27th April 2024 Courage is needed ”What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ” Rom. 8:31NIV - to keep quiet gossipping when others in the company enjoy hearing it, - to defend an absentee when others strip him of honor and glory, - to live with honor on one's own small income instead of living without honor on other people's means, - not defending yourself when you cannot do so without harming others, - to refuse to do what is not right, which is common for others in one's surroundings, - to refrain from the fun of buying what you want, but which your income cannot support, - not to let go of the Christian values, even if they find you narrow-minded and ridiculous.
26th April 2024 The fellowship “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7NIV It is said of the first Christians that they adhered to the teachings of the apostles, the communion and the prayers. Something significant had happened to them when they came to believe in Jesus and were baptized to him. They now shared in Christ's body, they had fellowship with each other. This new fellowship was not merely something they felt in their hearts. No, it was visible and obvious to everyone. You could tell that they now stayed together and did something together that they had not done before. They came together in the name of Jesus to hear the Word about him, they kept the Lord's evening meal together and they prayed and sang praises to the glory of God and Christ. Not only then did the Christians have this visible fellowship with each other. This is also the case today. God's people will always be in common about what is vital for us: God's Word, baptism, communion, prayer and praise. It's like in a family in a home. They all have a strong sense that they belong together. But their community will also always be seen in the way that they stick together and have many things in common. They live together, they eat together, they talk together, they rejoice together and help each other through difficulties. In the same way it is with the home that God's church is for all Christians. We are bound together in our hearts, and it can be seen in the way that we cannot do without the fellowship with each other. We come together in Jesus name. Thus, it is wrong to say that it is possible to be a Christian without wanting to have anything to do with other Christians. That is why John says: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7NIV That is why we must also do as the first Christians did: hold on to the community and fellowship that Jesus has given us through each other. It is of vital importance for our faith to come together with God's people in the congregation. Of course, some will be prevented from coming because illness makes it impossible, but in such cases it is blessed that both radio and TV makes it possible for them to take part in the fellowhip anyway. God bless our people and awaken in all of us a hunger to come together about God's Word.
25th April 2024
To be at the center of God's will
“Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than
human beings!”
Acts 5:29NIV
A short time ago I found a piece of paper that I had cut out of Richard
Wurmbrand's (1909-2001) magazine, "Voice of the Martyrs" a few years
ago and used as a logo. He writes:
Eva Barendsen, originally from Finland, and her Dutch husband, who has
been a doctor and missionary in Kabul since 1972, returned to war-torn
Afghanistan in 1980 after a short leisure stay.
They were liquidated with spring knives in their own home, which was
also turned into a church. They left behind two children respectively. 3
and 5 years. Before they returned to Kabul, someone asked them if they
were not afraid to return. Eva answered: "I KNOW ONLY ONE
DANGER, AND THAT IS - NOT BEING IN THE CENTER OF GOD'S
WILL."
Quite a few days before their death, her mother had had a dream. She saw
her children in the Garden of Eden, where angels placed golden crowns
on their heads.
The memory of this sight enabled her to keep her peace when, a few days
later, she heard how her children had died.
These true disciples of Jesus left their peaceful land to serve God in a
place where blood is shed.
Shouldn't we at least support such with our intercession and gifts?
ec
24th April 2024
God cannot be mocked
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
Galatians 6:7NIV
My father, who comes from the sand and cliff areas by the Vest Sea in
Denmark, once told me that one evening when the thunder rolled and the
lightning flashed, he had seen some men sitting inside the tavern drinking.
Suddenly one of them took his glass and went outside. Once outside, he
raised his glass to the sky and said: "Cheers God!", and at the same
moment lightning struck him and killed him.
Helge Bækby, Signd of the Times. ec
23th April 2024
Weighed on scales
“Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting. ”
Dan.5:27NIV
London is a big city where you can see many rare things. But of all the
peculiar things in the city, I do not believe, I have seen anything more
interesting than the scales in the royal mint, where coins are produced.
One of the scales is so accurate that it can discerne the slightest
difference. If, for example, we put a sheet of paper on each weighing
bowl, so that the bowls are completely equal and level with each other,
and then afterwards write our names on one paper, then the bowl in
question, with the paper with the written name on it, will sink down .
These scales must of course be this accurate because all monetary
measures in the country are linked to them. In the banks, coins is not
counted, but weighed. Therefore, each and every coin must have exactly
the same weight as the others, because otherwise someone would get
more money for a paper note than others.
There is also another reason why the scales must be true and accurate.
Because when the metal is moved from one room to another and the coins
are finally transferred, it can easily happen that one of the coins
disappears on the way to its destination. And gradually it could turn into
large quantities of this kind. Therefore, the metal is weighed as it comes
from one room and into another. The same weight in metal that goes into
these rooms must also come out again. When it comes to weighing silver
or gold, a very small weight can make a big difference.
But at the end of this process comes the most interesting part. The
finished coin must be weighed here to check whether they are exactly
identical in weight. They are then divided into three piles - one pile is
called "correct", the next "too light" and the third "too heavy". It is
interesting to see how these coins distribute themselves to the pile it
matches. It is impossible to cheat these scales. If there is a coin on the
scale that weighs 1/1000 of a gram too little, it is immediately separated.
And in the same way, if a coin is a little bit too heavy, it is also pushed to
the "too heavy" pile. The correct coins must also be completely correct.
As I stood and looked at all these scales I could not help but think of the
precious lesson these laborers receive all through the day; but they are
probably too busy to really notice this. At least they had the opportunity to
reflect on the fact that they are constantly monitored and weighed as
accurately as 1/1000 of a gram. If all the work you do was watched as
closely as this money, what would we do? How much would then be
sorted out and directed into the waste pile? Maybe more than you think.
We can also think of something else these scales may remind us of. Can
you perhaps recall a scripture that says: ”But I tell you that everyone will
have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they
have spoken. ” Matt. 12:36
This could also make us think that even if we don't weigh our own words,
someone else is weighing them. For the scales that are in heaven are even
more accurate than the scales in this mint, and they weigh every deed and
every word. I am sure that many of the words we use do not carry much
weight with God. Therefore, we should take better care of our thoughts
and words. In the book of Daniel we read about a young king who
blasphemed God and boasted of his own great deeds. But then one night
while he was holding a big party, a hand appeared on the wall and the
fingers of this hand began to write. Do you remember what they wrote,
“Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting. ”
Dan.5:27NIV
The angels had heard all the proud and haughty words the king had
spoken. And this boastful speech was weighed in heavenly scales and
there judged to be as light as air. Indeed, all his life seemed worthless and
useless, and he had wasted all opportunities to do good. Therefore, a
heavenly messenger wrote this judgment on him, and Belshazzar died that
very night.
Someday, no one knows the day and hour, we too will be weighed. I
wonder how it is with us? Is it also to be said of us that we are found
wanted?
A. S. Maxwell. Effie Campbell translated
22th April 2024
The testimony of the Spirit
“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ”
Rom. 8:16NIV
How can we be sure that we are children of God? This question often
comes up in our thoughts and is often also asked between people. At times
it develops into such a mental distress and burdensome doubts that even
with the best will one cannot understand that he or she can boast of such a
badge of honor.
So: How can we be sure that we are really God's children? We can,
because we didn't invent this ourselves! We can because this badge of
honor is given to us from above by divine grace. We can, because “The
Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” And the
testimony of the Holy Spirit is always true.
But when the Spirit of God the Father knows us to the core and knows
everything about us, how can doubt and how can hopelessness fill us,
indeed, how can we find ourselves complaining when others in pride and
emptiness try to imagine that we are not immediately children of God, the
Holy Spirit has given us something to hold on to: the water of baptism and
the word of baptism. In the water of baptism and in the word of baptism,
the Holy Spirit, together with our spirit, testifies that we ARE God's
children. And woe to the one who questions this testimony and wants to
make the Holy Spirit unimportant and indifferend. We ourselves have not
taken this name - children of God. We have received it as a gift in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. This is the most
safe thing there is, both in this world, as well as in the world to come, as
true as the testimony of the Holy Spirit is always true and unwavering.
That is why we no longer ask as in the beginning of this devotional. But
we break out into a shout of joy over our condition with God and thank
Him for such overwhelming grace.
21th April 2024
A letter about the blood of Jesus
”This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who
believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, ”
Rom. 3:22NIV
The doctor Vinslov in the district of Vathi in England received a letter
from a dying young man asking him to answer some questions. The
young man's letter read s like this:
Mr Vinslov, doctor:
You would do a sinner a great service if you could write a paragraph and
have it published in Mr. Braid's magazine for the September issue telling
me what I must do in order to prepare to die. Tell me what preparations
God requires and when I can consider myself ready to die. If you fulfill
my wish, you are doing a good deed to a young man who feels that his
time in this world is short. What is justification and when are you
justified?
The doctor's answer is reproduced here:
I must tell you that you must immediately and in simple faith throw
yourself into the arms of Jesus, and you will be blessed. You find the true
preparation for death outside yourself and in Jesus. Cleansed in the blood
of Jesus and clothed in his righteousness, you are completely free and
eternally agreeable to God. The salvation of every single sinner is fully
prepared and made ready in Christ (Eph.1:6 and Col.2:10). I repeat once
more: Turn your eyes of faith completely away from yourself and onto
Jesus. Do not seek the preparation for death in yourself. It is to be found
in Jesus Christ and only in Him. God cannot receive you because you
have a bent heart. With God, nothing else counts but the completed work
of His Son.
Throw yourself in childlike trust in his completed work on Calvary: Christ
died for the wicked (Rom.5:6). The justification is that a poor lost and
condemned sinner in faith puts on the righteousness of Jesus Christ, which
comes to all who believe (Rom.3:22).
Justified and ready to die is therefore the one - and only the one - who
casts off his own garment of righteousness and flees to the only sanctuary
for sinners, Jesus and his wounds, and hides there from the avenger of
blood (Joshua 20:3). There you can shout out loud in the joy of victory of
faith: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in
Christ Jesus, ” Rom.8:1NIV
When you have done that, then you can ask Jesus for a humble heart, a
pure heart, a believing heart, indeed, a loving heart, and Jesus will give it
to you. Even the worst sinner is saved and blessed as soon as he touches
Christ and takes refuge in Him. Even the weakest heart of faith that looks
to Christ finds healing and salvation for the soul. God stands with open
arms and welcomes you as his child in his beloved son. For his sake, he
has thrown all our sins behind his back (Isa. 38:17). And when you die,
He takes you up to His glory.
We do not read anywhere in the Gospels that Jesus turned away any of the
helpless and poor sinners who sought shelter and help from him. God, in
his wonderful grace, will save you, however miserable you may otherwise
be, completely free of charge and without payment (Isa. 55:1).
Before I end, I will give you the answer Paul gave the jailer in Philippi:
“They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and
your household.”” Acts 16:31NIV. This applies regardless of what you
may have done or what you are. Just throw yourselves into the free and
open source against all sin and impurity (Zech. 13:1), and you will
become white, even white as snow (Psalms 51:1). Do not listen to what
the devil and the unbeliever imagine in your mind, but simply throw
yourself at the feet of Jesus and say: "If I am going to perish, I will perish
here." But you shall not perish, for he has said: “All those the Father gives
me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. ”
John 6:37NIV. "Come to me" Matt.11:28NIV, was his blessed invitation.
Therefore let your answer be the following: “Lord, I am coming. I grasp
thy dearest cross with my trembling arms of faith, indeed, thyself, and
should I die, well, in death itself I will cling to thee and look up to thee!”
Do this in faith, and death will not be death to you. Constantly look at
Jesus, then you can boldly meet Jesus and exclaim with old Simeon:
““Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your
servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation,” Luke 2:29-
30NIV.
May we, all in God's kingdom and free grace, meet again in heaven and
there together sing the song below: “In a loud voice they were saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and
wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”” Rev. 5:12NIV
"Shalom" E.Campbell translated
20th April 2024
The living hope
“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those
who have fallen asleep.”
1.Cor.15:20NIV
It is certain that Christ has really risen. The Church is founded on this
event – this reality.
And the church announces that Jesus' resurrection is the firstfruit, this
means that he is the first part of the harvest that will bring together all
believers for an eternal life of joy at home in God's kingdom.
As surely as it is that Christ rose from the dead, so it is that we too shall
rise. In faith in Christ we have a living hope of a life to which we can look
forward with joy.
That life has its origin in Jesus Christ's victory over sin and death. That
life Jesus will lead us into. And we are also allowed to live that life
already here and then we live on in a new and richer home in front of
God's throne.
Easter morning not only announces that Christ has risen, but also that we
shall rise. He died and rose on our behalf, not merely to show his power
over death. He had already done that when he woke up the widow of
Nain's son and when he woke up Jairus' daughter and finally when he
called Lazarus out of the grave. But on Easter morning, the final and all-
important victory was won over death, so that we could live - live forever.
19th April 2024
Heaven
”“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you
rest.”
Matt. 11:28NIV
Oh human child, you do everything so well for you for your long or short
journey through life, but where does the journey go? Do you have a place
to go? A journey must have a goal, an end. Life will end at some point,
and the journey of life will be behind you. What is the terminus?
The believers have a goal, heaven is their goal, heaven is the final station
of life's journey? And with excitement and true joy they testify and sing
about heaven.
Do you want to join?
ec
18th April 2024
On the edge
”Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not
believe will be condemned. ”
Mark 16:16NIV
The train which used to come from York to Dublin at noon stopped at
Buttervant, and three or four officers from the local garrison entered a
carriage, in which was but a single passenger, Thomas Weldon Trench,
who came of a well-known Irish earldom of Huguenot descent and who
was an evangelist of the grace of God.
When the train set off soon after, one of the officers lit a cigar. Trench
politely pointed out that this carriage was for "non-smokers", but the
officer simply replied that he didn't care. He had intended to smoke and
then lit the cigar.
A moment later, when Trench felt he could freely say what was on his
heart, he said in a controlled voice: "The Lord Jesus Christ says in Mark
16:16 that whoever does not believe in him will be condemned. Do you
believe Him?”
"What do you mean?" shouted the officer furiously.
"The verse says that if you do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, you
will be condemned to the second death."
"Shut up, you fool!"
"Even if I remain silent, it doesn't change anything. - If you do not believe
in the Lord Jesus Christ, then you will be condemned.”
"I'm going to give you a box on the ear and throw you out the window if
you don't shut up."
"Even if you beat me and throw me out the window, it won't change
anything. If you do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, then you will be
condemned.”
The officer jumped up in a rage, but his friends restrained him and said:
"Don't mind that starrut, can't you see he's out of his mind?"
“Whether I'm out of my mind or not,” said Trench, “it makes no
difference. If you do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, then you will be
condemned.”
At the same moment the train reached Charleville. The officers opened the
door, jumped out and searched for another carriage. Trench reached out
through the door and shouted behind them, “Even if you escape from this
wagon, it doesn't change anything. If you do not believe in the Lord Jesus
Christ, then you will be condemned.”
Two years later, when Trench was on his way to Holyhead on an Irish
passenger ferry and came to Rugby, he went into a restaurant for a cup of
tea. Then a soldier came over to him and said: "Two years ago did you
travel from Buttervant to Charleville in the south of Ireland with a man
who threatened to throw you out of the window because you told him he
was going to be condemned , if he did not believe in the Lord Jesus
Christ?”
"Yes I did."
“I thank God for what you said. I am very pleased to meet you. On the
evening in question we all attended a dance party at the Commander-in-
Chief's in Dublin. But whatever I did, I could not rest for these words. I
could not stay there any longer and therefore left the place and rushed over
to my hotel, but could not fall asleep. The horrible words continued to ring
in my head like a bell. I became aware that I did not know Him and that I
was a stranger to Him - and therefore condemned to death. I got no rest
until I believed Him. And now I am saved and happy. I thank God that I
met you that day on the Irish train.
"The Evangelist" E.C
17th April 2024
Jesus as a landmark
““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you
rest.”
Matthew 11:28NIV
An old man was asked to give the young people some good advice. He
wanted to, but first said that it was difficult, because the youth had never
understood the elderly very well and the elderly had problems
understanding the youth. Now he was old and his days were soon
numbered, but the landmark had always been Jesus.
An old man was asked to give youngsters some good advice at his
congregation. He wanted to, but first said that it was difficult, because the
youth had never understood the elderly very well and the elderly had
problems understanding the young. Now he had grown old, and his days
were soon numbered, but the benchmark had always been Jesus, he said in
his maritime colored garb, which is so characteristic for Faroese seamen.
Then he added: "My advice to you who are young and who are now
setting sail is the following: Don't lose sight of Jesus as the bearing! The
fjord of life is deep and offers fierce eddies and hidden and opposite
currents. You have both toil, efforts and dangerous times ahead of you, but
also many moments in crystal clear water.
Let Jesus be the landmark in your life and have him onboard with you.
Trust in him and then steer out onto the fjord. If you are in his hands, you
are in safe hands.
Whether the journey over the seas will be short or long – does not matter
that much, becauuse if he is with you and he is your guide, then it will also
be him who welcomes you on the other side.
In this trust and faith I have lived my life, and in this faith I will also die,
because Jesus is my landmark.”
16th April 2024
God's weeping eyes
"As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said,
“If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace
—but now it is hidden from your eyes. "
Luke 19:41-42NIV
In his book, "Undret som väcker os alla" Roger Larsson tells about a trip
to Israel. Here we will highlight the part where he visits a church:
On this quiet Sabbath morning in Jerusalem, I had entered the small
chapel, Dominus Flevit ("The Lord Wept"), or as they also call it: "The
Church of the Weeping God". It is shaped like a tear, a drop, and it is as if
it fell right there on the Mount of Olives, at the place where Jesus wept
over Jerusalem. Honored by the crowd, he had come from Bethphage
towards Jerusalem, "As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he
wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what
would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. "
In the past, tears had been found at this site. When Franciscan
archaeologists in the middle of the 20th century dug there, before the
church was built, they found the remains of a mosaic floor from a very old
church, which was preferably built already in the 6th century. The patterns
in the floor were also tears and from these tears went arrows pointing in
different directions. They fell: Towards Jerusalem.
There I now sat in the silence and looked towards the altar window that
was right in front of me. It represented the view over Jerusalem, over the
temple square with well-known buildings, with thorns and domes, and the
spectator had a view over the many houses of the city, which were built in
the characteristic white limestone.
But there was also something more, a perspective that turned inward,
toward the heart of the weeping God. The whole window bore witness to
it. The artist had succeeded in drawing this out masterfully.
I saw the tears, the big drops everywhere in the altar window. And I saw
thorns that had not yet been made into a crown of thorns. They lay there in
a pile. Already there, Jesus had experienced the pain, the sorrow of the
people. He looked out over the city and wept.
Outside the altar window, people passed by, one after the other. They took
a quick look inside and then continued on their route. All seemed to have
the same longing to be allowed to see Jesus, to see the holy God, to meet
the Holy Spirit.
All of a sudden I saw it – the picture from my childhood that I had colored
in Sunday School and that I had seen so vividly in my mind: the hen
gathering her chicks under her large, shielding wings. Up there on the
Mount of Olives, inside the chapel that was depicted as a great drop, I
could see this image in front of the altar. It was formed in a shining
mosaic. And I thought of Jesus' words: ““Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who
kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to
gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her
wings, and you were not willing. ” Luke 13:34NIV
But it's not merely a wistful complaint, the picture presents. At the same
time, it also shows a calling tone. "Come here to me," says the Lord,
"Come in here, where it is good and safe to be." Don't merely look in
hastily and then rush on. Come! Keep your eyes on me. See and live.
E.Campbell translated
15th April 2024
Jesus Christ – the same today and forever
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. "
Heb. 13:8NIV
Sometimes big events and big experiences can change people. Adversity
can make a person bitter, hard and cynical. Victory and success can make
people puffed up and arrogant. But in the days after Jesus' resurrection, the
disciples realized that through all that had happened, Jesus remained
forever the same. Even though the disciples had given him reason to be
disappointed and even though he had won a gigantic victory, he still
remained the same to them.
They could tell that his forgiving love was still there. He had not grown
weary of showing them mercy and giving them all that they needed. His
infinite care for them was not exhausted. He was still the same person they
had been following for the past three years. Thus the best of their lives
was not brought to an end. No, they were still to be allowed to be with the
Jesus they knew and loved.
That is why we, who are Jesus' disciples today, can rejoice in all that the
Bible tells us about him. Because that is the Jesus we belong to and want
to follow. As he was against his first disciples, so will he be against us. His
love and power are still the same.
When we meet Jesus in the Bible as the friend of sinners, it is also good to
know that he is still just that in our days. Then he is also my friend. When
we hear about Jesus as the good shepherd who always cares for his
disciples and protects them, then I should also know that it is the same
Jesus that I belong to. He will also be in my life the good shepherd who
never leaves me, but who always takes care of me and guides me. And he
hasn't lost his power either. Just as his disciples never sought his help in
vain, so too we can live with the assurance that Jesus is the one who can
and will help. Whatever happens, it is certain that Jesus has exactly the help for me that I need.
It is the same Jesus that I will one day meet and see with my own eyes at
home in Heaven. Nor, when I get there, will Jesus change and become
someone else. Because God's Word says about him: "Jesus Christ is the
same yesterday and today and forever. "
14th April 2024
God sent the west wind
”“No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus
declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.””
John 8:11NIV
A man named Hans David lived in a village on the northeastern part of
Streymoy in the Faroe Islands. In his younger days he had been involved
in all sorts of dubious activities. He was one of the main men behind the
construction of a dance hall because he loved dancing.
Later he was converted and after that he had a conscience problem
because of the dance hall. He felt that he had taken the lead in leading the
youth onto this path. Then he cried out to God and asked Him to help him
out of this predicament and somehow get rid of the dance hall.
And the Lord heard. The God who sent the east wind to blow over the Red
Sea, so that the Israeli people could walk across the sea with dry shoes,
now sent a strong west wind over the village and in this storm the entire
dance hall ended up out on the sea, and in one piece.
EC
13th April 2024
Send me a Bible
"Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit."
Psalms 147:5NIV
A Chinese doctor wrote to Asian Outreach asking for a Bible. Asian
Outreach is an organization that works in Hong Kong and from there
David Wang writes:
When we arrived in China we sought out this man. He was a senior doctor
at a hospital and a member of the Communist Party. When we entered his
office, he immediately wrote down his private address on a note for us.
"Not now, not right now, but come to my house tonight," he said.
We then came to his private residence that evening. He had a wife and two
children – was an atheist and a senior physician. And he now wanted a
Bible from us?!
The doctor now told the following: “I have never seen God. I have never
set foot in a church or seen a Bible. But now I believe. A few months ago a
woman was sent here. She had been involved in an accident at home on
their farm. A large rock had fallen and crushed her chest. A brief casual
glance was enough for me to ascertain that there was nothing we could do
here. Her ribs protruded both outwards and inwards. She was bleeding
profusely and vomiting blood. Despite all our advanced equipment, there
was nothing we could do here. Still, I took x-rays of her, which I attached
to her medical record. Now I saw that some of her ribs were sticking
through one of her lungs. I gave her painkillers and put her in a bed. Then
I heard her say something. I have heard many different sounds from dying
people before, but this was something completely different. As she lay
there unconscious, she whispered: “Jesus, save me! Jesus, save me!”
I went home for lunch and then thought no more of this woman. But the
following morning, when I arrived at the hospital, I passed the woman's
bed. There I see her now sitting up with a big bowl of rice and eating with
good appetite! I was totally shaken.
"What are you doing?" I shouted. She got scared and then handed me her
rice dish, telling me that a nurse had given her the food, but if she wasn't
allowed to eat it, I just had to take the plate.
I first researched her name. It was correct. I looked at her number. Also
correct. I researched where she came from and where she worked. It was
the same woman!
Shaken, I took her back into the X-ray room and took new X-rays. Then I
could see that each and every one of her bones was completely healed and
both lungs were completely intact and healthy. “I have never seen God,
never been to church, never seen a Bible, but now I believe. Now I have
seen God's omnipotence. He lives and is mighty!”
"Miracles in the East". E.Campbell translated
12th April 2024
Israel
““ ‘But you, mountains of Israel, will produce branches and fruit for my
people Israel, for they will soon come home. ”
Ez.36:8NIV
In these years, it is approx. 3,000 years ago King David chose Jerusalem
as the capital of the Jewish people about 1,000 years before Christ.
Major changes occurred after the election last year. But we believe that
now God will show himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who
stands firm by his Word. The land is His and Jerusalem is the city of the
great king, as it is written in Psalm 48:3 in the Bible.
Our task as Christians is to pray and comfort, support and help, as the
Lord leads us with his Spirit. The entire book of Zechariah clearly speaks
of God's plan for Israel. Therefore, we should also read the prophecies
before we pray, so that we can pray according to God's will. Pray that the
Holy Spirit may come over the Middle East and that the hard hearts may
become soft, that you may have a new heart and a new spirit within you.
(Ez. 36,24-2)
It certainly moves mountains in the spiritual world. A short time ago,
15,000 Jews gathered at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem to ask for
forgiveness for their own sins and for the sins of the country!
Anne Lise Madsen. E.Campbell translated
“”Lord, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in time of distress, ...”
Jer.16:19NIV”
A woman testified at the Blue Cross café: We were traveling in Denmark.
Then we had to take the subway. Our daughter went in the front with the
grandchildren, then my spouse and then I at the end, because my knees
were bad. When I had reached the Metro, the door slammed and I was left
alone. My spouse had my bag and in it was my mobile phone, credit card,
keys and other things.
I knew that my husband would come back on the next metro car, but I felt
completely at a loss and scared, because you hear so much about what
happens down in the Metro. I closed my eyes and began praying. When I
opened my eyes again, there were two dark, beautiful and smiling women
standing in front of me. They spoke English and said: “You must not be
afraid. We'll stay with you until your husband comes back. He will come!
I'm not very good at English, but I understood every word they said.
When my husband had come all the way over to me, they disappeared
without a trace, as if they had sunk into the ground. The peculiar thing was
that my husband did not notice them at all, despite the fact that they were
standing right next to me and that they had a dark skin color and therefore
might not look like many of the other people. Then I understood that I had
been visited by an angel," said the woman, moved.
Effie Campbell
10th April 2024
An answer to prayer
”The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him
from them all;”
Psalms 34:20 NIV
A man testified at the Blue cross café: "I was in Denmark for a course
together with several others from the company where I work. We were to
stay in a hotel, and I got a room on the first floor. Suddenly I realize that
my wallet is gone. In those days, cash were normal, and there were several
thousands in my wallet. I then tell the others that my wallet has
disappeared. They set about helping me searching but to no avail. I prayed
without ceasing and such peace came over me. I say to the others: "It's ok,
it'll work out!"
I went to bed then. At three in the morning I wake up and get up. The
window here on the lower floor was large, extending all the way down to
the floor. I stood by the window to pray. When I say amen, I look down on
the floor and there was the wallet. This is precisely the Lord, faithful and a
help in need. His is the honour.”
Effie Campbell
9th April 2024
That which never dies
”and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe
this?””
John 11:26NIV
A father wanted to please his son and one day he came to his house with a
little horse, and the boy was overjoyed, and soon horse and boy became
best friends. The boy got many rides.
But then one morning the horse lay dead. The grief was great, but the
father then said to his son that instead he was to get something else that he
could enjoy, and one day he brought a puppy to his son, and while the
horse and the boy had been good friends before, now the dog and the boy
were no less happy with each other and best friends. They were together
with each other early and late.
But one morning the puppy also lay dead on the ground and now the boy
was inconsolable. His father tried his best to comfort him and promised
him something else he could enjoy. - But now the boy said: "Father, can't I
have something that can never die?"
Death is hard and merciless. It takes the best and dearest from us, so that
we are left with an inconsolable sorrow, but let me also say right away that
there is something in this world of death that can never die. There is a
living hope for all who believe in God. This living hope extends beyond
death and grave. Whoever received this hope received a gift that can never
die.
Isn't this like a cry to the whole world today: Give us something that
cannot die, something that neither nuclear bombs nor hydrogen bombs can
reach.
Give us something to live for and give us something to die for.
And the answer is: There is only one thing that can never die, the eternal
hope that is built on Jesus Christ – this hope never dies.
Whoever owns this hope also owns the treasure that grows in death. A.J
8 April 2024
Dust on the glasses
”“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay
no attention to the plank in your own eye? ”
Matt. 7:3NIV
Mrs. Olsen had a skilled domestic assistant. Her name was Anna.
It was extremely rare that Mrs. Olsen put her glasses on her nose to
examine how Anna had done her work. But one day she took the glasses,
put them on her nose and went into the living room.
"You must have forgotten to wipe the dust off today," said Mrs. Olsen,
"Look at all the dust over there on the piano."
"Excuse me," said Anna, "But hasn't my lady got dust on her glasses?"
Mrs. Olsen now took off her glasses. Indeed, Anna was right. There was a
layer of dust on the glasses. After polishing the glasses, everything was
nice and clean. "I will always remind myself of this lesson," thought Mrs.
Olsen
- - - - -
We often think that there is something wrong with the others, and then in
reality it is ourselves that something is wrong with.
We have dust on our glasses.
"Church Bell" E.Campbell translated
7th April 2024
In the Father's hand
”And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love
him, who have been called according to his purpose. ”
Romans 8:28NIV
A violent storm had broken out with thunder and lightning from the sky
and people were afraid. But little Ingibjørg sat completely quiet and
fearless on the floor. Someone then asked her if she wasn't afraid.
"Afraid" she replied, "No, why should I be? Grandma always said that
God our Father was always holding on to the other end of the lightning!”
6th April 2024
In a poor coat you may thank the Lord
”Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a
stumbling block to the weak. ”
1 Cor. 8:9NIV
Two young women sat and talked together in a kitchen. One then says: "I
was at a meeting last night and I felt so strangely uncomfortable because
of all the women sitting around me, they were so well dressed.
Then this remark came from an elderly woman who was also in the
kitchen: "In a poor coat you may thank the Lord. The meeting is not a
fashion show. We don't go there to show how nice our clothes are, but to
hear the word of the Lord. Otherwise, I can tell you about someone I know
who said that he could easily have bought himself an expensive and nice
car; but he could not buy so fine a brand, lest he should be a stumbling
block to anyone.” 1 Cor.8
Below we reproduce the song that the elderly woman mentioned:
Don't bother yourself
with all sorts of things,
trust freely only in the Grace of your God.
Live like a bird in the grove,
happy from Hand to Mouth.
With Song go out to the Deeds of the Day.
Maybe not much
here on Earth you own,
is your room small, your roof low,
dear, remember how often
under high ceilings
what is called happiness is delusion.
In a poor coat
you may thank the Lord
true and good as in a fine and new one.
Behind a poor cloth
hidden behind the joy of Christmas
like a lovely star behind a cloud.
Can you sing to God
let the burden weigh,
you get strength to take hold,
and in all your Toil
you get the Eye of the Child
for the golden Treasure of every little Joy.
Not glitz and glamour
gives the comfort of home,
The comfort of home is the peace of our Lord,
when in Faith we walk
lovingly with each other,
the dear Lord Jesus goes along.
Vilhelm Gregersen, Danish priest
5nd April 2024
Jesus be with you!
“The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to
drown!” ”
Matthew 8:25NIV
In the smack era (the time when special single-masted sailing ships were
used around the Faroe Islands for fishing approx. 1870-1940) spring had
its very special atmosphere every year.
In the spring months, February and March, all Faroese sailors went to sea
towards the Suðurlandið sea area around southern Iceland. On the day
they said goodbye, they went from house to house in the village and said
goodbye. - The greeting the locals gave the crew on board was: "Jesus be
with you!"
And the answer was: "Jesus stay back here!" This greeting can still be
heard on these islands to this day, although it seems that the greeting
meant more and weighed more heavily in thte days when the ships were
bad and the journeys longer and when there was no radio on board and
therefore no weather forecasts - it was as if Jesus was bigger and us
humans more powerless in life then. But the weather forecasts will never
be that reliable and the radio connection never that error-free and the ships
never that strong that Jesus may become smaller and our faith in God may
weaken.
We must never forget the story of the storm on the Sea of Galilee, when
Jesus threatened the wind and waves and thus calmed the sea. We must
never forget to ask Jesus to be on board with our sailing people and our
church prayer that Jesus may be on board with our sailors with his Spirit
and protect them must never become empty words in our mouths every
Sunday, for Jesus is still in our time the man whom both wind and weather
obey.
And many of our own sailors have learned that when they cried out in
great danger: "Lord, save us", then Jesus showed who he is.
But Jesus wants us to call on him every single day, because every day is a
day of danger for us, whether we are on shore or out on the big seas, and
how safe life may seem to us.
4th April 2024
God looks at the heart
“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his
height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people
look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the
heart.” ”
1.Sam.16:7NIV
Most of us know how to estimate or judge something. We estimate what
looks good, be it people or things. We look at a car or a house and
everything may appear to be in good condition. But if we look more
closely at certain places that we don't normally see, it is quick to become
aware of something that was not quite good.
God looks where we often do not look. He looks at the heart! Man is a
master at tricking and deceiving others and himself, to hide his true face.
Often it can also be done and it also apparently goes as expected. And
after deceiving others for a long time, man himself begins to believe that
this is the truth.
God, however, we cannot cheat or fool. I can fool others and think I can
fool God too, but He sees right through us, He sees our heart. God sees
what dwells within me. He sees if there is anything that needs to be
cleared out. He sees what torments and hurts. He sees that I need help.
And He has the help. He has given us his own son, Jesus Christ, who can
and will clean out our heart, so that God sees a heart that is cleansed in the
blood of Jesus when He looks at me.
What does God see in your heart?
hh
3rd April 2024
One thing is needed
““Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about
many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has
chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” ”
Luke 10:41-42NIV
This is what Jesus says to his friend, the caring and hospitable Martha in
Bethany, whom Jesus always visited.
This is also what he says to you, you dear friend of God, who are worried
and upset about many things that occupy your time, interest and mind
rather than what is necessary, namely - to seek first the kingdom of God
and his Justice.
God's faithful Word, which can never be shaken, tells us to seek first the
kingdom of God and his righteousness, then everything else will be given
to us in addition. There is so much in our daily lives that seems necessary
to us. We don't have time to be quiet so we can listen to a devotional or
read the Bible. We deal with so many people who need our hospitality and
charity. No doubt, we are also to be hospitable and benevolent towards
people, but not in such a way that we forget to listen to God's Word.
Jesus has come here to visit his friends and is hungry and tired; yet it is
more necessary for him to speak the Word of God than to get food and
rest. Cooking is necessary, but Mary has chosen the good part, and
therefore she first seeks the kingdom of God. Marta, who otherwise
appears to be a reasonable woman, has no eyes for this.
Oh, how many religious people refrain from going to church on Sunday
morning because they are tired or have something to clean up or fix. Their
eyes have not yet been opened to the fact that one thing is necessary.
"Above all, we should give prioritize that now and in the future we must
become God's dear children and live to please Him."
n.
2nd March 2024
Jesus stay with you
“He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up
and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. ”
Matthew 8:26NIV
It is always a difficult time when fishermen say goodbye. At the moment
they say goodbye, suddenly such thoughts come that we don't usually have
that often. And it often involves both parties. The father may be able to
hold back when the son says goodbye, but the mother often could not. And
why was the young man so quick to say goodbye? I wonder if it was often
because he had to turn before his eyes got wet; What does the sea have to
offer this time?
But there is one thing that gives courage to the sailor and to those who
stay at home, and that is faith in God. "Jesus be with you!" - and "Jesus
stay back!" -
These are strong words our ancestors have put in our mouths, which we
should not let die out, because we cannot give each other better wishes
than to have Jesus with us. And it is also a good testimony that we are not
ashamed of Jesus - a testimony that we put our whole lives in his hands.
The one who can turn a storm into calm sea, and who with his word can
protect us on the smooth roads of life.
The sailor may see death more often than many others, but the man at
home is no more at ease about death.
We should all be able to expect death every day and wherever we are. And
if we have Jesus in our lives, then we need not be afraid, because where
Jesus is, there is life, even through death.
1st April 2024
The mutilated hands
"you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. "
1. Cor. 6:20NIV
You may have woken up this morning with a strange empty feeling that
everything is pure stick fire, and yourself most of all. Nothing has any
value! It sometimes happens with us, with some it is even a regular
morning drink.
Then it is probably exactly this greeting from Paul's 1st letter to the
Corinthians that you need.
“No value,” you said. Well actually - an infinite value! - Basically so great
that Jesus bled to the last drop of blood precisely to be able to acquire the
value that you are! And what he sees as precious, we must not count as
something small.
Let us then try to listen to this word for a while.
"you were bought at a price". Bought - then he has paid for you. And what
is paid for, well that you cannot owe anymore! Then you stand as the
innocent one! - Then there is nothing that separates you from God! - No
sin in your life that can testify against you on the day when the great book
is opened. He who bought you will lay his hand on the page that bears
your name. Because then God sees nothing - nothing else than the hand of
Jesus alone, where he wrote it himself, when you received his gift of
salvation in faith: he/she is mine!
And if he has paid for you, then you are his property. His, whatever may
meet you and whatever you may lose.
This you can never lose: I am his!
For he has bought you and paid all that is the price with God. - Nobody
and nothing can threaten that - not even death, which otherwise threatens
everything. At that moment, too, you are not death's, but his!
If he paid for you, then he also owns you and has the right to your life. All
life without God is a stolen life.
It is in this: "Honor God with your body!" - i.e.: in all that you are, life and
deeds, because it is his. He paid for it. It cost him so much.
The Christian Indian, Sadhu Sundar Sing, who disappeared without a trace
on a mission trip in Tibet, writes about two young men who gambled for
money. Doing so was severely punished in that part of the world. It didn't
take long before they ended up behind bars and had to stay there until a
large fine had been paid.
One of these men had wealthy parents, but the other had no one to pay for
him. Then his mother decided to get the debt out of the way by taking on
all the work she could get her hands on, even hauling heavy stones. And
her hands also became raw according to the tough labour.
But then one day the fine was paid and the was boy released.
When the boy's friend later brought up gambling, our young man replied:
"I will never again play a game that mutilated my mother's hands!"
When the tempter comes, then first look at the mutilated hands of your
Saviour! They not only carry. They also protect!
J. Weihe
