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The Good Seed Daily Devotional for 2024

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Tuesday, December 31, 2024 This verse provides good consolation which... The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me? Hebrews 13:6 This verse provides good consolation which should encourage us in many situations. Yes, reasons for fear are manifold, because people around us are not always kindly disposed towards us. We are speaking of the cases in which we haven’t given them a reason to deal with us in an unfriendly way – and there are plenty of those! Maybe colleagues or neighbours envy us, or we are defamed and threatened. Who has never experienced the little pinpricks from others which can hurt us so painfully! And what if one of our relatives or friends...More Monday, December 30, 2024 Death O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? 1 Corinthians 15:55 Death An old man living in a retirement home once read a small biblical leaflet entitled “Death – the gateway to eternity”. As he believed in the Lord Jesus, this subject was interesting to him. After having read the tract, he lent it to a fellow resident. After some time, the latter asked the believing man if he could keep it. He was, as he said, captivated by its contents. Death is a subject that occupies many people. Those in their aging years are inevitably confronted with it. Many also have a...More Sunday, December 29, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (170) Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. John 17:17–19 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (170) The Son of God as man on earth prays to His Father. His requests predominantly concern the lives of His disciples, whom He would leave here in this world. They were to be preserved from evil. More than that, the heavenly Father was to sanctify them through the truth. The disciples were to be completely consecrated to God and in this manner live...More Saturday, December 28, 2024 The Christian’s blessing Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Ephesians 1:3 The Christian’s blessing All who believe in the Lord Jesus are richly blessed. Today’s Bible verse makes this clear to us: 1. The source of blessing is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In eternity, He made a plan to have people close to Him who are suited to Him and are in a happy relationship with Him. Thus, the Christian blessing springs from the heart of God. This gives it a high value. 2. This blessing...More Friday, December 27, 2024 Deception or reality? They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him. Titus 1:16 Deception or reality? Some people believe in a God who made the origin of life possible and now directs the destiny of the world. But they do not feel responsible to Him. They behave as if there were no God to whom they are accountable. Others go to church from time to time because they profess the Christian faith. They rejoice in the Christmas story and participate in Easter services. But they don’t think they need the Saviour who was born in Bethlehem and died for them on the cross. Such...More Thursday, December 26, 2024 The Man of Sorrows And one will say to him, What are these wounds between your arms? Then he will answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. Zechariah 13:6 The Man of Sorrows With touching words, the prophet Zechariah expresses the suffering of the Saviour. Jesus Christ came to earth out of love for lost people, to seek and to save them. But their response to His divine love was only hatred and rejection. Especially at the end of His life, He experienced how they inflicted physical and spiritual wounds on Him because of this. After His interrogation before the high priest, we read,...More Wednesday, December 25, 2024 The child in the manger And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. Luke 2:12 The child in the manger On the night in which Jesus was born in Bethlehem, some shepherds were watching over their sheep in the field. An angel came to them and told them of the Saviour’s birth. They would find Him as a newborn baby – wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Immediately the shepherds set out to see the child. This child in the manger was God’s Son who had become man to reveal divine grace on earth. There was no room for Him in the inn, for...More Tuesday, December 24, 2024 God gave us the Redeemer But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman. Galatians 4:4 God gave us the Redeemer About 1,500 years after the creation of man and after his fall into sin, the Bible records that God judges him: “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). Another 1,500 years later, David confirms this divine judgment on man, “The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. They...More Monday, December 23, 2024 Because no one can serve two... No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Matthew 6:24 Because no one can serve two masters, when soccer player Mark Uth was loaned from Schalke 04 to 1. FC Köln a few years ago, he was not allowed to play against his own club. Because no one can serve two masters, many parents struggle with the balancing act between child and career – between day care and the workplace. Because no one can serve two masters, “the secondary activities of civil servants...More Sunday, December 22, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (169) I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. John 17:14–16 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (169) Jesus’ care for His disciples was unique. During the three and a half years they were together, He had kept them and protected them. He had taken special care of their hearts. In addition, He had also given them “His word” – the word from the Father and...More Saturday, December 21, 2024 My friend’s homeland is in the... Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 My friend’s homeland is in the Middle East. A few decades ago, there was no electric lighting there and of course no flashlights, at least not in the small village where he spent his childhood. People had to make do with small oil lamps, as in biblical times. And these literally illuminated only the feet, that is, a step’s distance. The paths there were littered with humps, ruts and other obstacles. We can therefore imagine how necessary the lamp was when people had to go out late in the evening. The connection to today’s verse is...More Friday, December 20, 2024 Believe in Me! Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. John 14:1 Believe in Me! The Lord Jesus had made known to His disciples that Judas would betray Him and Peter would deny Him. He had also informed them of His return to heaven. The exposure of the betrayer, the announcement of such a denial, and especially the great loss caused by the departure of their Master, all weighed heavily on the disciples’ minds. The impending events cast dark shadows on their hearts, so that they were grieved and confused. Understandingly, Jesus Christ addressed their distress: “Let...More Thursday, December 19, 2024 The prize before our eyes And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 1 Corinthians 9:25 The prize before our eyes Justin is different from his schoolmates. On the school trip, he goes to bed early. In the morning, he gets up an hour before the others. To do what? To walk several kilometres through the forest. Alcohol and cigarettes are not an issue for him. He also does without many other things voluntarily. Justin is a competitive athlete. He has a goal in mind. He wants to get better and better as an...More Wednesday, December 18, 2024 Seize the opportunity! And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David! Matthew 20:30 Seize the opportunity! What would have happened if the two blind men had not cried out for mercy when Jesus passed them by? How would their lives have continued if they had allowed themselves to be silenced by the crowd? These blind men didn’t know whether Jesus Christ would pass by them again. For them it was now or never! That is why they persisted and cried out for mercy until the Saviour called them to Himself and made them...More Tuesday, December 17, 2024 With a private fortune estimated at... For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9 With a private fortune estimated at $20 billion, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah is considered the second richest monarch and one of the richest men in the world. As head of state of Brunei on the island of Borneo, he resides in the largest palace on earth with 1,800 rooms and a living space of 200,000 square metres. The sultan owns numerous properties around the world, several of them in England. Once he bought a house in Surrey,...More Monday, December 16, 2024 We were on the road in the drug and red... All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 We were on the road in the drug and red light district of a large German city and wanted to reach the people there with the gospel, to tell them that there is one who loves them and who died for them: Jesus Christ. To get into conversation with them, we had small gifts with us. Three weeks later, when we were there talking to the bouncer of a bar, he asked us if he could exchange his gift for another one. He explained to us, “Previously I was given a lighter with the Bible verse on it, ‘All have sinned and fall short of the glory...More Sunday, December 15, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (168) Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. John 17:11–13 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (168) Jesus was about to return to the Father in heaven. His disciples would be left behind in this world full of dangers. Hence the Lord’s request to...More Saturday, December 14, 2024 In Thessalonica, today’s Salonika, the apostle... Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed – in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. 1 Corinthians 15:51–52 In Thessalonica, today’s Salonika, the apostle Paul stopped twice. He preached there in the synagogue. Quite a few Jews, but also Greeks, came to faith. Later, Paul wrote two letters to this young church. In the first letter, Paul addresses a burning question of the Thessalonians. Surely the apostle had spoken to them of the Christian hope, which Jesus Himself described thus: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will...More Friday, December 13, 2024 The Christian hope For we were saved in this hope. Romans 8:24 The Christian hope We walk the journey of faith with the hope in our hearts that we will soon be with our Saviour in heaven. He has promised us: “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:3). This joyful expectation is based on the “God of hope” (Romans 15:13), who is almighty and will carry out everything according to His plan. Therefore, our hope is firm and sure. It is described in the Bible with various characteristics: We possess a living hope...More Thursday, December 12, 2024 God is love In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 1 John 4:9 God is love The devil tries to make people believe that God doesn’t love them. We see this right from the beginning in the Garden of Eden when he sowed doubts about God’s love in Eve’s heart. He persuaded her that the Creator would withhold something from people if He didn’t allow them to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This lie of the devil was exposed about 2,000 years ago. At that time, God sent His only Son...More Wednesday, December 11, 2024 Serve and wait How you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven. 1 Thessalonians 1:9–10 Serve and wait From the young Christians of Thessalonica, we learn what a balanced life of faith is. They had turned to God to serve Him and to wait for His Son Jesus Christ. o By “serve” it means placing our lives entirely at God’s disposal. Whether we are at work, doing chores around the house or on the road, we want to do everything for the living and true God with whom we have a happy relationship of faith. In doing so, we give Him a response...More Tuesday, December 10, 2024 An Italian journalist in Iraq had just been... I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. John 10:11; Romans 5:6 An Italian journalist in Iraq had just been released from hostage detention. She was on her way to the airport with an intelligence agent who had been instrumental in her release. Suddenly, just 700 metres from their destination, they came under heavy fire. In a flash, the agent threw himself over the journalist to shield her from the bullets with his body. He was fatally hit but she escaped with her life. This...More Monday, December 9, 2024 The politician’s conscience These … show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them. Romans 2:15 The politician’s conscience The party leader thought she could solve the post-election stalemate quite pragmatically. Despite all her protestations to the contrary during the election campaign, she planned to be elected prime minister with the votes of an unwelcome rival party. However, she was not able to count on the support of a member of her own parliamentary group, who refused to follow her and didn’t want to...More Sunday, December 8, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (167) I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. John 17:9–11 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (167) In these verses we learn why the Lord prays for His disciples. He Himself had been with them for more than three years and had cared for them in love. But now a far-reaching change was to take place: He would go to the Father and physically no longer be in this world. But one thing remains...More Saturday, December 7, 2024 It is amazing what answers you can get when... And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Saviour of the world. 1 John 4:14 It is amazing what answers you can get when you confront people with the message of the Bible. I offer an elderly lady a Christian brochure and briefly explain its contents. Her hand hesitates. “I have my faith and I also go to church.” – “May I ask you who Jesus Christ is to you?” – At that, she looks at me rather uncomprehendingly and replies, “I’ve never really thought about it.” Isn’t that staggering? This woman was quite religious – how often she will have heard...More Friday, December 6, 2024 Many of our readers probably know this... Then Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do. Luke 23:34 Many of our readers probably know this saying of the Lord Jesus Christ. But have we ever been aware of the circumstances under which He uttered these words? There He hung on the cross, bleeding from His wounds, tormented by raging pain and burning thirst. And around the place of execution stood the soldiers who had just driven the nails through His hands and feet. Perhaps they had done it with professional callousness, to the laughter of their hardened comrades. Moreover, the Bible records the biting derision of...More Thursday, December 5, 2024 These verses introduce the Gospel according to... Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, … it seemed good to me also … to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus. Luke 1:1–3 These verses introduce the Gospel according to Luke. At the time of its writing, there were probably already several accounts of the life and death of Jesus. But why does Luke’s account of all things find its way into the Bible and the others do not? They were not considered by the first Christians to be inspired by God, since they did not refer to the direct testimony of the apostles....More Wednesday, December 4, 2024 Acknowledging our own wrongs If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 Acknowledging our own wrongs “Mistakes were made.” With this sentence, the manager began his statement on illegal business dealings in which his company was involved. He appeared contrite, but distanced himself from the accusation that he had personally done something wrong. Some mistakes are really just mistakes: you forget a meeting appointment, accidentally take the wrong coat from the coat rack or address an acquaintance by the wrong name. But there are...More Tuesday, December 3, 2024 Overcoming fear The troubles of my heart have enlarged; bring me out of my distresses! Psalm 25:17 Overcoming fear Fears accompany us throughout life. On the one hand this is good, because they make us cautious and protect us from things that might harm us. On the other hand, they paralyse us: we don’t do something because we are afraid of making a mistake. When David was on the run for years, fear was constantly breathing down his neck. The disciples of the Lord Jesus were afraid to follow Him. Paul had many an inner fear in his ministry. How can we cope with our fears? Closeness to the...More Monday, December 2, 2024 Stand still for once But when he came to himself, he said, How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger. Luke 15:17 Stand still for once In our time, Satan, the great adversary of God, does everything he can to prevent us from “coming to ourselves”. We all know it only too well: hectic days at work, at school and at home. And in our free time? We are constantly on the move or looking for distraction. At home or elsewhere, life is a merry-go-round: we are always on the go. Listen: do yourself a favour and stop this merry-go-round! Retreat to a place...More Sunday, December 1, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (166) I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me. John 17:6–8 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (166) The first and very special request of the Lord Jesus in His prayer is that the Father be glorified (vv. 1?5). Before He expresses further requests with...More Saturday, November 30, 2024 “Everyone practising evil”... Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practising evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. Walk as children of light. John 3:19–20; Ephesians 5:8 “Everyone practising evil” – here we must think not only of bad vices and gross crimes. This concerns all people who reject God and His light in their lives. Outwardly they may lead a blameless life, which in some respects is even exemplary. But deep down, every one of us has areas that we would rather keep to ourselves. Guilt and sin always bring...More Friday, November 29, 2024 An amazing situation: A man takes... Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them: … Mark 9:36 An amazing situation: A man takes a child and places it in the middle of the twelve men who accompany Him. Then He bends down and takes the child in His arms. It is Jesus! What love the Saviour of the world brings to this child! The child will certainly not have been frightened. Perhaps it is surprised at first, but it does not run away. It allows itself be embraced by this man: a moving scene. To be “hugged” by one of our loved ones or by a friend does us good....More Thursday, November 28, 2024 Sometimes you are in danger and... Sing to the Lord, bless His name; proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Psalm 96:2 Sometimes you are in danger and don’t know it – and you are rescued and forget it again! September 2011. It has been pouring with rain for days. Small rivulets have become dangerous streams pouring into the Rhine River. An Intercity train is travelling on the railroad line near St. Goar. Suddenly, masses of rock from a landslide pile up in front of the locomotive. The locomotive driver cannot brake fast enough and drives into the debris. The heavy electric locomotive is forced off the track and...More Wednesday, November 27, 2024 Don’t follow him! Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god. John 6:68; Psalm 16:4 Don’t follow him! Do you know the legend of the flute player who freed the town of Hamelin from the plague of rats? When he didn’t receive the promised reward, he lured the children out of the town with the mysterious fascination of his flute music and kidnapped them to a far away place. Like this Pied Piper of Hamelin, God’s adversary the devil does the same. He knows how to influence people, and he starts with children. A...More Tuesday, November 26, 2024 During my youth we lived in the... He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. John 11:25 During my youth we lived in the country. We had a beautiful garden with a stream running by. One day a boy and a girl passed by on the other side. I saw the little girl pull some watercress out of the ground by the roots and throw it into the water, and I heard her say, “They’re coming back to life and starting to grow.” – “What?” exclaimed the boy, shaking his head, “They’re going to come back to life? Just think about it: once you die will you come back to life?” This little conversation puzzled me. I had been...More Tuesday, November 26, 2024 During my youth we lived in the... He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. John 11:25 During my youth we lived in the country. We had a beautiful garden with a stream running by. One day a boy and a girl passed by on the other side. I saw the little girl pull some watercress out of the ground by the roots and throw it into the water, and I heard her say, “They’re coming back to life and starting to grow.” – “What?” exclaimed the boy, shaking his head, “They’re going to come back to life? Just think about it: once you die will you come back to life?” This little conversation puzzled me. I had been...More Monday, November 25, 2024 Good medicine I know, O Lord, that … in faithfulness You have afflicted me. How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:75, 103 Good medicine A lady who often struggled with melancholy finally decided to see a respected doctor. This man had an excellent knowledge of human nature. He asked her a series of questions, noted the answers, and observed her thoughtfully. Then he thought he had identified her particular problem. Without prescribing anything for her, he stood up and said, “From today on, please read your Bible for an hour every evening. Then after a...More Sunday, November 24, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (165) And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. John 17:3–5 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (165) The first request of this remarkable prayer, which Jesus as the Son of God addresses to the Father, is, “Glorify Your Son...”. It all comes under the banner of God the Father being honoured. And He is honoured in that Jesus Christ gives...More Saturday, November 23, 2024 What do we take with us? As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, to go as he came; and he shall take nothing from his labour which he may carry away in his hand. Ecclesiastes 5:15 What do we take with us? Man brings nothing into the world at birth. But then he begins to acquire some things. Even children collect treasures that are valuable to them. Later, more and more possessions are added. Often much effort is expended to acquire these riches. When a person dies, he cannot take any of it with him. His last shirt has no pockets. He has to leave behind everything he has accumulated for...More Friday, November 22, 2024 Animals that obeyed God For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are Mine. Psalm 50:10–11 Animals that obeyed God Sven is sitting at the table doing his homework. He can’t concentrate because a fly keeps buzzing around his head. Annoyed, he shoos it away and tries to chase it out the window. But the fly doesn’t obey him ... It is different with God, the Creator. All animals obey him. The Bible tells us how they have to carry out what He tells them to do, sometimes even against their natural...More Thursday, November 21, 2024 Jesus Christ – the Saviour We ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world. John 4:42 Jesus Christ – the Saviour Everything will ultimately be determined with reference to Jesus Christ. He is the Saviour who can free people from their guilt and bring them into a happy relationship with God. But many people, while admitting their guilt before God, do not want to accept that the way to heaven leads only through Jesus Christ. They see in Him a great teacher who preached high morals or a kind benefactor who helped people. They believe that He died on the...More Wednesday, November 20, 2024 A word to parents And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. Luke 1:6 A word to parents In today’s Bible passage, we are introduced to Zacharias and Elizabeth. They were the parents of John the Baptist. The first thing that stands out is that they were in agreement with each other in their marriage and were therefore able to fulfil their task as parents together. What is said of Zacharias and Elizabeth is a prerequisite for the upbringing of children. 1. They were righteous before God. This is not about the fact that...More Tuesday, November 19, 2024 A word to children Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Ephesians 6:1 A word to children God wants to speak to children. He does it through His Word. That is why it is good when children start reading their own Bible at an early age. They can then experience God speaking to them personally. With regard to family life, He has a word that directly concerns them: “Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord” (Colossians 3:20). A Christian once paraphrased the obedience of children thus: first gladly, secondly immediately, thirdly wholly. In the...More Monday, November 18, 2024 God sees and judges everything And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13 God sees and judges everything A few years ago, a survey revealed that 245 million surveillance cameras are installed worldwide and their number is increasing by 15 per cent every year. Alongside this, people take countless pictures and videos with their smartphones day after day to record the events of their lives. Whether we rejoice in the increasing security or lament the dwindling privacy, we live in a world where cameras are everywhere. In...More Sunday, November 17, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (164) Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. John 17:1–2 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (164) There is hardly a chapter in the Bible that contains such depth and fullness as the 17th chapter of the Gospel of John. Jesus, the Son of God, is about to leave this world and go back to His Father in heaven. He had carefully and at the same time lovingly prepared His disciples for this. But...More Saturday, November 16, 2024 A wonderful invitation! Everyone can... The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. John 6:37 A wonderful invitation! Everyone can and may come ? no one is turned away. Jesus Christ invites people to Himself, invites all to come to Him. And whoever comes can be sure that he will be welcomed and accepted. The CEO comes along with the intern, the teacher with the student, the pensioner alongside the young person, and the respectable citizen beside the prisoner. They come from all walks of life and cultures, and from all age groups. A diverse society! All have one direction, one goal: toward Jesus Christ. There are no entry...More Friday, November 15, 2024 Telling others about the Saviour Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you. Luke 8:39 Telling others about the Saviour In Gadara, the Saviour met a man who was possessed by many evil spirits. With divine power He freed this man from Satan’s slavery. Before Jesus Christ left the area again, He instructed this redeemed man, “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” Doesn’t this instruction of the Lord apply to all whom He has redeemed from the power of the devil and saved from eternal death? Isn’t the grace experienced reason enough for everyone...More Thursday, November 14, 2024 Incentive to pray O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob. Psalm 84:8 Incentive to pray The Psalms contain many incentives to pray. David recommends to us in Psalm 62:8, “Pour out your heart before Him! God is a refuge for us.” In Psalm 120:1, a believer speaks of his experience with God: “In my distress I cried to the Lord, and He heard me.” Such examples of people of faith who have cried out to God and received an answer encourage us to pray to Him with confidence and bring Him our concerns. Today’s verse from the psalms mentions three names of God that motivate...More Wednesday, November 13, 2024 The mudslide Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O Lord, You preserve man and beast. Psalm 36:6 The mudslide Six hundred inhabitants of a mountain village in Mexico owe their lives to the attention of their animals. They had apparently sensed the approaching disaster and fled. Then the owners followed them, while the village behind them was buried under a devastating mudslide. Almost all the inhabitants managed to escape to safety. Animals have instincts for protection given to them by the Creator. Without this flight reflex, they would be helpless in the...More Tuesday, November 12, 2024 The Fall of Man (2) In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread. Genesis 3:19 The Fall of Man (2) Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden resulted in far-reaching negative consequences for all human beings. Both believers and unbelievers suffer the general consequences of the fall. These are therefore not a punishment for an individual’s sins. To Eve God said: “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; in pain you shall bring forth children” (Genesis 3:16). Every mother knows that pregnancy and the birth of a child are associated with great discomfort. Faithful women are...More Monday, November 11, 2024 The Fall of Man (1) She took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:6 The Fall of Man (1) God planted a garden in Eden where all kinds of trees grew with delicious and tasty fruit. In this garden lived the first human beings. To test their obedience, God gave Adam and Eve a commandment: “Of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat” (Genesis 2:17). The serpent, the form that the devil took, tempted the woman to eat of the forbidden fruit. When Eve gave her husband some of this fruit he also ate of it. Because of this disobedience their...More Sunday, November 10, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (163) Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:32–33 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (163) When it came to His death, Jesus had to tell His disciples that they could not follow Him now. Peter raised an objection: he wanted to lay down his life for Him. But the Lord knew Peter better than Peter knew himself. And the...More Saturday, November 9, 2024 O eyes that are weary and... I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust. Psalm 91:2 O eyes that are weary and hearts that are sore, Look off unto Jesus, and sorrow no more; The light of His countenance always shines bright— On earth as in heaven there need be no night. Looking off unto Jesus, my eyes cannot see The troubles and dangers that crowd around me; The cannot be blinded with sorrowful tears; They cannot be shadowed with unholy fears. Looking off unto Jesus, my spirit is blessed; In the world I have turmoil, in Him I have rest. The sea...More Friday, November 8, 2024 The noble young Israelite Daniel is... Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And … he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. Daniel 6:10 The noble young Israelite Daniel is brought to Babylon as a prisoner by King Nebuchadnezzar. The king has him trained with several companions for service at his court. Later, through his God-given ability to interpret dreams, Daniel reaches a very high position in the Babylonian Empire. Also under the king’s successor, Persian King Darius, Daniel again holds a high office. When Darius wants to give...More Thursday, November 7, 2024 His mother’s Bible Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life. I am Yours, save me. Psalm 119:92–94 His mother’s Bible It was August 1944. A long line of political prisoners stood in the reception area of a concentration camp. They had to hand over all their personal belongings. One of the prisoners, however, wanted to keep the Bible his mother had given him when he left. At a desk, his name, age and address were recorded. Then he had to sign the document. He calmly put the Bible on the table...More Wednesday, November 6, 2024 In the winter of 1940, the German... How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation... Isaiah 52:7 In the winter of 1940, the German Pastor Wilhelm Busch (1897–1966) had once again been captured by the Secret State Police. He was sitting in his cell, it was cold and quiet, and he was dreading the long, sleepless night. Then suddenly he heard, “Hey! New guy!” and then, “Climb up to the window and whisper out. Then we can talk.” So Busch pushed the table in front of the window, put the stool on it and climbed up on...More Tuesday, November 5, 2024 For centuries, you had to be rich or... For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 For centuries, you had to be rich or live in a monastery to even see a Bible. And you had to know Latin to read it. Then Johannes Gutenberg (ca. 1400–1468) invented letterpress printing with movable type and printed the Bible. It first cost 70 florins (but a handwritten one cost 400–500 florins!), then 16 florins (in around 1500), and later only 1–3 florins. Thus, many people...More Monday, November 4, 2024 “Above us is God” Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! … For His merciful kindness is great toward us. Psalm 117:1–2 “Above us is God” On a bright summer day, we set out early in the morning to climb the Silvrettahorn in the Eastern Alps. During the ascent, our gaze kept going up to the 3,244m summit. The higher we climbed, the better the newly erected summit cross came into view. The fresh wood stood out brilliantly against the deep blue of the sky. And as we reached the summit, we could read the dark, branded inscription, “Above us is God”. As young Christians, such an inscription naturally touched us...More Sunday, November 3, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (162) His disciples said to Him, see, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God. Jesus answered them, do you now believe? John 16:29–31 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (162) The Lord had told the disciples about the Father. He had come from the Father, and to Him He would return. There is an eternal relationship between God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Did the disciples understand this? They thought so. But as simple as...More Saturday, November 2, 2024 For Kouri, a Japanese sailor... But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 2 Corinthians 4:3–4 For Kouri, a Japanese sailor, only one thing counts: pleasure. No one needs to come to him with Jesus Christ – to Kouri, He is the god of foreigners. One evening, Kouri is once again out and about in a disreputable district of Tokyo. There he feels a hand touching his sleeve. Someone hands him a leaflet. What is this? Another one of those...More Friday, November 1, 2024 The value of the Word of God Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. Mark 13:31 The value of the Word of God A banknote is in itself just a piece of printed paper. Although it is expensive to produce, it has no great material value. Nevertheless, I can buy two big bags of food with a hundred dollar bill. Why? Because behind that note lies a monetary system that guarantees me the amount written on it. This also applies to what God tells us in the Bible. Outwardly, it is a printed book that can be bought for little money. But the Bible has a value far beyond the cost of paper...More Thursday, October 31, 2024 Lessons in the school of God For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Galatians 6:3 Lessons in the school of God We are all in danger of overestimating ourselves. That is why God takes us into His school. With Him we learn that we are nothing in ourselves. Only His grace can produce acceptable results in our lives for Him. The Bible tells of some believers who have learned this lesson: o Jacob leaned on his own cleverness for years. With clever cunning, he obtained the paternal blessing that belonged to the firstborn. He skilfully increased his own flock at the expense...More Wednesday, October 30, 2024 God is love 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. John 3:16 God is love We want to reflect a little on the immeasurable love of God described in today’s Bible passage: o God loves people even though they do not want to listen to Him and deliberately turn their backs on Him. Their rebellion against Him and their transgressions have not prevented Him from taking action in their favour. o God loves people because He is love in His essence and wants only the best for His creatures. He carried out...More Tuesday, October 29, 2024 Comfort from God I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will also lead him, and restore comforts to him and to his mourners. I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near, says the Lord. Isaiah 57:18–19 Comfort from God In today’s verse, the Lord speaks about the future of Israel and how He will meet believers from this nation in grace. What He says to them applies in a spiritual way to us as Christians as well. He also speaks to us to thoroughly comfort our hearts: o In the world our spirit is defiled and our heart wounded. God sees it and knows how...More Monday, October 28, 2024 Don’t avoid the light! Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, Where are you? Genesis 3:9 Don’t avoid the light! Kevin lifts up an old board in the garden that has been lying on the ground for a long time. Astonished, he sees that many small animals like woodlice, beetles and worms have been living underneath. But as soon as the light hits them, they rush away. As quickly as possible they hide again. They flee from the light to find safety in the darkness again. The Bible explains that people behave in the same way: “Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John...More Sunday, October 27, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (161) In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father. John 16:26–28 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (161) Children of God have free access to God, their Father. They know what value and what preciousness Jesus has in the eyes of God. In Him they are accepted by God and they are able to approach Him in this certainty. This means praying in His...More Saturday, October 26, 2024 The view of the sky I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 The view of the sky The image in the man’s mind often startles him out of his dreams even today, 70 years later. It is D-Day, June 6, 1944, the day the Allied troops invaded Normandy. The soldiers want to capture the stretch of beach that will later be called “Omaha Beach”. His unit is supposed to stop the enemy and drive them back. He sees one of the Allied soldiers jump off the landing craft ramp, wade through the water and run to the bluff, straight at him. There he shoots and...More Friday, October 25, 2024 Isaac B. Singer (1904–1991) was born into a... The Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20 Isaac B. Singer (1904–1991) was born into a rabbinical family. He wrote poems and stories, first in Hebrew, then in Yiddish. He emigrated to the USA in 1935 and received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1978. When he describes his childhood in Warsaw, he devotes an entire chapter to Reb Asher, the milkman. This man had saved his life and that of his family. Singer recounts: “At our home everything was prepared for the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles. Thereby it had become late and we went to sleep. But we...More Thursday, October 24, 2024 My acquaintance in Norfolk is a boat... Jesus answered: … Do not marvel that I said to you, You must be born again. John 3:7 My acquaintance in Norfolk is a boat builder. He is a reliable craftsman. When he discovers a weak spot on an old boat he doesn’t just putty it up, but he carefully cleans it up and puts new, good wood in the place of the rotten material. He is proud of the good work he does for his satisfied customers. For a long time, he thought he could also please God through good works. To the outside world, everything seemed to be in order in his life. One day I came to him as he stood by a newly painted boat. “A new...More Wednesday, October 23, 2024 Ruth, a Moabite widow, moves to Bethlehem in... And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz … Ruth 2:3 Ruth, a Moabite widow, moves to Bethlehem in Israel with her Israelite mother-in-law, Naomi. Her parents-in-law had left this place many years ago because of a famine and had emigrated to Moab. There, first Ruth’s father-in-law and later her husband had died. Now Ruth decides to follow her mother-in-law to her homeland because she feels connected to the God of Israel and His people. It is a moving story that has a beautiful ending: Ruth meets the rich Boaz, they marry and have a son who becomes an ancestor of King...More Tuesday, October 22, 2024 Putgarten or Puttgarden? Thomas said to Him, Lord, … how can we know the way? Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. John 14:5–6 Putgarten or Puttgarden? A woman from Germany wanted to drive to Denmark via Fehmarn with her children. But instead of typing the name of the ferry port of Puttgarden (Fehmarn) into her navigation device, she entered “Putgarten” and ended up in a small town on the island of Rügen. From there, there was no way to continue the journey. A truck driver from the Czech Republic, on the other hand, had programmed everything correctly when he was travelling in the...More Monday, October 21, 2024 An unexpected treasure find The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of coins of gold and silver. I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure. Psalm 119:72, 162 An unexpected treasure find A good 20 years ago, 283 old gold coins were discovered during renovation work in a house in Satillieu (Ardèche, France). With his pickaxe, a man had hit the vessel in which the coins had been hidden in the 18th century. The discovered pieces had a total weight of 2.5 kg and showed the portraits of the kings Louis XV and Louis XVI. One can easily imagine the great joy of the finder,...More Sunday, October 20, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (160) And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. John 16:23–25 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (160) Jesus had spoken of the joy of the disciples that no one could rob them of. This joy was not only short-lived, it would even mark a whole...More Saturday, October 19, 2024 In a small circle the question came... As the Lord … lives, before whom I stand … 1 Kings 17:1 In a small circle the question came up: “Can man still be expected to believe in miracles?” One doctor said very confidently, “The whole belief in miracles cannot stand up to the results of modern science.” To this, a young man objected and asked, “May I demonstrate an impromptu miracle for you so that you can see what is important in this judgment?” He took a small ruler from the table and held it between two fingertips. “What do you think will happen if I open my fingertips? Of course, you will say: ‘Then the ruler will...More Friday, October 18, 2024 This woman has had to live with her... If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well. Mark 5:28 This woman has had to live with her condition for twelve years. She has spent her entire fortune on treatment without getting any better. On the contrary, the disease has only worsened! She has obviously heard a lot about Jesus, and now He is nearby. She firmly believes that He can help her. She must seize the opportunity. Many people crowd around the Lord Jesus. Therefore, the sick woman cannot speak with Him but she trusts in His power. She is convinced that a touch of His clothing is enough to heal her. So she touches His garment...More Thursday, October 17, 2024 Here the wise King Solomon figuratively describes... In the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men bow down;when the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look through the windows grow dim … Ecclesiastes 12:3 Here the wise King Solomon figuratively describes the ageing of man. The hands, “the keepers of the house”, then often begin to tremble, the limbs “bow down”, the teeth, “grinders”, become fewer, and the eyes “grow dim” – the sight diminishes. It is not a popular theme that Solomon addresses here. Younger people don’t look forward to old age, and many older ones increasingly struggle with their...More Wednesday, October 16, 2024 There is probably hardly a term that... God is love. 1 John 4:8 There is probably hardly a term that is so distorted in our time as the term “love”. Many say “love” and mean “lust”. Or they speak of “love” to express themselves in the language of the younger generation. But such ‘love’ is really only about feelings, butterflies in the stomach, or sexuality. For others, love represents the idea of being good and morally upright. They understand it as the practice of what helps one’s fellow man. Undoubtedly, selfless dedication to one’s neighbour is a virtue of true love and something great. Such dedication can also be...More Tuesday, October 15, 2024 The way home For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Romans 5:10 The way home In Glasgow, Scotland, a little boy got lost. He felt quite helpless and burst into tears. A policeman saw him, approached him kindly and asked why he was crying. “I am lost,” sobbed the boy. “Please take me to the cross. From there I can find my way home.” The boy meant the crossroads in the city called Glasgow Cross. This incident illustrates what happens to the one who takes refuge in the cross...More Monday, October 14, 2024 Let it be to me according to your word Then Mary said, Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word. Luke 1:38 Let it be to me according to your word God sent the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary to give her a wonderful announcement: “You will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus” (Luke 1:31). Mary was to become the mother of the foretold Messiah. She would become pregnant by the Holy Spirit and give birth to a child who would also be God’s Son. How did Mary react to this divine news? She received it willingly and said, “Behold the maidservant of the...More Sunday, October 13, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (159) A woman, when she is in labour, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. John 16:21–22 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (159) Mysterious sounding words that Jesus shares with His disciples: they would not see Him for a short time and would be very sad because of it, but the world would rejoice. Then they would see Him again and their...More Saturday, October 12, 2024 Like an eagle Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Psalm 55:6 Like an eagle In today’s Psalm, David expresses in poetic language what many of us have also sighed, only in the coarser language of everyday life: “I just want to get out of here!” How many things we experience that cause us trouble: problems at work, hardships in the family, challenges due to illness and old age, difficulties in living together with others. For some, this is part of their “daily bread”. When there is still no end in sight, we want to emigrate – as far away as possible to a place...More Friday, October 11, 2024 Salvation from the court And the Lord shut him in. Genesis 7:16 Salvation from the court Do you know the story of Noah? He lived pretty much near the beginning of human history. One day God told him that a flood of water would come over the whole earth. At the same time, Noah was given the task of building a ship in which people and animals could be saved from deadly floods. This ship had a door through which one had to enter in time in order to be safe. Noah and his family believed God and went through the door into the ark. Others didn’t use this opportunity for rescue because they didn’t believe in a...More Thursday, October 10, 2024 Bible reading in the family From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:15 Bible reading in the family Timothy had a believing mother who introduced him to the Word of God in his childhood. His example shows us that Christian parents cannot start early enough to read the Bible to their children and tell them about the Saviour. Even in Old Testament times, God had placed great emphasis on teaching children: “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to...More Wednesday, October 9, 2024 Real freedom Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36 Real freedom A motorcyclist told his story: “Many people can’t understand why I like to ride my motorbike so much. When the weather is sunny, you ride in the open air, enjoy the breeze and feel as carefree as a boy. You leave your duties and everyday worries behind. You feel as free as a bird in the air. But at some point I asked myself, ‘Am I really as free as I feel? Or is it always just a short-lived feeling?’ In fact, I had to admit to myself that I was repressing my problems instead of...More Tuesday, October 8, 2024 The Lord helps! But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy. Genesis 39:21 The Lord helps! Joseph lived in a wealthy family. His father loved him. He himself was intelligent and good-looking. So he grew up like many teenagers, where everything seemed to go according to plan. Joseph believed in God and proved his love for Him by obeying his father and serving his brothers. Although they hated him, he sought them out to inquire about their welfare. And this is where his problems began: his brothers threw him into a pit and a little later sold him as a slave. He was taken to Egypt, where he served...More Monday, October 7, 2024 Just a gust of wind Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He teaches sinners in the way. Psalm 25:8 Just a gust of wind In 1999, during the Kosovo war, a village was attacked by a group of armed men. The inhabitants tried to flee with their tractors into the nearby forest. But they were soon surrounded and captured. The attackers set fire to the tractors and dark smoke rose into the sky. The villagers were to be shot and were lined up in preparation. Then the unexpected happened: the wind suddenly shifted and blew the thick clouds of smoke into the faces of the armed men. They could no longer see...More Sunday, October 6, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (158) Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, a little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me? Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. John 16:19–20 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (158) For the disciples it is a mystery: Jesus would soon no longer be seen by them, and after a short time they would see Him again. How are they to understand this? Before they have voiced...More Saturday, October 5, 2024 Jesus Christ and our problems Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:17–18 Jesus Christ and our problems “Life is so hard!” We hear this lament quite often. And when we think of the many sufferings, of the many injustices in the world, of the difficulties and disappointments in the different stages of life, and of death, which is at the end of everything, we understand why many people talk like this. This is even more so when there is so much uncertainty in...More Friday, October 4, 2024 A young woman worked in a Christian... But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Matthew 9:36 A young woman worked in a Christian family for a while. She was very impressed by the way the mother managed to raise her children with love. That was not so easy in the small apartment. They prayed before meals and there was a comfortable atmosphere in the home. She herself suffered from the fact that her own daughter was not being raised by her, but by the child’s father. Some years later, the young woman was asked by her old father to get him...More Thursday, October 3, 2024 Frank is studying medicine... (The apostle Paul said:) I … [testified] to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 20:21 Frank is studying medicine, but in a conversation with twelve-year-old Andrew, that is not his main topic right now. He is explaining the good news of Jesus Christ to the younger boy. Andrew listens attentively and then says, “I’ve made up my mind!” – “And what have you decided to do?” – “To become a Christian, of course,” Andrew replies. “That’s good,” Frank replies, “but it’s not enough.” And he explains: “When I decided...More Wednesday, October 2, 2024 The busy commercial street is... ... whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Romans 3:14 The busy commercial street is noisy. Buses, cars and trucks form an endless chain, and pedestrians hurry past. Suddenly, some stop, because a man in torn clothes is walking along the side of the road, cursing loudly to himself, incessantly. This drowns out even the noise of the street. The meanest and dirtiest words come out of his mouth; there is no end to it, and the street is long. Most passers-by shake their heads at the strange spectacle, but the Bible verse mentioned at the beginning comes to my mind. Surely the curser had drunk alcohol...More Tuesday, October 1, 2024 The grace of God is a prominent... For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. … being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood. Titus 2:11; John 1:17; Romans 3:24–25 The grace of God is a prominent theme in the Bible. What is grace anyway? My world encyclopaedia provides the following information: “Grace is a basic concept of Christian doctrine. It is given to people without any merit, out of God’s free benevolence.” Another source says, “Grace is the...More Monday, September 30, 2024 Called by name Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. Isaiah 43:1 Called by name When Jesus Christ lived in Israel 2,000 years ago, He repeatedly had personal encounters with people. Some He addressed directly by name. Because they believed in Him, they now belonged to Him. Here are some examples: The encounter with Simon Peter: “Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, ‘You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas’” (John 1:42). The Saviour knew this fisherman through and through. He knew everything that had gone wrong in his life that...More Sunday, September 29, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (157) A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father. Then some of His disciples said among themselves, what is this that He says to us, a little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me; and, because I go to the Father? They said therefore, what is this that He says, a little while? We do not know what He is saying. John 16:16–18 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (157) Jesus told His disciples that He would return to His heavenly Father. Now they learn that He will be away for a little while. The...More Saturday, September 28, 2024 Grandpa’s eyes Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good. Psalm 34:8 Grandpa’s eyes Little Melanie is always delighted when she can roam the fields and woods with her grandfather. Each time he is able to show her something new from nature. This is how she gets to know many of the wonders of God’s creation. When she comes home once again from a walk with her grandfather, she says to her mother: “How happy I would be if I had Grandpa’s eyes. He sees so much more than I do!” – “I don’t understand you, Melanie,” her mother replies. “Only yesterday your grandfather was complaining that...More Friday, September 27, 2024 Many countries regularly conduct... And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:15 Many countries regularly conduct a census, a statistical survey that determines how many people live in the land, and how they live and work. This kind of inventory of the population is necessary so that plans and decisions can be made for the benefit of the people. The majority of the population does not need to take part in a survey for this purpose because much of the data is used from administrative registers. Normally it consists therefore of a register-based population census supplemented by a random sample...More Thursday, September 26, 2024 This verse speaks of a man who... It will be as though a man fled from a lion, and a bear met him! Or as though he went into the house, leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him! Amos 5:19 This verse speaks of a man who escapes from a lion and a bear. But then, at home and in supposed safety, he is bitten by a snake. Death was lurking where he possibly didn’t even suspect it! In 1452, when the Ottoman army besieged Constantinople, the Eastern Roman soldiers around the last Byzantine Emperor Constantine XI (1404–1453) fought with the courage of desperation. But it was in vain. They lost the battle and the city with its...More Wednesday, September 25, 2024 From where do we draw new strength? My God shall be My strength. Isaiah 49:5 From where do we draw new strength? Today’s Bible verse instructs and encourages us. First, let us remember that all who trust in their own strength will be disappointed in the end: Kings went into battle trusting in their own power and suffered a resounding defeat (Isaiah 10:12–16). Merchants who relied on their prowess suffered the ruin of their business (Isaiah 23:1–14). Even if we rely on other people, we will experience disappointment. When the Israelites sought refuge in Egypt, they had to experience that this nation refused...More

Sunday, September 22, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (156) He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. John 16:14–15 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (156) The Lord Jesus announces to the disciples the coming of the Holy Spirit and details of His activity. Firstly, the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth and, secondly, He would proclaim what was coming. He would also glorify Jesus, who had been highly dishonoured by the world. The Holy Spirit fulfils this task by proclaiming to us all that concerns the Son of...More Saturday, September 21, 2024 Feet washing After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. John 13:5 Feet washing Before His crucifixion, the Lord Jesus wanted to tell His disciples a few things about their relationship with God the Father and about their task on earth, in order to prepare them for the time of His absence. Before He began His parting words, He washed their feet and dried them with a towel. This act has a spiritual significance. As we walk through the world, we are defiled by sin and burdened by circumstances. As a result,...More Friday, September 20, 2024 For the men in the... And you were like a firebrand plucked from the burning. Amos 4:11 For the men in the sea rescue service, being too late is an awful thought. On May 12, 1975, the Sten Trans, a dredger, was on its way to Kiel with a load of gravel. That’s when the weather service issued a warning for the Baltic Sea. A storm was brewing, a high wave hit the ship, it tilted onto its side – and it didn’t right itself. The gravel had started to slide! With every big wave, the ship now sank deeper into the water. A little later, the distress call went out: “Mayday! Listing, threatening to sink!” Just...More Thursday, September 19, 2024 Anyone who has a bank account has... But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness. Romans 4:5 Anyone who has a bank account has the opportunity to read their bank statements. Records in debit usually do not please us so much, because then our balance has become smaller. Entries in credit, on the other hand, cause our cash balance to grow. And on this side of the bank statement, unexpected amounts are always very welcome. The Bible reports in the Letter to the Romans about a kind of ‘account’, which is, so to speak, kept with God. Misdeeds, transgressions or...More Wednesday, September 18, 2024 A leper crouches in front of a poor... When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And behold, a leper came and worshipped Him, saying, Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean. Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, I am willing; be cleansed. Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Matthew 8:1–3 A leper crouches in front of a poor mud hut somewhere in the Middle East. His disease, leprosy, has already affected large parts of his body. A young woman approaches him. The sick man raises his hands defensively; he does not want the visitor to be infected by him. But the woman approaches,...More Tuesday, September 17, 2024 Come! Come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live. Isaiah 55:3 Come! In the Bible, God repeatedly invites people to Himself with a “Come”! o “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price” (Isaiah 55:1). This invitation is addressed to all those who realise that they lack the most important thing in life. God wants to give them complete fulfilment in their lives. o “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They...More Monday, September 16, 2024 God’s tapestry Jesus answered and said to him, What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this. John 13:7 God’s tapestry The hand of the God who made all earth and heaven Is artfully weaving a pattern with wisdom. But we just see threads that are random and tumbled To look up from earth, there’s no pattern. It’s jumbled! They’re all in confusion, all criss-crossed and jumbled, They don’t look like anything. Handiwork’s fumbled! But changing the viewpoint from earth up to heaven – The masterful outcome is skilfully woven. With doubting...More Sunday, September 15, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (155) I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. John 16:12–13 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (155) The fact that the Holy Spirit has come to earth and dwells in believers is of utmost importance. It has started a new epoch in human history. While the Holy Spirit has not changed the course of the ungodly world, He has brought to light the true character of the world: it lies in...More Saturday, September 14, 2024 A false perception For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10 A false perception At a busy exhibition, Jonas’ parents lost sight of their boy in the crowd. They immediately went in search of him but he was nowhere to be found. So they rushed to the exhibition management. Immediately, an announcement was made over the loudspeaker: “A little boy named Jonas has gone missing and is being sought by his parents. Jonas, please come to the exit as soon as possible. Your mother is waiting for you there.” The father could not wait idly. He quickly went back into the hall...More Friday, September 13, 2024 What can we expect with certainty? For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. Galatians 5:5 What can we expect with certainty? When we look at the future, our hearts are moved by expectations and fears. We don’t know what will happen to our health, family or career. Because so many things are out of our hands, much of what lies ahead is completely uncertain. Only God knows the future. He gives a sure hope to believing Christians. In the Bible, He tells them what they can definitely expect: o “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the...More Thursday, September 12, 2024 Five short exhortations Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11 Five short exhortations 1. “Farewell”! Our eternal salvation, our relationship with the Lord Jesus and fellowship with other believers give us cause for genuine joy. Yet we are often sad or downcast. That is why we need to be encouraged again and again: “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4). 2. “Become complete”! This refers to maturity and firmness in the faith. It is about living a balanced...More Wednesday, September 11, 2024 A rule without exception Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? No one! Job 14:4 A rule without exception Job’s statement is as clear as possible: If the parents are unclean, so are the children. What do we mean by “unclean”? Well, it means not pure, not perfect, and not blameless in the eyes of God. The Bible calls this “sinful”. Every sincere person will agree with this. Or who has the courage to claim that his parents are an exception to the above rule? And who wants to make us believe that he has never sinned? We are all sick in the same hospital. Which doctor can cure us? When Jesus...More Tuesday, September 10, 2024 The Lord cares for you and me He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Psalm 23:3 The Lord cares for you and me Today’s verse describes how Jesus Christ cares for the spiritual well-being of each believer. o When I am discouraged by a difficulty in my life, the Lord restores my soul. Through a Bible verse, He spurs me on to continue following Him and to persevere with Him in the problems. He directs my thoughts to the glorious heavenly goal and reminds me of His promise, “I am coming quickly”. Perhaps He also uses moments of fellowship with other Christians to...More Monday, September 9, 2024 “Prepare”! Isn’t it remarkable that God doesn’t... Prepare to meet your God, O Israel! Amos 4:12 “Prepare”! Isn’t it remarkable that God doesn’t take any detours, but addresses us very directly and personally? The fact that God has the right to command us is also due to the fact that He is our Creator, that the whole universe belongs to Him. “Prepare to meet your God”! You can’t escape the meaning of this. God presents the facts: every human being will stand before Him one day. Whether we want that or whether it fits into our world view does not change the fact that no human being can escape Him. And what will God do when we meet Him one...More Sunday, September 8, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (154) And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. John 16:8–11 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (154) The thought that their Master would leave them made the disciples sorrowful. Then the Lord explained to them that His return to heaven would not mean loss but rather gain for them, for in His place the Holy Spirit would come. Ten days after Jesus’ ascension, at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit...More Saturday, September 7, 2024 A Bible verse can save lives! Repent, and believe in the gospel. Mark 1:15 A Bible verse can save lives! Katja had become a believer many years ago. Then she became mentally ill. She could no longer believe that God had really forgiven her. One afternoon she got into her car and drove off – with no destination and no courage to live. She was confused, could no longer think clearly and wanted to end her life. As she drove, she passed a billboard. Written in oversized letters was the Bible verse: “Repent, and believe in the gospel”! Katja read the Bible verse and it touched her heart. She abandoned her plan and...More Friday, September 6, 2024 Starlight – Sunlight Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Psalm 51:1–3 Starlight – Sunlight An educated man in present-day Myanmar once found the biblical book of Psalms that a traveller had lost. He began to read it with interest. And although the Psalms come from a completely different time and culture, he soon realised that they speak of timeless facts: of the one God who...More Thursday, September 5, 2024 No time Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts. Hebrews 4:7 No time In 1979, a Christian was travelling by plane to Chicago. Next to him sat a businessman who had passed the age of 50. They got into conversation. First, they talked about current affairs. Then they got onto talking about the Christian faith. The fellow traveller explained: “I believe that religion can be useful. When I was young, I went to Bible classes every Sunday.” Then the Christian asked him, “Can you say today that you are born again and possess life from God?” After some...More Wednesday, September 4, 2024 Truth and love Speaking the truth in love. Ephesians 4:15 Truth and love Today’s Bible verse contains two points that address two questions to us: What do we have to do? We are asked to hold on to the divine truth that we have grasped from the Bible. Proverbs 23:23 says, “Buy the truth and do not sell it”. Salvation is free – God gives it to us by grace. But His truth can cost us a lot. Why? Because in certain cases we have to give up some things if we want to hold onto the truth and put it into practice in our lives. Obedience to the Word of God often has its price. How should we do it?...More Tuesday, September 3, 2024 Jesus Christ is coming again! Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief. I will come again and receive you to Myself. Revelation 3:3; John 14:3 Jesus Christ is coming again! This is the clear statement of the Bible. For some He will appear like a thief; for others He will come as Saviour. People who want nothing to do with Jesus Christ and reject Him as Saviour will experience Him as a thief: o His coming is undesirable for them. They have turned their backs on Him and want nothing to do with Him. They would gladly continue to live without Him. o He will come...More Monday, September 2, 2024 Qualified Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love. Colossians 1:12–13 Qualified When an astronaut in space has to carry out a repair on the space station or on a spaceship from the outside, he first puts on a spacesuit. Without this airtight protective cover, he cannot leave the spaceship – he would die immediately. But with this special suit it is possible for him to go outside the spaceship. In the same way, as natural...More Sunday, September 1, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (153) But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, where are You going? But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. John 16:5–7 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (153) Jesus, the Son of God, was about to return to His heavenly Father. On earth He had shown who and how God is in His holiness and in His love. And now the climax was imminent: His sacrificial death on the cross. He,...More Saturday, August 31, 2024 Lord over life and death For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:20 Lord over life and death The spokesman for a pro-euthanasia organisation was asked, “Who owns your body?” He replied, “It is mine and mine alone. It belongs neither to the church nor to a political party nor to medicine. I have been a free citizen from birth and even more so since I came of age. I have no intention of changing this as long as I live, and I will not have anything imposed on me – neither by doctors, nor by my family, nor by my heirs.” This statement is understandable: no one...More Friday, August 30, 2024 In the waiting area of an airport, a young... Jesus … said to them, Let the little children come to Me … whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it. And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them. Mark 10:14–16 In the waiting area of an airport, a young couple with their infant child once attracted special attention. Whenever a person looked at the baby – young or old, happy or sad, man or woman – he returned a smile, delighting the entire waiting area. He was simply adorable. As I watched this child smile over and over, I thought about how much God loves us. He...More Thursday, August 29, 2024 A preacher once entered a discotheque. The owner... And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. Matthew 25:46 A preacher once entered a discotheque. The owner approached him: “Sorry, but evangelising here is useless.” – “On the contrary,” the evangelist replied, “it is precisely here that it is important to show people the way to true happiness. You, too, must repent and turn to God, or you will be lost forever.” The owner replied, “I don’t believe in the existence of a hell. If there is one, it is here.” “No, dear friend, hell is not here, and I will tell you...More Wednesday, August 28, 2024 Frederick Tucker was born on 21 May, 1853, in... Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord – that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. James 5:11 Frederick Tucker was born on 21 May, 1853, in north-eastern India. He was the son of a rich English family living at the height of imperialism. Together with his first wife and three associates, he founded the Salvation Army in India in 1882. His first wife died early in a cholera epidemic. Frederick married again. His second wife, Emma, was a daughter of the founder of the Salvation Army, William Booth. With her he...More Tuesday, August 27, 2024 In some countries, the rent index is the... Have I not written to you excellent things of counsels and knowledge, that I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth? Proverbs 22:20–21 In some countries, the rent index is the guideline for setting monthly rents. My grandfather used to always stretch a string between two stakes before pulling a furrow and sowing carrots. And today, my wife sometimes measures me against my neighbour when she reproaches me for the fact that our car needs to be washed again ... Today, we find it difficult to have a guideline, a directive, a generally applicable set of values. We don’t want to be controlled by...More Monday, August 26, 2024 A leader with trust in God Joshua was old, advanced in age. And Joshua called for all Israel … and said to them: … You have seen all that the Lord your God has done to all these nations because of you, for the Lord your God is He who has fought for you. Joshua 23:1–3 A leader with trust in God Joshua is one of the greatest leaders of the old covenant people of Israel, a man distinguished in many ways. Next to God, Israel owed to him the capture of the land of Canaan, which God had already promised to the forefathers of His people. Now the life of this gifted leader is drawing to a close, and he is handing...More Sunday, August 25, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (152) These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you. John 16:1–4 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (152) Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. He came from heaven to earth to bring...More Saturday, August 24, 2024 Do you know Gyro Gearloose, that... The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned. Matthew 4:16 Do you know Gyro Gearloose, that ingenious inventor in the Donald Duck stories? When he has a good idea, a light bulb lights up above his head. In English we have the expression, ‘a light-bulb moment’. And we have certainly experienced it ourselves: we are groping in the dark, we lack perspective, we are racking our brains – and suddenly everything ‘clicks’ and it all becomes clear: ‘a light comes on’. The expression ‘a light...More Friday, August 23, 2024 Joy in the Lord Rejoice in the Lord always! Philippians 4:4 Joy in the Lord Today we would like to list some things that give us as Christians cause to rejoice: In Luke 10:20 the Lord Jesus says, “Rejoice because your names are written in heaven”. Through faith in Him we possess the forgiveness of our sins. What a joy for us to be eternally saved and to have a completely secure place in heaven! What the Psalmist expresses can also be our experience: “I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure” (Psalm 119:162). When reading the Bible we may discover a statement that, for...More Thursday, August 22, 2024 What are we striving for? Do not labour for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you. John 6:27 What are we striving for? Jesus Christ had worked a miracle. With five loaves and two fish, He had given a large crowd enough to eat. All were filled. The next day, people were looking for Him everywhere, because they were hoping for a meal like that again. The Son of God, seeing this desire in their hearts, gave them a twofold answer. It is still relevant today: 1. Do not work for the food that perishes. How much we often spend...More Wednesday, August 21, 2024 Rooted and grounded That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love … Ephesians 3:17 Rooted and grounded In today’s Bible verse, the apostle uses two images for our life of faith that we can well understand. A well-rooted tree: In order for a tree to remain standing when the wind blows, it has developed a firm root system. You can’t see it, but it is usually as big as its crown. Through the roots it takes in food and water to live and grow. So we believers should also develop spiritual roots with which we can take in nourishment for our new life. When...More Tuesday, August 20, 2024 Unfit They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one. Romans 3:12 Unfit A scene from my military recruitment has remained firmly in my memory. I was sitting in a row of young men on a long bench. After going through various medical examinations, we waited for the final decision of the officer on duty. Without much privacy, one by one we were called to appear before the officer. He examined everyone briefly and then made the final judgment: either “fit” or “unfit”. The word “unfit” or “unprofitable” also appears in...More Monday, August 19, 2024 Promises of God... Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 Promises of God... …when we confess our wrongs to Him: “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more” (Hebrews 10:17). …when we are troubled by doubts about salvation: “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28). …when we pray to God: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). …as...More Sunday, August 18, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (151) But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning. John 15:26–27 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (151) Israel’s leaders at that time would have gladly muzzled the Lord Jesus! When they realised that they could not refute His words or His miracles they feared His influence, so they led Him to the cross. “Away with this Man”! They never wanted to see or hear from this Jesus again (Luke 23:18). Just 50 days after...More Saturday, August 17, 2024 Just over 500 years ago today, on April 27... Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings. Daniel 2:20–21 Just over 500 years ago today, on April 27, 1521, the famous navigator Ferdinand Magellan died in battle with Visayan warriors. But let’s take it one step at a time. On behalf of Spain, Magellan was to find a western route to Indonesia, to the Spice Islands. The nutmeg trees and cloves there attracted the sailors. Magellan set sail as captain general with five ships on September 20, 1519. On October 21, he sighted a cape near...More Friday, August 16, 2024 Josiane is a child of divorce. After her... And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. We have known and believed the love that God has for us. Ephesians 2:17–19; 1 John 4:16 Josiane is a child of divorce. After her parents separated, they no longer cared for their daughter. So she grew up in foster families and children’s homes, without parental love and attention. As a teenager, Josiane...More Thursday, August 15, 2024 Faith and life He who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. John 5:24 Faith and life Today’s Bible verse first shows what a person must do to be saved. The Lord Jesus says: “He who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me ...” Everyone is addressed because all can be saved. On the one hand, it requires a willingness to listen to what the Son of God says. On the other hand, it requires believing in God who sent His Son to earth as Saviour. The path to eternal salvation is that simple! It only...More Wednesday, August 14, 2024 Watch out for the world! Do not love the world or the things in the world. 1 John 2:15 Watch out for the world! For a “landlubber” it is a great experience to go out on the open sea in a ship for the first time. Wherever you look, you see nothing but water. That can certainly trigger an oppressive feeling. But there is no danger at all as long as the ship remains watertight and no water enters at any point. The ship in water is a harmless thing. But water in the ship means death if a hole is not closed quickly or if other help does not appear soon. In the life of a Christian it is quite similar. He lives in...More Tuesday, August 13, 2024 Corinth was one of the most famous... By Christ Jesus … you were enriched in everything. 1 Corinthians 1:5 Corinth was one of the most famous cities in the Roman Empire. Located at the intersection of important trade routes of ancient times, the flourishing port brought much wealth but also some sinister elements to the cosmopolitan city. The city was considered the epitome of a life of drunkenness and moral debauchery. In short, it was a commercial centre with all the evils of humanity, just as we find in society today. And then the gospel came to Corinth, the good news that God would pardon even the most disreputable sinner and...More Monday, August 12, 2024 In just eleven weeks – from December 1521 to... A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45 In just eleven weeks – from December 1521 to February 1522 – Martin Luther (1483–1546) translated the New Testament into German at Wartburg Castle near Eisenach. He rendered the last part of today’s Bible verse with the words: “Where the heart is full, the mouth overflows”. With this, he created an expression that is still common today as a proverb. It is true – when a subject excites us, we...More Sunday, August 11, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (150) He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, They hated Me without a cause. John 15:23–25 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (150) Over the centuries, God had worked miracles at various times among the people of Israel. Think of the miracles Moses performed before Pharaoh in Egypt. Or the miracle when the Red Sea was divided and all the people of Israel passed through. Or the...More Saturday, August 10, 2024 Devotion to the Lord They first gave themselves to the Lord. 2 Corinthians 8:5 Devotion to the Lord Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee. Take my moments and my days; let them flow in endless praise. Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love. Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee. Take my voice and let me sing always, only, for my King. Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from thee. Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold. Take my intellect and use every power...More Friday, August 9, 2024 Luck and love But you are those who forsake the Lord, who forget My holy mountain, who prepare a table for Gad, and who furnish a drink offering for Meni. Isaiah 65:11 Luck and love “You were lucky!” That’s probably what someone said to you when you got out of a near-accident in one piece or passed an exam by a narrow margin against all expectations. What do we actually mean when we say, “You were lucky?” Do we perhaps think that fate played a part? 2,700 years ago, the prophet Isaiah told the Israelites, in effect, “You worship Gad!” That is the planet Jupiter, which was considered a...More Thursday, August 8, 2024 Springs of water in the desert He turns a wilderness into pools of water, and dry land into watersprings. Psalm 107:35 Springs of water in the desert Our faithful Lord can turn the difficult experiences on the journey of faith into a source of blessing. This is one of the great miracles of God’s grace. o When my path becomes lonely, He makes me feel His nearness all the more. He promises: “Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out” (Ezekiel 34:11). The time in His fellowship then becomes more precious and important to me. Isn’t this a great blessing? o In hours of sorrow, I...More Wednesday, August 7, 2024 A Saviour for sinners Jesus answered and said to them, Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance. Luke 5:31–32 A Saviour for sinners The man knew that his illness was incurable. Maybe he had a few years to live, maybe only a few months. In his thoughts, his life passed by him like a film. He was aware that he had not always lived in a right way, although people thought he was a decent person. The longer he thought, the more clearly he saw how God judged his life. That worried him. There was actually nothing good...More Tuesday, August 6, 2024 Bandwidth with God Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7–8 Bandwidth with God Telecommunications operators around the world are competing to offer newer and faster access to the Internet. It’s not just about those regions that don’t yet have the Internet; they also want to improve existing bandwidths so that private households, educational institutions and businesses can make even better use of the Internet. However, there is one...More Monday, August 5, 2024 “Prayers aren’t answered; it’s all... Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. Proverbs 24:11 “Prayers aren’t answered; it’s all just imagination!” The one who said this was well-spoken and sure of himself. He looked into the crowd listening to him and invited them to discuss it with him. Then a man stepped out of the crowd and stood next to him. You could tell it took him some effort to talk in front of people. “I didn’t come here to argue,” he began, “but I must contradict the claim that prayers are unanswered and are pure imagination.” “I was a real...More Sunday, August 4, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (149) If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. John 15:20–22 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (149) Jesus had just said, “If the world hates you ...”. Now He puts it more pointedly: “If they persecuted Me ...”. How many Christians have experienced not only hatred in the form of hostility and ridicule, but also violence to the...More Saturday, August 3, 2024 Heavenly orientation in everyday life Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2 Heavenly orientation in everyday life How is it possible to contemplate heavenly things while we are busy with earthly things in our daily lives? Surely, we cannot neglect our duties! Certainly, we should do our work well, for the Lord has set us in the place where we are to live for Him. If we do our job faithfully and behave as a Christian should, we do everything according to the principles of God. Then, although we may be doing the most mundane duties, we are in touch with heaven. Whether we are doing...More Friday, August 2, 2024 The Power of God in the Lord Jesus And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all. Luke 6:19 The Power of God in the Lord Jesus After the Lord Jesus has chosen His twelve apostles on a mountain, He goes down into the valley with them and stands on a “level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem” (v. 17). These crowds come to Jesus to hear Him and to be healed by Him. What does healing mean in the sense of the Bible? After all, our Bible text is about the healing of diseases or infirmities. But when the Lord Jesus...More Thursday, August 1, 2024 This Bible verse is short, but it describes... He who believes in Me has everlasting (eternal) life. John 6:47 This Bible verse is short, but it describes the Christian faith – in short, the gospel – very well. “Who” here means that it is made possible for everyone. This cannot be taken for granted! Just think of personal limitations that restrict our possibilities in our schooling, education and career. But the gospel, the good news of God, is for everyone – without exception. Everyone is invited, today as much as then, to accept it in order to receive eternal life. “He who believes in Me”: The heart of the gospel is...More Wednesday, July 31, 2024 Merit or mercy? But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness. Romans 4:5 Merit or mercy? We want so much to achieve something in life. It pleases us when we master our lives ourselves, and when we have some kind of success to show for it. But in view of our relationship with God, this path does not lead to the goal. The Bible makes this clear with a comparison: “Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt” (Romans 4:4). The person who submits to the principle of performance and takes matters into his...More Tuesday, July 30, 2024 Loneliness Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me, for I am desolate and afflicted. Psalm 25:16 Loneliness More and more people are feeling lonely for a variety of reasons – in all age groups and social classes. What comfort does the Bible have for the lonely? First of all, every lonely person may turn to God again and again, as King David did when he felt lonely and miserable (cf. today’s verse). Knowing that God stands by me in every situation of life can be a great comfort on its own. When reading the Bible, for example the Psalms, we encounter people who felt very lonely and came to God with...More Monday, July 29, 2024 The woman is sick; she is... Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. Mark 5:25–27 The woman is sick; she is suffering. And she has been for a long time – a sad and obviously hopeless situation. She has consulted many doctors, and suffered through them even more. Her health, or rather her illness, has cost her a lot, namely her entire fortune. Nothing is left to her – nothing except her illness. And with it,...More Sunday, July 28, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (148) If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, A servant is not greater than his master. John 15:18–20 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (148) Jesus promised His disciples wonderful things for the time when He would no longer be with them. For them, in a sense, it was no loss that Jesus was no longer with them on earth, because the Holy Spirit came. He now dwells in believers and...More Saturday, July 27, 2024 Looking in the mirror But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. James 1:22–24 Looking in the mirror What do you think about when you look in the mirror? When a believing Christian does that, he has the opportunity to be reminded that God created me, wanted me, loved me, drew me to His heart, made me His child, and I belong to Him, having accepted the Lord Jesus as my Saviour. When I...More Friday, July 26, 2024 “That little black lamb you see... And when [the Shepherd] has found [the lost sheep], he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost! Luke 15:5–6 “That little black lamb you see jumping around the farm often reminds me of God’s Word,” a farmer’s wife in Belgium once told me. “Once, this little lamb fell into a well. You could hear it bleating, but we didn’t know where it was. Finally, my husband discovered it deep down in the well, where it could just barely keep its head above...More Thursday, July 25, 2024 The name that saves Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12 The name that saves In 1885, the Frenchman Louis Pasteur used the newly discovered vaccine against rabies on a human for the first time. The successful treatment quickly made him well known throughout Europe. The Russian district of Smolensk also heard about this new kind of medicine. So, 19 farmers who had been bitten by a rabid wolf set off for Paris despite their injuries. In their fur caps and with their bandages, they immediately attracted attention....More Wednesday, July 24, 2024 The five finger prayer Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men. 1 Timothy 2:1 The five finger prayer Today’s Bible verse shows us how important prayer is for us as Christians. In emergency situations, we plead without ceasing to God and ask Him for help. But also in everyday life it is important for us to pray regularly and to present our requests to God again and again. In doing so, we should not only think of our own needs but also ask on behalf of others. How much reason we have to thank the Lord Jesus every day for the many proofs of His...More Tuesday, July 23, 2024 God forgets nothing! For God is not unjust to forget your work and labour of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. Hebrews 6:10 God forgets nothing! Today’s verse is a great encouragement for all who faithfully and lovingly serve other believers. After all, there are many tasks that are hardly noticed and yet are so important for the people of God: The room where believers gather needs to be cleaned, aired and unlocked in time. Lonely Christians need to be visited so they can enjoy fellowship with other children of...More Monday, July 22, 2024 God speaks! God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son. Hebrews 1:1 God speaks! It is God’s grace that He speaks to people again and again, even though they have turned away from Him and aren’t interested in listening to Him. After Adam and Eve transgressed the Creator’s commandment and ate of the forbidden fruit, they hid. But God did not leave them to their fate, seeking them out and calling out to Adam, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9). In His goodness, God delivered the...More Sunday, July 21, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (147) You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another. John 15:16–17 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (147) The Lord could call His disciples “friends” because He had initiated them into the confidential communications of His Father. They were thus in a particularly close relationship with Him. And yet He continued to be their Lord and Master. They were friends, but He had chosen them, not they Him. This is...More Saturday, July 20, 2024 God gave His own Son as atonement for... Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, … to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:25–26 God gave His own Son as atonement for the sins of those who were lost. Atonement through the blood of Jesus was absolutely necessary if God was to forgive sins and at the same time prove Himself righteous. Indeed, in Deuteronomy 25:1, God’s law requires that “they justify the righteous and condemn the wicked”. But here we read that it is God Himself who pronounces guilty...More Friday, July 19, 2024 Fear not, I’m with... Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, I’m with you”, says the Lord. Look up to Him who keeps His word. In love your God will hold you near – In all your trouble, grief or care. “I am with you!” Are you downcast – Needing a friend, but no-one asks? Just think that Jesus knows you best: Calls you by name and gives you rest. “I am with you!” – in all your fears, Future concerns or present...More Thursday, July 18, 2024 The expectation of the Christian Take heed, watch and pray; … it is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming. Mark 13:33–35 The expectation of the Christian As believers, we are called to be watchful and to expect the Lord Jesus any day as we faithfully go about our tasks. Expect the Lord! “Be like men who wait for their master” (Luke 12:36). “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope” (Psalm...More Wednesday, July 17, 2024 Liberator and saviour Then David said to him, To whom do you belong, and where are you from? And he said, I am a young man from Egypt, servant of an Amalekite; and my master left me behind, because three days ago I fell sick. 1 Samuel 30:13 Liberator and saviour On a military campaign, David found a young man half-starved and almost dying of thirst. After giving him food and drink, he asked him, “To whom do you belong, and where are you from?” This question is figuratively addressed to all people today. Everyone needs to determine for themselves where they stand. In the answer that the young man gives,...More Tuesday, July 16, 2024 Mental illness Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. Psalm 34:19 Mental illness Mental illnesses now rank third in the statistics for incapacity to work in Germany. Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses. Since 2000, the number of days absent from work due to depression has more than doubled. Closely related to depression is the “burn-out syndrome”, which describes a state of total physical and mental exhaustion. Here, too, the burden of disease has more than quadrupled in the last ten years. Those most affected are occupational groups in the...More Monday, July 15, 2024 Andrew brings his questions to Jesus Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled? Mark 13:3–4 Andrew brings his questions to Jesus When you see the remains of the former temple wall in Jerusalem today, you get an idea of how enormous and magnificent the temple must have been. So you can also understand why the disciples reverently – and perhaps also a little proudly – point out to the Lord: “Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!” But...More Sunday, July 14, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (146) This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. John 15:12–15 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (146) Who would dare to fulfil Jesus’ commandment to love one another as He loved us? Is that even possible? If the children of God weren’t able to do this,...More Saturday, July 13, 2024 That which is eternal Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength. Isaiah 26:4 That which is eternal In our fast-moving times, it becomes particularly obvious how transient everything on earth is. What was trendy yesterday may already be outdated today. As Christians, we are concerned that moral values such as faithfulness and consistency are increasingly disappearing in society. Even the order that God placed in creation is being pushed aside as old-fashioned. In this changing environment, what endures forever gives us deep peace and real security: “The word of our...More Friday, July 12, 2024 No half measures How long will you falter between two opinions? 1 Kings 18:21 No half measures During a war between France and Italy, a man who lived right on the border suffered greatly from the fighting. His property was in the middle of the battle zone and was taken in turn by troops from both sides. For his own safety, he is said to have sewn himself a reversible cloak showing the French national colours on one side and the Italian on the other. He kept himself informed about the changing course of the front and always wore his coat with the colours of the nation that currently had the upper hand in...More Thursday, July 11, 2024 What do we talk about? Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 What do we talk about? Unfortunately, our conversations often consist simply of chatter. We exchange superficialities, talk about the weather or discuss the latest news. Sometimes we also vent about our fellow human beings. We badmouth them in front of others with harsh or sarcastic words. God warns us in the Bible against useless or harmful talk: “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification” (Ephesians...More Wednesday, July 10, 2024 “Who loved me” Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me. Mark 10:21 “Who loved me” The funeral is over. People are leaving the cemetery. Relieved, some move quickly away from this place where death always delivers an unmistakable sermon; others walk away in silent grief. At the gate of the cemetery someone offers flyers with the title, “Who loved me”. A young man in an adventurous getup passes through the gate...More Tuesday, July 9, 2024 We know that in nature we reap what we have... Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Galatians 6:7–8 We know that in nature we reap what we have sown. All living things are under the indissoluble law of sowing and reaping. Figs have never grown on thorns, nor grapes on thistles. And every farmer has always reaped exactly what he has sown. This law of sowing and reaping is also valid in the moral sphere: our words and deeds can be compared to seeds, which...More Monday, July 8, 2024 In Athens, the stronghold of Greek... ...that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:5 In Athens, the stronghold of Greek wisdom, the apostle Paul had given a very special speech at the Areopagus (Acts 17:22–34). Then he had moved on to Corinth to proclaim the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ there as well. Although the Greek philosophers of religion had also discussed salvation, Paul calls their reasoning the “wisdom of men”. Indeed, God’s plan with mankind is not the result of logical reasoning; rather, He Himself has revealed how He will save His creatures. Only...More Sunday, July 7, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (145) As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:9–11 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (145) In the Gospel of John, the Lord speaks several times about love. If you put these statements together in four lines, the result is a quadrilateral of love: The Father loves the Son (ch. 3:35). The Father loves believers as He loves His Son (ch....More Saturday, July 6, 2024 The work of God Consider the work of God. Ecclesiastes 7:13 The work of God People who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour can see from the Word of God how great the work of their salvation is. Today we would like to think of three aspects: 1. God has done something for us: “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him” (1 John 4:9). Out of love to us, God sent His Son to earth as Saviour. Jesus Christ died on the cross to make the sacrifice by which we could be saved. This was...More Friday, July 5, 2024 Luck or misfortune? And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 Luck or misfortune? A Chinese farmer wanted to cultivate his land in spring. All he had to help him was a son and a horse. One day the horse ran away from him. The neighbours came and pitied the farmer for his misfortune. But he remained calm and said, “How do you know it is bad luck?” The next week the horse came back, bringing ten wild horses with it. The neighbours came again and congratulated the farmer on his good fortune. Again, he...More Thursday, July 4, 2024 Swimming against the current Do not be conformed to this world. Romans 12:2 Swimming against the current In today’s verse, the “world” refers to human society that seeks happiness without God. It rejects His Son, Jesus Christ, and pursues goals that completely exclude the living God. Before our conversion, we also belonged to this godless system. But since we personally believed in the Lord Jesus, our relationship to the world has changed. We no longer belong to it, although we are still in it. In His prayer to the Father the Lord expresses this fact: “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world” (John...More Wednesday, July 3, 2024 Questions to God I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. Psalm 3:4 Questions to God Since time immemorial, people have asked themselves fundamental questions about life, but they have been unable to answer them conclusively. Only God knows the answer. He shares it with us in the Bible. Today we want to explore two such questions: “If a man dies, shall he live again?” (Job 14:14). This question concerns the hereafter. What does God say about it? In Ecclesiastes 12:7 we read, “Then the dust will return to the earth as it was,and the spirit will return to God who gave...More Tuesday, July 2, 2024 What does Golgotha stand for? … having made peace through the blood of His cross. Colossians 1:20 What does Golgotha stand for? The place of execution, Golgotha, was outside the city of Jerusalem, but at the same time not far from it (John 19:17, 20). Since the Romans wanted to create a deterrent effect with their crucifixions, a busy road led past the place (Matthew 27:39). The word “Golgotha” (Calvary in some translations) means “skull”. Based on archaeological excavations in the area of today’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre, it can be assumed that this site was a large quarry until the first century...More Monday, July 1, 2024 Enslaved and freed But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. Romans 6:17–18 Enslaved and freed Kidnapped and abducted from Africa, put in heavy iron chains, taken by ship to other continents under the most terrible circumstances, offered for sale to brutal traders, forced to work by force: more than three million African slaves were sold to Brazil alone by Portuguese merchants in modern times. It was not until 1865 that slavery was abolished in the...More Sunday, June 30, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (144) If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:6–8 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (144) At that time in Israel, grape-growing was part of everyday life. The disciples could therefore envisage what the Lord spoke about, for example, branches being “pruned” so that they would bear more...More Saturday, June 29, 2024 The Lord Jesus is able Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25 The Lord Jesus is able During our walk of faith on earth, the Lord Jesus is active for us in heaven as High Priest. When problems arise that overwhelm us, He is able to help. When great hardships arise that threaten to sink us, He is able to stand by us. There is no situation in which we cannot count on His support and comfort. As a merciful and faithful High Priest, He is able to help us when we are tested (Hebrews 2:17–18). In...More Friday, June 28, 2024 Liberation But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. Romans 6:17 Liberation The artist Michelangelo impressively depicted the sad fate of slaves through his sculptures. Instead of creating human figures in chains, he created bodies that remain standing in the marble. They emerge from the stone, but not completely. You can see the tense muscles but recognise that they are being held down and cannot free themselves. Doesn’t this also symbolise our situation before conversion? We were slaves to the sin...More Thursday, June 27, 2024 Only read the Bible? You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. John 5:39 Only read the Bible? After a Gospel talk, a young man addressed the preacher, “I’m a lost cause. I don’t believe in anything.” “Then what do you expect me to do?” replied the preacher. “One thing has become clear to me: faith makes you happy. I envy you. What do you want me to do? What should I study?” “Only the Bible!” was the preacher’s reply. “What’s the use of reading it if I don’t believe it is the Word of God?” asked the...More Wednesday, June 26, 2024 Our God and Father For the Father Himself loves you. John 16:27 Our God and Father How good are all those who have become children of God through faith in the Lord Jesus! They have a Father in heaven who loves them. It is the Father’s will “that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life” (John 6:40). This will was fulfilled when we accepted the Lord Jesus as our personal Saviour. Now we are saved and possess eternal life. In John 16:23, the Lord speaks of the Father’s ear: “Whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you”. It is a great privilege that...More Tuesday, June 25, 2024 A young man was getting too cramped in his... This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 1 Timothy 1:15 A young man was getting too cramped in his Christian parental home. He knew that his parents prayed for him regularly, and that bothered him even more. So, he finally packed his suitcase and moved to another city. He found a job as a driver at a cab company. One day he had a serious traffic accident. An ambulance took him to the hospital. He was severely injured. The doctor on call was still trying to take care of him when he opened his eyes. “Jesus...More Monday, June 24, 2024 Fear of God Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Psalm 34:11 Fear of God To fear God is to acknowledge Him as the authority over you and to honour Him by behaving well. We fear doing something that displeases Him. So how can the fear of God show itself in our lives? Psalm 34 gives us a few points to help us: Our speech: “Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit” (verse 13). Before we speak, do we always consider whether what we are about to say is true? And if it is true – is it perhaps going to harm someone? How quickly we...More Sunday, June 23, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (143) You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:3–5 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (143) The Lord had previously said to His disciples: “You are clean”, and then added: “but not all of you” (ch. 13:10). Except for Judas, in the upper room the Lord called His disciples “clean”. But Judas had...More Saturday, June 22, 2024 The preaching bullet Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble at His word! Isaiah 66:5 The preaching bullet In the 17th century, it was mandatory for every British soldier to carry a Bible in his baggage. Now a young delinquent had joined the force because he secretly hoped to get hold of war booty. Like his comrades, he had to carry a Bible. At the end of a hard day’s fighting, he hungrily reached into his pocket for provisions. As he did so, a book fell into his hands. He took it out and discovered a mysterious round hole in the cover. He opened the book – it was the Bible – and found that a bullet had...More Friday, June 21, 2024 Spiritual support They returned, … strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God. Acts 14:22 Spiritual support Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel of grace in various cities on their missionary journey. As a result, people came to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. These then possessed forgiveness of sins and were saved for heaven. On the return journey, the Lord’s servants visited these new converts and tried to help them on their journey of faith: They strengthened the souls...More Thursday, June 20, 2024 A real way out But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved). Ephesians 2:4–5 A real way out “I have never been lucky.” With these words, the man I visited in prison welcomed me. It really seemed as if misfortune had hit him particularly hard. His parents lived apart, so he never knew a real home. He grew up in different homes and spent a stormy youth. Soon he fell under bad influence. As a result, he had to appear in court and was sentenced to imprisonment....More Wednesday, June 19, 2024 My Redeemer lives! I know that my Redeemer lives. Job 19:25 My Redeemer lives! The conviction that Job had in the midst of his serious illness formed the foundation of his faith: he knew that his Redeemer lived. Therefore, looking at his sick body, he could say: “And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God” (Job 19:26). In his suffering, Job possessed the firm hope that his Redeemer would one day raise him up. This same conviction of faith can be possessed today by everyone who knows Jesus Christ as personal Saviour. His life and His death, and especially His...More Tuesday, June 18, 2024 “That’s me!” (2) All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6 “That’s me!” (2) When the young Englishman read the first part of this Bible verse to his terminally ill compatriot in the barn in Australia, the latter exclaimed, “This is me, this is myself! That’s what I’ve been doing all my life.” Then they were both silent. After a while, the sick man asked his new companion to continue reading. “The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” “Ah,” he said again, “Jesus Christ!”...More Monday, June 17, 2024 “That’s me!” (1) All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way. Isaiah 53:6 “That’s me!” (1) Many years ago, a young Englishman stayed in Australia for a long period of time. At one point he got lost in a wooded area until he finally came to a large farm. To his request for a place to spend the night, the farmer replied, “You can go into the barn over there if you want. But there’s already someone in there.” In fact, another person was already lying quite miserably in a corner, coughing terribly. Then, in conversation, it became apparent that he, too, was...More Sunday, June 16, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (142) I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. John 15:1–2 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (142) The Lord Jesus and His disciples celebrated the Passover together in the upper room. During this occasion, He spoke about their relationships with the persons of the Godhead. Now they are on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane, and this way leads through vineyards. The Lord takes this setting as an occasion to instruct His disciples about what their task and...More

Friday, June 14, 2024 Forgiveness In Him (Jesus Christ) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. Ephesians 1:7 Forgiveness You may ask yourself: How do I know that God has forgiven my sins? This important question must definitely be answered. The Bible says: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven and whose sins are covered” (Romans 4:7). To whom does this statement apply? To all who believe in the Lord Jesus! Have you realised in faith that He, in His grace, took your place on the cross and died there for you? Have you grasped by faith that the...More Thursday, June 13, 2024 Look to the Lord Jesus! These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33 Look to the Lord Jesus! When we look at the waves of time and circumstance, it is easy for fear and worry to creep into our hearts. But this need not be so. The Lord Jesus encourages us to look to Him in the midst of affliction and find peace with Him. Perhaps we are afraid of what is coming. We fear for our jobs because the economic situation has worsened. Or we are afraid of an operation and ask ourselves: What will...More Wednesday, June 12, 2024 Rude awakening Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? Acts 9:4 Rude awakening On a crowded morning train, a passenger bumps into another passenger and swears at him for getting in his way. It is an unfortunate, thoughtless moment that usually has no further consequences. But what eyes this man makes when, an hour later, he sits opposite the one he insulted on the train at a job interview! On his journey to Damascus, Saul also met a person he would never have expected. He was abruptly stopped in his persecution of Christians by a bright light from heaven. A voice addressed him, “Saul, Saul, why are...More Tuesday, June 11, 2024 You are the light of the world You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:14 You are the light of the world Jesus Christ, who shone into the world as the perfect light, returned to heaven after His death and resurrection. Now His disciples, who believe in Him and possess new life, are the light of the world. This is both a statement and a call. People who have the light of life through faith in the Lord Jesus can be light bearers in the dark world and show people something of God. They have the mission to spread light about the living God through their words and...More Monday, June 10, 2024 I am the light of the world Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. John 8:12 I am the light of the world The Son of God, who came to earth as a man about 2,000 years ago, was the light of the world. He shone into people’s lives and revealed what was in their hearts. Thus, they were placed in the divine light and recognised their lost condition before God. At the same time, the light showed them the way to salvation: whoever believed in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, would not be judged. But most turned away...More Sunday, June 9, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (141) You have heard Me say to you, I am going away and coming back to you. If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, I am going to the Father, for My Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here. John 14:28–31 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (141) The disciples were enabled to look confidently into...More Saturday, June 8, 2024 Total surveillance He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Revelation 13:16–17 Total surveillance Government surveillance in the Western world has increased significantly in the course of the war on terror. With the help of today’s technology, it is becoming increasingly easy to collect and evaluate digital traces that people leave behind: camera images are scanned, cell phones are located, messages on the...More Friday, June 7, 2024 A young man was in... I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that … you … may live. Deuteronomy 30:19 A young man was in hospital. He was in a serious condition because his life was hanging by a thread. A visitor asked him, “Do you think you’ll get better?” The young man replied, “If I survive this, it will be grace; but if I die, it will be glory!” Only a short time later, it had become glory for him. Yes, life is grace. And to be healthy and to have enough to eat and to grow old in good health is a...More Thursday, June 6, 2024 In today’s Bible passage, the apostle... But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 In today’s Bible passage, the apostle Paul addresses people whom he calls “brethren”. He could address them in this way because he was united with them through faith in Jesus Christ. They, just like him, knew God as their Father – they had become children of God. That is why even today believing Christians call each other ‘brothers and sisters in the Lord’, because they all belong to the family of God. Christians do not need to worry...More Wednesday, June 5, 2024 Through waves, through... Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day. Proverbs 23:17 Through waves, through clouds and storms, God gently clears the way; We wait His time; so shall the night Soon end in blissful day. He everywhere hath sway, And all things serve His might; His every act pure blessing is, His path unsullied light. When He makes bare His arm, Who shall His work withstand? When He His people’s cause defends, Who then shall stay His hand? We leave it to Himself To choose and to command, With wonder filled,...More Tuesday, June 4, 2024 Burning and shining He was the burning and shining lamp. John 5:35 Burning and shining The Lord Jesus compares John the Baptist to a lamp burning and shining. In his testimony about the Son of God, he spread warmth and light. Because his heart burned for the Lord, John was a bright light. He pointed people in an appealing way to the Lamb of God who had come to solve the problem of sin. In the past, there was only light when a fire was burning. Later, electric light bulbs were used, which gave more light than a fire but at the same time produced a lot of heat. Today there are LED lights. They are more...More Monday, June 3, 2024 Brought to God For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God. 1 Peter 3:18 Brought to God In today’s Bible verse we can recognise several results of the work of redemption that the Lord Jesus accomplished on the cross. Christ suffered once for sins because God in His holiness demands just punishment for every offence. By His work on the cross, the Lord Jesus fully restored the glory of God that had been defiled by the sins of His creatures. The word “once” indicates that His sacrifice need never be repeated. His work of redemption stands complete...More Sunday, June 2, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (140) These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:25–27 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (140) In today’s verses, let us notice the two expressions “these things” and “all”. When Jesus was here on earth, He had already shared many things with the disciples. But...More Saturday, June 1, 2024 The lame man leaps (6) And all the people saw him walking and praising God. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. Acts 3:9–10 The lame man leaps (6) A miracle has happened: a lame man, who couldn’t walk from birth and for over 40 years, can walk and leap again! But the reactions to this are disappointing! The crowd recognises that the lame man, who had sat day after day at the Beautiful Gate, is suddenly walking around healed. Here, in front of all the people, a miracle has happened that...More Friday, May 31, 2024 The lame man leaps (5) (He) entered the temple with them – walking, leaping, and praising God. Acts 3:8 The lame man leaps (5) The first reactions of the formerly lame man are to leap up, to stand, and to walk around – signs of his personal joy. But he does not stop there, because the Bible text says that he “entered the temple with them” and that he was “praising God” – signs of a joy expressed together. Until then he had sat in the gate that led to the temple. But most likely he was never allowed to enter himself, because he was lame. But now he is allowed. What might he have felt in doing...More Thursday, May 30, 2024 The lame man leaps (4) And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked. Acts 3:7–8 The lame man leaps (4) Who makes the sick person well? Jesus Christ, who gave Peter the authority. How does the sick man get well? By Peter speaking a word from God and taking him by the hand and lifting him up. He leaps up (although he had never leapt before in his life), is able to stand and he walks around. Whoever today puts his trust in Jesus, the crucified and risen Lord, will also experience that He intervenes in salvation. How...More Wednesday, May 29, 2024 The lame man leaps (3) Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. Acts 3:6–7 The lame man leaps (3) The beggar expects a small gift from the apostles – but Peter refers him to “Jesus Christ of Nazareth”; the beggar expects something for sustenance – but Peter heals him, making him well (ch. 4:9). How “silver and gold” and all other alms pale in comparison to this! Peter refers to Jesus...More Tuesday, May 28, 2024 The lame man leaps (2) (The lame man), seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have”. Acts 3:3–6 The lame man leaps (2) Peter and John enter the temple area through the Beautiful Gate. There sits a lame man, a beggar. When he sees them, he asks for alms, a donation, as he does countless times every day. But this time everything is different. Peter and John stop, look steadfastly at the beggar...More Monday, May 27, 2024 The lame man leaps (1) Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple. Acts 3:1–2 The lame man leaps (1) Peter and John have a good habit: they go to the temple to pray. We also have habits: in our daily routine, in our job, in our relationships. Do we also know the habit of praying to God regularly – each one for himself, but also, as here, together with others? At a gate to the temple...More Sunday, May 26, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (139) Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world? Jesus answered and said to him, If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me. John 14:22–24 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (139) The change that was about to take place for the disciples was difficult for them to understand: Christ in heaven and the Holy Spirit here on earth – this did not...More Saturday, May 25, 2024 A comparison For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17 A comparison In 2 Corinthians 4, the apostle Paul addresses the toil and effort involved in serving the Lord. He also reminds us that the body deteriorates through sickness and old age. All this is not easy to bear. But Paul wants to encourage us to persevere in the work of the Lord and in physical sufferings. That is why he compares the present tribulation with the future glory. In view of eternal happiness in heaven, the difficulties on earth pass...More Friday, May 24, 2024 From the weary to the blessed Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 From the weary to the blessed When Jesus Christ lived on earth and observed people, He saw their problems. As the Son of God, He also recognised the hardships in their lives. How many troubled people there were: people who tried hard to live a decent life; people who wanted to do God’s commandments. But they had to realise afterwards that they had not succeeded in doing everything right. Through this constant, unsuccessful striving, they became weary. The Lord Jesus saw it and invited them,...More Thursday, May 23, 2024 Great expectations? And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them. Jeremiah 45:5 Great expectations? Today’s Bible verse was addressed by the prophet Jeremiah to Baruch, who was faithful to God. He had supported Jeremiah when he was opposed by his peers. Baruch had also written the prophet’s words on a scroll. But the king had rejected these divine communications and burned the scroll. This opposition struck Baruch deeply. Disappointed, he exclaimed, “Woe is me now! For the Lord has added grief to my sorrow” (Jeremiah 45:3). Are we also discouraged and disappointed? Why might this be...More Wednesday, May 22, 2024 There are people who are convinced that the... For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 There are people who are convinced that the Bible is of human origin, and some even attribute it to the devil. The following story is 150 years old, but I am convinced that it is just as possible today. On a ship, a preacher is talking to some passengers. In the process, they also come to talk about the Bible. One of the listeners...More Tuesday, May 21, 2024 The message in the wastepaper basket The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you who do not believe. John 6:63–64 The message in the wastepaper basket Every time Christoph and Anne visited their neighbours, they gave them an evangelistic flyer to read. As soon as they left, it went into the wastepaper basket. In this house, they didn’t want to know anything about God. But the woman who did the house cleaning every week discovered the unread leaflets in the bin. She took them out and read them. God touched her heart so that she accepted the word of truth. She believed in the...More Monday, May 20, 2024 Jesus Christ had announced that He would send... For by one Spirit we were all baptised into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free. 1 Corinthians 12:13 Jesus Christ had announced that He would send another Comforter (or as some Bible translations put it, Helper) to the disciples after His ascension. This came to pass when the Holy Spirit came to earth on the day of Pentecost at Jerusalem. He came to dwell in the individual believers who had accepted the good news of Jesus Christ. It was at the same time the birthday of the worldwide church (or congregation, assembly), which consists of all who know Jesus Christ personally...More Sunday, May 19, 2024 Christmas – Easter – Ascension – Pentecost Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Acts 2:21 Christmas – Easter – Ascension – Pentecost A few months ago it was “Christmas”. These holidays commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. On which day this happened about 2,000 years ago, we can no longer determine precisely. The exact date is not important anyway. What is much more important is that Jesus, the Son of God, became man to redeem us from our sins. To do this, the Lord Jesus had to die on the cross. He had never done anything evil. And yet He willingly allowed Himself to be punished by God for sin so that...More Saturday, May 18, 2024 Andrew names what is present One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many? John 6:8–9 Andrew names what is present Jesus Christ wants to be alone with His disciples. But a great crowd follows Him, remains with Him, and listens to Him: all day long. He sees their inner need but He also knows that now, towards the end of the day, they are hungry. So He asks His disciple Philip the question, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” The latter counts, calculates and replies, “Two hundred denarii...More Friday, May 17, 2024 The path of life On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. John 7:37 The path of life Modern music concerts attract crowds of enthusiastic fans like a magnet. The singers enjoy unspeakable adoration. But a life in the fast lane is not automatically a happy life. As if to prove the point, sad news hit the media in 2017: World-famous US singer Chris Cornell was dead! He had an incredible vocal range of almost four octaves, from a particularly deep bass to a very high tenor. With his band he sold 22 million records. On...More Thursday, May 16, 2024 It is certainly not very often that a full... Then Jesus said … “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31–32 It is certainly not very often that a full professor of theology comes to a living faith in God. She says of herself that she used to fully advocate biblical critical theology. She was convinced that with her theological work she would be doing God a service and contributing to the proclamation of the gospel. But in doing so, she had made philosophies her foundation that excluded God’s Word as the source of truth. God, however, did not let...More Wednesday, May 15, 2024 God and His Word So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace. Acts 20:32 God and His Word In his farewell words to the Christians in Ephesus, the apostle Paul warned them of the dangers that lurked on the common path of faith. On the one hand, people would enter the circle of believers like ravening wolves and not spare the flock. On the other hand, people from among the Christians would rise up to draw the disciples away from the Lord Jesus with perverse teachings. In the face of these dangers, the apostle commended the believers to God and to the word of His grace. We know that...More Tuesday, May 14, 2024 Can guilt be covered up? They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 1 Peter 4:5 Can guilt be covered up? In 1799, English fishermen caught a large shark. In its stomach they found a bundle of papers tied together with a strap. They showed that a ship named Nancy had been carrying contraband. This find was immediately handed over to the competent authority. At that time, the trial of the crew of the Nancy was in progress. They were suspected of having transported smuggled goods during the war between England and France. Until this find, however, there was no solid evidence...More Monday, May 13, 2024 Being humble and self-restrained When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom. Proverbs 11:2 Being humble and self-restrained In our time, moderation is hardly one of the most vaunted qualities. Be satisfied with less? No! Striving for more is much more the order of the day. Doesn’t advertising constantly try to convince us that we need this and that in order to be truly happy? From a divine point of view, things are quite different. In the Bible, moderation is portrayed very positively, and not only in the Old Testament. The writer of the Letter to the Hebrews urges us: “Let your conduct be...More Sunday, May 12, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (138) A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him. John 14:19–21 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (138) In just a few hours the unbelieving world would not see Jesus any more. Between His resurrection and ascension the world didn’t see Him; after His ascension it couldn’t see Him. But...More Saturday, May 11, 2024 Martin is proud of his daughter Sarah... Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15 Martin is proud of his daughter Sarah – specially now, when she is beaming all over because she has received a small gift from the man at the book table. “What do you say, Sarah?” Martin asks her. “Oh, she already said thank you,” the man assures, turning to her once more. “God bless you, little Sarah!” Then he turns to Martin, “Your daughter has already learned her lesson beautifully.” Martin doesn’t understand him, “What lesson?” “Well, she says thank you for what...More Friday, May 10, 2024 The Gospel of Luke records a remarkable... I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance. Luke 5:32 The Gospel of Luke records a remarkable encounter of the Lord Jesus with a tax collector named Levi. Levi, who is also called Matthew, is sitting at the customs house when Jesus sees him. The tax collectors in Palestine at that time worked for the Roman occupation forces. Their customs and tax demands were executed by military force if necessary. Therefore they had a bad reputation among their countrymen. Nothing more is said about Levi’s professional practice. However, it is quite possible that he, like other tax collectors of his...More Thursday, May 9, 2024 The Acts of the Apostles … until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. Acts 1:2–3 The Acts of the Apostles The evangelist Luke reports in his Gospel the details of the life and death of Jesus up to His ascension into heaven. Whoever reads this Gospel will be impressed by the way Jesus was guided by the Holy Spirit in all life situations. Even the...More Wednesday, May 8, 2024 A few months later, a friend invited me to a... Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him. Psalm 2:12 A few months later, a friend invited me to a conference. It was about the relationship of Jews to Jesus. I didn’t attend, but in the invitation flyer there was a Bible verse from Psalm 2 that made me think. Unfortunately, my friend could not explain the verse to me. I then opened the Old Testament in the translation of a Jewish rabbi and read the entire second Psalm, noticing that the verse in question was translated somewhat differently...More Tuesday, May 7, 2024 My parents raised me in the Jewish... Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 My parents raised me in the Jewish faith. My mother told me about the Messiah who would one day redeem all people. But the Nazi genocide had destroyed this seed of hope in me. After my studies, singing became my religion. I became a singer and actor and I was very successful: soon I was performing with the most famous singers of the time. But this success didn’t bring me inner peace and I asked myself what was the meaning of my life. “Are you at peace?” I sometimes asked my...More Monday, May 6, 2024 Everyone knows that they will... No one has power over the spirit to retain the spirit, and no one has power in the day of death. Ecclesiastes 8:8 A 63-year-old man had a new denture fitted. The following conversation ensued: Patient: “The old dental bridge lasted 25 years!” Dentist: “I hope the new one lasts just as long.” Patient: “If I last that long ...” Dentist: “Yes, that’s the anxious question we all face.” Patient: “I believe in Jesus Christ, so that lets me rest easy.” Dentist: “Yes, I understand that. That’s what it says in the reading you...More Sunday, May 5, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (137) If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. John 14:15–18 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (137) The Lord Jesus was about to leave the earth. But His love for His disciples would never cease – He loves them “to the end” (ch. 13:1). And His disciples – would they love their Lord and remain...More Saturday, May 4, 2024 What God has in store for you In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10 What God has in store for you God wants to talk to you. Although He lives in heaven, He seeks contact with you. He has written many things for you in the Bible. Take this book and start reading it. Then you will learn that the Son of God lived on earth as the man, Jesus Christ. Through His words and deeds, He communicated that God loves us all, including you. God wants to cleanse you. Through your transgressions you have made yourself dirty – not outwardly, but...More Friday, May 3, 2024 Troubles of old age Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails. Psalm 71:9 Troubles of old age A woman of advanced age tells us, “I am so weak on my feet, and it’s getting worse. You can’t imagine how troublesome it is to barely get out of your room or out of your home.” God knows that it is troublesome for many to grow old and to see themselves becoming more and more frail. That is why He makes a glorious promise: “Even to your old age, I am He, and even to grey hairs I will carry you” (Isaiah 46:4). “What are you saying?” retorts an aged man. “I...More Thursday, May 2, 2024 It was 70 years ago now – but... How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? Hebrews 2:3 It was 70 years ago now – but I still remember it as if it were yesterday. As an engine driver, I was travelling by train one night. We were in a hurry, although it was stormy and very dark. As I was going around a long curve, I suddenly saw red lights ahead of me. “Brake, John, brake!” I shouted. “Brake – or it will be too late!” My colleague got into the irons and brought the train to a halt. It was not a second too soon, because the debris of a freight train that had derailed was piled up in front of us. I can’t imagine what...More Wednesday, May 1, 2024 May 1 has been International Labour Day for over... Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Romans 13:1 May 1 has been International Labour Day for over 100 years. The holiday dates back to the US labour movement, which called for a general strike lasting several days from May 1, 1886. Industrial workers there began striking on that day because the old labour contracts expired on May 1 in the United States. They wanted to renegotiate and demanded an eight-hour day. On the third day of the strike, numerous police officers and striking workers were...More Tuesday, April 30, 2024 Three results of new birth Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. 1 John 5:1 Three results of new birth As natural human beings, we didn’t meet God’s standards. Therefore, we had to be born anew. When we personally believed in the Lord Jesus and His redemptive work on the cross, God gave us eternal life. Three wonderful results of the new birth are described to us in 1 John 5. We belong to a new family: “Everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him” (1 John 5:1). As believers, together we form the family of God, characterised by brotherly love. The...More Monday, April 29, 2024 Since the early 1970s, the German Language Society has... He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth. Isaiah 53:7 Since the early 1970s, the German Language Society has regularly chosen a “Word of the Year” that has often played a special role in public debate. The first time, the expression “aufmüpfig” was chosen, which means something like unruly or defiant. It contains the idea of revolt and rebellion, and we can well imagine that it was widely used in those times of social upheaval. But rebelliousness did...More Sunday, April 28, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (136) Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:11–14 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (136) The words of Jesus are profound. They show that He not only became fully man, but that He is God at the same time. He is man and God in one...More Saturday, April 27, 2024 Everyone is affected! For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:22–23 Everyone is affected! Hardly any statement in the Bible evokes such general displeasure as the idea in today’s verse. For many, it is too absolute that all have sinned without exception. They do not like being lumped together with criminals. Aren’t we all inclined to think that we are a little better than our fellow human beings? We like to compare ourselves with those who have more dirt on them in order to see ourselves in a good light. But if we want to know who and what man really...More Friday, April 26, 2024 To run against and to leap over For by You I can run against a troop, by my God I can leap over a wall. Psalm 18:29 To run against and to leap over David speaks in today’s verse from the Psalms about two possible obstacles on the path of faith: There is a hostile crowd that opposes us in following the Lord. This doesn’t mean people, for our struggle is not against flesh and blood. Rather, it is about the world with its ideas that wants to keep us from a consistent life of faith. It can also be the devil who tries to convince us that we are missing out on something in life if we faithfully follow the Lord...More Thursday, April 25, 2024 What do a burn injury, a fall from scaffolding, a... Is there no balm … , is there no physician there? Why then is there no recovery? Jeremiah 8:22 What do a burn injury, a fall from scaffolding, a stroke, a bad traffic accident and a medication overdose have in common? They are all emergencies – emergencies that occur in one place, perhaps within a few hours, and for which the emergency telephone number is dialled. Day or night, man, woman or child, old or young: when this number is dialled, an ambulance with experienced paramedics and life-saving equipment sets off. For all these emergencies, as different as they are, there is this common...More Wednesday, April 24, 2024 Bring your problems to Jesus! Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. Mark 1:29–30 Bring your problems to Jesus! This is an impressive thing about the Bible: that it also mentions the dark side of life – suffering, failure and death. One day, Jesus Christ was staying in the city of Capernaum with some of His disciples. He first visited the synagogue and then went to Simon and Andrew’s home. There, however, Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with...More Tuesday, April 23, 2024 Perhaps someone thinks, “That’s not... Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Peace, be still! And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39 Perhaps someone thinks, “That’s not possible! A storm doesn’t calm down simply because some person calls out to it, ‘Peace, be still!’” No, of course not! But it wasn’t just anyone who did that; it was Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Himself. People like us would have made ourselves look ridiculous with such an attempt to calm the wind and the waves. But here was One whom the wind and waves obeyed. This could only be the Almighty God! The disciples of...More Monday, April 22, 2024 George Whitefield (1714–1770) was a famous... For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. Matthew 18:11 George Whitefield (1714–1770) was a famous preacher in England. It is estimated that he preached about 30,000 sermons to almost 10 million people in his lifetime. This man had a brother who didn’t want to know anything about God and lived accordingly. There came a day when he began to think about God, but he was unable to believe in His forgiveness in view of the great guilt he had become aware of. One day he was a guest of some friends. Knowing how desperate he was, his hostess introduced him to the grace of God that came through...More Sunday, April 21, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (135) If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him. Philip said to Him, Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us. Jesus said to him, Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, Show us the Father? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. John 14:7–10 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (135) Many think that they do...More Saturday, April 20, 2024 Counting on God But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33 Counting on God I am sitting in the office of a Salvation Army officer. With various examples, the man describes how his operation works. He talks about the people who work there. Many come from difficult backgrounds. They first have to learn to have a regular job. Some come from the penal system. There are also people who have had to flee their country of origin. For these asylum seekers, it is a matter of learning a foreign language and getting used to a completely new...More Friday, April 19, 2024 He who places his hope in God ... You … through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 1 Peter 1:21 He who places his hope in God ... A pithy saying expresses human hope: We should hope for the best, be prepared for the worst and take what comes. This attitude takes into account the whole range of what could come our way. But it gives neither stability nor perspective. In view of the future, human beings are not in a position to offer real and secure hope. Only God can do that. He gives those who believe in His Son, Jesus Christ, a perspective that...More Thursday, April 18, 2024 Continuing with the Lord Jesus! [Barnabas] encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. Acts 11:23 Continuing with the Lord Jesus! The exhortation in the verse of the day consists of four parts: Continuing with the Lord concerns our heart. The Lord does not expect our time, our strength, our money or our service first. He wants our affection. The central motive for everything we do in our lives should be love for the Lord Jesus. Because He died for us, our heart belongs to Him. Continuing with the Lord requires a decision. Every day we make decisions –...More Wednesday, April 17, 2024 Contaminated sites Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord, though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Isaiah 1:18 Contaminated sites At disused factories or in old landfills, there may be contaminated sites that pollute the soil. Whether they lie on the surface or are filled in, whether they have already caused damage or not, these contaminated sites pose considerable risks to groundwater and human health. That is why most countries take this problem seriously and conduct thorough remediation of all contaminated sites. Contaminated sites – do they also exist in our...More Tuesday, April 16, 2024 Wouldn’t that leave you cold as... (He) sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, Come, for all things are now ready. But they all with one accord began to make excuses. …Then the master of the house, being angry … Luke 14:17–18, 21 Wouldn’t that leave you cold as well? You invite your best friends to dinner, put a lot of effort into it – and when you finally have everything prepared, one after the other cancels shortly beforehand ... Probably such insulting behaviour happens only rarely. But the Bible tells of a man who had exactly the same thing happen to him. When everything is ready, none of...More Monday, April 15, 2024 Whenever a pianist anywhere in the world hits... The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot. Proverbs 10:7 Whenever a pianist anywhere in the world hits the keys on a “Steinway & Sons” grand piano, the sound experience is owed to Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg, who was born on February 22, 1797, in Wolfshagen in the Harz Mountains, Germany. Heinrich began a carpentry apprenticeship at the age of 15. He then went to Goslar, where he worked as an organist and trained as an instrument maker. From 1814 to 1822 he was drafted into military service. After first making guitars, zithers and mandolins as a sideline,...More Sunday, April 14, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (134) And where I go you know, and the way you know. Thomas said to Him, Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way? Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:4–6 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (134) Jesus has made known to His disciples the destination of their journey: it is the house where God the Father dwells. No child of God has yet reached this eternal home; that will not happen until the Lord comes and raptures all the redeemed to Himself (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). But the Lord is concerned...More Saturday, April 13, 2024 Last-minute testimony To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins. Acts 10:43 Last-minute testimony A major weekly newspaper published testimony from condemned death row inmates. Many expressed clear revolt – not so with M. He said, “First of all, I would like to express my sincere regret to the family of my victim. I have caused a lot of pain, sorrow, grief and suffering. This fills me with very deep sadness. I know that nothing can bring A. (his victim) back. ... But I want you to know that I am no longer the person I was: this one is...More Friday, April 12, 2024 Our verse of the day is one of the best... Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and for ever. Hebrews 13:8 Our verse of the day is one of the best-known statements in the Bible – and rightly so. The fact that Jesus Christ does not change brings happiness and joy to all who entrust their lives to Him, the Saviour and Redeemer. Don’t we all long for stability and reliability in an environment that is becoming increasingly unstable and chaotic? Where can we find secure footing and a firm anchor for our lives? Only Jesus Christ, the Son of God, can give us what we long for deep inside. He does not change. He takes care of our...More Thursday, April 11, 2024 You have to take a break for 14 days! But you stand here awhile, that I may announce to you the word of God. Hear, and your soul shall live. 1 Samuel 9:27; Isaiah 55:3 You have to take a break for 14 days! This instruction by the doctor can be received very differently by patients. Some feel completely hollowed out by such a forced break. They cannot be without activity. Others may consider themselves indispensable and find it hard to bear the thought that professional life will go on without them for 14 days. Still others may find such a time a beneficial break that allows them to take a breath and regain their...More Wednesday, April 10, 2024 Jesus Christ, God’s promised Redeemer and... When He had been baptised, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, this is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:16–17 Jesus Christ, God’s promised Redeemer and Ruler of His people, has come to the Jordan to John the Baptist. Outwardly, the Son of God cannot be distinguished from the others who are being baptised there. The Baptist, too, did not recognise Him until He demanded baptism from him; at first, he even wanted to...More Tuesday, April 9, 2024 John the Baptist is the forerunner of the... Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptised by him. Matthew 3:13 John the Baptist is the forerunner of the Messiah, the Redeemer and Ruler of Israel. His coming is announced in many places in the Old Testament, and everything points to the fact that the Messiah will soon appear. Not only John, but also all the people are full of expectation (e.g. Luke 2:25–38; 3:15). In what way do you think the Messiah will come? How will they recognise Him? It must impress us that just as Jesus Christ did not come into the world in a palace, so now, when He begins His public...More Monday, April 8, 2024 Celebrities often have a hard time living a... That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life … we declare to you. 1 John 1:1–3 Celebrities often have a hard time living a normal life undetected by paparazzi and fans. Once, a man with a glued-on beard and wig appeared in a jewellery store in Los Angeles. The jeweller thought that he was a robber and alerted the police. But then the suspect turned out to be a well-known artist who had disguised himself to avoid the attention of his admirers. At that I think of the Son...More Sunday, April 7, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (133) Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:1–3 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (133) Jesus told His disciples that He would leave them and that they could not follow Him then. The disciples are troubled by the thought of His leaving because they still expect Him to ultimately deliver them from the rule of the Romans as...More Saturday, April 6, 2024 Have faith in God Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; or His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. Isaiah 59:1 Have faith in God Above the clouds in calm, majestic splendour, Our Lord is now enthroned, the Son of God, Who once came down in love so pure and tender, To suffer for our sins, and shed His blood. In trusting Him all doubt and fear and worry Are swept away, for He is on the throne: Confusion, panic, senseless rush and hurry Are quieted in seeing Him alone. The world goes mad, but He remains the Master, And soon will come to take His...More Friday, April 5, 2024 The Son of God And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God. John1:34 The Son of God In all the writings of the apostle John, the Lord Jesus is presented to us as the Son of God. In his Gospel, John speaks of the Son of God in whom we believe. He became man to bring us divine grace. All His words and works testified to Him as the One who came to us from God the Father. At our conversion, we received Him into our lives and believed in His name. As a result, He gave us the right to be children of God (John 1:12). In the letters of the apostle John, we come to know the Son of God...More Thursday, April 4, 2024 Bibles for Cuba So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 Bibles for Cuba The story goes that the Cuban head of government, Fidel Castro, wanted a Bible for a certain occasion and had it ordered from the Bible Commission. The Bibles available at the time were simple copies with a coloured cover. Fidel Castro was not very impressed with this book and asked if there was any other edition available. “What kind would you like?” asked the person in charge of the...More Wednesday, April 3, 2024 The heart of the believer For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9 The heart of the believer Yesterday we saw that God has given a new heart to every person who repents towards Him and believes in the Saviour. Thus begins a life of faith with the Lord Jesus. Now this life of faith depends on how our heart stands with Him. Everything depends on it. In the Bible we find two different inner states: we can have a divided heart or an undivided heart. A divided heart is shown by the fact that we...More Tuesday, April 2, 2024 The heart of man I will give you a new heart. Ezekiel 36:26 The heart of man When the Bible speaks of the heart, it is usually not about the organ that pumps our blood through our arteries and veins. Almost always, the “heart” is about the seat of our affections or the place where we make our decisions. God’s judgment on the human heart does not correspond to the widespread opinion that man has a good core. On the contrary! In Jeremiah 17:9–10 He says: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart”. He sees evil, envious,...More Monday, April 1, 2024 How do we picture the guards who watched over... And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. Matthew 28:2–4 How do we picture the guards who watched over Jesus’ tomb? At the crucifixion of Jesus, four soldiers and a centurion are mentioned. And in Acts we learn that “four squads of soldiers” guarded Peter in prison (John 19:23; Luke 23:47; Acts 12:4). Thus, we can assume that there were also...More Sunday, March 31, 2024 Jesus Christ was captured, condemned, brutalised and... You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. Mark 16:6 Jesus Christ was captured, condemned, brutalised and crucified. But why didn’t He fight back? Why did He accept the gross injustice without protest and finally die an agonising, shameful death? In the end, He lay in the grave – and with Him hopes, expectations, dreams and longings. Everything seemed over and done with – on Good Friday. On Sunday, “very early in the morning”, some women come to the tomb. They have spices with them and want to anoint the Lord’s body. It was a last service of love, so to...More Saturday, March 30, 2024 Comfort through the rod and the staff Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 Comfort through the rod and the staff In Psalm 23, the relationship of the believer to his Lord is compared to the relationship of a sheep to the shepherd. What the shepherd is and does for the sheep symbolically describes the care of the Lord Jesus for His own. Today’s verse is about the shepherd’s rod and staff. What are they for and what do they mean? The rod is a knotted stick in the shepherd’s hand. It serves as a weapon to ward off the attack of wild animals on the flock and to put these enemies to...More Friday, March 29, 2024 “Truly this Man was the Son of God!”... So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, Truly this Man was the Son of God! Mark 15:39 “Truly this Man was the Son of God!” said the Roman centurion. And probably for the first time in this hard soldier’s life, he felt naked fear rising within him. Yes, this crucifixion was different from usual – completely different. The Roman felt that clearly. Everything had gone quite strangely – even until the very end. At that point, for example, the condemned man had cried out twice more. The Roman mercenary knew from experience...More Thursday, March 28, 2024 What really counts Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:8 What really counts A Bible study for young Christians was about priorities in life. The message to us was powerful: “Don’t waste your time on meaningless goals. Rather, reach out for what really counts.” Then each of us was given five sheets of paper. On each sheet we were to write down a fundamental goal of our lives: in the areas of relationships, achievements,...More Wednesday, March 27, 2024 Someone always has time for you! Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 Someone always has time for you! People often have no time for the concerns of others. Not so Jesus Christ. Whoever sincerely seeks Him and prays to Him will never be turned away. Even when He lived on earth, He was there for everyone who needed His help: The Lord Jesus simply left the crowds on the streets of Jericho and visited Zacchaeus, who could no longer cope with his guilt before God. Surrounded by a crowd, the Saviour immediately noticed that a...More Tuesday, March 26, 2024 Different kinds of grace For it is good that the heart be established by grace. Hebrews 13:9 Different kinds of grace Grace for the journey of faith: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:3; Philippians 1:2). The apostle Paul uses exactly the same wording in his greeting to the believers in Corinth and Philippi. He wishes grace and peace to both. From this it becomes clear that we are dependent on God’s grace both in a bad spiritual condition like the Corinthians and in a good condition like the Philippians. It is available to us for every step of the journey of...More Monday, March 25, 2024 No one is excluded The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. John 6:37 No one is excluded In the lead-up to large sporting events a selection procedure often has to take place. Athletes are selected for the World Championships on the basis of good performances and results. There are many bitter disappointments when the selection criteria are not met. Even when applying for a job, a multi-stage selection process is often used to choose the most suitable employee. Those who fall by the wayside in the race for the job are fobbed off with a polite letter. They then feel completely left...More Sunday, March 24, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (132) Simon Peter said to Him, Lord, where are You going? Jesus answered him, Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward. Peter said to Him, Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake. Jesus answered him, Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times. John 13:36–38 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (132) Did the new commandment Jesus had just given make no impression on Peter? To love one another as their Lord loved them – this sounds very challenging....More Saturday, March 23, 2024 The Family Tree of Jesus Christ The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham. Matthew 1:1 The Family Tree of Jesus Christ The Gospel according to Matthew begins with the family tree of Jesus Christ. With the individuals who are listed there, it is noticeable that it concerns a record of people who all failed, more or less. But why did God decide to “choose” exactly these ancestors for the Messiah? We can only see His mercy in this. Just this list of persons makes it undoubtedly clear why God came in the person of His Son. The second thing that stands out about the genealogy of...More Friday, March 22, 2024 Andrew brings his brother to Jesus He (Andrew) first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, We have found the Messiah (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. John 1:41–42 Andrew brings his brother to Jesus Andrew has followed Jesus Christ and he has come to know Him personally. And now he is fascinated by and satisfied with this person. He wants to tell others about Him. So he first seeks out his brother Simon and tells him, “We have found the Messiah”, the Saviour who “will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). We read in the report the short and yet so meaningful...More Thursday, March 21, 2024 The beginning of the persecution of Christians... But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Acts 7:55 The beginning of the persecution of Christians, which unfortunately still takes place worldwide today, is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. With an urgent sermon from the faithful disciple Stephen, God makes a final appeal to the spiritual and political leadership of the Jews at that time. They have condemned Jesus Christ, the completely guiltless one, to death. And Stephen holds this up to them in plain words. When Stephen then gazes “full of the Holy...More Wednesday, March 20, 2024 In early 1978, the Belgrade police discovered a... Fear involves torment. 1 John 4:18 In early 1978, the Belgrade police discovered a former soldier hiding in the attic of his house for fear of being punished. And he had been doing so since 1945! In 1943 he had joined partisans commanded by the communist, Tito. Three months later he was captured by the Germans. Later he joined a group that fought against the communists. But then Tito won and became president. Now the former soldier feared being punished for his activities in World War II. And so he went into hiding. When he made the decision, he was 32 years old – and when he was discovered,...More Tuesday, March 19, 2024 In the well-known international bestseller... For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favour from the Lord. Proverbs 8:35 In the well-known international bestseller, “The Café on the Edge of the World”, by John Strelecky, the focus is on the question of the meaning of life. The plot is simple: an overworked advertising manager gets lost in a café in the middle of nowhere. As he reads the menu there, he comes across three questions: Why are you here? Are you afraid of death? Are you living a full life? At first he is sceptical. But then he gets absorbed with the questions and discusses them...More Monday, March 18, 2024 Being ransomed means that a ransom price has... ...knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ. 1 Peter 1:18–19 Being ransomed means that a ransom price has been paid. In kidnappings, sums of money are often demanded in return for the release of hostages. Such ransoms have been paid many times in history: 20 talents of silver were demanded by pirates in ancient times for the Roman general, Julius Caesar; 6,000 buckets of silver were demanded in 1194 for the English king, Richard the...More Sunday, March 17, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (131) Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, Where I am going, you cannot come, so now I say to you. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:33–35 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (131) For the first time the Lord addresses His disciples as “little children”. On the one hand, He sees them as those who have been brought into the family of God (cf. ch. 1:12). On the other...More Saturday, March 16, 2024 The presence of the Lord Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20 The presence of the Lord After His resurrection, Jesus Christ gave His disciples the promise that He would be with them every day. This is still true today for all who believe in Him. Although we do not see our Lord, we know that He is near us at all times and in every place. He is present in the workplace when we have to solve a difficult task or have a delicate conversation. He is with us in our lonely hours and helps us to bear them and spend them for His joy. He is with us and sustains...More Friday, March 15, 2024 Justification by faith Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 Justification by faith I have been justified by faith from God. This is not due to any merit on my part, but only to grace from God. Because I believed that Jesus Christ died on the cross to forgive my guilt, God has justified me. Now I stand before Him as if I had never sinned. Therefore I have peace with God. I know that all my sins have been blotted out by the blood of the Lord Jesus. As a result, there is no longer any question between God and me regarding my sins. Everything...More Thursday, March 14, 2024 Mrs L. led a happy life. Her husband... Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Mark 10:17; Matthew 7:7–8 Mrs L. led a happy life. Her husband loved and cared for her, and her children were healthy and brought her joy. She really lacked nothing, and yet deep in her heart was a longing for more. No, not for material things – it was her soul that was not at peace. Then one day at a Christian event she heard for...More Wednesday, March 13, 2024 1941: The Second World War is... Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. John 15:13 1941: The Second World War is raging. In the concentration camp in Auschwitz, where probably at least one million Jews, Poles, Sinti and Roma people, as well as Russians, met a cruel death, the priest Maximilian Kolbe is also imprisoned. When one day a prisoner cannot be found, the sadistic guards suspect an escape. In retaliation, they arbitrarily select some men to murder. Among them is a husband and father, Franciszek Gajowniczek. As he breaks into loud weeping, not wanting to leave his family behind –...More Tuesday, March 12, 2024 To fear and to be afraid Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 To fear and to be afraid In today’s Bible passage, God, through Moses, tells the people of Israel the comforting words, “Do not fear nor be afraid of them”. This encouraging statement applies to us too. Fear creeps up on us when we have an evil foreboding of what the future might bring us. We are afraid of an exam at school, or of evil people, or of a disease that might befall us. We are afraid that we...More Monday, March 11, 2024 John the Baptist There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. John 1:6 John the Baptist Today’s Bible verse begins the story of John the Baptist in this Gospel. What we read of him here we can well apply to ourselves. “There was a man.” John came into the world, lived as a child and grew into a grown man. He was a human being like you and me. But he had a personal relationship with God. That made his life meaningful. Maybe you see yourself as just an ordinary person. Then don’t forget that through faith in the Lord Jesus you are a redeemed person who is very precious to...More Sunday, March 10, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (130) So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately. John 13:31–32 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (130) After Judas has gone out into the night, it becomes light in the upper room. The Lord can now speak freely to His disciples about the things that are dearest to His heart regarding His own. The attentive reader senses the unique character of the following chapters for their light and warmth. The farewell words of Jesus are profound and...More Saturday, March 9, 2024 The lifesaver The Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20 The lifesaver Wesley Autrey, a 50-year-old construction worker, was waiting for the next train at an underground station. Then the young student Cameron Hollopeter, who was standing right next to him, suddenly had an epileptic seizure and fell off the platform directly onto the tracks. The lights of the approaching underground were already visible. Nevertheless, Autrey didn’t hesitate for a second and jumped after him. As he didn’t have enough time to hoist the student back onto the platform, he pulled him into the...More Friday, March 8, 2024 Exercising godliness? Exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 1 Timothy 4:7–8 Exercising godliness? We often associate “exercising” with school, music or sport. We want to make progress in something and achieve a goal. That’s why we do the same thing over and over again, to discover inconsistencies and mistakes in the execution of tasks and to eventually avoid these errors. We practise something until it belongs to our range of behaviour – until we can, for...More

Wednesday, March 6, 2024 On a snowy day Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, who had done many deeds. He had killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also had gone down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day. 2 Samuel 23:20 On a snowy day Benaiah was one of the men who accompanied David on his flight from King Saul. The Bible calls him a brave man and tells how he fought a lion in a pit on a snowy day. Benaiah performed a difficult task in a difficult place and under difficult circumstances. God took note and made a point to record this feat in great detail in His...More Tuesday, March 5, 2024 This man, reported in the Acts of the... And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning. Acts 8:27–28 This man, reported in the Acts of the Apostles, occupied a position of considerable importance. Not only did he have to manage the huge treasures of his queen, but he was certainly wealthy himself. And yet – deep down he was missing something; otherwise he would not have made the arduous journey to Jerusalem to get to know the true God there. Unfortunately, he had not been able to find Him in the...More Monday, March 4, 2024 Fear is like an invisible ballast that can... O Lord, I am oppressed; Undertake for me! Isaiah 38:14 Fear is like an invisible ballast that can spread over our entire lives. The quotation above comes from Hezekiah, the king of the ancient Jewish Empire. His fear becomes immediately understandable when we read the 38th chapter of the prophet Isaiah. Hezekiah had just learned that he had only a short time to live. When the Bible speaks of fear, the emphasis is often on the external causes and not so much on the feeling triggered by a threat. The causes of fear can be very different: getting older, threatening situations or people, illness or an...More Sunday, March 3, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (129) Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, What you do, do quickly. But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, Buy those things we need for the feast, or that he should give something to the poor. Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night. John 13:27–30 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (129) This must have been a real shock for Judas. The Lord knows exactly what he is going to do! But Judas doesn’t take this last opportunity...More Saturday, March 2, 2024 The exciting story of the disobedient prophet... But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. Jonah 1:3 The exciting story of the disobedient prophet Jonah is written in the first part of the Bible, in the Old Testament. God sends Jonah with a message of judgment to Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire. Jonah sets out on his journey, but in the wrong direction! Does he really think he can outrun God? Apparently so, but that’s completely impossible. And that is perhaps the first important lesson this interesting Bible book contains. God catches up with the disobedient prophet – through a large fish that saves him...More Friday, March 1, 2024 The "radio church" Latvia around the... For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth; Your faith toward God has gone out. 1 Thessalonians 1:8 The "radio church" Latvia around the year 1980: The Christian faith and the spreading of the gospel were fiercely opposed by the rulers of the countries of the then USSR. At that time, Christians from Finland who ran a radio mission station had received permission to travel to Riga. In one family they visited, they also met an elderly woman. She had come from a distant village and had an interesting story to tell. She lived alone in her cottage in a large village. One evening she came...More Thursday, February 29, 2024 Single-minded discipleship To him (Caleb) and his children I am giving the land on which he walked, because he wholly followed the Lord. Deuteronomy 1:36 Single-minded discipleship Caleb was one of the twelve men who had passed through Canaan for 40 days. During this time, he had come to know and appreciate the Promised Land. He also believed that God would give this land to the people of Israel as their possession. He held fast to this belief during the year-long wilderness journey. Shortly before the people crossed the Jordan into the land of Canaan, God gave him a good testimony: Caleb had...More Wednesday, February 28, 2024 Flee from God? Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. Psalm 139:7-8 Flee from God? No man can run away from God. Nevertheless, many try. Here is a story from the Bible: The godless King Ahab was told by a prophet of God that he would not return alive from war. But Ahab had an idea to escape his fate - or so he hoped. Since kings and army commanders were particularly targeted in such battles at that time, he went into battle in the uniform of an ordinary soldier - in order to remain...More Tuesday, February 27, 2024 God's hands Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, measured heaven with a span and calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? Isaiah 40:12 God's hands I had accidentally knocked over my glass. Now the water was flowing over the edge of the table to the floor. In my embarrassment, I tried to catch the liquid with my bare hands - but in vain! Most of the water ran through my fingers. Only a fraction remained in my palms. The rest formed a puddle at my feet. Some days my life feels very similar. I try to solve...More Monday, February 26, 2024 Salvation He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. Psalm 18:16 Salvation David uses a striking image in today's verse from the Psalms to describe divine salvation. He sees himself in a flood of water, almost drowning. Then God intervenes from above, taking hold of him and pulling him out of the water. Isn't that an apt picture of our salvation at conversion? We were in a stream that was taking us further and further away from God. We were being drawn into the depths by our sins. We were drifting unavoidably towards eternal destruction. Then we heard the...More Sunday, February 25, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (128) Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. Then, leaning back on Jesus' breast, he said to Him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered, It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it. And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. John 13:23-26 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (128) "One of you will betray Me", the Lord tells His disciples. They become insecure because, although the traitor knows exactly that he is the one, he does not...More Saturday, February 24, 2024 Prayer If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7 Prayer In today's Bible verse, the Lord Jesus gives two conditions for our prayers to be answered: 1. "If you abide in Me ..." By this He means a life of conscious and constant dependence on Him. It is about maintaining regular prayer contact with Him and asking Him what He wants from us. This closeness to the Lord Jesus in everyday life requires that we judge ourselves so that our relationship with Him is not clouded by sin. If we stay close to...More Thursday, February 23, 2024 Partition walls Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:7 Partition walls We know about partition walls from open-plan offices. They separate colleagues' desks from one another so that people can work with as much concentration as possible. At home, in the garden or on the balcony, there are privacy screens to create some degree of separation. Who wants their neighbour to look at what is on their dinner plate? Walls separate people from people but also people...More Wednesday, February 22, 2024 The banquet of grace A certain man gave a great supper and invited many. Luke 14:16 The banquet of grace To show people the grace of God, the Lord Jesus told a story that is still relevant today: A certain man invited many guests to a banquet. When everything was ready, his servant went to those invited and asked them to come. This is how God invites people today to come to Him and accept His grace. Because His Son, Jesus Christ, accomplished the work of redemption on the cross, He is ready to receive all. He does not expect anything from them. They do not have to have a decent life or a record of good...More Tuesday, February 21, 2024 Saviour, Comforter and Preserver For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. Psalm 116:8 Saviour, Comforter and Preserver In today's short verse from the Psalms, God is introduced to us in three ways. He is our Saviour. Because of the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus, God has saved us from our lost condition and brought us to Himself. As saved or redeemed, we are now His beloved children. Every day He cares for us. In Psalm 68:19 we read about this: "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation!" Again and again, we come into situations...More Monday, February 20, 2024 Starting the day with praise to God Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God. Psalm 147:1 Starting the day with praise to God Alina comes to school cheerful every day. The teacher notices this. Once she asks Alina, "How come you are so happy every morning?" The girl replies, "My mother sings me to school." When the teacher inquires, it turns out that Alina's mother sings while preparing breakfast. At a parents' evening, the teacher asks Alina's mother about it. She begins to talk frankly: "I used to always be in a bad mood in the morning. I noticed that this habit infected my whole family. We started...More Sunday, February 19, 2024 Saved - and then? For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 Saved - and then? Those who have been saved by the grace of God can rejoice in many wonderful facts: Forgiveness of sins: "I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake" (1 John 2:12). Peace with God: "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). Being children of God: "But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become the children of God, to...More Saturday, February 18, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (127) Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me. Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke. John 13:20-22 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (127) Once again, the Lord refers to feet-washing by means of His Word. But this time He does not put the responsibility on those who perform the task; now it is about the one who receives this...More Friday, February 17, 2024 On January 31, 1953... For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45 On January 31, 1953, the inhabitants of the Dutch island of Texel learned that a severe north-west storm was approaching. At the same time, a particularly high water level was putting pressure on the island's dykes. Since it was known that one particular dyke in the north of the island was in poor condition, the men of the so-called "dyke army" were called together that very evening. They were obliged to come and help in the event of an impending dyke breach. They toiled to stabilise...More Thursday, February 16, 2024 Andrew comes to Jesus Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, Behold the Lamb of God! The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. John 1:35-37, 40 Andrew comes to Jesus Simon Peter and Andrew were brothers in the flesh, but very different from one another. Peter, obviously the older one, set the tone and was often the first. Of Andrew, on the other hand, we read little; apparently he didn't speak much and rarely came to the fore. Peter preached to many...More Wednesday, February 15, 2024 Follow the instructions for use! And the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day. Deuteronomy 6:24 Follow the instructions for use! When buying a garment, it is important to follow the washing instructions. It is worth following the recommendation, for example, not to wash delicate fabrics in boiling water. If you do not follow the washing instructions, you may not notice much damage to your clothes in the short term. But sooner or later unpleasant consequences will occur: the colour changes or the garment shrinks. And at...More Tuesday, February 14, 2024 Whoever wants to benefit from... For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 Whoever wants to benefit from the Bible, the Word of God, must never overlook the fact that this Word judges us - and not the other way around. Many people think they can form their own judgment about the Word of God. The result is then, unfortunately, that many are hostile to the Bible. Others, on the other hand, make up their own interpretations instead of letting the words of the Bible have an unbiased effect on them. Yes, even true...More Monday, February 13, 2024 How do we use the word... We have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul. Hebrews 6:18-19 How do we use the word "hope" in everyday life? Here are some examples: We climb a rickety ladder - and hope it will hold. We leave at a certain time - and hope to arrive on time. We change jobs - and hope that things will get better. We hope so ... But these hopes are often very uncertain because they do not have sufficient justification: no solid basis. A stable hope that actually leads to the hoped-for goal needs, like an anchor, a secure hold or a fortification. Unanchored...More Sunday, February 12, 2024 Nyepi is the holiest.. We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 2:1-2 Nyepi is the holiest Hindu holiday in Bali. It is the first day of a new year and is supposed to be a new beginning in as much purity as possible. On the day after, Balinese people visit each other and ask for forgiveness in order to start the new year purified. Many of them rub their bodies with mud from the mangrove forest on this day and then bathe in the sea to wash away everything bad: like mud, negativity, and mischief. Great fun - but with a serious background! Is it...More Saturday, February 11, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (126) Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me. Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He. John 13:16-19 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (126) Jesus gave His disciples an example: just as He washed their feet, they should also wash one another's feet....More Friday, February 10, 2024 Here is Pilate, in conversation with... Pilate said to Him, What is truth? John 18:38 Here is Pilate, in conversation with Jesus Christ: he speaks a great word calmly - perhaps more or less calmly. The question "What is truth?" has been on the agenda since the beginning of human history. Many seem to be no longer interested in it. Not only do people lie their heads off, but lies can also be printed with confidence - and somehow we have become accustomed to this fact. Truth is reinvented in this way, and an absolute standard is not necessarily desired. Of course, this causes some shifts - in interpersonal relationships as well. What one...More Thursday, February 9, 2024 A young man to whom I want to... The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. But He said, More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it! Psalm 19:9; Luke 11:28 A young man to whom I want to give a Christian flyer refuses, saying, "I'm not religious at all!" "But why don't you want to familiarise yourself with an important subject for once?" I counter. "I'm not a Bible person," the other continues. "Do you already know it, then?" I enquire. "Not really," he replies. But then he becomes more serious: "The only thing I want to know...More Wednesday, February 8, 2024 Martha, Martha! For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves. Luke 22:27 Martha, Martha! Jesus Christ comes with his twelve disciples to Bethany - to a village about three kilometres from Jerusalem. A woman named Martha takes the group into her home. So many people to entertain at one time: what generous hospitality! But Mary, the sister of the hostess, sits down "at the feet of Jesus" and listens to His words while Martha has her hands full feeding the guests. Eventually, the busy Martha has had enough and...More Tuesday, February 7, 2024 Interestingly, famous personalities often receive little... He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him. Isaiah 53:2 Interestingly, famous personalities often receive little attention in their hometowns. This was also the case on July 20, 1969, when astronaut Neil Armstrong (1930-2012) became the first person to set foot on the moon. He coined the famous expression, "That's one small step for a man, but one giant leap for mankind". Armstrong's great-grandfather came from Ladbergen in Westphalia, Germany. In the town, however, people took only passing notice of the moon landing - because at the time, many preferred to...More Monday, February 6, 2024 How can I be released? Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke their chains in pieces. Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:13-15 How can I be released? Sylvain, a convict in another country sentenced to life in prison, explains: For ten years I made plans how to escape from this dark place: ten years full of plans for revenge and full of hatred for society and for people! For ten years, day after day, I...More Sunday, February 5, 2024 Sometimes you can't believe your eyes... For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly, Saying, Peace, peace! when there is no peace. Jeremiah 8:11 Sometimes you can't believe your eyes, for example seeing the fingernails of an orangutan painted purple. Crazy, isn't it? The animal has been operated on in an animal sanctuary. And just when he wakes up from anaesthesia, an animal keeper starts acting as a beautician and applies purple-coloured nail polish to his nails. What's the point of this? Well, the unfamiliar procedure on the nails is to distract the orangutan so he doesn't get the idea of playing with the...More Saturday, February 4, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (125) So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. John 13:12-15 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (125) Feet-washing was a common gesture in the Orient at that time to welcome visitors. It was often performed by slaves. The fact that Jesus Himself washed the feet of His disciples shows His...More Friday, February 3, 2024 A mind at perfect peace... But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13 A mind at perfect peace with God - Oh, what a word is this! A sinner reconciled through blood - This, this indeed is peace. By nature and by practice far, How very far from God! Yet now by grace brought near to Him Through faith in Jesus' blood. So near, so very near to God, I cannot nearer be; For in the person of His Son, I am as near as He. So dear, so very dear to God, More dear I cannot be; The love wherewith He loves...More Thursday, February 2, 2024 Conversion to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me. Acts 26:18 Conversion God causes the good news of His saving grace to be proclaimed and spread so that people will turn to Him. He accepts everyone who recognises his lost condition before Him and converts to Him with confession of his sins. The basis for this is the work of redemption that Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross. Conversion to God is a decisive step for every...More Wednesday, February 1, 2024 The son of a civil servant is healed Then Jesus said to him, Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe. Jesus said to him, Go your way; your son lives. So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. John 4:48, 50 The son of a civil servant is healed Jesus Christ worked His miracles wherever He was received. When He was in Galilee, someone whose son was dying came to Him. This father had travelled about 30 kilometres because he hoped for help from Jesus. The Lord put him to the test: "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe."...More Tuesday, January 31, 2024 From far away to near But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13 From far away to near How can we live happily near God? Let's start at the beginning: God had created Adam and Eve and placed them in a beautiful garden. There, the first humans had close contact with God. But then suddenly everything changed: Adam and Eve disobeyed God - they sinned. This had tremendous consequences for all mankind, which the prophet Isaiah expressed as follows: "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you" (ch....More Monday, January 30, 2024 Kind treatment And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment. Acts 27:1 Kind treatment Paul was a prisoner. He could no longer freely control his movements. Others decided when and how he should come to Italy. During this journey he was under the supervision of the Roman centurion Julius. From a human point of view, it now depended on his goodwill how well or how badly Paul would fare. We too experience situations in which we have no freedom decide for ourselves what we are going to do. At...More Sunday, January 29, 2024 Lot, the big loser Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. Genesis 13:12 Lot, the big loser When Abraham and Lot have to separate because of their large herds of cattle, Lot moves to the fertile Jordan plain. In that place is also the city of Sodom, where very wicked people live. Thus, the believing Lot deliberately exposes himself to the bad influence of the godless world, which eventually takes him over completely. If we continue to read his story in the Bible, we see how Lot goes further and further downhill. In the end, he stands there as a big...More Saturday, January 28, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (124) Simon Peter said to Him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head! Jesus said to him, He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you. For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, You are not all clean. John 13:9-11 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (124) When Peter learns that he can only have fellowship with his Lord if his feet are washed, he asks for more: he wants his whole body to be washed. This desire is understandable, since it shows how attached Peter is to his Lord. On the other hand, Peter has not yet...More Friday, January 27, 2024 A warm welcome found Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. Ephesians 2:19 A warm welcome found Steven comes to England as a young African refugee. He is stateless. He guesses that he was born in Mozambique, but perhaps it was in Zimbabwe. He never knew his father and lost his mother at an early age. With no identity card and no proof of his birthplace, Steven enters a police station and asks to be arrested. Prison seems better to him than having to struggle along homeless and without a residence permit. Before our...More Thursday, January 26, 2024 But you must continue! But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. 2 Timothy 3:14 But you must continue! In today's Bible verse, every Christian is personally instructed to abide in what he has learned from the Bible, especially from the New Testament. What this means in concrete terms is illustrated by two examples: You have learned from the Word of God that a redeemed person cannot be lost because the Lord has promised: "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand"...More Wednesday, January 25, 2024 The new birth Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1 The new birth When we have children of our own, we love them. The love of parents for their children has been placed within us by the Creator. Next to the love between husband and wife, there is no closer relationship than that between parents and their children. And now we learn from the Bible that God makes people His children. How can this happen? A child comes into being through procreation and birth. It is the same with God's relationship with men in a figurative sense....More Tuesday, January 24, 2024 At the beginning of the Victorian Era in Ireland there... Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. Isaiah 45:22 At the beginning of the Victorian Era in Ireland there lives a farm labourer, Andrew Dunn, who sincerely seeks peace with God. A priest in charge of him cannot give him satisfactory answers to his questions. Then Andrew receives a New Testament as a gift. Inquisitive, he begins to read it. When he comes to the passage in Luke 15 where the prodigal son says, "I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy...More Monday, January 23, 2024 The Dane, Tycho Brahe (1546-1601), was an... I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 The Dane, Tycho Brahe (1546-1601), was an astronomer and the greatest astrologer of his time. When he died, not only the most famous scientist in Europe was laid to rest, but also the order of earth and sky as it had been since ancient times. For forty years, Brahe had researched, observed, discovered, mapped, measured, determined and described stars. According to his thinking, in contrast to the ideas...More Sunday, January 22, 2024 Faith in God's Word So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 Faith in God's Word God wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). That is why He has the good news of salvation proclaimed and spread. On this subject, today's Bible verse presents an important principle: saving faith comes through the proclamation of the Word of God. This is true for those who have been commissioned by the Lord Jesus to bring the gospel of grace to people. Surely they will ask themselves how they can reach people who hardly know anything from the...More Saturday, January 21, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (123) Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, Lord, are You washing my feet? Jesus answered and said to him, What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this. Peter said to Him, You shall never wash my feet! Jesus answered him, If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me. John 13:6-8 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (123) Picture this: Jesus, the creator of the universe, takes off His outer garments to wash the feet of His disciples. All His disciples say nothing about it - except for Peter! He has a sense of the incomprehensible humility of his Lord. And he can't...More Friday, January 20, 2024 Unique Since you were precious in My sight... Isaiah 43:4 Unique You are unique to God. Because He created you, you are precious to Him. He loves you. His desire is that you might live in a happy relationship with Him. But there is a fundamental problem. Our sins separate us from God. This obstacle must be removed so that we can make personal contact with our Creator. He Himself took the first step. God's love is unique. "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" (John 3:16). Surely we can hardly...More Thursday, January 19, 2024 No plan without a planner In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 No plan without a planner On the tour of a machine building company, visitors finally come to the assembly department. Here they can watch how a finished machine is made from many individual components. An engineer explains to them which steps are necessary before a machine is ready for operation. After the design engineer's draft, drawings are made and parts lists are generated. The individual parts are commissioned and finally arrive at the assembly line. Every screw and every sheet metal fulfils a specific...More Wednesday, January 18, 2024 Jesus Christ is coming again! And at midnight a cry was heard: Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him! Matthew 25:6 Jesus Christ is coming again! In Matthew 25, the Lord Jesus tells the parable of ten bridesmaids who were waiting for the bridegroom. When he failed to appear they fell asleep. At midnight they were awakened by a loud cry, "Behold the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!" What does this story have to tell us? At the beginning of the Christian era, believers were eagerly waiting for the Lord to come again. A beautiful example of this is the Christians in Thessalonica who turned to God...More Tuesday, January 17, 2024 One could transfer this "teacher of Israel" named... Jesus answered and said to him (Nicodemus): Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3 One could transfer this "teacher of Israel" named Nicodemus to our time and perhaps call him an outstanding theologian. He had heard much about Jesus and was impressed by the miraculous signs He performed. From what Nicodemus had seen and heard, he judged that this man, Jesus, must have come from God, because no one else could do such signs. And in this he was right. The miracles that Jesus did were "signs" by which He proved Himself to be the One...More Monday, January 16, 2024 Is there life before death? For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel: Seek Me and live! Amos 5:4 Is there life before death? Many people ask the question: Is there life after death? Others desperately search for the meaning of their lives before they end. The songwriter and lyricist Wolf Biermann was born in Hamburg in 1936 and moved to the GDR in 1953. There, in 1965, his performances were banned. Biermann once expressed his thoughts on our question thus: "That can't be all. There must be something more to come! No, there must still be life in life." The Bible tells of a king who was just as...More Sunday, January 15, 2024 The Saviour - then and now When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. Luke 4:40 The Saviour - then and now When Jesus Christ worked in Israel, He helped all who came to Him with their problems. He healed the sick, freed the demon-possessed and fed the hungry. Even today, He is still willing to help anyone in need. It is true that He no longer lives on earth but in heaven. Nevertheless, His offer is still valid: "Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew...More Saturday, January 14, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (122) And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. John 13:2-5 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (122) The contrast here could hardly be greater: on the one hand the unceasing love of Jesus for His own,...More Friday, January 13, 2024 According to God's plan I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way you should go. Isaiah 48:17 According to God's plan God wants the best for your life. Do you want it too? Then think about the following points: God has a plan for your life. In Ephesians 2:10 Paul writes, "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." God has saved you by grace. Now He wants you to honour Him by living according to His thoughts. How this is to be done He has planned in advance. Will you allow Him to carry out this...More Thursday, January 12, 2024 If someone "lives large", he leads an... You, O king, were watching; and behold, a great image! This great image, whose splendour was excellent, stood before you; and its form was awesome. This image's head was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. Daniel 2:31-33 If someone "lives large", he leads an expensive lifestyle; if someone "gets off on the wrong foot", something catches him off guard. If a thing "stands on feet of clay", it is uncertain and has no firm foundation. The phrase "standing on feet of clay" has its origins in the Bible:...More Wednesday, January 11, 2024 Acquittal after 35 years Pilate said to them, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him; no, neither did Herod, and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him. Luke 23:13-15 Acquittal after 35 years A few years ago, a large picture appeared in many daily newspapers. It showed the innocent convicted felon, James Bain, embracing a distinguished grey-haired gentleman, his lawyer. For 35 years, James Bain had served time in prison, although completely innocent. A genetic test finally brought the truth to light: he could not have been the perpetrator who had assaulted and...More Tuesday, January 10, 2024 The Most Leaning Tower in the World For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11 The Most Leaning Tower in the World For a long time it was thought that this title belonged to the Tower of Pisa. But the East Frisians knew better. The church tower in the East Frisian village of Suurhusen, in the municipality of Hinte, is considered the most leaning tower in the world. At a height of 27.37 metres, the tower has an overhang of 2.47 metres at the ridge, which corresponds to an inclination of 5.19 degrees. By comparison, the Tower of Pisa has an inclination of just 3.97...More Monday, January 9, 2024 The young explorer Raymond... The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away. Luke 19:10; Ezekiel 34:16 The young explorer Raymond Maufrais tried to get from Guyana to Brazil alone, passing through one of the least known areas of the country. For a while, news of him was received regularly - until he disappeared without a trace. Six weeks later, a native found Raymond's diary, which he had left in a deserted settlement. Firmly convinced that his son was not dead, his father decided to search for him. For twelve years, he covered a total...More Sunday, January 8, 2024 The Word of the Cross For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 The Word of the Cross "God really exists and Jesus Christ lives." With these words a colleague, who taught at the same university as me, once addressed me. I was so perplexed that I said nothing in reply. But I thought to myself that this colleague must know, because I knew him as a serious Christian. I was inwardly rather ambivalent because, although I believed in the existence of God, I lacked the real conviction that Jesus Christ lives....More Saturday, January 7, 2024 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (121) Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. John 13:1 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (121) Chapter 13 marks the beginning of a new section in John's Gospel. We want to read it especially carefully, because it presents the farewell words of Jesus. The Son of God is about to return to His Father and leave His disciples in this world. His teachings concern the time between Pentecost and His coming again, when He will receive all believers to...More Friday, January 6, 2024 The mole I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 The mole A colourful children's picture book tells about a mole who tries to build his own mini-car. At the first attempt, the mole fetches all kinds of car parts such as bolts, nuts, spark plugs and a steering wheel. He puts them together and is surprised that his car doesn't run, even though he has only used original parts. On his second attempt, he has more success. He finds a smashed toy car and, on the advice of a little mouse,...More Thursday, January 5, 2024 Nevertheless continue to believe But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You. John 11:22 Nevertheless continue to believe John 11 tells the story of Lazarus. When he became ill, his two sisters Martha and Mary sent a message to the Lord Jesus saying, "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick". They hoped that He would come to them immediately to make their brother well. But Lazarus died before Jesus arrived in Bethany. Martha went to meet Him and immediately shared her disappointment with Him: "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." But then follow words that testify to her...More Wednesday, January 4, 2024 The living bridge Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6 The living bridge A fire broke out in a high-rise building in Brooklyn, New York. The building was about to be completed. Because the fire spread so quickly, the tradesmen could only save themselves by climbing to the top floor. The fire brigade approached and the longest ladder was driven out. But there was a nasty surprise. The firefighter who was standing at the top of the ladder saw it first: the ladder was too short. It was only a few rungs too short, but it meant the...More Tuesday, January 3, 2024 Is the Bible the Word of God? All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16 Is the Bible the Word of God? To this question, the Bible itself gives a convincing answer. In the Old Testament it is made clear that this book was inspired by God. Three examples show the divine origin of the Bible with powerful effect: In the opening chapters of Genesis, events are reported to us that are completely outside man's possibility of observation. How heaven and earth were created by the mighty work of God presupposes a...More Monday, January 2, 2024 The Northern Lights Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Matthew 13:43 The Northern Lights Following a shared lunch after the service, M. showed impressive film footage of a vacation in Norway. With a drone he filmed the wonderful landscape, the fjords, the picturesque fishing villages and the untouched nature on the Lofoten. He also captured the Northern Lights with moving images. The northern lights are electrically charged particles of the solar wind that are attracted to the Earth's poles. They hit oxygen and nitrogen atoms in the upper layers of the Earth's...More

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Tangible Love   Thoughts on the gospel of John 169   Hearts of Worship 2   The Giver of the Gift   Do not disturb

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