GOOD FRIDAY

 

And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put
it about his head,
” and “And they smote him on the head with a reed, and
did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. And when they
had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own
clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.

Mark 15:17 and 19-20NIV

 

Some things are bitter and good at the same time. Some fruits can be both
sour and sweet at the same time. And how is it with the woman who is
going to give birth. She feels a great pain, yes, and yet she also feels joy.
Similarly, a human being can feel two opposite things at the same time. So
it is with what happened on Good Friday: for us it was good, but at the
same time it was terrible.

 

As a child, I was always very moved in our little Reformed, Episcopal
Church, to the Good Friday service. The service was serious. Sometimes
the white altar cloth was replaced with a black one. The hymns were
heavy, melancholic and serious.

 

What I remember best was when we left the church in sheer silence. That
day no one stopped to talk in the front church as usually. It was the one
day of the church year when the congregation showed no signs of
rejoicing in the church, only seriousness. The seriousness of the day
burned into my childish mind. And I am happy about that. Happy and
encouraging scriptures and hymns fit well with Easter Day when Christ
was resurrected; but on Good Friday we should all remember the evil,
crushing weight of sin that Christ took up on the cross.

 

Try to think of Calvary today. Keep the cross in mind. Try to imagine the
pain that the Savior was to go through in order to give us the opportunity
to sing songs of joy and praise to God.

 

Lord, let me never forget what Good Friday cost you.

 Joni Eareckson Tada

 
 
 
 
 
 
MAUNDY THURSDAY

 

And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with
you before I suffer.

Luke 22:15NIV

 

On Maundy Thursday we remember that Jesus consecrated the the Lord's
Supper. Jesus began with the words above in Luke 22.

 

If we knew nothing else, we would rather have guessed that the night
before his own death, Jesus would have said something like this: "I have
been afraid, indeed, terrified ..."

 

What was Jesus longing for? He longed for what all love longs for - not
least the sacrificial, contentious and suffering love. The love longs to be
allowed to give, it longs for the moment when it can be allowed to give its
beloved the fruits of its sacrifice, its struggles, its self-denial. What love
lives for and lives off the many and long hours of the struggle, it is the
dream of one day being able to approach the beloved one and say “Look,
here I am - and all that I can do for you, I have done. Here is my gift,
receive it. ”

 

This is the content of the the Holy Communion. Remember this the next
time you participate in the sacrament.

Flemming Kofod-Svendsen

"Danish European Mission", Effie Campbell
 
 
 
 
 
 
27th March 2024

The four houses

“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the 
Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.”
Psalms 127:1NIV

When Leonard B. Mullan, who later became a missionary in Japan, was 
married, Mr. Craig gave the speach. He spoke of the four houses in the 
Old Testament.

Exodus 12: The bloody house. “The blood will be a sign for you on the 
houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you...”  
(ie skip over you)

Joshua 24: The sanctified house. “... But as for me and my household, we 
will serve the Lord.””  

Genesis18: The well-organized house. He told about Abraham sitting in 
the tent opening as Lord of the house and Sarah who was inside the tent.

2 Sam.6: The blessed house. “The ark of the Lord remained in the house of 
Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months, and the Lord blessed him and his 
entire household.”

And that is how it is. God's Word says: “Unless the Lord builds the house, 
the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the 
guards stand watch in vain.”
Psalms 127:1NIV

Jesus himself told the parable of the two houses. One man built his house 
on sand and when the rain came, it washed the sand away and of course 
the house fell too. The other man built his house on the rock and the rain 
came and was not able to overturn the house. The house stood safely and 
firmly there.

This is an image of our life. The wise man builds his house of life on the 
rock, Christ, and he shall own life in time and eternity regardless of what 
else may happen to him in this life, because, as a Chinese missionary once 
said: "In this country they take life, but they can never take LIFE.”
Effie Campbell translated
 
 
 
 
 
 
26th March 2024
God's leadership

“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 
“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called 
them.” ”
Acts 13:2NIV

When Leonard B. Mullan was young, he wandered the streets selling 
bread. One evening there was an elderly woman who handed him a tract. 
The tract was called: "Why should some hear the gospel twice, when 
millions have not heard it once?"

These words struck him as a challenge, and he put the tract into his 
pocket, intending to give it to his wife. But the same day they rang, 10 
miles away, and I gave Agnas the same tract. Then it got a strong feeling 
that God was speaking to them. Sometime after this, Mullan was visiting a 
priest and the conversation fell on God's guidance.

The priest then says: "The captain of the ferry that sails between Dublin 
and Holyhead can steer his ship on a pitch black and dark night and still 
steer the ship safely into port because he has three lights to help him. 
When he sails in such a way that these three lights are seen straddling 
each other like a straight line, then the bat has only to sail straight, for 
then he will arrive safely at the harbor.”

Then the pastor, Clarke, told him that the first light a Christian should 
look for is the light of the Scriptures, so is what you are considering 
doing, is it in line with the Bible?

The other light you are looking for, that is the light of conscience. What 
you ponder, does it make you happy when you pray?

The third light is the ambient light. Is the road open for you? Mullan did 
not tell the pastor what it was that was on his mind, but his constant 
prayer was, "Lord, lead me and lead me." And the Lord guided him and 
led him to Japan, where he became a great blessing and worked for his 
Lord for many years.
"God of my life". - Effie Campbell translated


 

 
 
 
 
 
 
25th March 2024

A testimony from the war years

“But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.””  
Psalms 31:14NIV

Svein Lindset, who is the prayer leader at -Visjon Norge, testified one 
evening

"Grandfather was arrested during the war because he had hidden members 
of the resistance movement in his hay house. He was put in a detention 
center at Møllergata 19. There were also three other inmates in the same 
room. There was a wooden table and inmates who had sat in this room 
had engraved various things into the table.

Grandfather was a man of faith, he was brave and did not hide his faith. 
He prayed his grace and spoke openly about his faith. Not everyone 
agreed with him. The inmates each had a mug and a spoon. The mug was 
used for soup and tea. Across the table, grandfather could see that 
something was engraved in the table top, but he couldn't make out what it 
said. The table top was dirty and stained with tea. It was also not easy to 
engrave with a teaspoon, so it was no wonder that it was difficult to read.
 But after some days of trying, grandfather had solved the riddle: "But I 
trust in you, Lord" Psalms 31:14NIV

But one day a new prisoner was put into this prison cell. He was a 
resistance man and therefore he was arrested. But he was also an atheist. 
The next day he was taken in for questioning. He knew they would try to 
torture him because he had decided not to say anything or gossip about 
who else was member in this resistance group.

When he had left the cell, grandfather said: "Now we must intercede for 
him." They then fall to their knees and grandfather says, “I trust in you, 
Lord,” and then he prayd for the man. He repeated this three times. 
Outside the prison cell stood the warden with his whip and was about to 
whip the poor man. He raised his arm to strike but could not swing the 
whip. The arm simply pointed straight up at the ceiling. He now took the 
arm down again and then tried again a few times, but each time with the 
same result. Then he returned the man to his cell.

Now the atheist was told that his friends had prayed for him and now 
professed their faith in God with this scripture: "I trust in you, Lord," 
Then he fell on his knees and surrendered to the Lord and was gloriously 
saved. Shortly after this, Norway became free, because this was in 1945.
Effie Campbell
 
 
 
 
 
24th March 2024

Accept the blessing

The TV preacher, Egil Svartdahl taught at the summer convention in 2022

““ ‘ “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on 
you and be  gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give 
you peace.” ’”
Numbers 6:24-26NIV
Hear

This blessing is for everyone and can be used elsewhere than in and during 
a service. Egil said he used it at home. Before his five children left home 
in the morning, they held out their heads for their father to bless them that 
day.

There are so many people who fear and worry about the day, so many who 
doubt whether they can even get out of bed. Three years ago, we therefore 
started our "plus words" on Instagram and Facebook. Now on July 23, 
2022, we have done it for 1000 days in a row. We have 60,000 regular 
followers, almost 20 million visitors to the page and 150,000 sharers. 
Every day we announce the Aaronic blessing. Every day we paint a big 
and smiling "Smiley" in the sky, so that the viewers can see that God's 
face is shining on me on this day". Thus the face comes close and it 
becomes personal.

You did not see God when you were in a difficult situation. But then many 
years passed and you then had the thought: "You were there, God! I could 
not see it, but I see and understand it now. You were there!”

One day Fredrik, one of my sons, called from a cafeteria in Oslo. He had 
time off. I thought: "What does he want now?" Then he says: "I just really 
want to hear your voice, Dad." Then I got tears in my eyes.

The prayer life for some is simply asking for a gift or a favor. But then the 
prayer life is too thin" Sometimes we just have to say to each other: "I just 
want to be near you. I don't need anything. You don't have to say anything. 
I just want to sit here. I seek you for your own sake.”

In the Old Testament it was not possible to see God face to face. But then 
one beautiful day in the fullness of time we were allowed to see him. The 
Word became flesh and came to us through Jesus as Immanuel, which 
means: God with us (John1:14 and Matt.1:23). Suddenly we were allowed 
to see his face. If you doubt whether God is near, just look at Jesus Christ 
in the manger in Bethlehem. Because then you know that he keeps what 
he has promised.
Effie Campbell translated


 

 
 
 
 
 
 
23rd March 2024

Tell of all his wonders

“Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.”
Psalms 105:2NIV

We are reminded to tell about all the miracles God is doing in our time. 
When people hear about powerful answers to prayer, they see that Jesus is 
very close. He is not a Savior who is far away, thus faith in Jesus is not a 
theory, but a relationship with the Lord of Life, our beloved Savior.

There are two kinds of repentance:
1. Sunrise. These are the ones who have had the story of Jesus planted in 
their hearts from childhood. With them, faith grows gradually, usually 
slowly and surely.

2. Earthquake. These are the ones who have lived a hard life out there in 
the world, but then they are awakened. They realized how empty and 
meaningless their lives were and they were converted and there was a 
violent upheaval in their lives, like an earthquake.
ec
 
 
 
 
 
 
22th March 2024

Witness about the Lord's deeds

“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all 
peoples.”
Psalms 96:3NIV

I am not very fond when people talk a lot about what they were before 
they became Christians! It was a shameful life. The wise man hides his 
shame, says the Bible. On the other hand, Scripture encourages us to tell 
of God's wonderful acts (Psalms 105:2NIV). But neither the devil nor 
half-hearted Christians want that. They talk condescendingly about 
"sunshine stories", and it is almost forbidden to tell about the miracles 
God does today. Is it because they themselves want to take the glory from 
God or are they imbued with all the negativity we hear about and read in 
the media? In any case, they are disobeying God and not doing what the 
Bible wants us to say.

Every Sunday we read the Apostles' Creed with devotion in church, but it 
is now not quite the same as having an apostolic faith, the same faith as 
the apostles had. An empty creed is hypocrisy. It is not right to be so 
suspicious of people who live out their faith in their lives! It is of little use 
to demonstrate that we have the pure Lutheran teaching, when our life 
does not correspond to it.

Believing in God is not playing a game of luck! It is the most natural thing 
there is. God does not fail his promise: “... And surely I am with you 
always, to the very end of the age.” ” Matt.28 and “... and the one who 
believes in him will never be put to shame.”” Rom.9 Let it be said from 
the start that God is true and man is not! It is the proven faith that is more 
precious than real gold!

What thoughts does today's man have about God? “Taste and see that the 
Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” Psalms 
34:9NIV For as soon as a sinner repents, grace abounds! Praise be to God! 
This includes you reading this! Let's talk everywhere about the miracles 
the Lord is doing in our time and in that way let us give Him glory.
Ec translated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21th March 2024

God's preservation

“the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and 
forevermore.”
Psalms 121:8NIV

There is peace in these words! Then we can boldly start a new day in trust 
in Him who has promised to be with us when we start the day's work and 
to help us in everything that meets us throughout the day. And what the 
day may contain, well, that is hidden from us, because "no one knows the 
future".

That He preserves our coming and going means that He will preserve, 
defend, help and strengthen us from morning to evening, from the time we 
leave for the day's work in the morning until we are home again, indeed 
both out and at home.

And we need this! It is not being pessimistic to say that life is dangerous. 
Not least for our soul, and therefore it is also good that the Lord has 
promised to preserve us.

If we are to get through the day unscathed, indeed, not only unscathed but 
that rich and strong in God that we bring the fragrance of Christ with us, 
then we need help. For God's help is not only to protect us from danger 
but also from the power that makes our life a life of abundance. Jesus says 
it like this about the one who believes: “Whoever believes in me, as 
Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” ” 
John 7:38NIV That God watches over us throughout the day thus means 
that He keeps us close to Him and therefore our life becomes not only a 
life of security but also a life of goodness.

Yes, then life becomes rich when the Lord not only keeps evil at a 
distance, but surrounds us and fills us with his goodness, goodness 
towards ourselves and through us – goodness towards others. Only in this 
way can we come victoriously through the day and life, despite 
temptations and adversity. We would never be able to face everyday life in 
security and full of confidence, if we only had ourselves to rest in. Now, in 
the name of Jesus, we start with today's deeds and can believe and rest in, 
"that as the day shall thy strength be”.

How good it is to return home after such a day! With peace in the heart, a 
clear conscience and filled with gratitude. And then the certainty that He 
who could watch over me today, well, he can also watch over me 
tomorrow. “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, 
your sleep will be sweet.” Proverbs 3:24NIV
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
20th March 2024

The widow's small coins

“But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth 
only a few cents.”
Mark 12:42NIV

A wealthy woman was asked for money for a charity.

"I would like to geve," she replied, "but you have to do with the widow's 
small coins."

"But that is far too much" was the reply, "We cannot accept that much"

"That much?" said the woman. “You must have misunderstood me. I have 
given so much support to charitable work lately that you have to be 
content this time with the widow's small coins."

“But dear madam,” replied the collector, “That is far too much. The 
widow you mention gave everything she owned as a gift to God. But I 
think it is far too much if you give us everything you own.”

It ended with the woman giving a nice amount of money. But after this 
day she never again compared her gifts with the widow's small coins.
"Church Bell" E.Campbell translated
 
 
 
 
 
 
19th March 2024
Cleansed from all sin

“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. ”
1John 1:7NIV

On a particularly cold winter's day, a woman who was part of the 
Salvation Army went and did her missionary work among the poor in the 
worst and most miserable part of London. In a house with many 
apartments, she went up a lot of stairs, went from door to door and 
knocked. In some places they were very rude and refused her access with 
ugly words. A very few opened the door and allowed her to step inside to 
tell the story of Jesus.

Then she came to the last of many, many doors and knocked on the door. 
The door was now opened slightly ajar and a fat man asked sternly: "What 
do you want?"

"I am one who works for Christ," she replied, "and I bring the glad 
tidings."

"Get lost. We don't need you here.”

The missionary turned and was about to go on but stopped abruptly as she 
heard a faint voice.

“Oh, dear friend, let her come in. I have to see her. Don't send her away.”

The man could not resist his wife's plea. Reluctantly, he opened the door 
and the missionary was able to step inside. She saw a seriously ill woman 
lying in a pile of hay.

"Oh," moaned the woman, "do you know anything about the blood that 
cleanses from sin?"

The missionary was extremely surprised.

"Where did you hear about that?" “I can't quite remember. But once many 
years ago I went into a church and heard someone talking and singing 
about the blood that cleanses from all sin. I need this blood because I have 
been a sinner and I want to be clean.”

"Yes, I know the man whose blood cleanses," answered the woman who 
had entered.

Then she spoke tenderly of the man who of his own free will gave his life 
so that all sinners might be cleansed. She prayed for the sick woman and 
for her husband and promised them medical help.

In faith the woman received the sacrifice that was made for her and an 
expression of peace now came into her weary eyes.

"I am no longer afraid," she said, now taking the missionary's hand. "I'm 
so glad you stopped by. Now go quickly and tell everyone these good 
tidings.”
"Reach out" 3 May. – Effie Campbell translated
 
 
 
 
 
 
18th March 2024

A big experience

“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, and 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

This devotion has been written by Adrian Johansen, missionary in 
Strendur, Faroe Islands. It has previously been published in the book, 
"Viðførið"=the luggage

The phone rang and I got a greeting from a good friend who was ill. His 
wife said that the man wanted me to visit him because he was quite ill. 
Thoughts surged back and forth in my mind. 53 years old and weighed 
down by cancer. "What would I say to a terminally ill man?" I thought.

We're leaving. My wife drives, as I myself felt ill. He was lying still in his 
bed and at first glance, when we stepped inside, we could see that he was 
marked for death. While we are sitting with him, we see that he wants to 
say something.

"I have had a strange experience," he began. "On the third day of 
Christmas I lost consciousness. I saw Jesus coming and taking me. He 
came in a great pillar of fire. My clothes were completely burnt off me 
and I was wearing a golden garment and had new shoes on my feet.

When I entered Heaven, my father met me and welcomed me, and I 
recognized many people who had died in the faith of Jesus Christ. There 
was such wonderful beauty in Heaven and everyone was happy. But I also 
saw people being cast into the lake of fire. A large crowd of people 
gathered around Jesus, and I felt so good there that it cannot be described 
in words.

When I had been in Heaven for a while, Jesus came towards me and said: 
"You must come back down to earth, because there is something you must 
do for me. Indeed, you have a great service to perform.” I was sad 
because it was so good in Heaven. But suddenly I was lying in my sick 
bed again and I'm just lying there waiting for Jesus to come and take me 
home to Heaven. He had taken all fear from me. Now there is only one 
thing I want, and that is to tell all the people I come into contact with: 
JESUS IS A REALITY. Therefore, it is important to accept his invitation. 
Now I lie down and look forward to coming home to Heaven.”

As I sit there, it all comes together and I think to myself: You have to 
write all of this down. With a typewriter you can reach millions of people. 
I myself have twice been hospitalized unconscious. I have no doubt that I 
would have to return again and that Ovi would have to experience Heaven 
for a while in order for us to shout to others: JESUS CHRIST IS A 
WONDERFUL REALITY!

Now you, who are reading this, will be handed the torch. Will you pass it 
on and shout: JESUS IS A LIVING REALITY? Hurry up to take the tally 
so that you who read this can be ready to depart.
Adrian Johansen


 

 
 
 
 
 
 
17th March 2024

The Master is come, and calls for you

“And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister 
secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. ”
John 11:28KJV

A woman of faith worked in her young years at a seamens's home in 
Føringahavnin (historic working place for people from the Faroes in 
Greenland in fishing industry from appx 1920-1970). While there she 
embroidered a wall picture with the following scripture: The Master is 
here calling you. The mural was hung on the wall of the sailors' home.

Now many years passed. Then this same woman has to take a trip south to 
Sandø in the Faroe Islands and continues to the village of Sand. There she 
finds and looks at the mission house, and on the outer wall it says: “The 
master is come and calls you”.

She gets into a conversation with the principal of the mission house and 
asks him how it can be that this particular scripture is there. He then 
explains to her that he had seen it at the sailors' home in Føringahavnin, 
and it had stopped him and spoken to him and led him to salvation.

“how blessed you will be, sowing your seed by every stream, and letting 
your cattle and donkeys range free.” Isaiah 32:20NIV
“With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our 
enemies.” Psalms108:13NIV
ec
 
 
 
 
 
16th March 2024

A wonderful answer to prayer

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old 
they will not turn from it.”
Proverbs 22;6NIV

Many years ago, a woman of faith in Tórshavn wanted to take her son to 
Bible class. The woman had a boy and two girls and had a fervent and 
burning desire and prayer to be able to bring her son to this Bible study, 
even though it was not common to bring children to this.

She then says to him: "Dear friend, come to Bible study with your 
mother."

He ponders about this for a moment and then he says: "Ok, I will on the 
condition that we get something good afterwards."

"Yes, we will," said the mother. But the mother knew very well that they 
wouldn't get that, because it was down in the old Congregational House 
on Áarvegin, and you didn't get cakes there. She felt bad for lying to the 
boy. She now fervently asked God to help her.

Then the day arrived when the Bible class was supposed to be. They now 
both went down to the Congregation House. The mother sat and asked 
God to help her, because she was afraid of what would happen when the 
Bible session was over.

Then a woman stands up and says: "Tonight there will be something 
extra." It hasn't been done before or after this special night. The story 
behind this is that two young girls had talked about whether it would be 
nice to have something extra. One of them then went down to the Sailors' 
Home and carried some mugs and coffee into the Congregation House, 
which is the nearest neighboring house.

The boy sat down comfortably and began to eat the delicious cake with a 
good appetite, and the mother - well, she could only look in wonder at 
God's goodness and faithfulness.
ec
 
 
 
 
 
15th March 2024
A visit to the hospital

”Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
proclaim his salvation day after day.”
Psalms 96:1-2NIV

 

I was out at the National Hospital in the Faroe Islands, Landsjúkrahúsið in 
Tórshavn in order to visit a woman. The woman herself had called and 
asked me to come. She was sitting on the edge of the bed when I entered 
her ward room and she was quite unwell. The first thing she says to me is: 
"Dear friend, couldn't you please sing me a song?"

I had never been asked this kind of question before, but I answered: "I 
will sing four little verses that we usually sing in Aglow for you, but you 
have to sing along." We begin gropingly and silently singing, because 
another woman, who was also bad, was lying in the same ward and I 
didn't know if she liked this. But then what happens is that this woman 
joins us and starts singing along with us. When the song is finished, the 
strange woman says: "Thank you very much." This did me so good. It was 
a true blessing for me.”

1 Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain;
Free to all, a healing stream,
Flows from Calv'ry's mountain.


Refrain:
In the cross, in the cross
Be my glory ever,
Till my ransomed soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

 

2 Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the Bright and Morning Star
Shed His beams around me. [Refrain]

 

3 Near the cross! O lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day
With its shadow o'er me. [Refrain]

 

4 Near the cross! I'll watch and wait,
Hoping, trusting ever;
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river. [Refrain]
Fanny Crosby. Ec

 
 
 
 
 
 
14th March 2024

Jesus is coming soon

“According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, 
who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those 
who have fallen asleep.”
1. Thess. 4:15NIV

When will Jesus come? This question has been asked by countless people 
of faith throughout history. And this is not an insignificant question. It is 
characteristic of faith to wait. The question is not: Is Jesus coming? But: 
When will he come?

“...“Yes, I am coming soon.” ...” These are some of the last words of the 
Bible. He has not yet come - but he will come and restore everything. 
When? Soon!

Paul was waiting for him in his own time: ““... we tell you that we who 
are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not 
precede those who have fallen asleep.” 1. Thess. 4:15NIV” But Jesus did 
not come in his time. Many others waited with joy, but they had to realize 
that the time had not yet come.

In 1953, I heard Anne Larssen Bjørner say at a gathering at Nyborg Strand 
in Denmark that she expected Jesus to come again before the year was 
over and now more than 70 years have passed.

In the years leading up to 1666, many Christians in Europe were also 
waiting for the Lord to come. The long Thirty Years' War was raging in 
Europe at the time, and people believed that now was the time. Now he 
had to come!

We must be careful not to blame those who waited without having their 
heart's desire fulfilled. They spoke because they believed. Only those who 
truly believe in Jesus also await his coming. And even if they hit the 
wrong time, they will not be ashamed.

Paul speaks of some scoffers who say: “They will say, “Where is this 
‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on 
as it has since the beginning of creation.”” 2.Pet.3

Peter pointed out that this statement is incorrect. God let a whole world 
perish in the flood, and in the same way the present world will also be 
cleansed, but next time in fire. No, the mockers' arguments do not hold 
water.

The Word became flesh - Jesus came! When? In the fullness of time, says 
the Scripture.

When he comes the second time, it will also be in the fullness of time.

The fullness of time is when everything is ready. Only the Father alone 
knows the time, not even the Son in his human shape knew the exact time.

The only thing we have to look for are the signs of the times, and Jesus 
reminds us to pay attention to them. The prophetic word shines and says 
no less.
It is clear that Jesus is coming soon!
The church bell. ec


 

 
 
 
 
 
 
13th March 2024
We have come to worship him

“... and have come to worship him.” ”
Matt. 2:2NIV

How moving it is to read that when the Magi finally reach the land of the 
Jews after a long and arduous journey, they said that they had come to 
worship him - the King of the Jews.

They did not come there as sensation-hungry tourists who wanted to 
experience something special and get something out of this event that 
became so decisive for all mankind, an event that the prophets had 
predicted centuries before it actually happened. Indeed, they came to 
worship.

Without even being aware of it, they show with their words their desire 
and eagerness to worship this newborn heavenly king's son.

This is the true and right attitude of man when we refer to Jesus Christ: 
worshipping.

Above all, our prayers must be characterized by worship. However, this 
does not mean that our prayers should only be worship. Jesus himself 
asked us to pray for whatever we wanted. Thus we can ask Jesus to help 
us with everything that may be on our hearts. But first of all we owe it to 
Him to worship and thank Him for all that He has already done for us.

That he who was laid in a manger, with his death on the cross and 
resurrection, has redeemed us from the power of death and the devil, and 
who, together with all his angels, is preparing homes for us now in 
Heaven, where he will also receive us.

Let us always remind each other of this, because all too often prayer 
becomes only prayer and not worship and thanksgiving and joy for all that 
Jesus has done for us.

"We have come to worship him", said the Magi. Let us follow in their 
footsteps and join the multitude of peoples, multitudes, nations, and 
languages, and all the angels of heaven, who will worship the Son of God, 
the Savior of the world.








12th March 2024

Proof

”Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount 
Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the 
four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.” ”
1 Kings 18:19NIV

When we read a scientific article about God and faith, even those written 
by "Christians", we often come across this sentence: "We know that belief 
in God cannot in fact be proven."

What do they mean by that? In 1 Kings, Elijah challenges those who 
worshiped false gods. He said: “Meet me on Mount Carmel! The God 
who answers...He is God! And the people said: "That is right!" Because it 
is true proof – both for head and heart, when God answers prayer. 
The TF magazine. E Campbell translated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
11th March 2024

The whole sky is open above me

"After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in 
heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, 
Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” "
Rev. 4:1NIV

I love a Norwegian song called "The whole sky is open over me". That is 
exactly what the reality is. The Bible says: "by a new and living way 
opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body " Hebrews 10:20NIV 
Therefore, in the name of Jesus, we can now go directly to the throne of 
grace and ask God to help us. The curtain into the Holy of Holies was torn 
from the top all the way down. God himself tore it over and the way is 
therefore now open for us all the way in there.

I don't know how you feel at the moment. But if you feel that all ways are 
closed to you and that there is no help anywhere, then you are to know 
that the way upwards no one can block for you. Therefore, do like the 
woman I am now going to tell you about, call on God in the name of Jesus 
and ask Him to help you.

During the 2 world war there was a girl who lived in a small village on the 
island Eysturoy in the Faroe Islands. She fell in love with an English 
soldier and he fell in love with her. He was so sweet and nice, she thought. 
He said he lived in a big and nice house in London and he wanted them to 
be married before he moved on. They then got married.

When the girl now came to London, nothing was as she thought it would 
be. The house was a large residential building in poor condition. The man 
was as if transformed. He went to bars and pubs in the evening and when 
he returned home, he was drunk and often assaulted her.

One Sunday evening, when she was home alone as so often, she was 
completely desperate. She knew no one who could help her and she was 
afraid of her husband. She fell to her knees on the kitchen floor and cried 
out to God. Then she distinctly heard a voice from outside speaking to her 
ear: "Get up, put on your clothes and go outside before your husband 
comes back again!"

So she did. Outside, she rounded the corner of the house. There she saw a 
man walking right in front of her. She only saw his back. He had long 
gray hair and was wearing a light long overcoat. Now she heard the voice 
for the second time. “Follow this man!”

He wandered down several streets and she followed. Then he suddenly 
turned down a small flight of stairs and into a cellar. She also went down 
these three steps and into the cellar. It was a room that belonged to the 
Salvation Army and they had come in for a Sunday evening meeting.

When the woman looked around, the man had disappeared. She hurried 
up the stairs to see if she could see him out in the street. But there was 
none. Then she could figure out that it had been an angel.
E.C
 
 
 
 
 
 
10th March 2024

Matti Haapoja

”Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Proverbs 4:23NIV

Is your heart like the frozen field? It hasn't always been that way. When 
you were a child and young, your heart felt completely different. Your 
heart was then like a wonderful garden, like a summer field in full bloom. 
But so many frosty nights came over your life. Now the garden is 
disgraced and destroyed and not a place suitable as a residence for the 
Heavenly King. Matilda Wrede, the woman who for a lifetime lived and 
worked for the inmates in Finnish prisons, one day enters the cell where 
the country's most heinous criminal, Matti Haapoja, is living. Heavy iron 
is forged around his neck, hands and feet. No one knows how many lives 
he has on his conscience. Neither the priest, the judge, nor the guards have 
been able to penetrate the hard breastplate with which he has encased 
himself. 

Matti Haapoja notices the Bible that this young woman has in her hands. 
He sets out to mock her and the holy book. He has heard so often that she 
usually tells the prisoners that the words in the black book apply to them. 
But he himself, Matti Haapoja, knows for sure how it works. Mrs. Wrede 
pre-selects a few scriptures that fit the prisoners, and then she prepares the 
speech she plans to give them. "But if I find a scripture myself, will the 
lady then stand up and explain it and show me that it applies to me?

Then Matti Haapoja turns to the first page of the Bible, and Matilda 
Wrede reads quietly: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the 
earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the 
surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” Genesis 1:1-
3NIV

"The earth that God has created," she said after a moment of silence, is 
not only the earth out there on the wild plains of the desert landscape, 
lakes and large forests with trees, herbs and flowers - no, it is also the 
human heart, it is Mattis' own heart.

And the land that constitutes Mattis's heart is also desolate and empty. 
Empty of everything good, pure, tender and dear, of peace and joy. No 
flowers grow, no fruits ripen either. Why? Well, darkness rises from the 
depths and darkness kills all life.

"God said: 'There must be light!' And there was light" - God can fill the 
abyss with light - and He is the only one who can. Now if Matti brings his 
desolate and empty heart with abysmal darkness that kills all light before 
God, then God will say: "... "There shall be light!" " and it will happen.

And Matti cried - cried over himself and over his wasted life. The ice 
melted. The tears of repentance are a blessed rain upon the dry earth. But 
that is not enough. God's gentle streams of grace must fall like spring rain, 
so that all the ice melts so that the seed can germinate in the field of the 
heart.

Your heart and mine are also desolate and empty and lie in deep darkness, 
until the Lord Jesus is allowed to give it light and warmth. In that moment 
everything changes. Then it becomes the soil where the heavenly sower 
can sow the good seed: God's word. To examine the word of God is part 
of the preparation to meet the King. Because otherwise your heart can 
never become a garden that flowers in honor of Him.
Effie Campbell translated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9th March 2024

Jesus healed me of terminal cancer

“After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the 
hand, and she got up. ”
Matt.9:25NIV

Per Næss had a rare and fatal cancer (Von Recklighouse's disease - 
neurofibromatosis) that attacks the central nervous system, bones and 
brain.

Ten years ago, he fell over on the workplace floor and was rushed to 
hospital. They found 47 malignant cancerous tumors there. “The doctor 
opened the top lid, cut and patched me back together. First I was sent to a 
recreation home and then home," says Næss.

It didn't take long before he was really unwell again and was admitted to 
the Radium Hospital. There he received "cell therapy" for three weeks, but 
the situation only got worse.

Per Næss was moved to Lovisenberg Hospice. Those who are hospitalized 
there usually never make it out alive. You get love and care. You are given 
a dignified end to life.

One day a group from the Gospel Center in Oslo came into Per's room in 
order to pray for him.

“I also prayed myself. When I prayed, the whole living room started to 
light up like a giant ball of fire. In one corner I saw Jesus standing and 
waving to me. Jesus came over to me and I felt him lay his hands on me. 
The whole body was burning hot. Jesus said: “Peter, you shall not die. 
Your time has not yet come. Get out of bed and go.”

At the time, Per Næss weighed only 38 kg. The following day he left the 
room without the support of anyone else.

Per Næss was 100% cured of his cancer. The chief physician at the 
Radium Hospital, Jan Vincent Johannesen, wrote about the miracle: "We 
understand nothing of this miracle that has befallen Per Næss."

Per has now returned to working life. He works 25% in a transport job, 
assists at the Gospel Center and travels around giving lectures with the 
cancer association.

"I'm happy. Jesus has completely changed my life. Life is not a matter of 
course. It's a gift and it's only for loan. It is of such great importance to me 
to be allowed to report on what has happened to me. Jesus has stood right 
by my bed and I have seen him heal me. Jesus is with me 24 hours a day," 
emphasizes Per and then he continues: "Remember! When you face 
adversity, fold your hands and pray the Lord's Prayer. Seek Jesus. It is 
possible to find him!”
"The friend of the home" - translated by Effie Campbell
 
 
 
 
 
 
8th March 2024

The task

“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, and 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

Although TV and social media can reach long distances, it is necessary to 
send people out among peoples and cultures to build a network so that 
people can become disciples and have a community in churches.

God didn't send an email, he sent a messenger, his son. Jesus appeared to 
Paul on the road to Damascus, but Jesus needed a disciple named Ananias 
to give Paul the message of salvation. God does not use angels as 
missionaries. He uses people. Jesus became flesh and blood and dwelt 
among us. Have you ever seen a wind stand still? As true as we are filled 
with the Holy Spirit, we must move forward and not stand still like a pillar 
of salt.
Effie Campbell translated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7th March 2024

Take the tithing test

”Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse ... Test me in this,” ...”
Mal. 3:10NIV

Gangaram Mahes is infamous in New York as "The Big Ram". The 
immigrant from Guyana loves to eat at expensive restaurants, but he has 
no money to pay for the food. Instead of trying to control his appetite, he 
goes into a fine restaurant, orders the best dish on the menu, the finest 
wine and the most expensive dessert. Then he eats and drinks to his heart's 
content and when the bill comes, he tells the waiter straight out that he has 
no money. Then the police come and arrest him, and then he gets at least 
two days of free food in jail again.

You know what? Our churches are full of people who drink the milk of 
God's blessings, eat big steaks of God's hospitality, and enjoy the dessert 
of God's love - but they never as much as give Him even 10% for the 
service. Don't be one of these!

When you give the first 10% of your income, a divine power is activated. 
God blesses the remaining 90% and they reach so much further than your 
own 100% would have done without His blessing. Does that mean that 
God gives you more money than you gave Him? Not necessarily, but He 
promises you that He will bless you more than you thought possible. It 
may be that it is with good health, goodwill from your boss, leadership 
through life, or that God protects you and your loved ones. God says: 
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my 
house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not 
throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that 
there will not be room enough to store it. ”

Just do it. Take the tithing test.
"... a Word for the Day" - translated by Effie Campbell
 
 
 
 
 
 
6th March 2024

Towards the heights

“... for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” ”
Matthew 19:14NIV

We will take a small text section from the book, "The best is still waiting" 
by Fritz Rienecker. This episode clearly shows that there is much that is 
not as we would like it to be.

One of the hardest things for parents is when they find out that their child 
is mentally disabled.

In an institution for such children, Catherine was fed for twenty years. The 
girl had been deeply mentally handicapped from the moment she came 
into the world and had never uttered a single word. It was just that there 
was life in her. She either stared calmly at the wall or made absurd 
gestures. Eating, drinking and sleeping, that was her whole life. She didn't 
seem to be participating in anything that was happening around her.

Then one of her legs had to be amputated. The staff wished Cathy well 
and hoped that the Lord would soon take her home.

One day the doctor sent for the superintendent. Catherine was on her 
deathbed. When they entered her living room they couldn't believe their 
senses. Catherine lay there singing Christian hymns used at funerals. She 
sang again and again the German hymn, "Where does the soul find its 
fatherland, its rest?" She sang for half an hour, and her face was 
completely changed, and then she slipped quietly into death.

So it had only seemed that she could not understand anything that was 
happening around her. From a medical point of view, the incident here is a 
mystery. God has pulled aside the curtain to give courage to parents of 
spiritually disabled children. God makes no mistakes. He who takes care 
of the sparrows is the same one who says:
“... for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” ”
"Voice of the Martyrs" – translated by Effie Campbell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5th March 2024
 

Have confidence

"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. "
Hebrews 10:35NIV

One evening the other day we saw a conversation with the evangelist Kjell
Halltorp on Channel 10 on TV. He had spent a lot of time in the Middle
East and he said that he had preached to Jews and that night 500 Jews
were saved. The scriptures say that a hardening rests on the Jews until the
Gentiles come in, all as one, and then all Israel will be saved (Rom.11:25-
36). This tells us that the return of Jesus is very near, because this will
happen just before his return. Just imagine, 500 Jews were saved in one
evening by a sermon. Well, it is as if we hear Jesus' footsteps already right
outside. Now it is important to use our time correctly and engage in
purposeful prayer and pray all our loved ones into the kingdom of God.

One Sunday evening a short time ago we heard Thorstein Grotbæk on
Visjon Norge. He had been a pastor and Bible teacher. He told about an
event he had experienced: It was a married couple who came to the
congregation. They were believers but their son was not a believer.

They prayed a lot for him and this weighed particularly heavily on the
mother. The son worked on a construction site. One day they called from
his workplace and reported that there had been an accident at work. Their
son had fallen 6 meters from a scaffolding and directly onto concrete.

He was badly damaged and was not expected to survive.

The parents hurried over to the hospital, but first the mother called
Thorstein and said: "Now you have to help us. Ask for a miracle from
God. Our son must not enter eternity unsaved.”

Thorstein now got into the car and drove to the hospital and all the way he
asked God to intervene. When he entered the hospital, the parents were
already there, and the son was in a coma. Thorstein laid his hands on the
boy and asked God to do a miracle so that he could be saved.

Whether it was the same evening or the day after, I do not remember, but
suddenly the boy opened his eyes, and the first words he said were the
following: "Mother, I am saved!"

They were totally surprised and the mother said: "When and how were
you saved?" “

As I fell from the scaffolding, I cried: “Jesus, save me!” And he did.”

 

The son got up from his sick bed and was completely healed. There was
nothing wrong with him.

So be persistent in prayer and pray for your loved ones and for those no
one prays for.
Effie Campbell

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4th March 2024

Peace

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the 
world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. "
John 14:27NIV

Once, some artists were invited to participate with their works in an 
exhibition that was to deal with the subject of PEACE.

Many paintings came in, so the evaluation committee came up with quite a 
difficult task.

Let us here select three paintings from the crowd. The first had painted a 
landscape painting. A small cabin stood down by the mirror-bright water, 
and behind the cabin you could see snow-capped mountains. Indeed, here 
everything breathed peace.

In the next picture we were in a living room. It was morning and the 
whole family sat around the table while the father read a devotional to 
them. No one could say anything other than that peace radiated from each 
of these faces.

But the third painting that turned out to be the winner appeared to be 
anything but calm and peaceful at first glance. A gigantic waterfall rushed 
over the rock massif high up there. The snow-white frothy foam was 
everywhere, so the subject looked drastic, even violent to a certain extent.

But if you looked closer, you could glimpse something that admittedly 
didn't look like much, but which had a great significance for the whole. In 
a crevice up on the mountain massif, a small bird had built a nest. There it 
lay dry and safe, despite the fact that the waterfall rumbled nearby.

This is a good image of being a Christian in this world. In the midst of 
life's storms, a Christian can still feel safe. Not because of my courage and 
my strength, because here we don't always have much to be proud of, but 
by putting my trust in Jesus, I know I am in safe hands, in safety.

Just before the soldiers came to arrest him, he was sitting at the table with 
his friends. In the glow of the oil lamp and the torches, he told them that 
he was to go through suffering that would end in his own death. All this 
was to happen because of them and all mankind. Naturally, the disciples 
were afraid, but in the midst of their fear, Jesus' words sounded: “my 
peace I give you ... Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be 
afraid.” 

Being a Christian is not like boarding a flying boat that flies easily and 
elegantly over the crests and troughs of life. To be a Christian is to face 
sickness, fear and doubt. Jesus has not promised us to avoid this, but he 
has promised us to lead his children safely through life, even through the 
dark times.

Being a Christian is therefore the safest thing there is. Independent of 
everything that might otherwise affect mind and feelings, I have the peace 
of God. I am not forsaken, but I am with him who cares for me in the 
changing conditions of life. His name is Jesus.

Then the storms must rage. I have, no matter what happens, my security 
and peace because Jesus has taken hold of my right hand and He is not 
letting go!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3rd March 2024

Look, the tree is full of white scarves

"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

Dr. M. R. De Haan founded the Radio Bible Class, Michigan, USA. 
Through his radio broadcasts, he transmitted the gospel to tens of 
thousands for many years.

Once speaking of God's love and longsuffering toward lost sinners, he 
shared this truth story from the neighboring state of Wisconsin. We 
reproduce it as we remember it being told:

A good Christian family living in a rural town in the middle of Wisconsin 
experienced one of the worst things that can happen to anyone.

When their youngest son reached adolescence, he broke with everything 
his parents had tried to teach and raise him to do. He broke with the 
congregation to which the family belonged. He said goodbye to the 
Christian friends he had previously had.

They made several attempts to get him back on course, but he just drifted 
further and further away. He now also started taking drugs, and this led 
him further into a criminal path. Even though he had broken with the 
family, he still frequently came home and threatened the parents. They 
always gave him a little money and something he lacked. But above all, 
they showed him incredible love and patience. But at last they had to tell 
him that they could not afford to give him all that he demanded of them.

Once, when he was alone in his parents' house, he stole a piece of art that 
his mother had inherited. It was worth many tens of thousands of dollars. 
He took it with him to Chicago and sold it there.

The years went by! The boy sank deeper and deeper into poverty and 
misery. The money from the artwork was long gone. He now supported 
himself by various small jobs and by crime, like the other drug addicts. He 
had not yet been caught in serious crime and was therefore still a free man. 
But it was a miserable life he lived.

Towards autumn, when it was beginning to get colder in Chicago, the boy 
now began to long for home. Just imagine if he could be allowed to come 
home and start a new and better life there. But he had not written home or 
shown any sign of life for many years. Therefore he thought: "It is hardly 
any use for me to return again after all that I have done. But then he had a 
sudden impulse.

He wrote a letter to his parents in which he bitterly regretted the wrong he 
had done. He said he wanted to start a new life. But he didn't expect his 
parents to accept him the way he had treated them. I'm taking the train 
from Chicago this coming Saturday. If I am allowed to come to you, you 
must hang a white scarf on the apple tree that is down by the railway 
station. If I don't see a scarf, I will merely drive on, but I don't quite know 
where."

Saturday now arrived and he boarded the train. Another traveler was 
sitting in the same carriage, and they got into a conversation with each 
other. The boy now told him about his life and that he was now on his way 
home - possibly his parents would welcome him. "What if your parents 
haven't received your letter or if they've gone somewhere," said the 
traveler. The boy could see that there were many things that could go 
wrong. That's why he got more and more nervous the closer they got. He 
now asked his fellow traveler if he would try to notice a white scarf in the 
apple tree, which would appear at any moment. He himself sat and hid his 
face in his hands and did not dare to look out. When they now passed the 
boy's home, the other shouted: "Look, there is not just one scarf on the 
apple tree. The apple tree is covered with white scarves!!!
“Himmelveien”. Effie Campbell translated
 
 
 
 
 
 
2nd March 2024

Can we choose the wrong path?

“Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how 
can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and 
the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:5-6

Most of us don't like changes. We are most safe when everything is within 
a fixed framework. When Jesus had to leave the disciples, he gave them a 
precise explanation of what they were to do. Jesus makes it clear to them 
that he will soon leave them, but at the same time promises them that his 
departure to the Father will be for their benefit.

Jesus says nothing about where he is going except these few words: "...I 
am going to the Father?" and adds: "There you know the way"

Surely they had heard of the way. According to their childish beliefs, there 
was only one way to God: life according to the law. The impatient Thomas 
had seen that the way of the law was no longer the right one. But he had 
not yet grasped the new thing that Jesus brought. He had seen that service 
was more than sacrifice and that love was better than deeds of law. But he 
wanted to know it more precisely and therefore he asks directly: “Thomas 
said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we 
know the way?”” John 14:5NIV

At that moment, Jesus could have chosen to bring a complete overview of 
the future. He could have marked the way so that people could get a 
precise guide.

Someone must once have said: the more detailed and precise I am told 
which way to drive, the more certain I am that I will get lost.

And in these times of cars, many can probably tell that it is so. We are 
carefully explained about junctions, service stations etc and still get lost. 
Therefore, nothing is as reassuring as hearing, “Better let me drive you.” 
Then the person himself becomes the way, and the problem no longer 
exists.

This is exactly what Jesus did when he answered: "I am the way". Then 
there was nothing to be in doubt about. He didn't want to present a road 
map with all its many details. He knew that circumstances would change 
from generation to generation, so it would be difficult to get everything on 
the map.

And when Jesus says at the same time: “... “I am the way and the truth and 
the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  well, then he 
says that the fellowship with him lasts forever. It is and will be vital for all 
those who want to live on.

He who is in accordance with Jesus does not go astray, but reaches his 
goal safely.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1st March 2024

The best choice

”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 10:42NIV

In Luke 10:25, an expert in the law comes and asks Jesus a question about 
eternal life. Jesus asked him if he knew what the law said about this: “He 
answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your 
soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your 
neighbor as yourself.’"The man answered: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart 
and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, 
and your neighbor as yourself himself.” ” v.27. The expert knew that the 
key to everything was to love God first and then to extend that love to 
other people.

When we read on in Luke 10, we read about Jesus that he visits Martha 
and Mary. Martha is worried and upset about many things and it didn't get 
any better when Mary seemed indifferent to helping her. The Lord said: 
”but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is 
better, and it will not be taken away from her.” ”

Jesus did not say that it was wrong for Martha to care for her fellow 
humans who needed her help. But her worry took something away from 
her, namely a growing relationship with her Lord.

Often we are so bound by the service part of our lives that we let it block a 
more heartfelt relationship with Christ. Mary had chosen what is better. 
We also need to do the same.

What Mary chose could not be taken away from her. If we struggle to have 
a closer relationship with Christ, then we cannot lose what we gain. 
Regardless of changes in our financial circumstances, our health or living 
conditions, our relationship with Christ will continue.

We too need to choose what is better - to bond closer to him as we move 
forward in life together with him. When we have chosen the right, we can 
rest in the fact that we have something that cannot be taken away from us.
"Keep my lambs" E. Campbell translated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Evangeline Booth, salvation army, testimony, personal testimony

26.1.2014

Evangeline Booth

26th January 2014


WHO WAS IT THAT KISSED ME?
“Dear friends, let us love one another,... " 1.John 4.7

See video of Evangeline Booth

Biography Evangeline Booth:


Evangeline Booth stood outside a court building and watched various prisoners that came out of there. A moment ago she had heard someone in there shouting, squalling and swearing, and now she saw a feisty looking woman being led out of the courtroom accompanied by six police officers. Two went in front of her and two others behind her, while two held in her arms. The woman struggled to get free. The clothes she had on was torn and full of holes, her hair was woolly and bristly, and her filthy face was clotted with blood. What could she do for her?

Evangeline knew there was no time to preach to her. It would be a crime against her to give her money, and to sing for her would be useless. In a minutte this woman would be far away. Powered by a sudden impulse Evangeline ran onto this dirty, cursing and ugly smelling woman and kissed her.

The woman slipped her hands loose and searched with a wild expression the field with her eyes." Who was it that kissed me?" She shouted. "Who kissed me? Nobody had done that since her mother died."

She raised her torn apron to her face and burst into heartbreaking tears, and as a mild lamb she followed the officers into the wagon, which drove her to jail.

Some days after this incident Mrs Booth went on a prison visit to see the woman. Her face was now clean, and she now looked quite handsome. She looked at the stranger and asked, "Do you know who kissed me?"

Then she told Mrs Booth her life story. "When I was a baby my father died, and when I was 7 years old my mother also died. She died in a dark backyard in a poor neighborhood. When she was dying she called to me, took my small face between her hands and kissed it and said: "My poor little girl! O God, be merciful to my little girl and take good care of her!"

From that day until now, no one has kissed my face until the other day."
Then she asked again: "Do you know who it was that kissed me?"

Evangeline Booth replied: "It was me."

She told this lost woman of God and how he loved her so much that he was willing to die for us on the cross, where he wore all our offenses. He was wounded and disabled, so that he could save everybody from their sins.
This was something completely new. The woman had never imagined that Jesus loves so much. She opened her heart to Jesus, and before she got out of prison, she had also learned many other prisoners to love Jesus.

All this happened because Evangeline Booth kissed her. Fantastic, and what a beautiful and good deed! Evangeline Booth was the daughter of the man who founded the Salvation Army, William Booth.

Let us show our fellow human beings our love and learn the many unhappy and broken people that God truly is a God who saves sinners.

E. Campbell translated

 

25th January 2014
 

THE WAY - ALSO INTO THE THIRD MILLENIUM
"For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believs in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:16


The way is a messiah-description, which is used throughout the Bible, from Abraham to Moses, from the Psalms of David to all the prophets. The Patriarchs and the Prophets spurred the Israeli people to follow the path and not deviate from the way. When Jesus came as the living Messiah, he said: "I am the WAY! "Therefore followers of Jesus in the New Testament did not name their faith Christianity, but the Way. There are many passages in the book of Acts, where the Christian faith is called, "The Way" and "the way of God."

Jesus is the Way, and not the roadside. There is good reason to warn against the 2000 hysteria and their deviation from the Way. The world needs the Gospel of Jesus, not the many oddities, tall tales or Christian laws.

An example of the essence of the gospel is the Apostolic Creed and John.3.16.

The creed reads: "I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father almighty, from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.

And John 3:16 reads:
"For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believs in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Jesus and the apostles also warned against false prophets, the false Messiah, the Antichrist, and other aberration in the last days. The so-called Christians waves from the U.S. Also knock on our doors in the Nordic region with all sorts of weird stuffs

What is from God puts Jesus in the center and acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God come in the flesh, while all that is false deny Jesus.

The great danger, where "chosen" Christians are being misled, Jesus and the Apostles connect with the Jews and their reception of the false Messiah. Jesus said,
"I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him." (John 5.43 )

The false Messiah, which the Bible calls "the Antichrist" will sit in the temple of God.

The believers must follow the Way, preach the Gospel and show Jesus' love and friendship to all.

In the Hebrews, Jews believing in Jesus were in danger of going back to animal sacrifices in the temple and reject Jesus' sacrificial death as the only foundation of salvation. They had already been warned not to tread on the Son of God and hold the blood of the covenant unholy, and again crucify the Son of God ( Heb. 10.26-29 and 6,4-6).

Animal sacrifices in the Old Covenant could not take away sins (Hebrews 10, 4)
 

Only when we stick to the Way, Jesus, we avoid falling into the ditch in those last days.

Aril Edvardsen, "Troens bevis".

E. Campbell translated

 

 

 

 

24th January 2014


SAME RELIGION AS THE OLD BY BLOOD
The then known persons representing materialism and atheism, Professor KW, Mr HB, Mrs KD and several others had announced with a large anti- biblical lecture at Viktoria Hall in Stockholm March 19 - .

After the lecture, the word was given freely to the audience.

The hall was crowded to bursting point, most of them godless people. Then Professor W. Rose to the pulpit, and people clapped eagerly to honor him. He confirmed once again that there was not a single evidence that Jesus ever existed. The only thing people relied on, in terms of the historical Jesus was something that Josephus had written down, but this turned out to be a forged supplementary document, and therefore there was no longer any evidence that Jesus ever existed.

Then the word was given free to all. An elderly man stood up. He father wore the distinctive red jacket of the Salvation Army. The moderator watched him scornfully as did quite a few others of the audience, who shouted that they had not come to a Christian revival meeting, and therefore it was best that the old fellow kept silent. But he demanded to speak since they had advertised it, or did they fear their counterpart? So they let him speak. With clear and powerful voice, he said:
"It seems to be a matter of great concern and distress with these professors and this science. How does the professor know that Jesus didn't exist?"

The professor said mockingly: "Well, how do you know that he lived?" And even more condescending the audience chimed: "Well, how do you know? "

But then the old man thundered : "Should I not know that Christ is? Should I not understand?"

"We demand proof! Give us proof!" Someone shouted from the audience and from the podium.
" Yeah, I will give you proof" he replied with a resounding voice." I am a proof myself that our precious Savior lives. Some years ago I was the most shabby drunkard in Stockholm. I drank and used every penny I could get my hands on on booze, and when i became drunk I ended up in the detention at the police station. From there I was sent to the judge, and since I was unable to pay the fines, so I had to back to prison. But hardly I was outside again until over and over I repeated this miserable cycle, from the pub, to the court and imprisoned and so on back to the pub. I signed up for every possible and impossible temperance society and took a sacred pledge after another, but the problems just got worse. I sank deeper and deeper into a bottomless misery.

“But then one day in my deepest despair I met the Lord Jesus Christ, and he liftet me with his pierced hand out of the muck and purified me with his blood. And since that day I have been saved and preserved in the faith, and I have been a hard workin, valued and useful citizen since then. Should I not know better than anyone that Christ exists? "

There was a complete silence in the hall, and everyone seemed to be moved by this personal testimony. After a long pause Mr D. B. Was given the word, but it was not easy for him to maintain his usual arrogant attitude when it came to spiritual matters. He noted:

" Ladies and gentlemen, if I had to think about religion – obviously that will hardly happen - but nevertheless if it was occur for me to think of such a thing, I would want to have the same religion as the old man by the blood!"

It was obvious that the testimony had also hit him.


" ...and when I see the blood, I will pass over you." Exodus 12.13 or as it says in a Swedish Bible: "And the blood shall be a sign unto you to salvation!"

E. Campbell translated

 

 

 

23th January 2014


NOT OUTSIDE BUT INSIDE !
They stood on a street corner and discussed. One was a man of faith, and the other was active in politics. The latter was convinced that the party he represented would be of greater benefit to people and society than all Christianity and belief in God.

The politician came with one argument after another and became more and more eager in his view of things: "You do not change the social conditions in this world by going around and preaching about a possible eternal salvation! It is here and now that we need changes and improvements that can stem corruption and rottenness, and that can create equality and justice for all - and make it possible for everyone to live a decent life ... "

As soon as he had said this a very dirty and tattered homeless man past by. The politician, who by now was really worked up, observed the man and said, "Take for instance that man. Society has failed! Our political program can save men like him: We will provide new clothes for such people!"


Then the man of faith answered: "The Gospel works the other way round. It gives new people to such clothes!"
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
2 Cor. 5.17 NIV

"Tro & Fakta" No. 6/ 1997.
E. Campbell translated

 

 

 

22th January 2014


THE BIBLE - THE HOLY SCRIPTURE
That's the name of it - and it's contents!
The Bible is a divine book. The words are full of spirit - God-breathed!

Paul:

"All Scripture is God-breathed"
2 Tim. 3.16
I believe everything that is in the law, and what is written in the prophet.( Acts.24,14)

Peter:

"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. 1.21)
Prophets have pondered and searched when they prophesied what the Spirit of Christ showed them. (1.Pet. 1.10 - 12).

People have written down what they got from God. How far does human thoughts go in this? Find the answer in the parable that the Bible itself set between the Word and Jesus! Joh. 1.1 and 1.Joh. 1.1 etc.

As surely as Jesus was true man, yet without sin, the Bible is true human, yet without fault!

Jesus was God and man in one body - the Bible is divine and human in one volume!

Just as Jesus was different from us - the Bible is different from all other books. The true humanity of Jesus was, among other things, that he was born by a woman, the son of man. He may have resembled his mother immensely. He was tired and hungry and tempted, but God was his model, "Father, if it is your will ... ?"

The true human of the Bible is among other things-, It bears the mark of the period and of the writers who have written. However, always guided by the will of God : "
For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets"
2 Pet. 1.21

"The Bible through the ages" V. Munch.
Effie Campbell translated

 

 

 

 

21th January 2014


HOW DO WE FIND GOD?
"...no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
Joh. 3.3 NIV

There are many who do not know what it is to be born again, nor what rebirth truly means in the life of a human being.

Being born again is more than merely to accept Christ in your consciousness and your mind. Even if you live a "decent" and a morally irreproachable life where you live and behave the very best you can on your own, then it is not and will never be enough for wether you make the so-called "small sins" or large, you are still a sinner on the road of perdition.
"... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..."
Romans 3:23 NIV

When a child is born, the proud parents announce this great news far and wide. This newborn child starts a life in a world that is totally new to it. When a sinner is born of God's Holy Spirit - reborn - we also bring the happy news to others. The newborn “child of God” also enters a world that is new to it - a new life. The heart and the mind is totally changed, he or she has been given new wishes, a new setting and meaning of life, new interests and new thoughts.

Imagine, a life of victory over sin, and peace instead of strife and temptations! What a marvelous life!

Perhaps you ask, "How can I experience this new birth? "You must turn away from sin and come to God with the intention fully to give him your life. Simply pray the Lord to forgive you and save you.

When you are born again, then you will know it. The condemnation has gone.

E. Campbell translated

 

 

 

20th January 2014
 

SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS
"And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them."
Mark 10.16

Fanny Crosby was born in New York ( 1820-1915). Just six weeks old she lost her sight and was blind for the rest of her life. 12 years old she went on a blind school, where she stayed for the following 23 years, first as a student and later as a teacher.

Fanny Crosby wrote more than 2,000 songs. The impact Lina Sandell had on the Nordic region Fanny Crosby had for the English-speaking countries.

The song "Safe in the arms of Jesus" was written 30 april 1868. Fanny tells that on this particular day one well-known music artist, W.H. Doane wisited her.

He brought along with him a new melody, which was missing a text. When he played the song for her, she said : "This tune says: Safe in the arms of Jesus."

After a while Fanny went for herself to be alone and in silence. She then remembered an incident that she had been told two days before. On a street in New York, which swarmed with people there was a mother with her child and they came into this great human multitude. In this congestion the child lost his mother and the child began to sob fiercely and was completely inconsolable right to the point when it again lay in his mother's arms.

There in the arms of the mother it was safe and sound – here the weeping seized. This one small everyday incident became a picture for Fanny Crosby of how human beings can only be safe in one place, in the arms of Jesus!

Twenty minutes later, Fanny handed the music artist lyrics to this song, "Safe inn the arms of Jesus." Doane wrote it immediately, and the original text has never been changed since then.

You can hear the song on the following link .

"Safe in the arms of Jesus."

E.Campbell

 

 

 

19th January 2014

ARE YOU IN TROUBLE
If you are in trouble, then hook you on this promise from God: "For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."
Isaiah. 41.13

E.C.

 

 

 

 

18th January 2014


MY GOD DIED
" Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.”
Joh. 15.13 NIV

That was what my God did for me at Calvary. There he paid for my sins, so I do not have to pay with death, which means being separated from God forever, lost.

Throughout history, there are many who have been appointed as God, but where is the God who died for you, he, who, when the wolf and the bear came, fought to the death? No, they were only hired workers.

My God died - but he lives! On Easter morning, he was raised from the dead, the tomb is now empty, the living, who were to keep watch over him, were like dead. Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords - he lives!

This is what we will testify just as clearly and simply as Paul, when he testified for both young and old,
"that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”

Acts 26.23 NIV

We must never evade the blood because "
and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."

Heb. 9.22 NIV

How it is difficult to understand why there are so many who decline the offer that Jesus gave to each of us, which was completed when he broke the power of death on Easter morning and rose from the dead. Will you accept His gift, a brand new life, even a life of abundance?

E. Campbell

 

 

 

17th January 2014
 

WHERE IS THE LAMB?
Genesis 22.7
Everything was ready for the sacrifice, but
"where is the lamb?" Isaac Asks his father, Abraham. We have good reason to pass the same question on to many people today.

Nations have their gods, Islam has its prophets, Israel has its laws and worship of God, but where is the lamb?

And all the nominal Christians in the West, they often have everything in order. They are baptized, and sometimes they come to worship and communion, they have a God, a God up in heaven - but where is the lamb?

They have no lamb. They have never had a moment, not one moment when the Lamb of God, the slaughtered Lamb became their lives, their salvation and peace - all of their Christianity.

That is why they are lost in everything else. For only in the Lamb there is salvation. Only in the blood of the Lamb there is atonement and access to God. And in heaven with God himself all is about the Lamb. The song up there is "the song of the Lamb ," the bride is "the Lamb's bride" and the wedding is the "marriage of the Lamb."
Revelation . 15.3 and 19.7

You expensive soul - is the "Lamb of God" your only access to heaven. Otherwise you'll never get there.

The Lamb that was slain, is Jesus Christ. Jesus said:

"I am THE WAY ... No one comes to the Father except through me."
John 14,6
Believe in him and let him guide you.

E. Campbell 

 

 

 

 

16th January 2014

 

NOW JUST A WORD FOR JESUS
The chorus of one of Fanny Crosby hymns reads:

Now just a word for Jesus,
’Twill help us on our way!
One little word for Jesus,
Oh speak, or sing, or pray!


Yes, it is as true as it is said. If we say a word about Jesus, then it may be for the salvation of someone, often perhaps without our knowledge about it.

So it was with the English speaker Spurgeon. He was to have a sermon in the Crystal Castle in London for a large crowd. Before he had to go live on the podium, he would like to know how his voice sounded in this huge hall. The day before the sermon he went into the hall and stepped up to the podium and said loud and clear the following words: " credible is the word and worthy of all acceptance For Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners
"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”

1 Tim. 1.15 NIV

Spurgeon uttered these words two times and then turned back home. He was convinced that the audience would hear him .

Then 25years later. One of Spurgeons employees were then asked to come on a visit to an old laborer, who was dying.

" Are you prepared to die," the preacher said.

" Yes, the Lord be praised," replied the patient happy, and so he began to tell how he had been converted, and his face was beaming with joy.

"I was a skilled laborer occupied with laying lead roofs. Many years ago I worked under the dome at the Crystal Castle. Back then I was not a believer. I lived my life without God and without hope. I thought I was alone in the building, but then I heard a voice loud and clear that I almost thought came from heaven, saying:
"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”


These words convinced me that I was a sinner and that God is merciful. I learned to trust in faith in Jesus, and from this day I have only built all my hope of salvation on him."

E. Campbell

 

 

 

15th January 2014
 

THE CHALICE
An old story from Scotland tells of an old man sitting at the altar of worship and felt unworthy to participate. He sat there and felt miserable and in such sad state of mind, that he dared not participate in the remembrance of the Lord's death on the cross.

During the aisle he saw a very young girl burst into tears. She then passedd the chalice without drinking from it. Suddenly, all his fears vanished, and he whispered clearly to the girl: "Drink from the chalice, my friend! It is for sinners!"


"Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day."

Joh. 6,54 NIV

E. Campbell

 

 

 

14th January 2014
 

THREE WORDS FOR THOUGHT
Some years ago I sat in a bus that drove through London's city streets. During the trip, I noticed a man who swept the streets. He had a big sign on his back. The sign read: Without God - no hope.

In the north of Scotland I became aware of an embroidered image on wall in an ordinary living room, which read: "prepare to meet your God."
Back home I found the same word in the Bible in Amos 4.12.

Once I saw the following sentence in a Danish teacher's Bible: This book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you away from this book.
Effie Campbell

 

 

 

13th January 2014
 

ENDURANCE
“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”
(Hebrews 10.35 to 36 NIV)

Impatience, discouragement and unbelief can hit people so hard that they resign and let their hands fall down because they have prayed and labored for the Lord so long, and it turns out to be fruitless. They are tempted to give up.

When we feel like this we must cling to the word of God, which helps us and says, "So do not throw away your confidence" There is a real danger of throwing away confidence, and thereby lose what God has promised to those who believe.

Yes, we need endurance to do God's will. Jesus says in Luke 21.19: "Stand firm, and you will win life.” Bible calls endurance for a commandment.

Thus we read in Revelation 3.10:
"Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial”

Daniels prayer.
Daniel had to wait 21 days before the answer came, but from day one, after he gave his heart to seek Gods wisdom and humble himself before God, his words were heard (Daniel 10:12). But he had to struggle in prayer against "the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”( Eph. 6:12) , but the "prince of the Persian kingdom" resisted 21 days, but then came "Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me" (Daniel 10:13). Not until all obstacles had gone God granted his prayer - there had to be a struggle in prayer first.

Jeremiah's prayer.
Jeremiah had to wait for 10 days before the answer came, when people begged him to ask the Lord to show them which way ought to go and what to do.

Abraham's prayer.
Abraham had to wait many years for the promised son, Isaac. "Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations...Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”
(Rom. 4.18 to 21 )

God's answer to perseverance in prayer also in our days.
A female missionary had a brother who was not saved, and it troubled her deeply. However, he was an alcoholic. One day she read in
2.Mos.10.26:
"Our livestock too must go with us; not a hoof is to be left behind."


“Not a hoof is to be left behind." She repeated this and got such faith in this word that she thanked and praised God for this promise. 

The letters that was sent to her the following months only told how sad his brother's condition was, and in the last letter the message was that now his condition had deteriorated significantly.

However, the missionary didn't let this throw her off balance, and still she praised God for the promise she had in his word. Then one day there came a letter with great news. The brother had been saved, and all his craving for alcohol was gone.


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

 

 

 

12th January 2014

INVITATION FOR A WEDDING

A pastor's wife once told me this story:

There was an old man who dreamed that he died.
The angels came and carried him up and carried him thus into heaven. Jesus himself received him, and many people who had gone home before him flocked to him and welcomed him.

The old man suddenly remembered one person that he did not see anywhere. " Where was George ?" He asked.

Then Jesus eyes was filled with tears. "No one has invited him ," the Savior said.

"Oh, please give me permission to go down to earth a short moment, so that I can invite George! " the old man said.

The moment he woke up. He ran immediately to the hot-tempered and irascible blacksmith, to whome almost nobody dared to talk.
"I greet you from Jesus and invite you into heaven, " said the old man.

At first the blacksmith became angry, but guess what , it ended up that he received the invitation and began to walk on the Heaven Way.

You cannot say that you are not invited to Jesus. But today he sends you once again a new greeting: "Come to the wedding banquet”

(Matt. 22.4)

You are invited to an eternal celebration and salvation . Do you know how often the word "come" is repeated in the Bible? An avid man found out that the word "come" occurs 479 times!

Einar Lyngar . E. Campbell trans .

 

 

 

11th January 2014


Verily JESUS COMES
Matt. 24.32-33
Have you ever experienced a winter that never came to an end? It felt like spring would never come.

Perhaps this is why Jesus chose to use exactly this picture to assure us that he is indeed coming.


"“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.”
Matt. 24.32-33

Early in March, while we still wear coats buttoned up to the neck, and while we still have to go on ice and snow that we see a tree with bulging green buds, and we feel a little warmer because knots clubs tells us that spring is imminent.
Jesus knows this feeling. He longed for spring. And he promises that he will come back for us, just as unerringly sure as spring follows winter.

E. Campbell translated

 

 

 

10th January 2014

PROVE IT

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

Mat. 7, 24

A painter, who traveled around Switzerland was stopped one day by some inspectors who demanded to see his passport. "I didn't bring it with me," he said, "but my name is Doré." "Prove it," said the inspectors. They knew this famous artist name, but were not sure that it was him.

Doré took a piece of paper and drew a sketch of some peasants who were nearby. This he did so outstandingly well that the inspectors had to admit: "It's OK. You are Doré."

The world does not care about our oral testimony. We need to show that we are Christians by our lives and our actions.

E. Campbell translated

 

 

9th January 2014

Almost persuaded now to believe;
Almost persuaded Christ to receive;
Seems now some soul to say,
Go, Spirit, go Thy way,
Some more convenient day
On Thee I’ll call.

 

Almost persuaded, come, come today;
Almost persuaded, turn not away;
Jesus invites you here,
Angels are lingering near
Prayers rise from hearts so dear;
O wanderer, come!

 

Almost persuaded, harvest is past!
Almost persuaded, doom comes at last!
Almost cannot avail;
Almost is but to fail!
Sad, sad, that bitter wail—
Almost, but lost!


P. P. Bliss.
Press here to here the song

 

 

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”
Acts. 26, 28

 

 

 

Bliss wrote both lyrics and tunes to some of our songs. He was born in 1838 in North Pensylvania in a godly home.

His interest in music was awakened already at the age of 10. About this the story tells: One day as he strolled along the way he heard music that he had never heard before. He stopped - a door was ajar and he went inside. Soon he was standing by a door that opened into a sitting room where a woman was playing on a black wooden box with black and white " buttons " (piano ) . When she was finished he shouted enthusiastically : " Play more, please play more! "

After working a few years of farming bet he solely turned on the music and started at a school where he could train in music.

14 years old, he came to personal faith. He now lived in Chicago and was a Sunday School teacher there. Here, his musical talents benefitted him particularly well because he wrote songs that the children understood and could sing. When Moody became acquainted with this young music virtuoso he urged and supported him to accompany him on his meeting tour around the country.

However, his working day was short because he died in 1876 in a railroad-accident with his wife, just two years after being hired.

Bliss was often captivated by a particular word or a particular phrase, which he heard in a sermon. The serious song, "Almost persuaded" Bliss composed after hearing a sermon about being an almost Christian, almost on the way to Heaven - and yet not to be with.

Has this song spoke to you?

You can hear the song by pushing this link

F. Campbell translated


 

 

 

8th January 2014

DO YOU TURN DOWN?
A gang leader in the United States were arrested some time ago. He was very hard of hearing, so he had to go with a hearing aid. Every time he was wheeled into the courtroom and his case was treated, he muffled the sound of his hearing so that he heard nothing of what was said.

No one could understand that he was so calm and that nothing seemed to touch him of what he argued. Then came the last day on which his case was to come on. This was the day in which he was to be sentenced. As he approached the courtroom, he turned down the volume so that he could not hear. Then the sentence was passed. He was condemned to death in the electric chair, but he heard nothing of what was said, so he was quite unaffected by the circumstances.

When the day came that he was to be executed, the guards came after him. He was quite calm. He did not know where they were going. But when they arrived and he noticed the electric chair, he was quite beside himself. He yelled and screamed like mad, because now it occurred to him how stupid he had been, because he would not listen and therefore had turned down the hearing aid.

God calls on us in many ways, and he uses every opportunity, because he loves us with an everlasting love. God can call you through another person, a hymn, a treaty or any other Christian literature. If in your heart you feel a warm alluring force and you have a desire to be good and pure, then it is God who is calling you. If you, while you 're having fun with others, feel that everything is empty and worthless and you are overwhelmed by a longing to be free of sin, which only inhibits and binds, then it is God who calls.

Al longing for the good comes from God. He would like to get in touch with us. But quite often we are like this abowe man. We turn down and do not want to hear. So he will have to send hardships, sickness, sorrow through a close family member's death, so that close relationships are interrupted.
Do not turn away from him, do not screw down. He only wants the very best for you. He wants to fill your life as a Christian. And soon he comes back, and takes you back home with him, because you are the heir to his Kingdom. (Jak. 2.5)
E. Campbell

 

 

 

7th January 2014
 

I WAS NOT DIVORCED - BUT SAVED!
After being married for 15 years - we had at that time a 14 year old son - I was misled by the evil tricks and wanted a divorce from my husband. The final papers had been handed in, and I already had plans for a new marriage. But inside me everything was in turmoil and in total chaos. Then something happened, something that was nothing short of a revolution: I received Christ!

Laila Heimli tells: "3 days before this revolution in my life, two believing women met in the city. One of them was my mother in law. She told the other that I and my husband, Kari, had split up and that there was no longer any hope for our marriage. But the other answered, "Yes! For God there is nothing impossible. Let us immediately pray for Laila and Kari!"

So they went together in prayer for us, and the burden was heavy on them while they stood there in Bergen city center.

Three days later I was invited to a meeting at a congregation. Such a thing as attending a Christian meeting was totally new for me, and I was very much in doubt. Anyway - after a conversation in confidence, it ended up that I agreed to go. At that time I did not understand that it was God's Spirit that worked in me.

At this time there was a bible verse that spoke to me. The reason was that our 14 year old son went to the pastor while we were separated, and one day he came home with a New Testament. On the front page there was a greeting and a reference to a scripture. I was curious and came up with this scripture in Rome. 13.8: "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another" NIV

These words both intrigued me and tormented me and made me feel that my situation was even more messy.

When I was at the meeting and heard the song and testimony this evening, I was so moved that I just could not hold my tears back. A servant of the Lord came gently towards me and asked: "Are you unhappy, my dear friend?" - "Yes," I stammered out through my tears. - "Do you want us to pray for you tonight?" - "Yes, please!"

That evening, I gave Jesus my heart. I did not understand much of what happened, but a miracle happened, a salvation miracle! This is the truth. Oh, how unbelievable and wonderful to be allowed to fall on your knees and become small and receive the Savior's forgiving grace!

As soon as I got the chance, I told my mother what had happened. My new life gave me the courage and desire to share what I had experienced. Kari was very surprised. He was equally unknown about Christian life, just as I had been! Yet, despite the fact that he was not able to follow me on the road of faith right away, we both got through this a new perception of life and of each other. We cut off the connections we had with previous relations and started a completely new life. All honor and thanks belongs to my Lord and my God!

I got to start all over again - both as a wife and mother, in a brand new home, and now we are building on faithfulness and show each other confidence. And you who are reading this testimony, let me tell you that my husband has now chosen the Heaven Way. I 've been prayed and waiting for this for 17 years, and all the believers have also prayed! To God belongs the glory. In October 1997 we held 40th wedding anniversary. Thank God !

Our family was blessed with a precious daughter, exactly a year after I was saved. As a gift from God, she came to us. Today, 1998, our daughter is also the mother of our two grandchildren, and for all this we thank and praise Jesus, our precious Savior.

Yes, conciliation and reconciliation and a new start that is the will and ways of God! However, in cases where this is no longer possible, then the Word of God is at any rate unwavering - also for you:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:”
2 Cor. 5.17 – 18 NIV
(also reconciliation ministry, both to God and the Father and between us humans.)
TF - magazine
E. Campbell translated

 

 

 

6th January 2014
 

THE RIGHT CHOICE

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
Matth. 7,13-14 NIV


Every day we are faced with choices, whether we are to choose this or that. When we are out doing our shopping the question is often: what would be the bestt to buy now, the cheapest or the slightly more expensive and better?

But there are also times when we are faced with choices of far greater importance, which may have serious consequences if we do not choose the right way. God has given us the choice whether to go the broad way that leads to hell, or the narrow road that leads to heaven. There is "no middle ground", as is so often asserted. Here it is either – or.


"But how can I know what is right?" Many do say. "There are so many religions and many different Christian churches. How do I know which of these has the right teachings?"

Jesus said to Pilate, "Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."

John. 18.37

Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" V. 38
He stood actually opposite to him who said "I am the way and the truth and the life" ( John 14:6 ), but Pilate "Wanting to satisfy the crowd" (Mark 15.15), and therefore he gave up Jesus to the crowd to be crucified.

And while he( Pilate) “sat on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him and let say," Stay out of this righteous man . For I have the night had many bad dreams because of him . "
Matt. 27.19 NIV

God had warned him, and several times he(Pilate) had said to the crowd that he found no fault in Jesus, but nevertheless this prefect chose wrong. He was more afraid of going against the people than to go against the will of God.


Everyone can find God, just by searching him with all your heart. This is stated in Jer. 29.13 and in Matt. 7.7 Jesus says to us: "seek and you will find;"

So there is no excuse to choose wrong. Therefore, walk the narrow road that leads to heaven.

E. Campbell translated

 

 

 

 

5th January 2014

THE WORLD'S MOST MIGHTY POWER – PRAYERS
“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”

Luke 18.1

This is the parable that Jesus himself told us that we always have to be persistent in prayer, and not faint. Luke 18.1

Some years ago there was a couple in Sweden, who had a half-grown son. One day he had an errand to a neighboring town. It was winter, and when the boy had left his parents he fastened his skies firmly and left. The hours passed by, and the mother became increasingly worried because her son did not return. She opened the door again and again to see whether she could see anything outside. But no. The evening came, still nothing and now everything was dark. The boy had not yet come back. The following morning the father went out to search for his son along with the village men. The search was done very thoroughly and they searched everywhere, but in vain. The boy was not found.

It is always tragic to lose a child, but it gets many times worse when you do not know what kind of death, you child had had.

One day the husband says to his wife: "I am desperate to know what has happened to our son and what kind of death he has had. Therefore, every morning when you pray your morning prayer, you must ask God to show us the death that our son has been given. I will do exactly the same. Like this the same prayer will come to God's throne twice a day. This may take time, but you must not lose faith.

The years passed. In fact there were 7 years without anything happened. God had not given them what they had asked for. One day the husband says to his wife: "From now, we will also carry this prayer to God in our evening prayers. Then the same prayer will come to God's throne 4 times a day. We must endure in prayer, like the widow, then God's answers will come, this Jesus has promised us."


So they prayd faithfully the same prayer each morning and each evening. How many years went by like this, that I cannot remember, but one day God answered our prayer. The weather was so good that the husband had dragged the boat out of the boat shed.

He was to go out on a lake near here to fish. This was in the spring, the sun shone on the blank and calm lake. All of a sudden the father becomes aware of something on the bottom. He then throws the fishing net down and pulls it up. He finds out that it is a human skeleton. He threw the net down several times to get it all up and noticed that there was a fragment of a sock on one leg. On the verge of this sock he read very clearly the sewn initials of their son. His wife always used to sew the name on the socks. 'Then it was all quite clear for the father. The son had wanted to take a shortcut to the neighboring town and had gone off gliding over the lake.

The ice had not been thick enough and had given in, and the son had drowned. All these years he had been there and had long ago dissolved, but part of the socks with the initials, God had left intact to the parent that had been so persistent in prayer to know what death, their son had got. The father folded his hands and thanked God for hearing them. Yes, verily, God is in full great, and he hears all prayers. Do not be discouraged, but be persistent. Then you will get God's answers.

Effie Campbell

 

 

 

4th January 2014

 

The story of the song: "There is might in the small folde hands"

Press this link to hear the song

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
Matth. 7,7-8   NIV

 

We let the author Trygve Bjerkheim even tell how this song came to be.
Some years ago I sat in Forbundsshallen in Oslo one Sunday morning and heard a young missionary speech. One phrase he used, I wrote down. " The strongest superpower in the world at all times is the front with small folded hands."


The small decorated card with this phrase was in my French New Testament, and so it was that I was constantly reminded of these words by seeing them again and again. I wanted to write a song about that phrase, and thus it worked continuasly in my mind.


2 - 3 years later - or maybe 4, I woke up one night and came to think of the words of " the strongest Superpower " - the folded hands. When the phrase, “ There is might in the small folded hands."

There was a verse, a chorus and one more verse. I was almost finished with the song before I turned on the light and wrote them down. These verses were then printed as a small poem in the yearbook of the Mission-Union in 1955: " Deeper Down". They fit in well with the cover photo - a little chinese girl standing with her head bowed and holding her hands together in prayer.

 

When this book came to Dronningborg College in Grimstad early in 1956 teacher Haugen discovered this little poem, and he soon after that got a tune that matche the poem. This tune made the song widely known. But the song has 3 verses. A little later a retired officer from the Salvation Army, Colonel Linderud, turne up at the office in Mollergata 19.

 

Han sagde, at han var blevet så glad for digtet og havde skrevet en melodi til dette og spurgte så, om han kunne få lov til at bruge teksten til denne melodi.

Det fik han naturligvis lov til; men så tilføjede han: ”Min kone og jeg ville ønske, at du digtede et vers mere, hvor du medtog forældrene, der beder for deres børn.” Jeg lovede at forsøge. Da han var draget videre, nedskrev jeg et nyt vers: ”Du som be'r for dit barn, dine kære-.


He said that he had become very fond of the poem and that he had written a tune for this. Then he asked if he would be allowed to use the poem-text of this song. Naturally, he was allowed, but then he added: " My wife and I wish you wrote one more verse in where you included the parents who pray for their children." I promised to try. When he had gone on, I wrote a new verse: "You who pray for your child, your loved ones...”

Colonel Linderud came by again a few days later and then got this new verse. That was the last time that I saw this strange man. Shortly after that, he was with his wife and visited some old friends in Egersund.

Before he was supposed to leave the house for a meeting at the parish hall later this evening, he sat down and relaxed a little in a deep armchair. Suddenly his head fell backwards, and he passed away. After the funeral a large memorial service was held, and the song was sung with his melody.

E.Campbell translated

 

 

 

3rd January 2014

AN ACCOUNT OF A JOURNEY OF A YOUNG STUDENT
"You deceived me, LORD, and I was deceived" (persuade) Jer. 20.7 NIV

A young student in the USA was on his way home from the university. Along the way he entered a hotel. The host turned towards him and said:"Sorry, but we only have one room left, and it is located right next to a sick room. A young man is dying in there and there is only a thin wall between thoes two. I do not know if you like it?"

"Well, that doesn't bother me," the student replied. But when he went to sleep, it was impossible for him to fall asleep. The groaning of the sick and the nurse's footsteps back and forth could be heard very clearly.

He could not fall asleep. A strange uneasiness fell over him that made him ashamed. He was known as a free-thinker much to the dismay and sorrow for his parents. His father was a priest and had been looking immensely forward to the day that his son would become a priest. He still remembered his father's deep sorrow and his mother's tearful prayers when he last time he was home on vacation told them that he did not believe that there existed an afterlife.

The unrest plagued him, but he could not let go of the thought that on the other side of the wall, there was someone who was soon going to die - and what, if there should be something after death? What had Ellison thought if he had seen him in his present state of anxiety? Ellison was one of his friends at college. It was particularly his views and convictions that had caused him to be a freethinker. Well, what would he think? - "It is foolish. I have nothing to be afraid of," he said to himself.

On the other side of the wall the plaintive sounds of the sick had now become weaker and weaker. Eventually total silence. But this young student still could not fall asleep. The night seemed to be endless. Finally, it was morning. When the student came down he asked the host how things were with the sick.

"He's dead, poor thing. The doctor had actually said that he would not survive the night,"was the reply from the host.
" Do they know who he was? " the student asked. - "Well, it was a student from the High School in Providence, he got sick on his journey," said the host. It gave a jolt to him, because he went at the same school. "What was his name?" - "Ellison," the host replied, "did you know him?"

This young man was as stunned. It was his friend, the friend who had brought him to deny. Many hours had to pass before the student could stand to move on again. All the way home was this repeating sound inside his heart:"dead - and how? - Lost, lost!" His whole conviction and thought of existence was now totally overturned. He came home to his parents, completely changed - heartbroken, challenged, in anxiety and depressed by guilt. His old man had a gratifying task the following days to tell him about God's promises until his son found peace in believing in Jesus. This son was later to become one of the previous century's greatest missionaries: "The apostle, Burma". His name was Adoniram Judson.

"You deceived me, LORD, and I was deceived" (persuaded) Jer. 20.7 NIV
E. Campbell

 

 

2nd January 2014

THE ENTRANCE OF TEMPTATIONS

It was very interesting to read of the Age of Chivalry in world history. Back then many of these men made great fortunes, and for that money they built themselves castles. Times were troubled, and therefore they had to think of defending themselves and as good as possible. Many of these knights therefore built castles on an islet or small island in a small lake. They used a drawbridge to connect the castle with the mainland. In this way they could keep the enemies at a distance, because when the enemy approached the castle they only had to raise the bridge, thus preventing the enemy free passage. Like this he could be standing there on land without having to worry. - He also made the walls very thick. But perhaps the most important thin was the windows. Those he made very small. Therefore, it was very difficult for the enemy on land to hit these small windows with their arrows.

Have you ever thought that the human body is just like such a castle? The windows of the castle are the eyes, ears, mouth and nose. Our enemy is Satan, and he always aims to send his arrows through the window openings to damage and destroy our soul. And he has succeeded with this many times.

Through the eyes TV and video images enter, which in large part deal with adultery, murder and brutality. This is corrupt and rotten food for the soul. Rarely it is far from thought to action. What people see, they also often do in their daily lives. "When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” (James 1.13 to 15)

Or this to let his eyes linger on someone else's spouse. I think there are many people who can talk about this, even King David, who was tempted by Bathsheba, Uriah 's wife. Like this David despised the word of God and did what displeased God with many unpredictable and far-reaching sorrows as a result of this ( 2 Sam. 11 and 12). So Satan succeeded in shooting his destructive arrows through David's eyes, and he fell.
 

Job was more cautious.
“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.
“If my heart has been enticed by a woman, or if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door, then may my wife grind another man’s grain, and may other men sleep with her. For that would have been wicked, a sin to be judged. It is a fire that burns to Destruction; it would have uprooted my harvest."

(Job 31.1 . 9-12) . NIV

Through the mourth, Satan sends his deadly arrows in the form of intoxicating drinks. A secular saying goes, " When the beer comes in, reason goes out." And it is correct. People can be drunk to do things they would never dream of doing if they had been sober. But God also has something to say about these substances that deplete the body and destroys creation.

"Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple." ( 1 Cor. 3.16 to 17 ) NIV

Through the nose young people do sniff, and it can be fatal. It paralyzes the respiration and can cause sudden cardiac arrest. It is sad to see young people lie in bed without being able to eat or do anything that young people who may be cared for as diaper children due sniffing. Yes, indeed, Satan has luck.

The last window, we mention here is the ears. We must not listen to bad advices and temptations from our fellowmen. Similarly, there are also music which is both harmful and destructive.

There is help to get if we repent, yes, we have full redemption, God showed us His love in Jesus. His blood cleanses from all sin. We are purer than snow (Psalm 51.9 ). Sin will be lowered into the deepest sea (Micah 7.19 ) and Corrie ten Boom used to say : " A sign with the words " Fishing prohibited "hanging over there. So these sins will never again return and accuse us someday. The sins will not come to God's thoughts again.
Yes, you must understand, for he says of King David, who was a murderer that took someone else's wife, that he was a man after God's own heart (Acts 13.22 ). So great is God's forgiveness. You get a new beginning, a new life, the old has gone (2 Cor. 5.17 ). Does not that sound great ? But then you must also come to him, repent and ask for forgiveness.
Effie Campbell

 

 

1st January 2014

BIBLE VERSE IN OUR MODERN AGE?
Isn't it oldfashioned to learn Bible verses by heart today? However, many parents and teachers have told how Bible verses have been a blessing to their children.
In Copenhagen I taught a children's ring with appx. 20 children. One day a girl came to me and told me about the importance that a Bible verse had for her. " At my school I often recite the verse from John. 6.37: Jesus said
" ... All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away."

She had seen the value in the fact that she could always come to Jesus.

We have seen that children have attended only a few times in the children ring, but that they had learned a bible verse back then that later bore fruit. People whom we met later in life, still remembered the Bible verses they learned as children in the ring.

Kresten says: "I could cite many examples, but I will restrict my self to mention only one example. One day I was at a car dealer. There was a "Hells Angel type” in black leather clothes and with a long ponytail. He looked at me a few times, and then he said:
"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke. 19.10 NIV

I smiled at him, but he noticed on my face, how amazed I was.
"Yes," he said, " I've met you once before. You spoke to a family worship, and you taught all in the church this verse." - I was pleased to hear that and I knew that I had not only taught them the Bible verse, but I also carefully had explained to them the context so that the verse could strengthen them, when the audience later in life were in need of the Word of God. "
A mother says the following: "Last summer we were at a family camp. The children taught the kids a memory verse from the Bible. Lea was just 4 years. The 4 days we were there, Leah did not say a word, but when we got home, she said :
“because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.” Hebr. 13.5 NIV

How I was happy, touched and grateful because she had remembered the word of God.
I would recommend anyone who has contact with children in their work, to teach the children memory verses, for it is God's truth. Teach them even a few memory verses a year, so that they stick in their memory.
"Focus on the child ."
E. Campbell translated