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Monday, March 31, 2025 When Sarah came into the living... For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 1 Peter 2:25 When Sarah came into the living room, her father’s friend who was visiting them was sitting there, reading his Bible. Sarah was about to leave the room again quietly when he addressed her with, “I’d like to ask you something, Sarah. Is Jesus your Saviour, your Redeemer?” Sarah was quite surprised and hesitated at first. After a deep breath, she replied, “I wish I could say that about myself.” “Then I would like to suggest that you read the 53rd chapter of the prophet...More Sunday, March 30, 2025 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (183) Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to him, you are not also one of His disciples, are you? He denied it and said, I am not! One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, did I not see you in the garden with Him? Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed. John 18:25–27 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (183) Peter warms himself at the charcoal fire. The enemies of Jesus who lit it are also there. So, Peter is in bad company. He wants to see how the capture of his Lord will turn out. But he overestimates himself and...More Saturday, March 29, 2025 “Who are you?” With expectant looks... In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand! … John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. Matthew 3:1–2, 4 “Who are you?” With expectant looks the delegation of priests and Levites measures the simple man, because the religious leadership in Jerusalem has heard that in the desert of Judea a strange preacher is causing a stir. “I am not the Christ,” is the simple reply. – “What then?” the questioning continues. “Are...More Friday, March 28, 2025 Australia’s “magic mountain” lures many... There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. Proverbs 14:12 Australia’s “magic mountain” lures many thousands to the relentlessly hot desert. Like the hump of a whale, it arches out of the plain, shimmering reddish-purple at the beginning of the evening’s colour show, then changing to a brownish hue before presenting itself in pale sandstone colours as dusk sets in. Called Uluru by the indigenous people of Australia, it was formerly known as Ayers Rock. Tourists used to not only admire this sandstone colossus but also wanted to climb it. Sturdy footwear was...More Thursday, March 27, 2025 Safe in the hand of God But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, You are my God. My times are in Your hand. Psalm 31:14–15 Safe in the hand of God On 14 August, 2018, the Morandi motorway bridge in Genoa, Italy, collapsed over a length of 250 metres. More than 30 passenger cars and three trucks plunged into the depths below. Forty-three people lost their lives. The investigating commission attributed the collapse to signs of deterioration. This tragedy shows how unsafe life on earth is. Technical defects and human errors can suddenly lead to catastrophe. Yes, we are far from having everything under...More Wednesday, March 26, 2025 Taking up the yoke Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Matthew 11:29–30 Taking up the yoke When the Lord Jesus spoke about the yoke, His listeners understood Him well. They knew about that wooden beam which was used to harness oxen together to plough. The conclusion from this figurative comparison is simple: the person who is under someone else’s yoke does their will. When the Lord invites us to “take My yoke upon you”, He is impressing two thoughts on our...More Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Before sunrise O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn. Psalm 108:1–2 Before sunrise In this psalm, David seems to be eagerly awaiting the break of dawn. He wants to anticipate the sunrise with his song of praise. His heart, his whole inner being, is full of praise and thanksgiving. When you can’t sleep at night, tossing and turning restlessly from one side to the other, and the hours seem to pass slowly, you long for the dawn. Your thoughts begin to turn in circles and you cannot find rest because you can’t find...More Monday, March 24, 2025 Do you have to be religious? For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance. Matthew 9:13 Do you have to be religious? A faithful Christian was talking to his neighbour who told him about his health problems and about a serious operation he was about to undergo. After a few encouraging words, the believer began to talk about Jesus Christ who can help and comfort in situations where all human help fails. He also shared his personal experience with the Lord Jesus when he lost his wife to death. “I envy you your faith,” the other interrupted him, “but you know, I’m just not...More Sunday, March 23, 2025 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (182) And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, do You answer the high priest like that? Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me? Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. John 18:22–24 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (182) The high priest Annas asks Jesus about His teaching. Didn’t he hear about it during the three and a half years that Jesus taught publicly? That doesn’t say much for him. As high priest he should have been interested in the...More Saturday, March 22, 2025 It was not the first of its kind... Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned... Romans 5:12 It was not the first of its kind, but nevertheless it was the first successful attempt to establish a democratic constitution in Germany. With the Weimar Constitution of August 14, 1919, the war-torn country embarked on a completely new course. But the young German republic was on shaky ground from the outset, because the peace treaty of Versailles imposed almost unbearable conditions on it. Then, in the firm grip of the National Socialists, Germany...More Friday, March 21, 2025 Through reading the Bible... Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face evermore! 1 Chronicles 16:11 Through reading the Bible, I learned who God is. I found out what He had done and what He had to say to people. Through the Bible I came to understand that He lives forever, that He doesn’t change, and that He knows and sees everything. He is faithful to His promises. Moreover, He is just, holy, powerful and wise. And He is good and patient toward His creatures. But I also realised something that frightened me: I had disobeyed God – I was His enemy without even realising it. I wanted to live according to my own...More Thursday, March 20, 2025 Pastor Wilhelm Busch’s account of... Jesus said … the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. John 6:37 Pastor Wilhelm Busch’s account of his conversion during World War I continues: “Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners”. I will never forget that hour. It was as if it struck me: “A sinner, that’s what am!” I didn’t know exactly what it meant to be saved but that’s what I wanted. And if Jesus Christ could save sinners, I had to find Jesus! But how would I do that? Far and wide there was no one who could tell me. But the abyss had opened and I was afraid of going to hell, terribly...More Wednesday, March 19, 2025 The youth pastor and evangelist... Woe is me, for I am undone! But the Lord of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God who is holy shall be hallowed in righteousness. Isaiah 6:5; Isaiah 5:16 The youth pastor and evangelist Wilhelm Busch (1897–1966) told of his conversion: I was a young officer in the First World War. I didn’t need Jesus. I was a good horseman and had the command of a battery at the age of 18. So I really thought that I didn’t need Jesus! But then came the hour when the abyss opened up before me. That was when a friend next to me, to whom I wanted to say something, suddenly fell dead from his...More Tuesday, March 18, 2025 Four small animals There are four things which are little on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise. Proverbs 30:24 Four small animals Proverbs 30:24–28 mentions four small, insignificant animals. However, they show wise behaviour which we as Christians can apply to our lives and that should characterise us. “The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer.” These small creatures diligently gather food to provide for their future. Likewise, we should read the Word of God intensively in our youth and take it into our hearts, thus making spiritual provision...More Monday, March 17, 2025 A God of forgiveness Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity. Micah 7:18 A God of forgiveness God is ready to forgive anyone who sincerely confesses to Him the wrong they have committed. This applies firstly to people who have lived without Him to this point. If they turn from their wrong path to God and admit their sins before Him, He forgives them. Jesus Christ made the way for this through His death on the cross. He died so that all who believe in Him may receive divine forgiveness of their sins. Thus, their guilt before God is wiped out once and for all. He confirms this in Hebrews 10:17: “Their...More Sunday, March 16, 2025 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (181) The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine. Jesus answered him, I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said. John 18:19–21 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (181) Jesus Christ, the Son of God, stands before the high priest Annas and is interrogated. This fact alone makes us sit up and take notice. Does He have to put up with this? No, but He lets it happen! In the future, the...More Saturday, March 15, 2025 Warning against the voice of deceivers Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. Colossians 2:4 Warning against the voice of deceivers In his letter to the believers in Colosse, Paul warns against people who want to mislead Christians with their words. How should we picture such a warning? Like a danger sign on the road with a red border – in the middle of the sign, a mouth and speech bubbles. These sayings of the deceivers may sound good, the arguments convincing, the approaches plausible, and the advice impressive. But on the whole, they cast a shadow on what the Bible says about...More Friday, March 14, 2025 Eltz Castle in the Eifel region is... In My Father’s house are many mansions. … I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:2, 6 Eltz Castle in the Eifel region is one of the most beautiful castles in Germany. It was built on a 70 m high rock formation, which is surrounded on three sides by the river Elz. In the 800 years of its existence, the castle has never been captured or destroyed, and to this day it is owned by the family of the same name. Its current owner, Karl Graf und Edler Herr von und zu Eltz-Kempenich, took on the task of keeping the castle open to the public. The...More Thursday, March 13, 2025 Karl Wilhelm Otto Lilienthal (born in... Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. Psalm 41:9 Karl Wilhelm Otto Lilienthal (born in Anklam in 1848) was able to fly successfully and repeatedly with a glider he designed and constructed himself. Lilienthal investigated the aerodynamic properties of wings, repeatedly undertook flight tests, and from 1891 developed the concept of the airfoil. No one doubts Lilienthal’s achievements. The situation is different, however, with a photograph showing the pioneer flying over Spandau in 1894. A scientist unmasked the photograph as a montage a few years...More Wednesday, March 12, 2025 Can plants hear? Before you... Hear this now, O foolish people, without understanding, who have eyes and see not, and who have ears and hear not. Jeremiah 5:21 Can plants hear? Before you shake your head vigorously, please read on. Scientists have found strong evidence that some plants respond to sound waves in a certain frequency range. If you play the sound of a flying bee or tones with similar frequencies to the plant, the flowers produce more nectar or more concentrated nectar within a few minutes. Obviously, the petals “hear” the bee – and they immediately increase nectar production. The plant’s “hearing” is a...More Tuesday, March 11, 2025 Genuine happiness He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he. Proverbs 16:20 Genuine happiness How happy the great One who cares for the poor, Who set aside riches and came from above, And selfless–in love and in mercy so pure– Gave all that He had on the cross. O what love! How happy the one whose great sins are forgiv’n Who, cleansed by Christ’s blood, is no longer defiled, Who can say: “I received perfect grace from heaven, For God has received me and made me His child.” How happy the one who these words...More Monday, March 10, 2025 The new man You put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:24 The new man When man realises his sinful, lost condition and believes in the Saviour Jesus Christ, he is born again. This work of God makes him a new man who stands in a perfect position before God. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 it says about this: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” How happy someone who has experienced this change can be! Sin still remains in him but he possesses a new...More Sunday, March 9, 2025 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (180) But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in. Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, you are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you? He said, I am not. Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself. John 18:16–18 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (180) The sad incident of Peter denying his Lord three times is one of the few events reported by...More Saturday, March 8, 2025 The first man God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes. Ecclesiastes 7:29 The first man God created Adam and Eve pure and sinless. In this state of innocence, however, they were vulnerable to evil. The Creator also endowed them with spiritual qualities so that they could communicate with God and have a relationship with Him. As creatures, human beings were responsible from the beginning to obey their Creator. To test this obedience, God gave them a single commandment: “Of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it...More Friday, March 7, 2025 The Bagwido, a tribe of people in... So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, It is finished! And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. John 19:30 The Bagwido, a tribe of people in New Guinea, had already heard some things from the Bible. They knew that their sin separated them from God and that they were unable to keep God’s commandments. They realised that even the sacrifices they brought couldn’t satisfy God. But then the Bagwido learned how the Son of God had become man and how He had gone to the cross to be sacrificed for the sins of lost people. The whole scene on the hill of Calvary, up to the sacrificial death...More Thursday, March 6, 2025 “There’s nothing like a good excuse!” Then the man said, The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate. Genesis 3:12 “There’s nothing like a good excuse!” I still remember this saying that a teacher in my school days liked to use when someone wanted to conceal or minimise some omission or mistake. He was a good judge of character, and each of us knew that he had seen through the excuse. Today’s Bible verse shows us that excuses are as old as mankind. Adam had disobeyed God and eaten of the forbidden fruit. When confronted by God, he didn’t say yes or no, but instead tried in all...More Wednesday, March 5, 2025 Under the rubble Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. Matthew 18:14 Under the rubble During an earthquake in Armenia, a school collapsed like a house of cards. There appeared to be no survivors. Nevertheless, a man began searching through the rubble. It was the father of a boy who was trapped beneath the debris. Many times this father had promised his son, “I will always be there for you if you need me – no matter what.” He didn’t listen to people who tried to convince him that his efforts were useless. He worked hard. He...More Tuesday, March 4, 2025 The elephant in the cloud Now faith is the … evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 The elephant in the cloud “Look, Mummy!” says the little girl, pointing to the passing clouds. “There’s an elephant up there!” If the girl’s mother looks, she may not spot the elephant but she knows the phenomenon from her own experience. We see images in clouds because when we look at them, our brain automatically compares them to images already stored in our memory. As soon as it detects a match – even if it’s with an elephant – the cloud “transforms” into this image. The things we “see” in the cloud do not...More Monday, March 3, 2025 Why and what for? And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. Psalm 9:10 Why and what for? Oh no! A rear-end collision on the country road, and on our family holiday! When we noticed that the cars in front of us had suddenly stopped, it was already too late. Why did God allow this to happen? And what good could come out of it? After all, we had consciously placed ourselves in God’s hands for the holiday. And even before this day’s journey, we had prayed that He would preserve us. Had He forgotten us? No, not at all! When we...More Sunday, March 2, 2025 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (179) Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. John 18:12–15 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (179) Jesus’ enemies have just experienced once again who Jesus of...More |
Thursday, February 27, 2025 Who am I? Then King David went in and sat before the Lord; and he said: Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far? 2 Samuel 7:18 Who am I? In a little Engadine village in Switzerland, hikers face a mural saying: Da tuot quels chi passan chi est tü? This question in Romansh means: Of all those who pass by here, who are you? It is a rather personal question. Brave is the one who has written it on his house. Even more courageous is the person who honestly asks himself this important question about life. The sooner you do it, the better. After all, we are all going somewhere...More Wednesday, February 26, 2025 The saving rope Behold, God works all these things, twice, in fact, three times with a man, to bring back his soul from the Pit. Job 33:29–30 The saving rope It was in the year 1936. Four bold mountaineers from nearby countries attempted the first ascent of the north face of the Eiger in the Bernese Oberland. After successfully climbing a challenging section, they removed the belaying rope from that point in order to be able to use it again further up. But that was a disastrous decision, because in doing this they closed off their way back. The weather became terrible and dangerous rockfalls...More Tuesday, February 25, 2025 Temptations and trials No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 Temptations and trials Each of us experiences temptations and trials in our life on earth. The Bible shows us that not all temptations have the same source. Depending on where they come from, God’s Word gives us different instructions on how to behave. This is how we can be preserved on the journey of faith. o There are...More Monday, February 24, 2025 A wrong observation You have said, No one sees me. Isaiah 47:10 A wrong observation When reading the Bible, we experience the way God suddenly holds up a mirror to us and points out something wrong in our lives. In doing so, He also reveals our secret thoughts and reflections. This is the case, for example, with today’s verse. Surely there have been times when we wanted to do something bad and have thought: Nobody can see me! But that isn’t true, God registers everything we do, say or think. In Psalm 33:13 we read: “The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men.” And in Hebrews 4:13 it...More Sunday, February 23, 2025 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (178) Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. So Jesus said to Peter, put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me? John 18:10–11 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (178) The disciples live in the expectation that Christ will free the Jewish people from Roman rule. Although the Lord has often told them that He will be delivered up and crucified, they remain attached to this idea. Now Roman soldiers come to arrest their Lord and He confronts them. This upsets the...More Saturday, February 22, 2025 Opened eyes Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them. 2 Kings 6:16 Opened eyes Overnight, the Syrian army has surrounded the city of Dothan to capture Elisha. When the servant of the man of God wakes up in the morning, he sees the foreign army. He is frightened and cries out, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” (2 Kings 6:15). It is also the case in our lives that we can be suddenly faced with a big problem. Overnight, so to speak, we are confronted with something that frightens us and completely overwhelms us. Then we ask ourselves: What should we do...More Friday, February 21, 2025 God feels with (2) I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their own houses, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come from afar. Mark 8:2–3 God feels with (2) The Lord Jesus stands ready to feed 4,000 people. They are hungry, and He wants to give them food. Their situation arouses His compassion, as the text says. He sees their hunger and recognises that they will soon be unable to continue on their way. After all, “some of them have come from afar”, setting out early from home and walking...More Thursday, February 20, 2025 God feels with (1) And the Lord said: I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. Exodus 3:7 God feels with (1) The people of Israel lived in Egypt at this time, enslaved and without any prospect of liberation. So they cried out to their God, who told the Israelites: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people, ... have heard their cry, … for I know their sorrows”. He called them “My people”: Shouldn’t that alone have provided comfort for them? Because if someone says “my”, then this testifies to...More Wednesday, February 19, 2025 Whoever believes in Jesus Christ... He who believes in Me has everlasting life. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 6:47; John 8:12; John 8:36 Whoever believes in Jesus Christ has been given three things: life, light and freedom. This is worth more than any award or amount of wealth. Some Christians are not even aware of this precious possession. Therefore, their lives continue to be characterised by a sense of darkness and fear. Whoever believes in Jesus Christ has eternal life. This fact is based on the...More Tuesday, February 18, 2025 Struggles and hardships You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 2:3 Struggles and hardships It’s a hot summer day. The thermometer is already showing 30°C in the shade. An elderly woman is sitting on the train. She isn’t feeling very well. She’s suffering from the heat and is longing to reach her destination. Sometimes she thinks she shouldn’t have set out today. But then she remembers that she’s on the road for a good reason. Today is the anniversary of the day when the Lord Jesus took her sister’s husband home. That’s why she wants to visit her sister, so that she...More Monday, February 17, 2025 Real joy Even in laughter the heart may sorrow, and the end of mirth may be grief. Proverbs 14:13 Real joy Many people have the opinion that God does not allow them any joy. They think He prohibits everything that makes life beautiful and pleasant. The fact is, however, that the Creator loves people and wants to make them supremely happy. For the first humans, He planted a garden that was well watered and fertile. The trees in it were lovely to look at and good for food. God also formed a wife for Adam, thereby giving them the joy of marriage. The pinnacle of the blessings they enjoyed at that...More Sunday, February 16, 2025 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (177) Then He asked them again, whom are you seeking? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way, that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, of those whom You gave Me I have lost none. John 18:7–9 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (177) Nothing and no one – neither all the hatred and hostility of the Jews, nor all the power of Rome –could have seized Jesus Christ before the time appointed by God had come. Now the time has come: Jesus is to fall into the earth as a “grain of wheat” and die (ch....More Saturday, February 15, 2025 Conversion Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Luke 15:18 Conversion In the first letter to the Thessalonians, we read that the people there had experienced a “conversion”. They had “turned to God from idols”. This refers to the reversal or change of direction in life that takes place when someone comes to faith in Jesus Christ. In conversion, a person realises that they are on a path of life that leads away from God and ends in eternal separation from God. They feel sincere remorse for what they have done and ask God for...More Friday, February 14, 2025 New life from God Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 New life from God What happens to a person who receives Jesus Christ into their life as Saviour and Lord? Let us think of a butterfly caterpillar for comparison. A few days earlier it has hatched from its egg on the underside of a leaf. It feels very comfortable there because it knows nothing else. Besides, it finds everything there to satisfy its insatiable hunger. From morning till night it eats one leaf after another, growing bigger and fatter every day....More Thursday, February 13, 2025 A sticker on the back window of... After these things He (Jesus) went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, Follow Me. So he left all, rose up, and followed Him. Luke 5:27–28 A sticker on the back window of a car reads, “Following is pointless! I’m lost too.” It’s just a joke of course – it isn’t supposed to be anything else. And yet, isn’t it a widespread tendency in our world to follow someone? People need role models, and so they follow fashion or a famous singer or movie star. One imitates a politician; another behaves like a particular television actor. Someone...More Wednesday, February 12, 2025 We are important to the Lord But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing? Mark 4:38 We are important to the Lord The disciples were with the Lord Jesus in a boat on the lake when a violent storm arose. Huge waves hit the boat so that it filled with water. We can well imagine how the disciples were struggling against this storm. Some of them were experienced fishermen who knew what to do in such situations but that didn’t seem to be helping. While their distress grew, the Lord Jesus was sleeping in the back of the boat. How could...More Tuesday, February 11, 2025 Those in a hurry lose their time Prepare to meet your God. Amos 4:12 Those in a hurry lose their time On Sunday, 23 July 2017, a group of motorcyclists was driving from Klosters to Davos, Switzerland. At the height of Laret, a driver overtook a car. When she returned to her lane, she veered off the right side of the road and crashed head-on into the wall of a house. In her rush for a few extra seconds she lost her life! Once again the wisdom in the title has been proven true. Perhaps we are living our whole life in a hurry. There is so much to do – with no time to pause and reflect. We want to save time but in fact...More Monday, February 10, 2025 Reconciliation God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:18 Reconciliation According to the teaching of the Bible, all people are sinners by nature. They hate the thought of a holy God to whom they are accountable. Thus, they have become His enemies. However, this doesn’t mean that God is man’s enemy. No, He loved human beings and sent His Son to earth as Saviour for them. Since the enmity doesn’t come from God but from man, it is not God who must be reconciled with man, but man with God. Nevertheless, God took the first step towards this. His Son, Jesus Christ,...More Sunday, February 9, 2025 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (176) Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, whom are you seeking? They answered Him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said to them, I am He. And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. Now when He said to them, I am He, they drew back and fell to the ground. John 18:4–6 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (176) It is dark. Jesus gathers with His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Jesus’ enemies, led by Judas, come to arrest Him. It is “[their] hour, and the power of darkness” (Luke 22:53). But the dark shadows cast over this scene only...More Saturday, February 8, 2025 Until his retirement... For You have cast all my sins behind Your back. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. Isaiah 38:17; Micah 7:19 Until his retirement, the man had been completely indifferent to anything to do with religion or the beliefs of the Bible. But then a serious illness had made him think, and he had found the Saviour, Jesus Christ. A former work colleague visited him and sat with him by his sickbed. “You know,” said the sick man, “since I’ve been lying here, I’ve done a great work, one that I’d always put off for later.” “Really? What have you been able...More Friday, February 7, 2025 What is your life? For what is your life? It is even a vapour that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. James 4:14 What is your life? From the Bible we know that the Creator-God has given us life. This makes us responsible to Him for how we handle this gift. Therefore, the personal question arises for each one of us: What is my life? Today’s verse describes human life on earth as temporary and transient. It is like a vapour that is visible for a short time and then disappears. This fact actually allows only one conclusion: we must use the life that God has given us to prepare for the future...More Thursday, February 6, 2025 Sidi Musa (2) 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 Sidi Musa (2) Sidi Musa was a singer and entertainer who made people happy while being thoroughly unhappy himself. One afternoon he found himself in an oriental bazaar, enjoying the interplay of colours and smells, when he came across a missionary who wanted to bring the message of Jesus to the people. The missionary was having a...More Wednesday, February 5, 2025 Sidi Musa (1) Even in laughter the heart may sorrow. Proverbs 14:13 Sidi Musa (1) Sidi Musa was a singer and entertainer who knew an endless number of songs and had a story, an anecdote, a joke, for every topic. His humour was contagious, so he provided a lot of happiness for his audiences. In a poll for the happiest person, his name would certainly have been mentioned. But behind a facade of cheerfulness lay the real Sidi Musa: a young man with an empty heart and an accusing conscience, fearful of the future and of death. Everyone thought Musa was happy – but he couldn’t hide the truth from...More Tuesday, February 4, 2025 A good servant If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. 1 Timothy 4:6 A good servant The Lord wants to give every believer a task in His work to fulfil for the glory of God and the blessing of others. Perhaps He is calling us to work for Him today; perhaps we have been working for Him for some time. Today let’s ask ourselves what characterises a good servant of the Lord. Some time ago, a Christian asked himself the question: What is the most important organ of...More Monday, February 3, 2025 Righteous before God But how can a man be righteous before God? Job 9:2 Righteous before God Many individuals are convinced that they belong to “the good people” of this world. When they compare themselves with others, they come off much better – or so they think. But the important question that each of us has to answer puts the matter in a different light: What does God think of me? Of course, I can persuade myself that there is no God, or that I will never need to have anything to do with Him. But am I deeply convinced of this in my heart? What if I actually have to meet God? Will I be able to stand...More Sunday, February 2, 2025 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (175) When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. John 18:1–3 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (175) Jesus addressed comforting words to His disciples and then turned to His heavenly Father in prayer. The occasion for this was the great change that...More Saturday, February 1, 2025 An eternal and strong God The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:27 An eternal and strong God In today’s Bible passage, God is described in figurative language as the one who will support us on our journey of faith. We are addressed in a very personal way because our God does not act generally and indefinitely but meets each one of us according to our situation and condition. “The eternal God is your refuge.” When we are struggling with a problem at work, a hardship in the family or a difficulty among God’s people, we can take refuge in God. With Him we...More Friday, January 31, 2025 Since the fall of the first human... Sin is lawlessness. 1 John 3:4 Since the fall of the first human couple, the basic principles of sin have changed little. Human beings live independently of God. The consequences are complacency and insensitivity to their own wrongdoing. Many live by the precept, “Do what you like and be your own god”– an attitude that has developed new emphases and adapted its approach over the centuries. Even in our generation, this approach to life offers something for every taste and need. But when we allow our own will to rule us, we deprive God of the place He deserves. We become guilty before Him. This...More Thursday, January 30, 2025 God blesses man by providing... He (God) causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and vegetation for the service of man, that he may bring forth food from the earth. Psalm 104:14 God blesses man by providing him with food. That was the case in the past – and it is still true today. Since very few people are still in touch with agriculture, the awareness that our food is completely dependent on nature is being increasingly lost. Of course, today we can be very creative with food and refine it: we can change foods in shape, colour and taste, we can make them more resistant to pests and diseases, thus more productive, and we can...More Wednesday, January 29, 2025 God is still waiting Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Ecclesiastes 8:11 God is still waiting The Bible emphasises several times that God is slow to anger and great in kindness (e.g. Exodus 34:6; Psalm 103:8). That is why He usually doesn’t intervene immediately when people do evil and sin against their Creator. This doesn’t mean that God overlooks or turns a blind eye to wrongdoing. The Bible is very clear on this point: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and...More |
Monday, January 27, 2025 A threefold blessing Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. Jude 2 A threefold blessing Before Jude warns in his letter against those people who promote evil and perversity in Christianity, he wishes the believers mercy, peace and love. o Mercy: The decline in the Christian testimony makes it difficult to faithfully follow the Lord Jesus and hold fast to biblical truth. God has mercy on us and helps us so that we do not become disheartened and give up. We are spurred on by Hebrews 4:16: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in...More Sunday, January 26, 2025 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (174) O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them. John 17:25–26 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (174) Never had there been such a reliable witness of any thing or person as Jesus Christ was of God the Father. But the world did not recognise the Father, and it did not accept the testimony of Jesus, increasingly rebelling against it. In this context, the Son of God does not use the salutation “Holy...More Saturday, January 25, 2025 At the Bible stand... Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition. For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 1 Corinthians 10:11; Romans 15:4 At the Bible stand at an exhibition, a young man asks for a New Testament. He adds that he doesn’t want to buy a complete Bible, because the Old Testament, he says, is outdated. Outdated? Really? True, some pages of the Old Testament were written over 3,000 years ago. But Jesus Christ Himself taught us how to read...More Friday, January 24, 2025 Normally, living things “strive” for... Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good. Psalm 34:8 Normally, living things “strive” for maturity. When we think of ripe fruit, we think of beauty, size, colour, aroma – in other words, a real treat. Ripe fruit is a sign of God’s goodness that we can taste and enjoy. But unfortunately, not all fruit becomes ripe or good. There are things that prevent ripeness: worms, slugs, mildew, fungus, poor soil, too much moisture and, on top of that, errors in genetic material, overbreeding or genetic defects. Let us think of another growth process that God has set in motion in the same way. The very...More Thursday, January 23, 2025 “That’s your story, isn’t it!” (2) But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. Luke 15:20 “That’s your story, isn’t it!” (2) A secret struggle was going on in the young man’s soul. This story of the prodigal son reminded him of the home he had left behind. In his mind he saw his parents before him and thought of their love with which they had surrounded him. Had it been only a “crazy idea” for which he had left the family home? He had seen how much his decision had hurt his parents. Nevertheless, he had decided against his...More Wednesday, January 22, 2025 “That’s your story, isn’t it!” (1) I will arise and go to my father. Luke 15:18 “That’s your story, isn’t it!” (1) On a village square, some guitar players once gave an open-air concert without an admission fee. They quickly attracted curious people with their rhythmic songs. After the performance, one of them went around collecting donations. He also knocked on the window of an adjacent house. “Young man,” the residents said to him, “you have a beautiful voice. Here is a New Testament and a coin. It’s yours if you will read the people the story of the prodigal son from it.” “That’s easy...More Tuesday, January 21, 2025 That’s what I want... Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 That’s what I want too: that Jesus notices me and turns towards me. And that is exactly what He does! The Bible states: “The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men” (Psalm 33:13). That includes me! How much I long that God would allow me to experience His love. He does that too, or rather He has done that! The good news is that God “did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all” (Romans 8:32). God gives His very dearest for mankind, and that...More Monday, January 20, 2025 For some people, prayer is... He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see? O You who hear prayer... Psalm 94:9; Psalm 65:2 For some people, prayer is limited to reciting a few memorised verses. But actually, praying means turning to God and speaking to Him as a child speaks to their father. God hears every single prayer – even if millions of people all over the world are talking to Him at the same time. Not a single word or thought escapes Him. Various psalms of David explicitly confirm this to us: “You understand my thoughts afar off. ... For there is not a word on my...More Sunday, January 19, 2025 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (173) Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. John 17:24 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (173) In His mind, the Lord is already in heaven, in His Father’s house. The disciples, on the other hand, are still here in this world. But He does not want to be separated from them forever: He wants to come back and fetch them and have them with Him forever – where He is. The Lord had already communicated this desire of His heart to His disciples at the beginning of...More Saturday, January 18, 2025 Wild donkey Who set the wild donkey free? Who loosed the bonds of the onager, whose home I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwelling? Job 39:5–6 Wild donkey The “Valle di Muggio” is the southernmost valley of Switzerland, in the canton of Ticino. There – on Monte Bisbino – live some wild horses. These horses were not always living in the wild. They once belonged to someone who took care of them. But when their owner died they became wild horses. They still live in the area, but no one claims ownership of them. It is the same with the wild donkey, which is mentioned...More Friday, January 17, 2025 Accountability Always be ready to give a defence to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you. 1 Peter 3:15 Accountability As Christians, we seek to live a life that is consistent with the Word of God and that honours the Lord Jesus. However we live in a world that doesn’t want anything to do with God. Therefore, our behaviour often conflicts with the way of life of our unbelieving peers. This can raise some questions in them: Why do you pray before meals? Why don’t you come to our party? Why do you go to church every Sunday? Why don’t you resort to a white lie to get yourself out of a...More Thursday, January 16, 2025 The Lord carries, lifts and saves Even to your old age, I am He, and even to grey hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you. Isaiah 46:4 The Lord carries, lifts and saves The Babylonians were once proud of their gods and of their own abilities. However, they carried around the idols themselves as statues during their festivals. They thought they were safe under their protection until the night when the Medes and Persians conquered the city of Babylon. Then this empire, along with its gods, collapsed. In contrast, the Israelites were carried by their God. He had...More Wednesday, January 15, 2025 God’s gifts His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue. 2 Peter 1:3 God’s gifts God has richly bestowed gifts on us as Christians. At our conversion, we not only received divine life, but God also gave us everything necessary for the new life to unfold for His pleasure. In today’s verse, the apostle does not list what we have been given in detail. Nevertheless, we would like to consider three of God’s gifts: 1. The Holy Spirit dwells in us. He gives power to the new life and guides...More Tuesday, January 14, 2025 Love demostrated But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 Love demostrated You’ve often questioned, “If it’s true That God is love, then why...?” Then let me point you to the cross Where Jesus came to die. It’s there that God has proved His love: His only Son came here From heaven’s heights to earth below – He came so very near. But in His love, so very great, He did not come to live – Instead it was to die He came, “Himself” He came to give. Will...More Monday, January 13, 2025 The conversation in the pastor’s... Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, … nor drunkards … will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9–10 The conversation in the pastor’s house was over. They had talked about a range of questions concerning the Bible. The pastor accompanied his visitor to the door. There he said to him, “But we haven’t talked about the problems you have with alcohol.” The man looked uncertainly at the floor. That was indeed his biggest problem, and everything else they had talked about for an hour was secondary. Alcoholism is a core problem for many people: not...More Sunday, January 12, 2025 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (172) And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. John 17:22–23 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (172) In the first part of the prayer, the Lord has prayed for the Father to be glorified; in the second part, He thinks of His own and asks the Father to keep them during His absence – that He may be seen in their lives. In the final part of the prayer, Jesus goes on in thought to the glory to come: it...More Saturday, January 11, 2025 A young woman wants to... You believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions. John 14:1–2 A young woman wants to rent an apartment together with her girlfriend in a big city, but she can’t find one. Or rather, by the time she finds one there are already many others ahead of her. If only she had more money, some connections, a louder voice ... In the end, she has to apply for an apartment with an application file that also contains her father’s documents – his payslip and credit report, because he is supposed to be her guarantor. Actually, the information is nobody’s business but the...More Friday, January 10, 2025 Dramatic rescue (5) And with many other words he (Peter) testified and exhorted them, saying, Be saved from this perverse generation. Acts 2:40 Dramatic rescue (5) After the captain of the Teeswood jumps into the lifeboat, the other sailors also take courage and one by one jump to safety. But with each voyage, the difficulties for the lifeboat increase as the steamer becomes more and more of a dangerous wreck. Meanwhile, the Borkum has already made twenty attempts, rescued thirteen men, and has been working tirelessly for an hour. Two sailors are still on the wreck – but they cannot bring themselves to...More Thursday, January 9, 2025 Dramatic rescue (4) Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:2 Dramatic rescue (4) At 6:20 pm, the English steamer sent an SOS, and at 6:35 pm, the rescue cruiser Borkum has left the island, but it is not until 7:35 pm that it reaches the scene of the accident. However, it cannot go alongside the freighter and cannot make a line connection because the storm is too strong. So the captain tries to pass close enough to the bow of the Teeswood so the sailors can jump into the boat. But again and again the lifeboat is thrown back, a huge breaker gets in between, and it has to turn...More Wednesday, January 8, 2025 Dramatic rescue (3) Nor did their own arm save them; but it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, because You favoured them. Psalm 44:3 Dramatic rescue (3) At 6:20 pm, the English steamer had radioed SOS. Just 15 minutes later, the lifeboat Borkum leaves the protective harbour of the island and heads out into the storm, which has by now reached hurricane force. Another boat rushes to the aid of the Teeswood, the salvage steamer Seefalke stationed on the Ems. It is also the first to arrive at the sinking ship, but it cannot help – it has too much draught and cannot get close...More Tuesday, January 7, 2025 Dramatic rescue (2) There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one. Romans 3:10–12 Dramatic rescue (2) November 28, 1951, 7:15 pm. The Teeswood is stranded on a sandbank off the coast of Borkum: cast down – as if struck by death. A gap is already forming between the bridge and the forecastle, which grows larger with each breaker. The ship is in danger of break apart. Among the sailors stands a young man, soaked to the bone, his eyes wide...More Monday, January 6, 2025 Dramatic rescue (1) But truly, as the Lord lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death. 1 Samuel 20:3 Dramatic rescue (1) November 28, 1951, 2:00 pm. A heavy storm whips across the North Sea. The Teeswood, a coastal freighter, leaves the English coast and sets course for Emden. Although the steamer dates from 1915, it has been retrofitted with modern equipment. The 15 men on board are used to storms. They know it will be an uncomfortable journey, but none of them is worried at first. Their own legs help against the lurching of the ship, waterproof clothing against the wet, and warm...More Sunday, January 5, 2025 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (171) I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. John 17:20–21 Thoughts on the Gospel of John (171) When the Lord prayed for His own, He didn’t only have the small group of His disciples in mind. His heart embraced all who would yet come to believe in Him. Most of them didn’t come to faith through the oral ministry of the apostles because they had only lived a few years on earth. But the word of...More Saturday, January 4, 2025 Christ as the purpose of life For to me, to live is Christ. Philippians 1:21 Christ as the purpose of life Paul, once known as Saul, lived as a Christian and worked as a servant who was fully focused on the Lord Jesus. This attitude of his heart had its origin in his encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus. At that time, a light from heaven suddenly surrounded Saul. He heard a voice speaking to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 9:4) It was the voice of Jesus Christ, who made Himself one with the persecuted believers on earth. The realisation that he was resisting the Son of God threw...More Friday, January 3, 2025 God does not want people to be lost He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. Proverbs 29:1 God does not want people to be lost Several times a man stood on the brink of death. Once he was on a mountain tour in the Alps when a thin layer of snow collapsed beneath him and he almost drowned in a glacial lake. Another time, his sailboat capsized in a storm. He owed the saving of his life to the water police. And then, when he was only in his mid-forties, he fell ill with leukaemia. Thanks to excellent medical treatment, he was cured of the disease. After that, God gave him...More Thursday, January 2, 2025 The presence and grace of the Lord The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. 2 Timothy 4:22 The presence and grace of the Lord Today’s verse is the very last word of the Apostle Paul in the Bible. He was about to die a martyr’s death and, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, wrote an encouraging letter to his younger co-worker Timothy, ending with this farewell greeting. It came from the pen of an old, experienced servant of the Lord. Timothy soon had to continue his journey without the apostle. He could no longer ask him for advice. With whom could he now share his concerns in his ministry? Who...More Wednesday, January 1, 2025 God wants to go with you Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. Isaiah 41:10 God wants to go with you The train roars through the night at high speed. The locomotive driver looks ahead with intense concentration in order to detect the next signal in time. Sometimes thick fog makes it difficult for him to see. Then a green light flashes by: the track ahead of him is therefore clear and he can continue at the prescribed speed. He can hardly see anything from the track and has to rely entirely on the signals given by the dispatcher, who shows him whether the path is clear or not. Our life...More |
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