23th June 2025
Turn you eyes upon Jesus
”In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ
Jesus:”
Phil. 2:5NIV
The life in Christ is a life of rest. You may not always feel the strong
emotions; but you should always have a clear trust in God.
Your hope is not in yourself, but in Christ. Your weakness is united with
His strength, your foolishness with His wisdom, your weakness with His
infinite power. Do not look to yourself or let your thoughts dwell on
yourself, but look to Christ. Look at His love, His beautiful and perfect
disposition. Christ in His degrading situation, Christ in His purity and
holiness, Christ in His matchless love, is the material upon which the mind
should dwell. It is by loving Him, acting like Him, and looking to Him that
you are to be transformed into His image.
If we truly live by this reminder, today and every day we are allowed to
live, will be precious.
We should do as a Sunday school hymn so beautifully says:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
22th June 2025
She saw Jesus
”When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the
mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true:
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your
victory? Where, O death, is your sting?””
1 Cor.15:54-55NIV
A little girl was afflicted with an eye disease, which in a short time made
her blind. Later she had a fever and was confined to bed. She was then
given a staff with which she knocked on the floor when she wanted
something.
One day, when the mother was cooking in the kitchen, there was a knock
with the staff, and when she came in to the girl, she cried out: “Mother,
mother, I have regained my sight—look, the whole room is full of angels,
and mother, can you see little sister, she is here too. And look, there is
Jesus. He is holding out both his hands to me—oh, how wonderful this is!”
Those were her last words, then her head fell back on the pillow—Jesus
had taken her home to himself.
When the father later came home, the mother said: “Now we have another
child in Heaven.” E. Campbell translated
21th June 2025
Do you have contact with God every day?
”For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than
burnt offerings.”
Hosea 6:6NIV
A missionary says, “I was so impatient. I thought I should get a lot done as
a missionary.
Then God showed me that my relationship and my closeness with Him
were more important to Him than my work itself!
I believe that in our eagerness to do as much as possible, we sometimes
come to stand before God and therefore work and toil in vain!”
Hosea 6:6 NIV
E. Campbell translated
20th June 2025
Do you see the glory of God?
”When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the
stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of
them, human beings that you care for them?”
Psalm 8:4-5NIV
It is said of the Swedish author Selma Lagerlöf that as a little girl she was
once visiting her grandmother, who was almost blind. Then Selma came to
express something like that it was a pity for grandmother that she could not
see anything. Then the grandmother had put her hand on Selma’s head and
said: “Little Selma, never forget that the crucial thing is to have eyes that
can see the glory of God.”
Have you ever thought about how boring and sad it would be if God had
created everything gray, the grass, the flowers, the mountains, the air and
in general everything that exists?
God’s creation is so wonderful, and He has created everything to make us
happy. Think of it when the sun goes down and the whole sky is gilded. Or
the flowers. “... not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one
of these.” Luke 12:27NIV
All this speaks of the glory of God, it is about having our eyes open.
E. Campbell
19th June 2025
Heaven – Geographically
”and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.””
Matt.3:2NIV
Some students came to a professor of theology and asked him to give a
lecture on the subject: “Heaven – Geographically.”
The professor replied that he could not do so from the Word of God; but he
would very much like to speak about the Way to Heaven, for it is fully
explained in the New Testament.
E. Campbell translated
18th June 2025
The boy who was bitten by a snake
“Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains
fall into the heart of the sea,”
Psalm 46:2
Aron's father lives in a mission station in Africa. Aron faithfully attended
children's meetings at the station.
When he came home from school, he used to look after his father's goats
with another boy. Once, around 2 o'clock, he lay resting on the small path
out in the forest, while the other boy looked after the goats.
Suddenly, Aron jumped up. He had been bitten on the hand by something.
He shouted for the other boy, who quickly came running. As he
approached, he saw the back of a very dangerous poisonous snake,
twisting away between the bushes.
Aron's hand hurt a lot, and the boys hurried home to Aron's father's house.
Aron became very ill, and his parents thought he would die as a result of
the bite. They rushed to the nearest town to get help; but unfortunately
there was little to cure snakebites.
The hand swelled up, and he got an open wound, and all his fingers
became completely stiff. A week after he had been bitten by the snake, he
had to change the bandage. It hurt a lot! Tears ran down his cheeks, and he
cried for a long time afterwards. But God helped him recover, although his
fingers are still quite stiff. Well, that is how dangerous it is to be bitten by a
snake.
We have all been bitten by a snake, and this snake is Satan. Therefore sin
lives in us and gives us much suffering and torment. But Jesus defeated the
snake, and everyone who asks him for help is saved from the power and
evil of sin. How wonderful that Africans have also come to know Jesus as
their Savior.
E. Campbell translated
17th June 2025
The ancient prophecies come true
”For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though
human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
2 Pet. 1:21NIV
In the summer of 1977, a Faroese group traveled to Israel with the tour
guides, Adrian Johansen and Jakup Kass.
In the fall the same year, a meeting took place at the YWCA, where two
persons from that group spoke about the trip and showed pictures.
Among other things, they had been to the Dead Sea, which lies 394 m
below sea level. The water contains 25% minerals and salt; but everything
there is completely dead, both around and in the sea itself. There is neither
fish nor plant life in this sea.
But there is a prophecy in the Bible that says that before Jesus comes
again, there will be a fishing village by the Dead Sea, and fishermen will
cast nets, and there will be plenty of fish in it.
Many non-believers have made fun of this, because this cannot happen. No
fish can live in such salty water.
We read in the 47th chapter of Ezekiel: ”He measured off another
thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water
had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could
cross. He asked me, “Son of man, do you see this?” Then he led me back
to the bank of the river. When I arrived there, I saw a great number of trees
on each side of the river. He said to me, “This water flows toward the
eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Dead
Sea. When it empties into the sea, the salty water there becomes fresh.
Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be
large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt
water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. Fishermen will
stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for
spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds—like the fish of the
Mediterranean Sea.” Ezekiel 47: 5-10NIV
While this Faroese traveling group was in Israel, they learned about a
construction plan that had just been approved. This construction plan was
to dig a ditch from the Mediterranean Sea to the Dead Sea. The
Mediterranean is almost fresh, and since the Dead Sea is so shallow, there
is nothing to prevent this fresh water from flowing into this salt water,
where several species of fish can then live.
Studies have shown that the soil becomes immensely fertile when it is
leached. What the Danes call “clover hay”, for example, can be harvested
10 times a year. If we read further in the 12th verse of the same chapter it
says. “…Every month they will bear fruit ,…”
Truly, the word of God come true, whether a person believes it or not.
E. Campbell translated
June 16, 2025
The Greatest of All Miracles
“When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked,
“Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this
is impossible, but with God all things are possible.””
Matt.19:25-26NIV
A teacher once asked his students, “Which of Jesus’ miracles do you think
is the greatest?”
He got several different answers.
One said that Jesus performed his greatest miracle in the desert when
he fed 5,000 people with 5 loaves of bread and 2 small fish.
Another thought that the greatest miracle was when Jesus was on the
raging sea and commanded the storm and waves to calm down, so that it
subsequently became perfectly calm.
A third thought that the strangest and greatest miracle had to be when
Lazarus was raised from the dead.
Then there was a moment of silence until one of the smallest boys raised
his hand in the air.
“Well, what do you think was the greatest?” asked the teacher.
“That Jesus took a thief with him into Paradise,”
E. Campbell translated
15th June 2025
The Bible and the Mirror
“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal
Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from
acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”
Hebrews 9:14NIV
Many years ago, there lived in the United States a man named Moody. He
was a well-known revivalist preacher and preached the word of Jesus to
many people. He was a blessing to both young and old.
He had a little son who he had once promised to take with him on a walk.
The son's name was Willi.
Willi asked his mother to help him so that he could be ready when his
father returned. The mother helped him, and then Willi went out into the
garden to play. When Moody came home, his son came running to meet
him and shouted in a happy voice: "Good morning, father, now I am ready
to come with you."
“But I can’t take you with me, as dirty as your face is.”
“I’m not dirty. Mother washed me.”
When they got inside, Moody carried the boy over to the mirror.
“Well, Willie, are you clean?” The boy said no and told his mother to wash
him again.
When Moody told the story of this incident, he said: “The Bible is like a
mirror. It shows us how dirty we are. But notice that I did not carry the boy
over to the mirror to wash himself in. The Bible cannot cleanse our souls.
Only the precious blood of Jesus can do that.”
Translated by E. Campbell
14th June 2025
The Labyrinth
”Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to
the Father except through me.”
John 14:6NIV
In Granada, Spain, there is a huge garden where there is much to see,
beautiful plants and unusual trees. But the strangest thing is a labyrinth that
extends over most of the garden.
The labyrinth consists of flower bushes that have grown together so that
they form high, solid vertical walls. Inside the labyrinth, there are
countless paths in all directions.
Tourists like to see this strange labyrinth, but no one has the courage to go
in there without a guide. Because once you have entered there, it is
impossible to find your way back out without being with someone who
knows all the roads, because everything looks the same among these tall
flower bushes.
Stories are told of a cruel despotic emperor who used the labyrinth in a
terrifying way. When he wanted to get rid of an enemy, he would lure him
into the labyrinth. He knew that no one would would be able to find their
way out again. They all perished from hunger and fatigue.
Life is like a labyrinth. Without a guide, it ends in perdition. The name of
this guide is Jesus Christ. There are many voices and evil powers that try to
lure us into living life without this guide.
It is therefore essential to be awake!
E. Campbell translated
13th June 2025
The Bible
”Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father
of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
James 1:17NIV
A landowner in central England stood contentedly watching a group of
farmers slowly and laboriously making their way up to his manor. They
were dragging large books. This was in the 14th century, and back then the
word of God was expensive. Not long after, all the books were gathered in
the middle of the courtyard, and flames were eating through the sacred
pages.
The landowner was standing on a small balcony when a white sheet
suddenly came flying towards him. He grabbed the sheet of paper, which
was sooty around the edges, and it was just before this sheet of paper also
became a prey to the flames. In the middle of the page were some very
clear lines, and in amazement he read the words:
“For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of
the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord
endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.” ”
1 Pet. 1:24-25NIV
This is a truth that centuries of conflict with the Holy Scriptures have
never been able to change, for the word of God lives to this very day.
E. Campbell translated
12th June 2025
She won a person for Christ
”Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and
those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.”
Dan. 12, 3
A few years ago there was a missionary in YMCA. He told, among other
things, about a 5-year-old girl who was the reason why an entire African
village became Christian. This girl had been hospitalized in a Christian
hospital, where she had heard about Jesus and his love, and when she later
returned to the village, she told everything she had heard about Jesus, who
left all the glory of Heaven and came down to this earth to redeem us with
his blood on the cross of Calvary. The inhabitants of the village wanted to
hear more about this Jesus, and therefore sent for a missionary. The result
was that the entire village repented.
Thus a 5-year-old girl went on an errand for Jesus and let her light shine.
When I heard this story, I thought of another story I had been told earlier.
In England there was a girl who served in a house. This girl loved her
Bible and read a lot in it. One day she was reading 2 Kings chapter 5.
There she read about another young girl who also served. It was the young
Israelite girl who was in Naaman’s house.
Naaman was very sick. He was a leper. But this girl said, “If only my Lord
had been with the prophet who is in Samaria, he would have healed him.”
So Naaman took leave of them and went to the prophet. When he had done
as the prophet had commanded him and dipped himself seven times in the
Jordan River, he was healed, and his skin became clean again like the skin
of a newborn child. Then he returned to the prophet and said, “Now I know
that there is no God in any land except in Israel.”
When this young English girl read about the Israelite girl who had been so
faithful and let her light shine and with her testimony made it so that
Naaman was physically healed and was convinced that there is no God but
the God of Israel, she also wanted to win souls for Jesus.
She went for a long time and considered what she should do because she
was so shy. She did not dare to say anything about it and did not know
what to say. Therefore she thought that she could just write instead. She
bought herself a small thin notebook, and in this notebook she wrote the
best scriptures she knew. When the notebook was full, she thought about
who she could give the notebook to.
Then she thought of an old man who stood on the street corner selling
magazines and newspapers. He was always so angry and irritable and
yelled and cursed that everyone was afraid of him. So she went down and
gave him the book, but she was very disappointed when he didn't even
glance at it but just put it in his pocket.
But Jesus knew! He knew what had to be done with the man so that he
could have time to read God's Word. The man got sick, and because he had
nothing else to read, he took out the booklet and began to read the
scriptures that the girl had written. And can you guess what happened? The
Word went straight to his heart. He accepted the Word by faith and became
a child of God and had a different mindset. For as it is written, there is
power in the Word of God.
It is about sowing, because God will surely give the growth in its time. As
this girl did, you could also do and put the scriptures in a sailor's pack. And
who knows, on that great day Jesus may show you the person you won for
Him.
That day will be a blessed day for you. There you will receive your reward,
for the Lord says:
”Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and
those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.”
Dan. 12, 3 E. Campbell translated
11th June 2025
The importance of the Written Word (2:2)
”But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds
among the wheat, and went away.”
Matt.13:25NIV
The meeting had just ended. The missionary was very pleased as he looked
around at the large crowd that had been listening and was now on their
way home. Once again the message was being given. John Mendow
discreetly thanked God for the blessing of being allowed to share the
gospel with the people of the Far East. He also remembered his faithful
helpers. Indeed, he was very pleased with everything. He thanked God
again.
As the missionary looked out over the crowd, he noticed an officer in the
Chinese army approaching. “Perhaps he would like to hear more about
Jesus,” the missionary thought. But scorn and contempt were clearly
visible in this officer's eyes, and he did not hide it when he said: "You
missionaries, you are big fools."
“Are we?” John Mendow weighed his words carefully, using the most
discreet terms. “What makes you think we are such fools?”
“Your methods of work give me that impression?”
“What is wrong with our methods of work?”
“We can use this meeting, which is just now over, as an example. Here you
had a good opportunity to gain victory for your faith; but you lost that
opportunity. Now this opportunity is lost forever.”
“I don’t understand what you mean, lost forever?”
The Chinese officer explained this coldly and precisely. He told the
missionary that he would never again have the opportunity to speak to
exactly the same crowd that was now on its way home. The message had
been conveyed, and to the missionary this message was crystal clear, but it
was completely new and completely foreign to the audience, and it was
nothing like anything they had heard before. It was about a foreign God
and a way of life that was completely unknown to the audience.
How could the missionary expect the crowd to understand such a new and
different religion the first time they heard it preached?
“Why didn’t you give them something to read?” the officer continued.
Something in writing that they could understand. Then, if they were
interested, they could read and investigate more about what they had just
heard. In this way, your message would have had an impact on them for
months, perhaps years. Now it will be forgotten in a short time.
The missionary was completely paralyzed and could not get the word out.
Frustration washed over him. He thought sadly of how many times he had
asked for exactly such a booklet as was in question. He was about to give
the officer an answer when the officer continued his criticism and sharp
attacks.
“You missionaries, you have been in China for more than 100 years, but
you have not won China to your Christianity. You complain that there are
millions who have not yet heard the name of Jesus mentioned and who
also know nothing about your Christian faith.”
The officer waited for the missionary to think, his eyes shining with
satisfaction as he saw how much damage his words were causing. He
continued, “We Communists have been in China for less than 10 years, but
there is no Chinese who has not heard of Stalin, or who knows nothing
about Communism. What you missionaries have failed to do in more than
100 years, we Communists have done in less than 10 years. We have filled
China with our teachings and doctrines.”
“Why didn’t you give them something to read?” the officer continued.
Something in writing that they could understand. Then, if they were
interested, they could read and investigate more about what they had just
heard. In this way, your message would have had an impact on them for
months, perhaps years. Now it will be forgotten in a short time.
The missionary was completely paralyzed and could not get the word out.
Frustration washed over him. He thought sadly of how many times he had
asked for just such a booklet as was in question. He was about to give the
officer an answer when the officer continued his criticism and sharp
attacks.
“You missionaries, you have been in China for more than 100 years, but
you have not won China to your Christianity. You complain that there are
millions who have not yet heard the name of Jesus mentioned, who also
know nothing about your Christian faith.”
The officer waited for the missionary to react, his eyes shining with
satisfaction as he noticed how much damage his words had caused. He
continued, “We Communists have been in China for less than 10 years, but
there is no Chinese who by now has not heard of Stalin, or who knows
nothing about Communism. What you missionaries have failed to do in
more than 100 years, we Communists have done in less than 10 years. We
have filled China with our teachings and doctrines.”
John tried to respond, but had nothing to say. He knew the accusation was
true. Then the officer continued: “Now I will tell you why you have not
achieved what we have. You have tried to make yourselves known here in
China by building churches, schools, mission houses, etc. We Communists,
on the other hand, have published our doctrines and spread them
throughout China. One day we will drive you out of the country because of
our literature and our written sources.
Disheartened and hurt by the truth of the Communist’s accusations, the
missionary simply stood silently and prayed for an answer to prayer. Many
thoughts flew through his mind. He knew that the Communist propaganda
machine had reached every corner in this very large country. Newspapers,
magazines, street signs, books and flyers had made a common cause to
convince China of the “big lie.” Many of these books mocked foreigners
and called Christianity the “white man’s religion.” They accused the
missionaries of being spies for foreign powers. Now and then they mocked
Jesus and said that this was all a lie, which the rich foreigners had come up
with. But communist literature was widely read, and Chinese people were
brainwashed in “red ink”.
John Mendow thought back to all the times he had written to his homeland
and asked for support for Christian literature. If only they had been able to
get parts and verses from the Bible, tracts, books and the like that would
have explained the Christian message to them. Then the situation would
have been very different from what it is today.
John simply watched the officer bow and leave.
This was Arnfinn Andås' article. As can be seen from the content, the
article was written 10 years after the communists began their activities in
China. The scary thing is that the officer was right when he said: "One day
we will drive all the missionaries out of the country."
So what kind of working method was it that succeeded so wonderfully
well? Well, they put money into books, magazines and journals instead of
large, magnificent monuments. They were sowers. It's just that what they
sowed were weeds, as Jesus tells us in the parable in Matt. 13:25.
This must encourage us to be even more eager and burning to sow the
written word. H. K. Neerskov once said that when people go to a birthday
party or are invited out, they often give a box of chocolates or a bouquet of
flowers. But the flowers fade and die, the chocolate gets on the ribs. If, on
the other hand, we give a solid Christian and edifying book, we give
something that has eternal value.
E. Campbell translated
10th June 2025
The importance of the Written Word(1:2)
”But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be
rewarded.”” 2 Chron. 15:7NIV
The "Church and Mission Calendar" contains information about the
various activities of the Home Mission (Inner Mission). The Mission has
its own publishing house, which publishes Christian books in addition to
newspapers and magazines, primarily Trúboðin with its 16 pages. Trúboðin
is a very good and edifying newspaper. Then there is "Sunnudagsblaðið",
which has been published since 1940. It is a tract magazine and is also
intended as an evangelistic medium.
For many years, faithful people have voluntarily distributed the Faroese
Christian magazin “Sunnudagsblaðið” because they knew that it had a
wonderful message, the gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and they knew
that people in the countryside with this also had the opportunity to read the
Word and be saved. These people were working for God, this was their lot
in life or plot of land in God’s vineyard. I also have no doubt that while
they distributed the magazine, they also prayed for it. They prayed that the
magazine might be read, and that the Lord might bless the message and
open it, so that it might become salvation, strength, renewal, teaching,
reminder and edification for man. The promises are many that are attached
to such a service.
“And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How
beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” ” Rom. 10.15NIV
”But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of
an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. ” 2 Tim. 4.5NIV
”But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your
work will be rewarded.”” 2 Chron. 15.7
In the city it is almost impossible to get the magazine to every house when
it is to be delivered by hand. In Tórshavn, Tvøroyri and in Vági people
have felt a calling to get the Sunnudagsblaðið (Sunday Magazine) to every
house in their city. They have gathered to pack the magazine and paid the
postage themselves. But these people are getting older, and several of those
who years ago signed up to pay the postage in Tórshavn are now dead.
What is the real significance of the written word? We all know phrases like
these:
-The pen is mightier than the sword.
-A drop of ink can make millions think.
Old Luther said: “We must throw ink at the Devil.”
The written word has the advantage that you can always return to it and
read it over and over again if there is something you have forgotten or did
not understand correctly. The written word reaches further than the limited
and narrow group that enters the meetings in parish houses in the Faroes.
The Holy Scriptures also show us the importance the Apostles attached to
the written word. They wrote letters to the congregations, and we still read
these letters to this day, 2 thousand years later.
But the children of the world are often wiser than the children of the
Kingdom, and the world uses the written word as propaganda. Leon
Trotsky said. “The most powerful weapon of communism is the little
booklet that is put in the pocket.”
Voltaire said: “The great collections of books in several volumes will never
lead to any revolution. It is the small written books and booklets that are
dangerous.” With an ironic laugh, men would quote: “The mission teaches
people to read, but the communists give people reading material.” In
reality, under communism, 15 tons of destructive and degradable reading
material were sent to African countries every day, while we were sleeping
our magic sleep.
It is said that the world’s largest religious printing press is that of Jehovah’s
Witnesses. They print 500 magazines every minute, or 84 million booklets
a year. They have truly understood how best to spread their message.
What does the Mission say? Does the Mission have any experience with
this? A mission leader in Latin America said: “I was amazed to discover
that 90% of all recent conversions are directly or indirectly the result of
reading the written word.”
China has almost 1.5 billion people. Yet communism won a great victory
in this vast empire simply because they constructed a well-organized
distribution system of their written material.
In the Norwegian magazine “Himmelveien” in the June 2001 issue there
was an article entitled “Publish or Capitulate,” or in other words. Publish
books and magazines, or stop your Christian activities. The article is heart-
wrenching and serious, and it is Arnfinn Andås, missionary in Japan, who
tells this story and shows us how great an influence written literature has.
May the printed word not only be a weapon of the Antichrist to use, but
may it be a tool to spread the gospel, the Good News, to millions in this
world. The rest of this article (The devotional piece for tomorrow)
9th July 2025
Pentecost - Whit monday
A pentecostal sermon
”“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will
give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— ”
John 14:15-16
The rural dean of Holstein, Treplin, says: “In my young years, there was a
priest named Weihe. He was a priest in a small village church in my dear
Westphalia. He was a preacher by the grace of God.
About two miles away lived a fiddler who, because of his wicked life, was
never called anything but "crazy Jacob." Everywhere where the
amusement had to be particularly great, he and the violin had to be present.
He feared neither God nor man. And often he said these words of the
mocker:
"Just live merrily, but die happy - for then you have cheated the devil and
he has lost his prey!" One Pentecost, Jacob heard about the great sermons
of "Father Weihe" and decided to hear him the next day. His wife, who had
the same mindset as her husband, warned him not to participate. She feared
that the priest would confuse her husband and change him.
But then Jakob interrupted her with a hard laugh and said: "No,"crazy
Jakob" is not that soft! On the contrary, I'll go to church to show that
blistered black dress that there are self-thinking people left in this world.”
The more his wife advised him not to go, the more stubbornly he stuck to
his plan and finally he said, “I will take the violin with me to church
tomorrow and when I come home again I will play a cheerful melody as
soon as I'm getting into town. Then you will immediately calm down and
be able to understand that all your fears have been unfounded. ”
And indeed - the following day, people in the church noticed that "crazy
Jacob" appeared in the church. Inside the church, many people looked
questioningly at the man standing there with his violin in his hand.
When "Father Weihe" went to preach, Jacob was immediately captivated.
Unbeknownst to him, his stiffness gradually disappeared from his face and
he listened against his own will - more and more attentively as the minutes
went by. From the speech breathed a gentleness and love towards him that
he had never felt before, but every now and then he felt like interrupting
the priest saying, “Shut up and be quiet with that! That is not true! ” But an
inner voice said, "That is true after all!"
He became more and more ill at ease. His heart was pounding like crazy.
Tears ran down his cheeks, and as soon as the pastor had said amen, Jacob
stormed out of the church and slammed his violin against the church wall
totally ruining his violin.
From that day on, Jakob never played his violin to dance again but sought
and found another way of life. The Pentecostal sermon smashed the violin
but helped the fiddler to salvation.
"Heavenly Way" E.Campbell translated
8th June 2025
Pentecost - Whitsunday
Peace be with you!
“A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with
them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them
and said, “Peace be with you!” ”
John 20:26NIV
Behind locked door the disciples sat on Easter evening. Why? "For fear of
the Jewish leaders" Scriptures tell. Why? Because Jesus' resurrection had
not yet become a reality for them. Why? Dare we ask one more time? Do
we not have a feeling that we are slapping ourselves in our face?
So rich is the gospel that it tells how the risen one seeks out the frightened
disciples and says to them, "Peace be with you!" He does not scold them
even though they deserved it. Through locked door he comes to them in
order to help them get back on their feet. These are words we need. In the
church we sing hymns of victory and in everyday life we succumb. When
we are with those who profess their faith in Christ, we speak strong words
of God's grace and power, but otherwise we are silent. But the Lord is so
gracious that He comes through the locked door. "Do not be unbelievers
but believers," he says.
Why does he come to the fearful disciples? Because, after all, it was true
that he was indispensable to them. What would we do if we could not trust
that the following words from Scripture are still valid: “A bruised reed he
will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has
brought justice through to victory.” says. Matt.12:20NIV What would we
do if it was not true that: “if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he
cannot disown himself. ” 2.Tim.2:13NIV
For the disciples everything changed, and we must not forget that. After
Pentecost they were beyond recognition, the fear had become bold, and
with boldness they now testified of the risen Christ. It is great that Christ
comes to fearful and discouraged disciples hiding behind locked doors.
Even greater is the fact that he sends us the Holy Spirit, drives away
discouragement and creates an army that uses the sword of the Spirit under
the banner of the cross. May this happen to us too.
7th June 2025
How Great Is God
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the
stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of
them, human beings that you care for them?”
Psalm 8:3-4NIV
and
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in
me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who
loved me and gave himself for me. ”
Gal.2:20NIV
An atheist once met the man who lived next door. He asked him where he
was going.
The man answered and said that he was on his way to church.
"What are you doing in church?" asked the atheist.
"I want to pray to God," said the man.
"Tell me," said the atheist, "is God small or great?"
"Both," answered the man. "He is so small that he can live in my
heart, but at the same time so great that the heavens of heavens cannot
comprehend or contain him."
E. Campbell translated
6th June 2025
The Greatest Message
”Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded
you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””
Matt.28:19-20NIV
Neerskov once told me that he was standing with a friend in Leningrad waiting for a bus. It was during the communist era. Then a man came over to them and asked them something in Russian. Neerskov’s friend talked to him for a few minutes and then the man left again.
“What did he ask about?” Neerskov wanted to know.
“He asked which bus he was to take to get to the other end of the city. I told him that, but then
I told him something more important than finding a bus.”
“What was it then?” Neerskov asked in an anxious voice.
“I told him that God had sent his son Christ Jesus for the salvation of all people.”
Neerskov became scared and looked around to see if the man was now on his way back
again with the police. “How could you think of speaking so directly to a stranger here in the
middle of the street? Don’t you know how dangerous it is? It could cost several years in
prison!”
“Don’t you know how dangerous it is for him?” he asked quickly, “if he never hears the gospel,
he will be lost forever.”
Neerskov felt ashamed; but his friend continued undeterred: “They can put me in prison, they
have done that before. But what does it matter? It is only a matter of a coupe of very short
years compared to eternity. In any case, I have decided that I want to pass on the best and
greatest message ever to every person I come into contact with, namely that there is salvation
in Jesus Christ.”
How is it with you and me, are we as eager as this friend, we who live safely in a country
where preaching the Word does not cost imprisonment?
Effie Campbell
5th June 2025
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus
”If anyone does not love the Lord, let that person be cursed! Come, Lord! ”
1 Cor. 16:22
We live on the other side of the cross and the finished work. We have heard
the risen Christ tell us what signs and events will tell us that Jesus’ coming
is imminent. In Luke 21:28NIV, we heard him say: “When these things
begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your
redemption is drawing near.”” N.S
We have heard Jesus say: “Even so, when you see these things happening,
you know that the kingdom of God is near. “Truly I tell you, this generation
will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven
and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
Luke 21:31-33NIV
Noah saw no signs, but he believed anyway! We see all the signs rolling in
on us – like a woman about to give birth!
But do we believe? Are we excited? Are we telling others about the
Savior? Are we looking forward to the second coming of Jesus? Are we
ready for the rapture? For it will come without warning.
I say, “Marana ta!” 1 Cor. 16:22(Danish Bible). That means, “Amen.
Come, Lord Jesus.” Rev. 22:20
Effie Campbell translated
4th June 2025
The joy of the Communion
“Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the
Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my
flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the
last day.”
John 6:53-54NIV
When Kristian Buhl, head of a high school and pastor, was in the Faroe
Islands in connection with a Bible course in Sandavág, he also spoke in
Vesturkirkjan in Tórshavn. There he told, among other things, about a girl
named Betty. He had confirmed her.
Later there was a camp for young people. I think it was a summer camp
that YWCA and YMCA arranged. There was a whole bunch of young
people together.
When they sat at the dinner table after the service, spirits were high. There
was talking and laughing. Then Betty says slowly: “Yes, we can certainly
be happy. We have been to the altar today and have had all our sins
forgiven.” Then there fell a total silence at the place, because that had
probably not been what the conversation had been about.
Shortly after this Betty died, and one of her friends came to Kristian Buhl
and told him about this episode, and when he held the funeral for her, he
mentioned this.
E. Campbell translated
3rd June 2025
When the Chinese Ni Became a Christian
”For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that
whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16NIV
Hudson Taylor tells the story of the time when the Chinese man, called
Harra Ni, became a Christian.
Harra Ni was a leader of idolaters. But he feared for his sins. He was
unhappy and afraid because he did not know what would happen when he
died.
One evening Harra Ni passed the open door to the mission. A large bell
was rung, and people went in. Someone said that a teacher was going to
talk about God, so Ni went in too.
Perhaps these people can tell me something about what I want to hear
about, he thought. He sat down and listened attentively to what was said.
The teacher explained that the one true God loved the world so much that
He sent His only Son to our world. The Son suffered and died on a cross to
pay for all the wrongs that sinful people have done. He was buried, and
three days later He rose from the dead. “God forgives the sins of those who
believe in His Son,” the teacher continued. “He gives them eternal life.”
Harra Ni’s eyes lit up with amazement. He had never heard anything like
this before. When Hudson Taylor stopped preaching, Harra Ni slowly
stood up.
“I have long sought the truth,” he said seriously, “but without being able to
find it. I have traveled far and wide and have never found it. I have not
been able to find any peace. But I have found peace in what we have heard
here tonight. From this day forward I want to believe in Jesus.”
From that evening onwards Harra Ni began to search the Bible. Wherever
he went, he was a happy missionary for Jesus. And he became one of the
missionaries’ best and most faithful helpers.
A few days after Harra Ni had come to believe in Jesus, he asked Hudson:
“How long have you known the gospel in your country?”
“For several centuries,” said Hudson in a somewhat troubled voice.
“Several hundred years?” asked Ni in surprise. “Is it really true that your
people have known Jesus for so long and have not sent anyone to tell us
about him until now?” He shook his head sadly.
“My father searched for the truth for more than 20 years and died without
finding it.
Oh, why didn’t the missionaries come here just a little earlier?”
Hudson never forgot this question from Ni. It made him long to do all he
could so that millions in China could hear about the Son of God. He hoped
that many would come to believe in Him and be saved from sin.
Published by ”Evangelisk Børnemission” Used by permission. Translated
by E. Campbell
2nd June 2025
Rejoice in the Lord
”Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their
King.”
Psalm 149:2NIV
A priest went out to visit a woman in his congregation. As soon as he
entered, the woman began complaining that everyone in the congregation
was so unkind to her and that she did not have enough money to pay all her
bills. When she finally fell silent, the priest asked, “May I see your
hymnbook? There are some hymns that I will have to tear out of your
hymnbook, hymns and songs that no longer have any meaning to you.
Let’s start with Psalm 37, “Sing praises to the Lord!” Here is another, No.
40, “My God, I will praise you.” The priest pretended to tear out these
pages.
“Wait, wait, don’t ruin my hymnal,” the woman shouted angrily. “I don’t
have money to buy a new one. Besides, my father gave it to me.”
The priest suggested that she go through the entire hymnal and make a list
of all the hymns that expressed thanksgiving and praise. Then the priest
asked her to buy a booklet and make a list of all the Bible verses that spoke
of joy, thanksgiving, and praise. Finally, he asked her to write down
something she was grateful for every day in another booklet.
Now the woman smiled. “Was there more?” she asked.
“Well yes, one more thing. In this “I am grateful booklet,” you are to put a
cross every time you try to help someone. You are not to write down what
you do. We are not to keep a record of that. Try to get as many crosses in
the booklet as possible. Instead of being depressed and heavy-hearted, you
will be happy. And,” he continued, “Your joy in the Lord will be as
contagious as measles.”
E. Campbell translated
1st June 2025
What is it to see Jesus?
”So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus
was coming that way.”
Luke 19:4NIV
Is it like seeing a painting or a picture of him? Is it like seeing a figure, an
image carved in stone? What is it to see Jesus?
Some answer “It is impossible to see him,” for “he is in heaven. And not
until we get there will we be able to see him as he is.”
Well, yes, and in a way they are right.
I once heard about a boy. He was born while his father was sailing the
great oceans. Many years passed. The boy now was about to start school,
and he had not yet seen his father. But his father wrote home regularly. His
mother read the letters to the boy. And the boy received some gifts from his
father. Actually, it also happened from time to time that the boy was
allowed to talk to his father on the phone from another country.
This boy had never seen his father, but he had seen him anyway. The boy
had an image of his father imprinted on his heart and had heard his voice.
Indeed, he understood that his father loved him.
Then the day finally came when his father came home. The boy threw his
arms around his father, who was at once both known and unknown, and
said: “Father!”
The father was probably a little different than the boy had thought and
believed. But he was – in every way – much better! The boy was happy.
You too have received a letter. A letter from Jesus and about him. It is the
Bible. Your mother and many others have read to you from this letter. Jesus
himself has spoken to you from his “country” through the telephone of
prayer and through the fine receiving apparatus, called the conscience.
Jesus has sent his many, many gifts. Count them if you can!
Can’t you see how much he loves you? There is a tree you can climb in
order to really see him. It is the tree of prayer. If you are eager there, you
will be able to say more and more: “I know Jesus! I know who he is and
what he is.”
E. Campbell translated
