We are all flawed, even when we want to do the best we can. Then your friendship, your job, your love relationship, your ministry explodes. You can now see how you went wrong.

But something is broken. You are suffering. The people you care about are suffering. What can you do?

We can cry out to God for help. Only God can knit your heart together. Only God can repair broken friendships.

Jesus died to reconcile you with God. He also wants to reconcile you with your neighbour.

Are you now ready to recognise your mistakes? Then God can help you in a marvellous way.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Ps 147:3 NIV

Jesus came to save sinners. No one is excluded. Jesus is also the good shepherd who restores his already saved sheep when they go wrong.

“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? Lk 15:4 NIV

Perhaps you are already a faithful disciple, but you have failed.

You have gone astray, but perhaps not too far. Nevertheless, you are hurt, and you have hurt your friendship or family too. You are devastated, but Jesus loves you no less.

Jesus still remains your good shepherd.

Even if you have truly sinned wilfully, you must know that Jesus wants to give you grace to repent and receive his forgiveness.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 Jn 1:8–9 NIV

Help for the Lonely

 I know a half-blind widow in our neighbourhood. Christian neighbours visit her and help her from time to time. Another neighbour takes her for a walk.

Another neighbour is a very elderly widow. A Christian woman visits her and stays for hours because she is very lonely and depressed.

There are lonely people all around us.

• Many drink because they are lonely.

• Others are addicted to porn because they are lonely.

• Some visit brothels because they are lonely.

• Others become obese because they seek comfort in food, but other people look down on them and they become even lonelier as a result.

• Many men and women desire sex with many partners, but this does not satisfy their loneliness.

Even in the church there are often very lonely Christians. Some pastors have no close friends.
A good pastor knew about a woman who was very active in a large church. She sang in the choir.

One day she went home, took a gun and shot herself.  

There are so many substitutes for real companionship..

There are thirsty people in poor countries who don't have fresh water. They drink dirty water and get sick.

You probably sometimes see a Muslim woman with her head covered. What do you think?
Many Europeans react very unfriendly because they feel they are flooded with unfriendly Muslims.

But Jesus loves these women. They often experience rejection from Europeans or bullying from their husbands. Many are lonely. They need neighbourly love.

Prostitutes are rarely alone, but they are often lonely. They need real kindness.

There are also very rich people who can't buy real friendship with a heap of money.

If you look at all your fellow human beings with God's neighbourly love, God will help you to comfort a lonely person here and there.

In the Bible, lepers were very lonely. They were not allowed to have contact with family or friends. Jesus touched them and healed them.

Jesus said that his disciples must help lonely people with love. Whoever helps a suffering person with God's love helps Jesus himself, because Jesus loves such people.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Mt 25:34–36 NIV

“The King will reply, ‘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

For many people, Christmas is the loneliest time of the year. How can you comfort someone?