Kept by the Power of God

 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy … Colossians 1:11 (NLT) 

If you entrust your life into the loving hands of Jesus, you belong to God. You have chosen to use the faith God gave you to put your daily life and eternal destiny in the hands of the Father.

When you belong to the Son of God, you know you are forgiven. You know you have eternal life. You know you have been taken out of the darkness and transferred to the Kingdom of Light.

God is almighty, and that is very powerful. He uses His power to give strength to His children.
The Greek word for Power is DYNAMIS. The English word Dynamite comes from this Greek word. It makes you think of dramatic miracles, of sudden breakthroughs, of instant healings.

All of this is true.  In the Bible we see Jesus performing miracle after miracle, healing the sick, raising dead bodies to life, walking on water, multiplying bread a thousandfold.

But the Power of God is not only for instant miracles. There is another English word which comes from the Greek word DYNAMIS. That is Dynamo. A dynamo is a device for generating a constant flow of electric power.

Supernatural Gifts Today

 A conservative Bible-believing preacher in Australia was travelling through the country. As he left one village, the local tribal elders waved goodbye to him.

When he drove into the next village forty minutes later, the same tribal elders greeted him. He was driving his car, but they had already arrived using magical powers.

The preacher knew that he had failed as an evangelist. The indigenous people looked down on him because their witchcraft was more powerful than the theological doctrines preached from the pulpit.

The frustrated evangelist went to a charismatic preacher and sought advice. He had come to the conclusion that charismatic gifts of the Spirit are still necessary today.

In the Bible, we repeatedly find spiritual warfare. Sorcerers persecute the believing Jews and, in the New Testament, the Christians, but the prophets and later the apostles prove through miracles that the true God is stronger.

When Moses stood before Pharaoh, he threw his staff on the ground and God turned the staff into a snake. The Egyptian magicians also produced snakes, but Moses' snake swallowed the Egyptian snakes. 

In Acts chapters 2 and 3, God used amazing miracles to bring thousands of Jews to faith. In chapter 2, 120 disciples proclaimed the gospel in various languages they had never learned.

In chapter 3, Peter and John healed a paralysed man in Jesus' name.

In Cyprus, the mission was hindered by an evil sorcerer.

Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 
“You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? 

Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.” Immediately, mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. Acts 13:9–11 NIV

During the Cold War, a faithful Christian wanted to bring a shipment of Bibles to an Eastern European country. At the border, he had to go through customs. The customs officer looked directly into his car, where there was a stack of Bibles, but he could not see any Bibles. 

From the first day of Pentecost, the spread of the gospel was accompanied and confirmed by signs and wonders. God has never ceased to reveal His miraculous power.
 
In our time, millions of Muslims are converting to Christ. 
Numerous Muslims experience or observe miraculous healings in Jesus' name.
Countless Muslims are visited by Jesus in dreams and visions.

What is God's key to opening this seemingly locked door?
Signs and wonders. What is behind them? God's love for lost souls.
How is God's power released in such a wonderful way? The passionate intercession of faithful Christians.

God Speaks in Near Death Experiences

 There is a lot of rubbish on social media and You Tube. So many fakes! But God also speaks in dark and confusing places. 

Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? 
At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; 
beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud: 
“To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. Pr 8:1–4 NIV

God sends his messengers to speak in churches, in prisons, in schools, in businesses,  in hospitals and in social media. 

God speaks through evangelists, doctors, nurses and teachers. 

Some evangelists speak to crowds with microphones. Others pray for strangers in city streets. God sent a prominent German evangelist to visit a brothel to rescue a victim of human trafficking.

Jesus visits brothels, temples and mosques. So many Muslims report seeing Jesus in dreams. There are even reports of men seeing Jesus in a vision in mosques. Many Muslims have become Christians through dreams and visions. 

I love You Tube. The is so much evil there, so many fakes, so much confusion. But … 

... where sin increased, grace increased all the more, Rom 5:20 NIV

In recent decades there has been a dramatic increase in reports of people who have been near death or clinically dead and they have reported supernatural experiences. Many report seeing Jesus. Many describe heaven or hell.

Many Christians believe we are in the last days before Jesus returns. Would not a loving God want to warn people about eternal realities? Wouldn’t God want to reach atheists, criminals, drug addicts and prostitutes before it is too late for them?

Another reason for the increase in these reports is the rapid advances in medical science, which has increased the number of people who have been revived after hear attacks.

So many Christians restrict themselves to Christian gatherings and activities, but Jesus was not like that and he is not like that today.

I have read a dozen books about Near Death Experiences and I love watching interviews and testimonies on You Tube. Please consider watching interviews with Randy Kay and John Burke. 

Randy Kay himself left his body when his heart stopped for 30 minutes. He reports an encounter with Jesus before he returned to his body. In his You Tube channel, he interviews many people who have had similar experiences. Some have been clinically dead for much longer. Some have visited Heaven.

https://www.youtube.com/@RandyKayMinistries/videos

John Burke was a sceptical agnostic before he researched Near Death Experiences. He has interviewed more than a thousand people about their experiences outside their body, including visits to Heaven and seeing Hell. He has written books about these testimonies and shown how they confirm Bible teachings.

You can follow this link to John Burke's podcast where he interviews people who report Near Death Experiences. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YfKmJYfHyI&list=PLllPdD1Oj_72pGRk-sUy4VkA33-vQPdIu 

Some Christians prefer not to look into these things. They may prefer a more intellectual approach. They may want to stick to more familiar, traditional bible teaching. But the Bible encourages us to look into heavenly things.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Col 3:1–2 NIV

Small Steps Great Blessings

 In the past, God raised up outstanding preachers, missionaries and heroes of faith in this world. I think of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Reinhard Bonnke and Billy Graham. 

Evangelists and Bible teachers are still important, but God's purpose is to equip completely unknown and seemingly ordinary people to establish His kingdom in the end times. God wants to work miracles through you and me. 

History books tell us about great generals who won important battles, but who actually fought? The foot soldiers. Without foot soldiers, pilots, technicians or sailors, famous leaders are powerless.

A young Christian began to pray every morning at 6 o'clock in church. Gradually, other Christians came to pray with him. The Holy Spirit began to bless the entire congregation in a wonderful way.
 
A pastor had a desire to evangelise in his town. He wanted to preach on the radio, but he had little money. Someone in his congregation realised that the pastor needed a computer, and he gave the pastor his first computer. Now this preacher has a weekly radio program. 

I was working in the garden recently. I hurt my back. In the middle of the night, I lay awake in bed. I prayed that Jesus would heal my back. I received an impulse from the Holy Spirit. I had to get up and anoint my own back with olive oil in the kitchen. I lay in bed for a few minutes and then obeyed. When I got up in the morning, my back was much better.

An Indian Christian woman had a friend who was Hindu. She invited her friend to attend her church service. The pastor gave the Hindu woman a New Testament and she read a little every evening. One evening, Jesus himself came into her bedroom and spoke to her. Then she was no longer Hindu.

A friendly invitation. A small gift. A wonderful visit from Jesus.

Jesus wants to use your small acts of obedience to save people.

What can you do today or this week? Move forward step by step.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Gal 6:9 NIV

God Cares about All your Problems

God cares about everything in your life. He is thinking about you all the time. 

I have seen amazing answers to prayer. When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, I cried out to God. Years later, my medical specialist said the tumours had not grown and he thought I would probably never need treatment. That is wonderful. Cancer treatment can have very unpleasant side effects.

But what about little things?

I have a weakness in my lower back. I am 76. When I get up in the morning, my back often feels stiff and uncomfortable, even occasionally painful. I often do easy stretching exercises and that helps a lot. 

One night, I was restless all night. My sleep was not peaceful and I woke up with a sore back. When I went to bed the following night, I remembered God’s promises to heal my infirmities. I laid my hand on the sore place and quoted the Bible promise.

“… they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mk 16:18 NRSV

I slept peacefully and next morning my back was much better. After simple stretching exercises, I felt quite comfortable.

If you belong to Jesus, he is interested in everything in your life. He cares about the big problems and also the little problems.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Rom 8:31–32 NKJV

God is Better than you Think

 If you believe in Jesus and trust God with all your heart, you need not fear death.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 
In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? Jn 14:1–2 NRSV

When Lazarus died, his sister was devastated.

“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. Jn 11:21 NIV

Jesus comforted her with the promise that our life does not end with earthly death.

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 
Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jn 11:23–24 NIV

Martha already believed this, but Jesus wanted to reveal something even better to her. 

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 
and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” Jn 11:25–26 ESV

She believed this to some extent, but Jesus wanted to far exceed her expectations.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, Eph 3:20 NKJV

Lazarus had been dead for four days, but Jesus brought him back to life, not just restored, but no longer sick.

No matter how weak your faith may be, Jesus wants to help you.

No matter how strong your faith is, Jesus wants to exceed your expectations.

God is better than you think. 

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

Do We Need Miracles Today?

 Many people hear the Good News of Jesus and believe without being healed supernaturally. When sick believers die, they go to God's heaven, where there is no more sickness.

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

Many years ago, I heard from a friend that an old woman was dying in a hospital in Australia. She was Hungarian and could speak German but not English. With the chaplain's permission, I visited the very old woman to read the Bible to her in German.

So she heard various passages from the Bible, God's promises, the Good News.

My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. Jn 10:27–28 NRSV

One day she was very distracted, suffering from dementia, and looked around in confusion. Was it actually dementia, or was she looking into the spiritual world, as some people do as they approach death?

Then I read her the promise of eternal life.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 
and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” Jn 11:25–26 ESV

It seemed as if she immediately came back from her inner wanderings and she answered strongly, clearly and decisively: “Yes, I firmly believe.”

I did not see her again. The next day I heard that she had died. I was satisfied. I knew she was in heaven.

This woman was a devout Catholic. She already knew that eternal salvation comes from Jesus and can somehow be obtained through faith. She only needed to hear the simple message of God's Word to understand the gospel.

But there are many communists, agnostics, Muslims and Hindus who have no biblical foundation at all, so we cannot lead them to faith so easily. 

Jesus said:

Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” Jn 4:48 NRSV

There are billions of people today who do not believe, and many will only believe when they see or experience miracles. God loves humanists, Muslims, occultists and especially Jews, and He wants to reach them and win them over.

This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, 
who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Ti 2:3–4 NRSV

I know a Jewish woman who converted because she saw Jesus with her natural eyes. 

I know a German woman who looked directly into hell every day for nine months and then converted when Jesus visited her personally and she recognised him by his tangible presence, without seeing him.

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jn 20:29 NIV

But Jesus also wants to reach the millions who cannot be saved without signs and wonders.

What would you think if someone claimed, ‘Many sick people recover without major surgery. We no longer need surgeons.’ Many people believe in Jesus without miracle healings, but others do not believe until they experience miracles. 

There is a theology based on God's sovereignty, in which the love of God is not emphasised.

This often leads to dogmatism, resignation and cold hearts. As a result, many sick people suffer needlessly and many people whom God loves are lost who might otherwise be saved.

God's Heart Burns for You

God only wants the best for every person on earth. God created you for a good purpose, and his purpose is always good.

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Gen 1:27 NIV

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. Gen 1:31 NIV

But the first man and woman messed up God's plan by believing the enemy's lies instead of trusting God.

You and I have also messed up God's plan. We, too, have given in to temptations and believed lies. We have all gone astray.

Nevertheless, God does not love us any less.

If we are not kind and faithful, that cannot change the character of God, because…

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 Jn 4:8 NIV

God is love. He created you because He loves you. He loved you before the creation of the world.

He loved you when you were conceived and when you were born, and he still loves you.

If you were conceived unintentionally in a car or hotel room, you were still wanted by God.

And if you were raised in the worst witchcraft imaginable?

That was nothing but a challenge for God's love, because God's heart burns for you. Nothing can extinguish the fire of his love.

If you were not only abused but also led astray as a child, it was not your fault.
God loves abused children.

In the Bible, we find a man with a terrible past. We don’t know his name.
 
Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.
He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” Mk 5:5–7 NIV

He was so confused that he could not distinguish his own thoughts from the voices of the devils, and he was possessed by hundreds of demons.

But the demons could not resist the command of Jesus. When the demons were gone, he trusted Jesus with all his heart.

For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”
Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” Mk 5:8–9 NIV

Not only was the man freed from the devils, but, amazingly, he was no longer mentally ill.

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Mk 5:18 NIV

Then Jesus said something quite unexpected.

Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” Mk 5:19 NIV

But the man did not just talk to his family.

So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them. Mk 5:20 NLT

Jesus healed a dangerous psychotic man and set him free to evangelise his entire region.

Before this man began preaching, the people demanded that Jesus leave their area.
When Jesus came back, crowds of people came to him. Many were converted.

It may be that you have experienced rejection and bullying for years. Perhaps your life is plagued by illness or depression. Even if you are cursed with witchcraft, sexual abuse or drug addiction, you are still important and valuable in God's eyes.

God wants to give you a future and a new hope.

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

Some Miracles Take a Long Time

 Nowadays, some couples want to live without children. Some women only want to have one or two children. They want to pursue a career first and only try to get pregnant when they are 35. Many then have problems and end up paying a lot of money for artificial insemination.

In the biblical era, it was quite different. A woman was expected to be married, and there was great shame in being childless.

In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.

Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.
But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. Lk 1:5–7 NIV

Elizabeth was old and despite her strong faith and devotion, and her many prayers, she remained childless. Had God forgotten her? She was faithful, but was God not faithful?

But God had a plan for her. She was to be the mother of a great prophet. Her son was John the Baptist.

Sometimes our faith and patience must be tested for years before God can perform a great miracle and give us even greater blessings.

When Moses fled Egypt at 40 years old, he was not a prophet and was not at all ready to rule a nation. After 40 years as a shepherd in the desert, he was able to begin fulfilling his destiny.

Abraham was to be the father of many nations, but he received this promise at about 75 years of age. He had to wait until he was almost 100 years old, and his wife was over 90 before they had their promised son.

Sometimes we see miracles happen very quickly. I know of a family that had a baby who was completely deaf. Before the little boy was 18 months old, he and his mother attended a service where the preacher prayed for him. A week later, he could hear a little, and three months later, he had 100% normal hearing.

When Jesus performed miracle healings in the New Testament, it didn't take long. The sick recovered dramatically. This also happens today, especially in revivals, but there are also healings where the recovery time takes longer, but the healing is still miraculous.

For many years I was a member of a congregation with a wonderful pastor. The pastor became ill. He was very close to death because of cancer, but God healed him. His recovery took quite a long time and afterwards he was never strong, but he lived for more than ten years. His ministry after his healing was even better and more blessed than before.

Before the war, there were no antibiotics. A pastor in England became ill with tuberculosis, which at that time was incurable. The pastor believed in miracle healings and he prayed that God would heal him.

The Holy Spirit promised him that if he would pray two hours each day, God would heal him. He believed and obeyed. He prayed every day and he gradually recovered completely.

In the Bible, we read how devout Jews and Christians somehow, in some mysterious way, received messages from the Holy Spirit. God has not changed. He still speaks. It is part of His nature.

Do you know God's voice? You can learn to listen to God. Ask God to help you. He can heal the deaf ears and also awaken a listening heart in you.

Faith is a Choice

 Faith is a decision.

I cannot trust God without the enabling presence and power of the Holy Spirit. God always wants to help me to trust God, but you must choose to believe and trust.

He speaks to me through testimonies. I hear or read stories of how God has supernaturally helped other people. 

I saw a video on You Tube. An American pastor prayed for hundreds of people suffering from Covid. Almost every person miraculously recovered, even those in intensive care.

Ken Fish Covid Healing

Pastor Ken Fish commanded the spirit of destruction to leave the sick people.

You will not be afraid of the terror by night, Or of the arrow that flies by day;
Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon. Ps 91:5–6 NASB95

We can be strengthened in faith by the spiritual gifts of others, by the testimonies of miracles from others and by putting our trust in the promises of God in the Bible.

Two years ago two members of my family were in bed with Covid, while I cared for them. God protected me and I didn't get sick.

I encourage myself with this memory of God’s protection. I read Psalm 91.

For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.
He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armour and protection. Ps 91:3–4 NLT

A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. Ps 91:7 NKJV

God encourages and enables us to trust in so many ways but in the end, faith is a decision. You must choose to believe and trust.

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. Ps 56:3 NKJV

Christian Love for Muslims

In 2001, two planes were hijacked by Islamic terrorists and destroyed the Twin Towers in New York. Since then, the world has not been the same. Islamic extremists have been engaged in Jihad, religious warfare, both with weapons and propaganda.

Many of us Christians have not known how to respond. I know an ex Muslim from Saudi Arabia to fearlessly shares the Christian gospel with every Muslim he sees.

God sent him to a secular university, where he completed his doctorate. There were many Muslims at that university and every one of them heard the message of Jesus.

One Muslim tried to kill him with poisoned food. A week later he met him and was astonished to find him alive. He had put enough poison in the food to kill a camel.

My Christian friend calmly answered with a promise from the Bible.

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

The Muslim assassin was convinced by the power of God and became a Christian himself.

A Christian girl from England went to a holiday island in Thailand to reach out to people for Jesus. Many Muslims came to faith in Jesus, so other Muslims were determined to kill her.

When she was caught in an ambush, God made her invisible and she quietly walked away.

We must not be intimidated by Muslims. I have met a number of ex Muslims who no longer believe in Islam. Some have become Christians but others are in no-mans-land. They no longer believe in Islam but they are not converted to Christianity.

Some still believe in God and are appreciative if Christians pray for them.

I knew a young Muslim woman who wanted to know more about Christianity. She said her next door neighbour was a Christian who cared for her as if she was her own sister. They were both refugees and spoke the same language.

This woman asked me to help her learn more about Christianity, so I went to a Christian bookshop and bought a cassette tape with a reading of Mark’s Gospel in Persian.

If you are friendly with Muslims, you may be surprised to find how many are open to Christian love and truth.

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

Millions of Muslims are becoming Christians today. How is this happening?

Christian TV, friendship and love from Christians, miracle healings, supernatural dreams in which they encounter Jesus.

Pray for Muslims and don’t be afraid.

God is calling Failures. Start again.

 Perhaps you have failed and lost all hope.

Perhaps you have dared to do something for God, but you have failed, or other Christians have betrayed you. Maybe you are disappointed with your marriage or with your children. That really hurts.

But right now, God wants you to know that He still has a purpose for your life.

God wants to restore his disappointed children. God will transform failures in this season to do great things by His grace.

HERMANN ZAISS

Hermann Zaiss (1889 - 1958) was an outstanding German evangelist.

In 1924 he suffered terrible disappointments. His wife suffered a total nervous breakdown and became chronically mentally ill.

His marriage failed and he was misunderstood by Christian congregations and condemned by many.

He was so traumatised that he gave in to despair and told God he wanted nothing more to do with Him. But after 20 years, God would call him again if it would please God.

In the meantime, he remarried and God called his new wife to a living faith.

During the Second World War, they suffered bombing raids from the British and Americans. His wife wanted to start a Bible study group, but he didn't want to.

Then in 1944, exactly 20 years after leaving God, he and his wife knelt together and gave their lives to God's service.

They started a Bible study group that became a church of 120 and then a group of 250 after the war.

People from all over Germany and other countries came and experienced miraculous healings.

A German Jew in the British Army of Occupation came to faith and his hatred of Germany was transformed into a deep love.

A fanatical SS officer was transformed and he became friends with the newly converted Jew.

If you are disappointed with your life, let Jesus take on your disappointments.

He suffered and died on the cross to save you from your disappointment.

Jesus stands by your side now and he calls you as he once called Peter, Peter the failure who became Peter the apostle.

… fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Heb 12:2–3 NIV

God Gives a New Heart

Why do we find so many Bible verses that speak of the heart? Modern science sees the heart as a fleshy blood pump, and it is.

But for about 60 years, many people have received a new heart through transplantation. In some cases, we read about patients who have experienced dramatic personality changes with their new blood pump.

A white factory worker in America got a new heart and started whistling classical music and befriending black colleagues. His new heart came from a 17-year-old black boy who was a talented violinist and studied classical music.

After her heart transplant, one girl had terrible nightmares. She saw a man coming into her bedroom through the window and attacking her. She was able to describe the man exactly.

It turned out that her heart came from a girl of the same age. This girl died when a man attacked her in her bedroom. The exact description of the man in the dreams enabled the police to find the murderer.

In your fleshy blood pump there is also a nerve centre, a kind of second brain. Your heart is closely connected to your soul and spirit and also to the computer in your head, that is, to your brain.

What did Jesus say?

But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.
For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. Mt 15:18–19 NIV

People who lead a bad life can have very hard hearts.

Jesus can give the very worst people a new heart.

After the war, some of the worst Nazi criminals were executed by the Allies.
The civilised Americans provided good German-speaking chaplains as pastors.

Some Nazis repented and died as forgiven sinners. Hitler's foreign minister, Von Ribbentrop, spoke to his wife shortly before his execution and pleaded from the bottom of his heart that their children should be brought up as Christians.

Many have deeply wounded hearts. A broken heart can be open to God's love. We must not judge anyone.

God loves all whose hearts are broken, whether they are good or bad.

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

God wants to give you a new heart, that is, a new character. He wants to heal you and purify your life inwardly. Why? Because he loves you.

End Time Revival or Falling Away

 Falling away or revival? What is coming?

The end times have come. Israel is once again in Jewish hands, but besieged by enemies, just as in the prophetic writings.

In Europe, we have long seen the fall of Christian civilisation.

The French Revolution was not just a revolt against monarchy and aristocracy. It was a furious rebellion against the Catholic Church and against God himself.

The ideology of Voltaire and the anti-Christian philosophers in France also had a profound influence in other countries, including the Enlightenment in Germany and Switzerland.

Humanist philosophy and theology appeared in Germany. The Bible was no longer understood as the word of God. Everything was questioned.

Today, many Bible-believing Christians are indignant that their children are taught to reject traditional sexual morals and to believe all religions are equally valid.

Even among supposedly Bible-believing Christians, we find many who see sex before marriage as perfectly normal and don't want to wait for marriage themselves.

Many claim that this is the fulfilment of Jesus' prophecy, and they are right.

And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. Mt 24:12 NRSV

We see this fulfilled. This is the great falling away.

But then we hear a completely different message, that a great revival is coming and is already underway in many countries and regions of the world.

But that cannot be! The Word does not speak of revival, but of apostasy, and this is confirmed before our eyes every day.

But in China, Indonesia, South Korea, South America and all over Africa, tens of millions are turning to Jesus. We hear amazing stories of miraculous healings and even corpses being called back to life.

How can this be? Some see it all as a demonic counterfeit.

And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Mt 24:11 NLT

But the Bible also tells us that people from all nations, all tribes and all countries will come into God's kingdom.

And they sang a new song,  ... with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. Rev 5:9 NIV

How does this massive crowd of people from every nation come to Jesus?

Let's take an example.

But how do millions of Muslims all over the world come to Jesus in our time?

Millions of faithful Christians pray earnestly and fervently from the heart.
God answers these prayers and millions of Muslims experience visitations from Jesus in dreams and visions.

I met a Christian woman in Germany. She was a Muslim from Iran. Then she experienced a visitation from Jesus in a dream. Eight years later she converted to Jesus.

Countless Muslims see or experience miraculous healings. Not only Reinhard Bonnke, but many others have preached in Africa and released God's power for miraculous healings.

There are more Muslims in Indonesia than in Iran, Pakistan or Arab nations, but there are also millions of faithful Christians in Indonesia.

In Indonesia, Christian evangelists are allowed to preach, but they are not allowed to evangelise Muslims. Many sick people experience miraculous healings and Muslims come to be healed. As a result, many Muslims are converted to Christ, in Indonesia as well as in Africa.

Without evangelism with miraculous healings, countless Muslims would never be converted.

Faithful Christians love Muslims with kindness, prayer and practical help. I know this from personal experience.

Some Muslims are challenged to read the Bible for themselves and they are converted through God's Word.

God's kingdom does not only spread through method A, B, C or D.

It is about prayer, preaching, kindness, miraculous healings, practical help, reading the Bible, dreams and visions, evangelising through the internet and satellite TV, and, and, and, and ...

We must believe, love, pray, help, and not limit God.

Escape from Prostitution

 A woman from a poor country flies to Germany, where she expects to earn money for her family in a decent job.
 
Then she is shocked. She is a prisoner, drugged, raped again and again, enslaved as a prostitute.

The ancient Greeks wrote tragic dramas in which we see that there are such hopeless situations in life where no happy ending seems possible.
 
But this woman was saved by a miracle.

God spoke to a German preacher and told him to visit a brothel. There he found this enslaved woman. With God's help, she was saved and freed. God answered her desperate prayers.

How many prostitutes are crying out to God for deliverance?

I know wonderful Christian women in Germany who visit brothels to help the women. In one year, they helped four women to escape from forced prostitution.

There are situations where people have no hope even in this life, but Jesus can totally transform such lives and turn hopeless destinies around completely.

I can also say that from my own experience.

In my own family, I have seen how my mother and grandmother found peace with God through Jesus on their deathbeds.

I once knew a little boy who was totally deaf and was completely healed through prayer within a few weeks.

I have seen so many miracles.

• Maybe someone has betrayed you.

• Maybe you have been betrayed in your family life or in the church.

• Maybe you've heard the false teaching that you can't expect miracles these days.

If we want to receive God's miraculous help, we must dare to hope again.
 
From this hope, miracle-working faith can arise in your heart, the faith that we can only receive from God as a gift.

God can transform dark situations with his light.

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

It is possible to be imprisoned, but not by iron bars, but by darkness through which you cannot see to find the only open door.

‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ Jer 33:3 NIV

Love Your Enemies

 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  Mt 5:43–44 NIV

It goes against our human nature, but this is what Jesus taught.

But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; Mt 5:39 NRSV

If you are a Christian, then hatred and revenge are strictly forbidden.

Some Christians want to obey these commands to such an extreme that they become pacifists. But are victims of bullying or violence not allowed to defend themselves? If you see a weak person being attacked or abused, should you just stand by and pray? Does a Christian, as some claim, have no rights?

When Paul cast a demon out of a fortune teller, he and his partner Silas were beaten and thrown into prison.

How did he react?

So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.
Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Acts 16:24–25 NLT

No matter what happens to you, your love for God must never diminish. Anyone who blames God for injustice makes their situation even worse.

And how did God react?

Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! Acts 16:26 NLT

I know an ex-Muslim from Arabia who registered in Jordan as a persecuted refugee. The Muslim UN officials did not want to let him move to Australia as a refugee. As he sat in a UN office, an official was on the verge of rejecting his application, but then God intervened.

God sent an earth tremor. The building began to shake. The officials were shaken. They sensed that God was at work. Suddenly the official said, ‘Application approved,’ and she stamped the visa application.

How did Paul react when he was released by the Holy Spirit?

The jailer thought the prisoners had escaped and he wanted to kill himself, but Paul loved his enemies.

But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!” 

The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.
Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.”
And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. Acts 16:28–32 NLT

Some Christians claim that a Christian should have no rights, but this is not the case.

When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.”
The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.”

But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.” Acts 16:35–37 NIV

Victims of bullying and abuse often make one of two mistakes.

Some learn to passively accept abuse and see themselves as inferior victims. Many sexually abused girls, but also boys, become prostitutes.

Then there are others who seek justice or revenge with hatred and anger. It is not a mistake to seek justice, but we must learn, like Jesus and Paul, to love our enemies.

You Need Help to Pray

 Do you pray again and again for healing, for months or years? You experience breakthroughs but then also relapses.

I experienced a complete nervous breakdown many years ago. My recovery took a long time, but I am grateful that I never gave up.

I know I exercised my free will by never giving up, but without God's grace and the faithful prayers of others, I would have been permanently ruined.

I know Christians with special gifts of faith. They pray for the seriously ill and disabled and they are instantly or miraculously healed.

I was there when a completely deaf toddler was prayed for. A week later I was there when he heard a voice for the first time in his life and visibly responded.

I know an ex-Muslim from Arabia who was a missionary for Jesus. An Arab gave him something to eat. A week later, the same Arab Muslim met him. He was amazed that the Christian Arab was still alive. He had put enough poison in the food to kill a camel.

Are you a father or a mother, a husband or a wife? Or are you a counsellor or therapist? You pray for weeks, months, years for someone who is seriously hurt or abused. This person is not a believer or is very weak in faith. You see God answer your prayers, but then you keep seeing relapses.

You ask yourself and also pray to God:
How long can I expend my energy to keep praying and expecting a miracle?  

You need help yourself. You cannot support your son or daughter on your own. Ultimately, only God can save, but how can you keep praying when your tank is empty?

What have I learnt in hard trials?

I find help in the Psalms. This is the prayer book of the Bible. I choose a psalm that meets my need and pray the verses of that psalm as a prayer for myself or for someone who is in deep need.

I love Psalm 3, Psalm 56, 57, 91 and 121. There are many others that can help you.

Please never give up. God is with you and your family.

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by.

I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me. Ps 57:1–2 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?

When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell.
Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident. Ps 27:1–3 NKJV

The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Ps 121:7–8 NIV