Silent Time

For everything there is a season, for joy and for sadness, a time to be quiet and and time to speak out. For everything there is an appropriate time appointed by the Lord, Ecclesiastes 3 [1 - 7] For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to...

Despite all the cultural differences between regions and countries, as well as between the past and today, one thing we have in common: everyone needs to eat and drink to nourish the body. Some suffer scarcity being locked in hold captive. Others have more than enough in abundance. Praise the Lord and give thanks every time you have a meal to enjoy. And yet, food and drink will ultimately not be the most important things. Romans 14 [17]: The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. God's...

It can be terrible to be left alone. In ordinary life it can be hard to be left alone, and how much more in serious crises and difficult situations. People may leave us behind. And sometimes it might even feel as if even God left us alone. But God never leaves us. For example the psalmist prayed in Psalm 33 [22]: I was terrified and thought, “They've chased me far away from you!” But you answered my prayer when I shouted for help. I had said in my alarm "I am driven far from your sight". But you heard my supplications when...

Who cares for you? Do you have anyone who cares about and for you? Praise the Lord, if you are blessed with caring persons such as among family and friends, who care and provide for you, who intercede and support. But even if you feel totally alone, as if no one would care at all, still, there is a strong provider, the Lord himself. He does not simply fulfill all our wishes, often we have to wait and go through times of trouble and hardship, yet the Lord has a good long term plan to guide us through all...

This life here on earth alone has a lot of questions. And beyond that the question may be asked: Will everyone enter heaven? Jesus warns that not everyone who claims to be his follower will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do God's will, for example in the gospel to Matthew 7 [21]: Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of the Father who is in heaven.” And in order to remember, that message is also put into various pictures, for example the distin...

What do you hold on to, that you should let go? It might be to give up unhealthy habits such as smoking. Or to turn off the TV on time in order to get sufficient sleep. Or to stop using abusive language that takes energy from family members, friends and colleagues and rather taking own responsibility for one's life and happiness. Or it might be to give back something stolen. Or simply to stop being angry and spreading a bad mood. Whatever it might be, Jesus encourages us to give up those things which he has shown us individually...

When driving a conventional vehicle, it is important to be concentrated. Have you ever been in critical situations of driving while being sleepy? Like a driver of a small older car who was tired but nevertheless driving on the highway with high speed and without noticing it he fell asleep for a short moment. When he opened the eyes, his car was very close to a huge truck, an extremely dangerous situation. Praise the Lord no accident. The driver of that small car had learned the lesson, stopped the car at the next service center, took a short rest...

When was the last time you felt overwhelmed by fear or uncertainty, wondering how you could possibly face what lies ahead? Throughout all kinds of situations, God encourages you to remain calm and trust in His promises, even when the world around you seems threatening.
In Isaiah 7 [4], God sends a message through the prophet Isaiah to a fearful king: “Tell him to stop worrying. Tell him he does not need to fear the fierce anger of those two burned-out embers, King Rezin of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah.” The people of Judah were trembling with fear, but God’...

"This is love" - might be the title of a song talking about affection and romance. And that is one meaning of the word love, of course. But the much more important meaning of love is to want the best for the other person, to bless, to help and to build up. We are not perfect in that, but God fully shows such love, despite we do not deserve it: this is real love - not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 1. John 4 [9-11...

What is more precious than gold? We may think of certain rare materials that are more precious. But for the personal life, other matters are more relevant. What is important for you? Health? Family? Success? Peter explains in his first letter that faith is tested similar as gold is tested: both are tested by fire; and if we hold on to God in faith even when going through fire, through challenges and difficulties, that will turn out more precious than gold. 1. Peter chapter 1 [3 - 7]: Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Because...

Keep up your courage

"Keep up your courage", that can be empty words, if a person is not really interested and just gives such words as a quick good bye. But the same words can also be a real encouragement, if someone is interested and tries to find solutions and offers help and advice. How much more, if the advice is not just from a mere human but from the holy eternal God himself. "Keep up your courage", God told to Paul, when he was brought into the fort on the day after serious accusations before the...

What are the vanities you tend to look at? Career, comfort, possessions, pleasure, events, or constant new experiences can all be enjoyed if received with thanksgiving. Yet they shall not become more important than the One who gives every good gift. The word of God reminds us to turn our eyes from looking at vanities. The psalmist prays: “Help me to understand your Law; I promise to obey it with all my heart. Direct me by your commands! I love to do what you say. Make me want to obey you, rather than to be rich. Take away my fo...

What is detestable to you? It might be a specifically severe crime. Or something else which is totally not acceptable. 
God warns his people especially not to involve in occult practices such as fortune-telling, Deutoronomy 18 [10-12] Let no one be found among you who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, nor use spells, nor who is a medium nor a spiritist nor a charmer nor anyone who consults the dead. Anyone who does such practices of darkness is detestable to the LORD, the almight, holy God. 
What shall we do then? Instead of detestable wo...

In the world there is a lot of unrest: in several places there are wars and crimes going on, oppression, discrimination and persecution, so that people need to leave their homes and flee, becoming refugees and strangers. 
And even in places and countries where all seems to be calm, still there is often strife in the households, envy and greed within the societies, arrogance and selfishness, fear and loneliness. Do you look for a peaceful habitation? 
A secure dwelling place to live with hope and confidence? That can be found in the almighty God: Isaiah 32 [18]. The eternal cr...

Have you ever promised an everlasting love? 
People may promise that when getting married or in other occassions.
All too often, after a while, people disappoint each other, hurt each other in thoughts and words.
But there is a real everlasting love, that truely deserves the name, lasting beyond this life, even in eternity.

What is good for the heart?

Turning back

Does it mean being sad and depressed?

Looking deeper

“If you turn to me, I turn to you”

Set Free from Prison

No Longer Strangers

Throughout the seasons of life

Alive and well

The Creator of something is its Owner

The Dawn

Danger of Life!

“He did not sin with his lips” – what does it mean?

Which Laws?

The Body

Just somebody whom I used to know?

Either – Or!

Whose name is being made known?

“I am lost”

Talking in Silence – can that make sense?

Those, whom he loves.

Limits and Boundaries

Do you enjoy the favour of the people?

David made well use of his time.

Knowing what is required

Like the Sun